Lake Urumiyeh, but even in the comparatively low plain of Miyandab on the southern shore of that inland sea.  It is probable from this that they were at one time masters of a large portion of Media Atropatene, and the very name of Urumiyeh, which still attaches to the lake, may have been given to it from one of their tribes.  In the tract between the Kur and Aras, on the other hand, there is no sign of the early existence of any formidable power.  Here the mountains are comparatively low, the soil is fertile, and the climate temperate.  The character of the region would lead its inhabitants to cultivate the arts of peace rather than those of war, and would thus tend to prevent them from being formidable or troublesome to their neighbors.

The Zagros region, which in the more ancient times separated between Media and Assyria, being inhabited by a number of independent tribes, but which was ultimately absorbed into the more powerful country, requires no notice here, having been sufficiently described among the tracts by which Assyria was bordered.  At first a serviceable shield to the weak Arian tribes which were establishing themselves along its eastern base upon the high plateau, it gradually passed into their possession as they increased in strength, and ultimately became a main nursery of their power, furnishing to their armies vast numbers both of men and horses.  The great horse pastures, from which the Medes first and the Persians afterwards, supplied their numerous and excellent cavalry, were in this quarter; and the troops which it furnished—­hardy mountaineers accustomed to brave the severity of a most rigorous climate—­must have been among the most effective of the Median forces.

On the south Media was bounded by Persia proper—­a tract which corresponded nearly with the modern province of Farsistan.  The complete description of this territory, the original seat of the Persian nation, belongs to a future volume of this work, which will contain an account of the “Fifth Monarchy.”  For the present it is sufficient to observe that the Persian territory was for the most part a highland, very similar to Media, from which it was divided by no strongly marked line or natural boundary.  The Persian mountains are a continuation of the Zagros chain, and Northern Persia is a portion—­the southern portion—­of the same great plateau, whose western and north-western skirts formed the great mass of the Median territory.  Thus upon this side Media was placed in the closest connection with an important country, a country similar in character to her own, where a hardy race was likely to grow up, with which she might expect to have difficult contests.