In honor of the slain, who were buried on the spot where they fell, and of those who died before they who were dismissed by Leonidas went away, the following inscription has been engraved over them:  “Four thousand from Peloponnesus once fought on this spot with three hundred myriads![53]” This inscription was made for all; and for the Spartans in particular:  “Stranger, go tell the Lacedaemonians that we lie here, obedient to their commands!” This was for the Lacedaemonians; and for the prophet, the following:  “This is the monument of the illustrious Megistias, whom once the Medes, having passed the river Sperchius, slew; a prophet who, at the time well knowing the impending fate, would not abandon the leaders of Sparta!”

[Footnote 53:  Three millions.]

The Amphictyons are the persons who honored them with these inscriptions and columns, with the exception of the inscription to the prophet; that of the prophet Megistias, Simonides, son of Leoprepes, caused to be engraved, from personal friendship.

CHRONOLOGY OF UNIVERSAL HISTORY

EMBRACING THE PERIOD COVERED IN THIS VOLUME

B.C. 5867—­B.C. 451

JOHN RUDD, LL.D.

CHRONOLOGY OF UNIVERSAL HISTORY

EMBRACING THE PERIOD COVERED IN THIS VOLUME

B.C. 5867—­B.C. 451

JOHN RUDD, LL.D.

Events treated at length are here indicated in large type; the numerals following give volume and page.

Separate chronologies of the various nations, and of the careers of famous persons, will be found in the INDEX VOLUME, with volume and page references showing where the several events are fully treated.

All dates are approximate up to B.C. 776, the beginning of the Olympiads.

B.C.

=5867.= Menes, the first human ruler recorded in history, unites the two kingdoms of Egypt under one crown; introduces the cult of Apis; founds the city of Memphis; rears the great temple of Ptah.  See “DAWN OF CIVILIZATION,” i, 1.

=5000.= Babylonia is invaded by a race of Semites; they conquer the land and become the Babylonians of history.

=4500 (before)=.  A patesi (priest-ruler), by name En-shag-kush-anna, is King of Kengi, Southern Babylonia; Sungir, which later gave the name Sumer to the whole district, is his capital.

=4400.= Shirpurla, Mesopotamia, subjugated by Mesilim, King of Kish.

=4200.= The hero of Shirpurla, E-anna-tum, throws off the Kish yoke and takes the title of king.  He is successful in conflicts with Erech, Ur, and Larsa.  Walls are erected and canals dug by him.

=3700.= The great Pyramid of Gizeh erected.  This was during the IV or Pyramid dynasty; so called because its chief monarchs built the three great pyramids.