having accused him for ill management in the Government of Babylon Wherefore he was called Demetrius Soter a name given him by the Babylonians After this seeing himself setled in the Kingdom he sent to Rome a Crown of Gold worth ten thousand Crowns as an acknowledgement of his having been civily treated in quality of a Hostage and moreover delivered to them Leptines who had slain Octavius The Senate accepted the Crown but as if the crime had concerned all the Syrians they would not content themselves with the punishment of Leptines After this Demetrius drove Ariarathes out of the Kingdom of Cappadocia and received a thousand Talents for setling in it Holophernes said to be his Brother though it were the Romans intention that both Brothers should be Kings alike but sometime after they were both expelled and Ariobarzanes likewise by the Forces of Mithridates King of Pontus upon which cause with some others began the War with Mithridates Never was there a greater nor in which there were so many strange revolutions or so many Nations concerned besides that it lasted forty years during which time the Palace of the Kings of Syria oft-times changed its Master though they were still of the same Race There happened likewise during that time many broils and mutations in divers Kingdoms The Parthians who for a long time had been revolted from the Family of the Seleucides added to their Estates Mesapotamia which they cut off from the Kingdom of Syria Tigranes Son of Tigranes having subdued the neighbouring Nations which had every one their King and causing himself to be called King of Kings made War upon the Seleucides who would not submit And Antiochus sirnamed the Pious being not able to resist him he became Master of all the Provinces of Syria on this side Euphrates as far as Egypt and of Cilicia besides which was likewise under the Dominion of the Seleucides Magabates commanded in the name of the King his Master in all their Estates newly conquered with a powerful Army for fourteen years together but after that Mithridates overcome by Lucullus sought refuge in the Court of Tigranes Magabates went with his Army to the assistance of his King and in the mean time Antiochus Son of the Pious retook Possession of his Kingdom with applause of all Syria Lucullus who waged the first War with Tigranes and drove him out of his new Conquests disturbed not the King of Syria in the Possession of the Kingdom of his Fathers but Pompey Successor to Lucullus after having defeated Mithridates suffred Tigranes to remain King of Armenia but for Antiochus though he had never disobliged the Romans yet he despoiled him of his Kingdom and indeed it was easie for a great Army to oppose a King unarmed not but that he had another pretence for 't was alledged that it was not just that Syria whose Kings of the Seleucian Race were expelled by the Arms of Tigranes should rather return to them again than to the Romans who were Conquerers of the same Tigranes himself Thus were Cilicia Syria as well the higher as lower Phaenicia and Palestine added to the Roman Empire without fighting and with them all the Countries between Euphrates and Egypt There remained only the Jews to be subdued by force and Pompey performed it sent their King Aristobulus Prisoner to Rome and rased the Walls of Ierusalem a very great and a holy City in that Country Ptolemy the first King of Egypt had before done the same Vespasian likewise took and pillaged it and the last time it was taken was by Adrian in our days wherefore the Jews pay more Tribute by the Pole than for the Goods which they posses and for the Syrians and Cilicians they pay the hundredth part Pompey having conquered all the Nations that had been formerly under the Seleucides gave to some particular Kings as also to the Gallogreeks of Asia and for the others he confirmed in their Tetrarchies the Ancient Kings that had faithfully served the Romans in the War against Mithridates Some years after all these Estates were reunited to the Roman Empire every one in his time but the principal part under the Empire of Augustus Caesar. Now Pompey being departed from Syria left his Government to his Quaestor Scaurus to whom the Senate sent Marcus Philippius for Successor and after him Marcellinus Lentulus both these Praetors who during the two years that each had the government of this Province were obliged several times to come to blows with the neighbouring Arabs who made incursions into the Province wherefore afterwards there were Proconsuls sent into Syria who had the same power with the Consuls in matters of War Gabinius was the first that came with an Army when Mithridates King of Parthia driven from his Kingdom by Orodes his Brother was re-established by the assistance of the Arabs At the same time Ptolemy the Eleventh King of Egypt being expelled likewise by his Subjects by force of Money prevailed with Gabinius to resettlâ— him in Alexandria and suspend the War with Parthia He did it and by force constrained the Alexandrians to return to the obedience of their King But Gabinius was by the Senate condemned to banishment for having without express Orders passed into Egypt and having undertaken a War which was thought to be unfortunate being forbid by the Sybills Verses To Gabinius succeeded as I think Crassus who going to make War with the Parthians was defeated by the loss of his whole Army After him L. Bibulus had this Government during whose time the Parthians made an irruption into this Province and in the time of Saxa who was his Successor extended their Arms as far as Ionia the Romans being then diverted by the Civil Wars But we shall more amply treat of all these Matters in the Book of the Wars against the Parthians this being only designed for the Wars in Syria What therefore I have said is only to make known in what manner Syria came under the Roman Dominion and how it was reduced under the form of a Province Nor will it be much from the purpose to insert something of what passed from the time of the Macedonians till it was brought under the Roman Rule Alexander having overcome the Persians was King of Syria and not only of Syria but also of all the Countries whither he carried his Arms. After the death of Alexander who left two Sons the one yet a little Infant and the other in the belly of his Mother The Macedonians pressed forward by the love they bore to the Blood of Philip chose for their King Aridaeus the Brother of Alexander who yet was not esteemed over wise changing the name of Aridaeus into that of Philip but that only for the that Alexanders Children were in their minority for they gave Guards to the Mother whilst she was great with Child Mean while the Captains of the Macedonians and principally Perdiccas under the authority of this Philip divided the conquered Nations into
tears from Anthony's Friends The Mardian came to intreat him to take Courage by telling him that by a certain moist and fresh Wind very pleasant to the Nostrils he knew well they were not for from the River which he guessed besides by the length of the way they had gone and the time for the night was far spent At the same time they brought him word that all the Tumult was occasioned by the avarice of the Soldiers who had plundered one another wherefore that he might put in order this troubled and dispersed multitude he made a halt about break of day the Tumult being quite calmed every one began to fall into his Rank when on a sudden the Rearguard felt the Parthian Arrows the Light-armed Foot was presently commanded out and the Targetiers as before formed a Testudo against the Enemies shot who durst not approach them too nigh At last having fought in this manner for some little way the Vanguard perceived the River where being arrived the Horse was sent out against the Parthians and they began to pass over the sick The Fight by little and little grew colder for the Parthians at the sight of the River unbent their Bows telling the Romans they might pass without any fear and highly commending their Courage When they were got on the other side they reposed themselves at leisure then set forward on their March not confiding too much in the words of the Parthians and six days after their last Fight they arrived on the Banks of Araxis a River which divides Media from Armenia they thought it both deep and rapid and there was a rumour spread that the Enemy was coming to encounter them at their passage but after they had happily crossed it and saw themselves in security in the Territories of Armenia as if they had gained a Port after a Storm they adored the Earth embracing one another and weeping for joy yet it happened that coming into a Country abundant in all things after so long a scarcity they so overcharged their Stomachs that many of them fell sick either of the Dropsie or Colick Anthony out of danger took a Muster of his Army and found that he had lost in this Expedition twenty thousand Foot and four thousand Horse of which more than half dyed of sickness Since his departure from about Phraates till this time he had made seven and twenty days March without resting during which he had fought eighteen times against the Parthians with advantage But these Victories were to no purpose for not being able to pursue the Enemies far after he had routed them they remained imperfect Now it is firmly believed that Artabasus King of Armenia was the cause that Anthony gained not an absolute Victory for had he had with him the sixteen thousand Horse armed after the manner of the Parthians and accustomed to fight with them which that King led back out of Media the Parthians so many times overcome could never have rallied because that after the Romans had routed them the Armenians following the chase had made it a perfect Victory Wherefore all men advised Anthony to punish Artabasus but he thought he did more prudently not to reproach him with his perfidiousness On the contrary he remitted nothing of the Honour and Civity he usually shewed him because he saw his Army weak and in a tyred condition but making another Voyage into Armenia he obliged him by fair words to come and meet him and having arrested him led him Captive to Alexandria whither he entred in Triumph which much displeased the Romans who were vexed that he communicated the Honours of their Cities to the Egyptians but this happened in the time of the Declination of the Republick After this the Kings of the Medes and Parthians quarrelled about the Roman Spoils wherefore the Median seeing himself the weakest and fearing to loose his Kingdom sent to Anthony to engage him to begin the War afresh offering him to that effect his Forces and his Alliance Upon these offers the Roman conceived great hopes because he believed that to have subdued the Parthians he wanted nothing but Archers and Horsemen which now offered of themselves he was therefore resolved to pass into Armenia with design to makeâ— a conjunction of his Forces with those of the Mede on the Banks of Araxes and â—o go together to make War upon the Parthians but being prevented by the dissentions of Octavius and Cleopatra he referred this Expedition to another Season though 't is said the Parthians were at this time divided among themselves He notwithstanding once afterwards returned to Media where having contracted an Alliance and Friendship with that King he demanded one of his Daughters whom he married to one of his Sons he had by Cleopatra and that done he returned because of the Civil Wars which now began to break out into a flame The End of the Parthian War APPIAN OF ALEXANDRIA HIS HISTORY OF THE Roman Wars WITH MITHRIDATES PART I. BOOK IV. The Argument of this Book I. THe importance of this War and the Power of Mithridates II. The Foundation of the Kingdom of Bithynia III. Foundation of the Kingdom of Cappadocia and the cause or pretence of the Roman Wars against Mithridates IV. Mithridates sends Pelopidas to the Roman Commissaries to complain of Nicomedes V. Mithridates sieses on Cappadocia for his Son and Pelopidas in vain remonstrates the State of Matters to the Roman Commissaries VI. The beginning of the War by the first Battel between Nicomedes and the Lieutenants of Mithridates wherein Nicomedes is defeated VII Sundry successes of Mithridates Arms. VIII The Commission of this War given to Sylla and the Massacre of the Italians in Asia IX The Siege of Rhodes by Mithridates who is forced to raise it X. The Siege of the Port of Piraeum and of Athens by Sylla XI The City of Athens taken and sack'd and after it the Port of Piraeum XII The Battel between Sylla and Archelaus near Cheronea where Sylla defeats Archelaus XIII Mithridates cruelty to the Tetrarchs of Asia and Inhabitants of the Island of Chios XIV The fight between Sylla and Archelaus near Orchomene where Archelaus is beaten XV. The Actions of Fimbria and the second sacking of Troy XVI The first accommodation betwixt Mithridates and the Romans XVII The death of Fimbria Sylla's settlement of Asia and return to Rome XVIII The second War with Mithridates by Muraena which soon ends with a second Peace XIX The beginning of the third War of the Romans against Mithridates wherein he at first hath the advantage XX. Lucullus being Consul hath Commission for this War raises the Siege of Cysica and besieges Mithridates to the loss of his whole Army XXI Many Fights between Lucullus and Mithridates who is at last forced to retire to Tigranes XXII Lucullus makes War on Tigranes and Mithridates together and after many Victories is revoked XXIII Pompey's War against the Pirates XXIV Pompey's actions against Mithridates who forsakes his
therefore proposed to him either Egypt or King Iuba the later they thought not of sufficient Reputation but all counselled his Retreat into Egypt They alledged that it was not far off that it was a Powerful Kingdom an Excellent Country where he would want neither Shipping nor Provisions nor Money and whose Kings though yet but Minors were obliged to serve him because of the good Offices he had done their Father So by those Reasons he was perswaded to bend his Course towards Egypt There was at present a Division in the Royal Family Cleopatra who before reigned joyntly with her Brother Ptolemy being driven out now raised Forces about Syria and Ptolemy her Brother was encamped near Mount Cassia on the Frontiers of Egypt to hinder her Re-entry into the Kingdom It happened that the Wind drove Pompey into that place who seeing so great an Army on the Shore stopped and because he judged as it proved true that the King was there he sent one to give him advice of the Cause of his coming and to remember him of his Friendship with his Father He was yet but thirteen Years of Age and had for Overseers Achillas in what concerned Affairs of War and Photinus the Eunuch for the Treasury Those began to consult betwixt them what they should do in this Conjuncture and having called to counsel with them Theodatus the Rhetorician School-Master to the Infant King He proposed to them an execrable Advice which was to cut off Pompey to gain the favour of Caesar Which being resolved on under pretence that in that place the Sea was full of Shoals so that greater Vessels could not approach they sent him a wretched Boat in which there were some Officers of the Royal House and with them a certain Roman Soldier called Sempronius who now bore Arms in Egypt but had formerly served under Pompey He presented him his hand on the Part of Ptolemy inviting him to enter and go with him to his Friend who waited for him Mean while the Army was drawn up in Battel on the Sea Shore in the midst of which appeared the King clad in his Royal Robes as if to do Honour to his Guest Though Pompey had already some cause to distrust considering this Army in Battel the pittifulness of the Boat that the King came not in Person to meet him nor sent any Person of Quality yet he went into the Skiff repeating to himself these Lines of Sophocles To Tyrants Courts the Valiant and the Brave Though free they enter soon become their Slave When he saw that after he was got some distance from his Ships no Person spoke to him his suspition increased Wherefore either knowing Sempronius for a Roman or a Soldier that had served under him or conjecturing it because he only stood up according to the Discipline of the Romans which permits not Soldiers to sit before their General he said turning towards him Surely I have known you Fellow Soldier Which Sempronius having acknowledged as soon as he turned away he gave him the first blow which was followed by many others that took away his Life His Wife and Friends seeing afar off this Murther began to cry out and lifting up their hands to Heaven imploring the Gods Revengers of violated Hospitality with all speed took their Flight Photinus's People cut off Pompey's Head which he kept to present to Caesar when he should arrive in Egypt out of hopes of a great Reward but he revenged this Murther as became him Some one having found the Trunk of his Body buried it upon the Sea-Shore raising over it a little Tomb upon which some other wrote this Inscription Scarce should a Temple to hold that suffice Which huddled in a little Sand here lies This Sepulchre being in process of time quite covered over with Sand the Emperour Adrian visiting that Country caused it in these our times to be sought for and after having found it with the Copper Images which the Inhabitants of these Coasts had dedicated to Pompey which were fallen with age in the ruines of a Temple he caused the Rubbiâ—â— to be removed made the Sepulchre visible and set up the Images Thus ended this great Man his days after having fortunately put an end to many Wars of great Importance and augmented the Roman Empire by which he got the Title of Great Never before had he been vanquished and from his very youth began to be happy in all his undertakings for from the three and twentieth to the eight and fiftieth year of his age he had in effect the power of a King though he took upon him only the quality of a private Citizen because of the dispute for preheminence between him and Caesar. Lucius Scipio his Father-in-law and all the rest of the persons of Quality that escaped from the Battel of Pharsalia retired to Corcyra where they had of purpose left Cato with other Forces and three hundred Galleys There having divided the Fleet among Pompey's chief Friends Cassius sailed towards Pontus to engage Pharnaces to take up Arms against Caesar Scipio and Cato went into Africa relying upon those Forces Varus had and the assistance they hoped for from Iuba King of the Moors And Pompey's Eldest Son with Labienus Scapula and another part of the Army went by great Journeys to Spain with design to draw that Province to their Party to raise other Forces of Spaniards Celtiberians and even of Slaves and to make the greatest Preparations they possibly could so great were yet the Wrecks of Pompey's Power which by a prodigious blindness he deserted and fled The Soldiers in Africa offered Cato the chief Command but he refused it because there were there present Lieutenants of Consular Quality and he had never arrived to higher Dignity in the City than the Charge of Pretor Wherefore L. Scipio being chosen General of that Army he laboured likewise in these Quarters to encrease and exercise his Forces so that there were raised at the same time two powerful Armies against Caesar one in Africa and the other in Spain He for his part stayed at Pharsalia but two days after the Victory that he might sacrifice to the Gods in the Field of the Battel and suffer the Soldiers take some repose tired with the Toil of that Great Day He likewise granted Liberty to the Thessalians who had served him faithfully upon this Occasion And the Athenians coming to demand his Pardon he forgave them with these words How often must the Glory of your Predecessors with-hold you from falling down those Precipices whither your own faults lead you The third day he marched towards the East whither he understood Pompey was fled As he passed the Hellespont upon little Boats for want of Ships in the middle of the Strait Cassius in his way to Pharnaces suddainly comes up with a great number of Gallies and though he might with so many Bottoms have easily defeated his Enemy who was infinitely the weaker yet such was the prodigious good Fortune
by Plague Famine or Sedition euer made them abate of their Courage but at last having baffled all imaginable dangers for seven hundred years together and triumph'd over all those difficulties dayly opposed them they raised their Empire to that height of Glory and Greatness and at present reap the Fruits of both their good Fortune and Prudence Many Authors as well Greek as Latine have wrote of all these things and indeed the Subject is greater than that of the Macedonian Affairs though they â—ere in their season possibly more considerable But for my part after having well considered the Roman Virtue that I might make the more contemplative comparison of it with that of other Nations I have given freedom to my thoughts to wander from one place to another from Carthage to Spain from thence to Sicily or Macedonia and fancied either an Embassie or a Commission to succour the oppressed and thence like a perfect Vagabond that had nothing else to do returning either to Carthage or Sicily I have collected all things necessary to compose this History I informed my self how often the Romans sent Ambassadors or Armies into Sicily and of every minute Action they performed there till they reduced it under that obedience it now acknowledges I enquired into all Treaties of Peace or Overtures between one or t'other that had been transacted between the Carthaginians and Roman People what Wrongs one had done to the other and what Losses and Overthrows each had received till such time as Carthage was demolished and Africa was made a Roman Province and at last how Carthage being rebuilt Africa came into the state we now find it I have followed the same course through all the other Provinces led by a curiosity to understand all that the Romans had done of great and glorious to know the sloth or industry of every Nation the Virtue and Fortune of this victorious People And in short all things worthy recording and imagining it would be no unpleasant thing to the world to know the Roman History in this manner I laid my design to write the particular Actions of every Province by themselves omitting what in those times was done elsewhere and referring it to its proper place and order I looked upon it likewise as unnecessary to set down throughout the whole the time when every thing passed 〈…〉 sufficient to observe it in Affairs of most Importance Let me add that heretofore the Romans had but one name like other men in process of time they added another and it is not long since that some of them took a third the better to make themselves be known either by some bodily mark or some advantageous endowment of mind so some Greeks likewise to their names added Sirnames Wherefore I shall sometime make use of all their Names especially when I am treating of Illustrious Personages to the intent they may be the better known but Ishall call many as well of the one as the other by those names most agreeable to the matter in hand For the Order and Method of this History 't is taken from the time in which these Wars were begun and ended notwithstanding there were divers others interfer'd which are omitted to avoid confusion Wherefore the several Books shall take their Titles from the matter as the Punik Syrian Parthian Mithridatick Iberian and Hannibal's War c. As to the Domestick Seditions and Civil Wars we shall treat of them according to the time in which the Authors of them lived as that of Marius and Sylla of Pompey and Caesar of Anthony and the other Caesar sirnamed Augustus against the Murderers of the first Caesar. And lastly the War which the Conquerours made one against another which is the last Civil War and during which Egypt fell into the Power of the Romans Thus the Affairs with strange Nations shall be divided by each Book and the Civil Wars by the Chiefs of the Parties But who am I that write all these things Many persons know already and I my self have declared it but to declare it yet more publickly I was born in Alexandria of an honest Family in my Country afterwards I lived at Rome where I pleaded Causes before the Tribunal of the Caesars till such time as they honoured me with the Quality of one of their Procâ—â—atores He that would know more may learn it from the Books I have wrote on this Subject APPIAN OF ALEXANDRIA HIS HISTORY OF THE Roman Wars IN LYBIA OR THE PUNICK WAR PART I. The Argument of this Book I. THe Foundation of the City of Carthage II. A brief Recital of the Roman Wars against the Carthaginians III. The first Punick War where Attilius was defeated by Xantippus IV. War of the Carthaginians against all the People of Lybia V. The cause of the second Punick War VI. Scipio obtains Commission for this War makes preparation and advances into Sicily VII The Carthaginians prepare for defence VIII The occasion of Masanissa's discontent against Syphax and the Carthaginiâ—nâ— IX Sâ—â—pio lands in Afriâ—a X. â—aâ—anissa lays an ambush for Haâ—â—o XI Scipio besiegâ—s and taâ—es Locha XII Five thousand Africans defeated by Scipio XIII Scipio besieges Utica where Syphax to gain time proposes Conditions of â—eace XIV Asdrubal and Syphax design to surprize Scipio XV. Scipio calls a Council where he resolves to preâ—ent 〈◊〉 Eâ—emies XVI Scipio assâ—â—lts Aâ—drâ—bal's Camp by Night takes it pâ—llageâ— it and kiâ—s 30000 Men. XVII Asdrubal upon 〈◊〉 defeat is condemned to death by the Carthaginians but yet rallies his forces XVIII A Sea-Fight between the Romans and Carthaginians XIX Battel between Syphax and Masanissa where Syphax is defeated and taken Prisoner XX. Sophonisba Syphax's Wife sends her excuses to Masanissa who receives her and then poisons her to avoid the delivering her up to Scipio XXI Hanâ—o suborns People to set fire an Scipio's Camp they are discovered and put to death XXII Scipio wasting the Country the Carthaginians consult about the re-calling of Hannibal yet send their Ambassadors to Rome to treat of Peace which is concluded between the two Estates XXIII Hannibal returned to Africa prepares for War and the Carthaginians break the Peace by pillaging the Roman Ships XXIV Hannibal undertakes the Charge of the Army is hardly put to it by Scipio whereupon he suâ—â— for Peace which is granâ—ed him but the Peoâ—le will not consent XXV Hannibal confers with Scipio who forces him at length to give Battel XXVI The two Generals draw up their Armies in Battalia and make their Orations to their Souldiers XXVII The Battel between Hannibal and Scipio where Hannibal is defeated XXVIII Scipio approacheâ— Carthage the Citizens sue for Peace which is granted on Condition the Senate ratifie it XXIX The Poeple oppose the Peace yet send dâ—â—â—ties to Rome â—here at an Assembly of the Senate the Peace is ratified Scipio's Triuâ—â—h XXXI Difference betwixt Masanissa and the Carthaginians in which the Romans concern themselves XXXII The great Battel between Masanissa and
followed white Oxen then Elephants and after them the Captive Carthaginian and Numidian Captains Before the General marched the Ushers in Purple Robes with a Chore of Musick and Satyrs girt after the Tuscan manner having on their heads crowns of Gold who advanced in order singing and dancing These Satyrs they called Ludions by reason as I imagine that the Tuscans wore formerly the Lydian habit In the midst of all these people was a certain man clad in a long purple Robe adorned with Bracelets and Chains of Gold who with ridiculous postures derided the enemies After followed in train certain men with perfumes and next appeared the General mounted on a Chariot richly carved he had on his head a Crown of Gold set about with Precious Stones his vesture was a purple robe and in one hand he bore an Ivory Scepter and in the other a branch of Laurel which at Rome is the mark of victory There were in the same Chariot with him divers Children and Maidens and on Horses that drew it were mounted young men of his relations All about it marched the guards the Secretaries and Esquires who were followed by the Soldiery marching in order with abundance of Laurels and those who had done any eminent Service wearing the military Recompenses they had received They have all free liberty in these occasions either to praise their Captains pass their jests upon them or if they please to condemn their actions for a Triumph is a thing of absolute freedom and men are priviledged to say any thing In this manner Scipio ascended the Capitol and the Pomp over magnificently treated his Friends in the Temple according to custom Such was the end of the second Punick War which began in Spain and was finished in Africa by a Treaty concluded about that time when the Greeks account the hundred forty fourth Olympiad Sometime after Masanissa sworn Enemy to the Carthaginians having siesed a part of their Territory presuming as much on the Friendship of the Romans as any right he pretended to it they sent deputies to Rome to supplicate the Senate to put a stop to the Enterprizes of that Prince Commissioners were sent to determine the difference but with Orders to advance that Kings interests as high as they could possibly Thus Masanissa was maintained in the possession of what he had taken and made likewise a peace with the Carthaginians which lasted about fifty years During which Carthage enjoying a solid peace and being much improved in men and riches by reason of the fruitfulness of the soil and commodiousness of the Harbors The minds of men as is usual were transported with prosperity and the City was divided into three Factions the Roman the Popular and the Royal. Each of which had for head the most considerable men of the Nobility both for dignity and virtue Hanno the Great stood for the interest of the Romans Hannibal Opsar sided with Masanissa And Amilcar called the Samnite and with him Carthalon were heads of the Popular Faction These last seeing the Romans engaged in a War in Celtiberia and Masanissa hard put to it to defend himself against other Spaniards obliged Carthalon who then in quality of Lieutenant General was going his Circuit to fall at unawares upon Masanissa's Camp then pitched in that Country about which they had been at difference which he did and having taken and slain some of the Kings Troops raised the Country of Lybia against the Numidians There followed some other skirmishes between the two parties till such time as the Romans once more sent Commissioners to make Peace with Orders like the former to do secretly all they could in favor of the King Who made use of this cunning to confirm Masanissa in the possession of what he had before siesed upon They gave no sentence nor took so much as any cognizance of the difference for fear lest Masanissa should seem to have lost his cause they only placed themselves between the two Camps parted them and gave order to both sides to lay down Arms. Some time after Masanissa renewed the War upon a pretence he had to a Country called Lysoa where there were large Champians and fifty good Towns The Carthaginians had again recourse to the Senate and people of Rome they promised to send Deputies upon the place to determine this affair but the Deputation was delay'd till such time as probable conjectures might be made that Masanissa had the advantage Then Commissioners were dispatched and among others Cato who being arrived upon the places contended for required the parties to give them full power to judge the difference as Arbitrators To which Masanissa who found himself the stronger and confided in the Romans easily agreed but the Carthaginians made a difficulty of it and not without reason for they remembred well that in former sentences they had not done them justice and alleged that the accommodations made by the authority of Scipio needed no correctors provided they were observed by one Party and the other Whereupon the Commissioners who would not be Judges but by consent of parties returned without doing any thing But observing in their journy how excellently the Land was cultivated and that the Country abounded in all things they were astonished especially to see Carthage it self so soon recovered of those losses so lately sustained by Scipio's Victory Insomuch that being returned to the City they declared it a fault in the people of Rome not to have a more watchful eye upon Carthage they had so anciently been jealous of and which upon a sudden was so easily restored to such power Cato himself said the Liberty of the people of Rome could never be secured whilst Carthage subsisted Which being proposed in the Senate it was resolved to make War upon the Carthaginians but that the design should be kept secret till opportunity presented 'T is said that Cato hereafter ceased not in open Senate to declare the Necessity of demolishing Carthage but Scipio Nasica quite contrary argued that it was to be left in a condition that the ancient Discipline which began to decay might be maintained in vigor by the fear they would still stand in of that City Mean while in Carthage the Popular Faction suppressed the Royal condemning to banishment about fifty of the Principal and making the people swear never to admit their return nor so much as suffer it to be spoke of The Exiles made their retreat to Masanissa to oblige him to a War He was before sufficiently inclined to it wherefore he sent Gulussa and Micipsa two of his sons to Carthage to solicite the return of those who had for his sake been banished But when they presented themselves at the Gates Carthalon forbid their entrance for fear lest the tears of the Exiles kindred should work upon the people and besides Amilâ—ar the Samnite laid an ambush for Gulussa upon his return which â—lew some of his attendants and put him to flight This gave occasion to Masanissa to besiege
false for as soon as it was known at Rome what had passed the Senate commanded all the people of Italy to levy great numbers of Soldiers not declaring for what service they designed them but only giving Orders they should be in a readiness upon the first Command Wherefore the Carthaginians to repair their fault did by publick Edict declare Asdrubal their General against Masanissa criminal together with Carthalon his Lieutenant and all those of their Faction laying to their charge the cause of this War They likewise sent them Deputies to Rome to complain of Masanissa but more of their own Citizens already condemned for that they had rashly and with too much passion taken Arms against that King and by that means put the City into hazard of falling afresh into evil terms with the people of Rome Upon which a certain Senator asked them why they had not in the beginning of the War condemned all those were the cause of it without attending the ill success of the enterprize adding that the Carthaginians had a long time designed a War against the people of Rome and went only seeking an opportunity wherefore the Senate could not receive this excuse The Deputies surprized with this answer demanded in return what then they should do to expiate their crime since they had adjudged them guilty to which was replyed in a word Content the people of Rome It was brought into debate in the Senate of Carthage what this Contentment could be they desired of them some thinking that the Romans would have some sums added to those ordained by Scipio others that they must absolutely quit to Masanissa the possession of those Lands in difference In this uncertainty they sent once more to beseech the Senate to prescribe them more expresly the means of contenting them to which answer was given the Carthaginians knew them well enough and with this they were sent back which begat a strange trouble and general terrour throughout all Carthage And to add to it at the same time the City of Utica then the most considerable of all Africa next to Carthage having large and commodious Havens to receive a forreign Fleet and not above sixty furlongs distant from that City and so by consequence very proper to make the seat of the War against the Carthaginians there having ever been a secret animosity between the two Cities Utica taking this opportunity of the deplorable Estate to which Carthage was now reduced sends Deputies to Rome to yield up themselves and their City to the Roman people The Senate who had long before had an inclination to this War and were now prepared for it having at their devotion so strong and so commodious a City discovered their intentions and assembling in the Capitol where it is usual to debate Affairs of consequence decreed a VVar with Carthage and at the same time gave it in Order to the Consuls with private Orders never to give it over till Carthage were destroy'd M. Manlius had the command of the Army by Land and L. Marcinus Censorinus of the Fleet by Sea After offering up the usual Sacrifices they past into Sicily that from thence they might set forward to Utica carryed by fifty Quinqueremes and a hundred Foists followed by many others as well flat bottom'd Vessels as great Barques and Ships of Burthen Their Army consisted of fourscore thousand Foot and about four thousand chosen Horse For both the Citizens and Allies manifested an equal alacrity to go upon this glorious expedition the success of which was no way doubtful nay some were found that would engage in it whether the Consuls would or no. Thus was War made and declared against Carthage at the same time and he that carried them the Decree of the Senate declared likewise that there was an Army at Sea ready to invade them This news cast the whole City not only into fear but despair They had lately lost all their Youth they had neither Fleet nor Allies nor Soldiers in readiness no provision in the City to sustain a Siege in short no manner of preparations as ordinarily happen to people surprized with an unexpected War and which has not been declared Besides it was not possible for them to oppose the Romans and Masanissa together wherefore they sent other Deputies to Rome with full authority to accommodate the Affair at any rate whatsoever The Senate made them answer That provided the Army were yet in Sicily if within a month the Carthaginians would deliver up in Hostage three hundred Children of their best Families and perform what they should ordain the City of Carthage should remain free in the enjoyment of their Rights and of the Territory they possessed in Africa This Decree of the Senate they publickly gave to the Deputies to carry to the Consuls whom privately they advertised not to recede from those orders they had received in the City The Carthaginians were doubtful that though they did deliver up their Hostages they should not obtain assured Peace However in the extremity wherein they beheld themselves they placed all their hopes in obedience and that they might work upon the Consuls by a ready execution of their commands they carried their Children into Sicily before the time had been prescribed them It 's true that their Parents and Friends parted not from them without abundance of tears especially the Mothers who ecchoing fearful shrieks and crys could hardly be pulled from the embraces of their Children and when they were hung upon the Ships clasped hold upon the Anchors and cut the Tackle to hinder the Seamen from putting forth many tore their hair and beat their breasts as if they had been at a Funeral for they perceived that in appearance indeed they gave Hostages but in reality and effect they yielded up their City since their Children were taken away and no assured promise made them And indeed many of these Women shedding tears made this dire prediction that the giving Hostages was but in vain Thus were these Youth taken away from Carthage to be delivered up in Sicily where they were received by the Consuls who sent them to Rome and told the Carthaginians they should know at Utica what more was to be done to deliver themselves from this VVar. VVhen the Romans were passed over the Army encamped in the same place Scipio had before encamped in and the Fleet rode in the Ports depending on Utica The Carthaginian Deputies came to attend the Consuls who seated in the Tribunal encompassed by all the Officers of the Army had caused to be drawn off on both sides the way that the Carthaginians were to pass all their Forces magnificently armed with Colours flying that the Carthaginians might judge of their vast numbers by what they saw Then a Trumpet having commanded silence by the Consuls order a Herauld went to give notice to the Deputies that they were ready to give them audience They were led through the midst of all the Army and when they drew near stopt
who cannot upon surprise digest the troublesome necessity of obeying and becoming hereafter servants but when after a long silence they grew more lively sensible of their misery they forbore any farther revilings and only set themselves to lament their unfortunate condition calling by name their Children their Wives and their Country as if they had heard their lamentations The Priests likewise invoked the Gods as if they had been present reproaching them with being the cause of their death In short the mourning was so great and the groans so confused of those who deplored the publick and private misfortune and so worthy of compassion that they drew tears from the eyes of their enemies The Consuls themselves moved with pity out of a consideration of the instability of humane things expected with sad countenances the end of their deplorings when after abundance of tears and groans the Calm in some sort returning into their souls they fell again into a profound silence and considering that their City was disarmed and defenceless that they had not one Ship one Warlike Engine one Dart or one Sword left that they had not within their walls men of war sufficient having lately lost fifty thousand men and that it was not possible for them to raise Soldiers elsewhere having neither friends nor allies besides that the shortness of the time would not permit it That their Children their Friends and their Country were in the enemies power their City besieged by Sea and Land and that from the other side Masanissa their ancient enemy was ready to fall upon them they put a stop to the Tumult and extravagance as of all things most useless in this occasion and had a fresh recourse to prayers Then Hanno surnamed Gilla the most considerable of all the Carthaginians there present having first obatined permission to speak began in this manner Sirs If I may be admitted to add any thing to the Remonstrances we have made you I must tell you that we pretend not to act in this occasion as if we pleaded our cause before you in quality of Judges such proceeding is utterly unseasonable in our present condition but I hope to make it appear by pertinent reasons that we are not unworthy your mercy We who have formerly been Lords of Africa both by Sea and Land and for a long time disputed Extent of Empire with you at last yielded all to Scipio when we delivered up all our Ships and our Elephants we have likewise payd you the tributes imposed on us at the terms prescribed We beg you therefore by those gods witnesses to the treaty to pardon us and not to violate the Oath of Scipio who swore that from thence forward the people of Carthage should be friend and allie to the people of Rome We have not swerved from any thing of that accommodation We have neither ships nor Elephants you can demand no tribute of us â—ay we have served you against three Kings and be not offended if we put you in mind of it when you demanded our Arms since ordinarily miseries make men speak more then they ought but now though the Religion of the Treaty should be sufficient argument to perswade you we have only recourse to our Prayers and indeed we have nothing else left having already yielded up to you all that was in our power This is all I can say to you touching the first Treaty of Peace which was ratified by the Oath of Scipio your Consul but for what concerns our present Estate you Sirs are your selves witnesses of what we have done You demanded Hostages we have given you all the choicest of our youth You desired our Arms we have surrendred them all which the inhabitants of a City taken never willingly did We assured our selves upon the honesty of the Romans and upon their word for the Senate gave us their letters which we delivered unto you and when you demanded Hostages from us you promised that Carthage should giving them be at liberty to live according to its Laws And if having done what the letters of the Senate have ordered us nay more than what they commanded it would certainly appear very evil if after having promised liberty to our City upon delivery of Hostages you should ordain it's destruction after having received them for if you demolish it how can you leave it free as you promised This is all we have to say touching the Treaties as well old as new and if this move you not we will only have recourse to prayers and tears the sole refuge of the miserable and for which we have ample occasion in the innumerable calamities that overwhelm us We beseech you therefore for an antient City built by the command of the Gods For the support of that immense glory it had acquired For the preservation of that name it has born throughout the whole world for its Temples for its Gods which are not capable of any crime Chastise not them by a privation of those solemn sacrifices and continual adorations paid them by this City Rob not the dead who never offended you of their Sepulchres and those funeral Honors daily celebrated on their tombs And if you have any pity for us since you say 't is out of compassion you permit us to chuse another habitation spare our Altars spare our houshold gods spare our high places spare the goddess guardian of Carthage In short spare so many things that are both pleasant and precious in the eyes of the whole earth for what can you fear from us You have our ships you have our arms and all those great beasts which attracted on us the envy of such a world of people You may say perhaps that it is comfort enough for us that you suffer us to build another City But it is impossible for men accustomed to get their livelyhood from the Sea of whom we have an infinite number to live or subsist in the Inland yet however you will have this to be a favor but pray be pleased that instead of it we offer you another condition which will fully satisfie us and in our opinion bring you more glory Let the City that has not sinn'd stand and put to death all the Carthaginians rather then command them to change habitation Thus all the world will believe you animated against men and not against Temples Gods Sepulchres and innocent walls You have been accustomed to prefer glory and pitty before all things and to make your moderation shine in the midst of your prosperity which hitherto you have practised towards all you have subdued suffer your selves then to be moved by the prayers of Iupiter and those gods which yet preside ore Carthage and for their sake cease to hate us and our children out of a remembrance of our past offences Take heed lest we prove the first for whom you loose that high esteem in which you live and â—ully not your reputation by the cruelty of this action so horrible to speak of much
time part of those two Nations and especially the Scordisks Medes and Dardanians made inroads into Macedonia and likewise into Greece robbing many Temples and assaulting that of Delphos where they again lost a great Number of their People Two and thirty years after the first Battel between the Romans and the Celtes during which they had several Engagements the Romans who had already conquered Greece and Macedon declared War against them for the like Sacriledge and gave L. Scipio the Command of their Armies The Fame has reached even to our times that their Neighbors were the Companions of their Impiety but remembring the punishment of the Autarians of whom not one was left alive in Illyria left them to Scipio's mercy without giving them any assistance And that Scipio having cut in pieces all the Scordisks except a small Number who saved themselves on the other side of Ister and on the Isles of that River suffered himself to be bribed with the Sacred Gold and for it made an Alliance with the Medes and Dardanians which gave occasion to some Historians of Italy to write that this corruption was the cause of all the Civil Wars wherewith the Romans were tormented from Scipio's time till the Establishing of the Monarchy These were the Greeks opinions of the Illyrians on which I was willing to enlarge my self As for the Romans they reckon with them not only the People we have spoken of but likewise the Paeonians which are beyond them and the Rhetians the Naricks and the Mysians which inhabit in Europe and also all the Neighboring People which lie on the right hand of Ister whom they distinguish as the Hellens and the Greeks by particular Names but in General call them all Illyrians This opinion which they have held from the beginning and persist in it till our times hath been the cause that they have not yet found out the limits of those Nations and that they set the bounds of Illyria from the Springs of Ister far as the people upon the Pontick Sea where they levy Tribute I know not well in what manner the Romans subdued them So in writing the affairs of Gaul I have declared that I could not gain a sufficient and ample knowledge of the beginnings and occasions of these Wars wherefore I have exhorted those who had the better knowledge of the Affairs of Illyria to write the History of them In the mean time I shall present the publick with such things as are come to my knowledge Agron King of that part of Illyria situate on the Gulf of the Ionian Sea once possessed by Pyrrhus and his Successors became likewise Master of a Corner of Epyrus and with that of Corcyra Epidamnum and Pharos under pretence of protecting them And being at Sea to sieze upon the rest of Ionia a certain Island called Issa revolted from him to submit to the Romans and at the same time sent Deputies to Rome to complain of the oppressions they had suffered under Agron As they returned they were assaulted by the Illyrians who slew their Deputy called Calemporus and a Roman Commissary who according to the opinion of some was Carnicanus which struck such despair into the rest of their Company that they all slew themselves The Romans as it said took this occasion to declare War against the Illyrians and assaulted the Illyrians both by Sea and Land Mean while Agron died leaving only a Son yet under age called Pina and to oblige his Wife to take care of the Child though she were not his Mother left her Regent of the Kingdom Demetrius to whom Agron had given the Government of Pharos having likewise siezed upon Corcyra delivered both to the Romans who then kept the Sea with a Fleet they afterwards drew Epidamnum to their party and the Issians and Epidamnians being besieged by the Illyrians they sent an Army to their relief who made the Illyrian forces raise their sieges and return home but some of them called the Atintanes went and submitted to the Romans This occasioned Agrons Wife to send Ambassadors to Rome restoring the Captives and Fugitives and demanding pardon by remonstrating that what was past ought to be imputed to Agron and not to her to which the Senate answered that Corcyra Pharos Issa and Epidamnum as also those Illyrians called Atintanes belonged now to the Roman Empire That they would leave to Pina all the remainder of that Country possessed by his Father and receive him into the Alliance of the Roman People on condition he medled not with any of the rest nor suffered the Illyrians to sail to the Island of Issa save only with two boats unarmed These conditions the Ambassadors accepted and this was the first War and the first Peace between the Romans and those of Illyria After this the Romans set at liberty Corcyra and Apollonia and rewarded Demetrius for his treason because of the advantage they had gained by it not but that they hated his Infidelity of which they themselves soon after found the effects For when the Romans and the Celtes were engaged one against the other about the River Eridanus Demetrius who thought they had their hands full beginning not to be so much afraid of them as before went about to lord it at Sea and made himself Master of the Istrians and forced the Atintanes to revolt against the Romans but they as soon as they had made Peace with the Celtes set out a Fleet to Sea and took the Corsairs who were joyned with Demetrius and the revolted Illyrians As for Demetrius he at first escaping to Philip King of Macedon and afterwards retreating into the Country and committing Pyracies on the Ionian Sea 's with some few Ships they slew him at last and utterly ruined Pharos his Country as an Abettor of his mischiefs But for the Illyrians they pardoned them for Pina's sake who had kindly received them This was the second War and second Peace with the Illyrians Now in the pursuit of this History I shall neither respect time nor order but content my self to write the affairs of every particular Illyrian Nation as far as I have learnt them The Romans having sent their Armies into Macedon against Perseus who then possessed that Kingdom by succession from Philip Genthius another King of Illyria prevailed with by the Macedonians Money entred into an Alliance with him and engaged himself in this War He forthwith stirred up the Illyrians against the Romans and laid in Irons those Ambassadors they sent under pretence they were not come within his Lands as Ambassadors but as Spies Wherefore Anitius the Roman Praetor being then at Sea took some of that Kings Ships and afterwards Landing in his Country defeated him and afterwards so closely besieged in a place that he only asked for quarter Upon which the Praetor returning answer that he could grant him no other terms then surrendring at discretion he desired three days to consider of it which being
and I shall write it the more willingly because I am obliged to treat of all these things before I write the Affairs of Egypt which are but a consequence of them for those divisions wherein Cleopatra took the part of Anthony were the cause of the Reduction of Egypt under the Roman Empire And that I may settle some order in so great a confusion of things I will first speak of what passed from the Gracchi to Sylla's time then what was done until the death of Caius Caesar the following Books shall treat of the Wars of the Triumvirs with the Roman People and against one another until the last and greatest of these Misfortunes I mean the Battle fought by Caesar at Actium against Anthony and Cleopatra where I intend to begin the History of Egypt The Romans as they now subdued one and then another of the people of Italy were accustomed to make seisure of a part of their Lands to which they sent Colonies or otherwise gave Cities already built to be inhabited by their own Nation These Colonies were placed in the conquered Provinces in the nature of Garrisons and they either set out by shares to these new Inhabitants such Lands as were fit for Tillage or otherwise sold them to them or let them out to Farm As for the unprofitable ground as War often makes places desert it not being qualified to bear a part in the Dividend it was proclaimed and given to the first that made offer to manure it on condition to pay an annual Tribute the fifth part of the increase of Trees and the Tithe of the Corn with an Impost upon all sorts of Cattel as well Flocks as Herds Thus strove they to preserve the Italian Nation esteemed very laborious that they might always have in a readiness Soldiers of their own people to serve them upon occasion but the success proved contrary to their expectations for the rich undertaking at first the unprofitable or desert Lands and by prescription of time not only assuring to themselves the possession of them but likewise joyning to them the Dividend of their poor Neighbours either by force or by money became possessed not of Villages but of whole Countries which their Slaves improved and manured for them that they might not take Freemen from the profession of Arms. Thus they receiving vast Revenues and their Slaves still multiplying because they were not obliged to go to War the most powerful among them grew prodigiously rich and the Country was filled with Slaves whereas there remained but very few of the Italian Nation and those few too were oppressed with poverty by reason of the continual Expeditions in which they were forced to bear Arms and the cruel Exactions of the Tax-gatherers and if at any time they had some respite from their Sufferings then Idleness corrupted them having no Land of their own to manure nor finding any work from others by reason of the multitude of Slaves This extremity troubled and perplexed both the Senate and People of Rome who with grief beheld that they could not as heretofore upon any sudden occasion draw together a considerable Force of Italians and they began to fear their Government unsecure by reason of the Countries being filled with such multitudes of Slaves They sought long time for a remedy to these inconveniencies for they neither judged it easie nor indeed just to dislodge men after so long a possession from those Lands where they had habituated themselves and been at great expence In conclusion after much debate the Tribunes made a Law whereby all persons were prohibited from keeping more than five hundred Acres of Land one hundred Head of Cattle and five hundred Sheep and besides they designed a certain number of free people to have the oversight of the Tillage and care of the Corn. This Law was confirmed by solemn Oaths and punishments decreed against the infringers of it it was designed likewise that all those Lands possessed by any above the proportion prescribed by the Law should be equally distributed among the poor but neither Oaths nor Law prevailed Those who appeared most zealous in the observation of it underhand made Contracts conveying over their advance to their Friends and others publickly laughed at it till such time as Tiberius Gracchus of Noble Race covetous of Glory very eloquent and well known in the City for all these qualities having obtained the Dignity of Tribune made a grave speech in favour of the Italian People much lamenting that a Nation so warlike and allyed to the Roman People should be reduced to so small numbers and to such an oppressive poverty that there scarce appeared any remedy but that they must be utterly extinct Then he declared against the vast numbers of Slaves useless in War and treacherous to their Masters a fresh example of which he related of the Slaves rebelling against their Patrons in Sicily where the Slaves being grown numerous by reason of their being employed in Husbandry had raised such a War against the Romans as was not suppressed without much danger and many bloody Engagements This Speech did the work and gained a new publication of the Law concerning Lands whereby it was forbid any one to be possessed of more than five hundred Acres adding to it that the Children of the Family might be possessed of two hundred and fifty and that after reduction made the remaining Land should be divided among the poor by Triumvirs who were to be changed every year which sorely grieved the rich men who durst no more attempt any thing against the Law nor for the future buy other mens proportions for Gracchus to prevent frauds had by the same Law forbid all such kind of Contracts which occasioned that in every corner might be seen people got together reproaching the poor with the pains they had taken in manuring their Ground and the charge they had been at in building crying out that it was not just to make them lose not only their Lands but likewise the money they had payed to their Neigbours and withal deprive them of the Sepulchres of their Predecessors interred in those grounds left to them by Succession Others demanded the restoring of their Wives Dowry which they had thus employed or that their Children might have leave to enjoy those Farms they had settled upon them at their Marriage others again shewed the Contracts and Statutes they had entred into taking up moneys at great interests to purchase those Lands In a word all places were filled with murmuring and complaint On the other side were heard the lamentings of the poor that from rich that they once were now they had reduced them to extreme poverty nay even to despair having nothing left to feed their Children they recounted the many Expeditions wherein they had served the Common-wealth to the end they might maintain themselves in the possession of these Lands and vowed never to serve more if they were not restored to what belonged to them They likewise
instant falling was found struck in the Thigh and a Shooe-makers Knife in the Wound Thus Drusus as well as others was slain in his Tribuneship The Knights were not wanting to draw advantages against their Enemies out of Drusus his Designs and to find out matter of Calumny and to this effect they perswaded Q. Valerius Tribune of the People to make a Law declaring all such Criminals who openly or underhand favoured the Allies in their design to enter into the Government of the Republick out of hopes soon to expose to their Accusers the Head Men of the City to become the Judges of this crime so odious to all Citizens to destroy their Enemies and make themselves almighty wherefore when the other Tribunes opposed the publication of this Law the Knights all drew their Swords and presenting the points to the Throats of the Opposers made them pass it by force That done they presently suborned Accusers against the most considerable of the Senate Bestia one of the first accused would not come at their Summons but went of himself into exile rather than submit himself to the power of his Enemies Cotta called next to judgment after him appeared but after he had given a brave account of the Employments he had undergone in the Republick and declared against the Knights he left the City without staying for their Sentence Mummius sirnamed the Achaick after having been fooled by his Judges who promised to absolve him was banished to Delos where he ended his days This mischief falling upon the worthiest and best men the People began to be afflicted to see themselves in so short time robbed of the presence of so many great persons and the Allies when they knew of Drusus's Death and the cause of the Banishment of so many illustrious men thought it was no longer time to suffer their Protectors to be so unworthily treated and seeing no other way to succeed in their hopes resolved to revolt against the Roman People and to make War upon them with all their power To this purpose they sent secret Deputations to each other signed an Union and gave reciprocal Hostages of all which they had but late notice in the City now wholly busied in trials and tumults At last when they had advice of it they sent into all corners the properest people they could find out to discover the truth of this news under pretence of doing something else one of which espying a Child of Ascoly in another City whither he had been sent for Hostage advised Servilius thereof who governed as Proconsul in those Quarters from whence we may gather that even from those times the Countries of Italy were distributed to Proconsuls a custom which many ages after the Emperour Adrian revived though not to last long after his death Servilius came forthwith to Ascoly when the Inhabitants happened to celebrate a Solemn Festival where whilst he thought to frighten them with his threats when they perceived the League was discovered they slew him and with him Fonteius his Lieutenant After having begun with them they spared no Roman but put all to the Sword and plundered their Goods Thus they proceeded to an open Revolt and all the Neighbouring People took Arms the Marsians the Pelignians the Vestins and the Marucians who were followed by the Picenians the Ferentins the Hirpins the Pompeians the Venusines the Apulians the Lucanians and the Samnites all Nations long time Enemies to the Roman Name And in short all the people from the River Liris which I believe is at this day called Literva to the bottom of the Adriatick Gulf as well within Land as on the Sea-Coasts Their Deputies going to Rome to complain that the right of Freedom was not granted them though by their assistances and Services they had highly contributed to the increase of the Empire The Senate answered them very roughly that when they were returned to their duty they would hear their Deputations but otherwise they would give them no audience so fallen from all hopes they prepared for War raised Forces and set out a hundred thousand men as well Horse as Foot The Roman Army was not less numerous comprizing those Allies continued faithful to them Sext. Iulius Caesar and P. Rutilius Lapus Consuls commanded for the Romans for this Intestine War was thought so important that they put them both in Commission They began to keep Guards at the Gates for the security of the City and likewise of the Neighbours for since these Novelties were sent on foot they knew not whom to trust There was great likelyhood of division even in the City it self To the Consuls they appointed Lieutenants the greatest men of the Age A. Rabirius Cn. Pompey Father to him gained the Sirname of Great Q. Cepio C. Perpenna C. Marius Valerius Messala A. Sextus Caesar P. Lentulus his Brother T. Didius Licinius Crassus Cornelius Sylla and Marcus Marcellus To each they assigned his Quarter with the authority of Proconsul and from time to time sent them Recruits so dangerous did this War appear as for the Allies besides particular Captains chosen by every City they gave command to T. Afranius P. Ventridius M. Egnatius Q. Popedius C. Papius M. Lamponius C. Iudacilius Hirius Asinius and Vetius Cato who likewise divided the Forces among them and took every one his portion to make Head against the Roman Forces There happened several Defeats on both sides which I will succincty relate Vetius Cato killed two thousand of Sextus Iulius his Men and forced him to shut himself up in Isernia which remained firm to the Roman Alliance with the remainder of his Forces of whom L. Acilius and L. Scipio got thence in Slaves Habit the rest pressed with hunger yielded at discretion Marius Egnatius took Venafra by treason and cut in pieces two Roman Cohorts P. Presenteius encountring Perpenna with ten thousand Men put him to flight with the slaughter of four thousand and taking most of the others Arms who threw them away to hasten their Flight Wherefore the Consul Rutilius took the Command from Perpenna and gave the remainder of his Army to C. Marius M. Lamponius engaging Licinius Crassus killed eight hundred of his men upon the place and pursued the rest fighting as far as Grumentum C. Papius possessed himself of Nola which was delivered up and made offer to two thousand Romans that were there in Garrison to receive them into his Army if they would joyn party with him which they accepted all save the Officers whom he put in prison where they died by Famine The same took Stabia Minterna and Salerna which were a Colony of the Romans and gave employment in his Army to all the Inhabitants of those Towns and likewise to their Slaves after which having spoiled all the Country of Nocera the Neighbouring Cities yielded to him for fear of the spoil and sent him ten thousand Footmen and one thousand Horse which he had demanded of them with which Recruits he
do his own business in this Expidition against Mithridates and judged if Marius went he would employ others After having recounted to them all the causes of Complaint he had against Marius and Sulpitius without explaining himself farther for he durst not openly declare himself in this matter he exhorted them to be in a readiness to receive his Commands They who knew his design and feared to lose the Booty of the Asian Expedition discover'd to him what he kept secret and besought him to take courage and lead them to the City He received this discourse with infinite joy and forthwith caused six Legions to march whose Officers not daring to resolve to bear Arms against their Country drew off to present themselves at Rome so that there remained not in this Army any Person of Quality but the Questor Upon advice of this brought to the City Deputies were sent to meet him to demand of him for what reason he came thus armed into his Country To whom he answered that it was with intent to deliver it from Tyranny He made the same Answer to all those whom they sent one after another Yet in the end he promised that if the Senate would assemble in the Field of Mars and cause Marius and Sulpitius to be there he would come likewise and do all things that should be agreed on by all the World As he drew nearer his Colleague Pompey came to meet him and having applauded his Action promised his Assistance As for Marius and Sulpitius who had not had time enough to prepare themselves they sent other Deputies in the Senate's name who proposed to him not to advance nearer the City than the fifth Stone till this Affair were more fully considered of The Consuls who discovered the Cheat granted the Deputies what they demanded but scarcely were they gone but they followed them and siesed on the Celimontane Gate and the Contiguous Wall with one Legion Pompey commanding another siesed on the Little Hill the third gained the Wooden Bridge and the fourth drew up in Battel before the Wall whilst Sylla entred the City in a fighting Posture He was recieved as an Enemy for at first they withstood him with hurling of Darts out of their Windows but when he had threatned those in the Houses to set fire to the next Streets they threw no more Marius and Sulpitius and the rest of their Faction having presently armed themselves encountred them in the place called the Esquiline where was fought the first Battel ever seen in the City between two Contrary Parties not in disorder as formerly in their Tumults but in open War with Ensigns displayed and Trumpets sounding For their Animosities had urged things to these Extremities because no person had endeavoured to apply a Remedy in the beginning Sylla's Party had at first the worst of it and began to give ground when himself took an Ensign and ran to carry it into the Gross of his Enemies Then the Soldiers either out of respect they bore their General or fear of that Infamy wherewith those are branded that forsake their Colours quitted all thoughts of Flight and returned to the Charge There was brought to them likewise from the Camp another Body of fresh Men and another was sent about by the way of the Suburra to charge their Enemies in the Rear Whereupon Marius Soldiers who already tired defended themselves but faintly against fresh Men and who besides feared lest they should inclose them behind invited those Citizens who still fought from their Houses to come down to them and pronounced Liberty to such Slaves as would come to their Assistance But when they saw that no one stirred to help them they lost all hope and went out of the City and with them all the Persons of Quality of their Party Sylla being gone into the Via Sacra or the Holy Way where the Soldiers had the boldness to take something by force he caused them to be punished in the sight of all the people And after having placed Courts of Guard through all the principal places in the City he divided with his Colleague the labour of that night which they spent without any sleeping still going from Quarter to Quarter to take care lest the Citizens should receive some injury from the victorious Soldier Next day in the Morning they called an Assembly of the people where they bemoaned the deplorable estate of the Common-wealth abandoned for long time to the passion of Seditious People saying they had been constrained to do what they had done and that it was their advice that for the future nothing should be brought to the people without having been first debated in the Senate and that to that purpose the ancient custom which they had abrogated should be revived They proposed likewise the holding no more Assemblies for the creation of Officers by Tribes but by Centuries according to the institution of Servius Tullius That thus the first deliberation of Affairs depending on the Senate and being no longer committed to the suffrage of the people who having nothing to lose feared nothing violence would give place and good order be established nor would there remain any more matter for Sedition Having by this means and many others retrenched the authority of the Tribunes which was mounted even to excess because the Body of the Senate was in a manner despised by reason of the â—mall number of the Senators they added to them three hundred of the greatest and most worthy men of all the City but before all other things they cancelled as void and contrary to the Laws all that Sulpitius had done since the Feasts ordained by the Consuls Thus from Tumults they came to Murders and from Murders to Wars and never before did any Roman Army enter their Country to commit acts of Hostility but after this time all the Differences that happened between their Citizens were determined by Arms sometimes one party became Masters of the City sometimes the other which yet was no hinderance that in the mean time other places were not besieged and sack'd or that they felt not elsewhere those calamities usually attendant upon War for in summ there was no longer any Honour or Conscience Love to the Common-wealth or their Country which they violated not by numberless Crimes After all this Sulpitius Tribune of the People Marius who had been six times Consul his Son P. Cethegus Iunius Brutus Cn. and Q. Granius P. Albinovanus M. Lectorius and other Senators to the number of twelve who were gone out of the City accused to be the Authors of Sedition and to have called the Slaves to liberty were declared Enemies to the Roman People with permission to the first that met them to kill them unpunished or to bring them to the Consuls besides which they confiscated their Goods and sent Men into all parts to search for them some of which found Sulpitius and slew him As for Marias he escaped without Usher or without so much as a Servant
Province of Gaul He likewise distributed Corn to the People then much straitened with Famine and at the request of the same people consented to the return of the Exiles except only of Milo But when they demanded a Release of their Debts into which they had been forced to run by reason of the Wars and Tumults it being impossible for them to pay because the inheritances they might otherwise sell to clear themselves were now valued at nothing he absolutely refused it yet he created Censors to put a value on things to be sold and ordered that the Creditors should take them as ready Money and in part of so much of their Debts as they should be valued at That done about the depth of Winter he sent Commissaries of War to all his Armies to bring them to the Rendezvous he had appointed at Brundusium and departed from a City in the Month of December without staying for the first day of the next year as his Quality of Conful obliged him The people went out in great crowds to attend him both to pay him that Honour and to beg of him to make a reconciliation with Pompey for it was mre than likely that which soever of the two got the Victory would become Master of the Common-wealth and he by great journies went on towards Brundusium Pompey on the other side without any intermission caused Ships to be built Forces to be raised Money to be gathered in and having taken forty of Caesar's Ships in the Superiour Sea waited for his passing over Mean while he continually employed his Soldiers in some exercise where himself was still present and in person began any work even beyond what his age seemed to give leave to which gained him all Mens Hearts who thronged in from all parts as to some Spectacle to see his Exercises Caesar's Forces were composed of ten Legions and for Pompey he had five Legions which went over out of Italy with their Horse two of which remained of Crassus's Forces which he had led against the Parthians and some part of those who went into Egypt under Gabinius all amounting to eleven Legions of Italians and about seven thousand Horse besides the Auxiliary Troops of Ionia Macedon Peloponnesus Boeotia the Archers of Crete and the Slingers of Thrace he had likewise some Gaul and Galatian Horse and Comagenians sent him by Antiochus Cilicians Cappadocians and some Soldiers of Armenia the less Pamphylia and Pisidia He designed not to make use of all these Strangers to bear Arms but destined the greatest part of them to labour in the Trenches and other Works wherein he would not employ the Italians that he might not divert them from the Exercise of Arms. These were his Land Forces for the Sea he had six hundred long Ships fitted and armed for War a hundred of which besides Seamen were filled with Roman Soldiers on whom was the chiefest relyance besides a great many Ships of Burthen which carried his Ammunition and Provisions the Command of all this Fleet was committed to several Vice-Admirals over all whom M. Bibulus was Admiral Things thus prepared he caused all the Senators and Knights he had with him to assemble together and at the Head of his Army thus spake to them The Oration of Pompey THe Athenians Gentlemen formerly deserted the Walls of their City when they fought in the defence of their Liberty because they thought the Men composed the City and not the Buildings by which means they soon recovered them and in a short time after built them much more beautiful than before Our Predecessors likewise went out of Rome when the Gauls like a Torrent invaded them and Camillus returning with them from Ardea regained it in the same condition they had left it In a word those that are wise think their Country every where where they can preserve their liberty These examples and the hopes of a like success have obliged us to come hither not to forsake our Country but the better to prepare our selves to defend it and to revenge it's cause upon him who having a long time designed to oppress it is become Master of it by their means whom he hath with gifts corrupted He I say who being by you declared Enemy to the Common-wealth hath by his audacious Enterprises invaded the authority of the Senate and Roman People and given the government of your Provinces to those of his Faction to some that of the City and to others that of Italy Iudge after this what violence and cruelty he will forbear to exercise towards his Country if we be so unhappy to let our selves be overcome He who commits such insolencies in the beginning of a War whereof he fears the event and whilst he is liable to receive the punishment of his Crimes which is what we ought to wish and hope to see by the Divine Assistance for he hath in his Party none but Wretches corrupted by the Money he hath drawn out of our Province of Gaul who chose rather to be his Slaves than to live equally with other Citizens for my part I never was wanting nor shall not be wanting to expose my self to all sorts of Dangers I offer my self to perform the Function of General or Soldier and if I yet have the same good fortune and the same experience which hitherto have made me every where victorious I beseech the Gods they may prove advantageous to my Country and that I may not be less happy now when the Dispute is whether I shall prevent it's being oppressed than when I extended the Bounds of its Empire We have reason to have confidence in the protection of the Gods and in the Iustice of our Cause for never can any be more just and honest to whoever loves his Country and the Common-wealth Besides those great preparations we have made both by Sea and Land and the Forces will come in to us from all parts as soon as the War is begun is sufficient to encourage us for all the Levant Nations as far as those bordering on the Euxine Sea whether Greeks or Barbarians are of our side and all the Kings of those people who are either the Romans Friends or Allies or mine will send us Soldiers Arms Provisions and all things necessary Let us go then and give to our Country the assistance it merits which your Virtue exacts from you and my good Fortune demands from me but remember always Caesar's Pride and with readiness to obey my Orders Pompey's last words were followed by a general acclamation of the whole Army Senators and other persons of Quality who all desired him to lead them whither he thought fit But he considering that it was the very worst season of the year and besides imagining that Caesar impeded in the City the creation of Consuls would not attempt to cross a Sea usually tempestuous before the end of Winter gave order to those commanded the Sea Forces to guard the passage and sent his Army into Garrisons in Thessaly
How comes he then who had only designed it to be an Enemy to his Country whilst he that had really done it and does in a manner still hold us besieged is none Or why did not he come if he had designed it unless being at the Head of thirty thousand well disciplined Men he were afraid of three thousand disordered an disarmed which were then with Caesar and who were only come to reconcile them together and left him as soon as they knew he would employ them in a War Or if he durst not come with thirty thousand Men how happened he to come afterwards accompanied only with a thousand With whom when he went from Rome to Tivoli how many of us did attend him How many swore Fidelity to him without being required And what Applause did Cicero himself give him In short had he designed any thing against his Country why left he with us those Hostages yet at this Palace Gate his Mother his Wife and his Son who are at present weeping for fear not of the Accusations brought against him but of the power of his Enemies Thus much I thought convenient to make you understand the Innocence of Anthony and the Inconstancy of Cicero and have now nothing more to say but to exhort all good Men not to offend the People nor do Injustice to Anthony for fear of such trouble as may ensue to the City the Commonwealth being yet so weakly established that it is ready to relapse into its first disorders if not timely relieved However it is my opinion that we secure to our selves Forces for the Defence of the City before any Attempt be made upon us from abroad Then you may take order for such things as are necessary and decree what you judge convenient when it shall be in your power to put those Decrees in Execution But how is this to be done You need only leave to Anthony the Province given him by the People and after having recalled Decimus with his three Legions hither send him to Maccdon and keep his Army And if those two Legions revolted from Anthony have submitted to us as Cicero affirms let us withdraw them from Caesar and order their Return to the City Thus having five Legions at our dispose we may issue what Orders we think requisite without courting the grace or favour of any Man This I speak to those who listen to me without envy or hatred As for those who suffer themselves to be transported by their Passions and particular Animosities I exhort them not to give too rash Iudgment against Great Men and Commanders of great Armies lest we force them to make War upon us Let them remember Marcus Coriolanus or rather what so lately happened to us in the Person of Caesar who likewise commanded an Army He offered us reasonable Conditions yet we by rashly declaring him Enemy forced him indeed to become his Country's Foe Let them likewise consider the interest of the People who having been so lately enraged against Caesar's Murderers may well think themselves despised when we give those their Provinces and praising Decimus who would not submit to their Decree declare Anthony Enemy because he from them required the Government of Gaul In short I exhort all honest minded Men to reduce others to reason and do beseech the Consuls and Tribunes to appear more affectionate in providing against those Evils wherewith the Commonwealth is threatned Thus spake Piso for Anthony and doubtless his reproaching of Cicero and the terror he imprinted in Men's minds were the cause he was not declared Enemy However he could not prevail with them to leave him the Government of Gaul for the Kindred and Friends of the Conspirators prevented it They feared left Anthony being at Peace might reconcile himself with Caesar to revenge the death of his Father and therefore did all they could to foment their Division It was therefore decreed to offer him Macedon instead of Gaul and as for the other Orders of the Senate the Fathers either over-reached or designing it gave Commission to Cicero to put them in writing and send them to him He drew them up after his own fancy in these Terms That Anthony should forthwith raise his Siege before Modena foregoing Gaul to Decimus at a limited day repass the Rubicon which divides Gaul from Italy and submit himself to the Authority of the Senate Cicero sent these Commands in this spiteful manner to Anthony contrary to the Senate's intention Yet did he it not out of any particular hate but seemed dictated by Fortune which had determined to change the Face of the Republick and to ruin Cicero And this happened at the same time that the Remains of Trebonius Body were brought to the City and that the Senate understanding how infamously he had been treated forthwith declared Dolobella Enemy to his Country The Commissioners sent to Anthony ashamed to have brought him so insolent a Command delivered it into his hands without saying a word At sight of it he fell into a rage and uttered many violent expressions against the Senate but especially aginst Cicero That it amazed him that Caesar who had done such mighty Services for the Roman Empire should be esteemed a Tyrant and a King and that Men should not have the same opinion of Cicero who having been made Prisoner of War by Caesar and by him released without any dammage or affront preferred now his Murderers before his Friends He who hated Decimus whilst he was Caesar's Friend now he is become his Murderer favours the same Decimus who had received the Government of Gaul from the same Caesar and declares him Enemy who held it of the People The Oration of Anthony THe Senate having given me some Legions said he Cicero decrees Rewards to the Revolters and corrupts those stand firm in their duty whereby he wrongs not me so much as he does Military Discipline He granted the Amnesty to Murderer to which I consented for the sake of two Men I respected and declares Anthony and Dolobella Enemies for holding what has been granted them for no other reason is there And if I would quite Gaul I should no longer be either Enemy to my Country or Affector of Tyranny But I protest to overthrow that Indempnity with which they will not rest content Anthony having vented many such passionate things wrote in Answer to the Senate that he submitted to their Authority for the Affection he bore his Country But as for Cicero who had himself composed the Order sent him he answered him in these Terms The People having by their Decree given me the Government of Gaul have likewise given me leave if Decimus would not yield it up to force him to it and in his Person to punish all the rest of the Murderers and by his death purge the Senate of a Crime of which they are partakers because Cicero abets it Upon report made to the Senate of what Anthony had said and writ they at that very instant not
to Caesar wherefore seeing some appearance of hopes he thus spoke to his Army The Oration of Lucius to his Army I Had a design Fellow Soldiers to restore my Country to liberty seeing the Triumvirate changed into a Tyranny and that this Authority thought to be only established against Brutus and Cassius continued yet after their deaths for Lepidus being deprived of his part of the Empire whilst Anthony is gathering up Money in the remote Provinces this Man who besieges us disposes all things at pleasure and the Roman Laws which he makes a mock of serve him but for a pretence but when to remedy this disorder and redeem the Common-wealth from Slavery I requested that after having given the promised Recompenses to the Soldiery he should lay down the Sovereign Authority not obtaining it by request I sought to constrain it according to the power invested in me by the quality of Consul but he raised a report among the Soldiers that I opposed the Colonies in favour of the ancient possessors it was a long time ere I knew he slandered me in this manner and when it was told me I could not believe it since I had my self appointed Commissioners to divide the Lands among you nevertheless the greater part giving ear to this Calumny joyned themselves with Caesar's Faction to make War upon us but have made War against themselves as time will make it appear For your part I am your witness that having adhered to the juster cause you have suffered infinitely and at last we are not overcome by our Enemies but by Famine which has forced our Officers to desert us True it is it would be much for my Glory to fight for my Country even to the last extremities and my good will would be recompensed with immortal praises but I cannot resolve it out of my affection to you whose safety I prefer before my own Glory I will therefore send Deputies to the Conquerour to desire him to deal as he please with me so he will but pardon you who are his Fellow Citizens and have been his Soldiers who have committed no fault in fighting for a cause so apparently just and who have not been overcome by Arms but by want of Provisions After these words he chose three out of the principal Men of his Army and sent them to Caesar which drew tears from the eyes of all the rest deploring either their own or their Generals condition who having such noble and generous thoughts for his Country was yet reduced to that shameful necessity The three Deputies represented to Caesar that they were all of the same Country had formerly fought under the same Colours that the Chief of both Parties had been good Friends and that he ought to imitate the Generosity of the Ancients who were haters of deadly dissentions with many other things tending to the same purpose Caesar who well knew the Army was composed of Veterans and new raised Soldiers cunningly answered that he would pardon Anthony's Men for their General 's sake but for the rest they should yield upon discretion This he spoke publickly but drawing apart Furnius one of the three Deputies he gave him hopes of a general pardon excepting only his particular Enemies but those who thought themselves of that number suspecting this private conference between Furnius and Caesar was to their prejudice reviled him at his return and besought Lucius either to obtain a general Peace or to continue the War without Quarter since it had not been undertaken for any particular animosities but for the Common-wealth Lucius moved to compassion for persons of equal quality with himself praised their resolution and promised to send other Deputies but after saying he could find no Man fitter for that Negotiation than himself he went without a Herauld only some running before to give Caesar notice Lucius was coming Caesar presently came forth to meet him and when they were in sight of each other attended by their Friends and in the habit of Generals Lucius stopped his Train and taking with him only two Lictors came forward thereby making known his intention Caesar having observed it imitated his Modesty the better to give him assurance of his future good will and when he saw Lucius advanced to the Trenches in token he yielded to discretion he came out himself that Lucius might still be at freedom to dispose of his Affairs these signs of their good inclinations they by turns gave each other at their approach but when they were met near the Trench after mutual salutations Lucius thus began The Speech of Lucius to Caesar. CAesar had I made this War with Strangers I should have thought it base to have been overcome but much baser to have thus yielded my self and should soon have found a way to have freed me from that infamy but having to deal with a Citizen of my own quality and for my Country I think it no shame to be vanquished in such a cause and by such a Man I say not this that I would refuse to suffer what ever you please for I come to you without a Herauld but to obtain pardon for others which as it is just will be no less profitable to your Affairs which to make you the more clearly understand I will separate my interest from theirs that being fully perswaded I alone am the cause of what has passed you may discharge all your anger upon me yet think not whatever I say I would have offended you that would have been unseasonable only let me speak truths cannot be dissembled I undertook this War against you not to seise the Sovereign Power after your defeat but to restore to the Senate the Government of the Common-wealth of which the Triumvirate deprived them since when you established it you confessed your Government not lawful but necessary for a time so long as Brutus and Cassius with whom you could make no peace subsisted After the Heads of that Dissention were dead the Remains of their Party if yet there be any Remains being still in Arms not against the Common-wealth but because they feared you and the five years of the Triumvirate being expired I demanded the restoration of the Magistrates power according to the ancient order preferring the good of my Country before mine own Brother because I hoped for his consent at his return and in the mean time to finish the work whilst I was in authority which had it proceeded from you you alone had had the Glory of it but not being able to perswade you I went to the City where I thought I might by force effect it being a Citizen of considerable Birth and withal Consul This is the sole cause of this War which ought neither to be attributed to my Brother nor to Manius nor to Fulvia nor to the distribution made of Lands to those Soldiers had served at Philippi nor to the compassion I might have conceived for those turned out of their Beings since I my self sent Commissioners on
the â—â—ight of Slaves from the wasting of their Lands and lying fallow of their Fields but above all from Famine which began to grow insupportable wherefore whereever the Generals passed Sacrifices were made to them as to the Savlours of their Country And the City had prepared a magnificent entry had they not rather chose to go in by night that they might not put the Citizens to charge All shared in this general joy save only those who were possessed of any Lands of the banished which by the Treaty were to be restored for they believed they should have but ill Neighbours of them and that upon all occasions they would seek their destruction And indeed all the Fugitives who had hitherto followed Pompey exceptâ—â—only a very few after having taken their leave of him at Puteoli embarqued and came for Rome at whose arrival the People conceived a new joy which tey made appear by those Acclamations wherewith they entertained so many illustrious persons beyond all hopes returned to their Country After this Caesar marched into Gaul where there were happened some Commotions and Anthony disposed his Affairs to go against the Parthians In the first place he caused the Senate to approve not only what he had done but whatever he should do for the future sent away his Lieutenants into all parts and disposed what else he thought fit at pleasure Then he gave Kingdoms to several upon condition of paying Tribute To Darius Son of Pharnaces and Grandson to Mithridates the Kingdom of Pontus to Herod Idumea and Samaria to Amintas Pisidia to Polemon part of Cilicia and in short to many others other Nations which he erected into Kingdoms As for the Army that was to winter with him that he might accustom them both to the profits and exercises of War he sent one part of them into the Country of the Parthians a Nation of Illyria neighbouring upon Epidamnum formerly very affectionate to Brutus and another Party into the Country of the Dardanians who are another People of Illyria used to make Inroads into Macedon and gave orders to the rest to tarry for him in Epire that he might have them all about him being resolved himself to winter at Athens He likewife sent Furnius into Africa to cause Sextius's four Legions to march against the Parthians for as yet he understood not that Lepidus had taken them from Sextius Things thus ordered he spent this Winter at Athens with Octavia in the same manner as he had done the former with Cleopatra at Alexandria all his business being only to look upon the Letters brought him from the Army he laid aside his Imperial Robe cloathing himself again in the Attick Cloak and Hose having no Guards at his Gate and walking through the City like a private person without any Ensigns of his Dignity and accompanied only with two Friends and two servants with whom he went to the Schools to hear Disputes and Orations he likewise supped the Winter after the Greek manner having always Greeks in his company and assisting at their Ceremonies to the great content of Octavia of whom he was very fond for he was naturally inclined to the love of Women But Winter being past he seemed no more the same Man he resumed the Imperial Habit and took the Ensigns of his authority his Gates seemed now as it were besieged with Lictors Officers and Guards to beget an awe of his power he gave audience to Embassadors whom before he would not admit administred justice to private persons and sent for Ships from all parts and made a mighty noise with his preparations Whilst he was busied in these things there happened some disturbances of the Peace between Caesar and Pompey for what certain causes not known but those that publickly appeared were these Anthony had quitted the Peloponnesus to Pompey on condition he should pay what the Peloponnesians ought or promise to pay it or else give some time for the recovery of it but Pompey would not receive it in on these terms thinking the Province quitted to him with all its debts wherewith through discontent as Caesar said or through infidelity or out of envy to others who had great Armies or because he trusted Menodorus who said they had not made a Peace but a Truce he prepared again and fitted out a Fleet and in a speech to his Army told them there was more need than ever of new preparations He likewise encouraged Pyrates underhand to infest the Seas so that little or no remedy was brought to the Famine in the City and the comfortless People cryed out that by this Peace they had not redressed any of their miseries but only added a fourth person to the Tyranny Hereupon some Pyrates being taken Caesar caused them to be brought to the wrack where they confessed they were set on by Pompey which Caesar made known to the People he wrote about it likewise to Pompey who stoutly denying it made his complaints about the Peloponnesus But some Noble Men that were about Pompey perceiving that he always followed the the counsel of his Freed Men corrupted some of them either of their own free motion or for Caesar's sake to incense Pompey against Menodorus as a Man commanding his Master They were easily drawn to do this out of the envy they bore this powerful Favourite so they soon begot in Pompey an aversion to Menodorus It happened that at the same time Philadelphus Caesar 's Freed Man came to Menodorus to buy Corn and Mycilius Menodorus confident went to Rome to treat with Caesar about his revolt to whom he offered Sardinia Corsica three Legions and many of his Friends whether Philadelphus had procured Caesar this good fortune or else it proceeded from Pompey's disgusts of Menodorus he made difficulty of accepting it yet did it judging the Peace already broken He dispatched forthwith to Anthony at Athens to desire him to come by an appointed day to Brundusium to confeâ— with him about this War he caused long Ships to be brought from Ravenna and sent in all haste for his Army out of Gaul with all its stores of warlike Furniture one part of which he sent to Brundusium and the other to Puteoli resolved to invade Sicily on both sides if Anthony approved it Anthony came at the same time prefixed with a slender Train but not finding Caesar there would not stay whether he approved not this War undertaken agaisnt solemn Leagues whether he were not pleased to see the great preparations of Caesar for being Competitors for Empire they were always jealous of each other or whether he was frightned by a prodigy for one of those who were upon the Guard about his Quarters was found eaten up by Beasts all but the Face as if that had been left to know him by without ever so much as crying out or the least knowledge of those that slept by him All that could be discovered was that they of Brundusium said that in the Morning they saw a Wolf come
Ancient King by a fatal presage of the death of that Prince which happened soon after Whereupon a Mariner casting himself into the Water and having taken up the Diadem put it on his Head and brought it drie to Alexander who for a reward gave him a Talent of Silver The Divines told him he should put this man to death some say he did it others deny it and others again say it was not at all a Mariner but Seleucus himself who cast himself into the Water and put the Diadem on his Head for fear of wetting it and that the presage was fulfilled in the persons of them both Alexander dying at Babylon and Seleucus succeeding in the greatest part of his Empire These are the signs I have met with presaging his greatness To proceed after the death of Alexander he was Captain of the Guards of the Kings Houshold a command which whilst the King lived had been possessed by Ephestion and after him by Perdiccas from thence rising by degrees he came to the Government of Babylon and at last mounted the Throne and because he had gained many Victories he was called Nicator for I think that more probable than to imagine that because he slew Nicator he bore away that name as a precious spoil He was tall of Stature and so strong that when Alexander once sacrified a Bull in fury breaking from its Cords and escaping he alone stop'd it laying fast hold on his Horns which is the reason why they place Horns with his Statues He beautified the Country under his Dominion with many fair Cities which he built from one end to the other of which sixteen he caused to be called by the name of his Father Antiochia's six after his Mothers name Laodicea's nine after his own name Seleucia's four after his Wives names three after the first Apamia's and one after the last Stratonicea the fairest remaining to this day are five two Seleucia's one on the Sea side the other on the Tigris Laodicea in Phaenicia Antiochia in Mount Libanus and Apamia in Syria He likewise gave names to others either Grecian or Macedonian names as Beraea Edessa Maronea Perinta Callipolis Achaia Polla Orope Amphipolis Arethusa Astachia Tegaea Chalcis Larissa Heraea Apolonia and in Parthia it self Sotera Calliope Charis Hecatonpolis Achaia in India Alexandropolis and in Scythia Alexandrescatta His Victories gave a name to Nicepborea in Mesopotamia and to Nicopolis in Armenia which confines on Cappadocia 'T is said likewise that when he was about to build Seleucia on the Sea side It was marked out by the Thunder wherefore the Thunder is there adored as a God and to this day they sing Hymns to it and use many particular Ceremonies And when he designed to lay the Foundations of that which is upon the River Tygris the Magi or Southsayers who had Orders to set out the day and hour when the Work was to begin to the end it might be built under a fortunate Constellation pitched upon an unhappy hour because they were not well pleased that a great City should be built there to awe themselves And that as the King in his Tent waited for the fatal hour and all the Army stood ready to lay their hands to the Work as soon as the Signal should be given them The hour of good Augury being come the Soldiers on a sudden thinking they heard the Command given fell to the Work with so much alacrity that no forbidding whatsoever could stay them at which Seleucus was much cast down but the Magicians seeing him disquieted about the fate of the City demanding only safety for their persons and having obtained it spoke to him in this manner The Oration of the Magicians SIr neither Men nor Cities can change their Fate be it good or bad for every City has its Destiny as well as every Man now it hath pleased the Gods that this here shall endure many ages being begun at this present hour True it is that because we feared that when once built it would become a Fortress against our selves we have endeaoured to divert the Destinies but they will still be Mistresses both of the cunning of Magicians and inanimadvertency of a King Wherefore Fate it self commanded your Army to do what was most advantagious 'T is a truth we assure you of and that you may believe we deceive you not again You were here in person you commanded they should stay for the signal and your Army which in other occasions where they were to throw themselves into dangers and to endure toil and labour has always been perfectly obedient to you could not now stand still though you commanded it but all on a sudden with its Officers ran to the work as if it had been commanded and so indeed it was and therefore could not be staid at your commands but who in humane affairs can have more power than a King but a God God which this day grants you the full of your desires God who a more faithful Counsellor than we is the Author of the Foundation of this City God enemy of our Nation and Allies since now we have no more strength left having neighbours more powerful than we so near us In short rest assured this City is founded under a fortunate Constellation and shall flourish a long time And now we hope as our fault proceeded only from the fear we had of the decay of our felicity you will not repent your self of the pardon you have granted us The King mightily pleased with the Magi's discourse forgave them And this is what I have found concerning Seleucia Now Seleucus willing that whilst he was yet living his Son might be King gave to him the greatest part of his Territory in the main Land but though this were an action worthy the magnanimity of a mighty Prince in my judgement what he did in favour of this Son's love and of that modesty he strugled with in his sickness declared more courage and prudence For this young Prince was passionately in love with Stratonice his Fathers Wife by whom Seleucus had already had a Child yet knowing his passion to be criminal he never discovered it nor gave the least symptom of it to any person but smothering his grief languished in his bed and desired death Erasistratus himself that famous Physician to whom the King gave such large allowance could not at all conjecture whence his distemper sprung till such time as observing that he had no corrupt humours in his body he concluded the seat of his malady must be in the mind the contagion of which had past into the Body He knew his Grief Anger and other disturbances of Man's Spirit could not well be concealed but that a Modest Person might well conceal his Love and founding himself upon this he privately discoursed it with Antiochus and conjured him to tell him the cause of his Distemper But not being able to draw any thing from him he kept near his Bed had diligently observed those
Changes happened to him when any Woman entred his Chamber and having taken notice that when others came about him his Body continued without any alteration but at all times when the Queen came to visit him his spirit seemed strangely moved and shame and remorse of Conscience seem'd written in his Face though he said never a word but that as soon as she was gone his Body resumed a more lively colour and with a fresh heat returned to its former Estate Upon which he told Seleucus that his Sons distemper was incurable whereat the King surprised let his Grief break out with a Shriek and the Physician added 'T is for Love Sir that he dies and the Love of a Woman he can never enjoy Seleucus was astonished that there should be a Woman in the World that would not let her self be perswaded by a King of Asia when he proposed to her the Marriage of his Son and thereto added Prayers Gifts and Money nay a great Kingdom to which the Prince was Heir and which he would be ready to part with presently in recompence of his cure if any one demanded it and thereupon pressing the Physician to tell him who this Woman was He replyed 'T is my wife Sir To which the King returned And how good man you that are our Friend and tyed to our House by so many reciprocal Testimonies of kindness and besides all that a wise and honest man will not you save the life of this young Prince the Son of a King your Friend fallen unhappily in Love and who out of Modesty has concealed his Grief even unto Death Can you make so little account not only of Antiochus but of Seleucus himself He feigning to be moved with these Arguments turned them thus upon the Father And if he were said he in love with the Queen would you quit her to him Hereupon Seleucus began to swear by all the Gods Protectors of his Crown that he would give her him freeely and with all his heart that he might leave to Posterity a Noble Example of Paternal Goodness towards a Modest Son who in his Affliction had not made the least Complaint and was absolutely unworthy of this Misfortune In conclusion after much Discourse of this Nature he declared he was extremely troubled that he himself could not be the Physician of his Unfortunate Son without being beholding to Erasistratus Who seeing now the King was in earnest discovered to him the whole matter and how he came to know it notwithstanding all his Sons resistance Seleucus seemed overjoyed at what he heard and now there remained only the difficulty of perswading his Son and the Queen which he did and after having gained their Consent to his Proposition he assembled his Army who perhaps had already some inkling of the Matter and beginning to make an enumeration of the great Actions he had done by which he had extended the Bound of his Empire farther than any of the Successors of Alexander he then remonstrated to them how being grown old it was hard for him to govern so vast a Kingdom Wherefore said he I will divide this mighty Mass and that I may provide for your security for the future I am resolved to discharge my self at present of one half of this burthen on him that I esteem most dear I believe that you will obey me in all things it being but just you should do so You I say that since the death of Alexander fighting under my Auspices are mounted to so high a degree of Power Now that which I esteem most dear and most worthy of this Empire is this young Prince the Elect of my Children and this Princess who being in a flourishing age will soon give you Children to be the stay and support of this great Empire I marry them therefore together in your presence and I give them all those Kingdoms I possess in the main Land As for the thing it self do not you consider in it so much the Custom of the Persians and other Nations as the general Law common to all men which requires that Subjects should believe whatever their King Decrees is just As soon as he had uttered these words the Army began to make their Acclamations proclaiming him the greatest King since Alexander and the best of all Fathers Thus Seleucus married his Wife with his Son and sent them to take possession of their Kingdom And surely this Action gained him more Reputation than all the Victories he had won for he conquered himself He had seventy two Governments under his Dominton so vast it was of which he gave the greatest part to his Son receiving to himself only the Country lying between Euphrates and the Sea After this having War with Lysimachus which was the last he had he gave him Battel on the confines of Phrygia near the Hellespont where Lysimachus was slain And as he had passed the Strait to siese upon Lysimachia he was himself slain by Ptolemy sirnamed Serranus who was one of his Train He was the Son of Ptolemy Soter and of Euridice the Daughter of Antipater and fear having driven him from Egypt because his Father had resolved to give the Kindom to his younger Brother Seleucus took pitty on him received him as the Son of his Friend entertained him at his Table and carried him still along with him in recompence of which he became his Murderer Such was Seleucus his end who dyed in the seventy third year of his Age and fortieth of his Reign for my part I believe we may likewise refer to his death the answer of the Oracle Take leave of Europe and possess Asia for Lysimachia is in Europe and this was the first time he had repassed into Europe After having followed Alexander to the Conquest of Asia 'T is said demanding a Magician where he should dye he received this Answer Keep far from Argos to prolong the date Of Life for else thou hastnest on thy Fate After which he made an exact search of all places called Argos and took special care not to go near the Argos of Peloponnesus of Amphilochia of Orestiade from whence some Macedonians are called Argeades or so much as to a City of that name which Diomedes during his banishment had caused to be built beyond the Ionian Sea but that as he was going from the Hellespont to Lysimachia he saw an Alter built upon an Eminence and having demanded the name of the place they told him it was called Argos and that whilst he was informing himself of the cause of that name whether the Argonauts passing that way had not given it whether the Inhabitants of the Country had not called it so because of the Argians that went to the Wars of Troy or at last whether it might bear that name in memory of the Country of the Atrides Ptolemy thrust him with his Sword through the Body Phileterus Gonour of Pergamus redeemed his Body from Serranus with a great sum of Money and when he had burnt it