Isaac Newton and the study of chronology : prophecy, history, and method / Cornelius J. Schilt.

Isaac Newton (1642-1727) devoted ample time to the study of ancient chronology, resulting in the posthumously published 'The Chronology of Ancient Kingdoms Amended' (1728). Here, Newton attempted to show how the antiquity of Greece, Egypt, Assyria, Persia, and other Mediterranean nations could be reinterpreted to fit the timespan allowed for by Scripture. Yet as the hundreds of books from his library and the thousands of manuscript pages devoted to the topic show, the 'Chronology' was long in the making. 0This volume provides the first full analysis of the genesis and evolution of Newton's studies of ancient history and demonstrates how these emerged from that other major project of his, the interpretation of the apocalyptic prophecies in Scripture. A careful study of Newton's reading, note-taking, writing, and -ordering practices provides the key to unravelling and reconstructing the chronology of Newton's chronological studies, bringing to light writings hitherto hidden in the archives.

Includes bibliographies and index.

Cover -- Table of Contents -- Illustrations -- Abbreviations -- Acknowledgements -- Conventions -- Introduction -- 1 Past, Present, Future -- 1 Chronology as an Early Modern Discipline -- 2 The Four Monarchies -- 3 Isaac Newton ... Chronologist? -- 2 Reading Classics -- 1 Reading for the 'Origines' -- 2 Notes and Records -- 3 An Independent Scholar -- 3 Chaos and Order -- 1 The Origins of the 'Origines' -- 2 'Originals' -- 3 Ordering Words and Worlds -- 4 Lost in Space and Time -- 4 Sacred Chronology -- 1 Methodising the Apocalypse -- 2 Rooted in Scripture -- 3 Critical Readings

Some Concluding Remarks -- Appendices -- Appendix A: The Evolution of the 'Origines' -- Appendix B: From 'Origines' to Proto-Chronology -- Bibliography -- Index

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