Pilgrimage, Book 4 · Chapter 4
CHAP. IIII.
Of Persia, and the Persian affaires, vntill the Mahumetan conquest.
PErsia, if we take it strictly, is thus bounded by Ptolomey *Lib.6.cap.4.: It hath on the North, Media; on the East, Carmania; on the West, Susiana; on the South, part of the Persian Gulfe. But this name is sometimes stretched as farre, as that wide and spacious kingdome; all that Empire being often called in Authors, Persia, and differing in the bounds and limits, according to the enlarging or contracting of that Monarchie. It is supposed, that the Persians descended of Elam, the sonne of aGen.10. 22.Shem; whose name remained vntounto a Region called Elymais, mentioned by bPtol.lib.6.c.3.Ptolomey, placed in the North parts of Media. Pliny mentioneth cPlin.l.6.c.28.the Elamstae, on the South, next to the sea, which name Hierome dHieron. in …s. 13.Xenophon.in his daies gaue to one of that Nation, frater quidam Elamíta, &c. Xenophon also nameth the Tribe of the Elamites. Moses telleth of the reigne and power of Chedorlaomer King of Elam, eGenes.14.in that morning of the world extended to the borders of Canaan. Herodotus fHerodot. lib.7.reporteth, that they were called of the Greekes Cephenes; of the neighbouring nations, Artaei. Suidas gSuidas in verb. Magog.affirmeth that they were called of the inhabitants Magog, and Magusaei. Other names are by Ortelius hOrtelij Theat. & Thesaurus.added, Chorsori, Achaemenij, Panchaia &c. It was called Persia of Perseus the sonne of Danae, or of Perses the sonne of Andromeda; or (as others) of Perses the sonne of Medea.
From the time of Chedorlaomer, whom Abram with his houshold-army ouerthrew, vntill the time of Cyrus, little mention is made of them: he freed them from the Median seruitude, and erected first that mightie Persian Monarchie. Bizarus iP. Bizar. Historia rerum Persicarum. Christ. Pezel. medific. historic. pars 1.(which hath written twelue bookes of the Persian affaires) supposeth that in that time of their subiection to the Assyrians and Medes, they had Gouernours, and lawes, of their owne: onelyonly owing a tributarie subiection to the other, as their supreme Lords. This he collecteth out of Xenophon. Cyrus was by name foretold by Esay kEs.44.28., and the rebuilding of Ierusalem, and the Temple, by his authoritie, before that Babylonian Monarchie was erected which destroyed them. GOD after reuealed to Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel by dreames, this Persian both rising and fall. And by dreames did hee make way vntounto the effecting of his decree; as appeareth in Herodotus, Iustine and others. For Astyages lHerodot.lib.1.Iustin. lib.1.dreaming that he saw a vine growing out of the wombe of his daughter Mandane, which couered all Asia (interpreted by his Wizards, of the subuersion of his kingdome by his daughters future issue) married her as before is said, to Cambvses a Persian, descended of the stocke of Perseus sonne of Iupiter, and Danae, and the sonne of Achaemenes, *Of this family and other of the Persians, see Reineccius tom.1.that so in that remote region, meanes might faile vntounto any aspiring designes. The Chaldaeans report, as Alphaeus recordeth out of Megasthenes, that Nabuchodonosor *The Papists to vphold the credit of ludith, make another Nabuchodoniso…, which sent sorth Holofernes, &c. and say that he was called Assuerus, and Artaxeries Prilcus, the same which Daniel cals Da… rius Medas. Sixt. Senc…. Biblioth.sa.l.1.hauing conquered all Libya, and Asia, as far as Armenia, at his returne, rauished with diuine fury, cried out, That a Persian Mule should come, and subdue the Babylonians. This agrees somewhat both with the dreame, and the madnesse recorded of that King by Daniel, Chap. 2. and 4. The Oracle of Delphos made like answere to Craesus. That the Lydians should then flee, when a Mule should gouern the Medes. He was termed a Mule, *Christ. Pezel. Mellif. histor. pars.1.because of his more noble parentage by the mother, then the father, and their diuersitie of Nation. Strabo mStrab. lib.15.thinkes he was called Cyrus of a Riuer in Persia, being before called Agradatus. nPlutarch.in vita Artaxerxis.Plutarch saith, he was called Cyrus of the Sunne, which with the Persians hath that name. Polyoenus oPolyoenus lib.8.…trat.calleth his wife Nitet is, daughter of Aprias King of Egypt. Suidas saith it was Bardane, and that she was daughter of Cyaxares, otherwise called Darius Medus. He conquered the Median Empire first; and after added two others, the pA.M.3402.Lydian and q3409.Caluis.Babylonian. Craesus the Lydian consulting with the Oracle about the successe of his warre, receiued answere.
foreign, that is,
Craesus passing Hale, great state shall make to fall.
This he interpreted of the ouerthrow of Cyrus, but proued it in himselfe; Craesus his sonne had beene mute, till (now seeing the sword of the enemy readie to giuegive the fatall stroke vntounto his father) violence of sudden passion brake open those barres and stoppes which Nature had set before, as impediments to his speech, and by his first most fortunate-infortunate language, cried to the bloudie souldiers to spare his *Great were the treasures which Cyrus gate in his warres; but his expenses in his daily diet (engrauen in a piller, which Alexander caused to be rased) seeme incredible: the particulars whereof, see in Poly…n.lib.4. and Opmeerus pag.105.father. After his many great exploits, he warred vponupon Thamyris the Scythian Queene, where he lost his life. I know not how, Diuine Prouidence seemeth to hauehave set those Scythian stints to the Persian proceedings: those great Monarches, both in the elder, and our later world, euer finding those Northerne windes crossing, and in some dismall successe prohibiting their ambition that way.
Ctesias (as Photius *Ctesias ap. Phot…um, ed. inter hist.Persscript…r…s.hath collected out of his eleuenth booke) telleth somewhat otherwise of Cyrus; as that Astyages, whom he calleth Astygas, was not of any kinne to him, but being conquered by him, was first imprisoned, and after enlarged, and kindly entreated: likewise that his daughter Amytis (her husband Spytama being slaine) was married to Cyrus: that Craesus being taken, was first by magicall illusions deliuered from the executioners, and after by tempest of thunder, with many other things of like vnlikenesse to the current of Authors,
Cyrus was of so firme memory, that he could call all the souldiers (some say but all that had any place of command) by their proper names. He ordained, that his souldiers should in the first ioyning with the enemie sing certaine Hymnes to Castor and Pollux, that by this means they should not be surprised with sudden feare. He gaue leaue to the Iewes to returne and re-people their country, & to rebuild the Temple. rScaliger Caluisius. Alij A.M.3421.A. M. 3419.
Cambys…s his sonne succeeded, who tooke, and after slew, Psammenitus King of Egypt. And when he would hauehave added Aethiopia sHerodot.lib.3.to his new conquests, with the spoiles of the Temple of Ammon, for which purposes he sent two armies; the one was almost consumed with famine, the beasts and prouisions failing, and that barren desert denying grasse; the remainder by consuming one another, were (a strange remedie) preserued from consumption, eueryevery tenth man being by lot tithed to the shambles, and more returning in their fellowes mawes, then on their owne legges. The other armie was quite buried in the sands. At his returne finding the Egyptians solemnizing the feast of their Idoll Apis, he slew the same (it was a Bull which they worshipped): and after dreaming that Smerdis reigned, he sent, and slew his brother which was so called, in vaine seeking to frustrate this presage, which was fulfilled in another of that name. He fell in louelove with his sister; and asking whether it were lawfull for him to marry her, the Iudges (whose authoritie with the Persians lasted with their liues) answered, that they had no such law, but they had another that the King of Persia might doe what him liked; whereupon he married her. His crueltie appeared, in that Prexaspis presuming to admonish him of his too much inclination to drunkennesse, he answered, he should see proofe of the contrarie, and presently sending for Prexaspis his sonne, with an arrow shot him to the heart: the father not daring but to commend his steadie hand & art in shooting. He died of his owne sword, which falling out of his scabberd as he mounted his horse, killed him, not fearing in this countrey of Syria any such disaduenture, because the Oracle of Latona tBizar, i.1.in Aegypt had told him he should die at Ecbatana; which he vnderstood of Media, and was fulfilled at another Ecbatana (more obscure) in Syria. He caused a Iudge, which had beene corrupted with money, to be flayed, and made of his skinne a couering for the Tribunall. Polyaenus tels, That against the Aegyptians he vsed this stratageme, to set their Gods (Dogges, Cattes, Sheepe, &c.) in the fore-front of his battaile. He neither deserued nor obtained that honourable funerall which Cyrus had, who was buried at Pasargadae, a Tower shadowed with Trees, hauing in the vpper part a Chappell furnished with a Bedde of Gold, a Table, Cuppes, and Vessels of the same mettall, with store of Garments and Furniture, set with Iewels. Certaine Magi were appointed to attend it, with daily allowance of a Sheepe, and once a monethmonth a Horse for Sacrifice. His Epitaph was, O man, I am Cyrus, King of Asia. Founder of the Persian Empire; therefore enuie me not a Sepulchre. Alexander opened the same in hope of Gold, but found nothing, sauing a rotten Shield, a Sword, and two Scythian Bowes: he crowned it with Gold, and couering it with his owne apparrell, departed. These things uStrab.l.15. Arrian.l.6. Curtius, l.9.Strabe, Arrianus, and Curtius report.
Next to Cambyses x3428.succeeded, for a small time, one Smerdis, which was slaine as an Vsurper, by the seuen Princes; and Darius y3429., the sonne of Hystaspes, succeeded, designed to that greatnesse by the first neighing of his Horse. For when no male issue royall was left, these Princes agreed, That meeting in a place appointed, he whose Horse first neighed, should be acknowledged Emperour. Darius his Horse-keeper, the night before, had suffered his Horse there to vse his bruitish lust with a Mate; which the place presently causing him to remember, he there (by his lustfull neighing) aduaunced his Master to the Scepter. Darius for his couetousnesse (first exacting tribute) was called a Marchant, Cambyses a Lord, Cyrus a Father of his people. Babylon rebelled, and was z3436.recouered by the costly stratageme of Zopyrus aIustin.l.…. Plutarch. in Apophibeg., who cut off his nose and eares, and fleeing in that deformed plight to the Babylonians, accused Darius of that crueltie. They beleeuing, entertained him, and knowing his Nobilitie and Prowesse, committed their Citie to his fidelitie, which he vponupon the next opportunitie betrayed to his Master. Darius warred against the Scythians, but vnfortunately. His Armie was of 700000 men. After Darius his death Xerxes b3466.Scal. Animad.in …useb.pag.101.raigned (whome Scaliger proueth to be Assucrus, the husband of Esther.) He made League with the Carthaginians, warred vponupon the Grecians with an Armie (as Herodotus cHerodot l.7.numbreth) of 1700000 footmen, 80000 horsemen, 20000 Chariot-men: Others say, That there were 2317000 footmen in Land-forces, besides 1208 shippes. Before the Armie was drawne the sacred Chariot of Iupiter, by eight white horses; no mortall man might ascend the Seat. He offered to Minerua at Troy 1000 Oxen. He, taking view of his huge Armie, wept, in thinking, that of al that number in 100 yeres none would be aliue. At the passing of the Hellespontike straits, he (besides other deuotions performed) at the Sunne-rising tooke a golden Viall full of sacred liquor, & cast the same into the Sea, with a golden Bowle and a Persian Sword; vncertaine whether in honour of the Sunne, or in satisfaction to the angrie Hellespont, which a little before, in more then madde arrogance, he had caused to be whipped, and hurled fetters therein, with many menacing threats. He wrote letters with like threatnings to Mount Athos, and accordingly pierced his bowels, and made way by force through that high and huge Mountaine. This Expedition was in the yeare of the World 3470. Leonides, with his Spartans, enlarged his glorie at the Thermopylaean straits dXerxes sent first 15000, after 20000, and lastly 50000 choice men against them which all had the worse: till a traitor taught Xerxes another way where to passe & come vponupon their backes: and then Leonides in the night entered the Persian campe & slew 20000 with his 500 men which were killed being weary with killing., or narrow passage, which a long time, with a handfull of men, hindred the Persians from passing. Mardonius was slaine, & Xerxes fled out of Greece, after he had taken Athens, and lost great part of his Armie, which in two yeares space receiued fiue ouerthrowes, at Thermopylae, at Artemisium, at Salamis, at Plataeae, at Mycale. Xerxos being slaine of Artabauus his kinsman, A. M. 3485. Artaxerxes succeeded.
Among other the mad parts of Xerxes, it is reported, That hee fell in louelove with a eAelian. Var. Hist.l.1.Plane Tree in Lydia, which he adorned with chaines and costly furniture, and appointed a Guardian thereto. Artaxerxes writ to Hystanes, Gouernour of Hellespontus, That he should giuegive Hippocrates Cous (who then liued, and whose writings still remaine the Physicians Oracles) as much Gold and other things as he would, and send him vntounto him. In his time the Aegyptians rebelled, and created Inarus their King, to whome the Athenians sent three hundred Gallies for defence; but by Artabazus and Megabyzu they were subdued. To him Ismenias the Theban was embassador: who loth to pollute the Grecian freedome with that Persian custome of adoration (a thing for the shew of Religion therein, as some interprete, no lesse hated of Mordecay, Esth.3.) and not suffered otherwise to doe his Embassage, let fall his Ring when hee was brought into the Kings presence, and falling downe, tooke it vp at the Kings feet, satisfying both the Persian and his owne by this fAelian. Var. Hist. l.1.subtletie. Artaxerxes died An. M. 3525.
After this Artaxerxes, surnamed Long-hand, another Xerxes succeeded and raigned a small time, as did also Sogdianus, or Ogdianus, whome Darius Nothus slew, and possessed the Throne. In the time of this King was the Peloponnesian Warre, which Thucydides hath related. Artaxerxes Mnemon his sonne succeeded An. M. 3545. He slew his brother Cyrus, and enioyed the Scepter 43. yeares. After his death succeeded Ochus, and raigned three and twentie yeares. Next to him was Arses, or Arsames; and last of all Darius, whome Alexander ouerthrew the second time at Arbela, An. M. 3619, and conquered that Persian Monarchie to the Macedonians. Of the Macedonian successors of Alexander (so much as concerneth this place) is before handled in our Syrian relation. They were depriued of these parts by Arsaces, of whome and all his Parthian followers, euen now yee hauehave read in the Chapter of Parthia.
Concerning these Persian Kings, Chronologers (after their wont) differ not a little: Master gLiuely his Chronologie of the Persian Monarchie.Liuely hath taken great paines in this Argument; besides the painefull labours of Scaliger, Iunius and many others, both Rabbines, and Greeks, and Latines, in whose streams Elephants may swimme, and the greatest Students may find enough to busie their studious braines: for me, it is sufficient to tast, or at least to enter so farre as a Lambe may safely wade, without perill of drowning, The Hebrews, through ignorance of the Olympiades, and humane Authors (where they are destitute of their owne) are most absurd, some hAben Ezra.reckoning but foure Persian Kings in all, till Alexanders time: some *Rab. Moses.account fiue: and some iR. Sadiah. & Abr. Dauison.three. Against these, Pererius and Temporarius *Temporar. l 3.most sharpely (and not vnworthily) inueigh, as also against their kSeder O'am Rabba, Sede… Olam Zo.a, Histori…all CabalaChronicles, which ascribe to the Persians, from the first yeare of Darius the Mede, but two and fifty yeares. Iosephus better seene in Ethnike Authors dissenteth from them. As for Metasthenes of Annius, wee hauehave before shewed him to bee counterfeit, and the rest of his brethren, to be either the bastards of Annius, or Changelings, which he hath nursed, and would father vponupon those Authors, whose names they beare. Viues *I.V ues, in pro….l18.de c.u. Deicalls them Portentosa & vel solo auditu horrenda, monstrous reports, dregges, friuolous pamphlets of vncertaine Authors; which, if any be in louelove with, he may enioy without him his corriuall. lGorop. Becces…an.Goropius bestowes much paines in the vncasing of them; and learned men mAercator. Ios Scal…ger, Volaterranus, Pererius, Temporarius &c.doe now generally distast them. Iosephus nIoseph.contra Ap….….cites Megasthenes in quarte Indicorum, the fourth Booke of his Indian Historie; from whence Petrus Comestor alledgeth the same testimonie, with deprauing the word Indicorum, and making it Iudiciorum. Annius addes, not onelyonly the corrupting of the name Metasthenes for Megasthenes, but a Historie vnderunder his oMetasthenes Annij.name, de Iudicio Temporum & Annalium Persicerum, wherein no maruell if he proceede in the Storie as he began in the title. Beroaldus pBeroaldi Chron.li.3.in the Persian Chronologie faineth diuerse names to the Persian Kings; as Assuerus, Artaxerxes, Darius Assyrius, Artaxerxes Pius. Lively, and other moderne Writers out of the Greeke Olympiads and Histories, hauehave giuen truer accompt of the Persian Times and Gouernment, beginning with the fiue and fiftieth Olympiad, and continuing the same to the third yeare of the hundred and twelfth.
Scaliger and Calvisius (as you hauehave seene before) doe a little differ from this accompt of M. Lively. which he liuely proueth by conference of other Histories, both Humane and Ecclesiasticall, Clemens, Eusebius, Herodotus, Diodorus, Polybius, Xenophon, Thucidides, Diouysius Halicarnasseus, Livie and others. As much adoe is made about the beginning and ending of Daniels weekes, and the time of the building and finishing the second Temple, both which are much illustrated by the right knowledge of the Persian Chronologie. Iunius qIun. Annot.in Dan.9., Lively rLiuely his Chronologie., and some others begin the accompt of the threescore and tenne weekes, and reckon the building of the second Temple, in the second yeare of Darius Nothus *Olymp.89. A…3., to whose reasons I referre the Reader, and returne to our Persian affaires. How this Persian Empire agreed to the dreame of Nabuchodonosor and the Visions of Daniel, Broughton sBrought. Concent. Elie Reusneri Isag. hist.l.2., Reusnerus, and others hauehave written; it were too tedious here to relate. Artaxerxes (others call him, perhaps more truly, Artaxares) recouered the Persian Name and Empire fiue hundred thirtie eight yeares, as Bizarus. Lib. 4. reckoneth, after Alexander the Great had extinguished them, and in the yeare of our LORD, 230. Others say it was in the yere of CHRIST 233, and in the yeare of the World 4182, and 563 after Alexanders Conquest: others otherwise. The catalogue of tOf this later Persian Dynastie see Agathias, Bizarus, Pezelius, and Lampadius in Mellisicio Hist. part.2.& 3.Cearenus & Z… naras, An.li.3.&c.the Persian Kings in that their second Dynastie, you may reade before, Lib. 1. c. 13.
Artaxares being a man of haughtie spirit, fought three battailes with Artabanus the Parthian, and at the third time depriued him of Life and Scepter together. He proceeded to subdue the neighbouring Barbarians; and passing ouer Tigris, disturbed the Romane Prouince of Mesopotamia, deuouring in hope, and threatening in tearmes all those Asian Prouinces, sometimes subiect to the Persians, before the Macedonian deluge. Alexander Seuerus (sonne of Mammea) the Emperour writ to him, to stay his course: But Pikes, not Pennes, were like to preuaile with Artaxares, who brought into the Field seuen hundred Elephants and eighteene hundred Charriots, and many thousands of horsemen, but with much bloudshed was forced to leaue the honour of the day to the Romans. Herodianus seemeth to write harder fortunes of the Romanes in this warre. But Lampridius, Eutropins, Orosius. and Zosimus write, That Senerus obtained the victorie, and tooke Ctesiphon and Babylon, and subdued also Arabia. Agathias uAgathias, l.2.affirmeth, That Artaxares was called Magus.
Valerianus was ouerthrowne by Sapores, the successor of Artaxares, in Mesopotamia, and there taken, and was made a foot-stoole for Sapores, on whose necke he vsed to tread, when he tooke horse; and at last was flayed aliue, and sprinkled with Salt. Zosimus sayth, That he was trecherously taken at a meeting for conference: and Trebellius Pollio ascribeth it to the treason of his guide. This cruell Tyrant afflicted the Roman Prouinces, to Cilicia and Cappadocia, filling with dead bodies the broken spaces betweene the Hils feeding (as it were) those deformed gaping iawes with cruell banquets of mans flesh. Oaenatus Palmirinus brought some light to the Romans in this darkened and dreadfull Eclipse of their Sunne, and recouered the Romane territories. His wife Zenobia after his death, like another Semiramis, proued a fortunate Generall and Warrior against the Persians, and also against the Romans, from whome she withheld Syria, till Valerius Aurehanus carried her to Rome, being by vnexpected accident surprised. As for Valerianus, it was the iust iudgement of GOD for his cruell persecution of the Christians, whome he had at first fauoured, till one of the Aegyptian Priests had persuaded him to this and other wickednesse, as humane sacrifices, and such like, Euseb. l. 7. e. …. He was taken of Sapores, An. Dom. 260. after Calvisius computation. Buntingus hath two yeares lesse.
In the time of Probus the Persians sued for peace, and obtained it; he procuring such peace in the East (sayth Vopiseus) that a rebellious Mouse was not heard to peepe. Carus his successor warred against the Persians, and hauing entred their Countrey as farre as Ctesiphon, was slaine with a Thunderbolt (no Romane Emperour, by I know not what secret destinie, from the time of Crassus, passing those parts, without vnfortunate successe.) This was Av. Dom. 283.
Diecletian sent Galerius against Narses the Persian, sonne to Varranes, or Varaaranes, the second: (for after Sapores, Hormisda his sonne had raigned a yeare; Varranes the first, three yeres; Varranes the second, sixteene; and a third of that name only foure moneths, as Agathias reckoneth.) But not farre from Carrhae (fatall to the Romanes) Galerius Caesar lost xOros.& Pom:.Laetus, A.D.296almost all his Armie, and therefore found homely welcome at his returne, Diocletian suffering him to lacquey (in his Purple Robes) some myles after his chariot. Indignation supplying his former defects, he recouered his credit with the ouerthrow of the Persians; Narses fled, leauing his wiues, sisters, & children to the Conquerour. A League was made, with returne of Armenia, Mesopotamia, and Assyria to the Romanes.
Misdates the Persian began his raigne An. Dom. 301. To him An. 309. succeeded his sonne Sapores, and raigned (which I thinke was neuer read of any) longer then he liued in view of the world, beginning his raigne before his birth, which he continued threescore and tenne yeares. For Misdates yAgathias, l.4.dying without issue male, and leauing his wife great with child, the Princes consulted with the Magi, whether this future birth would be a male; which they affirmed, obseruing their predictions by a Mare, then readie to foale, and the Princes set on the Crowne, or Royall Ensigne, on the mothers belly, acknowledging him for their King. This Sapores, in a letter to Constantius the Emperor, insituled himselfe King of Kings, partaker of the starres, brother of the Sunne and Moone: he demaunded all that had before belonged to the Persians, to be restored. Betwixt them grew a bloudie warre, as Ammianus relateth. Sapores tooke Singara & Bezabde, An Dom.359. but was repelled into Persia by Constantius. Iulian his successor seeking to sub due the Persian, lost himselfe. The best part of himselfe he had lost before in Apostasie, which plucked this destruction vponupon him, A. 362. It is vncertaine whether diuine or humane hand executed this iustice on him. Iovinian was presently saluted Emperor, but forced to agree on dishonourable conditions with the Persians, leauing the Rabdicens, Carduens, Rhesens, Zalens, & Nisibis to the Persian dominion. And a little after, in the raigne of Valens, the league was broken by Sapores, who wonne Ctesiphon: Valens intending this warre, was by the Gothes ouerthrowne & burnt aliue, before he could effect any thing, An. 377. When Theodosius raigned, the peace was renewed.
After Sapores succeeded Artaxerxes; and after him Sapores, his sonne, both which raigned nine yeares. Then followed Varanes Cermasat eleuen yeres, to whō succeeded zA.400.Bunt.Isdigertos, who held peace with the Romans. Procopius writes, That Arcadius the Emperor on his death-bed, An. 407. ordained in his last Will, this Isdigertes the Tutor and Protector to his sonne and heire Theodosius, which he faithfully performed. Agathias also acknowledgeth it a currant report. aNiceph.Callist.lib.14.cap.18.Maruthas was in credit with this King. He was a Christian Bishop, and by his praiers had cured him of a grieuous sicknesse, which the Magi with their Fierie superstition, and all their labour, could not effect. The Magi conspiring against Maruthas, watched opportunitie, that when the King should come (after the Persian wont) to worship the Fire, a man (whome they had hidden before within the earth for that purpose) cried aloud, That the King should goe forth, as being accounted of their God impious, who so loued a Christian Bishop. Hereupon the King bethought him of sending him away. But Maruthas suspecting the knauerie, counselled the King to cause the earth to be digged vp; for the Fire, sayth he, cannot speake. The King going into the Chappell or Sanctuarie, & hearing this voice againe, followed Maruthas his counsell, and found out their packing, & punished the authors, allowing Maruthas to build a Church, wheresoeuer he pleased, in Persia. And whiles the Magi yet added to their trecheries, he not onelyonly punished their persons, but distasted their Religion, and purposed to become a Christian, but by death was preuented, which happened An. 421. Varanes, or Vararanes his sonne, followed not his steppes, but both brake league with the Romanes, and persecuted the Christians. Narses his Generall, with his forces, were defeated, Azamaea wasted, Nisibis besieged by the Imperials: The Saracens, which aided the Persian, stricken with a strange furie & amazement, drowned themselues in Euphrates. It is said, a hundred thousand men perished. Theodosius then Emperor knew these things by Palladius bSocrat.Hist.Eccles.l.7.c.19., who in three daies did ride from Constantinople hither, and backe againe in as many, vsing to flee in this manner to any the remotest parts of the Empire, with such admirable, and almost miraculous expedition, with his celeritie making that spacious Empire seeme but narrow & strait. Varaaranes sent an Armie of those expert souldiors which were among them, for their excellencie called Immortall. but the Roman swords soone proued them mortall. Thus succeeded that warre which he had begun for despight to the Christian Religion and Profession. He was forced to seeke peace, and ended or mitigated his persecution. To him succeeded, An 441. another Izdigerdes, who raigned seuenteene yeres; and after him Perozes, who raigned foure and twentie yeares: after him, his brother Obalas (Btzarus calls him Bleses) ruled foure yeares. Cabades his successor renewed the Warres with the Romans: and no maruell, for he was cruell to his owne people, and warred euen against Nature: for he ordained (as some report) That women should be common, any wedlock-bands notwithstanding. Whereupon his Nobles conspired against him, depriued and imprisoned him. Blases was enthronized (Scaliger hath Zamaspes) who foure yeares after resigned the State vntounto Cabades againe, who hauing before raigned eleuen yeares, added thereto thirtie more. Nicephorus cNiceph.Callist: lib.16.c.36. Cedrcnus.Zonar.An.l.3.tells, That he became friend to the Christians, & permitted free libertie of that Religion vponupon this occasion. Betweene Persia and India was a Castle, called Tzundadaer, wherein Cabades had heard, that much money and iewels were kept. Cabades vsed all meanes to obtaine it, but in vaine; so strongly was it (as the Storie saith) garded with Deuils. He therefore vsed all the Persian Exorcismes to dispossesse them; and when they preuailed not, he sought to effect it by the Iewes, but with the former successe. At last he made vse of the Christians, who expelled the spirits, and deliuered the Castle vntounto him.
It is reported, that he slew Zeliobes, King of the Hunnes, for playing on both hands, and comming to helpe him in his warres against the Romans, hauing before sworne to assist the Emperour. About these times were the Maniehees dManes, first author of this Heresie, was flayed aliue, and cast to the dogs. Niceph.lib.6.cap.22.destroyed in Persia, for corrupting his sonne Phatuarsa with their infectious leauen. He therefore slew their chiefe Prelate Indagarus, and many thousand Manichees, all in one day, hauing assembled them with a wile, professing, that he would make that his sonne King. He assembled also the chiefe of the Magi, Glonazes; and Boazanes a Christian Bishop, for the greater solemnitie, with like deuotion as Iehu sacrificed to Baal, with the presence and assistance of Iehonadab, 2. King.10. Calvisius saith, this was done An.Dom. 523. Cabades died An. 531.
His sonne Cosroes the Great succeeded and raigned eight and fortie yeares. He about the thirteenth yeare of Iustinians Empire, An. 539. inuaded the Romane dominions, tooke Surus, burnt Berraea, destroyed Antiochia, and with lesse successe besieged Edessa. Agathias preferreth this Cosroes for his great exploits before Cyrus and Xerxes. Yet was his end ignoble, and vnworthie his high spirit. For Mauritius, in the time of Tiberius, entred into the Persian dominions, and burnt some villages neere to the place where Cosroes then was for his recreation, and saw this burning spectacle: wherewith Indignation and Griefe mustering greater multitudes of fearefull, vnquiet, enraged thoughts in his heart, then Mauritius had souldiors in his Armie, vnable to beare such vnwonted sights of hostile flames in his Countries, and such vnwonted fights of inward perturbations, euen greatnesse of spirit made way to Pusillanimitie, and being weakened with colluctation of contrarie passions, a Feauer, taking that occasion and aduantage, apprehends him, and soone after kils him.
Some say, his sonne Ormisda raigned seuen yeares with his father. He succeeded and raigned eight yeares; against him Mauritius performed worthie attempts, which made way vntounto him for the Romane Empire. And then also he had good successe against the Persians, by the valor of Philippicus his Generall: insomuch, that the Persians moued with these & other discontents, by incitement of Varamus, deposed Ormisda, killed his wife and sonne before his eies; which hauing remained to performe vntounto him that their last, vncouth, vnnaturall seruice, were presently after put out, and himselfe imprisoned. That Varamus had, a little before, beene sent as Generall against the Romane Armie: which his seruice being found vnseruiceable, and the Romanes preuailing, he was not onelyonly depriued of his place, but, to his further disgrace, was, by the Kings commaundement, clothed in womans attyre: which indignities he repayed not in words alone (in his letters stiling Ormisda, The Daughter of Chosroes) but with those vnnaturall and disloyall practises: which hee continued also against Cosroes, sonne and heire of Ormisda, forcing him to flee to Mauritius the Emperour for succour.
The Turkes are eBizari hist Pers.l.5.said to helpe Varamus in his rebellion; the first warres which we read of atchieued by that Nation: but both he and they receiued discomfiture by Narses the Romane Generall, and sixe thousand were taken and slaine. The Turkes being asked why they helped Varamus answered, That they were forced thereto by famine: they were also marked with a blacke Crosse, which (they said) they learned of the Christians, thereby to expell hunger. Cosroes thus recouered the Kingdome by aide of the Empire.
Nicephorus fDe Chosroe & Mauritio lege Niceph.l.17. & 18.witnesseth, That he was deepely seene in the Chaldaean mysleries, and being by a Romane Gouernour reproued for some excesse, in those times when he so much needed their helpe; he answered, That the times did aduantage him to those reproofes: but know (saith he) that calamities shall also befall the Romanes, and the Babylonian Nation shall rule them three weekes of yeares. After that, in the fifth weeke, the Romanes shall subdue the Persians: Which being come to passe, a day shall come that shall hauehave no night, and the expected end of the Empire shall be at hand; in which time Corruption shall bee abolished, and men shall liue according to Diuine Ordinance. This, either false or vncertaine Prophecie (according to that Deepenesse of Sathan) he vttered, but what effect answerable hath followed, I know not.
This Cosroes raigned nine and thirtie yeares. Hee held peace with the Romanes whiles Mauritius liued; but when Phocas cruelly and treacherously had slaine him, a world of euils at once assaulted the Empire. The Germanes, Gaules, Italians, Hunnes, and Persians, by their Armies afflicted the publike State; and the Roman Bishop then began to aspire to an vniuersall Soueraignetie, which that Murtherer first entitled him vntounto. That Armie which was yet redde with the bloud of Mauritius, by the Persians sword was punished, and died in their owne bloud: who hauing ouerthrowne the Romanes in two battailes, possessed Mesopotamia, Syria, Aegypt, Palaestina, and Phoenicia. He entred Ierusalem, slew and captiued many Christians gBizari, l.6., and carried thence the Crosse. Against the Iberians, Armenians, Cappadocians, Galatians, Paphlagonians, euen vntounto Chalcedon, hee preuailed. Thus did GOD punish that Murtherer, and besides (to pay him in his owne coyne) Priscus, Heraclon, and Heraclius conspired against this Conspirer, and murthered the Murtherer, and hauing cut off his Priuities, and his Head, hurled him into the Sea, and destroyed his Issue.
Heraclius succeeded, who repressed Cosroes, vntounto whose power Carthage, with Africa, was now also subiected, which he had inuaded, conducting his Armies through Aegypt. Heraclius sends an Embassage to him, which receiued this answere, That he would neuer lay downe Armes till the Crucified GOD were abolished, and the Persian Mithra worshipped. This encouraged Heraclius, seeing now CHRIST himselfe was a partie; vnderunder whose banners hee could not but finde happie euents of Warre. Cosroes had slaine in Palaestina fourescore and tenne thousand Christians, and the Iewes also had brought many of them to the slaughter. Heraclius encountred with Ostanes, and slew thirtie thousand Persians. By a stratageme he wonne Sarbatus, a great Commaunder, to his part. In another battaile he had lost the Field, but Thunders and terrible Tempests were sent (as Succenturiatae Copiae) to assist the souldiors of their Lord, and vshered destruction to the Persian Campe, whiles the Romanes killed them, being both blinded with Lightnings, and amazed with inward terrours and outward Tempests. He had before chased Cosroes, and taken Thebarma (a Persian Citie) wherein was a Temple of the Fire, which by fire he consumed. And in the yeare 626, Cosroes now at his wits end, or rather quite beyond them, appointed Medarses his sonne to be his successor and heire apparant: wherewith Siroes, his elder sonne, being discontent; conspired to betray his father and brother to Heraclins: and sonne after caused them both to be slaine at Ctesiphon. Peace was concluded with the Romans, & their prouinces restored. Only Arabia was by Mahumet holden, as a Seminary of a greater mischiefe, vnderunder which the world with griefe & amazement still groneth. Siroes Adeser, Barazas, & Baram the daughter of Cosroes, in their order of succession in that disordered & turbulent estate, had scarse two yeares allowed to them all: to whom succeeded Ormizda, Iezdegird, who about the yeare sixe hundred threescore and two, was ouerthrowne and slaine by the Saracens: and that Persian kingdome (then weakened by ciuill dissentions) was subdued to Saracenicall seruitude; and that second Persian Dynastie (continued as Scaliger hIo.Scalig.Can, Isag.reckoneth in eight and twenty successions, the space of foure hundred and two yeares) had an ende. From thence vntounto this time their religion is Saracenicall: their state gouerned, by the Califas, iIo, Lampadius Mellific. Hist. part 3. and our third booke sheweth the order in succession of them.and such commanders or Sultans as they placed ouer them, till their Sultans warring with the Califa for soueraintie, procured aide from the Turkes: who dispossessed them of their kingdome presently after they had disburthened them of their enemies: The Turkes were displaced and chased away by the Tartars. Of these both Saracens and Turkes you hauehave the history in the former booke, and therefore needelesse here to be related: Of the Tartars shall follow in their order.
Of those ancient Persian Kings this doth Sardus relate. Sardus l.2.c.….The Persian Kings birth-day, is by all Asia obserued solemne, festiuall to th'immortall Gods: Eunuches hauehave charge of his body, that he may grow strait and faire: at seuen yeares he is taught to manage horses: at fourteene hee is committed to the Kings masters; the most excellent which can be chosen among the Persians, for wisedome, iustice, temperance, fortitude. These teach him Magike, instituted of Zoroastres, containing Religion of the Gods: and the Kings I awes; to embrace the truth, to bridle his affections; not to bee afraide of any thing. When he taketh possession of the kingdome, hee releaseth the tributes, and in the Temple of the Pasagordan Geddesse he putteth on the garment of Cyrus, whose sepulchre is in the towne. He eateth dry Figges, Turpentine, drinketh soure milke, and after that, water out of Eubaeus, and Choaspes, riuers of Media, Chalybonian Wine out of Syria, Wheate of Assos in Troas; his head annointed with Myrrhe, and couered with a turbant. To sit in his throne (which was of gold sustained of foure pillars beset with iewels) was death to any: at his table sate onelyonly his Mother & wife: and Artaxerxes admitted his brethren. In the winter hee liued at Susae: in Summer, at Ecbatana: in Autumne, at Persepolis: in the spring, at Babylon. The nobles attend at the gates ready at the Kings command. There stood a Triuet of iron, to which they which are out of his fauour resort expecting their sentence: For he pardoneth none, till hee hath them in his power. When he sleepeth, he is attended by three hundred women dancing by a lampe: at his beds feete are three thousand talents of gold, at the head fiue thousand, ouer the same a Vine of gold, with the clusters of Iewels. In the morning he is wakned with these words: Arise, thinke of those things which Mesoromasdes would hauehave thee, that is, Zoroastres. He sacrificeth for the Persians, and giueth to each man gifts, because Cyrus had done so at his returne out of Media: and hee receiueth presents from them: in his slore-houses he keepeth of the waters of Nilus, and Ister, as the Lord of all lands. Fire is carried before him. They which meete him, close their hands behinde their backe, and adore him: for which cause some report that the Persians (as also the Aethiopians, Meroites, Indians, Assyrians) hold their Kings in place of Gods. Which diuine adoration kIust. li.6.Conon denied to the King, and Mordeeai to Agag. Est. 3. but in Daniels time they vsurped further: Dan. 6. that none should aske any petition of God, or man, besides.
Bart. lKeckerman de Monarchia Persarum.Keckerman, as he was admirable in Philosophie, so he was like himselfe in his Aphorismes and Disputations of the Persian Monarchy. Wherein he propoundeth and proueth, that their King was to be well featured & of personable presence without bodily deformitie or defect: learned in their sciences; free from punishment of lawes: they had their delectable gardens which they called Paradises: accustoming thē selues to hunting, and to solemne feasts, especially on their birth-daies, when no suter might be denied his request. For conseruation of his Maiesly, he was seldome seene: the King sware by Mithres which is the Sun: was inaugurated at Palargidae (as the later hauehave vsed at Cafe.) Many other things of excellent note the desirous Reader may there finde. Herodotus sheweth, that the Persians exercised their children to running long races, to endure all hardships of heate, cold, showres, & such like. He mStobaeus ser.42.which was punished with the whip by the Kings command, was to giuegive thankes to the King for that his remembrance of him. There were officers appointed among the Persians, to see that none were idle: they punished seuerely nXen. foreign. lib.1.Ingratitude, they hated lying, regarded Hospitalitie & courtesie. The lawes did not onelyonly award punishments to the guilty, but rewards also to the welldeseruing. Whiles the King was drinking, oAthen.l. 12.there were women which did sing, one beginning, and the rest following. The Kings vsed to be present in person in their warres. They were very deuout in their religion, offering daily (the Magi being present) a thousand sacrifices, amongst which were Kine, Asles, Harts. But I hold you too long in this discourse.
How the Sophian Family, which now ruleth, came to the kingdome, shall after in due place be declared, when we hauehave first acquainted you with their Ancient superstitions.