of Probus, shut up in prison, and finally put to death.

A. D. 284. Tumult and insubordination still reigned in Egypt, and called for the rigorous exertions of the new emperor, Dioclesian. From the Nile to Mount Atlas, Africa was in commotion; and, during this season of distraction, Lucius Epidius Achilleus claimed the kingdom of Egypt. He is supposed to have been the brother of Zenobia, and to have fled into Egypt, when Aurelian conquered the queen of Palmyra. He was fortified in the city of Alexandria when the Roman troops arrived; but the general of Dioclesian cut off the provisions and water from the city, and Achilleus was overthrown. Alexandria suffered much; but great as its distress was, the cities of Coptos and Busiris suffered more. Wherever the Roman armies went, destruction followed; for they were commanded to pursue the rebels with deep revenge. To oppose the inroads of the Blemeys, Dioclesian en

tered into a treaty with the people of Nubia; granted them additional territories; and paid them yearly a sum of gold. To render this agreement more solemn, buildings were erected in the island of Elephantina, which, in token of harmony, were called Philas; and there sacrifices of peace and unity were annually offered in behalf of Nubia and Rome. When Egypt was again subdued, Dioclesian made arrangements to keep it in subordination, and fixed for the people a regular and proper supply of provisions.*

k Zosim. lib. 1 & 2, de Zenob. Prob. Dioclet. &c.; and Horat. Turselin epit. lib. iv, c. 35.

E 3

BOOK VI.

CHAP. I.

...

The eclectic philosophy.... The gnostics.. Monks and Recluse.... Arius and Athanasius.... Various commotions in Egypt.

s Alexandria was peopled at first

from the various nations which composed the extensive kingdom of its founder, so the speculative and religious sentiments in the city must have been greatly diversified. The commerce of Alexandria rendered it the centre of riches and fashion; and its celebrated colleges drew literary inquirers from every civilized part of the world. There was not a sentiment of philosophy or religion which prevailed in Greece, in

Chaldea, in Persia, in Palestine, or perhaps even in India, which was not understood and canvassed in the schools of Alexandria.

Many noble ideas were maintained, and many unworthy sentiments were cherished. From the coalition, or partial union, of such different opinions, there sprung up a variety of kindred, but diversified, views. Wise and discerning men saw the folly and the danger of encouraging every wild speculation, and giving countenance to every fanciful

idea. Sensible of the valuable effects which proceed from free enquiry, they did not wish to check the ardour of literary pursuit ; but they were also sufficiently aware of the vain or pernicious sentiments, which a fanciful mind may bring forth, if permitted to run wild, without assistance and wise direction.

Under these impressions attempts had frequently been made to select from the different systems of philosophy those parts which were most valuable, and to

reject whatever was found to be incorrect or improper. But this difficult task does not appear to have been brought to a conclusion till the time of Ammonius. That distinguished philosopher and christian divine taught the catechetical school of Alexandria, which is supposed to have been instituted by St. Mark, and successively conducted by Athenagoras, Pantænus, Clemens Alexandrinus, Origen, and other men of learning and note.?

The system which was thus taken from the diversified opinions of the Greek, Oriental, and Egyptian philosophers, was a collection of such heterogeneous materials as defied union or a regular form. It was dignified with the name of the Eclectic Philosophy; but it was rather productive of hurtful consequences than beneficial effects. When

a It has been doubted whether Athenagoras was the first president of that school. Lardner, edit. Kippis, vol. iii, p. 181.