In the Hebrew Genesis the millesimal
expression, which is employed in that of the Persians,
is not used; but the Genesis of the ancient Tuscans, conceived
for the remainder in the same terms, as that of the Hebrews,
has preserved this allegorical denomination of the divisions of
time, during which the all-powerful action of the Sun, the
soul of Nature is exercised. Its expressions on this point, are
as follows:
“The God architect of the Universe has employed and consecrated
twelve thousand years to the works, which he has
produced, and he has divided them into twelve times, distributed
in the twelve signs, or houses of the Sun.
“At the first thousand, he made Heaven and Earth.
“At the second, the Firmament, which he called Heaven.
“At the third, he made the Sea and the waters which flow
upon the Earth (dans la terre).
“At the fourth, he made the two great flambeaux of Nature.
“At the fifth, he made the spirit (âme) of the birds, of the
reptiles, of the animals, which live in the air, on land and
in the waters.
“At the sixth thousand, he made man.”