Pilgrimage, Book 4 · Chapter 1
CHAP. I.
Of ARMENIA MAIOR, and GEORGIA: and the neighbouring Nations.
HItherto wee hauehave proceeded slowly in the discouerie of a part of Asia; sometime the store, sometimes the want, of conuenient matter, detaining our penne: In the one, Time, the consumer of things, causing much time and paines to be spent in curious search, that we might produce some light out of darknesse: In the other, store of Stories, and varietie of varying Authors hath dimmed our weaker eyes with too much light, vncertaine, in so many Tracts and Tractats, where to begin, and when to end. Now at last are wee passed Euphrates, into a Countrey that often exalteth it selfe, as though it would pierce the Skies, and as often receiueth the due punishment of ambitious pride, being cast downe into so many lowly valleyes and deiected bottomes. The World, which after the Floud was repeopled from hence, still carrieth in the seuerall Ages, Places. Peoples, and Men thereof, the resemblance of this her Cradle, now vp, now down, in all varietie and vicissitude of chaunce and change, constant in vnconstancie, treading this Armenian Measure with vnequall paces, ouer Hils and Dales, like it selfe onelyonly in vnlikenesse. Here Noes Arke setled, and here must our Shippe hoyse sayle.
Armenia hath a part of Cappadocia & Euphrates on the West; Mesopotamia on the South; on the North part, Colchis, Iberia, Albania; on the East, the Caspian Sea, and Media. Part of this greater Armenia is now called Turcomania, the other part is contained in Georgia. Ptolomey aPtol.l.5.c.13.reckoneth in it principall Mountaines, the Moschici, Paryarges, or Patiedri, Vdacespes, Antitaurus, Abos, and the bIun.in Annos. Gen.8.Gordaei, which the Chaldaean Paraphrast calleth Kardu, and Q. Curtius, Cordaei; Berosus, Cordyaei.
On these Hils the Arke rested, whereof we hauehave spoken in the first booke. cHaithonus, or Antonius. Armenius.Haithon (if we beleeue him of his owne Countrey, where he was of royall linage) calleth this Mountaine Arath, little differing from the Scripture-appellation Ararat, and addeth, That although, in regard of abundance of Snow, alway possessing the toppe thereof, none be able to goe vp thither, yet there alway appeareth in the toppe a certaine blacke thing, which the vulgar people esteeme to be the Arke.
Armenia (as Strabo dLib. 11.affirmeth) receiued the name of one of Iasons Companions, which followed him in his Nauigation out of Harmenia, a Citie of Thessalie, betweene Pherae and Larissa. The wealth of this Region appeared, when Ptolomey appointed Tigranes to bring in to the Romanes sixe thousand Talents of Siluer, he added voluntarily, beyond that summe, to eueryevery souldior in the Campe fiftie drammes of Siluer, to eueryevery Centurion a thousand, to eueryevery Deputie of a Countrey, and Chiliarche, a Talent.
Their Religion must at first be that which Noah and his Familie professed; after by time corrupted. Here ( ePseudo Berosus, lib.3.sayth our Berosus) Noah instructed his posteritie in diuine and humane Sciences, and committed many naturall secrets vntounto writing, which the Scythian Armenians commend to their Priests onelyonly; none else being suffered to see, or reade, or teach them. He left also Rituall Bookes, or Ceremoniall, of the which he was tearmed Saga, i. Priest, or Bishop. He taught them also Astronomie, and the distinction of yeares and moneths: For which, they esteemed him partaker of diuine Nature, and surnamed him Olybama and Arsa, that is, the Heauen and the Sunne, and dedicated to him many Cities; some (sayth he) remaining at this day, which beare these names. And when he went from thence to gouerne Cytim, which now (as he affirmeth) they call Italie, the Armenians were much affected to him, and after his death accounted him the Soule of the heauenly bodies, and bestowed on him diuine honours.
Thus Armenia, where he began, and Italie, where he ended, doe worship him, and ascribe to him Names, Heauen, Sunne, Chaos, the Seede of the World, the Father of the greater and lesse Gods, the Soule of the World, mouing Heauen, and the Creatures, and Man; the God of Peace, Iustice, Holinesse, putting away hurtfull things, and preseruing good. And for this cause both Nations signifie him in their writings with the course of the Sunne, and motion of the Moone, and a Scepter of Dominion, persecuting and chasing away the wicked from among the societie of men, and with the chastitie of the bodie, and sanctimonie of the minde, the two keyes of Religion and Happinesse. They called also fThe wife of Noah.Tidea, the mother of all, after her death, Aretia, that is, the Earth, and Esta, i. the Fire, because she had beene Queene of the Holy Rites, and had taught maidens to keepe the holy euerlasting fire from euer going out.
Noah, before he went out of Armenia, had taught men Husbandrie, more aiming at Religion and Manners then Wealth and Dainties, which prouoke to vnlawfull things, and had lately procured the wrath of GOD. And first of all men hee found out and planted Vines, and was therefore called Ianus, which to the Aramaeans soundeth as much as the author of Wine. Thus farre Berosus, lib. 3. and in the fourth booke he addeth, That Nymbrot (the first Saturne of Babylon) with his sonne Iupiter Belus, stole away those Rituall or Ceremoniall bookes of Iupiter Sagus, and came with his people into the Land Sennaar, where he appointed a Citie, and layed the foundation of a great Tower a hundred one and thirtie yeares after the Floud; but neither finished this, nor founded the other. Olde Ianus when he went hence, left Scytha, with his mother Araxa, and some inhabitants, to people Armenia, being the first King thereof; Sabatius Saga being consecrated High Priest, from Armenia vntounto the Bactrians: all which space (sayth hee) in our Age is called Scythia Saga. In his fifth booke hee reporteth, That Iupiter Belus, possessed with ambition of subduing the whole World, closely endeauoured to make (or take) away Sabatius Saga, who, being not able otherwise to escape his trecherie, sledde away secretly. But Ninus, the sonne of Belus, pursuing his fathers intent against Sabatius who substituted his sonne Barzanes in his place, and fled into Sarmatia, and after from thence into Italie, to his father Ianus. Barzanes was subdued by Ninus. But to come to an Author of better credit, gStrab. l. 11.Strabo sayth, The Armenians and Medes hauehave in veneration all the Temples of the Persians, but the Armenians especially esteeme the Temples of hTanais an Armenion Goddesse. Some tearme her Anaitts.Tanais as erecting them in other places, so in Acilesina. They dedicate vntounto them men-seruants and women-seruants: the most noble of that Nation there (dedicating shall I say? or) prostituting their daughters: where after long prostitution with their Goddesse, they are giuen in marriage; none resusing such matches. How much can the shadow, how little can the substance of Religion persuade men to? The Image of Tanais, or Anaitis, was set vp in her Temple, all of solide Gold; and when as Antonius warred against the Parthians, this Temple was robbed. The fame iCoel.Rb…dig. l. 18. c.29.went, That he which first had layed sacrilegious hands on the spoyles, was smitten blinde, and so diseased, that he died thereof. But when Augustus, being entertained of an auncient warrior at Bononia, asked him of the truth of this report, he answered, Thou now, O Emperour, drinkest that bloud; for I am the man, and whatsoeuer I hauehave, came by that bootie. This Goddesse is supposed to be the same with Diana. A Region of Armenia bare the same name, Anaitis.
How bloudie Rites the Armenians sometimes vsed, appeareth kGramaye Armen.by the Historie of the Riuer Araxes, before called Halmus, borrowing this later name of a King there raigning; to whome, in warres betwixt him and the Persians, the Oracle prescribed the sacrifice of his two faire daughters. Pietie forbad what pietie commaunded; and whiles the King would be an Vmpire betweene Nature and the Oracle (which is the vsuall euent in arbitrements) he satisfied neither. That the Oracle might be fulfilled, he sacrificed two of noble birth, of notable beautie: That Nature might not be wronged, he wronged Iustice (the true touch-stone of true pietie) he spared his owne, and offered the daughters of Miesalcus but so he lost both his daughters by Miesalcus reuenging sword, and himselfe in this Riuer by himselfe drowned. Bacchus loued Alphoesibaea, an Armenian Damsell, and while Tygris, then (if you beleeue the Storie) called Sollax, was too coole a mediator betweene the two hot louers, he swamme ouer on a Tygers backe. Hence the fable of his Metamorphosis into a Tygre: hence that name left to the Riuer. Armenia was subdued to the Persians by Cyrus: One part thereof payed to the Persians twentie thousand Colts for yearely tribute. lValer. Max: l.9. c.11.Sariaster, sonne to Tigranes the Armenian King, conspired against his father: the conspirators sealed their bloudie faith with a bloudie ceremonie; they let themselues bloud in the right hands, and then dranke it. Wonder, that in such a trecherie (as immediately before the same Author affirmeth of Muhridates his sonne) that any man would helpe, or that he durst importune the Gods: no wonder, that so bloudie a seale was annexed to such euidence.
The Temple of Baris (mentioned by Strabo) may happily be some Monument of Noahs descent, by corruption of the word Lubar as before said, mAntiq.lib. …. cap.5.Iosephus out of Nicolaus Damascenus calling it Baris with losse of the first syllable.
Iuvenal accuseth the Armenians of Sooth-saying, and Fortune-telling, by viewing the inwards of Pigeons, Whelpes, and Children. His words are in Sat. 6.
Spondet amatorem tenerum vel divitis orbi
Testamentum ingens, calidae pulmone columbae
Tractato, Armenius vel Commagenus Aruspex
Pector a pulmonum rimabitur, exta catelli
Interdum & pueri: That is,
A tender Louer, or rich Legacie,
Of child-lesse Rich man, for your destinie,
Th'Armenian Wizard in hot Lungs doth spie
Of Pigeons: Or of Whelpes the inwards handling,
Or sometimes (bloudie search) of children, mangling.
The Mountaines oPins 2.of Armenia pay tribute vntounto many Seas: Phasis and Lycus vntounto the Pontike Sea; Cyrus and Araxes vntounto the Caspian; Euphrates and Tigris vntounto the Red or Persian Sea: These two last are famous for their yearely ouerflowings, the former of them arising amidst three other Seas, yet by the incroaching violence of the beetle-browed Hils enforced to a farre longer, more intricate, and tedious way, before he can repose his wearied waues: the other, for his swiftnesse, bearing the name of Tygris, which with the Medes signifieth an Arrow. Solinus, cap. 40. sayth, That it passeth through the Lake Arethusa, neither mingling waters nor fishes, quite of another colour from the Lake: It diueth vnderunder Taurus, and bringeth with it much drosse on the other side of the Mountaine, and is againe hidden, and againe restored, and at last carrieth Euphrates into the Sea. The Armenians, besides their naturall Lords, hauehave beene subiect to the Persians; after that, to the Macedonians, and againe to the Persian; after, to Antiochus Captaines: then, to the Romanes and Parthians, tossed betwixt the Grecians and Saracens, subdued after successiuely to the Tartarians, Persians, and Turkes. Of these present Armenians M. Cartwright reporteth, pPreachers Trauels.That they are a people very industrious in all kinde of labour: their women very skilfull and actiue in shooting and managing any sort of weapon, like the antient Amazons. Their families are great, the father and all his posteritie dwelling together vnderunder one Roofe, hauing their substance in common: and when the father dieth, the eldest sonne doth gouerne the rest; all submitting themselues vnderunder his Regiment: after his death, not his sonne, but the next brother succeedeth, and so after all the brethren are dead, to the eldest sonne. In diet and clothing they are all alike. Of their two Patriarkes, and their Christian profession, we are to speake in fitter place.
The Turcomanians (later inhabitants) are as other the Scythians or Tartarians, (from whence they are deriued) theeuish, wandering vp and downe in Tents without certaine habitations, like as the Curdi also their Southerly neighbours, their cattell and their robberies being their greatest wealth. Of their Religion (except of such as after their manner be Christians, which we must deferre till a fitter time) we can finde little to say, more then is said alreadie in our Turkish Historie. This we may here deplore of the vnhappie site of Armenia, which though it repeopled the world, yet is it least beholding to her viperous off-spring, a mappe of the worlds miseries, through so many ages. For being hemmed alway with mightie neighbors on both sides, it selfe is made the bloudie Lists of their ambitious encounters, alway loosing whosoeuer wonne, alway the gauntlet of the Chalenger, the Crowne of the Conqueror. This (to let passe elder times) the Romanes and Parthians, Greeke Emperors and Saracens, Turkes and Tartarians, Turkes and Mamalukes, Turkes and Persians, do more then enough proue. Ptolomey placeth to the North of Armenia, Colchis, washed by the Pontike Sea; Albania by the Caspian; and betwixt these two Iberia, now (together with some part of Armenia) called Georgia, either for the honour of their Patron S. George, or haply because they descended of those Georgi, which Plinie qLib.6. c. 13.nameth among the Caspian inhabitants. Strabo rStrab.l.11.recordeth foure kindes of people in this Iberia: of the first sort are chosen two Kings, the one precedent in age and nobilitie, the other a leader in Warre, and Law-giuer in Peace: The second sort, are the Priests: The third, Husbandmen and Souldiors: The fourth, the vulgar seruile people. These hauehave all things common by Families, but he is Ruler which is eldest; a thing obserued of the Armenian Christians (as before is said) euen at this day. Constantinus Porphyrogenitus *Const.de administrando imperio ad Romanum F. c 45.the Emperour writeth, That the Iberians boast and glorie of their descent from the wife of Vriah, which Dauid defiled, and of the children gotten betweene them. Thus would they seeme to be of kinne to Dauid and the Virgin Marie: and for that cause they marrie in their owne kindred. They came (they say) from Ierusalem, being warned by Vision to depart thence, and seated themselues in these parts. There departed from Ierusalem Dauid and his brother Spandiates, who obtained (say they) such a fauour from GOD, that no member of his could be wounded in warre, except his heart, which he therefore diligently armed; whereby he became dreadfull to the Persians, whome he subdued, and placed the Iberians in these their habitations. In the time of Heraclius they aided him against the Persians, which after that became an easie prey to the Saracens. Of the Roman conquests and exploits *Dion Cassus lib. 37. & 49. Agathias lib.4. …ornandes de reb. Get.in Armenia, Colchis, Iberia, Albania, I list not heare to relate.
Albania sRuterus. Caelius Rodigmus lect. Antiquarum. lib. 18. cap. 27. Pius secundus, Asia.(now Zuiria) lieth North and East betwixt Iberia and the sea, of which Strabo affirmeth that they need not the sea, who make no better vse of the land: for they bestow not the least labour in husbandry, and yet the Earth voluntarily and liberally yeeldeth her store: and where it is once sowen, it may twice or thrice be reaped. The men were so simple, that they neither had vse of money, nor did they nūber aboue an hundred; ignorant of weights, measures, warre, ciuility, husbandrie: there were in vse amongst them sixe and twentie languages. They had tSansouinus and Pius Secundus, report of such Spiders in Italy, in Calabria, called TarantulaeSpiders which would procure death vntounto men smiling, and some also which did men to die weeping.
They worshipped the Sunne, Iupiter, and the Moone, whose Temple was neere to Iberia. The Priest, which ruled it, was next in honor to the King: hee performeth the holy rites, ruleth the Holy Region which is large and full of people: of the sacred seruants, many, being inspired, doe diuine or prophecie. He which is most rauished with the spirit, wandereth alone thorow the woods: him the Priest taketh, and bindeth with a sacred chaine, allowing him sumptuous nourishment the space of a yeare, and after bringeth him to be slaine with other sacrifices to the Goddesse. The rites are thus. One which is skilfull of this businesse, holding that sacred speare where with they vse to slay the man, stepping forth, thrusteth it into his heart: in his falling they obserue certaine tokens of diuination: then doe they bring out the bodie into some place, where they all goe ouer it. The Albanians honored old-age in all men, death in none, accounting it vnlawfull to mention a dead man; with whom they also buried his wealth. uPlin.li 7. c.2.Pliny out of Isigonus affirmeth, that a people called Albani (not these I thinke, if any) were hoary haired from their childhood, and saw as well by night as by day.
Mengrelia (sometime Colchis) adioyneth to the Euxine sea, in which country Strabo mentioneth the Temple of Leucothea, builded by Phryxus: where was also an Oracle, and where a Ramme night not be slaine. This Temple was sometimes very rich, but spoiled by Pharnax, and after of Mithridates. This countrie the Poets hauehave made famous by the fables of Phryxus, and Iason. Phrixus the sonne of Athamas Prince of Thebes, and of Nephele, with his sister Helle fled from their cruell stepdam Ino, vponupon the backe of a golden Ramme, from which Helle falling into the water gaue name thereto, of her called Hellespont: Phrixus comming safe into Colchis, sacrificed to Iupiter, and hanged vp the fleece of his Ramme in the groue of Mars. which custome was yearely practised of his posteritie. Iason after by command of Pelias (seeking by a barbarous enemie, or a dangerous nauigation to destroy him) with fourescore and nineteene other companions in the ship, called Argo, fetched this fleece from hence by the helpe of Medea: and the ship and the Ramme filled heauen with new constellations. That fable xDiod. Sic.li.4. Nat.Com.lib.6. lussin.l.b.42. Strabo lib.11.had ground of historie, howsoeuer by fictions obscured. For the riuers heere in Colchis are reported to carrie gold downe with their streames and sands, which the people take with boords bored full of holes, and with fleeces of wooll. Spaine hath of late yeelded many such Argonauts, with longer voiages, seeking the golden Indian Fleece, which their Indian conquest may make the ensigne of their Order more fitly, then their Burgundian inheritance.
Herodotus yLib. 2.is of opinion that Sesostris left some of his armie heere at the riuer Phasis, perswaded hereunto by the agreement of the Colchians and Egyptians in the same ceremonie of Circumcision, and in the like workes of hempe, Vadianus citeth out of Valerius Flaccus the like testimony. Pliny in his sixth booke, and fifth chapter, reporteth of Dioscurias a Citie of Colchis, whilome so famous, that Timosthenes affirmeth that three hundred nations of differing languages liued in it, and afterwards the Roman affaires were there managed by an hundred & thirtie Interpreters, zAnnal.lib. 6.Cornelius Tacitus saith that they accounted it vnlawfull to offer a Ramme in sacrifice, because of Phry…us his Ramme, vncertaine, whether it were a beast, or the ensigne of his shippe. They report themselues the issue of the Thessalonians.
The present Mengrelians are rude and barbarous, defending themselues from the Turkes by their rough Hills and ragged pouertie: so inhumane that they sell their owne children to the Turkes. I reade not of any other religion at this day amongst them but Christian, such as it is. Some adde these also to the Georgians. Quadus.The wiues of diuers of these people reported to be exercised in armes and martiall feates, happily gaue occasion to that fable or historie of the Amazons.
Busbequius *Aug. Busbcq. epist.3.saith, that Colchos is a very fertile countrey, but the people idle and carelesse: they plant their Vines at the foote of great Trees, which marriage proueth very fruitfull, the husbands armes being kindly embraced, and plentifully laden. They hauehave no money, but in stead of buying and selling they vse exchange. If they hauehave any of the more precious mettals, they are cōsecrated to the vse of their Temples, whence the King can borrow them vnderunder pretence of publike good. The King hath all his tributes paid in the fruits of the earth, whereby his Pallace becommeth a publike store-house to all commers. When Merchants come, they giuegive him a present, and he feasteth them: the more wine any man drinketh, the more welcome he is. They are much giuen to belly-cheere, dauncing, and loose sonnets of louelove and daliance. They much caroll the name of Rowland or Orlando, which name it seemeth passed to them with the Christian armies which conquered the holy Land. No maruell if Ceres and Bacchus lead in Venus betwixt them, which so ruleth in these parts, that the husband bringing home a guest, commends him to his wife and sister, with charge to yeeld him content and delight, esteeming it a credit that their wiues can please and be acceptable. Their Virgins become Mothers very soone; most of them at ten yeares old can bring witnesses in their armes (little bigger then a great frogge, which yet after grow tall and square men) to proue that there is neuer a maid the lesse for them. Swearing they hold an excellent qualitie, and to be a fashion-monger in oathes, glorious: to steale cunningly winnes great reputation, as of another Mercury; and they which cannot doe it, are holden dullards and blockes. When they goe into a Church, they giuegive meane respect to the other Images: Saint George is so worshipped, that his horses hoofes are kissed of them. Dadianus the King of Colchos or Mingrelia, came a suiter to Solyman. while Busbequius was there. Betwixt them and the Iberians, their neighbors, is much discord. And thus much of their present condition.
Haithon aHaiton.cap.7.the Armenian, extending the confines of Georgia to the great sea, saith: In this kingdome is a thing monstrous and wonderfull, which I would not hauehave spoken nor beleeued, had I not seene it with mine owne eyes. In these parts there is a Prouince called Hamsem, containing in circuit three dayes iourney, and so farre is it couered with an obscure darkenesse, that none can see any thing, nor dare any enter into it. The inhabitants thereabouts affirme, that they hauehave often heard the voice of men howling, cockes crowing, neighing of horses; and by the passage of a riuer, it appeareth to hauehave signes of habitation. This is reported by the Armenian histories to hauehave come to passe by the hand of GOD, so deliuering his Christian seruants (by Sauoreus a Persian Idolater, Lord of this place appointed to die) and so punishing with outward darkenesse the inward former blindnesse and rage of those persecuting Idolaters. Thus Haithonus or Antonius á Churchi (for so Ortelius nameth him) but this darknesse seemeth more ancient, and to hauehave beene the cause of that prouerbe bTull. in Acadein cimmerij q…bus aspectum su…siue Deus al…quis siue Natura ademit fiue eius quem incolunt loci situs.Cimmeriaetenibrae.
The Georgians (girt in with two mightie aduersaries, the Persian, and the Turke) hauehave endured much grieuance from them both: and, in the late warres, especially from the Turke, cIo Bol.Ben.who hath taken and fortified many of their principall places of importance, Gori, Clisca, Lori, Tomanis, Teflis, the chiefe citie of Georgia, vntounto which from Derbent there yet remaine the foundation of a high and thicke wall built by Alexander. Ortelius esteemeth Derbent to bee Cancasiae portae, which Pliny dPlin.l.6.c.11.calleth a mightie worke of nature, &c. Westward from hence is entrance into the Circassian countrey, extending it selfe on Meotis fiue hundred miles, and within land two hundred. Christians they are in profession: from hence the Soldans of Egypt had their slaues, of which were raised their Mamalukes. Their chiefe Cities are Locoppa and Cromuco: at the mouth of Tanais, the Turke hath fortified Asaph. They liue in great part on robberies. In old time in this tract was Phanagoria, and therein the Temple of Venus surnamed Apaturia, eStrabo lib. 11.because, that when the Giants assaulted her, she implored the aide of Hercules, who slew them all one after another. Cimmerium a towne at these straits, gaue name thereunto of Cimmerius Bosphorus. But little can be said of these in particular, more then generally may be said of the Scythians, to whom they are reckoned.
Georgius Interianus fApud Rhamus.hath written a tractate of these Zychi, or Circassi, called of themselues Adiga; expressing their vnchristian christianitie, and barbarous manner of liuing; which I hold fittest in our discouery of the diuers professions of Christian Religion to relate.
Some gG. Bot.Ben.Abr.Hart. M. Paul. Ramus.adde vntounto Armenia in their moderne Mappes and Discoueries, besides the Turcomani, a people that came thither out of Tartaria, the Curdi, both still retaining the Tartarian and Arabian manner of life in tents without Cities, Townes, or houses. Their religion halteth betwixt diuers religions of the Turkes, Persians, and Christians of the Iacobite and Nestorian Sects. In heart, they are neither fast to GOD nor man; dissembling with the Persian and Turke, whose subiects they hauehave successiuely beene, and better skilled in robbery, murther, and faithlesse treacherie (their daily practise) then mysteries of faith and religion. They are also Lords of Bitlis, and some other Cities and holds in those parts. They are supposed to be a remnant of the ancient Parthians, and neuer goe abroad without their armes, bowes, arrowes, scimitars, and bucklers, euen when Age seemeth to hauehave fastened one foot in the graue. They adore hCartwrights Trauels.and worship the Diuell, that he may not hurt them, nor their cattell: they are cruell to all sorts of Christians: their countrie is therefore called Terra Diaboli. One of their Townes is named Manuscute, a mile from which is an Hospitall dedicated to Saint Iohn Baptist, much frequented as well by Turkes, as Christians, whom superstition hath perswaded, that whosoeuer will bestow, kidde, sheepe, or money, to releeue the poore of that place, shall both prosper in his iourney, and obtaine the forgiuenesse of his sinnes.