'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.' [‎246] (269/448)

Curiofity of Darius
bir of the Greeks not above thirty Horfe and Foot, to whofe memory Alexander forth
with caufoi Statua's of Brafs to be ereded by Lyft^m the beft Statuary at that time in the
W0 TMs fuccefs save him the command of molt parts of Afia the lefs, and not onely fur-
niihed him with recruits, but what they moft wanted, provilion. Faffing through Phry^u
towards the Euxin, at Cordis, with his Sword he diflblved that Knot upon which the
conqneft of ACm by Oracle was faid to depend. Darius by this time round the Maxim
true That the meanefl enemy is not to be contemned,much more fo great a Souldier as the
Macedonian : fo that at length he refolved in perfon to engage Alexander, ^ like him-
feif advanced with an Army of three hundred thoufand Foot and a hundred thoufand
Horfe according to Juftin, doubles their number. Concerning the method of
his march Curtms and others give us this memorable relation. Inthe Van of the Army
the Arch-flamen carried the holy Fire, attended by the Pneftsand three hundred fixty
five Youths who were their relators all cloathed in red. Next followed the Chariot of
Jupiter drawn by white Horfes, the Riders being apparelled in Scarlet and holding Rods
of Gold in their Hands. After them came the Chariot dedicated to the Sun, which was
attended by ten other fumptuous Chariots richly wrought with Silver and Gold. The
Van-guard of Horfe was forty thoufand, confifting of feveral Nations and Habits. The
Kings own Regiment of Foot which the Terfians termed Immortal were adorned
with*Chains of Gold, their Coats imbroidered with Gold and Sleeves powdered
with oriental Pearl. After which marched fifteen thoufand more fplendid than the
former, apparelled like Women*, thefe were called the Kindred of the great King. Next
whom rode his Life-guard excellently mounted and clad like the Servants of fo great a
Monarch: and after them Darim himfelf, fitting in a triumphant Chariot which was of
burnilhed Gold embellilhed with glittering Stones and fupported by feveral Gods of his
great Empireupon his own head was the Royal Tiara, and the head of the Chariot
refembled a Sumhrero de Sol, two Eagles fpreading their Wings over him ; on either fide
were too little Pagotha's or Pillars, all being Gold fet with precious gems. Two hun
dred Satrapa's or rather Princes of the Blood with rich Partizans went neareft his per
fon. In the la ft place came Sifygamhis the Queen-mother, and the Wife of Darius,
whofe attire was fo rich that it was not to be valued : they alfo were drawn in Chariots
of Gold, with fifteen Cajua's ill which fat the Kings Children and Nieces, a large train
' of Perfian Ladies, with an infinite number of Concubines, and their guard of Eunuchs as
richly apparelled as the reft attended them. Near thefe marched the Treafurer at War
with his charge, which was fo great as that it burthened two thoufand Camels and
Mules. After which followed two hundred thoufand Foot and fifty thoufand Horfe,
but Seneca well obferves, that multitudo non hahet vim f ?d pndm. An Army fo nice in diet,
fo rich in habit, fo different in language, and generally fo effeminate, as without doubt
it was their very numbers they thought would amate that little force Alexander was in
the head of, who though few, were little frighted with their enemies great body, and
upon the defcriptionmadeof their wealth their courages were fo inflamed they thought
it longe're they engaged. The fight was foon begun, and continued not long : for the
Per fans more minded to preferve what they had, than to run the uncertain hazard of
War uponfuch unequal terms, or to adventure their Golden Robes and Jewels againft
thofe cou rfe defpicable fellows that with Iron and Steel advanced againft them. In this
fiiort fight or skirmifh rather the Perjianslofc 100000 Foot and like number of Horfe faith
Qdntus Curtim *, others fay 60000 Foot and 10000 Horfe, moft of which fell in the
chafe, Darim himfelf was fo purfued, that fearing to be known in that pofture, he
threw the Crown from his head. The Treafure alfo was all taken ; but which was of
moft note, his Mother, Wife, Children and Kin were prifoners, who ufed
fhem like a noble Prince, for albeit they were of incomparable beauty, yet commanded
he his affedion fo as they had not the leaft violation or difrelped given by any \ the
Vidor alfo ordering that what Jewels they loft Ihould be forthwith reftor'd : yet the
fpoils were many and rich, even to admiration. Amongft which I onely mention a
Cabinet of Gold, thick fet with Diamonds and other precious Stones, which for mate
rials and Art was reputed the beft Jewel in the World. Alexander taking that in his hand
and Chewing it to Per die cos, pleafantly demanded what was fitteft to put therein ? Some
faying Gold, others Pearl and Stones of price No, fays he, nothing but Iliads.
PI in- lib. 7. c. 29.
Soon after this condid Parmenio routed Prince Memnons Brigade near Damafcm : in
which flight the Prince was (lain and the Daughter of Ochm the former King to
gether with the Wives and Daughters of moft of the Nobility of Perfia taken
Prifoners j