Page:Light and truth.djvu/119

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.
ancient cities and kingdoms.
117

mineral waters. From hence a considerable trade was carried on with Alexandria, in Egypt. Paul halted here seven days, as he went prisoner to Rome. (Acts xxviii. 13.) We find several of its bishops in the primitive councils of the Christian church. The present name of the place is Buzzoli.

Syracuse, a famous city, called also Saragossa, on the south-east of Sicily, 22 miles in circumference. It was founded A.M. 3269, and was once the largest and richest city of the Greeks. Archimedes, with astonishing inventions, defended the place from the Romans; but it was taken, and he was slain, about 208 B.C. This city was taken from the Romans by the Saracens in 1090. Here Paul tarried three days, as he went prisoner to Rome. Christianity was early planted here, and still continues, at least in name. The city has wholly lost its ancient splendor. (Acts xxviii. 12.)


THE KINGDOM OF MACEDONIA.

The founding of Macedonia, by Caranus, we date 795 years B.C. Caranus was an Argive by birth, a descendant of Hercules, an African. He established the regal government, which in spite of the dangers that proved fatal to it in most of the Grecian States, subsisted in Macedonia 647 years. The reign of the warlike Philip, first brought Macedonia into notice. In the battle at Cheronea, which was fought 338 years B.C, he subjected the other Grecian communities to his dominion.

The partition of the Macedonian Empire into four great monarchies, took place about twelve years after the death of Philip's warlike son—Alexander the Great, who had conquered most of the world known to the ancients—or 312 years B.C. Ptolemy, Lysimachus, Cassander, and Seleucus, four generals of Alexander—made this division among themselves. To Ptolemy were assigned Egypt, Lybia, Arabia, and Palestine; to Cassander, Macedonia and Greece; to Lysimachus, Bythinia and Thrace; and to Seleucus the remaining territories in Syria as far the river Indus, which was called the kingdom of Syria.