Ductor historicus, or, A short system of universal history and an introduction to the study of that science containing a chronology of the most celebrated persons and actions from the creation to this time, a compendious history of ... transactions ... of the ancient monarchies and governments of the world, an account of the writings of the most noted historians ... together with definitions and explications of terms used in history and chronology, and general instructions for the reading of history / partly translated from the French of M. de Vallemont, but chiefly composed anew by W.J., M.A.

A SHORT SYSTEM OF Universal History .

PART I. CHRONOLOGY .

THE Eternity of the World , although it be taught by Aristotle , and perhaps believ'd by some of our modern Smatterers in Philosophy , is a Falshood so palpable , that tho' we were not taught by Divine Revelation , our own Reason would easily convince us , That it is but within a certain number of Years that an ineffably Wise , Eternal and Omnipotent Being , hath drawn out of Nothing , by the powerful virtue of his Almighty Word , not only our Terrestrial World , with all its Inhabitants , but even the Heavens and all the Parts of the infinite Universe , wherein Nature displays an innumerable variety of wonderful Objects and surprizing Operations .

'T is needless for our Reason to examine what moved God Almighty to make Spiritual and Corporeal Creatures , since he had liv'd Alone and Self-sufficient , ( to use Tertullians's Words ) during a whole Eternity . The least circumstance of the Creation is an Abyss that will make us giddy , if we look down too fixedly into it . And those Libertines who oppose the Truth which Faith bids us revere , can never be able to frame a System of the Universe , either so plausible or comfortable as that which the Christian Religion proposes to us : For after all their Devices , these impious Sophists are oblig'd to attribute to the visible and corporeal World , that Eternity which they deny to that Supream God whom they are loath to acknowledge , and whose Power is so sensibly conspicuous in all that Heaven and Earth present to our View .

But to omit all the many other Arguments that are justly brought to prove the Verity of the Commencement of the Earth according to the Mosaick Account of it , we shall use but one , viz. The Infancy of all Arts and Sciences ; for if there had been Men from all Eternity , we ought to suppose they were endu'd with the same Capacities as all the Men ( generally speaking ) for the last 5000 Years have had : And if so , 't is the highest pitch of Madness to believe , that they should lie in an eternal Sleep with respect to their nearest and tenderest Concerns , without ever minding what might conduce to make their Lives either longer or more happy , and neglect to exercise their Faculties in improving ( what would be so useful to them ) Arts and Sciences ; I say , can it be believ'd that Men should not as well have made the best use of their Wits before Adam , as after ? But it was not done ; for we are fully inform'd in the History of Inventions and the Progress of Arts , and can deduce 'em all from that time , and are also sensible that there are many yet to be learnt ; for though this and the last Age have furnish'd the World with many useful Discoveries and Inventions , such as the Mariner's Compass , Printing , Artillery , Telescopes , Microscopes , a New World as large as the Old , and abundance of Curiosities in Anatomy , Chymistry , Natural Philosophy and the Mathematicks ; yet it is just Matter of Surprize to see Physick , an Art of such great Concern to us , so rude and unpolish'd ; or , to speak without Figure , so rash and dangerous as it still is ; whereas if there had been an Eternal Generation of Men , so great a Progress had been made in all other Arts , that they had before now been at Leisure to have studied this somewhat more minutely , as of late Days ( other Works being dispatch'd ) they have begun to do : And it is not to be doubted but the succeeding Ages will be as much better experienc'd in this Art than we are , as we are in that and many others than our Predecessors were ; at least , if the succeeding Years be as productive of great Genius's as these latter ones have been . And if the Academies setled for the Improvement of Arts have still , for some considerable length of Time , such Protectors as we see now adays at the Heads of them , those Learned Societies will undoubtedly transmit to After-Ages , such Discoveries in Natural Philosophy , Physick and Mathematicks , as may enable them to draw more ready Helps for the Preservation of Health and the Conveniences of Life , than we can now pretend to .

These are sensible and pregnant Proofs that not only the Earth is not Eternal , but also that it cannot be very ancient ; for besides what we have mentioned , there are many other visible Signs of its Infancy , which any Man of ordinary Capacity and Judgment will be sensible of , if he does never so little attend to them .

But it is not so easy to know how many Years are elaps'd since the Worlds Creation , or the exact Time when those great Events have happen'd , which the Divine Providence or the Passions of Men have in the several Ages of the World given Birth to : There must be an Art to teach this , and that Art is called Chronology , from the two Greek Words 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Tempus , & 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Ratio ; which ( as Navigation gives Rules to Pilots to steer by in great Voyages ) instructs us how to Tread surely in the vast and dark Country of Antiquity .

The following Pages contain an Instruction in this useful Science , as brief as could be without Obscurity .

DEFINITIONS .

CHRONOLOGY is the Doctrin of Times , and Epocha's .

An AGE or CENTURY is the Space of a hundred Years , or a hundred Solar Revolutions .

LUSTRUM is the Space of five Years . This Word is seldom us'd , unless in Poetry .

OLYMPIAD is the Space of four Years , which the Grecians reckon'd from one Celebration of the Olympick Games to another . The first Olympiad begun the Year of the World 3174. 776 Years before the Christian Aera or Birth of Christ . Olympiads were the Epocha's of the Grecians ; their Name is derived from the Olympick Games , instituted by Iphitus to the Honour of Hercules . They were celebrated every fifth Year about the Summer Solstice or the 19th of Iuly , at a Town of Elis in the Peleponesus ( now the Morea ) called Olympia . Some are of Opinion , That Iphitus was not the Instituter , but only the Restorer of those Games , after they had been neglected and laid aside for some time .

However , after he had once fixed them , they were since solemnized , without Interruption , at the beginning of every fifth Year . The ancientest and most esteemed of those Exercises was the Race , to which Wrestling was afterwards added ; and because the Athletes did Wrestle naked , neither the Laws nor Decency did suffer Women to be there Spectators . The Prize given to the Victor , was a Garland of Laurel . Corebus , a Cook , according to Atheneus , carried the Price of the Race , at the first Olympiad .

EPOCHA is a fixed Point , or a certain and remarkable Time in History , made use of in Chronology to begin to compute Years , and which is generally grounded upon some great and signal Event .

AERA is the same Thing with Epocha , since it signifies also a fixed and determined Point among Historians , to begin to reckon Years . The Word Aera comes from the Latin Aes , because they used to mark Years with little Copper Studs . Perhaps it has its Original from the Ignorance of some Amanuenses , who , finding these Letters A.E.R.A. Annus erat Regni Augusti , did make but one Word of them , Aera . Some are of Opinion , That this Word was introduced by the Spaniards , who had drawn it from a Tribute which the Emperor Augustus had made them liable to ; so that Aera must come from Aere .

We have , at present , two different Christian Aera's . The first is the Vulgar Aera , whose Author is Dionysius , sirnam'd Exiguus , a Learned Monk that flourish'd about the beginning of the Sixth Century , who , out of respect to our Saviour's Birth , thought it fit that Christians should begin to reckon their Years from the coming of the Messiah . His Design was approv'd of and follow'd . And hence it is that we use this Form in publick Business and Writings , In the Year of our Lord , or The Year of our Redemption , 1698. But this Dionysius , notwithstanding that he was a Man of Learning and Integrity , has committed a Mistake of four Years ; for 't is certain , That our Vulgar Aera is so much short of the Birth of JESUS CHRIST .

The second Christian Aera is the true one , which begins four Years before the Vulgar ; so that this present Year , instead of 1698. we ought to reckon 1702. from the Birth of our Saviour . But although this last be the true Aera , we shall nevertheless follow that of Dionysius , only to comply with common Usage . But lest we lead any Body into an Error , instead of saying , for Example , this present Year from the Birth of Iesus Christ , 1698. which is false by four Years , we shall say of the Vulgar Aera , 1698. and then all is right ; provided we take this along with us , viz. That the first Year of the Vulgar Aera begins at the fifth of our Saviour . We shall observe all along the same Exactness upon a like Occasion .

There are three sorts of Epocha's . The First is Sacred ; the Second Ecclesiastical ; and the Third Civil or Politick .

I. Sacred Epocha's are those we gather from the Bible , and which particularly concern the History of the ●ews . As , 1. The Creation . 2. The Deluge , in the Year of the World , 1656. 3. The Calling of Abraham , 2023. 4. The Iews coming out of Egypt , 2453. 5. The Foundation of the Temple of Solomon , 2933. 6. The Liberty granted to the Iews by Cyrus , 3419. 7. The Birth of the Messiah , the Salvation of the Iews , and the enlightening of the Gentiles , 3948 or 50. 8. The Destruction of the Temple of Ierusalem , and the Dispersion of the Iews , the Year of the World , 3969. of JESUS CHRIST , 74. and of the Vulgar Aera , 70.

II. Ecclesiastical Epocha's are those which we take out of the Authors who have writ the History of the Church since the Birth of our Saviour , viz. 1. The Martyrdom of Peter and Paul at Rome , in the Year of the Vulgar Aera , 67. 2. The Aera of Dioclesian , or of the Martyrs , 302. 3. Peace given to the Church by Constantine the Great , the first Christian Emperor , 312. 4. The Council of Nice , called against the Heresy of Arius , 325.

III. Civil or Political Epocha's are those which regard the Empires and Monarchies of the World ; such as , 1. The taking of Troy by the Grecians the Year of the World , 2767. before the Vulgar Christian Aera , 1183 Years , and 407 before the first Olympiad .

2. The Building of Rome , according to Fabius Pictor , who wrote first about Roman Affairs , is fixed a little before the VIIIth Olympiad , on the 13th of the Kalends of May ; that is , in the Year of the World , 3198. and 752. Years before the Vulgar Aera .

Nevertheless Varro places it five whole Years higher , viz. in the Year of the World , 3193.

3. The Aera of the Seleucides , from whence the Macedonians began to reckon their Years , is also called the Grecian Years , chiefly used by the Iews since they were subjected to the Macedonians . This Aera begins at the Reign of Seleucus Nicanor , one of the Captain of Alexander the Great , in the Year of the World , 3638 and 312 Years before the Vulgar Aera . 4. The first Iulian Year . This Year begins at the Reformation of the Roman Kalendar , made by Iulius Caesar. The Times of the Roman Fasti were so confounded , through the Negligence of the High-Priests that Iulius Caesar , being himself raised to that Dignity ▪ thought it his Duty to correct the Abuses which his Predecessors had tolerated . His first Care , assoon as he came to be Head of the Republick , was to regulate all Things belonging to Religion . He made use of the Skill of Sosigenes , an excellent Astronomer , in order to reform the Kalendar ; and assigned the Year as many Days as the Sun takes up in passing through the XII Signs of the Zodiack ; since that time the common Year consists of 365 Days . This Reformation was made in the Year of the World , 3905. and 45 before the Vulgar Aera . 5. The Hegira or Flight of Mahomet : When that Impostor had for some Years been propagating his false Doctrin at Mecca , and had gain'd a large Party to his Side , they became Insolent and gave Offence to the Government , which occasion'd the Magistrates to oppose that growing Faction , and thereby oblig'd Mahomet to quit that Place , and fly to a neighbouring Town where his Party were more powerful . From this Flight of their Prophet , which happen'd on the 16th of Iuly , in the Year of the Vulgar Aera , 622. the Turks date their Writings ; which they first took up on occasion of a Quarrel concerning a Payment ; for a Debtor had given his Obligation to pay a Sum of Mony on such a Day of such a Month ; which Month being past at the time of the Demand , the Debtor alledg'd it was not before the next Year that he was to Pay ; which being brought before Omar III. Emperor of the Saracens , he found the Inconvenience of not having a Method of ascertaining the Year , and accordingly instituted the Hegira for an Epocha .

SOLAR CYCLE , is the Revolution of 28 Years , after which the Letters that mark the Sundays and other Holy-days , return to the same Order they were in at first . The Sun has nothing to do with this Revolution , which is called Solar , only because the Sunday , whose Letter we are principally in quest of , is called by the Astronomers Dies Solis , the Day of the Sun .

LVNAR CYCLE , or GOLDEN NVMBER , is a Period of 19 Years , invented by Methon an Athenian , who observ'd that at the end of that time , the Moon began the same Lunations over again .

INDICTION is a way of Computing , used formerly among the Romans , which contains a Revolution of 15 Years . It is still in use in Apostolical Bulls and Rescripts .

ANACHRONISM , is an Error or Mistake in the Computation of Time . Thus Virgil is guilty of an Anachronism in his Aeneis , by making Aeneas and Dido Cotemporaries , whereas they lived 300 Years distant one from another . For Aeneas is placed about the Year of the World 2820. and Dido about the Year , 3112.

SYNCRONISME , is a View of all Cotemporary History .

THE IVLIAN PERIOD , is a space of Time containing 7980 Years . Iulius Scaliger , the Inventer of it , composed it of the Solar Cycle of 28 Years , of the Lunar Cycle of 19● , and of the Indiction of 15. for these three Numbers multiplied together , make up 7980.

We suppose , in Chronology , this Period to be 765 Years older than the World .

I have had no regard , in all this Work , to the Iulian Period , with which it is not proper to trouble and puzzle those who study Chronology , only in their way to History . Therefore I have fitted all the Epocha's to the Years of the World , and the Years either before or after the Vulgar Aera , the beginning of which I place ( according to the most skilful in this sort of Study ) in the Year of the World , 4004. One can never be too careful in removing Difficulties from a Subject , which is so intricate of it self . For after all , if you tell young People , and even those that are come to Man's Estate , That the Iulian Period begins 765 Years before the World , you 'll amaze them to that degree , that tho' you tell them afterwards , That this is but a Supposition ▪ you will have much ado to bring them back again to themselves . Now this Period was invented to no other purpose , than to square by it all the other Epocha's , and reconcile , if possible , Chronologers one to another ; and therefore it does not concern those who have only a Mind to learn History , and whom it were unjust to engage in minute Punctilio's of Chronology , which have been ever look'd upon as Thorns very difficult and troublesome to handle .

CHAP. II. The Grounds of Chronology .

ALtho' Chronologers do very much disagree in their Opinions , yet there is an Art and certain Rules for the placing in order , the Succession of Times and Epocha's ; and this Marshalling of Events which we observe in their Books , is always grounded upon some Reason or other . They have all the same Guides ; but because every Man follows them after his own way , it is not to be wondered if the Minds of Men , being so different in their Nature , seldom agree upon the same Subject .

The Certainty of Chronology depends upon three Principles .

The First is the Testimony of Writers or Authors .

The Second is grounded upon Astronomical Observations , and particularly upon the Eclipses of the Sun and Moon .

The Third is taken out of certain Epocha's so constant and evident in History , that it never came into any Man's Thoughts to call them in question .

§. 1. The Testimony of Authors .

THe Testimony of Authors is so universally received among all civiliz'd Nations , that it would be a Breach of good Manners , to question the Certainty of some Facts which are mentioned in History .

How would that Man be look'd upon in the World , that should dare to maintain , That Xerxes never came into Greece ; That Rome was not taken by the Gauls ; and , That Iulius Caesar was not stabb'd in the Senate-house ? Altho' I have not seen Rome with my own Eyes , says S. Augustin , and never was at Constantinople ; yet , upon the Credit of those that speak of it , I hold it for as great a Certainty , that there is such a City as Constantinople , as that there is such a City as Rome . Lib. 13. de● Civ . Dei . Cap. 3.

However there are Rules which a Man must take along with him , to avoid the danger of embracing Errors instead of Truth : And 't were against Reason to believe upon Trust and without Examination , what we are told to have happen'd a great many Ages before .

The late Mr. de Launoy a Doctor of Navarre , and so famous by many Critical Works upon several Passages of Church-History , has given us Four Rules , or sure Precepts , to discern Truth from Falshood in Matters related by Historians , which are these , viz.

RULE I.

In Matters belonging to History and Tradition , those Authors are chiefly to be credited who wrote of Things transacted in their own Time ; provided they are not contradicted by a Cotemporary Author , of known Integrity and Ability .

RULE II.

Next to Cotemporary Authors , those Writers who lived nearest the Age wherein the Things were transacted , are rather to be depended on than those who are more remote from it .

RULE III.

Histories that look Apocryphal or doubtful , and are written by a new or obscure Author , ought to weigh nothing , ( especially if they clash with Reason ) against the constant Tradition of the Ancients .

RULE IV.

We must suspect the Truth of a History related by modern Authors , especially when they disagree among themselves , and with the Ancients , about several Circumstances .

These Rules ought to be remember'd ; for the studious Critick will find them to be excellent Guides in his Journey through the dark and obscure Regions of Antiquity ; wherein , if he makes not use of his judging Faculty , he may , instead of improving , very much impair , his Understanding , by being led astray by the false Relations of ignorant Pretenders to History .

To these Four Rules we must add one more of S. Augustine's , viz. As for Prophane Authors ( says he ) when they relate Things contrary to the History contain'd in the Bible , we must not believe them ; for our own Reason will tell us , That the Divine Spirit ( which is conspicuous in that Book by the true Predictions of Things long before they came to pass ) is certainly to be credited in the relation of Matters of Fact , preferably to all Mankind . De Civit. Dei , Lib. 18.

Nothing ought to weigh more with Christians than the Authority of the Holy Scripture ; those Bounds which the Spirit of God has set , ought never to be remov'd by Men ; and therefore it is Ma●ter of just Indignation to see some Men of Learning , who profess the true Religion , set the Historical Fables ( for I will venture to call 'em so ) of the Chaldeans , Egyptians and Chineses , in competition with the Chronology of the Bible ; a Fault so much the more inexcusable , on account of the notorious uncertainty of their Accounts ; for every Body that has studied History , knows that the Chaldeans or Babylonians assign'd their Monarchy Myriads of Years , and boasted of their Astronomical Observations for an extravagant number of Ages ; and their Histories are so full of Lies , that Aristotle reckon'd among the Tellers of Fables , those that wrote of the Assyrians . Polit. v. 10.

Nor are the Egyptian Accounts of Time more to be credited ; for by reason of an Emulation between them and the Chaldeans for Antiquity , they have had recourse to extravagant Fables , and tell us , That the Gods and Demy Gods reigned in Aegypt 34201 Years , before that Empire fell into the Hands of Men ; and the Accounts they give since that time are altogether uncertain and imperfect ; for notwithstanding the Care that they are said to have taken in preserving their History , Science , &c. by inscribing it on Pillars , and maintaining Colleges of Priests for its Propagation , yet their History is so imperfect , that even in the Days of Herodotus they could give no certain Account of the building of the Pyramids , or the Time of their great Monarch Sesostris ; and Plato has declared in his Timaeus , That the Aegyptian Priests , whom the Greeks so often consulted , to know the Origine of the World , were miserably ignorant of Antiquity .

The Chinese Chronology is still less to be regarded ; for not only are their Histories dated many Ages before the Creation and full of incredible Stories and Extravagances ; as for Instance , 'T is related that a certain Hauzu , who liv'd in the time of Confucius , lay four-score Years in his Mothers Womb ; but also their own Chronologers differ in their Accounts , for Su-ma-quam a famous Annalist of China , who lived about the Year , 1066. of the Vulgar Aera , does not make their Empire so ancient as the rest of the Historians of that Nation ; for whereas they make it begin at Folci , Su-ma-quam places it above 250 Years lower , and maintains that Hoam-ti was their first King .

Wherefore though the Science of the Chaldeans and Egyptians has been so famous in the World , and the Wisdom of the Chinese be so much talk'd of now adays , their Chronology at least ought not to bear any great Authority among us ; and much less ought the Sacred History of the Bible to be sacrificed to it .

Tho' the Chronology of the Septuagint Bible be by some prefer'd before the Vulgar , yet 't is utterly irreconcilable with the Antiquities of the Chaldeans : and Egyptians ; the former only carrying the Times higher by 1500 Years than the Vulgar Account , whereas the latter pretend the World to be Forty thousand Years older . And whatever Esteem the Chronology of the Septuagint may have among some Men , either because 't is made use of in the Martyrology of the Church , or because Baronius is pleased to follow it ; yet 't is certain that the Church does not prefer it to that of the Hebrew Bible , which it looks upon to be most Authentick ; and a great many Men famous for their Piety as well as Learning , are of the same Opinion .

'T is true the Chronology of the Septuagint is in the Roman Martyrology , but it does not from thence follow that it ought to have the Preference . The Reason of its being there , is because the Church had always an Esteem for what was Ancient ; and her greatest Care being to preserve the more solid Goods , such as are the Articles of Faith , the Points of Morality , and the Rules of Discipline , she did not much regard these Trifles of Chronology , but left them to be discussed by her Learned Disputants ; provided they manag'd them with that admirable Temper so conspicuous in S. Augustine , who says with relation to these Matters , Eligo tantam Ignorantiam confiteri , quam falsam Scientiam profiteri ; i. e. I had rather own my Ignorance in these Things , than pretend to a false Knowledge .

After all it must be confessed , That a Man ought not to be too anxious or supercilious in Point of Chronology ; because 't is impossible to make it hang together so well as to put it beyond Dispute . The Records of Antiquity , as well Sacred as Prophane , leave us too much in the Dark to pretend to it . There will be still insuperable Difficulties , and we shall meet with a thousand Instances , wherein it will be impossible for us to know whether we be in the Right or no. To prove this , we shall produce Five very prevalent Arguments .

Five Reasons of the uncertainty of Chronology .

I. The vast difference there is about Chronology betwixt the Bible of the Septuagints and our Vulgar , causes such a Perplexity that a Man does not know which way to get out of it . The Greek Bible reckons 1500 Years more than the Hebrew and Latin Bibles , from the Creation of the World to the Birth of Abraham ; and the Misfortune is that one cannot tell on which side the Error lies . Some accuse the Greek Bible of extending the Times too far . Others maintain , That the Iews have contracted them too much , and that their Corruption of the Hebrew Bible , has occasioned the same Mistakes in the Latin Version . This Dispute is the more troublesome , as it is a hard Matter to decide it . One Thing however is certain , which is , That S. Augustine lays the Fault upon the Greek Bible , or rather upon those that first Transcrib'd it from the Original of Ptolemus Philadelphus , who , as he pretends , have introduced 1500 Years too many in the Lives of the Patriarchs . De Civit. Dei , Lib. 15. Cap. 13. But every Body is not of S. Augustine's Opinion : And the Author of The Antiquity of Times restored ( with a great many more ) has very different Thoughts , and speaks quite another way of the Greek Bible . So difficult it is to know which Side to be for in this Dispute .

II. It is very difficult to compute the Chronology of the Bible exactly , by reason that in the Succession of the Judges of the People of God and the Kings of Iuda and Israel , the Scripture makes no difference between a growing and a compleat Year ; whereas it is not to be imagin'd that a Patriarch , a Judge , or a King , did live just 900 , 100 , or 60 Years , without any odd Months and Days . Wherefore , as Theophilus of Antioch wisely observes , it is impossible exactly to determine the Times of the Patriarchs and Kings . [ Ad Autol. Lib. 3. ] Therefore Chronologers are obliged to suppose a great Improbability , viz. That the Years of the Pedigrees of the Bible are always fully expired and compleat . Now if these Years be but just begun , and a Man reckons them for whole and compleat ones , he will stretch out and lengthen the Times ; but on the contrary , if the Holy Writers have omitted the odd Months and Days of growing Years , 't is most certain that we shall shorten and contract the Times , if we keep precisely to the computation of the Bible . Therefore , in Matters of Chronology , we must of necessity be satisfied with Conjectures and Probabilities upon a thousand Occasions : We must persuade our selves once for all , that we cannot have the Antiquity of the World , but within a few Years more or less ; and ought to look upon all the Projects of restoring the Antiquity of Times to a nice Exactness and Precision , as foolish and chimerical .

III. The different Names which the Assyrians , Egyptians , Persians and Grecians , have given to the same Prince , have not a 〈◊〉 contributed to confound the ancient Chronology . Three or four Princes have born the Name of Assuerus , ( says the Bishop of Meaux , in his Discourse upon History ) altho' they had others besides . If a Man was not told that Nabucodonosor , Nabucodrosor and Nabocolasser , are but the same Name , or the Name of the same Man , he could hardly believe it . Sargon is the same with Sennacherib ; Ozias with Azarias ; and Zedechias with Mathanias ; Joachos was also c●lled Sellum ; Asaraddon , which is indifferently pronounced , Esar haddon , or Asor-haddan , is called Asenaphar by the Cutheans ; and , through an unaccountable Diversity , Sardanapulus is called Tonos Comoleros by the Greeks . Those different Names of the same Person , differently pronounced by several Nations according to the various Idioms of their Speech , must needs cause a great Confusion and Disorder in Things and Persons . This Confusion is so great in the Succession of the Kings of Assyria , that it is impossible for a Man ever to be truly satisfied about it .

IV. We have few Memorials left of the first Monarchies of the World , an infinite number of Books being quite lost . If Herodotus wrote the History of the Assyrians according to his Promise , it never was transmitted to us . The Greeks have writ very late ; and those that have , did not understand the Hebrew Language , and were often miserably ignorant of the Antiquities of Iudea . We may say the same of the Latin Historians , who being little skill'd in the Greek Tongue , and much less perhaps in the Affairs of the Iews and Grecians , have undoubtedly writ a great many Things at a venture and very ill digested . The generality of them have studied to please by the Politeness and Delicacy of their Writings , and curious and strange Stories , and have neglected the Times of the Events they speak of , which has cast a great Mist upon History .

V. The Aera's and Years being different almost in every Nation , has occasion'd a great Disorder and Confusion in Chronology . The Grecians computed the Time from the Olympiads , and the Romans from ' the Foundation of their City . More than that , some Nations had no Epocha at all , and have bethought themselves but late of using them ; and among the rest , 't was only about the Year , 532. that the Christians began to reckon their Years from the Birth of JESUS CHRIST .

The same difference is observable in Years as in Aera's : In some Countries they made use of the Lunar Year of 354 Days , and in others of the Solar of 365 Days , and about six hours . Altho' we suppose the Historians to have regarded this difference of Years , yet they could not avoid to make some Mistakes in Chronology ; for besides , that People were then ignorant of the true Motion of the Sun and Moon , with which we are not perhaps throughly acquainted now adays , ( let Posterity be the Judge ) 't is certain that among the Republicks of Greece , tho' never so well governed and regulated , they did not agree about the beginning of the Lunar Year . One begun it precisely at the Conjunction of the Sun and Moon : Another two Days after , that is , when the New Moon began to be seen , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . And others began their Year at the Full Moon .

The several Nations of the World have been no less divided about the Season where the Year should began . The Hebrews , Chaldeans , Egyptians and Persians , begin it with the Autumn or Fall of the Leaf ; the Grecians towards the Summer Solstice , and the Romans about the Winter's . The Mahometans , just at the Equinox , in the Spring ; the Indian Gentiles the First Day of March ; and the Arabians at the time of the Sun 's entering the Sign of Leo.

All these Things have thrown Chronology into so great an Obscurity , that it is not in the Power of the greatest Skill in the World to pierce through all the dark Mists which that variety of Aera's and Years has cast over the Face of History . Therefore

Varro most wisely calls uncertain , obscure and fabulous , the generality of those Events related by Historians to have happen'd before the Olympiads .

Dionysius Halicarnasseus says positively , Lib. 1. That there is nothing certain in all that the History mentions concerning the Transactions before the War of Troy .

Macrobius assures us , That we must not expect any Certainty in Roman Histories , when they relate any thing that happen'd 260 Years before the Foundation of Rome ; and that concerning those Times , Writers are rather Tellers of Fables than Historians .

S. Iustin the Martyr , in Paraenetico , maintains , That there is nothing constantly true in Greek Histories before the Olympiads ; and that we have no Account left , either by the Grecians or Barbarians , to inform us of what happen'd in those remote Ages .

I have dwelt so long upon this Subject , in order to shew that in point of ancient Chronology , we must depend upon the Accounts we find in the Holy Scripture , since we can expect nothing concerning the first Times from Prophane Historians . And here we must take notice of the Wisdom of Providence , which has so well ordered Things , that we have Light enough to make a firm Concatenation of the Succession of Times ; for where Prophane History fails us in the first three thousand Years of the World , we have the Chronology of the Bible to guide us : And when afterwards we find the Accounts of Time more obscure in the Holy Scriptures , we meet , in Requital , with more Light in the Writings of Prophane Authors . And there begins the Time which Varro calls Historical , because since the Olympiads , the Truth of Things begins to be conspicuous in History . So that before that Time we must enlighten Prophane History by the help of the Sacred ; and not pretend to correct the Chronology of the Hebrew Bible and our Vulgar ; by the Antiquities of the Chaldeans , Egyptians and Chinese , which is a plain and visible overturning of the Order of Things , and no better than to give a blind Guide to one that sees well .

By all I have said , I do not mean to confute the Book of The Antiquity of Times restored ; my only Design is to caution young People , for whom particularly I write , against a certain Spirit of Curiosity which has been predominant among us for some Years past , and whose stirring Character is too apt to remove those Bounds which we ought to preserve with great Veneration . As for the rest , I both honour and esteem the Merit of the Author , and I am very far from having any Thoughts to offend him .

§. 2. Eclipses , and Aspects of the Planets .

FRom what I have said about the uncertainty of Chronology , some perhaps will be apt to think , That the Doctrin of Times does not deserve our Application , and that we must take out of History as much as we can , without troubling our selves with a nice Marshalling of the Events according to the Order and Succession of Ages , since , after all , this Order is very doubtful and uncertain . I know very well that there are those who will give their Sceptism a free Scope upon this Matter ; and if their Opinion could prevail , ancient History would be in little or no Esteem . But it is not fit to depend upon the Judgment of those who never studied Things but superficially , and whose Merit wholly consists in a pragmatical , peremptory way of delivering their Opinions : For if there be doubtful and obscure Things in Chronology , there are also those that are undeniably certain and evident .

There are two Books in the World , both Divine ones , from whence Chronology draws its Certainty . The first is the Book of the Scripture , where we find the Years of the Patriarchs , Judges , Kings and Princes , of the People of God , whereby we are able to determine within a small Matter the Antiquity of the World , and link almost together the whole Succession of Times , except some few Breaks and Interruptions , which proceed from the Silence of the Scripture , and which we shall mark in the following Article . But where the Scripture fails us , Prophane History comes in to our Help , so that we can precisely tell how long that Silence has lasted .

The other Book ( which is our second sure Ground for Chronology ) is that of Nature ; this , as well as the first , is the Work of God .

1. This Book , by furnishing us with the Motions and Aspects of the Sun and Moon , and other Planets , and above all the Eclipses , which are so rightly called the publick , celestial and infallible Characters of Times , gives certain and demonstrable Arguments to Chronologers , of the Times wherein a vast number of the most signal Events of History did happen . For an Eclipse either of the Sun or Moon is such a characteristical and identical Mark of a Year , that it is easy to distinguish it among an infinite number of others , which makes Eclipses to be look'd upon as the most assured Grounds of Chronology . Certainly nothing can so well characterize the Year of a Battle , of the Foundation of a City , or the Death of a Prince , as an Eclipse that happens the same Day , or some Days before or after : Since by means of Astronomical Tables it is found , that an Eclipse seen upon such or such a Day , ought necessarily to have happened in such and such a Year . This method is grounded upon Mathematical Demonstrations ; which is as much as if I had said , That it is so certain and evident that Human Reason can never revolt against it .

By this it appears that in Point of Chronology a Man cannot be an exact Critick , if he be ignorant of the use of Astronomical Tables for the Calculation of Eclipses .

Setting aside that this Computation of Eclipses is one of the greatest and most wonderful Effects of the Reach of Human Understanding , and that there is an extraordinary Satisfaction in foretelling an Eclipse , together with its Greatness and Duration , fifty , nay even a thousand Years before it happens , methinks the great use they are of in History and Chronology is sufficient to recommend Astronomy to us ; by whose Help we arrive at the Pleasure of calculating them to a very nice Precision . And therefore we must conclude that none but the dull and ignorant Despisers of all good Literature , can entertain an Indifference for so fine and important a Knowledge .

Now since the Certainty which Eclipses give to History is infallible , we must account our selves happy for the care Historians have taken to mention so great a number of them . 'T is true their Diligence , as to this Matter , is particularly owing to the foolish Error of the ancient Heathens , who look'd upon these Phenomena as Presages of the Death of some great Person , or of the Fall of an Empire . However ▪ when Historians have mark'd the Days wherein Eclipses did happen , they have left at the same time assured Signs and Characters to know the Years of the Events which fell out about the same Time .

This is the Reason why the Eclipses mentioned by Historians , have been so carefully collected by skilful Chronologers .

Calvisius makes his Chronology depend upon 127 Eclipses of the Moon , and 144 of the Sun , which he assures us he has calculated himself .

Thus by an Eclipse of the Sun , mentioned by Iustin , [ Lib. 22. Cap. 6. ] which happen'd when Agathocles , the Tyrant of Sicily , was crossing the Sea , to go over into Africa against the Carthaginians , it is found by an Astronomical Calculation , That this was in the Year of the World , 3634. and 316 Years before the Vulgar Aera , on the Fifteenth of August .

2. The great Conjunction of the two superior Planets , Saturn and Iupiter , whereby these two Stars , having run through all the four Trigons , meet again , according to Kepler , at the end of 800 Years , in the same degree of the Zodiack would be also one of the most excellent Methods to distinguish and characterize the Times , if Historians had taken notice of those rare and unfrequent Aspects .

Archbishop Vsher tells us , That in the Year of the World , 3998. two Years before the Birth of our Saviour , there was a great Conjunction of those Planets , such as never happens but once in 800 Years .

There have been but Eight of these great Conjunctions since the Creation of the World , as one may see by Astronomical Calculations . The last of them happen'd in the beginning of this Century , in the Month of December , 1603.

3. All the Aspects of the Planets , which happen but seldom , might serve also for natural Characters to mark the Times .

4. But among these natural Characters , some are called Civil or Artificial , because invented by Men : Such as the Solar and Lunar Cycles , the Roman Indictions , Easter , the Leap-year : Among the Iews , the Iubilees , and Sabbatical Years ; and among the Heathens , the Combats and publick Games , such as the Olympick , which were always celebrated in a determined Time .

§. 3. Epocha's .

THe third Foundation of Chronology is drawn from certain constant Epocha's , which none of the Chronologers and Historians ever called in question . Those fixed Points in Chronology are like firm Places , where one may stand and consider upwards and downwards , the more slippery and dark Passages of History .

We have here set down 29 of those Fundamental Points , which most Chronologers agree upon , with relation to the Years of the Iulian Period , and those that preceded the Birth of our Saviour . I have borrowed them from Father Petavius a Jesuit , a famous Chronologer , [ Rationar . Tempor . par. 2. lib. 1. cap. 15. ] which obliges me , in imitation of that learned Man , to range those 29 Epochs by the Years of the Iulian Period , that we may use them as a common , assured and standing Rule , to direct us in the dark Places of Chronology .

Years of the Julian Period . Years before Jesus Christ . 4676. 1. The Sabbatical Year of the Iews , 38. 3938. 2. The beginning of the Olympiads , 776. 3961. 3. The building of Rome according to Varro , 753. 3967. 4. The Aera of Nabonassar , 747. 4154. 5. Cyrus lays the Foundation of the Persian Monarchy , 560. 4185. 6. Cambisis , Cyrus's Son , began to reign , 529. 4193. 7. Darius , Histaspes's Son , began to reign , 521. 4234. 8. Sea-fight betwixt Xerxes and the Grecians near Salamina , 480. 4283. 9. The beginning of the Peloponesian War , 431. 4383. 10. A Victory gain'd by Alexander the Great at Arabella ; the end of the Persian Empire , 331. 4390. 11. The Death of Alexander the Great , 324. 4402. 12. The Aera of the Seleucidae , 312. 4429. 13. Ptolomeus Philadelpus began his Reign , 285. 4543. 14. Ptolomeus VI. or Philometor began to Reign , 181. 4546. 15. The Kingdom of Macedon ends in Perseus , 168. 4546. 16. Antiochus Epiphanes prophanes the Temple , 168. 4669. 17. The first Iulian Year , 45. 4676. 18. The Aera of Spain , 38. 4683. 19. The Battle of Actium , wherein Anthony is vanquished , and Cleopatra dies , 31 ▪ 4684. Whence the Egyptians began an Aera , 30 ▪ 4714. 20. The Vulgar Aera , or the Birth of Jesus Christ , beginning on the Calends , or First Day of Ianuary , the middle of the 4th Year of the 194 Olympiad . Years of the Vulg. Aera . 21. The Death of Caesar Augustus , 14 ▪ 22. Claudius succeeds Caius Caligula , 41. 23. Nero reigns after Claudius , 54. 24. Death of Domitian , 96. 25. The Aera of Dioclesian , or of Martyrs , 284. 26. The Council of Nice is held , 325. 27. Constantine the Great dies , 337. 28. Valentinian I. began to reign , 364. 29. The Hegira , or Flight of the false Prophet Mahomet , Iuly 16. 622.

CHAP. III. Of the Vncertainty Chronologers are at concerning the Year wherein our Saviour was born .

'T IS matter of Surprize , that the Professors of Christianity should have lived so long without knowing precisely how many Years are elapsed since the Birth of the Saviour of the World : And it cannot be denied but that this Ignorance is very shameful to Christians , whom it so nearly concerns to know all that belongs to the Mysterious Incarnation of the Son of God . 'T is true , that some time since People have begun to be sensible that the Christian Aera was too short , and that it wanted about two or three Years to begin with the Birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ : They have also found out , at last , that it wants four compleat Years to reach the Birth of our Saviour ; but this Knowledge is come but very late .

They have followed that Error for near 1200 Years , without being sensible of it ; and now that we are evidently acquainted with it , we cannot but follow it on still ; since we cannot mend it without making a great many Changes in the Date of Affairs , both Ecclesiastical and Civil . Which would occasion a greater Trouble and Disorder , than did in the last Age , the cutting off ten Days for the Correction of the Kalendar .

We are fallen into that Error by following upon Trust Dionysius Exiguus , an Abbot , who in the Year , 532. began first , among Christians , to make an Epoch of the Birth of our Saviour , and compute the Years from that Time , in order to make Chronology altogether Christian. It seems this learned Man was not extraordinary exact in his Computation , tho' it were at that time not over difficult , since he lived in the middle of the VI. Century , when they did not want Monuments and Memorials to settle and regulate that Chronology .

But tho' there have been great Difficulties in finding out the true number of Years , that have follow'd the Birth of our Saviour , yet there are infinitely greater in computing the Years that have gone before it . In that , great space of so many Years , it is not possible for a , Man not to go astray , in some Place or other : That● Way is so long , so dark , so little beaten through by Historians , especially that part of it where the first Monarchies of the World lie , that it would be a kind of Miracle if no Body should mistake it , and all Chronologers go Hand in Hand together .

The same Reasons which prove the Holy Scripture , and the remaining Monuments of ancient History , to be insufficient to make a clear and firm Concatenation of the Succession of Times , do also evince by a necessary Consequence , That we cannot justly determine the individual Year of the coming of the Messiah . Therefore we must not wonder to see Chronologers so much divided upon this Matter . This Confusion goes so far , that it is become a Proverb to say , They agree no more than Chronologers .

However , this Misunderstanding does not proceed from a Desire of contradicting others , and setting up a Party in the learned World , tho' the generality of Men be extream fond of the Reputation of a new System ; but this War , the most obstinate and irreconcilable that ever was , springs from the very Nature of the Thing it self , which will ever be full of insuperable Difficulties .

Frederick Gusman , in a Letter to the Elector Palatine , reckons up 40 different Opinions about the Year of the World wherein our Saviour was born .

Calvisius a German , very learned in Chronology , tells us , That he could scarce find two Authors who agreed upon that Matter . De Annis Mundi , cap. 27. p. 160.

Maestlinus , who had spent all his Life-time in the Study of the Mathematicks and Chronology , assures us , That he had met with 132 Opinions intirely different in that respect .

As imperfect as the Doctrin of the Times may seem here to be , yet it has merited the Application of the most refined and discerning Wits ; and a vast number of Men , illustrious in the Arts and Sciences , have made it their particular Study . We must not be discouraged by the Difficulties we are to encounter , since the obstinate and indefatigable Labour of those great Men , born to surmount the hardest Obstacles , has already cleared and made plain an infinite number of Facts , which were dark and intricate a hundred Years ago . Their Discoveries will undoubtedly be carried on further ; but in the mean time we must advertize those , who have a Mind to enter upon this sort of Study , of what they must look for , and what they will really find in Chronology : First , That they may not think that there is an equal Degree of Certainty in every Thing ; Secondly , That they do not expect the same Evidence as in the Mathematicks .

Among the Chronologers that disagree about the Year of the World of the coming of the Messiah , I have chosen those that I thought the most considerable , whose Computation you have in the following Table : Where you may observe , that of all those Authors none reckons more than 7000 Years , nor less than 3700.

Divers Authors disagreeing about the Year of the coming of the Messiah . Rabbi Naason , 3707. Rabbi Abraham , Rabbi Levi , Rabbi Gerson , 3754. The Chronicle of the Hebrews , 3760. Some Talmudists , 3784. Benedictus Arias , 3849. Iames Gordon , 3880. David Paraeus , 3928. Paulus Aphae , 3937. S. Ierom , 3941. Iohn Carion , 3944. Calvisius , Helvicus , Alstedius , 3947. Origanus , Argolus , 3949. Scaliger , Vbbo Emmius , 3950. Cornelius a Lapide , 3951. Beda , Hermannus Herwart , 3952. Landsperg , 3958. Iohn Picus Count of Mirandola , 3959. Luther , Scultetus , Iohannes Lucidus , 3960. Beroaldus , 3961. Sixtus of Siena , Abbat Vrspergiensis , Chrytreus , 3962. Tostatus , Melancthon , Funcius , 396● . Gerardus Mercator , Opmeir , 3966. Butting , Santphurdius , 396● . Bulingerus , 3969. Nigrinus , Pantaleon , 3970. Brentzhein , Bucholzer , 3971. Theophilus of Antioch , 3974. Bibliander , 3979. Father Petavius , 3984 Archbishop Vsher , Tirinus , Capellus , Thomas Lydyat , 4000. William Langius , 4040. Tornelli , Salianus , Spondanus , 405● . Labbe , Muller , 4053. Rabbi Moses , 4058. Ioseph Son to Mattathias , 4103. Laurence Codoman , 4142. Riccioli , according to the Hebrew and the Vulgar Bible . 4184. Odiaton , or Edwicon , an Astronomer , 4320. Cassiodorus , 4697. Origines , 4830. Adon of Vienna , 4832. Methrodorus , 5000. S. Epiphanius Bishop of Salamina , 5029. Paulus Orosius , 5049. Philo Iudaeus , Sigibertus , 5195. Isidorus of Sevil , 5196. Philip of Bergama , 5198. Eusebius of Cesarea , 5200. Iohn Nauclerus , 5201. Rabanus , 5296. Albumazar an Astronomer , 5328. Isidorus of Pelusium , 5336. Petrus de Alliaco , 5344. S. Augustin , 5353. Theophanes , 5500. Cedrenus , 5506. Isaac Vossius , 5590. Suidas , 5600. S. Clement of Alexandria , 5624. Riccioli , according to the Septuagint , 5634. Nicephorus of Constantinople , 5700. Lactantius , 5801. Philastrius , 5801. Father Pezon , 5868 , or 5872. Onuphrius Panvinus , 6310. Alphonsus , King of Spain , 6984.

Of all these various Opinions , we must of necessity take up with one ; for 't would be needless , if not vain , to pretend to a new one different from all the rest ; since it is not to be imagined , but that among so many Systems , there is some or other satisfactory , and upon which one may depend : For my part , I have pitch'd upon the Opinion which places the Birth of our Saviour in the Year of the World , 4000. The Reasons for this Choice are these :

1. This space of Time is sufficient to explain and answer the Successions of the Patriarchs , Judges and Kings ; in a Word , all the History of the People of God , which is the main thing to be considered in the choice of this Epocha . Now some very learned Men have already made it out , how those 4000 Years do exactly comprehend all the Series of Sacred History , according to the Hebrew and the Vulgar Bible ; and besides that they fill up the Vacancies which the Silence of the Scripture has left towards the end of the Fourth Millenary , the extent of which we cannot perfectly know without the Help of Prophane History , or the Iewish History of Iosephus .

The PROOF . Years of the World . GENESIS contains the History of 2369 Years , from the Creation of the World to Ioseph's death , 2369. EXODVS comprehends the History of 145 Years , reaching from the Death of Ioseph to the Year , 2514. two Years before the going out of Egypt , 2514. LEVITICVS takes in the Transactions of one Month and a half . 2514 , 1 m. ½ The Book of NVMBERS contains the History o● 38 Years and a half ; that is , from the second Month after the coming out of Egypt , down to the Death of Moses , or thereabouts . 2552 , 7 m. ½ 'T is thought that JOB liv'd about this Time , and that Moses wrote his History . DEVTERONOMY contains the History of one Month and a half . 2552 , 9 m. Therefore the Pentateuch , or five Books of MOSES contain the History of 2552 Years and about nine Months . 2552 , 9 m. The Book of IOSHVAH contains the History of 17 Years , because it begins at the 41st Year after the coming out of Egypt , and ends with the Death of Ioshuah . 2570. The Book of IVDGES comprehends the History of 317 Years ; it begins at the Death of Ioshuah , and ends at that of Sampson . 2887. The History of RUTH happen'd under one of the Judges . The First Book of SAMVEL contains the History of 101 Years ; because it begins with the first Year of the Administration of Heli towards the Year , 2848. and ends with the Death of Saul , in the Year , 2949. However this Book does but add 60 Years to the History of the Book of Iudges , because the forty Years of Heli's Government , of which the first Chapters of the First Book of Samuel give the Particulars , are included in Sampson's Time , and therefore contained in the 317 Years of the Book of Iudges . 2949. The Second Book of SAMVEL contains the History of David's Reign , of about 40 Years . 2989. The First Book of KINGS contains the History of Solomon's Reign , and some Kings of Israel , in all about 126 Years . 3115. The Second Book of KINGS comprehends the History of 308 Years ; during which we see the Wars and Misfortunes of 16 Kings of Iuda , and 12 Kings of Israel , and the Downfal of those two Kingdoms . But because the first Chapter of this Second Book , concerning Ochosias and Iosaphat , run back towards the Year of the World , 3108. by that Reason the 308 Years reach no farther than the Year of the World . 3456.

The History of TOBIAH happens about this time .

The First Book of CHRONICLES is an Abridgment of the History of the World , from Adam to the return from the Captivity . Afterwards the Author , resuming the History of David in particular , pursues it at large , till the time that Solomon was crowned King , towards the Year of the World . 2990. The Second Book of CHRONICLES contains the Sacred History from the Year of the World , 2990. down to the Year , 3468. at which time ended the 70 Years of the Captivity : So that these two Books do but add 52 Years to the History of the People of God . 3468. The First Book of ESDRAS contains the History of 82 Years , beginning at the end of the Captivity of Babylon , and reaching to the 20th Year of Artaxerxes Longimanus , and the Year of the World , 3550. The Second Book of ESDRAS contains the History of 31 Years , as far as the beginning of the Reign of Darius Nothus , in the Year of the World , 3581.

From the Year , 3581. where ends the Second Book of Esdras , the Scripture gives us no Account of what has happened during 250 Years . This Silence and Vacancy cannot be supply'd otherwise than by the Help of Prophane History , which about this time being clear and full of Light , we may easily perceive , that there are 250 Years from the end of the Second Book of Esdras , down to the Maccabees ▪ or the Reign of Antiochus Epiphanes .

This Silence of 250 Years lasts to the Year of the World , 3830. The Two Books of MACCABEES contain the History of 40 Years , and so they lead us as far as the Year of the World , 3870. The Holy Scripture fails us again in this Place , where we find a Silence of 130 Years , which continues till the Birth of our Saviour in the Year of the World , 4000.

This 130 Years Silence may be supply'd by the Hi●story of the Iews , which Iosephus has probably extracted from the Journals of the High Priests .

'T is plain , by this Chronology of the Historie● Books of the Bible , that the space of 4000 Years , which we interpose betwixt the Creation of the World and the Birth of our Saviour , is sufficient to correct and explain the Successions of the Patriarchs , Judges and Kings , and all the History of the People of God .

2. The space of 4000 suffices also to set in order and connect all that Prophane History tells us , apparently true , about the Antiquities of the Chaldeans , Egyptian and Chinese ; as I shall shew anon , when I come to speak of each Monarchy in particular .

3. The eminently learned Archbishop Vsher , after a long and laborious Study , acknowledges , That the space of 4000 , is the most agreeable to the History 〈◊〉 the Bible ; which he demonstrates in his excellent Work , called , Annales Veteris & Novi Testament ▪ That Book has been so generally approved of in th● World , that People have been glad to see at the en● of S. Vitre's Bible , the fine Chronological Tables , disgested according to Vsher's Scheme . They have been abridged since , and put into French , and afterwards into English , at the end of the History of the Bible-wi●● Figures ; and in what manner soever they have appeared , they have found a very kind acceptance .

Furthermore the Bishop of Meaux has followed it , in his learned Lessons upon History , to the Dauphin of France . People do not agree ( says he ) upon the precis● individual Year wherein our Saviour came into the World ▪ but all agree , That his true Birth was some Years befo●● our Vulgar Aera , which however we shall follow with th● rest , for Conveniency-sake . Without disputing any mo●● about the Year of our Saviour's Birth , it is enough for us to know that it happen'd about the 4000 th Year of the World . Some place it a little higher ; others a little lower ; and others in this very Year ; a Diversity which proceeds as much from the uncertainty of the Years of the World as that of the Birth of our Saviour . [ Discourse upon Universal History . ]

4. This Number of 4000 Years is also easy to retain ; for all round even Numbers leave a clear Image , and make a distinct and deep Impression in our Mind ; which is very necessary in Chronology , where Memory has so much to do , that we can never use too many Helps to support it . Now this Epocha has all the Advantages that can be desired : For if from the 4000th Year , where we place the Birth of our Saviour , that is , that Point of History that ought to be most dear and important to us , we run back 1000 Years higher , we meet precisely with the Dedication of the Temple of Solomon , in the Year of the World , 3000. If we go on still a thousand Years ( wanting eight ) higher , we will find the Birth of Abraham in the Year , 2008. Finally , about the Year of the World , 2500. the Law is given to Moses : And all those bright and remarkable Points of Sacred History are express'd by round even Numbers , which extreamly ease and help the Memory .

5. There was in the first Ages of the Church an ancient Tradition , That the World was to last but 6000 Years ; which popular Opinion is said to be originally derived from Eliah's House . But however , 't is certain that this Tradition was grounded upon Rules of Consonance and Agreeableness : The chief of which was , That God had made the World in Six Days , and rested the Seventh . To this they added , That according to the Words of the 89th Psalm , v. 4. A thousand Years before the Lord are like one Day ; and therefore that there were 6000 Years appointed for the Labours of this Life , after which time the Saints would enjoy a Sabbath with God ; that is , rest for ever with him . They allowed 2000 Years before the Law , 2000 Years under the Law , at the end of which the Messiah was to come , and whose Reign was to last 2000 Years more . Finally they said , That if the World did not endure all that Time , 't would be because the Sins of Men should grow to such a height , that God could no longer bear with them .

Thus the 6000 Years of the World are the Six Days of the Week before God ; and the eternal Sabbath of the Saints , in the Repose of Glory , will be the Seventh . Sex millibus annorum stabit mundus : Duobus millib●● inane : Duobus millibus Lex : Duobus millibus Messia●● Isti sunt sex dies Hebdomadae coram Deo . Septimus di●● Sabbathum aeternum est . Mille anni ante occulos tu● tanquam dies . Psal. 89. This ancient Tradition of th● Iews , which the first Fathers of the Church have wi●●lingly received , places , with us , the coming of th● Messiah in the Year of the World , 4000.

6. Those that are taken with the subtle Speculation of the Rabbi's , will find something that will please the● in this Epocha of 4000 Years . Among the Virtuoso's 〈◊〉 the Cabala , one of the most mysterious ways of Inter●preting the Scripture is that which they call Sephiro● which is properly an Explication of the Holy Text b● the Elements or Letters , whereof every Word is com●posed . Now as all the Hebrew Letters , as well as th● Greek , are Numeral , all the Secret lies in considerin● the value of each Letter , and finding out a mysteriou● Number in one or more Words ; and it cannot be de●nied , but by this Method the Rabbi's have sometime hit upon very ingenious and subtle Explications , W● speak this , without laying any Stress upon abundan●● of minute and frivolous Inquiries , wherewith all the●● Books swarm .

Of all the Words upon which those Doctors have exercised their Brains in this sort of Analysis , there none wherein they discover so many Mysteries as i● this , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Bereschith , which begins the Book o● Genesis , and serves for the Title , according to the Custom of the Hebrews . 'T would be impertinent , in this place , to relate all the Witticisms , scattered up and down in the Books of the Cabalists , about this Word● I shall only mention a curious one , which has a particu●lar relation to the Subject I treat of .

This Word Bereschith , which signifies In Principi●● In the Beginning , not only contains the Promise God made of giving his Son ( since one may as well read Barschit ; Dabo filium ; I shall give the Son ; ) but it expresses also the Year of the World wherein the Eternal Father was to give his Son for the Salvation of Men. This is the Method they use to find out that Year .

1. They take out of this Word all the Letters whose value exceeds 100. Thus 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 is 200. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 300. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 400.

2. In the Name of every Letter of the Word 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , they take again the Letters worth more than 100. Thus in the Letter 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , which they call 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Beth , is found the Letter 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , that stands for 400.

In 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , called 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Resch , there is an 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 worth 200. and the 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 worth 300.

In 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , called 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Aleph , there is 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 worth 800.

In 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , which they call 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Schin , there 's a 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 worth 300 , and the 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 worth 700.

Finally , in 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , called 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Tau , there is a 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 worth 400.

Now all these Numbers put together , make up just 4000. which is the Year of the World of the coming of the Messiah .

Altho' this be an After-divination of a Thing already past , yet we must own that there is in it a great deal of Sagacity , and that the happy and precise Agreeableness which is found betwixt the Number 4000. contain'd in this Word 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , and that of the Year of the World wherein we place the Birth of the Messiah , is not altogether to be slighted .

This difference among Authors concerning the Time of our Saviour's Birth , proceeds chiefly from a Mistake of the Year of the World that Abraham was born in ; for the old Opinion was , That he was the eldest Son of Terah , and born in the 70 th Year of his Father's Age ; but more exact Chronologists , particularly Archbishop Usher , Sir Walter Raleigh and Dr. Howell say , That he was not the eldest Son , but born after his two Brethren Nahor and Haran , and in the 130 th Year of his Father's Age , which makes a difference of 60 Years . Now the time from Abraham downward is calculated right enough ; but by reason of this difference of 60 Years in his time , the computation from the Creation ( which was 1948 or 2008 Years before the Birth of Abraham ) must necessarily be different also , when apply'd to the Years of other Aera's . If the old Account be follow'd , which places Abraham 's Birth in the 70 th Year of his Father , and in the 1948 th of the World , then the Year of our Saviour's Birth will fall in with the 3948 th of the World ; but if the other Computation take place , it will be found to be in the 4008 th Year of the World , which is 60 Years more . Wherefore our Author's Supputation of 4000 Years falls in pretty well with this , and may justly enough be follow'd : But inasmuch as this Account is modern and not made by the generality of Chronologers , we have not chosen to follow it in this Work , complying rather with Helvicus and Tallent ; which being the latest , both of good Esteem in the World , and the only two general Chronologies in English , will to be sure be applied to by our Reader , when he desires more particular Information than this small Volume can admit of , but he will be puzzled to find what he wants if the Aera's do not agree : And then it is but adding 60 to the Year of the World , and you have the other Computation also . 'T is for this Reason that we have ventur'd to Recede from our Author , and make the Accounts all along to comply with Helvicus and Tallent ; except only , that for the sake of a round Number we have follow'd Mr. Tallent , and suppos'd 3950 Years from the Creation to our Saviour , which being but two Years more than Helvicus , can breed no great difference .

CHAP. IV. The Vsefulness of Chronological Tables to Beginners : Different Divisions of the Times in order to help the Memory .

THE Usefulness of Geographical Maps is now so well known , that 't is needless to give ones self the trouble to demonstrate , how difficult it would be to learn that Science without them : And it must be confess'd , that since the Art of making Maps and Globes have been so well known , that Study , tho' formerly a very crabbed and difficult one , is become a meer Diversion ; and to such a Proficiency may a common Capacity , in our Days , arrive , by these Helps , as to Vie with a great Master of Antiquity . Of the same Use are Chronological Tables , and the Study of History ; for as Maps , by representing to our Sight the Extent of Countries and the Distance and Situation of Towns , leave a clear and distinct Notion of them in the Imagination , and make an Impression upon the Memory ; just so do Chronological Tables figurate to us the Series and Concatenation of Times : We see there , at once , the Rise of Great Monarchies , ●he Progress they make by impetuous Conquests , and ●fterwards how they are canton'd and dismember'd , ●nd finally dwindle away and disappear , to make Room for others that succeed 'em .

Also , as by a Map we may see the whole Earth at once , and observe all the Countries that lie in the same Climate ; so Chronological Tables give us a Prospect of a general Synchronism , that is , the History of what ●as happen'd , and the eminent Men that have liv'd in ●●e same Age , in all the several Nations of the ●orld .

By the Use of such Helps , the Knowledge one re●●ives is duly digested in the Mind , without which the ●●eatest Learning will make your Head but a confus'd ●●●brary . And Order ought to be more exactly ob●●●v'd in the Study of History than in any other Sci●●ce , because , unless you regard the State of other ●ations as well as of that whereof your Author treats , 〈◊〉 cannot sufficiently comprehend the Story ; for an ●istorian has always occasion to speak of other People , ●●an those he immediately writes of ; but it would too ●●ch break the Thread of his Discourse to launch out ●o so large Digressions , as an Abstract of their Hi●●●ry would make ; and he is therefore forc'd to sup●●se the Reader already inform'd of it , that he may pur●●● the Business he is upon : Besides , by remembring ●●at Figure one Nation makes in the World with re●●●ct to another , we shall a great deal the better under●●●nd the Reasons of Actions , and be enabled to make 〈◊〉 truer Judgment of them . As for Example : To him ●●o knows . That the Persian Monarchy was much de●●●'d , and the People of that Nation drown'd in Lu●●ry and Sloth , the Victories of Alexander will not appear so Romantick , as without that Knowledge they necessarily must . Again , The Story of Dido and Aenea● will pass well enough upon one that does not know they liv'd at 300 Years distance . 'T is therefore undoubtedly true , that the Student in History ought firs● to be made acquainted with these sort of Tables .

But , as narrow-mouth'd Vessels will overflow if Li●quor be pour'd too hastily into 'em , and on the con●●trary receive it all if put in gently ; so the Mind 〈◊〉 Man , if charg'd with too much Instruction at once forgets it all . Wherefore the young Student ought 〈◊〉 be let by degrees into the Chamber of Knowledge ▪ And at first I would shew him only one general Table which should be a kind of Skeleton of this Scienc● containing only very remarkable Persons and Thing● which afterwards may be compleated , and by ea●● Additions all the History of the World inserted .

This is so reasonable an Axiom , that it is of Self-su●●ficient Force : However , to give it the better Auth●●rity , we will set down the Words of Iustus Lipsius , [ 〈◊〉 his 61st Epist. ] In the Knowledge of Times it is enou●● ( says he ) to understand the general Series and Order Things , and to see where the Empires , Wars and 〈◊〉 remarkable Events have their beginning and end : A● he wish'd that some Body would give us such a Tab●● Dionysius Petavius has answer'd his Desire , and pu●●lish'd Chronological Tables in Latin . And of 〈◊〉 Days the like has been done in English , in a sm●●● Pocket Volume , ingeniously contriv'd by Colonel P●●●sons : Others have multiplied the Tables to that deg●●● that they make up a whole Book , which 't is true are 〈◊〉 more compleat , and of excellent Use , when the Rea●●● is grown to more Proficiency . Of these Helvicus is 〈◊〉 best , unless our Country-man , Mr. Tallent , may be p●●●ferr'd .

And then , to make the better Impression on the M●●mory , I would have the whole History of the Wo●●● divided into certain Epocha's , which should comme●● from some very notable Action , and by Synchro●● apply'd to other Actions ; by which means the times 〈◊〉 smaller Events would be the better remember'd .

Again , as Geometricians resolve a Problemn by examining it part by part , and forming an Analysis ; so here , if the History be divided first into Two , afterwards into Three , Four , or more Epocha's , it will much facilitate the Learning . 'T is for this Reason that we have made use of this Method , proposing first only the great Aera's of the World and our Saviour ; then divide it into 4 , 7 , and 13 parts , the Times whereof having fixed , we proceed to set down Particulars in a larger Chronology , divided into Fifteen Royal Epocha's .

'T is not to be express'd what a vast Light these different Divisions of the Times will give to this Study , from which People have always been discourag'd by reason of its Obscurity . It is well known , That Division , among Logicians , is one of their best Means of arriving to the exact Knowledge of any Subject in Dispute ; which made Socrates call it , An Art inspired by God .

§. 1. First Division of the Times into two Parts .

THe First Part contains all that space of Time from the Creation of the World to the Birth of JESUS CHRIST ; which , according to our Computation through all this Book , is of 3950 Years .

This is properly what they call The Time of the Old Testament . During this long Extent , we see the Esta●lishment and Downfal of three Great Monarchies , ●iz . the Assyrian , Persian and Grecian , which have preceded the Empire of the Romans .

In that space of 40 Centuries , we shall find also a ●reat Number of other States , Kingdoms and Repub●icks , the greatest part of which became Roman Pro●inces , when Rome , a little before the Birth of the Son of God , made her self Mistress of the whole Universe .

The Second Part contains all the Time elapsed from the Birth of JESUS CHRIST to this present ●ime ; which , according to the Vulgar Computation , is ●698 Years .

This is what they call the Time of the New Testament ; which space of 17 Ages , comprehends all the most considerable Events and Transactions in the Roman Empire ; in the Eastern and Western Empires ; in the Kingdoms of France , Spain and England ; and in the other States and Republicks of Europe , Asia , Africa and America .

These are the two most important Epocha's in History . One is the Creation of the World , by the Eternal Father ; and the other the Restauration of the World by the Son of God , consubstantial to his Father .

§. 2. Second Divison of the Times , into three Parts , according to Varro .

VArro divides the whole Series of Ages into three Times ; the first of which he calls 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , obscure and uncertain ; the second 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 or fabulous ; and the third 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 or Historical .

I. The obscure and uncertain Time , is that from the first Original of Mankind down to the Deluge o● Ogiges , about the Year of the World , 2154. and 17●● Years before the Vulgar Aera , and 1020 before th● Frist Olympiad . This Time is called obscure and uncertain , because the Historios of the Nations of the World give no Account of what has happen'd for 2● Centuries .

II. The fabulous Time begins at the Deluge of Ogiges and reaches as far as the Olympiads ; that is , to th● Year of the World , 3174. and 776 Years before th● Vulgar Aera , and lasts 1020 Years . It is called fabulous , because , in effect ▪ whatever Prophane Historian have written about those Times , is intermixt with 〈◊〉 great many Fables . What they relate about the Argo●nautes , Vlysses , Helena , Hercules , and some others , is fo● incoherent that we know not what to think of it . W● must make the same Judgment of the Burning of Troy ▪ And if we should strictly examine what Poets have lef● us upon that Subject , we should perhaps be apt to be●lieve , That Troy was never but a Fiction of their Imagination .

What Herodotus relates from the Taking of Troy to the Olympiads , signifies very little , and is intermix'd with a great many Tales and Romantick Stories . If he had been serious in his Accounts of the Scythians , Egyptians , and several other Nations , we should be obliged to call him the Father of Lies and Fables , whom Cicero honours with the Title of the Father of History . But tho' we should be forc'd to give Credit to those Relations which carry so few Characters of Truth with them , we would not therefore be much the better for it , since Herodotus's History reaching no higher than Giges King of the Lydians , who lived about the Year of the World , 3238. and 712 Years before the Vulgar Aera , he leaves us at a Loss and in the Dark for about 3300 Years , of which he gives no Account . What we find in Berosus , Manetho , Metasthenes , Philo and Annius , is still very uncertain ; and there 's a great deal of Reason to doubt whither there ever were Kings that bore the Names which those Authors give them . And indeed we meet no where , in all the Old Testament , with the Name of any of those Kings of the Assyrians , so much celebrated by Prophane Historians ; whereas we often meet with those of the Princes of the Moabites , Ammonites , Mesopotamia , Egypt , Syria , and others less considerable , that have been either the Enemies or Allies of the Iews . We must not expect more Light from other Historians : Diodorus Siculus begins his History at the Siege of Troy : Trogus Pompeius ascends no higher than Ninus ; and who shall instruct us of what has happened before those Times ?

Christian Religion , into whose Hands the Holy Scriptures are deposited , can alone , by the Light she draws from them , connect the first Times into a continued and uninterrupted Succession from the beginning of the World , to the Return from the Babylonian Captivity : And then as we find more Obscurity in the Accounts of Time in the Holy Scripture , we find , in requital , more Light in the Writings of Prophane Authors . However we must observe , That the Bible serves only to regulate Sacred Chronology , and gives us little or no Account concerning the History of the Nations of the Earth .

III. The Historical Time begins with the Olympiads , in the Year of the World , 3174. and 776 Years before the Vulgar Aera . It is called Historical Time , because , since the Olympiads , the Truth begins to shine and be conspicuous in History .

§. 3. The Third Division of the Times , into Four Parts , according to the Poets .

SInce ancient Poets were Historians , Philosophers , Divines , and Masters in all sorts of Arts and Sciences to the first Men , we must not altogether reject what they have left us , tho' intermix'd with abundance of Fables and idle Stories .

They divided all the Times into Four Ages : The First was the Golden Age ; the Second the Age of Silver ; the Third the Age of Brass ; and the Fourth The Iron Age.

I. The Golden Age , so much celebrated in their Writings , the Poets ascrib'd to Saturn's Reign ; during which the Prolifick Earth spontaneously produc'd the many good Things , which she now bestows only on the laborious Cultivater . Then Ianus gave Peace to Mankind ; Astrea , i. e. Iustice reigned in this lower World , and all Men had every Thing in Common , and lived in perfect Amity together . They tell us , That this Age lasted till Saturn was expelled his Kingdom .

From this Description it is easy to understand , that this Fable does properly suit with that Age which our first Parents past in the Terrestrial Paradice ; and that Adam turned out of this delicious Place , whereof he was Master , is most certainly the same with Saturn , so famous in the Heathenish Poets , who represent him as an Exile from Heaven , wandering up and down the Earth .

II. The Age of Silver is attributed to Iupiter's Reign , whom Virgil charges with furnishing Serpents with Poison , and sending Wolves and other fierce Creatures to annoy Mankind . At that time the Earth yielded nothing but proportionably to the Care and Labour of the Husbandman . We may extend this Age as far as the Time when Tyrants arose among Men , who , out of an ambitious Thirst after Power , oppressed the rest by Violence and Injustice . This Age of Silver ends with the Time when Nimrod , Cham's Grandson , made himself powerful , built Babylon , and laid the Foundation of the Empire of the Chaldeans , towards the Year of the World , 1718. and 62 Years after the Deluge .

Thus far the People of God lived happy , as one may see by the Patriarchs of those Times : But their Condition was extreamly chang'd afterwards , beginning with Abraham .

III. The Age of Brass begins with the Time when furious Men , possessed by an unjust Passion for Power and Authority , began to domineer over others . Such a one was Nimrod , who was the first that fell foul upon his Neighbours , and endeavoured to destroy them by so cruel and bloody Wars , that there 's Reason to doubt whether there be in Nature a greater Enemy to Man , than Man himself . In this Age happen'd the War , taking and burning of Troy by the Greeks , in the Year of the World , 2767. and 1183 Years before the Vulgar Aera . The Poets close this Age of Brass with the Time when there were no more Hero's , or , as they call them , Demi-gods .

In this Age of Brass the People of God suffered more than they had done before : Abraham had great Wars to maintain , and afterwards the Israelites were oppressed under the Domination of the Egyptians , and underwent great Slavery in the Times of the Judges .

IV. The Iron Age begins with the First Olympiad ; that is , the Year of the World , 3174. And indeed towards that time Hesiod begun to complain that it was so . Ovid , in the Description he makes of it , says , That all manner of Crimes begun then to reign ; that Shame and Justice fled away , instead of which succeeded Impudence , Violence , Imposture , and Murder ; and that whereas Men were formerly contented with those Riches which Nature yielded on the Superficies of the Earth , they begun then to rack her Bowels , and dig the Gold and Silver she concealed there , which may be called the fatal Cause of all the Disorders and Calamities which both trouble and dishonour the Society of Men.

Effodiuntur opes , irritamenta malorum . — Down deep to Styx below , With hellish Art th' insatiate Miners go . Mr. Milburn .

The People of God , after the Prosperities they had enjoy'd under the Reigns of Saul , David and Solomon , felt the Hardships of the Iron Age : For the Ten Tribes became tributary to Phul King of the Assyrians , and Salmanassar having taken Samaria , after a Siege of 3 Years carried the Ten Tribes into Captivity to Babylon , and so put an end to the Kingdom of Israel . As for the Tribe of Iuda , Zedechias its last King was led Captive , with all the People to Babylon by Nabuchodonosor , after he had taken Ierusalem , burnt the King's Palace , and destroyed the Temple , in the Year of the World , 3360. before our Saviour , 590.

§. 4. The Fourth Division of the Times , according to the Seven Ages of the World .

THe Time of Man's Life being divided by some into Seven Ages , Chronologers have thought fit , by a sort of Analogy , to divide likewise all the Times of the World into Seven different Ages . I suppose they have taken this Method from S. Augustin and Iohannes Damascenus , who divide all the Times of the World into Seven Parts . However , I shall not follow the Division of those Holy Doctors , because they allow the Third and Fourth Ages a greater Extent than we do now adays .

The First Age begins with the World , and ends with the Deluge ; it comprehends 1656 Years .

The Second Age began at the end of the Deluge ; that is , in the Year , 1657. and ends at Abraham , with whom God made the first Alliance with Men in the Year of the World , 2023. it comprehends 367 Years .

The Third Age began with Abraham , and ended at the Deliverance of the Iewish People , and their coming out of Egypt in the Year , 2453. it comprehends 430 Years .

The Fourth Age begins at the going of the Iews out of Egypt , and ends at Solomon , or the finishing of the Temple , in the Year of the World , 2940. and contains 487 Years .

The Fifth Age begins with the finishing of the Temple , and reaches as far as the end of the Captivity of the Iews at Babylon , when Cyrus gave them leave to return home , in the Year of the World , 3419. and comprehends 479 Years .

The Sixth Age begins with the Liberty granted to the Iews by Cyrus , and ends at the Birth of JESUS CHRIST , in the Year , 3950. or according to Helvicus , 3948. It comprehends 531 Years .

The Seventh Age begins with the Birth of our Saviour , and comprehends at this time , 1698 Years , according to the Vulgar Aera . This last Age will last to the end of the World .

§ 5. The Fifth Division of the Times , into Thirteen Parts .

HEre is still another ingenious way of dividing the Times , related by Alstedius , [ Encyclopoed . Lib. 20. cap. 11. p. 2904. ] which consists in digesting and distributing all the History under VI. Epocha's , the Name of every one of which begins with a C. so that all the Secret lies in retaining six Words whose Initial Letter is C. viz. Creatio , Cataclysinus , Caldaei , Cyrus , Cittim , Caesares .

But because when a Thing is once well begun , it is easy to bring it to Perfection , we may also carry the Secret a great way farther : For after a little Study upon the Matter , I have found Seven other Names that begin with the same Letter ; by the Help of which we may lead Chronology under XIII Epocha's , down to these latter Times .

Years of the World . Years before Jes. Chr. 0. 1. Creation of the World , 3950. 1656. 2. Cataclysm , or Universal Deluge , 2294. 3203. 3. Chaldaean or Babylonian Empire began , under Nabonassor , whence an Aera is dated . 747. 3390. 4. Cyrus , the Founder of the Persian Empire , 560. 3614. 5. Cittim , is an Hebrew Word which signifies the Macedonians , from whom came Alexander the Great , Founder of the Empire of the Grecians , 336. 3804. 6. Carthage conquered , 146. 3950 or 3948. 7. CHRIST , the Messiah , Son of the Eternal Father , 0. Years of the Vulg. Aera . 8. Constantine the Great , first Christian Emperor , 312. 9. Clovis I. Christian King in France , 481. 10. Charlemaign , or Charles the Great , Emperor , 800. 11. Capet , Hugo-Capet , the first King of the third Race of the Kings of France , 987. 12. Croisade , or Holy War , undertaken by S. Lewis to fulfil a Vow , where he was made Prisoner , 1248. 13. Constantinople , taken by Mahomet II. who put to Death Constantius Palaeologus , call'd Dragoses , the last Emperor of the Greeks , 1453.

It is observable that JESUS CHRIST , who makes here the Seventh Epocha , is placed just in the middle of XIII . So that it is very easy to remember six Words before and six after .

CHAP. V. A new Division of the Times , or the XIV . Royal Epocha's of the Vniversal Chronology .

I Call Royal the following Epocha's , because they are fixed and settled either at a King , or a Person of Sovereign Authority .

Young People , who generally have good Memories , would do well to learn the Series of these Epocha's , with the Events I have comprehended under every one of them .

That this Study may not seem too dry , I have illustrated every Epocha by some few Historical Passages , or some great and remarkable Action , which I have placed at the Head of them , the better to strike the ●magination , and imprint a more lively and deep Image ●n the Memory .

These XIV . Epocha's comprehend the Universal Chronology ; since they begin with the Creation of the World , and descend down to this present Time ; I ●ntermix them with the most curious and important Passages both of Sacred and Civil , or Prophane History , ●hat I may insensibly ingage , in this laborious Study , those Persons that will read nothing but what 's pleasant ●nd diverting .

EPOCHA I. Adam , or the Creation of the World .

The 23d October , in the Year of the Iulian Period , 765. and before the Birth of Jesus Christ , 3950.

This Epocha reaches to the Deluge , and lasts 1656 Years .

GOD , who had been alone during an infinite number of Ages , and found in Himself a World , a Throne , and all Things besides , being willing to exert his Omnipotence and communicative Goodness , brought forth out of Nothing , this vast Universe . What he made at first was but a dark empty Chaos without Form ; and destitute of the Order and Beauty that afterwards appeared in it . In six Days God formed the Heavens and the Earth , and all that therein is , and created Man after his own Image , to whom he gave the Command of the Beasts of the Field , the Fowls of the Air , and all the Things on the Face of the Earth : A Female also created He , that a Generation of this noble Creature might be continued throughout all Ages . This happy Couple he placed in a delicious Paradice , which he himself had planted ; but Sin and Disobedience ruin'd their Felicity , and the just God was provok'd to expel them that happy Place , cursing the Earth with Sterility , and denying them and their Posterity the Fruits of it without Toil and Labour . From this divine-form'd Pair have all Mankind proceeded ; and from this Sin of Theirs have all their Posterity been prone to Vice , and subjected to unruly Passions , which hurried them on in the commission of Evil , and caus'd Rapine and Violence to triumph in the Land ; from hence it was that Dominion was assum'd by one , and taken from him by another , and almost nothing but Wars and Revolutions have filled up the Space of Time ; the Relations whereof is the chief Subject of History .

Tho' the Scriptures name only three Sons of Adam , viz. Cain , Abel and Seth ; it says he begat Sons and Daughters , which undoubtedly he did a great number ▪ as did also his Sons and Grandsons ; but the naming of these only being sufficient to make a Calculation of Chronology , and deduce the Genealogy of Noah , the rest were omitted .

Years of the World . Years before Jes. Chr. 130. Abel , a Shepherd , is killed by his Brothe● Cain . 3870● 130. Seth is born . 235. Enos , the Son of Seth is born . He is the fir●● that shews his Zeal for the establishing of God's Wor●ship . 325. Cainam , the Son of Enos , is born . 395. Mahaaleel , the Son of Cainam , is born . 460. Iared , the Son of Mathalaleel , is born . 622. Enoch , the Son of Iared , is born . 687. Methusalah , the Son of Enoch , is born . 587. Lamech , the Son of Methusaleh , is born . 930. Adam dies 930 Years old , 302●● 987. Enoch VIIth Patriarch being accepted to Go● is taken up from the World 365 Years old , witho●● dying . The Place whither he was translated is unknow● to Men. 1042. Seth dies 912 Years old . 1056. Noah , the Son of Lamech , is born , 289●● 1140. Enos dies 905 Years old . 1235. Cainam dies 910 Years old . 1290. Mahalaleel dies 895 Years old . 1422. Iared dies , 962 Years old . 1536. Noah , 480 Years old , is commanded by God to work on the Ark 120 Years before the Deluge . 1556. Iaphet is born . 1558. Shem is born . 1651. Lamech dies 777 Years old . 1656. Methusalah dies 969 Years old , some few Days before the Deluge or Flood . He is the longest-liv'd Man that ever was .

EPOCHA II. 1656. Noah , or the Universal Deluge . 2294.

This Epocha extends as far as God's Alliance with Abraham , and lasts 426 Years .

THe Wickedness of Man was grown so great , that this darling Creature of Heaven became its Aversion , and it repented God that he had made him . But tho' his Justice provok'd him totally to destroy the whole Race , yet because some were found just , it pleased the Divine Mercy to permit a Generation of Mankind , and of all Creatures , for his Service , to be preserv'd to the end of the World ; and therefore when the Crimes of the Inhabitants of the Earth grew intolerable , and required an extraordinary Punishment , God resolv'd by Water to destroy the whole World of Animals excepting only Eight Persons , viz. Noah with his Wife , three Sons and their Wives , together with a pair of every Beast of the Field and Fowl of the Air ; which by Divine Direction , Noah collected into an Ark or Ship of vast extent , which , according to the Commands of God , he built ; and after 120 Years Labour having finish'd it , the Flood-gates of Heaven were open'd and the Fountains of the Deep were broken up , and in 40 Days time the Waters overwhelm'd the Face of the whole Earth , so that all Creatures were destroy'd , except Noah and what were with him in the Ark. But the executing Element having perform'd the Commands of Heaven , it again return'd to its ancient Habitation , part into the Bowels of the Earth , and the rest exhal'd into Clouds , leaving the Earth dry , and again in a condition to be Cultivated : Accordingly Noah and his Sons immediately set to work , and in a few Ages the Land became fill'd with Inhabitants , and Colonies were Transplanted to remoter Parts .

1657. A Year after the beginning of the Flood , Noah goes out of the Ark seeing the whole Face of the Earth dry , and after a positive Order from God .

Shem , Ham and Iapheth , the Sons of Noah , begin to Till the Ground .

The Life of Men shortened by one half .

1723. Heber is born . From him came the Hebrews , and the Hebrew Language . 1757. Phaleg is born : His Name signifies Division ; because 't was in his time that Noah divided the Earth among his three Sons .

Iaphet had the West of Asia , from the Mountains Taurus and Aman , and all Europe .

Ham had Syria , Arabia , and all Africa .

Shem had all the Eastern Asia .

The Age of Men decreases very sensibly , being at this time not above the fourth part of that of the Ante-diluvian Patriarchs .

1800. About this time they began to build the Tower of Babel in the Plains of Sennaar . 1816. A sort of Royal Authority has its first Rise in Egypt , where some more violent than the rest , take upon them to Domineer .

At this Time happen'd the Confusion of Languages , which were divided into 72. The Hebrew Tongue remain'd in the Posterity of Heber . This Confusion stop'd the Building of the Tower of Babel , which those impious People were carrying on .

1900. Nimrod , the Grandson of Ham , began the Babylonian or Assyrian Monarchy . 2950. 1920. The King's Shepherds , who came out of Arabia , settle in Egypt , and form a Government . 1005. Ninus , the Assyrian Monarch , began to Reign 43 Years before the Birth of Abraham .

— Semiramis , his Wife , the famous Assyrian Heroine , succeeded him .

1948. Abraham is born in the City of Vr in Chaldea , a place famous for the Mathematicians that lived there . 2002.

Zoroaster King of the Bactrians , is supposed to have invented Magick about this time .

2023. Abraham comes out of Vr by God's Command , to go and live at Charan , a Town of Mesopotamia .

Hunting and Fowling were then invented .

'T was about 300 Years before this time , that the Chaldeans began to observe the Stars and the Motions of the Planets , and practise Astronomy .

EPOCHA III. 2023. The Vocation of Abraham 1917.

This Epocha reaches as far as the written Law , and lasts 430 Years .

HEre God begins to make a People Elect , and for that purpose he chuses Abraham to be the Stock and the Father of all the Faithful ; and declares to him , That he will establish his Worship and his People , which is to be this Holy Patriarch's Posterity , in the Land of Canaan . Besides the Promise he makes him of giving him a Son , he adds that of Blessing all the Nations of the Earth in JESUS CHRIST , born from his Posterity : The Mark of this first Alliance of God with Men , is the Circumcision .

2024. Abraham , press'd by the Famine , goes down into Egypt , where Apophis then reigned . He is the same with Pharaoh mentioned in the Scripture , who having taken away Sarah , Abraham's Wife , return'd her untouch'd to her Husband . 2031. Berah King of Sodom , with the other petty Kings of the Neighbouring Cities , rebel against Codorlahomor King of Elam , who had subjected them to his Domination 30 Years before . 2047. Sodom , Gomorrah , Adamah and Seboim , four abominable Towns , are burnt by Fire from Heaven , because of their infamous and detestable Crimes . 1903.

Circumcision instituted , for a Token of the Alliance God made with Men in the Person of Abraham .

2048. Isaac is born , his Father Abraham being 100 Years old , and his Mother Sarah 90. 2093. The Kingdom of Argos , in the Peloponesus , begins in Inachus , the first known King of the Grecians , 1080 Years before the First Olympiad . 2207. Thethmosis or Amosis , having expelled the Shepherds Kings , reigns in Egypt . 2154. The Deluge of Ogyges in Attica , 1020 Years before the First Olympiad . Varro places it 300 Years higher . 2185. Iacob , through his Mother Rebecca's Counsel and Assistance , steals his Father Isaac's Benediction , to the Prejudice of his Brother Esau.

Towards this time began some of the Four Dynasties , or Principalities of Egypt .

Thebes . Thin . Memphis . Tanis , the Capital of the lower Egypt . 2229. Ioseph imprison'd upon the false Accusation of Potiphar's Wife , is set at Liberty at three Years end , having interpreted the Dreams of Pharaoh , who raises him to the highest Dignities of the State , 1721. 2238. Iacob , press'd by the Famine , descends into Egypt with all his Family : The Israelites dwell there 215 Years . 2255. Iacob dies in Egypt , after he had adopted Manasses and Ephraim , Ioseph's Sons : He blesses them , preferring the younger to the other . 2309. Ioseph dies in Egypt , having administred the Kingdom under several Kings . Here ends the Book of Genesis . 2360. The Kings of Egypt oppress the Israelites , and put them to very laborious and painful Works . 2373. Moses , Son of Amram , is born of his Mother Iocebeda . Being 3 Months old he is expos'd on the Nile , where the King's Daughter takes him up , and through a miraculous Providence , puts him out to Nurse to his Mother Iocebeda . At 40 Years of Age he flies from Egypt into Arabia . 2453. Moses , tending the Flocks of Iethro his Father-in-Law , is commanded by God to return into Egypt and demand of the King the Liberty of the Israelites , who groan'd under a severe Bondage .

The King refuses the Liberty of the Israelites , demanded by Moses . God visits the Egyptians with ten Plagues .

At last upon a Tuesday the 5th Day of May , towards Midnight , Pharaoh lets the People of God go out of Egypt , to the number of six hundred Men on Foot , not including Children .

Pharaoh pursues the Israelites with an Army . Moses opens a Passage in the Red Sea , through which the Israelites go dry-foot , and where Pharaoh is drowned with all his Army .

EPOCHA IV. 2453. Moses , or the Written Law . 1497.

This Epocha reaches as far as the Taking of Troy , and lasts 305 Years .

THree Months after the Deliverance of his People from Pharaoh's Tyranny , God gave his Law to Moses on Mount Sinai . There was heard from the Top of that Mountain a great noise of Thunder , the Sky round about it was bright with Lightnings , and the whole Mount seem'd to be a great Fire , out of which arose a Flame like that of a burning Furnace . 'T was there that God published first , with his own Mouth , the Ten Commandments , which are still a Compendium of all the Holy Laws , and are look'd upon by all Christians as the most firm and unshaken Foundation of their Piety , which no Body can strike at without committing a Crime .

Two Months after the going out of Egypt , the Manna is sent from Heaven , which served for Food to the Israelites during 40 Years .

The third Month the Law was given : Sacrifices offered , and an Alliance made betwixt God and the People .

2455. Afterwards the Ceremonial Law is given ; and the Tabernacle , the Priesthood , the Holy Utensils , the Priestly Habits , and all that belongs to the Levitical Service , is settled and regulated . 2470. Dardanus first King of Troy . 2500. Letters brought into Greece by Cadmus . 2493. Moses dies 120 Years old . Here ends the Pentateuch , which contains 2493 Years , of the History of the World , 1457.

Ioshua , Moses's Successor , goes dry-foot over the Iordan , and enters the Land of Canaan . The Walls of Iericho fall to the Ground . He stops the Sun that he may have time to compleat the Defeat of the Gabaonites .

2499. Ioshua being old , divides the Promised Land among the Children of Israel , having defeated 31 Kings , and conquered , in six Years , the greatest part of Palestine . 2517. Ioshua dies 110 Years old , having govern'd the Israelites during the space of 24 Years . 2671. Gideon judges Israel . 1279.

The Israelites , through their Sins , fall under the Power of the Madianites . This Fourth Servitude lasts 7 Years .

2679. Deliver'd by Gideon . 2741. The 5th Servitude of the Israelites under the Philistines and Ammonites , 1210. 2710. Hercules liv'd . 2720. The Voyage of the Argonauts to Colchis for the golden Fleece . 2750. Towards this time Paris , Son to Priam King of Troy , commits a Rape on Helena . The Grecians , to revenge this Affront , besiege Troy . 1194.

EPOCHA V. 2767. The Taking of Troy . 1183.

This Epocha reaches as far as the finishing of the Temple , and lasts 180 Years .

HElena , Tyndarus's Daughter , being an extraordinary Beauty , Theseus fell in Love with her , and ravish'd her from her Parents ; but her Brother having rescu'd her , gave her in Marriage to Menelaus , Brother to the King of Micenae ; from whom Paris , Son to Priam King of Troy , ravish'd her a second time . The Grecians resented this Affront , declared War to the Trojans , besieg'd their City , and having taken it after Ten Years Siege , burnt it to the Ground . This War is the Subject of the two greatest Poems that ever were written , the Iliad and Aeneid . But the Genius of Homer and Virgil is more to be extoll'd than the Valour of their Hero's , for this we see and know to be real , but there is Reason to believe the other is but Fiction .

These Times are called Fabulous or Heroick , by reason of those that have been celebrated by the Poets under the Names of Hero's and Demi-gods , in the History of which they have intermix'd abundance of Fables .

Historians place about this Time , Iupiter's Son , Aeneas Son of Venus , whom the Romans acknowledge for the Founder of their Empire .

Aeneas flying from Troy settles in Italy , marries the Daughter of Latinus King of the Aborigines , and succeeds him . From Aeneas a Race of Kings succeeded , out of which sprung Remus and Romulus , the Founders of Rome .

2781. Abdon Judge of the Israelites , famous for his 30 Sons . 1169. 2800. Heli , High-priest of the Iews , is succoured in the Defence of the People of God by Sampson , then but 19 Years of Age , who kills himself 1000 Philistines with the Jaw-bone of an Ass. 2808. Sampson pulls down the Temple of Dagon , and at his Death kills more Philistines than he had done during his Life , 1142. 2848. The Ark is taken by the Philistines ; Ophni and Phineas are killed in the Fight . Heli the High-Priest , hearing this News , falls down from his Seat , breaks his Neck and dies . 2849. Samuel , the last Judge of the People of God , succeeds Heli , 1101. 2879. The Israelites ask for a King : God gives them Saul , then 40 Years old , 1071. 2881. Saul is rejected by God . Samuel goes to Bethleem to anoint David King , then but 15 Years of Age. 2890. Saul dies miserably , having obliged his Shield-bearer to run him through with his own Sword . 2889. David , now 30 Years old , succeeds Saul , and is anointed King at Hebron , 1061. 2890. The Athenians spread their Colonies in that part of Asia minor , called Ionia ; which is particularly owing to the Care of Cod●us the last King of the Athenians .

The Aeolian Colonies were settled much about that time ; and all Asia minor was by degrees filled with Greek Cities .

2929. Solomon is made King by his Father David . 2930. Solomon succeeds his Father David . 2932. Solomon , in the 4th Year of his Reign , lays the Foundation of the Temple of Ierusalem , 1018. 2914. Homer born .

EPOCHA VI. 2940 Solomon , or the Temple finished . 1010.

This Epocha reaches to the Foundation of Rome , and lasts 250 Years .

KIng David had made the Project of the Temple of Ierusalem , but the many Wars wherewith his Reign was embroiled , kept him from putting it in Execution . The profound Peace which his Son Solomon enjoyed , inclined this young Price to bend all his Thoughts upon that Work ; and he had the Honour of raising upon Earth , the first Temple that was ever consecrated to the Name and Glory of the True God . He appointed 3600 Persons to oversee the Work-men ; 80000 more to hew and cut Stones in the Mountains ; and 70000 others to carry the Materials on their Shoulders : He obtained Leave of Hiram King of Tyre , to fell Cedar-trees on Mount Libanus ; and in 7 Years time , he built a Temple where the Majesty of God was sensibly conspicuous , when upon the Day of its Dedication , a Cloud fill'd all the Temple , insomuch that the Priests could not stay in it , to perform the Duties of their Office .

Solomon is courted by the King of Tyre : The Queen of Sheba makes him a Visit.

2960. Solomon dissolves into an excessive Love of Women , who make him idolatrous . 2969. Rehoboam succeeds his Father Solomon . 918.

The bruitish and extravagant Haughtiness of th●s young Prince made him lose Ten Tribes , which Ieroboam drew away both from their God and their King , constituting a separate Kingdom , call'd The Kingdom of Israel , in opposition to the other of the Two Tribes , call'd The Kingdom of Iuda ; the former reigning in Samaria , and the latter in Ierusalem ; which Separation continued , till the Kingdom of Israel was pulled down , and the Ten Tribes carried into Captivity by Shalmaneser King of Assyria , in the Year of the World 3227.

3026. Achab , 7th King of Israel , reigns with his Wife the impious Iezabel , Daughter of Ithabalus , King of Tyre and Sidon , 924. 3029. Iehoshaphat the good King of Iudah . 3035. Miracles of the Prophet Elijah .

He is taken up into Heaven in a fiery Chariot .

3040. Miracles of the Prophet Elishah , Eli●ah's Disciple . 3040. Lycurgus , the great Law-giver of Lacedemon , liv'd . 3062. Athalia Queen of Iuda , after the Death of her Son Ahasias , resolv'd to make away with all that was left of the Royal Family , without sparing her own Sons , that she might reign without a Competitor . Ioas , Son to Ahasias , was saved alone from his Grandmothers Fury by Iesabeth , who hid him , when he was in the Cradle , in the House of the Lord , and so preserved this precious Remainder of David's Family . 3120. Ionah the Prophet lived . 3125. Hosea the Prophet lived . 3135. Ioel the Prophet lived . 3150. Hesiod the Greek Poet lived . 3155. Amos the Prophet lived . 3180. Isaiah the Prophet lived . 3190. Micah the Prophet lived . 3174. Olympick Games , instituted by Iphitus King of Elis , Son of Praxonidas , of the Race of the famous Oxiles . Here begin the Olympiads , where Varro places the end of Fabulous Times , and the beginning of the Historical . These were celebrated every fifth Year ▪ or after four compleat Years , 776. 3057. Sardanapalus King of the Assyrians , begins to reign . 'T is said of him , That he built two Towns in one Day , viz. Anchiale and Tarsus , in Cilicia . After him that Monarchy was divided into Assyrians and Medes ; Arbaces taking advantage of the Effeminacy of Sardanapalus , erected to himself a Kingdom ; and Sardanapalus , press'd by his Enemies , burnt himself in his Palace . 3075. Carthage built .

EPOCHA VII . 3198. Romulus , or Rome founded . 752.

This Epocha goes as far as the end of the Captivity of Babylon , and lasts 218 Years .

REmus and Romulus were Sons of the Vestal Rhea , Daughter to Amulius , who had usurp'd the Kingdom of Alba from his Brother Numitor. This Amulius , not willing to have any Heir , commanded his Daughter's two Sons to be cast into the Tyber : But the King's Shepherd having found them on the side of that River , took them up and nursed them at home . At 15 Years of Age they instituted the Feast called Lupercals ; afterwards they restored Numitor to his Kingdom ; and some time after they built the City of Rome , of which Romulus was declared the Founder . It was encompassed at first only with a little Ditch , which Remus leap'd over out of Contempt ; but he paid dear for his Jest , and lost his Life for it . Thus began the Capital of the greatest Empire that ever was in the World .

3205. Obed the Prophet lived . 3220. Habakkuk the Prophet . 3230. Nahum the Prophet . 3215. Syracuse built . 3228. Salmanassar , King of Assyria , takes Samaria , the chief City of the Kingdom of Israel , after a Siege of 3 Years , and carries away the Ten Tribes , in perpetual Bondage , to Ninive . Thus ended the KINGDOM OF ISRAEL , which had lasted 258 Years since its Division from that of Iudah , 723.

Tobiah and his History are to be placed about this Time .

3235. Sennacherib , King of Assyria , enters Iudea with an Army , and carries Spoil and Desolation where-ever he comes . He besieges Ierusalem , but Hezekiah by earnest Prayer obtains Favour of God , and an Angel of the Lord kills by the Sword in one Night , 185000 of his Men. From thence he flies to Ninive , where he is killed , 715. 3235. Numa Pompilius , King of Rome , began to Reign . 3254. Manasses King of Iuda , is taken Prisoner by the Assyrians , and carried in Chains into Babylon , where he becomes penitent , makes a Prayer , extant in the Apocrypha ; and God restores him to his former Dignity , 696.

Nebuchodonosor or Nebuchadnezzar , the Monarch of Babylon .

3350. Enters Iudea with an Army , and takes Ieco●iah King of Iudah Captive . 3360. Zedechias King of Iuda . In the 11th Year of his Reign , Nebuchodonosor takes Ierusalem . Zedechias is taken , endeavouring to make his Escape . They put his Children to Death before him ; afterwards they put out his Eyes , load him with Chains , and carry him Prisoner to Babylon . His Palace is burnt ; the Temple destroyed ; the Walls of Ierusalem pull'd down , and all the Inhabitans led Captive among the Babylonians . 590. 3375. Nebuchadnezzar's Pride is punished by God : He loses his Senses , and is reduced to live 7 Years in the Woods among the Beasts . 3385. Nebuchadnezzar being converted , and restored to his former Grandeur , dies in the 32d Year of his Reign . 3387. Ieconiah , after 37 Years Imprisonment , was freed and treated honourably by Evil-marodoch . 3390. Balthasar , in the midst of a Feast , sees a Hand writing some Words on the Wall , which , according to Daniel's Interpretation , signifie That God will give his Kingdom to the Medians and Persians : Which begins to prove true the next Night . 3350. Ezechiel began to Prophecy . 3370. Pythagoras flourished . 3391. Cyrus the Founder of the Persian Monarchy , began to Reign , 559.

Croesus the rich King of Lydia .

3400. Conquer'd by Cyrus . 3400. Daniel the Prophet flourish'd .

EPOCHA VIII . 3420. Cyrus , or the Iews restored . 530.

This Epocha reaches as far as the Taking of Carthage , and lasts 334 Years .

THe 70 Years of Captivity to which God , in his Wrath , had condemned the Iews , being expired , in order to their Restoration , he resolved to make Cyrus Master of all the East , and place him on the Throne of the Kings of Babylon . This Prince , hearing the Prophets had foretold , That he should rebuild the Temple of Ierusalem , gave leave to all the Iews , that were Captive at Babylon , to return to their own Country , under the Conduct of Zorobabel . He took all the Holy Utensils of the Temple out of the Treasury of the Kings of Babylon , whither they had been transported , and gave them back to the Iews , who marched away to the number of 42000 Persons ; and were no sooner arrived , but they laid the Foundation of the New Temple .

3419. Cyrus having conquer'd and slain Nabboneus , otherwise call'd ( by Daniel ) Darius the Median King of Babylon , becomes Monarch of all Asia . 3421. Cambyses succeeds Cyrus . 3417. Tarquin last King of the Romans . He is sirnam'd the Proud . He puts to Death Servius his Father-in-Law ; and his Wife Tullia has the Impudence to drive her Chariot over the dead Body of her Father . 3436. Sextus , Son to Tarquin , ravishes Lucretia the Wife of Collatinus ; in regret thereof she stabs her self , having first adjur'd her Husband and Friends to revenge the Injury : Which they immediately prosecuted under the Conduct of L. Iunius Brutus ; and Tarquin with all his Family are expell'd . Also the Royal Government pull'd down and a new one erected under Consuls , whereof Brutus was the first . This happen'd 245 Years after the City was built . 509. 3429. Darius Hystaspes succeeds his Father Cambyses in Persia. 3460. The Persians are defeated at the Battle of Marathon in Attica , by Miltiades the Athenian General . 3465. Xerxes the great Monarch of Persia , call'd in Scripture Ahasuerus , began to reign , 485. 3469. Invades Greece with an Army of 5 millions 283000 Men , according to Herodotus ; Plutarch says 5 millions , Theodoret 3 millions . 3470. This great Army is fought by 5500 Grecians , at the Streights of Thermopilae , wherein the Lacedemonians being surrounded , are cut off . The Athenians , admonish'd by the Oracle to make use of Wooden Walls , by Advice of Themistocles retire on board their Ships , which gives Xerxes opportunity to burn Athens . 480. 3470. The Athenians under the Conduct of Themistocles , defeat the Persian Fleet at Salamina . Xerxes flies to Asia , leaving Mardonius with three hundred thousand Persians in Greece . 3471. The Battle of Plataea , wherein the Persians are totally defeated by the Greeks , under Pausanias and Aristides , and Mardonius slain . 3486. Artaxerxes Longimanus , succeeds his Father Xerxes , 465. 3430. Pindar the Poet born , 529. 3450. Heraclitus the Philosopher flourished , 500. 3470. Aeschylus the Tragedian flourished . 480. 3490. Democritus the Philosopher flourished , 460 3490. Hippocrates the Physician flourished , 460. 3510. Euripides and Sophocles the Tragedians ; also Herodótus the Historian . 3530. Haggai and Zechariah the Prophets ; also Socrates the Philosopher . 3532. Alcibiades . 3545. Malachi the Prophet , 406. 3550. Aristophanes the Comedian , 400. 3550. Ezra the Prophet . 3565. Nehemiah the Prophet . 385. 3556. Rome taken and sack'd by the Gauls ; deliver'd by Camillus the Dictator , 394. 3560. Xenophon and Plato flourished . 3585. Demosthenes , Aeschines , the Orators . Diogenes the Cynick . 3588. Philip King of Macedon , Father to Alexander the Great , began to Reign , 362. 3588. Alexander the Great born . Diana's Temple at Ephesus burnt . 3606. Philip King of Macedon , routs the Army of the Athenians at the Battle of Cheronea , in which his Son Alexander , then 18 Years of Age , breaks through the Theban Troops . Aristotle flourishes . 344. 3615. Alexander invades Asia , overcomes Darius Codomannus King of Persia , and made himself Ruler of all Asia ; and thereby erects the Third Monarchy , 335. 3626. Alexander , after the Conquest of the Indies , dies at Babylon , 33 Years old : His Generals divide his Kingdoms among them , 323.

Alexander being dead , his Dominions are seiz'd by his chief Captains ; these were Ptolomy , Seleucus Nicanor , Perdiccas , Antipater , Cassander , Lysimachus , Meleager , Eumenes , Laomedon , Leonatus , Pytho , Philetas , Craterus , Menander .

3638. Seleucus Nicanor makes himself King of Syria , Babylon , &c. 3626. Ptolomy took Egypt and Africa .

Aridaeus , Alexander's Brother , succeeds in Macedon , routed by Perdiccas .

3633. Cassander obtains the Kingdom of Macedon . 3620. Crates the Philosopher , Euclid the Mathematician , flourished . 3634. Agathocles King of Sicily began to Reign . 3662. Seleucus having overcome Demetrius and Lysimachus , becomes Monarch of Syria , Babylon , Asia , &c. 3668. Antiochus Soter , his Son , succeeds him . 282. 3666. Ptolomeus Philadelphus King of Egypt , began to Reign , 284. 3690 to 3700. The LXXII Translators of the Bible , call'd the Septuagint . 3670. The War between the Romans and Pyrrbus King of Epirus . 3686. The first Punick or Carthaginian War began , A. V. Rom. Condit. 489. 264. 3733. The second Punick War began , A. V. C. 536.

Hannibal the Carthaginian passes the Alpes and invades Italy .

3734. Defeats Flaminius and the Roman Army .

Fabius Maximus the Dictator , opposes Hannibal .

3735. Aemilius Paulus and Terentius Varro , with all the Roman Army , defeated by Hannibal at Cannae . 3737. Hannibal's Army , by Wintering at Capua , becomes Luxurious and Effeminate ; which gives the Romans advantage . 3740. Scipio , call'd afterwards Africanus , chosen Proconsul of Spain at 24 Years of Age. 3746. Scipio passes over into Africa , and by his Victories there obliges the Carthaginians to re-call Hannibal . 3737. Syracusa taken by Marcellus Consul , notwithstanding the vigorous Resistance owing to the ingenious Machines of Archimedes , the Year of Rome , 590. 213.

EPOCHA IX . 3750. Scipio , or the Carthaginians conquered . 200.

This Epocha descends to the Birth of our Saviour , and lasts 200 Years .

THe long Wars maintained by the Carthaginians against the Romans , have made the Name of Carthage famous for ever . The First lasted 24 Years . It was begun upon the Account of the Mammertins , who being attack'd by King Hieroi , and the Carthaginians , were assisted with great Supplies by the Romans . The 2d Punick War lasted 17 Years . It was fatal to Rome by the Losses she received from Hannibal in Italy ; but it had a glorious Issue in Africa , where Scipio was very prosperous , and gain'd a great Advantage . He twice defeated the Enemy commanded by Asdrubal , and Siphax King of Numidia : The next Year after he routed Hannibal , killed 20000 of his Men , and took as many Prisoners , with 11 ▪ Elephants . After which Carthage , besieg'd both by Sea and Land , submitted upon Conditions very advantagious for Rome , where Scipio entred , leading Siphax in Triumph ; and merited the Sirname of Africanus , in the Year of Rome 553.

3762. Hannibal flies to Prusias King of Bithynia , where he Poisons himself for fear of falling into the Hands of the Romans . 3763. Scipio the Younger born . 3768. Scipio Africanus the Elder died . 3775. Antiochus Epiphanes King of Syria , began to Reign .

Rages against the Iews .

3782. He plunders the Temple of Ierusalem , and puts the Macchabees to Death . 173. 3775. Hircanus the Jewish Captain . 3784. Iudas Macchabaeus , the Jewish Captain . 165. 3779. Perseus King of Macedon , wars with the Romans . 3782. Paulus Aemilius overcomes Perseus , and thereby the Kingdom of Macedon ( which had lasted 645 Years , from Caranus to Perseus , and had for the space of near 200 Years given Masters to Greece and all the East ) becomes now a Roman Province , 168. 3801. The third Punick War begins . 3805. The end of the third Punick War . Carthage taken , plunder'd and burnt down , under the Conduct of the young Scipio Aemilius , who wept over the City ; afterwards returned in Triumph to Rome , with the glorious Sirname of young Africanus , in the Year of Rome , 608. 145. 3795. Terence the Comick Poet lived . 3816. Scipio Aemilius arrives in Spain . 3817. Numantia , the second Terror of the Romans , taken and destroyed . 132. 3827. Mithridates King of Pontus , who had great Wars with the Romans . 4846. Aristobulus King of Iudea . 102. 3866. The Civil War between Marius and Sylla began , A. V. C. 666 , 82. 3867. Sylla returning from the Mithridatick War , commits great Cruelties in Italy . 3869. — Is made perpetual Dictator ; which Office he voluntarily resign'd at 3 Years end . 3873. Alexandra Salome governs the Iews , 78. 3882. Aristobulus her Son succeeds , 66. 3887. Ierusalem taken by Pompey , 61. 3887. Marcus Tullius Cicero Consul of Rome , 61. 3887. Cateline's Conspiracy detected , 61. 3890. The Confederation or Triumvirate of Pompey , Caesar and Crassus , whence the Loss of Rome's Liberty is dated , 58. 3895. Caesar conquers the Gauls . 53. 3896. Caesar invades Britain , 52. 3897. Crassus rifles the Temple of Ierusalem ; slain in Parthia , 51. 3901. Caesar displeas'd with the Actions of Pompey , and being deny'd the Consulate , enters Italy with his Army , which obliges Pompey to fly , 47. 3902. The Battle between Caesar and Pompey at Pharsalia , wherein Pompey is slain , 46. 3903. Caesar made Dictator . Corrects the Calendar . 3907. — Is kill'd in the Senate-house by Brutus and Cassius , A. V. C. 710. 41. 3908. Brutus and Cassius being defeated at the Fields of Philippi , kill themselves . 3908. The Triumvirate of Mark-Anthony , Lepidus and Augustus . 3919. Anthony and Augustus , having ruin'd Lepidus's Party , quarrel with one another . Anthony loses the Battle of Actium , where the Mastery of the Universe lay at Stake . Alexandria opens the Gates to the young Caesar. Cleopatria kills her self after Anthony ; and Egypt becomes a Roman Province , 29. 3924. Rome being now risen to the highest pitch of Greatness , casts her self into Octavius Caesar's Arms ; who , under the Name of Augustus , and the Title of Emperor , remains sole Master of the World . Every Thing yields to his Fortune ; he is victorious both by Sea and Land ; he shuts the Temple of Ianus ; all the Universe lives in Peace under his Power ; and , at last , JESUS CHRIST is born upon Earth , to reconcile Mankind to God his Eternal Father . 0●

Virgil , Horace and Ovid ; Lucretius , Catullus , Tibullus and Propertius , flourished .

3910. Herod , afterwards stiled the Great , made King of Iudea by the Roman Senate . 3913. Ierusalem taken by Herod . 37.

EPOCHA X. 3950. The Birth of JESUS CHRIST . 0.

This Epocha reaches as far as the Peace given to the Church by Constantine , and lasts 312 Years .

THe Time which GOD had determin'd to diffuse the Blessings of his Mercies upon Mankind , and give a Saviour to the World , being come , the Holy Ghost formed in the Virgin 's Womb , the Body of that Heavenly Child , who was to reconcile the Plenitude of the Godhead , with the Meanness and Subjection of Humane Nature . God Almighty , in order to bring the blessed Virgin from Nazareth , her ordinary Abode , to Bethleem , where the Messiah was to be born according to the Prophets ; orders it so , that the Emperor Augustus issued out a Proclamation , to cause all the Families of his Empire to be Registred in their Birth-place . Therefore Mary went to Bethleem , with Ioseph her Husband , who was of that Place , and of David's Family ; and because all the Inns were full , and no Lodging to be had any where , they were oblig'd to take up with a Stable , where the blessed Virgin , in a cold Night , brought forth our Lord and Saviour , and laid him in a Manger . That Night , which Christians shall celebrate during all Ages , has given us the Sun of Righteousness , the Light of the Gentiles , and the Glory of the People of Israel . This Birth , so dear and precious to all Mankind , happen'd on the 25th of December , in the Year of the World , 3950.

JESUS CHRIST is circumcised Eight Days after his Birth , on the Kalends of Ianuary ; that is , the First of that Month.

JESUS CHRIST is worshipp'd by the wise Men , offer'd at the Temple ; and afterwards carried into Aegypt .

Herod puts the innocent Children to Death . He dies a miserable Death a little while after ; the Kingdom divided by Augustus between Archilaus , Herod Antipas , and Philip , our Saviour being 2 Years old .

Ioseph returns from Egypt , and dwells at Nazareth in Galilee .

JESUS CHRIST is 4 Years old .

Here the Vulgar Aera begins .

JESUS CHRIST being 12 Years old , is found in the Temple sitting among the Doctors , hearing them and asking them Questions , 8. Augustus dies at Nola. Tiberius reigns in his Stead , 14 Pontius Pilate Tetrarch of Iudea , 26. JESUS CHRIST is baptized by S. Iohn , 29. JESUS CHRIST suffers Death to reconcile Men to God his Father , 33. S. Stephen stoned , 34. Conversion of S. Paul , 34. First Council held by the Apostles at Ierusalem , touching a Difficulty started about Circumcision , which is declared unnecessary , 48. Ioseph of Arimathea is said to have preached the Gospel in Britain , 35. Caius Caligula succeeds in the Roman Empire , 37. Claudius Drusus Emperor , 41. — Comes into Britain , 43. Nero began to Reign , 54. Boadicea the British Heroine being abus'd by th● Romans , raises an Army and kills 70000 , 61. Nero having a foolish Fancy to see a Mock-burning of Troy , sets Rome on Fire , and lays the Fault upon the Christians . This was the Occasion of the first Persecution , which was a dreadful one , 6● ▪ S. Peter and S. Paul suffer Martyrdom at Rome o● the same Day , being the 29th of Iune . S. Peter i● crucified and S. Paul beheaded , 67 ▪ Galba Emperor 7 Months , 69 ▪ Salv. O●ho , 70 ▪ A. Vitellius Emperor , 70 ▪ Vespasian does a great deal of Mischief in Iudea and bring obliged to leave it , he sends thither a littl● while after his Son Titus , who takes and destroys Ie●rusalem : Since that Time the Iews are dispersed a●● over the World , 70 ▪ Fl. Vespasian Emperor , 71. Titus Vespasian Emperor , 79 , Fl. Domitian , 81. — He raised the second Persecution against the Christians , 90. S. Iohn the Apostle is banished , and confin'd to the Isle of Pathmos , where he writes his Revelations , 94. Cocceius Nerva Emperor , 96. Vlpius Trajan , 98. The third Persecution , 99. The Temple Pantheon in Rome , and 8 Towns in Galatia , beaten down with a Thunder , 110. Adrian or Hadrian Emperor , 117. — He came into Britain to repel a Rebellion there . Builds a Wall cross from the River Eden in Carlisle , to the River Tine near Newcastle , against the Northern Picts , 123. The fourth Persecution , 124. S. Iustin a Philosopher embraces the Christian Faith , for which he writes an Apology , and afterwards suffers Martyrdom , 126. Ierusalem restored by Adrian the Emperor , who calls it Aelia . The next Year the Iews rebel in Palestine , and are defeated ; Adrian causes Figures of Swine to be engraven on the Gates of Aelia , builds a Temple to Iupiter on Mount Calvary , and another to Venus at Bethlehem , 135. Antoninus Pius Emperor , 138. S. Irenaeus Bishop of Lyons , Disciple of S. Polycarp , flourishes . 156. Lucius of Britain , the first Christian King in the World , 157. Marcus Aurelius Antoninus the Philosopher , Emperor , 161. The fifth Persecution , 166. Commodus Emperor . 180. The Emperor Commodus , the most cruel Man that ever lived ; being stung by a Gnat in the Bath , causes ●he Bath-keeper to be burnt . 180. The Goths begin to Invade the Southern Nati●ns . 184. Sep. Severus Emperor , 193. The sixth Persecution , 202. A. Bastianus Caracalla Emperor , 211. Op. Macrinus Emperor , 217. Heliogabalus , 220. A. Alex. Severus , 222. Maximinus , 235. A. Gordianus , 239. The seventh Persecution , 238. Philip the Arabian Emperor , 244. Traj . Decius , 251.

The Affairs of the Roman Empire are now very much embroiled , The eighth Persecution , 252. Gallus Emperor , 252. Thirty Tyrants divide the Empire , 253. Valerianus , 255. The ninth Persecution , 259. Gallienus , 260. Claudius , 267. V. Aurelianus , 269.

Zenobia , after the Death of her Husband Odenatus King of Palmira , a City founded by Solomon , marches at the Head of her Armies , and secures her Husband's Conquests to her Children .

Aurelian the Emperor obtains a Victory of Zenobia , and leads her in Triumph the next Year to Rome . This Princess was very learned , and understood many Languages , 272. A. Probus Emperor , 277. The Franks over-run Greece , make themselves Masters of Syracusa , and having spoil'd the Coasts of Spain , they return home . These Franks were a German Confederate People , inhabiting the Banks of the Rhine , 281. A. Carus Emperor , 283. Dioclesian , 284. Constantine the Great born in Britain , 292. The tenth Persecution under Dioclesian , whose cruel Edict was proclaim'd at Nicomedia : The Faith and Chastity of Christian Virgins are violated ; the Holy Books are burnt ; above two Millions of Souls suffer Martyrdom , and among them the Empress Serena , Dioclesian's Wife . The Sacred History relates , That the Executioners were sooner weary of putting them to Death , than the Saints to suffer it , 300.

Every Emperor creates a Caesar , who was the Second in Dignity , and the First Degree to come to the Empire .

Constantine the Great , Emperor , 306. The Image of Constantine , who now succeeded his Father Constantius Chlorus , being carried to Rome , according to Custom , is rejected by Maxetius's Orders , 306. Maximinus carries on the Persecution : But all on the sudden the Face of Church-Affairs is altered . Constantine the Great , a wise and victorious Prince , publickly embraces Christianity , 310. Constantine overcomes Maxentius and Maximinus , his Rivals , 312.

EPOCHA XI . Constantine , or the Peace of the Church . 312.

This Epocha reaches as far as the Emperor Charlemaign , and lasts 488 Years .

WHile Constantine the Great besieg'd Maxentius in Rome , a bright luminous Cross appear'd to him in the Air , in the presence of every Body , with this Inscription , In hoc Signo Vinces . The same was confirmed to him in a Dream ; and the next Day he gain'd that famous and celebrated Victory , which freed Rome from a Tyrant , and the Church from a Persecutor . At the same time Constantine openly renounced Paganism , and embraced the Christian Religion ; and in the 312th Year of our Lord , he issued out a Proclamation , permitting Christians the open Profession of their Faith , and to assemble and build Temples . The Church , whose Brightness and Purity till then had only shined in the midst of the Blood and Ashes of her Children , assumes a new Face , and from the wild Deserts where she wandered before , now comes to live in Towns , and finds an Entertainment even in Imperial Palaces . The Cross was set up as the Defence of the Roman People , and all the Empire . And the Bishops had , by this first Christian Emperor's Bounty , both Honours and Riches heaped upon them .

Constantine calls at Nice in Bithynia , the first Oecumenical or General Council , wherein 318 Bishops condemned the Heresy of Arius , who denied the Godhead of JESUS CHRIST . There also the Kalendar was reformed ; a Day for the Celebration of Easter determined ; and the Nicene Creed composed , 325. Constantine rebuilds Byzantium , which he named Constantinople , and makes it the second Seat of the Empire , having enrich'd it with the Spoils of all Europe , he had now conquered . This is the most flourishing Condition of the Roman Empire , since the Destruction of Ierusalem , 330. Constantine , Constantius and Constans , all three Sons to the Great Constantine , divide among them the Empire of their Father , who dies at Nicomedia , 337.

Gaul and Spain falls to Constantine ▪ Thracia , Egypt and Asia , to Constantius ; Italy , Illyria and Africa , to Constans . 'T is said , That from this first Division , the Imperial Eagle has been spread with a double Head , with Relation to the two most considerable Seats , Rome and Constantinople : For Constantine , who was the eldest , dy'd at 3 Years end .

The Emperor Iulian the Apostate dies enraged ; having received a fatal Blow by a Lance , in a Fight wherein he rashly engaged in Persia , 363. Valentinian and Valens Emperors , 364. Theodosius Emperor , 379. The second General Council at Constantinople , 381. Theodosius dies at Milan . The Empire is again divided between his 2 Sons : The East falls to Arcadius , and the West to Honorius , 396.

The Roman Empire begins to decay . The Goths spoil Italy .

Alaric King of the Goths besieges , takes and plunders Rome . The Emperor Honorius shamefully flies to Ravenna , 410. Atolf , first King of the Visigoths in Spain , which ceases to be under the Domination of the Romans , 409.

The Franks enter Gaul , and raise to the Royal Dignity Pharamond , Son to Marcomir , one of their Dukes .

The Foundation of the Monarchy of France , 420. Pharamond first King of France , 418. Venice built by those that fled the Goths Cruelty , 421. Fergus , King of Scotland , who shakes off the Roman Yoke , 422. Valentinian III. Emperor , 425. The third General Council at Ephesus , 431. Attila King of the Huns , called The Plag●e of God , spoils Italy . Valentinian the Emperor kills with his own Hand Aetius a Patrician , the Support of Rome , and the Terror of Attila . From that time the Western Empire falls so to decay , that it could never come to it self again , 451. The fourth General Council at Calcedon , 451. The Britains being deserted by the Romans , and not able to Resist the Picts and Scots , call in the Saxons to their Assistance , Vortigern being King , about 451. Hengist the Saxon , erects the Kingdom of Kent , the first of the Heptarchy , 455. Augustus , called also Augustulus , is the last Emperor at Rome . He is dispossess'd by Odoacer King of the Heruli , a People that came from the Euxin Sea . Thus ends the Empire of the West , and Italy falls under the Power of Odoacer , who takes the Name of King of Italy , 476. Theodoric King of the Ostrogoths , drives Odoacer from Rome , routs him , kills him with his own Sw●●● and founds the Kingdom of Italy , 493. Clovis , the first Christian King of France , ●84 . — He kills Alaric King of the Wisigoth●●● ●ith his own Hand in the Battle of Poitou . He tra●●●●tes his Royal Seat from Tours to Paris , ●95 . The South - Saxon Kingdom in Britain erected by Ella , 488. The West - Saxon Kingdom in Britain , founded by Cerdick , 519. The East - Saxon Kingdom commenc'd by Erchinwin , 527.

Arthur King in Britain , flourish'd from 516 , to 542.

The Kingdom of Northumberland , began by Ella and Ida , 547. The Kingdom of the East - Angles , erected by Offa , 575. The Kingdom of Mercia began ; Crida being the first King , 582. Iustinianus Emperor , began to Reign , 527. The Office of Consuls of Rome , which had continued thus long , ended with Basilius , 541. Totilas the Ostrogoth takes Rome , 547. The City recover'd by Belisarius ; but re-taken by Totilas , 550. He is kill'd by Narses , 552. Alboinus founds the Kingdom of Lombardy , and takes Milan and Pavia , 568. The Latin Tongue ceases to be vulgarly spoken in Italy , 587.

About the Year 550. the Seat of the Empire was totally remov'd to Constantinople .

Iustinus junior , Emperor at Constantinople , 565. Tiberius II. Emperor , 575. Mauritius , 586. Phocas , 602. Heraclitus , 610. Cosroes King of Persia beats the Emperor Heraclius ; afterwards Heraclius conquers five times , and retake● the true Cross , 620.

At this time was Christianity established in Britain ; Austin the Monk being sent by Gregory the Great in 596. is entertain'd by Ethelbert King of Kent , and made Archbishop of Canterbury .

Mahomet broaches his false Doctrin about 610. — Being in danger at Mecca he flies to Medina , whence begins the Aera of the Turks , call'd Hegira , which in the Arabian Language signifies Flight , 622.

In 19 Years time that Impostor gain'd all Arabia , and laid the Foundation of the Empire of the Caliphs , call'd afterwards Turks .

Damascus and Ierusalem taken by the Sarazens , 636. Constantine Emperor four Months , Heracleonas six Months , 642. Constans Son of Constantine , 642. The Saracens infest the Empire ; Constans Emperor of Constantinople , is overcome by them in a Sea-fight , 654. Constantius Emperor , 669. Iustinian II. 686. — Expell'd , and his Nose cut off by Leontius , who succeeds him , 694. — He again recovers the Empire , 703. The House of Clovis now fallen into a deplorable Weakness by frequent Minorities , produces none but lazy , ill educated Princes , who leave all the Authority to the Mayors of the Palace , 693. Theodosius III. Emperor , 714. The Moors being Masters of Spain , endeavour to spread beyond the Pyrenees ; but Charles Martel Mayre of the Palace repulses them . He defeats them in the famous Battle at Tours , where Abderame their General is slain , with a prodigious number of those Infidels , 716. All the Gauls submitted to the French under Charles Martel , 716. Leo Isaurus Emperor , 716.

Great Dispute about Image-worship .

Constantius Copronymus Emperor , 741. Pepin , Son to Charles Martel , raises himself to the Royal Dignity , to which Childeric's sloth had opened him a way . Pope Zacharias declares the French free from the Oath of Allegiance they had sworn to Childeric , 752. Charles the Great , succeeds his Father Pepin , 767. Leo made Collegue with his Father in the Empire , 769. — Marries Irene ; makes his Son Collegue , 777. Constantine with his Mother Irene , 780. Constantius and Irene expel one another alternately ; at length Irene reigns alone , 790. Alphonsus the Chast reigns in Spain , and frees it from the ignominous Tribute of an hundred Virgins , which his Uncle Mauregat had granted the Moors , 793. The Romans , despising the Government of Irene , then sole Empress ; and the Lombards being grown too powerful , apply themselves to Charlemaign ; who having conquer'd Desiderius the last King of Lombardy , protected the Popes , won over to Christianity unbelieving Nations , restored Sciences and Ecclesiastical Discipline , assembled Councils , and made his Piety and Justice shine throughout all the World , is declared Emperor of the West . 800.

EPOCHA XII . Charlemaign , or the Establishment of the New Empire . 800.

This Epocha goes to the taking of Constantinople by the Turks , and thereby the Downfal of the Eastern Empire ; and lasts 653 Years .

CHarles the Great , call'd in French Charlemaign , was one of the greatest Princes that has been . He was Couragious , Learned , and Eminent by a great many Virtues . He favoured very much Men of Learning , having declared himself Patron to them as well as to the Holy See ; for he took no less Care of the Church , than he did of his Kingdom . Pope Leo III. who in 795. had succeeded Adrian , was very much abused by his Enemies ; which Charlemaign sensibly resenting , came to Rome to punish the Authors of it . The Pope , out of a grateful Acknowledgment for the many Favours which both this King , his Father and Grandfather , had done the Holy See , crowned him on Christmas-day , in S. Peter's Church , and saluted him Emperor . Thus the 800th Year of JESUS CHRIST gave a New Emperor to the West .

Nicephorus obtains the Empire of the East from Irene , 803. Michael Curopolitanus Emperor of the East , 811. Leo V. Emperor of the East , 813. The Heptarchy in Britain was united in Egbert , who was Crowned sole Monarch , 819.

— He gave the Name of England to his Kingdom .

— The Danes begin to Infest the Land .

Ludovicus Pius , Emperor of the West , 814. — His Children conspire against , and Imprison him for some time , 830. Michael Balbus Emperor of the East , 821. Theophilus his Son succeeds him , 829. Michael his Son , 842. Ethelwolf Son of Egbert , King of England , 837. The Dominions of Ludovicus Pius , divided amongst his Sons . Lotharius has the Title of Emperor , and Dominion over Italy , &c. Ludovicus part of Germany and France , &c. and Charles sirnam'd the Bald , the rest , 841 Michael the Eastern Emperor , expells his Mother who had Rul'd with him . 854. Bardas her Brother Rules with his Nephew , 855. Lewis II. Emperor of the West , 856. Ethelwald King of England , 857. Ethelbert succeeds him , 860. Ethelred King of England , 866. Basilius Macedo Emperor , 867.

The Danes rage here .

Alfred King of England , 872.

— He is much molested by the Danes .

— An eminently Virtuous Prince . He founds the University of Oxford .

Charles the Bald , Emperor of the West , 876. Lewis III. call'd the Stammerer , 878. Carolus Crassus Emperor , 880.

The Normans , a Northern People , invade and lay waste the Western part of France , while the Sarazens spoil Italy .

Carlomanus , who had agreed to give the Normans 12000 Marks of Silver to make them leave his Dominions ; is no sooner Dead , but they come again into his Kingdom , out of a subtle pretence , that the Treaty ended with his Life . Hugh the Abbot Fights them , and makes such a Slaughter of them , that they left France in quiet for some time , 884.

However , Lewis the Simple , soon after permits them to settle in that part now call'd Normandy .

Leo VI. succeeds his Father Basilius , in the Empire of the East , 886. Arnolphus chosen Emperor of the West , 888. Eudo charges the Normans , kills 19000 of them , and drives them before him every where , 889. Lewis IV. his Son , a Child , Emperor , 900.

— Oppos'd by another Lewis set up by the Pope .

Edward the Elder , Son of Alfred King of England . 901.

The Hungarians waste Germany , Italy , &c. in the time of Lewis IV. in whom ended the Line of Charlemaign in Germany ; for the Empire was given to Otho Duke of Saxony , and afterwards

Conrad Duke of Franconia chosen Emperor , 912. Alexander Son of Leo , Emperor of the East , 911. Romanus his Collegue , 919. — Raises his Sons to the Empire , they expel him . 944.

And Quarrelling between themselves , are depos'd by Constantine , who Reigns alone , till Poyson'd by

Romanus II. who makes himself Emperor of the East , 960. Henry sirnam'd the Fowler , Emperor of the West , 920. Ethelstane King of England , 924. Otho the Great , Emperor of the West , 938. Edmond , Son of Ethelston , King of England , 940. Edred Brother to Edmond , succeeded in the Non-age of his Nephews , 946. Edwin the eldest Son of Edmond , a wicked Prince , 955. Edgar his Brother , a very good Prince , 959.

Otho the Great , subdued and converted to Christianity . The Danes , conquer'd in Italy , Hungary , Bohemia , &c.

Iohn Zimisca Emperor of the East , 969.

— he obtain'd Victories over the Sarazens , and honours the Image of the Virgin Mary , and first coin'd Gold with this Inscription , Iesus Christus Rex Regum .

Otho II. Son to Otho the Great , Emperor of West , 973. Basil and Constantine Brothers , Emperors of East , 975. Edward sirnamed the Martyr , King of England , 975. — Kill'd by his Step-mother Elfreda , and succeeded by Ethelred with Elfreda , 978. The Danes invade the Land , and committing great ravage , are all Massacred in one Day , 1002. Henry call'd the Saint , Duke of Saxony , chosen Emperor , 1008. The Sarazens by the Instigation of the Iews , pull down the Church of Ierusalem , and the Holy Sepulcher , which revives the Devotion of the Christians of the West , and their Hatred against the Iews , whom they Banish and Destroy , 1009. Edmund , sirnam'd Ironside , King of England , 1016.

At the same time Canute the Dane , was made King by part of the Nation .

Guido Aretinus a Monk invents musical Notes , 1022. Conrade II. Duke of Franconia , Emperor , 1025. Romanus III. Emperor of the East , 1028. Michael Paphlago , Emperor of the East , 1034. Herald the Dane , King of England , 1036. Hardicanute succeeds him , 1040.

— a wicked Prince , the last of the Danes ; is succeeded by

Edward the Confessor , Son of Ethelred , 1042. Theodora Empress of the East , 1055. Henry III. Emperor of the West , 1039. Henry IV. Emperor of the West , 1056. Michael Stratonious Emperor of the East , 1056. Isaacius Comnenus , 1057. Constantinus Ducas , 1061. Harald Son of Godwin Earl of Kent , Usurps the Crown of England , 1066. William Duke of Normandy , invades England , Conquers Harald , and is made King , 1066. Michael Ducas Parapinaus , Emperor of the East , 1067. Romanus Diogenes marries Michael's Mother , 1068. and Reigns with him , till taken by the Turks , and afterwards kill'd by Michael , 1071. Nicephorus Betoniates ( Michael being depos'd ) succeeds him , 1078. Alexius Comnenus puts Nicephorus into a Monastery , and succeeds him , 1080. The Turks separate themselves from the Sarazens and chuse for their Prince , under the title of Sultan , Tangrolipix , 1048. — He Conquers Persia , 1059. — Takes Ierusalem , 1068. Axan succeeds him , 1070.

— He took Prisoner Romanus Diogenes Emperor and conquers much .

Melec the 3d Sultan , 1086. At this time the Turks were Masters of Syria , the lesser Asia and all Palestine , where they very much oppressing the Christians , Simeon Patriarch of Ierusalem , writes to the Pope for Relief , who calls a Council at Placentia and obtains a general Croisade or War from all the Nations of Christendom for recovery of the Holy-Land , to be Decreed , 1095. Great Preparations are immediately made for the Holy War , and divers Princes and Noblemen , among whom Godfrey of Bulligne , ( Duke of Loraine , or rather of Brabant , ) set forward with a great Army , 1096. Solyman Sultan of the Turks , 1097. Ierusalem is regain'd from the Turks , and Godfrey of Bullen made King of it , 1099. William Rufus King of England , 1087. Henry I. his Brother , succeeds him , 1100. Baldwin ( Brother to Godfrey ) King of Ierusalem , 1101. Henry V. Emperor of Germany , 1106. Calo. Ioannes Comnenus Emperor of Greece , 1118. Baldwin II. King of Ierusalem , 1119. Lotharius Saxo , Emperor of Germany , 1125.

— He restored the Civil Law , the Code and Pandects being found in Italy in his time .

Conradus III. Duke of Sweden , succeeds him , 1138. Emanuel Comnenus , Emperor at Constantinople , 1143.

— He is said to have caused Lime to be mixt with the Meal that was sold at Constantinople to the Army of the Emperor Conrade , in his Journey to the Holy Land .

Stephen Earl of Blois , King of England , 1135. Fulco , Baldwin's Son-in-Law , King of Ierusalem , 1135. Baldwin III. his Brother succeeds , 1143. Noradine , Sultan of the Turks , 1143. Frederick Barbarossa , Emperor of Germany , 1152. Henry II. King of England , 1154. — He conquer'd Ireland , 1172. Almaric King of Ierusalem , 1163. Saladine Sultan of the Turks , 1170. Alexius Comnenus II. Emperor of Greece , 1180. Andronicus his Son , 1182. Isaacius Angelus Comnenus , 1185. Henry VI. Emperor of Germany , 1190. Ierusalem re-taken by the Turks , 1187. Richard I. King of England , 1189.

— He goes to the Holy Land , in his way takes the Island Cyprus . In his return , is taken Prisoner by the German Emperor .

Alexius Angelus , Emperor of Greece , 1195. Philip succeeds Henry VI. in the Empire , 1198.

— Is oppos'd in it by Otho , who was set up by the Pope .

Iohn steps over his Nephew Arthur's Head into the Throne of England , 1199.

— By reason of a Quarrel between him and the Pope , the Kingdom is interdicted , and no Holy Offices perform'd for 6 years .

— He had great Wars with the Barons , who call in the French .

— He first granted Magna Charta .

A great disorder in the succession of the Greek Emperors ; for Constantinople is taken by the Latins , and Alexius Ducas , who had strangled his Predecessor , forced to flie to Adrianople . 1204. Theodorus Lascarus Emperor at Adrianople , 1204. Baldwin Earl of Flanders at Constantinople , 1204.

A succession in both those Cities continued , till the time of Michael Paleologus .

Frederick II. Duke of Swaben , Emperor of Germany , 1212. The Inquisition first erected against the Albigenses , 1222. Frederick Emperor of Germany , goes to the Holy-war , recovers Ierusalem and is Crown'd King of it , 1229.

— He had Wars with the Pope , was excommunicated , and Anti-Caesars set up .

Henry III. King of England , 1216. — The Barons rise against him , 1227. — Magna Charta confirm'd by him , 1253. — Breaks it , the Barons rise again , and the King is taken Prisoner and detain'd by Simon Mountfort , 1258. Lewis ( call'd the Saint ) King of France , goes to the Holy-war with a great Army , 1248. — Takes Damieta ; returning home is taken Prisoner , 1250.

Great Confusion in the Government of the Western Empire , occasion'd by the Emperor's Quarrel with the Pope .

Richard Brother to King Henry of England , chosen Emperor , 1256. Michael Paleologus , regains Constantinople , and Reigns sole Emperor there , 1260. Edward I. King of England , 1272. Rodolphus Count of Hapsburg , Emperor of Germany , 1273.

From him proceeded the Austrian Family .

Andronicus Paleologus II. Emperor at Constantinople , 1283. Adolphus of Nassaw Emperor of Germany , 1291. Albert of Austria succeeds him , 1298. Ottoman the founder of the present Turkish Empire , 1297. Henry VII . Earl of Luxemburg , Emperor of Germany , 1308. Edward II. King of England , 1307. — By too much cherishing Gaveston and the Spencers , he lost the Love of his People , and was at last depos'd , 1326. Ludovicus of Bavaria , Emperor of Germany , 1314.

— He is oppos'd by an Anti Caesar , Frederick of Austria , Albert's Son .

Great Disputes at this time concerning the Authority of the Emperor and the Pope .

Edward III. King of England , 1327.

— He is victorious in France ; his Son Edward ( stil'd the Black Prince ) took the French King Prisoner , and by his Heroick Valour left his Father and Himself an immortal Name .

This King instituted the Order of the Garter . In his time Wickliff lived .

Andronicus Paleologus III. Emperor at Constantinople , 1328. Iohn his Son succeeds at 9 Years old , 1341. Iohn Cantacuzen his Tutor , makes himself his Associate in the Empire , and rules with him till 1354. Charles IV. King of Bohemia , Emperor of Germany , 1347. The Mariners Compass found out , 1302. Philip the Fair King of France having great difference with Pope Boniface VIII . is excommunicated , 1302. Pope Clement V. remov'd the Papal Seat to Avignon , where it remain'd for 70 Years , 1305.

The Albigenses and Waldenses , much persecuted at this time .

Walter Lollard , a notable Opposer of the Romish Superstition , with many of his Followers , burnt in Austria , 1315. Gun-powder invented in Germany by Barth . Schwartz , a Monk ; and Guns first used by the Venetians , 1344. Amurath the Turkish Sultan , brings 60000 Turks into Europe , and takes Adrianople , 1359. Richard II. King of England , 1377. — Quells the Rebellion of Iack Straw and Wat Tyler , 1381. — Is depos'd , 1399. Henry IV. Son of Iohn of Gaunt , Duke of Lancaster succeeds , and begins the Lancastrian Line of Kings , 1399. Wenceslaus King of Bohemia , chosen Emperor , 1387. Rhodes well defended against the Turks , 1380. Andronicus IV. Emperor at Constantinople , 1384. Manuel Paleologus succeeds him , 138● . Bajazet the Turk began to Reign , 1388. Tamerlan the Tartar began to Reign , 1387. — He conquer'd Babylon , Persia , China and India Overcomes Bajazet and puts him in an Iron Cage , 1399.

— The Great Mogol descended from him .

Wenceslaus the Emperor depos'd , 1399. Rupert of Bavaria succeeds ▪ 1400.

By reason of the many Civil Wars , Italy throws of the German Yoke , and several Governors of Cities make themselves absolute ; as the Scaligers in Verona , th● House of Est at Ferrara , the Gonzagues at Mantua , &c.

Sigismond K. of Hungary , chosen Emperor , 1410 ▪ — He erected Savoy into a Dutchy in favour 〈◊〉 Armedeus , 141● ▪ Henry V. King of England , 141● ▪ — He is victorious in France , wins the famous Battle at Agincourt , 1415. — The Government of that Kingdom is resign'd to him by the King , Charles VI. 142● ▪ Iohn VII . Paleologus , Emperor at Constantinople , 1417. Henry VI. ( a Child ) King of England , 142● ▪

— Loses what his Father had gain'd in France .

— Richard Duke of York claims the Crown , 144● ▪ — The Rebellion of Iack Cade suppress'd , 1450. — The King is worsted by the Yorkists , and finally depos'd , 1●60 . Albert of Austria chosen Emperor , 143● . Frederick of Austria , his Brother , succeeds , 144● ▪ The Art of Printing invented , 144● ▪ Iohn Huniades Emperor of Constantinople , 144● ▪

— Is victorious against the Turks .

Scanderbeg Prince of Epirus , famous for his Victor●●● over the Turks , 144● ▪ Constantine XIII . Paleologus the last Christian Emperor of Constantinople , famous for his Valour , 1443. Mahomet II. call'd the Great , Sultan of Turks , 1451. — Takes Constantinople , Constantine being slain , puts an end to that Empire , 1453.

EPOCHA XIII . Constantinople taken by the Turks , and the Christian Empire of the East terminated , 1453.

This Epocha is continued as far as the Year , 1660. wherein King Charles being Restor'd , the ancient Lawful Government of England was re-establish'd .

IT must be confess'd that this Epocha begins not so happily as those that have gone before it , for whereas almost every one of them commenc'd from some great Action whereby the Almighty bestow'd some benefit upon his People ; this alas ! begins with a deplorable state of the Christian World , and shews us the expulsion of the true Religion out of Greece and its Neighbouring Provinces , by the entrance of the Mahometan Cruelty into Europe , after it had ravag'd almost all Asia and Africa . But it must be acknowledg'd , that the Divine Providence was just in this Punishment of those unworthy Christians , who by intruding Heresies first , caused Schisms and continual Feuds in the Church ; and afterwards by Superstition , profain'd their most Holy Religion ; and yet by bitter Persecution destroy'd the Holy Professors of true Christianity , that in those Ages oppos'd themselves to the innovated Idolatry and Superstition .

We might justly enough call the last Epocha Dark and Illitarate , as we must Name this that follows the Enlightned and Learned Age of Christianity ; for the Northern Barbarians that over-run Europe in the Fourth and Fifth Centuries , had so effectually swept away all s●●ts of Learning , that tho' themselves afterwards be●ame Christians and somewhat Polite , yet it requir'd Ages of Time to revive that Learning which they had destroy'd ; and in effect what thro' the Wars that happen'd , and thro' the absolute Power the Clergy exercis'd , which gave them an opportunity of living Lazily in Convents , all the Sciences and even Arts too , were in a very low Estate , till in this Century the discovery of the Art of Printing , put Books into the Hands of the Laity , the which being follow'd in the next Age , with the appearance of those great Literati ▪ Picus Mirandula , Desider . Erasmus , Mars . Ficinus , &c. Learning began to Revive , and by the continued zealous prosecution of the Work that those great Men begun , we may now venture to say , We have almost arriv'd to the Perfection of those Ages , wherein the Greeks and Romans made themselves immortal by their great Erudition and Ingenuity .

That wonderfully useful Instrument the Mariner● Compass , had been found out in the beginning of the Fourteenth Century , by the help whereof , the Portugueze had ventur'd to Navigate on the Coasts of Africa , and by degrees advancing , we find them at length , towards the end of this Age got as far as India , from whence they brought , by Sea , vast quantities of the rich Commodities of those Parts , which before that time came but sparingly hither , because brought over an immense Tract of Land to Alexandria , before we could receive 'em : This was follow'd by a discovery of a new World , which Christopher Colombus with great Hazard , as well as Skill and Pains , found out ; and thereby gave the Spanish Monarch an opportunity of encreasing his Dominions to an almost infinite extent , and of enriching Europe to an inexpressible degree , out of the inexhaustible Mines of Mexico and Peru.

The following Epocha shews us moreover the Church reform'd , and the Christian Religion restor'd to its ancient Purity ; a Blessing of inestimable value , and which we ought all to praise God for , and continually pray that he lets not again Superstition to prevail ; or which is worse , Atheism and Irreligion to Profane our Piety .

Years of Jes. Chr. The Turks having taken Constantinople , proceed in their Conquests , and gain the Peloponnesus , now call'd Morea , 1459. Edward IV. Son to Richard Duke of York , ( who had been slain in his Wars against Henry VI. ) gains the Crown of England , 1460. — Marries the Lady Gray , which disgusts his great Friend the Earl of Warwick , 1465. — Warwick raises Wars against him , and in the end forces him to fly the Kingdom , 1470. — Henry plac'd on the Throne again after 9 Years Imprisonment , but Edward soon expells him , 1471. — He dies , leaving his Crown to his young Son Edward V. 1483. Maximilian of Austria , Son to the Emperor Frederick , Marries Mary Heiress of Burgundy , 1477.

They had Issue Philip , who Married Ioan the Daughter of Ferdinand King of Spain , by which all the Netherlands became afterwards united to that Kingdom .

Maximilian chosen Emperor , 1493. Richard Duke of Glocester usurps the Throne , and Murders his Nephews , 1483. Richard III. a Tyrant , slain at Bosworth by Henry VII . who was of the Lancastrian Family , and Marry'd the Daughter of Edward IV. declar'd King . 1485. — Is oppos'd by two Impostors , Lambert Simnel and Perkin Warbeck , 1486 , 1499. In the Year 1454. the Portugueze discover'd the Cape of Good Hope , and prosecuting their Voyaging , they at length got as far as the East-Indies , which was discover'd by Vasq. de Gama , who was sent by the King of Portugal to that purpose , and arriv'd before Calicurt , May the 20th , 1498. Ferdinand King of Arragon , and Isabella Queen of Castille by Marriage unite those Kingdoms , and erect the Monarchy of Spain , 1474. Ferdinand expels the Moors out of Spain , and erects the Inquisition against them ; which gains him the Title of Catholick , 1496. Christopher Columbus , a Native of Genoa , having partly by his own Study in Geography , and partly by Information of some Seamen who had been driven on some far Western Coast , conceiv'd an Opinion , That there was a large Country Westward of us yet unknown , apply'd himself zealously for the Discovery of it ; to which purpose he first desir'd Assistance of the State of Genoa , afterwards of our King Henry VII . and of Emanuel King of Portugal ; by all whom being refus'd , he at length obtain'd it of Ferdinand and Isabella King and Queen of Spain , who in the Year 1492. gave him Three Ships , with Men and Provisions ; with these he set out and happily effected his Intention , discovering Cuba and Hispaniola , and return'd to Spain , 1493. Afterwards Americus Vespusius being set forth by Emanuel King of Portugal , discover'd the Southern Continent of America ; which Name he had the Honour to give to all that vast Country , 149● . Maximilian Emperor , an excellent Prince , 1493. Henry VIII . King of England , 1509. — he married Katharin of Spain , the Widow of his Brother Arthur , 1509. Charles V. Son of Philip , who was the Son of Maximilian and Mary of Burgundy ; which Philip married Ioan the Heiress of Spain ; by which means Charles succeeded in both these Estates , 1516. and was chosen Emperor on the Death of Maximilian , 1519.

Fr. Picus Count of Mirandola in Italy ; and D. Erasmus Native of Rotterdam , flourished .

Martin Luther begins to Preach in Germany against Indulgences , and other Errors of the Church of Rome , 1517. Solyman , styl'd The Magnificent , began to Reign , 1520. The Island and City of Rhodes , after a vigorous Defence , taken by the Turks , 1523.

Belgrade was taken , and Vienna besieg'd by Solyman .

King Henry of England , Wars successfully with France , 1510. — writes against Luther , and obtains the Title of Defender of the Faith , 1521. — Is divorc'd from Queen Katharin , and marries Anne Bollen , 1533. — Beheads her , and marries Iane Seymour , 1536. — Marries Anne of Cleeve , and Katharin Howard , 1540. — Marries again the Lady Katharin Parr , 1543. — he advanc'd Cardinal Wolsey to the highest pitch of Greatness ; who having displeas'd him is pull'd down , and Cromwel advanc'd , 1531. — Cromwel also disgrac'd and beheaded , 1540.

— This King suppress'd Monasteries , and made way for the Reformation , which follow'd in the Reigns of his Son and Daughters .

The Straights of Magellanica in America discover'd , and nam'd by Ferdinand Magellan , 1520.

Mexico and Peru conquer'd by the Spaniards , about this time .

The Name of Protestant first began , on occasion of a Protestation the Lutherans made against a Decree of the Chamber of Spire against them , 1529. The Smalcaldan League , or agreement between the Protestants of Germany for their mutual Defence ; made at Smalcald , 1540. The Council of TRENT , began 1540. Edward VI. Son of Henry VIII . by his Wife Iane Seymour , succeeds his Father at 9 Years of Age , 1547.

— a wonderfully wise and pious Prince .

— he reforms Religion , and expels the Superstition and false Doctrin of the Romish Church .

— his Uncle Edward Seymour the Protector beheaded , 1551. Mary his Sister succeeds him , 1553. — she restores Popery ; marries Philip the Son of the Emperor Charles V. afterwards King of Spain , 1554. — loses Callice , which had been held by the English ever since King Edward IIId's time , 1557. Elizabeth her Sister Queen of England , 1558.

— restores the Reformation , and reigns with great Wisdom and Reputation 44 Years .

The Emperor Charles V. Resigns all his Kingdoms , 1557. Ferdinand his Brother chosen Emperor , 1558. Philip II. his Son succeeds him in Spain , 1558. Charles IX . King of France , 1560. — The Civil War for Religion began there . 1562. — The Massacre of the Protestants at Paris , 1572. Maximilian II. Emperor , 1564. The Wars in the Low-Countries against the Inquisition , &c. began , 1565. King Philip sends Duke d' Alva to suppress it , 1567. William Prince of Orange , heads the Protestants in the Low-Countries , 1572. — Under whose Protection , Holland throws off the Spanish Yoke , and soon after Six more of the Provinces joyn with them , and altogether conclude a solemn Union at V●recht , 1579.

Queen Elizabeth being at this time at War with Spain , gives them assistance .

The famous Sea Fight at Lepanto , wherein the Venetians kill 20000 Turks , and sink 200 Galleys , 1572. Henry III. King of France . 1574. The Holy League in France began , 1576. Rodolphus II. Emperor , 1576. Sir Francis Drake Sails through the Magallonnie Streights ▪ thence over to the Phillipine Islands and the East-Indies , and having encompass'd the whole Globe of the Earth , returns to England , 1580. Pope Gregory XIII . Corrects the Calander , 1582. William Prince of Orange , Assassinated at Delft , 1584.

Succeeded by his Brother Maurice , who for many Years maintain'd the War against the Spaniards .

The Spaniards with a mighty Armado attempt to invade England , but are totally routed by the English , 1588. Mary Queen of Scots beheaded in England , 1587. Henry III. King of France is stab'd by Ia. Clement a Friar , 1589. Henry IV. King of Navarre succeeds him , 1589.

— Turns Roman Catholick , restores the Peace of the Nation .

Years of Jes. Chr. — Makes an Edict at Nants in favour of the Protestants , 1598. — Is stab'd by Ravillac , 1610. Iames King of Scotland succeeds Queen Elizabeth in the Throne of England , 1602. The Gun-powder Plot , 1605. Philip III. King of Spain , 1598. Peace made between Spain and Holland , whereby the united Provinces are declar'd a free State , 1609. Lewis XIII . King of France , 1610. Gustavus Adolphus the famous King of Sweden began to Reign , 1611. Matthias King of Hungary and Bohemia elected Emperor , 1612. Frederick Count Palatine of the Rhine , Marries the Lady Elizabeth Daughter to King Iames of England , 1612. Frederick II. chosen Emperor , 1619. The Elector Palatine being chosen King of Bohemia , is oppos'd by the Emperor , and defeated in the Battle of Prague . 1620. Philip IV. King of Spain , 1621. The Elector Palatine outed of all ; his Dignity given to the Duke of Bavaria , 1624.

Great Wars in Germany ensued .

King Charles I. King of England , succeeds his Father , 1625. Henry Frederick Prince of Orange succeeds Maurice , 1625.

Cardinal Richelieu chief Minister in France .

— He labours to ruine the Protestant Party ; and finally , takes the City Rochel their chief Strength after a long Siege and vigorous Defence , 1628. The renown'd Gustavus Adolphus after many victorious Acts in Germany , Italy , &c. is slain at the Battle of Lutzen in Germany , November 6 , 1632. Christina his Daughter succeeds him , 1632. Count Tilly the Emperor's General , famous for his Conquests in Bohemia , Denmark and Germany , died , 1632. Portugal throws off the Spanish Yoke , and receives Iohn Braganza of the ancient Royal Family for their King , 1640. Ferdinand III. chosen Emperor , 1637. The Rebellion and Massacre in Ireland , 1641. King Charles by reason of the Factious disorders in London , retires into the North , is denied entrance into Hull , 1642. — Sets up his Standard at Nottingham , Aug. 2. 1642. Lewis XIV . the present King of France began to Reign , being then but Five years old , 1643. William II. Prince of Orange , Father of his present Majesty of Great Britain , succeeded his Father in all his Honours , 1647. Peace among the Germans , &c. concluded at Munster in Westphalia , 1648. The Civil War rages in England ; King Charles I. Martyr'd , 164● . The famous Rebellion at Naples ( on occasion of the grievous Excises ) headed by Thomas Aniello , commonly call'd Massanello , 1647. Oliver Cromwel usurps the Government of England , under the Name of Protector , 1651. The Prince of Orange dyes October 8. 1650. leaving his Princess ( the Daughter of King Charles II. ) with Child of our present King , who was Born Nov. 14. 1650. The Island Iamaica in America , taken by the English , 1655. Christina Queen of Sweden resigns her Crown , and goes to Rome , 1654. Carolus Gustavus Duke of Deux-ponts , her Cousin succeds her , 1654. Alphonsus King of Portugal , succeeds his Father , 1656.

— Being Lunatick is confin'd , and his Brother made Regent ,

Leopoldus-Ignatius-Iosephus , the present Emperor of Germany began to Reign Iuly 22. 1658. Oliver Cromwel dy'd Sept. 3. 1658. A War between France and Spain having lasted 25 Years , is at length ended by a Peace , concluded in the Isle of Pheasants , near the Pyrenean Mountains , 1659. After half a dozen Changes of Government in England in one Years time ( the Rump being by General Monk's Management dissolv'd , and a Free Parliament chosen ) it was resolv'd by the Parliament , April 20. That Charles II. was lawful and undoubted King , and Messengers immediately sent to Breda to invite him Home , 1660.

EPOCHA XIV . King Charles II. Restor'd , the ancient Government and Laws of England Re-establish'd ; and Europe in a Profound Peace , 1660.

ANd here we must make a Stand ; for who can pass so pleasant a Sight as this happy Year gives us of the peaceful State of all Europe , without taking a View of the agreeable Prospect ? In England our celebrated Augustus shuts up the Temple of Ianus , and by his happy Influence gives the Muses Liberty , and the Merchant Protection ; Learning and Wit flourish , Trade enriches the Nation , and a general Joy drives away the Sorrows which the late Tyrannical Usurpation had cast over all the good and honest part of the People : The hungry Beggars that had usurp'd the Senate-house were now expell'd , and forc'd to refund the sweet Morsels which they had robb'd the King , the Clergy and their Fellow-Subjects of , under the specious Name of Sequestration : In short , the King , the Laws , the ancient Liberty , Government and Peace was restor'd , and England was made happy .

In Germany the War which the Emperor , King of Poland , and Elector of Brandenburg , had maintain'd against the King of Sweden , was ended ; that between Sweden and Denmark , as also between France and Sweden , terminated ; and finally France and Spain reconcil'd by the Pyrenean Peace , and afterwards by the Marriage of the the Infanta to the King . So that we may truly call this Annus Pacificus of Europe , and compare this with the Augustan Age.

May 29 , 1660. King Charles II. makes his Triumphant Entrance into London , it being the Day of his Birth , in the Twelfth Year of his Reign ; and on the 23d of April following was Crowned . Leopold Ignatius being at that time Emperor of Germany ; Philip IV. King of Spain ; Lewis XIV . King of France ; Alphonso King of Portugal ; Charles X. King of Sweden ; Christiern V. King of Denmark ; Alexius Michaeliwitz Czar of Moscovy ; Iohn Casimer King of Poland ; Alexander VII . Pope of Rome ; Franciscus Molino Doge of Venice ; Ferdinand II. Duke of Florence ; Charles Emanuel Duke of Savoy ; and finally , Mahomet IV. Sultan of the Turks , 1661.

In France Cardinal Mazarine being dead Mar. 9 , 1661. that King takes the Government wholly into his own Hands .

The Dauphin Born , Nov. 1. 1661. King Charles of England marries Donna Catherina , Infanta of Portugal , May 22. 1662. Venner and the Fifth Monarchists , make a Riot and bloody Rebellion for a few Days in London , 166● . The first Dutch War , 1665. A raging Pestilence at London , 1665. War proclaim'd against France , who side with the Dutch. 1665/6. A violent Fire which burnt down the greatest part of London , 1666. The Dutch at Chatham , 1667. A Peace concluded at Breda by England with France and Holland , 1667. War betwixt France and Spain , 1667. The Theatre at Oxford built by A. Bp. Sheldon , 1668. Treaty of Peace between Spain and France , at Aix la Chapelle , 1668. The City and Island of Candia taken by the Turks , 1669. Clement IX . Pope . 1670. The Duke of Lorrain dispossest of his Dominions by the French , 1670. The second Dutch War , 1672. The French King invades Holland , over-runs the Country , and commits very barbarous Ravage , 1672. Spain declares against France , 1673. A Faction in Holland headed by de Witt , taking Advantage of the Prince of Orange's Minority , had some Years before this , resolv'd no more to admit of a Stadtholder ; but at this time the miserable State of their Country , through the French Tyranny which was carried on because the Dutch wanted some skilful Captain , made the People mutiny , and oblige the States to restore the Prince to the Dignity and Honours of his Ancestors , 1674. Peace between England and Holland , 1674. Victor Amadaeus , present Duke of Savoy , succeeds his Father , 1675. Pope Clement X. dies , and is succeeded by Benedict Odeschalci , who took the Name of Innocent XI . 1676. The Prince of Orange comes over to England , and marries the Lady Mary ( our late gracious Queen ) 1677. Peace concluded at Nimeguen between France and Holland , 1678. — Also between Spain and France , 1678.

— Also between the Emperor and France .

The Popish Plot in England , discover'd . 1678. The Dauphin marries the Princess of Bavaria , 1679. The Duke of Burgundy , eldest Son to the Dauphin , born , 1681. Algiers Bombarded by the French , 1682. The Czar of Moscovy dying , causes Disputes which of the Sons should succeed ; at length 't was agreed they both should Reign together , 1682.

War between the Emperor and the Turks .

Tangier quitted and destroy'd by the English , 1683. Vienna Besieg'd by the Turks 60 Days , at length Reliev'd , and the Siege rais'd with great Slaughter of the Turks , by the King of Poland , Sept. 12. 1683. Genoa Bombarded by the French , 1684. Luxemburg taken by the French , 1684.

King Charles II. died Feb. 6. 1684 / 5. and is immediately succeeded by his Brother Iames Duke of York .

Earl of Argyle Invades Scotland , 1685. Duke of Monmouth Invades England , 1685. — Both defeated , and Executed by K. Iames , 1685. The Grand Seignior , Mahomet IV. being depos'd , Solyman III. succeeds him , 1687. The French King breaks the Peace with Germany , and his Son takes Philipsburg , Octob. 1688. The People of England , oppress'd by King Iames's Government ; the Prince of Orange , in prosecution of an Invitation to that purpose , comes over to England with an Army for their Relief , Nov. 5. 1688. King Iames quits the Government , and retires privately from Whitehall , Dec. 12. 1688. — being , put ashore at Feversham , returns to London , Decemb. 1688. The Prince of Orange comes to London , and King Iames retires to Rochester , 1687. — whence he privately departs for France , 1688. A Convention or Parliament being assembled , they declare William Prince of Orange , together with his Princess Mary , King and Queen of England , Feb. 13. 1688/8. France declares War against Holland , Nov. 1688. K. William and Q. Mary Crowned , Apr. 21. 1689. England declares War against France , May 7th , 1689. The Convention of Scotland Resolve to offer the Crown to King William and Queen Mary , Apr. 16. 1689. which the Deputies present to him , May 16. 1689.

King Iames passes from France to Ireland , with French Officers and Forces .

— Besieges London-derry , which had declar'd for King William , Apr. 1689.

Ireland standing out for King Iames , an Army is sent over under the Command of Duke Schomberg .

The Castle of Edinburgh , which had stood out for King Iames , surrender'd Iun. 13. 1689. William Duke of Glocester , Son to their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Denmark , was born Iuly 24. 1689. London-derry reliev'd , and the Siege raised , Iuly 22. 1689. King William goes over into Ireland with many Noblemen , and large Supplies of Men and Ammunition , Iune 16. 1690. The Battle of the Boyne , wherein King William obtains a very signal and entire Victory over K. Iames and his Army , Iuly 11. 1690. Drogheda taken , Iuly 1690. King William marches into Dublin , Iuly 16. 1690. King Iames flies back to France , 1690. The first Siege of Limerick , Aug. 1690. The King returns to England , after having reduc'd the greatest part of Ireland , Sept. 10. 1690. The King passes over to Holland , wherein , endeavouring to land in his Barge , is sorrounded with Ice , and detain'd 22 Hours , Ian. 20. 1690/1. The Electors of Bavaria and Brandenburg , the Landgrave of Hesse Cassel , and many Foreign Ministers , assemble in Congress at the Hague , and conclude a firm Confederacy against France , Feb. 1690/1. Mons taken by the French , Apr. 8. 1691. The King returns to England , Apr 10. 1691. The King goes to the Army in Flanders , May 1691. Athlone in Ireland taken by the English , Iuly 21. 1691. The Battle of Agrim , wherein St. Ruth , the French General for King Iames , is killed , and his Army totally routed , Iuly 13. 1691. Innocent XII . the present Pope , Elected , Iuly 12. 1691. Limerick surrendred , and Ireland totally reduc'd , Octob. 3. 1691. The English Fleet obtains a great Victory over the French , and burn above 20 of their largest and best Ships at la Hogue ; May 1692. An Earthquake at Iamaica , which almost totally destroy'd Port Royal , Iune 7. 1692. Namur taken by the French , Iuly 3. 1692. The Battle at Steenkirk , Iuly 24. 1692. A small Shock of an Earthquake felt in England , Holland , Flanders and France , Sept. 8. 1692. The French take and barbarously destroy Heidelberg , Spire , Manheim , Frankendal , and other Places in the Palatinate , 1693. The Battle at Neer-Helpen , near Landen , Iuly 28. 1693. Charleroy taken by the French , Oct. 11. 1693. Frederick Augustus Elector of Saxony , succeeds his Brother Iohn George , May 7. 1694. The English Fleet , by Bombs thrown in , burn Ha●re de Grace and Diep , two considerable Maritime Town● in France , Iuly 1694.

The Queen taken ill of the Small Pox , Dec. 27. 1694. and on the 29th Her Majesty , of ever blessed Memory , departed this Life .

Casal taken from the French by the Duke of Savoy , Iuly 9. 1695.

Namur Invested by the K. and his Army , Iuly 9. 1695. and on Sept. 5. the Castle was surrender'd by the French to the Confederates .

Granville , Calais , and other Sea-Towns of France , Bombarded by the English Fleet this Summer .

A Plot against His Majesty's Life , discovered Feb. 21. 169● . Iohn King of Poland departed this Life , Iun. 17. 1696. Aeth taken by the French , 1697. Barcelona taken by the French , 1697. Treaty of Peace at the Palace at Reswick in Holland ; where , on the 10th of September , O. S. a Peace is concluded , and the Articles signed by the Plenipotentiaries of England , France and Holland , 1697.

A Short SYSTEM OF Universal History . PART II. Introduction to History , and a Character of Historians . Written in French by M. P. L. L. de Vallemont ; And Englished by Mr. Boyer , and Mr. Savage .

CHAP. I. Of the several Benefits of History .

IT is altogether unnecessary to say any thing in Commendation of History , since it is sufficiently known how great Advantages that Study has always brought to such as have been destin'd to great Employments : But at the same time I think my self obliged to set forth some of the Benefits thereof , and to lay down a few Rules to be observed by those that would make a right use of it .

I. History informs us of Things past , which otherwise we should know no more of , than we do of those to come . 'T is true , Prophecy dives into Matters before they are parted from their Causes , and which perhaps are not effected till after a long space of Years ; yet , however strong Men's Inclinations may run that way , it must still be own'd , that we are not able to give any tolerable Account of Futurity , and that it is God alone who has formed the Chain of Causes , that can know what Effects they will produce . Moreover , what Prophecy commonly teaches us is so very obscure , that it seems not to care to be understood , till the Things it treats of are come to pass : When on the contrary , History may be easily comprehended by us , as containing Matters handled down from our Fore-fathers to Posterity , and which we are commanded by the Law of God to make Search into . Enquire of your Father , and he 'll inform you : Consult your Ancestors , and they 'll instruct you : Deut. 32.7 .

Also we could never have the least Insight into Times past were it not for Historians , who have all along recorded the most memorable Actions happening in their Time , and preserv'd the most precious Thoughts of our Ancestors , which would otherwise have been devour'd by Time , that never makes any difference betwixt what is past , and what to come . Wherefore Cicero very indiciously terms History , The Record of Time ; The Evidence of Truth ; The Life of Memory ; The Mistress of Life ; and , The Courier of Antiquity .

In a Word , History gives a Being and Existence to what without it would be stifled in the Birth ; nay , it communicates a kind of Immortality to all famous Men , whose Actions made 'em to be so much valued while they liv'd .

II. History is the most excellent and most entertaining Diversion that a Man can possibly have , since it may be said particularly thereof , what was spoken in general by a very learned Man , of all sorts of Books , viz. That they were easy and disinteressed Masters , which might be consulted at all Times ; and on all Occasions , without Fear either of Raillery , Anger or Satyr . Hi sunt Magistri qui nos Instruunt sine Virgis & Ferula , sine Verbis & Cholera , sine Pannis & Pecunia . Si Accedas non Dormiunt : Si Inquirens Interr●gas non se abscondunt : Non remurmurant , si Oberres : Cacbynnos nesciunt si Ignores . [ Rich. Bury Anglor . Regi Cancell ▪ in suo Philobiblio . ]

III. Those that are defign'd for great Employs have more need of History than any others , for they thereby lay a Foundation in their Youth , which proves afterwards very serviceable to them , however they are preferr'd either in Church or State , and which otherwise could not be effected but by a great number of Years .

It was this Consideration that mov'd the Emperor Basilius to recommend so earnestly the reading of History to his Son and Successor Leo the Philosopher , when he says , Neglect nothing ▪ Son , to make the History of the Ancients familiar to you , since you may there gain with Pleasure and without Difficulty , what has cost others so much Care and Labour . The Art of Government so exceedingly capricious and tedious , which could otherwise be attained to only by a long Experience and tiresome Custom , is taught by History with all the Ease imaginable . There ●ou may meet both Virtues and Vices in their proper Dresses , as likewise observe the various Conditions of Humane Life , together with the parpetual Instability and Vicissitude of Things of this World , as also the Establishment , Revolutions and Fall of Empires . In a word , you may there observe how Virtue goes seldom unrewarded , nor Vice unpunished , and that therefore it is the surest way to Glory and Honour to be Innocent and Iust ; and to abhor Vice , which the ●●●enging Hand of God has branded with Infamy in this World , and prepared Punishments for in the other .

The great Character History bestows on good Men , and the Ignominy it casts on the Bad , with that Severity which neither spares the Crown nor the Mitre , are sufficient Motives to inspire the Love of Virtue , and Ab●orrence of Vice , Cornelius Tacitus says very well , That ▪ it is not one of the least Benefits of History , that Vice is always therein represented Infamous ; for thereby great Men are deterr'd from evil Courses , for fear of the Iustice of an impartial Historian . Let a Prince be never so great a Libertine , he will always have regard to his Reputation , even at a time when he has the greatest Contempt for Virtue . The Emperor Tiberius , who was immoderately cruel and voluptuous , would no doubt have been yet more Vicious , had not he dreaded the Account his Historian would have given of him ; wherefore you see him retire at length from the Eye of the World , and hide himself where he thought to be secure from an Impartial Pen. Can there then be a Study more useful to Mankind , especially to Princes , than where they find treasured up all manner of Rules for their Conduct ?

Selymus Emperor of the Turks , did not acquire that great Reputation which almost obscur'd the Memory of his Predecessors , who treated History with the greatest Contempt , but by causing Caesar's Commentaries to be Translated into his Language ; for thereby he became so true an observer of the Conduct of that great Captain , that in a short time he Conquer'd the greatest part of the Lesser Asia and Africa . Also Caesar himself did not arrive to that pitch of Glory and Honour that we find he did , but through a violent Emulation which he conceiv'd at reading of the Life of Alexander ; insomuch that he could not refrain from Tears , when he consider'd that he had done little at an Age when that mighty Conqueror had subdu'd so many Kingdoms . Yet , however great might be Alexander's Ambition , it is certain that he had form'd his design of Conquering the World , upon reading of the Actions of Achilles in Homer , and whom he chose all along for his Model . But not to go out of France , who does not know that the Emperor Charles V. laid the Basis of that prudent and politick Management , which afterwards render'd him one of the greatest Princes of Europe , upon the Life of Lewis XI . written by Philip de Comines ? Nothing has so great Influence over Mankind , as the Impressions receiv'd from the Examples of great Men , for we are naturally apt to believe , thro a good Opinion we have of our selves , that we are capable of doing any thing that has been done before .

Somewhat like this , the Bishop of Meaux speaks of History in his excellent Discourse address'd to the Dauphin . For , says he , tho' History were of no use to other Men , yet ought Princes however to read it , since there is no better way to bring them acquainted with the Power of Passions and Interests , as also with the fo●ce of Time , and of good and bad Councils . Histories are made up of nothing but Actions , all which seem chiefly to be compil'd for the Vse and Imitation of great Men : If Experience be necessary to acquire that P●udence which makes them Govern well , there can be nothing more assistant to them , than to joyn Examples of Times past to the Experience of Times present . Whereas Princes now adays scarce ever care to be convinc'd of any Error , but at the Expence of their Subjects or their own Honour , when by the help of History they might form an infallible Iudgm●nt without running any hazard .

IV. History has those Charms , that it has recovered its Readers from the most dangerous Sicknesses , nay even when the Art of Medicine has been at loss for a Remedy . Examples of which we have in two Kings , of Spain and Sicily , Alphonsus and Ferdinand , both whose Maladies were so charm'd by reading Livy and Curtius , that they were restor'd to their Health when they had been given over by all their Physicians .

'T is also reported , That Lorenzo de Medici , commonly stil'd the Father of Letters , was recover'd from a very dangerous Illness , by the Relation of a Passage out of the History of the Emperor Conrade III. which was as follows . This Emperor having reduced the rebellious City of Veinsberg , commanded it to be entirely destroy'd , and moreover ordered that its Inhabitants should be all made Prisoners ▪ except the Women only . Whereupon these Women made their humble Suit to the Emperor , that they might save at least what they were able to carry away ; which being granted , Conrade was infinitely surpriz'd to see them march out with their Husbands and Children on their Backs , and mov'd to so much Compassion thereby , that he immediately pardoned the whole City . It was to this Passage that Lorenzo de Medici ow'd his Life , which made Bodin to cry out , Quanquam Historia salutare est Medicamentum ? [ Method . ad Histor. Proemio , p. 5.

V. History is of that known Benefit in discovering the Truth of the Christian Religion , that without the Assistance of it and Philosophy , we could never be able to oppose the Atheists and Pirrhenians .

What we borrow from Philosophy to defend Religion with , is very considerable and solid ; for thereby ▪ through a Contemplation of the Universe , we come to the knowledge of a Sovereign Being which Created and Governs it , and likewise are sufficiently convinc'd , that this great Work cannot possibly be Eternal .

In a word , The just and due Order of all things of this World , produces such a Beauty and Harmony , as could not proceed but from the great Wisdom and Power of the Almighty . A Philosopher demanding one Day of St. Anthony , who liv'd in the Deserts of Appi , How he could apply himself to the Contemplation of Heaven , without the assistance of Books ? The Holy Hermit answer'd , This vast Globe ( meaning the World ) serves me instead of a Library ; and the Creatures therein contain'd , are as so many legible Characters , whereby I can discover the Omnipotence of God , and which by consequence easily disposes me to a Meditation on his Grandeur .

St. Clement of Alexandria , being inspir'd with the same Thought , said , That the World was a large Book ▪ written by the Hand of God ; consisting only of three Leaves , which were the Heavens , Earth , and Sea .

A long time before which David teaches us , That the Heavens declare the glory of God , Psalm 18. which no doubt made Tertullian observe that God first laid open the Book of Nature to dispose Men for receiving the divine Writ , being willing that they should become Disciples of Nature , before they were so of Grace . Praemisit Deus Naturam Magistram , submissurus & Prophetiam , quo facilius credat Prophetiae Discipulus Naturae . Tertul. de Resurrect. Carnis .

St. Bernard , who was as famous for his Learning as his Piety , declar'd often to his Friends , That the Progress which he had made in the knowledge of the Holy Scriptures , proceeded from Prayer and Meditation , to which he apply'd himself in the Fields and Forests , and where he had no other guides but Oaks and Beeches .

Those Philosophers also , who were most deeply orewhelm'd with the shades of Paganism , have term'd the World A Cabinet of Contemplation , wherein were contain'd all the Curiosities and Riches of Nature , which had been so prudently rang'd and order'd by the Sovereign Wisdom . Naturae Musaeum .

We need therefore only open our Eyes to discover the Wonders of Nature govern'd by an Almighty Hand ; and when I affirm that Philosophy is sufficient to convince us that the World is not Eternal , I do not mean only that of the Schools , but also that of Nature , which is the Portion of all Men. This Philosophy wherein we only make use of our common Sense and Reason , helps us to comprehend the Truth of the Christian Religion by a serious Reflection on Nature . It is that which inspires us when we say to our selves ,

1. The World cannot be Eternal , because it has sensible Proofs of its varying every Day . Mountains lessen and Valleys rise , and Rivers roul their Dregs into the Sea , where they frequently form dry Land . The Sea likewise changes its Shores ; all which would have been no doubt establish'd and fix'd , had the World been from all Eternity .

2. Whence proceeds the Motion of so many different Parts ? Who has order'd the Sun to make his alternative Courses through both the Hemispheres , and to occasion Seasons by his Declension and Propinquity ? Certainly this Motion does not proceed from its Mat●er which cannot be consider'd but as finite , divisible , mensurable and susceptible only of Motion from an ex●ernal Impulse .

3. Why is this Matter , of which the World is compos'd , capable of Motion without which it must have tended altogether to a Chaos ? How comes it to pass that the smaller Bodies of this Matter are rather mov'd to one side than the other ? Why , if all mov'd with an equal Rapidity , are they not always follow'd by one another without falling into those infinite Spaces where the Atheist throws them ? And seeing the greater Bodies do not all follow the same Track , nor move with the same Force ; as for Example , the Planets turn from West to East , and the other Stars on the contrary from East to West ; let any Body tell us who it is that hath determin'd and assign'd these different Motions , as well as the Quickness or Rapidity of one , and the great Slowness of the other . The Moon passes through the Zodiack in a Month , whereas Mercury takes up 87 Days to perform that Journey , and Venus about 224 the Sun , or the Earth rather , 365 Days ; Mars twi●● as many , and Saturn 30 Years .

Why are some of these Bodies plac'd above and others beneath ? And how comes it to pass that thi● Motion continues so long ? This I am sure is what the Atheists connot give a Reason for . To say that Chance has been the cause of all these Things , is to say nothing ▪ For this Chance what is it , Something or Nothing ? Is it Create or Uncreate ? If Created , then it must ne●cessarily have a Creator ; and if it be not Created , it must be distinct from Matter , and consequently Eternal , Incorruptible , and therefore God .

If it be said that this Chance is nothing , then can it be only an empty Sound without Signification ; and being nothing it must by consequence be incapable of Action .

It is after this manner , that Philosophy comes 〈◊〉 the assistance of Religion , to defend her against h●● Enemies : When History triumphs altogether ove● Atheism by relating the Origin of Arts and Science● and of all other Things that serve either for our Necessities , Pleasures or Curiosities . She also teaches us that not only the World is not Eternal , as the Atheis● would have it to be , but also that it cannot be 〈◊〉 ancient as the fabulous Egyptian Antiquities suppose it .

1. Philosophy began not to be cultivated by Persons that made an express Profession of it till of latter date . Every body knows its Origin , and that among the Greeks it was first taught by Pythagoras . The Moderns have brought it to great Perfection , which no doubt it would not have had the same occasion for , wer● it true that the World was Eternal .

2. Astronomy was first taught the Grecians by Thales , who receiv'd it from the Egyptians , as Diogenes Laertius says , who wrote his Life ; and moreover that they had it from the Chaldeans . We need make no farther enquiries after it among the Ancients , since the Word Chaldean signified the same thing with them as Astrologer . There has been great progress made in this Art within this 200 Years .

3. Physick , which is of much greater use , was more Modern . Herodotus says that heretofore they brought the Sick into their Market Places , and enquir'd of all that pass'd by if they had any Receipt which would be of assistance to them . Cato the Censor drove the Physicians out of Rome , affirming , That the Greeks had sent those Butchers among them to Murther them .

4. Law was of no greater Date . We can only ascend in search after its Origin from Iustinian's Code to that of Theodorus , and from thence to the XII Tables which the Romans had from the Greeks , viz. Solon and Lycurgus , who likewise learnt them from the Egyptians , as Plutarch observes .

If it be objected , that at some time or other a Deluge might have happen'd exceeding that of Noah's , which carried off the very memory of Arts and Sciences ; I must answer by a Question , How came the Race of Mankind to escape ? This therefore cannot be , and we may conclude that the World is not Eternal . For it would be a very strange thing that Men should for an infinity of Ages been Gross , Barbarous , without Policy , without Laws , without Government , without Morality , Physick , Astronomy , &c. without having the Art of Writing down their Thoughts ; and tho' they saw the Stars continually pass over their Heads , never have curiosity enough to observe the Course of them , or enquire into the Causes of Comets and Eclipses ; nay , even to live without discovering the first Elements of Physick and Philosophy , or making any progress in Architecture , Commerce or Navigation ; 't is strange that none of the Ages of the vast Eternity , should have produc'd Wits able to invent Mills , Printing , the Mariners Compass , and the many other most useful things which the few Years ( in comparison of Eternity ) since Noah hath produc'd .

CHAP. II. Rules to be observed in writing History .

HIstory being a true Narration for Benefit of Posterity , interwoven with many memorable Events either of Peace or War , ought to be attempted without Rules and Art . An Historian is not to be guided implicitely by his Genius , how great soever it be : And the manner after which we commonly judge of History sufficiently shews that of all Works of the Mind , none require so great Attention and so exact a Method .

Nevertheless the Rules I here set down , are not intended for those that shall write History for the future , but only for Youth that shall read what is already written . Their Judgments must be elevated and plac'd as it were above the Authors they peruse , that the● may not servilely rely upon them , and believe whatever they have written to be unquestionable . On the other side it is a Fault in our Imaginations to slight the Ancients , for Wit has ever been the Growth of all Age● and all Countries ; yet at the same time it will be acknowledg'd no less a Weakness to look upon what they have left us as Miracles . We ought to treat our Ancestors neither with Submission nor Contempt , but with a just Enquiry into their Perfections and Deserts .

As the Rules I am about to give are not of my Invention , the Publick being wholly Indebted for them to the ingenious Translator of Salust , so I shall disclaim all pretence to any Merit thereby , it having been only my Business to translate the learned Preface of that judicious Critick .

History consists of two Parts , I. Narration , which is the Body of it , and whose Business is to relate impartially all remarkable Actions of this Life . And II. Political Reflections , which are its Soul , and which are to be imitated upon all Occasions .

1. Narration ought to be Brief and Concise , especially in Orations , History and Epick Poetry , because a Reader there does not care to hear that which he has already comprehended .

Scaliger has made a very false Judgment of Salust when he stiles him , Omnium Scriptorum Numerossimum ; and in my Judgment the two Seneca's , Quintilian , Aulus Gillius , Macrobius , Sidonius Apollinaris , &c. have given a much better Account of him .

Three Things contribute to Brevity of Style , 1. Genius . 2. Art . And 3. Language .

First , A strong and lively Genius is requir'd that may go through with a Work , and surmount all vulgar Eyes ; the Tokens of which are to have Thoughts and Conceptions , where Truth and Novelty are join'd .

Salust was naturally bent to Brevity ; and Cicero , on the contrary , to Copiousness , which is necessary to be known , since that for want of such Reflection , many learned Men have taken false Measures . Some , that Nature design'd to resemble Salust in his way of Writing , have nevertheless made it their Endeavours to imitate Cicero ; and others , that were born to follow Cicero , have presum'd to imitate Salust ; so that by these means both have done violence to their Genius , and lost that easy genuine Air without which it is impossible either to move or please . Yet it is absolutely necessary that an Author who enclines towards the Genius of Cicero , should read Salust , to prevent his Style from running out ; and on the contrary those that come nearest Salust , should have recourse to Cicero , when their Style is like to be broken and too concise .

To produce a compleat Work , two Things are necessary .

1. Exact Composition . And 2. Careful Revisal . That is to say , neither to compose with Negligence nor correct with Precipitation , but in both to have a principal Regard to Art . 2. Art in the Composition prevents making use of any Thing either foreign to the purpose , or unprofitable ; tho' Art be oftentimes tyranniz'd over by an Head-strong Genius , yet Correction always revenges its Quarrel , and brings a too exhuberant Genius to Reason .

Whilst a Man is Composing , he may give a loose to his Genius ; but when he comes to Revise , he must have his Eyes full of Severity . At the time of a serious ●●eflection , Art is busied in paring off Superfluities , retrenching Excursions , and enlivening Obscurities and Flatnesses .

There is a sort of Brevity which proceeds from Chance , Whimsy , and Dryness or Weakness of Conception or Genius ; but this we cannot commend ; for Brevity ought only to be the Product of Knowledge , Reflection or Judgment .

A Writer therefore must beware of too great a Restraint as a Slavery , and too great a Freedom as a pernicious Liberty .

Historical Narration nevertheless will admit of introducing more Circumstances than Oratorial , because among all the Circumstances of an Action , an Orator only makes use of those which are for his purpose : Nay , he has moreover a liberty of feigning them , where he supposes they may be understood .

Historical or speaking Pictures .

There are two sorts of Pictures : One Dumb , as Draughts and Sculptures of all kinds ; and the other Speaking , as

History , Poetry , and Oratory .

Three Things contribute to render these speaking Pictures agreeable ; 1. They must be done after the Life . 2. They must denote the Persons by the Parts of them that are most necessary to be known . And 3. They must always have chief Regard to that Action which best becomes the Person they represent .

Heroes , Harangues or Speeches .

They may be abridged and made conformable to the Style of the History , which they are made use of in , as Salust most commonly has done .

Three Duties of an Historian ,

1. To des●ribe Things . 2. To represent Actions . And 3. To relate Discourses .

Thirdly , Style or Language is to be considered , either as to 1. The Action . 2. The Ornaments . Or 3. It s Purity .

Relating to Action , it is 1. Sublime . 2. Indifferent . And 3. Low or Humble .

In regard of Ornaments , the first place is given to

1. The Indifferent . 2. The Sublime . And 3. The Low or Humble .

In regard of Purity , the chief Rank is bestowed on The Low or Humble Style .

This last Style is what an Historian ought to make use of , being least warm , and consequently more comely , since a Mind that it is not embarassed with any Passion , is more capable of adorning its Discourse ; for that long Calm which reigns throughout the whole Course of History , would infallibly tire instead of pleasing us , if it were not sometimes quickned and enlivened by a briskness of Style and variety of Figures . But at the same time others say of History , O nari Res ipsa negat , Contenta Doceri .

An eloquent Oration , like a Race or a Combat , has an Influence over its Auditor suitable to the force it bears ; when , on the contrary , History rather resembles a calm Walk , or to say better , a long Voyage , where if its Reader does not meet with either Pleasure or Profit in the Way , he soon grows weary and dissatisfied .

An Historian is obliged to set Truth in its best Light , which is an hard Task and requires no common Capacity .

II. Politick Reflections are to be always practis'd , for what good will reading do a Man if he makes no use of it ? To effect this , a Reader must neither be sway'd by ridiculous Niceties nor metaphysical Whimsies , both which have commonly little or nothing in them .

He must not be one of those over-curious Politicians who often lose their Way while they seek too many Roads , and who change all their Paths into Labyrinths , by stuffing their Heads with Chimerical Notions , and preferring the false Lustre of Imagination , to the true Light of Reason . He must view things as they are ▪ Paint them as they seem ; and in fine , judge of them according to the Draught he has made of them . He must likewise know something of the Heart of Man , and therefore make no slight enquiry into its Passions .

Politick Reflections may be of benefit to Posterity which often require the same Observations ; for Humane Affairs have all their Turns and Forms , and commonly come about to the same Point where they first began .

Politicks must be Just , Noble , Candid and Gene●rous ; yet tho' they have all these Qualifications the● will nevertheless require no ordinary Management to make them agreeable in History , where they ought to be rang'd with a great deal of Precaution and Prudence ▪ But above all , Politick Reflections are to be made conformable to the Rules of Justice and Magnanimity .

1. Three ways of making Politicks go down in History .

1. By way of Relation ; as , Too great Credulity was fatal to such a Prince . 2. By way of Proposition ; as , Credulity is always Pernicious to such as give themselves up too much to it . 3. By way of Rule or Maxim ; as , Men ought to avoid being too Credulous for fear of incurring , the Hazards which always attend that Folly .

The first of these is most conformable to the business of History , as being less Dogmatical and more Instructive ; for Political and Moral Instruct●on ought always to appear very humble in History ; yet , when Princes , Heroes , Generals and Magistrates are introduc'd , they are too keep up their several Characters . But when the Historian himself speaks , his Style is to be only Simple and Narrative .

2. What the Historian ought farther to observe in relation to Politicks .

1. He ought to make his Politicks keep pace with his Narration . And 2. That they be inseperable , and that one be made to proceed from the other .

He that shall observe these Rules , will never fail to please , altho' oftentimes Declaimers seem more eloquent than Orat●rs , and Sophists more knowing than Philosophers .

As to the rest , a Reader is to be instructed without being digsusted and cloy'd . It is necessary only to shew him the Way , without leading him always by the Hand . It is sufficient to give him a View , without obliging him to thrust his Nose upon a Thing . And finally , the best way to make any Man learn what is either excellent or useful , were to persuade him that he must needs know it already , whereby he might avoid the Scandal of Ignorance , and you the Imputation of Vanity .

Partiality , how well soever managed , will ever be prejudicial to History , and therefore that Rock ought principally to be avoided ; which may easily be , by help of a little Justice or Knowledge . Non probandi sunt Historici qui se suamque Gentem semper in Capitolis locant ; Exteros vero & Hostes suos semper Vituperant . Eusebius .

Thus I have furnish'd Historians with excellent Rules , and which ought to be seriously perused before any attempt the reading of History , because thereby an Authors Merit may be scan'd and trac'd , both when he has either follow'd or neglected the Precepts of Art . And whereas most are tickled by an unmerciful Criticism on other Mens Works , these Rules will guide them rather to the finding out of new Charms in Historians .

CHAP III. The manner of studying History . Of the Four Ancient Monarchies ; and of the different kinds of Political Government .

ALthough several Dishes be requir'd to make up a great Feast , yet it is certain there would be nothing more disagreeable than to serve them up in Disorder . So it is not sufficient to have heap'd up a great many Histories , unless a Man be able to know which he should choose first , to proceed methodically in a Study of so vast Extent .

I. The first Thing which ought to be observ'd to read History methodically , would be to begin with the easiest , and proceed to the more difficult by degrees . This Method , which we have already so heartily recommended , is what Geometricians call Analysis .

I cannot but admire that Bodin , who compos'd his Method for reading History about the Year 1566. that is , at a time when no Body ever dreamt of Geometry's proving a Help to other Studies , should be so well acquainted with the great Importance of it , even long before Descartes . He required an Analysis to be first perused by the young Student of Universal History . Vt igitur plena sit & facilis Historiarum Scientia , principio adhibeatur praestans illa docendarum Artium Magistra quae dicitur Analysis . He farther adds , That an Analysis is the most excellent Method that can be followed , since that by dividing and sub-dividing a Subject into different parts , it soon leads to a perfect Knowledge of the whole .

So that to comply with the Observations of Bodin , one must necessarily begin with the reading of an Author who presents us only with simple ▪ Ideas and general Notions , which we may the easier comprehend , and where we may find every thing rang'd according to order of time , being a Chronological Account of Events , which we commonly term The Thread of History ; without which we might soon be at a loss in the Labyrinth of so many Ages that have been from the begining of the World .

It would likewise be absolutely necessary never to read any of these Abridgments before we are well vers'd in Chronological Tables , such as Lipsius would have made , or such as we have spoken of before . It is unconceivable how great assistance this would prove in the study of History . Events would then soon place themselves in the Conception , and follow that Order in our Memories which we have read them in : When without this Method we confound our selves , and being once put into this disorder , we rarely or never get free of it . Which made Bodin boldly affirm , That it was impossible for any body to comprehend the particular System of any M●narchy , without having been first made acquainted with the grounds of Vniversal History by a Chronological Table . It a non minus errant qui singulas Historias prius Intelligere se posse putant quam universae Historiae omniumque Temporum Ordinem ac Seriem velut in Tabula proposita viderint , Bodin Cap. 2. p. 23.

The same Rule must be observ'd in reading the particular History of any Country , where special regard must be had to the Chronology of its Kings , the Beginning , Progress , and several Changes which have hapned in that Government , after the manner as we have hereafter express'd .

Analysis , which ought to be so strictly followed in reading of Universal History , is no less to be observ'd in the Study of any peculiar History . We must begin with that Historian first who comprehends all in few Words ; next proceed to a more copious Author ; and at length we may undertake those that have omitted nothing which might render their History compleat .

The like Method is to be follow'd in reading particular History , which is to begin with some very plain and easie Abridgment . Bodin would have the Study of the Roman History to be begun by Sextus Rufus , who in ●our or five Pages gives a general Idea of the State of Rome , even down to his Time . This he makes to follow the Epitome of Florus , next Eutropius , and afterwards Livy .

This Method of Bodin is not to be found fault with ; yet that which I am about to lay down is unquestionably more beneficial ; for when I would speak of any Monarchy , I immediately look after the several Changes which have happen'd in its Government , whereof I pitch upon the most Remarkable to serve me as so many Epochas to describe that Monarchy under . For Example , When I have a mind to give an Idea of the Roman Empire , I divide it into Seven different Estates , which serve as so many Ages : Then I pursue it from its very Origine or Rise , through all its various Changes , and at lengh bring it to its Catastrophe to perish in Germany , where it scarce now retains the shadow of what it has formerly been . Before we read any Roman Historian , it is absolutely necessary we should be throughly acquainted with all these Seven Alterations which that Empire has undergon . Whereof The First was under its Kings . 2. Under its Consuls . 3. Under its Emperors . 4. Under the Goths and Vandals . 5. Under the Lombards . 6. Under the French Emperors . And 7. Under the German Emperors .

The History of the People of God under the Law , 〈◊〉 what every Person ought to be acquainted with ; and whereof I have met with the most lucky Division that can possibly be , to instruct Youth to a primary Knowledge of the Affairs of the Iew. I consider that People under 4 Species of Governments . Which are

1. Patriarchal , under 22 Patriarchs . 2. Iudiciary , under 22 Iudges . 3. Regal , under 22 Kings . and 4. Sacerdotal , during the Government of the 22 Ancestors of our Saviour Christ ; as hereafter shall more at large appear .

I must own I have not had the like success in my Division of any of the Monarchies ; but still I have this to say , That I have endeavour'd to make none bu● such as were Natural , and which I have drawn either out of their Histories , the Nature of their Governments , or the several Families that have Reign'd .

After being thus prepossess'd with these plain and simple Ideas , we proceed to read History with the greatest Pleasure and Satisfaction imaginable ; for then we can easily digest all the Circumstances of Time , Place , Persons , Manners , &c.

That our Memories may never want assistance , we should always have a Map of the Country before us when we read any History , which may not improperly be call'd Local Memory . We have already seen how useful a Chronological Table is ; and here we may be satisfied that a Geographical Map is much more necessary . The elder Vossius said very well in the beginning of his Chronological Dissertations , That Chronology and Geography , were two inseparable Sisters , and the two Eyes of History , without which she must inevitably be either Blind or very Obscure .

If I were oblig'd to give the Preference to one of these two , It should be to Geography . Boden says , That if any thing be requir'd to prepare a Man for reading History , it must be Geography : Vt si Ars ulla Historico necessaria sit , profecto Geographia summe necessaria Videtur . Cap. 2. pag. 21.

When one is throughly acquainted with the Time and Place , when and where Matters have been transacted , it is almost impossible to forget them ; when the other Circumstances of History do not make the like lively Impressions .

What I have hitherto laid down for a Method in reading History , would not be alone sufficient if any extraordinary Progress were intended . What I have still to add , is the last part of our Method ; which is to Collect all the Maxims and Examples by way of common Place .

What I take to be a Master-stroke in the Art of reading History , is to range under different Titles the most considerable Passages which we meet with . This is the great Secret , and whereby we may dive in●o the profoundest Depths , and reach the widest Exttent .

These Common Places I speak of would be of continual Assistance to us , to guide us in the many different Courses and Occurrences of Life . We may thereby benefit by all that the Ancients either did or said , as by the greatness of their Designs , their Pathetical Expressions and noble Actions ; for all human Affairs may be reduc'd to these three Heads , which are either to Think , to Say , and to Do. Conformable to which our Collections may be divided into three several Books ; whereof The 1. should contain the Designs . The 2. the Expressions . And The 3. the Actions .

Each of these Books may be sub-divided into divers Chapters , so that one might be allotted for the Designs that relate to Politicks and the Government of States ; the other for such as relate to Discipline and the Reformation of Manners ; and the Third for those that appertain particularly to the Affairs of War .

As to Expressions , they are of several kinds , and which ought all to have a particular Place assign'd them .

Lastly , Actions may be sub-divided into Virtues and Vices , as they are to be found in Ethicks .

I have said all this only to have an Order observed in Remarks : As to the rest every one ought to be le●● to the bent of his Genius , and to dispose his Studies and Observations according to his peculiar Condition and Ideas . One whose Genius enclines him to War , will be mov'd at a hundred Passages , which a Lawyer o● Divine will take little or no Notice of . In a word , There are as many different Minds in the World , as there are Callings and Professions .

However , he that makes these Collections , must be sure to have a principal Regard to Time and Place .

If it were my Business here to shew the Advantages of this manner of Study , it would be easy for me prove that a Man must infallibly grow learned by the observing of it , and that there have always been a great number of excellent Proficients in all Sciences , who have arriv'd to those degrees of Knowledge meerly by a Methodical Common Place-book , for there a Man at once reaps the Benefit of what had cost him before so many Years Labour .

Not to interrupt the course of his Reading , he need not immediately enter his Remarks , but make some short Notes on the Margin of the Book he reads ▪ and afterwards transcribe them into his Common Places , which will produce another Advantage ; for by this second Reading he must undoubtedly engraft them the deeper into his Memory .

But here a great deal of Care must be taken to reject Minutia , Trifles , which contribute nothing to the Benefit of the Publick ; which ought to be the chief end propos'd in reading History . Hoc est illud praecipue in cognitione rerum Salubre & Frugiferum , omnis te exempli documenta in illustri posita Monumenta intueri : Vnde tibi tuaeque Reipublicae quod imitere capias ; inde faedum exitu , quod vites . [ Liv. lib. 1. Hist.

I would here conclude this Chapter , did I not foresee two Observations which it is necessary Youth should be acquainted with .

OBSERVATION I. Vpon the Four Monarchies .

There is a very considerable Error crept into Chronology and History which relates to the placing of the Four Monarchies , for they are commonly thought to have succeeded each other immediately . As first , the Assyrian Empire is supposed to end with Sardanapalu● , and then the Median to succeed to all the Power of the Assyrians , which is not true ; for altho' A●baces caus'd the Medians to revolt from Sardanapalus , whom he consequently freed from the Yoke of the Assy●ians , yet the Assyrian Empire continu'd after this for near 150 Years , to the time that Cyrus the Great ruin'd it by the taking of Babylon . What remain'd of the Assyrian Monarchy after the death of Sardanapalus , was term'd the second Assyrian Empire ; which altho' it was altogether unknown to the Greeks , yet it is nevertheless famous in Holy Scripture .

The like Fault is committed in regard to the Mede● and Persians , of which the Bishop of Meaux speaks thus .

As to what relates to the Monarchy of the Medians , which the greatest part of Prophane Historians place in the second Rank , and separate from that of the Persians , it is certain that the Holy Scripture unites them together ; and over and above the Authority of these Holy Books , the bare Order of Matters require it should be so . The Medes , before Cyrus , altho' they were powerful and very considerable , yet were they totally eclips'd by the Grandeur of the Babylonish Kings ; but Cyrus having conquer'd their Kingdom , by the united Force of the Medes and Persians , and to which afterwards he came to be the lawful Successor , as we have observ'd after Zenophon ; that Great Empire , whereof he was the Founder , ought reasonably to take its Name from those two Nations , altho' the Glory of Cyrus has occasion'd that of the Persians to be prefer'd . Also it may well be imagin'd that , before the War with Babylon , the Median Kings having extended their Conquests all over the Greek Colonies of Lesser Asia , might have been exceedingly famous among the Greeks , who consequently might have attributed the Empire of all Asia to them , inasmuch as they were then acquainted with no other Eastern Kings ; for the Kings of Nineveh and Babylon , who have been more Potent , have scarce been so much as mention'd in those Remains we have of the Greek Historians ; when all that was considerable from the time of Sardanapalus to that of Cyrus , was wholly ascrib'd by them to the Medes .

Bodin imploys all the 7th Chapter of his Method to refute those that make the Four Empires of the Assyrians , Persians , Greeks and Romans , to succeed immediately to each other , and who likewise pretend that those Monarchies were figured to us by the Four Beasts , and the Statue compos'd of Four Metals , spoken of by the Prophet Daniel , and which they also affirm are to continue to the end of the World . But here Bodin finds no great difficulty to demonstrate that the Roman Empire , which was the last of the Four , came to a Period under Augustulus in the Year 475. and that from thenceforward it was never more able to re-establish it self ; for it is most absurd to imagine the present German Empire to be the same with the Roman , as appears by the ancient and modern Bounds ; for the Roman Empire in the time of Trajan , according to Sixtus Rufus , was bounded on the North by the Danube and the O●cades , on the West by the Isle of Cadiz , on the East by the Euphrates , and on the South is contain'd all that was then known to be habitable in Africa ; to which Trajan added moreover his Conquests in Mesopotamia and Arabia Felix ; whereas at this Day what is call'd the Empire of the Romans , scarce comprehends the hundredth part of that . All Asia , as every Body knows , is now under the Turk , Persian , M●gul , &c. and Rome has nothing left to boast of in Africk , England , France , Spain , Portugal , Denmark , &c. with all Greece , and the neighbouring Countries ; as likewise Sicily , Sardinia , &c. are now fell off from that Empire , and are long since become New States , under several potent and formidable Kings . Italy , which was the first Patrimony of the Roman Empire , is at this Day subject to divers Princes ; and Rome it self under the absolute Dominion of the Pope .

Father M. Lomejer has lately maintained , That the Four Sovereign Monarchies , boasted of by so many Authors , did not take up all that space of time , from the building of the Tower of Babel to their supposed Conclusion ; for he pretends that there were other Monarchies both before and after these , as likewise several considerable Empires which flourished at the same time with them .

The Image which Nebuchodonosor saw in a Dream , did not foretel the Four pretended Monarchies , seeing that David , who expounded this Dream , says , That the first should be the Empire of Nebuchodonosor , whose Reign would be the most Glorious , for that afterwards the others would decrease by little and little till they came to be of small Note . And moreover the Assyrian Empire was in its declension , when Daniel expounded Nebuchodonosor's Vision .

By all that has been observed we may collect , That those who lay down the Successions of the Four Monarchies for a Ground of Universal History , may build upon a deceitful Foundation .

OBSERVATION II. Vpon the several kinds of Government .

As there is frequent occasion to speak of Empires , Monarchies , Republicks , Aristocracies , &c. in History ; and as it may happen that they may not always be rightly understood , I do not think it amiss to give some general Ideas of them ; and first of

I. Theocracy , which is when a State is govern'd by the sole Power and Will of God . For Example ; The ancient Government of the Iews was a The●cracy , as Iosephus observes ; for God there administred all Matters relating to a Sovereignty . For 1. He gave them Laws which were either Political , Ceremonial or Moral . 2. He denounc'd War , order'd their Camps , and nam'd their Generals . 3. He created their Magistrates , appointed them Judges even to Saul's time , who were then , as it were , his Viceroys ; and moreover it was by his Order that Samuel consecrated Saul King of Israel .

Thus we see God was pleased to be a Monarch and Sovereign , Judge and Arbiter over the Iews ; but this Theocracy or Divine Government lasted only to the time of Saul , when that State became Monarchical .

There was formerly a sort of imaginary Theocracy at Athens , during the time that Medon and Nileus , Sons of Codrus , disputed that Government between them ; for the Athenians having suffered much by that War , would by no means afterwards admit a King among them , and therefore declared Iupiter sole King of the People of Athens . It was about the same time that the Iews requested a King of God .

II. Monarchy is when a State is govern'd by the Supream Power of one King , such as France , England , Spain , &c.

III Despotick Government is where a Prince is accountable to none for what he does : Such as this , is the Government of the Grand Signior , &c.

IV. Aristocracy is a Political Government , manag'd by a set number of Nobles ; Venice , Genoa , &c. have this kind of Government .

V. Democracy is a Government where the People have all the Authority . Old Rome and Athens flourish'd under this kind of Republick .

VI. Oligarchy is the Government of a Few ; of which kind at p●●●ent , are Venice and Genoa .

VII . Ochlocracy is where the Mob dispose of all at pleasure .

CHAP. IV. Divisions of History .

THERE are great Disputes among the Schools how to divide History ; but we do not think fit to be engag'd in either of their Quarrels , looking upon them as frivolous and of no consequence ; and therefore content our selves with affirming

1. That Iustus Lipsius , [ Epist. 61. Cent. Miscel. ] who divides History into 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , that is , true , and fabulous or Poetical History , is not to be followed , inasmuch as Poetical Fictions and Relations have nothing in the least to do in what we call History . Aristotle , de re Poetica , says , That History differs from Poetry , in that the former relates Things as they truly are or have been ; and on the contrary , the latter only represents what they might or ought to be .

2. That Bodin is not to be imitated in placing natural History , which properly appertains to Physick , among the Species of History .

3. That Keckerman , who examin'd so nicely into these foregoing great Men , instead of reforming them , falls of a sudden into Grammatical Trifles and Logical Punctilio's , which will be regarded no more by Men of sound Sense than his tedious Divisions and Sub-divisions of History , in which it is impossible to follow him without quickly losing Sight of him . We have endeavoured to take a more direct Course , which is by dividing History into 1. Ecclesiastical . And 2. Civil .

Ecclesiastical History informs us of what has hapned in the State of Religion . And

Civil History gives an Account of Occurrences in the Civil State . This Division is founded upon the admirable Theology of St. Austin , in his Method of dividing the Holy Books and all the History of the Church . He says , That there have always been two Cities in the World , which are the City of God , and the City of the World , and which are remark'd in these two Brothers , Abel and Cain , whereof Abel is the Image of the Citizens of God , and Cain of those of the World ; the former the Younger , the latter the Elder ; because Man did not become a Citizen of Heaven , but through Grace , when he was born a Citizen of the World . [ St. Austin in Psal. 61. de Civitate Dei , lib. 15. cap. 1.

Thus all History consists only in representing to us the different Events and Passages which have ever hapned in these two opposite Cities .

The History which treats of the City of God has been ever carefully preserved in the World , and is divided into the Church of the Iews ; and the Church of the Christians , of the New Testament . The Christian Church may be sub-divided into several Particulars ; as the Churches of every Patriarchate , Kingdom , Province , Diocess , &c.

The History which treats of the City of the World is the Civil , which may be divided into the Histories of the Monarchies and Republicks that have been before our Saviour Christ , and the History of the Monarchies and Republicks that have come after him . Every Monarchy and every Republick compose many particular Histories .

Divisions of History . Universal History comprehends what has hapned In the City of God . Universal History comprehends what has hapned In the City of the World . 1. The City of God , under The Old Testament . 1. The City of God , under The New Testament . The New Testament , The Latin Church , &c. The New Testament , The Greek Church , &c. 2. The City of the World , comprehends Monarchies and Republicks before Ies. Christ . & 2. The City of the World , comprehends Monarchies and Republicks after Iesus Christ .

To be convinced of the Necessity of thus dividing History , in relation both to the Church and to Monarchies , we are to remember that Maxim which says , That we must never wander out of the Road in this Study : As also , that the principal Design of God Almighty , in the Creation of the World , was the Foundation , Conservation and Sanctification of his Church ; likewise , that the World subsists by no other Means but by those of the Church ; and moreover , that whatever is excellent and admirable either in the Establishment or Revolution of Empires , is chiefly occasion'd by the Church .

If this be so , it is necessary of course to have Ecclesiastical Matters keep pace with those of Monarchies , and not to separate the History of the City of God , from that of the City of the World . This the Bishop of Meaux speaks admirably well of in his Treatise of Universal History . These Monarchies ( says he ) have for the most part a necessary connection with the History of the People of God , for God made use of the Assyrians and Babylonians to chastize his People ; of the Persians to re-establish them ; of Alexander and his first Successors to Protect them ; of the famous Antiochus and his Successors to keep them Employ'd ; and of the Romans to Defend them against the Kings of Syria , who were then ready to destroy them . Vnder the Romans the Jews continu'd to the coming of Iesus Christ , whom , when they had Slighted and Crucify'd , these same Romans gave their Assistance ( tho' without de●igning it ) to the divine Vengeance , to exterminate this ungrateful Nation . God , who had then determin'd to gather together a new People from all parts of the Earth , first rang'd them under the Dominion of the Roman Empire , which afterwards prov●d the principal means to encrease the course of the Gospel . Tho' this same Roman Empire persecuted this new People for above 300 Years , yet that Persecution serv'd only t● confirm the Christian Faith , and to make it shine the brighter by the Fortitude and Patience of its Professors . But at length this Empire , finding it had to deal with something more invincible than it self , was forc'd to yield , and receive into its Bosom that very Church , which before it had so long and so cruelly persecuted ; whence it follow'd that those Emperors did all that lay in their Power to make that Church Vniversally acknowledg'd , which Iesus Christ had founded ; and Rome became thenceforward Metropolis of the Spiritual Empire . Also when the time was come that the Roman Power , which had vainly boasted it self of Eternity , was to undergo the Fate of other Empires , Rome , tho' become a Prey to Barbarians , yet preserv'd its ancient Grandeur by means of Religion ; for those Nations , who had Conquer'd the Romans , having by little and little softned their Manners by the observation of Christian Piety , their Kings thought none of their Titles so glorious , as that of being Protectors of the Christian Church .

Thus the Empires of the World have been serviceable to Religion , and have preserv'd the People of God ; wherefore that same God which had caus'd his Prophets to foretel the divers Conditions of his People , made them also Prophecy of the Succession of Empires . You are acquainted with those places where Nebuchodonosor was mark'd out to Punish the Pride of the People , especially of the Jews , who approv'd themselves so ungrateful towards their Creator . You have also ( no doubt ) observ'd Cyrus nam'd 200 Years before his Birth , to re-establish the People of God , and to chastize the Arrogance of Babylon . The destruction of Nineveh likewise was not foretold with less certainty . Daniel in his wonderful Visions has briefly , but fully represented to us the Babylonish Empire , together with that of the Medes , Persians and Greeks . The Blasphemies and Persecutions of Antiochus , were also Prophesied of , as well as the miraculous Victories the People of God gain'd over that cruel Tyrant . In these Prophets you may find all these famous Monarchies come to nothing by little and little , and the new Empire of Iesus Christ to be so expresly Characteriz'd , that there is no reason to doubt of its being meant , as by Name , of the Kingdom of the most High ; the Kingdom of the Son of Man , &c. being Pronounc'd to be a Kingdom that should subsist even in the midst of the Ruin of all others and to which alone Eternity was promised .

God therefore , who made use of so many different Nations to Chastize , Employ , Enlarge or Protect his People , having a mind to be known for the Author thereof , discover'd the great Secret to his Prophets , and caus'd them to foretel it before he put it in Execution . Whereupon these Empires , being made Partners with the Designs of God , their Fate has been foretold by the same Oracles of the Holy Spirit , which Prophesied of the Succession of the faithful People .

Nothing demonstrates better the necessary Relation between Sacred and Profane History , than this excellent Discourse of the Bishop of Meaux , where we may observe the proceedings of God in the Revolution of Empires , and by what means the Almighty Wisdom brings his Ends about , even in those Matters where we think either our Prudence or Policy has had the larger share . I would gladly have all Youth learn by Heart as much , at least , of this admirable Discourse , as we have just mention'd ; for thereby they may be able to unravel ( if I may so say ) all the Intrigues betwixt God and Man , and discover the first Principles of all Affairs which History has handed down to us . Profane Historians have always fill'd us with confus'd Ideas ; but the Bishop of Meaux has demonstrated the Hand of God to have set all the Springs of Causes at work , and that for the peculiar end of Preserving and Sanctifying his People . Men , misguided by their Passions , think all must be related in History that contributes to satisfy either their Avarice or Ambition ; but they are deceiv'd , for like Children they only see the Wheels of the Movements , without being able to guess at the Mechanism and Causes of them . The Sanctification of the Church , is the secret Spring of all that has hapned most considerable in the World from its Creation ; and the Fall and Rise of Empires is the Mechanism of the Almighty .

Altho' we cannot always discover what share God has had in certain Affairs , yet it must never be deny'd that he has had any . Who could ever have imagin'd that the Grandeur of the Roman Empire , which we commonly look upon as an effect of the great Wisdom and Valour of the Romans , should have ever contributed towards the publication of the Gospel , and the glory of the Church ?

In a word , there might have been only one History , which should have been that of the City of God , where Empires and Dominions might have been brought in as so many Incidents and Episodes , which have only collateral Relation to the History of the Church . Nevertheless , as the Devil will always have a share in humane Affairs ; and that S. Austin , together with the Holy Scriptures , attribute to him a Power over the Kingdoms of the World ; we divide History into Ecclesiastical for the Affairs of the Church , and into Civil for the Affairs of Empires and Republicks . We make no use of the Word Profane , as being improper for the History of Christian Kingdoms , whose Kings are the Protectors and Cherishers of the Church .

This I presume may be sufficient to justify my preferring this Division of History , to that of all others which have treated on the same Subject .

ARTICLE I. The Authority of the History of The People of God , contain'd in the Books of the Old and New Testament .

THE History of the Iews is contain'd in the Books of the Old Testament , which is sufficient to convince any Christian that it is unquestionable , and will never admit of any Doubt . Yet it is not to my purpose to quote any Fathers hereupon , or to shew what they have advanc'd , in their Disputes against the Pagans , to prove the Truth and Divinity of the Bible , those Matters being to be met with in the Books of such Doctors as have writ upon that Subject .

Nevertheless , as it is chiefly at Genesis that the Deists and Atheists level their Criticisms , it would not be amiss to say something in vindication of that Holy Book , and the rather , because the History therein contain'd being once establish'd , all the other parts of Religion necessarily follow on course .

1. Then it is certain that Moses was Author of the Book of Genesis . Nay more positive [ says du Pin in the first Tome of his History of Ecclesiastical Writers , speaking of this Book ] than that either Homer was Author of the Iliads and Odysses , or Herodotus or Thucydides of those Histories that are ascrib'd to them . The Holy Bible ( continues he afterwards ) teaches me that Moses was Author of the Pentateuch . Thus are the Five Books of Moses call'd , of which Genesis is the First . Iesus Christ ( proceeds Dupin ) and the Apostles have assur'd me as much ; ancient Authors concur in the same Opinion , and all other People agree with them , &c. We may find in the same Book a number of Witnesses to evince this Truth , of which some were Iews , others Christians and others Pagans ; all which positively affirm that Moses writ the Book of Genesis and all the rest of the Pentateuch .

2. Moses , without dispute , was a much more ancient Writer than any of those Authors who have acquir'd so great Reputation in the World , and procur'd Greece the Title of The Mother of Sciences and Arts ; for he liv'd near 500 Years before Homer , 800 before the Philosopher Thales , who writ the first concerning Nature ; 900 before Pythagoras , and above 1100 before either Socrates , Plato or Aristotle , who have been the most celebrated and chief Masters of all the Wisdom of Greece . [ Preface to the French Translation of Genesis . ]

3. It is true that Moses writ the History of the Creation a long time after it ; since that he writ Genesis , it may be , about the Year of the World 2550. But this ought not to gravel any Man of Sense , for when once he has conceived that M●ses foresaw future Things , through the Spirit of God which revealed them to him , it will not be hard to believe , that he was also Inspired with those that were past and before his Days .

This History also may be very well establish'd , without having any recourse to Revelation ; for it is possible Moses might have said to those of his Time , I am resolved to write of the Transactions from the beginning of the World to this Day ; and of which , I believe , no Body can be better inform'd than my self ; for Amram my Father has often said to me , Son , I will relate to you all the History of the World down even to us , according as I have learnt it from Levi my Grandfather , who had what he told me from Isaac his Grandfather , with whom he liv'd 33 Years . And as for what relates to Isaac , he might have heard all what he told Levi from Sem , with whom he liv'd also 50 Years . Now nothing can be more probable , than that Sem might say to Isaac after this manner ; You may safely believe what I tell you about the Deluge , since I have been an Eye-witness of all I pretend to know . And you ought likewise to believe me , when I acquaint you about the Creation of the World , and of all what relates to Adam , since I liv'd near 100 Years with Methusalem , my Great Grandfather , who learnt all these Matters from Adam himself , with whom he liv'd 243 Years . So that between Isaac and Adam there are but two Persons , Mathusalem and Sem ; and then between Isaac , and Moses his Father , there is only one more , who is Levi. Insomuch that to speak plainly , without having Recourse to Supernatural Proofs , never any History deserv'd greater Credit than that of Genesis .

ATABLEOftheHereditaryandDomestickTraditionsofthePatriarchs,whomightreasonablybepresum'dtoInstructoneanotherfromAdamevendowntoMoses. Born in the Year of the World . Liv'd Years . Dy'd in the Year of the World . Adam liv'd 143 Years with 1. 930. 930. Mathusalem liv'd 98 Years with 687. 969. 1656. Sem , who liv'd 50 Years with 1558. 600. 2158. Isaac , who liv'd 33 Years with 2108. 180. 2288. Levi , who liv'd a long time with 2255. 137. 2392.

Amram Grandson of Levi , whom no doubt he had seen ; since this Amram was Father of Moses , who was born only 41 Years after the Death of Levi.

It is certain that Moses writ nothing but what was within the Memory of Man , since he was only removed from Adam about Four or Five Generations . Between Adam and Isaac there are but two Persons , Methusalem and Sem ; and between Isaac and Amram the Father of Moses , there is but one , who is Levi.

It follows therefore that Adam , Methusalem , Sem , Isaac , Levi , and Amram the Father of Moses , have successively convers'd with and instructed each other in the History of the World ( which was then only that of their several Families ) especially at a time when there were no other Histories which Men might apply themselves to , or divert themselves with .

It is not my Design here to confute the several Objections which the Enemies both of the Iewish and Christian Religion have rais'd against the Pentateuch , and other Books of the Bible . That is altogether foreign to my purpose , and would engage me so deep in Theological Disputes , that I should quickly lose Sight of my Introduction to History . Any one may be satisfied by Monsieur Huetius Bishop of Auranches , his learned Treatise concerning Evangelical Demonstration ; or the famous Father Simon 's Book of the Inspiration of the Sacred Writers , what might be answer'd to the frivolous Arguments which Spinosa , who liv'd some short time in Holland , brought in his trifling Treatise call'd Tractatus Theologico-Politicus , against the Truth and Divinity of the Holy Bible . This Author , tho' born a Iew , falls nevertheless very severely upon Judaism , without shewing at the same time any great kindness for Christianity . So that we may reasonably infer , That his Design was to abolish all Religion , particularly the Iewish and Christian , and establish Atheism and Libertinism , leaving every Body to their liberty of believing what they pleas'd , providing at the same time they prov'd no Disturbance to the Common-wealth . But Father Simon has sufficiently demonstrated , That this Spinosa was a Blockhead , and that he understood neither the Criticks of the Scripture , nor the Learning of the Iews .

In a Word ▪ what I have said particularly of Genesis , may suffice to Imprint in us a more than ordinary Idea of the Authority and Divinity of this Book , which is the sole Foundation of all the rest of the Bible .

The Order of the Books of the Old and New Testament .

First , the Old Testament consists of 45 Books .

I. Genesis comprehends the History of the Creation of the World , the Lives of the Patriarchs , the Deluge , the Genealogy of the Offspring of Noah down to Ioseph , and , in short , all the History of 2369 Years .

II. Exodus , so call'd from its giving an Account of the coming of the People of Israel out of Egypt , contains likewise the Transactions of Moses in the Desert ; how God gave the Laws of the Decalogue to the People ▪ and whatever hapned during the space of 145 Years , from the Death of Ioseph to the building of the Tabernacle .

III. Leviticus , which contains the Laws , Ceremonies and Sacrifices of the Jewish Religion ; the perpetual Fire , distinguishing Beasts , clean from unclean ; and many other Things , of which the Inspection and Management belong'd peculiarly to the Levites .

IV. Numbers , where is to be found the numbering of the People of Israel after they came out of Egypt , with their History of 39 Years till they went into the Desert .

V. Deuteronomy , that is , The Second Law ; not that Moses then gave a different Law from what he had before published on Mount Sinai , but because he therein renewed it to the Children of such as dy'd in the Desert .

These are the Five Books of Moses , call'd the Pentate●ch , and which contain the History of 2552 Years and an half , computed from the Creation of the World .

VI. Ioshua . 'T is commonly thought Ioshua himself was Author of this Book . It comprehends the History of 17 Years , to be reckon'd from the death of Moses to that of Ioshua .

VII . Iudges . It is not certainly known who compil'd this Book , tho' some ascribe it to Samuel . It represents the Republick of the Iews under the Dominion of Iudges , counting from the death of Ioshua to that of Sampson . It contains a Series of History of , it may be , 317 Years ; that is to say , from the Year of the World 2570 to 2887. Therein the Israelites are to be found groaning under very severe Hardships , God having delivered them over to the Power of their Enemies , for the Punishment of their Idolatries .

VIII . Ruth . This Book , whose Author is not known , contains an Example of uncommon Piety , and of the singular Providence of God . Ruth , a Moabitish Woman , being not willing to forsake her Mother-in-Law , follows her till she comes into her own Country , where God so employs his Providence for the Welfare of Ruth , that she marries for her second Husband , Boas a very rich Man of that Country , and becomes Mother of Obed , Grand-father of David , from whom our Saviour Iesus Christ descended according to the Flesh. There is no doubt but this History of Ruth hapned in the time of the Iudges . 'T is said to be during the Administration of Samgar , about 28 Years after the death of Ioshua .

IX . The first Book of Samuel contains all that passed under the Governments of Heli and Samuel , as likewise under the Reign of Saul , for about the space of 101 Years ; that is , from the Year of the World 2848 , to 2949.

X. The second Book of Samuel comprehends all the Reign of David during 40 Years .

XI . The First Book of Kings contains the History of Solomon's Reign , as likewise how his Kingdom was divided after his Death . Afterwards it treats of Four Kigns of Iuda . There is in this Book a Series of History , for the space of 126 Years .

XII . The Second Book of Kings contains the several Reigns of 12 Kings of Israel , to the Destruction of that Kingdom ; and of 16 Kings of Iuda , to the Captivity of Babylon . This Book also relates wonderful Things of Elijah , and Elisha his Companion . It contains in all the History of 308 Years .

The Author of the First and Second Books of Kings is unknown ; but all together include the space of 597 Years .

XIII . The First Book of the Paralipomenes or Chronicles .

XIV . The Second Book of the Paralipomenes or Chronicles . These two Books are so nam'd , because they contain the Acts and other Circumstances which had been omitted in the foregoing Historical Books . This Second ends at the Year of the World 3468. where ended likewise the 70 Years of Captivity , when Cyrus gave Liberty to the People of Iuda to return into their own Country , to build their Temple and the Walls of Ierusalem . 'T is commonly thought that Esdras was Author of these two Books .

XV. The First Book of Esdras , according to the common Opinion , was written by the Person whose Name it bears . It contains the History of the Captivity of the Iews , with their Deliverance and Re-establishment in Iudea , from the first Year of Cyrus his Reign to the 20th of Artaxerxes , sirnam'd the Long-handed : All which comprehends the space of 28 Years , computing from the Year of the World 3468 , to 3550.

XVI . The Second Book of Esdras was compil'd by Nehemiah . It begins at the 20th Year of Artaxerxes , and continues even to the beginning of the Reign of Darius his Son , sirnam'd the Bastard ; which comprehends the History of the Iews during 31 Years , and extends to the Year of the World 3581.

XVII . Tobit . There are those that are of Opinion that Tobit , the Father and the Son , were the Compilers of their own History ; but this carries no Authority along with it . Tobit was one of those Israelites that was transported out of Samaria by King Senacherib . This Book includes several great Examples of Virtue , and excellent Principles of Morality . You may there observe Tobit faithful to God , even under strange Trials . His Charity ; the Care he had to bury the Dead ; his Patience after he had lost his Sight ; and finally his admirable Instructions of Piety to his Son . Tobit , the Son , informs us , with what Dispositions we are to engage in Marriage . In a word , the Providence of God towards all those that put their Trust in him , shines throughout the whole course of this Book .

XVIII . Iudith . The Author of this Book is by no means known . Huetius was of Opinion , That it was writ during the Captivity in Babylon ; tho' the History of Iudith , related in this Book , hapned , according to the Opinion of the Learned , before this Captivity . Thus it is thought that this wonderful Expedit●on of that Pious Widow , who was 64 Years old when she cut off Holofernes's Head , was transacted after King Manasses was Re-establish'd . Iudith liv'd 41 Years after this bold Action , that is to say , to the Year of the World 3389. when she was 109 Years of Age.

XIX . Esther . The History of Esther hapen'd under the Reign of Darius Son of Histaspes . It is Ahasuerus who is all along mention'd in this Book . The Composure of it is attributed to Mordecai ; but it appears to me that Esther might also have had a hand in it .

XX. Iob. It is thought that this Book was first written in Arabick , and afterwards Translated into Hebrew by Moses . The History of Iob can by no means be a Fiction ; the Persons and Nations therein mention'd by their proper Names ; the several Testimonies of Tobit , Ezekiel , and S. Iames , together with the Sentiments of the ancient Fathers , ought to convince us that this Story is true . Iob was either before Moses , or else at the same time with him ; and this History probably hapned during the Israelites being in the Desert , because there is no mention made in it of the written Law .

XXI . The Psalms . These are commonly ascrib'd to David , altho' there be many that are none of his , and which have been written a long time after his Death , as well by Esdras as other Prophets .

XXII . The Proverbs of Solomon . This Book was Compos'd by him whose Name it bears , and contains excellent Precepts of Life , as well in what relates to the Service of God , as our duty towards our Neighbour .

XXIII . Ecclesiastes also belongs to Solomon . This Book decries perfectly the Vanity of the greatest Enjoyments in this World .

XXIV . The Canticles , or Song of Songs , is also of Solomon . This Book is altogether Mystical . It describes in a very lively manner the incomprehensible Love of Christ towards the Church , his Spouse , as likewise the Churches return to Christ . S. Ierom observes that among the Iews , none were suffer'd to read this Book till they had attain'd the Age of 30 Years ; so that we may say with this Father , That Solomon writ his Proverbs for those that were just entred in the Paths of Piety ; his Ecclesiastes for such as were somewhat advanc'd : But for his Canticles , they requir'd a Mind altogether elevated , and disengag'd from the Clogs of this World .

XXV . The Book of Wisdom . This Book contains the Spirit , and many other Things of Solomon ; altho' in all likelihood he was none of the Author of it . It may be divided into 3 Parts : 1. Until the VII . Chapter , it is an Exhortation to the Study and Love of Wisdom . 2. To the X. Chapter , it Explains the Origin of Wisdom . 3. All the rest , Describes the Effects and Productions of Wisdom .

XXVI . Ecclesiasticus was Compos'd in imitation of Solomon's Ecclesiastes , as may appear by the great number of Moral Sentences , almost the same with his . Iesus Son of Sirach writ it in Hebrew , whereof S. Ierom says he has seen a Copy .

The Greater Prophets .

XXVII . Isaiah , of these , is the Chief and most Excellent . He himself has collected into one Volume all the Prophecies he made under the several Reigns of Osias , Ioathan , Ahaz , Ezechias , and even to the time of Manasses , by whose Command , according to the Tradition of the Iews , he was cruelly Saw'd asunder with a wooden Saw .

XXVIII . Ieremiah Prophecy'd for 45 Years , to wit , from the third Year of King Iosias , to the fifth after the Taking of Ierusalem , and Destruction of the Temple ; that is to say , from the Year of the World 3375. to 3420. and 584 Years before the Birth of Christ . He was of the Sacerdotal Race . He always declar'd after an undaunted manner , against the Irregularities of his Time . His Style , according to S. Ierom , is Mean as to Words , but Majestick in its Thought . The Prophet Baruch was his Secretary , who in Collecting the several Prophecies which Ieremiah has made upon divers Occasions , observ'd no order of Time . This Holy Prophet was Ston'd by some impious Iews in Egypt , who were not able to bear with the freedom of his Admonitions .

XXIX . Baruch was Secretary and Disciple to Ieremiah , which does not hinder but he might be of Noble Birth , as Iosephus says he was . He says himself , that he wrote this Book of Prophesies in Babylon , but it is not exactly known at what time .

XXX . Ezechiel , of the Sacerdotal Race , was Transported under Iechonias into Babylon , where he began to Prophesie the fifth Year after his Captivity . His Book is all over full of Riddles and Figures , and which 't is thought he affected , to the end that the Caldeans might not be acquainted with the condition of Affairs among the Iews . He foretold the Deliverance of this People , the Reign of Messias , the Calling of the Gentiles , the establishing of the Church , its Victories , and the Downfall of its opposers .

XXXI . Daniel , descended of a Royal Stock , was carried , when but an Infant , a Captive into Babylon by Nebuchodonozor . He was Educated in the Learning of the Caldees for 3 Years . It was about this time that he deliver'd Susanna , accus'd by the two Vicious Elders ; and that but a little after he began to Prophesie . The Iews will not allow him a place among the Prophets , because ( say they ) he liv'd in the Babylonish Court , rather like a Courtier than a Person inspir'd by God ; nevertheless Iesus Christ himself , stiles him a Prophet .

The Twelve Minor Prophets .

XXXII . Hoseas writ all the Prophesies that go under his Name . S. Ierom finds his Style Pathetic and Sententious . He Prophesied under 4 Kings , viz. Iosiah , Ioathan , Ahaz and Hezechias . In his Prophecies he takes upon himself the Person of God . He quarrels with , punishes and repudiates the Synagogue , which he represents as if taken in Adultery , and places the Church in its stead . Thus he foretels : 1. The Reprobation of the Synagogue , and the Calling of the Church . 2. He reproves Idolatry and the other Crimes of the Israelites . And 3. He promises Mercy and Salvation to all such as shall be reclaim'd .

XXXIII . Ioel. It is no easie matter to find out what time he Prophesied . He foretels the Destruction of Ierusalem ; and under the Symbol of that City , he speaks of the Destruction of the whole World and the last Judgment .

XXXIV . Amos was a Shepherd or Herdsman of Tecoa , a poor Town . God , who never makes use of slender Abilities , chose this Person for a Prophet in the Time of Iosias King of Iuda , and Ieroboam , Son of Ioas King of Israel , two Years before that Earthquake , which hapned towards the 23d Year of Iosias's Reign , about the Year of the World 3216. and 788 Years before the Birth of Christ .

XXXV . Obadiah . It is not known about what time he Prophesied . It is thought to be this Prophet that is mention'd in the III. Book of Kings , Chapter the 18. and Verse 4. who was Governor of Ahabs House , and who nourish'd the hundred Prophets in a Cave . Of all the Prophets , his Prophecy is the shortest , altho' for the Mysteries it contains , it yeilds in nothing to the others Prophecies , says S. Ierom.

XXXVI . Ionas whom God sent to Niniveh to Preach Repentance , not unlikely under the Reign of Phul , which we believe to be Father of Sardanapalus , about the Year of the World 3197. and 807 Years before the Birth of Christ . He was the only Prophet that God sent among the Gentiles . He himself was Author of the Account of his Mission to Nineveh . He was Native of Geth-Checher , a Town belonging to the Tribe of Zabulon in Galilee . This shews either the Ignorance or Malice of the Pharisees , when they said to Nicodemus , Art thou also of Galilee ? Search and look , for there was never any Prophet came out of those Parts , John 7.52 .

XXXVII . Micah Prophesied under the Reign of Ioathan , Ahaz and Hezechias . He has the Character of Wit and Style , like to that of Isaias . He inveys vehemently against the Idolatry , as well of the Two as the Ten Tribes . He proclaims the Ruin of Samaria and the Captivity of those of Ierusalem by the Assyrians and Caldeans ▪ and he also foretels their deliverance , and that Christ shall be born in Bethlem .

XXXVIII . Nahum , whose Country is unknown , foretels the Destruction of Nineveh by the Caldeans , because that People had persecuted the People of God . It is likewise a little uncertain where he Prophesied .

XXXIX . Habakkuk . Neither his Country , nor the time when he Prophesied is known . There would be no great difficulty to know the time , providing this Habakkuk were the same that the Angel carry'd by the Hair of the Head to Daniel's Den ; but which the Learned will by no means have to be .

XL. Zephania , Illustrious by his Birth , was of the Tribe of Simeon . He liv'd at the same time with Ieremiah , whose Works he seems to have Abridg'd , especially considering his conformity of Style . He speaks plainly of the Calling of the Gentiles , the Foundation of the Church , the Remission of Sins , of Sanctification and Eternal Salvation by Iesus Christ .

XLI . Haggai earnestly exhorts the People of God , to the building of the Temple . He complains of the Iews neglect therein ; and promises Zorobabel who undertook that Work , after it had been basely forsaken , that the Messiah should be born of his Race ▪

XLII . Zachariah liv'd in the time of Haggai , and he also sollicited the re-building of the Temple . He is full of Enigmas and Figures ; he speaks nevertheless very plainly of the coming of Christ , and of his Life and Passion .

XLIII . Malachi Prophesied after the re-edifying of the Temple . He reproves the several Abuses which were crept into the Iewish Discipline . As he is the last of the Prophets , and that no more was to be expected till the coming of Iesus Christ , he exhorts the People to stick to the Law of Moses , till the Messiah should appear in the World .

XLIV . The I. Book of Maccabees .

XLV . The II. Book of Maccabees . These two Books contain the State of the Church under the Third Monarchy , which was that of the Greeks , continuing Forty Years , from the Death of Alexander the Great , to that of Demetrius Soter . The Second Book is an Abridgment of the Book of Iason , who was one of the Iews of Cirena . The Author of the First Book is not the Author of the Second ; as it appears to the Learned , both from the difference of Style , and different manner of counting the Years .

Secondly , The New Testament contains 27 Books ,

I. The Gospel according to St. Matthew , was writ about 6 Years after the Death of Christ , at the request of those Iews who had imbrac'd the Christian Faith . St. Matthew , from a Publican , became an Apostle . He has undertaken in his Gospel , to relate the Royal Race of our Saviour , and to represent him according to the Life he led in the Flesh ; wherefore he speaks chieflly ( as St. Austin remarks ) of those Actions and Instructions in which the Son of God has in a manner temper'd his Wisdom with his Divine Majesty , that he might render the Example of his Life , the more Imitable and Agreeable to our Weakness .

II. The Gospel according to St. Mark , was written in the 3d Year of Claudius , or the 43d of Christ according to the ordinary way of Reckoning , that is 10 Years after our Saviour's Death . This Gospel St. Mark writ at Rome , at the request of the Christians of that Church , and according to the Instructions he had receiv'd from St. Peter , whose Disciple he had been . He has follow'd St. Matthew in a many Things , and in some places only abridg'd him ; nevertheless , there are many Passages he has dwelt longer upon , and observ'd many considerable Circumstances which St. Matthew omitted .

III. The Gospel according to St. Luke , was writ by him 23 Years after Christs Ascension . This St. Luke was a Physician , and as he was very well acquain●ed with the Greek Tongue , he has writ more elegantly than either St. Mark , or St. Iohn . He was not of the number of Apostles , as was St. Matthew and St. Iohn , but one of their Disciples in like manner as Saint Mark.

IV. The Gospel according to St. Iohn the Son of Zebedee , and Brother of St. Iames sirnam'd Major , was written at Ephesus about the Year of Christ 96. and 63 Years after his Passion , upon occasion of the Heresy of Cerinthus and Ebion , both which maintain'd , That Iesus Christ was but a Man ; whereupon all the Bishops of Asia , and several others , entreated St. Iohn to treat more largely on the Matter than the Three Apostles , his Predecessors , had done , and to establish Christ's Divinity beyond Contradiction . It was hereupon that Saint Austin observ'd , That the other Three Evangelists had only trac'd Christ upon the Earth , and as it were walk'd along with him in recounting the Actions of his mortal Life , but that St. Iohn had soar'd like an Eagle above human Pitch , and discover'd the Word even in the Bosom of God , without being dazled with the Lustre of his Glory .

V. The Acts of the Apostles are properly the Birth and Establishment of the Church , which was about the time of the Death of Jesus , and the Accomplishment of all his Mysteries . St. Paul is particularly celebrated in this History , it having been writ by St. Luke , who was his Disciple . This Book contains the History of 29 or 30 Years , from the death of Christ to the time St. Paul was carry'd Prisoner to Rome the first time , which was in the Year 63. Which makes some believe , that St. Luke wrote this Book at Rome at the same time .

The Epistles of St. Paul .

VI. His Epistle to the Romans is plac'd first , not that it was writ first , but according to the Dignity of the Place and the Church where it was writ . The Subject of it is to abate the excessive Pride of the Iews and Gentiles , and to unite under Jesus Christ as the Corner-stone , by the Bonds of Grace and a Spirit of Humility . This Epistle was writ from Corinth , in the Year of Christ 57. and 24 Years after his Passion .

VII . His First Epistle to the Corinthians he writ from Ephesus , about the Year of Christ 57. and 24 Years after Christ's death . Therein St. Paul lessens the Pagan Eloquence and Philosophy which the Corinthians so greatly admir'd . He teaches 'em moreover how to prepare for the Communion , &c.

VIII . His Second Epistle to the Corinthians , writ from Macedon , near the same time with the First , and sent them by Titus and St. Luke . St. Paul therein chiefly admonishes the Corinthians to beware of false Apostles , whom he attacks severely , naming them Deceitful Workers and Ministers of the Devil .

IX . His Epistle to the Galatians was writ to these People from Lesser Asia , a little while after they had been converted by him , upon account of false Teachers who had seduced them , by persuading them that the Gospel would not be sufficient to save them , unless they continu'd to Circumcise their Children , and to submit to other Ceremonies of the Law . He brings many Books out of Scripture to dissuade the Galatians from this Error , and to convince them that they ought no longer to be Slaves under the Old Law , but to enjoy the Freedom of the New . This Epistle was writ from Ephesus in the Year of Christ 56. and 23 Years after his Passion .

X. His Epistle to the Ephesians , writ from Rome when St. Paul was in Bonds there , about the Year of Christ 62. and 29 Years after his Passion . This great Apostle therein admonishes the Inhabitants of this Metropolis of Asia Minor , not to give Ear to the Preachers of Iudaism , who would not only have the Law join'd to the Gospel , but also intermixt many other Fables with this Error .

XI . His Epistle to the Philippians , writ to the Christians of Philippi in Macedonia from Rome , where St. Paul was then Prisoner . Here this Holy Apostle professes a more than ordinary Affection for that People , which he had Converted , and who sent him thither considerable Subsistence when he was in want . He exhorts them to continue always stedfast in their Faith , to decline Disputes , to love Prayer , to be humble and charitable to each other , to be unshaken in Adversity , and to be always replenished with Peace and Joy .

XII . His Epistle to the Colossians , writ from Rome while he was Prisoner there , in the Year of Christ 62. This People , being of Phrygia not far from Laodicea , having receiv'd the Faith , they were afterwards not a little pester'd with ignorant Seducers , who would needs intermix Iudaism and Philosophy with the Gospel . St. Paul here admonishes them not to suffer themselves to be seduc'd by these Philosophers ; and moreover to corroborate their Faith , gives them a Scheme of the Christian Life they should lead .

XIII . His Epistle to the Thessalonians , written ( according to the Opinion of St. Chrysostom ) before any of the others . Thessalonica was then Metropolis of Macedon . This People had been converted by St. Paul , and confirm'd in the same Belief by Timothy , whom St. Paul sent among them afterwards . He professes a great Kindness for them in this Letter which he writ from Corinth , in the Year of Christ 52. and 19 Years after his Passion .

XIV . His First Epistle to Timothy , whom he stiles his natural Son in the Faith , was writ from Macedon in the Year of Christ 64. St. Paul , after having made this dear Disciple of his , Bishop , instructs him by this Letter in all the Duties of that Holy Ministry . St. Austin says , That those who design'd to serve the Church , ought always to have before them the two Epistles to Timothy , with that to Titus , which all teach how the Ministers of the Gospel are to behave themselves .

XVI . The Second Epistle to Timothy , writ from Rome , when he was Prisoner there the second time , about the Year of Christ 65. and 32 Years after Christ's Passion , and a little before his own Martyrdom . It contains excellent Instructions for those that God has entrusted with the communicating of his Gospel .

XVII . His Epistle to Titus seems to have been written from Macedon , towards the Year of Christ 64. St. Paul having chosen Titus to be Bishop of the Island of Crete , now Candia , he here sets down the Qualifications which are requir'd to execute that Function .

XVIII . His Epistle to Philemon was writ from his Prison in Rome , in the Year of Christ 62. This Philemon was a Person of great Account in a City of the Colossians , whom St. Paul had converted to the Faith . Onesimus was his Slave , and fled from him to visit St. Paul at Rome , whom he knew to be his Master's Friend ; whereupon St. Paul converted , baptized , and sent him back to Philemon with his Recommendation in this Epistle .

XIX . The Epistle to the Hebrews was thought to have been writ by St. Paul , but some have question'd it . His Design seems to have been the same that he proposed when he writ to the Romans and Galatians ; for in a word , these Three Epistles appear to have had but one End , which was to prove that true Justice did not proceed from the Law , but that it is Jesus Christ that bestows it on us , through Faith and Inspiration .

XX. The General Epistle of St. Iames. It is term'd General , by reason of its being addrest to all the Faithful , wheresoever dispers'd . St. Iames his Intention therein was to prove , That Faith without Works would not be alone sufficient for our Salvation .

XXI . The First Epistle of St. Peter was principally design'd for the Iews , whose Apostle he properly was , as St. Paul was of the Gentiles . He writ it from Rome , which he couches under the Name of Babylon , a little before his Death . This Epistle consists throughout of Morality , and which ought to be look'd upon as an Abridgment of a Christian and Pious Life , of which it contains chiefly the Rules and Instructions .

XXII . The Second Epistle of St. Peter was writ a very little while before the Martyrdom which hapned about the Year of Christ 66. after having been foretold it from Heaven by a Vision , as he himself relates . This Epistle differs from the former , which only tended to advise the Faithful to live a holy and virtuous Life : But in this Second Epistle he admonishes them withal , against the Illusions of false Teachers ; by which he means , as it is thought , the Followers of Simon Magus and the Nicolaitans , which he decries and contends with by many solid and pathetick Expressions .

XXIII . The First Epistle of St. Iohn was addrest , according to the Opinion of St. Austin , to the Parthians ; that is to say , to the Believers scattered abroad throughout the ancient Empire of the Persians , and which was then in the Parthians Possession . Neither the Time when , nor Place where it was written , is known . In this Epistle St. Iohn opposes that pernicious Error of Simon Magus , who was of Opinion , That Faith was sufficient to save us , without good Works .

XXIV . The Second Epistle of St. Iohn was a private Epistle , sent to a Christian Lady by him , sirnam'd The Elect. He therein altogether overthrows the Impiety of Basilides and his Disciples , who taught , That Iesus Chrict was not truly Man , but only a Fantom , and consequently his Passion not real .

XXV . The Third Epistle of St. Iohn is addrest to one Caius , whom that Saint commended for the Purity of his Faith and Charity both towards his Brethren and Strangers .

XXVI . The General Epistle of St. Iude , call'd also Thadeus , was written after the Death of the greater part of the Apostles , to exhort Believers to apply themselves stedfastly to the Doctrin of Jesus Christ , which they had preached to them . He therein falls upon the Followers of Simon and the Nicolaitans , who , contenting themselves with a barren Faith and without good Works , introduc'd into the Church a sort of Libertinism and corrupted Morals .

XXV . The Apocalypse , or Revelations of St. Iohn , was written in the Isle of Pathmos , where this Apostle was confin'd by the Emperor Domitian , about the Year of Christ 94. and Two before he writ his Gospel . S. Austin acknowledges this Book is very hard to be understood , because there are very few clear Things in it which might serve to enlighten the Obscure ; nevertheless there are some plain and profitable Instructions to be met with in several Places , and chiefly in the 2d and 3d Chapters , which might be term'd the Gospel of Christ risen from the Dead , by reason of many Doctrins therein mentioned which Christ pronounced after his Resurrection , and which the Evangelists had omitted .

Thus you have a Catalogue , and an Account of all the Sacred Books . Therein are contain'd the Precepts of Eternal Life : And as they are to be ranked among the number of Fools that contend with Reason , and such among Hereticks as dispute and oppose the Christian Doctrins ; So , says St. Austin , are those always to be rang'd with Infidels , who reject the Holy Scriptures . Contra rationem nemo Sobrius : Contra Scripturam nemo Christianus : Contra Ecclesiam nemo Pacificus senserit . [ Lib. 4. de Trinit. cap. 6. ] By the Truth and Piety of these admirable Books the Authority of the Holy Scripture subsists , and it is a kind of Impiety to call any of its Authors in question .

But nevertheless we are not bound to have the same Veneration for the other Ecclesiastick Writers . Such only as have been immediately Inspir'd by God Almighty are to be look'd upon as Infallible , and those alone are they which have been acknowledg'd by the Canon of the Holy Scriptures . As for other Authors , however Holy they might be , yet we do not rely implicitly upon what they have writ , but are ready to allow that they have often been deceiv'd and nay consequently deceive us . In the first part of this Book , Page 10. I have inserted some Rules which might serve to resolve any doubts met with in the ancient History . But these we are by no means to make use of in relation to the Canonical Writings ; we must always acquiesce in them whatever difficulties we meet with , and adore with Simplicity what may there seem Strange and Incredible to us . But , as I said before , we may take more Liberty with other Authors , and Condemn or Applaud 'em as we see good . Otherwise we should Sacrifice our Reason to their Authority , which we are only oblig'd to do to the Eternal Word of God .

ARTICLE II. Of Civil History and its Authority .

THO' we ought to have an implicit Belief , through a kind of religious Slavery , in whatever the Holy Scripture relates ; yet need we not allow the same Credit to Men who have all their natural Failings , and write only by a fallible Assistance of their Reason . As Men therefore were never free from Mistakes and Errors , and as they might very well fall into false Opinions , either through Ignorance , want of due Examination or just Reasoning ; so their Hearts also might probably be byass'd by the Prospects of Ambition or Interest , and consequently they be seduc'd either into Flattery or Insincerity . So that tho' Christian Charity allows of no Distrust , yet ought we always to be upon our Guard , when we read these Books , where either Ignorance or Design may so easily lead us astray .

The Scythians were wont to burn all the Histories that came to their Hands ; nay , they never spar'd any , Because ( said they ) the Booksellers among the Greeks and Romans , had their Shops always so crouded with the Valorous Exploits of their own Country , that they left no room for those of other Nations , who perhaps might have perform'd Actions as worthy of Applause . And where they hapned to have any , it was perhaps some Treatise wherein their Neighbours we●e look'd upon with the greatest Scorn and Contempt . Most Historians have been prepossess'd with an Opinion of their own Country , and neglect of due Esteem for the Merits of others ; whence it comes to pass , that we have no History but what is either Imperfect or Partial , and consequently no true Account of those Transactions that have from time to time hapned in the World .

We must observe that the most warlike Nations have ever been the least encouragers of Letters . The Muses always prefer'd a Wreath of Olive , to a Crown of Laurel : They seek Solitude and Quiet , and are frighted at the noise of Arms : 'T is the Murmurings of a Purling Brook , and the gentle Ruffling of a Western wind , that encourage and delight them . Sciences and Arts have never flourish'd , but in those States whose Dominion was Establish'd and Power dreaded . Egypt soon quitted its Learning , when the War began to enter its Confines . Greece equally encreas'd in Knowledge and Conquests ; and when Rome became Mistress of the World , she saw the Muses from all parts fly for Shelter under her Wings . Before that Time the Romans were more zealous of doing well , than either speaking or writing so ; and took more care to be the Subject of a Panegyrick , than to Pen it .

There are some Pleasant People in the World , who would persuade us , that Learning lessens Courage , Because ( say they ) the Greeks and Romans were never esteem'd so great Soldiers , as when they had no Arts nor Sciences among them .

Phocion , one of the wisest and best Men that Athens ever bred , whilst he govern'd that State , being tyr'd out with the repeated Importunities of the Athenians , that they might make War , when he knew they understood but very little of the Matter ; He said to them , Were you to contend with your Enemies with Words , they would never be able to withstand you , because you talk better ; but whereas Arms can only decide your Differences , they will as surely be too hard for you .

The Lacedemonians , on the contrary , being less Polite , were much better Soldiers ; for tho' they spoke ill , yet they fought well ; their Hands were more ready than their Tongues , and they always gave six blows before they utter'd two words . Hence we have the Style we call Laconique or Lacedemonian , which is a Concise , but Emphatical manner of speaking and writing , according to the Custom of the Lacedemonians . Wherefore we have an Account of their Actions , not from themselves , but their Enemies .

But notwithstanding all this , there is no Reason to accuse the Muses of ruining Kingdoms . There have ever been People in the World , both Learn'd and War-like at a time ; and in this Age , we have Heroes that ought to give way to nothing , either to the antient Greeks or Romans , and who likewise reconcile the Study of Letters with the Practice of Arms. It were better therefore to say , That Kingdoms and Empires have all their destin'd Periods , and that they Perish through the same necessity with the Hero and the Scholar .

But however it be , this is most certain , that War-like Nations have seldom or never writ their own Histories , and much less those of other Nations . We know little or nothing of the Celtae or Gauls ; and are not much better acquainted with the Customs of the Arabs , their Priests , and other Persons which they set the most value upon .

The Persian Historians were their Magi , being the most considerable among them , either for their Knowledge , or the Station they held in the Common-wealth .

The Egyptians , who yielded to no other Nation for Insight into all manner of Arts and Sciences , entrusted their Priests altogether with the Conservation of their History , as likewise their Publick Memoirs , which contain'd whatever related either to Policy , Physick , Mathematicks or Religion . It is from these Priests that Diodorus Siculus had his History , as he owns in his Second Book . Nay , tho' Athens abounded with all sorts of Learned Men ; yet the most celebrated in Greece , Travel'd to Egypt meerly to consult these Priests . Solon , Plato , Pythagoras , Eudoxus and Democrates had that Knowledge from Egypt , with which they afterwards surpriz'd the Learned World . Cicero owns ingenuously in his Fifth Book , de Finibus , that Plato went into Egypt on purpose to learn from those Priests , the Knowledge of Heavenly Matters . And Pythagoras did more ; for he not only Travel'd over all Egypt , but also went into Persia to consult the Magi , about that sort of Learning which was peculiar to them , they being , beyond any other Nation , vers'd in the Knowledge of Antiquity .

Thus it is plain , That the Egyptain Priests , and Persian Magi , gave themselves chiefly up to History .

The Greeks were not so careful in this Respect ; they permitted any to write who had an inclination to do it , whence it follow'd , that their History was abominably vitiated by this Liberty ; and they became a Proverb by the many Lies they stufft their Relations with , — Et quicquid Graecia Mendax , Scribit in Historiis .

But herein the Romans were much wiser , for they did not allow every Body to compile their Histories : The Pontiffs who had the care of Divine Worship , and the Ceremonial part of their Religion , had likewise the Charge of making their Annals ; wherein they were to take notice of the most famous Occurrences in their State from Year to Year , This Cicero acquaints us with , when he says , Erat Historia nihil aliud nisi Annalium confectio , cui rei Memoriae Publicae causa ab initio rerum humanarum usque ad Publ. Mutium Pontificem Maximum , res omnes singulorum Annorum mandabat literis Pontifex Maximus . Lib. 2. de Orat.

These Annals also were very plain . They contain'd no more than a Summary Account of Matters , without entring into many Particulars . It was the Genius of the antient Romans to affect Plainness . They were more intent upon deserving Praise , than hearing it ; and they never complimented one Man with what was only due to the whole Place . A Glimpse of this primitive Simplicity may appear in their Fasti Consulares , which was scarce any more than a downright Catalogue of the Roman Consuls .

These Reasons which we have given to doubt of the Truth of History , ought not nevertheless to extinguish in us all sort of Belief , for what Historians have written . There are Rules before prescrib'd to direct us in antient History , which are the very Quintescence of Criticism ; that is , whatever good Sense or a sound Judgment could invent , to precaution a heedless Reader , against either the Ignorance , Negligence or Insincerity of a Writer . Into how many Errors would a Man fall , if he had not some sort of regard to these Rules ? But since it is absolutely necessary for every body to be acquainted with the worth of an Historian before they read him ; I shall proceed to draw some faint Sketches of those that have been most famous in the World ; since it is my Intention here to be exact , but not tedious .

CHAP. V. The most Celebrated Authors that have written of Church-History .

THE History of the Church under the Law , is contain'd among the sacred Writers , which we are never to question as we have said before ; yet whatever Esteem we may have for these Historians , we are by no means forbid to make use of our Reason when we read 'em , but are allow'd to Condemn or Approve 'em as we think fit .

Over and above the Books of the Bible , which treat of the old Iewish Church ; we have also the Writings of Philo and Iosephus , both which we shall say something of , by reason of the excellency of their Works .

1. Philo was a Iew of Alexandria , who liv'd under the reign of Caius Caligula , and who was Head of an Embassy which the Iews dispatch'd to that Emperor . Amongst other Things , he writ the life of Moses and Ioseph , as also a Relation of his Embassy to Rome , wherein he did not succeed , Caligula being extreamly offended that the Iews had refus'd to have his Statue in their Synagogue . This Author is altogether Platonick , for he imitates so exactly Plato's Style , that he has been term'd by some , The Iewish Plato 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 aut Plato Philonem , aut Philo Platonem imitatur . In his Book , he explains the Bible allegorically . He is Eloquent and very Diffusive , and his Moral comes very near that of the Christians .

2. Iosephus , surnam'd Flavius on account of the Emperor Vespatian , was a Iew of the sacerdotal Race of the Asmonians . He was born in the 37th Year of our Saviour , and dy'd in the 93d . He has written the History ▪ of the Iews from the Creation of the World to the twelfth Year of them . This Work he entitles , The Iewish Antiquities . He has also written an Account of the Iewish Wars with the Romans , and of the Sacking of Ierusalem . He has likewise written his own life , two excellent Tracts against Appion a Pagan , and one concerning the Martyrdom of the Maccabees . Photius says that Iosephus writ Nicely , that he knew how to charm his Readers , and that he has all along judiciously embelish'd his History with florid Descriptions , and eloquent Harangues . St. Ierom calls him the Titus Livius of the Greeks ; and Erasmus says , That his History of the Death of the Maccabees is a Masterpiece of Eloquence .

Authors of the Church-History .

I. Hegesippus was a Iew that embrac'd Christianity . He came to Rome in the Pontificat of Pope Anicetus , and continu'd there till the time of Elutherius , that is , from the Year of Christ 165 to 180.

He is the first Author which has compos'd a Body of Church-History , which he divided into V Books , and in which he relates the most remarkable Occurrences in the Church , from our Saviour's Passion , to the time wherein he wrote . We have only some Fragments of this Work now remaining , which Eusebius has Collected and inserted into his History .

Under the Name of Hegesippus goes an History of the Iewish Wars , and of the Destruction of Ierusalem , divided into V Books : But ( says Du Pin ) it is certain that this Work does not belong to Hegesippus , but to an Author who liv'd since Constantin . Some attribute this History to St. Ambrose because of a Manuscript of it which the famous Father Mabillon found in the Library given by that Saint at Milan , and which was therefore suppos'd to have been a Translation of his .

II. Iulius Africanus was born in Palestine . He was deputed by the Emperor Alexander Son of Mammeus , to settle the City of Emmaus , which was afterwards call'd Nicopolis . He wrote a Chronicle from the beginning of the World to the 3d Year of the Emperor Heliogabalus which he divided into V Books , and wherein he briefly relates all the memorable Occurrences down to his Time .

This Work we have not at present under the Name of Africanus , but Eusebius has got it almost all in his Chronicle , with some few Additions and Corrections .

III. Eusebius of Caesarea was born in Iudea towards the end of the Empire of Galienus . He was chosen Bishop of Caesarea in the Year of our Lord , 313 or 314. He has compos'd several learned Treatises , but we shall mention none but those which relate to History .

1. His Chronicle , which is an Abridgment of Universal History , from the Creation of the World to the time when he liv'd , which was about the 20th Year of the Reign of the Emperor Constantin . This Work contains a great deal of Learning , and had no doubt a prodigious deal of Pains and Study bestow'd upon it . St. Ierom translated it through , tho' we have his first Part , but very imperfect .

2. His Ecclesiastical History divided into X Books , is the chief of all his Works . He has there taken notice of all the most memorable Things that have hapned in the Church , from the time of our Saviour , down to when he wrote . He there gives you an exact Account of the several successions of the Bishops in the chie●est Cities of the World , as likewise of the best Church-Authors and their Books . He also reckons up all the Heresies that have crept into the Church , and particularly mentions what relates to the Iews . He there describes the several Persecutions of the Martyrs , their Contests and Disputes concerning Ecclesiastical Discipline ; and , in a Word , whatever else relates to the Affairs of the Church . Without this History we could never have had the least knowledge of the first Ages of the Church , for those who have writ after him have only began where he ended . Du Pin , after having affirm'd that this History of Eusebius was not so compleat as could have been Wish'd ; Adds moreover ▪ That his Defects have not been sufficient to obscure his Merit .

The Learned Henricus Valesius has translated him into Latin , which he has join'd to the Greek Text. And some Learn'd Gentlemen of the University of Cambridge , have made a Translation of him into English , for the benefit of such as understand neither Latin nor Greek .

IV. St. Epiphanius was born in the Year of Christ 332. in a Village of Palestine . He spent his Youth under the Monastick Tutelage of St. Hilarion and several other Monks of Palestine . About the Year , 366. He was elected Bishop of Salamis , Metropolis of the Island of Cyprus . The Book he wrote is call'd 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 which being against Heresy , is to be look'd upon as a Treatise belonging to Ecclesiastical History . This Tract is divided into three Parts . The First contains the Heresies that have been before Jesus Christ , which St. Epiphanius has reckon'd up to be 46. The Second consists of 23. and the Third of 11. So that thus this Book comprehends in all 80 Sects or Heresies . This St. Epiphanius was an Implacable Enemy of the followers of Origin .

V. Rufinus a Priest of Aquilea flourish'd at the same time with St. Ierom , to whom after having been a great Friend , he became an inveterate Enemy . He had a more than ordinary Esteem for Origin . He set himself to read and translate his Books , and undertook his defence against all those that Accus'd him . This Zeal of his towards Origin , was the chief cause of his Disagreeing with St. Ierom , who had taken the contrary side . Amongst all the Books of his Composing , we shall only take notice of those two of Ecclesiastical History ; which he has added to the Translation of Eusebius . He there continues the History of the Church , to the Death of the Emperor Theodosius . These Books were Dedicated to Chromacius of Aquilea , and were writ about the time that Alaric King of the Goths , ravag'd Italy . They are indifferently well Penn'd , yet there are considerable Faults to be found in the History .

VI. St. Ierom was born in the City of Strigna or Stridon , situate upon the Confines of Pannonia and Dalmatia , in the Year of Christ , 345. His Father Eusebius sent him to Study at Rome , under the celebrated Donatus , where he soon made a considerable progress in Letters . He receiv'd the Orders of Priesthood at Antioch , from the Hands of Paulinus then Bishop of that City .

He has writ a great number of Books , amongst which is to be found A Catalogue of Ecclesiastical Writers , from the time of Iesus Christ , down to his own when he wrote . He compos'd this Tract at the request of Dexter Prefect of the Pretorium , and in imitation of Suetonius and other Prophane Authors , who have compil'd the Lives of the Philosophers and other famous Men.

We have also his Chronicle , which we must not look upon as a bare Translation of Eusebius , St. Ierom having therein alter'd and added many Things . Nay , he has moreover continu'd this Chronicle from the 20th Year of Constantin , to the sixth Consulate of Valens , and second of Valentinian , that is , down to the Year , 378.

VII . Sulpicius Severus a Priest of Agen , equally famous for his Birth , Genius and Piety ; who flourish'd about the same time with St. Ierom and Rufinus . He was a Disciple of St. Martin whose life he wrote .

The chief of his Works is his sacred History , consisting of two Books , both which contain a well penn'd Epitome of the most remarkable Occcurrences in the Jewish and Christian Churches , from the Creation of the World to the Consulship of Stilicon and Aurelian , that is to say , to the Year of Christ , 400. He has all along imitated Salust , for Brevity , but infinitely surpasses him in clearness and beauty of Expression . We have not any Abridgment of History ( says Mounsiuer Du Pin ) so well Digested , and elegantly writ as this Epitome ; yet its Author is not always exact , for he has committed several Errors in the History , especially in that of the Church . This Author has enlarg'd very much upon the Priscillianists , and of all Writers gives us the best Account of them .

VIII . St. Austin was born in Tagasta a City of Numidia , under the Empire of Constantius , the thirteenth of November in the Year of Christ , 354. He became a Convert in the 32d Year of his Age , and was ordain'd Bishop of Hippo in 395. and afterwards Dy'd as piously as he had Liv'd , the 20th of August in the Year 430. being about 76 Years old .

Altho' there be a great many things , throughout his whole Works , that relate to Ecclesiastical History ; Yet , we shall here mention only his small Treatise of Heresies , written in the Year , 428. at the request of the Deacon Quovult Deus , to whom also it is Dedicated . This Tract is no more than a brief Account of the several Sects of Hereticks , and their principal Errors . He begins with the Sinonians , and ends with the Pelagians ; there being in all 88 Heresies . You shall scarce meet with any thing in this whole Book , but what is taken either from St. Epiphanius or Philaster . Monsieur Du Pin speaking of this last , who has reckon'd up 20 different Heresies before the Incarnation of Christ , and 120 since his Birth to the Year , 380. says , That his Stile is Mean and Groveling ; that he had little or no Learning ; that he has made several considerable Mistakes in this small Treatise , which is written with no manner of exactness , and wherein are abundance of Errors . The same Opinion Cardinal Bellarmin has of him in his Book , De Scriptoribus Ecclesiasticis : Father Labbe would have this Author's Works read with a great deal of Caution , and St. Austin says , That St. Epiphanius had writ better than Philaster ; but that nevertheless he was a Person of singular Piety and good Morals .

IX . Pallades a Native of Galatia , left his Country about 20 Years old , to retire among the Hermits of Egypt . He was ordain'd Bishop of Hellenopolis in the Year , 401. and afterwards chosen Bishop of Aspon a City of Galatia , and dependent on the Metropolitan See of Ancira . He was a great Friend of Rufinus , a Defender of Origin , an Allie with Pelagius and Enemy to St. Ierom.

In the Year , 421. He writ a History of the Lives , Actions , Miracles and Sayings of the most Holy Monks that he had met with in Egypt , Lybia , Thebais and Palestine . This History was Addrest to one Lausus , which gave occasion afterwards for Naming it The Lausian History . In this Relation there are many surprizing Stories of wonderful Austerities and Examples , which would be dangerous to imitate . Several learned Men are of Opinion , that this Palladius was likewise Author of the Life of St. Chrysostome .

X. Paul Orosius a Spanish Priest of the City of Tarragon and Disciple of St. Austin , flourish'd under the Emperors Arcadius and Honorius .

The City of Rome having been taken in the Year , 410. by Alaric King of the Goths ; the Pagans had a mind to render the Christians Odious , by accusing them of being the cause thereof ; as likewise of all the other Calamities which befel the Roman Empire . It was upon occasion of this Reproach , that Paul Orosius , at the Request of St. Austin , undertook their Defence ; by shewing that all Ages have produc'd the like Misfortunes , and that the Empire of Rome has never been more free from 'em , than since the Birth of Christ . This Work ( says Du Pin ) is a kind of Vniversal History , divided into VII Books , which is not ill writ , and yet not over-exact ; for there are many gross Faults to be met with , both in the History and Chronology .

XI . Theodoret Bishop of Cyrus a City of Syria , was born in Antioch . The Greek Church never had a Prelate more Learn'd and of a better Judgment . He was elected into this See about the Year , 423. And in 431. he assisted at the Council of Ephesus . He wonderfully refuted the Heresies of his time , both with Tongue and Pen.

Those Works we have of his , sufficiently convince us of his deep Learning and great Parts .

He wrote V Books of Ecclesiastical History , which begun with the Heresy of Arius , and proceeded on to the time of Theodosius the Younger ; which likewise ( Gennadius says ) he continu'd to the reign of Leo , in V other Books , but which however are now lost . Vtinam quis tantum Thesaurum eruat e Tenebris sicubi adhue delitescunt , says Father Labbe the Jesuit .

Among the other Works of Theodoret , there is his Monastical History containing the Lives of the most famous Anchorets of his Time . This Book is entituled Philotheus , that is , as Nicephorus explains it , The History of the Beloved of God . Herein are related great and wonderful Examples of Virtue .

XII . Socrates ( say the Schools ) learnt Grammar at Constantinople , under the care of Ammonius and Helladius , both Natives of Alexandria . He has written an Ecclesiastical History in VII . Books , which either begins or ends that of Eusebius , that is , from Constantin , and continues to the 17th Consulship of Theodosius the Younger , which begins with Festus in the Year , 439. so that this History of Socrates comprehends the space of 140. Years . Photius says , it is very Uncorrect as to its Stile , and less Authentick in expounding the Doctrin of the Church . He gives us a great deal of reason to believe that he was byass'd to the Errors of the Novatians , in that he extreamly commends the Bishops of that Persuasion , and blames the Catholicks with a great deal of Vehemence .

XIII . Sozomen Native of Salamis in the Island of Cyprus , frequented the Bar for some time , at Constantinople . He has written IX Books of Ecclesiastical History , from the third Consulship of Crispus and Constantin Junior , both Sons of Constantin the Great , and both Emperors ; to the seventeenth Consulship of Theodosius Junior , that is to say , from the Year , 324. to the Year , 429. We have lost a Continuation of this History , for near 20 Years .

It is somewhat strange that Theodoret , Socrates and Sozomenes , should all Three undertake the same Work , at the same time . The reason I suppose must be , that they did not like each others Works ; For it is certain ( says Nicephorus Writing upon this Subject ) that the Readers and Writers are often of different Opinions . Also these Historians might well be presum'd to favour the Party they Adher'd to .

XIV . Victor of Vtica , a Bishop of Africa , in the fifth Century of the Church , has written an Account of the African Persecution by the Vandals , in III Books , the beginning whereof , shews that it was compos'd in the Year , 487. under the Reign of the Emperor Zeno , about 60 Years after the Vandals had pass'd from Spain to Africk over the Streights of Gibraltar . You shall there meet with a List of the African Bishops , which were then involv'd in that Persecution , among which Victor himself was not spar'd by the Tyrant Huneric .

XV. Cassiodorus was Chancellor and chief Minister to Theodoric the Goth , and several other Kings of Italy . From the Age of 20 Years he was rais'd to all the great Employments in the State , all which he acquitted with that Address , that he might well serve for a Model to the most refin'd Politicians that succeeded him . Under the Reign of Vitigius , perceiving the Power of the Goths begin to decrease in Italy , he retir'd from the World to his Monastery of Viviers , which he had caus'd to be Built on the Extremities of Calabria . Amidst his most Burthensom Employments he did not omit Writing several excellent Books , of which we shall only mention those that relate to History .

His Chronicle , dedicated to King Theodoric , was compos'd while he was a Minister of State , says Father St. Marthe in his Life of Cassiodorus . It is very much Abridg'd , containing only the Names of the Consuls and their principal Actions . Vossius after Ioseph Scaliger , calls this Chronicle Farrago : Cassiodori Chronicon tantum farrago est , Which Injury against so great a Man , the learned Benedictin , that was Author of his Life , could not endure . They find Fault with him ( says He ) for not being exact in Chronology , in a work which was purely Chronological . It is therefore that they fall upon this great Person with so much Gall and Fury . They particularly accuse him of being deceiv'd in counting the Consuls from the Emperor Tiberius to Dioclesian ; but they might be answer'd , that he was not deceiv'd only by depending on the Authority of Eusebius ; he reckon'd the Consulship of Junius Brutus an Olympiad sooner than he ought : That the multitude of Consuls , amounting to 25. made in one Day , caus'd a great Confusion among Historians , and that in a Word , the Faults of Cassiodorus are for the most part to be imputed to his Copyers . &c. He has also written a History , consisting of three Parts and drawn out of three Authors , viz. Socrates , Sozomenes and Theodoret , all which he has reduc'd into XII Books . All these three Historians , he got his Friend Epiphanius the School-Divine to Translate , and out of them he afterwards compos'd a Body of History , selecting out of each what he found most Excellent and Proper for his Purpose .

He likewise writ a History of the Goths , in XII Books , of which we have reason to regret the Loss ; and whereof we have now remaining only what Iournandez Bishop of Ravenna has preserv'd , and which is to be found among the Works of Cassiodorus . King Athalaric own'd that this Work was of a profound Reach ; that its Author had therein rescu'd from Oblivion several ancient Gothish Monarchs which were quite forgot ; that he had re-establish'd the Royal Race of the Amali in their primitive Lustre , and given an account of 17 Generations of them from their first swaying the Scepter ; and finally , that he had Collected into one Body , what was before scatter'd through many Books . Thus Father St. Marthe speaks of this History , in his Life of Cassiodorus .

XVI . Evagrius ( say the Schools ) was Native of Epiphania , a City of Syria , and liv'd in the Sixth Century of the Church . He writ an Ecclesiastical History , which he begins where Socrates and Theodoret ended ; that is , about the Year 431. when the impiety of the Nestorians was Condemn'd by the Council of Ephesus , and concluded it about the twelfth Year of the Emperor Maurice , which was in the Year 597. Photius says , That this History is very plain and exact . The Emperors Constantine and Maurice , greatly recompens'd this Author for all his Works , and of which he speaks himself .

XVII . Gregory de Tours , born in Auvergne of noble Parentage . He was one of the most pious Bishops and celebrated Writers of his Time . His Genius led him so much to Learning and Piety , that after Euphronius Arch-bishop of Tours's death , he was rais'd to that See in the Year 572. and dy'd in 594. The French are endebted to him , for the Knowledge of our first Kings , whose History he has written in X Books , and continu'd it down to his own Time . He wrote also a great many other Books .

XVIII . Bede , sirnam'd the Venerable , was born in the Year 673. in a small Village upon the River Tine in England . He was brought up in a Monastery of St. Benedict , where his Parents plac'd him but when Seven Years old . He there read Philosophy , Divinity , Mathematicks and other curious Learning ; but above all , he imbib'd the Practice of Christian and Religious Virtues . He dy'd the 26th of May , in the Year 735. Amongst several of his Works , we have his Ecclesiastical History of England in V Books , which begins with Iulius Caesar's Descent upon this Nation , and ends with the Year 731. He has also written a Chronicle of VI Centuries , and some particular Relations of the Lives and Martyrdom of divers Saints .

XIX . Paul the Deacon was by Birth a Lombard , and liv'd in the Eighth and Ninth Centuries . He was first Deacon of Aquilea , and afterwards Chancellor to Desiderius the last King of the Lombards . When as this Prince was Conquer'd by Charlemagne , Paul the Deacon was carry'd Prisoner into France , where his great Knowledge and Learning procur'd him a great many Friends . After various turns of Fortune which he had undergone , he became a Monk of Mount-Cassin , where he dy'd in the Ninth Century , but in what Year is unknown .

He has written the History of the Lombards in VI Books ; the Acts of the several Bishops of Mets , and the Lives of St. Arnold , St. Cyprian and St. Bennet , &c.

XX. Eginard , Secretary to Charlemagne , had divers considerable Employments in that Prince's Court. He had a great deal of Wit and Merit , and renounc'd the World to become a Monk .

He writ the life of Charlemagne , who had honour'd him with so particular Esteem and Affection .

He compil'd the Annals of France , from the Year 741 to 829. There are some other small Tracts of his . He dy'd in the Year 844. tho' some say sooner and some later .

XXI . Freculphus Bishop of Lisieux , liv'd in the Ninth Century . This Prelate who had been Educated under the Order of St. Benedict , was greatly commendable for his Doctrin and Piety . He compos'd a Chronicle , of which the first Part begins at the Creation , and reaches down to our Saviour ; this consists of VII Books . The second begins with the Incarnation of Christ , and extends to the coming of the Franks and the Lombards about the Year 600. This comprehends V. Books . He Addresses this Chronicle to the Empress Iudith , W●fe to Lewis the Debonnaire , and Mother to Charles the Bald. He dy'd about the Year 852.

XXII . Luitpra●d Sub-deacon of Toledo , Deacon of Pavia , and at length B●shop of Cremona , liv'd in the Tenth Century , and was ( says Cardinal Bella●min ) in very great Esteem , on account of his Learning and Wisdom . Berengerius II. King of Italy , sent him in quality of an Ambassador to Constantinople , in the Year 946. to the Emperor Constantine Porphirigin●tes ; whence he return'd at the Request of the Emperor Otho , in the Year 968. who sent him likewise to Nicephorus Phocas .

Under the Name of this Luitprand , we have VI. Books of History , which comprehend all the most considerable Transactions in Europe from the Emperor Arn●lphus , down to his Time .

The Learned pretend , that what follows the Fifth Chapter of the VI. Book , does not belong to Luitprand , but was written by another Author of the same Time , who had a mind to continue his History . They also reject his Book concerning the Acts of the Popes , from St. Peter down to Form●sus . Father Labbe is of Opinion , That this History was wrote by a Germ●n Monk , towards the Year 895. The Spaniads father upon this Author , a Chronicle of a parcel of fabulous Princes , which had never been in the World . Also Father Labbe would have this Chronicle sent to the Kingdom of Vtopia . Generally speaking nothing , is more faulty than these Chronological Successions , not excepting the Fables of the Poets , the Stories of old Women , and of Amadis de Gaul .

XXIII . Witikind a Benedictine Monk of the Abbey of Corby in Sax●ny , liv'd in the Tenth Century ; the Year of whose death is unknown . The mo●t remarkable of his Works , is his History of the Sax●ns , in III. Books , together with that of Henry King of Germany , surnam'd the Fowler , and of his Son the Emperor Otho . This His●ory extends to the Year 973. when Otho dy'd .

XXIV . Frodoard Abbot of Rheims , writ a Chronicle , which began at the Year 919. and ended with the Year 966. 'T is thought he dy'd much about the same time .

XXV . Glaber Rudolphe , a Fryer of St. Germains of Auxerre , flourish'd under the Reigns of King Robert the Good , and Henry I. his Son . He has written an History which includes the time between the Years 990. and 1045. Neither the time nor place of his Death is known ; neverth●less he is of great Repute , and was Author of the Life of St. William , Abbot of St. Benigne of Dijon .

This Person was a great restorer of the Monastical Discipline of his Time . He dy'd at Fecamp in Normandy , the first of Ianuary , in the Year 1051.

XXVI . Iohn Curopalate , so call'd for being an Officer of the Houshold , to the Emperor of that Name . He is a Greek Author , who compos'd a History from the end of the Empire of Michael Curopalate where Theophanes ended his , to the beginning of the Reign of Alexis Comnenes Emperor of the Greeks ; that is , from the Year 813. to 1081. George Cedrenus was a Grecian Monk , that liv'd towards the middle of the Eleventh Century . He has made an Abridgment of History from the beginning of the World , to the Reign of Isack Comnenes , who in the Year 1057. succeeded to Michael VI. Emperor of Constantinople . This Cedrenus , was a great Plagiary , having Robb'd Iohn Curopalate of almost all that he says after the death of Michael I. to the Reign of Isack Comnenes . It was then customary among the Greeks to rifle the Dead ; and this ill Example extended also to Letters . Eusebius made bold with Africanus . George Sincellus , a Monk of Constantinople , who liv'd in the Eighth Century , likewise Pillag'd him in his turn , and moreover Criticis'd upon him most unmercifully . After him , comes George Theophanus , a Man in other respects good enough , but he could not forbear treading in the Paths of others ; and enriching himself with the Sp●ils of such has had gone before him . But still herein he was more moderate than George Cedrenus , whose Theft was so exceedingly extravagant , that Father Labbe , the Jesuit , in his Book de Script . Eccles. expresses himself very much displeas'd , when Vossius made it a Question , Whether George Cedrenus were more beholden to Iohn Curopalate , or Iohn Curopalate to George Cedrenus . But the Truth is , these modern Greek Peices are of no great Worth , for they are generally made up of the Raggs of Antiquity , Patch'd and Sow'd unjudiciously together .

As all these different Greek Works have been generally Stollen , I have not thought it convenient to allow 'em any particular Article , but imagine I have done sufficient to let the World know how little they ought to be Valu'd .

XXVII . Ingulphus an English-man of London , was a Monk in the Abby of Fontenelles in Normandy , and afterwards Abbot of Croyland in England . He flourish'd between the Years , 1050 and 1109. when he dy'd .

He has written an Account of the Monasteries in England , from the Year , 664 to 1067. which was the first Year of the Reign of William the Conquerour , whose Secretary ( 't is said ) Ingulphus was , after he became King of England .

XXVIII . Iohn Zonarius a Monk of the Order of St. Basil , flourish'd about the Year , 1120. He has written an Universal History in III Volumes . Whereof the First contains the Affairs of the Jews , from the Creation of the World , to the Destruction of Ierusalem . The Second comprehends an Abridgment of the Roman History , from the Foundation of Rome to Constantin the Great . The Third contains the Actions of the Eastern Emperors , from Constantin to Alexis Comnenes . M. Vossius allows this Author a greater share of Genius and Exactness than he seems to have Merited by his Works . This Historian before he became a Monk , had divers considerable Employments in the Eastern Emperors Courts .

XXIX . Honorius Autunensius , so nam'd from his having been Prebendary of the Cathedral Church of Autun in Burgundy : He flourish'd under the Reign of the Emperor Henry V. about the Year , 1120.

There is a very large Chronicle of his , which M. Vossius says , is a great Honour to its Author , being of no common Benefit to the Publick . Gloriam sibi & publico f●uctu quaesivit Volumine , quod summa Historiarum , vel Magnum Chronicum Opus Nuncupatur . Vossius , &c.

We have likewise an Account of the Ecclesiastical Writers , from this Author , which he entitles , De Luminaribus Ecclesi●e .

XXX . William of Malmesbury or Somerset , a Monk of the Order of St. Benedict in the Monastery of Malmesbury , where he was Library-keeper . He has Writ Five Books of English History and Two which are call'd Historia Novella : It ends with the Year 1142. when it is thought that its Author dy'd . He is look'd upon to be one of the best Writers of the History of England .

XXXI . Henry Steronius , a Monk of the Abbey of Altaich in Germany , liv'd in the 14th Century . He has compil'd Annals which begin with the Year , 1152. being the First of the Reign of Frederic Barbarossa , and proceed on to the Year , 1273. when the Emperor Rodolphus I. of the Family of Hapsbourg , began his Reign .

Eberard Arch-deacon of Ratisbonne , continues these Annals down to the Year , 1305. This Author , Steren , likewise writ the several Lives of the Emperors Rhodophus of Hapsbourg , Adolphus of Nassaw and Albert of Austria , down to the Year , 1300.

Vlri● and Conrade Wellirige of Ausbourg , two Brothers and Monks of the Order of St. Benedict , made an Addition to this Work , which extends to the Year , 1335.

XXXII . Henry of Huntingdon , Arch-deacon and Canon of Lincoln in England , flourish'd about the Year , 1153. being the time when Stephen King of England dy'd . He has written the History of England in X Books , from the Descent of the Angels and Saxons upon Britain , to the Year , 1153. Polidore Virgil says , this was an excellent Historian : Historicus Egregius .

XXXIII . Petrus Cemester or Peter the E●ter , was Native of Tr●ies in Champagne . He quitted the Benefice which he had in the place of his Birth , to become a Member among the Regular Canons of St ▪ Victor at Paris , where he dy'd in October towards the Year 1198. and his Tomb and Epitaph in the Church of St. Victor , have been frequently Visited by the Curious . He was a very learn'd Man for the time while he liv'd . He compos ▪ d the History call'd Scolastick , which Sixtus of Siena extreamly commends , tho' he says withal , that its Author has intermixt with it a great many Apocryphal Actions , which have no good Warrant from Antiquity . In this History , which consists of XVI Books , ●he Abridges all the Old and New Testament , adding here and there some Notes and Remarks drawn out of the Fathers and some profane Writers .

XXXIV . Otho of Freisingen , so nam'd for having been Bishop of that City , was Son to Leopold Marquess of Austria equally Illustrious for his Birth , Learning and Piety . Being Dissatisfied with the Professors of the College of Newbourg , which his Father had Founded , he went to Study in the University of Paris . He afterwards admitted himself of the Order of White-Fryars in the Monastery of Morimond ; of which , in a short time , his Virtue advanc'd him to be Abbot . Having been chosen Bishop of Freisingen , he return'd into Germany in the Year , 1148. when he waited on the Emperor Conrade in his Expedition to the Holy-Land . But upon his Return , being convinc'd more than ever of the Vanity of Things of this World , he hasted to his belov'd Retirement of Morimond , where he dy'd the 21st of September , in the Year , 1158.

This Otho writ a Chronicle in VII Books , from the beginning of the World to the Year , 1146. He also compil'd the Life of Frederick Barberossa , which Radevic a Canon of Freisingen continu'd .

XXXV . William a French-man , tho' some say a German ; was elected Arch-bishop of Tyre in Phenicia , the 30th of May , 1175. He has written the History of the Holy-War under Godfrey of Bulloign . Which he begins with the Year , 1095. and ends with that of 1180. This Work comprehends XXIII Books , but the last is not quite finish'd . Iohn Harold has hereto added VI Books , after a Fashion . The Year of William of Tyre's Death is unknown .

XXXVI . Helmodius a Priest of Busoen near Lubec , liv'd in the Twelfth Century , in the time of the Emperor Frederic Barberossa . He has written a Chronicle of the Sclavonians , which begins with the Conversion of the Saxons and the Neighbouring Nations , under the Empire of Charlemagne , and ends at the Year , 1168.

XXXVII . Arnold Abbot of Lubec , has continu'd this Work and carry'd it into the time of Otho IV.

XXXVIII . William the Little , or of Newbury , so call'd from his being of the College of that Town in England . He was a regular Canon of the Order of St. Austin and liv'd in the Twelfth Century . He compil'd V Books of the History of England , which he begins with the Year , 1066. When William the Conqueror got this Kingdom , and ends with the Year , 1197. What he relates down to the Year 1135. being that of his Birth , he touches upon but very slightly , but from thence forwards he treats of Matters with more care and more lagrely . 'T is thought he might Die in the Year , 1208.

XXXIX . Roger Hoveden born at York , liv'd towards the Year 1200. it not being punctually known when he dy'd . He descended from a noble Family and was Divinity-Professor in Oxford . After he had left the Court of Henry II. he compos'd an History of his Country in two Parts , beginning with the Year , 731. where the Venerable Bede ended , and having gone through to the end of the Reign of Richard I. surnam'd Caeur de Lion , he began the Reign of King Iohn , but finish'd no more than four Years of it .

XL. Nicetas Choniates a Greek Historian , had considerable Employments in the Courts of the Emperors of Constantinople about the Twelfth Century . When this City was taken by the French in 1204. he retir'd with a Daughter , which he afterwards Marry'd at Nice a City of Bithynia , and where he spent the remainder of his Days .

He compil'd an History or Annals from the Death of Alexis Comnenes , which hapned in 1118. to that of Baudowin , who dy'd in 1205. This History is divided into XXI Books , and contains the most remarkable Transactions both in Greece and Asia .

XLI . Conrade of Lichtkenaw , otherwise known by the Name of the Abbot of Vsperg in the Diocess of Ausbourg , liv'd in the Thirteenth Century .

He has compos'd a Chronicle , which begins with Bel King of the Assyrians , and reaches down to the Year of Christ , 1229. which was the ninth Year of the Reign of Frederic II. This Work is nothing but a Collection out of divers Authors , which he has rang'd at Pleasure and according to the Custom of those Times . He was very Learned ( says Father Labbe ) in an Age where there was little or none to be found . He dy'd in the Year 1240. after having been Abbot Twenty four Years .

XLII . Iames of Vitry near Paris , was a Person of singular Merit . 'T is said he was Curat of Argentenit in the Thirteenth Century , and after having follow'd the Crusade into the East where he was made Bishop of Acon , that he was rais'd to the Cardinalship in the Year 1230. by Pope Gregory IX . who also bestow'd on him the Bishoprick of Frescati .

He has given the Publick III Books of the History of the East and West , whereof the First begins with the time when the Impostor Mahomet publish'd his ridiculous Religion , and ends with the Year 1220. The Second treats of the Affairs of the East . And the Third extends to the taking of Damieta . There are other Writings of this great Man , but which having no relation to Ecclesiastical History , I have omitted 'em here .

XLIII . Mathew Paris a Monk of the Order of St. Bennet and of the Congregation of Cluny ▪ at the Monastery of St. Albans in England , was a Person very Learn'd and of extraordinary Piety .

He has written an History of England from the Year 1066 to 1250. which he afterwards continu'd to 1259. which was the Year of his Death . The other Addition to the Year 1273. which was after the Death of Henry III. is suppos'd to have been made by one William Rishanger .

XLIV . Vincent of Beauvais , a Fryar of the Order of St. Dominic , was Native of Burgundy , and liv'd a considerable time at Beavais ; but was never Bishop thereof , as some have falsely conjectur'd . St. Lewis King of France , honour'd him with a particular Esteem and assisted him moreover in the composing of his great Work , which he divided into IV Parts ; Whereof the First is Speculum Doctrinale , where he treats of all the Sciences from Grammar to Divinity . The Second Speculum Historiale , which comprehends all the remarkable Transactions from the beginning of the World to the Year , 1254. An Anonymus Author has continu'd this History down to the Year , 1494. The Third is Speculum Naturale being all Physicks and containing the State of Nature . And the Fourth Speculum Morale , wherein the Author treats of all kinds of Virtues and Vices .

XLV . Nicephorus Calistus a Greek Historian , who liv'd in the Fourteenth Century , and under the several Reigns of Andronicus Paleologus the Elder , Michael and Andronicus the Younger .

We have an Ecclesiastical History of his , divided into XVIII Books , wherein he relates all remarkable Matters , from the Birth of Christ to the Death of the Emperor Phocas in the Year , 610. This History was design'd to contain XXIII Books , but we have now no more remaining of it than the Argument of Five , which begins with the Empire of Heraclius , and ends with that of Leo the Philosopher , who dy'd in 911. This Work abounds with Fables , and ought to be perus'd very cautiously . Father Labbe says , That among'st the Rags with which this Work is every where Patch'd , you shall now and then meet with a peice of very good Stuff . And Casaubon says , That he sets no greater value upon the Leaves of this History , than he would upon a Fig-leaf .

XLVI . Nicephorus Gregoracius a Greek Historian , who liv'd in the Fourteenth Century , in the time of the Emperor Andronicus Paleologus the Elder , and probably dy'd in the Reign of Iohn Cantacuzenes Emperor of Constantinople , about the Year 1345. when that City was taken by the French .

He has compil'd XI Books of History , which begin at the Year 1204. and end with the Year 1341. when Andronicus the Younger dy'd , of whom it is pretended , that he did not speak very Faithfully . An Historian that is a Courtier is always byass'd to that Prince from whom he has receiv'd Favours . This was the Case of Nicephorus Gregoracius . He had liv'd a great while at the Court of Andronicus the Elder , and observ'd how ill Andronicus III. treated that Prince his Grandfather , insomuch that he forc'd him to resign his Throne to him and to become Monk . This Nicephorus could by no means approve of , and therefore when he comes to speak of this unnatural Grandson , his Disgust sufficiently appears . Vossius says , That this Historian is neither to be Believ'd when he treats of Andronicus , nor when he writes of Iohn Cantacuzenes : Neque de Andronico solum , sed de Cantacuzeno Mentitur . Voss. de Hist. Grae. Lib. 2. Cap. 29.

XLVII . Iohn Villanius has written a History in Italian , divided into XII Books , which begins with the time of Nembroth , and ends with the Year of Christ , 1348. This Author was a Florentine

XLVIII . Flavius Blondus a Native of Forli in Romania , was Secretary to Eugenius IV. and divers other Popes . He compos'd several Historical Works , whereof there are X Books Romae Triumphantis , III Romae Restauratae , VIII Italiae Illustratae , III Decads of the Roman History , and a Treatise of the Origin and Actions of the Venetians . This Author was a Philosopher who regarded Worldly-acquisitions but little , insomuch that Fortune , which seldom takes care of those sort of People , suffer'd him so far to support his Character as to die Poor , the Fourth of Iune in the Year of Christ , 1463. Romae Pauper , at Philosophum decuit , Obiit , says Father Labbe .

XLIX . St. Antoninus Arch-bishop of Florence , and a Fryer of the Order of St. Dominic , liv'd in the Fifteenth Century with all the Reputation and Respect that his great Piety and Learning could procure him : Amongst the rest of his Works , there is one call'd Summa Historica , an Historical Abridgment , which consists of three Parts . The First is from the beginning of the World , to the Reign of Constantin . The Second contains all remarkable Passages from Constantin to the Year , 1198. being the time of the Pontificat of Innocent III. And the Third begins from thence and ends with the Year , 1459. which was the time when he dy'd , under the Pontificat of Pius II. and the Empire of Frederic III.

L. Aeneas Sylvius who was Pope by the Name of Pius II. He was Born at Corsignano , a Village of the Territory of Siena , the 18th of October in 1405. After having been employ'd in several important Negotiations , wherein he sufficiently demonstrated his great Abilities ; he was first made Bishop of Siena , and then Cardinal by Calistus III. in the Year , 1456. and afterwards that Pope being dead , he succeeded him under the Name of Pius II. He has compos'd several Works , all which denote his great Learning and Judgment ; but we shall only take notice of those that relate to History .

He has compil'd the History of the Council of Basile in II Books . He also Abridg'd the History of Flavius Blondas . There is also a Cosmography of his , or the History of the whole World . There is likewise his Europaean History , which contains several remarkable Transactions in his time . 'T is also believ'd that he wrote his own Life , tho' it goes under the Name of Iohn Gobelin his Secretary . He dy'd the 14th of August in the Year , 1464. when about 58 Years Old .

LI. Laonicus Chalcocondylas an Athenian , who liv'd in the Fifteenth Century . He has written in Greek an History of the Turks in X Books , which he begins with Othoman Son of Orthogulus , who liv'd in the Year 1300. and carries it on to the Year 1463. When Mahomet II. was in War with the Venetians and Mathias King of Hungary . It has moreover an Appendix which reaches down to 1565.

LII . B. Platina Native of Cremona , according to Father Labbe , and of Verona if we may believe Moreri , was born in the Fifteenth Century . His Name was not Baptist as some have thought , but Bartholomew . His quick Parts occasion'd him to be universally Esteem'd , especially at Rome , whither he went under the Pontificat of Pope Calistus II. and was very Munificently receiv'd by Cardinal Bessarion . But Pope Paul II. became very much his Enemy , and kept him four Months in Prison , after which his Successor Sixtus IV. who knew him better , bestow'd on him the Care of his Library in the Vatican . He wrote the Lives of the Popes down to Paul II. which Work Onuphrius Panvinius a Fryar of the Order of St. Austin at Verona , who liv'd in the Sixteenth Century , continu'd to his time , which was about the Year , 1568. when he dy'd at Salermo . Platina dy'd at Rome of the Plague , in the Year , 1481.

LIII . Anthony Bonfinius a Native of Ascoli , liv'd towards the Year , 1495. He was a very honest and laborious Man , and had learnt almost all Languages . It was at the request of Mathias Corvinus King of Hungary and Bohemia , that he undertook the History of Hungary , which he carry'd on to the Year , 1495. It consists of IV Decads and half , that is , XLV Books .

LIV. Robertus Gaguinus , Head of the Order of the Trinity , was very much in favour with Charles VIII . and Lewis XII . of France , where he had the keeping of the Royal Library . He has compos'd several Works but the most considerable is his History of France , in XII Books , which reach down to the Reign of Charles VIII .

LV. Marcus Antonius Sabellicus , Son to a Poor Farrier in Italy , was a great Lover of Learning , in which he made a considerable progress in a very short time . We have a History of his from the beginning of the World to the Year of Christ , 1504. And a History of the Affairs of Venice . Paulus Iovius says , that he dy'd at Venice in the Year , 1506.

LVI . Iames Phillip of Bergamos of the Order of the Hermits of St. Austin , was a Person of singular Merit and whom Pope Innocent VIII . honour'd with a particular Esteem . He compos'd a Chronicle which began at the Creation of the World , and ended with the Year , 1503. which was the Seventieth Year of the Age of this Author . He liv'd afterwards Fifteen Years , and dy'd about Eighty five Years Old , in the Year , 1518.

LVII . Iohannes Rauclerus a Noble-Man of Germany , Son to Iohn Vergehau , was Provost of the Church of Subingen , and afterwards Professor of the Canon-Law , in the University of that City . This University was Founded by Count Everard ( afterwards First Duke of Wirtemberg ) in his return from Ierusalem in the Year , 1477. Nauclerus was made Vice-Chancellor of it . He has written a Chronicle from the beginning of the World to the Year 1500. which Nicolas Baselius continu'd down to the Year 1514. and which Surius likewise carry'd on farther to the Year 1574. The time of this Nauclerus his Death is Unknown .

LVIII . Albert Krantz Doctor of Divinity and Dean of the Church of Hambourg , liv'd towards the beginning of the Sixteenth Century . He was a Man of great Learning , join'd with admirable Piety . The chiefest of his Works is an Ecclesiastical History entituled , Metropolis ; wherein he treats of the Churches Founded and Restor'd by Charlemagne . He has also compil'd an History of the Saxons in XIII Books . Another of the Vandals in XIV . and a Chronicle of Sweden , Denmark and Norway , which begins with Charlemagne and is carry'd on to the Year , 1504. This Author dy'd the 7th of December , 1517. which was the Year that Martin Luther first publish'd his Doctrin .

LIX . Iames Wimphelinge a Priest of the Church of Spire , and Professor in the University of Heidelberg , liv'd in the beginning of the Sixteenth Century . He was both Divine , Orator , Philosopher , Poet and Historian . He compos'd these Books , viz. Epitome Imperatorum & Rerum in Germania Gestarum . De Episcopis Argentirensibus , &c. I could never meet with the time of his Death , only I find that he was 56 Years of Age in the Year , 1508.

LX. Iohannes Trithemius Abbot of Spanheim and of the Order of St. Bennet , had a perfect Knowledge both of divine and humane Sciences , which appears by his Works , amongst which there are several that appertain to History .

There is First his Chronicle of the Origin of the French and their Kings , which comprehends the space of 1189. Years , being from King Marcomire to Pepin . Next we have his Chronicle of the Reigns and Succession of the several Dukes of Bavaria and Counts Palatin . Then there is his Catalogue or Account of illustrious Personages which have been most famous in Germany ; with several others which I have omitted , only I must take Notice that his Stenographia occasioned him to be Accus'd of Magick by those only who had not sufficiently consider'd the nature of his Work , which contain'd some surprizing Methods of writing after an uncommon Manner . Those who have given themselves the Trouble to consider of this Book , have Laugh'd at the Ignorance of these People , who thought it Consisted only of Speeches to raise the Devil .

LXI . Hector Boetius a Scotch Doctor of Aberdeen , Study'd at Paris at the same time with Erasmus . He has written the History of Scotland in XIX Books , which Iohn Ferrier a Piemonteze continu'd . Boetius compos'd also an History of the Bishops of Aberdeen . 'T is said he was alive in 1526. but the exact time when he dy'd is unknown .

LXII . Centuriae Magdeburgenses . In the last Age , a certain number of very learned Men ( being Protestants ) of the City of Magdeburg in Germany , set themselves to work to compile a general Ecclesiastical History . Which with unexpressible Labour and Judgment they brought to Effect ; and beginning at the Apostolick Age , shewed the Doctrin and Discipline of the Church in every Age of it , as also the Changes that happen'd in every part of it . This Work which the learned Bishop Montague , calls an Herculean Labour , for it was the first of the kind , is a very compleat Account of all Ecclesiastical Affairs , and has deserv'd a very large Encomium from the abovemention'd judicious Prelate , as may be seen in the Preface to his Apparatus . But it must however be confess'd , that this Work hath a share in humane Frailty and is not entirely free from Faults .

LXIII . Caesar Baronius a Cardinal , was born at Sora in the Kingdom of Naples . He has been famous both for his Piety and Learning . He for twenty Years together held Conferences in the Church of the Oratory at Rome , concerning Church-history . He compil'd Annals of the Church , which we have now Extant in XII Volumes . He liv'd in the Thirteenth Century , that is to say , in the Year 1198. He undertook this great Work to oppose the Centuriators of Magdebourg . Pope Clement VIII . made him Cardinal in the Year , 1596. and he would have been Pope had it not been for the Spanish Faction , who always oppos'd him because he had mention'd little or nothing of them in his Ecclesiastical History , the Sixth Volume of which they caus'd to be Burnt . He dy'd the 30th of Iune in the Year , 1607. when about 69 Years Old . His History is on all Hands granted to be a very good and useful Work , and were it not for his excessive partiality , would be the most excellent in it's kind . Henry Spondanus has made an Abridgment and Continuation of the Annals of Baronius . They have also been continu'd by Father Brovius a Polish Fryar , of the Order of St. Dominic ; as likewise by Father Olderic Riwald a Priest of the Oratory at Rome . And Father Bisciola and divers others have also made Abridgments of him .

LXIV . Anthony Godeau Bishop of Erasse and afterwards of Venice , has been one of the most famous Prelates of this Age. He has written a History of the Church , of which I shall say little , because it is in every Bodies Hands , only I must Affirm that it is Manag'd with a great deal of Judgment and Candour , and worthy of an Author who was a Member and first Encourager of the Royal Academy in France .

We could not better close this Account of Ecclesiastical Writers , than with the illustrious Name of Bishop Godeau , who has done so great an Honour to his Country and particularly to the Clergy of France . He dy'd the 21st of April in the Year , 1672.

I do not pretend here to have given an exact Account of Ecclesiastical Writers ; but I have nevertheless made it my business , to follow those Catalogues that have been left us by Cardinal Bellarmin and Father Labbe , under the Title of Index Historicorum Ecclesiasticorum . Also I may well have fail'd in ranging them in that due Order , which true Chronology would require ; yet I have chiefly follow'd Bellarmin , except in Honorius of Autun's Life , whom this Cardinal and Vossius make to be famous about the Year 1220. when he flourish'd about the Year 1120. which is an Error of full a hundred Years .

CHAP. VI. Of the most considerable both Greek and Latin Authors of Civil History .

BY the little I have said concerning each Ecclesiastical Writer , it may sufficiently appear , that the major part of Church-Authors have either wanted Ability or Sincerity to relate things as they ought ; yet at the same time however great their Incapacity or want of Integrity might be , it will be as readily own'd , that their Faults have been nothing in respect of those of the Civil Historians . Among these you shall every where meet with the Violation of these two grand Maxims , which an Historian ought chiefly to have regard to , which are , Never to tell a Lie , Nor conceal a Truth . If History were to be written only by honest Men , it is certain that it would never stray from these essential Rules . This Caution was once observ'd at Rome , insomuch that the care of History was a publick Employment , and entrusted only to great and learned Pens . But at length with the Caesars , Luxury and Flattery got the upper Hand , and then we saw that Function , which was look'd upon before as Sacred and August , Usurp'd by Persons of neither Birth nor Merit . Suetonius , after Cornelius Nepos , observes that the first mean Person that had the boldness to meddle with History , was one Otacilius , who from a Porter , by means of his great Parts came to be Tutor to Pompey the Great , as likewise that before him there were none that offer'd at writing History , but those that were most considerable in the Common-wealth .

If I were allow'd here to Speak my Mind , I should affirm that what has contributed most towards the corruption of History , is the Complaisance that some particular Writers have had to publish Princes Lives whilst they Liv'd , or soon after their Deaths . Such Relations are Fruit which ought to ripen a long while before it is serv'd up to the Table : For in Truth a Historian neither writes as he would nor he ought , of a Prince that is living ; because there are few Princes that would suffer themselves to be represented as they live , Truth in this Case being not proper to be Spoken : But it is certain that an Historian is oblig'd to Publish both the good and bad Actions of the Person he writes of , without being byass'd either by Love or Hatred , Hope or Fear . The Holy Bible mentions as well the Idolatry as the Wisdom of Solomon , and Peter's denying his Master as his Repentance for so doing ; but this is what ought not to be expected from an Historian that writes his Masters Life while he lives , and much less where it is written in his Court , as several have been . But what would you say of a Hireling that writes for a Pension , would not he , think you , soon forsake his Character of an Historian , for that of an Orator , and instead of compiling a History make a Panegyrick or Apology ? In a Word , What can be expected from a mercenary Pen ? Truth has never been Traded with , but Flattery has always been Sold , for most Authors have Idols to which they Sacrifice Truth . Some Historians , as well Ancient as Modern , are not to be Read without the greatest Indignation ; because where they promise a History , they produce a Panegyrick . Procopius is continually upon the Elogium of Belisarius . Eusebius of Caesarea is in a Rapture when he speaks of Constantine , whom he frequently brings in without any Connection . Epinar● can never suffer his Charlemagne out of his Sight . And Paulus Iovius is fulsome when he mentions his Como di Medici . A Writer never so little gratify'd immediately soars a pitch beyond himself ; his Prince must appear Charming in all conditions , and consequently be the Delight of Mankind , for because he has had reason to conceive a good Opinion of him , he imagins every Body else must do the like . Thus Mens Minds are mov'd altogether by Machine . Diodorus Siculus falls foul of Callias for a Flatterer , since because he had receiv'd Favours from Agathocles , he would pretend to justify his Actions , when on the contrary Timeus , who was banish'd Sicily by that Prince , condemns him in every thing , and is as fertile in Invectives as Callias was in Apologies . The latter being Oblig'd , had Notions quite contrary to the former , who was Angry , yet they both saw the same thing after a different manner . All this ought to Convince us , that Corruption has as many ways into the Heart of Man , as there are Untruths to be met with in History .

After all , I would not have an Historian so very rigid as never to allow any thing to his Country , his Prince or Friends ; but to determine how far such Favours ought to go , is the difficulty , and which I should not care to give my Opinion about , till I had well consider'd of it .

As we complain of the small Sincerity of Historians , it would not be at all convenient to Flatter them in the Draughts we are about to make of them , for we are always to treat them with the same Liberty , as we would have them take in writing Publick Affairs . As near as we can , we ought to Paint them to the Life , and Speak of their Works with the greatest Veracity . It is of great Importance to know who speaks to us , and what we are to expect from him .

But to proceed : Having given the Reader an Account of the most considerable Ecclesiastical Historians , together wherein we have also included the principal of those that have written General Histories ; we shall now proceed to an Account of the ancient Greek and Roman ones . Wherein we shall besides a short Relation of the Life and Writings of the Author , give a Character of him from approv'd Criticks .

§. 1. Greek Historians .

I. Herodotus is the most ancient of all the Greek Historians , who have any Writings extant ; and therefore Cicero Styles him , The Father of History , and Prince of Historians . Nevertheless , Pherecides , Dionysius of Miletum , Hecates , Xanthus of Lydia , Charan of Lampsacus , Heilanicus and several others , have been said by Vossius , to have written before him , but their Works have been long since lost . Herodotus was born 4 Years before Xerxes's Expedition into Greece , and 5 Years after the Battle of Marathon , which was fought in the third Year of the LXXII . Olympiad . He was Native of Halicarnassus , a City of Dorida , which was one of the Provinces of Asia Minor ; and flourish'd from about the Year 3500 to the beginning of the Peloponnesian War , which happen'd in 3519.

The History we have of his , is divided into IX Books , which bear the Names of the Nine Muses , ( given them , as 't is suppos'd , by some learn'd Persons on account of the Elegancy of his Style ) and contains a compleat account of Grecian and Barbarian Antiquities , from the time where the Holy Scripture fails us , viz. The Reign of Cyrus , to the Time of Xerxes . The Dialect he wrote in , is altogether Ionick , wherein he came so near Homer , that Longinus in his Treatise of Sublime , assures us , That Herodotus , alone , has so perfectly imitated this Prince of Poets , that he deserves the Name of 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . It was in Samos , that Herodotus learnt the Ionick Dialect , and where he Compos'd his History before he retir'd with an Athenian Colony to Thuries , a City of that part of Italy , which the ancient Geography calls , Magna Graecia .

Herodotus ( says Father Rapin , in his Instructions for History ) is the first who has given a reasonable form to History , and his Merit consists in having Chalk'd out a Path to those that were to follow him . His Style is Pure , Smooth , Fluent , Agreeable and Elegant , and Athens exceedingly commended the Charms of his Discourse . His Subject was both sublime and vast , for it comprehended the People , Kingdoms and Empires of all Europe and Asia . Yet is he not every where over-exact , because he took in too much Matter ; but still I find him of Sincerity more than ordinary , since he treats of the Greeks and Barbarians , those of his Country and Strangers , without the least show of Partiality . I am of Opinion , that Plutarch was too severe upon him , when he term'd him a Partial Historian ; but this Reflection is not to be wondred at , since Herodotus had spoken so freely of his Country of Boeotia : Rapin accuses Herodotus of straying sometimes too far from his Subject . For ( says he ) an Historian is easily exposed to Ramble , when he leaves his Subject , and then can never command himself , if his Capacity be not extraordinary : So Herodotus frequently leaves his Matter to amuse himself with tedious Digressions , which are for the most part forc'd and unnatural ; wherein , 't is true , he follows the example of Homer , who was justly reckon'd the greatest Master of Method , but without the same success ; for tho' that Author often times takes a Flight , yet it always tends to the Perfection of his Work , without ever straying from it .

It is certain , says M. de la Moth le Vayer , That Antiquity has left us nothing more Instructive or Entertaining , than the Nine Muses of Herodotus . They comprehend ( according to Dionysius of Halicarnassus , his just Computation , ) what hapned memorable in the World , during the space of 240 Years ; that is , from the beginning of Cyrus's Empire , to that of Xerxes , being the time when our Historian wrote . The Bishop of Meaux , in his Universal History , terms Herodotus the Great Historian .

Vossius de Historicis Graecis , Lib. 1. Cap. 3. says , That Herodotus design'd to have written the History of the Assyrians ; wherein he was to treat of the Kings of Babylon , but that he believ'd that Work was never Publish'd , because Herodotus was prevented finishing it by his Death . Yet we may read Lib. 8. Hist. Animal . Cap. 18. that Aristotle accus'd Herodotus of advancing an Untruth against Natural History , when he affirm'd that an Eagle drank at the Siege of Nineveh ; for it is certain , that those Birds which have hook'd Claws never drink . Now this Passage which Aristotle reproaches Herodotus for , is not to be found in his Work of the Nine Muses , and therefore must have been in his History of the Assyrians , Nineveh having been the Capital City of Assyria , which may give a reasonable conjecture that he had written that History ; yet nevertheless , the Ancients have made no manner of mention of it .

Vossius does not believe that the Life of Homer , found at the end of Herodotus's History , belong'd to him , as some would have it , and the Reason he gives , seems to carry Authority along with it . For ( says he ) Herodotus in his Euterpe , places the Birth of Homer above 200 Years more backward than the Author of his Life has done .

Herodotus dy'd at Thuries , whither he had voluntarily banish'd himself to be the more intent on his Studies and the Composing of his History .

II Thucydides was of illustrious Parentage . It is reported , That his Grand-father Marry'd the Daughter of a King of Thrace ; but what is more certain , is , That he himself was a Citizen of Athens . He was a young Student in one of the most famous Colleges of Greece , at the same time that Herodotus read his History . With this Work he was infinitely Charm'd , and could not help shewing so much Jealousie of the Author , as if he had despair'd of ever performing the like , which Heredotus perceiving , immediately Prophesied that he would be a great Man ; and moreover told his Father , That he was happy to have a Son at this Age , who had so great a Sense of Fame and Glory .

His History was design'd to have contain'd all the Peloponesian War , being that between the States of Athens and Sparta , which lasted full 27 Years , but he dy'd while he was about the 21st Year of it : Theopompus supply'd the 6 other Years . This History of Thucydides , is divided into VIII Books .

Cicero professes a great esteem for Thucydides , his manner of Writing ; when he Styles him , Authorem subtilem , Acutum , Brevem , Sententiis , magis quam verbis abundantem . Lib. 2. de Oratoria .

Father Rapin likewise , in his Instructions for History , affords this Author great Commendation , for he says the same thing of his Style as Cicero had done before him . The Style of Thucydides ( says he ) is more Noble and Lofty , than that of Herodotus ; yet at the same time , it fails of being so Natural and Easie. In some places it has those harshnesses , which render it Obscure , and it is every where more Luxuriant than the Style of Herodotus . Thucydides ( says the same Author in another Place ) has Fire , Force and Grandeur ; every thing in his Writings keeps up its self , and nothing Languishes and Grovels . It is in this that he excells Herodotus , who frequently loses himself and grows too diffusive , where he gives too great a loose to his Genius . Longinus observes that Thucydides sometimes confounds the most regular Methods , the better to surprize by a disorder , and to change his Narration the oftner . He also , sometimes , relates Things past as if they had been present ; and this to have the advantage of describing an Action , which moves a Reader more , as likewise renders him more Attentive .

Lucian finds fault with this Author's description of the Plague of Athens , in the second Book of his History ; and this perhaps , with reason enough , for however Prudent he may be allow'd in other places , yet there he has run out a little too much .

Lucian says also , that Thucydides has succeeded better than other Historians in his Harangues ; for what he puts in the Mouths of the principal Actors in his History , viz. Pericles , Nicias , Alcibiades , Archidamus , sometimes a whole Nation together , are adm●rable Instructions for Orators , and to which Demosthenes was not a little beholden , who became so great a Master in that Art .

Vossius says , after Lucian , that Demosthenes copy'd Thucydides's History eight times with his own Hand , and likewise , that the Emperor Charles V. always carry'd a French Translation of him about him where-ever he went .

Monsieur Rapin says farther , That Thucydid●s and Livy , are both sufficient to acquaint a Man what Genius History requires ; for that Antiquity has nothing to boast of more perfect , than their Works . There is nothing almost to be desir'd more in either of them , unless it be , that the former were more Natural , and the latter more Sincere . Thucydides has establish'd his Reputation with so pure Ideas , that he deserves to be Credited in all Ages . It is hard to meet with one of this Author 's excellent Temper ; who tho' he had been extreamly wrong'd by the Tyrant Pericles , yet he always prais'd him as often as he found occasion , and did frequent Justice to the Athenians , tho' they had Banish'd him their Common-wealth . He was a Man not at all guided by Passion , and who propos'd only , in what he writ , to content the Judgment of Posterity , by always speaking the Truth . In a word , Thucydides was exact in all that he writ , and faithful and disinteressed in all he said ; and tho' he sometimes seems Austere and Su●ly , yet is it ever what consists with Grandeur .

Photius says , that as Herodotus is to be imitated by those that have a mind ●o be perfect in the Ionick Dialect , so is Thucydides by such as would excel in the Attick .

Monsieur Le Vayer says , that Thucydides had the Honour to be the first that gave a Soul to History , by the several Harangues he made use of in all the three kinds 〈…〉 . Wh●● before him , it was but either a 〈…〉 or dead Body . He flourish'd about the 〈…〉 before Christ , A. M. 3490.

〈◊〉 Xenophon the Son of Gallus , a Native of Athens , was all at once a great Philosopher , a great General and a great Historian . Diogenes Laertius reports one thing of him , which sufficiently demonstrates his Honesty . He says , that the Works ▪ of Thucydides having been lost , and one Copy remaining only in Xenophon's Hands , whereby that Author might have publish'd them for his own ; he nevertheless gave them to the Publick , under the Name of their great Compiler . Notwithstanding this , the Athenians having afterwards suspected him of adhering to the Lacedemonians their Enemies , banish'd him their Country . He flourish'd about the Year of the World 3560.

He is the first Philosoper that apply'd himself to write History ; insomuch , that whom we here rank among the Historians , Diogenes Laertius , who writ his Life , places among the Philosophers .

Xenophon's History in what relates to the Affairs of the Greeks , includes the space of 48 Years . It begins where Thucydides ended ; for Xenophon brings Alcibiades home again , when Thucydides left him just as he was thinking of his Retreat .

This Author also writes the History of the Ten thousand Greeks , who were before suppos'd to have been lost in Persia , but which he brings back again in safety to their own Country . Xenophon herein , was bo●h their Historian and General , for he commanded those Troops , and therefore relates nothing but what he had either seen , or was done by his order . He made them likewise to o'ercome whatever was oppos'd to them in their Expedition .

His Life of Cyrus , is a Book abounding every where with excellent Morality and surprizing Politicks ; but still it is thought he had drawn that Prince not as he was really , but rather as he ought to have been .

Xenophon has all along writ with a great deal of Art . His Style is Attick , which occasion'd him to have the Name of the Bee , or the Athenian Muse. Quintilian says , that it seems to him , that the Graces were very lavish of their Favours throughout Xenophon's whole Works .

Father Rapin says , that Xenophon had the Skill to make that Pleasant which had few or no Charms in it self . Also , that nothing is more Coherent , Sweet and Flourishing , than his manner of Writing .

Hermoneges takes notice of an admirable Model for a tender , kind and passionate Narration , in the Death of Penthea Queen of Susa , related in the Seventh Book of Xenophon's Cyrus . This ( says Rapin ) is one of the most engaging Passages in all Xenophon . Every thing there is related after an engaging Manner . He adds elsewhere , That the Picture ought to be according to the Original , in which Xenophon has been extreamly wanting ; for in his Delineation of Cyrus , he has given you only a Hero in Imagination , when he ought to resemble the Natural one in all respects . Xenophon endeavours to imitate Thucydides , who keeps within the bounds of his Subject , and who is more Methodical than Herodotus . If Xenophon wanders never so little , as he has done in the Fifth Book of his History of Cyrus , in the Adventure of Penthea ; yet this very wandering has some sort of Connection with the Body of his History , Penthea having been taken by Cyrus in his defeat of the Assyrians , and Abradates her Husband thereby brought over to Cyrus's Party , and became one of the Commanders of his Army . In truth , I should not care for being responsible for several others of this Author's Digressions , which have not always much relation to the Subject he treats of . It must be out of Respect to Religion , and the Gods who are so frequently brought in throughout Xenophon's Works , that what he says is credited . Xenophon is pure in his Language , and natural and pleasing in his Composition . He has a ready Wit , a copious Fancy , a sound Judgment , a clear Imagination , and a neat way of turning his Thoughts , but yet he has little or nothing of Great or Sublime in him . A just Decorum is not always rightly observ'd in his History , where he sometimes makes Blockheads and Barbarians talk l●ke Ph●los●ph●rs . Cicero , says that Scipio , could never lay him aside after he had once taken him in hand , Longinus calls him a Degree of Wi● , that was capable either of conceiving or dictating any thing ▪ After all , he is a compleat Historian , and it is to him chiefly that Scipio and Lucullus were behold●●●or their having been so great Generals .

IV. Polybius was of Megalopolis , a City of Arcadia , and Son to Licartas ; Head of the Achaians , that is , of the most powerful Republick in all Greece . His History comprehends XL Books , of which we have only the Five first remaining , together with the Epitome of the Twelve others that follow . Marcus Brutus is suspected to have been Author of this Abridgment , who was so great a stickler for the Roman Liberty . Brutus , who had no kindness for Cicero's Works , was yet a Passionate Admirer of Polybius's History , which might probably occasion him to Abridge it for his private use , to instruct and comfort him , especially towards his latter Days , when he had so great need of it .

This History contain'd all that was remarkable in the World , from the beginning of the Punick War , to the end of that which determin'd all Differences between Rome and the Kings of Macedon , by the entire Name of the Monarchy of the latter . This includes the space of 53 Years . Polybius gives his History the Title of Vniversal , because he did not only treat of the Affairs of the Romans , who were then concern'd one way or other almost with all Nations , but also writ concerning different Interests of the Kings of Sicily , Egypt , Pontus , Cappadocia , Macedon , Persia , &c.

To Polybius's Credit be it spoken , no Historian ever took more care , or better measures than he not to relate Matters unfaithfully . He Travell'd on purpose to survey those Countries he was to write of , and pass'd over the Alps with some part of France , by reason that he intended to give an Account of Hanibal's Expedition into Italy .

Let us see what Monsieur Rapin says of him : Polybius ( says he ) is more Grave than Thucydides , he does not so often introduce Scipio speaking , altho' he had a kind of right to do it , having all along waited upon him in his Wars . Polybius has frequent Digressions upon Politicks , the Art of War , and the Laws of History , which do not seem very necessary : Polybius is a greater Libertine than Xenophon . He treats of the Opinions , the People of those Days had of their Gods and Hell , as Fables , and did all he could to Explode them .

In short , it is not to be doubted , but that Polybius was an Atheist , having little or no kindness even for that very Religion which he profess'd . Observe how he talks at the latter end of his Sixth Book . If ( says he ) a Republick were to consist only of Wise and Vertuous Men , what would become of those fabulous Notions of Gods and Devils ? But as there is no State without bad Government and ill Actions , Religion must necessarily be made use of to instill a Panick fear of another World , and consequently to deter by pronouncing imaginary Punishments . This the Antients have so prudently Establish'd , that it is now look'd upon as Impious and Rash to question it . Causabon undertakes this Author's Defence , and endeavours to prove that he was not the Man he was reported to have been . But after what we have just related to him , no Body can imagine that Causabon succeeded in his Design . Polybius flourish'd about the Year of the World , 3828.

V. Diodorus Siculus was Native of Agyrium . He wrote his History at Rome , in the time of Iulius Caesar , and of the Emperor Augustus . And because he would be sure to Pen it with the greater exactness , before he set about it , he Travell'd through the greatest part of Asia and Europe , with incredible Hazards and Fatigue . He gives his History the Title of Bibliotheca Historica , by reason that he had therein collected according to the Order of Time , all that the other Historians , as Berosus , Theopompus , Ephorus , Philistes , Callisthenes , Timeus , and several more great Authors had written before him ; but the Misfortune is , that not only these famous Historians Writings are lost , but all the greater part of Diodorus Siculus ; for of 40 Books , whereof his History consisted , there are only 15 now remaining . What a prodigious Loss is this ! All the Gold of Potosi would not be sufficient to reward the Person that should recover these admirable Writings . Vtinam , ( says Vossius ) nobile adeo opus integrum nobis pervenisset . Monsieur de la Mothe le Vayer , upon this occasion has these Words , I declare I would willingly go to the end of the World , were I but certain of finding this great Treasure , and I cannot but envy Posterity , the bare probability of recovering those precious Works .

This is what Diodorus's History contain'd , according to what he says himself of it in his Preface . Our Six first Books , ( says he ) comprehend all that hapned before the War of Troy , together with many fabulous Matters here and there interspers'd . Of these the three former relate the Antiquity of the Barbarians , and the three latter contain those of the Greeks . The eleven others which follow these , include all that hapned remarkable in the World from the Destruction of Troy , to the Death of Alexander the Great . Lastly , the other Twenty three extend to the Conquests of Julius Caesar , over the Gauls , when he made the Brittish Ocean the Northern Borders of the Roman Empire .

The Stile of Diodorus , is that which we term Indifferent ; and Photius is of the same Opinion , when he says that Diodorus's manner of Writing is very clear , and not in the least affected : That it is not too much after the Attick fashion , nor too full of Old Words , and that in a word , it is very consistent with History .

Father Rapin says , Diodorus Sicu●us is a great Man , but that he is too much beholden to Philistes , Timeus , Callisthenes , Theopompus , and others .

Eusebius of Caesarea , set a great value on the History of Diodorus . He frequently Quotes it with great Praises , or to say better , he has borrow'd most of his Evangelical Preparation from it .

Pliny , says of Diodorus , that he is the first among the Greek Authors , that laid aside telling of idle Stories : Primus apud Graecos desiit Nugari Diodorus .

VI. Dionysius , usually stil'd Halicarnassaeus , because a Native of that City , as Strabo in the XIV Book of his Geography observes . He came to Rome a little while after Augustus had ended the Civil Wars , where he lived for 22 Years ; during which time , he collected all he thought necessary to assist him in his design of writing a History . He owns that over and above the Memoirs , which the most famous Romans then furnish'd him with , he was not a little beholden to the Conversation he had with the meaner Citizens .

His History contain'd in all 22 Books , to which he gave the Title of The Roman Antiquities , but whereof we have now only the Eleven first remaining , which end when the Consuls first began to Govern , which happen'd in the Year after the Founding of Rome , 312. The whole Work extended to the beginning of the Punick War , in the Year of the Founding of Rome , 488.

Dionysius Halicarnassaeus himself , made an Abridgment of his own History , but which Epitome never reach'd down to us ; yet we should have no reason to regret the loss of the Abridgment , were we but in possession of the Original . The loss of this great Work is so much the greater , in that this Author was reputed the most exact in his Chronology of all other Historians . Scaliger observes , That we have no Author remaining , who kept good Order in the placing of his Years : And what is more to be admir'd , is that Dionysius of Halicarnassaeus , altho' he was a Stranger at Rome , yet has writ better of the Roman Antiquities than any of the Latin Historians .

Le Vayer , cannot forgive this Author for his Credulity , in believing all the frivolous Stories he relates , which have not the least resemblance of truth in them . It plainly appears , ( says he ) that he was impos'd upon by all the Old Women of his time , whose Chimney-corner Tales he reported for Miracles . Few Historians can escape sometimes telling Rhodomontades , which nevertheless have an Air of greatness in them , which envigorates their Writings ; but this Author suffer'd himself to be so wholly carry'd away by them , that he never car'd to distinguish between Probable and Improbable . Thus he makes Clelia that illustrious Roman Maid , who had been given in Hostage to King Porsenna , to escape , and to swim through the Tyber to Rome , where she had only ask'd leave to Bath in it . But Valerius Maximus mounts her on Horseback , and makes her escape that way , which is the more probable of the two ; for can it be believ'd , that a timerous Girl , who was apprehensive of the least danger , would undertake to swim through a River , when there was no occasion for it , the Peace being then almost Concluded ? But yet it must be acknowledg'd , that there is something Great , Heroick and Wonderful , in a Roman Lady's throwing her self into a River like a Mad body .

Monsieur Rapin says , That the Exhortation Dionysius Halicarnassaeus puts into the mouth of Brutus , to stir up the Roman People to revenge the Death of Lucretia , and the Harangue which he makes for Valerius , about the most proper form of Government , are both too long and tedious . That Photius extremely commends his Digression in his VII Book , where he describes the Tyranny of Aristodemus . That Dionysius Halicarnassaeus in his Roman Antiquities shews a great deal of Sense , Knowledge , and Reasoning . Moreover , that he is very Exact , Diligent , Judicious , and much more sincere than Titus Livius . Also , that he is more to be valu'd yet at the bottom , that he is a very Prolix Orator .

VII . Plutarch was of Cheronea , a City in Baeotia : His Works shew us , that he was a Philosopher , Historian , and Orator all at a time . He first studied under Ammonius , and afterwards Travell'd into Greece and Egypt , to consult the Learned there ; then he return'd to Rome , and was greatly esteem'd by the Emperor Trojan , who honour'd him with the Dignity of Consul . He has writ several Treatises , but what we set most by , is his Lives of the most illustrious Men , both Greeks and Romans . He has always met with great Commendation , whereof Vossius gives an extraordinary Instance . He says , That Theodorus Gaza being one day ask'd , If all Books were to be cast into the Sea , which should be thrown last ? Gaza answer'd , that it should be Plutarch . This Gaza , was a Person of great Merit , and who retir'd into Italy , much about the time that the City of Constantinople was taken by the Turks . There Cardinal Bessari●n honour'd him with his Protection , and for his Maintenance procur'd him a Benefice in Calabria .

VIII . Arrian , Native of Nicomedia , a City of Bithynia , was a Disciple to Epictetus . It is reported of him , that he was both a Philosopher , Geographer , Historian , and Lawgiver . Suidas says , He was brought up to the Consular Dignity , that he had been in great request among the Romans , and that by reason of the softness of his Stile , he was term'd a second Xenophon . Under the Reign of the Emperor Adrian , he had very considerable Employments . He has compos'd VII Books of the Conquests of Alexander the Great , and one which treats particularly of the Indies .

Photius says , That Arrian has no reason to give place to any Authors whatever , tho' they have got the Name of the best Historians .

Rapin says , That Arrian is but a Copyer of Xenophon , and an affected Imitator of his Excellencies , he having made VII Books of the Conquests of Alexander , as Xenophon has of those of Cyrus .

There is also of the same Author A Description of the Euxin Sea , and the several Countries that lie about it . As likewise another Of the Red Sea , with the Coasts of India , and the Persian Gulph . But these are only Pieces of Geography , which have little or no relation to History .

M. de la Mothe le Vayer , says thus of this Author , What I shall further add concerning this Author is of great Consideration , for altho' Arrian has often follow'd Maximus Tirius , for which Ptolomy so severely blames him , yet has he given a much more exact Description of the Oriental Indies , than Ptolomy himself has ; as the modern Relations of the Portugals sufficiently prove .

Arrian study'd in the Place of his Birth , where he became a Priest of Ceres and Prosperpine before he went to Rome , as appears by his History of Bithynia , quoted by Photius , but which is now lost , as well as that of the Alani and Parthians .

IX . Appian descended from one of the best Families in Alexandria , came to Rome in the time of the Emperor Trajan . He there practis'd the Law for some time , and pleaded with so great Force and Eloquence , that he was soon advanc'd to be one of the Procuratores Caesaris , and afterwards carried to greater Dignities in the Empire , under Hadrian and Antoninus Pius .

His History contain'd XXIV Books , beginning with the burning of Troy , and proceeding through all the Progeny of Aeneas , to Romulus and the founding of Rome . Afterwards , describing the Reigns of the VII Kings , &c. he comes to the Empire of Augustulus , and from him onwards down to Trajan .

Of all this great number of Books , we have at this Day but the least part remaining , which are those of the Punick , Syriack and Parthian Wars , those against Mithridates , the Spaniards , and Hannibal , together with the Civil Wars and those of Illyrium ; for as to those against the Celtae and Gauls , we have only a few Fragments left .

Photius calls Appian an Impartial Author , but which some will not allow , accusing him of flattering the Romans , to whom he always gives the Advantage in a Battle .

Scaliger says he is a very Novice in History , and that he has stollen what is best in him , calling him Alienorum Laborum Fucum .

Rapin , says he , was a Copyer of all the Greeks that treated on the same Subject , which occasion'd his Stile to be as various as the Books from whence he stole . He has taken from Plutarch what he thought Fine . Yet after all , his Works are not so much to be despis'd , for they contain great Matter of Learning .

X. Diogenes Laertius appears in this Rank , on no other account than that he has wrote the Lives and History of the Philosophers ; for if we should be oblig'd to mention none but such as had compil'd a Body of History , we must have retrench'd Plutarch , Diogenes Laertius , and several others that follow , they having written only some particular Histories .

To tell precisely the time and place of this Author's Birth is difficult . There is a great deal of reason to believe he was a Grecian , by reason that he commends that Country so extreamly , for he says , Greece is as well the Mother of Philosophy as of all Mankind .

Vossius says , Laertius liv'd under Antoninus Pius , or little after . It is that Arria , to whom Diogenes Dedicated his Lives of the Philosophers , that was mention'd by Gallen , in his Treatise de ' Theriaca . She was much esteem'd by the Emperors , because she lov'd Learning , and adher'd to the Philosophy of Plato .

But for Laertius , he sufficiently shews he was of the Sect of Epicurus , as may appear by several Passages in his Book . He is accus'd of treating oftentimes of Matters he did not understand .

XI . Philostrates was of Lemnos , or as some will have it , of Tir or Athens , so that the place of his Birth is uncertain . He liv'd under the Reign of the Emperor Severus , and at the Command of the Empress Iulia , compos'd the History of Apollonius Thianaeus in VIII Books . In the Life of this famous Magician , there are a great many incredible things ; and altho' Philostrates in his Preface has profess'd to have follow'd the best Memoirs , yet is he suspected to have had very erroneous Guides . He makes his Apollonius work as many Miracles as one Hierocles did , who compar'd him to Iesus Christ . But whom Eusebius confutes in a Treatise written on purpose . Ludovicus Vives speaking of Philostrates , says , That he has corrected Homer's Fables with much greater of his own . Magna Homeri Mendacia majoribus Mendacijs corrigit .

There are two or three more Authors of this Name , which we must not confound with the Author of Apollonius's Life .

XII . Dion Cassius was of Nice , a City of Bithynia . His Father Apronianus was Proconsul of Cilicia , when as Adrian came to the Roman Empire . Dion Cassius also himself had had several considerable Employments in the Roman Empire , particularly had twice the honour of the Consulship conferr'd upon him ; by which it is plain , that he had all the necessary Qualifications to write the History of his Time ; since he spoke of things whereof he had been Eye-witness , and as one that had had a share in the Government of the State .

His History consisted LXXX Books , divided into VIII Decads , of which we have only the least part transmitted to us . The Five and thirtieth Book is the first of those we have left ; and we have but summary Abstracts of the preceding Thirty four , and an Abridgement of the Twenty last made by Xiphilinus , a Monk of Constantinople . He had begun his History with the arrival of Aeneas in Italy , and pursued it down to Heliogabalus , and the beginning of the Reign of Alexander Severus his Successor : 'T was under this last Emperor that he Published his History , which he had undertaken by the Command of Septimius Severus , and the impulse of his Genius ; for Dion Cassius boasts of a Spirit that directed him , and who had done him many a good turn . And indeed , it looks very strange , that a Foreigner rich and powerful shou'd live easie , and keep up his great Credit in Rome , under the Reigns of Commodus , Caracalla , Macrinus , and Heliogabalus , who took a particular delight in putting to Death the best of Men. However , if what he related in his 72d Book about his Familiar be false , yet we must acknowledge the admirable Prudence and wise Conduct of that great Man , in the most difficult Times for Merit and Virtue .

There 's one thing very unaccountable in Dion Cassius's History , which is his Satyrical Invectives against Cicero , Brutus and Seneca , whom he charges with the most enormous Crimes . I shall not mention any of them , because they rather deserve to be blotted out of his Writings , than any stress to be laid upon them : And 't is upon that score , that Vossius charges this Historian with Malice or want of Judgment ; Omnino haec aut insignem judicij defectum , aut malam mentem arguunt .

At last , Dion Cassius , through the inspiration of his Genius left Rome , and returned to his Birth-place , to avoid the ambush that the Pretorian Soldiers had laid for him . He retired to Nice , says Mr. de la Mothe le Vayer , towards the latter end of his Life , to pass there in quiet the remaining part of it , in which he did like those Animals , which are said always to come and die in their Form .

Father Rapin gives us this Judgment upon him : Thus the long Discourse which Dion makes in the 56th Book of his History , in Commendation of Marriage and Celibacy , is not very much to the purpose . The Speeches of Agrippa , and Moecenas to Augustus ; the first of which advises him to quit the Empire , and the others to keep it , are both admirable in Dion Cassius , but they are so long , that they make up the whole 52d Book . Dion Cassius has lost his Credit with most Men , by the extraordinary Things he relates without Judgment : For instead of following the Truth , he runs into improbabilities , as when in the 66th Book of his History he tells you , That Vespasian restored a Blind Man to his Sight , by Spitting on his Eyes .

XII . Herodian was originally a Grammarian of Alexandria , as well as his Father Apollonius , sirnamed Discolos , or difficult . He spent the best part of his Life at Rome , in the Court of the Emperors , where he had an opportunity to inform himself with the curious Nicety observable in his Books , of a thousand fine things not to be met with any where else .

His History is divided into VIII Books , and contains a Series of Seventy Years ; that is , the Government of all the Emperors that have succeeded one another , from Marcus Aurelius Antoninus the Philosopher , to the Young Gordianus Son to the first .

Dion Cassius , and Herodian , are the first that have acquainted us with the Pagan Ceremonies , which the Romans us'd in the Funeral Honours paid to the Ashes of the Emperors , and all that was practis'd at their Consecration , and Apotheosis , that is , as their being rank'd amongst the Gods . Dion Cassius gives us a very curious Description of the Funeral Pomp of the Emperor Augustus , which is one of the finest Pieces in all his Works ; and he does not forget to tell us with what dexterity they made the Eagle fly from the top of the Funeral Pile , from whence that Iupiter's Bird seem'd to carry up to Heaven the Emperor's Soul .

Herodian , in imitation of Dion Cassius , describes very finely the Funeral Rites perform'd to the Ashes of the Emperor Severus , which his Sons had brought from England to Rome , in a Vessel of Alabaster : He acquaints us how they were received with Adoration by the Senate and all the People , and carried in an Urn by the Consuls to the Temple , where the Sacred Monuments of the Emperors were deposited , &c. These things deserve to be seen in the Original , to which therefore we refer the Reader .

Photius speaking of the Merit of Herodian's History , does not stick to say , that if we attend to all the Parts requisite in an Historian , there are few Authors that ought to be preferr'd before him .

XIV . Zozimus , who flourish'd under the Reign of the Young Theodosius , has compos'd a History divided into VI Books . The 1st gives a summary Account of the Lives of the Emperors from Augustus to Dioclesian , but we want something of it . Photius pretends that Zozimus made bold with the History of the Cesar's , written by Eunapius ; how far this Charge is true , we cannot well determine , because we want Eunapius's Work . Vossius relates that there was a Report in his Time , that the Manuscript of Eunapius's History was in the Library of Venice : However , the Five other Books of Zozimus are much larger and more exact , particularly when he comes to the Times of Theodosius the Great , and his two Sons Arcadius and Honorius , because he then speaks of what he has seen himself He descends as far as the second Siege , which Alaric laid to Rome , and speaks of the occasion of his falling out with Honorius .

Photius says , That Zozimus snarls and barks like a Dog at Christians ; and it cannot be denied , but that this Pagan Author had an implacable hatred against the professors of Christianity , which has made him guilty of Injustice upon some occasions . For altho' Constantine , and the other Christian Emperors were not altogether free from great Crimes , and upon that score ought not to be spared by an Historian , especially that does not forget their Virtues ; yet it is certain , that the hatred he had for Religion , has given him a singular Complacency in inveighing against the Vices of Constantine , and other Christian Emperors . 'T is also out of the same Spirit that he charges the Christian Religion with all the Miseries that befell the Romans ; and ascribes the decline of their Empire , to the Contempt they had for the old Religion , and the Worship of those Gods , under whose protection Rome had flourished for 1200 Years .

Leunclavius , a Learned German Apologizes for Zozimus , and says , That it is no wonder for a Pagan to speak ill of the Christian Religion : However , there is an excess of Heat and Animosity in his Writings , which transgresses the Laws of History , and therefore can never be justified .

XV. Procopius was of Caesaria in Palestine , from whence he came to Constantinople , in the time of the Emperor Anastasius . He was both a Rhetorician and Lawyer , and came afterwards to be Secretary to Belisarius , whose Actions he has celebrated . His History contains VIII Books ; the two first which treat of the Persian War , have been Abridged by Photius , in his Bibliotheca . The two following speak of the War of the Vandals , and the four last describe the Wars of the Goths .

Besides these VIII Books , there 's still a Ninth , which has made a great deal of Noise in the World ; it is Entituled 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , that is , Inedita , Things not Published ; This is a most bitter and abusive Satyr against the Emperor Iustinian and the Empress Theodora ; and these August Persons are no less defamed in these Anecdotes , than they are commended in Procopius's History . If they are both of the same Author , Procopius deserves to be branded with the Character of a base contemptible Wretch , since he could blow Hot and Cold , as we say , in the same Breath . People have been very hot upon this account ; and Mr. le Vayer , after having arraigned him with his u●ual Abili●y , concludes however , with saying , That after all , those Anecdotes , were perhaps never written by Procopius , because according to the Opinion of the Learned , the Greek of that Work differs very much from that of the VIII Books of his History . This deserves some Consideration , and teaches us not to be too rash in condemning any Body .

There is still another Work of Procopius , which is a Treatise , or rather a History of the Edifices which Iustinian raised with a royal Magnificence . Evagrius tells us , That he had made it his business to repair and build up again anew 150 Towns . Rapin , says Procopius , in his secret History , is very exact in things of no importance , and forgets to give us the particulars of what is most material . Iosephus , Appian , Dion Cassius , Procopius , are great Speakers , as well as Thucidides and Xenophon , who had taken this humour of haranguing out of Homer . Procopius draws the Picture of Theodora by her Amours . Procopius discontented with the Emperor Iustinian , and the Empress Theodora follows his Passion and corrupts Truth . Procopius is exact in his Accounts , because he accompanied Belisarius in the Wars , and was a witness of his great Actions ; but he is too dry in his History of Persia , which looks more like a Journal than a History . He gratified his Passion by writing his secret History , but he hearkned to his Moderation by suppressing it ; for they Publish'd after his Death , what he had taken care to conceal during his Life : wherein he is not altogether inexcusable .

XVI . Agathias tells us himself in his Preface , that he was of Murina , a Town in Asia , ( which he distinguishes from another of the same name in Thrace , ) and followed the Law at Smirna . His History , which contains five Books , was undertaken by the Advice of a certain Eutichianus , first Secretary of State , who , without doubt , furnished him with curious Pieces , and important Memoirs , without which he could not have so well succeeded in it as he has done . He begins his History , where that of Procopius ends , that is , at the Death of the Emperor Iustinian , or under the Empire of Iustin II. Mr. de la Mothe le Vayer says , That among several very remarkable things which are found in the five Books of Agathias's History , we must take a particular notice not only of what he says concerning the succession of the Oriental Monarchies towards the end of the Second ; but principally what he adds in the Fourth , about the succession of the Kings of Persia , from that Artaxerxes , who wrested the Empire from the hands of the Parthians who had usurp'd it . For besides the exactness and industry of Agathias , in handling this Subject , the authority of one Sergius , ( who procured from the Annalists and Library-keepers of the Kings of Persia , what this Author reports ) , carries a great weight along with it .

Having now survey'd the most considerable Greek Historians , or at least the chief of what are still extant , we shall proceed to the Latin .

§. 2. Latin Historians

I. Iulius Caesar was as great a Man by his Pen as by his Sword ; which makes Quintilian say of him , that he wrote , and spoke , and fought with the same superiority of Spirit ; Eodem animo dixit quo bellavit . Caesar had almost an universal Knowledge , and Pliny speaks of him , as of a Prodigy of Learning and Wit. He learnt Astronomy in Egypt , and Published afterwards a Tract concerning the motion of the Stars ; which was the more curious , in that he foretold his own Death , upon the Ides of March. If what Pliny says , be true , we must own that Caesar has had a more active and vigorous Mind than all the rest of Men. He reports , that he used sometimes to Read , Write , Dictate , and hearken to other People at once ; that he made nothing of Dictating four Letters of Importance at the same time , and that he has often kept seven Amanuenses employ'd .

Caesar has compos'd a great many Works , but I confine my self to those which relate to History . His Commentaries which contain VII Books , have always been in great Esteem . They are so naked , says Cicero , and so destitute of those Ornaments , that he was able to give them , that one may plainly see he never design'd to write a compleat History . These VII Books of the Gallick Wars , are for the most part an Account of Caesar's Actions , and he seldom mentions any thing but what he hath been an Eye-witness of : We may say the same of the three Books of the Civil War against Pompey , which are certainly Caesar's , notwithstanding what some have said to the contrary .

The Learned do remark , That his Books are full of excellent Things , and such as are able to Form both great Captains and wise Politicians ; which gives Vossius occasion to exclaim against those Masters of the Latin Tongue , who put Caesar's Works into the Hands of their Disciples , only for the sake of the Elegancy and Propriety of the Language : This , says he , is to admire Leaves , while we neglect the most excellent Fruit in the World . Vossius's Advice upon this Matter , is too important to be omitted in this place ; these are his very Words . Sane ex eo haurire est maxima●um & utilissimarum rerum copiam , quam verborum elegantia contenti negligunt ; minus etiam Pueris sapiunt , qui nunquam ita se arboris frondibus oblectabunt , ut egregios ejus fructus contemnant . [ De Hist. Lat. l●b. 1. cap. 13.

Monsieur Rapin , says Xenophon , has a soft delicate way of Writing : His Discourse , which is like a pure and clear Stream , has no Parallel in all the Writings of the Ancients , except Caesar's Stile ▪ than which nothing was ever writ with greater Purity in Latin . The Observation of a modern Critick , who finds a difference of Stile in the Books of the Civil War , which he pretends not to be written with the same Purity as the Wars in Gallia , is a squeamish Niceness which I cannot but wonder at ; for my part I must freely own , that my Taste is too gross to be sensible of it , and therefore I am of Suetonius's Opinion , who puts no difference between them : I am charm'd with the Elegancy and Simplicity of that Author , and find no Body that ever writ with so much clearness . Thus Caesar , as plain as he is , has something more noble in the plainness and simplicity of his Discourse , than Tacitus in all the Pomp and Stateliness of his Expressions : And we meet sometimes with a Negligence in the Ancients , better than all the Accuracy and Exactness of the Moderns . Caesar's Narrative is admirable by its Purity and Eloquence , but it is not lively enough , and wants a little of that Force which he used to desire in Terence . One cannot be said to write History who barely relates the Actions of Men , without speaking of their Motives ; but he is rather like a G●zet●er , who is contented to acquaint us with Matter of Fact , without tracing it to its Spring and Cause . Just as Caesar , who relates simply his Marches and Incampments , without acquainting us with the Motives of them . All his Narration is too plain and naked ; however , it may be said for him , that he only writes Memoirs . Caesar has an Extream intirely opposite to Tacitus : In him you find but a plain , naked Stile , without Tropes and Figures . and destitute of all manner of Ornament . Nothing is so tedious as a Description too nice and minute ; which Faults Caesar runs into in his Commentaries , when he describes his Warlike Machines . It seems as if that great Captain , whose Reputation in the Military Science is so well establish'd , had also a Mind to gain that of a good Ingineer : There is in that a certain Air of Affectation unworthy of so great a Man . In point of Harangues , Polibius is more discreet than Demosthenes ; but Caesar is more cautious still , for he seldom makes any of those Speeches , because they do not consist with the Truth of History , and chuses rather to write bare Memoirs , that his Discourse may be more plain . Caesar has been the greatest Master of Expression that ever was . Pedants are in the right when they admire the inimitable Purity of his Stile , but I admire more his good Sense ; for never did any Man write with so much Discretion , and he is perhaps the only Author in whom we find no Impertinence . He speaks of himself as an indifferent Person , and is ever constant in the wise Character he has taken upon him . 'T is true , he is not a perfect Historian , but then 't is certain also that he is an admirable Pattern to write History , 'T is a great Honour for that incomparable Author , that Henry IV. and Lewis XIV . have made it their Business to translate part of his Gallick Wars .

II. Cornelius Nepos flourish'd in Iulius Caesar's time , and is said to have lived till the 6th Year of the Emperor Augustus . He is thought to have been born near Verona : From thence he came to Rome , where he got into the Intimacy and Friendship of several considerable Persons , among whom Cicero and Atticus do not hold the last Rank . It appears by what we have left of him , that he had composed the History of the Greek Historians , and that of the Latin Captains and Historians , with several other Works , which have all been lost We have nothing left of him but the Lives of the most illustrious Generals , both Greek and Roman , which Aemilius Probus has endeavour'd to steal from him . For 't is reported that Probus , to get some Reputation with the Emperor Theodosius , having found this Work which was quite forgot , published it as composed by him ; but in process of time the Cheat was found out .

Vossius says , That Cornelius Nepos seems to have writ a Body of History , or a sort of Chronicle which comprehended the uncertain , fabulous , and historical Times , and grounds his Conjecture upon the Testimony of some ancient Writers . But however , we have nothing left , but the Grief of having lost them . Vossius endeavours to justify Aemilius Probus of the Theft they charge upon him , by saying , That Cornelius Nepos , such as we have it now , is perhaps but an Abridgment of some greater Work of that Author , made by Aemilius Probus . The Latin of Cornelius Nepos is very fine , and therefore Vossius calls him Iulian's Aevi Scriptorum .

III. Sallust was born in a Town of Abrusia , a Province of the Kingdom of Naples , a Year after the Birth of Catullus at Verona , and died 4 Years before the Battle of Actium . He was Tribune of the People the same Year that Clodius was killed by Milo , which is also the same that Pompey was Consul , for several Months , without a Collegue , Sallust never did any thing for his Reputation in the honourable Employments to which he was raised ; he was all along a Slave to his Pleasures , and having squander'd away his Estate , he was obliged , to maintain his Extravagancies and Debaucheries , to commit a thousand Robberies , in the Dignities which Caesar's Favour conferr'd upon him . He obtained the Government of Numidia , which he ransack'd to that degree , that being return'd to Rome he purchas'd there a magnificent House and fine Gardens , which to this Day are called Sallust's Gardens , and a fine Country-house besides . We have observed somewhere , That an ill Man ought not to be suffered to meddle with History , because it is impossible but that his Work shall have some Tincture of his Morals . Nevertheless it has fared quite otherwise with Sallust , who is certainly a good Historian , tho' a bad Man ; and what is still more particular in him , is , That he inveighs most bitterly against those Vices of which he was himself guilty .

We have but some Fragments of the principal History of Sallust , which began with the Foundation of Rome ; but Antiquity has transmitted to us two of his Pieces whole and intire , viz. Catiline's Conspiracy , and the War against Iugurtha . His Works are incomparable without Dispute , and are generally esteemed by all the Learned . His Stile is severe and short , which makes him sometimes obscure . Wherefore Quintilian advises Youth to spend more time upon Titus Livius , than Sallust . For , after all , it is a very hard Matter to avoid Obscurity , when one endeavours to be so concise ; and unless a Man can pretend to the great Talents which Sallust had , he 'll never be able to be like him , both short and intelligible .

There are some Pieces of inestimable Value in Sallust . Spartian calls that a Divine Oration which is in the beginning of the Iugurthine War , and which Sallust puts in the Mouth of Micipsa , then ready to die , to exhort his Sons to be united . This is the same which , as Spartian relates , the Emperor Severus sent to his eldest Son , towards the latter end of his Life , which is no small Credit for Sallust .

Now let us hear Monsieur Rapin speak . Sallust is great and sublime in his way of Writing , which makes Quintilian compare him to Thucidides . But the Question is , Whether Sallust's Stile , as stiff as it is , is not better and more proper for History , and gives not more Weight and Force to the Discourse ? Has it not also its Beauties ? Sallust's Character is to be exact and concise ; he is principally to be commended for the sweetness and rapidity of his Discourse , which animates him , and gives him so much Life . Sallust's description of the Place where Iugurtha was defeated by Metellus , serves to acquaint us the better with the Fight . We see by it the Fortitude of the Roman General , as well as the Experience of the King of Numidia , in taking all the Advantages of the Ground ; and the whole Account of the Fight is better understood by the Image of the Place which the Historian sets before our Eyes . The Description of Africa , in Sallust's War of Iugurtha , is too minute and particular : He should not have said so much to make the Bounds of the Kingdom of Atherbal and Iugurtha , then in question . What need was there to describe all that vast Country , and to distinguish the particular Manners of so many different Nations ? Trogus charges Sallust and Livy ( and not without a great deal of Reason ) with a wanton and immoderate Excess of Harangues in their Histories . And indeed all those Speeches we put in the Mouths of great Men , carry with them an Air of Falshood ; for from what Memoirs can a Man pretend to have fetch'd them ? And besides , a Warrior never speaks like an Orator . Therefore Harangues are Supposititious , as well as that which Sallust makes Catiline speak to the Conspirators , which probably was secret and extemporary . Most of Sallust's Harangues are always admirable , but never to the purpose : Nothing can be finer than Marius's Speech ; it is the soundest Piece of Morality in the World , concerning a noble Birth ; every thing there is reasonable , and Antiquity cannot boast of many Discourses , where one may find so forcible Persuasions to Virtue ; but that is out of its proper Place : And the Air with which he makes Cato and Caesar give their Opinions in the Senate , himself ( as great as he is ) is little proportion'd to the rest of the History . We ought to make the Picture of none but important Persons , wherein Sallust is faulty ; for he gives us the Picture of Sempronius , who is but indirectly concerned in the Conjuration of Catiline . Sallust , with all his Simplicity , is too prolix when he inveighs against the Corruption and loose Manners of his Time ; he is always angry with his Country , and always discontented with the Government : He gives us too ill an Opinion of the Commonwealth , by his Invectives and Reflections upon the Luxury of Rome . Thus nothing can be more eloquent than the Description of the Condition Rome was in , when Catiline took the Resolution of making himself Master of it : And when that admirable Author represents the Commonwealth , corrupted by Luxury and Avarice , and sinking under the Weight of its own Greatness , he uses the most exquisite and eloquent Expressions that can be met with in any History . 'T is in those Images that a Man of Skill has an opportunity to shew it ; and the Historians of the first Rate are full of those fine Strokes . Sallust's Preambles , which are great Speeches , full of Sense and manly Eloquence , seem to me to carry with them an Air of Affectation : They are generally Common Places that have no Relation to the History . Perhaps this Author had some Pieces of Reserve , which he employed upon occasion , as Cicero us'd to do : That Method may be good for an Orator , who speaks often in Publick ; but such Precaution is not allowable in an Historian , who is supposed to be Master of himself and of his time . Among the Latins , Sallust has a noble Expression , a true Wit , and an admirable Judgment . No Person ever imitated so well the judicious , exact and severe Stile of Thucidides : He is sometimes stiff in his Expressions , but he never flags ; his Conciseness makes him now and then obscure , his Manners are always true , and he gives Weight to all what he says . His Sentiments are always fine , although his Morals were bad : For he continually declaims against Vice , and always speaks well of Virtue . I find him a little too morose and peevish with his own Country , and too censorious upon his Neighbour ; but take him all together he is a very great Man .

IV. Titus Livius was of Padua , and not of Apona , as some have imagined : Soon after he was come to Rome , he got into the intimacy of all the great Persons of that Capital of the World , which gave him an opportunity to take all the necessary Instructions for the Composition of his History , which he Published under the Reign of the Emperor Augustus . He wrote one part of it at Rome , and the other at Naples , where he sometimes retired to Study , and give himself up intirely to his great Work . His History reached from the Foundation of Rome , to the Death of Drusus in Germany , and contained 140 or 142 Books : But we have but 35 of them left , and those too by an additional Misfortune , do not follow one another . The second Decad is wanting : We have only the first , third and fourth with about a half of the fifth . As for what we want , we must be contented with the Epitome or Abridgment which Florus has made of it ; if so be that we can see without indignation , a small imperfect Copy , which has in some measure robb'd us of so great and compleat an Original . For Abbreviators are generally charged as necessary to the loss of the Books which they Abridge . Men are naturally lazy , and are glad to meet with Epitomes to save themselves the trouble of reading great Volumes . Thus the loss of Trogus Pompeius is laid upon Iustin , and that of Dion Cassius upon Xiphiliuus , because they have Epitomiz'd them .

There are a world of Learned Men that cry up to the Skies , the Merit of Livy's History : Vossius , who relates all that has been said in his Commendation , gives us in four words a fine Panegyrick upon that Author ; Nothing , ( says he ) can be greater or richer than this Writer . Nihil hoe Scriptore est grandius atque uberius . We have remark'd somewhere in this Book , that Alphonsus , King of Arragon , recovered of a very dangerous Fit of Sickness , by the reading of Titus Livius : But we have forgot one particular , which does no less honour to that Author , which is , That this great King as an acknowledgment of his Recovery , demanded of the City of Padua , the Bone of the Arms wherewith that famous Historian had writ his History ; and having obtained his Requests , this Wise Prince caused that Bone to be transported to Naples , where he received it like a precious Relick .

However , in the very Age he lived , Asinius Pollio found fault with something in him , which he calls Patavinity . This Patavinity was a Country way of writing , such as North-Country Men and others will have with respect to the English Tongue , unless they live a considerable time in London , or either of the Universities . These was , says Quintilian , in Livy , a Country way of Writing , that betray'd his Birth at Padua , and some Expressions which could never pass upon the Courtiers , and Politest Men in Rome .

Some think it strange the Livy , who was a Man of Wit , should relate so many populous Reports , which he did not believe at all himself , as he always seems to in●inuate . His History is full of Prodigies : Now an Ox has spoken ; another time , a Mule has ingendred ; and then again , Men and Women , Cocks and Hens have changed their Sex . There rains nothing but Stones , Flesh , Chalk , Blood and Milk . The Statues of the Gods are said to have spoke , wept or sweated Blood . In short , adds Mr. de la Mothe la Vayer , how many Apparitions of Phantoms do we not find in him ? How many Armies ready to engage in the Air ? How many Lakes and Rivers of Blood ?

Monsieur Rapin speaks thus of him : The Nobleness of Livy's Expression ravishes my Soul into extasy ; 't is about Two thousand Years since that Historian commands a respectful intention from all Nations , by his Awful and Majestick way of speaking , which has been the admiration of all Ages . To speak the Truth , nothing satisfies my Mind so well as his admirable choice of Words , always proportioned to his Sentiments , and his excellent manner of Expressiing the Sentiments , always conformable to the things he speaks of . In short , he has hit best of any Man upon that sort of Stile , which Cicero advises to Historians : And it is by that great Pattern , that Buchanan , Mariana , Paulus Aemilius , Paulus Iovius , ( and all those that have outlived the Times they flourish'd in , ) have squared their way of writing History . Livy has a very engaging way of telling a Story , which is his admirable Skill of mixing little things with great ones ; because great things by themselves are fatiguing , and require great attentions , whereas little ones are pleasant , and unbend ones Mind : According to the same method he varies his Adventures , makes sad things succeed those that are pleasant , and mixes very discreetly the shining with the Dark , that he may keep up the Reader 's attention by that agreeable Variety . The most perfect Pattern we find in History , of a great Action related with all the heightening and enforcing Circumstances , is the March of Hannibal into Italy , described in the 31st Book of Livy's Annals . This , in my Opinion , is the most finished Piece in all his History , and we meet with few things of that strength in all Antiquity . Never was a greater Design framed by a more extraordinary Soul : And never was any thing Executed with more Boldness or Resolution . The Question was how to come out of Africa , go through all Spain ▪ surmount the Pyrenees , cross the Rhine , a River so broad , and so rapid near its Mouth , and whose Banks were thick set with so many Enemies ; open ones self a Way through the ragged Alps , a thing never attempted before ; March continually over Precipices ; dispute the Ground at every step with a People that lay in Ambush in a continued Defile , and that too among the Snow , the Ice , the Rain , and the Torrents ; brave the Storms and Thunders ; wage War against Heaven and Earth , and all the Elements ; draw after one an Army of a Hundred thousand Men of different Nations , and all dissatisfied with a Captain , whose Courage they cannot imitate . Fear seizes the Soldiers Hearts , and Hannibal alone remains in an unconcern'd Tranquility ; the Danger that surrounds him on every side casts all the Army into Consternation , while his great Soul is still composed and serene . All things are described with the most dreadful Circumstances : The Image of the Danger is expressed in every word , and never was any thing in History either more finished , or touched with deeper Colours , and greater or bolder Strokes . Quintilian declares that of all Historians , Livy has signalized himself most by these render and delicate ways , wherewith he has touched the softest motions of the Soul : The Rape of the Sabinae , and the tenderness they exprest to disarm both the Romans their Husbands , and the Sabins their Fathers : Lucretia's Death , and her Body exposed to publick view , to stir up the People to Rebellion against the Tarquins ; Vetturia prostrate at her Son Coriolanus's Feet , to avert the Siege of Rome which he intended . Virginia Stabb'd by her own Father ; the Consternation Rome was under after the Battle of Cannae , and a thousand such other Strokes touched in his History , in the tenderest and most delicate manner , and with the most pathetick Expressions imaginable , are fine instances of it . And 't is principally in this Author , that we ought to study the way of expressing the Passions as they ought to be touch'd in History : For he never animates it but where a Heat is requisite . The Description of the Place where Hannibal attack'd Minutius , in the 22d Book of Livy's Annals , is a Passage extreamly well touch'd . Livy speaking of Lucretia , who was so handsom in her Husband's Eye , without mentioning her Face , does only describe her Virtue , and gives us in four Words the greatest Idea we can frame of an honest Woman : Lucretiam nocte sera non in convivio , luxuque , sed deditam lanae , inter Ancillas sedentem inveniun● . Livy goes on his way , without stopping any where ; he tells you what he knows about the things he speaks of , and leaves the Reader at liberty to make what Reflections he thinks fit , without preventing him by his own : And if he does , 't is but seldom , and then too in few Words , but Noble and Great ; as when he relates the Crime and Punishment of Appius , who had ravished Virginia . The only Model we ought to propose to our imitation in point of Digressions is Livy , when he steps out of the Roman History to speak his Thoughts about the success which Alexander might have had , if he had bent his Arms against Italy . He is very cautious in speaking his Opinion , and that too without labouring to prevent the Minds of People by a studied excuse . His Reasoning upon that Subject is very curious , and not at all out of its place . There are Beauties that consist only in a turn of Eloquence or Wit. They are very surprizing , and look wonderfully well when artfully placed . Here are some Examples out of Livy . Porsenna , King of Clusium , besieges Rome . Caius Mutius deeply touched with the Danger his Country is in by so pressing a Siege , goes into Porsenna's Camp , and kills the King's Secretary , whom he mistakes for the King himself , who stood then just by him . The King Commands burning Coals to be brought to force him by the Torment of Fire , to own his Accomplices : This Couragious Youth , without any manner of Concern , puts his Hand into the Fire , and lets it burn to the last , without so much as turning Pale upon the Matter , and thus bespeaks the King ; See what a Contemptible thing Life is to those who have true Glory in Prospect . These Words spoken with Resolution , presently change the face of things . The Murderer as odious and abominable as he is , casts the beholders into Wonder and Amazement : They look upon him with respect , and send him back with Commendation , at the same time that they were preparing the most exquisite Torments for his Punishment . 'T is only one Word that occasions this sudden change , and this Word well placed is a very great Ornament in a Narration . Thus Fabius having retaken Tarentum , Hannibal ▪ the Vanquished , spoke these fine Words , which savoured still of the Conqueror praising himself to praise his Enemy : The Romans , said he , have also at last their Hannibal : This is a very proud way of being humble . These Strokes are very frequent in that Historian ; and indeed , nothing can give a greater Idea either of these we make thus speak when they do it well , or of him that makes them speak when he does it to the purpose . Livy perswades more by his sound Morals , than great Capacity : For through the various Intrigues , Interests , Passions , and other Disorders which he describes , he gives a glimpse of an honest Mind , which proclaims a better Man than Historian . We see in them the inmost recesses of the Heart , of those he describes the very bottom of his own ; and among the false Lights he discovers in their Conduct , he is never out himself . He judges well of all , for his Soul is as Upright , as his Wit is True . Livy is the most accomplish'd of all Historians , for he has all the great Parts requisite to write History ; a fine , clear Imagination ; a noble Expression ; a true Judgment ; an admirable Eloquence . He has none but great Ideas in his Mind ; he fills his Readers Imagination by what he says ; by that means he affects the Heart and moves the Soul : He has the greatest Genius for History , and is one of the greatest Masters of Eloquence that ever liv'd . I don't understand what Asinius Pollio means by reproaching him with a Country way , savouring of Padua , which he calls Patavinity . His great Talent is to make People feel what he says , by ingaging those that read him in his own Sentiments , by inspiring them with his Hopes and Fears , and giving them all his Passions , by his admirable Art of setting the most secret Springs of the Heart a going .

I hope the Reader will easily excuse me for dwelling so long upon Livy's History : He is the great Master of this Art , and deserves to be well known ; and since no Man can give us a better account of him than Monsieur Rapin , I thought it proper to give you this long Abstract .

V. Velleius Paterculus was nobly born , as he proves from those of his Name , that had born the greatest Employments in the Army . And he had himself been in the Wars with great Honour and Reputation . He had been Tribune of the Soldiers , and had Travell'd through the Provinces of Thracia , Macedon , Achaia , Asia Minor , and on both the Banks of the Euxin Sea ; so that both by his Employments and Travels , he had great advantages to write History . The two Books that remain of History , ( for the greatest of his Works are lost , ) begin about the Sixth Year of the Reign of Tiberius , and are dedicated to Marcus Vinicius Consul , who had Marry'd Tiberius's Grand-daughter .

His Style is pure , clear , elegant , and such as is thought worthy of the best Age of the Roman Empire : There are in his History some particulars not to be found any where else . Never did any Man know better than he , how to blame and how to commend ; yet , in some Peoples Opinion , he goes a little too far in the Praises he gives to the House of Caesar Augustus . But how can a Man avoid that Fault , when he writes his History before the Eyes of the reigning Family ? Therefore I easily forgive him the excessive Praises he gives to Tiberius ; but really he is guilty of too gross Flattery , when he bestow'd so much Incense upon Sejanus , his Favourite , whom he endeavours to make pass for the honestest Man that Rome ever saw .

Velleius Paterculus is very exact in setting down the Times of the Events he speaks of ; he describes the Original of several Cities ; he makes the Eulogy of those that have been famous in the Wars , in the Government of the State , or in the Sciences ; in short , there 's a great deal to be learnt from that Author .

Father Rapin speaks thus : Paterculus and Florus are florid , genteel , delicate and agreeable in their mean way of Writing . Let Paterculus be pretty , trim and genteel in the Character he has pitch'd upon ; but let Livy be great and serious , because small Beauties have need of Ornament to shew themselves , whereas the great ones need no Addition to their natural Graces . We must always speak within bounds ; let an Historian never diminish or exaggerate Things , either as Tacitus , who casts his Venom upon every Thing , or Paterculus , who makes every Thing look gay and pleasant .

VI. Quintus Curtius was a Roman Knight ; the Age he liv'd in is not well known , but the most common Opinion is , That he flourish'd under the Emperor Vespasian . Quintilian , who mentions all the Historians of Note in the Tenth Book of his Institutions , written in Domitian's Time , yet says not one Word of Quintus Curtius's History ; which induces us to believe , That his Work might not have been Publish'd at that Time ; which Opinion is also confirm'd by the silence of the other Ancients .

Quintus Curtius has written the History of Alexander the Great , in X Books ; but the two First , with the end of the Fifth , and some little places of the Tenth , have been lost . There is not a more excellent Author among the Latin Writers , than Quintus Curtius : He may be said to be among Historians , what Alexander is among Conquerors ; and that the Panegyrist is to the full as great as his Hero . So that Alexander would have now no Reason to complain that he had not , like Achilles , Homer to celebrate his Actions . Some are for Livy's Style , others for that of Tacitus ; but all agree upon the Excellence of that of Quintus Curtius , which is beyond all dispute worthy of the Age of Augustus , as Vossius speaks : Imo vel Augustaeo aevo digna est dictio . Iustus Lipsius says that he is the Author that Princes should make themselves most familiar with , and that they ought to have him continually in their Hands .

Let us now consult Rapin's Judgment upon this Author : Quintus Curtius , says that Critick , is shining and florid . Nothing can be more Polite than Quintus Curtius ; he has a florid and gay Expression , which extreamly pleases the Men of Wit. Every thing ought to be grounded upon Reason ; and therefore Quintus Curtius is not always in the right : When he endeavours to make his Hero so admirable , he does not make him take the wisest Resolution , but on the contrary , the most Heroick and Perillous ; he always finds a Charm in Danger , and cares not so much for Conquests , as the Honour of Conquering . It is in his Power to surprize Darius in the Night , and by that means keep him from knowing how weak he was ; ( Darius having double the Men ) : But this great Man who is less sollicitous of getting a Victory , than making his Valour to be admired , attacks the King of Persia in the broad Day , being resolv'd rather to die with Honor , than Conquer by a Surprise . Darius after his defeat , offers to divide Asia with him , and proposes a Match between him and his Daughter ; but Alexander rather chuses to arrive at Glory thro' Dangers , than become a Master so peaceably ; he will hear none of these Proposals , and aims at nothing but what 's extraordinary . His Historian , I must confess , does him a great deal of Honor ; but does not all this great Honor want a little probability ? Does he not make his Hero more Rash than Wise , and more Venturesome than Ambitious ? He thought those Sentiments more noble without doubt ; but on the other side , he has strain'd them too far , and has given us Reason to question , Whether he has left us a Romance or a History . Quintus Curtius might very well have spar'd to make Alexander so infamous as he does in some Places . There are some priviledged Persons , whom we ought to treat with Civility and Respect ; we may , indeed , relate their personal Faults , but we must never offend their Dignity , or debase their Greatness . Quintus Curtius deserves to be commended for his Sincerity , for he speaks the good and the bad of Alexander , without being prepossess'd for the Merit of his Hero . If one can find Fault with his History , it is for being too Polite : But nevertheless he has excelled in a pleasant and natural way of describing Manners . That Character of Perfection which is conspicuous in those great Men , is not to be found any more in the succeeding Ages .

VII . Cornelius Tacitus was born of a Noble Family of Roman Knights , and was raised to the highest Dignities in the Common-wealth : He liv'd under the Empire of Vespasian and the succeeding Emperors , with all the Reputation and Honour due to his Birth and personal Merit .

He was in Years when he set himself to Write , and 't was under the Empire of Trajan that he composed his History , of which we have but V Books left . Afterwards he wrote his Annals , great part of which have also been lost . Besides those two Works , he publish'd a Treatise of the Manners of the several Nations who , in his Time , inhabited Germany ; and the Life of Agricola , his Father-in-law

The Learned seem to be divided as to the Judgment that ought to be made of his Style ; yet the Truth is , that Tacitus is an incomparable Writer . The corruption of his Text , occasion'd by the Ignorance of the Transcribers , does perhaps make him more obscure than he would be of himself ; and this is the Opinion of Monsieur de la Mothe le Vayer . But let some People say what they please , the best way is to side with Vossius , who finds so much Eloquence , so much Correctness and so many Beauties in Tacitus , that he does not stick to say , that he is be best and wisest of Writers . Quis enim non videt Dictio Taciti , quam sit elegans , quam tersa & limata ? Et tamen major est laus ista , quod nihil eo Scriptore , vel cogitari possit prudentius .

The Emperor Tacitus , Two hundred Years after the Death of Tacitus the Historian valued himself upon bearing the same Name with him , and being descended from him . He caus'd his S●atue to be placed in all Libraries , and to preserve his Works to Posterity , he caused them to be Transcribed Ten times a Year . But all the Care that Emperor used hath been in vain , since of One and twenty Years of his History , we have only the account of one left , and V Books of about Thirty , according to St. Ierom's Opinion .

The Great Duke Come de Medicis made choice of Tacitus among all other Historians , as one from whom he expected more sound Precepts and Instructions for his Conduct , and more solid Satisfaction to alleviate the Cares which are inseparable from the Government of a State , when a Prince endeavours to merit the Title of Father of his Country . Casaubon is quite of another Opinion , and maintains in his Preface to Polibius , that the Reading of Tacitus is most dangerous for Princes , by reason of the many ill Examples , which are scattered up and down his Works .

The Stile of Tacitus , says Monsieur Rapin , is not very proper for History , for it is full of Starts ; and when it shines , 't is like a Flash of Lightning , which dazles more than it gives light . Tacitus is a starting Wit , that skips from one thing to another . His Sense comprehended in few Words , is too close for the Readers Capacity , which is often pusled with it : And because he does not follow Nature in what he relates , and generally forgets that he Speaks to Men , so he seldom instructs us as he should . As for Example , when upon the occasion of the Papian Law , he relates the Original of Laws , or when in another place he describes the Priviledges of Sanctuaries , he does not trace things back to their beginnings ; he never explains things thoroughly , nay , sometimes he gives a false Account of them , as when he takes upon him to describe the Iewish Religion in the fifth Book of his History . His Style is also very improper for it , which is a great Fault in an Historian , whose primary Function is to instruct . Tacitus is still more uneven than Sallust : His Connexions are generally forced , and the Thread of his Discourse very much Broke and Interrupted , which is no small discouragement to the Reader , who cannot follow him without putting himself out of Breath . There can be no better and exacter Description than that which Tacitus makes , of the Treat which the Empress Messalina gave to Silius her Favourite Gallant . This was a Vintage Feast with all its Ceremonies , the Season being then Autumn , and favourable for that purpose . Mirth , Pleasure , Effeminacy , Wantonness , Impudence , Lewdness and Debauchery ; all in short is there described , with an exqiusite Elegance and delicacy of Expression : The particulars are related succinctly , discreetly , and withal , in a very lively manner : And nothing can be more judiciously placed , to make , by that gay Picture , the Death of Messalina , which follows soon after , the more Tragical and full of Horror . In short , there are some happy Circumstances which give a particular Grace to every thing , when a Man knows how to employ and place them as he should . As for Figures , Tacitus is not so scrupulous ; he seems to aim at nothing but to dazzle us : The boldness of his Metaphors and other Tropes , makes his Expression so high strained and troublesom . Tacitus is an ill Husband of his Fire , for he uses it every where ; his Colours are also too strong and glaring ; and because he is often too expressive in some things , and does not Paint them to the Life , he therefore seldom affects us . A Description ought not to be too minute and particular , but such as is the Description of the Isle of Caprea , in the fourth Book of the Annals of Tacitus ; for we find in it the Reasons Tiberius had to retire thither towards his latter Days , which makes it necessary ; and as it is Concise , Polite , Elegant , and has nothing in it either Impertinent or Superfluous , it may be said to be a perfect one . Nothing can be finer than the Speech which Tacitus makes Tiberius Speak to the Senate , upon the Reformation of Luxury , in the third Book of his Annals : Never did any Historian make a Prince Speak with more Dignity . A Picture ought to be true and resembling , wherein Tacitus is not very exact , for he rather chuses to follow his own Fancy , than imitate Nature ; and endeavours more to make fine Pictures , than true ones : If his Pictures can but please , as that of Sejanus in the fourth Book of his Annals , he little cares whether they resemble or no , for he makes Sejanus a great deal worse than he was , if we can believe Paterculus , who commends him . Tacitus draws the Picture of Tiberius by his Actions , by which only he makes him known . Tacitus's Politicks are often false , because his Morals are not true : Either he makes Men too bad , or he is not himself plain enough . His Reflections are not natural , because they want Innocence . He Poysons and puts an ill construction upon Things . He has by that Humour spoiled several People , who imitate him in that , tho' not able to do it in any thing else . The Question of the Phoenix , which is related in the sixth Book of Tacitus's Annals ( upon the occasion of the News brought to Rome of a Phoenix which appeared in Egypt under the Reign of Tiberius ) is according to the Rules of an allowable Digression . The Question is scanned and examined by the different Opinions of the Naturalists about this extraordinary Bird , whose Qualities , Figure and Shape are succinctly described . These sort of Strokes well placed in a Narration are a great Ornament to it , and serve wonderfully well to stir up the Readers curiosity and keep his attention awake . This that follows is a fine Stroke taken , out of Tacitus . In the height of the Mirth and Frolicks of that famous Treat which Messalina gave her Lover , they caused a poor simple Fellow called Valens , to get up into a Tree , and asked him what he saw : A Storm ( said he ) which gathers in the Air and comes from Ostia . These Words spoke by that blundering Fellow , spoiled presently all their Sport , and cast a deep sadness into every Body , tho' blurted out at random and without design ; for they were a Prognosticating of the return of the Emperor , who arriving soon after , caused the Empress to be stabbed , being grown weary of her Lewdness . Those Strokes that have something surprizing in them , are very happy in History . Tacitus has no good Morals ; He is a great Dodger , that covers a bad Soul under a very fine Wit : He is mistaken in true Merit , because he thinks there can be no other than that of being cunning ; and he always speaks more out of Policy than according to Truth . He not only has ill thoughts of his Neighbour ▪ but also he shews no Piety or Reverence for the Gods , as one may see in his Discourse upon Fate against Providence , in the VI Book of his Annals , wherein he ascribes all to the Stars and blind Chance , upon the occasion of Trasullus , one of Tiberius's Astrologers , who was grown his Confident at Caprea . So difficult it is for an ill Man to be a good Historian ; for one has generally the same Principles with the other . Tacitus relates so many Obscenities of Tiberius , that Bocaline cannot bear with him for it . Tacitus has a particular way of describing Things and Persons , different from all the rest ; but he sticks too much to great Things , and will not descend to the little ones , which are not always to be slighted . He thinks well , but he does not always hit upon a clear Expression . He is sometimes too much a Philosopher . He is peremptory in his Decisions upon every thing , and speaks as if the Fate of all the World lay at his mercy . He Moralizes upon the Follies of others , that he may Lash every Body , and speak ill of all Mankind : He has spoiled a world of People , by creating in them a desire of studying Politicks , which is the most vain of all studies : This is the Rock against which so many Spaniards , as Antonio Perez , and so many Italians , such as Machiavel and Ammiralio have split .

VIII . Lucius Florus was of the Family of the Annae● , of which were also the Seneca's and Lucan , and which was originally come out of Sp●in , as appears by what he says in his History to the Honour of that Country . He flourished Two hundred Years after the Empire of Augustus , and wrote the Roman History in IV Books . His Stile is so florid , that it is almost all Poetical , and full of Printed Wit●icisms and glittering Thoughts , which makes Vossius say that Florus's Work is but a continued Declamation . He acknowledges however the Elegant Stile of that Author , and owns that he maintains the Genius and Character of those of his Family , who were all born to Eloquence and Poetry . Dictio quoque hanc domum sapit . Nam ea Eloquentiae & Poeseos laude , inclyta fuit . At dictio Historici hujus est diserta , & poeticae proprior ; imo opus ipsum vox aliud quam declamatio est .

Florus takes some Liberties not to be allowed in an Historian , and which become none but a Poet. When he speaks of Decimus Brutus his Expedition along the Celtick Coast , and that of Galicia and Portugal , he assures us that Brutus would not stop in the career of his Victories , till he had seen the fall of the Sun into the Ocean , and heard the dreadful Extinction of that fiery Planet in the Waters of the Sea : That afterwards Brutus had a scruple upon him , and was sorry he was gone so far , fearing to be accounted a Sacriledge , by seeing more than his Religion allowed him to do . This does not become a sincere Historian , because it is all false , whereupon Scaliger says , Putida 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 sunt haec .

This that follows is a Vision , which a Man of Sense ought not to relate but as a popular Report . When he speaks of the Defeat of the Cimbri , by Marius , he tells us that two Young Men appeared in Rome , near the Temple of Castor and Pollux , presenting to the Pretor Letters adorned with Laurel , as a sign of that Victory . We must take notice that Florus is a very ill Guide in point of Chronology , for either he did not know it , or he did extreamly neglect it in his Roman History . These are the Spots and Blemishes in Florus's History : Rapin says of him that he is florid , genteel and agreeable in his mean way of Writing .

IX . Suetonius Tranquillus , Son to Suetonius Lenis , Tribune of the XIII Legion , began to flourish about the end of the Reign of Vespasian . He was in great Reputation under Trajan and Adrian , having been Secretary of State to the latter . He was turn'd out of this Employment for being too familiar with the Empress Sabina , which was lookt upon as a Breach of the respect due to the supream Authority .

This Author has writ the History of the first 12 Caesars ; which makes up a Series of History of above a Hundred Years . He is beyond dispute one of the principal Authors of the Latin Tongue ; and Bodinus assures us , that none of the other Historians ever writ any thing more exact or more finish'd than what we have left of him . St. Ierom , who had taken him for his Pattern , when he begun his Catalogue of the Ecclesiastical Writers , says that Suetonius has writ with the same freedom as those Emperors lived of whom he writes the History . And indeed he relates a great many obscenities which the World would not much care to know ; and it were to be wished , says Muret , that Suetonius had not inform'd us so well of so much Lewdness , as Tiberius , Nero and Caligula have been guilty of . For it is to be fear'd , that when a Man relates so many Impurities , he may seem to set up a School to Teach them . There are some other Pieces of Suetonius , but they do not concern History .

X. Iustin , according to the most probable Opinion , flourish'd in the time of Antoninus Pius . He is the Abridger of Trogus Pompeius's History , and so they charge upon him the loss of that great Work .

The History of Trogus Pompeius , contain'd XLIV Books , and Iustin has kept to the same Number in his Abridgment . The Latin of Iustin is very fine , and such as is thought worthy of the Age of Augustus .

As for Trogus Pompeius , he was a Native of the Country of the Vocontii in the Gallia Narbonensis , and flourish'd under Augustus . His Grand-father was made Free of the City of Rome , through the favour of Pompey the Great : And his Father , after having born Arms under Caesar , became his Secretary and Keeper of his Seal . The Loss of his History is one of the greatest Misfortunes that could happen to the Common-wealth of Learning : It began at Ninus , the Founder of the Assyrian Monarchy , and came down as low as the Emperor Augustus .

In Iustine's Epitomy of this History , there are many Chronological Faults , which ought not to be imputed to Trogus Pompeius , for he was a Person too skilful to be guilty of them .

THESE are the most considerable Writers of the Roman Story , which was continued by those commonly call'd Augustan Writers , whose Names were Spartianus , Lampridius , Capitolinus , Vulcatius , &c. and afterwards by Amianus Marcellinus , a faithful and judicious Historian , who flourish'd in the Year of Christ 375. and Aurelius Victor , who liv'd in 395. and was an Author of great Prudence .

But to give particular Accounts of these and the many other Historians , who will claim the same Respect , would too much swell our Volume ; and they may be the rather omitted , because those that follow are abundantly short in excellence of those we have been speaking of ; which the learned Gerhard Vossius declares and confessed , that the good Days of History were past , and the doating Age of it began after the Antonines , when he began his second Book of Latin Historians with these Words , Transitur ad Historiae Senectutem .

It is exceedingly useful to a Reader , to be made acquainted with the History of the Author's Person and Circumstances , together with a Character of his Work , before he begins to read it ; for whereas without being preinform'd , perhaps half the Book shall be read before he discover it , and many Excellencies and Beauties , and it may be Faults , of the Work pass'd by unobserv'd , for want of such Knowledge . The Reader is on the contrary , very much enlightned , and Studies the Author with a great deal more pleasure and true Profit , when he is already taught wherein his excellency consists , or where his Faults lie , that he pass not by the one without proper Notice , or be 〈…〉 .

'T is for this Reason , that we have given the preceeding Account of Historians , and have been so large in their Characters ; wherein we have not presum'd to give our own Judgment , but only to set down that of such Criticks as are of approv'd Learning and Judgment : And this , we think , is the properest Introduction to the Study of History .

We shall proceed now to a short , but distinct , and as exact as possible Account of the most considerable Ancient and Modern Monarchies and Governments of the World . But in as much as we perceive that the finishing this Work , so perfectly as it should be , will take up greater space than we at first intended , this Volume shall terminate at the Birth of our Saviour ; and therefore having in this gone through the Three great Monarchies of Assyria , Persia and Greece , together with the Chinese and Egyptain Monarchies , and the several smaller Kingdoms and Republicks that were contemporary with , and mostly swallow'd up by them ; I say , having gone through these and the Roman History , till the arrival of that Monarchy to its highest pitch of Grandeur under the Emperor Augustus ; we shall close this Volume , and compose another which shall continue a General History down to these Times .

A SYSTEM OF Universal History . PART III.

CONTAINING A Compendious History and Chronology of the most considerable Transactions that happen'd in the World , from the Creation to the time of our Saviour .

Exhibiting a Series of the History and Succession of the Governments of these Nations , Viz: I. The Church of God under Patriarchs . The Israelites under the Judges and Kings , and the Iews under the High-Priests and Captains . II. The Assyrian Monarchy . III. The Persian Monarchy . IV. The Grecian Monarchy . V. The Empire of China . VI. The Kingdom of Egypt . VII . The ancient Governments of Greece , viz. of Athens , Lacedemon , Macedon , Corinth , Sicyon , Argos , Troy , Lydia , Tyre , &c. VIII . The Roman Monarchy , from its Origine to its Establishment under Augustus .

Printed for Tim. Childe . 1698.

A Short SYSTEM OF Universal History . PART III. An Account of the Ancient Monarchies , which preceded the Birth of IESVS CHRIST .

CHAP. I. An Account of the Church of God under the Old Testament .

GOD created the Heaven and the Earth , and all that in them is . He created them out of Nothing , by the sole Power of his Word , for his own Glory . He did not make them all at once , as if it were out of Necessity ; but in Six Days time , and according to the Order which he thought most convenient . The first Day he made the Light ; the second he made the Heaven ; the third Day he divided the Heaven from the Earth , and caused the Earth to bring forth Herbs , Trees , and all manner of Plants ; the fourth Day he made the Sun , Moon , and Stars ; the fifth Day he made the Fishes and the Fowls ; the sixth Day he caused the Earth to bring forth all the other Beasts ; and lastly , he made Man to command all the rest of the Creation . The seventh Day God rested , having finished all his Works ; that is , he ceased from producing new Creatures . God made Man in his own Image and Likeness ; that is to say , after he had formed a Body out of the Earth , he breathed into it the Breath of Life . 'T is this Soul which is the Image of God , because it is a Spirit . God having made Man , made also Woman to be an help meet for him ; and he made her of one of the Man's Ribs ; that so the Man and the Woman might love each other entirely , and be made one , as being but one Flesh.

The Man whom God called Adam , and the Woman whom God called Eve , were Innocent when they came out of the Hands of their Cteator ; but they fell into Sin by the Malice of the Devil , and involved all their Posterity in their Guilt , and in all the Miseries consequent thereupon . All Mankind make up one sinful Mass of Perdition ; out of which , God makes choice of a small number of Persons to compose the Heavenly Ierusalem . These Elect are mix'd on Earth in the Church among the Men of this World , whom God looks upon as Vessels of Wrath , and abandons to his Justice . These Carnal and Fleshly-minded Men , together with the Infidels , make up the Church of the Reprobate , which in Scripture Language is called Babylon . All that happens here on Earth , is for the Sanctification of the Elect , whose Assembly composes Ierusalem , which is actuated by no other Principle than Charity ; whereas Babylon , a Slave to its Lusts and Passions , is under the Dominion of Concupiscence . So that the Church , the Object of our Lord's Mercy , is the only thing which lasts in the World for ever . All Things pass away , all Things perish ; the most puissant Monarchies fall to decay . The Church alone remains ; thô God sometimes seems to abandon it , in order to purifie , correct , and prove it . This is what may easily be collected from the whole Sequel of this Chronology ; where we shall find , that all Empires have an End , whilst the Church lasts always , and Iesus Christ brings within the Pale of his visible Church all Nations of the Earth , by virtue of the Cross. This made St. Augustine to say , that Iesus Christ became Lord of the Universe , not with the Sword in his Hand , but on the contrary , by having his Hands nailed to the Cross. His Words are , Quid fortius manu hâc , quae mundum vicit , non ferro armata , sed ferro transfixa .

Forasmuch as Christians cannot have any greater Interest , than to be acquainted with the History of that Church , whereof they are Members : Their Curiosity , methinks , might induce them to enquire how the Church of God still subsists , even when every thing else decays , and submits to the Stroke of Fate or Time . We can discover the Duration of Monarchies , trace their Beginning , Progress , and End : But the Church Militant here on Earth is what began , and will end with the World . What an amazing Sight is this ! Can any thing more excite the Curiosity of a Man of Genius , than to know how this Church , a Stranger here on Earth , surrounded by so many Enemies , and which so many Kings and Emperors attempted to destroy , has still subsisted spight of all the Fury and Malice of Hell ?

The Church of God under the Old Testament begins with the World , and ends at Iesus Christ , who is the Corner-Stone which under the Gospel reunites all Nations in his Church , and which takes away that middle Wall of Partition , which stood formerly between the Iews and the Gentiles . It s Duration is according to some about 3950 , according to others 4000 Years . But since 't is difficult to trace the Succession of so many Years together , without being bewilder'd , we have assigned several Epochas , which may serve as so many Points of Sight , to direct us farther ; or as so many Breathing Places to rest in before we proceed : We shall therefore consider the Iews to the Coming of Christ under four kinds of Governments .

The first is Patriarchal , under 22 Patriarchs . The second is Iudicial ▪ under 22 Iudges . The third is Regal , under 22 Kings . The fourth is Sacerdotal , under 22 Ancestors of Iesus Christ .

Sect. 1. The State of the People of God under the 22 Patriarchs . This State lasts 2453 Years ; that is , from Adam the first of Men and the first of Patriarchs , down to Moses the first Governor or Iudge of the Jews . Years of the World . Years before Christ . 1. 1. ADAM is created by God , and lived 930 Years . 3950 130. 2. SETH is born ; he lived 912 Years . 3820 235. 3. Enos is born ; he lived 905 Years . 3715 325. 4. Cainan is born ; he lived 910 Years . 3625 395. 5. Malaleel is born ; he lived 895 Years . 3555 460. 6. Iared is born ; he lived 962 Years . 3490 622. 7. Enoch born ; he lived 365 Years , and is Translated . 3328 687. 8. Methusalah is born ; he lived 969 Years . 3263 874. 9. Lamech is born ; he lived 777 Years . 3076 1056. 10. Noah is born ; he lived 950 Years . 2894 1558. 11. Shem is born ; he lived 600 Years . 2392 1656. 12. The Deluge , wherein all that had Life perished , except Noah and his Family , and the Creatures which he took with him into the Ark. 2294 1658. 12. Arphaxad is born ; he lived 438 Years . 2292 1693. 13. Salah is born ; he lived 433 Years . 2257 1723. 14. Eber is born ; he lived 464 Years . 2227 1757. 15. Peleg is born ; he lived 239 Years . 2193 1781. The Chaldeans the first Observers of the Stars . 2169 1787. 16. Reu is born ; he lived 239 Years . 2163 1819. 17. Serug is born ; he lived 230 Years . 2131 1849. 18. Nahor is born ; he lived 148 Years . 2101 1878. 19. Terah is born ; he lived 205 Years . 2072 1948. 20. Abraham is born ; he lived 175 Years ▪ 2002

It is here to be observed , That there are some who place the Birth of Abraham 60 Years later , viz. in the Year of the World 2008 , because ( as they gather from Gen. 12.4 . ) he was but 75 Years old when he departed out of Haran , which happened after Terah's Death , who died in Haran in the 205th Year of his Age. This Opinion seems to have very probable Reasons on its side , which inclined Archbishop Vsher , and others , to embrace it . But let the Case be how it will , ●e thought fit to make this Remark , and to inform the Reader , that notwithstanding this , we chose to follow the Vulgar and more known Account , that so our Chronology may be all of a Piece , and the Thread of it be the better continued .

2023. Much about the time it was , that the Nations of the Earth being notoriously given up to Idolatry , and the Worship of false Gods , God thought fit to separate to himself a Chosen People from the rest of the Corrupted World . Abraham was the Person made choice of to be the Head , and Father of all the Faithful . He always led a Plain and Pastoral , but withal a Noble and Magnificent Life : From his Loins proceeded the Saviour of the World , Iesus Christ ; and he was the first Man whom God honoured with his Alliance , stiling him his Friend . 1927 2048. 21. Isaac is born ; he lived 180 Years . 1902 2108. 22. Iacob is born ; he lived 147 Years . 1842 2238. About this time Iacob understanding that his Son Ioseph ( whom he thought to have been dead ) was living , and preferred to great Honour in Egypt , went down thither , as well to have the Comfort of seeing him before he died , as to get a Subsistance for himself and Family , because the Famine raged in all that Country , except in Egypt . The Scriptures inform us , that Iacob's Family , who went down into Egypt , was in all 70 Souls . 1712 2453. The Children of Israel remained in Egypt the space of 215 Years , where they multiplied so exceedingly , even amidst the Pressures of a very severe Bondage , which they endured after the Death of Ioseph , that they went thence under the Conduct of Moses Six hundred thousand fighting Men , beside Women and Children . 1497

A REMAKK Concerning the Origine of the Nations of the Earth .

FOrasmuch as the whole Race of Mankind , except Noah's Family , perished by the Flood ; 't is from this Family that all the People of the Earth descended .

Noah had three Sons , Iaphet , Sem , Ham.

I. SEM , thô the second Son , is the Person we place first , because from him descended Abraham , David , and Iesus Christ himself according to the Flesh. He had five Sons , 1. Elam , from whom came the Elamites , the Grandsires of the Persians . 2. Assur , from whom came the Name of Assyria , and the Assyrians . 3. Arphaxad , to whom was born Salah , the Father of Eber or Heber , from whom proceeded the Hebrews , that is , the Iews , or the People of God . 4. Lud , from whom proceeded the Lydians , not those of Asia Minor , but others less known upon the Confines of Persia. 5. Aram , from whom proceeded the Syrians ; Syria in the Hebrew is called Aram.

St. Augustin makes this Judicious Reflection , That the Scriptures make no mention of the Descendants of several of Noah's Children ; as for Instance , of Elam , Assur , Lud , the Sons of Sem , because they were not the Heads or Chiefs of any Nation .

Aram had four Sons .

1. Vz , who seiz'd upon Trachonitis , and the Country of Damas , and called one of these Countries by the Name of Vz , where Iob dwelt . 2. Hull , from whom came the Armenians . 3. Gether , from whom proceeded the Bactrians . 4. Mesh , from whom came the Mesraeneans , situated along the Gulph of Persia.

Heber , Arphaxad's Grandson , had two Sons .

1. Peleg , so called , because in his Days the Earth was divided into several Nations and Languages . 2. Ioktan , who had 13 Sons : They were the Chief Heads of several Colonies , who spread themselves over the Face of the Earth . 1. Almodad , who became Master of all the Countries of the Indians , from the River Cophena , which falls into the River Indus , according to Iosephus and St. Ierom. 2. Sheleph . 3. Hazarmaveth . 4. Ierah . 5. Hadoram . 6. Vzal . 7. Diklah , 8. Obal . 9. Abimael . 10. Sheba . 11. Ophir , who gave his Name to that Country in the East , from which they fetch Gold : And the Scriptures make mention of Mount Sephar towards the East , which was upon the Confines of their Country . 12. Havila . 13. Iobab .

II. HAM had four Sons .

1. Cush settled himself in Ethiopia , which the Hebrews to this day call Cush . 2. Misraim , who went into Egypt , which in Hebrew is called Mesraim , where there is even at this day a City called Mesra . 3. Phut , from whom proceeded the Inhabitants of Lybia and Mauritania , where at this very time there is a River called Phut . 4. Canaan , from whom came the Canaanites , who were in possession of the Holy Land till they were outed by the People of Israel .

Cush begat Nimrod , who began to be a mighty one upon Earth . He was one of the greatest Hunters under the Cope of Heaven . The Capital City of his Kingdom was Babylon ; next to it , Erech , that is , Edessa in Mesopotamia ; Achads , that is , Nisiba ; and Calneh , that is , Seleusia or Ctesiphonta in the Land of Shinar near Babylon .

Out of that Land went forth Ashur , who built Nineveh , and the Streets of that City , and Calah : He likewise built the great City of Resen , which lies between Nineveh and Calah .

Cush had five Sons more .

1. Seba , from whom came the Sabeans in Arabia Felix . 2. Havilah , from whom proceeded the Getulians in Africa . 3. Sabtah , from whom came the Sabathenians in Arabia , where , according to the Account of Geographers , is situated the City of Sabathai or Sabatia . 4 Raamah . 5. Sabtechah . St. Ierom says , that from these two last Sons of Cush are descended such People , as 't is hard at present to reconcile their ancient Names with the new ones .

Raamah had two Sons .

1. Sheba , from whom descended the Sabeans , different from those which we have already mentioned . For there are two Countries of Sheba in Arabia , both of them famous for the Frankincense which comes from thence in abundance . The one is writ with a Schin , and the other with a Samech . 'T is from the first which the Queen of Sheba came to visit King Solomon : And in the 71st Psalm , where we read the Kings of Arabia and Saba , in the Hebrew 't is 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , the Kings of Sheba and Saba . 2. Dodan , from whom is derived , according to St. Ierom , the Name of a Country of Ethiopia .

Misraim had six Sons .

1. Ludim , from whom came the Lydians , who are in Africa . 2. Anamim . 3. Lehabim , from whom came the Lydians , formerly called Phuteans . 4. Nephtahim . 5. Pathrusim . 6. Chas●uhim . As for four of these Nations , Iosephus and St. Ierom declare , That at present they are very obseure , because they were exterminated in the Wars of Ethiopia .

Canaan had eleven Sons .

1. Sidon , who built the City of Sidon , and gave it his Name . The Canaanites , who inhabited Phenicia and the Holy Land , have been famous for their great Commerce , from whence came the Riches of Tyre and Sidon . Upon which account it is , that the Scripture gives in the general the Name of Canaanites to Merchants and Traders . 2. Heth , the Father of the People who dwelt in the Promised Land . 3. Iebuseus ; Iebus was the first Name of the City of Ierusalem , whose Inhabitants , and those of the Neighbouring Country , were called Iebusites . 4. Amoreheus , the Father of the Amorites , who dwelt in the Promised Land , and whom God ordered his People to drive out . 5. Gergeseus . From whom descended The Girgasites . 6. Heveus . From whom descended The Hivites . 7. Araceus ; from whom came the Arkites , and from whom ( according to St. Ierom ) the City of Arcas near Libanus took its Name . 8. Sineus , of whom came the Inhabitants of the Wilderness of Sin , or rather of Mount Sina . 9. Aradeus , from whom descended the Arvadites , and who gave his own Name to the Cities of Arade and Antarade ; of which Ezekiel makes mention . 10. Samareus , of whom came the Inhabitants of the City and Country of Samaria . 11. Hamatheus , from whom proceeded the Inhabitants of the City of Hamath . There are two of these Cities mentioned in Scripture , the Greater Hamath , which is Antioch , and the Lesser Hamath , called Epiphania .

III. IAPHET had seven Sons .

1. Gomer , of whom came the first Inhabitants of the Country of Galatia . 2. Magog , from whom proceeded the Greeks , the Messagetans , and the Scythians . 3. Madai , from whom descended the Medes , and , according to several , the Macedonians . 4. Iavan , of whom came the Ionians , and all the other Greeks . 5. Tubal , of whom came the Iberians , who are situated beyond the Euxine Sea , and not those who dwelt in Spain . 6. Meschech , from whom descended the Muscovites , or the Capadocians . There is in Capadocia a City formerly called Mazaca , and since named Cesarea . 7. Tiras from whom proceeded the Thracians .

Gomer had three Sons .

1. Ashkenaz , from whom came the Germans , whom the Hebrews at this very day call Askenssim . 2. Riphath , of whom proceeded the Paphlagonians . 3. Togarmath , of whom came the Phrygians .

Iavan had four Sons .

1. Elishah , of whom came the Italians , or the Inhabitants of the Fortunate Islands , which were called Elisiae . 2. Tarshish , of whom proceeded the Cilicians , the Capital City whereof is Tarsus . 3. Kittim , from whom descended the Cyprians , of which the Capital City is called Cytinium . The Hebrews give the Name of Chittim to all the Cities and Provinces which are upon the Sea-Coast ; for which Reason 't is said of Alexander the Great , that he comes from the Land of Chittim ; and the same Name in Scripture is applied to Italy . 4. Dodonim , from whom came the Rhodians , or rather the Dodoneans in Epirus .

These are the Families of the Sons of Noah after their Generations in their Nations , and by these were the Nations divided in tho Earth after the Flood , Gen. X. 32.

And now after all this Account , does it not appear that the World is but of a short Date ? We here find Laws first Enacted ; the Manners polished ; Empires founded ; and Arts invented ; The Earth we find peopled by little and little ; Experience improved ; and Mankind by degrees awaking out of the Slumber of Ignorance . Husbandry then began to be in Use ; wild Beasts were caught , and tamed for the Service of Mankind . Abundance of Inventions and Sciences began then to appear , and Nimrod the first Warrior , and other of the first Heroes , began to Signalize themselves . Should we look beyond this Account which Moses has given us of the Origine of the World , we shall meet with nothing but Darkness , Obscurity , and Chaos ; and no Wonder if Fables and Fictions be the Product of such Beginnings : Whereas if we fix here , we find Truth , and Light , and Certainty , whereon to build some Assurance , and to which we may give our free Assent and Consent .

A REMARK Concerning the Heads of the Families of the People of God .

JACOB had twelve Sons , who were the twelve Heads from whence the twelve Tribes of the People of God proceeded .

By his Wife Leah he had six Sons .

1. Reuben . 2. Simeon . 3. Levi. 4. Iudah . 5. Issachar . 6. Zabulon .

By his Wife Zilpah he had two Sons .

1. Gad. 2. Aser .

By his Wife Rachel he had two Sons .

1. Ioseph . 2. Benjamin .

By his Wife Bilhah he had two Sons .

1. Dan. 2. Nephthali .

Iacob , who had a great deal of Esteem and Affection for Rachel , continued the same Respect for her after her Death . Therefore having only two Sons by her , Ioseph and Benjamin , he adopts the two Sons of Ioseph , Ephraim and Manasses , that so by placing these among the rest of his Sons , he might give himself some Comfort for the small number of Children which he had by her .

'T is upon this account that Iacob blessed Ephraim and Manasses , as well as his own Children , which he did after a strange and surprising manner . Manasses was the eldest , and therefore Iacob's Right Hand should have been laid upon him , and his Left on Ephraim . But the quite contrary happen'd , which made Ioseph inform his Father of the Mistake , supposing it had been through the Dimness of his Sight . But Iacob tells him , I know it , my Son , I know it ; Manasses shall become the Head of many People , and he shall be great ; but his Brother Ephraim shall be greater than he , and his Seed shall become a Multitude of Nations . Gen. 48.19 .

These are the Heads of the Twelve Tribes of Israel , and this is it that their Father spake to them , and blessed them every one , according to his Blessing he blessed them . Gen. 49.28 .

Sect. 2. The State of the People of God under the 22 Iudges or Leaders . This State lasts 426 Years ; that is , from Moses the first Leader of the People of God , to Saul the first of their Kings . Among these , there are six of the Leaders who were not Hebrews , but Tyrants , to whom God delivered his People to punish them for their Sins . Years of the World . Years before Christ . 2453. 1. MOSES begins to govern the People of God , and leads them for the space of Forty Years . 1497 2493. 2. IOSHVA governs the Iews , and within six years , about the year of the World 2499 , setled them in the Promised Land . 1457 2510. Ioshua dies , having governed the People of God about 17 years after the Death of Moses . 1440

The Elders govern the Iews , who are obedient to God for the space of 15 years .

2525. There is an Interregnum among the Iews for the space of six years , during which time the People lived according as they thought fit . They became corrupted in their Manners , fell into downright Idolatry , and provoked God to give them up to the Cruelty of their Enemies . 1425 2531. I. The First Servitude which lasted Eight years . 1419

3. Chushan-rishathaim , King of Mesopotamia , oppresses the People of God .

2539. 4. Othniel frees the People of God from their Servitude . 1411 2551. II. The Second Servitude which lasted Eighteen years . 1399

5. Eglon the King of Moab oppresses the People of God .

2570. 6. Ehud delivers the People of God . He was a valiant Man , and , as the Scripture tells us , was Left-handed . 1380 2631. III. The Third Servitude which lasted Twenty years . 1319

7. Iabin the King of Canaan oppresses the People of God .

2651 , 8. Deborah , who judged the Iews , together with Barak , defeats Sisera , Iabin's General , and delivers the People of God . Iael , Heber's Wife , fastens Sisera's Head , while he was asleep , with a Nail to the Ground . 1299 2671. IV. The Fourth Servitude which lasted Seven years .

9. The Midianites oppress the Iews .

2679. 10. Gideon defeats the Midianites , and delivers the Iews from their Servitude . 1271

After the Death of Gideon , the Iews fall into Idolatry .

2711. 11. Abimilech , the Son of Gideon , desiring to be made King , kills his seventy Brethren , and governs the Iews three years . 1239 2714. 12. Tolah judges the Iews the space of three and twenty years . 1236 2737. Iair governs the Iews the space of two and twenty years . 1213 2741. V. The Fifth Servitude which lasted Eighteen years . 1209

14. The Philistines and Ammonites afflict the People of God in the time of Iair's Government .

2759. 15. Iephtha succeeds Iair , delivers the Israelites from the Servitude of the Philistines and the Ammonites , and governs the Iews six years . The Scriptures take notice , that this Man made a rash Vow to sacrifice the first who should give him the Meeting upon his Return from the Conquest , who happen'd to be his own Daughter . 1191 2765. 16. Ibzan succeeds Iephtha , and judges Israel seven years . 1185 2772. 17. Elon judges the Iews the space of ten years . 1178 2782. 18. Abdon governs Israel the space of eight years . 1168 2767. VI. The Sixth Servitude which lasted almost Forty years . 1183

19. The Philistines afflict the People of God .

2789. 20. Sampson , when he was about Nineteen years old , being inspired by God , undertakes to defend the Israelites , whom he judges for the space of twenty years ; and as far as he was able , delivered from the Tyranny of the Philistines , of whom he killed great Numbers . At last , by the Allurements of a Woman , he was made Prisoner by the Philistines , had his Eyes put out , and in Revenge pulled down an House upon himself and three thousand People of the Philistines . 1161 2810. 21. Eli governs the Iews the space of forty years , who was so remiss in the Government of his loose and disorderly Sons , that he provoked God to Anger against him ; and upon hearing the News of his Sons Deaths , and of the taking of the Ark , he fell backwards from his Seat , and brake his Neck by the fall . 1140 2849. 22. Samuel succeeds Eli , and governs the Iews the space of one and twenty years . 1101 2879. The Israelites require Samuel to give them a King : He gives them Saul , who was about forty years old when he began to Reign . 1071

Sect. 3. The State of the People of God under the 22 Kings . This State lasted 481 Years , from the beginning of the Reign of Saul the first King of the Jews , to the end of the Reign of Zedekiah , who was their last King . Years of the World . Years before Christ . 2879. 1. SAVL is anointed King by Samuel , and reigns over Israel ten years . Saul , contrary to the Order of God , spares Agag the King of the Amalakites ; at which God is offended , and sends Samuel to acquaint him of his Displeasure , who makes Amends for the Fault of Saul , by causing Agag to be put to Death . 1071 2889. The Army of Saul is defeated by the Phililistines ; his three Sons slain in Battel ; and he being very much wounded , laid violent hands on himself . 1061

2. DAVID having consulted the Oracle of God , returned into Iudea , where the Tribe of Iudah anointed him for their King , being then about thirty years old . Abner , Saul's General , takes his Son Ishbosheth to be King over the other ten Tribes . But at last Abner being killed by Ioab ; and Ishbosheth , after he had reigned five years , being murdered by two barbarous Assassins , Rechab and Baanah , David became King of all Israel .

2901. About this time it was that David fetched the Ark home ; and Vzzias , who laid hold on the Ark to keep it from falling , was struck dead . 1049 2926. At this time David , out of a Motive of Vain-glory , caused Ioab to number the People ; for which Offence , God sent the Plague among them , which in three days time destroyed seventy thousand Men. 1024 2929. David , at the Instance of Bathsheba and the Prophet Nathan , makes his Son Solomon King , the one being about seventy , and the other about eighteen years old . 1021 2930. David dies , after he had reigned above forty years , viz. seven and an half at Hebron , and three and thirty years at Ierusalem . 1020 2931. 3. SOLOMON , when he first began his Reign , married the Daughter of Pharoah , and prays God to give him Wisdom . 1019 2934. Solomon builds the Temple which David had designed to do , but was prevented from it by reason of the Wars wherein he was engaged . This temple began to be built the fourth year of his Reign , 480 years after the coming out of Egypt , and it was finished the beginning of the year of the World 2940 , just 1010 years before the coming of Christ . 1016 2969. Solomon dies , after he had reigned about forty years . 981

4. Rehoboam succeeds his Father Solomon . But this young King following the Counsel of the young Men , and not that of the old Men , who advised him to use his People mildly and with moderation in the beginning of his Reign , returned a rough Answer to the Deputies of his People , and by this imprudent Act lost the Kingdom of Israel . For all Israel , that is , the Ten Tribes , revolted from Rehoboam , and took Ieroboam the Son of Nabat to make him their King . Here began that fatal Division between the Kings of Judah and Israel , which lasted for so many years after .

We will at present continue the Succession of the Kings of Iudah , without intermixing any thing of the Kings of Israel , that so we may avoid Confusion . But after we have done with the Account of their Succession , we think it proper to subjoin the Series of the Kings of Israel , adding what happened most Remarkable in each of their Reigns .

2986. Rehoboam dies , after he had reigned seventeen years . 964

5. Abijam , a wicked King , succeeds his Father , and reigned three years .

2989. 6. Asa , a good King , succeeds his Father , and reigns one and forty years . 961 3030. 7. Iehoshaphat , a good King , succeeds his Father , and reigns five and twenty years . 920

Elias , the Man of God , in a time of Dearth is fed by two Ravens by the Brook Cherith .

In this King's Reign Elias was taken up into Heaven , and Elisha inherited a double Portion of the Spirit which rested on that Prophet ; and the Children who mocked Elisha were torn in pieces by two Bears .

3055. 8. Iehoram , a wicked King , succeeded his Father , and reigned eight years . 895 3063. 9. Ahazias , a wicked King , succeeded his Father , and reigned one year . 887 3064. Athalia usurped the Throne of Iudah , which she held the space of six years . 886

In her time a dead Man , who by chance was thrown into the Sepulcher of Elisha , was raised to Life again by touching the Prophet's Bones .

3070. 10. Ioash at seven years old was shewn to the People by the High Priest Iehoiada . He was anointed King , and reigned over Iudah the space of forty years . During the Life-time of Iehoiada , Ioash behaved himself regularly , and governed well ; but after that Priest's Death , he soon degenerated . 880

Zacharias the High Priest was stoned to Death between the Temple and the Altar by the express Order of King Ioash , whom he had reproved for his Misdemeanours .

3110. 11. Amaziah , a good King , succeeded his Father , and reigned nine and twenty years . 840 3139. 12. Vzziah or Azarias , after his Father was killed , began to reign , and his Reign lasted two and fifty years . 811

In his Reign Isaiah began to Prophesy : He prophecied for above the space of one hundred years .

Hosea prophecied in the time of Vzziah , Iotham , Ahaz , and Hezekiah , during the space of a whole Century .

Ioel prophecied about the same time .

Amos.

3191. 13. Iotham , a good King , succeeded his Father Vziah , and reigned sixteen years . 759

About this time Obadiah prophecied in Israel , when Isaiah prophecied in Iudah .

Micah prophecied for the space of fifty years and upwards .

Ionah seems to have been sent much about this time to Nineveh .

3207. 14. Ahaz , a wicked King , succeeded his Father Iotham , and reigned sixteen years . 743

This impious Prince renewed all the Abominations of Idolatry in Ierusalem , which provoked the Lord to deliver him up into the hands of his Enemies .

3223. 15. Hezekiah , a good King , succeeded his Father Ahaz , and reigned nine and twenty years . 727

In his Reign Sennacherib King of Assyria invaded Iudah , sent Rabshokah to Ierusalem to threaten Hezekiah and the Iews : But blaspheming the God o● Israel , he sent a destroying Angel among the Assyrian Army , who cut off in one night an hundred fourscore and five thousand Men.

In his time likewise the King of Babylon sent Ambassadors to Hezekiah , who out of Civility shewed them the House of his precious Things and all his Treasury ; which gave an occasion to Isaiah of prophesying concerning the future Babylonish Captivity .

Nahum prophecied , and comforted the Ten Captive Tribes .

The Angel Raphael was sent by God to attend young Tobias in the Journey he was to take .

3252. 16. Manasses , a wicked King , succeeded his Father Hezekiah at the age of twelve years , and reigned five and fifty years . 698 3274. Manasses was taken and carried to Babylon in the two and twentieth year of his Reign : But his Affliction made him reflect , and humble himself in the sight of God ; upon which he was brought immediately back to Ierusalem , where he reigned three and thirty years more . 676

At this time happened the History of Iudith , who cut off the Head of Holofernes , and delivered the City of Bet●uliah .

3307. 17. Amon , a wicked King , succeeded his Father Manasses , and reigned two years after him ; and was killed treacherously by some of his own Court . 643 3309. 18. Iosias , a good King , at the age of eight years succeeded his Father Amon , and reign'd one and thirty years . He re-established the Worship of God throughout his Kingdom , and exceeded in Virtue all the Kings who had went before him . 641 3321. Iosias , in the twelfth year of his Reign , purged Iudah and Ierusalem from their Idolatry . 629

Ieremiah began to prophecy , and continued it for the space of near five and forty years .

Zephaniah , Baruch , Habakkuk , and other Prophets , belong to this time .

3338. Iosias inconsiderately waged War with Pharaoh Neko King of Egypt , wherein he was killed , and all the Joy of Iudah was turned into Mourning . 612

19. Iehoahaz or Shallum succeeded his Father , and reigned three months .

Neko King of Egypt returning from Assyria , deposed Iehoahaz , and made his elder Brother Eliakim King in his stead ; turning his Name into Iehoiakim , and carried Iehoahaz along with him Captive to Egypt , where he died .

3339. 20. Iehoiakim succeeded his Brother , and reigned over Iudah eleven years . 611 3344. This year Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon took Iehoiakim Captive , with an intention to carry him to Babylon ; afterwards having released him upon very hard Terms , he left him at Ierusalem , where he remained as his Vassal . This Nebuchadnezzar carried away with him part of the Vessels of the Temple , with several Children of the Blood Royal , and several Persons of Quality , among whom was Daniel and his Companions . 'T is here we must begin to reckon the Seventy Years of Captivity . 606

Daniel begins to prophesy , being then very young .

3350. Iehoiakim was kill'd by the Babylonians , and cast out to be devoured by the Fowls of the Air , and the Beasts of the Field . 600

21. Iechonias or Iehoiachin succeeded his Brother Iehoiakim , and reigned in Ierusalem the space of three months . But Nebuchadnezzar carried him away to Babylon , with his Mother and the principal Men of his Court , among whom were Ezekiel , and Mordecai , the Uncle of Esther ; with all the Treasures of Iudah , and all the Vessels of the Temple which remained : He made his Uncle Mattaniah King , and changed his Name to Zedekiah .

3350. 22. Zedekiah the last King of Iudah reigned at Ierusalem the space of eleven years . 600

Ezekiel began to prophecy the fifth year of his Captivity at Babylon , and prophecied to the seven and twentieth year . He was descended from the Race of the Priests .

3360. In the eleventh year of Zedekiah , Ierusalem was besieged , taken , and plunder'd by the Babylonians . Zedekiah was taken in his flight ; His Children killed before his face , his Eyes put out , himself bound with Fetters of Brass , and carried away to Babylon . His Palace was burnt , the Temple destroyed , the Walls of Ierusalem thrown down , and all the People of Iudah led Captive to Babylon , where they remained till the year of the World 3419 , before Christ 531. 590

Here follows the Succession of the Kings of Israel . The State of the Ten Tribes under the Government of Nineteen Kings , from the beginning of the Reign of Jeroboam , to the end of the Reign of Hosea , in whose time they were carried into Captivity by Shalmaneser . This State lasted 258 Years . Years of the World . Years before Christ . 2969. 1. JEroboam the Son of Nobat was made King , and reigned over Israel two and twenty years . He to strengthen himself , and to keep the People from revolting to Rehoboam , set up two Golden Calves , the one at Dan , and the other at Bethel , and by this means made Israel to sin . 981

In his Reign a Man of God was sent out of Iudah , who prophesied against the Altar at Bethel , foretold the Ruin of it by Iosiah , restored Ieroboam's wither'd Hand , and was slain by a Lion for disobeying the Command of God in eating ▪ contrary to the Divine Prohibition , at the old Prophet's House .

2991. 2. Nadab , a wicked King , succeeded his Father Ieroboam , and reigned two years . He , and all Ieroboam's Family , were cut off by Baasha , according as Ahijah the Shilonite had foretold . 959 2993. 3. Baasha , a wicked King , succeeded Nadab , and reigned over Israel four and twenty years . He was engaged in a War with Asa King of Iuda , walked in the Sin of Ieroboam , and was threatned by Iehu the Prophet the Son of Hanani . 957 3016. 4. Elah , a wicked King , succeeded his Father Baasha , and reigned over Israel two years . He was killed by Zimri , as he was drinking himself drunk in Tirzab . 934 3018. 5 Zimri succeeded Elah , but was outed by Omri within seven days , 932

6. Omri succeeded Zimri , killed Tibni who opposed him ▪ translated the Royal Palace from Tirzah to Samaria , and reigned over Israel twelve years .

3029. 7. Ahab , a wicked and idolatrous King , succeeded his Father Omri and reigned over Israel two and twenty years . He married Iezebel , the Daughter of Ethbaal King of the Zidonians ; was a Worshipper of Baal ; killed the Prophets of the Lord ; was besieged by Benhadad King of Syria , whom he overcame and sent away with Honour ; Caused Naboth the Iezreelite to be stoned to Death , and unlawfully seized on his Vineyard ; and at last was seduced by false Prophets to go to Ramoth Gilead to Battel , where he was slain , according to the Word of the Lord spoken by Micaiah the Prophet . 921

In this Kings Reign Hiel the Bethelite built Iericho : He laid the Foundation thereof in Abiram his First-born , and set up the Gates thereof in his youngest Son Segub ; according to the Word of the Lord which he spake by Ioshua the Son of Nun. 1 King . 16.34 .

3050. 8. Ahaziah , a wicked King , succeeded his Father Ahab , and reigned over Israel two years . He was hurt by a fall , sent Messengers to Baalzebub the God of Ekron , to enquire whether he should recover or no ; Elijah meets and stops the Messengers , denounces the Death of the King , and brings Fire from Heaven upon his Messengers . 900 3051. 9. Iehoram , a wicked King , succeeded his Brother Ahaziah , and reigned over Israel twelve years . He overcame the Moabites by Elisha's Miracle , was besieged by the Syrians , and afterwards slain by Iehu . 899

In his time the Shunamite's Son was raised to Life by Elisha ; Naaman was cleansed of his Leprosy ; the Army of the Syrians was struck with Blindness ; a great Famine happened in Samaria ; the Syrians raised the Siege in haste , and leave a great Plenty of Provisions behind them ; and the incredulous Lord , who would not believe the Prophet Elisha , who foretold this Plenty , having the Charge of the Gate , was trodden to death by the Croud .

3063. 10. Iehu the Son of Nimshi was anointed King by a Prophet at Ramoth-Gilead : Killed Iehoram and his Mother Iezebel , and Ahaziah the King of Iudah , and reigned over Israel eight and twenty years . He killed all the Sons of Ahab , destroyed the Worshippers of Baal , but follows the Sin of Ieroboam , and worshiped the Golden Calves . 887 3091. 11. Iehoahaz , a wicked King , succeeded his Father Iehu , and reigned over Israel seventeen years . He was greatly oppressed by Hazael King of Syria , but was reliev'd by Prayer . 859 3107. 12. Iehoash or Ioash , a wicked King , succeeded his Father Iehoahaz , and reigned over Israel sixteen years . He obtained three Victories over Banadad King of Syria , according to the Prophe●y of Elisha , who died in his Reign . 843 3123. 13. Ieroboam a wicked King succeeded his Father Ioash , and reigned over Israel one and forty years . He recovered Hamath and Damascus from the Syrians , but departed not from the Idolatry of Ieroboam the Son of Nabat , who made Israel to sin . 827 3164. Here happened an Interregnum , which lasted Twelve Years ; after which , 786 3175. 14. Zachariah , a wicked King , succeeded his Father Ieroboam , and reigned over Israel six months . He was the last of Iehu's Race , and killed by Shallum . 775 3175. 15. Shallum succeeds Zachariah , and reigns only one month , and is killed by Menahem . 775 3176. 16. Menahem succeeded Shallum , and reigned over Israel ten years . He was invaded by Pul King of Assyria , to whom he gave Money to settle him in the Kingdom . 774 3187. 17. Pekahiah , a wicked King , succeeded his Father Menahem , and reigned over Israel two years . He was killed by Pekah . 763 3189. 18. Pekah , a wicked King , succeeded Pekahiah , and reigned over Israel twenty years ; and was killed by Hoshea . 761

In his time Tiglath Pileser , King of Assyria , carried the People of Gilead and Galilee , and the Land of Naphthali , into Captivity .

3210. 19. Hoshea the Son of Elah , a wicked King , succeeds Pekah , and reigned 17 years . He became Tributary to Shalmaneser , but rebelling against him , was carried away Captive , with all the Ten Tribes , in the year of the World 3227 , before Christ 723. This Shalmaneser transplanted several strange People into the Country of Israel , who worshipped Idols , and afterwards being plagued , made a mixture of Religions , partly Heathen , and partly Jewish . 740

And now to this short View which has been given of the State and Condition of the People of God under the Government of their Kings , it will not be amiss to add one or two Remarks .

REMARK I.

IN the first place , it may be observed from God's Dealings with his own People , the Iews , in this whole Period of Time , how and after what manner he generally deals with Publick Communities and Societies of Men. So long as the Kings and their Subjects were Obedient to his Laws , and served him with an upright Heart ; so long did he give them Peace and Prosperity at home , and Success and Conquest abroad : But when at any time they deviated from their Duty , and set up an Idolatrous Worship instead of worshipping the only true God , then he gave them over to the Will of their Enemies , and made them who hated them to be Lords over them . This is apparent in the whole Series of this History , and what Samuel foretold and threatned upon the Establishment of their first King , was abundantly verified upon them at last , viz. That if they did wickedly , God would destroy both them and their King : For when the Measure of their Iniquity was filled , and they had arrived to the highest Perfection of Impiety Human Nature was capable of ; then were they carried into Captivity , their Temple and City defaced , and themselves made Slaves to the Heathens , whose Gods they had worshipped . I need not Instance in any more Particulars , since all the World knows , and our own Nation has experienced , that Publick Communities , considered as such , receive according to their Deserts their Rewards or Punishments even in this World .

REMARK II.

IN the next Place , it may be observed from the Revolt of the Ten Tribes , how Dangerous and Prejudicial , and of what ill Consequence , Faction is in the State as well as Schism in the Church . From Ieroboam down to Hoshea , we find not so much as one good King who reigned in Israel The first King established his Usurpation by wicked and unlawful Methods , and the rest continued it by as bad or worse . They were all Idolaters , and corrupted the People so far , that at last they provoked God to throw them out of his Embraces , to permit them to be led away into Captivity by Shalmaneser , and to cut off the very Memory o● them from the Face of the Earth : And if God ( as the Apostle speaks upon the like Occasion ) dealt thus with the Natural Branches , his own peculiar People the Iews ; let not us then , who by Nature were Branches of the Wild Olive Tree , and were grafted contrary to Nature into the Good Olive Tree ; let not us , I say , be high-minded , but fear : For Faction in the State , as well as Schism in the Church , do in their own Nature tend to the Ruin and Destruction of both .

Sect. 4 ▪ The State of the People of God in the Time of the 22 Ancestors of Jesus Christ . This State lasted 590 Years ; that is , from the end of the Reign of Zedekiah , to the Birth of Jesus Christ , who is that Corner Stone which united the two Covenant or Testaments . This Genealogy is according to St. Luke's Account in the Third Chapter of his Gospel .

IT must here be observed , That thô we are very well assured , that these two and twenty Ancestors of Iesus Christ did live between the end of the Reign of Zedekiah , and the Birth of the Messiah , that is , before the year of the World 3950 ; yet we are ignorant how many years each of them lived , for History gives us no Light in the Case . Nay , 't is very probable that we should not have come to the knowledge of their Names , had not St. Luke recorded them for us in the Third Chapter of his Gospel . Potest fieri ( says St. Ambrose ) ut alii longaevam transegerint vitam , alterius verò generationis viri immaturâ aetate decesserint . i. e. 'T is probable that some of them were long-lived , and others cut off by an untimely Death in the very Flower of their Age. 'T is upon this Account that we range these two and twenty Ancestors within the compass of 590 years , without assigning them an exact place in Chronology , and herein we follow the rest of the Chronologers . However we will connect the Succession of the Times together , by some of the most considerable Events which happened in the Iewish History , of which we will exactly set down the years .

Year ' of the World . Years before Christ . 3360. 1. NERI . He was carried Captive to Babylon with the rest of the People of God . 590 3376. The three Children are cast into the fiery Furnace in Babylon , and are miraculously delivered . 574 3378. King Nebuchadnezzar , as a just Punishment of his Pride , was turned into a Beast ; was driven out of his Palace , and after seven years is restored . 572 3386. 2. SALATHIEL . He was among the Captiv'd Iews at Babylon . 564

About this time Ieconiah was advanced by Evilmerodach .

3409. Daniel is cast into the Lion's Den , from whence he was miraculously delivered by God . 541 3419. 3. ZOROBABEL , by the Permission of Cyrus who had conquered all the East , lead the People back to Iudea , to rebuild the Temple . He was accompanied by Ioshua , or Iesus , the High-Priest ; and the poorer sort among the Iews were allowed some sort of Gratuity to undertake this Journey . The King of Persia was inclined to deal thus kindly by the Iews , because he was informed that it had been foretold by the Prophets , that he should be the Man who should cause the Temple of Ierusalem to be rebuilt . 531 3431. Haggai and Zachariah stir up the People to build the Temple , the finishing of which had been hinder'd by the Enemies of the Iews . 519 3433. The Temple was finished and dedicated in this year , according to Iosephus . 517

4. RHEZA .

5. IOANNA .

6. IVDAH

3492. Ezra or Esdras obtained Letters Patent from King Artaxerxes in the Seventh Year of his Reign ; for the carrying back a great many People into Iudea : He return to Ierusalem , saw ●●d bewailed the Sins of the Priests , Levites ▪ and People , in marrying with the Idolatrous People of the Land ; made a deep Confession of their Sins to God ; and prevailed upon them to make a Covenant to put away their Strange Wives . 458

7. IOSEPH .

3505. Nehemiah obtained from the same Artaxerxes , in the Twentieth Year of his Reign , a Commission to build the Walls of Ierusalem : He came thither , repair'd and built them in two and fifty days , thô Sanballat and his Companions used their utmost Power to hinder him . He discharg'd the poor Iews from their Debts ; the Law was solemnly read by Ezrah , and the Feast of Tabernacles kept . Also a solemn Fast was kept , and a Covenant made to put away the strange Wives , to keep the Sabbath , and to pay their Tythes . This is the year , wherein they begin to reckon the seventy weeks of Daniel . 445 3518. Nehemiah returned to Artaxerxes according to his Promise . 432 3526. He returns to Ierusalem , reforms things that were amiss in his Absence , concerning Tythes , the Sabbath , and strange Wives . 424

8. SEMEI .

9. MATTATHIAS .

10. MAATH .

3588. Malachi , the last of the Prophets , lived about this time : He exhorted the People to reform and turn to God . 'T is probable that he was Contemporary with Nehemiah . 362 3618. About this time Alexander the Great defeated Darius the last King of Persia , became Lord of all the East , and in six years time carried his Conquests so far , that Daniel in his mysterious Visions compares him to a Leopard , which had Wings . 332

11. NAGGE .

12. ELI .

13. NAHVM .

14. AMOS .

15. MATTATHIAS .

16. IOSEPH .

17. IOANNA .

3731. Ptolemy Philopator reigns seventeen years in Egypt . 'T was he who tormented the Iews of Alexandria so barbarously , to turn them from the Worship of the true God . Several of them at last yielded to him ; others redeemed themselves from his Tyranny by Money ; and those who stedfastly adhered to the Law of God , were treated with the utmost Severity , as may be seen in the Third Book of Maccabees . 219 3763. At this time Heliodorus , sent by Seleucus Philopator to spoil the Temple , was whipt by Angels , as appears 2 Maccab. c. 3. 187 3782. Antiochus Epiphanes prophanes the Temple ; and here begins the Abomination of Desolation spoken of by Daniel the Prophet . 168 3783. Iudas Maccabeus routs Apollonius , Seron , Gorgias and Lysias , the Captains of Antiochus . 167 3785. He purged the Temple , after it had been polluted three years together . 165

18. MELCHI .

3797. Ionathan the High-Priest is greatly honoured by King Alexander , and destroys the Apostate Iews . 153 3807. Simon made General and High-Priest , took Gaza and the Tower upon Mount Sion in Ierusalem , which had been built by Antiochus Epiphanes to command the Temple , and levelled that part of the Mount . 143 3815. Simon , after he had govern'd the People about eight years , was killed treacherously by Ptolemy in a Feast . He sent some to surprize his Son Iohn , Sirnamed Hircanus , but he escaped , and was made High-Priest in the room of his Father . 135

This Iohn was besieg'd in Ierusalem by Antiochus Sidetes , open'd David's Sepulcher , and found vast Treasures therein .

19. LEVI .

3845. Aristobulus succeeded Iohn Hircanus , was the first who after the Captivity took upon him the Diadem and Character of King . He famished his Mother , imprisoned all his Brethren except Antigonus , whom he dearly loved , yet killed him , being deceived by Alexandra Salome his Wife . He died of Grief ; she released Alexander and married him . 105 3846. Alexander Iamnaeus succeeded Aristobulus took Ptolemais , was twice routed by Ptolemy Lathurus , took Gaza and destroyed it . 104

20. MATTHAT .

3872. Alexandra , Widow to Alexander , joined with the Pharisees , as her Husband had advised her , because they were in great Esteem with the People : They ruled all under her , and by degrees cut off the Chief of the Saducees who had counselled Alexander against them . 78 3882. Aristobulus headed the Saducees , routed the Pharisees , and was made King . 68 3887. The Temple and City were taken by Pompey . And because Aristobulus had proved false to him , he sent him Prisoner to Rome , with Alexander and Antigonus , his two Sons . 63

21. HELI.

3902. The Civil Wars of Rome between Pompey and Cesar , inclined the latter to release Aristobulus , and to send him back to Ierusalem , that he might prevail upon the Jews to declare against Pompey . But he was poison'd by some of Pompey's Party , and his Son Alexander was beheaded at Antioch . His other Son Antigonus went to Rome , represented the Misfortune which happened to his Father and his Brother , and complained very much of Hircanus and Antipater . However Antipater was so highly in Cesar's Favour , that Hircanus was made High-Priest , and Antipater Governour of Iudea . 48

22. IOSEPH , the Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary .

3913. Herod made King of Iudea , and reigned over it 38 years . 37 3948. This year Augustus made a Decree , That all the Roman Empire should be taxed : Ioseph went with the Virgin Mary from Galilee to Bethlehem , where she brought forth our Blessed Saviour Iesus Christ .

A REMARK .

IT is to be observed , That the History of the Iews does not end here . There were High-Priests till the year of Christ 70 , or , according to the vulgar Account , 67 ▪ at which time Vespasian laid Iudea waste ; but upon Intelligence of the Death of Nero , he left Iudea and went to Rome . Within a while after he sent his Son Titus , who besieged and took Ierusalem . The Famine was so great in that City towards the end of the Siege , that a Woman was forced to kill her own Child to eat , The Temple was burnt , and Titus gave his Soldiers leave to riffe and burn the City . At this time was fulfilled the Saying of our Saviour , who foretold of Ierusalem that killed her Prophets , That she should be destroyed , and not one stone left upon another .

Phanias was High-Priest when Ierusalem was taken A. D. 70 , and forty years after the Death of Iesus Christ .

CHAP. II. An Account of the Assyrian Monarchy .

HAving in the preceding Chapter given you a short , but exact Account of the State and Condition of the People of God from the Creation down to our Saviours time : We shall now proceed to Prophane History , where we must not expect to meet with that Accuracy and Exactness of Chronology , which Moses and others of the Inspired Writers have observed in their Accounts . In this and the three next Chapters we will Treat briefly of the Four Great Monarchies , viz. The Assyrian , Persian , Grecian , and Roman : And afterwards we shall give you a short Account of the other Monarchies and Republicks , which were Contemporary to them .

The Monarchy of the Assyrians is the first of the four ; but before we treat of it , we think it not amiss to give you a short Description of that Country .

Assyria , properly so called , was a Country of a large Extent , situated in Asia Major : Bounded on the North by Armenia the Greater ; on the East by Media ; on the South by Susiana and Babylonia ; and on the West by the River Tigris , which parts it from Mesopotamia , which at present is called Diarbech . But the Empire of the Assyrians , or which is called Assyria Major , was of a greater Extent ; for it took in Syria , Mesopotamia , Babylonia , Persia ; in a word ▪ all Asia except the Indies . This was the State of the Assyrians under Semiramis .

It has been observed , that nothing is more intricate and difficult than to trace the first Beginnings of Monarchies , which are commonly dark and obscure , and full of Fables . This is apparently true with respect to that of the Assyrian , the first Rise of which is very hard to find out . Authors are divided in their Opinions about it ; and as they differ very much in the Account they give us of its first Founder , and of its Duration , so they dissent as much in the Number , and in the Names of the Kings , who reigned over it . Those who follow Herodotus , as Vsher , &c. make Ninus to be the first Founder of it , affirming the Chaldeans and the Arabs to have reigned in Assyria before his time . They place the beginning of this Monarchy about the year of the World 2737 , before Christ 1213. So that its Duration from that time , to Belshazzar the last of the Assyrian Monarchs , takes up 656 years . Others who follow Diodorus Siculus , such as Sethus Calvisius , Petavius , Helvicus , &c. make Nimrod to be the first Founder of the Assyrian Monarchy , and place the beginning thereof in the year of the World 1788 , before Christ 2162 ; so that the Duration of this Monarchy , according to those Authors , is about 1647 years .

Now thô the former Account seems most Authentick , and carries the greatest Face of Truth , yet we shall choose to follow the latter likewise in compliance to the generality of Historians ; and herein we shall first lay down the Succession of the Kings from Nimrod to Sardanapalus , ( as they are copied from Theodorus Zuingerus by Gutberleth , ) in whose time the Monarchy was divided into that of the Medes and Babylonians . After which we will briefly relate the State and Condition of the Divided Monarchy under its separate Kings , whose Names we will likewise give you from the same Author .

1. The State of the Assyrian Monarchy , from Nimrod its first Founder down to Sardanapalus , which lasted about 1360 Years . Years of the World . Years before Christ . 1788. 1. NImrod the Son of Cush built the Tower of Babel , laid the Foundation of the Assyrian Monarchy , and reigned 56 years . 2162 1844. 2. Belus , reckoned by some the same with Nimrod , reigned 65 years . 2106 1909. 3. Ninus , he built Nineveh , which was founded by Ashur , conquered Zoroaster King of the Bactrians , and reigned 52 years . 2041 1961. 4. Semiramis , the famous Assyrian Heroine , built Walls round about Babylon , enlarged her Territories , reigned 42 years , and was killed by her Son Ninias . 1989 2003. 5. Ninias , or Ninus , succeeded his Mother , and reigned 37 years . 1947 2040. 6. Arius reigned 30 years . 1910 2070. 7. Aratius reigned 40 years . 1880 2110. 8. Baleus , or Balaneus , reigned 30 years . 1840 2140. 9. Armatrites reigned 37 years . 1810 2177. 10. Belocus Priscus reigned 36 years . 1773 2213. 11. Baleus Iunior , he reigned 52 years . 1737 2265. 12. Altades reigned 32 years . 1685 2297. 13. Mamitus reigned 30 years . 1653 2327. 14. Mancaleus reigned 30 years . 1623 2357. 15. Sphaerus reigned 20 years . 1593 2377. 16. Mamelus reigned 30 years . 1573 2407. 17. Spartus reigned 40 years . 1543 2447 , 18. Ascatades reigned 40 years . 1503 2487. 19. Amyntas reigned 45 years . 1463 2532. 20. Belochus junior reigned 25 years . 1418 2557. 21. Belopares reigned 30 years . 1393 2587. 22. Lamprides reigned 32 years . 1363 2619. 23. Sosares reigned 20 years . 1331 2639. 24. Lampares reigned 30 years . 1311 2669. 25. Pannias reigned 45 years . 1281 2714. 26. Sosarmus reigned 19 years . 1236 2733. 27. Mitreus reigned 27 years 1217 2760. 28. Tautanes reigned 32 years . 1190 2792. 29. Teuteus reigned 40 years . 1158 2832. 30. Thyneus reigned 30 years . 1118 2862. 31. Dercylus reigned 40 years . 1088 2902. 32. Eupales reigned 38 years . 1048 2940. 33. Laosthenes reigned 45 years . 1010 2985. 34. Pyriciades reigned 30 years . 965 3015. 35. Ophrateus reigned 20 years . 935 3035. 36. Ophraganeus reigned 50 years . 915 3085. 37. Ascarzapes reigned 42 years . 865 3127. 38. Sardanapalus reigned 20 years : He led a soft and effeminate Life , and at last in the year of the World 3148 , before Christ 802 , Arbaces conspir'd against him , besieg'd Nineveh , and took it . Sardanapalus , to avoid the Shame of being taken by his Enemies , burnt himself , with all his Concubines and Riches , in his own Royal Palace . Upon his Death , the Monarchy was divided . 823

☞ Our Countryman Mr. Tallents , in his Chronological Tables , takes notice , that Iustin in his History saith , This Empire lasted from the time of Ninyas or Ninus , to Sardanapalus , about 1300 Years , which comes pretty near the Truth ; but makes no mention of the Kings who succeeded Ninus , who grew Effeminate and Inglorious : But the Names Tallents sets down out of Berosus Africanus , transcribed by Eusebius , which we think proper here to insert ; thereby to shew the Variety of Authors Opinions about the Names of these Kings ▪ After Ninus , he places , 1. Arius . Both the same with those in the former Catalogue . 2. Aralius . Both the same with those in the former Catalogue . 3. Mamylus . 4. Sparthaeus . 5. Ascatades . His Name is likewise mentioned in the former List. 6. Amyntas . All these with a little Variation of a Letter or two , are the same with those in the former Catalogue . 7. Belochus . All these with a little Variation of a Letter or two , are the same with those in the former Catalogue . 8. Balatores . All these with a little Variation of a Letter or two , are the same with those in the former Catalogue . 9. Lamprides . All these with a little Variation of a Letter or two , are the same with those in the former Catalogue . 10. Sosares . All these with a little Variation of a Letter or two , are the same with those in the former Catalogue . 11. Lampraes . All these with a little Variation of a Letter or two , are the same with those in the former Catalogue . 12. Pany●s . All these with a little Variation of a Letter or two , are the same with those in the former Catalogue . 13. Sosarmus . All these with a little Variation of a Letter or two , are the same with those in the former Catalogue . 14. Mithraeos . All these with a little Variation of a Letter or two , are the same with those in the former Catalogue . 15. Teutamos . All these with a little Variation of a Letter or two , are the same with those in the former Catalogue . 16. Teutaeus . All these with a little Variation of a Letter or two , are the same with those in the former Catalogue . 17. Arabelus . These are not in the List of Zuingerus . 18. Chalaos . These are not in the List of Zuingerus . 19. Anabos . These are not in the List of Zuingerus . 20. Babios . These are not in the List of Zuingerus . 21. Thinaeos . These four the same with those in the former List , only Eupacmes here is there called Eupales . 22. Dercylus . These four the same with those in the former List , only Eupacmes here is there called Eupales . 23. Eupacmes . These four the same with those in the former List , only Eupacmes here is there called Eupales . 24. Laosthenes . These four the same with those in the former List , only Eupacmes here is there called Eupales . 25. Pyritiades . 26. Ophrateus . 27. Ephacheres . 28. Acracarnes . 29. Sardanapalus .

Notwithstanding the Darkness and Obscurity of these Times , and the various Opinions of Authors about the first Founder , and about the Names and Number of the succeeding Kings of the Assyrian Monarchy ; yet they afford us so much Light , as to give us occasion to make these following Reflections .

REMARK I.

THO' the Title of Monarchy belongs equally to all States that are under the Government of one single Prince , who is stiled the Monarch of that State so govern'd ; yet in History it more peculiarly relates to the four great Monarchies of the World , who succeeded each other , and in their Turn conquered and gave Law to the other Petty Monarchies of the Earth .

REMARK II.

THE first of these Monarchies was ( according to the joint Testimony of all Writers ) the Assyrian , which by Historians , both Sacred and Prophane , is promiscuously stiled , the Babylonian , the Chaldean , and the Assyrian Monarchy . It was called the Babylonian Monarchy , because of the Tower of Babel , which Nimrod the first Founder of this Monarchy built , and because a great many of its Monarchs held their Court at Babylon . It was stiled the Chaldean Monarchy , because Babylon was in Chaldea , and several of its Kings were Chaldeans . Lastly , it is called the Assyrian Monarchy , because Ninus , after he had built Nineveh , the Capital City of Assyria , translated the Seat of the Empire thither .

REMARK III.

FRom the Beginning , Growth and Decay of the Assyrian Monarchy , and of the other three , we may once for all observe , that the Providence of God , thô unseen and unregarded , had the greatest Share in advancing them from so small a Beginning to so great a Grandeur , as to be at last the Terror and Scourge of the rest of the Inhabitants and Kingdoms of the Earth : That the Designs and the Glory of this Supreme Being were all along carried on and promoted by these Humane Instruments , even whilst they only thought of advancing their own private Interests , and of enlarging their own Territories : That when the Designs of this great King of Kings and Lord of Lords were once brought about , and his Glory sufficiently signalized , then he discarded those Instruments , took the Empire away from them , and bestowed it on another People . This is so visible from the whole Series , even of Prophane History , that it needs no other Proof than the Considerate Perusal of what Historians have delivered to us about the various Changes and Revolutions that have happened in the several great Monarchies of the World . Those who were the Greatest , arrived by degrees to their Height from very small Beginnings ; and when they were there , there they stopp'd ; some invisible Power giving a Check to their growing Greatness . Afterwards we find , that in the midst of all their Glory , they have either dwindled away as they rose , or else lost all they had been conquering for several Ages together , within the compass of a few years or days . And does not all this sufficiently prove an over-ruling Providence , which takes care of all Human Affairs , and disposes of Kings and Kingdoms as he thinks fit ?

Having made these short and ( we hope ) useful Reflections , we shall now proceed to give you an Account of the State of the Assyrian Monarchy , as it was divided into that of the Medes and Babylonians . Sardanapalus was conspired against by two of his Generals , Arbaces and Belochus ; the former was made King of the Medes , and latter King of the Babylonians .

The State of that part of the Assyrian Monarchy which was under the Babylonians , from Belochus the first King , to the Death of Belshazzar the last King ; which State lasts 271 Years . Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3148. 1. PHul . Belochus , after Sardanapalus , reigned 48 years over the Assyrians 802 3196. 2. Tiglath Pileser reign'd 23 years : His Name is mentioned in the Scriptures . 754 3219. 3. Salmanasar succeeded , & reign'd 10 years . 731 3229. 4. Sennacherib reign'd 7 years . This was that King of Assyria mentioned in the Scriptures , who brought an Army into Iudea ; besieged Ierusalem ; had his Army destroyed by an Angel ; retired in Confusion to Nineveh ; and was killed by his two Sons , Adrammelech and Sharrizer , who fled afterwards into Armenia . 721 3236. 5. Assarhaddon succeeded his Father , and reign'd 10 years . 714 3246. 6. Merodach conquer'd Assarhaddon , and reign'd 40 years . 704 3286. 7. Ben. Merodach reigned 21 years . 664 2307. 8. Nebuchadnezzar I. reign'd 35 years : He in the 12th year of his Reign defeated Arphaxad King of the Medes , by some called Dejoces , who built the City of Echatane . The next year he sent General Holofernes into the Land of Iudea , who laid Siege to Bethulia , and was beheaded by Iudith in his Tent. 643 3342. 9. Nebuchadnezzar II. stiled the Great , succeeded his Father Nabopolassar . This man besieged and took Ierusalem , carried away Zodekiah and all his Nobles into Captivity , rifled the Temple of its Vessels , brought them to Babylon , and placed them in the Temple of his God Bell. He dreamed a Dream of the Four Monarchies , which Daniel explained ; erected an Image in Susa ; cast the Three Children into the burning fiery Furnace ; was puffed up with Pride at the Greatness of his Conquests , and the Magnificence of his Buildings ; was deprived of his Reason , and turned out to feed with Beasts ; was restored after 7 years ; and died after he had reigned 43 years . 608 3386. 10. Evilmerodach succeeded his Father Nebuchadnezzar , and reigned a little more than 2 years . 564 3388. 11. Nerigloosser kill'd Evilmerodach , and reign'd with his Son Laborosoarchod about 4 years : The former was defeated by Cyrus , and killed in Battel ; and the latter was slain for his Irregularities . 562 3392. 12. Belshazzar Son to Evilmerodach , and Grandson to Nebuchadnezzar , succeeded . In a Prophane Feast which he made , he saw an Hand writing upon the Wall , which Daniel explained ; and according to his Prophecy , he was deposed and killed by his Soldiers , and Cyaxares or Darius the Mede seiz'd upon the Throne , Thus ended the Assyrian Monarchy , which was translated to the Persians . 558

The State of that part of the Assyrian Monarchy which was governed by the Medes from Arbaces their first King , to Cyaxares or Darius , their last . Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3148. 1. ARbaces having defeated Sardanapalus , and taken Nineveh , reigned over the Medes 28 years . 802 3176. 2. Sosarmus reigned 30 years . 774 3206. 3. Medidus reigned 40 years . 744 3246. 4. Cardiceas reigned 13 years . 704 3259. 5. Dejoces , or Arphaxad , reigned 53 years . 691 3312. 6. Phraortes , or Artynes , succeeded his Father Dejoces , conquered the Persians , and reigned 22 years . 638 3334. 7. Cyaxeres I. succeeded his Father , was more Warlike than his Predecessors , but was subdued by the Scythianss who ruled 18 years ; afterwards were made drunk by him , and were killed . He reigned 40 years . 616 3374. 8. Astyages succeeded his Father , and reigned 35 years . This King sent his Son Cyaxeres , and his Grandson Evil-Merodach , who with a great Army of Horse and Foot , made Incursions on the Frontiers of Media . The Assyrians were beaten , and forced to retire . 576 3409. 9. Cyaxeres II. or Darius the Mede , succeeded his Father , and reigned 30 years . This was he who conquered Belshazzar , and began to lay the Foundation of the Persian Empire ; being , during his Life , called the Empire of the Medes and Persians , but after his Death united by Cyrus . 541

CHAP. III. Of the Persian Monarchy .

THE second of the four great Monarchies was the Persian , which lasted from Cyrus the first Monarch , to Darius Codomannus the last , 206 years .

Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3419. 1. Cyrus obtain'd the Kingdom of Persia by the Death of his Father Cambyses , and the Kingdom of the Medes by the Death of his Uncle Cyaxeres ; and by this means founded the Persian Monarchy . Cyrus died in the 70th year of his Age. But some say , that being defeated by Tomiris Queen of the Scythians , he had the Misfortune to fall under her just Vengeance ; who cut off his Head , threw it into a Vessel full of Blood , and insulted over him in these Terms ; Satia te sanguine Cyre : i. e. Now Tyrant , take thy fill of Human Blood . 531 3421. 2. Cambyses succeeded his Father Cyrus , and reigned over Persia 7 years and 7 months . He was a cruel King , killed his own Brother Smerdis , crucified Polycrates , and killed himself at last by his own Sword . 529 3429. Oropastes the Magician usurps the Throne under the false Name of Smerdis ; but within a few months after was killed by seven great Lords , who conspired against him . Their Names we learn from Herodotus to be Otanes , Hidarnes , Megabizus , Gobrias , Aspatines , Intaphernes , and Darius . 521 3430. 3. Darius I. Sirnamed Hystaspes , one of the seven Lords who had killed Oropastes , is acknowledged King by all the rest , which he brought about by this Stratagem . These Lords could not very well agree among themselves , what Form of Government they had best have . Otanes was for a Democracy . Megabizus maintained , that an Oligarchical Government would be most advantageous : But Darius preferred a Monarchical State before either of the former , and his Opinion met with the greatest Applause . The Question then rose , who should be their King , since the Heirs-Male of Cyrus were extinct . At last they agreed unanimously , That the next morning by Sun-rising they should all mount on Horseback , and the Man whose Horse neigh'd first should be acknowledged King . Oebor , Darius's Groom , had the Art of making a Horse neigh when he pleased ; which Skill he then made use of in favour of his Master : So that no sooner was Darius mounted , but his Horse neigh'd , the other Lords alighted , did Obeisance to him , and owned him for their King . He reigned 36 years . 520

In the beginning of his Reign he married Atossa the Daughter of Cyrus , Widow of Cambyses , and of a certain Grandee to whom she had been afterwards married . This he did out of Policy to support himself in the Throne , thereby insinuating , that the Kingdom was not translated to a Stranger , but to one of Cyrus's Family .

Within a while after , Darius being returned from Hunting , sprained his Foot as he alighted off his Horse . There were a great many Egyptian Physicians then at Court , who used their utmost Skill to ease the King ; but all to no purpose , for he neither slept , nor was his Pain abated for 7 days together . At last Democedes . a Greek Physician , was called for , who managing the Distemper according to the Grecian Method , gave the Prince something to make him sleep , and healed him in a few days .

The same Democedes was likewise Fortunate in curing the Queen Atossa of an Ulcer in her Breast . Among other Favours which that Princess urg'd him to demand of her , he intreated her to inspire the King with a Resolution of conquering Greece . He had his Desire granted , for Darius ordered fifteen of his chief Nobles to attend Democedes , that they might take a View of the Cities of Greece , which he intended to conquer . Accordingly they departed from Susa , the Capital City of Susiana in the Kingdom of Persia , and passing through Phenicia to Sidon , they furnished themselves with Provisions , and embarked for Greece . They took a View of the Sea-Ports , drew Charts of the Coasts , omitted nothing that might be of Use to their Design , went as far as Italy , and visited Tarentum . At last Democedes being arriv'd at the Place he desir'd very cunningly gave his magnificent Attendants the slip , who in the whole Expedition followed his Orders ; and by this means got to Crotona , where his House was , leaving the others to get home as well as they could . Other Authors tell us , that it was Hippias who instigated Darius against the Greeks : But wh●ther one or either of them occasion'd it , 't is certain that he sent a great Army against Greece , which was defeated by Miltiades at the Battel of Marathon , where 110000 Persians were cut off . Darius likewise engaged in a War against the Scythians , but was routed by them : But he subdued the Rebelling Babylonians by the barbarous Policy of Zopyrus , who was a great Favourite of Darius ; and to serve his Master , was content to cut off his own Nose and Lips , and so mangled fled to Babylon , pretending his cruel Master had thus Rewarded all his Services ; which gaining him Credit with the Babylonians , he found an opportunity of betraying them and their City to Darius .

3465. 4. Xerxes I. succeeded his Father Darius , and reigned 21 years . Upon his first Accession to the Throne , he was stirred up by Mardonius to engage in a War against Greece . The Preparations for this War took up 10 years time ; after which , he led so vast an Army against the Grecians , that all Greece could scarce contain them . He attack'd it both by Sea and Land . His Land-Forces , according to Herodotus , were above Two millions three hundred thousand Men ; and his Naval Strength , as Cornelius Nepos informs us , consisted of a Fleet of Twelve hundred Long-Ships , and Two thousand Ships of Burden . All or most of this great Army was lost in this Expedition . The first Defeat Xerxes met with was at Thermopylae , where Leonidas and Three hundred Spartans killed Twenty thousand Persians . After this he was routed at Sea near Salamis by Themistocles , and forced to make his Escape in a Fisher-boat . Mardonius , his General , burnt Athens , and was shortly after routed and killed at Platea by Pausanias . The same day Forty thousand Persians were killed at Mycale in Asia by Leotychidas , and Xerxes himself at last was killed in his Bed by Artabanus , Captain of his Guards . Iosephus makes him to be the same with Ahasuerus , who married Esther the Iew ; but others pretend Darius Histaspes was the Man . 485 3486. 5. Artaxerxes I. succeeded his Father Xerxes , and reigned 40 years . He was famous for the Sweetness of his Temper , and for the Greatness of his Courage . He was Sirnamed Longomanus , because his Right Hand was longer than the other . He killed his Brother Darius , supposing him , by the false Accusation of Artabanus , to have killed Xerxes ; and that Captain attempting to kill Artaxerxes , was killed by him . 464 3525. 6. Xerxes II. succeeded his Father Artaxerxes , and reigned only two months : For being made drunk at a Feast , his Brother Sogdianus killed him as he slept in his Palace . 425

7. Sogdianus succeeded , and reigned only 7 months . He was deserted by his Friends , deceived by Oaths and Promises , came to Darius Nothus , and was killed by him .

3526. 8. Ochus , or Darius Nothus , succeeded Sogdianus , and reigned about 20 years . 424 3545. 9. Artaxerxes II. Sirnamed Mnemon , succeeded his Father Darius , and reigned 43 years . Cyrus Governor of Lydia rebell'd against his Brother Artaxerxes , and being aided by the Spartans and other Greeks , offered him Battel at Cunaxa , where he was defeated and killed . After the Fight was over , the King ordered the Body of Cyrus to be looked out ; caused his Head and his Right Hand , with which he had been wounded in the Engagement , to be cut off . 405

This Artaxerxes , in imitation of Cambises , caused such Judges as received Bribes to be flea'd alive ; and cover'd the Tribunals , where they sate , with their Skins , that so the Judges might have constantly in view the Punishment prepared for all such Delinquents . He had a Son named Arsames by one of his Concubines ; but Ochus , his lawful Heir , perceiving him to be very much in favour with the King , killed him ; and soon after the King himself died with Grief at the loss of that Darling .

3588. 10. Ochus , who took upon him the Name of Artaxerxes III. succeeded his Father , and reigned 23 years . He being assisted by Mentor the Rhodian , subdued and wasted Egypt , rifled the Temples , and carried away from them all the Books of Learning and History , which Bagoas afterwards redeemed at a great Price . Artaxerxes derided the Egyptian Gods , and to revenge an Affront , caused an Ox ( under which Figure their chief God Apis was worshipped ) to be sacrificed to an Ass. This King aided the Perinthians against Philip King of Macedon , and at last falling sick , was poisoned by Bagoas , who being an Egyptian , could not forgive the Affront put upon his adored Apis. This Bagoas bore a great Sway both in the Army and in the State , and was the Person that placed Arses the youngest Son of Artaxerxes upon the Throne , putting all the rest to Death . 362 3611. 11. Arses succeeded , and reigned two years and a few months : But Bagoas understanding that this King intended to punish him for the Crimes he had committed , prevented his Design , by poisoning him in the third Year of his Reign . 339 3641. 12. Darius Codomannus , the Son of Arsamas , was set up by Bagoas , whom he poisoned , upon suspicion that he designed to serve him as he had done his Predecessors . He reign'd about 6 years . 336

This was the Darius , whom 3616. Alexander gave Battel to , and defeated at the Granicum , a River of Phrygia . In this Engagement Alexander was in great danger of his Life , his Helmet being cleft asunder by the stroak of a Scymeter ; but Clytus came in to his Defence , and cut off the Hands of him who was going to repeat the Blow . 334

The next year Darius offered Battel to Alexander near Issus , a City of Cilicia , seated upon the Mediterranean ; wherein he was defeated , lost 50000 Men , with his Baggage , his Mother Sisigambis , his Wife Statira , his two Daughters , and his Son Ochus , who was not then above 6 years old . Two years after this , viz.

3619. Alexander gave Battel to Darius near Arbela , a City of Assyria , wherein 90000 Persians were cut off , and Darius put to flight . This was the last stroke Darius gave for the Maintenance of the Persian Monarchy . He afterwards threw himself into the Hands of Bessus Governor of Bactria , who traiterously imprison'd and murder'd him ; by which the Persian Monarchy terminated , and that Empire became subject to Alexander , who erected the Third or Grecian Monarchy , whereof we are next to Treat . 331

CHAP. IV. Of the Grecian Monarchy .

BEfore we shew you this mighty Monarch in his Grandeur , it may not be amiss to speak a little of the Birth , Character and Actions of Alexander before his Persian Expedition , together with his surprizing Progress in the Conquest of the Eastern World .

'T was in the year of the World 3595 , before Christ 355 , that Alexander , the Son of Philip King of Macedon , was born at Pella , a City in Macedon : His Mother Olympias , while she was with Child of him , dream'd , That her Bowels were extended over all Asia ; which was verified in the Conquests made by the Son she at that time bore in her Womb. He was born with all the Endowments of an Heroick Spirit , had a great and aspiring Soul , a Temper full of Fire , a lively Genius , and , thô impatient of Restraint , was mild enough to be prevailed upon by reasonable Advice , till in the latter end of his Reign , when the Persian Luxury had debauched him . To these natural Qualifications , his Father ( a wise and couragious Prince ) added an Education that finished this excellent Piece ; for in his tender years he was commited to the Care and Tuition of Aristotle , that great Philosopher ; by whose Wisdom this Noble Prince was so far improved , that An Philippo Patri , aut Aristoteli magistro plus debuit Alexander , is become a common Subject of Declamation in the Schools .

When he was but a Youth , visiting his Father's Stables , he saw the Horse Bucephalus , whom , when by reason of his fierceness none of the Grooms durst venture to ride , he undertook to tame , and leaping upon his Back , rode him round the Ring ; his Father surprized , and delighted with the Courage of his Son , ran to him , and with Kisses and Embraces bad him seek some larger Territories , for Macedon was too straight to contain so great a Soul . At the Age of 18 years he shewed a wonderful Courage in the Battel of Cheronesus against the Athenians , wherein ( some say ) he saved his Father's Life , and gained the whole Honour of that Expedition .

His Father Philip , after he had gained many signal Victories in Greece , was preparing for an Expedition into Persia ; but was hindred in it by Death , being killed by Pausanias at the Wedding of his Daughter Cleopatra about the year 3615 , and was succeeded by his Son Alexander , who was at that time about 20 years of Age.

Alexander , to follow his Father's Example , went to Peloponnesus , and caused all the Confederated Cities of Greece to meet at Corinth , where by the Consent of all , except the Lacedomonians , he was chosen Generalissimo of the Army raised against the Persians .

Soon after this , viz. in the Spring of the year 3617 , he marched through Thrace , and made Incursions into the Country of the Triballians and Illyrians . He had a bloody Engagement upon the Banks of the Danube , and therein defeated Sirmus , the King of the Triballians . Upon occasion of this Battel , a Report ran that Alexander was beaten , which Demosthenes ( corrupted with Persian Gold ) so inculcated at Athens , that the People believed it , and Revolted : But Alexander soon convinced them of their Mistake , for having finished his Work by the Reduction of those Barbarians , he returned to Greece ; and the Athenians were wise enough to beg his Pardon , and obtained it ; but the Thebans despising his Threats , were besieged , their City taken and ras'd to the Ground , except the House of Pindar , which Alexander caused to be saved , and gave it to the Posterity of that excellent Poet.

And now having satisfied his Honour and Revenge , Alexander again bethinks himself of his Persian Expedition , and passing into Peloponnesus , he was again declared Commander of the Forces raised for that Service : 'T was in this Journey that he gave a Visit to Diogenes the Cynick at Corinth ; and soon after the return from it , that in a Dream he saw the High-Priest of Ierusalem , who Exhorted him forthwith to go to the Conquest of the Persians , wherein he assured him of Success .

And now all things being prepared , Alexander gave away the Government of his Dominions to his Friends , distributing to some Villages , to others Boroughs , and to others Sea-Ports and Territories , and reserving little or nothing , Perdicas asked him , What he kept for himself ? To which he answered , Hope .

And now leaving Antipater chief Administrator , he set forward for Asia , having 60 Long-Ships to transport his Army , which consisted of 40000 Men , whereof Parmenio was made Commander of the greatest part .

When he came into Asia he visited the Tomb of Achilles , from whom on the Mother's side he was descended . He said , Achilles was doubly happy , in having such a Friend as Patroclus during his Life , and such a Panegyrist as Homer after his Death . After this he passed the Granicum , a River in Phrygia , where he met with Darius at the Head of 100000 Foot , and 20000 Horse , drawn up in a Line of Battel . The two Armies joined , and a very sharp Engagement happened between them . The Persians lost 20000 Foot , and 2000 Horse , and about as many more were taken Prisoners . Darius and his Army , which appeared so formidable , were put to flight ; and Alexander gain'd this Victory with the Loss of only 100 Men.

By this means an Avenue was opened into Asia , and Alexander marched to Sardis , the Capital City of Lydia , which the Governor surrender'd to him with all the Treasures that were therein . From thence he marched to Ephesus , where he put an end to the Oligarchical Government of that Place , and established Democracy in its stead . After this he took Miletum by Storm , which was a very strong Town , and famous for the Colonies it sent out to the Neighbouring Islands . But Halicarnasseus , which stood out against him to the last Extremity , was by his Orders demolished . In a word , within the compass of a year he became Master of all Phrygia , Lydia , Pamphylia , Pisidia , Paphlagonia , and Cappadocia .

Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3617. This Year Alexander signaliz'd by his second Victory over Darius in the Battel of Issus , in which Engagement he received a Wound in his Thigh , that hinder'd him from meeting with Darius , whom he intended to have killed with his own Hand . The Persians , according to Iustin's Account , were 400000 Foot , and 100000 Horse : But Quintus Curtius does not reckon above half so many . In this Battel the Persians lost 100000 Foot , but others say only 50000. Let the Loss be more or less , Darius was put to flight , and that he might not be discovered , threw away his Imperial Mantle . That which went deepest to the Heart of this unfortunate Prince was , that his Mother Sisigambis , his Wife Statira , his two Daughters , and his Son not above 6 years old , were taken by the Conqueror . But Alexander used them always like Queens , paid them great Respect , and for their Comfort assured them , that Darius , whom they supposed to be dead , was still alive . 333

Immediately upon this Victory Alexander sent Parmenio to make sure of Damascus , the Capital City of Syria , where Darius left incredible Riches , and all the great Women and Princesses of Persia. The Governor without any Ceremony betrayed the City to him , but Alexander was so just as to punish the Traitor , and sent his Head to Darius as a Present . There were 7000 Horse-Loads of Treasure in the place , which amounted to the Value of above ten millions Sterling .

He marched into Syria , where he deprived of their Estates all those who made any Opposition against him . Biblus in Phenicia , and Sidon , were some time before they would surrender to him ; but were at length reduced , and the Kingdom of Sidon bestowed by Hephestion , Alexander's Favourite , on Abdolominus a Gardiner , who lived in the Suburbs of that City . He subdued all Syria and Phenicia , except Tyre , which held out 7 months , but at last was taken , and 2000 of its Inhabitants hanged on the Sea-Coast . He took Gaza , and made all its Inhabitants Slaves , not excepting the Women and Children . At the Siege of this City he was wounded on the Shoulder with an Arrow , and his Leg bruis'd by the fall of a Stone . He went up to Ierusalem with a Design to besiege it , but the High-Priest Iaddus meeting him in his Sacerdotal Ornaments , prevented his Intention ; for Alexander was so struck at the sight of him , that he alighted off his Horse , and did him Obeisance , crying out , That God appeared to him in the same Shape , and commanded him to go and conquer Asia . This High-Priest read to him the Chapter in Daniel , wherein it is foretold , That a Greek should conquer the Persians : Which he was very well pleased at , and sacrificed in the Temple , offered great Oblations , and gave the Iews full Toleration to live according to their Laws and Religion .

The next year Alexander marched with his Army into Egypt , where Pelusium surrender'd to him . From thence he went to Memphis , where he found 800 Talents , and several precious Stones belonging to the Crown . From thence he marched along the Nile to the very utmost Parts of Egypt , went into the Province of Cyrene , and visited the Temple of Iupiter Ammon , where the Oracle declared him to be the Son of Iupiter ; which was what Alexander's Ambition aimed at . And this Extravagance sufficiently shews how far the Excess of Prosperity transports Men.

After this he went in search of Darius , who on his part rallied his Forces , raised more , and omitted nothing that might put him in a Posture for another Engagement . As Alexander made his Approaches , so Darius ordered his Army to march from Babylon to Nineveh , the River Tigris on the Right hand , and Euphrates on the Left .

3619. Alexander intercepted Letters from Darius , wherein he sollicited the Greeks to Assassinate their King ; which made him , when Darius overcome by the Civility and Gentleness which Alexander shewed to his Captives the Queens of Persia , sent fresh Ambassadors to him to mediate a Peace , offering to give him part of his Dominions , and his Daughter in Marriage , return for Answer , That as for what he offered him , they were already his by Conquest ; and that he did not think it safe to make a Peace with that Man , who every day sought an Opportunity of Assassinating him . 331

Upon this , each Army prepared for the Engagement , which happened at Gangamela , that lies on the River Bumela : But forasmuch as Gangamela is only a small Village , Historians call it the Battel of Arbela , which was a considerable City , and pretty near the place of the Engagement . There was a dreadful Slaughter made of the Persians ; and thô Darius behaved himself very gallantly in this Fight , yet he was forced to fly . Alexander , according to Quintus Curtius , lost no more than 300 Men ; but of the Persians , according to the most modest Account , there were 90000 killed upon the spot , and a greater Number taken Prisoners . Darius fled to Arbela , and was pursued by Alexander ; But he got thence before his arrival : Alexander found wherewith to satisfy himself for his Journey thither , for the most precious Jewels of the Crown , to the Value of about 600000 Pounds , Darius had left behind him .

This Battel put an end to the Monarchy of the Persians , and laid the Foundation of that of the Grecian .

The Grecian Monarchy begins here , which lasted only during Alexander's Reign 6 Years and some Months . It was afterwards divided into four Kingdoms , and lasted in that State till Julius Cesar was made Perpetual Dictator , 280 Years more . Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3619. Alexander proclaimed King of Asia , offered great and costly Sacrifices to his Gods ; and distributed his Treasures , his Cities , and his Provinces , among his Friends . The Air growing infectious by the great number of the Slain , obliged him to break up from Arbela . He marched to Babylon , the Governor whereof opened the Gates to him ; and this great Conqueror made a Publick Entrance into that City , where they extolled his Valor , and praised his Fortune . 331

Calisthenes the Philosopher , who attended Alexander in this Expedition , found in Babylon Astronomical Observations for 1903 years past , which he sent into Greece to Aristotle . By which it is proved , that the Chaldeans began their Observations in Astronomy since the year of the World 1716.

When Alexander perceived his Army to grow insensibly Effeminate by the Luxuries they met with in Babylon , he ordered them to decamp , and marched to Susa , where he was received with loud Acclamations of Joy , the twentieth day after he left Babylon . In Susa he found several Dromedaries , twelve Elephants , and Money to the Value of about Seven millions Five hundred thousand Pounds , with a great many Pieces of Purple .

3620. Alexander engaged in several Battels , which he won , and had by that means a way open to Persepolis , where was the most magnificent and beautiful Palace of all the East : This Place he took , and by the Instigation of Thais a Courtesan , burnt it when he was drunk . He found therein 120 Talents , and so vast a Treasure , as loaded 20000 Mules , and 5000 Horses . 330

After this he marched in pursuit of Darius , who was retreated to Ec●atane in Media , where he had raised more Forces for another Battel . But Bessus , who commanded the greatest part of these Forces , assassinated him , and afterwards fled away . Darius being stabb'd , was thrown into a Cart , which a Macedonian happened to meet with . The dying King prayed him to help him to a little Water , drank of it , and immediately expired . Alexander hearing of it , ran thither , found Darius dead , wept over his Body , bewailed his Misfortunes , covered him with his Mantle , ordered him to be embalmed , and sent him to Sisygambis , to bury him in the Sepulcher of his Ancestors . Then he distributed among his Soldiers the one half of the Booty which he took in this last Expedition , which amounted to Three milions eight hundred and fifty thousand Pounds .

Alexander made Incursions into the Country of the Parthians , stayed some time at Hecatompolis , and at last arrived upon the Frontiers of Hircania . He conquered where e'er he came by his Valour , storming those Towns he could not win by Treaty .

After this he entred into Zadracarta , the chief City of Hircania , where he stayed 15 days . Nabarzanes , who had a hand in the Murder of Darius , came thither to wait upon Alexander , and brought him Presents to gain his Favour , which was granted him . It was at this place , where Thalestris or Minothea the Queen of the Amazons , whose Country , according to Q Curtius , was situated between the River Phasis and the Mountain of Caucasus , came to visit him upon a Business no way redounding to the Honour of that Princess . But some pretend , that this whole Matter of Fact , as related by Curtius , is false . 'T is said , that Onesicritus reading the Fourth Book of his History , wherein he treats of the Adventure of this Queen to Lysimachus , who had constantly attended Alexander in all his Expeditions ; this Lysimachus being then King , said to him smiling , And where was I then ?

'T is certain , that about this time Alexander abandon'd himself to Luxury , Pleasures , Debaucheries , and other Effeminacies of the Persians . He put Philotus and his Father Parmenio to Death , upon suspicion of being guilty of High-Treason . His good old Soldiers the Macedonians , being jealous that their old Greek Customs would be abolished , found great fault at his Proceedings , and took the liberty to Censure him , for causing himself to be called the Son of Iupiter . To divert which , he drew them out to another Battel , and ordered them to march against Satibar-Zenes , Governor of the Arians , who had revolted .

3621. This year Alexander marched into the Country of the Arismaspians , a People of Arachosia , whom he subdued as well as the Inhabitants of Parapamisa . He passed the Mountain of Caucasus in 17 days , became Master of Bactriana , of which he made Artabazus Governor . Afterwards with a Flying Army he entred Sogdiana , which is part of Tartary . But Water being scarce in that place , himself and Army had like to have perished for Thirst. 329

About this time they brought Bessus , the Murderer of Darius , to Alexander , who stripp'd him naked , loaded him with very heavy Chains , caused his Ears and Nose to be cut off , and referred him to the farther Vengeance of Oxiatres Brother of Darius , whom Alexander affectionately loved . By him he was crucified , and then quartered alive in the same place where he had killed the King his Master .

3622. Alexander marched against the King of the Scythians , who lived on the other side the River Tanais . He engaged the Army of that Barbarian , defeated and put it to flight . From thence he went to Marakand , and reduced all the Rebels who had taken up Arms against him in Sogdiana ; whither the King of the Scythians sent Ambassadors to him . Here it was that Alexander in his Drink killed his dear Friend Clitus , the Occasion of which was this : Alexander gave a Treat to all his Chief Commanders , and in the midst of his Cups began to extoll his own Actions , and to depretiate those of his Father Philip. The young Generals were very well pleas'd to hear such fine Things ; but the old Commanders , who had served under King Philip , were offended at the Discourse . Among the latter was this Clitus , who being a frank and sincere Man , could not flatter the King in his Vanity , but check'd him for his Ambition and Ingratitude . Which provoked the King so far , that he rose from his Seat , and would have stabb'd him with his Lance in the very Room , if he had not been hindred from it by several who stood by . But Alexander still intent upon Revenge , followed Clitus , and stabb'd him with a Spear that he took from one of the Centries who was then sleeping . The next day , when the Fumes of Wine were evaporated , and the King saw Clitus weltring in his Gore , his Grief was so great , that he had killed himself , if he had not been prevented by those who attended him . He kept his Chamber , fasted and mourned for 4 Days together , but at last was reconciled to himself through the Importunity of some of his old Courtiers , who brought a great many fine Arguments to perswade him , that he had killed Clitus justly . 328 3623. Alexander continued enlarging his Conquests , ravaged and raised Contributions from all the Provinces round about . Oxiatres Cohortanus , Governor of a small Territory , invited him to a splendid Treat , to which Alexander made several of his Friends go , and invited them to marry the fairest Daughters of these Barbarians , himself leading an Example in marrying Roxana the Daughter of Oxiatres , an extraordinary Beauty . And now he resolved on attempting the Conquest of India , and issued forth such Orders as he thought necessary for so great a Design . 327

About this time it was that the King gave Ear to his Flatterers , and would be adored as a God . Calisthenes the Philosopher , the Kinsman and Disciple of Aristotle , took the freedom to blame him for it , but was afterwards cast into Prison , where he died in Torments . He was accused under a pretence of being an Associate in the Conspiracy against the King's Life , for which Hermolaus had been put to Death before .

Alexander leaving Bactriana , marched into India , intending to push on his Conquests to the Eastern Sea , that so his Empire might have no other Bounds than what the World had . He besieged and took Nisa , situated at the foot of the Mountain Meros , which was consecrated to Bacchus , where the petty Kings of India waited upon him , and did him Homage . He received them honourably , and made use of them as Guides to direct him in those unknown Countries . He marched to Maz●ga , the chief Town of Assaceni , which Queen Cleophis held out against him with 30000 Men. There he received a Wound by the shot of an Arrow , and the extremity of his Pain made him cry out , They call me the Son of Jupiter , but at last I find my self to be no more than a Man . He took this great City , and Cleophis with a great Train of Ladies waiting upon the Conqueror to implore his Clemency , was re-established in her Estates . After this he stormed several Cities , passed the River Indus , and very civilly received a Neighbouring King named Omphis , who came to surrender both himself and his Army to his Service . Abisarius , a Potent Prince , whose Territories lay on the other side Hydaspes , sent his Ambassadors to assure him , That he was ready to put himself and Kingdom under his Protection .

In the midst of these Successes , Alexander sent to King Porus , willing him in way of Acknowledgment to bring him Contribution-money , and to meet him upon the Frontiers of his Dominions ; to which Porus very haughtily replied , That he would give him the Meeting at the Head of his Army . But he was convinced of his Error , for his Army was defeated , and himself taken Prisoner . Alexander being affected at the Misfortune of this King , and admiring his Courage , restored his Kingdom to him , and made him one of his Friends . This Defeat of Porus opened the way for the Conqueror to proceed further into India , several of whose Provinces he subdued .

3624. This year Alexander took the City of Oxydraca by Storm , where he himself was the first who entred . He was dangerously wounded by the shot of an Arrow , which pierced his Armour , and went into his Body . He made War with other People , and subdued the Musicani , who inhabit the more Southerly Parts of the River Indus . He caused their King to be hanged , because he had falsified his Word . From thence he passed into Pathalia , where the King of that Country waited upon him , and offered him all his Kingdom . 3625. This year having conquered all he could by Land , he lanched out into the Ocean , to see if there were any more Provinces left for him to conquer . He returned back by the way he came ; embarked upon Euphrates and Tigris , with a Design to go into the Persian Sea in search of the Heads of that River , hoping he might discover them , as he did those of the River Indus . At Susa he married Statira , the eldest Daughter of Darius , and bestowed the youngest on his Friend Hephestion . 3626. Some time after he left Susa , and went to Ecbatane , where he spent whole Days and Nights in Riot and Excess . His Friend Hephestion died there of a Debauch in Drinking . Alexander caused the Physician , who had tended on this Favourite in his Sickness , to be hang'd . To divert the Grief he conceived at the Death of his dear Hephestion , he carried on the War against the Cosseans . He subdued them in the space of 40 Days , thô they fled under the Covert of Mountains , and were never conquered by the Kings of Persia. Afterwards he made his Army pass Tigris , and marched towards Babylon . The Caldean Astrologers met him , and advised him not to go thither , for it would be fatal to him ; but slighting their Advice , he went thither , and was received with great Shouts and Acclamations of Joy . He built in Babylon a Dock capable of containing 1000 Sail of Ships , and embarking on the River Euphrates , he visited Arabia . It was then that he laughed at the Caldeans , saying , He entred Babylon , and went out of it again without any harm done him . Thus in the height of his Confidence he sailed about the Lakes of Arabia . 324 3627. And upon his return to Babylon , gave himself wholly to his Pleasures , and especially to immoderate Drinking . The Journal of his Life represents him in his last Days as a Man drenched in Drunkenness , and who did nothing but Eat , drink , and Sleep : Potavit , perpotavit , crapulam , edormiit ; solito more crapulam decoxit , One day as he was offering Sacrifices to the Gods for the Victories he had gained , he feasted himself and his Friends , drank very hard , and carried on the Debauch till late at Night . When the King returned from this Feast , a Physician of Thessalia invited him and his Company to come and drink at his House : The King accepted the Offer , and carried twenty of his Friends along with him . There was in the Company one Proteas a Macedonian ▪ who was a great Drinker ; the King and this Man challenged each other to drink , and at last the fatal Bowl came into his Hands , which he drank off , and with it his Death . Some say , there was Poison in that Bowl ; others , that it was his immoderate and excessive Drinking , which was the cause of that violent Fever which immediately seized him , and within a few days hastened his End . He died in the flower of his Age , being but 33 years old , and was equally lamented both by Greeks and Persians . Sisygambis , who survived all the Misfortunes of her own Family , yet broke her Heart at the News of his Death .

And thus have we given you a summary Account of the Birth , Education , Rise , Growth , Heighth and Fall of this once Great Man . We have briefly described what he did before , and what he did after he became the Vniversal Monarch of Asia , and ( as he thought ) of the whole World . Considering the Extent and Largeness of his Conquests , and the short space of Time he took up in effecting them , we may see with what Reason the Prophet Daniel compared him to a Flying Leopard . You see , that within the compass of a very few years , he added to his Petty Kingdom of Macedon , Thrace , Greece , Egypt , part of Arabia , and of Africa , Syria , Pamphylia , the two Phrygia's , Caria , Lydia , Paphlagonia , Assyria , Susiana , Drangiana , Arachosia , Gedrosia , Aria , Bactriana , Sogdiana , Parthia , Hircania , Armenia , Persia , Babylonia , Mesopotamia , and India . But at last in the midst of all his Glory , in the very centre of his Conquests , he was cut off by an untimely Death ; and thô he boasted himself to be descended of the Gods , and was adored by his Flatterers as One ; yet he found his Mistake , perceived he was but a Mortal Man , and that he must die like the rest of the Petty Princes whom he had conquered .

By him fell the Grecian Monarchy too , after it had lasted about 6 years and 10 months . For after his Death , his Conquests were cantoned among his Captains , each seizing on what Share thereof he could . At first , 't is said , the Provinces were divided among thirty of them : But at last they were reduced to four Principalities , under four Princes . Ptolemy had Egypt for his Share : Seleucus reigned at Babylon , and in Syria : Cassander became Master of Greece and Macedonia : And Antigonus had Asia Minor for his Part. The Reign and Successors of Ptolemy King of Egypt , and the Reign and Successors of Cassander King of Macedonia , we shall not treat of here , since they belong more properly to another Place , where in two distinct Chapters we shall be more particular in speaking to them . In this Chapter we shall only give you an Account of the Successors of Alexander the Great , who reigned in Syria , and in Asia Minor .

Sect. 2. The Kingdom of the Syrians . This Kingdom began under Seleucus Ninacor in the Year of the World 3633 , before Christ 317 , and lasted about 253 Years , to the Year of the World 3886 , at which time it was made a Roman Province by Pompey .

BEfore we give an Account of its Kings , it may be proper to give you a short Description of the Country . Syria formerly was a large Country in Asia , including Assyria , Mesopotamia , Babylonia , Phenicia , and Palestina ; and it has oft been taken for the same with Assyria . Some extended its Bounds as far as the Euxine Sea , and hence we read of several Syria's in Holy Writ .

But if we cut off Assyria , Mesopotamia and Babylonia from it , then Syria is bounded on the North by the Mountain of Amanus , which parts it from Armenia : On the East by Mesopotamia , from which 't is parted by the River Euphrates : On the South by Arabia Petrea : And on the West by part of Egypt , the Phenician Sea , Cilicia , and a small part of the Mountain Amanus . It is at present called Souria or Soristen , is one of the finest Champain Countries in the World , and abounds with pleasant Pastures . Damascus was the Capital City of Syria , which became a great Kingdom , when the Empire of Alexander the Great was ( after his Death ) divided among his Generals .

Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3633. 1. Seleucus Nicanor was the first King of the Syrians : He was at first made General of the Cavalry ; afterwards became Master of Babylonia , and Antigonus Master of Susiana . 317

This Seleucus being assisted by Ptolemy the Son of Lagus , by Cassander and Lys●machus , defeated Antigonus , who was the first King of Asia after the Death of Alexander . He conquered India , put Demetrius Poliorcetes to death in a Prison , and killed Lisymachus in an Engagement . Iustin tells us , that the Seleucides were all born with the print of an Anchor on their Thigh . And Historians say , that never any Father loved his Children so passionately as this Seleucus ; for the Proof of which , they relate this notable Instance . His Son Antiochus fell sick of a violent Passion for his Mother-in-Law Stratonice : Erasistratus his Physician perceiving it , went and told Seleucus , that his Son's Distemper was Incurable . How so , said the King ? Because ( reply'd the Physician ) he is in love with my Wife . Ah! said Seleucus to him , I know you are more my Friend than to let my Son die , and to hinder him from marrying your Wife . Pray Sir , replied Erasistratus , were it your Case , would you let him have yours ? Ay , Ay , said the King , and all my Dominions to boot , if his Life could not be saved without it . Upon this , the Physician unravelled the whole Mystery to him , and told him in plain terms , that Stratonice was the Person whom he so passionately lov'd . Seleucus was as good as his Word , called the People together , and made a very pathetical Speech to them , that they might not be surprized at such an unusual kind of Marriage . For thô he had already a Son by his dear Stratonice , yet he made no scruple to marry her to Antiochus his eldest Son , and not a Man opposed it .

Thô this Complaisance was very irregular , yet none can deny but Seleucus was a very great Prince . He was killed by Ptolemy , after he had reigned about 35 years .

3668. 2. Antiochus Soter succeeded his Father , and reigned about 12 years . 282 3680. 3. Antiochus Theos , the Son of Antiochus Soter and Stratonice , reigned about 24 years . His Sirname of Theos was given him by the Milesians , because he had freed them from the Tyranny of Timarchus . He was poisoned by Laodicea , one of his Wives whom he had put away , and afterwards recalled to Court . 270 3704. 4. Seleucus Callinicus , or Poron , succeeded his Father , and reigned about 20 years : He died with a fall off his Horse . This King aided by the Gauls , engaged in a long War against Antiochus Hierax . 246 3723. 5. Seleucus Seraunus succeeded his Father , and reigned 3 years . He was poisoned in Phrygia by his Lieutenant-Generals , as he was marching to make War against Attalus . 227 3726. 6. Antiochus the Great succeeded his Brother Seleucus , being sent for from Babylon by the A●my , which was then encamped in Syria , that so he might take Possession of the Kingdom . He reigned about 36 years . He was engaged in a War against several Nations . First , he waged War against Ptolemy Philopator King of Egypt , was beat by him , and sued for a Peace , which Ptolemy very generously granted him . Afterwards he carried on a War against the Romans , by whom he was always worsted , so that at last he was obliged to sue for a Peace . This King likewise routed Malon , received Hannibal , invaded Greece , and was defeated by Glabrio . At last having his Treasures drained by these unsuccessful Wars , to fill them up again he resolved upon rifling the Temple of Iupiter in Elimais ; but he was killed in the Attempt by the People of the Place . Before his Death he nominated his Son Seleucus Philopator for his Successor . 224 3763. 7. Seleucus Philopator succeeded his Father , and reigned about 12 years . He did little , because the ill Successes of his Father against the Romans had exhausted his Kingdom . This is that Seleucus mentioned in the Second Book of Maccabees , where 't is said of him , that because of the Respect which he bore to the High-Priest Onias , he supplied the Temple with its necessary Sacrifices every year . However Daniel stiles him , Vilissimus & indignus Decore Regio . i. e. The basest and the worst of Men not worthy of the Royal Diadem . 187

About the end of his Reign he was prevailed upon to send Heliodorus to rifle the Treasures belonging to the Temple of Ierusalem ; and it may be very well affirmed , that his Weakness was the cause of those Troubles and Seditions , which afterwards happened both in Church and State . He was at last killed by Heliodorus .

3775. 8. Antiochus Epiphanes , or the Illustrious , who had been carried to Rome as an Hostage after the Defeat of his Father Antiochus the Great , made his Escape thence at the end of 3 years , and Demetrius the Son of Seleucus was sent thither in his stead . As soon as Antiochus was returned into Syria , Heliodorus , who would fain have been King , killed Seleucus . But Eumenes and Attalus outed Heliodorus , and left Antiochus the Illustrious in quiet Possession of the Kingdom of Syria , who reigned over it about 12 years . He took away the High-Priesthood from Onias , who was a Man of excellent Piety , and bestowed it on the Impious Iason his Brother ; and the next year he took it again from Iason , and bestowed it on his Brother Menalaus , who gave more Money than the former for it . Two years after this a Rumour being spread , that Antiochus died in his Expedition against Egypt , Iason raised great Disturbances in Ierusalem ; which caused Antiochus , after he had defeated the Egyptians , to exercise unheard-of Cruelties in Iudea , and to carry away all their Treasures . Afterwards Antiochus sent Apollonius into Iudea , who one Sabbath-day killed a whole Congregation who were got together to offer Sacrifice . Some say , that he sent Lysias , Gorgian , Timotheus , and other Commanders against the Iews , who were all routed by Iudas Maccabeus . Much about this time it was , that this Iudas retired into the Wilderness , choosing to live upon Herbs rather than defile himself with those prophane Meats , which in all Parts were then sacrificed . But at last Antiochus hastening out of Persia to Ierusalem , with a Design to cut off all the Iews of that Place , fell out of his Chariot , bruised his whole Body , and died of a loathsome Disease . 175 3786. 9. Antiochus Eupator succeeded his Father , and reigned about 2 years . Lysias , according to some , but Philip according to others , governed his Kingdom , made a Peace with Iudas Maccabeus , which was soon after violated . About this time it was , that Eleazar having assaulted an Elephant upon which he supposed the King was , killed the Beast , and was crushed to Death by the fall of him . 164

Antiochus having taken Bethsura , went against Ierusalem , and made a Peace with the Iews ; but it being broke , he caused the Walls to be demolished , led away Menalaus along with him , whom he put to Death as the Cause of all the War , and put Alcimus into his Place .

3788. 10. Demetrius Soter , the Son of Seleucus Philopator , having made his Escape from Rome , came to Antioch , put Antiochus and Lysias to Death ; and when he was King , sent Bacchides into Iudea with Alcimus , to whom he promised the High-Priesthood . He afterwards sent thither Nicanor , who made a League with Iudas Maccabeus ; but he having broke it , was soon after killed by Nicanor . This Demetrius reigned about 11 years . 162

The People of Antioch rebelling against Demetrius , took a young Man named Alexander , who was said to be the Son of Antiochus the Illustrious , and being assisted by the Neighbouring Kings , set him upon the Throne .

3799. 11. Alexander Epiphanes , or Balas , becoming Master of Ptolemais , sent to Ionathan to make a League with him ; and settled him in the High-Priesthood , which had been vacant 7 years and a half by the Death of Alcimus . This Ionathan was the first High-Priest of the Race of the Maccabees . After this , Demetrius raised Forces against Alexander , but was defeated and killed by him . By this means Alexander was established in the Kingdom of Syria , over which he reigned 6 years . 151

Demetrius , the eldest Son of Demetrius Soter , being willing to revenge the Death of his Father , and to regain his Kingdom , had great Success therein . Apollonius join'd with him , and was sent by Demetrius into Iudea to fight the Iews , who were in League with Alexander . Ionathan and Simon engaged him several times . At last Alexander ravaged Syria ; Ptolemy , Philopator and Demetrius marched against him , where Ptolemy was wounded in the Engagement . Within a few days after Alexander was killed by his Domesticks , and Ptolemy upon the sight of his Head died for Joy .

3805. 12. Demetrius Nicanor became at last sole King of Syria , and suffered the Iews to live very peaceably . Ionathan laid Siege to the Fortress of Ierusalem , and Demetrius sent to have him come to him , and give him an Account of that Action . Ionathan still continued the Siege , and pacified Demetrius by his Presents . 145

No sooner had Demetrius Nicanor disbanded his old Forces , having ( as he thought ) no further Occasion for them ; but Tryphon laid hold on the Opportunity to make young Antiochus , Sirnamed the Divine , King , who was the Son of Alexander . He endeavoured to make Ionathan his Friend , who did him great Services .

3807. 13. Antiochus the Divine , set up by Tryphon ; but afterwards the latter being minded to be King himself instead of Antiochus , and being afraid Ionathan should oppose him in his Designs , surpriz'd and killed him . Simon is Elected in his Place to be both General of the Army , and High-Priest . He several times defeated Tryphon , who , that he might the more easily usurp the Regal Dignity , killed Antiochus . 143 3809. 14. Tryphon the Vsurper . In his time Demetrius Nicanor marched with his Forces into Media , to strengthen himself against Tryphon ; where he was taken Prisoner by the General of the Army of the King of Persia and Media . At last the Soldiers could not away with Tryphon , and went over to Cleopatra the Wife of Demetrius , who surrender'd her self and her Army to her Brother Antiochus Sedetes . 141 3812. 15. Antiochus Sedetes took the Government upon him , and reigned about 10 years . He at first made a League with Simon the High-Priest , and afterwards very dishonourably broke it , sending Cendebeus against him , whilst he went in pursuit of Tryphon , who retired into Apamea , which being taken , he was killed there . Simon the High-Priest being very old , sent his Sons against Cendebeus , who beat him . This only served to foment the Jealousy of his Son-in-Law Ptolemy against the Father and his Children ; who killed the Father and two of his Sons in a Feast to which he had invited them . In the Eighth Year of the Reign of Antiochus Sedetes , there happened an Earthquake at Antioch at 10 a clock in the morning , on February the 21st . After this , Antiochus with his Army were cut off in Parthia , which gave way for his Brother Demetrius to remount the Throne . 138 3822. Demetrius Nicanor reassumed the Throne after his return from the Parthians , where he had been Prisoner . But he had debauched himself so much among the Parthians , and grew by his Pride so intolerable , that neither his Soldiers nor his Subjects could endure him , but chose themselves another King . 128

16. Alexander Zebenna was the Man they Elected , who was the Son of a certain great Merchant . Demetrius was abandoned by all Men , fled from one Country to another , and at last was assassinated as he was going into a Ship : But some say , he was killed by his Wife Cleopatra . Zebenna in his Prosperity proved ungrateful to his Friends , and forgot his old Benefactor Ptolomy Physicon , who had set him upon the Throne . Ptolomy , by way of Revenge , assisted Antiochus Gryphus against him , who defeated , put him to flight , and afterwards killed him .

3826. 17. Antiochus Gryphus reigned 8 years very prosperously , and all Syria enjoyed a profound Peace . His Mother Cleopatra offended at her Son 's good Fortune , upon his return from the War he had successfully ended against Zebenna , presented him with a Glass full of rank Poison . He excused himself out of Compliment , and his Mother still urged him to drink it off , At last he frankly told her , That he was informed of her ill Will towards him , and that she could not clear her Innocence better , than by drinking up what she was so civil to offer him . Upon this she was forced to drink off what she had prepared for her Son , and so was poisoned . Antiochus Cyzicenus declared War against his Brother Gryphus , but was defeated by him . 3835. 18. Antiochus Cyzicenus had the Fortune at last to defeat his Brother Gryphus , who fled away , and was turned out of his Kingdom , which his Brother became Master of . But no sooner was he King , but he gave himself up to all manner of Pleasures and Debaucheries . He associated with none but Comedians , Buffoons , Jugglers and Fencers . He applied himself very seriously to the making of Puppets dance , and became so great a Master in that Mechanical Art , that he could make Figures of Birds to fly and run along , as if they were natural . 115 3856. 19. Seleuchus , the Son of Antiochus Gryphus , having raised Forces , declared War against his Uncle Antiochus Cyzicenus . They came to an Engagement , wherein Antiochus was defeated . His Horse carried him into the Enemies Camp , and he , for fear of being taken alive , killed himself . 92 3860. 20. Antiochus the Pious , the Son of Antiochus Cyzicenus , having escaped the Ambuscades which his Uncle had laid for him , declared War against him , after he had taken upon him the Diadem at Arada . Seleucus was routed , beaten out of all Syria , and fled into Cilicia . He was received there by the Mopseates , who being enraged by the extravagant Contributions which Seleucus raised upon them , burnt him in his Palace with two of his Friends . Upon this , Antiochus and Philip , two Twin-Brothers of Seleucus , in revenge of his Death , besieged Mopsuesta , took it by Storm and demolished it . Antiochus the Pious marched against them , and defeated them . Antiochus was drowned in a River as he fled away ; and his Brother Philip reigned together with Antiochus the Pious , and afterwards they endeavoured by War to decide which of the two should be sole Master . 90 3861. 21. Demetrius Euceres , the Son of Antiochus Gryphus , was seated upon the Throne of Damascus by Ptolemy Lathurus : But Antiochus the Pious opposed the new King , being assisted by his Brother Philip's Forces . Iosephus says , that Antiochus the Pious was killed in a Battel against the Parthians . 89 ▪

22. Philip and Demetrius Euceres , both of them the Sons of Gryphus , became Masters of the Kingdom of Syria . Thus for these last years the Seleucides raising continual Commotions with each other for the Crown , were at length cut off in several Battels . The Syrians offended at these Disturbances , called in Tigranes King of Armenia , and submitted to his Government .

3863. 23 , Tigranes , called in by the Syrians , reigned over them 23 years . But Antiochus Asiaticus and his Brother , both of them the Sons of King Antiochus the Pious , reigned over part of Syria , of which Tigranes could not make himself Master . They went to Rome to Petition for the Kingdom of Egypt , which belonged to Setene their Mother , and themselves too ; and continued their Suit for two years together . Tigranes put Setene , Sirnamed Cleopatra , to Death in Prison ; and by this means , the Title which Antiochus Asiaticus had to the Kingdom of Egypt , and to part of Syria , fell to the Ground . In several Engagements Tigranes was defeated by Lucullus the Roman Consul , who was Governor of the Province of Cilicia . After this Pompey marched to Tigranes , who was so much terrified at the very sight of him , that he quitted his Diadem , and with a great deal of Submission and Respect , yielded himself to Pompey . But he mov'd with Compassion put the Diadem again upon his Head , re-established him in his Kingdom of Armenia upon certain Articles , and made Syria a Roman Province . This happened in the year of the World 3885 , before Christ 64. Anno Vrbis Romae Conditae 688. 87

Having thus given you a short Account of the Kings of Syria , from Seleucus the immediate Successor of Alexander the Great in that part of his Conquests , down to Tigranes ; we shall in the next place give you a List of the Kings which reigned in Asia Minor , who possessed another part of Alexander's Conquests .

Sect. 3. The Kings of Asia Minor , or Pergamos .

PErgamos , a City of Mysia , situated on the River Caica in Asia Minor , was the Capital City of a great State , called The Kingdom of Pergamos , which began about the year of the World 3634 , before Christ 316 years . It had eight Kings , and lasted the space of 188 years .

Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3634. 1. Antigonus , one of Alexander's Captains , who had Asia Minor for his Share , marched against Eumenes , routed and killed him , being betrayed by his Veteran● Soldiers . At last Antigonus was routed and slain by Seleucus King of Syria , and Casander King of Macedonia . He reigned 15 years . 316 3649. 2. Demetrius his Son succeeded his Father Antigonus , and reigned 15 years . He was expelled Asia , won Macedon , but was expelled thence , taken by Seleucus , and within 3 years after died . 301 3666. 3. Next after him succeeded Philaterus , Intendant of the Finances of L●simachus King of Thrace , against whom he rebelled , and became King of Pergamos in the 16th year of his Age , over which he reigned 20 years . 282 3688. 4. Eumenes succeeded his Brother Philaterus , and reigned about 21 years . He subdued several small Places round about Pergamos , and defeated the Army of Antiochus the Son of Seleuchus near Sardes . At last he died by immoderate Drinking . 262 3709. 5. Attalus , Nephew to Philaterus , succeeded Eumenes , and reigned 44 years . 'T is said , that he governed with so much Prudence , and managed his Treasures so thriftily , that his Subjects freely conferred on him the Title of King , which his Predecessors presumed not to take up , thô they did hold the Quality and Grandeur of One. He defeated the Gauls contrary to all Expectation . At last he fell sick at Thebes , and was removed thence to Pergamos , where he died in a good old Age , being about 72 years old . 241 3753. 6. Eumenes II. the eldest Son of Attalus , succeeded him , and reigned 40 years . His three Brothers , Attalus , Phileterus , and Atheneus , bore so much Respect as well as Love to the King their Brother , that they becames his Life-Guards . 197 3793. 7. Attalus II. Sirnamed Philadelphus , succeeded his Brother Eumenes , and reigned about 21 years . He drove Orophernes and Demetrius Soter out of Cappad●cia , and fully re-established Ariarathes in his Kingdom . He was conquered by Prusias King of Bithynia , who entred Pergamos , robbed the Sta●ues of the Gods , and rifled the Temples . Upon this , Atta●us sent his Brother Atheneus to Rome , to complain thereof to the Senate , who ordered Prusias to forbear warring against Attalus . P●usias slighted the Orders of the Senate , burnt the Temples , made great Havock in the Neighbouring Countries , and defied Attalus , who had shut himself up in Pergamos . The Senate sent a third time Ambassadors to make up a Peace between him and Attalus , which at last was effected . This Attalus was a great Friend to the Romans , and a constant Favourer of Learned Men ; at length Peace and Idleness corrupted and spoiled this good Man , who left his Kingdom to Attalus Philometor , his Nephew . 157 3813. 8. Attalus III. Sirnamed Philometor , the last King of Pergamos , succeeded his Uncle , and reigned only 5 years . He was a very cruel Prince , put his nearest Relations and dearest Friends to Death , not so much as sparing his Mother or his Wife . In the Second Year of his Reign he retired into the inmost Parts of his Palace , where he dressed himself in a very mean Habit , let his Beard and Hair grow without cutting , never appeared in Publick , led a Life exempt from all manner of Pleasures , and seemed to inflict a Punishment upon himself for the Crimes he had been guilty of . Having thus quitted the Administration of the Government , he dug in his Garden , sowed Seeds , and by an extravagant sort of Humour laid out his greatest Care in cultivating Venemous Plants , such as Henbane , Hellebore , Hemlock , Aconite , &c. He extracted the Juice and Liquor , and gathered the Seeds of them , of which he made a great many dangerous Presents to his Friends . He became so skilful in the Art of Botany , especially in whatever related to the Manuring of Plants , that he composed a very curious Book upon that Subject , wherein ( as Varro relates ) he set down the Season of Sowing and of Gathering the Seeds of Plants . He applied himself to Founding of Metals ; became a great Master in that Art ; cast several Figures , and made use of them in raising a Mausoleum to the Memory of his Mother . At last , being too eagerly set upon these sort of Exercises , which exposed him continually to the Heat of the Sun or the Furnace , he was seized with a violent Feaver , and died on the seventh day of his Illness . 137

Eudemius of Pergamus carried the Last Will and Testament of Attalus to Rome , and gave the Diadem of the Kingdom and the Royal Robe to Tiberius Gracchus , Tribune of the People . By this Will Attalus made the People of Rome his Heir : Populus Romanus bonorum haeres esto . The Romans finding by their Common Law , that his Kingdom was a part of his Demeans ▪ seiz'd thereon by virtue of these Words , Let the People of Rome be the Heirs of my Demeans . There was some Fault found with the Romans for putting such a Construction on his Will ; but having the Power in their own Hands , they made it to be a good Title .

In this City it was that they first dressed Sheep-skins , and of them made Parchment , whereon they wrote before the Invention of Paper ; and hence came the Name of Parchment , called in Latin Charta Pergamena .

CHAP. V. Of the Empire of China .

WE should now , according to our Proposal in the beginning of the Second Chapter , proceed to the Fourth Great Monarchy , which was that of the Romans ; but upon second Thoughts , we judge it convenient to alter that Method , ( how Natural soever at first sight it may seem , ) we shall , before we proceed to that , give you an Account of those Petty Monarchies , which were Contemporary to , and conquered one after another by the Three Great Monarchies of the Assyrians , Persians , and Grecians , and were at last all of them swallowed up by the Roman , of which they became so many Petty Provinces . But because the Chinese Monarchy has of late Days been much discoursed of , we shall in this Chapter , by way of Digression , treat of that Empire , thô it has no relation to , and was never dependant on the four Great Monarchies , as being never conquered by them or any other , till of late years they were over-run by the Tartars their Neighbours ; and therefore we should not in this Treatise have inserted any thing of China , were it not that the Learned World is grown extremely Inquisitive into all that concerns this great Empire .

If the Accounts and Relations we have of the Chinese were exact and true , it must be owned that this great Empire is the most ancient , and has lasted the longest of any in the World . The Chinese Historians maintain , as a thing Self-evident , the Fohi their first King ascended the Throne 2952 years before Christ . They tell us , that this Prince , and the seven next who succeeded him , and had been Elective Emperors , reigned the space of 745 years : That after this , the Empire of China became Hereditary to several Families , who governed it the space of almost 4700 years .

However Extravagant and Incredible the Chronology of the Chinese may appear , yet it may be reconciled to that of the Bible , which we follow chiefly . We need only suppose , that Noah , who was born 2894 years before the Birth of Iesus Christ , was Fohi the first Emperor of China . The Description which the Chinese give us of this Fohi , may very well agree with Noah . This is no such extraordinary Supposition , if we consider that several Nations looked upon Noah as their Head and Founder . For is not he that Saturn of whom the Poets speak , and whose three Sons , Iupiter , Neptune , and Pluto , are Shem , Ham , and Iaphet , the three Sons of Noah ?

After all , suppose we cannot reconcile the History of China , as to its Chronology , with that of the Bible ; yet there is no Question to be made , which of the two ought to be followed , whether that whereof the Spirit of God is the Author , or the other which has only Human Testimony to support it . And would it not be exposing our Holy Religion to the Scorn and Derision of the Prophane and Atheistical , if we should prefer Human before Divine Testimony ? This will appear the more unreasonable , if we briefly consider these two Things . First , that the Chronology of the Chinese is very dubious and uncertain , their Annalists cannot agree in their Accounts . su-ma-quam , one of the most Celebrated among them , makes their Empire to begin in the time of Hoam●ti , 250 years later than Fohi . And then , in the next place , how full of Romantick and Extravagant Fables is the History ? One Instance may serve for all ; In the time of Confucius a certain Lausu lived , who is said to have been 80 years together in his Mother 's Womb. And now , shall we give up the Account in Sacred Writ , which is True , Certain , and Authentick , which Men inspired by God himself have given us , which has been approved of by the Learned Men of all Ages , and confirmed by several General Councils ; shall we , I say , give up such an Account , so delivered , and so authorized , to the vain , fabulous , and uncertain Account of Human Tradition ?

But however , that we may not so much as seem to put the least Slight on that which so many Learned Men have in such great Esteem , 't is requisite to give you a short Scheme of the History of the Chinese . In doing this , we shall observe our former Method of reducing the Monarchies to certain set Periods of Time , and we shall consider China under XXIII . States , from the first founding of its Empire , to the present year 1698 , which lasted about 4596 years .

Years of the World . Years before Christ . 1052. The first State was under eight Elective Emperors , and lasted about 728 years . 2898 1780. The second State was under the I. Family named Hia , which had 17 Emperors , and lasted about 448 years . 2170 2228. The third State was under the II. Family named Xam , which had 28 Emperors , and lasted about 632 years . 1722 2860. The fourth State was under the III. Family named Cheu , which had 35 Emperors , and lasted about 853 years . 1090 3713. The fifth State was under the IV. Family named Cin , which had 4 Emperors , and lasted 43 years . 237 3756. The sixth State was under the V. Family named Han , which had 25 Emperors , and lasted about 415 years . 194 Years of Christ . The seventh State was under the VI. Family named Heu-han , which had 2 Emperors , and lasted 44 years . 221 The eighth State was under the VII . Family named Cin , which had 15 Emperors , and lasted 155 years . 265 The ninth State was under the VIII . Family named Sum , which had 8 Emperors , and lasted 59 years . 421 The tenth State was under the IX . Family named Ci , which had 5 Emperors , and lasted about 23 years . 480 The eleventh State was under the X. Family named Leam , which had 4 Emperors , and lasted 55 years . 503 The twelfth State was under the XI . Family named Chin , which had 5 Emperors , and lasted about 32 years . 557 The thirteenth State was under the XII . Family named Sui , which had 3 Emperors , and lasted 29 years . 589 The fourteenth State was under the XIII . Family named Tam , which had 20 Emperors , and lasted 289 years . 618 The fifteenth State was under the XIV . Family named Heu-Leam , which had 2 Emperors , and lasted 16 years . 907 The sixteenth State was under the XV. Family named Heu-Tam , which had 4 Emperors , and lasted 13 years . 923 The seventeenth State was under the XVI . Family named Heu-Cin , which had 2 Emperors , and lasted 11 years . 936 The eighteenth State was under the XVII . Family named Heu-Han , which had 2 Emperors , and lasted 4 years . 947 The nineteenth State was under the XVIII . Family named Heu-Cheu , which had 3 Emperors , and lasted 9 years . 951 The twentieth State was under the XIX . Family named Sum , which had 18 Emperors , and lasted 319 years . 960

Hitherto the Chinese had no Emperors but of their own Country ; but after the nineteenth Imperial Family named Sum was extinct in the year of the Lord 1279 , the Tartars became Masters of that Empire , and their Family went under the Name of Iven .

The twenty first State was under the XX. Family named Iven , which had 9 Emperors , and lasted 89 years . 1279

In the year 1369 , the Chinese of the Family of Tai-Minga drove out the Tartars , and ascended the Throne of the Empire of China , and established the 21st Family named Mim .

The twenty second State was under the XXI . Family named Mim , which had 16 Emperors , and lasted 276 years . 1369

In the year 1645 , Zunchin , the last Emperor of the Family of Mim , being conquered by the Tartars , who invaded his Territories , retired into a Garden of his Palace , where he hanged himself : And Xunchi , who had conquered China , was the first Founder of the 22d Family named Cim .

The twenty third State was under the XXII . Family named Cim , and is that Family which is at present in Possession of the Throne .

We have had so little to do with China , till of late Days , that 't is hardly worth our while to set down the Names , and the Chronological Succession of all the pretended Chinese Emperors from the time of Noah ; yet if any Credit be to be given to the Account which Father Martini , and Father Couplet , two Jesuits , have handed down to us about this Matter , I believe we could not put too high an Esteem on such a Chronological Series of Kings , which reaches to the very first Ages of the World . But to be plain in the case , We do not think these Collections to be much worth , since we are uncertain whether these Fathers were able Criticks or no , and upon what Memoirs they founded their Account . For thus much we learn from their very Histories ; That there happened several Distrubances in China , which occasioned the Loss of a great many of its ancient Records . Mention is therein made of a certain Yven-ti , the third Emperor of the tenth Family , who about the year of our Lord 552 , when he saw himself apprehended and made Prisoner , before he would surrender himself , broke his Sword , and burnt his Library , wherein were above 140000 Volumes , which he did upon the Consideration , that neither his Sword , nor his Books , would be of any farther use to him .

In short , let the Case be how it will , I fancy no body would believe me , if I should here say , That Hoam-ti , the third Elected Emperor , 2697 years before Iesus Christ , built a Temple to the Supreme Monarch of the Universe ; That he adorn'd his Head with the Regal Diadem ; That he made choice of a Yellow-colour'd Habit , which none of his Subjects durst wear ; That he was a great Lover of Musick ; And that he brought Astronomy and Physick to its Perfection . For we are so uncertain upon what Grounds these things are told us , that we read all this Account as a perfect Romance . However we shall here subjoin some Curiosities , which cannot but create a great deal of Pleasure and Satisfaction to them who read it .

Confucius the Chinese Philosopher .

IN the year of the World 3233 , and 717 years before Iesus Christ , was the famous Confucius born , the greatest Philosopher that China ever had . He drew in his first Breath in the Village of Leu ye , hard by the City of Kiofeu , in the Province of Xanton on the North of Nankin . It was under Kimvam , the 24th Emperor of the third Family , that he began to signalize himself by the fineness of his Philosophy , to the Profession of which he adjoyned a singular Innocence of Manners . His Writings are full of very fine Maxims , and such as tend wholly to establish Quietness in private Families , and Peace in the publick State . He was of the Opinion , that it is very important for Sovereign Princes , that the Fathers should have a Supreme Authority over their Children . He would have their Authority be very extensive , because in truth the Inclination of a Child receiving a right Ply betimes , and being kept to an entire Dependance under a Paternal Authority , would be the more easy to submit to the Yoke of Regal Power . The Chinese , and the adjacent Nations , such as the Inhabitants of Tunquin and Iapan , stiled Confucius , a wise and a holy Man . His Writings are in as much Esteem among those Nations , as the Gospel is among the Christians . There is scarce a City but has a magnificent College dedicated to Confucius ; and every where may be seen Inscriptions in Golden Letters , To the Memory of the Great Master ; or rather , To the Memory of the Illustrious Prince of Learning . Never did any Philosopher receive greater Honours from his own Country , insomuch that his Posterity was highly honoured , not only by Noble Titles , but also by great Revenues , and particular Marks of Esteem .

About the year of the World 3728 , Xi-hoan-ti , the second Emperor of the fourth Family , governed with a great deal of Severity and Cruelty . This was the Man who caused the famous Wall to be built to cover China from the Incursions of the Tartars .

About the year of the World 3786 , reigned Ven-ti , the third Emperor of the fifth Family , who was a Prince of extraordinary Temper . In his time Paper was first invented in China .

In the year of Christ 650 , Cao-cum caused several Temples to be erected to the true God , and favoured the Establishment of Christianity , which had been formerly preached in China under his Predecessor .

In the year of Christ 1064 , Ym-cum , the fifth Emperor of the nineteenth Family , began to reign . In his time lived the famous Historiographer Su-ma-quam , whose Annals begin with Hoam-ti , which most of the Chinese look upon as the first Founder of their Monarchy .

We hope this short Account of the Chinese , thô by way of Digression , will not be ungrateful to the Learned World ; and shall now proceed to give you an Account of those other States and Empires , which afterwards being conquered , composed successively a great part of the Roman Monarchy , beginning with that of Egypt , as being one of the most ancient .

CHAP. VI. Of the Kings of Egypt .

EGypt , anciently called Misraim , and the Land of Ham , Aeria , Potamia , Ogygia , Melampodus , and Osyria , derived its present Name from Egyptus , the Brother of Danaus It is part of Africa , bounded on the North by the Egyptian , or rather part of the Mediterranean Sea ; on the East by Arabia Petrea and Sinus Arabicus ; on the South by Ethiopia ; and on the West by Cyrenaica . It was formerly divided into the Vpper and Lower Egypt ; but at present it is divided into four Parts : I. Errif , or the Lower Egypt , containing the old proper Egypt and Augusticana . II. Pechria Demisor , or Middle Egypt , containing the greatest part of old Arcadia . III. Sahid , or the Vpper Egypt , part of old Thebais . IV. The Coast of the Red Sea , containing part of the ancient Thebais and Arcadia .

There is in Egypt the famous Istmus of Sues , that parts the Red Sea from the Mediterranean , which several Princes have in vain attempted to cut , so as to joyn those two Seas .

There is nothing more obscure or uncertain in History , than what has commonly been published concerning the Government and Succession of the first Kings of Egypt . Here we walk even in Egyptian Darkness it self , and cannot set two Steps forward without being misled . Historians cannot agree among themselves about the Names , the Time , the Number , nor the Series of these Kings . No body knows whether these Dynasties , which some look upon as Successive , and which they range one after another , be not most of them Collateral , and of the same time or no. Diodorus Siculus says upon his Honour , that for all the Care and Pains he took in consulting the Priests of Egypt about their Antiquities , yet he could find nothing in them but what was very dubious and uncertain ; and that whatever has been published of Egypt before the taking of Troy , might very well be reckoned as Fabulous . What Credit then can we give to what the Greek Historians have related from the Egyptian Priests , with whom it was very common to extol the Grandeur and Antiquity of their Nation by Romantick and surprizing Relations ? Shall we believe them when they confidently tell us , that the Gods and Demi-Gods reigned in Egypt ▪ 34201 years before any Kings reigned there ? With such Stories as these did the Egyptian Priests amuse Diodorus Siculus , when he consulted them about the Antiquity of their Kings . In one word , it seems very likely that the Egyptian Priests invented those Fabulous Reigns , that they might not yield the Glory of their Antiquity to the Chaldeans or Babylonians , who assigned several Myriads of Years to their Monarchy . There was a kind of Emulation upon this Point between these two Nations , which inclined their Historians to invent several Successions of Imaginary Kings . This Emulation is what is very real , the Signs whereof are very visible in the Writings of the Ancients . Wherefore all that can be said of the first Government of Egypt with any certainty , is , that C ham the Son of Noah having planted it , govern'd this Land for about 160 years , and was succeeded by Mizraim , otherwise called Osiris ; after whom a great number of Kings are named , but with such a mixture of Fable , that we shall not trouble our selves or the World with a frivolous Account to their Dynasties , which Manetho would have us believe were 17 , before Thetmosis or Amasis their first known King . We shall omit likewise to speak of their State under their unknown Kings , or under those who were stiled The Shepherd Kings ; and will begin our Account of Egypt with Thetmosis or Amasis , who began to reign in the year of the World 2207 , from whom we shall continue the Succession down to Cleopatra's Death , when it became a Roman Province ; which happened about the year 3920. This takes up the space of 1713 years , which being too large to consider all together , we shall treat of under three distinct States , viz. 1. Under 47 Kings , who all were Sirnamed Pharaoh . 2. Under 11 Kings of Persia. 3. Under the Greeks , namely Alexander the Great , and the 12 Ptolemy's his Successors .

Sect. 1. The State of Egypt under 47 Kings , Sirnamed Pharaohs , which lasted 1220 Years ; till the Year of the World 3427 , when it was conquered by Cambyses King of the Persians . Years of the World . Years before Christ . 2207. 1. THetmosis , or Amasis , he drove the Shepherd Kings out of Lower Egypt , who retired into Phenicia , He had been before King of Thebais or Vpper Egypt , and reigned about 25 years . 1743 2232. 2. Chebron reigned about 13 years . 1718 2245. 3. Amenophis reigned 20 years and 7 months . 1705 2266. 4. Amesses , the Sister of Amenophis , reigned 21 years and 9 months . 1684 2288. 5. Mephres reigned 12 years and 9 months . 1662 2300. 6. Maphramuthosis reigned 25 years and 10 months . 1650 2326. 7. Themosis reigned about 10 years . 1624 2336. 8. Amenophis II. reigned 30 years and 10 months . 1614 2367. 9. Orus reigned about 5 years : He built the Pyramids of Egypt . 1583 2373. 10. Thermutis , or Acenchres , reigned about 43 years . 'T is said , that this is that new King who knew not Ioseph . and who oppressed the Israelites . He gave order to the Midwives to kill the Sons of the Hebrew Women ; but this not being executed , he injoined his Subjects to drown them . In his Reign Moses was born , laid in the River , found and saved by Pharaoh's Daughter , who brought him up as her own Child , and by a signal Instance of Providence committed him to be nursed by his own Mother . In this King's Reign Cecrops the Egyptian transplanted a Colony of the Saites into Attica , and there laid the Foundation of the Republick of Athens . 1577 2416. 11. Rathotis the Brother of Acenchres succeeded , and reigned about 9 years . 1534 2424. 12. Acencheres I. succeeded his Father Rathotis , and reigned about 12 years . 1526 2436. 13. Acencheres II. succeeded , and reigned 13 years . 1514 2449. 14. Armais succeeded , and reigned about 4 years . This was that Pharaoh , to whom Moses and Aaron were sent by God to prevail upon him to let the Children of Israel go . In his time Moses brought the ten Plagues upon the Egyptians ; and thô Pharaoh was harden'd by the nine first , yet he was forced by the last to yield to their Request , and the Egyptians pressed the Israelites to be gone . However Pharaoh pursued the Israelites with a great Army , but he and all his Men perished in the Red Sea , whilst the Children of Israel passed over it as upon dry Ground . 1501 2453. 15. Armesis or Ramesses succeeded , and reigned one year . 1497 2454. 16. Amesis or Ramesses Miamun succeeded , and reigned about 21 years . 1496 2475. 17. Armais succeeded , and reigned about 45 years . This is Danaus , who being expelled the Kingdom by his Brother Egyptus , went into Greece , and laid the first Foundation of the Kingdom of Argos . 1475 2520. 18. Amenophis III. succeeded , and reigned in Egypt about 19 years . 1430 2539. 19. Egyptus , or rather Sethosis , succeeded , and reigned about 51 years . He deposed Danaus , but was so molested by him , that his Daughters killed 49 of his Sons . In his time Phenix and Cadmus came from Thebes to Egypt , and thence went to Syria , where they reigned over Tyre and Sidon . 1411 2590. 20. Rampes or Rhampsaces succeeded , and reigned about 61 years . 1360 2651. 21. Amenophis IV. succeeded , and reigned about 40 years . 1299 2691. 22. Ammeneremes or Ammenepthes succeeded , and reigned about 26 years . 1259 2717. 23. Thuoris reigned about 7 years . 1233 2724. Here happened a Dynasty of the Diospolites , whose Kings are unknown , and which lasted the space of 143 years . 1226 2867. 24. Smendes reigned about 26 years . 1083 2893. 25. Pseusenses reigned about 50 years . 1057 2943. 26. Vaphres succeeded , and reigned about 20 years : He is by some called Mephercheres . This is that Pharaoh who married his Daughter to King Solomon , and gave her for her Portion Gezer , a City belonging to the Tribe of Ephraim , which he had taken from the Canaanites , after he had put them all to Death . 1007 2963. 27. Amenophis V. reigned 9 years . 987 2972. 28. Sesonchis or Shishak succeeded , and reigned 6 years . It was this King to whom Ieroboam fled , and with whom he tarried till the Death of K. Solomon . After this , Shishak marched from Egypt to Ierusalem rifled the Temple , and carried away all the Treasures which were in the Royal Palace of Rehoboam the Son of Solomon . 978 2978. 29. Spinaces reigned about 9 years . 972 2987. 30. Persusennes reigned about 55 years . 963 3042. 31. Sesonchis reigned 21 years . 908 3063. 32. Osorthon reigned 15 years . 887 3078. 33. Tachelotis reigned 13 years . 872 3091. 34. Petubastes reigned about 30 years . 859 3121. 35. Sebacon reigned about 12 years , 829 3133. 36. Osorchon , or the Egyptian Hercules , reigned about 12 years . 817 3145. 37. Tarak reigned 19 years . 805 3164. 38. Psammis I. reigned about 19 years . 786 3183. 39. Bocchoris , Sirnamed Saites , reigned in Egypt the space of 44 years . 767 3227. 40. Sabacon or So the Ethiopian began to reign , and having taken Bocchoris Prisoner of War , caused him to be burnt alive , and reigned in his stead 8 years . This was that So mentioned 2 King . 17.4 . to whom Hoshea King of Israel sent Ambassadors , to perswade him to pay no Tribute to the King of Assyria : Upon which , Sennacherib King of Assyria clap'd Hoshea into Prison , and laid Egypt waste . 723 3236. 41. Sevechus , the same with Tirhakah mentioned by Isaiah , the Son of Sabacon , succeeded his Father , and reigned about 28 years . 714 3264. About this time there happened great Disturbances in Egypt ; the Regal Power was laid aside , and the Kingdom governed by an Aristocracy of 12 Men for the space of 15 years . 686 3279. 42. Psammeticus , one of the 12 , assisted by the Grecian Soldiers , became sole King of Egypt , and reigned 54 years . In his time the Scythians having conquered Asia , marched directly towards Egypt . But when they were advanced as far as Palestine , Psammeticus met them , and by his Intreaties and Presents diverted them from their Design . 671 3333. 43. Pharaoh Neco succeeded his Father Psammeticus , and reigned 16 years . He attempted to cut a River from the Nile to the Sinus Arabicus , but failed in his Design , and 120000 Egyptians perished in the Undertaking . Herodotus tells us , that he sent a Fleet out of Sinus Arabicus , which lanching out into the South Sea , sailed quite round Africa . They entred the Mediterranean by Hercules Pillars , called at present the Straits of Gibraltar , from whence they sailed in a direct Course to Egypt , where they arrived in the 3d year of their Voyage . This was that King of Egypt , who defeated Iosiah King of Iudah , and killed him in Battel . He was afterwards entirely defeated by Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon , who was very near conquering all Egypt . Nebuchadnezzar pushed on his Conquests , took from Neco all his Dominions which lay between the Nile and Euphrates , and forced him to keep within the Limits of his own Territories . 617 3350. 44. Psammis II. succeeded his Father Neco , and reigned about 6 years : But he died soon after his return from his Expedition into Ethiopia . 600 3356. 45. Apries succeeded his Father Psammis , and reigned about 25 years . He was a great Warriour , took Sidon by Storm , and put all Phenicia into a very great Consternation . At last he was absolutely defeated by the Cyrenians , against whom he had waged War . Upon this , the Egyptians were for deposing Apries , who sent Amasis to pacify them : But instead of that , they set up Amasis for their King . Apries dispatched Patarbem to bring back Amasis , but he succeeded not ; whereupon he had his Nose and Ears cut off , as a Punishment of his Default , by the Orders of King Apries . Those Egyptians who hitherto had continued Loyal to the Interests of Apries , were so offended at this barbarous Proceeding , that they deserted him , and went over to Amasis . The two Kings had an Engagement near the Walls of Memphis , in which Apries was defeated , put to flight , taken Prisoner , confined in Said , and afterwards strangled . 594

Nebuchadnezzar laid hold on this Juncture of Affairs , and whilst these Commotions and Disturbances were flaming in Egypt , marched directly thither , and conquered the whole Country : He made a great slaughter among the Egyptians , and put a vast number of them into Irons . The Iews , who were fled into Egypt to avoid the Fury of the Assyrians , fell at the same time into the Hands of Nebuchadnezzar , and shared the same Fate with the Egyptians .

3381. 46. Amasis ascended the Throne , and reigned 44 years . In his time Cambyses King of Persia resolv'd upon the Conquest of Egypt , and made Preparations for it . 569 3426. 47. Psammenitus succeeded his Father Amasis , but he reigned only 6 months , being conquered by Cambyses King of Persia. 524

A REMARK .

Here we would desire our Reader to take notice , that in the Names and Succession of these Egyptian Kings we have all along followed Petavius , Helvicus , and after him our Countryman Mr. Tallents . 'T is true , they differ in some Points from other great Authors , but if they in the Account they give us , or we in following them do Err , it may be the more excusable , since scarce two Authors agree exactly in the Names and Succession of these Kings , so obscure is the History of these Times . We after them have made Thermutis or Acenchres to be that Cruel Pharaoh who oppressed the Hebrews , and killed their Male-Children ; and Armais to be that Pharaoh who reigned when Moses brought the ten Plagues upon Egypt , and who pursued the Israelites into the Red Sea , where he and his Army were drowned . But others have made Ramesses Miamun to be the One , and his immediate Successor Amonophis III. to be the Other Pharaoh . Which of the two Accounts is most Authentick is very uncertain , and perhaps neither of them is true : For 't is probable , that one and the same Pharaoh oppressed the Hebrews , and pepished in the Red Sea . The Scriptures determine nothing in the case , but only tell us in general , that it was Pharaoh who did this or that ; and Prophane History affords us but little Light , to distinguish whether one or two , or more Pharaoh's were concerned in the Business . We determine nothing , but leave the Reader to judge as he thinks fit ; only we thought it very proper to add this Remark , to justifie our following Helvicus and Tallents in the Account we have given of the Names , Succession , and Chronology of these Egyptian Kings .

Sect. 2. The State of Egypt under XI . Kings of Persia , which lasted 193 Years , viz. to the Year of the World 3619 ; at which time it was subjected to Alexander the Great . Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3426. 1. CAmbyses reigned after he had absolutely defeated Psammenitus , who fled to Memphis , where he was besieged . The City was taken , and Cambyses by way of Contempt ordered him to take up his Quarters in the Suburbs . Psammenitus , as an Addition to his Misfortunes , often beheld the Princess his Daughter , with several other Ladies of Quality , in the Habit of Slaves , who were forced to go and draw Water for the Persians . She never went by him but she burst into Tears , and made dreadful Exclamations . This unhappy Prince likewise saw his Son with 2000 Egyptians of the same Age with him going to be executed , with Ropes about their Necks , and a Bridle in their Mouths . At last he was removed to Susa , where he endeavoured by several Artifices to raise an Insurrection among the Egyptians ; for which he was condemned by the King of Persia to drink Bull 's Blood , of which he died . 524 The next year Cambyses likewise subdued Ethiopia , but carrying his Conquests too far , it happened that his whole Army being then in a sandy , hot , and barren Country , had like to have perished for want of Provision . The Soldiers cast Lots among themselves , and did eat every tenth Man upon whom the Lot fell . The King of Persia being advertised of this horrible Disaster , immediately broke up his Camp , and quitted his Design . At his return to Babylon he died ; but upon his going from Egypt he left a Governor over it named Ariandes . By this means Egypt remained under the Dominion of the Kings of Persia. 3429. 2. Darius King of Persia reigned over Egypt 36 years . 521 3464. 3. Xerxes King of Persia succeeded his Father Darius , and possessed his Territories 22 years . 486 3486. 4. Artaxerxes succeeded his Father Xerxes . In his time Inarus King of Lybia , and Son to Psammenitus , caused the greatest part of Egypt to revolt , and freed himself from the Tyranny of Artaxerxes . He was made King by the Egyptians , and called in the Athenians to his Assistance , who were at that time before the Isle of Cyprus with a Fleet of 200 Sail. Artaxerxes , upon notice of the Egyptians Revolt , sent against them Achemenes or Achemenides with an Army of 400000 Foot , and a Fleet of 80 Sail. But Inarus , with the Assistance of the Athenians , beat the Persians both by Sea and Land , making great Havock of them ; and among the rest Achemenes himself was killed . Artaxerxes , upon the News of his Army's Defeat in Egypt , sent fresh Forces thither under the command of Artabasus and Megabizus . They were near 300000 strong , defeated the Army of Inarus , whom Megabizus wounded in the Thigh . Inarus was put to flight , and threw himself with the remainder of his Forces into Byblus , a very strong City of Prosopis , which is an Island in Delta , form'd by two Arms of the River Nile , very near its disemboguing it self into the Mediterranean . By this Defeat Megabizus became Master of all Egypt , except Byblus . Within a year or two after the Persians turned the Stream of the River ( which formed that Island ) another way , laid Siege to Byblus , which surrender'd to them , and all Egypt was again reduced and brought under the Subjection of Artaxerxe● . There was still at that time another King named Amyrtes , said to be the Son of Psammenitus . He reigned in the Fens and Morasses , where the Persians durst not set upon him . His Forces were inur'd to Hardships , and resolved to stand by him to the last . Artaxerxes , at the importunate Requests of his Mother , yielded up Inarus to her Will and Pleasure , who caused him to be hanged , and 50 Grecians beside . 464 3525. 5. Xerxes II. 6. Sogdianus ; both of them Kings of Persia , did not reign one whole year . 425 3526. 7. Ochus or Darius Nothus succeeded them . In his time Amyrtes Saites freed almost all Egypt from the Tyranny of the Persians , to whom he was an inveterate Enemy , and reigned 6 years . He was succeeded by Nepherites , a King of a New Dynasty . 424 3545. 8. Artaxerxes II. King of Persia. In his Reign , Achoris King of the Egyptians raised Forces from all Parts to drive the Persians out of Egypt . Achoris was succeeded by Psammuthis , who reigned one year ; and he again was succeeded by Nepheretes the last King of the Dynasty of the Saites , who reigned no more than 4 months . Nectanebis , the first King of the Dynasty of the Sabennites , reigned 12 years . Artaxerxes at last made a Peace with the Greeks , intending to joyn theirs with his Forces for the Reduction of Egypt . But the Misunderstanding which happened between Pharnabazus General of the Persians , and Iphicrates Commander of the Athenian Forces , occasioned the Designs of Artaxerxes to miscarry . 405

Much about this time , Eudoxus a Native of Cnidos a City of Caria in Asia Minor , being then in great Repute , obtained Letters of Recommendation from Agesilaus to Nectanabis King of Egypt , desiring Leave to converse with the Egyptian Priests . The King recommended him to Iconuphis Priest of Heliopolis ; and among these Priests it was , that he wrote his Octaeteride .

3581. Teos succeeded Nectanabis , and reigned 2 years ; but sending his Son Nectanebos with an Army against Syria , this treacherous Son by fair Promises and Presents won the Army over to his side , and caused them to proclaim him King of Egypt . Teos fled to the King of Persia , who received him kindly , and gave him the Command of an Army for the Reduction of Egypt , by the help whereof he was re-established upon the Throne ; but having learned in Persia to live Luxuriously , he lost his Life amidst his Debaucheries . 369 3583. Nectanebos was scarce Master of Egypt , but another as Ambitious as himself was proclaimed King at the Head of an Army of 100000 Men , which he had raised . But this Nectanebos notwithstanding remained in possession of the Throne , being assisted by Chabrias who commanded the Army of the Athenians , and by Agesilaus General of the Lacedemonians ; and reigned 12 years . 367 3588. 9. Artaxerxes III. or Ochus King of Persia , was the Person that opposed Nectanebos . He sent a puissant Army into Egypt against him , who in the end conquered and forced him to fly to Memphis , where seeing he should be taken if he tarried long , he changed his Habit , and went for Sanctuary into Ethiopia . Others say , that he went in Disguise through Pelusium , and came to Pella , a City of Macedon . And thus was all Egypt again reduced by the Persians . This was that Artaxerxes mentioned ch. 3. p. 266. who rifled Egypt of its Treasures and Libraries , and affronted the Egyptian's God Apis , as has been already related . 362 3611. 10. Arses King of Persia. 3614. 11. Darius Codomannus , the last King of Persia , who was conquered by Alexander the Great .

Sect. 3. The State of Egypt under the Greeks , viz. Alexander the Great , and the XII . Ptolemy's , which lasted 301 Years ; that is , to the Year of the World 3920 ; when Augustus , after the Death of Cleopatra , made Egypt a Province of the Roman Empire . Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3619. ALexander the Great marched into Egypt , where he found the People disposed to put themselves under his Protection . For the Persians were grown so intolerable by their Tyranny , Avarice , and Sacrileges , that the Egyptians upon Alexander's Arrival soon shook off the Persian Yoke , waited upon him at Pelusium , and submitted to his Government . Mazagases , Lieutenant to Darius Codomannus , and Governor of Memphis , delivering up that City to Alexander . In this Expedition Alexander visited the Temple of Iupiter Ammon , where the Priests ( corrupted by his Gifts ) prepared the Oracle to declare him the Son of that God , as has been already mentioned . Whilst he was in Egypt he built Alexandria , giving it his own Name , and making it the Metropolis of the whole Country . This was in the Fifth Year of his Reign , and the First Year of the CXII . Olympiad . When Alexander died , his Bastard-Brother Arideus was proclaimed King ; but his Reign lasted not long , for Alexander's Favourites shared his Conquests and Empires among them , of which Ptolemy the Son of Lagus got Egypt for his Dividend . 331 3629. 1. Ptolemy the Son of Lagus , Sirnamed Soter , reigned over Egypt about 35 years , and then surrender'd the Government to his Son . 321 3664. 2. Ptolemy Philadelphus . About this time the Holy Scripture was translated into the Greek Language by LXXII . Iews , sent into Egypt by Eleazer the High-Priest at the Request of Ptolemy : But there is some Dispute among the Learned concerning the exact time when this Version was made , some placing it under the former , but most under the latter of these two Kings ; for Demetrius Phalereus a Grecian , who was a great Man under Ptolemy Lagi , but not so powerful under his Son , is generally supposed to have been the chief Promoter of that Work . This Version has been generally follow'd ever since , especially by the Romish Church , and is that we usually call the Septuagint . Ptolemy Philadelphus is also famous in the Learned World on account of the vast Library of no less than 200000 Volumes , which he collected by the Assistance of Demetrius Phalereus . He reigned near 40 years , and died by excessive Drinking , &c. 286 3703. 3. Ptolemy Eu●rgetes , that is , the Well-doer , succeeded his Father Philadelphus , and reigned 25 years . 247 3729. 4. Ptolemy Philopator put his Father to Death , succeeded him , and reigned about 17 years . This is that Ptolemy who was such an inveterate Enemy to the Iews , as was before related in Chapter I. of this Third Part. Aelian tells us , that he killed his Wife and Sister to please his Concubine Agathoclea , who governed all ; and that he built a Temple to Homer . 221 3746. 5. Ptolemy Epiphanes , that is , the Illustrious , succeeded his Father when but 4 years old , and reigned 24 years . He likewise was a cruel Oppressor of the Iews . Antiochus , Sirnamed the Great , who was then King of Syria , upon the News of Philopator's Death , broke the League which he had made with Egypt ; and associating with Philip King of Macedon , they both resolved upon turning young Epiphanes out of his Kingdom and to share it between them . 204 3770. 6. Ptolemy Philometor , so called from that Dutiful Affection which he bore to his Mother Cleopatra , succeeded his Father , ( who died with Poison , ) and reigned 34 years and 9 months . This Philometor died in the Physicians Hands , of the Wounds he had received in his Head by a fall off his Horse in that Battel , wherein he conquered Alexander Balas King of Syria . Cleopatra , Sister and Wife to Philometor deceased , was willing to insure the Kingdom to her Son ; but Ptolemy the younger Brother of Philometor , who had reigned in Cyrene , opposed it , and made himself King . A Party rose up against him in favour of Cleopatra ; but he , to put an end to this Contest , married Cleopatra , his Brother's Widow , and Sister to them both . On the very Wedding-Day this new King killed Cleopatra's Son , whilst she held him clasped in her Arms. Thus Ptolemy the younger , Sirnamed Phiscon , mounted his Brother's Bed and Throne . 180 3805. 7. Ptolemy Phiscon , or Euergetes II. was a very cruel Prince , not only to his own Family , as has been already observed , but to all his Subjects . He reigned about 29 years . In the first part of his Reign he strangled the Grandees of Alexandria , who had invited him to accept of the Crown ; he had no respect to either Sex or Age , put away Cleopatra , who was both his Wife and Sister , and married her Daughter , whom he had formerly deflower'd by force . Within a while after he sent for his eldest Son who reigned in Cyrene , and put him to Death , for fear the Inhabitants of Alexandria should make him King after him . The People were so enraged at this , that they pulled down the Statues , and defaced the Images of the King , who charged Cleopatra , his divorced Wife , with this Fact . Physcon in Revenge put the Son he had by her to Death , and sent her in a Charger his Head , Hands and Feet , which he ordered to be served up at her Table on the Anniversary of that Queen's Nativity . 145 3834. This year the barbarous King died , and left the Kingdom to Cleopatra his Wife , to whom he had been reconciled before his Death , and gave her liberty of making which of her Sons she pleased King in his stead . She would have had Alexander mount the Throne , but the People constrained her to make choice of Ptolemy Lathurus to be Phiscon's Successor . 116

8. Ptolemy Lathurus , who was not very well beloved by his Mother , became at last by her Intrigues odious to the Commonalty . However he reigned together with Cleopatra 11 years . At last he was so much hated by the People of Alexandria , that he fled from them to Cyprus , of which his Brother Alexander had been King for 8 years .

3845. 9. Ptolemy Alexander succeeded , but did not reign above one year . For falling out with his Mother , he grew jealous of her Intrigues , and thereupon put her to Death . The Inhabitants of Alexandria were so exasperated , that they raised an Insurrection , and forced the King to fly . They sent Ambassadors to Cyprus , to invite Lathurus back again . He reascended the Throne , and reigned after the Death of Cleopatra 7 years and 6 months . When he died he left a Daughter behind him named Cleopatra , who reigned 6 months . 105 3854. 10. Ptolemy Dionysius , Sirnamed Auletes , because of his being a great Lover of Musick , succeeded and reigned about 30 years . Some say , he was the Son of Lathurus . He had a Share in the Civil Wars of Rome , sided with Cato , permitted him to take the Isle of Cyprus , and drained all Egypt for the Money which he remitted to the Romans . Upon this his Subjects rebelled against him , and he fled to Rome , where he gained Pompey's Favour , who re-established him again on the Throne . 96 3885 , 11. Ptolemy Dionysius II. succeeded his Father Auletes , and reigned about 18 years . His Faiher at his Death ordered by his Last Will and Testament , that his eldest Son should marry his eldest Daughter , and reign jointly together ; for it was then Customary among the Egyptian Kings , for Brothers to marry their own Sisters . Pompey , after he had been defeated by Cesar in the famous Battel of Pharsalia , fled into Egypt , hoping he might find a secure Retreat with that young King , for the Kindness he had shewed his Father in re-establishing him upon the Egyptian Throne . But he was disappointed in his Expectation , for Ptolemy , misled by treacherous Counsellors , meditated nothing less than the turning Cleopatra , his Wife and Sister , out of her Partnership in his Bed and Throne , and to ingratiate himself ( as he thought ) with Cesar , sent Septimius a Roman Refugee to murder Pompey upon his arrival . Iulius Cesar pursued Pompey into Egypt , where he heard the News of his being Assassinated . He was very much troubled at it , but however he endeavoured to make up the Breach between the young Queen and King Ptolemy , who afterwards took an Occasion to fall out with Cesar. They declared War against each other ; Cesar was like to have been cut off , but at last Ptolemy was conquered , and drowned in his flight . After this , Cesar became Master of all Egypt , which he was not then willing to make one of the Roman Provinces : For he bestowed this great Kingdom on his Mistress Cleopatra for some private Favours he had received of her ; and to secure the Government to her , married her to the younger Brother of Ptolemy . 65 3904. 12. Ptolemy Iunior reigned in conjunction with Cleopatra , who had the entire Authority in her own Hands , because her young Brother whom she had married was not above 11 years old . 46 3909. Mark Anthony , charmed with the Beauty of Cleopatra , abandoned the War he was engaged in against the Parthians , and waited upon that Princess into Egypt , where he spent whole Days and Nights in Revellings and Banquetings . Pliny makes mention of a Pearl worth 50000 l. which the Queen powder'd , and made him drink off to excite him to Venery . Whether this be true or no , is not so certain , as that Anthony married Cleopatra , and bestowed upon her Phenicia , the Lower Syria , the Isle of Cyprus , Cilicia , Arabia , and part of Iudea . The Romans were very much offended that he should be so Prodigal of what was none of his own , but belonged to them . Anthony , after he had with great Success conquered Armenia , returned back to Egypt , where he gave himself up to a thousand Extravagancies : He stiled Cleopatra the Queen of Queens ; and Ptolemy Cesareon , her Son , he called the King of Kings . He never afterwards marched out in any Expedition , but took Cleopatra with him . 41 3919. Augustus Cesar , offended that Anthony had repudiated his Sister Octavia upon his marrying Cleopatra , rendred him odious to all the Romans , and made Preparations to carry the War into Egypt against that Queen , who at Rome was accused of bewitching Anthony . The next year a Sea-fight happened at Actium between Anthony and Augustus , wherein the former was defeated . Soon after they engaged by Land , where Anthony's Army was again routed , and he forced to fly , and was abandoned by his Friends . Anthony , in despair of Success , laid violent Hands upon himself , and soon after Cleopatra did the same , by applying an Asp to her Wrist , ( as some Authors report . ) By her Death , the Kingdom of Egypt was reduced to a Roman Province in the year of the World 3920 , before Christ 30 , Anno Vrbis Romae Conditae 722.

We should now give you an Account of the State of Egypt , as it was a Province under LVIII . Emperors , viz. XLI . Roman , and XVII . Eastern , which lasted 667 years , to the year of Christ 637 ; at which time , Omar the second Calif and Successor of Mahomet conquered Egypt , from Heraclius the Eastern Emperor , by Amar one of his Generals . But this we shall treat of in the next Volume , wherein we shall give you a Succession of the Roman and Eastern Emperors .

CHAP. VII . Of Sicyonia .

SIcyon was one of the most ancient Cities of the World : It was situated in Peloponesus , a Peninsula of Greece , upon a Hill about two Leagues off the Sea . 'T is from this City that Sicyonia , a part of Greece , derives its Name . The Account of this State is the most Ancient of any in Europe , but withal , the Darkest and most Obscure . However , to give some Idea of Sicyon , we shall consider it under two distinct States , which lasted about 966 years .

Sect. 1. The State of Sicyon under XXVI . Kings , from Egialeus , who began to Reign in the Year of the World 1900 , to the 33d Year of the Reign of Zeuxippus , in the Year of the World 2833 , which lasted 933 Years . Years of the World . Years before Christ . 1900. 1. EGialeus reigned about 40 years . 2050 1940. 2. Europs reigned about 35 years . 2010 1975. 3. Telchin reigned about 15 years . 1975 1990. 4. Apis reigned about 20 years . 1960 2010. 5. Thelxion reigned about 40 years . 1940 2050. 6. Egirus reigned about 32 years . 1900 2082. 7. Thurimachus reigned 45 years . 1868 2127. 8. Leucippus reigned about 53 years . 1823 2180. 9. Messapus reigned 47 years . 1770 2227 , 10. Peratus reigned 46 years . 1723 2273. 11. Plemneus reigned 48 years . 1677 2321. 12. Orthopolis reigned 63 years . 1629 2384. 13. Melanthus or Marathon reigned 30 years . 1566 2414. 14. Marathus reigned 20 years . 1536 2434. 15. Echires reigned 55 years . 1516 2489. 16. Chorax reigned 30 years . 1461 2519. 17. Epopeus reigned 35 years . 1481 2554. 18. Laomedon reigned 40 years . 1396 2594. 19. Sicyon reigned 45 years ; from him Sicyonia took its Name , which before was called Egialea . 1356 2639. 20. Polybus , said to be the Son of Mercury by the Daughter of Iupiter , reigned 40 years . 1311 2679. 21. Inachus or Ianiscus reigned 42 years . 1271 2721. 22. Phestus reigned 11 years . 1229 2732. 23. Adrastus reigned 4 years . 1218 2736. 24. Poliphides reigned 31 years . 1214 2767. 25. Pelasgus reigned 33 years . 1183 2800. 26. Zeuxippus reigned 33 years . 1150

Sect. 2. Years of the World . Years before Christ . 2833. THE Second State of Sicyonia was governed by the Priests of Apollo , on whom the Administration was devolved after the Death of Zeuxippus . This State lasted only 33 years , viz. to the year of the World 2866 ; at which time the Kings of Mycene seized upon this little Kingdom , and annexed it to their own Dominions . 1117

CHAP. VIII . Argos .

THere were several Places of this Name ; but the Argos we treat of here , was the Capital City of Argia , or Argolidis . It was situated on the Banks of Planizza : which by the Latins was called Inachus Fluvius , in Peloponesus . Father Coronelli , in his Description of the Morea , tells us , That this City formerly Dared the whole World to shew its Equal for Stateliness and Magnificence . We shall consider this Kingdom under two States , which lasted about 545 years .

Sect. 1. The First State of Argos under IX . Kings , began in the Year of the World 2093 , which is 1081 Years before the first Olympiad . Years of the World . Years before Christ . 2093. 1. INachus reigned 50 years : He is reckon'd by the Greeks to be the most Ancient of all the known Kings . 1857 2143. 2. Phoroneus reigned 63 years : He is said to be the first Law-maker . 1807 2206. 3. Apis reigned 35 years . He was a great Prince , ruled in Egypt . and was called Serapis or Osiris , as the Greeks report , and ruled also in Spain and Italy . 1744 2241. 4. Argus reigned 70 years . 1709 2311. 5. Criasus ( by others called P●irasus ) reigned 54 years . 1639 2365. 6. Phorbas reigned 35 years . 1585 2400. 7. Triopas reigned 46 years . 1550 2446. 8. Crotopus reigned 21 years . 1504 2467. 9. Sthenelus reigned 11 years . 1483

His Son Gelanor succeeded , and was expelled by Danaus .

Sect. 2. The Second State of Argos under V. Kings , called Danaides . Years of the World . Years before Christ . 2478. 1. DAnaus being driven out of Egypt by his Brother , came into Argos and conquered it . To revenge the Injury his Brother Egyptus had offered him , he married his 50 Daughters to his Brother's 50 Sons , and perswaded his Daughters each to kill her Husband . They all obeyed his Orders , except she who married Lynceus . Hence arose the Fable of the Greek Poets , who feigned , That 49 of the Daughters of Danaus were condemned in Hell to an Endless Labour of filling Pails or Sieves that were full of Holes with Water , which ran out as fast as they poured it in . This Danaus reigned about 50 years . 1472 2528. 2. Lynceus succeeded his Uncle Danaus , and reigned 40 years . 1422 2568. 3. Abas succeeded his Father Lynceus , and reigned 23 years . 1382 2591. 4. Pretus succeeded his Father Abas , and reign'd 19 years . 1359 2610. 5. Acrisius succeeded his Father , and reigned 31 years . 1340 2641. Perseus put his Grandfather Acrisius to Death , and removed the Regal Power from Argos to Mycene . From this time it became a Republick , but had a Share in all the Wars of Greece . 1309

CHAP. IX . Athens .

AThens , the Capital City of Attica , was seated on the River Cephissus , in the very Heart of that Province , which was looked upon as the most eminent Province of all Greece . This City was consecrated to Minerva , whom the Greeks called 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , and has been esteemed one of the most magnificent and flourishing Cities of the World . Cicero says , that the Athenians were perfect Masters of Politicks , Religion , and Husbandry ; that they were the first Founders of Law and Equity ; and that they transmitted these Things to the rest of Mankind . Nor was Athens only the Publick School of Arts and Sciences , but it was likewise the Seat of Magnanimity and Valour , and as famous for great Commanders , as it was for Men of Polite Parts and Learning . It 's Areopagus , Liceum , Academy , Portico , and the vast Number of its stately Temples , have been very much celebrated and talked of in the World .

The Areopagus was properly the Senate-House of Athens , the Place where a certain Number of Magistrates determined the Causes of Private Persons . It was to this Place that St. Paul was brought to give an Account of his Doctrine , and where he made that excellent Discourse , the Subject of which he occasionally took from an Altar which he had seen in that City , dedicated , ΘΕΩ ΑΓΝΩΣΤΩ , TO THE VNKNOWN GOD. Dionysius one of the Areopagites , and a Woman of Quality named Damaris , embraced the Christian Religion , and were converted by Paul's Preaching .

The Liceum was a College , where Aristotle taught his Philosophy , for which Reason it was called the Lycéan Philosophy .

The Academy was a fine House with Gardens and Fountains , where Plato taught his Philosophy . This Name of Academy came from one Academus an Athenian , who gave that House to Plato , and hence those who were his Disciples were called Academicks . Arcesilaus , who came after Plato , being willing to reform some Points of his Doctrine , founded that which was called the Second Academy , of which , Pericles the Disciple of Arcesilaus was the Head . Arcesilaus taught , That we cannot come to the perfect knowledge of any thing and that therefore we ought to suspend our Judgment in all things , without being positive in the determining any thing about them . There was a Third Academy founded by Carneades of Cyrene , who taught , That there was some Things probable , and others true and false , but that the Mind of Man could not tell how to distinguish them .

The Portico , which was called Pecilé , because of the Variety of admirable Pictures with which Polignotus had enrich'd it , was the Place where Zeno the Cynick held his Lectures of Philosophy , whose Followers were called Stoicks .

In the History of Athens we meet with Four different States , under which it appeared to the World , from the year of the World 2394 , in which it was founded , down to the present Times . For there are 10 this day some Remains of old Athens , which soem call Se●ines , and the Turks Athina .

Sect. 1. The First State of Athens under XVII . Kings , lasted 488 Years . Years of the World . Years before Christ . 2394. 1. CEcrops I. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , came out of Egypt , brought in their Gods , and was the first that called God by the Name of Zeus or Iupiter : He founded the Kingdom of Athens , and reigned about 50 years . Pausanias tells us , that in his time the Areopagus was founded , and that Mars pleaded there first : But others place it in Demophoon's Reign , about 380 years later . In Cecrops's Reign , Deucalion King of Thessaly lived , of whose Flood the Poets make such large Descriptions . 1556 2444. 2. Cranaus reigned 9 years , and was expelled by Amphictyon . 1506 2453. 3. Amphictyon the Son of Deucalion succeeded Cranaus , set up the Council of Greece , and reigned 10 years . 1497 2463. 4. Ericthonius the Son of Vulcan expelled Amphictyon , succeeded and reigned 50 years . He invented Chariots to ride in to hide his Feet . 1487 2513. 5. Pandion I. the Son of Ericthonius succeeded his Father , and reigned 40 years . He was the Father of Philomela and Progne ; the one , as Ovid relates , was transformed into a Nightingale , and the other into a Swallow . 1437 2554. 6. Erecth●us the Son of Pandion succeeded his Father , and reigned 50 years . In his time the Isthmian Games were instituted by Glaucus the Father of Bellerophon . Eumolphus King of Thrace aided the El●usians in in their War against the Athenians . 1396 2603. 7. Cecrops II. succeeded his Brother Erectheus , and reigned 40 years . 1347 2643. 8. Pandion II. the Son of Erectheus succeeded his Uncle Cecrops , and reigned 25 years . In his time the Olympick Games were instituted by Pelops , who reigned in Peloponesus , which Country derived its Name from him . 1307 2668. 9. Egeus the Son of Pandion succeeded his Father , and reigned 48 years . In his Reign the Athenians had a cruel War with Minos King of Crete , and being conquered by him , were obliged to send 7 Children yearly to be devoured by the Minotaur . In his time likewise , Iason with his Argonauts went in quest of the Golden Flcece : And Hercules renewed the Olympick Games . 1282 2716. 10. Theseus succeeded his Father Egeus , and reigned 30 years . He emulated Hercules ; destroyed the Robbers ; killed the Minotaur ; assembled all the People of Attica in Athens ; setled the Government ; routed the Amazons ; assisted the Lapithae against the Centaurs ; and took Helena . Castor and Pollux by way of Revenge took Athens , but used it kindly . 1234 2746. 11. Mnestheus , who was descended from Erectheus , expelled Theseus , and reigned in his stead 29 years . In his time Troy , after a Siege of 10 years , was taken by the Greeks . 1204 2775. 12. Demophoon the Son of Theseus succeeded his Father , and reigned 27 years . 1175 2802. 13. Oxynthes succeeded his Father Demophoon , are reigned 12 years . 1148 2814. 14. Aphidas succeeded , and reigned only one year . 1136 2815. 15. Thymetes succeeded , and reigned only 8 years . He killed his Father , and was afterwards killed himself by his Successor . 1135 2823. 16. Melanthius the Son of Andropompus , who reigned 37 years . 1127 2860. 17. Codrus succeeded his Father Melanthius , and reigned 21 years . He for the safety of his People lost his own Life , and by his Death gave them the Victory ; for the Oracle having predicted , that the Party which lost their King should gain the Victory , he disguised himself , and secretly got into the Enemy's Camp , where he purposely provoked them , and received his Death for his Country's sake . His two Sons Medon and Nileus contested the Kingdom , which was the reason why the Athenians , fearing that they should never have such another King as Codrus , put an end to the Regal Power , declared that Iupiter was the only King of the People of Athens , and established Perpetual Archontes , that is , Governors or Magistrates , who should have the Administration of the State during their whole Life , and were only different from the Kings in Name , and were accountable to the People . 1090

Sect. 2. The Second State of Athens under XIII . Perpetual Archontes , which lasted the space of 316 Years . Years of the World . Years before Christ . 2882. 1. MEdon the Son of Codrus govern'd Athens 20 years . 1068 2902. 2. Acastus governed 36 years . In his time happened the famous Ionian Expedition : For the Ionians being driven out of Peloponnesus by the Heraclidae and the Dorians , under the Conduct of Neleus and Androclus Sons of Codrus , took Ephesus and other Places in Asia Minor , and called that part of it Ionia . 1048 2939. 3. Archippus governed 17 years . 1011 2956. 4. Thersippus governed 42 years . 994 2998. 5. Phorbas governed 31 years . 952 3029. 6. Megacles governed 30 years . 921 3059. 7. Diognetus governed 28 years . 891 3087. 8. Phoreclus governed 19 years . 863 3106. 9. Ariphron governed 20 years . 844 3126 10. Thespieus governed 27 years . 824 3154. 11. Agamestor governed 11 years . 796 3173. 12. Aeschylus governed 23 years . 777 3174. At this time , being 407 years after the taking of Troy , 12 years before the building of Rome , and 777 years before Christ , the Olympiads began , each containing the space of four years . The first Olympiad was very famous for the Prize which Corebus the Cook won in a Race at the Olympick Games . Here ended the time which Varro calls Fabulous , because all that preceded the first Olympiad was mixed with a great many Fables : And here began the Historical Time , because some Rays of Truth began then to shine forth in History . 3196. 13. Alcmeon governed 2 years ; and after his Death , the Government of Athens was committed to Archontes or Governors , who ruled only 10 years . 754

Sect. 3. The Third State of Athens under VII . Decennial Archontes , which lasted 70 Years . Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3198. 1. CHarops the Son of Aeschylus governed 10 years . 752 3208. 2. Esimedes governed 10 years . 742 3218. 3. Clidicus governed 10 years . 732 3228. 4. ●lippomanes governed 10 years . 'T is said , that he tore his Daughter's Adulterer into pieces with wild Horses , for which he was Deposed . He acco●ding to Suidas was the last of the Race of Codru● . 722 3238. 5. Leocrates governed 10 years . 712 3248. 6. Apsandrus governed 10 years . 702 3258. 7. E●yxias governed 10 years . He was the last of the Decennial Archontes . So that the whole space of Time from Cecrops the first King of Athens , down to the end of the Government of Eryxius , takes up 874 years . After his Government was expired , Democracy was established in Athens , and the State was to be governed by Annual Archontes . 692

Sect. 4. The Fourth State of Athens under Annual Archontes , which lasted about the space of 751 Years . Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3268. CReon was the first . 682 3269. Next to him succeeded Tlesias . 681

Instead of giving you an Account of the Succession and Names of these Annual Archontes , which would be both a tedious and an useless Undertaking , it will be more proper to set down those particular Events which contributed to the Happiness or Misery of Athens ; and these we will bring under their proper Centuries , without affixing the Time to every particular Event , but only to such as are most remarkable .

Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3300. In this Century flourished the Seven Wise Men of Greece , viz. Solon , Bias , Thales , Pittacus , Periander , Chilon , and Cleobolus . Besides these , flourished Anaximander the Son of Praxidamus , who was born in Ionia ; Pherecydes , Bion Proconessus , Epimenides , Anaximenes , and several others . The Photians , a People of Ionia , set out a Fleet , and went and built Marseilles . Within a while after , Pittacus of Mytelene , one of the seven Wise Men of Greece , was sent by his Countrymen into Troas , to fight Phrino the Commander of the Athenians , but was conquered . Soon after , Periander , another of the seven Wise Men of Greece , made a Peace between the Athenians and the Mytelenians . Within this Century Cylon attempted to make himself King , but failing of his Aim , fled with his Accomplices to the Altar , who , contrary to Promise , were all killed by Megacles the Archon of that Year , which caused great Disturbances and Factions to arise . Epimedides , to free the City from the Plague , erected that famous Altar mentioned in the Acts to the VNKNOWN GOD. A second War happened with the Megarenses , wherein Salamis was recovered . 650 3384. Pisistratus descended from Codrus , became a Tyrant of his Country . He won the Poorer sort , and by their means made himself King . He was expelled by Megacles and Lycurgus , afterwards sent a counterfeit Minerva in a Chariot , to admonish the People of Athens to restore him . He married the Daughter of Megacles , was restored , ruled well for some time , honoured Solon , collected Homer's Verses and put them in Order , built the first Library in Athens , which Xerxes afterwards carried away . He repudiated the Daughter of Megacles , was again expelled by him ; but returned , and was kindly received by the People . 566

In the 4th Year of the 39th Olympiad , Anno M. 3330 , Draco was Archon , and made such severe Laws , that they were said to be written in Blood ; and 22 years after Solon ruled , who repealed these Laws , and made many excellent Alterations in the Athenian Government .

In this Century , Thales of Miletum died ; and Anaximander , his Disciple , was the first who discovered the Obliquity of the Zodiack , which his Master could never find out .

3400. After Pisistratus , his Son Hipparchus succeeded , and after him , his other Son Hippias . Hipparchus was a great Favourer of Learned Men , but Harmodius and Aristogiton killed him , who were also killed themselves . Leaena the Harlot bit off her Tongue , that she might not discover the Accomplices . Hippias became at last very Cruel , for which he was banished Athens . Upon this he fled to Darius , and set him upon the Thoughts of conquering Greece . Darius was so incensed against the Athenians , that every time he supp'd , he ordered one of his Servants to cry out , Here M●mento Atheniensium : Pray , Sir , don't forget the Athenians . By the Instigation of Hippias the Persians did invade Greece , but were beaten at Marathon by Miltiades , where Hippias was killed . And when Xerxes , the Son and Successor of Darius , sent another Army of Persians under the command of Mardonius to invade Greece , they were again routed ; at Thermopylae by Leonidas the Lacedemonian ; at Sea near Salamis by Themistocles the Athenian ; at Platea by Pausanias the Lacedemonian ; and at Mycale in Asia by Leotychidas . But since we have already mentioned these Things when we treated of the Persian Monarchy , we shall not any longer insist upon them . We need only observe , that after Athens was burnt by Mardonius , Themistocles routed the Persians , and brought the Athenians back to their City , which they fortified , and added the Pyreum to it much against the Spartan's Mind . Themistocles was at last accused of corresponding with Pausanias the Lacedemonian to betray Greece to the Persians . Thô it was improbable and groundless to imagine , that he who had hazarded his life in the Defence of his Country , should afterwards betray it to an Enemy ; yet upon this Suspicion he was banished , fled to the Persians , and afterwards killed himself , as Plutarch informs us . In this Century , Cimon the Son of Miltiades was by the Athenians made Generalissimo of the Army then on foot to drive the Persians out of all Greece . He sailed out of the Port of Pyr●um with 200 Galleys , and routed the Persians both by Sea and Land in one day : He was banished by Pericles's Party , and recalled by his Means . Pericles about this time was Archon or Governor of Athens : He wasted Peloponnesus ; made Peace with Sparta ; foraged Sicyon ; subdued Eubea ; took Samos ; and routed the Corinthians at Polidea . The Athenians in this Period of Time sent a Marine Supply to the Egyptians against the Persians , who were conquered . The Athenians in pursuing them made themselves Masters of Memphis ; but within a few years after they had ill Success in Egypt , that whole Country falling into the Hands of Artaxerxes . 550

In this Century , the Grecian Writers of most Note were Anacreon and Pindar , Poets ; Eschylus the Tragedian , Herodotus the Historian , and Hippocrates the Physician . Much about this time flourished Meton , the famous Mathematician and Grand Astronomer of Athens , who found out that notable Period of 19 years ; in which space , all the different Mutations of the Sun and Moon are compleated , and they begin again to move from the same Point of the Zodiack . This Discovery was received with so much Applause by the Athenians , that they would have it written in Golden Letters in the most publick Place of that City . From hence came the Title of the Golden Number , the Use of which was handed from the Greeks to the Romans , and from them to us Christians .

3500. In the beginning of this Century began the famous Peloponnesian War , which la●●ed 27 years between the Athenians and the Spartans . It first broke out in the first year of the LXXXVII . Olympiad , when Pithodorus the Archon of Athens wanted but two months of being out of his Office . About this time a great Plague reigned in Ethiopia , reached to Egypt , afterwards to Lybia , then to Persia , and last of all reached Athens , where it proved very mortal . Thucydides gives us a large Description of this Plague in his History . He speaks of it upon his own knowledge , having been himself infected with it . Hippocrates , in one of his Tracts , explains the Nature and the Effects thereof , for he practised Physick at that time in Athens : Lucretius , who lived a long time after this , at the end of his Sixth Book gives us likewise a Description thereof , borrowing a great many Circumstances from Hippocrates . In the 19th year of the Peloponnesian War , Ninias designing to draw out the Naval Force of the Athenians very privately by night out of Syragus , and to fall upon the Enemy , saw about 10 a clock at night an Eclipse of the Moon , which so startled him , that he laid aside his Design ; which was the Cause of the Ruin of himself and all the Army . After this happened an Engagement between the Athenians and Lacedemonians near Miletum , wherein the latter had the Advantage . The Oligarchy of 400 was abolished at Athens , and that of 5000 was set up , which ordered Alcibiades , who had been banished , to be recalled , and his Goods which had been confiscated , to be restored to him . Alcibiades , with Thrasybulus and Theramenus , were made Generals of the Armies , the Courage and Conduct of these great Commanders caused a new Change of Affairs in Athens , all Things looking with a better Aspect than formerly . A Sea-fight happened between the Fleet of Mindarus , which was joined with the Ships of Syracuse , and the Fleet of the Athenians commanded by Thrasillas and Thrasybulus . The Victory was a long time very doubtful , but at last favoured the Athenians , who lost 15 of their Ships , and took 21 of the Enemy's . This Action happened about Cinossema , a Promontory of Chersonnesus in Thrace , which Place is noted for the famous Sepulcher of Hecuba , which is there . Here Thucydides concludes his History . There happened another Sea-fight in the same place between the Athenian and Lacedemonian Fleets , which last got the Victory under the Command of Hegefandride , their Admiral . Alcibiades , Thrasybulus , and Theramenus , went to the Relief of Cyzicus , which Mindarus , the Commander of the Lacedemonians , would have taken by Storm . They came to an Engagement , wherein the Athenians were Conquerors both by Sea and Land ; and Mindarus being hotly engaged in the Fight , was slain .

The Athenians intercepted the Letters which the Secretary of Mindarus wrote to the Ephori of Lacedemonia , concerning the Loss they had at Cyzicus , the Stile whereof is very Laconical : The Engagement has been sharp ; Mindarus was killed ; the Soldiers perish for want of Provisions ; and what shall we do ?

The Lacedemonians were so far disheartened at this Defeat , that they sued for a Peace ; but the Athenians refused it , being excited to this Refusal by the Demagogues of the City . These Demagogues were a sort of Men , who were very fierce , given to Change , and Factious to the utmost of their Power , and who by their bold Speeches drew the whole Populace after them . But the Athenians often repented this Refusal of Peace to the Lacedemonians ; and Cleophon , the most pestilent of these Demagogues , was often reviled for having been the chief Cause of it . The Athenians put all the Inhabitants of Miletum to the edge of the Sword , took Cleophona , and making Inroads the night after into Lycia , where Harvest was nigh at hand , they burnt up all the standing Corn ▪ pillaged the Villages , and carried off a great many Slaves . Much about this time Alcibiades was accused at Athens of Corresponding with the Lacedemonians , and of being privately in League with Tissaphernes , in hopes that when the War was over , they would assist him in his Design of making himself Sovereign of Athens . When Callias was Archon of Athens , which was but a few years after the Athenians Successes , the Scene of Affairs was much changed , for in a Sea-Fight between the Athenians and Lacedemonians , the former were routed : And the next year the Athenian Fleet , consisting of 180 Sail , was taken by Lysander the Admiral of the Lacedemonians , of which 10 Galleys with much ado escaped . This Engagement , which happened near Egos-Potamos in the Straits of the Hellespont , gave Lysander an opportunity of blocking up Athens both by Sea and Land , which he besieged so straitly , that he obliged it to surrender to him : And then he set up 30 Tyrants to rule there , and granted the Athenians Peace , upon Condition that they would demolish their Walls within 10 days . Whilst these Tyrants had the Government in their hands , they committed many and great Outrages . Several of the Citizens were banished , and their Estates confiscated by them . Among the banished Citizens was Thrasybulus , who fighting in his Country's Cause , with the Assistance of only 30 Men , first of all took the Fort Phylon in Attica ; afterwards his Force increasing , he seized upon the Pyreum , drove out the 30 Tyrants out of Athens notwithstanding Lysander came to their Relief ; restored the City to its former Constitution , and caused an Amnesty to be made . 'T is said , these Tyrants in their short Reign put 1400 Citizens to Death , among whom the Philosopher Socrates is reckon'd , and banished above 5000 , all for little or no Cause . Canon and Athenian , who was General for the Persians , defeated Agesilaus ( who had a while before routed the Confederated Army of the Athenians , Corinthians , and Thebans , ) near Cnidus in a Sea-Fight , and with the Spoils he took fortified Athens . The Athenians perceiving that the Lacedemonians were still Powerful by Sea , sent Thrasybulus with 40 Sail of Ships against them . He scoured the Seas , took a great many Prizes , and raised great Contributions wherever he came . At last in a City of Asia Minor he permitted his Army to live so Licentiously , that the Inhabitants were so far provoked , as to kill a great number of them by Surprize in the night , and beheaded Th●asybulus himself . Iphicrates , who succeeded him as Admiral of the Navy , surprized Anaxibius the General of the Lacedemonians , cut a great many of his Forces to pieces , and Anaxibius himself fell in the Engagement .

In this Century , Epaminondas the General of the Thebans routed the Spartans twice at Leuctra , and was at last killed himself at Mantinea . About the end of this Century , Philip of Macedon engaged in a War against the Athenians , from whom he took Amphipolis and Potidea ; and within a few years after , Demosthenes made his first Oration against Philip.

The Learned Men of most Note , who flourished in this Century in Greece , were , Herodotus , Thucydides , and Xenophon , Historians ; Euripides , and Sophocles , Tragedians ; Aristophanes the Comedian ; Socrates , Plato , and Aristo●le , Philosophers ; Demosthenes the Athenian Orator ; Eudoxus the Astronomer ; and Diogenes the Cynick .

Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3600. Just before the beginning of this Century began the Phocian or Sacred War , which lasted 10 years . This War was wag'd against the Photians who had ●obb'd Apollo's Temple ; and the Photians had for their Generals , first Philomelus , and after him Onomarchus . Philip of Macedon having defeated the Athenians at Olynthus , granted them Peace ; within two years after he aided the Thebans , and routed the Phocians , whereby he put an end to the Sacred War . After he had conquered the Athenians , Thebans , and Phocians at Cheronea , he was chosen General of the Grecians against the Persians , but was killed before that Expedition . After his Death Alexander brought an Army into Greece , where there happened some Disturbances ; but being perswaded by Demades the Orator , he pardoned the Athenians , who had conspired with Attalus against him . In this Century flourished Epicurus , who at 32 years of Age taught his Philosophy at first at Mytelene , and afterwards at Lampsacus . 350 3650. About this time Demetrius Poliorcetes raised a great Army by Land , and fitted out 250 Sail of Ships to Sea , and parted from Ephesus with a Design to restore all the Cities of Greece to their ancient Liberty : He retook Athens and set it at Liberty , and reduced the greatest part of Greece under his Sovereignty . Some time after the Athenians revolted from him , and sided with Pyrrhus , upon which he besieged Athens , but broke up from before it , being perswaded thereunto by Crates the Philosopher . 300

In this Century flourished Aeschines , Lycurgus , Theophrastus , Euclid , Strato Lamsocenus , Callimachus , Zeno Citticus the Stoick , Manetho , Theocritus , Berosus , and several others .

3700. In this Century there happened , with respect to the Athenians , but little of Moment . They sent Ambassadors to crave Help of the Romans against Philip King of Macedon , who warred against them . 'T is said , they sent another time three Ambassadors to the Senate and People of Rome , to get off the Fine of 500 Talents imposed upon them , for having pillaged Oropus . Those Ambassadors were three Philosophers , who flourished in this Century , viz. Carneades of Cyrene , the Academick ; Diogenes of Babylon , the Stoick ; and Critolaus the Peripatetick . It was observed , that each of these Philososophers had a quite different Talent in Oratory : Carneades expressed himself imperiously , vehemently , and rapidly : Critolaus made a coherent , even , and methodized Speech : And Diogenes in his Harangue seemed reserved , modest , and afraid to say too much . This Air of Philosophy being a new Thing there , was very dazling in the Eyes of the Romans ; and the Youth being charmed with the Conversation of those Philosophers , were all for studying that Science . But Cato the Censor , who was of Opinion , That Philosophy would soften the Temper of the Romans , and make them less fit for War , to which he designed to Discipline them , dispatched these Philosophical Ambassadors from Rome , and banished all Philosophers out of that City . 250

In this Century , beside the fore-mentioned Philosophers , there flourished in Greece , Aratus , Archimedes the famous-Mathematician , Theophanes , Lesbius , and others .

3800. And now we shall conclude what we have to say on the State of Athens , since in this Century it ended , and began to be govern'd by the Romans , of whose Government we shall have occasion to treat more largely hereafter . 150

CHAP. X. Of the Kings of Troy .

TROY , so famous for ten years Siege , and so much celebrated by Homer and other Poets upon that account ; was a City of Asia Minor in Pbrygia , seated on the River Xanthus , about a League from the Egean Sea ; founded , as some say , by Dardanus ; as others , by Tros . It had no more than VII . Kings ; under the last of which it was taken , and burnt by the Grecians 317 years after its first founding .

Years of the World . Years before Christ . 2450. 1. About this time Teucer reigned over the Trojans , being their first King , and reigned 21 years . 1500 2471. 2. Dardanus the Son of Iupiter and Electra , Teucer's Son-in-Law , succeeded , and reigned 31 years . 1479 2502. 3. Ericthonius reigned about 65 years . 1448 2567. 4. Tros the Son of Ericthonius and Astyoche succeeded his Father , and built Troy , which he called Troja after his own Name , and Ilium after his Son Ilus's Name . He warred with Tantalus , and reigned about 63 years . 1383 2630. 5. Ilus succeeded his Father , and reigned about 40 years . 1320 2670. 6. Laomedon succeeded , and reigned about 44 years . He built the Walls of Troy , and the Treasuries of Neptune and Apollo ; and at last was killed by Hercules . 1280 2714. 7. Priam succeeded , and reigned about 53 years . His Son Paris went into Greece , and brought thence by force the beautiful Helena ▪ Wife of Menelaus . Upon this , Agamemnon , Brother to Menelaus , excited the Greeks to a Confederacy to revenge this Affront . The Grecians having made him their General , marched against Troy , which , after a ten years Siege , they took , in the year of the World 2767 , before Christ 1183 , before the first Olympiad 407 , before the building of Rome 431. 1183

It is here to be observed , that the Account which the Poets give us of the famous Siege of Troy is full of Fabulous Relations ; so that all they tell us of the chief Hero's of this War , such as Achilles , Ajax , Vlysses , Hector Eneas , &c. is not to be credited , but the greatest part is to be looked upon as Romance , and Poetical Fiction , and not as true History .

CHAP. XI . Of the Spartans or Lacedemonians .

SParta or Lacedemonia was the Capital City of Laconia , and one of the most considerable Republicks of Peloponnesus , seated on the River Eurotus . It was the strongest City in all Greece , thô it had no Fortifications , and defended its self without Walls for the space of 800 years against all its Enemies . Authors are not agreed about the Time , or the Founder of Sparta : Some say , Spartus the Son of Amilcas ; others , that Sparta the Wife of King Lacedemon founded it . Some assert , that Spartus the Son of Phoroneus King of Argos ; and others , that Lelex was the Founder of it , from whom it was called Lelegia , it not receiving the Title of Lacedemonia till in Lacedemon's time , who was its fourth King . And there are others which affirm , that Cecrops the Founder of Athens was likewise the Founder of Sparta . It is by all acknowledged , that there was never any People in the whole World more skill'd in Politicks , than the Lacedemonians . We have one famous Instance of this , and which seems to be almost a Prodigy , viz. That one and the same Government should be under two Kings at the same time , and so united to each other in their Interests , as to last above 800 years together under that Form . And 't is manifest , that after this Government of two Kings ceased , both the Glory and Grandeur of the Lacedemonians began to decline .

As Authors agree not about the Founder of this Commonwealth , so neither do they agree about the Time wherein it was founded , nor about the Number of their first Kings . All things were so obscurely handed down to us before the first Olympiad , that Chronology and History too must needs be very imperfect . The famous Vsher passes by in his Chronology all the first Kings , as well as those called the Heraclides , thinking it more proper to be silent , than to advance any thing on Matters so uncertain ; yet since Dr. Howell and others have given us the Names of these Kings , without mentioning the precise number of the years of their particular Reigns , we shall consider Lacedemonia under Four distinct States .

Sect. I. The First State of Lacedemonia under XIV . Kings , not much known , lasted about 397 Years ; that is , from Lelex their first King , to the Heraclides . But forasmuch as 't is uncertain how long each King lived or reigned , we shall only set down their Names . Years of the World . Years before Christ . 2450. 1500 1. Lelex . 2. Myles . 3. Eurotas . 4. Lacedemon , who married Sparte the Daughter of Eurotas . 5. Amyclas . 6. Argalus . 7. Cynortas . 8. Oebalus . 9. Hippocoon , expelled by 10. Tyndareus . 11. Castor and Pollux . 12. Menelaus , who married Helena , the Sister of the two former . 2775. 13. Orestes : He killed his Mother and Aegystus King of Argos , ruled over both the Kingdoms 70 years . 1175 2845. 14. Tisamenus reigned only two years . 1105

Sect. II. The Second State of Lacedemonia under the Kings called Heraclides , till such time as their Power was moderated by the Gerontes or Senators .

Years of the World . Years before Christ . 2847. 1103.

They were called Heraclides , as descending from Hercules : For Aristodemus , one of his Descendants , had two Sons , namely Eurysthenes and Procles , both which the Spartans chose for their Kings ; from whom descended the two Royal Families called Eurysthenides and Proclides , who jointly governed Lacedemonia for the space of 249 years .

The Kings called Eurysthenides . 1. Eurysthenes reigned 42 years . 2. Agis the Son of Eurysthenes succeeded : From him the Royal Family was called Agidae , and that of Eurysthenes was extinct . He reigned only one year . 3. Echestratus succeeded his Father , and reigned 35 years . 4. Labotas succeeded his Father , and reigned 37 years . 5. Dor●ssus succeeded his Father , and reigned about 30 years . 6. Agesilaus succeeded his Father Doryssus , and reigned about 44 years . 7. Archelaus succeeded his Father Agesilaus , and reigned 60 years . The Kings called Proclides . 1. Procles . 2. Soos , the Adopted Son of Procles , 3. Eurypon the Son of Soos , from whom the following Kings were called Eurypontides , which put an end to the Name of Proclides . 4. Prytanis succeeded his Father Eurypon . 5. Eunomus succeeded his Father Prytanis . 6. Polydectes succeeded his Father Eunomus . 7. Charilaus succeeded his Father Polydectes : He was the Posthumous Son of Polydectes , and reigned under the Tuition of Lycurgus , the famous Legislator of the Lacedemonians . Lycurgus was Son to Eunomus the Brother of Polydectes , and Uncle to Charilaus : About this time it was that he made Laws for the Lacedemonians .

Sect. III. The Third State of Lacedemonia , under such Kings whose Power was restrained by 28 Gerontes or Senators , whom Lycurgus instituted .

Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3096. 854.

This State lasted 130 years , to the year of the World 3198 , at which time the Epheri were set up .

8. Teleclus the Son of Archelaus reigned about 40 years . He was killed by the Messenians in the Temple of Diana . 9. Alcamenes succeeded his Father Teleclus , and reigned 37 years . 10. Polydorus succeeded , and was killed by Polemarchus . In his time the Ephori were set up to Bridle the Kings and Senate . Five of them were yearly made ; and thô the first was only named , and the others stiled Eponymous , yet they were all five of equal Power . 8. Nicander succeeded his Father Charilaus , and reigned 39 years . 9. Theopompus : The years of his Reign , and the rest who succeeded , are unlimited till the year of the World 3447.

Sect. IV. The Fourth State of Lacedemonia under the Kings , with the Five Ephori or Inspectors , instituted by Theopompus 130 Years after Lycurgus .

Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3198. 752.

This State lasted about 532 years , viz. down to such time as Cleomenes was defeated by Antigonus King of Macedon .

11. Eurycrates I. the Son of Polydorus . 12. Anaxander the Son of Eurycrates . 13. Eurycrates II. the Son of Anaxander . 10. Zeuxidamus , Grandson to Theopompus . 11. Anaxidamus , his Son . 12. Archidamus , the Son of Anaxidamus .

Before we proceed to give you an Account of the succeeding Kings of Lacedemonia , it will not be amiss to speak something of the Wars which happened between the Lacedemonians and the Messenians . The first War broke out in the second year of the ninth Olympiad , being in the year of the World 3207 , before Christ 643. The Lacedemonians were offended that Ctesphontes had treacherously seized upon the Territories of Messina , by defrauding his Nephews of their Right thereto . The Enmity increased by the Battel fought at the Temple of Diana , wherein Teleclus , the Father of Alemenes who was then King , was killed . At last they came to an open Rupture , and the War was for many years together carried on with doubtful Success on each side . At last the Messenians , whose Country was the Seat of War , seeing themselves almost ruined by the Difficulties under which they struggled , thought fit to evacuate all the Towns which lay farthest off the Sea , and to retire to the Mountain Ithomene . After this Retreat , there was a Cessation of Arms on both sides for some years together . But the eighth year after , the War broke out afresh between the Lacedemonians and Messenians , and was carried on with doubtful Success , sometime one , and sometime the other , getting the better . In the first Engagement , the Messenians lost their King Euphaes , in whose stead Aristodemus was elected : But in the second , being assisted by the Arcadians , Argives , and Sicyonians , they won the Battel . Now the Lacedemonians began to despair of Success , and both they and the Messenians sent to enquire of the Oracle at Delphos about the Event of the War . The Oracle favoured the Lacedemonians , who besieged Ithomene , and took it from the Messenians , who became subject to the Spartans . Whilst this War lasted , 't is said , that the Lacedemonians , for fear their Nation should decrease , detached 50 of the most robust young Men in their Army , and sent them into Sparta to get the young Women with Child . The Offspring of these Virgins , ( being from them , which in the Greek is 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , called Parthenians , ) when they were grown up , were slighted , and no body would own them . Upon , this , they join'd in an Insurrection with the Helots , but being overcome , were forced to remove thence , went into Italy under the Conduct of one Phalantus , where they built Tarentum .

The Messenians were at last so uneasie under the Government of the Spartans , that they revolted , and engaged in another War which lasted 18 years ; in the issue , the Messenians were conquered , fled into Sicily , and there built Messina , which still bears the same Name . We now proceed to the succeeding Kings .

14. Leo the Son of Euricrates . 15. Anaxandrides the Son of Leo. 16. Cleomenes the Son of Anaxandrides . This was he who expelled the Family of Pisistratus out of Athens . He corrupted the Oracle to declare , that Demaratus the Son of Ariston was a Bastard ; at last he was expelled himself , fell mad , and laid violent Hands on himself . 17. Leonidas the Son of Anaxandrides , and Brother to Cleomenes , was slain at Therm●pylae with 4000 Greeks , who opposed the Passage of Xerxes King of Persia. But having already mentioned the Invasion of the Persians under Xerxes , with their being defeated by Leonidas , Leotychidas , Euribiades , Pausanias , and Themistocles , the Grecian Generals , we think it proper to repeat nothing that relates to these Matters . 18. Plistarchus the Son of Leonidas succeeded his Father . 13. Agasicles the Son of Archidamus . 14. Ariston the Son of Agasicles . 15. Demaratus the Son of Ariston : He being unjustly expelled as a Bastard by Cleomenes , fled to the Persians , and entred into their Interests . 16. Leotychidas the Son of Menares reigned 22 years ; but being guilty of Bribery , he fled , and died in Exile . 17. Archidamus II. the Son of Zeuxidamus , reign'd 42 years .

During these Kings Reigns , Pausanias the Spartan being General of the Greek Forces , was sent by the Lacedemonians with a Fleet composed of the Auxiliary Forces of the Athenians , to drive the Persians out of the Grecian Cities which they were still in Possession of . He did it with Success , but afterwards aiming ( as was pretended ) to make himself Monarch of all Greece , he was sent for home , where being convicted of this , and of exciting the Helots to an Insurrection , he fled for Sanctuary into the Temple of Minerva , where being block'd up , he was starved to Death .

The Ambition of Pausanias , and the Moderation of Aristides the Athenian , occasioned the Associated Greeks to translate the Sovereign Administration of their Affairs from the Lacedemonians to the Athenians ; and to these last they committed the chief Care of carrying on the War against the Persians , and of driving them out of Greece .

19. Plistoanax the Son of Pausanias succeeded Plistarchus , and reigned 50 years .

In the Reign of Plistoanax and Archidamus II. happened the famous Peloponesian War between the Athenians and the Lacedemonians . It broke out in the first year of the LXXXVIIth Olympiad , in the year of the World 3520 , before Christ 430 , and lasted 27 years . All Greece was engaged in this Quarrel , some siding with this , some with that Party ; but most espoused the Interest of the Lacedemonians . The Allies of the latter met at the Isthmus , and under the Command of Archidamus the Spartan King , invaded Attica . The Athenians , to give them a Diversion , sent some Forces into Peloponnesus to ravage that Country , and having driven out the Inhabitants of Aegina , put a Colony of their own Men into that Place . The next Campagne Archidamus returned to Attoca , where a deadly Plague laid the whole Country waste , of which great Numbers , among the rest Pericles the first Author of this War , died . But notwithstanding these Disasters , Potidea surrender'd to the Athenians . For six years together successively did the Lacedemonians visit Attica , in which time the Athenians took Mitylene , and the Lacedemonians took Platea . In the sixth year of this War , whilst Agis the Son of Archidamus was in Attica , Demosthenes the Athenian sailing towards Sicily , took Pylus a Promontory of Lac●nia , and fortified it . The Lacedemonians enraged at this , drew their Forces out of Attica , and besieged Pylus both by Sea and Land . They became Masters of the Island Sphacteria , over-against the Promontory , which they thought would facilitate their Design . But the Athenians coming upon them with a greater Fleet , block'd up the Spartan Fleet in Port , and by this means laid Siege to the Besiegers . The Lacedemonians sent Ambassadors to Athens to treat about a Truce , but none they would grant ; whereupon those who were in the Island were forced to surrender upon Discretion , and were put every Man to Death . The Athenians puffed up with this Success , refused to make Peace , thô upon very Honourable Terms , but soon repented of their Folly . For within a while after they received two great Defeats , the one at Delos , and the other at Amphipolis , a Town in Thrace , where Brasidas the Spartan gave them great Disturbance . At last a Peace for five years was made , upon Condition , that the Men and Towns ( some few excepted ) taken on both sides should be restored .

20. Pausanias the Son of Plistoanax succeeded his Father , and reigned 14 years , and then was banished . 18. Agis the Son of Archidamus succeeded his Father , and reigned 25 years . It was he who broke the Truce with the Athenians .

Of this Peloponnesian War , there has been already sufficient said , both in this Place , and in the Chapter which treats of the Athenians . It was there mentioned , that Mindarus was defeated ; that the Lacedemonians sued for a Peace , which was refused them ; and that at last Lysander the Lacedemonian worsted the Athenians , took Athens , and placed his Governors there , so that we shall not here add any thing farther about it .

Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3555. 21. Agesipolis the Son of Pausanias succeeded , and reigned 13 years . Aristodemus was his Governor . 395 Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3547. 19. Agesilaus the Son of Archidamus was set up by Lysander , and reign'd 41 years . 403

During the Reign of these Kings , the Lacedemonians sent their Ambassadors to Nepheretes King of Egypt for a Supply . He granted them 100 Galleys , and a great deal of Corn. Agesilaus , one of the Lacedemonian Kings , surprized Tissaphernes the General of the Persians , fell upon and defeated him near Sardes : After this he took a great many Towns , and struck such a Terror into the Persians , that they thought their Empire was then tottering . But to divert the Storm , by their Gold they corrupted several of the Grecian States to declare War against the Lacedemonians , among the rest were Thebes and Attica . Upon this Agesilaus was recalled , and at his return defeated the Confederated Army of Boeotians , Athenians , Argives , Corinthians , &c. near Cheron●a . But the Athenians were at first Masters by Sea , C●non the Athenian Admiral defeating the Lacedemonian Fleet under the Command of Pysander near Cnidus . The Lacedemonians seeing they were not strong enough at Sea , dispatched Teleutias with a Squadron of 12 Ships more . Teleutias making Rhodes , took 10 Ships from the Athenians , commanded by Philocrates , by which means the Lacedemonians began again to be formidable by Sea .

Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3568. 22. Cleombrotus the Brother of Agesipolis succeeded , and reigned 9 years . 382

About this time the Lacedemonians thought it Adviseable to strike up a Peace with Athens . The Peace was no sooner concluded , but they set upon Chastizing their Allies which had in the late War associated with their Enemies . They forced the Mantineans to demolish the Walls of their City , and to retire into the Villages ; and the Philiasians to receive those whom they had banish'd home again . Artaxerxes King of Persia thinking the Grecians might be serviceable to him in his intended Expedition against the Egyptians , offered Peace to them : Which thô at first was refused by some , yet at length was accepted by all the States , except the Thebans , who were looked upon as Enemies of the common Welfare of Greece . Upon this , Cleombrotus the King of Sparta invaded Beotia , but was defeated and killed at the Battel of Leuctra by the Thebans , under the Command of Epaminondas . This Battel happened in the second year of the 102d d Olympiad , in the year of the World 3579 , before Christ 371. Ariobarzanes , the General of Artaxerxes , sent Philiscus into Greece to make up a Peace between the Thebans and Lacedemonians . Their Deputies met at Delphos , but no Accommodation could be made between them , because the Thebans would not consent that Messina should be under the Power of the Lacedemonians . Upon this , Philiscus declared himself in favour of the latter , and granted them Supplies . Within a while after , under the Reign of Cleomenes II. they had another Engagement at Mantinea , wherein Epaminondas was mortally wounded , but yet defeated the Spartans .

Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3579. 23. Agesipolis II. the Son of Cleombrotus succeeded , and reigned only 2 years . 371 3581. 24. Cleomenes II. how long he reigned is uncertain . 369 25. Acrotatus I. 3611. 26. Aretas the Son of Acrotatus reigned 44 years . 339 3655. 27. Acrotatus II. the Son of Aretas succeeded , and reigned 15 years . 295 3670. 28. Leonidas II. succeeded , and reigned 17 years . 280 Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3588. 20. Archidamus II. the Son of Agesilaus reigned 23 years . 362 3611. 21. Agis the Son of Archidamus reigned about 9 years . 339 3620. 22. Eudamidas I. Son of Archidamus , and Brother to Agis , succeeded . 330 23. Archidamus III. the Son of Eudamidas , succeeded his Father . 24. Eudamides II. the Son of Archidamus . 25. Agis III. succeeded , and reigned ... years .

Leonidas within a while got the sole Power into his Hands : For Agis being desirous to reform the State , and restore the Laws of Ly●urgus , was strangled by the Ephori .

3687. 29. Cleombrotus Son-in-Law to Leonidas succeeded , and reigned 25 years . 263 3712. 30. Cleomenes III. succeeded , and reigned about 18 years : He poisoned Euridamas , and put up in his stead Epiclidas , a Descendant of Eurysthenes . 238 26. Eurydamus the Son of Agis was poisoned by Cleomenes . 27. Epiclidas the Son of Leonidas , set up by Cleomenes .

This Cleomenes destroyed the Ephori , put an End to their Power , and restored the Discipline instituted by Lycurgus . He afterwards warred against the Acheans , took from them Argos , and the greatest part of Peloponnesus . Afterwards he was routed by Antigonus King of Macedon , and fled into Egypt , where he was very honourably received by Ptolemy Euergetes , but barbarously killed by Ptolemy Philopator . And thus with him ended the Grandeur of Lacedemonia after it had lasted so many years , and was the Envy as well as Glory of all Greece .

Three Tyrants afterwards ruled , but came all to untimely Deaths . After them , History is silent as to the Affairs of Lacedemonia ; but certain it is , that at last it became with the rest of Greece part of the Roman Monarcby , of which we shall hereafter treat at large .

CHAP. XII . Of Corinth .

COrinth was one of the finest , richest , and most powerful Cities of all Greece . It was situated almost in the middle of the Isthmus , where the Egean and Ionian Seas meet , lying about 40 Leagues from Pat●as , 25 from Athens , 40 from Lacedemonia , and 12 or 13 from Argos . It was Commanded by the Fort called Acro Corinthos , which was raised on the top of a very high Hill , where was very even Ground , and which was encompassed by very strong Walls . Within this Fort were a great many Fountains of fresh and fair Water , among the rest the Pyrenian Fountain celebrated by Homer in his Odysseis . The Si●uation of this Fort was so Advantageous , that Cicero st●led it Greciae Oculus , i. e. The Eye of Greece . He withal adds , that Corinth composes the Beauty and Lustre thereof , a●d that it was one of the three Cities which the Romans would acknowledge to be capable of bearing the weight of a great Empire . In this City St. Paul sojourned 18 months , in which time he preached the Gospel wi●h good Success , and afterwards wrote to them two excellent Epistles , which are among the Canonical Writings of the New Testament . This City was at first called Ephyra , afterwards Heliopolis , i. e. The City of the Sun . It was famous for its Painters , Architects , and Carvers , and was built by Sis●phus .

Corinth , in the several Risques of Fortune which it has run , has appeared to the World under VI. distinct States .

Sect. I. The First State of Corinth under the Race of Sisyphus , of which there were X. Kings , which lasted 269 Years . Years of the World . Years before Christ . 2543. 1. Sisyphus : The same with him , who ( as the Poets tell us ) was condemned to the endless Labour or rouling a Stone up a Hill , which no sooner was at the top , but rouled down again to the bottom , and so renewed his Labour .

2. Glaucus , the first Instituter of the Ishmian Games .

3. Bellerophon . He being guilty of Homicide , fled to Argos , where he was kindly received by King Pretus : But it seems , Sthenobea the Queen of Argos falling in Love with Bellerophon , tempted him to lie with her , but upon his Refusal , accused him of tempting to violate her Chastity ; ( which , by the way , is much the same with the Story of Ioseph and his Egyptian Mistress . ) Upon this , Pretus was offended , sent him into Lycia to his Father-in-Law Iolas , with Orders to put him to Death . But Iolas , after several Trials of his Valour , so admired him , that he not only spared his Life , but married him to his Daughter Philonoe .

4. Orynthion .

5. Phocus .

6. Thoas .

7. Demoph●on .

8. Propodas .

9. Doridas , Both Sons of Propodas .

and 10. Hyanthidas . Both Sons of Propodas .

Under these two last Kings , the Heraclides fell into Peloponnesus , and became Masters of Corinth . 'T is to be observed , that History is so obscure about these first Kings , that the exact Time and Duration of each Reign cannot be set down .

Sect. II. The Second State of Corinth under IV. Kings called Heraclides , which lasted 144 Years . Years of the World . Years before Christ . 2812. 1. Aletes the Son of Hippota● , the Son of Antiochus , who was Nephew to Hercules . He reigned 38 years . 1138 2850. 2. Ixion reigned 34 years . 1100 2884. 3. Agelaus reigned 37 years . 1066 2921. 4. Prymnis reigned 35 years . 1029

Sect. III. The Third State of Corinth under VIII . Kings called Bacchides , which lasted 215 Years . Years of the World . Years before Christ . 2956. 1. Bacchis reigned 35 years . 994 2991. 2. Agelaus reigned 30 years . 959 3021. 3. Eudemus reigned 25 years . 929 3046. 4. Aristodemus reigned 35 years . 904 3081. 5. Agemon reigned 16 years . 869 3098. 6. Alexander reigned 39 years . 852 3137. 7. Telstes reigned 34 years . 813 3171. 8. Aristomenes or Automenes reigned only one year . 779

Sect. IV. Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3172. The Fourth State of Corinth was under Annual Magistrates , which lasted 121 Years , viz. From the Year of the World 3172 , to the Year 3293. At this time the Government was changed into Aristocracy For 200 of the Bacchides ruled in Common , and only created a Prytanis every Year from among themselves ; till at last it fell under the Tyranny of Cypselus and Periander , who reigned about 73 Years . 778

Sect. V. Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3245. The Fifth State of Corinth , was that of the Re-establishment of their Liberty . By this means it became a Free Republick , and had a great Share in the Wars carried on by the Grecians against the Persians , and in the Wars between the Athenians and Lacedemonians , as has been already observed . This State lasted about 439 Years .

Sect. VI.

The Sixth State of Corinth was under the Romans ; of which we shall have occasion to speak when we come to the Roman Monarchy .

CHAP. XIII . Of the Mycenians .

MYcene was a City of Peloponesus , situated between Argos and Corinth . It was founded by Lacedemon the Son of Semelé : But the Kingdom of Mycene was founded by Perseus the Son of Danae , after he had killed by an Accident his Grandfather Acrisius King of Argos . So that this State is to be looked upon only as a Continuation of the Kingdom of Argos , the Regal Authority being translated thence by Perseus to Mycene about the year of the World 2641 , before Christ 1309.

This Kingdom or State lasted 218 Years under VII . Kings .

Years of the World . Years before Christ . 2641. 1. Perseus reigned about 57 years . Before he was King he did many great Exploits ; among the rest , overcame the Gorgons , three Sea-Monsters . 1309 2708. 2. Sthenelus succeeded his Father , and reigned 8 years . 1242 2716. 3. Eurystheus succeeded his Father Sthenelus , and reigned 43 years . In his time lived Hercules , said to be the Son of Iupiter and Alcmena , who by Eurystheus was injoined to destroy divers Monsters , in hopes that he would have been killed by them : But he always returned home Conqueror ; which gave an occasion to the Story of the twelve Labours of Hercules . Eurystheus jealous of the growing Greatness of this Hero , made War against the Herac●idae , wherein he and all his Sons was killed . 1234 2759. 4. Atreus and Thyestes , the Sons of Pelops , and Grandsons of Tantalus , reigned conjunctly the space of 8 years . They had another Brother named Plisthenes , who died whilst young , and committed the Care of his two Sons , Agamemnon and Menelaus , to his Brother Atreus . He married Aerope , the Mother of these Children , and Daughter to Minos , with whom Thyestes was caught in the Act of Adultery . Atreus was so enraged , that he first banished his Brother , then recalled him within a while after , and having killed his Sons , dress'd them , and served them up to him to be eaten . Hence arose the Proverb of Thyestes's Supper . 1191

Atreus , after the Death of Eurystheus , became Master of all Peloponnesus , and put the Heraclidae to flight .

2767. 5. Agamemnon reigned 15 years . He declared War against the Trojans in the Behalf of his Brother Menelaus . After Troy was taken , he returned home , but was there immediately killed by Aegysthus and his own Wife Clytemnestra , who lived in Adultery with Aegysthus . 1183 2782. 6. Aegysthus the Son of Thyestes , born in Incest , after the Death of Agamemnon , succeeded and reigned 7 years . 1168 2789. 7. Orestes the Son of Agamemnon revenged his Father's Death upon Aegysthus and his own Mother Clytemnestra , whom he slew : After which he ran mad , but was restored to his Senses at the Altar of Diana in Taurica . He reigned 70 years over Lacedemonia and Mycene . 1161 2859. Orestes left two Sons behind him , viz. Tisamenes and Penthilus , who were Dethroned by the Heraclidae , as they were returning to Peloponnesus . 1091

CHAP. XIV . Of the Thebans .

BOEOTIA , one of the States of Greece , was bounded on the West by Phocis , on the East by the Eubean Sea , on the North by Locris , and on the South by Attica and Megaris . The Metropolis of this Country was Thebes , but who built it is uncertain . Calydnus is said to have reigned first in that Place , after him Ogyges , but last Cadmus . But since the Account of the Thebans before the Reign of Cadmus is very obscure , we shall pass that by , and begin our Account with him .

Years of the World . Years before Christ . 2525. The State of the Thebans under XIV . Kings , which lasted 295 Years . 1425

1. CAdmus was the first King of the Thebans . The Grecians tell us , that he was the Son of Agenor , who sent him and his other two Brothers in quest of their Sister Europa , whom Iupiter had ravished ; forbidding them to return , unless they brought their Sister with them : That Cadmus at last , after many fruitless Journeys , came into Boeotia , where despairing of ever meeting with his Sister , being admonished by the Oracle , he built , or ( as 't is most probable ) repaired Thebes , and added a Fort to it , which from him was called the Cadmean Fort ; That he married Harmonia the Daughter of Mars and Venus , of whom he had one Son named Polydorus , and four Daughters , Semele , Ino , Autonoe , and Aga●e : That he at last warred against the Illyrians , conquered and reigned over them , leaving the Kingdom of Thebes to be governed by his Son Polydorus . This is the Account which the Grecians give us of Cadmus .

But thô they in Honour to him say , he was a King's Son , yet the Sidonians , his Countrymen deny it , and affirm , that this Cadmus was only the King's Cook , and that he ran away with a certain Musick-Girl called Harmonia . His coming into Greece was about the same time that Ioshua governed Israel , so that it may be very justly supposed , that he carried a Colony of the Canaanites , whom Ioshua had expelled , into Greece . Whether this or the other Account be truest , we shall not here stand to determine , thô upon very weighty Reasons the latter seems to be most probable . However , most agree , that this was the Man who first brought Letters into Greece from Phenicia .

2. Polydorus succeedded his Father , married the Daughter of Nycteus , by whom he had one Son Labdacus , whom at his Death he left to the Care of his Father-in-Law .

3. Labdacus succeeded . In his time Epopeus the King of Sicyonia ravished Antiope , the other Daughter of Nycteus ; upon which , a War broke out between them , wherein they both died of their Wounds which they received . Upon the Death of Nycteus , his Brother Lycus was made Labdacus's Governor , who administred the Government so faithfully , that Labdacus upon his Death committed his Infant Son Laius to his Care .

4. Laiùs succeeded his Father . In his Reign , his Governor Lycus having punished Antiope according as Nycteus had ordered him , was at War with her two Sons , Amphion and Zethus , and was killed by them in an Engagement . Thebes was taken by them , and the young Child Laius very narrowly escaped .

5. Amphion and Zethus reigned over Thebes . Amphion built Walls round Thebes , married Niobe the Daughter of Tantalus , and Sister of Pelops ; who having a great many Children , boasted that she was a better Breeder than Latona her self , which occasioned her to lose them all . For Apollo was commanded to kill all the Males , and Diana all the Females ; upon which Niobe was so stupified , that the Poets feign she was turned into a Stone . Thô this Account is rather Romance , than true History , yet we thought it would not be amiss to insert it , that so our young Reader may have some Light even in the Fictions of the Poets which he may meet with . A while after Amphion and his whole Family were cut off by the Plague ; Zethus pin'd away upon the Death of his Son , whom his Wife had unfortunately killed ; and these Brothers being thus removed , the Thebans restored Laius again to the Throne .

Laius married Iocasta the Daughter of Meneceus , by whom he had a Son ; but the Oracle advising him to beware of him , he bound his Feet , and exposed him in order to make him away . The infant was according to his Order exposed , but found by a Shepherd ▪ and brought to Polybus King of Corinth . He took care of the Child , brought him up as his own , and cured him of the Swelling which he had in his Feet , from whence he was called Oedipus . A long time after , Laius uncertain what was become of his Son , and Oedipus ignorant who were his Parents , both went to make their Enquiries at the Oracle . In Phocis they met by chance , where Laius very roughly commanding him to give the way , was killed by his Son , whose hot Blood it seems could not brook such rude Provocation .

6. Upon the Death of Laius , Creon the Brother of Iocasta usurped the Throne , till such time as Oedipus did explain the Riddle of the Monster Sphinx . For all Travellers , who passed by where she sate , had the Riddle proposed to them upon these Terms , That in case they could not explain it , they should be put to Death ; but whoever did , should marry Iocasta , and be King of Thebes . Oedipus unriddled the Riddle , and married his own Mother Iocasta , after he had killed his Father : Both which he did ignorantly . At last a full Discovery was made , both of the Murder and the Incest of Oedipus ; upon which Iocasta hanged her self , and he was kept Prisoner by his Sons , sent to Athens , and there died with King Theseus .

7. Eteocles and Polynices , the two Sons of Oedipus , agreed to reign alternately ; but Eteocles being once upon the Throne , would not let his Brother have his Turn in the Government . Upon this , Polynices made his Aplication to Adrastus King of Sicyon , his Father-in-Law . Adrastus , to revenge the Affront , marched at the Head of an Army , and sat down before Thebes . After many dubious Skirmishes , it was agreed , That the two Brothers should determine the Quarrel by fighting a single Duel . They accordingly fought , and killed each other , but did not put an end to the Contest ; for a sharp Engagement followed , wherein the Soldiers of Adrastus were cut off , and himself rid away full speed for his Life .

8. Laodamas the Son of Eteocles succeeded , but being in his Minority , Creon the Brother of Iocasta was his Governor . Within ten years after , the Sons of those who were cut off in the last Battel , to revenge themselves upon the Thebans , raised another War , wherein Thebes and Laodamas were taken .

9. Thersander the Son of Polynices set up by the Victors , who leading the Beotians against Troy , was slain by Telephus in Mysia .

10. Pencleus made King by the Beotians , but engaging with Euryphilus the Son of Telephus , was slain in the Battel .

11. Tisamenus the Son of Thersander succeeded .

12. Damasicthon the Son of Opheta , and Nephew to Pencleus .

13. Ptolemeus succeeded .

14. Xanthus the last King of Thebes was killed in a Duel by Melanthus the Messenian . With him ended the Kingdom of Thebes , which was turn●d into a Common-wealth in the year of the World 2820 , before Christ 1130. But still the Thebans had a great Share both in the Intestine and Foreign Wars with which Greece was engaged , as appears in the Accounts we have given of Athens and Lacedemonia .

CHAP. XV. Of the Macedonians .

THE Kingdom of Macedonia or Macedon , so called from Macedon the Son of Osiris , or , as some say , from Iupiter and Aethra , was bounded on the West by the Adriatick Sea ; on the East by the Egean Sea ; on the North by the Vpper Moesia ; and on the South by Epirus , Achaia , and Thessaly .

This Kingdom began in the year of the World 3137 , under Caranus the Heraclide , and lasted 645 years , till it became at last a Roman Province .

We may consider this Kingdom under three distinct States .

Sect. 1. The First State of Macedon under XX. Kings , of which , Philip the Father of Alexander the Great was the last , which lasted 477 Years . Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3137. 1. CAranus the Heraclide founded this Monarchy , and reigned 28 years . 813 3165. 2. Cenus succeeded , and reigned 12 years . 785 3177. 3. Thurimos succeeded his Father , and reigned 38 years . 773 3215. 4. Perdiccas I. succeeded his Father , and reigned 51 years . It seems he shewed the Place where he and his Successors should be buried . 735 3266. 5. Argeus the Son of Perdiccas succeeded , and reigned 38 years . 684 3304. 6. Philip I. succeeded his Father Argeus , and reigned 38 years . 646 3342. 7. Aeropus the Son of Philip reigned 26 years . He was carried in his Cradle against the Illyrians , who thereupon were routed . 608 3368. 8. Alcetas succeeded his Father Aeropus , and reigned 29 years . 582 3397. 9. Amyntas I. the Son of Alcetas , succeeded , and reigned 50 years . 553 3447. 10. Alexander I. Sirnamed the Rich , succeeded his Father Amyntas , and reigned 43 years . He slew the Persian Ambassadors , who would have abused the Macedonian Ladies ; sent two Images of massy Gold to Delphos and Elis , and would not be corrupted by the Persians , but discovered all their Plots against Greece . 503 3490. 11. Perdiceas II. the Son of Alexander , succeeded , and reigned 28 years . 460 3518. 12. Perdiceas III. succeeded , but reigned a short time , being killed by 432 13. Archelans , his Bastard Brother , who succeeded , and reigned 24 years . 3542. 14. Orestes the Son of Archelans succeeded , was committed to the Tutelage of Eropus , who killed him and succeeded . 408 15. Eropus the Governor of Orestes reigned about 6 years . 3548. 16. Pausanias the Son of Eropus reigned only one year , being put to Death by 402 3549. 17. Amyntas II. the Husband of Eurydice , who ascended the Throne , and reigned 24 years , but had a troublesom time on 't . 401 3573. 18. Alexander II. succeeded his Father Amyntas , and reigned only one year . He sued for Peace from the Illyrians , and sent them his Brother Philip as an Hostage , who was by them sent to the Thebans . 377 3574. Ptolemy Alorites usurped the Throne , but was killed by Perdiccas after he had reigned 3 years . 376 3577. 19. Perdiccas IV. governed Macedon 5 years ▪ He was slain in a Battel fought against the Illyrians , left his Son very young , whereupon the Macedonians made his Brother Philip II. King within a short time after his Death . 373 3588. 20. Philip II. ascended the Throne with a great many good Qualifications . He was Courageous and Prudent , and when he was Hostage at Thebes , he dwelt with Epaminondas , a great Philosopher , as well as a great General . His Conversation with so great a Man was of extraordinary use to him , as appeared afterwards in the whole Sequel of his Life . And it may be very justly affirmed , that the Grandeur of the Kingdom of Macedon , the Greatness of Alexander , and perhaps the Grecian Monarchy , was owing to the Instructions which Philip learnt from Epaminondas . He reigned 26 years . 362

This King made his Peace with the strongest , but subdued the weakest Countries ; such as the Athenians , Pannonians , and Illyrians . He set all Greece into Flames , and took an opportunity from their Divisions of becoming their Master .

3595. This year Alexander was born at the City Pella . Some Authors tell us , that on this very Day Philip received these three extraordinary Pieces of News : 1. That Parmenio had defeated the Illyrians . 2. That he had won the Prize at the Olympick Games . And , 3. That he had a Son brought into the World . But the Learned Criticks have discovered , that these Events were not at the same time . What is most certain is , that on the Birth-Day of Alexander , the Temple of Diana at Ephesus was burnt by a Villanous Incendiary , who was willing by this Act to render his Name famous , or rather infamous , to Posterity . Great Care has been taken to smother his Name , but Theopompus in his History tells us , he was called Erostratus . 355 3605. This year Philip besieged Perinthus , a Town in Thrace , but the King of Persia jealous of the growing Greatness of King Philip , succoured the Perinthians , which gave occasion to Philip to think of carrying on a War against the Persians . Within a while after he set upon the Athenians , and defeated them in the Battel of Cheronea , where his Son Alexander about 18 years old signalized himself . At last having made Preparations for the War against Persia , he was slain at his Daughter's Wedding by Pausanias a young Macedonian , to whom he had refused Justice . 345

Sect. 2. The Second State of Macedon under Alexander the Great , lasted only 13 Years . Years of the World . Years before Christ ▪ 3614. ALexander the Great raised Macedon to the highest Pitch of Grandeur , for at last this mighty Conqueror within 12 or 13 years extended the Bounds of his Kingdom so far into Europe , Asia , and Africa , that Macedon might then very justly have been stiled , The Mistress of the Vniverse . The Danube , and the Black Sea bounded his Conquests Northward ; the River Hydaspes , the Indian Sea , the Gulphs of Persia and Arabia , bounded them on the East ; and Cyrene the Capital City of Cyreniacum , or Pentapolis in Africa , bounded them Southward . All this large Tract of Country was under his Dominions . But having already treated of the Progress of his Conquests , in speaking to the Grecian Monarchy , chap. 4. we shall not trouble our selves or our Reader with any Repetitions . 336

After Alexander's Death at Babylon , there happened a long Contest between the Commanders about the Election of a Successor ; at last they agreed to salute Arideus King . This Arideus was Alexander's base Brother , whom King Philip had by a Comedian named Philinna .

Sect. 3. The Third State of Macedon under XVII . Kings , lasted 155 Years . Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3627. 1. ARideus was only a Titular King , all his Authority being in the Hands of four Governors or Tutors , viz. Perdiccas , Python , Antipater , and Polysperchon . When he ascended the Throne , he took the Name of Philip Arideus , and reigned only 6 years and 4 months , for he was put to Death with his Wife Eurydice by the Order of Olympias , Alexander's Mother , upon her return into Macedon . 323 3633. 2. Cassaneder succeeded him , and reigned 19 years . He returning at the Head of an Army from Peloponnesus , besieged the Queen Olympias in Pydna , forced her to surrender , and put her to Death . Afterwards he married Thessalonice the Daughter of Philip , and made young Alexander the Posthumous Son of Alexander the Great , with his Mother Roxana , Prisoners in the Fort of Amphipolis . Within a while after a League was struck up between Ptolemy , Cassander , Lysimachus , and Antigonus , four of Alexander's Commanders , upon these Conditions ; That Cassander should be Master of Europe , Lysimachus of Thrace , Ptolemy of Egypt , and the other Countries of which he was in Possession , till such time as Alexander the Son of Roxana arrived to years of Maturity ; but that Antigonus should still preside over Asia , where the Greeks should live under their own Laws . This League did not last long , for each of them was for getting the whole Power to himself ; and this they thought the more feasible , when he , who was Sovereign over them all , and whose Vicegerents they pretended to have been , was once removed out of the way . For Cassander no sooner understood , that the People were well affected to Alexander , and talked openly of seting him at liberty , and placing him upon his Father's Throne , but he ordered both him and his Mother to be put to Death privately . Hercules , another Son of Alexander the Great , whom he had by Barsine the Daughter of Artabazus the Persian , was invited from Pergamos into Macedonia by Polysperchon , who envy'd Cassander's growing Greatness , and was at the Head of an Army against him ; but when they were just ready to engage in Battel , Cassander by large Promises won over Polyspherchon to his side , who killed the young Prince and his Mother . 317

Hitherto those who had seized upon Alexander's Conquests were contented to be stiled Governors of the Provinces ; but when the Blood Royal of Alexander was extinct , each of them took upon him the Name of King , thereby to create to themselves the greater Respect from their Soldiers . Cassander when he died left three Sons , Philip , Antipater , and Alexander .

3652. 3. Philip succeeded his Father Cassander , and scarce reigned a whole year , for he died of a Consumption . 298 3653. 4. Antipater I. and Alexander IV. succeeded their Brother , and reigned a little more than 3 years . The former of these killed his Mother Thessalonice , because she favoured Alexander most , thô she conjur'd him by the Breasts that gave him suck to spare her Life . Upon this the two Kings fell out , and Alexander , to revenge this unnatural Crime , sent for a Supply from Pyrrhus King of Epirus , and Demetrius Polyorcetes of Peloponesus . They came to an Engagement , wherein both the Brothers were cut off . 297 3656. 5. Demetrius Poliorcetes , that is , The City Taker , usurped the Kingdom of Macedon after the Death of the Brothers , and reigned 7 years . He aimed at driving Lysimachus out of Thrace , but was diverted from his Design at first by Pyrrhus King of Epirus , who invaded Thessaly , but having made Peace with him , he raised an Army of 100000 Foot , and 12000 Horse , with a Fleet of 1500 Sail , a greater Force than any had been raised since the Death of Alexander . Which migh●y Force putting Seleucus , Ptolemy , and Lysimachus , under some fear , they entred into a Confederacy , and prevailed upon Pyrrhus by their joint intreaties to violate the Peace , Lysimachus from Thrace , and Pyrrhus from Epirus , invaded Macedon both at once , and by that means Pyrrhus having taken Byrrhea , was saluted King of Macedon by the Army of Demetrius . 294 3663. 6. Pyrrhus reigned over Macedon only seven months . For 287

7. Lysimachus claimed his Share in the Government , and having driven Pyrrhus out , reigned 5 years and an half . Demetrius being turned out of Macedon , at last threw himself into the Hands of his Son-in-Law Seleucus , who received him kindly , but made him his Prisoner at large ; where giving himself up to Hunting , Drinking , and Gaming , he died within 3 years after . Lysimachus was at last defeated by Seleucus in Phrygia , where he was slain in Battel . 'T is said , that his Dog stood by his Carcase , and guarded it from Fowls and wild Beasts .

2669. 8. Seleucus puffed up with his Victory , marched into Macedon , over which he r●igned only 7 months , being treacherously killed by Ptolemy Ceraunus . 281

9. Ptolemy Ceraunus , after the Death of Seleucus , took Possession of the Kingdom of Macedon . Antigonus Gonnata the Son of Demetrius Poliorcetes opposed it , but was defeated in a Sea-Fight , and forced to fly into Beotia . Ptolemy married his own Sister Arsinoe the Widow of Lysimachus , being received by her into her own City named Cassandrea ; and afterwards killed her two Sons , which she had by Lysimachus , in her Arms. About this time a great many Gauls , finding their own Country too narrow to entertain them , marched in three Companies under three Leaders in quest of a new Country to settle in . One Company was led into Thrace by Cerethrius ; another into Pannonia by Brennus and Acichorius ; and a third into Macedon by Belgius . The last of these Ptolemy , who thought himself as able to fight , as to commit Villanies , opposed , and was defeated , taken alive , and slain by them .

3671. 10. Meleager succeeded his Brother Ptolemy , but within two months time was outed by the Macedonians , who put in his stead Antipater the Son of Philip , Brother to Cassander . 279

11. Antipater II. he reigned only 45 days .

3672. 12. Sosthenes a famous Macedonian , raised the Youth of Macedon , and marched at the Head of them against the Gauls ; he fought and defeated them , and by this means delivered his Country . The whole Army proclaimed him King , but he refused that Title , and would be only stiled their General . He did not meet with the same good Success against Brennus , another Leader of the Gauls , who fell into Macedon , plunder'd and ravaged all that lay in his way , and at last defeated and routed Sosthenes himself . He died after he had presided over the Kingdom about 2 years . 278 3674. 13. Antigonus Gonnata , the Son of Demetrius Poliorcetes , having made Peace with Antiochus Soter , marched into Macedon , took Possession of that Kingdom , and reigned over it 34 years . He drove the Gauls , whom Brennus had left behind him to guard the Passes and the Frontiers , out of Macedon . In his time the Gauls , who marched in several Bodies before , drew into one , assisted King Nicomedes against Zypeus , who had seized on part of Bithynia , and having defeated Zypeus , they settled upon the River Haly , in that Place which afterwards from them was called , Gallo-Grecia , or Galatia . Antigonus , at his first Accession to the Throne , met with some Disturbance , first from Pyrrhus King of Epirus , and then from Alexander the Son of Pyrrhus , but within 2 or 3 years the Storm blew over , and he was established in the quiet Possession of that Kingdom . 276 3708. 14. Demetrius II. succeeded his Father Antigonus , who rendred himself odious to the Etolians , by inclining Agro the King of the Illyrians to aid the Mydionians , who were besieged by the Etolians . He became Master of Cyrene and all Lybia , and died after he had reigned 10 years . Upon his Death , he left a Son behind him very young , named Philip. Antigonus , Sirnamed Doson , because of the magnificent Promises of which he was very Liberal , was constituted Governor to the young Prince . He married his Pupil's Mother , and by his Bounty and Clemency prevailed so far upon the People , that they made him King . 242 3718. 15. Antigonus Doson , the Governor of Philip , reigned 12 years . After the Death of Demetrius , the Cities of Greece shook off the Yoke of Tyranny , and joined themselves to the Republick of the Acheans . Aratus the Sicyonian was a great Promoter of the Interests of the Acheans , and freed Athens from the Dominion of the Macedonians . The Etolians envying their Success , joined in a War with Cleomenes King of Sparta against them ; upon which the Acheans finding themselves unable to resist so great a Power , implored the Assistance of Antigonus Doson , who repelled Cleomenes , and gave him so great a Defeat , that he was forced to fly from Sparta to Alexandria . Antigonus used the Spartans extreme kindly , and permitted them to enjoy their ancient Laws and Privileges ; but in the midst of all his Glory he was forced to march back to the Defence of Macedon , which the Illyrians had invaded . He defeated and put them to flight , but straining his Voice too much in the Battel , he burst a Vein , and soon after died of a Consumption . 232 3730. 16. Philip IV. the Son of Demetrius , at the Age of 16 took the Government upon him , which devolv'd to him by the Death of his Governor and Father-in-Law Antigonus , and reigned 42 years . 220

This King was a very Martial Prince , warred against the Etolians , and defeated them several times . He was so far puffed up by the Success he met with , that he aimed at nothing less than the becoming Universal Monarch of the whole World , and was for pushing his Conquests to the very Walls of Rome . Hence arose the War between the Romans and the Macedonians , of which we shall have occasion to speak more particularly when we come to treat of the Roman Affairs which belong to this time . 'T is enough at present to acquaint our Reader , that Philip failed in his Design , was beat several times by the Romans , forced to make a Peace with them , and was the Cause of hastening the Downfal of the Macedonian State . In his time several Prodigies happened in Asia , among the rest a great Earthquake which overthrew several Cities , and swallowed up others . From hence the Soothsayers prognosticated , That the Roman Empire , then in its Rise , should swallow up the Empire of the Greeks . At last Philip died of Grief , and deputed Antigonus , his Kinsman , to be his Successor . But his Son Perseus being certified of his Father's approaching Death by his Physician , secured the Kingdom to himself .

3772. 17. Perseus succeeded his Father Philip , and reigned 10 years and 8 months . 178 3782. This year Perseus having given the Romans great Provocations , they engaged in a War against him , and he prepared to oppose them . He entred into an Alliance with Gentius King of the Illyrians , and did all the Mischief he could to the Romans . The day before that Battel , wherein Perseus was entirely defeated , Sulpitius Gallus Tribune of the Soldiers , by the Permission of Paulus Emilius the Roman Consul , made a Speech to the Army , wherein he advised them not to be terrified , if they saw the Moon in a total Eclipse that night , from two a clock to four in the morning ▪ since it was no more than happened at other times , according to the Calculations of Astronomy . That very night the Eclipse did really happen , which caused the whole Army to admire the profound Skill of Gallus , and was a great Encouragement to them , as it was the contrary to the Macedonians . The next day they came to an Engagement , wherein Perseus was defeated , put to flight , taken , and carried to Rome to grace the Roman Triumphs ; and thereby ended the Kingdom of Macedon , which became a Roman Province , after it had lasted 645 years , from Caranus the first King . This happened 168 years before Christ , in the first year of the 153d Olympiad , Anno Romae Conditae 585.

CHAP. XVI . Of the Lydians .

LYDIA is a Country in Asia Minor , of which , Sardes was the City of greatest Account , and where the Kings of the Lydians usually kept their Court. It was situated upon the Banks of Pactolus near the Mountain of Tivoli , and was one of the most ancient Cities in the World . Thô Lydia has been a State exposed to various Turns of Fortune , yet History affords us but little Light therein . The Kingdom of Lydia had XXII . Kings , who reigned the space of 505 years : But of these we have no Account , except of the first and the four last ; after them till Cresus , the last of their Kings , were five more .

Years of the World . Years before Christ . 2733. 1. Argon or Agron the Son of Ninus , or according to others , the Son of Alceus , reigned first at Sardes , but of XVII . of his Descendants we have no knowledge . 1217 3150. 19. Adrysus reigned 45 years . He was of the Line of Hercules . 800 3395. 20. Alyattes I. reigned 14 years . 755 3209. 21. Meles reigned 12 years . 741 3221. 22. Candaules or Mirsilus the Son of Mirsus , the last of the Line of Hercules , reigned 17 years . He was killed by Gyges , with whom he saw his Wife too familiar . 729 3238. 23. Gyges having usurped the Throne , sent large Presents to Delphos ; attack'd Miletum and Smyrna , and took the City of Colophon by Storm . By this means the Kingdom of Lydia was translated from the Family of the Heraclidae , to the Mermnades ; in whose Family it lasted the space of 170 years , of which Gyges reigned 38. This Gyges was at first a Slave , and kept the King's Herds , from whence he rose up at last to be King . 712 3276. 24. Ardis the Son of Gyges reigned 49 years . In his time the Cymmerians , a People of that Country , which at present is called Lesser Tartary , were driven from their Habitations by the Scythians , marched out of Europe into Asia , keeping still along the Sea-Coast , and took Sardes , the Capital City of Lydia . 674 3325. 25. Sadiattes the Son of Ardis succeeded , and reigned 12 years . 625 3337. 26. Alyattes II. succeeded his Father Sadiattes and reigned 57 years . He was the youngest Brother . The Inhabitants of Sardes had recourse to the Clemency of Alyattes ; for Cyaxeres King of the Medes would have had them submit to him , but Alyattes refused it ; from whence arose a War of 8 years between the Lydians and the Medes . This King had by his Wife Carica a Son , named 613 3394. 27. Cresus , who reigned 14 years after the Death of his Father . He was one of the richest and most potent Princes of the World ; made the Greeks his Tributaries ; conquered the Phrygians , Mysians , Thrasians , &c. 'T is said , Esop , so famous for his Fables , lived in his time in Phrygia ; that Cresus sent for him to Sardes , where he treated him with a great deal of Respect ; and that going from Sardes to Delphos , he was by the Inhabitants of that Place thrown off a high Rock . Cresus puffed up with his Prosperity , asked Solon , who gave him a Visit , what he thought of his Glory and Grandeur ? Solon replied , That no Iudgment could be passed upon the Happiness of Man from the course of a few years , but by the close of his Life . Cresus derided the Philosophical Severity of Solon , but soon found by a sad and fatal Experience , that what he said was too true . Within a while after Cresus made Preparations for a War against Cyrus , but was defeated by the Army of the Medes . 556 3408. This year Cresus , after the gaining several Victories in Cappadocia , supposing Cyrus had no great mind to fall upon him , disbanded his Army , and retired to Sardes , where he thought to have spent the Winter very quietly . He was scarce got thither , but Cyrus came and sat down before it with his Army ; and after 14 days Siege the City was taken , and Cresus condemned to be burnt . This unfortunate King considering he was now drawing to his End , remember'd what Solon had said to him about the Happiness of Mankind , and thrice invoked the Name of that great Philosopher . Cyrus moved with Compassion towards him , set him at Liberty , and afterwards asked his Advice upon all Occasions . 542

Thus with Cresus ended the Kingdom of the Lydians , after it had lasted 675 years . For afterwards it was subject to the Persians , Greeks , and Romans , and at present to the Turks .

CHAP. XVII . Of Tyre .

TYRE was a Sea-Port Town , built upon a Rock , and the Capital City of Phenicia . If what Archbishop Vsher says be true , it must be acknowledged , that this City was more Ancient than Troy and Corinth . For he tells us , it was founded in the year of the World 2499 , by Agenor the Father of Phenix and Cadmus , who came from Thebes in Egypt , into Syria , to fortifie Tyre and Sidon . But Iosephus assures us , that it was not built till about the year of the World 2733. It is likewise to be observed , that the most ancient King of the Tyrians , which we can meet with in History , was Abibal the Father of Hiram , the Friend of David and Solomon . 'T is certain , that the Tyrians were very Powerful by Sea , but whether they were the first Inventers of Letters , ( as some assert ) is not so certain . To give you some Idea of such a confused History as is that of Tyre , we shall consider this Kingdom under Four distinct States .

Sect. I. The First State of Tyre under XII . Kings , which lasted 213 Years . Years of the World . Years before Christ . 2886. 1. A Bibalus reigned 35 years . 1064 2921. 2. Hiram succeeded his Father , and reigned 34 years . This was that King of Tyre , who sent King David Cedar-Trees , Carpenters , and Masons , to build his Royal Palace . 1029 2955. 3. Baltazar or Baleastartus reigned 7 years . 995 2962. 4. Abdastratus succeeded , and reigned 9 years . 988 2971. 5. ..... the Son of the Nurse of Abdastratus , reigned 12 years . 979 2983. 6. Astartus reigned 12 years . 967 2995. 7. Aserim or Astarimus , his Brother , succeeded , and reigned 9 years . 955 8. Pholes or Pheletes reigned 8 months . 3006. 9. Ithobaal the Priest of Astartus reigned 31 years . 944 3037. 10. Badesorus reigned 6 years . 913 3043. 11. Matgon or Mettinus reigned 9 years . 907 3052. 12. Pygmalion reigned 47 years . After him we have no Account of the Affairs of the Tyrians for 250 years together . 898

Sect. II. Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3099. The Second State of Tyre , which is very obscure and unknown , lasted 250 Years : For in History we meet with no mention of any of their Kings , except Eluleus , of whom very little is said . 8●1

ELuleus reduced the Gitteans who had revolted . In his time God humbled the Tyrians , who were grown very Insolent by the Greatness of their Riches , and that long Prosperity which they had enjoyed . Isaiah , in the 23d Chapter of his Prophecy , foretells the Miseries which were to fall upon Tyre as a Punishment of its Pride and Cruelty , especially towards their Neighbours the Israelites . It seems as if Isaiah in his Chapter acted the part of an Historian , rather than that of a Prophet , every thing being there so naturally described . The Riches , Vanity , and Luxurious Way of these Wealthy Merchants living , who were the principal Inhabitants of Tyre , are therein so lively represented .

Sect. III. The Third State of Tyre under X. Kings , which lasted only 64 Years . Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3349. 1. IThobaal reigned 24 years . In his time Nebuchadnezzar laid Siege to Tyre , which after 13 years he took , and instead of Ithobaal , set up Baal for King . 601 3373. 2. Baal reigned 10 years . After his Death the King of Babylon set up Judges to govern Tyre . 577 3383. 3. Eeni-Baal the I. Judge governed 2 months . 567

4. Chelbes the Son of Abdeus governed 10 months .

3384. 5. Abbarus governed Tyre the space of 3 months . 566

6. Mitgon , and the two Sons of Abdelin , governed the space of 4 years .

7. Gerestrapus , the two Sons of Abdelin , governed the space of 4 years .

3388. 8. Balatorus governed the space of one year . 562 3389. 9. Merbaal was sent from Babylon to Tyre , to preside there in the room of his Brother Balatorus deceased : He governed 4 years . 561 3393. 10. Hiromus came from Babylon to Tyre to reign , instead of his Brother Merbaal deceased . He governed 20 years . Here we meet with another Chasm in the History of Tyre , which lasted about 205 years , whereof we have no Account . 557

Sect. IV. Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3413. The Fourth State of Tyre , which is very dark for 205 Years ; for History is silent about it , till such time as it was besieged by Alexander the Great , which happened in the Year of the World 3618 , before Christ 332. 537 3618. THis year the Inhabitants of Tyre sent a large Crown of Gold to Alexander , as a Compliment to him for his Conquests . He told their Ambassadors , That he would come himself to Tyre , to pay the Vows which he had made to Hercules . The Ambassadors replied , That he needed not to come so far as Tyre to do that , since the Temple of Iupiter stood without the City , in the Place where old Tyre stood . Alexander took this as an Affront , and as if they seemed to deny him Entrance into their City , whereupon he threatned to lay it in Ashes . Accordingly he besieged it , and after 7 months , with the loss of a great many Men took it by Storm , put all the Tyrians to the Sword , and burnt their City . In this general Calamity Strato and his Son were spared , to whom and their Posterity Alexander gave the Kingdom of Tyre . 332

Quintus Curtius tells us , That Tyre rose out of its Ashes , was rebuilt in a short time , and so strongly fortified , that it held out 15 months against Antigonus King of Asia .

Thus have we given you a summary Account of the Empire of China , the Kingdoms of Egypt , Sicyon , Athens , and the other States of Greece , of Lydia , Tyre , &c. We are sensible there were other Petty Kingdoms , such as Cyprus , Sicily , Crete , &c. but forasmuch as they did not then make any great Figure in the World , and since History does not say much about them , we did not think it proper to insert the Account of them in this our System .

CHAP. XVIII . Of the Italians , Latins , Romans , and of the Fourth or Roman Monarchy .

OUR Reader must not expect in this short System of Vniversal History , that we should give an accurate and particular Account of all the Roman Affairs , since many of the Ancients , such as Diodorus Siculus , Dionysius Halicarnasseus , Livy , and others , who have only given us an Account of part of them , have filled whole Volumes with that Account : And since our Countryman , the ingenious , industrious , and indefatigable Mr. ECHARD , has favoured the World with a large Book , even of his Abridgment of the Roman History . 'T is enough that we give only a Taste of the most eminent Transactions , which contributed towards the making Rome so famous to future Ages ; that by this means the Reader may be the better prepared , and the more excited to look into more Voluminous Tracts , which treat of these Matters . It must be likewise acknowledged , that all the Account we have of Italy before Romulus is very Fabulous and Precarious , and such as no Historian can rely upon . However we shall give you a short Account of what passed in Italy before those Times , thô we shall not vouch to the Truth of all that is contained therein ; nor do we desire to impose any thing upon the Reader , but leave him to be a Free Thinker , and his own Judge in the Case .

Having by way of Preface said thus much , we shall divide this Chapter into V. Sections . In the First , we shall consider the Italians under the Government of the Ianigenae or Siculi . In the Second , we shall consider them under the Government of the Aborigines . In the Third , we shall consider them under the Seven Kings . The Fourth Section shall give you an Account of the Consular State of Rome . And the Fifth shall treat of the Fourth or Roman Monarchy .

Sect. I. The First State of Italy under the Janigenae or Siculi , which lasted 557 Years .

'T IS said , that Gomer the Son of Iaphet first planted Colonies in Italy : But we have no certain Account of this , only that the first Inhabitants were called Ianigenae or Siculi . It must not be expected , that we should give an exact Chronology of these dark Times ; we shall therefore only give you a Catalogue of the Principal Men ( whether Kings , or only Petty Governors , is very uncertain ) who lived within this time .

Years of the World . Years before Christ . 2044. 1. Aurunus : It seems he built a Temple to Ianus . 1906

2. Malotages .

3. Sicanus , the Husband of Ceres , who taught the People Tillage .

4. Several Tyrants .

5. Osiris drove them out , and was chosen King .

6. Neptune .

7. Lestrigo .

8. Hercules Libycus .

9. Tuscus .

10. Alteus .

11. Kittim , or Atlas , or Italus out of Spain , ruled the Ianigenae .

12. Iasius .

13. Dardanus : He killed Iasius , and afterwards fled into Thrace .

14. Tyrrhenus : He came out of India , and his Subjects after him were called Tyrrhenians .

We have no Account after him of any King or Governor for above 100 years together .

Sect. II. The Second State of Italy under XV. Kings , called Aborigines , which lasted 577 Years , from Janus down to Romulus . Years of the World . Years before Christ . 2621. 1. JAnus the Son of Erectheus King of Athens came into Italy , was received by the Aborigines , and built Ianiculum . He reigned 10 years . 1329 2631. 2. Saturn expelled Crete by his Son Iupiter , fled into Italy , civiliz'd the People , taught them Tillage , coin'd Money , &c. He reigned 19 years . 1319 2650. 3. Picus the Son of Saturn succeeded , and reigned 41 years . 1300 2691. 4. Faunus succeeded his Father , and reigned 42 years . 1259

In his time Evander , and Carmenta his Mother , came out of Arcadia , and taught them Letters ; and Hercules living with Evander , killed Cacus .

2733. 5. Latinus reigned 36 years . He had a Daughter named Lavinia , whom Aeneas married . 1217 2769. 6. Aeneas , after the taking of Troy , came into Italy , where he built Lavinium , killed Turnus King of the Rutuli , married Lavinia , was drowned , and afterwards Deified , He reigned 5 years . 1181 2774. 7. Ascanius or Iulus , the Son of Aeneas by Creusa , succeeded his Father , and reigned 38 years . He resigned Lavinium to Lavinia and Sylvius her Son , built Alba , and left the Kingdom to Sylvius . 1176 2812. 8. Sylvius the Son of Aeneas by Lavinia succeeded , and reigned at Alba 29 years . 1138 2841. 9. Eneas Sylvius succeeded his Father , and reigned 30 years . 1109 2871. 10. Latinus II. reigned 51 years : From him the People were called Latines . 1079 2922. 11. Alba Sylvius succeeded his Father , and reigned 39 years . 1028 2961. 12. Capetus I. called by Ovid , Epitus , succeeded , and reigned 26 years . 989 2987. 13. Capys succeeded , and reign'd 28 years . He built Capua . 963 3015. 14. Capetus II. succeeded , and reigned 12 years . 935 3027. 15. Tyberinus succeeded , and reigned 8 years . He was drowned in the River Tyber , which has its Name from him . 923 3035. 16. Agrippa Sylvius succeeded , and reigned 41 years . 915 3076. 17. Alladius or Aremulus succeeded , and reigned 19 years . He imitated Thunder , and was swallowed up with his Palace . 874 3095. 18. Aventinus succeeded , and reigned 37 years . The Aventine Hill derived its Name from him . 855 3132. 19. Procas succeeded , and reigned 23 years . When he died , he left his Sons to rule by turns yearly . 818 3155. 20. Amulius expelled his elder Brother Numitor , and reigned 25 years . He killed Numitor's Son Lausus ; made Rhea , Numitor's Daughter , a Vestal Virgin ; ravished her afterward in the likeness of Mars , by whom he had two Sons , Romulus and Remus , killed her , and exposed them . 795 3180. 21. Numitor is restored by his Grandsons , Romulus and Remus , to the Throne , and reigned 18 years . 770

Thus have we given the Reader some glimmering sort of Light into the State of the Italian Affairs , even in these dark Times . We shall now proceed to what History gives us a clearer Insight into , and by what follows , we may perceive from what small Beginnings , and by what Steps and Degrees the Romans rose to that Grandeur , as to be at last the Masters of the greatest part of the then known World .

Sect. III. The Third State under VII . Kings , called the Regal State , lasted 245 Years . Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3198. 1. ROmulus was 18 years of Age when he laid the Foundations of the City of Rome upon the River Tyber , near the Place where he and his Brother Remus were brought up . At first he took in only Mount Palatine , on which he built about 1000 Houses ; but within a while the Inhabitants increased to such a Number , that they were forced to take in six Hills more , so that Rome from hence was called The City with 7 Heads . At first there was only a Colony of 300 Horse , and 3000 Foot ; but to increase the Number he set up an Asylum , which was a Sanctuary to all Malefactors and Discontented Persons . 752

Romulus , upon founding the City , killed his Brother Remus , for some Affront he had given him . He , upon his Grandfather's Advice , left the People to choose what sort of Government they pleased , who immediately made him King ; and being established upon the Throne , he divided the People into three Tribes , each Tribe into ten Curiae , and each Curia into ten Decuriae : Another Distinction which he made of the People , was into Patritians and Plebeians . He made choice of 100 of the former to assist him in the Government , who were called the Senate : Such as he enrolled in this Assembly were called Patres Conscripti , the common Title of all Senators for ever after . The next thing he did , was to settle the Authority of King , Senate , and People : After which he raised 300 young Men out of the Curiae , to be a Guard to his Person ; and made choice of twelve Lictors to be his constant Attendants , to punish Offenders , and to obey his Commands .

His next Device to encrease the City , was to get Wives for his Subjects ; whereupon by Advice of his Grandfather , and the Consent of the Senate , he proclaimed a Feast and Publick Games in Honour of Neptune , which caused a great Concourse of Men , Women , and Children , from all Parts . In the midst of the Solemnity , upon a Signal given , the Romans with drawn Swords seized upon 683 Virgins , for whom Romulus chose so many Husbands . This Act incens'd their Neighbours , who immediately prepared for a War against the Romans . The Cities of Cenina , Antemna , and Crustuminum , begun the War first , but were defeated by Romulus , for which he triumph'd ; and at his return , marked out a Spot of Ground upon Mount Capitoline for a Temple ●o Iupiter Feretrius , the Place where the Capitol afterwards stood . The Sabines , who were principally concerned in the late Affront , were the most backward , but withal , the most formidable of those who warred against the Romans . They marched against Rome under the Command of their King Tatius , took the Capitoline , and were very near giving a total Rout to the Romans . But the Sabine Women , whom the Romans had stolen and married , put an end to the War , made them Friends , and the Sabines came and increased the number of the Inhabitants of Rome . The Peace was made on these Terms : First , That Romulus and Tatius should reign jointly in Rome . Secondly , That the City should be still called Rome , from Romulus ; but the Citizens Quirites , from Cures , the Native Place of Tatius . Thirdly , That the two Nations should be united , and as many Sabines as pleased should be made free of Rome . Upon this the Capitoline was taken in , built upon and inhabited by the Sabines , 100 of the principal Men among them being added to the Senate . Tatius was soon after killed by the Lavinians , and Romulus remained sole Monarch of Rome , fought against the Fidenates and others with good Success . But thô he was thus engaged in continual War yet he laid the Foundation of Religion , and enacted several wholsom Laws . At last he was killed , as is supposed , in the Senate-House , and his Body carried away Piecemeal by the Senators , who concealed the Murder , and reported that he was taken up among the Gods . He reigned 37 years .

After his Death there happened an Interregnum for a whole year ; but the People being dissatisfied at that sort of Government , resolved upon Electing a new King . Numa Pompilius , a Sabine , was chosen , who at first refused , but at last accepted of the Kingdom .

3236. 2. Numa Pompilius succeeded Romulus , and reigned 44 years . 714

This good King had an opportunity , by the Peace he enjoyed , to compleat what his Predecessor had begun . He first Disbanded the 300 Celeres , who were the Guard of Romulus ; then built a Temple to Ianus , brought in the Pontifices , Ordained the Vestal Virgins , and Instituted the Orders of the Salii and the Feciales ; and to gain the more Credit and Obedience to his Constitutions , he pretended they were dictated to him by the Goddess Eggeria , with whom he said , that he had often and immediate Converse . His Religion was chiefly the Pythagorean . Besides those Religious Matters , he made many good and wholsom Laws , and by both softened the Genius of that rugged People , and strengthened that City , which had been founded upon War and Bloodshed . One of the Principal Things he did , was the Reformation of the Year ; which in Romulus's time was much out of Order .

3279. 3. Tullus Hostilius , the Son of that Hostilius , who in the Reign of Romulus had behaved himself very valiantly against the Sabines in the Citadel , was created King by Universal Consent , and reigned 33 years . 671

In his time the Albans robbed and pillaged in the Roman Territories ; and the Romans , to revenge the Injury , did the same to the Alban State ; upon which , a War broke out between them . Both Parties drew up their Army in Battalia , but agreed at last , that the Quarrel should be decided by a Combat of three Persons on each Side , and the Conquering Party should have the Preeminence and Command over the other . The three Horatii for the R●mans , and the three Curiatii for the Albans , undertook the Combat ; wherein two of the Horatii were killed outright ▪ and the three Curiatii were wounded ; the third Horatius by a Stratagem fought with , and killed the three Curiatii , and so went off Conqueror .

Tullus Hostilius warred against the Fid●nates and Vele●tes , who had in the last War with ●iba drawn their Forces together at Fidenae , with a Design of falling upon both Albans and Romans , after they had weaken'd themselves in Battel . He drew out an Army of both against them , and routed them , notwithstanding the Treachery of Suffetius the Alban General , his Ally ; who , after the Battel , was condemned to be torn in pieces by Wild Horses for his double Dealing . This King sent and demolished Alba , transplanted the Inhabitants to Rome , allowed them Mount Celius to live in , and granted them all the Roman Privileges . After he had conquered the Fidenates , he warred with the Sabines , and subdued them ; and began a War against the Latines , which lasted several years . At last he died , some say by Lightning , with his whole Family , thô more probably by some Treasonable Practices .

3312. 4. Ancus Martius , the Grandson of Numa , was made King , and reigned 24 years . 638

This Ancus was much of the same Temper with his Grandfather , and was for restoring the Religious Ceremonies , which had been neglected in the last Reign . He was no great lover of Fighting , but was at last forced to be a Warriour against his will . For the Latines contemning him as a sluggish Prince , made Incursions into the Roman Territories . Upon this he was obliged to proclaim War against them , according to the Ceremonies appointed by his Grandfather Numa . He defeated them in several Rencounters , forced them to sue for a Peace , and obtained a Triumph over them . Some of the Latines he transplanted to Rome , and granted them the Aventi●e Hill to build upon , and possess . After this , he fought with great Success against the Fidenates , Sabines , Veientes , and Volsci , whom he subdued . Beside these great Actions abroad , he did many at home . He rebuilt the Temple of Iupiter Feretrius ; fortified the Hill Ianiculum ; made a large Ditch called Fossa Quiritium ; built a large Prison in the heart of the City , fronting the Forum ; enlarged the Pomaerium of the City ; and built a Town called Ostia at the Mouth of the River Tyber .

In his time Lucumo an Hetrurian , the Son of Demaratus a rich Merchant of Corinth , came to Rome with his Wife Tanaquil from Tarquinia in Hetruria . He changed his Name into Lucius , adding that of Tarquinius from the Place of his Birth . By his Liberality , and magnificent way of Living , he became known to Ancus , and was beloved by the People . Ancus made him a Senator , and at his Death , Guardian of his two young Sons ; who being Minors , occasioned an Interregnum , and gave opportunity to 3336. 5. L. Tarquinius , Sirnamed Priscus , to manage the Publick Affairs , and in the end obtain'd the Government ; for in a Speech to the Senate he in a manner begg'd the Crown , and was made King , and reigned 38 years . 614

In the beginning of his Reign , the better to ingratiate himself with the common People , he chose 100 out of the most Eminent of the Plebeians , and added them to the Senate , which made up the number of 300. These last were called Patres minorum Gentium ; i. e. Senators of a lower Degree . He likewise increased the number of Vestal Virgins , from four to seven .

The Latines warred against him , but were forced to sue for Peace . After this he defeated the Sabines twice , and obliged them to do the same . Next he had to deal with the Hetrurians or Tuscans , whom he likewise conquered in several Battels , and humbled them so far , that they owned him for their Prince , and in token of their Allegiance , presented him with a Crown of Gold , an Ivory Chair , a Sceptre with an Eagle on the top , a Purple Coat wrought with Gold , and a Purple Gown pink'd . This King built the Walls of the City , which before were patched up in haste , with large square Stone ; adorn'd the Forum with Porticos , Galleries , and Shops ; made several Cloacae or Common-Shores to carry the Filth of the City into the Tyb●r ; built the Circus for Publick Games , with Seats and Galleries for the Spectators ; and laid the Foundation of the Capitol . At last he was killed by the two Sons of Ancus Marcius .

3374. 6. Servius Tullus succeeded , and reigned 44 years . 576

This Prince was the Son of a Noble Prisoner taken by Tarquin at Corniculum , a Town in Latium . He was in great Repute with Tanaquil the Wife of Tarquin , who gave her Daughter in Marriage to him , and was an Instrument of making him King . The Senate was against it , but the People were for it , and elected him at the Comitia Curiata . Not long after his Settlement , he according to Promise divided the publick Lands among the poorer sort . He enlarged the City , taking three Hills to the four former , viz. the Quirinal , Viminal , and Esqueline . He divided the City into four Parts , making four Tribes instead of three ; and first instituted the Census , or Numbering the Citizens , according to six distinct Classes or Orders . After this he instituted the Lustrum , which was to be repeated every five years ; and was the first who coined Money at Rome with the Image of a Sheep , whence it had the Name of Pecunia .

Nor did he only settle Affairs at home , but took care likewise to suppress Disturbances abroad . For the Hetrurians revolting , he had Wars with them for 20 years successively , defeated them several times , triumphed over them thrice , and obliged them to sue for a Peace . He married his two Daughters to the Grandsons of Tarquinius Priscus , Aruns and Tarquinius , who was afterwards Sirnamed Superbus . The latter had a mild-natur'd Wife , the former an imperious Dame . Tarquin agreed with his Brother's Wife , to kill the one her Husband , and the other his Wife , and afterwards to marry together , which was accordingly put in Practice . After this , Tarquin killed his Father-in-Law , and his Wife Tullia , hastening to salute her Husband King , ordered her Chariot to drive over the Body of her dead Father in that Street which before was called Cyprius , but after the Fact it was called Vicus Sceleratus .

3418. 7. Tarquinius Superbus having thus barbarously killed his Father-in-Law , usurped the Kingdom , and reigned 25 years . 532

Upon his mounting the Throne , he put all the Friends of Tullus to Death , and dreading the natural Consequences of his Tyranny and ill-gotten Greatness , kept a stronger Guard than ordinary about his Person . He managed the whole Affairs of the State himself , slighted the Senate , diminished their Authority , cut off several of them , and seized upon their Estates : Among the rest , Marcus Iunius was one , who left behind him a Son named Lucius Iunius . Lucius fearing he should suffer the same Fate with his Father and eldest Brother , counterfeited himself a Fool , was thence called Brutus , and kept by Tarquin in his House to make his Children sport . He carried on the Dissimulation for many years very dexterously , and was at last the chief Instrument in banishing the Tyrant .

Tarquin was engaged in several Wars , first marched against the Sabines , and subdued them : Then began a War with the Volsci , which with some Intermissions lasted above 200 years , and took from them Suessa-Pometia : Next he fell upon Gabii , which he took by the Treachery of his Son Sextus , who , under a pretence of Deserting from his Father for some Injuries offered him , got to be their General , and cut off the chief Citizens . After this he built the Capitol , and bought the three Books of the Sibyls Oracles , ( six of the nine that were offered him being burnt , ) which Books were kept as Sacred by the Quindecimviri in the Capitol , and perished in that Building when it was burnt in Sylla's time . At last he proclaimed War against the Rutili , and invested their Metropolis Ardea . At the time that the Army ●ay before this City it was , that Sextus , Tarquin's Son , inflamed by Lucretia's Beauty , stole privi●y to C●●latia , where she resided , and ravished her . The virtuous Lucretia almost dead with Grief and Shame , sent for her Father from Rome , and her Husband Collatinus from the Camp , desiring them to bring along with them some of their particular Friends . Publius Valerius came with her Father Lucretius , and Lucius Iunius Brutus with her Husband ; to them she related the whole Story , and immediately with a Ponyard stabbed her self to the Heart . They were startled at the Sight , and filled with Grief and Indignation ; but , to their great Surprize ▪ Brutus throwing off his Disguised Folly , declared his Resolution , and made them swear upon the bloody Ponyard to assist him in revenging this , and the other Wickednesses of Tarquin and his Family , by expelling him and them the Government . And immediately entring upon Action , they shut up the City-Gates , and assembled the Senate , who being made sensible of the Wickedness of their King and his Family , issued out a Decree of Expulsion against Tarquin : Afterwards Brutus brought out Lucretia's Body , exposed it to the People , made a Speech to them , recounting all the Tyrannical Acts of Tarquin , and prevailed upon them to take up Arms for the maintaining their Liberty . The King hearing of these Things , rid with his Sons and some Friends to Rome , where they found the City-Gates shut against them . Thereupon they spurred back again to Ardea , but Brutus being got thither before them , prevailed upon the Army to do as their Friends in the City had done before them . By this means Tarquin was forced to fly where he could find a Retreat , and with his Banishment ended the Regal Power at Rome , which was turned into a Consular State . This Change happened 245 years after the Building of the City , in the first year of the 68th Olympiad , in the year of the World 3443 ; 31 years after the Ruin of the Assyrian Monarchy , and setting up of the Persian ; 175 before the beginning of the Macedonian ; 507 years before Christ .

Sect. IV. Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3443. The Consular State of Rome , from Brutus the first Consul , to Julius Cesar' s being made Perpetual Dictator , lasted 464 Years . 507

☞ IN treating of the Consular State , since the proposed Brevity will not allow us to give you a List of the several Consuls , or of the particular Actions which happened in their Times ; and since to consider so great a space of Time all together would confound our Reader ; we shall therefore reduce the Whole under several of the most remarkable Periods , to render the Idea of the Roman Affairs the more clear and conceivable . In our assigning these Periods , we beg leave to follow the Method of our Friend Mr. Echard , which seems to us the most Easie , Natural , and Intelligible , of any we have hitherto met with ; and we freely own , that in this part of our System we shall borrow a great many Things out of his excellent Abridgment , and hope none will be offended with us for it .

I. Period , from the Banishment of Tarquin , to the First Dictator , which lasted 10 years . Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3443. Tarquin being banished , the Romans resolved upon choosing no more Kings , but to elect two Consuls yearly out of the Patritians . These Consuls were elected by the People in a General Assembly called Comitia Centuriata . The first Consuls were L. Iunius Brutus , and L. Tarquinius Collatinus . In their time Tarquin sent Ambassadors from Hetruria to Rome ; but their Proposals being rejected , they had recourse to underhand Practices ; by which they won over to Tarquin's Interest several young Noblemen , and among the rest , two of the Sons of Brutus , who conspired against the Consuls , and were beheaded . Collatinus resigned , and Valerius Poplicola was chosen Consul in his stead . About this time Tarquin brought an Army against Rome , engaged the Romans , was defeated , but Brutus the Consul was slain by Aruns the Son of Tarquin , as he alternately fell by the Hand of Brutus . Valerius made a great many good Laws , and among the rest one , whereby two Quaestors or Publick Treasurers were created . After the Death of Brutus , he was suspected by the People of aiming at the Regal Power ; but he soon removed their Jealousie , by holding an Assembly for the Election of another Consul , wherein Lucretius was chosen , but he dying a few days after , M. Horatius succeeded ; in whose time the Capitol was finished , and dedicated . Valerius was chosen a second time with Lucretiùs Tricipitinus . Before this year was out , Porsenna King of Clusium espousing Tarquin's Interest , marched against Rome , besieged it , and was very near taking it ; but being at first repulsed by Horatius Cocles , and afterwards struck with Admiration at the Bravery and Undauntedness of Mutius Scaevola , and at the Courage of Clelia a Roman Virago , he made Peace with the Romans . These three noble Acts are too Heroick to be passed over in Silence , and therefore we cannot omit to mention them , thô our designed Brevity will admit of but a very short Relation ; when Porsenna attack'd the City , his Onset was so vigorous , that the two Consuls were wounded , which so dishearten'd the Romans , that retiring in Disorder to the City , the Enemy had entred with them , if the Courage of Horatius Cocles , who alone defended the Passage of the Bridge , had not hindred them , and given an Opportunity to those that were got over to break down the Bridge ; which being effected , the valiant Hero leap'd into the River , and ( thô wounded ) got safe over . Mutius's Action was equally Brave , for the City being extremely straightned by Porsenna's Siege , and other Reliefs failing , he got into the Enemy's Camp in Disguise , resolving to Assassinate the King , but by mistake he stabb'd his Secretary ; and being examined , boldly declared his Intention , and with invincible Courage thrust the Hand that committed the Mistake into the Fire , in Punishment for the ill Service it did its Master . Porsenna surprized at the Roman Courage , not only pardoned Mutius , but also concluded a Peace ; for ratifying of which , Hostages were delivered , and among them ten Roman Virgins : But it seems even the Women among the Romans scorn'd to be Prisoners , for under the Conduct of Clelia , one of their number , these ten Virgins got from their Keepers , swam over the Tyber , and in spight of the Enemy's Darts got safe home . Within a year or two the Sabines began to be very troublesom to the Romans , making Incursions into their Territories , but were defeated by them in several Battels . In the heat of this War came Actius Clausus with 5000 Sabines to Rome , and became the Head of the Claudian Family . Tarquin still restless and dissatisfied , had his last Recourse to the Latines , whom he excited to declare War against the Romans , and at the same time fomented the Differences which were then at Rome between the richer and the poorer sort . To obviate the Mischiefs which might arise from an Enemy abroad , and Foes at home , a particular Magistrate named the Dictator was created , who for a set time should have the sole Administration of Affairs in his own Hand . This Dictator was never made but upon extraordinary and emergent Occasions .

II. Period , from the First Dictator , to the Tribunes of the People , lasted 5 years . Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3453. Largius Flavius , one of the Consuls , was the first Dictator , who chose Sp. Cassius for Magister Equitum , the Master of the Horse . He had 24 Axes and Rods carried before him , and by these Ensigns of Royalty aw'd the People , and quieted the Tumults of the City . He began the Census after the Pattern of Servius Tullus , wherein 150700 Persons of full Age gave in their Names ; but he made a Truce with the Latines for one year . When the Truce was expired , both Parties prepared to take the Field . The Romans perceiving the Latines were very strong , thought fit to create a second Dictator . The Choice fell upon Posthumius , who chose Ebutius Elva for his Master of the Horse . He hastened his Levies , marched against the Latines , engaged and defeated them near the Lake Regillus . Upon this , the Latines earnestly sued for a Peace , which was granted them . Thus ended all the Wars made upon Tarquin's Account , who being abandoned by all his Friends , fled to Aristodemus the Prince of Cuma , where he soon after died , in the 90th year of his Age. 497

Upon the finishing of this War , Posthumius laid down his Office , and Appius Claudius and Servilius Priscus were made Consuls . And now the Differences between the Plebeians and Patritians broke out afresh , and were carried so high , that neither the leading them to fight against the Vosci , Aequi , and Sabines , nor all the Proposals of the Senate , could reconcile and bring the meaner sort back from Mons Sacer , whither they were retired , till such time as they granted , that they might choose Annual Officers of their own among themselves , to protect them from the Injuries and Insolencies of the Patritians . The Senate was forced to comply with their Demands , and they made choice of L. Iunius Brutus , Sicinius Bellulus , C. and P. Licinius , and Icilius Ruga , for their Officers , who were called Tribunes of the People . They were at first only Five , but at last their Number increased to Ten , who in time grew so Exorbitant , that by some Authors they were stiled Pestes Reipublicae . This remarkable Change of the Roman State , from Aristocracy to Democracy , or rather to a mixture of both , happened in the 260th year of the City , 46th after the beginning of the Persian Monarchy , and in the 3d year of the 71st Olympiad .

III. Period , from the Creation of the Tribunes , to the Decemviri , lasted 42 Years . Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3458. The Office of Tribunes being ratified by the Senate , the Commons obtained farther , that they might choose Two out of their own Body yearly to assist these Officers ; which Assistants were afterwards called Aediles . Upon these Grants made , the Commons readily Listed themselves to march against the Volsci , under the Command of Posthumius the Consul . He took Longula and Polustia from them , and invested their Metropolis Corioli , which was taken by Storm through the Bravery of a valiant Patritian named Caius Marcius , who from thence was Sirnamed Coriolanus . Upon this , and the Defeat of the Antiates , who came to the Relief of Corioli , the Volsci were forced to make Peace . Within a short time Coriolanus was accused by the Tribunes of aiming at Sovereignty and Tyranny , and condemned to Perpetual Banishment . He retired to Antium , excited the Volsci against the Romans , being made their General , marched against his own Countrymen , took several Cities from them , and at last sat down before Rome it self . This struck such Terror into the Romans , that both Senate and People unanimously agreed to send him Ambassadors with Proposals of Restoration . He rejected all , but at last being conquered by the Intreaties of his Mother , his Wife and Children , drew the Volsci from Rome , and was afterwards cut in Pieces by them . 492

After this , the Romans were engaged in several Wars abroad with the Volsci , Hernici , Aequi , Veientes , Hetrurians , and Sabines ; we shall not relate the Particulars of each , but only in General take notice , that in some Engagements the Romans were worsted , in most came off Conquerors , and forced their Enemies to make Peace . At home there happened great Disturbances within this Period of Time , the most Remarkable of which , with some other considerable Things , we think fit briefly to relate . The first Disturbance arose from the Lex Agraria , the Law for dividing the Conquered Lands among the Meaner sort , which was the occasion of many Disorders and Mischiefs for many years together . It was at first proposed by Cassius , thrice Consul , who aimed at the Sovereignty , and promised to be put into Execution by the Senate , who waved the doing it for a great many years : But at last Cassius , when out of his Consulship , was called to an Account for his Ambition , and was condemned to be thrown down the Tarpeian Rock , which was accordingly done . The next great Disturbance happened upon the account of one Volero , a turbulent Man , who when made Tribune to revenge an Affront offered him by the Consuls , who would some time before have listed him for a Common Soldier , was a great Instrument of passing a Law for the Establishing the Comitia Tributa . Within this time the whole Family of the Fabii , who undertook to defend the Roman Frontiers , and had posted themselves in a Castle called Cremera , were all cut off by the Enemy . Quintius Cincinnatus was taken from the Plow , first made Consul , and within a year made Dictator ; in both which Posts he behaved himself with a great deal of Prudence , Conduct , and Courage . Within the same compass of time happened first a Famine , and then a Plague at Rome , which cut off a great many of the Inhabitants . At last they sent Ambassadors to Greece , to bring such Laws from thence as were most Excellent and most Conducive to the Good of the Commonwealth . Upon their Return the Decemviri were created , who were ten Men to be Elected yearly out of the Chief of the Senate . Upon this the Consuls elect resigned , and were made two of the Decemvirate , and the Tribunes , Aediles , Questors , &c. were divested of all their Authority . This notable Change of the Roman State happened in the 302d year of the City , in the 2d year of the 82d Olympiad , 88 years after the beginning of the Persian Monarchy , and 450 years before Christ .

IV. Period , from the Decemviri to the Military Tribunes , lasted only 8 Years . Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3500. The Decemviri were elected annually by the Comi●ia Centuriata , as the Consuls were ; but governed one at a time by turns , the rest differing little from private Persons , only they had a Beadle going constantly before them . At first they governed with so much Justice , Moderation , and Equity , that the People were charmed with their Conduct and Administration ; but they soon degenerated to Tyranny and Oppression , which occasioned the short Duration of their Power . The first Set of these Decemviri reduced the Laws brought from Greece , with some Additions of their own Customs into ten Tables , and the next Decemviri added two Tables more , from whence they were called , The Laws of the Twelve Tables , so much talked of by the Roman Authors . 450

The Decemvirate regarded neither Senate nor People , but cut off the most considerable Citizens of both sorts . Among the rest , Siccius Dentatus , the Roman Achilles , was killed traiterously by a Party of 100 Horse , which he headed against the Sabines . At last Appius , one of the Decemvirate , attempting to abuse the Daughter of Virginius , hasten'd the Downfal of that Form of Government , which ended in less than 3 years time , and returned to its former State of being governed by Consuls . Valerius and Horatius were made Consuls for the remaining part of the year . After which , the Tribunes thought fit to call the Decemviri to an Account . Appius was committed to Prison , and before his Trial was found dead . Oppius , the next to him in Guilt , was accused , condemned , and killed himself in Prison . The other Eight banished themselves . This year the Consuls warred so successfully against the Aequi , Volsci , and Sabines , as to deserve a Triumph . Within 3 years after the Romans obtained another signal Victory over the Aequi and Volsci . And now the Tribunes being more turbulent than ever , nothing would satisfie them but the passing two Laws , the one for permitting Marriages between Patritians and Plebeians , and the other for making the Plebeians capable of the Consulship . The first was passed ; but as an Expedient for the other , it was proposed , That six Governors should be chosen with Consular Authority , three Patritians , and three Plebeians , who were stiled Tribuni Militum , i. e. Military Tribunes .

V. Period , from the Creation of the Military Tribunes , to the Burning of Rome by the Gauls , lasted 54 Years . Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3508. The first Military Tribunes who were created , were only three Patritians , whose Office expired at the end of 8 weeks , and Consuls created afresh . This year two new Officers , named Censors , were chosen out of the Patritians to estimate Men's Estates , and to inspect into the Lives and Manners of Men : And the Romans gained a Victory over the Volsci , leading Clu●ius their General in Triumph . Within 3 years after , Sp. Melius , by his Bounty to the Poor , affected to be King ; upon which Q. Cincinnatus was again made Dictator , and chose Servilius Ahala for the Master of his Horse , who slew Sp. Melius in the Forum . The Tribunes enraged at the Death of their Friend Melius , caused Military Tribunes to be created for one year . The next year Consuls were again created , and a War carried on against Tolumnius King of the Veientes , to whom the Fidenates had revolted . This War proved so dangerous at first , that the Romans were forced to create a Dictator , but they obtained a signal Victory over their Enemies , Corn. Cossus a Tribune , in the Army killing the King Tolumnius , and obtaining the Opima Spolia , which he offered to Iupiter . 442

It would be too long to relate the particular Wars which the Romans had with their Neighbours the Volsci , Aequi , Fidenates , and Veientes ; to tell you of the several Dictators made in this time , and of the Change of the Government from Consuls to Military Tribunes , from them to Consuls again , which ever and anon happened . We think it sufficient to recite some of the most memorable Passages of these Times . The Questors were increased from Two to Four , but a long time e're they could get any Plebeians to be chosen into that Office . The Military Tribunes were increased first from Three to Four , and then to Six ; but a considerable time before they could get any Plebeians into the Number . In this Period of Time the Slaves conspired to fire the City , and seize upon the Capitol , but were discovered and executed . The Romans proclaimed War against the Veientes , besieged the City Veii , which was taken after 10 years Siege by Camillus , who won over the Falisci by his Generosity to yield to the Romans , and was for little or no reason afterwards banished : After this the Galli Senones entred Italy under the Command of Brennus , invested Clusium , broke up thence , marched towards Rome , defeated the Romans at the Battel of Allia , entred Rome , killed several of the Senators as they sat in their Robes in the Senate-House , and burnt the City , all but the Capitol , which still held out against them .

VI. Period , from the burning of Rome by the Gauls , to the War with the Samnites , lasted 46 Years . Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3562. After Rome was burnt , the Gauls laid Siege to the Capitol , which they were nigh taking by Surprize in the night , had not the Romans discover'd the Assaulters by the Cackling of some Geese . Camillus , who had been banished , laying aside his private Animosities , returned to Rome at the Head of 40000 Ardeans , and expelled the Gauls . He perswaded the Romans , who were for removing to Veji , to fix at Rome and rebuild it . M. Manlius who had before saved the Capitol , was accused of Aiming at the Sovereign Power , and was condemned to be thrown down the Tarpeian Rock , which was accordingly executed . In this Period several Dictators were created , among the rest , one to drive a Nail on the right side of Iupiter's Temple in the Capitol , and two others for the Assembling the Comitia Centuriata for the Election of Consuls , who were never known to be created upon the like Occasions before , Within this time the Tribes were increased , the Aediles Curules appointed , publick Stage-Plays instituted to appease their Gods in a sore Plague , several Battels fought successfully against the Gauls , the Aequi , Volsci , and Hetrurians ; a Plebeian Dictator was created ; a Law made , That one of the Consuls should be a Plebeian ; and the Military Tribunes were for ever laid aside , 78 years after their first Creation , 388

VII . Period , from the War with the Samnites , to the Wars with Pyrrhus King of Epirus . This Period takes up 63 Years . Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3608. Hitherto the Romans had only to do with their next Neighbours , but now increasing in Strength and Power , they ventured to engage the Warlike Samnites , a People above 100 Miles off Rome . The occasion of this War was the Samnites falling upon the Campanians , who sent their Ambassadors to Rome , to put themselves and their Country under the Protection of the Romans . Upon this the two Consuls marched against them , and after an obstinate Fight , Valerius , one of the Consuls , defeated them in Campania ; whilst the other Consul Cornelius , by his ill Conduct in Samnium , had like to have lost the Victory , which was retriev'd by the Boldness of P. Decius , a Tribune in the Army . After these Defeats the Samnites made Peace , and became one of the Roman Allies . 342

The next War which the Romans made , was against the Latines , who aided the Enemies of the Samnites , then in Confederacy with Rome . Against them , Manlius Torquatus and P. Decius Mus were sent by the Senate , who came to an Engagement with the Enemy , wherein Decius , one of the Consuls ▪ was killed , and Manlius , the other Consul , gained the Victory . Manlius returned in Triumph , but was received by the old Men only , the young Men refusing to do him that Honour , because he had beheaded his own Son , for charging the Enemy ( thô successfully ) contrary to his Orders . The next Consuls warr'd against the Latines , overthrew them , and Publius the Plebeian Consul was afterwards made Dictator , in which time he procured three remarkable Laws to be made . At last the Latines were wholly subdued , and brought to an entire Submission . Within this Period Publius Philo , formerly Consul and Dictator , was made Praetor , and was the first Plebeian who attained to that Honour . Minutia , a Vestal Virgin , was buried alive for Incontinency ; the Romans fought the Sidicini , and defeated them ; the Gauls threatned to attack the Romans , upon which a Dictator was created ; 170 Women were put to Death for the Art of Poysoning , upon which a Dictator was created to drive a Nail into Iupiter's Temple , being the second created upon such an Occasion ; and a War was carried on against the Inhabitants of Privernum in the Volscian State , wherein the Romans were at last Conquerors . It would be too tedious to give you a particular Relation of the Wars which the Romans had with the rest of the Italians , we think it sufficient to tell you in general , That they engaged the Samnites with great Success , forcing them four times to a Peace ; That they were successful against the Tarentines , the Palepolitians , the Aequi , Hetrurians , and Vmbrians ; That in this compass of Time several Dictators were created , several Tribes added to the old ones , and the Cawsey , called Via Appia , made by Appius Claudius , one of the Censors . At last the Tarentines in Confederacy with the Lucani , Messapii , Brutii , Apulii , and Samnites , declared War against the Romans , but the Confederates not being able to oppose the Romans growing Power , were in a short time forced to send for Pyrrhus King of Epirus to come over and assist them ; who was the first Foreign Enemy the Romans had ever engaged . Within this Period the Plebeians procured the Plebiscita to pass into Laws , and to bind the Patritians , which was confirmed by Q. Hortensius the Dictator , and from him called Lex Hortensia : A Law was made , That not the Bodies , but the Money and Goods of Debtors , should be responsible for their Debts .

VIII . Period , from the first Wars with Pyrrhus , to the first Punick or Carthaginian War , lasted 16 Years . Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3671. Pyrrhus King of Epirus being invited into Italy by the Tarentines , and others , warred against the Romans ; defeated them twice ; offered to enter into an Alliance with them , which was rejected ; went into Sicily to drive the Tyrants thence ; returned into Italy ; was routed by Curius the Roman Consul ; and privately retreated into Greece , leaving a Garison behind him in Tarentum , which was soon after surrendred to the Romans . From this War with Pyrrhus , the Romans learned Skill in Martial Affairs , and particularly the Art of Encamping , by taking the Camp of Pyrrhus as it was pitched . During this War , which lasted about 6 years , Pyrrhus was astonished at the Generosity of the Romans , and especially for their detecting the Villanous Designs of his Physician , who had offered them for a small Gratuity to poison his Master . Soon after his Departure , the Romans subdued the Tarentines , Samnites , Lucanians , Hetrurians ; and in a word , compleated the Conquest of all I●aly in the 489th year after the building of the City . Within this Period , Ptolemy Philadelphus King of Egypt sent Ambassadors to congratulate the Roman Success , and to enter into an Alliance with them , and they in Compliment did the same to him . About the same time Silver was first coined in Rome , the Money before being all Brass ; and a third Dictator created , for driving a Nail into Iupiter's Temple , to asswage the Plague that reigned in the City . 279

IX . Period , from the beginning of the First Punick War , to the beginning of the Second , which lasted 47 Years . Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3687. Hitherto the Romans carried on their Wars only against their own Countrym●n the Italians , but had never as yet set foot out of Italy , till at last they declared War against the Carthaginians . The Romans began this War in Defence of their Allies the Mamertines , against whom Hiero King of Syracuse warring , was assisted by the Carthaginians . This War lasted 24 years , the most remarkable Transactions whereof we think fit briefly to relate . Appius Claudius , one of the Consuls , was sent into Sicily , raised the Siege of Messana , defeated Hiero and the Carthaginians twice , and returned to Rome with a noble Triumph . The next year both the Consuls were sent to Sicily , and Hiero was affrighted into Obedience and an Alliance with the Romans . After this , the Romans having learned from the Carthaginians to build Galleys , sent out a Fleet of about 120 Sail , which engaged the Carthaginian Fleet , and defeated them . This first Victory by Sea was gained by Duilius , one of the Consuls , who afterwards raised the Siege of Aegesta , and took Macella by Storm . The next year they invaded the Islands of Sardinia and Corsica , which they took from Hanno the Carthaginian General , who was slain there : Many Towns in Sicily were taken and lost on both Sides . After this , the Romans resolved to remove the Seat of War into Africk , set out a Fleet of 330 Sail under the Command of Regulus and Manlius , Consuls ; Regulus defeated the Carthaginians a second time by Sea , made a Descent upon Affrick , and became Master of Clupea , a City seated on the Promontory of Hermea . Regulus was left Proconsul there , who afterwards engaged and killed a Serpent of a monstrous size ; was defeated , and taken by the Carthaginians , aided by Xantippus the Lacedemonian ; was afterwards sent to Rome upon his Parole , to procure a Peace , but ( in love to his Country more than his own Life ) disswaded the Romans from it , and with unspeakable Courage returned to Carthage , and died there in Torment . At last the Romans proved so successful , that they became Masters of all Sicily ; subdued the Carthaginians a third time by Sea under the Command of Catulus , forced them to buy a Peace with a vast Sum of Money , and submit to Conditions very Advantageous to the Romans . In this War , the most considerable Commanders among the Carthaginians , were , Annibal , Amilcar , and Asdrubal , the first of which , being the Admiral of their Fleet , was crucified by his own Soldiers , after he had been unfortunately beaten by the Romans at Sea . 263

During these Wars abroad , the People of Rome had no leisure to quarrel at home , but all was quiet between the Patritians and Plebeians . The year wherein the War was ended is another , and the last Addition was made to the Tribes , which now made up the Number 35. About this time the first Tragedies and Comedies were made by Livius Andronicus a Grecian , who was afterwards followed by Nevius . Soon after the Peace , the Carthaginians fell into an Intestine War , which lasted above 3 years , and was ended by Amilcar . After this , the Romans were invited by the Sardinians into their Island , which the Carthaginians stomack'd , but were forced to yield , not being in a Posture to begin a new War . The sixth year after the Carthaginian War , the Temple of Ianus was shut the second time , the Romans being at Peace with all their Neighbours , which lasted five years . In the sixth it was opened by a War they had with Teuta the Queen of the Illyrians , who had affronted the Romans , by killing Lucius , one of their Ambassadors . They fought against the Illyrians both by Sea and Land , took several Towns from them , and forced them to beg Peace . After this the Praetors were encreased to four , two of which were sent to Sicily and Sardinia . The Romans had Wars with the Cisalpine Gauls , defeated them in several Rencounters , and obliged them at last to submit . About this time the Libertini or Freed Slaves raised great Disturbances in Rome , which were soon quelled . The Illyrians revolted , but were reduced by Aemilius and Livius the Consuls .

X. Period , from the beginning of the Second Punick War , to the finishing of it by Scipio Africanus , lasted 17 Years . Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3734. The Occasion of the second Punick War , was the Success which the Carthaginians had in Spain , and their taking Saguntum , then in Alliance with Rome . The Romans sent to demand the Carthaginians to deliver Hannibal their General up to them , which being refused , they declared War against them . 216

The War being broke out , Hannibal leaving Hanno to take care of Spain , march'd at the Head of 50000 Foot , and 9000 Horse , directly towards Italy . He first crossed the Pyrenaean Mountains into Gaul , passed the Rhosne , arrived at the Foot of the Alps , and in 15 days passed those inaccessible Mountains with great Danger and Difficulty , with the loss of above half his Army . When he got footing in Italy , he defeated Scipio , one of the Roman Consuls , at Pavia , and his Collegue Sempronius in another Battel near the River Trebia . From the Country of the Gauls , Hannibal marched into Hetruria , where at the Lake called Thrasymene he defeated the Romans again , cutting off their whole Army , and their Consul Flaminius , with a Detachment of 4000 Men sent by Servilius the other Consul , to join Flaminius before the Battel . Upon these Defeats , the Romans created Fabius Maximus Dictator , who chose Minutius Rufus for his Master of the Horse . This Fabius marched against Hannibal , and wearied him out by Delays , from whence he was called Cunctator ; but his Master of the Horse imprudently engaged the Enemy , and had been entirely defeated , if Fabius had not come in to his Assistance , and brought him and the Army off . The next year happened the famous Battel of Cannae , wherein the Romans were defeated , and Aemilius , one of the Consuls , killed , with 50000 Men , 2 Quaestors , 21 Tribunes , 80 of the Senatorian Order , and a great many Knights .

This last Defeat caused a dreadful Consternation in Rome , but yet they would not hearken to any Overtures of Peace . Had Hannibal upon this Success marched directly to Rome , he had in all probability compleated his Conquests ; but drawing his Army into Quarters of Refreshment in Capua , his Soldiers grew Effeminate , and ever after he declined in his Fortune , for in the next Campagn he was defeated thrice by the Romans . After this , Hannibal had Tarentum betrayed to him , and the Romans besieged Capua and took it , thô attacked by the Enemy who came to its Relief ; and thô to divert them from their Design , Hannibal marched towards Rome , from whence he decamped without doing any thing . At last Asdruhal , the Brother of Hannibal , was sent into Italy with Supplies , but himself and Army was cut in pieces by the Romans , under the Command of Livius and Nero the two Consuls .

Notwithstanding these Wars with Hannibal , the Romans proclaimed and carried on a War against Philip King of Macedon : In Sardinia they had great Success , killing in one Battel 12000 Carthaginians , taking many Prisoners , among the rest Asdrubal , Hanno , and Mago , Persons of Note . Sicily revolted from the Romans , but was at last wholly subdued by them , Syracuse after 3 years Siege being taken by Marcellus and destroyed . In Spain the Romans Affairs were managed with great Success by Scipio , upon whose Death young Scipio , afterwards Sirnamed Africanus , was sent into Spain in the Quality of Proconsul . Five years after , this Scipio was made Consul , sent into Sicily , afterwards crossed into Africa , re-established Masanissa King of Numidia upon his Throne , having taken Syphax the Usurper Prisoner . He gave the Carthaginians so much Disturbance , that they were forced to recall Hannibal , who , upon his arrival in his Native Country , had an Interview with Scipio ; but when no Accommodation could be made , they came to a Battel , wherein the Romans proved Conquerors , and the Enemy forced to sue for a Peace , which was granted them upon Terms very Honourable and Advantageous to the Romans . And thus ended the second Punick War , after it had lasted about 17 years .

XI . Period , from the end of the Second Punick War , to the end of the Third , and the Destruction of Carthage , containing the space of 55 Years . Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3751. Soon after the Peace with the Carthaginians , the Romans carried on a War against Philip King of Macedon , which was occasioned by his entring into an Alliance with Hannibal after the memorable Battel of Cannae . They had a fresh occasion to do this at the earnest Request of the Athenians , and the Complaints of Attalus King of Pergamus , and the Rhodians . Sulpitius Galba , the Consul , was sent against him , who defeated him several times , and was near taking him ; by the Assistance of Attalus and the Rhodians he raised the Siege of Athens . This year Furius the Praetor obtained a great Victory over the Gauls , who had revolted , and invested Cremona . After this , Quintus Flaminius the Consul was sent against King Philip , who beat him out of the Streights , whilst his Brother Lucius , with Attalus , regained several Confederate Towns . Upon this , the Treaty of Peace was set on foot , but came to nothing , till Philip being defeated at Cynocephalae , was forced to beg Peace . 199

About this time the Romans gained two signal Victories over the Gauls . Within a year after , some Disturbances were raised in Rome about the Oppian Law : And soon after they had Wars with Antiochus King of Syria , who was several times defeated by Scipio Asiaticus and Africanus , the two Brothers , and at last forced to a Peace upon very Dishonourable Terms . Within 3 years after the War was ended against Antiochus , Scipio Africanus was called to an Account by the Tribunes , but came off Honourably , and withdrew to Linternum in Campania , where he liv'd retiredly . After this , the Romans had only some Petty Wars with the Ligurians , Istrians , Sardinians , Corsicans , and Celtiberians : But within a short time had Wars with Perseus King of Macedon , who broke the League which his Father Philip had made , and was defeated , taken Captive , and led in Triumph by the Romans , as has been already declared . At last the Romans found a Pretence to begin the third Carthaginian War , which was their being in Arms against Masanissa , a Roman Ally . Accordingly a War was proclaimed against them , with a full Resolution utterly to destroy Carthage . Three years together it held out against the Roman Consuls , but in the fourth was taken , and laid in Ashes by Scipio Aemilianus , who by this Victory confirmed the Sirname of Africanus , to him and his Heirs for ever . Within this Period of Time , the number of Praetors was increased from Four to Six ; Rome began to be Polished by the Conversation it had with the Grecians ; and Plautus and Terence , two Comedians , flourished , the former brought Comedy , the latter the Latin Language , to very great Perfection .

XII . Period , from the Destruction of Carthage , to the end of the Sedition of the Gracchi , lasted 23 Years . Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3806. Now Rome began to enlarge its Dominions abroad , but grew Corrupt and Degenerate at home . This year Corinth , one of the noblest Cities of Greece , was taken by Mummius , one of the Consuls , and suffered the same Fate with Carthage , and with it the Republick of the Acheans perished . In Spain several Places revolted , but were reduced by Scipio Africanus to their former Obedience , after he had taken Numantia , a City in Gallicia , and demolished it . In Sicily a Servile War broke out , but the Slaves who began the War were in a short time broken and dispersed . After this , there happened some Risings at Athens and Delos , which were with some trouble suppressed . At last the Romans had great Wars with Aristonicus about the Kingdom of Pergamos or Asia . Attalus , the last King , had made the People of Rome his Heirs , upon which they entred into Possession of that Kingdom ; but Aristonicus , the Bastard-Brother of Attalus , seized upon it as his own Right and Inheritance . This was the occasion of the War , which ended within a year or two , Aristonicus being taken Prisoner , led in Triumph , and afterwards strangled in Prison by order of the Senate . 144

Thô the Romans were thus Successful abroad , yet at home their Glory was sullied by many inglorious Factions , Jealousies , Seditions and Contentions . The chief Fomenter of these , was Tiberius Gracchus , a Man of a restless and turbulent Temper . He being made Tribune , preferred a Law , forbidding any Man to possess above 500 Acres of the Publick Lands , and ordering the Overplus to be divided amongst the Poor . This Law he carried , and three Men , called Triumviri , were yearly appointed to be Judges what Lands were Publick , and what Private . This so much disgusted the Senate , that under the Conduct of Scipio Nasica , they set upon Gracchus in the Capitol , and killed him , and 300 more of his Faction . His Death did not put an end to the Dissentions , for his younger Brother Caius being first made one of the Triumviri , and afterwards Tribune , gave the Senate great Disturbance , till being at last much persecuted by them , he caused his Servant to kill him . Within this Period flourished Lucilius the famous Satyrift , and the third Order among the Romans , called the Equestrian , was set up , to be the Judges of corrupt Officers .

XIII . Period , from the end of the Seditions of the Gracchi , to the end of the First Civil War in Italy , which takes up the space of 41 Years . Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3829. During the late Troubles , the Sardinians rebelled , and were reduced by Aurelius ; and the Fregellans were punished with the loss of their City by the Praetor Opimius . About this time was carried on the War with the Allobroges , who , together with the Arverni and Ruteni , were defeated by Fabius Maximus , and Gallia Narbonnensis was reduced into a Province . The Scordisci , a People of Gaulish Extraction , inhabiting Thrace , were defeated by Didius the Praetor , and the Consuls Drusus and Minutius gained a Triumph over them . 121

Some time after this happened the Iugurthine War . The occasion of this War was , that Iugurtha , Grandson to Massanissa King of Numidia , having killed his Brethren , seized upon that Kingdom , whereupon the Romans declared War against him . They were several times diverted from prosecuting it by the rich Presents which Iugurtha made , but at last he was defeated , first by Metellus , and afterwards by Marius , who subdued him , ( notwithstanding the Assistance of his Father-in-Law Bocchus King of Mauritania ) took him Prisoner , and led him and his two Sons in Triumph to Rome . About the same time the Romans warred with the Cimbri , who were def●ated by Marius , together with the Teutones and Ambrones . In Sicily a second Servile War was ended by Aquilius Nepos , the Collegue of Marius . At home there happened some Disturbance occasioned by Saturninus , one of Marius Friends ; at first he was favoured by M●rius , but at last his Fortune declining , Marius forsook him too , and he was cut in P●eces by the Equites in the F●r●●n . About this time flourished Lucretius , the famous Poet. After this there happened a Quarrel between the Sen●tor●●● and Equestrian Order , which Drusus the Tribune accomol●ted ; but this Man afterwards proposing the Agrarian Law was stabbed in the Court of his own House . But these Troubles did not end with the Death of Drusus , for several of the Italians , who thought themselves injured , joined in a Confederacy against the Romans , viz. the Lucanians , Apulians , Marsi , Paligni , and Samnites , with many others . Against them the two Consuls , with Marius and Sylla , were sent , who were worsted in several Engagements , but at last within 3 years became Conquerors .

No sooner was the Social War finished , but two others broke out . One was with Mithridates King of Pontus , against whom , Sylla , one of the Consuls for that year , was sent . Marius opposed the sending Sylla on that Expedition , whereupon Sylla returning to Rome , forced Marius and Sulpicius the Tribune , his Friend , to fly for it , and declared them , with 10 more , Enemies to their Country . Upon this , Marius fled into Affrick , and Sylla departed on his Expedition against Mithridates . Whilst he was gone , Cinna and Octavius were made Consuls , the former of which proposed the recalling Marius , but the latter opposed it ; and so hot was the Contention , that Cinna was forced to leave the City , and being joined with Marius , raised an Army , went and sat down before Rome , entred it , and committed great Outrages therein : In the mean time Sylla was engaged against Mithridates in Greece , first routed his General Archelaus , and at last forced the King himself to a Peace . Upon this , he returned to Italy to revenge himself on Marius , Cinna , and all their Adherents . Marius died , and Cinna was killed by the fury of the Soldiers before his Landing . At length Sylla came , defeated all that opposed him , entred Rome , committed many and great Cruelties there , was the first who published Tables of Proscription , and procured himself to be made Perpetual Dictator , which was a great Step towards the Downfal of the Consular State , and which happened in the 672d year of the City , in the 4th year of the 174th Olympiad , and 80 years before Christ . Within this Period of Time the Capitol was burnt , but by whom , or what means , is uncertain .

XIV . Period , from the Perpetual Dictatorship of Sylla , to the first Triumvirate , which was 22 Years . Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3870. Whilst Sylla was Dictator , a second War broke out with Mithridates , which was ended in two years . In the third year of his Dictatorship he laid down his Office , retired into the Country , and there died . After this , a dangerous War broke out in Spain against Sertorius , one of Cinna's Faction . Pompey was sent against Sertorius , who was killed treacherously by Perpenna , one of his Commanders , who himself was afterwards overthrown , taken and killed by Pompey . 80

The year before this , a third War broke out with Mithridates , against whom Lucinius Lucullus , one of the then Consuls , was sent . He did many great and memorable Actions against that King , routed him and Tigranes King of Armenia often , and in a short space reduced all Pontus , except a few Places , to the Romans . About this time Spartacus the Gladiator having raised an Army of about 70000 Vagabonds , and overthrown many of the Roman Commanders , was conquered by Licinius Crassus the Proconsul in Apulia . Whilst Lucullus was carrying on his Conquests over Mithridates and Tigranes , Pompey was sent first to scour the Seas of the Pyrates , who were sent out by Mithridates to infest the Italian Coasts ; which having done , upon his return he was made Commander in Chief against Mithridates and his Allies . Upon this , he set upon his Expedition , subdued Mithridates and Tigranes ; the latter of them made Peace with the Romans , but the former being Deposed and made Prisoner by his Son Pharnaces , got an honest Gaul to put an end to his Life . Pompey marched against Darius the Median , and Antiochus King of Syria , for molesting the Roman Allies . Afterwards he went into Iudea , entred Ierusalem , and made all Iewry Tributary to Rome . At length he returned home loaded with Honour and Glory , obtained a Triumph , which lasted two days , wherein appeared the Son of Tigranes , with his Wife and Daughter ; Zozima , the Wife of Tigranes himself ; Aristobulus King of Iudea , the Sister of King Mithridates , with her five Sons , and some Ladies of S●ythia .

Whilst Pompey was abroad , a horrid Conspiracy was carried on at home by Catiline and his Accomplices , which was discovered to Cicero the present Consul by Fulvia the Courtesan of Q. Curius , one of the Plotters . Upon this , Catiline was banished , several of the Conspirators apprehended and put to Death , and the whole Plot was quashed by the Vigilance and Care of Cicero , who was the first Man that was stiled the Father of his Country . After these Disturbances , Cesar , who had been Questor and Aedile , was made Pretor , and afterwards attained the High-Priesthood . Upon the expiring of his Pretorship , he procured the Government of Spain , prevailed upon Crassus , a wealthy Man , to be his Security for 830 Talents ; having run so far in Debt by his Profuseness , returned to Italy , stood for the Consulship , and entred into a Combination with Pompey and Crassus , who were stiled the first Triumvirate , and managed the Affairs of Rome at their Discretion .

XV. Period , from the First Triumvirate , to the Dissolution of it by the Death of Crassus and Pompey , and to the Perpetual Dictatorship of Cesar , which takes in the time of 15 Years . Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3892. We are now arrived to that part of the Roman Affairs , which make up a great part of their History ; but yet to keep to our proposed Brevity , we shall relate only the principal Matters , and that as briefly as possible . The first Effect of this Triumvirate , was the promoting Cesar to the Consulship , one Bibulus being his Collegue . As soon as Cesar was Cousul , he confirmed all Pompey's Acts , won the Commonalty over to him , by preferring and enacting a Law for dividing certain Lands in Campania among such poor Citizens as had three Children or more , procured the Province of Gaul to be assigned him for 5 years , and accordingly at the end of his Consulship marched thither with four Legions . 58

Before he went away , he married his Daughter Iulia to Pompey , procured his two Friends , Gabinius and Piso , to be made Consuls , and Clodius one of the Tribunes . In his Absence , Cicero was banished by the Instigation of Clodius , and Cato sent against Ptolemy King of Cyprus . Cesar's first Enterprize was against the Helvetians , whom he defeated , and killed near 200000 of them . After this he turned his Forces against Ariovistus King of Germany , who had molested the Sequanians , the Roman Allies , had an Interview with him , came to an Engagement and defeated him , killing about 80000 Germans upon the Spot .

The next year Cesar marched against the Belgae , who had confederated against the Romans , gave them Battel , defeated them , and the rest bordering upon the Sea-Coast , yielded . After this , he led his Army against the Nervians , and cut them all in Pieces . Upon the News of these Victories , the Senate of Rome decreed a solemn Festival for 15 Days , and this year Cicero was recalled from Banishment .

The next Spring Cesar designing for Italy , sent out Servius Galba , one of his Lieutenants , against the Antuates , Veragres , and Seduni , whom within a short time he defeated . Soon after his return from Italy , he marched against the Veneti and subdued them , and about the latter end of the Campagn went against the Morini and Menapii , but did nothing against them . In the mean time Crassus and Sabinus , two of his Lieutenants , subdued the one the Sontiates , and the other the Vnelli . This Winter Cesar went to Italy , took up his Head Quarters at Lucca , where the Triumvirate entred upon new Measures , and Pompey and Crassus being made Consuls , continued Cesar five years longer in his Government in Gaul , and assigned Syria and the Parthian War to Crassus , and Africk and Spain to Pompey . And by this time Cesar had got wherewithal to pay his Debts , and make Presents to his Friends .

In the fourth year of Cesar's Expedition , he fought an Army of Germans , being 430000 strong , defeated them entirely , cast a Bridge over the Rhine , relieved the Vbii , returned and crossed the Seas to Britain , made them submit , and returned again to Gaul ; and reduced the Morini and Menapians .

The next year he crossed again into Britain , gave them Battel ; defeated them , and their General Cassivelan sent to him for a Treaty . Upon his return into Gaul , he relieved Q. Cicero , one of his Lieutenants , who was besieged by the Eburones .

The sixth Campagne , Cesar reinforcing his Army with three Legions more , and as many Auxiliaries as he could get , subdued the Nervii , Senones , Carnutes , and Menapii ; crossed the Rhine a second time ; marched against the Suevi ; turned his Arms against the Eburones ; returned to Gaul , and put the Sicambri to flight , who had set upon Cicero's Camp . After this , he fell afresh upon the Eburones , and then called a Council in Gaul to punish all Revolters , and for the supplying his Army with Necessaries .

Whilst Cesar was thus Successful in Gaul , Crassus raised his Levies for the Parthian War ; in his Journey marched through Ierusalem ; rifled the Temple of its Treasure to the value of 10000 Talents ; fell upon the Parthians , but was routed and killed by them . Thus fell Crassus one of the Triumvirate , and by this means gave rise to the Contests between the other two , which soon after ensued . Pompey kept at Rome , and did all he could to lessen Cesar , and to raise his own Esteem .

After the Death of Crassus , great Contests happened in Rome ; Clodius was killed by his great Enemy Milo , and Milo was banished to Marseilles . Pompey was made Consul alone , and afterwards took Scipio Metellus for his Collegue , having lately married his Daughter Cornelia . In the mean time Caesar carried on his Conquests in Gaul , and in two years time compleated them : He put in for the Consulship in his absence , but was opposed by Pompey , who made two Laws particularly levelled against him ; after which , Cesar's Enemies proposed to recal him from his Government , which was violently opposed by Curio , who with Anthony and Longinus fled to him disguised like Slaves . Upon this , the famous Civil War between Pompey and Cesar broke out , which lasted two years , and ended by Pompey's Death . For Caesar leaving his Province without Leave of the Senate , passed the Rubicon , became Master of Ariminum by Surprize ; which put Rome into so much Disorder , that Pompey with the Consuls and Senate retired to Capua , and thence to Brundusium . After this , Labienus upon some Disgust left Cesar , and went over to Pompey's Party . Cesar advancing , took the Towns of Picenum , which lay in his way , and became Master of all that Province . Then he marched against Lentulus , who had possessed himself of Asculum ; but upon his Arrival , retreated from the Place . The next Town he invested was Corfinium , which , after some time and resistance , he took , Domitius being taken , and Lentulus coming out to Caesar , begg'd his Pardon . After this , he marched directly to Brundusium , blocked up the Place and took it , Pompey retreating with his Forces to Dyrrachium , a City in Epirus , to which Town the Consuls were already gon .

Caesar being now Master of all Italy , but not in a Capacity to pursue Pompey for want of Shipping , went to Rome to settle some sort of Government . He there filled up the Senate , seized upon the Treasury for the carrying on the War , and soon after went to Spain . He drave thence Afranius and Petreius , two of Pompey's Lieutenants , became Master of all Spain , and took Marseilles , which was held out against him by Domitius . Upon his return to Rome he was made Dictator , but having made several Laws , laid down that Office in 11 days time .

After this , Cesar undertook his Expedition against Pompey , rendevouz'd at Brundusium , he shipp'd off five of his twelve Legions , and sailed to Epirus . At last being joined with the rest of his Forces , he marched towards Dyrrachium , where he besieged Pompey in his Camp , forced him to break up , came to an Engagement , was defeated by him , and had been irrecoverably lost , had Pompey known how to have made good use of his Success . But he giving Caesar time to recover himself , the Decisive Battel was fought in the Plains of Pharsalia , wherein the two greatest Generals of the World disputed for Universal Empire . The Engagement was sharp on both Sides , but at last Pompey's Army was defeated , himself forced to fly from Place to Place , at length to Alexandria , where upon his Landing he was treacherously killed by Achillas , and Septimius a Roman Tribune . Thus fell this great Man , and by him fell the second Head of the Triumvirate , leaving Caesar to be sole Master of Rome . This happened in the 706th year of the City , and 46 years before Christ .

After the Fight at Pharsalia , Cesar followed Pompey into Egypt , where he heard of his Death , caused a stately Sepulchre to be built by the Place where he had been murder'd , with a Temple , which he called the Temple of Wrath. He then went to Alexandria , espoused Cleopatra's Interest , worsted Photinus , Administrator of the Government , and by firing Ptolemy's Fleet , burnt down the famous Alexandrian Library , wherein ( as some report ) were 700000 Volumes . At the beginning of this Expedition , the Senate of Rome made him Consul for 5 years together , Dictator for a whole year , and Tribune for his Life . After this , he marched from Egypt against Pharnaces King of Bosphorus , whom he subdued so soon , that in writing to Anicius at Rome , he expressed the Celerity of this Expedition in three words , Veni , Vidi , Vici . Upon this he embarked for Italy , and went to Rome , where he was scarce arrived , but called away again to subdue the Remains of Pompey's Party , who had rallied themselves in Africk under Scipio and Cato , and Iuba King of Mauritania . Against these he marched , and in a Decisive Battel put an end to the Pompeian Faction on that side the Water ; after which Defeat , Cato killed himself at Vtica ; Iuba and Petreius killed each other in Despair ; Afranius , Sylla , and Scipio , fell into the Hands of Sitius , one of Cesar's Lieutenants , and were likewise killed . Upon this , Cesar returned in great Triumph to Rome , which lasted 4 days . On the first , he triumphed over Gaul ; on the second , over Egypt ; on the third , over Pharnaces in Asia ; and on the fourth , over Iuba . After this , he paid his Soldiers , made large Distributions of Corn and Oyl amongst the People , and entertained all Comers at 22000 Tables . Upon this he was made Master of Manners , committed the Power of Judicature to the Senators and Equites , enacted several Laws , and regulated the Roman year ; which Regulation we still follow , calling it the Iulian Account , and the Old Stile . Whilst Cesar was doing this at home , he was called away afresh to Spain , to subdue the two Sons of Pompey , who had raised a great Party against him there . He went with the Character of Dictator : soon reduced Spain , killed Cneius Pompey , but his Brother Sextus escaped . He returned to Rome and triumphed , thô a little ungratefully to some of Pompey's Friends . Upon his return , he was made Consul for 10 years , Perpetual Dictator , and Censor during Life ; stiled Deliverer , afterwards Imperator , then Father of his Country .

☞ From hence the Fall of the Consular State is dated , after it had lasted so many years , and weather'd out so many Shocks . The first Interruption it met with , was the Creating of Dictators . It was afterwards retrenched by the Tribunes of the People ; then intermitted by the Decemviri , and Military Tribunes . After this , the Sedition of the Gracchi , the Perpetual Dictatorship of Sylla , and the Triumvirate of Cesar , Pompey , and Crassus , were so many Steps towards the Ruin of the Consular , and setting up of the Imperial State .

Sect. V. The Fifth State of Rome under Emperors , wherein began the Fourth or Roman Monarchy 43 Years before Christ . Of the succeeding Emperors , and State of Rome , we shall have occasion to treat in another Volume . Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3907. 1. JVlius Cesar was the first Emperor , thô that Title was not fully settled till Augustus's time . 43

No sooner was Cesar advanced to this Honour , but he made several Alterations in the Government . The Praetors he increased to the number of Sixteen , the Questors to Forty , the Senators to Nine hundred , and the Aediles to Six ; of which , two were Patritians called Curules , and four Plebeians . The next year he entred upon the Consulship with M. Anthony , Master of his Horse ; pardoned all who had been in Arms against him ; caused Pompey's Statues to be set up again ; rebuilt Carthage and Corinth , sending Colonies to both Cities ; resolved upon marching against the Parthians , to revenge the Death of Crassus , and thence to enter through Hircania into Scythia , to open himself a way through Germany into Gaul , and so return to Rome : But a stop was put to these vast Designs by his Death .

Several of the Senators were offended at his Ambition , which they gratified ●t first , by heaping new Honours upon him , in order to make him fall the more glorious Victim . The first Disgust they took , was , that when they waited upon him in a full Body to the Temple of Venus , where he was , he rose not up , but received them sitting . The next Offence Cesar gave both Senate and People , was his displacing the Tribunes for imprisoning some Persons , who put Diadems upon his Statues . Another Indication of his Aim , appeared in his Behaviour at the Celebration of the Feasts called Lupercalia , wherein Anthony offering him a Crown , he finding the People not so well pleased at it , as he presumed they would have been , refused it twice . These and such-like Proceedings of Cesar incensing the Senate against him , above 60 of the Senators conspired to kill him , the chief of whom were Brutus and Cassius , two Praetors . One day being invited to the Senate , under a Pretence of doing him farther Honour , he went to the House , notwithstanding the Caution given him by Spurina the famous Augur , to beware of the Ides of March , and notwithstanding the frightful and ominous Dreams of himself and his Wife Calpurnia . No sooner was he seated , but the Assassines fell upon him , and with 23 Wounds killed him ; who expiring , sunk down at the foot of Pompey's Statue . Thus fell the Great Iulius Cesar , in the 56th year of his Age , the 4th year of his Government , the 43d year before Christ , the 710th year of the City , and the year of the World 3907. He was no less famous for his Learning , than for his Valour and Conduct ▪ having in his excellent Commentaries given us a particular Relation of his Expeditions in Gaul .

Upon Cesar's Death , great Confusion and Disorder happened in the City . His Collegue Anthony , and his Friend Lepidus , resolv'd to revenge it to the utmost ; whereupon they led out a Legion into the Campus Marti● , which so startled the Conspirators , that they sent to Anthony for an Accommodation , who referred all to the Senate , which being assembled , an Act of Oblivion passed , Caesar's Ordinances were ratified , and all Things seemed quiet for the present . The next day Anthony ordered Caesar's Will to be read to the People , wherein he adopted his Sister's Grandson , made him Heir of three Fourths of all his Estate , and Pinarius and Pedius of the other 4th Part. To the Romans he bequeathed his rich Gardens , and to every Citizen a certain Sum of Money . Among his second Heirs , Decimus Brutus , one of the Conspirators , was named . This raised the People's Indignation against the Conspirators , and their Affection to the Memory of Caesar. Immediately after , his Body was brought out , and burnt on a sumptuous Pile , Anthony making his Funeral Oration , wherein he extolled the Merit of Caesar , and heighten'd the People's Passion of Revenge .

No sooner had Octavius ( afterwards called Augustus ) received the News of his Uncle's Murder , but he forthwith left Apollonia in Greece , and went for Rome . Upon his coming thither to ingratiate himself with the People , he sold his Inheritance to pay off the Legacies given 'em by his Uncle . He thought to have been secure of Anthony's Friendship , but was deceived in his Temper ; for he aimed at the Sovereignty himself , and in opposition to Augustus , proposed the promoting Sextus , the only surviving Son of Pompey . After this , Anthony procured the Province of Macedonia to be assigned him ; then leaving that Province to his Brother , demanded the hither Gaul for himself , which had been allotted to Decimus Brutus . This the Senate refused ; whereupon he betook himself to force , led a considerable Army into Gaul , was declared an Enemy to the State , and Octavius , with the two Consuls Hirti●s and Pansa , were sent against him . At last they came to a general Battel , wherein Anthony was defeated and fled to Lepidus , and both the Consuls died of their Wounds . Decimus endeavouring to make his Escape to Brutus and Cassius , then in Greece , was betrayed by Sequanus Governor of Aguileia , and his Head sent to Anthony . Octavius returning to Rome , could not obtain a Triumph , nor the Consulship , till being disgusted with the Senate , he sent for Anthony and Lepidus into Italy , with whom he entred into a strict Combination , and so began the second Triumvirate .

The first thing the Triumviri did , after the Establishment of their Authority , was the issuing out a dreadful Proscription of 300 of the Senatorian , and about 2000 of the Equestrian Order . Among the rest , M. Tullius Cicero , the celebrated Orator , fell a Sacrifice to Anthony's implacable Revenge , and his Head and Hands being cut off , were ordered to be set upon the Rostium . Then they began to exact Money of the richest Ladies in Rome , who were related to their Enemies ; afterwards raised Levies , which were Headed by Anthony and Octavius , who leaving Lepidus to preside at Rome , marched into Greece against Brutus and Cassius . They came to an Engagement at Philippi in Macedonia , defeated the Army of the Conspirators : Brutus and Cassius killed themselves , and ( as some say ) fell by the same Swords with which they had killed Cesar.

Upon the Fall of Brutus and Cassius , the Triumviri began to act as Sovereigns , and to divide the Roman Dominions between them . Several days after the Victory were spent in punishing their Enemies ; after which , Anthony undertook to go into Asia to raise Money for the Soldiers Rewards ; and Octavius to lead the old Troops into Italy , to put them in Possession of the Lands that were promised them . Anthony first visited Greece , then made his Progress through Asia , where he squeezed Money from them , and all the Princes of the East , who were dependent on the Roman State , waited upon him . Several of Brutus's Party surrendred themselves to him , who were all Pardoned , except such as had imbrued their Hands in the Blood of Caesar. Whilst he was in Cilicia , he cited Cleopatra Queen of Egypt thither , who waited upon him in Person , diverted him from Revenge , charmed his Heart , and made him follow her to Alexandria , where having sacrificed her Sister Arsin●e to her Revenge , he spent the next year in Softness and Luxury .

Anthony being engaged in his Pleasures in Egypt , Octavius was busy in settling the Affairs of Ital●● and dividing the Lands among his old Soldiers , in which Distribution C●emona and Mantua suffered most . After this , Lucius Brother to Anthony , by the Instigation of 〈◊〉 his Brother's Wife , declared himself against the Triumvirate , but was at last forced to retreat to Perusia , a strong City of Hetruria , where being closely besieged by Octavius , he was constrained to surrender himself . Thus ended this Dangerous War in a few months time , and Octavius returned in Triumph to Rome .

After this , Octavius and Anthony had two little Quarrels , but were reconciled first by Pollio on Anthony's side , and Maecenas on Octavius's ; afterwards by the Mediation of Octavia , Sister to Octavius , and Wife to Anthony . Anthony first sent Ventidius , then marched himself in Person against the Parthians , whom he subdued , and settled several Kings in the East : And whilst he was thus employed , Octavius , with the Assistance of Lepidus , routed Pompey by Sea , and outed him of all Sicily ; Sardinia and Corsica having before revolted to Octavius . But Lepidus aiming to get all Sicily under his Command , was turned out thence , and banished by Octavius to Cyrceum . Thus fell one Head of the second Triumvirate , and Pompey soon after , who had fled for Sanctuary to Anthony , was slain by his Order in Phrygia .

Upon the Banishment of Lepidus , Rome began to take Breath , and Octavius was received into the City with a general Joy . The first thing he did , was the clearing Italy and Rome of the Robbers , who of late had been very troublesome to both . Among Pompey's Papers , were several Letters a●● Memoirs of the Chief Senators , enough to have occasioned new Disturbances , which Octavius generously brought into the Forum , and publickly burnt them , protesting , that with them he sacrificed all his Private Resentments for the Publick Good . This Generous Act endear'd the People so far to him , that they made him Tribune for Life . Having disposed of the Government of the Provinces , he marched against the Illyrians . And now Anthony by his Debaucheries with , and his Prodigal Liberality to Cleopatra , began to grow Odious to the Romans . He marched against the Parthians , but with such ill Success , that he was forced with the loss of the fourth part of his Troops , and all his Baggage , to save himself in Armenia . Another thing which gave Disgust to the Romans , was his leading Artabazus King of Armenia in Triumph into Alexandria , which they looked upon as a notorious Affront offered by a Roman General to Rome , which for so many years had enjoyed that Honour peculiar to her self alone . These Miscarriages Octavius took advantage of to raise his own , and to lessen the Esteem of Anthony ; but had no fair opportunity of declaring War against him , till he was justly excited by the Affront which he offered to his Wife Octavia , Caesar's Sister , whom by the Insinuations of Cleopatra he sent back again to Rome , without so much as seeing her , thô in Person he waited on Cleopatra to Alexandria .

This Affront so provoked Octavius , that he thought of nothing but Revenge ; and after he had ended his Wars with the Illyrians , he made Preparations for his Expedition against Anthony , and proclaimed War against him . At last Anthony marched as far as Actium , a Town on the Coasts of Epirus , and Cesar embarked at Brundusium , crossed the Seas , and surprized Toryne , a City near Actium . After this , they had an Engagement by Sea , wherein Anthony's Fleet was conquered , which Victory was followed by the total Revolt of all his Land-Forces , who submitted to Cesar , and were all spared by him , except some few who had been his professed Enemies . Upon this Defeat , Anthony declined in his Fortune , shut himself up in Alexandria , and at last by the Desertion of his own Troops , and the Success of Caesar , he grew so desperate , as to lay violent Hands upon himself . Thus fell the second Head of the Triumvirate , leaving Octavius Caesar the sole Master of all the Roman State ; which happened in the 724th year of the City , the 3d of the 187th Olympiad , and 28th before Christ .

Upon the death of Anthony , Cesar sent to Cleopatra , to assure her of his Kindness and Generosity ; but she denied Proculus , his Messenger , admittance into the Place , where she had lock'd her self up with her two Maids . Afterwards being surprized , and taken by Proculus , Caesar gave her a Visit ; but she understanding by Dolabella , that he intended within three Days time to send her and her Children to Rome to grace his Triumph , killed her self , by applying an Asp to her Wrist . Before she did this , she sent a Letter to Octavius , desiring she might be interred in the same Tomb with Anthony , which was accordingly done . By her Death , Egypt was reduced to a Roman Province , and Caesario , the Son she had by Iulius Cesar , was soon after put to Death by the Order of Octavius . Upon his Return to Rome , he Triumphed three Days ; for Illyricum ; for the Battel of Actium ; and for the Conquest of Egypt . After this , by his Clemency and Policy he so far won the Hearts of the Romans , that at last they desired , that he alone would take upon him the Administration of the Government , and afterwards conferred upon him the Venerable Name of Augustus .

Here begins the Fourth , or the Roman Monarchy . Years of the World . Years before Christ . 3925. 2. Augustus Cesar , the second Emperor , being fully established in the Government , did many great Things for Rome . It was he , who by his extraordinary Conduct and Prudence restored the Tottering State to its former Splendor and Tranquillity , enlarged its Grandeur , and raised its Glory to the highest Pitch . To him were sent Ambassadors from the farthest part of the Indies , and from the Scythians , to desire Alliance . 25

After this , he subdued the Pyreneans , Cantabrians , and Asturians , who had revolted ; and the Parthians at length submitted to him . In his time Learning began to flourish , and Learned Men to be encouraged ; among those of greatest Note , were Virgil , Horace , Ovid , and Livy ; Caesar himself being a great Favourer of Learned Men. He exchanged the Name of the Month Sextilis , calling it after his own Name , Augustus . He was not addicted to Vice , nor could be justly charged with any Act of Cruelty or Tyranny , except what he did in Conjunction with the other two Heads of the Triumvirate ; at Rome by the bloody Proscription , and at Philippi after the Victory obtained over Brutus and Cassius . He issued forth a Decree , ordering all within the Roman Empire to be Taxed ; shut the Temple of Ianus by an Universal Peace ; about which time it was , that Iesus Christ , the Prince of Peace , and Saviour of the World , was born in the Flesh.

The remaining part of Cesar's Reign , together with his Successors , will be Treated of in the Second Volume , wherein we shall give you an Account of the Monarchies since our Saviour's Birth .

And thus have we , with all the convenient Brevity , given the Reader a Tast of the Roman History ; and none ought to be surprized , that we have given it a larger Space in our System than has been allowed to any of the former , since it ought to be considered , that the Actions of the Romans have been more , greater , and more clearly transmitted to us , than any of the former . It must be likewise observed , that this Last or Fourth Monarchy is of a larger Extent , than either that of Assyria , Persia , or Greece ; since in Europe it took in Italy , both the Gauls , Spain , Greece , Illyricum , Dacia , Pannonia , with part of Britain and Germany : In Asia , all the Provinces which go under the Name of Asia Minor , Armenia , Syria , Iudea , with part of Mesopotamia and Media ; And in Africa , Aegypt , Africk , Numidia , Mauritania , and Lybia .

FINIS .