none returning he was afraid lest they would deliver him up to the Romans Wherefore having given orders to his Friends and those of his Guards who had not yet forsaken him to go and submit themselves to the new King after having extolled their fidelity he took out some Poison which he alwaies carried hid in the Belt of his Sword and began to dissolve it but two of his Daughters lately brought to him Mithridatis and Nissa promised in marriage to the Kings of Aegypt and Cyprus earnestly besought him to permit them to drink before him and hindred him from taking it till they had first swallowed it The violence of the Poison soon gave them their death but on Mithridates though he walked up and down a great place on purpose to heat himself the Poyson had no effect because of the Preservative he had used dayly to take for fear of being poisoned which to this day is called Mithridate seeing therefore near him a certain Captain of the Gauls called Bituitus Your hand said he has done me many excellent Services in War but the most excellent of all would be to kill me now lest I should be led in Triumph after having so long reigned in so great a Kingdom I cannot die by Poyson because I have been too cautious against it insensible that I was to have taken so much care of what I eat and not to foresee that cruel and domestick Venome to all Kings the Treason of my Children my Friends and my Armies Bituitus moved with this discourse performed for the King this last Office he desired of him Thus dyed the sixteenth Descendant from Darius the last King of the Persians and the eighth Successor to that Mithridates who shaking of the Macedonian Yoak made himself King of Pontus the sixty eighth or sixty ninth Year of his Age and the fifty seventh of his Reign for he was but an Infant when he took Possession of the Kingdom He subdued all the neighbouring Barbarians and a great part of Scythia he maintained War against the Romans forty Years space during which he several times made himself Master of Bithynia and Cappadocia made several Inroads into Asia Phrygia Paphlagonis Galatia Macedon besides many memorable Actions in Greece He had likewise the Empire of the Sea from Cilicia as far as Ionia but he quitted it when Sylla forced him to confine himself with the Bounds of the Kingdom of his Father after the loss of one hundred and sixty thousand men Yet after that mighty loss he forbore not to renew the War and did it without much difficulty having besides always had to do with great Captains 'T is true that Sylla Lucullus and Pompey overcame him but he had likewise the advantage ore them in many Encounters and withal he took Prisoners L. Cassius Q. Oppius and Manius Aquilius carrying them about Captives with him till he put one of them to death as the Principal Author of the War and delivered up the others to Sylla He defeated likewise Fimbria Murena Cotta Proconful Fabius and Triarius He appeared always great always constant even in the midst of Calamities and vanquished though he were omitted nothing that might be attempted against the Romans even to the allying himself with the Maeotiques and Gauls sending Ambassadors to Sertorius into Spain Notwithstanding all the wounds he received from Enemies or from Traytors he never gave himself any rest no not in his Age nor ever was there any conspiracy against him but was discovered save only the last and possibly he now perished for suffering himself willingly to be deceived so ungrateful is the malice of those to whom we grant pardon He was yet so cruel and bloody that he slew his Mother his Brother three of his Sons and as many Daughters he was of great Stature as his Arms sent to Delphos and Nemaea make appear and so strong that even to his last end he was one of the lustiest Horsemen and most vigorous thrower of a Javelin in his whole Kingdom he had travelled in one day a thousand Furlongs drawn by a Chariot with eight Horses and having fresh ones led He had learned the Greek Tongue and was well instructed in the Ceremonies of Religion of the Greeks He was likewise a lover of Musick was patient in labour sober in diet but intemperate in the love of Women Such was the end of Mithridates surnamed Eupator Dyonsiuis whose death delivered the Romans from a troublesome War which they testifyed by their joy when they heard the News Pharnaces sent to Pompey to Sinope Mithridates body in a Galley and with it those who had arrested Manius with a great number of Hostages as well Greeks as Barbarians supplicating him to continue him in the Kingdoms of his Father or at least in that of Bosphorus which Mithridates had given to his Brother Machares Pompey delivered the Kings body to those that brought it to be Royally interred and would himself be at the expence giving orders it should be laid in the usual Sepulcre of the Kings at Sinope praysing him as the greatest King of his time and who had done the noblest actions As for Pharnaces in acknowledgement of his having freed Italy from many difficulties he gave him the Kingdom of Bosphorus except only Phanagoria whose Citizens he would have remain free because they first forsaking Mithridates who again levied Forces and had already a Fleet and Army and strong places of retreat had put a stop to him and by the Example they had given others been the cause of his death As for Pompey himself having in this War alone cleared the Sea of Pyrates overcome the greatest of Kings waged War succesfully besides the Pontick Nations with the Colches Albanians Iberians Armenians Medes Arabs Jews and all other Oriental People he extended the Roman Empire from the East as far as Aegypt whither he would not go though Ptolemy called him to his assistance against his seditious people and to that end sent him Presents of Silver and Cloths for all his Army whether he feared to give occasion of envy to his Enemies by attempting what the Oracle had forbid or for other reasons we shall specify when we come to treat of the affairs of Aegypt As for what concerns the Nations which he had subdued he gave some their liberty because they had sent him Succors others he reduced into the form of a Province and to others gave Kings To Tigranes Armenia to Pharnaces Bosphorus to Ariobarzanes Cappaâ—ocia and its dependances as we said to Antiochus Commagenes what he Conquered in Mesopotamia dividing Gallogrecia inhabited by the Galatians Neighbours of the Cappadocians among four Tetrarchs of whom Deiotarus was one He gave Attalus the Soveraignty of Paphlagonia and Aristarchus that of Colchis He made Archelaus High-priâ—st to the Goddess adored by the Commaniens a dignity comparable to any Principality whatsoever He honoured Castor of Phanagoria with the Title of Friend of the people of Rome and in short gratifyed a
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
that he sought his Alliance excused himself and when his Brother Attalus and Phileter wondred that he despised the Alliance of so great a King his Neigbour who offered it of himself he laid before them the importance of this War in which possibly in the beginning they might fight with equal Forces but that in the end the Romans would prove victorious by reason of that courage and generosity which rendred them undefatigable In which case said he I shall remain free and secure in my Kingdom but if Antiochus overcome 't is possible so powerful a Neighboâ—r may deprive me of my Estates or if he lâ—t me keep them 't will be only on conditions of submission to his Empire These were the Reasons why he would not accept the Match Now Antiochus being returned to the Hellespont and passed over into Chersonesus took many places in Thrace either by force or surrender set at liberty all the Greeks that were under the Dominion of the Thracians and was extremely liberal to those of Bizantium because their City being seated at the mouth of the Sea was very commodious for War he likewise by his bounty and the terror of his Arms drew the Galatians to his party judging those great Bodies were very proper to oppose the Romans in a Battel After this he came to Ephesus whence he Deputed Lysias Eginetes and Menippus to Rome in effect to pry into the intentions of the Senate but in appearance to tell the Fathers That always hitherto he had been affectionate to the Romaâ— Name and likewise that he had been desired to have been received into their Alliance if they had thought him worthy However he could not but wonder that they should order him to quit the Cities of Ionia to release to some of them the Tribute they ought him not to meddle with the Affairs of Asia and to abandon the Possession of Thrace which he held of his Ancestors for that such kind of commands were usually given to the Conquered and not to Friends The Senate knowing well that these Ambassadors were only come to sound them answered in few words If Antiochus leave the Asiatique Greeks at liberty and touches nothing in Europe he may be if he pleases friend of the people of Rome This was all they said without giving any farther reason to the Ambassadors Antiochus thereupon designing as soon as he could to seize upon Greece that from thence he might begin the War against the Romans thought good to communicate his intentions to Hannibal who told him That Greece having for a long time been afflicted with War he thought there would be no great difficulty in seizing upon it But that it was hard for a Prince to make War in his own Country because of the scarcity of Provisions that might happen but much more easie to maintain it in his Enemies Country That Antiochus would never attain his desires upon the Romans in Greece considering the conveniencies they had of supplying themselves with Provisions and the faculty of raising Men He therefore counselled him to siâ—se on some part of Italy and make that the seat of the War whereby the Roman Affairs would as well at home as abroad be weakned I know said he Italy perfectly well and if you will give me but ten thoâ—sand men dare promise my self to land and post my self in some place convenient for your designs from thence I will write to my Friends in Carthage to engage them to stir up the people to revolt who already of themselves weary of the present Government preserve no great fidelity for the Romans and who out of hopes of a better Fortune will attempt any thing as soon as they hear of my return to Italy The King with pleasure listned to this advice and considering as true it was that the Engagement of the Carthaginians in this War was of no small importance gave him charge to write forthwith to his Friends However he writ not for he could not do it with safety the Romans having their Spies every where and the War not being yet declared Besides there were many envious persons in Carthage and that Republick was troubled with those Divisions which not long after were the cause of its ruine Howbeit he sent to his Friends a certain Tyrian Merchant called Ariston who came to Carthage under pretence of Trade and by him he desired them that as soon as they heard he was entred Italy they should move the people to revenge the outrages they had received he acquitted himself very well of his Commission for Hannibal's Enemies knowing of the coming of this Ariston began to make a great noise as if he had the management of some contrivance to the prejudice of the Publick so that search was made for the Tyrian and he that he might not only engage the Friends of Hannibal fixed up by Night in the Place a certain Writing by which that Captain exhorted all the Senate to joyn with Antiochus for the defence of the Country and that done gets him to Sea Morning being come and the Writing read the Friends of Hannibal found themselves by this invention discharged of any suspicion could be had of them because it was believed the whole Senate had part in this advertisement However the people knew not what to resolve on they affected not the Roman Rule but they had neither the power nor the boldness to attempt any thing Mean while the Romans to cry quits with Antiochus sent him likewise Embassadors to sound him and spy into his Forces of the number of which was Scipio the African They came to Ephesus where understanding that he was gone into Pisidia they staid for him and during his absence had several conferences with Hannibal They expostulated with him that whilst Carthage was in Peace and Antiochus upon the point of being declared Enemy of the people of Rome he had left his Country though since the League neither he nor any other Carthaginian had any cause of complaint This was a policy in the Ambassadors who believed by these familiarities with Hannibal they might bring him under suspicion with the King of which as great a Polititian as he was he was not at all aware But the King being advertised of it grew jealous of him and confided not in him as he had done before but besides his jealousie Antiochus grew envious of this great Commander fearing left if his Affairs had success all the Glory would be attributed to Hannibal One day as 't is said these two excellent men holding a conference before a numerous Auditory fell upon a discourse of great Captains and Scipio having asked Hannibal who of them all he esteemed to be the greatest He replied Alexander of Macedon To which Scipio agreed because he yielded to Alexander And thereupon asking again to whom he gave the second place he named Pyrrhus King of Epire because in his Judgement Boldness and Courage were the principal Virtues of a General of an Army and of
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
took the Field with a powerful Army to come against the Romans and having intelligence that they had left behind the Waggons and Engines he sent a great Body of Horse who cut in pieces Stratianus and ten thousand Foot that he Commanded And after having taken the Engines slew a great quantity of others of which number was the King Polemon which disheartned and not without reason those who had engaged in Anthony's party dismayed at so mournful a beginning Insomuch that Artabasus King of Armenia who had been the Principal cause of this War giving over all those hopes he had conceived of the Romans retired with his Army into his own Country And now the Parthians having sent relief into the City with a thousand injurious threats reviled the Romans so that Anthony that he might not let the courages of his Men cool in the Idleness of a Siege took with him ten Legions three Praetorian Cohorts and all his Cavalry to go and gather in Provisions and Forrage hoping the Enemy would come to oppose him and so he might gain an opportunity to Fight After his first days march the Parthians appeared and he seeing that they began to enlarge their Battail round about the Roman Camp with design to cut off his way of return he Commanded to Sound a March and to pack up the Tents as if he were preparing to discamp and not to Fight which done he caused his Army to March before the Enemies in form of a Crescent with Orders to the Cavalry to charge as soon as the Vanguard was advanced that so the Legions at the same time might come to the Charge The Parthians mean while admired the Excellent Order of the Roman Army seeing the Soldiers pass along keeping their Ranks and Brandishing their Piles without making the least noise but as soon as the Signal was given and the first shout made the Roman Horse pressed forward to Charge the Parthians and came in so close to them that they could no more make use of their Arrows Yet they stood their ground for some time till the Legionary Soldiers runing in with their shouts and the noise of their Bucklers so horribly affrighted the Horses of the Enemy that they turned Tail without striking blow Anthony hoping that this battel would end the War or at least give a good stroke towards Victory pursued them hard But when the Infantry had driven them before them fifty furlongs and the Horse had followed them thrice as far and that they found but thirty Prisoners and not above fourscore slain their courages fell at the consideration of how few they had destroyed in this victory in comparison of the Numbers they had lost at the defence of the Carriages Next Morning they advanced to go and force Phraates his Camp but meeting in their march at first with a few Parthians after that with a greater Number and at last with the whole Army who as if they had not been beaten the day before came to the charge and assailed them on all sides they with much pains and difficulty recovered their Camp where the Medes whom they besieged having stormed the Palisado and driven off those that defended it Anthony fell into such a passion that he decimated all those had quitted their Posts he drew them off by Decuries or Tens and making them draw Lots condemned the unfortunate to death and instead of Wheat gave only Barley Bread to the rest This War was troublesome to both parties and each feared more grievous consequences For Anthony could no longer go abroad to seek Provision or Forrage without having some of his People slain or wounded and Phraates who knew well that the Parthians would rather endure any thing than to keep the Field all Winter out of their own Country was afraid left if the Romans continued the War his People would forsake him the Air already growing cold by reason of the Autumnal Equinox Wherefore he made use of this Artifice Some Parthians known to the Romans meeting them forraging treated them kindly letting them go away with their burthens and praising their valor which their King himself admired and that with reason for indeed they were the most valiant Men in the World and then by degrees drawing nearer they blamed Anthony that he would not make peace with the King and spare the lives of so many brave people whom he only suffered to lose time and without giving them opportunity of Fighting made them wait for two cruel Enemies Famine and Winter and that in such places as their March would be difficult though the Parthians themselves were their Guides This being several times reported to Anthony he began to be more tractable yet he would not send to the Parthian till he had caused inquiry to be made of these honest Barbarians whether it were by their Kings Order they had spoke to the Roman Soldiers which when they had assured it was conjuring them not to have the least fear or jealousie he dispatched one of his Friends to the King to demand the Ensigns and the Captives that he might not seem to be content with an honourable Retreat only to which answer was returned That he should not speak of that but that Peace and a safe Retreat should be granted him on condition he would speedily depart which he did few days after Though he were very Eloquent in all Assemblies whether Civil or Military yet shame and sadness would not let him now speak to his Army himself He gave Commission to Domitius Aenobarbus to take his place and to exhort the Soldiers to be couragious some took it ill thinking he did it in scorn but the greater part knowing the cause the easilier composed themselves to his thoughts As he was designing with himself to return the way he came through the naked Deserts a certain Mardian of whose Courage and Fidelity the Romans had trial in the Fight for defence of the Engines and who knew the manner of the Parthians living came to him and advised him to take his March by the Foot of the Mountains which lay on the right hand and not to expose his Army loaden with Arms to such infinite numbers of Archers on Horse-back in Plains so vast and without any covert for that Phraates had no other design but to fall upon him when by fair words he had made him leave his Trenches and therefore he offered himself both to lead them a shorter way and in which they should find abundance of whatever was necessary for the Soldiers Anthony proposed this in Council not seeming to distrust the Peace agreed on by the Parthians but telling them he should be well satisfied to take a shorter way by which they should find good Villages and that nothing else was to be done but to take good security of the Mardian And he of himself desired he might be bound till they had reached Armenia and thus bound put himself at the Head of the Army and led them two days
Temple built a publick Hall for the Roman People not to use Traffick in but for the pleading of Causes and to render justice and learn how to render it in like manner as there are many in Persia and by the Goddess side he caused to be set up the Statue of Cleopatra which is to be seen to this day And lastly having taken the number of the people he found them one half less than they were at the beginning of the War so much had the Differences which had happened between these two Men weakened the Common-wealth For himself being made the fourth time Consul he undertook the Expedition of Spain against the young Pompey which was a Remain of the Civil War he had not reason to slight for all those people of Quality that had escaped out of Africa got thither and the Wracks of the Pharsalian and African Defeats were here assembled besides the assistance of the most warlike Nations of Spain and Celtiberia and a great number of Slaves that followed Pompey's Army who having been four years exercised to the War offered to serve him if he would try the fortune of a Battel This was the cause of Pompey's overthrow for that without delay he would go meet Caesar though the old Captains whom the Battels of Pharsalia and Africa had made wiser counselled him to prolong the War being the only means to ruine his Enemy who could not subsist in a Country where he had no conveniencies for Caesar was come in seven and twenty days counting from the day he left the City and with store of Baggage had performed a wonderful Journey Besides his Army never shewed less resolution out of the thoughts possessed them that they were to deal with a multitude of War-like Enemies and whom despair would make attempt any thing which was the reason Caesar made no haste to engage till Pompey provoking him to Battel reproached him with faintheartedness which not able to endure he drew up his Army in Battel before Cordona and that day he likewise gave Venus for his Word as Piety was that of Pompey's When the Armies were going to close Caesar seeing his Men go on but coldly and seem to be afraid invoked all the Gods beseeching them with hands lifted up to Heaven not to let the lustre of so many glorious Actions be darkened in one day and running through the Ranks encouraged his Soldiers taking off his Head-piece that he might be the better known But do what he could he could not raise their Spirits till snatching a Buckler out of a Soldiers hand he said to the Tribunes were about him This shall be the last day of my life and of your engagement to the War And at the same time made furiously towards the Enemy he had scarce advanced ten foot but he had above two hundred Darts thrown at him some of which he avoided by bending his Body and others received on his Buckler when the Tribunes run with emulation to get about him and the whole Army thereupon charging with all their fury they fought all day with divers advantage and at length towards the Evening the Victory fell to Caesar and 't is reported that hereupon he was heard say these words That he had often fought for Victory but that now he had fought for life After the Defeat Pompey's Men flying into Cordona Caesar to prevent their escape thither lest they should rally and renew the Fight caused the place to be invested by the Army where his Soldiers being so tired they could not work in the Circumvallation heaped up together the Bodies and Armour of the slain which they kept piled up with their javelins stuck into the ground and lay all night under that kind of Rampire Next Morning the City was taken Of Pompey's Captains Scapula getting up on a Pile of Wood burnt himself the Heads of Varus Labienus and other persons of Quality were brought to Caesar. As for Pompey he fled from the Battel with a hundred and fifty Horse bending his course towards Cartea where his Fleet lay he entred the Port in a Litter and in the habit of a private Man But seeing the Seamen had likewise lost all hopes he threw himself into a little Boat in which as he was going out to Sea his Foot tangling in the Cordage one of his people going to cut the Rope by mischance cut his Heel so that to cure his wound he was forced to go ashore at a small Village where hearing that Caesar's Horsemen were coming he took his flight through a Country covered with Thorns and Briars which added to his wound so that being tired and sitting down at last under a Tree he was found by those gave him chase and slain generously defending himself his Head was carried to Caesar who caused it to be buried Thus was this War ended by one only Fight contrary to the opinion of all the world Those who escaped from this Defeat went to Pompey's younger Brother sirnamed Sextus but he only made War like a Rover hiding himself and flying from place to place As for Caesar having now put an end to all the Civil Wars he returned to Rome more powerful and glorious than ever any had been before him wherefore all imaginable Honours were done him to gain his favour All the Tribes all the Nations and all the Kingdoms allyed and Friends to the Roman People made Sacrifices Shews and Offerings in every Temple and in every publick place his Statues were every where to be seen set up in divers fashions some adorned with Oaken Crowns as having saved his Country like those wherewith the Citizens formerly honoured those who saved their lives likewise by publick Decree they gave him the Titles of Father of his Country perpetual Dictator Consul for ten years and of Holy and Sacred and it was enacted that he should administer Justice seated on a Throne of Ivory or of Gold that he should wear the Triumphal Robe at Sacrifices that on those days whereon he had gained his principal Victories publick Feasts and Prayers should be made and that every five years the Priests and Vestals should offer up Vows for his safety that those who entred into office should swear not to oppose any of his Orders and in Honour of his Birth-day they changed the name of the Month which they called Quintilis and named it Iuly It was decreed likewise by an Act of the Senate that Temples should be built to him as to a God and among others one in common to him and Clemency where their Statues stood hand in hand Thus by publick Vows they requested his Clemency whose Dominion they stood in aw of some likewise there were who would have called him King but he forbid it with threats signifying his aversion for a name which could not but be unhappy after the execrations fulminated by the Ancients against that Dignity he likewise dismissed from about his person the Pretorian Cohorts of which he had made use during the War
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
sent to entreat Scipio as his friend by succession from his Ancestors to come and see him and to consult with him about dividing his Kingdom among his Children he immediately posted away but ere he could arrive Masanissa had given up the ghost having laid his Commands on his children to obey Scipio in what manner soever he should divide the succession amongst them Those were the last words of this great man happy in all things for by divine favor he reconquered his own Kingdom which Syphax and the Carthaginians had seized on and enlarged it in such manner that from Mauritania which lies upon the Ocean he extended the bounds of his Dominion into the Continent as far as Cyrene giving Laws to an infinite number of people and teaching them a sweeter manner of living for before the Numidians lived only on herbs and despised tillage He left great store of Silver in his Coffers and many warlike Troops whom himself had exercised in revenging himself of his enemies He took Syphax with his own hand and brought the Carthaginians so low that the Romans had not afterwards so much difficulty to destroy them He was tall of Stature and very strong so that though far advanced in years he would be present at all occasions so long as he lived and ever mounted on horseback without a saddle but the greatest sign of his vigorous constitution was that though he had many Children died before him yet he never had less then then ten living at a time after once he had arrived that number and being now fourscore and ten years old he left his youngest only four years old That great age had he advanced to and bore it out well but at length of force he must die Scipio did with honor cause the liberality of their father to be given to the bastard Children divided the mony among the legitimate Children together with the Revenues and willed that they should all bear the title of King As for the charges of State he distributed them to every one according to their capacity and inclination He gave as by priviledge of birth-right to Micipsa the Eldest who loved Peace the City of Cirtha the ancient residence of the Kings to Gulussa the second who was a Soldier the Command of the Armies and to Mastaball the third who was a Scholar the charge of Justice Having made this division of the Goods and Kingdom of Masanissa Scipio forthwith brought Gulussa along with him to assistance of the Romans who having presently discovered the place where Phameas concealed himself and from whence he issued out to surprise them soon rid them of that inconvenience One day Scipio and Phameas met in a place where there was only a water-course between that was impassible Scipio who was doubtful of some ambuscades advanced only with three of his people to make discovery and Phameas came forward on the other side accompanied only with one which made Scipio judging he had a desire to speak with him advance likewise only with one to attend him when they were nigh enough to hear each other he spake thus to the African Why do not you labour for your particular safety since you can do nothing for your Country to which the other answered and what safety can I expect in the Estate to which Carthage is reduced after having done you so much mischief Assuredly replyed Scipio if you believe I have any power and that I am a man of Faith and Honor I dare promise you in the name of the Romans not only grace and pardon but acknowledgements The African thanked him that had more confidence in him than in all others and told him I will think of it and if I believe it may be done I will give you notice and with that they parted Now Manlius to wipe away the stain of his first expedition to Nucera returned thither and having taken provisions for fifteen days encamped and fortified himself as Scipio had counselled him to do the first time but he was a long time without doing any thing which blasted his fame the more besides the hazard he ran the Army into of being beaten by Asdrubal upon their return to Carthage Whilst he lay thus in an incertainty what to do one of Gulussa's people brought a packet to Scipio who keeping it sealed till he came to the full Council of War there broke it open and found writ in it to this effect Such a day I will come to such a place meet me there with what force you please and give Order to those who are upon the Guard to receive me if I come by night To this purpose were the contents of the Letters which had no name subscribed but Scipio perceived well that it was an invention of Phameas Though Manlius was fearful lest Scipio might be deceived by that politick man yet seeing he had a good opinion of him he permitted him to go to the place assigned with Orders to receive an Oath of Fidelity from Phameas without assuring him any set reward but only promising that the Senate would recompence him according to his deservings But there was no need of these promises for as soon as Phameas was come to the place appointed he said that he put his own safety into the hands of Scipio and for recompence he referred himself to the judgment of the Senate and people of Rome and the morrow after having given his parol he drew up all his Troops in battalia and being advanced to the head of them with the Officers as if he were about to consult of something of importance he spoke to them in this manner If there remained any hopes to relieve our Country I should be ready to die with you but seeing it in the Condition in which you all know it I am resolved to take Order for my own affairs I have assurance given me for my self and those that will follow me Now you are to think what you have to do Having thus spoken the Captains and those who were under their command to the Number of two thousand two hundred Horse declared for the Romans the rest stood firm by vertue of the authority and perswasion of Hanno surnamed the White As Scipio returned to the Camp accompanied with Phameas all the Army came forth to meet him receiving him with a general acclamation as in a Triumph But Manlius above all expressed extraordinary joy and no longer fearing his retreat might be shameful because he believed Asdrubal startled at the Revolt of Phameas durst not follow him he discamped for want of Provisions not the fifteenth day after his departure but the seventeenth And because he had yet three days march through troublesome ways Scipio took Phameas and Gulussa with their Horse and made an inroad into the Country which the inhabitants of the place call the Great Abyss from whence they returned at night to their quarters with a great booty and good store of Provisions Manlius having advice that Calphurnius
greater penalty after so much obstinacy we will not use our good fortune insolently nor insult on others calamities We offer you therefore the same conditions we did before adding only some small matter advantagious to both and of importance to the common security Renounce Europe Quit to us all Asia as far as Mount Taurus Deliver into our hands all your Elephants and as many Ships as we shall order you to furnish You shall henceforth keep no Elephants and only such a Number of Ships as we shall prescribe You shall give up twenty Hostages such as the Consul shall choose and towards the Expence of the War you shall pay fifty Talents ready Mony and two thousand five hundred after the Senate shall have ratified the Peace with a thousand Talents to be for twelve years to come yearly sent to Rome You shall likewise deliver to us all Prisoners and Runaways and pay unto Eumenes the Remainder of what was due to his Father If Antiochus presently perform these Articles we will grant him Peace and promise him the Friendship of the Roman People Provided the Senate approve it The Deputies having accepted these conditions part of the mony was soon brought and the Hostages delivered among which was the Kings youngest Son called Antiochus which done the Scipio's and Antiochus sent their Deputies to Rome The Senate ratified the Treaty and the Articles were signed according to Scipio 's intentions however somethings were added not before expressed That the bounds of Antiochus his Dominion should be the two Promontories called Calecadnon and Sarpedonion beyond which he was not to bear Arms. That he should have only twelve Ships of War to keep his Subjects in awe but that if he happened to have any War he might then have more that he should not leavy any Mercenary Soldiers in the Lands under the Roman obedience nor receive any Runaways and that from three years to three years he should exchange the Hostages save only Antiochus his Son This League was Engraven on a Table of Copper and set up in the Capitol as other Articles of Peace with any Nation were used to be an extract of which was sent to Manius Volson who being at Apamia a City of Phrygia took before Antiochus Deputies the Oath of Alliance as Antiochus on his part swore to observe it in the presence of the Tribune Thermus sent to him for that purpose Thus ended the War between Antiochus the Great and the People of Rome Some were of opinion it proceeded no farther because of the favour shewed by the King to Scipio's Son and indeed at his return to Rome they endeavored to trouble him about it and the two Tribunes of the People accused him of having been corrupted by presents to betray the Common-wealth But he made slight of his accusers and his Tryal happening to be assigned on the same day that he had gained his Victory over the Carthaginians he sent before hand to the Capitol all things necessary for a Pompous Sacrifice and presented himself before the Judgment Seat magnificently habited and not in Mourning like others accused of any crime to move their Judges to compassion This brave Man secured by the Testimony of his own Conscience amazed all the world by this manner of Conduct for when he began his Discourse he made no mention of any crime he spoke only of the Carriage of his Life past the mighty things he had done for the Commonwealth and the many Victories he had gained and he uttered it with so good a grace as delighted the whole Auditory but when he came to speak of Carthage which he had subdued he amplified the matter with so much heat that he not only moved but warmed the People by telling them This is the day Gentlemen whereon I defeated the Carthaginians whom once you so much feared Wherefore I am going from this place to sacrifice at the Capitol whoever loves his Country let him follow and go with me to return thanks to the Gods Having said these words he mounted to the Capitol without concerning himself at the Judgment All the People followed him and the Judges themselves applauded him beseeching the Gods that his Sacrifice might prove acceptable This proceedure left his accusers in a deep perplexity for they durst no more call to judgment or accuse of ambition or corruption a Man whose whole behaviour was exempt from suspicion and above calumny Thus nobly did he scorn an accusation had no agreement with his past life In which in my opinion he acted more prudently then Aristides accused of Theft or Socrates when imprisoned for the matters objected against them who suffered under the infamy without making defence for themselves It is true Plato attributes a certain Plea to Socrates which he had framed according to his own fansie In my Judgment likewise he repelled Calumny with more generosity then Epaminondas the Sovereign Magistrate of the Boeotians with Pelopidas and another his Colleagues The Thebans having sentthese Captains with their Forces to assist the Arcadians and Messenians against those of Lacedemon and the War not being yet finished as they would have had it they recalled them because of some Calumnies but they kept for six Months more the Command of the Army refusing to surrender it into their hands were sent to succeed them till such time as they had driven out the Lacedemonian Garrisons from the Cities they held and placed Arcadians in them Epaminondas had been the sole cause of this having promised his Colleagues that they should fall into no danger But as soon as they were returned to the City their accusers undertook them each apart to have them condemned to death for by their Laws it was a Capital Crime to hold by force the Command of the Army when another was sent to be General The other two were discharged not so much out of any compassion the Judges had for them as because they laid the whole fault upon Epaminondas who had advised them so to do and did consent to what they had said He therefore being last of all called in Judgement I confess said he that I have kept the Command of the Army beyond the time prescribed by the Law 's and have constrained my Colleagues whom you have absolved to do the same I therefore beg no favor from you I only desire that for my past services it may be writ upon my Tomb. Here lies he who having gained the Victory at Leuctra led to the very Walls of Sparta his fellow Citizens in whom before the only sight of the Lacedemonian Hats struck a terror His Country condemned him to death because he had less consideration for the Laws then for the Publick good After having said these words he descended from the Tribunal offering his body to any that would lead him to Execution but the Judges touched with this reproach and admiring this manner of defence changed their design of condemning him as Criminal into Respect and without putting it to
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
Inhabitants having recourse to Sylla he promised to come and sent to Fimbria not to do any injury to those who had yielded to him praising them for being returned into the friendship and alliance of the Roman people Notwithstanding he required to be likewise received into their City being likewise of Rome and telling them I know not what of that ancient Kindred of which the Ilians boast At last he entred by force slew all he met with set on fire the City and particularly put to several sorts of death those who went to Sylla on the behalf of the City He had neither respect to the sacred places nor to those had fled thither for refuge but burnt the Temple of Minerva with a great multitude of people who had retired thither as to a Sanctuary He rased the very Walls which he went round about next day to see if any part were left standing Thus was that City worse treated by a Man who took thence his Original then it had formerly been by Agamemnon for he left not a house nor a Temple nor a Statue standing Some there are that believe that the Image of the Goddess which is called Palladium was now found whole after the removal of the Rubbish wherewith it was covered but there is more reason to believe it was taken away by Diomedes and Ulysses in the time of the Trojan War This Massacre of the Ilians happened about the end of the hundred and third Olympaid and it is thought to be about one thousand and fifty Years between this sack of Troy and that of Agamemnon Now Mithridates receiving advice of the defeat at Orchomene and considering that since his first sending an Army into Greece he had lost such vast Multitudes in so short a time wrote to Archelaus that he should conclude a Peace upon the fairest terms he could get He therefore demanded a conference with Sylla which being granted he told him Sylla the King Mithridates your Fathers friend and yours was forced by the avarice of those who had the Command before you to make the War But having now experienced your Valour he demands a Peace provided what you shall desire of him be just Whereupon Sylla who had neither Fleet nor Money receiving nothing from Rome since his Enemies had declared him Enemy of the State and having already spent all the Silver of the Temples of Pythia Olympia and Epidaurum for which he had engaged half the Lands confiscated from the Thebans beâ—ause of their continual Rebellions and who besides all this was impatient to transport that Army fresh and every way compleat to Rome against his Enemies consented to his Peace by telling him Archelaus Mithridates should have sent Ambassadors to Rome to complain of the injuries he had received but instead of that he himself injured others entring in hostile manner into their Territories plundring their Treasures as well Publick as Sacred seising on the Goods of those he had put to death and showing no more faith nor goodness to his own friends then to us destroying many of them and murdering the Tetrarchs his familiars who had all their throats cut in one night with their Wives and Children though they were not guilty so much as of a design As for what regards us he rather made appear his inveterate hatred then any necessity he had to make War when he let loose his rage against the Italians in Asia by a thousand sorts of Torments sparing neither Age Sex nor Quality So much hate does this man bear to the Latin Name who calls himself my Fathers Friend but never remembred that friendship till I had slain him a hundred and sixty thousand men Wherefore we have no reason to trust you any more However for your sake I promise he shall obtain favour from the Senate and People of Rome if it be in good earnest that he ask it but if he still feign I advise you Archelaus to consider the present estate of his affairs and your own how he treats his Friends and how we have dealt with Eumenes and Massanissa At these words Archelaus interrupted him angry that he should tempt him and telling him he was not a man to betray Forces intrusted to his charge but that he really hoped for peace if Sylla demanded only just things Whereupon Sylla after some moments Silence Provided said he Archelaus that Mithridates put into our hands all the Fleet he has restore the Generals Deputies and other Prisoners deliver up the Runaway's and fugitive Slaves send back to their Cities those of Chios and others transported to the Euxine Sea withdraw his Garrisons from all places where he has planted them save only those he had before the Peace was broke pay the Expence of this War which he has been the cause of and content himself with the Kingdom of his Ancestors I hope to prevail so far that the Roman people shall forget the Offences they have received Archelaus hearing these conditions began presently to withdraw his Garrisons and about the rest wrote to the King Sylla that he might not in the mean while loose any time went and spoiled the Countries of the Henetians Dardanians and other Neighbouring Nations who made delay incursions into Macedon by that means exercising his Soldiers Mithridates Deputies returning some time after agreed to all save only about Paphlagonia but added that they could have had better terms from the other General Fimbria Whereupon Sylla offended at that comparison made answer that that word should cost Fimbria dear and that as soon as he came into Asia he would see whether Mithridates stood in need of Peace or War Whereupon he caused his Army to take their March through Thrace that he might bring them to Cypsela having sent Lucullus before to Abydos for he was now returned having often very narrowly escaped falling into the hands of Pyrates However he had brought with him a kind of Fleet of Ships which he had been furnished with at Cyprus Phoenicia Rhodes and in Pamphilia with which he had pillaged all the Coast as he came along and skirmished with Mithridates his Fleet Sylla therefore parting from Cypsela and Mithridates from Pergamus met together and began a new conference being drawn out into the Field with few followers in the sight of both Armies Mithridates began his discourse with the alliance which he and his Father had with the people of Rome complained of the injuries he had received from the Roman Generals and Commissaries who had established Ariobarzanes in Cappadocia taken from him Phrigia and favored by their dissimulation the Violences of Nicomedes And all this said he for Money which they received sometimes from me and sometimes from my Enemies for there is nothing you Gentlemen of Rome may so justly be reproached with as love of Money In short your Generals being come to make War against me whatever I have done in my own defence ought rather to be attributed to necessity then to any deliberate purpose
Tigranes because he seemed grieved for his fathers fall he gave him the Crown yet he soon after raised War against Tigranes but being defeated in a Battel escaped to Phraates King of the Parthians who had newly succeeded in that Kingdom to his Father Syntricus Upon Pompey's approach the Fugitive Armenian by the Advice of his Host who for his own particular sought the favor of the General came and submitted himself to the Romans in the posture of a Suppliant though he were Grandchild to Mithridates being the Son of his Daughter but the reputation of the Justice and uprightness of Pompey was so great among the Barbarians that Tigranes himself relying upon it without so much as sending a Herauld before came to meet him to put his cause into his hands and to complain of his Son as to a Judge Pompey having sent some Officers before to receive the King in Honor of him those who accompanied him not thinking themselves in security because he had not sent a Herauld before turned tail but Tigranes continued on his way and being come near unto Pompey paid him his respects as to his Superior after the manner of the Barbarians Yet there are some say the Lictors brought him to Pompey by his Command However it were he came gave an account of his Actions made a present to Pompey of six thousand Talents fifty drams to every Soldier a thousand to every Centurion and ten thousand to every Tribune Pompey pardoned what was past reconciled the Son with the Father ordained that the Son should enjoy as King the Province of Sophena and Gordiana which are at this day comprised under the name of Armenia the less and adjudged to the Father the rest of Armenia on condition that he left it by succession to his Son and that he quitted to the Romans the Provinces he had conquered and indeed he quitted all Syria from the Euphrates to the Sea with part of Cilicia which he had possessed himself of after having driven out Antiochus the Pious The two Kings were not yet parted from the Roman Camp when the Son by perswasion of those Armenians who for fear had abandoned his Father when he came to meet Pompey designed an attempt on his life but he was discovered and Arrested and being afterwards Convicted that though Prisoner as he was he had solicited the Parthians to make War upon the Romans he was led in Triumph and afterwards put to death in Prison Pompey believing the War was ended built a City in Armenia the less in the same place where he had overcome Mithridates which because of his Victory he called Nicopolis He gave likewise the Kingdom of Cappadocia to Ariobarzanes and joyned to it Sophena and Gordiana which he had before given to the young Tigranes and which at present belong to the Province of Cappadocia He gave him likewise Cabala a City of Cilicia and some others so that Ariobarzanes left to a Son that succeded him all that Kingdom subject to many changes till the time of Augustus Caesar under whose Empire it was with many others reduced into the form of a Province Pompey after this passed Mount Taurus and went to make War upon Antiochus Commagenes to whom he afterwards granted Peace with the Title of Friend to the People of Rome he defeated likewise the Mede Darius because he had assisted Antiochus or possibly Tigranes before him Afterwards he led his Army against Areta King of the Arabian Nabathaean and at length against the Iews who were revolted against their King Aristobulus from whom he took by force their holy City Ierusalem besides all this he reduced under the Roman obedience without fighting and as it were only in passing by the remainder of Cilicia which yet acknowledged not the Roman Empire together with all the habitable Syria on this side Euphrates Coelosyria Phoenicia Palestine Idumea Ituria and all the other members of Syria Not that the Romans had any cause of complaint against Antiochus the Pious who was present at all this endeavoring to obtain the Kingdom of his Fathers by force of Prayers but the Roman General believed that having driven Tigranes out of these Provinces which he had conquered they by right of War belonged to the People of Rome As he was setling necessary Orders in his Conquests there came to him Ambassadors on the behalf of Phraates and Tigranes who began to make War on each other The Armenian demanded his assistance as his friend and the Parthians desired to be received into the friendship of the People of Rome and he unwilling to enter upon a War with the Parthians without a particular Order of the Senate sent Commissioners who made Peace between the two Kings Whilst he was employed in all these affairs Mithridates had taken the whole compass of the Euxine Sea and having siesed upon Panticapea a Merchant City situate in Europe on the mouth of Pontus very near the Strait he slew his Son Xiphares for a fault committed by his Mother in this manner Mithridates had great quantity of Vessels of Brass bound about with Iron and filled with Silver hid under ground in a certain Castle the Guard of which he had entrusted to stratonice one of his Concubines or of his Wives She only knew of it and yet whilst the King was making the Circuit of Pontus she delivered to Pompey the Castle and all the Treasures only on this condition that if her Son Xiphares fell into his power he should save his life in favor of his Mother he took the Mony promised to preserve her Son and permitted him to retire whither he pleased with his Equipage The King coming to know this slew Xiphares on the Sea-side in the sight of his Mother who stood on the other side the Strait and threw the body into the water not permitting it burial so small account he made of paternal piety that he might revenge himself of the Mother who had committed the fault After this he sent Ambassadors to Pompey who was in Syria and knew not that he was yet living offering to pay Tribute to the Romans if he would leave him the Kingdom of his Fathers to which Pompey sending him word that he should come and meet him as Tigranes had done he answered that he could not do it for that it would be unbecoming the Person of Mithridates yet offering to send his Sons and some of his Friends Upon this answer he began to make new Leavies of all Men of all sorts and conditions indifferently to cause to be made great quantity of Arms Bows and Engins without sparing any thing whatsoever the very Oxen used to Labour being killed only for their Nerves he imposed likewise new Tributes from which the very poorest were not exempt whilst those who had the charge of Collecting them committed a thousand Extortions unknown to Mithridates For he had got an Ulcer in his face which so disfigured him that he let no person see him but three Eunuchs that dressed
expose your selves to so many dangers you had an evidence I had then no ambition when I refused the Office of Pretor offered by you but now there is but one only way to preserve us all It is by your means I may obtain the Consulate then will be confirmed to you the benefits received from my Father then will be given you Colonies and other rewards due to you and I will proceed in judgment against the Murderers and dispense with you from going to any other Wars These Words were attended with a general Acclamation of the whole Army who presently deputed their Centurions to Rome to demand the Consulate for Caesar. The Senate objecting that he was not of age required by Law they answered as they were prepared that Corvinus was formerly created Consul as young as he and Scipio after him who as young as they were had both done signal service for their Country They alledged likewise the fresher examples of Pompey and Dolobella besides that a Decree had already passed permitting the same Caesar to demand the Consulate ten years before the appointed age Whilst the Centurions resolutely offered these reasons some of the Senators offended at the freedom of their speech interrupted them by saying they talked too high for People of their Quality which being reported to the Army so highly incensed the Soldiers that they desired to be led directly to the City where themselves holding the Assembly they would make Caesar's Son Consul to whom at the same instant they gave a thousand praises Caesar seeing them thus disposed presently drawing together his Army raises the Camp with eight Legions good Horse and all other things necessary passes the Rubicon that divides Gaul from Italy from whence formerly his Father had begun the Civil War There he divides his Army into two Bodies leaving one in the Rear to follow him at leisure and at the Head of the other who were all chosen Men marching by great journies directly towards Rome that he might surprise his Enemies before they could be prepared Having advice by the way that upon the same Road Commissioners sent by the Senate with the Soldiers Money were coming to meet him he was jealous lest any of his Men might be tempted by this reward wherefore he privately sent Scouts towards them who so terrified them that away they fled with their Money The news of his approach filled all the City with Tumult and Terrour some run through the Streets in disorder others carried away their Wives Children and choicest Goods into the Country or to the strongest places of the City For it not being certainly known if he only demanded the Consulate upon the rumour that he came in a hostile manner at the Head of an angry Army every thing appeared dreadful to them Especially in the Senate the consternation was great because they had not at present any Army to defend them Some as it happens ever in like Allarms accused others either that they had injuriously taken from him the Legions they had given him to make War upon Anthony or that they had denyed him the Triumph due to him or that out of envy to him when they sent the ten Commissioners to pay the Army they had not so much as named him for the eleventh or that they had not payed the Money promised the Soldiers either not in time or at least not in full and thereby had given them cause to revolt But that which they most of all blamed was the disobliging Caesar in an ill Conjuncture Brutus and Cassius being at a great distance and as yet but meanly prepared and Anthony and Lepidus both at hand and ready to fall upon the City who if they entertained but the thoughts of making an Accommodation with Caesar might complete its ruine Cicero himself who appeared most officious in all other matters now shewed not his Head insomuch that in a moment the face of all things was so utterly changed that instead of two thousand five hundred Drams offered to every Soldier it was ordered by Decree of the Senate that five thousand should be payed them not for two Legions only but for eight of which Caesar himself should have the distribution and the ten Commissioners As for Caesar though he were absent they gave him the Consulate and dispatched away Commissioners post to carry him the news of it But scarcely were they got out of the City when the Senate repented most of them began to cry out that it was a shame they should so cowardly suffer themselves to be trod under foot and suffer the setting up of a new Tyranny without shedding of Blood or should accustom pretenders to the Consulate to demand it with Arms in their hands and Soldiers to command their Country That therefore they ought presently to arm and oppose the authority of the Laws to those who offered them violence and if they repented them not as it was not credible they would endure a Siege expecting the coming of Plancus and Decimus to relieve the City and in the mean time fight to the last gasp rather than submit to servitude without defending themselves They alledged hereupon example of things which their Predecessors had undertaken executed and suffered to maintain their Liberty and when they saw the two Legions they had sent for out of Africa arrive at the Port that very day they thought the Gods concern'd themselves in their defence insomuch that they confirmed themselves in their repentance and Cicero beginning to appear the Decree was absolutely changed They made a Roll of all the youth capable to bear Arms to joyn with the two Legions newly come from Africa a thousand Horse and another Legion which Pansa had left them they gave Quarters to all these Troops one part guarded the Ianiculum with the Riches there stored up another the Bridge over Tiber under the Command of the Pretors of the City and others kept within the Port Boats and Vessels laden with Money ready if necessity required to flie towards the River and gain the Sea making these preparations with a countenance of defending themselves they hoped Caesar might take his turn to be in fear or that they should perswade him to come and demand the Consulate without bringing his Army or that at last they should repulse him by force and that the question being the preservation of common liberty all contrary Parties might unite But when after having made a long search both publickly and privately for Caesar's Mother and Sister and not finding them their fears returned beholding themselves robbed of such mighty Hostages it being unlikely that those of Caesar's Party would joyn with them in the common defence who had so well concealed his best Friends Whilst Câ—esar was yet in conference with the Deputies came other to tell him that the Senate had changed their resolution so that the first returned loaden with shame and confusion and he with an Army incensed at these proceedings marched towards the City troubled
fight would possibly do something great besides if any misfortune happened they could retreat within their Trenches and defend themselves he grew angry that his Officers should give him such counsel and suffer themselves to be so easily carried away by the impatience of his Soldiers who chose rather to hazard the loss of all than to overcome without danger However he consented though to theirs and his own ruine saying only this short sentence I see I am reduced to make War as Pompey did and rather to be commanded than to command For my part I believe he said no more for fear of discovering what he most of all feared lest the Army which had formerly served under Caesar should upon discontent go over to the Enemy For this was what both Cassius and he had from the beginning some suspicion of and therefore took care not to give the Soldiers any cause of dissatisfaction Thus Brutus drew his Men out of the Camp much against his will and drew them up in order but still forbad them going too far from the Hill that their retreat might be more easie and that they might from above charge the Enemy more advantageously with their missile Arms. Both Parties were in a brave and fighting condition and therefore came resolutely forth to the Battel animated by reasonable considerations on the one side the fear of Famine and on the other by a just Shame for having forced their General to fight before he had a mind to it Wherefore they burn'd with desire to make him see in their deeds the same Bravery and Courage they had boasted in words for fear lest he should reproach them of having been carried away rather by rashness than prudence Brutus going on Horseback from Quarter to Quarter with a severe look put them in mind of it and the better to imprint it in their thoughts as time gave leave spoke these words You would needs fight and have forced me to conquer in another manner than I desired But have a care you do not deceive both your own hopes and mine you have the advantage of the Hill which fights for youâ— all behind you is on your side whereas the Enemy are to defend themselves both against you and Famine To which discourse which he made as he went up and down the Army they answered him with shouts of joy and promises of well doing Caesar and Anthony in the mean time went each on their side through the Ranks encouraging their Soldiers with hand and voice without flattering them or dissembling the condition wherein they were being certain to die by Famine if they got not the Victory which was a powerful motive to spur them on We have found our Enemy said they and have got him now Fellow Soldiers out of his Trenches from whence we have taken so much pains to draw him but after having provoked him by so many defiances have a care of your Honour and let your Actions make good the threats you have â—ttered Chuse now either to fight against hunger an invincible Enemy which gives no Quarter or against Men who cannot stand before you if you employ but your Arms your Courage nay your very Despair as you ought to do For our Affairs are in such a condition they admit of no delay this day must put an end to the War either by an entire Victory or a glorious death If you come off victorious you will in one sole day and one only Fight get Provision Treasure Fleets Arms and besides all the Donative we have promised you for the Victory which will surely be ours if in giving the onset we remember the necessity to which we are reduced and after having put them in disorder seise the Gates of their Camp and drive them either among the Precipices or into the Plain so that they can no more rally or shut themselves up in those Trenches where by a cowardise unheard yet in any Enemy they place their hopes not in fighting but in not fighting at all By these words Caesar and Anthony so encouraged their Soldiers that they would have blushed not to have answered their Generals expectation besides there being no other way to remedy their want of Provisions which was augmented by what had happened on the Ionian Sea they chose rather to undergo the worst that could befal them in Fight than to perish by a misery inevitable Upon these Motives the two Armies were inflamed with an incredible ardour The Soldiers no more remembred they were Fellow Citizens but threatened each other as if they had been two Nations that had been at a perpetual enmity Such power now had anger got over them above either reason or nature And in short both Parties divined that this Battel would decide the destiny of the Roman Empire as indeed it did After having employed one part of the day in preparing themselves about nine of the Clock two Eagles began to fight between the two Armies who observed them with a profound silence till such time as that on Brutus's side turning tail gave occasion to the contrary Party with great shouts to run on upon their Enemies The Charge was fierce and cruel for they threw away as useless their Piles and all other Weapons ordinarily used in Fight to come to the Swords point they gave neither blow nor thrust in vain and each side endeavoured to break through and disorder the opposite Ranks the one Party fighting for safety more than for Victory and the other for Victory only remembring that by their importunity they had forced their General to engage Nothing was to be seen but slaughter nor heard but groans as soon as any one fell those of his Party drew him off and another fresh Man stepped in out of the next Rank to supply his place Mean while the Generals acted wonders they run from place to place and shewed themselves every where encouraging those whom they saw had the advantage and exhorting others whom they perceived overpressed yet to hold out a little till they could send fresh Men to disengage them Thus the Front of the Battel was always full yet at last Caesar's People either pressed forward by their fear of Famine or spurred on by his good fortune for Brutus's Men were no way faulty made the first Line of the Enemies a little recoil who gave ground without any trouble or disorder as if it had been a great Machine removed at once but at last the first Rank being broken those who fought in it retreated more nimbly into the second and those of the second into the third that it begat some confusion for they were both pressed upon by the Enemies and those of their own Party so that they betook themselves to a disorderly flight And now Caesar's Men according to the command they had received seised upon the Gate though with a great deal of danger for they were sorely galled by Darts from the Rampart and by those who yet stood their ground without till