Tell in brief the history of Armenia, B. C. 301-A. D. 114. 97. 39. Describe the most easterly of the Greek kingdoms in Asia. 98. 40. The character and history of the Parthians. 99. 41. How was Judæa governed, B. C. 323-168? 100, 101. 42. Describe its condition under the Syrian kings. 101. 43. The rise and reign of the Maccabees. 102-105. 44. The character of Herod, and the great events of his reign. 106, 107. 45. How were his dominions distributed B. C. 4-A. D. 44? 108. 46. Describe the last twenty-six years of Jewish history. 109. 47. How many battles have been described at Beth-horon? 48. How many at Thermopylæ? 49. How many at Mantinea? 50. How many at Salamis in Cyprus? 51. How many at Chæronea? BOOK V. HISTORY OF ROME, FROM THE EARLIEST TIMES TO THE FALL OF THE WESTERN EMPIRE, A. D. 476. GEOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF ITALY. =1.= ITALY, bounded by the Alps, and the Adriatic, Ionian, and Tyrrhe´nian seas, is the smallest of the three peninsulas of southern Europe. It is inferior to Greece in the number of its harbors and littoral islands, but excels it in the richness and extent of its plains and fertile mountain-sides, being thus better fitted for agriculture and the rearing of cattle than for maritime interests. Still, from its long and narrow shape, Italy has an extended coast-line; the slopes of the Apennines abounded, in ancient times, with forests of oak suitable for ship-timber; and the people, especially of Etru´ria, were early attracted to the sea. =2.= The Alps, which separate Italy from the rest of Europe, have had an important effect upon her history. At present they are traversed securely by less than a dozen roads, which are among the wonders of modern engineering. In early times they formed a usually effectual barrier against the barbarous nations on the north and west. The Apennines leave the Alpine range near the present boundary between Italy and France, and extend in a south-easterly and southerly direction to the end of the peninsula, throwing off lateral ridges on both sides to the sea, and forming that great variety of surface and climate which is the peculiar charm of the country. A multitude of rivers contribute vastly to the fertility of the soil, though, from their short and rapid course, they are of little value for navigation. Varro preferred the climate of Italy to that of Greece, as producing in perfection every thing good for the use of man. No barley could be compared with the Campa´nian, no wheat with the Apu´lian, no rye with the Faler´nian, no oil with the Vena´fran.