The Description of Alexander's Funeral Chariot. Ptolemy honour'd in Egypt. Perdiccas prepares for Egypt against Ptolemy. Eumenes beats Neoptolemus, who deserted. The Battel between Eumenes and Craterus, who was kill'd with Neoptolemus. Combate between Neoptolemus and Eumenes. Perdiccas comes into Egypt: Assaults the Fort call'd the Camel's Wall; His miserable Loss in the River Nile; is kill'd. Ptolemy makes Arrideus and Pytho Protectors of the Kings. Eumenes condemn'd to die. The Etolians invade Thessaly. Polyspherchon routs the Etolians. The Provinces again divided by Arrideus. Antigonus routs Eumenes, who flies to Nora. Antigonus besieges Nora. Eumenes his Invention to exercise the Horse. Ptolemy gains Syria and Phoenicia by Nicanor.
WHen Philocles was Chief Magistrate at Athens, and Caius Sulpitius and Quintus Aulius were created Roman Consuls, Arrideus (to whom was committed the Care of conveying away Alexander's Body to his Sepulchre, having now the Chariot ready upon which he was to be carry'd) prepar'd himself for the Journey. But forasmuch as the whole Business and Concern was manag'd as became the Majesty of Alexander, and upon that account did not only exceed all others in respect of Expence, State, and Pomp, (for the Charges amounted to many Talents) but also in respect of Curiosity of Workmanship, we conceive it fit to recommend something to Posterity in writing concerning it. And first was provided a Coffin of beaten Gold, so wrought by the Hammer as to answer to the Proportion of the Body; it was half fill'd with Aromatick Spices, which serv'd as well to delight the Sense as to preserve the Body from Putrefaction. Over the Coffin was a Cover of Gold, so exactly fitted, as to answer the higher part every way: Over this was thrown a curious Purple Coat embroider'd with Gold, near to which were plac'd the Arms of the Deceas'd, that the whole might represent the Acts of his Life. Then was provided the Chariot, in which the Body was to be convey'd, upon the top of which was rais'd a Triumphant Arch of Gold, set thick and studded over with precious Stones eight Cubits in breadth, and twelve in length: Under this Roof was plac'd a Throne of Gold, join'd to the whole Work, foursquare, on which were carv'd the Heads of Goat-Harts, and to these were fastned Golden Rings of two Hands breadth in the diameter; at which hung, for Show and Pomp, little Coronets of various beautiful Colours, which, like so many Flowers, gave a pleasant Prospect to the Eye. Upon the top of the Arch was a Fringe of Network, where hung large Bells, to the end the Sound of them might be heard at a great distance. On both sides the Arch at the Corners stood an Image of Victory in Gold, bearing a Trophy: A Peristthylium of Gold supported the Archwork, the Chapiters of whose Pillars were of Ionian Workmanship: Within the Peristthylium, by a Network of Gold of a finger's thickness in the Workmanship, hung four Tables one by another equal to the Dimensions of the Wall, whereupon were portray'd all sorts of living Creatures: The first Table represented a Chariot curiously wrought, wherein Alexander sate with a Royal Scepter in his Hand: About the King stood his Life-Guard compleat in their Arms; the Macedonians on one side, and the Persians that bore Battle-Axes on the other; and before them stood the Armor-Bearers: In the second, Elephants adorn'd in their Warlike Habiliaments follow'd them of the Guard, on which sate Indians before, and Macedonians behind, arm'd according to the Customs of their several Countries. In the third might be seen Squadrons of Horse drawn up in Battalia: In the fourth appeared a Fleet order'd in a Line of Battel. At the entrance into the Arch stood Lions in Gold, with their Faces towards them that approach'd to enter. From the middle of every Pillar an Achanthus in Gold, sprouted up in Branches spiring in slender Threads to the very Chapiters: Over the Arch about the middle of the Roof on the outside was spread Purple Carpet in the open Air, on which was plac'd a vast Golden Crown, in form of an Olive Coronet, which by the reflection of the Sun-Beams darted such an amazing Splendor and Brightness, that at a distance it appear'd as a Flash of Lightning. Under the Seats or Bottom of the whole Work ran two Axle-trees, about which mov'd four Persian Wheels, whose Spokes and Nathes were over-laid with Gold, but the Felloes were shod with Iron: The Ends and Out-parts of the Axes were of Gold, representing the Heads of Lions, every one holding a Dart in in his Mouth. In the very Centre of
The Histories of Herodotus written in 440 BC is considered to be the founding work of history in Western literature. His history included stories and fables but he claimed to have traveled extensively and learned about many countries through direct observation.
The thesis of Stolen Legacy is that the Egyptians created what is wrongly called Greek philosophy. Dr. James argues that the African origin of Greek Philosophy is well known but rarely discussed. Ancient Greek historians such as Herodotus and Diodorus the Sicilian wrote in significant detail about the contributions of Egypt. Egyptian technology and libraries were unmatched and Greek philosophers such as Pythagoras and Plato studied there. The contribution of Africa to the intellectual foundation of modern knowledge is tremendous but unacknowledged.
The Library of History by Diodorus the Sicilian is one of the most highly regarded universal histories in antiquities. His work includes the history of Egypt, Asia, Africa, Greece and Europe. His book is a must read for research of ancient history.
Bible Study The King James Bible (kjv), World English Bible (web) and Bible in Basic English (bbe) are all examples of public domain books. The King James Bible (kjv) online uses the content from these books and open source software to enhance Bible study capabilities. The site includes the verse of the day, search tools, christian literature and links to related content. It demonstrates the use of open source to create a valuable service.