THE ROMAN HISTORIE CONtaining such Acts and occurrents as passed under Constantius Iulianus Iovianus Valentinianus and Valens Emperours Digested into 18. Bookes the remains of 31. and written first in Latine by Ammianus Marcellinus Now translated newly into English Wherunto is annexed the Chronologie serving instead of a briefe supplement of those former 13. Bookes which by the iniurie of Time are lost Together with compendious Annotations and Coniectures upon such hard places as occurre in the said Historie Done by PHILEMON HOLLAND of the Citie of Coventrie Doctor in Physicke LONDON Printed by Adam Jslip An. 1609. TO THE RIGHT WORshipfull the Major and his Brethren the Aldermen c. of the Citie of Coventrie HAving entred heretofore into an English translation of the Romane Hystorie compiled by T. Livius from the foundation of Rome-citie unto the Caesars dayes and then proceeded forward in their lives to the death of Domitian according as they were penned by Suetonius Tranquillus J was of late earnestly moved by a noble Baron of this Kingdome to travaile on still and follow the traine of this argument so farre forth as I found extant in Ammianus Marcellinus who had written at large from the end of the said Emperour unto the beginning of Gratianus And albeit this enterprise seemed unto mee more than difficult considering the harsh stile of the Author a Souldior and who being a Grecian borne delivered these Hystoricall reports in Latine the strange tearmes occasioned by the late alteration of the State under Constantine the greater part of the originall lost which might have given light unto the rest the prints so defective and faultie even of that which remained and the want of others to tread out the way before me in other languages yet could I not deny that honest request of so honourable a personage whom I knew to be verie studious passing well learned and judicious right commendable parts adorning true Nobilitie but set in hand with this peece of worke also and finish the same in some sort though I have not altogether therein pleased my selfe And the better to give contentment unto the Readers for now by this time I perceived it should come under the Presse I tooke me to a new labour and like as the losse of the later part of T. Livius I supplied with the breviaries of L. Florus so the want in the beginning of this Writer I made up with a Chronologie to the end I might present unto my deere countreymen a continued narration of the Romane affaires from the first infancie to the venerable old age and declining daies that I may use Marcellinus his owne words of that eternall Citie To explane likewise those unusuall phrases and tearmes aforesaid not obvious in former Historiographers as also to open some obscure places which here and there offer themselves I thought not much of my paines to annex therunto certaine briefe Annotations and Conjectures of mine owne which if they yeeld not full satisfaction unto the Reader may yet minister occasion to some better learned than my selfe for to travaile in that kind unto whose censure and judgement I submit those my Supposals These Endeavour of mine whatsoever I dedicate unto your Worships the chiefe Magistrate and grave Senate of this Citie and that for divers respects First your wise and moderat government of the place wherein J have so many yeares conversed hath affoorded unto me both quiet repose and meanes also to follow my studies Secondly the affectionate love that yee have alwaies borne to good literature testified by courteous entertainment of learned men by competent salaries allowed from time to time to such professors as have peaceably and with discreet carriage bestowed their talents among you by exhibition given to poore schollers in the Vniversitie by erecting also of late and maintaining of a faire Librarie not exampled without offense to others be it spoken in many Cities of the Realme Lastly the experience I have already of your kind acceptance of my former Labours though not exhibited unto you at the first hand have emboldened or enforced me rather immediatly to entitle you in this and under your name to transmit the same unto all others not doubting that you wil take this small gift in good worth as a token of his unfaigned love and affection who hath alwayes prayd for your welfare and wisheth not to live longer than he may see the prosperous and flourishing estate of your citie Your Worships in all dutifull respect Philêmon Holland ¶ GALLVS AND CONSTANTIVS LIB 14. CAP. 1. The horrible acts of Caesar Gallus through his wives instigation committed in the East parts AFter the events of an invincible expedition atchieved whiles the hearts of both the sides were fainting which sundry dangers and travailes had sore quailed before that either the trumpets gave over sounding or the souldiers were bestowed in their wintering stations such stormes of fortune still raging arose as poured downe a world of new troubles upon the State and Commonwealth occasioned all by many wicked and horrible acts of Caesar Gallus who from an exceeding poore and miserable condition advanced in the very flower of his yeares with unexpected honor to princely dignity and running out beyond the bounds of that authority which was conferred upon him made foule worke every where and with extreame rigour marred all For presuming upon his neerenesse of kinne unto the bloud royall and the alliance which he had still with the name of Constantine hee bare himselfe very proud and insolent ready as it was thought to have giuen some hostile attempt even against the founder of his owne good fortunes if he had bin of greater power whose cruelty was not a little enkindled and set on fire by his wife who beside her unmeasurable pride as being sister in the whole bloud unto the Emperour and by her father Constantine before time joyned in marriage with his brothers sonne king Annibalianus was a very devill incarnate inciting and incensing him continually given as hee was to cruell tyranny and no lesse bloud-thirstie her selfe nor of a milder disposition than her husband who both of them in processe of time by little and little growne more skilfull in doing mischiefe by means of secret and crafty tale-bearers such as lewdly used to make those things greater that upon slight grounds were discovered ready also to report untruths and matters pleasing unto them falsely raised upon innocent persons imputations and slanders either of ambitious aspiring to the kingdome or of practising wicked and naughtie arts Now among other designements and deeds of a lower nature for by this time their greatnesse surmounted the tearmes of meane delinquences notorious above the rest was the horrible and sudden death of one Clematius a nobleman of Alexandria whose wives mother falling in hote fansie with him her sonne in law and solliciting him wantonly to company with her when she could not obtaine his love was by report let in at
appointed as you may read in Ausonius Quis Mirmilloni componitur aequimanus Thrax See more of these in Sueton. Caligula n A Tribune here is called Vacans namely such an one as was enrolled extraordinarily and not promoted thereto by degrees of service These also as well as others placed in any dignitie after that maner by other authors are expresly tearmed Ascripti and Ascriptitij For thus writeth Ael Lampridius in Alexandro Severo Nec quâ—mqua passus est esse in Palatinis nisi necessarios homines iureiur ando deinde constrinxit ne quem ascriptum id est vacantem haberet ne annonis rempub gravaret Also Terbellius Pollio in Balista where Valerianus the Emperour in a letter unto Balista seemeth to joy that by his counsell nullum ascriptitium i. vacantem haberet Tribunum nullum stipatorem qui non verè pugnaret But take this for my conjecture onely as touching Tribunus vacans I will gladly yeeld to him that shall bring a more probable reason of this tearme o Dion writeth That Augustus admitted certain Batavian horsemen to keepe residence in Rome within campe How ever Tranquillus Suetonius affirmeth that hee allowed no more than three cohorts to harbour within the citie and those sine castris But it seemeth that by occasion of many strangers conflowing to Rome who could not be received in the hostelries and ordinarie Innes there was a certaine place assigned by it selfe for their lodging called therupon Castra peregrina or Peregrinorum And of this opinion is Guidus Pancirolus de 1â— Regionibus urb Rom. Annotations and conjectures upon the seventeenth Booke a BRasmatiae or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arist de mundo are those earthquakes which shake the earth upward and downeward ad angulos rectos so called of the resemblance of water boyling 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. to seeth or boile up b Clinatiae 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as I guesse because they bend sidelong or Climatiae 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. pervertere vel diruere as Marcellus Donatus thinketh c Chasmatiae of Chasma in Greeke which signifieth a gaping or wide chinke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to gape Aristotle maketh mention of them De mundo d Mycematiae or rather Mycetiae as Aristotle tearmeth them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. to bellow to loow or roare e Donative was a largesse or liberalitie bestowed upon the souldiors by the Generall or upon the people by the Prince f Cicero in his second booke de Divinatione writeth thus It is reported that in the territories of the Tarquinienses when an husbandman ploughed the ground and tooke one deeper stitch than the rest there started up out of the earth on a sodaine this Tages and spake unto the said Plough-man now this Tages as is found written in the Tuscane bookes seemed in personage and countenance a verie child but for wisedome was equall to the aged who being affrighted at this sodaine sight cryed out in so much as out of all Tuscane the people flocked soone thither And then Tages uttered many speeches in the hearing of them all which they noted and put in writing and this his speech contained the whole knowledge and learning of Soothsaying Ovid also in his Metamorphos writeth of him But it is like he was some base and obscure fellow who by his impostures deceived the world professing as he did the art of Divination Annotations and conjectures upon the eighteenth Booke a LVstrum was the space of foure yeares after which time complet there was a solemne review and cessing holden at Rome and the citie by a Sacrifice purged with sundrie other ceremoniall complements almost duely observed in everie revolution of such a tearme of yeares whereunto peradventure our author alludeth it was so ordinarie a thing in Constantius his Court which he tearmeth Castra by a word borrowed of warfare to have these alterations and chaunges like as at everie Lustrum new Magistats as Censors c. b Diribitores otherwise called Distributores were certaine persons imployed in tendering unto the Romane citizens certaine little tablets as they went to give their voyces at their solemne elections of Magistrats therein to write their affirmative or negative There were also of this denomination the Paymasters of wages to souldiors in an armie Coelius Rhodigin c Homer in his ninth tenth and eleventh bookes of his Poem Odyssea faineth how Vlysses held these Phaeaces upon whose land he was cast by tempest with a long discourse and narration of his travels In imitation of whom Virgil bringeth in his Aeneas making the like reports unto Queene Dido The silent audience of the Phaeaces Homer expresseth in this verse eftsoones repeated 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 d Tricesimani were souldiors picked out of the thirtieth legion e Fortenses A companie of souldiors auxiliarie so called of Fortia a towne in Sarmatia Asiatica f Superventores Companies of souldiors placed apart from the bodie of the armie or battel readie to come upon the enemies forcibly on a sodaine whiles they are otherwise emploied or secure g Praeventores Companies of souldiors keeping likewise apart from the maine armie or battel readie to prevent the enemies or gaine a place before them h Iam Comite For having beene one of the guard called Protectores before he now became a captaine and had the charge of a regiment and was dignified also with the name Comâ—s Annotations and conjectures upon the 19 Booke a THese solemne holy-daies and feasts were kept for memorial of Adonis the darling of Venus slaine by a wild boare in hunting in the month of Iuly what time Fruges sunt adultae corne is ripe i Siccitas i. drought I suppose he meaneth heat the active qualitie for drinesse being a passive qualitie is not so powerfull And that he meaneth heat it may appeare by the Plague in the Greeke campe and armie before Troy occasioned by the arrowes of Apollo i. the Sunne Homer Ilia α. k By this straunger or guest is meant Paris who tooke away Helena the wife of Menelaus for which indignitie and wrong arose that warre and siege which continued tenne yeares l Of this Pestilence yee may read more in Thucidides lib. 2. and in Lucretius lib. 6. where it is described verie pathetically and to the life and in manner word for word out of Lucretius m Leviores I suppose he meaneth acutiores i. more quicke and sharpe n o p In putting downe these names of maladies we are to observe that Marcellinus although he was a souldior and out of his owne element yet speaketh not unproperly nor doth exorbitate from the doctrine of Hippocrates Galene and the rest who among these vulgar diseases called here 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 allow some to be Epidemij simply not pestilenciall but such as kill for the most part to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and pestilenciall q Rhesus was King of Thracia and came to aid the Trojanes against the Greekes who together with his horses were the first night they came
wings holding forth a guirland in the right hand and bearing in her left an Olive braunch β The cities colonies townes called Municipia within the Roman Empire were much like unto Rome in their manner of Commonweale and government And as the Romans had a Senate-house and Senators so had they in resemblance thereof a Curia and Curiales who likewise were termed Decuriones because at the first erecting planting of Colonies the tenth man was enrolled a Senatour or one of the Patres of the place They had to name likewise Possessores Ordo Honorati and in Greeke Buleutae As in the Romane Senate there was a President called Princeps Senatus so that Decurio or Curialis who had borne all offices of State they called Primus Curiae And like as in Rome the chiefe of the Senatours degree were styled Illustres the rest Clarissimi so in these provinciall corporations in the first ranke were Summales Principales and in Greeke Protestasiae According to the greatnesse of the place there were more or fewer of this order in some 20 or 10 in others 7 or 5 so that when you read in this Author of Decuriones in any city or Curiales or Honorati or simply Ordines or Ordo understand this degree of chiefe burgesses how ever others expound Curiales either courtiers whoÌ„ we in Latin call Aulici or those that be officers of any judiciall court as Accursius doth and the author of the law Vocabularia γ As in Rome there was a Colledge of Prelats called Pontifices so in these Municipia the chiefe Clergie men were called Sacerdotales δ Likewise Aediles in these colonies and corporat townes resembled in many points those of Rome howbeit they had no jurisdiction but were clerkes of the Market c. As touching whose charge you may read more in Papinian his Astynomicus Annotations and conjectures upon the 29. Booke a The verses in Theogâ—is that he alludeth unto are these in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 b By this you may know that these Eculeâ— were rackes to be wrested up or let downe and Eusebius writeth thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Whereby it is gathered that the utmost stretching was to the fift hole c Famous were those Quinquennall Games holden in Greece every fift yeare at the citie Olympia neere unto the hill Olympus whither assembled people from all parts whence grew Olympias i. the space of foure yeres complete and past by which they reckoned their times as the Romans by their Lustra and we Christians by the nativitie of our Savior to wit the first second or third yeare c. of such an Olympias d Carpathos An Island betweene Rhodes and Candie from whence it came e Heroicke verses so called because in them most commonly were penned the acts of demie gods and Worthies such as they tearmed Heroes as were the Poâ—mes of Homers Iliad and Odyssea likewise Virgils Aeneid This stately verse is likewise called Hexametre for that it consisteth of six feet f Pythici were such verses as Oracles were delivered in so called of Pythius one of the sirnames of Apollo who rendered answeres to them that consulted with his Oracle whereupon he also was so named 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and his Priestresses Pythiae Strab. lib. 9. g Branchidae the Priests of Apollo Didymaeus Strab. lib. 1â— h Of these Olympicke Games see a little before i Of these Syrenes or Meremaids you may read in Homer Odyss lib. 12. how Vlysses as he passed by them in the Sicilian sea stopped the eares of his companions with wax and caused himselfe to be fast tied unto the mast of his ship because they should not be allured with their sweet melodie k The Areopagites Counsell and Court of justice in Athens was most severe upright instituted by Cecrops first as Eusebius thinketh and not by Solon The reason of that name is twofold either for that there passed in that court triall and judgement of bloudshed and murther which is expressed under the name of Mars in Greeke Ares or because Mars when he was judicially accused by Neptune for killing his sonne Halirrhotius there stucke downe his speare More hereof and of the fabulous concertation at the barre of the gods you may read in Carol. Sigon de Rep. Atheniens lib. 1. cap. 3. l Seven vowels he meaneth in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pliny writeth That the paine of the stomacke next unto the Strangurie occasioned by the Stone is most intollerable Now whether he meaneth that which the Physicians tearme Cardialgiam or Ileos otherwise called Volvulus Iliaca passio Domine miserere mei which although originally be seated in the small higher guts yet for the vicinitie soone affecteth the stomack as appeareth by dolorous vomiting or rather the disease or Symptome Cholera wherein the stomake is most painefully affected and dischargeth it selfe upward and downeward I cannot determine kk Whereas in the 29. booke cap. 8. Valentinian is said to have kept two shee Beares the one named Innocentia the other Mica aurea i. golden Mica probable it is by the former name that the other also alluded to Mica the name of some woman I call to mind therefore that in Plutarchs Morals among praise-worthie women thâ—â—e is a large narration of one damosell the daughter of Philodemus an Elean named Mica or as some read Micca who under the licentious reigne of Aristotemus the tyrant one Lucius was enamoured upon and after much courting and solliciting of her to forfeit the honor of her bodie but all in vaine killed her in the sight and bosome of her father whose guilded image was set up for a memoriall in Rome And this is the conjecture of Pancirolus l Of these Masters of Forges wherein armour was made see before m There were certaine officers belonging to the Emperours stable called Stratores who were to chuse and allow horses meet for service l Constantiani were a band of souldiors erected by Constantius the Emperor m Lerna or Lerne a Mere in the territorie of Argos which the Serpent Hydra haunted and did much mischiefe to all the countrey about it whereinto also they used to cast all filth c. Whence came the Proverbe Lerna malorum i. a sinke of all sinne and mischiefe Strab. This serpent as they say had to one bodie 50 heads and as any one of them was cut off there grew presently two in the place Palaeph de Fabulis It was one of Hercules his labours to destroy this serpent m n These two Legions tooke the name of Pannonia and Maesia out of which provinces they were levied Annotations and conjectures upon the 30. Booke a PRovinciae moderatoris apparitor Although Moderator strictly taken signifieth the Ruler of a small Province who properly is termed Corrector yet here it is more generally put for the governor of Cilicia who was Consularis and an officer of his had the charge to ward this gate of Tarsus a citie in that Province
discomfite and scatter the nations that had layed their heads together and banded themselves to worke the Romanes mischiefe and how to foresee that his armie like to raunge divers waies wanted not victuals As he pondered and carefully cast these matters in his mind a multitude of enemies giveth an attempt upon him mightily enstamed with hope to win the towne and the more confident in this their enterprise because they had learned by the information of certaine fugitives that neither the band of the b Scutarij nor e Gentiles were there as being bestowedin sundry townships for their better feeding and diet When he had therefore shut the citie gates and fortified that part of the wall which was weake and undefensable himselfe in person together with the armed souldiers was usually seene both day and night among the bulwarkes and battlements in boyling heat of anger fretting to himselfe and gnashing his teeth That having many times gone about to sally and breake out upon the enemies he was ever checked and impeached by reason of the small forces that he had presently about him But in the end after thirtie daies the Barbarians went away ill appaied and sad mumbling softly to themselves That vainely and foolishly they had ever thought of besieging the citie Besides all this a thing that must be imputed as a great indignity whiles Caesar was in this jeopardie Marcellus Generall of the Horse who abode then but in the next stations drave off to aid him whereas albeit the citie had beene distressed without the princes beeing there it ought to have beene rescued and delivered from the calamities that follow a siege by making head againe with another power CHAP. II. The vertues of Iulianus beseeming a magnanimous prince Ammianus Marcellinus exactly describeth CAesar a prince right puissant and of wonderfull action was no sooner freed from this feare but in that constant carefulnes which he alwaies carried he provided for his souldiors that after their long travaile they might have some rest though but short yet sufficient to refresh their strength albeit those lands soulely out of order by reason of extreame want as having beene so often wasted affoorded but small meanes meet for the maintenance of life But when with watchfull diligence order was taken also in this behalfe his mind being lifted up with a sprinckling of more plentifull hope of prosperous successe he bent the same to the practise and performance of many worthie parts The first thing therefore that he did hard though it were was this that he enjoyned unto himselfe temperance and kept the same still living as if he had been tied to the d Sumptuarie lawes which being from the Oracles of Lycurgus that is to say The shing les or tables of wood called Axones brought over to Rome long time observed and beginning to grow out of use Sylla the Dictator by little and little restored making this account and that out of the prophesies or sage sayings of Democritus That Fortune setteth out a sumptuous and superfluous table bat Vertue a scant and frugall For Cato Tusculanus also who in regard of his severe and precise life came to be surnamed Censorius wisely defining of this point Great care thou hast quoth he of trim furniture and as great carelesnesse of vertue Furthermore reading continually as he did a little booke which Constantius sending his sonne in law to the Vniversitie had written with his owne hand setting down an order over-liberally What should be the expence of Caesars boord he expressely forbad That Fesant and the daintie meat made of the mother and udder of a young sow that newly farrowed should be called for and served up to the table as contenting himselfe with the course meat and such as came next to hand of a common labouring souldior Hereupon it happened that hee divided the nights according to a tripartite or threefold function For sleepe for affaires of State and for his booke a course that Alexander the Great as we read used to take But this our prince did the same more stoutly of the twaine For Alexander having a bason or pan of brasse set beneath by his beds side held with his arme stretched out of the bed a silver ball that as sleepe came upon him and had let loose the stiffe sinewes of his joints by the ringing sound that the said ball made when it fell downe he might breake off his sleepe But Iulian without any such devise or meanes wakened as oft as he would and rising alwaies at midnight not out of a featherbed or from under coverings of silke glittering againe with sundrie bright colours but from a quilt or tapistrie carpet spred on the ground or some homely rugge which the simple common people tearme Susurna secretly did his devotions and prayed unto Mercurie who as we are taughtout of the learning of Theologie is the swift intelligence of the world stirring up the motion of our minds and in so great want of things upon sure advertisements provided for the Commonweale After which high and serious businesses ended he turned himselfe to the exercise of his wit and a man would not beleeve with how great and ardent desire in seeking after the profound knowledge of principall matters and in gathering together certaine forage and stoovet as it were for to feed his mind climbing up still unto higher points of learning he by way of wise disputation ran through all parts of Philosophie But yet how effectually and fully soever he got the furniture hereof he did not cast at his heeles the meaner sciences as having an indifferent good insight into Poetrie and Rhethoricke as may appeare by the uncorrupt elegance and mildnesse of his Orations and Epistles joyned with gravitie as also into the manifold histories both of our owne and also of forraine acts Besides all this he was able to discourse and deliver his mind sufficiently in the Latine tongue If then it be true which divers writers report That king Cyrus Simonides the Lyricke Poet and Hippias Elêus that most quicke and eagre Sophister had excellent memories for that they attained thereto by drinking certaine medicines we are to thinke verily that this man also being then come to his full growth dranke up a whole tunne of Memorie if possibly it might any where be found And these truly were the nightly signes of his modest temperance and other vertues But as touching that which he delivered by way of gallant speech or pleasant conceit or how he behaved himselfe in the preparation for fight or in the very conflict of battaile it selfe as also what enormities in the civile State he resormed by his magnanimitie and the libertie that he tooke it shall be shewed particularly in due place Whē he was compelled being a student yet in Philosophie to exercise the first essayes and introductions to militarie knowledge as a prince learned the artificiall feat of footing with measures the warlike dance in armes to the musicke of
sundrie rumors there were stirred up came abroad a number of Aegyptians a litigious kind of people taking much pleasure and joy at all times in an ordinarie custome they have to sue one another and maintaine ambiguous controversies but above all most greedie to require againe and that by way of multiplication and increase if they have given ought to an Atturney or creditor for to be eased thereby of a debt or at least wise to be allowed more commodiously by way of forbearing and giving day to bring in those summes which are as debts demaunded or for feare of some odious crimination to call into question and molest rich men in the case of extortion All these being thronged thick together flocked about the prince himself and the Praefects of the Prętorium where chattering like a sort of Iayes they disturbed and troubled them out of all order most rudely readie to extort and wrest what they avouched they had given unto verie many whether rightfull or otherwise it skilled not even threescore and ten yeares before And when they would suffer no businesse else to bee dispatched Iulian published a proclamation commanding them all to passe over the water unto Chalcedon with a promise that himselfe also in person would follow quickly after to decide and determine these their causes When they were gone over there went out a precept to the masters of the ships who use to sayle to and fro between That no man should be so hardie as transport over sea an Aegyptian any more Which precept was kept so straitly and with so forward carefulnesse that their obstinat purpose thus to quarell and forge accusations came to nothing in the end so disappointed of their presumed conceived hope they returned all home Whereupon a law passed as if equitie her selfe had indited it whereby provided it was That no Advocat or Atturney should be troubled about those moneyes which it might appeare for certaine that he rightfully and by law had received Well when as the first day of Ianuarie was come what time as the names of Mamertinus and Nevita were entred into the rolor kalender of Consuls the Prince was seene in a verie humble manner of duetie to goe on foot with other honourable personages a thing that others commended but some againe found fault with as a base part of his and ful of affectation Afterwards when Mamertinus exhibited the games k Circenses what time as the manner was these were brought in and presented who came to be manumised and made free himselfe as his custome was commanded by the under l usher Lege m agi and being straightwayes advertised That the jurisdiction for that day pertained to another himselfe also changed the December morning as lyable to an errour In this while much resort there was to the court of justice from divers wayes and coasts and a number of folke there were who upon sundrie occasions did put in their bils And when as on a certaine day word came unto him That Maximus the Philosopher was come out of Asia to see him he leapt up full undecently and forgetting who himselfe was ran apace forth a great way from the palace gate to meet him kissed him received him and with much reverence and honour brought him in shewing himselfe by this unseasonable ostentation of courtesie to bee an excessive hunter after vaine glorie and forgetfull of that notable saying of Tullie whereby such persons are noted taxed in these words Even those Philosophers themselves saith he in these verie bookes which they pen and entitle as touching the contempt of glorie write their owne names so as even in this verie point that they seeme to despise the fame and glorie of the world willing they are to be named and that men should talke of them Not long after two of those busie and pragmaticall Pursuivants who were cassed and put out of their places came boldly unto him promising if they might bee restored unto their degree which they had in warfare to shew where Florentius lurked and hid himselfe Whom he rated and tearmed Promoters saying moreover It was not the manner and part of an Emperour to be induced by indirect suggestions and informations to fetch a man backe againe into daunger that for feare of death lay hidden and who peradventure should not bee suffered long to hide his head without hope of pardon In all these proceedings there was assistant to him a noble Senator n a man of an excellent disposition to vertue carrying with him the ancient gravitie of old time who by chance was found about businesse of his owne at Constantinople and him of his own meere motion and pleasure he made a Proconsular deputie in Achaia Neither for all his being so precise and earnest in reforming of civile abuses neglected he those of the campe but hee ordained captaines and commaunders over souldiers such as had beene a long time approoved and tried repairing moreover all the cities throughout Thracia together with the utmost frontier forts and taking diligent care that neither armour apparell money or victuall should be wanting unto them who lying dispersed along the banks of Ister and opposit to the rodes and invasions of the barbarous enemies hee heard say performed their service with great vigilancie and valour Whiles hee disposed thus of these affaires suffering nothing to be done slackly when his favourites next about his person persuaded him to set upon the Gothes joyning so neere who had beene so often false and perfidious he said That he sought for better enemies for the Galatian marchants quoth he are sufficient for them by whom they are everie where sold without regard of state and condition As hee was employed in these and such like businesses fame commended him to forreine nations as a brave and eminent person for prowesse sobrietie skill in feats of armes and good progresse in all vertues and growing thus forward by little and little he filled the whole world with his name The feare therefore of his comming being spread all abroad as well among neighbour nations as those that were farre remote there came with great care from all parts embassages thicke Of the one side those beyond Tigris and the Armenians craved peace on the other side the men of Inde strived a vie and sent great men with gifts before-hand even from as farre as the Indians and Serindians From the South climat the Mauri offered their service to the Roman State from the North and Easterly regions in which the verie Phasis falleth into the sea the Bosphorians and other people before time unknowne brought with them their embassages in suppliant maner requesting That upon performance of their yearely tributes and dueties they might bee permitted to live quietly within the bounds of their native countries CHAP. V. An exact description of provinces and nations which at this time are inhabited farre and wide in Thracia and along the circuit of
up their yong frie secured from the devouring Whales and monsters of the sea within hollow places of receit which are there verie thicke For in this Pontus there hath beene at no time seene such but onely harmelesse Dolphins and those but small Now what coast soever of this same maine gulfe of Pontus is beaten with the North-east wind and frostie aire it is so throughly frozen and congealed as that neither the courses of rivers are supposed to roll underneath the yce neither is it possible for man or beast to set firme footing upon the ground so unsure it is and slipperie a fault that never taketh hold of the sea as it is pure of it selfe but mingled with river waters Having beene thus carryed somewhat farther than we thought proceed we to the rest of our hystorie behind CHAP. IX Iulianus borne up on high with the favour of all men hasteneth to go unto Antioch what acts he did in this iourney THerefell out another occurrent to encrease the heape and measure of these present joyes which verily was a long time hoped for but protracted by many circumstances of delayes For tydings came by Agilo and Iovius afterwards Questor That the defendants of Aquileia wearied out with so long a siege after they were advertised of Constantius his death did set open their gates went forth and delivered the authors of those sturres and commotions and that when the said parties as hath beene related afore were burnt quicke all the rest obtained a graunt of pardon for their trespasses But Iulian verie proud of these prosperous proceedings carried his thoughts and conceits beyond the ordinarie compasse and reach of men as having by continual proofs trials found that unto him ruling now the citie of Rome peaceably favorable gratious fortune carrying as it were the words β Cornucopia i. wealth aboundance presented unto him all gloâ—y and prosperitie adding moreover unto the titles of his victories past thus much That whiles he held the empire alone he was neither troubled with civile commotions at home nor any of the Barbarians passed beyond their owne bounds and all nations upon a lust and desire they have evermore to inveigh against things past and to blame them as hurtfull and noisome were wonderfully inflamed with an earnest affection to resound his praises Having therefore after considerat deliberation disposed of all things according as the divers causes and times required and withall animated his souldiers what with many hortatorie orations and what with a competent stipend inciting them more readily to make dispatch and put all things in readinesse borne thus aloft with the favor of all men and addressing himselfe to goe to Antioch he left Constantinople supported with verie great meanes of a flourishing estate for being there borne he loved and esteemed it highly as the place of his nativitie After he had crossed therefore the narrow sea and passed by Chalcedon and Libyssa where Annibal the Carthaginian was buried hee came from thence to Nicomedia a citie before time famous so enlarged at the great expences of precedent Princes that for multitude of buildings as well privat as publique it might be reputed to those that know it aright a certaine region or quarter of that eternall citie Rome The walls whereof when as hee beheld how they were resolved into wofull ashes and dead imbers shewing the anguish of his mind by silent teares he went toward the royall palace with a softer pace weeping for the miserable case wherein it was in this regard especially that the magistrats and whole comminaltie met him in mournefull and poore plight now which had beene afore time a most flourishing state And some of them hee agnized as having beene brought up there under Eusebius the bishop whose kinsman hee was though a farre off Here also in like manner when he had given and allowed bountifully toward the reparation of those edifices which the earthquake had overthrowne he came by Nicea to the marches of Gallograecia whence bending his journey at one side toward the right hand hee turned to Pessinus for to visit the ancient temple of the great mother Cybele From which towne in the second Punicke warre by the direction of Cibyls prophesie at Cume Scipio Nasica translated her image to Rome As touching whose arrivall into Italie I have by way of digression together with other particulars belonging to this matter written somewhat in the acts of the Emperour Commodus But why this towne should carrie this name the writers of hystories agree not For some have affirmed that the citie was sirnamed so by occasion of the said goddesses image fallen from heaven of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which with us in Greeke signifieth to fall Others report that Ilus the sonne of Tros and king of Dardanie called the place so Theopompus avoucheth That it was not Ilus who did so but Midas that most mightie king of Phrygia Having therefore adored the divine power there and pleased the same with sacrifices and vowes he returneth to Ancyra and as he was going further from thence the multitude disquieted him whiles some required to have their goods given unto them which by violence and extortion had beene taken away others complained That they were unjustly tyed and incorporated into the societies of the Curiae and some againe without respect of daunger laboured as if they had been starke mad to bring their adversaries within the compasse of high treason but he a more grave and severe judge than either Cassius or Lycurgus weighing indifferently from point to point their causes awarded to everie man his owne no where drawne away from the truth but sharply bent against slanderers and false accusers whom hee hated as having tryed oftentimes the malapert folly of many of this kind even to his owne perill whiles he was yet in low estate and a privat person And for an example of his patience in the like businesse this one although there bee many besides shall suffice to be put downe A certaine person there was who in verie troublous manner appeached an adversarie of his with whom he was at variance for speaking certaine words in most bitter wise tending to treason And for that the Emperour dissimuled and made as though he heard not the matter he enforced the same stil and dayly renewed his accusation So as at length being asked what hee was whom hee thus called into question hee answered That hee was a verie rich Bourger Which when the Prince heard with a smiling countenance What presumptions quoth he haddest thou to give thee light hereunto Because sayth he he is about to make himselfe a purple garment of a silken cloke Who being commaunded after this to goe his wayes with silence and without harme like a base fellowe accusing as base a companion of an high and hainous matter neverthelesse was verie instant and importunat still Iulian wearie with this busie and troublesome fellowe casting
that the event fell out otherwise For indeed the death of a king was thereby portended but of what king it rested doubtfull For we read that even Oracles also were doubtfully delivered and such as nothing but the accidents that happened in the end could distinctly determine as for example the truth and proofe of the Delphicke prophesie which foretold That Craesus after he had passed over the river Halys should be the overthrow of a most d mightie kingdome as also another which by crooked tearmes appointed the e sea for the Athenians to trie battaile with the Medes yea and an answere by Oracle later than these before cited which verily was true but no lesse ambiguous and equivocant Aiote f Aeacida Romanos vincereposse i. I say thy selfe Aeacides the Romans vanquish may Howbeit the Tuscane Soothsayers which were in his traine and had skill in these prodigious and presaging tokens considering there was no credit given unto them when they oftentimes prohibited and dissuaded this expedition brought foorth their bookes of rites and ceremonies shewed plainely the foresaid sight was a signe prohibitorie and contrarie to a prince that invadeth although justly a forraine princes kingdome But downe went they and were troden under foot in comparison of Philosophers that gainesaid them whose authoritie in those dayes was had in great esteeme and reverence who otherwhiles shoot wide of the marke and yet in matters whereof they have no perfect knowledge stand stiffely a long time For they pretended and alledged as a probable argument to maintaine the truth and credit of their skill in that unto Maximian also before time Caesar being now at the point to joine battail with Narses king of the Persians there was in like maner a lion and a huge wild bore also tendered slain both together he say they after he had vanquished that nation departed in safetie But little considered these Philosophers that thereby destruction was portended to him that invaded and sought for other mens lands and well it is knowne that Narses began first to seize Armenia into his hands which was subject to the Roman power and jurisdiction CHAP. V. Other presaging signes diversly expounded A persuasive oration of Iulianus unto his souldiers as touching hot pursuit of the warre against the Persians SEmblably the day following which was the seventh before the Ides of Aprill when the Sunne grew now toward setting sodainely of a verie small cloud the ayre so thickened that all the light of the day was quite gone and after terrible thunder claps flashes of lightning that came thick one after another a souldier named Iovianus was strucken from heaven fel downe dead together with two horses which hee was bringing backe from the river after they had drunke their fill Which when he saw he sendeth for the interpreters of these and such like signes who being demaunded What they thought thereof avouched confidently That it also prohibited this expedition and intended war shewing that lightning was a counsellor for so are those tearmed which advise or dissuade any thing to be done And therefore especiall heed was to bee taken hereof because it killed a souldier that carried an high and great name together with horses that are beasts for warre and places smitten or blasted by this meanes the bookes which treat of lightnings pronounce That they ought not to be looked or troden upon On the contrarie side That Phylosophers argued that the brightnesse of sacred fire sodainely seene is not significative but onely is the course or shooting of a swift and vehement exhalation thrust some way out of the skie downe to the Iower parts or if aught were fore-tokened thereby it shewed before hand encrease of honour and renowne unto the Emperour in his glorious enterprise considering that certaine it is flames of their owne nature if there be nothing to checke them flie up on high Well when this bridge as hath been said before was finished and all were passed over the river the Emperours chiefe and principall care now as he thought was to make a speech unto his souldiers so forward and fearelesse presuming confidently upon their owne valour and their Generals prowesse By a signall therefore of trumpets sound when all the centuries cohorts and bands were assembled himselfe standing upon a banke of earth clods and guarded round about with a companie of great Commaunders and officers of the campe with a gratious countenance discoursed unto them in this wise as one highly favoured with a joynt consent and affection of them all Right valiant and redoubted souldiers beholding how vigorous yee are in regard of your exceeding puissance and lustie courage I am determined to make an oration unto you and by many reasons to prove That this is not the first time as some evill tongued folkes secretly give out that the Romans have invaded the kingdomes of Persia For to passe by Lucullus or Pompejus who through the Albanes and Massagets whom now wee tearme Alani having made way by force even through this nation have seene the Caspian lakes wee know that Ventidius also the Lieutenant of Antonius made an infinit number of slaughters and overthrowes in these tracts But to leave these acts of auntient record I will rehearse what exploits be fresh in memorie and of late date Trajanus and Severus entred againe thus farre with victories and trophies and with the like honour and fame had Gordian the younger returned whose monument and supulchre we have newly seene honourably erected after he had discomfited and put to flight the Persian king at Resaina but that by the faction of Philip that was Praefectus Praetorio together with the helpe of some few wicked persons he was in this verie place where he now lyeth buried ungratiously wounded and killed Neither wandered his Manes long unrevenged in that as if Iustice her selfe appeared evidently to take vengeance all that conspired against him were put to torture and dolorous death And as for these brave captaines verily whom I have named carried they were with a forward will and mind of atchieving high matters unto the enterprise of these memorable exploits But as for us wee are mooved to undertake these expeditions which we have intended by occasion of the wofull and miserable case of cities newly forced of the unrevenged ghosts of whole armies put to the sword of the great dammages sustained and the losse of our deere friends to the end we may give comfort to our allies redresse and remedie hurts past and by procuring an honourable securitie unto the Commonwealth on this coast of the world leave unto posteritie matter sufficient for which they may give us a noble report and commendation another day Present will I your Emperour be in all places with you through the helpe of immortall God both to lead before you in the front as a Captaine and to fight with you as a fellow souldior and that with fortunat signes of successe as I am persuaded
to be cut out of their heads voided aside to farre remote and hidden corners And when Gratian the Emperour was frankely informed of this lewd and wicked machination for now by this time was Valentinian departed this life they were sent unto Hesperius the Proconsull and Flavianus the deputie to have the hearing of their cause whose equitie supported with most just and due authoritie after that Caecilius was examined upon the racke found thus much by his open confession That himselfe had given counsell and persuaded the citizens to burthen the embassadours with a lye After these acts there followed a certificat which opened to the full the whole truth of all unto which there was no answere made And that this tragicall narration should leave out no part unhandled of so terrible an argument thus much also came upon the stage even after the hangings were drawne and taken downe Romanus being gone to the court brought with him Caecilius to accuse the Commissioners aforesaid as enclined over-much to the side of the province and he received with the favour of Merobaudes required That there should be many of their friends and kinsfolkes presented and brought in place Who when they were come to Millaine and had shewed by probable proofes and arguments without dissimulation That for no cause they were drawne thither were discharged and so returned home Yet while Valentinian was alive after the former occurrences which we have told Remigius also being departed from the court to a privat life strangled himselfe with an halter and so ended his dayes as we will shew in place convenient THE XXIX BOOKE CHAP. I. After some light skirmishes there was a truce agreed upon with Sapor The court of Valens is disquieted with new troubles by occasion of intelligence given by Palladius Whiles Valens was alive inquisition was made in certaine praesages as touching a successor in the Empire WHen Winter was past Sapor king of the Persians exceeding arrogant upon the confidence that he had gotten by his former battailes having supplied the number of his owne forces and furnished them very strongly sent his men of armes archers and mercenarie common soldiors to breake out and invade our territories Against these forces Traianus a lieutenant and Vadomarius late king of the Alemans went forth with right puissant bands appointed by commaundement from the prince to observe thus much rather to keepe off than to assayle the Persians first Who being come to Vagabanta a place renowmed for the legions that lodged there they received the violent charge and brunt of the enemies troupes rushing and running fiercely upon them full against their wils and of purpose giving ground and reculing backe because they would not first wound any of their enemies nor be deemed culpable in breaking of the league untill such time as being forced upon extreame necessitie they joyned battaile and having slaine a number of them departed with victorie Yet betweene whiles after some triall of light skirmishes on both sides and the same performed with sundrie events when truce by common consent was concluded and the Summer spent the leaders of both parts departed asunder as yet not well accorded And verily the Parthian king returned into his owne kingdome minding to Winter in Ctesiphon and the Romane Emperour entred into Antioch who whiles he maketh his abode there secured in the meane time from forraine enemies had like to have lost his life by intestine practises and conspiracies as the processe of this storie shall declare at large There was one Procopius a busie fellow and of a turbulent spirit given alwayes to the desire of stirres and troubles that had accused Anatolius and Spudasius two Palatines who were commaunded That what monyes they had intercepted from the common treasure should be demaunded for laying wait and practising against lieutenant Fortunatianus that eagre and importunate collector who presently growing from extreame rigour to plain rage and madnesse by vertue of the place and high authoritie which he held caused judicially to be convented before the Praefectus Prętorio one Palladius of most obscure and base parentage hired as a Sorcerer by the said parties and Heliodorus a teller of fortunes by calculation of nativities there to be forced for to utter and reveale what they knew Now when it came to this point that the question either of fact or attempt was hotely followed Palladius confidently brake out into this manner of exclamation That these were but light toyes now in hand and fit to be passed over as for me quoth he if I may be allowed to speake I will tell of greater matters and such as are to be feared indeed and which being alreadie plotted and well set forward unlesse better heed be taken will bring all to confusion And being commaunded boldly to shew what he knew he unfolded and layed forth as one would say a huge long cable of villanies avouching That Fidustius one toward the office of the President and Pergamius together with Irenaeus had secretly learned by detestable magicke the name of him that was to raigne after Valens Fidustius straightwaies attached for his hap was then to be present and closely brought in to be examined when he saw the partie that had appeached him never went about by way of deniall to shadow or hide things alreadie divulged but discloseth the dangerous and hurtfull traine of the whole matter absolutely confessing That himselfe together with Hilarius and Patricius of which persons Hilarius served as a souldior about the palace had sought unto Wizards skilfull in prophesies as touching the Emperour that should be also that the Oracle-rolls being by secret arts stirred and set aworke fore-told both the proper name of an excellent prince and also to themselves that were actors in this businesse lamentable and wofull ends And when they were all at a stand who he should be in those dayes that so excelled all in vigour of mind and courage it was thought that Theodorus now advaunced to the second place among the Notaries surpassed the rest And verily he was no lesse indeed than the world tooke him for Forbeing of a noble and ancient house descended in Gaule and liberally brought up from the very first rudiments of his childhood in regard of his modestie wisdome courtesie credit favor and learning right honourable seemed alwaies better than the office and place that he held accepted and beloved indifferently both of high and low and the onely man he was in maner of all others whose tongue not running at randon but well advised what it spake no feare of danger could ever stop Over and above all this the same Fidustius being now grievously tormented and mangled to the point of death went on and said That upon his report Theodorus had learned all which he foretold by Euserius a man of singular skill and learning and besides a very honorable personage for why it was not long before that he had governed Asia as deputie Praefect When he
the first lay prostrate before them and craved pardon then afterwards urged more forcibly to make his answere declared That he had knowledge indeed of all this by Euserius but that he should not give intelligence thereof to the Emperour as divers times he went about to doe he was debarred by him who avowed That by no unlawfull desire of aspiring unto regall dignitie but by a certaine course of inevitable destinie that which was hoped for would of the owne accord come to passe Then as Euserius being under the hand of bloudie tormentors confessed the very same Theodorus was by his owne letters convinced which he had written by way of oblique circumlocutions unto Hilarius implying thus much That since he had alreadie conceived assured hopes from the Divinors and Prophets he stood not now upon the substance of the thing as doubting it but was earnest to know the circumstance of the time when his desire should be effected After these points knowne when they were had away and sequestred apart Eutropius who at that time governed Asia as Proconsull was drawne within danger and judicially indicted as privie and partie to this faction but he went away without harme as unguiltie for that Pasiphilus the Philosopher acquited and cleared him who notwithstanding he was cruelly tortured to this end that by fastening some lye upon him he might defame and subvert him quite could not be removed from the state of a constant and stout mind After these commeth in the Philosopher Simonides who verily in regard of his yeares was but a yong man howbeit for his carriage the gravest and precisest person within our remembrance who being informed against for that he had taken knowledge of this businesse by the meanes of Fidustius and perceiving that the matter was weighed not according to truth but the will and direction of one pleaded for himselfe and said That he had heard indeed of these things aforesaid but when they were imparted unto him in a constant resolution concealed the same All which matters being throughly from point to point examined the Emperour in a correspondencie to the counsell of the Commissioners under one sentence and warrant commaundeth they should all be put to death and so in the sight of an infinite number of people who scarcely could behold so abhominable a spectacle without horror of mind but filled the heavens againe with mones and complaints for the miserie of each one seemed to be the common case of them all brought they were forth together and in pitifull manner had their throats cut all save Simonides whom onely that cruell doome-giver growne enraged at him for his grave constancie caused to be consumed with fire who running from this life as from a furious mistresse and scorning the suddaine fals of worldly things endured the flames and never quetched following the example of that famous Philosopher Peregrinus sirnamed Proteus who being fully determined to leave this world at the h Quinquennall solemnitie of the Olympicke games in the sight of all Greece leapt up to that funerall fire which himself had made and there was burnt to ashes And after him for certaine daies following a multitude almost of all sorts and degrees whom by name to reckon were a difficult piece of worke driven within the dangerous toile and snares of false imputations made worke for the hangmen and executioners untill they wearied them out after they had been maimed and lamed before with stretching upon the racke with the weightie pelts of plumbets and the smart lashes of the whip And some there were that suffered death without any breathing time or respite graunted even whiles it was in question Whether they should be executed or no So there was nothing but carnage and slaughter scene in every place of the citie as if so many beasts had been slaine by the butchers knife After this to allay the envie and displeasure of the people for such a bloudie massacre an infinit number of bookes and many heaps of volumes were gotten together and before the Iudges burnt such as were fetched out of sundrie houses as if forsooth they had beene unlawfull and prohibited whereas indeed the most part of them were Tables and Indexes of the liberall Sciences of the civile Law And not long after that noble Philosopher Maximus a man of great name and renowme for his learning out of whose most plentiful discourses Iulian the Emperor became sufficiently furnished for skill and knowledge was charged to have heard those verses of the Oracle abovesaid and having graunted indeed that he knew thereof howbeit in consideration of his profession blabbed not forth such things as were to be concealed but voluntarily foretold that the seekers of this Oracle themselves should surely suffer and die for it was led to Ephesus the place of his nativitie and there cut shorter by the head he found and learned by this last experience at his death That the iniquitie of a Iudge Commissioner is more heavie than any crime whatsoever Diogenes also intangled within the snares of impious falsitie a man descended of a noble house for his wit eloquence at the barre and sweet behavior otherwise excellent late ruler of Bithynia to the end that his rich livelode and patrimonie might be ransacked and taken from him was put to death And now behold Alypius also late deputie of Britannie a man of quiet cariage and pleasant demeanure after a privat and retired life led in repose because injustice thus farre had stretched forth her hand being tossed and tumbled in most sorrowfull plight was cited and indicted for the feat of poysoning together with his sonne Hierocles a young man of good towardnesse upon the evidence and testimonie of one Diogenes a base fellow and but himselfe alone who after he had beene tormented in all butcherly manner that he might utter words pleasing the prince or rather his accusor when his lims would not serve to endure more painful punishments being condemned to be burnt quicke Alypius also himselfe after the losse of his goods commaunded to goe into exile by a certaine good hap recovered his sonne againe as recalled from death notwithstanding he was in pitious wise led to execution CHAP. V. The most wicked and abhominable practises of Palladius the worker of all these so many troubles and calamities to put oyle into the fire The wittie wyles also and craftie fetches of Heliodorus who together with Palladius framed all these mischiefes are described whereupon ensue new tragoedies DVring all this time Palladius that plotter and worker of all miseries whom we said at the first to have beene attached by Fortunatianus and one for his very basenesse of condition even in the lowest degree readie to enter rashly into any action by heaping one calamitie upon another had filled the whole State and Empire with teares and sorrowfull lamentations For having gotten licence to nominate whom he would without respect of calling and degree as tainted with unlawfull and
at variance and which sore hindred their service strove for honour and dignitie Which when the Sarmatians as they were passing wittie perceived not expecting any solemne signall of battaile charge upon the Moesiack legion first And while our souldiors were some what slacke in this tumult to arme and make readie their weapons they slew the most of them and herewith more emboldened they brake through the Pannonian legion and having broken the rankes with meere might and maine they had redoubled the charge and put them in manner all to the sword but that some of them made so quicke shift that they escaped the daunger of death During this disasterous danger and heavie losse the marquesse of Moesia Theodosius the younger a young gentleman whose beard began but then to bud forth and who afterward prooved a most politique and experienced Emperour divers times drave out and sore annoyed yea and with many skirmishes one in the taile of another crushed the free Sarmatians so called for difference from the rebellious bondmen that from another side invaded our confines and so defeated whole multitudes of them conflowing together and resisting right manfully that the most part of them most justly slaine satisfied the bloudie foules and ravenous wild beasts Whereupon the rest now that their swelling pride was fallen and well abated fearing least the same captaine a warriour of expedite prowesse as it appeared and quicke dispatch would either beat downe or put to rout the troupes that made rodes even in the first entrie of the borders or else bestow ambushments secretly along the woods after many offers and attempts of breaking through made from time to time in vaine casting aside all trust in fighting craved a tolleration and pardon for all that was past And thus being overcome for a time entred into no action contrarie to the covenants of peace graunted unto them as being most of all curbed and kept downe with this feare for that there was come a strong power of the Gallicane souldiors to the defence of Illyricum Whiles these occurrents so many and of such sort by way of continuall troubles do passe in the time that Claudius governed Rome citie the river Tiberis which running through the mids thereof together with many sinkes sewers and riverets aboundant intermingleth himselfe with the Tyrrhene sea swelling bigge and overflowing with outragious fall of raine and powring shewers and spreading now beyond the termes of a river welneere surrounded all And for as much as all parts of the citie besides seated upon an even and levell place were all a standing poole the hills onely and what great houses built apart by themselves were mounted upon the higher ground saved themselves from the present fearefull daunger And least a number of the people should pine and perish for want of food considering the water was so great that it suffered no man to go forth any whither with boats and wherries there was plentifull store of meat brought unto them But when as the tempestuous weather was appeased and the river by breaking those barres that held it in returned to his woonted course all feare was done away and no more trouble afterwards expected This verie Prefect carryed himselfe in his place verie quietly as having endured and tasted of no sedition upon any just cause of quarel and complaint and besides he reedified many buildings among which hee reared a mightie gallerie or walking place hard by the o baine of Agrippa which he named The Baine of p good event by reason that there is seene neere unto it a temple bearing this name THE XXX BOOKE CHAP. 1. Para King of Armenia taken by a wile and wrongfully detained by Valens wittily maketh meanes to escape AMong these daungerous troubles which Generall Perrha raysed after the King of the Quadi was treacherously slaine there chaunced an execrable fact to bee committed in the East by the murdering of Para King of Armenia by villainous and secret traines of which matter upon an impious intent conceived this we know to have beene the originall cause Certaine persons there were having shrewd and unhappie wits of their owne fed and maintained many times with the losses of commonweale who before Valens complotted and packed against Para being as yet but a young Prince divers imputations aggravating the same in the worst manner Among whom was Terentius Lord Warden of the Marches one that walked lowly and alwayes somewhat heavie and sad but so long as he lived a perillous sower and stirrer up of dissentions Who having taken into his societie some few people such as for their lewd and hainous offences stood in doubtfull tearmes of feare by writing to the Emperours Court and Counsell ceased not to reiterate the death of Cylaces and Artabanes adding moreover That the said young Prince reaching and ayming at proud deeds became exceeding hard and cruel to his subjects Whereupon the said Para under a colour as if he should be made partaker of a treatie then to be holden as the instant affaires required called after a roial sort and under a pretense of serviceable courtesie attended at Tarsus in Cilicia when as he neither could be admitted into the Emperours campe nor yet know the cause of this urgent apparance of his for that everie man held his tongue at the length by a secret inkling given unto him he found that Terentius by his letters advised the Roman Emperour to send straightwayes another to be king of Armenia least in hatred of Para and for feare that he should returne the whole nation of such importance to us should revolt and become subject unto the Persians who were hot upon the getting of it either by force or feare or flatterie Which when he the said king revolved in his mind he presaged that some grievous mischiefe hung over his head And being now ware of this deceitfull plot and finding no other meanes to save himselfe but by a speedie departure at the persuasion of such as he had affiance in he having gathered about him three hundred of his traine who had followed him forth of his countrey upon most swift horses when the greatest part of the day was spent more adventurous than advised as commonly it is seene in great and daungerous frights he went forth in manner of a pointed battailon and hastened away fearelesse And when an officer belonging to a the Moderator of the Province who warded the gate much troubled to see him make such hast found him in the suburbes and quarters neere unto the citie he besought him verie earnestly to stay and seeing he could not prevaile turned backe for feare of being killed In like manner a little after the legion also that pursued and now approached neere unto him himselfe together with the forwardest of his companie galloping backe and shooting arrowes that flew as thicke as sparkes of fire but missing them for the nonce put to flight so that all our souldiors togegether with their Tribune terrified retyred
to bee thought even in this place They were alwayes so learned in the lawes that nothing in civile jurisdiction passed without their direction and allowance They framed and penned the lawes that were by the Emperour to be promulged and published They drew the Mandates unto the Governours and Presidents of Provinces Commissions to Delegates from the Prince by them were endited and penned and without their Subscriptions were of no force And to the edicts that passed the Questor subscribed in this forme Subscripsi Quaestor much like as the great Chauncellors of Fraunce at this day and of Savoy as also the Regents of the Kings Chauncerie in Naples use to doe See more in Pancirolus upon Notitia Which considered together with the ensignes belonging to their office to wit a Cabinet with these capitall letters upon it LEGES SALVTARES a bundle of Rolles c. Questor hath no resemblance of a Treasurer of State as now adayes the word is used Entitled they were Egregij and sometime Perfectissimi i Tribunis Fabricarum Sundrie forges or worke-houses we read of for the making of armour as well in the East as West Empire called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the Smithes or Armourers Fabricenses Of these in everie citie where they kept there was a Colledge or Societie and the chiefe or principall of that fellowship was tearmed Primicerius Fabricae whom Ammianus Marcell calleth here Tribunus who after he had served two yeares in that place was discharged and admitted into the band of the Protectores or Squiers of the bodie to the Emperor k Suspensus By this place and others in Am. Marcell it appeareth that when an examinat or other was fastened to the racke called Eculeus the tormentors erected it up on high either to be seene ad terrorem populi or to encrease the torture l This was Zeno Eleates for other there were Stoick Philosophers also of that name an auditor or disciple of Parmenides as Suidas witnesseth together with Perdiccas and a governor of the State The author and inventor of the Art Logicke as Aristotle writeth Of whom it is reported that when he was by torture examined to discover and nominat the complices in a conspiracie against Nearchus the tyrant would name none of them but appeached those onely that were the tyrants favourites and minions c. howbeit being forced still by dolorous torments to detect the conspirators he bit his owne tongue and spit it in the face of the tyrant whereupon the people stoned the tyrant to death m Protector domesticus See the note upon o in this booke n Eusebius praepositus Cubiculi This is that Eusebius the L. Chamberlaine with whom as Marcellin writeth Constantius the Emperour could do much for indeed he ruled the Emperor at his pleasure and the Ecclesiasticall writers tearme him the Euriuch This great officer in Court was at the first onely Spectabilis but in Honorius his dayes Macrobius the L. Chamberlain for his learning and wisedome was esteemed Illustris which dignitie his successors in that place retained He was chiefe and ruler over all the rest of the Cubicularij or Ministeriani i. Gentlemen of the bed-chamber to whose office it appertained to apparell and make the Emperour readie to see unto the bed-chamber the beds c. and the doores into it This chiefe Chamberlain enjoied by his office many priviledges immunities in the later Emperors time he went richly arrayed in a kirtle embroidered of needle worke and cloth of bawdkin a purple mantle surcoat of scarlet likewise of bawdkin work with the image of the Emperor before standing behind sitting in a chaire he bare also a mace or scepter c. Sophorat Curopatat in Offic. Palat. o Comes Domesticorum was captain of the guard tearmed Protectores domestici who were both footmen horsemen within the palace and had immunitie of warfare attendant only upon the Emperors or Caesars person and were called Praesentales therupon quasi principi astantes Vnder this Comes who was Illustris are named Tribunus protectorū who was Spectabilis Primicerius then Secundocerius and so through all the Decemprimi who were accounted Clarissimi These Protectores or Domestici every day ordinarily saluted the Emperour were allowed to kisse the skirt of his purple robe kneeling upon their knees which was a worship or adoration first devised by Diocletian and so appropriat to this place that purpurū adorare was as much as to be one of this guard As touching the ensignes belonging to him the coats of arms that these Protectores gave as wel horse as foot read Pancir in Notit ca. 89. Dignit Orient p Comes Stabuli This officer was under Illustris comes privatarum and had the charge of the Princes horses out of Africk and other provinces called by a peculiar name Canonicarij and Curiatij equi Some think frō hence came Conestabilis in France He is called also Magister stabuli q Rectorem Scutariorum I take to be the same that Tribunus domesticorū or Protectorum next under Comes of whom hath beene said before r Auspicijs not onely the Romans as we may read in T. Livius but barbarous nations also were in their affaires directed much by Auspicia that is the observing of birds either in their singing flying in the aire or in their gesture and maner of feeding in the coupe By which their Augurs and Pullarij knew and out of their learning pronounced the pleasure will of the gods whether they favored their enterprises or no. More as touching Oscines Praepetes Auspicia sinistra Solistimum Tripudiū c. you may find in the Annotations or second Index to T. Livius in English s Prosper comes This Comes was in this place great Commander of forces howbeit inferiour to Magister and so his Vicarius or Lieutenant onely t Diocletiano eius Collegae Diocletian Maximian raigned together Diocletian was tearmed Iovius Maximian as his son for he adopted him Herculius The Caesars by them created were Constantius Chlorus the father of Constantine the Great Galerius Maximinus who behahaued themselves right dutifully unto their Soveraignes the Augusti untill they both resigned up the Empire and lived privat u For that Galerius Maximinus by some named Armamentarius in a battel that he struck in Syria went away with losse Diocletian whom he calleth here Augustus was highly offended with him and gave him leave Caesar though he was and in his purple to run on foot by his wagon side a whole mile together Pomp. Laetus x What were these Equestres ludi see before in Circenses ludi at the letter k And note that these solemne games were not exhibited but upon some occasion of joy as at the entrance of a new Emperour or the prosperous processe of 10. yeres 20. yeres or 30. yeres raigne according to vowes 10. 20. 30. y These seeme in Notitia to have had other names as Flavia Foelix Tertia Diocletiana and Prima Maximiana
made i By Consistoriani are meant the Emperours Counsell and gowned officers and are sometime called Comites Consistoriani By Militares the officers of the Armie k Magister Officiorum He was a great officer Palatine or of the Emperours house next under Praepositus sacri Cubiculi i. High Chamberlaine Zosimus calleth him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. Dux ordinum Palatinorum which Pomponius Laetus seemeth to expound although as I take it not verie properly Magister Copiarum although at his disposition were not onely Scholae Palatinae but also Limitanei duces and Comites c. He was called Magister Officiorum because he had the charge of all the Ministeries or Ministers that gave attendance upon the Emperour in Court. In some respect he resembleth the Lord Controller of the kings house But his office reached farther as you may read in Notitia Imp. Orient cap. 62. And for that in the Ensignes belonging to his Office there bee expresly represented speares shields and other armes we are given to understand that hee had governement over the Fabricae i. Forges where such armes were made He is tearmed by Cassiodorus Magister Palatij as one would say Maior Domus Regiae i. Grand Seneschall or High Steward of the kings house He was for his dignitie raunged among Illustres l Correctores were Governours of Provinces in the East and West Empire of a middle nature betweene Consulares and Praesides yet Clarissimi They were allowed to weare a purple cloake or mantle and had the Emperours visage carryed before them Pancirol in Notit Imper. Orient cap. 156. And whereas it followeth a little after that Thuscus was commaunded Corrigere reliquam principis creduli militiam I take it to be the ordinarie allegorie transferred from warfare to the Court For usuall it is in this author to tearme the Court Castra and Commilitium Principis yea and divers Offices Palatine by martiall names used in the Campe. m The militant ensignes or banners in the Romane legion had the image of dragons in purple represented the originall whereof some fetch from the dragon or serpent Python killed by Apollo Everie cohort in a legion had one of them and a Draconarius to beare it and each legion had ten of them Vegetius 2. lib. cap. 13. n Brachati and Cornuti Among the Auxiliarie souldiors Palatine under Magister Peditum Praesentalis were Brachati Seniores in the West so called of Bracha a towne in Spaine like as Iuniores in the East Of their coat of armes see Pancirol in Notit Cornuti were likewise such Auxiliarie or aid-souldiors so named of Cornutum a towne in Illyricum or Sclavonia Of their armes ibidem There were Braccati also who had their name of Bracata Gallia o Decentius ordained Caesar by his brother Magnentius when he usurped the Empire of Rome but he sped no better than he for he strangled himselfe with an halter at Sens. Pomponius Laetus p Proprium pignus Either take it for one whom they loved no lesse than their owne child for children be called Pignora or whom they honoured as their onely champion and defender for Pignora reipub signifie pillers of the Commonwealth Also those whom here Marcellinus calleth Apparitores i. Officers or attendant Ministers he tearmeth a little after Obsequentes q Manichees were heretikes in the Primitive church so called of Manes or Manicheus their first father a meere franticke person as his name importeth Howbeit his disciples afterward called him Mannicheus quasi Manna fundens i. yeelding heavenly food and celestiall doctrine He was not so franticke himselfe as his opinions were fanaticall August Euseb also Centur. 3. cap. 5. Annotations and conjectures upon the 16. Booke a THis Erechtheus or Ericthonius for as Eusebius writeth they were both one was fostered as they say by Minerva and became king of Athens His parents birth and education is altogether fabulous Pausan in Atticis b c Of Scutarij and Gentiles see before d Many lawes there were in Rome called Sumptuariae and Cibariae to restraine excesse at the table namely Fannia Licinia Aemilia Iulia c. Read Aul. Gell. Noct. Attic. lib. 2. cap. 2◠Macrob. Saturnat lib. 3. e Niceteriorum centurionem Niceteria were certaine ornaments as rings chaines bracelets c. bestowed upon wrestlers and souldiors in token of victorie according to that in Iuvenate Et Ceromatico fert Nicerteria collo Feasts also and meriments kept in regard of such victories as some thinke were so called But whether in respect of these Niceteria Dorus was tearmed Nicetoriorum centurio like as another in this author they called Comitem Solenniorum or whether there might be a companie of souldiors which for good lucke sake went under the name of Niceterij like as others were called Invicti Victores c. of whom he was a Centurion I cannot determine But I rather encline to this latter conjecture for that hee speaketh immediatly before of Scutarij who without question were souldiors f I find that as well the Generall of the Cavallerie as of the Infanterie even in this author was called Magister Armorum and it was not onely as the Logicians say Praedicatum to them both but equivalent also to Magister militiae Here it is to bee understood of the Generall of the horsemen Marcellus g This Cyneas a wise Counsellor was sent from king Pyrrhus to Rome for to treat about peace amitie but by the means of Appius Claudius the Blind was denyed and returned home without effect Flor. Epitom in 13. lib. T. Livij Being demaunded of the king his master What he thought of the Senat of Rome he said They sat in counsell as if they had been so many Kings or Gods as some write h Odeum was in Rome a certaine Theatre or Shew-place for Poets and Musitians to contend in for the prize and victorie i k Whereas in the Romane legion there were Hastati Principes and Pilani who also are called Triarij They were so marshalled in battaile during the free State as that the Hastati stood in the vaward Pilani in the rereward whereupon Antepilani in this place must of necessitie be Principes i. the maine battell according to the auncient maner of array Liv. Yet it seemeth here that this maner of embattelling was altered in the emperours time and Principes were placed formost l Primani were souldiors Primae Legionis i. of the first legion like as Secundani of the second Vicesimani of the twentieth c. As for the Castra praetoria which he tearmeth here Confirmatio I take it to be that place of strength or quarter within the campe where were Principia and Praetorium in the battel also where the Primani and Principes serve or be marshalled ordinarily m Mirmillones Sword-fencers in Rome using to exhibit sport unto the people They were well armed and thereupon called Hoptomachi as also Secutores and commonly matched in opposition with Retiarij otherwise tearmed Threces or Thraces and Tunicati for that they were lightly
surprised by Diomedes and Vlisses and slaine before they had drunke of the river Xanthus which ran by Troy and so Troy was lost For the Oracle had delivered this answer In case he and his horâ—es might once drinke of that river Troy should never be won r Proletarij and Capite censi were the poorer sort of the people not ordinarily but upon great extremitie employed in warfare but appointed to keepe at home ad prolâ—m excitandam Alexander ab Alexand. Genial Dierum lib. 6. cap. 22. s Libitina The Goddesse of Funerals supposed to be Venus Epitymbia in whose temple at Rome were all things to bee sold necessarie for burials The word is put for death and Funerals at which Sword-Fencers were woont to practise their feats and gaine well thereby Whereupon they were tearmed Bustuarij as using to haunt funerall fires t Ludius The god likewise of Games and Playes at which also were employed for more state and pompe the same Sword-players and reaped no small commoditie from thence So that by Commercia Libitinae and Ludij are meant Funerals and plaies and by consequence commoditie growing unto such Fencers at such solemnities u Claros A citie in Ionia renowned for the Oracle there of Apollo whereupon he was called Clarius x Dodona a citie of Chaonia within Epirus neere to which was a Wood consecrated to Iupiter and the same consisting all of Oake wherein by report there sâ—ood the temple of Iupiter thereupon named Dodonaeus and in it an Oracle the most auncient of all others in Greece Some write That the very trees gave answere by way of Oracle y Delphi A citie in Boeotia neere to the mount Pernassus where stood the most famous temple of Apollo and in which he or the devill whether ye will pronounced Oracles foreshewing future events Thence was he called Delphicus z C. Cornelius a Tribune of the Commons proposed a law likewise L. Cornel. Sylla Dictator which were called Leges Maiestatis very strong against any person whatsoever that practised against the State and so by consequence against the Soveraigne authoritie Carol. Sigon Annotations and conjectures upon the 20. Booke a H Eruli A right valiant nation in Sarmatia above the river Ister or Danubius Procop. b Draconarius As everie Centurie or Hundred in a Cohort had Vexilum i. a Banner so in each Cohort of a Legion there was the Ensigne called Draco of the portraiture of a Dragon the bearer whereof was called Draconarius Veget lib. 2. cap. 13. And he was allowed for an ornament to weare a coller or chayne From this place he might be preferred to be Hastatus and so forth a Comes i. a Captaine or Leader of a band For in this sence is Comes taken as it seemeth in this passage and Leo the Emperor in his third booke De bellico apparat defineth Comes to be unius Bandi sive Cohortis Praefectum c The Aureus among the Romanes was a piece of gold coyne currant in the Empire and in round reckoning equivalent to our Spur-royall of 15. s. For an hundred Sestertij made one Aureus and those amount to 15. s. 7. ob which is the fourth part of Mina or Pondo in silver or of one ounce of French-crowne gold or much thereabout with us in these dayes And note here that in electing of an Emperour as it was required on the souldiors part beside the salutation of him by these termes Salve Imperator Salve Auguste Dij te servent or sospitent c. to doe the purple Robe upon him and a Diademe So the Emperour thus saluted and invested used on his behalfe to promise a largesse among them by the poll d The Heathen were persuaded in their blind superstition that as every man had his severall Genius or angell so to each countrey and state likewise there was appropriat a tutelar god or divine power for the protection thereof e Many Legions were called Flaviae as Constantiana Theodosiana c. This seemeth here to be Constantiana of Constantius then Emperour and the sonne of Constantine the Great who assuming to him this fore-name Flavius gave that title to this Legion Other Emperours also following tooke up that name and derived it from them to sundrie Legions of their enrolling f Parthica so called for that it consisted of Parthians As for the addition Prima it was given in regard of auncientie or prioritie This also is confirmed by those Legions following g To wit Secunda Flavia. h Secunda Armeniaca consisting of Armenians i And Parthica Secunda k Bitumen is a certaine clammie and slimie substance arising out of a lake in Iurie and approcheth neere unto the nature of Brimstone for that it catcheth fire so soone Plin. Nat. Hist lib. 35. cap. 15. Being once afire it is inextinguible unlesse it be by throwing dust upon it as Ammianus Marcellinus sheweth afterward Some take Naphtha to be a kind of it l Magister Armorum is a title of high place and more than Comes indâ—fferent as well for Infanterie as Cavallerie and may properly be tearmed Generall of the Forces yet for the most part hath respect unto horsemen He was in the same place under the Emperors as Magister Equitum in the free state under the Dictators Annotations and conjectures upon the 21. Booke a I Vlian had beene alreadie five yeares Caesar and therefore being now Augustus he performed his Quinquennall vowes as the manner was also for tenne yeares twentie and more b Xystarcha the master professour of Wrestling so called of Xystus a place where they used to wrestle and practise that and other exercises of activitie out of the Sunne and rayne c Auguria and Auspicia although they be commonly confounded yet for as much as they be here distinctly put downe you may understand that properly Auguria were the signes taken by birds flight and their singing or voice and some wil have Augurium to be quasi avium garritus Auspicia by their manner of feeding c. d Many Prophetesses there were and wise women under the name of Sibyllae which some Etymologize to be as much as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. privie to the secret counsels of Iupiter I would rather say 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for they were the very lims of the devill with their impostures deceiving the world The chiefe of them was Cumana of Cumes a citie in Asia the lesse called also Erythraea who comming into Italie bewitched the Romanes with her prophesies and left among them those famous bookes whereof Livie and other Historians make so much mention unto which they had recourse in all their extremities d Epiphanie is that feastivall holy day among Christians which we call Twelfe-day upon occasion that about that time our Saviour Christ began to appeare unto the Gentiles what time as the Magi came out of the East to adore him Yet Epiphanius in his booke Advers Hareses will have the Epiphanie to be the very day of his nativitie which we call Christmas for then Christ appeared
unto us in flesh and so sayth Suidas Others take it for the memoriall day of Christs Baptisme on which also the Catechumeni were baptized But by the circumstance of the moneth in this place I take it in the first signification e Apud signa The strongest place in battaile and campe both was called Principia where stood the Praetorium and there were the Standards Ensignes and Banners bestowed where also was the safest custodie of any committed to ward And that the Signa were in the maine battaile among the Principes or Principia it appeareth by this That they who were marshalled in the vaward be usually called Antesignani and those in the rereward Postsignani f The goddesse of Warre she is also named Enyio g How ever Praefectus Praetorio was an high Magistrate and secundus ab Augusto yet you must alwaies except the Consuls whose place and authoritie was peculiarly called Amplissimus Magistratus The Ensignes belonging to this Magistrate was especially the Purple or Scarlet Robe called Trabea insomuch as by a Metonymie it is in this Author put for the Dignitie it selfe as namely in the beginning of the 23. Booke Ascito in Collegio Trabeae Sallustio i. assuming Salustius to be fellow Consull with him As touching the Ensignes belonging to Praefect Praetorio see at the note upon Praefectus Vrbi h Largitiones curandas Have recourse to the note upon Comes Largitionum Domesticis See the Annotation upon Protectores i Legiones Constantiacae They tooke name of Constantius the Emperour who enrolled them k Iniectis Ponticulis The manner of putting foorth these little bridges out of towers and other fabrickes to the walls of a citie besieged you may see lively described and portrayed by Godescalcus Stenechius at the seventeenth Chapter of the fourth Booke of Vegetius l Cum parte validiori exercitus Vnderstand it of the Legionarie footmen in whom the Romanes reposed greatest confidence The like phrase our Author useth elsewhere and namely in the 15. Booke cap. 3. Arbetio Magister Equitum cum validiore exercitus manu where doubtlesse he speaketh of the Infanterie m Lancearij were souldiors of a Palatine Legion under the Generall of the Forces called Praesentalis haply of the Launces or Speares that they served with Some had the addition Stobenses of Stobium a towne in Macedonie others Augustenses of Augustus as Vegetius thinketh Lib. 2. Cap. 7. and divers denominations beside as you may read in Notitia n Mattiarij or Martiarij were auxiliarie forces so called of Mattium a towne in Germanie the Metropolis of the Catti where now Marpurgum standeth Laeti also were souldiors levied out of a people in Gaule so named and they served in divers nations whereupon they have sundrie additions Notitia Zosimus Howbeit Donatus Marcellus sayth they were so called of Mattia i. a Club or Maza a Mace such as Clavatores were in Plautus o These Iambicke verses are called Senarij because they consist of six single feet otherwise Trimetri for that they stand of three measures or duple feet for distinction of other Iambickes named Dimetri Tetrametri c. p Hermes a noble Philosopher Priest and King of Aegypt whom our writer calleth Ter-Maximus others Trismegistus in the same sence for that he was Philosophus Max. Sacerdos Max. Rex Maximus q Ecclesiasticall Writers and other Historians agree not with Marcellinus eyther in the age of Constantius or the yeares of his reigne or day of his death For some say he lived â—â— and reigned 2â— as Pomp. Laetus but evident it is in the 1â— Booke of this Historie and fourth chapter unlesse there be some notable fault in the copie that he had then reigned 30. yeares And Socrates sayth plainely he ruled 38. in all and lived â—5 So doth Sozomenus Howbeit I meane not to reconcile Historiographers about this point I attribute much unto Marcellinus for that he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 r s For the better unfolding of this place you shall understand that under the Rom. Emperours there were devised five degrees or rankes of dignities following one another in this order to wit Illustris Spectabilis Clarissimus Perfectissimus and Egregius albeit Notitia maketh no mention of this last and lowest The principall of all the rest as chiefe Senatours were tearmed Illustres and ten magistrates there were of this ranke Consuls Praefectus Praetorio Praefectus Vrbi Magistri Militum Magister Officiorum Quaestores Praepositus sacri cubiculi Comes Largitionum Comâ—s rerum privatarum Comes Domesticorum The middle sort of Senatours had the title of Spectabiles among whom were raunged tenne other Magistrats or Rulers namely Primicerius sacri cubiculi Primicâ—rius Notariorum Comes Castrensis Magister Scriniorum Proconsules Comes Orientis Praefectus Augustatis i. Aegypti Vicarij Comites Duces rei militaris Zâ—no also reckoneth Tribunus Notariorum to bee Spectabilis And these Spectabiles bee sometime confounded with Clarissimi The rest of the Senatours be styled Clarissimi and their dignitie Clarissimatus Such are Consulares i. Governours of Provinces so called for that they were adorned with Consular ornaments although they had not beene Consuls Correctores otherwise called Moderaâ—ores of Provinces and Presidents Likewise the Comites of a second degree such as had the government of the Provinciall Scholae Also Silentiarij otherwise called Decuriones Palatij Officers in the Emperours Court to see that all were quiet and no noisemade to trouble and disquiet the Prince c. These Clarissimi were otherwhiles tearmed Speciosi See more of them in Notitia as also of the priviledges and immunities graunted unto them and the other two degrees above them Next under these were raunged by Constantine the Great Viri Perfectissimi of whom Marcellinus here speaketh and to determine of them precisely they were in higher account than Equites Româ—ni although sometimes they also be styled Perfectissimi Thus were entituled the Governours of smaller Provinces as the Presidents of Arabia Dalmatia and Isauria The Procurators or Auditors under the Emperour called Rationales The Principals of the Scrinia of Comes Largitionum and his Comites in each Diocesse whom I take to be under-Treasurers And as there were three degrees of Comites so were there also of Viri Perfectissimi Egregij were such as out of Equestris ordo attained place of government in the State Such were the Emperours Scriniarij called also Tribuni Notarij whom I suppose to be under Secretaries Also the rulers of some provinces Their dignitie was called Egregiatus but now it is growne out of use Howbeit the moderne interpreters reckon Prelates Advocates of the Exchequer Doctors Knights and Gentlemen among Egregios But for that the handling of this matter of Precedencie is a ticklish point and offensive Verbum non amplius addam onely thus much of them and other titles it shall suffice what Lactantius writeth Nemo Egregius nisi qui bonus innocens fuerit nemo Clarissimus nisi qui opera
that had two Kids which Goat chanced to breake a faire horne that â—t had against a tree the said nymph tooke it up garnished it with all manner of flowers and filled it with apples and other fruits and presented it to the lips of the infant Iupiter whereupon Cornu Amalthaeae is proverbially put for plentie and abundance and so commonly to be called Cornu copiae γ Adonia As touching these holy daies somewhat I have written alreadie and ominous they were accounted for the lamentation that women made all the citie over At such a time the Athenians did set forth a fleet to the Sicilian warre and foretold it was by the Wisards That they should have an unfortunat voyage of it Coelius Rhodigin δ The diversitie of pointing which I find both here and in the 25 booke as touching this matter according unto sundry impressions yeeldeth a twofold sence namely That he prohibited either Christian professors such as were Grammarians Rhetoricians to read and teach in publicke schooles or the same professors although they were Gentiles to teach the Christians for the words will carrie both constructions And as it appeareth by the Ecclesiasticall writers his purpose indeed was That the Galilaeans children for so he termed Christians might not be learned least they should gall and pricke the Ethnicks with their owne quils and as we say beat them at their owne weapon His feare likewise was that the Gentiles and Painims by hearing Christian professors in Grammar and Rhetoricke should be drawne away from the worship of their gods i. idols as it appeareth in the said 25. Booke if you read ne transirent à numinum cultu ε Infulio natus ut ferebatur apud Epiphaniam c. I am here forced even against my will to be after a sort Criticus not of any desire that I have to touch the credit of a learned man who hath taken paines to do good but to find out a truth Ortelius in his Thesaurus sayth That Infullio or Infulio was the native countrey of this Georgius but alledgeth this onely place to prove it not citing any other Author that ever made mention of such a place so called To graunt that it was so there followeth an absurditie and a meere contradiction in the sentence where it is said That at Epiphania a towne of Cilicia he was borne and more than that a very Soloecisme and incongruitie of Syntaxis For if Infulio be the proper name of a place it can be no construction in Grammar to say Infulio natus i. borne in or at Infulio as every Schoole-boy can tell I must conjecture therefore that in this word Infulio wee are to seeke for Georgius his father whether his proper name were Infulius or that he was by calling Infulius i. a maker or seller of Infulae i. ornaments that Bishops and Prelates wore on their heads or labels pendant on either side of a Mitre or some such things the rather because he sayth ut ferebatur i. as the report goeth for that there may be more doubt made whose sonne one is than where hee was borne which is here expressely said to bee apud Epiphaniam and two places surely there could not be of his birth But most of all maketh for my conjecture the comparing of this passage with many other in this Author where there can be no doubt made of the father and native countrey both namely in the eight and twentieth booke and first chapter Maximinus c. apud Sopianas Valeniae oppidum obscurissimè natus est patre tabulario praesidalis offiâ—ij Also in the five and twentieth booke and fift chapter Natus apud Constantinopolin c. And who can make exception against this Latine Telamone Amyntore nati Now if any one will not beleeve that Infulius may be such a trades-man or artificer as I speake of for that the analogie of our Latine tongue will not very well beare it and yet that might be tollerable in our Author and because forsooth he findeth it not in any Dictionarie let him read this Booke advisedly and he shall meet with not so few as an hundred words that are in no Dictionarie and which our great Lexicographers have either shly or ignorantly passed by and left behind them and say there were no such word at all in that sence yet Infulius must needs be the proper name of his father and Infulio cannot possible be his place of nativitie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ζ Thiodamas or Theodamas Lindius or Lydius Hercules comming with his wife Deianira and his sonne Hillus into the countrey of the Dryopes beeing in great distresse for want of victuals craved meat at Theodamas his hand which he rudely denied whereupon Hercules killed one of his Oxen for food Then Theodamas raysed the countrey upon him but in the end was subdued Apollon Argonaut As for Pygmaei Plinie sayth lib. 7. cap. â— in his Naturall Historie They are a people dwelling in the utmost mountaines of India Some derive this name of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. a Cubite for that they be no higher but without the analogie of derivation rather yet of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which among other significations is the measure from the elbow to the fingers clutched Pollux Yet S. Hiâ—rome upon Ezechiel sayth they take the name of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying fight or wrestling at which they were most nimble and very great warriors Petulantes were a companie of souldiors serving in the East together with the Celtae Some thinke they tooke that name of a place but Pierius is of opinion they were so called of their malapart behavior considering that in a field Gules they gave for their armes a dog or c. which is as he saith Symbolum petulantiae militum and well it may so be if we consider how they demeaned themselves to Iulian in casting forth a libell lib. 20. cap. 3. And in this very place it is said That their Confidentia i. audaciousnesse creverat ultra modum Apollinis Daphnaei fanum He was so called of a most pleasant grove or wood neere unto Antioch called Daphne containing 89 stadia where his Image answerable to that of Iupiter Olympiacus was worshipped Iul. Capitol Deae Coelestis I read of Deus Coelestis a god of Africke Vlpian Tit. 12. whom Lactantius cap. 15. de falsa Religione sayth the Moores called Vranus and is the same that Coelus the father of Saturne Why therefore may not Vesta be this goddesse κ Cercops is a subtile and flattering beast like a dog using to wag the taile much and yet bite Hesychius whence 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greeke signifieth to flatter Coelius Rhodiginus λ He is compared to a brother of Otus and Ephialtes the sonnes of Neptune who as Homer writeth were at nine yeres of age nine cubits broad and nine fathome long His verses are in the 11 Booke of Odyss 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Where note that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
in the equinoxe and continued three howers and so the rest But these howers were not alwayes equinoctiall but longer or shorter according to the length of the night n Of Callimachus a brave warriour and captaine of the Athenians yee may read in Plutarches Parallels how notwithstanding he was run through the bodie with many a speare yet stood upright and shrunke not And of Cynaegirus an Athenian captain it is reported That with his right hand he staid and held the enemies ship and when it was strucken off did the like with his left and when he had lost that also tooke hold of the ship with his teeth Trop Herod o Naval Coronets are portraied with sternes or beake-heads of ships round about the hoope or circle of the crowne See Veget. lib. 2. cap. 7. Civicke coronets were of Cuicke grasse called gramen for saving of an armie Coronets Castrenses fashioned like to a pallaisado or rampier with pales round about the circlet for entring the campe of the enemies first Annotations and conjectures upon the 25. Booke a IT seemeth these Tertiaci be the same that Tertiani in Notitia to wit those of the third legion Italica b Eight stadia or great forlongs are said commonly to make a mile but in true measure seven stadia and an halfe are a mile c Vnderstand by Legio in this place and divers other not a complet Roman legion but a companie or band d These here tearmed Candidati otherwise Comites were a crew of gallants and brave knights that usually kept about the Emperours person the same that Purpurati among the Persians e Of this M. Marcellus and his triumph yee may read at large in Titus Livius Decad. 3. lib. 6. f For Siccius read Sicinius Dentatus out of Valerius Maximus lib. 3. cap. 2. He sought an hundred and twentie battailes gained the spoyles by combat of six and thirtie enemies saved fourteene Romane citizens at the point to be killed in the field carryed the skarres of five and fortie wounds in his breast and fore-part of his bodie but not one on his backe followed hard after the triumphant chariot nine times And had carried before him in honour of his chivalrie eight crownes of gold fourteene Civick coronets three murall one obsidionall one hundred fourescore and three collers one hundred and threescore bracelets eighteene speares and five and twentie trappers or caparisons It is sayd that he tooke the sirname Dentatus because he had for his row ofteeth one solide and entire bone or for that the first of that house was borne with a tooth Alex. ab Alexand. Genial Dierum lib. 1. cap. 9. g This Sergius it may seeme was the first of that noble familie Sergia and he tooke that name of Sergestus in Virgil. Idem h Anno aetatis altero tricesimo That is the 32. yeare of his age as it appeareth in the Chronologie of Cassiodorus and others according to that phrase in Virgil Alter ab undecimo that is the thirteenth which I observe least any man should thinke he dyed in the 31. yeare of his age i What right he had to succeed his brother in the Empire considering that Constantine had three sonnes I see not unlesse by his testament he made him one of his heires For Pomp. Laetus writeth thus Some say that Constantine the great divided the whole Empire among his heires by will Others that his sonnes parted it by lot among them Or haply he might be heire in remainder if he survivied his brothers sonnes and they dyed without issue k It appeareth plainly by this place that he debarred Christian professors in Rhetorick and Grammer to teach in open schoole for feare least the Gentiles for now himseife was turned a Pagan should leave numinum cultum â— Idolatrie l The Antiochians as he writeth before among other scoffes slouted him for using to put forth his narrow shoulders and here he saith he had big and broad shoulders There must be admitted in the former place a kind of Antiphrasis or speech by the contrarie or else to cover his broad flat shoulders hee used belike to thrust them forth to make them seeme narrower m Ordo Domesticorum here is the same that Schola before to wit a Societie or companie of guard souldiors about the Emperours person in ordinarie and they be called Scholariâ— Next unto the Comes or captaine of these was hee that they called Primus or Tribunus Domesticorum Then Primicerius Secundocerius and so through the tenne which were tearmed Decemprimi and had better wages than the rest Pancirolus in 〈◊〉 Orientis cap. 89. n Ioviani tooke the name of Diocletian who called himselfe Iovius and instituted this companie o The Domestici aforesaid were called also Protectores as appeareth by this place p As the Iovianâ— tooke name of Iovius â— Diocletian so 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 for so Maximian Emperour with Diocletian tearmed himselfe q These Iovij were certaine people in Gaule and a companie of them was so called As for those that were instituted by Diocletian sirnamed Iovius they were rather tearmed Ioviani Pancirol in Notit Victores likewise were a companie or band of souldiors taking name either of Victoria a towne of Britannie or else so called for good lucke sake r These Palatini are elsewhere named Comites and Candidati s A principall foregate in the campe was called Praetoria neere unto which was Praetorium i. the Generals pavilion or the Princes if he were in procinctu called here Principis Tabernaculum t About the mids of Iuly 15. dayes before the Kalends of August what time Nilus also in Aegypt beginneth to rise u Armorum Magister is the Generall of the forces horse or foot here put for the Generall of the Cavallerie in Gaule In the time when Notitia was written which was in the dayes of Arcadius Honorius and Theodosius the younger there were not knowne any Ensignes belonging to his place of commaund Haply because that Province was held by the Barbarians Gothes Hunnes and Vandales who not long after subverted the West Empire But it may seeme they differed not much from those of the Generall in the East to wit a booke standing upright on a cupboord or table spread with a white cloth of tapestrie The cover of the booke was of murrey colour with strings in the mids and at both ends of the same colour In the middle of the side there is a tablet of gold and in it the faces engraven of two Princes or Emperours to signifie as I thinke both East and West Empires Notit Orient cap. 31. x Modius seemeth to be a measure somewhat more than our pecke containing 16. Sextarij And if everiâ— Sextarius receive 2â— ounces it is a pecke and halfe if but 18. it is in proportion a fourth part lesse y Capita Scholarum were the Captaines and Tribunes of everie Palatine companie z Of Domestici and Heruli both ynough hath beene said alreadie α Gallicani were such souldâ—ors as served in Gaule of what countrey soever β
Natalis Comes of this fabulous narration doth mythologize in this maner namely that hereby is confirmed the great Axiome in Physicke That contraries be cured by contraries for that as Hercules signifieth the Sunne or heat and the earth cold so hot diseases be cured by cold remedies Thus much by the way and by the Paracelsians leave h He pointeth at a place in the seventeenth booke of Homers Iliads where the Greekes fought for the dead bodie of Patroclus and were bemisted and overcast with darkenesse The words Aiâ—x useth are these 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Where note that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is put for caligo and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. a mist or darkenesse that taketh all sight away l Tullianum one part of the gaole or prison at Rome added to the other named Robur by Serv. Tullius the king Sallustius saith it was walled round about with stone and arched over head And Carolus Sigonius collecteth that herein condemned persons were throtled and strangled with the halter De Iudic. lib. 3. cap. 16. k Valentia seemeth to be the North part of that province in Britannie which is called Maxima Caesariensis and so called in honour of Valens the Emperour under whom Theodosius had recovered it out of the hands of the Picts c. l Whether he meaneth here hot artificiall bathing or drinking water hot a device of Nero I leave indifferently to the readers judgement m The sonne of Agiasarchus and a Poet who being by his father sent into the field to keepe cattell slept in a certaine cave 75. yeares whence came the proverbe Epimenidis somnum dormere Suidas n Semiramis Queene of the Assyrians and wife of Ninus who dissimuling the death of her husband in his habite governed untill her sonne Prince Ninus was come to his age One day as she was dressing her head word was brought that Babylon rebelled presently undressed as she was with one halfe of her haire loose about her eares she ran forth to assault the citie and made not an end of trimming her head before she had brought the citie to her devotion Whereupon the Babylonians erected her statue at Babylon in that manner and habitas she hastened forth to that exploit Valer. Max. lib. 9. cap. 3. Cleopatra Queene of Aegypt wife of Ptolemeus Auletes the sister and wife both of the last Ptolomie after whose death being wedded to M. Antonius she accompanied him in his warres Of her you may read more in Plinie Plutarch and others Artemisia the wife of Mausolus king of Caria a Ladie of incomparable chastitie and withall right valiant So affectionat to her husband that when hee was dead shee spiced her wine with his ashes and dranke it She procured Oratours out of Greece to solemnize his funerals with eloquent Orations and erected for him a stately tombe reputed a wonder of the world whereupon all goodly and costly monuments are called Mausolea Zenobia Queene of the Pasmyrenes after the death of her husband Odenatus shee usurped the Empire in Syria and is reckoned one of the thirtie tyrants or usurpers in Galienus the Emperour his time of her rare chastitie as who never companied with her husband but for procreation of her magnificent estate her martiall strowesse beautie eloquence skill in languages writing of an Epitomicall Hystorie and training up of her children in learning read Trebell Pollio Iul. Capitolinus o Castor and Pollux the sonnes and twinnes of Laeda and their reputed father Tyndarus whereupon they were called Tyndaridae They lived and ruled together most lovingly and were placed after death in heaven by the name of the signe Gemini There is a certaine Meteor or firie impression appearing many times to Marriners called after their names and the same apparition is fortunat for they are reckoned 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. Daemones averrunci or depellentes and the Romans held the appearing of them to be luckie p Plinie in his eight booke and 57. chapt Nat. Hyst reckoneth up Dor-mice about delicate meats served up at the table The maner of keeping and feeding them for that purpose you may find there and in Wottonus de Animalibus q Stesichorus a famous Lyricall Poet so called for that he was the first that joyned song and dauncing with the sound of the harpe for his true name was Tisias The nightingale settled upon the lips of him being a babe and sung praesaging thereby what a sweet Poet he would prove another day Lyricke verses were such at first as the Chorus upon the stage betweene every Act in a Tragoedie sung and acted with the Musicke r Cimmerij were Northern people inhabiting about the lake MÄ™otis where there is a frith or strait of the sea called Bosphorus Cimmerius for difference of Bosphorus Thracius by Propontis and Constantinople The place of their habitation was darke cold and bleake like unto that vale in Italie between Cumae and Barae environed about with high hils so that the Sunne is neither morning nor evening seene whereupon they also are called Cimmerij Strab. s These be certain Bathes and holesome waters taking the name of Mammaea the mother of Alexander Severus t Of M. Marcellus his behavior and triumph after the winning and sacking of SyracusÄ™ you may read in T. Livius 26 booke u Ephemeris in this place or Ephemerides as we terme it is an Astronomicall table shewing day by day the figure and position of the heavens and the divination therby in which sence Iuvenal taketh it in this verse In cuius manibus ceu pinguia succina tritas Cernis Ephemeridas x Mitio and Laches were two actors in Terences Comaedies representing good plaine and simple old men speaking popularitèr in a civile and vulgar manner which is meant here by Socci i. certaine light shooes or startups that Players in Comaedies used He meaneth a lowly and humble behavior y Contrariwise Ctesphon Themenus acted parts in Tragoedies of Hercules his sons in an higher and loftier straine expressed here by Cothurnus i. a buskin which tragicall players used and are here brought in speaking big and faring as those that are in a prowd and disdainefull humor What these Ctesphon and Themenus more particularly were or in what Tragoedies they be actors I have not read but well might they be some of the race of Hercules especially seeing as Varro writeth There were knowne by the name of Hercules 43. and one of them had 50 wives and concubines and left 70 children behind him Alex. ab Alex. Genial dierum lib. 2. cap. 5. z How infamous this nation was for sacrificing unto their idoll Diana such strangers as arrived at their costs especially those that had suffered shipwrack or Greekes Strabo and other Authors write but Herodotus in Melpomene sayth That they sacrificed not unto Diana but to Iphigenia the daughter of Agamemnon α The portraiture of Victorie is to be seene in many old coynes in habit of a woman and with
b Among other Attributes given to Iupiter one was Xenius or Hospitalis the Superintendent as it were of guests and their entertainement So religious they were in old times that a guest once received should be inviolable according to that verse in Virg Aeneid 1. Iupiter hospitibus nam te dare iura loquuntur c This is that Fabricius Luscinus or Lucinus who was so poore because he contemned riches that his daughters as is beforesaid were maried with dowries out of the chāber of the citie d Who was slaine as he sat at supper by Perpenna his companion in the same faction Plutarch e Academia a shadie and woodie place a mile from Athens where Plato was borne and did first teach so called as Eupolis saith of Academus a god according to the verse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Horace Atque inter sylvas Academi quaerere verum Hence it is that all famous Schooles of Learning and Vniversities be called Academies f Trebatius a renowmed Lawyer and familiar friend of Tull. Cic. as appeareth in his Epistles the rest also were deepe Lawyers in their time g Of his intemperat speech and railing upon Achilles you may read Homer Iliad β. That which Ammianus alludeth unto is this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wherin he compareth his prating to the untunable chattering of Choughes and Dawes h This is that Caius Gracchus of whom Tully writeth in his third booke de Oratore as also Fabius Quintilian cap. 10. lib. 1. Aulius Gell. lib. 1. cap. 11. That when he was to plead he had a man or Musitian that stood closely behind him with a little yvorie pipe such as they call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thereby to put him in mind of raising or letting fall his voice i Some writers go cleare away with this opinion That Valentinian died of an Apoplexie But if wee conferre the nature of an Apoplexie with the manner of his disease and some other circumstances here put downe namely That Physicians and Surgeons were employed then in the cure of his souldiors sicke of the pestilence the firie heat that he was surprised and possessed with his deadly yexing gnashing of his teeth his laying about him with his arms last of al the blew spots appearing on his body we may the rather be induced to think he died of the plague k As for those passages which he calleth here Haemorrhoids they be certain veines in number five descending from the master veine called Cava or Chilis to the circle of the fundamēt or tiwill which for that they doe void bloud sometimes naturally or by art are opened and caused to bleed for avoiding of melancholie diseases be tearmed Haemorrhoids l Of this Milo his strength his strange death occasioned by the confidence of his own strong armes whiles he would assay to cleave the bodie of a tree that had a rift or chinke in it you may see more in Valer. Max. lib. 9. cap. 12. of whom the Poet Iuvenal also writeth thus Viribus ille Confisus perijt admirandi◠que lacertis m Comes praefuit rei Castrensi He was Generall of the Forces and not Comes Castrensis which was another officer in the time of the Emperors attending in court otherwise called Tricliniarcha in the daies of Alexander Severus under whom were the ministers and servitors of the Emperors house all save those of his Chamber as butlers carvers yeomen of the cellar wayters at the table c. going all under the name of Ministeriani and Castrensiani For the Emperours house is compared to Castra i. the campe and from thence borroweth many tearmes Habent n. Aulici as saith Tertullian militiae imaginem Vnder him were the Paedagogiani such as now wee tearme Pages and used to weare purple shoes c. like unto whom Ammian compareth Procopius when he was newly invested in his imperiall robes He used to goe before the Emperour with a golden Verge or Warder He was called in the later times Curopalata and as Pancirol upon Notitia sayth may be compared to the Major Steward or grand Seneschall of the kings house The Ensignes belonging to this office import as much as side Tables Cupboord Bason and Ewre Flagons c. By way of agnomination Marcellinus nick-nameth one Hyperechius apparitor Gastrensis for Castrensis ltb 26. cap. 10. n Artaxerxes as some thinke was a generall name in times past of the kings of Persia as now Sophi is This Artaxerxes called here Macrocheir is named in Latine to the same sence Longimanus for that one hand to wit the right was longer than the other and is thought to be the same that Assuerus in Hester the sonne of Xerxes See Iustin Coelius Rhodigin o p So called for that in running he had not his peere Of this argument read the pleasant digression of T. Livius Decad. 1. lib. 9. Annotations and conjectures upon the 31. Booke a This Baine tooke the name of Valens himselfe a By Trebellius Pollio he is named Divus Claudius and reigned presently after the 30 tyrants or usurpers in sundry parts of the Empire b Of Domesticorum Comes hath beene written before c Carrago was a fortification in manner of a campe that these Barbarians made fenced about with their carts whereupon it tooke the name Of the like Trebellius Pollio maketh mention in the Gallieni and Divus Claudius also Zosimus d Of the Cornuti somewhat hath beene written alreadie e Take Defensores here for the townsmen generally and not those magistrats of the people that be called Defensores f g h Of these Lancearij Mattiaci and Batavi see before i Pomponius Laetus writeth That he did this voluntarie according to the example of the auncient Decij sirnamed Mures who for their countrey exposed themselves to death k Cn. Scipio who with his brother Pub. died in Spain and his hap was to be burned within a tower T. Liv. 25. Florus He is otherwise called Cura or Curator Palatij Curopalata likewise and Comes Castrensis l As for Promoti they were a companie of souldiors so called for that they had been by certaine degrees for their good service promoted Pancirol in Notitiam m Of this notable overthrow of the Romans at Cannae wherein were slaine of Romans and Allies above 85000 men T. Livius reporteth in the second booke Decad. 3. n These Cylindri Vegetius calleth Taleae FINIS The Chronologie to Ammianus Marcellinus from the beginning of NERVA his Empire unto the death of VALENS Yeres of the world Yeres of our Lord Consuls Acts. Yeres of their Empire Yeres since Ro. foundat 4067 97 ¶ C Fulvius Valens C. Antistius IN this yeare on the 18. day of September was Domitian the Emperour slaine in the yeare of his age 45. 15 849    After him succeeded      NERVA COCCEIVS CAESAR AVG. PONT MAX. TR. PLEB PA. PATR the xiij Emperour and reigned one yeare foure moneths and ix daies Dion      From the beginning of his empire Ammianus
excellent sayings of his Eutropius recordeth this unto his friends seeming to blame him for being ouer courteous to all men he answered thus That he was such an Emperour to priuat persons as he would wish Emperours to be unto him selfe if he were priuat      Him succeeded      ¶ Imper. Caesar Traian HADRIANVS Aug. P. Max. COS. III. the 15. Emperor He reigned yeres 20. moneths 10. dayes 29. Dion Spartian      Here would be obserued the difference in Chronologers whiles Ptolome Gerhart Merc. will have the beginning of Adrians Empire to be in the yeare since Christs Natiuitie 117. The Rom. writers in the yeare 118. and this difference continueth unto the yeare 162.   4089 119 ¶ Hadrianus Augustus the 2. time Ti. Claudius Fuscus Salinator Hadrian envying the glorie of Traian calleth home the armies out of Armenia and Mesopotamia and rendreth up those prouinces againe unto Cosroes the king of the Parthians Volater 1 871 4090 120 ¶ Hadrianus Augustus the 3. time Q. Iunius Rusticus He brought colonies into Libya wasted with the tumultuous commotions of the Iewes Euseb Dio. 2 872 4091 121 ¶ L. Catilius Severus T. Aurelius Fulvus Who was afterward called Antoninus Pius Augustus  3 873 4092 122 ¶ M. Annius son of M. Verus 2. Augur  4 874 4093 123 ¶ M. Acilius Attiola C. Cornelius Pansa The Christian Church is much troubled with the Gnostici most silthie Heretikes 5 875 4094 124 ¶ Q. Artius Paetinus C. Veranius Apronianus Hadrian persecuteth the Christians and purposeth to punish the Iewes that made turnults in Iurie especially 6 876 4095 125 ¶ M. Acilius Glabrio C. Bellicius Torquatus Learned men are raised vp by God to withstand Heretikes and defend Christian Religion among whom were Agrippa Castor Aristides a Philosopher of Athens and Quadratus bishop of Athens and disciple of the Apostles and these two hauing written bookes in defense of Christian Religion exhibit them to Hadrian the Emperor Euseb lib. 4. cap. 3. This Quadratus in a booke that he presented unto the Emperor writeth that himselfe being verie aged had seen many who in the daies of our Sauiour hauing been afflicted with maladies were by him healed in Iudea and who also had risen from the dead Hyeronimus 7 877    In this age liued Papias bishop of Hierapolis who heard the disciples of the Apostles and wrote that in his   hearing the daughters of Philip reported how in their time one was raised from the dead and that which was no lesse admirable Iustus Barsabas of whom mention is made in the first chapter of the Acts of th'apostles by reason of the grace giuen unto him from our Lord found no trouble or harme by drinking a cup of deadly poison Eusebius lib. 3.      Hadrianus built and erected in Athens an admirable Librarie He disputeth and discourseth there in manner of a Philosopher he remoueth those from professing and teaching schooles who were insufficient He contendeth with learned men by way of writing and disputation Spartian   4096 126 ¶ P. Cornelius Scipio Asiaticus the 2. time Q Vettius Aquisinus  8 878 4097 127 ¶ M. Lollius Pedius by others Vespronius Verus Q Iunius Lepidus Bibulus Sixtus Bishop of the Church at Rome for mainteining the Gospell is put to death In whose place the next morrow after was Telesphorus the sonne of Anachoreta elected Onuph 9 879    Serenus Granius or as some write him Serennius Granianus a Lieutenant and of noble parentage descended wrote a letter unto Hadrian the Emperor aduertising him that it was a most unjust course to yeeld unto the clamors of the common people the shedding of innocent Christians bloud that without any crime committed they should be held guilty condemned for their name and sect sake onely wherewith Hadrian being moved wrote unto Minutius Fundanus Proconsul of Asia That no Christians should be condemned without enditement of crimes and the same proued The copie of which letter remaineth extant to this day Euseb lib. 4.   4098 128 ¶ Gallicanus D. Coelius Titianus Lampridius in the life of Seuerus writeth that Hadrian was once minded to build a Temple unto Christ and commanded that for the use of Christians their should be Churches founded and erected in Cities without images but was prohibited and stayed by some who said if this were done all men would forsake the temples of their gods and embrace Christian Religion 10 880 4099 129 ¶ L. Nonius Asprerias or Asprenas Torquatus M Annius Libo About this time flourished Aquila Ponticus who translated the Bible or Holy Scriptures out of Hebrew into Greek Suetonius the Historiographer who was secretarie unto Hadrian Phlegon the Chronographer Also P. Iuuentius Celsus Nerasius Priscus and Domitius Labeo famous Lawyers Likewise Lucianus Samosatenus Atheus who with much libertie of tongue and pen marketh and revileth the gods of the Gentiles He spareth not Christ also naming him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i The sophister hanged upon a Crosse Some set this downe 2. yeares after 11 881 4100 130 ¶ P. Iuventius Celsus the 2. time Q. Iulius Balbus Rufus the Procurator or Governour of Iudaea killeth a great number of the Iewes Iosip Many Christian soldiors for the Christian faith suffer death at Rome Eus 12 882 4101 131 ¶ Q. Fabius Catullinus M. Flavius Apet Barcozba a Prince of the Iewes and their counterfait Messias haleth to execution such Christians as perseuere in the faith Euseb lib. 4. cap. 6. 13 883    The citie Hadrianopolis was built Niceph. lib. 3. ca. 24.   4102 132 ¶ Ser. Octavius Lenas Pontianus M. Antonius Rufinus The furious tumults and outrages of the Iewes increase in Syria and Palestina assembling themselues together by infinite numbers and promising themselues exceeding great victorie under the leading of Bar-cozba their Mock-Messias Dio Euseb This Barcozba is otherwise named Barcochab that is the sonne of a starre for so he termed himselfe and deceiued the credulous Iewes and expounded that prophesie of himselfe Out of Iacob shall arise a starre 14 884 4103 133 ¶ Serius Augurinus Arrius Severianus The last warre of the Iewes under Hadrianus The Iewes revolting openly from the Romans and taking armes spoile and waste all Palestina Vnto Tinius Rufus Governour of the Province Hadrian sendeth an Armie to sub due the Rebells This was a dangerous and a long warre continuing three yeares whiles the Iewes take it to the heart that forraine Nations came to inhabite their City Ierusalem At first the Romans made small accompt of them but after they understood once that all Iewry was up and all the Iewes wheresoever dispersed Hadrian sent the most expert and valiant Captaines that he had against them Dio. Euseb 15 885 4104 134 ¶ Heberus Iulius Silanus Sesennius Bar-cozba or Bar-cochab aforesaid not onely adjoyned unto him the Iewes but went about also
flourished many famous Doctours of the Church Ecclesiast hist. 6 938 4157 187 ¶ Imp Cōmodus the fift time M. Acilius Glabrio Perennius the Prefect a bloody Minister of as cruell a Lord by wicked devises entrappeth many of the Nobilitie and killeth them Lamprid. Herodian 7 939 4158 188 ¶ Clodius Crispinus Papirius Aelianus The Capitoll of Rome was smitten with lightning and a great sire occasioned thereby A most renowmed Librarie and all the houses neere adjoyning were burnt Lamprid. Herodian 8 940    Divers Synods are by the Bishops holden about Easter day Whiles the Church hath but a little rest from persecution the Ministers thereof fell to jarres and brawles Ecclesiast hist.   4159 189 ¶ C Allius Fuscianus Dullius Silanus Perennius is torne in peeces by the souldiers after him succeeded Cleander a notable sycophant of the Court who by Domitian is put to death A great famine at Rome Lamprid. Herodian 9 941    Apollonius a Senator of Rome when he had read unto the Senate a Booke which he had written Of true Religion   for his Christian faith lost his head Euseb lib. 5.   4160 190 ¶ Iuuius Silanus Q. Servilius Silanus Commodus tooke away the head of a Colosse and caused the head of his owne image to be set thereupon Hee would needes be stiled Hercules and God Lamprid. Cassiodor 10 942 4161 191 ¶ Imp. Commodus the sixt time Petronius Septimianus The Iewes Thalmud was now written Seder Olam 11 943 4162 192 ¶ Cassius Apronianus M. Atilius Mesilius Bradua the second time There happened in Rome a great scarre-fire whereby the Palace and Temple of Vesta with most part of the Citie was laid even with the ground 12 944    Among so many calamities Victor Bishop of Rome busieth and troubleth the East Churches about Easter day Ecclesiast hist.   4163 193 ¶ Imper. Commodus the seuenth time Helvius Pertinax the second time who afterwards was called Augustus Commodus so incommodious to all men was strangled in the night that went before the Kalends of Ianuarie that is New-yeeres day when hee had lived 31. yeeres and 4. moneths Lamprid. Dio. Herodian 13 945    This Prince lived for nothing but the mischiefe of his subjects and his owne shame Lamprid.      Heere Clemens Alexandrinus endeth his supputation of times who was an Elder or Minister of the Church at Alexandria and in profession of Catechizing was placed in the roome of his Maister Pantaenus   4164 194 ¶ Q. Sosius Falco C. Iulius Fructus Clarus ¶ After Commodus succeeded Helvius PERTINAX the twentieth Emperour who raigned two moneths and eight and twenty daies And was slaine by his owne souldiours in the 68. yeere of his age Dio. Spartian Herodian 1 946    This Pertinax was at first a Professour of Grammer and in that function succeeded his master Sulpitius Apollinaris The Greekes terme him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for that hee was rather affable than beneficiall      Pescennius Niger was by the army in Syria saluted Imperator Spartian      After Pertinax ruled Didius Iulianus as Emperor 66. daies Dio. Spartianus      Septimius SEVERVS after that Didius Iulianus was slaine obtained the Empire dread both of the Senate and people of Rome He raigned seuenteene yeeres eight moneths and three daies Of this Emperour this was the dome of the Senate That either hee should never have beene borne or never died because he seemed too too cruel and exceeding profitable to the common-weale Dio. Spartian Herodian      Clodius Albinus is by the Armie in Gaule saluted Emperour Iul. Capitolin   4165 195 ¶ Imp. Septimius Severus Augustus the second time D. Clodius Ceionius Septimius Albinus Caesar the second time Sparrianus names Apuleius Rufinus Severus goeth foorth with an armie against Niger whom he vanquished in three battailes and in the end in a suburbian place neere to Cizicum others say Antioch commaunded him to be beheaded Spartian Herodian 2 947 4166 196 ¶ Q Flavius Tertullus T. Flavius Clemens An end of the warre against Pescennius Niger Severus mindeth to make warre against Clodius Albinus 3 948    During the noise of so many warres the Controversie is very hote about Easter day betweene the Churches of Rome and of Asia for which Victor the Bishop of Rome would needes excommunicate the Bishops of Asia Vnto whom by Letter Polycrates the Bishop of Ephesus and Irenaeus the Bishop of Lions doe answere And Irenaeus verily was of opinion That for the difference about Rites and Ceremonies the concord of Doctrine and of Faith ought not to be broken or dissolved Eusebius lib. 5.      Artemon the Hereticke raiseth trouble in the Church   4167 197 ¶ C. Domitius Dexter the second time L. Valerius Messala Thraseas Priscus  4 949 4168 198 ¶ Ap. Claudius Lateranus M. Marius Titius Rufinus Severus overcommeth Clodius Albinus at Lions setteth the citie on fire and sendeth the head of Albinus to Rome Herodian Spartian and others 5 950 4169 199 ¶ Ti. Alterius Saturninus C. Annius Trebonius Gallus When Severus was returned to Rome he dealeth cruelly with the friends of Albinus and with the principall Nobles Herodian and others 6 951    M. AVRELIVS ANTONINVS the son being by his father saluted Emperor the 6. day of Maie raigned with him 13. yeeres Herodian with others   4170 200 ¶ P. Cornelius Anullinus the secōd time Marcus Aufidius Fronto Severus turneth the warre into the East against Barsenius K. of the Atrenians Dio. Herodian 7 952 4171 201 ¶ Ti Claudius Severus C. Aufidius Victorinus The king of Armenia maketh a league with Severus 8 953    Abgarus king of the Osroens yeelded himselfe and giveth his sonnes for Hostages After this Severus wasteth Arabia the Happy Herodian Spartian   4172 202 ¶ L. Annius Fabianus M. Nonius Mucianus Severus vanquisheth the Adiabenes He besiegeth Atras a citie of Barsenius in vaine Herodian Spartian 9 954 4173 203 ¶ Imp. Septimius Severus the third time Imp. M. Aurelius Antoninus Severus arriving by fortune rather than of purpose upon the coasts of the Parthians disseiseth Artabanus of Ctesiphon and winneth the citie and so becommeth master of all the Treasure and of a very great pillage Herodian 10 955    What was the discipline rites and maners of the Christians in this age Tertullian who then flourished in the Church describeth in his Booke Adversus Gentes ca. 39.      The fift persecution of Christians is set on foote Euseb wherein Leonides the father of Origen by glorious martyrdome was translated out of this life and his very son a childe exhorted his father by Letter cheerefully to abide martyrdome Euseb      Origen saith Hierom with sixe
brethren and his mother a widdowe is left poore about seventeene yeres     of age Being eighteene yeeres olde in the dispersed Church of Alexandria laboured in the function of Catechizing and afterwards by Demetrius the Bishop of that citie was confirmed in the rowme of Clemens and many yeeres flourished      Severus in his journey to Alexandria made Lawes unto the Palestines under paine of grievous punishment forbade that any should be made Iewes and ordained the same as touching Christians   4174 204 ¶ P Septimius Geta. L. Septimius Plautianus the second time  11 956 4175 205 ¶ L. Fabius Cilo Septimius the second time M. Annius Libo For feare of persecution many Christians lie hidden in desert wildernesses Ecclesiast hist. 12 957 4176 206 ¶ M. Aurelius Antoninus the second time P. Septimius Geta.  13 958 4177 207 ¶ M. Nummius Ceionius Annius Albâ—us Fulvius Aemiliaous Severus translated the warre into Britanny and for to make the provinces which he had recovered more secure of the Barbarians incursions hee drew a rampire or wall one hundred thirtie and two miles in length from sea to sea But Polydor Virgil in his second Booke De Reb. Anglicis and in the life of Severus avoucheth that this worke was done almost 200. yeeres after 14 959 4178 208 ¶ M. Flavius Aper Q. Allius Maximus Tertullian a most witty and sharpe Disputer and a famous Divine wrote against Marcion This Tertullian in his Booke to Scapula sheweth that the Presidents of Provinces who persecuted the Christians went not away cleere and unpunished Also that Severus himselfe favoured Christians Cyprian as S. Ierome witnesseth in his Catalogue attributed so much unto Tertullians Writings that whensoever he called for the Booke thereof he usually said unto his Clerke or Notarie Give me hither my Master meaning Tertullian 15 960 4179 209 ¶ M. Aurelius Antoninus the third time P. Septimius Geta the second time  16 961 4180 210 ¶ Ti. Claudius Pompeianus Lollianus Avitus  17 962 4181 211 ¶ M. Acilius Faustinus C. Caesoâ—ius Macer Rufinianus  18 963 4182 212 ¶ Q. Elpidius Rufus Lollianus Gentianus Pompoâ—â—â—s Bassus In this yeere the fourth day of Februarie died the Emperour Septimius Severus when hee had lived three score and five yeeres nine moneths and twentie five daies vnto whom his sonnes were much deerer than his Subjects Vpon his death-bed he said unto his sonnes Agree together enrich the Souldiers despise all others Dio. This Prince whom his good fortune from a base condition had by the offices of learning and warrefare 1 964   by many degrees brought to the Imperiall dignitie was wont by report to say I have bin all but nothing booteth Spart      After him succeeded      M. Aurel. ANTONINVS CARACALLA the 23. Emperor of Rome who ruled yeeres 6. and moneths 2. and together with him his brother P. SEPTIMIVS GET A 1. yere 22. daies Herod Spart Dio.   4183 213 ¶ M. Pompeius Asper Asper Septimius Geta Emperour was by his brother Antoninus Caracalla slaine in the very bosome of his mother about the end of February Papinianus the Lawyer being commanded to excuse that murder refused saying That it was not so easie to excuse a parricide as to commit it This man therefore worthy of immortall praise was beheaded because he would not defend so wicked and abhominable a cause This Papinian was called the Sanctuary or Oracle of the Lawe out of whose Schoole many skilfull Lawyers have come 2 965 4184 214 ¶ Imp. Antonin Caracalla the fourth time P. Caelius Baldinus the 2. time Caracalla giveth order that aswell the friends as enemies of Geta should be killed Herodian 3 966 4185 215 ¶ Silius Messala Q. Aquil. Sabinus  4 967 4186 216 ¶ Aemilius Laetus Anicius Cerealis Baines were built at Rome of most curious and admirable workemanship The Emperours Court is stained and become infamous through many foule kindes of licentious lusts and bloody cruelty Dio. Spartianus 5 968 4187 217 ¶ Q Aquilius Sabinus he 2. time Sex Cornelius Aemillinus Antoninus Caracalla not able to bridlc and rule his fleshly lust taketh to wife his stepmother Spartianus 6 969    As he taketh a view of Alexandria and beholdeth it he assembleth all the youth of the city together and then by giving a watch-word and signall to his souldiers procureth them all to be cruelly massacred Herodian In certaine tumultuarie skirmishes hee vanquisheth the Gothes in the East Blondus   4188 218 ¶ Bruttius Praesens Extri atus Antoninus colorably pretendeth to marry the daughter of Articanus King of the Parthians And so having passed over Euphrates whiles the Parthians suspected no harme as who tooke him for a friend and their kings sonne in Lawe he put a great number of the Parthians to the sword Herodian 7 970    Antoninus Caracalla when hee had polluted himselfe with the blood of so many excellent men was slaine the 8. day of Aprill in the 29. yeere of his age Dio. Spartianus writeth that in the mid way between Carrae and Edessa what time as he went to warre again upon the Parthians he was stabbed with a dagger by a servitor of his who had mounted him on his horse backe and that by the means of a traine that Macrinus Praefect of the Praetorium had plotted against him who after him entred upon the Empire Caracalla saith Dio. never thought to do good because as himselfe confessed he never knew any goodnes      After Caracalla succeeded      OPILIVS MACRINVS the 24. Emperor     who reigned one yeere one moneth and 28. daies Eutrop Iul. Capitolin   4189 219 ¶ M. Opelius Antoninus Diadumenus Caesar the second time Adventus Artabanus King of the Parthians for this notorious iniury which he had received at the hands of Antoninus Caracalla with a puissant power invaded the Roman limits Whom Macrinus encountreth and for three daies fought fortunately But when newes came of Antoninus his death he maketh a league with the said king of the Parthians Herodian 1 671    The seventh day of Iune Macrinus the Emperour and Diadumenus Caesar were by the souldiers slaine      After them succeeded      M. AVRELIVS ANTONINVS HELIOGABALVS the five and twentieth Emperor a very monster made altogether of abhominable lusts and excessive cruelty He ruled three yeeres nine moneths and foure daies Dio. Lampr. Herodian Eutrop.   4190 220 ¶ Imp. Antoninus Heliogabalus the second time Sacerdos Thus Heliogabalus a slave enthralled to all lust and filthinesse demeaned himselfe as a woman and like a woman became wedded unto men His Teachers and Ministers of most lewd and wicked acts he advanced to honours whiles in the meane time hee thrust downe or murdred excellent persons Insomuch