EPOCH, a term in Chronology signifying particular, fixed and certain points made use of in computing the years from one time to another. The Creation of the World is the first Epoch; this is fixed at the year 710 of the Julian Period, 4000 before Jesus Christ.
The second is that of the Deluge, in the year of the World 1656, and 2344 before Jesus Christ.
The third is that of the Tower of Babel, which is set down differently. We place it about the year of the World 1800, before Jesus Christ 2200.
The fourth is at the second calling of Abraham from the city of Haran, in the year of the World 2083, before Jesus Christ 1917.
The fifth, at the departure of the Israelites out of Egypt, in the year of the World 2517, before Jesus Christ 1483.
The sixth, at the Dedication of the Temple in 3001, before Jesus Christ 999.
The seventh at the end of the Babylonish Captivity in 3468, before Jesus Christ 532.
The eighth, at the birth of Jesus Christ in the year of the World 4000, before the Vulgar Æra 4 years. And for profane History, we fix, 1. The foundation of the Assyrian Empire by Belus in 2737, before Jesus Christ 1263.
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The Æra of Nabonassar, or the Epoch of Sardanapalus’s death, and the foundation of the Babylonian Empire, and that of the Medes in 3257, before Jesus Christ 743.
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The reign of Cyrus at Babylon, and the foundation of the Persian Empire in 3468.
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The reign of Alexander the Great over the Persians, and the foundation of the Grecian Monarchy, in 3674, before Jesus Christ 326.
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The beginning of Augustus’s reign in 3960, forty years before the birth of our Saviour, and forty four years before the Vulgar Æra.