1 Introduction

Isaac Newton, a great 18th-century scientist and president of the Royal Society, examined the history of ancient Greece in his 'The Chronology of Ancient Kingdoms Amended' (1728).

Newton believed that the Flood of Ogyges, the oldest event in Greek tradition, occurred in 1116 BC. [1]

In other words, Newton believed that the Flood of Ogyges occurred 340 years before the first Olympic Games.

Newton believed that during those 340 years, events such as the Flood of Deucalion, the founding of Troy, the expedition of Argonauts, the attack on Thebes by the Seven Generals, the capture of Troy, and the return of the Heracleidae occurred.

However, Herodotus, whom Newton considers the oldest Greek historian and from whom he quoted extensively, states that Heracles, son of Alcmena, lived approximately 900 years earlier than him. [2]

In other words, Herodotus considered Heracles to have lived before 1300 BC.

This chapter will examine why Newton reached a different conclusion than the ancient historians.

 

2 Newton's Method of Dating

2.1 Base Year

Newton used the year in which the first Olympic Games, won by Coraebus, were held as a base year for dating events in ancient Greece.

Newton used this base year, based on genealogies, to determine the dates of events by working backward in time.

 

2.2 Events in Israel

Newton records the dates of events in ancient Greece in terms of the reigns of Israeli kings.

Newton specifies the dates of events in Israel as follows:

 

2.2.1 Year of Solomon's Death

In many places, Newton dates events in Greece in terms of the time and reigns of priests and kings in Israel and Judaea. In these instances, he uses the year of death of Solomon, son of David, as a base year.

Newton noted that the Heracleidae returned to Peloponnesus 159 years after Solomon's death and 46 years before the first Olympic Games (776 BC) won by Coraebus.

In other words, Newton believed that the Heracleidae returned to Peloponnesus in (776 + 46 =) 822 BC and that Solomon died in (822 + 159 =) 981 BC. [3]

Currently, Solomon's death is estimated to be in 931 BC, meaning Newton overestimated Israel's history by 50 years.

 

2.2.2 The Reign of David

Newton noted that 220 years passed between the flood of Deucalion and the return of the Heracleidae, and that the flood occurred in the 14th year of David's reign. [4]

In other words, Newton believed that the flood of Deucalion occurred in (822 + 220 =) 1042 BC.

Newton also estimated David's accession to the throne to be (1042 + 14 - 1 =) 1055 BC.

Therefore, Newton believed that David's reign was from 1055 BC to 1022 BC.

 

2.2.3 The Reign of Solomon

Newton noted that Rehoboam was born in the last year of King David's reign and was 41 years old when Solomon died. [5]

From this account, I can see that Newton believed the following:

Rehoboam was born in (981 + 41 =) 1022 BC.

David died in 1022 BC.

Therefore, Newton believed that Solomon's reign was from 1022 BC to 981 BC.

 

2.2.4 The Last Year of Eli's Age

Newton noted that 80 years prior to the 10th year of Solomon's reign was the 12th year of Samuel's reign. [6]

That is, Newton believed that the first year of Samuel's reign, who succeeded Eli, was (1022 - 10 + 80 + 12 - 1 =) 1103 BC.

In other words, Newton believed that the last year of Eli's Age was 1104 BC.

 

2.3 Events in Greece

Newton identified the dates of events in Greece as follows:

 

2.3.1 The Return of the Heracleidae

Newton initially identified the year of the Heracleidae's return to Peloponnesus.

Newton believed that Iphitus, who organized the first Olympic Games, was the grandson of Oxylus, who returned to Elis with the Heracleidae, and based his determination of the return year on this premise. [7]

However, Newton's method of identification has the following problems:

The first problem is that it is based on an inaccurate genealogy of Iphitus.

Pausanias states that the games, which had been held intermittently until the time of Oxylus, were interrupted for a long period after Oxylus's time, and were revived by Iphitus. [8]

Newton's theory would mean that the games were not held only during the time of Oxylus's son, Praxonidas, which does not align with Pausanias's account.

The second problem is the ambiguity of the timeframe.

Newton noted that the return of Heracleidae occurred 46 or 52 years before the first Olympic Games. [9]

Newton's calculation is based on the number of years between two generations, but the year of Heracleidae's return, which varies depending on that number, is extremely ambiguous.

Here, I will adopt the 46-year timeframe and assume that Newton estimated the year of Heracleidae's return to be 822 BC.

 

2.3.2 The Flood of Deucalion

Newton likely determined the date of the Flood of Deucalion as follows:

Triptolemus visited Arcas of Arcadia, so they were contemporaries. [10]

Arcas was the son of Callisto, daughter of Lycaon, son of Pelasgus. [11]

Triptolemus was the son of Celeus, son of Rharus, son of Cranaus. [12]

In other words, Pelasgus and Cranaus were contemporaries.

The Flood of Deucalion occurred during the time of Cranaus and Pelasgus. [13]

At the time of the return of the Heracleidae, Cypselus, the 11th generation descendant of Pelasgus, was in Arcadia. [14]

Newton calculated the reign of a king to be 20 years, and therefore considered the period from Pelasgus to Cypselus to be 220 years. [15]

In other words, Newton believed that the Deucalion flood occurred 220 years before the return of the Heracleidae.

Newton estimated the year of the Deucalion flood to be 1042 BC.

 

2.3.3 The Flood of Ogyges

Newton wrote that the earliest historian, Acusilaus, who reported the Ogyges flood to occur 1020 years before the first Olympic Games, was 680 years earlier than the truth. [16]

In other words, Newton believed that the Ogyges flood occurred in 1116 BC.

This date was not calculated from genealogical records.

Newton noted that the Ogyges flood was likely two or three generations before the Deucalion flood. [17]

Newton estimated this because he thought that this was the approximate period that illiterate people could remember. [18]

However, Eusebius, whom Newton referenced, states that there was 190 years between the flood of Ogyges and Cecrops. [19]

 

2.3.4 The Capture of Troy

Newton believed that the Heracleidae returned 80 years after the capture of Troy. [20]

Newton states that he derived this number from the account of Thucydides. [21]

Thucydides writes that 60 years after the capture of Ilium, the Boeotians were expelled from Arne by the Thessalians, and 20 years later, the Heracleidae returned to Peloponnesus. [22]

Newton estimated the year of the capture of Troy to be 902 BC.

 

2.3.5 The Founding of Troy

Newton believed that the founding of Troy by Teucer occurred 140 years before the capture of Troy.

Newton calculated this by assuming a reign of 20 years for each ruler, as Teucer's successors up to Priamus during the Trojan War were Dardanus, Erichthonius, Tros, Ilus, and Laomedon. [23]

Newton estimated the founding year of Troy to be 1042 BC.

 

2.3.6 The Migration of Pelops

Newton believed that Pelops migrated to Greece in the 26th year of Solomon's reign, that is, 996 BC.

Newton estimated the year of Pelops' migration to be 996 BC.

 

2.3.7 The Migration of Danaus

Newton believed that Danaus was exiled from Egypt in the 14th year of Rehoboam's reign, that is, 967 BC. [24]

Newton believed that Danaus migrated to Greece one year after leaving Egypt, in 966 BC. [25]

 

2.3.8 The Expedition of Argonauts

Newton believed that the expedition of Argonauts took place four generations before the return of the Heracleidae. [26]

Newton likely based his estimation on the lineage from Heracles, who participated in the expedition, to Hyllus, Cleodius, Aristomachus, and Temenus, who led the Heracleidae.

Newton believed that the expedition of Argonauts took place 43 years after the death of Solomon. [27]

Newton noted that Solomon died 159 years before the return of the Heracleidae. [28]

Newton believed that the expedition of Argonauts took place in (822 + 159 - 43 =) 938 BC.

 

2.3.9 The Seven Generals' Attack on Thebes

Newton believed that the Seven Generals' Attack on Thebes took place 11 years after Argonauts' campaign. [29]

Newton believed that the Seven Generals' Attack on Thebes took place in 927 BC.

 

2.4 Events in Egypt

Newton believed that Greece became civilized because shepherds were expelled from Egypt and some of them migrated to Greece. [30]

The shepherds were expelled from Egypt twice.

Newton estimated the dates of these events as follows:

 

2.4 First Exile

The shepherds were expelled from Egypt by Misphragmuthosis, and the rest were imprisoned in Abaris. [31]

The shepherds who were expelled from Egypt fled to the Philistines. [32]

Some of them also migrated to Greece.

Among those who migrated to Greece were Pelasgus, Inachus, Lelex, Cecrops, and Abas. [33]

Newton noted that the expulsion of the shepherds occurred towards the end of Eli's Age. [34] Newton seems to have believed their expulsion occurred around 1110 BC.

 

2.4 The Second Exile

Amosis, son of Misphragmuthosis, expelled the shepherds from Abaris in the second year of Saul's reign. [35]

Some of the shepherds fled to the Philistines. [36]

Some of the shepherds later migrated from the Philistines to Sidon. [37]

In the sixteenth year of David's reign, 1039 BC, the shepherds living in Sidon migrated from Sidon to Greece. [38]

Among them were Abibalus, Cadmus, Cilix, Thasus, Membliarius, and Atymnus. [39]

Among them were Alymnus and Europa. [40]

 

3 Local History

Newton considered the history of the various regions of ancient Greece as follows:

 

3.1 Arcadia

3.1.1 Migration from Egypt

In 1110 BC, Pelasgus migrated from Egypt to Arcadia. [41]

 

3.1.2 Descendants of Pelasgus

Lycaon, son of Pelasgus, founded Lycosura, the oldest town in Arcadia. [42]

Haemon, son of Pelasgus, ruled Haemonia (later Thessaly). [43]

Oenotrus, son of Lycaon, emigrated to Italy and became known as Janus. [44]

Aleus, son of Aphidas, son of Arcas, son of Callisto, daughter of Lycaon, had children: Lycurgus, Cepheus, and Auge. [45]

Cepheus participated in the expeditions of Argonauts. [46]

After Lycaon, Arcadia was ruled by Nyctimus, Arcas, Clitor, Aepytus, Aleus, Lycurgus, Echemus, Agapenor, Hippothous, Aepytus, Cypselus, and Olaeas. [47]

Arcas received breadcorn from Triptolemus, son of Celeus, son of Rharus, son of Cranaus. [48]

Ancaeus, son of Lycurgus, participated in the expedition of Argonauts. [49]

Echemus killed Hyllus, son of Heracles. [50]

Agapenor built Paphos in Cyprus after an expedition to Troy. [51]

During the reign of Cypselus, the Heracleidae returned to Peloponnesus. [52]

 

3.1.3 Problems

In Newton's genealogy, there were six generations between Oenotrus, who migrated to Italy, and Agapenor, who led an expedition to Troy. [53]

However, Dionysius Halicarnassensis, which Newton referenced, states that Oenotrus, a son of Lycaon, was born 17 generations before the expedition to Troy. [54]

 

3.2 Argos

3.2.1 Migration from Egypt

In 1110 BC, Inachus migrated from Egypt to Argos. [55]

 

3.2.2 Descendants of Inachus

Inachus had sons Phoroneus, Aegialeus, and Phegeus. [56]

In 1090 BC, Phoroneus began to rule Argos, and Aegialeus began to rule Sicyon. [57]

Phoroneus built Phoronicum, which came to be called Argos after the son of his daughter Niobe, Argus. [58]

Argus was succeeded by Pirasus (or Piranthus). [59]

Phoroneus' son Car built a temple to Ceres in Megara. [60]

Aegialeus built Aegialea (later Sicyon). [61]

Europs, Telchin, Apis, Lamedon, Sicyon, Polybus, and Adrastus succeeded Aegialeus. [62]

Phegeus founded Phegea (later Psophis). [63]

Phoronicum, Aegialea, and Phegea were the oldest towns in Peloponnesus. [64]

 

3.2.3 Danaus

In 967 BC, Danaus was driven out of Egypt after a dispute with his brother Aegyptus (or Sesostris). [65]

In 966 BC, Danaus arrived in Argos via Rhodes. [66]

Danaus gained control of Argos after a dispute with Gelanor. [67]

Gelanor was the brother of Eurystheus, king of Mycenae, and the son of Sthenelus, son of Perseus, and Nicippe, daughter of Pelops. [68]

Perseus was the son of Danae, daughter of Acrisius. [69]

Eurystheus and Heracles were born in the same year. [70]

Danaus was succeeded by his stepson Lynceus, and Lynceus was succeeded by his son Abas. [71]

Danaus's son Argus built the ship Argo and participated in the expedition of Argonauts. [72]

Newton does not consider Abas, son of Lynceus, to be the same person as Abas, father of Acrisius, father of Danae, mother of Perseus. [73]

Newton does not mention any descendants of Abas, son of Lynceus.

 

3.2.4 Problems

Newton's description of Argos has the following problems:

 

(1) Acrisius, son of Abas

Newton records that Inachus, Phoroneus, Phoroneus' grandson Argus, and Pirasus ruled Argos in succession. Newton also notes that Gelanor, who vied with Danaus for control of Argos, was a descendant of Abas, who migrated from Egypt to Phocis with Inachus. [74]

Pirasus was the fifth generation from Inachus, and Gelanor was the sixth generation from Abas.

In other words, the descendants of Abas became rulers of Argos, replacing the descendants of Inachus, starting with Gelanor's father, Sthenelus, meaning Acrisius had no connection to Argos.

However, Apollodoros and Pausanias, which Newton referenced, report that Acrisius ruled Argos. [75]

 

(2) Adrastus

Newton describes Adrastus, king of Argos, as if he was a king of Sicyon. [76]

If Adrastus was king of Argos, it would contradict Newton's account of Argos history.

According to Newton's account, the ruler of Argos at the time of Adrastus's attack on Thebes was either Danaus, a contemporary of Eurystheus of Mycenae, or Lynceus, who succeeded Danaus.

However, Adrastus led the Argives, not the Sicyonians, during the attack on Thebes.

 

(3) Danaus

If Adrastus is considered the king of Argos during the attack on Thebes, there is no date to assign to Danaus, who is famous as a ruler of Argos. Therefore, Newton describes an impractical genealogy.

In other words, Newton states that Perseus was the father of Sthenelus, the father of Gelanor, whom Danaus fought to acquire Argos.

However, Eusebius, whom Newton consulted, states that Crotopus was the father of Sthenelus, the previous king of Argos before Danaus. [77]

 

(4) The Three Royal Houses of Argos

Newton lists the names of eight kings of Argos, but the names of the kings of the three royal houses of Argos are not included.

Pausanias, whom Newton consulted, states that until the time of the Trojan War, Argos had three royal houses, each succeeded by more than five kings. [78]

Newton seems to have deliberately ignored the three royal houses of Argos, including Adrastus and the famous prophet Melampus, even though he knew about them from Pausanias's account.

 

3.3 Athens

3.3.1 Migration from Egypt

In 1110 BC, Cecrops migrated from Egypt to Attica via Cyprus. [79]

Cecrops succeeded Actaeus by marrying Agraule, daughter of Actaeus. [80]

 

3.3.2 Successors of Cecrops

In 1055 BC, Cranaus succeeded Cecrops. [81]

Cranaus was succeeded by Erechtheus and Pandion. [82]

Amphictyon, son of Deucalion, never ruled Athens. [83]

 

3.3.3 Theseus

The two sons of Achaeus, son of Creusa, daughter of Erechtheus, Archander and Archilites, married daughters of Danaus. [84]

Therefore, Theseus, son of Aegeus, adopted son of Pandion, son of Erechtheus, was a contemporary of Danaus's daughters. [85]

Theseus was 50 years old when Argonauts campaigned. [86]

Theseus was born in the 33rd year of Solomon's reign, that is, 989 BC. [87]

In 971 BC, Aegeus died and Theseus became king of Athens. [88]

After Theseus, Menestheus, Demophoon, Oxyntes, Aphidas, Thymaetes, Melanthus, and Codrus became kings of Athens. [89]

 

3.3.4 Problems

Newton's description of Athens has the following problems:

 

(1) The years from Cecrops to Theseus

Newton refers to the names of the successive kings of Athens as recorded by Eusebius, but ignores the third king, Amphictyon.

Furthermore, Newton considers the fifth king, Pandion, and the eighth king, Pandion, to be the same person, and ignores the sixth king, Cecrops, and the seventh king, Erechtheus.

Newton considers the period from the accession of Cecrops to the accession of Theseus to be 133 years.

However, according to Eusebius, whom Newton referenced, the interval was 322 years.

 

(2) The years from Theseus to the first Olympic Games

Newton considers the period from the accession of Theseus to the first Olympic Games to be (971-776=) 195 years.

However, according to Eusebius, whom Newton referenced, the interval was 463 years.

 

(3) Theseus and Heracles

Newton considered Theseus to be 50 years old and Heracles 34 years old at the time of the Argonauts' expedition. [90]

Newton identifies Heracles as one of the Argonauts but makes no mention of Theseus's participation in the expedition. [91]

Apollodorus and Hyginus, whom Newton consulted, describe Theseus as one of the Argonauts. [92]

Newton likely did not mention Theseus's participation in the expedition because he considered Theseus to be 16 years younger than Heracles.

 

3.4 Boeotia

3.4.1 Ogyges

Ogyges ruled Boeotia. [93]

Ogyges, or his son, founded Eleusis. [94]

Ogyges was a contemporary of Pelasgus, Inachus, and Lelex, who had migrated from Egypt to Greece. [95]

 

3.4.2 Cadmus

In 1039 BC, Cadmus, along with Abibalus, Alymnus, and Europa, was exiled from Sidon, and Cadmus migrated to Thebes. [96]

Alymnus was Cadmus's brother, and Europa was Cadmus's sister. [97]

Alymnus and Europa migrated to Crete. [98]

Abibalus founded Tyre and became its first king. [99]

Abibalus had a son, Hiram. [100]

 

3.4.3 Descendants of Cadmus

In 1037 BC, Cadmus had a son, Polydorus. [101]

In 1022 BC, Polydorus and Nycteis, daughter of Nycteus, had a son, Labdacus. [102]

In 998 BC, Labdacus had a son, Laius. [103]

In 974 BC, Laius had a son, Oedipus. [104]

Oedipus had two sons, Eteocles and Polynices. [105]

Polynices had a son, Thersander, who went on an expedition to Troy. [106]

 

3.4.4 Problems

Newton appears to have dated Cadmus six generations earlier, tracing its lineage back to the Trojan War-era Thersander.

Newton describes Abibalus, the father of King Hiram of Tyre, who was the same generation as Cadmus, as a companion of Cadmus.

However, Abibalus' name does not appear in the folklore associated with Cadmus, and Newton treats Cadmus's half-brother Phoenix and Abibalus as the same person.

The daughter of Hiram, son of Abibalus, was Solomon's wife. [107]

 

3.5 Corinth

3.5.1 Sisyphus

In 981 BC, Sisyphus founded Corinth. [108]

Sisyphus was the son of Aeolus, son of Hellen. [109]

 

3.5.2 Descendants of Sisyphus

Sisyphus was succeeded by Ornytion, Thoas, Demophon, Propodas, Doridas, and Hyantidas. [110]

 

3.5.3 Problems

Newton lists the descendants of Sisyphus, referencing Pausanias. [111]

However, Pausanias, which Newton referenced, describes Ornytion's father, Sisyphus, as a much later figure than Sisyphus, the founder of Corinth.

Pausanias describes Ornytion's father, Sisyphus, as a contemporary of Jason. [112]

However, Newton notes that Cretheus, the father of Jason's father Aeson, was a brother of Ornytion's father, Sisyphus. [113]

In other words, Newton ignores much of Pausanias's description and identifies Ornytion's father, Sisyphus, with the founder of Corinth to suit his own ideas.

 

3.6 Eleia

3.6.1 Migration of Heracles Idaeus

Heracles Idaeus, along with his brothers Poeonius, Epimedes, Jasius, and Ida, migrated from Mount Ida in Crete to Eleia. [114]

Heracles Idaeus's grandson, Clymenus, migrated from Crete to Eleia 50 years after the flood of Deucalion, that is, in 992 BC. [115]

Newton likely estimated that the migration of Heracles Idaeus took place in 1058 BC.

 

3.6.2 The Migration of Pelops

In 996 BC, Pelops migrated to Greece. [116]

Newton does not mention Pelops' ancestors and his departure place.

Pelops' sister Niobe married Amphion. [117]

Niobe's daughter Chloris had a son, Periclymenus, who participated in Argonauts' campaigns. [118]

 

3.6.3 The Exile of Laius

In 992 BC, Laius, son of Labdacus, went into exile from Thebes to Pelops. [119]

 

3.6.4 The Migration of Clymenus

In 992 BC, Clymenus, grandson of Heracles Idaeus, migrated from Crete to Greece.

Clymenus was exiled by Endymion, the ruler of Elis. [120]

 

3.6.5 The Migration of Aetolus

Aetolus, son of Endymion, was expelled from Elis by Salmoneus, son of Aeolus, son of Hellen, and migrated to Aetolia. [121]

Newton likely estimated that Aetolus's migration occurred after Pelops's migration to Greece, around 990 BC.

 

3.6.6 The Migration of Oxylus

Oxylus, son of Haemon, led the Aetolians and, together with the Heracleidae, invaded Peloponnesus and recaptured Elis, which had been inhabited by his ancestor Aetolus, son of Endymion. [122]

Newton believed this occurred in 822 BC, the year the Heracleidae returned.

 

3.6.7 Problems

Clymenus was a contemporary of Endymion, son of Creusa, daughter of Aeolus. [123]

Endymion was a contemporary of Labdacus, son of Polydorus, son of Cadmus, father of Io, wife of Athamas, son of Aeolus. [124]

Therefore, Clymenus was a contemporary of Labdacus, born in 1022 BC.

From this, I can agree with Newton's theory that Clymenus migrated 50 years after the Deucalion flood, that is, in 992 BC. [125]

However, Newton believed that Pelops migrated in 996 BC, and that Pelops migrated to Greece before Clymenus. [126]

Given that Clymenus was a contemporary of Labdacus, and Pelops was a contemporary of Labdacus's son Laius, it is more reasonable to assume that Clymenus migrated to Greece before Pelops.

It is likely that Newton determined the date of Pelops' migration based on Laius's lineage, given that Pelops and Laius were contemporaries.

 

3.7 Laconia

3.7.1 Migration from Egypt

In 1110 BC, Lelex migrated from Egypt to Laconia. [127]

Lelex had sons: Myles, Eurotas, Cleson, and Polycaon. [128]

 

3.7.2 Eurotas

Eurotas founded Sparta. [129]

Sparta, daughter of Eurotas, married Lacedaemon and they had a son, Amyclas, and a daughter, Eurydice. [130]

Eurydice married Acrisius, son of Abas, and they had a daughter, Danae. [131]

 

3.7.3 Cleson

Cleson had a son, Pylas, and Pylas had a son, Sciron. [132]

Sciron married the daughter of Pandion, son of Erechtheus. [133]

 

3.7.4 Polycaon

Polycaon advanced into Messenia. [134]

 

3.7.5 Problems

Newton believed that Acrisius's father, Abas, came to Greece from Egypt with Lelex.

If so, Acrisius would be of the same generation as Eurotas, and there would be a two-generation difference between Acrisius and Eurydice.

If I follow other traditions and consider Acrisius's father, Abas, to be the grandson of Danaus, then Acrisius and Eurydice would be of the same generation.

 

3.8 Phocis

3.8.1 Abas's Migration

In 1110 BC, Abas migrated from Egypt to Abae in Phocis via Euboea. [135]

Abas was not the same person as Danaus's grandson, Abas. [136]

 

3.8.2 Descendants of Abas

Abas had sons, Acrisius and Praetus. [137]

Acrisius married Eurydice and they had a daughter, Danae. [138]

The grandchildren of Gorgophone, daughter of Perseus, son of Danae, were the Argonauts, Lynceus and Idas. [139]

Gorgophone's husbands, Perieres and Oebalus, were sons of Cynortes, son of Amyclas, brother of Eurydice. [140]

Hippodamia, daughter of Evarete, daughter of Acrisius, married Pelops. [141]

Euadne, daughter of Iphis, son of Elector, son of Megapenthes, son of Praetus, married Capaneus, one of the seven generals who attacked Thebes. [142]

 

3.8.3 Problems

Other traditions state that Abas's sons, Acrisius and Praetus, were kings of Argos.

Acrisius and Praetus are listed in Eusebius's list of Argos kings, which Newton consulted. [143]

Newton moved Abas from Argos to Phocis, just as he moved Adrastus from Argos to Sicyon.

Newton likely ignored other traditions because they contradicted his own understanding of Argos's history.

 

3.9 Thessaly

3.9.1 Haemon

Pelasgus's son, Haemon, ruled Haemonia (later Thessaly). [144]

Newton likely estimated Pelasgus's migration to Arcadia to be around 1110 BC, and Pelasgus's son Haemon's migration to Haemonia to be around 1080 BC.

 

3.9.2 Deucalion

Deucalion had sons, Hellen and Amphictyon, and a daughter, Protogenia. [145]

When a flood occurred in Thessaly, Deucalion, along with his sons, Hellen and Amphictyon, fled to Cranaus in Attica. [146]

Deucalion died in Attica. [147]

Newton does not describe the ancestors of Deucalion, Hellen's father.

Newton seems to have believed that Deucalion was already living in Thessaly when the Cecrops migrated from Egypt to Greece.

 

3.9.3 Descendants of Deucalion

Hellen returned to Thessaly and succeeded Deucalion. [148]

Amphictyon ruled in Thermopylae and established the Amphictyonic Council. [149]

Protogenia had a son, Aethlius. [150]

Aethlius married Calyce, daughter of Aeolus (sister of Cretheus, Sisyphus, and Athamas), and they had a son, Endymion. [151]

Endymion's son, Aetolus, emigrated to Aetolia. [152]

Aeolus, son of Hellen, had sons, Sisyphus and Athamas. [153]

Athamas had children, Phrixus and Helle. [154]

Aeson, the son of Cretheus, the son of Aeolus, the son of Hellen, had a son, Jason, who was Argonaut. [155]

 

3.9.4 Problems

(1) Aeolus

In the period before the Trojan War, there were multiple Aeolus figures in the tradition.

Newton treats Aeolus, the son of Hippotes, the son of Mimas, the son of Aeolus, the son of Hellen, as the same person as Aeolus, the son of Hellen.

Therefore, the lineage of Deucalion's descendants is shortened by three generations.

 

(2) Amphictyon

There were two Amphictyon sons of Deucalion in the tradition, but Newton describes them as the same person.

The first was Amphictyon, son of Deucalion and brother of Hellen, who lived in Thessaly. [156]

The second was Amphictyon, father of Aitolos, father of Physkos, who was the father of Locrus and gave Locris his name. [157]

 

3.10 Tyre

3.10.1 Founding of Tyre

Abibalus migrated from Sidon and founded Tyre, becoming its first king. [158]

Abibalus migrated to Tyre 17 years before the Philistines conquest of Sidon, that is, in 1056 BC. [159]

Abibalus had a son, Hiram. [160]

 

3.10.2 Hiram

In the 23rd year of David's reign, that is, 1032 BC, Abibalus died, and his son Hiram became king of Tyre. [161]

Hiram married his daughter to Solomon and provided wood for the construction of the temple. [162]

The temple was built in the 11th year of Hiram's reign, that is, (1032 - 11 =) 1021 BC. [163]

 

3.10.3 Pygmalion

In the fifth year of Pygmalion's reign, thirteen years after the capture of Troy, that is, (905 -13 =) 892 BC, a rebellion broke out in Tyre. [164]

Therefore, Pygmalion ascended to the throne of Tyre in (892 + 5 =) 897 BC.

 

3.10.4 Founding of Carthage

Pygmalion's sister Dido set sail from Tyre in the seventh year of Pygmalion's reign, that is, (897 - 7 =) 890 BC. [165]

Dido built Carthage in the sixteenth year of Pygmalion's reign, that is, (897 - 16 =) 881 BC. [166]

 

3.10.5 Problems

(1) Abibalus

Newton likely determined the year of the second expulsion of the shepherds based on the fact that Hiram and Solomon were contemporaries.

However, Abibalus, Hiram's father, does not appear in many traditions related to Cadmus.

Perhaps Newton considered Abibalus to be another name for Phoenix, Cadmus's half-brother and king of Tyre. [167]

 

(2) Pygmalion

Newton considered Pygmalion, the father of Metharme, wife of Cinyras, the builder of Paphos in Cyprus, to be the same person as Pygmalion, the brother of Dido, the builder of Carthage.

Metharme's father, Pygmalion, is thought to be the founder of Carpasia in northeastern Cyprus. [168]

However, there is no tradition linking Metharme's father, Pygmalion, to Dido's brother, Pygmalion.

Newton describes individuals with the same name appearing in tradition as the same person without considering the time period.

 

4 Other Problems

4.1 Theseus and Heracles

4.1.1 Newton's Estimate

Newton considered Theseus's birth to be in the 33rd year of Solomon's reign, that is, (1022 - 33 =) 989 BC. [169]

Newton also considered Heracles' birth to be in the eighth year of Rehoboam's reign, that is, (981 - 8 =) 973 BC. [170]

In other words, Newton considered Theseus to have been born 16 years earlier than Heracles.

 

4.1.2 Newton's Estimation Method

Newton likely considered Theseus to be from an earlier generation than Heracles for the following reasons:

Theseus's wife Phaedra's sister Ariadne's two sons, Phlyas and Eumedon, were Argonauts. [171]

Heracles was one of the Argonauts. [172]

In other words, Newton considered Heracles to be of the same generation as the Argonauts, and Theseus to be from an earlier generation.

Newton noted that Theseus was 50 years old and Heracles was 34 years old at the time of the Argonauts' expedition. [173]

 

4.1.3 Problems

Newton's reason for estimating Theseus was 50 years old at the time of the Argonauts' expedition is that the Argonauts (Castor and Pollux) rescued Helena, whom Theseus had kidnapped. [174]

Indeed, there is a tradition that the events with Helena occurred when Theseus was 50 years old. [175]

However, there is no tradition linking the events with Helena to the expedition of Argonauts.

Newton appears to have only linked traditions that supported his conclusions.

Newton consulted Hyginus, Pausanias, and Plutarch, but seems to have ignored traditions that contradicted his conclusions.

Newton ignored the following traditions that would suggest Theseus was younger than Heracles:

Theseus, then 7 years old, saw Heracles sitting on a lion's skin in the house of Pittheus in Troezen. [176]

Theseus joined the expedition of Argonauts from Troezen. [177]

Theseus, at the age of 16, traveled from Troezen to Athens. [178]

Theseus, having heard of Heracles's fame, himself longed to achieve the same feats. [179]

One of Theseus's wives, Iope, was the sister of Heracles' nephew, Iolaus. [180]

After Heracles's death, his adult children fled to Theseus. [181]

 

4.2 Cadmus and Danaus

4.2.1 Newton's Estimate

Newton considers Cadmus's migration to Greece to be in the 16th year of David's reign, that is, (1055 - 16 =) 1039 BC. [182]

Newton also considers Danaus's migration to Greece to be in the 14th year of Rehoboam's reign, that is, (981 - 14 =) 967 BC. [183]

In other words, Newton considered Cadmus to have migrated to Greece 72 years earlier than Danaus.

 

4.2.2 Problems

Diodorus wrote, "When people who lived in Egypt migrated to Greece, their most famous leaders were Danaus and Cadmus." [184]

Apollodorus wrote, "Libya had two sons, Agenor and Belus. Agenor had a son, Cadmus, and Belus had a son, Danaus." [185]

In other words, Danaus and Cadmus were cousins ​​and contemporaries.

 

4.3 Procris

4.3.1 Newton's Account

Newton states that Procris, daughter of Erechtheus, married Cephalus, son of Deioneus, son of Aeolus. [186]

 

4.3.2 Problems

From the perspective of Creusa, daughter of Erechtheus, her sister Procris married the grandson of Aeolus, brother of Creusa's husband Xuthus.

In other words, Procris, daughter of Erechtheus, married a man of the same generation as her grandson, which is not reasonable.

There is no tradition that Aeolus was Cephalus's grandfather, nor is there any tradition that Aeolus, father of Deioneus, was a brother of Xuthus, son of Hellen.

Newton does not consider that there may have been multiple Aeolus from different eras, and describes them as the same person.

 

4.4 Minos

4.4.1 Newton's Account

Newton knew that there was a theory that there were two Minos, but he himself described them as belonging to one Minos.

In other words, Newton describes Androgeus, Deucalion, Ariadne, and Phaedra as children of Europa and Minos.

 

4.4.2 Problems

Idomeneus, son of Deucalion, son of Minos, who led an expedition to Troy, is two generations removed from Minos.

Menestheus, king of Athens who led an expedition to Troy, is of the same generation as Phaedra, daughter of Minos, and is therefore one generation removed from Minos.

However, Thersander, who lived during the Trojan War, is six generations removed from Cadmus, brother of Europa, Minos's mother, and is therefore five generations removed from Minos.

Furthermore, Hector, who lived during the Trojan War, is six generations removed from Dardanus, the brother of Harmonia, wife of Cadmus, brother of Europa, mother of Minos, making him five generations removed from Minos.

In other words, there is a difference of three to four generations between the genealogy tracing Minos's descendants and the genealogy tracing Minos's mother, Europa.

Therefore, it is more reasonable to assume that Deucalion's father, Minos, and Europa's son, Minos, are different people, and that there is a gap of three or more generations between the two Minos.

 

4.5 Acrisius's Father, Abas

4.5.1 Newton's Account

Newton notes that the tradition that Acrisius's father, Abas, was the son of Lynceus, Danaus's stepson, is incorrect. [187]

 

4.5.2 Problems

Apollodorus, whom Newton consulted, states that "Acrisius and Proetus were born to Abas, the son of Lynceus, who succeeded Danaus." [188]

Pausanias, whom Newton consulted, states that "Abas, the son of Lynceus, had sons, Acrisius and Proetus." [189]

If Lynceus's son, Abas, is Acrisius's father, then Danaus would be more than two generations older than Phoroneus, the son of Inachus.

Newton notes that Acusilaus, Anticlides, and Plato considered Phoroneus to be the oldest king of Greece. [190]

Furthermore, Gelanor, who fought against Danaus, would have been an older king of Argos than Inachus, creating a contradiction with other traditions.

It is likely that Newton rejected the tradition that Acrisius's father, Abas, was a grandson of Danaus for these reasons.

 

4.6 Car and Lelex

4.6.1 Newton's Account

Newton wrote that Lelex came to Greece from Egypt with Inachus. [191]

Newton wrote that Car, the son of Inachus's son Phoroneus, built the Temple of Demeter in Megara. [192]

In other words, Newton believed that Lelex was two generations before Car.

4.6.2 Problem

Pausanias, which Newton consulted, wrote that "Lelex came from Egypt about 12 generations after Car, the son of Phoroneus." [193]

In other words, Pausanias wrote that Car was a much later figure than Lelex.

This account contradicted Newton's genealogy, and he ignored it.

 

4.7 Nauplius

4.7.1 Newton's Description

Newton states that Nauplius of Argonaut was the son of Amymone, daughter of Danaus. [194]

 

4.7.2 Problems

Apollonius Rhodius, whom Newton referenced, states that "Nauplius of Argonaut was the son of Clytonaeus, son of Naubolus, son of Lernus, son of Proetus, son of Nauplius, son of Amymone, daughter of Danaus." [195]

Newton ignored Apollonius's description because if the Argonauts' expedition occurred seven generations after Danaus, it would create a contradiction in the genealogy Newton had conceived.

Newton considers Danaus to be a contemporary of Eurystheus of Mycenae and his brother Gelanor. [196]

Also, since Newton identifies Heracles, who was born in the same year as Eurystheus, as Argonaut, Danaus was also of the Argonaut generation. [197]

In other words, it seems that Newton made Argonauts' expedition two generations after Danaus, rather than seven generations later, in order to reduce the inconsistency as much as possible.

 

4.8 Cadmus and Heracles

4.8.1 Newton's Account

Newton states that Deucalion, son of Minos and Heracles, were the Argonauts. [198]

Newton states that Cadmus was the brother of Europa, mother of Deucalion's father Minos. [199]

In other words, Newton believed that Cadmus was two generations before Heracles.

 

4.8.2 Problems

Herodotus, whom Newton referenced, states that Europa, a contemporary of Cadmus, was five generations before Heracles. [200]

 

4.9 Three Heracles

4.9.1 Newton's Account

(1) Heracles Idaeus

Newton states that Clymenus, grandson of Heracles Idaeus, migrated from Crete to Eleia 50 years after Deucalion's flood, that is, in 992 BC. [201]

Newton likely estimated that the migration of Heracles Idaeus, two generations before Clymenus, occurred in 1058 BC.

 

(2) Heracles, son of Alcmena

Newton notes that Heracles was 34 years old at the time of Argonauts' expedition.

Therefore, Newton likely estimated Heracles' birth to be (938 + 34 =) 972 BC.

 

(3) Heracles of Tyre

Newton notes that 87 years after Solomon's death, that is, (981 - 87 =) 894 BC, the Phoenicians were expelled from Tyre by the Edomites. [202]

The Phoenicians migrated to Spain, and they were led by Heracles, also known as Melcartus. [203]

This Heracles is likely Maceris, also known as Egyptian Heracles or Phoenician Heracles in other traditions. [204]

 

4.9.2 Problems

Newton lists the three Heracles in chronological order as Heracles Idaeus, Heracles the son of Alcmena, and Heracles of Tyre.

However, Diodorus, whom Newton consulted, states that Heracles of Tyre is the oldest, and Heracles the son of Alcmena is the third. [205]

Pausanias, whom Newton also consulted, states that Heracles of Tyre is older than Heracles the son of Alcmena. [206]

 

5 Chronology of Ancient Greece

Based on Newton's writings, the events of ancient Greece, listed in chronological order, are as follows:

 

1116 BC, Flood of Ogyges

1110 BC, Migration of Pelasgus, Inachus, Lelex, Cecrops, and Abas from Egypt to Greece

1058 BC, Migration of Heracles Idaeus from Crete to Eleia

1042 BC, Flood of Deucalion

1042 BC, Founding of Troy

1039 BC, Migration of Cadmus from Sidon to Greece

1039 BC, Migration of Europa from Sidon to Crete

996 BC, Migration of Pelops to Greece

992 BC, Migration of Clymenus from Crete to Eleia

990 BC, Migration of Aetolus from Elis to Aetolia

981 BC, Founding of Corinth by Sisyphus

972 BC, Birth of Heracles, son of Alcmena

971 BC, Theseus ascends to the throne of Athens

966 BC, Migration of Danaus to Greece

938 BC, Argonauts' expedition

927 BC, Seven generals attack Thebes

902 BC, Troy is captured

894 BC, Melcartus (Heracles) emigrates from Tyre to Spain

822 BC, the Heracleidae return

 

6 Finally

6.1 Dating

Newton dated events in ancient Greece based on the year the first Olympic Games were held.

However, the dates Newton determined were rough estimates derived from the number of generations and the length of each generation.

Newton first determined the year of the return of the Heracleidae, and then the dates of the floods of Deucalion and Ogyges.

Newton considered the first figures in various regions, as recorded in tradition, to be contemporaries of Ogyges.

That is, he considered Cecrops of Athens, Actaeus, father of Cecrops' wife, Pelasgus of Arcadia, Inachus of Argos, and Lelex of Sparta to be contemporaries of Ogyges.

 

6.2 Missing Genealogies

The genealogies Newton used to obtain the number of generations were not accurate.

The lineage of Elis that Newton used to determine the year of the return of Heracleidae was inaccurate.

Newton identified Iphitus as the grandson of Oxylus, but it is estimated that there were many generations between Oxylus and Iphitus.

The lineage of Arcadia that Newton used to determine the date of the Deucalion flood was also inaccurate.

Newton identified Callisto as the daughter of Lycaon, son of Pelasgus, but it is estimated that there were many generations between Lycaon and Callisto.

 

6.3 Identification of Persons

Newton identified persons with the same name appearing in tradition as the same person, without considering the time period.

As a result, the genealogy was shortened, and other genealogies were shortened to fit this shortened one, or individuals with the same name but who were not the same person were linked to the genealogy.

Newton considered Minos, Aeolus, Sisyphus, Abas, Erechtheus, Deucalion, and Amphictyon, who appear multiple times in tradition, to be the same person.

 

6.4 Conclusion

Newton is estimated to have created a genealogy by connecting the names of approximately 247 people with lines, from the time of Ogyges to the time of the return of the Heracleidae.

However, ancient traditions from that period feature more than 3,000 people represented in the genealogy.

It appears that the genealogies of 8 percent of the people Newton used could not resolve the inconsistencies in the genealogy.

 

6.5 Newton's Contributions

There are many aspects of the dates of ancient Greek events identified by Newton that I cannot agree with.

However, Newton is the only one who has recorded genealogies not found in other traditions, making his work extremely valuable in exploring the history of Bronze Age Greece.

Some of the genealogies that only Newton has recounted include:

(1) Cranaus, the second king of Athens, had a son, Rharus. [207]

(2) Sicyon, son of Marathon, was the grandson of Erechtheus. [208]

(3) Melas, son of Antissus, was a descendant of Gonussa, daughter of Sicyon, son of Marathon. [209]

(4) Clymenus was the grandson of Heracles of Mount Ida. [210]

 

End