'Some years travels into divers parts of Africa, and Asia the great. Describing more particularly the empires of Persia and Industan: interwoven with such remarkable occurrences as hapned in those parts during these later times. As also, many other rich and famous kingdoms in the oriental India, with the isles adjacent. Severally relating their religion, language, customs and habit: as also proper observations concerning them.' [‎140] (161/448)

i/^o ChiUmynar,or ^Antiquities of
but in the other hand there is variety ; for one carries fomewhat that is of a circular
form, others baskets with fruit, others fome chefts with boxes not unlike the Sitndonghs
now ufed in Ferfta wherein they carry Preferves and Dates, pots for perfume, and the
like: Some alfo lead a Horfe, others an Elephant, and fome a Camel other fome a
Mule, and fome lead Oxen and Sheep with long ears, high nofes and horns very odly
diftorted. This folemnity induces fome to think it is the reprefentation of fome remar
kable Sacrifice and the rather, for that not far from thence and in like fculpture
feveral figures of their Priefts or Magi are carved, amongft which is an Arch-flamen.
Now whereas there is a Horfe led with the reft, and peradventure for Sacrifice, JDi^d.
Skulasy Xenoyhon in the Life of Cyrus, Herodotus lib. 7. and other Hiftorians acquaint us]
that in old time it was commonly pradifed by the Per fans. And concerning the de
dicating a Horfe to the Son their Deity represented by the Mythra, refieding upon the
Sun's fwift motion, as Vierim obferves in his Hieroglyphic^ ; we have fomething typified
in that famous eledion of Darius Hyfiafpis) as alio in that memorable march of the
laft Darius againft Alexander before their engagement at where Quinm Curtim re
lates, how that the Horfe dedicated to the Sun followed the white Chariot of Jhpiter, af
ter which went the Arch-flamen that carried the holy Fire as the Perfians efteem'd it. The
Romans after like manner in Pomya Circenfis led Horfes in honour of the Sun, a cuftome
derived from the Perfians, whofe King in his greateft magnificence caufed his beft Horfe
richly trapt to be led in ftatesand the Chariot alfo dedicated to the Sun, CoeURhod. Antiq,
/. 8- chap. 2. Horfes ufually oftheNyfean breed, faith Philoftratm 1. 14. c. 17. This grofs
Idolatry fpred it felf alfo amongft the Kings of Judah, who in 2 Reg. 23.11. are re
proved, in that after the manner of the Gentiles they likewife had devoted Horfes to
the Sun. Sundry other figures are engraven here in garb little differing from the former,
but in their Weapons they do *, for fome are armed with Lance and Shield, and fome
have fhort clubs with thick round bunches at the end like that I have feen ufed by the
favage Floridans in war others have them headed with fpikes, fuch as I cannot reprefent
by comparifon j and other fome carry Borneo's. Amongft the reft there is a Chariot which
has two wheels, drawn by a fingle Horfe, the Charioter going by it; which fort of Cha
riot is, not unlike that the Roman Dittators andother Generals fat in in triumph,as repre-
fented by Laurus •, fo that this without doubt was either appropriate to the Kings own
life, according to the relation and others give concerning Darius his March*,
or (which is more probable) was facred to the Sun.
In the upper rank, the Images are more large and majeftical, by their habit and man
ner of Seffion feeming to reprefent fome fovereign Princes, as may be prefumed by
the Tiara or high fharp-pointed Caps that are upon their heads,which none in thofe days
durft cover with but Princes of the Blood, and they onely by permiffion: They have
.alfo chains of gold about their necks, as fome prime Satrap had the priviledg to wear.
Thofe of the upper rank wear long Robes or Garments, the Perfians thereby appearing
to be G ens togatahzfotQ the Romans: And indeed we may obferve that from Poland that
garb continues in ufe amongffc all the Oriental Nations, But the greateft variety is in
the attire or drefs of their heads; for belides the Tiara which was worn by Sereni(fmo''sy
the Cidaris was worn by feveral fort, as King, Prieft and People. Now as I find cc-
cafion, give me leave to make a few curfory obfervations.
And firft concerning long hair. Albeit in thefe modern times I find it is the common
mode of the Eaftern People to fhave the head all fave a long lock which fuperftitioufly
they leave at the very top, fuch efpecialty as wear Turbans, Mandils, Duftars, and
Puggarees: In ancient times neverthelefs it is apparent (witnefs thefe Images) That the
nobler fort of Men wore their hair very long. Herodotus lib. 6. and Athenaus lib.4. afford
Us lome examples. Perfa a prolixa & jpeciofa coma qua capillati fanty Comatos dicuntur,
Cwhence alfo part of Gaule had its denomination,) fhort hair in thofe days being ac-
counted a mark of fervitude. Likewife in that fharp and memorable conteft betwixt
tv !? Broth ers Q to an d Artaxerxes for the Crown, Cyrus being flain and ftripped a-
mongft many other dead corps, could not ( fave by his long hair ) be difcovered. And
as to uiams 01 gold, they were accuftomed to be worn by Favourites and Perfons in
principal truft amongft thofe Nations, as recorded in facred Writ concerning Jofefh,
r an ' ^ ■^ r1 ^ P ro phane Stories many examples, as of Aftyages the
tan ing( contemporary with Nabuchadneazar) whofe exteriour Veft or Garment
• embroidered, his hair alfo was of great length and crifped, his
tfe Womin an§UI ^ ed Wltl ? Vermilion; under his eyes was drawn a fmall ftroke like that
^ t0 ^ in and about his neck a r0 P e or carcanet of
great Oriental Pearl, as Xm^hhon defenbes him- Over their heads an Officer holds a
Mac?