thundering
a continuous loud noise
mangle
to destroy something by twisting it with force or tearing it into pieces so that its original form is completely changed
paltry
of little quality or value
disdain
the feeling of not liking someone or something and thinking that they do not deserve one's interest or respect
rout
to defeat an enemy completely and force them to run away
stout
(especially of older people) fat and solid-looking, especially around the waist
contemptuous
expressing contempt
plight
an unpleasant condition, especially a serious, sad, or difficult one
precinct
the area that surrounds a building or place
scorn
a very strong feeling of no respect for someone or something that you think is stupid or has no value
prattle
to talk in a silly way or like a child for a long time about things that are not important or without saying anything important
parley
a discussion between two groups of people, especially one that is intended to end an argument
vaunted
praised often in a way that is considered to be more than acceptable or reasonable
ensign
a flag on a ship that shows which country the ship belongs to
portly
(especially of middle-aged or old men) fat and round
puissant
mighty; potent; powerful; strong
mantle
the responsibilities of an important position or job, especially as given from the person who had the job to the person who replaces them
wonted
usual
wan
(of a person's face) more pale than usual; tired-looking
disdain
the feeling of not liking someone or something, and thinking that they do not deserve your interest or respect
Argier
Archaic spelling of the modern-day capital city of Algeria, Algiers. The city is located on the northern cost of Algeria, on the Mediterranean. In actuality it is quite far from where the majority of the action of Tamburlaine the Great takes place—too far for some of the action to be feasible in terms of travel time—but this mistake is more attributable to Renaissance cartography than to Marlowe himself.
Natolia
An archaic spelling of Anatolia, which is part of modern-day Turkey. It’s unclear exactly what Marlowe had in mind when he dubbed Orcanes “King of Natolia,” since if taken literally that would mean that his kingdom overlaps with several of the other rulers in the play. One can safely assume that Marlowe meant Orcanes as the ruler of some particular subset of what is today western Turkey.
Scythia
Scythia was a name for the huge region to the north and north-east of modern-day Turkey. It wasn’t exactly an empire or nation, but rather the region of the Eurasian steppes inhabited by the nomadic tribes known as Scythians. Though considered illiterate barbarians by their more civilized neighbors, the Scythians developed a historical reputation as fierce warriors, and were among the earliest peoples to master mounted warfare.
Trebizon
A city that still exists today on the northeastern coast of Turkey along the Black Sea. It was an important city for trade: trade routes passed through it that connected Persia and the Caucasus region to the northeast.
Soria
Archaic spelling of what we call Syria. Not precisely the same as the modern-day country, but close geographically.
Fez
The former capital city of modern Morocco—a country in northwestern Africa, just south of Spain—located several hundred miles south of the Mediterranean Coast. Morocco is just west of Algeria, and thus even further from the main action of much of the play. Marlowe or his sources also evidently had some confusion as to the location of Fez, as he identifies one character as the King of Morocco and another as the King of Fez.
Jove
derived from Jupiter, the Roman or Latin name for Zeus, the Greek lord of the heavens and god of thunder
Mahomet
Archaic spelling of Muhammad, the central figure of Islam. In Tamburlaine, believers in Islam are referred to as Mahometans.
Ops
Roman deity related to the Greek Rhea, she is the primal earth goddess and wife to Saturn—Cronus in Greek—who are the parents of Jove. In Roman mythology, Jupiter succeeds Saturn as ruler in a peaceful manner, while in the Greek legend the younger god overthrows his father—by whom he narrowly escapes being eaten at birth—violently. Marlowe therefore seems to mix these traditions together in his reference to Ops in 2.7.
regiment
rule of government over a person or country
invested
clothed or covered with a garment, especially one related to a particular status or position
sirrah
an insulting term of address for a man or a boy, implying lower status than the speaker
issue
the result or outcome of something; of a person, their child
