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
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
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
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
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
his Passion and Resurrection to Tiberius and the Senate with the miracles done by him or by them in his name and how the multitude of believers daily increasing he was accounted a God Tiberius hereupon reported the matter to the Senate with his favourable suffrage that Christ might be accounted a God But the Senate because they were displeased that they had not first moved it refused to canonize him and by an Edict commanded that Christians should be banished the City especially by reason that Seianus the great minister of State most obstinately contradicted this Religion But Tiberius by another Edict threatened death to the accusers of Christians These things thus related by (a) Lib. 7. c. 4. Orosius are also witnessed by (b) Ecc. Hist l. 2. c. 2. Eusebius Tertullian and Justin Martyr whereof the testimonies of the two later are incontrolable for in their Apologies they durst not mention such things and cite such testimonies as they must needs know would be easily confuted 84. (a) Apologet. c. 5. Tertullian writeth that Tiberius referred it to the Senate with the prerogative of his own suffrage but they having not approved the thing refused it Caesar notwithstanding remained firm in his resolution and threatned such as should accuse the Christians This he openly asserteth in his Apology to the Pagans writing also in another (b) Cap. 21. place of the same excellent Work that Pilate who in his heart believed in Christ at the same time wrote all the History of him to the Emperour Tiberius whereupon the Caesar ' s themselves had worshipped our Master if their Government in so doing had been consistent with the men of this World and Christians permitted to have been saluted Caesars He giveth another reason why Christ was not at first worshipped as a God There was an antient Law that forbad introducing new ceremonies into Religion as worshipping strange Deities unlesse approved by the Senate and this was an unviolable and unalterable Law to which the Prince himself was subject He instanceth that Marcus Aemilius would have had divine honours rendred to his Idol called the god Albarnus but could not obtain it As for Justin Martyr he maketh it more evident telling plainly the Pagans in his second Aplogy that they may know these things thus to have been in the Acts which were written under Pontius Pilate and again that they might know that Christ wrought such miracles from the Acta or Acts made under Pontius Pilate Now the word Acta signifieth sometimes the Journal Book of the Senate then called Acta Senatus and otherwhiles the Records of the People or of the Publick then named Acta Publica De Actis consulant omaino Tirones Justum Lipsium in Comment ad Taciti Annal. lib. 5. Diurna and Urbana In the former sort was contained whatsoever was done or said by the Fathers In the later things concerning the People as Publick Judgments punishments Assemblies buildings nativities the death of eminent persons mariages and divorces These afforded matter for Historians to digest and adorn Now Justin Martyr either meaneth those Acta Publica wherein might be recorded what notable things hapned in the Provinces and set under the administration of the several Deputies or Governours or rather those Acta which Pilate himself composed in his Province For we cannot but imagine that care would be taken for the recording of things memorable as well in other places as in the City it self The Provinces had their Subcensors and their Tables And the Presidents and Deputies not onely certified by letters occasionally what happened but as we may easily apprehend did refer in Acta all memorable things which were sent to Rome and there it 's probable either transcribed into or laid up with the Acta Publica But thus much of the testimonies of Jews and Heathens concerning Christ 85. the Lord Jesus having risen the third day from the dead and after his resurrection given commission and instructions to his Disciples whom he ordained his Ambassadors to the whole World forty dayes after he arose ascended into Heaven The Ascension of Christ and sent down the Holy Ghost upon his Disciples according to his promise for the furnishing of them to the Work ten dayes after his ascension Many being converted to the Faith the Church increased and living in Love and Unity together they had all things common none calling any thing his own which he possessed About the end of the year as is rationally computed the Greeks or Hellenists Jews which living out of Judaea spake Greek in a peculiar dialect which is called Hellenistick and used the Scriptures in their Synagogues in that language murmured against the Hebrews or those who both read and spoke Hebrew for that their widdows were neglected in the daily ministration Hereupon the Apostles committed it to the number of the faithful to chuse seven men who should take care of what was gathered for the poor The seven Deacons made and these Ecclesiastical Writers call Deacons About this time James the Apostle the son of Alphaeus who is also called the brother of the Lord and was sirnamed Just was created the first Bishop of Jerusalem For thus Clemens wrote in the sixth Book of his Hypotyposewn as he is cited by Eusebius Peter and James and John though they were preferred after the ascension of the Lord contended not amongst themselves for glory and honour but with one consent appointed James the Just Bishop of Jerusalem The same Clemens in his first Book distinguished thus concerning the two which bore the name of James There were two James James the first Bishop of Jerusalem the one termed Just who was thrown down headlong from the pinacle and brained with a Fullers club the other beheaded Of him that was called Just Paul made mention saying I saw none of the Apostles save James the brother of the Lord. In the year following Christ's resurrection a great persecution was raised by the Jews against the Church wherein Stephan one of the seven Deacons and the Protomartyr was stoned to death by the procurement especially of Saul a Jew of Tarsus in Cilicia But in this same year as this Saul was journying to Damascus to make havock of the Church he was converted and called to the Apostleship A. D 33. Ol. 203. an 1. V. C. 787. after which he went from Damascus into Arabia as he himself testifieth in his Epistle to the Galathians Saul converted Pilate making a slaughter of the Samaritans Eusebius in his Chronicon placeth the conversion of Saul afterwards called Paul in the nineteenth year of Tiberius 86. About this time it happened that a certain man who sought by all means the favour of the multitude Joseph Antiq. l. 18. c. 5. drew the Samaritans to Mount Gerizim which they accounted holy above all other mountains promising to shew them there the holy Vessels buried in a certain place by Moses Many had gathered themselves to the foot of
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
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
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
year of the life of Noah God seeing all flesh to have corrupted it selfe and as well the posterity of Seth as that of Cain to be given up to all wickednesse it repented him that he had made Man He resolved not alwaies to strive with him yet gave him the space of 120 years to repent in If no amendment appeared in that time he fully determined by an universall Deluge to destroy Man and Beast with the creeping thing and the Fowls of the air Yet Noah a just man found grace in his sight Noah and his family preserved in the Ark. and being a Preacher of righteousnesse to the wicked World the Lord was graciously pleased to make choice of him and his family to be a remnant and a seed out of which Mankind and his Church might be propagated and repaired He commanded him to build an Ark of * Some interpret it Cedar others Cypress than which no wood is stronger of which the doors of the Temple of Ephesus were made the coffins of those that died in the service of their Country Jupiter's scepter ships in Babylon and Assyria Gopher wood into which he was to take his wife his sons and their wives with some of every living thing of all flesh of the clean by seven and the unclean by two On (e) Vide Ludov Capellum in Chronologia sacra the tenth day of the second Month he commanded him to bring the living Creatures into the Ark The order of the Deluge On the seventh after he entred it and on the same day the rain began to fall and so continued for 40. dayes and as many nights For 150 dayes the waters prevailed upon the Earth reckoned from the first fall thereof insomuch that fifteen Cubits upward the Mountains were covered and all flesh died that moved upon the Earth both of Fowl and of Cattel and Beast and of every Creeping thing that creepeth upon the Earth and every Man But God remembring Noah and every living thing and all the Cattell that was with him in the Ark after the fourty dayes the windows of Heaven were stopped and the rain from Heaven was restrained and at the end of 110 more which make up the 150 the waters were abated This fell out on the 29th day of the 7th moneth and the 196 of the year consisting of Lunar moneths or the 17th day of the 7th moneth if they were Solar The Ark resteth on Ararat 6. On the 17 th day of the 7th moneth the Ark rested upon the Mountains of Ararat according to the Hebrew if in this place the version of the 70th and Hierome in the vulgar be not rather to be credited which have the 27th seeing it is not probable that the Ark should rest the same day or two dayes before the waters began to decrease On the first day of the 10th moneth were the tops of the Mountains seen and fourty dayes after Noah sent forth a Raven which went to and fro untill the waters were dried up from off the earth The Raven returning no more unto him seven dayes after he sent forth a Dove to see if the waters were abated which finding no rest for the sole of her foot returned unto him He stay'd yet other seven dayes and again sent forth the Dove which in the evening brought in her mouth an Olive leaf so that he knew the waters to be abated Then seven other dayes passed he sent her out the third time and she returned not to him any more the waters being now so much faln that the ordinary Hills might be uncovered wherein she might continue and feed although the Plains and Vallies were still overwhelmed On the first day of the first moneth of the 601 year of Noah's life the waters were dried from off the face of the earth yet so as it still remained moist and dirty having been so long a time soaked with such quantity of moisture Therefore he stay'd yet 55 dayes more till the 27th day of the second moneth before he went out of the Ark so much time having been requisite for drying the ground especially in low places and for the growth of grasse and other things necessary for the sustenance of living Creatures which had now continued in the Ark 365 dayes or a full solar year which exceedeth the lunar eleven dayes Where Ararat is 7. The Ark rested upon the Mountains of Ararat Vide Bochaâ—ti Phaleg lib. 1. cap. 3. by which place most understand Armenia rejecting the pretended Verses of Sibylla which place it upon a Mountain of Phrygia near to the Citie Celaenae and out of which the two Rivers Marsyas and Meander do issue Some will have it to have rested about Araxene a Plain of Armenia through which the River Araxes runneth by the foot of the Mountain Taurus But the far greater number consisting both of Heathens Jews and Christians pitch upon the Mountains of the Gordyaans otherwise called Carduchi Cardiaei Cordyaei Cordueni Gordi Cordaei Curdi c. the Hill it self being variously named Kardu Cardon Kurud Kardynus Cordyaeus c. What Hill soever it was it must have stood Eastward of the Countrey of Shinar or Babylonia and the Vine must have naturally grown there upon which and other accounts these Gordyaean Mountains are rejected by a learned (*) Sir Walter Raleigh lib. 1. cap. 7. Sect. 10. Writer of modern times who affirmeth that Ararat named by Moses is not any one Hill so called no more than any one Hill among those Mountains which part Italy from France is called the Alpes and will have the same ledge of Hills running from Armenia to India to keep the same name all along and even in India to be called Ararat For that the best Vine naturally groweth on the South-side of the Mountains Caucasi and because of other excellencies of that soyl he thinketh it most probable that Noah there setled himself and planted his Vineyard And he alloweth best of the opinion of Goropius Becanus The Testimony of the Heathen concerning Noah's Flood who conceived the Ark to have rested on the highest Mountains of that part of the World 8. Of this Deluge a tradition remained amongst the Heathen (e) Josephus Antiqu. lib. 1. cap. 3. Berosus the Caldaean Priest of Belus and contemporary with Alexander the Great wrote of the Ark's resting upon the Cordyaean Mountains of Armenia and how those that came to see the Reliques of it which yet were to be seen in his time plucked off some pitch which they used to carry about them as an Antidote against infection Hierome the Aegyptian who wrote the Antiquities of Phoenicia related the same besides Mnaseas and many others amongst whom Nicolas of Damascus is considerable who in his 96 book spake of the Hill Baris in the Countrey of the Mynians a people in Armenia upon which many saved themselves in a Deluge and one being carried thither in an Ark there rested who might saith he be the
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
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
the names of their men places rivers c. do shew Therefore they judge it most probable that Abram speaking the Chaldaean language before which onely differeth in dialect from the Hebrew got both the name and language after his arrival in the Land of Canaan The Heathen (f) Artapanus apud Euseb Charax apud Stephanum Writers thought them to have been called Hebrews from Abraham as corrupted from Abrahaeans out of ignorance of the language Augustine also once inclined to this opinion which he afterwards renounced 7. Abram after his victory over the Kings Retractat l. 2. c. 16. received a more large promise from God who ingaged to become to him a shield and a sufficient reward and for that it troubled him to go childlesse to give him issue Gen. 15. from which should proceed an innumerable posterity that inhabiting a strange Land four hundred years was to return and possesse this of Canaan when the iniquity of the Amorites would be full in the fourth Generation Chap. 16. This League made betwixt God and Abram was confirmed by Sacrifice yet Sarai Ismael born seeing her self barren perswaded her husband to go in unto Hagar her handmaid of which he had a son born to him and named Ismael in the eleventh year after his coming into Canaan Chap. 17. the 86 of his Age and of the World the 2094. In the 13th year after A. M. 2094. God made another Covenant with him concerning the seed of Isaack who was to be born the year following and Circumcision was instituted as a seal thereof Abraham and Sarah Now whereas his name before was Abram or an High-father it was changed into Abraham or Father of a great multitude And Sarai which signifieth My Princesse or Lady as of one family was altered into Sarah or a Princesse absolute as of many Nations Not long after God made known to Abraham his purpose to destroy Sodom and the other Cities for their abominable wickednesse He interceded hard for them Sodom c. destroyed but there being not so many as five righteous persons in Sodom God having taken care for Lot and his family rained fire and brimstone down upon the Cities which together with the Plain were utterly destroyed onely Bela was spared for Lot's sake who fled thither Of the rest the Dead Sea into which the ground was converted reremaineth a lasting Monument to this day Vide John Bistelium Jesuetam de Illustribus ruinis In this Sea or Lake no living Creature is bred having nothing but a Sulphureous matter thence taken in great quantities It is described to be 72 miles in length and 19 in breadth Nigh to it fair and pleasant Apples grow which being touched turn into a Sulphureous vapour and a tradition remained amongst the Heathen of these Cities being destroyed * Lege Tacitum Histor l 5. with Thunder and Lightning from Heaven Lot's wife after she had got out of Sodom looked back and was turned into a Pillar of Salt His two daughters thinking all mankind to have perished made their father drunk and lay with him from which incestuous copulation came Moab and Ammon fathers of the Moabites and Ammonites two great and powerfull Nations Gen. 20. 8. A little after in the same year Abraham having continued in the Plain of Mamre about eighteen years departed unto Gerar the Metropolis of the Philistins where hapned the same thing concerning his wife A. M. 2108. as formerly had done in Aegypt Abimelech the King having taken her into his house Isaak born who therefore was plagued till he restored her with large gifts Chap. 21. The year being precisely finished Sarah bare to him Isaac so called because he laughed when God made mention of it to him he being now an hundred years old and she ninety four hundred before the departure of his posterity out of Aegypt At the weaning of Isaack Sarah seeing Ismael mocking procured him and his mother to be banished the house God bidding Abraham fulfill her desire herein and promising to make of him a great Nation When Isaack was grown up though of what Age is not expressed Chap. 22. some guessing thirty years others unprobably ten or twelve because he must have been of sufficient strength to carry wood God to try his father's faith commanded him to Offer him up for a burnt-offering on Mount Moriah where afterwards the Temple of Solomon stood He out of obedience went about to do it but God accepting his will for a performance renewed his promise to him Sarah dieth Sarah died aged 127 years Chap. 23. and after her death Abraham married another wife called Keturah by which he had other six sons To those he gave gifts and before his death sent them away from Isaack the Heir of the promise Isaac married 9. When Isaack was fourty years old his father Chap. 24. procured him to wife Rebecca the daughter of Bethuel who was son to Nachor A. M. 2148. the brother of Abraham She married at fourteen years of Age according to the tradition of the Jews was barren twenty years Chap. 25. but then her husband beseeching God for her she brought * A.M. 2168. forth twins Esau and Jacob which strugled in her womb the elder being as God foretold to serve the younger Fiveteen years after Abraham died Abraham dyeth being 175 years old having sojourned in the Land of Canaan a hundred years 22 after the death of Sem four before that of Heber in the dayes of Inachus King of the Argives 1821 years before the Aera of Christ in the 2183 year of the World Of Abraham besides Artapanus and Charan before mentioned * Apud Joseph Antiq. lib. 1. cap. 7. Berosus the Caldaean had some knowledge though he named him not Hecataeus not onely made mention of him by the way but wrote an History of him Nicolaus Damascenus in the fourth book of his Histories related that Abraham a certain stranger reigned at Damascus having come from a Countrey about Babylon said to be that of the Chaldaeans That he departed thence with his people into the Land of Canaan afterwards called Judaea where his posterity grew very numerous concerning which he should speak in another place In Josephus his time the name of Abraham was famous at Damascenus where was shewn a certain Village called Abrahams dwelling 10. After the death of Abraham God blessed Isaack Gen. 26. and made the same Covenant with him In a time of Famine he also sojourned in Gerar where dissembling concerning Rebecca his wife the same thing happened to them as formerly to Abraham and Sarah from another Abimelech which name was common to all the Kings of the Philistins Ismael dieth Some years after Ishmael died aged 137 years 48 after his father in the year of the World 2231. From his eldest son Nebaioth His posterity descended the Nabathaeans who (g) Strabo l.
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
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
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
thirteen years and him Amenophis who reigned 21 under whom Jacob died To him succeeded Mephres according to Eusebius but Manethon after him placeth his Sister Amesses or Amerses to which he giveth 21 years and 9 moneths After this reigned Mephres twelve years Mephramuthosis 26 and Thuthmosis or Thmosis 9. After him followed Amenophis otherwise called Palmanothis and Phamenophis who reigned 31 years and by some is accounted that Memnon whose image of stone at Thebes in Aegypt sounded like an Harp when the Sun-beams first in the morning beat upon it which is witnessed by many Authors of good credit To him succeeded Orus or Horus who reigned 38 years and to him Acenchres who reigned 12. Manetho maketh Acenchres the Daughter of Orus and giveth to her 12 years and one moneth after her he bringeth in Rathâ—tis her Brother to whom he giveth 9 yeas But after Acencheres Eusebius placeth Achoris and giveth to him but 7 years to whom succeeded Cenchres the twelfth King who being more wicked than his Praedecessors oppressed the Israelites most grievously and continued eighteen years in his tyranny A.M. 2508. till an end was put to it in the Red Sea The Israelites afflicted in Aegypt 9. Above Eighty years had they vexed the Israelites with insupportable burthens notwithstanding which they grew and increased exceedingly nay although order was given to drown all the Male Children lest growing too numerous they might in time of War joyn with their enemies else get them out of the Land with an high hand or because of a Praediction mentioned by Josephus that an Hebrew should be born who was to afflict and overthrow the Aegyptians That the Jews lived amongst them is ever acknowledged by their Historians accounting it an honour as all Nations do to have sent forth Colonies But to take away disgrace and to save the honour of their Country which to the Priests was ever most solemn abhominable lyes have been made and strange stories devised concerning their first coming into Aegypt and especially about their departure which briefly to relate seemeth agreeable enough to the nature of our design 10. Manetho an Aegyptian Priest and Historian pretending to describe the Originall of the Jews relateth that in the dayes of one of their Kings In 2º Aegyptiac apud Josephum lib. 1. contr Apionem Timaus by name Manetho his Lyes concerning the Originall of the Jews a certain ignorant people called Hycsos which signifieth Royall Shepherds or Captives as he himself interpreteth it from the Eastern parts with great confidence invaded Aegypt which easily obtaining without any force of Arms they burnt the City and Temples and raged against the Natives with Sword and Servitude At length they made them a King of their own stock named Saltis who coming down into the Country about Memphis imposed a Tribute upon the upper and neather Province and put Garrisons in convenient places Especially he took care of the Eastern Coasts being jealous of the Power of the Assyrians so that in the Principality of Sais Eastward from the River Bubastis he built up a City called antiently Anaris which fortifying with most strong walls he therein placed a Garrison of 240000 Men. When he had reigned nineteen years he gave place to Baeon who governed 44 after him Apachnas 36 with seven moneths then Apochis 61 Janias 50 and one moneth then Assis 49. Under those six first Kings they sore oppressed and endeavoured utterly to destroy Aegypt and 511 years had they power over it Afterwards the Kings of the Province of Thebes and the remaining part of Aegypt fell on them with a great and lasting War and by a King named Alisfragmuthosis were they overcome and driven up into a place containing the quantity of 10000 Akers of ground called Auaris The Son of this King Themosis by name attempted the taking of this place besieging it with 480000 Men but dispairing of successe agreed with them that leaving Aegypt they should go whither else they pleased so that departing with all their goods to the number of 240000 persons they travelled through the Desart into Syria for that they feared the Assyrians who then obtained the Empire of Asia and built them a City in the Country afterwards called Judaea which might suffice for so many thousands and named it Jerusalem 11. To this history taken out of the antient records Manetho addeth as he confesseth fabulous reports rife amongst the Vulgar mixing with the Israelites a multitude of Aegyptians languishing with Leprosie and other diseases which he relateth as having forgotten that the Shepherds left Aegypt 518 years before as may be gathered from the series of the Kings and the distance of time betwixt Themusis who reigned when the Shepherds departed and Amenophis under whom the Lepers went out the time of whose reign neither dareth he to define though he be exact in the years of other Princes as Josephus noteth Now this Amenophis forsooth was told by a Priest of the same name That he might see the gods if he would cleanse his Kingdom from Lepers and other unclean persons He being a very religious Man gathered all the infirm out of the Land to the number of 80000 whom he sent with others to cut stones on the East of the River Nile there being amongst them also some of the learned Priests infected with Leprosie Because favour was shewed towards them the Priest who would have had them destroyed feared much the displeasure of the gods as well against himself as the King and foreseeing they should have power over Aegypt for thirteen years he durst not tell the King so much but wrote a Book concerning the matter and then killed himself which cast the King you must know into a great melancholly 12. But being still desired to do something for the security of the diseased people he gave them Avaris the City of the Shepherds now not inhabited whither being entred and perceiving the place to be very advantagious for rebellion they made choice of Osarsiphus one of the Priests of Heliopolis for their Captain swearing to obey him in all things He presently established for Law that they should not worship the gods nor abstain from such creatures as were most sacred to the Aegyptians to marry with none but those that were tied to them by the same league and commanding many other things especially such as he knew contrary to Aegyptian customs he prepared for War Then sent he to the Shepherds at Jerusalem formerly expelled by Themusis to open their condition to them and to invite them to give their assistance against Egypt The Shepherds readily closed with the motion and all to the number of 200000 marched down to Avaris Amenophis much startled hereat especially because of the Praediction of the Priest committed his Son but five years old to a Friend and together with Apis and his other gods went into Aethiopia where he was received with all his multitudes of Subjects and was kindly entertained by the King who
Nephew or Grand-son to the former Some think Joseph some Moses the true Mercury What ever he was his Works lost and * Translated by Facinus Apulcâ—us those yet extant shew him to have been a Man very well skilled in true Divinity and have gained him the credit to be numbred amongst the Prophets and Sibylls for that he wrote many things of God worthy of admiration nay also it 's believed of the coming of Christ of the Trinity and the last Judgement Of the Learning of the Egyptians he is (n) Jamblichus said to have written 36525 Books if Pages be not rather meant hereby And (o) Clemens Stromat l. 6. telleth us that in his time were extant 36 of his Books viz. of the wisdom of the Egyptians sixteen of Physick six of the Orders of Priests ten and four of Astrology The antient Government of Egypt 35. The most antient Government of Aegypt though Monarchicall yet left not Princes to the liberty of their own wills which were restrained by the Laws and Customs that had such authority over their private and domestick actions as they could not exceed the bounds of Temperance and Moderation prescribed to them thereby For no slaves were they suffered to entertain which might prove instruments for debaucherie but were attended by the Sons of the most noble Priests excellently educated Their hours both night and day were destined and set over to particular businesses In the morning when first awake Letters were brought in to them that having perfect intelligence they might be better able to provide for the publick safety When washed and royally apparelled they sacrificed during which devotion the chief Priests prayed for them and their subjects extolled their vertues cursing at last their sins of ignorance committed without their faults and reflecting upon their Advisors and Councellors Then did the Priests read out of the Records famous Presidents of Council or Action performed by their most Illustrious Predecessors which were to them proposed as Copies to take out Their time was prescribed not onely of speaking to the people and distributing Justice but also of walking washing and other more secret imployments Their diet was very moderate usually Veal and Goose with a moderate quantity of Wine as if ordered by an exact Physician No liberty was there of punishing any man in passion or choler either of acting any otherwise unjustly every case being determined by the Laws Yet neither did they hereby account themselves straitned of true liberty but rather happy in that they indulged not their appetites like other men Hereby obtained they the love of their subjects who held them more dear alive or dead than their own relations and the Government continued for many Generations as long as they submitted to those Rules and Orders The divisions of the Land and its Inhabitants 36. Sesocsis or Sesostris divided Egypt into 36 Nomi which word Diodorus lib. 1. p. 35. c. Strabo l. 17. whether Greek or Egyptian signified several Cities with certain Villages and Grounds thereto belonging Of these 10 belonged to the Province of Thebes or to Thebais other 10 to Delta Aristot Oeconom lib. 2. and the rest to the Midland Countreys lying betwixt them all which had their several Nomarchae or Governours who ruled them and took care of the King's Tributes The Lands were divided into three portions whereof the first belonged to the Priests who were in great Authority Diodorus and high esteem with the people Of their Revenues they maintained Sacrifices throughout the Land and their own families being exempted from all burthenâ— and impositions They were chief Counsellors to the Kings alwayes assisting with their advice judging of things out of their deep skill in Astrology and suggesting usefull matter out of the Records their function hereditarily descending upon their Children The second portion of Land belonged to the Kings by which they maintained their State waged War rewarded deserving persons and which affording them sufficient Treasure they burthened not their Subjects by any Taxes The third portion belonged to the Souldiers who were at all occasions ready for the War it seeming reasonable that such as ventured their lives for the safety of their Countrey should be well rewarded and good policy not to commit the safeguard thereof to any that had nothing dear or precious in it and hereby they were incouraged to be carefull in behoof of their posterity which succeeded them in their possessions As for the rest of the people they were divided into three Ranks or Orders viz. Shepheards Husband-men that farmed the grounds and Artificers who all attending their businesse and not medling with State-affaires neither having any right to Offices thereby the more improved their Arts and saved the Commonwealth harmlesse from such distempers as are bred by the violence of an heady and ignorant multitude The Courts of Justice 37. Their Courts of Justice were furnished with the most upright and able men that could be procured Thirty Judges were chosen from Heliopalis or On Thebes and Memphis each of them 10. Which Assembly would not give place either to that of the Areopagites at Athens or the Senate at Lacedaemon One of these thirty being chosen President the Citie for which he served made choice of another to sit in his place All had maintenance from the King but the President in larger proportion who also wore about his neck in a Chain of Gold an image of Truth made of precious stones as a badge of his Office When they were sate and the Codes wherein the Laws were contained laid before them then the Plaintiff exhibited his Bill of the Crime the manner of it and the estimate of the dammage The Defendant having a Copy of the Bill answered particularly to it either that he did not the thing committed no Crime in doing it or else had not deserved so great a punishment The Plaintiff had liberty to reply and the other to rejoyn his answer but after this the 30 proceeded to judgement and the President set the image of Truth towards one of the parties No Lawyers were suffered to plead as being thought rather to cast a mist upon the Cause and darken the Evidence Particular Laws 38. As for particular Laws Perjury was punished with death as a great offence both against God and man If one man suffered another to be murdred in the high-way or undergo any other violence without giving his assistance he was to die for it and if he could give him no help he was bound to discover the Robber and follow the Law against him under pain of enduring a certain number of stroaks and being deprived of all sustenance for three dayes False accusers underwent the punishment due to that fault they accused of Every one was bound to give in an account to the Magistrate how he lived under pain of death which Law was made by Amasis Wilfull murder either of Bond or Free was death
onely this Law took no hold on Parents but such were constrained to continue three dayes imbracing the Carkeises Against Children who killed their Parents most exquisite punishment was devised for having first their flesh all cut and slashed and then being laid upon Thorns they were burnt quick Women condemned were not executed before their delivery For other Laws not-Capital it was enacted that Souldiers running from their Colours or disobeying their Officers should not dye but be branded with infamy as a means to excite them to regain their former credit If any held intelligence with the Enemy his Tongue was to be cut of his head They that imbased the Coyn used new weights counterfeited Seals Clarks that falsified and forged Records were to loose their hands Ravishment of a free woman was punished with the losse of the Members Adultery of the man with 1000 stroaks with a Rod of the woman with the losse of her Nose 39. Bocchoris enacted that he who denied the borrowing of any money should be absolved upon his Oath which was accounted as a sufficient purgation a mans credit being so much therein concerned Usury upon Bond was not to exceed the double of the principal for which it was lawfull to distrain the goods but in no wise to meddle with the person of the debtor that was owing to his Countrey and not due to his Creditor especially if a Souldier the common safety suffering in him Upon this account they were wont to scoff as the Lawgivers of Greece who forbade seizing upon Plows Weapons and other things but suffered those that should use them to be carried away and imprisoned For stealing they had a peculiar Law Every Thief entered his name with the Chief of that mystery and when he had stoln any thing carried it streight to him where if any one could tell the time and place and prove it by certain tokens to be his he was to pay the fourth part of the value and receive it again the Law-giver thinking this the best remedy against what otherwise could not be prevented The Law-givers of Egypt 40. The first man that gave Laws to the Egyptians was Mnevis perswading the people to receive them because they were communicated to him by Mercury The second was Sasyches who amongst other Laws instituted those concerning religion and being a man of great learning taught Geometry and Astronomy 3. Sesostris who as he excelled all others in military glory so he made Laws for the Discipline of War 4. Bocchoris a wise and prudent man several of whose Apothegms were a long time preserved in the memories of men 5. Amasis who much amended the whole policy of Egypt his rare wisdom having preferred him to that high Dignity for which also being admired abroad as well as at home he was resorted to by some out of Greece as an Oracle Lastly Darius the son of Hystaspes King of Persia Particular customs of the Egyptians 41. As for particular Customs The Egyptians married as many wives as they pleased posterity being with them a thing of greatest consequence except the Priests vvho vvere allowed but one apiece Children born of bond-vvomen and free vvere alike respected and equally legitimate the father by them being onely accounted the author of Generation the mother affoarding but place and nourishment to the Child in which respect also contrary to the custom of other Nations those Trees that bare fruit they accounted Males and the barren ones Females Their Children they educated exceeding hardly the expence of bringing one up not exceeding twenty drachms Each Child succeeded his Father in his Trade or course of life All sorts had some kind of learning especially such as conduced to their callings Musick was neglected by them as rendring men effeminate Once a moneth they used to purge or use some Medicinal course for their health With them no Physician was found as Herodotus writeth who professed the Art of curing the whole body but one was for the head alone another for the eyes and so for the other parts all which yet as Diodorus hath it were nourished of the publick and bound to observe Methods and Medecines prescribed them in books which if they altered or changed upon the miscarriage of the Patient they forfeited their lives together with their credit 42. Such was the constitution of the Egyptian Commonwealth as they themselves related which from some gaineth little credit this constitution of policy hardly agreeing with the manners of those Kings that built the Pyramids so that to them this excellent model of Government seemeth to be of the same nature and credit with the * Vide Judicium Jacob. Cappelli in Hist saern Exotica ad A. M. 1931. Cyropaedia of Xenophon This is observable that according to this constitution the propriety in the Land was carried from that form wherein it was left by Joseph who purchased all the Land except that of the Priests for Pharoh and made the King absolute Lord thereof Their ridiculous superstition The fond and ridiculous superstition which possessed this people above others taketh off much from its reputation That sordid and degenerate humour of consecrating with such blind earnestnesse Bulls Sheep Dogs Cats Ichneumons Ibis Gossehawks Eagles Goats Wolves Crocodiles * Porrum aut caepe nefas violare aut frangere morsu O Sanctas gentes quibus haec nascuntur in hortis Numina Juvenal Satyr 15.2.9 plants that grew in their Gardens and other things is so abominable at the first sight as none of their pretences can give thereto the least shew of reason in the opinion of a man but ordinarily qualified with the light of Nature Ah! what a thing is man devoid of Grace Adoring Garlick with an humble face Begging his food of that which he may eat Starving the while he worshippeth his meat Who makes a Root his God How low is he If God and man be sever'd infinitely What wretchednesse can give him any room Whose house is foul while he adores his Broom None will believe this now though mony be In us the same transplanted foolety Mr. Herbert in his Church Militant CHAP. V. The most Ancient state and condition of Greece during the Babylonian Empire with a Description of its Kingdoms and Common-wealth SECT I. The State of Greece in General 1. THe most Ancient common name of the inhabitants of this Countrey is more agreeable to the Roman Appellations of Graii Graeci and Grajugenae than that whereby they have rather chosen to call themselves viz. Hellenes For till * Vide Apolled lib. 1. c. 21. Thucyd. l. 1. in praefat Aristot de Meteoris l. 1. such time as Hellen the son of Deucalion reigned in Thessaly which hapned some years after the Deucalionean Deluge no such name as the later was known From him his Subjects who inhabited that part of Thessaly Whence the Greeks were called Hellenes being betwixt the two Rivers * Strabo l. 8. p. 383. A. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
p. 401. but the Aeonae upon their submission were suffered to continue and imbodie themselves amongst the Phoenicians Here he married Harmonia the daughter of Mars and Venus agreeable to which alliance the gods are said to have come down unto Cadmèa to the wedding Out of Phoenicia he first brought letters into Greece giving them their peculiar names and characters Diod. l. 3. p. 140. Lib. 5. p. 227 228. Multi alii fitted for the language of the place and thence they were called Phoenician though afterwards Pelasgian because the use of them was after they were brought over first made known to the Pelasgi 4. Of Harmonia Cadmus begot Polydorus his son and four daughters Semele Ino Antonoe and Agavë Idem l. 3. p. 147. On Semele Jupiter enamoured begot Dionysus or Bacchus who found out Wine and Ale and travelled throughout the then known World to reduce men to civility This he did with an Army both of men and women and after an Expedition of three years returned out of India first triumphing upon an Elephant Ino was married to Arhamas the son of Aeolus and grand-son of Hellen Apollod to whom she bore Actaeon that was devoured by his own Dogs Agave became the wife of Eetion to whom she bore Pentheus After Cadmus had reigned some time at Thebes he was called by the Encheleae who had Wars at that time with the Illyrians Polydorus and were bidden by the Oracle to send for him and Harmonia to be their Captains He left then the Kingdom of Thebes to his son Polydorus and having subdued the Illyrians reigned over them and begot another son called Illyrius who either gave or took name from that people The Poets feigned Cadmus and his wife to have been turned here into Snakes because they seem to have forgot their former civility and learnt barbarism 5. This is the sum of what the Greeks have delivered concerning Cadmus But What the Sidonians said of Cadmus though they for their own credit made him the son of a King yet the Sidonians whose Country-man he was denie this alleging that being their King's Cook he fled away with Harmonia a certain minstrel His time as it is computed falleth in with that of Joshua so that he seemeth to have led into Greece a Colony of those Canaanites or Phoenicians who were outed of their habitations by the Israelites His family may be gathered to have been that of the Kadmonites mentioned by Moses who were the same with the Hivites and called Cadmonim or Orientals because they possessed Mount Hermon the most Eastern part of Canaan taken for the East as Thabor for the West Hence came it to passe that Cadmus his wife was called Harmonia or Hermione and apparent why they were feigned to be turned into Snakes because an Hivite in the Syrian language signifieth a Serpent That he first brought letters into Greece is most probable 1. Because the antientest Greek letters in most things are like to the old Phoenician which the Samaritans at this day use 2. Their names are plainly Phoenician or Hebrew as may be instanced in Alpha Beta c. of which the Greeks were not ignorant as appeareth out of Varro For Crates the Philosopher disputing in Greece about some points of Grammar demanded why they said not Alpha Alphatos as well as Gramma Grammatos to which the Grecians answered that the names were not theirs but barbarous and Plutarch rendered this reason why Alpha is set before the rest by the Phoenicians because they called an Oxe by that name 3. The Greeks kept the same order of letters as the Phoenicians did being most antient as appeareth by some acrostick Verses of David and Jeremiah Cadmus brought over the Rites of Bacchus into Greece and thereupon is feigned to be Grand-father to him who lived many Ages before and indeed was Nimrod To this City built or re-edified by him he gave the name of Thebes of which name there was a place in Canaan mentioned by the Book of (a) Cap. 9. 50. Judges and by (b) Antiq. lib. 5. cap. 9. Josephus also written Thebae in the plural number so that an end may be put to that controversie about the original of the word which betokeneth mud or dirt But concerning all this Bochartus is to be consulted in the first Book of that admirable Work intituled Canaan Labdacus 6. Polydorus succeeding his Father marryed Nyctëis the daughter of Nycteus by which he had a son named Labdacus whom dying before he came at age he * A.M. 2601. left to the tuition of his father-in-law Nycteus had another daughter Antiope by name which Epopeus King of Sicyonia stole away whence a War insued wherein both of them received mortal wounds Pausan in Boeoticis Corinth and Nycteus dying left the tuition of the young King to his brother Lycus After Labdacus came at age Lycus restored faithfully the Kingdom to him wherefore the King dying also not long after Laius and leaving his son Laius a Child but of one year old having experience of his faithfulnesse he committed him to his protection Afterwards Amphion and Zethus the sons of Antiope Diodor. l. 4. p. 191. invaded Thebais in revenge for their mother's hard usage and Captivity she having been taken by Lycus in Sicyon or delivered up to him by Lamedon King of that Citie when he led down thither an Army at the desire of his dying brother to revenge him upon her and Epopeus as we before shewed Lycus meeting them in the field was slain in battel Thebes lost and the Child Laius had miscarried but that some well-wishers to his stock withdrew him out of the danger lest the posterity of Cadmus should be utterly extinct Amphion then and Zethus obtained the Kingdom said by Homer to have built Thebes which must be meant of the lower Citie distinct from Cadméa Amphion was so excellent a Musician that he is said to have made stones to follow him wherewith he built Towers about the Citie He married Niobe the daughter of Tantalus and sister to Pelops which brought him many Children but boasting her self mote fruitfull than Latona her self procured the destruction of them all For Apollo was commanded to kill the Boyes and Diana the Girles whereat she was struck with such stupidity as she is feigned to be turned into a stone and Amphion with all his family at length died of the pestilence Zethus having his young son killed at unawares by the mother pined away for grief so that both brothers being dead and their families ruined the Thebans restored the Kingdom to Laius the son of Labdacus 7. Laius married Jocaste the daughter of Menaeceus but was admonished by the Oracle to beget no Children because else he should be killed by his son which punishment Pelops had prayed might fall on him for stealing his son Chrysippus begotten on a Concubine Apollod Notwithstanding this he had a son but as soon as he was born
the name of King might not utterly perish whence may be concluded that his judgment was not against the Office though his passion was he would have the title given to one who should be called Rex Sacrorum and having this honour for his life with immunity from warfare should medle with nothing else but these superstitious Rites of which the Kings had charge before 49. Having first got a decree of the Senate for the Kings banishment according to the custom of publick proceeding the Comitia were assembled by Brutus and the body of Lucretia brought in her gore into the meeting place where it was set for a spectacle to all Brutus then discovered himself told them why he had seemed what he now appeared never to have been and then declared the occasion of their meeting to be that the Patritians might have their assent for banishing Tarquin who having obtained the Principality illegally had abused it more than any Tyrant that was ever heard of He illustrated his assertion by a relation of his crimes as of his poysoning his own brother before he was King together with his lawful wife and marrying the other sister that was partaker with him in his wickednesse his killing Servius Tullius and strangling his wife whom he ought to have respected as Parents then his invading the Government without decree of Senate or Suffrages of the people by force of Arms. He reckoned up the injuries received by the Patritians most of whom he had made away and reduced the rest to the estate of beggers how from the Plebeians he had taken Laws Religious Meetings the Comitia and Suffrages and used them no better than Slaves bought with woney He then demanded how long they should endure this bondage whether no longer than till the death of Tarquin when as he had three sons more wicked and mischievous than himself especially the elder which he proved by the spectacle before their eyes telling them then the whole storie This advantage he improved to the utmost shewing how the King being now absent and the Patritians resolved nothing could be wanting to them if they had but courage for the enterprize not Men Mony Arms Captains nor forein aid urging that it was a shame they should think of commanding the Volsci Sabines or others and be Slaves to others at home or maintain so many Wars for to serve the ambition of Tarquin and undertake none for their own liberty As for the Army now at the Siege there was no fear but for their own freedom and accommodation they would readily cloze with them and if any should be found to intend the Contrary they had their wives and children as Hostages in the City whereby they might easily draw them off 50. The multitude being variously affected with hope of liberty and fear to misse of it during his Speech yet made acclamations to the particulars and at the end with one voice desired he would give them Arms. He said he would if first they should confirm what was offered from the Fathers as the beginning of their liberty and therewithall recited the forme of this severe Decree The people decree Tarquinius his banishment that the Tarquinii should be banished with all their off-spring and be capital for any one to speak or act for their return The several Curiae being called confirmed it by all their Suffrages which being done he acquainted them how it was agreed that unto two men the Government should be committed whom they should elect in their Centuriate Comitia which was also passed Then according to the custom by virtue of his Office formerly mentioned he named Sp. Lucretius to be Inter-rex for holding of the Comitia or Assemblie who adjourned the meeting to the Campus Martius where it was the custom for the Romans in their Armour to elect Magistrates There he named Brutus and Collatinus as was formerly agreed on betwixt the conspirators for to have the Regal power and the Centuries confirmed them by their Suffrages In the mean time whilst these things were done in the City Tarquinius having heard by such as escaped out ere the gates were shut that Brutus called the people to their liberty making none acquainted but his sons and some trustie friends with them rode away post to prevent the general defection but finding the gates fast shut and the walls full of Armed men in great grief returned to the Camp There now he could not be received for Brutus foreseeing his sodain coming sent Letters to the Army or went himself by another way than that he knew he would come wherein he acquainted them with the decree of the People and desired that they would revolt from the King The letters were read to the Soldiers by T. Herminius and M. Horatius whom Tarquin had left to govern the Army and they being called to give their Suffrages also by Centuries all thought that what their friends at home had done was to be approved and would not admit the King at his return Frustrated of this hope he went Caere in Hetruria saith Livie to Gabii saith Dionysius where he had made his son Sextus King now gray-headed He is driven into exile having reigned 25 years Herminius and Horatius took truce with the Enemy for 15 years and breaking up the Siege before Ardea returned with the Army This happened in the 244th year of the City after the account of Cato but the 245th A.M. 3496. V.C. 245. Olymp. 67. an 4. Darii 13. according to the computation of Terentius Varro in the latter end of the 67th Olympiad or the beginning of the 68th A. M. 3496. Pliny writeth that it was the same year wherein the Pisistratidae were banished Athens and Clemens joyneth it with the recovery of Babylon by Darius Hystaspis This was somewhat above twenty years after the beginning of Cyrus and the destruction of the Babylonian Empire AN INSTITUTION OF General History The First Part. BOOK II. Of the Persian Empire and the Affairs of the World Contemporary with it CHAP. I. The Persian Empire SECT I. From the beginning of the Empire of Cyrus to the death of Cambyses his Son and Successor 1. CYRUS having obtained the Empire of the East through the Conquest of Babylon after a three years siege Ezra 1.11 as is conjectured was sensible of Gods providence therein whom he understood to have foretold it and called him by name above 100 years before he was born and out of obedience to his decree The Jews return out of Captivity gave leave to all the Jews that were in Captivity in his Dominions to return to their own Countrey the 70 years of their exile foretold by Jeremiah the Prophet being now expired In compliance with this opportunity Zorubbabel the son of Salathiel and Grand-son to Jechoniah as Captain with Joshua the son of Josedec which Josedec was brother to Esdras and son to Seraiah the Chief Priest SECT 2. who being Counsellour to Zedekiah was slain by Nebuchadnesar
that he onely could trust and rely upon him Ochus judging then that no delay was to be used procured Harpates the son of Ieribazus who fell in the treason of Darius to murder him Artaxerxes was already so spent with age that he seemed to want but the least furtherance to his death so that word being brought him of the death of Arsames he was not able to bear it but died heart-broken with sorrow after he had lived 94 years in the 43th of his reign in the third of the 104 Olympiad A. M. 3644. about 360 before the birth of Christ He was esteemed mild and loving towards his subjects which opinion was mightily confirmed by the cruelty and paricide of his successor SECT IV. From the death of Artaxerxes Mnemon and the beginning of Ochus to the death of Darius Codomannus containing the space of 32 years 1. OChus succeeded his father Diodorus after whom he was also named Artaxerxes and whose name the Persians put upon his Successors for a memorial of his mild and prosperous Government Some think him by the Persians to have been called Ochosueros Ochus succeedeth or Achosueros and that he is to be taken for that Achesuerus or Ahasuerus the husband of Esther mentioned in Scripture who by the seventy and Josephus after them is named Artaxerxes Some have thought Cambyses to have been the man Jacobus Cappellus alii but he reigned onely seven years whereas above twelve are given to Ahasuerus Neither could Darius the son of Hystaspes be he if the Jews with others rightly accounted the book of Esther to have been the last in order of all the Canonical Scripture of the Old Testament and for that Vashti his wife is thought to be Atossa the daughter of Cyrus it cannot be because he never put away Aâ—ossa on whom he begat Xerxes And although some plead hard for Xerxes because his wife is called by Herodotus Amestris which they take in the Persian tongue to be onely Ham-Esther yet 't is apparent out of the same Author that she was the daughter of Otanes a Persian Satrapa by Religion an Heathen and of a most cruel disposition Besides Ahasuerus in the seventh year of his reign was at Sushan but Xerxes in the seventh of his reign was absent in the War with Greece and though the Greeks corrupted forein names and might call Xerâ—es him whom the Persians named Actachsasta or Artachas-ta yet not one in his own language called Achoschverosch Esther's husband Neither is it probable that Longimanus could be the man who is both in sacred and prophane story called Artach-sasta and Artaxerxes but no where Achasuerus The same may be said of Nothus who both by Nehemiah and Greek writers is called Darius and of Artaxerxes Mnemon concerning whose wife Statira such things are written as can neither agree with Vashti nor Esther Now if that of Esther be the last Canonical book and Nehemiah lived to the time of Darius Nothus then is it probable that Esther lived in the reign of his son or Grand-son and cannot so conveniently be assigned for a wife to any as to Ochus 2. Ochus knowing of how great Authoâ—ity his fathers name was to his subjects and how contemptible he should be after his death was known Polyaenus Stratagem lib. 7. procured of the Eunuchs Chamberlains and Colonels to conceal it for ten moneths and in the mean time sending about the Royal Seal commanded in his fathers name to proclaim Ochus King When all owned and obeyed him as King he then confessed his fathers death and commanded a general mourning according to the custom of Persia and presently took away all Competition filled (a) Justin lib. 10. the Court with the bloud of his kindred and relations no regard being had either to Sex or Age. Amongst the rest he put to death his (b) Valerius Max. lib. 9. cap. 2. Ext. ex 7. Lib. 10. cap. â— sister Ocha being also his mother-in-law with cruel torments and his Uncle with his two sons and Nephews he caused to be set in an empty place and killed with Darts who seemeth well to have been father to Sisigambis mother to Darius the last Persian King whose 80 brethren together with their father Curtius reporteth to have been murdered by Ochus 3. From Ochus revolted Artabazus Diodorus ad Olymp. 106. ann 1. 4. against whom were sent some of the Persian Satrapaes with 70000 men and yet by the help of Chares the Athenian he overthrew them and rewarded Chares with a great summe of money Artabazus revolteth from him which he laid out in the paying of his Souldiers Ochus knowing of this expostulated seriously with the Athenians about it who hearing that he intended with 300 ships to assist their Enemies with whom they were now ingaged in the social War presently clap't up a peace with them Artabazus being forsaken of the Athenians betook himself to the Thebans who ordered Pammenes with 500 men to passe over into Asia to assist him by whose help Artabazus again overthrew the King's forces sent against him in two great and bloudy battels which got no small credit to Pammenes and his Boeotians Yet a few years after Idem ad Olymp. 107. ann 2. when the Thebans were ingaged in the Phocian War and reduced to extremity for want of money they sent to Artaxerxes Ochus and obtained of him 300 Talents which he did as it seemeth to put an obligation upon them to assist him in the War which he renewed against the Egyptians 4. Although Egypt had long before this revolted from the Persian Empire yet Ochus not at all affecting War kept himself quiet for having sent some Armies thither by the treachery or ignorance of their Captains they miscarried so that having several times badly sped though despised on that account by the Egyptians yet being a lover of his ease and quiet he submitted to the disgrace But now at this time about the eleventh year of his reign the Phoenicians and Cyprians taking heart and rebelling also he resolved to chastise them all with Arms and that in his own person and making great provision of all things for the War raised 300000 foot 30000 horse He invadeth Phoenicia and 300 Gallies besides Vessels of burthen The first Tempest of the War fell upon Phoenicia which revolted upon this occasion A famous Citie there was therein named Tripolis consisting according to it's name SECT 4. of three Cities distant a furlong from each other and inhabited by Tyrians Sidonians and Arcadians in which the assembly General of the Phoenicians met and resolved of their most important affairs Herein the Persian Satrapaes and Ambassadors behaving themselves very uncivilly and abusing the Sidonians they thereupon resolved to rebel and perswading the other Phoenicians to side with them for the obtaining of their liberty sent to Nectanebus King of Aegypt to desire him to receive them into confederacy against Ochus Then to begin their hostility they
King of Asia Alexander declared King of Asia and for joy thereof sacrifized with great magnificence to his Gods and bestowed riches houses and Countries upon his friends Foreseeing that the air thereabouts by reason of the corruption of the dead bodies might be infectious he removed with all speed from Arbela towards Babylon being in his way met with Mazaeus the Governour who gave it up into his hands and Bagophanes the Keeper of the Castle and the King's treasures lest he should be exceeded by Mazaeus caused the way to be strowed with flowers and garlands silver Altars heaped with Frankincense and other odours being placed on both sides Entereth Babylon The Townsmen came also to meet him whom he commanded to follow his rear and so entred the City and Palace in a Chariot with his armed men about him Thirty dayes he spent in * Justin lib. 11. Curtius Diodorus looking over Darius his housholdstuff all which time his Army glutted themselves with the contentments of the Town Here the Chaldaeans shewed him the motions of the Stars and the appointed vicissitudes of times and Calisthenes the Philosopher sent into Greece unto Aristotle whose cousin german his Mother was the Coelestial observations of (a) Porphyâ—ius apud Simplicium de Coelo l. 2. 1903 years He consulted these men about his affairs and at their desire caused such Temples to be rebuilt as Xerxes had out of anger destroyed after his overthrow in Greece And especial care was taken for that of Belus in the midst of the City the ruines of which were so great that the labour of (b) Strabo lib. 16. pag. 738. 10000 men for two moneths was required for the clearing of the ground He commanded all his Soldiers to lay their hands to the work amongst which the Jews onely refused to do it who thereupon received great incommodity till such time as they were discharged of this task by the King as (c) Apud Joseph contr Apionem lib. 1. Hecataeus the Abderite wrote in his Book concerning the Jews who also at that time lived with Alexander 63. He committed the charge of the Castle of Babylon to Agathon of Pydna with a Garrison of 700 Macedonians and 300 Mercenaries appointing Mazaeus the Satrapa of the Country To Apollodorus of Amphipolis and Menetes of Pella he assigned the Government of the Militia of the Satrapies of Babylon and the other Countries as far as Cilicia leaving them 2000 Foot and 1000 talents of silver to hire as many Solders as they could and to Mithrinas who betrayed the Castle of Sardis unto him he granted Armenia Of the money which he found at Babylon to every Macedonian Horse-man he gave seven Minae each Attick Mina containing an 100 Drachmes and about 3 l. 2 s 6 d. Sterling and to every stranger five to every Macedonian Foot-man two and to every stranger two moneths pay for a reward Then set he forwards from Babylon and in his way met with a supply of 500 Horse and 6000 Foot sent out of Macedonia with 600 Horse out of Thrace and 3500 Foot and out of Peloponnesus 4000 Foot and 380. or according to Diodorus little lesse than 1000 horse These were also accompanied with 50 of the Noblemen's sons of Macedonia for the Guard to the Kings person 64. Drawing near to Susa he met with the son of the Satrapa thereof sent unto him with a Messenger that brought Letters from Philoxenus whom presently after the battel at Gaugamela he had sent thither The Letters imported that the Susians had yielded their Citie to him and that all the King's Treasure was safe for him which Abulites the Satrapa sent his son also to signifie either for that he sought to obtain favour or as some thought being underhand ordered by Darius to do so that Alexander being busied with such booty Cometh to Susa he might have time to consult the better for his own affairs On the twentieth day after his departure from Babylon he arrived at Susa where he took possession of betwixt fourty and fifty thousand as is to be gathered from all Authors Talents of Silver besides Gold and Rich Furniture Many things he there found which Xerxes had brought out of Greece and amongst the rest the brazen Statues of Harmodius and Aristogiton which he sent back unto Athens He left the Mother and Children of Darius at Susa with Masters to teach them the Greek tongue and then committing the Citie to the care of Archelaus the Castle to Xenophilus the Treasury to Callicrates and the Satrapy of the Countrey of Susa to Abulites in four encampings he came to the River Pasitigris being resolved to invade Persia 65. Near to the Countrey of Susa lieth that of the Uxians Diodorus Curtius Plutarch running out into the Borders of Persia and leaving a straight passage betwixt it self and the Susian Dominions The inhabitants of the low-land Countrey became without much ado subject to Alexander but the other with some slaughter of them he forced to submit Arrianus Polyaenus Stratagem lib. 4. and whereas they demanded money of him which they used to receive from the Kings of Persia for their passage he imposed a Tribute of 100 Horses 500 Cattel and 30000 Sheep yearly to be paid they living like Shepheards and using no money After this he committed the baggage with the Thessalian Horse the Mercenaries and Associates with the rest of the Army that used heavy Armour to Parmenio to lead that way into Persia that was passable with Carriages and he himself taking the Macedonian foot with the horse of the associates and others with all speed marched a nearer one through the hilly Countrey Being arrived at the Pylae He is opposed at the Straights of Persia by Arâ—obarzanes or Straights of Persia he found Ariobarzanes a Persian Satrapa seized thereof by whom he was repelled also with some disgrace and losse being forced to retreat four miles from the Straights but at length being led by a Shepheard another difficult way he came upon his Enemies on a sudden and put them to flight But Ariobarzanes in the midst of near fourty horse and 5000 foot with great slaughters on both sides broke through the Army of the Macedonians which on both sides had beset him and made for Persepolis the chief Citie of that Countrey but being shut out by those that kept it for the Conquerour he turned again upon his Enemies and with great valour renewing the battel perished with all his followers 66. Having private notice from Tiridates the Eunuch Keeper of the Treasure at Persepolis that they there had an intention to rifle it upon hearing of his coming he took the horse and all the night marched thitherwards He cometh to Perseplis Being a quarter of a mile from the Town about 800 Grecians met him in manner of suppliants whom the former Persian Kings had reduced into bondage and as a token of slavery cut off their Feet Hands Ears or Noses and
with Hipparchus the Son of Pisistratus he went into Sicilie unto Hiero by whom being asked what God was he demanded a daies time to consider of it and after that another still professing that the more he studied the point the more he was to seek in it Some say he found out the Art of Memory and that being very covetous he first exposed the Muses to sale In the second year of the 58th Olympiad and eight before the Persian Empire died Anaximander the natural Philosopher of Miletus Anaximenes his Scholar flourished about that time Theagenes of Rhegium the most antient Chronographer Democedes of Crotone a Physician being taken Captive with Polycrates by Oetes the Persian was carried as a slave to Darius with whom he lived in great esteem after he had cured his foot and the breast of his wife Atossa 35. There flourished also in Darius his time Cadmus of Miletus an Historiographer there having been another of this name and place according to Suidas who in four Books wrote the History of Miletus and all Ionia and Strabo nameth Cadmus Phercydes and Hecataeus as those who first of all Greeks wrote Prose Hecataeus flourished at this time and gave light to Herodotus Phrynichus the Athenian a tragical Poet who first caused a woman to be personated and invented the verse with four feet Heraclitus the Ephesian a contemner of Heathenish Idols SECT 2. who out of fear wrote his Book of Nature in such an obscure manner that thence he got the name of Scotivus or Dark Zeno of Eâ—ea or Velia in Italy Scholar to Parmeaides who conspiring against Nearchus the Tyrant endured torments to death rather than he would discover his complices Pythagoras the son of Mnesarchus the Samian but born at Sidon in Phoenicia about the 53 Olympiad Diogenes Jamblicus Just a lib. 20. Plin. l. 2. c. 8. Being twelve years old he learnt of Thales and Phocylides from the later taking the transmigration of Souls Travelling into Aegypt and to Babylon he drunk in the learning of both places About the 68th Oâ—ympiad he went into Italy where he lived first at Crotone and then at Metapontus Here he taught and constituted the Italian School or Sect as Thales had done the Ionick Whereas others suffered themselves to be called Sophoi he would be called out of modesty Philosophus In the 67th Olympiad he found out the nature and course of the Planet Venus In the fourth year of the 70th he died at Metapontus where he was so admired that his house was made a Temple and that part of Italy called Magna Graecia Amongst his Scholars was Milo the famous Wrestler and women through him became famous for learning their Epistles being yet extant SECT II. Of such things as fell out amongst the Graecians from their Victories at Plataea and Mycale until the beginning of the Peloponnesian War containing the space of 48 years 1. THe Persians being overthrown in Greece both at Sea and Land Thucyd. l. 1. and so driven utterly out of Europe and those that fled into Asia in ships being also defeated at Mycale Leutychides the Spartan who there commanded in chief returned home with his associates of Peloponnesus The Athenians with the Ionians and those that inhabited upon the Hellespont besieged Sestus which the Persians had seized on all Winter and reduced it after which they also all departed home 2. The Athenians having brought home their wives and children Idem ibid. Plutarch Corn. Nepos in Themistocle after the overthrow of Mardonius had the popular Government restored by Arâ—stides and set themselves to rebuild the walls of their City in a greater compasse and stronger than had been formerly being thereto especially induced through the perswasion of Themistocles The Lacedaemonians above all others were hereat exceedingly troubled as considering that having obtained so great glory by the two Victories at Marathon and Salamina the Athenians would contend with them for the Principality and upon that account they wished them as weak as might be The Athenians rebuild their walls which the Lacedaemonians grudge They disswaded them therefore from going on with their work alleging that it was dangerous for Greece to have any fortified place without the Peloponnesus which the Barbarians might seize on and possesse They said they would send answer by Ambassadors of their own and Themistocles took the businesse upon him He first went alone and ordered that the rest should follow but not till the wall was brought to a reasonable height that in the mean time both bond and free should ply the work and sparing no place whether holy or prophane private or publick take all such stuff for building as they might soonest light on When he came at Sparta he demanded no audience but sought to protract the time pretending he expected his Collegues The Lacedaemonians complaining that neverthelesse the work went on and that he went about to deceive them the other Ambassadors arrived of whom after he knew that the fortifications were almost finished he laboured to perswade the Ephori who now had the chief power in that State that the things were false which they were made to believe desired them to send persons considerable whom they might trust to make inspection and keep him as an Hostage till their return 3. They sent accordingly three of their principal men to Athens and with them Themistocles his Collegues to whom he gave in charge that the Lacedaemonians should not be dismissed till his return After their departure he demanded audience of the Magistrates and Senate and then freely and openly professed that the Athenians by his advice agreeable to the common-Law of Nations But are eluded by Themistocle had fenced their publick and private gods with a wall that they might more easily defend them and neither could that be to the dammage of Greece of which Athens was the bulwark against the Barbarians for here the King's Navy had twice suffered Shipwrack He told them they did ill to regard more their private ambition than what was profitable for all Greece and to conclude if they expected the return of their Ambassadors they must dismisse him or else never expect to see them return which accordingly they were forced to do with much private regret though ashamed to own the cause He advised his Country-men further to finish the work of the Piraeus or Port of Athens which they had begun a long time before whilst he was Archon for he perswaded them first to apply themselves to Sea-matters as the way to obtain Dominion and commended to them that place as most convenient for their design having three natural Havens The wall he caused to be made so thick as two Carriages loaded with stones might passe by each other but brought the height of it but to half of that which he had designed And with so great a desire was he caried out for the inlargement of the Dominion of that State that observing the Lacedaemonian Navy to
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
notwithstanding they should have to do with such Horse as exceeded theirs in the number and the best esteemed of in all Greece resolved to do their utmost in their behalf In the engagement they had the better of it and thereby preserved all that the Mantineans had without their walls His case how it stood in reference to his return or stay Epaminondas after this thinking with himself that he must be gone within a few dayes the term of his commission being almost expired was full of various thoughts If he should leave those for the aid of whom he was sent to be besieged by the Enemy he saw he should lose the honour he formerly had obtained especially seeing he had been repulsed at Sparta by so few a number and now also had miscarried at Mantinea and he considered that by this Expedition of which himself was author he had given occasion to the Lacedaemonians Arcadians Achaeans Eleans and Athenians to enter into a straight League of offence and defence From these reasons he concluded he could not in honour depart without a battel in which if he overcame he should make amends for all and if hee should die such a death could not but bee glorious which should bee undergone in an endeavour to make his Country Mistresse of all Peloponnesus 58. Ere long the Armies of the Lacedaemonians and Mantineans appeared consisting with their allies of 20000 Foot and about 2000 Horse To the Boeotians were assistants the Tegeatans and such other Arcadians as were most powerful and wealthy the Argives Euboeans the Thessalian Horse which the Thebans brought the Messentans Sicyonians and other Peloponnesians the number of all which amounted to 30000 Foot and little fewer than 3000 Horse This is much admired by Xenophon that Epaminondas should so discipline his Soldiers that neither night nor day they should shun any labour refuse to undergo any danger to be contented with any kind of provision and very ready to obey all orders When he had ranged his men in order of battel he led them not straight on against the Enemy but fetched a compasse towards the Mountains of Tegea and made as though he would there pitch his Tents This made the Enemy secure which he well understanding formed his battalia like a wedge thereby to break them sooner and led with speed against them who now were all to seek and in a confusion some hasting to bridle their Horses others to buckle on their harnesse and all in a condition rather to suffer than act any thing And lest the Athenians should relieve their Companions from the left wing he placed a Party of Horse and Foot in the hills to keep them in awe by being continually ready to fall upon their reer 59. His expectation was not crossed for on what part he fell he carried all before him The battel at Mantinea wherein Epaminondas was mortally wounded the Enemy not daring to stand but rushing more violently amongst them the Lacedaemonians taking notice of him flocked to him and laid at him amain with darts some of which declining and fencing himself from others those that stuck in his body he took thence and rerorted Whilst he heroickly thus contended for the Victory he received a mortal wound from one Anticiates a Spartan who gave him so mortal a stroak with a dart that the wood of it brake leaving the iron and a piece of the tronchion in his breast By the vehemency of the wound he sank down A. M. 3642. Ol. 104. an 2. V.C. 390. Ante Aeram Christi 362. Artax Mnem 41. and then ensued a most bitter contest about him but the Thebans inflamed with wrathful indignation at this sad mischance with great slaughter compelled their Enemies to give back but knew not how to improve the Victory For neither Foot nor Horse pursued them flying but continued still in the same place and at length went off carelessly insomuch that many of the Foot fell into the hands of the Athenians Which so falling out another thing hapned than men generally had expected For almost all Greece being here gathered together one State against another in two factions every one supposed that when they should once come to fight they that overcame would obtain the Dominion over the rest who should be forced to submit to their yoak But God so poysed affaires saith Xenophon that both sides as if they had overcome erected a Trophy not being hindred by each other Both sides also as Conquerours gave up the slain and as Conquered received their dead by composition And whereas both sides said they had the better of it neither obtained thereby either Countrey City or Dominion other than they before enjoyed but a greater disturbance thereupon followed in Greece So much for these matters saith our Author Xenophon with it endeth his History As also Anaximenes and Philistus as for what is behind perhaps some other will take care to commit them to writing and so he endeth his History with this battel though he lived almost three years after it as we have from Laertius Anaximenes also of Lampsacus who began his History with the beginning of the gods and mankind and therein in twelve Books almost comprehended all the affaires of the Greeks and Barbarians finisheth it with the Battel at Mantinea and the death of Epaminondas So did Philistus his History which he wrote of Dionysius the younger in two Books 60. Epaminondas being caried alive into his Tent Vide Diodorum ut supra Justin lib. 6. the Physicians affirmed that as soon as the dart should be drawn out of his body he would die He then called for Diaphantus to declare him General of the Army but it being answered he was slain he bade them send for Iolaidas but it being answered that he was dead also he advised the Thebans to make peace Valerius Max. lib 3. cap 2. ext exemp 5. whilst with advantage they might for that they had none lest that was able to discharge the Office of a General Understanding of his approaching end he inquired of his Armour-bearer if his Shield was safe which to have lost was a great dishonour It being answered it was Aelian var hist l. 12. cap. 3. he asked which side had the Victory answer being made the Boeotians then said he It 's time for me to die and comforting his friends who mourned he should die childlesse with this answer that he left behind him two daughters Pausan in Aridicis the battel of Leuctra and Mantinea which should propagate his fame to all posterity he thereupon caused the dart to be drawn out and so expired Ciceros Epist lib. 5. cap. 12. This was the end of the worthiest Soldier that ever Greece brought forth and hardly to be parallel'd in any other Country all the Virtues which in others were but singular having concenâ—red and united themselves in him In strength both of body and mind Epaminondas his character in Eloquence
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
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
which with the great trouble of his whole Army and use of Engines for battery at length he slew and sent it's skin 120 foot long to Rome The history hereof was curiously and elegantly related by Livie as (c) Lib. 1. c. ult Exemp ult Polybius ut supra Valerius telleth us After this d the Consul gave the Carthaginians a defeat fighting in such a place where their Horse and Elephants could do them no service and then took Tunetum or Tunis But not long after he was overthrown himself Defeateth the Carthaginians and not long after is defeated and taken himself taken prisoner and almost his whole Army lost this Victory being got for the Carthaginians by Xantippus the Lacedemonian A. M. 3749. Ol. 131. an 1. V. C. 498. Ant. Thei 7. Ptol. Philad 29. M. Attilio Regulo 2. L. Manlio Vulsâ—ne Coss whom afterwards sending honourably home as they pretended they commanded those that caried him to drown him and his in the Sea lest so great a Victory should be ascribed to the Lacedemonians as Appian writeth Of 30000 but a few escaped into the City Aspis called also Clupea where they were besieged till their Enemies perceiving they profited nothing rose up and made provision for resisting the succours which the Senate sent the following year under command of M. Aemilius Paulus and Ser. Fabius Nobilior the Consuls They taking the Sea with 350 ships were opposed by the Carthaginians whom they defeated and took 114 of their Vessels with the men in them as Polybius writeth or took 30 and sank 104 as Eutropius and Orosius the later whereof addeth that of the Carthaginians were slain 35000 and that the Romans lost nine Gallies and 1100 men The Consuls then went to Clupea but taking in the reliques of the Army presently set sail again for Sicily The Pilots told them they must take heed of the outward part of that Island which was full of shelves and very dangerous especially at that time betwixt the rising of Orion and the Dog But they gave no heed to the Seamen out of a desire by shewing of their fresh Victory and Plunder to procure certain Towns upon the Coasts to yield They had safely passed the middle of the sea and drew near to the Coasts of Camarina when such a tempest and so great calamities fell upon them as cannot be expressed saith Polybius The Consuls in their return from Sicily perish by a lamentable shipwrack Agrigentum destroyed for the greatnesse therereof For of 464 ships Idem ibid. Eutrop. l. 2. Diod. Siculus l. 23. Eclog. 12. A. M. 3750. 80 scarcely were saved and the rest were swallowed up or cast upon rocks so that the shoar was filled with dead bodies and broken pieces of ships Both the Consuls perished Those few that escaped Hiero kindly received and furnishing them with clothes and other necessaries coveyed them safe to Messana Karthalo the Carthaginian taking advantage of this disaster besieged conquered and burnt Agrigentum the walls whereof he also demolished 6. The Romans nothing at all discouraged by the greatest losse that ever a tempest procured gave order for the making of 220 Gallies which was prosecuted with such alacrity that in three moneths time they were both made and lanched Asdrubal the Carthaginian with all the old Army new levies and 140 Elephants came into Sicily and of old and new Vesses made up a Fleet of 200 sail The Consuls A. Attilius and Cn. Cornelius being commanded to passe into Sicily therein this year took several Towns and returned Their successors C. Servilius Caepio and C. Sempronius Blaeso in the beginning of the next Spring with all the Fleet passed into Sicily and thence into Africk where coasting about they landed in many places but did nothing memorable At length they came to the Island of the Lotophagi called Meninx not far distant from the lesser Syrtis Here they fell upon some quicks in the low water and were in great danger being utterly ignorant of the Coasts but the tide returning when they had lightned the ships cleared then off the shelves and they returned in a kind of flight to Panormus in Sicily Another shipwrack of the Consuls Then passing hence towards Rome through the Straights very unadvisedly such a tempest fell upon them as above 150 ships were lost Though the Senate and People were marvailously pricked forward to all attempts by desire of glory yet so many and great were their losses at Sea that they were constrained to omit naval preparations and place all their hope in the land forces They sent L. Cacilius Metellus and Cn. Furius Pacilus the Consuls into Sicily with the Legions and 60 ships onely for the conveying of necessaries to the Army And not onely did they plainly yield the Dominion of the Sea to the Carthaginians but feared them also on Land because of their Elephants which had often times done them great dammage Asdrubal the Punick General understanding their fears and how one of the Consuls was returned back into Italy with half of the Army in great confidence wasted the grounds about Panormus and the more carelessely because Metellus kept himself within the walls But the Consul taking an opportunity so placed his men in respect of the Elephants that when the Carthaginians came against the Town he overthrew them slew 20000 and took 26 Elephants according to Eutropius But Orosius writeth that 26 were slain and 104 taken and Livie related as appeareth by the Epitome of his nineteenth Book Metellus the Consul defeateth the Carthaginians that 120 Elephants were led in triumph with thirteen Captains of the Enemy Diodorus Siculus maketh the occasion of the overthrow to have been given by the Celtae in Asdrubals Army who meeting with wine brought thither by Merchants so ingurgitated themselves therein that being not themselves they broke the ranks and turned all into disorder which opportunity Metellus instantly improved Which moveth them to send about a Peace 7 This defeat caused the Carthaginians to desire Peace and offered to send to the Senate about it Amongst the Messengers was Attilius Regulus whom they had overthrown and taken prisoner five years before and now bound with an oath to return to Carthage in case neither Peace nor exchange of prisoners could be procured He when he came to Rome according to what he thought of the intererst of the Commonwealth disswaded the Senate from Peace and yet to keep his oath returned to Carthage where he was cruelly tormented to death and as * De Finib l. 5. Sed consule 〈◊〉 Gellium l 6. c. 4. Cicero writeth by hunger and watching Regulus one of the Messengers disswadeth it and for that at his return is tormented to death having his eye-lids cut off The year following because the Land-forces were very fearful of the Carthaginian Elephants and very unchearfully went about their work the Romans provided another Fleet and besieged Lilybaeum a Town standing upon the southern Promontory of Sicily over-against
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
Now for the consequence of the thing can any imagine that these Islands should be so long known and not Britain it self to which they lye so close and from which they are deservedly called British Isles And what reason is there to think as Camden doth that such dream as believe that Hamilco came hither It 's a wonder he should say that there 's nothing for it but a Verse or two of Festus Anienus when Festus saith that he read the story of the whole Navigation described by Hamilco himself in the Punick Annals Cambden himself contendeth that from the Cassiterides was Lead first of all caried into Greece His arguments refuted whence it followeth that they were known before the time of Homer who maketh mention of that metal As for what he urgeth concerning Polybius that he was utterly ignorant of these parts if it were granted that he was yet the Phoenicians who in the Heroick times sent out Colonies into the Ocean beyond Gades knew these Coasts sufficiently But Cambden mistook the Historian as may appear from all that passage read together which onely importeth that as it was not known whether Asia and Africk on the South side were terminated by the Sea so neither whether the Sea flowed about the Northern parts of Europe that lye above Narbon which truly at this day we know not certainly though in so much light That this interpretation is to be made and that Polybius did not mean that in his age whatever lay above Narbon was unknown and that they dreamed who spoke or wrote any thing of it hence appeareth For he himself accurately described the Fountains of Rhodanus with Corbilon upon Ligeris and many other places of Gall above Narbon And in his third book he promiseth he would write of what lay beyond the Sea and what was there remarkable nay which is especially to be noted of the British Isles and making of Tin That he performed his promise in the Books that are lost appeareth from * Lib. 2. p. 104. Strabo who telleth us that Polybius describing the regions of Europe said he would let passe the ancients and inquire into such as reprehended them as Dicaearchus and Eratosthenes who last of all had handled Geography and Pytheas who had imposed upon many For he Pytheas said he had not viewed all the soil of Britain but the Island was above 40000 stadia or furlongs I suppose in compasse 15. From this place it appeareth that several whom Polybius calleth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or ancients wrote of these parts before either Dicaearchus or Eratosthenes Pythaeas or himself Now Eratosthenes who as he saith was the last that handled Geography Suidas writeth to have been born in the 126 Olympiad which was celebrated in the 37 year of the Seleucidae the seventh of Antiochus Soter the ninth of Ptolomy Philadelphus and the 478 year of the City when Q. Fabius Gurges and C. Genutius Clepsina were Consuls Pyrrhus then warring in Sicily 274 years before the birth of Christ But Dicaearchus bosteth in Athenaeus that he had Aristotle for his Master and then Pytheas who was cited by both must needs have preceded them Yet these Writers were but of late in comparison of Orpheus the most antient Poet one of the Argonautae by whom Cambden himself affirmeth Britain to have been described Although in truth Orpheus was not Author of those Poems fathered on him but Onomacritus an Athaenian Poet who lived under the Pisistracidae as both (a) Stromat l. 1. Clemens Alexandrinus and (b) Orat. contra Graecos pag. 173. Edit una cum Athenagora Theophylo Tatianus inform us yet two advantages we have hereby For first Cambden is inconstant denying that Britain was known to the ancient Greeks and secondly this Island must have been known then long before the former Geographers for the Pisistratidae were banished Athens in the third year of the 67 Olympiad the twelfth of Darius Hystaspis the 244 of the City at the same time that Tarquinius was banished 508 years before the birth of Christ though they write that he flourished in the 50 Olympiad in the first year whereof Pisistratus indeed got the Soveraignty over that City These things sufficiently prove that Britain was known of old to several Nations though we mentioned not what Bochartus probably conjectureth concerning the Etymology of the name The Phoenicians trading hither for Lead or Tin might justly call it Barat-Anac that is The Land of Lead or Tin as the Greeks Cassiteris and this might easily be changed into Bretanica Anac signifieth both Lead and Tin no places in the World are so fruitful of either as the British Isles And it may seem no wonder that the Word should be so altered seeing that from Phoenice are derived Poenicus Punicus Puniceus and Poenus He also giveth other marks of the Phoenicians their planting in those Islands in the 39 Chapter of the first Book of that excellent Work entituled Canaan concerning the Colonies and Language of that People to which wee refer the studious in Antiquity having thus farre in some sort seemed to vindicate the honour of our Country yet with submission to the impartially Learned Reader Now to return to the course of our History 16. The occasion of this Expedition was given by the Britains Caesar Comment lib. 4. They had sent a continual supply to the Galls almost in all their Wars against the Romans and therefore he resolved to use this advantage and passe over this Summer though it was well spent judging it would be worth his labour though he but viewed the country and took notice of the Havens and Natives of any whereof the Galls could give him but very small intelligence Caesar passeth over into Britain A. M. 3950. V. C. 699 Ante Christum 53. Cn. Pompeio M. 2. M. Licinio Crasso 2. Coss He sent Voluseus beforehand to make what discovery he could after whose return having received the Morini into friendship that he might have no Enemies at his back about two of the clock at night he put forth to Sea and at ten in the morning got to the Coasts of Britain where he might see all the shoar full of men to oppose him for they had received intelligence of his coming He perceived there was no good landing place where he was and therefore staying for the Fleet till three of the clock he sailed eight miles further Here though on an even shoar was he so opposed that his Soldiers fought not with their wonted alacrity because their ships being great and deep could not come near the Land untill he got more shallow Vessels and the Ensign-bearer of the tenth Legion leaping out drew others moved with shame after him No order was kept in the fight but every one as he leaped forth into the water joyned himself to the next Ensign Caesar sending out continually fresh supplies of men at length landed all his Army and the Britains fled 17. His horse being not
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
single matrimony But we must not forget that about the fourth of Severus he wrote a most excellent Apology for the Christian Faith Clemens Alexandrians At the same time with Tertullian flourished Clemens Alexandrinus because a Philosopher of Alexandria the Scholar of Pantenus and Master of Origen Eusebius mentioneth him and Pantaenus in the second of Severus at which time it 's probable he wrote his Stromata for not intending his Chronology beyond the time of Commodus Minutius Felix he seemeth not long after his death to have begun that Work At this time also lived Minutius Felix an eminent Lawyer and the Author of that excellent Book intituled Octavius which as Lactantius writeth doth declare how fit an assertor of the truth he might have been had he applyed himself wholly to that study This Book being intended as an Apology for Christian Religion acquainteth us what thoughts the Heathen at that time had thereof as also do the Apologies of Justin Martyr the Books of Origen against Celsus and especially that of Tertullian We have already shewn the rise and increase of Christian Religion we have delivered the series of the most eminent Bishops and Fathers thereof as also of the several Hereticks which from within disturbed the peace thereof We have also given an account of the several fiery tryals the faithful underwent But what opinions the Infidels had of Christians and Christianity of what crimes they accused them whence their hatred proceeded whereupon the Emperours grounded their bloody Edicts what the Primitive Saints did in the mean time how they behaved themselves under these pressures how they caried it towards their Enemies how they stood affected in duty towards their Princes in sum what their conversations both as men and Christians were is most worthy to be considered and those things in short out of the Apologies aforenamed and other Authors we shall endeavour to discover 15. The first thing that the Heathens cavilled at in Christianity was the newnesse of it (a) Acts 17 18. St. Paul seemed to them to be a setter forth of new gods And there was an antient Law at (b) Tertullian Apol c. 5. Rome which forbad introducing new ceremonies into Religion as worshipping strange deities unlesse approved by the Senate and this was an inviolable Law which binding Emperours as well as others An inquiry into the condition of Christians Tiberius could not as he desired receive Jesus Christ amongst their gods for the Senate would not approve of a God they did not know This prejudice which yet in Idolatry often effected nothing amongst the Romans was increased by a misapprehension of our Lord and Saviours sufferings his being crucified made them despise both him and his Hence (c) Annal. l. 15. c. 44. Tacitus telling the original of the Christians will let the World know that Christ from whom they derived their name was Tiberio imperitante per procuratorem Pontium Pilatum supplicio affectus And hence Trajan (d) Acta Ignatii in his discourse with Ignatius when he would mean Christ called him Crucifixus the Crucified in way of contempt This contempt was increased into disdain by reason that Christ would have no other Gods as they accounted them sharers with him in worship and this disdain was heightned into rage when Christians preaching this saving doctrine declaming against Idolls The reason of the prejudice of Heathens against them proving the Heathen gods to be devils and striking at the root of Paganism endeavoured to draw even the whole World from superstition and Idolatry so antient and universal You say we do not worship the Gods saith (e) Apol. c. 10. Tertullian This was accouned a crime of sacrilege and worthy of death much more then to disswade others from doing it Quid homines sustinebitis enim me impetum suscepta orationis liberius exerentem homines inquam deploratae illicitae ac desperatae factionis grassari in Deos nonne ingemiscendum est saith (f) Minuc Fael Octav. p. 22. Caecilius as he is brought in by Minutius Hereupon the Christians were accounted 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Atheists and it was a custom to cry out against them where the Greek tongue was used (g) Smymens Ecclesiae epist De S. Polycarpi Martyrio p. 16. 20. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Take off the Atheists which words they would have had Polycarp utter as a sign of his recantation This by reason of the malice of Devils who were worshipped under the names of the several gods did render them so highly impious in the opinion of the vulgar and so inraged the multitude against them that (h) Tertull. Apol. cap. 40. if Tiber over-flowed if Nile watered not the plains if Heaven stopped its course and did not powr its rains here below if there were Earth-quake Famine or plague they would immediately cry out Christianos ad Leones Cast the Christians to the Lions as the cause in their opinion of all the calamities that arrived in the World and all the evils that people suffered 16. Prejudice and hatred being risen thus high invented false accusations and caught hold of idle surmises nothing ill seeming incredible concerning those that are already odious (a) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pag. 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Apol. c. 7. Athenagoras saith that three things they objected against Christians Atheism Thyestes his feasts and the Copulation of Oedipus The two later whereof as much as concerneth Thyestes and Oedipus we have spoken above in their due places b Tertullian thus explaineth The Crimes pretended against us the horror of which makes us passe for wicked in the opinion of the people are that we meet together to sacrifize a Child that after we have taken away his life by a barbarous superstition we devour his body and when we have eaten the flesh of this innocent we commit Incests They add that we have Dogs which serve to overthrow the Candles and doing the Office of those infamous Merchants of modesty make us lose all shame in taking the lights from us and covering our actions under the veil of darknesse embolden us to seek the use of ungodly and sacrilegious pleasures Malicious slanders concerning the manner of their worship Caelicius maketh beginners initiated by the bloud of an Infant which they all licking up and dividing his Members amongst themselves by so horrid a Ceremony confirmed their league and the Covenant of their mutual secrecy These Sacra saith he are more abominable than all sacrilege And as for their feasting 't is known sufficiently all speak of it in all places the Oration also of our Certensis doth witnesse it They meet together to eat on a set day with all their Children Sisters Mothers Persons of every Sex and every age There after much eating when the feast is now grown hot the heat of incestuous lust is kindled by drunkennesse the Dog that is tied to the Candle-stick is provoked by casting a piece of
purchase the aversion they carry against the name Christian which we bear with the price of what is most precious to them rather desiring to lose the sweetnesse of life tranquillity of mind and all sorts of commodities than to see in their houses that which they hate A man who heretofore had his mind full of jealousie can no longer endure the company of his wife what assurance soever he hath of her chastity after once he perceives her to be turned Christian and parts from her now when her actions full of modesty have extinguished all suspitions wherewith he was heretofore moved A father who of a long time endured the disobedience of his heathenish son resolves to take from him the hope of succeding him in his inheritance for turning Christian when at the same time executing his commands without murmuring A master that used his slave gently when his carriage gave him some cause of distrust now puts him far from him for a Christian when he hath most assurance of his fidelity 'T is committing of a Crime to correct the disorders of a man's life by the motions of an holy conversion to the Christian faith and the good which is produced by so happy a change works not so powerfully in the minds of men as the hatred they have conceived against us Indeed this hatred is strange and when I consider that the name of Christian onely makes it to be so I would willingly know how a name can be Criminal and how a simple word can be accused Thus much and enough I suppose to discover hatred it self The sad effects thereof 20. And the fruits of hatred abundantly manifested themselves 1 In fastning Christians to Crosses pieces of wood 2 Hanging them up as publick spectacles unto all men upon Gibbets 3 Piercing their bodies with Irons 4 Cutting off their heads 5. Exposing them to the rage of wild beasts 6. Throwing them into flames 7. Condemning them to work in Mines and 8. confining them to Islands all which sorts are expressed in one (a) Cap. 12. Chapter of Tertullian's Apology In another (b) Cap. 37. place he thus writeth How often do those people being our Enemies of their own accord without your authority assault us with stones or burn us They are verily so inraged against us that during the furies of the Bacchinales they spare not even Christians that are dead but trouble the rest of their Graves they violate their Sepulchres which are as Sanctuaries of the dead they draw forth their bodies not to be known whose bodies they are after mangled by them which with extreme inhumanity they tear and drag in the streets (c) Cap. 9. Elsewhere How many are there among you O ye people that are this way greedy of the bloud of Christians and also among you O ye Magistrates after you appear such Justiciers by the severity you treat us with whose consciences I would strike with true reproaches of having procured the death of your own Children Yet if you did but simply put them to death it were something but by a strange excesse of cruelty you throw them into the water you expose them to the rigour of cold and hunger and the rage of Dogs you will not take their lives away with the sword because too gentle a death and which men of the age of discretion had rather suffer than any other that hath violence in it 21. But when the time of persecution drew towards an end then especially did the Devil rage with variety of torments against the Primitive Saints For besides those formerly mentioned (d) Euseb Eccles Hist. lib. 6. cap. 41. Serapion was thrown down and had his neck broken Some having their flesh rent in pieces with the lash of the whip were broyled upon Gridirons others having their skins razed and scorched being tied by one leg were hanged on Trees with the head downwards They pulled out the right eyes of others searing the empty place and sawing off the left legs of others seared their hams and condemned them to the mines which usage was accounted clemency Some they scourged to death cut out their tongues and strangled them One Apphianus being all disfigured with stripes had his feet wrapped in flax oyled all over which being set on fire it ran over his flesh and consumed it and peirced into the marrow within the bones so that his whole body distilled like to melting wax Three dayes he was suffered to remain in prison after this torture and when by reason of his wounds he was ready to yield up the ghost then was he thrown into the Sea Others were forced by buckling justing and buffeting to kill one another Others of mens estate were gelded and condemned to the quarries Others were tormented grievously and chastized with imprisonment and fetters of which number was Pamphilus of all my familiars my dearest friend a man who among all the Martyrs of our time saith Eusebius excelled in every kind of virtue He had his sides mangled with sharp razors and then was ordered to be kept in the noisom stench of the close prison where the rest of the Confessors remained till at length he was put to death being a Presbyter of the Church of Caesaraea concerning whose life Eusebius wrote three books and for his familiarity with and affection to him had the sirname of Pamphilus This variety of the torments of Christians appeareth from several passages in the seventh and eighth Books of his Ecclesiastical History which so far exceedeth all inferiour punishments or that I may speak in the phrase of Lawyers the diminutiones capitis that we need not mention how Christians were denied the title of (b) Tertul. Apol. l. 36. Roman Citizens But one kind of punishment far more grievous than the rest there yet was which more tormented Christians than all other tortures put together and that was the losse of their chastity This Engine battered the fort of Origen's constancy who chose rather to sacrifize to idols than be abused by an Aethiopian as Suidas writeth (c) Apol. c. ult Tertullian giveth us another instance that we may enquire no further And indeed a few dayes since saith he you condemned a Christian maid to be rather prostituted to an infamous corrupter of her chastity than to be exposed to the rage of a Lyon you acknowledge there is no punishment nor kind of death which is so intolerable to Christians as the losse of their chastity 22. Such was the entertainment Christians found in this World now let us see how far they deserved it as to their demeanour and cariage for there is no need to speak here to the two first objections The Heathens (a) Tertul. ubi supra c. 2. believe a man could not make profession of Christianity without being tainted with all sorts of crimes without being an Enemy to the gods to Princes to the Laws to good manners and to nature and that a Christian could not be acquitted
Then returning into the West Victor Orosius he bent his endeavours against Tetricus who reigned in Gall. Tetricus being vexed by his Seditious Soldiers desired him whom he termed Invincible to rescue him from such evils and betrayed his Army into his hands Euseb Hist l. 7. cap. 30. in Chron. Valerian growing proud upon such successe first of all Romans set a Diadem on his head and adorned himself with Gold and Pearl He began also to persecute the Christians but undertaking a War against the Persians he was slain betwixt Byzantium and Heraclea through the malice of his Secretary in the sixth year of his reign In his first year Agathias Hormisda the third Persian King began his reign which lasted but one year Him succeeded Varane and reigned three years and him followed Narses who continued 28. In his first year also died Plotinus the Platonist who deriding all religion perished through the just judgement of God by a filthy and painfull disease although he had chosen a pleasant and wholesom place wherein to live in Campania Firmicus lib. 1. Now also flourished Porphyrius his Scholar who of a Christian became a great Enemy to Christianity and wrote 15 books against it to which Eusebius answered in 30. of which 20 were extant in the time of Jerome but at this day not one Tacitus 8. There was an inter-regnum after the death of Valerian for 8 moneths Orosius lib. 7. cap. 24. Eutrop. lib. 9. the Senate and Army straining courtesie the one with the other at length the Senate made choice of Tacitus a man of Consular Dignity who in his sixth moneth died of a Feaver at Tarsus The Senate desired him that in case he should die presently he would not leave his Children his Successors Fl. Vopiscus but some man of approved worth and valour as the necessity of the State required This man was Probus Zozimus Pomponius Laetus yet notwithstanding Florianus the brother of Tacitus invaded the Empire but was cut off by Probus near Tarsus within the space of two or three moneths Probus Probus unwillingly receiving the burthen upon him managed the Government with great commendation He recovered Gall out of the hand of the Francones a people of Germany which now first seized on it after many bloudy battels and after this was ingaged in Civil Wars For Saturninus was saluted Emperour in Egypt who was overthrown also and killed also against his mind and the same successe he had against Proculus in Gall and Bonosus a Britain born He overthrew the Sarmatians subdued several barbarous Nations about Thrace by the terrour of his name onely quieted all Asia and forced the Parthian King to desire peace which he granted Returning afterward into Thrace he planted several barbarous people within the Roman Empire whereof some revolting he chastized and reduced them Now all things flourished exceedingly through peace and security which made him something slight the Soldiers who thereupon as he was marching through Illyricum against the Persians murdered him at Syrmium though he fled for safety into a fortified Tower That saying undid him Si vixero non opus erit ampliùs Romano Imperio militibus a speech of great despair for the Soldiers Witty and sharp speeches fallen from Princes have often given fire to Seditions Surely saith the most learned Viscount of St. Albans Princes had need in tender matters and ticklish times to beware what they say especially in those short speeches which fly abroad like Darts and are thought to be shot out of their secret intentions For as for large Discourses they are flat things and not so much noted Carus 9. M. Aurelius Carus of the Province of Narbon in Gall Olymp. 265. ann 3. V. C. 1036. A. D. 283. succeeded him who when he had created Caesars his two sons Carinus and Numerianus restrained the Sarmatians that upon the death of Probus threatned Italy But going against the Persians after he had recovered Mesopotamia and taken the two noble Cities of Parthia Ctesiphon and Cochis he was slain by a Thunder-bolt in his Tent near to the River Tigris Orosius Eutrop. Vopiscus Of his two sons Numerianus was with him and Carinus was left behind to look to Gall. Numerianus returning out of the East as Conquerour and lying sick in his Litter was killed by Arius Aper his father-in-law who gaped after the Empire Scarcely after some dayes was this wickednesse detected by the stench of the Carkase Diocletian and then the Author of it being also discovered Valerius Deocletianus who governed the family of Carus was chosen Emperour and rewarded Aper as he had deserved On the 15th before the Calends of December and 10 dayes after he entred Nicomedia in Purple From the beginning of this Diocletian the Egyptians began a new Aera fetching its rise from the new Moon of Thoth the preceding moneth August 29 which they called the Aera of Grace for some reason or other Cappellus observeth that the fluctuating and vitious Chronology of Baronius henceforth beginneth to be right For thinking saith he that he exhibited the years both of the true and received Aera of Christ in truth he exhibited neither the one sort nor the other Beginning the Aera of Diocletian from the 284 year of our Lord its true and right so that it be understood of the received not of the true Aera of Christ and the same is to be said concerning the years of the following Emperours But after this Carinus and Diocletian fought for the Soveraignty and Carinus after much ado was slain by his own Soldiers for his lasciviousnesse which made an end of a bloudy and laborious War 10. Diocletian then enjoyed the Dignity alone but great stirs arising in Gall Carausius also who was set to defend the Sea-Coasts from the invasion of the Franks and Saxons rather taking part with them than otherwise he was constrained to create Caesar Maximianus Herculeus Orosius ubi suprà cap. 25. Eutrop. lib. 9. Festus Rufus He suppressed the motions in Gall but commanding Carausius to be killed this man put on the Purple though a man of mean condition and seized upon Britain Achilleus rebelled in Egypt Africk was in trouble and Narses King of Persia invaded the Eastern parts Diocletian awakened with these dangers promoted Maximianus to be Augustus and they two adopted for Caesars Maximianus Galerius and Constantius Chlorus who married Theodora the wive's daughter of Herculeus and by her had six sons as the other the daughter of Diocletian Carausius valiantly held Britain for seven years and then was slain by Allectus who having kept possession of the Island three years was overthrown by Asclepiodorus Constantius fighting against the Allemans in Gall at first was worsted but afterwards got a great victory wherein 60000 of them are said to have been slain Maximianus Herculeus reduced Africk Diocletian himself besieging Achillens in Alexandria 8 moneths at length slew him therein gave up the
the eighteenth before the Calends of October and Lucius succeeded him who shortly after was banished In the second of Gallienus was he beheaded and after a vacancy of 35 dayes Stephen succeeded on the ninth of April the first feria who interceding for Basilides condemned by the Spaniards they defended their right against him and condemned his usurpation against the Africans as appeareth from Cyprian's Epistles as also that the boldnesse of the Roman Sea was now checked by all the Provinces After three years Stephen was beheaded by the command of Valerian and Sixtus succeeded him who being beheaded when Laurence the Deacon was fried to death by the command of Valerian Dionysius succeeded After him came Felix and then Eutychianus who being martyred in the first of Carus after nine dayes Caius succeeded December 16. Caius was crowned with Martyrdom in the twelfth of Diocletian and after eleven dayes Marcellinus succeeded who through fear offering incense to Idols when he denied it was overborn by the testimony of a multitude of witnesses confessed his fault and afterwards redeemed his credit by suffering Martyrdom Marcellus succeeded him After Marcellus succeeded Eusebius and then Miltiades then Sylvester who was Bishop at the time of the Council of Nice in the twentieth year of Constantine 19. After Alexander Mazabanes was Bishop of Jerusalem untill the reign of Gallus and Volusianus after him Hymeneus till the time of Aurelian Then followed Zambdas and Hermon according to (a) Lib. 7. c. 19. Eusebius who writeth that the Sea of Jerusalem was alwaies honoured and the succession continued unto his own dayes After Hermon Macarius was Bishop Socrat. Scholast l. 1. cap. 9 13. and was present at the Council of Nice In the Church of Antioch after Philetus succeeded Zebinus and then Babylas who died in prison in the persecution under Decius Him followed Fabius him Demetrianus and him Paulus Samosatenus the heretick who denying the Divinity of the Son of God was excommunicated and deprived by the second Synod held against him at Antioch in the dayes of (c) Euseb l. 7. c. 29 30. Aurelianus And when he would neither depart the Church nor avoid the house the Emperour was besought the first application to the Prince in this nature by the Christians to interpose and command by edict that such should have the house as agreed in doctrine with the followers of the Bishop of Rome and Italy Domnus was by the Synod appointed to succeed him after whom followed Timeus Cyrillus Dorotheus Tyrannus Vitalis Philogonus a Martyr and (d) Socrat. l. 1. c. 9 23. Eustathius who was at the Council of Nice He fell into the Heresie of Sabellius who being the Scholar of Noetus taught that the three Persons of the Trinity were but one but they differed in that Sabellius said not the Father to have suffered He was deposed by a Council held at Antioch Eusebius Pamphilius Bishop of Caesarea confuted him After his deposition the Sea was vacant eight years In the Sea of Alexandria after Heraclas Dionysius the Scholar of Origen was Bishop in the third year of Philip. He reporteth in (e) Quem vid. l. 6 7. passim Eusebius the peril he stood in and the persecution he suffered under Decius He wrote of the Alexandrian Martyrs to Fabius Bishop of Antioch and to Novatus the Heretick who being a Priest of Rome fell from his order and calling his Sect Cathari would not admit unto the Church such as fell after repentance and he abhorred second mariage Dionysius also wrote to Hermanion to Steven and Xistus Bishops of Rome unto Philemon a Minister of Rome and unto Dionysius Bishop of Rome He confuted the Book of Nepos the Chiliast and confounded in open disputation Coracion his disciple Hitherto this error of the Millenaries propagated by Papias had many of the Fathers that adhered to it who yet held that Christ when he came was to do his own work without any prejudice to Earthly Princes in the mean time Some observe that Dionysius striking at this error traduceth the Apocalypse as also defending the distinction of Persons against Sabellius seemeth to make three Essences Many betook themselves to Dionysius Bishop of Rome that he would reclaim him and obtained it After he had governed the Church seventeen years he died and Maximinus succeeded him whom followed Theonas and him Peter who was martyred under Diocletian Him succeeded Achillas and then came Alexander who was at the Council of Nice Hee by preaching of the Trinity somewhat curiously gave occasion to Arius one of his Clergy to fall from the Faith as * L. 1. c. 5. Socrates informeth us 20. In the fifth year of Philip whilst Fabianus was Bishop of Rome Donatus the Bishop of Carthage died and Cyprian succeeded him by consent of all men except Felicissimus who whilest the Heathens invaded his patrimony endeavoured to deprive him of his Bishoprick Felicissimus was ordained Bishop by Novatus Vita epistolae Cypriani who also ordained Novatianus against Cornelius Bishop of Rome Yet Cornelius favoured Felicissimus against Cyprian and would have taken Cognisance of their businesse whereupon Cyprian vehemently rebuketh him and denies that any one beyond the Sea hath right to passe judgement upon any matters concerning Africk And a little after the pride of the Roman Sea was reprehended by all those of the Provinces an occasion being given about Basilides who being censured in Spain complained to Stephen the Bishop of Rome Cyprian was several times driven into exile (a) Lib. 7. c. 3. Eusebius maketh him to have erred in rebaptizing Hereticks In the fourth of Valerian died Origen seventy years old Origen a man of admirable parts most austere life indefatigable industry and stupendious learning but of impure Doctrine Jerome sheweth how full of portentous errours his book 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is (b) Quem consule de Civitate Dei l. 21. c. 17. Augustin saith he held the Devil at length should be delivered from Hell and associated with the holy Angels and for this and other things especially for holding alternate or successive blessednesse and misery for ever the Church did reject him Pamphilus wrote an Apology for him But his works are to be read with especial care and especially his Commentaries upon the Scripture concerning some of which Theodore (c) In Rom. cap. 3. vers 20. Beza passeth this censure Certe hoc ausim dicere si haec sunt Origenis cujus titulum praeferunt hunc hominem fuisse selectum Diaboli organum Apostolicae Doctrinae evertendae destinatum for he evaporateth the solid and substantial Doctrine of the Gospel into Allegorical and aery Notions 21. But God having exercised his people by many a fiery trial was pleased to preserve the bush unburned and at length to grant them Peace by Constantine who proved a nursing father to the Church taking away all penal Laws against them and enacting new ones not onely for their preservation but convenience and
Astrea a Romance in 3 Volumes in Folio Paulo Paruto's History of Venice Translated by Henry Earl of Monmouth Bishop Andrews second Volume of Sermons The Grand Scipio an excellent new Romance written in French by Monsieur de Vaumoriere and rendred into English by Gil. Havers The History of the Commonwealth of Venice by James Howel Esq The Wall-flower an excellent Romance written by Dr. Baley A Compendious History of the Goths Swedes Vandals and other Northern Nations written by Olaus Magnus Arch-Bishop of Upsal and Metropolitan of Sweden Clelia an excellent new Romance the fifth and last Volume Gondibert an Heroick Poem written by Sir William Davenant Parthenissa an excellent Romance in five Volumes written by the Right Honorable the Lord Broghill The civil right of Tythes wherein setting aside the higher Plea of Jus Divinum from the Equity of the Levitical Law or that of nature for sacred services and the certain apportioning by the undoubted Canon of the New Testament the labourers of the Lords Vineyard of the Church of England are estated in their quota Pars of the Tenth or Tythe per legem Terrae by civil Sanction or the Law of the Land written by C. E. Mr. of Arts. The Art of making Devises by Tho. Blunt The Immortality of the Soul demostrated by the light of nature by Doctor Charleton Natural History of nutrition life and voluntary motion containing all discoveries of Anatomists and most probable opinions of Physicians concerning the Oeconomie of humane nature Methodically delivered in Exercitations Physico-Anatomical by Dr. Charleton Epicurus's Morals collected partly out of his own Greek Text in Diogegenes Laertius and partly out of the Rhapsodies of Marcus Antonius Plutarch Cicero and Seneca and faithfulle Englished by Dr. Charleton Ironodia Gratulatoria Latin Poems by Pa. Fisher The siege of Rhodes The History of Sr. Francis Drake The cruelty of the Spaniards in Peru expressed by Instrumental and Vocal Musick and by Art of perspective in Scenes c. all three written by Sir William Davenant Unum Necessarium or the Doctrine and practice of Repentance by Jer. Taylor D. D. A Collection of Offices and Forms of prayer publick and private fitted for the needs of all Christian assemblies by Jer. Taylor Dr. of Divinity A Collection of Letters made by Sr. Toby Mathews Knight with a Character of the most excellent Lady Lucy Countesse of Carlile by the same Author to which is added many Letters of his own to several persons of Honour who were Contemporary with him Satyrical Characters and handsom Descriptions in Letters written to several persons of quality Poems viz. A Panegyrick to the King Songs Sonnets the Blind Lady a Comedy the fourth book of Virgil Statius Achilleis with Annotations A Panegyrick to General Monck by the Honorable Sr. Rob. Howard The Characters of the Passions written in French by the Sieur de la Chambre Physician to the Lord Chancellor of France put into English by a person of quality Anthropologia abstracted or the Idea of humane nature reflected in brief Philosophical and Anatomical Collections The Court of Rome wherein is set forth the whole Government thereof The Grand difference between France Spain and the Empire with the Titles Claims and pretences to each others Dominions discussed and stated by an Impartial hand very necessary for the clear understanding of the present Commotions and great affairs of Europe A Triumphant Arch Erected and Consecrated to the glory of the Feminine Sex by Monsieur de Scudery Englished by J. B. Gent. Humane Industry or a History of most Manual Arts deducing the Original Progresse and Improvement of them furnished with variety of Instances and Examples shewing forth the Excellency of humane wit â—eraphick Love written by the Honorable Robert Boyl Certain Physiological Essayes written at distant times and on several occasions by the Honorable Robert Boyl A Prospective of the Naval Triumph of the Venetians over the Turks to Signor Petro Liberi that Renown'd and Famous Painter by Gio. Francesco Busenello Englished by Tho. Higgons Esq Rats Rim'd to death or a Collection of Ballets made on the Rump Parliament Dr. Jer. Taylors Rules of living and dying Sr. Walter Rawleighs Ghost or a Translation of Lessius de Providentiâ Numinis Animi Immortalitate written against the Atheists and Politicians of these dayes A Devout Paraphrase on the 50th Psalm by Math. Kellison D.D. A Discourse of a Method for the well guiding of Reason and the Discovery of Truth in the Sciences Musarum Delitiae containing several pieces of Poetick wit by Sr. John Menuis and Dr. Smith Poems Elegies and Sonets written by the Bishop of Chichester All Horace his Lyricks or his fourth book of Odes and his book of Epods Englished Heroick Education or choice Maxims and Instructions for the most sure and facile training up of youth in the wayes of Eminent learning and virtues a Treatise very necessary for all men but most especially for such as undertake the charge to govern the young Nobility and Gentry A Treatise of adhering to God written by Albert the Great Bishop of Ratisbon put into English by Sr. Kenelm Digby Knight Also a Conference with a Lady about choice of Religion The Royal Game at Chess-Play sometimes the recreation of the late King Charls the first of blessed memory with many of the Nobility Illustrated with almost an hundred Gambels being the study of Biochimo the famous Italian A Diarium or Journal divided into 12. Jornades in Burlesque Rhime or Droling verse with divers other pieces of the same Author Satyrical Declamations at the entertainment at Rutland house by Sr. William Davenant A Proposition for the advancement of Experimental Philosophy by Abraham Cowley A Discourse between the aforementioned Author and the Devil concerning Oliver Cromwel The Ephesian Matron or a Discourse upon the nature of Women The Roman the Conversation of the Romans and Macenas in three excellent Discourses written in French by Balsac Englished by a person of quality PLAYES The Enchanted Lovers The Amorous Fantasm The Noble Ingratitude The Guardian Cowley Bélius and Thetis Loves labour lost Hamlet Prince of Denmark Romio and Juliet