Asia. The first part being an accurate description of Persia, and the several provinces thereof : the vast empire of the Great Mogol, and other parts of India, and their several kingdoms and regions : with the denominations and descriptions of the cities, towns, and places of remark therein contain'd : the various customs, habits, religion, and languages of the inhabitants : their political governments, and way of commerce : also the plants and animals peculiar to each country / collected and translated from the most authentick authors and augmented with later observations ; illustrated with notes, and adorn'd with peculiar maps and proper sculptures by John Ogilby ...

THE DESCRIPTION OF THE KINGDOM OF PERSIA. (Book Persia)

* 1.1THE Kingdom of Persia hath for se∣veral Ages by that Name been known to the an∣cient Greeks and Romans, and at this Day to most People of Europe; and it may pro∣perly be so call'd from Perseus, Son of Jupiter and Danae. The In∣habitants term it Agem, or Agiam. By the Turks it is call'd Agem Vilager, or Agem Memlaket; the first signifies The Countrey, and, the second The King∣dom of the Persians: But the proper Name, as Texeira affirms, is Agem or Pars; and that of the Inhabitants, Parsey or Agemy, though the Name of Pars belongs peculiarly to the Province of Per∣sia. It was anciently a Noble and very famous Country, having for two hundred and thirty Years been the Head of the second Monarchy; nay, it rose to that heighth, that (according to Brisonius) no Kingdom upon Earth could either in Power or Riches compare with it; wherefore the Governors were call'd The Great Kings, or Kings of Kings, as appears by Plato, Strabo, Suetonius, and other eminent Writers.

The Borders of this Kingdom formerly extend∣ed very far, many populous Provinces being under its Jurisdiction, as (amongst other Remarks) ap∣pear'd by the great Army, and the mighty Train thereto belonging, with which King Darius pre∣par'd to oppose Alexander the Great, as Quintus Cur∣tius hath related at large.

How far the Limits of this Empire anciently extended, may be found in Strabo, Pizarrus, and other ancient Writers.

* 1.2Persia in former Times compris'd most of the Countries of Asia towards the East, as also a part of India and Egypt, which then was within the Bounds of Asia, viz. it extended in length from the Hellespont beyond the Mouth of the River In∣dus, two thousand eight hundred English Miles; and in breadth, from the Pontus to the Jaws of the Arabian Gulf, two thousand: in which Circumfe∣rence were comprehended many Provinces and Kingdoms. But since the downfall of the second Monarchy of Persia, which flourish'd two hundred and thirty years from the first rise thereof by Cyrus.

This Kingdom, partly by Intestine Wars, and partly by the Invasion of Forein Princes, was so much abated in its former Splendor, that the Inhabitants thereof were absolutely enslav'd, and after the Arabians had Conquer'd them, forc'd to deny their Name, and from that time forward were not permitted to style themselves Persians, but Saracens. Not long after which it was sub∣du'd by the Tartars, and first brought under Sub∣jection of the Chinguis Chan, and then under Ta∣merlane; yet at length it began again to flourish, and regain'd much of its ancient Lustre in the last Age, by the Valour of Ismael Sefi, and is now rec∣kon'd amongst the most powerful Monarchies of the East.

As to the present Extent of Persia, it cannot certainly be said, because of the various Alterati∣ons in the Frontiers, by means of the War against the Turks and Tartars, divers times losing a Pro∣vince

or two, and sometimes regaining them, or others in lieu thereof, from the Enemy.

* 1.3Olearius, from his observation of the Persian Maps, makes Persia to extend (taking in all the circumjacent subdu'd Provinces) from the North to the South, from the Caspian Sea to the Bay of Persia; from East to West, from the Borders of Candahar to the River Euphrates or Moratsu; nay, it extends half way on the West side, from the Caspian Sea upward, to the Armenian Mountains; and Eastward towards the River Ruth Chane, for∣merly Oxun; on the North side whereof dwell the Usbeki and Bucharian Tartars, who partly pay Tribute to the Persians.

Maginus makes Persia extend from East to West 38 Degrees, because its Longitude from the Meri∣dian of Tenariff, is in 82 Degrees, and the most Eastern in 129. but from the North to the South, to 20 Degrees, viz. from the 23. to the 43. De∣gree: So that the Dominion of Persia hath five hundred and sixty Leagues in length, and three hundred in breadth, a Degree being reckon'd to contain eighteen German, or sixty English Miles.

According to Cluverius and Golnitius, it makes out the same length, reckoning from Araxis to the River Indus, a thousand eight hundred and forty English Miles and the breadth, from Oxus to the Persian Sea, eight hundred and ten.

Botteras makes the breadth from North to South to be eighteen Degrees, a Tract of eight hundred and ten Miles.

But Olearius confutes all these Writers in this Point, and affirms, That Persia hath 12 Degrees in breadth from North to South; for if you take the utmost Limits or Corners which lie at both the opposite Seas, viz. the Caspian Sea and Persi∣an Gulf, you will find that the City Hasum, by the Inhabitants call'd Resht, is situate scarce two Leagues from the Caspian Sea, under 37 Deg. and Ormus at the Persian Gulf in 25 Degrees; so that the extent of this breadth is but 12 Degrees, a Tract of two hundred and eighty German Miles.

* 1.4This Kingdom hath for Borders in the East, the River Indus, the Mogol's Countrey, as also the Countrey of Zakatey; On the West it contermi∣nates with Diarbek and Great Armenia, the Coun∣tries of the Turks, the River Tigris, and the Lake Giocho; on the North it verges with the Caspian Sea or Bachu, besides the Tartars from Usbeki or Zagatey, and a part of Muscovy, to the Eder or Vola; and on the South is partly wash'd by the Persian Gulf, the rest limiting with Ormus and a lit∣tle part of the Indian Sea.

Cluverius affirms, That the Empire of Persia is on the North inclos'd with the Caspian Sea, the Ri∣ver Oxos, and Mount Caucasus; on the East, with the River Indus; in the South, with the Indian Sea and Persian Gulf; and in the West, with the Euphrates and Tigris, the Nifean Mountains, and River Araxis.

The same Borders are set down by Golnitius, viz. on the East, the Stream Indus, and a part of Tartary; on the North, the Tartars, besides the Oxos and the Caspian Sea; on the West, the Turks, the Lake Giocho and Euphrates, Tigris and Araxis; and on the South, the Persian Gulf call'd Elkatist, and the Indian Sea.

In ancient Times Persia also compris'd the Countries of Gedrosia, Carmania, Drangiana, Ara∣chosia, Paropamisis, Bactriana, Marigana, Hyrcania, Aria, Parthia, Persis, Susiana, Assyria, and Media, most of them in this Age having receiv'd new Names, as shall be made appear more at large hereafter.

The same Cluverius divides the Modern Domi∣nion of the Sofi into the following Countries or Provinces, to wit, Sark, Cusistan, Elaran, Tarsi, Arak, Elsabar, Diargment, Corasan, Sablestan, Candahar, Sigestan, Sigesimur, Kirman, and Goadel, besides the Kingdom of Ormuz, and the Indian Province of Guzaratte; but this last is now under the Great Mogol.

This Dominion comprehends the Province of Persia or Forsistan, which comprises the Regions of Lahor and Sofian, Servan, Adherbajon, Arak or Hierak, divided into the Provinces of Casbin and Armadan, the Countrey of Guilan or (as Texeira saith) Gheylon, or Kilan, Sayabat, Strava, Diargu∣ment, besides the Substitute Countries of Mazan∣daran; beyond which Texeira places along the Cas∣pian Sea, Bostam, Sabzabah, and Nixabur, formerly Metropolises of so many Kingdoms, but of late reduc'd to peculiar Lordships or Dominions.

But the Persians at this day possess Korazan, Can∣dahar, the Kingdoms of Sistan and Hucenche, be∣sides the three Kingdoms of Curdistan, one of which is peculiarly call'd Malaga or Miraga, containing part of Chaldea and Assyria, and extends to Bagdat. Sagistam, Tabastan, Kablestan or Sablestan, Nimruz, Stakar, Lorestan or Luristan, Ciran, Eri, Kirman, and several other Isles, are also under the Jurisdi∣ction of the Persians.

The most eminent Provinces in Persia are at this day (as Olearius affirms) Pasargadas, the most South-East Province of Persia, Erak, Fars, Schir∣wan, Kilan, Adirbeitzan, Thabristan or Mazanderan, Iran or Karabach, Chorasan, Sablustan, Sitzestan, Kirman, Chusistan, Tzisire, and Diarbek.

Others make the Kingdom of Persia to contain the Province of Persia, in the Country Language call'd Fars, Erak, Adirbeitzan, Iran or Karabach, Drangiane or Sagistan, Nixabur, Kilan, Mokan or Mogan, Betziruan, Mazanderan, Chusistan, Carmania, Gedrosia or Cirkan, Kache, Guadel, Nakran, Mogostan, Lorestan, Chorazan, Siston, Aria or Erie, Dagestan, and Amadan.

The Province of Persia or Fars.

THE Province of Persia, (anciently call'd Persis) from which the whole Kingdom is so call'd, is in the Country Language nam'd Fars and Farsistan; which last properly signifies The Country of Fars; for Stam in the Per∣sian Tongue generally signifies A Country. Niger, besides several others call it Azamia, and the Turks, according to Megisser, Farsik. It is a great Country, and hath on the East the two Carmania; the West part thereof borders at Susiana, now call'd Suse or Suster, otherwise call'd Kusistan; the North verges with Media, now Sarch; and the South shoots to the Persian Bay or Sea of Ormus.

The Coast of Persia is every where an open and sandy Plains, and without Harbors; yet the In∣habitants call all those Places where Boats can put in, Brendor, that is, A Haven.

The Sea-Coast of this Province comprehends the Country inhabited by the Nautaques, Arabi∣ans, and Mihelus or Nichilu, which have their Name from that Sea-Coast, and maintain them∣selves by Piracies: They pay Tribute to the Sefi; yet some of them own the Portuguese, and Sail freely with their Passes, which secures them from being molested by the Portuguese Carraks.

On the Bay of Persia stands the Fort Rexel; and more Northward into the Country lies Resh Cey∣fadin, that is, The Tract of Sand of Ceyfadin.

The Metropolis of this Province is Schiras, by the Italians and Sir Walter Raleigh nam'd Siras, and (according to Mr. Herbert) from the pronunciati∣on of the Persians themselves, Scheraz. By reason of its Situation on a Plain, some term it Imurezam, that is, A Plain-City. Ben Jonas calls it Syahaz; Osirus, Niras; Sephanus, Cynebatha; and Ctelius, Cyropolis, though mistaken, as Mr. Herbert affirms, because all the ancient Geographers place the City of Ciropolis near the River Cyrus in Hyrcania, lying in 39 Degrees and a half Northern Lati∣tude, whereas Sciras lies in 28 Degrees and 44 Minutes.

Aelian affirms, That there is a Ciropolis in In∣dia, and Pliny hath observ'd a River of the same Denomination in Armenia; but none of the An∣cients make mention of any City of that Name: yet nevertheless Garcias de Sylva and Fiqueroa certainly believes Schiras to be the ancient City of Ciropolis, lying in the Province of Pasargadas.

Herbert would have Scheraz to be deriv'd from the word Sheer, which signifies Milk in the Persian Tongue; or else from Sherap, which is A Bunch of Grapes; for no Place in all Asia affords better Vines.

Some, but especially Philips of Ferrara, would have Sciras to be the ancient City Persepolis, or at least that Sciras was built out of its Ruins on the same Foundation: but this is a grand Mistake, because Schiras is not an ancient City, and the Place where Persepolis stood, is above ten Persian Miles to the Northward from Schiras: Yet ne∣vertheless Mr. Herbert affirms, that Schiras was rai∣sed out of the Ruins of Persepolis.

Some ascribe the building of this City to Jam∣shid, fifth King of Persia, who (as the Chronicle makes mention) was succeeded by Chedorlaomer, not long after the Death of Noah.

Botterus tells us, That Schiras was built when Grand-Cair was but a Village; but according to the Registers of the Country, it was built not above seven hundred and fifty years ago, a consi∣derable time after the Arabians made themselves Masters of Persia. Moreover, if ancient Traditi∣ons may be credited, which are there certainly believ'd, this City is much elder, especially if it be true what is related of an Asian General call'd Jenpsit, who is said to have liv'd many Ages be∣fore their Account of Time: And though they differ amongst themselves in the Time and Reign of the foremention'd Heroe, yet 'tis very proba∣ble that he liv'd a thousand years after the Flood. They affirm that he was the Person who made the great and strange cut Channel, which so abun∣dantly waters the whole Country of Schiras, by undermining and cutting through the great Moun∣tains that lie between the City and Springs, and thereby brought them to their present Perfection; and by this means they furnish the City with such an abundance of Water, that if all the Channels were cut into one, they would make a very large River.

The City of Schiras, lying in 28 Degrees and 44 Minutes Northern Latitude, is situate about ten Leagues from the Ruins of Persepolis; near the Stream Bendamir or Bendimir, on a great Plain in∣clos'd with Mountains (except on the side where you go over a Bridge from Pasa into the same) two Leagues distant from the City, but on the North scarce half a League.

This City was formerly much bigger, and had many more magnificent Buildings than at this day, as plainly appears both within and without its Walls: And the Arabian Geographer Ulug Becig, Nephew to Tamerlane, affirms that it was in his Time three Leagues and a half in Circumfe∣rence. The like bigness Contasing ascribes to the same, as also the number of twenty four thousand Houses.

In the beginning of this Age Schach Abbas, to punish the Insurrection of one Jacob Chan, Gover∣nor or Lord of Schiras, pull'd down that part of the Wall which was then remaining, and fill'd up the Moat and Trench which surrounded the City.

Both without and within the City are many Mosques or Temples, amongst which some are built very magnificent and beautiful, and especially one, which being of an extraordinary bigness, hath a much higher Steeple upon it than any of the other. These Towers, which the Persians call Al∣corons, are narrow, but high, having without two or three Galleries one above another; from whence the Marabouts (a sort of Priests) publickly read their Prayers with a loud and strong Voice three times a day, and walking round about the Gallery, that they may be the better understood.

There are very few handsom Structures either without or within the City, except the Mosques; for besides three Royal Palaces, (of which one is in the City, and the other two in the Suburbs) there is not one fair House: 'tis true, that of the Chan or Sultan, thoug it be not very beautiful on the out-side, yet large, and hath many Painted and richly Gilded Apartments within, besides Galleries, Gardens, Orchards, and pleasant

Walks. All the other, inhabited by Citizens and other eminent Persons, are small and mean; the Rooms, except the Hall and two or three Chambers, are so little, that an indifferent Trades∣man here, hath better Accommodation than a Nobleman there.

The City hath several Gates, one of which re∣spects the River Pasargadas, and is call'd Darva∣za Pasa, that is, The Gate of Pasa, anciently Pasarga∣das: it is very little, and supported only by the Relicks of an old Mud Wall. Opposite to this Gate, towards the West, is another call'd Dar∣vaza Achem, that is, Iron Gate, at which begins a very fair Street above 2000 Paces long, and every where exactly 90 Paces broad. On each side of this Street is a Wall of about sixteen Foot high, Plaister'd over with Mortar, and without any Houses; behind are spacious Gardens and Or∣chards, full of Fruit-trees and curious Banquet∣ing-houses, which belong to the King, and are neatly built, with large Galleries and pleasant Prospects.

In this fair Street the Persians run Races, and perform their Exercises on Horseback. At the end of the Streets stands the King's Palace, very handsomly built, with Balconies and Terrace Walks. Before the Court you ascend by two Steps to a little Plain, which is rais'd higher than the Street. At the Entrance, and near the Gal∣lery, in the midst of the Plain, lies a fair and large Pool of Water.

Most of the Inhabitants of the City appear every Friday, being the Mahumetan Sabbath, in a spacious Plain, both on Foot and Horseback, and are there Exercis'd and Train'd, and afterwards dispose themselves to other Recreations as they think fit.

Near the King's Palace is a fair House with a pleasant Garden, the Work of the Great Ismael Sofi, very curiously built three Stories high; in the second of which, among other very conveni∣ent Apartments, is a large and spacious Hall, ha∣ving in the middle an Arch'd Lover, full of Glass Windows. In this Apartment, as also in the rest on this Story, are divers Pictures of Women, most of them Cloth'd after the Italian manner.

Under the Galleries which surround this Stru∣cture, two are much bigger than the other; one of which being over the Gate looks into the Street, and also to that Gate of the City which is call'd Darvaza Pasa. The other standing above the first, is over the Gate, through which you pass to go into the Garden, and respects the West. Each of these have three Doors one against another, so that being in the Hall, which is in the middle of the Edifice, you have the Prospect not only of the foremention'd Streets and Walks, but also of the City Gate, and that of the Haram or Seraglio, in the middle of the Garden, which may justly be accounted a Wood of all sorts of Fruit-trees, di∣vided into Walks, but those of the Cypress and Palm are the chiefest, which begin at the Court Gate, and extend nine hundred Paces in length, and thirty in breadth; the Walks are very straight and even Planted on both sides with tall Cypress-trees, which are so big that three Men can scarce fathom them, and so high and straight, that they represent great Obelisks. At the bot∣tom of the Trees is rais'd a Gravel Path or Bank, somewhat higher than the middle Walk, and a∣bout five or six Foot broad, where all People walk; for they go not into the middle part, be∣cause that must be kept always green. At the bottom of these Cypress-trees, on the out-side of the Walk, runs a pleasant Brook, which after∣wards dividing it self into several Branches, wa∣ters all parts of the Garden. At the end of the Walk is the Haram or Seraglio, built after the same manner as the House before mention'd, but not so large nor high: It is erected on a Plain rais'd seven Foot higher than the Garden. On each side of this Structure is forty Foot of Ground, in which are ten eight-square Ponds, which are each half a Fathom deep, to serve the House with Water. This Edifice is not cover'd with Tyles, but with Lome and chopt Straw or Chaff, which being temper'd together and bak'd, becomes so hard that no Water will soke through, but runs off into Gutters join'd to the Wells. On this Roof, as also on those of all other Houses, stands a Marble Pillar of about three or four Foot long, and one thick. On the top of the Seraglio you have a Prospect of the whole Garden, as also a cool walking-place in the hot Summer Nights.

This Garden affords all sorts of European Fruits, but especially Pears, and Grapes of divers sorts, beautiful to the Eye, and very large; also Pista∣cho's, Almonds, and Filberds.

Sixty or seventy Paces from the Haram appears a square Fountain, with a handsom Ascent; each Square is about a hundred Foot long, and Wall'd with Marble; also fill'd with Water, in which are kept two Pleasure-boats for the Women to recreate themselves with.

All the Walks are on both sides Hedg'd in with Province-Roses, out of which they Distill abun∣dance of Rose-water, and send it in great quanti∣ties to Ormus, and India, and other remote Coun∣tries.

In this large Garden are abundance of great Pheasants, Woodcocks, and other Fowls, which are there as in a Cage, breeding and hatching up their Young.

Ten Leagues from Schiras is a Village call'd Maragaskan, otherwise Mardash; it lies in 28 De∣grees and 48 Minutes Northern Latitude, four League North-West from the Village Mahin; between which the Way is very straight, pleasant, and delightful, being overgrown with Grass. This Village contains about two hundred Houses, so inclos'd with Trees, that at a distance it appears to be a Wood divided into several small Parks. The Air thereabouts is very temperate, and the Water good and fresh, besides which all sorts of Provisi∣ons very cheap.

Near Mardash, at the end of a neighboring Plain, nigh the Foot of a high Mountain not far from the Brook Sirt, may be seen the Ruins of an old Ca∣stle, in the Persian Tongue call'd Tzehilminar, that is, Forty Towers, though at this Day only thirty of them remain, viz. nineteen high ones, and eleven broken ones; but (as Della Valle affirms) there are not above twenty, which may be true, and the Place not misnam'd; for though now so few re∣main, without doubt there were more at first, the Persian word Thehil signifying Fort, and Minar A Tower.

Joseph Barbaro affirms, that the Towers before mention'd are as big as three Men can Fathom, and (as Mandeslo relates) consists of black and white Marble.

The Persians relate, that this Edifice was erect∣ed

by a King call'd Tzemshied Schach, famous for Wisdom; but Olearius questions that. Others say That King Solomon built it: and some believe that Darius was the Founder thereof, and that Iskander, which is Alexander the Great, ruin'd it: But Aelian ascribes the erecting thereof to King Cyrus.

The Foundation or Platform of this Structure is about eighty Yards, being cut out of an intire Rock of Marble: They ascend the same on four pair of Stairs, consisting of ninety five Steps; cut out of white Marble: On the top, not far from the Stairs, appear four Pieces of a broken Wall, that seem to have been two large Gates; on the first two are cut two great Horses, with strange Furni∣ture; and on the other two are other kind of Beasts, with Bodies like Horses, but Heads like Lyons with Crowns upon them, and Wings at their Shoulders. Not far from hence, on the right side, stand the thirty foremention'd Pillars. A lit∣tle distant from these Towers, and somewhat higher were two indifferent large Chambers, of which are remaining some of the Doors and Win∣dows, which are of Marble, as also the Walls, which are so polish'd, that one may see their Face therein as in a Looking-Glass. Farther in, on the side near the Doors, are all manner of ancient Shapes and Figures, hewn in Stone, and bigger than the Life, some sitting, others standing, with long Hair, broad Beards, and long Coats down to their Feet, with wide Sleeves, a Sash about their Middle, and strange round Caps on their Heads. Not far from these Chambers stands a square Pil∣lar, with a great polish'd Stone in the top, which some judge to be a Jasper; on this also, as on se∣veral other Columns, are strange Characters En∣graven which none can Read.

All that remains of the Relicks or Ruins of an∣cient Persepolis we find very well describ'd in Mr. Herbert, wherefore we shall give you the De∣scription in his following words:

The Ribs or Ruins of Persepolis (saith he) are at this Day call'd Chill-Manor, or Chehel-Manor, that is, Forty Towers in the Idiom of Persia; and might more properly have said Hashtot-Manor, or Eighty Towers, for so many are easily told two Yards out of the Ground; and if from so many Pillars as are perfect and lofty, then may they say Nouzda-Manor, or Nineteen Towers, at this Day no more standing, one excepted at the East below, above a Bowe-shot thence. The whole Basis is cut by incredible toil out of the solid Marble Rock, twice the compass of Windsor Castle, ascended by fourscore and fifteen easie Steps, dissected from the durable black Marble, so broad that a dozen Horses may go abreast: the Perpendicular is two and twenty Geome∣trick Feet, and where the Stairs are not, the Rock is precipitious: near the highest Step is the Entrance into the Palate; the Breadth is visible, in despight of Flame and Weather: on one side of the Gate stands a monstrous great Elephant, on the other a Rhinoceros; the di∣stance is about twenty Foot; the Portraicts are cut out of the shining Marble, ten Yards high either of them, fixt and perpetual. A few Paces thence are of like Work, Bulk, and Matter, two gallant Towers; and (to finish the Porter's Lodge) near them is another Ruine, a Pegasus, an Invention of the Sculptor to illustrate his Art: And being past this Portal, the Apollo opens, a fair even Ground, deplorable in many Ruins, a hundred white Marble Pillars, whole and broken, dignifying this once most excellent Structure. Upon many of these white Marble Pillars the Storks have builded their Nests, where the rage of Wind and Weather is more offensive to them than any dread they have of the People who inhabit near them. In all un∣seasonable, stormy, or cold Weather, they for∣sake the Region, and fly where the Sun can com∣fort them. The Persians have many superstiti∣ous Stories concerning them, and suppose them (as else-where I have noted) the Emblems of Piety and Gratitude. The Pillars which are at this day standing (but seem to groan under the Tyranny of Time) are betwixt fifteen and twenty Cubits, and rise beautifully in forty Squares or concave Parallels, every Square ha∣ving full three Inches, whereby the Circuit may be gather'd. Most excellent is the Matter, most elegant the Work, and no less commenda∣ble the Order and Shape how they are plac'd; in posture and shew to this day admirable; but when they stood in lustre and perfection, were elsewhere scarce imitable. From the ordinary standing, we easily enjoy'd a most delightful Prospect; but in the Summity or Advantage, a brave Horizon of thirty Miles unlimited Plains, every way gave it self to this Imperial Palace, as seeming to submit it self in a happy lowli∣ness.

In part of this great Room (not far from the Portal) in a Mirror of polish'd Marble, we noted above a dozen Lines of strange Characters, very fair, and apparent to the Eye; but so mystical, so odly fram'd, as no Hieroglyphick, no other deep Conceit can be more difficultly fancied, more adverse to the Intellect. These consisting of Figures Obelisk, Triangular, and Pyramidal, yet in such Symetry and Order as cannot well be call'd Barbarous: Some resemblance I fan∣cied some Words had of the Antique Greek, sha∣dowing out Ahasuerus Theos: And though it have small concordance with the Hebrew, Greek, or Latin Letter, yet questionless to the Inventer it was well known, and peradventure may con∣ceal some excellent Matter, though to this day wrapt up in the dim Leaves of envious Obscu∣rity.

Adjoyning this, is another square Room, from Angle to Angle ninety Paces, in circuit three hundred and threescore Paces, beautified with eight Doors, four of them being six Paces broad, and the other four, three apiece; all eight severally compos'd of seven great polish'd Marbles, fix'd one upon another; each of which Stones are four Yards long, five Quarters high, and most excellently engraven with Ima∣ges of Lions, Griffins, Tygers, and Bulls: and in other Places (for the Walls are durable) Bat∣tels, Hecatombs, Triumphs, Olympick Games, and the like, in very rare Sculpture and Propor∣tion. Above each Door is engraven the Idea of a Majestick Monarch; his Robe is long, a Tiara or Mithra on his Head, his Hair very long, and curl'd; in one Hand he holds a Globe, in the other his Scepter: A Garb and Session never us'd by Persian Princes. The silly Inhabitants (who made no account of it till of late) name him Jamshet, and Aaron, and Samson, and Solo∣mon: A wonder they leave out Rustan, their Hercules, and as easie for invention. A third

Chamber conjoyns the last we spoke of: This (if they lie not that told us so) was a Gynecie, or Nursery. It has four unequal Angles; two sides are sixty, the other two seventy of my largest Paces. From that, we issued into a fourth Room, two sides whereof are twenty, and the other two, thirty Paces. The Walls are very eminent in this Chamber, of black shining Marble, in ma∣ny Places so bright and jetty, as we could easily view our Reflex, no Steel Mirror comparing with it. In most parts the Walls are cut into Gygantive Images, illustrated with Gold, to this day permanent. Somewhat further, over Heaps of Stones of valuable Portraictures, we mount towards the most lofty part of this Pa∣lace, where we saw the Resemblances of a de∣vout King, adoring his three Deities, the Sun, the Fire, and a Serpent, all which are cut upon the perpendicular Mountain. The other side of this high Hill is a Precipice, down which is no descending. But whether this Fabrick was Ionick, Dorick, or Corinthiack, in the perfection, I cannot determine; the Ruins forbid a positive Judgment. But such at this day it is, that a rea∣dy Limner in three Months space can hardly (to do it well) depict out all her Excellencies. Pi∣ty it is, it is not done, the barbarous People eve∣ry day defacing it, and cleaving it asunder for Grave-stones and Benches to sit upon. Five Miles West from Chehel-manor is also a gallant Monument, a Giant cut into a monstrous pro∣portion, whom the Illiterate Persians say was Rustan, and from him call'd Nocta-Rustan. I rather judge it the Image of Great Alexander, who had a desire that after-Ages might think him more than a Man, and his Men more than Monsters, as appear'd in his Conceit to make many Armors big enough for three Men, and scatter them in India, that the People might not dare to rebell, lest those Polyphems came to lash them. So far Mr. Herbert.

Some suppose this Edifice to have been a Tem∣ple; others, a part of the Royal Court, or a Bu∣rying-place for the Kings: but Della Valle inclines to the first of these Opinions. This Ruine is, in truth, all that is left or the ancient City Persepolis, being burnt by Alexander the Great, to satisfie the Humor of his Concubine Thais.

At the Foot of the Mountains, a League Northward from Hhehel-manor, are several old Images by the Inhabitants call'd Nocsci Rostam, that is, The Figures of Rostam, who was an anci∣ent Persian Heroe, for his notable Exploits and great Atchievements, very famous in their Histo∣ries, as Hercules among the Greeks and Romans, and said to have liv'd in the Reign of Cyrus and Cam∣byses.

Near these are also carv'd on a large and smooth Rock several other Statues or Images; one where∣of sitting on Horse-back, is clad in a long Gar∣ment, with a Cap or Bonnet on his Head: In his left Hand he holds a Club, as Hercules is usually represented, and in his Right Hand a Ring, which another Horse-man that is plac'd near him also holds, both seeming to pull as if they would break it in sunder. This second Horse-man is cloath'd almost after the same manner with the first, but is bare-headed, and hath very long Hair. There is also in another place a third Horse-man, accou∣tred after the same manner, laying his left Hand on the Hilt of his Sword, his right Hand grasp∣ing the Sword of a Foot-man that stands before him, threatning as it were another Foot-man, who is bare-headed, and kneeling on one Knee before the Horse-man.

Not far from hence are seen the Representati∣ons of several Women, of which the Inhabitants relate many Fables, but especially of one, who they say was the Mistress of their Renowned Ro∣stam.

On another side of this Rock, which is very steep like a Wall, are many Holes like Win∣dows, a great distance from the Ground, and some bigger than others; yet the least are so large, that a Man may easily lie at length in them: and therefore it is very probable that these Holes serv'd for Places of Interment for the Dead; for Diodorus Siculus affirms, That the ancient Kings of Persia were buried in the Country about Per∣sepolis, in Holes cut in high Rocks, into which they were lifted with Engines made for that pur∣pose.

On another adjacent Mountain there is, as Della Valle relates, the Image of a Man call'd Gemschid, (or as others, Choscid, which signifies The Sun) who is said to have Reign'd a considerabe time in Persia before Cyrus the Great, and still lives in their Memory, for his great Knowledge in Necromancy. Some take this Gemscid to be Nebuchodonosor.

About the City Schiras lie many Hamlets and Villages, as also several Lordships, call'd in the Persian Tongue Mulk, that is, Possessions, which are under one peculiar Family; for the Possessors thereof hold them not of the King, neither can he take them away.

On the North side of the City, as you go to Ispahan, lies a Mountain over which you travel along a Stony Road, through which runs a Stream which waters all the adjacent Gardens and Or∣chards.

Three Leagues to the Northward of Schiras stood a large Caravansera, which though half ru∣in'd, yet by its great Walls and Arches sufficient∣ly testifies its former Magnitude.

This Province contains four great Cities be∣sides Schiras, viz. Casirum, Bunitzan, Firusabath, and Astar; as also the Towns Arboy, Chiminar, Sa∣va, the Metropolis of Savas, formerly the Coun∣try of the Massabates: It comprises likewise Fi∣rusbate, Berdezzil, Senorgande, Cazaran, by Texei∣ra call'd Carriu, and by Ananie, Casrum; also Camara, Zemilen, Bendarepe, Serustan, Agiane, &c. Texeira also places in this Province these Towns and Villages, viz. Tarum, Iaharom or Jarum, La∣sta or Lastan, Stahabanon, Neriz, Pacah, Daragued, and Duzgun, near Lastan, between Comoron and the City Lara, eighteen Leagues from Ormus. There are also the Cities of Rey and Gibal.

The first City of this Province, according to Figueroa, is Guin, as also Benaru, with the Ruins of the Castle Gabriel, in the utmost Confines of the Kingdom of Lara; though both Places lie very near one another, in a great Plain. The City Guin is separated from the rest of Persia by high Mountains, over which you must travel to go to Jarum, and thence with the Caravans through the Desart.

It is apparent that this City hath been built many Years, and Peopled by a Colony of Persi∣ans, because the Inhabitants are of a better Spi∣rit, and more Morallised than the neighbouring wild Arabians: Their Complexion also is whiter,

and the Habit of the Women neater and more Civil. On the left Hand going from Guin lies a Village call'd Denia, full of fair Houses.

About two days Journey from Guin lies the lit∣tle City Horum, so call'd from its Beauty and great plenty of Dates; as also another of the same denomination, between Cabrestan and Lara.

Between Guin and Horum you meet with a bar∣ren and uninhabited Desart, of three days Jour∣ney, not having in all that way above two Pits of Water.

The Village Tarum, which is the Chief of ma∣ny Villages, was much decay'd Anno 1630. The Inhabitants thereof are subject to the Prince of Lar. It hath under its Jurisdiction the Village Seid Geuder, beyond which is a large Plain, and at a small distance runs the Brook Absciur, which signifies Salt Water. A little further is a Village call'd Pelengon, that is, A Panther; so nam'd from the great number of that sort of Beasts breeding thereabouts.

Two Leagues from Pelengon you come to a narrow way between the Mountains, in the Per∣sian Tongue call'd Der Tenghi Cebar Rud, that is, The narrow Gate of four Streams; because in Rainy Weather four great Currents, which come from several Places, unite their Waters there.

After three or four Leagues travelling through a pleasant Way, you come to a Place call'd Curi∣hazirgon, that is, The Merchants Grave; perhaps so call'd because a Merchant died and was buried there. Four Leagues further lies a solitary and ruin'd Place, nam'd Ser Zehi Rizevon, about which stands onely a few Huts, shaded on one side by a Grove of Date-trees: And four Leagues further is Tastek, inhabited by none but the Rabdary or Watchmen to guard the Way.

Two Leagues from Tastek, along an even Way between the Mountains, lies a Place call'd Abi Dungher, the utmost extent of the Dukedom of Lar, and the beginning of the Country which be∣long'd to the King of Ormus, when he was absolute Master of Persia and Arabia.

* 1.5Travelling from Schiras to Hispahan, you pass by these Places: viz. First, the Village Zargan, in which is a handsom and well-built Mosque. Four Leagues further you come to Mahin, which being an open Town, contains between five and six hun∣dred Houses; but is so inclos'd with Gardens and Orchards of all sorts of Fruit-trees, that it rather seems at a distance a shady Grove than a Town.

A little forward from Mahin you come to ano∣ther Village call'd Amanzada, consisting onely of a few Houses, all enclosed within a Wall'd Ca∣ravansera, in which stands also a rich Pagode, out of whose Revenue all Travellers that rest there are maintain'd for three days.

The whole way from Mahin to this Caravansera is very craggy, and troublesom to travel, and is border'd on the left Hand by a high Mountain, whose top lies crown'd with Snow till the middle of Summer.

Three Leagues from Amanzada lies Ugion, a Village on a Plain; and between both, a very steep Mountain, whose Southern side is full of Lentisk Trees, out of which drops Mastick.

In this Place stands a Mosque to which the Na∣tives shew great Reverence, by reason of a Tomb in which lies Interr'd one of Aly's Successors; and the Villagers report, that many sick, blind, and decrepit People have receiv'd Health, and been restor'd to their Sight and Limbs, by imploring the aid of the foremention'd Person, whom they account a Saint. The Plain on which this Vil∣lage is situate is water'd by a small River, whose Stream, though muddy, is yet very full of Fish.

Four Leagues from Ugion is Acopas, a small Vil∣lage, enclos'd with a Mud-wall, and surrounded with high Mountains. In the middle of the Vil∣lage, on a Mount, stands a small decay'd Fort, round about which, and within the Walls, are above a hundred Houses, most of them Inhabi∣ted by Circassians. Hard by stands a large Cara∣vansera; and not far from it a Garden, planted with divers sorts of Fruit-trees, and curious Walks of Cypress and Palm-trees, which one Alavardy Chan planted a little before his death.

Four or five Leagues from Acopas lies Curcuzar, a small Fortified Town, with a Caravansera ad∣joyning. All the way between Acopas and Cur∣cuzar is low and Morassie; the Air also is unwhole∣som: Wherefore the Persians have not without great reason call'd this Place Curcuzar, which sig∣nifies Infectious Air.

Beyond this is the Village Dergriger, three Leagues from which stands a Caravansera, and another pretty Town; next to which follows Comixan, containing about fifteen hundred Fami∣lies.

A little beyond Comixan lies the Dorp Mahiar: And lastly, between that and Hispahan, about a League from the latter, is a Village nam'd Ja∣rustan.

The Province of Persia is water'd by a large River, call'd Cur, which is a corrupt Name of Cyrus. Philip of Ferara in his Geography, Olearius, and others, will have this to be the same River which the Latins call'd Begradas: But Della Valle contradicts this Opinion, affirming, That Bendemir is the Name of a Bridge which lies cross the Ri∣ver, near the way coming from Ispahan to Schiras; but its right name is Curis, as is before mention'd; for Bend-Emir signifies The Bridge of Emir, because the Persians call a Bridge Bend, and Emir was the Name of the Builder.

The ancient Writers make mention of two Ri∣vers in Asia which bear the Name of Cyrus; the one whereof having washt Armenia and Albania, discharges its Water into the Caspian Sea, and, as Olearius says, is at this day call'd Cur or Aras.

The other, which we now speak of, glides from the North to the South through Persia, by the Walls of the City Schiras, and falls into the Per∣sian Gulph. From the Banks of this River the famous Cyrus was thrown in his Infancy, and gave his Name to the Place, and not to that where he was born, which was call'd Agradat.

Most of the Persian Geographers, as Olearius, Garcias de Sylva, Figueroa, and others, judge the River Cur, or Bendemir, to be the same; with Araxes.

This Araxes is the biggest of all those Rivers which water the Provinces of Persia and Lara; not∣withstanding which, it is not very broad, but runs in a narrow Channel, in many Meanders, between high Mountains, being well replenish'd with all sorts of Fish.

This River takes its Original out of the Moun∣tain Jessel, lying between the famous Cities Suster and Margascan, formerly call'd Susa and Persepolis; and first directingits Course Southward, bends

afterwards to the East, separating the ancient Province of Susiana from the Western part of Car∣mania, and so enters into the Kingdom of Persia; and after having receiv'd the Waters of many little Rivolets, and divided the Province of Ker∣man and the ancient Caramie Foelix, finding its Current to the Sea stopt by the exceeding high Mountains, it returns with great force to the North-East, being grown bigger than before, and much deeper, by the Waters which fall from the fore-mention'd Mountains; thence it again runs Southward, visiting the ancient Gedrosie, and at last falls into the Indian Sea, making a spacious Bay.

Near the Ruins of Cehil Minar, and the ancient Persepolis, glides the River Pelevar, which takes its Course towards the South, and falls into the Cur, after having first water'd one of the fruitful∣est Parts of Persia.

Persia is very Mountainous in several Places; but they are not altogether sterill: for the Moun∣tains of Neriz have many Iron Mines; and some relate that many Smaragds are found in this Pro∣vince. About ten or twelve Leagues from Schi∣ras are several high Hills, full of Palm and Len∣tisk-Trees, where breed many Wild Hogs.

The Inhabitants of Schiras, which is common to all the other Provinces of this Kingdom, are very white, the Women generally beautiful, and the Men well-proportion'd.

There is also a great Trade driven in Schiras, occasion'd by the Caravans, which coming from Samarcand and Zagatay, pass through this Place with great Quantities of Silk, Musk, Rhubarb, and Turcoises; all which those of Chorazzan re∣ceive from the Merchants which come from Ca∣tay, or the Northern China. And by this means Schiras furnishes other Countries with Provisions, as Wooll, Copper, and many other things; be∣sides Distill'd Rose-water; for they make ano∣ther sort than we in Europe, by decocting the Ro∣ses. They also get abundance of Silk from the Silk-worms they breed here; and have likewise Rubies, Balayses (which come from the City Bala∣san,) and great store of Lazuus Stones, and Tutty.

Persia or Fars is not very cold, though its Situ∣ation be more Northerly than the other Provin∣ces; for in December all the Gardens about Schiras are green, and the Trees retain their Leaves; be∣cause the Ground being moisten'd by so many Rivers, is not onely preserv'd from all extraordi∣nary Scorchings, but so cooled, and the Fruit be∣comes ripe so late, that it may be preserv'd all the Winter, and kept very good till March.

The Country about Schiras, and the Plains be∣tween the Mountains and the River Pasa, is natu∣rally dry and barren.

The Country about Rexel, near the Sea-coast, yields very excellent Wheat, and also good store of Fruit: That Tract of Land which extends Southerly produces abundance of Dates; as also the Ground about the City Com: but no Vines. The Country of Tarom, with the other neigh∣boring Places, are all planted with Date-trees, under whose the Inhabitants sow Cotton. There is also abundance of Sweet-briar, out of whose Flowers the Inhabitants distill a sort of Water which they call Gulaep, that is, Rose-water.

Out of the gaping Ciefts of a high Mountain in the Country Stahanon, distils a Liquor or Juyce which the King of Persia causes to be gather'd by Persons sworn for that purpose, which yearly take up thirty Meticals, or about forty or fifty Ounces of the said Distillation, which by the Persians is call'd Monmaky Cony, that is, Precious Water; and is kept onely for the King's Use: it being, as they affirm, an excellent Antidote against all Poyson, and an infallible Remedy against inward Bruises, as also outwardly apply'd for Sinew-strains, Con∣tusions, and the like. The King many times be∣stows some of it upon those Princes that are in League with him, as an extraordinary Mark of his Favor. In stead of this, the Turks use Terra Si∣gillata; the Mahumetans of the Eastern Countries, Pazar Cony, which is a kind of Jews-Gum, gather'd at Maxulpata, or Musulipatan, in India; but is not of that Vertue and Power as this of India.

About Schiras the Persians find a sort of bitter Root, by the Apothecaries call'd Cost, from the example of the Arabians and Persians, though they generally add the Word Talk to the same, viz. Cost-Talk, that is, Bitter Cost, to distinguish it from the common Indian Cost, which they call Cost Xerir, that is, Sweet Cost.

The Bitter Cost hath a Root very hard and firm, of a yellow Colour, somewhat inclining to white, if it be fresh and good; but if it be digg'd out of season, or carelesly dry'd, it becomes blue or brown: The Shell or Rind is streak'd, and the Pulp white, and bitterish: The old Roots are very unsavory and ill-tasted. It is brought into Eu∣rope either in round Pieces, or else in long Slices.

The Country about Lastan produces abundance of Ingo, by the Apothecaries call'd Assa foetida.

In Fars and Persia, especially about Schiras, they have very excellent Wine, the best in all Persia, which they call Xarao or Charab; and it is sent to all Parts of the Country, especially to the Court; for the King and his Nobles drink no other: and if any Person of Quality entertains another, he al∣ways treats him with this Wine.

This Province also produces Bezoar-stones, which the Persians properly call Pazahar, which is a Compound Word of Pa and Zahar, the first signifying Against, and the other Poyson: They are chiefly found in a County call'd Stabanon, three days Journey from Lara; where also grows in the Fields a Plant like Saffron, which the Goats eating, causes the foremention'd Stones to grow in their Stomachs, and are esteem'd above all other Gems by the King of Persia: Nay, the Fields wherein the said Goats graze are constantly guarded, and the collecting of the Stones look'd after by Officers appointed particularly for that purpose.

There is also a Stone by the Physicians call'd Lapis Judaicus, that is, The Jews Stone; and by the Persians and Arabians, Ager Alyud, that is, The Stone of Judas. There is likewise the Armenian Stone, otherwise call'd Lapis Lazuli, and in the Per∣sian Tongue nam'd Ager Armeni, that is, The Arme∣nian Stone.

Amongst many other Beasts which breed in Persia, there is one peculiar to this Province, which the Persians call Castar, and the Spaniards, Adives; and is perhaps the Hyena of the Ancients. They breed for the most part in the Hedges about Schi∣ras, and are, as Garcias de Sylva affirms, a kind of Dogs bred first in Barbary. They come in great companies out of the Hedges in the Night, to seek for Prey, making a hideous howling. They are naturally so subtile, that if they were not so

very greedy, they could not be taken. They tear up the Graves in the Fields, and devour the Dead Bodies; and often, when hungry, they ven∣ture into Houses, where if they find any thing, they call their Companions, by making a great noise; whereof the Inhabitants taking notice, surround and catch them.

This Province of Persia comprehends the an∣cient Kingdom or Dukedom of Lar, or Lara, with a Metropolis of the same; denomination; from whence the Laryns (a Coin so current in all the Eastern Countries) had their name, as we ob∣serv'd before.

The Province of Lara is by Figueroa accounted part of the old Carmanie, as Oëssa (commonly call'd the Kingdom of Monbareca) the other part; be∣sides the Countries of Mogosthan. This ancient Dukedom was formerly possess'd by a peculiar Prince, who Govern'd with an Arbitrary Power, and not subject to the Crown of Persia. The last Prince, according to Gaspar Bernardino, was call'd Abrahi Mochom; but by Della Valle, Ibrahim Chan; by Figueroa, Hambrain Chan; and by our Mr. Her∣bert, Erahim Cawn; an Atheistical and bloody∣minded Person. But Alvaredy Chan, Sultan of Schiras, invading him, Anno 1602. by the Com∣mand of Schach Abbas, storm'd the City of Lar, and kill'd the King, besides all the Nobility and Gentry, to the number of five thousand; causing also the Castles to be pull'd down, and the Walls thrown to the Ground, leaving nothing standing that was of any Strength or Consequence. And in this manner the Kingdom of Lar was joyn'd to the Crown of Persia, and added to the Dominion of Schiras.

The City Lar at Lara is a very ancient City, and of great note amongst the Arabians, being the Metropolis, as Figueroa supposes, of the old Car∣manie. It is situate in 27 Degrees and a half of Northern Latitude, at the end of a great Plain, so enclos'd with Mountains, that they leave onely a little Opening or Way, which leads to Schiras. When this City was first built, cannot certainly be resolv'd: Some ascribe the Age thereof to that of our first Forefathers; others say, it was founded not much above a thousand years ago.

The Walls of the Houses are made of Sun∣dry'd Bricks and Clay, and plaster'd over with a kind of Mortar made of chopt Straw and Earth, which the Persians use in all their Buildings, espe∣cially in the Provinces of Lara, Querman, and Per∣sia. Most of them are but one Story high, having few Windows, and those very small, and cover d with Lattices, or stopt with Mats.

In this City is an ancient Palace, formerly the Residence of the Prince, with a large Court be∣fore it; which had stood empty a considerable time, when the Chan of Schiras came to Lar to take possession thereof.

Here are likewise two other remarkable Pla∣ces: The one, a Castle or Fort; the other, the Bazar, or Exchange. The first, being almost half a League in circumference, is built of Free-stone, on the West side of the City, on a little Hill, and fortified with thirty eight strong Bulwarks, which defend the City from any outward At∣tempts, and also Commands it.

Figueroa affirms, That the Castle covers the whole top of the Mountain, which is Oval, and fortified with a Stone Wall, and a Breast-work, with divers Loop-holes for small Shot. It is ve∣ry large in circumference, and hath a Well with excellent Water, above two hundred Fathom deep; for it reaches quite down to the City: yet is the Water nevertheless very easily drawn up, with a Wheel turn'd by an Ox.

The other Place of note in this City, is the Bazar; that is, A Street full or Shops, like the Exchange. This Bazar was the Work of Alva∣redy Chan, the before-mention'd Sultan of Schiras; and is without doubt one of the fairest and best in all Asia. It consists of an exact Square, en∣clos'd within high Walls of white Stone, each Square being 150 Paces, and in every one a large Gate, through which you enter into a fair Walk, that opens into four Rows of Shops, each twenty Foot broad, making a Cross-way; in the middle whereof is a very high Turret, full of large Win∣dows, built on four Arches of Stone, which ta∣king their beginning from thence, cover the four Walks: The Materials so neatly painted and po∣lish'd, that they out-vie Marble: The Ground is also very curiously pav'd. In four other Squares, but much less than the former, are four other small Cross-ways, which have also a Turret in the mid∣dle of each; from whence, as from the great one, run four other lesser Arched Walks of fifteen or sixteen Foot broad. Almost in the middle, un∣der the great Turret or Arch, is a Spring of Fresh Water, which is brought thither in Pipes from Places far distant, and convey'd from thence to all Parts of the City.

In the Bazar are sold all manner of Merchan∣dises, as well in the Shops by the Inhabitants, as by Foreign Merchants, who stay here all day to vend their Goods, and return to their Lodgings in the Evening, when the Bazar is lock'd up, and guarded by a Company of Soldiers appointed for that purpose. In some of these Shops are sold both Green, Dry'd, and Preserv'd Fruit; as also In-land Bread, call'd Hapas or Curichas: But the Country-People which bring their Commodities to sell, have no peculiar Shops, but lay their Mer∣chandise on Stalls before the Shops, leaving a sufficient space between, for the People to pass.

Near the Bazar is the Mint, where they Coin the Laryns before-mention'd.

There are few Mosques here; but amongst those which are, there is one built round, to represent Eternity, after the same manner with the Alcaba or Holy Mosque at Mecha, which Schach Abraham is said to have brought from Heaven. On some Places thereof are Arabian Letters, Cyphers, and short Sentences graven, after the Mosaick manner. It is a low Structure, having in stead of Windows onely Carv'd Ballisters. The Entrance into the same is through a Copper Gate, near which hangs a great Looking-glass. There are also many Lamps, some of which are kept continually burn∣ing, and others hang onely for Ornament. Some of the Persian Prophets lie here interr'd; and amongst others, one call'd Emir Ally Zedday Amir, who, if what they affirm upon Oath may be cre∣dited, hath been there above 1500 Years, viz. 600 Years before Mahomet; yet nevertheless, they stick not to affirm, that he was a good Muselman or Mahumetan.

At Lar is the usual meeting-place of the Cara∣vans or Cafilas which travel from Persia, Querman, and other Places, to the Isle of Ormus; and come from thence, and Arabia, to these Provinces: Wherefore this City is much frequented by Mer∣chants,

as well Persians and Arabians, as Benjans and Jews; and to that purpose are built many Ca∣ravanseras, for the accommodation of strange Mer∣chants that come thither with their Commodities.

This City hath been much ruin'd by Earth∣quakes, one of which, in Anno 1400. threw down above a hundred Houses; and another, Anno 1593. above three hundred, or, as Texeira affirms, five hundred; at which time also many Water-Ce∣sterns, and the greatest part of the City Walls were spoil'd. The ancient Castle formerly built by a Georgian call'd Melek, on a Stone Rock on the East side of the City, was also cast down.

A League from Lar is a Caravansera call'd Char∣caph.

The last Place in this Dukedom of Lar, at the entrance of the Country which belong'd to the King of Ormus, when he was absolute Master of his whole Kingdom on the Main Continent of Persia and Arabia, is Abi Dunger.

Concerning the Climate, we cannot say there is any great Cold at Lar, the Air being so tempe∣rate, that in March you can scarce get into the City, for the abundance of Flies and Gnats, which in great Swarms fill the Air. But in June there blows such a hot and dry Wind, that on all Pla∣ces over which it passes, it leaves Impressions as of Fire; and withal scorches the Faces, Hands, and Legs of Strangers, to their great trouble and pain; call'd therefore by the Persians Bad Semum, that is, An infectious and burning Wind.

The whole Country of Lar is very destitute of Water; for there are neither Brooks, Springs, nor Wells; onely in several Places on the Road are plac'd Troughs, which catch the Rain-water, which serves for the accommodation and refresh∣ment of Travellers. Mr. Herbert says, this Wa∣ter is very unwholesom, and occasions many Di∣stempers, as well in the Inhabitants as Strangers; viz. Rheums, Sore Throats, and Worms in the Legs, which causes Itching and Lameness, and is not to be cur'd without taking out the Worm; and this must also be done with great care; for if the Worm chance to break, it causes Putrefaction and Numbness in the Part affected, which is only to be remedied by continual cutting and slashing of the Flesh.

There is nothing worthy of praise in all the Country about Lar, but the Charitable Inclina∣tions of divers of the Inhabitants, who, besides the Cesterns which the ancient Kings of Lara and their Governors made, for the Publick good and Refreshment of the Inhabitants and Travellers which come daily hither, in their last Wills ap∣point certain Persons to build with their Estates Cesterns, Caravanseras, and Alms-houses; some great, and others little, according to their Capaci∣ties, and Zeal in their Religion: and by this means there are so many Cesterns, that the adja∣cent Plain is full of them; and the Water therein is very clear and cool in Summer, notwithstanding the great Heat.

About Lar and the Parts adjacent are several sorts of Fruit-trees, as Oranges, Lemmons, and the best Dates in all Persia. Most of the Inhabi∣tants live on Dates, partly by making them their Food, and partly by selling and bartering them for other Necessaries.

Between Lar and Gamron grows abundance of Assa Foetida, by the Maleyans and Javanners call'd Hin.

The ancient Inhabitants of this Country were Arabians, of which there are yet many living.

[illustration] view of Schamachie

SCHAMACHIE

Schirwan, or Scerwan, in ancient Times call'd Media Atropatia, or Little Media.

* 1.6THis Province, anciently a Kingdom, is at this day in the Countrey Language call'd Schirwan and Xirwan, or Xyruan, and generally by the Europeans, Serwan.

Magin supposes Xyruan to comprehend all Me∣dia, though it be onely a part, as Minadoi▪ Leun∣clavius, Olearius, and others have observ'd, who take it onely for old Media, or Atropatia. Our Mr. Jenkinson will have the same; to be Hircania. But Schirwan is rather the Northern Media, as ap∣pears by the nature of the Soil; for (accordtng to Herodotus and Strabo) that part of Media is moun∣tainous, as the Countrey now call'd Schirwan is found to be.

* 1.7This Province conterminates in the East, with the Caspian Sea; on the West, with Georgia; on the North, with Albany, and somewhat higher with the wandring Tartars, which inhabit be∣tween Mount Caucasus and the River Volga; and in the South it juts out against Great Armenia, where the River Canack running betwixt, serves for a Boundary, and thence passes on till at last it comes to limit Great Media. Its whole length is accounted about a hundred Miles.

The Metropolis of this Province of Schirwan is by divers Writers differently nam'd; by Bizar∣ro and Barbaro, Sumachia; by others, Samachia; and by the Spaniards, Namachi; but the com∣mon Name is Schamachie, of which Namet here is but one City in Media or Persia; notwithstand∣ing Ferrarius in his short Geography makes men∣tion of two, one anciently call'd Ciropolis, and the other Samunis. It lies in 84 Degrees and 30 Minutes Longitude, and 40 Degrees and 50 Mi∣nutes Latitude, about six days Journey from the City Derbend, or Demircapi, by reason of the turn∣ings and by-ways which you must travel through the Mountains; but it is not above two days Journey along the Caspian Sea, through Bacuy and the Mountains of Lahats, and very passable either on Foot or on Horseback. The Cammels com∣monly go the first Way, finishing the Journey according as they are laden. It is situate in a Val∣ley betwixt Mountains, which prevent its being seen till you come just upon it. The Castle thereto belonging stands on a Hill near the City Walls, which together with the City, was built (as the Persians affirm) by King Schirwan Sehach.

* 1.8This City formerly was much bigger in cir∣cumference than at this day, having been much ruin'd in King Abbas's time by the Turkish Wars: It was anciently divided into two parts, each be∣ing severally inclos'd with a Wall; but the fore∣mention'd King seeing that the Turks aim'd at no∣thing but strong and well fortifi'd Places, for the better maintaining of their Conquest, and never medled with open Villages; also observing that the Forts lying in the middle of the Coun∣trey and not on his Borders, did him more hurt than good, he caus'd the Walls of the Southern part of the City to be pull'd down, and likewise those that inclos'd the Cities Tauris or Tabris, Nachtzuan, and Kentze.

This South part of Schamachie lies like a pecu∣liar Town, separated from the Northern by a little Hill, which serves as a publick Market-place to both.

It is said, that when the Turk conquer'd this City, and went about afterwards to fortifie it, he demolish'd the Persian Tombs, to repair the City Walls with the Material thereof.

The North part of the City lies at the foot of another Hill, and being somewhat less than the foremention'd South part, is surrounded with a sleight Stone Wall, so ruin'd, that though the Gates, which are five in number, belock'd, you may get into the City at any time of the Night over the Walls.

The Streets in both Towns are narrow, and the Houses, built of Stone or Earth, are very low, after the Eastern manner.

* 1.9Hard by the Market-place stand two great Caravansera's, or* 1.10 Royal Inns, provided with many Galleries and large Rooms, in which the Merchants of other Countreys dispose of their Commodities which they sell by whole-sale. The one call'd Schach Caravansera, is appointed for the Muscovites, who lay up their Goods in the same. The other, nam'd Losgi Caravansera, is built for the Circassian Tartars, who also bring thither their Merchandise, which for the most part consists in Horses, Women, young and full grown Maids, and sometimes little Chil∣dren, which they either buy, or take from the Russians on their Borders, or else from one ano∣ther. Moreover, the Jews have their Residences in the Caravansera Losgi, bringing very fine Wooll thither from Tabessaran.

* 1.11There are likewise three publick Hamans, or Baths, in the City, which are very much fre∣quented by the Persians; two of them stand open in the day-time for the Men, and in the Night for the Women. The third, call'd Ham∣mam Schech, being onely for Men, near which stand two large Trees, which are held in great veneration by the Persians, as having been planted there by one of their Saints, call'd Schich Murith, who not far from thence lies bury'd in a Metzit, or Temple, to which the People flock more than to any other in the City, which contains in all six Metzits, or Temples. The Revenues which the Baths produce yearly, are bestow'd on those things which go to the set∣ting forth of their Funerals, and what happens to be over and above, is distributed amongst the Poor.

* 1.12On the South side of the City is a Bazar, or Market-place, with several little Streets, or rows of Shops, furnish'd with all sorts of Cotton, Stuffs, Silk, Cloth-of-Silver, Bowes, Arrows, Simiters, and other Manufactures, which are all to be bought at easie Rates.

The Inhabitants are generally Persians, Arme∣nians, and Georgians, speaking each their pecu∣liar Languages besides the vulgar Tongue of Scervan, which is the Turkish.

There is nothing remarkable, or of An∣tiquity in this City, excepting the great Tower, which Mr. Cartwright affirms to be built of Free-stone and Flint, intermixt with the Sculls of their ancient Noblemen, who being overcome

and taken Prisoners in a War against the King of Persia, were put to death, and had their Heads so fixt for a signal Mark of terror, to prevent fu∣ture Insurrections: But this Assertion is by some deny'd, and judg'd to have been grounded upon the appearance onely of Heads carv'd there in Stone.

Half a League Northward from the City, on a pretty high Hill call'd Caleculistan, appear the Ruines of a decay'd Fort, where there is a large Cave, Vaulted with Free-stone, and near it a deep Well.

* 1.13The Persians have a Tradition, that Schirvan, an ancient King of this Province, caus'd this Ca∣stle to be built in memory of Culistan, one of his Concubines, from whom it also took Denomina∣tion. They add moreover, that it was taken by Alexander the Great, and afterwards by him de∣molish'd. But it is more probable, that it receiv'd the Name of Culistan from an adjacent Valley, made very fruitful by a Brook, and exceeding pleasant in the Spring, from the variety of Tu∣lips, and other diverse colour'd Flowers, Culistan signifying a Valley of Roses, Tulips, or whatever sort of curious Flowers, and Cale a Castle, or Fort.

Not far from Cale-Culistan towards the side of Schamachie, stand two Chappels on another high Hill: In the first and chiefest, which is built in form of an oblong Square, appears a high Sepul∣chre Rail'd about, each Bar arm'd at the top with an Iron Spike, and adorn'd with Tassels, or small Pennons of divers colour'd Cloth. In the other Chappel are other Tombs, bedeck'd after the same manner, being the Sepulchres of their Saints, to whom the Persians often kneel, and pay their usual Devotions. This last Chappel leads to a deep Vault,* 1.14 in which (they say) Amaleck Canna, one of their King's Daughters lies bury'd, who being forc'd by her Father, contrary to her Inclination, to Marry a Tartar Prince, slew her self; and some have reported, that all Virgins thereabouts come yearly to the foremention'd Burying-place of Amaleck Canna, to Mourn there over her Tomb. 'Tis true indeed, the Inhabi∣tants of Schamachie, and those also of the neigh∣boring Villages, in some Weeks in the Summer, do repair to the foremention'd Mountain, not for Amaleck Canna's sake, as some imagine, but rather for the coolness of the Air which at that Season they find upon the tops of those Hills, when at the same; time it is intolerabe hot below: Some Artificers, and those of the meaner sort that use Manufacture, go thither in the Morning, and having tarry'd there all day at their Work, re∣turn to their Houses in the Evening; but the Nobility commonly take up their Residences there for three Moneths together, during which time the Heat continues. The Cattel at that time also are driven to Mount Elburs, where there is not onely a temperate Air, but also good Pa∣sturage.

The Elburs is part of Mount Caucasus, bordering on the side of Tabesseran and Georgia, and may plainly be seen from Culistan and other Moun∣tains.

* 1.15It is said, that in ancient times the Persians preserv'd and worshipp'd their Orimasda, or ever∣burning Fire, on this Elburs; but at this day neither the Fire nor the Worshippers thereof, are (according to Texeira and others) to be found in all Persia nor Jesche; but some relate that they are fled from thence to India, where they affirm is at this day a sort of Fire-Worshippers.

At Schamachie is yet to be seen a Cross of hard black Wood, which some believe was a piece of Noah's Ark.

* 1.16To this City belongs a Village call'd Mordow, which in the Turkish Language signifies Morass, because the Countrey about it is Fenny, and all drown'd with abundance of Water, which de∣scending with the concourse of many Brooks and Rivulets, falls with such violence, that the distur∣bed Waters never freeze in the hardest Winter.

The Rusticks live here like the Tartars in Astracan, in little Houses like Huts.

In the foremention'd Village, and in others thereabouts, dwell a People call'd Pedar, which speak a peculiar Dialect, though not much differ∣ing from the Turks and Persians, and are of their Religion, with some different Perswasions: for they account it a great Crime to eat their Meat hot, holding it as an Abomination that any should breathe upon it, which if any one chance to do, they will not touch it, but judge the same to be defil'd by their prophane Breath.

Three Leagues from Mordow lies the Village Tachousie; and three Leagues from Schamachie lies Pyrmaraas, in which is the Tomb of an eminent Saint, or Holy Man of Persia, call'd Heid Ibrahim,* 1.17 held in great veneration amongst the Persians, as a very ancient Monument, and left undemolish'd by Tamerlane, who destroy'd all things else here∣abouts: It is, Chappel-like, inclos'd with a Stone Wall, having before the access to it, two fair Courts; in the first whereof appear many Tomb-stones, whereon are Engraven in Arabick several Inscriptions; under it are also divers Vaults, which receive a glittering Light through little low Windows: In one of the deepest Vaults stands a high Stone Altar with two Steps; on the one side a Door leads into a Penetrale, or Withdrawing-Room, the Floor whereof is co∣ver'd with rich Tapestry; at the upper end hangs a Table of Stone, with this Inscription in Arabick, To God I commit my Actions, he is my Helper. On the right-hand is another Vault, which contains eight Chappels, or sepulchral Monuments; and from that you enter into a third, wherein stands the Tomb of the Prophet himself; round about which are plac'd great Candlesticks with Wax Tapers, which are kept continually burning; and from the Roof hang also Lamps. So choice are the Persians of this Tomb, that they do not willingly admit any Strangers to see it.

Near the Village Pyrmaraas stands another ce∣lebrated Monument in a Rocky Mountain,* 1.18 in which lies bury'd a Saint call'd Tirihabba, the Master or Instructer of Heid Ibrahim; over the Door of it stands written, O God, open this Door. This Tirihabba (as the Persians say) was always on his Knees incessantly praying, clad in a grey Coat, upon which his Disciple Heid Ibrahim ob∣tain'd from God, that his Tutor after his De∣cease, as well as in his Life-time, might be found in a zealous and praying Posture; whereupon it is reported, that after his Death he continu'd in that Posture, as if he had been living; with other such like Stories, not over easily to be credited. Round about Tirihabba's Tomb are divers Caves cut in the same; Rock, furnish'd with Beds, where the Pilgrims Lodge when they come to make their Offerings.

Some Rocks hereabouts are stuck full of

[illustration] view of Derbent

DERBENDT.

Mussle-shells, so that they seem compos'd of Clay and Shells petrifi'd and incorporated toge∣ther. The like are to be seen near the Caspian Sea.

By the said Village, next to Ibrahim's Tomb; is a Cavern seventy two Foot long, and twenty broad, Vaulted with square Stones, in which the Inhabitants preserve Snow, Ice, and Water, in the Winter against the Summer, for themselves and their Cattel, because there is little good Wa∣ter else thereabouts.

* 1.19Two Leagues and a half from Schamachie, to∣wards Ardebil, stands the Tomb of a Saint call'd Pyr Mardechan, whose Memory is also in great Adoration amongst the Persians.

* 1.20On the Borders of Armenia lies the City Eres, or Aras, near the River Aras (whence it takes Denomination) at this day call'd Arisbar, once the first City of Serwan on that side of the Coun∣trey, but much ruin'd, and in a manner quite de∣solate.

On the Borders of Servan, towards Georgia, stands the City Sequi; and on the Confines of Media, the City Giavat.

* 1.21The City Derbend, by the Turks call'd Demir∣capi, or rather Temircapi, that is Iron Gate, lies West of the Caspian Sea, in 85 Degrees Longi∣tude, and 41 Degrees and 30 Minutes Northern Latitude, according to Olearius's observation: It extends in length from East to West, half a League; and hath in breadth from North to South, and from one Gate to the other, onely four hundred and fifty Paces: The Waves of the Caspian Sea, upon which it stands, beating against the Walls, blocks up the Passage on that side, which, together with the inaccessible Moun∣tains on the other side, gives it the foremention'd Name of Temircapi, or Iron Gate to the Kingdom of Persia, it reaches on one end to the foot of the Mountains, on the other to the Sea.

Not onely several Writers, but also the In∣habitants to this day affirm, that this City was built by Alexander the Great, (whom they call'd Iscander) as a Retreat or place of repose for his Ar∣my, and from his own Name call'd Alexandria, whereas in truth he onely erected the Castle and Wall on the South side; but that on the North side was built by Nawschirwan, an ancient King of that Countrey: The Walls are high and broad, built of that sort of Stone before mention'd, which seems commix'd with broken Mussle∣shells: Over one of the Gates of the Wall which was built by Alexander, are certain Lines written in Syriack Characters, and in another place Ara∣bick, with some strange Hieroglyphicks, worn out by Time, and not legible.

* 1.22This City is divided into three parts, the up∣permost stands upon an acclivity of the Moun∣tain, being the Residence of the Governor, forti∣fi'd with Guns, and Garrison'd with five hundred Soldiers of two several Nations, viz. Ajurumlu and Coidurscha. The middle part inhabited by Persians, hath been several times ruin'd; once by their own King Emir Emse, Chodabende's Son, when he re-took the City from the Turkish Em∣peror Mustafa, to whom the Townsmen had free∣ly surrendred it. The lower part, being not five hundred Paces long, hath at this day very few Houses left standing, being now nothing but a parcel of Gardens, Orchards, and Plough'd-Lands. It is said, that this part was formerly in∣habited by the Greeks, wherefore it is to this day by the Persians call'd Schaher* 1.23 Junan, that is, The Greeks City: Both the Walls are founded on Rocks. The Shore also about Derbend being all very Rocky, is altogether unfit for Anchorage, and unsafe Harbor for Shipping.

On the Mountains, which are very wooddy, above the City, appear the Ruines of a Wall, which (as they say) extended fifty Leagues along the Caspian Sea: it appears by some parts of it yet remaining of six Foot high, to have been of equal breadth with the present Walls of the City, which are so broad, that a Coach may drive upon them. Moreover, on the upper side of the City stand several Castles apart on several Hills, whereof two, the nearest to the Town, being built square, are kept in indifferent good Repair, and well Garrison'd. There are also divers woodden Watch-houses, from whence they have a clear and large Prospect, and can timely see the approach of any Enemy, there being conti∣nual Watch kept in them.

Amongst other Remarks near the City,* 1.24 is the Tomb of Tzumtzume, of whom the Persians relate this following Story:

Eissi, a great Prophet amongst the Persians, passing by there on a certain time, and finding a Man's Scull lying on the Ground, desirous to know whose Scull it was, pray'd to God to make it again a living Person; whereupon he became immediately so inspir'd, that he brea∣thed the Breath of Life into it; and asking who he was? he reply'd, Tzumtzume, once a wealthy King of this Countrey, who possess'd a great City, abounding with all things; That he had spent daily forty Cammels load of Salt,* 1.25 had forty thousand Head of Kine, forty thousand Stage-players, forty thousand Servants, who wore Pearls in their Ears, and as many more inferior Servants. Then said Tzumtzume to Eissi, Who are you? and what is your Religion? To which the Prophet an∣swer'd, I am Eissi, who teach the true Belief. Tzum∣tzume reply'd hereupon, Then I will embrace your Belief. After which he begg'd of Eisi, that he would permit him to die again; for he ra∣ther chose to die, than to be depriv'd of that happy Life he formerly enjoy'd: Whereupon his Request was granted by Eissi, and Tzum∣zume suffer'd to return a lifeless Carcase to his Grave.

Near the same; Tomb stands an old Tree, on a Bank rais'd in form of a Stage, inclos'd within a Wall four Yards high and seven in the square, to which rhere is an Ascent by several Degrees or Steps.

One side of Derbend is noted for Tomb-stones and Monuments, amounting to several thou∣sands, most of them three Foot broad, and on the top of them Arabick and Syriack Characters Engraven.

The Persians relate the following Story of the foremention'd Tomb viz.

That not many Ages after after Mahomet, a King "call'd Cassan Reign'd in Media, who in a Battel against the Tagestan Tartars, whom the Persians call Lesgi, losing many thousands of his Men, caus'd the chiefest of his Officers to be bury'd in the fore∣mention'd place, with Tomb-stones and Inscri∣ptions to perpetuate their Memory.

There is yet another peculiar Coemeterie, or Burying-place, towards the Sea, surrounded with a Wall, within which are to be seen four of the foremention'd kind of Tomb stones together, by

the Persians call'd Tziltenan, and by the Turks and Tartars, Kerchler. They say also, that forty Prin∣ces, all devout Men, who dy'd in the aforesaid Fight, lay bury'd there: Wherefore the Persians, both Men and Women; come daily to kiss the Tomb-stones, and laying their Hands upon them, Pray very devoutly.

In the City Derbend dwell no Christians, but onely Mahumetans, and Jews of the Tribe of Ben∣jamin.

There is no considerable Trade driven here, ex∣cept that the Tartars bring their stoln Children, as also full grown Turks and Russians, to sell, which afterwards are sent farther into Persia.

* 1.26A quarter of a League from the City, where the Borders of Persia and Tagestan are separated by a small Brook, are two Sepulchres of Mahumetan Prophets: The first being that of Pyrhr Muchar, stands in a Plain; and the other of Imam Curchud, in the Mountains, of whom the Tradition goes, that he was ally'd to Mahomet, and that being al∣ways with him, he was instructed by him, and liv'd three hundred years after him. Moreover, that going to the King of Cassan, he so prevail'd with him by playing on a Musical Instrument, and Singing, that he drew him to side with the Lesgi, or Tagestan Tartars: But when he under∣took to Convert the Lesgi, who were Heathens, and began to Preach amongst them, they con∣spir'd against him and murder'd him: His Grave is in a great Cavity, cut in a Rocky Mountain, the Coffin being onely four Planks nail'd toge∣ther without any Ornaments, and to be seen by all People, onely with the leave of an old Wo∣man, who sits continually by to watch it. But when they come hither to make Offerings, they cover the Floor with Straw Mats, and hang Ta∣pestry before the Cavity in which the Coffin stands. Women and Maids repair thither in great numbers from the City, and other remote places, and go bare-footed into the Sepulchre, kiss the Chest, and kneel down to Pray by it; which done, they make their Offerings to the old Woman, who is reverenc'd as a holy Person, and keeps a Lamp burning all Night long in the Tomb. Their Offerings consist in Cheese, But∣ter, Milk, Bread, Money, Wax, and the like.

* 1.27Another City call'd Bachu, or as others write, Bacuse, lies also near the Caspian Sea, and is a safe Harbor for Ships, insomuch that some Writers have given this Sea the Name of Mare de Bacu, or, The Sea of Bacu.

* 1.28Three Leagues from the Village Tachousi lies the Mountain Barmach, which appearing at a great distance is round, and hath a very high steep Rock on the top, which in the Turkish Language they call Barmach that is, A Finger, because it reaches above other Mountains like a pointing Finger. From the Valley there leads a Way up to the same, which is dangerous to be ascended by those that are unacquainted with it.

On the top of this Mountain the Air is so cold, that the Grass and Herbs are as it were candy'd or crisp'd over with Ice, when yet it is very plea∣sant and warm Weather below: The broken Walls and other pieces of Ruine, sufficiently te∣stifie, that it was anciently crown'd with a strong Castle, and is said to have been built by Alexan∣der, and ruin'd by Tamerlane; for at the foot of the high Rock is a Plain of fifty Rods square, about which are to be discern'd the Foundations of an ancient thick Wall with Bulwarks: In the middle thereof is a deep Well wall'd about, and not far from thence two Tombs cover'd with great round Stones. On the North side also, and at the going up to the Rock, stands a great piece of a Wall, and heaps of Stone, which without doubt are the Ruines of another Castle; from whence several Steps lead to the top of the Rock, where there is another Arch, which serves for a third resting place. Near the old Wall on the Stone Rocks, grow Fig-trees in several places.

* 1.29The Inhabitants of this Countrey drive a great Trade in Silk, especially in the City Ser∣wan, where it is sold in such abundance, that it is Transported from thence through all Muscovy and the East Countrey. The City Eres also was formerly famous for the abundance of white Silk, which the Merchants call'd Mammodees; but through the long Wars, and destruction of Ser∣wan, both Staples, formerly so famous, are now fail'd.

* 1.30The Military Strength of this Province of Schirwan herein chiefly appears, that the City Schamachie alone is able in time of need to set forth eighteen thousand Horse. The natural For∣tifications are also no less considerable, the chief whereof is that foremention'd Pass call'd The Iron Gate, being one of the strongest Bulwarks in the whole Province, securing the Way against the Albains, Russians, Turks, and Tartars.

* 1.31The ancient Kings of this Province, with their several Dynasties and Revolutions, are suffici∣ently known in History; but the last of the na∣tive Median Kings was Aydar, who was slain by Farrock Yacar, whose Son Xa Ismael Sophi reduc'd the Kingdom to a Province, since which time it hath been Govern'd by his Chans or Lieutenants.

There belong to the Province of Schirwan the Territory call'd Muscur extending along the Cas∣pian Sea from Derbend to Kilcan, comprising two hundred Villages. But the chief Town in this Territory, which is Govern'd by the Sultan of Derbend, and lying near the Sea, is call'd Schabran.

* 1.32This Countrey of Muscur is every where very pleasant to the Eye, affording a green Prospect till November. The Soil is fertile, producing plenty of Barley, Rice, and Wheat, besides all manner of excellent Fruit, and Trees of delight∣ful shade, and harbor to melodious Birds. The Cattel lie abroad in the Fields as well in Winter as in Summer, so that they have little need of providing Hay, more than what just serves for Travellers and Strangers. The Vines grow up and down without Planting, and run upon the Elms, or such like Trees, as in Italy. There is likewise variety of wild Fowl here, especially Pheasants; also store of Hares, and a sort of Foxes, call'd by the Inhabitants Schacal, having thick Wooll on their Backs, white Hair under their Bellies, black Ears, and a less Tail than or∣dinary, which they call Tulki. In the Lakes and Pools about the Village Mardow are abundance of wild Swans, which are commonly taken in the Winter, much esteem'd for the fineness of their Down. The Rusticks keep Buffalo's, which are us'd in their Draughts; their Fodder is Schenbile, or Grecian Hay, with which whole Fields are Sow'd; it is Mow'd when green, and given Seed and all to the Buffalo's, which makes their Milk so rich, that it yields Cream two Inches thick, of which is made excellent Butter. They never make Cheese of Cows Milk, but all of Sheeps.

[illustration] view of Isfahan

ISFAHAN

The Province of Parthia or Erack.

* 1.33THe Province anciently nam'd Parthia, is at this day call'd Arach, Harach, or Erach, as also in the Countrey Language Erack, and by some Jex; but (according to Texeira) its proper and true Name is Hyerack, or (as Olearius will have it) Erack: But it is to be ob∣serv'd, that the Name Hyerack, or Erack, is given to two distinct Provinces, one whereof lies in Arabia, or (as Olearius says) it comprises Bagdat or Babylon, and was anciently Assyria, and is by some nam'd Eracain; the other lying in the mid∣dle of Persia, and is generally call'd Erack Agemy, or Erack Atzem, whereas the first hath the Deno∣mination of Erack Araly.

This Province of Erack borders Eastward at Arie, and by a long Road at Corazan; on the West it conterminates with Media; on the North, with Hircania; and juts Southerly towards the Wilderness of Caramia.

The Metropolis of Erack is Ispahan; the other chief Towns are (according to Olearius) Casuwin, or Casbin, Solthanie, Sencan, Caschan, Ebbeher, Saway, Rey, Hemedan, Com, Scha-Herrisur, Dercasin, and Theheran.

The City Ispahan, by Josaphat Barbaro is call'd Spahan; by Contareno Spaa, or Spaam; by Peter Bizarro, Aspacham. Spaha was by the ancient Greeks for its largeness nam'd Hecatompolis, that is, A hundred Cities: A little before Tamerlanes time it was call'd Sipahan, partly from its po∣pulousness, and partly because there the Armies had their Rendezvous; for Siphan is the same with the ancient Persian word Sipa, which signifies an Army, wherefore they at this day call the Ge∣neral of an Army, Sipesalar; but since Tamerlane's time it hath had the Denomination of Ispahan, by transposing the Letters, and placing the I before the S. An Arabian Writer call'd Ahmedbin Areb∣scha, who writ the Life of Tamerlane, calls this City Isbahan, and some modern Writers of the Persians, Isfahan.

* 1.34This City, lying in 32 Degrees and 26 Mi∣nutes, North Latitude, and 86 Degrees and 40 Minutes Longitude, is situated upon a Plain, and half environ'd with Mountains at three or four Leagues distance, viz. towards the South and South-West, with the Mountains Demawend; and towards the North-East, those of Jeilack Perjan: It is eight Leagues in circumference, with its Suburbs; but it is fenc'd onely with a a slight Wall of Earth, six Yards thick at the bot∣tom, and not above a Foot on the top, with seve∣ral Stone Redoubts: The Moat about the same is almost quite dry, insomuch that one may go over it dry-foot in several places both in Winter and Summer. The Castle, which is also the Treasury, is built pretty strong, and Plaister'd over with Lime. On the South-West side of the Town runs an indifferent large Stream, call'd Senderuth, which springing out of the Mountain Demawend, divides it self into two several Bran∣ches, call'd Haws and Burke. Besides which, there are divers Wells and Springs up and down, so that the whole City is very well serv'd with Water. Out of the same River runs a third Branch just above the City, into a Park of Deer, call'd Hazartzirib; and in another place it is con∣vey'd in Pipes under Ground, into the King's chief Garden, call'd Tzarbag, a little below which Al∣lawerdich, Chan of Schiras, built a fair Stone Bridge cross the Stream. Schach Abbas, during his fourteen years Reign, made it his principal Business to lead another Stream (which passes on the other side of the Mountain Demawend) through the said Mountain, though in a manner all Rock, into the River Senderuth, employing daily a thou∣sand Men about it, allowing each man four Abas a day; but by reason of the excessive Cold, and abundance of Snow which falls thereabouts, they were never able to work above three Moneths in a year, which very much retarded the Work; yet through the alacraty of the Nobles and Gran∣dees in assisting the King, it was brought to a great forwardness, and had been quickly finish'd, had Schach Abbas liv'd, but after his Death his Successor never employ'd a Man about it.

* 1.35This City was also twice laid waste by Ta∣merlane, first when he conquer'd it, and next when it rebell'd against him: In Schach Ismael's time it began to flourish a little, but when Scach Abbas, by reason of its pleasant Situation remov'd his Royal Seat from Casvyn thither, he not onely en∣larg'd and beautifi'd the City with fair Buildings, but also made it very populous, by reason of the great concourse of People that flockt thither from all parts, insomuch that at this day the Inhabi∣tants thereof are estimated to be above five hun∣dred thousand. Every House of the City (which much enlarges it) hath two fair Gardens, being generally much esteem'd by the Persians, who though they beautifie them not so much with all manner of various colour'd Flowers, as is usual in Europe, yet they Plant them very handsomly with divers sorts of Fruit-trees, Vines, and especi∣ally the Tzinar Tree; besides which, they adorn them with pleasant Fountains, and conveying the Water from one Pipe to another, cause them at their pleasure to overflow the whole Garden. Persons of Quality have also commonly two or three Pleasure-houses in every Garden, which are better furnish'd than their Dwelling-houses. Be∣sides the Citizens ordinary Habitations, there are several Palaces in the City, which are not so beautiful without as within; they are for the most part built of Sun-dry'd Brick and square Tile, and after the Persian manner, many two, some three, and others four Stories high, each having a pecu∣liar Name; the Cellar they call Sirsemin; the lower Story, or Hall, Chane; the Rooms or Chambers above it, Cush; the third Story, Tzaufe; the fourth, Casser; and the upper Chambers or Garrets, being built like Galleries, winding about the top of the House, Eiwan, which by rea∣son of their coolness serve them for Sleeping-Rooms in Summer: the Windows, which are almost as big as their Doors, and reach down quite to the Floor, have no Glass, but are onely Bars or Rails like Balconies, which in the Winter they close up with Oyl'd Paper: Their Winter Rooms are commonly below, and have Stoves in them: Most of the Houses have Courts, through which they go into their several Apartments. It is said, that the Lanes and Streets were formerly so broad, that above twenty Men could Ride abreast in them; but since Schach Abbas built more Rows of Houses, most of them are become

so narrow, that two can scarce pass one by ano∣ther, especially not far from the Maidan and Basar, where there commonly walk many People, who are forc'd when Mules come loaden, which fre∣quently happens, twenty or thirty one after ano∣ther, to stand still t••ll they are all pass'd by.

* 1.36On the East side of the King's Palace is a Mai∣dan or Market-place, of seven hundred Paces long, and two hundred and fifty broad; the like whereof is not in any other City. On the West side, where the King's Court stands, are two Arches built along the Maidan, one against ano∣ther, under which Goldsmiths, Jewellers, and other Handicrafts, drive a Trade in Eiwans, or open Shops; before which stand Trees, by the Persians call'd Schin-schad, which with their large Boughs shade the Shops; before the Trees are long Troughs or Gutters of Stone, by which fresh Water is convey'd all about the Maidan. The East side, which is opposite to it, hath a broad Walk Arch'd and supported with Pillars; under which also all manner of Artificers have their Working-places; for the Persians seldom or ne∣ver work in their Dwelling-houses. Aga••nst this Walk, near the King's Court, is a Structure, which having two Entries, is call'd Nacarachane, where the Kettle-Drums, Sackbuts, and Cornets, are play'd on every Evening at Sun-set, and when∣ever the King passeth either in or out. This play∣ing at Sun-set, us'd through all Persia in those places where Chams and great Lords dwell, hath been in use ever since Tamerlane was Lord of this Countrey.

* 1.37The King's House or Court, which is near the Maidan, by the Persians call'd Dowbet Chane, or Dor Chane Schach, hath a high Wall about it, but is not otherwise fortifi'd against any Assault: Be∣fore the Palace Gate lie several great pieces of Ordnance, which Nicholas Hemming, a Hollan∣der, who travell'd through most parts of Persia, affirms to have been brought from Ormus, the least carrying a Bullet of thirty six Pound weight, the biggest, of forty eight: Over the Gate is a large Forum, or place of Judicature, where the Diwanbeki, or Judge, commonly Exe∣cutes Justice: In the day-time the Gate is guar∣ded by three or four, and in the Night by fifteen Halberdeers; but at the King's Chamber thirty Men, most Chans Sons, Watch, whil'st as many more go the Rounds. The Kischicktzi, or Cap∣tain of the Guard, delivers the King an Account every Evening, of such Persons as are to Watch that Night, that so he may know what People are near him. The said Forum over the Gate is a very high Room, glittering with fair Windows on all sides, and adorn'd with rich Pictures, and gilded Carv'd work. The other chief Rooms of the Court, are first the Tabchane, or great Hall, in which the King with his Chans and other great Lords keeps a splendid Feast on Naurus, or New-years-day: next, an open Room, call'd the Divan∣chane, that is, House of Justice, in which the King hears and determines all Businesses of State, and gives Entertainment to foreign Princes. The Tab∣chane, or Banquetting-house, ascended by three Steps, is twelve Yards long, eight broad, and abought six high: The Pillars which support the Roof, being eight-square, are of Wood, and Gilded: The Room within is also adorn'd with Gilded Sculpture, or Carv'd-work: The Floor is commonly cover'd with rich Carpets, and hath a Fountain in the middle of it: Before the Divan∣chane is a long narrow Walk, Planted with Tzinar-Trees: These kind of Walks they call Chiewan. The third is the Haramchane, or Hall for the Wo∣men, in which his Casseha, or Concubines, which are at other times kept up in private Apartments, come together to Dance before the King, to the Musick of several Instruments, or the Voices of Eunuchs. The fourth is the Deke, or place in which the King spends his time most part of the day, and ever, but at Festival times, or when bu∣sied about State Affairs, Dines with his Queen and the rest of his Wives. Besides these there are other fair Apartments, which contribute to the splendor and accommodation of a King's Pa∣lace, besides divers brave Banquetting-houses and pleasant Gardens. But above all the rest, about forty Paces from the chief Gate, is a Door on the right-hand which leads to a great Garden, in the middle whereof stands a Chappel. This Garden being a priviledg'd Place, is by the Persians call'd Allacapi, that is. Gods Gate. Hither Debtors, Man-slayers, and other Malefactors, flie for san∣ctuary, and so long as they can maintain them∣selves there at their own Cost and Charge, they are unmolested; but Thieves they will not suffer to be there long.

Behind the Palace is the Taberick Cale, or Trea∣sury, being rather a Castle than a House, for the word Cale signifies a Castle: It is an indifferent large Structure, encompass'd with high Walls and Redoubts of Earth, which Nicholas Hemmius takes to be Towers. This Castle is constandy Garri∣son'd with divers Companies of Soldiers; and the King having a considerable Magazine, often keeps his Court in it. Moreover, on the other side of the Maidan, in a peculiar Street, is ano∣ther Sanctuary, or priviledg'd House, call'd Tse∣che hit Sutun, so call'd from forty Beams or Pieces of Timber, all which resting upon one single Pil∣ar, which stands in the middle of the Metzid be∣longing to it, support the Roof thereof.

Hither the Persians flock'd in great numbers, when Tamerlane, going to destroy the rebelling Citizens, resolv'd to spare onely the Temple and all those that were in it; for he put to the Sword them that were in the Temple Court, and caus'd all the Houses thereabouts to be pull'd down, which Schach Abbas re-building, made it a privi∣ledg'd Place.

* 1.38On the South side of the Maidan is a large and sumptuous Mosque, which being begun by Schach Abbas, and almost finish'd, his Successor com∣pleated it, and overlaid the Walls with a rich sort of Marble, brought from Erwend. Anno 1037. this Mosque was Consecrated to Mehedi, the last of their twelve Imams, or Saints of the Race of Aali, of whom it is vulgarly believ'd, that he lies slumbering in a Cave near Cusa, from whence he is expected to return at the Day of Judgment, and Riding about the World on Dul∣dul Aaly's Horse, to convert all People to the Alco∣ran; wherefore it is call'd Metzid Mehedi Sahese∣man, which words are inscrib'd over the biggest Gate in Persian Characters.

At the end of the great Hejat, or Court, before the Metzit, is a Gallery or rais'd place, Pav'd with square Stones, in the midst of which is a large Cistern of Water, where those that go to Pray wash themselves. Behind this Cistern you ascend by Steps to a Porch through a Row of Marble Pillars; and one Step higher, to the Temple it self, that being very large and high, and sup∣ported

with large Marble Pillars, where the Me∣herab or Altar, and the Cahib or Vestry is: The Gate is of fine Marble, and as high as that at Sulthanie, at the Meschaich of Chodabende; the en∣trance through which is under an Arch of an ex∣ceeding heighth, of blue Stone Gilded; beyond which is a broad Walk, the Floor whereof is spread with Mats, on which the Persians kneel when they Pray. Over the lower Walks are lesser ones like Galleries, supported by Marble Columns gilded. On the right-side of the Mosque is a large Garden.

The greatest splendor and magnificence of this Mosque is, that all the Walls, Galleries, Gar∣dens, and the chief Temple, are from the bottom four Yards high upwards, cover'd with polish'd Marble, each piece, which is for the most part white, and excellently well polish'd, being five or six Foot square: The Marble is all cut out of one Stone, except the two Pillars on each side of the Pulpit.

Schach Abbas caus'd the like Metzid, though smaller, to be built at Tabris, in honor of the same Mehedi, all of pure white Marble, and as slick as Glass, being fetch'd from the Mountain Erwan.

* 1.39In the middle of the City, not far from the King's Palace, stands a Pole, not unlike our Posts in which we put the ••ings that are to be run at, on which they often put a Melon, Arupus, or Ap∣ple, and sometimes a Silver Plate with Money up∣on it, at which the King and his Chans run full speed for great Wagers, and whoever hits off the same, comes off with great honor and applause; but the Money which falls from the Plate, is ta∣ken up by the Pages and Footmen.

Great Lords also have another Exercise call'd Kuit Schaucan, which they perform in the same place, viz. Riding full speed, they strike a Ball with a crooked. Stick to a set Mark; and also toss the Tziud, or Bar.

Near the Maidan stands a little woodden Hut nam'd Chaneschin, which is set upon four Wheels, for the conveniency of its moving from place to place, in which the King often sits a Spectator of the foremention'd Games.

Hereabouts, especially on the West side, not far from the Dewletchane, sit divers Soothsayers.

* 1.40Opposite to the Northern part of the Maidan stand several Houses of Entertainment; the first whereof is the Schire Chane, to which resort the most loose und debauch'd sort of People, who hire the Surkers, or Dancing-Boys, as also com∣mon Strumpets, to Dance before them naked, with all kind of leud and obscene Postures.

The second is the Tzai, or the Chattai Chane, that is, The Catayan, or Chinese Tee-house, in which they generally play at Chess.

The third is the Caweh Chane, or Coffee and To∣bacco-house.

These three Houses are also frequented by their Pot-Poets and Comedians, who commonly sitting in the midst of the House on high Stools, tell all manner of pleasant Tales, and talk conti∣nually with a little Stick in their Hands like our Juglers.

* 1.41Not far from these Houses two sorts of Bar∣bers keep their Shops; some whereof practising Chirurgery, and call'd Tezerrah, never shave or Trim Men; the other call'd Dellack, shave and cut Hair, and are made use of to Circumcise Chil∣dren. To this last sort of Barbers there is conti∣nual resort of People, because they always keep their Heads shav'd, and every one brings his own Rasor with him, because the Persians fearing the Venereal Distemper, will not suffer a strange Rasor to touch their Heads.

From the North part of the Maidan you go directly to the Bazar, or Street full of Shops, where there is a square large Portico, under which are all manner of rich Merchandise to be sold; over the Entrance of which is a stately Dial, which is said to have been made in Schach Abbas's time by an English-man, call'd Festy, which at first (there being then no Clocks nor Dials in all Persia) was look'd upon as a great Wonder.

The Bazar, or Market-house it self, is divided into many Divisions, with Passages between them like little Lanes, which are most of them cover'd on the top, where all manner of Goods that the Countrey affords are to be sold, every thing in a peculiar place.

* 1.42In the Caravansera near the Bazar, where the King receives foreign Ambassadors, is a House, which is one of the fairest in the whole City I∣spahan, and call'd The Coffee-house, from the Liquor which is sold in it. In this House also are brought up Youths of several Nations, but most Mahume∣tans, though some are of Christian Parentage, as Circassians, Georgians, and Armenians, who are taught all manner of Dances. At the Entrance of this House is a Court with a Fountain in the midst of it. The King oftentimes Dines here with foreign Ambassadors, but is satisfi'd with few Dishes, having sometimes but two, whereof one is Mutton, the other roasted Poultrey, which whil'st he is eating, the Youths Dance before him in a very strange and ridiculous manner.

In Ispahan dwell also Merchants and Shop∣keepers of several Nations, of which some sell their Goods by Wholesale, others by Retail; for besides the Persians, Indians, Tartars from Chua∣ressam, Chineses, and those from Buchare, there are English, Dutch, French, Italians, Spaniards, Portu∣guese, Turks, Jews, Armenians, and Georgians. The Indians, who generally have their Shops next to the Persians, Trade in Silk, Cotton, and other such like Stuffs.

By reason of the great Trade in Ispahan there are many Caravansera's, where the several Com∣modities are dispos'd of by Wholesale.

Amongst other places , the Kings Parks for wild Beasts are none of the meanest, having tow∣erd Lodges, call'd Kelemenar, inclos'd with Walls, made of several sorts of Deers, and other Beasts Horns, mix'd with Earth.

* 1.43Without the City Walls, not far from the great Bridge, on the South side, is a Garden call'd Tzarbag, which hath not its equal for curiosity and delight in all Persia. Tzarbag signifies a Gar∣den, or whatsoever else divided into four parts, this being so branch'd into four Squares by cross Ways, and a Brook nam'd Vendemith, about a Mile in compass, and having four Gates and four stately Banquetting-houses; one on each side. On the South side stands a Hill, plain on the top, in the middle whereof, and on each side, are three Aque∣ducts of Stone, whose Channels are a Yard broad, which lying very steep, cause the Water to descend in great abundance; from whence there are lesser Pipes that convey the Water under Ground, which supplies with much variety several artificial Fountains, which gliding from thence, fall into a Lake on the farther side of the Garden.

* 1.44The Cheiwan, which signifies a pleasant Walk, is

[illustration]

Planted thick with a great number of Tzinar Trees, which afford a delightful shade, and inter∣mix'd with all sorts of Fruit-Trees that may en∣rich a Paradice, especially with Vines, which the Persians call Hallage, which Schach Abbas first Planted there, bearing a very large and delicious Grape without Stones. This Garden or Orchard hath forty Gardners daily to prune and dress it, and when the Fruits are ripe, all Comers, paying onely four Casbekies, may taste and eat whatever they please untill they are satisfi'd, but are not al∣low'd to carry any away.

* 1.45About this City of Ispahan are several Suburbs, the greatest of which they call Tzulpha, having in it three thousand Houses, and twelve Mosques or Churches, which in beauty are not inferior to any within the Walls, being the Residence of rich Ar∣menian Merchants, whom Schach Abbas remov'd from Armenia thither, they pay the King yearly two hundred Tomans for Tribute.

On the other side of the River Senderuth lie the Suburbs Tabrisabath, otherwise Abasabath, so call'd, because Scach Abbas brought the Inhabitants thi∣ther from Tabris.

Another part of the Suburbs call'd Hassenabath, is inhabited by Castilians, brought thither from Georgia, they are great Merchants, and, like the Armenians, travel from one Countrey to another.

* 1.46Another eminent part of the Suburbs lieth on the West side, and is call'd Kebrabath, and the In∣habitants thereof Kebbers, who are also rich Mer∣chants: they have long Beards, and wear other fashion'd Clothes than the Persians, viz. long wide Coats, which are open in no place but about the Neck and on the Shoulders, where they tie them together with Ribbons. The Women go without Shoes, and bare-fac'd. They are accoun∣ted a civil and courteous People, Extracted from an ancient Pagan Family, and to this day suffer∣ing themselves neither to be Baptiz'd nor Cir∣cumcis'd: They have neither Temples nor Priests, neither do they (with Hottinger's good leave) worship the Fire, as the ancient Kebbers did. When any one dies, they drive a Cock in∣to the Fields out of the House of the Deceased, which if it be caught by a Fox, then they believe that the Soul of the Deceased is taken up into a better World; but if this proof chance to be hindred by any Accident, then they try another way, on which their assurance chiefly depends, viz. they carry the Corps clad with their best Appa∣rel, and adorn'd with Gold Chains and other Or∣naments, to the Church-yard, where they set the Body up against the Wall, propping up the same by placing a Pole under the Chin, where if the Fowls of the Air pick out the right Eye, then they assuredly believe the Soul to be ascended to Heaven; but if the left, they judge it to be gone to Hell. They have also two sorts of Graves, in one they tenderly lay the Bodies of their supposed Saints; and into the other, those whom they believe to be Damn'd are thrown headlong.

In a small circumference about the City Ispa∣han, are reckon'd a thousand four hundred and sixty Villages and Hamlets, all inhabited by Weavers.

* 1.47A League from Ispahan, and seven from the Village Mahier, lies the City Jarustan, pleasantly situated, as it were in the midst of a Garden, on the Bank of a River: It is full of Inhabitants, and hath plenty of all manner of Provisions, and seve∣ral fair Structures, but one more magnificent than all the rest, surrounded with a Gallery, and con∣taining many handsom Rooms; the biggest and chiefest whereof is built after the fashion of the Chappels belonging to the Jesuits Cloysters in Europe, with many Windows on the top. The Persians tell us, that this Structure was formerly a Colledge, wherein Schach Thamas's time Dispu∣tations were held. Near this House is also a Gar∣den with several Springs and Fountains in it, but not always flowing.

About three days Journey from Ispahan is a

[illustration] view of Qom

KOM

[illustration] view of Saba

SABA

Countrey-house with a brave Garden, call'd Taintabat.

In the Way from Casbyn to Ispahan are several Places whence Salmon, is brought salted from Kilan, where the best Salmon is caught in the Mouth of the River Araxes.

From Ispahan runs a straight and pleasant Way, on both sides of which are several fair Houses and delightful Gardens.

* 1.48The City Caschan or Cashan, lies (according to the Persians) in thirty five Degrees Longitude, and thirty four Northern Latitude: But Olearius, af∣ter three days observation, found the same to lie nine Minutes more Southerly. It being built long, extends half a League from East to West, and is surrounded with Walls and Bulwarks of a clayie sort bf Earth; round about the same is good ara∣ble Land. On the South side of the City is a kind of a Tilt-yard, with a Post in the middle, where the Persians use to run at the Ring.

On the left side of the foremention'd Way is one of the King's Orchards, in which are two Banquetting-houses, one near the High-way, and the other in the middle, which last hath very ma∣ny Windows, which (according to the manner of the Persian Gardens) open the Doors into as ma∣ny Walks: two Doors amongst the rest gene∣rally stand open opposite one against another; the Walls are a Yard thick. When the King comes hereabouts, he commonly takes up his Residence in this Garden.

Cashan is one of the most populous and greatest Cities of Trade in all Persia, having many fair Houses, stately Caravansera's, and above all, a magnificent Bazar and Maidan, set out with arch'd Portico's and Rooms, and being every where so neatly built, that no City in Persia is comparable to it: It is inhabited by all manner of People, but especially Persians and Indians, who have every one their peculiar Trade or Manufacture, which they exercise in Shops open to the Streets; but most of them are Weavers of Cloth-of-Gold, and Silks.

* 1.49Twelve Leagues from Caschan lies the little, but pleasant Town call'd Natens, but by Contareno in the Description of his Travels, Nethas; and by Clavius and Herbert, Natan; by Anan••as, Jes••i; by Texeira, Yazd; and by Thevet, Jex; from whence it is said that this Province hath receiv'd the Name of Jez. The several Streams of fresh Water which run through the same, make the Countrey very fertile in the production of Corn and Grapes: It lies in a pleasant Valley, at the end whereof towards Ispahan appears a fruitful Mountain, over which they travel to Ispahan: The Valley is full of little Villages, interspers'd with neat Gardens, and lying at so small a distance from each other, that they seem to be one entire Town, and therefore have no peculiar Names. Opposite to the City lie two high spiring Rocks or Mountains, on the highest of which stands a Tur∣ret, which Schack Abbas built in commemoration of a Falcon that conquer'd an Eagle: for the foremention'd King travelling by this Place, took up one of his Falcons, which spying an Eagle, broke loose, and flying at him, after a long and fierce Combat, brought him down. According to Mandeslo's observation, the Tower on the fore∣mention'd Mountain is built of eight-square Brick, or Coctile Stone, and runs up sharp with a glaz'd Roof, about which is a narrow Walk: The Arch underneath is eight Paces crossways, and by the multiplicity of Windows and Doors, is very light.

Besides this there are several other Structures (upon what occasion built we find not) on the said Mountain; but the greatest Wonder is, how such a quantity of Brick or Stone could be carry'd up such a vast heighth, it requiring above three hours time to get to the top, by reason of the steepness of the Mountain.

* 1.50The City Saba is by the Persians accounted to lie in eighty five Degrees of Longitude, and in thirty of Northern Latitude; but Olearius hath found the same to lie fifty six Minutes more Nor∣therly; and Rui Gonzales de Clavaco places the same in thirty Degrees and eighteen Minutes Nor∣thern Latitude. The Plains about the City are in some places Morassy; the City it self built on a Plain, which on the right side hath the Moun∣tain Elwend, which rising exceeding high, appears very pleasant at a distance.

This City, which is not very big, lies in∣clos'd with a slight Wall, and hath many ruin'd Houses.

The glory of this City is the Gardens and Or∣chards, which are full of Pomegrate and Almond-Trees. Not far from the City the Inhabitants plant Rice and Cotton, in which their chief Trade consists.

* 1.51A day and a halfs Journey Eastward from Saba in the same Latitude, lies a City call'd Rhey, now very ruinous, and the adjacent Countrey red and infertile, occasion'd (as the Persians say) from a War rais'd against Hosseyn, one of their great Saints, by Omarsand, who getting the better, and having possess'd the Countrey by right of Con∣quest, suddenly had a Curse upon his impiety, in shedding innocent Blood (for he had slain Hosseyn in Battel;) whereupon the City, then populous, and the Countrey fertile, suddenly became deso∣late and barren.

* 1.52Eleven Leagues from Saba lies the City Com, which (according to the Persians observation) lies in 85 Degrees and 40 Minutes Longitude, and in 34 Degrees and 40 Minutes Northern Latitude; but Olearius makes the same to lie 18 Minutes more Southerly, viz. in 34. Degrees and 23 Mi∣nut••o Northem Latitude.

Com, an ancient City, and by Ptolomy call'd Guriane, was formerly very big, as appears by se∣veral Ruines of Houses, and of an old Wall at a good distance round about it: It lies in a Plain like Saba, and being inclos'd within a Wall, hath the Mountain Elwend on the right side, which ap∣pears white with sandy tops at a great distance; from whence descend two Streams, which are con∣vey'd through the City in a broad Chanel, which by melting of the Snow in March, often overflows much of the Town; and some years the Flood hath been so great, that it hath wash'd away ma∣ny Houses; but in the Summer it is pretty dry. The Suburbs belonging to the City extend half a League.

When any Strangers come into this City, the Women, either through Superstition, or the Jea∣lousie of the Men, are not suffer'd to shew them∣selves, and especially to Frenchmen; yet never∣theless they make shift sometimes to procure pri∣vate access.

* 1.53A days Journey from Com lies the great Village Casmabath, where the Houses are most of them joyn'd to one another with Arches. Four Leagues from Com lies another Village, call'd Caem Abao.

According to Texeira, Erack comprises also the Cities Nahaoand, Targazin, and Damaoand, for∣merly counted within the Jurisdiction of Aderbajon. Davity tells us, that Damaoand is the City which Minadoi names Diagman, and places the same on the Borders between Persia properly so call'd, and great Media.

Texeira also writes, that the City Taharon is the same with Giem, which Davity would have to be John the Persian's Guieche, being the Metropolis of a Kingdom near Aderbajon.

Swaert also places in this Province the Coun∣trey of Thaparstam, which he supposes to be the ancient Pathienne, a Countrey lying Northward, and the Passage through inaccessible Mountains and troublesom Ways, into Hircania; but this is certainly the Countrey Taberstam, which Texeira onely names, with Hinel its Metropolis.

* 1.54Casbin (as the same Texeira and Olearius have it) is a City belonging to the Province of Parthia or Erack; notwithstanding John the Persian makes it a peculiar Kingdom, and is in some Maps plac'd near Aderbajon, in others farther towards the North-East than Rey Xarear.

* 1.55The City Casbin or Caswin, by others call'd Cas∣bin, and formerly Arsatia, lies (as the Persians and Arabians inform us) in 85 Degrees Longitude, and 36 Degrees and 15 Minutes Northern Latitude, as Olearius hath also observ'd: It is situate on a barren and sandy Plain; about half a days Journey from which, on the South side, begin the high Moun∣tains Elwend, which extend South-West towards Bagdat or Babylon. The City is a League in cir∣cumference, hath no Walls, nor any Soldiers in Garrison, because it lies a great way from an Ene∣my, yet (as they say) hath a hundred thousand In∣habitants, out of which on all occasions a good Army might easily be rais'd. The ordinary Hou∣ses are built of Stone after the Persian manner, which, though they seem mean on the out-side, yet are handsome and well contriv'd within, ha∣ving several Apartments, white, or else curiously Painted. All the Streets being unpav'd, and the Ground naturally sandy, the least Wind raises Dust, and makes it very troublesom walking to the Inhabitants. There are no Springs nor Wells, but all the Water is convey'd from the Mountains in Pipes laid under Ground into publick Cisterns, where it is free for every ones use. There are also many Conservatories, wherein they keep Ice and Snow to use in Summer. The City hath two great Maidans or Market-places, the chiefest whereof is call'd Atmaidan, being somewhat longer than that of Ardebil, though not so broad. On the South side thereof stand large and magnificent Structures, built most of them by the Princes or Chans of Persia. In the Bazars or Shops of this Market-place, as also in the Senke Maidan, which lies more Westward, commonly all manner of Rarities and rich Merchandizes are to be had at reasonable Rates, especially Turkoises, Rubies, and Granates: But after Sun-set another kind of Trade is driven on the East side of the Maidan, viz. divers Cahbeha, or Girls of Pleasure, stand in a long Row with cover'd Faces, holding up their Coats, and behind every one of them an old Wo∣man call'd Delal, who carries a Cushion and Blan∣ket, or Cotton Quilt on their Backs, and an un∣lighted Candle in their Hands, which, as soon as any one comes and discourses with the Cahbeha, she lights, and presents the Party; whereupon he turning up their Vails, bids her whom he fancies best follow him

In this City are likewise above fifty Metzids or Temples,* 1.56 whither the Persians daily go to their Devotions; the chiefest is Tzame Metzid, towards the South, not far from the Maidan, where their Sabbath or Friday Meeting is principally celebra∣ted. There are also many well built Caravanse∣ra's for strange Merchants, and likewise many publick Baths.

* 1.57Near the great Maidan is a large and Royal Pa∣lace, with an Orchard of vast extent belonging to it, built by Schach Ismael, some say Schach Thomas; the Portico's and Arches are of Stone, Painted and Gilded; but the Rooms within are adorn'd with Sculpture and Imagery, richly Gilded also and Painted, all in Grotesque-work after the Persian manner.

Over against this Palace is another Orchard, a Mile in circumference, in which are divers Ban∣quetting-houses, and handsom Walks Set with all sorts of Fruit-Trees, as Apples, Pears, Peaches, Morello's, Granates, Almonds, and the like; but the cross Ways are the pleasantest, being neatly Planted with tall Tzinar and Cypress-Trees, which make a very delightful Prospect.

* 1.58Behind the King's Palace and Garden is an old decay'd Bath, which they call Haman Charabe, and tell the following Story of it, viz. That at Cas∣win there formerly dwelt a famous Physician call'd Lockman, an Arabian Black born, whom the Persians, not onely for his excellent Books of Physick which he writ, but also for his great Judgment in all things, had in great veneration. This Lockman was believ'd by the Mahumetans to have liv'd amongst the Israelites in David's time, and to have been a Servant or Slave of one Abyssine, and that he was no less deform'd. Some will have him to be the same with Esop; others, that he liv'd in the time of Solomon: Texeira is of opinion, that he liv'd in the time of Cyrus, the first grand Persian Monarch. It is farther deliver'd, that when this Lockman being arriv'd at the utmost period of old Age, perceiv'd the hour of Death approaching, he gave his Son three Glasses full of precious Water, with advice, that the same would fetch a dead Corps to life again, provided it were not putrifi'd; that if they sprinkled the Water which was in the first Glass on the Dead, it would make them breathe again, and stir their Limbs; that the se∣cond Water would make them rise, and the third restore them to perfect health. But Lockman al∣ledg'd, that it was a great Sin for a Man to un∣dertake that which belong'd onely to God, viz. to restore Life to the Dead, and therefore he would not suffer this piece of Art to be often practis'd, but onely in time of need, to shew what the pro∣found knowledge of Nature could do, and there∣fore strictly commanded his Son Lockman Sade to forbear the practise of it, who accordingly would not try the Vertue of the Water on his deceased Father; but soon after falling sick himself, he commanded his Servant to try the Experiment upon him as soon as the Breath should be departed out of his Body, having first laid the Corps in a warm Bath, where the Water was to be us'd, ac∣cording to the foremention'd Instruction. After Lockman Sade's Decease, the Servant, to perform his Master's last Command, carry'd the Body to the Haman or Bath, and pour'd the two first Glas∣ses of Water on him, whereupon the dead Body began to move and rise up; but as he was prepa∣ring to poure out the third Viol, the half reco∣ver'd Body cry'd suddenly Bris, Bris, that is,

[illustration]

[illustration]

Tarantula.

Poure, Poure; which sudden and unexpected call∣ing so affrighted the Servant, that the Glass fall∣ing out of his Hands, broke in pieces; so that the Body dropping down again, was found totally depriv'd of Life, and immediately bury'd. Some say that an Angel struck the Glass out of his Ser∣vants Hand: Moreover, a Voice crying Bris, Bris, is (as the Inhabitants confidently affirm) heard at this day near the foremention'd Bath, call'd Haman Charabe.

* 1.59On the East side of the City is a Church-yard, near which Scahesade, one of Hosseins Sons lies bu∣ry'd in a handsom Metzid; and because he is ac∣counted one of the chief Saints, the Persians are usually cited to this Tomb, as to several others where their Saints lie bury'd, to make Oath of such Matters as require solemn attestation, and also upon common occasions; if one Party doubts what the other saith, he immediately calls him thither, and puts this Question to him, Hossein Pile Musef, that is, Dare you affirm what you say by this holy Tomb and the great Alcoran?

This City Casbin hath been the Residence and Seat of the Kings of Persia ever since the Reign of Schach Thamas, who is said to have been the first that remov'd his Seat from Tabris thither.

* 1.60About four Leagues from Casbin lies the Village Achibaba, at the foot of the Mountain near the Road to Sultania and Ardebil. This Village re∣ceiv'd its Denomination from an old Man nam'd Achibaba, to whom Schach Sefi gave the Village, because he got a Ceild after he was a hundred years of age, by a Woman almost as old as himself. This Achibaba's Tomb is seen to this day in a great Vault.

* 1.61It is almost incredible how cold it is in Ispahan from November till March, notwithstanding the City lies in one and thirty Degrees and a half of Northern Latitude; but of this no other reason is generally given, but the pureness and thinnes of the Air.

* 1.62The Soil about Ispahan is much lower than the Stream Senderuth; by which means Nature pre∣vents the great inconveniences which the exces∣sive Heat would occasion here in Summer, the In∣habitants being able to overflow their Lands and Gardens when they please, which John the Persian says infects the Air; but this is contradicted by Davity, and it is certain that the Air about Ispahan is the wholsomest of all Persia, except in some pla∣ces near the Caspian Sea.

In and about Ispahan is plenty of all sorts of Pro∣visions; and the Mountains lying on each side of the City, are also very fruitful, and the Way from Ispahan to Arabia full of great Woods. The same Countrey also produces excellent Wine, the best whereof is as good as Canary; and of all sorts of Fruits, the best in the World. Moreover, the Countrey about Caxion abounds with all manner of Fruits.

About the City of King Xarear, the Inhabi∣tants gather abundance of Manna, but it is not so pure and good as that of Hrey.

This Province likewise abounds with Horses and Mules, and such lusty strong Cartel, that they carry near double the Burthen of others.

* 1.63There is no place in all Persia that is more in∣fested with Scorpions than Cashan; wherefore if they would wish any ill to befall a man, they com∣monly say, Acrab Cashan de Bestet stenet, that is, May Cashan Scorpions sting you in the Head: Some that are most poysonous are Coal-black, and about the big∣ness of a Man's Finger in thickness and length; They run very fast, and are in shape not unlike a Cra-fish, onely they have a blunter Head, and less Body. By reason of these Animals the Inhabi∣tants never sleep in Ground-Rooms, but in upper Stories, call'd Tzarmi. The Townsmen say, that a Stranger coming into the City, and crying, Men Caribem, that is, I am a Stranger, the Scorpi∣ons will not meddle with him. The most general Cure against the Stings of these Scorpions, is a piece of Copper suddenly clapt on the Wound; wherefore the Inhabitants continually carry the

Copper Coin call'd Pull about them, which they immediately lay on the place where they are bit, and letting it lie a pretty while, they afterwards anoint it with Honey and Vinegar.

* 1.64There is likewise another sort of Animal about the City Cashan almost like a Spider (for some hang by Threds and Cobwebs on the Trees,) and are by the Petsians call'd Eubureckhan, and by the Italians and Spaniards, Tarantula; they breed in Rocky places for the most part, under a certain Shrub with broad and strong scented Leaves, by the Persians nam'd Tremne, and by the Turks, Jau∣schan. These Vermine touching any part of a Man's Body, leave a drop of Poyson on it like a drop of Water, which causes great pain, and strikes into the Stomach, makes the Head to ake, and benumming all the Limbs, casts the Party into a deadly Sleep, out of which he cannot be awak'd by any means whatsoever, so long as the Poyson remains upon him, being for the time bereav'd of natural Sense. The best Remedy is to kill the Animal, and lay the same on the benumm'd parts, which (they say) draws out the Poyson again; but if none of them can be got, then they lay the Patient on his Back, poure as much Milk down his Throat as possibly they can, notwithstanding he immediately disgorges the same; then they put him into a Trough, which hanging up by three Strings, they turn round till the Patient's Head being very giddy, he is provok'd to vomit up all he hath in his Stomach, and to Urine (though not without great pain) a white and thick Water, which eases the Patient, who nevertheless at certain times in the year endures great pain, occasion'd by the re∣maining Poyson. But that which is the greatest wonder of these Animals is, that the Sheep run very eagerly after them, and eat them without the least hurt.

* 1.65These Tarantula's of Persia seem to differ very much from those of Puglia in the Kingdom of Na∣ples, both in the strange operations they produce in the Persons stung by them, as their admiring and being enamor'd of Colours, especially Green, their delighting to walk about, some with a naked Sword, others with a Glass of Water in their Hands, their desire to paddle in Tubs of Water wherein green Leaves lie floating, and such like fantastick Humors; as also their wonderful man∣ner of Cure, namely by the Sound of Musick, which stirs them up to such a furious fit of Dan∣cing, that by the violent motion of their Bodies they sweat out by Degrees the virulence of the Poyson, and by often repetition of the Action at last recover their Health; but of these things Athanasius Kircher hath a more full Discourse in his Book De Arte Magnetica, and we shall have occasion to speak more largely thereof when we come to treat of the Provinces of Italy in our Vo∣lume of Europe.

* 1.66Both within and without the City Com are Gardens full of all sorts of Fruit, and amongst others, a sort of Melons about the bigness of an Orange, speckled with all manner of curious Co∣lours, and of a sweet smell; wherefore they are call'd Shammane, and carry'd in the Hand to smell to like a Nosegay; but their taste is not so good as that of other Melons, which there are as sweet as Sugar. The same sort of Melons are to be found in several other places in Persia, as also a very strange kind of Cucumbers, which are near three Yards long, crooked, and about the thickness of a Man's Arm, and therefore call'd Schunchiar, or Crooked Cucumbers, which, like Gurkins, are laid in Vinegar and Salt, and eaten raw.

Several Fields about the City are Sow'n with all sorts of Grain and Cotton.

Till within six Leagues to the Northward of Sultanie, the Countrey is exceeding pleasant and fruitful, the Fields being either Planted with Fruit-Trees, or flourishing with Corn: They be∣long to the Lords, or Possessors of the several Vil∣lages thereabouts.

Four days Journey from Ispahan, near the City Niris, the Mountain Demawend incloses an Iron and Steel-Mine.

The Inhabitants of Cashan and Com are accoun∣ted a very thievish sort of People.

* 1.67The chief Trades in these Cities are the Sword-Cutlers and Potters, the best Sword-Blades in all Persia being made there, the richest whereof are valu'd at twenty Crowns apiece. The Potters Bake all manner of Earthen Ware, and especially Cruises and Jugs, which are sent from thence to all the Cities hereabouts: that which sets the greater value on them, is the Water thereabouts, with which being fill'd and let stand a while soon after they are made, they are exceedingly cool'd, and consequently much hardned. Besides the foremention'd Manufactures, there are a great number of People employ'd in making of Silk Clothes, Embroider'd with Birds, and sorts of Imagery, as also Lanskips, and the like.

* 1.68Ispahan, as being a Place of great Trade, hath many large Caravansera's, that is to say, Inns or Store-houses, where the Merchants, with their Horses, Cammels, and other Beasts of burthen, take up their Lodging, and lay up their Goods, for which the King receives a certain Revenue: But the places where the great Riches of this City ap∣pear most visibly, are the several Shops of the Mai∣dan and Bazar, where there are continually to be seen Bars of Gold and Silver, Damask, Pearls, Precious Stones, raw Silk, and Cloths of all sorts. There are also vended here great quanti∣ties of Anniseeds, and divers other Drugs, which the Jews and others put off at a dear Rate.

The Carpets from Yasde, made after the Turkish manner, are the richest and finest in the whole World. The same Place also produces abundance of Silk and Rose-water.

Caxom also is very famous for the abundance of Silk which comes from thence.

Lastly, this Province is noted for Horses of an excellent kind, both for shape and swiftness of foot, which the Parthians for the most part make use of in their Wars.

[illustration]

SOLTANIE.

The Province of Aderbeitzan, or Aderbajon, formerly Great Media, or Satrapene.

* 1.69 THe Countrey of Aderbeitzan, or (according to Della Valla) Adherbaigan, or (as Texeira will have it) Aderbajon, was anciently call'd South, or Great Media. Castald (who names it Adilbegian) takes it onely for a Tract of Media, by Ptolomy call'd Daretis, and Della Valla for a great part of Media; but the Places which Ader∣beitzan compriseth, sufficiently testifie that it is Great Media; yet by some modern Writers this Countrey is call'd Franck-Armenia, because the Franck-Armenian Christians inhabit the same. The Geography of Nubius makes mention, that it was anciently the Northermost part of Assyria, for it borders on Curdistan, the ancient Assyria.

* 1.70Aderbeitzan borders in the North and North-West, at Schirwan; in the South, at Persia; in the East, at the Countrey of Kilan and Parthia, or Hie∣rack; and in the West, at Great Armenia: But ac∣cording to Olearius, it juts against Curdistan, and is separated from Schirwan by the Desart of Mogam, and a by certain nnameless River, from Carabach: It is accounted ninety Leagues in length, and com∣priseth several other lesser Counties, viz. Erscheck, Chalchal, Meschin, Tharumat, Kermeruth, Suldus, Se∣rah, Utzan, and others. The chief Cities are Tabris or Taurus, Sencan, Sultanie, Ardebil, Merraga, Nachtschuan, Merend, Rumy, Chouy, and Selmaseck.

* 1.71The Metropolis of this Province is Tabris, com∣monly call'd Tauris, and by the Turks, Tebris, and is the City Terva of Paulus Jovius, the Tigranoama of Nigro, but according to Ortelius, the same with the ancient City Ecbatane, formerly the Seat of the Kings of Persia; which is also affirm'd by Ana∣nias, Schrotterius, and Hornius, with many demon∣strable Reasons out of Minadoi: It lies at the foot of the Mountain Orontes, (perhaps the Mountain Carabag, which Texeira places by Tabris) eight days Journey Northerly from the Caspian. Sea, with which it conterminates on the West, and on the South with Persia: It hath no Walls but lies open on every side, as most of the Cities in Persia do, and was formerly (according to Minadoi) inhabited by about two hundred thousand People (but John the Persian lessens the number above a half part) before its destruction by the Turks. There are many Caves under Ground; and most of the Houses, being very low, are either built of a kind of Bitumen, or Clay hardned by the Sun.

Within the compass of a hundred and fifty years last past, this City hath undergone sundry Mutations, both by the great Turk and the Persians: for in the Year 1514. it was surrendred to Selymus the Turk, who contrary to his Word exacted a great mass of Money from the Inhabitants, and carry'd away with him three thousand Families, amongst whom were the best Artificers in the City. Afterwards in the Year 1535. it was by Solyman wholly given up to merciless rage and avarice of his Soldiers, who left neither House nor Corner thereof unplunder'd, abusing the miserable Citizens with all manner of insolency; besides the most stately Palace of King Thamas, together with the most sumptuous and rich Houses of the Nobility, were by the great Turk's Command∣ment all ras'd down to the Ground, and the great∣test part of the best Citizens, and beautifullest Per∣sons of what Condition or Quality soever, were carry'd away Captives. And in the Year 1585. it was miserably spoyl'd by Osman, Visier unto Amu∣rat the Third, and remain'd near four and thirty years under the Turkish Slavery; during which time the poor Inhabitants suffer'd most unheard-of Miseries, through the countenanc'd Outrages and barbarous Cruelties of Osman's Soldiers. But in the Year 1603. Abbas having obtain'd the Crown of Persia, march'd with great expedition to Tauris, and (what with the inclination of the Citizens to∣wards him, by reason of their extream aversion to the Turkish Government, and the use of the Can∣non he brought with him, which till that time the Persians scorn'd, as not becoming valiant Men) af∣ter six Weeks Siege took the City.

Notwithstanding all the several Brunts that this City underwent, Minadoi affirms, that Anno 1607. it had six Leagues in circumference; but since that time also the Calamities and Ruines of War have fall'n heavy upon it, especially in the Year 1618. wherein Schach Abbas caus'd it to be wholly de∣serted and lest desolate, upon the Turkish Armies approach.

The Countrey about Tebris may all be over-flow'd.

* 1.72The most eminent Places near this City, are 1. Salmas, not far from which Scander and Joonxa, Sons to Cara Issuf, defeated Xarock, the Son of Tamer∣lane. 1. Maragag, or Mararga. 3. Cuzaculan. 4. San∣can. 5. Sofian, perhaps the ancient Sofia. Sancan, by the common People call'd Sengan, but by the Learned Persians, Zengian, that is to say, Sighing of the Soul, was of old, before its destruction by Ta∣merlane, and divers Invasions by the Turks, a great City for Commerce and Trade, and full of hand∣som Buildings, and had also another Name; for it receiv'd this Denomination of Sencan, from a Tar∣tarian King of the Family of the Usbechies, who having taken and demolish'd it, put all the Inhabi∣tants to the Sword, and thereupon it is become at this time a little unwall'd Town, and meanly built: It lies on a Hill between Tebris and Sultanie, upon a parching sandy Ground, and in some places over∣grown with low Brambles.

Half a League from the City, on the right side, runs a Ridge of the Mountain. Taurus, in the Coun∣trey Language call'd Keider Peijamber, from one of their old Prophets, who is said to lie there bury'd: It extends from North to South, as far as Curdistan. At the foot of this Mountain lies a pleasant Valley, wherein are several Villages, as Keintze, Hazimur, and Camal.

By Sengan run two Ways Northerly, though the one, which leads to Tebris, bends more We∣sterly; and the other on the right hand, leading to the City Ardebil, more towards the East.

Three Leagues Northward from Sengan flows a a Brook, in the Countrey Language call'd Sar∣musack Ciai.

* 1.73The City Sultania, a Boundary between the Province of Arack and Aderbeitzan, lies in 84 De∣grees and 5 Minutes Longitude, and in 36 De∣grees and 30 Minutes Northern Latitude, three days Journey Northward from Caswin or Casbin, on a pleasant Plain: It hath on each side pretty

high Mountains, especially on the right side, where stands the foremention'd Mo••ntain Keider: It is much more in length than breadth, and ap∣pears at a great distance, by reason of its many high Houses, Spires and Turrets, but the Walls very much decay'd and ruinous: It is said, that in former times it was one of the most eminent and stateliest Cities in this Countrey.

* 1.74About half a League from this City, on the right hand of the Way which comes from Hame∣dan, stands a large Stone Gate and Tower, belong∣ing to the City, and is said to be the remainder of an old Palace, which, as likewise the whole City, was built by Sultan Muhammed Chodabende, a Tartar of the Family of the Usbechies, out of the Ruines of the City Tigranocerta (of which Tacitus makes mention in several places,) as appears by the Name of Sultania; for till after his time the Kings of Persia did not Intitle themselves Schach, but Sultan, as the Turks do at this day; as also from an Inscription on his Tomb yet to be seen.

The Fields about this City (as the Inhabitants relate) were formerly very unfruitful; but King Chodabende Cultivating the same, made it not onely very fertile, but also exceeding pleasant, moistening it with Water, which was con¦vey'd a great way under Ground in Pipes. They add moreover, that the same Night that the fore∣mention'd King dy'd (who was going about to add to the Building of the City, and to fill the same with a new supply of Inhabitants, fetch'd from other Countries) the People that were then in it began to leave it, insomuch that in that Night fourteen thousand Women march'd out of the same on seven thousand Cammels, two on each Cammel: Nevertheless after this it flourish'd for some time, and was daily increasing in Riches and Repute, when Chotza Reschid, King of Persia (whom Josaphat Barbaro calls Giausam) upon a Mutiny of the Inhabitants, destroy'd a great part of it; and not long after Tamerlane compleated the destru∣ction thereof: There remains a great part of the Walls of a very strong and sumptuous Castle, which was also the King's Palace, built of Free∣ston••, with many square Towers, of which some are yet to be seen; but the onely Structures stand∣ing yet in view, are two Meschaiches, or Mosques, wherein Sultan Mahumeth Chodabende lies bury'd,* 1.75 the Inscription on whose Tomb (as we said before) speaks him the Builder of Sultania, all things about the same being exceeding curious, and above all, its three Gates, though not of Copper (as Bizarro writes) yet of polish'd Steel. The greatest Gate, which is opposite to the Maidan or Market, can∣not (as they say) be open'd, though never so many Men endeavor it, unless they speak these words, Beask Aly Buckscha, that is, Be open'd for Aly's sake, and then it turns so easily upon the Hinges, that a Child may open it. The Roof is very high, and rises by degrees towards the middle into a round Tower: The Walls are overlaid with white and blue glaz'd Stones, form'd into several Shapes and Characters: It hath a Gallery or long Walk jut∣ting out like a Balcony, over which are certain Repositories, where there lie several Arabian Books, some a quarter of a Yard deep and three quarters long; the Characters in them are three Inches long, and every second Line neatly written with Gold and Ink, all transcrib'd out of the Al∣coran. Several Leaves of one of these Books came to the hands of Olearius, who kept them as a great Rarity.

At the farther end of this Temple, in the Way towards the Meherab or Altar, the Tomb of the Sultan Mahumed Chodabende appears through a very fine polish'd Grate, which is accounted a great piece of Art, because it is made of Indian Steel, each Bar about the thickness of a Man's Arm, and all of them so neatly joyn'd together, that no Joynts are seen; it is said that it was cut out of a whole Piece, as also the Gate, and that seven years were spent in India about the making of them. Moreover there are two great Guns to be seen in the same Emerad or Mosque, with a Mortar∣piece, each plac'd on Carriages with four Wheels, besides Demi-cannons, and other Field-pieces, which belong to the Castle: On the Mortar-piece is the Figure of a Spread-eagle, and over it two Letters, A and Z: The Bullets thereto belong∣ing are of Marble. The Tower which crowns this Structure is eight-square, and surrounded on the top with a Gallery; a little above which stand eight little Spires like Pillars, to which there is an Ascent by winding Stairs. Before the Temple is a great square Well, which receiving its Water from the Mountain Keider, is inclos'd within a Wall; behind which is a large pleasant Garden, Planted with Rows of high and low Trees, and a stately Banquetting-house in the middle.

* 1.76The other Metzid was built by Schach Ismael the first: the Entrance into the same is through a very high Door, over which stands a round Tower; near which also rises a high Pyramid, surrounded by eight Marble Columns. The Temple it self hath lofty Arches and Pillars, as also Galleries round about, and in the middle a very high Pulpit. To this Structure belongs a very pleasant Garden, and in it a Tower, whose top ends in the form of a Pyramid. But the most beautiful part of the Mosque is a peculiar place built like a Chappel, and separated by a Partition from the rest of the Mosque: In the middle of it, opposite to the Door, stands like an Altar, a large Tomb, built for one of the Sultans, and cover'd with rich Cloth-of-Gold and Silk. This Chappel is enter'd at an Iron Door, neatly Carv'd and Gilded.

Not far from this Temple stands a high Arch, which seems to be the Ruines of an old triumphal Arch, built between two Towers above a hundred Foot high.

A days Journey from Sultania lies the Village Chorademh, pleasantly seated among shady Woods and Gardens, and by a sweet River.

The City Ardebil, by the Turks call'd Ardevil, and in the Maps wrongly spell'd Ardonil, is an an∣cient City, and of great repute amongst the Per∣sians, partly for being the Seat and Burying-place of divers ancient Kings, especially of Schach Sefi, who also was born there; and secondly for its great Trade to all parts: It is said that Alexander the Great, in his Journey to Persia, kept his Court there for a considerable time; and it appears the more probable, in regard of the affinity of its Name with Arbela, of which Quintus Curtius makes mention: It lies in 38 Degrees and 5 Mi∣nutes Northern Latitude, and in 82 Degrees and 30 Minutes Longitude, thirty seven Leagues Westward from Sultania, on a Plain three Leagues over, and surrounded with high Hills; the highest whereof, call'd Sebelahu, lies West ward, and is ne∣ver without Snow; but towards the South-East is the Mountain Bacru.

Ardebil is somewhat bigger in circumference than Schamachie, though without Walls: Each

House hath an Orchard belonging to it, which makes it seem rather a Wood than a City; yet there is no Timber there fit for Building, but what is brought thither from the Province of Kilan. Through the City flows a little Brook call'd Bacuchlu, which coming out of the Village Schamasbu, a League Southward from the City, and having over it several Stone Bridges, di∣vides it self into two Branches just before the Town; the one runs quite through, and the other gliding about by the left side, falls into the Stream Carasu. By reason of the abundance of Snow, which melting in June, and running down from the Mountains, this Brook swells into a great Stream, so that if it were not led in time over an adjacent Plain (which is done by casting up a Bank before the River,) it would quite drown the City, as it hapned in the time of Schach Abbas, when the Water breaking through, carry'd away a great number of Houses, and drowned many People and Cattel.

* 1.77Besides many little Streets, this City hath five eminent ones, viz. Derwane, Tabar, Niardawar, Cambalan, and Cafircutze, all of them pretty broad, and Planted with Ash and Willow Trees, which afford the Inhabitants a pleasant Shade in Sum∣mer. There is also a great Maidan or Market-place,* 1.78 three hundred Paces long, and half as broad, full of Shops on each side, wherein Trades∣men of sundry Vocations have their Shops apart, each Trade by it self; wherein at the Entrance thereof, on the right side, behind Schach Sefi's Tomb, is a Metzid or Temple, wherein Imam Sade, one of their twelve chief Saints, lies bury'd. If a Malefactor escape thither, he is secure from being Apprehended, and may from thence im∣mediately get to Schach Sefi's Tomb, which is a place of greater priviledge. Behind the Maidan is a Bazar or Exchange, where under a high square Roof call'd Caisere, are sold all manner of Gold and Silver Works, Precious Stones, rich Silks, and other Commodities. Out of this place pas∣sing three Gates, you come to a close Street, where all manner of ordinary Commodities are to be had at low Rates.* 1.79 There are likewise se∣veral Caravansera's or Royal Inne, in which fo∣reign Merchants as Turks, Tartars, Indians. Chi∣neses, and others, Lodge and put their Goods. Moreover, there are many Hamans or Baths; and also Metzids,* 1.80 the biggest whereof is the Metzid Adine, built in the middle of the City on a little Hill: it hath a round and pretty high Steeple, and is much frequented on Fridays (the Mahume∣tans Sabbath.) from whence it hath its Denomi∣nation, for Adine in the Persian Tongue signifies Friday. Before the Temple is a Well, which a prime Minister of State call'd Saru Chotze, other∣wise Mahumed Risa, caus'd to be made, and led the Water thither out of a Mountain, lying a League South-West from the City, in Pipes un∣der Ground. Those that go into the Temple to Pray, first warn themselves in this Well, accord∣ing to the Custom of the Mahumetans.

* 1.81Not far from the Maidan is the foremention'd stately Tomb of Schach Sefi, one of the most re∣nowned of the late Kings of Persia. The Gate through which you must go into the first Court is exceeding large; from the top of which hangs a great Silver Chain, which the Chan of Merraga is said to have Offer'd with great Devotion: The Court, which is very large, and Pav'd with great square Stones, hath on each side long and high Arch'd Walls, under which are several Shops; and behind the Court a pleasant Garden, where every one may freely recreate themselves. Not far from hence is another Gate, over which hangs also a Silver Chain in a Triangle, plac'd there by Mahumed Chan and Kentz. No man is permit∣ted to enter into this Temple with any manner of Weapon, not so much as with a Knife, upon pain of Death: The Threshold of this Gate is of white Marble, Carv'd round in form of a Pil∣lar, and not to be trod upon, but stept over with the right Leg foremost, because many thou∣sands coming to the Tomb kiss the same. On the right side of the Garden is a Fountain of ex∣cellent clear Water, which through a great Cop∣per Spout made fast in the Wall, is convey'd thi∣ther in Pipes from the Mountains, lying a League from thence, and serves those for Drink that are Dieted there. At the end of the Garden on the same side, is a fair, spacious, and round Arch of green and blue Stone, in the middle whereof are two great Copper Candle-sticks. Round about the Walls are Seats, wherein the Priests, Cloth'd in white Apparel, us'd to Sing. It is a Tradition, that Schach Sefi us'd to sit every year forty days to∣gether here, Fasting and Praying, his daily Suste∣nance being onely one Almond and a little Wa∣ter, from whence it is call'd Tschillachane. Out of this Court you pass through another Gate, where there also hangs a Silver Chain, given by Allican, Chan of Gappan. The Entrance into the Tomb is under a pretty large Room over which is a round Tower, through a Door Plated with Silver, and adorn'd with thick Silver Rings: The Floor at the Entrance is spread with Carpets, on which those that will pass to the Tomb must walk bare∣footed. When Schach Abbas came to visit this Tomb, he pull'd off his Shoes half a League be∣fore he came to the City, and walk'd thither bare∣footed, in testimony of the great zeal he bore to this Saint. This Entry hath a little Wicket on one side, cover'd with Plates of Gold, which leads to a stately Room. It is said that Schach Abbas, made this Door, as also another at the Meschet in Chorazan, before Imam Risa's Tomb, upon the ma∣king of a certain Vow at the time of his marching against the Usbechies in Chorazan, viz. That if these Saints would help him to drive the Enemy out of Cho∣razan, he would give each of them a Golden Door: which he accordingly perform'd after his Victory. The Vault is forty eight Foot long, and thirty broad, and set round with many Silver and Gold Branches for Lamps, of an extraordinary large size; near which commonly sit twelve Singing Priests call'd Hafisan, with little Stools before them, on which lie great Parchment Books, in which as they look, they move their Bodies after the same manner as those in the Tschillachane. Pas∣sing through this Vault you come into a kind of Sacristy, ascended unto by three Silver Steps, with Rails and Balasters likewise of Silver. The Persians commonly kiss these Stairs before they go up the same. This Room is exceeding costly, and rises with another Step, upon which a Rail of massy Gold runs cross the Room, and behind it the Tomb of Schach Sefi, made of polish'd Marble (not of Gold, as some say,) three Foot high from the Ground, about nine long, and four broad. The Door of the Golden Rail is always lock'd, and may not be open'd to any mortal Man, not to the King himself. On the left hand of this Room is another Vault, in which Schach Abbas, the First,

with several other Kings, lie bury'd. On the right side of the foremention'd Entrance is a great Vaulted Room, curiously Gilded, and re∣sembling a Church, the Cieling adorn'd with se∣veral pieces of Carv'd Work, but not supported by any Pillars. This Room, being call'd Tzenet∣sera, is the Library, where the Books lie in seve∣veral Chests, not set side by side, but heap'd one upon the other, and lock'd up; they are most of them in Arabick, but some in the Persian and Tur∣kish Language, written neatly either on Paper or Parchment, and the Histories adorn'd with va∣rious Sculptures. In divers corners of this Room are Shelves and Cupboards full of Porcelane Dishes, and other Vessels, of which some contain the quantity of three Gallons, wherein the King and other Lords are serv'd when they come hi∣ther; for this being a sacred Place, and a holy Gift, no Silver or Golden Vessels are to be us'd in it: and it is said, that Schach Sefi was wont, out of zeal and humility, to eat here out of wood∣den Platters. Opposite to the Library or Tze∣netsera, is the Kitchin, the Door whereof Schach Abbas caus••d also to be Plated with Silver: Eve∣ry thing in the same is kept very neat; divers large Cauldrons or Boyling-places are made in the Wall, with great Covers to them; The Wa∣ter convey'd in Pipes round about the Kitchin, and let into great Vessels by Copper Cocks. Out of this Kitchin above a thousand Servants belonging to the Temple, besides a great number of Alms-People, receive their Allowance three times a day, namely, Morning, Noon, and Night: The two first times of Serving are from Schach Sefi's Donation (in which are daily spent about a hundred and fifty Aba's, or three Tomams, which is fifty Crowns;) but the third Service is on the King's Account. These Meal-times are proclaim'd by two Officers, who go about beat∣ing on Kettle-Drums, which (as 'tis said) were us'd by Mahumed, and brought thither by Schach Sedredin, together with Medine's Flag; upon which Signal every one repairs thither, and re∣ceives from the Butlers and Manciples in a Dish, Broth, Flesh, and Rice, in such plenty, that ma∣ny not able to cat all themselves, sell it to those that are asham'd to fetch it. Out of the Kitchin you go into the Garden, where are the Graves of Sultan Aider, Schach Thomas, and other Kings that lie bury'd under the open Skie, without either Tomb-stone or any thing else.

The chiefest Persons that lie bury'd in several places of this Meschaich, are Schach Sefi, Son of Seid Tzeibrail; Schach Sedredin, Son of Sefi; Schach Tzinid, Son of Sedredin, in the European Histories by a mistake call'd Guined; Sultan Aider, Son of Tzinid, who was flay'd alive by the Turks; Schach Aider, Son of Sultan Aider; Schach Ismael, Son of Aider; Schach Thomas, Son of Schach Ismael; Schach Ismael, the second Son of Schach Thomas; Schach Mahumed Chodabende, Son of Ismael; Ismael Myrsa, and Chodabende Hemsa Myrsa, Brothers, and Sons to Schach Abbas.

* 1.82The Persians relate, that a Platform of this above described Tomb, was dictated by Schach Sedredin, to the chief Architect, whom he em∣ploy'd in building it after a wonderful manner; that is to say, he caus'd him to shut his Eyes, and shew'd him, as in a Dream, a stately Edifice, according to which he built the foremention'd Structure; which Schach Tzinid hath enlarg'd, adding a base Court and several Houses to it, so that now it is like a great Castle, with a conti∣nual concourse of People walking up and down there, as in a little City: It hath great allow∣ance from the King,* 1.83 besides other Revenues and daily Presents, which makes it worth many Millions; nay, 'tis said that this Metzid is able in time of War, with ready Money to raise more Men than the King; for besides the great Sums in yearly Money, it hath many Houses and Lands belonging to it, which either pay Rent or Taxes to the same, which amounts in all to to a consi∣derable Treasury, viz. in Ardebil are two hundred Houses, nine Hamans or Baths, eight Caravanse∣ra's, the great Vaulted Exchange, with all the Shops and Walks about it; a hundred other Shops in the Bazar, the Cattel, Corn, Salt, and Oyl-Market; the Afrabnischins, which are those that sell their Goods in Tents; of the Villages belonging to Ardebil, thirty three belong to the said Tomb, as also five Houses in Serab; in the City Tabris, sixty Houses and a hundred Shops, besides two Villages near the City; several Ca∣ravansera's and Baths in the City Caswin, as also in the Provinces of Kilan and Astara; in the Plains of Mochan, the Villages Abchur and Eles∣chur, with divers others in the Counties Chalchal, Kermuth, and Hascheruth, besides what comes out of Tartary and India, where several Places inclin'd to the Persian Religion, pay also Tribute to the same. Moreover, it is a Custom amongst the Per∣sians, that when they go to Travel, or undertake any Business of concernment, or when they are in Sickness or Trouble, they make great Vows to Schach Sefi, which they perform as surely and wil∣lingly, as they would desire to be sav'd; nay, many of them, when they come to celebrate the annual Obsequies of their Saint, bring great Pre∣sents with them, and often in their Wills and Te∣staments leave their whole Estates to the fore∣mention'd Tomb, where also there are daily Of∣fer'd Sheep , Horses, Camels, Money, and other things. Those that bring the Presents, re∣ceive a handful of Anniseed, in testimony that their Souls shall receive an extraordinary Conso∣lation for the same. The Presents are receiv'd by two sworn Stewards, by them call'd Nessurtzian, from the Arabick word Nessurt, which signifies a Promise or Vow: they sit every day in a House on the left side, near the Metzid Tschillachane, where between them stands a round Coffer, co∣ver'd with red Velvet, into which is put the Mo∣ney through a slit at the top. The Camels, Horses and Mules that are Offer'd, are immedi∣ately sold, and converted into Money; but Sheep and Oxen are kill'd and distributed amongst the Poor.

To these Stewards Schach Ismael gave the Re∣venue of a large Village call'd Sultanabeth, a League from the City Ardebil, for their Mainte∣nance; but Anno 1618. this Village was demo∣lish'd by Schach Abbas, upon the approach of the Turkish Army, together with the City Ardebil.

* 1.84In the Village Kelheran, half a League from Ardebil, is a Tomb erected in honor of Seid Tzei∣brail, Schach Sefi's Father: It is built round, in the midst of a great Garden, and rising with ten Steps from the Ground, hath long Glass Windows of se∣veral colours, with Iron Bars;on the top of it stands a round Tower, made of blue and green glaz'd Stones the Arch'd Roof is Gilded and Painted blue, and the Floor cover'd with fine Carpets; round about are little Chambers for

[illustration] view of Ardabil

ARDEBIL

Youths, who ate taught to Sing some Portions of the Alcoran by the Hafisan, of Keeper of the Tomb; there lie also several Books written in Arabick on little Stools, out of which the Priests, as in Schach Sefi's Tomb, Sing at certain times: In the mid∣dle of the Chappel stands the Tomb made of Wood, neatly Inlay'd, and joyn'd together with Copper Plates; it rises six Foot from the Ground, ana being three Yards wide, is hung with rich Embroidery, and over it are two Silver, and two Golden Lamps, onely lighted and kept burn∣ing in the Night.

Opposite to this Tomb is another little Chap∣pel, in which several eminent Persons also lie bury'd.

Four Leagues from Ardebil near Sultania,* 1.85 lies Busun, a large Village, with several other smal∣ler thereabouts, in a Valley full of good Pastu∣rage for Cattel.

Five Leagues from Busun is another Village call'd Sengoa,* 1.86 beyond which are several steep Mountains; and four Leagues farther another pleasant Valley, with a remarkable Fountain.

Not far from this Valley Northwardly, appears the Mountain Taurus, by the Persians thereabouts call'd Perdelis, near which on the South side is a Cavity, which is worn by time above three Miles deep from the top of the Mountain, and two Miles broad, and serves for a Receptacle or Den for Thieves, by whom Travellers sustain great mischief, if they have not a considerable Party in company with them. Through this Chasme or Gap runs the River Kisilosein, which from thence precipitating it self,* 1.87 and descending through Kilan, at last disembogues its white Wa∣ter into the Caspian Sea.

Four Leagues from this Valley lies the Vil∣lage Keintze; and two Leagues from thence, on the right hand, a Village call'd Hatzimir; and six Leagues farther there is another Town call'd Kamal, beyond which lies Sencan; to the South∣ward whereof appears a large Sandy barren De∣sart.

* 1.88Caxem, which Texeira calls Cahem, and which Davity places in Margiana, is the first City in Media upon the Road from P••rsia. It is considerably large, comprising at least five thousand Houses, standing on a Plain, where sometimes they feel excessive Heats, being under 32 Degrees and 5 Minutes Northern Latitude. In this City is a very long Street, being rather a Market-place full of Shops, with all sorts of Commodities, which though it be not so long as that of Schiras, yet is much broader, and beautifi'd with Trees that stand ranging on both sides, and are a shade to the Houses. But that which is most ornamental to this City, is their stately Caravansera, built An. 1610. being able to Lodge very many Strangers, with all accommodation and convenience of Re∣ception. Near this stands a stately Palace, erected by King Abbas, which though but indifferent on the out-side, yet magnificent and beautiful with∣in, and indeed one of the best contriv'd Houses that the King hath in his whole Dominions; within whose Walls having pass'd one Garden, you enter into another larger than the former, be∣ing the Haram or Seraglio for his Women, and surrounded with a Hedge of delicate Fruit-Trees.

The City Caxem is none of the biggest, nor the least in this Province, yet the Kings of Persia always held the same in great esteem, partly be∣cause the People were civil and quie••, and in their Dealings just and honest; and party for its Wealth and flourishing Trade in all manner of Silk-Stuffs, but especially the best and fairest Carpets of all Persia, made in the Villages be∣longing to the Jurisdiction of this City, none, in all Persia comparing with them, except those of Ispahan. The Weavers live all together in a little part of the City, inclos'd with a Wall, and all those other Workmen who prepare and make ready the Silk. But the Suburbs are much more pleasant than the City it self, being full of de∣lightful Gardens, and having many fair Caravan∣sera's, for the reception and accommodation of Strangers. There is no Water about this City, but what is in Wells, which nevertheless is very wholsom. Moreover, there is little good Water all the way between Ispahan and Casbin, by reason of the thirsty and hot Earth; but this want is supply'd by the abundance of Snow, which lies thick on the tops of the Mountains all the year.

A days Journey from this City is a Village,* 1.89 call'd Cencem, whose adjacent Hills exhale bitu∣minous and sulphureous Vapors, which makes the Air very unwholsom, especially in the Night, when these Vapors chiefly rise; they also make the Summer Heats extream sultry. This Town hath onely one small Mosque in it, and that not remarkable for any thing that may require a De∣scription: In the Year 1617 it had a hundred and fifty Families, but the next year following they had been all swept away with a pestilential Distemper, had not the Spanish Agent Garcias de Silva, coming there by chance in his way to Hispahan, given them advice to be Let-blood, which prov'd a present Remedy.

* 1.90In the Way from Ardebil to Caswin (according to Della Valla) lie these Places, viz. Halfa League beyond Ardebil is a Village, in the Turkish Lan∣guage call'd Task-Chiesen, that is, Stone-cutters Town, from the Artificers that Carve there in Stone. Four Leagues farther stands Tagi Bujur; and five Leagues beyond that, Chivi, where the Way which leads to Caswin parts into two Roads, one whereof runs through the troublesom Valley of Perdelisk, and the other extends Eastward. Three Leagues from Chivi lies another Village call'd Hoin, and beyond it a Valley that is scat∣teringly inhabited. Five Leagues from the be∣fore-mention'd Hoin appears the City Scial, at the foot of a Mountain, so inconsiderable that it is scarce worth the mentioning; from whence you go through narrow Roads, very foul and trouble∣som, which brings you first to Derram, in the Countrey of Taron, where all the Fields quite to Caswin are Planted with Cotton. Eight Leagues from Derram is the Village Ibrahim, so denomi∣nated from the Builder thereof. A League far∣ther runs the Stream call'd Chizil-Uzen, which augmented with several Brooks and Rivulets, falls into the Caspian Sea: From thence you soon ar∣rive at Caswin.

The Province of Iran or Carabach.

* 1.91THe Province of Iran, by most, especially by the Vulgar, call'd Carabach, lies be∣tween two famous Rivers, viz. the Araxes and Cyrus, now call'd Aras and Cur: It compriseth part of Armenia and Georgia, or Gurtz, and is divided into sixteen Counties, viz. Cappan, Tzulfa, Schabus, Sisian, Keschtas, Sarsebil, Eruan or Iruan, Kerchbulach, Achstawa, Aberan, Schorgel, Sarschat Intze, Thaback Meleck, Thumanis, Alget, and Vzilder. In these Counties are several fair Cities, Villages and Fortresses, of which the best known are Berde, Bilagan, Schemcur, Kentze, Bercuschat, Nachtschuan, Ordebat, Bajefied, Macu, Magasburt, Tiflis, and Tzilder. It is a very fertile Countrey, abounding especially in Silk, and hath been often Invaded by the Turk, who borders upon it.

Drangiane or Sagistam.

* 1.92DRangiane, at this day call'd Sagistam, bor∣ders in the North and West, with Aria; in the East, with Arachosia or Cabul; and in the South at a part of Gedrosia.

* 1.93According to Olearius and Ananias, the Metro∣polis of this Province is call'd Sistam, which Ana∣nias will have to be the City Propstasia of Ptolomy, otherwise nam'd Phrada; whereas Davity saith Sistan and Sagistam are two several Provinces, and will rather have the City which Ana••ias calls Asiam, to be the Propstasia of Ptolomy, by reason of the similitude in the Names, which will not hold good, if (as some are of opinion) Sistan be a con∣traction of Sagistan.

The other Towns (according to the same Ana∣nias) are Bigui, which is the Begis of Ptolomy, Ca∣nasi, Mulete, Bachagi, Aeloud, perhaps the ancient Aricada of Ptolomy, and Timocaim; of which last Marcus Paulus Venetus makes mention.

* 1.94The chiefest Towns in this Province (accord∣ing to Olearius) are Sistan, Chaluck, Ketz,&c.

Ptolomy also places the River Drange in this Pro∣vince, which glides Southerly from the side of the Mountain Bagoe. In the Maps, and by Ananias, this River is call'd Ilment, but the whole Coun∣trey being surrounded with Mountains, hath so pent it up, that it can scarce find any Passage.

There are but few Towns in this Province: the People are under the Subjection of the Persian Sophi, and use Persian Manners and Customs.

Here Texeira makes us believe, contrary to the receiv'd Opinion, that there is a Mountain, on which some of the Persians, to this day, wor∣ship their ancient God Orimasda, or the never∣dying Fire.

The Countrey of Nixabur, or Nisabur.

* 1.95THe Countrey of Nixabur is by Texeira plac'd between that of Carason, Usbeck, Tartary, and Turkestan. The Metropolis is also call'd Nisabur, and (according to Olearius) not far from Mesched, being in 102 Degrees and twenty Minutes Longitude, and in 38 Degrees and 40 Minutes Northern Latitude▪

The Countrey is full of Sandy Desarts, which are in a perpetual motion, as if they boyl'd, though there be no Wind.

Near the City Nisabur lieth a Mountain, on which are found excellent Turkoises, so call'd per∣haps from the Name of the Countrey in which the Hill lies, namely Turkestan.

The Province of Kilan or Gilan.

* 1.96THe Province of Kilan, or Gilan, by the Ancients call'd Hircania, hath receiv'd that Denomination from a peculiar People nam'd Kileck: It lies between high Moun∣tains and the Caspian Sea, like a Cross on an even Plain, which being clayie Ground, is much ferti∣liz'd with many Brooks and Rivers that fall from the neighboring Mountains; but in some places it was heretofore unpassable , by reason of the Water, untill King Abbas rais'd a Cawsey, which crosses the whole Countrey from Astarabath to Astara, so that you may now travel with great ease. It conterminates in the South, with the Province of Erack; in the North, with the Cas∣pian Sea; and in the West and North-West, at Schirwan, or the Mountains of Schamachie and the Plains of Mocan.

This Province af Gilan is divided into twenty Counties,* 1.97 in which there are several Towns, Villages, and Hamlets, viz. Kisilagatsch, Mas∣chischan, Buladi, Cilekeran, Disekeran, Rihk Lahet∣zan, Deschtewend, Lengercunan, Schichkeran, Howe, Lissar, Kesker, Masanderan, Marancu, Astara, Noke∣ran, Lemur, Tzeulandan, Rescht, and Astarabath.

You enter this Province on the South from Erack, through a narrow but well known Road, by Writers call'd Caken, or The Straight of Hirca∣nia; but in the time of Alexander it was call'd Pylae, and is the same which Olearius calls now The Caspian Gate.

The Way is very narrow through which you come into the Province of Kilan.

At the Mouth of this Pass are two Streams that coming from the right and left side of Erack, con∣joyn their Waves, and gliding along, come at last to a Stone Bridge, which being Vaulted, and ac∣commodated with several Rooms of Entertain∣ment, supplies the place of a Caravansera; and pas∣sing thence, divide again and fall by two Mouths into the Caspian Sea. Beyond the Bridge you come into a fair Road, which presently divides it self into two Ways, one leading to Ardebil, and the other to Kilan; the first is very troublesom and dangerous, by reason of many Rocky Descents,

and steep Passages, incumbred with great Stones, and often so narrow, that a Camel and a Horse can scarce pass one by another; but the right Way that leads to Kilan is rather worse, having such Caverns and Precipices, that Travellers are forc'd to walk afoot and lead their Horses over the Mountains, of which, at the same Season, one side is very cold, and the other extream hot; but more Northerly through Kilan, are very pleasant Shades, with all manner of Fruit-Trees, and others fit for Timber.

In a Valley near the Stream Isperuth, lies a Village call'd Pyle Rubar encompass'd with Hills. Though this Village be at the Entrance into Ki∣lan, yet the Persians will not allow it to belong thereto, but to the Mountains of Tarum.

A League from Pyle Rubar, in the middle of the River Isperuth, are to be seen the Ruines of an old Wall and Bridge, destroy'd (as they say) by Alexander the Great.

* 1.98The County of Rescht borders North, on the Caspian Sea; West, with Kesker; and East, with the River Isperuth: It hath a City of the same Name, which is also the Metropolis; it stands two Leagues from the Caspian Shore, and half a League Eastward from the Persichan, by the Ara∣bians call'd Husan, plac'd in 85 Degrees and in 10 Minutes Longitude, and in 37 Decrees Northern Latitude, to which Olearius adds 35 Minutes. The Houses in the City are not so beautiful as in other places, though most of them are cover'd very artificially to keep out the Rain, which falls there very often, and in great abundance. About the Houses are Planted Orange-Trees, which bear twice a year. There is also a Maidan, or great Market-place, which is very well supply'd with all sorts of Provision for the Table, to be had at a very cheap Rate.

The Villages that belong to this County, are Kisma, Pumen or Fumen, Tallum, Scheft, Dilum, and Massula.

This County hath several Rivers, which de∣scending from the Hills are very well stor'd with Fish, which yield the King a good Revenue, by granting Licences to such as take them: They discharge their Waters 〈…〉〈…〉 the chiefest Persichan, half a League Westward from the City Rescht. More Westward, Chestecan; a little League farther Westerly, Pischeru and Lis∣sar, over which lie several high Bridges; and at last follows the Stream Tzomus.

* 1.99The Territory Kesker borders Eastward, with Rescht; Northerly, with the Caspian Sea; and in the West, with Lissar.

In this County are three and twenty Towns and Villages; the first and chiefest is Kesker, which gives Denomination to the whole Coun∣trey; the rest are Schacherruth, Curab, Enseli, Du∣lab, Schab; and more Northerly Ruesseru, Mian∣schaker, Sengerbasara, Howe, Choseckkadehene, Len∣keran, and Kisikgatz; and between the Moun∣tains, Kuawer, Marancu, Deschtewend, Subel, Drich, Malule, Busler, Dubilcha, Tifebihi, and Talischeran.

* 1.100Curab, vulgarly call'd also Kesker, is situated like Rescht in a Wood, two Leagues from the Caspian Shore, yet hath great Respect and Privi∣ledges, as being the Birth-place of Schach Sefi, the Son of Sefi Myrsa, whose Queen fell in Labor as he went his Progress that way.

This County of Kesker hath store of fertilizing Streams, the chiefest whereof are Feslei and Nas∣seru; and boasts also a great Lake call'd Enseli, abounding with Fish.

The Countrey of Kilan in the South is full of Woods, and juts with two Promontories into the Sea, one Eastward from Mazanderan and Ferabath, and the other Westward from the Province of Astara.

In the Province of Lissar, Westward from the Stream Nasseru, run fourteen Rivulets, the chiefest whereof are Dinatsar, three Leagues from the Stream Nasseru, Schiberu, Chalesera, Alarus and Nabarrus; which last runs in the Province Lissar, by the Village Sengerhasara. More Westerly are many other Rivers, the eminentest whereof in the Counties of Howelemur, Nokeran, und Astara, are Lome, Conab, and Beskeschan, over which lie great Bridges.

In the Province Astara the Stream Choskedehene disembogues into the Sea, near a River of the same Denomination: Choskedehene signifies pro∣perly A Dry Mouth, because the Sea in that place is so shallow, that no Fish can get over the Sands into the River.

* 1.101In the Territory of Astam lies the Town Asta∣ra, which though it be the Residence of the Chan, yet it hath no Walls.

Westward beyond Astara lies the Mountain Schindan, before made mention of, and upon it a Village call'd Schach Sahadan.

* 1.102The County of Langercunan borders in the East, with the Sea; in the West, with Astara, and in the North at Maschischan. This County hath a narrow Passage towards the side of Astara, because at the foot of the wooddy Mountains, which reach down to the Shore, it is border'd by a deep Morass, through which onely runs a nar∣row Cawsey; at the farther end whereof a River call'd Serdane glides from the Mountains; beyond which is the Village Lenkeran, wash'd by a Brook nam'd Warasaruth. This County and Village hath the Denomination of Anchor-Ground and Haven, notwithstanding there is onely a little In∣let, where the Land runs into the Sea with two Horns like a Half-Moon; one of them lying be∣fore Lenkeran, is cover'd with Woods, and the other before Kisilagats, with Canes. None but small Boats can go into the same, by reason of the shallow Water, and is also very dangerous to Anchor in, the Wind blowing hard from the North-East, wherefore the Boats are generally hal'd ashore. The Curtzibachi or Governor, hath this Harbor and adjacent Villages for a part of his Revenue; notwithstanding others say it be∣longs to Ardebil.

Through this Countrey, from the Village Lenkeran to Kisilagats, four indifferent deep Brooks, under several Bridges, r••n into the Sea.

In the County Kisilagats, about half a League from the Shore, lie three or four Isles, in the Sea, viz. Saru, so call'd from the redness of the Soil, Ali∣baluch, and Kellechol; all which, as also the main Shore, are cover'd with Reeds.

The unwall'd Town Kisilagats, signifying Red Mold, lies two Miles North-West into the Coun∣trey, on a Plain near a Brook call'd Willeschi: It was formerly bought by Sulsagar, Chan of Ardebil, and after his Decease Inherited by his Son Hossein Sultan, who had possession of it in the Year 1635.

The Kilan Mountains extend from hence North-Westerly, and lessening, stretch to the Desart of Mocan.

At the foot of these Mountains lie several Vil∣lages, the chiefest whereof are Buladi, Matzule, Buster, and Thalischecran; near which lies that Plain

[illustration]

which (according to Olearius) must needs be the same which Strabo makes mention of, as lying near the Caspian Gate, and which is call'd by him in the Greek Tongue, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, A Pa∣sture for Horses; but he seems very much to tran∣scend the grounds of truth, when he affirms, that above fifty thousand Horses could Graze here.

Not far from hence, in a Hilly Countrey, lie the Counties Cuawer, Marancu, Deschtewend, and others; and in the neighboring Mountains, the Village Dubil, otherwise call'd Chatifekekis; which Village those People that inhabited it in the time of Schach Abbas, were for their leud manner of living, their promiscuous Sensualities, Rapes and Incests committed one amongst ano∣ther, rooted out by the said King, and the Village re-peopled with new Inhabitants.

* 1.103The rich Countrey of Kilan hath a fat clayie Soyl, and in some places where it is low, deep Morasses. Moreover, between the Mountains and the Caspian Sea is a smooth Plain, moistned by many little Brooks and Streams, which fall out of the Mountains into the Sea: It was formerly a troublesom Way to travel; but Schach Abbas caus'd a Cawsey to be made through all Kilan, from Astarabath to Astara, by which means it is both safe and convenient to travel either on Foot, by Horse, or with Camels.

* 1.104The most peculiar Products of this Countrey, are Silk, exceeding large Grapes, Tobacco, Oran∣ges, Pomegranates, Figs, and Calabashes.

The Stock of the Vines about Astara, grow generally to the thickness of a Man's Body; the Calabashes are guided up by Poles, like our Scarlet Beans, for if they lie on the Ground, they are apt to rot.

* 1.105The Mountains which look upon the Caspian Sea, are overgrown with Woods, wherewith in∣deed the whole Countrey of Kilan is environ'd; and they abound with wild Beasts, as Hogs, Deer, Goats with Horns of an exceeding length, but not so crooked as those of Europe, besides Beasts of prey, as Tygers, Leopards, Wolves and Bears; the first of which are so numerous, that they are brought ten or twenty at a time to be sold, and taught to follow the Chace, in regard of their swift running, and withal made so tame, that the Huntsmen carry them on their Horses; and most Gentlemen keep them as we in England do Ma∣stives, for the security of their Houses.

The Rivers abound with all sorts of Fish;* 1.106 so that Kilan hath not onely sufficient for her own Provision and Store, but enough to furnish both her Neighbors, and Strangers at remoter di∣stance.

* 1.107The Inhabitants of this Countrey are of two sorts, viz. the Talians, who for the most part pos∣sess the Mountains; and the Kilaneans, who in∣habit the Plains.

The Kilaneans, by reason of the Climate they live in, are generally of a more sallow Com∣plexion than the Persians, being a surly and self∣conceited People, especially those that dwell be∣tween Mazanderan, and Kesker, who relying on the Strength of their Countrey, often bid defiance to the Kings of Persia.

* 1.108The Habit of these People in general, is much shorter than of other Persians, occasion'd by the wetness of the Place wherein they live, onely herein they differ, that the Kilaneans wear Caps of course Linnen, and the Talians of black Sheep-skins. The Talian Women being of a better compos'd Countenance than the other, wear not so many Head-clothes as their Neighbors. Vir∣gins braid their Hair in many Locks, which hang down about their Shoulders, some above forty, but Women have onely eight or twelve. They wear in stead of Shoes, woodden Sandals, which are fastned on by a Button between their great Toes, yet they trip very nimbly with them, even in the most plashy Ways; And the Men go bare∣foot, which is the cause that they generally have such broad Feet.

* 1.109The Language of this Countrey, as the Peo∣ple,

is two-fold: The Kilanean and the usual Per∣sian differ onely in some few Letters; but the Talian hath so little resemblance with it, that they scare understand each other: for proof whereof we give this Instance; Speck in the Talian Lan∣guage signifies a Dog; in the the Persian they call it Seck, and the Gilans say Seggi. But in Ma∣zanderan they speak the common Persian Tongue. There is no Province in Persia, wherein the Wo∣men have so much Respect, and do so little Work, as Kilan, where they employ themselves onely in points of Huswifery, as Spinning, Wea∣ving, making Dubarsita, or Syrrups (which they sell in great quantities to Houses of publick En∣tertainment;) for in other Places they Till the Ground and Sowe Rice; and whil'st the Man Ploughs the Ground, the Woman in her best Apparel brings the Seed into the Field in Bas∣kets, which he takes and scatters abroad; she Weeds, whil'st he Waters the Land, and as he Reaps the Corn, she binds it up in Sheaves, which being brought home by him, she Threshes, Sifts, and Sells: And here we are to observe, that eve∣ry mans particular Ground lies behind, or about his Dwelling.

This Countrey, by reason of its strong Situa∣tion, seems almost invincible, being surrounded by a continu'd Ledge of Rocky Mountains, through which there are but four Passages; the first whereof runs Northward by the Desart of Mocan, through the Province of Lengercunan; the second South-West, through Mazanderan, Fera∣bath, and by Astarabath through Chorazan. These Ways or Passages are (as Oleareus supposes) the Portae Caspiae, or Caspian Gates, mention'd by Stra∣bo, Pliny, Solinus, Ptolomy, and others of the An∣cients; and they might so be call'd, because they led out of Persia to the Caspian Sea, and are indeed so narrow, that through some of them two Horses or Camels cannot go abreast, and in others scarce one, as particularly appears by the Descri∣ption of Pyle Kubar.

Within this Province is reckon'd the City Derbend near the Caspian Sea, where there is also a narrow Passage (being the Iron Gate before men∣tion'd) out of Tartary into Persia. Camels go with ease along this Way to Gilan, but Men that ride that way (excepting some desperate People) are forc'd to lead their Horses over the Moun∣tains; wherefore a few Men plac'd at these En∣trances, may keep a great Army out of the Coun∣trey. And that the Way over the Mountains might be kept secure, a great Wall was built from that City fifty Leagues in length down to the Caspian Sea, and onely one Gate through it; and this in part is manifested by the Name Derbend, for Der signifies a Gate, and Bend a Line. Moreo∣ver (as we hinted before,) whoever takes notice of this City, and the Countrey about it, will cer∣tainly conclude, that Derbend is the strongest and safest Door to those that will travel by Land through Persia; and that if the same be secur'd, it is impossible for any on that side to come thither: And they are no less safe by Sea, in regard no Ships can approach the Shore, by reason of the many Sands and shallow Water; the Cossacks onely now and then with their small Vessels pilfer along the Sea-Coast.

* 1.110Most of the Inhabitants are either down-right Mahumetans, or of the Sect of Hanifa, and keep Aaly's Feast on the twenty fifth of January.

* 1.111This Kilan was heretofore under the Heptarchy of seven petty Kings, yet all having, or at least assuming to themselves an arbitrary Power, and as they gain'd an opportunity, took advantage of each other; and yet some of them continu'd in Power, till Schach Abbas, a little before his Death, subdu'd the same.

The Plains of Mocan, or Mogan.

* 1.112NOrthward from Kilan, near the Sea, lies a Champain Countrey, water'd by se∣veral narrow, but deep Rivulets, the chiefest whereof are Uskeru and Butaru, which have Bridges over them towards the Sea. The whole Tract: of Land ere you come to the Moun∣tains, is very full of Villages, Garrison'd with the King's Soldiers, each under a peculiar Cap∣tain, to resist: the Invasions of the Turks; to which purpose those Villages are assign'd for their Main∣tenance, and the Rusticks not onely pay a certain Tribute to them, but they have Lands also set out, which they must Till for the Soldiers.

This Champain contains sixty Leagues in length, and twenty in breadth, bordering in the South at Kilan, and in the West verging the Pro∣vince and Mountains of Betziruan.

On this Plain (which the Turks call Mindua∣luck, that is, A thousand Chimneys, and the Persians, Mogan or Mocan) dwell several sorts of People, which in the Reign of Hossein making an Insurre∣ction under one Jesid, being vanquish'd, were condemn'd thither, and not permitted to live in any other Towns or Villages; they are by one ge∣neral Name call'd Sumeck Rajeti,* 1.113 that is, The Kings Villains, because from Generation to Generation they are the King's Slaves, and have small Allow∣ances, according to that most inferior Qualifica∣tion.

Their chief Support is gain'd by keeping of Cattel, which they drive in the Summer to the Mountains, where they ••••nd good Pasturage and wholsom Air; but in the Winter they return to the Plains.

Their Children go stark naked in Summer, but the aged People wear Cotton Coats. They are taken to be a kind of Salvages, divided into seve∣ral Tribes.

The Habitations on this Plain, are little Cot∣tages, and very mean, according to the Nature of the Persians, by the Tartars call'd Olack, built of Straw and Bushes, and within furnish'd with as bad Implements.

Five Leagues from the Entrance upon the Plain, from the South towards the North, stands a Chappel, wherein lies bury'd Bairam Tecle Obasi, who in the time of Schach Abbas, when the Turks, under the Command of the Bashaw Tzacal Ogli fell into Persia, was a famous Robber, and having under his Command a great company of the like Shifters, turn'd his Praedatory Practise upon the Enemy; for which the King not onely pardon'd his former Crimes, but made him General of an Army of twelve thousand Men, with which he did the Enemy more mischief, than the King with all the rest of his Persian Forces, and withal rais'd him to the Dignity of a Prince, and gave him many Villages hereabouts.

On this Plain breed also a sort of wild Beasts, not seen any where else in Persia, which keep to∣gether in great Herds, and are by the Turks call'd Tzeiran, and by the Persians, Ahu; they are very swist-footed, and shap'd like a Roe-Buck.

In most places of Mocan grows abundance of Liquorice, to the thickness of a Man's Arm; the Juice boyl'd out of the same is much better than our English, or that which grows in Germany.

Ten Leagues up into the Plain from the River Cur, flows a Brook call'd Baharu, where many* 1.114 Tortoises are found, which lay their Eggs on the high Banks, and in the Fields in Holes made in the Sand against the Hills, but always towards the South, that so they may be the sooner hatch'd by the heat of the Sun.

* 1.115Through Mogan or Mocan runs a River, now call'd Aras, and by the Ancients, Araxis; but not the Araxis in Persia, by the Inhabitants call'd Cur, and by some miscall'd Beademir. The Anci∣ents have perhaps given the Stream Araxis that Denomination from the Greek word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is. To break off, or Rent asunder, because by the violence of its Course it often takes away pie∣ces of the Land, leaving the Banks steep and jut∣ting. It springs from the Mountain Ararat in A••∣menia, and carries the Water of many Streams along with it, the chiefest whereof are Carasu, Senki, Kerni, and Arpa, and at last sinks into the Ground near Carasu; afterwards appearing again, not far from Ordabath, falls with great noise and violence, which may be heard into the Province of Mocan, for Mocan, in respect of Armenia and Schirwan, lies very low; through Mocan it runs very slow towards the Caspian Sea, and unites about a quarter of a League beyond the Village Tzawat, six Leagues from the Sea, in 39 Degrees and 40 Minutes Northern Latitude, with the Stream Cyrus, now call'd Cur, which comes out of the North from Georgia or Gurstan.

Both these Rivers are very large, each being a hundred and forty Paces broad; the Water thereof smooth, deep, and brown-colour'd, runs between two high Banks.

The conjoyn'd Streams of Aras and Cur, are by the Inhabitants call'd Causchan.

* 1.116The Village Tzawat hath receiv'd that Deno∣mination from the Arabick word Tzawas, which signifies a Passage or Through-fare, because at the same place there also lies a Bridge cross the River, over which none are permitted to come in∣to Persia without a Pass. Every Spring, in March, when the Water rises, they have an Art to re∣move this Bridge, left it should be broken, for then the River overflows its Banks and the adja∣cent Plain above a League; so that none can tra∣vel during that time.

The Province of Betziruan.

* 1.117ON the West side of the Plains of Mocan, lies a Countrey and Mountain call'd Bet∣ziruan, which is water'd by a winding River, so that those which travel through this Countrey to Ardebil, are forc'd to cross the same.

Amongst several others, there is one Village, call'd Schechmuras, where the Front of the Houses are built of Stone, and the Back-parts cut into the Mountain, but cover'd over with Canes, Straw, and the like.

On the top of the Mountain rises a clear and sweet Spring, which passing between the Rocks, breeds abundance of Craw-Fish.

Not far from hence are other Mountains of two Leagues long, and behind them a Village call'd Disle, in which the Indians that come to Trade at Schamachie built a Caravansera, Anno 1639.

Between these Mountains in divers place grow abundance of Fig-Trees.

Five Leagues from Disle lies the Caravansera Aggis, built very large.

In this Way the Travellers never suffer their Horses or Camels to eat, by reason of the poy∣sonous Quality of the Grass, of which some that have tasted dy'd soon after.

Somewhat farther lies the Village Tzanlu, near a pleasant Hill surrounded with Gardens and Orchards.

Beyond Tzanlu lies Tzizetlu, a Mountain three Leagues over. By the foot of it glides the River Carusu, which coming out of the Kilanean Moun∣tains, falls into the Aras: It also runs by the Vil∣lage Samiam, under a Stone Bridge with six Arches Half a League from which, and two lit∣tle Leagues from the City Ardebil, is the Hamlet Tzabedar.

Little Fewel is to be had hereabouts, where∣fore the Inhabitants burn Cows, Horses, and Camels Dung, in stead thereof, having first dry'd the same sufficiently in the Sun.

Having in this our Relation hitherto often made mention of the Caspian Sea, it will not be amiss to give a short Description of it.

The Caspian Sea.

* 1.118THe Caspian Sea or Lake, hath several De∣nominations from the divers adjacent Villages and Countreys, viz. The Rus∣sians call the same Chualenca or Gualenscoi More; the Moors, Bohar Corsun, that is, Inclosed Sea, (which Name they also give to the Arabian Gulf;) the Persians, Culsum, a Name agreeing with the Red-sea; the Latines, both ancient and modern, following the Greeks, Mare Caspium and Hyrcanum, as others from the City Bacuje in Schirwan, Mare de Bacu; also Kilan, Giorgia, Terkestan, Corasum, and Cunsar.

* 1.119The length of the Caspian Sea is by most Wri∣ters accounted fifteen days Voyage, and the breadth eight, in Boats with Oars, without the help of the Wind. The length from the Mouth or Entrance of the Sea from Astrachan to Fera∣bath, is accounted eight Degrees, or a hundred and twenty German Miles, and the breadth from the Province Churesin to the Circassian Mountain, six Degrees, or ninety Leagues.

This Sea neither Ebbs nor Flows as others, though Curtius seem to affirm the contrary; for true it is, that the Water rises sometimes, not onely on the Shore, but also runs over the Coun∣trey, especially on the West side, occasion'd by

[illustration] map of Caspian Sea

Paskeart vande CASPISE ZEE.

the Wind, which blowing from the Sea, drives up the Water upon the contrary Coast: for it hath been observ'd, that in calm Weather it keeps at a certain heighth. In the middle it is so deep that it cannot be plumm'd with a fifty or sixty Fa∣thom Line. Hundreds of Rivers discharge their Waters into the same; for between Rescht and Schamachie, being distant about twenty days Jour∣ney from each other, it receives of great and small Streams, above fourscore; the chiefest of them are the Volga, anciently call'd Rha; the Araxis or Aras, united with the Cyrus or Cur, Ki∣silosein, Bastro, Acsai, and Coisu; from the North comes the Jaik; from the South and East, the Jems, Nios, Oxus, and Orxantes, by Curtius call'd Tanais. It may seem a Wonder, that this Sea, which receives the Water of so many Rivers, should have no apparent place for Discharge of the same; and therefore some have affirm'd, that it percolates into the main Ocean through invi∣sible Pipes or Channels, Olearius says he was in∣form'd by the Persians, that there is a great Mouth between Tabristan and Mazanderan, not far from Ferabath, into which this Sea falling, sinks away under the Mountains; but we insist not thereon. The Water near the Shore is sweet, by reason of the many fresh Streams, which (as we said) fall into it, but in the middle is very salt, and (according to Petreus) as black as Ink; but Olearius affirms the contrary to this last Point from ocular experience; neither is there any Island re∣plete with Towns and Villages, onely Ensil near Ferabath, affording good Pasturage for Cattel, hath some few Huts for Herdsmen, Nor are any great Serpents caught in this Sea, as Curtius, nor red Fish, as Pedro Bizarro relates from Ambrosius Contarenus, being without a Head, yet an Ell long; out of whose boyl'd Fat the Inhabitants extrad Oyl, and make Salve for Camels; but the People hereabouts want not the foremen∣tion'd Oyl, for they have great plenty of Nefta, being another sort of liquid Matter, which they burn in Lamps, and make use of on other like oc∣casions.

* 1.120There is a great Fish call'd Naca taken in this Sea, having a short Head and Belly, wide Mouth, and round Tail, three or four Yards thick. This Fish doth great mischief to Fishermen, for it will hang with its Head under Water, and overset a Boat with its Tail, if not opportunely prevented.

* 1.121No less dangerous is the White-Fish, of which so many breed here, that the Fishermen dare not go into above four Fathom Water; which Pom∣ponius Mela seems to have observ'd, when he saith in his Geography, This Sea is more dangerous than any other, by reason of the many Monsters that breed therein. It hath been reported, that in Kilan, over against the Mountain Sahebelan, where they breed most, they are taken with Hooks, fastned to thick Lines, and Baited with Flesh.

* 1.122Nor doth it onely breed Monsters, for (con∣trary to the Opinion of Contareno and Bizarro) it produces several sorts of excellent Fish, as Sal∣mon, Sturgeon, Carps an Ell long, a sort of Her∣rings, great Breams call'd Chascham, Scwit or Schi∣vit, and a sort of Barbels a Yard and a half long, but others less, which are tough, and not fit to be eaten.

The Inhabitants there catch another sort of Salmon-Trouts, which they dry in the Smoak, and Dress after this manner, viz. They lay the smoak'd Fish, wrapt in a Linnen or Cotton Cloth, upon a hot Hearth, and then cover it with Ashes till it be enough, whereby it gaineth a most delicate taste.

This abundance of Fish breeding in the Sea, causes the King of Persia to Farm out the Fishing thereof towards the Mouth of the fresh Rivers, which brings him yearly considerable Sums of Money. This Fishing Farm begins in September, and lasts to the end of March; during which time the Rivers are shut up, to prevent Intruders, that have no right to Fish there, but all the rest of the year not onely the Rivers, but the Sea it self lies free and open to all Persons.

This Sea in the Summer the Persians, Tartars, and Russians Navigate in sleight and miserable Vessels, with which they dare not Sail but onely before the Wind, nor venture from the sight of the Shore.

There are but few Harbors, and those neither good nor safe; the place between the Island Tzenzeni and the main Land, is counted one of the securest, and therefore the Persians always An∣chor there in the Night: they also us'd to Ride with their Vessels near Bacu, Lenkeran, and Fera∣bath, according as the Wind favors them: But the best in all that Sea, is towards the East on the Tartars side, and is call'd Chuaresm and Minkisch∣lack, but by some nam'd Manguslave.

This Sea (according to Herodotus, Ptolomy, and Aristotle) is distinct: from all other, being wholly inclos'd within the Land, so that it may justly be call'd a Mediterranean; from whence appear the Errors of Dionysius the Alexandrian, Pomponius Mela, Strabo, Pliny, Solinus, Basilius Magnus, and others, who would make it to mix with the Scy∣thian or Tartarick Sea; or else a Bay of the Northern Ocean, and not totally surrounded by the Land.

The Province of Mazanderan.

* 1.123THe Province of Mazanderan or Mazande∣ron, conterminates in the West with Gi∣lan or Kilan; the East Borders upon Esta∣rabat; the South touches Erack, Media, and a part of Gilan; and the North verges with the Bacu, or Caspian Sea: Its length is accounted to be thirty Leagues, and Compriseth twenty five Cities, the Metropolis of which bears the same Deno∣mination with the Province; but Della Valla and Olearius name it Ferhabad, and aver, that formerly it was call'd Tahona.

* 1.124The City Ferhabad which lies about two thou∣sand Paces from the Caspian Sea, is in a great Plain, and (as Della Valla witnesseth) in a few years after the first Building, grew to the bigness of Rome or Constantinople, but was not inclos'd with Walls; Nor have the chief Cities in this Countrey any such Inclosures.

The Teggine Rude, that is, The Swist-River, runs through the middle of the City, over which there is but one Bridge, but that neatly built, in that place where commonly the greatest concourse or People is; in other parts, a good distance from the Bridge, they Ferry over in slat-bottom'd Boats, made of one great Tree.

This Place, by reason of its nearness to the

Caspian Sea, and convenience of the beforemen∣tion'd River, is accounted a Sea-port Town, be∣cause the Ships Sail up to the aforenam'd Bridge, where they drop their Anchors; and though the Vessels are not very big, yet all that drive this Trade, viz. to the City Gilan, Esterabad, Bacu, De∣mircapt, and to Astracan in Muscovia, lade and un∣lade here. King Abbas not long since call'd it Fer∣habad, that is, The City of perfect Joy, which is an Arabick word, compounded of Fer, which signifies Joy, and Habad, that is, Finished. Two Reasons induc'd the King to build this City, the one was a desire he had to beautifie his Kingdom, and extend the Limits thereof (for he built divers Cities in several other places;) the other was his kindness to this particular Region; partly because it was the Birth-place of his Mother, and partly because it was the strongest part of his Dominions: for it lies on one side surrounded with the unnavigable part of the Caspian Sea, and on the other with in∣accessible Mountains, through which none can come but by narrow and craggy Paths; besides all which, this Countrey lay remotest from the Enemy, especially from the Turks. The Houses in the beginning were not above a Story high, and cover'd onely with Canes, to keep out the Weather: The Walls consist of a certain Stuff very common in this Countrey, which being mix'd with Straw is call'd Calghil, that is. Straw and Earth; to which a quantity of Sand being ad∣ded, and beaten like Mortar, makes a most strong and durable Cement. But the King's Pa∣lace is built of Sun-dry'd Brick, which in the time of a great Fire proving a safeguard to it self and all within, caus'd the King to command all the Hou∣ses to be built of the like Materials.

* 1.125Eastward from thence lies a City call'd Eskerf, about two Leagues from the same Sea, at the end of a large Plain, near the foot of a Mountain, which environs the same on the South side.

This City was also built by Abbas, at the same time with Ferhabad: It hath many Gardens, and a great Bazar, or Street full of Shops, besides di∣vers other meaner Houses, standing without order among shady Groves in a delightful Plain, which is full of Inhabitants, sent thither by the King; and is much frequented, especially when the Court Resides there, which is the greatest part of the Summer; for in Winter Ferhabad was the Royal Chamber: and this the King did to draw Inhabitants thither, and cause a Trade; and likewise because it was well seated for Hunting, and other Recreations. The Houses are built un∣der high Trees, and so shaded with the Boughs, that they are scarce to be seen, insomuch that one may doubt whether Eskerf be a City erected in a Wood, or a Grove inhabited like a City. In the middle of the Gardens behind the Houses, stand Chambers, or rather, Galleries, (because they are onely cover'd on the top) which being about a Man's heighth above the Ground, are ascended to by Steps, and serve both for Eating and Sleeping Rooms in Summer, by reason of their coolness, and are in the Countrey Language call'd Balachane, that is, A high House: And this is so common, and the Inhabitants so us'd to repose in open Rooms, that they would incur great incon∣venience by a more close retiredness. The Streets are broad, extending far in a straight Line; before the Houses are Channels, to receive and carry away the Water, which else, by reason of their even lying, would make them very dirty: In one of which stands a Royal Building, the chiefest Gate whereof opens into a long and spacious Street. Upon one side of this Palace may be seen a square Court, crossing which you come to a Garden Door, into which none but Grandees are permitted to enter. This Garden lies behind the Palace at the foot of a Hill, beset with Trees, and adorn'd with Banquetting-houses built on the same by King Abbas. The Garden being one large Square, hath in the middle a Dewanchane, or Terrace-Walk; twice as long as broad, open towards the North, with an Ascent of two or three Steps, but behind, and on the other side, clos'd up with a Wall, wherein are divers large Windows. Through this runs a crystal Stream, brought from an adjacent Spring, opposite to the Diwanchane. The Floor of this Diwanchane is com∣monly cover'd with Tapistry at the time of Audi∣ence, when any Persons of Quality kneel on the same before the King.

* 1.126The Province of Mazanderan is inhabited by several sorts of People, which are of divers Tribes and Beliefs, sent thither by King Abbas after the building of Ferhabad and Eskerf, particularly Geor∣gians, who in some sort Profess'd Christianity; Mahu∣metans, Armenians, and Medes, together with some of his own Subjects.; where the King gave every one Land to Till and maintain his Family, and encourag'd them to follow such Employments as they had been accustom'd to in their own Coun∣trey: and to that purpose accommodated them to their several Qualifications. The Mahumetans are the smallest number, and the Christians (being for the most part Georgians and Armenians) the biggest, who had all leave to build as many Hou∣ses or Churches as they pleas'd, and are tolerated to enjoy their own Religion quietly.

* 1.127All these new Inhabitants of this Countrey wear long Breeches and short Coats, not reach∣ing down to their Knees, with an upper Garment made fast about their Middle with a Girdle; they wear no Turbants, onely a little Cap, in the Persian Tongue call'd Cork, made of Leather, and Lin'd with Cloth, sharp on the top, and broad at the bottom; which were invented by King Abbas. These kind of Caps are very common, and worn within Doors in stead of Turbants by Persons of Quality, but when they go abroad they put on their Turbants, yet their Servants carry these after their Masters.

* 1.128The Language which is spoken in this Pro∣vince, is the vulgar Persian.

The supream Command of the whole Province belongs to a Vice-Roy or Lieutenant, who bears the Title of Chan, and keeps his Court in Ferha∣bad. But in former times this Province was Go∣vern'd by a peculiar King, which paid Tribute to the Sophy; but he rebelling, Xa Abas sent his Ge∣neral thither to reduce him.

This Province is surrounded with great Woods, cut through by several Brooks, and inclos'd with Mountains overgrown with Trees, insomuch that Della Valla affirms, that this Countrey bore so great a resemblance with those of Europe, that he saw not the like in all those Parts through which he travell'd.

* 1.129The Soil is very fruitful, and us'd to lie Fallow, through the neglect and idleness of the Inhabi∣tants: The Earth being fat and Morassy, is en∣compass'd by the Caspian Sea and River Teggine Rude.

* 1.130The temperature of the Air is much like that at

Rome, viz. in the Winter moist, and subject to tempestuous Weather: moreover, they feel the same Heat or Cold there, which is no great won∣der, because both the foremention'd Places lie al∣most in one and the same Northern Latitude, ha∣ving great, and almost continual Winter Rains.

At the entrance on the South out of the Ter∣ritory of Arack, into that of Mazanderan; lies a very narrow Valley at the foot of several Moun∣tains, which after three Leagues Journey grows somewhat wider, and is wash'd by a little Brook. This Plain, though well cultivated, produces no∣thing but Rice; and the like do most places in this whole Province, being indeed most fit for that Grain, by reason of the abundance of Wa∣ter and moistness of the Soil (for Rice requires moisture,) or else that it is the chiefest, if not one∣ly Grain of the Inhabitants, for they use no other Bread, not setting any esteem upon Wheat or Rye, neither use much Milk, Whit-meat, or But∣ter, because they think them unwholsom; but of Rice, which they boyl sometimes one way, and sometimes another, mingled with Flesh or Fruit, they make several savory Dishes, which they call Pilao's, according to their several Palats. This Pilao is convenient for Travellers, because it may be made ready in a short time, and keeps good a great while, and withal is a wholsom and palata∣ble Food.

* 1.131The Inhabitants are of a sallow Complexion, occasion'd by the Heats of the Climate, and con∣stant eating of Rice, and their Hair and Eye∣brows very black. The Women are very hand∣som Body'd, and have good Features, which they grace with a courteous Behavior, and affability in Discourse; and this is the more pleasing, be∣cause (according to their Custom, in which they differ very much from other Mahumetans) they ne∣ver cover their Faces, nor shun the Company of Men. Both Men and Women are hospitable, treating Strangers in their Houses with the highest Civility imaginable, not expecting any Return, yet refuse not any thing Presented to them; for there are no Inns or Caravansera's to give public Entertainment, but every House (as we said, is free to receive Strangers; wherefore we may justly say, that there is no Countrey where the Inhabitants are more hospitable and civil; so that Hircania (which the Ancients reported to be full of Tygers and other wild Beasts,) if Mazan∣deran be compris'd in the same, is one of the most civiliz'd Territories that can be found in all Asia, and the Inhabitants thereof have a suitable com∣mendation.

* 1.132The Land between the City Ferhabad and Es∣kerf is even and plain, on which grow wild Arti∣chokes, Parsnips, and the like.

* 1.133You may see here also many Towns and Villa∣ges, as you travel from Arack Southward to Fer∣habad, particularly a Village call'd Mynikelle. Four Leagues from thence lies another call d Giru; the Road between both which in the Win∣ter is very bad arid deep, by reason of the con∣tinual wetness of the Ground. A days Journey farther you come to Tellara Pescet, a large Hamlet, having on one fide many dispersed Villages, and on the other, a Hilly Countrey. Beyond these appears a great Wood, through which is a broad Way shadow'd by high Trees. This Road is very plashy, because many little Brooks run in it, which in the Winter makes it so deep and rotten, that the Camels, though they have long Legs, often sink up to the Knees. Four Leagues from this Village lies a strong, large, and populous Place, call'd Saru, where the King hath a magnificent Pa∣lace, and thereby has gain'd the repute of a City, though consisting chiefly of a sort of Thatch'd Houses, except a few scatter'd Dwellings that are Tyl'd: It is call'd Saru, which signifies Yellow, from the abundance of Oranges, and other yel∣lowish Fruits that grow about the same. Beyond Saru lie several great Plains, which in former Ages were overgrown with Woods, but since that being clear'd and Manur'd, they are become very fertile, and the Ways, which then were very deep are now (the Ground lying open to the Sun) be∣come very hard, and some places of late made into Pav'd Cawseys. These Plains are also in∣habited by several People, most of them Christi∣ans, sent thither from divers Countreys An. 1620. to make several Plantations, especially from Ar∣menia and Georgia.

The Way from Saru hath all along the sides, Houses rais'd onely of Boughs and Mud, viz. of the Trees which were cut down in the same place by the Inhabitants, to make the Countrey fit for Cultivation.

This Province is divided from the South to the North by, the River Teggine Rude, which taking original out of the Mountains more Southward of the Rice-Valley, runs through it, as also the City Ferhabad; two thousand Paces from which it dis∣charges its Waters into the Caspian Sea, having in the Way receiv'd so many Brooks, Streams, and Rivulets, that from the City Saru it is Na∣vigable with flat-bottom'd Boats, made on pur∣pose of the Bodies of great Trees to Row with Oars: Some of them can carry ten or twelve Men, or Goods of the like Burthen. The Towns∣men of Ferhabad often go out a Fishing for their Pleasure into the Caspian Sea with such Boats, and make use of them in the City to go from one place to another.

* 1.134About a League from Ferhabad glides the Erook Cinon, which also sends its Water into the Caspian Sea, and is somewhat broader than the Teggine Rude.

* 1.135The County Lahetzan, where the best Silk is to be had, campriseth the Towns Lenkeru, Cut∣zesbar, and Amelekende.

The Countrey of Chusistan.

* 1.136CHusistan, that is, The Countrey of Chus, lies between Fars or Persia, and the Stream Ditzel, and was anciently by Mercator, and since by Olearius, call'd Susiana, and (as the same Olearius believes) comprised Elam, from whence came the Elamites. Cluverius will have Chusistan to be the ancient Assyria, and Susiana the Coun∣trey at this Day call'd Elaran, in which he partly agrees with Olearius.

* 1.137Susiana (as Ptolomy saith) conterminates in the North wi••h Assyria, in the West with Babylon, in the East hath* 1.138 Persia, and in the South Borders at part of the Persian Gulf.

Susiana compris'd anciently Meltilene, Elimais, Cabamene, Characene, Cissia, Chaltapitis, and the fer∣tile Countrey of Dera.

The eminentest Rivers which water'd Susiana,* 1.139 were Moseus & Oroates, by Ptolomy nam'd Rhunates; by Ammianus, Vatrochites and Euleus; by the Prophet Daniel, Ulai; both which had such exceed∣ing clear Water, that the Kings would have no other to drink.

The Inhabitants of Susiana were Elamites and Cossites.* 1.140

* 1.141The chiefest City was anciently call'd Susa, mention'd by Daniel, in the place where he speaks of the destruction of Persia, and foretells the be∣ginning of the Grecian Monarchy: It is now nam'd Desu; not far from which was the Royal Palace Susan, lying at the Stream Ulai, by Pliny call'd Uleus, where Ahassuerus, who Reign'd over a hundred and twenty seven Provinces, made the great Feast to all his Princes, mention'd in sacred Writ.

The other populous and Trading Cities are Alewas, Ramehormus, Schabur, Asker and Arhan. The Inhabitants, who have the Mountains to the Northward of them, are forc'd by the violent heat to retire amongst them during the Summer.

Carmania or Kermon, otherwise Kirman.

* 1.142THis ancient Countrey, by Ptolomy call'd Carmania, is at this day nam'd Kirman, and by Niger, Kerman, from its Metro∣polis: According to Cluverius, it compris'd anci∣ently these Territories, viz. Modomastice, Parepa∣phitis, Cabadine, and Chantonice; but at this day onely Kirman, Goadel, and Ormus. It is inhabited by the ancient People Isaticheans, Zuthians, Gada∣nopidrans, Camelobocians,* 1.143 Sozotes, Agdenites, Rhu∣dians, Arians, Charadreans, Pasargades, and Armo∣zens. The ancient Cities were Carmania, Samy∣dace, Alexandria, and Armuze. It is water'd by one River nam'd Samydace, hath the Mountain Semi∣ramis, and the Wilderness Reobarle.

Kermon or Carmania, is divided into two Parts; the one Great Carmania,* 1.144 which conterminates with the Sea, and is by the Persians call'd Erach Ajan; the other, which lies farther into the Country, and was anciently nam'd Wild Carmania, hath now the Denomination of Dulcinde, or (as Corsal saith) Rasigut.

Erack Ajan compriseth yet two Kingdoms, viz. Macran and Guadel.

Besides these two Carmania's, this Countrey com∣prehends Mogostan, and the Kingdom of Ormus.

Wild Carmania borders (according to Ptolomy) in the North, upon Parthia; the West verges Per∣sia; the South looks upon Great Carmania; and in the East it lies terminated by Aria.

The old Wild Carmania compriseth the well known Kingdoms of Lara and Oessa, commonly call'd The Kingdom of Monbareca or Mombareck, from the Name of the Governor, besides the Countreys of Mogosthan.

The Countreys which lie to the Northward from the Tigris and Euphrates, at the side of Persia, were formerly possess'd by one Mombareck, Son to a mighty Arabian, which Texeira places hard by Bagdad or Babylon, where there are many good Ci∣ties, as Magdon, Oexa, and Ooreca, surrounded with rich Land, yet lying waste for fear of the Turks, who have many Garrisons in this Mombareck's Countrey, to guard those which pay him Tri∣bute.

The greater Carmania borders in the North up∣on Wild Carmania, in the East faces Gedrosia, the West looks upon a part of Persia and a part of the Persian Gulf, and the South is limited by the Indian Sea.

The River Bagrada, so call'd by Ptolomy, and plac'd in Wild Carmania, is now nam'd Bintmir, or (as others) Budmir; by Niger, Biserti; and in the Arabick, as Thevet affirms, Biquelmick.

This Countrey, Davity tells, was possess'd by Zizaerian Arabians that formerly dwelt in Bassora. Wild Carmania, as Maginus writes, hath not one City; nor indeed doth Ptolomy mention any therein.

Great Carmania boasts the River Bassiri, and the Cape Jasquette or Jasques, about twenty five or twenty six Leagues from Ormus, near the Persian Gulf, opposite to Arabia Felix: Ortelius says Pto∣lomy call'd it The Cape of Ormus. Up into the Countrey lie the Towns Sirgian, Tesirco, Serent, and Kirman or Kirmon, the chief City of the Region.

According to Olearius, Kirman is a great Coun∣trey, and lying between Farsi and Sagistan, exten∣ding Northerly to the Sea and the Isle of Ormus.

Beyond Kirman, Northerly, lies a great Desart; but Southward, towards the Sea, Kirman hath much till'd Land, and many fine Towns, the Names whereof are Bersir, Bermasir, Bem, Chabis, Tzirefft, and Gamron, which lying near the Sea, is often call'd Bender or Bander Gamron, that is, The Haven of Camron, for Bender in the Persian Tongue signifies a Haven.

This Town of Gamron, or Bender Gamron, by Della Valle call'd Cambru, lies in 27 Degrees of Northern Latitude, West-South-West about three Leagues from the Isle of Ormus, being formerly a little Village, inhabited by Fishermen, who came thither for its convenient Situation near the Per∣sian Gulf. But since the conquering of the fa∣mous Isle of Ormus, and driving the Portuguese from thence, Gamron being frequented by the Eng∣lish, Hollanders, and Moors Vessels, grew to a hand∣som Town, and is enlarg'd daily by the Merchants and Travellers which come thither in November, (for then the heat of the Weather is over), either

from the Court at Ispahan, or other adjacent Ci∣ties. The Houses are built (having the Founda∣tion three or four Foot deep in the Sand) of Free∣stone,* 1.145 joyn'd together after this manner: They take Clay, chopt Straw, and Horse-dung, beaten together with salt Water, and making Cakes thereof, dry the same in the Sun; then they lay Brambles or Straw on the Ground to cover them, over which again they lay Cakes, and so a Layer of Btambles and a Layer of Cakes, till it rises to the heighth of a Man, and then set fire on the Heap, which, when extinguish'd, they mingle and beat together with salt Water, and daubing the Materials therewith, make a good Mortar, which grows as hard as Flint; upon this Foundation they raise their Walls of square pieces of Clay dry'd in the Sun, after the manner of our Bricks, and then laid in moist Clay in stead of Mortar: they likewise make square Pillars of the same Clay after the same manner, for Supporters of the inner Roofs; and that the Rain may not soke through the Walls, they daube them all over with the beforemention'd hard Plaister, which makes them seem to be built all of Stone: With this Mortar also they make handsom Arches: Their Rooms of Office are even with the Ground, and for want of Stone, unpav'd: Over these are their Lodgings, open round about for coolness. The Streets are very crooked, narrow and dirty. The chiefest Houses, as those of the Sultans, the English and Hollanders Store-houses, stand on the Shore, against which the Sea oftentimes beats with great violence; yet they are very conve∣nient to lade and unlade Goods. The Ships Ride about a Cannon shot from the Land, in five or six Fathom Water. There are also many little Huts of Boughs and Date-tree Leaves, which are much us'd here; and because there are no hard Stones hereabouts, and the Timber extraordinary scarce; many stately Houses have been pull'd down on the Isle, and the Materials thereof car∣ry'd away to build Houses on the Main.

On the East side of the Countrey stands a Fort, built after the ancient manner with Towers. Upon the Shore also, about a Gun-shot from the Water, is another Fort, built of Free-stone, sur∣rounded with a dry Trench, a low Vaumure, and on the West side a Stone Redoubt, of sufficient Strength against any sudden Onset.

* 1.146The great Village Cambru (according to Della Valle) stands upon the Sea-shore in 27 Degrees of Northern Latitude. The Streets are generally very narrow, and the Bazars on Shops but indiffe∣rently furnish'd with Wares. The Walls of the Houses are of Lime or Clay, and may rather be call'd Barns than Houses, being nothing but large and inclosed places, cover'd with a Roof for a shelter in bad Weather, and to keep off the heat of the Sun, which in these Countreys is very pow∣erful.

Here is a general Toleration of Religion: for besides the Mahumetans there are abundance of Jews, Banians from India, and many other People of divers Beliefs.

* 1.147There is a Fortress in a low Tract of Land near the Sea; and not far from it the Fort of Cambru, which being square, is encompass'd with a double Wall; the first hath no Redoubts nor Flankers, but the outmost hath some Sconces and Curteyns, sufficient to bear Musquet-shot: The inner Wall is somewhat higher, and hath several little round Turrets, built at certain distances one from ano∣ther; between each of which lies a great Stone, which in time of need may be thrown down on the Enemy: Over the Gate appears a square place like a Gallery full of Port-holes, through which the Soldiers with Musquets defend the Pas∣sage to the Gate: Outermost is abroad and deep Moat, fortifi'd with Half-moons and Breast-works, but so weak, that they may be batter'd down with a small Field-piece.

On the Shore of Cambru lie abundance of Sea-Cockles, by which the Coast may easily be known.

The Ferry from Cambru to Ormus is not above a days Sailing, in Vessels as big as Sloops, by the Persians call'd Cuibet.

The Portuguese in former times had another Fort near the Shore, which the Persians after their Con∣quest pull'd down; but they built the foremen∣tion'd Fort in stead thereof farther up in the Coun∣trey, and afterwards in the Year 1623. in January, they rais'd another on the Shore, in the same place where that belonging to the Portuguese stood, find∣ing that so far up into the Countrey unable to de∣fend the Ships and Haven, which is much fre∣quented from several Places in Persia, India and Arabia. There is also a Governor of the Town, and another of the Fort, and a Judge call'd Cadhi.

Once a year commonly there happens an Earth∣quake in Cambru, which often overturns several Houses.

In the Way from Schiras to the Haven of Cam∣bru, whither the English come yearly with the Ca∣ravan to ship their Silks, are the following Places, viz. the Burrough of Passa, the Plain of Gigangli, the Village Haian Havask, the Caravansera of Ma∣mui, the City Passa, Tambustan or Temerista, the barren place between the Mountains Seciah, that is, The three Pits, because of certain Pits there, and beyond that the Village Zirevan; some Leagues from which the Way parts into two, the one runs to the City Darabghierd, and the other to Dechair, a Village, a days Journey beyond this parting of the Road. The many Dates and other Trees which grow in Darebghierd, make it seem a very pleasant Place, which extending a great way, hath abundance of Inhabitants. There is nothing re∣markable in the same but a Brook, which running through the Market makes a standing Pool in the middle: However, it is very eminent for its An∣tiquity and Name, which it hath preserv'd to this day, viz. from the ancient Persian King Darius, who built it, and call'd it Darab, according to the Name which this Place bears, viz. Darabghierd, or Darabkera, that is, Darius's City.

Beyond Darabghierd we see the Villages De∣chair, and beyond that the Wilderness of Mog∣hokiel.

Next you come to a Mosque of an Imamsade's Tomb, who was call'd Meir Abas, Son to Iman Giafer Sadick, a Man highly esteem'd amongst the Persians; yet the Mosque is quite ruin'd, notwith∣standing it is near a Village: About it are plea∣sant Gardens, with all sorts of Fruit-Trees, water'd by a little Brook: At the entrance is a Court, where several People superstitiously desire to be bury'd. In the middle of this Court stands a great Palm-Tree, by whose Foot runs another Brook, replenish'd with all sorts of Fish for the Service of the Court.* 1.148 On one side of the Mosque is Meir Abas's Tomb, cover'd with sleight Turkish Linnen. Here Della Valle says he found a bound Book, and also some Leaves of an old Book with certain Medals,

which were brought from Kierrila, and the famous Hossein's Tomb, on which were Imprinted in Ara∣bick Letters the name of GOD, and some other pious words, as Elhemdu lillah, that is, God be praised.

Beyond this Tomb you come between narrow Mountains, which formerly serv'd for the Boun∣daries between the two Provinces of Persia and Lar, when Lar was a peculiar Dukedom, and not subject to the Persians.

Somewhat farther you come to the Village Furg; and beyond it to several Heaps of Rubbish, being the Ruines of an ancient Structure, by the Vulgar call'd The Mountain of the King of Behmen, who (as they report) Reign'd a considerable time in Persia, before Darius was conquer'd by Alexander the Great.

Next you approach the Village Tascui, and Seid Geuder in the County of Tarom; the salt Water of Absicur, the Village Pelengon, and the Tenghi Ce∣barrud, or Narrow Gate; beyond which a Brook glides gently into a Moat; near which Travellers commonly resting themselves, cut their Names and Verses on the Rocks, which shadow this Brook from the heat of the Sun all the day.

Hence you go to Pise or Pisce, a little Village in the Countrey of Gurhe, not far distant.

Next appears the Town Curihazirgon and Serze∣hirevevon, the Mountain of Ginan and Countrey of Issur, where the Way again parts into two, one running by the Village Abidunghur, to the City Mina, and the other to Cambru.

In the Road to Cambru lies the Village call'd Ciah Ciacor, the common Resting-place for Travel∣lers; beyond which is a Row of Houses nam'd Pailulon, or Pailuli Dagheli, that is, At the foot of the Lulen full of Leaves: for by these Houses grow abundance of Trees, by the Inhabitants call'd Kuli Dagheli, as if they would say, Trees full of Boughs: for out of the great Branches grow many lesser down to the Ground, which taking Root, produce new Trees; which being very common in India, are by the Portuguese nam'd Arbores de Raiz, that is, The Rooting Trees.

Lastly, you come to the Fort and City Combru, at present by the Persians call'd Abassi.

* 1.149The Inhabitants of Wild Carmania are most of them Thieves and Robbers; but in Great Carma∣nia the Women work all sorts of Shapes on Cloth of Tissue or Silk of divers colours, as also on Cur∣tains, Hangings, Cushions, and the like.

In this Province are made also excellent Sad∣dles, Bridles, Spurs, and all manner of Weapons for War. The Inhabitants drink a kind of Beer in stead of Wine, and make use of the Arabian Abe.

The Inhabitants in the Wilderness Reobarle, which lieth in this Province, live by Pilfering, and are great Sorcerers like the Arabians: Their Turbans are long, but narrower than those of the other Persians, with a great Lappet behind.

* 1.150Amongst many other soveraign Herbs growing here, there is one exceeding good against Worms, call'd Daru Kerman, or Daramnack Kermony, which is to be understood two several ways, viz. for a Medicine for Worms, or for a Medicine from Ker∣mon: for Kermon is a compound word, signifying not onely This Province, but A Worm; and Daru or Daramnack is a Physical Herb.

The chiefest Commodities with which the In∣habitants Trade, are Rose-water, Wormwood, or Daru Kermon, and the Stone Surmah.

* 1.151The Carpets made here are by the Persians call'd Caluchey; by the Portuguese, Alcatifas; and commonly by other Europeans, from their Exam∣ple, corruptly Alcatifs; which are made in three several Places in Persia, viz. the richest, finest, and dearest, are made in Izad, a City in Hierack, where some are sold for a thousand Ducats; the second sort are those of Kerman, and the third from Ca∣rason.

There is also a black and glittering Stone found in this Countrey, which looks as if it were strew'd with File-dust or Sand, and is call'd Surmah; of which there are two sorts, one is found in Kerman, as also in Carason, which is of greatest value, and the other Moches, because it comes from Mochi, or Mecha. The Arabians, Indians, and Persians, use this Stone much against the Distemper of the Eyes, for the cure of which it is very prevalent, being prepar'd with other things. It is good to pre∣serve Beauty, insomuch that both Men and Wo∣men wiping their Eyes with the Stone wetted, ac∣count themselves much younger and fairer.

Gedrosia or Circan, Cache, Guadel, and Macran.

* 1.152THis Countrey, by the Ancients call'd Ge∣drosia, is at this day (according to Castal∣dus) nam'd Circan, and by Olearius and Melam, taken to be the Kingdom of Tarsus, of which the Psalmist speaks. Niger thinks it is com∣pris'd in Carmania. Maffeus calls the Gedrosians Nautaques, which are the same the Portuguese call Motages. Cluverius will have Gedrosia to compre∣hend Kesimur and Guzaratte, and anciently the two Provinces of Paradene and Parisene, and several People, as the Orbites, Parsires, Musarnes, and Rham∣niers. The chiefest Towns were Parsis the Me∣tropolis,* 1.153 Arbis and Cuni.

Ptolomy borders Gedrosia in the North,* 1.154 at Dran∣giana or Cagisan, and Arachosia, or the Countrey of Cabul; Carmania bounds the West; the East borders upon India, or the Kingdom of Cambaya; and the South fronts the Indian Sea; and includes the City Guadel, with the Lands belonging there∣to, and the Towns Calamare and Partinis, beyond the Mouth of the River Ilment, sometimes call'd Arke; near which the Motages and Nautaques reside.

* 1.155In the same Tract in the Province of Kirman, lies another County Eastward, call'd Mecheran, otherwise Macran, and by Texeira, Macron, who hath given it the Name of a Kingdom, with the Denomination of Kyche or Chike, by the Portuguese call'd Cache, between the Dominion of Guadel and the Abindes of Indostan, and betwixt the Coun∣treys of Persia and Send or India, and to the East∣ward of the Kingdom of Sistan.

The known Towns of Mecheran are Thir, Kitz, and Chalack. The Metropolis is by some nam'd Mecheran. The Inhabitants of Erack seldom come into this Province.

There is also a City, by some call'd Cobinam, where very excellent Looking-glasses, or Mirrors of Steel are made.

The River which waters this Countrey is now call'd Barbarum, and formerly Arabis.

* 1.156The Kingdom of Cache produces plenty of

Hemp and Flax, of which the Inhabitants make Linnen Cloth, and affords Oyl of Gegelin, and other sorts in great abundance. There are like∣wise many Horses call'd Cachis, from the Name of the Countrey, which are as good as the Persian or Arabian. Guadel hath its peculiar Xeque or Vice-Roy, and Macran a particular Prince, but Cobinam is under the Jurisdiction of the Sophy.

The Province of Moghostan.

* 1.157THe Province of Moghostan, which signifies Date-Tree Wood, because that Tree grows all over the Countrey, conterminates on one side with the Dukedom of Lar, and ex∣tends from thence East and South of the places which verge with the Persian Gulf.

There is another Moghostan, anciently so call'd for the reason before mention'd, but quite differ∣ing from this, by Diodorus Siculus mention'd to lie in Arabia Felix, not far from the Arabian Gulf.

* 1.158The first place in this Province, as you travel out of the Countrey of Lar, is Ciuciululion, consist∣ing of about forty Houses, built a good distance from each other, in a Wood of Dates, Olive, and other Trees, which bear no eatable Fruits, but onely Leaves, from whence this Village hath receiv'd its Name.

Five Leagues from Ciuciululion, passing towards the Metropolis Mina, is a very mean Hamlet call'd Dazrack.

Near the Sea lies Benderi du Ser, a small Town, that is, A Haven with two Mouths. Not far from which is the Shore of Scechierri or Sechierri.

The Haven of Combru is about two days Jour∣ney from Mina, and was formerly so call'd by the Portuguese; but the Persian King Abbas taking it from them, gave it the Name of Abassi, from his own Name.

* 1.159The Metropolis of Moghostan, call'd Mina, which is two days Journey from Ciuciululion, and twelve with Camels from Lar, lies in 26 Degrees and 35 Minutes Northern Latitude, and hath two Fortresses on the East side, inclos'd within a Wall which runs directly through the Town, and at a certain distance having some sleight Towers; the biggest hath two great Gates, one respecting the North, and the other the South, and almost quite surrounded with Water.

In the City Mina are two Baths, near neigh∣bors to each other, the first is very large, and for∣merly had several Shops and Houses about it, which were most of them ruin'd Anno 1632. the other being much less, is built upon a Hill on the East side of the great one, and being wash'd by a little Brook, is inhabited by the Beigh and his Guard, which keep Watch all the Night, and call aloud at certain hours, according to a Cu∣stom amongst the Eastern People.

Not far from Mina lies Binder Ibrahim, that is, The Haven of Ibrahim.

Cuhesteck is a Town lying on the Coast of Mina near Ormus, where the Air is so unwholsom, that most Strangers coming thither, are afflicted with the Disease of the Countrey in so violent a man∣ner, that few escape.

The Houses in Mina are made of the plash'd Boughs of Date-Trees.

In this Province grow abundance of Trees,* 1.160 by the Arabians call'd Nebo, and by the Persians, Conar, which bear a small Fruit with a Stone in the middle like our Cherries; the dry'd Leaves thereof rubb'd to Powder and put in Water, not onely turn the same white, but make it Lather like Soap, which most People use when they Bathe themselves.

Here also grows a Tree call'd Amba, brought from India.

In Moghostan and other Places in Persia,* 1.161 breeds a strange sort of Beast, in colour and shape like a Tyger, but hath a Head and Snout like a Hog; it makes a great screeking in the Night, and de∣sires to prey upon the dead Bodies of Men, which it endeavors to scrape out of the Graves; where∣fore Della Valla believes it is the same Beast which the Latines and Greeks call Hyena, or a Mungrel Wolf.

The supream Governor of Moghostan is styl'd Sceheriari, and being subject to the Chan of Schiras, keeps not his Court in the Metropolis Mina, but in a neighboring Village, where one Schach Sefi Reign'd Anno 1630.

Lorestan.

BEsides the Provinces before mention'd, those of Nimruz, Sichar, and Lorestan, are rec∣kon'd Members of the Crown of Persia, though we onely know the Names of the two former; but Lorestan some call Luristan, and Paulus Venetus onely Lor, which perhaps is the Name of its Metropolis; for Stan is a vulgar word in Persia for Land or Countrey. John the Persian places Lorestan ninety Leagues from Casbin, and makes Cormana to be the Residence of the King of Persia; but Texeira, who calls, it Cormatu and Cormavat, affirms, that it is onely a strong Place in this Pro∣vince, the Kings of which paid, as a yearly Tri∣bute, fifty thousand Ducats.

The Province of Chorazan.

THe Province of Chorazan or Carason, by Olearius taken to be the ancient Bactri∣ana, contrary to Davity, who makes Ba∣ctriana a part of Zagatey or Usbeck.

Carason (according to Davity) compriseth the ancient Countrey of Margiana, bordering upon the River Gehun, by some styl'd Geichon, and by others, Oxus, which (according to Ptolomy) con∣terminates in the North with Margiana. Chorazan (saith Davity) comprises also a great part of Aria; and Texeira places Kerman or Carmania between Persia and Carason; and Ptolomy borders Carmania in the West with Persia, and in the East at Ery. Cluverius nevertheless takes Margiana for Elsabat, which is accounted a part of Tartary and Zagatey. Castaldus calls the ancient Margiana, Jezelbas, or

Jesilbax, that is, Green Head, the general Name given by the Tartars to Zagatey, who formerly pos∣sess'd this Countrey, and was first taken from them by Ismael Seff, but afterwards being lost, was by Schach Abbas re-taken, and ever since kept.

Herbert divides Chorazan into three great Ter∣ritories, viz. Hery, Farihan,, and Tocharistan, an∣ciently call'd Aria, Paropamisa, and Tocharia.

Chorazan (according to Olearius) conterminates in the East with Mazanderan, and is divided into many lesser Counties, amongst which Hery is the chiefest.

Chorazan, taken for the ancient Margiana, borders in the East upon Bactriana, m the West faces Hirca∣nia or Starabat, the South verges with a part of Aria, and the North looks upon a part of Tartary or Scythia, viz. from the Mouth of the River Oxus, to a part thereof near Bactriana.

* 1.162This Countrey comprehends many large Ci∣ties, the chiefest whereof is Mesched, otherwise Maxad, and by the Persians call'd Thus. This City standing on a Hill near the River Habin, is envi∣ron'd with Walls, and strengthned with Moats, Towers, and other Fortifications, insomuch that Texeira affirms there are three hundred Towers, a Musquet-shot from each other, and that with the Gardens and Banquetting-houses the City is ac∣counted to be six Leagues in circumference, and inhabited by a hundred thousand People.

In this City may be seen a stately Tomb of one of the twelve Persian Imams, or great Saints, of the Family of Aaly, call'd Imam Risa, or Eman Reza, that is, Holy Son of Aaly, and is no way infe∣rior in beauty and costliness to that of Schach Sefi at Ardebil.

John the Persian places Mesched, which he calls Maxet, sixty Leagues from Hery; adding moreo∣ver, that there is a Tower eighteen Foot high, consisting wholly of massy Gold, Arch'd on the top with Precious Stone; on whose Pinacle (if you will believe him) is fix'd a Diamond about the bigness of a Chesnut, which glittering in the Night, may bee seen a League off.

* 1.163Not far from Mesched lies the City of Nisabur, but not to be compar'd with Herat, which is the second best and biggest, whither Schickhard sup∣poses the ten Tribes of Israel were led into Capti∣vity, whence they never return'd. Texeira affirms it built by Alexander the Great; but Davity sup∣poses it to be the City Aratha of Ptolomy. Those that travel from Ispahan to Candahar, must come through this Place.

The other Towns in this Province are Thun, Tabeskileki, Thabes, Messinanalle, all great Cities; as also Sebsewar, Turschis, Cain, Puschentz, Badkis, Meru, Merwerud, Tzurtzan, Fariab, Aschurcan, Belch, Barman, Semcan, Thalecan, and Susen, all po∣pulous, and Cities of great Trade. Merwerud, by some call'd Marwoh, was built by Alexander near the River Jehun or Oxus, though Davity will have it to be the Antioche of Ptolomy in Margiana, first call'd Alexandria; the rest are by Davity call'd Tubas, Cahem, Tirbeth, and Chirazza.

The River Oxos or Jehun, which runs between the Province Turkestan and Usbeck, and that on the other side, call'd Maurenahar, makes the Countrey exceeding fruitful, especially near the City Herat, where the best Manna is gather'd.

This whole Countrey abounds with Assa Foe∣tida, in the Persian Tongue call'd Inghze,* 1.164 which is little esteem'd there; sa also Surmah.

The Land about Thun abounds with Mulberry-Trees, and consequently produces much Silk; and about Cahem Saffron grows in great quan∣tities.

In this Province are a sort of Cats, which for their handsom colour and shape are sent through all Persia; they resemble our Tabby or Cyprus Cats.

There are also Sheep of several colours, some with grey or black, others with white Hair or Wooll, curl'd at the ends, which is oftentimes three Inches long or more, yet some have Wooll above an Inch long, and others so short, that it but just curls round; some of them have long, grey, and shining Wooll, white at the ends, which curling behind; appears at adistance like Strings of Pearl.

The Natives of Chorazan are Whites, and very valiant, but not civilis'd.* 1.165 The Inhabitants of most Cities make several Stuffs, and drive a great Trade with the Indians, Muscovites, Tartars, and others. In Heart dwell many Indian Merchants, who Traffick in Carpets made after the Turkish manner, Silks, Manna, Inghze, or Assa Foetida, Saf∣fron, Surmah, Precious Stones, and other things.

* 1.166Chorazan is partly the Subjection of the Usbecks or Tartars of Zagatey, who seeing the King of Per∣sia Engag'd with the Turks, made themselves Ma∣sters of most Places thereabouts; notwithstand∣ing they have been driven out of many parts of this Province by Schach Abbas.

The few Christians which are here, are Melchites of the Greek Church, and use their Liturgy.

Herbert places the Mountain Albors or Elburs in this Countrey, but Olearius in the Province of Schirwan, on which the ancient Persians were said to have built their Temple for their ever-burning Fire.

The Province of Siston.

* 1.167THe Countrey call'd Siston or Sistam, lies South-East from Chorazan, towards the Sea or Gulf of Persia, having Persia on one side, and the Kingdom of Macran near India on the other.

Siston, extending thirty Leagues in length, com∣prehends fifteen Towns, of which the Metropolis bears the same Denomination with the Countrey, and lying (according to Hues) in 105 Degrees and 30 Minutes Longitude, and 28 Degrees and 40 Minutes Northern Latitude, is inhabited by five thousand People.

This Countrey is Morassy and unwholsom, though Mountainous, and the People hardy, and much inclin'd to the Wars, being within the Ju∣risdiction of Chorazan, under the Subjection of the Sophy.

Aria or Ery.

* 1.168ARia or Ery, by Pinetus, Billius, and Olea∣rius, taken for Turkestan; Mercator calls it Sernere, but Giravar and Herbert, Hery; though others, as Niger, Minadoi, and Texeira af∣firm, that it hath retain'd its ancient Name, or at least that of Hery or Ery. It lies Bounded (ac∣cording to Ptolomy) with Paroparmisade in the East, Parthia and Wild Carmania in the West, Drangiane by Sagistam in the South, and Margiana and a part of Bactriana in the North; and (as Strabo writes) it extends to a certain part of Persia and Media, and to the Northern Sogdia.

* 1.169The prime City of this Province, call'd Ery, anciently Aria, and by the Persians, Sargultsar, i. e. The City of Roses, boasts that it can shew six or seven thousand Houses. The other Towns are Sazuar or Sapzoar, Cauran, perhaps the Chadurine of Ptolomy, Bachachi; beyond which lies Caffa and Jarsadman, the Lake of Burgian and the River Aria.

* 1.170The Air in this Province is very hot, and would be much hotter, if not refresh'd by the Northern cool Breezes. The Countrey is encompass'd with Woods and Mountains, and in many places very fertile in the bearing of several sorts of Grain and Fruits, especiall Vines, the Wine whereof well Cask'd, will (as they say) keep almost a hun∣dred years. About Ery grow likewise abundance of Roses; and, in the City, Silk is so plentiful, that it may be bought at a reasonable Rate, three or four thousand Camels loads being vended in a day. Moreover, there is store of Rhubarb and Musk sold by the Inhabitants, who are Mahumetans.

Dagestan or Tagestan.

* 1.171THe Countrey of Dagestan (as Ptolomy, Dio∣nysius the Alexandrian, and Strabo write) was a part of the Province of Albania, comprehended between Iberia and the Caspian Sea; though Cluverius and Golnitius would have Albania, lying betwixt Iberia and the Caspian Sea, to be the Eastern part of Georgia. Some joyn this Countrey to Persia, as a part thereof; notwithstanding Pto∣lomy hath separated them. Others affirm, that Dagestan was formerly call'd Susiana; and Golnitius, that it was old Susiana, and now Elaran; but Olea∣rius avers, that it is Chusistan. It lies divided from Cincassia by the River Bustro, and Southward a quarter of a League from Derbend, by a small Brook from* 1.172 Persia, and extends Northerly with Mountains along the Caspian Sea to the City Terki. Tagestan signifies A Mountainous Countrey: for Tagh in the Countrey and Turkish Language is a Mountain, and Stan in the Persian a Countrey: Moreover, the Inhabitants call themselves Tage∣stan Tartars, that is, Highland, or Mountain Tartars; but the Persians name them Lesgi, for they dwell between the Mountains twenty and thirty Leagues Westward from the Caspian Sea.

Tagestan is divided into several Lordiships,* 1.173 viz. Osmin, by others Ismin, Boinack, &c. each having a chief Town of the same Denomination, in which the Governor hath his Residence. Olearius is of opinion, that a part of this Countrey was anciently possess'd by the Amazones, which (as Curtius af∣firms) dwelt betwixt the Caspian Sea and Mount Caucasus.

* 1.174The Metropolis of Tagestan, call'd Saru, lies partly upon, and partly between the Mountains, which are Rocky, and at a distance appear as if they were cover'd with Mussle-shells, for there is scarce any piece, to the bigness of a Mans Hand, but what hath five or more Shells sticking upon it. The Stones of the Rock are as hard as a Pebble. Beyond these craggy Mountains are good Pastures for Cattel. Behind Tarcu lies the Castle Suchur. In the City, which hath no Walls, are about a thousand Houses, built after the Persian manner, though somewhat sleighter. Out of the Rocks spring several Brooks, which with a pleasant mur∣muring noise glide down the Mountains through the City.

The Tagestans of Tarcu, and those of Boinack, that dwell towards the North, are call'd Caitack. Westward beyond Tarcu is another sort nam'd Cu∣muck and Casucumuck, who are under the Jurisdi∣ction of peculiar Lords. The Tarcuan Tartars are not less in number than those of the Province of Boinack. The Prince of Tarcu, styl'd Surchow Chan, boasted himself to be Extracted from the Family of the Kings of Persia, with whom he always held an amicable Alliance, and when the Tagestans made War upon each other, he receiv'd Aid from Persia.

The Natives maintain themselves by breeding of Cattel, which the Women take care of, whil'st their Husbands Ride abroad to steal whatever comes to hand, not sparing Men, Women, or Chil∣dren; for they account it no Sin to sell their nearest Relations, Brothers or Sisters, to the Turks. Those that dwell near the Rivers live by Fishing, espe∣cially by catching of Sturgeon, which they take with strong Harping-Irons, and the Pole to which the Line is fastned fix'd in the Ground.

The Diet of the Grandees or Chans, is com∣monly Mutton cut into small Slices,* 1.175 and roasted on a woodden Spit; as also Sturgeon cut in little Pieces, which being boyl'd with Salt, they eat it with Butter and Vinegar. They use no Knives, but pull their Meat in pieces with their Fingers. When any one of them lays down a Bone, he that sits next to him taking it up, picks it much cleaner, and sometimes it is taken up by three or four after the same manner. Their Drinking-Cups are long Cows Horns, out of which they Drink a Liquor made of Barley, and call'd Brega, which in colour is like Mead. They are very boisterous in their Cups. They spread their Tables on the Ground after the Persian manner. All their Vessels consist in woodden Bowls and Troughs.

* 1.176The Inhabitants are of an Olivaster Com∣plexion, strong Limb'd, and hard Favour'd, with long black Hair. The Men go Cloth'd in long Coats made of ordinary Cloth, over which they wear a Cloak of Furr: On their Heads they wear black Cloth Caps: Their Shoes are made of Sheep or Horse-skins, cut out of a whole Piece, and sow'd together on the top of the Foot, and upon one side. They go commonly Arm'd with a Partizan, Shield, and Helmet, and sometimes Bowes, Arrows, and Slings. Both Virgins and

[illustration]

Marry'd Women go bare fac'd, and braid their Hair into forty several Locks, which hang dangling over their Shoulders.

The Tartars of Tarcu are wild and valiant, but the Women are very courteous; they are all Ma∣humetans, and suffer themselves to be Circumcis'd yet are great Zealots, and some of the Tartar Wo∣men are privately inclin'd to the Christian Reli∣gion.

The Inhabitants of the Village Andre have amongst other Nuptial Ceremonies these follow∣ing, viz. Every Guest brings an Arrow with him, which he shoots either into the upper part of the Wall, or the Roof of the House, where they stick till they rot or fall down of themselves: what the signification hereof is none knows. They are a valiant and undaunted People, caring neither for the King of Persia nor the Great Duke of Muscovia, but boast themselves Tagestans, and consequently subject to none but God: which their audaciousness depends chiefly on the inac∣cessible Mountains, whither they retire when any stronger Enemy falls into their Countrey. The Merchants that travel through their Dominions are forc'd to pay great Customs, and yet if they are not strong enough to defend themselves, are sure to be Robb'd; and therefore they always go with the Caravans in great Companies.

This Countrey is under the Subjection of seve∣ral Princes,* 1.177 by one general Name call'd Myrsa; but many Cities are Govern'd by a peculiar Lord; yet they have a supream Commander nam'd Schemchi, and by others Schafcal, who is as a King, and chosen by the throwing of an Apple, viz. at the Election all the Myrsa's or Princes meet together, and standing in a Ring, their Priest throws a Gilded Apple amongst them, and who∣ever he hits therewith is immediately chosen Schemchal, who though he hath great Honor and Respect, yet he finds but litte Faith and Obedi∣ence from them, and therefore cannot be said to Govern with arbitrary Power: He keeps his Court in a Village nam'd Andre, situate on a Hill near the River Coisu: His Habit is a Silk Coat of green Darai, and over it a black Furr Mantle: and when he Rides out he is commonly Arm'd with a Scimiter, Bowe and Arrows.

Beyond Tarcu lies a wild and brambly Coun∣trey.

Five Leagues from Tarcu lies the Stream Coisu, which abounding with Fish, takes its original from Mount Caucasus, and runs very swift, the Water muddy, of a reasonable breadth, and ge∣nerally eighteen or twenty Foot deep, which Ole∣arius supposes to be the Albanus of the Ancients, which (according to Pliny) falls into the River Cassia. In this Water breeds abundance of Stur∣geon, and another sort of Fish not much unlike it.

Two Leagues and a half from Coisu runs a Brook nam'd Acsai, which is not above twenty five Yards broad. Some take this Acsai to be onely a Branch of Coisu, which unites with the same again not far from the Caspian Sea. If any Stran∣gers are desirous to Ferry over this River with their Goods, they are forc'd either to pay a great Sum of Money to the Inhabitants, or else they take away their Goods.

Beyond Acsai is a barren Heath seven Leagues long,* 1.178 half a days Journey beyond which runs the River Bustro, which is also one of the chiefest, and almost as deep as the Coisu; the Water thereof is muddy, but runs not so swift as the foremention'd; it serves for a Boundary between Circassia and Ta∣gestan: Northward about two Leagues from the Caspian Shore it divides it self into two Branches, one of which (now call'd Temenki, but formerly, and by some to this day, Terk) is about thirty Yards broad, and hath given the City by which it glides, the Denomination of Terki, which is the last Town in those Parts under the Czar of Musco∣vy; the other, beyond this, and of the same big∣ness, bears the Name of Kisilar, because it carries along in its Sand a kind of Gold-dust; and lying somewhat higher than the former, is

commonly dry'd up in the Summer: The place of its disemboguing is about eight Leagues beyond the City Terki.

All these Brooks come Out betwixt the North and the West, and the Kisilar is the last in these Parts; but fifty six Leagues farther is the Volga, which springs in the North. Olearius (according to Ptolomy) will have the Acsai to be the Caesius, the Bustro to be the Gerras, the Timeki or Terk to be the Alonia, and the Kisilar to be the Adonta: for between the River Albanus or Coisu and the Volga or Rha, no other Rivers are to be found.

The Kingdom of Amadam.

THe Kingdom of Amadan or Hamadan, is by Texeira call'd Amedon, as also the chief City thereof, which lying between Cas∣bin and Curdistan, extends thirty Leagues, and boasts fifteen Towns, the Inhabitants whereof are all Merchants.

Della Valle tells us, that the City of Amadan lies in the Way which leads from Bagdad or Ba∣bylon to Ispahan, and is large and populous, and much frequented by Strangers, though the Buil∣dings are very mean, rather like those in an ordi∣nary Village; yet behind these Houses are fair Gardens full of Fruit-trees, so also are the Streets, Markets, and other publick Places, which are also well furnish'd with all manner of Provision at reasonable Rates: All the Streets where the Shops are (by them call'd Bazars) are Arch'd and Pillar'd like Piazza's. It is exceeding cold here, for you not onely see Ice in the Streets, but it of∣ten Freezes any liquid thing in the Chambers though there is a constant Fire kept.

This City is the Residence of a Chan, who hath many Towns and Villages under his Jurisdiction, as also a Daroga or Deputy.

Thus much of every Province of the King∣dom of Persia in particular; next we will give you an Account of what concerns Persia and all the Provinces in general, and also of such Remarks of some Provinces in particular, as shall be requisite to be spoken of, viz. of the Air, Property of the Soil, Plants, Beasts, Customs, Food, Liquors, Language, Learning, Funerals, Arms, Religions, Government, and what else is necessary to be describ'd.

Temperature of the Air.

THe Air of these Countreys is for the most part very healthful and temperate, with very little Rain, especially towards the South, and in some places (as in Gamaron near the Sea-Coast) not once in three years.

By reason of the vast Extent of Persia, viz. from the twenty fifth Degree of the Equinoctial Line, to the thirty seventh Degree Northward, and likewise for the rough rocky Mountains of Taurus, which run through the middle of the Coun∣trey, and spread out with several Arms, the Air is not every where alike temper'd, but different in many Provinces. Such as dwell Southward from the Mountains feel the Heat exceedingly in the Summer, but those to the Northward have the Seasons more temperate; wherefore the Per∣sian Kings us'd formerly at Set-times in the Year, for their Pleasure and Health sake, to remove their Courts to such Provinces, where they judg'd the Weather would best agree with them: for in the Summer they kept their Courts at Ecbatane, now call'd Thus, where because of the Mountains in the South-West, it is very cool, and in the Winter at Susa, now Susistan; which City lies next to the Northern Mountains, on which the Sun-beams reflecting, make the same a warm and delightful Place, as appears by the Name, for Susa in the Persian Tongue signifies a Lilly. In September and March they remov'd to Persepolis and Babylon.

The Kings of Persia to this day make use of this convenience of the Air, for Schach Abbas in the Winter resided in the Province of Mazanderan at Ferabath; Schach Sefi (according to the Custom of the Persian Kings) often going on Progress, some∣times kept his Court in Tabris, otherwhile in Ar∣debil or Casbin: But the present Seat of the Kings being in Ispahan, is no inconvenient Place either in Winter or Summer, because it is situate on a Plain three Leagues from the Mountains, and en∣joys commonly a very temperate Air.

All Strangers in their travelling through Per∣sia are sensible of this alteration of the Air in se∣veral places, not without great prejudice to their Health, being forc'd by reason of the excessive Heat to travel in the Night, and rest in the Day, especially between the Mountains, where the Passage goes Southward. But in all parts of Per∣sia it is very cold in Winter, and sometimes tra∣velling Eastward with a Northerly Wind it is so exceeding cold, that the Travellers lighting from their Horses in the Morning, are so benumm'd that they can hardly stand.

Della Valle says, that the Heat in Persia is not very great, yet the Beams of the Sun in the Plains are much hotter than in Italy. The Inhabitants in the Summer go Cloth'd in a thin Sute of Callico, in which they walk and do all their Business. Neither is the Cold troublesom to them, partly because it is not very great, notwithstanding it Snows much there, and partly because it lasts but January and February.

* 1.179By reason of this difference in the Air, there are several Places in Persia less healthful than others, and the Inhabitants subject to all manner of Di∣stempers, and especially in Schirman and Kilan, where Fevers and Agues much afflict them. The Air at Tabris is accounted the most healthful in all Persia, for the Inhabitants thereof are never sensi∣ble of any such Diseases; nay, they affirm, that if any so troubled come thither, they immediately recover; from whence (as the Inhabitants say) the City Tabris or Tebris, after the Kilan pronuncia∣tion, hath receiv'd its Name; for a Feaver is by them call'd Teb, and Ris signifies To poure out. But besides Agues and Feavers there are many other Distempers which rage amongst them, as the Bloody-flux and Plague, though not so often and vehement as in Europe; also Morbus Gallicus, by the Inhabitants call'd Schemetcaschi, that is, The Casehanian Pox, because it is most there.

In Kilan the Dropsie is very common, yet few

[illustration]

are troubled with the Stone, and none with the Gout, which is a matter of admiration.

* 1.180The Persians generally attain to a great Age, many of them living above a hundred years; and at that time when Olearius was in Persia, the Go∣vernor was above a hundred and forty years old. They commonly suffice themselves with a little, and not too high Food, and live for the most part very temperate.

The Soil.

* 1.181AS to what concerns the Soil in this great circumference of Land, it is of a different Nature: for in some places it is exceed∣ing fruitful, by reason of the many Rivers which water the same, especially on the side towards the Caspian Sea; the rest is subject to great Drought, and hath many Wildernesses and craggy Moun∣tains. But to speak in general, most of these Pro∣vinces have plenty of several sorts of Grain, and excellent Fruits, as well of those that grow natu∣rally them, as transplanted from Europe and elsewhere.

The Soil in Persia, specially so call'd, is very dry and stonie, and therefore requires much Ma∣nuring to fatten it, by which, and the Water con∣vey'd in Pipes, the Fields are fertiliz'd, and pro∣duce several sorts of Corn and Fruit in great a∣bundance.

About the Village Becktahab, a League from Ispahan, the Land is barren and white, which Della Valle ascribes to the Salt with which it is mix'd.

The Champain, except that of Kilan, Olearius reporteth to be mix'd with red Gravel, and over∣grown with Brambles and Thorns, which the In∣habitants, wanting Wood, use for Fewel. But in the low Grounds, where the most Villages are built, it is green and fertile, for the Inhabitants convey the Brooks, which are not above four or five Foot broad, and spring out of the Mountains, about and through all their Lands and Gardens, which they water therewith: for (as we said be∣fore) there is little Rain falls in Persia. Their Fields are generally ten or twelve Rods in the square, which being surrounded with Water, and inclos'd with Banks about a Foot high, they (stop∣ping their Sluces, drown the same when they please, and can let the Water out of one Trench into another; nay, oftentimes when occasion re∣quires, they let their Lands lie under Water in the Night, and in the day-time drain it off again to be dry'd by the Heat of the Sun. Every Chile of Land affords ten Truss of Hay.

Plants.

* 1.182THe Grain which the Persians commonly Sowe, are for the most part Rice, some Wheat, Barley, Rye, and Oats, though of no great esteem; they have also French Wheat, Tares, and Pease, which are of two sorts; the best they call Nagud, and the worst Culul; and likewise whole Fields of Ricinus, by the Arabians call'd Kicaion, Santjone, Alcaroa, and Kerva; by the Persians, Cuntzut; by the Italians, Gira Sole; and with us, The Sun-Flower; which in those Coun∣treys continues many years, but with us dies eve∣ry Winter. Out of the Seed they press a sweet and delicate Oyl call'd Schirbache, which the Per∣sians poure on certain Meats: The Rusticks eat

the Seed whole, mix'd with Currans in stead of Sweet-meats.

Cotton, by the Persians call'd Pambeh; by the Indians, Algodon;* 1.183 and by the Arabians in Egypt, Gotne Mesegiar, is Planted in most Provinces in great abundance, and grows on a Sprig of a Yard long, having Leaves like those of the Vine, but much bigger: On the top of the Stalk grows a Cod about the bigness of a great Walnut, which when ripe, opens in three or four places, through which the Cotton appearing, is gather'd, and much thereof made into Cloth, and the rest sold in Bags. There are several Villages which do nothing else but plant and sell Cotton, which most of all grows in Armenia, Iran, Nachzuan, Ca∣rabach, Adirbeitzan, and Chorazan.

In Kilan, because there grows no Cotton, they Sowe much Line-seed, which they Spin into Thred and make Linnen thereof.

* 1.184There is also a sort of Grass, in the Countrey Language call'd Gontscheh, which being Sow'n, grows a Yard and a half high, and having Leaves like Clover, bears blue Flowers, and being twice Mow'd in eight Weeks, grows up again six years one after another without new Manu∣ring; but in the seventh Year the Land must be turn'd up and Sow'd afresh. This requires also as much Moisture as that of Rice or Wheat. Of this Grain they make Hay for Great Mens Horses, as their best Food; but in some places where it is warm and moist, especially in Muscur near the Caspian Sea, where there is no want of Grass either in Summer or Winter, they have no occasion to make such Hay.

Here also are whole Fields of Faenum Graecum,* 1.185 or Fenugreek, in the Persian Tongue call'd Schem∣bebile: It is excellent Fodder for Oxen, Cows, and Buffalo's, which are fatned therewith. The Persians say, that if Butter lose its taste, and be∣come rank, being melted with the Seed of this Plant, and a piece or two of Onion put therein, it recovers its former rellish.

By reason of the Heat in Persia, where it is more Summer than Winter, and in the Summer much constant and Sun-shiny Weather, there are many excellent Garden Fruits, not onely for the Kitchin, but to delight the Palate, as also all man∣ner of Herbs which we have in Europe, and among others, great and delicate Colliflowers.

In the Province of Tarum grow Onyons of three pound weight.

* 1.186The Persians esteeming Melons, Plant them in great abundance, and being very delicate, eat them before Meals. There are several sorts of Melons, viz. Summer and Winter; the first call'd Kermeck (from Kerm, that is, Warm,) are the sweetest, and ripen in July; the Harvest Melons, call'd Charbusei Pasi, are ripe in September, and weighing from thirty to fifty pound, not onely keep good all Winter, but the whole Year, if hung up between green Canes or Reeds, where they are well preserv'd till they have new ones, and are not known from them but by the softness of the Rind. After the same manner they keep Grapes and other Fruits a whole year, so that they have them fresh as if from the Trees in the midst of Winter. There is yet another sort of Melons call'd Schammame, about the bigness of an Orange, with red, yellow, and green Spots, between which the Rind glitters exceedingly; and though they smell very sweet, yet taste unpleasantly, and there∣fore they are onely carry'd in the Hand for their curious colour and smell, which hath given it the Arabian. Name of Schammame. There is also a sort call'd Tochmesksems, being half Persian and half Arabian, and signifies Grain, or Seed of the Sun, which is of an excellent scent and taste. There are likewise Water-Melons nam'd Hindu∣duane, from their original out of India; as also many sorts of Calabashes, among which one call'd Cabach is bigger than a Mans Head, with a long Neck and round Knob on the top: The outermost Rind of the ripe ones areas hard as the Bark of a Tree, and tough as Leather: The Pulp dry'd, affords nothing but the Seed, which taken out, they use the Shells in stead of Bowls or Cups, to put Water or Drink in.

* 1.187There is another sort of Fruit, not known to us in Europe, call'd Badinstan, in bigness, form, and manner of growing, like our lesser Melons; the Fruit is commonly grey, except at the end of the Stalk, where it is of a Violet colour; the Seed is round and long, and by reason of the bitterness not eaten raw, but being boyl'd or fry'd with But∣ter, is a pleasant Dish.

Many Vines grow also in Persia, and in all the Provinces thereof, which bear large and sweet Grapes, of which Texeira says the Inhabitants make excellent Wine, in the Turkish Language call'd Xarao or Charab: But the Mahumetans are forbidden either to make or drink it. The Persians of the Lees of this Wine compose a Syrrup,* 1.188 by them call'd Duschab, after this manner, viz. They boyl the Lees a sixth part away, till it comes to a thick Oyl, which being mix'd with Water and Vinegar, makes an excellent Liquor; and some∣times they boyl their Duschab so thick, that it may be cut with a Knife, which Travellers commonly carrying with them, and putting the same in Wa∣ter to dissolve, Drink. Moreover, the Persians of∣ten put this Duschab in their Wine, especially those of Kileck, because their Wine there is not so sweet as that in the Southern Provinces.

At Tabris they make an excellent Dish of Dus∣chab, and call it Helwa, after this manner, viz. They take bruis'd Almonds, Wheat Flowre, and Kernels of great Walnuts, all which being put in∣to long Bags with the Duschab, is pounded toge∣ther, and dry'd till it become so hard that they must chop it in pieces. Of this Mixture they also make a sort of long Puddings, which they call Sutzuch.

Here are are several sorts of Grapes, but the sweetest and best are at Sciras and Tabris, where they are call'd Tabersel, which though they may be found in several other Places, yet not in so great abundance; they are long, without Kernels, and keep good a whole Winter. Keseki is ano∣ther sort of Grapes, yellow, and exceeding sweet, growing most in Tarum, Tabris, and Ordebath, but attended with this evil Quality, that whoever eats of them too freely, is sure to be tormented with the Bloody-flux.

* 1.189There are also Currans without Stones call'd Kischmisch, which are long, green, and bigger than those brought into Europe, and grow chiefly about the Village Bawanat near Herat; those both new gather'd and dry'd give an excellent taste to the Pilao and other Meats, wherewith they may be mix'd. Besides these there are two sorts more which are not in Europe, the one call'd Hallage, which bears Grapes an Inch and a half long, and an Inch thick, brown of colour, and having a hard Pulp, without much Juice or Kernels; these may

be kept fresh and good till the ensuing Year pro∣duces others. The second sort is nam'd Encur Aali Deresi, the Bunches whereof are extraordi∣nary big, and half a Yard long, each Grape as big as our Pear-plumb, brown of colour, very juicy, but of short continuance, therefore are eaten as they are pull'd from the Trees; they grow in no place but Iran, between Ordebath and Chodaferum: why they are call'd Encur Aali Deresi the Persians give us this Account, viz. That some Ages since in the Winter, their great Saint Aali coming to the foremention'd place, met with a Vine-Plan∣ter, whom he ask'd for some Grapes; but he tel∣ling him the impossibility thereof at that time of the year, was commanded by Aaly to go into the next Vineyard, where he should find enough; the Man giving credit to those words of Aaly, went immediately thither, and saw the Vines hang sull of the best and biggest Grapes that ever his Eyes beheld; from whence (as they say) the Grapes before mention'd grew and were call'd Encur Aaly Deresi, that is, The Grapes in Aaly's nar∣row Valley.

* 1.190Persia hath also all manner of Fruit-trees which grow in Europe, besides many other of their own, among which a kind of Pear at Ordebath call'd Melletzo, in colour and outward shape like a Cit∣tron, sweet of smell, and very juicy.

Granates, Almonds, Dates, and Figs, grow also in several places, especially in the Kilanean Wilderness and Mountains. The wild Granates are all sowre, but the Kernels of them dry'd (in the Persian Tongue call'd Nardan, from Nar a Pomegranate) are carry'd to be sold in remote Provinces, where they use them to colour their Meat black, and make it tartish, by laying them to soke in Water, and squeezing the Juice tho∣row a Cloth. Many also boyl the Juice out of them when green, and poure the Liquor over Rice, to give it a sharp rellish.

There are also whole Gardens of white and red Mulberry-trees, the Leaves whereof serve to feed the Silk-worms; they are Planted so close, that a Man cannot go betwixt them; neither do they suffer them to grow above five Foot and a half high, that they may the better reach to lop all the Boughs.

There grows a sort of Shell-fruit call'd Mask, which is green, and about the bigness of a Pescod, but not so flat.

About Ispahan may be seen a little Tree nam'd Bidmisk, that is Willow-Musk, from its resemblance with the Willow, and smell of Musk; it hath in stead of Leaves or Flowers, a kind of Cod of pale green Threds, out of which is press'd a very cool∣ing Liquor, being an excellent Medicine against any Burning.

There is likewise the Tziaccacuei, or Fistick-Tree, both Male and Female, which differ little in shape, but the Males onely bear Fruit, being Berries, like those of a Lawrel, which grow at the ends of the Leaves five or six together. In these Berries breed little Flyes.

Beasts.

* 1.191THe Beasts for Food or Burden are gene∣rally Sheep, Goats, Beeves, Buffalo's, Camels, Horses, Mules, and Asses. The Sheep are kept in great Flocks as in Europe, for Mutton is their daily Food, but different from ours in taste, shape, and bigness, being for the most part bigger than ours, with high crooked Noses, long hanging Ears like Spaniels, with Tails of ten, twenty, and thirty Pound weight, which are nothing but Fat, yet their Bodies lean enough; though their Tails have exactly the same Joynts as our Sheep, yet the Fat grows so thick about them, that they are much larger in circumference, which makes them that they can∣not run fast or skip. The same kind of Sheep are amongst the Tartars on the West and North side of the Caspian Sea.

There are also whole Herds of Goats, whose Flesh is eaten, and their Tallow (of which one hath often twenty five Pound weight) made into Candles: Their Skins being Tann'd, are sent in∣to Poland, Muscovy, and all over Europe.

There breed likewise many Buffalo's, especi∣ally in the Northern part near the Caspian Sea, in Serab, near Ardebil, Ervan, and Scherul, where some Husbandmen have five or six hundred of them: They thrive best in moist places, and their Milk is said to be very cooling. The Kilanean Buffalo's, like those in India, have a fat Bunch in their Necks near their Shoulders.

The Persian Cows will not suffer themselves to be Milk'd, except their Calves be near them, so that when the Calf dies (for they never kill any) they stuff their Skins full of Straw, and strowing Salt thereon, bring the same to the Cow, which they Milk whil'st she licks off the Salt, for else she would never give down her Milk.

They have little regard for Hogs, and seldom or never eat of them; therefore the Armenian Christans which living amongst them have Dwel∣lings apart, as in Tzulfa and the Suburb of Ispahan, keep onely a few. But Crusius affirms, that they eat Swines-flesh by permission of their Prophet Aaly and Schach Ismael.

Those Swine which breed here are most of them speckled.

The Inhabitants keep many Camels of several kinds; for some of them have two Bunches,* 1.192 and those we name Dromedaries, and the Persians Bughur, and those with one Bunch, Schuttur; of which last they have four sorts, and being of se∣veral Natures, are valu'd accordingly; the best sort are by them call'd Ner, which are generated by a Bughur and a Schutter; those which seldom breed, being call'd Maje, are very strong, and at cer∣tain times are able to carry a thousand weight, but that is onely when they are hot after Generation, which lasts commonly forty days, and is for the most part in Winter; during which time they eat little, foam at the Mouth, and are very fierce and angry, and therefore the Owners are forc'd to Muzzle them with an Iron Muzzle call'd Agrab. These Ners are generally sold for a hundred Crowns apiece; but if they chance to couple with the Female, then they lose their Strength, and grow lazy and disobedient, chusing rather to stay at home, wherefore the Turks call them Jurda Caidem, which signifies Those that think of their Stable, and may be bought for thirty or forty Crowns. The third sort, call'd Lohk, though they are also sensible and hot for Procreation, yet they are not so good as the Bughurs; neither do they foam at the Mouth as the Ner, but in stead

thereof they blow forth a red Bladder out of their Throats, and swallow the same in again, hold out their Heads and gruntle, being neither so hardy nor so strong as the Ner; they are sold for sixty Crowns. The Persians from these two Beasts call a stout or va••iant Man Ner, and a Coward Lohk. The fourth and strongest sort they style Schutturi baad, and the Turks, Jeldowesi, that is, A Wind-Camel, which is smaller, and much swifter than the other, being able to out-run a Horse. The Sophy and his Chans or Vice-Roys, keep several Teams of these lesser Camels, which are employ'd either to fetch in Ambassadors, at which time they are caparison'd with Crimson Silks, and Bells, and other Ornaments about their Necks and before their Breasts, and have rich Embroider'd Saddles; or else they are us'd as we our Post-Horses, and carry Goods from Place to Place like Pack-Horses; and moreover they use them in their Wars, for if a Party chance to be defeated, they with more speed convey away their Baggage; but some of them Trot so hard, and as it were, Jumping, that no Man would be able to endure it long. One Man is able to ma∣nage seven or more, for he makes them fast one be∣hind another, and either rides upon, or walks be∣fore the foremost. It is very convenient travel∣ling in Persia by the help of these Camels, for by them Merchants have their Goods carry'd at rea∣sonable Rates; and if any Persons are not minded to travel alone,* 1.193 they go for their better security with the Cavila or Caravans. A Camel is for the most part fed with Nettles, Thistles, and other Weeds. On the Thistles oftentimes breed poy∣sonous Snails, in the Countrey Language call'd Mohere, by which if a Camel be stung in the Nose, he dies soon after; therefore when the Persians are angry with them, they wish the Mo∣here to sting them in the Nose. They also mix Chaff and Barley together, and make Dough thereof in form like a long Loaf about three Pound weight, which they give them to eat: Sometimes they mix the Seed of the Cotton-Tree, which is about the bigness of a Pease, with it, which makes it very sweet, and with which a Camel being well fed, will travel two days with∣out Drinking, which is a great Providence in Nature, because in the Wildernesses and Sandy Desarts, through which they often travel, there is no Water to be found. The Camels of Persia are (according to Della Valle) fed with Barley Meal mix'd with Straw, and made into Balls: for if they eat Grass, it debilitates them both for Travel and Service: They are very willing to take up their Loads, for striking them onely on the Knees with a Switch, they immediately kneel-down, and lying with their Bellies on the Ground, suffer themselves to be loaden. They go much faster,* 1.194 and carry their Burdens with delight (as Mr. Sandis affirms) when their Drivers Whistle or Sing to them, or make them any other Musick; wherefore the Owners of them tie two Bells above the Knee of one of their fore Legs, and a Collar of small ones about their Necks. Mr. Pur∣chas relates, That the Arabians for the foremen∣tion'd Reason, never travel without a Drum and Drummer through the Desarts. The same is ju∣stifi'd by Leo Africanus, who adds, That when Travellers have tir'd their Camels, they need not beat them (which they regard not) to make them go forward, but onely Sing or Whistle a pleasant Tune, which so animates and refreshes them, that they go faster than a Man is able to run, to the end of their Journey.

These Beasts have a strong Memory,* 1.195 are vin∣dicative, and do not easily forget an Injury done to them, wherefore the Persians commonly say, That a revengeful Man hath a Camels Spleen. But that there should be an Antipathy betwixt a Camel and a Horse (as Xenophon writes) is a mi∣stake, because it is very common in Persia, in one Caravan to have Camels, Horses, and Asses, which are often put in one Stable together, without offe∣ring the least hurt to one another.

The she Camels carry their Young twelve Moneths, and do not Generate backward, as some will have it, though it be true, that when they stand in the Stable they Urine backwards, which perhaps hath been the occasion of that mistake; for they Couple like other Beasts, onely the Fe∣male falls on her Belly.

Now in regard a Camel is a Beast that may be kept at a small charge, they are seldom kill'd in Persia, except they are stung by a Mohere, or fall down tir'd on the Road (as it often happens in deep Ways) and then they kill and eat them.

* 1.196Persia is also stor'd with plenty of good Horses, most of them having very handsom Heads, Ears, Crest and Legs. In ancient time the Province of Media was famous for breeding of excellent Hor∣ses, which were call'd Nisean Horses, from a City of that Name; and (as Strabo tells us) the Kings of Persia us'd no other. But though at this day the Median Horses, especially those in Erscheck near Ardebil, are good, yet the Arabian far exceed them, and are now us'd by the Kings, because they have very handsom Heads, Crest, Breast, and Feet, are long Winded, and have all the good Qualities else that Nature can bestow on a Horse. Next these the Turkish Horses are in great esteem, especially those that are bred in Turcomania, of which there are many in Persia.

The King hath several peculiar Places for the breeding of Horses, especially at Erscheck, Schir∣wan, Carabach, and Mocan, where the best Pastu∣rage is. They generally use them to Ride on, but in Muscur they also draw in Carts, for Wa∣gons with four Wheels they use none. And be∣cause they are great lovers of Horses and Riding, and their chiefest Force consists in their Cavalry, therefore they breed them with great care. But in stead of Straw they Litter them with their own Dung, dry'd in the Sun, and strew'd a Foot thick under them, on which the Horses lie as soft as on Cotton; and if any of it become wet, it is taken from the rest and dry'd: They cover them also with a Hair Cloth Lin'd with Wool.

The Persians have been Masters of these excel∣lent Horses since the Death of the Sultan Borisir, whom the King of Persia caus'd to be put to death, after his coming from Carmania into Persia, with many beautiful Horses, to the number of ten thou∣sand, of all which he made himself Master, and from them the Persians have had such excellent Breeds, that the Turks are inferior to them.

They bring up and diet their Horses for the Race; and those that are swift-footed they style Badpay, that is, Wind-footed; they also colour the Tails, Mayns, and Bellies of their white and dapple Horses, red or yellow. They are very cu∣rious in their Furniture, and therefore Persons of Quality Embroider their Sadles, Bridles, and Cloths with Gold and Silver, which is an ancient Pride of the Persians ever since the Reign of Xerxes.

These Horses, though employ'd night and day in a Battel, can endure thirty hours without Meat.

There are also a sort of Stags, by the Turks call'd Tzeirra, and by the Persians Ahu, of a sad colour, have great Horns, and being very swift-footed, are to be seen in no place but the Province of Mo∣can, and by Schamachie, Carabach, and Mearaga.

The Inhabitants likewise keep many Mules, especially to Ride on, being us'd by great Lords, nay, by the Kings themselves to travel on, they are valu'd at as dear a Rate as the Horses, and those that are any thing handsom are sold for a hundred Crowns. Moreover some have reported, that there are wild Mules found in several places in Per∣sia, but being very rare, they are onely sent as Pre∣sents to the King and Chans; and as Asia breeds more Asses than any other Place in the World, so Persia exceeds any of the Eastern Countreys.

The several sorts of People.

IN Persia are divers sorts of Inhabitants, viz. First Strangers of several Nations, which come thither to Traffick, amongst which the Indians are the most; as also Banians, who come thither out of the Province of Guzaratte. There are like∣wise several sorts of Christians, Assyrians, Nestorians, and Maronites; but the greatest number are Geor∣gians and Armenians, who drive a very great Trade, and by reason of their Wealth, monopolize as it were most of the Commodities into their own hands, especially the Silk in the Countreys near the Turks, and dwell in great numbers in the Sub∣urb Zulfa in Ispahan, where several People out of Europe have their Residences, as English, Hollan∣ders, Portuguese, and others, to Trade.

The Natives of Persia are of two sorts, viz. Per∣sian Mahumetans, and Gauren, that is, Unbelievers, notwithstanding they name themselves Behdun,* 1.197 that is, People of a true Faith; Olearius calls them Kebbers, and others the true Offspring of those an∣cient Persians that liv'd in the time of Alexander the Great; they are by their Wars with several Princes reduc'd to a small handful of People, which live onely in three or four Towns in Persia, and among others in Ispahan, where they reside (as Olearius saith) in one of the four Suburbs call'd Kebrahath, or (as Della Valle hath it) in Gauroston, for Gauroston signifies The Countrey or Residence of the Gaures; which Place (according to Della Valle) is very well built, the Streets straight and broad, and much bet∣ter than those in the Suburb Ciolfa; but the Houses are not above one Story high, without Ornaments, according to the State of the Persians that dwell in them: for the Gaures are a poor People i•• outward appearance, driving no Trade, and Till onely so much Land as will maintain their Families: They are strong Limb'd like the modern Persians, but shave not their Cheeks and Chins after their man∣ner, but suffer their Beards to grow like the Turks: moreover, they wear long Hair on their Heads like the ancient Persians (as Herodotus describes them) in former times. The Men go all after one fashion in their Habits; their Caps are round, like those of the present Persians, commonly quite white, without any other colours. The Women are also Cloth'd after one manner, but their Apparel hath greater resemblance with the Arabian or Chaldean, than the Persian: On their Heads they wear a handsom long Veyl of a green colour, which hangs down to their Wastes before, and touches the Ground behind; they always walk unvey'ld in the Streets, for a distinction from the Mahumetan Per∣sian Women. They are very simple, and speak a peculiar Language, differing from the modern Per∣sian, and use different Characters, which they Carve on the Doors of their Houses. They wor∣ship, and keep to this day, the Orimasda, or ever-burning Fire, after the same manner as the ancient Priests did, in the time of Cyrus and Darius. They never go to Wars without the consecrated Wa∣gons, adorn'd with Gold, wherein the Fire was kept burning on Silver Altars. They also Pray three times a day, viz. Morning, Noon, and Evening, and Believe in one onely God, Creator of all things, who is invisible and omnipotent; where∣fore the Mahumetans have unjustly given them the Name of Gauren, or Idolaters. It hath been written by several, that they worship the Sun, Moon, and Stars, for lesser Angels, or rather, as they say them-themselves, by the Names of Angels. They curse Mahomet, and take him and all his Followers for Unbelievers. They abhor, and are afraid of Frogs, Tortoises, Lobsters, Crabs, and the like. They neither bury, nor burn their Dead, but keep them above Ground in a certain Wall'd place, where setting them upright with their Eyes open as if living, they prop them up with Forks, and so leave them till dropping down they dissolve by putrefa∣ction.

* 1.198Della Valle makes the Mahumetans in Persia of two sorts; the one are those properly cay'd Agemi, or Agiami, Extracted from Agem or Agiam, which hath the same signification with the word Pars or Fars, though the Learned use the Name Agiami, to express in general, and without distinction, all In∣habitants of this Kingdom, of what Province soe∣ver: for the Name Persi belongs properly to those in the Province of Persia.* 1.199 The second sort of Ma∣humetans are the Quizilbasci, or Nobility and Gen∣try, in high esteem in Persia, who being Extracted from the Turks, made themselves Masters of the Countrey, and assum'd the absolute Government thereof till Ismael Sefi's time, the first Raiser of the present Royal Family. They are call'd Kisilbasch, that is, Red-Heads; which Name was first given them by the Turks in derision; but of late they de∣light therein, and are proud to be so call'd, preten∣ding that a great Mystery of their Religion is ex∣press'd thereby. The word Kisilbasch is by Euro∣rean Writers spell'd several ways, but the right Name (according to Olearius) is Kisilbasch, being a Turkish word, compounded from Kisil, that is, Red, and also signifies Gold, and Basch, that is, A Head, and apply'd to them by reason of the several sorts of red Caps they wear.

According to Jovius and Bizarro, the first In∣venter of these Caps amongst the Persians, was one Techellis, a Disciple of Harduellis, otherwise call'd Eider; but Minadoi and Olearius think otherwise: for they say, when the Persians upon the advice of Sofi or Sefi, the Promoter of their Sect, fell from the Turkish Religion, and began to honor Aaly be∣yond Mahomet and his Followers, Omar, Osman, and Abubeker, they would have the twelve Succes∣sors of Aaly (as shall be declar'd at large in their Religion) to be accounted and worshipp'd as Imams or Saints: As a testimony whereof, the religious Orders were, according to a Law made at that time,

to wear Caps with twelve Plaits or Folds, sharp on the top, and broad at bottom: But because the Turks after this fell up on the Persians several times, and kill'd the Priests, who were accounted the chief Incendiaries, they began upon this Divisi∣on to leave off their Caps, that so they might not be known:* 1.200 But when Schach Ismael Sefi prepar'd to set out an Army against the Turks, who had alrea∣dy penetrated far into Persia, he sent from Kilan, whither he retir'd, to the eminentest Provinces and Towns, to acquaint them with the intolerable Op∣pression the Countrey and their Religion would lie under, in case the Turks should become their Ma∣sters; therefore he desir'd the Natives to joyn with him to beat out the Enemy, with a Promise, that if he should re-gain the Kingdom, he would make all those Persons that so assisted him, a general In∣franchisement, without paying any manner of Tribute, which so pleas'd the Persians, that in a short time they rais'd an Army of three hundred thousand Men, and made their first Attempt upon the City Ardebil, from whence they drove the Turks Garrison without any resistance; after which the several Provinces entred into a Con∣tract with the King, that they would venture their Lives and Fortunes in defence of him and their Religion:* 1.201 In testimony whereof the King order'd the foremention'd plaited Caps, which were to signifie the twelve Imams, or Aaly's Successors, to be made and distributed amongst the Soldiers; but there being not so much red Cloth in Ardebil, a Shoemaker made the first twelve of red Leather, and presented them to the King, who save them to his prime Commanders: After which time, every Soldier in King Ismael's Army wore a red Cap, which the Turks seeing, call'd them Kisilbasch, or Red-Heads. These Caps are by them call'd Tash or Tagh, that is, A Crown, and therefore the Persi∣ans are well pleas'd with the Name Kisilbasch, be∣cause it signifies Red, or rather Gold-Heads. The yet remaining Successors of Aaly also wear these Caps, which being commonly ty'd about with Rib∣bons are call'd Taky. Della Valle affirms, that these red Bonnets of Ismael Sefi, are worn under the Tur∣bants, and have a pretty long Tassel on the top, which sticks half way out of the Turbant, and al∣so twelve narrow Plaits or Folds, in commemo∣ration of the twelve Successors of Aaly. But at this day, not all the Persians, but onely those that are Successors of the foremention'd Order, and of the Family of Aaly and Sefi, wear such Caps; neither do the Persians without distinction, suffer them∣selves to be call'd Kisilbasch, but onely the Succes∣sors of Aaly as, and also the Kings Guards, there∣fore when they say,* 1.202 Let us go to Quizilbasci, 'tis as much as to say, Let us go to Persia for when those that are experienc'd in the Persian Tongue speak of a Quizilbasci, they do not mean thereby a common Persian, but a Soldier. There are also two sorts of Quizilbasci, some of them are Heirs or Successors of the first, whose State and Quality lasts as long as their Families; others are from time to time by them promoted to that Dignity: for all Slaves, from what Nation soever, that come into Persia, and List themselves in the Army, as the Janisaries among the Turks, are made Quizilba∣scies, and consequently Free-holders and Gentle∣men of the Countrey, as also all their Successors. Moreover, when the King will shew any particular Favor to a Stranger, he makes him a Quizilbasci, by putting the red Cap on his Head.

* 1.203The Quizilbascies consist of thirty two Tribes, perhaps because in the beginning they deriv'd from thirty two sorts of People, by whose assistance Ismael Sefi made himself Master of the Realm. Six∣teen of these Families are call'd Right-handed, and the other sixteen Left-handed Men, because the first sixteen are always seen on the Kings right, and the other sixteen on his left Side, as well in Mar∣ches and other Cavalcades, as in the Divan or Council-house, or the Kings Court.

* 1.204John the Persian saith the Tribes of the Quizil∣bascies are as so many Noble Houses or Families, as Dukes, Marquesses, and Earls. But this Della Valle contradicts, affirming, that they are not Fa∣milies, but Tribes, distinguish'd by peculiar Names or Titles, which they either made choise of them∣selves, or were given to them by King Ismael in the beginning, for their heroick Exploits. Moreover, the great number of the Quizilbascies is a sufficient testimony of the Tribes: Likewise those of one Tribe have no Relation to those of another, but onely bear the same Name. Add hereunto the great difference in the Qualities of the People in one Tribe, for some of them are Chans, Sultans, and Beigs, which may stand in competition with our Lords; others, nay the greatest number, are poor People, in so mean Condition, that they are for∣ced to serve for Grooms and Servants; yet never∣theless they bear the same Title with the Sultan or Chan of the same Tribe.

There are also a People call'd Reajet or Tat, that is, Subjects, which are, as among us,* 1.205 accounted the vulgar or meanest of the Commonalty; for the Name Tat is given to Mechanicks: Yet never∣theless, if we make a farther enquiry into the Name Tat, we shall find it to be more Noble than that of Quizilbasci, because Tat is the Name of those Ex∣tracted from the real and ancient Loyns of the Persians, and therefore the King gives it not onely to People of mean Condition, but also to the richest and most powerful, nay, to the Myrsa and Princes of the Blood; and lastly, to all those, who out of fear, or for other Reasons have laid down Arms, or resigning publick Offices have deserted the Court.

Complexion, Nature, and Shape of the Inhabitants.

* 1.206THe Persians are naturally endu'd with Pru∣dence and Understanding, quick Witted, and Learned, wherefore there are many excellent Poets amongst them; they highly esteem Moral Philosophy, are not inclin'd to any disdain∣ful Behavior, but are affable and courteous, not onely to one another, but especially to Strangers, to whom (as we said before) they are also very hos∣pitable; and in their Discourses use many comple∣mental Expressions. When they invite any one to their House, they commonly say, Honor my House with your Presence; I offer my self to you;* 1.207 I pro∣strate my self at your Feet, and the like; for they are very full of such obliging Expressions. Della Valle affirms the contrary, and that their Meetings con∣sist in Eating and Drinking without speaking, all their Ceremonies being onely these words of course, You are welcom; How do you? There is your appointed place; which they repeat many times. Olearius says, that it is no shame among them in the

Persian Tongue, to say Drug Micui, or in the Tur∣kish, Galan Dierfen,, that is, You Lye, or Galantzi, You are a Lyer, but in ancient Times they were of another Nature, as Herodotus affirms. They are very faithful one to another, especially if they are sworn Friends, for it is common among them to swear Fidelity and Friendship one to another as long as they live, which is perform'd after the fol∣lowing manner:* 1.208 The great Families or Tribes ge∣nerally meet once a year, when they Feast and make Merry; and if any one have a peculiar kind∣ness for another, then he says, Come let us be sworn Brothers; and this is commonly perform'd between two: And because these Brothers must have a Fa∣ther, they chuse one whom they think fit, and ta∣king him by the Lappet of his Coat, say, We make you our Babba, or Father, which he dare not refuse. These going to the Califf (who hath every ones Fa∣mily Registred) kiss his Hand in token of their Friendship; and being set down in a Register for that purpose, they lay themselves down one behind another on their Bellies, first the Father, and next the Brothers; whereupon the Califf gives each of them three light Blows with a Stick on their Backs, and at the first says, Alla, that is, God; at the second, Mahumet; and at the third, Aaly; which done, they kissing the Staff, Sign and conclude the Agree∣ment of Brotherly Friendship, which they really keep, and are more faithful to one another than Brothers, affirming, that they shall sooner meet in Paradise than real Brothers.

* 1.209They also keep an annual Feast of fraternal So∣ciety on the twenty fifth day of November, in com∣memoration of Mahomet's declaring his Son Aly Heir and Successor in the Califfdom on that day; when also not onely many Enemies are reconcil'd one with another, but divers, from the Example of their Lawgiver Mahomet, adopt Strangers, which they do by putting them naked between their bare Bodies and Shirt, and so pulling them out at the bottom thereof. This Friendship they acccount so inviolable, that they repute other Crimes in respect of the breach thereof but as Peccadillo's, and therefore in ordinary Discourse say proverbially, Mei buchur munbur bussusan ote∣schei, Ender Chihesen Sakini, But chane basch merdum Asari, that is, Drink Wine, Set the Pulpit and Church on Fire, Burn an Abdalla's Coat, Be seen in an Idols Temple, (all which are abominable, and forbidden Sins) But wrong not your Friend.

* 1.210If any thing chance to happen which causes a Contention among the Brotherhood, they are forc'd to reconcile it at the next general Meeting the following year; for then the Offended goes to the Offenders Door, and stands in a mournful Posture, with his Head and Hands hanging down, till the Offender hath invited him three several times into his House, from whence they go toge∣ther to the Assembly, which judges who is most to be blam'd of them, and condemns the Offender to make a Feast; and upon this Reconciliation they are Registred a second time.

* 1.211They are grateful to those that give them any thing, but revengeful to those that do them a Pre∣judice; they are valiant, and consequently good Soldiers, and often hazard their Lives in apparent danger. They seem to be modest and bashful, be∣ing never seen to make Water standing, but squatting down, and immediately after washing their Hands to which purpose at all their Feasts stand Pots of Water in private places, or if there be a Brook near them, they run thither; wherefore the Turks call them Cher Schahei, that is, The Kings Asses, because the Asses, whenever they go cross a Stream, always Urine in the same. The Turks on the contrary are by the Persians call'd Secksunni, or Dogs, because they Urine a∣gainst the Wall, which commonly the Soldiers and vulgar Turks do, yet the better sort sit down like the Persians. No Persian or Turk eases himself with his Face or Back towards the South, because Mahomet lies bury'd in the South.

The right Hand is by the Persians, as amongst us, accounted the chiefest and highest place of Honor; but on the contrary, the Turks esteem the left most worthy. They never pull off their Caps or Turbants, unless when they go to Pray, or appear before the King or other great Lords; for their usual way of Salutation, is to bow, and to lay their Hands on their Breasts. They account it a great piece of rudeness to ask any Person of Quality his Name or Condition, or in his Pre∣sence to enquire after it. They are lean, and very strong Limm'd, of a dark brown, or sallow Com∣plexion, and in general are Hawk-nos'd, as 'tis said that great Persian King Cyrus was. The Men shave the Hair off their Heads, which is very, black, every eight days, but the Seids wear long Hair, as they say Mahomet did: they all have long Mustacho's, and the longer they are, the more pride they take in them for such as wear Mustacho's that hang downwards, are ac∣counted great Zealots but such as turn up their Beards, they say are presumptuous, as if they were minded to Engage with Heaven.

There are also a sort of People in Persia which never cut the Hair upon their upper Lip,* 1.212 but let∣ting it grow over their Mouths, are call'd Suffi or Sefi; and this they do, because (as they say) Aly wore his Beard after that manner, and the reason thereof they give in the following Story, viz. That when Mahomet was commanded by God up to Heaven, Aly went after him, and knocking at Heaven Gate, they would not at first permit him to come in, but saying that he was Schir Chadda, that is, Gods Favorite, he was let in, and saw the Angels Entertain Mahomet with a celestial Liquor, of which a Cup being also brought full to him, he drunk, and therefore he thought it would be a great Sin to diminish the least Hair which had been drench'd in so heavenly a Liquor. Moreo∣ver, the Persians have a great aversion to red Hair, neither do they delight in fair, but are great ad∣mirers of Cole-black Hair; wherefore many co∣lour their Hair, which they do after this manner: They take the Herb with the Seed, by them call'd Wesme, and brought from Babylon (which Olearius supposes to be one and the same with Securidaca, an Eastern Plant not known among us,) adding Gauls, a little Soap and Orpement amongst them, and boyling it in Water, dip their Hair therein, washing it off again with Lye mix'd with un∣slak'd Lime. They also gather the Water which in the Spring comes from the pruned Vines, and wet their Mustacho's therewith, as also the Wo∣men their Hair, for they affirm that it makes their Hair grow long and black.

* 1.213The Persians, as also the Turks, colour their Hands red and yellow, though some do onely their Fingers and Nails; and this kind of colour∣ing is at all their Nuptials set upon the Table amongst other Dishes before the Guests, to use when they please. It is also affirm'd, that they Paint their dead Bodies, specially those of Virgins,

with the dry'd Leaves of Chinne or Alcanna, that they may appear beautiful in their Grave to their two Angels or Confessors. Some, to make the Colour look brown, rub their Hands with the Leaves, or green Rinds of Walnuts, which keeps fresh on their Hands above forty days, notwith∣standing they warn them every day.

In their Walking they waddle from side to side like Geese, especiallv the Women; and there is not one Persian that hath a steady or hand∣som Gate, which Oleariues supposes to proceed from their manner of sitting on the Floor like Taylors, with their Legs under them; but this is not probable, for then all the Eastern People which use to sit after the same manner, would be subject to the like Impediment.

Of their Venery.

* 1.214The Persians exceed most Countreys in Wantoness and venerial Exercises: for besides their great number of Wines, they are very much inclin'd to variety of Women, and in all their Cities, except Ardebil, are kept publick Brothel-houses, under the Protection of the Magistrates: for which Priviledge the Cabeh, or Strumpets, pay great Tribute.

The present Persians never keep any great Feasts; nay, the King himself at Court seldom Entertains foreign Ambassadors; yet divers Ladies of Pleasure always attend there, which are expert in Dancing, Singing, and the like. But in Ardebil, it being a Consecrated Place, none of their Debaucheries are permitted, by special Order from Schach Abbas.

A Master of a Feast always Presents his Guests with several sorts of Liquor, and then such Wo∣men efpecially as they best like; whereupon those that please retire into a private Chamber fit∣ted for that purpose; from whence after most in∣ward Embraces, they come forth without the least bashfulness, the Man to his Place, and the Woman falls to Dancing.

This Custom of providing Women at a great Feast is very ancient amongst the Persians: for long since when the Persian Ambassadors were highly Entertain'd by Anuntas, King of Macedonia, they also desir'd to have Women, saying. It is a Custom amongst us Persians, when we make great Feasts, to bring in such, to the heightning md compleating our Pleasures; as is at large describ'd by Herodotus.

King Sefi kept several of these Women for his Recreation; and Curtius tells us, that Darius car∣ry'd three hundred and sixty Concubines along with him in his Progresses and Travels, which were all Cloth'd in Royal Attire.

* 1.215But that which is worse, they are extreamly ad∣dicted to the horrid Sin of Sodomy, which Herodo∣tus affirms they learn'd from the Greeks; but that seems an unjust Imputation, because the Persians were guilty of the same before they had any Con∣verse with the Greeks.

Della Valle tells us, that at Cambru there are ma∣ny Mahumetan Youths, which from their Girdles upward, are Cloth'd like Men, and from their Wastes downward, like Women, and go up and down, the Streets inviting to this Abomination. But 'tis no wonder they give themselves over to this kind of Sin, since their Prophet Mahomet did not a little encourage them therein: Nay, they are instructed, that all carnal Delights whatsoever will be the greatest and chiefest Enjoyment in the other World by which means this Religion is the more follow'd.

Their Apparel.

* 1.216AMongst the Persians the Men let their Gar∣ments hang loose about their lower Parts, so that at a distance they shew like Wo∣men; which Fashion Diodorus tells us they took from the Virago Semiramis, who went accordingly Habited.

According to Della Valle, the Persians Clothes differ much in fashion from the Turks, as being narrower, sleighter, and cut and slash'd: The under Garment next the Shirt, by reason of its shortness not seen, is generally of very fine Indian Cotton, stain'd with colour'd Imagery. Their upper Sum∣mer Garment is long, strait-body'd, and hangs loose over their Bellies, having long and plaited Sleeves, and from the Girdle downward made wider like a Bell, and Lin'd with Cotton. This Coat is com∣monly made of fine colour'd Indian Linnen, others of Cotton or Silk, which when new, having a Gloss like Sattin, is call'd Cotoni. Their upper Garment in Winter is a short Coat, which being worn by Troopers, just covers the Horses Back; the common People wear somewhat longer, yet not so long as to hang below their Knees: These Coats are for the most part made of Cloth, and sometimes, though very seldom, of Silk and Cloth of Tissue, and Lin'd with Furr, which the Persians have in great abundance, and adorn'd with Silk Buttons and Loops, of a different colour from the Cloth. Not onely the Soldiers, but also the com∣mon People, have two sorts of these upper Coats. The Men wear a great Turbant in the Persian Tongue call'd Mendil, made of Cotton or Silk Ribbons or Sashes wound one over another, and some intermix'd with Golden Thred, sixteen or eighteen Yards long. Della Valle saith, that the Turbants are made of spotted Cotton, and very seldom all white. Persons of Quality most com∣monly wear them stitch'd with Silver and Gold; but the meaner sort make them of such Stuffs as please their Fancy. These Turbants being always very large, cover the Caps that are worn under them. There is no distinction of Persons by their Turbants, as amongst the Turks, but the Christians may wear the same fashion'd Clothes and Tur∣bants as the other Persians, except the red Cap which they call Tat, that is, A Crown, which is a peculiar Badge of the Nobility, and sometimes (as we said before) of the Soldiery. The Succes∣sors of Aaly, their greatest Prophet next Mahomet, wear Caps with high Crowns: In the Winter against the Cold they wear a long Cap under their Turbants, Lin'd with Furr, the end whereof appears out of the top of the Turbant, and being wide at bottom, they pull the same quite over their Forehead and Ears, to keep off the Wea∣ther. Priests, especially the Hasis, wear for

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the most part white ones, of which colour also is their other Apparel; some of them wear a Lap∣pet about half a Yard long down behind their Turbants. The Seids, which are such as boast them∣selves to be Extracted from Mahomet, and conse∣quently his Successors, wear the fore-mention'd Lappet of green Cloth.* 1.217 Some Persians, especi∣ally great Lords, wear Caps, cover'd without and Lin'd with a finer sort of Sheep-skins, and turn'd up with the same; the Wooll whereof being as soft as Silk, is about a Fingers length. These Caps are as highly esteem'd there as our Beavers are here. Noblemen wear a fort of Turbants with high Plumes, adorn'd with Precious Stones and Pearls; and by these a Nobleman may be distin∣guish'd from other Persons: for the Nobility one∣ly are permitted to wear a Coronet with twelve Points, which was brought up by the first Sophy. The Stuff of these is brought out of India, and are stronger, and of a better colour than those of Per∣sia. But a Molla or Priest that wears the foremen∣tion'd Silk Sashes, must lay it by him out of Re∣verence to God, when he Prays before the Ma∣here. Under these Sashes they wear their Hand∣kerchiffs, Knives, Purses, Inkhorns, and Table-Books. Over their Coats the King and other eminent Persons wear a Curdu, or short Jump, which comes down to their Hips, but Fac'd down before with Sable. When they go abroad, or Ride, they commonly hang another Coat over the same, made of Silk, and wrought with Gold, and is therefore call'd Jacub Cahni, from a King of the same Name which first us'd it. Their Breeches, made of Cotton, and very narrow, reach down to their Ancles, and are ty'd on the top with a String, over which hangs their Shirt, which is commonly Strip'd Red, and Lac'd on the Breast or Sides with yellow Laces. The Mens Stockings, made of fine Cloth, are ill shap'd, and hang unhandsomly a∣bout their Legs; some are of green Cloth, which the Turks cannot endure, because it is a scandal to their Religion; for they say that Mahomet wore a green Cap, which Colour the Persians in disdain wear on their Feet. Moreover all their Clothes are of several Colours; but above all, the Car∣nation is in greatest esteem amongst them, and is call'd Al Amongst other dark Colours, they have of late years gotten a French, or sad Green, which they call Nefti, from an Oyl of the same Name. Their Shoes call'd Kef, end in a sharp Point, and have such low Quarters, that they can slip their Feet in and out without any trouble, as if they were Slippers, though with high Heels, and plated underneath with Iron. When they go into their Halls, or other Apartments, they leave their Shoes at the Door like the Turks, by which means there areas many Shoes commonly stand∣ing before the Court or Council Chamber, as in a Shoemakers Shop, and a Man appointed for that purpose to take charge of them, who gives to every one his own.

Della Valle tells us, that the Persians gird them∣selves almost under their Bellies with two Gir∣dles, one upon another; the longest is made of cer∣tain thick Silk-Stuff, which being pretty broad and very long, they wind three or four times about their Bodies; some of them are streak'd and wrought with Gold; others curiously flower'd, and some plain. Some Girdles also are double, and made of two sorts of Silk, without any Orna∣ments, except that the one side is of one colour, and the other of another. The upper Girdle, which they wear above the great one, is shorter, narrower, and of one colour, and is either made of Silk, Camels Hair, or Cotton, yet not less esteem'd than those of Silk, because they are of∣ten richer, and sometimes dearer.

* 1.218The Habits of the ordinary Women are very mean, but the rich wear Cloth and Silk wrought with Gold; they are clear, and of a more beco∣ming shape than the Turkish Women. Those that are Marry'd or Betrothed, are permitted to wear a Girdle and a Plume of Feathers, which is also a distinction of Nobility.

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* 1.219The Womens Garments are much thinner than the Mens, and hang loose about their Bo∣dies, having underneath Shifts and Drawers down to the Ancles like the Men. Their Stockings are commonly either Crimson or green Velvet, Cloth of Tissue, or other rich Stuffs. They have no pe∣culiar Head-Tires, but are dress'd after the same fashion as the Ladies of Bagdat or Babylon. Their Hair hangs down in Tresses, both behind and in Locks, and curls before. About their Heads they wear two or three Strings of Pearl, but none about their Necks, and let them hang below their Cheeks. Young Maids also wear a Diamond Ring in their right Nostril, several Gold Rings on their Fingers, and broad Silver Armlets.

The Men, according to a Law made by Maho∣met, may onely wear Silver Rings.

Women of Quality go after the Eastern man∣ner in the Streets with a long white Vail over their Faces, which hangs down to the Ground, and have onely a little Slit therein, through which they look. And this Fashion they took up, not so much out of Modesty, as some suppose, or the Jealousie of their Husbands, or by reason of any Law amongst the Mahumetans, but rather from their proud Humor, judging very few worthy to look them in the Face: for before Mahomet's time, the Women of Arabia and Mesopotamia went al∣ways with cover'd Faces. And to this purpose Peter Bizarro, in his ancient History of Persia, makes mention of King. Tyridates's Queen, who coming with her Husband into Italy, was Vail'd with Cloth of Tissue. And the modern Custom confirms this Opinion, because a great Lady, in the Presence of a Nobleman, King or Prince, uncovers her Face, in testimony of the great Honor, and high Esteem she hath for him; but no Woman will shew her Face either to her Equal or Inferior: And on the contrary, the Women of inferior Rank expose their Faces to open view both at home and abroad.

If the Clothes of Noble Persons be never so little soil'd or spotted, they immediately leave them off; but the poorer sort wash theirs every Week.

Foot-boys or Pages wear no Liveries there, because it is not the Fashion, but are Clothed in various colour'd Stuffs, unsuitable one to another, though one Mans Servants.

Their Oeconomy or House-keeping.

* 1.220THe Persians House-keeping is generally very mean, and the Utensils belonging to their Larder, Kitchin and Cellar, if they have not many Wives, require no great Charge.

Besides Rice, their chiefest Food is Flesh, which is to be had every where in great abun∣dance, except at Ispahan, because that is a very populous Place.

Bizarro avers them to be great Gluttons, but it seems to be without cause.

Justin and Athenaeus say the Persians eat little Flesh, but have store of Confections, which Alexander ab Alexandro also affirms.

Olearius tells us, that the Persians keep but one set Meal a day, besides which they eat a little Bread, Butter, Cheese, and Fruit.

* 1.221The chiefest Dish, and always brought first to the Table, is boyl'd Rice, by them call'd Plau, or Pilao, with Mutton. After that they bring roasted Fowl, Fish, Spinnage, and white Cabbage (for brown they esteem not,) to the Table.

Ispahan hath little fresh, but plenty of salt Fish, because of its great distance from the Sea, and

the Brook which runs about Ispahan, having no manner of relation to the Caspian Sea. There are likewise abundance of Fowls, of all which they eat,* 1.222 except Turkeys, whereof a Georgian Mer∣chant in the time of Schach Abas brought some from Venice to Ispahan, and sold them for Sixteen Crowns apiece. Though they use Rice in stead of Bread, yet they have Rouls, or Loaves made of Wheat; one sort thereof call'd Comasch, is three Fingers thick, and a Yard long: the Lawash are round Cakes of an Inch thick: the Peasekean are also a Yard long, baked in the Tenurs, or House-Ovens, and being five Inches broad, have their name from thence. The Senged are hollow; the Jucha are thin, like Parchment or Wafers, about a Yard long, and as broad, which being used first as Napkins to wipe their greasie Fingers on, (for they take the Rice out of the Dish with their Fin∣ger with which they also pull their Meat asun∣der, seldom using either Knives or Forks) they pull the same to pieces, and rouling Rice or Pieces of Flesh into them, eat them up with a great Appetite. They sup their Broaths, or Pot∣tages with woodden Spoons, made after an Oval fashion with a small Handle, but a quarter of a yard long, like short Ladles.

The Grandees going to Dinner, spread a Sofra on the Floor,* 1.223 that is a painted Cloth as big as the whole Room: They use no Napkins, but every one according to the Countrey fashion, makes use of his Handkerchief tuckt at his Girdle, being very large, made of painted Linnen, and either wrought with Silver or Gold. Noblemen, though they have good Kitchins to cook their Meat in, yet oftentimes they will have it drest where they please, not so much out of curiosity, as suspition of being poison'd.

* 1.224The meaner sort of People for the most part drink Water, sometimes mixt with Duschab, and a little Verjuice to make it good Beverage; and though Wine by very cheap, yet many abstain from it, because it is forbidden in the Mahometan Law. Moreover, the Hatzi which have been at Mecha and Medina by Mabumets Tomb, are also de∣barr'd from Wine all their lives.

Nevertheless many of the Courtiers drink Wine freely, and are of opinion that the Sin com∣mitted by the drinking thereof, may be pardon'd by the same means as their other Sins; neither are they concern'd the next morning at their be∣ing over-taken. The Cups out of which they drink are woodden Skiffs, or little Dishes. They never force any to drink; and though, according to our Custom, they give the Cup round, yet those that are unwilling may pass it by, without any breach of Drinking-Law.

* 1.225Anno 1620. King Abbas falling into a great Fit of Sickness at Ferhabad, occasion'd by a Potation of too much Wine, he caused an Edict to be publish'd with the sound of Trumpet; wherein all the Mahumetans in Ispahan were forbid to drink Wine, yet the Armenians, Georgians, Franks, and other Christians may Carouse as much Wine as they please, provided they neither sell nor give any to the Mahumetans, upon pain of death.

This Law was with great strictness observ'd publickly by all the Mahumetans, not onely in Is∣pahan, but through all the Kings Dominions, in∣somuch that some for violation thereof were put to death. This seem'd to be too severe a Law for the Mahumetans, especially the Courtiers, where∣fore they address'd themselves to the Aga Chizi, the Kings greatest Favorite, and other great Lords at the Kings Court, to implore the King to Repeal it, with promise that they would raise him a great Sum of Money; but all prov'd in vain, for the King continu'd firm in his Resolution.

Della Valle, who at that time was at Ispahan in Persia, tells us, that he had more Visitants, espe∣cially of the Grandees, than usual, because the King had not onely given him a Toleration for drinking Wine himself, but to distribute to those Mahumetans that Visited and made Addresses to him, provided he suffer'd them not to use any such excess; as to be seen inebriated in the Street repair∣ing home.

Moreover, the King himself drank Wine pri∣vately, yet very little, that so he might not be an ill Example to his Subjects; to which he pretend∣ed that his Distemper forc'd him, according to the directions of his Physicians, who prescrib'd him to drink onely what might be conducible to his better Health.

The Inhabitants in the Province of Persia, of which Sciras is the Metropolis, drink Wine pub∣lickly; and the rather, because being far from the Court they are become as it were Lawless: But in the other Provinces the Laws are so observ'd, that it is dangerous to mention Wine.

In all the Country about Ardebil are no Vines, partly by reason of the Cold, and partly because the Sceichavends, that is, Scheicks Successors, would not plant any there, because it was a sacred Place, where Scheich Sofi set up a New Sect, which next to Mahomets at Mecha, and that of Aly and Hussein, is most follow'd.

* 1.226In their Kitchins they use Pots or Kettles of Clay, and some of Copper Furnaces, Tin'd over. Their Dishes are also of Copper most curiously wrought, and being Tinn'd over, feem to be of Silver; besides which, they use abundance of China Dishes and other Vessels: but in the Villages they have Earthen Ware.

In all the Towns of the Kingdom are abundance of Cooks Shops,* 1.227 wherein they sell Meat ready drest; which is so common, that Persons of great Quality (though they have Cooks in their Hou∣ses) when desirous of Varieties of Meat well drest, they send to those Shops for them.

Those tyfeats which they baste with their But∣ter, at first seem very ill tasled to a Palat not ac∣custom'd thereto, but afterwards obtain a more pleasing Rellish.

They also have a Bak' d-meat call'd Perian, and another call'd Carik, dress'd after the Indian manner.

There are also preserv'd Cucumbers, which are very palatable; and in the midst of Summer cooling.

They have likewise a dainty Dish, call'd Peluda; made up of Ameldonk or Amelcores, in the manner of a Tart; either made white like Snow, or else they colour them with Saffron. The Tart cut in pieces, is put into a China-Dish, and Rose∣water and Sugar pour'd over it, and a great piece of Ice laid by it; which melting in the Rose-wa∣ter with the Sugar, makes a delicious and cool Liquor; into which are put Almonds, and the Herb Purslan cut into small pieces; which give it a very pleasing Rellish: This Liquor put into the same Dish with the pieces of Tart, is both Meat and Drink, and a choice Delicate in the midst of Summer.

They also highly esteem the Herb Dragon;

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and whenever they cover the Table, they eat a great quantity thereof, with Salt and Bread which they usually chaw before Dinner to provoke their Appetite, and after to help Digestion; of which, most of the Common-people make their Meals, eating onely some Bread dipt in Sechien; a Liquor made of Vinegar and Sugar, and carried about the Streets to be sold in Tubs; which is not onely pleasing to the Palat, but also comfortable to the Stomach.

In the Southern Countreys, especially West∣ward, about Ormus; they use many Herbs in their Drinks; as also Brandy, and other hot Liquors, amongst which, one call'd Jarkin; which is in great esteem in the Island of Java, and all the Southern Provinces of the Eastern Countreys, they use also much Sale, and though between Ispa∣han and Ferhabad, there is a large Plain that yields great quantityes, the Soyl being full of Salt, yet they use another sort; contemning this, though good, by reason of it's great plenty.

Before and after Meals, the Persians both in Winter and Summer, have warm Water to wash their hands, which they wipe with their Handker∣chiefs. After Supper,* 1.228 they commonly present their Guests with dryed Leaves of Hanna or Al∣kanna to colour their Hands; and this Ceremo∣ny is as much to the satisfaction of the Eastern Countrey-people, as a Ball, with Dancing or Mu∣sick after a Banquet. Some discolour their skins all over in this manner when they please, viz. they lay the Alkanna tempered in water on their Hands, or that part of the Body which they intend to colour, and binde it on with a String, that it may not fall off; this the Women do (for the most part) after Supper, before they go to Bed, that so the Colour lying on all Night, may make the better Impression in the Morning; the Paste being dry falls off, and leaves an Orange-tincture on the Skin; but if over-dawb'd, it makes them Red, or Black.

Amfion or Opium, Thee, Coffee, and Tobacco.

MOst Persians use Amfion or Opium, that is, Juice or Oyl of Poppy; by them call'd Offiuhn and Tiriak, (as the Berry Chas Cehask) and by the Turks onely, Maslac; which they making up in little Pills like Pease swallow: Those that use themselves to it, may take a quarter of an Ounce or more at a time: Some take it every other, or third day, onely to set them into an intoxicating Extasie, where they please themselves with strange Ima∣ginations. They are gathered in several Places of Persia, especially about Ispahan, after this man∣ner: The white Poppy being cut produces a milky Juice, which having stood a while, and be∣coming black, is taken and made fit to be used. The Druggists and Apothecaries make great ad∣vantage thereof. But Opium is not onely used much in Persia. but also in Turky, and India. It is also said, that some Women when their Husbands and they cannot agree, contrive their dispatch with a Dose of Opium.* 1.229 From the Husk or Shell the Persians also extract a Juice, which they call Coknar, much drunk by the Soldiers, especi∣ally in the time of Schach Abbas, when they were forbidden to drink Wine; for it revives the Spi∣rits for the present, but is nothing so wholsome; for soon after their Bodies are so debilitated that they are unfit for Service; wherefore Schach Abbas prohibited upon pain of Death, either to make or fell this Liquor: Moreover all Vessels with this Liquor wherever they were found, were bro∣ken no, and stav'd immediatly before their Doors. But after all this, and the before mention'd first Law made by King Abbas, he preferring an Incon∣venience

before a Mischief, permitted the People to drink Wine again as formerly, in stead of Cocknar.

* 1.230They are great Takers of Tobacco, insomuch that People of all sorts and Degrees Smoak it in their Temples and other publick Places: They have it from Bagdad or Babylon, and Curdistan, but so ill prepar••d, that they desire our European To∣bacco, which they call Inglis Tambacu, because the English bring the greatest quantities thither: They take it not as we do, but suck it through two Pipes joyn'd together; but first they take a Glass Bottle or Indian Nut, or a Cabach, which is a kind of Shell, that holds about a Pint, into which they put more or less (sometimes sweet) Water, leaving sufficient room for Smoak; then they put the two Pipes through the Mouth of the Bottle; the one contains the Tobacco in one Bowl, and through the other goes the Smoak; the end of one Pipe stands as far from the bottom, as the end of the other is from the Water, viz. about a Thumbs breadth.

The Persians generally with their Tobacco drink Coffee, made from the Arabian Caowa, or Persian Cahwee, which they dry and pulverize, and after decoct, as we now use, and have learn'd from them, of which we shall enlarge when we come to Arabia, the Place where it grows.

They use also Tee or Tea, being very common, and sold in publick Houses, by them call'd Chat tai Chane, that is, Houses of Catayan Tzai, or Thee, of which likewise in its proper place.

Of their Marriages.

* 1.231 PErsons of Quality in this Countrey are sel∣dome satisfied with one Wife, and of old had many, which they may turn off when they please; which (as Strabo relates) was an∣ciently for the Childrens sake; for the Kings gave Annually, Presents to those that had most Children: But at this day they affect not this Multiplicity, having not so many Wives as for∣merly; yet they make no more of Wedlock than a Play of Fast and Loose, turning them off when they please, and are still for Variety; and this Li∣berty they take the rather, because Mahomet in his Alcoran allows Polygamy. Rich Merchants who Trade in divers Places in the Countrey, make a great Convenience of it; having at their Coun∣trey-houses, and where else they Trade, not onely Furniture, but a Wife; so that where e're they come, they are still at Home.

They Marry their nearest Relations, but not so incestuously as of old they were wont to do; for in antient times (as Brissonius affirms out of several Writers) they commonly married their own Mothers, Sisters, or Daughters; but at this day none may marry so near in Blood. Moreo∣ver, it is accounted a horrid Sin, for any man to defile his Sister; which was not customary in Persia before Cambyses time; but grew very com∣mon after his marrying of his own Sister, which he lov'd exceedingly.

* 1.232When a young man intends to marry, and hath an Affection for any Maid, then he informs him∣self by a second and third Person, of her Conditi∣on and Quality; for neither he, nor his Parents may see her: It she be to his minde, he sends two of his nearest Kindred, which were at his Cir∣cumcision, to the Maids Father, to acquaint him with his Love: To which, shewing some feign∣ed unwillingness to part with his Daughter; af∣ter short Enquiry, if liking the Match; he begins to treat about the Portion, which is not to be paid by the Brides Friends, but by the Bridegroom, or his Friends; for in Persia, as in all other Eastern-Countreys, they buy their Wives not ma∣king either Dowry or Joynture, neither recei∣ving Portions, but purchasing them at a Price, which is paid two several ways: for either the Bridegroom sends it to the Brides Fathers House a little before the Wedding, consisting in Pendants, Jewels, Armlets, or the like, which is a Reward to the Parents (who may either keep or give it again to their Daughter) for their careful breed∣ing up of the Bride; or else he makes over a cer∣tain Sum of Money, or a quantity of Silk-Stuffs, which she is oblig'd to return, if at any time they should part; to which purpose Writings are Drawn and Sign'd by a Cadi or Molla: After this Conclusion the Bride and Bridegroom chuse each of them a Trustee, who, if in a City, go to the Casi or Spiritual Judge, but if in a Village, to the Molla or Priest, impower'd by the Casi, and in the Bride and Bridegrooms Name (who appear not in Person, nor go to the Church to be Marry'd) de∣sire that they may be united, which the Casi (after being well assur'd of the Consent of the Parties) performs in the Name of God, Mahomet, and Aaly; and this is generally done by the foremention'd three Persons in a private place, either in a Cham∣ber or in the Fields.

Every one is free to Marry at any time in the year, except in the Moneth of Ramesan, or their Lent, and the ten days Mourning and Abstinence call'd Ashur.

* 1.233When the Wedding is to be celebrated, the Bridegroom sends the Bride the day before a pair of Pendants, Armlets, and other Ornaments, ac∣cording to his Capacity, and some Provisions. After Dinner, which generally is pretty late in the Evening, the Bride, set on a Horse, Camel, or Mule, with a red Silk Hood hanging down into her Lap, and accompany'd with all her Friends, Relations, and several sorts of Musick, is con∣ducted to the Bridegrooms House, where with some Women she is put into a peculiar Apart∣ment, and the Men into another, and Meat set be∣fore them, which when they have eaten, the Bride is soon after carry'd into the Bed-Chamber, and the Bridegroom being brought to her, there first at once enjoys both her Sight and Company, having never seen her before, and if he find her to have been vitiated, he may frely cut off her Nose and Ears, and turn her out of his Chamber; but if he find her a Virgin, he signifies his Joy to her old Nurse and to his Friends: Then they Feast three days one after another. They also use Dan∣cing, which is in Couples, but the Men by them∣selves in one Room, and the Women in another; the Musick never go into the Womens Cham∣ber, but stand and Play at their Door. In the Evening the Leaves of Alcanna, with which they color their Hands, are laid on a Cotton Handker∣chief, with two Spoonfuls of Alcanna; both which they take home with them: After which the Guests make Presents to the new Marry'd Couple, every one according to their Capacities.

After the Wedding is over, and that the New∣marry'd Couple dwell in the Brides Fathers house, the new Wife may not be seen with her Face un∣cover'd before her Father-in-Law, nor speak with him; but if occasion require, she is to ex∣press her mind by Signs.

* 1.234Besides their Marrying, they have another way to acquire a Companion to their Bed, viz. To hire them with a Sum of Money for a certain time; and is practised chiefly by those that travel from Place to Place, and by such as are not willing to be seen in the publick Stews.

A third way is by buying in the Market, slaves, with whom they may do what they please. These are commonly taken by the Tagestan Tartars, from the Christians in Georgia, and sold to the Persians. Nor is this Priviledge all allow'd onely to Men, for Women especially of Quality may as often change their Husbands as they please. One re∣lates that two Ladies meeting upon a Visit, The one ask'd the other, How long she had liv'd with her Husband? The other replied, two Moneths; how, two Moneths! so long! can any Woman content her self with one Man, almost threescore nights?

* 1.235When the Women are in labour, and cannot be suddenly deliver'd; then the Relations and Neighbors run to the Schools, and give the Molla money, to spare and forgive all those Schollars that have offended, and are condemned to be whipt; which they believe to be a great means to further her speedy Delivery: And for the same purpose, they think it very effectual to creep three or four times under a Camels belly.

If at any time, though without Cause, a Man suspect his Wife, they pass it not by, but take speedy and sharp Revenge; as appears by the following Relation.

Some years since, in the Province of Lenkeran, dwelt a Person nam'd Jakut Tirkenam, who was the Kings Bow-bearer; his Wife being reported to be of a loose behavior; at last Schach Abbas himself heard thereof, who order'd Notice to be given to the foremention'd Tirkenam, either to reform his House, or else to keep out of the King's Presence: Whereupon, he fearing to lose his Place, being of great Profit and Honor, made a real and thorow Reformation, by killing not one∣ly his Wife, but four Children; and all that re∣lated to h••r, to the number of twelve Persons; which though it seem barbarous to us, yet it pre∣serv'd his Reputation and Employment, with the King, his Master.

The Men likewise have the Power which they often execute, that if they catch any committing Adultery with their Wives, they may either im∣mediately kill both, or else bedivorc'd; and this last is very common.

* 1.236The Children are very obedient to their Pa∣rents; when a Father of Quality gives Audience in his own House; his Sons stay without, to con∣duct those that go out or in. These are not at the present brought up, as in antient times; viz. Lock'd up with the Women, without sight of their Fathers; for (according to Strabo) they might not before the fourth, or (as Herodotus) not before the fifth, and (as Valerius Maximus saith) not before the seventh year, be brought to the presence of their Fathers: But so soon as they can write and read, they put them to Trades, or to Study; for few amongst the Persians, though of the meanest Condition, but are taught to read and write.

* 1.237The Metzids or Temples, also serve, as amongst us, for Schools; so that in all Cities are as many Schools as Streets, every School being to main∣tain a Metzid: In each School also is one Prime Molla, or School-Master, and a Calif, which is an Usher or Assistant; who sits in the middle, and the Schollars round about by the Walls; so soon as they know their Letters and can spell, they learn to read in the Alcoran, out of which they first have certain Chapters given them, and next the whole Alcoran: After they are perfect in the Al∣coran, they read Schih Saadis Culustan, or The Valley of Roses, and his Buston, or Orchard; and lastly, the Hafis, which is also Poesy like the Bustan; These three last, are said to write the best and smoothest Style of all the Persian Authors, be∣cause they were born in Schiras or the antient Per∣sepolis, where the purest Persian was spoken.

When they write, they lay their Paper on their Knees, and for any Transgression they are in stead of a Rod or Ferula, beaten with a Cane, on the Soales of their Feet, and sometimes on the Palms of their Hands.

Funerals.

* 1.238WHen any one dyes they keep not the Corps above three hours, unless it be in the Night, but immediately bury it, having been first wash'd (if a person of Quality) with Rose∣water, either in his own Dwellings, or in a pecu∣liar House nam'd Mordeschur Chane, built for that purpose, near a Church-yard; whether the Corps is brought dress'd up in his best Wearing-Cloaths, with several singing before it: Then they put a white Sheet on the Corps, and wrap the same up in a Cotton Shroud, so laying it on the Bier, carry it to the Grave; before which, first they set the Body down, where the Molla or Priest reads somewhat out of the Alcoran, and lift∣ing up the head of the Corps, holds it a little while in his hand, and then lays it down again; after this they place the Body on one side in the Grave without a Coffin, and turn it on the right side, with the Face towards the West; because they say the Day of Judgement will first appear in the West. Then the Priest holding some Earth over the dead Body, reads another Chapter; then throws it on the Corps, and reads ano∣rher Chapter, and so goes home with the rest of the Company. If the Deceased be of Noble Extract, then they keep Funeral Feasts (but without Wine) on certain Days, viz. three days after the Funeral: If it be of a Rich man the Feast is renued on the seventh, and on the fortyth day after, on which they distribute Alms, amongst the Poor; which they do also on the Feasts Nau∣rus, Gurban, and Ramesan.

* 1.239These Ceremonies are us'd, because they be∣lieve that the two Angels, Nekir and Munkir, de∣scend into the Grave; and that then the Soul re∣entering the Body, and making the upper part alive, the Corps sit upright: Whereupon the Angels examine them how they have liv'd whil'st in the World, and at last ask In whom they have be∣liev'd; to which the Corps must answer, In God

the Father of Heaven; Who is your Prophet? Mahomet; Who your Imam? Aaly: If these Answers suit with the Questions, and the Dead give a good Account of his Actions; then the An∣gels promise him Salvation, and Ascension up to Heaven; they are follow'd by the Soul, which also leaves the Body again; but this Examinati∣on is us'd onely to Persons of full age, but not to young Children. Their mourning Habits (as Olearius describes the Funeral of a Noble-man at Schamachie) is after this manner:

* 1.240First, they march'd with six Ensigns upon long Staves. 2. Four Horses were led one behinde another, the first carried Bowes and Arrows, and the rest, some of the Deceased's Apparel. 3. A Servant riding upon a Mule, carry'd his Lord's Mendil or Turbant in his hand. 4. Follow'd two with Nachals or Caps representing Turrets on their Heads, adorn'd with Plumes. 5. Then follow'd eight Dishes of Sweet-meats, and in the middle a Sugar-loaf cover'd with blue Paper, each having carry'd before them three burning Torches. 6. More march'd beating on Kettle∣drums, and others that beat upon Copper-basons. 7. Then follow'd many with white Turbants that were Suffihans. 8. Then came two Rowes of Singers, who behaving themselves after an An∣tick manner, sung the La Ilach Illa Allach, Muhamed Resul Allah; that is, There is no other than the onely God, and Mahomet his Prophet; and likewise the Alla Ekker, another Versicle. 9. Divers Ser∣vants went bare with their right Arm, and left Shoulder, and having wounded themselves on their Arm and Forehead, made the blood run down. 10. Three Trees full of red Apples were carry'd, and also three Locks of Hair of the Deceased's Wive's, who had cut or pull'd off the same in Sign of Mourning; and likewise several green and red Pieces of Paper. 11. The Body it self was carry'd by eight Persons; upon the Coffin lay a Silk-coat lin'd with Bucharian Sheep-skins. 12. Behind the Corps a Boy sit∣ting on a high stool carry'd by nine Persons, reads aloud in the Alcoran, which many other Persians rehears'd.

In this manner the Corps is carry'd to a certain place in the City; and from thence remov'd to Ba∣bylon, and there set amongst their Saints; concer∣ning which, Della Valle makes a Relation much to the same purpose.

Persons of Quality, and the King's Servants are not bury'd without peculiar Orders from His Ma∣jesty, who often commands the Corps to be car∣ry'd to one or other Eminent Metzid, which some∣times is twenty or thirty days Journey from the Place where the Party dy'd.

* 1.241The dead Bodies are not bury'd in the Metzid, but in the Courts or Yards about them. When any Corps is to be interr'd in a remote place, then they imbowel them.

Astronomy.

* 1.242A Stronomy, or the Knowledge of the Course of the Heavens, was antiently, and to this day is highly esteem'd amongst the Persi∣ans, and those which study that Art they call Mi∣natzim, who receive a certain annual Pension from the King and Chans; though not so much for the observing the Course and Influence of the Stars, as for prognosticating from their Motions concerning future Events: And this makes Astro∣logy so common,* 1.243 that the meanest Soldiers in their Army, for the most part, know the Course of the Stars, and also when the Planets are ei∣ther in Conjunction or Opposition, Trine, Qua∣drate, or Sextile Station each to other. The King himself always carryes one or two Astrologers with him, and undertakes nothing without their Advice or Consent. Amongst these sort of Peo∣ple are many who are of very Noble, nay Roy∣al Extract, call'd Mirza, or Princes; and these are the true Nobility of Persia, though for divers weighty Reasons, kept under in a mean Conditi∣on, and therefore they study this among other Arts, and are very learn'd in respect of other East∣ern people, yet far short of our Europeans.

The Minatzims constantly carry an Astrolabe about them, that upon all occasions they may e∣rect a Scheme. In their teaching of Astrology they use no Globe, neither have they any, but one∣ly the Astrolabe: They exceedingly admire the Europeans for their Skill in this Art. When Olea∣rius shew'd them a Celestial Sphere of eight Inches in Diameter; they observing the Chara∣cters, nam'd the Stars in the Arabick Tongue. It is said, that in antient times, a very large and excellent Felick (for so they call a Sphere) was preserv'd in Persia with great care, but spoyl'd by the Turks in the Wars; and this is suppos'd to be the Globe which the Persian King Sapor made of Chrystal, within which a man might lit upright with ease.

* 1.244The Persians have two sorts of Years, viz. A Solar and a Lunar: The Solar Year, which they call Naurus or Neurus, being according to the an∣tient Custom of the Persians, begin on the same Day, Hour, and Minute, when the Sun enters in∣to Aries, or the Equinoctial Point, which is with us upon the eleventh Day of March; by them call'd Neurus, that is, New-years-day.

As soon as the Minatzims or Astronomers have observ'd the Sun to enter into that Point they pro∣claim the New-year; which is celebrated with the discharge of all the Cannons, beating of Drums, and Shouts, and joyful Acclamations of the Peo∣ple, from which time begins the giving of New-years Gifts, which the King receives not onely from the Nobility, but from the Mechanicks and Tradesmen.

Texeira tells us, that the Persians call the twen∣tieth of March, Neuruz, that is, New-years-day; be∣cause they then begin the Account of their Year, which they make to contain three hundred sixty five Days, six Hours, 48 Minutes, and 53 Se∣conds; adding a Day to each fourth or fifth Year, since the time of Sultan Gelaleddin.

As the Solar, so the Lunar Year differs not con∣siderably from ours in Europe of the Moons un∣equal Changes.

* 1.245The Persians reckon their Year two ways; the first is, that if Jezdagird or Yeztzird, Son to Shah∣riar the last Persian King after the Incursion of the Arabians into Persia. And this Account according to Uleg Beig commenc'd on a Tuesday, whereon he began his Reign.

Albumazar affirms that the Persians reckon'd their Year to comprehend three thousand six hundred thirty four Days; which is ten Years, and ninety

four days after the Hegira, or flight of Mahomet from Mecha; but others do not begin it till after his Death.

* 1.246The beginning of Jezdagird's Reign was in the eleventh Year of the Hegira, on the two and twen∣tieth of the first Moneth Rabbi, being the sixteenth of our June, Anno 632.

The other Account they call Gelasee, from the Name of Sultan Gelaleddin Meleck Sa Alb-Arselan, Emperor of Persia, Chorazan and Mesopotamia, who commanded eight of the wisest Astronomers to rectifie the Persian Year;. This hapned in the four hundred and forty eighth Year of Jezdagird, and on the eighteenth day of the Moneth Fararardin, or (according to our Account) on the fourteenth of March, Anno 1079.

This Year is call'd Senathi Gelali, that is, The Year of Majesty, or Neuruz Elsultani, that is, The Year of the Emperors, because it begins almost at their Lent-Eve. Moreover, we may easily com∣pute how many years they have of Jesdagird, by abstracting six hundred thirty two of our years; and of Gelasee, by abstracting a thousand and seventy nine. In their Histories they make use of the first Account; but because they observe the Day and Year of Lent-Eve, by reason of certain Ceremonies, which they there are oblig'd to per∣form, therefore they now use that of Gelasee.

The Year is by the Persians divided into twelve Moneths, and (according to Ulug Beig) were for∣merly in the Persian Tongue call'd Fervardin, Ar∣dabahesht, Chordad, Tir, Mordad, Ram, Sharivar, Abru, Adar, Di, Behman, and Esfandermod.

* 1.247The Persians in former Ages had their own Tah∣kwin or Almanacks, and each Day of every Moneth bore its peculiar Name from their Kings or Heroes, viz. Ourmuzd, Behman, Ardahesht, Scha∣rivar, Esfandarmod, Chordad, Mordad, Dibadhur, Azur, Aban, Chaur, Mah, Tir, Jius, Dibameher, Meher, Surush, Resh, Fervardin, Beheram, Ram, Bad, Dibadin, Din, Erd, Ashtad, Osman, Ramiyad, Marasfend, and Aniran, besides five additional Days, which were call'd Ahnud, Ashnud, Esfen∣mez, Vahespt, and Heshunesh.

* 1.248Each Day of the Moneth which is call'd by the same Name with the Moneth, is accounted a Holy-day, viz. the nineteenth of Fervardin, the third of Ardabahesht, the sixth of Chordad, the thir∣teenth of Tir, the seventh of Mordad, the six∣teenth of Meher, the tenth of Aban, the ninth of Adar, the second of Beherem, and the fifth of Es∣fandormod; But the eighteenth of Di, and the fif∣teenth and three and twentieth of each Moneth, is kept as a Holy-day, as signifying the Name of GOD, like Ourmuzd.

The beginning of Fervardin is generally call'd Neuruz; but the sixth day is properly Neuruz. The sixteenth of Mehermah is the common Meherjan. They say that GOD created the World in six days, which they call Cahenbarha.

* 1.249The beginning of the first Moneth is the eleventh of Di; the beginning of the second, the eleventh of Esfandarmod; the beginning of the third, the twenty sixth of Ardabahesht; the be∣ginning of the fourth, the twenty sixth of Chordad; the beginning of the fifth, the sixteenth of Schari∣var; and the beginning of the sixth, the one and thirtieth of Aban. Such Names they also give to the Years; for the first four Years are nam'd Our∣muzd, and the following, Behman, &c.

But this Almanack and Account being Jesda∣girds, are quite laid aside, for the Persians at this day make use altogether of the Arabian Kalen∣dar.

* 1.250The Names of the Moneths in the Arabick, and us'd by the Persians, are Muharam, Safar, Rabbi the first, Rabbi the second, Giamao the first, Gia∣mao the second, Rageb, Sohaban, Rhamadam, Scevel, Dulcaida, and Dalbagieh.

* 1.251The Week-days they reckon from our Satur∣day, from whence it happens, that the seventh be∣ing their Sabbath, falls on Friday, in which they differ both from the Jews and Christians. The Names of the Days are Schembe, Saturday; Seck∣schembe, Sunday, Duschembe, Monday; Seschembe, Tuesday Tscharschembe, Wednesday; Penschembe, Thursday, Adine or Tzumeh, Friday. And because the Persians go onely to Church on their Friday, they also call it Tzumeh, that is The Day of Meeting.

Of all these the Tscharschembe, or Wednesday, is accounted the most unfortunate. The last Wednes∣day of the Moneth Safar, or January, all Mahume∣tans, especially the Persians, account the most fatal day of the whole year, so that they will not go out of doors, nor permit any Person to visit them, and are most nicely circumspect in all things, and suspi∣cious least some Disaster should befall them. Moreover, the whole Moneth of Safar being esteem'd unfortunate, no one will venture to begin a Journey, or undertake any Business of conse∣quence.

They also put great confidence in the Plane∣tary Hours, and ascribe the twelve Hours to the twelve celestial Signs, viz. the first Hour on Sun∣day to Aries, and so of the rest.

The Persians highly esteem Books of Astrology, which they receiv'd from the Chaldeans,* 1.252 who were famous in that Art, and are so addicted thereto, that a Minatzim may perswade them to undertake or forbear any thing, either out of hopes of future good, or fear of evil.

The Hakims generally spend their time in read∣ing Books of Physick and Astrology. Amongst these there are some,* 1.253 that by casting Lots will foretell future Events; of which fort many have Booths on the Maidan or great Marker-place in Ispahan, and are of two Qualities, viz. Remals and Falkirs. The Remals use six or seven Dice, strung on two Copper Wyres, and by the Casts thereof they Predict. The Falkirs go another way to work, for they have thirty or forty Chips of an Inch square lying before them, and written on the undermost side; on one of these they lay Money, and propose such Questions as the Inquisitor de∣sires to be resolv'd of; whereupon the Fortune∣teller takes up the Chip with the Money, and reads the words that are written under it; this done, he takes up a great Book, all the Leaves whereof are full of horrid Shapes, as Dragons, and all manner of Beasts and Animals painted, and muttering to himself, looks with an affrighted Countenance on the People; at last he turns over many Leaves to a certain Picture in the Book, and comparing the foremention'd Writing on the Chip therewith, resolves the propos'd Question.

* 1.254They commonly in the beginning of the Year publish a Table of the Days, in the Greek Tongue call'd Ephimerides, and in the Persian, Tacuin or Tackwin, which are not, as ours, made for many years; and though they be written, yet are they so numerous, that there is no Person but carries one of them in his Bosom, that he may be ready on all occasions, to know whether it be a good or bad Hour wherein they begin any Business of Conse∣quence:

[illustration]

for these Almanacks contain not onely the Course of the Heavens, Signs and Planets, but also many other Observations, in which they are very curious.

Of their Poesie.

POesie is here also highly esteem'd, for in most places are many Shaers or Poets (for Shaer in the Persian Tongue signifies a Poet, as Casiechuan an Orator) which compose Ver∣ses in Writing, but extempore, which they recite publickly in the Maidan or Market-place, or in Houses of Entertainment, for a small Reward, and are often invited to great Feasts by Persons of Quality, to make their Entertainment more so∣lemn by the rehearsal of their Poetical Fancies. Della Valle affirms, that they have some knowledge in Poetry, Morality, and Oratory, yet it is but su∣perficial, consisting onely in words, for they are very shallow of Invention, which is the most no∣ble part, and like the Soul of the whole Body.

The King, as also the Chans, have each their own Poets, which do not make themselves com∣mon in the Streets, but keep in their Houses, and make new Verses to delight their Lords, and if they chance to hit on a Subject pleasing to them, they are rewarded with great Presents.

* 1.255These Poets differ from other People in their Habit, for like the Philosophers they wear white under-Coats, open before, with broad and wide Sleeves, and a Bag by their Girdle, in which they carry their Paper and Inkhorn: Their Cloaks are without Sleeves, their Stockings short, and their Breeches run down sloaping to their Feet: In the Winter they wear Coats which reach down to their Ancles; but they never wear Turbants, onely Caps. Those that stand in the Maidans or Mar∣kets, tie a painted Cloth about their Bodies, which hang over their right Shoulder and under their left Arm, in which manner they read their Poetry; but these are not all to be suppos'd excellent, for some scarce deserve the Name of Rhimers; these may be seen venting their Froth in publick Hou∣ses and in the Market-places, to the illiterate Vul∣gar. But there are many excellent Copies of the ancient Persian Poets, as well in the Turkish as Per∣sian Language; for as they esteem both Tongues alike, so they read the Turks Poetry with as much pleasure as the Persian. The best Poets amongst them are distinguish'd by these Names, viz, Saadi, Hasis, Firdausi, Fussuli, Chagani, Eheli, Schems, Nawai, Schahidi, Deheki, Nessimi. Their Verses close almost after the German manner,* 1.256 having re∣gard to like sounding words at the end of each Verse, but mind not the number of Feet. Some Verses are onely a few words, which being trans∣pos'd into several places, make the Verses divers; and to this purpose they often use such words as have a double signification; some end with the ending word of the former Line, as thus:

Tzire, tzire, tzirag Janitze, Adamira demag Janitze? Tzire, tzire, tzirag Osteri bud? Adamira demag Cheri bud.

Some begin with the ending word, and end with the beginning word of the former Line, as in the following Verses:

Kalem be dest Debira beh hasar derem, Derem be dest neajed Meker nauk kalem.

Here the second Verse begins with the word wherewith the first ended, and the last ends with the same with which the first begins; so that we may conclude, though they have a high conceit of themselves, yer we can discover nothing by this, but that they are very mean Poets.

Lawyers and Physicians.

* 1.257THere are few Lawyers amongst the Persi∣ans, because they have onely a few written Laws, and those taken out of the Alcoran, the Explanation and Practise whereof is wholly reserv'd to the Casi and Di∣wanbech.

* 1.258In matter of Physick they follow the Directi∣ons of Avicenna, and use for the most part the Pre∣scriptions of Galen. They also apply many things outwardly to their Patients, but without reason, as those that have inflam'd their Blood by drink∣ing too much of hot Liquors, they endeavor to cure by laying a great piece of Ice on their Bo∣dies, being of opinion, that the readiest Cure for all Diseases, is by contrary Applications.

If a Child or Woman falls sick, a Physician is not suffer'd to come to them, but onely a Nurse, who sends to the Doctor, and informs him of the state and condition of the Disease, who without more a do immediately prescribes Medicines, which are taken by the Patient with exceeding care.

They call all Physicians Hikim, that is. Wise, because of their Skill and Knowledge.

* 1.259About Casbin (as Olearius tells us) stands a large Tree, under which (they say) an old Saint lies bu∣ry'd, to which they make address for cure of the Tooth-ache, or other Aches or Pains; the man∣ner how as followeth:

The Persons affected coming to the Tree, drive a Nail into it, having first touch'd the grieved part therewith; then killing it, they make Offer∣ings, and give Alms to the Poor.

Their Paper differs not much from ours, being for the most part made of Cotton,* 1.260 but sometimes of Silk, and polish'd with a Pumice Stone or smooth Shell, which makes it very free from Knots or Hairs, and as smooth as Glass.

Their Ink they make of Granate-shells, mix'd with Gauls; Copperas, and Powder of bak'd Rice; but the best they have comes ready made out of India, in hard pieces of a Fingers length, which are melted with Gum, and put into their Inkhorns with sleazed Silk.

Their Pens are not made of Quills like ours, but of Canes, which being brown, are somewhat thicker than ours; they are brought from Sciras and the Arabian Gulf, near which they grow in great abundance.

The Persians are very ignorant in the Art and Rules of Painting;* 1.261 for though their Pictures are set off with variety of good Colours, yet they wrant the excellency which ours have, as being neither Shadow'd nor Drawn to the Life.

Their Language.

THe Persians have a proper Language, yet in many things agreeing with the Ara∣bick, and divided into three Dialects, call'd Xirazy, Rostazy, and Harmazy; the first is the Court Language of Sciras; the second is us'd by the Gentry, but not so eloquent as the former; and the third is the vulgar, being of a harsh and un∣pleasant sound, and chiefly spoken in the Kingdom of Ormus. But besides this general Language, each Province hath a peculiar Speech, though most of them covet to speak the Turkish besides their own, but especially those that inhabit the Provinces heretofore possess'd by the Turks, viz. Schirwan, Adirbeitzan, Erack, Bagdat, and Eruan; in which Places most Children are taught the Turkish Lan∣guage, but especially those that reside in Ispahan, and frequent the Court, and therefore they slight their native Tongue; and the reason hereof may be, because the Militia consists in Quizilbascies, most of which are natural Turks and the King's Slaves, though intermix'd with several Nations, which speak that Language, so that not onely the Officers, but also the King himself, who spends most of his time amongst them, is oblig'd to speak that Language, if he intends to be understood by, and convese with them; by which means it is common through all the Court: But the Persian Tongue is us'd in all their Books and Writings, as also in all Obligations and Edicts publish'd by the King, and in all Matters of consequence and State Businesses.

As the Turkish Language is esteem'd by the Persians, so is the Sclavonian by the Turks, and the Persian by the Indians; nay, it is at this day com∣mon through all the East, especially in the Mo∣gull's Countrey, and from thence to China.

The modern vulgar Tongue us'd by the Persi∣ans, is a confus'd Mixture, started up since Maho∣met's time, from the several Nations which have harras'd and inhabited these Countreys.

Those of the Province of Fars, or Persia pro∣per, of which Sciras is the Metropolis, speak the best and purest Persian.

* 1.262There are many words in the Persian Tongue which resemble, and are so like the Teutonick, that they seem to be the same, as for Example, Brader is Brother; Dochter, Daughter; Berber, Barber; Leb, Lip; Starch, Stares; Nahm, Name; Nau, New; Beheter, Better; and Der, Door; from whence many late Writers, as Boxhornius and others, suppos'd that the Persian Tongue hath great affinity with the old Teutonick,; for the Persians and Germans (as the said Boxhornius affirms out of ancient Writers) both are extracted from the Scythians, therefore it must necessarily follow, that the Language of these People must have some affinity, besides the manner of pro∣nunciation which differs but little.

The Persian Tongue hath also many words agreeing widi the Latin, viz.

• Pader is Pater Father.
• Mader is Mater Mother.
• Musch is Mus A Mouse.
• Dend is Dens A Tooth.
• Calem is Calamus A Pen.
• Ne is Ne No.
• Jug is Jugum A Yoke.
• Tu is Tu You or Thou.
• Du is Duo Two.
• No is Novem Nine
• De is Decem Ten
• Pare is Pars Part.
• Cal is Calvus Bald.

Herodotus writes that all the Persian Names end with S. but we finde no such thing now of late.

The Greeks, according to the Testimony of Brissonius,* 1.263 accounted the Persian Tongue very hard to learn; but we suppose that the difficulty, if there be any, is in pronouncing the Letters, which are for the most part gutturals; but as John Gra∣vius and Olearius witness, there is not one of all the Eastern Tongues which require fewer Rules than the Persian, by reason of it's few Anomala: but the want of the Vowels makes great difficulty in the reading of their Books, for many Words with one and the same Consonants, onely with se∣veral Vowels, signifie several things; viz. Ghyl, signifies smooth, Ghul, a Rose, Keschten, to turn a∣bout, Kischten, to sowe, Koschten, to kill.

One Word in the Persian Tongue, hath often∣times several significations, from whence many conclude that it is Lingua nuda, a barren Speech: As for Example from the word Chane, which pro∣perly signifies a House, there are many other words are deriv'd and compounded, viz. Barchane, a Stable for Horses, Carchane, a Work-house or Store-house, Treschane, an Armory, Tabchane, a Great-hall, Diwanchane, a House of Justice: Moreover this word is us'd in many other things: As in the business of eating, &c. for they use to say to eat, to drink, to have, to carry away, to receive, to understand, and to express ma∣ny other things; for they say, to eat Wine, eat Heat and Cold, eat Money, eat Wounds, eat beating with a Stick; besides many other strange kind of Expressions.

* 1.264Hebrew, Greek, and Latine, the Persians under∣stand not, but in stead thereof they use Arabick as their most learned Tongue, which is as common amongst them as Latine with us, and divers Books are written therein.

* 1.265As to what concerns the Alphabet of the Per∣sians, they had antiently their own Letters and Characters; but after the Arabians had made themselves Masters of Persia, they were not onely laid aside, but upon their Califs Command all the Writings of that sort were burnt, for they judg'd that so long as the Persians kept the Books which contain'd the Laws and Religions of their Idols, they would never be brought to be good Mahume∣tans, so that the Arabians establish'd their Letters and manner of Writing, which the Persians affe∣cted so much, that they totally neglected their own, insomuch, that there is at this day not one amongst them that understands their own antient Letters.

All those that ever intend to speak the Persian Tongue, must first be well experienc'd in the Ara∣bick; for the Persians not onely use Arabick words apart, but also joyn them to their Names; of which John Gravius, Lodowick de Dieu, Reyer and many others, treat more at large in their Persian Grammars.

* 1.266Notwithstanding there are not so many in Per∣sia as in Europe, which learn the Liberal Arts and Sciences, yet they highly esteem those that study therein, which they corruptly call Filosuf. The Persian Phylosophers in Matters of Phylosophy and other Sciences, highly esteem the Christian Books, especially such as treat of Morality, natu∣ral Phylosophy, and Religion: They also hold Disputations with great Confidence concerning the Mystery of their Religion, with People that are or another Opinion, quite contrary to the Turks, who out of stubborness will not admit any to speak thereof.

* 1.267For the Instruction of their Knowledge, there are several Universities or Schools in the Cities, which they call Madresia or Madressa, and the Scholars Mederis; the Chiefest whereof are at Ispahan, Schiras, Ardebil, Mesched, Tebris, Casbijn, Com, Jest, and Schamachie; to all which the Sed∣der or Governor must allow a sufficient Mainte∣nance, which he receives from such Countreys as are free from Tribute, and other Taxes to the King; as Cochtzeh by Erwan, Utzatznik, near Ca∣rabach; Tabachmelick, lying between Georgia and Carabach; and also Agdasch and Kermeru.

* 1.268The Learning in which they instruct them, is, Geometry, Surveying, Poesie, Astrology, moral and Natural Phylosophy, Physick and Law: They have all Aristotle's Works translated into Arabick, and call him Danja piala, that is, The Cup of the World; for as we may use the Cup to re∣fresh our selves, so we may likewise to inebriati∣on; so according to their opinion, we may use and misuse Phylosophy; for they say, that strong Liquor and Phylosophy make good Orators, but excess of both makes wise men Fools.

They teach their Youth Arithmetick so soon as they can write and read; the Common-people use the Indian Figures, but the Learned, the Ara∣bian. Their Poesie and Orations are comprised in short Lessons, and are studied both together, because their Histories and Disputations are mixt with Verses, and other Eloquent Expressions. Their chief Book is (as we said before) Culustan, that is, Rose-Valley, made by the famous Poet Schich Saadi,* 1.269 and some Years since Translated in∣to the German Tongue by Olearius; it consists not onely in pleasant Prose, but delightful Verses; and therefore every Persian hath this Book in his House; nay, some there are which carry it in their memory, and are therefore accounted very learned; this they repeat at all Feasts and other Merry-meetings.

* 1.270Moreover, they delight much in reading of Histories, especially those of Aly's Life and Death; as also of Hossein, Aly's Son, which are written in a lofty Style. They have likewise several other Books, as Chronicles, as well of their own Kings Reigns and Wars, as other eminent Transactions; and these are term'd Mirchond, Emveri, Tzami, Walehi, Nussegri, and the like; a∣mongst which, the chiefest is Mirchond, who in an excellent Style hath written a Persian Chronicle in Four Volumes, which are there sold for two hundred Crowns; but we cannot credit the Per∣sians much in their Histories, and Matters of Reli∣gion, because they often mix fabulous Invention with real Truths.

The number of Books that treat of Philoso∣phy are but small in these Countreys, and those few are in the Hands of the most learned Persons who keep them as a great Treasure: The Books that are generally sold there, are either Roman∣ces or Verses treating of their Law, besides which, they have no Books worth mentioning.

Arms.

THe Persian Horse-men are arm'd with Bowes,* 1.271 Arrows, and a bending Sword like a Scymetar; their main strength consists in the Cavalry, and though their Hor∣ses are small and lean, yet they are strong and swift: The Hilt of their Swords is onely a cross Bar, yet sufficient to defend the Hand, and for the most part set forth with inchased work; the Scabberds are either of red or black Leather, and plated after the same manner as the Hilt; their Belts are narrow and plain, without any o∣ther Ornament or Colour than the skins naturally bear; their Bowe-men are call'd Curtschi, and their Musquettiers Tufenktschi, for they have Musquets and also Pistols, which they say Schach Abbas first brought in use among them: They al∣so have some great Guns, which they use more in their Fortifications and Sieges, than in a Field Battel: Yet Anno 1604. Schach Abbas had one hundred and fifty Cannons when he beat off Vlut∣zali Bassa from Cigale.

* 1.272In former times the Persians always engag'd their Enemies on Horse-back, but since the use of Musquets was brought amongst them, they have made a Body of Foot, which in these last Wars hath done them great Service. Moreover they are very subtile in contriving Plots and Strata∣gems to circumvent their Enemies.

At the Siege of Iruan, Anno 1633. the Persians had a sort of Poyson in little Glasses which they shot with Darts into their Enemies Forts, by which means they so infected the Air, that it swell'd the Inhabitants Arms and Legs to an ex∣traordinary thickness, and by that means made them unable to resist. Their defensive Arms are Brest-plates, Shields, Coats of Mail, and Helmets.

* 1.273The Soldiers of Persia are made up of three sorts: The first sort are Turkomans, which are like Hirelings, and have Ziefs, that is, Pensions, which the Sons inherit from their Fathers, and are bound to furnish the King with a certain number of Horse as often as occasion shall require: The se∣cond sort is that which Leunclaivus and Soranzo call Corrises or Coridsches; but in the Turks Language might more properly be call'd Curchins or Georgi∣ans, which receive no pay, but have onely their Dyet, Horses, Apparel, Arms, Tents, and all o∣ther Necessaries. The third sort are Friends and Allies, viz. Armenians, and other Georgians who are Enemies to the Turks.

* 1.274In Persia are four Orders or Degrees in their Militia; the first are Musquetiers, or they that use Fire-arms, not many years since brought in by King Abbas, through the perswasions of Sir An∣thony Sherley, one of our three famous Sherleys, so much celebrated in former times.

All the Musquetiers are Natives and Inhabi∣tants of the Cities,* 1.275 Towns, and Villages, though more dwell in the Villages than the Towns or Cities, and they are accounted Tat or ignoble, and may not wear the Tag, but the common Tur∣bant.

Formerly they continually fought on Foot, yet march'd on Horseback like our Dragoons. All the Captains of these and other Companies are by a Turkish Name call'd Juzbassi; that is, The Head of a Hundred; for Juz is a Hundred, and Bassi the Head, notwithstanding they often have above two hundred, and sometimes under one hundred in their Companies.

Those that dwell in several Provinces or Pla∣ces, meeting at a general Rendezvouz, march to∣gether to the Army, either with the Chans of the Province, or else alone, especially those that have no Chans.

Those of Mazanderan are accounted the best Mus∣quettiers, but there are more beside them whose number are always kept, and paid by the King, and are said to be twenty thousand.

The second Order is that of the Vassals,* 1.276 or the Kings Servants, which are nobler than the Mus∣quettiers, and are all Christians by Extract, bought in their Infancy, or presented by several People, as Circassians, Georgians, Armenians, and the like: The Georgians who are the most numerous, are from Christians become Mahumetans, they fight all on Horse-back, and use several Weapons, as Spears, Bowes and Arrows, Musquets, Iron Clubs, crooked Swords, Daggers, and Battel-Axes.

The Kings Vassals are permitted to wear the Tag, and use the same on certain occasions, they have a peculiar Commander, and are to the num∣ber of fifteen thousand; viz. Those that belong to the King and are in his pay, for the Chans and Grandees keep many others in their own Service: Besides which there are fifteen thousand more which are no Soldiers, and officiate in several places at Court, or follow several employments, to which they are brought up from their Infancy.

Martial Law is also new, having been first esta∣blish'd by King Abbas, from the Example of the Turks.

* 1.277The third Order consists in Chisilbassi, that is, Red Caps, and is more noble than that of the Vas∣sal; these also fight on Horse-back, carrying such Arms as they like best; in former times they us'd onely Bowes and Arrows, Shields and Swords, for they despis'd Guns as base Arms for a Gentleman to use; but since the Year 1620. they have all carry'd Fire-Arms, beside their old Weapons: Moreover some, especially Knights, keep their first Arms, which are less troublesome to carry than the other: They are free, and need not serve longer than they please or are paid; nay, they may change their Masters if they can make any advan∣tage thereby to themselves, they may leave the Kings Service and go to a Chan or Sultan, or from the one to the other, as it is very common.

* 1.278The fourth martial Order of the Persians being the most noble, is that of the Corci, call'd from the word Corma, which in the Turkish Language signi∣fies to keep, who are in a manner like to our Life∣guards, because their office is to guard the King at Court, and all other Places.

All the Chizilbassi which neither serve the Chans nor Sultans, or any other people but the King him∣self, and are in his pay, are call'd Corci; the num∣ber whereof, amounts to twelve thousand; they use the same Arms as the other Chizilbassi; and fight on Horse-back; they have peculiar Com∣manders call'd Corcibassi; that is, Heads of the Cor∣ci: In these four Martial Orders the King's whole Militia consists, there being but few besides them.

Moreover, there are likewise the Jasakci,* 1.279 or Precursors, to clear the way for the Army, and detain all those they meet with, that they may

not come too near the King's Wives: In Sign of their Office every one wears an ordinary Arrow stuck through their Turbants, but their Captains one of Gold.

* 1.280There are also others, as Lasauls, which are like Centinels, and have onely a Club or Staff in their hands; but these are rather Officers in the King's Court, than Soldiers.

* 1.281The supream General is call'd Sardar; a Com∣mander of ten or twelve thousand Bowe-men, Curtzschibacht; a Colonel over a thousand, Minbas∣chi; a Captain over a hundred, Jusbaschi; a Decu∣rion that commands ten, Ohubaschi; which if they have behav'd themselves valiantly, and perform'd any notable Exploit, they are without any respect of their Birth or Quality bountifully rewarded, and promoted to greater Dignity.

* 1.282Areb Chan, a Duke of Schirwan, in the Reign of Schach Sefi, was but a Rustick's Son in Serab, where he was first a Marshal, but after behaving himself valiantly in the Wars, cutting off several Turkish Commanders Heads with his own Hands, he was made Chan of the foremention'd Province: Others have been promoted to the same Dignity from Heardsinea, Grooms, or the King's Slaves; but those that do not encounter valiantly with their Enemies, or lose an opportunity of engaging with them, or without any great reason fly from them, they not onely lose their lives, but are first scorn'd and derided by all men, being forc'd to go through the whole Army in Womans Apparel a whole day; for (as Herodotus affirms) nothing is ac∣counted more vile amongst the Persians than to be esteem'd a greater Coward than a Woman.

* 1.283The King hath powerful Enemies both on his right and left Hand, which oftentimes engage with him, viz. the Tartars of Zagatay, or the Usbecan Tartars in and upon the Borders of Chorasan, who many times invading him with ten or twenty thou∣sand Men, pillage all the Countrey: But the Turks are his greatest Enemies about Bagdat or Babylon and Iruan, near which places many bloody Battels have been fought; the great Mogul also makes frequent War upon them for Candahar and Herat.

Boterus tells us, that the Sofi troubles himself but little with the Mogul; because between both Realms (as betwixt Spain and France) are very narrow Passages, and the Situation of the Borders very Rocky and troublesome; by which means the conveying of Provisions that way, and the keeping of Forces there is very inconvenient.

* 1.284It is said, that King Abbas Anno 1620. kept con∣stantly one hundred thousand Horse in Pay, of which about thirty thousand guarded the Cities on the Frontiers, from whence they never stirr'd to a∣ny Engagement, onely when it was judg'd fit, then they are remov'd from one Quarter to another. Besides this numerous Army which receives Pay, are also many Voluntiers, persons of Quality, of which, some keep fifty, nay a hundred Men in their Service, which receive annual Revenues, and carrying Arms, are reckon'd amongst the Militia, as likewise Sutlers, Merchants, Handicrafts, Cam∣mel-drivers and Commissaries, which all bear Arms; besides their Wives which are no less in number than the Men, according to the antient Custom of the People of Asia, which (as Xenophon affirms) carry their Families with them to the Wars; so that the King's Army consisting as well of other men as Soldiers, amounts to between two and three hundred thousand Men.

The City Ispahan with the Villages belonging to the same, is able in a short time to raise sixty thousand Men besides the standing Forces.

The Soldiers marching in the Army observe a good Order, and make little noise,* 1.285 using neither Drums, Trumpets, nor any other Musical or War∣like Instruments; none daring to take any thing but what they pay for where ever they are Quar∣ter'd, by which means the Countrey-People re∣ceive great benefits by the Army's marching through their Towns or Villages, and the Mer∣chants or Handicrafts without any suspition of being wrong'd of their Goods, let the Soldiers have such things as they want, Sutlers travel with Fruit, Sweet-meats, and Snow in the midst of Summer, to such places where they expect the Army to come. For their better accommodation the Inhabitants of those Countreys in hopes of gain store up great quantities of all manner of Provision against the time that they expect the Army to come thither, where they dispose of them at their own Rates, which is not ordinary. The Pay which a Trooper receives,* 1.286 amounts yearly to five Tomans, each Toman is sixteen Crowns, with which he may maintain himself ve∣ry handsomly there; the Officers pay is either more or less according to their places.

Olearius tells us that the yearly pay of a private Soldier, viz. of a Curtschi or Bow-man, is three hundred Crowns, with which he must maintain himself and his Horse, and that of a Tufenktschi is two hundred.

The pay allow'd certain persons of Quality exceeds all the rest, and extends to two or three hundred Tomans a year; these also maintain whole Companies at their own Charge; not∣withstanding these Grandees are listed but as private Soldiers in the King's Book.

All the Persian Soldiers which receive the Kings pay, are oblig'd to be ready upon his Command, and if need require, immediately to go to such places as they are call'd to.

* 1.287The Persians observe no order of Marshalling their Forces in Field Battels, the King onely pla∣cing the Chans over the Sultans, and other Com∣manders according to the number of men which they have under them. The Office of a Cap∣tain is onely to guard the place where he is ap∣pointed. The Soldiers are not drawn out in good Order but confusedly mixt together, and it often happens that the Musquettiers, Bow-men, Pike∣men are all intermingled after a confused man∣ner.

* 1.288They, for the most part, make a running fight, and turn about so soon as they have discharg'd up∣on their Enemy, like our Men, who retreat so soon as they have fir'd to make way for others. More∣over, when they draw near the Enemy, or they come to a place where they apprehend any dan∣ger they keep close together in one Body.

Their Bag and Baggage with their Wives, fol∣low them at a good distance,* 1.289 riding on Camels if they go to meet the Enemy, but at their return they ride before, and the stoutest men between them and the Enemy; their Encamping them∣selves is also in a confus'd manner and without Order, taking up as much room as they can, which though it be for their ease, yet many times proves dangerous: By this means the Ordu, that is,* 1.290 the Army or Camp is like one of the greatest Cities in Persia, and stor'd with all manner of Provision like a Market.

They cut off the Hair of their slain Enemies, and carry the same about with them, according to the Custom of the Countrey, as a certain testi∣mony of their Victory and Valor.

* 1.291Such Commanders as behav'd themselves va∣liantly, are Presented with Suits of Cloth of Tis∣sue, as a requital for their good and faithful Ser∣vice; which as soon as they have receiv'd, they immediately put on, and give that which they put off to the Bearer.

* 1.292They use certain little Huts, Tents or Pavi∣lions in the Fields, which are call'd Scervanli, from the Province of Scervan where they are made: They are for the most: part cover'd with a strong Stuff, and wrought like a Quilt, which is very substantial against the Cold and Rain, as also against excessive Heat; they are round on the top like a Canopy, and oval in form at the bottom. There are likewise other smaller places of repose call'd Saivan, or cover'd Places, which serve onely as Tilts, to keep off the Weather and the Sun.

Their Coyn.

* 1.293THe currant Money in Persia is Silver and Copper. The Silver Coyns are an Abas or Abascy, Garem Abas or Chodabende, Schahi, Bisti, Laryns or Lari, Piasters, and their Copper Coyn, call'd Pul or Casbechi.

An Abascy is about a Crown in value, though not above a quarter of an Ounce in weight. These Abascies have their Denomination from Schach Abbas, who caus'd them to be Coyn'd, as also the half Abas; and the Chodabendes, because Schach Chodabende was the first maker of them.

The Schahis make each a quarter of an Abas, and two Bisties and a half, being the least Silver Coyn, one Abascy.

The Laryns or Lari, are two pieces of Silver of a certain weight, bow'd together in two parts, and stamp'd at the end with the Governor of Lar's Arms, and hath its Name from the City or Do∣minion, or from the Princes of Lar, when they were absolute, and not subject to the Kings of Persia. And because the value of this Coyn con∣sists onely in the weight and goodness of the Sil∣ver, it passes currantly through all the Eastern Countreys, and not onely allow'd by the Chans and Princes of Lar, who first Coyn'd it, but by all the Princes of Asia: for the Turks, Persians, Mo∣gulls, and others, Coyn the same with their pro∣per Names. But after the uniting of the Duke∣dom of Lar with the Persian Realm, this Coyn hath much declin'd, as Olcarius affirms. In former times they had another Coyn call'd Lari, which was of bended Silver Plate, beaten out, and stampt in the middle. Some account five Laryns to make a Spanish Ryal; and one Laryn passes amongst the Hollanders on the Island of Ceilon, for twelve of their Stivers.

In Persia, as also in all other Countreys, passes a Coyn call'd Piaster, each piece whereof is va∣lu'd at a Crown.

Their Copper Money is in general call'd Pul, and in particular Casbechi, of which forty make an Abascy.

Each great City hath its peculiar Copper Coin, which goes in no other Place, and no longer than one year, because the Stamp is alter'd every year. The Coyn of one City is mark'd with a Deer, and of another with a Goat, Satyr, Fish, Serpent, or whatever they fancy. Moreover, against their new Year, which happens in February, the old Casbechies are either call'd in, or cry'd down, after which two are not worth one, and are forc'd to be brought to the Mint again, where they are beaten out and stamp'd anew. A Pound of Copper is sold here for one Abas, of which they make sixty Casbechies.

They have also Xerafs, or Xerafies, or Xerafins, of Gold, which make eight Laryns; and likewise Deniers, which are about one Spanish Ducat and a half apiece. But Texeira doth not clear this Point, because in one place he saith, that a Million of Gold Deniers makes almost twelve Millions of Spanish Ducats, and in another place, that fif∣teen hundred Deniers are near upon two thou∣sand Spanish Ducats; and in another place, that fifty thousand Deniers are about seventy thou∣sand Spanish Ducats. But a Xerafin is by the Hollan∣ders, on the Island Ceylon, accounted to be four Shillings.

Others affirm, that the Coyns in Persia are Be∣sorchs, Pays, Soudy, Chay, Mamoudy, Laryn, and To∣mams. Ten Besorchs make a Pays, which is Cop∣per, and made like a Dutch Doit; four Pays a Chay, or Four-pence-halfpeny English; twenty Pays a Mamoudy, or Nine-pence English; twenty five Pays a Laryn, five Laryns a Crown, and a hundred Mamoudies a Tomam, which is sixteen Crowns.

* 1.294Rich Commodities are valu'd by Tomans or Tu∣mains, each Toman reckon'd at fifty Abascies; and notwithstanding this sort of Money, which a∣mounts to so much, is not stamp'd, yet they rec∣kon them by the number, as the Russians do their Rubbles, and we here by Pounds Sterling: A To∣man is six Rixdollers, or Three Pound twelve Shillings English.

Anno 1644. according to the Kings Command, no Person whatsoever durst carry or convey any Ryals, Ducats, or new Money, to Hindostan, on pain of extream Punishments, because the old Money was much lighter, and of worse Metal than the new.

Their Weights and Measures.

AS for their Weights and Measures, they are of two sorts, the one is the King's, and the other that of Tebris; the King's Weight or Measure is double to that of Tebris, though the last be much more us'd. First there is a Weight call'd Patman, which according to the Measure of Tebris, weighs compleat nine Venetian Pounds. This Patman is divided into nine Ceha∣reck, or four Quarters, the Quarters into Siahs, the Siahs into Mithicali. But Manchia is a Weight about ten Pound and a half.

Texeira also makes mention of a Weight call'd Man or Men (perhaps one and the same with Pat∣man,) which the Portuguese in the East-Indies call Mano; but the value and weight thereof is distinct, according to the several Countreys, and is by Za∣charia,

King of Chorazan, who made a great Book of the Weights and Measures of Persia, call'd Mim. Davity will have this Mano to be the Bat∣man which Vincent Della Alexandri makes mention of in his Relation of Persia, and that ten of them make forty Venetian Pounds, each Pound being twelve Ounces, so that one Batman should make four such Pounds. Others will have three sorts of Man, viz. a Man which contains seven Pound Dutch, a Man Cha of twelve Pound, and a Man Sarat of thirty Pound.

Olearius tells us, that they weigh their Goods all with Batmans, which according to the several Places are different: A Batman of Tebris contains six Pound; a Schach's, or King's Batman, which is most us'd in Kilan, is twelve Pound; a Schamachies, or Carabachs Batman, is sixteen Pound.

* 1.295The distance of Places from one to another through all the parts of Persia, is reckon'd by Miles, which they call Ferseng, deriv'd from the old Name Parasanga, of which Herodotus, Xeno∣phon, and others make mention. The length of a Furlong is (according to Della Valle) about one Spa∣nish, or four Italian Miles; as also in the time of Herodotus, who affirms, that a Parasanga compris'd thirty Furlongs, of which (according to Strabo's Account) eight make an Italian Mile.

In the Turkish Language, which is spoken through the whole Countrey, the Miles are call'd Agag, that is, Trees.

Their Trade.

* 1.296THe English, Netherlanders, and Portuguese, Trade through the whole Countrey of Persia, onely the Portuguese, though ha∣ving the same Trade, are not permitted to come to Ormus, Gamron, Lareca, Cismy, &c. At Ban∣der-Gamron the Netherlanders have their Facto∣ries, as also in Lar and Ispahan. The Persian Trade being very considerable to the Holland East-India Company, doth not a little add to their Gain from the Indian Commodities: for the Trade which the said Company drives from the Island Ceylon, and the Coast of Malabar, to Persia, is not onely for the utterance of their Pepper, Cinamon, Carda∣mom, and other Commodities, which are Trans∣ported to Persia, and turn to a good Account; but chiefly for the ready Money which they carry from Persia to Ceylon; for they Import yearly unto Persia about eight hundred thousand Pound weight of Cardamom, seventy thousand of Japan Wood, and between twenty and thirty thousand of Ci∣namon.

The Hollanders us'd also from Taiowan to send Chinese Commodities to Persia, as Pepper, Sugar-Candy, Japan Camphire, Porcelane, Preserv'd Ginger, China Roots, China Anniseeds, Tee, &c. They also carry'd thither Cloves, Nutmegs, Mace, round and long Pepper, Cinamon from Ceylon, Gum, Wax, Benjamin, Sandal, Ebony, and Aguil Wood; Copper, Cubebs, Cauna, and most of the Indian Commodities, but especially Cloves, Tin, and Sugar.

The Merchandise which the Netherlanders bring in Return from Persia to Batavia, consists in Pearls, which are purchas'd in Barain and Congo, red Skins dress'd, red Earth from Ormus, pack'd up in Bales, several Jewels compos'd of Diamonds and Ru∣bies, Emeraulds, Rings, Rose-water, and other Commodities, but especially Silk, which is most plentiful in the Northern Provinces of Persia, and also their so much esteem'd Persian Carpets. But they are not the onely Traders there, for the Banians, Moors, and other Eastern People, supply their Markets with the like Merchandise.

For the promoting of Trade in Ispahan, the Hol∣landers are forc'd every year to make great Pre∣sents to the King and his Courtiers, who believe that they are oblig'd thereto, if they receive but a Grant to buy thirty or forty Cara's, or such incon∣siderable quantities of Silk, from peculiar Per∣sons (for else they are bound to Deal onely with the King for their Silk) which they Transport without paying any Custom.

The Portuguese having a Factory on the Island of Barain, receive half the Custom there, as also divers Sums of Money of all Moorish Vessels, and Arabian Pearl-Ketchers, extending their Trade into the Persian Bay near Bassora, Congo, Bander-Gamron, Cabo de Jaques, and several other Places.

From Persia are likewise Transported to India, abundance of Tukoises, which are to be had there at reasonable Rates.

* 1.297The Persian Merchants carry also great store of Wine in Flasks and Cases, to Mogostan and Ormus, whither they Travel in like manner with great Cafiles or Caravans from the particular Provinces, to Trade with the Christians and other People there resident. The Merchandise which they carry thither, are Gold, Silver, Silk, Silk-Stuffs, Brocades, Carpets, Horses, Allom, Tutty, Rhu∣barb, Rose-water, and the like; which they bar∣ter for Cinamon, Cloves, Pepper, Cardamom, Ginger, Nutmegs, Mace, Sugar, Tin, Sandal and Japan Wood, Chinese Porcelane, Musk, Amber, Aloes, Precious Stones, Pearls, Indigo, Wax, and the like.

The Inhabitants and Foreigners may travel whither they please, and Trade to all Places, pay∣ing onely the Custom, and some small Imposts to the Crown.

But this is of special remark, that by virtue of an Agreement made between the Turks and Per∣sians, they drive an unmolested Trade both in or out of the Countrey, as well in times of War as Peace; the Caravans travelling from place to place without any disturbance, to the great advantage of both Countreys.

Their Artificers, Manufactures, and several Employments.

THe Employments which the Persians fol∣low, besides Tilling, Husbandry, and Planting all sorts of Fruits, which they sell to advantage, are several Manufactures and Arts, but none turn to a greater Account than that of Writing,* 1.298 they being utterly ignorant in the Art of Printing. The next is the making of Silk-Stuffs; for which purpose eminent Citizens keep Work-houses, in the Persian Tongue call'd Carchane, where many Persons are employ'd, which brings

them in great Profit yearly: But Cito Indino, which is very fine Callico, spotted with divers Colours, is brought thither out of India.

Most of the Artificers are Weavers,* 1.299 Dyers, or Painters, who Trading in Cotton and Silk, make curious Stuffs, mix'd with Gold of the same; but their Pieces reach not above eight or nine Yards, a fit Pattern for a Persian Habit. The Jescht and Cashan Workmen being the most artificial, know how to work all sorts of Shapes in Silk-Stuffs, but especially their Characters, so exactly, that the best Writers cannot make their Letters better with a Pen. These Stuffs, besides those that are made up into wearing Clothes, are with Cotton and raw Silk, Transported to other Countreys.

* 1.300It is generally accounted, that in Persia there are every year gather'd ten thousand Zoom, or twenty thousand Bales of Silk (for a Zoom is two Bales,) each Bale weighing two hundred and six∣teen Pound. Of these twenty thousand Bales the Province of Kilan alone produces in a fruitful year eight thousand; Schirwan and Chorazan, each three thousand; Mazanderan and Carabach, each two thousand, besides what Georgia, which is also rich in Silk, and other Places yield; of all which not above a thousand Bales are kept to be wrought in Persia, the remainder being sent to India, Turky, and Italy; and by us and the Hollanders fetch'd from thence in Exchange for Copper, Tin, and Cloth; which last is highly esteem'd by the Persians, who are ignorant in the use of Wooll and making of Cloth) insomuch that a Yard of ordinary Cloth at Ispahan, will fetch eight, nine, or ten Dollars.

* 1.301The most and richest Traders in Persia, are Ar∣menian Christians, who, like our Chapmen, carry their Wares from Place to Place; for Persia is an open Countrey for all Nations to vend their Wares in.

In Cashan are three sorts of Silk-Stuffs; the first that of which they make their Girdles; the second is call'd Mileck, on some of which are wrought divers Persian Motto's, as also the Figures of Men, Women, Beasts and Plants, all set off with choice variety of Colours; the third sort is call'd Zerbaf or Mileckzerbaf, which differ little from the former, onely that the first is all of Silk, and the others are wrought with Gold and Silver, and onely worn by Ladies, or us'd to make rich Furniture for their Chambers.

The King's Revenues.

* 1.302THe yearly Revenues of the Kings of Per∣sia, are said to amount to twenty Millions of our Money: for not onely the Towns and Provinces pay great Tributes, but also the Customs, Taxes, and Presents, amount to a consi∣derable Sum. The rich Province of Candahar a∣lone, when it is under the Jurisdiction of Persia, pays in Tributes and other Taxes, about two Mil∣lions and a half of Gold: Iran and Babylon pay not much less; and according to the Contents of the Dester or Exchequer-Register, the Suburbs and Villages about Ispahan, pay yearly forty thousand Dollars.

* 1.303Schach Thamas was the first King that took off the Customs formerly paid for the Transporting of Commodities from one Place to another, being Farm'd for above a hundred thousand Tomans yearly, each Toman being sixteen Crowns; but afterwards he commanded them onely to pay the bare Fees of what Goods were Exported or Im∣ported; so that most of his Revenues came from the Lands, Woods, Vineyards, and Fruits, of which he had a seventh part of the Product. They also paid for their Cattel, viz. for forty Sheep, fifteen Bisties yearly; and for each Cow, ten. Besides which, the Christians paid from Five to Eight in the Hundred, according to the good∣ness of the Lands possess'd, and Trade which they drove. The Customs which are paid in Travel∣ling, for the securing of the Roads, are very incon∣siderable. Some report, that the River Senderuth in Ispahan raises yearly near sixteen thousand Dol∣lars. The Armenian Christians, of which there are many thousands in the Countrey, pay two Dol∣lars apiece. The annual Presents of the Chans and others, amount also to vast Sums of Money; for none (according to an ancient Custom) may ap∣pear before the King without a Present;* 1.304 besides which the Magistrates and Governors expect their Gifts. The Georgians also pay great Tributes to the Persian King; for Vincent ab Alexandro affirms, that one of those Princes pays yearly twenty thou∣sand Escues or Crowns. Not onely on the Bor∣ders, but also up into the Countrey in the chiesest Cities, and in many places where there are Bridges and great Throughfares, both Strangers and Inha∣bitants, are forc'd to pay Toll for Silk and other Merchandises:* 1.305 besides which, for each Bale of Silk made in the Countrey, the King receives ten Dollars; for each Mule that is sold, one Abas; for an Ass, half an Abas; for an Ox, a quarter of a Dollar; and for a Sheep, one Casbechie. The Pearl-Fishing of Barain brings him in twenty five hundred or three thousand Tomans yearly. The Caravansera's, which are inhabited by Merchants, pay annually fifty thousand Dollars: In Ispahan are twenty four, which pay three hundred Tomans. The King also receives twenty five thousand Dol∣lars per annum from the Farm of Fishing in Rivers, and from the Nefta springs four thousand. The Baths and Houses of Entertainment pay a Tun of Gold; and all Gardens, forty Yards long and thirty broad, nine Abas apiece.

* 1.306By these great Revenues the Wealth of this Kingdom sufficiently appears; and the State of the Prince, from his Golden Table and Dishes, of which Schach Abbas had so many, that (as hath been said) the making of them onely cost nine hun∣dred thousand Ducats. Olearius judges they might weigh thirty six hundred Pound. And this Mag∣nificence was not new, for Xenophon affirms, that the ancient Kings of Persia judg'd their greatest Glory to consist in their abundance of Golden Vessels.

Their Buildings.

* 1.307THe Houses of Noblemen are for the most part large, containing many Apartments, fitted for several uses; each Room is built alone in a handsom form, and separate from the rest, so that you need not go out of one into an∣other, as is usual here, but directly to that where you are design'd. The Houses (according to the Eastern manner) have no Windows towards the Street, are flat Roof'd, and have very little Doors of one intire piece of Marble, unpolish'd, and of an unhandsom shape, for all the Asian People take but little care to beautifie their Houses on the out∣side. The Rooms of Entertainment are generally open before like Galleries, and look either into Gardens, or other spacious Walks. At the far∣ther end of the Hall, opposite to the Entrance, is an Apartment cover'd on the top with glaz'd Tyles; so also is the Floor and Walls, but the last not above four Foot high, that those that sit on the Ground may lean against them with their Backs. After the same manner the Kitchin Walls and Floor are also Pav'd; in the Floor are several round Holes, into which putting Fire, they either stew or bake Meat, or keep it hot. The Fire be∣ing under the Floor like a Stove, you can neither perceive Smoak nor Flame, because the Smoak hath a peculiar place to go out at. Under these round Holes are little Springs, which spouting up, the Water is receiv'd in Troughs, and serves to wash their Meat with, as also for other occasions, after which it runs away through private Drayns.

The Houses are but indifferently Furnish'd, ha∣ving neither Chests of Drawers,* 1.308 Cabinets, Tables, Chairs, Stools, or other Lumber, as is usual a∣mongst us, but onely Carpets, Cushions, Mats, Quilts, and the like, to sleep and sit upon. The Floors of the Lodging Rooms are cover'd with very fine Carpets, on which they sit and walk without their Shoes, eitheir when they talk one with another, or eat together, and also sleep on them. In these Chambers no Dogs are suffer'd to enter; and to keep them clean, they have always a Tuftan or empty Platter standing by them, into which they throw all their Bones, Shells, and the like. These Tuftans are much us'd at Meals, being set betwixt every two Persons.

* 1.309There are likewise two kind of Buildings in Persia, call'd Caravansera's, which are erected at the King's Charge, the first up and down in the High-ways, for the accommodation of Tra∣vellers, and the others in the Towns, for Mer∣chants Goods: Those which are in the Countrey are common Inns, and built like Cloysters, viz. with a spacious Court in the middle, and many Chambers round about. As to what concerns the Place it self, any one may dwell therein a whole year and not pay any thing for his Lodging. Those which are in the Towns, and serve for Store-houses, have many large Rooms, on the Doors whereof hang great Padlocks. In these the Merchants keep their several Goods for very small Rent, which is bestow'd upon Locks. In these Rooms are nothing but the bare Walls. He that comes first thither makes choice of as many empty Chambers as he hath occasion for, and for as long time as he intends to stay.

* 1.310In the Villages, especially between Eskerf and Ferhabad, in the Province of Mazanderan, are di∣vers Summer-houses built against the heat of the Sun, which are call'd Balachane, consisting of high Poles, cover'd both on the tops and sides onely with Mats made of thin Reeds, which they use like Curtains, rolling them up, or letting them down, according as they find it for their conveni∣ence. They go not up to these Balachanes by Steps, but on a piece of Timber, which lies sloap∣ing, and at easie distances hath several Notches to set their Feet on in stead of Stairs.

* 1.311The Roofs of the Houses in the Villages Aran∣zague and Polesofium, are round on the top like a Bee-hive, after the manner of the Arabian Huts and Tents.

* 1.312In Ispahan and other places, where there is but little Wood, and likewise through all Curdistan, necessity hath taught the Inhabitants a means to keep themselves warm in Winter in their Houses, viz. they make a Hole in the Earth, which they call Tenur or Tennor, whereinto they put burning Coals; over it they set a kind of Table with a broad Carpet upon it, about which setting them∣selves, they cover half their Bodies with the Car∣pet, and also sleep about it in the Night: It warms a Room very considerably with a few Coals; and for conveying away the Smoak, Pipes are laid un∣der Ground from the Tenur to the Garden or base Court. The Fewel which they burn is according to the nature of what the Countrey affords, ei∣ther Wood and Shrubs, or else Cows and Camels Dung.

Amongst the Nobility in the Diwanchane, or places of Audience, are us'd long Wax-Candles, which weigh about three pound apiece, and serve three or four Evenings, the remaining Ends being us'd in other places that are not so much fre∣quented.

* 1.313They also burn Tallow in Candlesticks, made of Silver or other Metal like Lamps; under which is plac'd a Bason or Platter, to receive that which drops down, that it may not fall on the Carpets.

They also use round Iron Fire-pans, in which they burn old Rags dipt in Grease, which kind∣ling instantly, give a greater light than our Links or Torches. These Pans they commonly carry about on Sticks, which serve them in stead of Flambeaux; they sometimes set them on Poles in the open Air before the Diwanchane; nor may they be carry'd in the Night before any other than Persons of the greatest Quality. Lastly, it is a sure sign that the King, or at least his Haram, is near the place where three such Fire-pots are set out.

Of their Travelling.

* 1.314THe Persians travel after this following manner, viz. By reason of the time that is spent in lading the Camels, they can∣not not go far the first Night, but when they are once laden and upon their Journey, they unlade no where till they come to the place where they de∣sign to Lodge. They journey for the most part in the night, and in the day rest in cool and shady places: for they certainly believe, that if any one should begin a Journey in the day, especially in the midst of Summer, he would undoubtedly lose his Life, or at least fall into a great Fit of Sick∣ness.

The King and Noblemen travel after this manner, viz. The Haram and Women go before with all the Camels and Carriages,* 1.315 attended by a great Train of Servants, who are well Arm'd; the Overseer of the Women, or Captain of the Haram also accompanies them on Horseback well Arm'd, and is most commonly an Eunuch; so also do the rest of the Officers.

* 1.316The Rusticks in Adirbeitzan, and about Ardebil, neither use Mules nor Horses for the carrying of their Goods, but onely Oxen and Cows, which are for the most part black or spotted, and less than ours; neither do they put Saddles upon them, but cover their whole Bodies with a course Linnen Cloth, quilted with Wooll or the like, and that is all their Furniture.

Their Religion.

* 1.317THe King of Persia's Subjects are either Mahumetans, Xiahies, otherwise call'd Scheichs, or Schiati, or Sofians, which make up the greatest number, or Heathen Fire-worshippers, or Gaures, who are but few in respect of the others, besides Banians, Jews, Armenian Christians, Nestorians, Manichees, Franck-Armeni∣ans, and others.

* 1.318The Xiahies or Schiati, are those which follow Mahomet's adopted Son Aaly: for all the Sects of the Moors, which some say are seventy eight, are reduced to two, viz. that of the Sunis or Sonni, comprehending the Arabians, Turks, and all those that follow the Alcoran, and that of Schach Sefi, receiv'd in many Countreys out of Persia.

The Persians as well as the Turks call them∣selves Muselmans, from the Arabick word Salama, which signifies Releasing or Freeing, and was first impos'd or assum'd, because when Mahomet first set afoot his Doctrine, all those were put to Death that would not declare their Belief in the follow∣ing words: La Ilah Illa Alah, Muhammed Resul, Allah, that is, There is no other but one onely God, and Mahomet his Prophet. Upon this Declaration the Remonstrants were released, and call'd Musel∣man; but now they call the Children as soon as they are Circumcis'd,* 1.319 Muselman: Their Youths they Circumcise in the seventh, eighth and ninth year, at which time they inebriate them with sweet Liquors, that they may not feel the pain: They not onely Circumcise the Males, but also use a Ceremony signifying the Circumcision of Females; but the Turks onely cause their Daugh∣ters to lift up their Hands and speak some certain words.

* 1.320In this Matter and the Alcoran the Persians agree with the Turks, but differ in several others, as 1. Their Expositions and Explanations of the Alcoran are not the same. 2. Their Imams or Saints are different. 3. Their Ecclesiastick Cere∣monies and Customs are several. 4. The Mira∣cles wrought by their Saints are repugnant to each other.

The Persians also differ from the Arabians and Turks in many other things: for the Persians af∣firm, that God is the cause of all Good, and the Devil of all Wickedness; which the Turks deny, saying, That then we should have two Gods, one good and the other bad. The Persians believe that God is immortal, but that the Soul of Man, as well as of other things, is mortal: On the con∣trary the Turks hold, That the Glory of the Law is a Work of God, and that all God's Works are without beginning or end, as likewise the God∣head. The Persians affirm, That the Souls of the Good in the other World do not behold God in Essence, because he is a Spirit, but onely see his Glory, Mercy, Goodness, and the like, which are his Attributes: But the Turks say, That the Souls of the Blessed see God as he really is. The Per∣sians also say, That when Mahomet receiv'd the Law from Heaven which he was to publish to the World, his Soul onely was by the Angel Gabriel carry'd to God: But the Turks and Arabians say, that not onely his Soul but his Body also appear'd before God. The Persians reckon the Sons of Aaly and Fatime, and their twelve Nephews, the most eminent of all Prophets, except Mahomet: The Turks allow them Prophets, but deny that they exceed others. The Persians judge it suffici∣ent to worship God three times a day, viz. in the Morning at the rising of the Sun, which they call Sob; at Noon, which they name Dor; and in the Evening when the Sun sets, by them styl'd Ma∣garib: But the Turks Pray five times a day, viz. in the three foremention'd times of the Persians; and beside these, a little before the Sun sets, which time they call Hacer, and likewise when they go to Bed. The Persians chiefest Prayer is the Fa∣tah and Alhemdo Lilla, which Translated is to this effect: Praise be to God, the Lord of Creatures,* 1.321 and the King of Judgment: We honor thee; on thee our Aid we call: Lead us in the right way, in the right way of those whom thou hast done good unto, but not in the way of those against whom thou art incens'd, nor in the way of such as go astray. Amen. Moreover, all the Chapters in the Alcoran begin with these words: Bismilla Rahman Rahin, that is, In the Name of God, Gracious and Merciful. So likewise in all their Actions they have the word Bismilla in their Mouths: No Linnen Draper will measure out an Ell of Callico, nor a Shoemaker set Stitch in a Shoe, but first he repeats the word Bismilla, and sometimes also Benam Oukinamesch Herestzane∣haft, that is, In the Name of him who is the Protector of Souls.

* 1.322They are very zealous in their Devotions, for they continually either call down their Eyes, or

look up to Heaven according as the Prayer di∣rects; some pray and cry in their Houses with such earnestness, and so long, that being out of breath they often fall down on the ground, as in a Swoon, their speech ending with the word Hacka, that is God, which they repeat fifty or sixty times over: Some also use in their Prayers a String of small Beads which they call Moher Tesbih, and distinguish'd in three places with those of a larger size.

* 1.323After their Prayers on a Holy-day in their Temples, a Chattib goes into the Pulpit, and reads some Lectures with their Explanations out of the Alcoran. They call our Bible a decay'd and un∣regarded piece of Work,* 1.324 alledging that the Text was corrupted by the Jews and Greeks, and that God sent them the Alcoran in stead thereof.

Concerning the Creation of the World, Adam, and other sacred Relations or Histories;* 1.325 as also of the Day of Judgment, and everlasting life; the Persians hold many ridiculous opinions diffe∣rent from the Turks.

* 1.326The Persians have also a Custom to devote their Children whil'st yet unborn to be Servants to some of their Saints, as a Token of which, after the Birth they bore a hole through the Ear of it, from whence some bear the Names of Mahumet∣culi, Imamculi, Aalyculi; that is, Mahomet's, Imam's, or Aaly's Slave; but this onely happens when they have few Children left alive, having bu∣ry'd several.

As the Sofians despise the Doctrine of Abubeker, Omar, Odsman, and Hanifa, and follow that Tza∣fersadak; so likewise in the Church-Ceremonies and other Customs they seem to exceed them, or at least in their own conceit, whereof we will in∣stance one or two Particulars.

* 1.327When the Persians prepare themselves to pray∣er, first they wash themselves, but not like the Turks, for they making bare their Arms above the Elbows, first wash their Hands which they stroak twice down from their Elbows to their Fingers, and with their right Hand onely wash themselves twice over the Face, whereas the Turks rub their Face with both hands, and stroak their Arm three times upwards and three times downwards, and also wash their Mouths and Nose.

The Persians with their wet hands stroke twice over their Heads, from their Necks to their Fore∣heads, and afterwards cross their feet to their Ancles.

The Turks pick their Ears with their foremost Finger, and rub round them with their Thumbs, then scratch the Nape of their Neck over their Heads to their Throats, these Ceremonies are perform'd at Home before their going to Church.

The Persians oftentimes in their Praying hold before their Foreheads a made Stone consist∣ing of a greyish Earth, digg'd up near Cufa, where Hossein is imagin'd to have been bury'd with Aaly his Father, from whence the Stone have great Power; It's eight square, about four Inches over, in the middle thereof in a Circle, are written the Names of the foremention'd twelve Imams, with that of Fatima Aaly's principal Wife, of whom the Imams sprang.

These Stones are made by the Arabians, who bring them to sell amongst the Persians. But the Turks esteem them not, entring in the Mosque, they begin the Prayer of Aaly Ekber: The Persians let their Hands hang downwards, and cast their Eyes on the Ground; but the Turks keep their hands on their brests: Moreover the Persians lay their Hands on both Ears and turn their Faces to Kible, that is, the South, because Mecha and Medina are opposite to Adirbeitzan and Ardebil, lying towards the South, which when the Persians respect they begin their Ahlhemdo Lilla, and holding their Hands on their Knees,* 1.328 stand bent and pray the Subhanna Rebbi, &c. repeat the Alla Ekber; then kneeling on the ground they strike their Heads on the foremention'd Stone, and say the Subhanna Rebbi again, after which they hold up their Hands, this done they repeat their last Prayer kneeling, then rising up they turn to the right side, saying to themselves Ssalom alecum Ssalom alecum; with which words they salute the Guardian that hath stood by them and defended them from the De∣vil that he should not disturb them in their Devo∣tion, as if he were present.

* 1.329This difference in Religion between the Turks and Persians, is said to proceed from this Cause, viz. Mahomet on his Death-bed made his Brother and adopted Son Aaly (for he was espous'd to Fa∣tima Daughter to his first Wife Cadie) to be his Successor, (as the Persians affirm) not onely in the Dominion of Spiritual, but worldly Affairs; gi∣ving him the Title of Calif.

But the Arabians say, that Abubeker, Omar, and Odsman, being great amd mighty Lords, and in high esteem with Mahomet, took the Government upon them alternately after his Death, alledging that he had so commanded them; which Aaly and his Friends judg'd not onely untrue, but un∣just; and therefore oppos'd them, but at length was forc'd by reason of his inconsiderable strength to submit to Abubeker, Omar, and Odsman's Propo∣sals; nay, to be contented to see himself berea∣ved of his whole Inheritance. But Abubeker not long after dying, Omar succeeded, who being kil∣led by his Slave, a Persian, made room for Odsman, who was also slain by a Soldier belonging to Aaly, who on the same day that Odsman dyed, was made Calif.

After a Reign of four years and two hundred sixty two days, Aaly was kill'd as he was going to Morning Prayer, by Abdurahman, Son to Melgjem, and his Body bury'd at Tuhafa or Cufa, in a Castle. On the same day his Son Hossein was made Calif, but he resign'd his Dominion to one Muavias, and dy'd in the sixth year and fifth day of his Reign; they say that his Wife by the Instigation of Mua∣vias poyson'd him: But Della Valle tells us that Hossein was by his Antagonists (which are ban∣nish'd by the Persians as Vagabonds) set upon in the High-way, and kill'd with his whole Retinue of seventy or eighty men, viz. In a place in wild Arabia, call'd Kierbula, where his Tomb is yet to be seen, and highly honor'd and visited by many Mahumetans which come thither from Remote Countreys, who account him a Martyr and a great Saint, nay, the true Imam, and the Sophy of Persia, himself boasts that he was lineally descended from him. Moreover, many to honor themselves as∣sume the name of Hossein-culi, that is, Hossein's Slaves.

* 1.330In this posture Affairs continued till the year 1343. at which time a learned man call'd Sofi or Scheich Sofi, started up in the City of Ardebil; who boasted that he was the Successor of Aaly, as being extracted from Musai Casim, one of the twelve Sons of Hossein.

This Sofi gave many Testimonies of great Holi∣ness and prudence, and therefore caused himself

to be nam'd Schich or Scheich, liv'd a reserv'd Life seeming to despise the World and the glory ther∣of; went cloth'd in a Sheep-skin, and never would put on a Garment of Silk, but onely of Wool, from whence some suppose, because Suf in the Arabick Tongue signifies Wool, he receiv'd that Denomination of Sofi.

This Schich Sofi began to teach in publick, that the Succession in the place of Calif belong'd right∣ly to Aaly: as being Mahomet's adopted Son, and accordingly his true Heir; and that Abubeker, Omar,* 1.331 and Odsman had unjustly depriv'd Aaly and his whole Family of that Honor, to the great dishonor of Mahomet himself, which had exceed∣ingly enrag'd God, and made him to awake Sofi, and endue him with ability to regain Aaly's Right, which had so long been trampl'd under foot: And as a Sign that Aaly was a true Prophet, Sofi related many Miracles wrought by him, which the Turks had kept in obscurity.

In the next place he declar'd that Aaly made an exact Explanation of the Alcoran, which he left to his Successor Tzaferfadack in Manuscript.

The Persians being a People much inclin'd to Novelties, easily embrac'd Sofi's Doctrine, espe∣cially certain Mahumetan Slaves, who thereby obtain'd their Freedom, by which he got so great an Esteem,* 1.332 that they all turn'd to Scheich Sofi, as their Redeemer and Protector: By this means he soon perswaded them to his Opinion, and thereby increas'd the Number of his Followers. Whereupon he commanded his Doctrine and Ceremonies, to be observ'd in the Mosques, which being somewhat contrary to the Turks, they be∣gan to rage exceedingly against him, and perse∣cute the Persians with Fire and Sword; who nevertheless, promoted Alay, and added to their Articles of Faith, these Words, Aaly Welli Alla. There is no other but the onely God, Mahomet his Pro∣phet, and Aaly his Successor and General: Nay, they stick not to say that though Aaly be not the God∣head himself, yet he was as one of the Almighty's Brothers: That the Alcoran which God design'd to give to Aaly, was by a Mistake deliver'd to Mahomet, in which Saying they prefer him before Mahomet, and the Clark standing on the top of the Mosque, at the time when he calls the Peo∣ple thither, speaks aloud to this effect: Curs'd be Abubeker, Omar, and Odsman, God be merciful to Aaly. They also have a deriding Proverb, viz. Kiriseck der deheni Abubeker, Omar, Hanife bat; That is, A Dogs T— in Abubeker's Teeth; which to the Turks seems so great an abomination, that it makes them exceeding inveterate against the Persians.

* 1.333Della Valle tells us that the greatest differences between the Persians and other Mahumetans pro∣ceeded from this occasion, viz. When Mahomet in his last Expedition with his Army between Me∣dina and Mecha, riding upon a Camel before all his Followers, taking Aaly by the Hand, com∣manded him to get up behind him; saying to his People, Those that have had me for their Veli, shall also have Aaly my adopted Son. The word Veli in the Arabick hath two significations, and may be ta∣ken either for the Chief or Head of a Church or for a Friend or Favorite Aaly and his Suc∣cessors believ'd the first signification, and ever since maintain'd that Mahomet by this Saying chose Aaly to succeed him, as well in the Government of Spiritual as Temporal Affairs, and that by the Power of this Declaration, Aaly and his Successors ought for ever to be the Governors of Mahomet's Race; but after Mahomet's Death a Will was brought forth, wherein Abubeker Mahomet's Fa∣ther-in-Law (for Mahomets last Wife Aisne, was Abubeker's Daughter) was nam'd Heir and Califa, or spiritual and worldly Successor; which Will was made by the Practice of Aisne, or as the Persians say, forg'd by her; but the Turks and Ara∣bians say that Mahomet himself chang'd his opini∣on, because Aaly was too yong and unexperienc'd; whereas Abubeker was aged, and a man of prudence and good conduct; so that they conclude that Mahomet by the foremention'd discourse never in∣tended to make Aaly his Heir or Successor, but onely to make known to him that they should shew the like respect arid honor to Aaly, as they had done to him; And in truth they do little less, for they reverence Aaly as a great Saint, and account him the chief Head of their Religion; nay, for the true Calif or Successor of Mahomet, though not the first immediately after him, as the Persians relate, but the fourth in order, viz. after Abubeker, Omar and Odsman.

* 1.334The Persians celebrate yearly that Day of the Moneth, on which Mahomet chose his adopted Son Aaly to be his Successor, as a great Feast, and call it the Sheep roasted.

Now in regard the Persians promote Aaly to that Dignity, and ascribe divine Vertues and Powers to him, they judg'd it fit that his Succes∣sors (which were undoubtedly inspir'd with the like Graces) ought to have more Honor shew'd them than other Common-people, and therefore they visit their Tombs, and pray at them with great devotion, and make rich Offerings to them. They also give Aaly the Name of Mortoza, which is a name of Holiness, or at least hath some such signification.

Moreover,* 1.335 the Persians say that Aaly had the mark of Mahomet's Seal-Ring on his back. He had two Sons call'd Hassan and Hossein, from whom sprang Seinel Abedin. Mahumet Bagur, Tza∣fer Saduck, Musai Casum, Risa, Mahumet Taggi, Alli Naggi, Hossein Askerri, and Mehedi; which ly all bury'd, viz. Hassan, Seinel Abedin, Mahumet Bagur, Mahumet Taggi, Alii Naggi, in Medina; Tzafer Saduk in Babylon; Maer Hossein, Musai Casum, and Hossein Askerri in Kelbula or Cufa, But Mahedi they say never dy'd, but went into a Cave near Cufa, before which he left his Shoes, which when they shall be turn'd with the Heels towards the Hole as already they are half way, he will put them on again, and coming forth convert the peo∣ple to the Alcoran. The Persians call all these twelve, Imams, that is, Maintainers of their Reli∣gion, and are at this day with Schich Sofi accoun∣ted Holy-men, and offerings made at their Shrines especially by those that travel to Mecha and Me∣dina.

They also keep several Feasts in honor of these Saints but especially Aaly and Hossein,* 1.336 which the Turks do but laugh at; but on the contrary reve∣rence Abubeker, Omar, and Odsman: Nor is Hanifa the Explainer of the Alcoran in less esteem among them, but by the Persians accounted a Seducer and false Expositor, adding that he was Tzafer Saduks Boy, and held up the Water with which the Saints wash'd themselves; that he went into Turky, and with the foremention'd Water gave sight to many blind people, and other Miracles that made him so highly esteem'd amongst them.

* 1.337When Schach Tamas conquer'd Babylon, he caus'd this Hanifa who lay bury'd there in a state∣ly Tomb, to be digg'd up, and turn'd the Masar or Chappel into a Stable, and of the Grave it self he made a Jakes.

* 1.338The Persians believe many strange Fables men∣tion'd by their Writers; viz. That Aaly's Horse Duldul, proceeded from a Stone: That the Angel Gabriel bringing him his Two-edg'd Sword Dhul∣facar, he perform'd great Miracles with the same; that he kill'd a Seven-headed Dragon, and drunk with the Angels in Heaven: That Sultan Mah∣med Chodabende hunting near Cufa, digg'd a Chest out of a Hill, on which was written: Here∣in lies Adam, Noah, and Aaly bury'd; and at the same time he built the City Netzef, and made Aaly's Tomb there, with other such like stuff. But besides this, they ascribe something of a di∣vine Power to Aaly, and to that purpose relate many of his Miracles; viz. that being in his In∣fancy in the Village Sahedam in Kilan, he went to Scheich Sahad, a holy man, and observing the people to weed the till'd Lands, he commanded the Weeds to wither of themselves, which accor∣dingly they did: Scheich Sahad observing it, said, Not so my Son, for though you know this Art, yet you must not practise the same, lest you should make the People lazy and unwilling to work. Sofi who judg'd this Reason very rational, entred into his Service, and staying seven years with him learn'd much Wisdom; and from thence the Village was en∣franchis'd with great priviledges, and so remains to this day.

* 1.339According to Texeira, this Sect or Doctrine spread it self a vast way in the time of Sultan Xeque Juneyd, who liv'd in the Reign of King Joonxa. Son to Cara Issuf, which Juneyd being daily visited by many Persons, Joonxa began to suspect him, and commanded him not to admit so much company: Hereupon Juneyd left Ardebil, and went to Ozun Acembeck, otherwise call'd Usum-Cassan, Lord of Diarbeck or Mesopotamia, who gave him his Sister Cadijacatum to Wife, who was after Mother of Xeque Ayder. Juneyd thus grown Eminent over-ran many Countreys with his Army; and in all the places where he came he made those he took Prisoners imbrace his Religion.

After this Scach Haider Son to Juneyd, marry'd Hasan Beig Usun, who bare him a Son, and call'd him Ismael who was Sir-nam'd Sofi, because he promis'd to live a holy Life, and being come to be absolute Master of Persia, he establish'd this Sect of Aaly, and commanded all his new Subjects to follow it.

* 1.340The Clergy (as we may so call them) are term'd Sofy's, living poorly, and receiving daily Alms from the King's Court; they dwell alto∣gether under one Superior call'd Basci-Sofi, with great appearance of Humility; so that they are highly esteem'd not onely by the Common-peo∣ple, but by the King, because they are the Suc∣cessors of Schach Ismael Sofi, whom Schach Abbas accounted the Head of their Sect, which he mani∣fested in his Prayers, for having nam'd God, then Mahomet and Aaly, he addeth, Sofi Sciah Imam Di∣num, that is, Sciah Sofi the High Priest of my Law.

* 1.341At all times there are two or three hundred of these Sofy's with the King where so e're he goes. Every Evening they have several Dishes of Meat brought them out of the King's Kitchin, which they eat either in publick in the first Court, or some other place appointed for that purpose, whither many of the Nobility repair to see them at Supper.

There are some Zealots which fall down at the feet of these Sofy's confessing their Sins,* 1.342 and imploring Absolution for the same; whereupon he gives the Penitent several blows on the back with a small Cane, by means whereof they be∣lieve their Sins to be pardon'd how great so ever they are. This kind of Absolution is in the Persian Tongue call'd Astaraet.

There are also amongst them several Sects,* 1.343 viz. Camaraths and Mutazelis, which allow of no∣thing but what they can make out by Natural Reason, like our Scepticks. There are also Mahade∣lis, or according to Ananias, Molochadis, which de∣nying the divine Power, affirm that all things are govern'd by the Starrs, especially the Planets: The two chiefest Teachers after Sofi, and in high esteem amongst the Persians, were Xeque Aydar, and Imam Harust; these the Turks, and all other Mahumetans in Barbary, and other Parts of Africa, and also in Tartary, abhor more than all others: being transported with much fury against the whole Nation, so that they think they do God and Mahomet greater Service in killing one Persian, than a hundred Christians; nor do the Persians less resent the Turks upon the same account, holding them a hundred times more pernicious and less Believers than the Christians.

The Parties that follow the Persians, are spred over all Armenia, Assyria, Diarbeck, Hierack,* 1.344 Persia, Corassan, Hircania, Carmania, Sagistan, and a Part of India.

It is very common in Persia to see the Metzids without a Roof, yet notwithstanding they are very large; nay, some that were built by King Abbas at Ispahan, are yet uncover'd.

* 1.345They have also a High-priest call'd Mustaed Dini, that is, the Head of the Law; who is like the Mufti of the Turks, and hath his Seat in the Metropolis Ispahan.

In the lesser Towns are others nam'd also Mus∣taed Dini, but they are inferior to the first,* 1.346 yet he hath not power to elect them, because they are onely chosen by the Grand Sophy; under these Mustaed Dini are the Califs, who perform daily Service in their Temples.

* 1.347In several Provinces of Perfia, especially in that of Lar, are two other Sects; the first was intro∣duc'd above two hundred years since; by one Mag∣mud of Babylon, and these have the most Disciples, which are call'd Ehl el Tabquid, that is, Men of Truth. These affirm that there is no other God but the four Elements, which they conclude out of the Name Allah, that is, God, in the Arabick; as also from the four Parts of the World.

They hold also that there is no rational Soul, nor another life after this, but that each Creature is a mixture of the Elements, of which likewise Man is compos'd during his life, after which the Soul who kept he Elements together being fled, they return to their first Principles.

They mock at all things that have either been written or said by the Prophets, Saints, or ancient Law-givers; alledging that they were either ignorant in the Truth, or else would not reveal it to them.

Paradise and Hell they affirm is in this World, for he that hath once enjoy'd the Nature of Man, returns again into the World after Death; ei∣ther

in the shape of a Beast, Plant, happy or un∣happy man, great and powerful, or poor and des∣picable, according to his Merits, and this is all the Reward or Punishment of a good or bad life.

* 1.348The Followers of this Sect have many Books which they will not permit people differing from their opinion to read. If it happens that any one of their own Sect which is not fully instructed therein, or another desirous to embrace their Re∣ligion requests to see the Books, they first give him an Oath of Secrecy, which they call the lit∣tle Oath; and then give him such of them as con∣tain the lesser Mysteries, upon perusal whereof, if he continues in his Resolution, then they give him another Juramentum magnum, a greater Oath, which impowers him freely to receive all their Books for his better Satisfaction and Instruction in the more mysterious parts of their Tenents.

They bear great respect and kindness to each other, dealing with the greatest Amity imagina∣ble, and shew extraordinary obedience to their Governors or Chiefs, in the Persian Tongue call'd Pir, that is, old men, whom they also furnish with all things necessary for their Subsistance.

The greatest part of the Inhabitants of a Vil∣lage built near the way to Sciras, hold many of their opinions; so also do the Provinces of Arak and Persia proper.

* 1.349The other Sect hath not so many Upholders, and is call'd Tarick Zena Deca, that is, the way of the Covetous; they deny the transmigration of Souls, and believe that God is in all places, and performs all things, from whence they con∣clude that whatever appears to the eye, is God.

* 1.350Della Valle thinks that this Sect may be a Relict of the Saduces, because they are of the same opini∣on concerning Transmigration, or else are Mani∣chees, for Manes, as Suidas relates had his Origi∣nal from the Indian Brachmans, and was flead a∣live by Behram King of Persia, and therefore this Sect is sometimes call'd Manei Zendick, that is Manes the covetous.

* 1.351The Persians shew peculiar Reverence to old and great Trees, out of a superstitious belief that they are the Residence of happy Souls, and there∣fore call a Tree Pir, that is, old man, from the sig∣nification which that word hath in the Persian, Language; wherefore when they call a Place or Tree Pir, they mean thereby the Soul of a happy Person residing therein.

* 1.352Amongst the Persians are also many Mahume∣tans call'd Seyd, which in the Arabick signifies Lord, which name is onely given to those in Persia, who boast themselves to be descended from Ma∣homet's and Aaly's Family, and accordingly to their Successors; wherefore they have great Priviled∣ges, and are honor'd by several Titles: The Turks call those of Mahomet's Extract Emirs, and the Arabians, Scherifs: The Persians nevertheless distinguish the Successors and Relations of Scheich Sofi from all others of Mahomet's Relations, and honor them by a peculiar name of Scheichavend, that is, the Line of Scheich, being, as the say, two thousand in number, and most of them resident in Ardebil, because that City was the Ha∣bitation and Birth-place of Scheich Sofi.

The Seyds in Persia shave their Hair two Fin∣gers breadth above their Ears,* 1.353 but let it grow long on their Crowns and in their Necks; they wear a white Habit, and a kinde of Pumps, as also a peculiar sort of Mendils or Turbants.

They may not marry out of their Families, nor drink Wine, yet are free to go to Feasts where in stead of Wine they drink Water.

The Seyds which dwell in the Cities are gene∣rally rich People, for they possess whole Villages, and are free from all manner of Taxes, which makes them not a little proud. There are another Sort that pretend themselves Seyds, that go from Town to Town shewing their Marks, and living on the Alms of People, but these are commonly Deceivers and are call'd Cherseyds, that is,* 1.354 Holy Asses; some carry Hair in a round silver Box, al∣ledging that it was cut from Mahomet's Head, which through a little hole they shew to the Peo∣ple: This Hair is sold at a great Rate, and laid on their Books when they read or pray.

At Kisma in Kilan, was one of these Deceivers, who with a piece of Crystal held in the Sun, would fire Cotton or Paper, and perswaded the People that he was of Mahomet's Race, and had made a Contract with the Heavens.

There are also a Sort of these who boast their original from Aaly, and are here as the Dervises among the Turks, which are such as live retir'd lives like Recluses.

There are others call'd Abdalles,* 1.355 resembling Monks, wearing course Coats stitch'd like quilts, and girt about them with a Copper Serpent, which, when they are made Abdalles, is given them by their Masters as a Testimony of their Learning and Wisdom. At Ardebil they are receiv'd into this Order by the Sofi-Chans; at Ispahan and Mes∣chet, by the Sofi-Baschi, or Chief of the Sofy's. These Abdalles are frequently seen in the Mar∣kets and other places, where calling the people together, they preach of the Miracles wrought by their Saints, Aaly and others, railing against Abu∣beker, Omar, Odsman, and Hanifa, the Saints of the Usbekes or Tartars; wherefore these Abdalles dare not approach the Turk's Borders.

These are for the most part, a vile debauch'd thieving and sodomitical People, yet there are several little Chappels built for them near the Metzids or Temples, wherein they reside; in Ardebil they are the most numerous.

* 1.356All Strangers of what Religion soever, have according to antient Custom in Persia, Liberty of Conscience, being permitted to live after their own Manner, and after the Laws of their several Princes.

* 1.357The Persians also speak with great freedom con∣cerning the Mysteries of their Belief to strangers, and are also very curious in matters of Religion, willingly spending their time to discourse thereof; nay harken with patience to such as argue against their Religion, which is quite contrary to the na∣ture of the Turks.

They hold Christ our Saviour in great Reve∣rence, and call him Isael Messih, that is Holy Me∣ssiah; thus much of Scheich Sofy's Doctrine.

The Heathen Persians are call'd Mayucy,* 1.358 or Mau∣rigy, and Gaoryasdy, of which the last Name is ve∣ry common; the Pagans of Zuratte and Cambaya, by a general Name call'd Banjan, have among other superstition Customs, that of worshipping Cows, which the Persians call Gao, and he that keeps them Gaopon, and call and these kind of Idola∣ters Gaor.

They also call them by another Name, Zar∣duxt, that is, Friend of Fire, though Zar in the general Language signifies Silver, and the Fire is call'd Attex: These People worship the Sun and

Fire, which last they have kept above three thou∣sand years on a Mountain call'd Albors Cuyh, or Atez, Quedah, that is, The Residence for Fire, lying a days Journey from Yazd. These Idolaters are very numerous, and the more, because all the Kingdoms in Persia were such before the Arabians coming thither.

* 1.359They also have a Custom not to suffer aged People to die a natural Death, but to carry them to the beforemention'd Mountain, where they set them in a kind of Cage, in which they can but just stand upright, and leave them there without any other Subsistence than what the Air will af∣ford them, till they die; and because there blows a continual Wind, and the Air being very thin, the Bodies keep entire a long time. But if any one dies young, they take the Corps and tie it on an Ass in a sitting posture, setting on his Head a Pot full of Cream, in the Persian Tongue call'd Mast, with which they wash his Face and Eyes, and then drive the Ass with a Whip cross a Field, where generally the Ravens coming about the Corps, pick out the Eyes, whil'st the Followers narrowly watch which Eye is first pickt out: for if it happen to be the right, they judge that the Deceased's Soul is happy, but if the left, that it is in a state of perdition.

* 1.360There are likewise above nine or ten thousand Families of Jews in Persia, who have a general Toleration, as also many Christian Armenians and Nestorians, brought in by King Cozroe, when he was conquer'd by the Emperor Heraclius, whom he suppos'd to vex by being of that Opinion, de∣stroying at the same time all the Roman-Catholick Churches throughout his whole Dominions: for the Persians once embrac'd the Catholick Religi∣on, first Preach'd there by St. Thomas,* 1.361 till such time as their King Sapor put to death seventeen thousand of them with the most exquisite Tortures imaginable: Whereupon Constantine the Great sent Letters to perswade him to be favorable to them, wherein when he could not prevail, he pro∣claim'd War against him. But when Christianity was by these Persecutions in a manner extin∣guish'd, it was restor'd again in the time of Maruthe, Bishop of Mesopotamia, and Abdias Aclatus, Bish. of Persia; and though many oppos'd it, yet about the Year 411. the Churches were re-built as before; but since that, by the Mahumetans again utterly extirpated.

There are also Melchites in Persia,* 1.362 who have spread themselves quite to the Countrey of Cho∣razan. These People are infected with the anci∣ent Opinion of the Greek Church, condemn'd in the Council of Florence: which Doctrine, is also follow'd by the Georgians, Mengrelians, and Cir∣cassians, who are more in number than all the Chri∣stians of the East, and yield Obedience to the Pa∣triarchs of Constantinople, Antioch, Alexandria, and Jerusalem.

The Opinion of the Manichees concerning two Gods,* 1.363 viz. one good and one bad (of which the bad Governs all things on Earth without contra∣diction of the good) reigns still in Persia, and like∣wise in many other Countreys of the East.

Besides all these Religions there is also that of the Franck-Armenians, so call'd, because they are of the Opinion of the Latine Church, who by the Eastern People are call'd Francks, as also all other European People, except the Greeks.

One Bartholomew Petit, a Dominican,* 1.364 was Anno 1330 sent by Pope John the Twelfth, to Con∣vert the Armenians, and was the first Arch-bishop Naxivan, lying in Parsamenia or Adherjon; from which Petit the Inhabitants of this Countrey re∣ceiv'd the Roman-Catholick Religion, which they preserve to this day, and are call'd Franck-Arme∣nians; of whom there are several thousands under the Obedience of the Arch bishop of Naxivan.

These Franck-Armenians reside in the Towns of Naxivan, Abbaran, Abbragon, Calva, Saltach, Hascassent, Carsan, Xabunis, Giahug, Caragus, Chen∣sug, and Artach, where there are many Cloysters of the beforemention'd Order of St. Dominick.

Their Festivals.

* 1.365THe Persians keep several Festivals, and amongst others, one in commemoration of Aaly, celebrated every year with great Ceremony, especially at Ispahan, on the twenty fourth of the Moneth Ramadan; on which day they make two Processions, whereat are present, not onely many Persons of Quality, but also the King himself.* 1.366 In the Head of this Procession are lead two Horses richly caparison'd after the man∣ner of the Countrey; on the Saddles lie Bowes, Arrows, Shields, and Swords, and on the Pum∣mels thereof hand two Turbants, and which things represent the Arms of the Deceased Aaly; then come several Men carrying huge Pennons or Flags; next follows the Bier, cover'd with black Velvet, under which lie all manner of offensive and defensive Armor, as also Plumes and other such like Ornaments; about this go divers sorts of Musical Instruments and Singers; Persons of Quality follow on Horseback, but the vulgar sort on foot: Those that accompany this Procession take a turn about the Maidan, stopping a while before the Gate of King's Palace, and also before that of the great Mosque, where, after ha∣ving pour'd forth their Prayers, every one re∣turns to his own Habitation. The Visier of Ispa∣han and the King's Treasurer also appear on the Maidan, one on one side, and the other on the other, accompany'd by many Horsemen, which keep off the throng of People, and likewise pre∣vent Quarrels.

* 1.367The Festival of Roses is kept when Roses blossom, and continues as long as that Season lasts. At this Feast they have peculiar Dances after their barbarous Musick, not onely in the Evening, but at Midinight and Noon-day, in publick pla∣ces and Coffee-houses; the Servants whereof be∣ing all expert in their manner, Dance from Street to Street with great delight, and use several po∣stures like our Morris-Dancers, follow'd with great Acclamations of the People, with lighted Torches, Lanterns, and Basons full of Lamps, which they carry on their Heads, and strewing Roses in all places as they pass, for which every one that meets them, gives them a small piece of Money. In other places, especially out of the City, the Men and Women flock together, Fro∣licking and making Garlands of Roses; so that this Feast seems to have some resemblance with that of the Goddess Flora.

All the Mahumetans, according to an ancient Custom, make many Offerings on the tenth of the

twelfth or last Moneth Difilhatze, killing two or three Lambs in each of their Houses, where they eat one part thereof, and give the other part to the Poor.

* 1.368But they have another Custom in Persia much differing from that us'd among Turks and Arabians: for in all eminent Towns and Places where the King resides, whether in a City or in the Camp, they Offer a Camel with great Ceremony, be∣cause (they say) Abraham in stead of his Son (who they believe was Ismael and not Isaac) Offer'd a Camel and not a Ram, as the Scripture makes mention; but the Turks affirm that it was a Ram and not a Camel, and therefore mock at the Per∣sians Offering of Camels, though perhaps they agree in that of Ismael. They Offer their Camels after the following manner: Three days before the Biram they lead the Camel prepar'd for Offer∣ing about and through all places of the City;* 1.369 and being hung full of Garlands, and cover'd with Flowers and Herbs, is attended by several Men playing on Pipes and beating on Drums, which are follow'd by a Molla or Preacher, who Sings their Creed and several Hymns, whil'st the Spe∣ctators endeavor as the Camel passes by to pluck off some of the Hair, which if they obtain, they judge themselves born in a happy hour, and pre∣serve the same as a holy Rellick; wherefore if those who are appointed to clear the Way did not prevent them, the poor Beast would undoubtedly be torn in pieces, before it could possibly be brought to the place of Offering, or at least come thither with a naked Skin: After having thus led the Camel about three days, all the Nobility, together with King, go on the fourth or Biram day, richly Habited to the Muffale, that is, The House of Prayer, which every City hath a little distance from it, set a part on purpose for this Offering: whither the Camel being brought, one of the chiefest amongst the Company, being Porter to the Kings Haram, or some other noted Person, takes a Spear and runs it into the Camels right side, be∣ing laid bound on the Ground; whereupon seve∣ral fall on promiscuously with Battel-Axes, Clubs Knives and Swords, cutting the Beast into a thou∣sand pieces. What remains of this Camels Flesh is boyl'd some part of it fresh, and the rest salted and kept, which they looking upon as Consecra∣ted, preserve with great care, as being an infalli∣ble Cure against all Distempers, and therefore ne∣ver eat thereof but when sick, onely the Head is, according to the Custom of the Countrey, sent to the King's Court.

This Biram Day is proclaim'd at the rising of the Sun with Trumpets, Drums, and other Instru∣ments, as also by the discharging of great Guns.

* 1.370On the first day of the new Moon, which hap∣pens in the latter end of December or in the begin∣ning of January, or if the Moon appears first in the night, on the succeeding day they begin to keep the high Feast Asciur, in commemoration of Hos∣sein, which lasts ten days, during which the Persi∣ans manifest, their sorrow for his unhappy Death the manner whereof hath been already related: They Habit themselves like People overwhelm'd with Grief and Despair, neither shaving the Hair nor bathing themselves, not onely abstain∣ing from what their Law forbids, but also from all kind of Pleasures. Many poor People digging a deep Hole in the most populous Street, go into it, where standing up to the Chin, they cover their Heads with an Earthen Vessel full of Holes; in which manner they stand a whole day, whil'st an∣other poor Man sitting near, begs Alms of those that pass by. Others, as an extraordinary sign of sorrow, anoint their Bodies with a black shining Colour, which makes their Skin like Jet; some paint their Bodies red, thereby to represent the innocent Blood and cruel Derth of Hossein, and Sing several Elegies in a doleful Tone, in which they relate the Circumstances of his Death. One of the Molla's or Priests, especially of those that boast their Extract from Mahomet, stands every day at Noon in the Maidan or other open place, upon a high Stool, with a green Turbant, where he makes a Sermon, declaring the noble Acts and Holiness of Hossein, and the Circumstances of his Death. The like Sermons are Preach'd in their Metzids or Temples.

* 1.371On the tenth of the Moneth Muharrem, which they call The Murthering Day, and is our eighth of January, they go in Procession through all the Streets in Ispahan, as on the day of Aasly's Death: for they wear the same Clothes, and have the other things belonging to that Ceremony, as Pennons, Ensigns, and Horses richly caparison'd and loaden with Armor and Turbants: Moreover, they have a Camel which tarries a Basket, wherein are two or three Children, which represent the Children of Hossein that were carry'd to Prison: These are follow'd by Biers cover'd with Velvet, on the top whereof stands a Persian Tag or Turbant.

In these Processions the Men for the most part go Arm'd, and oftentimes Fight one with another, thereby to represent the Confusion and Hurry in which Hossein was Martyr'd, certainly believing, that whosoe're is kill'd in this Bussle, goes di∣rectly to Paradice; nay, they affirm, that during these Days of Asciur the Gates of Paradice stand always wide open, and the Mahumetans which die in that time, go directly thither without stop or stay. Lastly, all the Ceremonies for Hossein's Mar∣tyrdom, are one and the same with those of Aaly's, though the first are kept with greater State and Magnificence. The night before the last day the Effigies of Abubeker, Osman and Omar, and some other contrary Parties, are burnt publickly in the Maidan or Market-place.

On the twenty fifth of November the Persians keep a Feast of the Brotherhood, as is already mention'd.

* 1.372On the fifth of July they keep a Feast, by them call'd Ab Pascian, or rather Abrizan, that is, Sprinkling of Water, for Ab in the Persian Tongue signifies Water, and Risan to Sprinkle; on which day the King and all his Nobles Clothe them∣selves in short Vests after the Mazanderan manner, and wear little Caps in stead of Turbants; in which Dress they repair to a Brook or some other plea∣sant watry place, where taking up the Water in little Cups, they poure the same over one anothers Bodies; but at last they grow so zealous, that throwing away the Cups, they endeavor to force each other into the Water with such eagerness, that this Day never passes without the loss of ma∣ny Persons.

This Feast is kept in Ispahan near the River Sen∣deruth, at the same place where it flows under the great Bridge in the Street call'd Tziaharbah.

Rui Gonzales Clavio tells us, that this Feast is kept in Ispahan on the Bridge of Senderuth, whither re∣sort all the Townsmen and People from the ad••a∣cent places, where they do as we have before re∣lated.

From whence this Feast hath its original, we do not certainly know, neither do the Persians themselves, as we suppose: Some ascribe the rise thereof to the Christians, in commemoration of John the Baptist; and this Opinion they strengthen with this Reason,viz. That the Christians, and al∣most all People of Asia, keep the same, though not upon one day; or (as others say) in memory of the three Kings, and because our Saviour was Baptiz'd at the River Jordan by John the Baptist. The Armenians call this Day Cackciuciran, that is, Cross-water-day, for they place a Cross in the Water on that Day, from whence this Festival Day hath receiv'd its Denomination.

The Chineses, Japanners, and many other of the neighboring People, keep such a kind of Feast as this, which they call Tuonu.

* 1.373The Persians also observe a Feast call'd Istend, so styl'd from an Herb of the same Name, which shoots first out of the Ground in the Winter Sea∣son, at the appearance of which this Feast begins, and consists onely in the abundance of lighted Candles and Torches, which they burn all the day and the following night in their Shops, as a sign of their joy that the Winter (which about that time ends in those hot Countreys) is so near ex∣piring. This Feast is kept on that day when the Sun passes by the twenty fifth Degree of Aries, which generally happens to be on the fifteenth of February.

* 1.374On the fifteenth of the Moneth Schabahan, the Persians keep a great Feast call'd Scebiberat, that is, The Night of Freedom, or Choise, on which they do nothing but Pray, give Alms to the Poor, and the like pious Actions, which they do in commemo∣ration of the Souls of their deceased Friends.

Their Policy in Government, Oeconomy, and Splendor of the Court.

* 1.375THe Government of this Countrey is by absolute Monarchy, for the King being the Chief, hath all things in his own power, to do whatsoe're he pleases, being able to make or break Laws without any contradiction, nay, to take away any ones Estate or Life, though he be the greatest Lord in the Countrey; in short, his Will is a Law in all things to his Peo∣ple.

* 1.376The general Title of the King is Sophy, deriv'd from the Arabick word Suff, which signifies Woolly, because the last Kings have instituted an Order to wear Woollen, and not Cotton or Linnen Tur∣bants, as the Turks do; or else because Sophy signi∣fies Wise, or Experienc'd, according to the Greeks.

Olearius tells us, that Writers call the last Per∣sian Kings Sophy, because the Promoter of their Sect was call'd Schach Sefi, from whom it is become a Title of Honor, as Defender of the Faith to his Majesty of Great Britain, Most Christian to the French, and Catholick to the King of Spain.

King Ismael also caus'd himself to be nam'd Schach Sade, that is, The Son of Schach, as a token of his Extract from Schach Sefi, who was so highly esteem'd amongst them.

Some say that this Name Sophy signifies a Man, which renouncing the World, endeavors onely to serve God; so that Xeque Ismael bore the Title of Sophy, because he appear'd to be the greatest Pro∣moter of his Sect. And sometime before him, Halilah being advanc'd to great Dignity, was for the same reason call'd Sophy. But since Schach Is∣mael none of his Successors have us'd that Title; and though there are a great number of Sophies through all Persia, yet we must know they are all Ecclesiasticks.

The right Name which the Persians give to their King, is Schach or Sa, after the Italian pronuncia∣tion, which signifies King; or Patxa, which others write Padischa, that is, The supream Schach, or King of Kings: They also call him Sahib, that is, Lord, or Governor. Some also affirm, that the Kings are likewise nam'd Choda or Chodohon, which in the Persian Tongue signifies God; but that is onely a mistake, for Choda or Chodabende as the Sir-name of Schach-Abbas's Father; the natural signification of the word is one that is oblig'd to God.

At the Persian Court are many which bear the Title of King, as Chan and Sultan have the signifi∣cations of King, the one in the Turkish, and the other in the Persian Tongue, which proceeds from hence, because the chief Princes of Persia, to make themselves the more eminent, will have Subjects that are styl'd Kings, though in truth they are but Vice-Roys.

* 1.377Mizza or Mirza, is in the Arabick properly a Title of Honor, and signifies Prince, or more pecu∣liarly, A Prince of the Blood, according to which signification the eldest Son, who is Heir apparent to the Crown, bears no other Name, being gene∣rally call'd Sultan Mirza, i.e. Prince of the Realm.

Persons of Quality generally bear two Names, besides a third, which is a Title of Honor, which last is commonly put behind, as Assa Chan Beid, that is, Isa, or Jesus Chan Lord, which is quite con∣trary to the Christians, who always place their Title before their Name.

* 1.378The Turkish Emperor in his Letters to the King of Persia doth not style him Schach, but Schach Ogli, that is, A holy Mans, or Prophets Son.

The King to be distinguish'd from other Per∣sons wears a red Turbant, differing in fashion from others, with twelve Ribbons, instituted by Schach Ismael, in commemoration of the twelve Sons of Aaly, from whom he boasted his Extract. This Turbant, which some call Tage or Tache, is as much with them as a Crown with us. Minadoi tells us, that the first Calif or Mustaed Dini, puts the said Turbant on the King's Head at his Coronation, or taking upon him the Government. The King also wears his Turbant after another manner than other People, for that which they wear before, he wears behind, which none in all Persia dares do but him∣self, upon pain of Death.

* 1.379This Kingdom is Hereditary, and the King's eldest Son always succeeds him in the Throne. So long as there be any Heirs of the lawful Wife, they Inherit, but for want of such, those that are begotten on the Chassees or Concubines, and for defect of such, it devolves upon the deceased King's nearest Relations. These, as also those that boast themselves to be deriv'd from the old Sefi, are call'd Schach Elwend, or Schachavends, that is, Successor of Schach, and have great Priviledges in the Coun∣trey, yet for the most part live very sparingly.

The Houses in which the King's Children are

born, they make priviledg'd places, and if it be from the Court, and in any remote place, the House is immediately inclos'd with a Wall.

* 1.380In ancient times the Kings of Persia bore a Cre∣scent proper for their Coat of Arms, as the Greeks the Sun; but now it is quite contrary, for the Per∣sians bear a Sun, and the Turks which possess Greece, a Half-Moon. But Schach Sefi bore in his Great Seal, which was about the bigness of a Half-Crown, nothing but this Inscription, I Schach Sefi am a zealous Servant of the onely God, and about the edges was Engraven, Aaly, they may say of you what they please, I am always your Friend; who before this Seal doth not account himself Dust and Earth, though he be an Angel, may he be turn'd to Dust and Ashes.

* 1.381The Coronation is celebrated in Ispahan, though formerly at Cafa or Cufa, near Bagdad, but remov'd from thence by reason of the too near neighbor∣hood of the Turks; the manner of it is as follow∣eth: On a Table an Ell high they lay as many rich Carpets as there have been Kings of that Dignity since the beginning of Schach Ismael Sefi; upon these they set their new King, to whom the chief Chans carry the Crown, which he kisses three times in the Name of GOD, Mahomet, and Aaly, and then rubbing his Forehead with the same, his Chamberlain, whom they call Lele, sets it upon his Head, at which they all cry, God save the King, God grant him to Reign from one to a thousand years; then kissing his Feet they bring him great Presents, and spend the day in Mirth and Jollity. Minadoy tells us, that the chief Calif sets the Tur∣bant or Tage on the King's Head at his entring into the Throne; but they take no Oaths, nor have any Restrictions laid upon them.

* 1.382The Kings, and those of the Royal Family are generally bury'd at Ardebil, and lie interr'd round about Schach Sefi's Tomb.

When the King appears at any publick Meet∣ing, he is generally accompany'd, besides twelve Courtiers, with the Seder, Minatzim, and Hakim. The Hakim is his Physician, and tells him what Meat is wholsom, and what unwholsom. The Mi∣natzim is his Astrologer, who acquaints him with all the good and bad Hours wherein he is to un∣dertake any great Design, and is herein credited like an Oracle, the King undertaking nothing without his Advice.

The Seder is the chief of the Clergy, and is as the Muffi amongst the Turks, elected by the King and Casi, being generally a Learned Man, well skill'd in the Alcoran, and must be ready to give his Opinion on all such things as are demanded of him, because according to his Judgment they pass Sentence. Some Decrees are also Pass'd by the Seder himself, who Sealing them with his own Signet, sends the same to die King, who writes un∣der him, This is the Opinion of the Seder, which We confirm; under which he puts his Great Seal.

The Causes of Citizens are Judg'd by other Lawyers, who are call'd Orf, and are under the chief Judge Diwanbeki, who is no less experienc'd in the Mahumetan Tenents than the Seder.

* 1.383The Days on which they keep their Courts of Judicature are Mondays and Thursdays, on which they meet at Ispahan near the King's Palace, in a publick arch'd place, where they hear and deter∣mine Causes, and if any thing chance to come be∣fore them, which they judge to be of too great consequence for them to decide, then they order it to be heard before the King.

* 1.384All Offenders or Criminals are punish'd with extream severity, the manner whereof is several, and many times invented by the Judges, accord∣ing to the nature of the Crimes; but the most asual are to cut off their Noses, Hands, and Feet, ripping up of the Belly, flaying alive, and hang∣ing up by the Heels; which last is perform'd after this manner: They make two Holes in the Ma∣lefactors Legs behind the Ancle, between the Bone and the great Tendon, through which they put a Rope, whereby they hang them on a Tree so high, that their Heads do just touch the Ground; in which manner, if the Malefactor be condemn'd to die, they let him hang two or three days, till after an intolerable number of Pains he gives up the Ghost; or if he die not in that man∣ner, then they shorten his time by ripping open his Belly. Others for smaller Offences are hang'd up an hour or two with their Head downwards. He that Ravisheth a Woman, and is convicted by her Swearing three times, or commits Sodomy, hath his Genitals cut off.

* 1.385Their Laws forbid the putting of Money out to Use, which nevertheless they do privately; but if any one be accus'd and found guilty thereof, he is accounted worse than a Jew, and not permitted to come in company with any Persons of note. In Ardebil dwelt one, who lending Money by the Moneth at a Dollar and a half per Cent. had his Teeth knock'd out with a Hammer. Such Per∣sons as practise this, are call'd Suchur, which sig∣nifies Usurer. But at they permit the Mortgaging of Lands for a Sum of Money, which the Lender re∣pays himself by the Rent, without receiving any other Interest.

Schach Abbas and Schach Sefi us'd strange and horrid ways to punish Criminals; some they caus'd to be made fast betwixt two Boards, and then Saw'd in two in the middle.

A Persian Ambassador being on a time sent to the King of Spain, and treating his Servants ill in his Journey thither, and they complaining of it, the King, at his Return into Persia, with his own Hands cut off his Nose and Ears, and a piece of Flesh out of his Arms, which he forc'd him in his Presence to eat.

It is also a very common Punishment at Ispahan, to throw down Malefactors from the Steeple built on the Mosque Haron Viliaier, and afterwards to burn them. To this Death Women which have committed any hainous Crimes are condemn'd.

When any Person of Quality that is in the King's Service hath committed a Crime which he supposes may hazard the loss of his Life, he goes with a naked Sword hung about his Neck before his Majesty's Privy-Chamber, to beg pardon for his Offence.

Robbers and Highway-men are set in the Ground up to the Middle, and the upper part of their Bodies inclos'd with great Posts six Foot high, and so starv'd to death.

* 1.386But because Persia is inhabited in most places, it is very secure travelling, insomuch that the whole Countrey is free from Thieves. If any be robb'd in his Journey, though it be by his own Servants, the Villages near which the Fact is committed, or the Magistrates thereof, upon the Complaint of the Person robb'd, either pay the value, or restore to him the like Goods taken from him. There is also Guards for the security of the Roads, which are call'd Rabdari, to whom Tra∣vellers give small Sums of Money.

* 1.387As all the strange people in Persia enjoy the Liberty of Conscience, so they also judge and de∣termine Causes amongst themselves according to the Laws of their native Countreys; as well in Matters of Life and Death, as Debts, and the like, insomuch that the King's Courts of Judica∣ture have nothing to do with them, which Custom is at this day so common, that not onely the Peo∣ple, but also every person of Quality that is a Stranger in Persia; as Agents, and Ambassadors from Forreign Princes, &c. enjoy the same Pri∣viledge unquestion'd, as if they were at Home.

* 1.388At the Court are divers Officers which have each a Title according to their employments, and follow one another in their several Degrees.

Eahtemad-Dowlet is the Chancellor, whose bu∣siness it is to look after the Revenue of the Realm, and to increase the same; from whence he bears his Title, and is like a Vice-Roy, and not onely publick, but also all manner of private Business doth pass through his Hands.

A Curtzibaschi is a Commander over ten or twelve thousand Bowe-men, which being first rais'd by Schach Ismael, dwell in several Parts of the Countrey as a Free-people, and upon any occasion march to a known Rendezvouz, where the said General meets and commands them.

Meheter is a Gentleman-usher, who is constant∣ly with the King in his Chamber or at any publick Meeting, and in the Seraglio; and therefore is often permitted to speak with more freedom than the Chancellor.

Wakeunis, is a Privy Councellor and Secretary, who writes the King's Letters and Edicts, and also keeps an Account of the Revenues of the Crown; to which purpose he hath eleven Clarks or Under-Secretaries allow'd him.

Every Precinct or Ward of a City hath a pe∣culiar Governor or Magistrate, whom they call Aksacal, that is, Grey-beard, though never so young, which amongst other Affairs take care of the King's Guests that are lodg'd in any Caravan∣sera standing within their Liberty, that they want nothing they are desirous to have.

Assas is a Constable of the Watch, but hath greater Power, for he is not onely authoriz'd to take or apprehend any suspitious Persons, but al∣so to punish them; nay, take away their Lives according to Martial Law; provided, the Offen∣der be taken in the Fact.

The Diwanbeki though a Supream Judge, and often sitting on the Bench with the Seder and Casi, is forc'd, when the King punishes any person of Quality with Death, to perform the Office of Executioner himself.

The Culargasi bears Command over the Culams, that is, Slaves or Servants who have sold them∣selves to be the King's Servants, who performing the Office of Soldiers, are eight thousand in Num∣ber, and like the Curtzi are Quarter'd in the Countrey at the King's charge.

Eischicagasi-Baschi is the chief Marshal or Com∣mander of forty Eischicagasi, who though they dwell in several Parts of the Countrey, wait by turns, five at a time, and generally stand at those Doors through which you must go into the pre∣sence of the King, from whence they are call'd Door-keepers. When any strange Ambassadors have Audience before the King, then the Eischi∣caga-Baschi having a Dekemek or Staff, leads them up by the Arm.

The Jesaul Sohebet or Master of the Ceremo∣nies, places all Strangers that are invited to eat at the King's Table, in their proper Places, where∣fore he always attends with a Staff in his Hand be∣fore the Pallace Gate to receive and comple∣ment such strange Guests.

The Nasir is the Steward whom they also call Kereckjerack, who provides all manner of Neces∣saries for the Court. The Tuschmal or Purveyor takes care for all sorts of Provisions, and com∣mands the Kitchin.

Mohurdar is the Lord-Keeper of the Great Seal.

The Dawattar is the Secretary, who always carries a little Ball like our Printing Balls, with which, when occasion requires he wets the Seal with Ink, which the King constantly wears about his Neck to make an Impression with, from whence he also receives his Denomination Dawat or Ink-carrier, for the Persians Print all their seals wetted with Ink on Paper, in stead of making Im∣pressions in Wax.

Mohur signifies a Signet or Seal-Ring, and the word Dar, which hath a general signification of Officer, is us'd in a commanding sense, in stead of having; as if you would say, Haver or Keeper of the Seal. Besides the Great Seal, the King hath a less Signet to seal his Letters withal, which he sends to his Vice-Roys and Governors, and o∣ther publick Writings wherewith no Person is intrusted, for the King wears the same in his Ring, and makes an Impression with his own Hand therewith.

The Myrachurbasschi, is the Master of the Horse; Myrischicar, the chief Falconer; Sechhahnbaschi, the Huntsman; Jesaulcor, like our Knight Mar∣shal which rides before the King, and with a Cane clears the way, is under the Lord Marshal, and hath a Deputy under him call'd Jesaul, which are as our Marshals Men whom he imploies on all oc∣casions, and sometimes to apprehend Malefactors; Suflretzi, the King's Carver; Abdar, the King's Cup-bearer, who has deliver'd to him the Wine or Water for the King's drinking in a seal'd Ves∣sel, which he publickly opens, and so presents it to the King; Chasinedar, the Treasurer; Ambadar, the Purveyor of Corn; Jesaul Nesar, the Person that keeps the Kings Shoes when he goes into the Hall; Mehmandar or Mehimander, he that provides Lodgings and all other Necessaries for Forraign Ambassadors, and not onely waits upon them, but also acquaints the King with their business, he be∣ing the first that hath any knowledge thereof gi∣ven him, nay, all Affairs of what consequence soever must pass through his Hands, though the Agents were sent from other Princes to treat of nothing else but Matters of State, which makes the Mehimander to be in great Esteem and Re∣putation.

The King also ordains another peculiar Mehi∣mander, to take care and provide for such Ambas∣sadors as he esteems more than ordinary; the other Officers are of meaner degree, viz. the Isauly, are a People who as Messengers, wait at Court, and are sent abroad on all occasions.

The Kischiktzibaschi, is Captain of the Guard, as the Tzabedar is Master of the Ordnance, and the Tzartzi chief Herald at Arms, who proclai∣meth all the King's Edicts.

The Tzelaudarbaschi, is Captain of the King's Horse-Guard, and Master of the Stirrop. The Mostofi, is the principal Secretary of State, who is permitted to keep several Clarks. The Serai∣dar or Surveyor of the Works, who keeps in re∣pair

pair the King's Pallaces. The Clitar serves as Porter; the Muschrift is the Clark of the Kitchin; the Cannati, is the Confectioner; the Sbherbedar, buies all the King's Sweet-meats; the Omatzdar, being an Archer, teaches His Majesties Pages and other Courtiers to shoot at Marks; the Bil∣dars are Pyoneers, which keep constantly at the Court, and attend when the King travels, clean∣ing the ways or cutting steps in rocky Ascents, which otherwise, the Camels having round feet, are not able to climb; they also help to pitch the Tents, and dig deep Pits in the ground for water; The Schatir are the Footmen; the Rica carry Battel-axes, and oftentimes perform the office of Execution, and always attend the King as his Life-guard.

All Officers or Servants belonging to the Court, have each according to their Qualities, great Pension or Salary, which is not paid them out of the King's Revenue or Treasury, but from several Villages which are allotted for that purpose.

* 1.389The Chans have certain Lands and Villages thereto belonging allowed them, yet they receive the Revenue and are as Magistrates, judging and determining all things but Matters of Life and Death; some have certain Customs given them, others receive for their Salary, the Taxes laid on Houses of Entertainment.

* 1.390All the foremention'd Officers keep their pla∣ces during the King's pleasure, who seldom dis∣charges them but for Misdemeanor, or else to pre∣fer them to some greater Dignity. The most e∣minent Officers and Courtiers belonging to the King, which were living Anno 1640. in the time of Schach Sofi, and had serv'd also his Predecessor Schach Abbas, being of a mean condition, Schach Sefi kill'd all but two, viz. the one a Herdsman's Son, the other a Slave to Schach Abbas, who were afterwards by Sefi promoted to greater Dignity. Those that he put to Death were, Eahtemad-Dow∣let a Scriveners Son born in Mazanderan: The Wakenuis or Privy-Counsellor, a Rusticks Son, born in the Village Dermen, near Casbijn; most of them had Christian Parents, viz. Georgians, Circassians, or Armenians, for the Persians repose greater confidence in a Chistian if he be circum∣ciz'd, than in one of their own Religion.

* 1.391The King is exceedingly honor'd in his Realm, when any one takes an Oath, they never swear but by the King's Head, which is accounted the most sacred and solemn of all other.

* 1.392In their wishing of Joy and Happiness one to another, they say not, God give you Joy, but in the Turkish Language, Schach Mura di sun, that is, I wish that the King may shew his favor to you, and many other things they attribute to their King, which belong to God onely.

* 1.393According to an antient Custom in Persia, and the Command of King Abbas, none dare though a person of but an indifferent Estate, neglect to see the King, and shew him Reverence once a year.

On their Neuruz or New-years Day, the King according to an antient Custom receives Presents from all his chief Officers, unless the day be sus∣pected ominous, for then the King never comes out of his Haram or Seraglio,* 1.394 as we have before mention'd.

The King seldom grants Audience to any Am∣bassadors in private, but always at a publick Din∣ner, and in presence of all the Guests, notwith∣standing their business be never so secret. No Persian whatsoever, whether Subject or Stranger, may appear before the King without great Pre∣sents; nay, not the Ambassadors from strange Princes, which is a very antient Custom, and was (as Philostratus tell us) us'd in the time of the Kings of Media.

* 1.395The Kings of Persia demand Presents from those that are their Homagers, who pay no Tri∣bute, and this Custom is kept amongst all Eastern Princes to this very day; they pub∣lickly provide that if any Foreigners bring Presents that are not thought fit for the Emperors Greatness, they make him remain still there, with more of the like Petitioners, so by that means their Presents make the greater shew and appear the more glorious to the Spectators; they report further, that if the Present seems not equi∣valent to the King's Greatness, there is an additi∣on out of the Wardrobe, silently hinting that they or whoever else, cannot come too well provided or their next Addresses. But the reciprocal presenting of these Princes one to another, they look upon as such a Due, that they expect it as a Debt, and the neglect thereof hath bred so much animosity as hath caus'd a War, and par∣ticularly between the Turks and the Persians, Anno 1618. because King Abbas had many years neg∣lected his Presents, which amounted to a very considerable value to the Grand Seignior. Those that bring the Ambassador's Presents to the King, are a poor sort of people kept by the King for that purpose: To every Present are order'd as many people to carry it as there are pieces and several sorts of things, for every man is to carry but one piece though never so small.

* 1.396Moreover, the Persians make very great Pre∣sents especially to Strangers, who are oblig'd to make a Return of a greater value, and if the Per∣son that is presented fail therein, he that presented him doth not onely cry and lament as if he had sustain'd a great loss, but also demands his Gift a∣gain, or the value thereof.

* 1.397The Kings Wives are three or four besides a great number of Concubines, the Queen is in the Persian Tongue call'd Begum, which is pro∣perly a Turkish Word and signifies a Lady, but this name is by the Persians not onely given to the Queen, but also to the King's Daughters, Si∣sters, and Aunts.

This Queen is the chief of all his Wives, to whom the rest shew obedience: The rest have another Name besides that of Begum, viz. Maria Begum, Zeineh Begum, &c The King's Concu∣bines cannot attain to the Honorable Title of Begum, but are styl'd Chanum.* 1.398 Chanum signifies properly amongst the Turks and Tartars, my Queen, but amongst the Persians onely an emi∣nent Woman, wherefore the Relations and Con∣sorts of Noblemen bear that Denomination. But if there be more than one Chanum in the house viz. a Consort, a Sister, a Mother, or any else they distinguish them to avoid mistakes accord∣ing to their Age, Quality, or Office, calling the Chief the great Chanum, the others, the little Chanum, the second Chanum, &c. if there be but one, the Husband, the Son, and all else call her my Chanum except the Servants, who say, our Chanum, and hereby they know the Masters of the House, but this is onely customary amongst persons of great Quality.

The King's Concubines are commonly of se∣veral Foreign Nations, for the King, especially

King Abbas,* 1.399 delighted not in Women of his own Countrey, nor in those of his Relations, wherefore there are but few Persian women seen at the Court, except it be some or the Chans Daughters, or o∣ther Ladies of Honor. Most of the Kings Wo∣men are either born in Georgia, Circassia, Muscovy, or Armenia, and many of them Christians, but are oblig'd upon their coming thither to turn Ma∣humetans. There are also Tartars extracted from the Family of the Usbeghi; but most of the King's Concubines are Georgians, which are very beau∣tiful, of good deportment, and noble Extract in their own Countrey.

* 1.400The King oftentimes gives his Concubines in Marriage to some or other of his Nobles, and with her a Portion, viz. a Camel to carry her to her Husband, if he doth not live in the City; a Chieceve, that is, a coulor'd Seat, which according to the Custom of the Countrey, being set upon the Camel, she may sit therein with great ease, as also a Chest with her Clothes and Bedding, Linnen, Plate, Jewels, and all things which she possess'd in the Haram, also two thousand Duc∣kets, which his an inconsiderable Portion, for they are bound to maintain her at another Rate.

In any Progress the King's Wives always travel before in the Night, to prevent being seen by the vulgar Sort, and in his absence ride in lit∣tle close Seats, which hang on a Camels side, viz. on each side of the Camel one; which when the Camel-drivers have fitted, they retire while the Eunuchs help in the Ladies,* 1.401 which Custom was first instituted by Schach Abbas upon this occasion: The King on a time marching with his Army in the Night, and overtaking a Camel that belong'd to his Haram, whose Seat hung down on one side, he call'd to the Camel-driver, who not appearing, the King in a rage lighting off from his Horse, endeavor'd with his shoulders to lift up the same, but finding it too heavy, and remounting his Horse to discover what might be the Reason of it's extraordinary weight, he saw the Lady that was therein embracing the Camel-driver, which so enrag'd the King, that calling several of his Officers about him, he immediately caused the two Malefactors to be beheaded; and since that time, the Camel-drivers never meddle with any thing but hanging on the empty Seats and taking them off.

* 1.402If the King's Wives travel in Company with him, they always ride on Horse-back unveyl'd but strongly guarded: Moreover, the King on all such occasions always rides in the Middle of his Haram, and spends his time in Discourse, first with one, and then with another. And when the Women of the Haram travel alone, or in company with the King, they always go in the following order:

A League before march a certain number of Eunuchs, who drive all those that they meet with both by Night and Day out of the Way, that they may not meet the Haram; nay, they have Power to clear whole Towns and Villages; and wound and kill all such as contest and will not retire.

* 1.403The Eastern Princes account it a great Abo∣mination for any of their Women to be seen by their Subjects; for not onely Ladies of Quality, but also the meanest Slaves that belong to the Court, are never seen by any strange men, but onely the King himself and his Eunuchs: After them follows a Company of Soldiers call'd Jasacksi, which are like the King's Life-guard, who prevent all Persons of what Quality soever, from passing to the Haram.

* 1.404Because the Word Haram is often mention'd, we will explain what it means: Haram is an Ara∣bick Word, and signifies properly amongst the Arabians, that which is forbidden and disallow'd by the Law.

The Persian-Mahumetans and those that inhabit the Eastern Countreys of Asia, understand by the Haram, the Seraglio of Concubines, and accord∣ingly, when they intend to say that the King or Prince is in the Womens Lodgings, they say, The King, &c. is in the Haram; the Servants of the Haram, and so with all other things.

* 1.405The King never travels abroad, nay, not to the Wars without his Haram. The King's Wives recreate themselves every Wednesday in Ispahan with great freedom, in the Street Tziaharbag, and in the Gardens thereabouts, where they are at∣tended by many Ladies of Honor but during their stay, all the Avenues and Ways are guard∣ed to keep out the men, whil'st the Women some∣times spend whole Nights in several Pastimes by Torch and Candle-light.

* 1.406The King's Gardens in all his Royal Cities, as in Ispahan, Casbin, &c. are provided with Con∣cubines, Slaves, and all manner of Necessaries, because the King stays not long in one place, nei∣ther goes with much Company, for he often tra∣vels with onely two or three Horse-men, which many times ride so hard, that they finish a Jour∣ney of thirty days in five or six; to which pur∣pose he keeps exceeding swift Horses at appoint∣ed Stages, where they always stand ready saddl'd and bridl'd, because they are uncertain of his coming; and because his Train cannot follow him with that speed, therefore he hath a House in most of the wall'd Cities of his Realm, furnish∣ed with all manner of Necessaries.

* 1.407The King's Douletchane or Pallace in Ispahan, is a priviledg'd Place or Sanctuary for all Male∣factors that fly thither and touch the Ring, Ham∣mer or Knocker of the Gate, which is in such e∣steem or Veneration, that the whole Court re∣ceive it's Name Astane from it, and as a Token thereof, when they name this Royal Knocker, they add the Word Doulet thereto, that is, good Luck, and say Astane Doulet, that is the Knocker of good Luck, and understand the King's Court by the same.

* 1.408The Alcapy is also a priviledg'd Place, where no Person, nay, not the King himself hath power to touch any Malefactor or Debtor; wherefore many flying thither stay there till they have compounded with their Creditors.

* 1.409The King, as also most of the Nobility in Per∣sia, cause most of their Meat to be drest in their Presence; nay prepare the same with their own Hands; nay, more than this, he for all his great∣ness, sometimes makes himself very familiar a∣mongst his Subjects, eats as he passes along the Streets, and in the midst of the Bazars or Exchan∣ges; often standing still before a Cooks Shop, and sees what Meat they dress, and sometimes goes unexpectedly into a Tradesman's House, where sitting down, he eats with great and un∣imaginable freedom.

* 1.410In the Chambers or Tents in which the King sleeps, are always eight or ten Beds made ready, so that no person knows which he intends to lie on, nay, sometimes when he wakes in the night,

he goes from one Bed to another, and so lies on three or four in one Night, which he doth to no other end but to prevent sudden Assassination, and that by that Means he might have time to Arm himself for his Defence.

In many of the High-ways the King hath di∣vers Houses and Gardens; the Houses for the most part are built and furnish'd after one fashion, viz. small, with many little Chambers, which have divers Doors: The Walls and Cielings be∣ing very smooth, are Painted and richly Gilded, yet without Order or Art.

* 1.411The King hath many handsom Houses, but his chiefest Court is kept at Ispahan in the Summer, and in the Winter in Ferhabad.

In the beginning of the Moneth Ramadhan,* 1.412 which is our Lent, the King goes to Abicurrong in the Mountains to take the fresh Air, and to Hunt, in which Sport he spends several days, attended by some thousands of People. At the Ears of those Beasts which the King takes alive he hangs golden Plates, on which are Engraven certain Marks, and then setting them at Liberty again, often re-takes them; nay some have been taken who have had the Marks of King Thamas, Ismael Sefi, and other ancient Princes.

In all the Provinces of Persia,* 1.413 Bull-baiting is very common, but especially about Caxem, the Inhabitants whereof travel up and down into seve∣ral Countreys to find out the strongest and fairest Bulls, which they bring to Ispahan, where upon the Maidan or Market-place, naked Men En∣counter with them.

* 1.414In the Kings Palace at any Entertainment, as also at Entertainments in Noblemens Houses, are commonly young Women, who Dance to the sound of a Diara or little Drum; but their com∣mon Instruments are Cymbals and Citterns; yet besides these they have another call'd Scig, made of Copper, round, and hollow within, which holding in one Hand, they strike upon it with the other; but the chiefest Instrument is a Tabor, hung round about with Bells. This Instrument is very common in all the Eastern Countreys, but especially in Persia, the Inhabitants whereof take such delight in them, that the King never makes any great Entertainment, but he always hath se∣veral who Dance to the sound of it.

* 1.415The manner of Dancing us'd by the Persians is not unpleasing, for they Sing and Dance together in a King; he that leads the Dance Sings a Verse or two of some merry Song, the rest bearing the Chorus or Burden.

The Nobles also at the Kings Court every Evening, at the sound of several Instruments, play at a certain Game with a Hammer and Ball, not unlike our Palmall, which every one that pleases may come and see.

* 1.416The King often invites mean Persons that are well experienc'd in this Game, to play at it, which is perform'd after this manner, viz. The Gamesters divide themselves into two Parties on Horseback, one at each end of the place where the Game is to be play'd, and with a woodden Hammer, which they hold in the right Hand, they strike a light woodden Ball (not with the flat Head of the Hammer, but with the side, which is somewhat hollow'd out) at the set Mark, in which the winning of the Game consists; without any wrangling or dispute; but the chiefest part of the Game is to follow the Ball, and strike it beyond the Mark, before those at the other end can pre∣vent them. Great dexterity is requir'd in this Game, and also exceeding swiftness, as well of he Horse as the Rider; and this is the onely way whereby the Persians learn to Ride so well. Those that play are also dress'd after a peculiar manner in Clothes of several colours, with rich Turbants a∣dorn'd with Plumes of Feathers and other Orna∣nents.

They have another Exercise call'd The Baiting of the Wolf,* 1.417 but it is us'd by none but the inferior sort of People, viz. A Wolf being let loose, the People, having each Man a Cloak on, encompass the Beast in great numbers, shouting and hollow∣ing; and if at any time the enraged Wolf falls in amongst them, and seizes any one, the whole Croud rescue the Person in danger, and assail the Beast. And these two are the chiefest, and most esteemed Exercises amongst the Persians.

* 1.418All the Chans and other great Lords residing at the Kings Court, being prime Officers of State, have their Tables spread with a large eight cor∣ner'd Carpet of Cloth-of-Gold, or embroider'd Sattin, with rich Fringe: The Dishes wherein the Meat is brought to the Table are of massie Gold, as also their Drinking-Cups, which hold about a Pint and a half. But Schach Abbas had all his serv'd up in Glass for a distinction from others. They deliver with every Cup a great woodden Spoon or Ladle with a long Handle, which they use more to drink out of, than to eat withal, nei∣ther do they make use of any other Spoons but what are made after that manner, and of sweet-smelling Wood, which having been once us'd, are never brought to the Table again. They never use Forks or Knives, but the Steward (who per∣forms the Office of a Carver) cuts the Meat with a great square Golden Slice, which he always car∣ries in his Hand.* 1.419 In the setting the Meat on the Table, the Servants bring not the Dishes toge∣ther, but standing in a row from the Kitchin, they hand them from one to another to the Table. They commonly have but one Mess, for they set all their Dishes at once upon the Table. Each Person also receives Wine from a Waiter, in or∣der according to his Quality, out of a golden Tumbler. Every one is permitted to rise from Table without shewing Reverence to any, and if their Occasions chance to call them out of the Room, they go away without taking leave of any, though the King himself be present. The Wa∣ter with which they wash their Hands is brought in gold en Basons. The King and other great Persons seldom drink any Wine without Ice or Snow. The Ice which they use is made of the clearest Water after this manner, viz. Not far from the City in a great Plain, a Bank is rais'd or cast up, directly from East to West, which being about a hundred and fifty Foot long, and very thick, is so high, that it shadows the Plain from the Sun-beams when the Sun is at the heighth: At the end of this Bank are two Arms, which ex∣tending from the South to the North, are full as high as the main Bank, and about twenty four Foot long, and keep off the Morning and Evening Sun; so that this Plain lies shaded all the day long: In this shady place is a Moat of about twen∣ty or thirty Foot deep, extending from the one Arm of the Bank to the other: In the midst of Winter when it Freezes hardest, they Plough this Plain, which lies open to the Northern Winds, full of small Furrows about three or four Fingers deep, and so letting in the Water, overflow it,

which in one Night freezing to the bottom, is the next Morning before the rising of the Sun thrown into the Moat, and Water pour'd upon it to make it condense the harder; and this Practice they continue for a whole Moneth together, or longer, till the Moat is fill'd to the top with Ice; then they cover it with Straw to prevent the melt∣ing thereof by the heat of the Sun, and to keep it from Rain, In the Summer this Ice being bro∣ken with Pick-axes, is carry'd through the City to be sold on Horses or Mules, two or three pieces being a sufficient Burthen. The Ice being broken with a Hammer into greater or lesser pieces, is ei∣ther put into the Vessel with the Wine, or into the Cups when they drink. They also lay pieces of Ice in their Dishes with Fruit and other Cates, which is very pleasing to the Eye, especially if that which lies under the Ice appears through it. The King's Dishes, Urns, and Drinking-Cups, which he uses at his Table, are all of massie Gold. The Chans and other Nobles have their Pilao or Rice, colour'd black and yellow, and made savory with Herbs, or else dulcifi'd with Sugar, brought on their Tables also in Gold and Silver Dishes.

The Government of the peculiar Provinces.

* 1.420ALl the Provinces in Persia which are remote from the King's Court, are Govern'd by Chans, Sultans, Calenters, Darago's, Visiers, and Caucha's. The King chuses the Chans (who are as much as Princes or Vice-Roys,) and makes them Governors of what Provinces he pleases; but commonly he elects them who by their vali∣ant Exploits, Piety, or other noble Vertues, have gain'd the love of their Countrey: wherefore ma∣ny, in hopes to attain to that Honor, behave them∣selves very valiantly in any Engagement, and desperately venture their Lives for the Title of Chan. But the Children of those who are thus chosen, Inherit not amongst the Persians; for though they are held in great Respect, and enjoy their Father's Goods, yet they are not honor'd with his Title, nor succeed him in his Office, ex∣cept they are judg'd worthy thereof by their own Merits. But Della Valle tells us, that the King gives the Dignity of Chan to one of his Subjects, not onely for his Life, but also permits his Children to succeed him after his Death, and that there are Families found that have enjoy'd this Title above two hundred years.

As soon as the King hath made any one a Chan, he immediately gives him Lands and Men to sup∣port his Grandeur, which he enjoys as long as he lives; but if at any time he chance to be suspected by the King, he is immediately turn'd out of his Employment, and all his Goods seiz'd.

Each Province hath a Chan and a Calenter, who resides in the Metropolis thereof. The Chan be∣ing the King's Vice-Roy, Executes the Law, doth Justice to all, and passes Sentence of Death on Criminals, without any special Order from the Court.

The chiefest Chan is he who Governs Sciras, the Metropolis of the Province of Persia, properly so call'd, who is able to bring an Army of thirty thousand Men into the Field, the Countrey which he Commands being said to be bigger than Por∣tugal.

The Calenter is as a Collector or Treasurer of the Province, gathering all the Revenues, and giving an Account thereof either to the King or Chans.

A Darugo or Darago, otherwise Hacom, is like a Governor or Mayor of a City, every City ha∣ving one.

A Caucha is as much as an under Sheriff.

* 1.421The King usually sends the Chans and Sultans as Agents to foreign Princes, and fits them out af∣ter this manner, viz. The King orders them to give great Presents to those Princes unto whom they are sent, of which the one half is given out of the King's Treasury, and the other part, as also all other Necessaries, the Province which the Chan Governs is to provide, which often causes great disturbance and confusion.

In some Provinces the Chans must maintain a certain number of Soldiers for the King, which besides their own, must be ready for Service on all occasions; but then the King receivs no Tribute from them.

* 1.422The Chans commonly on New-years-day make great Presents to the King.

Some Provinces, especially where there are no Chans, but onely Darago's, and therefore no Sol∣diers kept, as in the Towns of Caswin, Ispahan, Cashan, Theheran, Hamadan, Meschet, and Kirman, pay great Tributes to the King.

Della Valle affirms, that in Ispahan and several other eminent Cities, there are no Chans, because they are Royal Cities, and the King many times keeps his Court there.

On the Feast of Neuruz all annual Officers are chosen, especially the Darago's, the chiefest where∣of enter upon their Employments in great State, with the sound of many Instruments.

* 1.423The King's Vice-Roys, whither Sultans or Chans, of what Degree soever, when coming out of any remote Province to make their appearance before the King, or when they take leave, or are to return to their own Countreys, they kneel on both Knees before the King, and kiss his Feet, and in testimony of Honor, squeeze the same against their Foreheads, which they do three several times. This Ceremony they perform divers times as they walk about the King, which they com∣monly do three times one after another, there∣by to manifest, that those who perform this Ce∣remony, make themselves Sureties against all Misfortunes whatsoever that may befall the King.

It is also a Custom amongst them, to make a Circle with their Hands about the Heads of those whom they would shew Honor to, and wish that all future Misfortunes, and such as have already hap∣ned unto them, may fall on themselves. This Action is accounted by them a sign of a perfect and faithful Friendship.

Thus much of the modern State and manner of Government in Persia, now it will be necessary to give you a short Account after what manner it was Govern'd in former times.

THe King of Persia anciently styl'd himself The Great King, especially at that time when they had conquer'd the Greeks. But Suidas tells us, that these Monarchs were not satisfi'd with this Title, but assum'd to themselves the Title of The King of Kings, as appears by the In∣scription on Cyrus's Tomb.

* 1.424The Sons of these Kings succeeded them, which was also observ'd amongst the Parthians, when they had made themselves Masters of this Realm; and when the Persians were afterwards restor'd, they still maintain'd the same Custom. The el∣dest Son, according to the Laws of Nature, Inhe∣rited before the younger, but if he was born be∣fore his Father came to the Crown, then he that was first born after his being King succeeded him in the Throne.

They never gave the Crown to a one-ey'd, squint-ey'd, or deformed Person, as appears by the squinting Son of Cahade or Robad, who notwith∣standing he was a valiant Man, yet for the Ble∣mish in his Sight was disinherited. But when the Persian Monarchy began to decay, this Custom was laid aside, and the Crown became elective; but the Nobility, who had Voices therein, still reserv'd it for those who were of Royal Extract.

Natural Sons succeeded not their Fathers in the Throne, so long as there remain'd any that were legitimate; yet notwithstanding the illegitimate Darius was chosen before Isogee, lawful Son to Artaxerxes.

When the King at any time went out of his Dominions, he was oblig'd to nominate a Deputy to Govern during his absence.

* 1.425The Kings were by the Priests of their Coun∣trey with great Ceremony Inaugurated after this manner, viz. They were led into a Temple of a warlike Goddess, where they pull'd off their Clothes, and put on those which Cyrus us'd to wear when he was but a private Person; which done they are a few Figs, chew'd a little Turpen∣tine, and drank a draught of sower Milk.

They incircled the Heads of these new Kings with a Crown or Mitre, and a Cydaris, which was made of Purple, and ty'd with a blue Ribbon mix'd with white.

King Sapor instead of a Crown wore a Cap made like a Rams Head, beset with Precious Stones. They also wore a Tiara or Turbant, like those which the Magistrates of the several Pro∣vinces wore, but with this distinction, that those of the Kings stood upright, and the other bended behind.

The Honor of putting the Crown on the Kings Head belong'd to a peculiar Person call'd Surene, who was the second Nobleman in the Kingdom.

* 1.426The Kings of Persia also wore a long Vest, hanging below their Ancles, which was embroi∣der'd with several Representations of Birds, Beasts, and the like, and beset with Gold and Precious Jems. They likewise wore a Coat with Sleeves, call'd Candis, differing from those of the other Persians, both in colour (being Purple) and value: moreover, the Subjects durst not approach any Man without hiding their Hands in their Sleeves, but the Kings held them out. The Kings Habit, as Xenophon says, was also half purple and half white, which none else might wear. They like∣wise wore long Hair, Pendants, a Girdle, and long Stockings like the other Persians.

They were honor'd like Gods, for those that approach'd them, bow'd not onely their Heads and Bodies, but fell flat on their Faces, with their Hands upon their Backs; in which posture they lay as long as they suppos'd him to be in sight; which was also perform'd by Strangers, who were not permitted to see the King, unless they pro∣mis'd to worship him after the Persian manner, for otherwise they were forc'd to let him know their Business by Proxy, or else in Writing; which when he perus'd, he return'd his Answer without being seen.

Those that Saluted the King, wish'd him Ever∣lasting Life and perpetual Government; but he sel∣dom appear'd to his People, who were not per∣mitted to set a Foot into the Royal Palace without his Majesty's leave; but his Noblemen waited without at the Door to receive his Commands. His Throne was of massie Gold, which none durst touch; and if at any time the King went abroad, they strew'd the Streets and Ways which he was to pass with Flowers; and every where burnt Per∣fumes. They likewise kept the Kings Birth-day every year with making of Offerings, and other great testimonies of joy, and whence dy'd, the whole Kingdom Mourn'd for five days together; during which time all Courts of Judicature were shut up.

* 1.427These great Princes had no setled place of Re∣sidence, but spent the Winter in Babylon, the Lent at Susa, and the Summer at Ecbataue; besides which they had several other Royal Palaces, as at Pasargades and Persepolis; but when the Parthians were Masters of Persia, Chusistan was the chief Seat of the Realm. Their Royal Palaces were very stately and magnificent, having many great Officers attendant, insomuch that Apuleius call'd them The Houses of Gold.

They would never eat of any other Bread but what was brought out of the Province of Aeolia;* 1.428 and of all things the Kingdom afforded the First-fruits were sent to the King; also their Salt Ar∣moniack was brought to them out of Egypt. They drank of the Wine Chaliboonien, brought from Assyria, and no other Water but what was taken out of the Stream Choaspes, which glides by Susa.

The Inhabitants of those Places through which they travell'd always Entertain'd them at a Ban∣quet, on which they spent above twenty or thirty Talents. They generally Din'd alone, but some∣times their Wives and Children were permitted to sit with them at their Table, as also the Kings Mother and Brothers. If the King invited any to eat with him, they sat with a Curtain drawn be∣tween them in such a manner, that the King could see them and not be seen again.

King Cyrus (as Xenophon observ'd) plac'd those in whom he repos'd greatest confidence, on his left, and others on his right side, because (they say) the left side lies more open to those that design to do Mischief than the right.

But these Entertainments were without free∣dom, because the Guests were forc'd to cat with bowing Heads, and cast-down Eyes.

The Kings never appear'd on foot to the Peo∣ple, but always came out of the Palaces either in a Coach, or else on Horseback.

* 1.429They were wont to visit their several Provin∣ces, or else to send faithful Lieutenants to such Places where they could not go themselves, to give order to all Husbandmen to let no Ground lie waste, that the Merchants should promote their Traffick, and Handicraftsmen be diligent in fol∣lowing their Employments, that so they might be the better able to pay them their Tribute.

They also kept several Noblemen call'd Megi∣stanes, who always waited at their Doors to re∣ceive their Commands, besides the Surene or Ma∣gistrate, who set the Crown on the Kings Head, and several who constantly attended to receive Ambassadors, or all such as had Business with the

King, into whose Presence they could not be per∣mitted without them.

Great numbers of Eunuchs were also kept at the Kings Court, who attended on the Queens and Concubines.

* 1.430The Kings likewise kept their Secretaries, who going into the Wars with them, writ down all the Passages thereof, as also the Edicts or Letters Patents which were given to the Governors, the beginning whereof were to this effect, The King saith thus. Moreover, when he writ to his Com∣manders, he wish'd them Peace, as also they to him. His Letters were not onely written in one Language, but in the several Languages of those People whom they Govern'd.

There were also some, whose Office it was to tell the King the hour of the day, and many other such like Officers, amongst whom were some call'd The Eyes and Ears of the King.

Those Kings that liv'd lasciviously, endeavor'd to die without pain, by means of a Poyson which they kept onely for themselves and their Mothers. This Poyson was made of the Dung of a small Indian Bird call'd Dicodre, a piece whereof about the bigness of a Barley-corn being put into their Liquor, caus'd them to die an easie, and also a sudden Death.

They had stately Tombs at Persepolis,* 1.431 Pasarga∣des, and Ecbatane, on all which were Motto's and Inscriptions Engraven.

* 1.432The Kings Sons were highly reverenc'd, and taught in the seventh year of their Age to Hunt and Ride the great Horse: The eldest, who was to succeed in the Throne, was in his four∣teenth year committed to the Charge of four Tutors, who amongst the Persians were accounted the most wise, just, sober, and valiant Men in their Dominions; the first taught him Wisdom, and the Rules of Government; the second admoni∣shed him to affect Truth; the third, to curb the Desires of the Flesh; and the fourth, to fear no∣thing.

* 1.433If it hapned that any Man undertook to give the King Advice or Counsel in Business of great consequence, he was plac'd on a square Cushion of Gold, which he was permitted to carry away with him if his Advice was approv'd of, but if not, he was whipt about the Court.

One of the Gentlemen of the Bed-Chamber wak'd the King every Morning, and desir'd him to rise and mind the Concerns of the Kingdom, which the God Merosomasdes had given to him.

They themselves judg'd and determin'd Causes, pass'd the Sentence of Death on Criminals, whom they kept some time in Prison before they were Executed. They never condemn'd any Man for one single Crime, but enquir'd what the general course of his Life had been, and if they found that he had done more good than bad Deeds, they re∣leas'd him, but if otherwise, he was punish'd.

They also chose their Judges out of the most experienc'd Men in the Persian Law, who enjoy'd their Places during their Lives.

* 1.434Their Laws forbad Stealing, Burglary, to use vio∣lence to any, and to rebell against their Princes.

Malefactors were committed to Prison with silver Shackles, and golden Handbolts. In the lat••er time of the Persian Monarchy they had a Prison call'd Lethe, into which were onely put Criminals that were condemn'd to die.

* 1.435If any of their Nobility had committed a a Crime, they de-oculated them, but others were punish'd after another manner. They cut not their Heads off with an Ax, but a Rasor. Sometimes they cut off the Head and right Hand of a Malefactor, and nail'd them on a Cross; others they burnt, flay'd alive, or ston'd to death.

* 1.436The King gave Gifts to all those that increas'd their Families by many Children, and Registred the Names of those that at any time had done them good Service, that when time and oppor∣tunity serv'd they might be requited; nay, they permitted them to sit by them, kiss'd them, and gave them a Silk Coat, made after the fashion of the Medes, and gave them leave to wear a Chain of Gold about their Necks, and golden Armlets; also a golden Simiter, which is the greatest Mark of Honor amongst the Persians, and as highly re∣verenc'd as the Star and Garter by us; besides golden Reyns for their Horses: They also gave them the Revenue of some Towns, and the Com∣mand of an Army; but the greatest of all his Royal Gifts, was a golden Slipper.

* 1.437The whole Kingdom was divided into Satra∣pia's, Counties or Lordships, though Writers dif∣fer in the number of them: for (as some affirm) Darius divided the same first into 360 Lordships, over which three more principal Satrapae were plac'd. Others write, that Darius had onely a hundred and twelve Satrapia's or Lordships, whose Governors were forc'd to give an Account of their Government to the first three. Some also make more, and others less. But after the Parthi∣ans had made themselves Masters of Persia, they divided the whole Realm into twenty Satrapia's, several of them being Govern'd by one Person.

These Lordships were given to the Kings Sons, and the King often in his Will gave all the Cities thereof to his youngest Son.

The Office of these Governors was to Com∣mand the Inhabitants, protect their Goods, ga∣ther in the Revenues, and advise the King of all Transactions.

Besides these Governors of Countreys there were others, who order'd Husbandmen, Trades∣men, and other People, to be diligent in their Employments, and not be idle; and others were Commanded to prevent the Soldiers, or any Enemy from oppressing the Inhabitants.

In this place it will not be amiss to subjoin the several Dynasties of the Kings of Persia, that have had the Government of this renowned Empire, wherein by way of Entrance we will note, That when this Countrey was first peopled, the several Tribes were under the Command of their own Princes, among which was Chedorlaomer, who was overthrown by Abraham, as holy Writ mentions: By this means their Princes were scarce known till the time of Perses, who wrested the same from Sardanapalus, the Assyrian Monarch, and first laid the Foundation of this great Empire, in whose Race it continu'd six Descents in this Or∣der:

The first Dynastie.

* 1.4381. PEerses, the Conqueror of Sardanapalus, who Reigned Anno Mundi 3059. suc∣ceeded by his Son.

2. Achaemenes, from whom his Successors were termed Achaemenides, and his Subjects Achaemenii, as Propertius witnesses, where he writes, Non tot Achaemeniis armantur Susa sagittis where by Achae∣meniae sagittae he means Persian Arrow; he left the Royal Seat to

3. Cambyses, by Herodotus sometimes call'd Darius.

4. Cyrus, the Ancestor of Darius Histaspis, as we will shew anon.

5. Cambyses the Second, the Son of Cyrus.

6. Cyrus surnam'd the Great, [ 3421] Son of Cambyses and Mandane, the Daughter of Astyages King of Media, who overthrew the Babylonian Monarchy, and translated it to the Medes and Persians. Of his strange preservation from his Grandfathers cru∣elty. Education amongst Rusticks, acting the King among his Playfellows, with several other re∣marks, we have at large in Herodotus and Justine. His first Expedition was against his Grandfather Astyages, whom having vanquish'd, he march'd against rich Craesus of Lydia, whom he overthrew, took, and made one of his Council; then fell up∣on the Greeks of Ionia; afterwards set upon Baby∣lon, as we said before; and lastly going against the S••ythians, was by Tomyris slain, as most Histories agree;* 1.439 yet Xenophon gives him a peaceable depar∣ture in his Bed, with an excellent Farewel to those about him. His Successor was his Son

7. Cambyses the Third,* 1.440 who overthrew the Egyptians, with their King Psamniticus, the Son of Amasis. His deriding and wounding Apis their God,* 1.441 worshipp'd in the likeness of a Calf, and the flaying of Sisamnis, an unjust Judge, and hanging his Skin over the Tribunal, to be a warning to his Son Othanes (whom he put in his Place) to do better, are Passages worth the taking notice of. His Death came by a wound in the Thigh from his own Sword falling out of the Scabbard as he was taking Horse to go against the Magi, who had rebell'd against him. He dying without issue, the seven Counsellors of State or Magi, resolv'd to chuse one from amongst themselves, and by that consent, and the timely neighing of his Horse at Sun-rising, the Scepter was obtain'd by

8. Darius Histaspis, [ 3431] descended from Cyrus the fourth King of Persia. He Marry'd Atossa, Cyrus's Daughter, for the strengthning of his Title, re∣cover'd Babylon by the Stratagem of Zopyrus, over∣ran a great part of Asia, and assail'd the Greeks, who by their General Miltiades, totally routed him at the Battel of Marathon,* 1.442 registred (as Plu∣tarch saith) by almost three hundred Historians; which Loss while he study'd to repair, the Quar∣rel of his Sons about the Succession broke his Heart, and the youngest Son carry'd it, viz.

9. Xerxes, [ 3446] the Grandchild of Cyrus by his Daughter Atossa. This was that Emperor, whose Queen was Vasthi, who made that great Feast mention'd in the Book of Hester. He went to re∣venge his Fathers Quarrel upon Greece with an Army of seventeen hundred thousand Men,* 1.443 but was so terrifi'd by several Defeats, that he return'd towards his Countrey over Hellespont in a Cock-Boat,* 1.444 and at last was slain in his Bed by Artabanus his Uncle, leaving to succeed him the Son he had by Queen Hester, nam'd

10. Artaxerxes, surnam'd Longimanus. [ 3487] His entrance was good, doing Justice on his Uncle for the Death of his Father and Brother. His Gene∣rosity likewise is much commended to that great Captain Themistocles, who was forc'd by his un∣grateful Citizens, to cast himself upon such an Enemy. Though he was more favorable to the Jews in regard of his Mother, yet such strong op∣position was made by the Faction against them, that the building of the Temple was by his De∣cree prohibited. After him follow'd

11 Darius Nothus, Son-in-law to Longimanus, [ 3527] by Marrying his Daughter Parysitades. In his time Amyrteus the Egyptian rebell'd, and deliver'd his Countrey-men from the Persian Servitude. He is noted in Scripture for setting forward the building of the Temple,* 1.445 which by his Father had been interrupted. By his Wife Parysitades he had two Sons, of which the elder

12 Artaxerxes Mnemon (so call'd for his great Memory) succeeded. [ 3546] He slew in Battel his Bro∣thee Cyrus, surnam'd the Younger, who affecting the Empire, had made War upon him, and call'd in the Greeks to his aid, whose memorable Retreat back to their own Countrey is describ'd by Xeno∣phon, a principal Commander in this Expedition.* 1.446 This Mnemon is said by Plutarch to have had a hundred and sixty Sons by Concubines; onely three in Matrimony, of which Darius was Exe∣cuted for Rebellion, with fifty more of his Bre∣thren, whom he had drawn into the Conspiracy: This breaks the Father's Heart; his youngest Son

13. Ochus takes Place. [ 3589] He recover'd Egypt by his Generals Mentor and Bagoas, and subdu'd Assy∣ria, Cyprus, and some part of India: But his Ty∣ranny growing intolerable, he was slain by Bagoas, who set up in his Throne

14. Arses, one of his Sons, otherwise Arsames, [ 3612] who was in a short time sent after his Father by the same Hand; and was succeeded by

15. Darius the Third, surnam'd Codomannus, [ 3615] Cousin-german to Arses, who being set upon by Alexander the Great, and vanquish'd in three pitch'd Battels, viz. at Granwick, Issus, and Arbela, was the last of this Race of Persian Kings.

After this the Name of the Persians was almost forgotten; how it was reviv'd you may read in Herodian in these words: After Darius had lost his Kingdom to Alexander, and the Victor himself was dead also, the more potent Captains shared Asia amongst them, till at length Arsaces, of the Parthian Nobility, perswaded the People of the East, and amongst them the Persians, to cast off the Grecian Yoke: To which purpose he took upon him the Title of King, and became the Head of the Arsacidan Family of Par∣thia, who successively held the Crown in this fol∣lowing Order.

The second Dynastie.

* 1.4471. ARsaces, the first Parthian King of Persia.

2. Mithridates, or Arsaces the Second, invaded by Antiochus the Great, but with little effect.

3. [ 3761] Pampatius.

4. [ 3773] Phraartes, Son of Pampatius.

5. [ 3783] Mithridates the Second, Brother of Phraartes. He conquer'd the Medes, and very much enlarged his Dominion.

6. Phraartes the Second.

7. [ 3857] Artabanus, Uncle to Phraartes the Second.

8. Pacorus, Son of Artabanus.

9. Mithridates the Third, the Brother of Paco∣rus.

10. [ 3903] Horodes, Brother of Mithridates, whom he kill'd, and took the Crown. This was he that fought with, and vanquish'd M. Crassus, the great Roman Consul, but brought under by Ventidius, one of the Lieutenants of Mark Anthony, and at last slain by his Son

11. Phraartes the Third, who after a long War submitted himself and Kingdom to Augustus Caesar, restoring the Ensigns, and freeing the Captives taken at the Defeat of Crassus. He was kill'd by his Son

12. Phraartes the Fourth, who succeeded him.

13. Horodes the Second, Son of Phraartes the Fourth, slain in a Tumult.

14. Vonon took his Place, but was depos'd by

15. Tiridates, with whom the People being displeas'd for his submission to the Roman Power, one Artabanus, a Stranger to the Blood of the Ar∣sacidae, taking advantage thereof, kill'd Tiridates, seiz'd the Kingdom, and became the Head of ano∣ther Parthian Family, of which we find upon Re∣cord the Names of twelve Kings as follows.

The third Dynastie.

1. ARtabanus.

2. Bardanes.

3. Goteres.

4. Vonones.

5. Vologeses.

6. Artabanus the Second.

7. Pacorus.

8. Chosroes, who lost Armenia and Mesopotamia, to the Emperor Trajan.

9. Parmaspates.

10. Vologeses the Second.

11. Vologeses the Third.

12. Artabanus the Third. This was the last King of this new Parthian Race, from whom the Diadem was once more translated to the natural Persians by Artaxerxes, a Nobleman, who became the Head of the next Race.

The fourth Dynastie of natural Persian Kings.

* 1.4481. ARtaxerxes, the first Raiser of the Family.

2. [ 243] Sapores, who took Prisoner the Em∣peror Valerianus.

3. [ 272] Ormisdates.

4. [ 275] Vararanes the First.

5. [ 278] Vararanes the Second.

6. [ 294] Vararanes the Third.

7. [ 294] Narses. He discomfited Galerius, and ruin'd his Army, but was afterwards defeated by him.

8. [ 302] Misdates.

9. [ 310] Sapor the Second, a great and puissant Prince, but a Persecuter, of the Christians.

10. [ 380] Artaxerxes the Second.

11. [ 391] Sapor the Third.

12. [ 396] Vararanes the Fourth.

13. Isdigertes, a great Favorite of the Emperor Arcadius. [ 406]

14. [ 427] Vararanes the Fifth.

15. [ 447] Vararanes the Sixth.

16. [ 464] Peroses.

17. [ 484] Valens.

18. [ 488] Cabades, depos'd, a Friend to the Christians.

19. [ 499] Lambases.

20. [ 503] Cabades restor'd.

21. [ 533] Chosroes the Great, a constant Enemy of the Romans.

22. [ 581] Hormisda.

23. [ 589] Chosroes the Second, a great Enemy to the Emperor Heraclius, from whom he took Mesopota∣mia, Assyria, and the Holy-Land, which when the Emperor recover'd, in despight he caus'd all the Christians to turn Nestorians.

24. [ 628] Siroes the First

25. [ 629] Adhesir.

26. Sarbatus.

27. Barnarius.

28. Hormisda the Second, [ 630] and the last of this Dynastie, who being first weakned by Civil Dis∣sentions, was at last vanquish'd by Haumar, a Sa∣racen Calif, who held it for a while;* 1.449 but their De∣puties quarrelling amongst themselves, one Tan∣grolipix of the Turkish Race Founded a new Dy∣nastie.

The fifth Dynastie, being of the Turkish Line.

* 1.4501. TAngrolipix, the first Raiser of this House.

2. Axan, the Son of Tangrolipix. He dispossess'd the Christians of a great part of Asia Minor.

3. Balak, Sultan of Persia, in the beginning of the Wars in the Holy-Land.

4. [ 1198] Cassanes, the last of this Race, being absolute∣ly conquer'd by the Cham of Tartary, An. 1202.

The sixth Dynastie, being Tartarian Kings of Persia.

* 1.4511. THe Cham of Tartary having utterly extin∣guish'd the whole Family of the Galif of Bagdet, in the Year 1260 made Haalon, or Vlah Kukkan, King of Persia, and the first of that Line, and was succeeded by his Son

2. [ 1266] Habkakaihon, the Son of Haalon.

3. [ 1282] Nikador-Oglan, the Brother of Habkakaihon, a Mahumetan.

4. [ 1284] Argon Khon, the eldest Son of Habkakaihon.

5. [ 1292] Gemotakhon, Brother of Argon.

6. [ 1295] Badukhon, Uncle to the last.

7. Gazun, the Son of Argon Khon, [ 1296] who made Casbin his Imperial Seat.

8. Aliapta, who remov'd the Court to Tauris, [ 1305] and built Sultania, a City of Media.

9. Abusaid, the Son of Aliapta, [ 1317] and the last of this House. After his Death there was nothing but confusion, every neighboring Prince seizing into his own hands what he could lay hold of, till at last the Armenians got the Diadem, and began the seventh Dynastie.

The seventh Dynastie.

* 1.4521. Ussan Cassanes, Son of Tracheton, a poor Ar∣menian Prince, began this Dynastie by a Victory obtain'd against Zeuzes, one of the most powerful Rulers of Persia, and having held the Crown some years, left it to his second Son

2. [ 1478] Jacub, who beat the Mamaluckes out of Me∣sopotamia and Assyria; but was at last poyson'd by his Wife.

3. Julaver, a Kinsman of Jacubs, kill'd by

4. Baisinger, a Prince of the Blood, that liv'd in Adultery with Jacub's Wife.

5. Rustan, set upon by Aider, or Schach Aider, [ 1495] of the Sophian Race, which now began to appear in great Eminence and Power.

6. Alamat, the last King of this House, [ 1498] Fought with the beforemention'd Aider, and slew him; but his Son Ismael Sofi taking up the Quarrel, and having overcome and slain Alamat and his Son Elwan, he was Crown'd King or Shaugh of Persia, and became Head of the present Royal Family in that Dominion.

The eighth Dynastie, being of the Sophian Race.

* 1.4531. Ismael Sofi, the Founder of this Family, had great Wars with the Turks, especially with Selimus the First.

2. [ 1525] Tamas, the Son of Ismael, overcome in some Fields by Solyman the Magnificent, who tore from him divers great Countreys, having been part of his Dominions.

3. [ 1578] Aider, the second Son of Tamas, by the Im∣prisonment of his Brother seiz'd the Kingdom, but was quickly depriv'd of it, and made away by his own Sister Periancona.

4. Ismael the Second, eldest Son of Tamas, Reigned two years, at the end of which he was murther'd by the same Periancona his Sister.

5. [ 1579] Mahomet Chodabend being advanc'd to the Throne, immediately caus'd her to be Beheaded. Before he was well setled, Amurath the Third took from him a great part of Armenia, Media, and Georgia.

6. Abas, commonly call'd Schach Abbas, [ 1585] second Son of Chodabende, having murther'd his elder Brother, stept into the Throne; and undertaking with great resolution the War against the Turks, regain'd the greatest part of what his Predecessor had lost, and withal, made a large addition of the Kingdoms of Ormus, Heri, Candahor, and Hircania.

7. Soffye, the Nephew of Abas, by his Son Myrza., succeeded his Uncle at the age of fifteen years; but after his coming to age, very fortu∣nately maintain'd the War against the Turks.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Description of Persia.
• * 1.2

  Its ancient Limits and Extent.
• * 1.3

  The Extent of Persia.
• * 1.4

  Its Borders.
• * 1.5

  The Road from Schiras to Ispahan.
• * 1.6

  The modern Names of Media Atro∣patia.
• * 1.7

  The Bounds.
• * 1.8

  The Descri∣ption of the City Scha∣machie.
• * 1.9

  The Cara∣vansera's or Royal Inns.
• * 1.10

  Built at the Kings Charge.
• * 1.11

  The Hamans or publick Baths.
• * 1.12

  The Bazar or Market-place.
• * 1.13

  Culistan, whence deno∣minated.
• * 1.14

  Amaleck Can∣na's Tomb.
• * 1.15

  The Wor∣shippers of Orimasda fled to India.
• * 1.16

  The Village Mordow.
• * 1.17

  Heid Ibrahims Tomb.
• * 1.18

  Tirihabba's Tomb.
• * 1.19

  Pyr Marde¦chan's Tomb.
• * 1.20

  The City Eres.
• * 1.21

  The Situati∣on of the Ci∣ty Derbend.
• * 1.22

  Dee Descri∣ption of the City.
• * 1.23

  Junan pro∣bably from Iones.
• * 1.24

  Tzumtzume's Tomb.
• * 1.25

  A certain number for an uncertain.
• * 1.26

  The Tombs of Pyrhr Mu∣cur, and Imam Chur∣chud.
• * 1.27

  The City Ba∣chu.
• * 1.28

  The Moun∣tain Barmach.
• * 1.29

  The Trade of this Province
• * 1.30

  The Military Strength.
• * 1.31

  Change of Government.
• * 1.32

  Description of the Coun∣trey of Mus∣cur.
• * 1.33

  The modern Names and Bounds of Parthia.
• * 1.34

  Situation and Bounds of the City Ispahan.
• * 1.35

  The Descri∣ption of the City.
• * 1.36

  Description of the Mai∣dan or Mar∣ket-place.
• * 1.37

  Description of the King's Place,
• * 1.38

  The Persians Belief con∣cerning Me∣hedi,
• * 1.39

  Places of Games and Exercises.
• * 1.40

  Houses of En∣tertainment.
• * 1.41

  Barbers Shops.
• * 1.42

  The famous Coffee-house in Ispahan.
• * 1.43

  The Garden Izarbag.
• * 1.44

  The Cheiwan.
• * 1.45

  The Suburbs, of Ispahan.
• * 1.46

  The Manners and Religion of the Keb∣bers,
• * 1.47

  The City Jarustan.
• * 1.48

  Situation and Description of the City Cashan
• * 1.49

  The several Names, with the Descri∣ption of the little Town Natens.
• * 1.50

  Situation and Description of the City Saba
• * 1.51

  The City Rhey.
• * 1.52

  Situation and Description the City Com.
• * 1.53

  Description of the Vil∣lage Casmabath.
• * 1.54

  The City Casbin.
• * 1.55

  Its Situation and Descri∣ption.
• * 1.56

  Temples,
• * 1.57

  The King's Palace.
• * 1.58

  The Bath Haman Cha∣rabe made fa∣mous by the Story of Lockman.
• * 1.59

  Schahesade's Tomb.
• * 1.60

  The Village Achibaba, whence deno∣minated.
• * 1.61

  Temperature of the Air.
• * 1.62

  Nature of the Soil.
• * 1.63

  Scorpions of Cashan.
• * 1.64

  The Taran∣tula of Persia.
• * 1.65

  The Taran∣tula of Pu∣glia in Italy.
• * 1.66

  The Gar∣dens about Com abound with Fruit, especially Melons.
• * 1.67

  Cutlers and Potters the chief Trades of Cashan and Com.
• * 1.68

  The rich Trade of Is∣pahan, Yasde, and Coxom.
• * 1.69

  The several modern Names of Great Media.
• * 1.70

  The Bounds of Aderbeit∣zan.
• * 1.71

  The Descri∣ption of the City Tabris.
• * 1.72

  The Towns and Places of note in Ader∣beitzan.
• * 1.73

  The Situati∣on of the Ci∣ty Sultania.
• * 1.74

  Sultania built by Sul∣tan Choda bende.
• * 1.75

  The Descri∣ption of Cho∣dabende's Tomb.
• * 1.76

  Schach Isma∣el's Mosque.
• * 1.77

  The chief Streets.
• * 1.78

  The Market-place.
• * 1.79

  The Cara∣vansera's, or Royal Inns.
• * 1.80

  Temples.
• * 1.81

  Description of Schach Se∣fi's Tomb.
• * 1.82

  By whom this Tomb was built.
• * 1.83

  The great Revenues be∣longing to it.
• * 1.84

  Description of the Tomb of Sed Tzei∣brail.
• * 1.85

  Village B••∣sun.
• * 1.86

  Sengoa.
• * 1.87

  River Kisilosein.
• * 1.88

  The City. Caxem.
• * 1.89

  Village Cen∣cem.
• * 1.90

  Places lylng between Ar∣debil and Ca∣swin.
• * 1.91

  Situation and Description.
• * 1.92

  Borders of Sagistam.
• * 1.93

  The several Names of its Metropolis.
• * 1.94

  The chief Towns.
• * 1.95

  Situation of Nixabur.
• * 1.96

  Denominati∣on and Situ∣ation of Ki∣lan.
• * 1.97

  Division.
• * 1.98

  The Country of Rescht.
• * 1.99

  The County Kesker.
• * 1.100

  The City Cu∣rab.
• * 1.101

  Decription of Astara,
• * 1.102

  Borders of the County of Langer∣cunan,
• * 1.103

  Nature of the Soil.
• * 1.104

  Productions of the Coun∣trey.
• * 1.105

  Wild Beasts.
• * 1.106

  Fish.
• * 1.107

  Constitution of the Inha∣bitants.
• * 1.108

  Their Appa∣rel.
• * 1.109

  Their Lan∣guage.
• * 1.110

  Their Reli∣gion.
• * 1.111

  Their Go∣vernment.
• * 1.112

  Description of the Plains of Mocan.
• * 1.113

  According to our Law-Term, they hold in Ville∣nage.
• * 1.114

  Vulgarly call'd Turtles.
• * 1.115

  Stream Aras.
• * 1.116

  The Village Tzawat
• * 1.117

  Description of Betziruan.
• * 1.118

  The several Denominati∣ons of the Caspian Sea.
• * 1.119

  Its length and breadth.
• * 1.120

  The great Fish Naca.
• * 1.121

  The White-Fish.
• * 1.122

  Divers other sorts of Fish.
• * 1.123

  Borders of the Province of Mazande∣ran
• * 1.124

  Description of Ferhabad.
• * 1.125

  The City Eskerf.
• * 1.126

  Peopling of Mazanderan
• * 1.127

  Their Appa∣rel.
• * 1.128

  Their Lan∣guage and Government.
• * 1.129

  Nature of the Soil.
• * 1.130

  Temperature of the Air.
• * 1.131

  Nature of the Inhabitants.
• * 1.132

  Of the Soil.
• * 1.133

  Towns and Villages.
• * 1.134

  The Brook Cinon.
• * 1.135

  The Coun∣trey Lahetzan
• * 1.136

  Situation of Chusistan, with us seve∣ral Denomi∣nations.
• * 1.137

  Bounds of Susiana.
• * 1.138

  Properly so call'd.
• * 1.139

  Rivers.
• * 1.140

  Inhabitants.
• * 1.141

  Chief Cities.
• * 1.142

  The several Names.
• * 1.143

  By what Peo∣ple inhabited.
• * 1.144

  Division.
• * 1.145

  Manner of b••••lding their Houses.
• * 1.146

  Description of the Village Cambru.
• * 1.147

  The Fort Cambru.
• * 1.148

  Meir Aba's Tomb.
• * 1.149

  The nature of the Inha∣bitants of Wild and Great Car∣mania.
• * 1.150

  Herb Daru Kermon.
• * 1.151

  Commodi∣ties of the Countrey.
• * 1.152

  The several Names of Ge∣drosia.
• * 1.153

  Chief Towns
• * 1.154

  Borders.
• * 1.155

  The County of Mecheran.
• * 1.156

  Commodi∣ties of Cache.
• * 1.157

  Bounds of Moghostan.
• * 1.158

  The Village Ciuciululion.
• * 1.159

  The Metro∣polis Mina.
• * 1.160

  Trees.
• * 1.161

  Beasts.
• * 1.162

  The City Mesched.
• * 1.163

  The City Herat.
• * 1.164

  Production of the Coun∣trey.
• * 1.165

  Nature of the Inhabi∣tants.
• * 1.166

  The Go∣verment.
• * 1.167

  Situation and Description of Siston.
• * 1.168

  The several Names and Bounds of Aria.
• * 1.169

  The chief Towns.
• * 1.170

  Temperature of the Air, and Fertility of the Soil.
• * 1.171

  Situation of Tagestan.
• * 1.172

  Properly so call'd.
• * 1.173

  Division.
• * 1.174

  The Metro∣polis.
• * 1.175

  Their man of Eating and Drinking.
• * 1.176

  The Nature and Customs of the Inha∣bitants.
• * 1.177

  Government.
• * 1.178

  Rivers.
• * 1.179

  Several Di∣stempers in Persia.
• * 1.180

  The Persians live long.
• * 1.181

  Nature of the Soil.
• * 1.182

  Plants and Grain.
• * 1.183

  Cotton a∣bounds in Persia.
• * 1.184

  The Plant Gontscheh.
• * 1.185

  Fenugreek.
• * 1.186

  Several sorts of Melons.
• * 1.187

  The Fruit Badinstan.
• * 1.188

  The Persian Composition Duschab.
• * 1.189

  The Currans Kismisch.
• * 1.190

  Fruit-Trees and Fruit of several kinds.
• * 1.191

  Beasts breed∣ing in this Countrey.
• * 1.192

  Camels of several sorts.
• * 1.193

  The Camels Diet.
• * 1.194

  They are pleas'd with Musick.
• * 1.195

  Are revenge∣ful.
• * 1.196

  Very good Breeds of Horses.
• * 1.197

  Description of the Gaures.
• * 1.198

  The Agemi.
• * 1.199

  The Quizil∣basci.
• * 1.200

  Ismael Sefi prepares an Army against the Turks.
• * 1.201

  The first red Caps.
• * 1.202

  Quizilbasci, its significa∣tion.
• * 1.203

  The number of the Qui∣zillbasci.
• * 1.204

  Distinguish'd into Tribes.
• * 1.205

  Reaja or Tat, what it signi∣fies.
• * 1.206

  Nature of the Persians.
• * 1.207

  Their Com∣plements.
• * 1.208

  They swear Friendship to one another.
• * 1.209

  An annual Feast of fra∣ternal So∣ciety.
• * 1.210

  Their Recon∣ciliation after Difference.
• * 1.211

  The Nature and Disposi∣tion of the People.
• * 1.212

  The Persians take great care of their Hair, and why.
• * 1.213

  They Paint their Hands.
• * 1.214

  The Persians much inclin'd to Wanton∣ness.
• * 1.215

  Are guilty of Sodomy.
• * 1.216

  Their Habits.
• * 1.217

  The several Habits of Men.
• * 1.218

  The Habits of Women.
• * 1.219

  Habits of the Women.
• * 1.220

  Their Hourse-keeping, very mean.
• * 1.221

  Pilao their chief Dish.
• * 1.222

  Their Dyer.
• * 1.223

  Their manner of eating.
• * 1.224

  Their Drink.
• * 1.225

  A Prohibition against the drinking of Wine.
• * 1.226

  Kitchin Furni∣ture.
• * 1.227

  Abundance of Cooks Shops.
• * 1.228

  They paint their Skins.
• * 1.229

  Coknar a sort of Drink, and the use there∣of.
• * 1.230

  Take much Tobacco.
• * 1.231

  Use Poliga∣my.
• * 1.232

  Their man∣ner of Court∣ship.
• * 1.233

  Their Cele∣brating of Matrimony.
• * 1.234

  Another way to get women
• * 1.235

  To help a wo∣man in Labor.
• * 1.236

  Children very obedient.
• * 1.237

  The Metzids or Temples, us'd for Schools.
• * 1.238

  Their Fune∣rals.
• * 1.239

  The reason of their Cere∣monies.
• * 1.240

  The order of a great Fune∣ral.
• * 1.241

  Not bury'd in their Church-yards or Met∣zids.
• * 1.242

  The study Astronomy.
• * 1.243

  Astrology highly estee∣med of them.
• * 1.244

  Their Ac∣count of time.
• * 1.245

  Their diffe∣rent Years.
• * 1.246

  The Account of their Years
• * 1.247

  Their Alma∣nacks, and the Names of Their Days.
• * 1.248

  Lucky and unlucky Days
• * 1.249

  The begin∣ning of their Moneths.
• * 1.250

  The Names of the Months in Arabick,
• * 1.251

  How they reckon their Week.
• * 1.252

  Are great admirers of Astrology.
• * 1.253

  Their For∣tune-tellers.
• * 1.254

  Their Ephe∣meris.
• * 1.255

  The difference of their Poets
• * 1.256

  Their method in Versifying.
• * 1.257

  Few Lawyers here.
• * 1.258

  How they practise Phy∣sick.
• * 1.259

  A Cure for the Head∣ache.
• * 1.260

  Their Paper Ink, and Pens
• * 1.261

  They are but ru••e Painters.
• * 1.262

  The simili∣tude of the Persian Lan∣guage with the Teutonick.
• * 1.263

  The difficulty to learn the Persian Tongue.
• * 1.264

  Use the Ara∣bick in stead of Hebrew, Greek, and Latine.
• * 1.265

  Their Alpha∣bet.
• * 1.266

  They study Philosophy.
• * 1.267

  Their Uni∣versicies.
• * 1.268

  What they study.
• * 1.269

  Their chief Books.
• * 1.270

  Delight in reading Hi∣stories.
• * 1.271

  The House∣mens Arms.
• * 1.272

  They use ma∣ny Stratagems
• * 1.273

  The Soldiers of Persia made up of three Bodies.
• * 1.274

  Four Degrees in their Mili∣tia.
• * 1.275

  Musquettiers.
• * 1.276

  Vaassls.
• * 1.277

  Chisilbassi or Red Caps.
• * 1.278

  The Corci,
• * 1.279

  The Jasakci what Service they do.
• * 1.280

  The Lasauls, what they are
• * 1.281

  The Titles of their Com∣manders.
• * 1.282

  Valor not Extract the cause of Pre∣ferment.
• * 1.283

  The Enemies to Persia.
• * 1.284

  The Forces in pay.
• * 1.285

  Their order in marching.
• * 1.286

  Their pay.
• * 1.287

  No orderly Discipline in Battels.
• * 1.288

  March close near an Ene∣my.
• * 1.289

  Their Train and Baggage.
• * 1.290

  The Camp like a City.
• * 1.291

  Rewards of valiant Men.
• * 1.292

  Their Tents.
• * 1.293

  Their several sorts of Mo∣ney.
• * 1.294

  How they va∣lue Commo∣dities.
• * 1.295

  Howi they reckon the distances of Places.
• * 1.296

  What Mer∣chants Trade into Persia, with the Commodities they carry thi∣ther, and what they bring back in Return.
• * 1.297

  What the Persian Met∣chants carry out, and whi∣ther.
• * 1.298

  Writing the most advan∣tageous Em∣ployment, and Silk-Stuffs the next.
• * 1.299

  Artificers
• * 1.300

  Vast quanti∣ties of Silk gather'd yearly.
• * 1.301

  A free and o∣pen Trade in Prrsia.
• * 1.302

  The King's yearly Reve∣nues.
• * 1.303

  Customs ta∣ken off in Trade from Port to Port, and of what paid.
• * 1.304

  The value of the yearly Presents.
• * 1.305

  Toll paid of most Goods.
• * 1.306

  The State of the Prince.
• * 1.307

  The form of Noblemens Houses.
• * 1.308

  Their Furni∣ture.
• * 1.309

  Caravansera's what they are.
• * 1.310

  Their Sum∣mer-houses.
• * 1.311

  Houses like Beehives.
• * 1.312

  Their man∣ner of making Fires.
• * 1.313

  Their Candles and other Lights.
• * 1.314

  How the Persians tra∣vel.
• * 1.315

  The Atten∣dance of the Haram.
• * 1.316

  They onely use Oxen and Cows for Carriage in some places.
• * 1.317

  The divers Sects.
• * 1.318

  Muselman, what it signi∣fies.
• * 1.319

  Their Cir∣cumcision.
• * 1.320

  Wherein the Turks and Persians dif∣fer or agree.
• * 1.321

  A Persian Prayer.
• * 1.322

  They are ve∣ry zealous.
• * 1.323

  Their Ser∣mons.
• * 1.324

  Their Opini∣on of the Bi∣ble.
• * 1.325

  Of the Crea∣tion.
• * 1.326

  They dedicate their Children to their Saints
• * 1.327

  Persians and Turks diffe∣rent Ceremo∣nies in prepa∣ring them∣selves to pray¦er.
• * 1.328

  Their Pray∣ers.
• * 1.329

  Whence this difference pro∣ceeds.
• * 1.330

  The Original of Scheich Sofi
• * 1.331

  His Doctrine and Opinion.
• * 1.332

  They are ge∣nerally em∣brac'd and re∣ceiv'd.
• * 1.333

  Another ground of dif∣ference.
• * 1.334

  A great Feast in Honor of Aaly.
• * 1.335

  His Offspring
• * 1.336

  Their Saints.
• * 1.337

  Hanifa dig'd up and his Tomb de∣stroy'd.
• * 1.338

  The Persian Legends.
• * 1.339

  This Sect greatly spred.
• * 1.340

  Sofy's are as much as Cler∣gy-men.
• * 1.341

  They live at the King's Allowance.
• * 1.342

  They confess their Sins.
• * 1.343

  Other Sects.
• * 1.344

  The Follow∣ers of the Per∣sians.
• * 1.345

  Their High-Priests.
• * 1.346

  Their inferior Priests.
• * 1.347

  Two other Sects and their Opinions.
• * 1.348

  What Books Novices may read.
• * 1.349

  Another Sect and the Tenets of it's Disci∣ples.
• * 1.350

  These resem∣ble either the Saduces or Manichees.
• * 1.351

  Reverence old Trees.
• * 1.352

  The Seyds have great Priviledges.
• * 1.353

  Their Habit.
• * 1.354

  Cherseyds what they are.
• * 1.355

  Abdalles what they are and their Habits.
• * 1.356

  A general Tolleration.
• * 1.357

  Admit dis∣course of Re∣ligion.
• * 1.358

  Heathen Per∣sians.
• * 1.359

  How they dispose of a∣ged People.
• * 1.360

  Great num∣bers of Jews in Persia.
• * 1.361

  Chistianity Preach'd in there by St. Thomas.
• * 1.362

  Melchrites and their O∣pinions.
• * 1.363

  Manichees.
• * 1.364

  Dominicans.
• * 1.365

  Their Festi∣vals.
• * 1.366

  The Proces∣sion therein.
• * 1.367

  The Festival of Roses.
• * 1.368

  Customs in Persia differ∣ing from the Turks.
• * 1.369

  The manner of their Ca∣mel-Offer∣ings.
• * 1.370

  The great Feast Asciur.
• * 1.371

  Another Feast and Proces∣sion.
• * 1.372

  The Feast Abrisan.
• * 1.373

  The Feast Istend.
• * 1.374

  The Feast of Freedom.
• * 1.375

  The Govern∣ment abso∣lutely Mo∣narchical.
• * 1.376

  The Kings Ti∣tle.
• * 1.377

  Mirza, its signification.
• * 1.378

  How the Turks style the Persian Kings.
• * 1.379

  The Kingdom descends by Inheritance.
• * 1.380

  The Kings Arms.
• * 1.381

  His Corona∣tion.
• * 1.382

  Their Bury∣ing-place.
• * 1.383

  Their Juridi∣cal Courts.
• * 1.384

  The Punish∣ments of Of∣fenders.
• * 1.385

  Usury for∣bidden.
• * 1.386

  Good travel∣ling in Persia.
• * 1.387

  Strangers en∣joy their own Lawes.
• * 1.388

  The several Officers of the Court.
• * 1.389

  The Allow∣ance of the Chans.
• * 1.390

  They hold durance bene∣placito.
• * 1.391

  Their highest Oath.
• * 1.392

  Their Com∣plements.
• * 1.393

  All see the King once a year.
• * 1.394

  How the King gives Audi∣ence to Am∣bassadors.
• * 1.395

  The King ex∣pects Presents
• * 1.396

  And makes great returns.
• * 1.397

  The King's Wives call'd Begum.
• * 1.398

  No Concu∣bines so styl'd.
• * 1.399

  Persian Wo∣men not re∣spected.
• * 1.400

  How the King bestows His Concu∣bines.
• * 1.401

  Eunuchs one∣ly attend the Haram, and why.
• * 1.402

  The Order how the Ha∣ram travels.
• * 1.403

  The Women never seen un∣veyl'd.
• * 1.404

  Haram what it means.
• * 1.405

  The Recrea∣tion of the King's Wives
• * 1.406

  All places fit∣ted for the King's Recep∣tion, and the Reason why.
• * 1.407

  The Kings Pa∣lace a privi∣ledg'd place.
• * 1.408

  Another pri∣viledg'd place
• * 1.409

  The Familia∣rity of the King.
• * 1.410

  The King's Lodgings
• * 1.411

  The Kings Houses.
• * 1.412

  His Hunting.
• * 1.413

  Bull-baiting.
• * 1.414

  Musical In∣struments among the Persians.
• * 1.415

  Their Dan∣cing.
• * 1.416

  The Recrea∣tion of the Nobles.
• * 1.417

  Wolf-baiting
• * 1.418

  The Furni∣ture of their Tables at Meals.
• * 1.419

  How their Meat is serv'd up.
• * 1.420

  How the Provinces are Govern'd.
• * 1.421

  The Equi∣page of Am∣bassadors.
• * 1.422

  The Chans make great Presents to the King.
• * 1.423

  How they re∣verence the Kings.
• * 1.424

  Their order of Succession.
• * 1.425

  Ceremonies at Installing the King.
• * 1.426

  The Habit or Robes of the King.
• * 1.427

  Their C••urts very un••••••∣tai••, but magnificent.
• * 1.428

  Their Di••••.
• * 1.429

  Their care in visiting their Provinces.
• * 1.430

  The Kings Se∣cretaries.
• * 1.431

  Their Tombs
• * 1.432

  Education of their Sons.
• * 1.433

  The Reward of approved Counsel.
• * 1.434

  What their Law prohibi∣ted.
• * 1.435

  The Punish∣ment of No∣bles.
• * 1.436

  Such as have many Chil∣dren highly rewarded.
• * 1.437

  The Division of the Coun∣trey.
• * 1.438

  Anno Mundi 3590
• * 1.439

  Institut. Cyr. lib. 8.
• * 1.440

  3423 Herodot. lib. 3.
• * 1.441

  This was he that overtur∣ned the whole Learning and Religion of the Egyptians, and open'd the unviolated Conservato∣ries of their long preser∣ved Princes, then beco∣ming Mum∣mies.
• * 1.442

  Herod. lib. 6. Justin. lib. 2.
• * 1.443

  Sir Wa••••er Rawlegh.
• * 1.444

  This was he that preten∣ded to put a Bridle upon the Sea.
• * 1.445

  Ezra 6.
• * 1.446

  Lib. 7. de ex∣pedit. Cyr. Justin. lib. 10.
• * 1.447

  Anno Mundi 3718 3741
• * 1.448

  Anno Christi 228
• * 1.449

  These Arabi∣ans or Sara∣cens carry'd it so absolute∣ly, that the Persians were forc'd to deny their Names.
• * 1.450

  Anno Ghristi 1030
• * 1.451

  Anno Christi 1260
• * 1.452

  Anno Christi 1472
• * 1.453

  Anno Christi 1505