368 AN ESSAY ON THE 



in it there are three strong fortified places, held at 

 the same time by the three most powerful nations 

 tlien existing. The Romashas, or Romacas, are 

 the Romans, called Romaicoi in Greek, and often 

 mentioned in the Piirthias and other books of tlie 

 Hindus, but only in general terms. The Uliicas 

 are the \Sacas, called also Bo/ga, Volcce, and Wolkce; 

 these were probably the Parthians. The Maha- 

 netva, or with large eyes, are probably the Arme- 

 7uans: and it was in the first century, that these 

 three powerful nations were thus brought in con- 

 tact, on the borders of Syria, Armenia, and Per- 

 sia, in a country bordering upon the lake Van, thus 

 called from a town of the same name, which in the 

 Armenian language signifies a fortified place. Har- 

 Minni, or Har-Minnith, signifies the molintains of 

 Minnith, or Armenia, and Vani-minnith, or Vanni- 

 minnt, the strong holds of Ar-minni, Armona, Ar- 

 mana, or Armenia : for thus its name is variously 

 written. 



In the Brahman' da it is declared, that in the coun- 

 try o^'Cus'a, including Iran, Syria, and Arabia, is 

 the Camudvati, or Euphrates, with the Cumuda 

 mountains; from which Cus'a is also denominated 

 the dwipa, or couwixy o^ Cumuda. There live the 

 ^Sacas, a powerful nation: the Parasicas rcmark- 

 ablQ for their beauty, and the 'Syamacas seemingly 

 thus called from their black complexion. These 

 were subdued by Raghu : and in the book of his 

 wars, a few- remarkable circumstances relating to 

 that extensive country, occur occasionally. Other- 

 wise the Parasicas, or uatixes oi'Pdrasa, or Persia, 

 are seldom noticed by the Paurdn'ics. In CMmuda 

 \^ xliQ Cumuavati nxQY, and the sfhcin of jMaha'- 

 BHA'GA-DEVi', the sistcr of Maha'-deva. Of this 

 famous place, I took particular notice in my Essay 

 on Semirauiis, under the name of Mabog and 

 Manbeg. 



