Ancient and modern history ...

Front matter

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Preface

For Americans, and for Catholic Americans especially, an interest in general European history is both natural and essential. As Americans, we belong to a country which is peopled by contingents from every European nation ; by ancestry we are all foreigners here ; and our interests in history are as general as the mixture of blood in oar people is varied and diverse. As Catholics, our conception of history cannot centre in the assumed superior importance of any one nation to all others, such as a narrow patriotism sometimes imagines for its own kindred and race ; nor can our conception be satisfied with a knowledge of the one or two national histories to which a blood relationship alone might confine it.

History, for Catholic conception, is a history of Christian civilization, or of the ancient civilizations which preceded, as transformed and resurrected by it. This history converges in ancient times to tbat centre of ancient civilization which became, and has ever since remained, the focus of the Christian faith. It diverges from that centre to the nations of later time as they became subject to its influence, and have remained to the present day, unconsciously, it may be in some cases, controlled by it.

In offering this book for uses of instruction, the author is supported, then, by the sense that its topic is one of vital importance ; but as for the methods in which this topic shall be presented in one short book, under the limitations of size which practical usefuhiess demands, there, indeed, is a broad field for variance of opinion. For the art of teaching has little to do with the knowledge it conveys. The art of teaching is also a science to whose acquisition a lifetime of experience, or the bent of natural genius, must be assistant. A good historian may be a poor instructor — may fail, and sometimes does fail, in the preparation of a text-book on the subject. Practical usefulness being, then, the condition of success and the standard of judgment, the author takes the liberty of noting the practical features of this work.

iv PREFACE.

The typography makes use of three sizes of print. To the large print is assigned the direct matter of fact considered necessary for a general History Primer, and recitations confined to this print will still furnish an exact survey of the subject. The medium print is generally employed for explanatory matter, summaries, descriptions of civilizations, etc. The small print, not intended for recitation, is devoted to details which will give the work additional value for colleges and advanced classes, or to matter which will make the book more interesting to the younger learner, and which could not be otherwise supplied without undue increase of size.

The Chronologies, Synchronistic Tables, Genealogies, and Questions for Review have been given all the space and typographical clearness which their great importance demands.

A most important feature is the space devoted to Historical Geography, in connection with a series of twenty-three double-page, progressive, historical maps. This subject, at once the most neglected in historical instruction and the most fundamentally essential to any exact conceptions of the Past, has never hitherto been adequately illustrated in text-books on general history, and matter relating to it has been necessarily excluded by absence of illustration. The maps here in question have been supplied, with kind approbation of the Author, by the Publisher of Dr. Robert H. Labberton's Historical Atlas.

This Atlas is undoubtedly at once the most useful and the most comprehensive of all Historical Atlases published for student use, not excepting the valuable works of German origin. Its use of colors is more forcible and decided, and therefore clearer in its eflfects and contrasts, than that usually employed. Such colors, which would be inadvisable in geographical maps, are absolutely essential where the varying boundaries of successive political changes have to be clearly represented.

In illustrations, as in maps, the author has to acknowledge an unprecedented liberality on the part of the Publishers. An examination of the subjects chosen will show them to be of serious historical value — engraved photographs of the monuments of the Past in their present condition, or direct reproductions of the pictures, medals, and engravings of older periods. The portraits reproduce authenticated works made in the time of the individual portrayed.

As regards the treatment of the subject-matter, the topic of American history is excluded from the plan of the work, as the Series to which it belongs has already covered this ground. The Table of Contents presents a summary view of the nations and periods treated, and of the arrangement adopted. This arrangement must be tested by its results in use; but it is the first in which a

PREFACE

T

sequent view of the epochs of history has been presented without abandoning a treatment by nations. ^

It is the common opinion of teachers that history should be taught by nations rather than by epochs or philosophical divisions, in view of the diffl culties which the latter method causes in the mind of the pupil In defer ence to this opinion the author has planned the book, but has preserved the sequence of epochs in Book II. by breaking the histories of the states of Western and Central Continental Europe at 1500. Following the history of the Roman Empire. Germany comes first, and the Germanic epoch of the whole of Europe, which succeeded that of the West-Roman Empire, is thus presented m proper sequence. Leaving the history of Germany at 1500 for that of France down to the same time, the French ascendency over Europe in the tone the Crusades thus receives its proper place. Once more leaving the hrstory of France at 1500 for the Renaissance civilization of Italy, which culmmated at that time, the sequence is still preserved. The history of Spain nex taken „p, is carried through the epoch of Charles V.. for which the matte; mltrl f^""7^\ f'«™«- ^-^d My affords a solid basis. The Hapsburg monarchy o Charles V. once more gives a footing for the later history of Ger! many, and that of France is then connected with a brief summarv for Europe m general after the French Revolution. "

The nations of Northern and Eastern Europe lie in an arch around those of the West and Centre, and are most logically treated after those from which therr culture is derived. Here the order of development in civilization has been from west to east. Thus is dictated the arrangement of Book III. which places Ireland first, England second. Denmark, Norway, and Sweden third Russra fourth, and Turkey last, as only in the 19th century becoming subject' to Europeanizmg influence. The arrangement of the Ancient Nations in Book I also observes the sequence of historical development

Thus much to an indulgent public, as far as preface is concerned. To the kmd friends whose confidence inspired and made possible his task-the tribute of the final sentence of his work and the warm well wishes of

N,„v ■ THE AUTHOR.

New York. Aug. 25, 1884.

PROGRESSIVE HISTORICAL MAPS

PAGE

ANCIENT EASTERN NATIONS 18

GREECE AND HER COLONIES 28 ^^

EMPIRE OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT 58

ITALY— REGAL PERIOD 73

ITALY-SAMNITE WARS 86

WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN DURING ROMAN CONQUEST 92

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN DURING ROMAN CONQUEST 94

ROMAN EMPIRE 116

EUROPE IN THE 5th CENTURY A. D 140 ^

MARITIME DISCOVERIES OF SPAIN AND PORTUGAL 226

Book I.— Antiquity— Eastern Nations, Greece And Rome. Pages

CHALD.^A AND ASSYRIA— MEDIA, BABYLONIA, AND PERSIA 19-24

THE PHOENICIANS 25-28

Book Ii.— Modern History— Western And Central Europe. Roman Empire After The Christian Era 119-139

ITALY BEFORE AND ABOUT A. D. 1500 218-223

SPAIN BEFORE AND AFTER A. D. 1500 224-S42

GERMANY AFTER A. D. 1500 243-263

FRANCE AFTER A. D. 1500 264-289

FRENCH REVOLUTION LATER CONTINENTAL EUROPE 290-304

Book Iii.— Modern History— Northern And Eastern Europe. England (scotland Included) 351-400

DENMARK, NORWAY, AND SWEDEN 401-410

RUSSIA AND POLAND 411-421