RASCIANS, a poor oppressed people who dwelt on both sides of the Danube, and who, about the year 1594, being weary of the Turkish thralldom, first took 13 of their vessels upon that river; and then drawing together a body of 15,000 men between Bude and Belgrade, twice defeated the pasha of Temeswar with a body of 14,000 Turks. They afterwards took Baczerek, four miles from Belgrade, and the castle of Ottadt; then laying siege to that of Beche, on the Theyssa, the old pasha of Temeswar marched to relieve it with 11,000 men; but the Rascians encountering them, slew near 10,000, and took 18 pieces of cannon. The consequence of this victory was the reduction of Wersetz and Lutz. Then, sending to the archduke for aid and gunners, they offered to put themselves and their country under the emperor's protection.