This history, however, does not aim at being a bibliography of the subject; nor has it seemed desir able to bring in theories or views which appear to have passed away, and not to need present attention. While endeavouring to notice everything that a student should bear in mind on each period, yet more Space has been given in proportion to new facts or new theories, pro and con, than to those which will be already familiar to persons who have read works on the subject. Similarly, in the illustrations, it has been sought to give such as are not commonly known, wherever it was suitable to do so. In this way this work is not only complete in itself, but may serve as a supplement, brought down to date, to the other histories that have appeared. It will be found to provide illustrations, later informa tion, and more chronological discussion than exists in the present histories of Brugsch, Wiedemann, or Meyer.