History of Greece and Rome, including Judea, Egypt, and Carthage

Front matter

Class

Book ■

SMITHSONIAN DEPOSIT

Preface

Is completing his series of school histories, the author of the present work has deemed it important to comprise in the same volume the ancient history of Greece and Rome, and of the other ancient nations, who were all more or less connected with these powerful and far-conquering states. Although it would be easy to multiply volumes by giving to each of the less civilized and influential nations a minute and extended history, yet the true interest of learners would not be consulted by such a course. To trace the progress of civilization and intellect with that degree of distinctness which is requisite in a course of historical instruction at school, it is deemed sufficient, so far as ancient history is concerned, to study a clear and succinct history of Greece and Rome, with such notices of the other ancient nations as will give a correct idea of their extent and importance ; the leading events and characters occurring in their annals ; and their relations with those two great states which were the chief depositaries of power, learning, and refinement, during the respective periods of their independence. Such a course has been followed in this volume ; and it is hoped that the information which it comprises will enable the young student to acquire a correct idea of the earlier periods of history ; and to understand the allusions, which he may meet with in a general course of literature, to the great nations, characters and events of antiquity.

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Contents

HISTORY OF THE JEWS.

Chap. 1. From the Creation to the Confusion of Tongues Page 13

2. Noah's Descendants 15

3. The Call of Abraham 16

4. The Israelites in Egypt 19

5. The Judges over Israel 21

6. David and his Successors 24

7. Jehu, Amaziah, and their Successors 26

8. Xerxes favours the Jews — Macedonian Dominions in Judea 29

9. Dominion of the Romans in Judea — Asmonean Dynasty 31

10. Herod, King of the Jews. — Birth of Jesus Christ 34

11. Judea under Roman Procurators 36

12. Ancient Nations connected with the Jews 39

HISTORY OF THE EGYPTIANS.

Chap. 1. Description of Egypt. — Its Architecture 47

2. Learning and Superstition of the Egyptians — Military Establishment 50

3. Of the Kings of Egypt 52

4. Egyptian Colonies 55

5. Nechao, Psammis, Apries— Conquest of Egypt o7

HISTORY OF THE CARTHAGINIANS.

Chap. 1. Origin of the Carthaginians — Their Religion, Government, and Commerce 63

2. Resources, Extent, and Early History of Carthage ". . 65

3. Colonies of Carthage — Foreign Wars — Hamilcar — Hannibal 68

4. Hanno, Agathocles — War with Rome 70

HISTORY OF GREECE.

Chap. 1. Early History of the Grecian States 79

2. Institutions of Lycurgus 81

3. Institutions of Solon . 84

4. Preparations of Darius for the Invasion of Greece 87

5. Invasion Of Greece by the Persians 89

6. March of Xerxes to Greece 91

7. Defeat of the Persians in Greece 94

8. Final Expulsion of the Persians from Greece 96

9. Treason of Pausanias — Flight of Themistocles 97

10. Death of Xerxes 98

11. Rise of Pericles — Public Services of Conon 101

12. Pericles at the Height of his Power 103

13. The Peloponnesian War 107

14. Peloponnesian War continued — Affairs of Persia — Alcibiades 109

15 Unfortunate Expedition to Sicily 112

16. The Thirty Tyrants— Thrasybul us 115

17. Expedition of Cyrus 117

18. Retreat of the Ten Thousand 118

19. Agesilaus — Victory of Conon — Decline of the Lacedaemonian Power 121

21. Manners and Customs of the Greeks 126

22. Government of Athens , 129

Vlll CONTENTS.

Chap. 23. Government of Athens, continued 131

24. Education and Military Institutions of the Greeks 132.

25. Character of the Athenians 135

26. Kise of the Theban Power. — Pelopidas — Epaminondas 136

27. Artaxerxes Mnemon undertakes the Reduction of Egypt 140

28. War of the Allies against the Athenians 142

29. Philip of Macedon 143

30. The Sacred War 146

31. Siege of Perinthus — Battle of Chaeronea — Banishment of ^Eschines 148

32. Philip is declared Generalissimo of the Greeks against the Persians —

His Death 150

33. Alexander ascends the Throne; and is declared Generalissimo of the

Greeks against the Persians 152

34. Alexander's Expedition 154

35. Battle of Issus— Siege and Capture of Tyre 156

36. Battle of Arbela— Death of Darius 159

37. Death of Clitus — Expedition to India 161

38. Alexander returns from India — His Death 164

39. Successors of Alexander — Death of Phocion 168

40. Achaean League — Greece reduced to a Roman Province 170

41. Affairs of Judea, Egypt, and Syria 172

HISTORY OF ROME.

Chap. 1. The Foundation of Rome 179

2. Sabine War — Numa Pompilius — Tullus Hostilius 181

3. Ancus Martius — Lucius Tarquinius Priscus— Servius Tullus 184

4. Lucius Tarquinius Superbus— End of the Regal Government 188

5. Consuls *38

6. Tribunes created, U. C. 260.— Agrarian Law 190

7. The Creation of the Decemviri, U. C. 302— Virginius 193

8. Veian War — Invasion of the Gauls 196

9. War with the Latins and Samnites — Pyrrhus 199

10. First Punic War, B. C. 264 202

11. The Second Punic War 204

12. War with Philip, King of Macedon 207

13. Jugurthian War— Marius— Sylla 210

14. Catilin^s Conspiracy — Caesar crosses the Rubicon 213

15. Battle of Pharsalia— Death of Pompey 216

16. Caesar in Egypt— Cato in Utica 219

17. Death of Caesar— The Triumvirate 221

18. Battle of Philippic Death of Brutus 227

19. Antony in Egypt 229

20. Consolidation of the Imperial Power by Augustus . . 232

21. Tiberius— Caligula 234

22. Claudius— Expedition to Britain 237

23. Nero— Galba 239

24. Otho — Vitellius — Vespasian 240

25. Titus— Domitian 242

26. Nerva — Trajan — Adrian 244

27. Adrian's Expedition — Antoninus Pius— Marcus Aurelius 246

28. Coramodus — Pertinax — Septimius Severus 249

29. Caracalla and Geta — Alexander Severus — Maximin — Philip — Decius

— Gallus 251

30. Valerian and his Successors 254

31. Constantine 256

32. Successors of Constantine— Julian 258

33. Valentinian — Valens — Gratian — Theodosius 260

34. The Barbarous Nations who subverted the Roman Empire — Fall of

the Empire 262

35 Boundaries of the Roman Empire 265

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THE JEWS.

(ii)

HISTORY OF THE JEWS.

Chapter 1. From The Creation To The Confusion Of Tongues

We learn from the Sacred Scriptures, the only source from which the earliest authentic information can be drawn, that the creation of the heavens and the earth was produced by the immediate power of the Deity. By his sovereign command the light appeared. Form and order arose out of a rude chaotic mass. The wide expanse of firmament divided the upper from the lower waters. The earth, the sea, and the air, abounded with living creatures, adapted to their respective elements ; lastly Man, the noblest work of the creation, was called into existence ; and as it was not good for man to be alone, to him was given a suitable helpmate.

Adam and Eve, our original parents, were placed in a paradise, called the Garden of Eden, in which they enjoyed a state of innocence and purity, with permission to partake of every tree in the garden, except that of the knowledge of good and evil. But they disobeyed the divine command, and they suffered the consequence of their disobedience ; they fell, and were banished from Paradise, B. C. 4004. — Cain, Adam's eldest son, was born in the first year of the world ; and in the year following, Abel, his brother. Abel was a keeper of the flocks, but Cain was a tiller of the ground, and occupied in the labours of husbandry.

Their tempers were as different as their occupations. Abel was a lover of righteousness : Cain was obstinate and wicked. It was usual, in the infancy of the world, to present oblations to God. Abel brought of the firstlings of his flock, and Cain of the fruit of the ground. The sacrifice of Abel, on account of his piety, was more acceptable to God than the offering of Cain ; and the latter, transported with envy and rage, slew his brother. The Almighty, on account of this fratricide, condemned Cain to become for a while a fugitive and a vagabond on the earth, till he settled in the land of Nod.

What is the scripture account of the Creation? — For what crime were Adam and Eve banished Paradise? — When? — Who were their children? — Why was Abel's sacrifice more acceptable than Cain's ? — What followed ?

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The birth of Seth, which happened some time after, must have afforded our first parents much consolation. His descendants were long distinguished for their piety, so that they were called the sons of God,~ while the family of Cain were denominated the sons and daughters of men. At length, however, the descendants of Seth also neglected the service of the great Creator, and contracted alliances with the daughters of Cain, whose vices they gradually adopted. Some arts must have attained a degree of cultivation before the Deluge. For Cain built a sity. Jabal was the father of such as dwell in tents. Jubal was the father of such as handled the harp and organ. Tubal Cain taught the manufacture of brass and iron. The sister of Tubal Cain, Naamah, discovered the art of spinning, and of making woollen clothes. By degrees the human race had so degenerated, all flesh had so corrupted its way upon the earth, that God determined to destroy it by a flood of waters.

One man, Noah, a descendant of Seth, however, found grace in the eyes of the Lord. And on account of his piety, God was pleased to save him from the general destruction ; commanding him to build an ark, or vessel, sufficient to contain himself, and his own family, and some of every species of animals, with proper provision for their subsistence. In the year of the world, 1656, and B. C. 2348, he entered the ark ; and the windows of heaven were opened, and the fountains of the great deep were broken up ; and the world which then was, being overflowed with water, perished. The waters, which had increased during one hundred and fifty days, at length subsided; and after being inclosed in the ark for about the space of a year, Noah, and all that were with him, came forth out of the ark, which rested on the mountains of Ararat, B. C. 2347. On quitting the ark, Noah erected an altar and offered thereon burnt-sacrifices ; and the Almighty graciously accepted his piety, and declared, that he would not again curse the ground for man's sake, nor cut off all flesh by the waters of the flood. And as a token of that promise, said God, " I do set my bow in the clouds."

With the testimonies of the Sacred Scriptures, (Genesis, chap. 6, 7,) the writings of some of the ancient authors, and the different appearances of Ihe globe, concur in support of the truth of this event. The length of the ark was 517 feet, its breadth 94, and its height 55.

Not only the lives of the Antediluvians, but of many after the flood were protracted to a great age. Adam lived 930 years, Methuselah 969 years, and Noah 950 years.

Many historians having marked some coincidences between the character and life of Fohi, the first emperor of China, and that of Noah, have conjectured that Noah might have been the founder of the Chinese empire.

? The sons of Noah were Shem, Ham, and Japhet. Japhet was the eldest, and the patriarch pronounced a blessing upon him, saying,

How were the descendants of Seth and Cain distinguished?— Jabal?— Jubal?— Relate the particulars of Noah and the flood.— When did it take place?— What were the ages of several antediluvians?— What is said of Noah?— Repeat the prophetic words of Noah ?

noah's descendants. 15

"God shall enlarge Japhet, he shall dwell in the tents of Shem, and Canaan shall be his servant." Concerning the posterity of Ham, he said, " Cursed be Canaan, a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren." Shem was honoured by the Hebrews, who were his descendants, as were also the Assyrians, Persians, Syrians, &c. Ham was the founder of the Egyptians, Ethiopians, &c.

Chapter 2. Noah's Descendants

Among the most distinguished of the descendants of Ham, was Nimrod, who is termed, in Genesis, a mighty hunter before the Lord. The beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneth.

The immediate descendants of Noah quitted the environs of Ararat, and descended to the plains of Shinar. On this spot they resolved to build a city, and a tower whose top might reach to heaven, about 2247 years B. C., and 100 years after the flood. When'they had carried their edifice to a very considerable height, the Scriptures inform us that the Almighty confounded their language, so that they no longer understood each other. For this reason the city was called Babylon. This compelled them to relinquish their vain project, and the result was the dispersion of mankind into different countries.

Before this event mankind spoke the same language, and occupied the same portion of the earth ; but their diversity of tongues occasioned their separation, and the forming of different nations. As families increased, their domains were extended, and towns and cities were erected. Hence arose the different laws and customs of nations, which have since overspread a considerable portion of the globe.

It may, perhaps, be collected from the testimony of the Sacred Scriptures, and from the deductions of philosophy, that man has always existed in society, and that the first societies were families, the first form of government patriarchal ; that the first nourishment was the fruits of the earth, that gradually man became a keeper of flocks and herds, and a cultivator of corn, that from the union of families arose monarchies, the most ancient form of extended civil government. It is in this last state we propose to trace the most important events that have taken place among the various branches of the human race.

About 150 years after the deluge, Nimrod (the Belus of profane historians) built Babylon on the eastern side of the river Euphrates, and Assur built Nineveh, on the river Tigris, which became the capital of the Assyrian Empire.

Ninus, the son of Belus, and his queen Semiramis, particularly the latter, are said to have raised the empire of Assyria to a high degree of splendour. From the death of Ninus down to a revolt of the Medes under Sardanapalus, a period of 800 years, there is a chasm in the his-

What were Shem's descendants? — Ham's? — What is said of Nimrod? — When and by whom was the tower of Babel built ? — What occasioned the dispersion of mankind ? — What was the most ancient mode of government ? — Who were the builders of Babylon and Nineveh? — What is said of Ninus and Semiramis?

tory of Assyria and Babylon, that can be supplied only by conjecture ; and the earliest periods of the Egyptian history are equally uncertain.

Origin of Laws. — Certain political writers have supposed that, in the infancy of society, penal laws must have been extremely mild. Perhaps the contrary was rather the case, as the more barbarous the people, the stronger must be the bonds to restrain them ; and history confirms the supposition in the ancient laws of the Jews, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and Gauls.

Among the earliest laws of all states, are those regarding marriage, for the institution of marriage is coeval with the formation of society. The laws of succession are next in order. The father had the absolute power in the division of his estate ; but primogeniture was understood to confer certain rights.

Early method of authenticating contracts. — Before the invention of writing, contracts, testaments, sales, marriages, and the like, were transacted in public. Of these the Jewish and Grecian histories furnish many examples. Some barbarous nations authenticate their bargains by exchanging symbols or tallies. The Peruvians accomplished most of the purposes of writing by knotted cords of various colours, termed Quipos. The Mexicans communicated intelligence to a distance by painting, or, as it is called, picture writing. Other nations used symbols called hieroglyphics, as did the Egyptians.

The first vehicles of history were poetry and song. The songs of the bards record a great deal of ancient history ; and the laws of many of the ancient nations were composed in verse. Among barbarous nations, the monuments of their history are stones, both rude and sculptured, tumuli and mounds of earth; and among people more refined are columns, triumphal arches, coins and medals.

THE CALL OF ABRAHAM.

When Abraham was about seventy-five years old, at the command of God he removed from Mesopotamia,* with Sarah his wife and Lot his nephew, into Canaan, (B. C. 1920,) where the Lord appeared to him, and promised that his seed should possess that land. He was afterwards compelled, however, to remove into Egypt for a short time on account of a great famine in Canaan. He had not been long in that country when Pharaoh the king, not knowing that Sarah was Abraham's wife, was struck with the charms of her person, and took her to his palace. (B. C. 1919.) God graciously interfered for them, and she was restored to Abraham. After their return from Egypt, Abraham and his nephew separated on account of a quarrel between the shepherds concerning the pasture.

♦Mesopotamia is the country lying between the rivers Tigris and Euphrates.

What is said of penal laws ? — What laws were supposed to have been first instituted? — What next? — How were bargains and contracts made in early times?— What of Qiiipos ? — What were the earliest vehicles of history ? — What were the earliest monuments ? — The later ones ? — From what country was Abraham called —When?

THE CALL OF ABRAHAM. 17

About this time the Almighty renewed the promise to Abraham, ■** that in his seed all the nations of the earth should be blessed," when as yet he had no child. By the advice of Sarah, he took to him Hagar, her hand-maid, who bore him a son called Ishmael. (B.C. 1857.) A misunderstanding arising between her and Sarah, she departed from her master's house, and took with her Ishmael, who became the father of the Arabs. When Abraham was an hundred years old, Isaac, the promised child, was born, and was circumcised on the eighth day, according to the command of God, who had appointed that rite as a sign of the covenant made between himself and the patriarch.

In order to try his faith, the Lord ordered Abraham to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac, who was the child of promise. Accordingly he prepared to obey the command, bound his son, and laid him as a victim on the altar, when the Almighty, satisfied with his fidelity, bade him desist from his design, and repeated his promise to him who had not withheld his only son. Soon after this happened, Sarah died and was buried in Hebron. Abraham then espoused Keturah, by whom he had six sons, who settled in Arabia.

Abraham being solicitous to see Isaac settled, sent his steward (B. C. 1838,) to Padan Aram, to seek a wife for Isaac ; and Rebecca, the patriarch's niece, became the spouse of his son. Abraham died at the age of one hundred and seventy-five years, and his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, where Sarah had been interred.

Rebecca bore Isaac two sons, Esau and Jacob. As the lads grew, Esau became a noted hunter, and was his father's favourite; but Rebecca evinced a partiality for his milder brother, who, she had been assured by divine revelation, was to inherit the blessing. When Esau returned from hunting one day, greatly fatigued, he sold his birth-right to Jacob for the gratification of his appetite. By afterwards depriving him of his father's blessing, Jacob incurred the displeasure of Esau (B. C. 1761,) and to avoid his resentment, was obliged to seek a retreat at Padan Aram, the place of his mother's nativity. On his journey, God renewed to him all the promises he had made to Abraham. Jacob was welcomed to the house of his uncle Laban, whose two daughters, Leah and Rachel, he married, having served their father seven years for each. They with their hand-maids bore the twelve patriarchs, and one daughter Dinah. His beloved Rachel bore only Joseph and Benjamin.

After having fed the flocks of his father-in-law for twenty years, and having amassed considerable wealth, he returned with his family and treasures unto his own country. Jacob despatched messengers to apprise Esau of his arrival ; and sent with them a rich present as a token of his brotherly love. They met with a favourable reception, and Esau set out to meet his brother, with four hundred men. When Jacob perceived this numerous retinue, he was greatly alarmed, fearing that Esau

What was the Almighty's promise to Abraham? — When was Ishmael born?— Tsaac? — What sacrifice was Abraham called to make? — What followed ? — Whom did Isaac marry? — What was Abraham's age? — For what did Esau sell his birthright?- When ?- What followed ?— To what country and family did Jacob retire ?

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18 HISTOR? OF THE JEWS.

still harboured feelings of resentment against him. The meeting of the two brothers, however, was amicable, and a perfect reconciliation was effected. Esau departed to his residence at Seir, and Jacob pitched his tents in the vicinage of Succoth. Isaac died in the hundred and eightieth year of his age, and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.

Jacob lost Rachel when she was delivered of Benjamin : Joseph now became his favourite child, and was distinguished with peculiar marks of love. (B. C. 1729.) His brothers beheld with jealousy their father's partiality. They were further exasperated against Joseph, by his relating to them some remarkable dreams, which evidently foretold that he should come to great honour, and that his brothers should do him homage. Therefore to rid themselves of this object of their jealousy, they sold him to a troop of Arabian merchants, who carried him into Egypt, and disposed of him to Potiphar, captain of Pharaoh's guard. In the mean time the wicked brothers dipped his coat in blood, and sent it to their aged father, who in the anguish of his soul exclaimed " Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces." The young Hebrew served Potiphar in Egypt with diligence and fidelity, and his master advanced him to great honour, and appointed him overseer of all his affairs.

His mistress, however, conceived a violent passion for him, but Joseph rejected her solicitations. She then accused him to her husband of insulting her, and he was cast into prison. In the same place of confinement were Pharaoh's chief butler and chief baker, each of whom related a remarkable dream to Joseph, which he interpreted and appointed the time for their fulfilment, begging, as the only recompense, that the chief butler would remember his kindness when he was restored to his former office, as Joseph foretold he should be.

After this the king was greatly perplexed by a dream which the magicians and wise men were unable to interpret. (B. C. 1715.) The butler now recalled to mind his own dream, which had been accomplished precisely as Joseph had foretold. Accordingly, at his recommendation, Joseph was sent for, who readily interpreted this dream. He was now honoured at the Egyptian court, and raised to the highest distinction in the empire next to the king. He rode in the second state carriage, and they cried before him " Bow the knee." According to his prediction there came seven years of great abundance, when he built granaries, and collected vast quantities of grain for provisions in the famine that was to follow. Joseph espoused Asenath, the daughter of Potipherah, priest of On, by whom he had two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.

How was he reconciled to Esau 1 — How came Joseph to be sold and carried to Egypt ? — What gave occasion to his imprisonment ? — What dreams did he interpret ? — What was the consequence ? — How did he serve Pharaoh? — How was he rewarded ?

THE ISRAELITES IN EGYPT. 19

Chapter 4. The Israelites In Egypt

The famine came on as Joseph had predicted, and was severe in Canaan. Jacob, hearing that there was corn in Egypt, sent his ten sons thither to purchase some, but kept Benjamin at home, as he was now the darling of his father. When the ten brothers arrived in Egypt, Joseph immediately recognised them ; but being desirous of proving them, he pretended that they were spies, and ordered Simeon to be put into prison, while the nine went to carry provision for their families. He also told them not to presume to see him again without bringing Benjamin, their younger brother, with them. When they told this to their aged father, with his heart full of grief he exclaimed, " My son shall not go down with you."

But the urgency of the case, and the promise of Judah to restore Benjamin to his father, induced the patriarch to let him go. When Joseph beheld his younger brother, all his fraternal feelings returned, and after trying their affection for Benjamin, he discovered himself to his brothers, and instead of revenging their baseness, he owned the hand of Providence in the whole transaction. He then sent for his father and all the family to emigrate into Egypt. When Jacob saw the presents and carriages sent by his son, his heart revived and he exclaimed, "It is enough ; Joseph my son is yet alive ; I will go and see him before I die." The meeting was truly affecting; Pharaoh gave them permission to settle in the land of Goshen, and appointed Joseph's brothers his principal shepherds.

After living seventeen years in Egypt, the venerable patriarch felt his dissolution drawing nigh. (B.C. 1689.) He called his children into his presence, and after blessing them enjoined them to carry his bones into Canaan, to be buried in the sepulchre of his fathers. The body was embalmed, according to the Egyptian custom, and Joseph and his brothers, with a numerous retinue, carrried it to Machpelah.

(B. C. 1630.) Joseph died in the hundred and tenth year of his age, greatly lamented by the Egyptians. On his death bed he reminded his brethren of God's promise to bestow upon them the land of Canaan, and by a solemn engagement bound them to carry his bones with them at their departure.

After a lapse of some years a new king commenced a violent persecution against the Hebrews, and subjected them to the most rigid slavery. Finding their numbers multiply very fast, he published a cruel edict, ordering that every male child of the Hebrews should be cast into the Nile as soon as born. (B. C. 1571.) About this time Moses

What occasioned the Israelites to go to Egypt? — In what part of Egypt did the Tsraelites settle ? — Give an account of Jacob's death and burial. — What was Joseph's age ?— What promise did he exact from his brethren ? — What happened to the Hebrews after his death? — Who was Moses? — Relate the particulars of Mo ees in the bulrushes.

was born, and his parents finding him a promising child, hid him till concealment became dangerous. His mother then laid him in an ark of bulrushes, and placed it upon the banks of the river. He was discovered by Pharaoh's daughter, who sent his sister Miriam to fetch an Hebrew nurse, and she called her own mother, who was charged by the princess to nurse the infant. His royal patroness adopted him as her son, and gave him an education worthy of that dignity.

When he grew up, Moses beheld with indignation the oppression and misery of his brethren, and having slain an Egyptian who abused one of the Hebrews, he sought an asylum in the land of Midian. Here he continued forty years, when he received the divine commission to the Egyptian court. He was joined by his brother Aaron ; and on their arrival, they acquainted the elders of Israel with their mission. At their audience they demanded in the name of " Jehovah, the God of Israel," the dismission of the Hebrews. The answer from Pharaoh was "I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go," and at the same time he ordered the task-masters to increase the work of the Hebrews.

Invested with divine authority, Moses again approached the presence of Pharaoh and made the same demand. He threw down his rod and it became a serpent ; and by the command of God he stretched out the same rod and the waters were turned into blood. After this an innumerable swarm of frogs consumed the fruit of the ground, and the houses and even the beds of the Egyptians swarmed with them; then he turned the dust into venomous flies and innumerable quantities of lice ; he afflicted them with terrible boils, breaking out with blains on man and beast. Still Pharaoh refused to let them go; but the smiting of the first-born of all the Egyptians, from the first-born of Pharaoh, to that of the captive, and also of their beasts, struck such terror into the Egyptians that they were glad to rid themselves of the Hebrews, and hastened their departure. On this memorable night was the Passover instituted ; for the Israelites, by the command of God, had sprinkled their doors with the blood of a lamb, as a sign for the destroying angel to pass by.