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[[The Annals of the World]] is the massive compendium of [[ancient history]] by [[James Ussher]]. The original [[Latin]] manuscript titled ''Annales veteris testamenti a prima mundi origine deducti'' (The Annals of the Old Testament, Deduced from the First Origin of the World), was published in two parts, in 1650 and 1654 respectively.  An English translation was published in 1658<ref>Sarfati, Jonathan, [http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/491/ Archbishop’s achievement] ''Creation'' 26(1):24–27, December 2003 (footnote 1).</ref>, after his death.

'''The Annals of the World''' is the massive compendium of [[ancient history]] by [[James Ussher]]. The original [[Latin]] manuscript titled ''Annales veteris testamenti a prima mundi origine deducti'' (The Annals of the Old Testament, Deduced from the First Origin of the World), was published in two parts, in 1650 and 1654 respectively.  An English translation was published in 1658,<ref>Sarfati, Jonathan, [http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/491/ Archbishop’s achievement] ''Creation'' 26(1):24–27, December 2003 (footnote 1).</ref> after his death.

In 2003 [[Larry Pierce]] translated the original manuscript into [[English]] and published his translation, first in hardcover and subsequently in softcover. The ''Annals'' has also been bundled into a downloadable archive<ref>[http://www.winsite.com/bin/Info?21000000038229 ''The Annals of the World''] at WinSite.  This is an executable E-book, contained in a .zip file, and is apparently the 1658 English edition.</ref>

In 2003 [[Larry Pierce]] translated the original manuscript into [[English]] and published his translation, first in hardcover and subsequently in softcover. The ''Annals'' has also been bundled into a downloadable archive<ref>[http://www.winsite.com/bin/Info?21000000038229 ''The Annals of the World''] at WinSite.  This is an executable E-book, contained in a .zip file, and is apparently the 1658 English edition.</ref>

By [[User:TerryH|TerryH]] 13:00, 15 March 2007 (EDT)

By [[User:TerryH|TerryH]] 13:00, 15 March 2007 (EDT)

[[James Ussher]] (4 January 1581–21 March 1656) must surely rank with [[Herodotus]], [[Thucydides]], [[Plutarch]], [[Suetonius]], [[Tacitus]], [[Cassius Dio]], and [[Pliny the Elder]] and [[Pliny the Younger|Younger]] as an historian. ''[[The Annals of the World]],'' his magnum opus, is the result of a lifetime of travel, study, and research.

[[James Ussher]] (4 January 1581 – 21 March 1656) must surely rank with [[Herodotus]], [[Thucydides]], [[Plutarch]], [[Suetonius]], [[Tacitus]], [[Cassius Dio]], and [[Pliny the Elder]] and [[Pliny the Younger|Younger]] as an historian. ''The Annals of the World,'' his magnum opus, is the result of a lifetime of travel, study, and research.

Ussher attempted to join the Bible to all other works of recorded history, and to present a unified treatment of the natural and political history of the world from Creation to 70 AD, the date of the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem by the future [[Rome|Roman]] Emperor [[Titus]]. To do this, he relied heavily on ancient historical sources, and even traveled to the [[Mediterranean Sea|Mediterranean]] region to examine as many primary sources as he could. No one since (perhaps) [[Flavius Josephus]] had attempted to join Biblical and extra-Biblical history as Ussher did.

Ussher attempted to join the Bible to all other works of recorded history, and to present a unified treatment of the natural and political history of the world from Creation to 70 AD, the date of the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem by the future [[Rome|Roman]] Emperor [[Titus]]. To do this, he relied heavily on ancient historical sources, and even traveled to the [[Mediterranean Sea|Mediterranean]] region to examine as many primary sources as he could. No one since (perhaps) [[Flavius Josephus]] had attempted to join Biblical and extra-Biblical history as Ussher did.

===The Chronology===

===The Chronology===

Most people remember Ussher for the [[chronology]] that bears his name--and with good reason, because Ussher determined to settle the chronology of the Bible before he attempted to unite other chronologies with it. He first had to decide which text of the Old Testament he would use--the [[Septuagint]], the [[Samaritan Pentateuch]], or the [[Masoretic Text]]. He chose the Masoretic after determining that it was as reliable as any ancient text could be, and was as close to an original as he could obtain.

Most people remember Ussher for the [[chronology]] that bears his name—and with good reason, because Ussher determined to settle the chronology of the Bible before he attempted to unite other chronologies with it. He first had to decide which text of the Old Testament he would use—the [[Septuagint]], the [[Samaritan Pentateuch]], or the [[Masoretic Text]]. He chose the Masoretic after determining that it was as reliable as any ancient text could be, and was as close to an original as he could obtain.

After deciding on the text, he further relied on a number of internal clues in various parts of the Old Testament, including:

After deciding on the text, he further relied on a number of internal clues in various parts of the Old Testament, including:

*The detailed genealogy from [[Adam]] to [[Noah]]<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Genesis|chap=5|verses=1-32|version=KJV}}</ref>

*The detailed genealogy from [[Adam]] to [[Noah]]<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Genesis|chap=5|verses=1-32|version=KJV}}</ref>

*The equally detailed reckoning of the [[Great Flood]]<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Genesis|chap=7|verses=1-24|version=KJV}}</ref>, and of the birth of [[Arphaxad]] two years later<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Genesis|chap=11|verses=10-11|version=KJV}}</ref>

*The equally detailed reckoning of the [[Great Flood]],<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Genesis|chap=7|verses=1-24|version=KJV}}</ref> and of the birth of [[Arphaxad]] two years later<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Genesis|chap=11|verses=10-11|version=KJV}}</ref>

*The genealogy from [[Arphaxad]] through [[Abraham]]<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Genesis|chap=11|verses=12-32|version=KJV}}</ref>

*The genealogy from [[Arphaxad]] through [[Abraham]]<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Genesis|chap=11|verses=12-32|version=KJV}}</ref>

*The detailed biographies of [[Abraham]], [[Isaac]], and [[Jacob]]

*The detailed biographies of [[Abraham]], [[Isaac]], and [[Jacob]]

Ussher relied on extra-Biblical historical sources when they treated subjects that the Bible did not treat. The Bible was always his standard source, and every other source would have to yield to the Bible in his treatment.

Ussher relied on extra-Biblical historical sources when they treated subjects that the Bible did not treat. The Bible was always his standard source, and every other source would have to yield to the Bible in his treatment.

The most important extra-Biblical sources he had were [[Astronomy|astronomical]] records. [[Astronomical dating]] is widely used for uniting the chronologies of two different civilizations. Of course, astronomical dates are only as reliable as are the records of the observations of astronomical events. Ussher understood this and thus relied heavily on historical mentions of total eclipses of the [[Sun|sun]] and [[Moon|moon]], sightings of the [[planets]], and so on. He also used astronomical dating to calculate that the birth of Christ was four years ''earlier'' than the traditional [[Julian]] reckoning--probably relying on the notes of the German astronomer [[Johannes Kepler]].

The most important extra-Biblical sources he had were [[Astronomy|astronomical]] records. [[Astronomical dating]] is widely used for uniting the chronologies of two different civilizations. Of course, astronomical dates are only as reliable as are the records of the observations of astronomical events. Ussher understood this and thus relied heavily on historical mentions of total eclipses of the [[sun]] and [[moon]], sightings of the [[planets]], and so on. He also used astronomical dating to calculate that the birth of Christ was four years ''earlier'' than the traditional [[Julian]] reckoning—probably relying on the notes of the German astronomer [[Johannes Kepler]].

Ussher used a number of other sources, including histories by [[Flavius Josephus|Josephus]] and other ancient historians. Yet the most remarkable treatment by Ussher of any given source must be his treatment of [[Manetho]], the [[Greece|Greek]] priest who made the first attempt at a [[Egyptian chronology|chronology]] of ancient Egypt. Manetho assumed that the many "Dynasties" of [[Pharaoh|Pharaohs]] ran consecutively. This implied that the First Dynasty of Egypt began earlier than the Great Flood--which Ussher knew to be impossible. Ussher solved the problem in a unique way: he truncated Manetho's chronology and simply discarded all Dynasties earlier than the Middle Kingdom as myths. But, relying on the records of Manetho that he kept, he assumed that ''two'' Pharaohs named [[Ramesses]] reigned for sixty-six years each, and that the first of these was the Pharaoh of the Exodus. It would be left to modern-day Christian Egyptologists to correct these errors.

Ussher used a number of other sources, including histories by [[Flavius Josephus|Josephus]] and other ancient historians. Yet the most remarkable treatment by Ussher of any given source must be his treatment of [[Manetho]], the [[Greece|Greek]] priest who made the first attempt at a [[Egyptian chronology|chronology]] of ancient Egypt. Manetho assumed that the many "Dynasties" of [[Pharaoh]]s ran consecutively. This implied that the First Dynasty of Egypt began earlier than the Great Flood—which Ussher knew to be impossible. Ussher solved the problem in a unique way: he truncated Manetho's chronology and simply discarded all Dynasties earlier than the Middle Kingdom as myths. But, relying on the records of Manetho that he kept, he assumed that ''two'' Pharaohs named [[Ramesses]] reigned for sixty-six years each, and that the first of these was the Pharaoh of the Exodus. It would be left to modern-day Christian Egyptologists to correct these errors.

Ussher also used Greek mythological sources, and actually assumed that many of the personages of classical mythology were real kings and queens--a debatable proposition at best. He used a number of other sources, chiefly for Assyrian history--and, sadly, a fire in [[Dublin]], [[Ireland]] destroyed many of these sources. But many other sources survive, and those that do, concord with the ''Annals'' to a remarkable degree.

Ussher also used Greek mythological sources, and actually assumed that many of the personages of classical mythology were real kings and queens—a debatable proposition at best. He used a number of other sources, chiefly for Assyrian history—and, sadly, a fire in [[Dublin]], [[Ireland]] destroyed many of these sources. But many other sources survive, and those that do, concord with the ''Annals'' to a remarkable degree.

===Reliability===

===Reliability===

The ''Annals'' are, of necessity, a secondary source. Such a source is only as reliable as are its primaries. Given that, Ussher is in remarkable agreement--usually exactly or within one or two years--with most modern historians in their treatment of Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Greco-Macedonian, and Roman history. Indeed, Ussher places the destruction of the Temple by [[Nebuchadnezzar II]] of Babylon at 588 BC, very close to the 586 BC date that most modern archaeologists have assigned to this event.

The ''Annals'' are, of necessity, a secondary source. Such a source is only as reliable as are its primaries. Given that, Ussher is in remarkable agreement—usually exactly or within one or two years—with most modern historians in their treatment of Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Greco-Macedonian, and Roman history. Indeed, Ussher places the destruction of the Temple by [[Nebuchadnezzar II]] of Babylon at 588 BC, very close to the 586 BC date that most modern archaeologists have assigned to this event.

He calculates the date of [[Creation]] as [[October 23]], [[4004 BC]]. This date derives from two key assumptions: that [[Abraham]] was born when his father [[Terah]] was 130 years of age rather than seventy, and that the Sojourn in Egypt began with the Abrahamic Covenant and not with the entry of [[Jacob]] into Egypt. Neither assumption is incontrovertible. The sharpest controversy, however, developed with [[Edwin R. Thiele]]'s dissertation on the chronology of the Divided Kingdoms. This [[Biblical chronology dispute]] goes to the heart of any assessment of reliability, for it turns on whether one accepts Scripture as primary, or will allow secular evidence--sometimes of questionable reliability itself--to trump Scripture.

He calculates the date of [[Creation]] as [[October 23]], [[4004 BC]]. This date derives from two key assumptions: that [[Abraham]] was born when his father [[Terah]] was 130 years of age rather than seventy, and that the Sojourn in Egypt began with the Abrahamic Covenant and not with the entry of [[Jacob]] into Egypt. Neither assumption is incontrovertible. The sharpest controversy, however, developed with [[Edwin R. Thiele]]'s dissertation on the chronology of the Divided Kingdoms. This [[Biblical chronology dispute]] goes to the heart of any assessment of reliability, for it turns on whether one accepts Scripture as primary, or will allow secular evidence—sometimes of questionable reliability itself—to trump Scripture.

His arbitrary rejection of half of Manetho's king lists results from his repetition of Manetho's original error--assuming that the kings of Egypt, as listed, all ruled consecutively. Furthermore, he probably never realized that the ancient kings of Egypt routinely re-wrote the histories of their predecessors in a manner in which [[George Orwell]] would later predict that future governments would behave. The correction of the historical record of Egypt would be left to modern archaeologists.

His arbitrary rejection of half of Manetho's king lists results from his repetition of Manetho's original error—assuming that the kings of Egypt, as listed, all ruled consecutively. Furthermore, he probably never realized that the ancient kings of Egypt routinely re-wrote the histories of their predecessors in a manner in which [[George Orwell]] would later predict that future governments would behave. The correction of the historical record of Egypt would be left to modern archaeologists.

That aside, his reckoning of the kings of the Divided Kingdom is as reliable as any other reckoning that anyone else has attempted. His calculations of the dates of the [[Crucifixion]] and [[Resurrection]] of [[Jesus Christ]] show the same exacting attention to detail that inform the rest of the Annals. Most importantly, Ussher laid a remarkably solid foundation for historical research, one that has held up remarkably well for nearly four centuries. If, therefore, the ''Annals'' suffers from reliability problems, then they result almost entirely with problems with the secular or "profane" sources that Ussher had available to him, and less often from a questionable interpretation of Scripture.

That aside, his reckoning of the kings of the Divided Kingdom is as reliable as any other reckoning that anyone else has attempted. His calculations of the dates of the [[Crucifixion]] and [[Resurrection]] of [[Jesus Christ]] show the same exacting attention to detail that inform the rest of the Annals. Most importantly, Ussher laid a remarkably solid foundation for historical research, one that has held up remarkably well for nearly four centuries. If, therefore, the ''Annals'' suffers from reliability problems, then they result almost entirely with problems with the secular or "profane" sources that Ussher had available to him, and less often from a questionable interpretation of Scripture.

Moreover, many of his assumptions concerning ancient events have proved accurate, even though for centuries the ''Annals'' were the only Western extra-Biblical source attesting to them. These included:

Moreover, many of his assumptions concerning ancient events have proved accurate, even though for centuries the ''Annals'' were the only Western extra-Biblical source attesting to them. These included:

*The [[Trojan War]], which Ussher places during the era of the [[Judges]]. Until the archaeologist [[Heinrich Schliemann]] discovered the site, no one accepted the existence of a city called [[Troy]].<ref>[http://www.royalty.nu/legends/Troy.html The Trojan War: History, Myth, and Honor]</ref> Schliemann would later discover positive evidence of the [[Mycenean]] civilization.<ref>[http://www.uark.edu/campus-resources/achilles/age/myceneans.html Myceneans] at the University of Arkansas</ref>

*The [[Trojan War]], which Ussher places during the era of the [[Judges]]. Until the archaeologist [[Heinrich Schliemann]] discovered the site, no one accepted the existence of a city called [[Troy]].<ref>[http://www.royalty.nu/legends/Troy.html The Trojan War: History, Myth, and Honor]</ref> Schliemann would later discover positive evidence of the [[Mycenean]] civilization.<ref>[http://www.uark.edu/campus-resources/achilles/age/myceneans.html Myceneans] at the University of Arkansas</ref>

*The existence of the [[Assyrian|Assyrians]] and their wars with the Kingdom of Israel In regard to this, many archaeologists assumed that the Assyrians never existed--before the eventual discovery of the site of [[Nineveh]], capital of this empire, mentioned by [[Jonah]].<ref>Russell, John Malcolm. ''The Final Sack of Nineveh''. [[New Haven]], [[Connecticut]]: [[Yale University]] Press, 1998. ISBN 0300074182</ref>

*The existence of the [[Assyrian]]s and their wars with the Kingdom of Israel In regard to this, many archaeologists assumed that the Assyrians never existed—before the eventual discovery of the site of [[Nineveh]], capital of this empire, mentioned by [[Jonah]].<ref>Russell, John Malcolm. ''The Final Sack of Nineveh''. [[New Haven]], [[Connecticut]]: [[Yale University]] Press, 1998. ISBN 0300074182</ref>

=== Supplemental Resources ===

=== Supplemental Resources ===

===Conclusion===

===Conclusion===

''[[The Annals of the World]]'' is one of the most comprehensive textbooks of ancient history available, and one whose dates have held up at least as well as have those of other historians. It would make a valuable addition to any school or home-schooler's library, for its comprehensive treatment of ancient history alone. And even if Ussher's reckoning of the Exodus and other key dates in Judeo-Christian history are misplaced, this work is invaluable in showing how Ussher assigned those dates to begin with, and what assumptions he made.

''The Annals of the World'' is one of the most comprehensive textbooks of ancient history available, and one whose dates have held up at least as well as have those of other historians. It would make a valuable addition to any school or home-schooler's library, for its comprehensive treatment of ancient history alone. And even if Ussher's reckoning of the Exodus and other key dates in Judeo-Christian history are misplaced, this work is invaluable in showing how Ussher assigned those dates to begin with, and what assumptions he made.

== External Reviews ==

== External Reviews ==

<references/>

<references/>

== See Also ==

== See also ==

* [[Biblical genealogy]]

* [[Biblical genealogy]]

* [[Biblical chronology]]

* [[Biblical chronology]]

== External Links ==

== External links ==

*[http://www.swartzentrover.com/cotor/E-Books/christ/ussher/ussherindex.htm E-Book - The Annals of The World]

*[http://www.swartzentrover.com/cotor/E-Books/christ/ussher/ussherindex.htm E-Book - The Annals of The World]

[[Category:Religious People|Ussher, James]]

[[Category:Religious People|Ussher, James]]

{{DEFAULTSORT: Annals of the World, The}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Annals of the World, The}}

[[Category:Books]]

[[Category:Books]]

[[Category:History]]

[[Category:History]]

[[Category:Bible Chronology]]

[[Category:Bible Chronology]]