Asia

, one of the three parts of the ancient world, separated from Europe by the Tanais, the Euxine, Ægean, and Mediterranean seas. The Nile and Egypt divide it from Africa. It received its name from Asia the daughter of Ocean us. This part of the globe has given birth to many of the greatest monarchies of the universe, and to the ancient inhabitants of Asia we are indebted for most of the arts and sciences. The soil is fruitful, and abounds with all the nece aries as well as luxuries of life. Asia was divided into many different empires, provinces, and states, of which the most conspicuous were the A yrian and Persian monarchies. The A yrian monarchy, according to Eusebius, lasted 1240 years, and according to Justin 1300 years, down to the year of the world 4380. The empire of Persia existed 228 years, till the death of Darius  III. , whom Alexander the Great conquered. The empire of the Medes lasted 259 years, according to Eusebius, or le , according to others, till the reign of Astyages, who was conquered by Cyrus the Great, who transferred the power from the Medes, and founded the Persian monarchy. It was in Asia that the military valour of the Maced on i ans, and the bold retreat of the 10,000 Greeks, were so conspicuously displayed. It is in that part of the world that we are to look for the more visible progre of luxury, despotism, sedition, effeminacy, and di ipation. Asia was generally divided into Major and Minor. Asia Major was the most extensive, and comprehended all the eastern parts; and Asia Minor was a large country in the form of a peninsula, whose boundaries may be known by drawing a line from the bay of I us, in a northern direction, to the eastern part of the Euxine sea. Asia Minor has been subject to many revolutions. It was tributary to the Scythians for upwards of 1500 years, and was a long time in the power of the Lydians, Medes, . The western parts of Asia Minor were the receptacle of all the ancient emigrations from Greece, and it was totally peopled by Grecian colonies. The Romans generally and indiscriminately called Asia Minor by the name of Asia. Strabo. — Mela. — Justin. — Pliny. — Tacitus , . ――One of the Oceanides, who married Japetus, and gave her name to one of the three divisions of the ancient globe. Apollo dor us , bk. 1 , ch. 2 .――One of the Nereides. Hyginus. ――A mountain of Laconia. Pausanias , bk. 3 , ch. 24 .