[F] _Rhodes_ (Rhodus) is an _Island_ in the _Mediterranean_ Sea, near fifty Leagues in compass; the _Capital_ City, that _Solyman_ besieg’d, takes its name from the _Island_. _Rhodes_ was once famous for a mighty _Colossus_ dedicated to the Sun, of such a monstrous size that Vessels _sail’d_ in _the Harbour_ between its Legs: it was seventy Cubits high. The Brass of this Statue, (after it was thrown down by an Earthquake) loaded seventy-two Camels, and was transported to _Alexandria_ in _Egypt_, when it was taken by _Muhavia_ the Sultan. _Rhodes_ is seated seven Leagues from the nearest Coast of _Asia_ to the South, forty-seven from _Candi_ (another Island in the _Mediterranean_, made famous by the Poets by the name of _Crete_) to the North-East, and a hundred and sixty Leagues from _Constantinople_ to the South. It was first peopled by _Javan_, the Grandson of _Japhet_, before any part of _Greece_ was inhabited: in a few ages after, the _Phœnicians_ (famous for spreading Traffic over the World that was then known) possess’d it. It was made a _Roman Province_ by _Vespasian_. In 654 it was taken by the _Saracens_: in 1124 it was conquer’d by _Venetians_ it was taken in the Year 1227 by _John Ducas_, _Admiral_ of the _Greeks_: in 1283, it fell with all lesser _Asia_ into the hands of the _Othomans_: in 1310, it was taken (after a four Years Siege) by the Knights of St. _John_ of _Jerusalem_, under _Fulk Villers_, an _Englishman_, afterwards _Grand Master_ of the _Order_. It was vainly attempted twice by _Mahomet_ II; till taken by Treachery by _Solyman_ the Magnificent. The _Knights_ of _Rhodes_ retir’d to _Sicily_; till the Year 1530, _Charles_ V. gave them the Grant of the _Island_ of _Malta_, where they have flourish’d ever since, often checking the Insults of the _Turkish_ maritime Power. [G] _Sophia_, the _Capital_ City of _Bulgaria_, a _Province_ of _Hungary_, now in the hands of the _Othomans_. (The Turks are called _Othomans_, from _Othoman_, the _first_ Founder of their _Empire_.) ’Tis seated on the River _Ciabrum_. It is famous for a General Council that met in the Year 347, which condemn’d the Proceedings of the Council of _Nice_, a City of _Bythinia_, that met in the year 325. There it another City of that name in _Provence_. [H] _Mohatz_, a strong Town in Lower _Hungary_ upon the _Danube_.