EGYPT
...Constantinus Manasses (died in 1187)
- wrote a chronology of the Byzantine Emperors.
- states that the Egyptian state lasted 1663 years. There are two possible dates that could be used for the end of Egypt. One is the first Persian occupation in 525 BC. After the end of that occupation, native Egyptians were on the throne for only a short time before Alexander the Great conquered Egypt.
- The earlier date would give us a beginning of Egypt in 2188 BC, the later would give 2000 BC.
BABYLON
...Simplicius
- records that the Babylonians (Chaldeans) gave Callisthenes (one of Alexander the Great's entourage) the astronomical records of 1903 years in Babylon. These records were later given to Aristotle.
- records that Nimrod was the builder of Babylon and the instigator of the tower of Babel.
- 1903 years before 331 BC (time Alexander was in Babylon) gives a date of 2234 BC.
...Ctesius of Cnidus
- physician to Artaxerxes II of Persia until 396 BC.
- wrote 2 histories: Persika (23 volumes 6 on Assyria, 17 on Persia) and Indika. Neither are extant, but are extensively quoted by other historians.
- records the founding of Babylon by Belus, the first king, in 2286 BC.
...Berossus
- records the beginning of Babylon as 490 years before Phoroneus
- 490 years before 1753 BC gives a date of 2243 BC.
...Stephanus of Byzantium
- records the beginning of Babylon as 1002 years before the siege of Troy
- 1002 years before 1229 BC, gives 2231 BC.
- However, Eusebius says Troy was destroyed 408 years before the 1st Olympiad which would be 1184 BC
- 1002 years before 1184 BC is 2186 BC.
ASSYRIA
...Ctesius of Cnidus
- physician to Artaxerxes II of Persia until 396 BC.
- wrote 2 histories: Persika (23 volumes 6 on Assyria, 17 on Persia) and Indika. Neither are extant, but are extensively quoted by other historians.
- records the founding of Assyria by Ninus (Nimrod) in 2189 BC.
...Aemelius Sura quoted in Velleius Paterculus
- Sura was a historian writing before 171 BC
- Velleius was a Roman historian in 1st century AD. He wrote a summary of Roman history. In it he recorded five cultures had successively held world power: Assyria, Media, Persia, Macedonia, Rome.
- Roman power came shortly after 1) the fall of Carthage in 146 BC and 2) Philip and Antiochus were overthrown in Macedonia in 197 and 168 BC.
- records that Roman power came 1995 years after the reign of Ninus.
- 1995 years before 146 BC is 2141 BC.
- 1995 years before 197 BC is 2192 BC.
...Ctesius of Cnidus
- physician to Artaxerxes II of Persia until 396 BC.
- wrote 2 histories: Persika (23 volumes 6 on Assyria, 17 on Persia) and Indika. Neither are extant, but are extensively quoted by other historians.
- records Assyria as beginning 1306 years before the start of the reign of Ashurbanipal II.
- 1306 years before 883 BC is 2189 BC
...Chronicle of Eusebius
- dates the accession of Ninus to 2057 BC or 2116 BC depending on the translation used.
...Excerpta Latina Barbari
- dates the founding of Assyria under Belus to 2206 BC.
GREECE
Now, you need to keep in mind that Greece wasn't a single civilization. It was an area made up of many city states. So more than one person will be named here.
...Castor of Rhodes quoted by Eusebius
- the Argives, under King Inachus, began to reign in the Peloponnesus 1080 years before the first Olympiad.
- 1080 years before 776 BC gives 1856 BC.
...Eusebius
- Egialeus begins his reign in the Peloponnesus 1313 years before the 1st Olympiad.
- 1313 years before 776 BC gives 2089 BC.
...Castor of Rhodes quoted by Eusebius
- A colony of Sais (from Egypt) were transported into Attica and set up the kingdom of Athens 780 years before the 1st Olympiad
- 780 years before 776 BC gives 1556 BC
ROME
...Varro
- cited by Gellius, Macrobius, and Castor of Rhodes
- From the beginning of Inachus' reign (in Greece) to the beginning of the reign of Romulus is 1102 years.
- 1102 years after 1856 (see above in Greece) gives 754 (the founding of Rome).
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