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[[The Anals of the World]] is the massive compendium of [[ancient history]] by [[James Ussher]]. The original [[Latin]] manuscript titled ''Anales veteris testamenti a prima mundi origine deducti'' (The Anals 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 ''Anals'' has also been bundled into a downloadable archive<ref>[http://www.winsite.com/bin/Info?21000000038229 ''The Anals 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>

The ''Anals'' begins at a calculated [[date of creation]] and continues through to the destruction of the [[Temple of Jerusalem]] in 70 AD. Dates derived from it were included in the margins of many [[King James Version]] and other [[Bible]]s throughout the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries.<ref>For an example, see ''The Holy Bible'', in the Authorized King James Version, from William Collins and World Publishers (no date given).</ref>

The ''Annals'' begins at a calculated [[date of creation]] and continues through to the destruction of the [[Temple of Jerusalem]] in 70 AD. Dates derived from it were included in the margins of many [[King James Version]] and other [[Bible]]s throughout the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries.<ref>For an example, see ''The Holy Bible'', in the Authorized King James Version, from William Collins and World Publishers (no date given).</ref>

== Publication data ==

== Publication data ==

=== How to Cite This Resource ===

=== How to Cite This Resource ===

In Conservapedia, copy the block-quoted text exactly as it appears:

In Conservapedia, copy the block-quoted text exactly as it appears:

* MLA style:<blockquote><nowiki><ref name=Ussher>[[James Ussher]], ''[[The Anals of the World]]'', [[Larry Pierce]], ed., Green Forest, AR: Master Books, 2003 (ISBN 0890513600), pghh. </ref></nowiki></blockquote>

* MLA style:<blockquote><nowiki><ref name=Ussher>[[James Ussher]], ''[[The Annals of the World]]'', [[Larry Pierce]], ed., Green Forest, AR: Master Books, 2003 (ISBN 0890513600), pghh. </ref></nowiki></blockquote>

In print, copy and format as follows:

In print, copy and format as follows:

* MLA style:<blockquote>James Ussher, ''The Anals of the World'', Larry Pierce, ed., Green Forest, AR: Master Books, 2003, pghh.</blockquote>

* MLA style:<blockquote>James Ussher, ''The Annals of the World'', Larry Pierce, ed., Green Forest, AR: Master Books, 2003, pghh.</blockquote>

Note that numbered paragraphs, not pages, are the best parts to cite from the ''Anals''.

Note that numbered paragraphs, not pages, are the best parts to cite from the ''Annals''.

== Review ==

== Review ==

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 Anals 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.

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|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 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 ''Anals'' 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 ''Anals'' 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 Anals. 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 ''Anals'' 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.

===Completeness===

===Completeness===

Ussher stopped his account at 70 AD, in the belief that the history of the [[Judaism|Jews]] ended in that year. But his treatment of the history of Western civilization up to that year is breathtakingly comprehensive. His assumptions concerning various early kings mentioned in classical myths are probably not accurate. But his treatment of classical history beyond, say, 1300 BC is as rich as is the treatment of modern history in any conventional textbook.

Ussher stopped his account at 70 AD, in the belief that the history of the [[Judaism|Jews]] ended in that year. But his treatment of the history of Western civilization up to that year is breathtakingly comprehensive. His assumptions concerning various early kings mentioned in classical myths are probably not accurate. But his treatment of classical history beyond, say, 1300 BC is as rich as is the treatment of modern history in any conventional textbook.

Moreover, many of his assumptions concerning ancient events have proved accurate, even though for centuries the ''Anals'' 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|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>

=== Supplemental Resources ===

=== Supplemental Resources ===

The current edition of the ''Anals'' also includes eight valuable Appendices that lay a thorough foundation for Ussher's methods and calculations. These Appendices include a very thorough description of the Roman Republican and early Julian [[calendar]] (including full particulars on the placement of the Calends, Nones, and Ides in every month of each one), a discussion of Ussher's calculated time-line for the Northern and Southern Kingdoms, two different essays regarding the chronology of the Assyrian Empire, a set of ancient maps, a discussion of the Hebrew calendar and why its epoch begins so much later than Creation seems to, and finally, a discussion of why [[archaeology]] in general is less reliable than the Bible (because it has such a poor track record of sustaining any given conclusion from one decade to the next). Anyone attempting to settle any question of Ussher's chronological calculations must study these Appendices to see exactly how Ussher worked, and how he stayed as close to Scripture as has any man before or since.

The current edition of the ''Annals'' also includes eight valuable Appendices that lay a thorough foundation for Ussher's methods and calculations. These Appendices include a very thorough description of the Roman Republican and early Julian [[calendar]] (including full particulars on the placement of the Calends, Nones, and Ides in every month of each one), a discussion of Ussher's calculated time-line for the Northern and Southern Kingdoms, two different essays regarding the chronology of the Assyrian Empire, a set of ancient maps, a discussion of the Hebrew calendar and why its epoch begins so much later than Creation seems to, and finally, a discussion of why [[archaeology]] in general is less reliable than the Bible (because it has such a poor track record of sustaining any given conclusion from one decade to the next). Anyone attempting to settle any question of Ussher's chronological calculations must study these Appendices to see exactly how Ussher worked, and how he stayed as close to Scripture as has any man before or since.

===Conclusion===

===Conclusion===

''[[The Anals 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 ==

*[http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v26/i1/archbishop.asp Archbishop's Achievement] by [[Jonathan Sarfati]]. Creation 26(1):24–27, December 2003

*[http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v26/i1/archbishop.asp Archbishop's Achievement] by [[Jonathan Sarfati]]. Creation 26(1):24–27, December 2003

*[http://www.pocketpcreviews.net/content/view/55/67/ Review of the ''Anals''] at PocketPCReviews.net

*[http://www.pocketpcreviews.net/content/view/55/67/ Review of the ''Annals''] at PocketPCReviews.net

== References ==

== References ==

== External Links ==

== External Links ==

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

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

[[Category:Books]]

[[Category:Books]]

[[Category:History]]

[[Category:History]]

[[Category:Bible Chronology]]

[[Category:Bible Chronology]]