'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.' [‎248] (271/448)

i! i
iz|.8 Alexander enters ahylon-y
"fv, me Horfe after who with a flying party was pafledthe Mountain that divides
thofe parts from Media, to preferve himfelf where he could J y " v T ,
Alexander therefore marching through the Countrey called the North part
of Atfrria 'twixt the Arrayachites (corruptly fo from Arfhaftite, that part of AJfyna
beins the firlt Plantation of A-qhaxad Son of and the Gara-mem (before the Flood
the fame where Eden or the Garden of Paradife ftood,) at length theVidor came mfight
of thehigh Walls of Babylon, which put him into an ecftafie of )oy; for rndeed, thatwas
the celebrated place he coveted, having as it were from the beginning of Time itruck
terrour not into Grccia alone, but all other Kingdomes and Provinces through the IM-
verfe To welcome the Conquerour, Ma or Maufies asfome call him a Per fun
Satrapaat that time Governour of the place (who had faithfully promiled his Mailer
Dariw he would keep it for him, not onely againft Alexander but aU the world,) falQy
miied with the Captain of the Caftle and the Treafurer who prefented a
particular of his chargebeing nolefs than fifty thoufand Talents of Silver in Bullion or
as fome report two hundred thoufand Talents in Gold; followed by or
Aftrologers as forward as the reft toadore this rifing Sim, accompanied with an infinite
number of Horfe and Citizens all in their beft Livery, having ordered that the way all
along fhould be ftrewed with fweet flowers and Altars erefted finoaking with Incenfe,
with what other fymbols of joy and fubmiffion they could poffibly exprefs to make his
entrance more*acceptable and magnificent; without the lean: outward appearance of
fear or terrour for their inevitable fubjedion and lofs which they were fure would follow
this new chance of War. Alexander rapt with admiration beheld the Itatelinefs of the
place, the height and ftrength of the Walls, the beauty of-the Towers, the many no-
ble ftrudtiireS and places of pleafure all along the River Euphrates-, efpeciaily that incom
parable Garden which was lupported by Arches, the greatnefs and cunofity of the Royal
Palace, than which the World had not its fuperiour, that excepted of Terjepoh •, and no
lefs magnifying the Temple of Belpts which Xerxes had defaced. Alexander gave immediate
order for repair thereof: but having a little before fpoken more particularly of this place,
I may not repeat. Neverthelefs,fuch contentment Alexander found here, that he Ipent more
than a months time in banquetting and other excefs which had well-nigh vitiated the fpirits
of his Countrey-men who had been educated after another manner of diet iuaftrid but
wholfome difcipline of War. . T ,, . r
At length, leaving the fuperintendency of the place with Ma^em the former Gover
nour, the Conquerour marched diredly towards Shujhan i his way into Sufiana was through
SittaceneandSatrapene, clofe by the Altars of Hercules which he viewed for the honour
he bore that Heroe his emulated Anceftor. Into Shujhan he was received by Ahditesy
according to his principle ftill adoring the rifing Sun •, who exprelfed little lefs ceremony
in his entertainment thanhad formerly at HeretheTreafiirer prefented
the Conquerour with an invoyce of his charge which was Nine millions of Gold and
fifty thoufand Talents of Silver not put unto the mint as fay moft Writers; albeit flu-
tarch mentions onely four thoufand Talents, and in Purple-filk from Tyre to an equal
value.
The pleafure of this noted place detained him longer than he intended at his firft com
ing : for indeed, the curiofity of the Gardens and magnificence of the Palace were not to
be parallel'd. Alexander at a Princely Banquet which he made his Favourite Ephefiion and
Other prime Officers of the Army with feveral of the Per fan Lords, fitting in Danm his
State which was of pure Gold molt richly fet with precious Stones, could not forbear
exulting, that what he had long defired was now accomplifhed, viz.. to be Mafter of
Xerxes his magnificent Palace." And having here as at placed a confiderable
Guard, he halted towards Ferfepolis, invited thither by Teredates the fearful Gover
nour. By the way (as I noted in our paifage near Jaaroori) he was to march through
theftrait called Vyle Perjidis, where Arioharcanes (a noble Perfian) gallantly defended
thepafs with afmall party of well-refolved Per fans fo that Alexander after the lofs of
more Captains than in the two firft Battels againft Darius, and many companies of Foot,
was forced to find another way : At which the noble P erf an halting to Perjepolls in de
fence of his Mafters right, was bafely refufed entrance by Teredates-■) fo that wheeling
about, he immediately fought the Macedonian Vidor, in which attempt he found an ho
nourable Grave.
Perfepolisy albeit the gates were opened to give Alexander free leave to enter in a
friendly and fubmiffive fort, neverthelefs, fuch was the fpight they bore this gallant
place for the mifchief Xerxes had done in Greece, that the Souldiers were inconfiderately
licenfed to kill and fpoil as they lifted. This was the Metropolis, the Principal Seat
and