depend, therefore, what at present we have to say respecting it. When we come to consider Daniel's vision of the four beasts, we shall then have to treat upon it more at large.

The word translated inferior is differently explained by commentators as applied to the Persian empire. Buxtorf says, Inferius te; id est, Demissius ac humilius tuo regno; that is, the second empire shall be inferior to and more humble than thine. The Septuagint has it, etton sou; according to which is the vulgar latin translation, minus te; that is, the second empire shall be less than thine: and Castalio translates it, deterius te; that is, worse than thou; as if Daniel alluded to the very wicked character of the Persian princes. But no word better expresses the idea meant to be conveyed than inferior; for in point of extent and consolidation of empire, the Persian was not less than the Babylonian; and, for the character of the Princes, it would not be easy to determine whether the Babylonian or Persian were the worse; and, in riches and splendor, the latter did not yield to the former.

But the Persian empire was inferior to the Babylonian, because, it owed its splendor and riches to the Babylonian. It was during the reign of the Babylonian princes, that those immense quantities of wealth were accumulated, and those stupendous works built, which elevated Babylon so much above other cities; and which were afterwards wasted by the ambition, the folly, or the prodigality of the Persian princes.

The Persians, before the conquest of Babylon by the united arms of Media and Persia, were a people of little note; they were poor, nor did they affect much grandeur: But, having conquered Babylon, they became possessed of all its wealth and splendor; these

they owed to the labour of the Babylonians and not to themselves, and, therefore, in this respect they were their inferiors. The Babylonian empire was rather a continuation of the old Assyrian than a new empire; and as the Assyrian had subsisted for many ages, it was, therefore, superior to the Persian in duration and stability; for, reckoning the duration of the Persian empire, from the year in which Cyrus took Babylon, to the Death of Darius by the traitor Bessus, it was but two hundred and nine years." But if we consider the Babylonian as a continuation of the Assyrian empire, its duration was upwards of fifteen hundred years.

iii. But as all earthly power fluctuates, so the Persian empire was to fall before the Grecian: for after the Persian, was to arise "another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth." (v. 39.)

The same arguments which proved, that, by the image's arms and breast of silver, the Persian empire was signified, will also prove, that the belly and thighs of brass meant the Macedonian or Grecian. The empires, like the parts of the image, were to follow each other in immediate succession; and all know that the Greeks, under Alexander, overthrew the kingdom of Persia, and that Asia fell under the dominion of Europe. There are only two particulars instanced by Daniel respecting this empire; viz., that it was to be of Brass, i. e. that brass fitly represented it; and that its extent was to be over all the earth. Let us see, therefore, how these two particulars apply to the Grecian empire.

As brass is a metal of less value than silver, and

4 Prid. an. 330.

more employed for use than ornament, so it is made use of to designate the Grecian, which was much less splendid in exterior pomp, than the Persian empire. The princes of Persia, after the days of Cyrus, became, to the highest degree, pompous and luxurious. They affected the utmost grandeur and shew in their dress, manners, and equipage; while the Grecian chiefs, from their education, forms of government, and the spirit of liberty which pervaded their communities, and their independance of each other, were plain in their manners and appearance.

r

The march of Darius against Alexander had more the appearance of a grand procession than a Military expedition. There was every exhibition of ease, pomp, and luxury; while Alexander's care was, to have nothing in his army which was not adapted to use and to victory. Before the Persian army were carried silver altars attended by the Magi singing hymns, and by three hundred and sixty five youths clothed in purple. Then came a chariot, consecrated to their God, drawn by white horses; after this followed ten chariots ornamented with gold and silver. Next followed a body of ten thousand men, called by the Persians immortal, all adorned with golden collars, and with robes of gold tissue and covered with precious stones. After these went the king's relations most splendidly adorned; and then came Darius himself in a chariot, as on a high throne, most superbly dressed in a vest of purple, striped with gold; and in a long robe beset with gold and precious stones. From a golden girdle which surrounded him hung his

r The chief objects of adoration among the Persians were the Sun and Fire; and a good Deity whom they named Ormuzd, and an evil one called Ahraman. By the Greeks the former was called Oramasdes, and the latter Arimanius.

'scymitar, whose scabbard flamed with gems: and his chariot was enriched with images of the gods in gold and silver. S His troops were indeed numerous; ac cording to some, six hundred thousand men followed him to the field of battle. But they had more of show than strength; they were well calculated to shine in the profusion of their ornaments and grandeur of dress, but ill adapted to bear the charge of the heavy and impetuous Greeks, whose armour was more for use than pomp.

Against the numerous forces of Darius, Alexander opposed the chosen troops of Greece; their number was small, but their courage vast and discipline perfect. According to Justin, Alexander had but thirtytwo thousand foot, and four thousand five hundred cavalry; and Plutarch says, that according to the smallest computation, he had thirty thousand foot and five thousand horse; and according to the largest account, thirty-four thousand foot, and four thousand horse. But those troops were veterans in war; they had long been engaged in the most bloody contests; they were so well skilled in military affairs, that they were each able to command as a general; they appeared more like the senate of an ancient state than common soldiers, their hopes of victory rested in coming to close combat. t

And, as they had been inured to toil and hardship, so also was their leader. From his childhood, his tutor Leonidas had brought him up in habits of temperance and toil; for he taught him to prepare for his dinner by marching before day light; and, by dining moderately, to create an appetite for supper.

Rollin's An. H. v. 5. p. 38.

Just, L. xi, C. 6.

And so careful was Leonidas to prevent his pupil having a relish for any luxury, that he used to search his chamber and his wardrobe, to see if his mother. had put any thing for him that was nice or superfluous. Alexander's mind was too full of conquest and ambition to be pleased with articles of luxury or effeminacy; hence, after the battle of Issus, when they brought to him a most curious casket adorned with Jewels, in which were kept Darius' perfumes, he said, I use no perfumes, but shall put something more valuable into it. This casket he employed to contain his Homer, a book of which he was passionately fond; as it fed the martial ardour of his mind, and supplied him with rules of war and policy. If Alexander was thirsty, he was satisfied with water; if hungry, the coarsest food pleased him. But when he became intoxicated with his victories and spoil, he yielded to Persian effeminacy; and was conquered by their vices who could not conquer him by their arms. His early education and manners were as brass, firm and strong; his training was for the conquest of the East, but when this was effected, he sunk into debauchery, and fell a victim to intemperance.

But with what propriety the Grecians are compared to brass, in opposition to the Persians, is very plain from Charidemus' speech to Darius not long before the battle of Issus. Darius, vainly confident in the number of his troops, asked Charidemus, a high spirited Athenian, and well skilled in war, if he did not think he had sufficient force to overwhelm his enemy. But the Athenian knew, that numbers do not always constitute strength, and therefore he replied:

Plut. in vit, Alex.