CHAPTER III.

OTHER HISTORICAL RECORDS.

_China_--Oldest existing Civilization--but Records much later than those of Egypt and Chaldæa--Language and Traditions Accadian--Communication how effected.

_Elam_--Very Early Civilization--Susa, an old City in First Chaldæan Records--Conquered Chaldæa in 2280 B.C.--Conquered by Assyrians 645 B.C.--Statue of Nana--Cyrus an Elamite King--His Cylinder--Teaches Untrustworthiness of Legendary History.

_Phoenicia_--Great Influence on Western Civilization--but Date comparatively late--Traditions of Origin--First distinct Mention in Egyptian Monuments 1600 B.C.--Great Movements of Maritime Nations--Invasions of Egypt by Sea and Land, under Menepthah, 1330 B.C., and Ramses III., 1250 B.C.--Lists of Nations--Show Advanced Civilization and Intercourse--but nothing beyond 2000 or 2500 B.C.

_Hittites_--Great Empire in Asia Minor and Syria--Turanian Race--Origin Cappadocia--Great Wars with Egypt--Battle of Kadesh--Treaty with Ramses II.--Power rapidly declined--but only finally destroyed 717 B.C. by Sargon II.--Capital Carchemish--Great Commercial Emporium--Hittite Hieroglyphic Inscriptions and Monuments--Only recently and partially deciphered--Results.

_Arabia_--Recent Discoveries--Inscriptions--Sabæa--Minæans--Thirty-two Kings known--Ancient Commerce and Trade-routes--Incense and Spices--Literature--Old Traditions--Oannes--Punt--Seat of Semites--Arabian Alphabet--Older than Phoenician--Bearing on Old Testament Histories.

_Troy and Mycenæ_--Dr. Schliemann's Excavations--Hissarlik--Buried Fortifications, Palaces, and Treasures of Ancient Troy--Mycenæ and Tiryns--Proof of Civilization and Commerce--Tombs--Absence of Inscriptions and Religious Symbols--Date of Mycenæan Civilization--School of Art--Pictures on Vases--Type of Race 66