than any of those Authors who have acquir'd so great Reputation in the World and procur'd Greece the Title of The Mother of Sciences and Arts for he liv'd near 500 Years before Homer 800 before the Philosopher Thales who writ the first concerning Nature 900 before Pythagoras and above 1100 before either Socrates Plato or Aristotle who have been the most celebrated and chief Masters of all the Wisdom of Greece Preface to the French Translation of Genesis 3. It is true that Moses writ the History of the Creation a long time after it since that he writ Genesis it may be about the Year of the World 2550. But this ought not to gravel any Man of Sense for when once he has conceived that Mâ—ses foresaw future Things through the Spirit of God which revealed them to him it will not be hard to believe that he was also Inspired with those that were past and before his Days This History also may be very well establish'd without having any recourse to Revelation for it is possible Moses might have said to those of his Time I am resolved to write of the Transactions from the beginning of the World to this Day and of which I believe no Body can be better inform'd than my self for Amram my Father has often said to me Son I will relate to you all the History of the World down even to us according as I have learnt it from Levi my Grandfather who had what he told me from Isaac his Grandfather with whom he liv'd 33 Years And as for what relates to Isaac he might have heard all what he told Levi from Sem with whom he liv'd also 50 Years Now nothing can be more probable than that Sem might say to Isaac after this manner You may safely believe what I tell you about the Deluge since I have been an Eye-witness of all I pretend to know And you ought likewise to believe me when I acquaint you about the Creation of the World and of all what relates to Adam since I liv'd near 100 Years with Methusalem my Great Grandfather who learnt all these Matters from Adam himself with whom he liv'd 243 Years So that between Isaac and Adam there are but two Persons Mathusalem and Sem and then between Isaac and Moses his Father there is only one more who is Levi. Insomuch that to speak plainly without having Recourse to Supernatural Proofs never any History deserv'd greater Credit than that of Genesis A TABLE Of the Hereditary and Domestick Traditions of the Patriarchs who might reasonably be presum'd to Instruct one another from Adam even down to Moses  Born in the Year of the World Liv'd Years Dy'd in the Year of the World Adam liv'd 143 Years with 1. 930. 930. Mathusalem liv'd 98 Years with 687. 969. 1656. Sem who liv'd 50 Years with 1558. 600. 2158. Isaac who liv'd 33 Years with 2108. 180. 2288. Levi who liv'd a long time with 2255. 137. 2392. Amram Grandson of Levi whom no doubt he had seen since this Amram was Father of Moses who was born only 41 Years after the Death of Levi. It is certain that Moses writ nothing but what was within the Memory of Man since he was only removed from Adam about Four or Five Generations Between Adam and Isaac there are but two Persons Methusalem and Sem and between Isaac and Amram the Father of Moses there is but one who is Levi. It follows therefore that Adam Methusalem Sem Isaac Levi and Amram the Father of Moses have successively convers'd with and instructed each other in the History of the World which was then only that of their several Families especially at a time when there were no other Histories which Men might apply themselves to or divert themselves with It is not my Design here to confute the several Objections which the Enemies both of the Iewish and Christian Religion have rais'd against the Pentateuch and other Books of the Bible That is altogether foreign to my purpose and would engage me so deep in Theological Disputes that I should quickly lose Sight of my Introduction to History Any one may be satisfied by Monsieur Huetius Bishop of Auranches his learned Treatise concerning Evangelical Demonstration or the famous Father Simon 's Book of the Inspiration of the Sacred Writers what might be answer'd to the frivolous Arguments which Spinosa who liv'd some short time in Holland brought in his trifling Treatise call'd Tractatus Theologico-Politicus against the Truth and Divinity of the Holy Bible This Author tho' born a Iew falls nevertheless very severely upon Judaism without shewing at the same time any great kindness for Christianity So that we may reasonably infer That his Design was to abolish all Religion particularly the Iewish and Christian and establish Atheism and Libertinism leaving every Body to their liberty of believing what they pleas'd providing at the same time they prov'd no Disturbance to the Common-wealth But Father Simon has sufficiently demonstrated That this Spinosa was a Blockhead and that he understood neither the Criticks of the Scripture nor the Learning of the Iews In a Word what I have said particularly of Genesis may suffice to Imprint in us a more than ordinary Idea of the Authority and Divinity of this Book which is the sole Foundation of all the rest of the Bible The Order of the Books of the Old and New Testament First the Old Testament consists of 45 Books I. Genesis comprehends the History of the Creation of the World the Lives of the Patriarchs the Deluge the Genealogy of the Offspring of Noah down to Ioseph and in short all the History of 2369 Years II. Exodus so call'd from its giving an Account of the coming of the People of Israel out of Egypt contains likewise the Transactions of Moses in the Desert how God gave the Laws of the Decalogue to the People and whatever hapned during the space of 145 Years from the Death of Ioseph to the building of the Tabernacle III. Leviticus which contains the Laws Ceremonies and Sacrifices of the Jewish Religion the perpetual Fire distinguishing Beasts clean from unclean and many other Things of which the Inspection and Management belong'd peculiarly to the Levites IV. Numbers where is to be found the numbering of the People of Israel after they came out of Egypt with their History of 39 Years till they went into the Desert V. Deuteronomy that is The Second Law not that Moses then gave a different Law from what he had before published on Mount Sinai but because he therein renewed it to the Children of such as dy'd in the Desert These are the Five Books of Moses call'd the Pentateâ—ch and which contain the History of 2552 Years and an half computed from the Creation of the World VI. Ioshua 'T is commonly thought Ioshua himself was Author of this Book It comprehends the History of 17 Years to be reckon'd from the death of Moses to that of Ioshua VII Iudges It is
the Conduct of Themistocles defeat the Persian Fleet at Salamina Xerxes flies to Asia leaving Mardonius with three hundred thousand Persians in Greece 3471. The Battle of Plataea wherein the Persians are totally defeated by the Greeks under Pausanias and Aristides and Mardonius slain 3486. Artaxerxes Longimanus succeeds his Father Xerxes 465. 3430. Pindar the Poet born 529. 3450. Heraclitus the Philosopher flourished 500. 3470. Aeschylus the Tragedian flourished 480. 3490. Democritus the Philosopher flourished 460 3490. Hippocrates the Physician flourished 460. 3510. Euripides and Sophocles the Tragedians also Herodótus the Historian 3530. Haggai and Zechariah the Prophets also Socrates the Philosopher 3532. Alcibiades 3545. Malachi the Prophet 406. 3550. Aristophanes the Comedian 400. 3550. Ezra the Prophet 3565. Nehemiah the Prophet 385. 3556. Rome taken and sack'd by the Gauls deliver'd by Camillus the Dictator 394. 3560. Xenophon and Plato flourished 3585. Demosthenes Aeschines the Orators Diogenes the Cynick 3588. Philip King of Macedon Father to Alexander the Great began to Reign 362. 3588. Alexander the Great born Diana's Temple at Ephesus burnt 3606. Philip King of Macedon routs the Army of the Athenians at the Battle of Cheronea in which his Son Alexander then 18 Years of Age breaks through the Theban Troops Aristotle flourishes 344. 3615. Alexander invades Asia overcomes Darius Codomannus King of Persia and made himself Ruler of all Asia and thereby erects the Third Monarchy 335. 3626. Alexander after the Conquest of the Indies dies at Babylon 33 Years old His Generals divide his Kingdoms among them 323. Alexander being dead his Dominions are seiz'd by his chief Captains these were Ptolomy Seleucus Nicanor Perdiccas Antipater Cassander Lysimachus Meleager Eumenes Laomedon Leonatus Pytho Philetas Craterus Menander 3638. Seleucus Nicanor makes himself King of Syria Babylon c. 3626. Ptolomy took Egypt and Africa Aridaeus Alexander's Brother succeeds in Macedon routed by Perdiccas 3633. Cassander obtains the Kingdom of Macedon 3620. Crates the Philosopher Euclid the Mathematician flourished 3634. Agathocles King of Sicily began to Reign 3662. Seleucus having overcome Demetrius and Lysimachus becomes Monarch of Syria Babylon Asia c. 3668. Antiochus Soter his Son succeeds him 282. 3666. Ptolomeus Philadelphus King of Egypt began to Reign 284. 3690 to 3700. The LXXII Translators of the Bible call'd the Septuagint 3670. The War between the Romans and Pyrrbus King of Epirus 3686. The first Punick or Carthaginian War began A. V. Rom. Condit 489. 264. 3733. The second Punick War began A. V. C. 536. Hannibal the Carthaginian passes the Alpes and invades Italy 3734. Defeats Flaminius and the Roman Army Fabius Maximus the Dictator opposes Hannibal 3735. Aemilius Paulus and Terentius Varro with all the Roman Army defeated by Hannibal at Cannae 3737. Hannibal's Army by Wintering at Capua becomes Luxurious and Effeminate which gives the Romans advantage 3740. Scipio call'd afterwards Africanus chosen Proconsul of Spain at 24 Years of Age. 3746. Scipio passes over into Africa and by his Victories there obliges the Carthaginians to re-call Hannibal 3737. Syracusa taken by Marcellus Consul notwithstanding the vigorous Resistance owing to the ingenious Machines of Archimedes the Year of Rome 590. 213. EPOCHA IX 3750. Scipio or the Carthaginians conquered 200. This Epocha descends to the Birth of our Saviour and lasts 200 Years THe long Wars maintained by the Carthaginians against the Romans have made the Name of Carthage famous for ever The First lasted 24 Years It was begun upon the Account of the Mammertins who being attack'd by King Hieroi and the Carthaginians were assisted with great Supplies by the Romans The 2d Punick War lasted 17 Years It was fatal to Rome by the Losses she received from Hannibal in Italy but it had a glorious Issue in Africa where Scipio was very prosperous and gain'd a great Advantage He twice defeated the Enemy commanded by Asdrubal and Siphax King of Numidia The next Year after he routed Hannibal killed 20000 of his Men and took as many Prisoners with 11 Elephants After which Carthage besieg'd both by Sea and Land submitted upon Conditions very advantagious for Rome where Scipio entred leading Siphax in Triumph and merited the Sirname of Africanus in the Year of Rome 553. 3762. Hannibal flies to Prusias King of Bithynia where he Poisons himself for fear of falling into the Hands of the Romans 3763. Scipio the Younger born 3768. Scipio Africanus the Elder died 3775. Antiochus Epiphanes King of Syria began to Reign Rages against the Iews 3782. He plunders the Temple of Ierusalem and puts the Macchabees to Death 173. 3775. Hircanus the Jewish Captain 3784. Iudas Macchabaeus the Jewish Captain 165. 3779. Perseus King of Macedon wars with the Romans 3782. Paulus Aemilius overcomes Perseus and thereby the Kingdom of Macedon which had lasted 645 Years from Caranus to Perseus and had for the space of near 200 Years given Masters to Greece and all the East becomes now a Roman Province 168. 3801. The third Punick War begins 3805. The end of the third Punick War Carthage taken plunder'd and burnt down under the Conduct of the young Scipio Aemilius who wept over the City afterwards returned in Triumph to Rome with the glorious Sirname of young Africanus in the Year of Rome 608. 145. 3795. Terence the Comick Poet lived 3816. Scipio Aemilius arrives in Spain 3817. Numantia the second Terror of the Romans taken and destroyed 132. 3827. Mithridates King of Pontus who had great Wars with the Romans 4846. Aristobulus King of Iudea 102. 3866. The Civil War between Marius and Sylla began A. V. C. 666 82. 3867. Sylla returning from the Mithridatick War commits great Cruelties in Italy 3869. Is made perpetual Dictator which Office he voluntarily resign'd at 3 Years end 3873. Alexandra Salome governs the Iews 78. 3882. Aristobulus her Son succeeds 66. 3887. Ierusalem taken by Pompey 61. 3887. Marcus Tullius Cicero Consul of Rome 61. 3887. Cateline's Conspiracy detected 61. 3890. The Confederation or Triumvirate of Pompey Caesar and Crassus whence the Loss of Rome's Liberty is dated 58. 3895. Caesar conquers the Gauls 53. 3896. Caesar invades Britain 52. 3897. Crassus rifles the Temple of Ierusalem slain in Parthia 51. 3901. Caesar displeas'd with the Actions of Pompey and being deny'd the Consulate enters Italy with his Army which obliges Pompey to fly 47. 3902. The Battle between Caesar and Pompey at Pharsalia wherein Pompey is slain 46. 3903. Caesar made Dictator Corrects the Calendar 3907. Is kill'd in the Senate-house by Brutus and Cassius A. V. C. 710. 41. 3908. Brutus and Cassius being defeated at the Fields of Philippi kill themselves 3908. The Triumvirate of Mark-Anthony Lepidus and Augustus 3919. Anthony and Augustus having ruin'd Lepidus's Party quarrel with one another Anthony loses the Battle of Actium where the Mastery of the Universe lay at Stake Alexandria opens the Gates to the young Caesar. Cleopatria kills her self after Anthony and Egypt becomes a Roman Province 29. 3924. Rome being now
of the River Indus At Susa he married Statira the eldest Daughter of Darius and bestowed the youngest on his Friend Hephestion 3626. Some time after he left Susa and went to Ecbatane where he spent whole Days and Nights in Riot and Excess His Friend Hephestion died there of a Debauch in Drinking Alexander caused the Physician who had tended on this Favourite in his Sickness to be hang'd To divert the Grief he conceived at the Death of his dear Hephestion he carried on the War against the Cosseans He subdued them in the space of 40 Days thô they fled under the Covert of Mountains and were never conquered by the Kings of Persia. Afterwards he made his Army pass Tigris and marched towards Babylon The Caldean Astrologers met him and advised him not to go thither for it would be fatal to him but slighting their Advice he went thither and was received with great Shouts and Acclamations of Joy He built in Babylon a Dock capable of containing 1000 Sail of Ships and embarking on the River Euphrates he visited Arabia It was then that he laughed at the Caldeans saying He entred Babylon and went out of it again without any harm done him Thus in the height of his Confidence he sailed about the Lakes of Arabia 324 3627. And upon his return to Babylon gave himself wholly to his Pleasures and especially to immoderate Drinking The Journal of his Life represents him in his last Days as a Man drenched in Drunkenness and who did nothing but Eat drink and Sleep Potavit perpotavit crapulam edormiit solito more crapulam decoxit One day as he was offering Sacrifices to the Gods for the Victories he had gained he feasted himself and his Friends drank very hard and carried on the Debauch till late at Night When the King returned from this Feast a Physician of Thessalia invited him and his Company to come and drink at his House The King accepted the Offer and carried twenty of his Friends along with him There was in the Company one Proteas a Macedonian who was a great Drinker the King and this Man challenged each other to drink and at last the fatal Bowl came into his Hands which he drank off and with it his Death Some say there was Poison in that Bowl others that it was his immoderate and excessive Drinking which was the cause of that violent Fever which immediately seized him and within a few days hastened his End He died in the flower of his Age being but 33 years old and was equally lamented both by Greeks and Persians Sisygambis who survived all the Misfortunes of her own Family yet broke her Heart at the News of his Death And thus have we given you a summary Account of the Birth Education Rise Growth Heighth and Fall of this once Great Man We have briefly described what he did before and what he did after he became the Vniversal Monarch of Asia and as he thought of the whole World Considering the Extent and Largeness of his Conquests and the short space of Time he took up in effecting them we may see with what Reason the Prophet Daniel compared him to a Flying Leopard You see that within the compass of a very few years he added to his Petty Kingdom of Macedon Thrace Greece Egypt part of Arabia and of Africa Syria Pamphylia the two Phrygia's Caria Lydia Paphlagonia Assyria Susiana Drangiana Arachosia Gedrosia Aria Bactriana Sogdiana Parthia Hircania Armenia Persia Babylonia Mesopotamia and India But at last in the midst of all his Glory in the very centre of his Conquests he was cut off by an untimely Death and thô he boasted himself to be descended of the Gods and was adored by his Flatterers as One yet he found his Mistake perceived he was but a Mortal Man and that he must die like the rest of the Petty Princes whom he had conquered By him fell the Grecian Monarchy too after it had lasted about 6 years and 10 months For after his Death his Conquests were cantoned among his Captains each seizing on what Share thereof he could At first 't is said the Provinces were divided among thirty of them But at last they were reduced to four Principalities under four Princes Ptolemy had Egypt for his Share Seleucus reigned at Babylon and in Syria Cassander became Master of Greece and Macedonia And Antigonus had Asia Minor for his Part. The Reign and Successors of Ptolemy King of Egypt and the Reign and Successors of Cassander King of Macedonia we shall not treat of here since they belong more properly to another Place where in two distinct Chapters we shall be more particular in speaking to them In this Chapter we shall only give you an Account of the Successors of Alexander the Great who reigned in Syria and in Asia Minor Sect. 2. The Kingdom of the Syrians This Kingdom began under Seleucus Ninacor in the Year of the World 3633 before Christ 317 and lasted about 253 Years to the Year of the World 3886 at which time it was made a Roman Province by Pompey BEfore we give an Account of its Kings it may be proper to give you a short Description of the Country Syria formerly was a large Country in Asia including Assyria Mesopotamia Babylonia Phenicia and Palestina and it has oft been taken for the same with Assyria Some extended its Bounds as far as the Euxine Sea and hence we read of several Syria's in Holy Writ But if we cut off Assyria Mesopotamia and Babylonia from it then Syria is bounded on the North by the Mountain of Amanus which parts it from Armenia On the East by Mesopotamia from which 't is parted by the River Euphrates On the South by Arabia Petrea And on the West by part of Egypt the Phenician Sea Cilicia and a small part of the Mountain Amanus It is at present called Souria or Soristen is one of the finest Champain Countries in the World and abounds with pleasant Pastures Damascus was the Capital City of Syria which became a great Kingdom when the Empire of Alexander the Great was after his Death divided among his Generals Years of the World Years before Christ. 3633. 1. Seleucus Nicanor was the first King of the Syrians He was at first made General of the Cavalry afterwards became Master of Babylonia and Antigonus Master of Susiana 317 This Seleucus being assisted by Ptolemy the Son of Lagus by Cassander and Lysâ—machus defeated Antigonus who was the first King of Asia after the Death of Alexander He conquered India put Demetrius Poliorcetes to death in a Prison and killed Lisymachus in an Engagement Iustin tells us that the Seleucides were all born with the print of an Anchor on their Thigh And Historians say that never any Father loved his Children so passionately as this Seleucus for the Proof of which they relate this notable Instance His Son Antiochus fell sick of a violent Passion for his Mother-in-Law Stratonice Erasistratus his Physician perceiving it went
make up the Breach between the young Queen and King Ptolemy who afterwards took an Occasion to fall out with Cesar. They declared War against each other Cesar was like to have been cut off but at last Ptolemy was conquered and drowned in his flight After this Cesar became Master of all Egypt which he was not then willing to make one of the Roman Provinces For he bestowed this great Kingdom on his Mistress Cleopatra for some private Favours he had received of her and to secure the Government to her married her to the younger Brother of Ptolemy 65 3904. 12. Ptolemy Iunior reigned in conjunction with Cleopatra who had the entire Authority in her own Hands because her young Brother whom she had married was not above 11 years old 46 3909. Mark Anthony charmed with the Beauty of Cleopatra abandoned the War he was engaged in against the Parthians and waited upon that Princess into Egypt where he spent whole Days and Nights in Revellings and Banquetings Pliny makes mention of a Pearl worth 50000 l. which the Queen powder'd and made him drink off to excite him to Venery Whether this be true or no is not so certain as that Anthony married Cleopatra and bestowed upon her Phenicia the Lower Syria the Isle of Cyprus Cilicia Arabia and part of Iudea The Romans were very much offended that he should be so Prodigal of what was none of his own but belonged to them Anthony after he had with great Success conquered Armenia returned back to Egypt where he gave himself up to a thousand Extravagancies He stiled Cleopatra the Queen of Queens and Ptolemy Cesareon her Son he called the King of Kings He never afterwards marched out in any Expedition but took Cleopatra with him 41 3919. Augustus Cesar offended that Anthony had repudiated his Sister Octavia upon his marrying Cleopatra rendred him odious to all the Romans and made Preparations to carry the War into Egypt against that Queen who at Rome was accused of bewitching Anthony The next year a Sea-fight happened at Actium between Anthony and Augustus wherein the former was defeated Soon after they engaged by Land where Anthony's Army was again routed and he forced to fly and was abandoned by his Friends Anthony in despair of Success laid violent Hands upon himself and soon after Cleopatra did the same by applying an Asp to her Wrist as some Authors report By her Death the Kingdom of Egypt was reduced to a Roman Province in the year of the World 3920 before Christ 30 Anno Vrbis Romae Conditae 722. We should now give you an Account of the State of Egypt as it was a Province under LVIII Emperors viz. XLI Roman and XVII Eastern which lasted 667 years to the year of Christ 637 at which time Omar the second Calif and Successor of Mahomet conquered Egypt from Heraclius the Eastern Emperor by Amar one of his Generals But this we shall treat of in the next Volume wherein we shall give you a Succession of the Roman and Eastern Emperors CHAP. VII Of Sicyonia SIcyon was one of the most ancient Cities of the World It was situated in Peloponesus a Peninsula of Greece upon a Hill about two Leagues off the Sea 'T is from this City that Sicyonia a part of Greece derives its Name The Account of this State is the most Ancient of any in Europe but withal the Darkest and most Obscure However to give some Idea of Sicyon we shall consider it under two distinct States which lasted about 966 years Sect. 1. The State of Sicyon under XXVI Kings from Egialeus who began to Reign in the Year of the World 1900 to the 33d Year of the Reign of Zeuxippus in the Year of the World 2833 which lasted 933 Years Years of the World Years before Christ. 1900. 1. EGialeus reigned about 40 years 2050 1940. 2. Europs reigned about 35 years 2010 1975. 3. Telchin reigned about 15 years 1975 1990. 4. Apis reigned about 20 years 1960 2010. 5. Thelxion reigned about 40 years 1940 2050. 6. Egirus reigned about 32 years 1900 2082. 7. Thurimachus reigned 45 years 1868 2127. 8. Leucippus reigned about 53 years 1823 2180. 9. Messapus reigned 47 years 1770 2227 10. Peratus reigned 46 years 1723 2273. 11. Plemneus reigned 48 years 1677 2321. 12. Orthopolis reigned 63 years 1629 2384. 13. Melanthus or Marathon reigned 30 years 1566 2414. 14. Marathus reigned 20 years 1536 2434. 15. Echires reigned 55 years 1516 2489. 16. Chorax reigned 30 years 1461 2519. 17. Epopeus reigned 35 years 1481 2554. 18. Laomedon reigned 40 years 1396 2594. 19. Sicyon reigned 45 years from him Sicyonia took its Name which before was called Egialea 1356 2639. 20. Polybus said to be the Son of Mercury by the Daughter of Iupiter reigned 40 years 1311 2679. 21. Inachus or Ianiscus reigned 42 years 1271 2721. 22. Phestus reigned 11 years 1229 2732. 23. Adrastus reigned 4 years 1218 2736. 24. Poliphides reigned 31 years 1214 2767. 25. Pelasgus reigned 33 years 1183 2800. 26. Zeuxippus reigned 33 years 1150 Sect. 2. Years of the World Years before Christ. 2833. THE Second State of Sicyonia was governed by the Priests of Apollo on whom the Administration was devolved after the Death of Zeuxippus This State lasted only 33 years viz. to the year of the World 2866 at which time the Kings of Mycene seized upon this little Kingdom and annexed it to their own Dominions 1117 CHAP. VIII Argos THere were several Places of this Name but the Argos we treat of here was the Capital City of Argia or Argolidis It was situated on the Banks of Planizza which by the Latins was called Inachus Fluvius in Peloponesus Father Coronelli in his Description of the Morea tells us That this City formerly Dared the whole World to shew its Equal for Stateliness and Magnificence We shall consider this Kingdom under two States which lasted about 545 years Sect. 1. The First State of Argos under IX Kings began in the Year of the World 2093 which is 1081 Years before the first Olympiad Years of the World Years before Christ. 2093. 1. INachus reigned 50 years He is reckon'd by the Greeks to be the most Ancient of all the known Kings 1857 2143. 2. Phoroneus reigned 63 years He is said to be the first Law-maker 1807 2206. 3. Apis reigned 35 years He was a great Prince ruled in Egypt and was called Serapis or Osiris as the Greeks report and ruled also in Spain and Italy 1744 2241. 4. Argus reigned 70 years 1709 2311. 5. Criasus by others called Pâ—irasus reigned 54 years 1639 2365. 6. Phorbas reigned 35 years 1585 2400. 7. Triopas reigned 46 years 1550 2446. 8. Crotopus reigned 21 years 1504 2467. 9. Sthenelus reigned 11 years 1483 His Son Gelanor succeeded and was expelled by Danaus Sect. 2. The Second State of Argos under V. Kings called Danaides Years of the World Years before Christ. 2478. 1. DAnaus being driven out of Egypt by his Brother came into Argos and conquered
it To revenge the Injury his Brother Egyptus had offered him he married his 50 Daughters to his Brother's 50 Sons and perswaded his Daughters each to kill her Husband They all obeyed his Orders except she who married Lynceus Hence arose the Fable of the Greek Poets who feigned That 49 of the Daughters of Danaus were condemned in Hell to an Endless Labour of filling Pails or Sieves that were full of Holes with Water which ran out as fast as they poured it in This Danaus reigned about 50 years 1472 2528. 2. Lynceus succeeded his Uncle Danaus and reigned 40 years 1422 2568. 3. Abas succeeded his Father Lynceus and reigned 23 years 1382 2591. 4. Pretus succeeded his Father Abas and reign'd 19 years 1359 2610. 5. Acrisius succeeded his Father and reigned 31 years 1340 2641. Perseus put his Grandfather Acrisius to Death and removed the Regal Power from Argos to Mycene From this time it became a Republick but had a Share in all the Wars of Greece 1309 CHAP. IX Athens AThens the Capital City of Attica was seated on the River Cephissus in the very Heart of that Province which was looked upon as the most eminent Province of all Greece This City was consecrated to Minerva whom the Greeks called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and has been esteemed one of the most magnificent and flourishing Cities of the World Cicero says that the Athenians were perfect Masters of Politicks Religion and Husbandry that they were the first Founders of Law and Equity and that they transmitted these Things to the rest of Mankind Nor was Athens only the Publick School of Arts and Sciences but it was likewise the Seat of Magnanimity and Valour and as famous for great Commanders as it was for Men of Polite Parts and Learning It 's Areopagus Liceum Academy Portico and the vast Number of its stately Temples have been very much celebrated and talked of in the World The Areopagus was properly the Senate-House of Athens the Place where a certain Number of Magistrates determined the Causes of Private Persons It was to this Place that St. Paul was brought to give an Account of his Doctrine and where he made that excellent Discourse the Subject of which he occasionally took from an Altar which he had seen in that City dedicated ΘΕΩ ΑΓÎΩΣΤΩ TO THE VNKNOWN GOD. Dionysius one of the Areopagites and a Woman of Quality named Damaris embraced the Christian Religion and were converted by Paul's Preaching The Liceum was a College where Aristotle taught his Philosophy for which Reason it was called the Lycéan Philosophy The Academy was a fine House with Gardens and Fountains where Plato taught his Philosophy This Name of Academy came from one Academus an Athenian who gave that House to Plato and hence those who were his Disciples were called Academicks Arcesilaus who came after Plato being willing to reform some Points of his Doctrine founded that which was called the Second Academy of which Pericles the Disciple of Arcesilaus was the Head Arcesilaus taught That we cannot come to the perfect knowledge of any thing and that therefore we ought to suspend our Judgment in all things without being positive in the determining any thing about them There was a Third Academy founded by Carneades of Cyrene who taught That there was some Things probable and others true and false but that the Mind of Man could not tell how to distinguish them The Portico which was called Pecilé because of the Variety of admirable Pictures with which Polignotus had enrich'd it was the Place where Zeno the Cynick held his Lectures of Philosophy whose Followers were called Stoicks In the History of Athens we meet with Four different States under which it appeared to the World from the year of the World 2394 in which it was founded down to the present Times For there are 10 this day some Remains of old Athens which soem call Seâ—ines and the Turks Athina Sect. 1. The First State of Athens under XVII Kings lasted 488 Years Years of the World Years before Christ. 2394. 1. CEcrops I. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 came out of Egypt brought in their Gods and was the first that called God by the Name of Zeus or Iupiter He founded the Kingdom of Athens and reigned about 50 years Pausanias tells us that in his time the Areopagus was founded and that Mars pleaded there first But others place it in Demophoon's Reign about 380 years later In Cecrops's Reign Deucalion King of Thessaly lived of whose Flood the Poets make such large Descriptions 1556 2444. 2. Cranaus reigned 9 years and was expelled by Amphictyon 1506 2453. 3. Amphictyon the Son of Deucalion succeeded Cranaus set up the Council of Greece and reigned 10 years 1497 2463. 4. Ericthonius the Son of Vulcan expelled Amphictyon succeeded and reigned 50 years He invented Chariots to ride in to hide his Feet 1487 2513. 5. Pandion I. the Son of Ericthonius succeeded his Father and reigned 40 years He was the Father of Philomela and Progne the one as Ovid relates was transformed into a Nightingale and the other into a Swallow 1437 2554. 6. Erecthâ—us the Son of Pandion succeeded his Father and reigned 50 years In his time the Isthmian Games were instituted by Glaucus the Father of Bellerophon Eumolphus King of Thrace aided the Elâ—usians in in their War against the Athenians 1396 2603. 7. Cecrops II. succeeded his Brother Erectheus and reigned 40 years 1347 2643. 8. Pandion II. the Son of Erectheus succeeded his Uncle Cecrops and reigned 25 years In his time the Olympick Games were instituted by Pelops who reigned in Peloponesus which Country derived its Name from him 1307 2668. 9. Egeus the Son of Pandion succeeded his Father and reigned 48 years In his Reign the Athenians had a cruel War with Minos King of Crete and being conquered by him were obliged to send 7 Children yearly to be devoured by the Minotaur In his time likewise Iason with his Argonauts went in quest of the Golden Flcece And Hercules renewed the Olympick Games 1282 2716. 10. Theseus succeeded his Father Egeus and reigned 30 years He emulated Hercules destroyed the Robbers killed the Minotaur assembled all the People of Attica in Athens setled the Government routed the Amazons assisted the Lapithae against the Centaurs and took Helena Castor and Pollux by way of Revenge took Athens but used it kindly 1234 2746. 11. Mnestheus who was descended from Erectheus expelled Theseus and reigned in his stead 29 years In his time Troy after a Siege of 10 years was taken by the Greeks 1204 2775. 12. Demophoon the Son of Theseus succeeded his Father and reigned 27 years 1175 2802. 13. Oxynthes succeeded his Father Demophoon are reigned 12 years 1148 2814. 14. Aphidas succeeded and reigned only one year 1136 2815. 15. Thymetes succeeded and reigned only 8 years He killed his Father and was afterwards killed himself by his Successor 1135 2823. 16. Melanthius the Son of Andropompus who reigned 37 years 1127 2860.
was struck up between Ptolemy Cassander Lysimachus and Antigonus four of Alexander's Commanders upon these Conditions That Cassander should be Master of Europe Lysimachus of Thrace Ptolemy of Egypt and the other Countries of which he was in Possession till such time as Alexander the Son of Roxana arrived to years of Maturity but that Antigonus should still preside over Asia where the Greeks should live under their own Laws This League did not last long for each of them was for getting the whole Power to himself and this they thought the more feasible when he who was Sovereign over them all and whose Vicegerents they pretended to have been was once removed out of the way For Cassander no sooner understood that the People were well affected to Alexander and talked openly of seting him at liberty and placing him upon his Father's Throne but he ordered both him and his Mother to be put to Death privately Hercules another Son of Alexander the Great whom he had by Barsine the Daughter of Artabazus the Persian was invited from Pergamos into Macedonia by Polysperchon who envy'd Cassander's growing Greatness and was at the Head of an Army against him but when they were just ready to engage in Battel Cassander by large Promises won over Polyspherchon to his side who killed the young Prince and his Mother 317 Hitherto those who had seized upon Alexander's Conquests were contented to be stiled Governors of the Provinces but when the Blood Royal of Alexander was extinct each of them took upon him the Name of King thereby to create to themselves the greater Respect from their Soldiers Cassander when he died left three Sons Philip Antipater and Alexander 3652. 3. Philip succeeded his Father Cassander and scarce reigned a whole year for he died of a Consumption 298 3653. 4. Antipater I. and Alexander IV. succeeded their Brother and reigned a little more than 3 years The former of these killed his Mother Thessalonice because she favoured Alexander most thô she conjur'd him by the Breasts that gave him suck to spare her Life Upon this the two Kings fell out and Alexander to revenge this unnatural Crime sent for a Supply from Pyrrhus King of Epirus and Demetrius Polyorcetes of Peloponesus They came to an Engagement wherein both the Brothers were cut off 297 3656. 5. Demetrius Poliorcetes that is The City Taker usurped the Kingdom of Macedon after the Death of the Brothers and reigned 7 years He aimed at driving Lysimachus out of Thrace but was diverted from his Design at first by Pyrrhus King of Epirus who invaded Thessaly but having made Peace with him he raised an Army of 100000 Foot and 12000 Horse with a Fleet of 1500 Sail a greater Force than any had been raised since the Death of Alexander Which mighâ—y Force putting Seleucus Ptolemy and Lysimachus under some fear they entred into a Confederacy and prevailed upon Pyrrhus by their joint intreaties to violate the Peace Lysimachus from Thrace and Pyrrhus from Epirus invaded Macedon both at once and by that means Pyrrhus having taken Byrrhea was saluted King of Macedon by the Army of Demetrius 294 3663. 6. Pyrrhus reigned over Macedon only seven months For 287 7. Lysimachus claimed his Share in the Government and having driven Pyrrhus out reigned 5 years and an half Demetrius being turned out of Macedon at last threw himself into the Hands of his Son-in-Law Seleucus who received him kindly but made him his Prisoner at large where giving himself up to Hunting Drinking and Gaming he died within 3 years after Lysimachus was at last defeated by Seleucus in Phrygia where he was slain in Battel 'T is said that his Dog stood by his Carcase and guarded it from Fowls and wild Beasts 2669. 8. Seleucus puffed up with his Victory marched into Macedon over which he râ—igned only 7 months being treacherously killed by Ptolemy Ceraunus 281 9. Ptolemy Ceraunus after the Death of Seleucus took Possession of the Kingdom of Macedon Antigonus Gonnata the Son of Demetrius Poliorcetes opposed it but was defeated in a Sea-Fight and forced to fly into Beotia Ptolemy married his own Sister Arsinoe the Widow of Lysimachus being received by her into her own City named Cassandrea and afterwards killed her two Sons which she had by Lysimachus in her Arms. About this time a great many Gauls finding their own Country too narrow to entertain them marched in three Companies under three Leaders in quest of a new Country to settle in One Company was led into Thrace by Cerethrius another into Pannonia by Brennus and Acichorius and a third into Macedon by Belgius The last of these Ptolemy who thought himself as able to fight as to commit Villanies opposed and was defeated taken alive and slain by them 3671. 10. Meleager succeeded his Brother Ptolemy but within two months time was outed by the Macedonians who put in his stead Antipater the Son of Philip Brother to Cassander 279 11. Antipater II. he reigned only 45 days 3672. 12. Sosthenes a famous Macedonian raised the Youth of Macedon and marched at the Head of them against the Gauls he fought and defeated them and by this means delivered his Country The whole Army proclaimed him King but he refused that Title and would be only stiled their General He did not meet with the same good Success against Brennus another Leader of the Gauls who fell into Macedon plunder'd and ravaged all that lay in his way and at last defeated and routed Sosthenes himself He died after he had presided over the Kingdom about 2 years 278 3674. 13. Antigonus Gonnata the Son of Demetrius Poliorcetes having made Peace with Antiochus Soter marched into Macedon took Possession of that Kingdom and reigned over it 34 years He drove the Gauls whom Brennus had left behind him to guard the Passes and the Frontiers out of Macedon In his time the Gauls who marched in several Bodies before drew into one assisted King Nicomedes against Zypeus who had seized on part of Bithynia and having defeated Zypeus they settled upon the River Haly in that Place which afterwards from them was called Gallo-Grecia or Galatia Antigonus at his first Accession to the Throne met with some Disturbance first from Pyrrhus King of Epirus and then from Alexander the Son of Pyrrhus but within 2 or 3 years the Storm blew over and he was established in the quiet Possession of that Kingdom 276 3708. 14. Demetrius II. succeeded his Father Antigonus who rendred himself odious to the Etolians by inclining Agro the King of the Illyrians to aid the Mydionians who were besieged by the Etolians He became Master of Cyrene and all Lybia and died after he had reigned 10 years Upon his Death he left a Son behind him very young named Philip. Antigonus Sirnamed Doson because of the magnificent Promises of which he was very Liberal was constituted Governor to the young Prince He married his Pupil's Mother and by his Bounty and Clemency prevailed so far upon the
the People made a Speech to them recounting all the Tyrannical Acts of Tarquin and prevailed upon them to take up Arms for the maintaining their Liberty The King hearing of these Things rid with his Sons and some Friends to Rome where they found the City-Gates shut against them Thereupon they spurred back again to Ardea but Brutus being got thither before them prevailed upon the Army to do as their Friends in the City had done before them By this means Tarquin was forced to fly where he could find a Retreat and with his Banishment ended the Regal Power at Rome which was turned into a Consular State This Change happened 245 years after the Building of the City in the first year of the 68th Olympiad in the year of the World 3443 31 years after the Ruin of the Assyrian Monarchy and setting up of the Persian 175 before the beginning of the Macedonian 507 years before Christ. Sect. IV. Years of the World Years before Christ. 3443. The Consular State of Rome from Brutus the first Consul to Julius Cesar ' s being made Perpetual Dictator lasted 464 Years 507 ☞ IN treating of the Consular State since the proposed Brevity will not allow us to give you a List of the several Consuls or of the particular Actions which happened in their Times and since to consider so great a space of Time all together would confound our Reader we shall therefore reduce the Whole under several of the most remarkable Periods to render the Idea of the Roman Affairs the more clear and conceivable In our assigning these Periods we beg leave to follow the Method of our Friend Mr. Echard which seems to us the most Easie Natural and Intelligible of any we have hitherto met with and we freely own that in this part of our System we shall borrow a great many Things out of his excellent Abridgment and hope none will be offended with us for it I. Period from the Banishment of Tarquin to the First Dictator which lasted 10 years Years of the World Years before Christ. 3443. Tarquin being banished the Romans resolved upon choosing no more Kings but to elect two Consuls yearly out of the Patritians These Consuls were elected by the People in a General Assembly called Comitia Centuriata The first Consuls were L. Iunius Brutus and L. Tarquinius Collatinus In their time Tarquin sent Ambassadors from Hetruria to Rome but their Proposals being rejected they had recourse to underhand Practices by which they won over to Tarquin's Interest several young Noblemen and among the rest two of the Sons of Brutus who conspired against the Consuls and were beheaded Collatinus resigned and Valerius Poplicola was chosen Consul in his stead About this time Tarquin brought an Army against Rome engaged the Romans was defeated but Brutus the Consul was slain by Aruns the Son of Tarquin as he alternately fell by the Hand of Brutus Valerius made a great many good Laws and among the rest one whereby two Quaestors or Publick Treasurers were created After the Death of Brutus he was suspected by the People of aiming at the Regal Power but he soon removed their Jealousie by holding an Assembly for the Election of another Consul wherein Lucretius was chosen but he dying a few days after M. Horatius succeeded in whose time the Capitol was finished and dedicated Valerius was chosen a second time with Lucretiùs Tricipitinus Before this year was out Porsenna King of Clusium espousing Tarquin's Interest marched against Rome besieged it and was very near taking it but being at first repulsed by Horatius Cocles and afterwards struck with Admiration at the Bravery and Undauntedness of Mutius Scaevola and at the Courage of Clelia a Roman Virago he made Peace with the Romans These three noble Acts are too Heroick to be passed over in Silence and therefore we cannot omit to mention them thô our designed Brevity will admit of but a very short Relation when Porsenna attack'd the City his Onset was so vigorous that the two Consuls were wounded which so dishearten'd the Romans that retiring in Disorder to the City the Enemy had entred with them if the Courage of Horatius Cocles who alone defended the Passage of the Bridge had not hindred them and given an Opportunity to those that were got over to break down the Bridge which being effected the valiant Hero leap'd into the River and thô wounded got safe over Mutius's Action was equally Brave for the City being extremely straightned by Porsenna's Siege and other Reliefs failing he got into the Enemy's Camp in Disguise resolving to Assassinate the King but by mistake he stabb'd his Secretary and being examined boldly declared his Intention and with invincible Courage thrust the Hand that committed the Mistake into the Fire in Punishment for the ill Service it did its Master Porsenna surprized at the Roman Courage not only pardoned Mutius but also concluded a Peace for ratifying of which Hostages were delivered and among them ten Roman Virgins But it seems even the Women among the Romans scorn'd to be Prisoners for under the Conduct of Clelia one of their number these ten Virgins got from their Keepers swam over the Tyber and in spight of the Enemy's Darts got safe home Within a year or two the Sabines began to be very troublesom to the Romans making Incursions into their Territories but were defeated by them in several Battels In the heat of this War came Actius Clausus with 5000 Sabines to Rome and became the Head of the Claudian Family Tarquin still restless and dissatisfied had his last Recourse to the Latines whom he excited to declare War against the Romans and at the same time fomented the Differences which were then at Rome between the richer and the poorer sort To obviate the Mischiefs which might arise from an Enemy abroad and Foes at home a particular Magistrate named the Dictator was created who for a set time should have the sole Administration of Affairs in his own Hand This Dictator was never made but upon extraordinary and emergent Occasions II. Period from the First Dictator to the Tribunes of the People lasted 5 years Years of the World Years before Christ. 3453. Largius Flavius one of the Consuls was the first Dictator who chose Sp. Cassius for Magister Equitum the Master of the Horse He had 24 Axes and Rods carried before him and by these Ensigns of Royalty aw'd the People and quieted the Tumults of the City He began the Census after the Pattern of Servius Tullus wherein 150700 Persons of full Age gave in their Names but he made a Truce with the Latines for one year When the Truce was expired both Parties prepared to take the Field The Romans perceiving the Latines were very strong thought fit to create a second Dictator The Choice fell upon Posthumius who chose Ebutius Elva for his Master of the Horse He hastened his Levies marched against the Latines engaged and defeated them near the Lake Regillus Upon this the