informed the king.[143:9]

When _Abraham_ was born "_his star_" shone in the heavens, if we may
believe the popular legends, and its brilliancy outshone all the other
stars.[143:10] Rabbinic traditions relate the following:

"Abraham was the son of Terah, general of Nimrod's army. He
was born at Ur of the Chaldees 1948 years after the Creation.
On the night of his birth, Terah's friends--among whom were
many of Nimrod's councillors and soothsayers--were feasting in
his house. On leaving, late at night, _they observed an
unusual star in the east_, it seemed to run from one quarter
of the heavens to the other, and to devour four stars which
were there. All amazed in astonishment at this wondrous
sight, 'Truly,' said they, '_this can signify nothing else but
that Terah's new-born son will become great and
powerful_.'"[144:1]

It is also related that Nimrod, in a dream, saw a star rising above the
horizon, which was very brilliant. The soothsayers being consulted in
regard to it, foretold that a child was born who would become a great
prince.[144:2]

A brilliant star, which eclipsed all the other stars, was also to be
seen at the birth of the Caesars; in fact, as Canon Farrar remarks, "The
Greeks and Romans had _always_ considered that the births and deaths of
great men were symbolized by the appearance and disappearance of
heavenly bodies, and the same belief has continued down to comparatively
modern times."[144:3]

Tacitus, the Roman historian, speaking of the reign of the Emperor Nero,
says:

"A comet having appeared, in this juncture, the phenomenon,
according to the _popular opinion_, announced that governments
were to be changed, and kings dethroned. In the imaginations
of men, Nero was already dethroned, and who should be his
successor was the question."[144:4]

According to Moslem authorities, the birth of _Ali_--Mohammed's great
disciple, and the chief of one of the two principal sects into which
Islam is divided--was foretold by celestial signs. "A light was
distinctly visible, resembling a bright column, extending from
the earth to the firmament."[144:5] Even during the reign of the
Emperor Hadrian, a hundred years after the time assigned for the
death of Jesus, a certain Jew who gave himself out as the "_Messiah_,"
and headed the last great insurrection of his country, assumed the name
of _Bar-Cochba_--that is, "_Son of a