_Salatis_ began to reign A. P. J. 2570. A.M. 1860 _Beon_ 1879 _Apachnas_ 1923 _Apophis_ 1959 _Janias Staan_ A.P.J. 2020 _Assis_, _Archles_, _Melcartus_ 2781. 2071 By this means we have an opening scene of the greatest matters of antiquity, that relate to the world in general, as well as particularly to the island of _Great Britain_; of which I must give some account. In the year of the world 2083, the great patriarch _Abraham_ came out of _Chaldea_ into the land of _Canaan_. This is in the 13th year of the reign of our _Melcarthus_ in lower _Egypt_. About 2087, not 2084 (as _Usher_ sets it) _Abraham_, by famine constrained, goes down to _Egypt_, that is, into lower _Egypt_. So that our _Melcarthus_ is the real _Pharaoh_ mention’d _Gen_. xii. who would have taken _Sarah_, _Abraham_’s wife, ’till he learn’d the truth. _Usher_, at the year 2084, calls him _Apophis_; but ’tis an error of the pen, it means _Janias_, predecessor to _Assis_, whom he sets as regent from _anno mundi_ 2081. _Castor_ the chronographer, in _Syncellus_, writes, “that _Abraham_ was well learn’d in the knowledge of astronomy, and the other sciences of the _Chaldeans_.” _Berosus_, author of the _Chaldean_ history, gave him the character of “a just and great man, expert in astronomy.” _Josephus_ adds, “that _Hecateus_ had such a value for his memory, that he wrote his history.” _Nicholas_ of _Damascus_ an historian, and _Trogus_, make him a king. _Alexander Polyhistor_ relates from _Eupolomus_, “that _Abraham_ exceeded all men in wisdom; that astronomy was founded by him among the _Chaldeans_; that he came into _Phœnicia_, and taught the _Phœnicians_ astronomy; that he being constrain’d by famine, went into _Egypt_, lived in _Eliopolis_ among the priests, and taught them astronomy; yet he did not pretend to be the inventor of the art, but had it deliver’d to him by succession from _Enoch_.” _Artapanus_ likewise, the historian, mention’d by _Eusebius præp. evang._ IX. 4. he speaks of “_Abraham_ going to the king of _Egypt_, and teaching him astronomy, and that after twenty years he return’d into _Syria_.” _Melo_, another old heathen author, speaks much of _Abraham_’s wisdom. These writers, as wholly disinterested, sufficiently shew that _Egypt_ hence learn’d astronomy, and _Melcarthus_ their king in particular.