in the fourth year of the fifth Olympiad the Archons which till now had continued in Office for life were at Athens made to hold but for ten years and the first of them was Alcmaeon After the Reign of fourteen Kings in Italy from the time of Aeneas Romulus Numitor's Grandson set up a new Kingdom of which Rome was the Metropolis whose Foundations are thought to have been laid about the end of the third year of the sixth Olympiad whence from the following year that way of reckoning from the building of the City dates its beginning Year of World Before Christ Olymp. Building of the City 3231. 753. VI. iv 1. Romulus first King of the Romans Reigned thirty eight years and the year following the Conquerors at the Olympick Games began to be crowned whereas they had before no other reward save that their Names were Registred among the publick Records Those Crowns were made of Pine Apple Olive-Trees c. 3237. 747. VIII ii 7. While Phul and Tiglath-Phalasar his Successor Reigned in Assyria and fixed their Royal residency in the City of Ninive Nabonassar began his Reign in Babylon whence the most celebrated Aera of Nabonassar took its beginning among the Chaldeans This Person seems to have restored the Babylonish Empire which was fallen and to be the same with him who was called Baladan whose Son was Merodac 2 Kings 20.12 See Petavius Lib. 9. c. 52. De Doct. temp The Sabines having by a certain Stratagem possessed themselves of the Rock Tarpeia were troublesom to the Romans and both Parties being ready to decide the difference by a Battle they were by the intervention of the Roman Matrons made friends so as that they coalesced both into one People and Tatius and Romulus Reigned jointly together 3241. 743. IX ii II. The Messenian War between the Messenians and Lacedaemonians began this year and lasted for twenty years till the Messenians were utterly overthrown Aristodemus a brave Man being General of the Messenian Forces Pausanias and Justin may be consulted hereupon 3258. 743. XIII iii. 28. In the time of Hezekiah King of Judah the Lacedaemonians were overthrown in a great Battle by Aristodemus who to propagate an off-spring prostituted their Wives from whence sprang the Parthenians who thirty years after under the Conduct of Philantus the Son of Aracus who was the Author of the prostitution of the Women going to seek out new Habitations possest themselves of Tarentum in Italy See Justin L. 3. 3263. 721. XIV iv 33. Salmanassar who Succeeded Tiglath Phalasar in the Kingdom of Assyria this year which was the last of Hezekiah's Reign after he had taken Samaria and Hosheah King of Israel carryed the ten Tribes Captive into Assyria and Media and Transplanted into their room other Nations given to Idolatry the History whereof may be read 2 Kings 17. and from them sprang those People who were afterward called Samaritans who received the Law of Moses and of the Books of Scripture allowed the Pentateuch only to be Canonical and they have the same to this day written in the old Hebrew Characters ' which the Jews have changed for the Chaldee ones 3269. 715. XVI ii 39. Romulus as we have already said the first King of the Romans and cotemporary with Hezekiah while he mustered the Army in the Marshes of Caprea upon the sudden rising of a Tempest was never seen more Some would have it that he was killed by the Senate and that afterward to avoid the scandal of it he was taken into the number of the Gods as if Mars had snatched him up into Heaven See Dionysius Halicarnas Lib. 1. About this time Sennacherib King of Assyria entred with an Army into Judaea as is set forth 2 Kings 19. But in the lesser Asia that Gyges who was so famous for his Wealth Governed being the first King of Lydia of the Mnermnadan Race after four others descended from Hercules of whom the last whose name was Candaules he with the Queens assistance cut off 3270. 714. XVI iii. 40. Numa Pompilius Succeeded Romulus in the Kingdom of Rome who improved the City by Religious Ceremonies and Civil Laws and Reigned three and forty years Next year Merodac King of Babylon while Assaraddon Sennacherib's Son ruled in Assyria sent Ambassadors to Hezekiah as we read 2 Kings c. 20. Assaraddon is thought to have invaded the Kingdom of Babylon which opinion is grounded upon this Argument in that there is no further distinction made after that in Scripture between the Kings of Babylon and Assyria 3286. 698. XX. iii. 56. Wicked Manasses Succeeded his Father Hezekiah who eight years after being carryed captive into Babylon upon his repentance was restored again and Reigned in all 55 years In his time the Medes under the conduct of Arbaces shook off the yoke of the Kings of Babylon and constituted Dejoces who was a Man eminent for Justice and Equity to be their King by whom was built the famous City of Ecbatana concerning whose name and largness you may consult Bochartus in his Phaleg l. 3. c. 14. 3297. 687. XXIII ii 67. From this time forwards the Archons at Athens were chosen annually and the first of them was Creon The Messenians the nineteenth year after the first War which they had waged with the Lacedaemonians revolted from them under the leading of Aristomenes who for the space of fourteen years valiantly defended them But at last the Lacedaemonians after ten years Siege took Messina and put an end to the War And the remainder of the Messenians upon the overthrow of their Country Sailed into Sicily where they possess'd themselves of Zancle which they called Messinâ—… 3313. 671. XXVII ii 83. The year before the Messenians Sailed thither Tullus Hostilius Succeeded Numa Pompilius and Reigned three and twenty years Egypt from the time of Sesostris King of that Country who we have told you was cotemporary with Rehoboam was molested with intestine troubles and divided into parts among diverse Princes until again in this Age it was brought under the obedience of Psammetichus alone concerning which see Sir John Marsham ad Saec. 16. 3326. 658. XXX i. 96. Cypselus began to act the Tyrant at Corinth and held it for thirty years having expelled the Bacchiades who hitherto had had the chief management of the Publick whence it came to pass that Demaratus the Corinthian Sail'd into Italy for fear of that Tyrannical Government and fixt himself at Tarquinij a City of Etruria 3341. 643. XXXI ii 111. Manasses King of Judah was Succeeded by his Son Amon who after he had Reigned two years left Josiah to Succeed him who was a pious and good King 3345. 639. XXX ii 115. Ancus Martius the fourth King of Rome began his Reign now which he continued for four and twenty years Then Solon was born the Law-giver of Athens and the year before Thales Milesius both which were of the number of those seven famous Wisemen of Greece The names of the other five who were equal to
under the leading of Leonidas durst with wonderfull boldness oppose his Land-forces at the Streights of Thermopylae where valiantly fighting they were every man of them Slain But that vast Army was next year utterly overthrown at Plataea a City of Boeotia Mardonius being General of the Persians as Pausanias and Aristides were of the Graecians In these times flourish'd Pindar the Poet and Anaxagoras the Philosopher 3057. 477. LXXV iv 277. Caeso Fabius who with the single Family of the Fabij to the number of three hundred and six of ripe years and four thousand Vassals made War against the Vejentians was overthrown by them at the River Cremera and the whole Army destroyed of which Ovid in his Fastorum says Una dies Fabios ad bellum miserat omnes Ad Bellum missos perdidit una dies One day the Fabij all One day the Fabian Race made all extinct But that many things are false herein as that amongst such a number of Men grown there was one under Age is shewn by Dionys Halicarnasseus and the matter is handled at large by Jac. Perizonius in his Observ c. 5. At this time Sicily was imbroil'd several ways what with Gelon and Hieron Tyrants of Syracuse and Theron of Agrigentum within and the Carthaginians from without who endeavoured to possess themselves of it 3510. 474. LXXVI iii. 280. Artaxerxes was made partner with his Father in the Kingdom About the same time Sophocles began to teach the way of Tragedies and a few years after was the most excellent Tragedian Euripides born In the same Age also flourished Herodotus of Hallicarnassus who is the most Ancient of all the Greek Historians we have 3514. 470. LXXVII iii. 284. Cimon the Son of Miltiades Admiral of the Athenians Fleet took away several Cities of Asia from the Persians and overcame them at Sea with two hundred and fifty Ships only when they had no less than three hundred and forty and a little after gained another Victory over their Land Forces at Eurymedon a City of Pamphylia The Athenians at that time waged War with good success against their Neighbours in Greece and gave divers overthrows to the Thassians Thracians and Aeginetans The Lacedaemonians also brought the Hilotes and Messenians who Rebelled against them under Subjection again having sent home the Auxiliary Troops of Athens because of the suspicion they had of them 3516. 468. LXXVIII i. 286. T. Quinctius General of the Romans obtained a Victory over the Voscians and after the taking of Antium Triumphed Next year upon the Death of Hieron in the Isle of Sicily succeeded his Brother Thrasibulus in his Tyranny over Syracuse but being expelled by the Syracusians he went into Banishment to Locris and from that time forward the Syracusians enjoyed a free State for 40 years together till Dionysius his days 3519. 465. LXXVIII iv 289. Artabanus the Hyrcanian slew Xerxes and Accused his Brother Darius of the Parricide before Artaxerxes whom as we have said Xerxes had made his Copartner in the Empire Darius being condemn'd to die Artaxerxes was wounded by Artabanus but afterwards slain by him whence he obtain'd the Name of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Long Hands and began this year to Reign alone and Reigned XL years To him Themistocles fled in his Banishment who was very kindly received and rewarded by him The same Artaxerxes was a great favourer of the Jews and in the twentieth year of his Reign gave Nehemiah leave to Rebuild the Walls of Jerusalem when Cyrus had only allowed them the favour of Rebuilding the Temple Nehemiah finish'd that work in a very short time notwithstanding all the opposition made to the contrary by the neighbouring Samaritans Ammonites and Arabians 3522. 462. LXXIX iii. 292. In the mean while there was a Law made at Rome after several Tumults raised by the People which was called the Terentian Law concerning the Quinqueviri that were to be created with consular power as well from among the Commonalty as Nobility The year after Ap. Herdonius the Sabine with four thousand Exiles and Servants seized on the Capitol but soon after by the assistance above all others of the Tusculans they were driven out Thenceforward the Romans gave many overthrows to the Sabines and Aequi and when it hapned so that Minucius the Consul through ill management was Besieged by the Aequi in his Camp Quinctius Cincinnatus being called from his Plow to take upon him the Office of Dictator he conquered the Aequi and made them Slaves The Athenians this very time under the Conduct of Leocrates often beat the Corinthians and Epidaurians and forced Garrisons upon the Aeginetae and Megarensians after which under the leading of Myronides they Routed the Lacedaemonians and from this spark was afterwards that flame of the Peloponnesian War kindled 3530. 454. LXXXI iii. 300. Petavius thinks that Daniel s Seventy weeks ought to take their beginning from this year See Lib. 12. de Doc. temp This same year upon the Abrogating of the Terentian Law concerning the Quinqueviri there were three Embassadors sent into Greece to make an inspection into the Laws of that Country and especially into those of Athens that they might amend the Roman Laws by them Upon the return of the Embassadors which was three years after the Tribunes of the People and Consuls were laid aside and the Decemviri constituted to set down the Laws of the Common-wealth who were the first that reduced the same into ten Tables which by the addition of two more to them afterwards made up those Famous twelve Tables which were the foundation of the whole Body of the Roman Laws After the Republick had for the space of two years or a little more been Governed by this sort of Magistracy it reverted to its Ancient form upon this occasion As the Decemviri demeaned themselves but indifferently in their charge and that Appius Claudius had made Virginia a free Maiden of Rome a Slave out of the hopes he had to enjoy her her Father Virginius Slew him made the People Mutiny and brought things so to bear that the Office of the Decemviri was Abrogated and Tributes of the People and Consuls were chosen again While these things were doing in Rome Nehemiah returning from Chaldaea together with Ezra the Scribe Rectified the corrupt manners of the Jews and pressed upon them the observation of the Law of Moses From this time it was that the Jews began to gather the Books of Scripture together into one Volume which is the same we have at this day But seeing that the Jews during the Babylonish Captivity had almost forgot the Hebrew Tongue and way of Writing the Ancient Books were written in Assyrian Characters and what was read in the Hebrew Tongue in the Scriptures was expounded to the People in the Chaldee See Lud. Capellus concerning the Hebrew letters But the Samaritans when they received Moses his Law before the Phoenician or Ancient Character was grown quite obsolete preserved them from whence it comes
these two were these Periander the Corinthian Pittacus a Mitylenian Bias of Priene Chilon the Lacedaemonian and Cleobulus the Lindian Of these see the Book writ by Ausonius intituled Ludus Septem Sapientum A few years after Phraortes the Son of Dejoces King of the Medes having laid Siege to Ninive perished with the greatest part of his Army but Cyaxares his Son who Succeeded him in the time of King Josiah going about to Revenge his Fathers Death renewed the Siege of the said City the Father or Grandfather of Nebuchodonozor being then King of Babylon While Cyaxares was ingaged in that Siege the Scythians under the Conduct of Madye making an Eruption out of Scythia over-powered him and so roving through all that part of Asia which is more to the South held it under their power for eight and twenty years 3359. 625. XXXVIII vi 129. This year according as Dionys Petavius conjectures Nabopolassar Nebuchodonozor's Father began his Reign in Babylon and as Berosus says who writ his Annals of the Chaldaeans in Alexander's time he appointed a Lieutenant under him over Egypt Phoenicia and Syria whom afterward Rebelling against him he reduced by his Son Nebuchodonozor unto obedience 3361. 623. XXXIX iv 131. Draco corrects the Laws of Athens and made such severe ones that they were said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be writ not with Ink but with Blood 3370. 614. XLI iii. 140. This year Tarquinius Priscus the fifth King of Rome began his Reign and continued it for 28 years He was Son to Demaratus the Corinthian who before being named Lucius at Lucumum was upon his living at Tarquinij called Tarquinius 3374. 610. XLII iii. 144. After Josiah was overthrown and killed by Necho King of Egypt he was Succeeded by Jehoahaz his Son who Reigned only three Months for being carryed into Egypt Nechoh put Jehoiakim into his room who Reigned eleven years 3376. 608. XLIII i. 146. Nabopolassar sent his Son Nebuchodonozor this year into Syria that he might bring the Kings Lieutenant that had Rebelled against him to his duty which when he had effected he over-ran Judaea took Jerusalem imposed a Tribute upon King Jehoiakim and carryed away some of the People into captivity among whom was Daniel the Prophet Having returned from thence to Babylon he Succeeded his Father in the Kingdom and from hence they compute the beginning of the seventy years which Jeremiah speaks of c. 30. The Scythian Nomades a few years after when they had held Asia for 28 years being feasted by Cyaxares being made drunk with Wine and fallen fast a sleep were utterly cut off by him 3385. 599. XLV ii 155. This year Nebuchodonozor dispossest Jehoiakim who Rebelled against him of his Kingdom and put his Son Jehoiachin in his stead who did not Reign above three Months and some days for he Rebelling also he was besieged in Jerusalem by an Army from Babylon to whom he Surrendred himself and was carryed thither This was the second Captivity wherein Ezekiel Mordecai and Josedek the High-Priest were carryed away Then Nebuchadnezer made Mattaniah his Uncle King in stead of Jehoiakin and called him Zedekiah who was the last King of Judah and Reigned eleven years In these times flourished Epimenides and Anaximander the Philosophers Aleman and Alcaeus the Poets and Sapho the Poetess and from this Age forwards Greece abounded with such Wits 3390. 594. XLVI iii. 160. Solon not long after being Pretor in Athens corrected Draco's Laws which were too severe as Platarch Relates in Solon's Life The same year Astyages the last King of the Medes Succeeded his Father Cyaxares Nebuchadnezer being then King of Babylon who three years after took Jerusalem and put out Zedechiah's Eyes after he had Slain his Children before his face and saving a few poor People led all the Jews into Captivity He also not long after according to Ezechiel's Prophecy c. 26. and so on took Tyre after a long Siege and levelled it with the ground which must be understood of Palaetyrus that stood upon the Continent not of the new City that was built in the Island and which was now first built For when the Tyrians saw that they were no longer a match to the Chaldaeans they carryed every thing that was valuable with their Wives and Children into the Neighbouring Island leaving the old City to the Chaldaean Army and built a new one in that Island See Sir John Marsham ad Saec. 18. After Nebuchadnezer had subdued the remainder of Judaea and Palaestine he Conquered the Ammonites and Moabites and the Egyptians soon after also 3397. 587. XLVIII ii 167. Now the Amphyctions that is Senators chosen out of all Greece who sat at Delphos about the management of the publick concerns of that Country appointed the Pythian Games to be celebrated every fourth year as well as the Olympick ones in honour of Apollo 3407. 577. L. iv 177. Servius Tullius the sixth King of Rome Reigned 41 years who was of so obscure an extract that his Parents were not known whence Seneca in his CVIII Epistle says This shews that there were two Kings of Rome one of which hath no Father and the other no Mother For who Servius's Mother was is doubtful and as for Ancus he had no Father he being called Numa's Grandson which words are worth noting because they are a clear illustration of those words of the Author to the Hebrews where Melchisedec is said to be without Father and without Mother Next year Nebuchadnezer having made Amasis Governor of Egypt he slew King Apries whom Jeremy calls Vaphree and after he had for some years Ruled Egypt in the name of the King of Babylon he shook off his yoke At the same time the Nemaean Games were first celebrated by the Argives and then it was that Aesop the Phrygian and Author of the Fables flourished among the Greeks 3420. 564. LVI i. 190. Evil-merodac Succeeded Nebuchadnezer his Father and Reigned three years Neriglissor Son in Law to Nebuchadnezer having Slain him substituted his own Son in his room and as his Guardian managed the Government for five years whom therefore Daniel the Prophet attributes to Baltassar for so was his Son called About these times Pisistratus first played the Tyrant at Athens who being afterwards twice ejected recovered his power as often within the space of sixteen years Then also Astyages the last King of the Medes according to Justin and others was divested of his Rule by his Grandson Cyrus but according to others whose opinion as being grounded upon Xenophon's Authority we the more readily favour He dyed when Neriglissor King of Babylon made War upon him and left Cyaxares II. to Succeed him who made Cyrus the Son of his Sister Mandanes the Daughter of Astyages and of Cambyses King of Persia who pay'd Tribute to the Medes absolute Commander of his forces though we cannot deny but Marsham reconciles these two opinions in this manner when besides the Kingdom of the Medes whose capital City was Ecbatana he makes
furnish'd us with an History of Paul's Travels and the time when he wrote each of his Epistles which Argument is also most accurately handled by Dr. Pearson in his Annales Paulini and Praelectiones in Acta 49. Claudius in the ninth year of his Reign turn'd the Jews out of Rome and the Christians also with them who were at that time confounded with and taken for the Jews whence Suetonius says that they Auctore Chresto tumultuantes growing tumultuous under Christ their Leader were expelled Rome Then it was as some will have it that Peter returned into Judaea and Aquila and Prisoilla came to Corinth as you have it Act. xviii The same year arose a Controversie at Antioch about the Jewish Ceremonies Whereupon the Apostles with the Church of Jerusalem make that Decree that is contained in the XVth Chapter of the Acts. Claudius at that time having slain his Wife Messalina who was an open Adulteress marry'd Agrippina the Daughter of his Brother Germanicus who by Domitius Ahenobarbus had a Son whose Name was Nero to whom this same Year he assigned L. Seneca now recalled from Banishment for his Tutor and being moved thereunto by the advice of his freed Man Pallaes disinherited his Son Britannicus whom Messalina bare him In the fourth year of Claudius's Reign died King Agrippa so that his Kingdom was put under the Government of Roman Magistrates who by innumerable Enormities so exasperated the minds of the Jews that they broke out at last into open War 54. Claudius being removed by Poison was succeeded by Nero whose very Name was enough to strike Horrour for his brutal savage Disposition and unheard-of Cruelties He slew his own Mother Brother Britanmicus Seneca his Tutor and other famous Men turn'd Stage-Player set Rome on fire and having cast the odium of the Crime upon the Christians cut off a great many of them by exquisite Torments In his time lived Perseus and Lucan the Poet as did Quintillian a little before who was a most excellent Rhetorician It was not long after that Juvenal flourish'd to whom we are to join Curtius the Historian though he publish'd his History in Vespasian's Reign 68. Peter and Paul are thought to have suffered Martyrdom at Rome in the fourteenth and last year of Nero's Reign 69. The Jewish War began a little before whereof Josephus who was engaged therein has writ an accurate History Vespasian Governor of Syria won many Victories over the Jews before he assumed the Empire into his Hands which he acquired the year after Nero's death when Galba Otho and Vitellius having slain one another had in vain endeavoured to secure themselves He then made his Son Titus Commander in Chief in the Jewish War who after a Siege of seven months took Jerusalem and razed it down to the Ground As there was scarce any other Nation that committed such flagitious Impieties and Evils as the Jews did in this War so was there scarce ever any that suffered so much A little after this was Onion or the Temple of the Jews in Egypt built by Onias the High-Priest levelled with the Ground upon a Tumult raised by the Jews in that Country Somewhat before these-times are supposed to be written the Two Epistles of those Apostolick Men viz. Barnabas which is Catholick or Universal and Clemens First Bishop of Rome to the Corinthians The Ancients differ very much whether Clemens or Liâ—â—â— or else Cletus was first fixed in the See of Rome Hereof you may consult Dr. Pearson and Henry Dodwell in his Dissertation concerning the Succession of the first Bishops of Rome At this time flourished Asconius Pedianus the famous Grammarian as did also Pliny Author of the Natural History 79. After Vespasian had for the space of ten years and six months governed the Empire he died and left Titus the best of Emperors to succeed him who complained That he lost a Day when he had not done some good Deed or other But he scarce attained to the third year of his Reign in which he was cut off by an untimely fate and left so much the more longing after him by how much his Brother Domitian that succeeded him proved a worse Prince than he This Man growing imperious both towards God and Man commanded himself to be stiled both God and Lord slew a great many of the Citizens and expelled Philosophers out of Rome for which Sulpitia writ the Satyr upon him which is still extant 81. But he who was thus outragious to Heathens proved much more so to the Christians in raising up the Second Persecution after Nero against them though it was of short duration of which you may read as well as of others in Dodwell's Dissertation entituled de Pancitate Martyrum 93. John the Apostle is said at that time to have been thrown into a Cauldron of hot Oil and to have come from thence safe and unhurt and to be afterwards banished to the Isle of Patmos Christianity began now to spread it self far and near so that Persons of highest Quality began to own and profess it of the number of whom was Flavius Clemens Consul and Domitian's Cousin German whom for that reason he commanded to be put to death About these times it 's generally believed that John writ the Apocalypse or Book of Revelation and Josephus himself bears witness that he was employed in writing his Book of Antiquities At the same time flourished Justus of Tiberias Josephus's Enemy who also wrote the Jewish History 96. Domitian after he had reigned for the space of fifteen years was slain by certain Persons that conspired against him and was succeeded in the Empire by Cocceius Nerva who rescinded all the other had done whence it came to pass that John had the opportunity of returning from the Isle of Patmos into Asia where the next year which was the Ninetieth of his Age he is said to have wrote his Gospel and to have lived two years longer 98. Nerva after he had reigned one year and some months had Vlpius Trajanus for his Successor who did great things for he conquered the Dacians Armenians Iberians Sarmatians Parthians and several other Barbarous Nations But the Persecution that was raised during his Reign against the Christians did not a little detract from that Princely Vertue of Clemency wherewith he was allowed to have been endowed However it was of no long continuance as appears by the 17th Epist Lib. 10. of Plinius Junior where he gives the Christians a great Character This is reckon'd for the Third Persecution wherein many did not die as Mr. Dodwell sets forth But yet it was under this Emperor that Clemens Bishop of Rome and Ignatius of Antioch suffered Martyrdom concerning whose Epistles that are remaining you may consult the most learned Doctors James Vsher and John Pearson 113. The Jews making an Insurrection in Cyrene and Egypt after having committed many Outrages were slain in vast numbers as well in the forementioned Places as in the Isle of Cyprus whither it was
Enacted to be a Capital Crime for any of the Jews to go though driven thither by a Storm 117. Aelius Adrian succeeded Trajan in the Empire when the latter had reigned nineteen years and in his time it was that Florus and Suetonius the Roman Historians and the Greek Philosophers Plutarch and Sextus the Empirick flourished In this Reign Saturninus Basilides and Carpocrates the Hereticks are said to have lived from whom some are of opinion the Sect of the Gnosticks sprung though others think them older You may consult Dr. Hammond on this Head in the Third Chapter of his Prooemial Dissertation concerning Antichrist He thinks those Hereticks to have had their Original from Simon Magus and that they were given to all manner of filthy Concupiscence and no farther Christians than in Name which in time of Persecution they made no scriple to deny They must certainly be the worst of Men who in the days of the Apostles boasted of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vain Science See 1 Tim. vi 20. But of this we have already spoken in several places of our Additions to Hammond's Annotations 〈◊〉 the New Testament In this Age it was that Quadratus a Disciple of the Apostles and Aristides an Athenian Philosopher wrote Apologies for the Christian Religion which are lost though there be a fragment of the former extant in the Sixth Book and Third Chapter of Eusebius's Natural History About those Times was also written that Tract which we have now under the Name of Hermes Pastor 128. Aquila Ponticus who was at first a Christian then turn'd Jew translated the Old Testament into Greek in the time of Adrian who not long after began to rebuild Jerusalem and to carry a Colony thither calling the same by the Name of Aelia Capitolina This the Jews were offended at wherefore they began secretly to consult about making an Insurrection and at last brake forth into open Rebellion under the Conduct of Barchochebas who boasted himself to have been the Messias and therefore took that Name upon him which implied as much as The Son of a Star 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 But having failed the Expectation of the Jews for he and a great number of his Men were overthrown by Hadrian he was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Barchozba i. e. The Son of a Lye Phavorinus of whom A. Gellius hath written so much in his Book called Noctes Articae flourished at this time as did also Ptolemy the famous Mathematician 137. Adrian adopted Cejonius Commodus Verus to whom he gave the Name of Aelius Verus and together with his Adopted Son died the following year But had a little before his departure adopted Arrius Antoninus who afterwards got the Sirname of Pius but it was upon this Condition That he should adopt Arrius Verus and M. Aurelius He was succeeded by Antoninus Pius in whose Reign lived Justin Martyr several of whose Pieces are still extant Galen of Pergamus the famous Physician Arrian a Philosopher of Nicomedia Maximus of Tyre Sextus of Chaeronea Plutarch's Grand-son and Lucian of Samosata Marcion and Valentine the Hereticks began at that time to diffuse their Heresies at Rome 161. Antoninus Pius dying this year was succeeded by the two Caesars M. Aurelius Antoninus and L. Aelius Verus who eight years after died of an Apoplectick Fit These Emperors waged various Wars both against the Parthians and Germans with good success In the Reign of these Emperors lived Athenaeus Author of the Deipnosophists and Polycarpus among the Christians whose Epistle to the Philippians is still extant and who himself was martyred Theophilus of Antioch whose Books we have to Autolychus as also Melito of Sardis and Athenagoras whose Apology for the Christians and Book concerning the Resurrection are still in being Marcus Aurelius after a Reign of nineteen years about nine whereof were in conjunction with Verus and the rest either alone himself or with his Son Commodus ended his days in Pannonia now called Hungary This was the best Prince that ever governed the Roman Empire he left an excellent and most useful Book behind him entituled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 on which Thomas Gataker wrote learned Notes 180. The best of Emperors was succeeded by the worst of Sons L. Aurelius Commodus in whose time lived Irenaens Bishop of Lyons and Theodotion Ponticus who translated the Old Testament into Greek Montanus also together with Priscilla and Maximilla gave now a beginning to the Heresie of the Montanists Neither are we to forget that Julius Pollux flourished in this Age whose work called Onomasticon is still extant 192. Commodus after he had escaped several Plots against him was at last taken off by the Contrivance of Martia his Concubine with Laetus and Electus his Chamberlains who advanced Pertinax in his room but he could not hold it full three months and so was slain by the Soldiery Next after him was Didius Julianus made Emperor who in about two months time ran the same fate as his Predecessor In the mean time L. Septimius Severus in Pannonia Pescennius Niger in Syria and Clodius Albinus in Britain set up for the Empire It was agreed not long after between Severus and Albinus That the former should allow the latter the Dignity of Caesar And as for Niger Severus overthrew him in battel at the River Euphrates and slew him When he had reigned near six years and frequently endeavoured though in vain in a clandestine manner to cut off Albinus he at last attacks him with open force They fought a very great Battel at Lyons in France where after many Men were slain on both sides Albinus also fell leaving the Empire to Severus alone 197. There was a great Controversie arose between the Asian and Western Churches concerning the Observation of Easter Victor Bishop of Rome who would have that Feast to be celebrated the first Sunday after the Fourteenth Day of the New Moon which immediately followed the Vernal Equinox Excommunicated the Bishops of Asia who thought the same should be celebrated on the very Fourteenth Day it self For which Procedure of his Irenaeus sharply reproves Victor Two years after Severus who had given his Son Bassianus the Name of Antoninus and made him Caesar in pursuance to a Decree of the Senate created him Emperor as he did his other Son Caesar 202. Under this Emperor it 's said the Fifth Persecution arose but it does not seem to have been very great Then it was that Tertullian and Origen flourished the former in Africa and the other in Egypt 211. When Geta Severus's younger Son was created Augustus Antoninus sought all opportunities to kill his Father Which when he came to understand he wasted away for very grief and died at York in Britain when he had built a Wall for the defence of that City and the Roman Province from Sea to Sea cross the Island against the Incursions of the Picts He reigned seventeen years eight months and some days As soon as he was dead Antoninus commanded the Physicians who
took this occasion to act the Part of a Prophet He was taken with the Falling-Sickness which he pretended to have come upon him when Michael the Archangel revealed any thing to him Sergius confirmed the Fiction and seeing there had been innumerable Divisions and Janglings among the Christians and were still in being concerning the Holy Trinity they deemed it a safer Way to assert but one Divine Person and Nature that all occasion of Strife might be taken away than to embrace any one of the Opinions in Controversie he also forbad the Drinking of Wine as if he had received the same in Command from God but in reality it was because he had learnt it of Sergius the Manichaean for those Sects thought it a Duty to abstain from Wine Some have said that Sergius was before a Jew and that therefore he retained something of Judaism which is not unlikely for besides the Tenents already mention'd to be held by the Mahometans these that follow savour of Judaism It 's not lawful for them to Eat Blood Swine's-Flesh any Creature that died of it self any thing Sacrificed to Idols Strangled any Animal killed with a Stick any thing cast out gored with an Horn or stung by a Viper Polygamy is tolerated and Divorce not forbidden They also Circumcise as the Jews did but whether Mahomet instituted the same or that the said Ceremony is now in use among the Saracens is a question However this may seem to be commendable in the Mahometans that they do not Arbitrarily adjudge all Mankind to the Punishments of Hell as appears from these words of Mahomet Alcoran Surat II. The Musselmen and those who Judaize with the Christians and Zabeans whoever of them shall believe in God to the Day of Judgment and do good shall have their reward of their Lord but not fear In like manner he blames the Jews and Christians for Condemning one another saying They have affirmed He shall not enter into Paradise unless he be a Jew or a Christian Says the Jew The Christians are nothing but say the Christians The Jews are nothing but in the Day of the Resurrection God shall judge between them concerning the thing about which they differ He also pretended That this Book was brought to him by Piece-Meals and various Chapters from Heaven by the Angel Gabriel It 's written in elegant Arabick exactly Comma'd and the Vowel Points are most Accurately added by his Disciples wherein some Learned Men think they have been imitated by the Jews 631. Mahomet drew away the greatest part of the Saracens a People of Arabia to be his Followers and as he had espoused Heraclius's Interest he assigned him Lands to inhabit on the Confines of Arabia Felix and died Nine years after his flight from Mecha at which place his Friends buried him whither the Mahometans go on Pilgrimage to this day to visit his Sepulchre His Successors afterwards by degrees invaded Egypt Palaestine and Syria 626. But to return again to Heraclius when he saw that all the offers of Peace he had made were rejected by the Enemy and that they kept no Faith with him he took Courage and marching in Person at the Head of his Army into Armenia and Persia got a famous Victory over the Persians But the Persians so wrought upon the Avares by the Rewards they gave them that they should join their Forces with them to set upon Constantinople and Chalcedon while with another Army they invaded the other Provinces of the Empire Heraclius sent several Armies against all these Enemies and called in the Turks to his Assistance who through the Streights of the Caspian Sea broke out of Scythia into the Persian Territories and ravaged the same far and near Now it was that the Name of that Nation came first to be known who afterwards possest themselves of all the Provinces of the Eastern Empire Heraclius by their Assistance distressed Cosroes very much who at length falling Sick at Seleucia was slain by his Eldest Son Siroes because he endeavoured to make his Younger Son King But Heraclius triumphed at Constantinople Next year when the Emperor was at Edessa and entred into a Discourse with Athanasius Syrus whom upon the Approbation of the Synod of Chalcedon he had made Patriarch of Antioch he asked him Whether there were one Will in Christ God and Man or two One answered Athanasius and Syrus Bishop of Alexandria with Sergius of Constantinople approving the same the Emperor embraced the said Opinion the Favonrers whereof were afterwards call'd by the Name of Monothelites and this occasioned great Disturbances in the East 632. The Saracens being made Strong by the favour of Heraclius when they saw the Persians weakned with the Losses they had sustained made War upon them with that Success that Othman after having slain Jezdegirdus the King of Persia seized upon that Empire whence arose the Jezdegirdies Aera which the Persians use Mahomet was Succeeded in Arabia by his Kinsman Abubecher who was call'd Chaliph i.e. Successor which Name by way of excellency or peculiarity was given to Mahomet's Successors This Man two years after was succeeded by Omar who in the Reign of Heraclius invaded Egypt Palaestine and Syria 639. This year Sergius Patriarch of Constantinople took care to get the Opinion of the Monothelites declared to be Catholick in a Synod that was Assembled for that Purpose and put out his Exposition in the Name of the Emperor which he sent into Italy that the Bishops of Rome might Subscribe it who otherwise should not be confirmed by the Emperor which then was requisite that their Election might be valid but Severinus would not Subscribe who was at that time chosen Bishop and who died not long after as did also Sergius himself 641. Heraclius after a Reign of Thirty Years died of a Dropsy and was immediately Succeeded in the Empire by his Son Constantine but in about four Months time was Poisoned by Martina his Mother-in-Law who advanced her Son Heracleon into his Place Yet six Months were scarce at an end when she together with her Son were dispossess'd of the Government by the Senate of Constantinople and that the Son might never after aspire to the Empire they cut his Nostrils but for Martina she had her Tongue cut out and Constans the Son of Constantine was advanced to the Throne 645. While Sigebert and Lodowick the Sons of Dagobert ruled their several Proportions in France Rotharithus King of the Lombards reduced into Writing the Laws of his Country which had been hitherto preserved only by Memory and Use bringing of them all into one Book which is still extant 648. Constans finding that divers of the Bishops of Africa and others were alienated from him because of his addictedness to the Monothelite Opinion he put forth an Edict called the Type whereby he forbad any to speak of the Will of Christ that this might be a check upon those who were of the contrary Sentiment But Pope Theodore supposing that thereby all