5. That _Tamerlane_ was a _Scythian_ Shepherd, from Mr. _Knolls_ and others, from _Alhazen_ a learned _Arabian_ who wrote his life, and was Spectator of many of his exploits, we have reasons to deny. Not only from his birth, for he was of the blood of the _Tartarian_ Emperours, whose father _Og_ had for his possession the Country of _Sagathy_; which was no slender Territory, but comprehended all that tract wherein were contained _Bactriana_, _Sogdiana_, _Margiana_, and the nation of the _Massagetes_, whose capital City was _Samarcand_; a place though now decaid, of great esteem and trade in former ages. But from his regal Inauguration, for it is said, that being about the age of fifteen, his old father resigned the Kingdom and men of war unto him. And also from his education, for as the storie speaks it, he was instructed in the _Arabian_ learning, and afterward exercised himself therein. Now _Arabian_ learning was in a manner all the liberal Sciences, especially the Mathematicks, and natural Philosophy; wherein not many ages before him there flourished _Avicenna_, _Averroes_, _Avenzoar_, _Geber_, _Almanzor_ and _Alhazen_, cognominal unto him that wrote his History, whose Chronology indeed, although it be obscure, yet in the opinion of his Commentator, he was contemporary unto _Avicenna_, and hath left sixteen books of Opticks, of great esteem with ages past, and textuary unto our days. Now the ground of this mistake was surely that which the Turkish Historian declareth. Some, saith he, of our Historians will needs have _Tamerlane_ to be the Son of a Shepherd. But this they have said, not knowing at all the custom of their Country; wherein the principal revenews of the King and Nobles consisteth in cattle; who despising gold and silver, abound in all sorts thereof. And this was the occasion that some men call them Shepherds, and also affirm this Prince descended from them. Now, if it be reasonable, that great men whose possessions are chiefly in cattle, should bear the name of Shepherds, and fall upon so low denominations; then may we say that _Abraham_ was a Shepherd, although too powerful for four Kings: that _Job_ was of that condition, who beside Camels and Oxen had seven thousand Sheep: and yet is said to be the greatest man in the East. Thus was _Mesha_ King of _Moab_ a Shepherd, who annually paid unto the Crown of _Israel_ an hundred thousand Lambs, and as many Rams. Surely it is no dishonourable course of life which _Moses_ and _Jacob_ have made exemplary: 'tis a profession supported upon the natural way of acquisition, and though contemned by the _Egyptians_, much countenanced by the Hebrews, whose sacrifices required plenty of Sheep and Lambs. And certainly they were very numerous; for, at the consecration of the Temple, beside two and twenty thousand Oxen, King _Solomon_ sacrificed an hundred and twenty thousand Sheep: and the same is observable from the daily provision of his house: