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
other Outrages there Soon after he endeavoured by exquisite Torments to bring the Jews to abjure their Religion many of whom he forced to it though he was not able by the cruellest kinds of Death he could think of to frighten others to it among which number were Eleazar and his seven Brethren of whom read 2 Mac. vi vii 3816. 168. CLIII i. 586. Matthatias one of the Lineage of Aaron fled to the Mountains of Judaea and invited those Jews who were zealous for their Old Religion to come and join him but he dying the following year left Judas Maccabaeus his Son to succeed him who performed many famous Exploits against Antiochus his Captains Now the reason why Matthatias's Sons were called Maccabees was because these letters 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Machbai were on their Ensigns which are the initial letters of these four words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Who among the gods is like unto thee O Lord They were also called Hasmonaei from the Chaldee word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies Princes 3819. 165. CLIII iv 589. Judas after he had won many Victories over Antiochus's Generals purged the Temple that had been polluted and consecrated the same by a new Dedication on the 25th Day of the Month Casleu that is November the 23d Hence it was that the Feast called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or The Dedication of the Temple was celebrated every year Next year Antiochus being dead Judas began to take upon him the Office of High-Priest though he could not yet take the City of David where Antiochus Epiphanes had planted a Garrison While he laid Siege to it Antiochus Eupator the Son of Epiphanes came with an Army to Jerusalem and for some time sate down before it but having afterwards patcht up a Peace he entred the City and took and demolish'd the Walls thereof A little after this Demetrius Soter this Prince's Uncle who had been long kept for an Hostage at Rome privately left the City went into Syria and having recovered his Father's Kingdom slew Antiochus and Lysias his chief General and then growing angry with the Jews he was soon after by the artifice of Alcimus who lay upon the catch for the High-Priesthood brought to make a League with them But the Peace was of no long duration for next year a War broke out between them and Judas Maccabaeus fought Bacchides Demetrius's General and slew him Now it was that Eumenes and Attalus Kings of Pergamus lived as also Hipparchus a famous Astronomer among the Greeks not to forget Pacuvius of Brundusium a Tragedy-Writer among the Romans 3835. 149. CLVII iv 605. The Carthaginians molesting Masinissa King of Numidia who was Confederate with the Romans and building Ships contrary to the Articles of the last Peace gave a beginning to the Third Punick War which was carry'd on by Sea and Land by both Consuls and within four years finally terminated with the Destruction of Carthage by Scipio Aemilianus Much about the same times began the Achaian War occasioned by the Achaians driving out the Roman Legates from thence as also the War in Spain against Viriatus who invaded Lusitania 3839. 145. CLVIII iv 609. The Jews under the Conduct of Jonathan the Brother of Judas did well enough neither were the Kings of Syria at Enmity with them and Jonathan brought things so well to bear that he made a League with the Romans and Lacedaemonians which last he accosted in a very honourable manner as if they had been originally descended from the same Stock as the Jews 1 Maccab. xii He was succeeded in the Office of High-Priest by his Brother Simon three years after the fore-mention'd League 3851. 139. CLXI iv 621. The Achaian War was terminated within a year after the first commencement of it and the City of Corinth being burnt by L. Mummius Achaia was reduced into the form of a Province which is so much the more to be wonder'd at that the Jews should a little before make an Alliance with the Lacedaemonians who were in Confederacy with the Achaians But in Spain things were carry'd on with various successes until now that Scipio Aemylianus after a long Siege destroyed Numantia Simon two years before this being treacherously slain by Ptolemy his Son-in-Law he was succeeded by John Hyrcanus his Son who was at first in amity with Antiochus Sidetes but afterwards becoming his Enemy laid some of his Cities waste and among others Sicima and Garizim where the Temple that had been built above two hundred years before was utterly destroyed Then he subdued the Edomites and forced them to be Circumcised because they were the Posterity of Abraham The very same year that Numantia was taken died Attalus and left the Romans his Heir and the now bringing of rich Hangings Paintings Pictures Precious Moveables c. out of Asia into Italy began to infect the Romans with Luxury and debauch their Manners That year also Tiberius Gracchus Tribune of the People raising a Sedition in the City was slain It was not long after that the Romans began to lead Colonies into Gallia Transalpina after they had subdued the Inhabitants of the Province of Narbonne whilst all things in Asia were turned topsie-turvy by base Murders among the Kings of Syria Demetrius was killed by his Wife Cleopatra for Rhodogunes's sake She also did the same by his Son Seleucus who had assum'd the Kingly Power without her Authority Antiochus Grypus reigned in his stead who made his Mother Cleopatra that would have given him Poison drink it her self After which he waged War with his Brother Antiochus Cyzicenus for a long time with various success 3873. 111. CLXVII ii 643. This year began the Jugurthine War the History whereof is written by Salust King Jugurtha corrupted some of the Roman Commanders with Money and received great Overthrows from others of them till at length after the Revolution of eight years he was led in triumph by C. Marius then Consul At that time it was that Aristobulus upon the Death of Hyrcanus succeeded as High-Priest and reigned one year leaving the Kingdom to Alexander Jannes his Brother who was greatly distressed by Ptolemy Lathurus King of Egypt Marius overcame the Teutones and Ambrones at a Place called Aquae Sextiae and from henceforward the Romans began to oppress the Gauls 3830. 94. CLXXI. iii. 660. Ariobarzanes being by Mithridates expelled the Kingdom of Cappadocia was restored by L. Sulla Propraetor of Cilicia and this gave a beginning to the Mithridatick War which kept the Roman Armies in play for forty years together A little after Nicomedes King of Bithynia being expelled by the same Mithridates was reinstated by Sulla But Mithridates the very next year after the Restitution of Nicomedes having levied a greater Army seized on and wasted Phrygia took care to put to death all the Citizens of Rome that were in Asia and that in one day and invaded Macedon Thrace and Greece Sulla was at that time engaged in the Italian War and gave
Spain sickened and died at Marseilles Eighteen Months after his Brother's decease Caius also departed this life in Lycia as he was at last returning into Italy whither he had been required to come by Augustus Tiberius from henceforward was as it were by the Suffrage of all Men designed Successor of the Empire Augustus had indeed a third Grand-son from his Daughter Julia whose Name was Agrippa but him he never dignified with those Honours nor loved to that degree as he did his Brothers Augustus at length after he had governed the Empire for fifty seven years obtained the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or easie death which he wish'd for at Nola in Campania on the 19th of August in the Seventysixth year of his age 14. Tiberius suceeded Augustus and reigned Two and twenty years This Prince by his overcruelty afflicted the Romans grievously as you may see in Tacitus and Suetonius In the mean time Germanicus the Son of his Brother Drusus reduced the mutinous Legions in Germany to Obedience though they made a tender unto him of the Empire and led them against the Cherusci Chatti and Angrivarii Nations dwelling about the Rhine whom he overcame and then triumphed From thence he was sent with an extraordinary Commission into the East of whom Tiberius who was of a most mistrustful and exceeding timorous Disposition growing jealous 't was believed he was poison'd by Piso Governor of Syria two years after Tiberius after the Revolution of seven years left Rome and retired to Campania with an intention never to return confining himself to the Island Caprea to his dying day The very same year that he went into Caprea was Pontius Filate sent Governor into Judaea 28. The next year which was the fifteenth of the Reign of Tiberius John the Son of Zacharias who was born in the same year with our Saviour began to preach Repentance in Judaea neither did he admit the Jews themselves to become his Disciples without they were first Baptized 30. After he had spent a year in that Work Christ came to be baptized by him and then began his own Ministry but John was cast into Prison by Herod upon account of the Reason given in the Gospel This year died Livia Tiberius's Mother being hated by her wicked Son when she had lived eighty six years 33. Christ in the third year after he began his Preaching was Crucified for the Salvation of Mankind on the Twenty third Day of March the Sixth Festival and fifteenth Moon according to the Usage field in Judaea when he had celebrated the Passover the third or at least the second time aster he had entred upon his Office He died towards the end of a Friday and rested in the Grave all the Saturday together with part both of Friday and the Sunday following that is about Six and thirty Hours in all He arose the Twenty fifth of March before Sun-rising ascended into Heaven the Third of May and sent the Holy Ghost upon the Apostles the Thirteenth of the same Month. The Apostles henceforward began to preach the Gospel not only in the Ghaldaean or Greek Tongues which were used in Judaea and common to them but also in all other Languages throughout the World This very year Stephen was martyred and the Church of Jerusalem except the Apostles scattered 34. But that we according to our Custom may mix Prophane with Sacred History two very memorable things happen'd at Rome this same year and four years after Sejanus who had been in highest favour with Tiberius was accused by him in the Letters he wrote to the Senate there upon taken Prisoner and put to death And the Parthians who were at very ill Terms with Tiberius and the Romans growing weary of their King Arabanus came to Rome that they might get Tiberius to allow of Phraates to be their King But Phraates dying on his Journey he made Tyridates their King and him Vitellius Governor of Syria conducted to his Kingdom Then died Philip Herod's Son on whom Augustus conferred a Tetrarchy in Judaea 36. Paulus Tarsensis who was converted to the Faith in the Three and thirtieth Year of our Redemption began then to enter upon his Apostolical Function and three Years after his Conversion went up to Jerusalem to see Peter from thence to Casarea and from Casarea journeyed to Tarsus 37. Next year died Tiberius and was succeeded by Caius Caligula Germanicus's Son As soon as he came to the Empire he set Agrippa Herod's Grandson by Aristobulus at liberty and not only bestowed on him the Tetrarchies of Philip and Lysanias but also the Title of King This is that Agrippa whereof mention is made in the Acts of the Apostles Peter went the same year to Antioch where after the Revolution of three years the Disciples of Christ were called Christians Caligula after he had reigned four years and abounded in all Wickedness so far as to have a mind to be esteem'd a God and worshipped accordingly was at last cut off by Chaerea and other Conspirators 41. Claudius his Uncle succeeded him who was as remarkable for his Blockishness as the other was for his Madness Seneca writ an elegant Satyr upon him entituled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This Emperor also enlarged the Kingdom of Agrippa by adding Judaea and Samaria thereunto which made him go to Jerusalem and to please the People to persecute the Christians of whom he slew James the Apostle and threw Peter into Prison The Ancients have recorded That Peter went next year from Antioch to Rome to oppose Simon Magus But some Modern Writers in this and the last Age from some Difficulties in Chronology and other light Conjectures deny that Peter ever was at Rome and even what all Antiquity hath unanimously concurred in that he suffered Martyrdom there But it looks like an absurdity in a thing of that nature to contradict all Men because we cannot clear up some Difficulties that lie in the way Indeed it 's certain Peter never was at Rome in the space of four and twenty years together but that he never saw that City looks like a crime to deny Consult hereupon the First Dissertation of Dr. Pearson concerning the Succession of the First Bishops of Rome chap. vii viii There are no Remains left to shew whether at Rome or where else the Second Epistle of Peter was written Hugo Grotius Salmasius and Joseph Scaliger think it to be none of his The First is said to be written from Babylon and by Babylon the Ancients meant no other than Rome by reason of the Greatness of the Roman Empire in conformity to that of Babylon and whose Metropolis might therefore very well be dignified with the Name of the Metropolis of the Babylonish Empire 'T is true Peter makes no mention of Paul therein because he was not then at Rome The time when it was written cannot be assign'd See Lud. Cappellus in his Appendix to the Apostolical History where however he enclines to the contrary Opinion The same Author has
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Headless others give a different original to the Name than this now suggested 484. Zeno over and above the Church-Commotions he had to do with had Illus and Leontius who rebelled against him to suppress At that time there arose new Wranglings among the Bishops hence it came to pass that seeing some had long since introduced the Pictures of the Saints into their Churches others have esteemed that Practice to tend to Superstition therefore these last purg'd their Churches of them and run them down both by Word and Writing among whom Philoxenus Bishop of Hierapolis was Chief 490. This year Theodoricus having conquer'd Odoacer King of the Heruli possess'd himself of Italy This Prince is not the same as is above-mention'd under the Emperors Martianus and Leo. Zeno died next year and was succeeded by Anastasius through the favour of Ariadne the deceased Emperor's Wife who was enamour'd on him in the Life-time of her Husband Zeno's Brother Longinus being excluded who being sent by Anastasius into Isauria rebelled against him and was with difficulty after a seven years War overcome 492. Anastasius favoured those whom they called the Doubters or Headless and allowed every Man the freedom to follow what he pleased and turn'd those out of the Churches who raised Tumults about the Synod of Chalcedon or condemned or approved it But the Emperor who was very much for Peace could not bring to Agreement those Bishops who were but little acquainted with the Christian Religion and such sharp Sticklers for the said Divisions they thunder'd out their Anathema's continually against and refused Communion with one another Concerning which it 's worth while to read Evagrius lib. iii. cap. 30. At this time was Odoacer slain by Theodonicus who having master'd all Italy besieged him at Ravenna in vain for three years 495. There were indeed many of the Goths who embraced the Christian Religion in this Age but they were hated by the Homoousians as Hereticks because they were Followers of Arius's Opinions The Kings of France were also Heathens till now but Clodovieus received the Christian Faith this year Then did the Burgundian Affairs flourish but in a short time the French had the mastery of them 501. There were great Contests this year in the Conclave whether Symmachus or Laurentius should he Pope which could not be composed without Bloodshed though there were Counts present whom Theodoricus sent thither to suppress the Seditious At length Symmachus prevailed and therefore was esteemed lawfully chosen for here things are always measured by Success 510. Though Anastasius could scarce defend the Empire against the Persians and Saracens yet he was plagued besides with the Domestick Seditions both of the Ecclesiasticks and Laicks The contrary Factions often-times murthered one another at the Publick Plays and the Bishops wrangled continually about the Henotick and Chalcedon Synod Some Historians have recorded That when he would have added these words to the Trisagium Who was crucified for us he was almost destroyed by the Catholick Monks who while they breathed nothing else but the death of the Emperor and all the Doubters thus they called them cried out as if violence had been offer'd them that the time of their Suffering Martyrdom was at hand See Evagr. lib. 111. cap. 44. and Theodorus lib. 11. p. 562. of Valesius's Edition But it 's hardly credible that Anastasius who was one of the Doubters and a lover of Peace as Evagrius describes him to be would attempt to do any thing by Violence but because he would not comply with Macedonius the Bishop of Constantinople's humours in destroying his Adversaries it 's not to be doubted but what these did was attributed to the Emperour as Zealots usually do Historians also say that Severus the Theopaschite Invaded the See of Antioch and that tho' Anastasius before bound him by an Oath not to put the Council of Macedon under an Anathema yet as soon as ever he was fixed in his Bishoprick he did without any regard to his Oath anathematize the said Council from whence it 's manifest that while Anastasius mediated between both Parties he was lashed by both as it usually happens in Civil Contentions where the Seditious look upon them to be their Enemies who do not sight under their Banners 514. Hence sprang the Rebellion of Vitalianus a Scythian Count who took up Arms for the Homoousians against Anastasius under Pretence whereof he drained great Summs of Money from Anastasius until a Peace was concluded upon condition that a Synod should be called where Hormisdas Bishop of Rome should be present who was alike an Enemy to the Eutychians and Doubters They say the Emperour promised to do this with an Oath but that afterward he broke his word doubtless because he would not have new Definitions coined whereby nothing else was designed but the Oppression of certain Bishops that stood in their way for they were minded to assemble only the Orthodox or most of them at least who should Condemn without Mercy such as they called Hereticks 518. Now it was that Anastasius died being above Eighty years Old and an Emperor endued with great Moderation but he was exposed to the Reproaches both of the Eutychians and their Adversaries because he would not let the Reins loose to neither Party He was Succeeded by Justin a Thracian Born who was a Favourer only of the Adversaries of the Eutychians and carried things no longer with an even hand according to the Example of Anastasius Hormisdas sent Messengers to him who so animated those who were of the same Sentiments with him that they every where opprest the contrary Party by Violence offer'd to and Decrees made against them 525. They say there were a great many Manichaeans at this time in Persia so that they infected Cabades his Son who was Heir to the Crown with their Heresy which made Cabades cunningly to get them all together into one place and then sent his Guards who cut them all off Justin also slew many of them and by his Edict according to the Custom of those times condemned divers others to Death The same Prince grievously persecuted the Arians which coming to the Ears of Theodoricus King of the Goths he sent John Bishop of Rome to Constantinople to tell Justin That unless he gave over Troubling of the Arians Theodoricus would use the Homoousians or Consubstantial Men in the same manner Priscian the Grammarian and Boetius a Man of Consular Dignity who was also a very Learned Person flourished in this Age this last together with Symmachus his Father-in-Law were upon a false Accusation put to Death by Theodoricus who Imprisoned John Bishop of Rome together with the Legates he had sent with him to Constantinople because they seemed underhand to favour the Persecution of the Arians and that John after his return troubled them openly as much as he could in Italy 527. Justin the Emperor after a Reign almosth of Nine Years made Justinian his Sister's Son his
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
Hiero of Syracuse being seven years before chosen General by the Soldiers was this year saluted King of Syracuse The Romans in the mean time wage various Wars with the Tarentines Samnites Bruttians Vmbrians Picentians and Salentines wherein they always came off Conquerors The Carthaginians fearing so much fortune gave the Tarentimes some assistance and so they broke the League which they had hitherto observed with the Romans Seeing therefore that in the fourth year after Hiero took upon him the Dominion of Syracuse the Mamertines who had possessed themselves of Messena were molested by him and the Carthaginians and for that reason sought assistance from the Romans the first Punick War began 3720. 264. CXXIX i. 490. Appius Claudius Caudex the Consul transported an Army into Sicily and so worsted Hiero that he was necessitated to leave the Mamertines and to retreat to Syracuse Because we have made mention of this War we will briefly recount the chief Events thereof without the interfering of other things Wherefore next year Man Valerius Maximus and Man Ottacilius being Consuls they sailed into Sicily as the Consuls of the succeeding years did who won divers Victories over the Carthaginians and Sicilians The Romans who knew nothing hitherto of Maritine Affairs did in the fourth year of the War set out a Fleet and the year following under the auspicious Conduct of C. Dulius the Consul overcame the Carthaginians in a Sea-Fight though they were very skilful in Maritime Affairs as they did often also in the succeeding years tho' they underwent divers Shipwracks In the ninth year of the War after the Carthaginians had to no purpose opposed their Fleet of Three hundred and fifty Ships against that of the Romans consisting of Three hundred and thirty which was Commanded by M. Attilius Regulus they could not hinder the Roman Army to make now their first Descent into Africa Regulus in the beginning performed many things very successfully but next year he was overcome and taken by Xantippus the Lacedaemonian This Man's Fortitude is very admirable who when he was taken and sent to Rome by the Carthaginians to treat about the Redemption of Prisoners but supposing at the same time that the thing was a Dishonour to the Commonwealth he disswaded the Senate from it and returned into Africa where if we believe Appian he was cruelly put to death by the Carthaginians in a Cave full of Iron Spikes But Jac. Palmerius upon Appian shews that this sort of Death is fabulous After this the Romans being worsted in divers Naval Fights and lessened by Shipwracks were for some years compelled to yield the Dominion of the Seas to the Carthaginians but in the three and twentieth year of the War having repaired their Fleet they beat the Carthaginians near Agates an Island on the African Coast under the Conduct of Q. Lutatius the Consul and next year which was the twenty fourth they granted Peace to the Carthaeginians upon hard Conditions In the beginning of this War Eumenes after Phileterus held the Principality of Pergamus in Asia and Nicomedes King of Bithynia gave the Name of Nicomedia to the enlarged City of Astacus The Republick of Achaia began to flourish about the middle of this War About thirty years before divers Cities of Achaia entring into a Confederacy gave beginning thereunto and entrusted the same to be administred by two Praetors that were chosen soon after But afterwards the Supreme Power was devolved upon one and the first that exercised that Charge alone was M. Carynensis who after four years time was succeeded by Aratus of Sicyone who though but twenty years of age brought his Country to enter into a Confederation with the other Cities of Achaia Between the first and second Punick War Learning began to be cultivated at Rome Livius Andronicus was the first that wrote Fables who for his Contemporaries had Ennius Pacuvius Naevius and other Poets given to promote the Art in their Mother-Tongue 3749. 235. CXXXVI ii 519. The Romans quickly appeased the Tumults that arose both in Africa and Sardinia and having made Peace every where did now the first time shut the Temple of Janus after the days of Numa afterwards they won divers Victories of the Gauls Ligurians and Sardinians At the same time Teuta Queen of the Illyrians permitted her Subjects to pirate by Sea and pillage the Coasts of Italy The Romans sent C. and L. Coruncanus to make complaint hereof unto her of whom Lucius speaking bolder than the other was contrary to the Law of Nations slain But next year the Queen was overcome and forced to pay Tribute And a little after the Romans having sent Embassadors to the Achaians Aetolians Athenians and Corinthians began now the first time to intermeddle with the Affairs of Greece But almost all the Greeks having entred into a stricter Alliance made Antigonus the Tutor of Philip King of Macedon their General 3764. 220. CXL i. 534. The Carthaginians in this and the preceding Age possess'd themselves of the greatest part of Spain Asdrubal was Governor there for the space of eight years who both held and enlarged that Province more by Gentleness than Arms. But his Successor Hannibal a Man intent upon War and new Undertakings broke the Peace with laying Siege to Saguntum a City in Confederacy with the Romans which without any regard had to the Roman Embassy after seven months he took The same Embassadors insisted at Carthage That Hannibal should be given up to them But their Demands were rejected 3766. 218. CXL iii. 536. Hence sprang the Second Carthaginian War which commenced twenty four years after the First When Rome was reduced almost to the last extremity in it by Hannibal she was delivered by Scipio who for that reason was sirnam'd The African This War continued for the space of seventeen years whereof you have a compendious and elegant Description in Florus We shall now return to the Jewish Nation of whom we have almost said nothing since the time of Alexander These People were infested by the Kings of Syria and Egypt divers ways and 't is said that Antiochus King of Syria being overcome by Ptolemy Philopater King of Egypt attempted to enter into the Temple of Jerusalem but was kept out from thence by a Miracle and that Philopater going about to force the Jews who lived in Egypt to abjure their Religion was also warned from Heaven to desist The Empire of Parthia is said a little before this to have taken its Original in Asia the first King whereof was Arsaces from whom the succeeding Kings were called Arsacidae At the same time also several of the Eastern Nations strove who should soonest shake off the Macedonian Yoke But others there are who would have these things to have come to pass in the time of the first Punick War Philip King of Macedon in the heat of the Second Carthaginian War made a League with Hannibal and falling into Peloponnesus cut off Aratus by Poison At the same time Laevinus the