SOPHI, or SOFI, a title given to the emperor of
Persia, importing as much as wise, sage, or philoso-
pher.
The title is by some said to have taken its rise from
a young shepherd named Sophi, who attained to the
crown of Persia in 1370; others derive it from the so-
phoi or sages anciently called magi. Vossius gives a dif-
ferent account of the word: sophi in Arabic, he ob-
serves, signifies wool; and he adds, that it was applied
by the Turks out of derision to the kings of Persia
ever since Ishmael's time; because, according to their
scheme of religion, he is to wear no other covering on
his head but an ordinary red woollen stuff; whence the
Persians are also called hezelbachs, q. d. red-heads. But
Bochart assures us, that sophi in the original Persian
language, signifies one that is pure in his religion, and
who prefers the service of God in all things: and de-
rives it from an order of religious called by the same
name. The sophis value themselves on their illustrious
extraction. They are descended in a right line from
Houssein, second son of Ali, Mahomet's cousin, and Fa-
tima, Mahomet's daughter.