china's place in ancient HISTORY: A FRAGMENT. 115 



with Babylon, subjugation of tlie Assyrian Empire, and 

 finally its union with Persia under Cyrus. 



6. Bactria.'^ — It includes the greater part of the history of 

 Bactria, beginning about six centuries prior to the conquest 

 of that kingdom by Cyrus, then by Alexander, and extend- 

 ing to within a century and a half of the time when it was 

 subjugated by the Scythians. 



7. Phoenicia. — For a thousand years, from the fourteenth to 

 the fourth century B.C., a great and remarkable nation occupied 

 the country so-called. Egypt, Judea, Syria, Babylon, 

 Persia, Greece, Rome, came successively into contact with it 

 and its inhabitants. The most prosperous era of its history 

 from B.C. 1000 to 332. In the early years of that period 

 vessels were being sent out therefrom, and navigation 

 extended in various directions ; down by the Red Sea to 

 Arabia and, it is believed, Western India, supposed to have 

 been alluded to under the name of Ophir; they circum- 

 navigated Africa, discovered some of the islands along its 

 coast, traded with the Cassiterides or Scilly islands for tin, 

 and, it is believed, with the Baltic for amber. 



The country was invaded and partially subdued by 

 Shalmanasser, king of Assyria, against Avhom however New 

 Tyre successfully withstood a siege of five years' duration. 

 At a later period Nebuchadnezzar besieged the same city 

 during thirteen years, also without result ; he however sent 

 many Phoenicians and Jews captive into his own kingdom. 

 Soon thereafter Tyre as well as the rest of Phoenicia was 

 forced to submit, and the country became a Persian satrapy. 

 Once in the reign of Ochus, oppression drove the Phoenicians 

 into rebellion, but the attempt failed, the noblest citizens 

 were put to death ; the inhabitants of Tyre set their city on 

 tire, and burnt themselves and all their treasures. Finally 

 Phoenicia being conquered by Alexander, its importance 

 speedily passed away. 



8. Carthage. — Three centuries after the Chow dynasty 

 came to power, Carthage was founded by Eliza or Dido, sister 

 of Pygmalion, king of Tyre, about B.C. 890. During the six 

 centuries of the Chinese dynasty which were still to run, the 

 Phoenician city rose to marvellous power, being formidable 

 alike by land and sea ; it extended commerce to distant 

 regions, raised armies of mercenary troops, established a 



* The modern Balkh. 



