Home1778 Edition

BETLIS

Volume 2 · 152 words · 1778 Edition

a strong town of Armenia or Turcomania belonging to a bey or prince of the country, who is very powerful, and is subject to neither the grand sultan nor king of Persia. It lies on the road from Taurus to Aleppo, and the prince can stop caravans whenever he pleases; for the passage between the mountains is so narrow, that ten men can defend it against 1000. The town is seated between two mountains about a cannon shot from each other, and the castle is on an eminence exactly in the middle. This eminence is in the shape of a sugar loaf; and is so steep on all sides, that it is impossible to get up but by winding round about it. The people in and about the town are shepherds, but are ready to take up arms at the command of their prince. E. Long. 42. 40. N. Lat. 37. 20.