Goguet, Antoine-yves

Goguet, Antoine-Yves, a French jurisconsult, was born at Paris January 18, 1716, and became counsellor to the parliament of Paris. He applied himself closely to literature, and especially to historical studies. His name is chiefly preserved by his great work Origine des Lois, des Arts, et des Sciences, chez les Anciens Peuples (3 volumes, 4to, Paris, 1758, in which he was assisted by his friend Fugère). It treats the history of civilization among the Assyrians, Babylonians, Egyptians, Phoenicians, and the early Greeks, in volume 1; and in volume 2, the period from the death of Jacob to the establishment of monarchy among the Hebrews, with the usages, etc. of the Lydians and Phrygians, with the states of Greece, and the people of Crete. The third volume carries the subject down to the tine of Cyrus, and upon the same plan as the other two. Goguet adds also dissertations on ancient coins; on the astronomical periods of the Chaldaeans; on the antiquities of the Babylonians, Egyptians, and Chinese; on Sanchoniatho; and on the authenticity and antiquity of the book of Job. Goguet died in 1758. His work has passed through several editions in France, of which the last is that of Paris, 1809, 3 vols. 8vo. There is an English translation, Origin of Laws, etc. (Lond. 1775, 3 volumes, 8vo). — English Cyclopaedia; Hoefer, Noun. Biog. Generale, 21:75.