120 



The Persian Travels Book III 



Of the ISLAND of N A X ! S. 



THere is not one Port belongs to this ïflancî ^ the Veflfels that are Bound thi- 

 ther for Trade , being forc'd to ftay in the Haven of the Ifle of Paros , call'd 

 Derion fix miles from Naxps , which is one of the bed Havens in the Archipelago , 

 able to contain a thoufand Ships. There are the ruines of a Wall ftill to be ieen 

 that made a Mole , where four or five Galleys might ride. There are alio the 

 ruines of lèverai Houfes of the ancient Dukes , the Stables (landing almoft whole, 

 all Arch'd , and built of Marble. Thele Dukes were alio Lords of twelve other 

 Iflands. As for the Ifland it felf , it is well ftor'd with Villages , arid has three good 

 Cities , Barcqua , Qjifa , and Palet. 



Near this Ifland within a ftones throw , there is a curious piece of Antiquity 

 ftill to befeen. It is a flat Rock, as big about in compafs as the ancient Court of 

 the Louvre. In the middle of this Rock it was that the Temple of Bacchus was 

 built all of Marble, of which there is nothing but the Foundations that remain. 

 The Gate is ftill Handing made of three Stones, whereof two make the fides, and 

 the third lies acrols. From the Ifle to this Rock there is a fair Stone Bridge of Free- 

 ftone , upon each fide whereof are to be feen the Pipes that convey'd the Wine 

 into the Temple , that was drank at the Feaft of Bacchus. Naxis alio is the Ifland 

 that produces the belt Emeril. 



As to the Inhabitants themfelves , if the Husband or Wife happens to dye , the 

 Survivor never ftirs out of the Houfe in fix Months after , upon any bufinefshow 

 urgent foever, no not to hear Mais. There are both Latins and greeks in the 

 Ifland , but the latter are the moll numerous. There is a Latin Arch-bifhop , and 

 Canons belonging to the Metropolitan Church , with two Religious Houfes, one of 

 Capuchins, and the other of fefuitcs: The Greekt aUo have their Arch-bilhop. 



The Ifland of Naxis is fixlcore miles in compafs , being one of the faireft and 

 pleafanteft Iflands in the Archipelago. The ancient Dukes made it their refidence i 

 whence they command the greateft part of the Cyclades. There is great plenty of 

 White Salt made in Naxis , and it produces excellent Wine both White and Claret, 

 which caus'd the Inhabitants to build a Temple to Bacchus , who according to their 

 ancient Tradition chofe that Ifland for his Habitation. The Ifland produces excel- 

 lent Fruits , feeds great ftore of Cattle , and abounds in feveral other things necef- 

 fary for human lupport. There are alfo in it large Woods full of fmall Deer , and 

 frequented by a great number of Eagles and Vultures. 



Here follow the names of the Cyclades , as the people of the Country pronounce 

 them. 



11. Miconoa. 



1 2. Tenoa or Tino. 



1 3 . Sciroa or Sir a. 



14. Snbiuma. 



15. Syphntis or Sifante. 



16. Nixcia. , 



17. Chios ox Scio. 



18. Aflypalea. 



1 9. Amorgus or Amorgo. 



Of the Iflands of Zea, of Milo, of Paros 5 and other Iflands 

 of the Archipelago. 



E A is an Ifland wherein there is nothing remarkable , and from whence there 

 & J is nothing to be Exported but Valanede , to dye Leather withall. Neither 

 are there any Goods Imported into, it but what the Pirates bring in, which 

 are very few , in regard the Iflanders -are careful to provide themfelves other- 

 where. 



MUo 



1 . Deloa or Sdilis. 



2. Giaroa. 



3 . Andros. 



4. Paros. 



5. Nicaria. 



6. Samoa. 



7. Pathmoa. 



8. Olearoa. 



9. Sitino. 

 10. Rhena. 



