Chapter VIII: Introduction

I. The sources of ancient history may be ranged under two heads;
the ancient writers, and the monuments still extant. The various
writers will be mentioned in their proper places, at the different
divisions of this work. A general view of the ancient monuments, so
far as they are sources of history, will be found in:

OBERLIN, _Orbis antiqui monumentis suis illustrati primae lineae_.
Argentorati, 1790. Extremely defective, as many discoveries have
been made since it was published.

II. GENERAL TREATISES ON ANCIENT HISTORY.

1. _The more voluminous works_ on the subject. These may be divided
in two classes: _a._ The part appropriated to ancient history, in
the general treatises on universal history; _b._ Works exclusively
devoted to ancient history.

_a._ To the first class belong:

_The Universal History, ancient and modern; with maps and
additions._ Lond. 1736, 26 vols. folio. Reprinted in 8vo. in 67
vols. and again in 60 vols. with omissions and additions.

This work, compiled by a society of British scholars, has been
translated into German, and illustrated with remarks, by SIEGM.
JAC. BAUMGARTEN. Halle, 1746, 4to. The Germans frequently designate
it by the name of the Halle Universal History of the World: the
first eighteen vols. comprise the ancient part.

WILL. GUTHRIE, JOHN GRAY, _etc._ _General History of the World,
from the creation to the present time._ London, 1764-1767, 12 vols.
8vo. This work, of no estimation in the original, is rendered
valuable and useful by the labours of the German translator, C. G.
HEYNE, (_Leip._ 1766, 8vo.) who has corrected the errors, inserted
the dates, and added his own observations.

_b._ To the second class belong:

ROLLIN, _Histoire ancienne des Egyptiens, des Carthaginois, des
Assyriens, des Medes el des Perses, des Macedoniens, des Grecs._
Paris, 1824, 12 vols. 8vo.; revue par LETRONNE: the last and best
edition. This work, which greatly promoted the study of ancient
history in France, still maintains its well-earned reputation. [It
was translated into English, 1768: best edition, 7 vols. 8vo.:
frequently reprinted.] The above is generally accompanied by the
_Histoire Romaine_ of the same author. See below, book v. first
period, _Sources_.

JAC. BEN. BOSSUET, _Discours sur l'Histoire Universelle_. Paris,
1680, 3 vols. Frequently reprinted, being considered by the French
one of their classics.

[English translation, by RICH. SPENCER. London, 1730, 8vo.]

MILLOT, _Elemens de l'Histoire Generale_. Paris, 1772, sq.
[Translated into English, 1778, 2 vols. 8vo.: and again, an
improved edition, with additions.] Edinb. 1823, 6 vols. 8vo. The
ancient history is contained in the first two volumes.

# JOH. MATTH. SCHROECKH, _General History of the World_, for the
use of children. Leipzic, 1779, sq. 6 vols.

# J. G. EICHHORN, _History of the Ancient World_, 1799, third
edition, 1817. (First part of the History of the World.)

# DAN. G. J. HUEBLER, _Sketch of the General History of the Nations
of Antiquity, from the birth of states to the end of the Roman
commonwealth_. Freyberg, 1798-1802. Five parts; and a continuation:
_History of the Romans under the Emperors, and of the contemporary
Nations, until the great migration_, 1803; three parts. A work
rendered extremely useful, by the judicious advantage taken by the
author of the labours of other writers.

# H. LUDEN, _General History of Nations_. 1814; three parts.

# L. VON DRESCH, _General Political History_. 1815; three parts. In
each of the above works the first part contains the ancient
history, and exhibits the more modern views of the subject.

[The following is added, as well deserving the attention of the
English student: RALEGH (Sir WALTER) _History of the World, Part I.
extending to the end of the Macedonian Empire; with his Life and
Trial, by Mr. Oldys_. Lond. 1736, 2 vols. folio. Formerly the best
edition; but a new and improved one has been printed at the
Clarendon press. Oxford, 1829, 8 vols. 8vo.]

# F. VON RAUMER, _Lectures on Ancient History_, parts 1, 2. Berlin,
1821.

Works furnishing illustrations of the progressive civilization,
government, and commerce of early nations, although, strictly
speaking, not treatises on ancient history, are nevertheless very
closely connected with the subject. Among these may be mentioned:

GOGUET, _De l'Origine des Lois, des Arts, et des Sciences, et de
leurs progres chez les anciens peuples; nouv. edit_. Paris, 1778.
[Translated by Dr. DUNN and Mr. SPEERMAN. Edinb. 1761-1775, 3 vols.
8vo.]

# A. H. L. HEEREN, _Reflections on the Politics, Intercourse, and
Trade of the most eminent Nations in the Ancient World_. Third
edition, with many additions. Gottingen, 1815, 8vo.; the third
part, 1821. Fourth edition. Gottingen, 1824. [This edition, the
last, contains many improvements and additions, suggested by the
great discoveries of modern travellers. Part I, Asiatic Nations, in
3 vols. Persians, Phoenicians, Babylonians, Scythians, Indians. An
English translation of which is at this moment in the press. Part
II, African Nations, 2 vols. Carthaginians, Ethiopians, Egyptians.