ust needs have been
well known, renders this fact exceeding doubtful. And it must be owned,
that whatever relates to the times of the ancient history of the
Assyrians, is attended with great difficulties, into which my plan does
not permit me to enter.

(M162) PUL. The Scripture informs us, that Pul, king of Assyria, being
come into the land of Israel, had a thousand talents of silver given him
by Menahem, king of the ten tribes, to engage him to lend him assistance,
and secure him on his throne.(1006)

This Pul is supposed to be the king of Nineveh, who repented, with all his
people, at the preaching of Jonah.

He is also thought to be the father of Sardanapalus, the last king of the
Assyrians, called, according to the custom of the eastern nations,
Sardanpul, that is to say, Sardan, the son of Pul.

(M163) SARDANAPALUS. This prince surpassed all his predecessors in
effeminacy, luxury, and cowardice.(1007) He never went out of his palace,
but spent all his time amongst a company of women, dressed and painted
like them, and employed like them at the distaff. He placed all his
happiness and glory in the possession of immense treasures, in feasting
and rioting, and indulging himself in all the most infamous and criminal
pleasures. He ordered two verses to be put upon his tomb, which imported,
that he carried away with him all that he had eaten, and all the pleasures
he had enjoyed, but left all the rest behind him.

Haec habeo quae edi, quaeque exaturata libido
Hausit: at illa jacent multa et praeclara relicta.(1008)

An epitaph, says Aristotle, fit for a hog.

Arbaces, governor of Media, having found means to get into the palace, and
having with his own eyes seen Sardanapalus in the midst of his infamous
seraglio; enraged at such a spectacle, and not able to endure that so many
brave men should be subject to a prince more soft and effeminate than the
women themselves, immediately formed a conspiracy against him. Belesis,
governor of Babylon, and several others, entered into it. On the first
rumour of this revolt, the king hid himself in the inmost part of his
palace. Being obliged afterwards to take the field with some forces which
he had assembled, he at first gained three successive victories over the
enemy, but was afterwards overcome, and pursued to the gates of Nineveh;
wherein he shut himself, in hopes the rebels would never be able to take a
city so well fortified, and stored with provisions for