❧ The work of Pomponius Mela. The Cosmographer, concerning the Situation of the world, wherein every part, is divided by itself in most perfect manner, as appeareth in the Table at the end of the book. A book right pleasant and profitable for all sorts of men: but specially for Gentlemen, Merchants, Mariners, and travelers, translated out of Latin By Arthur Golding Gentleman.  
AT LONDON, Printed for Thomas Hacket, and are to be sold at his shop in Lumbert street, un-the sign of the Pope's head. 1585.   

❧ To the right Honourable, Sir William Cicill, of the Noble order of the Garter, Knight, Barron of Burgley, Lord high Treasurer of England, and one of her majesties most honourable pri●●e Counsel, health, honour and prosperity.  
INtending long since (my very good Lord) for the benefit and delight of my Countrymen, to have set forth a description of the whole world in our own Language, according to the consent of the ancient and late Writers, I thought this mine Author Pomponius Mela, for his briefness, order, and perspicuity, to be a very fit ground to begin with, for those three parts which were known in former ages: purposing, therewithal to have added some brief collection of the late writers, concerning the description of the other parts, which being either utterly unknown, or very lightly and darkly glanced at by the men of ancient time, have since been better discovered and brought to light, by the continual Navigationes of the travelers of these our latter years. And as my meaning and hope was then, to have made this first enterprise of mind as a frame of a building, to have been set up and finished by me more exactly, afterward at further leisure, according to the small ability of my poor skill; or as a rough hewn Image, to have been perfected and polished by the industry of some other person of greater reading, better skill, and longer experience, and finally to have been beautified and furnished with more particular and large discourses, both of the places and of the notablest things which either the places themselves do naturally yield, or have been done or made in them by the famousest personages, whom the writings of our ancestors have made renowned unto us: So lest this work of mine (which hath slept now many years) might pass away as it were in a Lethargy, whereby I of the performance, and my Conntry of the enjoying of any fruit of my duty in this behalf, might be utterly bereft, and so consequently my said purpose and the travel taken to the setting forward thereof, should be of none effect at all: I have caused the Printer to put to his helping hand to the preventing of that peril, which thing will easily be done, if it may please your good Lordship (according to your accustomed good will towards such as any way endeavour, either to further others or to profit themselves, in the knowledge of liberal Arts) to permit this my travel to shroud itself under the shadow of your protection, that being by your ●●uour after a sort quickened and cheered up again, it may if not grow in time to full ripenesss, yet at leastwise yield the pleasure of the infancy, the delight whereof, may chance to be such as shall provoke some person, ●yther to train it up to full growth, or to undertake the doing of some better work of the same kind. And for the more enlarging hereof with substance and variety of matter, both delectable and profitable, as far as time would permit: I have delivered unto the Printer hereof the Polyhistor of julius Solinus, and certain traveles of one Andrew Thevet, likewise translated long a go to be added as appendauntes to this work of Pomponius Mela, that as they treat though diversely, yet chiefly of one ground, so they may join in one volume to remain together to the behoof of posterity, under the security of your lordship's favour, unto the which I most humbly commend myself, and these my simple doings,  
written this sixth of February. 1584. Your good Lordships, most humble always to command. Arthur Goldinge.   

❧ The first Book of that worthy Cosmographer, Pomponius Mela, of the situation of the world.  
His Preface.  
I Go about to entreat of the situation of the World, a cumbersome work, & which in no wise admitteth eloquence. For in a manner, it consisteth wholly of the names of Nations and places, and of the order of them, which is somewhat troublesome, a matter more tedious than handsome to bring to pass: howbeit right worthy to be seen and known, as that (not for the witty handling thereof by the writer, but in respect of itself,) may sufficiently recompense the labour of such as take heed to it. another time I will speak of more things, and more exactly. As for now, I will meddle but with the notablest things, and that briefly. And first, I will show the plat of the world, which be the greatest parts thereof, how each one of them lie to other, and how they are inhabited. Then will I peruse the outermost of them all again, and set out the Sea coasts according as they be, both within and without, and according as the Sea shooteth into them, or beateth about them: with an addition of such things as are worthy remembrance, in the natures of the Countries, and the inhabiters of them. And to the intent this thing may the easilier be conceived and borne away, the sum of the whole shall be repeated somewhat deeply.  

❧ The division of the world into four parts.  
The first Chapter.  
ALI this therefore whatsoever it be, which we term by the name of Heaven and Earth, is one: and in one compass comprehendeth itself and all other things, & differeth but in parts. From whence the sun riseth, is called the East: where it setteth, is called the West: his race between them, is called the South: and the quarter over against that, is called the North. In the mids here of the Earth rising in height, is environed round about with the Sea, and being cut from the East to the West, into two sides, which are named half Spheres, it is distinguished with five Zones. Whereof the middlemost is cumbered with heat, the two uttermost with cold, & the other two being habitable, have like seasons of the year, but not both at one time. The Antycthones inhabit the one half Sphere, & we the other. For as much as the plat of the other is unknown, by reason of the heat of the Zone, which is between them and us: we must entreat of the situation of ours.  
This therefore stretching from the East to the West, and (because it lieth so) being somewhat more in length, than in breadth, where it is broadest: is enclosed wholly with the Ocean, from whence it receiveth four seas: one at the North, two at the South, & the forth at the West. The other three shallbe mentioned in their places. 
The midland Sea, entering out of the West Ocean, at the straits of Marocke.  This being narrow, and not above ten miles over, openeth the main Lands, and entereth into them: where spreading far and wide, he driveth the shores a great way asunder, and maketh them give room: the which on both sides growing almost together again, do bring him to such a straight, as he is not full a mile over: From thence, howbeit very leisurely he wideneth himself again, and anon after, wresteth thorough a narrower gap than he went before. And when he hath passed that, he waxeth eftsoons great and huge again, and with a narrow mouth entereth into a pool which cometh against him, and 〈◊〉 either side of him, beareth the name of our Sea into it. All this is called the maine● Sea.  
The gaps and entrance of the Sea where it cometh in, we call straits, and the Greeks call it Porthmos. Where it floweth in wideness, it taketh divers syrnames, according to the places it beateth upon. Where it first becometh narrow, it is called 
* Now called S. George's arm.  Hellespont. Where it wideneth again, it is called 
* The Sea of Constantinople.  Propontis. Where it streightneth again, it is called the 
* The Straight of Constantinople.  Bosphor of Thrace. Where it spreadeth out again, it is called 
* The great Sea.  Pontus Euxinus. Where it meddleth with the Lake, it is called the 
* The Straight of Caffa.  Bosphor of Cimmeria, and the Lake itself is called 
* The Sea of Zabacca.  Maeotis. With this Sea, and with two noble Rivers, 
* Now called Don.  Tainas and ●ilus, is the whole Earth divided into three parts.  
Tanais proceeding from the North into the South, falleth well near into the mids of Maeotis: and right against him falleth Nilus into the Sea. Whatsoever Land lieth from the straits to these Rivers, on the one side we call Africa, and on the other side Europe. That is to say, from the straits to Nilus, Africa: and from the said straits to Tanais, Europe. Whatsoever is beyond, is Asia.   

A brief description of Asia.  
The second Chapter.  
ON three sides it is bounded with the Ocean, which beareth divers names according to their Coasts: At the sun rising, with the east Ocean, on the south with the Indish, and on the North with the Scithish. The Country of Asia itself, facing the East with a large and continual front, doth there spread as much in wideness, as is the breadth of Europe & Africa, and the Sea that is let in between them both. After it hath proceeded from thence, keeping his full breadth, it receiveth out of the said Indish Ocean, the Arabian and Persian Sea, and out of the Scithish Ocean, the Caspian Sea: and therefore where it receiveth those Seas, it is somewhat narrowed, but by and by it wideneth again, and becometh as broad as it was before. lastly, when it is come to his own end, and to the marches of other Lands, the middle part of it butteth upon our Seas, and the rest of it, runneth on the one side up by Nilus, and on the other side by 
* Now called Don.  Tanais. The uttermost bounds thereof, come down with the channel of Nilus, along the rivers side into the Sea, & a great while together keepeth cheek by cheek with it, as the shore goeth. Then steppeth he forth to meet the Sea as it cometh against him, and there first bendeth himself with a great bought. Afterward he beareth himself forward with a huge front, to the straight of Hellespont. From thence again he bendeth askew to the 
* Of Thrace.  Bosphor, and bowing likewise by the side of Pontus, turneth back, with an elbow to the entrance of Maeotis: and thenceforth embracing the Lake, as it were in a bosom, even unto Tanais, he becometh the bank of Tanais, even to the head of it.  
We understand that the first men in Asia Eastward, 
The furthest people of Asia Eastward.  are the Indians, Seres, and Scythians. The Seres inhabit almost the middle part of the East, 
The Setes.  the Indians and Scythians, 
The Indians and Scythians.  the two uttermost parts: both people's extending far and wide, and not only toward the East Ocean. For the Indians stretch also into the South, 
The s●●tuation India.  and with sundry Nations of their own, one by an other, possess all the Sea coast of the Indishe Ocean, saving where the heat maketh it unhabitable. 
The situation of Scit●●ia.  And the Scythians likewise extend into the North, and to the Scithish Ocean, (saving where they be kept of with cold) even unto the Caspian gulf.  
Next unto India is A●●ane, 
The description of the South Countries of Asia.  and Gedrosis, and Persis, even unto the gulf of Persia, this gulf is environed with the people of Persis, and the other with the people of Arabia. All that is from Arabia unto Africa, belongeth unto the Ethiopians. 
The North coast of Asia.  On the other side are the Caspians, next neighbours to the Scythians, beyond whom are the Amazons, and out beyond them are the Hyperborcans. The mid land Country, 
The middle Countries of Asia.  is inhabited by many and divers Nations: as the Gaudars, and Paricans, the Bactrians, and Susians, the Pharmacotrophies, the Bomarins, the Coamen, the Rophans, and the dahan's. Upon the Scythians, and the Deserts of Scythia, and upon the Caspian gulf, are the Comars, the Massagets, the Cadusians, the Hyrcanians, and the Hyberians. Upon the Amazons and Hyperborcans, lie the Cimmerians, the Scythians, the Eniochians, the Georgians, the 
* Now called Moscovites.  Mosches, the Corsites, the Phoristes, the Ryphakes, and where the Country passeth along unto our Seas, the Mardes, the Antibaraeans: and from thence somewhat better known names, the Medes, the Armenians, the Comagenes, the Murrans, the Vegets, the Cappadocians, the Galgreekes, the Lycaonians, the Phrygians, the Pysidians, the Isaurians, the Lydians, and the Syrocilicians. Again, of those that lie Southward, 
* That is to say, Syrians.  Nations of one self sam● name, inhabit the innermost coasts unto the gulf of Persia. Upon this gulf lie the Parthians and Assyrians, and upon the other 
* Of Arabia.  gulf lie the Babylonians. Under ethiop, the Egyptians possess all the coast, 
The Countries of Asia, lying upon our midland Sea.  along the banks of Nilus, the river of Egypt unto the Sea. Then stretcheth Arabia, with a narrow front, to the next Seacoast. From Arabia, unto the bought that we spoke of before, lieth Syr●a, and in the very bought itself, lieth Silicia: and without the bought lie Lycia and Pamphilia, Caria, jonia, Aeolis, and Troas, unto Hellespont. From thence to the Bosphor of Thrace, is Bithynia. About Pontus, lie certain Nations with several bounds, called all by one name, Pontians. Upon the Lake of Maeotis, border the Maeotians, and upon Tana●s the 
* Otherwise called Sarmatians.  Sauromates.   

A brief description of Europe.  
The third Chapter.  
EVrope is bounded on the East, with T●nais, and Maeotis, and Pontus; on the South, with the rest of our Sea, on the West with the Athlantish Ocean, and on the North with the British Ocean. The Eastern coast thereof, from Tanais to Hellespont, and all along the bank of the said River, and where it gathereth the bowing of the Lake to the Bosphor, and where it lieth with his side against Pontus, Propontis, and Hellespont: is not only situate directly over against Asia, but also is like unto it in fashion of shores.  
Between that and the straits, sometime shrinking a great way back, 
Of Marocke.  and sometime shooting forward again, it maketh three very great Bays, and with as many great frontes advanceth itself into the deep. Without the straits Westward, it is verie●vneuen, specially in the mids: but where it runneth by North, if lieth almost as straight out, as if it were drawn by a line, saving only in one or two places, where it retireth a great way in. 
The names of the midland sea.  The Sea which it receiveth, in the first Bay, is called Aegaean: that which followeth in the next, is in the mouth of it called jonishe, and innermore, Adriatishe: that which is received in the last Bay, we call Tuscan, and the Greeks Tyrrhene. Of Nations, the first is Scythia, (an other Country that we spoke of before) extending from Tanais, 
Scythia in Europe now containing moscovia, Latuania, Polonia, Russia, etc. Macedonia and Thrace.  well near to the one half of the side of Pontus. From hence into a part of the Aegaean coast, lieth jointly the main land of Macedonia and Thrace.  
Then bolteth out Greece, and divideth the Aegaean Sea, from the jonishe Sea. All along the side of the Adriatishe Sea, lieth Ilirike. 
Greece.  Between the said Adriatishe Sea, and the Tuscan Sea, runneth forth Italy. In the innermost part of the Tuscan Sea, is France, and beyond that is Spain. These lie from the East to the West, upon the South 
* Europe.  It faceth the North also with divers fronts. For on that side is France again, extending all the way from 
* That is to say, the Tusoan or Tyrrhene Sea.  our Sea thither. From thence stretcheth Germany, to the Sarmatians, and they again to Asia. Thus much as concerning Europe.   

A brief description of Africa.  
The fourth Chapter.  
AFfricke is bounded on the East part, with the river Nile, 
Africa, which is also called Lybia.  and on the other parts with the Sea. It is shorter than Europe, in as much as it extendeth any where against the seacostes of Asia, nor lieth side for side against the sea▪ coasts of Europe.  
Nevertheless, it is more in length then in breadth: and it is broadest, where it boundeth on the River. And as it procéedoth from thence, so rising higher and higher, with mountains, specially in the middle, it bendeth askew toward the West, and gathereth softly into a ridge, and therefore in continuance, groweth somewhat narrower: where it endeth, there is it narrowest. As much of it as is inhabited, is exceeding fruitful. But for as much as most places of it are unmanured, and either covered with barren sands, or left untilled, by reason of the drought of the air and the soil, or else with many kinds of beasts: it is rather waste, then well peopled. The Sea wherewith it is enclosed, on the North we call Lybik●●, on the South Ethyopish, and on the West Athlantish. On that side that butteth upon the Lybic Sea, next unto Nile, is the Province which they call Cyrene. 
Cyrene.  Then followeth Africa, whereof the whole Country taketh his name. The rest is possessed of the Numidians and moors: of whom the moors extend to the Athlantish Ocean. Beyond are the Nigrites, and Pharusians, unto ethiop. The Ethiopians possess both the rest hereof, and all that side which faceth the South, even unto the borders of Asia. But above those places that are beaten upon with the Lybic Sea, are the Lybiaegyptians, and the white Ethiopians, and the populous and manifold Nation of the Getulians. From thence lieth a great wide Country together, all utterly waste and unhabited. Then the first that we hear of Eastward, are the Garamantes, and next them the Awgyles and Troglodikes, and lastly toward the West, the Athlant●. Innermost (if ye list to believe it) the Egypanes, 
Woodwardes', or Wyldemen.  Blemyans, Gamphasants, and satires (scarce men, but rather half Beasts,) wandering up and down without house or home, rather have the Lands than inhabit them.  
This is the universal plat of the World, these are the great parts, these are the fashions, and the Nations of the parts. Now that I must speak of the bounds and borders of them severally, it is most handsome to begin, where our Sea entereth first into the main Lands, and specially at those Countries that lie on the right hand, as it cometh in, and so to scour the Sea coast in order as it lieth, and when I have perused all things that butt upon the Sea, than also to cast about those quarters that are environed with the Ocean, until that having travailed about the world, as well within as without, the race of my attempted work, return to the place where it began.   

A particular description of Africa. Of Mauritania.  
The fift Chapter.  
IT is said before, that it is the Athlantishe Ocean, which toucheth the main land on the West. From hence as men sail into our Sea, Spain is on the left hand, and Mauritania on the right. These are the first parts, the one of Europe, the other of Africa. The end of the coast of Mauritania, is Mulucha: the head and beginning thereof is the Promontory, which the Greeks call 
* The Vineyard.  Ampelusia, and the Afres by an other word, that hath the same meaning. In the same is a cave hallowed to Hercules, and beyond the Cave a very ancient Town called Tingi, 
The Shield of Antaeus the Giant.  builded (as men say) by Antaeus. And there remaineth a Monument of the thing, namely, a huge Shield, of the hide of an Elyphant, unable to be wielded of any man now a days, by reason of the greatness thereof, which the dwellers thereabouts believe, and report for a certainty to have been carried by Antaeus, and therefore they honour it as a Relicque.  
Then is there a very high Mountain, 
The pillars of Her●ules.  set directly over against that which is in Spain, That in Spain is named Abyla, and the other is named Calp●, and both of them b● called the Pillars of Hercules. Upon the naming of them so, Fame hath forged a Fable, that Hercules cut a sunder those two hills, which erewhiles grew whole together in one continual ridge, and by that means did let in the Ocean, which erst was shut out by the force of the Mountains, unto the places which it now overfloweth. From hence the Sea spreadeth wider, and through his great violence, eateth winding gulfs into the main Lands, which he dissevereth far a sunder: Howbeit the Realm is unnoble, and hath scarce any thing famous in it, it is inhabited with small villages, and sendeth forth small brooks: it is better of soil then of men, & altogether unrenowmed, by reason of the slothfulness of the people. Notwithstanding, among the things that I may vouchsafe to report, are certain high Mountains, which being set on a row one by an other, as it were for the nonce, are (by reason of their number and likeness one to an other) called the seven brethren. There is also the river Tamuada, and Rusicada, and Siga, little Cities, and a Haven, which for the largeness thereof, is sir named the great Haven. The foresaid river Mulucha, is the bound of the Kingdoms of Bocchus and jugurth, which were puissant Realms in old time.   

Of Numidia.  
The sixth Chapter.  
FRom the said river Mulucha, to the bank of the river Ampsaga, lieth Numidia: not so large a Country as Mauritania, but better peopled, and wealthier. Of the Cities which are in it, the greatest are Cirta, 
Cirta.  far from the Sea, now inhabited by the Sittians, and in times past, the Palace of King juba and King Syphax, when it was in greatest wealth: jol sometime very base, but now very famous, in as much as it hath been the Palace of juba, and is called 
* Hereof the province Caesarie●sis took his name.  Caesarea. On the hither-side of this City (for it standeth almost in the mid shore) are the Towns of Cartenna and Arsenaria, and the Castle Ampsa, and the gulf Laturus, and the river Sardabale: and beyond it, is the common burial place of the blood Royal. Then come Cities of jasion, and Vthisia, and the brooks of Ancus and Nabar, falling between them into the Sea: and certain other things, which to suppress with silence, is neither loss of matter, nor prejudice to fame. 
Strange things in the inner parts of Numidia.  Innermost, and a great way off from the shore, (a wonderful matter, if it be to be believed) the back bones of Fishes, broken shells of Murreys and Disters, Stones worn, as is wont to be with beating waves, and not differing, Anchors fastened as in rocks of the Sea, and other such like signs and tokens of the Sea, flowing even unto those places in times past, are reported to be, and to be found in the barren fields that bear nothing.   

The lesser Africa.  
The seventh Chapter.  
THe Country that followeth from the Foreland of Metagonium, to the Philens' altars, doth properly bear the name of Africa. In it are the Towns of Hippo Rhegius, and Rusicade, and Tabraca. Then three Forelands, called the white Mount, Apollo's Mount, and Mercury's Mount, shooting hugely into the deep, make two great Bays. The hithermost is called Hippon of Hippo Diarrhytus, which is a Town standing upon the rivadge of it.  
At the other are Laelyes' camp, cornelis camp, the river Bragada, 
Utica, and Carthage.  the Cities of Utica, and Carthage, both famous, and both builded by the Phaenicians: Utica ennobled with the destruction of Cato, and Carthage for the destruction of itself: now a free Town of the Romans, and in old time a striver with them for their Empire: even now again wealthy, and even now more famous for her former destruction, then for her present recovery. From hence the 
* Or Whashe.  Syrt, stand Leptis, Clupea, Abrotanum, Taphre and Naples, as among base things the famousest. The mouth of the Syrt, 
The lesser Syrt, or short Whashe.  where it taketh in the open Sea, is almost a hundred miles broad, and it is three hundred miles compass by the banks of it: but it is harbroughlesse and rough, and partly by reason of the numbers of shallows, quick sands, and flats that are in it, but more for the changeable alteration of the sea, in his ebbing and flowing, it is exceeding dangerous.  
Above this is a great Pool, which receiveth into it the river Triton, and the Pool itself is also called Triton, Whereof Minerva hath one of her sir names, 
The Pool and river Triton.  because (as the inhabiters thereabouts suppose) she was bred there. And they make the tale to have some likelihood of truth, because they keep holy the same day, which they think she was borne on, with solemme joustes and Tourneys of young Maidens. Beyond that, is the Town Oea, and the river Cimphis, which runneth through most fruitful fields.  
Then is there an other Leptis, and an other Syrt, of like name and nature to the former, 
The greater Syrt, or Whash.  but almost half as big again as the other, both at the mouth and in the compass of it. Unto this belongeth the Foreland of Boreon: and the coast beginning at the same, 
Loteaters.  (which the Loteaters are reported to have possessed,) from thence forth to Phycus, (which also is an other Forelande) it is altogether harbroughlesse. 
The notable zeal of the Philens, toward their Country.  The Altars aforesaid, took their name of two brethren, called Phile●s, who being sent from Carthage against the Cyrenians, to make a final end of war that had been long between them, for the bounds of their Countries, to the great slaughter of both parts: when covenant was not kept according to agreement, (which was, that wheresoever the Ambassadors met, which were sent out of both Cities at a time prefixed, there should be the bounds of both the Realms) upon covenanting a new, that whatsoever was on this side, should fall to the lot of their own countreyfolke, suffered themselves to be buried quick in this place: a wonderful thing, and right worthy to be had in remembrance.   

Of Cyrenaica.  
The eight Chapter.  
FRom thence to Catabathmos, is the Province of Cyrenaica, wherein are the Oracles of Hammon, famous for the assured truth thereof, and a fountain which they call Sonnewell, 
A wonderful Hill.  and a certain Mountain, holy to the South wind. For if this Hill be touched with man's hand, the wind riseth exceeding boisterous, and turmoiling the sands, as it were waters, rageth as the sea doth with waves. 
A wonderful Well.  The Well at midnight, is scalding hot: afterward by little & little, falling to be but luke warm, at day light it becometh cold: and as the sun riseth in height, it waxeth colder and colder, so that at noon it is most extremely cold. From that time it gathereth heat again, and in the beginning of the night becometh warm, and as it groweth further in the night, it increaseth more in heat, so that at midnight it is scalding where again.  
Upon the shore, are the Forclandes of Zephyrion and Naust●thmos, the Haven of Paraetonie, 
〈…〉  and the 〈◊〉, Hesperia, Apollonia, Ptolemais, A●●moe, and 〈◊〉 itself, whereof the whole Country taketh his 〈◊〉 Catabathmos, (which is a slope valley, shoring down to Egipt-ward) is the uttermost bound of Africa.  
Thus are the coasts inhabited, 
The manners, apparel, and diet of the people on the Sea coast of Africa.  for the most part with civil people, after the manner of our Countries, saving that some of them differre in languages, and in the serving of their Gods, which they keep of their own Country, worshipping them after their own Country fashion. There are no Cities near one to an other, howbeit there be houses which are called villages. Their fare is hard and without cleanliness. The Noble men and Gentlemen go in Cassocks, and the common people are clad in skins of cattle and wild Beasts: the ground is their bed to rest on, and their Table to feed on. Their vessels are made, either of wood or of bark: their drink is milk, and the juice of berries: their meat is for the most part venison, for they spare their cattle as long as they can, because it is the only best thing which they have.  
The uplandish folk do yet after a more rude fashion, wander abroad following their cattle: 
The manners of the uplandish folk of Africa.  and according as pasturage leadeth them, so remove they themselves and their sheds from place to place, and wheresoever day ●aileth them, there they abide all night. And albeit that being thus every where scattered by households, and without any law, they consult not in common upon any thing: yet notwithstanding, for as much as every of them hath many Wives at once, and by reason thereof many Children and kinsfolk, there never liveth any small company of them together in one place.  
Of those sorts of people, 
The manners of the Athlantes.  which are reported to be beyond the wilderness, the Athlantes curse the Sun, both when he riseth, and when he setteth, as noisome both to themselves and to their grounds. They have no names severally, neither feed they of any thing that beareth life, neither is it given them to see such things in their sleep, as other men see.  
The Troglodytes, 
The manners of the Troglodytes.  possessing not any goods at all, do rather iabber than speak, dwelling in Caves under the ground, and feeding upon Serpents.  
Among the Garamants, 
Of the Garamantes.  also are those kind of cattle that graze sideling, with their necks awry, for their horns growing down to the groundwarde, will not suffer them to feed right forward. No man there, hath any Wife of his own. They that are every where borne, of this uncertain and confused companying together, take those for their fathers, whom they most resemble in countenance and making.  
The Awgyles think there are none other Gods, 
The Awgyles.  but the Ghosts of dead men. By them they swear, at them they ask counsel, as at Oracles: and when they have prayed what they would have, they lie down upon their graves, and receive dreams for answers. It is a solemn custom among them, that their Women, the first night they are married, shall abandon themselves to the common abuse of all men that come with reward: and it is counted the greatest honour that may be, to have had to do with many, at that time: but ever after, they keep themselves exceeding chaste.  
The Gamphasantes are naked, 
The Gamphasantes.  and 〈◊〉 utterly ignorant o● all manner of armour: knowing neither how to shun a Dart, nor yet how to throw it: and therefore if they meet any body, they run away, and dare not either come in company, or 〈◊〉 communicate with any other, than such as be of their own disposition and nature.  
The Blemmyes are without heads, 
The Blemmyes.  and have their faces in their breasts. 
satires or Woodwardes.  The satires have nothing of man, saving shape. The shape of the 
* Panes or Gotefeetes.  Aegypanes is such, as it is reported to be. And thus much of Africa.   

A particular description of Asia. Of Egypt.  
The ninth Chapter.  
EGipt, the first part of Asia, lying between ●atabathmos and Arabia, draweth altogether inward 
* That is to say, of the midland ●ea.  from this shore, and runneth still southward, until it bear upon ethiop with his back. This Land is always without rain, but yet wonderful fertile, and a very fruitful mother, both of men & other living wights. 
Of Nilus, the great river of Egypt.  The cause hereof is Nilus, the greatest river of all those that fall into our Sea. This stream springing out of the Deserts of Africa, is neither by and by sayleable, nor by and by called by the name of Nile: but when he hath come down a long way, single, and yet rough: about Meroe a very large Island, it is shedded into ethiop, and on the one side is called Astaboras, and on the other side Astapus. Where it cometh together again into one channel, there it taketh the name of Nile. From thence, partly rough, and partly sayleable, it falleth into a great Lake, through which it sweepeth with a violent course, and embracing another I'll called Tachempso, runneth down to Elephant, a City of Egypt, all the way as yet still rough and raging. Then at length waxing somewhat milder, and now in manner sayleable: first about the Town of Cercassye, it beginneth to have three channels. Afterward, dividing itself once or twice more, at Delta and Metilin, it passeth on wandering, and dispersed through Egypt, and at length parting itself into seven channels, and yet continuing very huge in every of them, it falleth into the 
* That is our midland Sea.  Sea. It doth not only wade through Egypt, but also overflowing it in the chief of summer, moisteth it with waters so effectual to engender and nourish, 
Water-horsses, and Crocodiles.  that over and beside that it swarmeth with Fish, and breedeth Water-horsses and Crocodiles which are huge monstruous Beasts, it also sheddeth life into the clods, and shapeth living creatures of the very moolde. Which thing is hereby manifest, for that when he hath ceased flowing, and is fallen again within his channel, there are seen in the moist fields, certain creatures as yet not perfect, but than first beginning to receive breath, in some part having already their full shape, and in part as yet stark earth.  
Moreover, 
Opinions of the flowing of N●le.  it increaseth, either because the snow, being melted with the great heat, falls more abundantly from the great high Mountains of ethiop, then that it can be received into his banks: or else because the Sun, which in winter time was nearer the ground, and therefore abated his spring, now in summer time mounteth higher, and suffereth it to rise whole and full, as it should be: or else for that the North east winds, which ordinarily blowing in that season of the year, driving the clouds from the North into the South, do power down showers upon the head of his spring, or meeting his stream by the way with contrary blasts, do stay his course in the coming down, or else stop his mouths with sand, which they drive to the shore together with the waves: and so it becometh greater, either because it loseth nothing of itself, or because it receiveth more than ordinary, or because it uttereth less than it should do.  
But if there be an other World, and that the Anticthones. go feet to feet against us in the South, it were not much unlike to be true, that the river rising in those Lands, after it hath pierced under the Sea in a privy channel, should vent again in our World, and by that means increase at the standing of the 〈◊〉, for as much as it is winter at that time he springeth.  
Other marvelous things also are in this Land. 
Wonders of Egypt.  In a certain Lake, there is an isle 
A swimming Isle.  called Chimmis, which bearing Woods and Forests, & a great Temple of Apollo's, floateth, and is driven which way so ever the wind bloweth. Bridges builded of Stones▪ thirty foot square a piece, 
High Bridges.  whereof the greatest (for there are three of them) containeth well near four acres of ground at the bottom, and is full as much in height.  
Maeris, 
A Field turned into a Lake.  sometime a plain field, and now a Lake of twenty mile compass about, deeper of water then any great Ships, full fraughted do draw. Also a Maze 
A Maze.  made by Sammetichus, containing (within the compass of one whole entire wall) a thousand houses and twelve Palaces, builded wholly of Marble, roof and all: which having but one going down into it, had within it ways almost innumerable, turning hither and thither, with many windlasses, altogether doubtful with continual steps, and often réere-vaultes, which winding round one above an other, and eftsoons retiring back, as much as they had gone forward, made it so busy and entangled, that a man could not devise how to wind himself out.  
The inhabiters of the Realm, 
The manners of the Egyptians.  demean themselves far otherwise then other men. In mourning for their dead, they besmere themselves with dung, and they think it not lawful to burn them or bury them: but by the advise of Apothecaries, they keep them preserved in their privy chambers. They writ their Letters awkelie. They temper clay with their hands, and knéede dough with their feet. Their Women plead matters in Courts, and look to foreign affairs, and the men spin and card, and take charge of the house at home. The Women bear burdens on their shoulders, & the men on their heads. When the Parents fall in poverty, the women are bound of necessity to find them, the men are at choice. They eat their meat openly, and without their doors, and do their natural needs in the innermost parts of their houses.  
They worship the shapes of many Beasts, 
The superstition of the Egyptians.  or (to say the truth) the very beasts themselves, some one Beast, and some an other: in so much as it is a matter of life and death to have killed some Beasts, even unwares. And when they die either by disease or by mischance, it is their custom to bury them and mourn for them.  
The common God of all the people is Apis, a black Bull, marked with certain spots, and unlike other Bulls in tongue and fail. It is a rare matter to find one of that breed. For (as they hold opinion) he is not engendered by a Beast of the same kind, but is conceived by supernatural power of heavenly fire, and the day that he is calved, is held for a most holy and Festival day, of all the whole Nation.  
They being (by their own assertion) the ancientest of all Nations, 
The vain assertion of antiquity, among the Egyptians.  have registered in authentic Chronicles, three hundred and thirty Kings before Amasis, and the continuance of above thirteen thousand years. And they keep it written in good Records, that in the time that the Egyptians have continued, the Stars have four times altered their courses, and the Sun hath twice gone down where it now riseth.  
In the reign of Amasis, 
The largeness of the kingdom of Egypt in old tyme.  they inhabited twenty thousand Cities, and now also they inhabit very many. The notablest of them, far from the Sea, are Say, Memphis, Syene, Bubastis, Elephant, and Thebes, which hath (as is reported in Homer) a hundred Gates, or (as other say) a hundred Palaces, the houses of so many Princes, each of which Palaces (as the state of affairs required) was wont to send forth ten thousand armed men.  
On the shore standeth Alexandria, 
Alexandria.  by the Marches of Africa: Pelusium cutteth the borders of Arabia. The names of the mouths of Nile, are Canopicum, Bolbiticum, Sebenuiticum, Pathnuiticum, Mendesium, Tanicum, and Pelusiacum.   

Of Arabia.  
The tenth Chapter.  
ARabia, extendeth from thence to the red Sea: and being thenceforth more pleasant and plentiful, it aboundeth in Frankincense and Spices. In the hither part (saving where Mount Casius maketh it high) it is altogether plain and barren: and there it receiveth the Haven of Azotus, which is the Mart Town and vent for the wares of that Country. Where this hill mounteth in height, it is so high, that from the top of it, a man may see the Sun in the 
* That is before the break of day.  fourth watch.   

Of Syria.  
The eleventh Chapter.  
SYria runneth a great way along the Sea● coast, and very far also into the main Land, and is called by sundry names. 
The names or divisions of Syria.  For it height Caele, and Mesopotamia, and Damascene, and Adiabene, and Babilonia, and jewrie, and Sophene: furthermore, it beareth the name of Palestine, where it butteth upon Arabia and Phoenicia, and where it joineth to Cilicia, it is called Antioch. In old time and a long while together, it was a puissant Realm: but most puissant when Semiramis reigned over it. There are surely many notable works of hers, 
The praise of Semiramis.  but two of them pass all the rest: namely, the building of that wonderful great City Babylon, and the letting in of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, into those Countries which before time were dry. Howbeit in Palestine, there is a great and strong fortified Town called Gaza, 
Why Gaza was so named.  for so the Persians term a Treasury: and thereupon it took that name, because when Cambyses invaded Egypt with war, he bestowed his provision for the wars and all his Treasure there. There is also Ascalon, 
Ascalon.  as big as the other. And there is 
* Now called Port la●●e.  joppa builded (by report) before the flood: where the dwellers by, affirm that Cepheus reigned, upon likelihood, for that certain old Altars, with great show of holiness, have in them still engraven, the names of him and of his brother Phineus.  
And besides that, for a more assurance of the thing so renowned in verses and old tales, and of the saving of Andromade by Perseus: they show for a plain Monument, the excessive great bones of the Monstar of the Sea.   

Of Phoenicia.  
The twelfth Chapter.  
PHaenicia, is renowned for the Phaenicians, a politic kind of men, and both in feats of war and peace peerless. 
The first inventors of Letters, and of other things.  They first invented Letters, and Letter matters, and other Arts also: as to go to the Sea with Ships, to fight upon the water, to reign over Nations, to set up Kingdoms, and to fight in order of battle. In it is tire, 
tire.  sometime an isle, but now joined to the firm Land, since the time that Alexander made works about it to assault it. Further forth, stand certain small villages, and the City of Sidon, 
Sidon.  even yet still wealthy, and in old time the greatest of all the Cities upon the Sea coast, before it was taken by the Persians.  
Between that and the foreland of 
* It may be interpreted fair prospect.  Euprosopon, there are two Towns, called Byblos and Botris: and beyond them were three other, each distant a furlong a sunder, and therefore the place was of the number called Tripoli: 
Tripoli.  
Tripolia.  then follow the Castle Simyra, and a City not unrenowmed, called Marathos. From thence the Country being not crooked with the Sea, but lying right forth side by side unto it, bendeth his shore into the main Land, and receiveth a great Bay. About the which dwell rich people, the cause whereof is the situation of the place, for that the Country being fertile, and furnished with many Rivers, able to bear Ships, serveth well for the easy exchange and conveying in of all kind of wares, both by Sea and Land.  
Within that Bay, 
Syria of Antioch.  is first the residue of Syria, which is surnamed Antioch, and on the shore thereof, stand the Cities Seleuca, Paltos, Beritoes, Laodicia, and Arados: between which Cities run the Rivers Lychos, Hypatos, and Orontes. Then followeth the Mountain Amanus, immediately from whence beginneth Myriandros, and Cilicia.   

Of Cilicia.  
The thirteenth Chapter.  
IN the innermost retreat, there is a place, sometime of great renown, as a beholder and witness bearer of the discomfiture of the Persians by great Alexander, and of the flight of Darius: at that time having in it a famous great City called Issos, whereof the Bay▪ is named the Bay of Issos, 
The Bay of Issos.  but now having not so much as a little Town. far from thence lieth the Foreland Amanoides, between the Rivers Pyramus and Cydnus, Pyramus being the nearer to Issos, runneth by malon, and Cydnus, runneth out beyond through Tarsus. Then is there a City possessed in old time by the Rhodians and Argives, and afterward at the appointment of Pompey by Pirates, now called Pompeiople, then called Soloe.  
Hard by, on a little hill, 
The Tomb of the Poet Aratus.  is the Tomb of the Poet Aratus, worthy to be spoken of, because it is unknown, why stones that are cast into it do leap about. Not far from hence, is the Town Corycos, environed with a Haven and the salt water, and joined with a narrow baulk to the firm Land.  
Above it is a Cave named Corycus, 
The Cave of Corycus.  of singular nature, and far more excellent, then may with ease be described. For gaping with a wide mouth, even immediately from the top it openeth▪ the Mountain butting upon the Sea, which is of a great height, as it were of a ten furlongs. Then going deep down, and the further down the larger, it is green round about with budding Trees, & casteth itself into a round vault on both sides, full of woods, so marvelous and beautiful, that at the first it amazeth the minds of them that come in to it, & yet maketh them think they have never seen enough of it. There is but one going down into it, narrow and rough, of a mile & a half long, by pleasant shadows and coverts of woods, yielding a certain rude noise, with rivers trickling on either hand. When ye come to the bottom, there again openeth an other Cave, worthy to be spoken of for other things. It maketh the enterers into it afraid with the din of Timbrels, which make a ghastly and great rattling within. Afterward, being a while lightsome, & anon the further ye go, waxing darker, it leadeth (such as dare adventure) quite out of sight, & carrieth them deep, as it were in a Mine: where a mighty river rising with a great breast, doth but only show itself, and when it hath gushed violently a while in a short channel, sinketh down again, and is no more seen. Within is a waste space, more horrible than that any man dare pierce into it, and therefore it is unknown. It is altogether stately and undoubtedly holy, and both worthy, and also believed to be inhabited of Gods. Every thing presenteth a stateliness, and setteth out itself with a certain Majesty.  
There is an other beyond, which they call Typhos 
Typhos cave.  cave, with a narrow mouth, and (as they that have tried it do report) very low, and therefore dimmed with continual darkness, and not easy to be sought out: howbeit, because it was sometime the chamber of the Giant Typho, an because it now out of hand stifleth such things as are let down into it, it is worthy to be mentioned for the nature thereof, and for the tale that is reported of it. Beyond that, are two For●landes, that is to say, Sarpedon, sometime the bound of King Sarpedons Realm, and Anemurium, which parteth Cilicia from Pamphilia, and between them Celendris and Natidos' Towns builded and peopled by the Samians, whereof Celendris is nearer to Sarpedon.   

Of Pamphilia.  
The fourteenth Chapter.  
IN Pamphilia, is a River able to bear Ships, called Melas, 
Melas.  a Town called Sida, and an other River called Eurimedon. 
Eurymedon.  At this River, Cymo Captain of the Athenians, got a great victory of the Persians and Phaenicians, in a battle upon the water. Into the Sea where this battle was fought, out of a very high hill looketh the Town of Aspendos, which was builded by the Argives, and inhabited by the people of the Country about it.  
Then are there two other mighty streams, called Oestros and 
* A sluice or floodgate.  Cataracts. Oestros is easy to be sailed: the other hath his name of his headlong fall. Between them is the Town Perga, and the Temple of Diana, which of the Town is sir named Pergaea. Beyond them is Mount Sarde●isos, and Phaselis a Town builded by Mopsus, which is the end of Pamphilia.   

Of Lycia.  
The fifteenth Chapter.  
Svccessivelie, Lycia so called of Lycus, the son of King Pandion, & (as report goeth) annoyed in old time with the fires of Chimaera, encloseth a great Bay, between the Haven of Sida, and the Foreland of Taurus. Mount Taurus itself rising of a huge height at the Eastern sea shore, 
The description of mount Taurus.  proceedeth straight forth in one continual ridge from thence into the West, with his right side toward the North, and his left side toward the South, bounding many great Nations▪ where he runneth out in banks, and where he divideth the Countries, he passeth to the Sea. As Taurus is the general name of him whole together, 
The sundry names of mount Taurus.  so is it also his name, where he faceth the East: next he is called Haemodes, and Caucasus, and ●aropamisus: then Caspian straits, Niphates, and the straits of Armenia, and (where he butteth upon our Sea) Taurus again. Behind his said Foreland, is the river Lymira▪ 
Lymira.  and a City of the same name, and a number of Towns of no great renown, saving Patara, which is ennobled by the Temple of Apollo, sometime like to that at Delphos, as well in riches as also for the trueness of the Oracle. Beyond is the river Panthus, and the Town Panthos: the Mountain Crag, and the City Telmisos, which endeth Lycia.   

Of Caria.  
The sixteenth Chapter.  
AFterward followeth Caria, inhabited with people of an unknown beginning: some think them to be bred in the Land, some think they were Pelasgians, othersome think they were Candians, a kind of people loving feats of Arms and fight, so well, that for wages they served also in foreign and strange wars. Here are a few Castles, and then the two forelands of Pedalion and Crya, and by the River Calbis side, the Town of Caunus, defamed for the ●●●●thinesse of the inhabiters.  
From thence to Halycarnassus, lie these things, certain Towns of the Rhodians: two Havens, the one named Gelos, and the other Thissamissa, according to the name of the City that it environeth. Between them is the Town of Larumna, and the Hill Pandion shooting into the Sea. The three Bays on a row, Thymnias, Schaenus, and Bubessus. The Foreland of Thymnias, is Aphrodisium: Schaenus environeth Hylas: and Bubessus compasseth about Cynotus. Guidus standeth in an angle of a piece of ground, enclosed almost altogether with the Sea. between it and the gulf of Ceranie, in the retreat of Euthana, 
Halycarnassus.  is Halycarnassus, a Town inhabited by the Argives. worthy to be had in remembrance, not only for the founders thereof, 
A notable Tomb.  but also for the Tomb of King Ma●solus, which is one of the seven wonders of the world, and was builded by Artemis●a. 
Artemisia.  Beyond Halycarnassus, are these things: the shore of Leuca, the cities Myndus, Aryanda, and Naples: and the Bays of jasius, and Basilicus. In jasius is the town of Bargylos.   

Of jonia.  
The seventeen Chapter.  
BEyond the Bay of Basilicus, jonia win●●deth itself in certain Angles, and first of all, beginning to fetch about the Foreland of Possideum, it environeth the Oracle of Apollo, 
The Oracle of Branchide.  called in old time the Oracle of Branchide, and now the Oracle of Didymus. The City Miletus, sometime the chief of all jonia, both in feats of war and peace, the Country of Thales the ginger, and of Tymothie the Musician, and of Ana●●mander the natural Philosopher, and worthily renowned ●or the excellent wits of others that were borne there: is a●ter a manner called jonia. There is also the City Hyppis, where the River Meander falleth into the Sea, and the Mountain Latmus, famous for the Fable of Endymion, whom (as men say) the Moon was in love with. Afterward bowing again, it environeth the City P●●ene, and the mouth of the River Gessus, and anon after as it casteth a greater circuit, so it comprehendeth more things. There is the holy Land called Panionium, so named, because the jonians occupy it in common. There is the town Phygela, builded (as some say) by fugitives, to which report, the name seemeth agreeable. There is Ephesus, 
Ephesus.  and the most famous Temple of Diana, which the Amazons are reported to have consecrated, when they held the sovereignty of Asia. There is the River Cayster, 
Cayster.  there is Lebedos, and the cappel of Apollo, Clari●us, which Manto the Daughter of Tyresia builded when she fled from the Epigons, that had gotten the victory of the Thebans: and Colophon which Mopsus the son of the said Manto builded at the Foreland wherewith the Bay is enclosed, which on the other side maketh an other Bay called Smyrnie, and shooteth out the rest with narrow shanks. From thence it spreadeth wider, in manner like a Nesse, above the straits, on the hither side to Teos, and on the further side to Clazomen. And because the hinder parts are straightened and knit together with the nearness of the Sea, with divers frontes they face divers Seas. In the vary Nesse, is Coryna. Within the Bay of Smyrnie, is the River Thermodon, and the City Leuca: and without it is Phocis, the uttermost part of jonia.   

Of Aeolis.  
The eighteen Chapter.  
THe next Country, since the time it began to be inhabited by the Aeolians, took the name of Aeolis, 
The Country about Troy.  whereas before times it was called Mysia: and where it boundeth upon Hellespont, as long as the Trojans possessed it, it was called Troad. The first City they call Myrina, after the name of Myrinus the founder thereof. The next, Pelops builded▪ at his return out of Greece, when he had overcome Oenomaus. Cyme, 
Cyme, a Captain of the Amazons.  a Captain of the Amazons, driving away the inhabiters that dwelled before at Cyme, named it so, after her own name.  
Above runneth the River Caycus, between Elea and Pitane, 
Archesilas the Philosopher.  where Archesilas was borne, that most famous precedent the Academy, which affirmed the knowledge of nothing. Then is the Town of Cama, situate in a foreland: & as soon as men are passed that, there receiveth them a Bay of no small bigness, which boweth a great way of and softly withdraweth by little and little into the land, even unto the foot of Mount Ida. The Straight between the Seas, is sprinkled with a few Cities, of which the notablest is Cistena. In the innermost part of the Bay, a field called Thebes, containeth the Towns of Adrimittium, Austra, and Teressa, lying one by an other in the same order, as they be rehearsed.  
In the other side is An●andros. 
Why An●andros was so named.  There are reported two causes, of the naming of this Town so. Some say that Ascanius the son of Aenaeas reigned there, & being taken prisoner by the Greeks, gave them this Town for his ransom. Other think it was builded by such as in a tumult and insurrection, were driven out of the isle of Andros. These would have Antandros taken for Andros, and the other would have it taken as it were for a man. The coast following, reacheth to Gargara & Aslos' Towns builded and inhabited by the Aetolians. 
The Country about Troy.  Then an other Bay called the Gréekishe Haven, windeth his banks not far from Troy, that City most renowned for the wars and destruction thereof. Here was the Town Sigae●, where the Greeks encamped, during the time of the war. Here 
* Called also Panthus.  S●amander, running down from Mount Ida, and Simois, Rivers of greater Fame than stream, fall into the Sea.  
Mount Ida itself being renowned with the contention of the Goddesses, 
Mount Ida, and of the rising of the Sun there.  and the judgement of Paris, showeth the rising of the Sun after an other sort, than it is wont to be seen in other Lands. For unto such as look out of the top of it, there appear (almost at midnight) dispersed fires glistering every where, and as the day light approacheth, so seem they to meet and join together, until that being assembled more and more, afterward they grow fewer, and lastly, burn all in one flame. And when it hath so shined a good while together bright, and like a fire, it gathereth itself round, and becometh a great globe.  
The same also appeareth a great while huge, and joined with the earth, and afterward by little and little waxing less, and the more it decreaseth waxing brighter, last of all it chaseth away the night, and becoming the Sun, riseth with the day.  
Without the Bay, are the Rhetaean shores renowned with the famous Cities of Rhetaeum and Dardania, 
The Tomb of ajax, the son of Telamonius.  but most of all with the Tomb of ajax. From hence the Sea waxeth narrower, and now no more washeth away the Land, but dividing it again, cutteth through the bank that meeteth it at the straits of Hellespont, and maketh the Lands where it runneth, to have sides again.   

Of Bythinia.  
The nineteen Chapter.  
INnermore are the Bithynians and Mariandynes. On the Sea coast are the Greek Towns of Abydos, Lampsacum, Pa●ion, and Priapos. Abydos is famous for the intercourse of 
* He meaneth of Leander and Hero.  great Love in old time. The Phocans gave Lampsacum that name, upon this occasion, because when they asked counsel of the Oracle, into what Country they should chiefly go, answer was made, that they should there take up their dwelling place, where it first shined.  
Then again the Sea becometh more open, which is called Propontis. 
The river Granicke.  Into it falleth the River Granike, famous for the first battle that was fought there, between the Persians and Alexander. Beyond the River, in the neck of a piece of ground, which is almost an isle, standeth Cyzicum, a Town so named of one Cyzicus, vanquished in battle and slain (as we read) unwares by the Minyes, as they went to Colchos ward. After are Place and Scylace, little Towns builded by the Argives, on the back part whereof hangeth the Hill Olympus of Mysia, 
Olympus of Mysia.  as the the inhabiters call it, which sendeth forth the River Rhindacus into those quarters that follow.  
There abouts breed Snakes of unmeasurable bigness, 
wonderful Snakes  wonderful, not for their hugeness only, but also for that when they have retired into this channel of the said River, to avoid the heat of the Sun, there putting up their heads and gaping, they swallow in the Birds that pass over, fly they never so high and so swiftly.  
Beyond Rhindacus is Dascylos, and Myrlea, which the Colophonians builded. From thence are two good measurable Bays. The one of them being nameless, compasseth in the City Cion, a most commodious Mart Town of Phrygia, which lieth not far from thence: the other Bay compasseth in the Olbians. In the Foreland it beareth the Chapel of Neptune, and in the bosom the Town of Astacon builded by the Megarians. Then the Land strikes before again, and maketh a narrow channel for the Sea to pass out at into Pontus: and the Bosphor of Thrace (as is aforesaid) dissevereth Europe five furlongs from Asia.  
In the very mouth of the straits is a Temple, and a Town called 
* This Town is over against Canstantinople.  Chalcedon. The founder of the town was Argias Prince of the Megarians: the Idol of the Temple is jupiter, and the builder thereof was jason. Here the Sea spreadeth itself wide (saving where the forelands be) stretching out on both sides, with a long and direct shore, and then forth bending inward. But because it extendeth not so much forward, it wideneth on both hands, the bowing inward of it with smooth points until it grow to a narrow issue on both sides, is as like as can be to a 
* Or a Turki● bow.  Scythish bow.  
It is short, rough, misty, few harbours in it, not enclosed with soft and sandy shores, bleak upon the North wind, and because it is not deep, full of waves, and ever raging, in old time called 
* Harbroughles.  Axenus, of the nature and disposition of the dwellers about it, which was very cruel, and afterward, as their manners began somewhat to amend and wax milder, through having traffic with other Nations, it was called 
* Harbourous.  Euxinus.  
First of all, the Mariandines inhabit a City there, given them by Hercules of Argos, (as the report goeth) which is called Heraclea, 
Heraclea.  and therefore made the report to have so much the more likelihood of truth.  
By the same is the Cave Acherusia, that leadeth (as they say) to hell: and it is supposed that Cerbe●us 
Cerberus.  was drawn out thereat.   

Of Paphlagonia.  
The twenty Chapter.  
THen followeth the Town of Tios, sometime inhabited by the Milesians, but now altogether Paphlagonish, as well the people as the soil: in the mid shore whereof almost is the foreland Cerambis, on the hither side whereof is the river Parthenie, and the cities Sesamus, and Cromna, and Cytoros builded by Cytorus the son of Phrixus. Then followeth Cimolis, and Armine, which endeth Paphlagonia,   

Of the Chalybies.  
The xxi. Chapter.  
THe Chalybies, who were next neighbours to Paphlagonia, have two right famous Cities, Amysos and Synope, the place where the doggish Diogenes was borne: 
Doggish Diogenes.  and the Rivers of Halys and Thermodon. By Halys, is the City Lycast: and along by Thermodon, is a plain wherein was the Town Themyseyre, and the camp of the Amazons, and therefore they call it Amazonia, Upon the Chalybies, do border the Taberenes, whose chief felicity is in laughing and playing.  
Beyond Cerambis dwell the Mossynaekes, in Towers of timber, 
The manners of the Mossynaekes.  printing all their bodies with marks, eating their meat abroad, and companying with their women in common. They choose their King openly by voices, and keep him most straightly in prison and gives: and if he offend in misgovernment, they make him fast all a whole day for his penance. But they are churlish, unmannerly, and very hurtful to such as arrive among them. furtherforth are people less savage, but they also are unmannerly and uncivil as well as the other, which are called Longpa●es, Dischers, and Buxers: and a few Cities, whereof the notablest are Cerasus, and Trapaesus. 
* Trebizond.  From thence is a place where the Coast that is drawn along from the Bosphor taketh his end, and so forth bowing himself forward in the bosom of the shore over against it, maketh the narrowest angle of Pontus. Here are the Colchians: 
Colchos.  from hence issueth Phasis. Here is a Town of the same name that the River is of, builded by Athenistagoras a Milesian. Here is the Temple of Phryxus, and a wood famous for the old Fable of the golden fleece. 
The Ceraunishe Hills, and the names of the same.   
From hence rise certain Mountains, which stretch out with a long ridge, until they join with the Ryphaean Hills, which running with the one end toward Euxinus, Maeotis, and Tanais, and with the other of the Caspian Sea, are called 
* They may be called the Thunder-hylles.  Ceraunii. The same are called by sundry other names, as Taurish, Moschian, Amazonish, Caspian, Coraxincian, and Caucasean, according to the sundry Nations that border upon it.  
But in the first turning of the winding shore, there is a Town which the merchants of Greece are reported to have builded: and because when they were tossed with a dark tempest, & knew not what Land it was, the crowing of a Swan gave them knowledge, they called it 
* It may be interpreted Swanton.  Cygnus. The residue of it along the waste Sea, is inhabited by cruel and uncivil Nations, called 
* Black Cotes.  Melanch●laenes. The upland Country is inhabited by the Sepolites, Coraxes, Phthirophagies, Eniochyes, Achaeans, and Cercetikes: and in the borders of Maeotis dwell the Syndones. In the marthes' of the Eniochyes, is Dioscurias 
Dioscurias.  builded by Castor and Pollux, when he entered the Sea with jason: and Syndos in the marches of the Syndones, builded by the inhabiters of that Land. Then the Country writhing aside, and spreading somewhat in breadth, shooteth forth between Pontus and Maeotis to the Bosphor, which running with two channels into the Lake and the Sea, maketh Corocondama almost an Island. There are four Cities, Hermonassa, Cepoe, Phanagoria, and in the very mouth Cimmerium.  
When men are entered here, the large and wide Lake receiveth them, which (where it toucheth the firm land) is enclosed with a bending shore, and where it is nearer the Sea, being as it were over-dréeped with a bank (saving where the mouth of it is) it is almost like unto Pontus, but that it is not so big. The coast which bendeth from the Bosphor unto Tanais, is inhabited by the Toreates, the Arichies, the Phicors, and (next of all to the mouth of the river) by the jaxamathians, which Nations are called by one general name Maeotians.  
Among the jaxamathians, 
The manners of the jaxamathians.  the women exercise the same feats that the men do, insomuch that they be not privileged from the wars. The men fight a foot with arrows, and the women fight on horseback. Neither encounter they with weapons, but such as they can snare with ropes, they strangle with drawing them after them. They marry: howbeit, to the intent they may be counted marriageable, the matter consisteth not in their years, for they abide unmarried until they have killed an enemy. The River Tanais being shedded out of the Mountain Ryphey, 
The head of the river Tanai●.  falleth so headlong, that when all the streams near abouts, yea, and Maeotis & the Bosphor, and some part also of Pontus are frozen with the winter's cold, he only bearing summer and winter a like, runneth always at one stay, both full and swift. The banks thereof, and the Countries adjoining to the banks, are inhabited by the Sauromats, which is one nation of divers peoples, and diversely named. First are the Maeotians, called the Women-seruers, the Kingdom of the Amazons. The Budines possess the fat pasture grounds, which otherwise are but barren and naked fields. The Gelones inhabit a City built of Timber. Hard by them, 
The Turks.  the Thyrssage●s and Turks hold the waste Forests, and live by hunting. From thence forth to the Arymphaeans, 
The country and manners of the Arymphaeans.  lieth a large Country, rough with continual hills, and altogether Desert. These Arymphaeans live most uprightly. In steed of houses, they haunt woods. Their food is berries: and as well the women as the men go bare headed. They are therefore counted holy: and so far is any man of those so many cruel Nations from doing them harm, that if other folk fly unto them, they be as safe as in a Sanctuary. Beyond them riseth the Mountain Riphey, and beyond the Mountain lieth the ●oast that butteth upon the Ocean.    

❧ The second Book of that worthy Cosmographer, Pomponius Mela, concerning the situation of the world.  

Of Scythia, of Europe.  
The first Chapter.  
THE marches▪ and situation of Asia, extending to our Sea and the river Tanais, are such as I have showed before. Now to them that row back again down the same river into Maeotis, on the right hand is Europe, which was directly on the left side of them, as they sailed up the stream: & it butteth upon the mountain Riphey▪ for the same also extendeth hither. The snow which falleth continually, doth make the Country so untravellable, that a man is not able to see any farnesse into it.  
Beyond is a Country of a very rich soil, but uninhabitable notwithstanding, 
Of the Griffons.  because the Griffons (a cruel and eager kind of wild Beasts) do wonderfully love the gold, which lieth altogether discovered above the ground, and do wonderfully keep it, and are very fierce upon them that touch it. The first men are Scythians, and of the Scythians, the first are the Arimaspians: 
Arimaspians.  which are reported to have but one eye a piece. From thence are the Essedons unto Maeotis. The River Bugs 
B●ges.  cutteth the compass of the Lake, and the Agathyrsies, 
Agathyrsies.  and the Sauromats, inhabit about it, who because they dwell in Cartes, are named 
* Which may be interpreted Cart-wonners.  Hamaxobits. Then the coast that runneth out askew to the Bosphor, is enclosed between Pontus & Maeotis. The side toward the Lake, is possessed by the Satarches. The breast toward the Bosphor of Cimmeria, hath the towns of Myrmetion, Panticape, Theodosia, and Hermesium. The other side toward Pontus Euxinus, is possessed by the Taurians. Above them is a Bay full of Havens, and therefore is called the fair Haven, and it is enclosed between two forelands: whereof the one called the Rams head, butteth against the Foreland of Cerambis, which we said before to be in Asia: and the other called 
* Mayden-hyll.  Parthenion, hath near unto it a town called Cherronesus builded (if it may be believed) by Diana, and is very famous for the Cave Nymphaeum in the top thereof hallowed to the Nymphs. Then the Sea fleeteth under a bank, and following continually upon the shores flying back (which the Satarkes and Taurians possess) until he be but five miles from Maeotis, maketh a Nesse. That which is between the Lake & the Bay, is named Taphre, and the Bay itself is called Carcivites. In the same is the City Carcive, by the which do run two Rivers, Gerros & Hypacyris, which fall into the Sea in one mouth, but come from two several heads, and from two several places. For Gerros swéepeth between the Basilids and Nomades. Then are there woods, whereof those Countries bear very great store, and there is the River Panticapes, which dissevereth the nomads and Georgians. 
Georgians of Europe.  From thence the land wideneth far, and ending in a slender shank, joineth with the Sea shore. Afterward enlarging again measurably, it sharpeneth itself by little & little, and gathering his long sides as it were into a point, groweth into the likeness of the blade of a sword laid flatlinges.  
Achilles' entering the Sea of Pontus with a Navy like an enemy, after he had gotten victory, is reported to have made a gaming in the same place for joy thereof, and to have exercised himself & his men in running, while they rested from war, and therefore the place is called Achilles' race. Then runneth Boristhenes by a Nation of the same name, 
The river Borysthenes.  the pleasantest of all the Rivers of Scythia. For whereas all the other are thick and muddy: he runneth exceeding clear, more gentle than the rest, & most pleasant to drink of. It cherisheth most fine and batling pasture, and great Fishes which are of very delicate taste, and have no bones. He cometh from far, and springing from an unknown head, beareth in his channel forty days journey: and being all that way able to bear Ships, he falleth into the sea▪ hard by Borysthenides and Olbis Greek Cities.  
Hypanis, 
The river Hypanis, and the nature thereof.  rising out of a great Pool▪ which the dwellers by call the mother of Hypanis, encloseth the Callipeds, and a long while together runneth the same that he was at his head. At length, not far from the Sea, he taketh so bitter waters out of a little Fountain▪ called Exampaeus, that from thenceforth the runneth unlike himself, and altogether unsavoury. The next which is called Axiaces, cometh down among the Calli●●des, and Axiakes. The River Tyra separateth these Axiakes from the Istrians: it springeth among the Neures, and falleth into the Sea, by a Town of his own name. But that famous River which parteth the Nations of Scythia from the Nations following, rising from his spring in Germany, hath an other name at his head than at his falling into the Sea. 
The river Ister, called also Danow.  For through huge Countries of great Nations, a long while together he beareth the name of Danow. Afterward, being diversely termed by the dwellers by, he taketh the name of Ister, and receiving many rivers into him, waxeth huge, and giving place in greatness to none of all the Rivers that fall into our Sea, saving only to Nile, he runneth into the sea with as many mouths as he, 
The cruel mann●rs of sundry Nations, by the river Danow.  whereof three are but small, the rest are able to bear Ships. The natures and behaviours of the Nations differ. The Essedones 
The Essedones.  solemnize the deaths of their Parents merely, with sacrifices, and feasting of their neighbours and acquaintance. They cut their bodies in pieces, and chopping them finely with the inwards of beasts, make a feast of them and eat them up. The heads of them, when they have cunningly polished them, they bind about with gold, & occupy them for Cups. These are the last duties of natural love among them. The Agathyrsies paint their faces and their limbs: and as any of them cometh of better Ancestors, 
The Agathirsies.  so doth he more or less die himself: but all that are of one lineage, are died with one kind of mark, & that in such sort, as it cannot be gotten out. The Sarmates, being altogether unacquainted with Gold and Silver, 
The Sarmates.  the greatest plagues in the world, do in steed thereof use exchange of one thing for an other. And because of the cruel coldness of the winter, which lasteth continually, they make them houses within the ground, and dwell either in Caves, or else in Sellars. They go in long side garments down to the ground, 
The Taurians.  and are covered face & all, saving only their eyes. The Taurians (who be chiefly renowned with the arrival of Iphigenia and Orestes) are horrible of conditions, and have a horrible report going of them, namely, that they are wont to murder strangers, and to offer them up in sacrifice. The original of the Nation of the Basilides, 
The Basilides.  cometh from Hercules and Echidna. Their manners are Princelike, their weapons are only arrows. The wandering nomads, 
The nomads or Graziers.  follow the pastures for their cattle: and as feeding for them lasteth, so is their continuance of abiding in one place. The George's 
The George's or Tylmen.  occupy tillage of the ground and husbandry. The Axiakes 
The Axiakes.  know not what stealing means: and therefore they neither keep their own, nor touch that is an other man's. They that dwell more upland, 
The uplandills Scythians.  live after a harder sort, and have a country less husbanded. They love war and slaughter, and it is their custom to suck the blood clean out of the wounds of him that they kill first. As every of them hath slain most, so is he counted the iolliest fellow among them. But to be clear from slaughter, is of all reproaches the greatest. Not so much as their love-days, are made without bloodshed. For they that undertake the matter, wound themselves, and letting their blood drop out into a vessel, when they have stirred it together, drink of it, thinking that to be a most assured pledge of the promise to be performed. In their feasting, their greatest mirth and commonnest talk, is in making report what every man hath slain. And they that have told of most, are set between two cups brim full of drink: for that is the chief honour among them. As the Essedones make cups of the heads of their Parents: so do these of the heads of their enemies. Among the Anthropophages, 
The Anthropophages, or eaters of men.  the daintiest dishes are made of man's flesh. The Gelones 
The Gelones.  apparel themselves and their horses, in the skins of their enemies: themselves with the skins of their heads, their horses with the skins of the rest of their bodies. The Melanchlaenes 
Melanchlaenes, or Blacke-coats.  go in black clothes, and thereof they have their name. The Neures 
The Neures.  have a certain time, to every of them limited, wherein they may (if they will) be changed into Wolves, and return to their former shape again. The God of them all is Mars, to whom in steed of Images, they dedicate Swords and Tents, and offer to him men in Sacrifice.  
The Countries spread very large, and by reason that the Rivers do divers times overflow their banks, there is every where great store of good pasture. But some places are in all other respects so barren, that the inhabiters, for lack of wood, are feign to make fire of bones.   

Of Thrace.  
The second Chapter.  
NExt unto these is Thrace, and the same extending wholly inward from the front that beareth upon the side of Pontus, even unto the Illyrians, where spreading into sides, it butteth upon the River Ister and the Sea. It is a Country cheerful neither in air nor soil, and (saving where it approacheth to the Sea,) unfruitful, cold, and a very evil cherisher of such things, as are either set or sown. Scarce any where doth it bear an Apple tree, but vine somewhat more commonly, howbeit the Grapes ripe not, ne come to any good verdure, unless it be where the keepers have fenced them with boughs to bear of the cold. It is somewhat more friendly in cherishing of men, though it be not to the outward show: for they be hard favoured and uncomely shaped. Howbeit, in respect of fierceness and number, to have them many and unmerciful, it is most fruitful. It sendeth few Rivers into the Sea, 
Hebrus, Nestos, and Strymon, rivers, Haemus Rhodope, and Orbele, mountains.  but those very famous: as Hebrus, Nestos, and Strymon. Innermore, it raiseth up the Mountains Haemus, Rhodope, and Orbele, renowned with the Ceremonies of Bacchus, and with the flocking of the Maenades, when Orpheus first gave them orders, and trained them to that Religion. Of the which hills, Haemus mounteth to such a height, that in the top thereof, a man may see both the Sea of Pontus, and the Sea of Adria.  
One only Nation of the Thracians inhabits the whole Country, 
The manners of the Nations of Thrace.  termed by sundry names, and endued with divers dispositions. Some are utterly wild and very willing to die, 
The manners of the Gets, and their opinions of the immortality of the soul.  namely the Gets, and that is established through sundry opinions. For some of them think, that the souls of them that die, shall return into their bodies again. another sort think, that though the souls return not, yet they die not, but pass into a blessedder state. Others think they die, but that dying is better than to live. And therefore among some of them, the childebeddes are sorrowful, and they mourn for them that be borne: and contrariwise, the burials are joyful, and solemnised with singing and playing, as if they were high holy days. Not so much as the women, have cowardly or faint courages: for they sue even with all their hearts, to be killed upon the carcases of their dead husbands, and to be buried with them. And because the men have many wives at once, they plead very earnestly before judges, which of them may come to that honour. It is imputed to their good behaviour, and it is the greatest joy to them that can be, to get the upper hand in this kind of suit. The rest of the women fall a weeping, and shréeke out with most bitter complaints. But such as are minded to comfort them, bring their armour and riches to the Hearse, and there professing themselves ready to compound with the destiny of him that lieth dead, or else to fight against it, if they could come by it, when neither money nor fight can take place, continue wooers at the pleasure of the widows whom they like of. The Maidens when they shall marry, are not bestowed at the discretion of their Parents, but are openly either let out to be married, or else sold. Which of these shall befall unto them, proceedeth of their beauty and behaviour. The honest and beautiful yield a good price: the other are feign to buy husbands to marry them. The use of Wine is to some of them unknown: nevertheless, when they are making good cheer, as they are sitting about the fires, they cast in a kind of seed, whose scent provoketh them to a certain mirth like unto drunkenness.  
On the Sea coast next unto Ister, is the City Istrople: and next unto that, Galatis builded by the Milesians, and Tritonice, and the Haven carry, and the foreland Tiristris, immediately beyond the which is an other Angle of Pontus, directly over against the Angle of Phasis: and it were like unto it, but that it is larger. Here perished Bizone by an earthquake. There also is the Haven Crunos, and the Cities of Dennysople. Odessos', 
* Now called Me●imbria.  Messembria, Anchialos, and (in the innermost bosom of the Bay, where Pontus finisheth an other of his windings with an Angle) the great City Apollonia. 
Apollonia.  From hence it goeth with a direct coast, saving that almost in the mids, it shooteth out a Foreland called Thin●●a, and turneth inward to itself with crooked banks, and beareth the cities Halmydesse, and Phyleas, and Phinople. Hitherto is Pontus: and hereafter is the Bosphor, and Propontis.  
In the Bosphor, is 
* Now called Constantinople.  Bizance, and on Propontis are Selymbria, Perinthus, Bathynis, and running between them the rivers Ergine and Atyras: Then followeth a part of Thrace, where sometime reigned King Rhaesus and Bysanth, a Town builded by the Samians, and Cypsella, sometime a great City.  
After that, ensueth a place called of the Greeks, Longwall, 
Lysimachia.  and (in the neck of a Nesse) the Town of Lysimachia. The Land that followeth, being no where broad, runneth forth narrowest here between Hellespont and the 
* Now called Arch-sea.  Aegean Sea. The straits thereof they call Isthmos, and the front thereof Mastusia, and the whole together Chersonesus. It is worthy to be had in remembrance for many things. In it is the River Aegos, renowned with the Shipwreck of the Athenian Fleet. There is also Sestos, situate against Abydos, very famous for the love of Leander. There is also the Country, where the Persian host adventured to make a bridge over the Sea that parteth the one main land from the other, (a wonderful enterprise) and passed over the Sea, out of Asia into Greece on foot, and not by Ship. There are the bones of Protesilaus consecrated with a Temple. There is also the Haven Caelos, renowned with the destruction of the Laconish Fleet, at such time as the Athenians and Lacedæmonians, encountered there in battle on the Sea. There is also Dogs-grave, 
The Tomb of Queen Hecuba.  the Tomb of Queen Hecuba, which place received that homely name, either of the shape of a Dog, whereinto Hecuba is reported to have been transformed, or else of the misfortune that she fell into. There is Macidos, and there is Eleus which endeth Hellespont.  
By and by the Aegean Sea beateth hugely upon a long shore, and with a great compass fetcheth leisurely about the Lands which it severeth far a sunder, unto the Foreland of Sumum. Such as sail by that coast, when they are passed Mastusia, must enter into a Bay: which washing by the other side of Chersonesus, is enclosed like a valley, with the ridge of a hill: and being called Melas of the River Melas which it receiveth, it embraceth two Cities, Alopeconesus, on the one side of the narrow straits, and Cardie on the other side. Aenos 
Aenos.  is famous, builded by Aenaeas, when he fled from Troy.  
About Hebrus are the Cycones, 
The Cycones.  and beyond it is Doriscos where Xerxes (because he could not number his army,) is reported to have measured them by the space of the ground. Beyond, is the Forelande of Serrium, out of which, the woods of Zona are reported to have followed Orpheus, 
Orpheus.  when he song. Then is the River Scaenas, and (adjoining to his banks) the upper Country of Maronie, which brought forth Diomedes, 
The Tyrant Diomedes.  that was wont to make strangers, provender for his cruel Horses, and in the end, was by Hercules cast to them himself. The Tower which they attribute to Diomedes, remaineth as a remembrance of the Fable: and a City which his sister Abdera 
Abdera.  named after her own name. But that City is worthier to be had in memory, for breeding of Democritus 
Democritus.  the natural Philosopher, than for her sake that builded it.  
Beyond that, runneth the River Nestos: and between it and the River Strymon, are the Cities, Phillippos, Appollonia, and Amphippolis. Between Strymon and mount Athos, are the Tower Calarne, the Haven Caprullon, and the cities Acantos, and Oesyma. Between Athos and Pallene, are Cleone and Olynthus.  
Strymon (as we have said before) is a river, 
Of the River Strymon.  which rising a far of, and running slender, becometh greater and greater with foreign waters: and when he hath made a Lake within a little of the sea, he bursteth forth in a greater channel than he came in.  
Mount Athos is so high, 
Mount Athos.  that it is thought to reach above the place from whence the rain falleth. The opinion hath a likelihood of truth, because the ashes are not washed from the Altars in the top thereof, but continue● in the same heap whole as they were left. This Hill shooteth not with an elbow into the Sea, as other Hills do, but it keepeth on whole, and advanceth with a whole breast, a great length into the Sea. Where it cleaved to the main Land, it was cut through by Xerxes, when he made his voyage against the Gray's, and was sailed over, & an arm of the Sea conveyed through it, to make way for his ships. The nethermost parts of it, are furnished with small Towns, builded & peopled by the Pelasgies. In the top was the town Acroathon, the inhabiters whereof were wont (by report) to live half as long again as other men. Pallene is of such a large soil, that in it are five Cities, with their territories. It riseth all in height, somewhat narrow where it beginneth, and there is the City Potidaea. But where it waxeth wider, there are the Towns of Mend and Scione, worthy to be spoken of, Mend builded by the Eretrianes, and the other by the Greeks, as they returned from the taking of Troy.   

Of Macedonia.  
The third Chapter.  
THen the people of Macedonia inhabit many Cities, of the which, Pella is the most renowned, for her two ●oster children Phillippe the subduer of Greece, and Alexander the conqueror of Asia also. In the shore, the Bay of Mecyberne between the forelands, divideth Canastreum and the Haven that is called Cope: and encloseth the Cities of Toron and Physcell, and also Mecyberne, whereof it taketh the name. Scione is next unto the Foreland of Canastre: and Mecyberne Bay entereth somewhat within the Land in the mids, where it giveth way like a bosom. Howbeit casting forth long arms into the deep, it becometh a great gulf between the seas. Into it run Axius through Macedonia, and Peneus through Thessaly. A little above Axius, is the City 
* Now called Salonich.  Thessalonica. Between them both are Cassandria, Cydna, Azaros, and Derris. Beyond Peneus, are Sepias, Cordynia, Melibaea, and Castanea, all of like renown, saving that Phyloctetes 
Phyloctetes.  who was fostered at Melibaea, beautifieth that town. The inner Lands are renowned with the names of famous places, and contain almost nothing that is not notable. Not far from hence is Olympus, and here is Pelion, and here is Ossa, Mountains renowned with the Fables of the Giants wars. Here is Pieria, 
Pieria.  the dwelling place and mother of the Muses. Here is the ground that Hercules of Greece trod last upon, namely, the Forest of Oeta: Here is Tempe ennobled with holy woods. Here lies Lebethra, and the versifying fountains.  
Then followeth Greece, shooting forth hugely and mainly, and bearing from the North into the South, till it butt upon the Myrtean Sea. Where the Sun riseth, it faceth the Aegean Sea, and where the Sun goeth down, it faceth the Ionish Sea. Next that, lieth a large Country, named helas, which steppeth forth with a large front, and anon after is cut off almost by the waste, with both the Seas: whereof the Ionish entereth furthest into his side, until the Land becometh but five mile wide. Then again the Lands widen on both sides, and shoot into the déepes', but more into the Ionish Sea than into the Aegean Sea: and stretching forth, not altogether so broad as they began (howbeit very great) they become a Nesse, which is called 
* Now it is called Morea.  Peloponesus: which by reason of the Bays and forelands wherewith the shores thereof are fretted, as it were with little veins, and therewithal because it spreadeth out a toside with a slender stalk, is very like the leaf of Plane tree.  
In Macedonia, the first Country is thessaly, 
thessaly.  the next Magnesia, 
Magnesia.  and then Phthiotis. 
Phthiotis.  In Greece are the Countries of Doris, Locris, Phocis, Beotis, Attis, 
The sh●eres of Greece.  and Megaris: but the most renowned of them all is Attis. In Peloponesus, are Argolis, Laconice, Messenia, Achai●, Elis, Arcadia: and beyond it are Aetolia, 
The shires of Peloponesus.  Acarnania, and Epyrus, unto the Adriatish Sea.  
Of the places and Cities situate in the main Land, these are the worthiest to be touched: In Thessaly, Larissa, 
Larissa.  sometime called Iol●os: in Magnesia, Antronia: in Phthiotis, Phthia: in Doris, the City Pindus, and hard thereby the City Erineon: in Lo●ris, 
Delphos and Parnasus.  Cynos and Calliaros: in Phocis, Delphos, and Mount Parnasus, and the Temple and Oracle of Apollo: in Boeotia, Thebes, and Mount Cithaeron 
Thebes and Cithaeron.  most renowned in Fables and Poetry: In Attis, Eleusis. 
Eleusis,  hallowed unto Ceres, 
Seres.  and the noble City of Athens, 
Athens.  more famous of itself, than it need to be set out: in Megaris, Megara, 
Megara.  whereof the Country hath his name: in Argolis, Argos, and Mycenae, 
Argos and Mycenae.  and the Temple of juno very famous for the ancientness and Religion thereof: in Lacon●ce, Therapne, and Lacedaemon, 
Lacedaemon.  and Amy●le, and Mount ●aygetus: in Meslenia, Messene, and 
* Now called Modon.  Methone: in Achaia and in Elis, sometime Pises, the Palace of Oenomaus, and Elie, and the Idol and Temple of jupiter of Olympus, renowned for the gaming of exercise, and for the singular holiness, but most of all, for the Image itself, which is the work of Phi●●dias.  
Arcady 
Arcady.  is environed round about with the Nations of Peloponesus. In it are the cities Psophis, Tenea, and Orchomenon: the Mountains Pholoe, Cyllenius, Parthenius, and Maenalus: and the Rivers Erymanthus, and Ladon. In Aetolia, 
Aetolia  is Naupactus: in Acarnania, Stratos: 
Acarnania.  in 
* Now called Albany.  Epire, the Temple of jupiter of Dodon, and a Well which in this consideration 
* A wonderful Fountain.  is counted holy, for that whereas it is cold, and quencheth sirebrandes that are put into it, as other waters do: If ye hold brands without fire a good way off from it, it kindleth them. But when men scour the Sea coast, their way is to sail from the Foreland of Sepias, by Demetrias, and Boion, and Phtheleon, and Echinon, to the Bay of Pagasa: which embracing the City Pagasa, receiveth the River Sperch●us: and because the Minyes (when they made their voyage into Colchos) launched forth there with their Argosy, it is therefore had in estimation.  
From thence as men sail to Sunium, they must pass by these things: namely, by two great Bays, the one of Malea, the other of Opus, and in them the Monuments of the slaughter of the Lacedæmonians: By Thermopile, Opaes, Scarphia, Cnemides, Alope, Anthedon, and Larymna: by Aulis, the Haven where the Fleet of Agamemnon and the Greeks that conspired against Troy, did harborowe: By Marathon, a witness of many vialent deeds, even from the time of Theseus, but most chéefeli● renowned with the slaughter of the Persians: By Rhamnus, a little Town, but yet famous because of the Temple of Amphia●rus, and the Image of Nemesis, made by Phi●dias, which are in it: and finally, by Thoricos and Brauron, some time Cities, and now but bare names.  
Sunium is a Forelande, which finisheth the East side of 
* This is the Country, properly called by the name of Greece.  helas. From thence the Land leaneth Southward unto Megara, now facing the Sea with his front, like as before it lay with his side against Attica. Then is Pyrrheus the Haven of Athens, and Scyron's rocks, even at this day defamed▪ for the cruel entertainment▪ that Scyron gave there to Strangers in old tyme.  
The bounds of Megaris, extend even to the baulk, which is so termed, because it parteth the Aegean Sea but five mile's space from the Ionish Sea, and knitteth Peloponesus unto helas, with a narrow baulk. In it is the town of Cenchree, the Temple of Neptune, the famous gamings called the B●lke games, and Corinth 
Corinth.  sometime renowned for riches, but afterward more renowned for the destruction thereof, and now newly builded again, and peopled by the Romans: which City out of the topcastle thereof called Acrocorinth, vieweth 
* That is the Aegean and jonish Seas.  both the seas. As we said before, the Sea coast of Peloponesus, is indented with Bays and Forelands: on the East side with Bucephalos and Chersonesus, and Scyllion: on the South side with Malea, Taenaros, and Ichthys: and on the West with Chelonates' and Araxos. From the narrow baulk to Scylleon, inhabit the Epidaurians, renowned with the Temple of Aesculapius: 
Aesculapius.  and the Troiezenians, famous for their faithful continuance in league & friendship with the Athenians. Also there are Saronike Haven, and Schaenitas, and Pagonus. The Towns of Epidaure, Troizen, and Hermion, stand upon this shore. Between Scylleon & Malea, is the Bay of Argolis: between that and Taenarus, is the Bay of Laconia, from thence to Acritas, is the Bay of Asine, and from thence to Ichthys, is the Bay of Cyparissus. In the Bay of Argolis, are the known rivers of Erasmus and Inachus, and the known town of Learn. In the Bay of Laconia, are the Rivers Githius, and Eurotas. On the head of Taenarus, are the Temple of Neptune, and a Cave like unto the Cave of Acheruse 
Acheruse.  in Pontus, that we spoke of before, both in fashion and Fable. In the Bay of Asine, is the River Pamisse, and in the Bay of Cyparisse, is Alpheus: These two Bays take their names of two Cities, Cyparissus, and Asine, that stand upon their shores. The Messemans' and Pylians, inhabit the Lands, and Pyle itself standeth near the Sea, and so do Cyllene 
Cyllene.  and Callipolis. The City Patre, standeth upon that shore where Chelonates and Araxos, run into the Sea. But Cyllene is notable, because men think that Mercury was borne there. Afterward Rhion (it is the name of a Bay) falling like a Lake with full mouth, as it were in at a narrow gap between the Aetolians and Peloponesians, breaketh in even to the baulk. In it the shores begin to look Northward.  
Here abouts are Aegian, and Aegira, and Oluros, and sition: and in the coasts over against them are, Page, Creusis, Auticyra, Oeanthia, Cyrrha, and (whereof the name is better known) Calydon, and the River Euenus. Without Rhion in Acarnania, the notablest things are the Town Leucas, and the River 
* Achelous.  Achelous.  
In Epire, 
The Bay of Ambrace.  nothing is more noble, than the Bay of Ambrace. The cause hereof in part, is the Bay itself, which at a narrow gap, less than a mile wide, letteth in a great Sea: and partly, the cities Actium, Argos▪ built by Amphilocus, and Ambrace the Palace of the posterity of Aeacus, and of Pyrrhus, which stand by it. Beyond is Butroton, and then the Hills 
* The Thunder● hills.  Ceraunii, and from them the winding toward Adria. This Sea being received far into the Land, and spreading very broad, but yet broadest where it pierceth in▪ is beset with the Countries of 
* Now called Sclauonie.  Illyricke unto 
* Now called Triest.  Tergestum, and the residue with the Nations of Italy and France.  
The Parthi●nes and Dassarets, possess the first parts of it: The next by little and little, is possessed ●y the Euchelies and Pheakes: afterward, are they that be properly called Illyrians: then the Pyreans, and Lyburnes, and Histrich. Of Cities, the first is Oricum, the second 
* Now called Durazo.  Dyrrachium, called before Epidamnum, until the Romans changed the name, because it seemed to them to be a forespeaking of evil luck, towards them when they went thither. Beyond are Apollonia, Salon, jader, Naron, 
* Now Bruzza.  Tragurie, the Bay of Pola, and the City Pola, inhabited (as report goeth) by men of Colchos, and now (as things altar) peopled by the Romans. Also, there are the Rivers Aeas, and Nar, and Danow▪ which is spoken of before by the name of Ister. But Aeas falleth into the Sea by Apollonia: and Nar, between the Pyreans and Liburnes: and Ister, through Istrich. Tergestum, which is situate in the innermost nook of Adria, endeth Illyrich.   

Of Italy.  
The fourth Chapter.  
SOmewhat shallbe said of Italy, rather because order so requireth, then for that it needeth any setting out: for all things are known. At the Alps, it beginneth to mount in height, and as it proceedeth, raising itself in the mids, it runneth forth with a continual ridge between the Adriatishe and Turkish Seas, or (as they are otherwise termed, between the upper Sea, and the neither Sea) a great while whole: but when he hath gone far, he splitteth into two horns, whereof the one faceth the Sea of Sicill, and the other the I●nishe Sea. It is through out narrow, and in some place much narrower than where it began.  
The inner parts thereof are inhabited by sundry Nations. On the left side, the Carnies and Venetians possess 
* Now a part of Lombardie.  Gallia togata. Then follow Italian people, the Picents, the Frentanes, the Daunians, the Appulians, the Calabrians, and the Salentines. On the right side under the Alps, are the Ligurians, and under Apennine, is Hetruria. After that, is Latium, the Volscies, Campane, and above Lucanie, are the Brutians.  
Of Cities inhabited far from the Sea, the wealthiest on the left hand, are Padua, 
Padua.  builded by Antenor: and Mutina, and Bononi●, builded by the Romans: 
Rome.  and on the right hand Capua, builded by the tuscans, and Rome in old time founded by shepherds, but now (if it should be treated of according to the worthiness) an other whole work of itself.  
In the Sea coast next to 
* Now called Triest.  Tergestum, is Concord. Through it runneth the River Timaws: which rising from nine heads, falleth into the Sea with one mouth. Then the River Natiso, not far from the Sea, passeth by the rich Tow●e Aquileia, beyond which is Altine. The River Po, 
The river Po.  occupieth a large space in the upper shore. For he riseth out of the very foot of the Mountain Vesulus, and gathering himself at the first of little springs, runneth a while lank and lean: but anon after he so increaseth, and is so fed with other Rivers, that at the last he emptieth himself with seven mouths. One of these, they call great Po, and he gusheth out of it so swiftly, that beating aside the waves, he carrieth his stream a great while in the same sort that he sent it out of the Lands end, and keepeth his channel still even in the Sea, until the River Ister flushing with like violence, out of the shore over against him, doth meet with him. Hereby it comes to pass, that as men sail through those places, where the said Rivers come on both sides, they draw up fresh water among the waves of the Sea.  
From Po to Ancona ward, the way lies by Ravenna, Arm●ne, Pisaure, the fraunchised Town of Fane, and the Rivers Metaurus and Esis. And in the very skirt of those two forelands, meeting one against an other, standeth the said Town of Ancona, 
* Ancona, or Ancon, signifieth an elbow.  which hath that name given it by the Greeks, because the situation thereof resembleth the bowing of a man's elbow: and it is as a bound between the Marches of the French and Italian Nations.  
For when men are passed this Town, they come upon the coast of Picene, wherein are the Cities, Numana, Potentia, Claterna, and Cupra: the Castles of Firmum, Adria, and Truent, with a River running thereby of the same name. From thence is the Sea coast of Senogallia, unto the mouth of the River Aterne: the Cities whereof are Bucar and Histon.  
The Daunians have the River Tiferne, the cities Cliterne, Lucrine, and Theane, and the Mountain Garganus. There is a Bay in Appulia, enclosed with a whole shore, which is called Urias, of small room, and for the most part rough to come unto. Uttermore, is Sypunt, or (as the Greeks call it) Sypius, & a river that runneth by Canusium, and is called Aufidus. Afterward are Barium, Egnatia, and Rudie, ennobled with Ennius, 
E●●ius the Poet  who was of that City. And in Calabria, are Brunduse, Valece, Lupie, and Mount Hydrus, together with the plains of Salent, and the Sea coast of Salent, and a Greek City, named Gallipole. Hitherto extendeth the Adriatishe Sea, and hitherto extendeth the one side of Italy. The front of it (as we have said) splitteth into two horns. But the Sea that is received in between them both, being once or twice dissevered with thin forelands, is not environed with one whole bank, nor received open and at large on level shore, but in Bays. The first is called the Bay of Tarent, which lieth between the forelands of Sale and Lacinium: and in it are Tarent, Metapont, Heracle, Croto, and Turium. The second, is called the Bay of Scyllace, between the forelands of Pacinium, and Zephyrium, wherein are Petilia, Caecine, Scyllace, and Mistre. The third, which is between Zephyrium and Brutium, environeth Consiline, Caulone, and Locres. In Brutium are the kings Pillar, Regium, Scylla, Taurian, and Metaure. From hence is the turning into the Tuscan Sea, and to the other side of the same Land, on the which side are Terine: Hippo now called Vibon: Temesa: Clampetia: Blanda: Buxent: Velia: Palinure sometime the name of the Master of Aeneas Ship, and now the name of a place: the Bay of Pesta, and the Town of Pesta: the River Silarus, the City Picentia, the Rocks which the Mermaids dwelled in, the Foreland called Minerva's Mount, the fat grounds of Lucanie, the Bay of Puteolis, the Cities of Surrent and Herculean, the view of the Mountain Veswius, the pompey's, Naples, Puteolis, the Lakes of Lucrine and Avernus, the Baths, Missene▪ now the 〈◊〉 of a place, sometime the name of a Trojan Soldier: Cumes, Linterne, the River Vulturne, the Town Vulturne, the delectable Sea coast of Campane, Sinuessa, Liris, Minturne, ●ormie, Fundie, Tarracine, Circe's house sometime called Circey. Autium, Aphrodisium, Arde, Laurent, and Ostia on the hither side of Tiber.  
Beyond it are Pyrgie, Anio, Newcastle, Graviske, Cossa, Telamonius, Populon, Cecine, and Pises, places and names of Hetruria. Then Luna, ●igurum, and ●iguria, and Geane, and Sabatia, and Albigaunum. Then hath it the Rivers Paul and Varus, both falling from the Alps, but Varus is better known, because it endeth Italy.  
The Alps themselves, 
The Alps.  spreading far and wide from these shores, do first run a great step into the North: and when they have touched Germany, then turning their race, they go forth into the East, and dissevering cruel Nations, extend even into Thrace.   

Of the Province of Narbon.  
The fift Chapter.  
GAllia being divided by the Lake Leman, 
Now called Lake Losan, and the Lake of Geneva.  and the Mountain Gebenna, into two sides, whereof the one butteth upon the Tuscan Sea, and the other upon the Ocean, extendeth on the one side from Varus, and on the other side from the Rhine unto the Mountain Pyrene. The part that bordereth upon our Sea, was sometime called Braccata, and is now called the province of 
* Savoy and Delphynoys.  Narbone, and is more inhabited and tilled, and therefore also more cheerful. Of the Cities that it hath, the wealthiest are Vasio of the Vocontians, Vienna of the 
* Auignion.  Allobrogians, 
* Nimes,  Auenio of the Cavars', 
* 〈◊〉  Nemausus of the Arecomikes, Tolous of the 
* Languedocke.  Tectosages, 
* Orange.  Aurasio of the Secundanes, 
* Arle.  Arelate of the Sextanes▪ and Blitera of the Septumanes.  
But before them all steppeth the place where the Atacines and Decumanes dwelled, from whence succour was ministered to all those Countries: which place is now the martial Narbo, 
Narbon in Province.  the name-giver and beauty of the whole Province. On the Sea coasts, are a few places of some reputation. But the Cities stand thin, because there are few Havens, and all that quarter lieth open to the South and southwest winds.  
Nicaea toucheth the Alps, and so doth the Town of deceit, and so doth 
* Ragnie.  Antipolis. Afterwards is julius Market, a Town builded by the octavians, and then forth Athenople, and Olbia, and Glavon, and Citarist, and Halycidon, the Haven of marsiles, 
marsiles, and the foundation thereof.  & in it the Town of marsiles itself. This being founded by the Phoceans, and builded in old time among boisterous Nations, hath now brought them in awe, and made them good neighbours, far unlike to that they were before. It is a wonderful thing, how easily it then took sure settling, and unto this day keepeth the old custom. Between it and Rhone, lieth Marius' Ditch, upon the Sea side near unto the Pool of the Auatikes, That shore carrieth a part of the said River into the Sea, in a channel able to bear Ships: otherwise it is but a rascal bank all stony, where the report goeth that Hercules fight against Albion and Bergion▪ the sons of Neptune, and having spent all his Artillery, called upon his Father jupiter, who rained down stones to help him with: and a man would believe it had reigned stones in deed, there lie so many, and that every where, and so far of.  
The River Rhone 
Rhone.  springeth not far from the heads of Ister and Rhyne, and then being received into the Lake Losan, he holdeth on his race, and forcing himself whole through the mids of it, passeth out as great as he entered in. From thence being carried back into the West, he divideth Gallia a while, and then turninig his course Southward, keepeth so forth on, and becoming now great with the resort of other Rivers, and continually waxing greater, runneth ●ut at the Lands ●nd, between the 
* The people of Mount Pelier.  Volscies and the Cavers.  
Beyond are the Pools of the Volscies, the River lead, the Castle Latara, and the Hill Mesna, environed almost round about with the Sea, and (but that it hangeth by a narrow causey to the Land) a very I'll. Then Soan falling out of the Mountains of Auue●ne, 
The River of Soan.  runneth into the Sea by Agatha, and Obris by Bliters. Atax coming down from the Mountain Pyrene, 
The river Atax.  as long as he hath none but the waters of his own spring, runneth small and shallow, and yet a great channel, howbeit not able to bear a Ship any where, saving where he passeth by Narbone.  
But when he swelleth with winter showers, he is wont to rise so high, that his banks be not able to hold him in. A Lake receiveth him▪ named Rubresus, very large, but where the Sea entereth into it narrow mouthed. Beyond is Leucata, as shore so named, and the Fountain of Salsusa, which sheddeth water, not sweet, but more brackish than the water of the Sea.  
Hard by, is a Field very green with short and slender Reed, 
A strange Field.  but floating upon a Pool that is underneath it. That it is so, the middle part of it plainly proveth, which being cut off from the rest about it, swimmeth like an isle, and suffereth itself to be shoved and drawn too and fro. Moreover, by those places that are cut through, appeareth the Sea shedded underneath it. Whereupon, whether it were through ignorance of the truth, or that they were purposely disposed to make a leasing, it liked as well our Authors, as also the Greeks, to leave in writing unto such as should come after, that Fish was digged out of the whole ground in that Country, which in deed coming out of the deep Sea thither, and there being killed by such as babbed for them, was drawn dead out of the foresaid holes.  
From thence is the coast of the Sardones, and the little brooks of Thelis and Thicis, which are very noisome when they rise with any rage of water: and Ruscinum, a Town of the Romans, and the village Eliberris, which sometime was a great City, and now is but a slender Monument of great wealth. Then between the forelands of Pyrene, is the Haven of Venus▪ in a Bay of salt-water, and a place called 
* It may be called Herts-walke.  Ceruaria, which is the end of Gallia.   

Of Spain.  
The sixth Chapter.  
THe Mountain Pyrene, first runneth from hence into the british Ocean: and then turning with a front into the main Land, breaketh into Spain, and shutting out the lesser part of it on the right hand, stretcheth out a long in one whole ridge, until such time as having passed a long race through all the Country, it come to those shores that are butting upon the West. Spain itself (saving where it boundeth upon France,) is environed round about with the Sea. Where it cleaveth unto France, there is it narrowest, then widening itself by little and little into our Sea and the Ocean, and waxing larger and larger, it runneth into the West, and there becometh broadest. It is so plenteous and fruitful of Men, Horses, Iron, Lead, Brass, Silver and Gold, that if in any place it be fruitless and unlike itself▪ for want of water, yet it beareth Flax and 
* A shrub like Broome, whereof they make Cables.  Sparta. It is distinguished by three names, one part is called Tarraconensis, an other Boetica, and the third Lusitania. 
* Navarre, Arragon and Biskay.  Tarraconensis, butting with the one head thereof against France, and with the other upon Boetica and Lusitania, thrusteth out his sides Southward to our midland Sea, and Northward to the British Ocean. The River 
* Guadiana.  Anas parteth Boetica from Lusitania, and therefore 
* The kingdom of Granado.  Boetica looketh into both the Seas, that is to say, Westward into the Athlantish Ocean, and Southward into our midland Sea. 
* Portugal, Gallicia, and castile.  Lusitania lieth only against the Ocean, that is to wit, with his side into the North, and with his front into the West.  
Of upland Cities, in Tarraconensis, the famousest in old time were 
* Palenze.  Pallance, and Numance: and now the famousest is 
* Saragossa.  Cae●auragusta: in Lusitania, Emerita: and in Boetica, Astigie 
* Seville.  Ispalis, and Corduba. But if ye go along the Sea coast, next beyond Ceruaria▪ is a Rock which thrusteth Mount Pyrene into the deep. Then followeth the river Thicis unto Rhoda, and Clodian to Empuries; beyond which, is jupiters' Mount: the West part whereof, (by reason of the stones that rise with a little distance one above an other like greeces) they call Hannibal's stairs. 
Hannibal's stairs.   
From thence to 
* Terragon.  Tarracon, are the little Towns, of Blanda, Illuro, Betullo, 
* Barsilone.  Barchino, Subur, and Tholobie: and the little brooks of Betulo▪ next to jupiters' Mount, and Rubricate, somewhat bigger at the shore, between Subur and Tholobie. The City Tarraco, is the wealthiest of all that stand upon these coasts. Above it runneth a mean River called Tulcis, and beneath it runneth the great river 
* Iber or Ebro.  Iberus. From thence the Sea windeth itself into the Land, and entering at the first with great force, is anon after divided into two Bays, with a Foreland called Ferrar. The first Bay is named Sucron, which is the greater of both, and receiveth the Sea at a very large mouth, waxing still narrower the further it goeth. It receiveth Serabis and Duria, and Sucron, rivers of no great bigness. It embraceth other Cities, but the best known are Valentia, and that famous Town of Saguntum, renowned both for faithfulness, and for the miseries it endured. The other Bay following▪ called Ill●ce, hath Alone and Lucence, and Illice whereof it taketh the name.  
Héerhence, & from those things that are spoken of already, unto the Marches of 
* The kingdom of Granado.  Boetica, there is nothing worth the writing, except it be 
* Cartagene.  Carthage, which hasdrubal Captain of the Carthaginens●s builded. On those coasts are base Towns, which are not worth the naming, but for order's sake: as Virgie, in the Bay called Virgie Bay: and without it Abdera, Suell, Hexie, Menoba, 
* Malliqua.  Malaca, Salduba, Lacippo, and Berbefull. Afterward followeth the 
* The straits of Seville, or the straits of Marocke.  opening of the narrow Sea, where the two Mountains, Abyla & Calpe do in manner join the shores of Europe & Africa▪ together, as we said at the beginning. They are called the Pillars of Hercules, and both of them (but Calpe more, and in manner wholly) bear forward into the Sea. The same being wonderful hollow on that part that is toward the Sun setting, openeth almost his mid side, where into there shutteth a Bay, which is almost altogether passageable as far as it goeth, and beyond it is a Cave. In that Bay, Carteia in times past (as some think) called Tarteslus, and Mellaria environed with the Sea, a Town which the phoenicians passing out of Africa inhabit, (the place where I was borne) together with the Towns of Bello and Besippo, 
The place where the Author of this work was borne.  occupy the rest of the coast on that narrow Sea, unto 
* Saint Vincents head.  junos' Monte This rising into the West into the Ocean with a bowing ridge, and facing the Forelands of Ampelusia which we told you to be in Africa, is the end of Europe toward our Seas.   

The Isles of the midland Sea.  
The seventh Chapter.  
THe Isle 
* Cales.  Gades, which meeteth men when they pass out at the straits, putteth me in remembrance, chiefly to speak of the rest of the Isles in our midland Sea, before I proceed to treat of the coast of the Ocean, and the uttermost circuit of the main Lands, as I promised at the beginning.  
There are but few in Maeotis, (for it seemeth most handsome to begin there) and yet all of them are not inhabited, for they yield not sufficient sustenance. Hereupon it comes to pass, that the inhabiters of them, dry the flesh of great Fishes in the Sun, and braying it into fine powder, use it in sléede of meal. There are also but f●we in Pontus, Leuke, a very little Island, situate against the mouth of Boristhenes, is sir named Achille●, 
Leuce or Achillea.  because Achilles lieth buried there. Not far thence is Aria, 
Aria.  which being consecrated to Mars, did (as is reported in Fables,) breed Birds▪ that cast forth feathers as it had been Darts, and therewith made great slaughter of such as arrived on that coast. There are six at the mouths of Ister, of which Peuce 
Peuce.  is the best known, and the greatest.  
Thynnias' 
Thynnias.  facing the borders of the Mariandynes, hath a City, which (because the Bithynians builded it) is called Bithynis. Against the Bosphor of Thrace lie two little Isles, 
The Cyanies or Symplegades.  distant a small space asunder, sometime believed and reported to have run together, called Cyanies and Symplegades. In Propontis, 
Proconesus.  only Proconesus is inhabited. Without Hellespont, the notablest (of such as lie upon the coast of Asia) are Tenedos, 
Tenedos.  over against the Foreland of Sigaeum, and such as are situate against the Foreland of Taurus, whereof I will speak in order as they stand, which were called Macarons' Isles, 
Macarons' Iles.  either because they have a happy air and soil, or else because one Macar and his Uicegerentes, held them under their dominion.  
Upon the coast of Troad is Lesbos, 
Lesbos.  and in it some time were five Towns, Antissa, Pyrrha, Eressos, Cirava, and Mitylene. Upon jonia, lie Chios, and Samos: 
Chios & Samos.  upon Caria, Cos: 
Cos. Rhodes.  upon Lycia, Rhodes: and in each of these Isles, is a City of the same name. In Rhodes where erewhile three: 
The Chelidonies.  Lindus, Cami●us, and jalysus.  
The Isles that lie against the head of Taurus, being cumbersome to sail unto, are named Ch●lidonies. In the greatest Bay that Asia receiveth, almost about the mids thereof lieth Cyprus: 
Cyprus.  which stretching itself from the East into the West, shooteth with a straight ridge between Cilicia and Syria, and is very great, as which sometime▪ contained nine Kingdoms. And at this day it beareth certain Cities, whereof the notablest are Salamis, and Paphos, and Palaepaphos, where the folk of that Country hold opinion, that Venus set first foot a land out of the Sea. There is a little I'll in Phenicia, 
Isle Arados.  called Arados, conveyed all in one Town as much as is of it, but plentifully peopled, because it is lawful for men to dwell, even under other men's roofs. Canope 
Canop●.  also is a little one, at the mouth of Nile▪ called Canopicke. Menelaus' shipmaster, Canopus, dying there by chance, gave that name to the isle, and the isle gave name to the mouth of Nile, Pharos 
Pharos.  is now joined with a bridge to Alexandria, but in old time (as is reported in Homer's work) it was dissevered a whole days sailing from that coast. And if it were so in deed, it may well be conjectured, that Nile hath been the cause of so great alteration: who bringing mud continually down his channel (and that chiefly when he floweth) and beating it to the shore, increaseth the Lands, and enlargeth the plat of them, by growing forward into the next shallows.  
In Africa, against the greater Syrt, is Cuteletoes. 
Cuteletoes,  against the forelands of the lesser Sy●t, are Meniux, and Cercinna: 
Meniux and Cercinna.  against the Bay of Carthage, lie Tarichie, 
Tarichie and Aegates.  and the Aegates▪ renowned with the Shipwreck of the Romans. Many more are situate against the coast of Europe.  
In the Aegean Sea, near to Thrace, are Thasos, Imbros, Samothrace, Scandille, Polyegos, Scyathos, Halonesos and Lemnos, 
Thasos, Imbros, Samothrace, Scandill, Polyegos, Seyathos, Hole●esos, Lemnos.  where the women in old time are reported to have murdered all the men, and to have held the Realm alone. Lemnos lieth over against the Mountain Athos: the Bay of Pagasa, faceth ●cyathos, and embraceth Cicyneton. Euboea thrusteth out the forelands of Geraestos, 
Eubaea.  and Caphareum, into the South: and Coeneum into the North. It no where beareth any breadth: and where it is narrowest, it is two miles over: but it is long, and lieth against all Boeotia, being dissevered from the shore thereof, with a very narrow arm of salt-water, which they call Euripus, a swift Sea▪ ebbing and flowing seven times a day, and as often every night, with so unmeasurable strong tides, that it disappointeth Ships which have the wind full on their sails.  
There are a few Towns in it, as Hestiaea, Eretria, Pyrrha, Nesos, and Occhalia: but the wealthiest, are Carystos and Chalcis. In Attis, is Helen known, 
●●e Helen.  for the adultery of Queen Helen, and Salamis 
Salamine.  better known, for the destruction of the Persian Fleet.  
About Peloponesus, yet still in the Aegean Sea, are Phitiusa, and Aegina, 
Phitiusa, and Aegina.  situate against the shore of Epidaurus. Against Troiezen (among unrenowmed things) is Calauria, 
Calauria.  renowned otherwise with the death of Demosthenes. In the Myrtoan Sea, 
Cythera.  is Cythera set against Malea, and Theganusa 
Theganusa.  against Acritas. In the Ionish Sea, are Prote, Hyria, Cephalenia, Neritos, Same, Zacynthos, Dulychium, 
Prote, Hyria, Cephalenia, Neritos, Same, Zacynthos, Dulychium, & Ithaca.  and (which is not to be reckoned among the base sort) Ithaca, most chiefly renowned with the name of Ulysses. In Epire, are the Echinades, and the Strophades, 
The Echinades and Strophades.  in old time called Plots. Against the Bay of Ambrace, is Leucadie, and near unto the Adriatish Sea, Corcyra: and these lie against the Lands of the Greeks, 
Leucadie, Corcyra, now called Cortu.  and the Thracians.  
But innermore are Nelos, Ol●aros, Aegina, Ca●hon, jos, Thera, Hyaros, Hippuris, Donysa, Cianos, Chalcis, Icaria, Pinaria, Nisyros, Lebynthos, Calydne, and Asine, 
The Sporades.  and all these (because they lie scattering) are called Sporades. Afthem follow Sicynus, Cythnos, ●yphnos, S●riphos, Rhine, Paros, Scyros, Tenos, Myconos, Naxos, Delos, and Andros: 
The Cyclades.  which (because they stand round, as it were in a circle together) are called ●●clades. Above them in the mid Sea, 
* Candye.  Crete, (furnished sometime with an hundred Cities) sendeth out into the East a Foreland called Salmon, and into the West an other, called the Rammes-head. But that is greater than Cyprus, it were like it. The same thereof is blazed abroad▪ with many Fables: as the 〈◊〉 of Europa, the Loves of Pasiphae and of Ariadne, ●he cruelness of Minotaur and his death, the works of Dedalus▪ and his flight in the air, and moreover▪ his arrival and death: but most of all, for that the inhabiters yet do show the Tomb of jupiter 
jupiters' Tomb.  with his name graven thereupon, as an evident Monument of his burial there.  
Of the Cities therein, the best known are Gnosus, Gortyna, Lyctos, Lycastos, Holopixos, Phaestos, Cydon, Manethusa, and Dictyn●a. Among the Hills, the same of Mount Ida excelleth, because it is said that jupiter was nourished there. By the same Hill are Asticle, Naumachos, Zephyre, Crise, Gaudos, 
The Carpathian Sea.  and three Towns called all by the one name of Musagories, and Carpathus, whereof the Carpathian Sea taketh his name.  
In the Adriatishe Sea, 
Absoros, Celaduse, Absyrtus, Trucon, Issa, Hydria, Electrides, black Corcyra, Tragurie, Diomedia, Aestria, Asine, Pharos.  are Absoros, Celaduse, Absyrtus, Issa, Trucon, Hydria, Electrides, black Corcyra, Tragurie, Diomedia, Aestria, Asine, and an other Pharos lying to Brundisium as the other did to Alexandria. Sicill (by report) was sometime maineland, and joined to the Country of Brutia, but afterward it was cut off by an arm of the Sicilian Sea. 
Sicill.  The same being narrow and sharp, runneth with interchangeable course, one while into the Thuscane Sea, and an other while into the Ionish Sea, rough, cruel, and renowned with the terrible names of Scylla and Charybdis. Scylla is a Rock, and Charybdis a Sea. both of them perilous, for such as pass by them.  
The I'll it ●elfe being great, and shooting forth with three heads three sundry ways one from on other, 
The description of Sicill.  maketh the shape of the Greek Letter called Delta. That which looketh toward Greece, is named Pachynus: that which looketh to Afric ward, is called Lilybie: and that which inclineth to Italy, and is direct against Scylla, is called Pelorus of Pelorus a Ship Master, buried there by Hannibal. For when Hanniball ●ledde out of his Country, as he was passing at way into Syria, because that to his sight a far of, the shores seemed to join all in one● as if there had been no Sea to pass through, thinking himself to be betrayed by Pelorus, he killed him. The coast that extendeth from thence to Pachinus, along the Ionish Sea, beareth these notable things: Messana, Taurominium Catina, Megaris, syracuse, and among these the wonderful Arethusa.  
It is a Fountain wherein are seen again, 
The Fountain Arethusa.  such things as are cast into the River Alpheus, which (as we have said) sinketh into the Sea-bank of Peloponesus. Whereupon it is believed, that the said River mingleth not himself with the Sea, but sinking down, carrieth his stream in a channel, under Sea and land hither, and here springeth up again.  
Between Pachynus and Lilybie, are Acragas, Heracle, and Therm. Between Lilybie and Pelorus, are Panormus and Hymera. Innermore are the Leontines, Centuripine, Hybla, and many others. Enna 
Enna.  hath the chief fame, for the Temple of Ceres. Of Mountains, the most renowned is Eryx▪ 
E●yx.  for the Temple of Venus builded by Aenaeas▪ and Aetna▪ 
Aetna.  which in old time nourished the Cyclopes, and now burneth with continual fire.  
Of the Rivers, Hymera is worthy to be spoken of, 
A strange running of a stream.  because that rising in the very heart of the Country, it runneth two contrary ways, and cutting it into two halves, falleth with the one mouth into the Lybish Sea, & with the other into the Thuscane Sea. About Sicill, in the narrow Sea of Sicill, is the Island 
* This is supposed to have been called Ogygia, and Calypsus.  Aeoee, where Calypso is reported to have dwelled. Toward Africa are Gaulos, 
* Malta.  Melita, and Cosura: and toward Italy, Galata, and those seven which by common name and reputation, are called. Aeolus' Isles, 
Aeolus' Isles, or Vulcan's Iles.  that is to wit, 
* It is also called Euonymos.  Osteodes, Lipara, Didyme, Phaenicusa, Ericusa, Hiera, and Strongyle, which burn with continual fire like Aetna. But Pithecusa, Leucothea, Venaria, Sinonia, Capree, Prochyta, Pontia, Pandataria, Phytonia, and Palmaria, lie against the side of Italy, on this side the mouth of Tiber. Beyond are certain little ones, called Dianium, jaginium, Carbania, Vrgo, Ilua, and Capraria. Then are there two great ones, divided with the Hetruscan Sea: of which Corsica, 
Corsica, called also Cyrnos.  nearer to the shore, being long and slender between the sides, is inhabited by barbarous people, saving where the Roman Towns, Aleria, and Marian are.  
Sardinia, 
Sardinia.  butting upon the Sea of Africa, saving that it is narrower Westward than Eastward, is alike square on all sides, and every where somewhat larger than Corsica where it is largest. It is fruitful, and of better soil than air: for as it is fruitful, so is it almost pestilent. In it the ancientest people, are the Ilians, and the ancientest Cities, are Calaris and Sulchie.  
But on the coast of France, there are none worthy to be treated of, save only the Stechades, 
The Stechades.  which are spread from the coast of Ligurie, unto Mas●ilia. The Baleards in Spain, 
The Isles called Baleares, now called Mallorca and Minorca.  situate against the coast of Tarraconensis, are not far distant one from an other: and of their bigness they take their agreeable names of Maiorica and Minorica. In Minorica, are the Castles of jamno and Mago: and in Maiorica, are the Roman Towns, Palma and Polentia. The Isle Ebusus, 
Ebusus, now called Euiza.  being situate directly over, against the Foreland of Ferrara, which is in the Bay of Sucron, hath a City of the same name, only barren of Corn, but of other things plentiful, and so clear from all noisome creatures, that it suffereth not somuch as those that of wild things are made tame, to breed and increase, neither can abide them to be brought in.  
Of a contrary nature is Colubraria, 
Colubraria, or Adderland, now called Cormedera.  whereof it cometh to my mind to write. For although it swarm with many kinds of hurtful Serpents, and be therefore uninhabitable: yet notwithstanding when men arrive there, if they bring of the earth of Ebusus with them, as many as are within the precinct▪ that is strewed about with that earth, are safe without peril, and the Serpents (which otherwise would adventure to meet them and assault them) shunning the sight of the dust (or rather some other secret● power thereof) fly far of for fear.    

❧ The third Book of that worthy Cosmographer, Pomponius Mela, concerning the situation of the world.  

The uttermost shores of Spain.  
The first Chapter.  
THE coast of our midland Sea is already spoken of, 
The description of the Ocean, and the opinions of the ebbing and flowing thereof.  and the Isles that it containeth are spoken of also. Now remaineth that circuit which (as we have said at the beginning) is environed with the great Ocean, that unmeasurable Sea, which raging with great tides (for they so term the movings thereof) one while floweth into the fields, and an other while leaving them a great way bare, flieth back, from one to an other successinelie, and not turning by interchangeable course, eft into one and eft into an other. But when he hath powered himself whole together out of the mids into all shores, as well of Islands as of main lands, though they be contrary one against other, he gathereth from them again into the mids, and retireth into himself, rushing forth always with such violence, that he driveth back huge streams, and either taketh the Beasts of the Land unwares, or else leaveth the Beasts of the Sea waterless. Neither is it yet certainly known, whether the world cause it with his panting, and uttereth out on all sides about him the water that he had drawn in with his breath, for (as it seemeth to the learned sort) the world 〈◊〉 a living wight: or whether there be some hollow Caves in the ground▪ for the ebbing Seas to retire into, and to life themselves out again when they are too full: or whether the Moon be the cause of so great fléetings. This is certain, that according to the rising and going down of the Moon, the course of the Ocean varieth, and keepeth not one ordinary time, but as she mounteth or falleth, so we perceive it to go and come.  
When men are come out hither, and pursue those parts that are on the right hand, the Athlantish Ocean, and the coast of the front of 
* Granate.  Boetica, receiveth them, which lieth in manner straight unto the River Anas, 
* Guadiana.  saving that once or twice it withdraweth a little into itself. The Turdules and Bastule, inhabit it. In the hithermost Bay, is a Haven which they call Gad●● Haven, and a Wood which they call▪ 
* Of wild Oly●fes.  Oleastre. Then on the shore▪ is the Castle of Ebor, and far from the shore▪ is the Roman Town Asta, and without the Bay is the Temple and Altar of juno. In the very Sea is the Tomb of Geryon, set rather upon a Rock, then in an isle. The River Boetis coming out of the Country of Tarracon, 
The river Boetis, now called Guadalquebir.  runneth a long while▪ almost through the middle of this Country, in one channel as he sprang up at his head. But afterward having made a great Lake. not far from the Sea, he riseth double▪ as it were out of one spring, and issueth out as great in either of them, as he came in single in his own. Then boweth there an other Bay inward unto the end of the Shore, upon the which Bay stande● the little Towns of Olitingie and Onoba.  
Beyond the River Anas, 
* Portugal.  Lusitunia (on that side where it looketh into the Athlantishe Ocean) steppeth out at the first with a great bulk into the deep, and afterward shrinking back again, retireth further inward than ●oetica. Where it beareth forward, it receiveth the Sea twice into it, and so is divided into three Forelands. That which is next the River Anas, (because it passeth forth from a broad base, and by little and little groweth into a narrow point) is called 
* Wedge-feeld, or Wedge-land.  Cu●eus Ager. The second, they call Holy Head: and the third, Great Head. In the Wedge, are M●tylis, Balsa, and Ossobona: In Holy Head, are Lacobriga, and Hannibal's Haven: and on the Great Head, is Ebora. Between these three Heads, are the Bays: in the hithermost whereof is Salacia, & in the other is the City 
* Lisbon.  Vlisippo, and the mouth of the River Tagus, which engendereth Gold and precious Stones. From these forelands to that part which retired back, is opened a great winding gap, wherein be the old Turdules, and their Towns: and the Rivers, Monda and Durius, of which Monda runneth out almost through the midst of the side of the last mentioned Foreland: and Durius swéepeth by the very root of it. That Front for a while hath a direct shore, which afterward making a little winding, shooteth forth anon again, and then shrinking in once or twice, proceedeth right forth with a direct bank unto the Foreland which we call 
* Now called the Lands end.  Celticke. All this Coast is inhabited by the Celts, from the River Durius, to the bought of Gronium, & through their borders run the Rivers Auo, Celandus, Nebis, Minius, and (which beareth the name of forgetfulness) Limia. The bought itself embracing the City Lambriaca, receiveth the Rivers of Ie●na and Via. The foremost part of the bought, is inhabited by the Presamarkes, through whose Country, the Rivers Tamaris and S●rs, having their heads not far one from an other, do run into the Sea, Tamaris▪ at the Haven of Artabrie, and Sars at a Tower renowned with the name of Augustus.  
The rest of the Country beyond, is inhabited by the Tamarikes, and Nerians, who be the last on that coast. For hitherto the shores lie full upon the West: and from thenceforth, the Land turneth with full side to the North, from the Celtike Foreland, to the Foreland of Scythia. From this Celtike Foreland, unto the 
* Biscay.  Cantabers, the Coast is almost right out, saving that there be a few small Bays and little forelands. On that coast, are first the Artabers, and janasum, Celtike Nations, and next them the Asturians. In Artabria, a Bay with a narrow mouth▪ receiving the Sea into a large room, bendeth about by the City Adrobike, and the mouths of four Rivers: whereof two be but smally regarded▪ even of the dwellers by: and by the other two, the Rivers Mearus and Narius run into Libunca. On the shore of the Asturians▪ standeth the Town of Naega: and in a certain Nesse there are three Altars▪ which they call Sestians, which are ennobled with the name of Augustus, whereby they ennoble these Lands also, which were unnoble afore.  
Nevertheless, from the River which is called Salia, the coast beginneth to draw back by little and little, and more and more to straighten the wideness of Spain, which yet notwithstanding is wide still, gathering the Lands into so narrow a room, that between the two Seas where Spain butteth upon France, Spain is narrower by the one half, than where it reacheth into the West. That Coast is held by the Cantabers and Vardules. Among the Cantabers are divers people and Rivers, howbeit, whose names can not be uttered by the mouth of us Romans.  
Through those Countries, comes down the Rivers▪ Salenos, and Saurium: and through certain people, called the Autrigones, and Origeviones, cometh down the River Nesua. The River Deva runneth by Tritium▪ Tobolicum, and beyond that, Magrada passeth by Iu●rissa, and jason. The Vardules being one entire Nation, extend from hence to the head of Mount Pyren, and so close up 〈◊〉 the Country of Spain.   

The uttermost coasts of Gallia.  
The second Chapter.  
NOw followeth the other side of Gallia, whose Coast shoving somewhat forward into the deep, and anon stepping forth, well-near as much into the open Sea, as Spain had retired back, bresteth the Lands of Cantabrie, and winding about with a great circuit, turneth his side unto the West. Then turning again to the North, it spreadeth out with a long and straight coast, unto the banks of the Rhine. It is a Land very fruitful, thiefily of grass and corn, & pleasant to behold for great Forests. Whatsoever kind of seed can away with n● cold, the country yieldeth it not every where, neither is there any great store of hurtful Beasts. The people themselves are proud, superstitious, and sometime also they have been outrageous: insomuch that they have believed, that the Sacrificing of men, was the best and acceptablest thing to the Gods. There remain yet still some remnants of their foreworne cruelty: insomuch, that although they abstain from utter bleaing of men, yet notwithstanding, they bring them to the Altars, and taste of their blood. neverthelater, they have their kind of eloquence, and teachers of wisdom, whom they call Druids. These profess themselves to know the greatness and fashion of the world, the movings of the Heaven, and of the Stars, and the will of the Gods. They teach many things, to the men of chief Nobility in that Nation, privily and a long time together, even by the space of twenty years, in some Cave of the earth, or in unseen corners.  
One of the things which they teach, is escaped into common knowledge: namely, that men's souls are everlasting, and live an other life after they be departed out of their bodies: and that is to the intent, that men should be the better for the wars. And therefore when they burned or buried their dead, they sent with them an account of their affairs, agreeable to their state aforetime when they were alive, yea, and also a demand of the debts, which they owed or had owing unto them: yea, and there were some which did willingly cast themselves into the fires▪ where their friends corpses were burnt, as folk that looked to live together with them.  
The Country which they inhabit, beareth wholly the name of Gallia Comata. Of Nations, are all comprehended under three chief names, and are limited by great Rivers. For from Mount Pyren▪ to the River 
* Geround.  Garumna, is Aquitane, from thence to 
* Scene.  Sequana, dwell the 
* French men.  Celtes: and from thence to the Rhine, inhabit the 
* The people of the Low Countries, as Braband, Holland, Zealand, Flaunders, etc.  Belgians. Of the Aquitanes, the most renowned are the Auscianes: of the Celtes, the Heduans: and of the Belgians, the Treuires. The wealthiest Cities, are among the Trevires, Augusta: among the Heduans, Augustodunum: and the Auscians, Elusaberris. The River of Geround▪ falling out of Mount Pyren, runneth a long while shallow▪ and scarce sayleable, saving when he swelleth, by reason of winter's rain, or of the melting of the snow. But wh●n he is once increased▪ by meeting with the comings in of the flowing Ocean, and carrieth both his own waters, and the Occeans also▪ in their going back again: he becometh somewhat fulser, and the further he goeth, still the wider. At length, being like a great arm of the Sea, he not only beareth ●reat Ships, but also swelling after the manner of the ●aging Sea, he tosseth the Sailors, and that very cruelly, if the wind and the tide be one against an other. In this Sea is an Island called Antros, the which the Inhabitants thereof do think to hang lose, and to be lift up with the rising of the water, because that when it seemeth high, it overdréepeth the water, and when the waves are up to their full, they not only environ it as afore, but also overpéere it: and the things which at other times would not be seen for the banks and hills, do then lie open to sight, as from a higher place.  
From the going out of Geround, beginneth the side of the Land that shooteth into the Sea, and lieth right over against the coast of Cantabria. The mid parts thereof are inhabited by sundry sorts of people, bending downward from the Santons, unto the Osismians. For from thence again, the front of the shores faceth the North again, and so holdeth on to the 
* The people of A●toys and Picardy.  Morines, which are the uttermost people of France. And the Morines have not any thing that is better known, than the Haven that is called 
* Calis.  Gessoriacum.  
The Rh●in● falling down from the Alps, maketh two Lakes within a little of his head, namelle, 
* It is called now a days, the lower Lake and Cellar.  Ve●et, and 
* ●t is called Poden-sea, and the Lake of Constance.  Acronie, from thence running a long time whole again, and in one channel, he is dispersed asunder again▪ within a little of the Sea, Howbeit yet River-lyke still on the left hand, even until he run out into the Sea.  
But on the right hand, at the first he is narrow, and like himself: but afterward, his banks give way, so as he becometh not a River, but a great Lake, and having filled the fields, is called Fl●uo, and embracing an Island of the same name, he becometh narrower again, and falleth like a River again into the Sea.   

Of Germany.  
The third Chapter.  
FRom henceforth to the Alps, Germany is bounded on the West, with the Rhine, on the South, with the Alps themselves, on the East, with the borders of the Nations of Sarmatia, and on the North, with the Ocean Sea. The Inhabitants are huge of body, and haughty of mind, and according to the savageness that is bred in them, do enure both of them, as well their minds to battle, as their bodies to the custom of pains taking. In the greatest cold that is, they go naked, till they grow to man's estate, and childhood is very long among them. The men go clothed in Mandelions, or in barks of Trees: and be the winter never so sharp, they not only can endure to swim, but also have a delight in it. They be at war with their next borderers, and they pick quarrels to them of pleasure, and not of desire to reign, or to enlarge the things which they possess, (for they do not greatly manure the grounds which they have) but to make Countries about them waste. Force is their Law, insomuch that they be not ashamed even of robbery and murder: only they be good to Strangers, & merciful to suppliants. They be so hard and careless of their fare, that they feed even upon raw flesh, either new killed, or softened by kneading it with their hands and feet, in the skins of the cattle and wild Beasts themselves, after it is stiff for cold.  
The Land is troublesome with the multitudes of Rivers, cumbersome with the multitude of Mountains, and for a great part untravelable for Woods, Fens, and Marshes. Of Fens and Marshes, the greatest are Su●cia, Mesia, and Melsiagum. Of Woods, the greatest is 
* Herts-wald.  Hercynia. There are some other also that bear name, but as Hercynia is the greatest, for it is three score days journey over, so is it also the best known. The highest of the Mountains, are Taurus and Rhetico, saving those which it is scarcely possible for the tongue of a Roman to utter.  
The notablest Rivers, of them that run forth into other Nations, are 
* Danow or Tonware.  Danubius, and 
* Rhone.  Rhodanus: of them that run into the Rhine, Maenus, and Lupia: of them that fall into the Ocean, 
* Emse.  Amisius, 
* Weser.  Visurgis, and Albis. Upon the River Albis, is the great gulf called Codanus, full of Islands, both great and small. The sharp Sea▪ which is received into the bosom of those shores, doth no where bear any great breadth, nor any likeness of a Sea, but is shed out wanderinglie and dispearsedlie, after the likeness of Rivers, by waters that run into it, and oftentimes run clean through it. Where it beateth upon the shores, it is hemmed in with the banks of islands not far distant asunder, so as it is every where almost of a like scantling, narrow, and resembling an arm of the Sea, bowing and bending from place to place▪ with a long brew. In it are the Cimbrians, and Theutons, and beyond them the 
* Some think these to be the Pomeranes, and some, to be Prutenes.  Hermions, which are the uttermost people of Germany.   

Of Sarmatia.  
The fourth Chapter.  
SArmatia being broader innermore, then at the Seas side, is divided from the former Countries, by the river Visula, from whence it extendeth back to the river 
* Danowe.  Ister. The people in their behaviour and Armour, resemble much the Parthians. But as their Country is of sharper air, so be they of fiercer disposition. They abide not in Cities, no nor in any certain dwelling places: but as pasturage provoketh them, or as the enemy fleeing or pursuing, giveth them cause, so do they ever convey their goods and cattle with them, dwelling always in Tents like warriors, free & unbridled, and so unmeasurably fierce and cruel, that even their women go to battle with the men, & to the intent they may be the fit for the purpose, as soon as they be borne, their right paps are seared, that the hand which is to be put forth to service, may be the more at liberty to strike, and their breast become the more manlike. To bend a bow, to hunt, and to ride, are the tasks of Maidens. To encounter the enemy, is the wages of women grown: insomuch, that not to have stricken an enemy, is counted a heinous crime, and for their punishment, they be enjoined to live Maidens still.   

Of Scythia.  
The fift Chapter.  
FRom thenceforth, the Sea coasts of Asia, saving where the snow lieth continually, and where the cold is intolerable, are inhabited by the Nations of Scythia, called almost all by one name, universally Sages. The first upon the Sea coast of Asia, be the Hyperborcans, furthest North beyond the Riphoean mountains, under the very North-pole: in which Country the Sun doth not rise and set daily, as it doth with us: but it riseth in the Lenton equinoctial, and setteth not again, till the Harvest equinoctial, by reason whereof, it is day by the space of six whole months together, and likewise night, by the space of other six months. The Land is narrow, open to the Sun, & fruitful: the Inhabiters are most upright dealers, and live both longer, & more happily than other men. For they enjoying always feastful peace, can no skill of war, nor of quarreling, but do buste themselves about matters of Religion, specially concerning Apollo, the first fruits whereof, they be reported to have sent to Delos, at the first by certain Virgins of theirs, and afterward by their neighbour Nations, delivering them from one to an other, still further & further, which custom they kept long time, until at length it was restrained, through default of those Nations. Their dwelling is in Woods and Forests: and when suffizance, or rather weariness of life cometh upon them, then decking themselves with garlands, they throw themselves cheerfully headlong into the Sea▪ from a certain rock, which unto them is the honourablest burial that can be.  
The Caspian Sea breaketh into the main Land, at the first with a narrow and long gut like a river, and when it is flown in after that manner▪ in a straight channel, it sheddeth abroad into three Bays: namely, into the Hyrcanian▪ directly against the mouth, into the Scythian on th● left hand, and on the right hand into that which peculiarly, and by the name of the whole, is called the Caspian Bay. It is altogether rough, cruel, harbourless, open on all sides to wind and weather, and more replenished with noisome Beasts, than other Seas are, and therefore lesss navigable.  
At the right hand as ye enter in, the Scythians sir named 
* Grazyers.  Nomades, possess the Sea shores. Within it to the Caspian Bay, are the Caspians, & the Amazons, otherwise called Sauromats. At the Hyrcanian Bay, be the Abanes, Mosks, and Hyrcanians. At the Scythian Bay, be the Amards, & Pesiks, and at the entrance itself, the Derbiks. Many Rivers, both great and small, do run into that coast: but the famousest is Araxes, which springing out of the side of Mount Taurus, cometh down from the Thunder-hilles in one channel, and issueth out into the Caspian in two. So long as he cutteth through the fields of Armenia, he glideth calm and still, so as although ye look never so wistly upon him, ye cannot discern which way he runneth.  
But when he cometh down into the rougher places, then being pinched in on either side with Rocks, and the more he is penned becoming the more swift, he breaketh himself against the stones, that lie up in his way, and by reason thereof, tumbleth down with great flushing and noise, so swiftly, that by reason of his forcible fall, he slippeth not plum down to the ground underneath him, but spouteth a far of without any channel, carrying his waters aloft more than the space of an acre, and bearing himself up in a hanging stream without channel, at length cometh bowing down again like a bow, and becoming calm again, passing on quietly, and scarce moving, from thence into the foresaid Bay.  
Cyrus & Cambyses, springing out of the foot of the next hill▪ which is called Coraxus, run two sundry ways, & passing on a great while through Iberia and Hyrcania in channels far distant, afterward being received into one Lake, not far from the Sea, they run out into the Hyrcanian Bay, both at one mouth. jaxartes and Oxos pass into the Scythian Bay, out of the Countries of the Sogdianes, from the Deserts of Scythia: Laxartes being great from his very spring, and Oxo● becoming greater by the falling of other Rivers into him, who keeping his course a while from the East into the West, turneth aside first among the Dahanes, and taking his course into the North, openeth his mouth between the Amards, and Pesikes. The Forests of Hyrcanie bring forth other ugly beasts, but specially the Tiger, a cruel kind of wild beast, and so swift, that they be wont even with ease to overtake a horse man▪ that is gone away upon the spur, and that not once or twice, but divers times▪ after they have gone back again to the place they came out from. The cause hereof is, that when the horse men having caught up a whelp of theirs, makes haste to carry it away, and to eschew the fury of them, when they come near, doth of policy lay down one of many that he had taken away: the dam catching up the whelp that was cast down, carries it home to her kennel, and coming back again doth the like oftentimes, until the robber have escaped by flight into places of more resort, than the Tigers dare adventure into. What was beyond the Caspian Bay, was a long time doubtful, namely, whether the foresaid Ocean, or whether some Land encumbered with●●● cold, having neither bound nor end, were cast out beyond it. But beside, Homer, and the natural Philosophers, who have affirmed the whole world to be becléeped with the Sea: Cornelius Nepos, though later in time, yet certainer of credit, reporteth the same. And for witness thereof, he sciteth Quintus Metellus the Swift, declaring that he made such a report as this: namely, that when he had the government of the Galliaze as Proconful there, the King of the swevians sent him certain Indians for a present: and that when he asked by what means they came into those Countries, he understood that they were brought away by force of tempest from the sea coast of India, and that having passed over the space that is betwixt that & Sweveland, at length they arrived upon the coast of Germany. Now therefore remaineth the main Sea: but the residue of that side is frozen with continual frost, and therefore is uninhabited.   

The Islands of Spain, and of the North-partes.  
The sixth Chapter.  
AGainst the said Coasts which I have glanced at from the angle of Boetica hitherto, there lie many unrenowmed, yea, and also nameless Iles. But of those which I am loath to overpass, Gades butteth upon the dery straits, and being cut off from the very firm Land by a narrow space, and as it were but by a River, carrieth almost a direct shore, where it is nearest the main Land. Where it faceth the Ocean, there bolting out with two heads into the deep, it shrinketh in his mid-shore, in one of the which it beareth a wealthy City of the same name, and in the other a Temple of the Egyptian Hercules, noble for the builders, for the Religion, for the Antiquity, and for the riches thereof. The builders thereof were the Tyrians: the holiness of it, groweth of the bones of him that lies buried there: as for the years, what a number is there of them? The beginning of them, comes from the times of Troy: and continuance of time, hath nourished the wealth.  
Against Lusitania, is Erythia, 
Erythia.  where we read that Geryon dwelled: and other Isles without peculiar names, so fruitful of soil, that when Corn is once sown, the seed that sheddeth as they fell the harnessed, springeth up again from time to time, and yieldeth at the least, seven crops one after an other, and sometimes more. On the Celtishe coast are some, 
The Tin Mynes.  which (because they abound with Lead and Tin) are called all by one name, Cassiterides.  
Sena, being situate in the british Sea, against the country of the Osismydes, is renowned with the Oracle of the God of the Galls, whose vows in number nine, are hallowed to continual virginity. They call them Gallicens', and are of opinion, that through the singular wisdom wherewith they are endued, they raise the seas and winds with their charms, and transform themselves into what Beasts they will, and heal such diseases as to others are incurable, and know things to come, and prophesy of them, but not unto any other, than such as sail thither for the nonce, and come of set purpose to demand 〈◊〉 counsel of them.  
What manner of thing Britain is, and what manner of folk it breedeth, we shall shortly be able to make more tried report. For behold, our most puissant Prince is now disclosing of it, which hath so long been shut up, and as a conqueror, not only of unsubdued, but also of unknown Nations before his time, his bringing home the certainty of his own exploits, to be declared and published in Triumph, in like sort as he endeavoured to come to them by Battle.  
Howbeit, as we have hitherto heard of it, 
The description of Britain, as it was known in the time of Mela, the Author of this work.  shooting between the North and the West, it faceth the mouth of Rhyne, with a great Angle, and then withdrwing his shoring sides, butteth with the one of them upon France, and with the other upon Germany. Afterwards being pulled back, with a continual bank of a direct shore, it sharpeneth itself again into divers Angles, and is three cornered very like Sicily, plain, great, and fruitful: howbeit, of such things as are rather for the food of cattle, than for the sustenance of men. It beareth Woods, Forests, and very great Rivers, which ebb and flow after the manner of the Sea, whereof some breed Pearls, and precious Stones.  
It beareth Nations, and Kings of Nations, but they are all uncivil, and the further they be from the main Land, somuch the more unacquainted with the wealth of other Nations: only rich of cattle and Land: and (whether it be for to beautifle themselves; or for some other purpose) they be stained all their bodies over. They seek occasion of war, and pick quarrels one with an other from time to time, specially, for desire of sovereignty, and to enlarge those things which they possess. 
The fashion of armed Chariorts, which the Britons used in Battle.  They fight not only on horseback and on foot, but also in Wagons and chariots, and are armed after the manner of the Galls. They call those Chariot's Covines, which are set with scythes round about the naves.  
Above Britain is Ireland, almost of like space, 
Ireland.  but on both sides equal, with shores erelong, of an evil air to ●ypen things that are sown, but so abundant of grass, which is not only rank, but also sweet, that the cattle may in a small part of the day, fill themselves, and if they be not kept from feeding, they burst with grazing overlong.  
The Inhabiters thereof are unnurtured, and ignorant of all virtues, more than other Nations, but yet have they some knowledge, howbeit altogether void of godliness. There are thirty Islands, 
The Isles of Orkenay.  called Orchades, dissevered with narrow spaces, one from an other. There are seven also called Hemodes, scattered against Germany, in that gulf which we called Codan. Of these, like as Codanonia, which the Theutons inhabit to this day, exceedeth the rest in bigness, so also it excelleth them in fruitfulness. Those that lie against Sarmatia, by reason of the interchangeable coming and going of the Sea, and because the space that is betwixt them, is sometimes covered with water, and sometimes left bare, seem one while to be islands, and an other while all one with the main Land. Moreover, that in them are Oones, 
Oones.  which feed only upon eggs, of water-fowles, & Oaten cakes: and the Hyppopodes, 
Hippopodes.  with feet like Horses: and the Satmales, 
Satmales.  which have sousing ears, so side and large, that they are able to wrap in their whole bodies, and serve them to clothe them with, being otherwise naked: besides that, it is reported in Fables, I find it also in such Authors, as I am not ashamed to follow. 
* Iseland.  Thule is situate against the Coast of the Belgies, renowned in the Poetries, both of the Greeks and of us. In it, because the Sun riseth and setteth far of, the nights are very short: in Winter-season dark, as in other places, and in Summer lightsome, because at that time the Sun mounting somewhat high, although he be not seen, yet sheddeth a glimmering light into the parts near where he goeth. But in the heart of Summer, there is no night at all, because at that time being nearer sight, he showeth not only a brightness, but also the greatest part of himself.  
Talga, in the Caspian Sea, being plentiful without tillage, hath abundance of Corue and all fruits: howbeit, the people near abouts, think it unlawful, and as ill as Church-robbing, to touch any of the things that grow there, for they think they are prepared for the Gods, and that they are to be spared for the Gods. Also, against those coasts which we said to be Desert, ly● some Islands that are Desert likewise, which being nameless of themselves, are called the Scithish Iles. From these the Coast turneth again into the East, and extendeth to the Coast that beholdeth the Sun rising. This from the Scithish Foreland, lying directly against the same side, first is altogether untravelable for snow, and afterward for savageness of the Inhabiters, unhusbanded.  
The 
* Eaters of man● flesh.  Anthropophages and Sages, and Scythians, dissevered with a Country which is a wilderness, by reason it swarmeth with wild Beasts. Beyond again be waste grounds, annoyed with Beasts, unto the Foreland of Tabis, which hangeth into the Sea: far from thence riseth Mount Taurus in height. Between them, be the Seres, a Nation full of upright dealing, as appeareth by the exchange of wares. that they make by leaving of their things in the wilderness, and going their way.   

Of India.  
The seventh Chapter.  
INdia, a Country right famous, which butteth not only upon the East Ocean, but also upon the Southern, which we have called the Indishe Ocean, and on the West, is bounded with the ridges of Mount Taurus, occupieth as much space along the Sea coast, as a Ship with full Sails, may pass in three score days, and as many nights.  
It is so far distant from our Countries, that in some part thereof, none of both the North ways appear, and contrariwise to other Regions, the shadows of things fall into the South. Howbeit, it is fruitful, and replenished with sundry sorts of men and beasts. 
Aunts as big as Mastiffs.  It breedeth Ants, full as big as the greatest sort of Mastiffs, which after the manner of griffons, are reported to keep Gold digged out of the innermore parts of the earth, and to put them in danger of their lives, that dare adventure to touch it.  
Also, 
Hage Serpents.  there be some so unmeasurable great Serpents, that they overthrow Elephants, with biting them, and with winding their tails about them. In some places, the Soil is so fat and fruitful, 
Honey, Cotten and Reeds.  that Honey droppeth from the leaves of Trees, Woods bear Wool, and the reeds being cleaved in the mids, make Boats between knot and knot, able to carry two men a piece, and some three men.  
Of the Inhabiters, the Apparel and manners are divers. Some are clad in linen, 
The manners and apparel of the ancient Indians,  or with the wool aforesaid, some with the skins of Beasts and Birds: some go naked: some hide only their privy members: some are low of stature and small: othersome are so tall and huge of body, that they take the backs of Elephants, and ride upon them as easily and handsomely, as we do upon our Horses, and yet the Elephants are very great and large there.  
Some think it good to kill no living thing, nor to eat any flesh. Some live only by Fish: some kill their neighbours and parents, in manner of Sacrifice, before they pine away with age and sickness, and think it not only lawful, but also godly, to eat the bowels of them when they have killed them. But if they be attached with old age or sickness, they get them out of all company into the Wilderness, and there without sorrowing for the matter, abide the end of their life.  
The wiser sort of them, which are trained up in the profession and study of wisdom, ●●●ger not for death, but hasten it, by throwing themselves into the fire, which is counted a glory.  
Of the Cities which they inhabit (which are very many, 
Nysa and mou●● Meros'. ) the famousest and greatest is Nysa: a●d of the Mountains, Meros', (which is hallowed unto Iup●●er) hath the thief renown. Nysa, because Bacchus is supposed to have been borne in it, and Meros', because Bacchus was supposed to have been fostered in the Cave thereof. whereupon, either good grounded matter, or else vain report was ministered to the Greek Authors, to say that Bacchus was sowed in jupiters' thigh.  
From the River Indus, to the River Ganges, the Palibotranes inhabit all the coast. From Ganges, to the Foreland of jolis, dwell the Nysians, where the heat is more fervent, then that it may be inhabited, there do dwell Nations swart, and in manner all one with the Ethiopians. from jolis to Cudum, the shores are straight, and the people fearful, and weltering in riches of the Salt-water.  
There is a Foreland called Tamos, which Mount Taurus raiseth: it is the Angle of an other part, and the beginning of the side toward the South. There are the Rivers of Ganges and Indus. 
The greatness of the River Ganges.  Ganges springing out of many heads in Haemodes, a Mountain of Ind, as soon as he cometh in one channel, becometh of all Rivers the greatest: and being in some place broader, where he runneth narrowest, he is ten miles over, and disperseth himself into seven coasts.  
Indus rising out of the Mountain Paropamisus, 
The River Indus  receiveth into it other Rivers also, whereof the noblest are Cophes, Acesines, and Hydaspes, and in broad channel, carrieth the water that he hath received out of many streams. Henceforth he almost matcheth Ganges in bigness. Afterward, when he hath girded the hill oftentimes with many great windlasses. He cometh down again huge, straight, and in one channel, until at length splitting himself to the right hand and to the left, he empties himself at two mouths, far distant one from an other.  
At Tamos, is an isle called 
* Gold-land.  Chryse: and at Ganges an other called 
* Syluer-land.  A●gyre. The soil of the one is Gold (so have ancient Authors reported,) and the soil of the other Silver: and so it comes to pass, of most likelihoodde, that either the names of them are given them of the thing, or else the Fable is forged of their names.  
Taprobane, 
Taprobane.  is reported of Hypparchus, to be either some very great Island, or else the hithermost part of the other world. But for as much as it is inhabited, and no man by report is near about it, it shooteth near the truth. On the contrary part, 
The Gates of the Sun.  there are the mouths, called the Gates of the Sun, so uninhabitable, that as soon as men enter into them, the outrageous heat of the calm air, smothereth them by and by.  
Between the mouths, lieth a scattered country, somewhere void of inhabitants, by reason of the intolerable heat. From thence to the entrance of the red Sea, lieth a wayless and Desert ground, more like ashes then dust, and therefore there run out of it very few streams, and those not great, whereof we hear say, the notablest are Tubero, and Arusaces. The Greeks (whether it be because it is of that colour, or because one Erythras reigned there,) 
The red Sea.  call the red Sea, Erythran Thalassan. It is a stormy, rough, and deep water, and nourisheth huge beasts, more than all other Seas.  
At the first, it beateth evenly upon the uttermost banks of the earth giving way, and if it entered not somewhat inner, it were but some broad Bay. But where it had bowed the banks, it breaketh twice in, and openeth again two other gulfs, whereof that which is nearer to the foresaid Countries, is called the Persian gulf, and the further is called the Arabishe gulf.   

Of the Persian gulf.  
The eight Chapter.  
The gulf of Persia, where it taketh in the Sea, comprehendeth a great mouth, with straight jaws on both sides, in likeness of a neck: and then the Land (which every way shrinketh in a great space, and every where a like) environeth the Salt-water within the compass of a great round shore, and maketh the likeness of a man's head.  
The mouth of the Arabishe gulf is narrower, and the breadth lesser, but the retreat is somewhat bigger, and the sides much longer. It runneth far into the main Land, until it attain almost unto Egypt and Mount Casius of Arabia, waxing less and less wide into a point, and the further it pierceth, the narrower.  
From these said things to the gulf of Persia, all is wilderness, 
Shelfish-eaters.  saving where the Chelonophagies do dwell. In it, on the right hand as men sail, are situate the Carmanians, 
Carmania, now called Rasigut.  without Apparel, without Corn, without cattle, and without houses, who cloth themselves with Fishes skins, and feed on their ●●eshe, and are rough all their bodies over, save their heads. The inner parts are inhabited by the Gedrosians, and forth on by the Persians. Through Carmania runneth Cethis, and above them run Andanis and Corios, into the Sea.  
In that part, that is over against the mouth of the Sea, are the bounds of the Babylonians, and Chaldees, and two noble Rivers, Tigris 
Tigris.  near unto Persia, and Euphrates● 
Euphrates.  further of. Look how Tigris springeth, so runneth he all the way to the Sea coast. Euphrates, opening an exceeding wide mouth, doth not only pass forth, from whence he riseth, but also falleth mainly: neither doth he by and by cut through the fields, from place to place as he goeth, but spreading wide into Pools, and becoming slow with long settled waters abroad without Channel, afterward when he hath broken out of his brim, becometh a River in deed, and purchasing banks, runneth swift and foamy Westward through the Armenians and Capadocians, as though he would come into our Seas if Mount Tau●us letted him not. From thence he is turned of to the South, and entering first into Syria, and afterward into Arabia, holdeth not out into the Sea, but one while being great and able to bear Ships, and anon after becoming lank, dieth a pelting Brook, and no where runneth out again with issue to be seen, as other Rivers do, but soaketh away into the ground. The other side is environed with a Country shooting forth between both the Seas, named Arabia, 
Arabia.  and surnamed the Happi. It is but narrow howbeit most plentiful of Cinnamon, Frankincense and other Spices. The Sabaeans 
The Sabaeans.  possess the greater part thereof next unto the mouth, and the Maces the part over against the Carmanians. That which lieth between the mouths is rough with Woods and cragged Cliffs. In the mids are certain Isles of which Ogiris is more famous than the rest, because the tomb of King Erithras is in it.   

The gulf of Arabia.  
The ninth Chapter.  
THe other Gulf is enclosed round about by the Arabians. On that side which is on the right hand as men enter in, are the cities Car, Arabia, and Gaudam. On the otherside in the innermost Angle are, first Beronice between Heroopoliticum and Strobilum: next Philoteris and Ptolemais, between the promontories Merovenon and Colaca: beyond them, Arsino● and another Beronice: then the Forest that beareth the Wood Ebony, and the spices, and a River made by man's hand, and therefore to be spoken of, because that being drawn by a Dich from the River Nile without the Gulf. (Howbeit bending, and as no part at all of the red Sea) it is annoyed with beasts, and by that means desert also. Part hereof is inhabited by the Candanes, which people (because they feed upon Serpents, are named Ophiophagies. 
Serpent eaters.  Innermore were the Pigmies a kind of Dwarves, 
The Pigmies.  which were destroyed in a battle that was fought against the Cranes for their Corn that was sown. There be many kinds of wild fowls, and many kinds of Serpents. 
Winged Serpents.  Of Serpents the worthiest to be had in remembrance, are those which being very little (and whose stinging is present death,) are reported to come forth of the mud of the frozen Fens at a certain time of the year, and from thence flying in flocks toward Egypt, are in the entrance thereof encountered with another flock of Birds called Ibisles, which fight with them and destroy them. Of Birds the worthiest to be spoken of is the Phoenix, 
The Phoenix.  which is evermore but one alone: for it is not conceived by treading or disclosed by hatching. But when he hath continued the full time of five hundred years, he brooth himself upon a nest that he hath timbered of divers spices, and there wasteth away. Afterward growing again of the matter of his rotting flesh, he conceiveth himself and breedeth of himself again. When he cometh to be full fledge he carrieth the bones of his old body wrapped in myrrh into Egypt, 
This City is called Heliople.  and there in the City which they call by the name of the Sun, he layeth them upon a Hearse of sweet smelling Nardus, and consecrateth them with honourable Funerals, The Foreland, wherewith that Sea is enclosed, hath no way to it from the 
* These are not the same that were spoken of heretofore in Europe, but others in ethiop.  Ceraunish Hills.   

Of ethiop.  
The tenth Chapter.  
BEyond them dwell the Ethiopians. The Meriones have the Land which Nilus embraceth about, in the first windlasse that he fetcheth, where he maketh an Island. Some of them (because they live half as long again almost as we do) are called Macrobians: and some of them (because they came out of Egypt) are named Automales.  
They are beautiful of parsonage, 
The goodliness of the Inhabiters of Meroe, and of their customs.  straight bodied, and somewhat more honourable of countenance, than other men, as the followers of most excellent virtues. It is a custom among them, to choose him that they will obey, by his beauty and strength. Among them is more Gold then among the Persians, and therefore they count that to be the preciouser▪ whereof they have the less store. They make their ornaments of Brass, and their fetters for offenders of Gold. There is a place continually furnished with meats ready dressed to eat, and because every man may eat thereof at his pleasure, they call it the Table of the Sun, 
The Table of the Sun.  and they affirm that such things as are set there in Messes, do come thither by the providence of God.  
There is a Lake, 
A strange Lake.  with the water whereof▪ if men wash themselves, their bodies become as crispe and shining as if they were anointed with Oil. Yet is the same drunk also: and it is so sheer, and so weak to bear up things that fall into it or are borken into it, that it is not able to bear up the leaves that fall from the Trees about, but that by and by they sink down to the very bottom. There are also most cruel beasts, 
Strange beasts.  as Licaon's spotted with all kind of colours, and Sphinxes in such sort as we have read of them. There are also wonderful Birds, 
Strange Birds.  as Tragopomones which have horns, and Pegasies which have ears like horses. But as men sail along the coasts into the Eastward, they meet with nothing worth remembrance, all is waste, all is full of steep cliffs, and there are rather banks than shores. From thence is a great Coast inhabited. It was a doubtful matter a good while, whether there were a Sea beyond, and whether the land might be coasted about, or whether Africa being altogether void of fruit, extended so far as that there were none end of it. But Hanno of Carthage being sent by his countrymen to search the coasts, 
The voyage of Hanno Captain of Carthage about the coast of Africa.  when he had passed out at the mouth of the Ocean, sailing about a great part thereof, reported that he wanted not Sea room, but victual. And in the time of our grandfathers, one Eudoxus fleeing from Latirus King of Alexandria, passed out of the gulf of Arabia, and (as Nepos affirmeth) was brought by this Sea even unto the Gads, 
The journey of Eudoxus.  by means whereof some things of that coast are come to knowledge. Beyond those places which we said even now to be desert, 
Speechless people.  there are dumb people which use signs in steed of speech. Some have no sound of tongue: some have no tongue at all: some have their lips growing together, saving that they have little round pipeholes in their Nostrils at which they suck in drink: and when they have list to eat, they are reported to draw in one grain of Corn at once, which groweth every where. There are people towhom (before the coming of Eudoxus) fire was so unknown, 
People unacquainted with fire.  that they were wonderfully delighted with the use thereof, and gladly embraced the flames and put burning coals in their bosoms, until such time as they felt it hurt them. Above them the shore fetching a great compass, encloseth a great I'll, wherein are reported to be none but women, hairy over all their bodies, which of their own nature bear children without the company of men: 
A strange kind of Women.  and they be of so fierce and boistous kind, that some of them can scarce be restrained from struggling, no not even with chains.  
This report was made by Hanno, and because he brought home the skins of some that he had killed: he was the better believed. Beyond this gulf is a high Hill called of the Greeks Gods Chariot, 
A Hill called God's Chariot.  which burneth with continual fire. Beyond this mountain is another Hill with a long ridge fresh and green, lying all along the Sea side, from whence is a prospect into a Champion Country of much more wideness, then that a man may see to the end of it. The opinion of the Pans and Satyrs 
Pans and Satyrs.  took credit hereupon, for that whereas in this quarters, there is nothing tilled or husbanded, no place for men to dwell in, nor print of man's foot, but a day times waste solitariness, and therewithal more waste silence: in the night time there appear● many blazing ●ires, and as it were Camps pitched far abroad, with noise of Trumpets and Drums, and Shawms, which are heard much louder than those that men use.  
Then again are the Aethiopians, 
The Western Aethiopians.  not rich as those we spoke of heretofore, nor like them in bodies, but lesser, unnurtured, and called by the name of Western Aethiopians▪ In the Country of these men is a fountain supposed of some to be the head of Nile. 
The head of Nilus.  The inhabiters call it Muchull, and it may seem to be all one name with Nilus, though more corruptly pronounced of the barbarous people. It nourisheth a River also, which breedeth the same kinds of beasts that Nile doth, though somewhat lesser: whereas all other run toward the Ocean, this only River goeth into the heart of the land toward the East, and no man can say where his issue is.  
Hereupon it is conjectured, that Nilus being conceived in this spring, and carried forth a while through wailess● places, and therefore unknown where he becometh, showeth himself again when he hath proceeded into the East: but by means of being hidden so long, it comes to pass, that men think that this fountain runneth to some other place then to Nile, and that Nile springeth from some other head then from this fountain. Among them is bred a beast of no great bigness, but having a great and overgreat beetle head, and therefore hanging his muzell (for the most part) always downward to the ground, called a Catoblepe, 
The beast called Catoblepe.  worthy to be entreated of for his singular power. For whereas by stinging or biting he is able to do no harm at all, yet to behold his eyes is present death. Over against them are the Isles Gorgones, 
The Gorgon Ile●  sometime (by report) the dwelling place of the Gorgones. The main land itself taketh his end at a promontory, called Hesperionkeras. 
The Western horn    

The coast and Islands of the Athlantishe Ocean.  
The eleventh Chapter.  
FRom thence beginneth that same front which shoreth toward the West, and is beaten upon with the Athlantish Ocean. The first part thereof is inhabited by the Aethiopians, the middle by no body, for either the Countries are burnt up with heat, or overwhelmed with sand, or annoyed with Serpents. Against the scorched Countries lie the Islands where the Hesperides 
The Isles of the Hesperides.  are reporto have dwelled. In the sandy Countries is a Hill rising very high of itself, which is steep down on all sides with ragged cliffs, not possible to be traveled over, and taper-shapen up to the top. The which because it reacheth higher than a man can see, even unto the clouds, it is said not only to touch the Sky and the Stars with his top:    

❧ A Table containing the Contents of this Book.  

The first Book.  
THe division of the world into four parts. Cap. 1, fol, ●  
A brief description of Asia. Cap. 2. foe, 4  
A brief description of Europe. Cap, 3, fol, 6.  
A brief description of Africa. Cap. 4. fol. 7.   

A particular description of Africa.  
Of Mauritania, cap., 5, fol, 9  
Of Numidia. Cap, 6, fol, 10  
The lesser Africa. Cap, 7, fol, 11  
Of Cirenai●a. Cap, 8, fol, 13   

A particular description of Asia.  
Of Egypt. Cap, 9, fol, 16  
Of Arabia. Cap, 10, fol, 20  
Of Syria. Cap, 11, fol, 20  
Of Phoenicia. Cap, 12, fol, 21  
Of Cilicia. Cap, 13, fol, 22  
Of Pamphilia. Cap, 14, fol, 24  
Of Lycia. Cap, 15, fol, 25  
Of Caria. Cap, 16, fol, 25  
Of jonia. Cap. 17, fol▪ 26  
Of A●olis. Cap, 18, fol, 28  
Of Bythinia. Cap▪ 19, fol, 30  
Of Paphlagonia. Cap, 20, fol, 3●  
Of the Chalybies. Cap, 21, fol, 32   

The second Book.  
Of Scythia, of Europe. Cap, 1, fol, 35  
Of Thrace. Cap, 2, fol, 40  
Of Macedonia. Cap, 3, fol, 44  
Of Italy. Cap, 4, fol, 50  
Of the Province of Narbon▪ Cap, 5, fol, 53  
Of Spain. Cap, 6. fol, 56  
The Isles of the midland Sea. Cap, 7, fol, 58   

The third Book.  
The uttermost shores of Spain. Cap, 1, fol, 65  
The uttermost coasts of Gallian, cap., 2, fol, 69  
Of Germany. Cap, 3, fol, 72  
Of Sarmatia. Cap, 4, fol, 73  
Of Scythia, cap., 5, fol, 74  
The Islands of Spain, and of the North-partes. Cap, 6, fol. 77  
Of India. Cap 7. fol, 81  
Of the Persian gulf. Cap. 8. fol. 85  
The gulf of Arabia. Cap. 9 fol. 87  
Of Ethiope. Cap. 10, fol. 88  
The coast and Islands of the Athlantish Ocean. Cap. 11. fol. 9●▪   
FINIS.