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
of Abraham out of Mesopotamia to the time of the Law given by Moses which we referr to the year of the World 2453 before Christ 1531 and comprehends 431 years The Fourth commences from the time of the Law given by Moses from whence to the taking of Troy we reckon 347 years in the year of the World 2800 before Christ 1184. The Fifth is the Destruction of Troy from whence to the building of the Temple of Jerusalem which was effected An. M. 2992 before Christ 992 are comprehended 192 years The sixth is the Building of the Temple at Jerusalem by Solomon which was 216 years before the first Olympiad which is computed to fall in the year of the World 3208 before Christ 776. The Seventh is taken from the first Olympiad from whence are reckoned 238 years to the return of the Jews from the Babylonish Captivity that hapned An. M. 3446 before Christ 538. The Eighth is the Freeing of the Jews from the Babylonish Captivity by Cyrus which fell out 336 years before Carthage was overcome by Scipio An. M. 3782 before Christ 202. The Ninth is taken from the Subduing of Carthage which hapned 202 years before our Saviours Birth and fell out in the year of the World 3984. The Tenth is the Birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ from which to the Conversion of Constantine the Great to the Christian Faith are reckoned 312 years which fell out An. M. 4296. The Eleventh is taken from the Conversion of Constantine which hapned 488 years before the Reign of Charles the Great which begun in the year of our Lord 800 An. M. 4784. The Twelfth we fetch from the Reign of Charles the Great with which we close up this our Compendium of Ancient History Now as for those Intervals of time that flow between the several Epochs them we call Periods The Creation The First EPOCH From the beginning of the World to the Deluge are computed 1656 years which space contains The First PERIOD The year of the World The year before Christ 1. 3984. THE most accurate Chronologers do reckon that the World was Created in Autumn in the Month of October concerning which you may consult Dionys Petavius his Ration Lib. 2. p. 2. as also his book De Doc. temp p. 2. l. 9. c. 7. We are informed by no other History besides the Scripture what was done in this Interval of time which yet at the same time speaks of things with that obscureness and brevity that but little knowledge of those times can be got from thence Recourse may be had to the first six Chapters of Genesis where after the Creation of the World these are the principal Events to be met with The Creation of Adam and Eve their sinning and begetting Cain and Abel 129. 3855. Cain Slew his Brother Abel when Adam and Eve had no other Sons besides them but afterwards begat Seth the Scripture says nothing of any Children they had of the Female Sex save that before Adam dyed he begat Sons and Daughters Gen. 5.4 987. 2997. Enoch was Translated to Heaven without tasting of Death 1536. 2448. God forewarns the corrupted World of the Deluge by Noah an hundred and Twenty years before it came to pass Here two things are observable the long life of the Antediluvian Patriarchs and their food They lived then many Ages which when some Men have not been able to digest they have said they were Monthly years so that 1200 years before the Deluge made up no more than 100 Solar years but how ridiculous this is will immediately appear by observing of the Computation for according to their Calculation Seth who is said to have begot Children when he was 105 years old must have begot his first born at nine years of Age and others as Enoch Cainan and Mahalaleel must have done so much sooner See Lanct Div. Inst lib. 2. c. 12. As to their Food most of the Ancient and many of the Modern Writers have been of Opinion that they lived only upon Fruit and that eating of Flesh did not begin till after the Flood which is very likely from Gen. 9.3 The Deluge The Second EPOCH From the Deluge to the calling of Abraham are 366 years which Interval makes up The Second PERIOD The year of the World The year before Christ 1656. 2328. GOD sent the Deluge to destroy the Corrupted Race of Mankind from off the face of the Earth and Noah with his Family alone escaped whereof there remain clear Footsteps in the Ancient Monuments of the Heathens concerning which among others Hugo Grotius may be consulted in his Annotations on the first Book of V. R. C. as also Sam. Bochartus in his Phaleg lib. 1. The Memory of Noah and his Sons Sem Cham and Japheth remained among the Heathens though obscured with divers Fables as they have shewed 1809. 2175. Then Mankind began to Build the Tower of Babel to preserve them a Name among Posterity and about which they might fix their Habitations least they should be scattered over the face of the Earth But through Discord they were dissipated into different Regions and it came to pass in process of time that the Original Language underwent various changes among a People that were so remote from one another Of this you may see what we have writ in our Philological Comment upon Gen. 11. The Posterity of Sem fixed their Seats in the upper Asia of Cham partly in Asia and partly in Africa and of Japheth in the lesser Asia and Europe See Gen. c. 10. as also the forecited Bochartus Soon after the first Discipation of Mankind Nimrod the Son of Chus who in the Chaldee is called Bar-Chus whence the name of Bacchus amongst the Greeks began to settle his Empire in Mesopotamia the beginning of whose Kingdom were Babylon Ezech Chalne and Acchad in the Land of Sinaar that is Babylon from whence he went out into Assyria and built Nineve Rechoboth Chalach and Rosen as Moses relates Gen. 10.10 11. by which words is only meant that he laid the Foundation of those Cities which were afterwards so called for Nineve was so named some ages after by Ninus See Bochartus his Phaleg Lib. 4. c. 12. But whether the Kingdom descended from this first King to his Posterity is uncertain Africanus doth indeed recite the Names of seven Chaldean Kings and six Arabian that Reigned in Babylon but these are clearly different from those which some have produced out of Ctesia The first that Africanus has is called Evechous but that in Ctesia is Belus and therefore all these are to be reckoned amongst the obscure number See Is Vossius and Dion Petavius Kingdoms were in those times very small and what has been usually said of that great Empire of Babylon whose bounds were extended by Ninus the Son of Belus who is thought to have been Nimrod through all the greater Asia is a meer Fable The Earth in those days was in a manner incumbred every where with Trees and inhabited rather
shall not meddle with his Etymology but give our own Opinion of it The Phoenicians in Old Times were the first Navigators and such as adventured to Sail to remote Countries now the Name of the Phoenicians is derived from the Hebrew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Anac for the Phoenicians were as it were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bene-Anac as Bochartus shews at large Chan. lib. 2. c. 1. that is the Sons of Anak or Anakims which were famous in the Land of Palaestine and that it should be so will appear to be no wonder if we will allow that those who came first into Greece were of the number of them who were called Anakims so that the first Inhabitants of that Coast might have been called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Anakims Anakim Inachus and hence it came to pass that Gods and Kings were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 those as it were who were of the stock of the Anakims being translated into the number of the Gods or such as sprang from them who first Reigned in Greece as the Syrian Princes were called Hadads the Egyptian Pharaohs and Ptolomies and the Roman Caesars from some excellent Person who was the Founder of the Empire and bore that Name 2202. 1782. Ogyges built Eleusine in Attica and six and twenty years after during his Reign in that Country happened that which was called the Ogygian Deluge in those parts above two Hundred years before that of Deucalion's Perhaps this Story had its original from Noah's Flood which in Hebrew may be called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Deluge of the Ocean Mabboul Chab from which word it may be the Name of Ogyges was formed So also they have confounded Noah's Deluge with that of Deucalion as we shall see by and by 2237. 1747. Joseph the Son of Jacob being Sold by his Brethren was carryed into Egypt and there as you have it in Genesis being raised into great Authority he sent for his Father and his whole Family thither and setled them in Lower Egypt in the Land of Goshen with the King of Egypt's leave 2373. 1611. Moses the Deliverer and Legislator of the Israelites was born at a time when all the Male Children of the Israelites were commanded to be slain through Pharaoh's cruelty Cecrops was said about this time to have gone from Egypt and planted a Colony in Attica where he built twelve Cities and made Laws for Government A little after happened Deucalion's Flood in Thessaly which the Greeks confound with that wherein all Mankind Perished as they do Deucalion with Noah For Example the Scripture says that Noah was a Man of the Earth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Isch Haadamah that is an Husbandman which words may also be turned 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Husband of Pyrrha or Red for Adamah signifies Red as well as Earth Hence when the Phoenicians told the Greeks that he in whose time the Deluge hapned was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vir Rubrae that is of the Earth they fancied their Deucalion to have a Wife whose Name was Pyrrha Deucalion also can hardly be the Name of one Man but there are rather two words couched under this one 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 digle jon vexilla Ionum the Banner of the Ionians whereby they meant some Troops that had escaped the Deluge They are afterwards said to have filled desart places with Colonies by throwing of stones which were turned into Men because indeed their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Abanim which word in the Phoenician Tongue signifies both Sons and Stones possest themselves of those places That this Deluge was not universal and so that one Man and one Woman were not the only Persons that survived it is manifested by Justin out of Trogus Pompeius Lib. 2. c. 6. in these words There were some escaped by flying to the tops of Mountains or by being carryed in Ships to Deucalion King of Thessaly by whom for that reason the Race of Mankind was said to have been repaired The Phoenicians who filled Europe with their Colonies as Bochartus excellently proves in his Canaan did certainly about these times under the Conduct of Cadmus arrive in great numbers in Greece whither they brought their Religion and a vast number of Fables no small part whereof the same Great Man hath made manifest to arise from their own ill understood words The History of Moses may be taken out of the Scripture his Flight from Egypt his Return and chief Miracles have hapned in this our third Period The Law given by Moses The Fourth EPOCH From the Law given by Moses to the Destruction of Troy are 347 years which comprehends The Fourth PERIOD The Year of the World The Year before Christ 2453. 1531. VVHEN the Children of Israel had continued in the lower Egypt for 217 years and suffered a cruel Bondage under the Kings of that part of the Country who by the Egyptians are called Shepherds and took away that Country from the Ancient Egyptians they were at length after the working of divers Miracles freed by Moses as the Scriptures declare They increased to a vast Multitude in Egypt seeing there were six hundred thousand Men able to bear Arms that went out of the Country from whence we may gather that they amounted in all at least to two Millions of Souls These passed the Red-Sea in one Night which by the following method might be done in the space of eight hours let us suppose that the space of the Sea so divided to each side as it was might contain an Army whose front consisted of two hundred Men that is about two hundred paces broad and let us suppose that the Israelites filled all that space so that the front of the Army or Multitude consisted of two Hundred and lastly let us grant that the Chanel of the Red-Sea contained in breadth the space of two hours passing over so that 120000 Men might be contained in the Chanel of the Sea so long and so broad marching in a Body whose front was made up of two hundred Men. Which Notion carries nothing of absurdity in it seeing every one at least is allowed a pace square for six thousand Paces takes in at least two hours Journey which if multiplyed by 200 which was the breadth allowed for the dryed space this will make up 120000 paces square Hence 't is manifest that the first Rank of the Army might reach the opposite Shoar in two hours time and that Body which followed the six thousand Men two hours after by which method 120000 Men might pass through that Sea in four hours Now let us allow the other four hours for the rest of the People and all the Children of Israel might pass over in the space of eight hours But it is to be noted that the Red-Sea might have been narrower and the space from whence the waters were driven larger from whence it follows that that passage throught might have been done in less time than we have assigned It seems wonderful
the Sons of the Strong or of the Gods Bene Elim There were other Hercules's older than this of whom as also of their whole History we have Treated in a particular Dissertation already The expedition of the Argonauts is to be referred to that Age which seems to be mingled with Fables that arose from want of a right understanding of the words of the Phoenicians that related to them For example a Ship is called Argo and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Archo in the Phoenician Tongue signifies a Long Ship It 's said that Ship spoke because the Phoenician word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Doberah signifies one speaking or the Helm See Sam. Bochart in his Canaan and my Dissertation de Statua Salina Atreus and Thyestes lived a little after in the Peloponnesus who were Notorious for their mutual enmities and wickedness Theseus brought twelve Towns built by Gecrops in the Land of Athens in the time of Gideon into one City Seven Captains wage War against Polynice King of Thebes to wit Adrastus Eteocles Amphiaraeus Tydeus Hippomedon Capaneus and Parthenopeus Most of these having perished in that War their Children called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. Posterity by way of Peculiarity were revenged upon the Thebans ten years after whom they overthrew in a great Battel under the Conduct of Alcmeon Amphiaraus his Son 2655. 1329. 2768. 1216. Janus Reigned in Italy an Hundred and fifty years before the Arrival of Aeneas and Latinus about 35 years The Destruction of Troy The Fifth EPOCH There are 192 years from the Destruction of Troy to the Building of the first Temple of Jerusalem which makes up The Fifth PERIOD The Year of the World The Year before Christ 2800. 1184. A War arose between the Trojans and Graecians about Paris the Son of Priamus King of Troy his stealing away Helen the Wife of Menelaus King of Sparta which after Ten years continuance ended in the Destruction of Troy We shall hereafter mingle this Epoch taken out of prophane History with those Epochs taken from the Scripture because there is nothing generally so Celebrated in the History of the Heathens as this is Jair the Gileadite was Judge in Israel at this time Ibsan Elon Abdon Sampson Eli and Samuel Succeeded him in this Period in order whose years may be taken out of Petavius his Tables and teir History from the Scripture 2832. 1182. Aeneas that same year when Troy was taken in the Autumn Sailed into Thrace where he wintered and two years after while he tarryed in Sicily whither he went from Thrace having weathered the Tyrrhene Sea he arrived in the Summer at Laurentum and soon after having Marryed Lavinia King Latinus's Daughter he Built the City Lavinium on that Coast 2803. 1181. The Rutilians under the Conduct of Turnus wage War against Latinus and Aeneas wherein Latinus and Turnus were killed Aeneas Reigned three years in Italy Petavius will supply you with the order of his Successors 2817. 1167. A few years after the Kingdom of Sicyon which according to the computation of some had lasted about a Thousand years entirely ended To wit the year before Jeptha took upon him to be Judge in Israel 2832. 1152. Ascanius the Son of Aeneas Built Alba Longa Thirty years after the Building of Lavinium 2881. 1103. The Heraclidae under the Conduct of Temenus Cresphon and Aristodemus fixed their Habitations in Peloponnesus in the time of Sampson's Judging Israel Next year began the Kingdom of Corinth as also of the Lacedaemonians which was continued by the two Families of Erysthenides and Proclides descendants from Hercules Here the Epoch is fixt of the Return of the Heraclidae which is much celebrated among the Greek Writers They were said to have returned at that time into Peloponnesus because they had endeavoured though in vain an Hundred years before to invade that Country 2189. 1095. That return of theirs hapned to be when Eli was Judge in Israel who being Succeeded by Samuel the Children of Israel in his time despising the Authority of the Judges would have a King set over them and so Saul of the Tribe of Benjamin was Elected In his time Codrus the last King of Athens Sacrificed his Life for the safety of his People whose Sons Medon and Nileus contending for the Kingdom the Athenians took the opportunity to abolish the Royal power and made choice of Archons whose Office was to be perpetual but they were to give an account to the People of the Administration and Medon Codrus's Son was the first that bore that Office 2913. 1071. In these times the Greeks that were the Posterity of the * Heb. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Which may be read Ion or Javan Javans or Ionians sent Colonies into Asia from whence they came wherefore the Javanian Athenians and their Posterity the †Heb. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bene Eol the Sons of a Storm or such as in a Storm came from Asia into Greece Aeolians contended that Asia Minor was first planted with their Colonies whereas they ought to have acknowledged that they themselves were descended from thence but that afterwards they stocked the Country with new Colonies that was till then but ill Peopled They were the People that Built Cuma and Smyrna 2929. 1055. David Reigned after Saul being descended of the Tribe of Judah and was at first a Shepherd afterwards both King and Prophet 2969. 1015. Solomon succeeded David as famous in the Art of Peace as his Father excelled for his Knowledge in Military Affairs and he built a Temple unto God The Building of the Temple of Jerusalem The Sixth EPOCH From the Building of the Temple of Jerusalem to the first Olympiad are computed 216 years which makes The Sixth PERIOD 2992. 992. SOlomon built a Temple unto God which his Father David who was desirous to set upon that work was forbid to do and finished the same in the 23d year of his Reign Herein was the Ark of the Covenant laid up which before was wont to be kept in Moses his Tabernacle The Scripture informs us that this King was adorned with all accomplishments both of Body and Mind but that towards the end of his Life he had not been able to withstand the Temptations of Women so that he fell unto base Idolatry for the love of his Wives and Concubines whereof he had very many In his time the Kings of Tyre were very potent and Hiram then Reigning made a League with Solomon See Marsham ad Saec. 14. Hadarezer or his Son Reigned in Syria as appears from 2 Sam. 10. and from that time forward the Kings of Syria seem to have been very powerful to the time of Nabopolassar who brought Syria as well as Judaea under the Subjection of the Assyrian Empire See 1 Kings 20.2 and 2 Kings 8 9 12. Petavius thinks Homer lived at this time which was not two Hundred years after the Destruction of Troy See his Book De Doct. Temp. 9. c. 30. Some make him an Hundred years later at
least Hesiod was cotemporary with him or at least but a little later but if you will believe the Authority of Arundel's Marble a little older See Marsham ad Saec. 15. 3009. 975. Solomon was Succeeded by his Son Rehoboam who for want of Management lost the Soveraignty over the Ten Tribes and continued only to Reign over Judah and Benjamin Jeroboam the Son of Nebat possest himself of the other ten Tribes and made them Golden Calves to Worship as you have it in the first Book of Kings Hence the Posterity of Jacob came to be divided into the Kingdom of Judah and the Kingdom of Israel which for some Ages after without interruption had different Kings whose names and years you may take out of Petavius his Tables In Rehoboam's time lived Sesac or Sesostris the most Potent King of Egypt who took Jerusalem and having united the four Dynasties of Egypt into one Kingdom made a Conquest of a great part of Asia See Marsham ad Saec. 14 15. 3026. 958. Abijah Rehoboam's Son Succeeded his Father in the Kingdom of Judah and set upon Jeroboam with four Hundred thousand Men who had double the number and overcame him Neither should this be looked upon as a wonder that so many Soldiers should be found in so small a Country for in those days there were no standing Troops but all the Men except such as were Aged Children and the Sick went upon the Expedition 3098. 886. In the Seventeenth year of Pygmaleon King of Tyre when two Kings of the same Name for both were called Joram Reigned in Judah and Israel Dido left Tyre and built Carthage whence t is manifest that Virgil in making Aeneas and Dido to be cotemporaries has been guilty of a great Anachronism See Sam. Bochart in his Canaan L. I. c. 24. who says that Carthage was called Carthada in the Phoenician Tongue that is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cartha-hadath or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cartha-hadthah a new City and that the Tower was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Botsrah from which word being pronounced by the Greeks Byrsa arose the Fable of the Ox-hide being cut into small thongs for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is an Ox-hide whereas the Hebrew word signifies a Fortress 3100. 884. When Ahaziah King of Judah was dead and that his Mother Athaliah having destroyed all the Seed Royal obtained the Kingdom by Tyranny Lycurgus the Famous Lacedaemonian Lawgiver flourished in Greece whose Laws are extant in his Life writ by Plutarch This was the greatest fault in his Polity that it was altogether Military as if a Common-wealth was less founded upon the Arts of Peace than upon Military Vertues and the next to it was that all the Infants who were born with any imperfections and the Hilotae or Husbandmen least they should grow too numerous were put to death 3108. 876. Petavius and others confine to this year the end of the Babylonian Empire Sardanapalus being Slain by Arbaces Governor of the Medes whom they reckon to have been the last King as if no body had been advanced to his place and that the Empire of the Medes had Succeeded that of Babylon which we have confuted in our Com. Philolog ad cap. 10. Gen. Arbaces the Mede having shaken off the Babylonish yoke set his Country-men at liberty which they retained for about fifty years until they chose Dejoces for their King as Herodotus says Lib. 1. 3142. 842. In the Reign of Joash King of Judah and of Jehoahaz King of Israel Hazael who slew his Master Benhadad King of Syria and invaded his Throne was very troublesom to Judah and Israel both neither did his Son Benhadad carry it any otherwise towards the Hebrews but he was overcome by the King of Israel 2 Kings 13.25 3160. 824. In these times lived Elisha the Prophet Elijah's Successor and not long after the Prophet Jonah who foretold Jeroboam King of Israel he should be victorious over the Syrians 2 Kings 14.25 What year it was he went to the Ninivites is not known but there is no doubt but it was before the Destructiof that City which was Prophesied by the Prophet Nabum and which seems to have happed in the Reign of Nebuchodonosor King of Babylon and of Cyaxanis over the Medes See Petavius his Book de Doct. Temp. lib. 10. c. 3. 3170. 814. The Kingdom of Macedon was founded this year Jeroboam II. being King of Israel as Joash was of Judah Caranus the Argive of the Heraclidan Race as being the Eleventh in course of Descent from Hercules taking a band of Men along with him out of the Peloponnesus began to Reign in Macedon You may be supply'd with his Successors to the time of Philip out of Petavius The First Olympiad The Seventh EPOCH From the first Olympiad to the return of the Jews out of the Babylonish Captivity were 239 years which makes up The Seventh PERIOD The year of the World The year before Christ The Olympiads 3208. 776. Olym. 1. Year 1. IN the time of Azariah King of Judah the Olympick Games instituted of old by Hercules were restored by Iphitus They were celebrated every fourth year and lasted for five days The usual time for them was in the Month of July and the City Olympia in Elis was the place where they were held which as it stood in the Neighbourhood of Pisa was sometimes confounded with it These Games were chiefly made up of five sorts of exercises viz. of Leaping Running Quoiting Darting and Wrestling and he that was conqueror at all these was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and by the Latins Quinquertio But after the Greeks had begun to breed Horses Horse-races were also admitted among rest either with a single Horse or with Chariots drawn with two Horses or with four The Arts of Musick Poetry Eloquence c. were afterward introduced into the number As these Games returned every fourth year the space of four years was called an Olympiad and from thence it was the Greeks began to reckon their years by Olympiads and hence whatever has any truth or certainty therein in respect to their Chronology dates its original There was nothing that could be relyed on before as to their years Whence M. Varro who divided the Age of the World into three Periods that is to an uncertain fabulous and historical one did begin this last from hence hereof you may consult Sir John Marsham De Chronologia Graecorum ad Saecul 16. 3213. 771. II. 2. At this time Phul King of Assyria was troublesom to the Children of Israel and it was now that Ninive seems to have been rebuilt which is said to have been destroyed before by Arbaces the Mede About these very times the Greeks lead Colonies into Sicily the most considerable of which was that conducted by Archias of Corinth who built the City of Syracuse Hosea Prophesied also then who sometime after was followed by Esaias or rather was cotemporary with him in respect to Age and Prophesying In this Age to wit
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
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
another of the Medes and Persians For he thinks that Cyaxares the first King of the Medes whom he supposes to have been Assuerus delivered the Persians whom his Father Phraortes had Conquered to his Son Darius to be governed by him as their King Whom Daniel c. 9.1 calls as he conjectures Darius the Son of Assuerus of the Seed of the Medes And Cyaxares I. had Astyages for his Successor in the Kingdom of the Medes Dispossest by Cyrus but Darius who was also called Astyages the Grandfather of Cyrus had Cyaxares for his Successor See Marsham ad Saec. 18. But there are many things that do occasion me to dissent from him though otherwise it must be confessed that there can be nothing almost besides conjectures in this business 3426. 558. LV. iii. 196. Craesus last King of Lydia Reigned sixteen years his Father being still alive as Petavius supposes The Poets Ibycus Simonides and Stesichorus as also the Philosopher Anaximenes flourished at this time 3429. 555. LVI ii 199. After the Death of Neriglissor Baltassar his Son Reigned alone nine Months at the end whereof he was Slain by Nabonides's faction or as Petavius thinks by that of Darius the Mede and Nabonides or Darius the Mede succeeded him In this Age lived Xenophanes of Colophon the Philosopher and Theognis the Poet Sirnamed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 now flourished Phalaris the Tyrant of Agrigentum flourished then also one Perillus is said to have made him a brazen bull hollow within wherein he shut up Men alive and putting fire under it made their crying to seem like the bellowing of a Bull. But the first on whom the experiment was tryed was Perillus himself of whom Ovid in his first Book de Arte Amandi after he had said that Busiris slew the Man who first taught him to pacifie the Gods with the blood of his Guests speaks thus Et Phalaris tauro violenti membra Perilli Torruit infelix imbuit auctor opus Justus uterque fuit neque enim Lex aequior ulla est Quà m necis artifices arte perire suá 3440. 544. LIX i. 210. Croesus King of Lydia marched against the Persians or the Army of the Medes and Persians commanded by Cyrus the Persian and while he hoped to return home Conqueror he was deluded by the Ambiguous answer of the Oracle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For having past over the River Haly he was overcome by Cyrus and upon the taking of Sardis was made a Prisoner and carryed into Captivity leaving all Asia unto Cyrus A little after flourished Anaximander the Milesian who foundout the obliquity of the Zodiack and Pherecydes of Scyros not the Syrian for he was not of Syria but of the Isle of Scyros who was Pythagoras his Master who not long after were followed by Hipponax and Hippicus the Poets In these times lived Consucius in the furthermost parts of Asia among the Chineses who was an excellent Philosopher Of whom see Mart. Martinius in his History of China lib. 4. and Philip Coupletius in his Proem to Confucius Not long after Croesus his overthrow when Harpagus in Cyrus's Name governed the lesser Asia the Phocaeans being weary of his Rule left Asia and Sailed into Gaul where they fixed their Seats about a place where now Marseilles stands and built that City 3446. 538. LX. v. 216. This year Cyrus having subdued the King of Babylon's Confederates marched to Babylon it self which he took and for his Reward his Uncle Cyaxares who dyed soon after bestowed his only Daughter Mandanes upon him whom when he had marryed he was made Heir to all Cyaxares his Kingdom and gave a beginning to the Persian Monarchy which had not any equal to it before Daniel the Prophet lived to this time who was carried captive into Babylon by Nebuchadnezer to whom under Nabonidus or Darius the Mede the last King of Babylon the Prophecy of the Seventy weeks was Revealed upon the elapsing of which the Messias was to come as we shall see hereafter The Return of the Jews The Eighth EPOCH From the Return of the Jews out of the Babylonish Captivity to the Subduing of Carthage are 336 years which makes up the Eighth PERIOD Year of the W. Year before Christ Olymp. of the Building of Rome 3446. 538. LX. v. 216. THE same year wherein Cyrus began his Reign upon the taking of Babylon he put forth a Decree wherein the Jews who were held in Captivity by the Kings of Babylon were ordered to Rebuild the Temple of Jerusalem in obedience to which they returned in great numbers into their own Country under the Conduct of Zorobabel together with Josua the Son of Josedec the High Priest Two years after they laid the Foundations of the Temple and erected an Altar But the Samaritans their Neighbours who also worshipped the God of Israel while they pretended a readiness of themselves to assist the Jews in the work and were refused by the Jews they endeavoured by their Calumnies to induce the King of Persia to put a stop to the further carrying on of the building Esd 4. In these times Simenides of Ceos Anacreon of Samos Lyrick Poets and Xenophanes the natural Philosopher and Poet flourished amongst the Greeks 3451. 533. LXI iv 221. This year Tarquinius Superbus the last King of the Romans having Slain his Father in Law began his Reign which continued for four and twenty years Five years after Cyrus wageth War with the Scythians if you believe Justin and Herodotus and was slain by Thomyris Queen of Scythia But Ctesias says that he was wounded in a Battle he fought against the Derbices and dyed three days after having first given many good Precepts to his Sons Cambyses and Tanyoxares But Zenophon clearly describes him dying pleasantly in a good old Age after he had Reigned thirty years He was Succeeded by Cambyses II. King of Persia who Reigned seven years and five Months Cambyses upon the Death of Amasis King of Egypt and his being Succeeded by Psammenitus in that Kingdom invaded it where after he had done many cruel Acts and in the mean time commanded his Brother in Persia to be put to Death he at last ran mad and not long after was wounded and dyed After his Death a certain Magician called Smerdis very much resembling Tanyoxares both in body and face took upon him to be the same Person and Reigned seven Months Petavius thinks this Man to have been Artaxerxes whom Esdras makes to Succeed Ahasuerus c. 9.7 See his Book de Doct. temp lib. 12.27 About these times Polycrates the Tyrant of Samos was crucified by Oron Governor of Sardis who took him by a stratagem after he held the Tyrannick power for eleven years with great Success 3436. 521. LXIV iii. 233. After the counterfeit Tanyoxares had hid himself seven Months he was at last taken and destroy'd by the Seven Peers of Persia who conspired against him and one of their number viz. Darius the Son of Hystaspis was made choice of in his room
Praetor in conjunction with the Aetolians and Attalus King of Pergamus began to infest Greece The Achaians and other Nations of that Country had recourse to Philip for Aid to withstand them who was already angry with the Romans because the said Praetor had fought against him for the Apolliniati and not only so but after having burnt his Fleet forced him to march back into Macedon And these were the Adventures that gave a beginning to the Macedonian War 3772. 212. CXLII i. 542. The Scipio's at this very time were successful in Spain against the Carthaginians but they were both of them three years after together with their Army slain by Asdrubal Marcellus also carry'd on the War with good success in the Isle of Sicily and at last after three years Siege took the City of Syracuse Archimedes alone by the help of some new-invented Engines continued to resist and was against Marcellus's will slain by a fool-hardy Soldier Hannibal's Successes began to decline in Italy while he endeavoured but to no purpose by the Siege of Capua to expell the Romans and attempted Rome her self in vain though he slew Marcellus after two Battels fought with uncertain victory especially after his Brother Asdrubal who was come into Italy to join him with his Forces had been slain by Cl. Nero and Livius Salinator both Consuls But in Spain P. Scipio took New Carthage in one Day overthrew the Carthaginian Army and passing over into Africa made a League with Syphax and Massinissa Kings of Numidia And returning afterwards from thence into Rome he made all necessary Preparation to go back again into Africa and setled the Affairs both of Sicily and Spain that were out of order 3778. 206. CXLIII iii. 548. While Scipio was thus engaged Philopoemenes Praetor of Achaia performed a great many other notable feats as well as overcame Mechanidas Tyrant of Lacedaemonia whom Nabis succeeded The Romans sent Embassadors next year to King Attalus to bring the Image of Idaea the Mother of the Gods to Rome but as in pursuance to the Answer of the Oracle the best Man of the whole City was to receive her young P. Scipio Mnasica was the Person adjudged worthy of that Title And hence it was that those Plays called Megalesia were instituted in honour of the said Goddess Syphax upon his marrying of Sophonisba Asdrubal's Daughter having fallen off from the Romans and closed in with the Interests of the Carthaginians was overcome and taken Prisoner by Scipio and Nssinissa And when the Carthaginians had endeavoured to no purpose to induce the Romans to make a Peace they recalled Hannibal out of Italy who sore against his will passed over into Africa where he was overcome by Scipio in battel who imposed Conditions of Peace upon the Carthaginians and sent their Embassadors to Rome whither himself afterwards returned in triumph The Conquest of CARTHAGE The IXth EPOCH From the Conquest of Carthage to the Birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ were Two Hundred and Two Years which comprehends The IXth PERIOD The Year of the World The Year before Christ Olymp. From the Building of the City 3783. 201. CXLIV iv 553. UPon the terminating of the Carthaginian War that called the Macedonian grew hot between the Romans and King Philip which was also made an end of by them by the frequent Overthrows given King Philip within the term of five years 3789. 195. CXLVI ii 559. Hannibal impatient of Rest endeavoured still to excite his Countrymen to make War upon the Romans but he was constrained for fear of the latter to flee into Asia to Antiochus the Great who was preparing to invade the Romans This King did indeed suddenly enter Greece but was quickly overthrown in a great Battel by M. Acilius Glabrio and so forced to leave that Country But this was not all for in the sixth year after the first Preparations for War he was overcome in Asia it self by L. Scipio who for that reason had the Sirname of Asiaticus given him and obliged to purchase a Peace by quitting all claim to the Countries on this side Mount Taurus Two years after P. Scipio Africanus and Lucius Asiaticus were both adjuged Guilty the former for taking Money of Antiochus to clap up a Peace and the other for misapplying the Treasure of the State The Romans in these times having subdued the Aetolians and so become Arbitrators of the Affairs of all Greece received Embassies from all Parts bringing Complaints against Philip who by his Son Demetrius whom he deputed for that purpose cleared himself before the Senate In this and the following year died three of the most famous Men of that Age viz. Scipio Africanus at Liternum whither he had voluntarily gone into Banishment Philopomoenen Praetor of Achaia at Messena by whose Citizens he was slain and Hannibal in Bithynia with King Prusias where lest he should be given up by him to the Romans he ended his days with Poison Philopomoenen was succeeded by Lycortas in the Praetorship of Achaia But this Republick could not continue long for the Romans its Enemies 3804. 180. CL. i. 574. Philip King of Macedon had two Sons whereof one was a great Enemy and the other a Friend to the Romans Now the former whose Name was Perseus being afraid lest Demetrius the younger of whom before relying upon the Friendship of the Romans should after their Father's death contend with him for the Kingdom he brought such false Accusations against him to his Father that he commanded him first to be poison'd and when he was half dead to be strangled But Philip not long after coming to know the Innocency of Demetrius died of grief about three years after and was succeeded by Perseus in his Dominions 3817. 167. CLIII ii 587. This Prince spent the first five years of his Reign in making Preparations of War against the Romans though he could scarce bear the shock of their Power for the space of four L. Aemilius Paulus triumphed for subduing of him and reduced the Kingdom of Macedon into the form of a Roman Province thereby putting an end thereto after the same had stood for Seven hundred Years Two years after Perseus had begun his Reign over Macedon Antiochus Epiphanes succeeded Seleucus in the Kingdom of Syria Of this Prince it was that Jason having ejected his Brother Onias obtained the High-Priesthood and received him at his entry into Jerusalem in great state He sent the said Prince then fitting out a Fleet in Phoenicia Money by his Brother Menelaus who gave him the same in his own Name and with the addition of three hundred Talents more procured the High-Priesthood for himself But failing again in the Payment of the promised Money his Brother Lysimachus was substituted in his room Hence arose great Contention between these High-Priests Antiochus being afraid lest the Jews would revolt from him when he had failed as he had endeavoured to invade Egypt went back to Jerusalem took away the Vessels out of the Temple and committed many
would not obey him to take off his Father by Poison to be put to death and in their ruine was also Papinian the Lawyer involved because he would not consent to the said Execution 215. Agrippinus Bishop of Carthage having held a Council in these times Enacted That Hereticks should be Re-baptized 217. Antoninus the Emperor after he had ravaged the Kingdom of Parthia and was come back to Mesopotamia was taken off by Opilius Macrinus by the means of Martialis the Centurion after he had reigned for six years But Macrinas himself after one year's Reign together with his Son Diadamenianus whom he had made Caesar was slain by the Soldiery Antoninus Alagabalus a most wicked Emperor succeeded him He was at first a Priest of Alagabalus a God of the Emisseni from whom he had his Name for Alah gabal 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies a Mountain-God or God of the Mountain The Emissenians worshipped God under the form of a Mountain which they believed to have fallen down from Heaven and who was esteemed to be the chief among them as is set forth at large by Is Casaubon and Claud. Salmasius upon Heliogabalus of Lampridius He introduced the Worship of his Name-sake-God into Rome and built him a Temple there He adopted his Cousin-German Alexander Mammea's Son whom he called Caesar and after he had reigned three years and nine months was together with his Mother Julia slain at Rome in a Tumult made by the Soldiery and thrown into the Tiber. 222. Alexander a good Prince assumed the Imperial Dignity He is said to have worshipped Apollonius Tyanaeus Christ Abraham and Orpheus in his private Chapel so that we do not find the Christians much molested in his Reign Nay it 's said that he would have built a Temple for our Saviour which Adrian was affirmed to have designed who commanded Temples to be built in Cities without any Statues in them He also allowed especial Privileges to the Jews and if any suffered Martyrdom in his Reign the same must be attributed to certain Lawyers whose Counsel he made use of and who were great Enemies to the Christians Amongst others Vlpian Pomponius Celsus Modestinus Paulus Proculus and Venuleius were famous 231. About these times it was that Origen undertook a most useful Work upon the Old Testament he put forth that called by the Name of Tetrapla where you have first the Hebrew Text in Hebrew Characters then the same in Greek after which follows the four famous Versions of the Septuagint Aquila Symmachus and Theodotion whence sprang the Name of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not from the number of the Columns but of the Versions for the Columns were five whereas the Versions were no more than four An Example whereof we have subjoined in this place 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Hebraic 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 LXX Int. Aquila Symmach Theodot 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 But seeing that in the Reign of Antonine Caracalla there were three Versions more found in a great Tub at Jericho which they called the Fifth Sixth and Seventh there were with the addition of these two Columns more made one whereof took up the Fifth place as the Sixth and Seventh who were looked upon as all one took up the other and perhaps there was no great difference between them That work being ended in this manner they called it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because the same consisted of fix Versions the Sixth and the Seventh being reputed but for one But Epiphanius and some other eminent Writers have given this Edition the Name of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because they had a regard to the Columns and not the Versions that is they allowed two Columns for the Hebrew Text and six for the Versions for the reason already given They have also for the same reason called that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which we before with Origen and Jerom have distinguish'd by the Name of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Origen hath also done this in the Septuagint's Version that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or that which was vulgarly used wherein are many things added or borrowed from other Interpreters he hath distinguish'd them which were not the Septuagint's with Asterisms and Lines but in the Hexapla hath inserted the Septuagint's unmix'd As to this point you may consult Eusebius lib. vi cap. 16. of his Ecclesiastical History and Henry Valesius upon him as also Is Vossius adtertias Objectiones Ric. Simonii Andrew Masius's Pref. to the Greek Text of Joshua may withal be seen upon this occasion From this Origen several of whose Pieces are quite lost but many still extant as from an Everlasting Fountain have the Fathers of the Greek Church drawn almost all their Writings neither did St. Jerom borrow a little matter from him though his great Opponent nor Ruffinus Presbytes of Aquileia who stuck close to his part who also translated much of him into Latin He was afterwards accused of divers Errors concerning which you may consult Sulpicius Severus in his Dialogues Indeed as to those Controversies relating to Grace yea and to the Holy Trinity and other Points of Christian Theology he hath very different Sentiments from those which afterwards prevailed especially in the Latin Church At that time flourished Gregory Thaumaturgus and Julius Africanus who were great Admirers of Origen In this Age it was that Artaxerxes the Persian after he had overcome and slain Artabanus restored the Empire to the Persians or rather suppress'd the Name of Parthia yet Alexander overcame this Prince but was soon after together with his Mother slain by the Soldiers when he had reigned thirteen years In his Reign lived Dio Cassius who wrote the Roman History 235. Maximinus whose Father was a Goth and Mother an Alane succeeded him being made Emperor by the Soldiery without the concurrence of the Senate This very year to which Writers refer the Sixth Persecution the Gordians Father and Son usurp the Empire Which was no sooner made known at Rome but the Romans by the Authority of the Senate revolted from Maximinus and chose Twenty Senators to take care of the Publick Weal But after the Revolution of one year the Gordians were slain by Capelianus and Maximinus himself while together with his Son he laid Siege to Aquileia was cut off also The Senate presently advanced Maximius and Pupienus into his Place But these as being beloved by the People and hated by the Soldiery ran the same fate in the following year 238. Gordianus yet a Child was chosen Emperor by the African Legions who by the Assistance of Misitheus his Father-in-Law a most valiant and learned Person held the Dignity for six years But not being able to hinder Philip the Arab from killing him and getting himself to be Praefectus Praetorio or Captain of the Life-guard in his room he was slain the next year by the same Person 244. M. Julius Philippus together