Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1883-06-07
n UM BER %.
Essay on History.
Continued

In the middle of the period between the
creation OF the world and the birth OF Abra-
ham, that is, about the year 3ll7, B. c., Enoch
was translated to heaven, as a token of Divine
favor In The middle vf ;he period between
the birth of Abraham and the birth of Christ,
that is, about the year 1904, b. c., Solomon's
temple was finished This latter Period ful.
iled the promise made to Abraham, IN its
literal sense that his seed should reign in
peace and prosperity from the uyer Euphrates
to the shores OF the Mediterranean sen. Thus
the period of the four thousand years each
every successive period commences with re.
marLablo event, va; the creaton--the trans
lotion of Enoch-th birth OF Abraham and
the completion Of Solomon's temple These
periods are again divided into eight of 800
years each but SO little is recorded respecting
the first two periods of a thousand years each
HAT IL is OF lttle Importance TO refer to them
in any special way, except to notice, that
Jared, the h(lh in descent from Adam, was
born 3j4l, b. {. The secosd thousand from
Enoch's translation to Ahraham'S birth is
equally as wimportaut, except that Noah
announced tac delugc, and commenced the
building OF the ark
The divisions OF the latter two thousand
years are marked 10y more mpor ant events
than those That preceded them, VIZ between
Abraham and solomon comes the mission of
Moses to tile lsUellcs, and what followed in
connection herewith happening nearly 1850
years h. G. The last 1900 years being equally
divided 10y the building of the second temple,
after the return of the Jews from the captivity
Of Babylon, II would be tedious and uuptcr
estiug TO the general reader, to attempt TO give
even succiuct view OF the state OF the
world during The eight cas but we notice
that the historians dWei particularly upou the
eighth century . c. because the history of
the most famous nations OF antiquity belong
10 II, viz the building or founding Of the city
OF Rome i53, B G. The rise of the Babylon.
ian empire j4i, b. e. The dissolution of the
kingdom of l,u,H 72l, B. G.. The Hrst olym-
plnd, from which The Greeks computed their
history 40, b.. G. The foundation of the
kingdom of LYDIA i9i, b. c., sc. II Is for
These reasons that the student OF history
should try TO tx ID his memory tile events OF
the eighth century, B. C., "a period when the
great kingdoms Of antiquity began to be or.
ganIaad, aud to uy the foundation Of their
nuurc emiueuce doubtless, expecting no less,
Than 20 establish monarchies aud kingdoms,
as durable as the world Itself
Dating from $500, a, NJ and 500, b. c.,
prolane history begins TO assume an authentic
form, aud besides The Sacred Scriptures.
ihcneuioward dcyelopes a steady light,
train OF causes and effects, In the affairs Of
men, worthy the attention Of the student OF
history politics end philosophy. Almost all
The countries Of Asia at this era, were under
the dominion Of Persia which succeeded the
Babylouian monarchy, and was founded by
Cyrus When Darius Hystopses was on the
throne OF Persia 800, B G. hc made prcpar-
alton for on'inyasion of Greece but did not
leaving Xcrxes, his son, to prosecute the in
yasion, assisted by his Cmthagcnean allies,
who undertook to attack the Greek settle
ments Ia sicily. He then proceeded with his
immcu-e army to Greece taking The same
route his father, Darius, had taken, on Tor
mer expedition crossing the lIeliespont on Il
bridge Of boojs, he was intercepted at the
stmiia Of Themopymc by Lconidas and his
300 sparlans This little band Of heroes, aid
cd 10y the nature Of the ground and their M
dumitnOle coarage, arrested the progress Of
the invaders lor Two days tan dastardiy
GrceN betrayed IT, and led Pcrson delach-
mcnt across the mountains by which means
Leonidas aud his glorious band were over
powered and cut to pieces
The Persian fleet and army were met with
a. formidable specimen of Grcelau yalor and
discipline, such as the almost unparalleled
defence and bravery displayed by Leouidas
aud 10, spartan, iu Dat over memorable
action 20 tut XeNea apd his army adyauc.
ing TO Athens, the citizens being unable to
defend their city, retired 10 their ships, TO see
their city reduced to ashes The Persian hect
AT the same linc advanced, but was totally
defeated 10y the Greeks, who were now en-
boldcued to attack the Persaus by land, The
fortune Of war was then changed. The Per-
slams defeated, hatrasscd and dishcartened,
began 10 retreat XerNes hearing that tha
Greeks would cut of all means Of retreat, fled
10 bot haste 10 reach the llellecpont in time
10 cross on his pou,0ouo 10 hud them totally
destroyed hy the slonns and was obliged to
cross in a small fishing boat Thus ended his
memorable expedition. JouN CoMAISs.
10 be continued)