3d, THE GRECIAN EMPIRE, began under Alexander the Great in 3670, was soon after his death dismembered by his successors; but the different parcels into which they divided it were possessed by their respective families, till the famous Cleopatra, the last of the race of Ptolemy, one of Alexander's captains who reigned in Egypt, was conquered by Julius Caesar, about half a century before our Lord's birth, which is a term of about 300 years. Thus you see that, from the deluge to the establishment of the first great monarchy--the Years Assyrian--is 150 The Assyrian empire continued 1450 The Median 200 The Persian 200 The Grecian 300 From Julius Caesar, with whom began the fourth great monarchy,--_viz._ the Roman--to Christ 50 ---- In all 2350 years; the term from the deluge to Christ. I do not give you these dates and periods as correctly true, for I have taken only round numbers, as more easily retained by the memory; so that, when you come to consult chronological books or tables, you will find variances of some years between them and the above accounts; but precise exactness is not material to a beginner. I offer this short table as a little specimen of what you may easily do for yourself; but even this sketch, slight as it is, will give you a general notion of the ancient history of the world, from the deluge to the birth of Christ. Within this period flourished the Grecian and Roman republics, with the history and chronology of which it will be expected you should be tolerably well acquainted; and indeed you will find nothing in the records of mankind so entertaining. Greece was divided into many petty states, whose various revolutions and annals you can never hope distinctly to remember; you are therefore to consider them as forming together one great kingdom--like the Germanic body, or the United Provinces--composed separately of different governments, but sometimes acting with united force for their common interest. The _Lacedemonian_ government, formed by Lycurgus in the year of the world 3100--and the _Athenian_, regulated by Solon about the year 3440--will chiefly engage your attention. In pursuing the _Grecian_ chronology, you need only perhaps make one stand or epocha, at the time _Socrates_, that wisest of philosophers, whom you must have heard of, who lived about 3570 years from the creation, and about 430 before Christ: for within the term of 150 years _before_ Socrates, and 200 _after_ him, will fall in most of the great events and illustrious characters of the Grecian history.