Of the Mountains of the Morea.

AMongst the Mountains of this Peninsula is reckoned that of Foloe, near which was once situated the City of Olympia, so much famed by the Poets for the Country of the Centaurs. The rise of this name was thus, Hercules having slain the Nemaean Lyon, and being Victorious over the Lernaean Hydra, and the Boar of Ery­manthus, happened to go to this Moun­tain, where he retired into the Cave of the Centaur Foloeus, who treated him with a great deal of Civility, and entertained him with excellent Wine which he kept there hid from the rest of the Centaurs; it chanced while they were thus Carousing, some other Centaurs passing by, were drawn by the smell of the Wine, and running to the Den endeavoured to enter by Violence. Foloeus's chief en­deavour was for an hiding place, so that Hercules was left alone to engage with all the Centaurs; he then playd his best, and gave them such terrible [Page 14] Effects of his Rage, that having killed some, the rest betook themselves to flight to carry away a wretched Life. The Combat ended, Foloeus crept out of his hole, and sufficiently admired the Valour of his Guest; but by mis­fortune handling the Arrow where­with Hercules killed the Hydra, he let one of them fall on his Foot, the wound was so deep that he fell down and dyed on the spot; Hercules much grieved at this accident, and in ac­knowledgement of his kind Entertain­ment buried him in his own Cave, and named the Mountain from his name Foloeus.

The other most noted Mountains are Cyllene, Lyceus, Parthenius, Menalus, and Sepia; of all these Cyllenius is the highest, 'tis near that of Calidoria, at the Top whereof are yet to be seen the remains of the Temple of Mercury, from thence called Cyllenius; yet some will have that name to be derived from Cyllenus Son of Aleates. The Mountain Lyceus taking its beginning in Zaconia, is memorable for the place where the Tyrant Aristarchus was made an offering to the publick Rage of the [Page 15] Lacedemonians, who there stoned him. It joyns to Mount Menalus, which is cover'd with green and shady Groves and pleasant Pasturage for Cattel; a place for the coolness of its Shades, and refreshing briezes of serene Air de­dicated to the God Pan, as Mount Cyllene, whose name signifies Maiden, was Sacred to the same Deity. Mount Sepia is that where, as Pausanias re­ports, Epites, the Son of Eleates was stung to death by a Serpent. The Duché of Chiarenza has on the North the Mountain now called Poglizi from Diana's Temple which once adorned it; it was at first named Geronte, then Skinfale from the name of a Nymph, the Daughter of Arcas, or from certain large Birds of Prey called Stymphalides, that live in these quarters in great flocks: These devoured Men, where­fore they were either chased away, or the Species quite destroyed by the slaughter Hercules made of them.

On the East side between Saccania and Tzaconia lyes Mount Cronie com­monly called Grevenos, on whose far­thest Northern part stood the Temple of Lucina and Fesipoli, so named from [Page 16] the Idol to which the Eleans offered Sacrifices. Where is found the Stone called a Cylinder which may be taken from the Rock, when the thunder rumbling in the Clouds causes an agi­tation of the Air.

In the Province of Belvedere Mount Mintia or Mente now Olonos comes in view; its South has a Prospect of the Gulf of Coron, on the North rises the River Alpheus; it took its name from Pluto's Mistress, when Proserpina Jea­lous of her Husband, sought after her and found her in this place, and chan­ged her into the Herb Mint, a great quantity of which grows wild on this Mountain; and in Memory of this Act of the Infernal Goddess, the proud Fanes of Pluto and Proserpina once stood there.

The little Mount Neris lifts it self up in Saccania and Nonacris in Tzaconia, at the foot whereof roul the fatal Waves of Styx, fatal to those that taste the otherwise clear and tempting Stream. The Poets make this one of the infernal Rivers; Inachus also has its source in this Province. There is like­wise Mount Artemisius, thought to be [Page 17] Mount Parthenius; 'twas named Arte­misius, from the abundance of the Herb Artemis, wherewith it is covered.

The most considerable and famous of all the Grecian Mountains, and that which Polybius compares with the Alpes is Taygeta, bearing another name now of Orta, it extends it self in the Province of Tzaconia not far from the River Taenarus, very near the Eurotas that runs by Misitra; 'tis stockt with Deer, Bears, Boars and other wild Beasts: It took its name from Taygeta, the Daughter of Lacedaemon, who be­ing ravisht by Jupiter, out of shame and grief for her lost Virginity, killed her self there. At different times this Mountain has been Sacred to Bacebus, Ceres, Apolle, and Diana; and in its Entrails are found excellent Whet­stones.

Of the Streams and Rivers of the Morea.

HAving discoursed of the most re­markable Mountains of the Mo­rea, [Page 18] it seems natural to descend from them with the Streams and Rivers that water the lower Grounds of this King­dom. Amongst these is reckon'd that in the Duché of Chiarenza commonly called Carbon, and by Sophianus Orsea; Strabo names it Alpheus, Ptolemy Alpe­hius, others Strimphalus and the River Nyctimus; into this stream One hun­dred and forty Torrrents, whose Virtues are so extolled for taking a­way Tetters or other deformities in the Skin. The Poets have sung a thou­sand strange things of this River; they would perswade us that its Waves have a peculiar subterraneous Chanel under the Sea, and that passing the Arcadian Gulf without mixing with it; beyond the Strophades they haste to unite with their beloved Fountain Arethusa, which is in the Territory of Syracuse a City of Sicilia: This River receives several lesser into it, as Cela­don, Erimantus and Amarinthus: It's name was derived from Alpheus. Tebba after the Death of his Brother Cercafus, flying from the sury of the Arcadians and despairing of e­scape, his Enemies being at his Heels, [Page 19] drownded himself in this River. It formerly had the name of Strimphelus from one of the Sons of the God Mars; one may well term it the Antaeus of Ri­vers, for after having several times in­gulfed it self in narrow Passages under the Rocks, it breaks out at last and slides with a serene Majesty within its own Banks.

The River Eurotas is also in great Reputation, at this day called Vassali Potamos: Niger names it Iris, Plutarch Hemerus and Martathon; it passes through the middle of Misitra, and falls into the Gulf of Colchina; it has its source from the same place as the River Carbon. The name of Eurotas, so celebrated by the Ancients, was gi­ven to it from Eurotas the third King of the Lacedemonians, either, as, Pau­sanias reports, for that this Prince made a new Bank to this River to keep in its Waters, that sometimes u­sed to overflow the Country to their great damage; or as Plutarch says, be­cause that this King having lost a Bat­tel he had engaged in before the Full Moon, in scorn of the superstitious Custome of the Lacedemonians, car­ryed [Page 20] on by the height of Despair, cast himself into this River; which from so Tragical an Event changed the name Himerus to Eurotas. As for the name Vassali Potamos, the Inhabitants say it signifies the Imperial River, which name was imposed on it by the Despots of Morea, who descended from the Imperial Blood, and for the most part resided at Misitra, for the pleasant Diversions of Hunting, &c. on the Banks of Euretas, which the Lacedemonians called the Imperial Ri­ver in flattery, and to enhanse the Glory of these Despots and Despoenes, a name given to the Princesses the De­spots Wives. This Stream is still ador­ned with Silver Swans, which here come in great flocks to sport them­selves; these are the more admirable for their extraordinary Beauty and Size, besides their extream whiteness; possibly the Poets on this account cal­led this River Olorifer, upon which Statius sings,

Taygetique falx & oloriferi Euro [...]ae.

And since its Banks were cloathed with Laurels, 'twas dedicated by the [Page 21] Poets to Apollo; all the Summer it de­serves not the name of a River, for 'tis so shallow, that it may rather be ta­ken for a pretty large clear purling Brook; but in Winter encreased by the Rains, it proudly lifts it self up, and sometimes overflows its bounds. It once had on its left the Country of Ormoas, which Strabo and Pliny call Acria.

There is also in Tzaconia the River Inachus, taking its source from the Mountain Crovia; 'tis at this time cal­led Planizza, once Cramavor, then Haliacmon; in fine, Inachus, from the name of a Son of Occanus and Thetis. The cause thus, Inachus not being able to take the Ravishing of his Daughter by Jupiter, without repining and murmuring against the deflowring God, in punishment for his Mur­murs was so tormented by a wild Beast, that he became besotted, and pre­cipitated himself into this Stream, which took its name from his death.

Between Inachus and Saccania are seen the Rivers Linceus, Asteria or Stella and Erasinus, which rapidly▪ wash the Foot of Mount Strimphalus.

[Page 22] We must not forget the River Spir­nazza, which is not the least conside­rable: Stiled by Niger, Stomius; by Strabo and Pliny, Pamylus; and by Pto­lomey, Panysus; it discharges it self into the Gulf of Coron near Calameta.

Of the Confines and Frontiers of the Morea.

THe Morea is bounded by the Ioni­an Sea, that of Sapienza and the Aegean; which are known by seve­ral names, as we shall shew in their order in the second Part of this Trea­tise.

We may take as a part of the Medi­terranean, Plin. l. 8. c. 11. that Sea which Strabo and Pliny call the Ionian, and which was likewise named the Grecian, bounding Northwards upon the Mouth of the Gulf of Venice, on the West upon the Borders of Calabria and Sicilia, begin­ning from the point of Santa Maria, and so on to the Cape of Passaro; its Eastern bounds are the Shores of Epi­rus, and the Morea from Cape Lenguet­ta [Page 23] to Cape Matapan, and on the South it has the African Sea.

This Sea on its Western extent, on which side it washes the Morea, com­prehends the following Gulfs:

The Sea of Sapienza, which is also a part of the Mediterranean, takes its name from the Isles near Modon, and has on the West the Ionian, and on the East the Aegaean Seas: its South beat­ing upon the Morea includes these Gulfs.

The Aegean Sea a part likewise of the Mediterranean, contains within its whole extent a great many Gulfs, we will only mention those on the Morean Shore.

[Page 24]

All Europe affords not a place com­parable to this pleasant Peninsula, en­richt by Nature with so many rare Qualities: Its fruitful Plains flourish with plenty, adorned with the charms of Variety; and its high Hills, which might be thought an unpleasing Ob­ject for their cragginess, are yet made agreeable by the Verdant Crowns they wear of rare and excellent Plants and delicious Fruits. Its Inhabitants have a Genius fit for great Undertakings, and are inspired with a Martial Soul: Its Cities have all once had glorious Founders; and its Climate is soft, se­rene and temperate.

This Place has still had the Prero­gative, and been chief over all Greece, and indeed its main Bulwark; a thousand Illustrious Monuments pre­sent our Eyes with Objects of Beauty, Grandeur, Magnificence, Splendor, and Glory; on the one side Sumptu­ous and Stately Buildings raise their [Page 25] once proud Heads; on the other side we have the Melancholy pleasing view of the Imperial Seats of the My­ [...]enians, Corinthians, Lacedemonians, Si­ [...]yonians, Elians, Arcadians, Pyleans, and Messenians. Arms and Learning have always been the two famous Pil­ [...]ars set up here amongst this People, of [...] Ne plus ultra to others. The Athe­ [...]ian School had here its Foundation, [...]n whose Front were engraven these words Mater Sermonum, the Mother [...]f Eloquence: Here likewise, as in [...]he true Field of Mars, the most He­ [...]ick Captains of Greece have poured [...]ut their Blood, for never-dying [...]ame. War has here either been per­ [...]etual, or at least frequent.

Amongst all, the Athenians have [...]ew'd themselves the valiantest con­ [...]enders for Liberty; for from the year [...]23. in the LXXXVII. Olympiad, [...]o the year 350. they still defended [...]hemselves, tho they had then lost [...]ome of their Power. This little Re­ [...]ublique (its Government being only [...]ltered) became after some Ages a [...]reat and powerful Kingdom; when [...]aving passed through several hands, [Page 26] it at last met the beginnings and cau­ses of its future Ruine under Emanuel the Grecian Emperor: For that Prince, ignorant of that Maxime, That the power of a Monarch is maintained by the Union of the Princes, and that a failure in this brings on the Ruine of Kings and Kingdoms, through a fatal Policy equally divided his Realms a­mongst his seven Sons; and by that sowed the Seed of discord and in­testine Broyls, which in the end pro­duced the intire destruction of that Empire.

The Princes that had the Govern­ment of this Province were stiled De­spotes; and though there happened a frequent alteration of Governours, and those of different Extractions, yet the Despotate was still continued in its Prosperity; for the Election de­pending on the Emperours pleasure, he seldom promoted any to this Emi­nent Employment but his Brothers or his own Sons, or some other of his Relations, or great Favorites, who by their good Services merited so high a Recompence.

[Page 27] Constantine Sirnamed Dragares, Brother to Theodore the Second, was Despot when Amurath the First made an irruption into the Morea, and be­gan to exercise Acts of Hostility; a stop was for some time put to the pro­ceedings of this terrible Enemy, but 'twas upon this Condition, which the prudent Emperour proposed, of pay­ing an annual Tribute, and with that price bought his Peace; a while after this having taken the Imperial Crown in the City of Constantinople, he divi­ded the Morea between his two Bro­thers Demetrius and Thomas; Thomas had for his share the Despotate of Ca­rinth, and Demetrius that of Sparta; there arose between these two Bre­thren an irreconcileable Enmity and Division; possibly being both equally swayed with a secret wicked design, that by embroiling the Affairs of the Empire, they might lessen its Glory, and thereby encrease their own, and obtain by its Ruine the independence of their Government: Thomas had gained to his Party the Albanians and Latins, who were equally at his devo­tion: Demetrius was assisted by the [Page 28] Turks, and Turchan Beglerbey of Ro­mania defired nothing more than to procure and forward the Ruine of this Empire.

These unfortunate Princes went one after another to make their com­plaints to Mahomet the Second; whose aid they implored, and did him Ho­mage, never considering that thereby they lost so much of their Power; and gave it up as a Sacrifice to him who wisht but to devour them both: At last they came to be sensible of their Error, but too late; for Thomas perceiving that the Turks made In­roads even to his Borders, and justly suspecting a design to surprize him, was forced to provide for his safety by flight; and Demetrius was made an example of the Turks cruel perfidious­ness, and would have thought it a great Felicity if he could have preven­ted a miserable Captivity by a glori­ous Death. The first fled for refuge to Rome, where in consideration of his Royal Extraction, and the Present which he brought of the Head of the famous Apostle St. Andrew, he recei­ved an honourable and advantagious [Page 29] Entertainment. The other transpor­ted to Adrianople, by a malicious surprize of the Ottomans, was forced not to think it his greatest Misfortune to Espouse his own Daughter, so to free her from the danger of losing her Honour with her Liberty.

The Virtues which have rendered Greece so famous, have indeed had [...]heir Birth there, but they could ne­ver have grown to that height, if the Republick of Venice had not assisted and sustained them; for she has al­ [...]ays been a good Mother, and signa­ [...]z'd her tenderness, by that strict al­ [...]ance she has always had with Greece. Tis an unquestionable Truth as ap­ears by the Historys of Venice, and which any one may be easily satisfied [...]n, that there is no Empire, Realm or [...]rovince in all Greece where the Vene­ [...]ans have not left some marks of [...]heir Dominion. In the declining of [...]he Greecian Empire, when it suffered [...]everal dismembrings, the greatest [...]arcels thereof submitted to the Ve­ [...]etians; for under their dependance [...]ere Arcadiopolis, Rodesto, Adriano­ [...]e, Gallipoli in Thrace, and therewith [Page 30] all the County about Prevesa and Arta part of Macedonia, the Province of Lacedaemon, and a great deal of the Morea; besides, they were acknow­ledged Soveraigns of most of the Isle [...] of the Archipelago. In fine, these were the Titles of the Venetian Empire born by the sole Person of the Doge Dux Venetiarum, Dalmatiae, Croatiae, Do­minus quartae partis & dimidiae toti [...] Imperii Romaniae; and if these Testi­monies were not sufficient to evinc [...] the vast extent of the Venetian Em­pire, in Greece we need only bring an Epitome of what Historian [...] have related in several great Vo­lumes.

The designing Turks having go [...] footing in the Possessions of the Pro­vinces of these two Princes, desire [...] nothing more than to invade the rest of the Country, so to become sol [...] Masters of the Peninsula. The Venetians only could put a check to the height of Ambition, which was alto­gether unjust, especially since they went about to violate the Faith o [...] Treaties, and break the Peace concluded. But 'tis a Maxime of the [Page 31] Barbarous Nations, to count nothing inviolable, but the advancement of their Interests by any means whatso­ever, and take occasion then to make War, when their Enemies think them­selves most secured by Peace. Thus the Turks never making themselves Slaves to the Religious observance of the Peace, surprised Argos, and then behaved themselves as declared Ene­mies. The Republick found by this first Attempt of the Enemy, that it was full time to provide for their de­fence; and it being an Enterprize of great Importance, and that from Heaven only we expect the most powerful Aids and an happy Success, it was above all things resolved that the Standards should bear the Ensigns of our Redemption. Then Troops were raised, and the General Com­mand given to Bertoldo d' Este: This great Captain armed with his utmost Courage for so great an Attempt, set sail for the Morea, and landed with his whole Army between the Gulfs of En­gia and Lepanto. He at first applyed himself to get a perfect knowledg of the place, and to find means of put­ting [Page 32] a stop to the frequent irruptions of the Enemy; to which end he be­gan that memorable Work, and in few days finished it, the famous Wall called Eximile; after which he em­ployed his whole Forces in the de­fence thereof, and in a thousand glo­rious Actions, gave Proof of his great Courage, and perfect Experi­ence in the Art of War: Neither his Head nor his Hands were idle, he was the first in all perilous Encounters, undervaluing his Life, so he might Sa­crifice it to the Service of his Coun­try, and at the same time forward the loss of his natural and sworn Enemy. He was arrived to the height of his hopes, and his Troops animated by his Example, had already gained several advantages promising a glorious Vi­ctory, and entire defeat of his Ene­mies; when God, whose Thoughts are not as our Thoughts are, and who when he pleases can give the greatest Conquerors their defeat, and Death in the Field where they expected to be Crowned with Victory, and ride Tri­umphant; permitted by the secret or­ders of his Providence, or Effects of [Page 33] his Justice upon us, that our Gene­ral sunk and dyed of several Glorious Wounds. The Head being thus cut off, the Members soon languisht, and the Enemy becoming more sierce through the weak resistance they found, renewed the Combat with greater Fury, and gained the Victory; after which setting no Bounds to their unjust Ambition, they ravaged and became Masters of all the Country, possessed for so many Years by our August Republique.

After which they establish there a Governour of some Quality with the Title of Sangiac, or Morabegi, as much as to say, Lord of the Morea, and allowed him an Hundred thou­sand Aspers a year, obliging him to keep a thousand Horse with all ne­cessary Equipage, to be at the dispo­sal of the Beglerbey of Greece.

For all the advantages which this Sangiac enjoys, yet he is not with­out his Thorns in his side; for there happen frequent Disputes with the Dins, the Beglerbey or Basha of the Sea, about certain rights he pre­tends to in all Maritime places, upon [Page 34] all Merchandizes imported or ex­ported.

Modon is the usual place of the San­giac's Residence: the Republick of Ve­nice, who only to maintain their Rights in this Kingdom, hath ever Valorously been at War with the Turk, has been the first that have attempted its Re-conquest: and its Arms had so great Success in the Campagne in 1685. as to be Victorious over almost all the Southern places, reckoning a­mongst these Conquests the City and Fortress of Coron, the Towns of Cala­mata, Zarnata, Passava, and Chielefa: besides the frequent in roads made by the Troops up in the Country, that were sent to succour any Fortress that was vigorously attacked; the Vene­tian Army will make this next Cam­pagne a more advantagious Progress; which we are the more assured of from this hopes, that its Arms are employed only for the great Glory of the Ca­tholick Religion, and to promote the Ruine of Infidels.

The Isthmus of Corinth.

THe Isthmus of Corinth, otherwise Geogr. Re­form. Rici­oli. l. 1. c. 16. called the straight of the Morea, or the Argolique straight, is a tongue of Land very rough and Stony; si­tuated between the Gulf of Lepanto, and that of Engia, uniting the Morea with Achaia.

This Isthmus is famous for the Isth­mian Games, instituted by Theseus here, and which were Celebrated eve­ry five years or Lustrum; as likewise for its Theatre, its furlong of white Marble, its Temple Dedicated to Neptune, and its Forest of Pines whose [Page 37] Branches Crowned the Victorious Combatants.

It were a great advantage to Navi­gation, and which would make it ea­sie and safe, if a Chanel of communi­cation were cut between the two Seas; and what might promote this Design and encourage its Execution, is that it has been thought practicable, and attempted by several Princes; as A­lexander Pausanias, Rannus. Nero would himself give the first stroak with a Mat­tock, to make this famous Chanel. Zonora. p. 200. the Great, Pitias, King Deme­trius, Caesar, the Emperor Caligula, Nero, Herodes the Athenian. 'Tis true indeed, these Princes, diverted from this Design by more important Af­fairs, or disheartned by the tedious­ness of the Work, have given it over, and desisted from bringing it to an End, that would much have advanced their Glory.

To supply in some sort the want of Corinth was the first City which put great Vessels to Sea. Sabel. Hist. di Ve­net. deca. 3. l. 8. this Chanel, the Emperour Emanuel in the Year 1413. caused a Wall to be there raised, by Volateran and Niger, called Hexameli, by Hermolaüs Heromi­lion, and by Nischius Dioclos, which be­ginning at Port 'Lecheé 16. Stadia from Corinth, 50. from the Gulf of Saronica (which according to Baudrand, [Page 38] who differs from Lauremburgh is that which we now call Leste Jocori) situa­ted at the Western edge of the Gulf of Corinth, was extended to Six miles length to the Port of Cenchrea, on the East towards the Gulf of Engia; the Commodiousness of these two Ports much advanced and facilitated the Ea­stern Trade.

Amurat the Second after the Siege of Constantinople in the Year 1424. not­withstanding the Peace with the Greek Emperour, caused the Eximile to be demolished. The Republique o [...] Venice highly resented these Infringe­ments of the League, and the Violen­ces of Amurat, perceiving that by this Action the Enemy had an open Li­berty of invading all the Neighbour­ing Countrys. Wherefore Luigi L [...]re­dano General at Sea, had orders to land at this place with his whole Ar­my, who joyning his Forces with Ber­toldo d' Este, they employed 30000. There were 3600. according to Sagr. 69. Men with so much heat, that in the Year 1463. they finisht the Wall in fifteen days, and added to what was before, several very broad double Ditches, and 136. Towers, which made [Page 39] his Wall of much greater strength [...]nd more tenable than it was before; [...]o implore a particular Blessing, and [...]s it were an Establishment to this Edifice, and an happy success to the Arms of the Republique from Hea­ [...]en, Bertoldo in the middle of the Wall caused an Altar to be Erected, where the whole Army assisted at Mass which was there solemnly sung. The General at Sea and Bertoldo lea­ [...]ing a sufficient number for the de­fence of the Wall, went to Encamp near Corinth, and there busied them­selves in planting Artillery, and fit­ [...]ing them for Service When the Spyes brought word that Amarbei Flambular of the Morea, had made an Inrode near them with a Party of 1200 Men: They immediately upon this advice, made a detachment of a good part of the Army, which was Encamped for the defence of the Ex­imile, and made so hot a fireing with their great Artillery on the Turkish Forces, that their Commander was obliged to Retreat farther out of Gun­shot; though he again shewed him­self about Noon to the Venetians, and [Page 40] took his Lodgments not far from thence. Bertoldo observed all the mo­tions of Armabei while the other Ge­ral went to prosecute the Siege: But perceiving that the Turk seemed to desist from his design, through the difficulty there was of executing it without too great a hazard, Bertoldo slighted him, and went to joyn him­self with the other General to ad­vance the Siege; it happened by a Misfortune, the forerunner of many others, that as soon as the General ar­rived at the Camp, he was struck dead upon the place with a blow of a Stone, such was the end of this great Captain; and Bettino da Calci­nato who succeeded him in the Com­mand of the Troops, found them so discouraged by this fatal Accident, and was himself so frightned at the approach of the Beglerbey with an Ar­my of Fourscore thousand Men, that he not only left the Camp before Co­rinth, but neglected also the defence of the Eximile, after that Wall had been raised with so great a charge to the Republique.

Corinth.

THe City of Corinth, which Strabo and Polybius call Corinthus, Lau­rembergh Ephyro, the People Coranto, and the Turks Gerame, had its begin­ing and foundation from Aletes, who lived in the time of Cecrops King of the Athenians Anno 3066. 'Tis situa­ted as it were in the midst of the Isthmus, in the place where the Ionian and Aegean Seas commix their Waves: It is the See of an Archbishop, distant from Patras 80 Miles, 50 from Athens, 85 from Mysitra, 25 from Argos. It is Commanded by the Fortress of Acrocorinthus, which is near to it; it is so advantagiously seated, that some have thence taken occasion to term it the Eye of Greece, others the Band thereof, and the Bulwark of Pelopon­nesus: Plutarch judged it the most ex­cellent, and Cicero the most beautiful City, the splendor of all Greece; nay it arrived to that height of Glory, that Syracusa and Corfu thought it an Ho­nour to be its Colonies.

[Page 42] The Romans under a pretence of re­venging themselves on this City, for some violences committed upon some Roman Citizens sent the Consul L. Mamius Anno Mundi 38 18. to abate, as they said, their Pride, with express Order to raze the City to its Founda­tions, and that giving the Spoil and Pillage to his Souldiers, the Women and Children should he made Slaves.

By the Bounty and Care of Au­gustus it was rebuilt and re-peopled, and again flourisht in Riches and Beauty; but through the hard fate of the Times and continual devouring Wars, it can now only shew the mi­serable Remains of its past Glories, whose Ruines are now the Asylum to a few poor Inhabitants, forced by Necessity rather than Choice to live here. It has been twice the Theatre whereon the Barbarity of Amurat the Second and his Son Mahomet has been Acted; where the Turkish fury has been so Merciless, that at this day not above a score of Houses, or ra­ther Huts, remain; the sad Image of its ancient Splendor: we may add that we yet see entire with their former [Page 43] Beauty, 12 Columns of 5 Foot Dia­meter, with a simple Cordon, or List for its Capital about 15 Paces from each other, standing on a little Hill in the Figure of an Amphitheater, at about a Miles distance from the Sea; from this Hill there goes an easie de­scent to Port Leché, where as yet stands a Tower, formerly a Lanthorn or Sea-mark.

The Corinthians imbraced the Ca­tholick Religion by the preaching of St. Peter and Paul, and were therein confirmed in the year 169 by the care­ful diligence of St. Denis the Second Bishop of this place, which they per­severed in, till the time that the Greek Emperours refused longer Obedience to the See of Rome.

Roger of Normandy King of Naples took Possession of this City, and might have raised his Glory to a great height, if he could have added this Flower to his Crown, and gained the Hearts of the Corinthians to a wil­ling Obedience, and have made them pay him the same Homages that they did the Emperour Emanuel; but when he was in the greatest hopes of ob­taining [Page 44] this desire, the Army of the Venetians with the Troops of the van­quisht Greeks, so opposed his Con­quests, that after a defeat of the greatest part of his Forces, he was constrain'd to consult his own safety by a hasty flight. The Rout of this Prin­ces Army, and the Disadvantages he thereby received were of great conse­quence to his Enemies, as the rich Spoil of his Camp was very conside­rable, which was divided amongst the Auxiliary Troops, there being but lit­tle need to put them to more necessa­ry uses after the regaining of Corinth. Scarce two Ages were past before this City submitted it self to the Despotes of Greece; they would willingly have yielded it to the Venetians, in consideration that they could not o­therwise possess it than by usurpation, the just right thereof belonging only to the Venetian Republique, who had employed its own Forces and the Blood of its Subjects to deliver it from the hands of Strangers.

Mahomet the Second could not make so just Reflections, whose mind was uncapable of any thing but a bound­less [Page 45] Ambition, he re-took Corinth; af­ter several great endeavours made by the Venetians to regain this Conquest, they were not able to overcome the fury of the Barbarians, whose long re­sistance made them at last sensible of the necessity of desisting from their Design.

A Table of the Kings of Corinth.

Acrocorinthus.

THe famous Fortress of the Acroco­rinthus must not be passed by with out a particular remembrance, that i [...] has remained a long time Victorious over the Forces of the Enemy that at­tacqued it, though at the last it wa [...] forced to yield to its assailants, tire [...] out with the length of the Wars; its Situation was very advantagious for it overlookt and commanded the City, being built upon the point of a high Rock, where it had a sufficien [...] space of Ground strengthened with a very stout Wall, having within it se­veral Wells of excellent clear Water, taking its fource from the Pyrene [...] Fountain, of which the Greek Poet Homer in Odyss. makes honourable mention. Nature and Art conspired to render this Ca­stle strong and impregnable; 'twas ac­cessible only on the side of the Port of Cenchrea, yet being but ill Garrisoned it has been several times taken, and in particular by the Sicilians, under the command of Nicephorus Calufo, in [Page]

[Page] [Page 47] [...]e time of the Emperour Emanuel [...]mnenes.

Patras.

NEar the Cape of Rio appears an high Mountain, and on the [...]op thereof a Fortress, North of [...]hich is seated Patras, a very An­ [...]ent City, and an Archbishops See. [...]he Turks call it Badra and B [...]labu­ [...]a; it has formerly had other Names; [...]r in the first Age of its Foundation [...] was termed Roas, and afterwards [...]paired by Pater the Son of Preuge­ [...]s, it for a long time bore the Name [...] its Benefactor: Afterwards about [...]e beginning of the Roman Empire, [...]s Beauty increased with the number [...]f its Inhabitants, besides it was bles­ [...]ed with a most advantagious Situati­ [...]n, both for the goodness of its Ter­ [...]itories, and its commodiousness for Traffick and Navigation. The Ro­ [...]ans knew it by the name of Augusta Aroe Patrensis; at other times it was [...]alled Neupatria. It lyes about 700 Pa­ces [Page 48] from the Gulf of the same Name or from the Port Panorme. The Em­perour Augustus made choice of thi [...] place, as most proper for the retreat o [...] his Navy; and as a mark of his Lov [...] to the People of Patras, he permitte [...] them to live as a free People, enjoy­ing all the Priviledges, and exempt [...] ­ons, as the true Citizens of Rome.

The Goddess Diana was Adored i [...] this City, under the Title of Dia [...] Latria, and a Grove and Temple wa [...] there dedicated to Diana Triclaria, [...] whom every year a young Man an [...] Maid, the most beautiful that coul [...] be chosen out of all the People, wer [...] Sacrificed in expiation of the Crim [...] committed by Melampue and Cimet [...] who also were first Sacrificed them­selves, for being married to one ano­ther, in the time of Diana, against the Will of their Parents. This cruel Sa­crifice had an end when Euripil [...] came to Patras, and was there converted to the Christian Religio [...] by the preaching of St. Andre [...] the Apostle. Patras at that time was very well peopled, as at this day 'tis not thin; there are especially a [Page 49] great number of Jews who much pro­ [...]ote its Trade; and it is almost the [...]nly Maritime Town on this side, [...]here the Greeks of the neighbouring [...]slands, the English and the French [...]ome to Traffick. The Air is not very [...]holesome by reason of its nearness [...]o Mountains that are covered with [...]now, and the great quantities of Wa­ [...]r wherewith it is environed: The [...]erritories once comprehended under [...]s Rule in the time of the Greek Em­ [...]erors bore the Title of a Duché, [...]hich it kept till the Prince that en­ [...]yed it, in the year 1408. not having [...]fficient Forces for its guard and de­ [...]nce, delivered it for a great Sum to [...]e Venetian Republick, from whom [...]e Turks took it.

In the Year 1533. the General Do­ [...]a attempted to make himself Ma­ [...]er thereof, which he easily gained [...]rough the bad Condition of its For­ [...]ications, with an absolute Victory, [...]hen at the same time the Castle sur­ [...]ndered which Commanded the [...]ity, though it once for a whole year [...]sisted the Forces of Constantine Pa­ [...]logus.

[Page 50] The Victor used great moderatio [...] towards the Garrison, convoyin [...] them to Lepanto, whither they desire [...] to go with their Wives, not one o [...] them recieving the least ill Treatmen [...] from the Victorious Troops, no [...] without their repining against the General, for taking out of their hands [...] Prey justly due to their Valour and Fortune.

Chiarenza.

ON the right side of the River Inachus by Ptolomey called Penae [...], and on an Hill towards the Gulf o [...] Patras is seen the City Chiarenza thought to be the Ancient Cyllene th [...] Country of Mercury, whom the Po [...] thence called Cyllenius Heros. Thi [...] was the Capital City of the Duché o [...] that name, and under the Govern­ment of its Princes; it was as Illustri­ous as its name Chiarenza speaks it▪ The Venetians justly possessed it, and although at that time it was in a flou­rishing Estate, yet it has now under­gon [Page 51] so great a change, that its Moats [...]nd some slight Traces of it are all [...]at is visible. The Port belonging to [...] called likewise Chiarenza, which [...]as near to it, a very commodious [...]aven, capable of receiving many [...]eat Vessels, is now quite choaked up [...]ith Sand.

Caminitza.

[...]N the middle of the way, between [...] the Cape of Chiarenza and Patras, [...] the right hand of the River, by [...]e Ancients called Pirus; we see [...]minitza which Strabo and Ptolomey [...]me Olenus, and Pliny Olenum; 'tis [...]ree Miles from the Gulf of Patras. [...]enus the Son of Vulcan founded it, [...]t though 'twas once a great City [...]th a Bishop, who was Suffragan to [...]e Archbishop of Patras, yet it is [...]w reduced to a little Borough.

Castle of Torneze.

CAstel Torneze is a Fortress built [...] on the outmost Promontory [...] the Duché of Chiarenza, on that side t [...] looks towards the Province of Bel [...] ­dere, between the Gulfs of Chiare [...] and Arcadia, 'twas called as Baudr [...] says, Chelonates, the same name whi [...] Strábo gives to the Promontory whe [...] on it stands. The Turks call it O [...] mourzi; 'tis on a very high place [...] bout three miles from the Sea, as [...] be plainly seen by the Draught [...] have here given of it, taken upon [...] place by the Illustrious Neovin a Ge [...] tleman near the Person of his Hig [...] ness Prince Maximilian William D [...] of Erunswick.

Zunchio or Navarin

ZUnchio, which Ptolomey calls Pyl [...] Steven of Byzantium, Coryphas [...] and Navarin, Ten miles distant fro [...] Coron is built upon a rising Groun [...] [Page]

[Page] [Page]

[Page 53] at the foot whereof is its The 21. of June 1245. Selistar Bassa was taken the Port of Navarin, with a great number of Ships which he com­manded for the Siege of Candia. Port, wherein two thou­sand Vessels may ride at Anchor; on the right hand of the same stands the new Navarin: The Ancient is a Fortress, which lying so much in the Eyes of the Enemies, has been no small Tem­ptation to them, upon which account it has more than once changed its Master.

In the Year 1498. while subject to Baudrand calls Nava­rin Albaxi­nus, Ne­lea, Alba­rinos & Javarin; 'tis thought to have been the Country of Nestor. the Venetians it underwe [...] furious assault of the Turks, who sound there such resistance, that far from trium­phing as they had flattered them­selves, they were forced to put off their Enterprize to another Opportunity, when they might succeed better by surprise, as indeed they did some time after; for being made Masters of Modon, the Inhabitants of Zunchio ren­dered themselves as soon as they had Encamped before it: But the Vene­tians soon regained it from the Turks, by the means of one Demetrius of Mo­don, who with one of his Friends, an Albanian, undertook to put the Garri­son [Page] [Page 54] to the Sword, by opening the Gates of the Fortress; yet the Turks stood obstinately to the defence of a place they had so lately gained, came with a re-inforcement on the side to­ward the Land, with a great Detach­ment of Cavalry, and with fourteen Gallies and five Fustes, under the Command of a Turkish Officer called Gamali. The Republique had before ordered three Gallies for the guard of the Port. But those who ought to have been watchful, never thinking the Enemy would have taken the first opportunity of repossessing the place, and being in a great uncertain­ty what to do, when they saw them­selves just ready to be attacqued, left the Entrance free to the Turk, who with a great deal of frankness decla­red himself the Patron and Defender of any that would submit them­selves to his discretion. But those who seemed to be of his Party, in great consternation at the change of their Fate, exposed themselves to the hazard of their Lives, embarquing themselves in little Boats, and they were happy that got aboard five great [Page] [Page]

[Page 55] Gallies that returned from Baruty, la­den with Merchandizes, and had cast Anchor within sight of the Port. The news of so strange an Adventure, gave them the alarm to provide for their safety by an hasty flight. The Inhabitants of Zunchio were Specta­tors of all this Catastrophe, and find­ing themselves attacked by Land, found no other expedient but to deli­ver themselves up to the Enemy.

Modon.

IN the Frontiers of the Province of the so fertile and pleasant Belvedere, lying in that part of the Peloponnesus which was the Ancient Messenia, a­mongst the rest of the Cities in the Archbishoprick of Patras the Episco­pal and Staple Town, which Sophia­nus calls Modon, is reckoned: The Turks name it Mutum, and Pliny Me­thone, in Memory of Methena the Daughter of Honer: It is ten Miles off of Coron, an hundred and twenty from Napoli di Romania, and seventy [Page 56] two from the Cape of Matapan: Its Situation favoured in several particu­lars by Nature and Art, makes it very strong, and is upon a Promontory ad­vanced into the Sea of Sapienza, fronting the Coasts of Africk; at its Foot is a safe and Commodious Ha­ven, where usually resides the Sangiac of the Morea, much respected at the Port for his good Government.

In several Ages this place has been exposed to the Assaults of those who, intending to make themselves Masters of the Realm, have thought of gain­ing this City and Province; from hence it has happened that the famous Wall built at its entrance, and which for its breadth and solidity makes a considerable Opposition, has been of­tentimes attacked and gained, and by that means the whole Province sub­dued, and forced to pay a Tribute to keep themselves in any shew of Com­mand. The People of Naples by means of the Spartans, made them­selves Masters of Modon, and to sub­ject it more easily to their Rule, they placed there a Colony of their own People.

[Page 57] Some time after the Illyriaus enter­taining an Ambitious design of enlarg­ing their Dominions by conquests, chose them a King, and having got together a very numerous Army, made an irruption into the neighbour­ing Countrys. When they came near to Modon, they gave its Inhabitants to understand with feigned shews of A­mity, that they desired but to buy the necessary Provisions which they wan­ted. Those of Modon believing the matter to be so without any deceit or trick, took care to provide for them accordingly, some bringing them Bread, others Wine, and others Provi­sions. When the Illyrians saw a great number of them without the Gates, they thought (as it really was) that they were so fool-hardy as to leave but a few to guard the Fortress, so they ran all at once to seize on all the Posts and Avenues, and fell on with their whole Army with that fury, that they put a great many to the Sword, and made the rest their Slaves, making the City a sad Example of their Perfidie and Devastation. The Emperor Trajan touch'd with the Misfortune of those [Page 58] poor People that, escaping from the fury of their Traiterous Enemies, were returned thither, gave them Proofs of his Generosity, granting them several Priviledges and Freedoms. After this manner they lived in a kind of Aristocracy till the time of the Emperour Constantine, who left Rome for Constantinople; yet when subject to the Empire they kept so much of their first immunities, that the same form of Government remained; and as to the Homages paid the Emperor, they were rather protected by him, than entirely subjected to him.

In the year 1124. this City was At­tacked, and taken by the Doge Domi­nico Michael, when he returned the third time Triumphant from the Holy­land, over the Conquests of Tyre and Ascalon in Soria, and of Rhodes, Scio, Samos, Lesbos, and Andros, in the Ar­chipelago; and to these memorable Exploits may be added the entire de­feat of the Army of the Infidels, when he raised the Siege of Zaffo. And though the next year this place re­turned under Dominion of the Empe­ror of Greece, yet in the Division of [Page 59] the Empire, Anno 1204. it again came under the Republique, out of whose hands it was forced by Leon Ve­trane, a Genoese by Nation, who was a famous Pirat; he kept it not long, for soon after being made Prisoner on the Hellespont, he was transported to Corfu, and there received a violent Death from the hands of the Hang­man, as a just reward for all his Ra­pines. This Death of their Head dis­heartened the whole Party, and by that means the Captains Dandolo, and Promarino without much trouble be­came Masters of this Town.

But Bajazet the Second burning with a desire to enlarge his Empire by the Conquest of some new Country: In the Year 1498. putting himself at the head of an Army of an hundred and fifty thousand Men, closely besieged Modon: His Cannon made so great a breach in the Wall of the Suburbs, that th [...] Captains of the place were forced, after mature deliberation, to retire into the City, and carry with them what ever they could. But the Enemy pressed them in the City with more violence than ever; that they [Page 60] were ready to demand a Capitulation, when at last the Venetian Army ap­peared in view, which came from Zante, to their aid. As soon as the two Armies came within shot, there hapened a Cruel and doubtful Com­bat, but in the end after various For­tunes, the Venetians had so much ad­vantage as to get in one of their Felu­ques, to animate the besieged, to con­tinue Couragiously in the defence of the place, in the full assurance that their Army would soon rid them out of their Danger; and it fell out at the same time, that four Gallies with all sorts of Ammunition from the Vene­tian Army, passed through the Tur­kish Squadrons, and in despight of the Infidels gained the Port very happy­ly. This had been a matter of great Success, if the End had been less de­plorable; for the besieged overjoyed at the receiving the so long expected Succours, abandoned the Posts they ought to have kept still guarded. The Turks on their side watching for all Opportunities of gaining the Victory, and finding no great difficulty of en­tring the Town, laid hold of the Ad­vantage [Page]

[Page] [Page 61] [...]antage and gained the place, giving [...]rrible Proofs of their Cruelty. In [...]at furious slaughter, that was made, [...]he Illustrious Prelate Andrew Falconi [...]eceived his Death; who, cloathed in [...]is Pontificalibus, had animated the [...]eople to an obstinate resistance of [...]he Infidels.

It happened, for the common good of This was in the French Translati­on. Christendom, that whilst these Memoires [...]ere printing in French, we received the [...]greeable news of the taking of Modon [...]rom the Turks by the Venetian Army, [...]nder the wise Conduct of the Valiant General Morosini. This will much ad­vance the Conquest of the whole Morea, which justly belongs to that Triumphant Republick.

Coron.

COron has a strong and advantagi­ous Situation in the Province of Belvedere, the most Fertile and Rich in the whole Kingdom, and which was part of the Ancient Messenia, at about ten Miles distance by Land, and [Page 62] twenty by Sea from Modon; on the right side of Cape Gallo, by Ptolomey called Acritas Promontorium; Strabo and Pliny knew it by the same name, which was given it upon the account of what happened when its Founda­tions were laid; for in digging they found a Sea Swallow, by the Greek [...] called Coronis, and as an happy Pre­sage of future Prosperity, they named this City from the Bird, Coron.

It was once a Bishops Seat, Suffra­gan Strabo l. 9. Plin. l. 4. c. 7. Giov. Bemb. Giust in Fer­rari sub L. C. Baudrand Moreri Hofm. Ver­dizz. Sa­gredo. to the Bishop of Patras, and at an­other time 'twas reckoned a Colony of the Thebans, which the Poets called Pedosus; Laurenberg, Nisi: and Pau­sanias, Epea, and all the Ancient and Modern Historians make honourable mention thereof.

It makes the Figure of a Scalen [...] Triangle, and in one of its Angles i [...] a great Tower, built by the Venetian [...] Anno 1463. for a Magazin; the o­ther two sides, which are not was [...] by the Gulf of Coron, leave a suffici­ent space fit for the Tower of th [...] Fortress, which is encompass'd with an old Wall of an unequal thickness flanked with great Towers, and a [...] [Page 63] some Paces from thence on the North [...]de there is a Suburbs of 500 Houses.

Since it has been several times expo­ [...]ed to the Assaults of the Enemy, so it [...]as been often forced in different Ages [...]o pay Tribute to different Nations. Baudrand has thought it was yielded up to the Venetian Republick by the Despotes, Princes of the Morea; and Verdizotti says that at the time of the Division of the Graecian Empire, and in the same year that this glorious Re­publick, having made Alliances with several Princes, thought upon the gaining of this Kingdom, Coron was assigned for its Portion.

It was surprised Anno 1204. by Le­on Lexic. Geo­gr. Baudr. sub lit. C. Verdizz. fatti Ven. l. 7. p. 152. Veteran, a Genoese by Nation, and Pirate by Profession, who enjoyed not long his unjust Triumph, for be­ing taken on the Hellespont, as we said before, he was put to Death by the common Hangman at Corfu; whose death being known to his Compani­ons, all in amazement and disorder, they sought safety by an hasty flight; at whose dispersion the Inhabitants of Coron after some slight Attempts sub­mitted themselves to the Venetians.

[Page 64] Bajazet the Second Emperour of the East, all inflamed with the desire of extending the Bounds of his Empire Anno 1498. marched with a powerful Army strait to Modon, which having gained, he turned his Victorious Arms against Coron, which he could no otherwise win but by force.

In the Year 1533. the General Do­ria, who had under his command a Spanish Armado of 35 great Vessels, and 48 Gallies with a design of envi­roning this City, caused a great num­ber of Troops as well Spaniards as Ita­lians, the later under two Captains, Girolamo Tuttavilla and the Count Sarno, and the Spaniards Command­ed by Girolamo Mendozza. These three Commanders following the or­der of their General, began with four­teen Cannon to batter the City, and to gain Entrance by a large breach; but this Enterprize had not the Success that was hoped for: The Turkish de­fenders obstinately withstood the At­tack, and killed 300 Christian Soul­diers; nevertheless those Forces by Sea performed what the Troops by Land failed in: for vigorously following [Page 65] the Attack they got the Wall, and ob­ [...]iged the Defendants to hang out the white Flag; so the Turks were per­mitted upon Capitulation to go out, Bag and Baggage, and the Troops of Mendozza took Possession of the Place: some time after the Turks at­tempted to form a Blocus, so to regain the Town: it then fell out that the Spanish Garrison being unwilling to en­dure a Siege, shewed a resolution of going out to meet the Enemy, and what opposition soever Maccian Nova­rese, who Commanded in Mendozza's place, made thereto, endeavouring to divert them there from, by putting them to the greatest Labours, yet he found himself constrained at last to yield to their Importunity; wherefore he marched out for that bold Attempt to attack the Enemy, near Andrusa, where they lay encamped with an Army of 3000 Foot, amongst which were 500 Janisaries, Commanded by Casan Aga.

The Spaniards being come near the Enemys Camp, to give them the grea­ter amazement, thought best to set on fire the Stables of the Horses, who be­ing [Page 66] inraged to free themselves from the Flames, made a strange noise, which soon gave the Turks the alarm; who putting themselves in a Posture of defence, and finding the Christian Ar­my weak and few in number, endea­voured to encompass it; then was be­gan a very bloody Combat, and in the midst of the Press the Valiant Captain Maccian fell down dead of several Wounds; after that blow the Spaniards began to sink, and had been utterly routed if one of their Musque­tiers had not returned to the Turkish Commander, the like Fate which their own had suffered; by whose Death the Turkish Courage began to cool, and the Spaniards made an Ho­nourable retreat back to Coron, where they took a Resolution to embark and abandon the Place; and so the Em­peror was willing not to raise new difficulties that might obstruct the making of the Peace in Hungary: After this manner that unfortunate City re­turned under the Barbarian Yoak.

In the midst of this Calm, and whilst the Forces of the Republick were not employed about any great [Page 67] Enterprizes, the Procurator Francisco Morosini, Captain General of the Re­publick, toucht with the Sentiments of Honour and his great Courage, conceived the design of making use of the present opportunity to regain those places in the Morca, which the Ottomans had ravisht from the Vene­tians; for which purpose, considering that if once they were Masters of Co­ron, which was no difficult matter, a means might be found of carrying on their Conquests; he set sail for this City Anno 1685. and sat down be­fore it, but scarce had the Venetians ap­proacht the Place, when a great Bo­dy of Turks came down from the Country, and took up their Lodg­ments within Pistol-shot of the Chri­stians; by this bold Act the besieged were animated to a more Vigorous resistance, and it proved a great hin­drance to the Valour and Designs of the besiegers, who nevertheless de­sisted not from doing what ever they thought might advance the Siege and promote the taking of the Place. They gave Fire to a Mine of 100 Barrels of Powder, and were prepa­red [Page 89] for the Assault, if any Breach should be made, as they hoped there would; and notwithstanding the bad Success of their Mine, they proceed­ed to advance their Lodgments, and repulse the Turks with an extraordina­ry impetuosity. In this far advanced Post they defended themselves by their Dragoons, and were reinforced with some Troops of Malta; but in the end, after above three hours Combat, they were beat back and routed, and must all there have perisht, had they not found a means of escaping the Pursuit and Sword of the Enemy; yet for all this they carryed off from the Turks Seventeen Colours, and a Trophy of other rich Spoils: Being returned into their Retrenchments, to discourage the besieged, they set up at the end of their Pikes 130 Turks Heads; yet this abated not the Ardour of the Turks, who, although in continual Action, that they had scarce time to breath, yet would entertain no thoughts of Rendition, nor so much as Capitula­tion, so much were they encouraged by the hopes of receiving a speedy Succour; and indeed a great number [Page 69] of dispersed Fugitives and others got together from several parts of the Kingdom; or sent from the Turkish Army, came down, so that they were considerably encreased; and then they thought upon the readiest means to procure a speedy deliverance of the place. But their Efforts turned against them, for having attempted to force the Besiegers in their Retrenchments, they were briskly repulsed by a ter­rible Volley of Musket-shot and Gra­nado's; and being then pursued by a Regiment, and 200 Dragoons, they left 400 of their Men upon the place, and their Visier Calil Bassa was found amongst the rest of the Dead.

After this blow, which was not a little advantagious to us, our General making Reflection, that the Enemies were often refresht with new Supplies, to the great disadvantage of his own Men, whereof he had lost a great number, without any hopes of re­cruiting them, he at last concluded that the whole Success depended upon the Defeat of the Turkish Camp; where­fore he applyed himself to whatever might contribute to make this At­tempt [Page 70] successful and advantagious, he animated his Troops, took his Mea­sures, gave Orders and saw them Ex­ecuted so well, that he not only for­ced the Ottomans from their Camp, but put them to so great a rout, that flying with precipitation, there were a great number of them cut in pieces by our Forces in the pursuit. They left the Christians a considerable Boo­ty, consisting of six Brass Guns and much other Arms, all sort of Ammu­nition and Implements of War, 300 Horse, a great many Tents and Co­lours, amongst which the General-Standard, shewing, by the Horse Tails that adorned it, the Quality of the Commander, who was Machumat Bas­sa, who had the entire Conduct of the Army, and was killed, as we said before.

After so fortunate an Adventure, the Venetians found themselves freed from the great Obstacles of the Turks that were encamped without the Place; and being Masters of the Field, they had hopes of soon putting the Besieged out of all thoughts of defence. They prepared for a general Assault, [Page 71] springing a Mine, whose Effect [...]rought them to an Attack for three Hours; the besieged withstood them with an incredible Valour and Oppo­sition, fatal to a great many Nobles and Valiant Souldiers, who perisht there. This considerable loss gave a few moments breathing to the Attack, put the Courage wherewith they a­gain fell on made the besieged think it high time to come to a Capitulation, as they testified by hanging out a white Standard on the Rampart: Arms then were laid down to regulate the Articles of the Capitulation, but this was only a trick of Ottoman Perfidi­ousness, who made a feigned shew of Rendition, to procure a greater loss to the Besiegers, by a brisk and unex­pected Assault: The Venetians also took a more firm Resolution than ever to put an end to the Siege, which had already continued Nine and forty days, and having swept the Ramparts with their Shot, mounted the Walls and entered the Town, where being heated as they were with the Assault, they made a dreadful slaughter of all the Inhabitants, without regard of [Page 72] Sex or Age. They found there 128 Pieces of Canon, of which 66 were Brass, besides a great quantity o [...] Ammunition and Victuals.

There happened during the space of so long a Siege several Remarkable matters that would make a great Vo­lum. I shall but touch at some of the most Considerable, and for those, my design is rather to beget an admirati­on of the extraordinary Valour there shewn by its Assailants, who were distinguisht either by Birth or their great Employs, and fell there a Sacri­fice for Glory; than to open our Wounds and renew our Grief for their loss and our Misfortunes: a­mongst others was the Death of la Tour, Commander General by Land, and Knight of Malta; of the Prince of Brunswick, and of the Prince of Savoy: These Illustrious Warriours gave in the face of the Enemy suffi­cient Proofs of the greatness of their Courage, answerable to the deserved high Thoughts conceived of their Merit.

To these great Persons we may add, as he justly deserves a more than ordi­nary [Page 73] remembrance, that excellent [...]aptain Francesco Ravagnini, but 34 [...]ears old, Brother to Girolamo; [...]e have been informed of this parti­ [...]lar Circumstance of his Death, [...]hich alone merits an eternal remem­ [...]ance amongst Men. At the last Pe­ [...]ods of his Life, after having made [...]s Will for the distribution of his [...]state, he earnestly desired, that after [...]s death, his Body might be buried [...]o where but in Coron, testifying, by [...]at, his assurance, that the place [...]ould be taken; and nothing can [...]ore demonstrate with what ardor he [...]ust necessarily go to the Attack, [...]an this firm perswasion of their be­ [...]g Crowned with an happy success.

After being a little recovered of the [...]reat fatigues of this Siege, the Gene­ [...]al raised a Trophy of the great Stan­ [...]ard taken from the Enemies, and an Explication was made of the words [...]hat were upon it; with a general Ap­ [...]lause the Ornament of the Golden [...]tar was conferred by the Republick on his Brother Lorenzo, as a recom­pence for his great Services. The ta­king of Coron gave the People a per­fect [Page 74] joy and satisfaction, testified p [...] lickly by them, especially in their [...] ving Thanks to the God of Arm [...] and Supream Triumpher, who [...] given them so great a Victory o [...] the Enemys of his Faith. The [...] accompanied by the whole Sen [...] with an Infinite Concourse of Peop [...] went to the Church of St. Mark, a [...] after a Solemn Mass, Te Deum was sun [...] and the same was done in all [...] Churches with all imaginable Po [...] and Ceremony.

The Relation of the Battel befo [...] Coron, by the Venetian For [...] against the Ottomans, the 7th. Aug. 1685. With the Descript [...] on and Draught of the Standar [...] and Horses Tails, taken from t [...] Turks.

WHen the Venetian Army w [...] the Auxiliary Troops bega [...] to form the Siege of Corn, there ca [...] down from that side towards t [...] [Page]

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[Page] [Page 75] Land a powerful Succour of Turks, who lodging themselves within sight of ours, so much the more encouraged the Besieged, already sufficiently ani­mated to make an obstinate defence, by the advantages of the steep and difficult Situation of the place, and the abundance of Provisions and Am­munitions they were stored with, and maintained with a very strong and nu­merous Garrison. They were in hopes with the aid of this new Army of Ottomans, which now were advan­ced within Pistol-shot of our Tren­ches, they might raise the Siege and spoil our design; and indeed the Turks that were encamped without the place acted for its defence what­ever might be expected from desperate and bold Men. They attempted se­veral times to become Masters of a Bonnet which commanded their Camp, but were still repulsed. This retarded the Besiegers, and was an hindrance to their Works and Endea­vours to reduce the place; but the General took a Resolution to play a Mine of an hundred Barrels of Pow­der: this was performed the 24 of July, [Page 76] although with but little Effect, contrary to the hopes of the Success o [...] this Work; then the Turks broke into the Venetians Lines to gain their de [...] red Object, the aforesaid Bonnet, but when they thought themselves sun [...] of it, the General poured upon them a Body of Foot and Dragoons, and reinforced by the Maltese Forces, wh [...] Attacked them at the very entrance o [...] the Bonnet with so much Force and Valour for three hours, for so long the Combat lasted, that in the end our Forces replanted there the white Colours. The Turks that were driven from it endeavoured to shelter them­selves from our Shot, under the Co­vert of some Trees, but they were for­ced from thence also; there were left 400 of them dead upon the place, and as many wounded: Ours got by this Action several worthy Spoils, a­mongst the rest seventeen Standards; and at their return into their Tren­ches, they exposed to the view of the Besieged 130 Turks Heads, as a fright­ful dismaying Spectacle.

There were not above an hundred and thirty Christians killed and [Page 77] wounded, amongst which the Gene­ [...]l by Land ended his days; Com­ [...]ander la Tour, of the Order of Mal­ [...] a Captain, well meriting the Grief [...]f the whole Army; notwithstand­ [...]g the loss sustained by the Turks, [...]ey were not less obstinate in their [...]efence: Ours on the other side to [...]ve them more terrible Effects of [...]eir Power, made a furious discharge [...]f their Cannon, Bombes, and [...]ones; at the same time the Turks July 30. [...]llyed again after their slight, and [...]creased by a great number of Soul­ [...]ers got together from all Parts of the [...]orea, and with the Forces of the [...]aptain Bassa, again attempted with [...]eater impetuosity than before, to [...]row themselves into the Venetian [...]renches; but so great a discharge of [...]usket and Granadoes was made upon [...]em, that they were obliged to re­ [...]eat, and were followed by the Regi­ [...]ent of Colonel Bianchli with 200 Dra­ [...]ons up to their own Retrenchments: [...] this Action 400 of them were left [...]ead; but what most increased their [...]ss was, that a Cannon Shot took off [...]alil Bassa Visier Commander Gene­ral [Page 78] of the Ottoman Army, and we lost but forty of our Men, yet all these losses would not abate the Turkish Pride, and bring them to yield; for they knew where to gather a recruit of fresh Troops, and omitted not daily to disturb the Venetians in their Tren­ches. These frequent Attacks had much lessened our Men, who were besides much harrased with continual Action; so that doubtless 'twas very needful for the General to encourage them, which he did, shewing himself a fearless Example of Valour, being the first in all Dangers and fatigues.

In the end this prudent Comman­der finding the only means to reduce the place, was to force the Enemys Camp, proposed the Design to the Council of War, which was appro­ved of by them. He drew out of the Gallies 1500 Voluntiers, who under the Command of Lieutenant Colonel Magnani landed about Mid-night, and next day being the 7th. of August 1200 of them filed off to the left of the Enemys Retrenchments by the Entrance of a Valley, and the rest of them went to the right; at the [Page 79] same time the other Troops had or­der to follow their Motions, to be ready to give them a speedy Succour at necessary places, so to favour and promote the design.

Twilight of the next Morning be­ing come, two Barrels of Powder were fired, as a Signal, which was immediately followed with a dis­charge of all the Cannon, and surious Salvo of all the Musketeers, with a continual siring on the Front and Flank of the Enemies Camp. This brisk and unexpected Assault put the Turks into an extream disorder, and the forwardest of them began to give back and sly, without being able to be retained by the Example of the most fearless, or the Commands of their Officers; all yield, and the Venetians find no more resistance, but make a continual Butchery of the Turks, scarce any escaping their Swords. The Event was such, that the Victory which the Venetians gain­ed in a very short time, was accom­panied with the entire Defeat of their Enemies, and the Ground was all co­vered with dead and dying Men, [Page 80] and Streams of the unbelieving Blood ran down; in this Action but few of the Christians were lost or wounded.

A very rich Booty was found in the Turks Camp of Artillery, Arms, Ammunition and Provision, with a­bove 300 Horses, Tents, Standards, six Brass Guns, three whereof were marked with St. Mark of Venice, be­sides these the Imperial Standard a­dorned with Horse Tails, the mark of a general Command and a nume­rous Army.

By the order of the Senate this Monument of their Victory was de­signed for the Church of the Tolen­tins of Venice, to be there for ever exposed to the Eyes of the People, over the Altar of St. Gaetan, as an Eternal Memorial that this Saints Festival was the day whereon the Venetians had so Glorious a Success against the Infidels; and at the same time it was Decreed that every year on the same day, this Festival should be kept with all the Solemnity pos­sible, conformable to what was then done. The most Serene Doge, with [Page 81] the whole Senate and a general Con­course of all the City, went on Wed­nesday the Twelfth of September, car­rying the Standard with the Tails to that Church, where they sung a Te Deum, and a solemn Mass was Cele­brated in Thanks to God, to the great Comfort and Edification of the People.

The Figure which we have given represents the Magnificence of the Standard, and form of the Batons and Tails; the whole was designed and graved with so much care and exactness, that one who has the Skill of Blazonry, will easily comprehend not only its Grandeur, but likewise the Colours of this Standard; wherefore 'tis needless to particularise it here: It was thought best to oblige the Curi­ous with the interpretation of the Turkish Characters that make the Moon, and the Faces of the Lance on the end of the Standard.

[Page 82] On the right side of the Standard are read these Words,

In the Name of the most High and Almighty God, God the Lord of all, and of the holy Prophet above all other Saints, Maho­met Abubechir, Homer, Osman, Ali.

On the Reverse.

There is no other God but one only God, and Mahomet is his Prophet: Our God; thou art the God of Nations; thou art the Soveraign Good and Dispencer of Good. Kalil Bassa.

On the Face of the Standard are seen these Words repeated,

There is no other God but one only God, and Mahomet is his Prophet.

[Page 83] The Turks shew these Tails as a sign of their Resolution, to make new Levies, and that a great Army will march; and afterwards they give them to him that is to be the Commander in chief, as a sign of good Augury. This Custom took its rise amongst them, from an Adven­ture that happened to them, when they first began to establish their Ty­rannick Rule out of their own Coun­try. In a Battel their Enemy made 6000 of them Prisoners, who took occasion to throw off the Victors Yoak, and set themselves at Liberty; and wanting Standards to range themselves under, they thought upon, and made use of some Horses Tails for that purpose, since which time they have still continued the Custom; calculating the future by their first Success, and think themselves, under these Colours, able to deal with the most Couragious of their Enemies, and resist their most furious Onsets. But as once when the Sabins, a proud and fierce People, planted their Stan­dard in the Face of the Romans to af­front them, with these words; Sabinis [Page 84] Populis Quis Resistet; Who dares resist the Sabin People. The Romans an­swered them with an equal fierceness, in words beginning with the same Let­ters. Senatus Populus Que Romanus, The Senate and Roman People. So the Perfidious Ottomans will find their vain and ridiculous Sign opposed by the Sign that is revered in Paradise, which will one day procure their final Ruine, when we shall have made our selves worthy of this Favour from Heaven by our constant Prayers.

Calamata.

ON the left Bank of the River Spir­nazza which Strabo calls Pamis­sus, Ptolomey Pamissus, Niger Stronio, and Giovio Tifoo; on the hanging of a Hill lyes the Fortress of Calamata of a large extent, by Baudrand called Thelame, Theramme, Thuria and Abia, from the Nurse of Helles one of Hercu­les's Sons: Its Situation is in an open place in the Province of Belvedere, it is well Peopled, and though the Town [Page]

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[Page] [Page 85] has no Walls to repulse the Attacks of the Enemy, yet upon a mount near it stands a strong Castle, with regular Fortifications, able to guard it from all dangerous Incursions. Though Calamata be but a little way from Co­ron, yet it stands not on the Gulf, which is indifferently called the Gulf of Coron, and Calamata.

In the Year 1659. there was a very strong and numerous Garrison, who hindred Six thousand of the Magnotes who performed the Greek Rites, from shaking off the Barbarian Yoak, as they designed; they offered them­selves to General Morosini, and testifi­ed their great Zeal that they always had toward the Republick. The Ge­neral respecting their Generous incli­nation, and to take away all impedi­ment of their deliverance, caused a sufficient number of Forces to land, under the Command of Chevalier de Gremouille, who caused them to ad­vance to Attack the Castle; it hap­pened at the time when our Troops drew near it, that they were met by a great Body of Turks that ha­sted to its Succour. Captain Georgio [Page 86] Cornaro had the Fortune to rout them, and that this Success might procure another of more importance, he cau­sed some Venetians to enter into the Castle, together with the Turks, as if they had been all one; those of the Garrison never perceiving the Strata­gem till it was too late to hinder its sad Effects, so that they thought only upon flight; and thus they became Masters of the place without striking a blow. They found in the place a great Provision of Victuals, and af­ter they had taken as much as they could dispose of, and burnt the rest, with a good part of the Country, they left the Castle and returned to their Ships, leaving the place to be reinha­bited by the Turks.

This place was again taken by the Venetians, on the day of the Exaltati­on of the holy Cross, Anno 1685. un­der the command of the same Gene­ral Morosini; he made Governour there, Baron General Degenfeld, who [...]fterwards had Orders to raze it to the Ground. The Plan we give there­of represents it as it was when it was taken.

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Zarnata.

ZArnata is a Fortress much favou­red by Nature, but made much [...]ore considerable by Art; its Figure [...] almost round, and its Situation on [...] very pleasant Hill: in the Year 1685. [...]he Captain Passa encamped within [...]ive Miles of this place, and though he had a numerous and powerful Ar­my, yet he contented himself in be­ [...]ng an admirer of the Valour and Forces of the Venetian Army, with­out daring to attempt any Act of Hostility; willing rather to expose the place to the Enemy without Suc­cour, than himself by defending it to a Ruin, which he thought inevitable: After this manner the Garison delive­red it self up to General Morosini, up­on Conditions that were upon that account exactly observed; that they should carry off their Lives and Bag­gage untoucht; for 60 of them who went out of the place the eleventh of September, were convoyed to a certain place prefixt, without receiving the [Page 88] least violence or insulation from our Part. The Aga that Commanded them had no mind to go with them, for fear of losing his Head; but chose rather to submit himself to the Generosity of the Christians, and be­ing retired into their Camp, he ob­tained of Angelo Michieli Captain of the Slaves to stay aboard his Galley.

The General gave the Govern­ment of this place to two remarkable Voluntiers, in Qality of Represen­tants, named Bartolomeo Contarini, and Angelo Emo, leaving a Garrison of One hundred and fifty Souldiers, un­der the direction of Lieutenant Colo­nel Prastini.

Chielefa.

CHielefa is a Fortress of great im­portance, whether it be conside­red for its advantages of Nature or Art; it has its Situation upon a steep Rock a Mile and half from the Sea, it is a Mile in Circuit of a Qua­drangular Figure, and Flanked [Page]

[Page] [Page 89] with five great Towers about its Walls.

It is not far from the place where once Vitulo stood, a famous Trading Town, from whence the Port that is near it took and retains the name of Vitulo, though it is now but little fre­quented, being neither commodious nor safe.

When General Morosini was upon his expedition by War, to increase the Venetian Conquests, he presented him­self with his Army before this For­tress, and began to Attack it with great Vigour; but the Garrison thinking it self not in a Condition to oppose so great a Captain, endeavou­red to procure a favourable Capitu­lation.

The fearful Turks made humble re­quest to the General to spare their Lives, and permit them to go out without suffering any Violence from the Christians. Assar Passa, who re­sided there in quality of Comman­der of the whole Province, went first our, carrying the Keys of the Place to the Generals Galley, followed by a thousand Persons, whereof Three [Page 90] hundred and fifty embarked them­selves on the Ships of Pisani, some­time director of this Fortress, who transported them, with what Bag­gage they had saved, to the Isle of Staggs.

After they had returned Thanks to Heaven, and planted the Standard of the Cross, and the glorious St. Mark, the General establisht for Proveditor ordinary Bernardo Balbi, and Lorenzo Venier for extraordinary.

A Relation of the Victory obtained by the Venetians, over the Turks; Before the Fortress of Chielefa, on the first of April 1686.

THe Ottomans have now made Proof of what often happens, when by endeavouring to regain what we have lost, we draw upon us new and sometimes greater Losses. They intended at the beginning of the Campagn, to retake the Fortress of Chielefa, which the Venetians had justly taken from them the year be­fore; [Page 91] confiding in an Army which they had gotten together of Ten thousand Foot and fifteen hundred Horse: with a great number of Pio­niers, they began to Attack the place, playing upon it with six great Pieces of Ordnance, fully perswad­ed that they durst not, or at most could not maintain the place long; nevertheless they were ten days with­out much advancing their Works, or finding the Besieged any thing in­clined to Rendition; it fell out that the Venetian Army hasting to their aid Encountred the Turks, and the At­tack was so brisk and furious, that the Insidels betook themselves to their Heels as their only refuge. The Defeat was so hasty, that they left a very Rich Booty to the Con­querors; and a great many of their Men dead upon the place.

Passava.

PAssava is a Fortification seated in the Province of Maina, near the Shore of the Gulf of Colochina, upon Cape Matapan, opposite to Chi­elefa and Port Vitulo; its Figure is as we have represented it in our Draught thereof; it is built upon an Eminence, but is altogether irregular, and not in a condition to hinder the inroads of the Enemy into the Province.

Captain General Morosini caused a Twenty fourth of September 1685. great Party of Magnotes to make an halt before this Fortress, at the same time that the Turks went out of Chielefa, to set up the Standard of St. Mark, but perceiving the Garri­son ready to march out, and stayed but to transport the great Guns of the place, he sent a Detachment of five hundred Foot, under the Com­mand of Sergeant Major Gregorevick a Forreigner, to reinforce the Magno­tes, and hinder their design. The Turks discovering at a distance the [Page 93] Venetian Colours, in a great fright and disorder ran and left their Post. So we became Masters of the place without a stroak: It was not judged worth the leaving a Garrison to maintain it; but on the contrary it was resolved to raze it, which was the more readily concluded on, in that it was an useless place, and that there was very near to it a strait passage where a few Men might put a stop to, and engage a very numerous Army.

Mysitra.

AS this place has had several ap­pellations, so some have chose to call it rather by one than ano­ther; it was at the first called Sparta, then Lacedaemon, and at last Mysitra; it is one of the most fa­mous of all the Graecian Cities, and has been of so vast an extent, that in Forty eight Sta­dia make 5440 Geo­metrick Polybius's time it contained a Circuit of Eight and forty Furlongs. Its Fi­gure was almost round, and its Situ­ation [Page 94] was partly upon an Eminence, and partly upon the declivity of the Hill. The Mountain Taygeta com­mands it on the West.

From that vastness it once had, it is now shrunk to a little Town, scarce­ly shewing any remains of its for­mer Glory: Although it had no Walls for Eight hundred Years, yet it maintained it self very well a­gainst its Enemies, and of those that afterwards incompassed it, though they have been often rebuilt; there is now only the Castle and the Foun­dations, where they once stood, to be seen. It has but two great Gates, one on the North side towards Na­poli di Romania, the other on the West towards Exokorion, to which answer two High-ways or great Roads, one called Aphetais or grand Bazar, the other Hellerion.

The Inhabitants are exposed to ex­cessive heats during the Summer: for besides that the City lyes full South, being seated at the Foot of the Moun­tain, the Suns Rays by this oppositi­on are reflected and redouble the heat.

[Page 95] The Learned Monsieur La Guilleti­ere being some years ago upon the place, took the height of the Pole three several days one after another, viz. the 19. 20, and 21, of June, and regulating himself by the Meridian height of the Sun, by the Shadow of a Cylindrical Body, divided into a thousand equal Parts, the difference of the Shadows at these three Ob­servations was unperceivable, and the length of the Shadow was still found to be 211 Parts of the Cylinder; whence he concluded the Sun was 12 degrees and 56 Minutes from the Zenith, and the Latitude of Mysitra 35 degrees and 26 Minutes.

The City is divided into four Quarters, each of which being sepa­rated from the rest, makes of it self a disunited Body. The Castle is one of them, the City another, and two Suburbs the other; where­of the one is called Melokerion, that is to say the middle Suburb, and the other is called Exokorion or the outward Suburb, by the Turks named likewise Maratche.

[Page 96] The Exokorion is separated from the other three by the River Vas [...]li Potamos, and has no Communicati­on with them but by a Stone B [...]ge.

The Castle named to Castron is seated on an Eminence, is of a conical Figure, and has good Walls; it had some years since Ten Pieces of Artillery, and a Garrison of Eighteen or Twenty Janisaries Com­manded by a Disdar that seldom re­sides there.

There are always Magazines well stored with Corn for the Armies use, for each Turkish Family is ob­liged to bring his Corn in to renew the Store every year. There are al­so some Cisterns, and in the midst of the Castle a Mosque, once a Christian Church.

This Citadel is so advantagiously situated, that Histories assure us it was never taken, though Mahomet the Second and the Venetians have At­tacked it with great Vigour.

It was a work of the Despotes in the declining of the Greek Empire, and that because the old Castle sea­ted [Page 97] on the opposite Hill, whereof now the Ruines are only to be seen, did not sufficiently Command the Town.

It is not certain who was the first Founder of Sparta, Historians not yet agreeing thereon: Some say 'twas Spartus the Son of King Amiclas; others, the Princess, King Lacedaemon's Wife, who was called Sparta; many affirm 'twas Cecrops, who likewise founded Athens; and again others attribute its Foundation to Spartus the Son of Phoroneus, King of Argos, Contemporary with Jacob the Patriarch, 1763 Years be­fore the Birth of Christ, since ac­cording to the Calculation of Fa­ther Petau, the Patriarch Jacob was born 1876 Years before the Year of our Redemption, so that to this present Year 1687, there are 3422 Years since the building of this Ci­ty; therefore it is older than Rome 983 Years, than Carthage 867, than Syracusa 995, than Alexandria 1405, than Lyons 1639, and than Marseilles 1136.

[Page 98] There never was any Nation in the whole World that may be com­pared to the Lacedaemonians for Poli­ty, and they never had a King but one of their own People; and these People only have seen upon their Royal Throne two Virtuous and de­serving Heads circled with the same Diadem; and often amongst them have been sound Prodigies for Wis­dom and the Art of Governing, that they have been thought the only Politicians; and upon these Foun­dations 'tis that it could endure and flourish 800 years; it declined in its Prosperity and Glory, when it lost Colemanes the third King of that name.

Finally, the Eastern Empire ha­ving been divided into Temata or general Governments, Lacedaemon was made an Appendant to the Em­perors eldest Son; since when it lost its name of Lacedaemon, and was on­ly called Sparta; and its Princes who had under their Dominion the whole Morea were called De­spotes.

[Page 99] The Despote Theodorus, who E­spoused the Daughter of Renier Prince of Athens, and was Brother to Andronicus and Emanuel, who succeeded each other in the Em­pire; finding himself unable to at­tempt to resist Bajazet, treated with Philibert de Naillac Prior of Aqui­tain, and great Master of Rhodes, a­bout the Sale of Sparta and Corinth; which Treaty was almost conclu­ded, when Tamerlain Triumphing o­ver Bajazet, the Spartans were so en­couraged thereat, that they absolute­ly refused to consent to Theodore's Alienation of Tzaconia, and the Peo­ple being in a Tumult, the two De­puties for the great Master, that were to take possession of the Go­vernment had notice that it was their best way to retire, or other­wise they should be treated as E­nemies; and so they lost Corinth a­gain, when they were already in possession thereof, and Theodore was not well pleased to refund the Money he had so lately singe­red.

[Page 100] At last he dying, left the De­spotate to one of his Nephews of his own name, Son to the Empe­ror Emanuel: this new Despote mar­ried an Italian Lady of the House of Malatesta, upon which that Fa­mily grounds a right to the Duché of Sparta. Theodore the Second took a Resolution to go to Constantinople, to succeed his Brother John in the Empire, leaving his Despotate to his Brother Constantine; it was at this time that Amurath the First made an irruption into Tzaconia. Constan­tine being raised to the Imperial Throne, Sparta fell to Demetrius, out of whose hands 'twas ravisht by Mahomet the Second, who barbarou­sly sawed the Governour of the Ca­stle in two.

In the Year 1473 Benedetto Col­leone, who had the command of the Venetian Army conquered Spar­ta, and had well nigh reduced the Citadel. Sansovino shews us in his History, that this City toge­ther with the whole Province was under the Republick, at the time [Page 101] that Henry Dandolo was Prince of the Senate.

A List of the Kings of Lacedae­mon, in their Order, with the Years of their Reigns.

Maina at Cape Matapan.

OF all the Promontories of Pelo­ponnesus, that which shoots it self farthest into the Sea is the Cape of Matapan, which was once called Pliny, Se­nec. Ptolom. Promontorium Taenarium, in the Bowels whereof is the Cave Taenarus, whose dreadful Mouth gave the Poets occasion to call it the en­trance of Hell; and they added that the invincible Hercules came forth at this passage, Triumphant over Cerberus; from whence they say a­mongst other Titles it had that of Taenarus, though others again will have its name from Taenarus, who sprung from Elaphus the Son of Ieanus, who marryed Elemanda the Daughter of Damasicles.

The Sea is very deep round about Zonaro. Giovio. this Promontory, and there are two very Commodious Ports, as is well known to those who sail that way; the one is called the Port of Quails, from the prodigious number of [Page]

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[Page] [Page 103] those fowl there found; the other the Port of Maina. Between these two Ports, and in the place of the Ruines where the Ancient C [...]sare Campana Vol. 1. l. 1. Cersapo­lis once stood; the Ottomans built a Fortress which they named As is seen in the Cart of the Plan of this For­tress. Tur­co [...]ogli Olimionas, which the Greeks interpret Castro di Maini, and the Turks Monige. Their design in this was thereby to bridle the Inhabi­tants of Tzaconia; at this time this Province takes up an Baudrand Lex. Geog. Arm of the Maina, and extends it self a great way along the more Southern part of the Morea: The Men thereof are very Valiant, but some brisk Attempt of the Christians they would forward with their ut­most power and good will; for at this time out of hatred to the Turks, and their Barbarous Government, as oft as they can they make their re­treat into the dreadful holes of the Rocks, and hide themselves in the thick Forests, to avoid paying Tri­bute and to breath a little Liber­ty.

[Page 104] In the Year 1570. The Captain of the Gulf, Quirini, setting sail from Candia with twenty four Gallies, came to Anchor at Corfu, where be­ing informed that this Fort was built upon that motive we have declared, immediately designed to Attack it; but before he attempted it he went into these two Ports, giving the Magnotes advice of his Magnati Campana. Design; who indeed on this occa­sion gave good Proofs of their good Will and Courage. After a very sharp and brisk Combate, wherein the Turks had the worse, the Cap­tain became Master of the Fort, and would not stir out of the Gulf, till he had taken away this Eye­sore from a People so well in­clined to the Republick: so having taken out whatever might be ser­viceable, he caused it to be de­molisht.

Malvasia or Malvoisie

THe City commonly called Mal­vasia, which Ptolomy named Epidaurus Limera, and Baudrand after Thucydides. others Monembasia, is situated on a Rock, from whence is a pleasant Prospect Eastwards over the Anci­ent Laconia, a Region rude and un­even, yet as Fertile as any part of Peloponnesus, this Province is at this day known by the name of Braccio di Maina, because it extends it self on the left side of that Arm where begins the Gulf, by Ptolomy called Argolicus Sinus, now the Gulf of Na­poli di Romania.

It has the Title of an Archbi­shoprick; being blest with a very advantagious situation, for it is built on the Top of a Rock whose Bot­tom is washt by the Waves of Ar­chipelagus; yet it enjoys this benefit of Nature, that it has several sources of sweet clear Springs, which by watering the little Ground that is [Page 106] about it, makes it so Fertile as to maintain the Garrison of the place, consisting of 50 or 60 Men, it is in­accessible on all sides, but one place where it is defended with a very thick triple Wall, at which place is joyned to it a Suburb or Lower Town, of a considerable number of Houses, strengthened with a strong Rampart at that place, where the Inhabitants issue forth to go to the main Land, which is separated from the ground whereon this Town stands, and is united thereto by a Wooden Bridge of a good length; it has likewise a very spacious Port which is better defended than the Fortress.

Its Territory bears a great quan­tity of Raisins, and incomparable Wines are there made, not a whit yielding to any of the Wines of Candie.

In times past the Graecians came from all Parts to this little Isle, to adore the God Aeculapius, whose Worship made the place famous through the World.

[Page 107] The People of Epidaurus when they were once deputed by their Commonalty to this place, as they sailed from Argos, which was their Country then, had several Dreams which made them hope for an hap­py and prosperous Success in their Enterprize; and so being arrived at the Port, they determined there to settle a Colony and build a City, which they called Epidaurus; the Buildings are now wholly ruined by tim, that has been no more kind to that place than others, and the name is all that now remains.

It is true that time and chance rules all things, an example where­of is seen in the Fate of Malvasia or Epidaurus; for though its situa­tion ought to render it invincible, yet it has for all that often by ill Fortune undergon several changes of Government.

In the time when it was sub­ject to the Emperors of Constan­tinople it was taken from them; when the French and Venetians having made themselves Masters of that Empire, [Page 108] and Baldwin Count of Flanders was Emperor, this place was given in Ann. 1204. Fee to a French Baron, called Guil­laume, as a recompence for his great Services performed in that War; but at last Michael Paleologus having dispossessed the French, and being re­installed in the Empire, he made the said Guillaume Prisoner, who at that time made a renunciation of all Right and Title to Epidaurus; the Baron being so escaped out of the Emperors hands came to Venice, and there made a donation of the same Rights and Pretensions to the Republick, affirming what he had done to Paleologus was extorted from him, and upon that account in­valid, that Act being not volunta­ry, but forced. So the Venetians re­lying on this donation, set a great Army to Sea, and made them­selves Masters of Malvasia, which they kept till the year 1537. when Solyman began to pass the bounds of Thrace, to invade the Graecian Empire, and endeavour the ruine of Christendom.

[Page 109] The Venetians most resented these Usurpations, and the Barbarous Conqueror not contented to have put several parts of their Dominions Ann. 1536. Paruta, p. 2. l. 9. to pay him Tribute, gave order to Cassin, Sangiac of the Morea, to lay Siege to and to reduce this People; who getting together a numerous Army began to execute his Orders. When Solyman reflecting upon the design, that to Attempt this place were to hazard the Reputation of his Forces and lose time, changed his mind and turned his Arms an­other way; yet sometime after he Ann. 1537. returned thither, and reduced the place not by pure force but by assu­rances of Peace.

During the Wars of Candia and Dalmatia, when the Venetians, as much as in them lay, opposed the irruptions and violent inundations of the Enemy; General Foscolo being near Epidaurus with a Squadron of Twenty two Gallies, Eight tall Ships, and six Galeasses, went to At­tack the Fort which the Ottomans had built without the Suburbs. [Page] [Page 110] This Attack was very brisk, and the Venetians became Masters of the Fort in one day: but it happened as they put the Enemy to flight with loud shouts and crys, that a Mine took Fire under the Victorious, and left an Hundred and fifty of them dead, with as many hurt and wound­ed. The Venetians revenged the Death of their Companions, entring the place with their Swords in their hands, and having demolisht the Fort, they left it, taking away with them Twenty two Cannons, wherewith the Enemies covered and defended the Saicks that came there to An­chorage in the Port, waiting till a fit time to set sail for Candia offe­red.

[Page]

The Explication of the Letters in the Draught of Malva­sia.

• A. THe old Tower.
• B. The Castle.
• C. The Gate of the For­tress.
• D. The steep Rocks invi­roning the place.
• E. The Suburb or lower Town.
• F. The Gate of the Sub­urb.
• G. The Wooden Bridge which was broken by the Venetians.
• H. The Fort built by the Venetians to hinder all Succours.

Napoli di Romania.

AMongst the celebrated Cities, once the glory of Argia, at this day called Saccania or Romania Minor, a very rich Part of the Morea, Napoli preserves to this time the re­mains of its former Beauty; it is named by Sophianus, Napli, by the Greeks M. Spon. Voyage de Grace, l. 2. Anaplia, and by Ptolomey, Herod. Xenoph. Strab. Nauplia; this strong and trading Town was built by Nauplius the Son of Neptune, and Amimone in the innermost part of the Gulf, com­monly called di Napoli, and by Pto­lomey Argolicus Sinus, on the point of a little Promontory which ex­tends it self on two sides; that which is towards the Sea makes a large Port and very safe, and the o­ther is a great hindrance to the Com­merce of those that pass that way, because they cannot climb up it but by one very steep narrow Path, which lies between mount Palamedes and the Sea.

[Page 113] The City is situated near to this place, and with very considerable advantages which it has on three sides, puts as it were a Bridle on the Waves of the Sea; whose Shores are so high and steep, that in all ha­zardous Attempts they absolutely hinder the Enemy not only from landing, but likewise from battering the Walls of the City from their Gallies; the Bay is very spacious within, but it is stopt up at its en­trance, and no Gallies can get in till they have passed through a Chanel, where they are exposed to the great Artillery. The City is defended by a Citadel well provided, and which being built upon a Shelf or Rock, about 300 Foot out in the Sea, cannot be Attacked on that side toward the Land, and the Rocks that surround it prevent all surprize: In fine, on which side soever one looks upon the Town, one shall find that Nature and Art have conspired as much as possible to render it strong: Nor Baudrand. Hofman. Laurem­berg. has it wanted its honourable Titles, for it was once a Bishops Seat, whose [Page 114] Metropolis was Corinth; and at this day it is an Archbishops it self, and one of the Chief. It is distant Fifty five Miles from Athens; sixty from Mysitra; Thirty six from Corinth: It is the Residence of the Governour of the Province, in which are reckon­ed to be Sixty thousand Greeks, besides a great number of other In­habitants, which according to Pau­sanias were anciently Aegyptians, who inhabited there with Danaus, as in a Colony of their own. Napoli has tasted of the same Fate with o­ther places, to pass under the Rule of several Princes and forms of Go­vernment.

As Paulus Ranusius reports, it was Paulo Ra­nusio querra di Const. 1. 5. p. 160. taken Anno 1205. by the Venetians joyned with the French; but some time after King Giovanissa turning his Arms against this City, though he found it well furnisht with Am­munition and Men, yet he gave so Vigorous an Assault to it, that he carryed it; where at his entrance he gave terrible Marks of his Rage, for he put the Commander and the [Page 115] whole Garrison to the Sword, and Sacked the Town, which was at that time rich, powerful, and seated in the best part of the whole Romania.

Verdizzoti is of Opinion, that in the 13. Century this City being in the Possession of Marie of Erigane, the Widow of Peter, the Son of Frederic Cornarus Piscopia, this Lady not finding her self able to oppose so many powerful Enemies, that had a mind to the place, especially Bajazet above the rest, made a grant of it to the Republick; under this new Rule Napoli quietly let some Ages pass over, yet not without of­ten tasting those Misfortunes, whereto all places are subject, that are the aim of the Ottoman desire; for being several times Attacked by those Barbarians, it often proved the Misery of want and Famine, toge­ther with the eating and tearing Misfortune of seditious Persons, cau­sed by these frequent allarms.

Mahomet the Second greatly thir­sted to ravish it out of the Arms [Page 116] of its lawful Prince; and thinking there was no other way to obtain his end, but by Arms, he gave Orders to Macmut Bassa, to go and Besiege it with a powerful Army; but this Siege was not Successful; for having found the Defendants very Valiant and able to resist him, armed with a constant resolution to withstand all his violences, he was obliged af­ter several Attempts and great Los­ses sustained to quit his Enter­prize.

Solyman the most Ambitious of all the Turkish Emperors, commanded Cassin, Sangiac of the Morea, to go and form a Siege before this place, with proportionable Forces to the strength thereof; but Cassin had not herein a more fortunate Success than Macmut; for after having obstinate­ly indeavoured a long time to take the place, and sustained great loss from the Valour of the Inhabitants, he was forced to retire; yet scarce two years past ere he returned to the Attack, and won the place, though in reality it was not by force [Page]

[Page] [Page]

[Page] [Page 117] [...] Arms, for it still approved it [...]lf invincible, but by an agreement [...]ade by the Republick, which much [...]ressed and tired out with continual [...]ars and want, sought after some [...]efreshments of Peace and Re­ [...]ose.

The Explication of the Letters in the Draught of Napoli di Romania.

• A. THe Fortress on that side towards the Sea.
• B. The Chain which shuts up the Port.
• C. A Cavalier raised upon the Fortress of the Sea.
• D. The Port capable of a Great Fleet.
• E. Another Chain to hinder the Entrance into the Port.
• F. A Battery of great Artillery.
• G. The Mosques.
• H. The City.
• [Page 118] I. Another Battery of great [...] ­tillery.
• K. The Chanel three [...] broad.
• L. Part of the Gulf of Roman [...].
• M. Mount Palamedes.
• N. The Fort upon the main Land, to which the Chain that shuts up the Port is fastened.

Argos.

AS Baudrand the famous Geogra­pher of our times reports, there have been three Cities called by the same name of Argos; one which Pliny calls Argos Amphilochium which is in Epirus. The Strabo. Second Argos Pe­lasgicum in Macedonia, and the Third Argos Peloponnesiacum. Of the two first we will make mention each in their place; at present we will speak of the third, which was once called Phoronia of Phoroneus; Hippobote from the great numbers of Horses bred [Page 119] [...]ere; Jasia from the name of a Va­ [...]nt Captain; besides these it was [...]lled Diposia and Jappia; it is the [...]apital City of the famous Argia, and [...]ckoned amongst the noblest Cities [...] Peloponnesus. It is seated on the [...]iver Planissa which the Latines name [...]achus, at Thirty six miles distance [...]om Corinth, Sixty from Sparta, and [...]ive from Napoli di Romania, it is the [...]at of a Bishop, Suffragan to the [...]rchbishop of Corinth; it has on the West the Mountain Cronia, on the North Cleone, and on the South the Ruins of the Antient Mycenia, raised [...]n the Ruines of some other Neigh­bouring Cities, it vaunted that the World could not shew its like for Magnificence; and there is a Tradition that from her all the Greeks took the name of Argives, as if to testifie that she alone was enough to maintain the Glory and honour of the whole Nati­on at the greatest height desirable.

Its Rule began with Inachus its first Founder, in the year of the World 2197. and continued for 546. years till Acrisius who was slain by his Nephew [Page 120] Perseus An. 2742. several Authors, a Patena, Clemens Alexandrinus, &c. [...] firm that this Inachus was contemporary with Moses; but Eusebius sh [...] the contrary, and proves that he li [...]e 346 years before the Children of Isra [...] went out of Aegypt.

A Chronological Table of the King [...] of Argos.

[Page 121] There are Authors who besides these, [...]ake mention of Megaphentas, Anax­ [...]goras, Melampus and Bias, which they [...]dd to the Kings of Argos.

After having been for a long time [...]he principal City of the Morea, it be­ [...]ame a Commonwealth, and in that quality had a part in all the Grecian Wars, as is seen in Pausanias, Moreri [...]nd Lauremberg: At this day 'tis but a miserable hole giving shelter to a very few Inhabitants, and retains only the name of its past Glory. Now that this City belongs to the Venetians seve­ral Historians affirm, and the Decrees ratifie; and if they agree not as to the manner, yet they all unanimously conclude it has been justly enjoyed by them. Baudrand pretends that the Duke of Sparta offering it to sale to them that would give most for it, 'twas purchased by the Republick for a great Sum of Money.

It appears by a Decretal of the Se­nate in the sixteenth of March, Anno 1383. which we have here rehearsed, That Peter, the Son of Frederick Cornaro, at the same time possessed Argos and Na­poli di Romania. Verdizzoti assures the [Page 122] same, adding that Marie d' Anguien, [...] Enguien, by corruption called d' Erig [...] ­no, being left without Children, t [...] Widow of Peter became Governess of Argos, as pretending a right to it; but not being in a condition to defend it against so many powerful Enemies, especially the ambitious Bajazet, who was the most to be feared, she offered to deliver it to the Senate: and this Act of Marie d' Erigano happ'ned in the Month of December, Anno 1388. as we shall prove by a Copy of the Ori­ginal that is in the Library of that No­ble and Honourable Seigneur Giov. Bap­tista Cornaro Piscopia, Proveditor of St. Mark, the worthy Descendent of Peter, and the Father of that Illustrious He­lena, the Beauties of whose Mind were much more surprising and admirable, than those of the Body of the fair Grecian Helen: who though cut off in the She died in the 31. year of her age, on the 26. of Ju­ly, 1684. at Badova and is there bu­ried in the Church of St. Justin. Flower of her Age, yet shewed the World prodigious Effects of her Knowledge and Parts.

In the Year, 1463. the Republick sent to make its Complaints against Mahomet the Second then reigning, for that, contrary to the Faith of their [Page 123] Treaties, he shewed himself as an Ene­my, by putting Argos under the Go­vernment of the Flambular or Sanza­ [...]hei of Corinth. These Complaints produced no good effect with that bar­barous Prince; wherefore deliberating on the Means to obtain Justice upon this his infringement of the Peace, War was concluded upon; and Bertoldo d' Estée, who commanded the Army of the Republick, was sent before the Place with fifteen thousand men, who soon won the Fort: The Cittadel made some resistance, but that likewise in a short time delivered up it self. It happ'ned afterwards that this General dying, Dauch Passa soon put to rout the Vene­tian Army, his own consisting of twenty four thousand men. Thus Argos was presently retaken again by him, and threescore Cross-bow-men of Candia made Prisoners and cruelly put to death.

The Copy of the Writing before mentioned taken from the Ori­ginal of the Act, contained in the Manuscript History of Ra­phael Caresini Great Chancellor of Venice, added as a Continu­ation of the Chronicle of the Doge Andreas Dandola.

NObilis vir Petrus Cornario quon­dam domini Federici, dominaba­tur Terris, Castris, & Fortiliciis, Argos, & Neapolis, vigore dotis uxoris suae e­gregiae dominae Mariae, siliae quondam e­gregii viri domini Guidonis de Engino, quo quidem Petro Cornario florida aetate, absque liberis defuncto, ipsa loca manifesto discrimini subjacebant, ne ad manus Tur­carum, seu Graecorum pervenirent, in evi­dens damnum praefactae dominae Mariae, ad quam de jure spectabunt. Quare Du­calis excellentia, 1388. indictione XII. die Sabbathi 12. Decembris, ad instantem supplicationem ejusdem dominae, ipsa loca, & terras emit ab ea jure proprio, duca­torum boni auri, & justi ponderis quingen­torum [Page 125] solvendorum omni anno in perpetu­ [...]m ipsi dominae Mariae de Engino, & suis [...]aeredibus descendentibus. Ipsa potest te­ [...]tari, & per testes dimittere singulis, & [...]uibus sibi placuerit de pecunia Commu­ [...]is Venetiarum ducatorum 200. auri: & in ipso casu illustrissimus dominus Dux, & Commune Venetiarum sint abso­ [...]uti ab omni debito, & prestatione alicui [...]acienda de pecunia, vel alia re pro dictis, [...]uae remaneant, & sint, perpetuò, & liberè, & absolutè praefacti domini Ducis, & Communis Venetiarum. Insupèr praeliba­ [...]us dominus Dux & Commune Venetia­ [...]um promisit ipsi dominae Mariae dare, & solvere omni anno, in vita sua tantùm du­ [...]atos 200 auri de provisione, ultrà supra­script. duc. 500 auri. Si verò ipsa loca [...]erderentur, illustrissimus dominus Dux, & Commune Venetiarum non teneatur in [...]liquo haeredibus ipsius dominae Mariae, do­ [...]ec ipse dominus Dux, & Commune Ve­ [...]etiarum reacquisiverint, & iterum posse­derint ipsa loca, & utrúmque eorum. In­supèr ipsi dominae Mariae non potest impo­ [...]i per excellentissimum dominum Ducem, & dominum Venetiarum aliquod grava­men, sive onus faciendi imprestita, aut a­lias impositiones, occasione istarum pecunia­rum [Page 126] quantitatum: Veruntamen remane [...] in libertate Ducalis dominii providendi disponendo tantam pecuniam Commu [...] Venetiarum ad officium Imprestitorum, a [...] ­alibi, ex qua habeatur de proprio suo redi [...] annuatim summa septingentorum ducat [...] ­rum auri, scribendo ipsum capitale cùm ge [...] ­tibus suprascriptis.

Caeterum praefata domina Maria de En­gino motu proprio, spontè, & certa ani [...]i scientia, considerans salutem, & conserva­tionem personae, & status sui post dictum consistere in benignitate illustrissimi Duta­lis dominii Venetiarum, à quo velut Fili [...] benignissimè tractata est, & tractari digno­scitur, promisit, & juravit absquè requi­sitione alicujus, provido viro Marco de Raphaelis Notario, velut publicae Personae, & per eorumdem fieri fecit publicum in­strumèntum 1388, die 17. Decembris, se toto tempore vitae suae non accipere mari­tum, sive conjugem, nisi nobilem civem originarium Venetiarum, sub poena perden­di statim ipso facto totaliter praetium, & provisionem praedictam ducatorum 500 annumeratim pro praetio dictorum locorum; & supra scriptos ducatorum 200 auri de provisione, & suprascripta 200 ducatos, quos per testamentum legare potest in casu, [Page 127] quo ipsa moreretur absque haeredibus ab ea descendentibus.

Exemplum.

Mixtorum num 38. ad Cartas 14.

1383 Die 16. Martii in Rogatis, CAPTA.

Cùm loca nobilis viri Ser. Petri Cor­nario quondam Ser. Phaederici, scilicet Ar­gos, & Neapolis fuerint, & sint ad ho­norem nostri dominii, & pro omni bono respectu, pro statu nostro faciat, quod di­cta loc [...] conserventur in manibus dicti Ser. Petri ad honorem nostri dominii, & sicut sentitur, ad conservandum dicta loca ex­pedit, ut Persona dicti Ser. Petri vadat ad dicta loca propter pericula, quae possent oc­currere.

Vadit pars, quod concedatur dicto Ser. Petro Cornario, quod ipse cùm illo numero Personarum, & familiae, quae videbuntur Dominis Consiliaris Capitibus, Sapientibus Ordimon, vel majori parti dicti Collegii possit ire, & conduci super Galeis Culphi in proximo exituris ad loca sua praedicta. [Page 128] Etiam quia in numero istarum Galearu [...] Culphi, quae armantur, erit una Gal [...] grossa, potest ei optimè, & de nostra grati [...] complaceri.

Of the Confines of the MOREA.

The Confines of this Peninsula are (as we have said) the Ionian Sea, that of Sapienza and the Aegean: To this we will add the Descriptions of the Gulfs of these Seas.

Of the Isles and Rocks that are round the Morea, and in the Io­nian Sea.

Of the maritime Places between the Morea and th [...] Negropont.

Of the Ebb and Flow of the Euripus.

THe Euripus is a strait of the Egaean Sea, so narrow, that scarce one Gal­ley can pass it (under a Bridge that is made over it) between the Cittadel and the Tower or Dungeon of Negro­pont. It has been called Euripus Eubolcus, from the old name of the Isle, or Ghal­cidicus from the ancient City Chalcis; the Latins named it Euripus, those of the place Egripos, the Italians Stretto di Ne­greponte, and the French l' Euripe de Chal­cidoine, or le detroit de l' Euripe. It is a­bout sixty miles long with little Gulfs in divers places.

Its Ebb and Flow is doubtless one of the greatest wonders in the World, and it is fabled, that Aristotle drowned himself in it out of grief that he could not find out the cause thereof.

Antiphilus, a Native of Bizantium, says in a Greek Epigram, that the Euri­pus rises and falls six times; Strabo, Pli­ny [Page 113] and Suidas, with several others, hold, that it flows and ebbs seven times a day.

Pomponius Mela assures us, that this is done fourteen times a day, tho it seems by his words, that he means, that the Euripus continually ebbs and flows four­teen times in 24 hours. These are his words, lib. 2. cap. 7. Mare rapidum et alterno cursu septies nocte fluctibus invicem versis, adeo immodicè fluens, ut ventos etiam ac plenis velis navigia frustretur. That is, the Sea is there very rapid, running sometimes one way, sometimes the other se­ven times in a night, and as oft in the day with returning waves, with that violence that they prevail against the winds, and put a stop to ships under Sail.

Seneca seems to be of the same Opini­on in one of his Tragedies, where he thus speaks:

It seems also that Pliny would express the same, that it flows and ebbs seven times a day, and as often at night, though his words are not very clear. Quorumdam Aestuariorum privata natura est, velut Taurominitani saepius et in Euboea septies die ac nocte reciprocantis: That is, there are Currents of a very peculiar Nature, as that of the Taurominians, which often goes, and returns, and that of the Euripus, which does so seven times in a day and night.

Titus Livius thinks he has hit the truth better, than the rest. The Euri­pus, says he, has not seven regular ebbs and flows in a day, as the common report is, but it runs sometimes one way, some­times another, like the wind, as a Tor­rent, falling with precipitation from a moun­tain. This agrees very well with the irregular days, but he is mistaken when he adds, that there is no Port worse, than that of Calcis, by reason of the [Page 215] Current; for this ebbing and flowing, does not at all disorder the Vessels, which have room enough to keep them­selves from the Current, either in the great Port, which is covered with the walls of the Cittadel, or in that on the other side of the Bridge, as Father Babin the Jesuit observed, Anno 1669. when the Turkish Navy wintered at Negropont.

The same Father, considered the course of the Euripus, at several times. There are eighteen or nineteen days each month, or to say better each Moon, whereon 'tis regular; and eleven others, wherein 'tis irregular, and broken. Such are the Terms, they use at Negropont, to describe this wonder of Nature.

It is in its force and vigour, or to speak plainer, it is regular from the three lasts days of the old Moon, till the eighth of the new, and on the ninth 'tis irregular and broken, and remains so troubled, till the thirteenth inclu­sively. On the fourteenth it comes to it self again, and resumes its Forces; but grows disorderly again, from the twenty first to the 27, as will be better understood by the following Table.