There are, however, many venerable tomes, epic poems, as well as history, that illuminate what are usually termed the prehistoric times in Ireland. The history of this country does not fairly begin until the time of St. Patrick and the introduction of Christianity and modern learning. Since then the records are practically complete. The many monasteries were filled with scriveners who kept a record of events with considerable detail and probable accuracy. But the more interesting period lies farther back, when the kings of Tara were in their glory and the sun shone upon the exploits of half-savage clans that lived by the chase and not by agriculture, as their descendants do. It is a familiar joke to say that one's ancestors were kings of Ireland, but there is more truth than witticism in such remarks. There is no reliable authority for the existence of any national military organization of professional or fighting men in Ireland other than chiefs, down to the reign of "Conn of the Hundred Battles," who was monarch at Tara from 123 A.D. to 157 A.D., in which year he was slain. Still, it is stated that Conn himself came to the throne from the command of the celebrated national militia, popularly known as the "Fianna Eireann," of whom the great Finn, Mac Cumhaill, and his father, Cumhaill, were the most famous commanders, just as many of the Roman emperors rose to the purple through the backing and from the command of the Prætorian Guards. This militia of ancient Ireland were accomplished athletes to a man, and their preparation and competition for enlistment were most arduous and remarkable. The name Fianna (hence the modern "Fenians") is explained in an antique glossary preserved in a volume of the famous "Brehon Laws." There were several severe conditions which every man who was received into the Fianna was obliged to fulfill. The first was that he should not accept any fortune with his wife, but select her for her beauty, her virtue, and her accomplishments. The second was that he should not insult any woman. The third was that he should never deny any person asking for food. The fourth was that he should not turn his back on less than nine foemen. No man was received into the Fianna until a wide pit had been dug for him, in which he was to stand up to his knees, with a shield in one hand and a hazel stake the length of his arm in the other. Nine warriors, armed with spears, came within a distance of nine ridges of ground of him and threw their spears at him all at once. Should he be wounded, despite the shield and hazel staff, he was not received into the order of the Fianna. No man was received into the Fianna until his hair was first braided. He was then chased by selected runners through a forest, the distance between them at the start being one tree. If they came up with him he could not be taken into the Fianna. No man was received into the Fianna if his weapons trembled in his hands.