THE

ANCIENT HISTORY

OF

THE EGYPTIANS, CARTHAGINIANS, ASSYRIANS, BABYLONIANS, MEDES
AND PERSIANS, GRECIANS AND MACEDONIANS.

BY CHARLES ROLLIN,

LATE PRINCIPAL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PARIS, PROFESSOR OF ELOQUENCE IN THE
ROYAL COLLEGE, AND MEMBER OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF INSCRIPTIONS
AND BELLES-LETTRES.

FROM THE FIFTEENTH LONDON EDITION, REVISED AND CORRECTED.

VOL. VI.

Philadelphia:

PUBLISHED BY BROWN & PETERS.

Stereotyped by L. Johnson.

A

G

57

R73
1829

274872

V.6

BOOK XVII.

THE HISTORY OF ALEXANDER'S SUCCESSORS.

CHAPTER I.

SECT. I. The four victorious princes divide the empire of Alex-

ander the Great into as many kingdoms. Seleucus builds

several cities. Athens shuts her gates against Demetrius. He

reconciles himself with Seleucus, and afterwards with Ptolemy.

The death of Cassander. The first exploits of Pyrrhus. Athens

taken by Demetrius. He loses, almost at the same time, all he

possessed

SECT. II. Dispute between the two sons of Cassander for the

crown of Macedonia. Demetrius, being invited to the assist-

ance of Alexander, finds means to destroy him, and is pro-

claimed king by the Macedonians. He makes great prepara-

tions for the conquest of Asia. A powerful confederacy is

formed against him. Pyrrhus and Lysimachus deprive him of

Macedonia, and divide it between themselves. Pyrrhus is soon

obliged to quit those territories. Sad end of Demetrius, who

dies in prison

SECT. III. Ptolemy Soter resigns his kingdom to his son Ptolemy

Philadelphus. The tower of Pharos built. The image of Se-

rapis conveyed to Alexandria. The celebrated library founded

in that city, with an academy of learned men. Demetrius

Phalereus presides over both. Death of Ptolemy Soter

SECT. IV. The magnificent solemnity at the inauguration of

Ptolemy Philadelphus, king of Egypt

SECT. V. The first transactions of the reign of Ptolemy Philadel

phus. The death of Demetrius Phalereus. Seleucus resigns

The

his queen and part of his empire to his son Antiochus.

war between Seleucus and Lysimachus; the latter of whom is

slain in a battle. Seleucus is assassinated by Ptolemy Cerau-

nus, on whom he had conferred a multitude of obligations.

The two sons of Arsinoe are murdered by their uncle Cerau-

nus, who also banishes that princess. Ceraunus is soon punished

for those crimes by the irruption of the Gauls, by whom he is

slain in a battle. The attempt of that people against the tem-

ple of Delphos. Antigonus establishes himself in Macedonia

SECT. VI. Ptolemy Philadelphus causes the books of the Holy

Scripture, preserved by the Jews with the utmost care, to be

translated into the Greek language, as an ornament to his

library. This is called the Version of the Septuagint

SECT. VII. The various expeditions of Pyrrhus: first, into Italy;

where he fights two battles with the Romans.

The character

Page

8

17

22

30

42

and conduct of Cineas. Secondly, into Sicily; and then into

Italy again. His third engagement with the Romans; wherein

he is defeated. His expedition into Macedonia; of which he

makes himself master for some time, after having overthrown

Antigonus. His expedition into Peloponnesus. He forms the

siege of Sparta, but without success. Is slain at that of Argos.

The deputation from Philadelphus to the Romans, and from

the Romans to Philadelphus

SECT. VIII. Athens besieged and taken by Antigonus. The just

punishment inflicted on Sotades, a satiric poet. The revolt of

Magas from Philadelphus. The death of Philetarus, founder of

the kingdom of Pergamus. The death of Antiochus Soter. He

is succeeded by his son Antiochus, surnamed Theos. The wise

measures taken by Ptolemy for the improvement of commerce.

An accommodation effected between Magas and Philadelphus.

The death of the former. The war between Antiochus and

Ptolemy. The revolt of the East against Antiochus. Peace

restored between the two kings. The death of Ptolemy Phi-

ladelphus

SECT. IX. Character and qualities of Ptolemy Philadelphus

CHAPTER II.

An-

SECT. I. Antiochus Theos is poisoned by his queen Laodice,

who causes Seleucus Callinicus to be declared king. She also

destroys Berenice and her son. Ptolemy Euergetes avenges

their death, by that of Laodice, and seizes part of Asia.

tiochus Hierax, and Seleucus his brother, unite against Ptole-

my. The death of Antigonus Gonatas, king of Macedonia.

He is succeeded by his son Demetrius. The war between the

two brothers, Antiochus and Seleucus. The death of Eumenes,

king of Pergamus. Attalus succeeds him. The establishment

of the Parthian empire by Arsaces. Antiochus is slain by rob-

bers. Seleucus is taken prisoner by the Parthians. Credit of

Joseph, the nephew of Onias, with Ptolemy. The death of

Demetrius, king of Macedonia. Antigonus seizes the throne of

that prince. The death of Seleucus

SECT. II. The establishment of the republic of the Achæans.

Aratus delivers Sicyon from tyranny. The character of that

young Grecian. He is enabled, by the liberalities of Ptolemy

Euergetes, to check a sedition ready to break out in Sicyon.

Takes Corinth from Antigonus, king of Macedonia. Prevails

on the cities of Megara, Trozene, Epidaurus, Megalopolis, to

accede to the Achæan league; but is not so successful with re-

spect to Argos

SECT. III. Agis, king of Sparta, attempts to reform the state, and

endeavours to revive the ancient institutions of Lycurgus; in

which he partly succeeds; but finds an entire change in Sparta,

at his return from a campaign in which he had joined Aratus

against the Etolians. He is at last condemned to die, and

executed accordingly

SECT. IV. Cleomenes ascends the throne of Sparta, and engages

in a war against the Achæans, over whom he obtains several

advantages. He reforms the government of Sparta, and re-

establishes the ancient discipline. Acquires new advantages

over Aratus and the Achæans. Aratus applies for succour to

Antigonus, king of Macedonia, by whose aid the Achæans

obtain repeated victories, and take several places from the

enemy,

SECT. V. The celebrated battle of Selasia, wherein Antigonus

defeats Cleomenes, who retires into Egypt. Antigonus makes

himself master of Sparta, and treats that city with great hu-

manity. The death of that prince, who is succeeded by

Philip, the son of Demetrius. The death of Ptolemy Euer-

A

getes, to whose throne Ptolemy Philopator succeeds.

great earthquake at Rhodes. The noble generosity of those

princes and cities who contributed to the reparation of the

losses which the Rhodians had sustained by that calamity.

The fate of the famous Colossus,

BOOK XVIII.

THE HISTORY OF ALEXANDER'S SUCCESSORS.

Page

126

141

SECT. I. Ptolemy Philopator reigns in Egypt. The short reign

of Seleucus Ceraunus. He is succeeded by his brother An-

tiochus, surnamed the Great. Achæus's fidelity to him. Her-

mias, his chief minister, first removes Epigenes, the ablest of

all his generals, and afterwards puts him to death. Antiochus

subdues the rebels in the East. He rids himself of Hermias.

He attempts to recover Cole-syria from Ptolemy Philopator,

After a

and possesses himself of the strongest cities in it.

short truce, a war breaks out again in Syria. Battle of Raphia,

in which Antiochus is entirely defeated. The anger and re-

venge of Philopator against the Jews, for refusing to let him

enter the sanctuary. Antiochus concludes a peace with Pto-

lemy. He turns his arms against Achæus, who had rebelled.

149

He at last seizes him treacherously, and puts him to death,

SECT. II. The Etolians declare against the Achæans. Battle of

The Achæans have recourse to Phi-

Caphyæ lost by Aratus.

lip, who undertakes their defence. Troubles break out in

Lacedæmonia. The unhappy death of Cleomenes in Egypt.

Two kings are elected in Lacedæmonia. That republic

joins with the Etolians,

SECT. III. Various expeditions of Philip against the enemies of

the Achæans. Apelles, his prime minister, abuses his confi-

dence in an extraordinary manner. Philip makes an inroad

into Ætolia. Thermæ taken without opposition. Excesses

of Philip's soldiers in that city. Prudent retreat of that prince.

Tumults in the camp. Punishment of those who had occa-

sioned them. Inroad of Philip into Laconia. The conspira-

166