¶ The survey of the World, or Situation of the Earth, so much as is inhabited.  
comprising briefly the general parts thereof, with the names both new and old, of the principal Countries, Kingdoms, Peoples, Cities, Towns, Portes, Promontories, Hills, Woods, Mountains, Valleys, Rivers and Fountains therein contained.  
Also of Seas, with their Cliffs, Reaches, Turn, Elbows, Quick sands, Rocks, flats, Shelves and Shores.  
A work very necessary and delectable for students of Geography, Sailors, and others.  
First written in Greek by Dionise Alexandrine, and now englished by THOMAS TWINE, GENTLEMAN.  
¶ Imprinted at London, by Henry Bynneman. Anno. 1572.   

  

¶ To the right worshipful master William Lovelace Esquire, Sergeant at Law, Tho. Twine wisheth health, long life, with daily vantage of worship.  
BEnefits bountifully received, make thankful hearts always to think on requital, wherewith having been so plentifully endued at your hands (right worshipful) as none more, far beyond desert, howbeit according to your peculiar custom of courtesy to all men, although to me (I confess) in more ample wise extended: I have beaten my brains in contriving some devise, wherein I might yield you thanks, and after my simple sort, make you part of a recompense. Which purpose of mine, by no other means being able to accomplish: nevertheless I judged it not convenient in any point to quail, wherein I might declare my good will, but am now so hardy as to present your worship with Dionysius, a worthy gentleman of Alexandria, whose noble work of the Situation of the habitable World, I have put of late into English: requiring most humbly your friendly acceptation and patronage of the same. Whereof I do partly already assure myself, recompting your worship's accustomable favour, whereby you are most courteously provoked, not only to the advancing of learning, and such as seem to have any small taste therein, but also of other virtues and commendable qualities, having professed yourself a refuge and rampire unto two sorts of people, I mean the godly and poor, as your daily and late practices do testify. And partly for that I have marked, for what great benefits, how small or none the recompenses are which you have received. Wherefore being myself a like disabled debtor, I crave but acquittance for semblable payment, to wit, your courtesy in well accepting that, which an heart fraught with good will, of duty offereth: which is altogether the thing that I look for in this behalf. Doubting not but you shall receive singular delight in the reading hereof, when vacant leisure from weightier affairs shall licence you, and I thereby shall be the more emboldened to enterprise the like attempt, if God permit me grace and life. Leaving thus any farther to trouble you, with my dutiful commendations, and daily intercession to the almighty, for the happy estate of your worship, and the good gentlewoman mistress Mary Lovelace your loving wife.  
At London the xu day of May. ANNO. M. D. LXXII. Your worship's most bound THOMAS twine.   

To the friendly Reader.  
IF now by my means (friendly Reader) yet in thy behalf, Dionysius may be understood in english, as I judge, and hope, thou canst not be thereat offended. It is long sithence he written in the Greek tongue, and hath been translated into Latin of late years, by divers. In whose commendation, if he had needed other than his own, purchased by just desert, since he first written, I would not have wanted to have done my endeavour. But for so much as he is accounted of all antiquity, the old writer, for compendiousness and brevity in that he took in hand: sufficient it shall be in praise or authority to have yielded to him his own, & no more. Which what it is read Pliny, and there understand how that the author of this work being born in Alexandria, a city in Eegypt, descended of a most noble family, abounding in great wealth & authority, written not only this work, which we have interpreted, The survey of the habitable World in Hexameter verses, being as yet but very young: but also many other, both learned and eloquent. Who afterward resorting to the court of Rome, was sent by Augustus the Emperor, to survey & report the state & situation of countries in the east parts of the world, when his elder son was upon expedition into Armenia, to the Parthians, and Arabians. What shall I say, that there have been many other worthy men of that name, who have been supposed to be the authors of this book? howbeit, falsely in my opinion, as by farther discourse (at this present) not necessary, I could declare. In my translation, I trust I have observed all requisite conditions, expressing (so well as I could) the intent of the Author. And for thy commodity adjoining to the names of countries and other places, in old time frequented, the usual names also whereby they are known by all travailers at this day, not omitting of certain words, which were always Latin, and so used, to make them English for orders sake, not knowing any cause to the contrary. As because out of Europa, we term commonly Europe: so likewise to say for Asia, Asie, and for Africa, Africa, with such like what ever. Accept this the travail of us both thankfully: and if thou receive any pleasure or commodity thereby, then have I for my part, attained to my desire.  
Far you well.   

¶ A general division of the Earth in to three parts.  
THe whole Earth 
The earth almost an Island.  being compassed almost round with the Ocean Sea like a great Island, yet is not altogether round like a bowl, but riseth somewhat on both sides towards the course of the Sun, and maketh semblance of a certain misty cloud. This earth, although it be one, notwithstanding our ancients divided it into three, whereof they called one Lybia, sometime subdued by Libes, 
Libya of Libes. Aphrica. Europa. Asia. The shore Gaditanum. Nilus. egypt.  or Aphrica, because it is without sharpness of cold. another Europa of a lost woman. And the third Asia greater than the other twain. Lybia is severed from Europe on the one side, by the shore Gaditanum otherwise Gibraltur, on the other by the mouth of Nilus, chief where the northside of Egypt runneth along, and the glorious temple of Canopus Amyclaeus 
Canopus' Amyclaeus. Tanais.  is builded. The river Tanais, now Tana disjoineth Europe from Asie, and so washing the coasts of them both, 
Sauromatae.  runneth northerly by the Sauromates, called also Sarmatae or Poloni, into Scythia, and into the fens Maeotides now El mar negro. But in the south, the first 
Hellespontus.  bound is toward Hellespontus, and the mouth of Nilus, which is more southerly than Helespontus, now El far de Gallipoli, and Brachium S. Georgu. Notwithstanding, some affirm, that the earth is four square, which being environed with the two straits of Caspium, 
The earth compassed by the seas Caspium, & Euxinum.  and Euxinum: the Greeks called it (as every like narrow piece of land lying between two seas) Isthmus, and that it is compassed about with them both. There were some also, that said there was an other Isthmus, which reaching 
Isthmus what it is. Arabia.  likewise towards the south, cutteth off the Gore of Arabia, and Egypt, which divideth Lybia from Asie. Since therefore, the whole Earth is with these bounds divided into three: no man ought to doubt, but that it is compassed with the ocean. Which Ocean being but one, as also the earth is, yet is distinguished by diverse names, according as it diversly entrencheth, and divideth the parts of one body. For near unto the furthest parts of the World, from whence the Western wind bloweth, and the mighty Hill Atlas, called now Maiust, riseth, 
Atlas.  it is called no more the ocean, 
Hesperia. Hesperum.  but of the further Hesperia now Bernie, whereby it passeth, the sea Hesperum, or of the hill Atlas, Atlanticum. By higher, 
Atlanticum  to the north, where the savage nation of the Arimaspi, having only one eye in their 
Arimaspi.  forehead, do devil, for so much as the Sun by his far distance from them riseth late, and shineth fayntely, and the country is enclosed with high hills, whereby it is always covered with dark clouds, and congealed with hard frosts: what part of the Ocean lieth about those quarters of the icy water, they call Pontus Glacialis, or the Frozen 
Pontus' glacialis. Mare Mortuum.  sea: Or else because the waves there seem to die, Mare mortuum, or the dead sea: also for that it standeth ever quietly without m●uing: Saturnium or Saturnus 
Saturnium mare. Eoum mare Indicum.  sea, where the sun riseth Eoum, and also the same Indicum, from whence immediately it runneth to the south, and is called the read sea, or Mare, Aethiopicum, 
Mare Aethiopicum or the read sea.  chief running forth by a certain waist desert, and an inhabitable soil of the earth, always tossed with extreme heat. But out of the ocean, many arms rise on every side, which pa●●ing through the mids of the earth, are termed of our countrymen, Inland seas, but of the Grecians 
Inland seas.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, properly signifying bosoms or hollow roomths such as are within the udders of beasts. Whereof Hesperum 
Hesperum.  is first, because it passeth by the ends 
Hesperia. Libya. Pamphilia.  of Hesperia and Lybia▪ and runneth to Pamphilia. The other (though it be less) yet is it more profitable. For it issueth out of that Sea, which we called Glaciale▪ 
Glaciale Saturnium.  or Saturnium, on the side that Caspia lieth, and the fierce north-east bloweth 
Hircanum.  and maketh the sea▪ Hircanum. Both other twain, running from the south, the 
Persis.  higher floweth forth into Persis▪ against the sea called Caspium, and maketh the 
Caspium.  crook Persicum, and the other Arabicum, 
Persicum.  which breaking forth by little, and little, at last draweth together into Euxinum & of the Arabicum, changes name into Pontus Euxinus. 
Arabicum. Euxinum.  There be also many m● reaches and turns: howbeit because they be unknown, and of small account, neither searched out by any of our men, I leave them as dead & untouched. But I think it best to return to those which we have thus divided, which I said before, were four, that we may plainly declare what they be, what course they observe, and what countries they run by. And that I may begin with the Ocean▪ the 
The Ocean. The nook Hesperius.  nook called Hesperius, which in wideness, and length of course, surpasseth the rest, passing by many countries, cities, and towns, & environing divers islands and high Mountains: filleth all places with great store and variety of all manner provision, & engendereth great abundance every where. And this is it, at the entrance whereof, the hugy pillars (as common report goeth) set up by Hercules 
Hercules' Pillars▪ Gades.  do stand, chief about the top of Atlas, and the extreme part of Gades, now Calais, whereof, at this day one is to be seen, made of massy brass, & erected 
Note.  of such height, that it appeareth to reach above the clouds, & (that is more marvel) to touch the sky. At this place beginneth the sea Hibericum, and therefore 
The sea Hibericum.  it is said that at that mark, as at a new beginning, Hercules began to sweat, 
Hercules' sweat.  who conquered all the countries thereabout. But that sea, after that, flowing betwixt Libya, and Europe, giveth knowledge of beginning of them both. For the pillars are erected in such manner, on each side the shore, that the one showeth where Europe is, & the otherwhere Libya or Aphrica: 
Aphrica.  Afterwards, passing forth along, & bounding shortly on the coast of France, at 
France.  length by many gores, and crooks turneth to Massilia, where losing the old 
Massilia.  name, is afterward called the French 
The french sea. Liguria. Where Italy beginneth. Ausonia.  Sea. Then runneth▪ it forth by Liguria, now terra de Genova, where Italy beginneth, and the country Ausonia, and approacheth divers cities thereof, chief towards the North, and therehence is called Ligusticum, of Liguria, whose shore 
Ligusticum.  it washeth. From thence it higheth anon to Leucopetra, which is overagainst, and 
Leveopetra.  is washed with the Sicilian Sea, now elfar 
The Sicilian sea. Cirnus▪ Corsica. Sardinia Sardinium mare. Tyrrhenia. Mare Tyrrhenum. Thuscum. Sicilia.  the Mesina. So unto Cirnus, that is Corsica. Thence flowing to Sardinia, now Sardegna, is by and by called Sardinium mare. Anon it floweth south, by the coast of Tyrrhenia, and is called Tyrrhenum, or Thuscum. But afterward, when it bendeth to the rising of the sun, and runneth about Sicilia, which the Sicilian sea encompasseth, and gliding by the Mount Pachynus, now Cabo Pacino▪ and Crete now Candy, environed wholly with the Sea, where then it waxeth very wide, and ample, immediately discovereth Gortina 
Gortina.  famous, both for religion, and antiquity, & also Phaeston, although it lie more within 
Phaeston.  the land, and rising upward crookedly, after the manner of a Rams head: is called 
The rams head. japygium.  the Rams head by the inhabitants. Thenceforth it proceedeth to japygium▪ where it wideneth toward the north, and there is 
Adriaticum.  called the sea Adriaticum, now lafoy Canal de Venetia. So bendeth it to the hither Hesperia, and maketh mare jonium, where by & 
jonium.  by, two countries, each over against other are descried. Whereof one, which lieth on the right hand, at entrance, is called Illyrica, 
Illirica.  now Sclavonia, the other on the left, Ausonia, which of itself is as it were 
Ausonia.  in manner of a great lithmus, stretching for the along the continente, enclosed round (almost) with three Seas, namely the Tirrhenum, the Sicilian, and that which we spoke of last Adriaticum. Whereof every one is moved with his own wind, that those which traffic with other countries, may safely fall therewith out of their havens. For the Tyrrhene searequireth a west wound, 
What winds these seas require.  and the Sicilian a south, Adriaticum the southeast. But that which of Sicilia is called Siculum, breaking forth toward Libya, overfloweth the south Syrtes, 
Syrtes.  now Baxi, or Banqui de Barbaria, and runneth forth into another Sea, which though it be bigger, and wider, yet seemeth to devour and destroy it quite. That which is inner, having entrance but very weak, receiving the waves of another issuing in a far off, rolleth in sometime with such force, that the floods which come along the hills of Sicily, and pass forth by Crete, are beaten back again eastward, to the top of Salmonis, which (they say) is the highest 
Salmonis.  part toward the East of all Crete. But chief these two Seas seem to strive and rage, when they be moved with the North-east wind of Thracia, which often breaketh▪ forth secretly, and discovereth first of all the Sea which the Mariners call Pharium, reaching to 
Pharium. Casius. Sidonium.  to the furthest point of the hill Casius, next Sidonium, which stretching forth by North and East into the main land, and wetting the country Issica now 
●ssica. Issicum.  ●aiassa, is called- Issicum. And thence running not much further, turneth nigh Sicily, & so rests. Then running forth a shosh, northerly windeth itself like a Serpent, and making many elbows, at length ●●ydeth by the coast of Pamphilia▪ 
Pamphylia.  But when it is approached the 
The islands Chelidone.  Chelidone Islands, it taketh part of the west, and bringeth to view the top of Patareis a far off. Again towards the 
Patareis. Aegaeum.  north it maketh the Sea Agaeum now Arch●pe●ago. Whose broken course, by reason of many Islands in it, causeth such roaring and raging of the water, that it is thought there is no Sea more troublous, nor more dangerous, nor that raiseth more noise from the bottom. From thence it goeth to Tenodus, and 
Tenodos.  there (as it were) maketh an end, being (as who say) ashamed of his accustomed wideness, and forgetting his wont fierceness, keepeth with in a narrow channel, and gyneth a new show, and so obtaineth a new name. For neither is it longer called Aegeum, neither Pamphilicum, neither Cilicum, but a certain narrow Sea, until it come to the mouth Bosphorus in Thracia, now el far de 
Bosphorus in Thracia.  Constantinopoli, where (as report goeth) Io harlot too jupiter, when she 
The fable of lo.  was transfourmed into an Heckfer by junos' advise: swam cross the water, wherefore it was called Bosphorum mare, that is to wit, the Sea 
Bosphorum mare.  where over the young Cow was carried.  
But so soon as it falls into that narrow channel, running a little toward the north: at length breaketh forth into the continente as far as Propontis, near which many kingdoms 
Propontis.  of Asie do lie here and there within the land, and bendeth to the south butting forth in length and breadth likest an Isthmus. But when it is come too Bosphorus, it gathereth itself together in a narrow form, and maketh the narrowest Sea of all. In the which is to be seen a strange sight. Certain great rocks swimming 
A strange fight.  upon the top of the water, which when they meet, 'cause a great and terrible noise, thence running forth towards the East, anon groweth into a great Sea.  
And there are seen also divers small branches thereof, partly running to the East, partly towards the north, twixt two Promontaries rising from 
Two promontaries.  one root, whereof the one toward the south is called Charambus, the 
Charambus.  other which bendeth to the North, towards Europe, for the roughness and raggedness thereof, is called the Ram's 
The ram●●● head.  head. These Promontaries although they stand right over against other, and appear a far off, as though they grew nightogither, yet stand they so far a sunder, as a ship is able to sail 
Their distance.  between in three days in the spring of the year. After that this Sea seemeth to be cut, and fashioned into the manner of an halfecircle, and runneth one way into Pontus, another into Maeotis, 
Pontus. Maeotis. Charambus.  now el Ma●negro The middle is Charambus at whose right hand, the way lieth open to those that travel into Pontus. At the left hand, the head or brow which there riseth, showeth plainly into Maeotis, which croaking like a pair of 
Maeotis. The horns why so called?  horns, not altogether unlike the horns of a bow, is not amiss called by that name, and for nought appeareth not into Maeotis, being continually beaten with his waves. This is that same ●en, about whom the Scythes do devil, 
The Scythae. The mother of Pontus.  and which they call the mother of Pontus, chief because from thence much water runneth thereinto, which for the 
Cimerius Bosphorus.  most part cometh forth of Cimerius Bosphorus, & many other places, which do so fill the marish, that it is not able to contain it. About which also many nations of Cimeria inhabit, which are directly under the cold foot of Taurus. 
Cimeria.  
Taur' cold.   

¶ The description of Lybia or Africa.  
AFtter that we have entreated of the threefold division of the earth, and of the measure and circuit of the ocean, with his bounds & diversity of names: hereafter we purpose to speak of the situation and form of the earth, beginning first (as before) with Libya. Libya. 
The form of the earth. Libya.  therefore lieth forth toward the south, and east, in the likeness of a certain table, beginning at Gades, now Calais, where the Ocean is most main & deep, 
Gades.  and stretcheth forth to the Arabike sea, and approacheth nigh that country, which is in the uttermost part of Asia, and bringeth forth partly the Ethiops or Moors, partly the Erembes. This country, 
Aethiops. Erembes.  because it bringeth forth men spotted like Lybardes, of sundry dispositions, the Grecians called it Pardaler, that is to say a Libards' skin, it is for the greater part of it, a very dry and rough country, and in divers places covered with black spots like seals. But the other vain, which reacheth unto the Columns of Mauritania, 
Mauritania.  is much more civil and plentiful: next unto that is Numidia, than the 
Numidia.  kingdoms of Massilians. by whom (report goeth) the City Massilia was builded: 
Massilia.  A savage kind of people, and altogether inexpert of husbandry, not knowing what a Plough doth mean, but wholly wandering in woods and Forests, do live by mast, and praying on venison, after the manner of wild beasts. Too these join the Carthagians, bending in like a bow, 
Carthagians.  whose noble City, as men say, was builded by Dido, when that she 
Dido of Carthage. Phoenicia. Syrtes.  departed out of Phoenicia, by the compass of an Ox hide. So forth next lie the Syrtes, within the main land. But more towards the east, are seen the shelves of asia, far larger than the other, and much more dangerous with heaps of sands. Where as, when the Tyrrhene sea once hath raged, and is caulmed again, there are found such heaps, as though great mountains of sand were brought thither by the water. In the midst almost, of which Sands, there standeth a City, which the Greeks, in fore time called Neapolis, now Mahometa, 
Neapolis.  and inhabited by the people that were called Lotophagi, now Los 
Lotophagi.  Chelbens, a Nation very friendly too strangers, which in times past received Ulysses with very gentle and 
Ulysses.  courteous entertainment.  
About this Country are found many desert and forlorn dwellynges, after that the Nasamonij were 
Nasamonij▪ why destroyed.  thoroughly destroyed, the which sometime did there inhabit, and were slain, as some writers affirm, by Ausonius, the son of jupiter, whose father 
Ausonius.  they had contemned.  
The Asbystae be borderers to these, 
Asbystae.  innards to the continent land, where within the thickest of the Sands standeth the Temple of the god Lybicus, 
The god Lybicus.  commonly known. Also the city Cyrene, commonly Corena, the breeder of good horses: and the ancient seat of the people Amyclaei near whom the Marmaridae do 
Amyclaei. Marmaridae. Getuli. Negretae. Pharusij. Caramentes. Aethiops.  lie, towards Egypt, and the Getuli, and their borderers the Nigretes. Then the Pharusij. now Asenagi and the Garamantes not far from them. And last of all the Aethiops lying hard to the Ocean, and almost extreme in temperature. But over against them where the Blemij 
Blemij.  inhabit, there rises an hill, whereout Nilus runneth, and so forth proceeding 
Nilus rises.  eastward, toward the Aethiops, is termed of them Syrus. Afterwards, running 
Syrus.  into egypt, when it is come to the city Syena is first called Nilus by the inhabitants 
Siene.  there. From thence it runneth into the north, and at length divideth itself into many parts, and floweth into the sea, with seven streams overflowing all Egypt by the way, and replenishing it with great and wonderful fertility. And truly there is no one river in that part of the world comparable with that, 
A notable commendation of Egypt.  either in wideness, plenty of water, or other commodities. This same is the bound which parteth half Africa from Asie. leaving Africa on the south side, and asia on the east. This is the same Egypt which hath always brought forth notable men of sundry and incomparable wits. For as antiquitic doth record, the Egyptians were the first men, and 
The Egyptians first men.  they first prescribed the form and discipline of life and manners, who first also found out the use of the plough, ploughing of the land, and sowing of the seed. The same were they which first took 
Fynders out of Astronemy.  the measure of Heaven with an instrument, and invented the oblyque course of the Sun and Moon in the Zodiac, and which first found out this knowledge of Cosmographic, whereby the country hath deserved no small commendation. Besides all this, there is no land which surpasseth it in plenty of all things, either in abundance of herbage and corn, or in greatness, or beauty of building. The form whereof is caused by the lying of the sides, for it is br●●de and wide towards the north, but narrower in the East & butteth forth slopewise to the Syenes. and entrenched 
Syenes. Nilus.  with two hills, between whom Nilus runneth. This is the same Egypt, which in times past ● nourished up so many noble and, 〈…〉, so many puissant princes, and that chief is, in whom stood that most ancient city Thebes, with hi● hundred gates. Where 
Thebes  it is also said, that Memnon the wise king was went to salute his mother Aurora. 
Memnon.  Which nourisheth also them which 
Aurora. Heptapolis.  inhabited the Inland, Heptapolis and those which do devil on the coast of the south sea; toward the marish Serbonis, 
Serbonis.  where on the west, lieth the most famous city, sometime founded by Alexander 
Alexander.  king of Macedoma, called Alexandria. And where that wondered temple 
Alexandria. Sinopita.  of jupiter of Sinopita▪ standeth▪ much spoken of, and hery ●●●●ou●●y builded, with m●●● precieuse metals, of all kinds. Touching this city, it is constantly adnouched; that there is none in the earth, of more excellency, none more worthy admiration, none richer, or more happy for all things Where also, the goodly high ●ops of Pallenis▪ from whence revellers 
Pallenis.  coming a far of● may be espied, be di 〈…〉, near the rocky Hills 〈…〉, the Town 
Cassiotis.  Peleus, is erected, whose inhabitants 
Peleus.  ●●e s● expert in the art of sailing, that ●● the other people of Libya, they be reputed rather Gods than men. These devil about the mouth of sevenfold Nilus. There be moreover many other peoples, and nations, diversly dispersed ●● that country, whereof some be cast back (as it were) to the ocean shear, ●●●●e devil within the land, replenishing ●●s same with many excellent fair buildings. diverse a●● inhabit the shore of the lake Triton, which runneth also 
Triton.  through the midst of Libya into the sea.   

The Situation of Europe.  
HEreafter ensueth the situation of Europe, which differeth not much in form from Libya, but that it bendeth a little to the north, and likewise returneth again, and joineth to the end of South Libya, and butt both in one ●●nner sort on Asie, the one reaching forth to the extreme part of the North, the other to the South. But to speak more plainly, how it lieth: it is so, that at the head it seemeth sharp pointed, like the point of a triangle, waxing always narrower towards the West, and increasing in wideness much in the East. By understanding whereof, we shall the better perceive what bounds it hath, how far they stretch, and what dominions, and countries it conte●neth. Wherefore, I will begin at the ●●per side, which reacheth forth to Hercules 
Hercules' Pillars. Hiberi.  pillars, where first of all, the Hiberi devil, a people very proud, & high minded. next towards the north, are the Britannes then the Germans, whose bodies 
Britannes. Germans.  are white, and fair, and naturally given to wars, possessing the country 
The forest Equinus. Boia.  next to the forest Equinus. And not far off, Boia appeareth, both large and wide, so called, of the likeness it hath to an Ox hide. So turning to the 
Mounts Pyrrhenaei. Eridanus. Celtae. Heliades. A fable. Phaeton.  mounts Pirrhenaei, towards the flood Eridanus, the Celtae inhabit, where (as fables testify) the sister's Heliades, being oppressed with immoderate sorrow, for the death of their brother Phaeton, continued so long in weeping, that so con●i●●●ed with heaviness, they were all converted into a precious kind of A●●er trees, still shedding tears. Which ●●ares, are often, and diligently wiped away by the Celtae, there dwelling, and are turned into Amber like Gold, and a● hard as a stone. After, ensueth Tyrrhenia 
Tyrrhenia.  at the north side whereof the Alps begin to arise, forth whereof, the rhine, a great and large stream, issueth, 
The rhine.  But before that I pass to Tyrrhenia. I must first speak of the river Rhenus, or the rhine, whether he passeth to the bounds of Europe. The rhine therefore, rising, as we have said, out of the Alps, first severeth the Celtae from the Germans, and runneth 
Celt●. Germans.  into the Northern ocean, with a large channel. But before that he come ●ighe the Sea, out of his springs, he engendereth the river Ister among the Sueui, 
Ister. Swe●i.  which maketh all that country navigable, for traffic of merchandise. This river Ister running toward the east, is increased with many other waters, and so runneth forward foamy and misty, near Pe●ce, through 〈…〉 ●ightie ch●●●●l● into the sea 〈…〉 the north: it 〈…〉 ●iue 〈…〉 country's, vntil● it▪ 〈…〉 to the ●oot●●▪ of fen●e Maeous. ● For first it 〈…〉 the▪ Germans, and after ●●●i●●th 〈…〉 Sarmatae now● 〈…〉 ●● passes 
Sarmatae. Getae. Basterne●.  by the Ge●es, and Bastard's▪ which●●●● toward the O●ean●▪ ●▪ fulfilleth▪ the country of Dacia with plenty, 〈…〉 
Dacia.  ningth rough the mi●●●st of the Alani 
Alani. Tauri.  and T●uri, giveth ●●●sage for shippe● through the 〈…〉 land 〈…〉 ●yche ●●u●● inhabiting that high country, ●o●▪ time part of 〈…〉 race, possess●▪ a 
A●chilles.  na●o●●, howbeit ●●o●g▪ pi●●● of land▪ stretching to the ●●o●●●● the 〈…〉 whose ●eig●bour●s 〈…〉 the Alan● as ●e have said, 〈…〉 ●● 〈…〉 ●●●● 
Melanchleni Hippemologi. Neuri. Hippopodes. Gelones. Agathyrsi.  with horses. Vnt● t●●se▪ 〈…〉 the▪ Melan●●leni, the H●ppemolo●i▪ the Ne●●●▪ the Hippopodes▪ the Gelones▪ and A●●●●●●si▪ with more, in ●i●w● whe●●● of it is stra●nge to s●● how that▪ al● most infinite of nations possess that utter part of Europe, from whence▪ the 
Borysthenes.  river Borystenes gliding forth within a kenning of the Rams brow, directly over against Cyane, falls into the 
Cyane. Aldelcus.  sea Euxinum, also Aldescus, and Penticapes, with great murmur and noise, fall 
Penticapes.  down from the hills Rhipae●, whose streams 
Rhipaei.  running near to the frozen sea (for thither they run) carry down with them an orient kind of metal, half gold, half amber, in colour not unlike to the purple 
Amber found  glittering beams of the moon when the first rises: they engender also the diamond. This water also washeth the 
Diamonds found.  shore of the Agathi●●●, which of the rest are most northerly, but on the south side are the Gerrae, and Norici: also the Pannonijs, 
Gerrae▪ Norici▪ Pannonij. Mysi. Thrace's.  the Mysi and Thrace's, but the Mysi lie more to the north than the Thrace's which devil scattered here and there in a wide country, partly inhabiting the S●a coa●t of Propontis, partly cast 
Propontis. Hellespontus' Agaeu●. Pallenae.  forth to▪ Hellespontus and partly also to Agaeun, where about the tops of Pallenae, which floweth with honey, the precious stome of great price, called Asterius, doth 
Asterius.  grow, nothing inferior in show to a glittering star, or a flaming fire, by 〈…〉 〈…〉nt whereof it was ●o named. moreover, there lie many other countries under this heavenly constitution▪ or in this tract of the earth, dwelling all nigh to Ister called also Danubius receiving 
Ister. Danubius.  great commodity by traveling on the water, whose names were superfluous to recite. It remaineth therefore now that we speak of another part of Europe, which lying forth in thr●● shores, reacheth forth into the East, whereof the Hiberi possess part, the Greeks part, the Italians part. The 
Hiberi. Greks. Italians. Hiberia. Libes. Tartessus.  furthermost ●id● of Heberia, lieth to the Ocean, there where one of the pillars is to be seen, set in by Libes, erected beneath the mount Tartessus, the country where about is very rich and plentiful unto whom the Cempsi be adherent 
Cempsi.  dwelling at the foot of the mountains Pyrrhenei. Consequently we come to 
Pyrrhenei. Hills. Italy.  Italy, whom a great high hill stretching forth, and cutting it through strait, high in the middle, and low on each side, after the manner of the beam of a pair of balence, compasseth in about round, to the great beutifying & wonderful strengthening of the country. There can no man that is skilful in building, when be seeth it, deny, but that it was a marvelous 
Italy framed by Minerva.  piece of work framed by Minerva, for ornature and strength of the country, being compassed therewith as with a crown. The inhabitants call it the hill Apoeninus, which rising at the Alps 
Apoeninus. Lombary. Helvetia.  which divideth Lombardy from Helvetia, runneth forth towards the North, as far as the Sicilian▪ Sea, within which, many countries & peoples do devil, whose names I cannot easily rehearse. But the first of them are Tyrrheni, dwelling on 
Tyrrheni.  the side which lieth twixt north and 
Pelasgi.  West, together with the people Pelasgi, which running into Italy out of Cylene, 
Cylene.  are reported to have settled with the Tyrrheni in the same place. Ne●te to these 
Latini.  are the Latini, a glorious kind of people, very plentiful with goodness of soil and excellency of wits, through the middle whereof, the river Tyberis runneth, 
Tyberis.  watering all the country about, and is at length received into a calm bosom of the Sea, at the town called Hostia, the head and principal river of 
Hostia.  all other, dividing the noble and mighty City Rome, the chief sea and dwelling 
Rome.  place of our kings, and head of all the world. Then followeth Compania▪ a 
Campania.  pleasant country, & of other most plentiful, where the temples of Parthenope. 
Parthenope.  are to be seen, who (as fame goth) was friendly received out of that straight sea▪ Towards the south, under the hill Serenis 
Serenis. Silarus. Lucani. Bretij. Leucopetra.  runneth the river Silaris of Surrhentum now Sur●ento, where the Lucani and Bretij devil, so far as Leucopetra, from whence northerly, & by west somewhat, the Locri be planted, who long ago coming 
Locri. A●●ica.  forth of A●●ica into Italy, & being in love with the plesantness of the country, joined (as is said) in fellowship & friendship with the people of that place, building a city there, which they called after their own name, whose stock a● yet remain th●near unto the river Alex▪ 
Alex. Metapontini.  Beyond them lieth Metapontini▪ whose city is now called Relie●●, & notsar of them, the flourishing city Crotona now 
Crotona.  Cr●tone▪ ●igh to the river Sarum, where the renovined temple of juno, of Lacinia 
juno of Lacinia. Sybaris.  now Cabo do Colone is builded: and vnfu●tunate Sybaris, is reported to have mourned, because of jupiters' displeasure against her citizens, for using reproachful words in the sacrifice of Alpheus▪ 
Alpheus. Samnites. Marsi. Tarentini  But the Samnites are more within the land, and the Marsi, which in running are very quick of foot. The Tarentini whose country now Taranto, stands nearer the shore, possessing there a town, founded in times passed by destruction of the Amyclaei. To whom ●oyn the Calabri 
Amycle●. Cal●br● of apex stock. Hyrus.  of the stock of japix, reaching forth▪ ●● Hyrus, which lieth to the sea. And the ●●●. Adriaticum beginneth to increase ●●▪ Aquilia, now Algar castelium▪ & the city▪ 
Aquilia. Tergestini.  of the Tergestini now Trieste▪ lying at the extreme 〈…〉, but when it turns eastward thence, first it li●keth the shore 
Liburni.  of the Liburni▪ & afterward beateth on all that country▪ oppressed with great darkness, which lieth nigh 〈◊〉, & 
Istm●●. Bulemei.  so running to the shore of the Bulemei, solenly stretcheth forth with a very large ●hane● & 〈…〉 the Illirici▪ now Sc●auoni, 
Illirici. Ceraunij.  & 〈…〉 the high mountain Ceraunij▪ in which place are seen certain ancient monuments after the manner of spires or pinnacles, set up as is taught by 
The fable of cadmus'.  Cadmus, and Hermione his wife, who 
Cadmus.  being both come to extreme old age, departed thither from Ismenus, where 
Ismenus.  they were transformed into serpents. There is also seen in the same place, an other strange wonder. For there be two pillars set, directly each against other, 
A wonder.  who so soon, as any danger approacheth the people dwelling nigh, do both meet, whith such violence, as though they fought. At the south, a little on this side Thracia, and beyond Horitia, a part 
Thracia. Horitia. helas.  of Graecia, that part called helas, entereth with an hard rising, and a dangerous access, by reason of two sharp Seas Aegaeum, and the straight Siculum. As also for two winds, unto whom it lieth very bleat, the Hesperian or Sicilian wind, which is West, and the southeast, which bloweth from the sea Aegaeum. Hereafter ensueth Pelops Island, called also Peloponesus, now 
Pelops Island  ●a Moren, which differeth not much in form from a Plain tree leaf. For it is broad in the beginning, and endeth with a sharp corner. At the farthest point towards the north, it resembleth a certain narrow Isthmus, & is (as it were) joined and fastened to helas, and entrenched 
helas.  round on every other side, with the sea, 
Triphylis.  where on the west part, the land Triphylis lieth, continually moistened with the pleasant streams of the river Alpheus. 
Alpheus.  Which being as it were cut of, by the water's Mes●enius, and Eurotas, do 
Mes●enius. Eurotas.  seem neither of them to flow out of any sea, but rather to spring out of the inner bowels of the earth. Alpheus parteth the land of the Clij. Eurotas passeth 
Clij. A miclaei. Erymanthus. Arcades. Melas. Crathis. Jaon. Ladon. Argivi. Lacones.  through the Amyclaei. In the middle of the Island, in a valley, at the foot of the hill Erimanthus, dwell the Arcades, From which hill Melas, Crathia, and Jaon, three rivers do fall, and also ancient Ladon. next unto these, are the Argiui, and Lacones, whose countries lie, one to the east, an other to the south. The sides of this Isthmus, as is well known, are beaten with two seas, one on the East part, an other on the West, until it draw nearer, and narrower about the places called Sacronida. But in sight 
Sacronida.  of this same Isthmus, called Pelopone●us, and toward the east side thereof, boundeth the noble kingdom of A●●ica. 
A●●ica.  the nurse and mother of renowned ●●, and excellent wits, whom the divine water Ilisus passeth by, where sometime 
Ilisus. Boreas and Orithya. Boetes. Locri. Thessalia. Macedonia. Emeus. Epirus Dodonea. Aetolia.  (as Poets do fable) Boreas, state away his lover Orithya There do the Boetes, and the Locri inhabit. After this Thessalia and Macedonia are discovered, the●e where the snowy tops of Emeus, in Thracia may be seen. Over directly against that, towards the West Epirus Dodonea butteth forth, very long and large, and so do the Aetolia towards the South, through whose middle floweth 
Achelous. Tinacria. Echinadae l●an●s. Cephalleni. Phocis.  the river Achelous with his silver sands into the straits of Tinacria, dividing the islands called Echinadae, near unto the cities of the Cephalleni. Eastward, lieth the country Phocis, which stretcheth along to the North, unto the mouth of the Thermopylae, under the top of 
Thermopilae Parnaius. Zephisus.  snowy Parnaius. Out of whose middle, the river Zephisus runneth forth of a rock, & feedeth the country nigh, with perpetual moisture. Then followeth the land Phiton, wondrously abounding 
Phiton.  with diverse ●● straunge●dori●erous favours. Where the Dragon of 
The dragon of Delphos.  Delphos at Diotripodes, lieth slain, within the walls of the temple, at this day, horrible to be seen, for multitude and greatness of scales. Where Apollo 
Apollo.  as often as occasion served him to travail from the Isles of Miletum, now 
Miletum Clarum.  Melasar, or Clarum, was wont to rest himself, and put off his golden quiver.  
And thus much is sufficient to have declared, as briefly as we could, the situation, and countries of Europe, and how the same lieth, in respect of other parts of the world.   

Of the islands in Europe.  
over purpose now, is to entreat of the islands which be in Europe before that we come to any other part of the world, to describe it, which in wideness containeth almost the other twain. Wherefore, to begin where Europe f●●●●e lifteth up his head, and Hercules pillars be erected, and divide Libya from other parts, the Ocean running between: Gadira, 
Gadira.  first cometh to hand. For that being in times past possessed by the Phoenices, 
Gadira.  which worshipped Hercules, was called of them Gadira, for before it was called 
Phoenices.  not Gadira, but Contimissa, by the Hiberi. Ne●te follow the Isles Gimnesiae, the nearest whereof is called Bausus. The 
Contimissa. Hiberi. Gymnesiae. Bausus. Baleares.  other twain are called Baleares, for stinging, wherein the people there are much exercised. Whereof the one and bigger now Mallorea, hath in it the city Tirracona now Tarragona, the other and lesser now Menorca, the city Barcilona now Barchino lying to the North. Then follow 
Tarracona.  Sardinia now Sardegne, and near 
Barcilona.  to that Cirnus lying both almost direct over against Ostia, whereof the one which 
Sardinia.  is Corsica, standeth a great deal higher 
Cirnus. Ostia. Corsica.  and is mere inaccessible, environed partly with high and craggy cliffs and rocks, partly with a mighty rough wood, both of them very good, for fruitfulness of soil, and plenty of divers commodities growing in the country. Consequently, there appear certain Islands, standing round, which being once in the hands of king Hippota, which dwelt there, a most friendly king unto strangers, were by him named Aeolides. 
Aeolides.  The same, for the excellent virtues wherewith he was endued, (for be surmounted in godliness, and courtesy) was reported to have obtained of the gods, that he should not only be lord over those islands, which are seven in numbered, but also be ruler of the winds, where ever they blew, on any navigable sea. These islands also be called Plociae of the Greks. 
Plociae.  But there is none nearer unto these, than Tinacria, called also Sicilia, standing 
Tinacria. Sicilia.  in sight of Italy, and defended with three famous promontories, whereof one is called Pachynus, now Cabo Pacino, standing 
Pachynus.  to the east, and hath at the foot, the noble city Syracuse, now Saragosa 
Syracuse.  de Sicilia, in foretime, a great and stout seat of tyrants. The other is called Pelorus, 
Pelorus.  which standeth northerly, and looketh to Italy, to whom the city Messana 
Messans.  now Missetia, adjoineth. The third promontory is Lilybaeus, arising against 
Lilybaeus.  the surges of the west wind, and sea, where standeth also a city of the same name. But as touching, sailing from Pelorus, which lieth towards Italy: it is very dangerous, and almost present death: for the course is very narrow and crooked, & the sea kept within the strait not without great force and violence: for the stream is there swallowed up in void and deep caves (which as some say) were made by Eonius and Neptunus, 
Eonius. Neptunus.  and there roareth and rageth with most horrible bellow. Forth of Sicilia Southerly is the passage into Lybia at the beginning of one of the Syrtes. The other is quickly perceived, in looking toward the shore of Italy: In sight whereof, we may espy two islands, one Menix, the other Gortina, which are in 
Menix. Gortina.  manner of an haven into Lybia. In the elbow of the sea Adriaticum, at the left hand towards japygium, riseth an Island, 
japygium. Diomedes.  wherein because Diomedes sometime had builded, and possessed it, was 
Diomedea.  called of him Diomedea. Whether (as the fame goeth) that valiant gentleman being driven in a flaw, by force of wound and tide, with certain prisoners of the Hiberi, continued there through the enticement of a wicked woman, called Aegialaea. 
Aegialaea.  Toward the East afar off, is there a course open to the islands of Absyrtes. 
Absyrtes.  where (as report goeth) certain men, which travailed from Colchos, 
Colchos. Medea.  broke in, while they pursued Medea, then running from them. Near unto these, the Lyburnides are planted. And 
Liburnides.  toward the south, behind the crags of the Mount Ceraunius, there are certain 
Ceraunius.  Islands discovered, which they call Amphraciae. There is also Corcyra, now 
Amphraciae. Corcyra.  Corfu, to be seen, a rich and plentiful Island, the noble and renowned kingdom of ancient Alcinous, and near 
Alcinous. Neritia. Ithaca ulysses country.  neighbour to Neritia in Ithaca, a pleasant lay and country to Ulysses, with divers other lying here and there, which the River Achelous, while he passeth 
Achelous. Chaleis.  from Chalcis, compasseth and watereth.  
There be many also towards the north, whereof Aegyla is one and 
Aegyla. Cythera. Caluaria. Carpathos. Creta.  Cythera an other, and Caluaria and on the other side towards the west, Carpathos. Also Creta, now called Candia, which lieth not far off, a goodly Island, and a plentiful, and nurse to the great god jupiter, abunding in fruit and pasture, and flowing with excellent good witness, in which standeth the famous wood Ida. flourishing with 
Ida.  odiferous & soot cypress trees. It containeth many fair cities, and also provinces not a few, which in foretime were all governed by that good old king Minos. 
King Minos Rhodos.  Over against that lieth the Island Rhodos; which was also builded by the Egyptians, and sometime a worthy colony 
jalisij. Chelidoniae. Patareis. Cyprus. Pamphylia. Venus' Dodo nea. Phaeoicia. Dyados. Suniados. Abantes. Salamina. Aegyna.  of the jalisij. But at the East lie the Chelidonlae, these be three, lying against the top of Patareis, now Patera. Also Cyprus in the bosom of Pamphilia, sometime the acceptable kingdom of Venus Dodonea. And not far from Phaenicie standeth Dyados, within the large wideness thereof, and in sight of the hi● Sunrados, above the Abantes, Salamina may be descried, and so may Aegina▪ where the Sea Aegaeum is found to be of a marvelous depth, although there be in it an innumerable sort of Islands, diversly dispersed, disposed in such strange order, that they seem almost there rather planted by art than by nature. They reach forth unto Hellespontus, 
Hellespontus.  now el far de Gallipoli, where as on the left hand at the end of Europe, standeth Sestos, and on the right hand over-againste 
Sestos. Abydos.  it Abydos where Asie beginneth both toward the North, places very much renoumed● or two Lovers, Leander and Hero, who dwelled there, 
Leander, and Hero.  whose earnest desire could not be quenched in so small a stream, but that Lenander must often attempt, escaping also as often the danger, to swim over that narrow cut by night, until at last he was offered a woeful present to his sorrowful lovers eyes, miserably cast up dead upon the shore. Now to Europe ward standeth Macris, in old 
Macris. Scyros. Peparenthos. Lemnos.  time builded by the Abantes, than Scyros, and Peparethos, very much object to the wind. And not far thence Lemnos, now Sidrio Vulcan's kingdom, and ancient Thasos, now Taxo, that 
Thasos. Ceres. Imbri.  worshippeth Ceres. Then the Imbri, now Stalimin, from whence the famous Thracia, is immediately discovered. And Samos now Samo, an ancient 
Samos. Lyrbantes.  colony of the Lyrbantes. But they which possess the veris first entrance and brow of asia, dwelling round about Delos, because they stand in such 
Delos.  previte, are termed by the Grecians Cyclades, who all are dedicated to Apollo, 
Cyclades. Apollo.  making sacrifice unto him, and leading dances, chief at the entrance of the spring, when the nightingale beginneth to sing upon the top of the hills. These Islands stand so scattered, showing themselves here and there in many places of the Sea, like bright shining stars in the clear sky, unto which the jonides, now surquestan be borderers, 
jonides. Caunos'. Samos.  where also Caunos standeth, and Samos now Samos, the most pleasant seal of ●uno Pelasgos. next standeth Chios now Chio at the foot of the high 
Chios.  hill Pelmeus. Then appear the cliffs of 
Pelmeus. Aeolus' islands Lesbos and Tenedos.  Aeolus Islands, Lesbos now Metelina, and Tenedos now Tenedo, raised a great height out of the water, forth of whom rise two rivers Melas and Colphus, 
Melas. Colphus. Propontis.  and run into Hellespontus, and there about to the North, the Sea Propontis is enlarged and wydned on every side, and there at the entrance of the Sea Euxinum, toward the left hand 
A fable.  there is an other famous Island seen, which in times past was an ancient dwelling of noble and worthy Gentlemen. For the report goth, that the soul of Achilles and other valiant men, do wander in the deserts and craggy places of those huge mountains, having obtained for a reward of the Gods, in consideration of their excellent virtues, to be immortalised, for so much as virtue is immortal, and needs must obtain immortal glory. This Island of which we entreat, because it bringeth forth cattle all white, the Grecians call it Leuca. And there is an other not 
Leucus.  far from the same, large and of a great circuit, which unto those that sail the rea die way into Cimerius Bosphorus, 
Cimerius. Bosphorus.  appeareth before the rest over against the fens Maeotis, lying on the right hand.  
The same is it in which Phenagora 
Phenagora. Hermonassa jonij.  and Hermonassa, two Cities are builded, which the jonijs who builded them do possess. And these be all the islands which are of any name or renown, lying with the Levant Seas, so far as we could have any understanding of them. Notwithstanding, for as much as in the large Ocean, there are many contained in bigness, commodities, or ●ame nothing inferior to ours: I thought it unseemly to pass them over with silence.   

Of the Islands in the ocean.  
Wherefore I will first speak of that 
The Atlanticum sea. Erythia.  which lieth in the middle of the Atlanticum sea, called of the Grecians Erythia, now Berlingas, a very fair Island, and abounding with cattle, endued with such benignity of air, that it preserveth the lives of men unto very many years, and maketh them almost immortal. The Ethiops, which be nigh, inhabit 
Aethiops.  the same, who came first thither (as they say) after that Hercules had s●ayne 
Hercules. slew Gerione.  the Giant Geryone, But at the very top of Europe, which the inhabitants call Sacrum, that is to say holy, the famous Islands, called Hesperidum insulae, are 
Hesperidum insulae.  descried: Of whom it is not altogether fabulously spoken, that they yielded every year golden apples. Since of truth they be very rich, in plenty of gold, and bring forth well-nigh, all kind of metal, in great abundance. The Hiberi, their 
Hiberi.  neighbours have them in possession. And not far off but somewhat more toward the north, the Isles of Britannia are 
Britannia praised. Rhenus.  seen, over against the mouth of Rhenus, or Rhine, very large, and surpassing the rest in wydene●se: neither is there any one, to whom it is inferior in any kind of wealth, store of cat-tail, or variety of people. There is also found in veins of the earth, moynes of tin, lead and brass of divers sorts. Also plenty of gold and silver, with iron, brimstone, saltpetre, bitumen, and such like. And among many kinds of cat-tail and rudder beasts, whereof they have plenty, certain beasts of so soft and fine a fleece, that it may be easily drawn so small, till it be comparable to a spiders web. They breed also many horses, not unapt for labour. But where it bendeth more to the west, turning (as it were) a brow or point to Hiberia, which 
Hiberia. Hibernia commended  is now called Hibernia, that is Ireland, inhabited once by the people Hiberi. The same bringeth forth more store of horses, and th●se of such nature, that they seem rather naturally to have learned to walk with a pleasant & seemly pace, and to move themselves forward with protestation and state after the manner of & guise princes. Within the earth is found a lumpie mass of mould, mixed with sulphur, much like to coal, which the Smiths and generally all the countr●e▪ and their borderers nigh unto them, do use for their fire. The country bringeth forth no venomous beast, nor fostreth any. The people are very stout, and apt to wars, who being of body fair and tall, sturdy of limb, and beautiful of hue, are no deal behind in wit, and promptness of tongue. There are also not far distant from these other Islands, as namely the Amitae, worshippers 
Amitae.  of Bacchus, in which the wines of the most worthy and substantial men, being crowned with garlands of ●uie, with the b●rries hanging down in knots about them, do ●sape and spring, as though they were aprehended with fury, crying on Bacchus with a loud voice, 
Bacchus.  and doing him sacrifice in the night, according as ●s the custom. For the inhabitants on the shore of the lake Biston 
Biston.  in Thracia, do call accustomably on their God Bacchus, in no more solemn sort. Neither the Indian children, at the river Ganges do dance with more 
Ganges.  shrill noise, than these women of whom I speak, do clatter, shout, and sing when they celebrated the feasts of Bacchus, and say their devotions while they be dancing. But not far from this Island there lieth an other, which is called the farthest Tile, where as when 
Tile.  the hot summer's Sun approacheth to the northern Pole, their nights be like unto perpetual day, in fairness and brightness, until he returns again to the South. From thence if a man sailing towards Scythia turn his ship to the East, he shall find Chrysia, 
Scythia. Chrysia.  which is an other Island of the Ocean, in the which also the Sun shineth very clearly: then if he return him contrary to the ●outh, immediately he shall discover Taprobana, a great and 
Taprobana.  large Island, and plentifully replenished with all manner riches, and a breeder of many Elephants, which from thence are transported into Asie. This same is especially dedicated to Venus, and to her doth sacrifice. They lie directly under the line of Cancer, which is over their 
Cancer.  heads, a very hot and burning sign, continually turning about, and almost burning up the country with heat. They have whales in their seas, and fishes 
Whales and great fish.  of inestimable bigness, which feeding first in the red sea, afterwards do come thither, monstrous things in deed, and of such greatness, that they come to the shore like great mountains. Their backs are very sharp, with long rows of fins. They be very hurtful unto children, if they chance to meet any upon the shore: And not unto them only, but unto others also. For none can well escape their jaws, if they may once see them. Whose deformed mouths are of such wideness, that divers times they devour whole ships with men and all. Which woeful plague is thought to chance unto men for none other cause: but 
God plageth divers ways.  only for our offences and wickedness, which while we live wandering in this vale of misery, God doth revenge with such horrible monsters.  
Besides this, there is also an other Island, 
Aeoli. Ogyris. King Erythrax. Carmanis.  called by the Aeolij, Ogyris, an ancient monument of king Erythrax, lying over against the Promontory Carmanis, from which, if a man turn northerly, & to the Persicus sea, he shall by & by 
Icarus. Tauropola.  find Icarus, wherein Tauropola, the fair temple of Diana, is to be seen, wondrous for antiquity, but more marvelous of 
A strange sight.  the strangeness of a sight therein. For there riseth always a smoke without any fire at all, very dampish, and hurtful to those that come near it. And these be also the Islands which are of any name in the ocean. Howbeit I deny not, but that there be many more there, whereof some be in the reach Lybicum, some in the sea Asiaticum, also about Europe, and within the ocean. Whereof howbeit many be habitable, and yield pleasant harbour sometime to ships that sail that way: ye● because, they have continued unrenowmed and unknown unto our countrymen, it was not only hard for me, but also seemed superfluous to declare either their names or situation. Wherefore I will now speak of asia.   

The description of asia.  
THe plateforme of asia, being as some men say, of one fashion, and as other say of another: yet is it well known, that it resembleth very much a wedge. For it beginneth with a certain large bases, or foundation, and so goeth forth along to the end, where the pillars of Dionysius which was born at Thebes, 
Dionysius. Indi.  are seen standing, and where the Indi, which devil in those uttermost parts: are reposed within the hills. And also where the river Ganges, with his white 
Ganges.  streams, falls down to the banks of Nyseum, nigh a large channel. The same 
Nyseum. Taurus.  is divided from the mount Taurus, which is the nearer, and not thought comparable in bigness to the other, neither in show like unto it. The same is it, which hath the sea flowing into it, and bearing superiority therein. The other, which is the wider, is much mingled with the Ocean: which boiling forth three streams, maketh three seas, Per●icum, Hircanum, and Arabicum, whereof the last twain, lie forth to the south. The other reacheth towards the north, and the sea Aphricum to Euxinum, where as there devil kinds of people almost innumerable, forasmuch as between them both, there lieth a great Isthmus, containing a very large plot of ground. But the mount Taurus which as I have said divideth the whole through the middle, beginneth at Pamphilia, 
Pamphilia,  and stretcheth forth to the Indie, which rising in some places into greater height than other, and turning on both sides, much like the crooks of a Bulls horns, which is greedy of his food, is by similitude thereof called Taurus, that is to say, a Bull. Out of this mount there do arise almost infinite springs and waters, whereof some run East, some West, some North some south, which by reason they pass by divers countries, are called also by divers names. Also the mount itself, during the spac● of continuance thereof, is not always termed one, the Indi call it Hiamos, the 
Hiamos. Praenyphates Cragus  Parthi, praeniphates, the pamphyli, Cragus, & where it rises in greatest height it is named Caucasus. But it is no easy 
Caucasus.  matter to declare both the names of it, whereby it is notified in divers languages, or of the waters therefore flowing. That care take they who inhabit the near places, it only remaineth to me, to declare those rivers and nations, whereof we could attain any light of understanding. In recital whereof, I will not quail so far as my poor ability shall serve me. Wherefore the people of Maeorae, and Sauromatae, 
Maeotae. Sauromatae.  which possess the uppermost part of asia, which looketh to the north, come now first unto hand, that I must needs prefer them in this beadroll before all others. These be they which dwell about the fens Maeotis, and descended lineally (as is said) from the Amazons, for the report goeth, that 
Amazons.  when they ran away from their country, and had pitched their tents near the river Thermodon, they companied 
Thermod●.  with the Sauromatis, to the intent that the children that were then begotten, should be stout men, and warlike, and so they always continued. They devil in the midst of a vast and huge wood, full of thick and bushy trees, through the middle thereof, the river Tanais 
Tanais.  now Tana, runneth forth, and falls into the fen near thereto. The same is the water which also parteth Europe from Asie, leving Europe at the West, and asia at the East. Forth of it run many springs and streams, which falling down upon the rocks and valleys of Caucasus, do cause a great 
Caucasus.  murmur. But the larger river which glideth forth through Scythia, and increaseth 
The miseries of Scythia.  much toward the north, with wind and water, carrieth down with it great store of Ice, and much annoyeth the near dwellers, making them altogether unfortunate. For so soon as the northern wound beginneth to blow, and the cold to increase, immediately they see before their eyes their horses and Mules fall down dead, and their rudder beasts frozen to death, and their cattle which wander in the woods, miserably bidding their masters farewell, with their h●eles upward. The men themselves can scarce abide safe within their inner dens and houses under ground, but starve together with their beasts, unless they observed a time, and joined their wagons, and departed in haste into some more temperate country, leaving their own to the furious North wind. Such manner of people are they, which are allotted to the countries nigh Tanais, but the people which 
Tanais.  devil near to the Sauromatae now Sarmatae, are called Sidi, and Cimmerij and 
Sidi. Cimmerij. Cercetij. Oretae. Xanthus. Simois.  Cercetij, with Oretae, near to the Sea Euxinum. Also those who as they say, depart from the river Xanthus, & Simois, which runneth nigh Abydus, after the destruction of Troy▪ were carried thither by contrary winds, & drove the Achaei thence, 
Achaei. Eniochi. Zigij. Pelasgi.  unto whom the Eniochi & Zigii are neighbours, which came also thither from among the Pelasgi. And at the uttermost extremity of the sea lie the Tyndaridae, & 
Tyndaridae. Colchi.  the Colchi, which join to Caucasus, who before time came forth of Egypt, where Caucasus riseth aloft with high tops, near to the straits of Hyrcanun, where the river Phasis gliding by the back of 
Phasis. Circeum.  Circeum now Circellum, turneth to the Sea Euxinum. But at first it riseth out of the hill Armenus, which passing 
Armenus.  forward between the north and East, maketh a certain Isthmus, included within the Seas Caspium, and Euxinum, which the Iberes of late have 
Iberes.  possessed, those I mean which departing once from the mounts Pyrrhenaei, 
Pyrrhenaei.  broke into that part of the East, menn● given to warlike affairs, & very hurtful to the Hyrcani their neighbours, with 
Hyrcani.  whom before they have had cruel wars. Then the Tamaritae, who not 
Tamarit●.  only received Bacchus when he returned with victory which he had over the Indians, but also appointed unto him 
Indi.  solemn sacrifice, dancing rounds about their wine presses, until they foam with new wine. They are girded with thongs of leather, and wear on them buck●kinnes, crying out, eho Bacchus, eho, like mad people.  
The Sea Caspium cometh near unto them, which I trust easily and with expedition to describe if God will give me grace, not as one that hath seen those places (by traveling▪ thither to view the platform or situation of them, as many men have accustomed to do, which think there is none other felicity, but to heap up riches by wandering about the world, thereby to deck themselves up with Gold, to glister with Pearls and precious stones, to adorn their Palaces with sumptuous buildings, for so much as I was never instructed by my Parents in trade of merchandise,) but like him who from his tender years, hath been brought up in study of good learning, whereby it cometh now to pass, that those things which are very far distant, I do behold as present, and can conceive every place thoroughly in my mind and cogitation without any error.   

Of the Sea Caspium.  
THe form and fashion of the Sea Caspium is such, that it lieth almost round like a circle, for it is most sure that it riseth from the Ocean, which at the north side, beateth upon the shore of Scythia from whence running 
Scythia.  forth, at first through dese●●es and places unhabited, stretcheth forth to the south in very narrow straights, until that increasing more and more in wideness, at length it approacheth to the foot of mount Caucasus. This Sea is 
Caucasus.  navigable, and in that respect very commodious to the countries nigh all times of the year, excepting three months only, in the which when the north wind bloweth, the coast of the Ocean Sea riseth against it with wonderful 〈…〉. It bringeth forth many things of great price and admyratio●, for among diverse other which come from thence, are the Crystal and jasper 
Crystal and jasper stones  stones, which being of the colour of a ch●●h●eass, is thought to be good against vain fantasies and fears in the night. There devil nations about it, almost in number infinite. But to begin at that side which lieth to the north, the first that come to knowledge are the Scythae, now ●artar●; and those 
Scythae.  especially which lies to the sea Saturnium, toward▪ the mouth of Caspium. next the Vn● then the Caspij themselves, 
uni. Caspij. Albani. Cadesij.  and the Albani▪ who are all of nature wild and savage, and greedy of war and bloodshed. The Cadesijs dwell among the sharp mountains, whose neighbours are the Mardi, and so the Hyr●●● 
Mardi. Hyrcani. Appi. Mardus.  and Appi, whom the river Mardus flowing forth along by, and moistening with his gentle stream, watereth also the Dercebii and the Bactrae; running between 
Dercebij. Bactrae.  them both, and falling at length into the Sea, Hyrcanum▪ As for the Bactr●●, they inhabit the country, which lieth at the foot of Parnasus, and ●●ghe 
Parnasus. Dercebii.  there about. The Dercebijs in an other place, are wakened with beating of the Caspium sea waves. Beyond whom, towards, the Cast, on the other side of Araxis, there dwelleth a people called, 
Araxis. Messagetae.  Massagetae, whose study is wholly to weary and consume themselves with shooting, very hurtefall to strangers, and not able to keep league of faith or friendship with their neighbours. They know not the use of Corn, or Wine, but they drink milk mingled with blood of horses. Moore to the north devil the Chorasmi, next unto 
Chorasmi. Sundia.  whom ensueth the land of Sundia, through the midst of which runneth the river Oxus, leaving the mount Homolus 
Oxus. Caspia. Saccae. jaxarta.  behind, and hastening into Caspia. Then the Saccae, which devil chief upon the shore of the river jaxarta, a people also very expert in shooting, and so ready therein through daily practice, that it seemeth they can be overcome or matched by none other. For they thinks it a great shame, if any of them shoot an arrow negligently and almost unwares, and hit not the mark. Then follow the Tochari, 
Tochari. Phurij. Seres.  and then the Phurij, and the Seres, nations altogether barbarous, neither instructed in any kind of learning, neither given to study, or exercise of any thing, but only wandering in wild and desert places, do gather a certain flower, wherewith they stain their garments with divers colours, much like to the flowers of nettles, And their garments are woven with so fine thread, that it is thought they surpass the spinning of any spider. There be also many other nations of the kind of Scythians, whose names and manners do remain unknown, by reason of the sharpness of place where they dwell, and the uneasy accosse unto them, with the extremity of the air, and bitter cold, wherewith those countries which lie to the uttermost part of the earth, for the most part are molested. And these be the countries, which as we said lie to the north, about the sea Caspium. Hereafter I will entreat of those, which lie towards the west from Golchis▪ and 
Colchis. Phasis.  Phasis, on this side, and devil upon the shore of the sea Euxinum, and also of them which in habit, as far as Traicium, 
Traicium. Chalcidos.  where the land of Chalcidos lieth.   

Of countries in the west.  
In this rehearsal the Byzeres shall be 
Byzeres. Bechyres. Macrones. Phylires.  first, and next the Bechyres and Macrones, and then the Phylires, who as yet do retain their ancient Cities and wooden cottages, which they builded long since. Unto these do join the Thibareni, 
Thibareni.  noble shipmasters, next to these sit the Chalybes a very hard people, who having 
Chalybes.  obtained a country, which for immoderate drought, is unapt, for any tillage, have very much profited in the art which they have learned. For they never rest from hammering and forging of weapons and armour for war. In so much, that all the country being covered with smoke, seemeth as though it were on sire, and clattereth with continual knocking, & bearing of iron. Thenre we proceed to Astyria, which is watered 
Assyria. Thermodo● Armenus. Amazons.  by the river Thermodo●, falling from the mount Armenus, and from thē●e runneth to the Amazons with a swift stream, who as the report goeth, following 
Sinope. Sopida.  Sinope from Sopida▪ at commandment of jupiter, who entirely loving her, had transported her, though unwilling, out of her own country, and had placed her nigh within his quarters, and courteously appointed a place, where she might continually bewail the absence of her parents. In which place, afterward she builded a city, and called it Sinopaea, 
Sinopaea.  now Sinopi after her own name. About the banks of this river, there is crystal 
Crystal.  hewed very pure and white like ice, and there also is found the jasper stone. And 
jasper. Iris. Halis.  not very far off, the rivers Iris & Halys running along, do make the country moist & pleasant: & both of them gliding towards the north, from the hill Armenus, where they 
Armenus.  issue, ●o lick the land along nigh the hill Carabis. Then next be the Paphlagons cast 
Carambis. Paphlagones'  off somewhat near the shore, & so forth to the holy land of the Mariandyni: where (as it is reported) the furious three headed 
Mariandyni  dog, whom that hardy hand of valiant Hercules. overcame and led away out of hell, 
Hercules' vanquished the three headed dog.  vomited forth a certain deadly kind of frothy venom, which poisoned all the country with infection. After the Paphlagons and Mariandyni, we pass into Byth●ia, 
Bythinia.  now the great T●urchia, a pleasant country, & fulfilled with all plenty, whom the noble water Rhebas moisteneth with his sweet 
Rhebas.  stream, until he fall into the sea, which is at hand, beingin all the earth no water more pleasant, or that bringeth to ye●●e greater delectation. And these be the countries & people which (as I have said) do inhabit the West parts of the sea. The other, of which I entreated last before, be Scythians, and lie to the north.   

Of the third part of asia.  
NOw I must go through with the third part of Asie which boundeth to the sea, & looketh to the south, & discovering the entrance into Hellespontus, openeth the southerly course into the sea Aegaeum, & butteth forth into Syria & Arabia And first of 
Syria. Arabia. Chalcedones. Byzantium. Bebryces. Mysia. Cius. Hylas.  all, the Calcedons apere at the very mouth looking over directly to Bizantum, whose borderers are Bebryces, & the mounts of Mysia▪ out of which the river Cius yieldeth forth his pleasant water: where it is said, that the Nymphs in time past stolen away the beautiful child Hylas being then attendant upon great Hercules. From thence there lieth open a great vent into Hellespontus, in Phrygia the less. The one is situate farther 
Phrygia.  within a great deal & is far larger, near to the river Sangarius. And this, 
Saugarius.  which is the larger, and lieth forth to the east, is very fruitful for corn & grass, & ring up great store of good horses. The other which looketh to the west, is descried at the foot of the renowned Ida, 
Ida.  having at the one side the noble and famous 
Troy. Ilium.  city of Troy, called also Ilium, so much spoken of, so large and so wide, the nurse and breeder of many a valiant Gentleman, builded (as it is thought) 
Neptunus. Apollo. juno. Pallas. Xanthus. Simois. Aeolia.  by Neptunus and Apollo but afterward destroyed by the aduis● of juno and Pallas: planted fast by the rivers Xanthus and Simois of Ida. Hereto lieth Aeolia, nigh above Hellespontus▪ towards the shore of the sea Aegaeum, in which also the jones be included: and the memorable river Meander gliding through with 
Meander. Miletus. Prienes.  his gentle stream, parteth also Miletus, and wide Prienes. Whereof that which is in the middle, and lieth most to the 
Ephesus.  north, all that wholly Ephesus doth possess, lying to the sea side, sometime the glorious city of quivered Diana▪ & to her 
Quivered Diana. The temple of the Amazons.  de●●●ated▪ Where (as ●ame telleth) in old time the Amazones ●uylded a temple of wondered workmanship upon the sto●k an Elm ●ree, and for that ●ause was had in great admnation amongst all people, & allages▪ From this next forth to the East, lieth Meonia, upon a stéep rock 
Meonia. Tmolus.  under the side of the mount Tmolus, out of which the River Pactolus, runneth 
Pactolus.  with his sand all of gold, and maketh therewith the whole country to glitter. Upon whose banks when once the spring time of the year is come, there are Swans herd continually singing, 
Singing swans.  which feed there commonly ranging on the rivers side, with such harmony, that nothing can be more pleasant to the ear, their food daily increasing upon the shore. And the River also Enister 
Enister.  springeth up, and bestoweth his water plentifully in divers places of the country. Moreover it bringeth forth very fair women, who many times according to their custom, having their loins girded with girdles of gold, do make pastime among themselves, leading strange forms of dancing, cast round into a ring or circle, chiefly when they celebrated their accustomed feasts of Bacchus, 
Bacchus' feasts.  once every year, in dances, and other mirth: Where wenches of flourishing years, being mingled with them like wanton kids and lambs, dance and play together, & raise no small pleasure (while they be dancing) to the beholders. For the wind sometime huffeth up their garments, & their order in dancing engendereth a certain pleasant noise, much delighting the minds of the hearers. But let us leave these things to the men of Lydia, whose practice & study is on them, the having 
Lydia.  allotted a country full of pleasures, they may also intent to follow the same, nothing degenerating from nature, or their country manners. Consequently the Licij 
Licii.  enjoy the next shore, chief where the river Xanthus cometh down, & the mount Taurus 
Xanthus.  beginneth by little to decrease, towards Pamphylia▪ & to change name, being no longer called Taurus but Cragus, where 
Taurus. Pamphylia. Cragus. Eurimedon.  standeth also a town by the river Eurimedon, the inhabitants whereof do worship Venus, & do accustomably offer unto her the blood of swine, & other beasts. There follow other cities of Pamphilia, as Corycus, 
Corycu●. Pergae. Phaselis. Lycaones.  Pergae, and Phaselis, very much through blown with winds. Among the thickest of whom towards the east: lie the Lycaones men also very fit for war, and well practised in shooting. Whose neighbours are the Pi●idei, whose principal cities be 
Pi●idei. Termesus. Lyrbae. Selgae. Amyclaei.  these, Termesus, Lyrbae, and Selgae, which they say, was of ancient time founded by the Amyclei. From thence, when towards the east, the sea cometh in with a round reach like a circle, all the land that lieth near thereto, must neads also resemble the same shape, & for that cause it is not much unlike to the sea Euxinun. In that nook be the Cilices, very far 
Cilices.  into the East, the ancient records of antiquity since our forefather's days, called that place, the straits of asia. 
The straights of asia.  That country is much moistened, with many rivers, not all rising there, but coming from other places, whereof there be three chief, Pyramus, Pinarius, 
Pyramus. Pinarius. Cydnus. Tharsus.  and Cydnus, which only amongst the rest running through the midst of Tharsus, divideth the city with his comfortable stream, a city most noble for beautiful buildings, where they say long ago, the famous horse 
A fable. Pegasus. Tharson. Bellerophon  Pegasus left his hoof, & thereof the city was called Tharson▪ And also where (the report goth) Bellerophon was cast down by him, & so departed to jupiter, whereby the place became renowned where he had continuedlong before, sequestered from all company of man. There are to be seen also many other cities of Cilicia, standing here and 
Cilicia.  there, among which Lyrnessus is one, 
Lyrnessus. Malos.  and Malos, by the sea side. divers also there are which stand partly within the land, and partly on the shore. The land Comogena, is near hereto, and 
Comogena. Syria.  the cities of Syria now Suria, a large country and wide, reaching unto the Sea, but the side which lieth to the West, stretcheth to the foot of mount Casius. Who so understandeth well the 
Mount Casius.  situation and form hereof, with study and diligence shall soon perceive how the other parts of asia lie. For the form thereof consists of four angles, the part that lieth easterly, surmounteth the other in multitude. We declared how that all Asie was divided into twain, and that it stretched forth to the mount Indus, which 
Mount Indus.  is one of the bounds thereof, especially where it lieth to the North, and Nilus 
Nilus.  an other where it runneth to the west. The Ocean standeth in stead of the rest, which is called Indicus, on what part it looketh to the East, and boundeth at south on the read sea, called Mare Rubrum 
Mare rubrum.  But Syrie, whereof we speak but now, being thrust, as it were almost into the mids and bowels thereof and touching the sea both at East and south, hath within it that way many cities. Which because it standeth low, and is enclosed with two very high hills, Casius, at the west side, and Libanus at the 
Casius. Libanus.  east: the inhabitants call it in their tongue, a valley. And because it seemed unto them more commodious, and far more fruitful than any other, for grass, corn, and such like, and easy to be passed unto by ship: many noble men, and such as were of great ability, chose that place to dwell in, building there cities, & towns, and distinguishing them by divers names. For those which devil more within the conunent land, are by one name called Sirij But they which lie nigh the Sea 
Syrij. Phoenices. Erytheri.  side, are Phoenices▪ which in times pa●●e, coming from the Erytheri: are thought to have been the first, which assayed the Sea with ship, and invented the trade of merchandise, whereby men might be pronoked to covetousness, and desire of riches. And first also, which found out the motions of the heavens, and course of the stars, with the supernal bodies, by the excellency of their wit and industry. These are the inhabitors of joppes now jaffa, Gaza and Elicides, and 
joppes. Gaza. Elicides. Tyrus.  which of long continuance, have possessed the fair and ancient city Tyrus, now Sur, builded from the beginning. Then they which founded the watery city 
yblon. Sydon. Bostrenus. Tripoli. Orthosides. Marathon. Laodex. Neptunus. Daphne. Apamia.  Byblon now Gae●a and windy Sidon now Sidoni, upon the bank of the calm river Bostrenus, who possess also Tripoli now Tripol de la Suria, Orthosides, and Marathon now Maugath, and the noble city Laodex now Lyche, builded as they say, by Neptunus, where Daphne was weaned. Also the people of Apamia within the main land where the river Orontes, now Tarfaro, running 
Orontes. Antiochia.  towards the east, parteth Antiochia in twain. And generally all Syria is very rich, and plentiful, abounding with corn and pasture for grazing of cattle, at whose inland parts, which are to the south most adjacent, lieth the entrance to the sea Arabicum, which washeth the shores of both Arabia and Syria continually: howbeit by little and little turning to the east, approacheth the Elani, where as the Arabes lie, possessing 
Elani. Arabes.  a country of all other most rythest and precious. It standeth high, and is environed with two seas, Persicum, and Arabicum, and lieth also open unto two winds. For the Arabicum requireth a Western wind, and Persicum an Eastern. But that part of Arabia which lieth to the east and south, is washed also with the Read sea, called Mare rubrum.  
Of this country I will speak somewhat, because it containeth many regions, whose power and wealth, all other do wonder at, and are amazed to behold their great store and abundance.  
And I will not omit, that being very much delighted with Sacrifice, there is no one part of all the country but doth smell of perfume and Myrrh, and of soot smelling Calamus, which are cast into the fire to burn. Who will not take it for an undoubted truth, that jupiter, being father to Dionysius, took him forth of his thinghe, at 
jupiter father to Dionysius.  the celebration of whose nativity, he replenished the whole country with fragrant odours? And that those sheep, wherewith Arabia aboundeth, obtained that gift, that while they were feeding, they should be clad in thick and fine fleeces? and the ponds and waters swarm with variety and multitude of Fish? And that so many flocks of birds forsook the desert, and came thither, bringing with them boughs of precious cinnamon wherewith that country now is wonderfully stored? Moreover, that this Dionysius after that he was born, and somewhat sprung up, wearing on the skin of a young Goat, and having his locks tressed up with ivy, and vine leaves, & his belly full of good wine, went wandering about all the country, rather pouring forth unmeasurably, than bestowing moderately great riches, & sowing gold like seed, to bring forth fruit which should never perish? And for that cause all that region until this day is thought to abound with such commodities, that the very hills yield forth gold, and the rivers silver, and their shores and banks balm and soot herbs, and the inhabitants be very rich, and wear none other garments than of pure gold, or fine silk. They which devil upon the brow of the hill Libanus, the same 
Libanus. Nabathaei. Chalbasii. Agrees. Chatramis. Persis. Minaei. Sabae. Cletabei.  be those, which they call Nabathaei: And those which join to them Calbasii, and Agrees, and next, the land Chatramis, which lieth in sight of Persis. But the Minaei, and the Sabae, lie on the red sea shore, and the Cletabei, nigh unto them. And these be all the kingdoms and nations in Arabia, which I supposed to be worth memory. Howbeit, there be some more rude, & altogether without any fame, and neither for manners, nor learning, worthy to be accounted among the Arabes. For towards the West, and uttermost side of Arabia, devil a people called Erembi, a rough 
Erembi.  and wild nation, dwelling upon the hills and mountains, and have none other houses than dens, and ragged hollow rocks, going all naked, and having no kind of felicity, or happiness that appertaineth to man, and being dried up with sharpness of living: have burned their skin with black colour. And if there happen unto them any trouble: they betake not themselves to armour, not to their arrows, not to their weapons as other do, but like wild and savage beasts, run through woods over hills and dales, not like the other Arabians, whom nature hath endued with such and so many benefits. But on the other side of Libanus, which lieth to the 
Libanus.  East, there openeth another part of Syria, butting forth to Sinopes now Sinopi, 
Sinopes.  which boundeth on the Sea coast. In the midst whereof the Cappadoces, men truly 
Cappadoces.  who for the store of fine horses which they have, and continual exercise of riding thereon, do become therein very perfect, and singular. The Assyrij, lying to 
Assyrij. Thermodon  the sea, do keep the mouth of Thermodom. Forth of whose hills, and chief to the north, the noble river Euphrates breaketh up, first falling from the mount Armenus. 
Euphrates.  But when it hath continued a long time there, running among the hills of Assyria, toward the south, and afterward turning to the east, washeth through the midst of Babylon, and last of all, licketh 
Babylon. Theredon.  the city Theredon, and maketh haste into the sea Persicum. And not far in the east, the river Tigris floweth forth not altogether 
Tigris.  so big as Euphrates but incomparable swift. For it runneth so fast, that in one day it riddeth so much ground, as any swift man is able to run over in seven. And so gliding forward, not far, till he come into a plain ground, where like as he were weary, and willing to rest himself awhile, gathereth together into a round circle like a bowl, and there abideth, which place the nigh dwellers call Thomitida. Yet doth he not long 
Thomitida.  continued so, but rising (as it were) from sleep, and being ashamed of so much idleness: suddenly rises up, and beginneth a great deal swifter course than before. The land which lieth between Euphrates, 
Mesopotamia.  and Tigris, is called Mesopotamia of the Grecians, now Halapia, which is of such sort and nature, that there is no shepherd, or grazer, what ever he be, though he were of counsel with Pan the god of shepherds, can in any part find fault with that country for goodness of pasture: nor any planter justly condemn the fruits which grow there wild in the hedges and woods, either for lack of store, variety or pleasantness of verdure. For there is such plenty of all thing growing, and such abundance of herbs and flowers, that the country is accounted blessed and very acceptable to the gods. Also the country which is next, lying to the north, is very good and rich, the Armenei possess it, which devil in 
Armenei. Euphrates.  sight of Euphrates, a people very stout and hardy, very expert in feats of chivalry, abounding in wealth and riches. At the South standeth Babylon, of whom 
Babylon.  we have spoken, which as histories do report, Semiramis the queen of the Medi, when 
Semiramis.  she had conquered the whole country, being delighted with the pleasantness of the place, environed it with an unpregnable wall, & within the towers & forts of the city builded strong and warlike houses, wrought curiously with fine gold, silver and ivory: the country is right noble and fruitful. It bringeth forth dates, sweeter than are in any other place. It hath also in it the stone called Berillus, 
Berillus.  more precious than gold, which groweth chief about the top of the hill Ophietis. 
Ophietis.  But above Babylon towards the north, devil a people called Cissi. And 
Cissi. Massabate●. Chaloni●ae.  near unto them, the Massabateae & Chalonitae. About the hills Armeni, towards the East, lie the Tempea (which are 
Tempea.  pleasant woods, with waters running through them) of the Medi, whereof they at north are called Geli: and the Mardi, 
Geli. Mardi. Atrapatini.  and Atrapatini are there at hand. And at the south side, who ever of the Medi, at any time flourished, do devil there, or that procured themselves empire, or founded cities. For they say, that these descended of the noble family of Heriona, 
Heriona her history daughter to Osta. Pandion. Illisius.  a famous gentlewoman, and daughter to Osta the good king. Howbeit she is not clear without spot, for she slew her son Pandion▪ with strong poison, at the shore of the river Illisius, her own self. For which fact, being very much ashamed, she ran from thence privily, and came into that country, which is called now by her name, being not far from Colchis, and never durst return home again to behold her Parents weeping eyes, whose wrath she much feared. Wherefore the people there until this day, are much inclined to Magic, Witchcraft, and Sorcery. The country is very large, and hath in it many Hills and Mountains, wherein the precious stone Narcissites 
Narcissites.  is found, being somewhat of colour and & having veins in it like an ivy leaf. But some chose rather the plain to dwell in, being delighted with pleasant pastures and flocks of cattle, which reacheth forth until we come to the gatès Caspiae, which look to the East, and lying beneath under the high Mountains, do open the passage for travelers into the north and South. For at the one side lieth the way Hircana, on the other 
The way Hyrcana. Parthi.  the Mounts of Persia, under whose feet devil the Parthi, a warlike nation, ànd very expert in shooting, of whom I think it not amiss to say somewhat, for they are such as never learned to dig or plough the ground, or otherwise to till it, nor yet to pass by Sea into any other country, or to get any thing by traffic of merchandise. Neither is there any among them that followeth or feedeth any herds of cattle. But so soon as ever they be of any years, either they take a bow in hand and learn to shoot, or else they practise running on foot, or horseback, until they become marvelous ready therein. For that country is always rattling and crackling with Darts, broken lances, or strokes of arrows. There is also continually heard the noise which fierce and courageous horses do make when they meet and fight together. And it is not lawful for any there to go to supper before that with such like exercise all his body be in a sweat. They live chief by hunting, which they follow, darting or shooting, in which and also for their savage demeanour, howbeit they seem invincible, yet being overcome by the Roman Captain, were compelled to obey the Fasces, being a few rods bound about 
The Roman Fasces.  an axe, & so born before the officer, the peculiar sceptre of the Roman Empire. But I will now declare into how many kinds of people that kingdom is distinguished, & with what Rivers moistened, and with what hills environed. They only and first had among them the title and honour of a king. And they only surpassed all other in power and strength, after that they had overrun Meonia and Sardinia now Sardengne, 
Meonia. Sardinia.  and sacked them, for after that time they used in wars, armour and weapons of gold, with golden bridles and trappings, with other furniture for their horses, and shoed them with silver shoes, bringing such treasure away with them in the conquest, that every one ●lowed in riches. Persia is entrenched on every side 
Persia. Portae. Caspiae.  with high steep mountains, beginning (as I said) at the gates Caspiae, where the way lieth to the south, and reaching to the Sea which is of the country called Persicum, it is inhabited especially in three places. For there are some that dwelled toward the North, cleaning unto the dark and shadowy hills of the Medi: Others in the middle which possess 
Medi.  the inland country, and some contrariwise in the south nigh to the Sea Persicum, of which I spoke right now. The first are the Sabae, near unto whom 
Sabae. Passagardae. Tasci.  lie the Passagardae, and the Tasci and many more, whose country is washed with diverse rivers which run forth in many turnings and crooked channels. On the one side runneth Corus, an other Choaspes, 
Corus'. Choaspes. Susa.  which rising out of the River Indus, and watering the city Susa, showeth the precious stone called an Achate, lying 
An Achate.  white as milk, among the sands, long and round, after manner of a cylinder, which the stream bringeth down from the hill to the plain: fruits be there always green by reason of the temperatayre. But now I must entreat of the other parts of asia, which lie to the east, and close up the bounds and ends thereof. Wherefore about the shore of the Sea Persicum, which is Eastward, the Carmani are planted, possessing two 
Carmani. Persis.  countries not far from Persis, for some have desired to dwell near the sea coast, which other misliking, have rather choose to inhabit farther with in the land. Among which the Gedrossi now Turquestan, 
Gedrossi.  which lie easterly, are nigh to the ocean, and be also borderers unto those Scythians, which I said were south, nigh the river Indus, that runneth into the read Sea, over against it, with two mouths. But before that it fall into the sea, it passeth by many towns, and regions, & wandereth along and crooked way. It rises forth of the mount Caucasus 
Caucasus.  towards the north, but it turneth to the south and embraceth the isle Patelenes, 
Patelenes.  with two arms, and after that converting his course to the west: divideth the Oritae and Erebes, & the Arachotae, which 
Oritae. Erebes. Arachotae. Satraide. Parpausus. Arieni.  wear none other than linen garments. And so, forth it runneth to the Satraidae, and to all those people, that lie about the mouth Parpausus, who are all called by one name Arieni. These inhabit a very wild, and uncivil country, the mould being very sandy, and not meet for any tillage, having notwithstanding some singular gifts and commodities of Nature. For there are found commonly Coral stones of all kinds, and 
Coral stones sapphires.  sapphires are digged out of the veins of the hills, lying in moulds like shells, of a brownish yellow colour. In the East lieth the country India, 
India.  which although it be the farthest and last, yet it is of all other most pleasant, and is as it were between the lips of the Ocean. Which so soon as ever the Sun beginneth to rise and lift up his head out of the Ocean Sea, is the first land that it toucheth with his beams, making the people black and gross of nature. They have very thick woods, and trees not much unlike to a jacint in colour. But because they dig there in many places for Gold, divers of them become great gainers thereby. Others weave linen clot, some shave and cut Elephants teeth, many search the channels of Rivers, looking if they can espy either a Berill glittering in the 
Berill. Diamond. jasper. Topase. Amethyst.  sand, or a Diamond, or a jasper, or a wheyish Topase, or light on an Amethyst being of colour purple, or like blood.  
These are their practices for the most part, for the country is full of Rivers, which maketh them very rich in such jewels. There are also Gardens and meadows very fair and fruitful, which are green through out the year, some flourishing with goodly woods, with read boughs and twigs, some bearing a grain called millet. But I must 
Myllet.  now speak of the form and situation hereof, with what Rivers it is washed, with what hills environed, and finally how many nations it hath in it.   

The description of India.  
IT consists of four angles, which run almost into the form of a Triangle, whose sides do meet, and so it becometh well nigh round. The river Indus, of whom I spoke, runneth at the 
Indus. Ganges. Caveasus.  West part thereof, and Ganges at the East. Caucasus lieth to the North atthe going down of the Bears. Many noble and worthy men have dwelled in this country, not in one place, nor of one name. For some went to one side, some to an other, as nature, custom, & desire moved them. Some planted themselves nigh Indus, which are called Dardanes, 
Dardanes. Hydaspis.  where the river Hydaspis receiveth into his bosom Acesma, an other 
Acesma.  River rising hard by out of the rocks. For Hydaspis is a very wide and deep stream, able to bear any ship, and washing that part of the West whereto the River Cophes is near, and moystneth 
Cophes.  the same with milk white water, between whom the Sabae lie, and the Toxili, with the Scodri. Then the countries 
Sabae. Toxili. Scodri. Peucanei. Gargaridae. Hypanis. Megaros.  of the Peucanei, and the Gargaridae, which worship Bacchus, where Hypanis, and Megaros, carry down gold, two the most richest Rivers of all other. These rise out of the mount Haemodus, and run towards the coast of Ganges, at last bending to the South, near the isle Colidos, which standeth in the Ocean, 
Colido●.  falls into the Sea. This I'll standeth so high and steep, that no birds will fly thither, and therefore is called of the Grecians, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, to say, without birds. And it was called Colidos, because it is dedicated to Venus. Not far from thence towards Ganges also, there appeareth an other place, counted holy of the inhabitants for a strange chance 
A Fable of Bacchus.  which befallen there. For on a time when Bacchus was mad, he came thither and abode, suddenly turning the Vine leaves where with they which followed him, were clad into asps, their spears into iron, their girdles which were made of tender shoots of vines, into fierce and puffing Dragons, because the people there abhorring his manners, had contemned his sacrifice. Who being thereat much afraid, called the way first of him Nysea, 
Nysea.  and determined that they together with their children, would offer sacrifice, being crowned with Garlands of ivy. Which being done, when he had thus subdued those nations, immediately he ascended to the Mount Haemodus, on 
Haemodus.  whose foot the East Ocean beateth, and there over their heads as it were at one end of the earth, he erected two pillars, following the example of his countryman Hercules, and at length went down 
Hercules and Bacchus con●●●men.  like a conqueror to the banks of the River Ismenus. These be all the countries & nations which possess the whole Earth, especially such as we could understand to be of any fame or excellency. Howbeit I confess that there be many more lying in diverse quarters, partly fléeting & having no certain place of abode, partly blind & obscure, remaining unto this day without name, which I thought not much to be esteemed, & of no man able to be recited but of God only, 
God knoweth all things.  who seeth & knoweth all things. For it is he which laid first the foundations of the world, & disposed it in this goodly order, who discovered to men the paths and entrance into the wide sea, and gave unto us all the commodities of this life, as health, riches, honours, and preferments: Who also distributed unto every star and planet what power and influence he list. Inclining thereby some men to tilling the Earth, thereby to gather riches, some to traffic the Sea, either to get their living by fishing or changing merchandise, others to study Philosophy and other Sciences, whereby they may rise to renown and honour. And granting unto divers the gift, with power & authority to rule and govern other. Wherefore it is no marvel, if men have not only divers fortunes, but also natures, seeing that there is like variety among countries, some bringing forth men as white as milk, some more brown, some tannie, & some burnt coal black, like unto the manifold flowers which Assiria breedeth. For 
Assiria.  so God hath ordained, that men as well as other things, should be of sundry natures and dispositions, and that every one should be content with his own 
The conclusion.  chance. Wherefore O all you Lands, and Islands of the Earth, which lie unto the Sea, now far you well. Also you Waters of the Ocean, and surging waves of the noble Sea, with Rivers, fountains, springs, and hills, far you well likewise. I have sufficiently discoursed on you all, which have obtained any fame or renown among men. And I pray God, that for this my travel, if it please him he will requited me with some reward.   
FINIS.   

¶ Imprinted at London by Henry Bynneman, dwelling in Knight rider's street, at the sign of the Mermaid.  
ANNO. 1572.  
And are to be sold at his shop at the Northwest door of Paul's Church, at the sign of the three Welles.