The Egyptian history is divided into three periods of unequal duration; the _first_ of which extends from the earliest time down to the Sesostridae, that is to say, to about B.C. 1500: the _second_ comprises the reigns of the Sesostridae, or the brilliant period of Egypt, down to Psammetichus, 1500-650: the _third_ brings us from Psammetichus down to the Persian conquest, 650-525. FIRST PERIOD. _From the earliest times down to the Sesostridae, about B. C. 1500._ Sources: 1. Jewish writers. _Moses._ His records contain, no doubt, a faithful picture of the Egyptian state in his day; but no continuous history can be deduced from them.--From Moses down to Solomon (B.C. 1500-1000.) total silence, with respect to Egypt, of the Hebrew writers. From Solomon down to Cyrus, (B.C. 1000-550.) a few scanty fragments.--Importance and superiority of the Jewish accounts, so far as they are _purely historical_. 2. Greek writers. (_a_) _Herodotus._ The first who published a History of the Egyptians. About seventy years after the destruction of the throne of the Pharaohs by the Persian conquerors, this author collected, in Egypt itself, the earliest accounts of the history of the country; he received his information from the most capable persons, the priests; and wrote down faithfully that information, such as he heard it. If, therefore, we would estimate at their proper worth the accounts given by Herodotus, it is necessary to enquire, what did the priests themselves know of their earlier national history? And this question cannot be answered until we have ascertained in what manner the historical records of the earlier periods were preserved among the Egyptians.