builded after this maner that there are 2. principal great bodies of building round strongly set vp vawtwise in form of the Hemispherike the first wherin they doe enter which by the ancieÌ„ts hath bin called Apoditayre hath in one of the corners therof a furnace like vnto the hotte houses of Germanye seruing too drye the shyrtes and other linneÌ„ which do come thither to bath in the midst is a faire fountain of Marber either of a natural spring or artificial and round about the walles are diuers seueral seats made the one a little from the oother couered with tapistry of Turkie vppon the whiche they vncloth themselues leauing their garments in sure keeping of the Capsaire and such as will bath themselues after they haue couered their priuie members with a great blew linnen cloth which is giuen vnto them doe first goe in to the Tepidarie too make themselues sweate and from thence they enter into another great place of the bath beyng more higher the â—eeling thereof made cleare wyth diuers windowes too the intent too shew the brighter in the middest whereof is also a fountaine most magnificque casting foorth water abundantly and euen hard by the same is a table of fine Marber set vpon foure round bowles vpon the which after they haue wel sweated and haue wel bathed themselues in a great vessell of Marber of Porphyre which standeth readie at hand the seruants which there are in greate number require you to lay your selfe along flat vppon your bellie then one of these great lubbers after they haue well pulled and stretched your armes aswell before as behinde in such sort that he wyll make your bones too cracke and well rubbed the sooles of your feete mounteth vpon your backe and so with his feet slydeth vp and downe vpon you and vpon your raynes as if he woulde brouse them in peeces and then againe maketh you to turne on your backe pulling and remouing your ioyntes as before is said and neuerthelesse without doing vnto you any harme at all but to the contrarie doth so comfort your sinewes and strengtheneth your members that yee shalbe after it a great deale more fresh liuely better disposed and being thus dressed ye enter into a little chamber temperately whoat where againe this great fellowe commeth too rubbe you and after that hee hath well soaped and rubbed your bodie and your members wyth a purse of Stammin or Chamblet which hee holdeth in his hande in manner of a gloue in steede of the Strigil which the Romans vsed he washeth you with very cleare water spryng out of 2. conduits or fountaynes the one being whot and other colde both which doe fall into a basen of Marber within the whiche hee tempereth it pouryng out the same wyth a fayre basen of Copper damasked and also with a pounced stone hee rubbeth and cleanseth the plantes of your feete and then cutteth your beard and the holes vnderneath your arme pittes But as touching the priuy members they giue you a rasour or rather a Psilothre whiche they doe call Rusma whiche is a paste whiche beeyng layde vppon the hearye places doeth foorthwith cause the haires to fall out And of this paste the Turkes both men and women do often vse for that they do abhorre to weare haire in those places and after ye haue in this order sweated and haue byn pulled stretched rubbed scratched and washed you do returne to the place where your clothes are for to dry and make you ready againe and after yee haue giuen certain Aspres in reward to the seruants 2 or 3. Aspres vnto the Capsayry which sitteth at the entry of the gate to receiue of those that come thither to bathe ye may go whither it pleaseth you Now is to be noted that al nations of what faith or religioÌ„ soeuer they be are al alike and indifferently receiued intreated for their money in these bathes But aboue all other the Turks Moors and generally al the Mehemetised frequent thither most ofteÌ„ aswel for their volupt pleasure as bodily health And principally for the obseruing of their law which commaÌ„deth y â— no Muselmans shall enter into their Mosques without they be first wel washed and purified these brutish Barbarians esteeming of the outward washing and not that which inwardly toucheth the soule Behold here so much as toucheth the bathes which now a dayes are in Turkie which the Turkes doe â—al Tschimuns and the manner of their bathing and washyng Iosephus in his booke of the warres of the Iewes doeth very amply testifie vnto vs where he speketh of the publique bathes which Herod caused to be made in Tripolys Damas Ptolomaide as also Herodian in the thirteenth chapter of his first booke where hee maketh mention of Cleander of Phrygia a slaue vnto the Emperor Commodus who peâ—ceiuing himselfe through the meanes of his master and the chaunce of fortune to be exalted from the estate of a chamberlain to the captainship of his gard durst very well aduaunce himselfe to come too the estate imperiall whereunto too attaine after hee had gotten togeather a great masse of goods vsed diuerâ— liberalities towards the souldiers and people foâ— to obtainâ— their good willes amongst others caused many publike baths to be made wherin euery maÌ„ might go to bath without paying of any thiÌ„g I cannot also passe with silence the greatnes magnificence of the costly sumptuous Thermes of the Agrippians NeroniaÌ„s Domitians Antonians diuers other wherof the ruines are as yet to be seen at Rome the ample discouery wherof I wil neuertheles omitte for auoiding of prolixity and too returne to the intreaty of our matter in hand which is too speake aswel of the bathes of the women of Turky as we haue done of those of the men Of the women of Turky going vnto the bathes and of their apparrel and maner of cleannesse Chap. 22. THe Turks wiues by ordinary custome auncient obseruation which they do reserue of the old custome of Asia and Graeciaâ— do delight at al times to haunt the bathes aswel for the continuaunce of their health as beautifiyng of their persons which is not to be reputed as spoken of the women of base estate or coÌ„ditioÌ„ but likewise of the great and notable dames which ordinarily doe frequent the bathes 2. or 3. times in the weeke not the publike but their priuate bathes which for the most part they haue very fair within their houses or Sarails but such as are of the meaner degree goe vnto theÌ„ at the least once in the weeke if by other they will bee esteemed not infamed or scarce honest And notwithstanding they wil not gladly faile to go thither for two seuerall occasions the one being for the obseruatioÌ„ of their Mahumeticall law whiche as before I haue said forbiddeth theÌ„ not to make their prayers within the Mosquees except first their bodies be washed purified notwithstaÌ„ding that few women do enter
a brodell for buggers whores This lamentable losse of Constantinople beyng chiefe of the Orientall Empire likewise of the Citie of Perâ— by the Turks called Galata being the seate of trade of the Geneuoises lying hard by Constantinople vpon the other side of the Chanel was in the yeere of our Sauiour 1453. the niene twentie day of Marche some doe say of Aprill and others of May after it had remained vnder the dominion of the Christians 1198. yeeres But this is a marueilous thing and worthy to bee noted that Constantinople being reedified and new sette vp by Constantine the sonne of S. Helene after the proportion and likenesse of Rome was by another Constantine sonne of another Helene taken saccaged brought into the hands of the Turkes which for euer shall be an irreparable damage vnto all Christendome Mehemet after hee hadde thus taken the citie resoluing to keep there the seat of his Empire caused in all diligence the walles to be new made and certaine other places ruined to be repayred and in steed of the great number of people that were there slaine and carried away as prisoners he caused to be brought thither out of al the prouinces cities by him conquered a certaine number of men womeÌ„ and children with their faculties and riches whom hee permitted there to liue according to the institutions precepts of suche religion as it pleased theÌ„ to obserue to exercise with al suretie their handicrafts and merchandises which ministred an occasion vnto an infinite multitude of Iewes and Marannes driuen out of Spain for to come and dwel there by means wherof in very short time the Citie began to increase in traficke ryches and abundance of people This Mehemet was the first founder of the great Sarail which he builded at the entrie of y e chanell about one of the corners of the citie vpon the PromoÌ„torie Chrisoseras which afterwards by the great Turks which successiuely haue dwelled ther hath been greatly beautified augmented he founded likewise vpoÌ„ one of the mounts of the same citie a sumptuous Mosque Amarathe College enduyng them all with great yeerely reuenewes whereat is not too be marueiled for fortune was so fauourable to him that after hee hadde ruined the Empyre of Constantinople and Trebironde he toooke from the Christians twelue kâ—ngdomes and twoo hundred cities so that by reason of his great prowesses and conquests the name title of great was giuen vnto him to this day remaineth vnto the house of the Othomannes Of two marueilous fires by chaunce happened at two seuerall times within the Citie of Constantinople Chap. 14. ZOnar the Constantinopolitan historian maketh mention in his histories of two fires marueilously happened vntoo Constantinople whereof the first was in the time and empire of Leon the great spreading it selfe from the North vntoo the South along by Bosphore too witte the length of one of the Seas to the other and was so horrible and furious for the space of foure dayes that it deuoured brought to ashes the whole beautie of the citie namely the place where the Senate and citizens chosen to deliberate vppon common affayres did assemble There was also burned another princely house and a pallace ioyning vnto the caue or denne called Nymphee and diuers other churches and priuate houses the second fire whiche was in the time and raigne of the emperour Basil lightned in such sort that it compassed the market of copper and consumed to ashes the houses and streetes thereaboutes with the pallace within whiche was a Librarie of 120000. volumes of bookes and the stature of a dragon of the length of 120. foote which was written in letters of gold the Illiade and the Odisse of Homer And moreouer burned the most renowmed Simulachres of Iuno of Samos of Minarua of Lynde of Venus and of Guide and finally deuoured the most pleasantest places of the citie Of two earthquakes happened within Constantinople Chap. 15. THe said Zonare reciteth that during the raigne of Anastase chosen vnto the Empyre of the East partes there happened suche a great Earthquake that it ruined euen too the foundations a great number of buildings not onely at ConstaÌ„tinople but likewise in Bithinia and other places therabouts but the last whereof diuers woorthie authours haue written namely Munster in his Geographi was so straunge and fearful for the space of xviii dayes continually that with horrible fearefulnesse and damage it cast down to the ground the walles of the citie and all the buildings towards the Sea side and ouerthrew al the ditches it did also cast down the towre where the Turke kept his munition with fiue others more the house of tribute which stoode neare vnto the wall was ouerthrowen euen to the foundation into the Sea with the leadinges of the waters conduites which with incredible expences had byn made to leade the waters out of the Danube intoo the Citie were for the most parte broken and brused and the chanell which is betwixt ConstaÌ„ntinople and Pera was so moued that by great surges it cast the water ouer the walles of both the cities but the worst of all was that more then 13000. persons remayned dead on a heape This great Earthquake happened in the moneth of September in the yeere of grace 1509. in the reigne of Baiazet the second of that name the nienth emperour vnto the Turkes which succeeded Mehemet the 2 who with all diligence caused the walles of the citie to be repayred Antiquities of Constantinople Chap. 16. THe rest of the noble antiquities which presently are to be found at Constantinople are the Hippodrome which the Turks do cal Atmayden which is the place where in times past the Emperours made the horses to run for the pleasure delectatioÌ„ of the people which beheld the same vpon a stage or Theater which now is altogether ruined In the middest of this place was set vp vpon foure bowles of fine Marber a fair obelisquie of coloured stone all of one peece 50. cubits high beset with letters Hieroglificque nere to it is a great colomne in y â— which are carued by histories the things memorable whiche haue been done in this Hippodrome there is also another great columne near vnto it of marber one of bras made by singular artifice in forme of three serpents wrong one within another diuers other antiquities which are dispearsed in diuers places of the Citie as the pallace of Constantin the great her first restorer whiche ioyneth to the walles neare vnto the corner which is towards the West The sepulchree of the same Constantine which is made all of Porphyre being in a corner of a streete the most filthiest in al the citie And going towards the gate of Seliuree is to bee seen a great Colomne of Marbre historied after the maner of those of Antonin and Adrian whiche are at Rome Moreouer there are conduit pypes and diuers
about 3000. to neare 400. paces from the citie not without the great endaungerment of them of the Castle aswell of their artillerie as courses and skyrmishes which by the knights were daily offered to them And the same very morning as a renied Spaniard tolde mee 20. kinghts came foorth to the skirmish euen to the pauillion of the Bascha and that in despite of the whole campe â—hey caryed away with them a Turke prisoner Before I passe any further for the more certain intelligeÌ„ce of matters I haâ—â—â—hoght good to make a summarie description of the foundation and cituation of Tripoli Foundations of the citie of Tripoli Chap. 18. TRipoli is a Citie of Barbarie cituated on the maine lande vpon the coast of the Sea Mediterrane and was first builded of the Romans and afterwardes subdued by the Gothes which possessed the same vnto the time of Homer the seconde Califfe and was by the Africanes so straightly besieged that about the ende of sixe monethes they constrained the Gothes to flee towards Carthage to abandon the citie which being taken pylled and defaced part of the inhabitants being slaine and part kept prisoners fell in the end vnder the puissance of the kings of Thunes which dyd reedifie the same But it came to passe that whylest Albuhenan king of Fez made warre with Abulhabbes king of Thunes whom he took prisoner the Geneuois with an armie of twentie shippes tooke it pilled it and carryed away the most part of the inhabitauntes prisoners of which taking the king of Fez being aduertised sent in diligeÌ„ce to compounde with them for the deliuerance of the citie and prisoners for the sum of fiftie thousand crownes which were deliuered vnto them in readie money but after the giuing ouer and their departure they founde the one halfe of the money to be counterfeated Afterwarde the king of Thunis was set at libertie vpon an accord and alliaunce which hee made with Abuselim king of Fez and by that meanes returned too Tripoli which was of him and hys long time possessed vntyll such time as the inhabitants not being able to support the extortions Tyrannies of the Gouernours which by the kings were sent thither did chase them away with al the other kinglie officers And hauing chosen vnto their Lorde a Citizen of their citie deliuered into his handes all the reuenewes treasures of the same who gouerned for a certaine space very well shewing himselfe milde and tractable towardes the Citizens But when he sawe himselfe mounted to so high dignitie waxing proude aboue measure euen sodainly changed his good maners and vertues into most vitious tyraÌ„nies which gaue occasion vnto a brother of his to take away his life from him to the people to constraine through importunitie an Heremit which had bin brought vp in the court of the Prince Abubaco against his will too take the charge and administration of the citie which notwithstanding he gouerned with all modestie to the great contentment of the inhabitauntes vntill the yeere 1510â— and such time as Fardinando king of Spaine by force of armes came occupied the same and after his death was by the Emperour Charles the fith giuen vnto the knights of the religion who brake down the citie to the intent to fortifie the castle whiche they furnished with artillerie and other munitions necessary and yet notwithstanding hath been so ill looked vnto whether it was through the auarice of the grand master or negligence of those of the religion that in the ende to their great shame and ouerthrow it is againe fallen into the hands of the Barbaries in maner as hereafter shall be declared vnto you For that presently we will not leaue the following on vpon our purpose So now this citie is enuironed by great circuit with hilles a great number of Palm trees bearing dates amongst which are seene many towers and goodly buildings ruined with certaine Mosques cestarnes vaulted amongst which one which was vnbroken besides that it was very great ful of water of excellent goodnes was all paued with fine Marber of Numidia notwithstanding that the ground is leane sandy yet being wel tilled trimmed doth beare many good frutefull trees as Oliue trees Corniers Carabiers and great abundaÌ„ce of palm trees of the fruit of which trees the more part of the inhabitants which are poore needie are nourishedâ— Also ther grow good Melons Raues and pateques in steed of corn they sow Maith which is a kind of grosse Mill of that grain they make meale which they knead with water and thereof make bread for their eating which they bake vppon an yâ—â—n plate heated with a smal fire because they haue nothing els to burn but the wood of the palme tree as for the commodities of the waters vpon high places they vse cesternes but vppon the plaine along the Sea side they haue many welles of sweete water aswel for their drinking as for the watering of their grouÌ„d gardens they haue also great quantitie of Oxen Asses and sheepe which haue very long tayles more then a foote long of which the flesh is very tender and delicate and aboue al other haue great number of camels for I haue seen in one field nere the towne of Tripoli aboue three thousand going in one pasture Of Basar where were solde the christians taken in the Ile of Sicile Malta and Gose and of the maner of trenches Gabions and battries of the Turke Chap. 19. HAuing wel considered the placing of the campe the town and castle we returned to the Bascha with whom the Ambassadour talked a while and in the meane while I went to see the market of the Turks which they call Basar being hard by where the poore Christians of Sicil Malta Gose were sold vnto those that most offered for them last inhaunsers being permitted vnto those that bought them as the auncient custome of the Orientall Barbarians is to stripp them starke naked to make theÌ„ goe to the intent to see if they haue any naturall impediment in their bodies visiting afterwards theyr teeth and eyes as though they had been horses and standing there I saw creeping vpon the ground a Scorpion of yealowe coloure being of length more then a long finger The same day the Turks brought their ordinaÌ„ce gabioÌ„s vnto the trenches whiche Gabions are made of great plankes of three inches which they carry vpon their gallies or shippes to serue them when they haue neede of them for when they will batter any place they set them in the ground in forme of Baskets Afterwards being set in rankes they fill them with earth and is a very commodious inuention for the shot which can but slippering passe ouer it and can doe no hurt nor dammage The Turks hauing in the night placed their gabions their ordinance readie to the battry did the next day folowing beyng y e eight of August begin to shoote at
cituated on the East part on the hanging of a hil in which appeared yet certain peeces of the old walles And for better witnesse of the antiquitie thereof the inhabitaunts of the Ile doe at this present day call all these old ruines Paleopolys which is to say and old Citie vnder which passeth a small ryuer which through the middest of a gulfe issueth into the Sea and vppon the bankes of this gulfe are within a great rock eighteen or twentie bathes small great cut out by marueilous art the most part being made with pypes and gutters to bryng the waters vnto them I saw these bathes thorow a great hole which in times past was made for a breathing hole vpon the toppe of a rocke whereof the principall entrie was couered and shut with great bushes and wilde brambles which in processe of time and lacke of frequentation were so growen and multiplyed that to content my minde I resolued by a coarde too go downe into this hole which readily I did by the helpe of those that were with mee and after mee followed my nephewe and wee straightwayes so bestirred our selues with an axe too cut downe the trees and bushes which letted the going downe that we made such a gap that euery man might enter and see at his pleasure Likewise after our first arriuall the Ambassadour hauing sent his gard to the mountain of S. Nicholas being very high stony ill to climbe vp I shewed hym two chappels being vppon the toppe of it of which the biggest had aswel within as without his pauement very antickly wrought after the Mosaique fashion with figures of hunters on hosebacke Hartes Lions Beares Dogges and diuers birdes And thus ye haue the most part of those things which I haue seene worthie of memorie the wind still continuyng contrarie and the Seas being sore wrought constrained vs to remain there all that while to our great griefe The 7. day of September and of our aboade dyed of a blooddy flixe a young Gentleman called Polmi kinsman to Saint Marie who according to the commoditie of the place was honourably buryed with in the Bourg which being notified vnto the Proueditor fearing he had died of the plague incontinently forbadde all hys folke and the men of the Iland to deale or frequent any more with vs nor yet to bryng any more victuals vnto vs. The same night also we hadde newes of a Galliot of Messene which comming from ventring was arriued at the Dragoners which are two smal Ilandes very neare to Cerigo therfore the better to be on our gard euerie one put himself readie in armes And as it pleased God which knewe what was necessary for vs for that alreadie we began to way out the bisket vnto the gallie slaues and that in the Patronne there was scarce lefte for foure dayes about the second watch in the night the Sea which for eight dayes before had sore raged began to asswage and the North East windes which so long had continued fauourably changed into the West and by North. Of our departure from the Ile of Citheree or Cerigo Chap. 4. About the third watch our ankors beeyng weighed by the help of god who neuer forgetteth his in time of need we departed out of the hauen and with sayles spread doubled the Cape of Saint Nicholas of the same Ile and after that the cape Malee and sayled aswell with one as other wynde that we entred the Sea Aegeum passing by the Iles of Archipelagua and approching the Ile of Tino with force of oâ—res we ouertooke two Ragusian shippes for that the Seas beyng calme they coulde not flee the master refusing to speak with vs seâ—t a passenger beyng of Chio vnto vs in a small boate whom the Ambassadour asking from whence those shippes came sayde that it was not fiue dayes past since they were depaâ—ted from Messena in Sicilia as for any newes of the warres he wold declare nothyng excusing himselfe saide that it apperâ—ained too Merchants to be occupied wyth theyr merchaÌ„dise and yet neuerthelesse tolde vs that Andre Doria wyth fiue â—allies well appointed was twyse departed returned determined for too entrappe vs at the passage and that the first occasion of his retourne too Messena was for that the Maste of one of the chiefe Gallies was by storme broken and the second for that he hadde missed of his enterprise hee was fallen sicke with thought Thus hauyng retourned this good fellowe who scarcely woulde imparte any of this newes vnto vs to hys shippe we agayne began to follow on our course towards the Ile of Chio and in the night hauing passed the Cape Mastic we approched in the morning within eight miles of the Citie Of our arryuall at the Citie of Chio. Chap. 5. THE next day beyng the tenth of September after we had putte our gallies in order with theyr flagges banners streamers and Gailiardets and the Gentle meÌ„ Souldiers set in their ranks we made way towards the streÌ„gth port of Chio at the entring wherof were discharged all the ordinance harquebuses and afterwardes wyth sound of Trumpets and Clarons we came to an anker neare vnto the mole head vpon the which and al along the hauen the people came running to see vs arriue and we had not so soone touched grounde but the Ambassadour was straightwayes visited by the principall and most auncient of the Seigniorie of which one made the oration for the rest with great curtesie and honour offeryng hym the Citie withall that was within it to dispose of the same according to his pleasure with great affectioÌ„ reqâ—sting him to take the same for his lodging quiet recreation and repose of his trauailes sustayned on the Seas assuring him that the Segniorie desired nothing more then the good intreatie of him and his For which the Ambassadour rendred vnto them his most hartie thanks excusing hymself vpon the weakenes of his person and hast of his voyage towardes Constantinople so as hee could not come a land and for that he was also resolued to depart that night but promised them that at his return he wold certain dayes passe the time amongst them The said lordes were not so sone returned into the town but they sent a boat ladeÌ„ with diuers Presents to wit .xij. couple of quick partriges being in twelue seuerall cages twelue couple of fat capons sundry baskets full of Citrons Lemonds Orenges Pomegranets Apples Peares prunes and Reisons of such bignesse that there were some of themâ— that euery cluster weighed sixe or seuen poundes a great quantitie of new bread and certaine calues muttoÌ„s which refreshings wer vnto vs no lesse welcome then necessary Moreouer in the afternoone they sent vnto vs a good quantity of al manner of fruit with a 100. poullets two buts of wine of Chio two fourth parts of muscadell 12. boetes mastick 4. tapites floured of pinsed satten for there are made the best and fairest of any place in
Notwithstanding that the modernes founded on a contrarie opinion and ocular reason affirme the length thereof to bee from the West too the East 110. miles and the whole circuite 160. Pompone sayth that there were in it fiue cities Antissa Pyra Eresson Ciraue and Mytilene of which the whoâ—e Ile beareth the name But Seruie calleth it Methine howsoeuer it be Strabo spake aright where he sayeth it to haue two great ports the one on the direct South able to hold aboue fiftie gallies and many other vessels The other being great sure and deepe hauing at the entrie thereof a small Iland but where he sayth the second to lye on the North part he may by the view eisight onely be reproued being in deed towards the East Of the Citie of Mytelene was Pithagore one of the seuen sages of Grecia Alcee the Poet and his brother Antimenides a man most valiant at arms Theophraste Phanie Philosophers Peripatetiques familiar friends of Aristotle likewise ArioÌ„ the most excellent player on the harp of whom Herodote speaketh very fable like saying that he being by certaine theeues cast into the Sea was by a Dolphin brought safe and sound to the porte of Tenare Of thence was also Terpandre the famous MusitioÌ„ which ioined the seueÌ„th string to the quadricord after the likenesse of the seuen straying starres Sapho a woman most welâ— learned in poetrie was also a Lesbian being called the x. Muse numbred amongst the ix Poets Liâ—iques She inuented the verses which after her name are called Saphic being very feruently in loue with Phaon who being gone into Sicilia fearing that she was not beloued of him againe in a fury rage of a loue dismeasured she cast her selfe downe headlong from the mount Epyre into the Sea In our time are sproâ—g out of the same two so happie renowned Coursaries brethreÌ„ Cairadni Ariadne Barberousse which being gone as being two of the poorest of the Ile to seek their adueÌ„ture vppon the Sea were so fauorably coÌ„ducted by fortune that they both are happily disceased with the name title of kings of Alger The first inhabitaÌ„ts of this yle after the saying of Diadore were the Pelasgiens for after the Xanthe the sonne of Priape king of the Pelasgiens had part of the Segniorie of Letia went to Lesbos which theÌ„ was not inhabited after the palasgiens succeeded the Eoliens after was subiect to the Empire of Persia after that to the MacedoniaÌ„s finally vnder the Emperours of Grecia vntill such time as the Emperor Calo Iani being driuen away by Cartacusan and afterwards recouered â—he empire through the ayd of Catalusio of Genua gaue vnto him in recompence of the help succour which he had done vnto hym for him his posterity the Lordship domination ouer thys yle Notwithstanding since that the Turkes haue made dyuers rodes spoiles into the same thei haue finally brought it vnder their puissance dominioÌ„ She produceth of the best wines that are in al Graecia great quantity of al good fruits for althogh the moste part of the yle is hilly and sauage yet is therein the middest therof a valley very good and fruitful Of our nauigation from the yle of Metelin to Galliopoli Chap. 10 FRoÌ„ Metelin we sailed aloÌ„g by Natolia or little Asia vnto the promontory of Sigee by the moderns called the cape of Ianissaries right against which by the distaÌ„ce of 10. miles is the yle of Tenedon so called of one Tenes which first peopled y e same and there founded a city which he called after his name Plinie in his naturall history writeth that in this yle there is a fountain which by natural vertue from the third houre of the Solsticium vnto the sixt doth so abound of water that for a certaine tyme she batheth and watereth the whole plaine of the yle and afterwards during the rest of the yeere remaineth dry ful of clifts Strabo also affyrmeth that without the city of Tenedon was the teÌ„ple of Neptune greatly reuerenced by the concurrence of the people which of al parts came vnto it Alongest this side betweene the port of Sigee and the floud Xanthus otherwise called Scamander are seuen diuers ruines and peeces of walles fouÌ„dations colomnes pillers and other monuments of the great and ancient city of Troy by the elders so much celebrated whiche ruines by their long large extending which they shew is made apparant the greatnes and magnificence of the sayd so renowmed in the end most infortunate city The riuer Scamander being aboue it comming from the bottom of the mouÌ„t Ida which is clothed with al maner of trees as pinetrees Serapins Cypres Terebinths Iemuers other trees great litle Aroma ticque ruÌ„neth softly aloÌ„g the vally of Mesaulon so issueth into the sea froÌ„ thence we entred the streit of HellespoÌ„t for the safegard wherof there are 2. strong castles builded by Mehemet the 2. coÌ„querour of Constantinople the one on the one side of Europe at Charronesse Thracien the other in little Asia in the same places as they of the countrie do affirm where somtimes were the 2. castles of Seste Abyde so renowmed by the fables of the poets in memory of the loue of LeaÌ„der Hero Seste whiche is in Europe is cituated at the foot of a mouÌ„tain wherof the circuit is made after the form of a double clauer leafe to wyt with 2. towers one within another euery one made in 3. halfe circles the great coÌ„passe of the wal in form of a triaÌ„gle which haue at euery corner a tower which beateth defendeth the other for this castle is alwaies hath bin wel prouided of men munition the other on the side of Asia wheras stood Abyde is more new strong theÌ„ Seste for it is in form 4. square cituated in a plain marish the most faire and fruitfull as in anye place hath bin seen aswel for gardens fruits tillage grounds and pastures which are about it as for the riuer of Simois wherwith it is watered which comming from the mount Ida as doth the ScamaÌ„der runneth along by the castle so issueth into the sea the castle as I haue begun to say is in form 4. square hauing on euery corner a rouÌ„d tower in the middest of the base court a high tower 4. square like vnto a platform which beateth coÌ„mandeth of al parts al wel indifferently raÌ„parded ditched furnished of good ordinaÌ„ce specially the curtines which beateth al along vpon the water too the seaward For oftentimes they are assaulted on that side Before the gate on the side of the Bourg there is a great place to keep their markets in a faire Mosquee The gard hauing with a loud voyce requested vs to come neer the shore we came to an anker very nigh the castle wherin when our patrone would followe
cesternes vauted supported some by vaultes and othersom by a great number of pillars and diuers other fragments of Antiquities Of the Castle of seuen towres by rhe Turkes called Iadicula Chap. 17. VPon the corner of the citie wich stretcheth towards Gallipoli nere vnto the Sea side there is as before I haue said a very strong castle compassed with seuen great towres enuironed wyth hygh and strong walles furnished with a good quantitie of artillerie which castle is by the Turkes called Iadicula for the keeping whereof there is a captaine called Disgarda a man of great reuenewes and authoritie which ordinarily hath vnder him fiue huÌ„dred dead payes called Assarelis which haue all been lanissaries and haue euery one of them for theyr wages fiue thousand Aspres by the yeere there the great Turk keepeth such gard for that he and other Emperours Turkes his predecessours haue alwayes there kept their treasures and yet the great Lord commeth thither very seldome Of the Sarail wherein the great Turke dwelleth Chapter 18 VPon the corner of the citie which the Grecians haue called S. Demetrius the ancients the Promontorie Chrisoseras which stretcheth towardes the Easte right against the mouth of the port standeth the Sarail where ordinarilie the great lord Turk doth resede wheÌ„ he is at Constantinople and this Sarail is inclosed with strong high walles being in circuit about two miles in the midst wherof vpon a little hil is to be seen a faire delectable garden which beginning on the middest of the mount discendeth towards the Sea there are diuers little houses dwelling places with a gallery standing vpoÌ„ columnes after the forme of a monastarie round about the whiche are about 200. chaÌ„bers therabout the great Turk dwelleth for the most part of the sommer for that it is a place both high of a fresh aire abounding of good waters in times past these inhabitatioÌ„s haue bin of the dependeÌ„ces of S. Sophie but Baiazet the 2. caused theÌ„ to be deuided and in the midst therof caused a principal house to be builded within the which in the lower chaÌ„bers to eschew the Northeast wind of the Grecians called Boree Aparctie as coÌ„ming froÌ„ the party of Arctus whiche in greek signifieth a she Bear which by the Bosphore Thracien coÌ„meth out of the great sea he dwelleth all the winter A litle more below was another smal habitation al made of very cleare glasse ioyned tyed together with roddes of Tin in forme of a rounde Hemisphere vnder which by wonderful artifice passed a faire cleare fountain which sweetly disceÌ„ding by the same Hemisphere spreadeth ouer the whole garden In this place Baiazet in sommer ofteÌ„ went to refresh himself and pas his sleep ouer with the sweet noice of the waters but now the most part thereof being ruined the water hath taken his course towards other places within this coÌ„passe is as yet the Sarail of Sultana wife to the great Turke garnished with bathes most magnificque nere vnto the same a place for yong childreÌ„ which are pages being notwithstaÌ„ding estemed as slaues are there nourished instructed and exercised aswell in their religion as to ryde horses to shoote and doe all other warlyke exercises euen from their age of eight niene or ten yeeres vnto twentie the ordinarie number of these children being commonly about fiue or sixe hundred There is also a great stable within the which the Turk ordinarily keepeth forty or fiftie of his most fayrest horses The first and greatest gate wherby meÌ„ enter into this Sarail on the fide of S. Sophia is very great and well set forth with letters of gold and leaues of diuers colours after the fashion forme Iamesque through the same they enter into a great and large place vnpaued at the head whereof between two great towres is another gate garded by a nuÌ„ber of Capagis Ianissaries who vpoÌ„ the same haue their furnitures weapons hanging for there all those that do resort vnto the Sarail or court doe accustomably alight of their horses from thence go on foot into another great Court where the Baschas three times in the weeke giue publique audience vnto all commers of what nation or religion soeuer they be aswel in matters politique as processes other differences And notwithstaÌ„ding the number of the people comming together from all partes is very great yet suche silence is kept that yee could scarce say that the standers by did either spit or cough In the middest of this court is a very fayre fountaine set about with diuers faire cypres trees and below the garden towards the point of the Sarail whereupon the sea beatâ—th is another gate neare vnto which is a small pauillion out of the which the great Turk embarketh when he wil go to passe the time in his garden which he hath caused too bee made in Natolie in the place by the Turkes called Scutary by the auncients Calcedon and for this intent are ordeined two Brigantins vppon one of which hee is embarked by Bostaugi Bassi Captaine of the gardens gardiners and the other Brigentin followeth after being kept reserued as at a moment to succour supply the instant necessities which might happen The great ladie and wife vnto the great Turk The great Sarail or Sarail of women Chap. 19. THere is moreouer within the middest of the citie the olde Sarail which first was builded and inhabited by Mehemet the second before the edification of that before mentioned whiche likewise conntaineth 2000. paces in circuit inclosed with hygh walles of fifteene cubites and of thicknesse accordingly without any towres it hath onely two gates wherof the one commonly standeth open being wel garded by Eunuches and the other almost neuer opened within this Sarail are diuers smal houses being separated with chambers kitchins and other necessary coÌ„modities whithin which do dwell the wiues concubines of the great Turk which in number are aboue 200. being the most part daughters of Christians some beyng taken by courses on the seas or by land aswel fâ—om Grecians Hongarians Wallachers Mingreles Italians as other christian nations some of the other are bought of merchants and afterwardes by Beglierbeis Baschas and Captaines presented vnto the great Turke who keepeth them within this Sarail wel apparrelled nourished entertained vnder streight keeping of the Eunuches and euery ten of them haue a Matrone too instruct gouerne and teach them too woorke all sorts of needle woorkes The captaine of this Sarail called Capiangassi is also an Eunuch or a gelded man hauing for his wages threescore Aspres euery day and is clothed twise a yeere with cloth of silk he hath vnder him fortie Eunuches which supply the common seruice of these Dames of whiche the great Lorde taketh his pleasure when hee thinketh good and if it so come too passe that any of them be gotten with childe he causeth her to be separated from the other
the chief of them are made keepers of the castles hauing euerye one of them like wages as before they had by reason wherof none of them can decay into such miserable pouerty but that by reason of their wages ordinary they alwayes haue good meanes to liue The figure following doth liuely represent vnto you the proportion of the Ianissary about the gates of the great Turke or at Constantinople The Ianissarie or Ianissarler being a souldier on foot and of the ordinary gard of the great Turk Of the Bolukz Bassis being captains of 100. Ianissaries Chap. 5. THe Bolucks Bassis are chiefs of a band or captains of a 100 Ianisâ—aries hauing a pension of 60. Aspres by the day mounted on horseback and apparrelled according to the manner presented by the figure following Like vnto which are also they whom they do cal Oda Bassis which are chiefe of the chaÌ„bers or tenthmen And although they are apparrelled after the fashion of the Bolucz Bassis yet haue they but 40. Aspres by the day Their number is 3. or 4. hundreth and their office that wheÌ„ the gret Lord goeth to the Mosquee or into the fields to sit vpoÌ„ faire horses wel and richly harnished and in very good order before the esquadre of the Ianissaries being in their handes a launce or light spere after their fashion and vppon their saddle bow their roundel the Busdeghan being the mase of armes and being thus mouÌ„ted and armed with their great tufts of feathers vpon their heads they seem in their appearance proude and hawty and feareful to those that do see them comming a farre off being of such a shew that the number of them which is about 400. sheweth more in sighte then a 1000 of our horses would do These Bolucz Bassis being growen into age and discharged for that they can serue no longer in the warres are committed as Captains to keepe the places fortes and castles with a recompence equiualent vnto their accustomed sallery wages Boluch Bassi Captaine of one hundreth Ianissaries Of the Ianissarie Aga being Captaine general of the Ianissaries Chap. 6. THe Captain general of the Ianessaries by the Turkes called Ianissarie Aga or simply Aga or Agach which in their language signifieth a staffe hath a 1000. Aspres in wages by y t day 6000. duccats of Timar which we do cal peÌ„sion is clothed 5. times in the yeere with good cloth of gold silk And moreouer is furnished of victuals all other thinges necessary for the supporting of his house estate he hath vnder him a Chechaia or Protegero which is as his LieuetenaÌ„t general ouer al the Ianissaries hauing for his wages 200. Aspres a day and 30000. Aspres of pension He hath vnder him also a Ianissairiazigi which is to say a Cleark of the Ianissaries which hath for his stipende a 100. Aspres by the day but no yeerely pension This Aga hath 2. or 3. hundreth slaues of his owne for his seruice is a man set in such estate dignity and authority that oftentimes it hapneth that he marrieth the daughters or the sisters of the great Turke And whensoeuer he keepeth his court and house open which he doth twise in the weeke he is bound to giue a breakefast or repast vnto the the Ianissairies cause theÌ„ to be serued with bread ryse mutton water they are bouÌ„d to present theÌ„selues euery morning at his house to know whether he wil command them any thing thereupoÌ„ proÌ„ptly too obey him and as often as the great Turke goeth into the countrie or too the Mosquee the Aga rydeth alone after the Esquadre of the Ianissaries mounted vpon some fayre Turkie or Barbarie horse the saddle and other furnitures wrought with goldsmithes workes and set with pretious stones hee being clothed in a long gown of cloth of gold frised or els of veluet or Crimson sattin as yee may see in the figure followinge which I haue onely represented on foote hoping in the thirde volume to set him foorth marching on horseback in his order as also all the other housholde officers of the great Turke Aga captaine generall of the Ianissaries Of the Solaquis archers and of the ordinarye garde of the greate Turke Chap. 7. THe Solaquis are 300. in number chosen and picked out of the most strongest and most excellent archers amongst the Ianissaries for the ordinary garde of the bodye of the greate Turke and are al clothed in one liuery of damaske or white satten wearing their garment long behind and before short and tucked vp with a large rich Turky girdle of golde and silke and vppon their head a high hat of white felt and set behynde a great plume of Estrige feathers of indifferent greate pryce They weare for their armes a Cemiterre and in their hande a bowe guilded being bent with an arrow ready to shoote and a quiuer vpon their backe And whensoeuer the Turk goeth into the fields or to the Mosquee they march in this order two and two about his person to wit a ranke on the right side whiche are lefthanded and another vpon the left being right handed obseruing this order because that if it shuld happen for necessitye or pleasure of the Lorde it should behooue them to loose their bowes they should not turne their backs towards him for that they take the same for a great vnreuerence shame and dispraise and vpon this occasion they are called Solaquis or Czolachers which is to say left handed men Now if that the Lord going through the countrey must passe through a Riuer or brook they must also wade through it but true it is that if the water do come vnto their knees the Lord giueth euerye one of them for a present fiftie Aspres and if it passe aboue the gyrdlesteed they haue a hundred Aspres and if they must wade deeper one hundred fifty But if the water be too furious deepe they passe through it on horsebacke and is to bee vnderstood that they haue not suche a present at euerye Ryuer whiche they doo passe but onelye at the firste and at the other nothing at al. Their wages are from twelue to fifteene Aspres a day and are cloathed and hoased twise a yeere as the other Ianissaries but are not subiect as the other are to watch or ward nor goe vnto the Sarail but when the great Lorde meaneth to ryde into the fieldes or to the Mosquee They haue two Captaynes called Solach Bassis which haue euery of them threescore Aspres a day their liueries and other necessaries as other Captaynes haue and goe on Horsebacke Solachi or Solacler archer ordinary and of the garde of the great Turke Of the Peicz or Laques of the gerat Turke Chap. 8. BEsides the number of these Solaquis the great Lord hath 40. Lackies being Persians called in their language Peicz or Peiclars euery one hauing eight or ten Aspres by the day and twise in the yeare new clothed
such drinke as their horses doe to wit faire and cleane water and so being gotten on horseback againe they proceed on their iourney Now to returne to our auncient Peicz the figure following setteth forth vnto you the manner of their going and forme of their apparrel The apparrel and auncient forme of the Peicz or Lackies of the great Turke Of the wrestlers of the great Turke called Gurelsis or Pleuianders Chap. 10. OF all the games anciently exercised in Asia and Grecia the Turke hath obserued the Palester of the Athletes which is too say the wrestling being very neare like vnto the old custom of the Greekes Asians Romans for the great Turks for one of his accustomed recreations entertaineth in wages o. men strong big set and full of flesh and sinewes which are of diuers nations but the most part Moores Indians or Tartares by the Turks called Peluianders or Guressis which signifieth wrestlers who at all times and as often as it shall please him to take therein his pleasure do wrastle before his person two and two with force of armes beeing bare on all their members sauing that they weare breaches of leather gathered made fast vnder the knee annointed with oyle as al the rest of their bodies likewise is according to the auncient custome of the Romans to the intent to giue or to take the lesse hold the one of the other by reason of the slipperous glyding of the oyle dropping vpon the dead leather or quick skinne whereby it commeth to passe that when they are wel chafed ofteÌ„times for lack of good hold with the hands they with their teeth do fasten vppon the flesh of the one other like vnto the fighting of the mastiffes with the Beares wild Buls in that order they doe bite and with their teeth nip one another in y e nose eares or any other part of the bodie sticking out or wher any hold is to be fastned on so as ofteÌ„times they do carry away a peece of the flesh with their teeth The wrestling being theÌ„ ended either through victorie or a signe of abstinence giuen and to wipe of the sweate they cast about their shoulders a cloath of blew cotteÌ„ checked according to their fashioÌ„ And such is their forme order apparrel and maner of their combat in wrestling but when they are wythout the barres and at common rest they are clothed with a long gowne which they do cal Dolyman girded with a large girdle of silke according to their maner their head being couered with a bonnet of blacke veluet or with the fur of a yong lamb which they cal Taquia haÌ„ging vpoÌ„ on of their shoulders after the fashion of the Georgians or the gentlemen of Polonia but that it is more euen straight they do say themselues too be impolluted of body obseruaÌ„ts of virginitie which in their opinion being not vnreasonable doeth the longer preserue maintaine their bodies in strength and what forces with their bodies abandoned soeuer they doe yet are they not therefore seruants or slaues but of free condition for their necessarie prouision haue of the great Lord ten or twelue Aspres a daye Of these like wrastlers strong big set men I haue seen a great many in Alger in Barbary which dayly about vhe going down of the Sun doe present themselues in the place neare vnto the hauen before the great Mosquee making place for al commers and there do wrastle after a fine strong maner for to make a shew pastime vnto the assembly beholders which therfore do giue vnto them a peece of money beeing fouresquare in the moorish speech called Giudith being worth about 4. deniers of our money The Prester â—an king of Ethyopia hath also of these wrastlers as lately hath written Francisco Aluarez in hys voyage of Ethyopia whereby is to be knowne that the people beyond the South East seas do as yet obserue the Palestres exercise of wrastling after the antiquitie of the Olmipicke games instituted by the valiant Hercules whiche in the same countrie of Mauritania and Afrike challenged and ouercame with wrastling the mighty Giant Antheus neuertheles Lactance firmian in his first booke doth attribute the first inuention of the Palestre vnto Mercurie as likewise he doth the playing on the fiddle In these figures following I haue liuely painted out vnto you these Peluianders as I haue seene them in Constantinople in the forme as they wrastle and in the other figure aswell of their making redie to the wrastlyng as after the game and finally of their ordinarie appparrell whiche they weare without the exercise Athletique and likewise haue represented vntoo you the draught of three drunkardes who after they haue well tippled themselues wyth their drinke which they call Sorbet or after they haue eaten of theyr pouder Opium goe howlyng about the streâ—tes like vnto Dogges and then it is euill for the Christians too bee neare them because of the perill they shoulde be in of being well beaten Pleuianders wrestling Pleuianders wrestlers The Drunkardes Of the Cookes and other officers of the Kitchin of the Great Turke and the ordinary maner of the eating of the Turkes Chap. 10. IT shall not be impertinent nor out of my purpose if I do speak and intreat of the estates officers duties wages seruices of Cooks other officers of the kitchin of the great Turke and therfore is to be vnderstood that ordinarily he keepeth within his Sarail 150. cooks aswel maisters as boies AzamoglaÌ„s amoÌ„gst which the best most expertest are chosen ordained for the priuy kitchin of the great Lord the other for the coÌ„mon sort The Maister cooks haue for their stipend 8. or 10. Aspres a day the boyes 3. clothed euery one of theÌ„ once in the yere those of the priuy kitchin haue their furnaces apart for to dresse and make ready the meat without smell of smoke which being sodden and dressed they lay into platters of purcelan and so deliuer it vnto the Cecigners whom we do cal caruers for to serue the same vnto the great Lord the tast beeing made in his presence the other cookes for the coÌ„mon sorte doe deliuer their meate vnto those whiche haue the charge of the distributing therof throughout the Sarail according to the order made by the officers therunto coÌ„mitted for ouer these two kitchins priuie common are set ordained foure superiours of whiche the first being in their language called Hargibassi is appointed to the charge keping therof to pay the cooks their wages hath for his pensioÌ„ 60. Aspres a day amounting to the valew of a ducat and euery yeere a gowne of silke The second is cal-Emimmutpagi whiche is to say chiefe kater ordeined for the disbursing of all the money charges of the kitchin and hath 50. Aspres a day a gowne such as it shall please the Turke to giue him vpon the day
buckets full without sparing of their clothes These beastly Mahometistes thinking through such outward washing to be cleansed purged of their inward sinnes Moreouer they say that the tower which they seuen tymes doe goe about was the first house of prayer whiche Abraham buylded through the commaundement of God Nowe when they are in this towre well washed and bathed they goe to doe their sacrifice vppon a mount neere vnto it presenting for an offering manye sheepe whiche beeyng immolated and sacryficed they doe distribute amongest the poore for God his sake The sacrifice being thus ended a Sermon is made vnto them by the Cady Muselman and that beng done euerye one of them doe goe to cast 2. stones in a place where they say the Diuel appeared to Abraham when he builded the temple From thence they returne to Mecqua to say diuers other prayers desiring God to exalt them as he exalted Abraham to the building of the temple All these ceremonies being accomplyshed they depart to goe towardes Ierusalem which they cal Cuzumobarech there do visite the holy mount where the temple of Solomon was which they holde in great reuereÌ„ce In this place they do celebrate another feast and there exercise new ceremonies At the departure from the temple of Solomon euery one taketh his way to returne homewards or els where he doth thinke good And thus they goe in troupes carrying great banners with a pyke halfe moone in the top of the staffe going about the townes villages singing the praises of their greate Prophet Mahomet and asking of almes for the honor of God that which is giuen them they do eate altogether beyng sett downe in the middest of the common place after they haue thus eaten with a great hypocrisie and shew of holines they doe openly make their prayers The most part of these pilgrimâ— which the Turks call Hagislars are Moores clothed poorely inough although that diuers of them doe say to bee descended of the line of Mahomet as the Emirs aboue mentioned And of these I haue seen a great number at Constantinople apparrelled after the maner as here I haue represented vnto you in the figure following Pilgrim Moores returning from Mecqua Of the Sacquas carriers of water being also Pilgrims of Mecqua Chap. 22. IT is founde in the Alcoram that Mahomet prophet of the Turks doth forbid al his â—ectators Mahometistes to drinke wine For that he did esteeme it a true nourishment of all euils and sinnes and also as diuers haue written to keepe the Arabians with such seuere prohibitioÌ„ in greater sobriety who for the naturall heat which is in them taking the wine in too aboundantly would not so easily suffer themselues to be tamed nor brought vnder subiection by reason of these defences are thorowout whole Turky Graecia and other prouinces vnder the obeisance of the great Turke a great nuÌ„ber of Turkes Moores called Sacquaz which dayly goe by the streetes places and assemblies of the cities townes and suburbes of the said prouinces with a scrippe of leather ful of fountaine or cestarne water houÌ„g on their side couered aboue with a faire cloth embrodered with leaues about it or els plaine in one hand a cup of fine Corinthian latten guilded and damaskined out of the which of great charity they doe offer and giue to drink al them that will but yet for to make the water seem more faire delectable to drinke they put within the cuppe many and diuers stones of Calcedonie Iaspe and lapis Azuli bearing in the same hand a lookingglasse which they hold before the eyes of those to whom they giue to drink exhorting and admonishing them with words demonstratiue to think on death for doing the office of this gentlenes they wil aske no paiment nor recompeÌ„ce but if through honest liberality some peece of monie be giuen vnto them they wil most gladly receiue it and in manner of thankes and congratulation they pull out of a budget or poke which hangeth at their girdle a vyollfull of sweet smelling water which they cast on the face and beard of him that hath giuen them money I haue in a morning at Constantinople seene fifty of these Sacquas in a companye all furnished with theyr scrips large girdles cups glasses al other their instrumeÌ„ts whiche thus apparelled went through the city demaÌ„ding their new yeres gifts of al those they met withal whether they were Turks Christians or Iewes in the honour of one of their saints whose feast they celebrated that day And the more to prouoke men to giue vnto them presented to the one an apple to the other an orange or as I haue said did cast sweet water in their faces for you must vnderstand that the liberality of the Turkes and Moores is so great that they will hazard to giue the value of a Mangor which is the 8. part of an Aspre to haue two or three Aspres again for it The same day in the afternoone these woorshipful Sacquas with their ornature came vnto me to the house of my Lord the Ambassador where then I was lodged he being then in Andrinopole to see as they said the picture which the day before I had made of one of their companions whiche brought them thither But the end was that they would not depart without hauing of me some present alleadging by their reasons that they had done me great honour in comming to visit me with the best of their stuffe and apparrel so as for to ridd my self of them I gaue them about 20. Aspres and so being very well contented they returned to the place from whence they came Now to returne vnto my first purpose some of these Sacquas do this office of charitie through deuotion whiche they haue receiued at Mecqua but the others doe it for hope of a gaine which they pretend to get therby for besides that which is giuen vnto them of almes they are waged either publikely or of som in particular Ther are moreouer diuers other which in that order do keep before their houses great vessels of marber full of water couered vnder locke and key about the bottoÌ„ therof is a cock of brasse to draw water out of with a cup of latten damasked fastened vnto it with a small yron chaine to the intent that euery on may drink therof at his pleasure or going to the Mosquee likewise wash his hands So as this charity is in such recommendation amongst the Turks that there are no artificers keeping shops which haue not coÌ„monly great vessels or artificiall fountaines ful of water standing vpon their stalleâ— for the common commoditie as before I haue amplye declared Sacquas of nation a Moore a bearer of water and a Pilgrim of Mecqua The fourth booke of the Nauigations and Peregrinations Orientals of N. Nicolay of Daulphine Chamberlaine and Geographer ordinarie vnto the king of Fraunce Of the auncient Lawes and maner of liuing of the Persians The first
only vnto straungers like as I was vnto them but scarce they will trust them with their nearest parents whether they be father or brother so full are they of suspition and Ielousie The first Sibille called Sanabete or Sambetha of whome Nicanor maketh mention describing the deedes of Alexander was of nation a Persian notwithstanding that some doe say a Chaldean hauing too her father one called Berose and her mother beeing called Erimanthe shee compounded foure and twentie bookes and prophesied the myracle of the fiue loaues and two fishes as more amplie is treated in the booke of the Sebilles A Woman of Persia. Description of the three Arabies and first of the rockie or stonie Chap. 9. To come to the more easier knowledge of the lawes manners customes religion and maner of lyuing of the auncient and moderne Arabians I haue taken in hande first to beginne with the description of their countrey which according to ptolomie and other Geographers aswel ancient as moderne hath bin diuided into three prouinces to wit Arabia the stonye Arabia the desart and Arabia the happy Arabia the stony was thus called of the name of the old and famous citye of Petra called in Esaie the stone of the desart and presently according to Voleteran Arach Notwithstanding that the vulgare Arabians doe cal it Rabach cituated vpon the brooke Arnon and wheras aunciently was the seat royall namely in the time of the most puissant king Areta which about the comming of our sauiour into the world was king Or els this countrie is called stonie because of the great mountaines and rocks which enuirone close the same in Notwithstanding that within the same are found diuers fountaines abounding of very good waters she bordereth on the West with Egypt almost in the midst of Istma being between the castles of Posside presently called Ara and Rinocorura lying vpon the further parts of the redde sea or the Arabian sea on the part of our Mediterane sea the lake of Syrboni betweene which space whereof Plinie maketh but 125. myles the seas coÌ„ming froÌ„ diuers parts do diuide theÌ„selues And the third part of the world which is Asia the greater ioyneth there with the firme land of Egypt aboue Istma at the mouth of the red sea which appertaineth vnto this Arabia and extendeth beyond the gulph Elanitick and the city Elane of whom this gulph hath taken his name Of the East and the south it is enuironed with mouÌ„tains which diuide the same on the one side from Arabia the happy and on the other part froÌ„ the desart On the North it bordereth with Syria entring vnto the lake Asphaltide so named because of the aboundaunce of the Asphalte which it produceth which is gathered vppon this lake of whiche is made the Greeke fire some doe call it Stercus Demonum for that the smell thereof stinketh verye muche Philadelphe and Batanee and in none other place is the sayde Arabia more fertile then in this This Arabia was in times past through the great heat barreÌ„nesse of the fields little estemed of the auncients but we ought otherwise to think thereof for the memorie and reuerence of the dyuine things which there haue happened for beâ—ingly shee receyued and kept the children of Israel for the space of forty yeeres after they had maruellously passed dry foote through the redde sea And likewise the same tyme the Citie of Madian nourished Moyses his wife and children Likewise within the same is the mount Sinai or Oreb which Ptolome calleth Melane and the Moores Turla vpon the which the law was giuen vnto Moyses Neere vnto this mount is the stone which beeing touched by the saide Moyses cast forth water abundantly to the great alteration of the children of Israel Likewise towards Egypt is the mount Casie so renowned for the sepulture of Pompee the great which there is Plynie calleth the people of this Arabia and of the desart Scenites because they dwelled vnder tentes cabbynes wythout hauing any other houses or buyldinges and like Vagabondes went straying with their cattell from place to place staying onely at the place where aboundaunce of pasture bade them Their most famous and auncient neighbors are the Nabathees so called by the name of Nabaioth the sonne of Ismael neighbors also vnto the Amouerats Of Arabia the desart Chap. 10. THe second Arabia which is the desart is of greate compasse and Solitude which on the West part according to Ptolome bordereth vppon Arabia the stonie and on the East with the Sea Persick and along the Chaldees is deuided from Arabia the happie being on the North side with the riuer Euphrates whiche commeth from Comaigene she is inhabited with diuers peoples whereof those whiche are called Nabaâ—â—ees which doe dwell in the East partes the most desart and without water goe straying like vntoo theeues through the fieldes making many incursions vpon theyr neighbours and vnto the Carouanes which thereby doe passe to go to Medine and to the Mecqua For in all Arabia the desart there are but these two Townes and the place called Metach where Mahomet wrote his Alcoram but there are many small castles the Countrie is so barren that it bringeth foorth neither trees fruites nor waters but very little But the inhabitants whiche doe none other occupation then to robbe and steale doe dig there certaine pittes which are vnknowne vnto the strangers by that meanes doe eschewe the daunger of their enemies cannot be ouercome likewise haue alwayes liued with al libertie without at any time to haue beene subiect vnto strange kynges but vnder certaine Captaines vnto whom they obey Many haue written that besides these greate desartes there is another called the sandye sea the greatest whereof whiche is called Benahali is in breadth twelue dayes iourney beyng all whyte and loose sande These saide desarts are called sea for that like vnto the sea they are subiect vnto the fortune of the wyndes so as those which doe conduct the Carouanes are constrayned to helpe them selues with the carde and compasse as the marriners doe vpon the sea And he which is the guide goeth before mouÌ„ted on a cammel but if through misfortune the wind come coÌ„trary vnto their way diuers are found buried in the sand wheÌ„soeuer that hapneth few do escape the peril these dead carcases being by succession of time discouered are curiously takeÌ„ vp carried vnto the merchants who buy the same and is as diuers do affirme that which is called Mumie Plutarch wrytinge of the lyfe of Alexander maketh mention that in thys greate desarte remayned dead vnder the sandes fifty thousand menne of the armie of Cambises this sand being moued with a storme which blew out of the south And that which is worse in al this sandy sea is found no water but those which do passe through it must carry the same vpon their Camels with al other things necessary for the sustentation of their bodies for during these twelue dayes iourney there is
other seruaÌ„ts to take away al their means strength of reuoltingâ— After that is Achaie aunciently called Egial because of the cities in order cituated al alongst her borders Ele Arcadie which hath the name of Arcade the son of Iupiter In the same is the Palude lerne wher Hercules killed y e serpent Hidra that had seeuen heads There is also the great impetuous flood of Erimanthe greatly remembred by diuers Poets and Historiographers taking his origin of the mounte Erimanthe wherof it hath taken his name Moreouer there is Etolie and Acarnie before called Carte Epire goeth euen to Adrie in these regions the places cities farre from the Sea the most notable and that doe merite to be set out are Thessalia Thessalonique Larisse anciently Iolque in Magnesie Antronie in Phiotide Phithie in Locree Syne and Calliacre Plinie in hys fourth booke the first chapter sayth that the Locrians haue been called Ozoles In Phocide is the citie of Delphe cituated at the foote of the mount Parnasus and watered wyth the riuer Cephisusi within the same citie was in times paste a temple within the which Phoebus or Apollo the God of deuination according to the errour of the auncients was worshipped In Beoce Thebes whiche at this present hath but a little castle stibes and Citheree muche celebrated by the fables of the Poets and in Atticque is Eluse consecrated vnto Ceres But the most renowmed citie of all Grecia is Athens whiche was builded by Cecrops Diphies beeing in the dayes of Moses which called it Cecropia afterwardes was called Mopsophie of Mopsus and Ionie the sonne of Ion the sonne of Xuthe or els as Iosephus reciteth of Ianus the sonne of Iaphet finally of Minerua for the GreciaÌ„s called Minerua Athene she was the inuentour of all good artes and industrious liberall sciences mother nurse of diuers excellent Philosophers Orators and Poets which through their labors and memorable works haue gotten immortal praise But by chaunge of time and vnstedfastnesse of fortune this so flourishing a citie is brought to such extremitie ruine that at this present there is nothing of estimation left of it but a little castle which is called Sethine builded on the leauinges of the walles of the auncient and renowmed temple of Minerua In Migare otherwise called Niscee is the Citie of Megare in whiche was borne Euclide prince of the Geometrians and thys Cytie gaue the name vntoo the prouince as Argus dyd in Argos In Argolide is Argos and Micene and the temple of Iuno muche renowed aswell for antiquitie as deuotion In Laconie is Terapne Lacedemone the seate and habitation of the king Agamemnon which also was called Sparthe of Sparthus the son of Phoroneus but presently is called Mysithra Ther is likewise Amicde distant twentie stadias from Lacedemon a country abounding of all good and excellent frutefull trees and other goods and in the same is the temple of Apollo the most excellent of all others in that countrie aswell in riches as cunning building set in that quarter of the towne which is towards the sea and the mount Tayget In Messenia Messene and Methon or Modon at the siege whereof Philip king of Macedonie father of Alexander the great lost one of his eyes with the shot of an arrowe In Achie is Pise of Oenomae Elis the OlimpiaÌ„ teÌ„ple of Iupiter much renowmed because of the Olimpian games and tho rowe singular deuotion and a great deale more because of the excellencie of the image made by the hands of Phydias Arcadie is rounde about enuironed of the Peloponesians and her principall cities are Psefe Tenie and Orcomene The mountes Pholoe Cillene Parthene and Menale the ryuers Erimanthe and Ladoen In Arcadia greatlye florished Prometheus the sonne of Iapetus who being a man of deep knowledge taught the rude menne to liue ciuillie hee inuented the natural pourtractes with the fatte earth and was also the firste that stroke fire out of the flint stone and that taught the Grecians Astrologie and therefore the poets doe faine that hee helde vp the heauen In Etolie is Naupacte vulgarely Lepanto or Epacto In Acarnania presently called Ducte or Ducat or Duche the castle Strate In Epire is the temple of Iupiter Dodone and the sacred fountayne whiche is of such a vertue that putting into it any burning thing is sodainly extinguished but putting into it a bundle of straw it is foorthwith set on fire Passing beyounde the coastes of the promontorie Sepie by Demetrie Boic Pitheleon and Echine is the passage towardes the gulfe of Pagase whiche hauing imbraced or enuironed the Citie of Pagase receiueth into hys hauen the ryuer Sperchie and this place is renowmed for that the Minies accoÌ„paning Iason when he went to Colchos to conquer the golden fleese did there go on land and deliuered their ship Argo to goe and driue vpon the greate sea whiche voyage is so celebrated that the poets haue fayned this shippe Argo to haue been taken vp into heauen and vpon this reason doe put it amongest the Celestiall signes It is needfull and of force that they which this way will go vnto Sunio first to passe the gulfes Maliabe and Opunce of which are the Trophees sometimes by the Laconians there discomfited killed and come vntoo the straights called Thermopyles which crosse through the midst of Grecia like vnto the Appenin hilles of Italie The mountaines are so high that it seemeth almost a thing impossible to get vppe vnto them but betweene both there is a valley about threescore paces wide by the which onely yee can get vp vnto them through which means these mountainnes haue been called Pyles which is to say portes and by reason of the whot waters that runne out of the same Thermopyles They were so renowmed by the great discomfitures of the Persians done by the Greekes vnder the conduct of the valiant Leonidas the Laconian who brauelye withstoode the impetuositie and furor of Xerxes but in our time they haue not been able to resist or shut vppe the passage vnto the Turkes of whoÌ„ all the Grecians haue been ouercome subued It hath againe Scatphie Cnemides Alope Larymne Besides Aulide wher the assembling of the army was made by Agamemnon and other princes of Grecia after the league by them made to goe to the siege of Troy There is also Marathon a true testimonie of diuers noble prowessesâ— celebrated since the victorie of Theseus and by the great foyle which the armie of the Persians receiued there yee haue moreouer there Rhamne a little citie but famous because of the temple of Amphiaâ—aus and the Nemesis of Phidias Thorique and Brauron were there sometimes good cities but now there is nothing left of them but the name Sunio is a promontorie bordering and running along by the sea side of Hellade or Grece on the side that is towardes the East and from thence vnto Megare a citie of Atticke doth turne towardes the South The fields of the Megarians
the end that in goods heritages the one should not be esteemed more wealthy then the other but only in this that they should surpasse one another in vertue and manhood and that by this meanes they should liue altogether as true brethren He tooke away and abolished al kinds of money of siluer and golde and insteed thereof made yron to be coyned which notwithstanding he made to be tempered and extinguished being red hot in vineger to the intent to make it soft by that meanes to be vnfit for all other woorkes he banished out of Lacedemon all handicrafts and artes not necessary and instituted banquets common feasts to the intent to refraine superfluity and dayntinesse vnto which aswel the poore as the rich were called welcommed both with one place and one kinde of meate they called these banquets Phiditia by the Candiots were named Andria he forbad the often attempting of warres agaynst ones self party or enemies for feare least they should be constrained often to defend themselues and in the end become valiaunt and good fighters he commaunded that the maydens should exercyse them selues to runne wrastle cast the dart and throw the barre to make them through such exercise the more strong able to beare children and when there was any great feast or solemne sacrifice willed them to sing and daunce amongest boyes starke naked which was done with al honesty without any feare or shame ordained also that the mayden virgins should be married without any dowry of money for that the men should marry them for their vertues and good manners to get children and not for couâ—tous getting of money Moreouer it behoued that those which would marry should not haue too doe with wiues whilest they were little young of a tender age but with such as were strong able to beare children He also further permitted to those that were fayre well disposed to lye with other mens wyues for to labour in them as in a fruitfull ground and to engender children in common it was estemed a matter of no reproch to an old decayed man hauing a faire and young wife to choose some faire young man seeming agreable vnto him to make him to lie with her and so to get her with childe and rayse vp seede vnto him which child he took and brought vp as his owne and yet it seemed vnto him a very foolish and straunge matter in other nations which so carefully got faire dogges to lyne their hot bitches and sought the fairest stoned horses to spring their mares and notwithstanding with great care kept their wyues so closely vnder lock and key for feare least they shoulde gette of theyr neyghbours whereof sometymes theyr iealous husbandes coulde not furnish them The great honours he ordained to be giuen according to the degrees of age and not according to the aboundance of goodes riches And for that some of his lawes seemed to be too rigorous and streight by reason of their corrupted maner he feyned that he had instituted theÌ„ by the commandement of the God Apollo which had inuented the same this did he because they should be receiued of the people with more renerence and by othe bound the city to keepe the same inuiolated without diminishing any part thereof vntil his returne from the Oracle of Delphis whether as he said he went to consult what should be good to be added or taken away But he went intoo Crete where hee ended hys dayes in voluntarie exyle where after his death as wryteth Aristocrates the sonne of Hippaâ—chus his body by some of his friends was consumed into ashes according to his decree were throwen into the Sea for feare if they were brought vnto Lacedemon the Sparthans shoulde not thynke themselues to be free of the othe which they hadde sworne for the inuyolable obseruation of hys lawes Thus yee haue summarily that which Plutarche writeth of the life of the same Licurgus Of the Athenians Chap. 32. AS for the Athenians Iustine in his 12. booke reciteth that they were the first that taught the art of spinning of wooll making of wines and oyles to plow the ground to sow corn for at the first they fed on nothing but on acornes for theyr dwellings had none other lodgings theÌ„ litle cabbins caues Doxius was the first that builded houses in Athens which following therin the maner of the swalows he builded of earth In the daies of Deucalion Cecrops raigned as king ouer the Athenians is he whom the Poets haue fayned to haue 2. forheads because he was the first that ioyned the men the women by the right line of mariage After him succeeded Granaus which had a daughter called Athis which gaue the name vnto the region After that reigned Amphitrion which first coÌ„secrated the citie vnto the goddesse Minerua named it Athene In his time was the great flood inundation of the waters which marred and drowned the most part of Grecia in this great deluge were only saued those that could get vp to the mountaines or the other which were coÌ„ueyed towards DeucalioÌ„ king of Thessalia By whom according to the feinings of the Poets the world was by order of succession restored The kingdome being since come vnto Eristheus during his reigne the sowing of corne was brought in inuented in Eleusine by Triptolemus therfore in remembrance of this good thing the nights were sacred vnto him The Athenians being esteemed the wisest amongst the Graecians for that the administration of their common wealth was gouerned by the sage wise doctrines of the Philosophers made a lawe that to euery one of them it was permitted to take two wiues but thereby were streightly forbidden to keepe any concubine saying it to be a thing without all honesty to keepe other mennes wiues and to giue vnto his owne an yll example of liuing And this they did for the opinion which they had that a man could not liue without women and company and when the one was brought to bed or sick he might go vnto the other or els if the one were barren the other might be fit to bring forth children and succession and to her that was fitt to conceaue the gouernement and administration of the house was giuen and the barren woman was vnto him as a seruaunt Plinie is one of his Epistles saith that the Athenians were wont to marry the brother with the sister but not the Vncle with the nephew alledging for his reason that the marriage of a brother with the sister was an euen match but the Vncle with the nephew was the marrying of the olde with the young The lawes of Solon giuen to the Atheninians Chap. 33. SOlon beyng by the common voyce of the Athenians chosen for the general reformer of their lawes and of the whole estate of their common wealth to confirme or abolish that whiche he thought reasonable first reuoked and made voyde