In 1524, in the month of August, news came that the celebrated Sophi monarch was dead, and that his younger son had seized the power, but was opposed by the elder with a great number of soldiers. Ismael had left four sons, the eldest named Schiacthecmes,[526] the second Alcas el Mirza,[527] the third Päerham[528] el Mirza, the fourth Sam el Mirza; Mirza being a title meaning prince. The eldest was then fourteen years old, and his father had left him as a governor a man, named Chiocha Sultan, to govern the kingdom till the boy came of age to rule. This regent was wise, and of a great influence. But it came to pass that some of the other nobles, from envy of the regent, began to make war on one another, and having taken the field, came as far as the tent of Schiacthecmes,[529] wishing to slay the regent; but the matter was compromised.
FOOTNOTES
[340] Hulakoo Khan, son and successor of the great Zingis, and the conqueror of Bagdad.
[341] Ajemi.
[342] Hassan Beg.
[343] This action was fought near Malatia, at a point previous to the Euphrates entering the Gerger Gorge (Elegia). The islands do not now exist, and they were probably (considering the time of year) only sandbanks left by the fall of the river.
[344] Calo Johannes. See Zeno, [p. 9].
[345] Despina Khatoon; i.e., “Lady” or “Queen” Despina.
[346] Hassan Beg.