Introduction

During the years 1602 and 1603, in Spain, and after he had become an ardent Roman Catholic, Don Juan of Persia, as he was now proud to be called, compiled his Relaciones. The work is divided into three parts: the First Book describing his native country and its government, followed by an epitome of ancient and mediæval Persian history; the Second Book treating of the late wars between the Persians and the Turks, and the Third Book dealing with his journey from Isfahán into the countries of the West. He had left Persia in the year 1599, being one of the four secretaries to the Persian ambassador whom Sháh ‘Abbás was sending to the princes of Europe under the guidance and personal conduct of Sir Anthony Sherley, and Don Juan of Persia at this period was a Shi'ah moslem, and bore the name of Uruch Beg. ¹