Jacob Bryant

Jacob Bryant
Jacob Bryant (1715–1804) was an English antiquary and mythographer, known for his scholarship in ancient mythology and history. He is most famous for his work "A New System, or, An Analysis of Ancient Mythology" (1774–1776), where he argued that all mythologies and religious beliefs originated from a common source—the biblical narrative. Bryant also wrote "Observations and Inquiries Relating to Various Parts of Ancient History," where he explored ancient civilizations and their connections. His ideas, though influential at the time, were later criticized for their speculative nature and lack of empirical evidence.

Author's Books:


PHŒNIX and PHŒNICES. As there has been much uncertainty about the purport and extent of these terms; and they are of great consequence in the course of history; I will endeavour to state their true meaning. Phoinic, or Poinic, was an Egyptian and Canaanitish term of honour; from whence were formed Φοινιξ, Φοινικες, Φοινικοεις of the Greeks, and Phoinic, Poinicus, Poinicius of... more...

The earliest authentic account we can obtain of the birth of this learned and celebrated writer, is from the Register Book of Eton College, in which he is entered "of Chatham, in the county of Kent, of the age of twelve years, in 1730,"—consequently, born in 1718. Whence a difference has arisen between the dates in this entry, and the inscription on his monument, hereafter given, we are... more...