afterwards for this reason named Gebal-Tarich that is the Mountain of Tarich whence comes the word Gibraltar Roderick endeavoured to no purpose to drive out the Saracens from thence but there they continued wasting the Neighbourhood for the space of two years till having called in fresh Forces often defeated and at last slain Roderick they seized in the Year 713 on all Spain In the mean time Justinian the Emperor by the unheard-of Cruelties which he exercised in the Chersonesus because there had been Attempts in that Province to betray him forced the Inhabitants to make choice of Philippicus for their Emperor whose Eyes being put out not long after was succeeded by Artemius who was also called Anastasius whom Rufus Praefect of the Army was instrumental to advance to that Dignity and therefore Philippious was justly punish'd seeing himself a little after he had seiz'd on the Empire had slain Justinian and his Children 714. Artemius also had his turn for the Army which he had sent into Phoenicia against the Saracens having slain their General and fearing Artemius's Displeasure made one Theodosius a Syrian and Collector of the Tribute-Money Emperor though against his will He marched to Constantinople laid Siege to it for six months at length took the Emperor Artemius and thrust him shaven into the Monastery of Thessalonica 716. But in about two years after Leo whom Artemius had before sent to be General into Armenia and who stood hitherto for him took upon him the Imperial Dignity which the Armenians and Saracens tendred to him and made Theodosius his Son Prisoner who having been advanced against his will to be Emperor did voluntarily relinquish and going to Ephesus he and his Son both took Holy Orders upon them Leo soon after by the help of that which they call'd Ignis Graecus or Powder not unlike that made use of by us at this day burnt a great Fleet of the Saracens Isaac Vossius in his Oservat cap. xv may be consulted concerning the Invention of that Fire A new Fleet of the same Nation consisting of Four hundred Ships was also partly destroyed by Leo and partly by Storms The Emperor had the same year a Son born to him who at his Baptism befoul'd the Baptismal Water and for that reason was call'd Constantine Copronymus But Artemius who had fled to the Bulgarians and by their help endeavoured to recover the Empire was the following year betrayed by them to Leo and slain 722. In these times Charles Martell Mayor of the Palace in France after other great feats in Arms subdued the Saracens also who were ravaging the neighbouring Provinces compelling them to retreat over the Pyrenaean Hills and did many other famous Exploits And making War upon Adgillus the Son of Radbodus King of the Frisons forced him to embrace the Christian Religion and by his Authority was very helpful to Boniface an English-Saxon who by the Command of Pope Gregory II. preached the Gospel in Germany 722. It 's said the Emperor Leo endeavoured to do the same thing by the Jews at that time but with ill Success for those whom he compelled to be Baptized either fled elsewhere and abjured it or shut themselves and their whole Family up in their Houses and setting them on Fire were burnt He endeavour'd not long after this to throw out the Images which the Bishops had introduced into the Churches wherein he found Opposition from the People whom the Priests incensed against him Gregory Bishop of Rome condemned his Edict and having entred into an Alliance with the Lombards refused to pay the usual Tax to the Exarch of Ravenna who govern'd Italy under the Emperor and at last brought things so to bear that the Exarch himself was driven out of Ravenna and he sought for Aid of Charles Martell who in the Year 726. won a great Victory of the Saracens that if Leo should attempt any thing in Italy by force he might be opposed by French Arms. This Martell also at the Request of Willibrordus Bishop of Vtrecht constrained the Frisons who would not according to their King's Example embrace the Christian Religion by force of Arms at least to feign themselves Christians In the mean time Leo did not so easily prevail against the Iconolatrae or Image-Worshippers in the East who stiffly withstood him while the Exarch Eutychius with the Assistance of the Venetians recover'd Ravenna 731. This year Venerable Bede finish'd his Ecclesiastical History of the English and in the next Leo Married Irene the Daughter of Chaganus King of the Chazari whom he had taken care to have brought up in the Christian Religion to his Son Constantine and contended sharply with the Bishop of Rome about the Images which last would have them again introduced into the Churches and expell'd the Eastern Bishops that favoured Gregory's Party Tho' the Saracens possess'd themselves of Spain yet Pelagius who was descended from the ancient Stock of the Goths preserved the Country of Asturia out of their hands and transmitted the Dominion thereof to his Posterity wherein he was not a little favoured by the great Slaughter which Charles Martell made of the Saracens in these times his Son Flavilla succeeded him and then Alphonso his Son-in-Law who deducing his Pedigree from Reccaredus would as well as he be styled the Catholick which title being neglected by his Successors was again conferred upon Ferdinand of Arragon by Pope Julius the Second 740. Luitprand King of the Lombards did this year divest Transamundus of the Dutchy of Spoleto and wasted the Territories of the Bishop of Rome for from the time that the Authority of the Eastern Emperors began to decline in Italy the Bishops of Rome Usurped the Dominion of that City and the adjacent Country 742. Next year died three Men of the greatest Authority of any in that Age viz. the Emperor Leo Gregory III. Bishop of Rome and Charles Martell Mayor of the Palace in France The first of these was Succeeded in the Empire by Constantine Copronymus the other by Zacharias and the third by his Sons Carloman and Pippin Artavastus endeavoured to deprive Constantine of the Empire while he was engaged in a War against the Saracens but he overcame him at last However Walidus of Damascus King of the Arabs making use of the Contest between them ravaged Natolia or Asia minor and seem'd to menace the Empire with greater Evils had he not been next year prevented by Death wherein also died Luitprand King of the Lombards who had it not been for the intercession of Pope Zachary would have driven Eutychius quite out of Italy 751. While Pippin now his Brother Carloman was turned Monk managed all Affairs in France at his Pleasure under Hilderic a sluggish Prince he proved at length unsatisfied with the Chief Power and nothing would serve but he must assume the Royal Name also therefore having dispatch'd Ambassadors to Pope Zachary he desired that Stupid Hilderic might be shut up in a Monastery and himself declared King as being more
shall not meddle with his Etymology but give our own Opinion of it The Phoenicians in Old Times were the first Navigators and such as adventured to Sail to remote Countries now the Name of the Phoenicians is derived from the Hebrew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Anac for the Phoenicians were as it were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bene-Anac as Bochartus shews at large Chan. lib. 2. c. 1. that is the Sons of Anak or Anakims which were famous in the Land of Palaestine and that it should be so will appear to be no wonder if we will allow that those who came first into Greece were of the number of them who were called Anakims so that the first Inhabitants of that Coast might have been called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Anakims Anakim Inachus and hence it came to pass that Gods and Kings were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 those as it were who were of the stock of the Anakims being translated into the number of the Gods or such as sprang from them who first Reigned in Greece as the Syrian Princes were called Hadads the Egyptian Pharaohs and Ptolomies and the Roman Caesars from some excellent Person who was the Founder of the Empire and bore that Name 2202. 1782. Ogyges built Eleusine in Attica and six and twenty years after during his Reign in that Country happened that which was called the Ogygian Deluge in those parts above two Hundred years before that of Deucalion's Perhaps this Story had its original from Noah's Flood which in Hebrew may be called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Deluge of the Ocean Mabboul Chab from which word it may be the Name of Ogyges was formed So also they have confounded Noah's Deluge with that of Deucalion as we shall see by and by 2237. 1747. Joseph the Son of Jacob being Sold by his Brethren was carryed into Egypt and there as you have it in Genesis being raised into great Authority he sent for his Father and his whole Family thither and setled them in Lower Egypt in the Land of Goshen with the King of Egypt's leave 2373. 1611. Moses the Deliverer and Legislator of the Israelites was born at a time when all the Male Children of the Israelites were commanded to be slain through Pharaoh's cruelty Cecrops was said about this time to have gone from Egypt and planted a Colony in Attica where he built twelve Cities and made Laws for Government A little after happened Deucalion's Flood in Thessaly which the Greeks confound with that wherein all Mankind Perished as they do Deucalion with Noah For Example the Scripture says that Noah was a Man of the Earth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Isch Haadamah that is an Husbandman which words may also be turned 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Husband of Pyrrha or Red for Adamah signifies Red as well as Earth Hence when the Phoenicians told the Greeks that he in whose time the Deluge hapned was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vir Rubrae that is of the Earth they fancied their Deucalion to have a Wife whose Name was Pyrrha Deucalion also can hardly be the Name of one Man but there are rather two words couched under this one 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 digle jon vexilla Ionum the Banner of the Ionians whereby they meant some Troops that had escaped the Deluge They are afterwards said to have filled desart places with Colonies by throwing of stones which were turned into Men because indeed their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Abanim which word in the Phoenician Tongue signifies both Sons and Stones possest themselves of those places That this Deluge was not universal and so that one Man and one Woman were not the only Persons that survived it is manifested by Justin out of Trogus Pompeius Lib. 2. c. 6. in these words There were some escaped by flying to the tops of Mountains or by being carryed in Ships to Deucalion King of Thessaly by whom for that reason the Race of Mankind was said to have been repaired The Phoenicians who filled Europe with their Colonies as Bochartus excellently proves in his Canaan did certainly about these times under the Conduct of Cadmus arrive in great numbers in Greece whither they brought their Religion and a vast number of Fables no small part whereof the same Great Man hath made manifest to arise from their own ill understood words The History of Moses may be taken out of the Scripture his Flight from Egypt his Return and chief Miracles have hapned in this our third Period The Law given by Moses The Fourth EPOCH From the Law given by Moses to the Destruction of Troy are 347 years which comprehends The Fourth PERIOD The Year of the World The Year before Christ 2453. 1531. VVHEN the Children of Israel had continued in the lower Egypt for 217 years and suffered a cruel Bondage under the Kings of that part of the Country who by the Egyptians are called Shepherds and took away that Country from the Ancient Egyptians they were at length after the working of divers Miracles freed by Moses as the Scriptures declare They increased to a vast Multitude in Egypt seeing there were six hundred thousand Men able to bear Arms that went out of the Country from whence we may gather that they amounted in all at least to two Millions of Souls These passed the Red-Sea in one Night which by the following method might be done in the space of eight hours let us suppose that the space of the Sea so divided to each side as it was might contain an Army whose front consisted of two hundred Men that is about two hundred paces broad and let us suppose that the Israelites filled all that space so that the front of the Army or Multitude consisted of two Hundred and lastly let us grant that the Chanel of the Red-Sea contained in breadth the space of two hours passing over so that 120000 Men might be contained in the Chanel of the Sea so long and so broad marching in a Body whose front was made up of two hundred Men. Which Notion carries nothing of absurdity in it seeing every one at least is allowed a pace square for six thousand Paces takes in at least two hours Journey which if multiplyed by 200 which was the breadth allowed for the dryed space this will make up 120000 paces square Hence 't is manifest that the first Rank of the Army might reach the opposite Shoar in two hours time and that Body which followed the six thousand Men two hours after by which method 120000 Men might pass through that Sea in four hours Now let us allow the other four hours for the rest of the People and all the Children of Israel might pass over in the space of eight hours But it is to be noted that the Red-Sea might have been narrower and the space from whence the waters were driven larger from whence it follows that that passage throught might have been done in less time than we have assigned It seems wonderful
the Sons of the Strong or of the Gods Bene Elim There were other Hercules's older than this of whom as also of their whole History we have Treated in a particular Dissertation already The expedition of the Argonauts is to be referred to that Age which seems to be mingled with Fables that arose from want of a right understanding of the words of the Phoenicians that related to them For example a Ship is called Argo and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Archo in the Phoenician Tongue signifies a Long Ship It 's said that Ship spoke because the Phoenician word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Doberah signifies one speaking or the Helm See Sam. Bochart in his Canaan and my Dissertation de Statua Salina Atreus and Thyestes lived a little after in the Peloponnesus who were Notorious for their mutual enmities and wickedness Theseus brought twelve Towns built by Gecrops in the Land of Athens in the time of Gideon into one City Seven Captains wage War against Polynice King of Thebes to wit Adrastus Eteocles Amphiaraeus Tydeus Hippomedon Capaneus and Parthenopeus Most of these having perished in that War their Children called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. Posterity by way of Peculiarity were revenged upon the Thebans ten years after whom they overthrew in a great Battel under the Conduct of Alcmeon Amphiaraus his Son 2655. 1329. 2768. 1216. Janus Reigned in Italy an Hundred and fifty years before the Arrival of Aeneas and Latinus about 35 years The Destruction of Troy The Fifth EPOCH There are 192 years from the Destruction of Troy to the Building of the first Temple of Jerusalem which makes up The Fifth PERIOD The Year of the World The Year before Christ 2800. 1184. A War arose between the Trojans and Graecians about Paris the Son of Priamus King of Troy his stealing away Helen the Wife of Menelaus King of Sparta which after Ten years continuance ended in the Destruction of Troy We shall hereafter mingle this Epoch taken out of prophane History with those Epochs taken from the Scripture because there is nothing generally so Celebrated in the History of the Heathens as this is Jair the Gileadite was Judge in Israel at this time Ibsan Elon Abdon Sampson Eli and Samuel Succeeded him in this Period in order whose years may be taken out of Petavius his Tables and teir History from the Scripture 2832. 1182. Aeneas that same year when Troy was taken in the Autumn Sailed into Thrace where he wintered and two years after while he tarryed in Sicily whither he went from Thrace having weathered the Tyrrhene Sea he arrived in the Summer at Laurentum and soon after having Marryed Lavinia King Latinus's Daughter he Built the City Lavinium on that Coast 2803. 1181. The Rutilians under the Conduct of Turnus wage War against Latinus and Aeneas wherein Latinus and Turnus were killed Aeneas Reigned three years in Italy Petavius will supply you with the order of his Successors 2817. 1167. A few years after the Kingdom of Sicyon which according to the computation of some had lasted about a Thousand years entirely ended To wit the year before Jeptha took upon him to be Judge in Israel 2832. 1152. Ascanius the Son of Aeneas Built Alba Longa Thirty years after the Building of Lavinium 2881. 1103. The Heraclidae under the Conduct of Temenus Cresphon and Aristodemus fixed their Habitations in Peloponnesus in the time of Sampson's Judging Israel Next year began the Kingdom of Corinth as also of the Lacedaemonians which was continued by the two Families of Erysthenides and Proclides descendants from Hercules Here the Epoch is fixt of the Return of the Heraclidae which is much celebrated among the Greek Writers They were said to have returned at that time into Peloponnesus because they had endeavoured though in vain an Hundred years before to invade that Country 2189. 1095. That return of theirs hapned to be when Eli was Judge in Israel who being Succeeded by Samuel the Children of Israel in his time despising the Authority of the Judges would have a King set over them and so Saul of the Tribe of Benjamin was Elected In his time Codrus the last King of Athens Sacrificed his Life for the safety of his People whose Sons Medon and Nileus contending for the Kingdom the Athenians took the opportunity to abolish the Royal power and made choice of Archons whose Office was to be perpetual but they were to give an account to the People of the Administration and Medon Codrus's Son was the first that bore that Office 2913. 1071. In these times the Greeks that were the Posterity of the * Heb. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Which may be read Ion or Javan Javans or Ionians sent Colonies into Asia from whence they came wherefore the Javanian Athenians and their Posterity the †Heb. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bene Eol the Sons of a Storm or such as in a Storm came from Asia into Greece Aeolians contended that Asia Minor was first planted with their Colonies whereas they ought to have acknowledged that they themselves were descended from thence but that afterwards they stocked the Country with new Colonies that was till then but ill Peopled They were the People that Built Cuma and Smyrna 2929. 1055. David Reigned after Saul being descended of the Tribe of Judah and was at first a Shepherd afterwards both King and Prophet 2969. 1015. Solomon succeeded David as famous in the Art of Peace as his Father excelled for his Knowledge in Military Affairs and he built a Temple unto God The Building of the Temple of Jerusalem The Sixth EPOCH From the Building of the Temple of Jerusalem to the first Olympiad are computed 216 years which makes The Sixth PERIOD 2992. 992. SOlomon built a Temple unto God which his Father David who was desirous to set upon that work was forbid to do and finished the same in the 23d year of his Reign Herein was the Ark of the Covenant laid up which before was wont to be kept in Moses his Tabernacle The Scripture informs us that this King was adorned with all accomplishments both of Body and Mind but that towards the end of his Life he had not been able to withstand the Temptations of Women so that he fell unto base Idolatry for the love of his Wives and Concubines whereof he had very many In his time the Kings of Tyre were very potent and Hiram then Reigning made a League with Solomon See Marsham ad Saec. 14. Hadarezer or his Son Reigned in Syria as appears from 2 Sam. 10. and from that time forward the Kings of Syria seem to have been very powerful to the time of Nabopolassar who brought Syria as well as Judaea under the Subjection of the Assyrian Empire See 1 Kings 20.2 and 2 Kings 8 9 12. Petavius thinks Homer lived at this time which was not two Hundred years after the Destruction of Troy See his Book De Doct. Temp. 9. c. 30. Some make him an Hundred years later at
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
In the Second year of his Reign the Jews begged leave to finish the begun work and at length after sixteen years began to build again notwithstanding all the efforts of the Samaritans to obstruct them who were always very obnoxious to the Jews The Temple was entirely finished within the compass of six years and a little after the Passover was kept at Jerusalem Esd 6. A few years before to wit in the fourth of Cambyses his Reign before the Birth of our Saviour 527 upon the Death of Pisistratus Tyrant of Athens Hippias Succeeded who was his Eldest Son and held the Government for eighteen years Hipparchus a very Learned Man was his Brother who is said to have compiled the Rhapsodies of Homer into one Volume which were before in several scattered pieces This Man seeing he maintained the Tyranny of his Brother was Slain by Harmodius and Aristogiton who though they were themselves killed in the midst of the Guards yet this did so incense the Athenians that they Divested Hippias of the Government who strove now to maintain it in vain and so put an end to Pisistratus his Tyranny 3472. 512. LXVIII ii 242. Not long after the Province of Babylon Revolted from King Darius which however after a long Siege of the City of Babylon he recovered by the cunning of Zopyrus While these things were doing in Greece and Asia Tarquinius Superbus the last King of Rome was expelled from thence because that his Son Sextus Tarquinius Ravished Lucretia and immediately thereupon the Kingly Authority was Abrogated and two Consuls created in the place of the Kings The first that executed that Office were L. Junius Brutus and L. Tarquinius Collatinus which last was by P. Valerius who succeeded him forced to lay down because of his invidious Name as not long after M. Horatius succeeded Brutus who was Slain in Battle a Catalogue of the Consuls that succeeded you have in Petavius About these times Pythagoras of Samos flying both from Samos and the Rulers of it for fear of the Tyranny exercised there went an exile into Italy Syloson Polycrates's Brother was then Tyrant of Samos Hence 't is manifest that Ovid who makes Pythagoras to be Numa Pompilius his Tutor is guilty of a gross Anachronism Next year after the Creation of Confuls at Rome M. Valerius Poplicola in his second Consulship Triumphed for his Conquering Tarquinius and the Etrurians whom he excited to make War upon the Romans But his Victories rendring him afterwards suspected by the People he made a Law whereby a Citizen that was called into question for his life might Appeal from the Consuls and the Senate to the People In the mean time the Family of the Tarquins making it their constant business to seek for aid among the Neighbouring Nations against the Romans stirred up Porsenna King of Etruria to make War upon them in which War the Romans did great exploits and amongst others M. Horatius Cocles Mutius Scaevola and Cloelia Virgo very much signalized themselves by whose Valour more especially Porsenna was brought to raise the Siege of Rome which he had invested and to grant a Peace to the Romans A little after the Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus was Consecrated by M. Horatius At that time Darius being to make War upon the Scythians made a Bridge over the Thracian Bosphorus and then over the Danube from whence passing over into Scythia after he had lost a great part of his Army he returned into Asia leaving Megabazus to subdue Europe with Eight hundred thousand Men as being perswaded thereto by Hippias the Tyrant of Athens who by the assistance of the Persian Forces thought to reassume his lost power Megabazus Conquered Thrace and Macedon for the King of Persia as also the Ionians but having been overthrown by the Athemians upon several occasions Darius was so incensed at it that he resolved to make War upon Greece In these times flourished Heraclitus the Ephesian and Democritus of Abderis both famous Philosophers The Romans won many Victories over the Sabines and Vejentians they brought also the Latines who made a bustle and stir against them after various overthrows wherein the Romans still worsted them to renew their Alliance with them to whom they added the Volsci and Aequi who also gave them trouble 3491. 493. LXXI iv 261. But the Romans themselves could scarce be at Peace at home for the Commonalty finding they were opprest with the extortions of the Nobility passed over the Anien to the Hill called Mons Sacer as if they designed to erect another Republick without any Nobility but they were brought back to Rome by the Speech and Dexterous Management of Menenius Agrippa There it was that three Tribunes of the People were first created by a Law which they called the Holy Law to whose number two more were afterwards added who were to defend the Privileges of the Commonalty against the Nobles The Power of these Magistrates was esteemed most Sacred and no Law could be enacted without one of them were present While these wranglings were at Rome Darius made open War upon Greece and Mardonius his Son in Law was the first that expelled their respective Tyrants out of the Cities of Ionia and reduced Thrace and Macedon again which had shaken off the Persian yoke under its obedience 3492. 490. LXXII iii. 264. At length when he had entred Greece he engaged at Marathon a City of Attica with the Athenians and Plataeensians who under the Conduct of Miltiades whose number did not exceed ten thousand Men overthrew three hundred thousand of these Barbarians Darius soon after as he was preparing for a new expedition dyed At this time flourished Aeschylus the Athenian a Tragick Poet and Sophocles his Country-man was now born who excelled him in the same sort of Poetry Now the Athenians by the advice of Themistocles built the Pyraeum and Gelo became Tyrant of Syracuse C. Marcius Coriolanus being Banished from Rome excited the Volsci to make War upon this Country and being made their General he besieged Rome whose Siege when he could have taken it he raised at his Mothers tears and intreaties 3498. 486. LXXIII iii. 268. Sp. Cassius in his third Consulship was the first Author of the Agrarian Law which was made about dividing the Land of the Hernici whom the Romans and Latines had Conquered but next year the same Cassius as affecting Tyranny was thrown down headlong over the Rock Tarpeia and so perish'd 3500. 484. LXXIV i. 270. While the Romans waged War with the Vosci Vejentians and Aequi their Neighbour Nations Xerxes fourth King of Persia succeeded Darius and Reigned twenty years in the fourth of his Reign he made War upon Greece whither he Transported his Land Forces consisting of eight hundred thousand Men over a Bridge made cross the Hellespont His Navy consisted of above twelve hundred Ships But he was first beaten by the Athenians more especially under the Conduct of Themistocles in a Naval fight at Salamis and three hundred Spartans
more than that of the Roman Liberty and commanded himself to be Adored when all others before him were only Saluted That he wore Jewels on his Cloaths and Shoes For the Ensign of Empire consisted before in a Purple Robe only but in other things they went like other People But it 's manifest the same thing was done by Caligula and perhaps he inveighs the more bitterly against Dioclesian because he saw he was hated by the Christians For Eutropius lived in the time of the first Christian Emperors 302. Dioclesian and Maximianus Herculius after they had put an end to various Wars raised the Tenth and greatest Persecution of all against the Christians They pulled down their Temples and Churches every where if we may call those Places so where the Christians privately met to worship and sought out for the Scriptures in every corner which they forced from many with exquisite Torments who for that reason were called TRAYTORS Some time after there was a Synod held against them at Cirtha in Numidia wherein those who had not given them up would have the Traytors Excommunicated But as there were several of the Bishops who had been themselves tardy in the point they let the matter fall This Account we have in St. Augustine against Cresconius lib. iii. cap. 26. Whence 't is evident there were not as many suffered Martyrdom as the Writers of the latter Ages have boasted of 304 This year Dioclesian and Maximianus Herculius having laid aside the Imperial Dignity the first at Nicomedia and the other at Milan resumed a private Life while Constantius Chlorus and Maximinianus Armentarius were at the same time declared Augusti as Severus and Galerius Maximinus were also made Caesars These Princes divided the Provinces of the Empire so as that it was assigned to every one what part it was his business to govern and defend Constantius died two years after at York and his Son Constantine by the unanimous Consent of the whole Army was saluted Caesar and next year Emperor But when Constantine's Picture was brought to Rome Maxentius the Son of Herculius was presently proclaimed Emperor by the Praetorian Bands The same year Caecilianus was constituted in the Place of Mensurius Bishop of Carthage by Felix of Aptungitanum From whence sprung a Schism for that those to whom the Church-Plate was entrusted by Mensurius were compelled to give them up to Caecilianus if so be we are bound to believe herein St. Augustine and Optatus the Donatists Opponents from whom only we have this Account The Schismaticks pretended that Caecilianus had been Ordained by the Traditores or Betrayers as they called them wherefore they thought that they had a Right to Create another Bishop which was Majorinus The Chief Man among them was Donatus of Casae-Nigrae from whom the Schism was denominated 307. When Galerius Maximianus came to understand that Maxentius who was his Son-in-Law had invaded the Imperial Authority he endeavoured both himself and by his Generals though in vain to subdue him His Father Maximianus hoping he might by the means hereof assume the Purple again went from Lucania to Rome but being found to have conspired against his Son he was expelled from thence And so he fled to Constantine then in Gaul on whom he bestowed his Daughter Fausta in Marriage and withal consigned unto his hands as far as in him lay the Title and Power of Augustus or Emperor Licinius who before had been declared Caesar by Maximianus did the following year assume the Name of Augustus So that there were this year no less than four Emperors viz. Maximianus Constantine Maxentius and Licinius The Donatists at the same time gathered a Synod of Two hundred and seventy Bishops at Carthage wherein they Decreed That the Betrayers should be Re-baptized and upon their Refusal be Excommunicated 311. Galerius in the mean time by an Edict put a stop to the Persecution of the Christians which he had before promoted and died of an infectious Wound he had received An Anonymous Author publish'd by James Sirmondus adds That this was such a drunken Emperor that when in drink he commanded what ought not to be done he Enacted upon the Advice of the Praefect That none should execute his Commands after Dinner-time THE Conversion of Constantine The XIth EPOCH From the Conversion of the Emperor Constantine to the Reign of Charles the Great are Four Hundred Eighty Eight Years which comprehends The XIth PERIOD 312. Constantine is said to have seen this year in the Air something representing the Sign of the Cross with these words on it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In this thou shalt overcome and that then he was converted He thereupon together with Licinius to whom he was reconciled put out several Edicts in favour of the Christians But he made War upon Maxentius who being beaten fell in his flight over a Bridge that was built across the Tyber into that River The Donatists from thence-forward raised many Disturbances in Africa whose Dissentions Constantine endeavoured to accommodate by the means of some Bishop employed for that end tho' to no purpose upon application being made to him upon the said account which Dionys Petavius wrongfully ascribes to the next year He did indeed Enact That the Determination of the Bishops even in Civil Controversies should be allowed of But he ought to have referred this Edict to the Year 331 for the same was dated at Constantinople which began to be re-edified A. D. 328 And this Observation we have from David Blondell who hath inserted the same with some few more in the Margin of Petavius Upon this a War brake out between Constantine and Licinius wherein the former prevailing in two great Battels imposed these Terms upon the other That he should govern Thrace the East and remoter Provinces while Constantine should from Illyricum possess all the rest of the Empire Westward It was not long after before Constantius and Crispus the Sons of Constantine the Great as also Licinius the Son of Licinius were made Caesars At the same time it 's said Arius a Presbyter of Alexandria taught the People publickly that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Word was not of so perfect a Substance as the Father though he were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 most like unto him inasmuch as his Substance had been created by the Father before the Formation of the World 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of that which had no Entity But Alexander Bishop of Alexandria who with several others believed the Word to be a Substance altogether equal to that of the Father and Eternal turned Arius out of the Church who for all that drew several Bishops to take his part the chief whereof was Eusebius Bishop of Nicomedia Philostorgius who wrote an Ecclesiastical History from the time of the Nicene Council down to that of Theodosius the Younger some Fragments and a short Compendium whereof made by a Person who was of the Homoousian Opinion are still extant testifies that one Alexander Sirnamed Baucala