The ancient history of the Egyptians, Carthaginians [&c.] Transl - Charles Rollin - Google Books

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CHAP. II.

SECT. I. Complaints made at Rome against

Philip. Demetrius, his son, who was in that

city, is sent to his father, accompanied by

some ambassadors. A secret conspiracy of

Perseus against his brother Demetrius with

regard to the succession to the throne. He

accuses him before Philip. Speeches of both

those Princes. Philip, upon a new impeach-

ment, causes Demetrius to be put to death;

but afterwards discovers his innocence and

Perseus's guilt. Whilst Philip is meditating

to punish the latter, he dies, and Perseus

SECT. II. The death of Seleucus Philopator,

whose reign was short and obscure. He is

succeeded by his brother Antiochus, surnamed

Epiphanes. Sparks of the war which after-

wards broke out between the kings of Egypt

and Syria. Antiochus gains a victory over

Ptolemy. The conqueror possesses himself

of Egypt, and takes the king prisoner. A re-

port prevailing that there was a general re-

volt, he goes into Palestine; besieges and

takes Jerusalem, where he exercises the most

horrid cruelties. The Alexandrians, in the

room of Philometor, who was Antiochus's

prisoner, raise to the throne his younger

brother Ptolemy Evergetes, surnamed also

Physcon. Antiochus renews the war with

Egypt. The two brothers are reconciled.

He marches towards Alexandria, in order to

lay siege to it. Popilius, one of the Roman

ambassadors, obliges him to quit Egypt,

and not to molest the two brothers

SECT. III. Antiochus, enraged at what had

happened in Egypt, wreaks his vengeance on

the Jews. He endeavours to abolish the

worship of the true God in Jerusalem.

exercises the most horrid crueltics in that

city. The generous resistance made by Mat-

tathias, who, in his expiring moments, ex-

horts his sons to fight in defence of the law

of GOD. Judas Maccabeus gains several

victories over the generals and armies of

Antiochus. That prince, who had marched

into Persia, in order to amass treasures

there, attempts to plunder a rich temple in

Elymais, but is shamefully repulsed. Hear-

ing that his armies had been defeated in

Judæa, he sets out on a sudden to extirpate

all the Jews. In his march, he is struck by

the hand of Heaven, and dies in the greatest

torments, after having reigned eleven years

SECT. IV. Prophecies of Daniel relating to

Antiochus Epiphanes

The history of Alexander's Successors continued.

SECT. I. Perseus prepares secretly for a war

against the Romans. He endeavours a re-

conciliation with the Achæans in vain. His

secret measures not unknown at Rome. Eu-

menes arrives there, and informs the senate

of them. Perseus attempts to rid himself of

that Prince, first by assassination, and after-

wards by poison. The Romans break with

Perseus. Different opinions and dispositions

of the kings and states, in regard to the Ma-

cedonian war. After several embassies on

both sides, the war is declared in form

SECT. II. The consul Licinius and king Perseus

take the field. They both encamp near the

river Peneus, at some distance from each

b

other. Engagement of the cavalry, in which

Perseus has considerably the advantage, and

makes an ill use of it. He endeavours to

make a peace, but ineffectually. The armies

on both sides go into winter quarters

The senate pass a wise decree to put

a stop to the avarice of the generals and ma-

gistrates, cho oppressed the allies. The con-

sul Alarcius, after sustaining great fatigue,

enters Macedonia. Perseus takes the alarm,

and leaves the passes open: He resumes cou-

rage after wards. Insolent embassy of the

Rhodians to Rome

SECT. IV. Paulus Emilius chosen consul. He

sets out for Macedonia with the prætor Cn.

Octavius, who commanded the fleet. Per-

seus solicits aid on all sides. His avarice

loses him considerable allies.
The prætor

Anicius's victories in Illyria. Paulus Emi-

lius's celebrated victory over Perscus near

the city of Pydna. Perseus taken with all

his children. The command of Paulus Emi-

lius in Macedonia prolonged. Decree of the

senate granting liberty to the Macedonians

and Illyrians. Paulus Æmilius, during the

winter quarters, visits the most celebrated

cities of Greece Upon his return to Amphi-

polis he gives a great feast. He marches for

Rome. On his way he suffers his army to

plunder all the cities of Epirus. He enters

Rome in triumph. Death of Perscus. Cn.

Octavius and L. Anicius have also the honour

of a triumph decreed them

SECT. I. Attalus comes to Rome to congratulate

the Romans upon their success in Macedonia.

The deputies of the Rhodians present them-

selves before the senate, and endeavour to ap-

Page

to be deposed, confiscate his fortunes, and Page

seize that island. The celebrated Cato is

charged with this commission

The history of Alexander's Successors continued 431

Abridgement of the history of the Jews from

Aristobulus, son of Hyrcanus, who first as-

sumed the title of king, to the reign of

Herod the Great, the Idumæ an

SECT. 1. Reign of Aristobulus the First,

which lasted two years

ib.

SECT. II. Reign of Alexander Jannæus, which

continued twenty-seven years

SECT. III. Reign of Alexandra, the wife of

Alexander Jannæus, which continued ninc

years. Hyrcanus her eldest son is high-

priest during that time

SECT. IV. Reign of Aristobulus II, which

continued six years

SECT. V. Reign of Hyrcanus II, which con-

tinued twenty-four years

SECT. VI. Reign of Antigonus, of

years' duration

Abridgement of the history of the Parthians,

from the establishment of that empire to the

defeat of Crassus, which is related at large 456

Abridgement of the history of the kings of Cap-

pudocia, from the foundation of that king-

dom to the time when it became a province

of the Roman empire

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