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A MANUAL OF ANCIENT HISTORY,
Particularly with Regard to the Constitutions, the Commerce,
and the Colonies, of the States of Antiquity.
by
A. H. L. HEEREN;
Knight of the North Star and Guelphic Order; Aulic Counsellor
and Professor of History in the University of Goettingen; and
Member of Several Other Learned Societies.
Translated from the German.
THE SECOND EDITION, CORRECTED AND IMPROVED.
Oxford:
Published By D. A. Talboys.
M DCCC XXXIII.
Oxford: Printed by Talboys and Browne.
TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE
TO THIS EDITION.
It is to the patient industry of the historians of Germany, that we are
indebted for the first production of Manuals of history, and for those
synchronistic tables which have so much facilitated the systematic study
of ancient history; and among the various and profound treatises of this
class which enrich and adorn their literature, the works of Heeren are
distinguished by their extended range of enquiry, as well as by the
minute accuracy of their details.
The work before us embodies the result of his laborious researches
during the long period in which he has been engaged as public lecturer
and professor of history in the university of Goettingen; and if it be
any recommendation of a work to know that its writer has had ample time,
ability, and opportunity to collect and elaborate his materials, it may
be asserted, without fear of contradiction, that the author of the
present work possessed all these advantages in an eminent degree. He has
spent the greater portion of his life in lecturing upon the subjects of
which it treats, and has in every case gone for his information
immediately to the fountain head. It forms, too, an important feature of
his work, that a list of the original sources, whence his own knowledge
has been drawn, is placed at the head of each section; another is added
of the principal writers who have touched upon or illustrated the
particular portion of history under notice; both being generally
accompanied with a few words of judicious criticism, in which the value
of the writer's authority is estimated, and his sources, circumstances,
and prejudices, briefly, but fairly set forth. Besides this advantage,
the work possesses the merit of combining the convenience of the Manuals
with the synchronistic method of instruction; as the geography,
chronology, and biography of the countries and states of the ancient
world are brought at once under the eye of the reader; and so lucid is
the arrangement, that the darkest and most entangled portions of history
are seen in a clear and perspicuous light. Professor Heeren seems,
moreover, to possess in a more eminent degree than any other writer, the
power of forcing, by a very few words, the attention of the reader upon
the most important facts of history; and of conjuring up in his thoughts
a train of reflections calculated at once to instruct and enlarge the
mind. His work is not only admirably adapted to become a text-book in
the study of history, but will be found equally serviceable as a book of
reference--it will guide the student in his untried and intricate
course, and enable the more advanced scholar to methodize his collected
stores. Perhaps in no work has so much important information been
condensed into so small a compass.
The estimation in which this Manual is held on the continent, may be
gathered from the fact of its having passed through six large editions
in German, and two in French, and from its having been translated into
almost every language of Europe.
The rapidity with which the first edition, as well as the other writings
of professor Heeren, have sold in this country, is a proof that they
only required to be known here in order to be appreciated. The favour
with which these translations have been received, both by the venerable
author himself and by the British public, has been a source of the
highest gratification to the publisher. The encouragement, so kindly
bestowed, has urged him to new exertions, the fruits of which, he
trusts, will be observable in the present volume. The Manual has not
only been revised and corrected throughout, but has also been diligently
compared with the German, and has received such ameliorations as the
original text or the English style seemed to demand. When it is added to
this that a very numerous body of corrections and improvements have been
sent to the publisher by professor Heeren himself, who has patiently
examined the translation expressly for this edition, he trusts that the
public will be satisfied that it is as faithful a copy of the original
work as the nature of things will allow.
In the preface to the last edition of this Manual the publisher
announced his intention, should it be favourably received, of following
it up by the publication of another elaborate work of the same author,
viz. A Manual of the History of the States of Modern Europe and their
Colonies, as forming one political System. This work will now very
shortly appear. As an apology for the delay which has taken place, he
begs to call to their notice another equally important work by the same
author, which he has published in the mean time; the Historical
Researches into the Politics, Intercourse, and Trade of the
Carthaginians, Ethiopians, and Egyptians, with a general introduction;
the remainder of this work, containing the Historical Researches into
the Politics, Intercourse, and Trade of the Ancient Asiatic Nations--the
Persians, Phoenicians, Babylonians, Scythians, and Hindoos, will
appear in a few weeks.
To add to the usefulness of the work, an analysis of the contents, with
dates, has been given in the margin. The # prefixed to some of the books
denote that they are written in German.
OXFORD,
_March, 1833_.
PROFESSOR HEEREN'S WORKS.
The following catalogue of the historical works of Professor Heeren, has
been sent to the Publisher by the Professor himself. They are uniformly
printed in German, in 15 vols. 8vo. and may always be had together or
separate of the publisher of this volume.
VOL. I. II. III. Vermischte historische Schriften. (Miscellaneous
Historical Pieces).
VOL. I. Einleitung. Biographische Nachrichten ueber den Verfasser.
(Biographical Sketch of Heeren's Life, by himself.)
1. Entwickelung der politischen Folgen der Reformation fuer Europa.
(Development of the Consequences of the Reformation to the Politics
of Europe).
2. * Versuch einer Entwickelung des Ursprungs und Fortganges der
britischen Continental-interesse. (Essay on the Rise and Progress
of the British Continental interests). A translation of this Essay
will be appended to the Manual of the History of Modern Europe,
see vol. viii. ix. below.
3. Ueber den Einfluss der politischen Theorien auf Europa. (Of the
Influence of Political Theories on Europe).
VOL. II. 1. Ueber die Erhaltung der Nationalitaet besiegter Voelker.
(On the Method of Preserving the Nationality of Conquered States.)
Written in 1810, and suppressed by the French.
2. Entwickelung der Folgen der Kreuzzuege fuer Europa. (Development of
the Effects of the Crusades upon Europe: An essay which obtained the
prize of the French Institute in 1808).
3. Ueber den Einfluss der Normannen auf die franzoesische Sprache und
Poesie. (On the Influence of the Normans on the French Language and
Poetry).
4. Ueber die Colonisation von Aegypten, und ihre Folgen fuer Europa.
(On the Colonisation of Egypt, and its Probable Consequences to
Europe).
5. Der deutsche Bund in seinen Verhaltnisse zu Europa. (The
Influence of the German Federation upon Europe).
VOL. III. 1. Ueber den historischen Werth der Biographien Plutarch's.
(On the Historical Value of Plutarch's Lives).
2. Geschichte der buergerlichen Unruhen der Gracchen. (History of the
Civil Commotions under the Gracchi).
3. Fuenf archaeologische und antiquarische Aufsaetze. (Five
Archaeological and Antiquarian Tracts).
VOL. IV. V. Geschichte der classischen Litteratur im Mittelalter.
(History of Classical Literature During the Middle Ages).
VOL. VI. Biographische und litterarische Denkschriften. (Biographical
and Literary Memoirs).
1. Christian Gottlob. Heyne, biographisch dargestellt. (Biographical
Memoir of Heyne), the father-in-law of Heeren.
2. Andenken an deutsche Historiker. (Memoirs of German Historians.)
VOL. VII. * Handbuch der Geschichte der Staaten des Alterthums.
(Manual of Ancient History, of which this volume is the second
edition of the English translation).
VOL. VIII. IX. * Handbuch der Geschichte der europaeische
Staaten-systems und seiner Colonien. (Manual of the
History of the European States-system and their Colonies).
VOL. X. * Ideen ueber die Politik, den Verkehr und den Handel
des vornehmsten Staaten der alten Welt. (Researches into the
Politics, Intercourse, and Trade of the Principal States of
Antiquity,--Asiatic Nations). 1. General Introduction;
2. Persians.
VOL. XI. * Ideen, etc. (Asiatic Nations). 1. Phoenicians;
2. Babylonians; 3. Scythians.
VOL. XII. * Ideen, etc. (Asiatic Nations). Indians.
VOL. XIII. * Ideen, etc. (African Nations). 1. Carthaginians;
2. Ethiopians.
VOL. XIV. * Ideen, etc. (African Nations). Egyptians.
VOL. XV. * Ideen, etc. (European Nations). Greeks.
Those with a * prefixed are translated into English, and are either now
published or will very shortly be so.
PREFACE
TO THE FIRST EDITION.
In adding to the number of Manuals on Ancient History already published,
I feel myself bound to give an account of the plan on which the present
has been executed.
It was at first designed to be used in my public lectures, and from them
it has grown up to what it now is. In them I did not consider it
necessary to state all we know or think we know of ancient history. Many
facts highly interesting to the learned historian are not adapted for
public lectures. It was therefore my great object to make choice of such
incidents as ought to be known by my pupils in order to the effectual
prosecution of their historical studies. Consequently I have not
extended my labours so far as to give an historical account of every
nation, but have limited myself to those most remarkable for their
general civilization and political eminence.
The subjects to which I have particularly directed my attention are, the
formation of states, the changes in their constitution, the routes by
which commerce was carried on, the share which the different nations
respectively took in its pursuit, and, as immediately connected with
that department, their extension severally by means of colonies.
The favourable reception which my larger work, executed after a
different plan, has met with, would lead me to hope for a like
indulgence in this new attempt, even if the spirit of the age did not so
loudly call upon every historian to direct his chief attention to these
subjects. And for this reason I could not rest satisfied with a mere
detail of isolated facts, but have made it my study to follow the course
of events, linking them into one connected chain; so as to represent
them in a condensed form by continually and carefully forcing together
the main circumstances which contributed to the development of the
whole.
Without this, history in general would be but a lifeless study, more
especially that of republics, which were so numerous in ancient times,
and which, from their constitution being made up of political parties,
everywhere present the most difficult problems for the historian's
solution. Of all the larger divisions of my work, the arrangement of the
Greek history I have found most troublesome, on account of the number of
little states into which it is sub-divided. Historians, indeed, lighten
this labour by confining themselves merely to Athens and Sparta; but by
so doing they give us a very imperfect knowledge of the subject. I have
endeavoured to surmount the difficulty by throwing the account of the
smaller states and their colonies into the second period; by which means
I have been able in the third and most important portion, the interest
of which depends entirely upon the principal states, to carry on my
history, as a whole without interruption. But in case others, who wish
to make this Manual the groundwork of their lectures, should dislike
this arrangement, they may very easily attach these notices to the
introductory geographical survey; a plan I very often adopt in my own
lectures. Upon the arrangement of the other parts, I am not aware of the
necessity of making any observations. The sources from which I have
drawn my materials are specified in every section. Particular references
do not come within my plan; and if I have referred several times in the
first two sections to my larger work, it is only on particular points,
explanations of which may be sought for in vain elsewhere.
Some knowledge of ancient geography and the use of maps[a], if it has
not been previously acquired by the student, should, I am convinced,
always be connected with lectures on ancient history. That this need not
extend to detailed explanations of ancient geography, but that it should
be restricted to what is merely useful in the study of history, I have
observed in the body of my work. The geographical chapters which are
interspersed having been written with this intent, will, I hope, be
judged of accordingly. I have taken care to arrange them so as to
include the whole of the ancient world; it depends, therefore, only upon
the teacher to form a more or less extensive course upon them.
[a] I have made use of D'Anville.
With regard to chronology, I have followed throughout the same uniform
plan of computing time, viz. to and from the birth of Christ. By
preferring this method, so convenient and certain, to the inconvenient
and uncertain one of reckoning from the year of the world, I hope I have
deserved the thanks of my readers. I relinquish, on the other hand, all
claim to merit on the score of having more accurately defined the
chronology of events which occur before the time of Cyrus. I have, on
the contrary, in this part of my labour, often stated round numbers,
where, in many modern publications, precise dates may be found. Exact
determinations of time are only necessary, in my opinion, where a
continuous development of circumstances takes place; not where
unconnected facts are recorded.
The transactions of our own times have thrown a light upon ancient
history, and given it an interest which it could not formerly possess. A
knowledge of history, if not the only, is at least the most certain
means of obtaining a clear and unprejudiced view of the great drama now
performing around us. All direct comparisons, notwithstanding the many
opportunities which have tempted me, I considered as foreign to my plan;
but if, notwithstanding in some chapters of my work, particularly in the
history of the Roman republic, I may be thought to make a reference to
the transactions of the ten years during which this work has been
published, I do not consider it necessary to offer any excuse for so
doing. Of what use is the study of history if it do not make us wiser
and better? unless the knowledge of the past teach us to judge more
correctly of the present? Should I have contributed in any measure to
promote this object, and should I be so fortunate as to lead the minds
of my young friends to a deeper study of a science which can only in
this way reward its admirers, I shall esteem it the most delightful
recompense my labour can receive.
GOETTINGEN, Sept. 23, 1799.
PREFACE
TO THE SECOND AND FOLLOWING EDITIONS.
The call for a second edition of my Manual imposes upon me an obligation
to supply the deficiencies of my former work. Corrections have been
carefully made, and many parts completely re-written. A select list of
books which treat of the respective departments of my subject is now
first added; the former edition containing only references to the
sources from which my facts were derived. This, I trust, will be
considered an essential service to the friends of historical science,
more especially the young, for whom and not for the learned these
additions have been made. Their use in this place is particularly
obvious, where it is in every one's power to procure the books referred
to[b]. The short criticisms subjoined, where it seemed necessary, will
serve as guides for their use. In the author's department of the work
but little has been changed, while its form and appearance have been
improved by the use of different types, by more accurate running titles,
and by ranging the dates in the margin. By the adoption of the latter
method the increase in the number of pages is rendered inconsiderable,
notwithstanding the numerous additions which have been made to the
matter. In its arrangement, this work is the same as my Manual of the
History of the European States and their Colonies. Beyond this, however,
these works have no relation to each other, but have been executed upon
quite different principles; the present as a history of the _separate_
states of the ancient world, and the other as a general history of
modern states and their colonies, as forming altogether one political
system. Each, however, forms a complete work in itself, and it is by no
means my intention to fill up the gulf which time has placed between
them.
[b] [The author alludes to the public library at Goettingen. TR.]
I regret that the acute researches of M. Volney[c], upon the chronology
of Herodotus before the time of Cyrus, came too late into my hands to be
made use of in its proper place in my second edition. In the third this
has been done. I lay claim, at the same time, to the thanks of the
reader for giving, in an Appendix, the results of these researches,
together with references to the passages by which they are supported;
leaving out, however, all extraneous matter, and everything that cannot
be proved by the positive assertions of the father of history.
[c] Chronologie d'Herodote, conforme a son Texte par C. F. Volney.
Paris, 1809, 3 vols. See the _Goett. Gel. Anz._ for 1810 and 1816.
I cannot close this preface without again recurring to the advantage of
the mode now becoming more and more general, of computing time in
ancient history according to the number of years before Christ. The fact
of its being certain and convenient has often been remarked; but besides
this it possesses the great advantage of giving us at once a clear and
precise notion of the interval that separates us from the incidents
recorded; which it is impossible to obtain by the use of any other era,
whether the year of the world, the olympiads, or the year of Rome, etc.
And yet this peculiar advantage, so great in the eyes of the teacher,
has not, to the best of my knowledge, been hitherto made the subject of
remark. Even for the science of history itself, this circumstance is of
greater moment than might be at first supposed. Should an enquirer arise
who would closely examine all ancient history according to this
era--setting out from the generally received year of the birth of Christ
as from a fixed point, to which the labours of M. Volney are a good
beginning--the whole science would thereby acquire a firmer consistency.
For by this method all dates would not appear equally certain and
equally uncertain, as they do in the eras which are computed from the
year of the world; but it would be shown what is chronologically
certain, what only probable, and what completely uncertain, according as
we should recede from the clearer into the more obscure regions of
history. The old manner of reckoning from the year of the world, in
which congruity was impossible, because there was no agreement upon the
point to start from, would certainly be thrown aside; but where is the
harm if something better and more certain be substituted in its place?
In the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth editions, though the increase in
the number of pages is small, yet all those additions and corrections
which I deemed necessary, and which the progress of knowledge and
discovery, as in the case of Egypt and other countries, enabled me to
effect, have been most carefully and fully made. The importance of these
will be best seen by comparison.
_Goettingen_, 1828.
CONTENTS.
Page
INTRODUCTION 1
Book I. Asiatic and African states previous to Cyrus 15
General geographical outline of Asia ib.
Preliminary and General Observations upon the History and
Constitution of the great Asiatic Empires 22
History of the ancient Asiatic kingdoms before the reign of
Cyrus 25
I. Assyrian monarchy ib.
II. Median monarchy 26
III. Babylonian monarchy 27
IV. States in Asia Minor 29
1. Trojan empire ib.
2. Phrygian empire ib.
3. Lydian empire ib.
V. Phoenicia 30
VI. Syrians 33
VII. Jews 34
1. Period of the Nomad state from Abraham till the conquest
of Palestine 35
2. Period of the federative republic 36
3. Period of the monarchy from B. C. 1100-600 38
The Jewish state as one single kingdom ib.
The Jewish state as a divided kingdom 40
African Nations 45
General geographical outline of Ancient Africa ib.
I. Egyptians 47
1st Period. From the earliest times down to the Sesostridae,
about B. C. 1500 51
2nd Period. From the Sesostridae till the sole dominion
of Psammetichus, B. C. 1500-650 62
3rd Period. From the reign of Psammetichus to the
Persian conquest of Egypt by Cambyses, B. C. 650-525 69
II. Carthaginians 73
1st Period. From the foundation of Carthage to the
wars with Syracuse, B. C. 880-480 74
2nd Period. From the breaking out of the wars with
Syracuse to the commencement of those with Rome,
B. C. 480-264 80
3rd Period. From the beginning of the wars with
Rome to the downfal of Carthage, B. C. 264-146 82