him in his Office After this he fell into another danger being accused by Vettius and Curius as a partner of Cataline yet appealing to Cicero that he had discovered some things to him he came off and revenged himself upon his accusers Then obtained he by lot as we said the Government of Spain and having contracted a vast debt Goeth Praetor into Spain put off his Creditors for that time by the interposition of sureties Coming into his Province he spent not his time in administring Justice A. M. 3944. V. C. 693. but pierced farther into the Countrey and subdued certain people before this untouched seeking matter for a Triumph which then to obtain he hasted to Rome But it being now the time for the Consular Comitia he had an extraordinary desire to that Office and begged of the Senate that he might stand for it by proxy for that he could not himself be present it being against the custom for any that was to Triumph to enter the Citie ere that day came for which as yet he was not provided This though against the Laws was not without president but could not now be granted Therefore he resolved rather to lose his Triumph than misse of the Consulship and coming to Town stood for it himself 46. Great contests hapned about this Office and he had not carried it but that Pompey at this time stood in need of it Obtaineth the Consulship by the means of Pompey For Idem ibid. Plutarch in Pompeio Caesare Lucullo Velleius Patercul l. 2. c. 20. Appian de bello civili lib. 2. Dio lib. 37. pag. 55. A. Livii Epitom lib. 103. the great ones envying his fame refused to confirm those conditions which he had granted to the Kings Governours and Cities of Asia Lucullus his Predecessor in the War with Mithridates who since his return had given up himself wholy to idlenesse and luxury for he first brought into Rome the extravagancy of buildings and feasting they stirred up by his authority to promote their opposition and he presently fell upon him together with Metellus Creticus who bore him malice also ever since the Piratick War Lucullus bade him report his matters singly and not as a Soveraign Lord expect they should all be confirmed without any consideration and whereas he had rescinded several of his acts he desired of the Senate that this might be considered of whether justly done or otherwise Cato Metellus Celer the Consul and Crassus defended Lucullus who boasted that the victory over Mithridates was his own and he obtained that his decrees which Pompey had repealed might be in force and those that Pompey made in reference to the Conquered Kings should be null and he hindred by the help of Cato a Law which he would have preferred about dividing grounds to his Soldiers Pompey being thus used in the Senate betook himself to the Tribunes one whereof L. Flavius that the Law for the grounds might more easily passe would have given the suffrage to all Citizens but Metellus the Consul so earnestly opposed it that though the Tribune cast him in prison yet would he not depart from his former sence which pertinaciousnesse of him and others when Pompey saw he desisted repenting too late that he had disbanded his Armies and exposed himself thus to the malice of his Enemies 47. At this time came C. Julius Caesar to Rome to stand for the Consulship Pompey joyned with him upon condition that he procuring the Consulship for him he would confirm his acts And whereas Pompey and M. Crassus had formerly been at odds ever since their joynt Consulship which they executed with great discord Pompey and Crassus made friends and they three make the conspiracy called the Tricipitina Caesar now made them friends A. M. 3946. Ol. 180. ann 2. V.C. 695. Hyrcani 5. and not onely so but they all three conspired together that nothing should be done in the Commonwealth which displeased any one of them which conspiracy say Writers was pernicious to the Citie the World and at length to themselves This conspiracy of these three principal persons Varro who wrote 490 books described in one book called it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tricipitina or Three headed Diodorus Siculus fetcheth the Original of Caesarean matters from this year wherein he travelled into Egypt when young Ptolomy Dionysus was King With this conspiracy also Asinius Pollio begun his History of the Civil War For the falling out of Caesar and Pompey did not as most have thought procure the Civil Wars but rather their Conjunction which was designed to break in pieces the power of the Nobility as Plutarch observeth in the life of Caesar This was the 694th year of the Citie the first of the 180th Olympiad Herodes being Archon at Athens the 58th year before the birth of Christ A. M. 3945. Q. Caecilius Metellus and L. Afranius being Consuls SECT 6. SECT VI. From the beginning of the Tricipitina or first Triumvirate to the absolutenesse of Julius Caesar containing the space of sixteen years 1. CAESAR by the help of Pompey obtained the Consulship but not without the assistance of money also There were two other Competitors L. Lucerius and M. Bibulus whereof he was much for the former Caesar and also his adversaries purchase the Consulship having agreed with him that because he was lesse in favour Velleius l. 2. c. 33. Appian belli civilis l. 2. p. 435. Strabo lib. 12. p. 558. Plutarch in Caesare Lucullo Pompeio Livii Epirom l. 10. but very rich he should give money for them both through the Centuries But the Grandees understanding this and fearing if he had him for his Collegue he might do what he listed they caused Bibulus to offer more they themselves contributing to the expence which corruption Cato denied not to be for the good of the Commonwealth now brought by the means of such evil members into absolute danger and necessity Caesar confirmed Pompey's acts according to agreement neither Lucullus nor any other opposing it and Pompey procured that what honour Lucullus had promised to certain men of Pontus should not be confirmed by the Senate filling the City with Soldiers and by force casting him and Cato out of the Forum In this his first Consulship he sold alliances with Rome and also Kingdoms and to procure the favour of the Commons His acts therein preferred a Law for dividing certain grounds in Campania which had been preserved to defray publick charges to such Citizens as had three children or more This he caused to passe by force and compelled all Plebeians to swear to observe the Law and the Senators also though Cato urged them to refuse for they did it to save their lives he having caused the People to decree that it should be capital for any to deny it He had recourse to the People in all cases making little use of the Senate which he seldom called together Bibulus his Collegue
which the Priests from whom Herodotus had his information hid this and all other things that tended to the dishonour of their Countrey 19. Returning from Aegypt into Palaestine he besieged (p) 2 Chron. 32. 1 Kings 19. Esay 37. Lachish and thence removed to Libnah where he wrote a blasphemous Letter to Hezekiah For hearing that Tirhakah King of Aethiopia or Arabia by Josephus called Tharsices by Strabâ— Tearkon was coming against him in behalf of the Egyptians he removed for fear and God sent his Angel into his Camp who slew in one night 85000 men which thing as a plague was also recorded by (q) Apud Joseph ut supra cap. 2. Berosus Then returned he as God had promised Hezekiah with great consternation into his own Land where raging against the Jews that dwelt at Niniveh if credit be to begiven to the book of â—obâ— he was after 44 dayes slain in the Temple of his idol Nisroch by his two sons Adâ—amelech and Sharezer who fled for it into the Land of Ararat or Armenia and Esarchaddon his son reigned in his stead Esarchaddon the same with Assaradinus 20. This Esarchaddon is thought and that probably to be the same with Assaradinus mentioned by Ptolomy in his Catalogue of Kings and who subdued Babylon It is also thought that (r) 2 Kings 17. this is he who when he brought a new Colony into Samaria from Babylon Cathah Ana Hamath and Sepharvaim at the same time making an inroad into Judaea as 't is very probable took (Å¿) 2 Chron. 33. Menasseh the King thereof in the Thorns and carried him in Captivity into Babylon for it appeareth from both these passages mentioned in Scripture that at this time that Citie was subject to the King of Assyria After Esarchaddon or Assaradinus had reigned thirteen years Saosduchinus succeeded him according to Ptolomy Saosduchinus and not Meroâ—ach whom the general opinion will have being King of Babylon to have killed him and again overthrown the Empire of the Assyrians For this succession is founded upon a feigned (t) Pseudo-Metasthenes apud Annium vit Eâ—bensem fol. 221. De cujus fictis Authoribus vide Joh. Goropium Biblioth Hispan Tom. 2. pag. 356. Gaspar Barterium ibid. pag. 386. 407. 417. 431. Seth. Calvis Isagog Chronil cap. 28.29 Chron. p. 171. A. Non est germanum opus Pam. in Tert. Apol. n. 287. Author imposed on the World with several others of the same credit and therefore deserveth to be rejected The time of this Saosduchinus falling in with that of Deioces who according to Herodotus built Ecbatane the Metropolis of Media if any credit be to be given to the book of Judith we may judge him to be that Nabuchadonosor mentioned there to have overthrown Arphaxad King of the Medes and builder of that Citie in the great plains of Ragan After he had taken him in the Mountains he slew him plundred Ecbatane and then returned victoriously unto Niniveh where he feasted his Army for 120 dayes The year after entring into Consultation how to subdue the several Nations about him he ordained Holophernes his General who straitly besieging Bethsara a Town of Judaea by the wisdom and courage of Judith the Widdow of one Manasses of the Tribe of Ephraim was circumvented and had his head cut off in his Tent. Chuniladanus 21. Saosduchinus or Saosducmus having reigned twenty years Chuniladanus succeeded him thought also to be the same with Saracus mentioned by Alexander Polyhistor Against him came (u) Herodotus lib. 1.102 c. Phraortes the son of Deioces in revenge of his father's death after he had first of all others subdued the Persians and the rest of Asia But his good fortune here forsook him and he perished with the greatest part of his Army in the 22 year of his reign His son Cyaxares succeeding is said to have been more puissant then his Ancestors and the first that distinguished the people of Asia into several Provinces and Souldiers into their several ranks of Pike-men Horsmen and those that used Darts He fought with the Lydians at which time so great an Eclipse of the Sun hapned that the day seemed to be turned into night Having brought to his obedience all Asia beyond the River Halys he gathered his forces together and went against Nineveh with intentions to destroy the Citie He overthrew the Assyrians in battel and besieged the place but it hapned at this time that a great Army of Scythians having driven the Cimmerians out of Europe The Scythians obtain Asia 28 years under conduct of Madyes the son of Protothya called otherwise Judathyrsus their King still followed them and from the Lake Maeâ—is leaving the Mountain Caucasus on their right hand pierced into Media 22. Cyaxares hereby was constrained to raise his siege went and gave them battel but was overthrown and lost the Dominion of Asia which the Scythians having obtained marched straight for Egypt Psammetichus the King met them on their way when they had new entred Palaestine and by good words backed with money prevailed with them to go no further They enjoyed the Dominion of Asia 28 years after the expiration of which term managing their affairs with as great neglect as formerly they had used diligence in polling and rifling the Countrey the greatest part of them being entertained by Cyaxares were made drunken and slain and the King recovered his Dominion Loose it During these things (x) Polyhistor apud Cedrenum vide Usserium in Annot. vet Test ad A. M. 3378. Nabopolassar a Babylonian and General to the Assyrian King contracted affinity with Astyages the son of Cyaxares and Governour of Media Nebucadnesar the son of Nabopolassar marrying Amylis daughter to Astyages The effect of this alliance was that they joyntly set upon Baracus or Chynaladanus in Niniveh and taking the Citie slew him therein after he had reigned 22 years At this time the Prophecies against Niniveh seem to be fulfilled in its destruction For in the latter end of the Greek book of Tobiaâ— it is written that Nebuchadonosor and Assuerus took Niniveh Tobias being yet alive who is said to have lived 127 years or as the Latine hath it 99. 95 having already passed from the taking of Samaria at which time he was carried Captive with his father into Assyria by Salmanasar Nabopolassar 23. Chynaladanus being dead Nabopolassar or Nabulassar obtained his Kingdom in the 123th year of Nabonasar according to (y) Magn. Syntax l. 5. c. 14. Ptolomy whose Canon of Kings also as to the term of years collected from the particular reign of each directly answereth to this account (z) 2 Kings 23. 2 Chron. 35. Against him came up Pharoh Necho and took Carchemish a Citie situate upon Euphrates killing Josiah the King of Judah who attempted to stop his passage He holding this Town the (a) Berosus apud Joseph lib. 1. contra Apionem Governour of Coelosyria and Phoenicia revolted from the
exceeding rich and therefore requiring large room Esau departed to his former possession of Mount Seir Providence so ordaining it that when the Israelites should afterwards come to inherit Canaan his posterity might neither be destroyed nor displaced He was otherwise called Edom Edom. and from him Idumaea took it's name which seemeth from Strabo to have also included the Country of the Nabataeans And likely enough it is that he who married the Sister of Nebaioth might joyn himself to them and praeside over them This is the famous Heroe Vide Fulleâ— Miscell 4. c. 20. from whom not onely Idumaea but also the adjoyning Erithraean Edomaean or Red Sea all signifying the same thing was so called being known to the Greeks by the name of Erythras the same with Edom. 15. Gen. 41. But two years after Joseph had interpreted the Dreams of the servants of Pharaoh he was called up out of prison to explain the meaning of one which the King himself had dreamed This A. M. 2290. betokening 7 years of great plenty to come and after them as many of famine and it being necessary as he hinted to Pharaoh to chuse out some wise Man who being set over the Land should gather and preserve the fruits of the Earth against the time of want Pharaoh made choice of him being about 30 years old for this purpose he appointed him next to himself Joseph advanced and gave him in marriage Asenath the Daughter of Potipherah Priest of On or Heliopolis where Strabo writeth that the Priests of old time had their habitation on which be begat Ephraim and * A. M. 2297. Manasses According to his praediction 7 most plentiful years ensued wherein he gathered into store-houses the Corn that abounded and after them came 7 other of famine which praevailed sore both in Aegypt and the neighbouring Countries of Canaan and Arabia Chap. 42 43 c. Jacob amongst others wanting provisions in the 2d year of the famine sent his Sons down into Aegypt to buy Corn. Joseph knowing them though undiscovered accused them for coming as Spies cast them into prison and dismissed them not till Simeon the eldest of those which conspired against his life was bound and left as an Hostage for their bringing down of Benjamin that so their story might be confirmed of their being one Man's Sons and that their youngest Brother was left behind The next year being pressed with famine they returned and Benjamin with them whom their Father was constrained to let go Now after some further terrifying of them he made himself known and sent for his Father down into Aegypt Jacob understanding of his Son's life and promotion whom he had given over of a long time Jacob goeth into Aegypt A. M. 2298. for dead gladly went down and with him 66 Souls besides his Sons Wives in the 3d year of the famine of the World the 2298th aged 130 years 16. By Pharaoh's consent Joseph placed them in the Land of Goshen Chap. 47. and there nourished them during the famine He sold to the Egyptians the Corn formerly treasured up and therewith purchased for the King all their Money Goods and Lands except the Lands of the Priests which were not alienated The grounds he afterwards granted to the former owners Chap. 48 49. paying the fifth part of the profit to Pharaoh's use After Jacob had lived in Aegypt 17 years he adopted the two eldest Sons of Joseph viz. Manasses and Ephraim of whom the younger he preferred before the elder He called his Sons together blessed them and told them apart what should befall them in their posterity From Reuben his first born he took the preheminence because he had defiled his bed and gave it to Judah A. M. 2315. He prophecied of Christ's coming Dieth commanded them to bury him in the Cave of Machpelah in the Land of Canaan with his Ancestors and then died at the age of 147 years in the year of the World 2315. Joseph caused his servants the Physitians to embalme Israel and a mourning of 70 dayes or 72 was observed for him which number in that Country was onely proper to Kings Then obtaining leave of Pharaoh he and his Brethren with a great company of Courtiers carried him into the Land of Canaan Gen. 50. and buried him there according to his will where they also mourned for him 7 dayes 17. Being returned into Aegypt Joseph forgave his Brethren the fault they formerly had committed against him which now they feared he would revenge after their Father's death and as long as he lived he nourished them and their children This space of time was 54 years after his Father's death at the end whereof having exhorted them to Unity and Concord foretelling them their departure out of Aegypt Joseph dieth and commanding them thence to carry his Bones he dyed at the age of 110 years A. M. 2370. when he had governed Aegypt under severall Kings the space of 80. Trogus Pompeâ—us as appeareth out of Justin * Lib. 36. c. 2. his Epitomizer wrote many things concerning him partly taken out of the Sacred History partly mixed with such Fables as the Heathen were not wanting to invent concerning the Jews Abram Moses and Israel are made by him Kings of Damascus which City took it's name from their Predecessor Israel had ten Sons to whom he committed the Kingdom and commanded them to call themselves Jews from Judah who died before the division and whose portion was divided amongst them all The youngest of the 10 Sons was Joseph whose excellent wit his Brothers fearing they sold him to some Marchants that carried him down into Aegypt Here learning the Magick Arts he became very dear to the King having skill in working Wonders and interpretation of Dreams moreover nothing either Divine or Humane was beyond his reach insomuch that he foretold the barrennesse of the ground severall years before it hapned and all Aegypt had perished with famine but that the King by his advice caused Corn to be treasured up many years finally such was his knowledge that his answers seemed rather the Oracles of a God then the replies of a Man Then followeth that Moses was his Son who being both wise and beautiful became a leader to such Aegyptians as were infected with scab and itch and so returned to Damascus the Country of his Ancestors Which lyes with others hereafter to be mentioned are to be attributed to the malice of the Aegyptians With the life of Joseph endeth the first Book of Moses his history called by the Greeks Genesis which containeth the account of 2369 years of the World The next to it in order of time the Book of Job is thought to be of which Moses also is reputed Author by the common consent and opinion of the Hebrews 18. After the death of Joseph and all that generation Exod. 1. the Children of Israel increased abundantly and grew exceeding mighty so
18. Pathmos one of the Cyclades St. John banished to Pathmos where he wrote his Revelation In this work he sheweth both Christs and his own hatred of the Doctrine of the Nicolaitans for several Heresies had by this time sprung up as St. Paul had forewarned (b) Lib. 2. c. 13. Eusebius maketh Simon Magus the first Author of Heresies concerning whom we have already spoken but as to his Heresies particularly 1 He affirmed that he himself was Father Son and Holy Ghost and that he was worshipped of all people by divers names Haereticks 1 Simon Magus 2. That Christ did suffer no hurt from the Jews for he was Christ 3. That any man might ly with any woman for this was no sin 4. That the World was made by Angels and that an Angel redeemed mankind 5. He denied the Resurrection 6. He thought that the gifts of the holy Ghost might be bought with money and therefore that sin of him is called Simony (c) Clemens Alexandr Strom. l. 3. Euseb l. 3. c. 29. Nicholas the Patron of the Nicholaitans was one of the seven first Deacons 2 Nicholaitans He having a fair wife and being accused of jealousie permitted any to marry her at which fact others taking occasion thought it lawfull for any man to have the company of any woman whom they themselves could like (d) Lib. 2. Tom. 2. Haer. 25. Epiphanius writeth that they taught Venery to be so necessary that those men who used it not every week on Friday could not be saved Besides these Hereticks 3 Corinthians about the year 69 sprung up the Heresie of the Corinthians (e) Irenaeus Epiphanius Euseb l. 3. c. 28. l. 4. c. 14. Cerinthus was a Jew by birth He taught that the World was made by Angels 2. That Jesus our Saviour had for his Parents indeed Joseph and Mary and that at his baptism Christ descended on him who saith he is called the holy Ghost by whom he did all his miracles Philastrius when Jesus was to be crucified of the Jews then Christ left him and returned into Heaven 3. That Christs Kingdom after the resurrection should be an earthly Kingdom and men then should live in all fleshly lusts and pleasures together for 1000 years 4. He denied the Divine nature of Christ and said that he had onely an humane nature and that he was not yet risen from the dead but should rise hereafter 5. He affirmed that the old law and all the old Commandments and Precepts belonging to it were to be kept together with the new Law or Gospel and that therefore Circumcision was necessary for every one that would be saved Epiphanius writeth that certain Haereticks called Alogi affirmed Cerinthus to have been the Author of the Revelation Menander 33. Euseb l. 3. c. 26. c. Irenaeus Epiphan August Philastr About the beginning of Domitian arose also the Heresie of Menander a Samaritan and the Scholar of Simon Magus He taught first that the World vvas made by Angels and that these Angels could be overcome by no means but by Art Magick 2. He denied Christ to be true man 3. He affirmed himself the Saviour of the World and that he came from Heaven to save mankind that all vvho vvould be saved must be baptized in his name Out of his Doctrine that vve may speak of these Hereticks briefly budded that of Saturninus of Antioch who not long after in like manner taught 1 That the vvorld vvas made by seven Angels vvithout the knowledge of God the father 2. That Christ vvas but the shadow of a man for he had neither the true Body nor Soul of a man and thus he fulfilled the mystery of our redemption 3 He said moreover that marriage and procreation vvas of the Devil Basilides Basilides of vvhom vvere named the Basilidiani agreed in several points vvith Simon Menander and Saturninus He taught that Christ did not suffer but Simon of Cyrene that Christ taking the form of Simon laughed them to scorn 2 He turned men avvay from Martyrdom affirming that it vvas no sin to deny Christ in time of persecution 3. That the Angels made 365 Heavens Euseb l. 4. c. 7. and that these Heavens made the World He vvrote 24 books upon the Gospel and feigned to himself Prophets vvhom he called Barcabas and Barcoph He commanded silence to his Scholars for the space of five years after the manner of Pythagoras Carpocrates and the Gnosticks his Scholars 34. Irenaeus vvriteth that in the time of these tvvo Carpocrates lived the father of the Heresie held by the Gnosticks vvho thought good not to make knovvn the Sorcery of Simon privily but openly glorying of charmed love-drinks of Devilish and drunken dreams of assistant and associate spirits vvith other like illusions They taught further that vvho so vvould attain to the perfection of their mysteries must vvork such facts though never so filthy othervvise could they not overcome as they termed them the secular Potentates unlesse every one played his part after the same secret operation These vvere the most vile Hereticks in filthinesse of all others They held 1. That the Soul vvas made of the substance of God and that brute beasts have reason as man hath 2. That there are tvvo Gods a good and an evil one and that this evil God vvas the Creator of all things Carpocrates also taught 1 That Christ vvas a meer man born of Joseph and not of the blessed Virgin that he was a good man and therefore after he was Crucified his Soul went up into Heaven but his body is still in the Grave 2. That the World was made by Angels 3. That there is no resurrection 4. He rejected the Old Testament as not Canonical Besides these at this time arose the Heresie of the Ebionites Ebionites so called from Ebion He taught that Christ was but a meer man 2. That when Jesus was 30 years old there descended on him and dwelt in him another person called Christ and thus Jesus and Christ dwelt and were united together 3. He agreed with Cerinthus in the rest of the Heresies touching Circumcision and keeping all the Law of Moses He denied the Epistles of Paul accusing him that he fell from the Law The Jewish Sabbath and other Ceremonies he observed together with the Jews onely the Sunday he celebrated as we do in remembrance of the resurrection 'T is reported that St. John hearing Ebion was in the Bath refrained his company Epiphan Haeres 30. Euseb l. 3. c. 21. and having seen and allowed the three Gospels published by the other Evangelists wrote his own to confute the Heresies of him Cerinthus and Menander CHAP. IV. From the death of Domitian to that of Pertinax and the exposing of the Empire to publick sale by the Soldiers the space of 97 years 1. IT is reported of Domitian that not long before his death he dreamed Sueton in Domitian Eutropius Xiphilinus
Babylonian who being now unable to undergo the trouble of War made his son Nebuchadnesar King with him in his 17th year and sent him with an Army to subdue Egypt and Syria with him joyned (b) Alexand. Polyst apud Euseb praep Evang lib. 9. Asibares King of the Medes whom some think to be Cyaxares and others more probably Astyages his son In this expedition he made Jehojakin King of Judah his tributary and drew him from the obedience of Egypt which Necho taking in disdain came up against him and ingaging once more at Carchemiâ—h was overthrown and slain as may be gathered out of Scripture (c) Jerem. 46. Whilest Nebuchadnesar was prosecuting his victories overrunning all from the River of Egypt to the River Euphrates in the mean (d) Berosus apud Joseph ut priâ—s Antiqu. lib. 10. cap. 11. A. M. 3410. Olymp. 46. an 2. Romae 159. time his father being sick at Babylon died After he had reigned 21 years as it is now in the Catalogue Nebuchadnesar for which some learned men think 29 is to be read He understanding hereof disposed of the affairs of Egypt and other Countreys and giving order for the conveyance of the Judaean Syrian Phoenician and Egyptian prisoners he himself made haste through the desart and took possession of the Government reserved for him by the Caldaeans His great exploits and buildings 24. He distributed the Captives into Colonies about Babylon adorned the Temple of Belus which Semiramis had built with the spoyls repaired and increased the buildings of the Citie and fortified the Channel of the River that the Enemy should not make use of it against the Town He added a new Citie to the old and compassed both with three Walls of brick He raised divers remarkable aedifices built a new Pallace and about it a Garden or Wildernesse so much celebrated by the Graecians His wife being a Mede and according to the nature of her Countrey delighting in Mountainous Woody prospects brought him to imitate with Art what was wanting in the plains of Babylon This Garden was made four-square Vide Diodor. lib. 2. p. 70. B. taking up in compasse sixteen Acres in heighth equalling the Walls set with tall and beautifull Trees It was born up by stone-Pillars Curtium lib. 5. upon which a pavement of four-squared stones being laid Earth was heaped up in great quantity and Engines were made for the conveying of moisture out of Euphrates to water it The Trees that grew upon it were many of them eight Cubits in compasse at the bole and fifty foot high bearing fruit as plentifully as in their Native soyl 2 Kings 23. c. Jehojakim the King of Judah rebelling against Nebuchadnesar he came up against him wasted the Countrey and taking him cast him out unburied as the Prophet Jeremiah had foretold 2 Chron. 36. Four moneths after he also carried away Captive Jechonias or Jehojachim his son Jerem. 22. and made Mattaniah his Uncle King in his stead This Mattaniah whom he named Zedekiah rebelled against him notwithstanding his solemne Oath of fealty taken at his institution and therefore in the eleventh year of his reign he was also taken by the Babylonian had his eyes put out and was so carried to Babylon the Temple and Citie were burnt with fire and the people led into Captivity as will appear in its proper place His pride 25. Nebuchadnesar returning home was exceeding proud and puffed up at his successe He erected a great Image of Gold Daniel 3. in the Dedication whereof all his chief Officers were commanded to fall down and worship which was obeyed by all except three Jews Shadrach Meshach and Abâ—nâ—go the companions of Daniel For their punishment they were cast into a fiery Furnace heated seven times hotter then usual and so miraculously preserved from the fury of the flame that not an hair of their heads was sindg'd though it killed those that cast them in At this the King astonished by publick edict acknowledged Gods power and forbad the blaspheming of him Yet repented he not of his pride and notwithstanding a sufficient warning given him by God in a dream exalted himself in the conceit of the greatnesse and splendour of Babel which he had built for the house of the Kingdom by the might of his power and for the honour of his Majesty But the same hour as he was answered by a voice from Heaven the Kingdom departed from him Punished he was driven from men made to eat grasse as Oxen and his body was wet with the Dew of Heaven till his hairs were grown as Eagles feathers and his Nails like Birds Claws and seven times passed over him till he knew that the Most High ruleth in the Kingdom of men and giveth it to whomsoever he will And this time prefixed being expired seven years as most suppose though some reckon but three and an half counting for times Winter and Summer his reason returned to him with the glory of his Kingdom his Honour and Brightnesse his Councellors and his Lords sought unto him he was established in his Kingdom and excellent Majesty was added to him Therefore he shamed not by a publick writing to own the thing praised honoured and extolled the King of Heaven all whose works he confessed to be truth his wayes judgement and that those that walk in pride he is able to abase What is found recorded of him by the Heathen 26. Of these strange passages the Heathen were not utterly ignorant (e) Apud Euseb praep Evang. lib. 9. Abydenus wrote that being exceeding proud and going up upon his Pallace he was taken with a Divine fury This he had out of the Annals of the Caldaeans who fancied him to have been seized on with a prophetick spirit and so to have vanished (f) Apud Josâ—phum ubi priâ—s Megasthenes in his fourth book of Judaea endeavoured to shew how this King in valiant exploits exceeded Hercules by far that he subdued the chief Citie of Africk and a good part of Spain Diocles in his second book of Persia made mention of him and Philostratus both in his Histories of Phoenicia and India writing that he fought against Tyre thirteen years which 't is probable at length he took by composition and there placed Baal King in the room of Ithobalus What he did against this Citie God taking as service done to himself Ezek. 29. promised him the Land of Egypt for his wages which we must accordingly believe to have been paid At length having foretold that Babylon should be lost to Cyrus as Abydenus wrote he died after he had reigned 43 years being in Ptolomies Catalogue of Kings called Nabocolassar which may be corruptly written for Nabocodolassar Evilmerodach 27. Evilmerodach his Son succeeded him who lifted up the head of Jehoiakim King of Judah in the 37th year of his Captivity A. M. 3440. Olymp. 53. an 4. Romae condit 189. spake
two Laws from Vesta Zathraustes amongst the Arimaspians from a good Doemon Mneves amongst the Egyptians from Mercury Minos the Cretian from Jupiter Lycurgus the Lacedaemonian from Apollo and Numa the Roman from the Goddesse Egeria To this number * Biblioth l. 1. p. 59. B. in Margine Notat Diodorus out of Ethnick ignorance addeth Moses himself writing that he counterfeited conference with the god Jaus 5. But the people missing Moses so long a time and not knowing what was become of him raised a tumult and caused Aaron to make them a god that might go before them The Hebrews have a Tradition that Hur opposing this was slain but Aaron overcome with their furious importunity made them a molten Calf of Gold The molten Calf after the fashion of the Egyptians who Worshipped two Heifers Apis and Mnevis which they accounted gods Fourty dayes and as many nights being ended God gave Moses two Tables of stone wherein was written the Decalogue by his own finger Chap. 31. c. and sent him down telling him wherein his people were employed Moses something appeasing Gods wrath came down from the Mount SECT 2. but seeing them dance before the Calf in a great rage cast the Tables out of his hands and brake them He put the Calf into the fire and grinding it to pouder threw it into the Brook and made them to drink of the water then commanded the Levites to take every man his sword and slay his Neighbour so that of the people fell that day about 3000 men After this going up into the Mount the second time he interceded for the people and at his return removed the Tabernacle or Tent wherein he used to speak with God out of the Camp in token of the Lords displeasure He hewed two new Tables of stone like to the former and having given order for the making of an Ark of Wood and all things about the Tabernacle according to the pattern shewed him in the Mount he went up the third time and continued there fourty dayes and as many nights without eating any thing as before In this time God wrote anew the ten Commandments and being pacified renewed the league conditionally and proposed other Laws to the people When Moses returned his face shone so that he put thereon a vail when he spake to the multitude to which he declared Gods commands urged the observation of the Sabbath and the offering for making of the Tabernacle in the work whereof the latter part of this year was spent by Bezaleel and his Companions The Tabernacle reared 6. On the first day of the first moneth of the second year Chap. 40. was the Tabernacle reared and in this moneth were these things done which are spoken of in the third book of Moses called Leviticus On the fourteenth day was the passeover celebrated in the Wildernesse of Sinai Num. 19. On the first of the second moneth God commanded Moses to number all the Israelites Num. 1. except the Tribe of Levi from twenty years old to sixty the number of whom amounted to 603550. just so many as had been found seven moneths before when the contribution was to be made for the Tabernacle Chap. 10. On the 20th of the same moneth the Cloud which rested on the Tabernacle removed and they following it in four Armies came from the Wildernesse of Sinai to that of Paraâ— where they stayed 23 dayes in their 13th Mansion of Kibroth-Hattaavah Here the people weary of their Heavenly bread Chap. 23. lusted after the flesh of Egypt and were punished with a sudden fire which devoured many and was at length quenched by the prayer of Moses Chap. 11. Here also Moses complaining to God of the great burthen which lay upon him The Sanhedrim the Sanhedrim of the seventy Elders was instituted In this place moreover God gave the people Quailes for a whole moneth on which they surfeited so that a plague arose whil'st the flesh was yet betwixt their teeth and many perished Hence the place had its name of Kibroth-Hattaavah or the Sepulchers of concupiscence 7. From Kibroth-Hattaavah they removed to Hazeroth Chap. 12. where Aaron and Miriam spake against Moses about his wife Miriam struck with Leprosie Miriam for that was struck with Leprosie and cast out of the Camp till Aaron confessing their fault and interceding to Moses for her he prayed to God and she was healed She being after seven dayes received again into the Camp they removed Chap. 13. and came to Rithma near unto Cades-barnea in the same desart of Paran In the fifth moneth of the second year and the time of Vintage Caleb the son of Jephunne Joshua the son of Nun and ten other principal men were hence sent to spy the Land of Canaan The Spies search the Land After fourty dayes they returned bringing with them of the fruit of the Land Caleb and Joshuah incouraged the people but the rest utterly disheartned them causing them to dispair ever to possesse it because of the strength of the walled Towns and the Gyants which there lived This raised such a mutiny that they not onely murmured against Moses but spake of making them a Captain Chap. 14. and of returning into Egypt threatning to stone Caleb and Joshua who laboured to the contrary This so highly provoked the Lord that he threatned suddenly to destroy them and being prevailed with by Moses to mitigate his wrath denounced that none of twenty years and upwards should ever enter into the promised Land but wander up and down till their Carkeises fell in the Wildernesse except Caleb and Joshua And this sentence was presently executed upon the ten which had caused the sedition 8. When they had therefore now arrived at the borders of the promised Land they were commanded to turn back again into the Wildernesse towards the Red Sea But to make some amends as they thought for their late fear and cowardise The Israelites commanded to turn back they arose in the morning and against the expresse command of Moses went up into the Mountain to fight where the Amalekites and Canaanites that there inhabited smote and discomfited them even unto Hormah At their return they wept before the Lord but were not heard and upon this occasion and the death of those that fell daily in the Desart Moses as it 's thought composed the 90 Psalm wherein complaining of Humane frailty and shortnesse of life he signifieth that Man's age was reduced to 70 or 80 years and so now the third time was it as it were cut shorter by the halfe the two former having been immediatly after the Flood and again in the time of Phaleg at the division of the Earth 9. Thenceforth from their departure from Cades-Barnea are numbred 17 more stations in the Wildernesse of Paran wherein they spent 38 years wandring about till all the rebellious ones were consumed The things which hapned in those years cannot certainly
and fell by the Sword being added advance the number to 24000. Phineas the Son of Eliazar the Priest executing judgment upon Zimri an Israelite and Cozbi a Madianitish Woman in the act of Fornication the Wrath of God was thereby appeased and the Plague staied Moses numbereth the people 14. A little after God commanded Moses the third time to number the people In this space of 40 years all the Men of War were perished except Caleb and Joshua which amounted to the number of 603000. Yet was there by this time such a supply of young ones grown up that they almost equallized the number of their Fathers there being found 601730 from 20 years old and upwards besides 23000 Levites reckoned from a moneth old After this Moses by Gods command sent Phineas with 12000 Men against the Midianites who had conspired with the Moabites against them Chap. 31. He destroyed them and amongst them Balaam the Soothsayer Balaam slain who as it appeareth was not yet returned The Women they brought away Captives whereof the Married-ones they slew and kept the Virgins for themselves Now were the Lands of Sihon King of the Ammorites and Og King of Bashan Chap. 32. divided amongst the Reâ—benites The land beyond Jordan divided Gadites and the half Tribe of Manasses on this condition that they should accompany their bretheren over the River Jordan and assist them in the conquest of the Land of Canaan so long as need should require 15. The time now drew near that Moses must dye being not to passe over into the Land of Canaan Therefore in the 11th moneth of the 40th year he made a repetition of the Law to the people Deut. 1 c. related God's benefits bestowed on them and exhorted them to obedience The Law he wrote in a Book and commanded it to be read every 7th year at the Feast of Tabernacles He also at the command of God wrote a Song concerning the future Idolatry and afflictions of the Israelites Joshua being then ordained Captain of the people in his stead he ascended from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo part of the Mountains of Abarim Deut. Ult. and whose top is called Phasga or Pâ—sgah looking towards Jericho There God having shewn him the Land of Canaan from the one side to the other Moses dieth A. M. 2548. he died some 5 months after Aaron being 120 years old the third part of which time saving one moneth he spent as * Antiq. l. 4. Josephus writeth in Government in the 40 year ending after he had brought the Israelites out of Aegypt the year of the World 2548. God buried him in the Valley of Moab over against Beth-Peor and no Man knoweth of his Sepulcher to this day Concerning his body a contest hapned between Michael the Arch-Angel and the Devill the reason of which is thought to be because Satan would have had the place thereof known that the people might be drawn to Idolatry out of reverence to so great a person The Israelites mourned for him 30 dayes and with his life endeth the Pentateuch or his five Books The Book of Joshua followeth taking it's beginning from the 41th of the departure out of Aegypt and the 2549th year of the World 16. Whilst the Israelites were still mourning for Moses Josh 1 2 3 4 Chapters the two Spies were sent over Jordan as some think to search the Land The next morning after their return the whole Host removed from Shittim and came to Jordan where they lodged that night and the next day passed over the River As soon as the feet of the Priests which bare the Ark touched the water it fell off on both sides and made a way so that they went over on dry ground the floods not returning to their place so long as the Ark remained in the channel On the 10th day of the first moneth Nisan they arrived in the Land of Canaan The Israelites passe over Jordan into the Land of Canaan and took up their first Mansion at Gilgal A. M. 2549. ineunte Chap. 5. not far from Jericho Here it 's thought the next day God commanded that all the Males should be circumcised this Sacrament being omitted ever since they left Mount Sinai because they were in constant expectation of travell upon which account neither had they kept the Passeover since that time Three dayes they rested and on the fourth they did ear the Passeover and the day following unleavened bread of the Corn of the Land at which time Manna ceased after it had continued 40 years 17. The first place they fell upon with War was the City of Jericho Chap. 6. which having compassed with the Ark seven dayes on the seventh the walls fell down of their own accord the City was taken and all therein put to the Sword except the Family of Rahab she having harboured the Spies had security promised from them whom Salmon of the Tribe of Judah married to whom she bare Boaz. Jericho destroyed All the goods found therein were also accursed nothing thereof to be made prey which Law Achan transgressing Chap. 7 8 9. caused Israel to be discomfited at Ai and for that was first stoned and then burnt with all that belonged to him The Kings of Canaan startled at Josua's successe combined against him but the Gibeonites fearing the worst counterfeited a Message to him as from a far Countrey and procured safety to themselves and posterity yet such as slavery was joyned therewith Adonsedek King of Jerusalem and the Kings of Hebron Jarmuth Lachish and Deber enraged hereat conspired against them and fell upon their Citie to the relief whereof Joshua being called raised the siege and prosecuting his victory against the Kings at his command the Sun stood still over Gibeon Chap. 10. and the Moon in the Valley of Ajalon The Sun and Moon stand still Upon which strange miraculous accident this is observed that Ajalon being scarce a German mile Westward of Gibeon the Moon as 't is probable was then decreasing or in the wane and Codomannus these two Luminaries standing still and moving together the Astronomical account was thereby nothing at all disturbed 18. Joshua drave the five Kings to that streight that they hid themselves in a Cave at Makkeda where after he had utterly vanquished and destroyed their Armies Joshua vanquisheth the Kings he took them and killing them hanged their Carcases on five Trees till Sun-set then cast them into the Cave and laid a great heap of stones thereon Chap. 11. c. After their death he warred with many other petty Kings as with the King of Libnah Lachish Gezer Eglon Hebron and the rest there was not one Citie that made peace with Israel save the Hivites the inhabitants of Gibeon all others they took in battel and utterly destroyed except such as it pleased God to reserve for a lash and scourge wherewith to reduce them
was yet unborn to have been included in his 40. They fetch the rise of the 40 years of the oppression from 17 years before the beginning of Eli and end them so many after his death Sampson was a Nazarite from his Mothers womb no Razor coming on his head and keeping himself from wine and strong drink all his time Hence as his admirable strength is said to have layn in his hair so others have ascribed it to his abstinency as if it had not proceeded from the especiall Providence and Power of God He was the Hercules of the Israelites really performing such things as the Greeks would scarce attribute to their's on whom yet they heaped those things that were done by many He afflicted the Philistins much in his life but much more at his death by throwing down the house of Dagon upon the chief of them being therein assembled to make themselves sport with so great an Adversary whom having got into their power they had deprived of his sight Eli. 31. Had Eli praeceded Sampson he would have been reckoned amongst his predecessors according to generall apprehension The High-Priesthood which hitherto had continued in the Family of Eliazar for five Generations viz. in himself Phineas Abisna Bukki and Uzzi according to Josephus was in Eli translated to that of Ithamar another of Aaron's Sons 1 Sam. 2 3 4. Chap. The Sons of Eli being very leud grievously abused their power and he used not his authority in correcting them whereby he so far incurred God's displeasure that he threatened to destroy his house as it came to passe The Israelites towards the end of his 40 years fought with the Philistins but were worsted and lost 4000 Men. To better their successe they then sent for the Ark of God from Shiloh promising to themselves victory in it's presence but of the next Battell the issue was the same The Ark taken Hophni and Phineas the Sons of Eli were slain and the Ark taken This news being brought to Eli upon mention of the captivity of the Ark he fell backward from a sear and being 98 years old his neck brake The Philistins placed the Ark in the house of their god Dagon which Idol fell down twice before it and the multitude was so plagued with the Haemorrhoids Returned that they were glad to return it back with presents Samuel 32. To Eli succeeded Samuel both a Levite and a Prophet to whose Government from the division of the Land passed 450 years according to St. Paul 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the text of (a) Acts 13.10 Luke now hath it But to this place another in in the first Book of the (b) Chap. 6.1 Kings expresly seemeth to contradict which maketh the foundation of the Temple to be laid in the 480th year after the Israelites departure out of Aegypt This later number exceedeth the other but by 30. although in it must be comprehended besides what is in the former the 40 years of their stay in the Wildernesse the six years which passed before the division the time of Samuel's Government the reigns of Saul and David with the three years of Solomon that passed before the building of the Temple all which make up the number of 129 so that the litterall senses of these two cannot stand together Some go about to reconcile them by drawing down the beginning of the 480 years lower than the Text will bear and by removing that of the 450 higher than is convenient to whom others joyn in attempting the reconciliation both of those numbers and clearing up the matter concerning the 300 years ascribed by Jepthah to the possession of the Land of the Amorites before mentioned But there are who find a necessity of confessing a mistake either in the one or other Copie of these places These are divided in their opinions one party thinking they have better reason to stick to the place of the Kings which is not so liable to any corruption through the great care of the Jews as the Greek text hath that by reason of the similitude of words might well be changed from * From 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one to another through the ignorance of transcribers Another will have the 450 years to belong to the division of the Land and not to the Judges all which have been mistaken through the wrong reading of the words 33. Others both of antient and modern times are very confident that all considered the fault must fall upon that place of the Kings which giveth but 480 years to all that time that passed from the departure out of Aegypt to the founding of the Temple Usserius Chronologiae Sacrae cap. 12. and that instead of 480 580 was most antiently written For when any one place disagreeth with the whole series of History clearly held out elsewhere it is rather to be corrected in its number which may easily be altered by a mistake of one word than many places wrested to a compliance with it Now all the times of the Anarchies liberty War and servitude of the Israelites laid together without confusion of years for which there is no ground at all clearly hold out a hundred years more than this place of the Kings and so exactly from the several particulars make it up that it seemeth to take away all doubt From the departure out of Egypt to Moses his death intervened fourty years thence to the beginning of Othniel 34. whereof 26 are given to the Government of Joshua and the Elders and eight to the servitude under Cushan Then Othniel governed fourty years the oppression of the Moabites followed for eighteen Ahud ruled 80. The Canaanites Tyrannized 20. Deborah and Barak governed 40. the Madianites oppressed the Israelites 7. thence Gideon judged Israel 40. Abimelech reigned 3. Tolah 23. Jair 22. and then the Ammonites oppressed Israel 18. all which numbers amount to 385 years After this Jephthah judged Israel 6 years Ibzan 7. Elon 10. Abdon 8. the Philistins vexed Israel 40. and Heli ruled 40. which make up the summe of 111 years Then Samuel and Saul governed 40 years as will be seen David also 40. and Solomon 3. before the foundation of the Temple was laid which make up 83 years Now all these numbers laid together amount exactly to 579 years to which if the fourth year of Solomon be added wherein the Temple was founded there ariseth the full number of 580. Vide Gerard. Joh. Vossii Isag Chronol Dissert 8. They perceive therefore it was not without reason that so many of the Ancients dissented from that place of the Kings which might also be lyable enough to the carelesnesse of Scribes According to this account Students in History and Chronology are to take notice that a hundred years are to be added to the more ordinary Aera of the World 34. In the dayes of Samuel the Philistins grievously afflicted Israel 1 Sam. 7. till such time as by his means the people being
turned to the Lord cast off their idols The Philistins overthrown and solemnly repented at Mizpah Hereat God was pleased to spare them and thundring upon the Philistins when they were ready to joyn battel discomfitted them utterly so terrified them that they forsook the Cities formerly seized on leaving onely one Garrison in the Countrey and no more afflicted the Children of Israel so long as Samuel had the chief power in his hands When he grew old he made his sons Judges over the Land Chap. 8. who perverting Justice by bribery the people thence gladly took occasion to desire a King that in government they might be conformable to other Nations Their most urgent reasons were for that the Philistins yet kept an Hold in their Countrey Chap. 11. and Nahash the King of the Ammonites threatned them with War at which they were so affrighted that neither trusting in God's providence who hitherto had been their King The Israelites desire a King and avenger nor to the Justice and prudence of Samuel would they be satisfied or put off without a King God therefore gave unto them Saul the son of Kish of the Tribe of Benjamin Saul is King Hosea 13. 35. In the book of Samuel no certain years are either given to his own government or to that of Saul but it seemeth probable from Scripture that he governed about twenty years alone from the death of Eli to the election of Saul For it is said 1 Sam. 7.2 that the Ark of God abode in Kiriath-jearim twenty years and that the time being long all the house of Israel lamented before the Lord at Mizpeh which passages are joyned unto the serious exhortation of Samuel to move them to repentance So then the end of twenty years the exhortation their repentance hereupon and their moving for a King with good reason seem to have been about the same time so that 20. or 21 years and an half are to be given to his government which began at Eli's death Now Heli died when the Ark was taken which staying seven moneths in the Land of the Philistins was then sent away and came to Bethshemesh where the inhabitants losing 50610 of their number for their curiosity of looking into it sent Messengers to those of Kiriath-jearim to fetch It unto them with whom it remained twenty years and these years the Israelites counted long 36. Saul was first by Samuel privately anointed Chap. 10. and afterwards publickly declared King at Mizpah Not long after a moneth it 's thought Jabesh-Gilead was besieged by Nahash Chap. 11. who refused to grant peace to the inhabitants upon any other terms than to put out all their right eyes and lay this for a reproach upon Israel They desired truce but for seven dayes in which space Raiseth the siege at Jabesh-Gilead if no relief came they promised to come out to him But Saul hearing of their distresse got together an Army of 300000 of Israel and 30000 of Judah with which he easily overthrew the Ammonites and raised the siege Hereupon at the procurement of Samuel the people again met at Gilgall where the Kingdom was established and confirmed unto Saul at which time Samuel upbraiding them with their unthankfulnesse to God and him terrified them with Thunder and rain in Wheat Harvest and again comforted them in the mercy of God Saul having reigned two years Chap. 13. c. the Philistins again afflicted the Land with whom he had sore War all the dayes of his life He fought against his Enemies round about against Moab the Children of Ammon Edom and the Kings of Zobah he smote the Amalekites and delivered his people out of the hands of them that spoyled them Yet his heart not being upright before the Lord God chose him out a man after his own heart and rejected him and his family This man was David David anointed the youngest son of Jesse of Bethlehem-Judah whom Samuel was sent to anoynt some years before his own death and more before that of Saul In this space Saul persecuted him from place to place yet such ardent affection was there betwixt Jonathan his son and David that the love of a Kingdom it self joyned with the deep displeasure of a father was nothing able to interrupt it 37. The Apostle Paul declareth that Acts 13.21 after God had destroyed seven Nations in the Land of Canaan and divided their Land to them by Lot he gave unto them Judges for the space of 150 years untill Samuel the Prophet And afterward they desired a King and God gave them Saul the son of Kis a man of the Tribe of Benjamin by the space of fourty years Some take the words as giving so many years to his reign alone but by general consent the government of Samuel is to be included in them 1 Sam. 25. Samuel seemeth to have died not long before Saul two years it 's supposed at such time as David was provoked by the churlishnesse of Nabal Vers 55. and is said to have judged Israel all the dayes of his life Hence is it certain that Saul reigned not alone all those fourty years and probable that Samuel having governed alone for one half of them had still an hand in the publick affairs of the Nation At length Saul was overthrown in battel by the Philistins Chap. 31. and 1 Chron. 10. and lost his three sons Saul's three sons slain and he killeth himself Jonathan Abinadab and Melchisua And he himself being sore wounded after he could not prevail with his Armour-bearer to kill him fell upon his own sword and died His son Isbosheth by the means of Abner Captain of his Host Ishbosheth succeedeth him succeeded him at the Age of fourty years 2 Sam. 2.3 c. but the Tribe of Judah anointed David King over them in Hebron who had formerly been consecrated to this Office by Samuel and he reigned over that Tribe alone seven years and six moneths A. M. 2944. Isbosheth is said to have reigned over Israel two years which is to be interpreted peaceably and not disturbed by War as his father is said to have reigned one year 1 Sam. 13.1 viz. unmolested by the Philistins 38. For after these two years were expired a long War insued betwixt David and him his side growing weaker and weaker as David's grew stronger and stronger David to strengthen himself married Maacha the daughter of Talma King of Geshur on which he begat Absolom and Tamar 2 Sam. 2.3 c. At length Abner conceiving a displeasure against Ishbosheth because he had reproved him for medling with his father's Concubine revolted to David and laboured to transfer the Kingdom to him but coming to visite himabout this affair he was treacherously slain by Joab David's General and Nephew by his sister Zerviah All being out of order now in Israel Baanah and Recab two Benjamites the servants of Ishbosheth slew their
the one consisting of 354. and the other of 365 doubled these eleven dayes and every other year inserted a moneth after February consisting of 22 dayes and by the Romans called Mercedonius because at that time wages were wont to be paid He changed the order of the moneths assigning to March formerly the first the third place to January the first and February the second whereof this was the last and the other the 11th in the dayes of Romulus Many have been of opinion that Numa added January and February to the rest of the moneths and that formerly the Romans had but 10. which appeareth by the name of December the last moneth and because the fifth and sixth moneths from March were called Quintilis and Sextilis Thus March must have been the beginning of the year which Romulus so named from Mars his supposed father The second was April so called from Venus as some thought because her superstitious worship was performed in it when the women were Crowned with Myrtle as they washed or as others gathered from the opening of Plants at that time of the year The third was May named from Maia and sacred to Mercury the fourth was June from Juno as some thought others deriving the names of these two from Majores and Juniores the Elder and younger The rest had their names from their order as Quintilis Sextilis September October November December Afterwards Quintilis was from Julius Caesar called July Sextilis August from Augustus September and October the Emperour Domitian changed into his own names but presently after he was killed they recovered their former Onely the two last ever retained their first appellations Of those moneths which Numa either added or ranked February was so called from the expiations which used to be in it signified by the word Februa then they were wont to make parentations to the dead and celebrate the Lupercalia certain Sacrifices and Games in honour of Pan much like to the Sacrifice of Expiations January was named of Janus which Numa seemeth to have set before March because he would shew that Civil vertue is ever to be preferred before what is exercised in War For Janus was accounted one of the most antient Gods or Kings from whom reigning in Italy some make the Romans descended very studious for civil society and humane converse and who changed the course of mans life from brutish and savage to an humane and gentle kind He is therefore feigned to be double faced because he brought in another fashion of life than what formerly had been and had a Temple built by Numa with two doors that were shut in peace and open in vvar as was before said These things Plutarch relateth in the life of Numa 15. But Livie and other considerable Authors (a) C. 3. Solinus (b) Satur. lib. 1. c. 12. Macrobius and (c) c. 20. Censorinus write that the first Roman year consisted but of ten moneths and 304 dayes six of the moneths having 30 dayes and the other four 31 apiece But this account differing from the course of the Sun Numa to make them agree added 51 dayes to the year That he might make up the twelve moneths from the six consisting of thirty dayes he took one day apiece and therewith made up 57. which were divided into two moneths whereof the one contained 29. and the other 28 dayes and so the year began to have 355. Of this opinion besides Junius Grauhanus and Fulvius both Varro and Suetonius were as appeareth out of Censorinus Yet Licinius Macer and Lucius Fenestella by the same testimony two antient Writers of Annals delivered that the first Roman year consisted of 12 moneths agreeable to the former opinion related by Plutarch This a * Joseph Scaliger de Emendatione Temp. lib. 2. Lidyatus de variis annorum formis cap. 17. noble pair of modern Criticks prove to have been the truer opinion affirming that January and February were not added by Numa but transferred from the end to the beginning of the year and endeavouring to shew that they who would have the year but to consist of 10 moneths make it no shorter than they that are for 12. distinguishing it not so much in number as placing of dayes for the Romans in Romulus his time filled up the year either by assigning more dayes than thirty to the moneths or adding so many in the end thereof as seemed to be wanting But it sufficeth to have touched these things for the direction of beginners 16. Numa to gain credit and obedience to his constitutions feigned that he had converse with the Goddesse Egeria He married Tatia daughter to Tatius the King by which he had a daughter named Pompilia Some said he neither had any other wife nor any more Children but others both as to wife and children dissented from them He lived above 80. reigned 43 years and at his death was buried with great honour His body was not burned which he forbad but buried in a stone Coffin under the Janiculum and the Books of his Ceremonies laid by him in another which being twelve written in Latine and as many in the Greek tongue were 400 years after when Publius Cornelius and Marcus Baebius were Consuls by water wrought out of the earth and for that it was thought wickednesse to have such things discovered to the multitude from which he also kept them after the fashion of the Pythagoreans not communicating discipline by writing but onely by word of mouth burned by command of the Senate He kept the State in constant peace and his ability herein contributed to the general quiet of Italy so that by the example of his reign Plutarch judgeth that saying of Plato to be verified that the onely means whereby men should be made happy would be to have a Philosophical mind and regal power concur in a Prince who would make vertue superiour to dishonesty But the fortune of the succeeding Kings added to the lustre of his glory For of the five which followed the last was cast out and died in exile and none of the rest obtained a natural and quiet end according to Plutarch Tullus Hostilius 17. Numa being dead and the Government devolved upon the Senate after several Interreges at length Tullus Hostilius was created King by the Universal consent of the Citie His Grand-father was that Hostilius A. M. 3333. V.C. 82. Olymp. 27. an 1. who most gallantly behaved himself against the Sabines at the Cittadel and married of that Nation the daughter of Hersilia After much valour shewn he was slain in battel and left a young son who at ripenesse of age of a noble Matrone begat this Tullus Hostilius the third King of Rome whose beginning according to the account of Dionysius was in the second year of the 27th Olympiad wherein Eurybates the Athenian was Victor when Leostratus was Archon at Athens in the 83 year of the Citie and the 31 of Manasses King of Judah At his first beginning he
at length both the Fleets joyned battel being inlarged since they came into the Hellespont by the accesse of other ships At first the Peloponnesians put to flight the middle battel of the Athenians and driving the ships to Land had the better of it there but being too eager in the pursute The Athenians obtained aâ— Victory at Sea they brake their ranks which Thrasybulus and those with him observing in his wing wound about and sell upon them with such violence as forced them to flie They took 21 ships the rest by reason of the straightnesse of the Sea getting into some Harbour or other and though they lost fifteen of their own yet obtained they a seasonable Victory which made them lift up their heads having been dejected by so many disasters and cease to complain of their Fortune 76. The report of it at Athens as of an unexpected thing mightily incouraged the people also so that notwithstanding the revolt of Euboea and intestine Seditions they had hopes still if they prosecuted the War with diligence to have the better Four daies after the fight the Fleet removed from Sestus towards Cyzicus where in their way they took eight Gallies that came from Byzantium and taking the Town which then for want of walls could make no resistance fined the Inhabitants the Peloponnesians at the same time endeavouring to recruit their Navie In the mean while Alcibiades having been with Tissaphernes returned to Samus with thirteen Gallies bringing word that he had stopped the Phoenician Fleet from joyning with the Peloponnesians and had rendred the Satrapa more friendly towards the Athenians Then presently adding nine ships to the former he constrained the Halicarnasseans to pay a great sum of money and fortified Cos. Tissaphernes when he heard that the Peloponnesian Fleet was gone towards the Hellespont hasted from Aspendus into Ionia where understanding that the Inhabitants of Antandrus had received a Garrison from the Peloponnesians of Abydus because they had been ill dealt withall by Astacus whom he had made his Lieutenant in those parts as also that the Peloponnesians had cast his Garrison out of Miletus and Cuidus which they did to affront him laying grievous matters to his charge lest they should proceed any further and grieving that Pharnabazus in a lesse time and with lesse expence should make more use of them against the Athenians he determined to follow them into the Hellespont to expostulate with them about Antandrus and purge himself as well as he could of those things laid to his charge about the Phoenician Fleet and other matters And when he came to Ephesus he sacrifized to Diana Here the history of Thucydides (a) Diodorus ad Olymp. 92. ann 2. endeth with the Summer of the 21st year of the War which afterwards was continued by Theopompus for seventeen years but by Xenophon for 28. The work of the former is lost and that of the latter extant but without a beginning in the judgement of a learned man who besides the proeme will have the history of two years to be wanting (b) Usserius in Annal. Vet. Test pag. 216. from the end of that Summer at which Thucydides left to the conclusion of the Summer of the 23 year of the War But Diodorus placing the last things of Thucydides in the second year of the 92 Olympiad in the very next relateth those which are mentioned in the begining of the first Book of Xenophon so that if the whole was extant in his time he either missed these two years and so inverted the Chronology of all his history succeeding or else onely the proeme of the first Book of Xenophon is lost if there was any and the History entire 77. Not long after the Athenians and Lacedaemonians engaged thrice in fight at Sea Xenoph. Hellanic l. 1. wherein the Athenians had the better first and last the second having been fought to no great purpose on either side Tissaphernes Plutarch in Alcibiade after this coming to the Hellespont Alcibiades went to visit him whom he secured and committed to close custody pretending he had orders from his Master to make War against the Athenians but rather for that he feared he should be accused by the Peloponnesians to the King and therefore thought by this enterprise to redeem his credit Tissaphernes secureth Alcibiades But after he had been secured thirty dayes he made his escape to Clazomenae where pretending to have been sent by Tissaphernes he sailed thence to the Athenian Army lying at Cardia Sailing thence to the Hellespont or Cyzicus Alcibiades overthroweth Mindarus the Spartan he overthrew Mindarus both at Sea and Land who died also in the fight taking all the Peloponnesian ships after which he forced from the Town a great sum of money and prosecuted the Victory by fineing and securing other places In the mean while letters were intercepted and sent to Athens which were to Sparta written from Hippocrates Lieutenant to Mindarus and found to contain the distresse of the Fleet in these few words according to the Lacedaemonian custom A. M. 3594. Ol. 92. an 2. V.C. 343. Darii Nothi 13. Belli Pelop. 21. All is lost Mindarus is slain the Soldiers are famished we know not what to do But Pharnabazus laboured with all his might to encourage the Lacedaemonian Army telling them they had lost nothing but woodden ships their men being saved and that new ones should be built at his Masters cost who had wood enough on the Mount Ida in which work he was very diligent and relieved the Chalcedonians then distressed 78. The news of the successe with the letter of Hippocrates coming to Athens filled the People with excessive joy Diodorus ad Olymp. 92. an 3. who offered sacrifice to their gods and kept holy day They chose then 1000 of the most valiant Foot and 100 Horse for prosecuting the War and sent thirty Gallies more to Alcibiades that he might with greater successe set upon the allies of Sparta now the Sea was in his power The Lacedaemonians when they understood how things went dispatched away Ambassadors the chief of which was Endius unto Athens about a peace They offered that both States might retain such places as they had already in their power that the Garrisons might be dismissed on both sides and the prisoners redeemed man for man and much in a little was said by Endius The Lacedaemonians send to Athens about Peace to shew that the Athenians were more concerned to be for peace though he denied not but that the War was hurful to Sparta The most moderate men amongst the Athenians were willing to hear of an accommodation but such as made their own markets out of the publick losse and gained by the War withstood the proposition Amongst these as principal was Cleophon the most eminent of the Daemagogi or leaders of the People at this time though formerly a maker of Harps whom many remembred to have been bound with fetters but he
of Peloponnesus by Archias the Corinthian in the eleventh Olympiad Romulus then reigning at Rome and the Messâ—nian War being very hot in Peloponnesus This new Colony because of Archias and for that many followed him from Corinth owned that Citie for its Metropolis which at that time was most powerfull at Sea But many afterwards flocked out of other parts of Peloponnesus and by little and little the Citie of Syracuse so increased as it became not onely the greatest and most beautifull of all in Sicily but of Greek Cities whatsoever as Cicero affirmeth It contained as he writeth four great Cities the Island Acradina Tycha and Neapolis It s compasse was 180 furlongs having besides Suburbs two Ports very commodious for shipping being separated by the Island and grounds about it very fertile in some places rising into little Hills but compassed about with Fennes The first Inhabitants dwelt in the Island antiently called Ortygia then as the Citie increased the other parts were added whereof the latest was Neapolis As for the state of the Citie after it received a new beginning from Archias the form of the Commonwealth was without doubt the same that then was in the Metropolis under the Government of the Bâ—chiadae viz. Oligarchical bordering upon Aristocracie Afterwards the common people waxing heady outed the better sort of the possession of the grounds and seizing on the Government made bad to be worse as the sad changes and desolations will shew The Exiles by Herodotus called Gamori betook themselves to Gelon the Tyrannus of Gela who coming to restore them with an Army the people resisted not but received him into the Citie whereby obtaining the whole power he restored it not to the Nobility but made himself master of Syracuse This hapned at the time aforesaid and about 244 years after the Plantation of Archias 3. Gelon so used his power as he was loved by all and feared by none He every way much inlarged The acts and power of Gelon adorned and inriched the Citie out of all Conquered Towns he took the Noblest and worst disposed Citizens and brought them to Syracuse He procured the affections of almost all that dwelt in Sicily and so greatly strengthen'd himself that he was able with a Navy of 200 Triremes and as great an Army as all Greece could set forth against Xerxes to help the Graecians in the Median War and had gone to their assistance if they would either have granted him the Command of the Land Army or the Fleet. When he could obtain neither of those he imployed his forces against the Carthaginians who had been called into Sicily by the Egestans and on the same day wherein the Greeks obtained their victory at Salamine got so great an one over them at Himera a Maritime Town that his glory is thought to have equalled His successe against the Carthaginians if not exceeded the other of Themistocles At this time the Carthaginians were very powerfull and become Eminent whose affairs being by necessity to be joyned with such matters as relate to this Island of Sicily a more convenient place cannot be had to speak something as this work requireth of the Original and progresse of their Common-wealth The Original of Carthage 4. Carthage was a Colony of Tyre and Tyre of Sidon the most antient Metropolis of Phoenicia mentioned by Homer with commendation for ingenious industry who hath not one word concerning Tyre and built by Sidon the eldest son of Canaan Tyre was built about the 2747 year of the World and 240 years before Solomons Temple as (a) Antiquit. l. 8. c. 2. Josephus hath observed The Greeks thought it received its name from Tyrus the Founder and (b) Stephanus Byzantius Pollux lib. 1. some invented a fable of a Nymph called Tyros beloved by Hercules But Tsor in the Phoenician language signifying a Rock the situation it self sufficiently declareth the Original of the name which upon this account was communicated to three other places besides this eminent Citie viz. (c) Scylax in descriptione Phoenices vide Bocharti Canaan lib. 2. cap. 17. two in the Continent and another in the same Island Near the Island of this famous City stood Palaetyrus or Old Tyre mentioned by Joshua and called a strong Citie even at the division of the Land of Canaan which hapned about 200 years before the building of that whereof we speak Now (d) Antiquit. lib. 8. cap. 2. Contra Apionem lib. 1. Josephus maketh the Temple of Jerusalem to have been founded in the eleventh year of the reign of Hiram King of Tyre who was son to Abebaal by Josephus called Abibalus and by Eusebius Abelbalus Hiram or Huram according to the Hebrews by the Greeks called Irom and Syron for Horom by Eupolemus was a great friend to David and supplied Salomon his son with materials and work-men for building the Temple He also proposed hard questions to Solomon to be unfolded as Menander testified who translated the Tyrian Annals into the Greek language He strengthned and inlarged the Citie of Tyre as Dius also wrote and reigned 34 years After him his son Beleastartus reigned 7. and Abdastartus 9. who being slain by the four sons of his Nurse the eldest of them reigned twelve years Then Astartus the son of Baleastartus 12. his brother Astarimus 9. who was slain by his brother Phelles Phelles reigned but eight moneths being killed by Ithobalus the Priest of Astarta who reigned 32 years after him Badezorus his son 6. then Mettinus his son 9. and lastly Pygmalion 40. in the seventh of whose reign his sister Dido built the Citie of Carthage in Africk Therefore from the beginning of Hirams reign to the building of Carthage intervened 155 years and eight moneths and whereas the Temple was founded at Jerusalem in the twelfth of his reign from the building of the Temple to that of Carthage passed 143 years and eight moneths as Josephus collecteth from the Testimony of Menander the Ephesian in his first book against Apion The several opinions concerning the building of Carthage 5. But Appian in his History of the Punick Wars writeth that Carthage was built by the Tyrians 50 years before the destruction of Troy which precedeth the former date 360 years He nameth as founders Zorus and Carchedon according to the opinion of the Greeks who thought them the Captains of the Colony whereas Tsor or Zor was the name of the Metropolis and Carchedon of the new Citie Carthada signifying a New Citie in the Phoenician language as Solinus witnesseth Lib. 1. p. 48. Strabo again will have the Phoenicians to have led out Colonies as far as the Pillars of Hercules and planted some a little after the Trojan War upon the Maritime Coasts of Africk with which Virgil closing feigneth Dido to have reigned at Carthage at that time whereas she was 300 years later according to the Testimony of the Phoenician Annals so as Servius upon the Poet affirmeth the whole
the name of Consul But he should rather have said that then the name of Judex crept in for it appeareth out of Livie that they were called Judices next after Praetors before the name of Consuls came in The Historian in his third Book speaking of such things as happened in the first year after the writing of the twelve Tables addeth In these times it was the custom not to call the Consul by the name of Judex but Praetor (f) De Ling. Latina lib. 5. Varro out of antient Commentaries confirmeth this and (g) De Legib. lib. 3. Cicero giveth the Etymology of all these Offices thus à praeeundo judicando consulendo Praetores Judices Consules appellantur Some upon good grounds coniecture that after the creation of Praetors who were peculiar Judges the name of Judex was left and that of Consul succeeded which continued to the last Their power 2. The power of Consuls was at first the same with that of Kings allayed onely by plurality of persons and shortnesse of time so that Cicero calleth it Regium Imperium and Regia potestas and the Greeks chose to call them Hypatoi which signifieth those that are most excellent or chief as Dionysius telleth us In the beginning they might imprison and sentence at their pleasure having the power of life and death over the Citizens though scarce the authority to make peace and vvar as Lipsius affirmeth By degrees this great power was diminished and that especially by two things viz. Appeal and Interposing called Provocatio and Intercessio The former was presently brought in after the banishment of the Kings by Valerius Poplicola who preferred a Law for taking away animadversion upon Citizens from the Consuls and giving liberty of Appeal to the People as the higher Judge But by the Interposition of the Tribunes of the people who were afterwards created all actions of the Consuls whatsoever might be obstructed as by the voyce of the people it self whose power and dignity thenceforth dayly increased and took authority over all Magistrates Hereby was that of the Consuls much diminished Yet not quite broken and dissolved as long as the Commonwealth continued their Offices being both many and large For first they were the head of the State all ordinary Magistrates being subject and obnoxious to them except the Tribunes in whose actions they might interpose Secondly they had the chief Command in the War over Citizens and Associates as also over Provinces and Subjects whom they might punish and Authority to appoint Officers in the Army as appeareth out of Cicero and Polybius in several places Thirdly they assembled the people consulted with it preferred Laws also which if enacted bore their names Fourthly they received Letters from Governours of Provinces from Nations and Cities gave audience to Ambassadors and what was to be done either by Senate or people passed through their hands as chief Ministers of State Fifthly as the Senate handled and executed all things in peace and vvar so did they govern it in some sence they assembled and dismissed it therein they asked the Members their opinions counted and divided them and in conclusion they steered the ship of the Commonwealth This was their power while the free State continued but after it was subjected to the power of one person their authority was again much impaired few of all these privileges remaining to them for that the Prince assumed the rights of all Magistrates but especially those of the Consuls and Tribunes Under the Emperours they were employed in consulting the Senate administring Justice assigning Tutors or Guardians manumitting Slaves letting out to farm the Customs which Office formerly belonged to the Censors and managing publick Games besides they had the honour of having the year Characterized by their names as formerly These things will be sufficiently evinced at least most of them in the sequel of this History concerning Roman affairs Certain Rites concerning them 3. There were observed certain Consular Rites which it will rather behove us in this place to relate than scatteredly hereafter to give an account of them First of all the time wherein the Consuls assumed their Office was not set or constant but various till the year of the Citie 532. when both they and other Magistrates entred on the Calends of January having before as * Ad A.M. 3676. Simpson and others observe Commenced on the Calends of Quintilis called July as well as at other times The first day was an high day and very creditable to them the Senate and people meeting at their houses saluting and accompanying them to the Capitol where they took their Oaths and Sacrifized Thence they went to the Senate house where they were ordered by a Senatus Consultum to give thanks to the Prince of the Senate then sent they gifts to their friends and threw money to the people which later expense was afterwards taken away by the Emperours and appropriated to the repairing of aquaeducts They twice swore to govern according to the Laws as all other Magistrates did none being to keep his Office above five dayes except publickly sworn when first they entred once in the Capitol and then again in the Rostra in their hands to whom they succeeded and at the laying down of their Office again at the years end they swore in like manner that wittingly and willingly they had done nothing contrary to the said Laws Another Rite there was as Lipsius termeth it about their power which thereby was so increased as to become as absolute as the Kingly was This was onely upon an extraordinary occasion or in extream necessity when all lay at the stake and the Citie was in danger Then a Decree of the Senate passed in this form Viderint Consules nequid Resp detrimenti accipiat or Dent operam Consules nequid Resp detrimenti Capiat as * De bello Catalin◠Sallust hath it who addeth that this greatest power was given by the Senate to these Magistrates to raise forces make War all manner of wayes to punish Citizens and associates to have both at home and abroad in War absolute command and judiciary power Otherwise without the command of the people no Consul could do any of these things In a word by this Decree was restored to them that power or rather more given which was taken away by the Appeal and other Laws 4. What the Ornaments and Ensigns of the Consuls were we have formerly observed out of Dionysius to which shall be added upon occasion what may be thought requisite The age capable of this Office As for the age wherin a man was capable of this Office (a) Annal. lib. 11. Tacitus observeth that of old it was lawfull at any age to sue for the Consulship and the supream power of Dictator But afterwards being taught otherwise by experience in the 573th year of the Citie the Romans thought fit to set bounds to juvenile heat and ambition This was as (b) Lib. 10. Livy
on the Sacrosanct body of the Tribune and being General of an Army had received a defeat and returned with ignominie The Patritian exceedingly concerned left nothing unattempted to save him and desired him that giving way to the time he would take the habit agreeable to his condition but he flatly refused to do any thing poorly or unworthy of his Ancestors adding that he would die a thousand deaths rather than touch the knees of any as was the custome of Suppliants He forbad his friends to supplicate for him saying his shame would be doubled if he saw any do that in his behalf which he himself disdained to do Giving out many such like speeches he neither changed apparrel nor his countenance nor remitted any thing of his antient magnanimity Before the Trial he killeth himself and when he saw the whole City earnestly intent upon his tryal a few dayes before the appointed time he killed himself His friends gave out that he died of a natural death and the body being bought forth into the Forum his Son was there ready and asked leave of the Consuls to commend him in a funeral Oration according to the custome The Tribunes commanded the body to be taken away without any ceremony but the People were thereat displeased and suffered the young man to perform this last and usual Office of honour to his deceased Father 77. For this and the two following years the Romans fought successively against the Aequi Sabines and Volsci From the later was taken Antium being surrendred to T. Quintius Capitolinus the Consul who placed therein a Garrison In the following year wherein were Consuls Tib. Aemilius again and Q. Fabius son to one of the three brothers that with their Friends and Clients died at Cremera the Tribunes made new stirs about the Agrarian and Aemilius furthering the businesse the Senate to gratifie the multitude decreed that some part of the Lands lately taken from the Volsci and Antiates should be divided Yet not many would give their names being unwilling to forsake their native Country so that the Colony was made up out of the Latines and Hernici The Consuls marched Aemilius against the Volsci and Fabius against the Aequi both had successe the later forcing the Aequi to beg Peace the conditions whereof were left to him by the Senate But the Aequi receiving the Fugitives of Antium suffered them to make excursions into the Territories of the Latines and refused to give them up whereupon succeeded another War though the Romans obtained a bloody Victory in the third year after the making of the Peace In the next Consulship which was executed by L. Ebutius and P. Servilius Priscus fell a more grievous plague upon the City than ever before hapned A most grievous Plague It first consumed almost all Cattel and from the Country came into the City wherein it swept away an innumerable company of slaves and a fourth part of the Senators and amongst these the Consuls with most of the Tribunes Livie writeth that the Aediles supplied the place of Consuls The disease began about the Calends of September and continued that whole year sparing no Sexe or Age. 78. When this was known by the neighbour Nations the Volsci and Aequi War with the Aequi and Volsci supposing the time of destroying the Roman Empire to be come provided all things for a Siege and to divert the Romans invaded the Latines and Hernici their associates These sending to Rome for aid Eubutius was already dead and Servilius as yet alive in small hope assembled the Senators who were brought half dead in their Litters to the Court They gave them liberty to defend themselves which doing when the Enemies had wasted their grounds at their pleasures they marched for Rome but contrary to their expectations they found it sufficiently guarded though with sick and feeble men When the next Consuls were created L. Lucretius and T. Veturius Geminus the Pestilence ceased and all things being quiet at home for the Tribunes making adoe according to the custome about the Agrarian were commanded by the People to desist and expect better times they invaded those who had taken advantage at the publick calamity They had good successe abroad and better near home when the Aequi in their absence came and thought to have surprized the City For understanding the walls to be furnished with armed men and four cohorts of 600 apiece to stand before the gates they altered their course when they came to Tusculum but Lucretius met and gave them battel which they were hasty to imbrace before the coming of his Colleague For a time they fought couragiously but seeing a band of men behind them which came from a certain Castle they thought it had been the other Consul and fearing to be inclosed ran away having lost both their Captains and many other valiant men Afterwards without any let the Consuls wasted the Territories both of the Aequi and Volsci and returned home at the time of the Comitia Lucretius in full triumph and Veturius in the other called Ovation by decree of the Senate with the like pomp in all things except that he entred on foot and not in a Chariot which words conclude the ninth Book of Dionysius his Roman Antiquities 79. For the year following which was the first of the 80 Olympiad wherein Torymbas the Thessalian was Victor and Phrasicles Archon P. Volumnius and Ser. Sulpitius Camerinus were created Consuls Dionys l. 10. who having nothing to do abroad imployed themselves at home in defending the power of the Patritians against the Commons now much instigated against it by their Tribunes They were come so far as to assert that it was most agreeable with the constitution of a free State for the Citizens to have equal power in Government A. M. 3545. Ol. 80. an 1 V. C. 294. Artax Longius 5. The People now would have all things done by the prescript of Laws Fresh stirs about new Laws whereof as yet there were none written the Kings having judged according to their own discretion and the Consuls by certain presidents of those Princes formerly in power The least part was recorded in the Books of the Pontifies which none could come at except the Patritians C. Terentius or Terentillus Arsa according to Livie Tribune of the Commons the foregoing year had endeavoured to circumscribe within certain limits the power of the Consulship but left the matter unfinished because the greater part of Citizens were imployed in the War the Consuls on set purpose drawing it out in length till the Comitia Now the whole College of Tribunes renewed the attempt by the procurement of A. Virginius one of the number the whole City being divided about it Much contention there was in the Senate betwixt the Tribunes and the contrary Faction but at length not doing any good in that place they called the People together and proposed a Law that ten men might be chosen in Lawful Assembly such as
were most eminent for age prudence and dignity and who especially respected their repute and honour that these men should publish Laws both concerning private and publick businesse by which right should be prescribed both to private persons and Annual Magistrates The Question they put off till the Trinundinum giving any one leave to speak freely either for or against it 80. The Patritians extraordinarily moved that the Senate's authority in this matter was utterly neglected both by fair and foul means laboured to hinder the debate casting the meanest sort like Slaves out of the Forum who minded their private commodity more than the publick Peace Amongst those sticklers Caeso Quintius the son of L. Quintius Cincinnatus Caeso Quintius called to an account was principal one of great Nobility beautiful in person and very stout and expert in War Him the Tribunes resolved to make an example to all young men and called him to answer for his life before the People He refused to answer except at the Tribunal of the Consuls but his Father earnestly intreated for him recounting the several eminent services he had done for the State and imputing this miscariage to his youth and indiscretion The multitude plainly declared by signs that they were ready to gratifie him which when Virginius perceived knowing that if Caeso escaped without punishment the insolence of the young Patritians would be intolerable he procured M. Volscius one of his Colleagues to tell feigned a story how in the time of the Plague he and his brother returning from a friends house in the night were set upon by Caeso and his drunken Companions in the Forum who killed his brother outright and left Volscius himself half dead He added that both the Consuls dying of the Plague he could have no satisfaction and in the succeeding Consulship whensoever he cited Caeso before the Magistrates as several could bear witnesse he received nothing blows This so inraged the multitude that they had torn him in pieces but that the Consuls and some of the Tribunes kept them off His tryal then was deferred not without a great controversie whether he should lye in prison or be out upon bail the latter whereof at length was accepted by the interposition of the Senate and he fled into Hetruria Flieth and is condemned leaving his ten sureties to pay the money which was exacted of them by the Tribunes who also condemned him His Father sold the greatest part of his estate to reinburse the sureties and content with a small quantity of ground beyond Tiber and a little cottage sustained himself very laboriously by the help of a few slaves for grief and poverty abstaining from the City and his Friends and neglecting to divert himself with publick solaces 81. The Tribunes were much crossed in their expectations For the calamity of Caeso was so far from moderating the insolency of the young Patritians that they grew much higher opposing the Question both by words and deeds so as in this Consulship the Law could not be preferred For the following year P. Valerius Poplicola and C. Claucius Sabinus were created Consuls and the Commans made the same Tribunes as the year before who perceiving the Law was not by perswasion to be enacted sought to terrifie both People and Consuls A plot of the Tribunes They caused various rumours to be spread that Enemies had hatched a great conspiracy against the Commons then coming into the Senate there affirmed it pretending they had letters from some friends to assure them of it They said certain Senators were in the plot but that the greatest part consisted of the order of the Equites which it was not seasonable then to name but they had designed in Conjunction with Caeso Quintius the Exile to murder the Tribunes with others by night and then at their leasure to rescind whatever had been granted by the Senate unto the Commons In conclusion they desired the inquisition of so grievous a design might be committed unto themselves The Senate being very sollicitous Claudius the Consul who was fully perswaded that what the Tribunes went about was the onely conspiracy by ripping up their designs concerning the Agragrian Law and the bad successe of their endeavours which put them upon this exploit fully convinced the Fathers how the matter stood Discovered by the Consul especially when they would neither name their friends from whom the Letter came nor the Messenger and though the Tribunes highly complained of him and the Senate unto the People yet the most sober amongst the Commons were satisfied with his reasons Whilest the heat of this contention remained the Citie fell into such danger from outward Enemies as never before which saith Dionysius had been foretold by Sibyll's books that it would arise out of intestine division and was likewise signified by the prodigies of the foregoing year when besides strange sights and noises it rained pieces of flesh of which some were devoured by all sorts of birds before they fell to the ground and the rest continued long upon the earth without either change of colour or smell Ap. Herdonius seizeth on the Capitol 82. Ap. Herdonius a Sabine with 4000 men seized upon the Capitol the and called the Slaves to their liberty At this time of extream of danger the Tribunes made what disturbance they could instigating the multitude not to fight against the Enemy except the Patritians would ingage by Oath to Create ten men for the making of Laws and suffer the Commons to live with them upon equal terms of privilege Claudius would have wholely omitted them and carried on the War by the Patritians and their Clients onely but Valerius thought it necessary to have a closure in the body before it should go about to defend it self from outward attempts and therefore promised with an Oath that if the people would chearfully carry on that War as soon as peace was restored he would permit the Tribunes to put the question Which is retaken and indeavour to satisfie the desire of the Commons Claudius then being appointed to look to the Citie Valerius on all sides set upon the the Capitol which was taken by storm though he lost his life having omitted neither the part of an able General nor valiant Soldier For though he had received many wounds yet he gave not over till climbing the Walls a great stone was tumbled down upon him which took away his life The War being ended the Tribunes required of Claudius to make good the promise of his Collegue but he deferred the matter by several pretences and at length alleged he could do nothing of himself He appointed then the Comitia for Creation of a new Consul into the room of Valerius The Patritians were very sollicitous to get some chosen that would defend their interest and resolved upon L. Quintius Father to Caeso lately banished who at the day appointed was chosen by all the Centuries of the first Classis as well Equites
Alexandri 7. of whom Livie is to be consulted the principal actors were together with â—itruvius put to death and the rest of the Inhabitants made free of the City The first year of this Warre fell in with the last of Darius Codomannus the last King of Persia being the 424 of the City when L. Papyrius Crassus the second time and L. Plautius Venox or Veuno were Consuls AN INSTITUTION OF General History The First Part. BOOK III. Of the Empire of the Macedonians and Affairs of the World Contemporary with it CHAP. I. From the beginning of the Monarchy of Alexander to his death containing the space of six years and ten moneths 1. ALexander riding hard after Darius came a little after he had expired Alexander bewaileth Darius saw the body and bewailed his death with tears he cast his own Garment over him and sent him to his Mother to be royally interred amongst his Ancestors Curtius lib. 5. cap. 14. Diodorus ad Olymp. 112. anâ— 3. 4. His brother Oxyathres he received into the number of his own friends and maintained him in his former Dignity Then did he begin to pursue Bessus but finding that he was fled far before into Bactria he left off his pursute and returned to Hecatompolis in Parthia where his Soldiers being tickled with a rumour that the Macedonians should have leave to return home Curtius lib. 6. Capp 2.3 rouzed him up from his idlenesse and luxury to which now he began to give way after the Persian fashion but they were at length quieted and perswaded by him to perfect the work thus for carried on in Asia Leaving then Craterus in this Countrey with some Forces he marched into Hyrcania which Nabarzanes had seized on who yielded it up Marcheth into Hyrcania and himself to him After this he invaded the Mardi a neighbouring people who not being wont to be thus provoked by any made resistance with 8000 men and intercepted Bucephalus his most beloved horse which being given him by Demaratus the Corinthian A.M. 3676. Ol. 112. anâ— 4. V.C. 425. Alexand. 8. when unsadled would suffer none to come on his back and when adorned none but the King himself whom to receive he bowed down Alexander exceedingly moved with the losse of him after he had slain and taken most of these men cut down all the Trees and threatned the Nation with utter destruction in case they did not restore the horse so that for fear they did it and with him sent their Presents and asked pardon by 50 Messengers 2. Returning back he received 1500 men which had been sent out of Greece to Darius with 90 Ambassadors Over this party he made Captain Andronicus who brought them to him and then went on to Zadracarta the principal Citie of Hyrcania where he staid fifteen dayes Hither Thalestris Queen of the Amazons Whether the Queen of the Amazons ever came to him is said with 300 vvomen Consulae Plutarchum in Alexandro Arrianum lib. 7. to have come to have issue by him which story though it be delivered for a truth by some yet is there better ground to suspect it seeing that neither Ptolomy the son of Lagus who was then with him and wrote his Acts neither any other good Author of those times approved of it and Alexander himself in his Letters to Antipater wherein he gave him an account of his affairs mentioned how the Scythian King offered to him his daughter in marriage but not a word of this matter After this he returned into Parthia and purposing now to go against Bessus who in Bactria had taken upon him a royal Robe and the name and little of Artaxerxes King of Persia he thence removed into the Countrey of the Arii He cometh into the Countrey of the Arii Satibarzanes the Governour thereof meeting him at the City Susia he confirmed him in his place but after his departure he revolted from him whereby the King was constrained to march back against him which he hearing fled with 2000 men towards Bessus so as Alexander following him some time but in vain reduced the Countrey to obedience and returned to his former expedition Then came he into the Countrey of the Zarangaei which was governed by one Barsaentes who having had an hand in the murther of Darius now fled into India whence he was afterwards sent That of the Zarangaei and put to death Here in this Land of the Zarangaei or Drangae was a conspiracy against Alexander discovered first by Dymnus to Nicomachus who though he swore secrecy communicated it to Zeballinus his brother Zeballinus or Ceballinus acquainted with it Philotas the son of Parmenio who delaying to tell it to the King either through heedlesnesse or on purpose thereby procured the destruction of himself and family 3. For Ceballinus suspecting him to be in the plot because of his delay discovered the matter to Metro a young Nobleman and Master of the Armory who acquainting the King therewith he presently caused them all to be apprehended Dymnus knowing wherefore he was called Lege Cartium lib. 6. 7. Plutarch Diodorum ut priùs Arrianum lib. 3. killed himself Ceballinus cast all the blame upon Philotas who denied not that he had been told of such a businesse but said he revealed it not to the King onely through neglect and because he esteemed it of no consequence Being brought to the Rack Philotas put to death for Treason he either confessed the thing as it was or feigned a story and wrongfully accused himself to escape the extremity of Torment after vvhich he vvas put to death Now vvas Parmenio his father a man of 70 years of age Governour of Media one vvho had done especial service for the King and his father Philip. Alexander either for that he feared he vvas privy to the conspiracy And Parmenio his Father or thought it not safe that he should out live his son sent one away vvith speed vvho delivering a counterfeited Letter to him as from Philotas slevv him as he read it Amongst others that vvere shot to death for this conspiracy was Alexander Lyncestes the son-in-law of Antipater who had conspired the destruction both of Philip and Alexander and for his treason been kept in durance now three years This being done the King proceeded in his Expedition against Bessus 4. Though the Soldiers condemned Parmenio and his Son while living yet they pittied them when dead and conceived great indignation against their Judges Alexander understanding this that he might know their several minds gave out that he was sending into Macedonia and whosoever would might have an opportunity thereby to write to their friends By their Letters all which he caus'd to be opened he knew who were discontented and ready to Mutiny and all those he gathered into one company lest they should corrupt the rest setting over them one Leonidas an intimate friend of Parmenâ—o The King in his March came to the Country of the
Antigonus got divers Cities into his hands and restored the Milesians to their liberty At this time the inhabitants of Cyrene revolting Ptolomy reduced them again to obedience by the means of Agis his General and in Cyprus suppressed some of the Kings which were of the contrary faction Returning home he was sollicited be Seleucus to undertake an Expedition against Demetrius then in Caelesyria Whose Son Demetrius is defeated by Ptolomy so that with 18000 Foot and 4000 Horse he marched to Gaza where Demetrius expected him In the fight the forces of Demetrius seemed rather to prevail till his Elephants being wounded and taken his Horse out of fear ran away He himself fled accompanied with many till he came to passe by Gaza but then so many forsook him and went in thither to fetch out their goods as multitudes flocking to the gates and they therefore being hindred from being shut the enemies entred with them and took the Town Ptolomy took Sidon also and besieged Tyre whose Governour Andronicus upon summons refused to yield and reviled him A. M. 3693. Ol. 117. an 1. V. C. 442. Seleuci 1. Ptolom 12 yet he getting the place into his power through the sedition of the Soldiers when he looked for present death not onely forgave him but entertained him courteously as his familiar friend 23. Ptolomy getting the places about Syria into his power returned into Aegypt being followed thither by many which were drawn by his great courtesie and clemency But Seleucus thinking this a good opportunity for him to return to his former Principality obtained of him 800 Foot and 200 Horse and with them marched for Babylon In his way in Mesopotamia he got partly by fair means partly by foul those Macedonians which quartered at Carrhae to joyn with him but when he came to Babylon the Inhabitants there willingly received him and he shortly after stormed the Castel which was held by Antigonus his garrison Nicanor the Governour of Media hearing this came against him with above 10000 Foot and 7000 Horse whom he went out to meet with but few more than 3000 Foot and 400 Horse and knowing himself too weak to engage in a set battel with him he hid his men in the Fens till he was past with his Army and then came upon him lying carelesly in the night without any strict guards Seleucus recovereth Babylon and the Eastern parts so as the Persians coming to fight Euagrus their Captain was slain with other Officers at which being struck and also weary of Antigonus his government they revolted and Nicanor with a few at his heels escaped being glad he was not delivered up Seleucus by this means getting a strong Army easily made himself Master of Susiana Media and the Countryes thereto adjoyning so as getting hereby Royal Majesty and Glory suitable to his dignity some have from this year fetched the rise of that Aera which afterwards was called that of the Seleucidae and of the Greeks for that his Kingdom proved the most considerable about the year of the World 3694 Eusebius in Chronico alii the first of the 117 Olympiad 309 years before the Aera of Christ and twelve years after the death of Alexander 24. When Antigonus heard of it he sent his son Demetrius against him who had now redeemed his credit by the overthrow of Cilles sent to expel him out of Syria by Ptolomy and upon it called thither his Father so as they recovered all that Country and Phoenicia out of his hands he not daring to stay and try a battel with Antigonus Demetrius his attempts against him Demetrius led with him an Army of 15000 Foot and 4000 Horse with order to recover the Principality of Babylon and then go down to the Sea Patrocles A. M. 3694. Ol. 117. an 2. V.C. 443. Seleuci 2. Ptolom 13. whom Seleucus had left Governour of Babylon hearing of his coming advised the inhabitants to leave the City and flie some into the Desart or over the River Tigris he himself with a Band of men flew up and down taking advantages at the Enemy and sent to Seleucus into Media for aid so that Demetrius coming and finding the City forsaken stormed one of the Forts therein and for that his time was out beyond which he could not stay he left Archelaus with a strong party to besiege the other Then giving leave to his Soldiers to plunder all they could he departed according to his Father's order to the Sea where he besieged Halicarnassus but was beaten off by Ptolomy and so as it were took his leave of that Province for ever taking what he could get along with him and perhaps for this reason the Chaldaeans with the Author of the second Book of the Machabees in this year one after the other fix the Aera of Seleucus Not long after Ptolomy Cassander and Lysimachus made a Peace with Antigonus on these terms An agreement betwixt Ptolomy Cassander Lysimachus that Cassander should be Captain General of Europe Lysimachus should retain Thrace and Ptolomy Aegypt and the rest which he now enjoyed until Alexander the son of Roxane should come to age and that Antigonus should be over Asia and the Greeks live after their own Laws This agreement was not kept long each one seeking under any pretence to inlarge his Dominions and indeed they might better do it seeing he for whom they pretended themselves Administrators and was their Soveraign Lord was taken away For Cassander taking notice that young Alexander grew up and that the People began to talk that now he ought to be delivered out of custody and to enjoy his Fathers Kingdom he fearing his own interest commanded secretly Glaucius his Keeper to kill him and his Mother and concealing their bodies to acquaint no person living with it Thus he who was unborn when his Father died The death of young Alexander died by the hands of violence and treason thirteen years after him 25. He had a brother yet living elder than himself who being begotten of Barsines never maried to Alexander was held as illegitimate by the Captains Hercules his brother though born before his Father's death His name was Hercules being now kept at Pergamus whence he was called shortly after the death of the other by Polysperchon who now being in Peloponnesus and envying Cassander the Principality of Macedonia sent about to his friends intreating that the youth being seventeen years old might be brought and established in his Fathers Throne The Aetolians especially with others imbraced the motion so as he got together about 20000 Foot and 1000 Horse in no great space and within a while after gathered up a numerous Army with which he marched and came on his way to Stymphalia Diodorus ad Olymp. 117. Justin lib. 15. A. M. 3696. Ol. 117. an 4. V.C. 445. Seleuc. 4. Ptolom 15. Here Cassander opposed him and seeing that his Macedonians took well enough this reduction of their Prince and fearing
1 Maccab. 7. 2 Mac. 14. and now was not received nor owned by the people because that in the dayes of Epiphanes he had defiled himself came to Demetrius with other Apostates and such like as himself and accused his Countrey-men especially the Hasmonaeans i. e. Judas and his brethren that they had cut off and banished his friends Bachides sent by him against the Jews whereupon he sent one Bachides a trusty friend with great forces into Judaea confirming the Priesthood to Alcimus whom he sent back with him All their design being arrived there was to get Judas into their hands divers Scribes going out to them to sollicit for peace being confident because the Priest was of the seed of Aaron he most wickedly and contrary to his Oath given slew sixty of them in one day then Bachides going from Hierusalem sent about and caused divers that had fled from him and many of the people whom being slain he cast into a great pit and so committing the Countrey to Alcimus to the defence of which he left him some forces he returned unto his King Leaveth Alcimus the High-Priest with some forces After his departure Alcimus striving to confirm himself in the Priesthood made great havock of the people to restrain which Judas went throughout the Countrey and compelled his party to shut themselves up within their holds and growing stronger he restrained their invasions so that Alcimus being afraid of him goes once more unto the King carrying along with him a Crown of Gold a Palm and of the boughs which were used solemnly in the Temple and seeing he could not have any more accesse to the holy Altar taking a fit opportunity when he was asked of the affairs of his Countrey accused the Asidaeans and especially Judas as seditious of depriving him of the Priesthood the honour as he said of his Ancestors and plainly affirmed that as long as Maccabaeus lived the Kings affairs could not be secure This being seconded by some ill-willers to the Jews Demetrius was inflamed and sending for Nicanor one of his chiefest Princes Who accusing Judas Nicanor is sent against him and a bitter Enemy to the Israelites made him Captain over Judea and sent him forth with a Command to slay Judas to scatter them that were with him and make Alcimus High Priest of the great Temple 60. When he was come thither and understood the courage and resolution of Judas his brethren and companions for the defence of their Countrey he feared to try the chance of War and sent to make peace with the people who having agreed unto the Covenants the two Captains came together to consult about the League Nicanor was so taken with Judas as he continued with him loved him in his heart and perswaded him to marry and beget Children and so remained constant in his affection to him till Alcimus perceiving it Nicanor at first much loveth Maccabaeus and understanding the Covenants which were made betwixt them took a third journey to the King told him that Nicanor had taken strange matters in hand and appointed Judas a Traitor to the Realm to be his Successor Demetrius being hereat displeased by Letters checked him for these things and commanded him in all haste to send Maccabaeus bound unto Antioch which grievously troubled him that he who had done no hurt should be thus used but conceving it necessary for him to comply with the pleasure of the King he waited for a convenient opportunity to accomplish it Then complained of by Alcimus seeketh his destruction Behaving himself thenceforth more roughly to him the other suspected something by the great change of his carriage and therefore gathering a few of his men withdrew himself from him but he followed him with a strong power to Hierusalem and drawing him out to talk with him had prepared some to seize on him yet he having notice hereof got away and would see him no more Seeing his design to be discovered he went and fought with him near Capharsalama in which he lost about 5000 of his men and the rest fled into the Citie of David After this he came up to Mount Sion and some of the Priests with the Elders of the people went forth of the sanctuary to salute him peaceably and shew him the burnt-offering that was offered for the King but he jeering hereat demanded Judas to be delivered unto him and they affirming with an Oath that they knew not where he was he stretching out his hand against the Temple swore that except Judas and his forces were delivered up he would when he should return in peace set the sanctuary on fire His blasphemous threats demolish the Altar and build there a stately Temple to Bacchus The Priests hearing this went in and standing before the Altar with tears begged of God that he would frustrate the mans intentions and be avenged upon him and his Host for his blasphemous words 61. Hearing that Judas was gone from Jerusalem into Samaria 1 Maccab. 7. 2.15 he went and pitched his Tents in Bethhoron where new supplies from Syria came to him the Enemy being in Hadasa 30 furlongs off with no more than 3000 men He would fain have fought on the Sabbath day which the Jews who were constrained to follow friendly dehorting him from with great blaspemy uttered against God he refused to hear them demanding if there were a living Lord in heaven who commanded that seventh day to be kept and saying he himself was mighty upon earth to command them to Arm themselves and to perform the Kings businesse He is slain in battel But coming to the ingagement he himself was slain first which when his Army saw they cast away their Arms and fled and the Israelites following the chace slew 30000. so that not one of the Army was left remaining Coming to the plunder of the field they cut off Nicanor's head and hands and carried them to Jerusalem where they were hung up before the Temple his tongue being cut in pieces and cast unto the Fouls The end of the second book of Maccabees Then they decreed that the 13th day of the 12th moneth Adar as the Syrians call it the day before Mardocheus his day should be observed every year as the Author of the second book of Maccabees tells us who with this story finisheth his work 1 Maccab. 8. 9. being the Epitome of the five books of Jason a Jew of Cyrene After Nicanor's death Judaea was quiet for some time and then Judas hearing of the power of the Romans and their compassion of the distressed and how much Demetrius stood in awe of them sent Eupolemus the son of John and Jason the son of Eleazer on an Ambassage to the Senate Bachides and Alcimus sent into Judaea against Judas that entring into society with them the People might be freed from the yoke of Demetrius and the Greeks But Demetrius hearing of the mischance of Nicanor and his
for the Tributes of the places other 500 upon pain of being prosecuted with War To these things Simon answered that he held no Towns belonging to any other but had recovered his own by right of War but as for Joppe and Gazara which had done great harm to his people he offered to pay him 100 Talents at which the King was so displeased that following at that time Tryphon to Orthosias Cendebaeus sent by Antiochus against the Jews is defeated by John the son of Simon he left Cendebaeus to oversee the Sea-Coasts with order to build up Cedron whence he might make War upon the Jews He coming to Iamnia made inroads upon Judaea and built up that Town according to order which John the son of Simon then lying at Gazara understanding gave notice thereof to his father who now being decrepit committed the War to him and his brother Judas He taking with him 20000 foot and a party of horse marched straight down against Cendebaeus and then placing his horse in the midst of the foot that it might protect and be protected against the Cavalry of the Enemy which was exceeding strong he overthrew him and putting the whole Army to the rout some betook themselves into the Fort newly built and others flying away he pursued them as far as the Towers of Azotus which having set on fire and slain 2000 men he retreated safe into Judaea 74. This successe of John sufficiently moved Antiochus to punish Simon but it was done to his hand by one who of all others might least have done it There was one Ptolomy the son of Abubus son-in-law to Simon and by him set over the Province of Jericho He entertaining his father-in-law as he went his Circuit about the Countrey to take care for the Government thereof slew him treacherously after a feast together with his two sons Mattathias and Judas Simon and his two sons murdered by his son-in-law when he had governed the people 8 years His design was being rich to obtain the Principality of that Countrey where he lived and therefore he presently certified Antiochus of his feat desiring an Army of him wherewith he might subdue the Cities of Iudaea He also sent certain cut-throats to murder Iohn Simons son wrote to the Collonels of the Army to draw them over to him and sent others to seize upon Ierusalem and the Temple But Iohn having timely notice of his treachery prevented his death by that of the Messengers and was made High-Priest in the room of his father and here the Author of the first books of Maccabees concludes his work having therein delivered the history of 40 years Antiochus besiegeth Jerusalem Josephus Antiq. lib. 13. cap. 16. Antiochus taking the opportunity of Simons death came into Iudaea which wasting round about he drove up Iohn sirnamed Hyrcanus into Ierusalem to which he laid close siege his Army being divided into seven parts The besieged being exceedingly helped from the strength of the Walls stood out manfully so that he raised an hundred Turrets from which he endeavoured to scale the Walls and compassed in the Town with a double Trench that none might escape but they still defending themselves sometimes sallied out and did him harm Hyrcanus seeing a great and uselesse multitude in the Citie which consumed the victuals put out the more infirm out of the Walls whence being hindred from going any further by the siege they wandred about the Walls almost famished till at the feast of Tabernacles out of pity they were again admitted 75. At this feast of Tabernacles Hyrcanus sent out to Antiochus to desire a Truce for seven dayes because of the celebration thereof He not onely granted this but sent in also Bulls with gilded horns golden and silver Cups with all sorts of spices and beasts for sacrifice and made a feast to the Army by which the other taking notice of his great humanity whence he was sirnamed Pius as also uncertain for what other reason Sidetes withall considering that the Sabbatical year being now at an end and the people being hindred from sowing a famine was likely to insue he sent out to him desiring that the Iews might be suffered to live according to their own Laws Many about the King advised him utterly to destroy the Citie to blot out the very name of the Iews from under heaven at least to dissolve their Laws and change their course of life so diverse from and disagreeable to other Nations but he being moved by a principle of magnanimity and bounty rejected this counsel and approving of the piety of the Iews commanded them to deliver up their Arms But departeth upon good terms for the besieged pull down their Walls pay Tribute for Joppe and other Towns without Judaea and receive a Garrison A. M. 3870. Ol. 161. ann 2. V.C. 619. Seleucid 178. Ptol. Physconis 12. Joh. Hyrcan 1. upon which conditions he offered them peace They yielded to all but the last because they would not converse with the Gentiles yet in Lieu of it chose to give Hostages amongst others Hyroanus his own brother and pay 500 Talents whereof 300 at present whereupon the siege was removed and they were freed from any further incumbrance Hyrcanus opening the sepulcher of David who had been the richest of Kings took out thence 3000 Talents wherewith filling his Coffers he first listed strangers in his Militia and entertained Antiochus and his Army in Ierusalem very plentifully 76. Antiochus Sidetes in the eighth year of his reign Iustin lib. 38. Appian in Syriacis Livius lib. 59. three years after his departure from Ierusalem undertook an expedition against Phraates the Parthian to fetch back his brother Demetrius still kept there in free custody who had twice attempted an escape but being retaken still was sent back to his wife and children not so much out of any pity or respect of alliance as because that King having an itching desire of getting Syria also into his power preserved him to use against his brother as time and opportunity should serve Antiochus with a great but extraordinarily effeminate Army marched into Media where many Eastern Princes met him with all their hearts giving up themselves and Countreys to him and cursing of the pride of the Parthians whereby he got such strength as overthrowing the Enemy in three several battels he reduced him within the bounds of his own Countrey But what he thus suddenly got he almost as quickly lost again for upon the approach of Winter quartering his Soldiers abroad in the Countrey the people were so oppressed what by the exaction of provisions and their insolence that they again revolted to the Parthian and upon agreement at one and the same time set upon them as they were severally disposed of in their quarters Antiochus Sidetes is slain by the Parthians Antiochus hearing this with that party which lay with him came in to relieve the next to him and there met with Phraates himself
come without a dowry brought over to him the Army of Cyprus whereby thinking himself sufficiently strengthned against his brother he joyned battel with him but was forced to retire unto Antioch Cleopatra continuing here was besieged by Grypus and taken and then Tryphaena his wife and her sister required her to be delivered into her hands that she might put her to death as her enemy and emulator and though he refused it utterly as being against the custom of Warriours to rage against the weaker Sex especially when allied in blood so near as she was and protected by the religion of the Temple to which she fled yet she being more hereat enflamed as judging his answer to proceed from love rather than pity sent some Soldiers in who murdered her imbracing the image of the Goddesse And expelled out of Syria This was not left long unrevenged for Cyzicenus renewing the War and giving battel again to his brother now by the turning of the chance of War overthrew him and taking Tryphaena with her blood appeased the ghost of his wife and expelling Grypus out of Syria seized on the Kingdom 80. Antiochus Grypus fled to Aspendium Excerpt Diodori Siculi Josephus lib. 13. cap. 17 18. whence he got the sirname of Aspendius but the next year returning ordered the matter so with his brother The two brothers reign together that the Kingdom being divided he made him be contented with Coelesyria Both of them after this gave up themselves to nothing but idlenesse and luxurie onely preying upon each other as their opportunities served them which difference of theirs mightily conduced to the setlement of the affairs of the Jews Cyzicenus getting of Ptolomy Lathurus 6000 men went to relieve Samaria which Hyrcanus besieged by wasting his territories but to no purpose Afterwards it hapned that Lathurus being expelled Aegypt by his mother and she fearing that by the help of Cyzicenus he might recover his Kingdom she sent great supplies to Grypus Justin ut prius with Selenes for a wife whom she had taken from her son before his expulsion to provoke him thereby against his brother whence succeeded those civil Wars betwixt them concerning which we have onely the title left unto us in the Epitome of the 68 Book of Livie who related the story Grypus died first being slain by the treachery of one Haeracleon after he had lived 45 years Joseph ut supra cap. 21. and reigned 26 wherof 15 were in conjunction with his brother He left five sons whereof Seleucus his eldest and successor made War upon his uncle Cyzicenus for the Kingdom and overthrew him in battel after which the Horse of Cyzicenus ran away with him into his Camp wherein when he was about to be taken he killed himself after he had reigned eighteen years Porphyr apud Eusebium Seleucus after this obtained Antioch and the Kingdom but against him arose Antiochus sirnamed Eusebes Great stirs amongst their sons or Pius the son of Cyzicenus who having avoided his snares by the help of a certain Courtizan that extremely loved him went to Aradus where taking a Diadem he gathered forces and in one battel clearly overthrew him Seleucus then fled into Cilicia where being received by the Mopsuestians as they are called when he began to exact money of them had fire set to the house wherein he lay and was burned quick with those about him 81. Two twin brothers of Seleucus Antiochus and Philip Idem ibid. caried down forces to Mopsuestia which having taken in revenge for their brothers death levelled it with the ground Josephus ibid. but Antiochus Pius coming presently upon them overthrew them in fight Antiochus taking the River Orontes in his flight was drowned Philip escaping caried the title of King Appian in Syriacis and gathering again considerable forces strugled hard with Antiochus for the whole Realm till such time as Ptolomy Lathurus calling from Cuidus his fourth brother Demetrius made himself King at Damascus so that they joyning their forces together they both opposed Antiochus who though he manfully resisted yet was put to the worst and glad at last to flie into Parthia whence yet returning after two years he re-obtained Syria Philip being thus deprived of that Kingdom fell into contest with his other two brothers Demetrius Eucaerus and Antiochus sirnamed Dionysus for the Kingdom of Damascus and being driven into Beraea was there besieged by Demetrius Joseph Antiquit lib. 13. cap. 22 23. Straton the Governour of Beraea being Philip's friend calls in Zius the Arabian Captain and Mithridates Sinax who coming with a great power overthrew Demetrius raised his siege and taking him prisoner sent him into Parthia where he was honourably treated till his death and Philip marching to Antioch again as it 's said obtained the Kingdom of Syria or as is most probable part of it Antiochus Dionysus the younger brother getting Damascus into his hands made War against the Arabians and was slain in a battel with their King Aretas who then was chosen King by the inhabitants of Damascus and thereby obtained the Kingdom of Coelesyria The histories which onely give us hints of these things are so confounded as no certain thing concerning the ends of Antiochus Pius or Philip can be assigned yet this we find Justin lib. 40. that the Syrians taking occasion at these dissentions and Wars of the Seleucidae amongst themselves began to think of forein aides and cast their minds upon forein Kings At length they all agreed to make choice of Tigranes King of Armenia Tigranes getteth Syria who being called in held Syria for the space of 18 years and by his dealing with them made them know they had had no reason to rebel against their natural and rightful Princes 82. Antiochus Pius being outed thus by Tigranes of all Syria Appian in Syriacis Mithridaticis Justin lib. 40. Joseph lib. 13. cap. ult from Euphrates to the Sea and also of part of Cilicia lay hid in another corner of it which neither the Armenian nor Roman as yet touched and his wife Selene with her two sons reigned as it 's termed in Phoenicia with some part of the lower Syria till being besieged in Seleucia a City of Mesopotamia or Ptolomais she was therein taken by Tigranes and killed for that she endeavoured to recover Syria as justly she might out of his hands For fourteen years Tigranes governed the Country by one Magadates till such time as siding with his Father in Law Mithridates the Great of Pontus Appian in Syriacis against the Romans and overthrown by them he was forced to recall him with his Army Antiochus the son of Antiochus Pius sirnamed Asiaticus taking this opportunity insinuated himself into the Principality the Syrians being not unwilling Antiochus Asiaticus recovering it out of respect to the dignity of his family and Lucullus the Roman General whose work it was to drive Tigranes out of his new
plotted his destruction and being caught in the manner was according to her deserts though perhaps not his duty put to death after she had domineered over him and expelled his brother eighteen years 22. Alexander being known to the People to have killed his mother Justin ibid. such a Sedition was thence moved as glad he was to flie for his life and thence they recalled his elder brother Lathurus from Cyprus and restored him his Kingdom for many years after his expulsion Who being thereupon expelled Lathurus is restored being now if we may believe Justin so satisfied with his present condition as of himselfe hee would never have made War upon his mother nor thereby sought to recover out of his brothers hands what he had formerly injoyed About this time his base brother Apion of Cyrene died and left the People of Rome his heir which thereupon left the Country to it 's own freedom but after ten years was it sore shaken and almost rent in pieces by Wars and Tyranny Livius Epitom lib. 70. which fell on it being destitute of a Royal Monarch Lucullus going thither composed the differences and setled the Commonwealth as he thought which after other ten years came to be reduced out of necessity to a Roman Province From Cyrene Lucullus returned through Egypt and in his passage being set upon by Pyrats lost almost all his Vessels Platarch in Lucullo yet escaped he safe to Alexandria the Kings Fleet being sent out to meet him where Lathurus entertained him with great magnificence lodged him in his own Court which favour had never before been bestowed on any stranger and presented him with gifts to the value of 80 Talents He entertaineth Lucullus the Roman But he onely received what was necessary and neither visiting Memphis nor seeing any of the rarities of Egypt being called away by his occasions returned through Cyprus unto Sylla whose Lieutenant then he was in the War against Mithridates King of Pontus After this the Inhabitants of Thebes revolted from him but in the third year he reduced them again to obedience Pausan in Attiis which is not to be understood of Thebes in Boeotia seeing he had nothing there to do but of the City so called in his own Country Not long after he died 37 years wanting some moneths after the death of his Father Physcon A. M. 3925 and the first of the 175 Olympiad 23. It 's difficult to assign certainly who succeeded him (a) Porphyr in Graecis Euseb Some say Cleopatra his daughter and wife to his brother Alexander others (b) Apian de bello civ lib. 1. that Alexander's son being received into familiarity with Sylla the Roman Dictator was by him placed in the Kingdom then destitute of issue male They may be reconciled by that which is further affirmed by the former viz. that he maried Cleopatra then Queen Apian saith that being seized on the Kingdom Alexander the second the Alexandrians not enduring his insolence on the nineteenth day drew him out of the Court and killed him but Porphyrie reporteth him to have slain her nineteen dayes after he had maried her Certainly though his reign be accounted no longer and that of Auletes to begin here yet cannot be rejected that which is produced to the contrary For Suetonius reporteth In Julio c. 11. that Julius Caesar in his younger dayes having ingratiated himself with the People attempted by their Tribunes that Egypt might be assigned him as a Province having gotten an opportunity of extraordinary command for that the Alexandrians had expelled their King on whom the Senate had bestowed the title of friend and allie This can in no wise be meant of Auletes for when he was expelled and came to Rome Caesar was then above such a condition having spent some years in the Wars of Gall. And that King of Egypt mentioned by Cicero to have died at Tyre In Orat. 1a. 2a Agraria and reported to have left the People of Rome his heir in his Consulship can be meant of none but of this Alexander the Second who being expelled rebelliously by his Subjects lived and died there in exile so that we must necessarily assign him counting from the death of Lathurus to the Consulship of Cicero about fifteen years during which time of his life he is to be supposed to have reigned longer than onely so many dayes contrary to the vulgar opinion 25. Alexander being expelled by the Alexandrians they immediately set up in his room Auletes succeedeth Alexandor the son of Lathurus sirnamed Dionysius and Auletes because he was too much addicted to the rites of Bacchus and dancing to the sound of Cymbals and Pipes He was base born as appeareth by the Prologue to the 39 book of Trogus and so was also his brother the King of Cyprus if that be true which Pausanias speaketh of his Fathers having no legitimate issue except one daughter After some years they that set him up pulled him down for his brother of Cyprus being most unjustly spoiled of his Kingdom by the Romans through the malice of Clodius Tribune of the People they pressed him sore either to demand Cyprus of the Romans or renounce their friendship Being unwilling to do this â—od lib. 39. and by reason of his great exactions which hee made for paying of his debts contracted by his purchase of the Roman alliance he incurred their hatred Plutarch in Catone Minore and whereas he could neither quiet the tumults by fair means nor foul was glad to withdraw himself out of the way and went to Rome At Rhodes he met with Cato who was sent by Clodius out of the way under colour of doing him honour to reduce Cyprus into the form of a Roman Province Is compelled by his rebellious Subjects and betaketh himself to Rome who advised him to return and be reconciled to his subjects rather than leaving his former happy condition to expose himself to danger and the avarice of the Roman Officers which Egypt it self could not be able to satisfie Being by the Counsel of his grave and wise man reduced as into his wits he was minded to follow his advice but was presently again turned by his friends A. M. 3948. Ol. 180. ann 1. V.C. 697. Hyrcani 7. and hasted to the Citie where he had time and cause enough to repent of his despising the Oracle as then he accounted it of so great a man 25. Being come to Rome he created the Senate much trouble Strabo lib. 17. being commended to it by Pompey whom some reported to have been the cause of his leaving Egypt more than any injury offered him by his subjects Plutarch in Pompeio Dio ibid. Cicero Familiar Epist lib. 1. Epist 1. Strabo Dio ut priùs Porphyrius in Graecis Eusebii that so he might afford matter for new Wars He desired he might be reduced into his Kingdom by Cornelius Lentulus the Consul to whom Cilicia
threatned to burn she having a great ambition to be loved by all great persons would not stick at killing Anthony She desiring indeed that it might be so remembring how his Uncle in time past and since that Anthony had been bewitched by her easily fooled her self into a fond belief thereof and promised her ambition not onely pardon and Egypt but the Roman Empire it self Anthony seeing her kind to the Messenger above measure suspected something and soundly lashing him sent him back to his Master and then she to wipe off his jealousie most solemnly celebrated his birth-day though suitably to her present condition she neglected her own and sought all manner of wayes how to humour him She betrayeth Pelusium and causeth the Fleet and Horse to revolt to him Yet did she betray Pelusium into Caesars hands and when he drew down towards Alexandria secretly forbad the Towns-men to go out against him though openly she exhorted them to resistance And when Anthony had provided a Fleet she caused it wholely to revolt and in like manner the horse which Anthony plainly seeing after the overthrow of his foot returned into the Citie crying out that he was betrayed by her into their hands against whom for her sake he had taken Arms. 40. She being afraid of him went to her Monument as intending to kill her self under pretence of being afraid of Caesar and sent a Messenger to him to tell him she was dead He giving credit to it desired Eros his servant to kill him but he preventing it with his own death he wounded himself in the belly Anthony killeth himself but the stroak not being such an one as could presently dispatch him he intreated his friends to do it who refusing and running out of the room a tumult ensued and she perceiving what was done sent for him up into her Monument He understanding she was alive arose thinking he might also possibly live but the blood issuing out in great abundance he despaired of it and was born by his attendants to the door of the building whence he was drawn up with Cords in a lamentable plight all in goar blood helping himself as it were and stretching out his hands to her and her women who haled him up thus to the top When he was got up she laid him on a bed tore her flesh wiped off his bloud with her face calling him Lord Husband and General after which he presently expired Caesar now desired to get her into his power by strong hand having an extraordinary ambition to grace his Triumph with her and not willing to promise any thing Caesar earnestly desireth to lead her in Triumph and doth all he can to deceive her and be counted a deceiver by falsifying his word She continued still in the Monument hoping at least to purchase her Kingdom by the Treasure she had yet in her power and refused to come down talking with the Messengers from above But presently some got in to her removed all things out of the way wherewith she might hurt her self and then bringing her into the Palace detracted nothing from her former state thereby to delude her with vain hope Caesar now without any trouble entred Alexandria with Arius the Philosopher on his right hand who formerly had read the Sciences to him he permitted her to bury Antony as she pleased which after she had done being spent with sorrow and her breast all exulcerated with stroaks she thereby contracted a Feaver and glad of that pretence to abstain from all sustenance and so end her dayes she consulted also with Olympus her Physician how to reduce her self into a Consumption But Caesar smelling it out so terrified her about her Children that she was content to desist 41. Shortly after he coming to comfort her Plutarch Dio ut suprà she cast her self down at his feet indeavouring with all the art she had to inveigle his affections which though he perceived yet fixing his eyes on the ground he onely said Be of good chear Woman thou shalt have no harm she being sollicitous Vide Suetonin Octavio Florum lib. 4. cap. 11. Orosium lib. 6. cap. 19. Eutropium l. 7. not for life but love and a Kingdom Then gave she in an Inventory of her Goods and Treasure at which Seleucus one of her Officers was so Malapert as to accuse her of suppressing something whereupon she flew in his face and soundly buffeted him Caesar smiling and gently reprehending her for it But she asked him whether it was not an hard case for her whom he had deigned to visit to be accused by one of her own slaves if she had reserved any thing not for her self but wherewithall to present his wife and sister that they might render him the more favourable to her Hereat he exceedingly rejoyced hoping she had a great desire to live and promised her great matters vainly supposing he therein deceived her But she having notice by Dolobella a young Gentleman amongst his followers and one that bare her great good will that after three dayes she and her Children were to go for Italy first obtained leave of him to celebrate the obsequies of Antony which having performed with lamentations and great shew of affection she commanded a Bath to be prepared and sitting down to meat sumptuously Dined After Dinner she gave a Letter to her Keeper to carry to Caesar wherein she desired she might be buried by Antony sealed that he thinking the contents to be of consequence might the more easily be removed out of the way He being gone with the help of her two women she made fast the doors most gorgeously apparelled her self as upon some solemn day with her royal Ornaments and then put an Asp which she had procured to be brought in secretly amongst Figs Grapes and Flowers to her left Arm with the biting of which she fell presently as into a sleep and so died But she having notice of his intentions dieth by the biting of an Asp Caesar having read the Letter presently perceived what was done and indeavoured with all speed to recall her to life though in vain grieving sore that he was frustrated of a glorious Triumph A. M. 3975. Ol. 187. ann 3. V. C. 724. Herodis 10. Octavio Caesare 4. M. Licinio Crasso Coss yet pitying and admiring the person whom he caused to be royally interred with Antony according to her desire and afterwards dealt very nobly with their Children Adorned she was with all the endowments of nature above her Sex Being learned her self she was a great Lover and Promoter of knowledge which she testified in erecting another Library in the room of that which had been burnt supplied with books from Pergamus at the procurement of Antony She lived 39 years reigned 22. counted from her fathers death fourteen whereof she spent with Antony And with her perished her Kingdom now reduced into the form of a Roman Province and the Macedonian Empire was quite
any one threaten a Slave in that manner Fabius Gurges after this being Consul Livii Epitom lib. 11. fought unprosperously with the Samnites whereupon the Senate consulted about removing him from the Army Fabius Maximus his father deprecating this ignominy prevented it by promising he would go to the War as Legatus or Lieutenant to his son A. M. 3713. Ol. 122. an 1. V. C. 462. Seleuci 21. Ptol. Lagi 32. He performed it and so assisted the young man that he procured him Victory and a Triumph wherein C. Pontius the Samnite being led was put to death After this L. Posthumius a man of Consular dignity being set over the Army used the help of the Soldiers in his own field and for that was punished The Samnites desiring Peace the League was renewed with them the fourth time But presently again as it seemeth they rebelled for P. Cornelius Rufinus War with the Samnites and Manius Curius sirnamed Dentatus because born with teeth Eutropius lib. 2. according to Plinie overthrew them in several bloody battels and took divers of their Towns Livie in his eleventh Book as appeareth from it's Epitome wrote that Curius Dentatus the Consul having overthrown the Samnites and Sabines who had rebelled triumphed twice the same year After this were Colonies sent to Castrum Sena and Adria The Triumviri for Capital matters were now also first made The Census being perfected the Lustrum was made and 273000 polls of Roman Citizens were cessed 7. Livii Epitom lib. 11. Plin. lib. 16. Xonaras Presently after happened the third separation of the Commons from the Patricians The third separation of the Commons The cause was the great debts which the porer sort had contracted As a remedy for this the Tribunes of the Commons those incendiaries proposed new tables in way of defalcation which the Consuls in favour of the creditors opposed The contest came to that height that the Plebeians departed into the Janiculum for the reconciliation and reducement of whom Q. Hortensius was made Dictator He appeased them with good words and perswaded them to return by promising that for the time to come their Pleb scita should have the force of Laws A. M. 3719. Ol. 123. ann 3. V. C. 468. Seleuc. 27. Ptol. Lagi 38. and bind the whole politick body The Lex Hortensia This accordingly by a Law called Lex Hortensia he enacted though it appeareth out of Livy that the same in effect had been granted twice before viz. in the 305 year of the Citie by L. Valerius and M. Horatius the Consuls and again in the 416. by Q. Publius Philo the Dictator 50 years before this present which having not been observed might give the Commons as great distaste as the matter of debts if we may judge from that which pacified them * Lib. 1. cap. 25. Florus telleth a story that the businesse of Matrimony betwixt the Patricians and Plebeians caused this third separation of the Commons into the Janiculum the tumult being raised by Canuleius the Tribune But Students are to take notice that none but he speak any thing of this Sedition in this place and by the instigation of this person for this cause of marriage That great Contentions were raised betwixt the two orders about the taking away the Law made by the Decemviri which forbad marriage betwixt them The errour of Florus is oftens arrested by Levy But that the Commons departed into the Janiculum for the burthen of their debts after great and long contentions in the 468th year of the Citie is by several Authors affirmed and that thence they were reduced by Hortensius the Dictator who preferred a Law in the Esculeium that what the Commons commanded should bind all Quirites neither do Writers mention any other cause of the third Separation 8. Hortensius died in the time of his Magistracy Livius Epitom l. 11. 12. After this there was action with the Volsinienses and Lucani against whom assistance was given to the Thurini Then the Roman Ambassadors being killed by the Galls Senones War was decreed against them and L. Caecilius the Praetor was cut off by them with the Legions The Tarentines being jealous of the growth of the Roman power had hitherto privily favoured the Samnites though openly they maintained a confederacy with the Romans The Original of the Tarentines and a description of their Citie Government and conversation This people being the ofspring of the Partheniae who were banished Lacedaemon for that being promiscuously begotten they could not have any inheritance Lege Strabon l. 6. p. 278. c. Florum lib. 1. c. 18. and therefore plotted against the State as was shown before inhabited a Citie called Tarentum from Taras a certain Heroe the Metropolis once of Calabria Apulia and all Lucania It was situate in a Peninsula on the Bay of the Adriatick Sea famous for its bignesse Walls and Haven especially which lay so convenient for sayling into the Roman Coasts Istria Illyricum Epirus Achaia Africk and Sicily that Florus accounteth the situation admirable The Tarentines affecting took Democratical Government obtained great power in those parts having a more considerable Fleet than any of their neighbours 30000 foot 3000 horse and 1000 persons fit to command them They imbraced the Philosophy of Pythagoras especially one Archytas who governed the Citie a long time In after times luxury was produced by prosperity to such excesse that if credit may be given to Strabo the Tarentines had more publick Festivals yearly than the year hath dayes by reason whereof the State of the Commonwealth under such a Government was rendred much worse One of their bad customs was as he judgeth it to use the Conduct of foreiners in their Wars for against the Messapii and Lucani they imployed Alexander the Molossian and before that Archidamus the son of Agesilaus as afterward Cleonymus and Agathocles and afterwards Pyrrhus against the Romans They contended with the Messapii about Heraclea and imployed also against them the two Kings of the Daunii and Peucetii Neither would they obey the forein Captains for whom they had sent but fell to odds with them which procured no small inconvenience 9. Near to the Haven in the view of the Sea was the Theatre of the City which proved the cause of all its misery and calamities saith Florus They were therein beholding Games when L. Valerius the Duumvir as he is called in Livy's Epitome or one of the Roman Admirals sayled thither as to a confederate Citie They taking the Romans for Enemies saith Florus Orosius lib. 4. cap. 1. Xonaras who addeth what cannot be credited that they scarce knew who or whence the Romans were or as others think having both knowledge and malice sufficient set upon the Fleet and either sunk or at least rifled it and slew the Admiral The Original of their War with the Romans The Senate sent L. Posthumius to complain of the injury who delivering his message
hinteth At this Lustrum were cessed 271224 polls of Roman Citizens as appeareth from the Epitome of the 14 Book of Livie's History 17. The Roman name had begun to be famous before but was terrible after the overthrow of Pyrrhus In the second year after his flight (a) Livii Ep. l. 14. Eutrop. l. 2. Val. Max. l. 4. c. 3. ex 9. Ptolomy Philadelphus sent Ambassadors to congratulate with the Romans about their successe and to enter into confederacy with them They sent to do him honour Ptolomy Philadelphus by an Embasie maketh a confederacy with the Romans Ambassadors also to Alexandria where he received them most courteously and sent them back loaded with gifts At their return they brought the gifts though given to themselves in particular into the Treasury but the Senate commanded them to be restored In the third year after the departure of Pyrrhus the (b) Orosius l. 4. c. 3. Xonaras A. M. 3733. Ol. 127. an 1. V. C. 482. Seleucid 41. Antioch Sot 11. Ptol. Philad 13. Tarentines being neither able to drive out the Garrison he had there left under Milo nor procure Peace of the Romans desired aid of the Carthaginians wherewith giving the Romans battel they were overthrown Milo sensible how badly he was able to resist by leave from the Consul Papirius departed with his men and left the Castle which the Romans having got into their hands easily mastered the City the walls whereof they demolished Peace and liberty was granted to the Citizens and the two Consuls L. Papirius Cursor The Castle and Town of Tarentum taken most of Italy being now subdued and Sp. Cornelius Maximus both Consuls the second time triumphed having finished both the Tarentine War and that of the Samnites in the 481 or 482 year of the City as the Capitoline tables do shew The greatest part of Italy was now conquered an accession being made not onely of the Tarentines and Samnites but the Lucanians also and a little before of the Etruscans After this the (c) Livii Epit. lib. 15. Val. Max. l. 6 c. 6. exemp 5. Campanian Legion which without command had seized upon Rhegium was besieged and upon surrender was put to death The inhabitants of Apollonia in Illyricum sending Ambassadors to Rome the two Aeâ—iles Q. Fabius and Cn. Apronius beat them and for that were delivered up to the Apolloniates The Picentes were overcome and had peace given them SECT 2. Colonies were sent forth to Ariminum in the Country of the Piceni and to Beneventum till now called Maleventum in that of the Samnites About the same time was silver Coin first stamped at Rome brasse being used altogether till now the State having got much silver in a Castle of the Samnites as Xonaras writeth Silver money first stamped This hapned five years before the first Punick War as (d) Lib. 33. c. 3. Pliny computeth C. Fabius Pictor and Q. Ogulnius Gallus being Consuls in the fourteenth year of Antiochus Soter and the sixteenth of Ptolomy Philadelphus A. M. 3736 267 before the birth of Christ SECT II. From the First Punick War to that with Antiochus the Great in which the Romans first invaded Asia the space of 37 years 1. THe Umbri and Sallentini being newly subdued and the number of Quaestors being increased to eight the Romans took occasion to transfer their Armies over the Sea into Sicily and begun that which from the Island that gave both occasion to and was the seat of it is by Greek Writers called the Sicilian War There had the Mamertines most perfidiously seized on Messana The original of the Sicilian or first Punick War as is already related and thereupon were become Enemies to Hieron King of Syracuse who besieged them justly as thieves and murderers and had taken the City but that Annibal the Carthaginian cunningly diverted him with an intention to get it into his own hands as it came to passe for pretending fair things to the Mamertines as before to Hiero and sending them in provisions he possessed himself of the Castle They being thus cheated by him and now straightned by both who had joyned together against them betook themselves to the Romans for relief The Senate begun to be very sensible of the power of the Carthaginians who had now almost the whole Island in their hands and was jealous of their approach so near to Italy so that a just quarrel with them seemed very acceptable But so bad was the cause of the Mamertines as they could not in conscience undertake the patronage of it and gave them a denial A. M. 3740. Ol. 128. an 4. V. C. 490. Seleucid 49. Antioch Sâ—t 19. Ptolom Philad 21. From the Senate the thing was brought to the People which besides it's antient use to debate matters concerning War had by the Hortensian Law obtained power by it's Plebiscita to bind the whole State The Praetors shewed what great profit would redound to the Commonwealth in general and particularly to private Citizens who having suffered much by the late Italian Wars were desirous by a new one to recruit their fortunes and therefore by a Plebiscitum they decreed aid to bee sent to the Mamertines in the 489 year of the City Q. Fabius Maximus Gurges the third time and L. Mamilius Vitulus being Consuls 2. In the year following and the Consulship of Appius Claudius Caudex and M. Fulvius Flaccus Appius was sent over with an Army to Messana to execute the commands of the People He first defeated Hiero then the Carthaginians and so raised the siege The succeeding Consuls Manius Octacilius and M. Valerius Maximus were ordered both and with all the Legions Hiero King of Syracuse being worsted maketh his peace with the Romans to passe into Sicily wherewith Hiero was affrighted into obedience perceiving that the Romans were most likely to remain Victors and made his Peace upon these terms To restore all their prisoners without ransom and pay 100 Talents of Silver The Romans imbraced his frienship the more readily for that the Carthaginians being masters at Sea they could not well send over provisions which they hoped might be supplied by him in good measure They also by this alliance thought themselves eased of the burthen of War and therefore the next year they sent over but two Legions Valerius the Consul from Messana had the sirname of Messala who also having taken Catana carried thence a new Sundial to Rome Papirius Cursor having thirty years before set up the first that ever was in that City A Dial brought out of Sicily to Rome This though not perfect the People used 99 years till M. Philippus their Censor set up a perfect one by it and about the same time Scipio Nasica being Censor first divided the equal division of the day into hours by water dropping out of one vessel into another And Barbers This Pliny relateth out of Varro who also reported that out of Sicily the first Barbers were brought
Mercenaries hapned which much distressing the Commonwealth he passed over into Spain where having to do with such an Enemy as he could grow upon The Acts of Amilcar Barcas after the ending of the first Punick War he there inlarged far and wide the Carthaginian Dominion and died in great honour though he was drowned in a River being put also to flight by Orisson King of the Iberi Diod. Sicul. lib. 25. Eclog. who pretending to come to his assistance in the siege of Helice unexpectedly fell upon him As he had governed the Army in Spain nine years Of Asdrubal his son-in-law so his son-in-law Asdrubal succeeding him commanded it almost as many with a mind as averse from the Romans as he but he dissembled his hatred and designs that he might gain all Spain to the Carthaginian interest After 8 years he was slain by a Gall saith Polybius or a slave to a certain Spaniard saith Justin who killed him in revenge for his Masters death He also much bettered the affairs of Carthage not so much by Arms Polyb. lib. 3. Livius l. 21. Corn. Nepos in Hamilcar Val. Max. l. 9. c. 3. Eater Exemp 3. as his winning carriage upon the petty Princes After his death Annibal the son of Amilcar Barcas was chosen Captain by the Army Annibal the son of Amilcar Barcas created General by the Carthaginians and presently confirmed at Carthage by the people whom his father taking along with him into Spain being then nine years old compelled to swear at the Altar his hand touching the sacrifice that as soon as he could he would be an Enemy to the people of Rome 31. Annibal presently after his Creation fell upon the Olcades whom he subdued and besides them within a years space the Vaccaei and Carpentani and nothing remained beyond the River Iberus that was considerable and unsubdued besides the Saguntines They being confederate with Rome gave them there intelligence how things went who sent some into Spain to see how matters stood and what was intended by the Carthaginians These Commissioners having audience of Hannibal religiously admonished him not to meddle with the Saguntines and according to the League made with Asdrubal not to passe over the River Iberus His answers did not conceal his inward hatred which caused the Romans to expect no better than a War but they hoped to have Saguntus the seat thereof and endeavoured to clear themselves of Illyricum ere it hapned Annibal was not ignorant of what they designed and therefore resolved by taking that Town to cut off all hope of vvarring in Spain He doubted not by that example to terrifie others so as to reduce to obedience those that yet stood out and confirm therein such as he had already brought under and this especially he aimed at by reducing this place to leave no Enemy at his back by the plunder of which also he intended to gratifie his Soldiers With all his force then he set upon it and provoking his men by his own example to all manner of diligence He taketh Saguntus a Town in Spain confederate with Rome took it in the eighth moneth The Inhabitants retained their fidelity unto the Romans to the last and when almost spent with hunger Fire Sword and Engines they that remained in a fire made in the Forum consumed themselves with all their riches as Florus writeth though Polybius speaketh of much money found in the Town besides rich stuff which Hannibal sent to Carthage 32. When first the Romans heard that Saguntus was taken they sent Ambassadors to Carthage to require that Hannibal should be delivered up as the breaker of the League Satisfaction is demanded by the Romans or else to denounce War Upon their arrival the Carthaginians deputed Hanno to treat with them who sleighted the matter of the League made with Asdrubal pretending there was none and if there was it was made by his meer pleasure without consent of the Senate Besides therein he said was no mention made of the River Iberus that a regard was to be had of the Allies of both the States he confessed but this nothing concerned the Saguntines who at the time of the ratification were not confederates with Rome The Ambassadors perceiving the Carthaginians backward to what they propounded said no more but the Senior of them holding out the lap of his Gown to the Senate Here saith he we bring you both War and Peace whether you will have I shall bring forth The Carthaginian King bade them bring forth which they pleased then the Roman saying he would take out War many of the Senators answered that they accepted of it And none being given War is denounced and accepted of This fell out in the Consulship of M. Livius afterward called Salinator from his bringing up the Impost upon Salt and L. Aemilius Paulus In their time forein Ceremonies begun to be brought into Rome which displeasing the more sober sort of men the * Val. Max. l. 1. c. 3. exemp 3. Senate thought fit that the Chapels of Isis and Serapis should be pulled down When no Artificers would venture to touch them Aemilius the Consul put off his pratexta or long Roab edged with purple silk and taking an Hatchet struck it into the door 33. In the year following being the 536 of the City A. M. 3787. Ol. 140. an 3. V. C. 536. Antiochi Mag. 6. Ptol. Philop. 5. Polyb. l. 3. Livius l. 21. the sixth of Antiochus the Great and the fifth of Ptolomy Philopator in the Consulship of Pub. Cornelius Scipio and Tib. Sempronius Longus three and twenty years after the ending of the first Punick War the Second began which we have described by Polybius The second Punick or Carthaginian War beginneth and after him by T. Livius who hath transcribed the 21 Book of his History almost word for word Annibal now 26 years of age in the Spring moved from his winter quarters with 90000 Foot and 12000 Horse and passing over the River Iberus subdued all the Towns as far as the Pyrenaean hills Annibal having conquered all Spain as far as the Pyrenaean hills Then leaving Hanno with a sufficient force to keep the Country and sending as many of the Spanish Soldiers home he marched with the the rest in number 50000 Foot and nigh 9000 Horse over the Pyrenaean hills and so through Gall unto the Alpes Having marched 100 miles in ten days from the River Rhodanus he came to the foot of these mountains which when he ascended he encountred with great difficulties being opposed by the Allobroges inhabiting the Country now called Savoy who possessed themselves of the places through which he must necessarily passe On the ninth day he came to the top whence his Soldiers had a prospect of Italy Proceeding after a little rest he lost as many men here in the depth of the Snow as formerly by the incursions of Enemies and at length came to a place which would
Egypt he sent Cornelius Gallus before him who seized on Paraetonium the Chief Citie on that part near Africk and Pelusium the other strongest Town towards Syria did Cleopatra betray to him secretly forbidding the Alexandrians to go out against him Antony once fought prosperously against his horse and the second time was beaten then he sent him a challenge which Caesar refused saying that if Antony so pleased there were 1000 wayes lying open for his destruction Wherefore bethinking himself that he could not die with more credit than in battel he resolved to oppose Caesar both by Sea and Land but Cleopatra procured that both his Navy and horse revolted Hereupon he returned into the Citie crying out that he was betrayed by her for whose sake he had taken up Arms. She being afraid of him departed to her Monument and sent some to tell him she was dead pretending fear of Caesar Upon which message he resolving to follow her wounded himself in the belly The wound not quickly dispatching him she sent for him up into her Monument whither he was pulled up by her self and two women being willing to live now that she was alive Antony killeth himself and hoping he might possibly recover But he shortly after died willing her as well as she could to provide for her self and not grieve for him but rather rejoyce in that he had been the most famous of men as also most powerfull and now being a Roman was not through lazinesse overcome by a Roman Such was the end of this man who through desire of fame became the Author of sad Tragedies to his Countrey who in the use of his power greatly abused it and was not onely overcome by a Roman but also by a Woman and then so behaved himself that he could not be excused from lazinesse effeminatenesse and luxury all which things checked that goodnesse of disposition supposed once to be in him and left Cleopatra little cause to rejoyce for any real glory that might accrue unto him 20. Caesar endeavoured to get Cleopatra into his hands that he might lead her in Triumph He easily obtained Alexandria Dio ut suprà Sueton. in Octavio Plutarch in Antonio Orosius lib. 6. cap. 19. Patercul lib. 2. cap. 87. Florus lib. 4. cap. 11. Livii Epit. lib. 133. Julian ad Themistium the Inhabitants whereof he pardoned but put to death Antyllus the son of Antony and some others He viewed the body of Alexander the Great and out of honour to his memory set on it a Golden Crown and strewed it with flowers but touching it he broke off a little piece of the Nose and refused to see the bodies of the Ptolomies though the Alexandrians much desired it saying he had a mind to see the King and not dead men Cleopatra dealt with her Physician to dispatch her but being terrified by Caesar upon the account of her Children she gave it over and did all she could but in vain to work upon his affections when he came to see her So doth Cleopatra her self and Egypt is made a Province Then did she give him an Inventory of her goods and he promised her fair things thinking thereby that he deceived her though he himself was deceived For she understanding that she was reserved for a Triumph prevented it by a voluntary death as is in the History of her Kingdom related Caesar made Egypt a Tributary Province and would have conferred the Government thereof upon Arius the Philosopher who formerly had taught him but he refusing the imployment he gave it to Cornelius Gallus a man of obscure birth Caesario the son of Cleopatra by Julius Caesar had by his mother been sent towards India with a great sum of money but at Rhodes his Governour perswaded him to return as now being to expect the Kingdom Caesar consulting what to do with him Ariaeus alluding to * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that prudent sentence of Homer said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To have many Caesars is not good and so he was sent after his mother A. M. 3975. Ol. 187. ann 3. V.C. 724. Herodis 10. Ante Christum 28. Whilest these things were doing at Alexandria was M. Tullius Cicero son of the Orator Consul at Rome taken in by Caesar to blot out the ignominy of betraying his father in the room of Licinius Crassus where he published Caesar his Collegue's Letters concerning the overthrow of Antony and put them up over the pleading place where his father's head had formerly been set But this overthrow and death of Cleopatra hapned in the 14th year after the death of Julius Caesar the third of the 187 Olympiad the 724 of the Citie 28 before the birth of Christ A. M. 3975. 294 after the death of Alexander the Great under whom as the Macedonian Empire began so now in Cleopatra and not till now it was quite extinct and here the Contemporaries with it receive their period AN INSTITUTION OF General History The First Part. BOOK IV. The Roman Empire CHAP. I. From the absolutenesse of Octavius to the death of Tiberius containing the space of 66 years 1. THE Roman Empire had now swallowed up the Macedonian The Grandeur of the Roman Empire with such Kingdoms and States as were at all considerable and Contemporary with it whereof though some might retain a shew of liberty yet were they but in a condition of vassalage except the Parthian Kingdom which as yet acknowledged no subjection and when it did being forced thereto for the most part by intestine divisions not long continued in that acknowledgement 2. This Empire now laboured under it's own weight and like to some unwieldy thing staggered by reason of the turgency of it's inward burthen without any extraneous violence it was grown up to an athletick habit and had already sufficiently manifested the danger of this constitution For being all head and no body it wanted those limbs which by direction from a superiour sense could secure it's progresse or indeed being all body and no head It laboureth under it's own own weight it was void of that influence which effecteth an orderly motion and is necessary for the subsistence of life it self The proper fruits of Popular Government were now grown fully ripe Every one would command and none would be ruled yet every man challenging a part in the Supreme power none enjoyed it much and therefore but few were really sollicitous for the upholding of it as Popular any further than some private interests led them The heady multitude indeed was violently caried on in it's desires after the chief command but some desired it rather that others might not enjoy it holding this Principle to oppose all rising though excellent persons whatsoever Others tickled with an humour of ruling and in intellectuals above their fellows set themselves to please the rabble by maligning other men crying up liberty and equality extolling the justice of the Agrarian and vaunting of great matters intended to be done
and exact in reforming manners by degrees falling into his natural humour Envieth Germanicus From the beginning he was much afflicted with the fame of Germanicus his brother Drusus his son by nature begotten of Antonia the younger daughter of Antony the Triumvir by Octavia the sister of Augustus concerning which Antonia Pliny reporteth that she never spate and his own by adoption who now prosperously carried on the War in Germany Within two or three years a very plausible occasion presented it self for the calling of him back from those Legions which were so much at his devotion For it hapned then that the Parthians were in great commotions about their Kings Phraates had 27 years before for his own security sent four of his sons as Hostages to Rome through the procurement of his wife I hermusa an Italian woman Josephus Antiquit lib. 18. cap. 3. which having been formerly his Concubine had then a son by him and that this her son might obtain the Crown got the rest to be sent out of the way and then they two murdered the King This Bastard called Phraataces reigned but being hated by the people for his paricide was not long after slain and then was set up one Orodes of the family of the Arsacidae who being also hated for his cruelty came to the same end Tacitus Annal. l. 2. Then sent the Parthians for one of the Hostages and Vonones the eldest was dismissed by Tiberius But they counting it a disgrace for any to reign over them who as they termed it had been a slave to Caesar rebelliously cast him off and called in Artabanus who then reigned in Media and was also one of the Arsacidae or the blood royal of Parthia He at his first entrance was repulsed by Vonones but the second time overthrew him and got possession of the Kingdom Vonones retiring into Armenia sent to Tiberius for aid who for that Artabanus threatned hard and the principal of the Armenians were of his faction did not think fit to make War upon him therefore Vonones yielded himself to Creticus Silanus who governed Syria and Artabanus set Orodes one of his own sons over Armenia At the same time Antiochus King of Commagena dying Sueton in Tiberio cap. 49. Tacitus ut priùs a contention arose betwixt the Nobility and Commons the former would have the Countrey reduced into the form of a Roman Province but the people were for a King Now also Philopator King of Cilicia being dead his subjects were divided upon the very same grounds Syria also and Judaea being weary of their burthens desired a diminution of their Tributes 57. Idem cap. 43. Tiberius now perswaded the Senate that the abilities of Germanicus were requisit for quieting the East whereupon the Provinces beyond the Seas were decreed to him with larger power than had been granted to any that governed them either by lot or the gift of the Prince Germanicus was often importuned by Tiberius upon this ground to return yet intent upon his businesse he first subdued several Nations in Germany and by the overthrow of Arminius obtained great glory which was something obscured at last by a shipwrack It was the design of Tiberius to expose him unto danger and treachery therefore he removed Silanus his friend and put Cn. Piso a froward man into his room to whom he gave in charge some secret thing as many believed Under pretence of quieting the East exposeth him to danger and treachery Germanicus being thus expelled to compose the affairs of the East as * Sueton in Caligula cap. 1. Tacitus ibid. cap 56. one truely termeth it placed Zeno the son of Polemo King of Pontus over Armenia Q. Veranius a Knight had the oversight of Cappadocia which was made a Province for Archelaus the King thereof courted not Tiberius enough when he was at Rhodes and therefore was called to Rome and there kept till his death Q. Servaeus also was set over Commagena Artabanus sent to Germanicus about renewing the league and good correspondence desiring that Vonones might not be kept in Syria nor suffered by his Messengers to sow discord amongst the people offering him also leave to come to the bank of Euphrates to which he answered as became the State and himself This year died Livy the Historian Euseb in Chronico who was born at Padua and also Ovid the Poet having remained a banished man in Pontus several years whither the displeasure of Augustus confined him either for that he had seen him do some unseemly thing which he would not have known or for publishing his wanton books concerning Love A. D. 19. V.C. 771. Lib. 2. De Tristibus as he hints himself This was the 771 year of the Citie the 19th after the birth of Christ Tiberius Augustus the third and Germanicus Caesar the second time being Consuls 58. Germanicus the year following made a voyage into Egypt Tacitus lib. 2. Capp 59 60 c. A. D. 20. V. C. 772. Sueton in Caligula cap. i 2 3 4 c. Josephus Antiquit l. 18 c. 8. to view it for the rarity of its Antiquities for which he was chidden by Tiberius as going without his leave Thence returning into Syria he was most shamefully and without any measure affronted by Piso and at length died of a lingring disease at Antioch Who dieth of a lingring disease at Antioch being thought to miscarry by the fraud of Tiberius and the Ministry of Piso who plainly said that he must either displease Father or Son But the fruit he reaped in pleasing thus the Father was but unpleasing for returning to Rome the year following he escaped narrowly tearing in pieces by the people and being condemned by the Senate killed himself For Germanicus there was an universal mourning not onely in Rome and the Provinces but also amongst Barbarians and Enemies themselves He was a person excellently accomplished and of a most sweet disposition whereby he became the love and delight of the people and Augustus long debating with himself whether he should not leave him his Successor at length caused Tiberius to adopt him who 't is thought being restrained by fear and reverence of him after his death broke out into such courses as made the other more missed and glorious By his wife Agrippina the daughter of Agrippa and Julia he died father of three sons His issue viz. Nero Drusus and Caius and of as many daughters He died in the 34th year of his age and that which followed his second Consulship M. Junius Solanus and C. Norbanus Flaccus being Consuls 59. Three or four years after was Tiberius punished in his own kind by the poysoning of his own son Drusus and that by his greatest favourite Aelius Seianus This man being the son of Seius Strabo a Roman Knight Tacitus Annal. lib. 4. when very young followed Caius the Nephew of Augustus and afterwards by divers Arts wound himself into the affections of Tiberius
clearly appeareth in Scripture what things our Lord did and suffered for unworthy sinners after he had eaten this Supper though the order of the former passages concerning his preaching be obscure and therefore we have more largely described them Being betrayed by Judas into the hands of the Chief-Priests and by them delivered up to Pilate the Governour he being convinced of his innocence and their malice sought how to deliver him till they told him that if he did it he was not Caesar 's friend whereupon fearing to be accused to Tiberius A. D. 33. Ol. 202. an 4. V. C. 787. of protecting one who affected the Kingdom he condemned him and delivered him to the Soldiers to be crucified This was about the sixt hour or a little after noon at what time a great darknesse arose for that the Sun was obscured and continued till the ninth hour or three of the clock Then Christ to shew the bitternesse of his torment cried yet with a loud voice Eli Eli Lamasabachtani and receiving the vineger after he had commended his soul into the hands of his Father gave up the ghost Thus he who was in the form of God and counted it no robbery to be equal with God made himself of no reputation and suffered death even the most ignominious death of the Crosse for ingrateful men 73. Some think that the darknesse which hapened at our Saviour's Passion was onely in the Land of Judaea But others finding that the Evangelists mention * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mat. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Marc. Luc. the whole Earth conclude that this Eclypse was Oecumenical or Universal Luke expresly saying that the Sun it self the eye of the whole World was darkned Some conceived that the Sun was darkened by the interposition of the body of the Moon The miraculous Eclypse at our Saviour's death whereof (a) Epist 7. Dionysius the Areopagite as he calleth himself was an eye witnesse at what time he and Apollophanes the Philosopher being at Heliopolis observed the Moon suddenly to cast her self before the Sun though it was not the time of conjunction and again from the ninth hour to the evening opposing her self to the middle line of the Sun If so it was an extraordinary miracle the Moon being now at the full as (b) De Civitat Dei l. 3. c. 15. Augustin observeth it to have been ever at the Passeover and consequently at the greatest distance from the Sun out of which respect others seem to have held that the Sun was darkned not by the interposition of that luminary but the retention of his beams That the darknesse was universal appeareth from the records of Heathen Writers which as (c) Lib. 7. c. 4. Orosius saith besides the Evangelists mentioned the greatnesse of the Eclypse And (d) Apologet. c. 21. Tertullian writing to Pagans saith You cannot make this wonder suspected seeing your own Calendars have remarked it and your selves retain the testimonies thereof in your own registers Amongst Greek Authors Phlegon (e) A ud Euseb in Chronico Orig. contra Celsum l. 2. in Matth. Trallianus the Freed-man of Adrian the Emperour Recorded by the Heathen in his Work of Olympiads or Chronicle which consisted of sixteen Books clearly spoke of this Eclypse writing in his thirteenth Book that in the fourth year of the 202 Olympiad the greatest Eclypse hapened that ever was known for at the sixth hour of the day it was night so that the Starrs were seen in the Heavens 74. That Christ was put to death in the reign of Tiberius by Pontius Pilate (a) Annal. l. 15. c. 44. Cornelius Tacitus writeth an Author guilty of Ethnick ignorance and prejudice But (b) Antiq. l. 18. c. 4. Josephus the noble Jewish Historian giveth him an honourable testimony writing that At the same time there was one Jesus a wise man The testimony of Josephus concerning Christ if it be lawful to call him a man For he was a worker of wonderful works and a teacher of those which willingly receive the truth He had also many followers not onely Jews but Gentiles and he was believed to be Christ And whereas by the malice of our Princes Pilate condemned him to be crucified yet notwithstanding they who first loved him have persevered For he appeared to them alive the third day the Prophets having foretold in their writings these and many other wonderful things concerning him and to this day the People from him called Christians hath not ceased This he relateth after he had spoken of that Sedition which hapened because of Pilate his bringing in of Caesar's Images Some from amongst our selves have not given credit to this relation thinking it to be foisted in by some Christians for the greater honour of our Religion But as the piae fraudes supposed to have been used by the Primitive Christians are rather increased than otherwise by some who either pedantically and out of ostentation seek for applause from the prejudice of their own cause as one hath done of late in reference to the matter in hand or as out of a melancholick and distrustful humour question the evidence of the truth so is there no reason that this testimony should be condemned amongst them For Josephus maketh mention of John Baptist giving him large commendations and relateth also that he was beheaded though he assigneth the cause to have been but of jealousie of him and lest he should make some commotions through his popularity which likely enough might be some cause especially the malice of Herodias considered which woman would not be wanting to fill his head with suspition although the main reason was his reproving of the incest He also maketh mention of James the brother of Alphaeus whom he calleth the brother of Jesus Christ how he was put to death at Jerusalem saying that all good men were sorely troubled at it and clearly expresseth himself dissatisfied in it writing that Ananus who commanded the murder to be done did ill and this he saith not onely because the Judicial power was taken away from the Jews as is evident from the course of his words 75. It is hence clear enough that Josephus was not in the number of those whom Herod Agrippa could have pleased in the killing of the other James the brother of John Defended to be true and not feigned by Christians and truly amongst the Jews such as were not extremely malicious against Christ were something inclining to him if we consider the temper of that People It cannot therefore be said that Josephus was so inveterately despightful against Christ and Christians that as some have thought he utterly passed over the story of Christ upon that account This Principle would have induced him to rail rather than to be silent to bespatter the Christian generation rather to say nothing or rather to seem displeased at their sufferings It 's true he was with the younger Agrippa but almost a
For it is manifest that Cicero having read this Poem did translate it into Latine and joyned it to his works who was afterward put to death by the Triumvir Antonius and Antonius was overcome by Augustus who reigned six and fifty years Tiberius succeeded Augustus in whose reign our Saviour came into the World and the mystery of religion began to flourish and the people were changed Of which I suppose the chief of the Italian Poets hath thus sung 81. He meaneth Virgil Eclog. 4. whose Poem he reciteth concerning the Golden dayes foretold by Sibylla Cumaea by which name the Romans called all the Siybills because of the old Cumana or Cumaea whose Verses were burnt in the Capitol in the 671 year of the Citie and were supplied by other fetch 't from Erythrae and elsewhere as also concerning a Child that was to be born He ascribeth to this Child such Divine things as none can doubt but that he must be above a man whom Sibylla described by such expressions Now that such Verses could be feigned by Christians none can affirm but the grosly ignorant who know not that Virgil died several years viz. 18 before Christ was born Neither can it be thought he feigned it on his own head although we cannot say with Constantine or Eusebius that he did thus mystically involve and cover the truth lest the Emperour should be offended with him for writing that which was contrary to their Laws and Statutes established concerning their Gods or that we do believe that he foresaw the happy and glorious mystery of our Saviours coming but that he might avoid their cruelty and speak his audience in the accustomed manner Some of late also have rejected the Poems ascribed to these women as feigned by Christians because they seem to speak more plainly of Christ than the true Prophets do and exhibit rather an history of Christ already come than a Prophecy of his coming They think it contrary to the Word of God to think that these profound mysteries should be more clearly propounded to the Gentiles than to the Jews Some of late have also questioned them This also much moveth them for we will confesse the utmost that they perceive many of the antients in the most primitive times to have counted it the choicest work they could perform to help the heavenly truth by their fictions whereby the new doctrine might more easily be admitted by the Pagan wise men And as they cannot but most grievously reprehend this thing so not sufficiently can they admire the judgment of those Fathers who with such facility received these writings and as doubt not to produce testimonies from them to underprop the heavenly truth 82. But it is answered by way of utter denial that there were many in the Primitive times who sought to establish the truth by fictions and lyes and by challenge made for them to produce any one lye or fiction made or used by the most antient Fathers though for a good end Certainly they which in their disputations with the Pagans appeal to the testimony of the Sibylls deserve great commendations for their prudence And hence may it be proved that those testimonies were not forged because they in all conflicts more willingly had recourse to them than to any other For can we imagine them fools with whom these Fathers had to do They were as cunning and knowing as the best they were Philosophers Rhetors Professors of Arts States-men and most commonly such as enjoyed the greatest honours Where is it objected by any of these in the most Primitive times But in vain that these testimonies were feigned by Christians This answer would have been easie and ready and such as would instantly have stopped the mouths of Primitive Saints But the wisest and bitterest of the Enemies of Christians do not make any such reply in the most antient times knowing well enough these Oracles to which the Romans had ever recourse and which were known sufficiently to the whole World through which it ran for current that in the Books of the Sibylls was held forth that one should reign who came out of the East The clearnesse of these testimonies concerning Christ can make nothing against them for Esaâ—as spake not more evidently of Christ than Balaam who said that a Star should rise out of Jacob. Who dare prescribe to God a manner of prophecying as if it were not free to him to speak plainly or obscurely to Jew or Gentile or as if there were not in the Scripture most clear predictions concerning Christ But grant that the Sibylline Oracles are clearer Ought not those things which are predicted to the Gentilles corcerning Christ to be clearer because they wanted Moses and the rest of that learning which should direct them unto him that what here was wanting might be supplied by the perspicuity of these Oracles Although we ought not to judge of these Oracles by that light which at present appeareth For what things are most evident to us after the accomplishment were most obscure when they were predicted If any one had feigned them he would have made them industriously more obscure that they might seem written before the things were done and like to those Prophecies which are contained in the Scriptures These Heathen Prophets spake some times clearly according to the intention of God who overruled them but often abruptly It 's thought they prophecied as of old Balaam's Asse spoke and not otherwise did Hydaspes and the Sibylls speak clearly of the coming of Christ the Holy Spirit moving them and governing their tongues It appeareth (a) In Apolog. 2. p. 82. totius operis from Justin Martyr that it was forbidden upon pain of death to read Hydaspes Sibylla or the Prophets lest the People should attain to the knowledge of good things To these (b) Strom. l. 6. Clemens bringeth in St. Paul himself referring the Greeks Take ye also the Greek Books acknowledge Sibylla that she manifested one God and things to come Take ye also Hydaspes read him and you shall find the Son of God more clearly and openly described 83. To omit what might be and by others hath been produced out of * Vide August de Civit. Dei l. 10. c. 23. Lud. vivem in Locum Tertul. Apollog c. 21. Heathen Writers concerning the blessed Trinity for we may easily admit that God who was ever the God of the whole World and designed to do the Gentiles good also in the knowledge of himself might give to them such hints of the truth as afterwards might be improved for their welfare we shall come to the last testimony concerning Christ and that such an one as will reduce us to the course of our design After that Christ was risen from the dead Pilate made report unto Tiberius of the Person and Works of Christ and had sent his Disciples about to preach and work miracles for the conversion of the World Pilate who then governed in Judaea reported
man or the Enemy was highly moved to revenge it For a party left to awe the Silures was incompassed by the Britains The Britains again are up and if help had not presently come in from the adjoyning Villages and Fortresses had been utterly cut off besides that the Commander in Chief with eight Centurions and many others were slain Not long after such as went to gather forrage and several Companies sent in to their aid were also routed and the Enemy was hardly restrained at length by the help of the Legions After this hapned many skirmishes as they met by chance or were desirous of booty and two Auxiliary Cohorts were intercepted with the spoils of which other Nations were drawn to revolt and not long after Ostorius spent with care and pensivenesse died To his place Claudius preferred A. Didius who found things but in a bad condition Subdued through the boldnesse of the Silures But the Britains falling out amongst themselves were several times overthrown and then kept under 20. Claudius the twelfth year of his reign ending Jopeph Antiquit lib. 20. cap. 5. Tacitus Annal. lib. 12. Capp 64 67 68. bestowed on Agrippa the Tetrarchy of Philip as also that of Lysanias taking Chalcis from him after he had governed it 4 years After this he restored the Rhodians to their former liberty upon their repentance and eased the Inhabitants of Ilium of all charges and tributes as being the Authors of the Roman race Nero pleaded the causes of both Cities whose mother Agrippina now began to be discovered to her husband He chanced in his drink to say that it was fatal to him first to endure and then to punish the wickednesse of his wives and he repented of his folly in preferring her son before his own She bethinking her self how to escape the danger first gave him poison in Mushrooms his beloved meat Claudius poysoned by Agrippina his wife but it passing through him A. D. 55. V. C. 807. she used the skill of Xenophon the Physician vvho as it vvere to help him to vomit put something down his throat dipped in a most violent poyson and so he died who within a small time upon a very small account had put to death 35 Senators and 300 Knights Sueton in Claudio He vvas a man that before his coming to the Government vvas despised by his relations as some imperfect thing and afterwards vvas but counted blockish and despicable by others yet sometimes he would judge very vvisely and circumspectly and so far profited in liberal studies which he very much plied that he vvrote divers things and amongst the rest a learned defence of Cicero in answer to the books of Asinius Pollio He vvas fearfull above measure His Character so that amongst other demonstrations vvhen Camillus vvho attempted a Rebellion sent to him a reprochfull and menacing Letter vvilling him to lay down the Government he vvas in doubt and seriously consulted vvhether he should not do it and this made him put many to death upon idle and malicious accusations He vvas the very slave of his Freedmen vvhereof Narcissus and Pallas vvere chief vvho rather reigned than he for they managed all things according to their pleasure or lust bestowing favours upon vvhom they pleased and killing any though never so vvorthy or nearly allied to him He excused his anger and peevishnesse by a publick Declaration He vvas so forgetfull that he vvould several times ask for such as he had put to death He vvould eat and drink at any time or in any place he vvas a great player at Dice of vvhich Art he set forth a book He died on the third before the Ides of October in the 64 year of his age vvhen he had reigned thirteen years eight moneths and twenty dayes in the 807 year of the Citie the 55 after the birth of Christ M. Asinius Marcellus and M. Acilius Aviola being Consuls 21. Now that vve may note briefly such Ecclesiastical matters as fell out in the reign of Claudius Ecclesiastical matters in his reign In his first year James the brother of John vvas as vve said put to death by Agrippa and Peter being cast by him into prison vvas delivered by an Angel In his second Paul returned out of Arabia to Damascus vvhence he came to Jerusalem to see Peter Hence he vvent to Tarsus and not long after to Antioch being sent for by Barnabas vvho had been sent thither by the Apostles In his third year Paul preached for a vvhole year at Antioch together vvith Barnabas In his fourth Paul carried the Almes of the faithfull from Antioch to Jerusalem because of the Famine foretold by Agabus Thence returning to Antioch he vvas sent vvith Barnabas to preach the Gospel in Asia In this fourth then and the fifth year of Claudius he preached Christ in Cyprus Pamphylia Pisidia Iconium Lystra and Dâ—rbo and returned to Antioch In the sixth he vvas sent from Antioch to Jerusalem to the Council vvith Barnabas vvhence returning to Antioch he reprehended Peter vvho came thither a little after him for his dissembling and not long after vvent vvith Silas into Asia to confirm the Churches he had founded In the seventh of Claudius he preached Christ in Crete and through Pisidia Pamphylia and Phrygia visited the Churches converted the Galatians to the Faith In the eighth he came to Troas and thence into Macedonia vvhere at Philippi as also at Thessalonica at Beraea and then at Athens he preached the Gospel About the end of the ninth year he came to Corinth where he found Aquila and Pricilla with whom he staied half a year preaching the Gospel and thence wrote both his Epistles to the Thessalonians In the eleventh year he came from Corinth to Ephesus with Aquila and Priscilla whom there leaving he went to Jerusalem to the Feast Thence he returned to Antioch and Ephesus through Phrygia Galatia and the higher parts of Asia Being at Ephesus in the twelfth year there he continued two years till the tumult raised by Demetrius Hence he wrote his Epistle to the Galatians the former also to the Corinthians and to Titus but about the end of the following year as also the first to Timothy About the end also of the thirteenth year or the beginning of the following he came into Macedonia and Achaia to receive the collections to be caried to Jerusalem And hence from Corinth being to passe into Asia he wrote his Epistle to the Romans about the end of the following year About the end also of the fourteenth year he was imprisoned at Jerusalem And being caried to Caesarea was there kept prisoner by Felix for two years Concerning the Chronology of these accounts Ludovicus Cappellus is by Students to be consulted in his Historia Apostolica Illustrata 22. St. Peter the Apostle is reported in the second year of Claudius to have come to Rome having been formerly Bishop of Antioch in which Sea he was succeeded by Evodius one of the 70
in vain seeking to escape hid themselves in caves and privies The Romans entering put all to the Sword and burnt the houses with all that fled to them for safeguard Titus commanded both the Temple and City to be utterly razed by a plow brought over them Titus commandeth the Temple and City to be utterly razed according to the custom onely the West part of the wall with three Towers for their strength and beauty he preserved A. D. 71. Ol. 212. an 2. V. C. 823. to bear testimony of the statelinesse of the City to posterity They would have crowned him as a Conquerour for this work but he refused the honour denying he was the author of it for that he onely served God herein who by it demonstrated his wrath against the Jews To such an end came this famous City on the eighth day of September in the second year of Vespasian he and Titus his son being Consuls 38 years after the death of Christ the Blood of whom now fell heavy upon them It had been taken in all six times by Asochaeus or Shishack King of Aegypt Nebuchadnesar Antiochus Epiphanes Pompey Herod and Sosius and now by Titus but twice onely was it destroyed viz. by Nebuchadnezar and Titus It was first built saith Josephus by Melchisedeck King of Salem and afterwards inlarged by David It was destroyed by the Babylonians 1468 years and six moneths after the founding of it and 477 years and six moneths after it had been taken by David from the Canaanites By Titus Vespasian it was destroyed 1179 years after David took it but from it's first founding to it's last destruction intervened 2177 years 20. John and Simon having hid themselves were taken and the former being condemned to perpetual prison the other was reserved for a Triumph The rest of the thieves and seditious were discovered one telling of another and were all slain Of those which during the whole War were taken captives the number amounted to 97000 and of those that perished in the siege to 1100000. ' o heavy was the guilt which lay on them for the death of Christ and such were the horrid enormities committed by them that we have reason to agree with Josephus who thought Lib. 6. c. 16. that if the Romans had delayed to come against them the City would either have been swallowed up of the Earth or have perished by some Deluge or else by Thunderbolts and Lightning have undergone the punishments of Sodom whose Inhabitants they exceeded in wickednesse A year after was Lucilius Bassus sent Lieutenant into Judaea Idem l. 7. c. 25 26 28 29 30 31. who taking the Army of Cerealis Vitellianus took the Castle of Herodian and of Machaerun beyond Jordan Not long after Vespasian wrote to Liberius Maximus the Governour to sell all the Land of the Jews upon whom wheresoever they lived he imposed a yearly tribute to be paied into the Capitol it being that they were wont to pay into the Temple at Jerusalem The War finished by Sylva About a year after Publius Sylva succeeded Bassus then dead and finished the War taking the strong Castle of Massada from Eleazar who held it with 960 hacksters who upon his motion set fire on the Castle and all their goods and then killed themselves Many such as these flying out of the Country came to Alexandria in Aegypt where they sollicited the Jews to revolt but were by them delivered up to the Romans and those of them that then escaped were afterwards taken Vespasian hearing of their attempt gave order to Lupus Governour of Alexandria The Temple of the Jews in Aegypt destroyed to demolish the Temple of the Jews built in Aegypt in times past by Onias brother of the High-Priest which he neglecting to do onely spoiled it of some consecrated things and shut it up But Paulinus his Successor utterly bereaved it of all and so shut it up that he made it inaccessible and without any shew of Religion 343 years after it was first built by Onias 21. But the Jews of Cyrene were also infected with a distemper of madnesse There one Jonathan a Weaver led many of the simple sort into the Wildernesse promising to shew them signs and wonders but by the chiefest of the Jews the matter being discovered to Catullus Governour of those parts A sedition of the Jews in Cyrene he sent Soldiers who slew most of them and not long after Jonathan himself was taken Catullus a covetous man procured him and others to accuse many unjustly whom having slain and seized on their estates he caried him to Rome where following the same trade Joseph the Historian was also accused but Vespasian having found out the deceit caused Jonathan first to be whipped and then burnt alive Catullus at present escaped through the mildnesse of the Emperour but not long after fell into grievous anguish of mind imagining he saw the ghosts of those he had slain and his bowels rotted away from him that he died miserably Thus far hath Josephus communicated to us the affairs of the Jews Vide Euseb Eccles Hist l. 3. c. 9 16. who being kindly entertaind by Vespasian was honoured with a Statue and his Books were thought worthy of the publick Library For the truth of his History concerning the Wars he had the testimony of the Emperours King Agrippa and others Titus would have the certain knowledge of these Wars delivered unto the World by his Books onely The end of Josephus his History Josephus contra Apionem lib. 1. Antiquit. l. ult c. ult commanding them to be published with the privilege of his own hand And King Agrippa wrote 62 Epistles wherein he testified of the true History delivered by him But his Jewish Antiquities he finished not till the thirteenth of Domitian when he himself was 56 years old as he testifieth at the end of that Work The Lex Regia renewed in behalf of Vespasena 22. To Vespasian was renewed the Lex Regia and the same power that Augustus Tiberius and the rest enjoyed was confirmed to him as hereditatr A fragment of this Law which evinceth that absolute power we formerly proved to have been in the Emperours is yet extant after this manner Let it be lawful for him to make a League with whom he pleaseth as it was lawful to Divus Augustus Tiberius Julius Caesar Augustus and Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus The Lex Regia renewed to Vespasian c. As also to hold the Senate make report dismisse and make Senatus Consulta by reporting and separation as it was lawful to Divus Augustus Tib. Julius Caesar Augustus Tib. Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus Moreover when as by his will authority Ex tabula aenea in basilica Lateranensi alta palmos 9. lata 5 digitos 3 crassa in Inscrip Gruteri pag. 242. Et ex Antiq. Epigrammatum libro apud Hottomannum l. de Legibus Romanis command or mandate or he being present the
bestowed on them what his father had been unjustly scraping together for eighteen years Then falling like a savage beast into cruel courses he cut off all Geta's friends and acquaintance all the Senators of any considerable rank or wealth the Lieutenants and Governours of Provinces with the Vestal Nuns and set the Soldiers to kill the people beholding the Circensian Games After this going into Germany to please his Army he lived an hard and labouring life and thence passing into Thrace Olymp. 247. an 4. V.C. 965. A. D. 212. Bassiani 2. he there imitated Alexander the Great whom he ever much affected to talk of and pretended to emulate He went thence to Ilium were he counterfeited Achilles and so to Alexandria where he made the Inhabitants dearly repent of their rashnesse and folly 11. Being naturally given to much tatling they had formerly railed against him for his cruelty towards his brother and despised him for that being a man of so contemptible stature he compared himself to their Alexander Resolving then to be revenged on them he first entertained them very plausibly but afterwards drawing forth all the youth by a wile he compassed them in with his Army and killed them all After this desirous to become famous by some great exploit he sent to the Parthian for his Daughter and pretended that he himself would come and mary her whereby that King being perswaded to meet him with a great number of people he fell upon them and made a great slaughter for that they thought it needlesse to come armed to a wedding and Artabanus himself with difficulty escaped Getting here much booty and as he thought much glory he returned into Mesopotamia where he received punishment from above for his manifold cruelty There was one Opilius Macrinus an African born and one of his Captains whom he unworthily used This Macrinus receiving a letter from Maternianus directed to the Emperour who had commanded him to call together the Magicians and consult them about his end and whether any lay in wait for the Empire wherein Antoninus was advised to cut him off as aiming at the Soveraignty when he had ventured to open it perceiving that either he or his Master must dye and therefore procured one Martialis to kill him This man being inraged against the Emperour for that he had condemned his brother without sufficient hearing slew him as he was making water on the sixth of the Ides of April after he had reigned six years and two moneths in the first year of the 249 Olympiad A. V. C. 970. A. D. 217 Brutius Praesens and Extricatus being Consuls Amongst many others Caracallus put to death Papinianus the great Lawyer as it s said because he would not defend his paricide 12. In the first year of Severus that we may continue our method concerning Ecclesiastical matters died Victor Bishop of Rome Bishops on the fifth of the Calends of August and Zephirinus succeeded the fifteenth Bishop of that Sea according to Damasus In the last of Antoninus Bassianus Zepherinus died on the seventh before the Calends of September The Sea was vacant five dayes Then succeeded Callistus who therefore was elected the day before the Calends of September on the first feria After Dios Bishop of Jerusalem whom the Bishops of the neighbouring Churches had ordained after the departure of Narcissus Germanion succeeded Euseb Eccles Hist l. 6. c. 10. and after him Gordius in whose time Narcissus shewed himself again as if he had been risen from the dead and was intreated by the brethren to enjoy his Bishoprick being much marvelled at for his departure for his Philosophical course of life and especially for the vengance and plagues of God poured upon his accusers And because for his great age he was not able to supply the place Alexander Bishop of Cappadocia was joyned with him and governed alone after his death In the Church of Antioch Asclepiades was Bishop after Serapion about the first year of Caracalla and was succeeded by Philetus about the last of that Prince's reign 13. Upon Zepherinus Bishop of Rome falleth very foul Tertullian a Presbyter or Priest of Carthage in Africk for that he was more severe against such as through fear had sacrifized to Idols than against Whoremongers and Adulterers wherein not without cause truly saith Cappellus but yet without measure he blameth Zepherinus and the whole Roman Clergy the manners of whom were even now very corrupt if we may believe Tertullian But really not so much out of hatred to their vices as out of prejudice to the truth he calleth the Roman Clergy Psychicus Tertullian as well in his book de pudicitia as in that de monogamia which he thus beginneth Haeretici nuptias auferunt Psychici ingerunt He pretendeth therein onely to condemn second mariages but indeed most of his arguments respect both first and second although he himself had maried a wife and retained her in his Presbytery But mariage which he had learnt of the Orthodox to approve he learnt of Montanus to despise to whom he would have more revealed than to the Apostles because they as yet or for certain the Church could not bear the yoak of fastings and caelibate which Montanus brought in and he as a Montanist would inculcate This humour at length so possessed him that neither content with the title of Christian nor that of Presbyter he put on the Philosophick Pallium as a token of a more austere life wherein he would be eminent not onely amongst Christians but also Montanists The Africans either being amazed or laughing at this novelty he wrote an elegant but most obscure Book de pallio which before being miserably lacerated hath been of late dayes restored by the most learned Salmasius He wrote his Book de praescriptionibus about the eighth year of Commodus as Cappellus gathereth because in the end thereof making a Catalogue of Hereticks he mentioneth Theodotus who was censured by Victor Bishop of Rome for holding Christ to have been a meet man but not Artemon the Heretick who appeared shortly after 14. His book de corona militis acquainteth us with the occasion of the persecution of the Christians in the reign of Severus The Emperour ere he marched into the East in that Expedition wherein he overthrew the Parthians made his elder son his partner in the Tribunitial power and by his liberality pleased the People formerly inraged by the many punishments he inflicted By occasion of this liberality as it seemeth a Christian Soldier holding a certain garland or crown in his hand as if it were wickednesse for him to set it on his head as the rest did was asked why he did so and answered that he was a Christian This was the occasion of the Emperours rage About the fifteenth of Severus he wrote against the Mancionites whom he so impugneth as yet underhand he inculcareth his Montâ—nism For saith he Amongst us spiritual reason derived from the Comforter perswadeth in the Faith