The book presents a complete translation of the Syriac text of the compendious history of the world from the Creation to the Crucifixion of our Lord, which is commonly known as the Cave of Treasures. In the Syriac title the composition of the work is attributed to Ephrem Syrus, or Ephraim the Syrian, who was born at Nisibis soon after A.D. 306 and died in 373.