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 prim line. 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, 17641767, 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 Mdes el des Perses, des Macdoniens, 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 , Elmens de l'Histoire Gnrale. 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, 17981802. 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 progrs chz les anciens peuples; nouv. dit. Paris, 1778. [Translated by Dr. Dunn and Mr. Speerman . Edinb. 17611775, 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, Phnicians, Babylonians, Scythians, Indians. An English translation of which is at this moment in the press. Part II, African Nations, 2 vols. Carthaginians, Ethiopians, Egyptians. Part III, European Nations; of which only 1 volume, Greeks, has been published.]
2. Manuals, or epitomes.
The Germans are entitled to the merit of having first produced manuals of ancient history, all of them useful, some excellent, in their kind: they are a result of the progress made in this science at the universities.
J. Chr. Gatterer , Attempt at an Universal History of the World to the discovery of America. Gottingen, 1792. He who possesses this, the last and ripest fruit of Gatterer's studies, may dispense with the earlier manuals published by that author.
Chr. Dan. Beck , A Short Introduction to the Knowledge of the Universal History of the World and of Nature. Leipzic, 1798. The first part connected with our subject extends to AD 843. This volume is enriched with such a copious and critical account of books relating to ancient history, that it may supply the place of a particular work on the subject.
J. A. Remer , Manual of the more Ancient History, from the creation of the world to the great migration. Fourth edition. Brunswick, 1832.
J. M. Schroeckh , Manual of Universal History. 1774: latest edition, 1795.
G. S. Bredow , Manual of Ancient History, with a sketch of the chronology of the ancients. Altona, 1799, 8vo. [Translated into English. Lond. 1828, 12mo. In English we have:
The Outlines of History, in 1 vol. (forming part of Lardner's Cabinet Cyclopdia) by Mr. Keightly , author of a learned and highly useful work on Grecian Mythology, is a convenient abridgement. Tytler's Elements of General History, improved and continued by Dr. Nares . Lond. 1825, best edition; owes its reputation and success to the want of a better work on the subject.]
