456 
COURDISTAN, ANCIENT CA11DUCHIA. 
All ancient authors who speak of these people, describe them 
by a name that differs as little from the one they now bear, as 
the manners of the present race from those of their forefathers 
in the times of Greek and Roman invasion. Classic writers call 
the country Carduchia ; and I agree with Major Rennell in the 
supposition, that it may be the particular part of the empire of 
Assyria which Holy Writ mentions under the name of Kir; the 
present appellation, Courdistan, or Kurdistan, approaching near 
to either word. The inhabitants of inaccessible mountains have 
it in their power to defy the serious inroads of any ambitious 
conqueror, and from time immemorial, the Carduchian moun¬ 
taineers have maintained that power. The amazing retreat 
which Xenophon effected through these fastnesses well describes 
their impregnable nature, and the general spirit of the people 
who guard them. Though ranked as appendages by different 
empires, the most determined of them all has never been able 
to do more than make an impression on what we may call the 
outskirts of the country ; and even then, nothing could be held 
without constant vigilance, and extending the most liberal bonds 
of amity to the neighbouring multitudinous tribes. Hence, 
although both Turkey and Persia, in our day, claim dominion 
over large provinces in this nation, it is little more than pre¬ 
tension ; the Gourds on both frontiers being, in fact, rather allies 
than subjects ; who by compact furnish a certain number of 
armed men, when called upon by the respective country to which 
they grant the obligation : and glad they are of the opportunity 
to turn their bravery to account, in the rich fields of plunder to 
which the commanding princes or pashas are likely to lead them. 
On this sort of tenure, Turkey arrogates to herself the five 
Courdish districts of Bitlis, Amadia, Djessar, Julamerick, and 
