Visdelou in
Suppl. Bibl. Orient. pp. 110-114; Gaubil's Hist. de la Dyn. des
Thang, in Mem. conc. Chin. xv. p. 403 seqq.). - H. C.]
[2] Sic: Per aliquot annos, but an evident error.
[3] J. As. ser. V. tom. xi. 449.
[4] The Great Plain on the Lower Araxes and Cyrus. The word Moghan =
Magi: and Abulfeda quotes this as the etymology of the name.
(Reinaud's Abulf. I. 300.) - Y. [Cordier, Odoric, 36.]
[5] Here is the passage, which is worth giving for more reasons than one:
"That portion of ancient Babylon which is still occupied is (as we
have heard from persons of character from beyond sea) styled BALDACH,
whilst the part that lies, according to the prophecy, deserted and
pathless extends some ten miles to the Tower of Babel The inhabited
portion called Baldach is very large and populous; and though it
should belong to the Persian monarchy it has been conceded by the
Kings of the Persians to their High Priest, whom they call the
Caliph; in order that in this also a certain analogy [quaedam
habitudo] such as has been often remarked before, should be exhibited
between Babylon and Rome. For the same (privilege) that here in the
city of Rome has been made over to our chief Pontiff by the Christian
Emperor, has there been conceded to their High Priest by the Pagan
Kings of Persia, to whom Babylonia has for a long time been subject.
But the Kings of the Persians (just as our Kings have their royal
city, like Aachen) have themselves established the seat of their
kingdom at Egbatana, which, in the Book of Judith, Arphaxat is said to
have founded, and which in their tongue is called HANI, containing as
they allege 100,000 or more fighting men, and have reserved to
themselves nothing of Babylon except the nominal dominion.
