( 4i» ) 
even that each of them had taken but one Epoque du- 
ring his Reign, 
^ No European Writer, that we know, has faithfully 
given them ail : But this Table prefents us with an ex- 
a61 and entire Series of them. And yet it is a thing 
much to be wifhed for, to have a faithful Explanati- 
on of them ^ a Work which would engage one in 
a Review of the whole Hiftory, but will be under- 
taken neverthelefs, if we find room to hope, that it will 
not be difagreeable to the Learned. 
The Inconveniency is, that a great Number of Em- 
perors have often changed thefe Names of Epoques. 
This Inconveniency is not found in the Dynafty now 
reigning ^ but in the more ancient it is a very common 
Diforder. Han uou 7/, the firfl: that introduced the 
Ufe of Epoques, alTumcd, during his fifty-four Years 
Reign, to the Number of eleven very different Epoques. 
JSeveral others have followed his Example, which can- 
not but caufe a great deal of Confufion in Hiftory, if 
one happened to imagine, as it is natural enough to do, 
that thefe Names of Epoques are the Names of fo ma- 
ny Emperors. 
It was of Importance to clear up thefe Things tho- 
roughly ; this the Table does ; and to avoid Miftake, 
Care has been taken to have the Emperor’s Names or 
Titles engraved in large Characters, and thofe of the 
Epoques in fmall Letters. Moreover, when an Em- 
peror, not content with one Epoque, has taken feveral, 
Notice is given of it by a Star placed on one Side of the 
firft. 
In fhort, to leave nothing conje£Iural, as often as a 
Reader confidering this Table, lhall find two feparate 
L 1 1 Ranks 
