The First Age.

THE Creation as it is Written by The Crea­tion. Moses, in the Book of Genesis. Of the World, 1. before Christ, 4004.

The Double Generation of the Children of Adam.

The first was of Cain who killed his Bro­ther The Poste­rity of Cain. Abel, after which all the impious Posterity of the Murtherer was extinct in the Deluge.

The second Generation was of Seth, and That of Seth. descends to Noah, and from him directly to the Messias.

The Second Age.

IT began at the end of the Deluge. Of The Deluge. the World, 1657. before Christ, 2347.

The Collonies of the Three Sons of The Collo­nies of Ja­phet. Noah, Sem, Ham, and Japhet; the Off­spring of Japhet peopled the Northern parts of Asia, and the principal parts of Europe.

Ham with his Off-spring peopled some Of Ham. parts of Asia towards the South, and Aegypt with the rest of Affrick.

The Posterity of Sem peopled Mesopo­tamia, The Collo­nies of Sem. Babylon, Arabia, Persia, and India.

The Generation directly coming to the Messias, is perpetuated from Sem to Abra­ham.

In the time of Peleg, Mankind was dis­persed The Dis­persing of Mankind. to people the Earth. Of the World, 1771. before Christ, 2233.

Soon after Nimrod establisht the first The Baby­lonian Monarchy. seat of Monarchy in Babel or Babylon, which from a Tower founded by the Posterity of Noah, took that Name from the con­fusion of Tongues that arose there. Of the World, 1772. before Christ, 2232.

Much about that time, Assur the Son of The Assy­rian Mo­narchy. Sem, Built a City which was after called Niniveh, upon the River Tygris, and made it the Seat of Empire, which after his Name was called the Assyrian.

The Establishment of the Kingdom was The Monar­chy of Aegypt. by Misraim the Son of Ham. Of the World, 1816. before Christ, 2188.

The Chineses reckon the setting up of Of China. their King in this Year under Fohi. Of the World, 1850. before Christ, 2154.

The Kingdom of Sycione in the Pelopo­nese, Of Sycione began under Aegialeus. Of the World, 1915. before Ch, 2079.

The Arabians made themselves masters Pastoral Kings of Aegypt. of Aegypt, under those Kings called Pa­storal Kings. Of the World, 1920. before Christ, 2084.

Noah Died Aged 950 Years. Of the The Death of Noah. Word, 2006. before Christ, 1998.

The Birth of Abraham. Of the World, 2008. before Christ, 1996.

The Third Age

BEgins from the calling of Abraham. The Collony of Abra­ham. Of the World, 2803. before Ch. 1921. which he obeyed, and came first from Hur, in Caldea to Caram in Mesopotamia, where his Father there Dying, he past into Ca­naan. His History Of the World, 2018. before Ch. 1896.

What happened to him till the Birth of Isaac for the space of 25 Years, is con­tained in the Book of Genesis.

Sem Dyed 502 Years after the Deluge. The Death of Sem. The King­dom of Argos. Of the World, 2158. before Christ, 1846.

The Establishment of the Kingdom of the Argives, under Inachus. Of the World, 2168. before Christ, 1836.

The Birth of Esau, and Jacob, the Sons The Birth of Esau and Jacob. of Isaac and Rebecca.

Thomosis King of Aegypt of the Ancient Dynasty, descended from High Aegypt to the Tower, who drove out Jannias, the last of Arabian Kings, called Pastors. These Arabs to the Number of Two Hundred Forty Thousand, past into Palestine, and The Foun­dation of Jerusalem there founded Jerusalem. Of the World, 2179. before Christ, 1825,

Abraham died after the Death of Sarah, The Death of Abra­ham. he had by Ketura, Madan and Madean, the Fathers of the Madeanites. Of the World, 2187. before Ch. 1817.

Heber died the Eldest of the Patriarchs, And of Heber. Born after the Deluge: In his Family he preserved the primitive Language, which from his Name was called Hebrew.

A Deluge happened in the time of O­giges, The Deluge of Ogiges and of Deucalion King of Thebes, which occasioned the Fable of Deucalion, and Pyrrah. Their Son Hellenus gave the Name to that Coun­try, afterwards called Greece, from the Name of Graecus, who descended from Hellenus. Chalde­ans, Kings of Baby­lon. Eve­cous their first King.

The Chaldeans possest themselves of the Kingdom▪ of Babylon, under their first King Evecous. Of the World, 2242. before Christ, 1762.

Jacob's flying into Mesopotamia, his Mar­riage, The History of Jacob. and his Children are Recorded in the Book of Genesis. Of the World, 2259. before Christ, 1745.

His return into Canaan is there also mentioned, and what is related of Esau his Brother, otherwise called Edom, who gave the name to Edomia, or Idumea; from his Grand-son Amalee, came the Amala­kites. Of the World, 2261. before Ch. 1743.

The selling of Joseph into Aegypt, and That of Joseph. the sequel of his History is in the Book of Genesis. As also the Arrival of Jacob his Father into that Country. Of the World, 2299. before Ch. 1705.

The Kings who had Reigned in Aegypt, The Kings of Aegypt. after Thomesis, who drove out the Arabs, are these following. Hebron, Amenophis, the First; his Sister Arnessis, Mephres, and [Page 6] Mephra Mutesis: It was to him Joseph in­terpreted the Dreams, and who enter­tained Jacob. This Patriarch died under The Death of Jacob. The Death of Joseph. Tomesis the second; afterwards Joseph con­tinued to Govern under Orus, in whose Reign he Dyed. Of the World, 2305. before Christ, 1689.

The Successors of Orus are these who The Israe­lites Per­secuted. follow: Ratotis, Achancheres, Armais and Ramesses the first; Ramesses the second, he began to oppose the Israelites, and his Son continued it, he was called Amenophes the Third. Of the World, 2369. before▪ Ch. 1635. The Birth of Aaron and Moses. Cecrops K [...] of A­thens.

The Birth of Aaron and Moses. Of the World, 2430. before Ch. 1574

Cecrops brought a Collony from Aegypt into Greece, and there founded the City of Athens, of which he was the first King. Of the World, 2467. before Ch. 1537.

The Arabians became Masters of Babi­lon, T [...] Ara­bians in Babylon. and having drove out the Chaldeans, and there establisht a new Dinasty, of which Mardocentis was the first King. Of the World, 2494. before Ch. 1510.

Amenophis the third continued to perse­cute the Israelites, but God delivered them by the hand of Moses, as it is Related in the Book of Exodus. Of the World, 2513. before Ch. 1491.

The Fourth Age.

THat which passed in the Wilderness, is fully described▪ in the Book of Moses. As to profane History, that re­marks the conquests of Sesostris, the Son The Con­quests of Sesostris, or Aegip­tus. of Amenophis the Third, who past thro' Arabia into Persia, and went even to In­dia, where he past over Caucasus, and en­tred into Scythia, and arrived at Thrace, and so passing the Bosphorus, travelled through Asia the lesser and Syria, and came back into his Kingdom at the end of Nine Years, which he had spent to make him­self master of those Countrys which have been named. Besides the name of Sesostris, he had that of Egiphes, whence his King­dom took afterwards its Name. He had a Brother called Armais, whom at his Re­turn, he drove out of Aegypt, because he had broke the Orders given him to ob­serve in his Brothers Absence. It was this Armais, whom the Greeks called Da­naus, Armais or Danaus. who being Expelled, his Country came to Greece, where he became master of the Kingdom of Argos, of whom was The Da­naids. feigned the Fable of the Danaids. Of the World, 2522. before Ch. 1482.

Busiris the Brother of Amenophis the Busiris. Third (Uncle of the two preceeding Princes) succeeded his Nephew Sesostris, who died without Children. This is that Busiris so famous for his cruelty to Strangers. Of the World, 2530. before Ch. 1474. Hermes Tresmi­gestus.

At this time lived Hermes Tresmigestus, the most famous Phylosopher, and one of Sesostris his Privy Councellors. Agenor.

Agenor the Son of Belus the Aegyptian, past from the upper part of Aegypt into that part of Palestine, which from the name of Phaenix, his Son was called Phae­nicia. Phaenix. Caelix his second Son gave the Caelix. name to Caelicia; Cadmus the third having Cadmus. persued the Ravisher of his Sister Europa, Europa. and not being able to retrieve her, stopt in Boetia at a City he called Thebes, from Thebes. the name of another Thebes, of high Aegypt, his native Country. This Cadmus brought Greek Cha­racters. to the Greeks those Characters that they used since for Writing. Of the World, 2549. before Ch 1455. The Death of Aaron and Moses.

The death of Aaron and Moses was a Year after. Of the World, 2552. before Ch. 1452

Joshua brought the Israelites into the Joshua past the Jordan. Land of Promise, where Manna failing, they began to Eat of the Fruits of the Earth: The first Year after the sixth, from The first Sabbatick Year. their Entrance, is the first Sabbatick Year, by which they regulated their Years of Jubilee. Of the World, 2560. before Ch. 1444 The Death of Joshua.

Joshua dies after he had judged the People 26 Years. Of the World, 2591. bef. Ch. 1413.

Othoniel the Brother of Caleb Judged. Of the World, 2599. before Ch. 1405. The Judges of Israel.

Israel. Of the World, 2659. before Ch. 1345. after him Ehud, to whom Samgar succeed­ed. Of the World, 2679. before Ch. 1325.

Belus King of Assyria, of the race of Assur, drove the Arabs out of Babylon, and united the two Kingdoms. Of the World, 2682. before Christ, 1322. Deborah ana Baruc.

Deborah judged Israel with Baruc. Of the World, 2719. before Christ, 1245. Belus the Assyrian. The City of Niniveh.

Ninus the Sonnet and Successor of Be­lus, gave the Name to the City Niniveh, which was Built by Assur in the time of Nimrod. Of the World, 2737. before Ch. 1267.

This Ninus conquered all the Country between Tygris and India; among the Kings whom he subdu'd was the famous Zoroaster. Zoroaster King of the Bactrians. Of the World, 2781. before Ch. 1223.

Gideon judged Israel, his Son Abimelec The Judge of Israel. usurpt the Title of King which his Father had refused.

Ninus gave to his second Son Argon the Argon King of Lydia. Kingdom of Lydia, which he had conque­red from the Descendants of Atys Son of Hercules.

After the Death of Ninus, Semeramis Semera­mis. his Widow Reigned in his place, under the name of Ninias their Son.

Tholac and Jair govern'd Israel succes­sively; Judges of Israel. then Jephta whose History the Scripture fully relates in the 11th. and 12th. Chapters of Judges.

The taking of Troy by the Greeks. The The Siege of Troy. Kings of that place were Dardanus, the Son of Jupiter and Electra, the Daughter of Atlas; then Erictonius, Tros, Ilus, with The Tro­jan Kings. his Brother Asaracus. Ilus by the Daugh­ter of Teucer, Son of Scamander King of Creet, had Laomedon. Asaracus was Fa­ther to Capis and Tyton; Laomedon Father of Priamus; Priamus Father to Hector and Paris; and Cassys Father to Anchyses; An­chyses Father to Eneas, Tyton Father to Memnon.

The chief of the Greeks who were pre­sent The chief of the Greeks at the Seige of Troy. at the War, were Agamemnon, and Menelaus, Brothers and Sons of Atreus: The first was King of Argos, and Missena: The second of Spanea, Thiestes their Grandfather. Pelops who was Son of Tan­talus, and of Hippodamia, the Daughter of Enomaus King of Peloponesus. Ulisses Hus­band to Penelope, and King of Ithaca. A­chilles the Son of Peleus and Thetis.. Peleus Son of Jachus King of Aegina. Patroclus Kinsman and Friend to Achilles, both of them Pupils to Chyron, the two Ajaxes; the first, the Son of Telamon King of Sala­mis, the other of Oclus King of Locris. Diomedes King of Aetolia, Palamedes King of Eubaea, Hercules, Castor and Pollux, Bro­thers of Hellena born of Jupiter and Leda. Orpheus and the young Hylas Friend of Hercules; Jason Prince of the Argonauts, The Ar­nauts. he was the Son of Aeson, King of Thessa­ly. Jason was Husband to Medea, who [Page 11] afterwards married Aegeus King of Athens, Father of Theseus, who by the help of Ariadne killed the Minotaure, she was Daughter to Minos King of Creet, Hus­band of Pasiphae. This Minos was re­nowned for Justice, as well as Aeacus and Radamanthus, Pyrithous the Son of Ixicon, The Judges of Hell. and Friend of Theseus.

Ninias the Son of Ninus and of Seme­ [...]amis, Ninius. succeeded his Mother in the King­doms of Assyria and Babylon. Of the World, 2824. before Ch. 1180.

Ilsam, Helon and Habdon judged Israel The Judges of Israel. successively. Of the World, 2826. before Christ. 1178.

Then Ely the High Priest. Ely.

In the 20th. Year of his Government Gamson was Born, whose History is rela­ted Samson. in the 14, 15, and 16. Chapters of Judges. Of the World, 2868. before Ch. 1136.

The four first Chapters of the first Book of Samuel, relates the Birth and Disorders Samuel. of the Sons of Ely; their Death, with their Fathers, after the Ark of God was taken by the Phylistins.

The seventh Chapter of Samuel relates the happy beginning of Samuels Govern­ment. Of the World, 2903. before Ch. 1101.

The Israelites demand a King, which was Saul, Of the World, 2909. before Ch. Saul the first King of Israel. 1095 his History is written in the first Book of Samuel form the 8th. Chapter to the 31st. Of the World, 2949. before Ch. 1055.

His Son Isboseth succeeded him only o­ver His Death. Ten Tribes; David being acknow­ledg'd King by the other two, Judah and Benjamin.

Isboseth being killed, David is declared Isboseth. David. King over all Israel.

He took Jerusalem and made it the Takes Je­rusalem. Seat of his Kingdom; the remainder o [...] his History is set down in the second Book of Samuel, from the 16 Chapter, to His Death. the second Book of Kings, which relates his Death. Of the World, 2990. before Ch. 1014.

Solomon his Son succeded him in his Solomon. Throne; The History of his first three Years is mentioned in the first Book of Kings, from the second Chapter to the fifth. Of the World, 2993. before Ch. 1011.

The Fifth Age

BEgins from the foundation of the The Founda­tion of the Temple. Temple by Solomon, who finisht it in Seven Years and a half. Of the World, 3000. before Christ, 1004.

The remainder of his History is insert­ed in the first Book of Kings; Chapter the 9th. and in the first Book of Chronicles, the 9th. and 10th. Chapters.

Under his Son Rhehoboam, the Kingdom Rhehobo­am. was divided into two. Of the World, 3029. before Christ, 975. The first composed of two Tribes of Judah and Benjamin, which obeyed his Rule, and his Successors under The Kingdom of Ju­dah. The King­dom of Israel. Jeroboam. the Name of the Kingdom of Judah. The second consisted of the Ten Tribes under the name of the Kingdom of Israel, and passed to Jeroboam and his Successors. Of the World, 3030. before Ch. 974.

The Battle between the two Kings, in A remark­able Battle. which were killed 500000 Men of the Army of Jeroboam.

Abiam the Son of Rhehoboam. Of the Abiam. World, 3049. before Ch. 955.

Reigned also in the time of Jeroboam. Of the World, 3050. before Ch. 954.

Baasca the Son and Successor to Jero­boam. Baasca. Of the World, 3062. before Ch. 942.

Asa Son of Abiam King of Judah. Asa.

Nadab King of Israel, the Murtherer and Nadab. Successor to Baasca.

Ela the Son of Baasca killed by Zimri, Ela and Zimri, and Homri Kings of Israel. and he in the space of 16 days by Homri, who Built Samaria. Of the World, 3088. before Ch. 916.

Jehosophat Son and Successor to Asa King of Judah.

Achab Son and Successor to Homri, he Achab. was reproved for his Wickedness, and Elia. Echosias. Elisha. cruel Injustice by the Prophet Elia, and his Son Echosias by the Prophet Elisha.

Jehosophat Son and Successor to Asa Jehoso­phat. King of Judah.

Joram Brother and Successor to Ochosias Joram King of Israel. King of Israel. Of the World, 3007. be­fore Ch. 897.

Joram Son and Successor to Jehosaphat Joram King of Judah. King of Judah. Of the World, 3008. be­fore Ch. 896.

Jehoachas or Achasis King of Judah was Jehoa­chas. killed, as was also Joram King of Israel by Jehu, who was likewise King of Israel; Jehu King of Israel. Athalia. while Athalia Mother of Achasias, having killed all her Children except Joas. Reign­ed in Judah the space of Seven Years. Of the World, 3020. before Ch. 884.

Joas Reigned in Judah after his Grand­mother Joas King of Judah. Athalia was killed. Of the World, 3126. before Ch. 878.

At the same time Jehoachas Son and Suc­cessor Jehoachas King of Israel. to Jehu Reigned in Israel. Of the World, 3148. before Ch. 856.

The Athenians after the Death of Codrus Change of Govern­ment at Athens. their last King, changed the form of their Government, and establisht their Archons for life; after that for Ten Years, and at last for every Year.

Joas Son and Successor to Jehoachas Joas King of Israel. King of Israel. Of the World, 3164. before Ch. 840.

Ozias or Azarias Son and Successor of Ozias King of Judah. Amazius, who succeeded his Father Joas King of Judah. Of the World, 3194. be­fore Ch. 810.

Jeroboam the second Son and Successor Jeroboam second King of Israel. to Joas King of Israel. Of the World, 3220. before Ch. 770.

Iphytus revived in Elida, which is in Pe­leponesus Iphytus. the Olimpick Games, instituted a­bove 400 Years before in Thessaly, at the foot of Mount Olimpus by Hercules, in Hon­our of his Father Jupiter. Of the World, 3228. before Ch. 776.

From this Re-establishment the Greeks have reckoned their famous Epoche, called the Olimpiads, of which each contains The Olim­piads. four Years compleat. After an Interreg­num of Eleven Years, Zacharias succeeded his Father Jeroboam the Second; at the end of six Months Zacharias was killed by Ra­laum, Kings of Israel. who reigned but one Month, and then was killed by Maniur his Successor, who was made Tributary by Pul or Pall, King of Assyria and Babylon. Of the World, 3233. before Ch. 771.

Pecaia succeeded his Father Maneheim, Kings of Judah. and was killed at the end of Twelve Years by Pecaia his Successor.

Ozias or Azanas became Leprous for having usurpt the Office of High-Priest. Of the World, 3245. before Ch. 759.

His Son Jonathan Governed the King­dom in his place. Of the World, 3256. before Ch. 748. The Founda­tion of Rome. Three Di­nastys in Italy. The first of Janus and Corythus. The second of Satur­nus.

Rome was Built at the end of the 7th. Olimpiad.

Three Dinasties are observed to have Reigned in Italy before the Foundation of Rome. The first of Janus the Ancient, and from Corythus to Italus, whose Daughter Roma married. Saturnus, called from thence Romanessus, who was the chief of the second Dinasty, called the Aborigines, which he brought out of Arcadia into Italy. There are counted among▪ those who descended from them, two of the Name of Picus, and two of that of Faunus; one of the latter was Father of Latinus, Fa­ther to Lavinia, who was married to Aene­as, The third of Aeneas. the chief of the third Dinasty, which lasted 436 Years under Kings to the Foun­dation of Rome.

At this time lived Homer and Hesiod the Home. Hesiod. Jetys and Dares. Greek Poets, and Jetys of Creet, and Dares of Phrygia, Historians who writ in Prose the History of Troy, as Homer did in Verse. Nabonassar and Arbaces Lieutenant Generals The Death of Sarda­napalus. to Sardanapalus, besieged him in Niniveh; insomuch that this Prince who had been [Page 17] so Effeminate, finding the Walls broken down, had the Courage to burn himself in his own Palace with his Wives, his Children, and Treasures. Of the World, 3257. before Ch. 747.

From the Destruction of the Empire of Babylon, and Assyria, there arose three King­doms; the first in Babylon, under Nebo­nassar, Nabonas­sar King of Babylon. called Baladam, in the Holy Scri­ptures; and Bellesis, by the Greeks. In the first Year▪ of his Reign, the ancient Geo­graphers have taken their Epoche. The second Kingdom was that of the Medes; but lasted only about Thirty eight Years: Arbaces being contented, at that time, to restore Liberty to his Countrymen. The third Kingdom in Nineveh, was under Til­gamus, Tilgamus King of Assyria. or Ninus the younger, called Tiglat Pilezer, in the Holy Scripture. Of the World, 3262. before Ch. 742.

Achas succeeded his Father Jonathan, King of Judah.

Picae was killed by Hoseas, his Successor in the Kingdom of Israel▪ which ended The end of the▪ King­ [...] of Israel. in the Person of [...] King, slain by Tilgat Pylezar▪ King of As [...]yria, after that Mo­narchy had lasted 254 Years, from Je­roboam.▪ Of the World, 3278. before Ch. 726.

Nebonazar having reigned fourteen Years, had for his Successors, Na [...] Ch [...], and Pon [...]s together: Then Elu [...]ius, who reign­ed Kings of Babylon. successively for the space of Twelve Years: After whom, Merodachus Balladan, [Page 18] so called by Isaiah, began to Reign. This King is named Mardosempades, by the Greeks. Of the World, 3284. before Ch. 720.

Lycurgus, of the Royal Blood of the He­raclides, Lycurgus. Guardian to his Nephew, King of Lacedemon, did there change the Govern­ment, purely Monarchical, into a Govern­ment composed of Monarchy, and Ari­stocracy.

The fabulous History ascribes the Foun­dation The Foun­dation of Lacede­mon. of that City to Lacedemon, Son of Jupiter and Thais, Daughter to Atlas: But the true History does reckon for their first King, Laelex, Contemporary with Cecrops. He had for his Successor, Eurctas; who gave the Name to a River on which that City was built: It was also call'd Sparta, from the Name of a Daughter of that King.

Candaulus, the last King of Lydia, of the Candaule. Giges. Din [...]sly of Arges, was killed by Giges, in­stigated by the Wife of Candaulus, enraged that her Husband had shewed her naked to Giges; who married this Queen, and so became King of Lydia. Of the World, 3286. before Ch. 718.

The Poet Archilochus, who made Jamlike Archilo­chus. Verses, was their Contemporary, and makes mention of that History. Of the World, 3290. before Ch. 714.

Corinth changed the Form of its Govern­ment Corinth' s change of Govern­ment. Its Founda­tion. of Monarchy, to a Republick.

This City was built in the Year of the World, 2640, by Sisiphus, Son to Aeolus, [Page 19] who was killed by Theseus, by reason of his Robberies. Corinthus, who succeeded him, gave the Name to that City.

Romulus died, and was Deified under the The Death of Romu­lus. Name of Quirinus. Of the World, 3293. be­fore Ch. 731.

Zenacherib, Son, and Successor, to Salma­nasur, Zenachrib who conquered Egypt, and Syria, was constrained to raise the Siege of Je­rusalem; an Angel having killed in one Night 185000 of his Army: Being re­turned to Ninive, he was there kill'd by two of his Sons.

Serrhaddon, or Assaradin, his other Son, Assaradin King of Assyria. Ezechias. Esaiah. reigned in his place.

Ezechias was then King of Judah, assist­ed by the Counsel of the Prophet Esaiah. He reigned with great Justice and Piety: But Manasses, his Son, was not like to Manasses. him. Of the World, 3310. before Ch. 698.

The Kindom of Babylon being fallen into Babylon and Syria united. decay, and weakned, Assaradin made him­self Master of it, and joyned it to Assyria. Of the World 3323. before Ch. 681.

Numa Pompilius, who succeeded Romulus, Numa Pompilius. died. Of the World 3336. before Ch. 668.

Jeodachim, who was Nebuchadnezzar in Nebucha­donezar King of Assyria & Babylon. Deicos King of the Medes. the Book of Judith, succeeds Assaradin in the Kingdom of Assyria and Babylon: He overcame Arphaxad, called Deicos by the Greeks, King of the Medes.

Manasses died, after he had been re-esta­blish'd in his Kingdom, having lain in Prison many Years at Babylon. Ammon, his [Page 20] Son, followed his wicked Ways, but not his Repentance. Josias, his Son, was al­ways held a Godly, and a Vertuous King.

Tullus Hostillius, the third King of Rome, Tullus Hostillius died. Under his Reign, Alba was joyned to Rome▪ by the Victory of the Horatii o­ver Horaces, & Curia­ces. the Curatii. Of the World, 3369. before Ch. 635.

Chinaladanan, or Saracus, Successor to Sa­osduchin, Kings of Assyria. was overcome and killed in Ni­nive, by Nabopalassur, who revolted against him, and made a League with Phraord, Son, and Successor to Deicus, King of the Kings of the Medes. Medes. Of the World, 3380. before Ch. 624.

So Nabonahassur became King of Babylon, and of Assyria, and was in Alliance with the Medes; and marrying Nebuchadonesur, with Am [...]tys, Sister to Astyages, Son of Cy­axares, he succeeded his Father Phraord.

Anous Martius, the fourth King of Rome, Anous Martius. died. He built the City of Ostia, at the Mouth of Tyber. Of the World 3393. before Ch. 611.

N [...], or Neco, King of Egypt, having Necos King of Egypt. left his Kingdom, to make War against Nab [...]pal [...]ur, is stopt in his Way, by Jo­sias, who was killed in the Battle. Of th [...] World 3395. before Ch. 609.

Necos being victorious, brought Jehoa [...]has, Kings of Judah. Son of Josias, Prisoner; and put in his place, on the Throne of Judah, J [...]hoachim, Brother to Jehoachas. Of the World 3398. before Ch. 609.

Nebuchadnesur carried Jehoachim into Ca­ptivity, as likewise Jeconius, Son to Jeh [...]a­chim; The [...] of Judah. and at last took Zedechias, Uncle to Jeconias, and put out his Eyes, and killed his Children in his presence, while Nebu­zaradin ruined the City and Temple of Je­rusalem. The D [...]stru­ction of Jerusalem Of the World, 3416. before Ch. 588.

Where Jeremiah, the Prophet, lived to bewail the Miseries of the Jews: In the same time that Ezekiel prophesied to the Captive Jews, in Babylon. Of the World, 3417. before Ch. 587.

The Sixth Age.

DAniel, and his Companions, gave Daniel. Marks of their Faith and Piety to­wards Nebu­chadne­zar' s Dreams. God; as is set down in the first Book of that Prophet: Where also is re­lated the Interpretation of Nebuchadnezar's two Dreams.

In this time lived Arion, Alciceus, and E­pimenides, Learned Men. Greek Po [...]ts, with Sappho, the Poetess; Pythagoras the Philosopher.

Nebuchadnezar took Tyre from Itabulus, Nebu­chadnezar takes Tyr [...] and so put an end to that Kingdom, of which Itabulus was the last King of the Race of Hiram, Contemporary with Solo­mon; that Dinasty having lasted from the [Page 22] time of Agenor and Phaenix. Of the World, 3432. before Ch. 572.

Nebuchadnezar past into Egypt, and easily Nebu­chadnezar King of Egypt. conquered it; having found it divided by a Civil War, between Apries and Amasis; the former lawful King having been ex­pelled by the Conqueror.

Tarquinius Priscus, the fifth King of Rome, Tarquini­us Priscus was killed by the Sons of Ancus Martius, his Predecessor. This was that Tarquinius Priscus, who establish'd Triumphs for those who had obtained a signal Victory over their Enemies.

Nebuchadnezar, grown proud of the most Nebu­chadnezar turned Beast. stately Buildings he had erected in Babylon, was, by a Judgment of God, reduc'd to the Condition of a Beast, for the space of seven Years. Of the World, 3435. before Ch. 569.

After which, acknowledging his Sins, and giving all Glory to God, he was re­stored to his Reason, and Kingdom. Of He is re­establish'd. the World, 3442. before Ch. 562.

His Son, and Successor, Evilmerodach, Evilme­rodach. delivered Jeconias out of Prison.

After two Years Reign, Evilmerodach was killed by Neriglisser, his Brother-in-Law; Neriglis­ser King of Babylon. whose Son Laborascadus succeeded him; but Reigned only nine Months, and then was killed, and a Son of Evilmero­dach was plac'd on the Throne. He was called Balthazar, by Daniel; by Barotius, Balthazar King of Babylon. Naboniclus; by Herodotus Labinithus. Of the World, 3448. before Ch. 556.

Astiages King of Media being dead, had Darius, or Cyaxar, the Second. to succeed him, Ciaxar, the Second, who was called Darius, in the Book of Daniel. This King gave the Command of his Ar­mies to Cyrus, his Nephew, and Son-in-Law. Cyrus.

The Gauls, under the Conduct of Cigo­rais, Cigorais, & Bello­rais. and Bellorais, past into Italy, and be­came Masters of that part, which is called, Gaule Cisalpine.

Croesus, the last King of Lydia, who de­scended Croesus. from Giges, was taken Prisoner, in a Battle, by Cyrus; who saved his Life, when he was just ready to be burnt, up­on hearing him call on the Name of Solon, the Athenian. Of the World, 3456. before Ch. 548.

Historians record the Death of the fair Panthea & Abradates Panthea, who killed herself on the Body of her Husbaud, Abradates, slain in the Battle that Cyrus gained over Croesus.

Aesop lived at that time. Aesop▪ The end of the Empire of Assyria.

The end of the Empire of Assiria, and Ba­bylon, by the Death of Balthazar, and the taking of Babylon, in the very same Night that Balthazar made a most impious Feast, mentioned in the Fifth Chapter of Daniel. Of the World, 3466. before Ch. 538.

So the Assyrian Empire devolved to the The Empire of the Medes. Medes, in the Person of Ciaxar the Second, or Darius; to whom Cyrus, his Son-in-Law, resigned all his Conquests.

In the Time of the Seven Years Captivi­ty of the Jews, in Babylon, flourish'd in [Page 24] Greece, the Seven Wise Men, called, Thales, The Seven Wise Men of Greece. the Milesian; Ch [...]lon, the Laced [...]monian; Cleobulus, of C [...]rinth; Byas, of Prienae; Pit­tacus, of Mitelene; and Solon, of Salamis. This was he who gave milder, and more easie Laws to the Athenians, than those of Draco; which were so very severe, and cruel, that it was said of them, they were writ in Blood.

Cambyses, King of Persia, and Darius, or The Empire of Persia. Cyaxar, the Second King of the Medes, both being dead; Cyrus, Son to the one, and Nephew to the other▪ succeeded in all their Principalities, and gave Beginning to the Empire of the Persians, which extend­ed from the Hell [...]p [...], to India. Of the World, 3468. before Ch. 536.

Cyrus, in the First Year of his Reign, set The Jews [...] at Li­berty. the Jews at Liberty; and they returned into their own Country, under the Con­duct of Z [...]rubbabel, Son of Salathiel, Son of Jeconias, King of Judah.

Cyrus died, according to some Writers, Cyrus' s Death. in the War against Thomiris, Queen of Scy­thia; contrary to the Testimony of Xeno­phon, who writes, that this Prince died in his Bed, at Pasa [...]gade, in Persia. Of the World, 3475. before Ch. 529.

Servius Tullius, the Sixth King of Rome, Servius Tullius. was killed by his Son-in-Law, and Suc­cessor, Tarquinius Superbus. Of the World 3476. before Ch. 528. Cambyses subdues Egypt.

Pzametticus, Governour of Egypt, having [...]ook upon him the Title of King Cambyses, [Page 25] Son, and Successor to Cyrus, went thither, and subjected it; yet he lost two Armies in the Desarts of Lybia; one which he sent to plunder the Temple of Jupiter Ammon; and the other▪ which he sent against the Aethiopians. Of the World, 34 [...]1. be [...]ore Ch. 523.

At this time flourish'd the Poet Anacreon Anacreon Policrates Friend of Polycrates, Tyrant of Samos, who had been a Friend to Amasis; but this lat­ter renounc'd the Friendship of that [...]y­rant; because he judged, that so much continual good Fortune, could not be at­tended without some remarkable Misfor­tune.

Cambyses had caus'd his Brother Smerdis to be secretly kill'd. In the mean while, the Magus Patisites plac'd on the Throne his own Brother, Oropastes, under the Name of Smerdis; because he exactly resembled The Impostor Smerdis. the Prince of the same Name. Of the World 3482. before Ch. 522.

This News made Cambyses leave Egypt, to return into Persia; but he di [...]d by the Way, of a Wound he received by his own Sword, as he lighted off from his [...]orse. Cambyses Death. He was wound [...]d in the Thigh in the same Place, and by the same Sword, with which he had wounded the God Apis, in Egypt.

The Impostor, Smerdis, was killed by Seven of the chief S [...]trap [...]s of the King­dom; of which Number, Darius, Son of Darius King of Persia. Istapes, was chosen King, by the cunning Intrigue of Othanes.

Zopyrus, a Friend to this King, shewed Zopyrus. him the Means to reduce Babylon under his Obedience. Of the World, 3493. before Ch 501.

Tarquinius Superbus, was driven out of Tarquini­us Super­bus [...]xpel­led Rome. Rome, for Reasons s [...]t down in the Roman History: He was the seventh, and last, of the Kings of Rome, who there Reigned for the space of 245 Years.

In their place were elected two Con­suls The Election of Consuls. annually. The first Year they chose five; to wit, Valerius Publicola, and Colla­tinus, the Husband of Leucretia. Of the World, 3500. before Christ 504.

But he having been turn'd out, because he was of the Family of the Tarquins, they constituted in his place, Junius Brutus, who was killed in the Battle against Pors [...]nna; and in his place they chose Horatius Pulvi­lius; who, also dying, had, for his Suc­cessor, Spurius Leucretius, Father to Leu­cretia.

The Siege of Rome, by Porsenna, King of The Siege of Rome, by Por­senna. the Thuscans, in favour of the Tarquins; the Noble Actions of Horatius Cocles, of Mutius Scaevola, and of Clelia, the Roman Virgin, are remark'd in the Roman Hi­story.

Darius sent to demand Earth and Water, of the Grecian Cities of Europe, as Marks of their Homage; which they refused, and prepar'd for War. Of the World, 3511. before Ch. 493.

This King having sent a great Army a­gainst The begin­ning of the War be­tween the Persians and the Greeks. The Battle of Mara­thon. Pisistratus his Son killed. Armodius & Aristo­geter. the Grecians, they won the famous Battle of Marathon, under the Conduct of Miltiades, the Athenian Captain. Of the World 3514, before Ch. 490.

Pisistratus, a Traytor to his Country, was the Cause of that War.

He was killed in that Battle: Hippias, his Son, being also in the same Treason with his Father, was kill'd by Armodius, and Aristogiter; who were likewise slain in the same Action: But the Athenians e­rected Statues for them, in Acknowledg­ment of their Deliverance by them, from the Yoak of that Tyrant.

Darius, the Son of Histapes, chief of the Darius' s Death. Second Dynasty of the Persian Kings, died, [...]eaving two Sons, Artobasanes, and Xerxes: This younger Brother was preferred be­fore Xerxes' s Successor. the eldest, to the Succession of the Kingdom; in regard he was born after his Father was made King; and also, be­cause he was the Son of Atossa, Daughter of Cyrus. It is remarkable, that the eldest yielded without Regret to the Judgment of the Satrapes, to whom these two Bro­ [...]hers had referred the Decision of that great Affair. Of the World, 5520. before Ch. 484.

At Rome, the common People pretend­ing to be oppress'd by the Senate, stirred up a dangerous Sedition; to appease which Tribunes of the People at Rome. were establish'd Tribunes of the People; powerful Magistrates, who had the Charge [Page 28] to maintain the Rights of the People, and to hinder the Nobility from oppressin [...] them.

That which happened upon occasion o [...] the Discontent of Q. Martius Coriolanus, i [...] Q. Mar­tius Co­riolanus. Quintus Cincinna­tus, first Dictator. remark'd in the Roman History.

Quintus Cincinnatus is observed to be th [...] first Dictator the Romans chose upon a [...] emergent occasion. Of the World, 352 [...] before Ch. 483.

Xerxes pass'd into Europe with a terrib [...] Xerxes conquered the Greeks. Land-Army, having sent another as gre [...] by Sea: Three hundred Lacedemonian [...] commanded by Leonidas, killed Twent [...] thousand of the Land-Army, at the Pa [...] of Thermopolis: All these brave Lacedem [...] nians, The Battle at Ther­mopolis. with their General, died upon th [...] place. The Naval Forces were defeat [...] near Salamis, by the Greeks, under t [...] The Battle of Salamis Conduct of Euribiades, the Lacedemonia [...] and Themistocles the Athenian. Of the Worl [...] Themisto­cles. 3525. before Ch. 479.

Xerxes being compelled, by his ill Su [...] cess to leave Greece, repass'd the Bospho [...] in a little Bark: The Troops he had le [...] in Greece, under the Command of Ma [...] donius, were defeated near Platea, by th [...] The Battle of Platea. Xerxes' s Death. Lacedemonians.

Xerxes was killed by Artabanes, Capta [...] of his Guards; who by that means Reig [...] ed for some Months, and then was al [...] killed, and Artaxerxes Longomain, Son [...] Artax­erxes. Longo­maine. Xerxes, was plac'd in the Persian Thron [...] Of the World 3531. before Ch. 473.

Pindar and Symonides Lirick Poets; So­ [...]hocles Greek Poets. and Euripides Tragick Poets flourisht [...]t that time.

Cymon the Athenian, Son of Miltiades, Cymon. delivered the Asiatick Greeks from the Per­ [...]an Yoak. Of the World, 3538. before Ch. 466.

Esdras the Jew of the Sacerdotal Line, [...]rought back those of his Nation who re­mained Esdras. in Babylon, since their first return under Zerobabel.

Artaxerxes having shewn that favour to the Jews for the sake of Nehemiah his fa­vourite, the Jews finisht the Building of their Temple; from thence many begin their Seventy Weeks mentioned in the The begin­ning of the Seventy Weeks. Ninth Chapter of Daniel. Of the World, 3550. before Ch 454.

The Romans named Ten Persons to di­gest their Laws, which were brought to The Laws of the Twelve Tables. them from Athens, because they were called the Laws of the Twelve Tables. Of the World 3554. before Ch. 450.

Those Ten Persons acquitted themselves so well in that Affair, that the Government The Decem­virate. was committed to them, only one of them Appius Claudius having ravisht the Daugh­ter of Virginius a Roman Soldier; this The Consuls restored. Magistrate was turned out, and the Con­suls restored. Of the World, 3557. before Ch. 447.

At this time lived Artemiza, Queen of The two Artemi­zas. Mausolus. Caria, who exprest extraordinary Grief for the Death of her Husband Mausolus. Of the World, 3559. before Ch. 445.

There was one of the same Name her Aunt, who fought at the Battle of Sala­mis for Xerxes.

Herodotus the Historian was Contempo­rary with the last Artemiza and her Sub­ject, Born at Halycarnassus, the chief City Learned Men of Greece. of Caria: The Poet Aeschylus, and the Orator Isocrates flourisht at that time.

Brennus the Gaul having past into Italy Brennus took Rome. with a great Army, and defeated the Ro­mans in Tuscany, took and plundered their City, but he could not take the Capitol Of the World, 3563. before Ch. 442.

Ju. Camillus constrained him to retire, and for that great service, was esteemed Ju. Ca­millus drove them out. by the Romans as the Founder of their Ci­ty, and was called by them the second Romulus. Of the World, 3565. before Ch. 439.

At Rome the Military Tribunes were The Mili­tary Tri­bunes. chose to Govern in the place of the Con­suls; then the Tribunes were turned out, and the Common-wealth remained four Years without any Superiour Magistrate; but the Military Tribunes having been re­stored again, they were at length cashier­ed for ever, and the Con [...]ls restored. The Cons [...]ls restored. Of the World, 3572. before Ch. 432.

Then began the Peloponesian War be­tween The Pelo­ponesian War. Helleni­cus. Thucy­dides. the Athenians, and the Lac [...]d [...]moni­ans; all the other Greeks taking part with the one or the other. The History of this War has been Written by Hellenicus, H [...]ro­d [...]t [...]s, and more exactly by Thucidides's [Page 31] Contemperaries, who have also described the general Plague which ravaged at that time through all the known World. Of the World, 3574 before Ch. 430.

Hypocrates writ of it as a Physitian; and Hippo­crates. The Cyre­nians change to a Republick. has given great proof of his Ability and Skill on this occasion; the Cyrenians changed the form of their Government from a Monarchy which had lasted 200 Years to a Republick.

Artaxerxes Longomanus dyed, Of the World, 3579. before Ch. 425. his Son Xerxes the Kings of Persia. second was killed about a Year after by his Brother Zogdian, who also was slain six Months after, by his Brother called Ochus, or Darius Nochus, who thus plac'd himself on the Persian Throne. Of The World, 3580. before Ch. 424.

Themistocles who was retired among the The Death of Themi­stocles. Persians, having been banisht by the Athe­nians, killed himself by reason that the King of Persia would oblige him to lead an Army against the Grecians▪

At this time lived Aristophanes the Poet, Aristo­phanes, Socrates, & Alci­biades. and Socrates the Phylosopher, and Alci­biades the famous Athenian Captain. Of the World, 3593. before Ch. 411.

The Peloponesian War ended by a Peace the Greeks. made among themselves, find­ing they very much destroyed each other by their Dissention. Of the World, 3604. before Ch. 404.

Ochus or Darius Nothus died leaving two Kings of Persia. Sons, Artaxerxes Mnenon. Of the World, [Page 32] 3601. before Ch. 403. And Cyrus tho' Younger, who made War one against the other, which was ended in a Battle, where Cyrus was overcome and killed. Six Thou­sand The Retreat of the Greeks. Greeks who had served in the Army of the vanquisht Prince, made at last a famous retreat, related by Zenophon who was there present as one of their Officers. Of the World. 3663. before Ch. 401.

After the return of the Jews from their Captivity, they were Governed by a Sane­drim: A Council composed of the wisest among the Priests, and of the Tribe of Judah. In this time John the High-Priest, seeing Jesus his Brother would put him­self into his place, killed him in the very Temple. Voges Governor of Samaria, a Friend to the slain Brother, revenged his Death by a second Prophanation of the Temple, where he slaughtered a great num­ber of People. Of the World, 3608. be­fore Ch. 396.

At this time lived Plato and Dionisius the Plato. Dionysius King of Syracuse. Epami­nondas. Tyrant of Syracuse, to visit whom this Phy­losopher made three Voyages.

Epaminondas▪ the famous Thebane Cap­tain, died Victorious over the Athenians, at the Battle of Luctr [...]s; he had before de­se [...]ted them in the Battle of M [...]ntinea. Of the World. 3634. before Ch. 370.

In Aegypt the Kingdom being in dis­pute Kings of Aegypt. between Nectana [...]s and Tharos his Nephew, Th [...] prevailed by the help of [...]us King of Spar [...], who passed over Agesi [...]us [Page 33] into that Country with a great Army. Of the World 3643, before Ch. 361.

In Persia, Ochus the Son of Artaxerxes Kings of Persia. Mnemon killed his Brother Arsames, upon which the Father died of Grief: Thus Ochus, called Artaxerxes the Third, ascend­ed the Throne.

The Birth of Alexander Son to Philip Alexan­ders' s Birth. King of Macedon and Olimpia. Of the World 3648, before Ch. 356.

The same Night the Temple of Diana The Temple of Ephesus Burnt. at Ephesius was Burnt by one Herostratus, who left his Name to Posterity in spight of all the care Antiquity took to have it forgot. The Tyrians set Fire to their Ci­ [...]y, and burnt themselves with it, because they would not fall under the power of Ochus or Artaxerxes the Third. This Vi­ctorious Ochus at last subdued Aegypt; Ochus sub­deued Phae­nicia and Aegypt. His Death. there he killed the Oxe Apis, for which he was slain by Bagoas one of his Eunuchs, who gave his Flesh to be devoured by Cats. Of the World 3654, before Ch. 350. This Aegyptian Eunuch having thus re­venged the Affront done to his Nation, set on the Throne Arsames Son to Ochus, and after that killed him and set up in his place Darius Codoma­nus. Darius Cadomanus. Of the World 3668. be­fore Ch. 336.

Philip King of Macedon was killed by The Death of Philip of M [...]ce­don. Pausanius, a young Man of a Noble Fa­mily for a Cause dishonourable to the memory of that King.

At this time lived Demosthenes the fa­mous Demo­sthenes. Athenian Orator, Enemy to Ph [...] and Alexander. Diogenes the Cynick li­ved Diogenes. Aristotle. at the same time, and Aristotle th [...] Master of Alexander.

The Grecians assembled at Corinth, chos [...] Alexander to command the Forces whic [...] Alexan­der chief Comman­der of the Greeks. Thebes destroyed. Athens sa­ved. they resolved to send into Asia, against th [...] Persians; the Thebanes having disowne [...] their Deputies on the account of tha [...] choice, Alexander ruined their City: H [...] spared Athens which had displeased hi [...] by the same ill conduct as the Thebanes. O [...] the World 3670. before Ch. 334.

Aristophanes the Comick Poet then flou­risht Aristo­phanes the Poet. Alexan­der in A­sia. at Athens.

Alexander past the Hellespont, to mak [...] War against the Persians: This passage o [...] his was remarkt to have happened in th [...] Third Olimpiad, and in the 420th Year o [...] Rome.

Immediately after he won the Battl [...] The Battle of Granic. near the Granic in Phrigia. Of the Worl [...] 3671, before Ch. 333.

This Victory made him Master of the lesser Asia, there he pass'd the Winter and cut the Gordian Knot; he fell dangerous­ly sick in the Spring, by bathing himself in a great Sweat, in the River Cidnus, which passes by Tharsus in Cilicia; he was cured by Remedies his Physician Philip gave him▪ He went to meet Darius who had an Army of Six Hundred Thousand Men, whom The Battle of Issus. he defeated near Issus in the streights of [Page 35] the Mountains of Cilicia. Of the World 3672, before Ch. 332.

This Victory made him Master of a The Fruits of his Vi­ctory. great number of illustrious Prisoners; a­mong others, of the Mother, the Wife, the Son, and the Daughters of Darius; also of the City Damascus, where the van­quisht King had left his Treasure.

None but Tyre and Gaza durst oppose The Ruine of Tyre and Gaza. him; he took the first after seven Months Siege, the second after two Months, and destroyed them both.

He spared Jerusalem, being moved to Jerusalem spared. compassion by the submission of the Jews, and out of the respect he had for Jaddus the High Priest. Then he passed into Aegypt, which submitted to him more Aegypt submits. willingly, because it endured with regret the Persian Yoak. Of the World 3673, be­fore Ch. 332.

He took measures for the Building of The Founda­tion of Al­exandria. Alexandria on the Banks of Nyle, while [...]his Ingenier Dinocrates was there at work, Alexander visited the Temple of Jupiter Alexan­der visits the Temple of Jupiter Ammon. Hammon, in the desart of Libia: He was there declared the Son of that God, he went back into Aegypt, and from thence into Siria, from whence he passed beyond Euphrates, and Tygris to meet Darius, who had gathered together an Army of a Mil­lion of Men.

Alexander conquered him in the plains The Battle of Arbella. of Arbella, where Darius escaping out of the Battle, was killed in his Flight by the [Page 36] conspiring of Bessus, and of Narbazan [...] The Death of Darius. two of his principal Satrapes, who were afterwards punisht by Alexander as their Crime deserved. Of the World 3674, be­fore Ch. 330.

Thus ended the Empire of the Persians, which began 208 Years before in the per­son of Cyrus, passing after the death of Darius Codomanus, to the Macedonians in The Empire of the Ma­cedonians the person of Alexander. Of the World 3675, before Ch. 329.

It is remarkt what happened to him in that time with Talestris Queen of the Ama­zons, Thalestris Queen of the Ama­zons. A War against the Scythians. who came to visit him in Hircani [...] on the Banks of the Caspian Sea.

The War he afterwards undertook a­gainst the Scythians, which proved unfor­tunate to him, made him repass the Ca [...] casus, at the foot of which he founded a [...] second Alexandria.

The Conspiracy of Parmenio, and o [...] The Conspi­racy of Parmenio and Phy­lotas. The Death of Clytus and Cali­sthenes. his Son Phylotas, cost both of them their lives.

The Death of Clytus and of Calisthene [...] the Phylosopher, the first killed by Alex­ander himself in a Debauch, the other by the hands of an Executioner, being sus­pected to have conspired against Alexan­der. Of the World 3676, before Ch. 328.

Alexander advancing towards Indus, Ta­xilis Taxilis. a King, whose Country lay on thi [...] side of that River, submitted voluntarily to him; so did Omphis another India [...] Omphis. King▪ who lived beyond the same River▪

But Porus the greatest King of that Porus. Country, having opposed him, was over­come and made a Prisoner, and in the end treated very honourably by the Con­queror. Of the World 3677, before Ch. 229.

History does not forget to remark the The Death of Buce­phalus. Funeral Honours which Alexander caused to be paid to his Horse Bucephalus. And the City he ordered to be built about his Tomb, by the name of Bucephalia on the River Hydaspes.

His Army being arrived on the borders of Hypanis, refused by a kind of Mutiny to pass further, so that Alexander was Alexan­der re­turns. He visits the Ocean. forc'd to return back. In his return he surveyed the Mouths of the River Indus, and sailed for a while on the Ocean; then taking his course along the Sea-side The loss of a great part of his Army. by the great Droughts, excessive Heat, and want of Water and Provisions, he lost three parts of his Army. He arrived with the Remainder at Pasargade in Persia, from thence marcht to Susa, where Calanus the Calanus the Gim­nosophyst. Indian Gimnosophyst burnt himself, because he found his Health begin to decay after he had enjoyed it perfectly for the space of Seventy Years.

Alexander being at Ecbatana in Parthia, lost his dear Ephestion, who died of a De­bauch The Death of Ephe­stion. of Wine. Among his various ex­presses of Grief for his loss, he often ut­tered some cruel ones, and some very ri­diculous.

He came to Babylon contrary to the Ad­vice Alexan­der at Ba­bylon. and Council of the Caldeans, who foretold that his coming there would prove Fatal. He staid there some time, and departed Laughing at the Prognosti­cators; he took a Survey of the Mouth of Euphrates, and there received the ac­count of Nearchus and Onesicritus, to whom he had given order to view the Coasts be­tween the Mouths of the River Indus and Euphrates; being return'd to Babylon, giving His Return himself up to extraordinary Debauches of Wine, died either by those Excesses, or His Death. of Poison given him by his greatest Fami­liars; he lived but 32 Years, of which he had Reigned 12. His Death happened in the first Year of the 114th. Olimpiad, and at the 449th Year from the Foundation of Rome. Of the World 3681, before Christ, 323.

He left a Bastard Son named Hercules, and his Wife Roxalana big with Child, who was brought to Bed of a Son called after his Name; these two Sons with Phi­lip His Sons. Arideus, brother to Alexander, acknow­ledged Arideus his Brother Perdiccas Governor of the Kings. Kings by the Mecedonians, under the Tuition of Perdiccas; the two first by reason of their Childhood, and the third in regard of the weakness of his Under­standing.

The other Friends of Alexander shared among them his Conquests under the Titles of Governors, which they assumed du­ring the Life of those Kings. But after [Page 39] that by the Fraud and Cunning of Olimpi­as and Antipater, they were destroyed, Their Death. each of them took the Title of Sovereign in his Government.

It was not long before they fell to War among themselves, by which the chief of them were ruined.

Perdiccas, the first, march'd into Aegypt The Death of Perdic­cas. Ptolomy King of Aegypt. against Ptolomy, the Son of Lagus, and was there killed in Battle by Ptolomy; who by that Victory was fully establish'd in that Monarchy, and joyned to Aegypt, Cyre­naica, and part of Arabia.

Craterus had shared Macedonia, and the Craterus killed. rest of Greece, with Antipater: But Craterus having past into Asia, against Eumenes, was there kill'd in Battle. Of the World 3680, before Ch. 320.

Eumenes a-while after, had the same Fate Eumenes killed. by Antigonus, who thus remain'd Master of a great part of Asia the Lesser; having kil­led in Battle Lysimachus: After which, Lysima­chus kill'd Antigonus was likewise slain in a Battle a­gainst Seleucus. Demetrius, the Son of An­tigonus, after he had restored Liberty to the ancient Republicks of Greece, and had made himself Master of Macedonia, lost it again, and fell into the Hands of his Son-in-Law Seleucus Nicanor; who kept him Prisoner, tho' very honourably, and most commodi­ously, in a Peninsula of Syria; where De­metrius The Death of Deme­trius. gave himself up excessively to his Pleasures, died at the end of three Years.

Antipater, Cassander, and his other Sons, the Death of Olim­pias, An­tipater, Cassander, and his other Sons. who had a hand in the Death of the Kings, and in that of Olimpias, they perish'd all in the space of twelve Years. Thus the whole Succession of Alexander was divided into three Kingdoms.

That of the Selucides comprehended Me­sopotamia, The Selu­cides in Asia. Syria, and Asia the Lesser, under Seleucus Nicanor, who gave Name to this Dinasty. Of the World 3692. before Ch. 312.

That of the Ptolomy's comprizing Aegypt, The Ptolo­my' s in Aegypt. Cyrenaica, with a part of Arabia, under Ptolomy the Son of Lagus.

That of Macedonia under the young An­tigonus, Of Mace­donia un­der the young An­tigonus. Philoso­phers. who became Master there, after that Pyrrhus, who had disputed it with him, was gone into Italy.

At this time lived Democritus, Heraclitus, and Zeno, Prince of the Stoicks; Euclid, chief of the Mathematicians; and Epicurus who kept two Schools in Asia, one at Lampsasche, and the other at Mytelene.

The Indians shook off the Macedonian The Indi­ans set at Liberty. Yoke, having valiantly repuls'd Selucus, who was advanc'd towards them, to keep them in Obedience. Of the World 3700, before Ch. 304.

At his Return from this Voyage, he The Foun­dation of Antioch, and of Se­lucia. founded two Cities in the same Year; Antioch, on the River Orontes, in Syria; and Selucia, upon the Tygris; the first after the Name of his Son Antiochus, and the se­cond after his own Name. Of the World 3704, before Ch. 300.

At this time lived Theocritus, the Poet, The Poet Theocri­tus. Author of the Idyles, which treat of Pa­storal Matters.

Ptolomy Philadelphus having succeeded his Ptolomy Phyladel­phus. The Pharos Father, built the Pharos, at the entrance into the Port of Alexandria.

He collected a great Number of Vo­lumes, The famous Library. Demetri­us Phyla­reus. in a most stately Library, by the Care of Demetrius Phylareus, the famous Philosopher. Of the World 3727, before Ch. 277.

The Gauls, under the Conduct of Bel­gius, The Gauls in Greece: and of young Brennus, passed into Greece, plunder'd the Temple of Delphos; there lost a great part of their Army by the Plague; which was believed to be a Pu­nishment for their Sacriledge: With the remainder of their Forces they past into A­sia, and gave to that Country where they establish'd themselves, the Name of Gala­tia, Gallatia, or Gallo-Graecia. Pyrrhus driven out of Aegypt. or Gallo-Graecia.

Pyrrhus had at first great Success in the War he waged against the Romans, in fa­vour of the Tarentines; but at last he was so often beaten, that he was forced to re­pass the Sea. He was killed a-while after, His Death. by a Blow of a Tyle, which a Woman threw at him from a Window; having heard he had killed her Son in a Combate against the young Antigonus, in the City of Argos; those two Princes having been admitted into that City by their Factions. Of the World 3733, before Ch. 271.

By the great Care and Wisdom of Phy­lopaemen, Phylopae­men, and Aratus The Acaike League. and Aratus, the Acaicke League was made; to which all the Greeks sub­scrib'd, for the preservation of their Li­berties. Of the World 3740, before Ch. 264.

The Kingdoms of Pergamus and Bythinia, The King­dom of Pergamus and By­thinia. began the first under Eumenes, Nephew to the Eunuch Phyleterus, who had been Trea­surer to Lysimachus; the second under Ni­comedes, who rebuilt the City of Astacia, and called it Nicomedia. Of the World 3744, before Ch. 260.

Then began the Kingdom of the Par­thians, The King­dom of the Parthians. Arsaces. who shook off the Macedonian Yoke, under the Conduct of Arsaces, their first King, Chief of the Dinasty, which from his Name was called the Arsacides.

At this time lived Berosus the Chaldean, Berosus. who writ three Books of the History of the Kings of Assyria and Babylon. Plautus Plautus. the Comick Poet, lived then at Rome. Of the World 3758, before Ch. 246.

Antiochus Theos, the third King of Syria, Kings of Syria, Aegypt, and Mace­donia. had for his Successor Seleucus Callinicus, and Ptolomy Philadelphius, his Son Everietes, in Aegypt; The young Antigonus his Son Demetrius, in Macedonia: These three Kings Fathers dying in the space of two Years. Of the World 3760, before Ch. 244. The first Punick War. Hieron King of Syracuse.

This Year being the 477th of Rome, be­gan the first Punick War in Sicily; where the Romans got great Advantages over King Hieron, allied to the Carthaginians. [Page 43] Seleucus Callinicus, and Antiochus Hierax his Brother, having a long time disputed for the Kingdom of Syria, they both died, Kings of the Kingdom of Syria. and Seleucus Cerannus succeeded his Father Callinicus. Of the World 3778. before Ch. 226.

In Aegypt, Ptolomy Phylopater, having Of Aegypt poison'd his Father Everietes, succeeded him. Of the World 3781. before Christ 223.

The War was carried over into Africk, in the Sequel of which, happened that which the Roman History fully relates of Attilius Regulus: At last a Peace was made Attillius Regulus. The end of the first Punick War. to the advantage of the Romans, to whom the Carthaginians were compelled to give up S [...]rdinia. Of the World 3784. before Ch. 220.

The Romans past the Po, took Millan, and made themselves Masters of a great The Gauls in Gaule-Cisalpine, and in Illyria. The second Punick War. The Ruine of Sa­guntum. Hannibal in Italy. He defeats the Ro­mans at the River Trebea. part of Gaule-Cisalpine. They acted the same thing in Illyria, against Queen Teuta, a Gauloise, descended from young Bren­nus.

Annibal, the Son of Amilcar, command­ing for the Carthaginians in Spain, had been sworn by his Father, to be an inveterat [...] Enemy to the Romans: To effect which, he began to make War in Spain, by the overthrow of Saguntum.

After which, he past into Italy, having made a Passage over the Alps, defeated the Romans near the River Trebea, which passes by Placentia.

And a second time in Tuscany, near the The Lake Trasi­mene. Lake Trasimene.

But these first Successes were a little in­terrupted by the wise Conduct of Q. Fa­bius Maximus, 'till such Consuls succeeded, who not following the same Method, lost the Battle of Cannae; the Circumstances of At Can­nae. which are fully related in the Roman Hi­story.

After this great Victory, if Hannibal had but known how to have made a right use of it, he had taken Rome; the Romans be­ing deceived by a false Report, that he was driven away by a Storm, which Hea­ven caused to fall on his Fleet. Some write, that he went into Campania, being allured by the Delights of that Country. However, Fabius Maximus, by his great Conduct, put a stop to the raging Fury of this Conquerour.

But that which fully re-establish'd the Roman Affairs, was the passing of Corneli­us Cornelius Scipio in Spain. Scipio into Spain; where he was sent to succeed his Father, and his Uncle, killed by Asdrubal, Brother to Hannibal.

At length Scipio going from Spain into Africk, got there such advantage over the In Africk. Carthaginians, that they were forc'd to re­call Hannibal to oppose this great Warrior. After many Skirmishes, the Affair termi­nated Hannibal repasses, and is overcome. in one Battle; where Hannibal was overcome, and could very hardly escape. Of the World 3803, before Ch. 201.

Scipio being Master of the Field by this Victory, reduc'd the Carthaginians to de­mand A Peace made. Peace; which was made very ad­vantageous for the Romans, and their Ally, Massinissa, one of the Numidian Kings; and very disadvantageous to the Carthagi­nians, and for their Ally, Syphax, another King of Numidia. By this great Success Scipio gained the Honour of Triumph, The Sur­name of African. with the Sur-name of African. Of the World 3805, before Ch. 199.

In this time lived Ennius and Terence, Ro­man Ennius, and Te­rence. Poets; the first Heroick, and the se­cond Comick.

The Romans from this time grown very powerful, and interessing themselves in the Affairs of Kings, forbid Philip of Macedon to molest Ptolomy Epiphanes; who was left by his Father, Phylopater, King of Aegypt, under the Protection of the Senate, and People of Rome.

This Philip King of Macedon had favour­ed Hannibal: The Romans made War a­gainst The Ma­cedonian War. him for that Reason; and after ha­ving beaten him in several Rencounters, with the Lacedemonians, his Allies, they had the pleasure to see march before the Triumph of the victorious Consul, the el­dest Son of that King, with the Son of the Lacedemonian General. Of the World 3807, before Ch. 197.

The Syrian War was not less glorious to The Syrian War. the Romans. Hannibal being retired to An­tiochus the Great, whom he perswaded to [Page 46] declare War against them; which proved unfortunate to him: For the Romans first beat him at the famous Pass of Thermopolis, and again on the Banks of Meander, in A­sia, under the Conduct of Lucius Scipio, Lucius Scipio A­siaticus. from thence Sur-named the Asiatick: His Brother Cornelius, the African, having been his Lieutenant in this Expedition. Of the World 3813. before Ch. 191.

Four Years after, Antiochus having been Kings of Syria. killed by the Persians, near the Temple of Jupiter Elemais, his Son Seleucus Phylopater succeeded him in the Kingdom of Syria. Of the World 3817, before Ch. 187.

Hannibal poison'd himself, having disco­ver'd The Death of Hanni­bal. that Prusias, King of Bythinia, design­ed to deliver him up to the Romans. Of the World 3822, before Ch. 182.

In the third Chapter of the second Book of the Maccabees, is to be read what hap­pened to Heliodorus, when he attempted The History of Helio­dorus. to plunder the Temple of Jerusalem. Of the World 3828, before Ch. 176.

At his return from Judea, Heliodorus kil­led Seleucus, and so made himself Master of the Kingdom of Syria; but did not long Kings of the King­dom of Syria. Antio­chus Epi­phanes. enjoy it, for he was soon after slain by Antiochus Epiphanes, Brother to Seleucus. This Antiochus had been given a Hostage to the Romans, by his Father Antiochus the Great. Seleucus his Brother disengaged him, by sending his own Son Demetrius in his place: So that in the Nephew's absence, it was easie for the Uncle to usurp the [Page 47] Kingdom of Syria. The Romans did nor then oppose Antiochus, but as he was en­tring into Aegypt against the Pupils, their two Brothers, Ptolomeus Phylometer, and E­verietes the Second, Successors to their Fa­ther Ptolomeus Epiphanes; they sent him a Kings of Aegypt. Command by Papilius Laena, who was then Pro-Consul of Asia, not to molest the young Aegyptian Kings.

In returning from Aegypt, this enraged Prince brought those Calamities upon the Jews, which are set down in the Second The Jews persecuted by Antio­chus. Book of the Maccabees, Chap. 4, 5, 6. And by Josephus in his Twelfth Book, and the Sixth Chapter; in the Fifteenth Book, and the Third Chapter of the Jewish Antiqui­ties. Of the World 3836, before Ch. 168.

In the mean time, the Romans became The Con­quest of Illyria, by the Romans. Masters of Illyria, by defeating Gentius, King of that Country, and also of▪ Macedonia, which they took from Perseus, who was carried in Triumph to Rome, by the Con­sul Paulus Aemilius. Of the World 3838, be­fore Ch. 168.

Judas Maccabeus, that Illustrious Jew, Judas Macca­beus. revenged the Injuries done to his Nation, upon the Lieutenants of Antiochus, who preparing to enter into Judea against Ma­ccabeus, The Death of Antio­chus Epi­phanes. met with an unfortunate End, de­scribed in the Book of the Maccabees, and in those of Josephus. Of the World 3840, before Ch. 164.

His Son Antiochus Eupater succeeded him at Nine Years of Age, and was under the [Page 48] Tuition of Lysias, his Father's Friend: But two Years after, the Guardian, and his Pu­pil, were killed by Demetrius, Son of Seleu­cus; who being escap'd from Rome, was acknowledg'd King by the Syrians. Of the Kings of Syria. World 3842, before Ch. 162.

His Lieutenants, with an Army of Forty thousand Men, overwhelmed Judas Mac­cabeus, The Death of Judas Macca­beus. who had the Courage to meet them only with Eight hundred Men.

He had for his Successor, to Command the Jewish Army, his Brother Jonathas. Of the World 3843, before Ch. 161.

Alexander Balas calling himself the Son of Antiochus Epiphanes, made himself Ma­ster of Syria, having killed in Battle his Cousin Demetrius Soter.

This new King was a Friend to Jona­thas, Jonathas, High-Priest by which means he obtained the Di­gnity of High-Priest, and deposed the wic­ked Alcymius, who had taken that Title upon him.

Onias, Son to Onias the Great, finding himself by this means excluded from this The Affairs of the Jews Soveraign Dignity in Jerusalem, retir'd to exercise it in Aegypt, among the Jews who lived there: Having obtained of Phi­lometer leave to build a Temple near Mem­phis, not unlike that of Jerusalem. Of the World 3856, before Ch. 148.

A false Philip, not long before, had been A false Philip. driven out of Macedonia by the Romans; they soon after had the same advantage A false Perseus. over a false Perseus: And the Achaians, by [Page 49] favouring the latter, exposed their Coun­try to the Victorious Arms of the Ro­mans.

This War ended by the Ruine of Corinth, The Ruine of Corinth Polybius: under the Consul Mumius. Polybius, a Na­tive of that City, who had followed his Disciple, Scipio Aemilianus, into Africk; hearing of the Misfortune of his Country, went thither to save some Remains of its ancient and precious Monuments. Of the World 3858, before Ch. 146.

The same Year was also remarkable for The Ruin [...] of Car­thage. Scipio Ae­milianus Africanus the Destruction of Carthage. Scipio Aemi­lianus took it, and destroyed it by the Or­der of the Senate. The third and last Pu­nick War ending in that manner; who at the same time acquired the Sur-name of Africanus, as his Father by Adoption had done. This happen'd in the third Year of the 158th Olimpiad.

Ptolomy Phylometer, took away his Daugh­ter Cleopatra from Balas, then killed him in a Battle, and gave Cleopatra to Demetrius Kings of Syria. Nicator, Son of Soter; who by that means put himself in possession of the Kingdom of Syria. Of the World 3859, before Christ 145.

Phylometer being dead, a little while af­ter Everietes the Second, his Brother, mar­ried his Widow Cleopatra, Sister to them Kings of Aegypt. both, and killed a Son she had by her first Husband: So Everietes Reigned sole King of Aegypt. Of the World 3861, before Ch. 143.

In Syria, Tryphon, who was a Friend to Balas, made Antiochus, the Son of Balas, to be acknowledged King at Antioch; with so much the less trouble, by reason Deme­trius Nicator was taken Prisoner in a Bat­tle by the Parthians. The vanquish'd be­ing honourably treated by the Victors, married Rodoguna, Daughter to their King.

Cleopatra hearing this, married Antio­chus Sydetes, Brother to her Husband De­metrius: So Sydetes was acknowledged King of the Syrians; having overcome and kil­led in Battle Tryphon, who pretended to the Crown of Syria, after he had killed his Pupil, young Antiochus. Of the World 3866, before Ch. 138.

Jonathas had been murthered by this The Jewish A [...]airs. Tryphon; Symon, Brother to Jonathas; who succeeded him in the Principality, and High-Priesthood of the Jews, assisted Sydetes to defeat Tryphon, and was killed a while after by his Father-in-Law Ptolomy, the Son of Abobus; his Son John Hircanus succeeded in his place. Of the World 3869, before Ch. 135.

The Romans seized on the Treasures, The End of the King­dom of Pergamus and of the Kingdom of Attalus, the last King of Pergamus, under pretence he had made them his Heirs.

Scipio Aemilianus Africanus, added to his Sur-name that of Numantinus; having ta­ken The taking of Nu­mantia. and ruined Numantia, the only City in Spain, had given Refuge to the remain­ing Party of the Carthaginians. Of the World 3872, before Ch. 132.

Demetrius Nicator, set at Liberty by the Parthians, killed in Battle his Brother Sy­detes. Kings of Syria. Afterwards he was overcome by Sabynus, whom Everietes the Second, had sent to be King of the Parthians, at their Request. Of the World 3876. before Ch. 128.

Nicator having been murthered in his escape, by his Wife Cleopatra, she caused her Son Antiochus, whom she had by Nica­tor, to be received as King. Afterwards the young King having discovered that his Mother designed to have poyson'd him, forc'd her to take that Poyson she had pre­pared for him. Of the World 3882, before Ch. 122.

In Aegypt, Ptolomy Everictes, called also Kings of Aegypt. Physcon, after the Death of Cleopatra his Wife, his Sister, and Sister-in-Law, mar­ried the young Cleopatra, Daughter of the other Cleopatra, and of Phylometer their Brother. He left two Sons by the young Cleopatra; which were Ptolomy Laturus, and Alexander, under the Tuition of their Mo­ther. Of the World 3888, before Ch. 116.

Two Antiochus's, one Sur-named Grypus, Of Syria. Son of Nicator; the other Cyzicenus, Son of Sydetes, disputed the Kingdom of Syria.

John Hircan took this occasion to set at liberty his Nation; seized on Samaria, and ruined the Temple, which Manasses, Brother to Jaddus, had built there Two hundred Years before, and subdued the Idu­means, whom he compelled to be circum­cised. [Page 52] Of the World 3898, before Christ 106.

After his Death, Judas Aristobulus's Son, The first King of the Jews after their Ca­ptivity. took the Title of King. His Reign was short; for he died about a Year after, with great Regret, that he had killed his Brother Absalon Antigonus.

Alexander Jamnes, whom he had put in Prison, was set at Liberty, and plac'd on the Throne, and at the same time made High-Priest. Of the World 3899. before Ch. 105.

Grypus having been murthered by the Treason of his own Subjects, and Cyzice­nus killed in Battle by Seleucus, the Son of Gryphus; and Seleucus likewise slain in Bat­tle, by Philip the Son of Cyzicenus, (Of [...]gs of Syria. the World 3907, before Ch. 97.) the King­dom was disputed between that Philip, and Antiochus Son of Seleucus. Of the World 3911, before Ch. 93.

In the mean time the Romans had past the Alps, subdued the Country of the Al­lobroges, and of the Saliens, with that part of the Country called the Roman Province, and Gallia Narbonensis.

These happy Successes abroad, were di­sturbed by intestine Divisions between the Senate, and the People, supported by their Tribunes, Tiberius, and Cains Gracchus; who there lost both their Lives.

Marius, who began to make himself Marius considerable, took the Plebeans part, by whose Favour he had Commission to go [Page 53] and finish the War against Jugurtha King of Numidia, who had declared himself E­nemy to the Romans; having put to Death his two Brothers, Adherbal, and Hiemsal, Sons to Micipsa, Allies to the Romans, as their Father had been. Marius triumph'd over Jugurtha, having overcome and ta­ken Jugurtha. Defeated and made a Prisoner, by Marius. The Defeat of the Cimbri­ans, and the Teu­tons. Bellum Sociale. him in Battle.

This Defeat of Jugurtha was attended with that of the Cimbrians and Teutons, who were defeated by Marius, first on the Banks of the Rhone; and after that, in Italy.

The same Marius made an end also of the War in Italy, called Bellum Sociale; because many People of the adjacent Country had made a League against the Romans, demanding a Right of Pretensi­on to the Offices and Dignities of that City.

All what is before-mentioned in the Ro­man Affairs, was transacted between the Year 629, and 663, from the Foundation of Rome.

The Syrians wearied with the Civil Wars between their last Kings, the Selucides, The Syri­ans give up their Kingdom to Tygranes King of Ar­menia. Mithri­dates King of Pontus. gave the Crown to Tygranes King of Ar­mehia, an Ally of the most powerful Mi­thridates King of Pontus; who having at­tack'd Nicomedes King of Bythinia, and A­riobarzanes King of Cappadocia, Allies of the Romans, occasioned a long War. This King in the first War, was overcome by Sylla; who gave such Conditions of [Page 54] Peace, to the Vanquish'd, as he pleased▪

Then Sylla hastned his Return to Rome, in order to oppose the Faction of Marsus. These two Competitors being so powerful The first Civil War among the Romans. in the Commonwealth, by their Ambiti­on, occasioned the first Civil War among the Romans.

Marius who had been six times Consul▪ Marius overcome and killed by Sylla, p [...]rpetual Dictator. His Death. was there overcome and killed by Sylla▪ who became Master of Rome, and made himself perpetual Dictator; yet he dive­sted himself of that Sovereign Dignity sometime before his Death; which was occasioned by the lousie Disease.

Mithridates having renewed the War▪ Th [...] Second War a­gainst Mi­thridates, overcome by Lucullus. Pompey' s Explo [...]s. was often defeated by Lucullus; to whom Pompey was sent to succeed, to carry on that War.

Pompey had already gloriously acquitted himself in the Civil War, where he was o [...] Sylla's Party: At Twenty four Years o [...] Age he had triumph'd for his Victories in Sertorius overcome and killed. Spain, where he overcame and killed Ser­torius, who took Marius's part: He had drove out the Gladiators, supported by the Power of Spartacus. He did the same With Spar­tacus chief of the Gla­diators. The Pyrates defeated. to the Pyrates of Cilica, who infested the Seas. The like good Fortune attended him in the War against Mithridates: He forc'd him from that side of the River, and from Tygris; where he was at last reduc'd to that Extremity, that the miserable King The Death of Mithri­dates. forsaken by his own People, was constrain­ed by his Son Pharnaces to kill himself.

Pompey having likewise reduced Tygranes King of Armenia, to accept those Conditi­ons of Peace he imposed on him, return­ing into Syria, stopt at Damas, and there Pompey in Syri [...] was informed of the Difference between the two Brothers, Hircanus, and Aristobulus, Sons of Alexander Jamne, and of Alexandra King and Queen of the Jews.

This Queen, after the Death of her Hus­band, had most prudently Governed the Kingdom, as Guardianess of her Children for the space of Nine Years: But they quarrelled, and made War one against the other.

After her Death, Pompey commanded them to lay down their Arms, and impo­sed certain Conditions; which not being observed by Aristobulus, Pompey besieged him, and took him at Jerusalem, and brought him Prisoner to Rome; leaving the High-Priesthood to Hircan, forbidding him to take the Name of King. He put the Government of the Kingdom into the Hands of Antipater, the Father of Herod; who made himself a while after so Renowned. Of the World 3242, before Ch. 62.

In Aegypt, Alexander having killed his King of Aegypt. Mother Cleopatra, who was so indulgent to him, that she set him on the Throne, to the greatest Injustice to her eldest Son Lathurus: The Aegyptians set him up, af­ter they had expelled the other. Both be­ing dead, Galinius Pro-Consul of Syria, received Orders from the Senate, to put [Page 56] in possession of that Kingdom Ptolomy Au­letes, Son to Lathurus, whom the Aegypti­ans had expelled.

Crassus plundered the Temple of Jerusa­lem: Crassus plunders the Temple of Jerusa­lem. is overcome and killed by the Par­thians. Caius Ju­lius Caesar subdues the Gauls. The Jews did artribute for that Sa­criledge, the unhappy Success of the War he made against the Parthians; where he, and his Son, were overcome and killed.

C. Julius Caesar, after his first Consulate, having had the Government of Gaule-Ci­salpine, subdued the Trans-Alpines in Nine Years time.

The Senate being jealous of his growing Power, commanded him to disarm; up­on his Refusal he was declared an Enemy to the Commonwealth: Which occasion­ed The Civil War. a Civil War, Of the World 3255, before Ch. 49.

The Senate having given the Command of their Army to Pompey; upon Caesar's coming he was forc'd to pass the Sea to Dyrachium.

In the mean time he made himself to be chose Consul at Rome, then passed into Caesar Con­sul the Se­cond time. Reduces Spain. Spain; where without hardly a Blow struck he forced Afranius, and Petreius, to deliver up to him the five Legions they command­ed for Pompey: And the like Submission was shewn by Varro, who commanded a Legion for the same Faction, which lay towards the Streights of Gades, in that Kingdom.

At his Return, he press'd the Siege of Marseilles, which he left block'd up when Takes and ruines Marseilles he went into Spain. He took it, and de­stroyed it, making that miserable City an Example to those that took part with his Enemies.

Then he came back to Rome, but stayed He comes back co Rome. no longer there, than was necessary to re­gulate his own Affairs: So he went to Brundusium, and from thence to the other Passes the Sea to fight Pompey. side of the Sea, to fight Pompey.

After some Skirmishes between the two Armies, the Business was at last decided in the Plains of Pharsalia, where Pompey was The Battle of Pharsa­lia. overcome, tho' he had had an Army far more numerous than that of Caesar's. Of the World 3956, before Ch. 48.

Pompey flying after this great Misfortune to the Coasts of Aegypt, was there killed Pompey killed. by the Treachery of the Counsellors of young Ptolomy Denis, who had succeeded his Father Auletes.

Caesar arriv'd soon after in Aegypt, where Caesar ar­rives in Aegypt. by his Policy and Strength, he defended himself against the Ambuscades of the Ae­gyptians: And after an open War had been declared, he defeated them by Sea and Land; their young King being killed in The End of Ptolomy in Aegypt. Cleopatra Queen of Aegypt. a Land-Battle.

Then Caesar falling in Love with Cleopa­tra, Sister to the slain King, made her Queen of Aegypt, tho' he might have reduc'd it to a Province.

Pharnaces, the Son of Mithridates, who Caesar against Pharnaces remained in possession of some Provinces near the Bosphorus, judging this Opportuni­ty of the Civil War, favourable to his De­signs he had taken; not only enterprized upon the Pontus, the ancient Patrimony of his Royal Family, but also on Bythinia, and Cappadocia.

Caesar returning from Aegypt, advanced towards him, and ended the War with as much Facility as Expedition: So that he writ to one of his Friends, it was the same thing for him, To come, to see, and to overcome.

In his Return to Rome, he set at Liberty the Prince Aristobulus, who had been taken by Pompey.

Caesar likewise assisted him with some Forces, in order to put himself in posses­sion of the Kingdom of the Jews: But having been poyson'd by the Treachery of his Enemies, his eldest Son Alexander fell into the Hands of Scipio; who cut off his Head at Antioch. His younger Son Antigonus retired to the Parthians: So that in Judea the High-Priesthood remaining still in the Hands of Hircanus, elder Bro­ther to the deceased Aristobulus. The Po­litical Government was administred by Antipater, and his two Sons, Phaselus, and Herodes.

Caesar passed over into Affrick against Caesar in Affrick. Cato, Scipio, Massinissa King of Numidia and others, who having got together the [Page 59] Remains of Pompeys's Army, had power­fully renewed the War in those parts. They were all defeated by Caesar near Tap­sus; The Battle of Tapsus. his Victory was so great, that the chief of them despairing to be able to re­new Catos's Death. The Death of Massi­nissa, Paetreus and Scipio. the War, killed themselves: Cato at Utica, Massinissa and Petraeus at Cirta, the capitol City in Numidia; Scipio at Sea find­ing his Vessel taken by one of Caesars. Of the World 3959, before Ch. 45.

The Conqueror being returned to Rome, took possession of his fourth Consulat, then went into Spain against the two Sons of Caesar goes into Spain. Pompey, who had seized of that Province, and had got there a numerous great Ar­my. The decisive Battle was fought near The Battle of Munda. Munda, where the Eldest of the two Bro­thers Cneius Pompey was killed with a Thou­sand Knights, and Thirty Thousand o­ther Romans. The younger Brother Sex­tus Pompeius escapt being▪ reserved for ano­ther Fortune.

Caesar returned to Rome, and there ce­lebrated Caesars' s Triumphs. five Triumphs, first of the Gaules of that of Aegypt, of Pontus, of Affrick, and of Spain, without making mention of the Battle of Pharsalia, of Tapsus, and of Mun­da.

It was at that time, that the Calendar He reforms the Calen­der. was begun to be used; for Caesar as So­veraign Priest had reformed it the Year before.

Caesar by so great and fortunate Succes­ses being Master of the Common-wealth, [Page 60] the Senate conferred on him the highest Honours, with an Absolute Power to command all the Roman Empire, which gave occasion of the Conspiracy made a­gainst him by the two Brutuses, Marcus and Decimus, Caius Cassius, and others of the chief of the Nobility who killed him Caesars Death. in the Senate, as he was preparing to make War against the Parthyans. Of the World 3960, before Ch. 44.

Octavius Caesar, Grand Son to Julia, Octavius Caesar. And mark Anotho­ny united. Sister of Julius Caesar, and his adopted Son, took the Name, Inheritance, and all the Rights of his Father, and maintained it with the help of Marcus Antonius, the zealous Friend of Julius Caesar.

These two in a short time fell out. Marcus Antonius having besieged Modena, the Senate gave Octavius a Commission to raise the Siege, where Decimus Brutus was shut up. Octavius accomplisht the design so well, that Anthony being overcome, Mark, An­thony o­vercome at Modena, and retires to Lepidus fled into Gaule, where he was kindly re­ceived by Lepidus,, who commanded in that Province. Of the World 3961. before Ch. 43.

But their mutual Interests having ob­liged them to a Reconciliation, in order to revenge the Death of Caesar, and to op­pose the power of his Murtherers favour­ed by the Senate; these three Men made themselves Masters of the Republick by joining together, and forming the famous The Tri­umvirat. Triumvirate so fatal to many illustrious [Page 61] Persons of the Roman Empire. Of the World 3962, before Ch. 42.

Lepidus one of the Triumvirs stayed in Italy, while the other two Octavius and Anothony passed the Seas to make War a­gainst Marcus Brutus, and Caius Cassius, who had great Forces in Greece.

That Affair was ended in a Battle near The Battle of Philip­pi. Philippi in Macedonia; Caius Cassius over­come by Anthony killed himself, fearing the same fate had fallen on Brutus his Col­legue, but it fell out contrary, he ha­ving The Death of Cassius and Bru­tus. had some advantage over Octavius: But the next day the two Armys again joining Battle, Brutus was defeated, and killed himself in Despair. Of the World 3964, before Ch. 40.

After this Victory the two Conquerers The Alli­ance be­tween Oc­tavius and Anthony. allied themselves by Marriage, Octavius Marrying Antonia Daughter to Anthony, and Anthony with Octavia, Sister to Octa­vius, tho' she was a Widow a little before, and with Child by Marcellus her first Hus­band.

These two Triumvers having little re­gard for their Colleague Lepidus, divided They di­vide the Provinces between them. between them the Provinces of the Em­pire; Octavius took those of the West, and Anthony those of the East. Of the World 3968, before Ch. 36.

Sextus Pompeius had considerable Forces, Sextus Pompeius. chiefly Naval on the Coasts of Sicily, and all along the Eastern part of Italy. Octa­vius made use of the Forces of Lapidus to [Page 62] Defeat Sextus Pompeius, so that this last Son of Pompey the Great, being forsaken of all, fled into Asia, where he fell into His Death. the hands of Anthony's Party who killed him.

After that Octavius having corrupted the Army of Lepidus, this Triumvir was reduct, being abandoned by all to obey Octavius his Command who banish'd him to a little Island in the Mediteranean, Lepidus' s Death. where he died an Exile.

Anthony having attackt the Parthians, Anthonys War a­against the Parthians. that War proved fatal to him, for he there lost a great part of his Army, yet with the remainder he made a safe and honourable Retreat.

Antigonus Son to Aristobulus, by the help of the Parthians, was establisht in Judea, in the time of the civil War between the Romans; but these great Disorders being some what appeased, Herod favoured by Anthony, his intimate Friend first of all, made use of the Forces Ventidius command­ed in Syria; after that more effectually of those commanded by Sosius, with which he besieged and took Jerusalem, where The Death of Antigo­nus. Antigonus was, who falling into the hands of his Enemys, was Beheaded: Whereup­on Herod having been already declared Herod King of the Jews. King of the Jews by the Senate, establish'd himself in that Dignity.

Anthony fell Passionately in Love with Cleo­patra, Anothony in Love with Cleo­patra. past his time at Alexandria, in a shame­ful manner while Octavius was preparing to [Page 63] make War against him, under pretence of the high Injury his Sister Octavia received by this disloyal Love of Anthony her Hus­band. At last the business being come to an open Rupture, the Affairs ended by one Naval Battle between the two Par­ties; it was fought in view of the Promon­tary of Actium.

Anthony lost the day by deserting his The Battle of Acti­um. Fleet to follow Cleopatra, who retreated with her ships at the beginning of the Fight; he followed her to Alexandria, whereupon a false report raised by her means, that she had killed her self, gave himself a mortal Wound, but being im­mediately The Death of Antho­ny. after assured Cleopatra was living, he caused himself to be carried where she was, and died in her Arms.

So Octavius, who from that time was Octovius Augustus, Master of the Roman Empire. called Augustus, became sole Master of all that belonged to the Republick; it was from that Battle, and from the Death of Anthony: History begins to reckon the Forty Four Years that Augustus Reigned alone.

He came frequently after to Alexandria, The Death of Cleopa­tra. where having seized on Cleopatra, she fru­strated his Design, notwithstanding all the care he took to preserve her Life. In­tending her for the chief Ornament of his Triumph; to avoid which, she killed her self, applying a Serpent to her Arm, which was brought to her in a Basket of Figs. In her, ended the Line of the Ptolomys [Page 64] who had Reigned in Aegypt since the The end of the King­dom of Aegypt. death of Alexander to that time, the King­dom being reduc'd to a Provinee by Augustus.

He employed the two following years to set in order the Affairs of the East; then he returned to Rome, where he celebrated three Triumphs, that of Actium, of Dal­matia, Augustus his Tri­umphs. and of Alexandria, with that vast Magnificence which had never been shown before.

After he had been powerfully setled in the Soveraignty, he exprest a desire to His Sove­ranity over all the Em­pire. divest himself of it; but the Senate, and People inured to servitude, hindred him from executing his design, whether true or feigned, conferring on him excessive Honours, with an absolute power over all the Empire. Of the World 3977, before Ch. 27.

He did not abuse his Power, for his Go­vernment His Wis­dom in Go­verning. was such, That the Romans ne­ver regretted the loss of their liberty un­der his Reign.

The Reputation he required by the cle­mency of his Government, was spread a­bout even to all Foreign Nations, of His good Fortune. which some of the most Barbarous, and most remote courted his Friendship and and Alliance as the Indians, but above all the Parthians, who not only rendered him the Ensigns taken from him at the defeat of Crassus; and that of Anthony, with all the Prisoners taken at the last Battle, but [Page 65] that which never happened to this War­like Nation, they presented him with two Sons of their King in Hostage, as a pledge of their Treaty.

This great prosperity was only disturb­ed by some small losses on the Frontiers of the Empire. The most considerable, and which most afflicted him, was the loss of the Legions, commanded by Varus in The los [...] of Varus. Germany, who were surpized and cut in pieces by the Germans.

But Augustus so happy in all other re­spects, The inward troubles of Augustus. had great Domestick Troubles, by the irregular conduct of the two Julias, Mother and Daughter: One his Daughter, the other his Grand-daughter, by the Death of his two Grand-sons, Caius and Lucius, whom he had adopted, and as it was thought, designed them for his Suc­cessors to the Empire; also by the Death of Drusus, Son to his Wife Livia, whom he had Married to his Neice the Young Antonia. In fine, by the conduct of his dear Livia, who was suspected to have contrived the Death of his two Grand­sons, to advance her own Son Tiberius.

All these things happened in the space of 22 Years, from the 7th Cons [...]lat of Augustus, to the end of that Age, which was the sixth of the World, and the be­ginning of the seventh Age of the World. Of the World 3999, before Ch. 5.

The Birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ, The Birth of Jesus Christ. the Son of God, God blessed for ever, [Page 66] made Man to save us, Born of a Vingin in Bethlem of Judah. Of the World, 4000.

Herod had been of Anthonys's Party, yet Herod the Great. having found means to gain the favour of Augustus the Emperor, had fixt him in the His good Fortune. Throne of Judea.

This King though he was fortunate in His Dome­stick Mis­fortunes. all other respects, had yet very great in­testine Troubles. He had put to Death his Wife Mariamne, who was of the Blood Royal of the Asmoneans, together with two Sons he had by her, Alexander and Aristo­bulus. He was also the Death of Hircanus, Grand-father of Mariamne, and Aristobu­lus Brother to that Princess with Alexan­dra their Mother. Towards the end of his Life, he put to Death Antipater, his eldest Son he had by Cypris, one of his Wives; at last having attempted to put Jesus Christ to Death, by destroying ma­ny Innocents. He died of a Disease both Shameful and Painful. Of the World 4003▪ His Death. before Ch. 1.

The beginning of the vulgar Christian The Chri­stian Aera. Aera.

The First Age.

AUgustus banish'd Archelaus, Son to He­rod Archelau [...] Banish'd. Coponius President of Indea▪ to Vienna in Gaule, and put Ju­dea under the Government of a President; the first who had that charge was Coponi­us a Roman Knight. From Christ 3.

Augustus made the last numbring of the The num­ber of the Roman Ci­tizens. Roman Citizens, which were computed to be Four Millions, One Hundred Thir­ty-Seven Thousand, as well in Rome as in the Collonies of the Provinces.

He died a little while after in the 77th Augustus Death. Year of his Age, in the 57th of his Em­pire, counting from the Death of Julius Caesar. From Christ 13.

Among the rare Qualities of Julius and Augustus, they were both Learned, and very great favourers of Learning; un­der Learned Men. their two Reigns flourish'd Leucreti­us the Poet and Phylosopher. Terentius Varo the most Learned of the Romans. Vitruvius Prince of Architects, denies of Halicarnassus, and Titus Livius Historians, who writ the Roman History; the first in Greek, the second in Latin. Strabo the Geographer; Catullus, Tibullus, Prospertius, Virgil, Cornelius, Gallus, Horace, Ovid, Poets▪ [Page 68] Crispus, Salustus, Historians, and Orators; Cicero Orator and Philosopher.

Tiberius the Son of Livia, the Wife of Tiberius Emperor. Augustus, adopted by this Emperor, suc­ceeded him in the Empire.

Augustus when he adopted him, obliged him to adopt Germanicus Son to Drusus, Germani­cus his Death. Brother to Tiberius, and Nephew to Au­gustus by Antonia, Daughter of Octavius, and of Mark Anthony. But Tiberius being jealous of the Affection the Romans had for Germanicus, Poisoned him.

Tiberius wearied with the Fatigue of Tiberius retires to Caprea. Elius Se­janus. Governing, put it into the hands of Eliu [...] Sejanus his Favorite, and retired into the Isle of Caprea, where he gave himself wholly up to all kinds of infamous De­baucheries.

The Holy Evangelists have mentioned nothing since the Birth of our Saviour Je­sus Christ, but of his flight into Aegypt of his return to Nazareth, and of finding Him at the Age of Twelve Years Old a­mong the Doctors of the Law in the Tem­ple of Jerusalem, they began to write more perticularly his History from his Baptism, and the Preaching of St. John the Baptist, relating all along what our Saviour did, and spoke from that time to his Death; and then of the glorious circumstances of his Resurrection, and at last of his Trium­phant Ascention into Heaven.

Tiberus abandoned Elius Sejanus to the fury of the Roman People, who could no [Page 69] longer endure the Injustice and Cruelties of this insolent Favorite. The Senate The Death of Sejanus. condemned him to die, and his Body to be draged through the Streets. From Christ 36.

Not long after, Tiberius, worn out with Tiberius his Death. old Age and Debaucheries died, leaving no Issue; so Caius Caligula, the Son of Cailus Caligula. Germanicus came to the Empire, with the applause of Senate and People, as well by reason this Prince appeared at first endeu­ed with good Qualities, as also for the Me­of his Father Germanicus, who was in great esteem by the Romans.

The Martirdom of St. Steven, the Bap­tizing of the Eunuch of Candace Queen of Ethiopia; the Conversion of the Samaritans and of Saul, called afterwards Paul, are to be read in the Acts of the Apostles. From Christ 39.

Caligula discovering his own cruel The Horid Life of Ca­ligula. Na­ture, gave himself up to all kinds of De­baucheries, Injustice and Cruelty, and to such an insolent Pride, that he caused Adoration and Sacrifice to be made to his Images: He likewise commanded one to be set up in the Temple of Jerusalem, which occasioned that miserable Nation to be reduc'd to a most lamentable condi­tion. At length the World not being a­ble longer to endure this Monster, he His Death was killed by the Conspiracy of the Se­nate, with his most familiar Domesticks. From Christ 40.

Claudius his Uncle, Brother to Germani­cus Claudius his Succes­sor. succeeded him.

Agrippa Son to Aristobulus, and Grand­son Agrippa King of the Jews. to Herod the Great, had been Favorite to Galigua; he was also in great favour with Claudius, so that he possest all that his Grand-father enjoyed with the Title of the Kingdom excepting Cesarea, where the Roman Governor made his usual Resi­dence. From Christ 42.

This King being come to Jerusalem, did The Death of St. James. Agrip­pas' s Death. there cut off St. James his Head, and im­prisoned St. Peter; concerning which, with the unfortunate end of Agrippa, is fully set down in the Acts of the Apostles.

Claudius subdued Great Britain and Triumph'd for it. From Christ. 43.

The Faithful Disciples of Jesus Christ The nam [...] of Christi­ans. The Voyages of St. Paul and Barnabas. encreasing, began to be called Christians, which first happened at Antioach; St. Paul and St. Barnabas having the care of that flourishing Church. The Voyages of those two Apostles, the Miracles that attended them; their Preaching with their happy Success, are at large described in the Acts of the Apostles, where likewise is to be read the dispute of the pretended necessity of Circumcision, which was decided by the Apostles, and the Elders of the Church of Jerusalem at a Counsel held there. From Christ 49.

Claudius died Poisoned by his second The Death of Claudi­us. Wife Agripina, who was his Neice: She had by her first Husband Domitius, a Son [Page 71] called Nero, who by the help and means Nero his Success [...]r. of his Mother, came to be Emperor; the Mother and the Son Poisoned Britanicus, whom Claudius had by Messalina his first Wife. The Voyages and Travels of St. Paul, and his Imprisonment, are at large set down in the Acts of the Apostles. From Christ 58.

Young Agrippa, Son to him who died, Young A­grippa King of the Jews. struck by an Angel, was plac'd on the Throne of his Father, by Nero: This young King took away the High-Priest­hood from Ananias, because he had put to Death St. James, the Son of Alpheus, The Death of St. James the Son of Al­pheus. whose Sanctity was so highly revered by the Jews, that Josephus attributes to his Death, all the misfortunes that happened to that Nation.

Nero, who had appeared Wise, Just Neros' s Debauches and Cruel­ties. and Clement for the first Five Years of his Reign, afterwards gave himself up to all kind of Impieties, Injustice, and Cruelties; killed his Wife Octavia, and Seneca his Tutor, with many other persons of Qua­lity, Colonia Agripina. and at last his own Mother Agripina; it was she who founded a Colony on the Rhine, that still retains her Name.

In the mean time Corbulon maintained Corbulons Exploits in Armenia. with Glory, the Honour of the Roman Empire in Armenia, and forced Tyridates, Tyridates at Rome. Brother of Volgeses, King of the Parthians, to come to Rome, and there to take the Title of King, and his Crown from the hands of the Emperor.

In Great Britain the Romans did not suc­ceed The War in Great Britain. Bonduca. so happily; for the Britains revolted under the Conduct of their Queen Bon­duca, and though this brave Princess was killed in a Battle, the Peace made after­wards was most shameful to the Romans▪ From Christ 61. Nero burns Rome.

Nero burnt Rome, and accused the Chri­stians to have been the Incendiaries: And under that pretence, raised a most cruel Persecutes the Chri­stians. The War against the Jews. Persecution against them. From Christ 65.

The War against the Jews began upon the occasion of opposing the Roman Offi­cers, who exacted very great Tributes from that miserable Nation.

Cestius Gallus besieged Jerusalem, took The Siege of Jerusa­lem. the lower part of the City; but on a sud­den he raised the Siege, without any appa­rent Cause: But Heaven decreed it so, to save the Christian Church, which retired for safety to a little Village called Pella, a little beyond the River Jordan. From Christ 66.

In the mean time Nero went into Greece, Nero in Greece. where he made himself as despicable as he was at Rome; exposing his Person and Dignity upon Theaters, and at Races▪ where he play'd the Comedian, and the Charrioteer. He attempted, but in vain, to cut the Isthmus of Corinth, to joyn the two Seas, the Ionian, and the Aegrean. From Christ 67.

Upon the News of the Revolt of his Armies in the West, he returned to Rome; [Page 73] where finding himself at last abandoned, even by all the World, he fled basely, then fell into Despair, stabb'd himself, and Nero' s Death. died. From Christ 68.

Sergius Galba, already proclaimed Em­peror Galba his Successor. by the Army, in Spain, and in Gaul, came to Rome, and was there received as Emperor, by the Senate, and the People of Rome.

Most Ecclesiastick Writers remark, about this time the Martyrdom of St. Peter, and St. Paul. It is most certain, that they seal­ed their Faith and Doctrine, by the effu­sion of their Blood; but cannot tell ex­actly in what Year.

Clementius Romanus, is the only ancient Writer, who mentions their Martyrdom, says nothing more in his Epistle to the Co­rinthians, but that they suffered under the Emperors, without naming which of them. From Christ 69.

Galba aged Seventy four Years, having not Reigned one compleat Year, was kil­led Galba kil­led by Otho his Successor by Otho; who by that means seized on the Empire, yet Reigned a shorter time than his Predecessor: For Vitellius being proclaimed Emperor by the Army in Ger­many, being come into Italy, the two Com­petitors fought a Battle at Brebia, in Gaule-Cisalpine; where Otho being worsted, would Otho over­come and killed. not tempt his Fortune a second time, but killed himself, and left Vitellius Master of the Empire. From Christ 70.

But the Armies of the East having gi­ven up the Empire to their General Vespa­tian, his Lieutenants in Italy, pressed Vitel­lius so forcibly, that having defeated his Vitellius killed. Army, they took him Prisoner in Rome, and there killed him.

Vespatian coming into Italy, and finding Vespatian Emperor. the Business done, was received at Rome with great applause, by the Senate and People; joyful to find themselves deliver­ed from those last Emperors, whose scan­dalous Reputation caused all▪ Nations to dread their Government.

Vespatian, in Nero's Reign, had begun a The War against the Jews. War against the Jews: He had defeated their Forces in the Field, took all their Towns, except Jerusalem, which he besie­ged: Coming into Italy, he left his Son Titus to make an end of that War; which The Ruine of Jerusa­lem. he did, by taking, and destroying Jeru­salem.

The dreadful Calamities that happened to that miserable City, during the Siege, by the unnatural Divisions of their Fellow-Citizens; with the rest of that lamentable Tragick Story, may be read with horror in Josephus's Book, who was an Eye-witness of the Ruine of his Country.

The Roman Historians make mention of The Tri­umph of Titus. the magnificent Triumph Titus made, at his Return to Rome. From Christ 71.

Vespatian Reigned Nine Years; worthy Vespatian his Death. of great Praise in all things, except his A­ [...]rice.

His Son Titus, stil'd, The Delight of Man­kind, Titus his Successor. succeeded him. While he applied himself to make his Reign perfectly happy, a dreadful Fire wasted Rome, and another at Campania, by the Fire broke out at Ve­suvius.

These two Misfortunes gave occasion to the good Emperor, to bestow his Libera­lity to a great Number of miserable People, whom these Accidents had reduc'd to ex­tream Poverty. From Christ 79.

Titus having Reigned but two Years, died, bewailing himself, that his Life was Titus' s Death. taken away so soon, protesting he had done but one thing to be repented of: Which made some believe, that it was to have associated his Brother Domitian to the Domitian his Successor Empire; who was endowed with as many ill Qualities, as Titus was possest with good ones. He was covetous, unjust, and most His ill Qualities. cruel to the Romans in general, and to the Christians in particular; who felt it very much all the time of his Reign.

He put to Death a great Number of the Noblest Citizens, and plundered the Goods of the richest Families. From Christ 81.

He raised up a bloody Persecution a­mong He perse­cutes the Christians. the Christians. In the Number of those who were Crowned with Martyr­dom, Lynus, and Cletus, Bishops of Rome, Lynus and Cletus, Bishops of Rome. gave the Example of a constant Faith to their Flocks, sealing it by shedding of their Blood. From Christ 83.

The Ecclesiastical History sets down the Martyrdom of St. John the Evangelist, at St. John the Evan­gelist. that time: He was brought from Asia to Rome, where being thrown into a Caul­dron of boiling Oyl, he came out of it safe and well. He was banish'd to the Isle of Patmos.

About the end of Domitian's Reign, A­nacletus Anacletus Bishop of Rome. also received the Crown of Martyr­dom. From Christ 90.

A Paper, containing the List of those whom Domitian intended to put to Death, fallen by chance into the Hands of his Wife; she seeing her Name at the Head of it, prevented his Design, by causing him to be killed by those whom he had Domitian his Death. destined for Death. From Christ 96.

Nerva, his Successor, a Person of high Nerva his Successor. Desert, was proclaimed Emperor by the Conspirators, and received with great Joy by the Senate and People.

He Reigned like a wise and just Prince, one Year and four Months; at the end of which he died, Aged Sixty six Years, lea­ving His Death. Trajan his Successor. the Empire to Trajan, whom he A­dopted.

The Ecclesiastical History makes the Death of St. John the Evangelist to hap­pen The Death of St. John the Evan­gelist. at the end of that Age: Yet there is no Certainty of the Time of his Death, any more than of the rest of the Apostles.

The Learned Men of this Age, besides Learned Men. those who were remark'd before, were Persius, Propertius, Seneca the Tragedian, [Page 77] Seneca the Philosopher, Petronius Arbiter Silius Italicus, Martial, Juvenal, Statius, Pliny the Ancient, Quintilian the Orator, Strabo the Historian and Geographer. Like­wise Pomponius Mela, and Solinus.

Among the Christians, Clement Bishop of Rome, was Author of an Epistle to the Corinthians, which is extant. There are also some Epistles under the Name of Ig­natius, Bishop of Antioch: Yet many learn­ed Criticks doubt of their Truth. There is one of Polycarpus, Bishop of Smirna, to the Philippians.

The Hereticks of that Age were the Ni­cholaits, whose Author was never known. Menander the Disciple of Simon the Magi­cian. Cerinthus and Elion, Enemies to the Divinity of Jesus Christ.

The Second Age

BEgins with the Persecution Trajan rai­sed The Chri­stians per­secuted. Clement Bishop of Rome. against the Christians.

Clement, Bishop of Rome, after fifteen Years Confinement to Chersonesus Taurick, recei­ved there the Crown of Martyrdom. From Christ 101.

Trajan spent the five following Years in The War against the Daces. the War against the Daces. It proved a very glorious War to him, having over­come many times that Nation; insomuch, that their King Decebalus killed himself out of Despair. From Christ 106.

Pliny the younger, Pro-Consul of By­thinia, writ in favour of the Christians 3▪ yet the Persecution continued against them.

Ignatius, the Colleague of Evodius, in the Episcopal See of Antioch, being brought to Ignatius Martyr. Rome; was there Crowned Martyr. From Christ 107.

Trajan employed the nine following Years in the War against the Parthians; War a­gainst the Parthians. Trajan' s Conquests. over whom, and their Allies, he conquer­ed Mesopotamia, Armenia, part of Arabia, and all that is beyond Tygris, even to In­dia: But finding it was impossible to keep all those Countries, he restored to the [Page 79] Parthians all that lay beyond Tygris; gi­ving them for their King Parthamasparus, of the Blood of the Arsacides, on whom he plac'd, with his own Hands, the Dia­dem; after he had obliged him to swear Fealty to the Romans. From Christ 116.

Evaristus Bishop of Rome, having been Bishops of Rome. Crowned Martyr in the Eighth Year of this Age: In which time also his Succes­sor Alexander had the same Happiness.

Trajan returning from all his Conquests died at Selinonta in Cilicia. With his great Trajan' s Death. good Qualities, he was endowed with no small Vices: For he was given to Drun­kenness, and to most abominable Sins a­gainst Nature, and was very cruel against the Christians. From Christ 1117.

The Learned Men in his time, were Learned Men. Plutarch his Master, Pliny the Younger, Suctonius, Florus, the two Historians, Au­lus Gellius, Lucius Epictetus, an excellent Moral Philosopher, and Galen the famous Physician.

Aelius Adrianus, Adopted by Trajan, suc­ceeded Adrianus Successor to Trajan. him in the Empire. In the Persecu­tion which he carried on against the Chri­stians, Sixtus Bishop of Rome, Successor to Bishops of Rome. Alexander, was enrolled among the Mar­tyrs. From Christ 120.

The Roman Empire flourishing in Peace, Adrian took a Journey to visit all his Pro­vinces. While he was in the Eastern parts, he rebuilt Jerusalem, and called it Aelia, Adrian re­builds Je­rusalem. from his own Name: And in derision [Page 80] and scorn to the Jews, he caused the Fi­gure of a Hog to be set on their Gates. He erected a Temple to Jupiter, in the very place where had been the Temple of the true God.

And to express the like scorn and ha­tred towards the Christians, he also built a Temple in Venus on Mount Calvary; and another to Adonis at Bethlem, in the same place where Jesus Christ was born. From Christ 135.

Adrian died of a Bloody-flux. His good Adrian' s Death. Qualities were defiled by the same Vices that dishonoured the Reputation of his Pre­decessor.

Antinous, a Boy whom he loved, being dead, he was so shameless to make his Subjects pay him Divine Worship. From Christ 138.

Titus Aurelius Antoninus, Adopted by A­drian, Antoni­nus Pius his Succes­sor. succeeded him: He was Sur-named Pius, by reason of his sweet Disposition and Goodness. Nevertheless, the Perse­cution continuing, many Christians suffer­ed Martyrdom; and among the rest, The­lesphorus Bishops of Rome. Bishop of Rome, Successor to Sixtus and Higinus, and after him, Pius, the Successor of Higinus. From Christ 150.

At length Antoninus, perswaded of the Innocency of the Christians, caused the Persecution to cease; moved to it by two excellent Apologies, address'd to him by Justin the Christian Philosopher. From Christ 151.

The Peace of the Church, as it was out­wardly disturb'd, so it was inwardly per­plex'd by Hereticks; that is to say, by the Hereticks. Gnosticks Saturni­nus. Bazilides. Gnosticks, followers of Carpocrates, to whom were attributed most detestable Opinions: Saturninus, and Bazilides, Disciples of Me­nander; as he, so were they Enemies to Jesus Christ.

Tatien, Author of the Encratites, or Con­tinents, Encratites a Sect very austere in their way of Living.

Montanus, the Disciple of Tatien, with Monta­nists. his two Prophetesses, Maximilla and Priscilla. His Followers were Cataphriges; because their Errors began to spread in Phrygia; but they called themselves Cathares, in re­gard of their pretended Purity of Life; boasting, with their Master, they had re­ceived a more abundant Effusion of the Holy Ghost, than the Apostles ever had.

Papius, Bishop of Hieropolis, with his Chiliasts, had less dangerous Opinions. Chiliasts.

Antoninus died, Aged more than Seventy Antoni­nus' [...] Death Years. From Christ 261.

Marcus Aurelius, whom Antoninus had Marcus Aurelius, & Lucius Verus, Successors. Anicetus Bishop of Rome. Adopted; and Lucius Verus, Adopted by Aurelius, succeeded him.

Anicetus Bishop of Rome, Justin the A­pologist for the Christians, with a great Number of others, were Crowned Mar­tyrs, in the Persecution Marcus Aurelius raised up against them. From Christ 162. War a­gainst the Parthians.

In the beginning of his Reign, he had sent his Colleague to make War against the [Page 82] Parthians; but Lucius Verus, a debauch'd Man, staying at Antioch to take his Plea­sures, sent his Lieutenants upon that Ex­pedition; which proved very successful to the Romans; the Parthians having been defeated in many Rencounters. From Christ 165.

Polycarpus Bishop of Smirna, and Disciple St. Poly­carp. of St. John the Evangelist, ended his long Life by a glorious Martyrdom.

In like manner suffered Photinus Bishop Martyrs of Lyons. of Lyons; where many of his Flock, in­structed by him in their Faith, received the same Happiness. From Christ 167.

Lucius Verus died as he came back from Lucius Verus' s Death. Illyria, with Marcus Aurelius. After his Death, Marcus Aurelius found him better dispos'd to receive the Apologies presented Apologies for the Christians. to him, by Meliton Bishop of Sardis, and the Philosopher Athenag [...]ras, who so far prevailed to mitigate the Persecution: Yet the Idolaters persevered to sacrifice many Christians to their Hate, even at Rome, Bishops of Rome. where Soter, Bishop, and Successor to Ani­cetus, suffered Martyrdom. From Christ 170.

The Persecution, at length, wholly cea­sed, The Perse­cution ceases. by the miraculous help that Aurelius received from Heaven, by the fervent Prayers of the Christians, which composed a Legion of the Army he had brought to fight against the Macromans.

This Legion was called the Thunderers; The Thun­dering Le­gion. because it had prevailed with Heaven to extirpate the Barbarians by a Tempest, that discharged itself only upon them, without falling on the Romans. From Christ 173.

Nevertheless Aurelius was forc'd to quit that War, in order to compose a Civil A Civil War. War, broke out in Syria, by the Pro-Con­sul Cassius.

Aurelius having happily concluded it, The Ex­ploit of Marcus Aurelius. return'd to the Northern Parts, against the Germans, Panonians, and Sarmatians; all which he overcame with great Glory.

He died as he lived, with that Constan­cy Marcus Aurelius' s Death. and Resolution, worthy a Stoick Philo­sopher, as he profess'd himself to be. From Christ 180.

His Son Commodus succeeded him in the Commo­dus' s Son and Succes­sor. Empire, but not in his Vertues.

The first five Years of his Reign, were only remarkable for excessive Debauche­ries. From Christ 185.

However, the Church enjoying Peace.

Eleutherius, Successor to Soter Bishop of Bishops of Rome. Rome, died of a Natural Death. He was the first Bishop of that City, who died so.

Many Hereticks disturbed this outward Hereticks. Peace, by their extravagant Opinions, such as were those of the Adamites, Abelites, Sethites, Ophytes, and Cainites, with others more dangerous; as those of Theod [...]sien, of Praxeus, Hermogenes, and of Artem [...]n, Ene­mies to the Divinity of Jesus Christ.

Tertullian, a Priest of Lyons, and Irenaeus, Tertul­lian. Irenaeus. Bishop of Lyons, disputed on the contrary, for the true Doctrine, by their Learned Works; but the first had the Misfortune to yield to the Errors of Montanus, and the Encratites.

The Learned Men who flourish'd since Trajan to this time, were Appian, Aelian, Learned Men. Pausanias, Justin the Abreviator of Trogus Pompeius, Historians. Ptolomy, the Geo­grapher. Diogenes Laertius, Athneus, Apu­leus, Julius Pollux, Maximus of Tyre, Rheto­ricians, and Philosophers. Marullus the Poet. Among the Christians Egesipus, the Historian.

In the last Seven Years of Commodus, the Empire was rendred desolate by the Plague and Famine; and Rome particularly by a horrible Fire, and by a terrible Earth­quake.

This Monster of a Prince, being not in the least reclaimed by all these Calamities, still persevered in his most dissolute De­bauches, till the World being no longer able to suffer them, he was poyson'd, and Commo­dus' s Death. then strangled by a Faction of his own Do­mesticks. From Christ 192.

Helvius Pertinax, chosen by the Conspi­rators Pertinax his Suc­cessor. to succeed him, was received with Joy by the Senate and People, by reason of his good Qualities, which recompenc'd the Meanness of his Birth: But the Prae­torian Bands, suffering with Regret, the want of those licentious Liberties, to which [Page 85] they had been accustomed during the for­mer Reign, killed him within less than He is kill'd. three Months.

After that, the Murtherers retired, and fortified themselves in their Camp, crying out, That the Empire was to be sold: For in effect, they bestowed it on Didius Julianus, Didius Julianus his Suc­cessor. who gave them more Money than was of­fered them by his Competitor Sulpitius, Son-in-Law to Pertinax: So the Senate and People chose an Emperor after this man­ner, who in himself was very debauch'd. From Christ 193.

In the mean time, three Generals of the Armies were proclaimed Emperors in three Three other Emperors. several Provinces; Pescenius Niger, in Syria; Albinus, in Great Brittain; Septimus Severus, in Illyria, and Panonia.

Severus being more politick than the others, came into Italy, with design (as he said) to incite the People to Revenge the Death of Pertinax. The Senate, en­couraged by his Conduct, Arraigned, and Condemned Didius Julianus, who was exe­cuted; The Death of Didius Julianus. Severus Emperor. so that Severus coming to Rome, was there received, and acknowledged Emperour, by the Senate and People.

The Year following he went into the East against Niger, who was kill'd, after The Death of Niger. he had been overcome in a Battle in Cili­cia. From Christ 194.

At that time there arose a Dispute touch­ing The Dispute about Ea­ster-Day. the Day of the Celebration of Easter, between Victor Bishop of Rome, and the Bi­shops [Page 86] of Asia: The Bishop of Rome would have it celebrated the Sunday after the 14th of the New Moon of March. The others, to be celebrated on the 14th of that Moon, precisely on that Day of the Week it should happen: From thence they were called, the Quarto Decimans. Quarto Decimans

Tho' the Business was of no great Im­portance, yet the learned Church-men were so inflamed by the Dispute, that re­ciprocal Excommunations past between Victor Bishop of Rome, and the Asian Bi­shops. From Christ 197.

Tho' Severus was overcome by Niger, yet he had the good Fortune to defeat Al­binus, who afterwards killed himself near Th [...] Death of Albinus Lyons; the Battle between them was so bloody, that the River Arar thereby chan­ged its Colour, and was since called San­gone, and by abbreviation Saone. From Christ 198.

The City of Lyons was of Albinus's side, even all the Inhabitants were Christians.

Severus took that occasion to persecute Severus persecutes the Chri­stians. St. Ireneus Martyr. the Faithful. He put to Death a great Number at Lyons, and among them their holy Bishop Ireneus.

Severus spent the two last Years of this Age, in making War against the Parthians; from whom he took Babylon, Ctesiphonte, and all Mesopotamia. From Christ 200.

The Third Age.

SEverus in his Return from that War, came to Aegypt, where he put to Death Severus [...]n Aegypt. many Christians, who were constant in professing their Faith. From Christ 201.

Among others, Leonidas, a Citizen of Leonidas Martyr. Alexandria, Father to Origen, who was a­bout sixteen Years old; Clement of Alexan­dria, Clement. the famous Master of that renowned Disciple, did fly from the Cruelty of those Persecutors. From Christ 203.

Tertullian writ his Apologetick, and Mi­nutius Faelix his Octavius; two excellent Minutius Faelix. Pieces in favour of the Christians, to de­fend them against the Calumnies thrown upon them.

Severus, after he had triumph'd at Rome, for his Parthian Conquest, passed over to Great Brittain, to reduce those Islanders Severus in Great Brittain. who had revolted. From Christ 208.

Which he accomplish'd in one Year's time; and after that, stayed there two Years, and there died of the Gout; at­tended He there dies. with an extream Grief, occasioned by an inveterate Hatred between his two Caracalla and Geta his Sons, and Suc­cessors. Sons, Bassianus, Sur-named Caracalla, and Getd. From Christ 211.

These two Brothers came to Rome, by two different Ways, where they were re­ceived by the Senate, and People, to reign together.

But their Hatred increased so highly between them, that the eldest Brother The eldest kills his Brother. killed the other in his Mother Julia's Arms. From Christ 213.

Then he put to Death many great Per­sons, because they would not approve of his Fratricide. Among others, the famous Civilian Papinian▪ who being sollicited by Caracalla to defend the Murder he had committed, answered him boldly, That it was more easie to commit a Crime, than to ju­stifie it.

Papinian had for his Contemporaries, Paulus, and Caius, of the same Profession; Learned Men. Philostratus, Alexander, Aphroditius, and Cen­sorinus, flourish'd at that time.

Bassianus Antoninus Caracalla, being very much touch'd with Remorse for this hor­rid Crime, and his other Cruelties, which made him to be hated at Rome, took oc­casion to depart from thence, under pre­tence of making War against the Parthians. While he was there thus employed, Ma­terianus, Governor of Rome, writ to ad­vertize him, that there was a Conspiracy against him, of which Macrinus, a Captain of the Praetorians, was chief. The Letter fell, by chance, into the Hands of Macri­nus; who having perused them, hastened to accomplish his Design, causing Cara­calla [Page 89] to be killed by a Centinel, and im­mediately Caracal­las's Death the Centinel himself was Mur­chered, that the Conspiracy might not be discovered; by which means he got to have the principal charge of the Army, and easily influenc'd them to proclaim him Emperor. From Christ 217.

Zepherinus Bishop of Rome, and Succes­sor to Victor died that Year.

Macrinus made a Peace with the Par­thians, Macrinus his Succes­sor. and retired to Antioch; while he stayed there with his Son Diadumenes, whom he had Associated to the Empire, Maesa corrupted the Army in Phaenicia with Money, and caused a Boy to be Proclaimed Emperor, who was her Grand­son by the Daughter she had of the Em­peror Caracalla. Macrinus at first despised that Faction which was headed only by an Old Woman and a Child; but his Leiutenants having before been defeated, The Death of Macri­nus and Diadume­nes. he himself was afterwards slain in a Bat­tle with Diadumenes his Son and Colleague. So Bassianus better known by the name of Heliogabalus, was first acknowledged Em­peror in the East, and afterwards at Rome. Helioga­balus. From Christ 218.

The World endured this detestable Prince for the space of four Years, at the end of which, the Horrors of his mon­strous Life being become insupportable to the very Soldiers, they killed him. From His Death▪ Christ 222.

His Cousin Germain, Marcus Aurelius, Alexander Severus his Successor. Alexander Severus, a Prince as Virtuous as his Predecessor had been Vitious, was chose in his place.

Ulpian an excellent Civilian, and the chiefest of the Praetorian Bands, but an in­veterate Enemy to the Christians, put to Death a great many for confessing their Faith, among whom was Calistus Succes­sor Bishops of Rome. to Zepherinus Bishop of Rome.

During the first Six Years of Alexander Severus, the Empire was at Peace. This Young, but excellent Prince applied him­self to redress the disorders which were introduc'd into all parts of the Empire, in the time of the former Reigns. From Ch. 228.

He accumulated to this, the Glory he acquired by his Arms in the War against War a­gainst the Persians. the Persians. Artaxates, or Artaxerxes, a Prince of that Nation resigned to him his Soveraignity, after he had overcome and killed in Battle Artaban the last King of the Parthians, of the race of the Arsacides. The end of the Arsa­cides. From Christ 229.

In this Emperors absence, Urbinus the Prefect of Rome, put to Death another Ur­bin, Bishops of Rome. who was Bishop and succeeded Ca­listus. From Christ 231.

The War against the Persians lasted three Years, but Alexander concluded it with ve­ry great Glory and advantage to the Ro­mans. The exploits of Alex­ander Se­verus. He staid some time in the East to set in order those Provinces; then he re­turned [Page 91] to Rome to reap the Honour of a Magnificent Triumph, after which he past over into Gaule to stop the revolt of the Germans. But the Soldiers not being a­ble to suffer that severity of Discipline, to which he had inured them, killed him His Death. before he past over the Rhine. From Ch. 235.

Rome never injoyed a Prince more ac­complish'd in all kinds of Virtues, but His Virtues chiefly for Justice, having exactly practi­sed, that best of Maxims, which forbids to do that to another, we would not have done to our selves. It is believed he had learn'd it from his Mother Mammea, who had imbued him with that Moral of Chri­stianity, in which she had been instruct­ed by Origen.

Maximus Successor to Alexander Severus, Maximus his Succes­sor. and principal Author of his Death, was as Vitious as his Predecessor had been Virtu­ous; he persecuted the Christians, of whom he put to Death a great number, among whom was Pontianus Bishop of Rome, who succeeded Urbin, as also An­teros Successor to Pontianus. From Christ Bishops of Rome. 236.

The Army in Africk proclaimed for their Emperors their two Generals, the two Gordians Father and Son, but they The two Gordians, Father and Son Empe­rors. were presently killed by Capellinus their Enemy, Governor of Mauritania: In the mean time the Senate declared Emperors two Senators, Pupienus Maximus, and Ce­lius [Page 92] Balbinus, to whom to please the Soldi­ers, they joined the young Gordian Grandson to one, and Son to the othe [...] Gordian, who were killed in Africk.

Maximus quitting the design of making War against the Sarmatians, past into Italy Their Death and besieged Aquilia, which held out, fo [...] the Emperors declared by the Senate, bu [...] the Soldiers killed him and his Son of the same Name, and of the very same humo [...] of his Father. From Christ 237.

Soon after the Praetorian bands kille [...] their two Emperors chose by the Senate Pupienus and Balli­nus Empe­rors with the young Gordian. so the young Gordian remained sole Em­peror: He was carried to the War against the Persians, which lasted three Years, and became glorious to the Romans, by the Conduct of Misetheus, a Person of very great Prudence and Courage, who was Father-in-law to Gordian: But Philip one of the chifest Officers of the Army, ha­ving poisoned Mizetheus, and perswaded the Soldiers to kill Gordian, the traterous The Death of Gordi­an. Murtherer was proclaimed Emperor by the Army. He was an Arabian, tho' some Writers stile him a Christian, but there Philip his Successor. was not the least appearance of it, for his Cruelties and Treacheries did not at that time agree with the Rules of Christianity.

This new Prince made a very advanta­geous Peace with Sapor King of Persia; then he came to Rome, where he celebra­ted with great Magnificence, the Thou­sandth The 1000 Year of Rome. Year from the Foundation of that City. From Christ 247.

The Goths, a People originally of Scy­ [...]hia The Gochs invade the Empire. past the Danube, and plac'd themselves on that side of the Lands of the Empire. There was sent against them Decius, a Per­son of high Merit, and one of the Sena­tors: The Army in Panonia, having pro­claimed Philip their Emperor, he with his The Two Philips killed. Forces march'd against Decius, but being come to Verona, his own Soldiers killed him, while the Praetorian Bands did the like to his Son of the same Name, whom he left at Rome.

So Decius being acknowledged Emperor Decius Emperor. by the Armies, he was also declared with great Joy by the Senate and People. He was indued with excellent Qualities, but he was an utter Enemy to the Christians, against whom he stirred up a most cruel The Perse­cution of the Christi­ans Bishop of Rome. Persecution; among a great number of Martyrs he made to suffer, was Fabian Bishop of Rome, Successor to Antheros Before Christ 250.

This persecution though it was very bloody, yet it lasted not long; for this cruel Emperor was slain in the War against The Death of Decius. the Goths in Panonia, one part of the Ar­my being cut to pieces by the Barbarians; Gallus his Successor. the other part who had not fought, pro­claimed Gallus Emperor, who was their chief Commander. Corelius, Bishop of Bishops of Rome. Rome, Successor to Fabian, Sealed by Faith the effusion of his Blood. From Christ 352.

Under the Pentificat of this Cornelius, the The first Schism at Rome. first Schism broke out in the Church of Rome. Novatus a Priest of Carthage be­ing come to Rome, had that Interest to cause the Novatian Priest to be elected Bi­shop, in opposition to Cornelius, pretend­ing he had been too indulgent in admit­ting to the Peace of the Church, those who were fallen from Christianity, in the time of the Persecution.

Gallus and Volutianus his Son and Col­league Gallus and Valutia­nus Empe­ror. in the Empire, gave themselves up to all pleasure at Rome, while the Persians ravaged Syria, took and plundered An­tioch.

And the Goths did the like in Greece, yet the latter were most of them cut in pieces by the Romans, under the conduct of Aemilianus, who after this glorious ex­ploit, Aemilia­nus Empe­ror. The Death of Gallus and Volu­tianus. And of Aemilia­nus. Valerian Emperor. was proclaimed Emperor by the victorious Army. Gallus and Volutianus left Rome, and march'd together to fight him, but before the two Armys could meet, both Father and Son were killed by their own Soldiers. Aemilianus, was after­wards overcome and slain in Battle by Va­lerian, who was then acknowledged Em­peror. From Christ 253.

He cruelly persecuted the Christians, and among the great number, he put to Death for their Faith, was Lucius Bishop of Bishop of Rome. Rome, Successor to Cornclius; then follow­ed Stephanus and Sixtus the Second, and in Africk, St. Cyprian Bishop of Carthage; St. Cypri­an. [Page 95] there had been great disputes in Writing between this Holy Man, and Stephanus Bishop of Rome upon two Subjects; the first concerning the appeal of some Priests of Africk, addrest to the See of Rome, by that means to avoid the correction of their own Bishops. The other subject was, up­on a Question touching the validity of Baptism administered by Hereticks, St. Cy­prian being for the Negative, and Stepha­nus for the Affirmative.

The famous Origen died in Palestine, The Death of Origen. where he had retired in a deep Melancho­ly, because his Bishop Demetrius of Alex­andria had layed to his charge erronious Opinions.

The Emperor Valerian making War a­gainst Valerian made pri­soner by the Persians. the Persians, was overcome and took Prisoner by Sapor their King, who kept him in a shameful and base Capti­vity; while Galienus insensible of this high Disgrace, past his time at Rome in all Pleasure and Luxury, which gave occasi­on to many Governors of Provinces, to assume the Title of Emperors, each in his The 30 Ty­rants. Gallienes ki [...]led. peculiar Government. They were Thir­ty in number who were called Tyrants. Gallienus was killed by the Captains of his Guards, who could no longer endure his vitious way of living. Claudius the se­cond Cladius the second his Succssor. Aureolus, one of the Thirty Ty­rants kill'd was put in his place, and received with Joy by the Senate for his good Qua­lities; he went presently against Aureolus, one of the Thirty Tyrants who Governed [Page 96] Illyria, he overcame him, and slew him in Battle. From Christ 268.

Denys, Bishop of Rome, and Successor to Bishop of Rome. Sixtus the Second died a Martyr.

Claudius having past into Greece, there defeated a great Army of the Scythians, who had made an irruption into those parts. All who escapt that overthrow, re­treated to a Mountain; Claudius encom­past them with his Army, and so straight­ly block'd them up, and kept them from all manner of Provisions, that the Plague was got among them, from whence it in­fected the Roman Army, where many di­ed; The Death of Claudi­us. Quintili­us his Suc­cessor. Aurelian Emperor. and among the rest, the Emperor Claudius, as also his Brother Quintilius chose to succeed him by the Army, who upon his Death, set up Aurelianus in his place, and their choice was approved by the Se­nate. From Christ 270.

There remained of the Thirty Tyrants only Macrian in Asia the lesser, and Po­sthumius Macrian and Po­sthumius two of the 30 Tyrants. Zenobia. in Gaule; these two were power­ful enough to make the Emperor fear them, bur Aurelian having overcome them one after the other, marcht into Syria a­gainst Zenobia Queen of Palmerina, the Widow of Odenatus; she had the Courage to maintain for her Sons the Title of Em­perors, which her Husband had assumed while he Reigned. Aurelian highly e­steemed the Victory he had obtained o­ver this brave War-like Queen; and bring­ing Overcome. her to Rome, bound with Chains of [Page 97] Gold, and enrich'd with pretious Stones, made her the noblest Ornament of his Triumph. From Christ 274.

Aurelian having accomplish'd all these Affairs, most cruelly persecuted the Chri­stians, The Christi­ans perse­cuted. Bishops of Rome. of whom he put to Death a great number for their Faith, and among the rest, Faelix Bishop of Rome Successor to Denis.

Aurelian preparing to make War against Aurelian kill'd. the Persians, was killed by the Treachery of one of his Secretarys, whom he had threatned, and who fearing the effect of his menaces, seduc'd several Officers of the Army, persuading them that the Em­peror designed their Death.

It was very strange that there happened no trouble in the Empire, during an in­terregnum of seaven Months, in all which time the Army and Senate had comple­mented each other about the right of E­lection; at last the Senate absolutely re­fusing to Elect, obliged the Army to name an Emperor, who was unanimously re­ceived, called Claudius Tacitus: He high­ly Claudius Tacitus Emperor. His Death. Florian his Suc­cessor. Probus Emperor. deserved it for his great parts, but the Empire injoyed him only Seven Months; his Brother Florian who succeded him, Reigned but Twenty Days. From Ch. 277.

Aurelius Probus their Successor, was ge­nerally approved by all the Noble De­grees of the Empire with great reason, being endued with exceeding rare Quali­ties, suitable to his Name.

During the five Years he Reigned, he supprest all the designs of those who af­fected Tyranny in several Provinces of the Empire, and drove out of its limits all the Barbarians, who infested them: But the Soldiers not being able to endure that great severity of Discipline, to which he restrained them, kill'd him, and put in His Death. his place Carus, Praefect of the Praetorian Bands, who associated to the Empire his Carinus and Nu­merianus Emperors. Sons Carinus and Numerianus. From Christ 282.

The Persecution being revived against the Christians, Eutichius Bishop of Rome, Bishops of Rome. and Successor of Faelix suffered Martyr­dom.

Carus pursued the design of Probus, and obtained great advantages over them; but as he was resolving to pursue them with more Force and Vigour, he fell sick and The Death of Carus. died, whether of his Sickness, or by a Fright occasioned by a dreadful Tempest of Thunder, which killed many of his Ar­my, and wept so much for the death of his Father, that he was fain to be carried in a close Litter: Aper his Father-in-law who took Numeri­anus killed. that occasion to kill him secretly, hoping by that means to attain to the Empire. He concealed this Murther for some days, but it being discovered by the nauseous smell of the dead Body, the Soldiers kill­ed the Murtherer, and proclaimed Em­peror Dioclesi­an Empe­ror. one of their chiefs called Diocles, who adding some Letters to his Name; called himself Dioclesian.

This new Prince march'd presently a­gainst Charinus, the Son of Carus, who being informed of what had happened in the East, took his way on that side to fight his Competitor. They met in Pano­nia, where Charinus was overcome and killed in Battle; so Dioclesian being Con­queror, was received Emperor by the Se­nate Maximi­nian, Her­cules Asso­ciates to the Empire. Maximi­nian Gale­rus and Constan­tius Chlo­rus. and People, and with their Consent associated to the Empire Maximinian Her­cules. Four years after the two Emperors took the Title of Caesars, Dioclesian, Maxi­minian Galerus, Armentarius. Maximinian took Constantius Chlorus, the great Grand­child of the Emperor Claudius the Second. In the terrible persecution that Dioclesian raised up against the Christians, as in­finite number of the Faithful suffered Mar­tyrdom, and amongst them Caius the Suc­cessor to Eutychius Bishop of Rome. From Bishop of Rome. Christ 296.

The four Princes Triumph'd magnifi­cently The Tri­umph of the Four Princes. at Rome, having victoriously driven out the Barbarians, each of them from that part of the Empire, where they wa­ged War against them. From Christ 298.

This Age was pestered with many He­reticks; Hereticks. among others Sabellius, an Ene­my Sabellius. to the Holy Trinity: In like manner was Paul of Samosatus Bishop of Antioch. Paul of Sa­mosatus. Manes. Manes, who asserted two new Principles, she one Good and the other Bad. The Fathers of the Christian Church did not Fathers of the Church. exactly set down in what Year of this Age Origen died.

Gregorius Thaumaturgius, Bishop of Neo­cesaria, Gregorius Thauma­turgius. Arnobius. Flourish'd at that time, as also Arnobius who writ against the Gentiles, and against Porphyrius, an Apostate to Christi­anity, Jamblicus was his Disciple. The Pagan Au­thors. most remarkable Historians of this Age were Herodian, who writ in Greek Eight Herodian. Books of the Roman Emperors. Dion Dion Cas­sian. Cassian writ also in Greek in the time of Se­verus, a Roman History, comprising the space of 981 Years. Julius, Capitolinus, Aelius, Lampridius, Flavius, Vopiscus, Spar­tianus, Vulcatius, Gallicanus, who were al­most all contemporary Authors of the Im­perial History.

The Fourth Age.

THe Persecution against the Christians Mercelli­nus Bishop of Rome. still encreasing, Marcellinus Bishop of Rome persevering in his Sufferings, ob­tained a crown of Martyrdom, From Ch, 301. says Theodoret, against what some had Writ, that he fell into Idolatry, as he con­fest in the Councel of Sinuessa before 300 Bishops there present; but there is little likelihood, that in the time of so terrible a Persecution, when the poor Christians hid themselves, that so many Bishops could be assembled. From Christ 304.

By the resigning of Dioclesian, and of Dioclesi­an and Maximi­an resign the Em­pire. Constan­tius Chlo­rus. Maximi­nian Ga­lerus. Severus and Maxi­min Em­peror. Maximinian Hercules, the Empire remain­ed in the power of Maximinian Galerus; Ar­mentarius and Constantius Chlorus, who di­vided it in that manner, that Maximinian had the Provinces of the East, and Chlorus those of the West. Maximinian Galerus a­dopted his two Nephews Caesars, Severus and Maximin, at the very same time that Maxentius the supposed Son of Maximini­an Hercules made himself Master of Rome, and there stood for Emperor; so that when Severus came to Besige it, he found him so very strong, that he was forc'd to raise his Siege, retreating to Ravenna, [Page 102] where Maxentius Besieged him. From Ch. 306.

These disorders caused Maximinian Her­cules to write to Diocletian, to persuade him to reassume the command of the Em­pire; but Dioclesian answered him like a Philosopher, and remained in his retired way of Life, yet Maximinian left his Re­tirement, and having reassumed the Marks and Title of Emperor, came to the Siege of Ravenna, and under pretence of a Trea­ty of Peace, to bring Severus out of the City, and having him in his power, he caused him to be Strangled; but as he in­treagued Severus strangled. with the Soldiers to bring them over to Maxentius, they detesting his base proceedings, expelled him shamefully. He fled into Gaule to Constantine, Constantius Chlorus the Father of Constantine being dead in great Britain, his Son had there been Constan­tin Empe­ror. saluted Emperor by the Army, then ha­ving past into Gaule, he was there ac­knowledged with the same Title; his Wife Minervina was then dead, by whom he had a Son named Crispus; he not only received Maximinian into his favour, but made him his Father-in-law, by marrying his Daughter Fausta: But Maximinian ha­ving taken measures to seduce the Army of Constantine, his own Daughter to whom he had imparted his designs, discovered it to her Husband, so the Traytor was obli­ged to fly, but being followed very close, he was at last taken in the City of Mar­seilles, [Page 103] where he was strangled either by Maximi­nian stran­gled. the command of Constantine, or that he strangled himself out of Despair. From Christ 309.

In the mean time Maxentius was Master of Rome and all Italy, where he exercised very great Tyrannies, especially against the Bishop of Rome. Christians; he put to death Marcellus, Successor to Marcellinus, but Eusebius who succeeded Marcellus, died of a fit of Sick­ness at the end of two Years, having held the See but two Years. From Christ 311. The [...] agai [...]s [...] Constan­tin and Maxenti­us. The Vision of the Cross.

The Romans wearied with the Tiranny of Maxentius, sent for Constantine to help them. It is said that being on his way, he beheld the Vision of a Cross shining with a most glorious Light, that appeared to him in the Air at Noon-day, with an Inscription that promist him Victory, which made him send for Rheticius Bishop of Autune, he having seen the same Vision near that City, so that by the care of that Holy Bishop, Constantin being fully in­structed in the truth of Christianity, made publick profession of it; all the Cities of Italy which he found in his way surren­dered voluntarily. At his approach to Rome, there was a Bloody Battle between him and Maxentius, in which after a vigo­rous Resistance, Maxentius was overcome Maxenti­us' s Death. Constan­tin Empe­ror. and slain; so that Constantine was received with Triumph at Rome, and with a gene­ral Joy was acknowledged Emperor throughout the Western parts.

It was in this remarkable year that the Roman Indiction began, which was the The Ro­man Indi­ction. Revolution of Fifteen Years, beginning at the year of Rome 1065, the number that makes Seventy one Fifteens.

After the Death of Severus, Maximinian Galerus had created Caesar Licinius, his old Caesar Licinius. Companion in Arms; a little while after Galerus died of the lousie Disease, so the Empire was divided between Constantine, who had all the Western parts except Illy­ria and Panonia; Licinius was master of Greece and Thrace, and Maximin possest the Provinces of Asia.

Licinius having espoused Constantia the Sister of Constantine, these two Emperors made an Edict in favour of the Christians, The Death of Maxi­min. Maximin continuing to persecute them, till at length he died at Tharsus of a languish­ing Disease. The Provinces under his Government fell to Licinius; then Constan­tine and Licinius condemned by an Edict the memory of Maximin as a Tyrant. From Christ 314.

Dioclesian died the Year before of a na­tural Dioclesi­ans' s Death. Distemper, as some Write, or as others will have it, that he poisoned him­self out of despair, to find the Christians were so much favoured by the two Em­perors.

Melchiades Bishop of Rome died the same Bishops of Rome. Year, he had been appointed with some other Bishops of Italy by Constantine, to ex­amine The Dona­tists. the Schism of the Donatists in Africk, [Page 105] who refus'd to acknowledge Cecilian Bishop of Carthage, because he had been put in the place of Mensurius, accused to have delivered the Books of Holy Writ to the Idolaters, during the Persecution.

Constantine employed the following ten The Ex­ploits of Constan­tine. Years, in several Expeditions against the Barbarians, who attack'd the Frontier Pro­vinces of the Empire; in all which he succeeded with great Glory: For he de­feated them in all Rencounters, so that they were disabled to make any further Attempts against him.

Licinius, who had only favoured the Christians, in Complaisance to Constantine, discovered at length his Aversion to them: Whereupon Constantine took that occasion The Quarrel between Constan­tine and Licinius. to fall out with him. This Rupture brought them to a Battle, in which Licinius was overcome. Constantine pardoned him, be­cause he was his Brother-in-Law: But Li­cinius finding himself freed from this first Misfortune, raised another Army, and was again defeated, near Chalcedon. At that time Constantine compell'd him to re­sign his part of the Empire: The Van­quish'd taking it for a Favour, that the Conqueror had given him his Life, suffer­ing him to live at Thessalonica.

But as he could not be satisfied to live in Peace, and as he still endeavoured by his secret Practices, to set up his Party again, Constantine ordered him to be strangled. The Death of Licinius From Christ 324.

Thus Constantine Reigned sole Emperor, Constan­tine sole Emperor▪ acknowledg'd as well in the East, as in the West.

The Empire being then at Peace, Con­stantine applied himself to make Justice and Piety flourish; and endeavoured to give that Peace and Quiet to the Church, she had not 'till then enjoyed; having been not only turmoil'd abroad, by the Persecuti­ons of Idolaters, but harrass'd at home by the Opinions of Hereticks; particularly of those who were called Arrians, from Arrius the Heretick. the Name of Arrius, a Priest of Alexandria, an Enemy to the Divinity of Jesus Christ.

To redress this intestine Disorder of the The Council of Nice. Church, Constantine commanded a Council to be assembled, of a great Number of Bishops, in the City of Nice, in Bythinia. From Christ 325.

There they condemned the Errors of Arrius condemned. Arrius, and consequently made Canons of Discipline, and Ecclesiastical Polity: Par­ticularly they ordained the Paschal Cycle, The Paschal Cycle, or the Golden Number. called the Golden Number, containing the Lunary Revolutions, compleated in Nine­teen Years; to the end, that by that, all the Churches might regulate their Cele­bration of Easter.

This Year was fatal to the Family of Constantine, by the Death of Crispus, whom The Death▪ of Crispus, the Son of Constan­tine. Constantine had by Minervina, his first Wife: Fausta, his second Wife, having in vain sollicited this young Prince, to gratifie the Passion she had for him: His refusal, made [Page 107] her to accuse him, of solliciting her Cha­stity. Constantine unadvisedly believing her, put his Son to Death; and after that, did the like to Fausta; having discovered her The Death of Fausta, his Wife. Treachery, by putting her into a Bath, which he caused to be heated boyling hot: And this to comfort his own Mo­ther, Helena, afflicted to extremity, for the Death of her Grand-child.

In the mean time, Christianity flourisht, Christiani­ty receiv'd. under the Protection of this mighty Prince; insomuch, that powerful Nations abroad, embrac'd the Truth of the Gospel.

The Abyssinians, by the means of Edesius, In the In­dies. and Frumentius, Brothers, whose Father, Meropius, a rich Merchant of Tyre, had brought them young into Abyssinia, when they were grown up Men▪ they preach'd the Gospel with that success, that they built there many stately Churches; which were approved of by Athenasius, Bishop of Alexandria, who ordained one of the Bro­thers, Bishop of those parts; who came from thence, to give him an Account of what they had done there, relating to the Church.

A Woman, taken in the Wars, by the In Iberia. Iberians, gave them their first Knowledge of the Gospel: So that when they had embrac'd it, they address'd themselves to Constantine; who sent them Preachers to perfect their Instruction.

He also sent others into Armenia, to Ty­ridates, In Arme­nia. King of that Country, who had been called to the Faith of Christ by a Vi­sion. From Christ 328.

The two following Years were also ve­ry remarkable, from the Foundation of New Rome; which, from the Name of its Constan­tinople, New Rome Founder, was called Constantinople, upon the Bosphorus of Thrace, in the place wher [...] was the ancient Byzantium. There he erected Buildings, as well publick as pri­vate; which were so numerous and ma­gnificent, as rendred it not inferiour to ancient▪ Rome.

He establish'd the same Constitution of Government, with the very same kind of Magistrates as at Rome, designing that it should be the Seat of the Empire. From Christ 330.

Constantia, Sister to Constantine, and Wi­dow to Licinius, had, among her Dome­sticks, a Priest, in outward appearance a Man of Vertue, but proved to be an Ar­rian: Constantia dying, recommended him to her Brother, the Emperor. This Priest having insinuated himself into the Empe­ror's The Affairs of the Ar­rians. Favour, perswaded him, That Arrius had been unjustly condemned; and that he ought to be heard a second time. Con­stantine complied, and being deceived by this Arch-Heretick, he sent Arrius back to his Church in Alexandria.

But Athenasius, who was then Bishop, Athenasi­us Bishop of Alexan­dria. refusing to receive him, the Enemies of Athanasius assembled a Council at Tyre; where he was condemned by the Arrians, who were there very numerous; and af­terwards was banish'd to Treves; where he was kindly received by Constantine, el­dest Son to the Emperor, and by Maxi­mus, Bishop of that City. From Christ 336.

Silvester Bishop of Rome, and Successor Bishops of Rome. to Miltiades, died.

Arrius triumphing in his Re-establish­ment, came to Constantinople; where dispo­sing himself to enter by Force into the Church, he died in a most shameful man­ner: As is related by the Ecclesiastical The Death of Arrius. Writers.

Constantine finding himself very much The Death of Con­stantine. weakned, by a Disease that made him to languish for a long time; he was bapti­zed in the Suburbs of Nicomedia, and died a few Days after.

As Eusebius of Caesarea reports, in his Book of the Life of this Emperor; who assisted at his Baptism: Which shews the falseness of what others have writ, a long time since: That Constantine had received this Sacrament at Rome, from the Hands of Silvister; with all the Circumstances they remark'd, as true as the pretended Dona­tion of Rome; which they alledge Constan­tine made to this Pope, and to his Succes­sors.

Constantine left behind him three Sons▪ who, according to their Father's Testa­ment, shared between them the Empire.

Constantine, the eldest, had the Gauls▪ His three Sons Em­perors. Spain, Germany, and the Brittannick Isles.

Constance, the second, had Thrace, with all the East, comprizing Aegypt.

Constant, the third, Italy, Illyria, Greece, and Africk.

They Reigned in Peace for three Years▪ at the end of which, Constantine shewing that he was not content with his own share▪ set upon Constant in his own Country; their two Armies met, near Aquilia, where Constantine being killed, before he was The Death of Con­stantine the Second. acknowledged, the Provinces under his Rule, submitted themselves to Constant.

Constantine the second, with his Brother Constant, making a constant Profession of the Faith of the Council of Nice, had pre­vailed with Constance to re-establish Atha­nasius in his Bishoprick; but he was again put out by a Council held at Antioch; the Number of the Arrians prevailing against the Orthodox Party.

But he being return'd to Rome, Bishop Julius, Successor to Marcus, did there Bishops of Rome. assemble a Council, who asserted the Inno­cency of Athanasius.

The Eastern Bishops, who had not been at that Council, did not acquiesce to it; and therefore call'd another Council, com­posed of Bishops of both parts of the Em­pire, The Council of Sardis. to assemble at Sardis, in the upper part of Illyr [...]a.

Osius, Bishop of Cordova, was there chose to preside over 170 Bishops, who were there met, as well Eastern as Western: As the Number of the last was somewhat greater than the first, it was so decreed, that Athanasius should be re-invested in his Bishoprick: But the Eastern Bishops re­assembled at Philippolis, in Thrace, and there Assembled at Phi­lippolis. made Decrees contrary to those of Sardis. However, Athanasius did not fail to return to his Church: For Constance could not refuse to re-establish him, by reason of the pressing Instances that Constant urg'd in his behalf. Constant was truly Orthodox as to his Faith, but given up to his Plea­sures, neglecting much the Care of his Affairs, it was easie for Magnentius, one of the chief Officers of his Army, to take away his Life, and to cause himself to Constant killed by Magnen­tius the Tyra [...]. be received Emperor, by the Army, in Rome it self.

Constance having heard the News, while he was making War against the Persians, made a Peace with them, and created Caesar, his Cousin Gallus, to Govern in his Gallus Caesar. Absence in the East, and so marched West­ward, against Magnentius. From Christ 350.

This War lasted two Years before the two Armies came to a decisive Battle; at last it was fought near to Murza in Panno­nia. Magnentius was there worsted, but Magnen­tius [...] come. not so much as to hinder him from re­treating in good Order, towards Gaul. [Page 112] Constance followed him, and wholly rout­ed his Army near Lyons. The Vanquish'd Killed himself. kill'd himself out of Despair, after he had with his own Hands killed his Mother, and some of his nearest Relations. From Christ 353.

Constance thereupon being acknowledg'd sole Emperor, exercis'd his Power most cruelly towards his Cousin Gallus Caesar; The Death of Gallus Caesar. whom he put to Death upon light grounded Suspicions; and even against the Ortho­dox Bishops, who agreed to the Decisions of the Council of Nice; to which Con­stance was averse, being an Arrian: So Constance an Arrian. that he expelled Athanasius from his See, and persecuted him, even to the Hazard of his Life. From Christ 355.

They put in his place a most wicked Man, called Georgius, who committed a thousand Mischiefs in that Church.

Liberius was likewise expelled at the See of Rome, because he had supported Atha­nasius. Bishops of Rome.

In the place of Liberius, they put the Deacon Faelix, upon Condition he should favour the Arrians: He was ordained by three of their Bishops.

The Persecution against the Orthodox Divines was so severe, that Hosius and Li­berius Hosius & Liberius. were forc'd to yield, by the Cruelties they suffered in their Exile; and signed to the Arrian Confessions, framed in the Councils held at Sirmium, in Pannonia, by the Arrian Bishops.

By this means Liberius got leave to re­turn Liberius re-establish [...] to his Church; yet he could not be establish'd there, but with great Violence; and Faelix opposed him in the same man­ner. There were many Persons killed on both sides; and even Faelix himself, ac­cording Faelix deposed. to some Writers; yet others say, that he surviv'd his being deposed.

The Confusion was very great in the Church, by the infinite Number of Con­fessions of Faith, which were made in di­vers places, of which the most part of them were Arrians.

To redress these Disorders, two Coun­cils were assembled, one in the East, at Seleucia; the other in the West, at Ri­mini. The Council of Seleu­cia, and of Rimini.

But in both Councils, the Arrian Bishops being far more numerous than the Ortho­dox, the latter being overpower'd, the Arrians prevail'd: So that the Mischief was thereby so much increased, that, as St. Jerome testifies, the whole World was astonish'd to find themselves Arrians, and sigh'd for it. From Christ 359.

However, the Council of Selucia did one good Act, in re-establishing St. Hillarius, St. Hilla­rius Bishop of Poitiers A Council at Con­stantino­ple. Ulufilus Bishop of the Goths. Bishop of Poitiers, in his Diocess; from whence he had been banish'd for being Orthodox.

A third Council that Constance assem­bled at Constantinople, added to all those general Ills, this one in particular, that Ulufilus, Bishop of the Goths, was there in­fected [Page 114] with the Contagion of Arrianism, and afterwards all that Nation, by his Ex­ample.

While that Council was held, Constance ordered to be brought to Constantinople, in very great Pomp, the Bodies of St. Andrew the Apostle, St. Luke the Evangelist, and Timothy, St. Paul's Disciple, upon a Reve­lation he reported to have had of the place of their Burial.

Julius Constantius, Brother to the Father of Great Constantine, had left two Sons, viz. Gallus Caesar, whom Constance, as has been mentioned, had put to Death; and Julian, who having also been created Cae­sar, Julian Caesar. by his Cousin Constance, and made Governor of Gaul, behaved himself so well in that Charge, and with so much Glory, that having driven out, many times, the Barbarians, who made Incursi­ons into that Province; the Army which he commanded, ravish'd with his great Pro [...]laimed Emperor. Courage and Conduct, proclaim'd him Emperor Augustus; which he accepted, tho' he had been expresly forbid by Con­stance, to assume that Title.

Constance had employ'd himself three Years in a War against the Persians; over whom he had got so great Advantages, that they freely offered Proposals of Peace: To which he agreed, desiring to be freed of that Business, in order to compose those of more Consequence in Gaul.

But in his way thither, he was stopt at Antioch, by a most desperate Fit of Sick­ness; which made him to be baptized; which he neglected to do, according to the Custom practis'd at that time by great Persons, especially by Princes.

This Sacrament was administred to him by Euzoius, Bishop of Antioch, an inveterate Euzoius an Arrian. Arrian, whom those of that Sect had plac'd in that See, in opposition to Melecius, whom Melecius Orthodox. they had first of all seated there, believing he would have favoured them; in which they were mistaken, for Melecius was Or­thodox. From Christ 361.

Constance being somewhat recovered in his Health, pursued his Journey, but went not very far; for he was again stopt by his Sickness, at a little Town in Cilicia, where Constance his Death. he died, aged Forty five Years, having reigned Twenty four.

A little while after, Julian coming to Julian the Apostate Emperor. Constantinople, was there received Emperor, without any difficulty.

This was that Julian, Sur-named, The Apostate; because he turn'd Pagan, after he had been brought up in the Christian Re­ligion.

During the first two Years of his Reign, he endeavoured to ruine Christianity, by all the Ways he could invent. He was kill'd in a Battle against the Persians, by a His Death. Blow from Heaven, as some write; or, as others will have it, by an ordinary Acci­dent of War. However, it may be said [Page 116] of him, and of his Predecessor, that both being endowed with excellent Parts, 'twas great pity, that one should be seduced by the Arrians, and the other by the Ido­laters.

After the Death of Julian; the Army Jo [...]ian Emperor. gave the Title of Emperor to Jovian, or Jovinian, one of their principal Officers, who had all the good Qualities, yet none of those ill ones of his two Predecessors: So there was great hopes of a prosperous Reign, had he ruled longer than eight Months, at the end of which he died. From His Death. Christ 364.

After his Death, the Army set up in his place, Valentinian; who immediately chose Valenti­nian, and Valens Emperors. his Brother, Valens, to be his Colleague. These two Emperors sharing the Manage­ment of their Affairs; Valentinian passed into the West against the Germans, who had revolted; Valens stayed in the East, to oppose Procopus, a Prince of the House of Constantine, who had took the Title of Em­peror. A Battle was fought between them, near Nice; where Procopus was overcome, Procopus overcome, and killed. took Prisoner, and was afterwards behead­ed. From Christ 365.

Liberius Bishop of Rome, being dead, Bishop [...] of Rome. there arose a Schism, which was reckon'd to be the second of that Church, between Damasus, a Spaniard, and Urcin, or Urcisin, a Roman; each being elected by two dif­ferent Factions of the Clergy and People: Which was carried on with so much Vio­lence [Page 117] and Animosity, that 130 Men were killed in a bloody Dispute between the two Parties, in the very Church where they were assembled for that Election. From Christ 367.

Of the two Emperors, Valens was an Valens, an Arrian. Arrian, and persecuted the Orthodox. His Brother Valentinian being Orthodox, made Valenti­nian Or­thodox. it his Business to procure the Peace and Prosperity of the Western Church. He was fortunate in the War against many of the barbarous Nations, who invaded Ger­many; particularly against the Quades; he reduc'd them to beg Peace, by their Em­bassadors. Valentinian being extreamly of­fended at the wretched Mien, and misera­ble Equipage of those Embassadors, put himself into so violent a Passion, and ex­claimed against his own, and the Empire's Misfortune, to be concerned with such beggarly Enemies, that he broke a Vein in his Breast; of which he died, losing His Death much Blood. He was fifty Years old, and had reigned twelve Years. From Christ 375.

This News being brought to Treves, where Gratian, his eldest Son, then was; this young Prince was saluted Emperor, Augustus, Titles his Father had bestowed on him, in his Life-time.

The Army in Pannonia, where the Fa­ther Gratian and Valen­tinian II. Emperors. died, gave the like Title to the second Son, the young Valentinian. His eldest Brother Gratian, at first was displeased at [Page 118] it; but at length he approved of it, as well as Valens, Uncle to these two Princes.

The Goths had possess'd themselves of those Countries bordering on Tanais. The Huns, who came out of Scythia, as the o­thers drove them out, and forc'd them to make their Abode elsewhere. So soon as they were entred into Thrace for that pur­pose, Valens went against them, to drive them out; but he was overcome by them The Death of Valens. in a Battle, and being pursued, was burnt in a Peasant's Cottage, where he was reti­red. From Christ 378.

By his Death, Gratian finding himself oppress'd with the Weight of Affairs, dis­charg'd himself of half of it, by associa­ting Theodosius to the Empire. He was Son Theodo­ [...] [...]sso­c [...]ated to the Empire. to another Theodosius, a Person of high Merit, who had rendred considerable Ser­vices to the Empire, under Valentinian, and Valens: The Son inheriting the good Qualities of his Father, in a short time made himself famous, by expelling the Goths from Thrace, which they had mise­rably ravaged, after their Victory over Valens. From Christ 379.

Macedonius, Bishop of Constantinople, de­nied Macedo­nius an Enemy to the Holy Ghost. The first Council at Constan­tinople. the Divinity of the Holy Ghost. Theo­dosius, a very Orthodox Prince, caused a Council to be assembled at Constantinople; where the Fathers condemned this Heresie, and deposed Macedonius; in the place of whom was put Nectarius, a Person most [Page 119] worthy of that Dignity. In that Council they declared, That the Bishop of the se­cond Rome, should from that time be the next in Rank to the Bishop of the first, and so by Consequence to take place of those. of Alexandria, and Antioch.

Maximus, Governour of Great Britain, The Revolt of Maxi­mus. had caused himself there to be proclaimed by the Army; then past over into Gaul, made himself Master of that Province; surprized, defeated, and killed Gratian; The Death of Gratian who had many excellent Qualities, and no ill ones.

Conen Meriadec, a British Prince, had past Conen Meriadec, a British King. over the Sea with Maximus; and setling himself with the Troops of his own Nati­on, in the Maritime part of Gaul, which was afterwards called Little Brittany, where he erected a Monarchy almost for twelve Ages. From Christ 383.

The Death of Damasus, Bishop of Rome, Bishops of Rome. which hapned in that Year, did not put an end to the Schism of that Church: For tho' Syricius was there chose in the place of Damasius, Ursicinus still pretended, that his Election was good. From Christ 384.

Maximus being Master of the Isle of Bri­tain, of Gaul, and of Spain, entred Italy with so great an Army, that Valentinian not being in a Condition to make Head against him, fled, with his Mother Justina, to Thessalonica, where Theodosius then lay.

Maximus having likewise reduc'd Italy, advanc'd towards Aquilia, where he stay'd, resolving to wait for Theodosius; who was marching towards him to fight him.

Theodosius being arrived with his Army, they fought, in two Days, two bloody Battles: In the last of which, Maximus was wholly routed, and taken Prisoner. Theodosius was willing to save his Life; but the Soldiers judging him unworthy of that Favour, killed him, against the Emperor's Pleasure.

So that Valentinian was re-establish'd in Maximus overcome, and killed. the Western Empire, which he peaceably enjoyed four Years; at the end of which Arbogastus, a Gaul, one of his principal Commanders, discontented, because he had taken away some of his Commands, caused him to be stifled in his Bed, by the The Death of Valen­tinian II. Grooms of his Bed-Chamber, whom he had corrupted to do it.

This Prince was but Twenty six Years old: His Mother, Justina, being an Ar­rian, had infected him with that Heresie; but he renounced it after her Death.

Arbogastus had that great Power in the Army, that he prevailed with the Soldiers Eugenus, Tyrant with Arboga­stus▪ to proclaim Eugenius Emperor; a Man of mean Extraction, whom Fortune had rai­sed to great Commands. This was the Cause of another Civil War. Theodosius spent two Years in making Preparations for it: And all that time the Tyrants reigned in the West.

At length Theodosius march'd against them; the Armies met, and fought, near to Aquilia. The Tyrants being defeated, Arbogastus killed himself; Eugenius being Arboga­stus and Eugeneus killed. taken Prisoner, suffered Death by the Exe­cutioner.

Theodosius did not long enjoy the Fruits of that great Victory; which made him sole Master of the Empire: He had been for some time troubled with a Dropsie, his Disease increasing at Millan, where he came after the Defeat of the Tyrants, he fell extreamly ill, and died in that City, at Theodo­sius' s Death the Age of Fifty, having reigned sixteen Years.

There was but two things to be blamed in him: That he made Laws to deprive Hereticks of their Estates and Liberties, unless they would renounce their Errors. The other was. The Murthering of a great Number of Thessalonians, to punish their Insolence, who resisted his Power by a Sedition. Being reprehended by St. Am­brose for that Cruelty, he express'd so great a Repentance for it, that his Contrition, joyned with his other excellent Vertues, may serve for a Pattern to all Christian Princes.

By his last Will and Testament, he divi­ded the Empire between his two Sons, Arcadius, and Honorius; and accordingly Arcadius and Hono­rius Empe­rors. the eldest took possession of the East, the other of the West.

They were both disturb'd at first with the Revolt of Rufinus, a Prefect of the Praetorian Bands, who brought an Army of Barbarians into Thrace, and of Gildon who plaid the Usurper in Africk; but these Disorders were presently quelled by the death of the Traytors. Theodosius held the first Oecumenical Council at Constantinople. In his time lived St. Austin, St: Jerome, and Claudian the Poet.

Syricius Bishop of Rome, died after he B [...]shops of Rome. had the Happiness to see the end of tha [...] Schism, which the Election of Ursicinu [...] had caused in that Church; Syricius was the first who declared against the Marriage of the Clergy. From Christ 398.

The last Year of this Age, saw the rise The Revolt of Gainas. and fall of the Revolter Gaianus, who was by extraction a Barbarian: His great Con­duct and Experience in the trade of War▪ had raised him to be General of Honorius his Army; the services he had done for him, made him pretend to have a Church in Constantinople for those of the Arria [...] Sect, of which he was a favourer, which the Emperor refusing by the persuasion of St. John Chrisostom, Bishop of Constantino­ple. The disdain to be refused, provok'd Caianus to Ravage Thrace with that Army he commanded; this Tumult was as vio­lent, as it was short liv'd, being extin­guish'd in a little time, by the death of the Author, the Officers of the Army be­ing Loyal to the Emperor. From Christ 400.

So at the end of that Age, both the Em­pires were at Peace, excepting among the Hereticks. Monks who contended about different and erronious Opinions.

There were some who were called Ori­ginists, Originists who held false Opinions attributed to Origen.

Anthropomorphites were those who attri­buted Anthro­pomor­phytes. Priscillia­nists. to God a Humane Figure.

Priscillianists were the followers of Pri­scilian a Spaniard, and a Person of Quali­ty, who had received old Errors of the Gnosticks, of the Sabellians, and the Mani­cheans: This Priscillian was the first who was put to death by the Christians for his Religion; after his Errors had been con­demned by a Council held at Burdeaux, some Bishops inflamed with an outragious Zeal, persuaded the Tyrant Maximus to cut off his Head.

The Photinians, followers of Photinus, Photini­ans. Bishop of Syrmium, were the worst of all the Arrians. The Appollinarists had for Apollina­rists. their Authors the two Appollinarys, Father and Son; one a Priest, and the other a Reader in the Church of Laodicea, who denied the Distinction of Persons in the Holy Trinity.

The Antidichomarianites, who denied the Antidi­chomari­anites. Collyd [...] ­ans. Virginity of the Mother of our Saviour.

The Collydians, on the contrary so call­ed, because they offered great Cakes to the Holy Virgin, in the way of Sacrifice.

The Luciferians who were only a sort of Luciferi­ans. Schismaticks, who refused to Communi­cate with those of the Communion of Mi­lecius, Bishop of Antioch.

The Fathers of the Church who flou­rish'd Fathers of the Church. in this Age, were Macairus the An­tient Monk of Aegypt; Optatus Bishop o [...] Mileva in Africk; Bazilius Bishop of Cae­sarea in Cappadocia; Gregory his Brother Bishop of Nissena; Gregory of Nazianzer Eusebius of Verceil, Ambrosius of Millan, an [...] Martinus of Tours.

The Fifth Age.

IN the first Year was Born a Son to The Birth of Theo­dosius. Arcadius, called Theodosius.

The next year Died Anastatius Bishop of Bishops of Rome. Rome, and Successor to Syricius.

The five following Years were fatal to the two Empires; to the Western part, by the Ravaging of the Vandalls, who enter­ed there under the Command of Godegisil Godegisil King of the Vandalls. their King. To the Eastern, by the per­secution of Eudoxa, Wife to the Emperor Arcadius, against St. Chrysostome Bishop of Constantinople, even St. Epiphanius Bishop of St. Epi­phanes. Salamina in Ciprus, with most of the Eastern Bishops who oppos'd him in complaisance to the Empress, and depos'd him in an Assembly held at Constantinople, upon the result of which he was sent into Exile, The Death of S [...]. Chri­sostome. The death of Arca­dius. Theodo­tius the Se­cond. where he died of the Miserys they made him endure. From Christ 407.

Arcadius died at the Age of Thirty Two Years, leaving his Son Theodosius about Se­ven Years Old, under the Protection of Isdigerdes King of Persia, who acquitted himself of that Charge with great care and fidelity. From Christ 408.

At that time flourish'd Ausonius a Gaule, Learned Men. Prudetius a Spaniard, Venantius Portunatus an Italian, but Bishop of Poiters, who were as well Poets, as Christians.

In the West, Honorius having put to The death of Stilli­con. Alaric. King of the Goths. Rome twice taken Death his Father-in-law Stilicon, accused to have held Intelligence with Alaric King of the Goths. That King revenged his Death with great Cruelty; for in the two fol­lowing Years he twice took Rome, and laid it waste in a most desolate manner; then adding Mockery to his Cruelty, he gave the Title and Ornaments of Emperor to one Attalus, a man of obscure Birth, and Attalus the false Emperor. then divested him of them, when he was disgusted with him. From Christ 410.

Honorius was at Ravenna, and saw all these lamentable and shameful Miseries, not being able to redress them, but the The death of Alaric. Astolfus his Succes­sor. death of Alaric gave him some respite.

Astolfus or Adolphus Successor to Alaric, made a Peace with the Romans, upon con­ditions that Honorius should consent to Marry his Sister Placidia with Astolfus, and that the King should Reign quiet Pos­sessor of that part of Gaule, called Nar­bonensis, which Alaric had conquered. From Christ 411.

So Honorius being no longer disturbed, by this so formidable power, found the means to chastize by his Lieutenants three The Ty [...]ants p [...]sh'd. Tyrants, who in the time of the last Mi­serys in Italy, had took on them the Ti­tle of Emperors, viz. Constantine with Jo­vian [Page 127] his Son in Gaule, Maximin in Spain, and Heraclian in Italy.

But he could not hinder several Foreign Nations, to establish themselves power­fully in many of the principal Western Provinces which they had invaded, and was forc'd to suffer the Sweves in Anda­louzia Sweves. Vandalls, and Al­lains in Spain. Burgun­dians in Gaule. the Vandals, and the Allains in part of Baetica, which from their name was also called Andalouzia; he was constrain'd to give the like suffrance to the Burgundians, who had posted themselves in that part of Gaule, which from their Name is still call'd Burgundy. The Huns who could not pos­sibly Huns in Panonia. be driven out of Pannonia, gave the Name of Hungary to that Province.

Astolfus having broke his Peace with the Romans, was forc'd again to begit of them, by the great advantages that Cantance a Lieutenant General of Honorius had gain'd over them; but the Goths, thinking this Peace disgraceful to them, kill'd Astolfus who had made it, and put in his place Kings of the Goths. Sigerie, who dying about a Year after, had Vallius to succeed him, who agreed with Honorius on reasonable conditions, which pleas'd the Goths, to wit, That be­sides that part of Gaule, called Narbonensis, they should have a part of the Country of Spain, which bordered on the Meditera­nean. From Christ 415.

Innocentius Bishop of Rome, Successor to Bishop of Rome. Anastatius died. Zozimus who succeeded Innocentius, held the See but Sixteen [Page 128] Months: After his Death there arose a Schism in that Church, between Boniface A Schism in the Church of Rome. and Eulalius, both chosen by a party of the Clergy and the People. From Christ 418.

The French descended from Chersonesus Cimbrike, advanc'd towards the Maine, and gave to the Country where that River pas­ses the name of Franconia, which it still re­tains. Phara­mond King of the French. The death of St. Je­rome. They chose for their King Phara­mond, who is recorded to have been the first King of that Nation. From Christ 420.

St. Jerome, a very Learned Person in the Holy Scripture, and the Hebrew Lan­guage, died at Bethlem, where he retired himself from Rome: He had been Secreta­r [...] to Pope Damasus, but being Secandali­zed at the Luxury of the Roman Clergy, he went over to Palestine, where he lived a long time like a Monk; he had brought over with him Paula, and his Daughter Eustochia, the best qualified Ladies in Rome. After he had made a great Friendship with Ruffinus a Priest of Aquilia, he broke it off Ruffinus. with him when he found him to be an Origenist.

He writ most severely against Vigilantius, Vigilan­tius. a Spanish Priest, who was an Enemy to the unmarried Clergy; he also vigorously oppos'd the Errors of Helvidius, who Helvidius denied the Honour due to the Holy Virgin, Mother of our Saviour.

At this time flourrish'd Paulus Orosius, Paulus Orosius. Author of the Seven Books of the Univer­sal History, from the Creation of the World to his time. The Emperor Honorius The Death of Hono­rius. died of a Dropsie, Aged Thirty Nine Years, having Reign'd Twenty Eight: Some time before his death, he conferred the Title of Emperor Augustus, on Con­stance his Brother-in-law, who marry'd Placidia, Widow to Astolfus King of the Goths. Constance died not long after he was Marry'd, leaving Valentinian his Son under the Tuition of his Mother Placidia, she and her Son lived at Constantinople when Honorius died; so Italy being desti­tute of the Royal Presence of the Princes, John the Tyrant. John a Prefect of the Praetorian Bands, took upon him the Title of Emperor.

Placidia having heard of it, marches with her Son to Fight the Tyrant, who was taken by surprize at Ravenna, by the means of some Officers, faithful to the Princes: He was brought Prisoner to them at Aquilia, when they there were, and where the Rebel had his Head cut off; His Death. so the Empire was divided between the Theodosi­us the 2d. and Valen­tinian the 3d. Empe­rors. Bishops of Rome. two Cousins, Theodosius the Second, and Valentinian the Third: The first keeping his Court at Constantinople, and the other at Rome. From Christ 423.

Boniface Bishop of Rome, and Successor to Innocent, died in the same Year as Hono­rius the Emperor.

Count Boniface, Governour of Africk, incensed on a false Accusation, that Placi­dia Regent of the Western Empire, design'd to put him out of his Government, called T [...] Van­dalls in Africk. Genseric their King. The Death of St. Augustin. the Vandals out of Spain into Africk, of which they easily took Possession under the Conduct of Genseric their King.

St. Augustin, Bishop of Hippo, in the same Province of Africk, died a little be­fore the taking of that City by the Van­dalls.

This Great Father of the Church oppo­sed the Errors of the Manichees, though he had been infected with them in his Youth; he boldly Combated against the Errors of Pelagius, th [...] Heri­tick. The Council of Car­thage and of Mileva. Pelagius, who at that time declared him­self an Enemy to our Saviour Christ. They were Condemned in two Councils held at Carthage, and at Mileva at the same time.

Pelagius had two Disciples, Celestius and Julien; Celestius was wholly of the Opi­nion of his Master, Julien was not altoge­ther of that Opinion, but acknowledged a necessity of the Grace of Jesus Christ, for the Conversion, and intire accomplish­ment of Salvation, he affirmed, that the Beginnings and Inclinations depended on the will of Man.

John Cassian, a Monk, who had been a John Cas­sian. Disciple of St. John Chrisostome, being re­tired to Marseilles, infected the Priests and Monks of that City, and all thereabouts, with this Error of Semipelagianism.

Prosperus of Aquitaine opposed it most Prosperus of Aqui­taine. Vigorously in Gaule, as his Master St. Au­gustin had done in Africk.

At this time flourish'd in Gaule, Severus Sulpitius, Author of the two Books of the Learned Men. Sacred History. And in the East, Theodoret Bishop of Cir, who Writ the Ecclesiastical History from Constantine to Theodosius the Younger.

Genseric, King of the Vandals, took Car­thage, Carthage taken. and made it the Metropolis of the Kingdom he Establish'd in Africk.

In the same Year Theodosius assembled a The Council of Ephesus against Nestorius. Council at Ephesus, to enquire into the Opinion of Nestorius, Bishop of Constantino­ple, who asserted two Persons in Jesus Christ. This Error was condemned there Cyrillus Bishop of Alexan­dria. by the Council, in which presided Cyrillus Bishop of Alexandria; John Bishop of Alexandria in Thrace, pretending that that precedency belonged to him, because that Ephesus depended on his Metropolis, and had drawn away several Bishops to its Faction; among others, Theodoret Bishop of Cir, with whom he had Assembled ano­ther Council in the same City of Ephesus, not to countenance the Errors of Nestorius, but to demonstrate that they had mistaken the Forms of Proceeding. In the mean time Affairs were embroiled to that De­gree, that the Emperor not being able at first to discover the Truth, imprisoned Cyrillus and Nestorius, but at last being bet­ter informed of the justice of the Cause, [Page 132] he set Cyrillus at Liberty, and sent Nestorius The Death of Nesto­rius. to utter Banishment, where he died Mi­serably. From Christ 432.

Caelestin, Bishop of Rome, died the Year Bishops of Rome. after that Council was held: He had there his Legats, who Subscribed to the Con­demnation of Nestorius, who had been al­ready Condemned at Rome, in a Council which had been there Assembled by the same Caelestin.

Sixtus, the Third, his Successor held the See Eight Years, during which time all was very quiet in the Church. From Christ 440.

But the Church was again disturbed in Eutychus the Heri­tick. the East by Eutychus, a Priest and Abbot of the Monks of Constantinople, who by an Error contrary to that of Nestorius, asserted but one Nature in Jesus Christ; he found so many Adherents among the A false C [...]uncil at Ephesus. Eastern Bishops, that a great number of them being Assembled at Ephesus; his Er­ror was approved of in that false Council, where things were carried with that Vio­lence, that Flavian who had been made Flavian Bishop of Constan­tinople. Bishop of Constantinople, in the place of Nestorius, for having oppos'd the Judg­ment of the Council that favoured Euty­chus, suffer'd Martyrdom, not by the hands of the Pagans, but by those of Barsumas an Abbot, and of Dioscorus Bishop of Al­andria, and President of the Assembly▪ From Christ 449.

These great Troubles were redrest at Pulcheria Sister to Theodosi­us. the return of Pulcheria, to the Court of her Brother Theodosius.

There had been formerly some Disgust between her, and her Sister-in-law Eudo­sia, Eudosia his Wife. which had obliged that Empress to retire to Jerusalem, where she had wholly Devoted her self to Piety and Charity to­wards the Poor.

From that time, the Eunuch Chrisapius Chrisapi­us. was become so great a Favorite to Theo­dosius, that Pulcheria making that Minister jealous of her, was removed; but the pressing necessity of Affairs obliged Theo­dosius to recall her, she made her Brother highly sensible of the ill Conduct his Fa­vorite used in Governing the Empire, and of his most inveterate Malice to foment the Troubles of the Church; so the Eu­nuch having been punish'd as he deserv'd, the Government was Re-establish'd in its right Method: The Emperor perswaded by his Wife and pious Sister, resolved to Assemble a Council, to Redress the Divisi­ons of the Church; but he could not ex­ecute his Resolution, being prevented by Death, which seized on him that Year, in The Death of Theo­dosius. the Fiftieth of his Age, and the Forty Third of his Reign.

A Prince without Vice, Pious and of an extraordinary Good Temper, but Weak and very easie to be Governed by those who were near him. From Christ 450.

He dying without Issue, the Senate, People, and Soldiers, chose with a com­mon suffrage, Martian for their Emperor, Martian Emperor. who from a common Soldier, rose by his Valour and great Conduct, to the highest Commands in the Army: Pulcheria having Pulcheria Marrys him. procur'd by her Interest, to raise him to this high Dignity, marry'd him on this Condition, as the Historians of that time have Written; That they should live Chastly together as Brother and Sister. From Christ 451.

A little while after, by the Authority of the two Emperors, Valentinian and Mar­tian, a Council was Assembled of Six Hun­dred The Council of Chalce­don. and Thirty Bishops in the City of Chalcedon.

The Errors of Eutychus were there Con­demned, and their Author Banish'd, as also some Bishops his Adherents; among others, Dioscorus Bishop of Alexandria. The Council, confirmed what had been already Decreed, by that of Constantinople under Theodosius the Great, touching the Equality of Precedence, between the Bishops of Rome and Constantinople, not­withstanding the Displeasure resented by the Legats of Leo, Bishop of Rome.

Attyla King of the Huns, was come with Attyla King of the Huns. a formidable Army, which reach'd from the Banks of Tanais, even unto the heart of Gaule, Ravaging and Destroying all that dared to oppose him. The City of Orle­ans refused to Surrender, and while he [Page 135] besieged it, Aetius Prefect of the Gaules, made a League with Meroveus King of the French, Theodorick King of the Goths, and Gondicar King of the Bu [...]gundians, against this common Enemy. The Confederates came to meet him before Orleans, with their united Forces; so soon as they ap­proach'd, Attyla raised the Siege and re­treated; they follow'd and overtook him in the Cataulaunike Plains, where they overcome him with a mighty Slaughter of Overcome near Cha­lons. Men. After this great Overthrow, he re­tired into Illyria, where he gathered toge­ther another Army greater then his first; he came back into Italy, took and destroy­ed Enters into Italy. Aquilia, and after that, all the other Towns he past through, so that he might have gone even to Rome, if he had not been diswaded from going there by Bishop Leo, who came to meet him, and prevail­ed with him to March another way.

He past a second time into Gaule, where Is again defeated in Gaule. he was once more Defeated by Torismond King of the Goths, and Sangiban King of the Allanes; so being forc'd to retire, he stopt in Panonia with his Huns, from whom Panonia, called Hungary. that Province was called Hungary: There as he was Celebrating his Nuptial with a Young Lady, a Daughter of the King of the Bactrians, who voluntarily had fol­lowed him, he Gorged himself so Exces­sively The Death of Attyla. with Eating and Drinking, that it choak'd him. From Christ 352.

The People round about Aquilia, and other neighbouring Counties of the Con­tinent, to preserve themselves from the Fury of Attyla, retired to the Islands, at the end of the Adriatick Sea; which gave there the first Beginning to that wonderful City, which from the Name of Heneti, or Veneti, was called Venice; which by process of Venice. time, is become chief of a powerful Re­publick.

The British Islanders being infested by the frequent Incursions of the Scots, or Picts, applied themselves to Aetius, Prefect of the Gauls, to help them against their cruel Enemies.

He could not well supply them with Succors, having to deal with Attyla, and other Barbarians, who ravaged Gaul.

Whereupon the Britains implored the Aid of the Saxons: Who came over under the Command of Hengist, with so vast an Army, that in a little time they became Masters of that Country; which took the Name of England.

Whether it was from the Angles, the The Saxons in Britain. chief People of the Saxons; or else from Hengist, by Contraction with the Word Land, which signifies the Earth; from The Name of England. whence was derived the Name of Eng­land.

Valentinian was an imprudent Prince, and was also wicked and debauch'd: He The Death of Aetius. put to Death Aetius, Prefect of the Gauls, upon false grounded Suspitions of his Fi­delity: [Page 137] And to fill up the Measure of his great Injustice, he made use of a cunning Stratagem, to violate the Wife of the Se­nator Maximus, Grand-son to that Maxi­mus, who had taken the Title of Emperor, and had been overcome and killed by Theo­dosius the Great.

This last v [...]lent Act of Valentinian, cost him his Life: For the Wife of that Sena­tor died with extream Grief, for the irre­parable Injury she sustained. Her Husband to Revenge himself, seduc'd the Soldiers; The Death of Valen­tinian III. who without making it known who did set them on, killed Valentinian.

So Maximus having made an Interest Maximus Emperor. with the Paetorian Bands, they proclaimed him Emperor; and the Senate acquiess'd to it more willingly, because, he married Eudoxia, Daughter to Theodosius the Youn­ger, and Widow to Valentinian. From Ch. 455.

Maximus reap'd small Advantage by his Treason; he was so indiscreet, to discover the Secret to his new. Wife▪ thinking by that means to give her a full Assurance of his Loyal Love: But the only Effect it wrought upon her, was to make her re­solve to Revenge the Death of her first Husband, by that of the Second: To which end she privately sollicited Genseric, King of the Vandals, to come into Italy. Where he arrived with that Expedition, that Maximus being not in a Condition to resist him, fled from Rome to save himself [Page 138] in the Mountains; but he was stoned to Maximus killed. Death by the People, enraged against him for his base Flight. From Christ 456.

Three Days after Genseric had entred▪ Genseric takes Rome. Rome, and wasted it more cruelly than the Goths had done, he had not time to ruine it utterly: For the Winter approaching, obliged him to set Sail for Africk, to secure the vast Riches he had plundered, and the great Number of Illustrious Prisoners he had taken; among whom were the Em­press Eudoxia, with her two Daughters, Eudoxia, and Placidia.

After Genseric was retreated, Avitus was acknowledg'd Emperor of Rome: The Avitus Emperor. Army of the Gauls having before proclaim­ed him: But the Romans soon grew weary of him; finding his Court composed, not only of Gauls, but also of Officers and Sol­diers of his Army, being the most part Barbarians: Finding himself to be very much hated for that Cause, he willingly resign'd up the Empire, and retired to Au­vergne, his Native Country, to live there as a private Person; expressing a great Mark of his Moderation and Temper.

Martian, a good and pious Prince, died The Death▪ of Martian as he was designing to redress the Trou­bles of the Western Empire.

The Senate and People of Constantinople, Leon Em­peror. put in his place Leon, who highly deserv'd that Sovereignty.

He took presently a Colleague, who was endued with the same Qualities: He was Najora­nus. Empe­ror. called Majoranus, whom he sent into the West, to settle Affairs there in the best Or­der, after the miserable Ruines the Barba­rians had made. All which he effected; for he repaired the City of Rome, setled all His Ex­ploits. things in very good Order and Peace, in the Provinces; then past over into Africk, against Genseric; whom he defeated in ma­ny Rencounters, besieged in Carthage, and had, by taking that City, given Satisfacti­on for the Disgrace of Rome, if Sickness had not surpriz'd him; being forc'd to raise the Siege, and to go back into Italy. His Death. He was there kill'd by Rycimer; who be­ing originally a Barbarian, had been raised to the Dignity of Patrician, by the Empe­ror Leon; and in regard he commanded the Army that was come with Majoranus, it was not difficult for him to kill this good and brave Prince, and to put in his place the Senator Severus, who came along with Severus Emperor. him into Italy. From Christ 461.

In the same Year died Leo Bishop of Rome, Bishop of Rome. Sur-named the Great, as well for his ex­traordinary good Qualities, as also because he had done more than any of his Prede­cessors, to establish more and more the Grandeur of his See.

The same Rycimer, who had killed Ma­joranus, The Death of Severus killed also his Successor Severus, who was very much regretted by the Ro­mans, because he had spent the four Years [Page 140] of his Reign, in making War against the Barbarians.

After his Death, the Western Empire was two Years without an Emperor; at length Anthemius was sent there in that Anthemi­us Emperor. Bishops of Rome. Quality.

The same Year he arrived at Rome, Hil­larius, Successor to Leon, died there.

In the five following Years, they made most unfortunately a War against Genseric; A War against Genseric. which was occasioned by the Cowardize of Basiliscus, Brother-in-Law to Leon, to whom that Emperor had given the Com­mand of his Army.

The same Rycimer, who had killed Ma­joranus, and Severus, murthered also An­themius; Anthemi­us killed. Olibrius Emperor. and Rycimer dying soon after, O­librius succeeded Anthemius; having mar­ried Placidia, after she had been set at Liberty, and was sent back into Italy, by Genseric.

A little while after, Olibrius being dead, The Death of Olibrius. Gondibar, Grand-son to Rycimer, and Suc­cessor in his Royal Power, raised to the Empire Glycericus, who had a great Em­ploy Glicerius Emperor. in the Court of the last Emperors.

The Emperor Leo died, leaving his Grand­son The Death of Leo. to Reign in his place, under the Tute­lage of Zeno, an Isaurian, Father of the young Prince, whose Mother was Ariadne, Daughter to Leon.

Some time before, there was sent into Italy, in the Quality of Emperor, Nepos, a Nepos Emperor. Person of high Birth: Upon his Arrival [Page 141] at Rome, Glicerius willingly resigned the Empire to him, and retired to Salona, in Dalmatia, where he was Bishop: From Christ 475.

Orestes, a Goth by Nation, and Lieute­nant to Nepos, in Gaul, revolted against The Revolt of Orestes him, came into Italy, and forc'd him from thence: He retired to Salona, to Glicerius; so he left the Empire of the West to be dispos'd of by Orestes: Who there plac'd his Son Momillus, to whom he gave the Name of Romulus. The Romans, in deri­sion, called him Augustulus: They had so Augustu­lus Emperor great a Disdain and Hatred, for the Father and Son, they sent for Odoacres, King of the Herules: He came, conquered, took Orestes killed. Prisoner, and put to Death Orestes. Then the Romans having acknowledged him for their Chief, Odoacres put Augustulus into Augustu­lus in Prison. Prison, where he spent the Remainder of his Days. From Christ 476.

So Odoacres being Master of Italy, the Odoacres King of Italy. Title of Emperor was there changed to that of King; contrary to the last Will and Testament of the Emperor Leo.

The great Zeno, his Son-in-Law, had Basiliscus Emperor. taken the Title of Emperor; Basiliscus, Brother-in-Law to Leo, assumed it also; and drove Zeno out of Constantinople: But for a short time; for Zeno soon after re­establish'd himself there, and expelled Ba­siliscus again. From Christ 477.

Hunric succeeded his Father Genseric, King Genseric dies. Hunric his Successor. of the Vandals in Africk, who died that Year, having Reigned Thirty eight Years, in which time he had much embroiled the Empire.

He gave as great Disturbance to the Church; for being a fierce Arrian, he most cruelly persecuted the Orthodox: As may be read in the History which Victor Victor of Utica. of Utica, has writ of that Persecution.

There has been already mentioned the Establishment of the French Monarchy, Kings of the French. under Pharamond their first King.

Clodion had succeeded him, Sur-named Le Cheveleux, from the Custom he intro­duc'd among the Princes of that Nation, to wear long Hair. He had past the Rhine, and gained remarkable Victories on the other side of that River.

He was afterwards driven out by the Romans, and died as he was preparing to repass the Rhine. Meroveus, his Successor, was firmly establish'd in Gaul, by the De­feat of Attyla, and by the Death of Aetius; so that a part of that Country began to be called France, since the time of that King's Reign; from whose Name also, those of the first Line were stiled Merovin­gians. He died, and left a vast Dominion to his Son Childeric.

The Adventures of this King, are Re­corded in the History of France; where may be seen, that after he had been De­throned, and Re-establish'd, he conside­rably [Page 143] enlarged his Kingdom, and left it in a very flourishing Condition to his Son Clouis. From Christ 482.

Simplitius, Bishop of Rome, Successor to Bishops of Rome. Hillarius died. From Christ 483.

The Emperor Zeno, falling into a Fit of Zeno' s Death. the Epilepsie, his Wife Ariadne caused him to be buried for dead, and the Vault to be closed up; being come out of his Fit, he died there most miserably, crying out for help; but all in vain: For the Empress had plac'd Guards near the Tomb, to hin­der any from taking him out.

Soon after Anastatius doubly filled his Anastati­us Emperor. place, in his Bed, by marrying Ariadne; and in his Throne, to which he was raised by the means of that Empress. From Christ 491.

Faelix, Bishop of Rome, Successor to Sim­plicius, Bishops of Rome. died: He had condemned two Pe­ters; one of which was Bishop of Alexan­dria, Sur-named Mungus; the other of Antioch, called Fullon, Favourers of the Theopaschytes, Spawns of the Sects of the Theopas­chytes. Eutychians. From Christ 492.

Faelix had also condemned Acacius, Bi­shop of Constantinople, because he had con­sented out of Complaisance to the Empe­ror Zeno; that those two Hereticks might possess those two great Sees.

Theodoric, Sur-named Veronensis, from his taking that City, King of the Ostrogots, or Eastern Goths, had rendred considerable Services to the Emperor Zeno; and, as a [Page 144] Recompence, he demanded to have his Consent, (others say, Zeno invited him) to make War against Odoacre, King of Italy; to which he willingly complied.

So Theodoric having past into Italy, there The War between Odoacre, and Theo­doric. was a bloody War between him and Odo­acre: Both of them behaved themselves ve­ry bravely; so that the Business could not be decided by Arms. At length, Theodoric being more politick, after he had besieged Odoacre, above three Years, in Ravenna, made use of very indirect Ways: He pro­posed an Agreement, and during the Trea­ty, he invited Odoacre to a Banquet, where he had him treacherously killed. So end­ed Odoacre killed by Theo­doric The King­dom of the Ostrogots in Italy. The French Christians. the Kingdom of the Herules in Italy; and then began that of the Ostrogots, which Theodoric firmly established. From Christ 493.

The French embrac'd Christianity with their King Clouis, by the Ministry of St. Re­my, Bishop of Reims: Some time before, Clouis had put out of Gaul, all who re­mained of the Romans; so that there was none of them left. From Christ 496.

Gelasius, Bishop of Rome, Successor to Bishops of Rome. Faelix, died.

Gelasius was to be commended, that he made a just Collection of the Canonical Books of Scripture, and to have set down as Apocriphal, many that past before for Canonical. From Christ 498.

Anastatius the Second, his Successor, ha­ving held the See but two Years, there arose a Schism between Symachus, and Laurentius, both chose by different Factions of the Clergy and People. This Division caused many Disorders, and also Murders, which continued to the End of this Age. From Christ 500.

The Sixth Age.

AT the Beginning of the Sixth Age, the East afforded nothing remarkable for History. From Christ 501.

But in the West, Theodoric expelled out of Pannonia, the Bulgarians, who had made an Incursion there. From Christ 505.

Clouis had married Clotilda, Niece to The Ex­ploits of Theodo­ric. Gondibald, King of the Burgundians. This King had put to Death three of his Bro­thers, one of whom was Father to Clotilda; which occasioned a War between Clouis and Gondebald; in which the latter con­quered the greatest part of Burgundy, only Savoy, and Provence, remained to Gondemar, Son to Gondebald. From Christ 506.

Clouis added to this Conquest; all that Clouis' s Exploits. the Wisigots possess'd in Gaul; after he had vanquish'd, and killed their King Alaric, in a Battle fought near Poitiers; and after that, having overcome Amalaric, the Son of Alari [...], near Bourdeaux; the Vanquish'd▪ fled for Refuge to Theodoric, King of Italy, who was his Grand-father, by the Mo­ther's side. And by his help, Amalaric recovered almost all he had lost in Gaul. From Christ 509.

This unfortunate Success, with some [Page 147] others that attended Clouis, towards the end of his Life, reduc'd him to an extream Melancholly, and so very much indisposed him, that he died in his middle Age. His Death. From Christ 511.

According to his last Will, his four His Four Sons. Sons divided his Dominions among them, and each of them had the Titles of King of the French.

Symachus Bishop of Rome; Successor to Bishop of Rome. Anastatius the Second died. From Christ 514.

Anastatius, Emperor of the East, had applauded and congratulated the Con­quests Anasta­tius Empe­ror. of Clouis, by a solemn Embassy, and sent him the Consulary Ornaments, with a rich Crown which Clouis consecrated to the Church of St. Peter's at Rome.

While Anastatius reigned, he favoured the Eutychians. He was afraid of Thunder, and built him a round House, to secure himself from it; but all in vain: For in a violent Storm of Thunder, and Lightning, His Death. he was found dead in his Bed-Chamber, at the Age of 88 Years. From Christ 518.

Justin, his Successor, who from a very Justin his Successor▪ low Birth, having been a common Sol­dier, rose to the highest Command in the Army, and in the Empire. He redress'd those Disorders had been a long time in the Church, by a Schism between the We­stern, and the Eastern Churches, occasi­oned by Acatius; who notwithstanding the Excommunications of Faelix, Bishop of Rome, had discoursed with the two Peters, [Page 148] Mungus, and Foulon, Bishops of Alexan­dria, and Antioch, who favoured the Theo­phasticks.

Hormisdas, Bishop of Rome, and Succes­sor Bishop [...] of Rome. to Symachus, died.

John, who succeeded Hormisdas, was sent by King Theodoric, in an Embassy to the Emperor Justin; upon whose Head he set the Imperial Crown: The first that ever was Crowned by the Roman Pontiff.

For which, at his Return, Theodoric un­der pretence that he had not faithfully ac­quitted himself of his Commission, put him in Prison, where he died of extream Want. From Christ 526.

Theodoric, upon false Suspicions, had put Simma­chus and Boetius. to Death Symachus, with his Son-in-Law Boetius, who were qualified for Consuls, and were Persons of high Merit: Theodoric being one Day at Table, imagined he saw the Head of Symachus, instead of the Head of a great Fish, served up before him; which put him into so great a Fright, that he fell into a violent Fever, of which he died; leaving his Dominions to Atha­laric, The Death of Theo­doric. Son of his Daughter Amalazuntha, Widow of Euthairc.

Aurelius Cassidorus, a very Learned, and Orthodox Person was Secretary to Theo­d [...]ric, tho' that Prince was an Arrian, yet Cassio­dorus. The Tri­partite History. Cassidorus, after the Death of his Master, retired from the World, and compiled many excellent Works, among others the Tripartite History taken from that of Eu­sebius, [Page 149] Socrates, and Zozimenus, adding to it what happened since the last, even to his Time.

The good and pious Emperor Justin dy­ing, had his Nephew Justinian for his Suc­cessor; The Death of Justin. Justinian his Succes­sor. who in the beginning of his Reign caused to be collected, and put in order the Roman Laws.

Among the Civilians, who laboured Tribonien the Civil Lawyer. three Years about them, the famous Tre­bonianus, was particularly taken Notice of.

This great Work consisted of fifty dige­sted Books, or Pandects; the four first of Institutes, and those which contained the New, or Authentick Constitutions. From Christ 530.

Faelix the fourth Bishop of Rome, who Bishops of Rome. succeeded John, died this Year; and had for his Successor Boniface, who kept not the See above eleven Months.

Bellisarius went, by Order of Justinian Bellisarius in Africk. his Master, to make War against the Van­dals in Africk; having ruined their Forces in the Field, he besieged and took Carthage, The end of the Kings of the Van­dals in Africk. in which was King Gilimer, and so put an end to the Kingdom of the Vandals in A­frick, which had lasted Ninety▪ five Years, under four Kings, since Genseric. From Christ 534.

John the Second, Bishop of Rome, had Bishops of Rome. succeeded Boniface, and Agapetus was Suc­cessor to John: Agapetus died in a Voyage to Constantinople, where Theodatus, King of the [Page 150] Ostrogoths, in Italy, had sent him to excuse the Murder, that this Theodatus the Usur­per, had committed upon Amalazunta, and her Son Athalaric, who were allied to Ju­stinian.

Vitige having succeeded Theodatus, Justi­nian sent Bellisarius against him. This great Captain met with the like good Fortune in Italy, as he had in Africk: He made him­self Master of Rome, and took Vitige, whom he brought to Constantinople to Justinian. From Christ 540.

During this War, there hapned a very great Scandal in the Church of Rome: Sil­verius A Schism of Silveri­us, and Vigilius. had succeeded Agapetus; the Dea­con Vigilius bad promis'd Theodora, the Wife of Justinian, who was an Eutychian, to fa­vour those of that Party, if she would put him in the place of Silverius; which was effected by the means of Bellisarius, who executing the Commands of the Empress, turned out Silverius; who died in Banish­ment at the end of two Years, and put Vi­gilius in his place. From Christ 542.

This same Year was remarkable by abo­lishing the Consulates of the Roman Empire. The abolish­ing the Con­sulates. It was believed, that Justinian did it by the Advice of Trebonianus; who was en­raged for having been disappointed of that Dignity to which he had aspired.

Hildebauld had been set up by the Ostro­goths Kings of the Ostro­goths. of Italy, in the place of Vitiges. Then Hildebauld being killed by the Great Per­sons of that Nation, they chose Totyla for [Page 151] their King; who was very worthy of their Choice, as well by his Birth, as by his personal Qualities.

Bellisarius had been recalled from Italy by Justinian, to go and make War against the Persians; but was again sent back into Italy to oppose T [...]tyla; where Bellisarius Totyla. finding he had not sufficient Forces to main­tain a War with Honour against that King, prevailed with Justinian to recal him a second time, in order to send him against the Persians, who had broke the Peace that Bellisarius had made with them, in the Name of Justinian.

So Totyla regained almost all that Belli­sarius His Exploits had conquered of the Ostrogoths in Italy, and particularly Rome; all which was done in the space of eight Years. From Christ 550.

In this term of time, hapned the Death of St. Benedict, the famous Institutor of the St. Bene­dict. Monks in the West. And at that time, Silverius Bishop of Rome died of the Mise­ries he suffered in his Exile.

In that space also, Vigilius, who usurp'd Vigilius sent to Constanti­nople. the Sea of Rome, during the Life of Sil­verius, was sent for to Constantinople, by the Emperor Justinian, to answer an Ac­cusation of many heinous Crimes alledged against him.

The Historians differ about the manner how the Emperor received him; yet they all agree, in observing the inconstant va­riation of the Conduct▪ of Vigilius towards [Page 152] the Emperor; who was then Orthodox, and towards the Empress Theodora, Wife to Justivian, who was an Eutychian.

The Eastern Church being in great Trouble, occasioned by this Heresie, Ju­stinian ordered a Council to be assembled A Council at Con­stantino­ple. at Constantinople, of more than One hundred and sixty Bishops.

Vigilius, who was in that City, opposed the holding of the Council; but at last he was compelled to consent to it, by the Emperour's Authority. From Christ 553.

The principal Design of assembling that Council, was to condemn Eutychianism, and its Consequences: But it served only to condemn what was called, The Three The three Chapters condemned. Chapters; against which the Emperor did passionately protest: Which were Propo­sitions pretended to favour Nestorianism, and were attributed to three famous Bi­shops of the last Age▪ viz. Theodorus of Mopsuesta, Theod [...]t of Cyr, and Ibas of E­dessa; tho' in the Council of Macedonia they had been acquitted of all Suspicion of Heresie, after a strict Examination of those Propositions.

As for V [...]gilius, who was at Constanti­nople, he refused to represent the Council, because Eutychius, Bishop of Constantinople, had declared, that he would not give place to him; or else, that there▪ should be an equality between them.

Vigilius being come to Constantinople out The Incon­stancy of Vigilius. of Complaisance to the Emperor, had condemned the Three Propositions; but being very angry with the Council, he re­tracted his Condemnation, sending a De­claration of it to the Council. The Em­peror offended at this ill Conduct of his, sent him to Banishment; where he re­mained but a short time, being soon after recalled upon his Submission to the Em­peror's Will, in approving the Council, and by condemning the Three Chapters. He appro­ved the three Cha­pters. From Christ▪ 554.

By this means he had leave to return to Rome; but before he could arrive there, he died in Sicily. His Death.

Before that time, the Emperor had na­med for that See, Pelagius, a Deacon; yet gave Liberty to the Romans, to receive for their Bishop, him, of the two▪ they should like best.

By Virtue of this Nomination, and with­out any other Formality, Pelagius stood for His Succes­sor. Bishop: Which displeased the Romans so much, that upon his coming to Rome, he found not one Bishop to Consecrate him; so that this Ceremony was performed by one Andrew, a Priest of Ostia. From Christ 555.

Two Years were expir'd, when Narses, Narses in Italy. the Eunuch, who had a very Couragious Spirit, and highly experienc'd in the Art of War, went into Italy, against Attyla; whom he overcame, and killed in Battle. [Page 154] He became Master of Rome, and of ma­ny other Citys; in the four following The end of the King­dom of the Ostro­goths. Years, he compleated the intire ruine of the Ostrogoths in Italy, having defeated and killed in Battle Teia, Successor to Totyla. From Christ 559.

In the mean time Bellisarius made War Bellisarius sent against the Persi­ans. very successfully against the Persians, which he ended at last by a Peace he made with them to the Glory and Advantage of the Romans.

About the end of this Year died Pela­gius, Bishop of Rome. He was very much Bishops of Rome. disgusted by the Romans, both for the manner of his entring upon the Episco­pate, for his approving the Council of Con­stantinople, and for Condemning the three Chapters, which made the Bishops of Mil­lan, and Ravenna, to separate from his Communion, and Assembled themselves in A Council at Aqui­leia. a Council at Aquileia, with the Bishops of their Provinces, where they declared a­gainst the last Council of Constantinople.

The four Sons of Clouis, as has been mentioned, shared their Fathers King­dom.

Clodomir, one of them, was slain in a Battle against the Burgundians, and his Children were kill'd by their Uncles Clo­taire and Childebert, and the Successors to Thierry were extinct in Theobald, who died without Issue, so that Childebert also, lea­ving no Children, all the French Monar­chy devolved to Clotaire, the only remain­ing Son of Clouis. From Christ 560.

He enjoyed this Soveraign power but two Years, after his death, his four Sons French Kings. divided again the Monarchy: Childebert was King of Paris, Gontran of Orleans, Chilperic of Soissons, and Sigebert of Mets, or Austratia. From Christ 562.

The Great Captain Bellisarius, died in The Death of Bellisa­rius. disgrace with his Prince, and by that means, fell into so great Poverty, that Hi­story observes it, as a very extraordinary Example of the instability of humane Af­fairs; though there are some Writers, who not only doubt of what has been re­mark'd of him, but say on the contrary, that he died in the greatest height of Glo­ry and Riches, cherish'd by Justinian as he deserved, for the great services he had rendered to the Emperor, and Empire. Others say, it was John the Exconsul, who carried on the Wars in Africa after Belisa­rius, who was depriv'd of all his Digni­ties, and reduc'd to Beggary by Justini­an.

Justinian died, he had done things wor­thy The Death of Justini­an. of Eternal Memory, but he eclipsed the Glory of them, having showed him­self too Passionate in Business of very little importance concerning Religion; yet by his Obstinacy, he disturbed the Peace of the Church, and was at last infected with Eutychian Errors. From Christ 565.

Justin, the second of that Name, Son Justin the II. his Suc­cessor. to the Sister of Justinian, succeeded him in the Empire. A vicious Prince, and very [Page 156] cruel to one Justin, his near Kinsman, whom he put to death out of Envy, sug­jested against him, because of the Repu­tation he acquired by his excellent Qua­lities.

He was ungrateful to Narses, whom he treated ignominously, after the great Ser­vices this brave Eunuch had rendered to The History of Marses. The Lom­bards in Italy. the Empire, which occasioned conside­rable Disorders; for Narses incenst by his ill usage, called the Lombards into Italy.

Neither Be [...]isarius nor Narses, are to be thought to have been Eunuchs, according to the common Acceptation of the Word, but rather Lord Chamberlains to the Em­peror; Eunuchs being one who looks af­ther the Chambers of a Prince.

These People, originally from Scythia, had planted themselves in the Northern part of Germany, from whence invited by Narses, they were brought into Italy, by Albovin or Alboinus their King, who easi­ly became Masters of Friouli, having taken Aquileia, and afterwards Pavia, and Mil­lan, with all that part of Italy, which from the Name of this People, is still cal­led Lombardy.

In the mean time, Narses being dead, the Emperor sent Longinus into Italy with the Title of Exarke; he and his Successors The Exar­k [...]e of Ra­venna Bi­shop of Rome. in that Command, made their usual re­sidence at Revenna, a Neighbouring City to the Lombards, with design to oppose them, John the Third Bishop of Rome, and [Page 157] Successor to Pelagius died. From Christ 572.

Albouin, King of the Lombards, having Albouin King of the Lombards at a great Feast, made his Wife Rosamunda, drink out of a Cup made of the Scull of her Father; this cruelty so incensed her, that she caused her Husband to be kill'd. From Christ 574.

The Lombards put in his place Clophis or Clephes, who died within a Year; the Peo­ple The Duke of Lom­bardy. being wearied with the Kingly Go­vernment, chose Thirty Dukes, to whom the Administration of the Kingdom was committed. From Christ 575. Bishop of Rome.

Benedict, or Bonosus, Successor to John the Third died. From Christ 577.

Justin by his Debaucherys, fell into a Justin the second's Death. Tiberius the second Emperor. great weakness of Body and Mind, and at length died: Tiberius who had Govern­ed, during the infirmity of Justin, suc­ceeded him at his Death with a general applause as his great Qualities deserv'd, being reproved by his Wife for being too liberal to the Poor; he reply'd, God would repay him, and soon after found a vast Trea­sure, which had been hid by Narses the Eunuch.

In the four Years of his Reign, the Ex­arks maintained a War in Italy against the Lombards, while Mauritius, the Lieutenant of Tiberius, made War against the Persians, with great Glory and Advantage; so that this brave chief, not only obtain'd the Honour of a Triumph, but also to marry [Page 158] the Daughter of his Master, and to be His Death. Mauriti­us his Suc­cessor. design'd his Successor in the Empire; at length Tiberius being dead, Mauritius took his place with the applause of the Senate and People. From Christ 583.

Lenigildus, King of the Wisigoths, sub­mitted Kings of the Wisi­goths in Spain. himself with all that the Sweve [...] were possest of, viz. Lusitania, and some other parts more Northern of that Coun­try, where six or Seven Swevish King [...] The end of the Swe­vish Kings in Spain. had Reigned successively for the space of a Hundred and Seventy Years.

The Lombards took away the Govern­ment Kings of the Lom­bards. of their States, from their Thirty Dukes, and re-establish'd their Monarchy, by setting Antaris, rather Autharus on the Throne, the Son of Cleophis, or Clephes, who had been their King.

Under this Antaris, or Autarus, his Sub­jects who till that time were Idolaters, They become Christians. embrac'd Christianity. But by great mis­fortune, they who Catechized them, be­ing Arrians, infected them with their Er­rors.

On the contrary, the Wisigoths in Spain of Arrians, became Catholicks with their King Ricaredus, the Son and Successor to Lewigildus, Hermenigildus; the Eldest, had before made profession of the Catholick Faith, by the perswasion of his Wife, a French Princess, which caused a great dif­ference between this Prince and his Fa­ther, who was extreamly bigotted to Arrianism, so that at last they came to an [Page 159] open War, wherein Hermenigildus being taken Prisoner, his Father caused him to be beheaded.

Pelagius the second, Bishop of Rome, Bishop of Rome. Successor to Benedict, died of the Plague, which desolated Italy. From Christ 598.

Antaris, or Autharus, King of the Lom­bards Kings of the Lom­bards. being dead, they gave to Theodolinda his Queen Dowager, the power to name a Successor for her Bed, and for the Throne: She chose Aigulphus, to whom, as well as to all the Kingdom, she procu­red the greatest Happiness, perswading them to become Catholicks. In the six Become Ca­tholicks. Years that followed this Conversion, Ai­gulphus or Egilolphus, enlarged his Kingdom by the conquest of Perousia, Spoletta, Be­neventum and Cortona.

Of the four Sons of Clotaire, Charibert Kings of the French King of Paris, dying without issue Male, Sigibert King of Metz, and Chilperic King of Soissons, quarrelled about the Succession. Sigibert having overcome Chilperick in Bat­tle, took Paris, but he was killed soon af­ter by the Intriegues of Fredegonda, whom Chilperic had espouzed in the place of Au­dery his lawful Wife; so Chilpric became Master of Paris, yet but for a short time: For Frediganda caused him to be killed by Landry de la Tour, her Gallant, to prevent Landry de la Tour. the Effects of the Kings just displeasure, who had discovered the Intreagues of Fre­digunda and Landry. [Page 160] Chilperic had put to death Meroveus and Clovis, whom he had by his Wife Audery; so Clotaire the second, whom he had by Frede­gunda. Fredegunda, succeeded him.

On the other side, Gontrian King of Orleans, dying without Children, let by his last Testament, his Dominions to his other Nephew Childebart, King of Austra­sia, who by what was left him, becoming very powerful, made a resolution to re­venge the death of his Father on Frede­gunda, but he was overcome in Battle by her, who was there present, holding in her Arms the Young. Clotaire.

Childebert, being deeply perplex'd, and, asham'd to have been overcome by a Wo­man, fell sick and died, leaving two Sons, Theodobert King of Austrasia, and Thierry King of Burgundia both of them under Brune­hault. the care of Bruneh [...]ult their Grandmother, the Widow of Sigebert, King of Austra­sia.

So all the French Monarky being Go­vern'd by two Women, one as wicked as the other, it was not long before they fell out.

Fredegunda was the more Fortunate; for she had always great Success in War against Brunehault, so that she left her Son Clotaire in quiet Possession of the Kingdoms of Paris and Soissons. This Woman though she was guilty of many Crimes, yet died a natural Death.

Aigulphus King of the Lombards, had made Peace with the Exark in Italy; the Emperor Mauritius, also concluded a Peace with Cosroes, the Son, Successor and Mur­therer of his Father Hormisdas; and in France, Brunehauld lost her credit with her two Grandsons. The three Kings lived in great Amity, so that there was a A General Peace. General Peace at the end of this Century. From Christ 600.

The learned Men, who lived at that The Learn­ed Men. Jornandes time, were Jornandes a Gothish Bishop, who Writ the History of the Wars be­tween his Nation and the Romans. Aga­thyas, Agathyas. a Grecian, Writ the History of Ju­stin, and of Justinian, with the Exploits of Bellisarius and Narses.

Count Marcellinus composed the Annals Marcelli­nus. from the death of Valens, to the 20th Year of Justinian. Evagrius, the Ecclesiastical Evagrius History from the time where Zozomenus ended to the 12th. year of Mauritius. Gre­gory Gregory of Tours. Bishop of Tours, the History of the French, from the beginning of their Mo­narky, to the end of this Age.

The Seventh Age.

THe Sclavonians, a people of Scythia, The Scla­vonians. past the Danube, and and possest se­veral Provinces of the Empire, from whence they were expelled by an Army which the Emperor Mauritius sent against them; but this victorious Army having Mutined, proclaim'd Phocas Emperor, one Phocas Emperor. of their chief Leaders: This Rebel march­ed presently to Constantinople, and made himself Master of it, where he seized on The Death of Mauri­tius. the Emperor Mauritius, and cut off his Head. From Christ 603.

After he had done the same to his Chil­dren before their Fathers Eyes, which he endured with a Resignation and Patience, most like a Christian: He was [...] Prince worthy of high esteem for his great Qua­litys, had he not dishonour'd them by his extream Avarice, of which he gave a most cruel Example, upon an occasion where he suffered a great number of Pri­soners, taken by the Sclavonians to be slaughtered, rather then he would ransome them at a Crown a head, the Sclavonians offering to release them for that price.

Gregory, Bishop of Rome, called the Great, Gregory the Great, Bishop of Rome. Successor to Pelagius the second, died.

Among his Works, there are somethings very curious; others tainted with Super­stition, which began to be introduc'd in­to the Church. It is also markt of him, that he refused to explain the Maximes of Christianity; he is likewise much blamed for the flattering ways he used to Phocas, who was rather look'd on as a Tyrant, then a lawful Emperor. From Christ 604.

The Native Britans had been Christians for three or four Centurys; but the Eng­lish The affairs of England Saxons, who had been Masters of that Island, for a Hundred and Fifty Years, were Pagans: They had divided their Con­quests into several Monarkys; Ethelbert, King E­thelbert turn [...]d Chri­stian. King of Mercia, which was the greatest of those Kingdoms, by the perswasion of Birtha his Wife, a French Princess, was very willing to embrace Christianity; upon which, Gregory sent him Augustin the Augustin the Monk sent into England. Monk, with some others, who Baptized him, and introduced as much, as they could possibly, the Ceremonies of Rome into that Church, which the Ancient Brittish Bishops fiercly opposed. From Christ 605.

Sabinianus, Bishop of Rome, and Suc­cessor Bishop [...] of Rome. to Gregory, was remarkable for no­thing, but for his hatred he exprest against the Memory of his Predecessor, and for his most sordid Avarice: There was a Years interval between his Death, and the Electi­on [Page 164] of Boniface the Third; and ten Months from the Death of that Boniface, and the choosing of Boniface the Fourth. From Christ 607.

In the time of Gregory, John, called the Younger, Bishop of Constantinople, had as­sumed The Title of universal Bishop. the Title of Universal Bishop. Gre­gory had reprehended him for it, in very sharp Terms; alledging, that this haughty Title could not be usurp'd by any one, but the Forerunner of Antichrist: In the mean time, the two Bonifaces, who suc­ceeded Gregory, address'd themselves to Phocas, to obtain that Title; to which he complied, on Condition, that they should acknowledge him lawful Emperor. So that the Roman Pontificate may be said to have obtain'd the Title of Head of the Church, not from St. Peter, but from the Emperor Phocas.

The Tyrannick Government of this U­surper, Phocas killed. provok'd at last the Grandees of the Empire to kill him. The Conspirators set up in his place, Heraclius one of the Heraclius chiefest among them. From Christ 610.

Theodebert, King of Austrasia, scandaliz'd at the most dissolute Life of his Grand­mother Kings of the French Brunehauld, banish'd her his Court: She being retired to the Court of her other Grandson Thierry, King of Burgundy, per­swaded him, that Theodebert was not the Son of Childebert, which made a War be­tween the two Brothers, where Theodebert was killed: Not long after, Brunehauld [Page 165] disgusted by Thierry, poyson'd him, and set up for King, one of his Bastards: But The Death of Brune­hault. the Nobility of the two Kingdoms of Au­strasia, and Burgundy, not being able lon­ger to suffer this most wicked Woman, de­livered her up to Clotaire; who punish'd her as her most heinous Crimes deserved: So all the Royal Members of the French Monarchy were re-united, under one Chief, Clotair the Second. From Christ 614.

John the Exarch was slain by the Peo­ple, enraged against him, for laying too The affairs of Italy. heavy Taxes on them.

Eleutherius, who was chose in his place, abusing the Peoples Favours, declared him­self King of Italy. He enjoyed that Roy­alty but a very short time; for he was soon after killed by those who had chosen him.

Deodatus, Bishop of Rome, and Successor Bishop of Rome. to Boniface the Fourth, died, and had for his Successor Boniface the Fifth.

The eight following Years were spent A War a­gainst the Persians. by Heraclius, in making War against Cos­roes King of Persia, who had seized on a part of Asia the Lesser, and of all Syria: Heraclius drove him from thence, and pur­sued him even beyond Euphrates, having gained many Advantages over him in all Rencounters. From Christ 625.

Boniface the Fifth, Bishop of Rome, being Bishop [...]f Rome. dead, Honarius succeeded him. From Christ 626.

Cosroes having chose his younger Son Kings of Persia. for his Successor, was, for that Reason, killed by his eldest Son Siro [...]s; who by that means ascended the Throne, and pre­sently concluded a Peace with Heraclius; restoring to him, among other Conditi­tions, a piece of the Wood of the Cross, A piece of the Cross. on which it was said, our Saviour was crucified: Heraclius believing it, carried it back to Jerusalem, from whence Cosroes had brought it. From Christ 628.

Anastatius, Bishop of Antioch, framed the Heresie of the Monothelites, which was Monothe­lites. a Sequel of Eutychianism.

Mahomet died: He had begun to pub­lish Mahomet. his Errors in the twelfth Year of this Age, in Ziden, a City of Arabia Faelix, his Native Country; where his Doctrine be­ing not at all relish'd, he was constrained to fly to Meccha; where he was well re­ceiv'd: From the Time of his Flight, which hapned in the Two and twentieth Year of this Century, they took their Aera, or Epoche, which they call Elgeir; that is The Egira of the Ma­hum [...]tans. to say, the Flight; which is termed Egira by Corruption. From Christ 631.

In the space of nine Years after his Re­treat, he seduc'd all Arabia, and a part of Persia.

After his Death, his Father-in-Law, A­bubeker, Abubeker. C [...]im conquered the rest of the Coun­try; with Isdigerdes, Son of Siroes, who murthered his Father.

With the Death of Isdigerdes, ended the Dinasty of the Kings of Persia, originally of that Country.

The remainder of Persia having been conquered by Abubeker, who was then made Caliph of the Mahometans; which Dignity empower'd him with an absolute Authority over them, as well Spiritual as Temporal. From Christ 632.

Omar, Successor to Abubeker, and Son­in-Law Omar Suc­cessor to Abubeker. His Con­quests. to Mahomet, conquered in six Years from Heraclius, Mesopotamia, Syria, with Palestine, Aegypt, and all the Coasts of Africk, which at present is called Barbary. From Christ 638.

Pope Honorius died. It appeared by his Honorius a Mono­thelite. Writings, that he approved the Errors of the Monothelites. From Christ 639.

The See of Rome had in a short time Popes of Rome. these three Popes, Severinus, John the 4th, and Theodorus. From Christ 641.

Heraclius died. He was infected with The Death of Hera­clius. Monothelitism, by the three Patriarchs, of the three great Sees, in the East, Sergius of Constantinople, Cyrus of Alexandria, and Anastatius of Antioch.

Constantine the Third succeeded his Fa­ther Constan­tine the III. Empe­ror. Heraclius. This new Prince was poy­son'd at the end of four Months, by his Step-Mother Martina, the Widow of He­raclius; who, by that means, plac'd on the Throne, her Son Heracleon, whom she had by Heraclius: But the Senate, and People, soon after expelled this Woman; and ha­ving [Page 168] cut off the Nose and Ears of her Son Heracleon, set on the Imperial Throne, Constant, the Second Son to Constantine the Constan­tine the II. Emperor Third, and Grand-son to Heraclius. From Christ 642.

Dagobert succeeded his Father- Clotaire, the Second; and Aripert, to whom his Fa­ther Kings of France. had given Aquitain, being dead with­out Issue, his Brother Dagobert was King of The Abby of St. De­nis. all France. He founded the famous Ab­bey of St. Denis, near Paris. From Christ 644.

In his Life-time he gave Austrasia to his eldest Son Sigibert; when he died, he left the rest of his Kingdom to Cl [...]uis the Se­cond, his younger Son. Both of the Kings being very young, their Persons, and their Kingdoms, were governed by the Majors of their Courts; and from Majors of their Pa­laces. thence, those who possess'd this high Charge, and Command, began to assume a Sovereign Authority in France, which was continued by their Successors. From Christ 649.

Pope Theodorus died. He had condem­ned a Type, or Form of Confession of the Popes. Faith of the Monothelites, framed by Pyr­rhus, Patriarch of Constantinople, and other Patriarchs of Constantinople had maintain'd it, under the Emperor Constant.

Theodorus had condemned this Type in a Council at Rome, where the Condemnation had been signed, with Ink mix'd with Wine of the Eucharist.

Martinus, Successor to Theodorus, did al­so condemn this Type; and for that very The Type of the Mono­thelites. Cause, the Exarch, Calliopas, sent him Pri­soner to Constantinople, to Constant; who banish'd him into the Taurick Chersonese; where, at five Years end, he died of ex­tream Want. From Christ 654.

In the mean time the Mahometan Arabs, who began to be called Saracens, made The Sara­cens. Their Con­quests. The Coloss of Rhodes broke in pieces. themselves Masters of Syria, of the Isle of Rhodes, and of part of Sicily. At Rhodes they broke in pieces the famous Colossus, fallen down about a thousand Years before. They sold it in several Pieces to a Jew, who was forc'd to employ Nine hundred Camels to carry them away.

After the taking of Rhodes, the Saracens Constan­tinople besieged by the Sara­cens. besieged Constantinople; but were repuls'd, tho' they gained a Naval Victory, where there was so much Blood spilt, that the Sea was coloured with it.

The Exarch Calliopas, ordered Eugenius Popes. to be sent to Rome, in the place of the ba­nish'd Martinus; after whose Death Euge­nius possess'd the Chair again six Months; Vitallianus was his Successor. From Christ 655.

Haly, one of the Sons-in-Law of Maho­met, Haly Caliph. after he had for some time disputed the Dignity of Caliph of the Saracens, with one Mahuvias, at last he willingly gave place to him. From Christ 660.

Constant forc'd his Brother Theodosius to be a Deacon in the Church; and after that, he cruelly put him to Death. The great Remorse he had after it, made him to leave Constantinople. He past into Sicily, and from thence to Rome; where the Pope Constant comes to Rome. with all his Clergy, went out to meet him. The Romans express'd exceeding great Joy, to see an Emperor there, when they had been deprived a long time of that Honour: But their Joy was soon turn'd to Sorrow; for Constant plundered them with as much Barbarity, as ever the Goths and Vandals had done.

Clouis the Second, had left for his Suc­cessor, Kings of France. Clotaire the Third, King of Neustria, or the Western part of France; who also became King of the Easterns, or Austrasia, by the Death of Sigebert, who left no Sons.

Clotaire the Third, had for his Successor, his Son Childeric, and he his Son Thyerry. From Christ 667.

Constant died in Sicily: His Son Constan­tine The Death of Constant. Constan­tine IV. called Po­gonat. Mizizius the Usurper the Fourth, called Pogonat, or the Bearded Prince, being come to Constanti­nople, did overcome and kill Mizizius, who had usurp'd the Imperial Throne in the ab­sence of the Emperor: So Constantine was acknowledg'd Emperor by the Senate and People.

Adeodatus succeeded Vitalian in the See Popes. of Rome. From Christ 669.

The Saracens, who possess'd Syracusa in The Sara­cens re­puls'd before Con­stantino­ple. Sicily, twice besieged Constantinople in one Year, and were as oft repuls'd, with very great loss of their Army and Ships. From Christ 672.

Adeodatus had for his Successor Domnus, Popes. and after him Agathon; all three were so inconsiderable, that History only names them, without any Remarks; excepting the last, who obtained of Constantine, to be exempt from paying a certain Sum, which the Emperors required of the Popes, and to have leave to be Consecrated. From Christ 678.

Constantine called a Council at Constanti­nople, against the Monothelites, where their A Council at Con­stantino­ple. Errors were condemned. All those Bi­shops and Priests who were infected with it, were deposed, and the Memory of the Dead, who had asserted them, were Ana­thematized; among the rest, that of Pope Honorius. From Christ 680.

Agathon had to succeed him, Leo the 2d. There were two Things of him not un­worthy Popes. to be observed; one, That he for­bid to take, from that time, Money, as his Predecessors had used, for the Pallium, which they sent to Arch-Bishops.

The other, He put an end to the Schism, which had been, a long time, between the Church of Rome, and that of Ra­venna.

He had obtained of the Emperor, That the Arch-Bishops of Ravenna, should from that time, be always Consecrated at Rome.

Benedict the Second, prevailed also with Constantine, That the Popes should, from that time, be Consecrated, without waiting for the Emperor's Permission. From Christ 684.

Constantine died this Year, and Justinian Justini­an II. the Second, his Son, succeeded him. From Christ 685.

John the Fifth, Conon, and Sergius suc­ceeded, Popes. one after the other, in the space of less than Two Years. From Christ 687.

Abdelemech the Caliph, took possession Abdelme­lech Caliph of Armenia, and ravaged the Oriental Provinces of the Empire. From Christ 693.

Leontius usurp'd the Throne, and ex­pell'd Justinian; and after he had cut off his Nose, banish'd him into the Taurick Chersonese. From Christ 694.

The Army that Leontius sent into Africk against the Saracens, revolted, and pro­claimed for Emperor, one of their Chiefs, named, Tiberius Absimarus; who being Absima­rus deposes Leontius. come to Constantinople, deposed Leontius, and plac'd himself in the Throne, ha­ving cut off his Nose, as he had done to Justinian.

Cracus, Duke of the Sarmatians, or Cracovia founded. Polanders, founded Cracovia. From Christ 398.

In France succeeded to Thierry, one af­ter Kings of France. the other, his Sons, Childebert the Se­cond, and Clouis the Third. From Christ 700.

The Eighth Age.

JOHN the Sixth, succeeded Sergius in Popes. the See of Rome.

Justinian escap'd out of Prison, and be­ing Justinian re-esta­blish'd. supplied with the Forces of the Ava­rians, and Bulgarians, took Constantinople, put himself again in possession of the Em­pire, cut off the Heads of Leontius, and Leontius and Absi­mares be­headed. Absimares, and imprisoned all those who abetted to depose him; and by degrees he treated them all in the same manner, as they had served him; that is, he caused their Noses to be cut off. From Christ 704.

Aripert, King of the Lombards, gave to Pope John the Seventh, Successor to John Popes. the Sixth, the Alps.

Justinian assembled at Constantinople, the A Council in Trullo. Council, called, In Trullo, from one of the Halls in the Imperial Palace, where it was held. The Greeks called that Council the Sixth; because they did nothing, but only confirmed the Condemnation that had been before made against the Mono­thelites. From Christ 707.

Pope Zizinnius succeeded John the Se­venth, Popes. and Constantine succeeded him. From Christ 708.

Justinian, under pretence he had been ill treated in his Exile, by the Inhabitants of the Taurica Chersonesus, took a most cruel Revenge of them; which made them to revolt against him, under the Conduct Philippi­cus Empe­ror. of Patricius Philippicus, their Governour; who found means to kill Justinian, and to Justinian killed. set up himself in his place. From Christ 713.

A little while after, Philippicus had his Anasta­tius Ar­temius Emperor. Eyes put out by his Secretary, Anastatius Artemius, who thus raised himself to the Imperial Throne.

Roderic King of the Wisigoths in Spain, The end of the Kings of the Wi­sigoths in Spain. having ravish'd the Wife of Count Julian, Governour of those Places this King pos­sest on the Coasts of Africk: The injur'd Husband being enraged, to revenge him­self, brought the Saracens into Spain; of which they became Masters in a short time, having overcome and killed Roderic in Battle. From Christ 714.

Theodosius Treasurer of the Army, which Theodo­sius III. Emperor. Anastatius sent to Rhodes, against the Sara­cens, is proclaimed Emperor by that Ar­my; with which the new Prince being come to Constantinople, he seized upon Ana­statius, caused him to be shaved, and to be shut up in a Cloyster; and so Theodosius the Third, possess'd himself of the Empire. From Christ 715.

But the Army that made War in Armenia, Leo II. Emperor. proclaimed. Emperor, Leo Isauricus, their General; who vanquish'd Theodosius in a [Page 176] Battle: Upon which this Theodosius divest­ing himself of the Empire, was made a Priest, and Leo was acknowledg'd Empe­ror by the Senate, and People, of Constanti­nople.

In the two following Years, the Sara­cens The Sara­cens de­feated be­fore Con­stantino­ple. twice attack'd Constantinople: But Leo forc'd them to retire back the first time, and at the second he totally routed their Army. From Christ 718.

The Saracens being possess'd of Rhodes, and the greatest part of Sicily, in that very same Year, likewise, made themselves Masters of Sardinin. It was credibly re­ported, that the Body of St. Augustine was The Relicks of St. Au­gustine. buried in that Island; it having been brought thither from Africk. Luitprand, King of the Lombards, bought it at a great Price of the Saracens. From Christ 720.

In France, Dagobert the Second, had suc­ceeded his Father Childebert; and the Suc­cessor to Dagobert, was one Daniel, who was Kings of France. called Chi [...]peric; to whom succeeded Thi­erry de Chelles. Under the Name of these Fantoms of Kings, Charles, Surnamed Mar­tel, Charles Martel. had the Sovereign Administration of the Kingdom, with the Title of Prince, or Duke of the French: He was Bastard-Son to Pepin, who had been Maior of the Pa­lace, under the Kings, Predecessors to those before named.

Gregory the Second having succeeded Popes. Pope Constantine, excommunicates, and declares Leo to have forfeited his Right to [Page 177] the Empire, because this Emperor had A Quarrel about Images▪ made a Law against Worshipping of Ima­ges, which was introduc'd into the Greek Church.

In consequence of the Pope's Excom­munication, Luitprand King of the Lom­bards, being in League with Gregory, seized on the Exarchat of Ravenna; the Exarch, and almost all the Emperor's Officers, ha­ving been killed in that War. The King of Lombardy, and the Pope, divided be­tween them the conquered Towns. From Christ 729.

A great Number of the Saracens of Spain, The Sara­cens de­feated near Tours, in a Battle. having past into France, under the Com­mand of Abderacmanus, or Abderamus, Charles Martel defeated them near Toursin; a Bat­tle where Abderamus was killed, with more than Three hundred thousand of his Sol­diers. From Christ 430.

The Quarrel about Images depending▪ Gregory the Third▪ Successor to Gregory the Popes. Second, continued to maintain their Wor­ship, against the Emperor Leo.

After the Death of Thierry, Titular King The Affairs of France. Th [...] p [...]o [...]ts of Charles Martel. of France, there were six or seven Years of an Interregnum: Charles Martel, in the mean time, possess'd of the whole Sovereign Power, and Authority, forced Eude, Duke of Aquitain, with his Sons, and Successors, Hunaut, and Hatton, to pay him Homage: He drove out the Saracens from Provence, and the Lower Langu [...]do [...], and pursued his Conquests against them into the midst of Spain.

In that Country, Pelagius, as he said, was descended from the ancient Kings of the W [...]sigoths, and had set up himself against the Saracens, in the Mountains of Asturia; as likewise did his Son Favila, who left his small Dominions to Alphonso his Brother-in-Law, who found means to aggrandize himself, by the Advantages Charles Martel had gained over the Saracens. From Christ 740.

The Emperor Leo died: His Memory The Death of Leo. has been as much calumniated by the Image-Worshippers, as it was revered by the contrary Party. The Historians of his time, applaud him for many Virtues, and say, he was a Religious Observer of the six first Councils.

Constantine the Fifth, Sur-named Capro­nimus, Constan­tine Ca­pronimus succeeds Leo. Popes. his Son, succeeded him. From Christ 741.

Gregory the Third died; he was fallen▪ out with Luytprand, K. of the Lombards, who had besieged him at Rome, and had taken him there; had it not been by the Inter­cession of Charles Martel, whose Help the Pope implored; and at the same time sent him the Keys of the Sepulcher of St. Peter, with the Title of Patrician. Gregory had to succeed him, Zachari [...]s.

In that time lived John Damascene, and Beda. The Death of Charles Martel. H [...] [...]ree Sons.

Charles Martel died: He was so power­ful, that he left his Three Sons, Ca [...]an▪ P [...]pin, and Grypho, Masters of the Kingdom of France. From Christ 742.

Artabasades, Brother-in-Law to Constan­tine, Artabasa­des Revolt punish'd. caused himself to be proclaimed Em­peror, at Constantinople; where re-assuming his Authority, he seized on the Usurper, and ordered his Eyes to be put out.

Hildebrand, Grand-Son to Luytprand, King Kings of the Lombards of the Lombards, was by them deposed, and Rachis set up in his place. From Christ 743.

This Prince compil'd a Supplement to the Laws of that Nation: He made him­self a Monk; upon which the Lombards substituted Aistulphus.

Carloman turning also a Monk, the sole Pepin sole Monarch of France. Power of the French Monarchy devolved to Pepin: Grypho being so inconsiderable, that they made no Account of him. From Christ 750.

At length Pepin was solemnly declared He is de­clared King. King, by an Assembly of the principal of that Nation. After the Death of his Fa­ther, he had given the Title of King to Childeric, who was said to be of the Blood Royal.

This wretched Fantom was shaved, and put into a Monastery. From Christ 752.

Pope Zacharias died: He had consented Pope [...] ▪ to all that was done in France: He was nei­ther a skilful Geographer, nor a learned Theologian: For as to the first, he excom­municated a Bishop, for asserting, there were Antipodes. And for the second, he held the Opinion of the Jews, in what re­lated to the eating of clean or unclean Meat.

Constantine▪ caused a Council to be held T [...] Council cond [...]mned Images. at Constantinople, where the Worship of Images was condemned. From Christ 754.

Alstulphus, King of the Lombards, ha­ving taken Ravenna, Pope Stephen the Se­cond came into France, to implore Help of Pepin.

This King going into Italy, forc'd the Pepin in Italy. King of the Lombards to restore what he had taken. From Christ 756.

Hunau't, Duke of Aquitain, being turned Monk, and Giafre his Son refusing to pay Homage to Pepin, this Prince compelled him to do his Duty.

Pope Paul had succeeded his Brother Popes. Stephen the Second; Paul being dead, Toto Duke of Nepesinum, set up by Force, in that See, his Brother Constantine. At the same time, an opposite Faction chose one Philip: And a Third Faction, Stephen, the Third of that Name; whose Faction being the strongest, prevailed, and sent Philip back to the Monastry, whence he was taken, and caused the Eyes of Constantine to be put out. There be those also who write, that he was burnt by the Priests of a Synod, where he had been deposed. From Christ 768.

Pepin died, leaving Neustria to Charles, [...] Death [...] P [...]pin. his eldest Son; and Austrasia to his youn­ger Son Carloman. From Christ 769.

Carloman having lived but two Years af­ter his Father, all the French Monarchy descended to Charlemain, so called for his [Page 181] high Merit, and great Actions. From Christ 771.

After Stephen the Third, Adrian was Popes. Pope; who being at Difference with De­dier King of the Lombards, Successor to Ai­stulphus, this King divested him of the greatest part of the Exarchat of Ravenna: The Pope had recourse to Charlemain, who past into Italy, and in the space of two Years, having had great Success over De­dier, at last took him in Pavia; which put an end to the Kingdom of the Lombards, after it had lasted above Two hundred Years. Dedier died in France, where he was sent Prisoner. From Christ 774.

Charlemain being victorious, made him­self Charle­main King of Italy. to be Crowned King of Italy, by the Arch-Bishop of Millan, in a little Town called Monza; where was kept the Iron The Iron Crown. Crown of the ancient Kings of Lom­bardy.

The Emperor Constantine died, leaving The Death of Con­stantine. his Memory to be detested by the Image-Worshippers, and to be honoured by those who opposed that Worship.

His Son, and Successor, Leo the Fourth, Leo IV. his Son, and Successor. followed his Father's Opinion in that Point. From Christ 775.

Adalgize, the Son of Dedier, having by Adalgize the Son of Dedyer, drivec ou [...] of Italy, by Charle­main. the Assistance of the Emperor Leo, regain'd part of Lombardy, Charlemain returned thi­ther, drove out Adalgize, and recovered all he had taken. From Christ 776.

Charlemain made his first Expedition a­gainst His first War a­gainst the Saxons. the Saxons; which was attended with his usual good Success.

In an Assembly held by him at Pader­burn, he was importun'd to pass into Spain Against the Saracens in Spain. against the Saracens, by Adala, one of their Kings, who was at Difference with the other Kings of that Country. From Christ 777.

Charlemain went thither, where he con­quered all the Country that lies along the Pyreneans, from one Sea to the other; con­taining Navarre, Arragon, and Catalonia; yet he received a Check in his return, at the Pass of Roncevaux, in the Pyreneans; where he lost, among others, his Nephew, Orlando killed. the famous Orlando.

The Saxons having been often beaten, Vindi­kind Duke of the Saxons. and as often reduc'd, at last submitted themselves, embracing Christianity with their brave Duke Vindikind.

The Emperor Leo the Fourth died, in The Death of Leo IV. high Esteem with those who were against Worshipping of Images; and, on the con­trary, as much condemned by those who favoured it.

His Son, and Successor, Constantine the Sixth, called Porphyrogenitus, being not a­bove Constan­tine VI. Irene his Mother. Nine Years old, was left under the Tutelage of his Mother Irene. From Christ 780.

She called together a Council at Nice, The Second Council at Nice for Images. to establish the Worship of Images, which was done by a Concert between the Ea­stern [Page 183] Bishops of Irene's Party, and the Le­gates of Pope Adrian. From Christ 787.

Charlemain caused a Council to be as­sembled The Council at Franck­fort a­gainst Images. at Franckfort, on the Main, where he was present with Three hundred Bi­shops, from all parts of the West; who condemned the Worship of Images: Nor did Pope Adrian, whose Legates were there, oppose this Condemnation. From Christ 794.

This Pope died, having sate in the Pa­pal Popes. Chair Twenty four Years: In all which time, he managed himself so dextrously between the two great Powers of Chri­stendom, that he was equally esteemed by both, tho' their Interests and Sentiments were very different, especially in what related to Images. Pope Leo III. his Suc­cessor, demanded, and obtained of Charle­main, to be confirmed in his Election. From Christ 796.

Constantine being grown up a Man, I­rene, Irene' s Cruelty to her Son. his Mother, finding she could no lon­ger support her Authority in the Go­vernment, in a Rage, put out her Son's Eyes. Heaven was so highly incens'd at this horrid Cruelty, that for Seventeen Days Constantinople was deprived of the Light of the Sun. From Christ 797.

Pope. Leo having been put in Prison by his Predecessor's Kindred, who accused him of many Crimes, the Commissaries of Charlemain releas'd him: He then came in­to France, to justifie himself before Charle­main, [Page 184] The King sent him back to Rome, where he also went himself, in the last Year of this Century, to be fully informed of that Affair. The Pope clear'd himself by his Oath, which the King made him take. This being done, the Romans pro­claimed Charle­main Em­peror. King Charlemain, Emperor; the Pope, with the chief of the City, payed him Homage on their Knees. From Christ 800.

The Ninth Age.

THE Senate and People of Constantino­ple, wearied with the ill Government of a very perverse, unnatural, Woman, Irene expelled. Nicepho­rus Empe­ror. The Treaty between him and Charle­main. expelled Irene, and plac'd on the Imperial Throne, Nicephorus, one of the chief Offi­cers of the Court.

Charlemain treated with Nicephorus, about the Rights and Laws of the Empire. The two Emperors agreed to divide the Titles and Priviledges of their Empires; so that Charles, and his Successors, should have the Western Parts, as Nicephorus, and his Successors, the Eastern, From Christ 803.

The Seven following Years were peace­able in the West; on the contrary, in the East, the Caliph Aaron waged War so suc­cessfully, A disad­vantageous Peace with the Caliph. th [...]e forc'd Nicephorus to de­mand a Peace, disgraceful to him, and the Empire: For by the Articles, he was ob­liged to pay a Tribute to the Caliph, and particularly for his Head, and for the Head Nicepho­rus killed. Michael Curopala­tus, Empe­ror, and made him­self a Monk of his Son Stauratius. From Christ 810.

Nicephorus was killed in a Battle against the Bulgarians; his Son Stauratius being dangerously wounded, fled to Constantino­ple: But he was there compelled to resign the Empire to Michael Curopalatus; who [Page 186] enjoyed it but two Years; for in an ex­tream Fit of Melancholly, occasioned by his being overcome by the Bulgarians, he turned Monk, and Leo the Fifth, an Ar­menian, Leo V: Emperor. made Emperor of the East in his place. From Christ 813.

The Emperor Charlemain died in the The Death of Charle­main. Seventy Second Year of his Age, and the Forty Eighth of his Reign in France, and the Fourteenth of his Emperialship: A Prince endued with all the greatest Qua­lities could be desir'd in a Monarch, ex­cept his Incontinence: He was greatly learn'd; he had for his Tutor, the famous The Uni­versity of Paris founded. Grim­baud founded Oxford and Cam­bridge. Kings of England. Alcuin, an English-man; who, 'tis said, was the first Founder of the University of Paris; as also, that Grimbaud, his Disciple, went over into England, and laid the Foun­dations of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. From Christ 814.

England was become one sole Monar­chy, under King Egbart; Edgar, his Suc­cessor, reigned at that time: It was he who sent for Grimbaud, upo [...] [...]e Occasion before-mentioned.

Of three lawful Sons that Charlemain The Three Sons of Charle­main. had, Charles, the eldest, died without Issue.

Pepin, who died before his Father, had left his Son Bernard, to succeed him in the Kingdom of Italy. Louis the Debonair, Emperor and King of France.

Louis, Sur-named, The Debonair, en­joyed all the rest, with the Title of Empe­ror, and King of France.

Pope Leo the Third, had for his Suc­cessor, Popes. Stephen the Fourth, who did not wait to be confirmed by Louis, but came presently into France, and Crowned Louis at Rheims; This Pope died, and had Pas­call for his Successor. From Christ 817.

Bernard King of Italy, attempted to de­throne his Uncle Lewis; but this young Prince being abondoned by all his adhe­rents, came and threw himself at his Unkles feet, but this Louis so Debonair, and Clement, to all others, was not at all so to his Nephew, for he most cruelly caused his Eyes to be put out, of which he soon after died. From Christ 818. The Death of Bernard King of Italy. Michael Balbus, Emperor.

At Constantinople Michael Balbus, a great person in the Court but of obfcure Paren­tage, convicted of Treason, for which he was condemned to dye; found means to escape out of Prison, and to kill the Em­peror Leo, and to set himself on his Throne.

Pascall died, he had acquitted himself Popes. by his Oath of the Accusation made a­gainst him, to have put to death two Noble Romans, Friends to the French, to whom this Pope was an Enemy. Eugenius the second Succeeded him, and to this last Valentine, who dying at the end of fourty daies, Gregory the Fourth was Elected in his place. From Christ 826.

The Saracens of Spain had reconquered all that Charlemaine had took from them, except Catalonia: The Naverroise aban­doned by the French, chose for their King [Page 188] Eneco, or Inigo Arista, who was also chose Inigo Aristo King of Navarre, and Arra­gon. King by those of Arragon

Michael Balbus, Emperor of the East, di­ed, after he had lived such a Life, that witnessed he had neither Conscience, nor Religion: Theophylus his Son and Suecessor Theophy­lus Emperor of the East. had Qualities, far different from those of his Father. From Christ 828.

The Emperor Louis by his first Marriage had Three Sons, Lothaire, Pepin and Louis; he gave to each of them a part of his Do­minions, with the Title of King.

Italy to Lothaire, whom he had also As­sociated to the Empire. Aquitain to Pepin, and Bavaria to Louis. The three Brothers displeased that their Father had also given Burgundy, with the Title of King, to his Fourth Son Charles, whom he had of Ju­dith his second Wife; They conspired a­gainst They Con­spire a­gainst their Father. the good King and his Queen, and put them up in a Convent; then Degra­ded Louis of the Empire in a Council held at Compeign; But within a year after he Then Re-established. was Re-establisht by the Grandees of the Kingdom. From Christ 834.

Pepin King of Aquitain dyed, leaving a Pepin the younger King of A­quitaine. Son of the same name, from whom his Grandfather, took away a part of his Do­minions to bestow them on his beloved Son Charles, Louis the Debonaire died, Louis le Debo­naire Dyes. he had that Surname beause of his sweet Disposition and obliging Nature, which was thought to have been too great, be­cause it degenerated into an Easiness, and Softness, unbecoming a King.

After his Death, his Sons made a bloody War against one another; Lonhair who had the Title of Emperor, Joyned with his Nephew Pepin King of Aquitain, against Louis King of Bavaria, and Charles King of Neustria. The two Parties came near to Fountaney in Burgundy, and found such a bloody Battle, that never were so many French slain in one day; for there was killed a Hundred thousand Men on both sides, so that the Armies being equally disabled, they were forc'd to make Peace. From Christ 841.

The three Brothers, concluding a Trea­ty without making the least mention of Pepin, agreed that Charles should have The Empire divided between the Three Bro­thers. Neustria or the Western France, Louis the Eastern with Bavaria, and all that lay be­yond the Rhine; from thence it had the Sirname of Germany: Lothaire with the Title of Emperor had Italy, France, Gaul, Narbonese and Austrasia: This last Country was called Lotherne, or the Kingdom of The Name of Lor­raine. Lothaire by Contraction or Corruption, it was afterward called Lorraine. From Christ 834.

Gregory the Fourth died, he had Abet­ted Popes. the Revolt of the Sons of Lewis a­gainst their Father; his Successor Pope Sergius did not wait for the Emperors Confirmation, but the Emperor resented that Affront as became him, and took those▪ Measures, that the like should not happen again; so that From Christ 844.

Leo the Fourth, who succeeded Sergius, durst not offer to Execute the Papal Au­thority without the Emperors Confirma­tion. From Christ 847.

The Normans began to infest the Seas, The Nor­mans. and to Ravage the Coasts of France.

The French Brittains re-establisht their The Re-establish­ment of the Kingdom of Brittany. little Monarchy, disturbed by the Con­quests Charle [...]ain had made of their Coun­try, Neomenes Prince of the Blood of their Antient Kings, resumed the Quality of his Ancestors. From Christ 849.

The Saracens ravaged Italy, even to the The Sara­cens in Italy. Gates of Rome, where they Plundered and Burnt the Suburbs.

Ramire Son of Alphonso the Chaste King of Leon, obtained a great Victory over the Saracens in Spain; and by that made himself Master of a part of Castile the Old.

King Charles of Neustria got to himself Charles recovers Aquitan. Aquitain from Pepin his Nephew, whom he shut up in a Prison: Where he ended his Life. From Christ 852.

After Leo the Fourth, there be those who place in the See of Rome, a Woman named Joan, who held it two years: Pop [...] Joan Others say there could be no other than Benet the Third, who immediately suc­ceeded Leo. From Christ 855.

The Emperor Lothaire made himself a The Em­peror Lo­thaire. made him­self a Monk. Monk in the Abbey of Prom in Lorrain, where he died a little after. He had di­vided his Dominions among his three Sons; [Page 191] giving to Lewis the eldest Italy, with the Title of Emperor Lorrain or Austrasia to Lewis 2d. Emperor. Lothaire, Burgundy and Provence to Charles. To Bennet the Third, succeedd Nicholas a strong vigorous Man, and very much in­clined to Agrandize the See of Rome. From Christ 858.

Charles King of Neustria, gave Holland The Earle­doms of Holland and Flan­ders. with the Title of Earldom to Thierry, from whom are descended the Earls of that Country: As also those of Flanders from Baldwin, to whom the same Charles gave that County, under the like Title. This Baldwin had stole away one of the Daughters of Charles, and had Married her against her Fathers consent. The Pope excomunicated the Lorrain Bishops, who had Divorced their King Lothaire from his Wife Thidberga: The Bishops on their part Excomunicated the Pope, and the King Married annother Wife called Valdrada. The Pope having likewise Excommunica­ted Popes. Photius, Patriark of Constantinople, was also Excomunicated by him; the principle cause of the Quarrel was, that Photius did A Quarrel between the Pope and the Bi­shops of Lorrain. not at all acknowledge the Superiority Ni­cholaus pretended over all the other Bishops: The apparent cause was the Deposing Igna­tius by Bardas Unkle to the young Emper­or Michael Porphirogenitus Son to Theophilus; Bardas having put Photius in the place of Ignatius, Nicholaus took the part of the Deposed; the business remained thus, Ba­silius of Macedonia whom Michael had rais­ed [Page 192] to the Empire, from one he had made use of to tame his Horses, and drive his Chariots, having ungratefully killed Mi­chael, and by that means placing himself on the Imperial Throne, immediately de­posed Photius. From Christ 866.

Pope Nich [...]las died, he had principally employed himself to aggrandize the Papal See; and took no Notice of an essential A Dispute between Paschasius and Ber­tram, touching the Eucha­rist. Affairs of France. Dispute between Paschasius Ratbert, Abbot of Corbia, and Bertram his Monk, concern­ing the Eucharist. Adrian the Second suc­ceeded Nicholas.

Lothaire, and Charles being dead, Charles King of Neustria seized on their Domini­ons; giving part of Lorrain to his Brother Lewis the Germanick, but nothing at all to the Emperor Lewis, Brother to the two deceased Kings. From Christ 869.

The Emperor Bazilius ordered a Coun­cil The Eighth General Council. to be held at Cinstantinople, which was called the Eighth General Council. The Pope's Legates were there, and prevail'd to have Photius deposed, and to have Igna­tius re-establish'd. In this Emperor's time The Russi­ans turned Christians. the Russians were converted to Christianity. Adrian the Second died three Years after this Council was held. From Christ 872.

Lewis the Second, Emperor, died: Charles King of France, his Uncle, arrived at Rome, before his Brother Lewis the Ger­manick, and was there Crowned Emperor by John the Eighth, Successor to Adrian the Second, to the great Regret of Lewis [Page 193] the Germanick; who died, leaving three Sons, Carloman, Charles, and Lewis, who shared among them their Father's Domini­ons, comprising all Germany, and that part of Austrasia that borders upon it. From Christ 876.

The Emperor Charles, the Second, cal­led The Death of the Emperor Charles the Bald. the Bald, died, poyson'd by his Phy­sitian, a Jew.

Lambert Count of Spoletto, and Albert Marquess of Tuscany, put Pope John in Pri­son; from whence being escap'd, he fled into France, where in a Council held at Troye, he crowned Lewis le Begue the Third, Lewis le Begue Emperor. Emperor, who died about a Year and a half after. He left two Sons, Lewis, and Carloman, whom he had by a Wife of low Extraction, whom his Father had forc'd him to repudiate. From Christ 880.

Tortulus, a Lord of Brittany, having mar­ried a Kinswoman of Charles the Bald, from which Marriage came Ingelger, who was Father to Foulques Rufus, the first Count of Anjou.

Carloman King of Bavaria, being dead The Death of Carlo­man. without lawful Issue, Lewis and Charles di­vided his Dominions.

Five Princes at that time shared the French Princes. French Empire: Lewis and Charles, Sons of Lewis the Germanick, in Germany; in Neu­stria, Lewis and Carloman, the Sons of Lewis le Begue; and in Burgu [...]dy, and in Provence, Boson, who had married the Sister of Charles the Bald.

Of these five Princes, Charles le Gras ha­ving Charles le Gras Emperor, the Third of that Name. made himself Master of Rouse, was Crowned Emperor by the Pope.

King Lewis died in Germany; the Em­peror Charles inherited his Dominions: Lewis, one of the Kings of Neustria, being The Death of the two Kings, Lewis's. also dead, Carloman, his Brother, remained the sole King of that Province. From Christ 882.

He Reigned but two Years, at the end of which dying, the whole Monarchy was re-united in the Person of Charles the Charles le Gras sole Empe­ror of France. Third, Emperor, called the Fat; tho' there was another Posthumus Son of Lewis le Begue, named Charles; but so very young, that he was not in the least capable to Reign.

Pope Adrian the Second died, and had Popes. to succeed him, Stephen the Fifth. From Christ 885.

Paris besieged, by the Normans, for two The Siege of Paris, by the Normans. Years, was raised, not by Force of Arms, but by a large Sum, which Charles le Gras sent them. From Christ 887.

Basilius, Emperor of the East, died, and Leo V. Emperor. left for his Successor, his Son Leo the Fifth, Sur-nam'd the Philosopher, whose Dili­gence in the Government of the Empire, is very much applauded. From Christ 888.

The Emperor, Charles le Gras, died so Charles le Gras starved to Death. forsaken, and abandoned by all, that he had not Bread to eat.

There remained but two Princes of all Arnold King of Germany▪ the Line of Charlemain; Arnold, Bastard of Carloman, who was acknowledg'd King of all the French possest beyond the Rhine; that is to say, of all Germany: The Second was Charles called the Simple, the Posthu­mus Son of Lewis de Begue: Neustria be­longed to him by Right; but Eudes, the Eudes King of Neustria. Son of Robert the Strong, Count of Anjou, was, by the Neustrians, preferred before him.

Two other Princes, who were of the Collateral Line of Charlemain, shared be­tween them what was on this side of the Rhine; that is, Raoul had the two Bur­gundies; Raoul King of Burgundy and Boson, before-mentioned, pos­sess'd all from Lyons, to the Mediterranean, which was called the Kingdom of Arles. From Christ 889.

In Italy, Guy Duke of Spoleto, and Be­renger Guy Em­peror of Germany. Berenger King of Italy. Duke of Friuli, made an Agreement, That Guy should have the Title of Empe­ror, with the Kingdom of France; and Berenger, Italy: But Guy finding his place in France possess'd by another, returned in­to Italy, and drove out Berenger. These two Princes were also of the Collateral Line of Charlemain, by the Wives. From Christ 890.

Arnoldus came to Rome, and was there Arnold and Lam­bert Empe­rors. crowned Emperor, by Pope Formosus, Suc­cessor to Stephen the Fifth; tho' Lambert, the Son of Guy, had took the same Title, with that of King of Italy. From Christ 896.

Pope Formosus being dead, his Memory Popes. was condemned by his Successor Stephen the Sixth, with that Barbarity and Dis­grace, Formosus condem­ned. that his Body was taken out of his Tomb, and thrown into the River Tyber. Theodorus, Successor to Stephen, being dead within a year, his Successor John the Ninth, re-establish'd the Memory of Formosus, but he disannulled the Installment of Arnold, Crowned by Formosus, and confirmed the Title of Emperor to Lambert. From Christ 897.

Charles, called the Simple, had been Charles the Sim­ple, King of France. brought into England by his Mother Avoi­za, Daughter to Edward King of England. Eudes, who had been made King, being dead, the Neustrians recall'd Charles, and acknowledged him their King. From Christ 898.

Arnold, King of Germany and of Lorraine, dyed, leaving two Sons; Lewis his Legi­timate Lewis, King of Germany and Lor­rain. Son, and Zwendipold his Natural Son: the latter dying soon after, Lewis became Master of all his Fathers Domini­ons, under the Guardianship of Otho Duke of Saxony, or Hatto, Archbishop of Ments, as others say; and Leopold, Duke of Bava­ria, in his time the Hungarians most mise­rably afflicted the Empire, after they had beaten the Emperor in a Battel, that last­ed three days one after another. From Christ 900.