B. C. FIRST PERIOD (the Antediluvian)-1656 years. 4004 THE CREATION OF THE WORLD. (Hebrew Pentateuch.) [Hales places it 5411 B. c.* The fall of man, and the promise of a Saviour. The birth of Cain, the first-born of woman-a husbandman. 3875 The death of Abel, the first subject of death. He was a shepherd. 3574 Seth born, the third son of Adam. 3769 Enos born. 3317 Methuselah" (lived 969 years.) 3130 Lamech 3074 Death of Adam, aged 930 years. 3017 Enoch translated. 2948 Noah born. 2468 The building of the Ark commenced. Enoch born, the first son of Cain.† Cain builds a city, which he calls Enoch. He introduces the use of weights and measures.-Jo sephus. Tytler. Irad. Methusael. Lamech-polygamy introduced. Jabal, Jubal. Tubal-cain. Naamah. The first to He invent- He discov- She introbuild a Tent ed the Harped the mode duced the for habita- and the Or-of preparing arts of Spintion, and tolgan,or wind and using ning and use cattle for and stringed iron, brass, Weaving. Thusbandry. of music. Metals. 2348 THE DELUGE. [Hales places it 3154 purposes of instruments and other B. C.] * See alphabetical portion of this volume for the various dates of the chronologists. The Sa maritan Pentateuch places the Creation B. c. 4700; the Septuagint, 5872; Josephus, 4658; the Talmudists, 5344; Scaliger, 3950; Petarius, 3984; and Dr. Hales, 5411. The last named enumerates above 120 various opinions on this subject, the difference between the latest and remotest date of which is no less than 3268. The Hebrew account is followed by Usher, and is here adopted as the most generally received standard. ↑ No dates are assigned in Scripture to the names here placed in the right-hand column.-They are however contemporary with those in the other column. REMARKS.—The Antediluvian Period was nearly as long as the whole period that has elapsed since the birth of Christ. Of the progress of knowledge and the arts, during that period, nothing is known beyond what is given above, except that ship-building, calking, and the use of pitch, or paint, of measures by cubit, &c., and of doors and windows, were known. They imply, in their adaptation to the use of man, other arts, and a considerable advance in science and the mechanical powers. THE TABULAR VIEWS ARE CONTINUED ACROSS TWO PAGES AT TH SAME TIME. SECOND PERIOD (Dispersion of Mankind.) SACRED HISTORY. B.C PROGRESS OF SOCIETY AND THE ARTS. 2347 Wine made by Noah from the grape. 2347. The descendants of Noah dispersed through the earth: those of Shem probably in Asia, of Ham in Africa, and of Japhet in Europe. 2347. The curse pronounced upon the descend. ants of Ham. 2247 Bricks made, and cement used to unite them. 2247. The building of Babel.* Confusion of languages at Babel. 2234 Astronomical observations begun at Babylon. 2245. BABYLON founded by Nimrod, son of Cush, and Grandson of Ham. NINEVEH founded by Ashur, son of Shem. 2122 Athotes (son of Menes) invents hieroglyphics. 2100 Sculpture and Painting employed to commemorate the exploits of Osymandyas. 2095 Pyramids and Canals in Egypt. The science of Geometry begin to be cultivated. 1998 Ching Hong teaches the Chinese the art of Husbandry, and the method of making Bread from wheat, and wine from rice. 1996. Abraham born. 1921. The call of Abraham. * The chronology here adopted is that of the Hebrew Pentateuch. The Samaritan places Babel 531 years after the deluge. |