Note 8 — II. Nihil Sub Sole Novi.

To Cadmus, who founded the kingdom of Thebes [1448 B.C.], is ascribed the introduction of alphabetical writing into Greece. At least sixteen letters of their alphabet claim him as the author. But as the order, names, and form of the characters greatly correspond with the Phœnician, it seems very probable that the Greek letters were formed from them, and that Cadmus did not invent, but copy them.