Page 747 time; but rather apply their Minds to Learning, and other virtuous Qualifications, which would make their Names famous over all the World.
For time, which consumes all other things, preserves these to perpetual Generations, and the elder they grow, the more fresh and flourishing it presents them: for they that are gone long ago, are still in every Man's Mouth, as if they were now at this very day alive.
44. Cambyses was naturally furious and even a Mad-man, and the more fierce and insolent upon the account of his large Dominion.
Cambyses the Persian puft up with the success of his Arms, after the taking of Memphis and Pelusium, insolently demolish'd the Sepulchre of Amasis, an Ancient King of Aegypt; and finding his Body embalm'd with odoriferous Spices, basely and inhumanly cudgel'd it and abus'd it with all manner of Contempt, and after order'd it to be burnt to Ashes. For being the Aegyptians never burn their dead Bodies, he thought by this means he reveng'd himself sufficiently of the Man that was dead long before.
Cambyses when he prepar'd for his Expedition against the Aethiopians, sent part of his Army against the Ammonians; and commanded his Officers to rob the Temple of Jupiter Ammon, and set it on fire, and make all the Inhabitants round Captives.
45. Certain Lydians flying away to avoid the Tyrannical Government of Oroetes, the Governor of the Province fled to Samus with a vast Treasure of Gold, and humbly Address'd themselves to Polycrates for relief: who at first courteously Entertain'd them; but not long after cut all their Throats, and robb'd them of their Money.
46 Thessalus the Son of Pisistratus a Wise and Prudent Man, voluntarily abdicated the Sovereignty, and acted only as a private Man, contented only to share in the common Rights and Liberties with the rest of the Citizens, for which he was in high Esteem and Reputation.
But his Brothers Hipparchus and Hippias, being rigid and cruel, Rul'd Tyrannically over their Citizens. After they had for some time grievously opprest the Athenians, Hipparchus falling in Love with a beautiful Boy, plung'd himself into perilous circumstances. For Harmodius and Aristogiton join'd in a Conspiracy against the Tyrant, in order to free their Country from Slavery; but Aristogiton was the chief Man for a brave and resolute Spirit, in induring all sorts of Torments with patience and constancy, who in the most perilous times, carefully preserv'd two things especially, Faithfulness to his to his Friends, and just Revenge for his Enemies.
47 Zeno of Elis, being seiz'd upon for a Conspiracy against Nearchus, who tyrannically opprest the Country, was put upon the Rack. When the Tyrant askt him, who were his fellow Conspirators; I would to God (said he) I had as much Command of the rest of my Body, as I have of my Tongue.
Hereupon the Tyrant scruing him up, and tormenting him the more, Zeno for some time couragiously endur'd the tormenting Rack, but afterwards to free himself, and be reveng'd on the Tyrant, he had this contrivance. The Rack being extended to the utmost, he feign'd as if he could no longer bear it, and therefore cry'd out to release him, and he would discover all, the Rack being thereupon loos'd, he desir'd the Tyrant would come to him himself, for he had many things to discover, which requir'd Secresie: Upon which he came readily to him, and put his Face close to Zeno's Ear, upon which he took fast hold of the Tyrants Ear with his Teeth; whereupon the Guard came running in, and racking him to the utmost they could to force him to leave his hold, he fastned his Teeth the more fiercely, so that the Guard not being able to baffle the resolution of the Man, they were forc'd to intreat him to let go; and by this trick, he was releas'd from his torments, with a revenge upon the Tyrant.
48. Sextus the Son of Lucinius Tarquinius, King of the Romans, took a Journey to the City Coilatia, and there Lodg'd at the House of Lucius Tarquinius the King's Nephew, whose Wife was call'd Lucretia, a most beautiful Lady and renown'd for her Chastity. Sextus rose up in the Night and broke down her Chamber Door, when she was in Bed, and attempted to force her, (her Husband at that time being in the Camp at Ardea) and with his drawn Sword in his Hand, threatn'd to kill her, unless she yielded, and told her he had a Slave ready, whom he would lay naked in Bed with her, and kill them both, that it might be said, she was justly kill'd in the act of Adultery, and that he had done it in revenge of the injury done to his Kinsman. And therefore it was better for her quietly to gratifie him in what he desir'd, promising her likewise many great and rich rewards, and to Marry her, and so from a private Condition, she should be advanc'd to the State and Dignity of a Queen. Lucretia amaz'd with the strangeness and suddenness of the thing, and fearful lest it should be thought she was kill'd really for an act of Adultery,
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.