and took an Hundred private Hostages The Rhodians presently erect Statues for Lysimachus and Cassander and make a God of Ptolomy § 3. Demetrius chaseth Cassander beyond the Straits of Thermopilae and recover'd all that Cassander held there the like he did in Peloponesus setting all Free and translateth Sicyon to anâ—ther place and called it Demetrius Then he was proclaimed General of all Greece and Athens decreed all his Commandments should be held Sacred and just with God and Men Cassander's Case now oblig'd him to seek Peace for Macedon but Antigonus will have absolute submission which made Cassander sollicit the Confederates Lysimachus Ptolomy and Seleucus who apprehending the common danger agree to joyn Forces against a common Enemy Lysimachus with part of Cassander's Forces begins and passeth the Hellespont makes hot War in Asia which Antigonus hasteth to oppose but cannot force Lysimachus home who stayed for Seleucus's coming and made him send for Demetrius c. § 4. Seleucus is come and joyned with Ptolomy's Forces and Lysimachus making Sixty four Thousand Foot Ten Thousand Five Hundred Horse Four Hundred Elephants and One Hundred aâ—med Carts Antigonus had Seventy Thousand Foot Ten Thousand Horse and Seventy Five Elephants they met at Ipsus near Ephesus where the only memorable Thing was that Demetrius encountred young Antiochus Son of Seleucus and so pursued him in flight that Seleucus interposeth his Elephants between Demetrius and Antigonus's Phalanx and with his Troops of Horse so forced it that many soon revolted and left him to death Thus Princes commonly succeed who are more fear'd by their Enemies than lov'd by Friends § 5. Demetrius finding all lost made a speedy retreat to Ephesus with Four Thousand Horse and Five Thousand Foot thinking long to be at Athens the Worshippers of his Godhead not knowing they had repealed his Deity 'till he met their Messengers not as Theories to Consult at their Oracle but as Officers to prohibit his entring their City which shameless Ingratitude more afflicted him than all the rest yet he spake them fair 'till he recovered his Ships out of their Haven In the mean time the Confederates are dividing his Father's Provinces of which Seleucus seised on Syria and part of Asia the less whereat the rest repined and consulted to oppose his Greatness in time whereof he was not ignorant knowing the Law of Sâ—â—te ought not to permit the over-growing of Neighbours Therefore to serve his turn of Demetrius against Lysimachus he Married his Daughter Stratonica but to save the life of his Son Antiochus who was passionately in love with her he gave her to him The like Alliance was between Ptolomy and Lysimachus Demetrius and Cassander Demetrius and Ptolomy yet not bound to each other but for the present as it hath been with Christian Kings whom neither Bed nor Book can make faithful in their Covenants Yet Demetrius had this advantage by Seleucus's Affinity that he got Cilicia from Plistarchus Brother to Cassander who yet was pacified by Phila their Sister Wife to Demetrius who also about that time married Ptolomy's Daughter yet Seleucus had rather have Demetrius further off having a mind to Cilicia as Ptolomy had to Cyprus and offered ready mony for it but in vain for Demetrius had already found there Twelve Thousand Talents of his Fathers § 6. Demetrius with Three Hundred good Ships entreth Attica besiegeth the City of Athens which Ptolomy sought to relieve but could not so by extream Famine it was yielded but was spared notwithstanding all their unthankfulness yet he put a Garrison in it to keep them honest by force Then he went to Peloponesus against Lacedemon but was hastily called away into Asia where Lysimachus had won many Towns from him and Ptolomy besieged Salamis in Cyprus where his Mother and Childrâ—n reâ—ained Yet hearing of Cassander's death and that his Sons Antipater and Alexander fought for the Kingdom and that Antipater had furiously slain their Mother Thessalonica for affecting his Brother he chose rather to go to assist Alexander who desired aid of him and Pyrrâ—us King of Epirus § 7. Pyrrhus Son of Aeacides an Infant at his Father's death was conveyed unto Glaucias King of Illyria who at Twelve Years old set him in his Kingdom out of which six years after he was forced and went to serve Demetrius who married his Sister and after the Overthrow at Ipsus became Hostage to Ptolomy upon his reconciliation with Demetrius In Aegypt he got the favour of Berenice Ptolomy's principal Wife and Married her Daughter and was restored to Epirus He being requested of Alexander to aid him against Antipater for reward took Ambracia by force Acarnania and much more leaving the united Brethren to divide the rest Demetrius also bâ—ing come after all was done is discontented and pretending Alexander had plotted his death slew him at a Feast and seized on his part of the Kingdom At which Antipater who had Married Lysimachus's Daughter was so inraged that his Father-in-Law to quiet him took away his troublesome life Thus the House which Cassander had raised with so much Treachery and Royal-Blood fell on his own Grave before the Earth was throughly setled Demetrius after this access of Dominion grew to such dissoluteness in Wine Women and Idleness that he would not endure the trouble of Petitions and doing justice so that the People grew weary of his idleness and the Souldiers of his vanity Having lost all he had in Asia and Cyprus but his Mother and Children which Ptolomy honourably sent him home he went against Thebes and won it twice then he went against Pyrrhus with two great Armies of which one led by Pentauchus was overthrown and he beaten by Pyrrhus upon Challenge hand to hand which loss offended not the Macedonians so much as the young Princes behaviour pleased them seeming to see a lively figure of Alexander in his best qualities This esteem of Pyrrhus was increased by the dislike which he had of Demetrius for his Insolency and Cruelty to his Souldiers of whom he said The more of them died the fewer he had to pay In the end he grew sensible of their general hatred which to prevent he intended a War in Asia with a Royal Army of almost One Hundred Thousand Foot and Twelve Thousand Horse and a Navy of Five Hundred Sail of which many exceeded all former greatness Seleucus and Ptolomy doubting the issue are earnest with Lysimachus and Pyrrhus to joyn against him who accordingly invade Macedon Lysimachus entring that part next him and when Demetrius went against him Pyrrhus broke in on his side and took Berrhaea which News put all the Camp in a consternation few forbearing seditious Speeches and many desiring to return home But he perceiving their design to go to Lysimachus their Countryman led them against Pyrrhus a Stranger thinking so to pacify them wherein he was deceived For though they were as hasty as he to meet with Pyrrhus yet was it not to fight with him but to
Palm or Olive so that the choice Orators Poets and Musicians resorted thither to shew their skill in setting out his Praise that won the Garland with such Vanity said Tully as if it had been a Conquest of a Province The time of the year was the Fifteenth of Hecatobaeon our Iune whereto they brought the Full Moon § 6. Iotham Twenty Five years old succeeded his Father Vzziah in his life time and reigned 26 years happy in all things as he was Devout and Virtuous 2 King 15.33 Contemporaries Aucomenus succeeded Pelesteus in Corinth whom Annual Magisteus succeeded contrary to Pausan. Aesculus in Athens Accamenes in Sparta Tiglath Pileser in Assyria Twenty five years and Two with his Son Twenty Seven in all Nahum the Prophet now fore-told the destruction of Ninive One Hundred and Fifty years beforehand Sosarmus and Medidus succeeded Arbaces in Media the Second and Third Kings there § 7. Achas succeeded in Iudah one year with Iotham in the Seventeenth year of Peka he was Twentâ— years old and Reigned Sixteen years an exceeding Idolater Sacrificing his Sons to Moloch or Saturn after the manner of the Heathens used of old Levit. 18. Deut. 12. by many Nations and at this day by the Americans as Acosta witnesseth c. God raised â—im Enemies on all sides so that when he saw his dead Gods failed him yet neglecting the living God he sought Aid of Tiglath Pileser who embraced the Advantage to go through with what his Father entred but had no leisure to finish it He therefore invaded Syria and won Damascus all Israel made Iudah Tributary though Achaz had hired him Contemporaries the Ephori in Lacedemon 130 years after Lycurgus opposed to Kings as the Tribunes in Rome against Consuls Alcamenon in Athens the last Governour for Life after which followed a Magistrate for Ten years Sylvii of Aeneas's Race ended after Three Hundred Years Romulus now built Rome the Eighth of Achaz the First of the Seventh Olympiad CHAP. XX. Of Italy and Rome's Foundation in Ahaz's time § 1. ITALY before the Fall of Troy was known to the Greeks by the names of Hesperia Ausonia Oenotria of a Colony of Arcadians and Italy of Italus Reyneccius derives the Name rather from a Colony of Aetolians which Inhabited Brundusium from whose Names with small Change that part was called Italia which in time grew the common name saith Pliny Such change in the Aeolic Dialect is Familiar as to call an Island Peopled by Aetholians Aethalia The Original of Greeks and Latins was from Iavan who sailing over the Ionian Sea between Aetolia and the Western Ocean planted Greece and Italy Reyneccius makes Atlai Italus one which Berosus calls Cethim Italus but is deceived for Atlas is esteemed more Antient than Moses and if he were Cethim or Kithim Noah's Grand-Son his Antiquity exceeds that of Italy which Name Virgil confesseth later and from a Captain But seeing Hercules a little before Troy's Fall left a Colony of Eleans or Aetoleans it may be under the command of one called Aitolus a Name famous among Aetolians Italy might take Name of him § 2. Aborigines that is the Natives of the place Inhabited Latium whom Halycarnassus Varro and Reyneccius think to have been Arcadians who used to vaunt of their Antiquity having more constantly kept their Country in Peloponesus than other Greeks yet being fruitful sent Colonies to other Countries as when Evander was sent into the same parts of Italy Pelasgi an Antient Nation after gave Name to all Greece but such of them as came into Italy lost the Name of their Tribe in a short time Sicani Ausones Aurunci Rutili in after Ages disturbed Latium whiâ—h Satâ—rn had brought to some Civility and taught to dung the Ground That Latium took the name of Saturn's lurking there from Iupiter is far fetched and questionless a Fable yet many Fables were occasioned from some Antient Truths It may be then that Saturn hiding himself was some allusion to the old Opinion of the Wise Heathen that the true God was an unknown God to whom Paul found an Altar dedicated It cannot be in vain that the word Saturnus should also signify hidden coming of the Hebrew Satar to hide as some think c. Reyneccius proceedeth in deriving Latium from the Posterity of Iavan Inhabiting a Territory in lesser Asia called Elaitia who after the Trojan War went into Italy whence might grow Elaitinus and so Latinus c. § 3. The Latin Kings 'till Aeneas were Saturnus Picus Faunus Latinus Whether Saturnus were he whom the Greeks called Cronos e. the time of the Aborigines will admit but his Names of Stercus or Sterculius do argue him another so called of the Dungs he taught them to lay upon their ground Ezechiel often cals Idâ—ls Deos Stercoreos as Belzebul is Dominus Stercoreus c. § 4. Aeneas a Trojan of the Blood-Royal came to Latium with some 1200 Trojans and Married Laviana King Latinus's Daughter He had a Son before by his Wife Creusa Daughter of Priamus called Ascanius and Sirnamed Iulus After Aeneas's death Lavinia was great with Child by him and fearing Ascanius fled into a Wood where being Delivered the Child was called Sylvius Posthumus Bâ—t upon the Peoples disapproving of Lavinia's flight Ascanius called her home used her like a Queen and Educated her Son Ascanius to avoid dissention left the City Lavinium to Laviana and Founded Alba-Longa where he Reign'd about 30 Year and left his Son Iulus who upon contention with Sylvius whom the People favoured left the Kingdom and took the Priesthood for him and his Posterity Sylvius Posthumus Reigned 29. Sylvius Aeneas 31. Sylvius Latinus 10. Sylvius Alba 39. Sylvius Atis 36. Sylvius Capijs 28. Sylvius Capelus 13. Sylvius Tiberinus 8. Sylvius Agrippa 41. Sylvius Alladyus 19. Sylvius Aventinus 37. Sylvius Procas 23. Sylvius Amulius 44. He expelled his Elder Brother Sylvius Numitor slew his Son Aegestius and made his Daughter Ilia a Vestal-Virgin Numitor who yet either by her Uncle or some Warlike-Man conceived 2 Sons Romulus and Reineccius who in time slew Amulius and all his Family and restored Numitor in whom the Kingdom of Alba ended and received Magistrates Yet it contended with Rome 'till her Three Curiatij were vanquished by the Three Horatij Champions for Rome After this Metius the Alban Dictator following Tullus Hostilius in his War upon Tullus's disadvantage withdrew his Companies to distress Tullus for which he was torn in pieces at two Chariots and Alba Reigned but the Citizens were made free Denisons and her Nobles Patricians of Rome among whom was a Family of Iulij which hath since risen in Iulius Caesar c. § 5. Rome which devoured the Alban Kingdom and brake all the Kingdoms from Euphrates to the Western Ocean as that Alban the IV th a Beast with Iron-Teeth forespoken of cometh now to be handled only touching her Original which some seek to derive from Ianus others from the Greeks Plâ—tarch in the Life of Romulus
whose Brother he was Cyrus ever after so trusted him that in his Journey to Scythia he left him to advise Cambyses his Son § 5. Cyrus after the Conquest of Lydia as it seems Invaded Scythia and taking Amorges whose Wife Spartha renewing the War took Cyrus and so by exchange recover'd her Husband He also reduc'd the Phocians and Greeks in lesser Asia being fallen off and having setled all his Provinces prepared to attempt Babylon as the height of his Designs whereto he inforced Head and Hand Cyrus having spent ten years in ordering former Purchases and preparing for Babylon knowing the strength of it being treble Walled of great heighth and surrounded with Waters unfordable and victualled for twenty years despaired to carry it by Assault or to Famish it in short time or without great and assur'd Guard considering the vast circuit of the Wall above forty eight Miles of thirty two Foot thickness and one hundred Cubits high Cyrus having considered these difficulties with the inconveniency of lying long at the Siege with such a Multitude and the doubtful Terms of Conquer'd remote Provinces with the dishonour of making shew to attempt what in probability could not be compassed contrived how to turn aside Euphrates by many Channels Balthazar in the mean time secure of any thing the Enemy could do fell to Feasting c. when the Lord of Heaven against whom he exalted himself sent a Message by a Divine Hand-writing which marred all their Mirth The execution of that fearful Sentence came on as fast when in the same night Cyrus causing the Dams between the River and his Trenches to be cut down Euphrates suddenly fail'd the City and left the Besiegers a ready entrance upon a secure People drowned in their Cups No Historian if he had been present could have better set out Babel's Calamities in that surprize than did Isaiah two hundred years before and Ieremy above seventy years whose Prophecies were now accomplish'd § 6. Cyrus his last Wars and End are diversly reported Herodotus and Iustin tell us of his Wars with the Massagets and his death by Queen Tomyris But I believe with Viginier that War was rather that which he had before with the Scythians and that Tomyris was Sparta Ctesias reports he was wounded in his War with Derbician Scythians and died three days after and by Strabo's Report he was buried in his own City Pasagardes whose Tomb Alexander the Great opened saith Curtius There is no likelihood of any such overthrow of the Persians in Scythia considering Cambyses's present Journey into Egypt and therefore I believe he died at home as Xenophon reports setting down his Oration to his Son c. § 7. Cyrus his Decree for building God's Temple was in true consideration the noblest of all his Acts as a Service to the Author of all goodness accomplishing what the Lord had promised seventy years before touching the return of the Iews c. restoring the Vessels of the Sanctuary and re-building the House of God Yet was the Work hindred all the days of Cyrus by the Samaritans and Governours of the Provinces who wrought upon Cambyses in his Father's days and after upon suggestion that it was a Rebellious City c. He Reigned thirty or one and thirty Years § 8. Cyrus had two Sons Cambyses and Smerdis Three Daughters Atossa and Meroe whom Cambyses their Brother Married and Aristona Wife to Darius Hystaspes as was Atossa after Cambyses's death Codman mistakes her for Hester because she was called Hadasa but nearness of Names confounds not the Person where the one was the known Daughter of Cyrus the other a Iew who though a while she concealed her Kindred yet she after discovered it c. CHAP. IV. Of the Persian Affairs from Cyrus to Darius § 1. THE Persian Kings are diversly numbred but Eusebius and most Latin Authors follow the Greeks Krentzheim hath refelled all the other and Beucer maketh it good by Scripture Cyrus Reign'd in all thirty years nam'd 2 Chron. 36. and Ezra 1.1 and elsewhere Cambyses with the Magi eight years named in Daniel 11.2 Darius Hystaspes Ezr. 4.5 he Reigned thirty six then Xerxes twenty one years plainly set out Dan. 11.2 Artaxeres Longintanus forty years Ezr. 4.7 called also Artasta Ezra 4.7 and 7.7 Darius Northis nineteen years Ezra 4.24 and 5.6 Nehem. 12.22 Artaxeres Mriemon forty three years Nehem. 2.1 Father to Artaxerxes Octius and Arsames in whom the Line of Cyrus ended Octius Reigned twenty two years Arsames three Darius the last was of another Family and Reigned six years All these are by Eusebius fitted to the Olympiad § 2. Cambyses succeeded his Father like him only in desire to increase the Empire In the fifth year of his sole Reign the third of the sixty third Olympiad he Invaded Egypt for that Amà sis denied him his Daughter but Psamneticus Reigning after is slain by Cambyses six Months after Amasis's death others give him six years § 3. Cambyses also forced Evelthon King of Cyprus to submit he destroyed the Egyptian Images and Temples and sent to do the like to Iupiter Ammon in Lybia but the Devil by a Storm oppressed them with Sand yet himself attempted it after in vain he also slew Apis the Egyptian Bull. But shortly after upon a Dream that his Brother sate upon his Throne he procured Praxaspes his Favourite to kill him Intending to Marry his Sisters he asked his Judges what Law permitted it who answered Persian Kings are Lawless Yet he caused Sisanus a Corrupt Judge to be flaied alive covering the Judges Seat with the Skin and put his Son into the Office He shot Praxaspes's Son in the Heart to shew his Father the Wine he delighted in had not taken away his Wits Mounting his Horse in haste to Persia hearing of Semendis a Magus upon likeness to his Brother usurped the Crown his Sword falling out gave him his death's wound He Built Babylon in Egypt where Latopolis had stood and Meroe in Nilus by his Sisters Name whom he slew for weeping for Smerdis § 4. The Seven Princes descend from Achaemenes's discovering the Fraud of the Imposture with joyned Forces rooted him out and after Consultation whether Popular Government or a few Choice Men or Regal were best the Resolution was to make him King whose Horse should Neigh first after the Sun-Rising Darius one of them Consulting with Oebarus Master of his Horse caused his Horse to cover a Mare in the Suburbs the Night before who coming the next Morning by that place with the rest made Darius Emperor by his Horse Neighing first CHAP. V. Of Darius the Son of Hystaspes § 1. DArius came of the second Race of Achaemenes thus Cyrus the First begat Teispius who begat Arianes Father of Arsanes who accompanied Cyrus in Scythia where Cyrus upon a Dream grew Jealous of Darius but afterwards he followed Cambyses into Egypt Married two of Cyrus's Daughters Reyneccius gives Hystaspes five Sons Herodotus four § 2. Darius made many
five thousand more § 9. Mardonius's Army of thirty thousand was increased to fifty thousand with the Macedonians Thaebans and Thessalians against which the Forces of Greece were One hundred and ten Thousand of which forty thousand were weightily Armed All these comfronted one another in a convenient place belonging to the Plataeans who gave it to the Athenians upon the Oracles promise of Victory if the Battle were fought on Athenian ground In the end the Armies encounter each other Mardonius is slain his Army destroyed and Artabasus with three thousand flyeth to Byzantium and so Shipped into Asia § 10. Xerxes being at Sardis committed Sixty thousand to Tygranes to keep Ionia and the Coast where his two Admirals lay at Mycale who perceiving the Grecian Fleet was coming drew their Ships on ground and fortifyed the places and disarmed the Samians among them and set the Miletians far off to keep the Streights doubting them The Greeks resolutely â—orce them and the Samians in the Fight get what Weapons they can and play the Devil against the Persians whose Example the Ionians follow so that the Persians are overthrown and of those that fled the Milesians had the slaughter this was the Evening of that Day the Battel was at Plataea which was the last that was heard of this mighty Army levied against Greece § 11. Xerxes not regarding these Losses was engag'd in the love of his Brother's Wife who rejected him and after of her Daughter Wife to his Son whereof did follow the Salvage Cruelty of Amestris his Wife on his Brother's Wife and his Murther of his Brother Masistes her Husband CHAP. VII The Greek Affairs from the Persian Wars to the Peloponesian of Twenty Seven Years § 1. THE Greeks having utterly defeated that Persian Army of Seventeen Hundred Thousand and left a few thousands of them that the Peloponesians sent home leaving Xantippus and his Athenians assisted with the revolted Ionês who took Sestos in the Streight of Hellespont between which and Abidos Xerxes's Bridge had stood and in the Spring return'd home taking their Wives and Children with them out of the Islands where they had left them The Athenians neglecting their private interest fell presently to fortifie their City which the Lacedemonians doubting the Athenians power at Sea dissuaded but in vain being held in suspence with fair words till the work was ended and then were answer'd That Athens knew what belonged to her safety as they had shewed in the Persian War without direction from others § 2. The Athenians sent out Thirty Ships the Lacedemonians Twenty the rest of Greece adding thereto Pausanias of Lacedemon having the Conduct who having possess'd themselves of many Principal Places in Cyprus went from thence to Thrace and recovered Bizantium now Constantinople from the Persians After this Pausanias beginning to play the Tyrant is called home and Docres put in his Place who is also misâ—iked as indeed a good Commander might be in comparison of the Wise and Virtuous Aristides Commander of the Athenians much more Men of ill desert The Lacedemonians being weary of following the War of which the Athenians were eagâ—r return home and take their easâ— while the other got Honour and had all the rest of the Greeks willing to be Commanded by the Athenians and to bear what Charge they lay upon them for the common defence of Greece gladly referring themselves to Aâ—istides But just Aristides could not prevent the Athenians making Slaves of their Fellows in short time imposing Thirteen Hundred Talents a year upon their Confederates Timon Son of â—â—â—â—iades was General who brought many Inhabitants 〈◊〉 Greece into the Athenian Servitude while neglecting to follow the Wars chusing rather to bear the Chaâ—ge than seâ—ve grew weak as the other became strong Timon having taken Phaleis entrâ—d Erquidom in Pamphiâ—ia overthrew the Persian Army at Land and took two hundred Ships and forced Eighty Sail of Phaenicians to râ—â— on groâ—nd and perâ—â—â— This forced the Persians to an honourable Peace with the Athenians § 3. Xerxes becomes cruel to his Kindred and those about him which made hiâ— Uncle Artaâ—â—â—â—â— to repose less safety in his Fidelity thaâ— in the hope of a Crown by destroying a Cruel Cowaâ—dly and Hated Prince Thus by means of Millorldatus an Eunuch the King is murther'd and his Son Darius charg'd with it and put to death But Artabanus is surpriz'd by Artaxerxes and slain § 4. Artaxerxes making Peace with the Athenians Themistocles seeking to check the Peoples insolency in their Democratical Government is Banished Ten Years who for safety fled to Persia where to avoid leading Forces against Athens he Poisoned himself § 5. Athens contrary to the Peace with the Persians measuring Honour by profit thought to Surprize Cyprus a convenient Seat for any State which would Trade with Syria Egypt Cilicia c. But Timon with two hundred Sail solicited by Icarus King of Lybia to joyn in Conquest and shewing him Egypt accepted the motion succeeded in the Attempt to the taking two parts of Memphis 'till Magabazus sent Forces to assist the Persians there by which means the Athenians were forced to Prosopotes and there slain with loss of all their Gallies and fifty more sent to their assistance § 6. The Athenians in these six years of Egyptian War held their own with advantage winning the Aegyptian Phocis Tanagra c. spoiled the Sea-Coast of Peloponesus and then made a Peace with them § 7. Artaxerxes Longimanus to whom most good Authors give forty and some forty four years was he which so much favoured the Iews as we see in Esdras and Nehemiah which was that Ahasuerus who Married Hester lived in Susa and Reigned from India to Aethiopia and therefore a Persian Now as Darius Hystaspes his many Wives the Honour he left Atossa in Iojachim's being High-Priest in the days of Artaxerxes prove he was not Hesters Husband so much less was Xerxes and Mordocha proveth he could be none of the succeeding Kings of Persia. § 8. The Greeks prosecute their Civil-War leaving the Persians in Peace for many Ages Their Egyptian Expedition being come to nought the Lacedemonians recover Delphos which the Athenians regain and commit to the Phocians But the Baeotians recover their Liberty against the Athenians as did Eubaea and Megaras and Athens seek Peace with Sparta for thirty years but after six years Invaded Samos CHAP. VIII Of the Peloponesian War § 1. GReece was never under the Government of one Prince 'till Philip of Macedon and Alexander his Son and by them rather United than Subjected as they were by the Kings following who brought all Greece into servitude except those Two which deserved it most Athens and Lacedemon which distracted all by their private quarrels drawing all the rest to side with them Lacedemon having lived under one form of Government four hundred years used only to War as glorying only in Valour The Athenians to the contrary measured Honour and all by Gain The Lacedemonians were
Reineccius some Ages after Ninus This Sesostris some think is Besak but it is not so as divers differences in setting out their Wars do manifest Whereas after Orus Menas is Reported by Herodotus and Diodorus Reineccius noteth that Osiris was so called by way of Dignity Krentzhemius probably gathers that Menas was Mercurius Ter-maximus Conquerour Philosopher and Benefactor to Mankind giving good Laws and teaching profitable Arts to his Conquered People After 33 Years he fell Blind as did Pherones his Son whom 14 Years after Orus the Second or Busiris succeeded 75 Years before Israel's Departure out of Egypt § 7. Busiris or Orus the Second whom Reineccius judgeth to have been a new Family though according to all Mens computation he began 5 Years after Moses's Birth yet might he be first Author of the Israelites Misery Ruling as Vice-Roy under the blind King whom he might easily draw to that Oppression of Strangers so to ease the Subjects and to win their Favour to promote his Off-spring to the Crown which he attained and held 30 Years according to Eusebius After him Thermutis Pharaob's Daughter which took Moses out of the Water succeeded Eusebius calls her Acencris but placeth Amenophis next before Busiris Herodotus and Diodorus call Sesostris Son Pheron so it may be she was his Daughter who Marrying Busiris Reigned after him 12 Years § 8. Rathoris or Athoris succeeded his Sister 9 Years and after him Chencris who perished in the Red Sea and Achencris succeeded 8 Years and Cherres 15 in whose 15 Years Epaphus Son of Teligonus Rathoris Brother Reigneth in the lower Egypt and Built Memphis Epaphus had Lybia which had Agenor Belus and Busiris Belus had Ameus or Danaeus who Reigned 4 Years after Cherres and then by Egyptus or Ramesses his Brother expelled who Reigning 68 Years he had Fifty Sons Danaeus had Fifty Daughters He began the Kingdom of Argos in Greece CHAP. III. Of Israels Delivery out of Egypt § 1. OF Israel's Captivty and Moses Birth § L. Vives on Augustin cites divers Opinions of Moses Birth but to me it is most Probable that he was Born while Saphrus called Spherus and Ipberus Govern'd Assyria Orthopolis Cicyonia and Criasus the Argives and Sesostris 2 d. the Egyptians For according to Augustin he led Israel out of Egypt about the end of Cecrops King of the Athenians which falls about the 9 th Year of Ascatades of Assyria who Ruled 41. Sparetus his Predecessor 40. Mamelus before him 30. And Saphrus 20 before So that from the 19 th of Saphrus to the 9 th of Ascatades which was the 46 th of Cecrops are 80 Years which was Moses Age when he brought Israel out of Egypt There being then 64 Years between Iosephs ' Death and Moses's Birth the Israelites Oppression seemeth to begin some 8 or 9 Years before Ioseph Dyed Anno Mundi 2370. Moses 80 th Year of Age was 2514. § 2. Of the Cities of Egypt mentioned in Scripture § Zoan Num. 13.23 called Taphnus Ier. 2.43 c. Ezek. 30. The Septuagint calls it Tanis c. This was near Gosen and chief City of the lower Egypt On or Heliopolis in the South of the lower Egypt Gen. 41.45 after Iunius Here Onias Built a Temple for the Jews under Ptolomy Philopater which stood till Vespasian's time Noph the City Esa. 19.13 Hos. 9.6 is called Mopb or Memphis by the Septuagint Pelusium which the Septuagint calls Sois. Montanus Lebna Iunius Sin Belbeis after now the Septuagint calls Diospolis and was afterwards called Alexandrina by Ierom. Moses 's Preservation and Education § Pharaoâ— having by Oppression discontented the Israelites and then doubting what a Poor Oppressed Multitude might be provoked to by suggestion of the Devil resolved the Slaughter of the Male Children in their Birth giving Order to all their Midwives by Two of the Chief of them But being by their Piety disappointed he Commanded all his People to perform his Bloody Decree which yet his Beloved Daughter finding Moses in an Ark of Reeds in Nilus was so far from Executing that she took him out of the Water and gave him Princely Education as her own Whose Excellent Learning testified by Pâ—ilo and Iosephus Martyr Stephen Confirmeth Leaving Iosephus's Fancy of Moses Besieging Saba of Ethiopia which he won by the means of the Kings Daughter whom he Married c. Moses in Rescuing an Israelite having slain an Egyptian fled into Arabia Petrea in whose Mountainous Desarts apart from the Glory of the World the Glory of God covered him over being from an Honourable Adopted Son of a Kings Daughter turned into the Condition of an humbe Shepherd In this Country lying between Iudea and Egypt he lived 40 Years skilful in the ways of the Wilderness through which he was to lead Israel and by exercise in a Pastoral Life he was prepared to Principality and perfected his Learning gotten in Egypt by Meditation in the Wilderness From Government of gentle Cattel Kings are called Shepherds to teach them to rule Men. Moses being called back into Egypt is Taught a Name by which he Describes God to the Hebrews setting out his ever only Being there being nothing â— that hath being of it self but that Eternal One of whose being all other things are but shadows Of all the Ten Plagues the last only brought that Tyrant Pharaoh to an absolute submission when he began to fear his own Life The Paschal Lamb was a Sacrament of our spotless Saviour § 3. Pharaoh seeing the Israelites departure with the Spoil also of the Egyptians bethought himself and pursuing them with all his Power Exod. 14.7 over-took them after Three Days March And though Moses knew he went out with the mighty Hand of God yet he neglected nothing becoming a Wise Man and a Valiant Conductor So he removed from Ramases in Goshen whither the dispersed Hebrews were gathered as to their Rendezvous and Marched Eastward toward Etham and Encamped at Succoth the Fifteenth Day of Abib which thenceforth was accounted the first Month of their Year for Religious Occasions leaving another for Politick which they distinguish from Sacred in Recording things Transacted § 4. Israel passing from Succoth kept Mountainous rough Ground on his left-hand to Etham that Pharaoh's Chariots should not compass him From Etham the next day he Marched South Eight Miles and on the Third day he came to Pihachoroth between the Mountains of Etham on the North and Baalzephon on the South and Encamped upon the wash of the Sea § 5. Moses who feared nothing but God himself comforting the fearful Multitude Exod. 14.13 called on God and putting in practice his Direction safely passed over the Foord which the Lord had made and left their stupified Enemies to the merciless Waves which returned upon them This Sea called Chencrese in which Pharaoh Perished the 16 th Year of his Reign is commonly called the Red Sea though of the Colour of other Waters It seemeth to me that Name grew from the Clifts Sands Islands and
he after setting his Country in Order or his Children returned and became incorporate with Israel § 3. Israel 's Iourney from Horeb to Kades § In this Journey they murmured for Flesh and were fed with Quails even to a Surfeit of which great numbers Dyed Then after the First Month they came to Hâ—zaroth where Miriam was smitten with Leprosie and so to Rithma near Kades Barnea whence the Spies were sent upon whose Return they mutined the Tenth time which being more Rebellious than all the rest God punished it accordingly extinguishing every one of those Seditions even the whole Multitude that came out of Egypt Two only Excepted And though the mildest of all Men was earnest with God for their Pardon yet not one escaped He spared them Forty Years till their Children were grown up and Multiplyed that in them he might perform his Promise which was never frustrated § 4 Of their Return and unwillingness thereto c. § Moses having related the Commandment of God touching their Return back toward the Red Sea they bewailed their Folly too late and as it is with Men whom God leaveth to themselves they wou'd needs amend their former Passionate Murmuring with a second desperate Contempt For now when God forbids with Threats they will desperately venture their own Destruction and were repelled and with Slaughter forced to take their way back to the Sea as God Commanded and came to Remmoparez c. Their Twenty Fourth Mansion was at Pharez where began the dangerous Insurrection of â—orah for which Offence and Contempt of God and his Ministers as 14700 Perished suddenly by Pestilence and 250 by Fire so those Lay-Men who would Usurp Ecclesiastical Authority were suddenly swallowed up alive of the Earth Form thence the 30 th Mansion was at Ietabata where Adrichomius maketh a River which runneth into the Sea between Midian and Aziongaber Now though it be Probable there was store of Fresh-water at Aziongaber where Solomon furnished his Fleets for East-India And though Herodotus mention a great River in Arabia the Stony which he calls Corys yet is Adrichom deceived in this as in many other things For it was at Punon that those Springs are spoken of which in Deut. 10.7 is also called Ietabata a Land of running Waters which by probability falls into the River Zared next adjoyning whereas that way is very long to Aziongaber Besides Belonius reports of divers Torrents of Fresh-waters in those Sandy parts of Arabia which running a few Miles are drunk up in the Sands From Ietabata they came to Hebrona and after Aziongaber called Beronice by Iosephus and Essia by Ierom which as yet was not in the command of Edom as after in Solomon's days § 5. From Aziongaber they removed to Zin Kades or Beeroth where Miriam dyed Then they came to Mount Hor where they murmured for Water and where Aaron dyed and Eleazer his Son succeeded § 6. Israel leaving the way by Edom after they had compassed the South they turned to the North toward the Wilderness of Moab leaving Eâ—â— oâ— the West When Arad King of the Sâ—â—th-Câ—â—â—â—anites thinking they would come by him while 〈◊〉 lay at Hor having had his Forces ready upon hâ— Borders made out into the Desart before Israel was removed and set upon such part of the Army as lay for his Advantage and took some Prisoners It is probable that either this Arad or his Predecessor had joined before with Amalek and worsting those Mutineers were thereupon incouraged to this Attempt As for the Overthrow which is reported Num. 21. to be given them by Israel it is rather to be understood of what was done after by Iosua than now by Moses For had Moses given them this Overthrow and destroyed their Cities he would never have left the South of Canaan once entred by him to wander about Edom and Moab and to seek a new Passage Neither could Israel have cause to Murmur the next day for Bread Or been weary of the Way if they had so lately taken the Spoil of Arad's Cities Yea they would rather have mutined against Moses for leaving such an Entrance into the intended Conquest and to lead them back into the Desarts which had consumed them They murmured presently upon their leaving Hor when they came to Phunon crossing the way to Aziongaber through Moab to Coelosyria and here the Brazen Serpent was erected From thence they proceeded as in the Holy Story and so came to Diblathaim Whence Moses sent to Sehon King of the Amorites to desire a Passage through his Country which he denyed § 7. Of the Book of the Lord's Battels and other lost Books § Iunius understanding thereby no special Book and Vatablus doubts Siracides refers it to Ioshua who fought the Lord's Battles cap. 46. But it seemeth probable there was such a Book lost as many others whereto reference is often made as Ios. 10.13 and 2 Sam. 1.18 and 2 Chron. 33.18 and 2 Chron. 9.29 and 12.15 and 20.34 1 Kings 4.32 33. Enoch's Books c. § 8. Of Moses sparing Lot 's Issue § Moab at this time inhabited the South of Arnon having lost the better side which the Amorites won from Vatablus the Predecessor of Balac What therefore Moses found in the Possession of Moab as also of Ammon he might not attempt but what the Amorites had taken from them The Emims and Zamzummims Giantly Nations had formerly dwelt there as the Anakims in Canaan but Moab and Ammon destroyed them Sihon proud of his Conquest against Moab presumed against Israel and lost All. Og King of Basan or Traconitis an Amorite was also destroyed and his Sixty Walled Towns taken by Iaer a Son of Manasses § 9. The Midianites with the Moabites practise against Israel and draw them to Idolatry for which God destroyed 24000 with the Pestilence The third time of numbring of the People who are found to be 601730 of which 12000 are sent against the Midianites who slew there Five petty Kings and destroyed their Cities after this Moses having divided his Conquest and blessed the Twelve Tribes dyed § 10. Observations out of Moses's Story touching God's Providence working his own purposes ordinarily by Mens affections Pharaoh's Fears bred his ungodly Policies and salvage Cruelties by this Moses is cast upon the Compassion of Pharaoh's Daughter and so provided of Princely Education Mens Affections cast him into Exile procured him a Wife and so a long stay to know the Wilderness to wean him from Ambition and so fit him to know God and to Govern Thus what Men think most casual God ordereth to the Effecting his own purposes many Years after CHAP. VI. Of the Bordering Nations Of other Renowned Men and of Joshua's Acts. § 1. HOW the Bordering Nations were prepared to be Enemies to Israel § Though the Ismaelites Moabites Ammonites and Edomites descended from Abraham and Isaac as did the Israelites and were not molested by them and therefore they should not have hinder'd their Conquest of Canaan yet God's all-disposing
of the East Yet were there of them Dwelling in the South they were grown so many that the East could not hold them § 4. Kings of the Ten Tribes from Jeroboam to Achab § Ieroboam flying from Salomon into Aegypt to Shishaâ— whom Eusebius calls Osochores whose Daughter he Marryed as Adad the Edumenian had his predecessor's Wive's Sister and were prepar'd by Shishak to shake the Kingdom of Iudea that he might pillage it as he accordingly did in the fifth year of Rehoboam This Man was exalted to be King of the Ten Tribes preferring the Policies of the World before God's Service and Honour To prevent the â—eoples falling from him by resorting to Ierusalem he erected the two Calves c. Ieroboam reigned at Sichem Twenty two years Nadab his Son succeeded two years and was slain by Baasha who rooted oâ—â— all Ieroboam's Seed and reigned twenty four Years at Thersa and Ela his Son succeeded two years and was slain in his Cups by Zimri who succeeded seven days but Homri in revenge of Ela besieged him and made him burn himself and succeeded transferring the Regal Seat to Samaria and reigned twelve years § 5. Ahab suceeded his Father married the Daughter of the King of Zidon and embraced her Religion as Ieroboam had his Egyptian Wives Ahab was slain after twenty two years Ocharius succeeded his Father and dyed of a Fall in his second year and his Brother Ioram succeeded 12 years who with Aid of Iuda and Edom could not subdue Moab who sacrificed Edom's Son taken in an â—ruption which he made out of the City whereupon the Siege was broken up through Edom's displeasure against Israel for refusing to make Peace with Moab to save his Son Amos 2.1 Iehu slew Ioram and succeeded twenty eight Years whose Son Iehoâ—haz succeeded seventeen years and was molested by Aza Ioas succeeded his Father sixteen years recover'd from Aram what his Father lost and sacked Ierusalem Ieroboam succeeded his Father forty one years râ—â—over'd all from Hamâ—th to the dead Sea and Zacharias his Son succeeded Six Months and was slain by Shallum who succeeded two Months and Menahen slew him and succeeded ten years with much Cruelty Pekahia his Son succeeded two years and Peka slew him and succeeded twenty years In his time Tyglath Pileser King of Assyria Invaded Israel and carried many Captives into Assyria He was drawn in by Achas King of Iuda whom Peka of Israel and Rezin of Damascus wasted and first he surprized the Monarchs of Syria and Damascus and then Israel prepared the way to Iuda Hosea slew Peka and succeeded nine years in whose time Tiglath Pileser carried the rest of the Ten Tribes Captives and re-peopled the Country with Cuthites out of Arabia Deserta the Persians with Calaneans bordering on Syria and Sepharims out of Mesopotamia with the Avims of old inhabited the Philistins Land but now Inhabited Deserta and called Havaei CHAP. VIII The History of the Syrians bordering their Tribes on the East of Jordan DAmascus in this Border most famous for Antiquity Beauty Riches is called the City of Joy and House of Pleasure The Hebrews think it built by Hus Son of Abraham others as Ierom ascribe it to Damascus Son of Eleasar Abraham's Steward but was before Eleasar David subdued it in the overthrow of Adadezar but Rezin Servant to Adadezer escaped with the broken Forces recovered it and was made King Adadezer returned out of Egypt and forced out Rezin and became King of Syria for Nine Descents § 2. Of the first Kings of Damascus and their growing up § That Damascus was of Note in Abraham's days his Steward is an Argument what the Government was then and long after the Reason of Moses's Story led him not to handle The first occasion was in David's Reign who seeking to Establish the command of Israel unto Euphrates as God had promised Invaded Adadezer who was then of the greatest Force in Syria strictly taken containing Damascus Saba Camath or Ituraea and Geshur Adadezer King of Saba called to his assistance the Damascenes who are not ranked under a King but after the overthrow Reson a Commander under Hadadesar gathered the broken Forces surprised Damascus where David had put a Garrison and was made King there as it seemeth after David's death So that as Rehob and his Son Adadezer are the first Kings of Syria Saba and Toi the first Kings of Camath so Rezon is the first King of Damascus which before was commanded by the Kings of Saba whose Power became formidable to the King of Camath The next King is Adad of Edom who coming out of Egypt whether he fled from David and finding his Forces too weak to recover Edom it seemeth he surprised Damascus and became King of Aram. The next King of Aram was Hezion whom his Sons Tabremmon succeeded the Father of Benhadad who assisted Asa King of Iuda against Baasha King of Israel Almost Fifty years after Benhadad was taken Prisoner by Achab and promised to restore what his Father had taken from Israel This was a Second Benhadad who slew Achab and Besieged Samaria the second time and was smothered by Hazael who succeeded him and did much mischief to Lud but brought Israel to a low Ebb 2 Kings 13.7 § 3. Of the later Kings was Benhadad two or rather three who lost what Hazael had gotten three other succeeded of the same Name in one of whose times Ieroboam 2 d. recovered Damascus it self and Chamath to Israel which by David's Conquest had belonged to Iuda Rezin the 10 th after Adad 1 st molesting Achas and was taking Elath is by Achas's Procurement taken and Slain by Tiglath Pileser and the Kingdom of Damascus dissolved § 4. Of lesser Kingdoms in Syria Gessur where Talmai reigned after Ammihur Sophena or Syria Saba or Coelosyria had Rehob and Adadezer after him whose Kingdom translated to Damascus by Rezin ended with the Kingdom of Israel not long after Ninus's Race in Sardanapalus had been ended by PhulBelechus Father of this Tiglath whose Son Salmanassar led Israel Captive as his Father had Damascus Senacharib Son of Salmanasser attempted Ierusalem in vain but 132 years after Israel's Captivity it also went to Babylon § 5. Hierusalem in Ioshua's days had Adonizedek for King and was not inferiour to Hozar the chief of all Canaanites This City of old called Iebus Inhabited of by Iebusites and therefore likeliest to be Builded by Iebusaeus the Son of Canaan and not by Melchisedek for it could not be in Abraham's way returning from his Victories but rather that Salem by Iordan of which we spake in Manasses Though Ioshua slew their King yet they held out 400 Years till David won it Solomon so perfected the Strength Beauty and Riches of it besides the renowned Temple that the World had not the like That Ditch hewn out of the Rock Sixty Foot deep and Two Hundred and Fifty broad with Walls Gates and Pallaces defended One Hundred Fifty Thousand Men besides Women
their Father therewith which Cruelty was revenged on him and Agamemnon his Son and all his Linage by a natural Son of Thyestes Minos was now King of Crete whose Wife Pasiphae inamoured of Taurus her Husband's Secretary Dedalus being her Pander had a Child by him and another at the same Birth by Minos of which grew the Tale of the Minotaurs Dedalus upon discovery fled with Icarus in two Boats with Sails unto Cocalus King of Sicily In the flight Icarus was drowned and Minos was slain in persuing Dedalus whom Cocalus defended Sphinx a Woman Robber by Sea and Land upon the Borders of Corinth was overcome by Oedipus Commander of the Corinthian Forces her Swiftness and Cruelty bred the Tale of her Wings and Body of a Lyon Anteus the strong and cunning Wrestler near Hespendes in Mauritania lived about this time § 6. The Argonauts Expedition fell out about Gideon's Eleventh Year Many Fabulous Discourses have been hereof written and mystical Expositions made but Dercilus's Opinion is most probable That Iason with the Harvest-men of Greece went by Ship to rob Colchos enriched by certain steep falling Torrents not far from Caucasus which wash down many Grains of Gold which the Inhabitants get by setting many Fleeces of Wool in those Water-falls The many Rocks Straights Sands and other difficulties in the Passage between Greece and Pontus are Poetically converted into fierce Bulls Armed Men rising out of the Ground Syrens a Dragon cast asleep c. by Orpheus one of them § 7. Abimelech Gideon's natural Son Ambitiously Fought and got what his Father had refused as unlawful without special direction a Ruler over God's peculiar People and for his Establishment in his Usurped Power he slew Seventy Brethren upon one Stone Iotham the youngest only escaped this unheard of Inhumanity Such is Human Ambition a Monster which neither feareth God nor respecteth Nature and forgetteth the All-powerful Hand whose Revenge is without date All other Passions and Affections which torment the Souls of Men are by Contraries oft-times qualified but this darling of Sathan and first-born Sin that ever the World knew more Antient than Human Nature looketh only toward the end which it self sets down forgetting nothing how Inhuman soever that may conduce thereto and remembers nothing that Pity or Religion can offer to the contrary As for the deplorable effects that such attempts have had it ascribes to the Errors or weakness of the Undertakers and rather praiseth the Adventure than fears the like Success The Sechemits in a vain Glory to have a King of their own readily condescended to his Ambitious motion imbrue themselves with him in the Blood of Innocents and fit themselves to partake with him in the Vengeance fore-told by Iotham The Tapithae and Centaurus made War about this time against the Thebanes these were the first in those parts which learned to ride on Horses so that coming from the Mountains of Pindus on Horseback they were thought compounded Creatures Thola of Issachar govern'd after Abimelek 23 Years and Iair 22 years after him Priamus after that sacking of Ilium by Hercules being Ransomed began to Reign having rebuilt Troy and inlarged the Dominion almost over all the lesser Asia Of Fifty Sons he had Seventeen by Cuba Daughter of Gisseus King of Thrace Paris one of them attempting to recover his Aunt Hesione carried into Greece by Hercules took Helena the Wife of Menelaus c. Theseus the Tenth King of Athens in his Father Aegeus's Reign he put himself among the Seven young Men which the Athenians sent for Tribute yearly to Minos King of Crete who gaining Ariadne the King's Daughter's Affection received of her a Bottom of Thread by which to conduct himself out of the Labyrinth after he had slain the Minotaur â—hat is the Son of Taurus begotten of Pasipâ—ae to whom those Youths were committed c. He took Hippolita the Amazon Queen Prisoner and by her had a Son Hyppolitus whom he after sought to kill upon his Step-mother Phaedra's false Accusation whose incestuous Caresses he had rejected In his Escape he had received many dangerous Wounds of which being Cured the Tale of Esculapius grew c. After much good done to the ungrateful multitude they banish'd him They say he stole Helen from Aphidna in the First Year of Iair according to Eusebius which is not probable seeing she should prove Fifty Years old at the fall of Troy Under the two former Judges in Assyria reigned Mitreus and Tautanes after and in Egypt Amenophis Son of Ramses and Anemenes after him In Sicyonia reigned Thyaestus the Twenty second King Eight years Adrastus succeeded Four years then Polyphides the Thirteenth Mueschea succeeded Theseus King of Athens § 8. The Theban War the most antient that ever the Grecian Writers handled hapned in this Age wherein Greece continued but salvage holding and getting all by strong hand Robbing by Sea and Land little using Merchandise and not acquainted with Money and having few walled and but small Towns As some latter idle Chroniclers wanting good Matter fill their Books with Reports of Feasts dry Summers c. So they which write of Greece then tell us of great Floods Metamorphosâ—â— of Men-killing Moâ—â—ters Adulteries of their Gods begetting Mighty Men c. This Theban War the first Grecian Story of Note arose upon the disagreement between Eteocles and Polynices Sons of Oedipus Son of Laius King of Thebes These Brethren having Covenanted to Rule by Course Eteocles beginning was unwilling to lay down a Scepter once taken into hand which forced Polynices to fly to Adrastus King of the Argives who gave him a Wife and raised Forces to re-establish him in Thebes Eteocles withstands the Force and both Armies after great loss desire the Brethren to end the Quarrel by a single Combat in which both lost the day with their Lives and yet another Battel was fought in which the Argives were discomfited and fled and of the Commanders only Adrastus came to Athens At his request the Argives sent Forces under Theseus against Creon Governour of Thebes for denying Burial to the slain Argives who took the City and buried the slain But this contented not the Sons of the Noble Argives who Ten years after levied new Forces and forc'd Laodamas Son of Eteocles to fly and some says he was slain the Town was destroyed but repaired by Thirsander Son of Polynices who reigned after and led the Thebans to the War of Troy shortly after § 9. Iephtha judged Israel Six years and relieved them from the Oppression of the Ammonites which lay heavy upon the Tribes on the East of Iordan along Gilead He defended the Israelites Right against the Ammonites Claim both by Reason and the force of Arms and drove them not only out of all those Plains but also over the Mountains of Arabia to Minneth and Abel of the Vine-yard As for his Vow the Opinion that he did not Sacrifice his Daughter is more probable The Ephramitâ—s quarrell'd with Iephtha
who slew in that Encounter 42000 which so weakened the Land that way was thereby made to their future Calamities and most grievous slavery under the Philistins that ever they indured Ibzan succeeded and judged Seven years Elon after him Ten. The Seventy and Eusebius hath him not CHAP. X. Of the War of Troy § 1. HAbdon Succeeded and Judged Israel 8 Years The Philistines 40 Years Tyranny cannot be from the 9 th of Iair to the end of Abdon as some would have it for then Ephraim's strength had been so diminish'd as not to have quarrel'd with Iephtha or being able to bring 24000 Men into the Field they would not have neglected a common Oppressor to fight against a Brother those 40 Years must therefore be supplied elsewhere as from the death of Abdon 'till after Sampson Troys Destruction seemeth to fall upon the 3 d Year of Abdon after 10 Years Siege began about the 3 d of Elon The Original and Continuance of the Ancient Kings are uncertain but it is commonly held that Teucer and Dardanus were the first Founders of that Kingdom of which Teucer the first according to Virgil Reigned before Dardanus built Troy and came out of Crete though Reineccius following Diodorus think him a Phrygian and Son of Scamander Dardanus Son of Electra Daughter of Atlas and Wife of Iupiter had for his second Wife Boetia Daughter or Niece of Teucer As for this Atlas I take him rather for an Italian than African and Iupiter to be more ancient than he whose Children liv'd about the Trojan Wâ—r Touching the Destruction of Troy Diodorus maketh it to be 780 Years before the 94 th Olympiad which is 408 before the first Dionysius Halicarnassus agrees hereto placing Rome's Foundation in the first of the seventh Olympiad which is 432 after the fall of Troy Solinus also makes the Institution of the Olympiads by Iphitus 480 years later than Troy's Destruction the Destruction then being 408 Years before the Olympiads Eusebius leadeth us from Dardanus through 4 Kings Reigns by the space of 225 Years For Laomedon's time he takes it upon trust from Annius out of Menetho § 2. Helen's Rape by Paris Son of Priamus all agree to be the Cause of the Greeks taking Arms but what mov'd him to that Undertaking is doubted Herodotus's far-fetched Cause hath no probability as have they which say he enterpris'd this Rape to procure the Re-delivery of Hesione King Priamus's Sister taken away by Hercules and given to Telamon yet I do not think this was the ground of Paris's attempt but rather his Lust which was an usual incitement in those days as Thucydides sheweth whereupon none durst dwell near the Sea-Coast Tyndarus also the Father of Helen remembring that Thoseus had Ravished her caused all her Wooers which were most of the principal Greeks to Swear that when she had chosen an Husband they should joyn in seeking her recovery if she were taken away which Oath taken she chose Menelaus Thus the Grecian Princes partly upon the Oath and upon the Reputation of Agamemnon and Menelaus were drawn into this business of the Trojan War The Fleet was 1200 Sail of small Ships meet for Robbing the greatest carrying but 120 Men so that the Army might be 100000. which argueth the Trojan Power able to hold out against such Forces so many Years But their aids out of Phrygia Lycia Misia Amazonia Thrace yea Assyria were great § 3. The Greeks being prepared sent Menelaus and Vlysses Embassadors to Troy to demand Helen and as Herodotus from report of an Egyptian Priest makes it probable were answer'd that Paris in return being driven by storm into Egypt Helen was taken from him which Report Herodotus seeketh by Reason to confirm But whatsoever the Answer was the Greeks incensed set forward to Troy notwithstanding Chalchas the Soothsayer objected great difficulties c. Their Names under the Command of Agamemnon were Menelaus Achilles Patroclus c. § 4. After their Landing in the first encounter Patroclus was slain by Hector and others but want of Victuals soon distressed the Greeks who were forced to imploy a great part of their Men to and fro in seeking relief for the Camp by Sea and Land And Herodotus Report is credible that after the first Year 'till the tenth the Greeks lay little before Troy but rowed up and down by Sea and Land for Booties and Victuals wasting the Country round about But being all returned to the Camp the tenth Year a Pestilence fell among them and a Dissention about dividing their Captive Virgins which made Achilles refuse to Fight because Agamemnon had taken away his Concubine But after his Friend Patroclus to whom he had lent his Armour was slain by Hector and pillag'd of his Armour as the manner was Achilles desirous of Revenge was content to be reconcil'd upon Agamemnon's seeking to give satisfaction by Gifts and Restitution of his Concubine Briseis After this in the next Battel Achilles slew Hector though Homer's Narration of his flying about the City thrice be unprobable and drew him at his Chariot about the Field and then sold his Body to Priamus at a great rate Not long after Paris reveng'd that Cruelty and slew Achilles though Authors differ in the manner § 5. Troy at length was taken either by the Treachery of Aeneas and Antenor opening the Scaean Gate whereon was an Image of an Horse or that the Greeks by an Artificial Engine like to an Horse batter'd the Walls as Romans did with a Ram or scal'd the Walls at that Gate suddenly while the Trojans slept securely upon the departure of the Greek's Fleet to Tenedos the day before c. The Wooden-Horse fill'd with Armed Captains is unprobable The numbers slain on both sides 600000 Trojans and 800000 Greeks is Fabulous so is the report of many Nations in those parts striving for a descent from the remainders of Trojan Princes though it be probable the Albans and from them the Romans came from Aeneas and first Padanus from Antenor § 6. The Greeks after their Victories tasted no less Miseries than the Trojans by division of Princes separating in return Invasion of Borderers and Usurpation of Domesticks in their absence and Tempests at Sea so that few returned home and of them few joyned their own The rest driven on strange Coasts gladly planted where they could some in Africk some in Italy Apulia Cyprus c. CHAP. XI Of Sampson Eli and Samuel § 1. OF Sampson read Iudges 13 14 15 and 16. In whose Story observe 1. His Mother is forbidden all strong Drink and unclean Meat as that which weakneth the Child conceived 2. The Angel refused Divine Worship which proveth the Diviners Angels which accept Sacrifices are Devils 3. Whom no Force could overthrow Voluptuousness did 4. Though he often revenged Israel yet he delivered them not Chap. 15.11 Lastly his Patience was more provok'd by Contumely than Pain or Loss § 2. Of Eli see the First Book of Samuel He was the first of
to Reign 2 Chron. 23.3 § 2. Iehu had so much business in establishing his own Kingdom that he could not molest Athaliah as he desired she being of Ahab's House Among other things about Religion he destroyed Baal's Priests and though never King of Israel had such a way to overthrow Ieroboam's Idolatry seeing he needed not fear the Peoples return to David's House in appearance quite rooted out and had his Calling by an unexpected Favour of God and for his Zeal against Baal had a special promise for Four Generations yet he wou'd needs piece out God's Providence with his own Circumspection He had no doubt displeased many about Baal and should offend more in taking away Ieroboam's ancient Idolatry yet all these never thought of making him King if God had not done it when more difficulties appeared in getting them now than in keeping them though with their offence whom he sought to retain by forsaking God This Ingratitude of Iehu drew terrible vengeance from God on Israel executed by Hazael according to Elisha's Prophesie 2 Kings 8.12 with 10.32 Thus Israel succeeded under Iehu whose carriage and success was better in murthering his Master that trusted him than in defending his People from Cruel Enemies And thus it commonly falls out that they which can find all difficulties in serving him to whom nothing is difficult instead of finding what they propound by contrary Courses overwhelm themselves with troubles they sought not and are by God whom they first forsook left unto the miserable Labours of their own blind Understanding and Wisdom wherein they reposed all their Confidence § 3. Athaliah's Government by Israel's Calamities stood the safer she having leisure to settle it It is probable also she held Correspondence with Hazael as King Asa had done and had secured her self by Gifts having robbed the House of God for Baalim whose Idolatry she set out with Pomp to recommend it to the People as she sought by want of means to make the Service of the Sanctuary neglected § 4. Ioash's preservation was by means of Iehoshabeth Ahaziah's Sister and Wife unto Iehojada the High-Priest the upholder of God's Service in those unhappy times By her Piety it seemeth she was not Athaliah's Daughter yet had she access to the Court and conveyed the young Child with her Nurse into the Temple where he was secretly brought up that the Tyranness could not discover it and thought it not fit to make much ado about him but rather let it be thought he was dispatched with the rest lest the People hearing of his escape should hearken after Innovation § 5. Athatiah had acted as Queen above 6 Year without molestation when suddenly the Period of her Glory and Reward of her Wickedness met together and the young Princes Age required no longer to be concealed for his better Education to fit him with Courage and Qualities proper for a King and to prevent the over-deep rooting of Impiety by the longer Reign of that Cursed Woman Iehojada wisely considered this and combined with Five Captains of whom he was best assured by whom he drew over other great Men to Ierusalem And because it was difficult to draw open Forces together he gave order to the Levites which waited by course in the Temple that they should not return home 'till they knew his further pleasure Thus admitting new Comers and retaining the old he secretly gathered together a competent number to encounter the Queens Guard and furnished them out of the Armory of the Temple which King David had made with which also he armed the Captains and their Followers c. All things being in readiness they proceed to the Execution and the young King is joyfully Crowned and the Tyranness Usurper coming in desperately without Forces ignorant of the business ended her own Tragedy with a sudden and shameful death Iosephus's Report of her coming with her Power which were repelled c. is not credible though all the Forces she could bring could not frustrate the Council of God yet her Indiscretion made the effect more easie § 6. Athaliah had no doubt considered Iehoram King of Israel's rashness casting himself into the gaping Gulf of danger yet her self is by the like Bait drawn into the same Trap and as she lived like Iezebel so was she rewarded with her These two Queens were in many things alike each Daughter Wife and Mother to a King each over-ruled her Husband was an Idolater Ambitious Murderous each slain by Conspiring Subjects suddenly c. We read not what became of Athaliah's Sons her Sacrilegious Imps which robbed the Temple c. CHAP. XVIII Of Joash Amaziah and their Contemporaries § 1. JOASH about Seven Year Old began to Reign under the protection of Iehojada during his Minority When he came to Age he took two Wives by Iehojada's Advice repairing David's Family almost worn out The first Act he took in hand after he Ruled without a Protector was the reparation of the Temple which had been his Sanctuary which he followed with much Zeal § 2. Iehojada the Priest being 130 Year Old died before his Country could have spared him and was buried among the Kings as he well deserved This Honour seemeth to have come from the People for the King had soon forgot him as one eased of Debt and was easily flattered by the Princes so that he quickly forgot his old well-deserving Counsellor yea God himself Author of all Goodness He which had 30 Years shewed Zeal to restore true Religion and root out Idolatry which had been growing some 16 Years was easily drawn to fall away when he perceived his Princes Inclinations and being once entred that course he ran headlong as one who thought Liberty the only Token of a King no longer to endure the sower Admonitions of Devout Priests Hereby it appears he which had been so long among the Devout as Saul among the Prophets was not of them but like an Actor upon the Stage had counterfeited to express more Zeal and lively Affection than they could do which were truly Religious Iehoahaz Son of Iehu King of Israel Reign'd 17 Years from the 23 d of Ioash King of Iudah § 3. Ioash having broken loose from God is given over to Men not so easily shaken off for Hazael King of Aram returning from Gath set on toward Ierusalem which forc'd Ioash to buy his Peace with all the Treasure he could make Holy or Common yet he never enjoyed Peace with Hazael who sent a small Army after and destroyed his Princes and ravag'd his Country Many might be the Motives to excite Hazael against Iudah he had an experienc'd Army Iudah had assisted Israel at Ramoth and the Journey from Gath to Ierusalem short yet it is probable that the Sons of Athaliah encouraged him with hope of a great Party to be drawn by them of such as favoured them otherwise it is improbable that Hazael would have awaked a sleeping Enemy However it were it was of God who knoweth how to prefer
submit to him insomuch that many ran over to his Camp and persuaded him to shew himself to the Macedonians who would Salute him King To try this he rode forth in view of the Camp bare-headed but was persuaded to put on his Helmet whereon he wore two Goats Horns by which he was known whereupon all throng'd about him some wishing Demetrius to be gone who in disguise stole away So Pyrrhus entred Macedon with Triumph where Lysimachus met him and shared the Kingdom with him each hoping upon better opportunity to work his Fellow out of all § 8 Demetrius had left Antigonus his Son in Greece with a great part of his Forces with these he Besieged Athens but was pacified by Crates the Philosopher and so went into Asia with Eleven Thousand Souldiers to attempt Lydia and Caria held by Lysimachus where he was successful till Agathocles Son of Lysimachus forced him to seek a Kingdom in higher Asia and yet left him not so but pursued him over Lycus where he lost so many that he was forced to flye with the rest into Cilicia from whence he writ Mournful Letters to Seleucus who durst not trust him till after some inconsiderable Victories he is left with a few Friends who persuaded him to yield to Seleucus by whom he is put into a foggy Island under sure Guard where he spent Three Years merrily and there Dyed § 9. Ptolomy about the same time Died also who beside other Princely Virtues was mindful of his word which in those times was a rare Commendation Ptolomy Philadelphus who had Reigned with him Two or Three Years succeeded Ptolomy Ceraunus offended and fled to Seleucus The Macedonians after Seven Months revolt from Pyrrhus to Lysimachus who Reigned alone Five Years when the City Lysimacha fell by an Earthquake after which himself having Poisoned Agathocles his Son by instigation of a Mother in Law in a War with Seleucus in Asia was slain Seleucus surviving all Alexanders Hero's as Heir of all the Conquered World passed over into Maccedon and took possession of Europe where within Seven Months Ptolomy Ceraunus Treacherously slew him being Seventy Seven Years Old Pyrrhus the Epirot was now become equal to any of those Old Commanders in the Art of War yea Hanibal preferred him before them all Supra § 7. CHAP. VII Romes growth and setling of the Eastern State § 1. ROMES Greatness beginning now to encounter Greece it is convenient here to make a compendious relation of her growth from Tullus Hostilius who having Reigned Thirty Two Year was burnt together with his House by Lightning Ancus Martius Grandchild to Numa succeeded who Walled the City and built a Bridge over Tybris and after Twenty Four Years dyed leaving his Children in Charge with Incumon a Corinthian his Favourite who had fled from Cypselus King of Corinth and dwelt in Tarquinii from whence he was called Tarquinius He Reigned Thirty Eight Years and was slain by Ancus Martius's Sons but by the coming of Tarquin's Wife Servius Tullus her Daughters Husband was made Governour for a time under pretence her Husband was Sick in which Government he continued by force Forty Four Years and then was slain Tarquinius Superbus is Proclaimed King by Tullia his Wife Daughter to Servius who forced her Coach over her Father's dead Corps He took Oriculum Susa Pometia and the Gabii but for the Rape of Lucretia by Sextus Tarquinius his Brother he and all his Family were expell'd by Iunius Brutus and Collatinus her Husband that manner of Government was changed from a King to two yearly Consuls or Providers for the City wherein these two began Their first War was with Porsennus King of Hetruria who came to Rome by force to restore Tarquinius but was so long resisted by Horatius Cocles upon the Bridge 'till being overpower'd by Numbers he was forc'd to leap into the River Tibris with his Armour on and so terrified by Mutius Scaevola's resolution burning his own hand for killing the Secretary instead of the King that he entred into League with Rome Brutus being slain in this War was mourned for a whole year by the Ladies as the Champion of their Chastity Mamilius Tusculanus Son-in-Law to Tarquinius with his Latines renewed the War against whom Aulus Posthumus in a new Office of Dictator was sent who overthrew them After Sixteen Years of Consuls upon a tumult of the People the Office of Tribunes was enacted to follow the Peoples Causes as Solicitors Then follow the Wars with the Volsci and Aequi in which T. Martius got the Surname Coriolanus for winning the City Corioli but was after Banished for raising the rate of Corn too high Coriolanus flyeth to the Volsci whom he incensed and was with Attius Tullus employed against Rome and so far prevailed that when neither force nor intreaty would serve his Wife and Mother were sent whose sorrowful deprecations prevailed Not long after Three Hundred and Six Fabii's undertaking the War against the Veii in Hetruria were slain and left but one Infant of the whole Family of whom it is said came Fabius Maximus In process of time the Consuls and other Magistrates are abrogated and Ten Men ordained who Enacted Laws and Two Years after are forced to resign to Consuls After that they subdued the Veients and Falisci yielded to Camillus in reverence to his Justice upon the Schoolmaster of their Town who having decoy'd out many Principal Men's Children yielded them up to him for Hostages whom he sent back bound with his Scholars whipping him He also won the City of Veij after Ten Years Siege but upon unequal division of the Spoil ungratefully they Banished him While he lived at Ardea the Gauls invading Hetruria as they roved over the Country being offended with the Roman Ambassadors went to Rome which was abandoned before their coming and set it on fire and had taken the Capitol defended by M. Manlius but for the gagling of Geese After Seven Months Siege Brennus agreed to depart for One Thousand Weight of Gold which while they were weighing Camillus with an Army came upon them and forced them away At this time they had Military Tribunes § 2. Rome Three Hundred Sixty Five years after its Building re-established Consuls Enacting that one should always be a Plebean when she began War with the Samnites dwelling between Apulia and Campania whom they invaded and forced to submit to Rome for protection This War continued Fifty Years and drew the Hetrurians into it in which time the Latines claimed freedom in Rome which bred a quarrel wherein the Latines were overthrown The Sabines were after subdued and won Tarentinus after which the Apulians Lucanians Messapians and Brutians who drew the Samnites to rebell sent for Pyrrhus out of Epirus to assist them § 3. Pyrrhus forsaken by the Macedonians impatient of Peace accepted the Conditions of these Confederates hoping to enlarge his Empire toward the West as Alexander had to the East and then to live Magnificently as he answered his Counsellor
performance he had already given his Son Demetrius an Hostage and four Hundred Talents Great was the joy at the conclusion but the Aetolians are dissatisfied and the Baeotians still favour the Macedonians Some also fear the Romans will prove the worse Neighbours not knowing the Romans design against Antiochus But to prevent all bad Rumours Quintius at the Istinian Games Proclaimed freedom from Garrisons and Liberty of their own Laws to the Corinthians Phocians Locrians Eubaeans Achaeans of Pithiotis Magnetians Thessalians and Perrhubians which the Greeks applauded with exceeding Thanks He also sent to Antiochus by his Embassadour then present requiring him to keep from the free Cities of Asia and restore to Ptolomy and Philip what he held of theirs and not to pass into Europe with an Army CHAP. V. Of the Roman Wars with Antiochus and his Adherents § 1. SEleucus Nicanor slain by Ptolomy Cerannus Anno 4. Clymp 124. Antiochus Soter his Son succeeded Nineteen Years to whom Berosus the Chaldaean Dedicated his Assyrian-History which is notoriously falsified by Fryar Annius He neglected revenging his Fathers Death who had so loved him that he gave him Stratonica his own Wife being sick for her Antiochus the God as the flattering Melesians called him for freeing them from Timarchus the Tyrant succeeded Fifteen Year His first Wife was Laodice to whom he took also Bernice the Daughter of Ptolomy Philadelphus King of Egypt and so compounded the War between them but falling into the hatred of Laodice she Poisoned him for it when her Son Seleucus Callinicus was ready to Reign She also murthered Bernice and her Son two or three Years after Ptolomy's Death but the Brother reveng'd it Ptolomy Philodelphus Son of Ptolomy the first King of Egypt after Alexander began to Reign with his Father and continued Forty Years He was first derived from Alexander's Successours which made League with Rome and his Off-spring the last of those Royal Families they rooted out He set at Liberty all the Iews which his Father made Slaves in Egypt and sent rich Gifts to God's Temple in Ierusalem and requested of Eleazer the Books of Holy Scripture and seventy two Learned Hebrews to Translate them into Greek to furnish his Library in Alexandria of which Genebrard thinks Iesus Sirach was one whom Iansenius proveth then living Iosephus Antiq. li. 12. c. 2. reports one Aristaeus writ the History thereof Seleucus Callinicus began his Reign with his Father's Murder which cost his Mothers Life she being slain by Ptolomaeus Evergetes in revenge of his Sister who Invaded Seleucus but was called Home by Domestick Troubles Seleucus perceiving himself not beloved of his Subjects sought not to gain them by merit but by force prepares a great Fleet against them whereon all his hope relyed which God overwhelmed in the Sea and himself hardly escaped His Subjects hoping he would become a new Man in Commiseration offer him their Service which so revived him that he raised an Army against Ptolomy who overthrew him which made him send for aid to his Brother Antiochus Hierax or Hawk for he cared not on whom he Preyed who was but fourteen Years Old and was extream Ambitious Before he came Seleuchus made Peace with Ptolomaeus but had no Peace of his Brother who overthrew him But shortly after overthrown himself by Eumenes King of Pergamus Son of Attalus and forced to flye away was taken up in Capadocia by Artamenes who designed to betray him which made him take his Wings to Egypt where Ptolomy knowing his persidious Nature imprisoned him whence escaping by means of a Harlot he fell into the hands of Thieves who murthered him Seleuchus at this time going to subdue the Bactrians and Parthians was taken Prisoner by Arsaces Founder of the Parthian Kingdom who yet released him but returning Home he broke his Neck by a fall from his Horse after twenty Years Reign Seleuchus Ceraunus succeeded his Father Three Years and was slain by Treason leaving Antiochus his Brother to succeed and Achaeus to Govern the Army § 2. Ptolomaeus Evergetes who suceeded Philadelphus yet Reigned having Married Berenice Daughter of Magas King of Cyrene added it to his Kingdom and as he thought the Countries of Coâ—losyria Palestine c. His and his Successours Wars with the Seleucidae were Prophecied of by Daniel Onias the High Priest had provoked him by detaining covetously twenty Talents Tribute but was pacified by Iosephus a Iew and having Reigned Twenty six Years Dyed in the 139 Olympiad Antiochus scarce Fifteen Years Old when he began his Reign which lasted Thirty six Years in his Minority was wholly Governed by one Hermias an Ambitions Man who incited him unseasonably to War against Ptolomaeus for recovery of Coelosyria c. while Molo the Kings Lieutenant in Media Rebelled Xenaetas is sent with Forces into Media which are overthrown while Antiochus lay in the Valley of Marsyas between Libanus and Antilibanus seeking to pass into Coelosyria Hearing therefore the News of Xenaetas he hastens into Media which he recovered from Molo whose left Wing Revolting to the King Molo with divers of his Friends to shorten the work killed themselves and so prevented the Hangman with their own Swords After this came the joyful News of his Queen's being Deliver'd of a Son Fortune being thus bountiful Antigonus Marches against Artabanes King of the Atropians who being very Old and Timerous yielded to whatever he Propos'd Antiochus in the East thought good to visit his Borders between the Caspian and Euxine Sea in which Journey his Physician informed him against Hermits of whom himself was grown Jealous and therefore consented to his killing About these times Achaeus rebelled in hope the King would perish in his Expedition yet Antiochus more intending the recovery of Coelosyria neglected him till he had gotten Seleucia first called Antigonia founded by Antigonus and after won by Seleuchus and then by Ptolomy Such is the vanity of Men who think to eternize their Names not by works of Vertue but of Greatness which never lasteth long Theodotus the Aetolian Ptolomy's Mercenary which formerlâ— dâ—fended Caelosyria agâ—inst Antiocâ—us now weary of his former Faithfulness Mercenary like sells it to him who took possession of Tirus and Ptolomais with the Aegyptian Fleet there Antiochus herewith emboldned aims at Egypt it self ruled by Agathocles and Sosibius whilst Ptolomy himself minds only his Pleasure These two make secret preparation but openly solicite Peace by themselves and several of their Allies and Antiochus willing to rest this Winter agreeth on a Truce for four Months to Treat of Peace which he designed only to lull his Enemies asleep who watched him better than he did them During the Truce Embassadours from Egypt are heard and both sides plead their right to Coelosyria and propound Covenants but both would have it or nothing The Truce ended Antiochus takes the Field presuming his ordinary Power will serve against his unprovided Enemies but was deceived and well beaten for it at Raphia losing Ten Thousand