gratefull spectacle vnto all Latiaris as I haue rehearsed before was the principall agent of circumuenting Titius Sabinus and then the first that receiued punishment for it Among these accusations Haterius Agrippa setteth vpon the Consuls of the last yeere asking them why they are now so still and cease from the accusations begun the one against the other it was feare and guilt of conscience which made them friends but the Lords of the Senate would not so put vp that which they had heard Regulus said he would stay for a time of reuenge and that he would prosecute the matter before the Prince Trio answered that emulation and enuie betwixt collegues were better forgotten and iniurious words if any had passed Agrippa vrging on still Sanquinius Maximus one of the Consuls desired the Senators that they would not increase the Emperours cares by hunting after matter of dislike and that he himselfe was able to redresse these things and so Regulus life was saued and Trioes ruine deferred Haterius was so much the more odious because that withered and vnlustie with sleepe or lasciuious watchings and through his dull drousie disposition nothing fearing the Prince though cruell euen in his brothell houses and loosest lasciuiousnes dreamt of nothing but how to subuert the nobilitie After that Cotta Messalinus the author of euery cruell sentence and hated of old as soone as occasion was offered was accused to haue vttered certaine things against Caesar and among others that he was in his secret parts both man and woman and after a banket on the birth day of Augusta among the Priests he tearmed that a Nouendinale supper or belonging to a mortuary that repining at M. Lepidus and L. Arruntius power and authoritie hauing a sute depending against them for a money matter he should say that them the Senate would defend but me my little Tiberius will support The chiefe of the citie conuicted him without any delay and pursuing him eagerly he appealed to the Emperour And not long after letters were brought from Tiberius in which in manner of a defence calling to minde the beginning of friendship betweene him and Cotta and his many good turnes and seruices requested that words might not be hardly wrested and that the simplicitie of table talk might not be imputed to him as a crime The beginning of these letters of Caesars was worth the noting which was this What I shall write vnto you Lords of the Senate or how I shall write and what I shall not write at all at this time the gods and the goddesses confound me worse then I feele and know my selfe daily to perish if I know So far his villanous demeanor turned to his own scourge punishment And therefore that most deepe wise man did not say without cause that if tyrants minds were laid open a man should see them torne rent in sunder for as the bodie is rent with stripes so the mind is tormēted with crueltie wanton affectiōs euil counsels For neither his great fortune nor solitarie places could defēd Tiberius but that himself confessed the torments punishmēt which lay hidden in his breast Then the Senators hauing receiued authoritie to determin of Caecilianus according to their wils who had vttered manie things against Cotta their iudgmēt was that he should receiue the same punishmēt that Aruseius Sanquinius had who were L. Arruntius accusers Then the which nothing euer hapned more honorable to Cotta who being indeed of noble birth but through riot needie and infamous for his vices in honorable punishmēt is made equall to Arruntius a man of sincere and honest life II. Terentius defences why he should not be punished like vnto other of Seianus friends QVintus Seruaeus after this and Minutius Thermus were brought in Seruaeus had beene Pretor and Gerusanicus companion Minutius a gentleman and who in Seianus friendship had carried himselfe modestly and therefore both the more pitied But Tiberius contrariwise blaming them as principall agents commaunded C. Caestius an old Senator to report vnto the Senators what he had written vnto him whereupon Caestius vndertooke the accusation a miserable calamitie of those times that the chiefest of the Senators some openly some secretly played the part of base promooters and further no man able to know the stranger from the kinsman nor friends from such as he neuer sawe before nor things lately committed from such as through continuance of time were almost forgotten They were accused of all they had spoken wheresoeuer either in the place of assemblies or at their table euerie man making haste to preuent and be before another in carriyng of tales some of them to saue themselues other some infected as it were with a disease gotten by conuersing with others But Minutius and Seruaeus were condemned and their goods giuen the accusers Iulius Africanus borne at Santon a towne in Gallia and Seius Quadratus were drawen into the like mishap but the occasion why I haue not found I am not ignorant that the dangers and punishment of many haue beene omitted by writers being ouer-wearied with multitude or fearing least those things should be tedious to the readers which seemed superfluous and lamentable to themselues in rehearsing There haue come many things to our eares woorthie the knowledge although other haue not once touched them For at the selfe same time that the rest colourablie seemed to shake off the amitie they had with Seianus M. Terentius a gentleman of Rome although arraigned for his labour durst auouch it beginning his speech for his defence before the Lords of the Senate in this maner It would be peraduenture lesse behoouefull for my estate to acknowledge then denie the crime I am charged with but hap what hap may I will confesse that I haue beene Seianus friend and that I desired so to be and that after I had obtained his friendship I was glad of it I had seene him ioynt officer with my father in the gouernment of the Pretorian cohort and not long after in managing of citie affaires and matters of warre His kinsmen and allies were aduaunced to honor as euerie man was inward with Seianus so was he grace by Caesar And contrariwise such as were not in his fauour liued in feare and distressed with pouertie Neither do I alleage any man for an example of this all of vs who were not priuie to his last attempts with the danger of my onely estate I will defend Not Seianus the Vulsiniensis but a part of the Claudian and Iulian familie which by alliance he had entered into thy sonne in law Caesar thy companion in the Consulship and him who tooke vpon him thy charge of administring the common-wealth we did reuerēce and honour It is not our parts to iudge of him whom thou dost exalt aboue the rest nor for what considerations To thee the highest iudgement of things the gods haue giuen and vnto vs the glorie of obedience is left We looke vnto those things which wee see before our
he for his owne part being lodged among sauage and barbarous people did from his cabine see the enemie euery howre The baser sort came murmuring about him and stirred vp others with diuers encouragements some reprochfully shewing the wales of their stipes some their gray haires some their ragged torne coates some their naked bodies At last they grew into such a fury and rage that they purposed of three legions shuffled together to make one but they changed that deuise very quickly euery one through emulation coueting that honor for his owne legion and pitched the three standarts and ensignes together withall they threw vp mounds of turfes and placed on it a Tribunall to the end the seate might be more conspicuous As they hastned to finish the worke Blaesus came in among them rebuking some and hindering now one now another and crying alowde In my bloud rather embrue your hands for it is a lesser offence to slay the Lieutenant then fall from the obedience of the Emperour I will either with my life keepe the legions in faithfull allegeance or being slaine by you hasten your repentance Neuertheles they held on their worke vntill they had brought it breast high when at last being ouercome with his importunacy they gaue ouer their enterprise then Blaesus did in good and eloquent manner shew vnto them that it was not conuenient that souldyers petitions should be caried to the Emperour by mutinie and rebellion Neyther did the old souldyers vnder Emperours in times past nor yet they themselues demaund of Augustus such vnlawfull and new requests and that in an vnseasonable time the new Prince was burdened with cares in the beginning of his Empire Notwithstanding if their purpose was to obtayne that in a time of peace which being conquerors in ciuill warres they neuer attempted yet why do they contrary to the dutie of allegeance and order of seruice vse force they should rather depute some Embassadors to Caesar with publicke commission to declare their requests They all cryed immediately that Blaesus sonne a Tribune might vndertake the Embassie and intreate that all such as had serued sixteene yeares should be dismissed and sent home which being graunted then they would enioyne him the rest of his charge The yong man being departed with this message they surceased their rebellion But the souldiers grew prowde that the Lieutenants sonne vndertooke to pleade the common cause as being an euident token that they had wrung out that by force which by modest demeanour they should neuer haue obtained VI. The rebellion continueth a practise of Vibulenus against Blaesus IN the meane season certaine bands of soldiers sent to Nauportum before the rebellion began to see the waies cleere the bridges safe other conueniences for the warre vnderstanding of the mutinie growen in the campe snatched vp their ensignes and sacking villages adioining Nauport it selfe which might haue passed for a reasonable free town iniuried reuiled the Centurions which went about to bridle them first with scoffes and reprochful termes then with blowes stripes But they had an especiall hart-burning against Aufidienus Rufus the campe-master whom they pulled out of his chariot and loaded with a fardell of stuffe made him march formost of all the companie now then asking him in a mockerie whether he bare so great a burden willingly or not or whether so long a iourney seemed not tedious vnto him This Rufus had long been a common soldier then a Centurion then the Camp-master and sought to renew the ancient rigor of seruice and being himselfe hardned to beare any labor and trauel was so much the more cruel bicause himselfe had endured the like These companies ioining with the other legions began to rebell afresh and stragling some one waie some another destroy and waste al about them Blaesus to terrifie the rest commanded some few and especially such as had the greatest pillage to be apprehended whipt and cast into prison for euen then the Centurions and the better sort of the soldiers were obedient to the Lieutenant But the prisoners drew backe and resisted such as led them catched holde and embraced the knees of the standers by calling euerieman by his name or by the name of the band he serued vnder or cohort or legion crieng that they shoulde drinke all of the same cup withall they heaped iniurie vpon iniurie against the Lieutenant called to witnes the heauens and the gods and left nothing vndone or vnsaide which might serue to stirre hatred mooue compassion breed feare or prouoke anger The soldiers clustered all togither brake open the prisons set at libertie the prisoners and shuffled in among themselues the fugitiues and condemned of capitall crimes This kindled the rage of the soldier and more ringleaders ioined with them Among whom one Vibulenus a common soldier lifted on the shoulders of the standers by before Blaesus Tribunall began to speake vnto the disordered and attentiue soldiers in this maner You haue giuen light and life to these innocent and miserable wretches but when will you restore life to my brother and my brother to me who being sent vnto you from the Germane campe to entreat of the common profit and good was this last night murdered by his Fencers which he hath alwaies readie armed to cut the soldiers throtes answere Blaesus where hast thou throwne his bodie for the enimies themselues enuie not that I should burie him And when I shall haue filled my griefe with kissing and weeping ouer him command me to be murdered also so as these our companions burie him and me slaine for no other offence but bicause we furthered the common good and profit of the Legions He inflamed his words with teares beating himselfe on the face and brest then thrusting them from him on whose shoulders he was caried and throwing himselfe at euery mans feete droue them all into such amaze and stirred such hatred that part of the souldiers laid hands on Blaesus Fencers and bound them part on the residue of his familie and part ran hither and thither to seeke for Vibulenus brothers body And if it had not appeared incontinently that there was no such body found if his slaues by torture had not denied any such pretended murder to haue beene committed and further that Vibulenus neuer had any such brother the soldiers would hardly haue spared the Lieutenants life Neuerthelesse they thrust out the Tribune and Camp-maister spoiled robbed such as fled slew Lucillius a Centurion whome the souldiers by a nickname called Cedo alteran giue me another because that when he had broken vpon a souldiers shoulders his vine wand his manner was to call alowde giue me another and when that was broken another The rest were saued by hiding themselues only Iulius Clemens they kept aliue because that hauing a readie and quicke wit they thought him a meete man to be employed as an Embassador in the souldiers behalfe Besides this the eight and the fifteenth legions were now ready
to go together by the eates because the eight legion demaunded Sirpicus a Centurion to death whom the fifteenth defended if the ninth legion had not interposed her selfe first by way of intreatie then menacing such as made light of them VII Drusus is sent to appease the rebellion in Pannony and the ringleaders punished WHen Tiberius had intelligence of these mutinies although he were close and a great dissembler of bad tidings resolued to send his sonne Drusus vnto these legions with certaine of the principallest Gentlemen of the citie and two Pretorian bands without any limited commission but to determine there as occasion best required These bands were of extraordinary choise men and stronger then any other were vsed to be and a great part of his gard of horsemen and the ablest Germans of his owne gard Aelius Seianus also Captaine of the gard was sent with him once an associate and companion to Strabo his father and a man highly in credit with Tiberius as well to be a guide to the yong Prince as to shew vnto others the danger or reward of ill or well doing When Drusus was come neere vnto them the legions met him as it were to do their dutie but not as the manner was cheerefully with glittering ensignes but in base and abiect habit and in countenance although pretending sadnes yet in deede were neerer wilfull obstinacie After he was entered the trench of the camp they set a strong gard at the gates commanded some troupes to attend at certaine places of the camp and the rest came and enuironed the Tribunall in huge multitudes Drusus stoode vp and with his hand commaunded silence to be made When the souldiers beheld what a multitude they were they made a dreadfull noise with hideous tunes then anon turning their eyes towards Caesar they quaked for feare after that they made a confuse murmuring and buzzing then a cruell outcry and on a suddaine all was husht againe which bred as men were diuersly affected either a feare in themselues or in others At last the tumult ceasing he read his fathers letters which contained what a speciall care he had ouer those most valorous legions with whome he had sustained many battels and that as soone as his minde could be at rest and the mourning for his father past he would deale with the Lords of the Senate concerning their demaunds that in the meane space he had sent his sonne which should graunt without delay as much as for the present could conueniently be yeelded and that the rest should be reserued to the consideration of the Senate whom it was conuenient should iudge as well what deserued fauour as rigor and seueritie They answered all in generall that Clemens the Centurion had charge to propound their demaunds he began with licence to depart after sixteene yeares with recompence after the end of their seruice and that their wages might be a denarius a day that the old souldiers should not be constrained to continue vnder ensignes But when Drusus began to pretend that these were fit matters to be referred to the Lords of the Senate and his fathers consideration they cut off his speech with clamors expostulating That seeing he had no authority to augment their pay nor ease them of their labor nor benefit them any way to what purpose was he come thither But to beate and put them to death euery man had authoritie It was an old trick of Tiberius to frustrate the legions desires with the name of Augustus and Drusus doth now put the same in practice Shall they neuer haue any sent them but such as are vnder the power of another It was strange that the Emperour should referre only that to the knowledge of the Senate which concerned the souldiers commoditie It were as requisite the Senators aduise should be knowne when a souldier should be punished or brought to fight in battell Did it stand with reason there should be maisters appointed to dispose of their rewards and recompence and that without any iudge their punishments should be arbitrary At last they go from the Tribunal and threaten with their fists those they met of the gard or Caesars friends and familiars as desirous to pick quarrels and raise sedition But they bare a speciall grudge vnto Cn. Lentulus because that he for his yeares and experience in martiall feates in greater reputation then the rest was thought to animate Drusus against the souldiers and first of all reiect their licentious demaunds Whom not long after foreseeing the danger he was in going with Caesar to the standing camp they enuironed him asking whither he went towards the Emperour or towards the Senate whether there he would be also against the legions profit And withall comming fiercely vpon him and throwing stones at him all embrued in bloud and certaine of present death yet was succoured by such as came with Caesar That night which menaced great disorder and outragious behauiour was quieted by a meere chaunce For the Skie being cleere and bright yet the Moone seemed to be eclipsed on a sudden which the souldiers being ignorant of the cause construed as a presage of present ill lucke and comparing their attempts to the eclipse were of opinion that their successe should be prosperous if the goddesse should become cleere and bright againe Whereupon they began with Trompets Cornets and other brazen instruments to make a lowd noise now ioyfull now sad as the Moone appeared either cleere or darke But when the black clowdes rising tooke from them the sight of the Moone supposing she had bene hidden in darknes and vtterly lost her light as troubled minds fall easily into superstition they began to complaine and lament that that portended their labours should haue no end and that the gods turned their faces from their wickednes Caesar thinking it expedient to make his profit of their feare and gouerne that by wisedome which fortune had offered commaunded the Pauillions to be viewed Clemens the Centurion to be called and such others as for their laudable vertues were best liked of the common sort who thrusting themselues into the watch the wardes and gate-keepers increased sometimes their feare and sometimes promised hope saying How long shall we besiege the Emperors sonne what shall be the end of our reuolt shall we sweare allegeance to Percennius and Vibulenus shall we looke for our pay at their hands shall they reward the old souldiers with lands to be briefe shall they take vpon them the gouernment of the Romane Empire in Neroes and Drusus stead were it not better that as we were the last which offended so we should be the first to repent Demaunds in common are slowly graunted a priuat fauour is no sooner deserued then obtained These speeches troubled their mindes and bred a mistrust among themselues the yong souldiers forsooke the old and one legion parted from an other By little and little they returned to their allegeance went from the gates which before they possessed carried to
into wipe away this blot and conuert this priuate rancor to the destruction of the enemie And you in whom I perceiue another countenance and another will if you purpose to restore the Embassadors to the Senate yeeld dutifull obedience to the Emperour and me my wife and sonne withdraw your selues from the contagion of the seditious and go from them which haue beene the authors of this rebellion that shall be a sure token of your repentance and a bond of fidelitie With these speeches the souldiers humbling themselues confessed all to be true which was vpbraided them and besought him that he would punish the faultie and pardon those which were seduced and bring them against the enemie recall his wife and the legions child and not deliuer him to the Gaules for an hostage Germanicus excused the returne of his wife by the neerenes of her time and winter yet that his sonne should returne againe and as for other things that they themselues should see them performed The souldiers then being better perswaded ran from place to place layd hands on the most disordered persons and brought them bound before C. Cetronius Colonel of the first legion who gaue iudgement and punishment on euery of them in this manner The legions called together stoode with their swords drawne before the Tribunal and the offender shewen by the Tribune out of a high seate and if the souldiers did cry that he was guiltie he was immediately throwne downe headlong and cut in peeces the souldier reioysing in these massacres as though himselfe thereby had bene acquited Germanicus did not hinder them at all seeing that being done without his commaundement as well the fact as the enuie of it should light vpon their owne necks The old souldiers following that president were anon after sent to Raetia vnder colour of defending the prouince from the inuasion of the Sweuians but in deede to draw them from those garrisons yet breathing of crueltie no lesse by that cruel meanes of redresse then memorie of their former outrages This done he tooke a suruey of the Centurions who being called by the Captaine told their names degrees and countrey what payes they had receiued and how many yeares what exploits they had done in seruice and with what donatiues rewarded If the Tribunes and legions approued their valour and integritie they kept their roomes if by common consent couetousnes or crueltie were laid to their charge they were cassirde Things thus setled for the present there arose immediately a matter of no lesser waight then the former through the headie insolencie of the fift and one and twentith legion lodged in winter standings threescore miles off at Vetera For they first led the daunce and with their owne hands committed the lewdest outrages Nothing terrified with their fellowes punishment continued impenitent and still harbored anger in their breasts Whereupon Caesar gathereth forces prepareth a Nauy with confederates and allies to send downe the Rhene purposing if they were obstinate to try it out in a maine battell No tidings being all this while brought to Rome of the successe in Illyricum and vnderstanding of the rising of the Germaine legions the citie trembling with feare began to blame Tiberius that counterfeiting a doubtfulnes of taking on him the Empire mocked the Lords of the Senate the weake vnfurnished common people and suffered the seditious in the meane time to rebell which by the weake authoritie of two yong men could not be suppressed That he should therefore haue gone himselfe in person and opposed his imperiall maiestie against them at whose sight they would presently haue yeelded being by long experience skilfull and carrying with him power to punish or reward If Augustus striken in yeares could make often iourneies into Germanie should Tiberius being of a strong and able bodie sit in the Senate carping the Senators words He had taken good order how to keepe the citie in seruitude and that it was now time to applie some medicine to the souldiers minde to induce them to a disposition of peace Notwithstanding Tiberius standing stiffe in his determination resolued not to forsake the head of the empire and hazard himselfe and the whole state Many things troubled his minde as that the Germane armie was the strongest and the Pannonian neere at hand the one leaning to the strength of the Gaules the other lying in the confines of Italie doubtfull himselfe which first to go to least the other being postposed should take it in disdaine But his sonnes might visit both as a thing standing well with imperiall maiestie bearing greater state farthest off The yoong men might be excused if they referred some things to their father and if they should resist Germanicus and Drusus he should be able to appease or ouerthrowe them But if they should set light by the Emperor what remedie could be then looked for Neuertheles as though he would depart out of hand he made choise of his followers prouided his carriages in a readines prepared shipping then excusing himselfe now with the hardnes of the winter now with this now with that he deceiued first the wise then the vulgar sort and the prouinces a very long time XI The first and the ninth legion kill many of the rebels Germanicus ouer commeth the Marseans beateth dovvne the temple of Tanfana The death of Iulia. BVt Germanicus although he had an armie in a readines to reuenge vpon the rebels thinking it conuenient neuertheles to giue them some respite to see whether they would be reclaimed by the example of the other legions sent letters before to aduertise Cecina that he was comming with a power and that if they would not punish the offenders before his comming he would without any respect make a generall slaughter of them all These letters Cecina secretly imparted to the standard and ensigne bearers and the better sort perswading them to deliuer all in generall from infamie and themselues from death For in time of peace each mans cause and merit was waighed but in warre the guiltie and guiltlesse perished alike They then sounding the mindes of those they thought fittest and finding the greater number of the legionarie soldiers to continue dutifull following the Lieutenants aduice set downe a time when to cut off the lewdest and most seditious among them Then the watch-word giuen they breake into their tents slue them none priuie to the cause but such as were of counsell in the enterprise neither imagining the beginning nor the ende of this butcherie The strangest manner of ciuill warre that euer happened was this for without order of battell not sallying out of diuers standings but out of the same beds in which they had eaten by day and slept by night they banded into factions lanced their dartes outcries were heard wounds giuen blood shed but the cause vnknowen fortune ruled the rest and some honest men were slaine among But it was no sooner knowne against whom this watch was intended but the worst persons snatched their
were deuided among themselues some desiring to be gouerned by the Romans and others by Kings And the prouinces of Syria and Iudaea ouercharged with taxes made supplication that their tributes might be diminished These things therefore with those which I haue rehearsed of Armenia Tiberius sheweth to the Lords of the Senat and that the tumults of the Orient could no way be pacified but by Germanicus wisedome As for himselfe he was striken in age and Drusus was not yet of ripe yeares And thereupon by decree of Senate Germanicus had the charge giuen him ouer all the prouinces deuided by sea and a greater commaunde whither soeuer he went then any which either by lot or Princes sending receiued gouernment Now Tiberius had before remoued from Syria Creticus Silanus who was by marriage allied to Germanicus his daughter being promised in marriage to Nero Germanicus eldest son in his roome had appointed Gn. Piso to be Lieutenant a man both rash and headstrong not knowing what it was to obey as hauing that fiercenes of courage naturally from Piso his father who during the ciuill warres ayded in most eager manner the sides which rose in Affrike against Caesar then following Brutus and Cassius faction and licence graunted him to returne forbare all dignities vntill he was wooed to accept the Consulship offered him by Augustus Caesars owne motion But besides the hereditary courage of his fathers the nobilitie and wealth of Plancina his wife made him grow so insolent that he would scarse yeeld to Tiberius and contemned his children as far inferior to himselfe not doubting at all but that he was chosen gouernor of Syria to bridle and keepe vnder Germanicus hopes And some beleeued that he had had secret commaundement by Tiberius so to do and without all peraduenture Augusta had put it into Plancinaes head emulation being a vsuall matter amongst women to contend and quarrell with Agrippina The court was deuided some secretly fauouring Drusus some Germanicus Tiberius did leane to Drusus as his owne and of his bloud but the small affection Germanicus vncle caried him was cause that others loued him the more and because that by the mothers side he was more nobly descended hauing M. Antonius for his grandfather and Augustus for his vncle whereas Pomponius Atticus a Gentleman of Rome great grandfather to Drusus did not answere the honorable memories of the Claudians And Germanicus wife Agrippina did go beyond Liuia Drusus wife in fruitfulnes fame and name Neuertheles the brothers did exceedingly well agree nothing at all moued with the emulation and contentions of their kindred X. The Germans are at variance betweene themselues an earth-quake in Asia NOt long after Drusus was sent to Illyrium to be trained vp in feates of warre and to win the souldiers harts And Tiberius thought it better that the yong man lustly giuen by the wanton lasciuiousnes of the citie should be better fashioned in the camp and himselfe in more securitie both his sonnes being commaunders ouer the legions But the colour was that the Sweuians did craue aide against the Cherusci for being rid of the Romans and voide of forren feare through emulation of glory a thing vsuall in that countrey they turned their armes against themselues Ods there was none in the strength of the nations or valour of Captaines but that the name of a king which Maroboduus tooke vpon him was odious to the common people and Arminius fauoured because he fought for libertie And therefore not only the Cherusci and their confederates Arminius olde souldiers tooke armes but the Sweuian nations also of Maroboduus kingdome The Semnones and the Longobards tooke part and ioyning with Arminius had preuailed if Inguiomerus with a strong companie of his vassalles had not fled to Maroboduus for no other cause but onely being old and vncle to Arminius disdained to obey him being but yoong and his brothers sonne They pitcht their battell with like hope on both sides not vsing rouing incursions or skirmishing in scattered troupes as the manner of the Germans in times past had beene but by long warring against vs they had accustomed themselues to follow their ensignes strengthen and aide one another and obey their Captaines Then Arminius viewing his armie on horsebacke vaunted to all he met that their libertie was recouered the legions slaine shewed in the hāds of many of the soldiers the spoiles and armour which by force they had taken from the Romans Contrarily he called Maroboduus a runnagate vnskilfull in warres that he had saued himselfe in the lurking holes of Hercynia and then by gifts and embassies entreated an agreement that he was a traitor to his countrey and one of Caesars followers therefore that they should thrust him out with no lesse hatred then they had slaine Varus Quinctilius that they should now call to minde so many battels by successe of which hauing in the ende driuen out the Romans it is easilie seene who should haue the vpper hand Neither did Maroboduus on his side forget to vaunt himselfe or inueigh against his enimie but taking hold of Inguiomerus told them that all the honours of the Cherusci consisted in that body and that all that fell out luckily was atchieued by his counsell That Arminius a sot vnexpert in matter of warre attributed others glorie to himselfe because he had entrapped by guile three vnfurnished legions with their Captaine nothing misdoubting their fraude to the great losse of Germanie his owne ignominie seeing his wife his son do yet endure seruitude But as for him he had maintained the honor of Germanie vnstained being assailed by twelue legions vnder the conduct of Tiberius and in the ende parted with reasonable conditions Neither did it repent him that it was yet in their choise either to make war against the Romans or accept of peace without bloudshed Both parts being incensed with these speeches yet other peculiar causes did more inflame them Considering that the Cherusci and the Longobardi did fight for their auncient honours or fresh libertie and contrarily the others to inlarge their dominions A fiercer encounter then this there was neuer seene nor a more doubtfull issue the right wings on both sides being slaine And a new fight was hoped for if Maroboduus an euident token of a faint hart had not retired to the hils and being somwhat weakned by the back sliding of Traitors withdrew himself to the Marcomans and sent Ambassadors to Tiberius to craue aide Vnto whom it was answered that he had no reason to craue the Romans aide against the Cherusci seeing he aided the Romans nothing at all when they fought against the same enimie Yet as we haue said Drusus was sent to make a peace The same yeere twelue famous cities of Asia were destroied by an earthquake in the night a calamitie so much the greater by how much the lesse looked for The vsuall meanes of sauing themselues in in like cases by fleeing to the open fields doing them no good at all
and desiring that they might renew right hands and that in honor of Germanicus he would come to the banke of Euphrates And requested in the meane time that Vonones might not remaine in Syria least he should by messengers draw the noble men of the countrey round about to ciuill dissentions Touching the alliance Germanicus answered magnificently but concerning the kings comming and the honor done to himselfe he answered ciuilly and with great modestie Vonones was remoued to Pompeiopolis a sea towne in Cilicia not so much at Artabanus request as to spite Piso vnto whom he was most acceptable for many benefits and gifts bestowed vpon Plancina XV. Germanicus voiage to Aegypt and Thebes Maroboduus and Catualda both expelled flee to the Romanes WHen M. Silanus and L. Norbanus were Consuls Germanicus went to Aegypt to see the antiquities of the countrey but pretended a care of the prouince where he opened their storehouses and brought downe the price of corne and did other things to win the fauour of the people as to go without souldiers weare open shoes apparell himselfe like the Grecians imitating P. Scipio whom we haue heard to haue done the like in Sicily when the war was hottest against the Affricans Tiberius hauing lightly blamed him for his behauior and apparell did most sharply rebuke him that contrary to Augustus order without the princes licence he had entered Alexandria For Augustus amongst other secrets of state had reserued Aegypt and forbidden all Senators Noblemen and Gentlemen to enter into it but with permission least Italy should be oppressed with famine who soeuer should be maister of that prouince being the key of the sea and land and easily defended with a small power against a strong host But Germanicus not knowing that his voiage was misliked went vp Nilus beginning at the towne Canopus which the Lacedemonians built because Canopus the gouernor of their ship was buried there when Meuelaus going backe to Greece was carried to a contrary sea and land of Libya The next mouth of the riuer from thence is dedicated to Hercules the first of which name was borne there as the inhabitants do report and of whom all which come after him of like valour and vertue tooke their surname After that he visited the great monuments of auncient Thebes where yet were to be seene Aegyptian letters in old buildings which contained their ancient wealth And one of their auncientest Priests being commaunded to interpret those letters in the countrey language related that in times past there had dwelt in that citie seauen hundred thousand persons of age fit to beare armes and that with that armie King Rhamses had conquered Libya Aethiopia Media and Persia Bactria and Scythia and the countries which the Syrians and the Armenians and the Cappadocians their next neighbours inhabited and that their dominion reached from the Bithynian to the Lycian sea There were also read the tributes imposed ouer nations the weight of siluer and gold the number and furniture of horses and armour the gifts giuen to the Temples the Iuory sweete sauours and what plentie of corne what vtensiles euerie nation was charged to furnish which were no lesse magnificall then are now commaunded by the forces of the Parthi or power of the Romans But Germanicus was yet tied to other miracles whereof the chiefest was the image of Memnon made of stone when it was stroken with the sunne beames yeelding a sound like a mans voice and the Pyramides as great as mountaines on the not passable sandes built a vie by Kings in times past to shew their riches and the ditches wrought by handie worke to receiue the ouerflowing of Nilus so narrow in some places and so deepe in others that the bottome cannot be found by any search From thence he came to Elephantines and Syenes in times past the bounds of the Roman Empire which now openeth to the red sea Whilest Germanicus spent that sommer in visiting many Prouinces Drusus gate no small honour by sowing sedition in Germanie and incensing them to pursue Maroboduus already weakened euen to his vtter ruine Among the Gotones there was a noble yoong man called Catualda who through Maroboduus violence hauing before fled his countrey things standing nowe in doubtfull termes ventured a reuenge And with a strong power entered the frontiers of the Marcomans and hauing corrupted the chiefe noble men to his confederacie forceth the Kings pallace and a castle hard by Where he found the olde spoiles of the Sueuians and the base rascals of our Prouince and certaine marchants whom intercourse of Marchandice and a desire of increasing their wealth or last of all a forgetfulnes of their countrey had drawen from their own dwellings to the enimies countrey Maroboduus being forsaken of all hands had no other refuge left but the mercie of the Romans And hauing passed the riuer of Danub where it coasteth the Prouince of Notica wrote vnto Tiberius not as a fugitiue and suppliant but putting him in minde of his former fortune and estate alleaging that when sundrie nations inuited him to their alliance being sometimes a renowned King he preferred the amity of the Romans before them al. Caesar answered him that he should haue a sure and honorable dwelling in Italie if he listed to remaine there but if any thing of greater aduauncement should happen vnto him that he should depart with the same safe conduct he came thither Afterward he declared in Senat that the Athenians had no such cause to feare Philip nor the people of Rome Pyrrhus and Antiochus as this man An oration of his is yet extant wherein he extolleth his power the strength of the nations he had vnder him and how neere an enimie he was to Italie and what plots he had deuised to roote him out Maroboduus was receiued at Rauenna that if at any time the Sueuian should waxe insolent he was in sight as it were alwaies readie to returne But he departed not Italie the space of eighteene yeeres and grew old with losse of reputation through ouer great desire of liuing The like hope had Catualda and no other refuge for not long after being driuen out by the Hermunduri vnder the conduct of Vibilius he was receiued and sent to Forum Iulij a colonie of Gallia Narbonensis The barbarous people which followed both these lest being mingled among others should disturbe the quiet Prouinces were placed beyond Danubium betwixt the riuers Marus and Cusus and a King giuen them of the Quadian nation XVI Wars betwixt Rhescuporis and Cotys Rhescuporis is sent to Rome NEwes being come that Artaxias was by Germanicus made King of Armenia the Lords of the Senat ordained that Germanicus and Drusus should enter into the citie ouant or with a small triumphe and that arches should be erected about the sides of the Temple of Mars the Reuenger with the images of the two Caesars Tiberius being more glad that he had established a peace by wisedome then if he should haue ended the war
Ancona went by Picenum and after by the Flaminian way ouertooke the legion which was brought from Pannony to Rome to lye in garrison in Affricke being common in euery mans mouth how in the campe and in the way he did often shew himselfe to the souldiers From Narnia whether it were to auoide suspition or because such as stand in feare are irresolute in their determinations being conueyed by Nare and anon after by Tiber he increased the euill will of the people towards him because he landed neere the Caesars tombe on a day when the shore was full of people many followers after him and Plancina accompanied with a traine of women both pleasant and cheerefull in countenance Among other causes of enuie and hart-burning Pisoes house was one looking on the market place trimmed to feast and banket in where nothing could be hidden The next day Fulcinius Trio accused Piso before the Consuls Vitellius and Veranius and the rest which had followed Germanicus alleaged that that was their office and that Trio had no part therein and that as witnesses and openers of the cause and not as accusers they were to report that which Germanicus had giuen them in charge Trio relinquishing the accusation obtained licence to accuse his former life and the Prince intreated to receiue the hearing of the cause to himselfe which the defendant refused not as misdoubting the Senators and peoples good will and contrary being well assured that Tiberius regarded not rumors but would leane to his mothers conscience and that the truth or things beleeued and wrested to the worst might easilier be discerned by one iudge whereas hatred and enuie beare the sway where there are many Tiberius was not ignorant how waightie a cause he vndertooke and how diuersly he was censured and therefore calling some of his familiar friends about him hearing the menaces of the accusers then the request of the partie arraigned referred the whole cause to the Senate In the meane season Drusus returning from Illyrium although the Senators had decreed that for receiuing of Maroboduus and exploits done the sommer past he should enter the citie ouant or with a small triumph yet deferring that honor for the time he entered priuately After that Piso had demauded T. Arruntius Fulcinius Asinius Gallus Aeserninus Marcellus Sext. Pompeius for his aduocates and all of them alleaging diuers excuses M. Lepidus L. Piso and Liueneius Regulus vndertooke his defence the whole citie being attentiue to know how Germanicus friends would stick vnto him what hope the partie arraigned had whether Tiberius were able to maister his affections or would shew himselfe All these things were greedily expected of the people neuer shewing themselues more attentiue nor at any time licencing themselues a more secret speech of the Prince or suspicious silence The day that the Senat met Caesar made a premeditate oration tempered in this sort saying That Piso had beene his fathers Lieutenant and friend and giuen by him to Germanicus as a coadiutor by the authoritie of the Senate in the administration of the affaires of the East but whether he had there exasperated the yong Prince through disobedience and contention and whether he had shewed himselfe glad of his death or villanously had made him away that they should iudge of that with vpright consciences For if being Lieutenant he hath gone beyond the bounds of his office and shaken off his dutie to his lord generall and reioysed in his death and my griefe I will hate him and estrange him from my house and reuenge not the Princes but priuat grudges If any villanous deede be detected in him worthie of reuenge euen in the death of any priuat person affoord your selues and Germanicus children and vs his father reasonable and iust comfort And examine also whether seditiously and mutinously Piso hath stirred vp the armie whether by ambition he hath sought to win the fauour of the souldiers whether he returned into the prouince by force of armes or whether these things be false and made greater then they are by the accusers with whose ouergreat affection I haue iust cause to be offended For to what purpose should his body be shewen naked be handled of the common people and bruted abroade among strangers as though he had beene empoisoned if these things be yet vncertaine and are to be inquired of I lament truely and am greeued for my sonne and alwaies shall But I hinder not the defendant to alleage all he can for the purgation of his innocencie or if Germanicus had any fault woorthie of reprehension And I beseech you not to take the crimes as already prooued bicause the cause is ioined with my sorrow If either his neernes in bloud or his owne faithfulnes hath yeelded him anie to defende his cause helpe him as much as in you lieth either by your eloquence or care in this his extremitie To the same labour and constancie I exhort the accusers Germanicus this onely priuiledge we will affoord aboue the lawes that his death shall be rather inquired of in the Curia then in the Forum before the Senat then other Iudges Let all the rest be debated with like modestie nothing regarding Drusus teares or my griefe or if anie slaunders be forged against me After that the accusers had two daies giuen them to bring in their accusations after sixe daies were past the defandāt had three more to iustifie himselfe Then Fulcinius began with stale and friuolous matters as that he had gouerned Spaine ambitiously and couetously Whereof being conuicted he could not be interessed if he could purge himselfe of the later crimes nor if he could defend himselfe from that accusation yet was he not acquitted if greater matters were laide to his charge After him Seruaeus and Veranius and Vitellius with like affection but Vitellius with greater eloquence obiected that Piso for hatred to Germanicus and desire of innouation had so farre corrupted the common soldier with licentiousnes and iniuries towards the confederates that of the lewdest sort he was called the father of the legions Further that he had vsed crueltie against euery good man and especially against Germanicus followers friends in the end that he had killed him with poison and inchantments Then that he and Plancina vsed wicked ceremonies and sacrifices that he had borne armes against the common-wealth that he woulde neuer haue appeared in iudgement had he not been ouercome in battell In manie things his defence was weake for he coulde not denie but that he had woone the soldier by ambition or that he had not exposed the prouince as a praie to the lewdest sort nor the iniurious speeches against the generall Onely he seemed to haue purged himselfe of the empoisoning which indeed the accusers did not sufficiently prooue accusing him to haue empoisoned Germanicus meate with his hand which was infected as he sate aboue him at a banquet For it seemed absurd that he should dare so bold an attempt amongst other mens seruants
not once mentioning Claudius And L. Asprenas asking Messallinus before the Senate whether he had willingly omitted him Claudius name was then first added The more I meditate with my selfe of things done both in old and later times the more the vncertainties and vanities of fortune in mortall affaires come to my remembrance for in fame hope estimation all men were rather destined to the soueraigntie then he whom fortune had kept hidden for the future monarch A few dayes after Caesar perswaded the Lords of the Senate to bestow the dignitie of Priesthood vpon Vitellius Veranius and Seruaeus and hauing promised his voice to Fulcinius for the obtaining of any dignitie aduised him not to ouerthrow his eloquence with rashnes And that was the end of reuenging Germanicus death many things diuersly reported not only among such as then liued but in times consequent So doubtfull are all waightie matters whilest some take all as certaine howsoeuer they heare it others report a truth otherwise then it is posteritie adding to both IIII. Wars renewed in Affricke vnder Tacfarinas who is defeated by Apronius Lepida condemned for changing a childe BVt Drusus being gone out of the citie once more to learne future things by the flieng of birds entereth in againe with a small triumphe And a fewe daies after Vipsania his mother died onely of all Agrippas children of a naturall death because it was certainely beleeued that some died by the sword others by poison or famine The same yeere Tacfarinas who as I haue saide was the last sommer driuen out by Camillus renueth the warre in Affricke at the first by rouing pillages vnreuenged by reason of his sudden comming then by wasting of villages and carrieng away great booties and last of al not far from the riuer Pagyda he besieged a Roman cohort One Decrius was Captaine of the fort a lustie man and of good skill in matters of warre who taking that besieging as a disgrace to himselfe encourageth his souldiers to fight in open fielde and marshalled his armie in order of battell before the fortresse The cohort being beaten backe at the first brunt he runneth in among the weapons of such as fled rebuking the standard bearers that a Roman souldier would shew his back to a few vntrained raw traitors And hauing receiued wounds and an eie stroken out yet put himselfe in the face of the enimie neuer leauing of fighting vntill he was forsaken of his companie and slaine in the place Which when L. Apronius who suceeded Camillus vnderstood being more perplexed with the shame of his own people then glory of the enemie he draweth out by lot a rare matter in those daies though in old times practised euerie tenth person of the dishonorable band beateth him with cudgels to death Which seueritie wrought so great good that an ensigne of old souldiers in number not aboue fiue hundred defeated Tacfarinas armie going about to assault a fort called Thala In which battell Ruffus Heluius a common souldier got the credit of sauing a citizens life on whom L. Apronius bestowed chaines and a speare Caesar added a ciuicall crowne to them finding fault rather then offended that Apronius had not giuen it by his proconsularie authoritie But Tacfarinas perceiuing the Numidians to be daunted refusing to besiege any longer scattered his war giuing ground when he was pursued and following a fresh when their backes were turned Which maner of fight vsed by the Barbarian molested and kept the Roman plaie to no purpose But after that greedy of pray he drew to the sea coastes and there encamped Apronius Cesianus being sent thither by his fathers appointment with a troupe of horsmen and aid cohorts adding vnto them the rudest of the legions had a prosperous fight and droue the Numidian to the desarts Lepida who besides the honor of the Aemilian familie from which she was descended had L. Sulla and Cn. Pompeius for hir great grand-fathers was accused at Rome for faining hir selfe to haue had a childe by P. Quirinius a rich man and without children and also of adulteries and empoisonings and that she had consulted with the Chaldeans against the house of Caesar hir brother Manius Lepidus defending hir cause Quirinius being offended and separated from hir yet had commiseration on hir although she were both infamous and faultie In the hearing of that cause it was harde to gesse the princes minde he did so turne and winde himselfe and interlace tokens of anger with clemencie hauing first of all requested that matters of treason should not be debated at that time Then he drew M. Seruilius once Consull and other witnesses to broach such matter which he woulde seeme to haue suppressed and sent to the Consuls Lepidaes seruants whom he had garded before with a companie of soldiers would not suffer them to answer by torture to such interrogatories as did appertaine to his house Neither that Drusus Consull elect should first yeeld his opinion which some construed to be a point of ciuilitie that others shoulde not be forced to do the like others did wrest it to crueltie and that he should neuer haue giuen place but to condemne the partie called in question Lepida the day of hearing falling out when the plaies were to be shewen entering the Theater with a companie of noble women calling on hir auncestors with a dolefull lamentation and Pompey himselfe whose monuments and images were there in view mooued such great compassion that the people gushing out in teares began to curse Quirinius wishing him all crueltie and misfortune vpon whom being old and without children and of base parentage she was bestowed who had once beene destined a wife for L. Caesar and daughter in law to Augustus Not long after hir lewde behauiour was discouered by torturing hir slaues and all of them condescended vnto Rubellius Blandus opinion which was that she should be banished Drusus yeelded vnto his opinion although others were mildlier bent Then Scaurus who had had a daughter by hir obtained that hir goods should not be confiscate At last Tiberius declared that he was assured also by P. Quirinius slaues that she sought to poison him as being an enimie alwaies to noble houses And so in a short compasse of time the Calphurnians lost Piso and the Aemilians Lepida But D. Silanus being restored to the Iunian family was a comfort vnto it whose fortunes I will lay downe V. Decius Silanus touched vvith adulterie Papias Poppaeus lavve against single life AS fortune was fauourable to Augustus in gouernment of state so in household matters vnluckie and improsperous his daughter and Neece which he banished the citie being both of incontinent life and the adulterers punished with death or exile For perceiuing the offence to be common in the mouth both of man and woman and terming it by a rigorous name of religion violated or treason he passed the bondes of his auncestors clemencie and his owne lawes But I will lay downe the endes of others and what
which laie in garrison at Lugdunum The Turonians were ouerthrowne by the legionarie souldier which Visellius Varro Lieutenant of lower Germanie sent vnder the same captaine Auiola and certaine of the chiefe gentlemen of Gallia which brought him aide the better thereby to cloake their reuolt and when occasion serued rebell with more assurance Sacrouir was seene to demaund battell of the Romans bare headed as he saide to shewe his valour but the captaines said he did it to make himselfe the better knowne thereby to be spared from their darts Tiberius being consulted vpon that point made no reckoning of the disclosing of it but nourished the warre by doubting Florus in the meane time helde on his purpose enticed a wing of horsemen enrowled at Treuers and trained vp in our seruice discipline that hauing slaine the Roman merchants which there vsed trafficke he might begin the warre fewe of the horsemen were corrupted but most continued in their alleageance Other rude indebted persons or followers tooke armes and went towarde the forrest called Arden but the legions from both armies which Visellius and C. Silius had set to crosse them droue them backe Iulius Indus being of the same citie and an enimie to Florus and therefore more foreward to shew his valour being sent before with a choise power scattered and defeated that disordered multitude Florus escaped the conquerours hands by vncertaine lurking holes and at last perceiuing the souldiers to set on his places of refuge slewe himselfe with his own hands And that was the end of the rebellion of those of Treueri It was a matter of great difficultie to suppresse the Aedui by reason their city was more wealthie and the aide which should haue subdued them farther off Sacrouir had with certaine armed cohorts gotten possession of Augustodunum the chiefe citie of the countrey and taken the noblest mens children of all Gallia which there followed their studies as a pledge to win and binde their parents and kindred and withal secretly distributed weapons which himselfe had caused to be made to al the youth They were in number forty thousand the fift part armed as the legions were the others with hunting staues hangers such other weapōs as hūters vse To these were added certaine slauish fencers couered according to the countrey fashion from top to toe in armour of iron vnapt and vneasie to strike but to withstand impenetrable whom they call Crupellarij These forces were augmented though not by any open cōsent of cities adioining yet with euery mans particular good wil the Roman captaines striuing doubting who should haue the conducting of the warre both desiring it But Varro being old and feeble yeelded to Silius who was in his prime It was currant in Rome that not onely the Treueri and the Aedui but also that threescore and fower cities of Gallia had reuolted and the Germans ioined with them that Spaine was wauering and all as the nature of a report is beleeued more then it was Euery good man with a care of the common-wealth was greatly grieued many disliking the present state and desirous of alteration reioysed euen in their owne harmes and blamed Tiberius that in so great a hurlyburly he woulde still spende his labour in hearing accusers libels What saide they shall Iulius Sacrouir bee condemned of treason in Senate at last some were founde which with armes woulde suppresse these bloudy libels of accusers that a miserable peace was well changed for warre Tiberius so much the more composed to a careles securitie changed neither place nor countenance passed ouer those dayes after his accustomed woont either through haughtines of courage or because he knewe the matter to be lighter then the report In the meane time Silius marching on with two legions hauing sent a power of allies before wasteth the villages of the Sequans which were borderers and confederates with the Aeduans Anon after he marcheth speedily with his armie towardes Augustodunum the standard-bearers striuing who shoulde make most haste and the common souldier fretting and chasing likewise least he should rest the night as he was wont only that they might see the enemie and be seene that would be enough for the victorie Twelue miles off Sacrouir appeared in the champian countrey In the front he had placed his men couered with iron his cohorts on the wings and those which were halfe armed in the rereward himselfe mounted on a goodly courser amongst the chiefest of the citie went to the souldiers and put them in minde of the ancient glory of the Galli and how oft they had defeated the Romans How honorable a thing libertie was to the conquerors and how intollerable seruitude would be if they should be vanquished againe This exhortation was not long nor pleasing for the legions drew neere in battell aray the townesmen wanting discipline and ignorant of seruice did neither see nor heare what was best for them Silius on the contrary side although his hope had taken away all occasions of encouraging them yet cried That it was a shame for them being conquerors ouer the Germans to be brought against the Galli as against enemies and that of late one cohort had vanquished the rebellious Toronians one wing the Treueri a few troupes of horsemen of this same armie had put to flight the Sequans By how much the richer the Aedui are in money and abounding in pleasures the lesser courage they had Breake then in vpon them and binde them and flee to those which run away At that all of them giuing an out-cry the horsemen compassed them in the footemen set on the point and the wings made small resistance Those in complet yron harnes stuck somewhat to it their plates resisting and beating back the darts and swords but the souldier snatching his hatchets and axes as though he were to breake through a wall hewed their couering and carcasses Some with poles or forks ouerthrew this sluggish lump leauing them for halfe dead lying on the ground not once going about to rise Sacrouir goeth first to Augustodunum then for feare least it should be yeelded to the next village with a few of his trustiest friends where he slew himselfe with his owne hands and the rest one another and the village being set on fire ouer them they were all burnt together Then at last Tiberius wrote to the Senate that the warre was begun and ended neither adding nor taking away from the truth And that the Lieutenants had behaued themselues faithfully and valorously and himselfe directed them with counsell And withall yeelded the reasons why neither he nor Drusus went to the war magnifying the greatnes of the Empire and that it was not meete that Princes if some one or other towne rebell should forsake Rome from whence all other gouernment was deriued Now bicause there was no cause of feare he would goe see and settle the present estate of things The Lords of the Senat derceed vowes and processions for his returne with other conuenient
and true The same solemnities which were ordained for Germanicus were appointed for Drusus and as the manner is of the last flattery somethings added His funerall in pomp of images was very magnificent hauing before him in a long procession Aeneas the beginning of the Iulian familie all the kings of the Albani and Romulus the founder of the citie After him followed the nobilitie of the Sabins Appius Clausus and the images of the rest of the Claudians In deliuering Drusus death I haue followed that which many true writers haue vttered but I will not omit a very strong report of those times yet currant in euery mans mouth which is that Liuia being alreadie corrupted to all dishonestie of bodie by Seianus he was sayd to haue abused Lygdus bodie likewise in age and beautie highly pleasing his maister and of all his seruitours of best credit who being made priuie to the practise the place and times agreed when the poison should be giuen grew to that audaciousnes that he turned all vpon Drusus head and by secret aduertisement accused him to haue gone about to poison his father and gaue Tiberius warning to take heede of the first drinke his sonne should offer him at the table Whereupon by that fraud the banket being begun the old man presented Drusus the cup which he had receiued who ignorant of the practise like a raw yong man dranke it vp increasing thereby the suspition as though for feare and shame he had swallowed that death which he had prepared for his father This was the common rumor which wanting a ground and certaine author thou mayest easily refute for who is he though but of meane wisedome much lesse Tiberius experienced and beaten in waightie affaires not hearing his defence would haue offered his sonne his death and that with his owne hands a thing remediles if he should repent it Why had he not rather tortured the minister of the poison sought out the author and vsed that delay which vsually he did euen against strangers towards his owne sonne neuer before detected of any lewd fact But because Seianus was thought to be the inuentor of all bad actions through the great good will Caesar bore him and the hate which the rest bare to both things were beleeued although fabulous and vncredible report speaking alwayes the worst of Princes deaths The order of this fact hath been otherwise discouered by Apicata Seianus wife and by torturing of Eudemus and Lygdus and no writer found so great an enimie to Tiberius although all hath beene sought that may be sayd and inforced against him that hath obiected any such matter The cause why I layd downe and blamed the common rumor was that vnder a manifest example I might discredit false reports and pray such into whose hands our labours shall come that they would not esteeme more of common vncredible tales greedily receiued then of truth not falsified into miracles IIII. Seianus practises to destroy Agrippina and Germanicus children stage-plaiers expulsed Italie BVt whilest Tiberius praised his sonne before the people assembled the Senat and the people rather for a shew then from the hart put on a mourning countenance yet in their mindes reioyced that Germanicus house began to flourish againe which beginning of fauour and Agrippina their mother not well dissembling her hope hastened their ouerthrow For when Seianus perceiued that Drusus empoisoners escaped vnpunished and no publicke mourning of the people for his death emboldned in wicked actions bicause his first attempts had good successe began to cast with himselfe by what meanes he might extinguish Germanicus children the vndoubted successors to the Empire For all three poison he could not by reason of their keepers faithfulnes and Agrippinas inuincible chastitie He began therefore to inueigh against her obstinacie and stirre Augusta hating her of olde against her and incensed Liuia with the memorie of her late fact suggesting that her pride bearing it selfe vppon her fruitfulnes in children by the fauour of the people gaped after the soueraigntie This plot of his he prosecuted by the helpe of craftie accusers amongst whom he had chosen Iulius Posthumus a man noted of infamous life with Mutilia Prisca a principall fauorite of the grandmother and fit instrument for his practises being highly in Augustas bookes an old woman of her owne disposition desirous of rule and therefore easily estranged from her daughter in law Agrippina He had likewise inueighled Agrippinas neere kinred to puffe vp her haughtie spirits and vse hard speeches of Augusta But Tiberius intermitting no care of publicke affaires and embracing busines for solace heard the causes of citizens and the suites of confederates and by his perswasion decrees of Senat were made that the citie of Cibyratica in Asia and Aegiris in Achaia damnified by an earth-quake might be relieued by remitting them three yeeres tributes And Vibius Serenus Proconsull of farther Spaine being condemned for publicke violence through the crueltie of the time was banished into the Iland Amorgus Carsius Sacerdos accused as though he had helped the enimie Tacfarinas with corne was quit and C. Gracchus for the same crime This Gracchus being verie yoong was carried by his father Sempronius to the Iland Cercina as a companion of his exile where growing to mans estate amongst banished men and ignorant of liberall artes by turning and winding base marchandise in Affrica and Sicilia he gayned his liuing and yet he escaped not the dangers of greater fortune And if AElius Lamia and L. Apronius which gouerned Affrica had not defended his innocencie through the noblenesse of his vnfortunate stocke he had tasted of his fathers calamities That yeere came Ambassadors from cities of Greece requesting that the auncient right of priuiledged places might be confirmed at Iunos Temple at Samium and AEsculapius Temple at Cois The Samians grounded themselues on a decree of the Amphictyons to whom belonged the principall examination of all matters when the Grecians building cities through Asia were Lords of the sea coasts The antiquitie of the Coi was not vnlike hauing withall the merite of the place for when by King Mithridates commaundement all the Romans were slaine throughout all the cities and Ilands of Asia they saued in the Temple of AEsculapius as many as they found After this the Pretors hauing made many complaints though in vaine against the stage-players at last Caesar spake of their vnrulines and immodest behauiour as hauing seditiously attempted many things in publicke and many vndecently in priuate houses And the Oscian play a light sport pleasing the peoples humor grew to such insolencie that the Lords of the Senate were faine to interpose their authoritie for the suppressing of it and then the stageplayers were expulsed Italy Caesar had further griefe the same yeere partly by the death of one of Drusus children and partly by the death of Lucillius Longus his friend and partaker of all his fortunes prosperous or aduerse and among the Senators his only companion when he
withdrew himselfe to Rhodes In regard whereof the Senate ordained that although he were but of meane parentage yet that he should haue the funerals of a Censor and an image in Augustus forum at the charge of the common purse For at that time the Senat managed all the affaires in so much that Lucillius Capito Procurator of Asia the Prouince accusing him was forced to purge himselfe before them the Prince assuredlie auouching that he had giuen him no authoritie but ouer slaues and money matters between partie partie But if he had vsurped the authoritie of a Pretor or vsed the strength of souldiers he had therein contemned his cōmaundement therefore that they should heare the allies and so the matter being heard he was condemned For which cause and by reason that the yeere before C. Silanus was punished the cities of Asia decreed that a Temple should be built in honour of Tiberius his mother and the Senat which they perfourmed after they had licence And for the same cause Nero gaue thankes to the Lords of the Senat and to his grandfather with the ioyfull acceptance of the hearers as representing Germanicus yet fresh in memorie to their mindes thinking that him they had both heard and seene The yoong man was of great modestie and comelines woorthie of a Prince the more gratefull through the danger he was in by Seianus knowen hatred against him V. How Iupiters Priests were chosen Tiberius small affection to Germanicus children ABout the same time of chusing a Flamen Dial in Seruius Maluginensis place who was dead and of making a new law Caesar himselfe spake For the olde custome was that three patriciens should be named togither borne of parents which had been married with a solemnitie called confarreation of which one shoulde be chosen for the Priest And it fell out that that iust number coulde not bee founde the vse of confarrcation or marriage with a cake of Wheate either not vsed or only of a few whereof he alleaged many reasons though the chiefest was the carelesnes of men and women and withall the difficulties of the ceremonies which were willingly let slip And when should he go out of his fathers authoritie which should obtaine that Priesthood or she who was married vnto him therefore that was to be redressed by decree of Senate or by a law as Augustus himselfe had changed somewhat of that rude antiquitie and reduced it to the present vse Those things therefore being debated which touched the ceremonies it was determined that nothing should be altered in the makings of those Priests but a law was ordained that she who was married vnto a Flamen by reason of the sacrifices should be vnder the power of hir husband and that in other cases she should be as others were And Maluginensis sonne was chosen in his fathers place And that the priestly dignitie should better be regarded and they the readier to vndertake the ceremonies it was ordained that to Cornelia the virgin who was chosen in Scantias place shoulde bee giuen L L. S. xx sesterces and that as oft as Augusta entered the theatre she should sit among the Vestals Cornelius Cethegus and Visellius Varro being Consuls when the Pontifes and following their example the other Priests made certaine vowes for the health of the Prince they commended Nero and Drusus to the same goddes not so much for loue of the yong men as for flattery which in corrupt times is dangerous alike either not at all or too much For Tiberius neuer a friend to Germanicus house grieued impatiently that the yong men should then be equalled vnto him in his old age and sending for the chiefe Priests asked them whether they had done that at Agrippinas intreaties or threates and although they denied it yet were somewhat rebuked the greatest part being his neerest friends and kin or chiefe gentlemen of the citie Neuertheles in Senate he admonished them in an oration that none should hereafter puffe vp the fickle minds of the yong men to pride by vntimely and ouer-hastie dignities Seianus vrged eagerly that the citie was no lesse deuided into factions then in time of ciuill warres some terming themselues to be of Agrippinas side and more would if they were not preuented and no way to redresse a waxing diuision but by cutting off some one or two of the forwardest Hereupon he beginneth with C. Silius and Titius Sabinus Germanicus friendship being dangerous to both to Silius because that hauing had charge of a great armie seauen yeeres together and vanquished Sacrouir in Germanie and obtained the ornaments of triumph the higher his fall the greater the feare in others would be Many were of opinion that Tiberius was the more vehemently incensed by reason of his owne lauishing toong ouermuch vaunting that his souldiers had alwayes continued dutifull when as others had growne to mutinies and that Caesars state had bene shaken if those legions had bene desirous of innouation which Caesar construed as an embasing to his greatnes and disabling him of abilitie to requite for good turnes are no longer well taken then they may be recompensed when they grow greater then hope of requitall in stead of thankfulnes they breede hatred and ill will Sosia Galla was Silius wife badly thought of by the Prince because she loued Agrippina It was therefore thought conuenient to begin with these two and not meddle with Sabinus for a time The Consull Varro being thrust in to accuse them vnder colour of a quarrell betwixt his father and Silius became an instrument to gratifie Seianus with his owne discredit The defendants intreating some delay vntill the accusers Consulship were expired Caesar denied it affirming it to be a vsuall matter for magistrates to call priuate persons into question and that the authoritie of the Consull was not to be infringed through whose watchfulnes the common-wealth was kept without danger That was a common tricke with Tiberius alwaies to cloake new coyned mischiefe with old words Therefore with great protestation as though he had proceeded with Silius by order of law or the matter belonged to Varro as Consull or therein consisted the safetie of the common-wealth the Senate was called the partie accused not once opening his mouth or if he began to purge himselfe stuck not to vtter by whose malice he was oppressed He was accused to haue had intelligence with the beginners of the warre that he had discredited his victorie by his couetousnes and other things against Sosia his wife nothing a long time spoken of Sacrouir And doubtles the accusation of polling the prouince could not haue serued their turne had they not prosecuted all vnder treason but Silius preuented his imminent condemnation by his owne voluntarie death Neuerthelesse that contented not but were greedie his goods should be confiscate not to pay the stipendaries for none of them demaunded ought but because Augustus liberalitie was at an end he tooke a particular accompt of all that was due to the publick treasure
haue alreadie said had inueighled Libo then betrayed him and brought him to destruction Which seruice Tiberius not forgetting though pretending other causes intreated that he might not be banished but that he should be deposed from the Senate he hindered not I am not ignorant that many of those things which I haue rehearsed and which I shall rehearse hereafter will seeme of small moment and not worthy the writing But I wish not that any should compare our annales with the writings of the auncient historiographers of the people of Rome for they reported with a free discourse of mightie great warres winning of townes of Kings taken and slaine or if they came to domesticall affaires they recorded the discords betwixt the Consuls and the Tribunes lawes concerning distribution of lands among the common people and iarres betweene the communaltie and nobilitie But the scope of our discourse is streight and our labour inglorious the times I write of being peaceable and quiet or no great warres the state of the citie dolefull and the Prince carelesse in dilating the Empire Yet it shall not bee lost labour to looke into those things which at the first seeme light oft yeelding instruction of greater matters For all Nations and Cities are gouerned by the people or Peers or one alone A forme of common-wealth constituted of one of these may better be praised then found or if it chaunce to be found it cannot long continue Therefore as in times past the people bearing swaie or the Lords of the Senate the humor of the communaltie was to be knowen and the meanes how with greatest discretion they were to be dealt withall and they iudged most wise and experienced who had deepliest entered into the disposition of the Senators nobilitie so the state being now changed and the regiment consisting in one alone it shall be conuenient to note those things which vnto that forme of gouernment doth best appertaine For there are but few which by wisedome distinguish honest things from dishonest and profitable from hurtfull but most men are taught by others euents And my writings bring more profit then delight for situation of countries varietie of battels the death of famous Captaines do feede and recreat the readers mindes But we heape vp bloodie commaundements continuall accusations deceitfull friendships the ouerthrow of innocent persons and causes bringing the like end matters tedious for want of varietie The old writers had also this aduantage that they had no detractors of their writing or fewe not being materiall to any whether he had praised the Affrican or Roman armies But many are yet aliue whose predecessors suffered punishment or infamie vnder Tiberius gouernment And although their familie be extinguished yet thou shalt find many which for conformitie of manners thinke that others misdeedes are obiected against themselues Glorie and vertue haue enimies likewise according to the disposition of euerie mans minde framing reasons contrarie to that which his own inclination is neerest vnto But I will returne to my first purpose VIII An oration of Cremutius in defence of his Annales Tiberius would not suffer the Spaniards to build a Temple in his honour COrnelius Cossus Asinius Agrippa being Consuls Cremutius Cordus was accused of a new crime neuer before heard of that in certaine Annales by him published he had praised M. Brutus and said that C. Cassius was the last of the Romans His accusers were Satrius Secundus and Pinarius Natta Seianus clients which was his ouerthrow Caesar with a sterne looke hearing his purgation which Cremutius being assured to lose his life began in this manner I am accused for words Lords of the Senate bicause in deedes I am innocent But they were neither against the Prince nor his father whom the lawe of treason doth comprehend I am said to haue commended Brutus and Cassius whose acts manie haue written and all in honorable termes T. Liuius an excellent writer as well for eloquence as truth did so much extoll Gn. Pompeius that Augustus called him a Pompeian yet that no breach of friendship at all Scipio Afranius did neuer call this selfe same Cassius this Brutus theeues and parricides as now adaies they are termed but often worthie famous men Asinius Pollioes writings do deliuer an honorable memorie of them Messalla Coruinus extolleth Cassius as his Captaine and both flourished in wealth and honour When M. Cicero had in a booke extolled Cato to the heauens what did Caesar the Dictator but answere him in an oration as if he had beene before the iudges Antonies epistles Brutus orations haue I confesse many vntrue and bitter speeches against Augustus Men read Bibaculus and Catullus verses which are stuffed with reproches against the Caesars But yet Iulius and Augnstus of famous memorie winked thereat whether with greater moderation or wisedome I know not for things of that qualitie neglected vanish of themselues but repined and greeued at argue a guiltie conscience The Grecians whose not onely libertie but vnrestrained licence escaped vnpunished I speake not of or if any felt himselfe greeued he reuenged words with other words It hath bin alwaies a matter of free libertie and least subiect vnto detraction to speake of those whom death had exempted from hatred and fauor Do I incense the peope by orations to ciuill warre with Cassius and Brutus alreadie in armes and masters of the Philippian fields Do not they who ended their life aboue seauentie yeeres agone as they are knowen by their images which the Conqueror himselfe hath not pulled downe so retaine some remembrance of them by writings Posteritie doth render vnto euery man the commendation he hath deserued Neither will there want some if I be condemned which will make mention not onely of Cassius and Brutus but of me also Hauing thus saide he went out of the Senat ended his life by abstinence Order was giuen by the Senators that the Aediles should burne his bookes which notwithstanding were still extant some secretly some publickly which maketh me the willinglier to laugh at the witles vncircumpection of such as thinke with the power and authoritie they haue in their own time they can also extinguish the memory of future times But it falleth out contrary that when good wits are punished their credit groweth greater neither haue forraine Kings or such as haue vsed the like crueltie purchased any other thing then discredit to themselues and to such wits glorie This yeere accusations were so hotly pursued that euen on the festiuall daies of the Latines Calphurnius Saluianus went to accuse Marius before Drusus Prouest of the citie as he was entering into the Tribunall to begin his charge for which cause Saluianus being publikely blamed by Tiberius was sent into banishment Great negligence was openly layd to the Cyzicenians charge in not solemnising Augustus sacrifices and that they had vsed violence against the citizens of Rome For which cause they lost the freedome which they had gotten in the warre when they were besieged by
blamed the magistrates and Senators that they had not by publike authoritie brideled the insolencie of the people and added withall how farre greater quantitie of corne he had caused to be brought then Augustus and out of what prouinces Whereupon a decree of Senate was enacted to restraine the people according to the auncient seueritie the Consuls being no lesse forward to publish it his owne silence in the cause was not construed to be a point of ciuilitie as he looked it should be but was imputed to his pride In the end of that yeare Geminius Celsus Pompeius Gentlemen of Rome were put to death for conspiracies among which Geminius through prodigalitie and loosenes of life and a friend to Seianus was a man of nothing And Iulius Celsus a Tribune loosing the chaine he was bound with at large then winding it about and forcing himselfe a contrary way brake his owne neck But Rubrius Fabatus despairing of the Roman affaires and fleeing to the Parthians and brought back safe from the streights of Sicilie by a Centurion had keepers appointed him not able to alleage any probable causes of his long voiages yet he escaped vnpunished rather through forgetfulnes then clemencie IIII. Tiberius marrieth his neeces Vsurers accused and the inconuenience that ensued SEr. Galba and L. Sulla being Consuls Tiberius hauing a long time bethought himselfe what husbands he should prouide his neeces whose age now came on made choise of L. Cassius and M. Vinicius Vinicius kindred came out of a small towne himselfe borne at Calles but his father and grandfather were Consuls the rest of his kindred were Gentlemen he was of a milde disposition and very eloquent L. Cassius was descended of one of the common people at Rome but auncient and noble and brought vp vnder the seuere discipline of his father and oftner commended for his courtesie then industrie To him he giueth Drusilla to Vinicius Iulia both Germanicus children and writeth to the Senate touching that matter with a light commendation of the yong men Then hauing yeelded some causes of his absence but very extrauagant came to matters of greater moment and the displeasures and dislikes he had incurred for the common wealth and requested that Macro the Prouost and some few of the Tribunes and Centurions might as oft as he came to the Senate enter into the Curia with him And albeit the Senate made a decree very generall without prescribing any number or qualitie of persons he was so farre from comming to any publick counsell that he neuer came so much as to the citie coasting about it and for the most part in by-wayes and still auoiding his countrey as much as he could In the meane season a great rabble of informers rose vp against such vsurers as tooke more for consideration of their money then they might by the law made by Caesar the Dictator concerning the manner of lending and holding possession within Italie long neglected heretofore because the publicke good is lesse set by then priuate commoditie Vsury in very deede hath beene an old disease in the citie and often a cause of seditions and discords and for that cause hath been restrained in auncient and lesse corrupted times For first it was ordained by the law of the twelue tables that no man should take aboue one in the hundred when as before that time it was as pleased the monied men After that by a Tribunitian law it was brought vnto halfe one in the hundred and in the end vsury was wholy forbidden and many lawes made by the people to cut off all fraud which often repressed reuiued againe by strange sleights and deuises But then Gracchus being Pretor vnto whom the examining of that question fell constrained by the multitude of such as were indangered thereby propounded the matter before the Lords of the Senate who daunted thereat for there was not one of them free from that fault craued respite of the Prince he graunted them a yeere and sixe moneths within which time euery man according to the prescript of law should settle his estate and make vp his domesticall accompts Hereupon euery man calling in his debts on a sudden ensued a great want scarcitie of money and by reason so many were condemned and their goods sold all the money ready coined wēt either to the princes or publick treasury Besides this the Senat ordained that two parts of the vsurie money should be bestowed vpō lands in Italie but the creditors disliked that and vrged the paiment of the whole as a matter impayring the credit of the parties conuented to goe from their word So at the first there was great running hither and thither and entreaties then they flocked about the Pretors tribunall and those things which were founde for a remedie as selling and buying of such mens goods turned to a contrarie effect bicause the Vsurers had hoorded vp all their money to buie land And bicause the multitude of sellers was cause that the value of landes was rated at a verie lowe and vile price how much the more a man was indebted the loather he was to sell And manie were thrust out of all they had and the decaie of their wealth carried their credit and fame headlong after vntill Tiberius relieued them by putting a hundred million sesterces in bancke and lent it for three yeeres space without consideration or interest if the debtor could giue securitie to the people of Rome in landes double the value of the debt By that meanes their credit was restored and other particular creditors by little and little found neither was the buying of landes practised according to the forme of the decree of Senat hotly at the beginning pursued as almost all such things are but in the ende carelesly neglected V. C. Caesar marieth Claudia daughter vnto M. Silanus what proofe Tiberius made of Trasullus skill AFter that the olde feares returne againe Considius Proculus being accused of treason who celebrating his birth day not doubting any thing was drawen to the Curia and at the same time condemned and put to death and his sister Sancia banished Q. Pomponius being accuser who being of an vnquiet and busie disposition pretended he had done this and that and all to currie fauour with the Prince thereby to steed his brother Pomponius Secundus who was then in danger Banishment is likewise decreed against Pompeia Macrina whose husband and father in law the one of Argos and the other of Lacedaemon men of marke and reputation among the Achaeans Caesar had alreadie afflicted and brought to ruine Her father likewise a famous gentleman of Rome and her brother who had beene Pretor seeing that their condemnation was at hand slewe themselues It was imputed vnto them for a fault that Gn. Magnus made reckoning as of a speciall friend of Theophanes Mytilenaeus their great grandfather and that the Grecian flatterie after his death had giuen him diuine honour After these Sext. Marius the richest man of all Spaine was accused
to haue committed incest with his daughter and was cast healong from the Tarpeian rocke And little doubt but his exceeding wealth was his ouerthrow for although his gold mines were confiscated yet Tiberius reserued them for himselfe and by much blood shedding growing more bloody commanded al those to be executed which were in prison and accused of confederacie with Seianus The butcherie was great in all sexes and all ages noblemen common people scattered here and there or gathered into heapes Neither was it lawfull for neere kinsmen and friends to be present to bewaile their case nor yet to come oft to see them but there were watches and spies on euery side intentiue to prie what lamentation euerie man made which followed the putrified bodies vntill they were throwen into the riuer of Tiber. And if any of them were found floting on the water or driuen to the bankes no man durst burne them nor touch them all familiar societie and intercourse of humanitie was lost through feare and violence and how much crueltie increased so far pitie was banished About the same time C. Caesar bearing his grandfather companie from Capreas tooke to wife Claudia daughter of M. Silanus cloking his cruell and bloodie disposition with a counterfeit modestie not once vttering so much as a word of the condemning of his mother the banishing of his brothers but whatsoeuer minde Tiberius had put on of the like habit he shewed himselfe and not much differing from him in words Wherupon a wittie saying of the orator Passienus was commonly applied to him That there was neuer better seruant then he nor woorser master I will not omit Tiberius prophesie of Sergius Galba then Consull who hauing sent for him and sounded him of set purpose with diuers speeches at last in Greeke vttered vnto him this sentence And thou Galba at sometime shalt taste of the Empire Signifiyng that his rule should be long a comming and dure but a short time as learning that skill of the Chaldaeans arte for attayning of which he had idle time at Rhodes and Trasullus for his master whose cunning he tried by this meanes As oft as he would consult with them touching any matter he went vp to the highest part of the house with onely one freede man in his companie vnlearned but of a strong and able bodie whom he caused to leade him the way ouer hard and difficult passages and broken rockes for his house did hang ouer the rockes whose cunning and arte Tiberius did purpose to trie that in returning backe if any ielousie of vanitie or treacherie had entered into his minde he should throw him headlong into the sea which was vnder him least he should bewray his secrets Trasullus being then brought into those rocks moouing Tiberius which mooued him many questions foretelling him verie skilfully future things and that he should be Emperour Tiberius asked him farther whether he had found out the howre of his owne natiuitie and what should happen to himselfe that yeere and that same day Who hauing considered the aspects of the stars and measured their distances beganne first to doubt and then to feare and the more he viewed them so more and more he was surprised with admiration and feare and at last cried out that he was readie to fall into most doubtfull and imminent danger Then Tiberius embracing him reioyced that he had foreseene his owne dangers and promised he should escape them and taking those things which he had saide for oracles held him afterward among the number of his deerest friends When I heare of these and the like things I can giue no certaine iudgement whether the affaires of mortall men are gouerned by fate and immutable necessitie or haue their course and change by chaunce and fortune For thou shalt finde that as well those which were accounted wise in auncient times as such as were imitators of their sect do varie and disagree therein some do resolutelie beleeue that the gods haue no care of mans beginning or ending no not of man at all Whereof it proceedeth that the vertuous are tossed and afflicted with so many miseries and the vitious and bad triumphe with so great prosperities Contrarilie others are of opnion that fate and destinie may well stand with the course of our actions yet nothing at all depend of the planets or stars but proeeede from a connexion of naturall causes as from their beginning And these graunt withall that we haue free choise and election what course of life to follow which being once chosen we are guided after by a certaine order of causes vnto our end Neither do they esteeme those things to be good or bad which the vulgar sort do so call for many which seeme to be oppressed with miserie are happie if they endure their aduersitie with constancie and many which flow in wealth in most miserable estate if they vse their prosperitie vnaduisedly And yet of some it may be saide that their destinies are knowen at their birth and if they fal out otherwise then hath beene foretolde it proceedeth of the ignorance of the deceitfull reporter and so the arte is discredited whose cleere and euident proofes former and present times haue tried for by the sonne of the same Trasullus Neroes Empire was foretold as in conuenient time it shall be declared bicause I will not now digresse from my purpose VI. Tiberius crueltie against Drusus the death of Agrippina and others Iulia daughter vnto Drusus is married vnto Rubellius Blandus THe same men being Consuls Asinius Gallus died and no man doubting but for want of taking sustenance but whether willingly or of necessitie that is vncertaine And Caesar being asked whether he would suffer him to be buried was not ashamed to permit it further to accuse chance fortune that had taken away the criminall person before he had beene openly conuinced as though that in three yeeres space there wanted time of proceeding to iudgement against an old Consull and father of so many Consuls After that Drusus was made away hauing sustained himselfe the space of nine daies with a miserable foode by eating the flocks of his bed Some haue written that Macro had order sent him that if Seianus should attempt to take armes the yong man should be fetcht out of prison for he was kept in the Pallace and made captaine ouer the people but because it was incontinently rumored that Caesar would be reconciled to his daughter in law and nephew he shewed that he desired rather crueltie then be sory for that he had done yea and hauing inueighed against him after he was dead obiected he was loose of life hurtfull and dangerous to his and euilly affected toward the common wealth and withall commaunded all that to be recited which he had caused day by day to be put in writing both of his words and deedes a thing so cruell that nothing more that he should so many yeeres haue appointed spies to obserue his countenance his
lamentation yea priuat murmurings and scarce credible that the grandfather could indure to heare it reade it and publish it were it not that the letters of Actius the Centurion and Didymus his freed man did declare the names of such bondslaues which had either stroken Drusus or put him in a fright as he went out of his chamber Yea the Centurion added his owne words full of crueltie against Drusus as a matter worthy praise and Drusus answere againe as he fainted and drew towards his end in which faining as though he had been distracted of his wits wished Tiberius all ill luck and misfortune and then seeing himselfe past all hope of life cursed him most deadly praying the gods that as he had slaine his daughter in law his brothers sonne and his nephewes and filled all his house with bloud so they would reuenge and punish him for an example to his name his stock predecessors and posteritie The Lords of the Senate were troubled with these speeches making shew of detesting them but they were stricken into a feare and admiration that he who had been so cunning and craftie heretofore in cloking his lewdnes should now become so confident that as though the walles were throwne down he durst shew that his nephew beaten by his Centurion and strooken by his slaues should aske for meate in vaine to saue his life This griefe was scarse gone but the next newes were of Agrippina whom I thinke since Seianus death vntill now liued with hope and seeing that crueltie was no whit remitted willingly ended her life vnlesse that famished for want of sustenance it was falsely giuen out she died that death of her selfe For Tiberius layde grieuous crimes to her charge accusing her of vncleanes of life and that Asinius Gallus was the adulterer and that seeing him dead she loathed any longer to liue But in very deede Agrippina not contented with reason and greedy of rule taking vpon her cares fit rather for men then women had shaken off all vices incident to her owne sexe She died the selfe-same day that two yeeres before Seianus died which Caesar thought worthy of record and vaunted that she had neither been strangled nor throwne headlong from the Gemonies For this he had thanks giuen him by the Senate and order taken that the fifteenth Kalends of Nouember which was the day they both died some gift should be offered vp to Iupiter Not long after Cocceius Nerua who was continually at the Princes elbow a man very expert in diuine and humane lawes being in perfect disposition of body resolued with himselfe to die which when Tiberius vnderstood he went to visit him sate by him and inquired the causes of his intention and intreated him confessing at last that it would be a burden to his conscience and a discredit if the chiefest of his friends should without cause of death shew himselfe weary of life But Nerua disliking his speech would take no more sustenance Those which best knew his meaning gaue out that deepely seeing into what calamities the common wealth was like to fall into moued with anger and feare whilest his credit was vntouched and his person vnattempted would end his life with that honest death Agrippinaes ruine drew with it which is scarse credible Plancinaes destruction She had beene once wife vnto Gn. Piso and reioysed openly at Germanicus death and when Piso was slaine she was saued no lesse by Augustaes prayers then ill will she bare Agrippina As soone as hatred and fauour failed right tooke place and being accused of knowen crimes with her owne hand receiued rather late then vndeserued punishment Among other griefes in a dolefull and sad citie this was one that Iulia daughter vnto Drusus once Neroes wife married againe into Rubellius Blandus familie whose grandfather Tiburtes a gentleman of Rome most men knew In the end of this yeare the death of Aelius Lamia was celebrated with funerals proper to a Censor who at last being discharged of the gouernment of Syria which he had in shew only was made gouernor of the citie He was descended of a noble stock and was a strong liuely old man and the gouernment of the prouince denied him augmented his woorth Then Flaccus Pomponius Propretor of Syria being dead Caesars letters were recited in which he complained that if there were any notable man and fit to rule an armie he refused the charge and therefore he was forced through that necessitie to intreate such as had beene Consuls to take vpon them the rule of the prouinces forgetting that Arruntius had beene hindered ten yeeres from going into Spaine The same yeere died M. Lepidus of whose moderation and wisedome I haue spoken sufficiently in other bookes and his nobilitie needeth no farther proofe for the Aemilian family hath brought foorth many good citizens and although some of them haue beene of corrupt manners yet liued in good and honorable estate VII A Phoenix seene in AEgypt how Getulicus escaped Tiberius crueltie WHen Paullus Fabius and L. Vitellius were Consuls after manie ages were past the birde Phoenix came into AEgypt and ministred matter to the most learned of the countrey and also Greekes of disputing many things concerning that miracle Of which it seemeth good vnto me to laye downe such things as they agree of and manie which rest doubtfull yet notwithstanding worthie the knowledge That that birde is consecrated to the sunne and that it differeth in the beake and varietie of feathers from other birds all do accord which haue described her shape and forme but of the number of her yeeres there are diuers reports The common opinion is that she liueth fiue hundred yeeres some affirme that she liueth a thousand foure hundred threescore and one yeere And the first of these kindes of birdes flew to the citie called Heliopolis with a great multitude of other birdes with her woondering at her new shape in Sesostris time after that in Amasis and Ptolemaeus raigne which of the Macedonians was the third King of Aegypt But antiquitie is darke and obscure Betwixt Ptolemaeus raigne and Tiberius there were scarse two hundred and fiftie yeeres Whereupon some thought that this was no true Phoenix nor come from the land of Arabia and that it had nothing of that which antiquitie hath attributed and confirmed to be in that kind For when they haue ended the number of their yeeres and that their ende approcheth they build their nest in their countrey and in it cast seede of generation of which a yong one doth rise whose first care is being growen to ripenes to burie the olde And that not at all aduentures but hauing taken vp a certaine waight of the stone Murrha and tried the carrieng of it a long iourney when she perceiueth her selfe able to indure and carrie such a burthen and to accomplish the voiage she lifteth vp her fathers bodie and carrieth it to the altar of the sunne and there doth burne and sacrifice it These things are vncertaine and fabulously
his age He was Neroes sonne and on both sides extracted frō the Claudian familie although his mother went by adoption into the Liuian familie and after that into the Iulian. He had doubtfull fortunes from his first infancie for being a banished man he followed his father who was proscribed and being brought into Augustus house as his son in law was greatly maligned al the time that Marcellus and Agrippa and afterward Caius Lucius Caesar liued Yea his brother Drusus was better beloued then he of the citizens but after he had married Iulia his slipperie estate was tied to two great inconueniences which was either to indure the incontinencie of his wife or go from her After that returning from Rhodes he liued twelue yeeres in the Princes house which had no children then possessed the Empire almost 23. yeeres He changed his manners diuersly according to the times Whilest he was a priuat man he was of good life and credite and had commendations vnder Augustus He was close and craftie in counterfeiting vertues whilest Germanicus and Drusus liued and whilest his mother liued he kept a meane somtimes good and somtimes bad For crueltie he was infamous but in lasciuious lusts as long as he loued or feared Seianus secret In the end he burst into all wickednes dishonestie and reproch after that hauing cast away shame and feare he gouerned himselfe wholy according vnto his owne disposition and nature THE ELEVENTH BOOKE OF THE ANNALES OF CORNELIVS TACITVS I. The death of Asiaticus and Poppaea * The beginning of this Booke is wanting FOr he beleeued that Valerius Asiaticus who had beene twise Consull had in times past committed adultery with Poppaea withall greedily gaped after those gardens which he bought of Lucullus and beawtified and trimmed most stately Suilius was suborned to accuse them both Sosibius Germanicus bringer vp was ioyned with him who vnder colour of friendship counselleth Claudius to beware of such as were strong and rich as men dangerous vnto the state and that Asiaticus the principall author of murdering Caesar feared not to auouch it in a full assemblie of the people of Rome and challenge the glory of the fact vnto himselfe He was famous in the citie for it and a rumor spread throughout the prouince that he prepared a voyage toward Germanicus armie because that being borne at Vienna and strengthened with strong and great kindred he thought it an easie matter to stirre vp his countrey men But Claudius making no farther enquirie sent Crispinus the captaine of the gard with a band of readie souldiers as though it had bene to suppresse a warre who finding him at Baias layd yrons vpon him and drew him to the citie where he was not licensed to be heard of the Senate but in the Emperours chamber in the presence of Messallina There Suilius accused him that he had corrupted the souldiers and wonne them by money and loose life to all wickednes Then charged him with adultery with Poppaea and vnnaturall dishonestie of bodie At that although he were commaunded to silence he burst forth and sayd O Suilius aske thy children and they will confesse me to be a man And entering into his defence Claudius being wonderfully moued drew teares likewise from Messallinaes eyes who going out of the chamber to wipe them giueth Vitellius warning not to suffer the partie arraigned to escape She maketh haste to ouerthrow Poppaea sending some through the terror of prison to perswade her to kill her selfe Caesar being so ignorant therof that a few dayes after he asked her husband Scipio as he sate at table with him why he had sate downe without his wife who made him answere that she was dead But whilest Claudius consulted of Asiaticus deliuerance Vitellius with teares declaring how long time their friendship had continued and how they two did reuerence honor Antonia the Princes mother then running ouer briefely his seruices towards the common wealth and that so lately done in Britannia and what else might seeme to moue compassion left it in the end to his owne choise what death he would choose Claudius yeelding him the like clemencie with like words After this some perswading him that to die with famine and abstinence was an easie death he answered that he reiected such fauour and therefore hauing done those exercises he was vsually wont to do washed his body and fed daintily saying that it had bene a more commendable death to haue died by Tiberius slienes and cunning or C. Caesars violence then now by the treachery of a woman and Vitellius vncleane mouth cut his vaines and hauing first seene the fire wherein his bodie was to be burned commaunded it to be remoued to another place least the thick tuffed trees should be marred with the smoke so small reckoning did he make of death II. Certaine Romaines accused for a dreame A treatise of aduocates AFter this the Lords of the Senate were called together and Suilius goeth on and accuseth certaine noble and renowned gentlemen of Rome surnamed Petra The cause of their death was because they had lent their house vnto Mnester and Poppaea when they had any cause of conference But there was a dreame also obiected against one of them which was that he dreamed he had seene Claudius crowned with a crowne of eares of corne and the eares turned backwards interpreting that vision to signifie a dearth of corne Some report it to haue beene a garlande of vine braunches with white leaues which he sawe in his dreame and interpreted it to foretell that the death of the Prince shoulde follow at the end of Autumne Whatsoeuer the dreame was it is not to be doubted but that he and his brother were both put to death Crispinus had giuen him by decree of Senate fifteen hundred thousand sesterces and ornaments of the Pretor Vitellius added ten hundred thousand sesterces to be giuen to Sosibius bicause he had beene Britannicus Schoole-master and Claudius Counseller Scipio being demanded his opinion said Seeing I do thinke of Popaeus faults that which all you do thinke perswade your selues that I do say that which all you do say which was an excellent moderation and mean shewing the loue he bare hir as his wife and necessitie of giuing sentence being a Senator Suilius neuer ceased from accusations but prosecuted them with al crueltie and many followed his audacity for the Prince drawing vnto himselfe all the duties of lawes and magistrates opened the way to robberie Neither was there any marchandise more publikely bought and solde then the perfidiousnes of aduocates insomuch that Samius a woorthy gentelman of Rome hauing giuen Suilius fowre hundred thousand sesterces to pleade his cause and after perceiuing his preuarication and collusion ran vpon his sword in Suilius owne house Then C. Silius Consull elect of whose authoritie and fall I will speake in conuenient time beginning to speake the rest of the Senators rose vp and demanded earnestly that the lawe Cincia might be set
on foote by which it is prouided of old that for pleading of causes no man should take either money or gift Then they whom that iniurie seemed to touch making a noise Silius was eager and earnest against Suilius and contradicted him alleaging the example of Orators in times past Which esteemed fame with posteritie to be the fairest rewarde of eloquence otherwise that the princesse of good arts should be distained with the seruitude of base lucre and that no faith could be sincere and inuiolate where excesse of gaine is regarded And if causes shoulde be defended without rewarde there would be fewer of them where as now enmities accusations hatred and iniuries are fostered and that as the multitude of diseases brought the Phisitions gaine so the pestilent infection of the bar serueth now to inrich the lawiers Let them call to minde C. Asinius and Messalla and of later memorie Arruntius and Eserninus which were lifted vp to the highest degree of dignitie by their vpright life and vncorrupted eloquence The Consull elect vttering these speeches the others approouing the same they went about to giue iudgement that such shoulde be condemned vnto the like punishment as they were who had by briberie and extortion polled and oppressed the commons When as Suilius and Cossutianus and others which perceiued that there should be no generall decree set downe but a punishment for those which had beene openly conuicted came about Caesar and besought him pardon of that which was past And after a little silence nodding with his head vnto them they began as followeth Who was he so puft vp with pride that would presume or hope for eternitie of fame that it was expedient men should prouide for necessarie maintenance least through the want of aduocates the poore be oppressed by the rich and mightie Neither did eloquence come by chance and gratis vnto any without paine and labor the care of a mans owne familie was neglected if he were occupied in another mans busines many maintained their life by warre some by tilling the earth no man laboured to attaine to any knowledge vnlesse he had seene some commoditie in it It was an easie matter for Asinius and Messalla which were inriched with great rewards betweene Antonies and Augustus wars to shew a gallant and braue minde and for Eserninus and Aruntius heires of rich houses to do the like Examples were as readie for them to shew for what great rewards P. Claudius and C. Curio were woont to plead As for themselues they were but meane Senators which expected no gaine of the common-wealth but such as grew of peace The meanest of the people endeuored what he could to better his estate the rewarde of studies being taken away studies do also decay as hauing neither glory nor honor The Prince thinking that this was not spoken without ground of reason moderated the sum which they should take vnto ten thousand sesterces and that they which passed this summe should be condemned of extorsion III. Mithradates recouereth his kingdome Warres betweene Gotarzes and Bardanes for the kingdome of Parthia ABout the same time Mithradates who as I haue shewed gouerned Armenia and was brought to Caesar returned into his kingdome at Claudius perswasion trusting in the power of Pharasmanes King of the Hiberi and Mithradates brother who told him that the Parthians were at variance among themselues doubtfull what would become of the Kingdome and matters of smaller importance vtterly neglected For whilest Gotarzes practised great cruelties going about to kill his brother Artabanus his wife and his sonne whereby the rest were afeard they called in Bardanes who being a man of action and able to go thorow great enterprises in two daies inuaded three thousand stadia and chased out Gotarzes all amazed and dismayed not once dreaming of his comming and without any lingring seased on the next gouernments the Seleucians onely refusing to obey him Whereupon inflamed with greater anger then the present occasion ministred cause bicause they had reuolted from his father he besieged their citie which was strong and well fortified with a wall inuironed with a riuer and furnished with victuals and munition In the meane time Gotarzes strengthened with the Daharian and Hyrcanian power renueth the war And Bardanes enforced to abandon Leleucia remooued his campe to the champion countrey of the Bracteri Then the forces of the Orient being deuided and vncertaine which way to leane Mithradates had oportunitie offered him by chance to sease vpon Armenia and with the force of the Roman souldier rase and beat downe the strong fortresses the Hiberian campe at once wasting and spoiling the champion Neither did the Armenians make heade at all against them Demonactes their gouernour being slaine who onely durst haue waged battell against them Cotys King of lesser Armenia did somewhat hinder them some of the nobles ioyning with him But afterward being rebuked by Caesars letters all turned vnto Mithradates side more cruell then was expedient in a kingdome newly gotten But the Parthian Emperours making preparation to fight suddenly conclude a peace hauing discouered the treacherie of their subiects which Gotarzes bewraied vnto his brother At the first meeting they had a ielous conceit the one of the other then taking one another by the right hand before the altars of the gods they promised and couenanted to reuenge the treason of their enimies and agree and helpe one another Bardanes seemed most meete to possesse the kingdome And Gotarzes because there should remaine no sparkle of emulation went to Hyrcania And Bardanes returning againe Seleucia yeeldeth the seuenth yeere after her reuolt not without discredit to the Parthians whom one bare citie had so long deluded Then he inuadeth the strongest Prouinces and began to recouer Armenia if Vibius Marsus Lieuetenant of Syria had not hindered him by threatning to warre against him In the meane time Gotarzes repenting that he had yeelded the kingdome and the nobilitie vnto whom obedience in peace seemeth hardest calling him backe againe assembleth his forces togither whom Bardanes met at the riuer Erindes where skirmishing long on both parts for the passages Bardanes had the vpper hand and with prosperous battels subdued all the middle countries vnto the riuer Gindes which diuideth the Dahas from the Arij There his fortunate successes had an end for the Parthians although they were conquerers yet liked not to make warre so far off Wherefore building monuments in token of his wealth and power and that none of the Arsacides had euer before leuied any tribute of those nations he returned with great glorie and therefore so much the more fierce and intollerable to his subiects who hauing long before laide a snare to intrap him killed him at vnawares as he was a hunting in the Prime of his youth fewe of the old Kings to be matched in renowne with him if he had as well sought the loue of his subiects as to be feared of his enimies By the death of Bardanes the Parthian
vvith Acte CLaudius Nero and L. Antistius being Consuls when the magistrates tooke an oath of obseruing the ordinances of the princes he would not suffer Antistius his fellow officer to sweare to the obseruation of his which the LL. of the Senate did highly commende in him to the ende that the youthly minde of the prince being sturred vp with the glorie of small things shoulde continue in matters of greater moment After this followed his lenitie towards Plautius Lateranus who being remooued from the order of Senators for adulterie committed with Messallina was restored by him to his roome binding himselfe to continue this clemencie with many orations which Seneca to testifie in what honest precepts he instructed him or for a bragge of his owne wit published by the voice of the prince But Agrippinaes credit and authoritie by little and little began to waine and Nero cast a liking to a freed woman called Acte two comely youthes Otho descended from a Consularie house and Claudius Senecio son of one of Caesars freed men being partakers of his counsels his mother being at the first a stranger to the matter and in vaine at last striuing to the contrarie So far she had possessed him by dissolute behauiour and riot secret conuersation that his greatest friends seuerest seemed not to know it considering that this woman satisfied his lusts without the offence of any For Octauia his wife a womā of noble birth of approued good life either by some secret destinie or bicause things vnlawfull are most greedily desired he vtterly disliked And some feared also that if he were brideled of that loue he would lust after the defiling of noble women But Agrippina fretted and fumed that a freed woman should beard her a bond woman become her daughter in law with other such like womanish complaints not hauing patience to see whether her sonne woulde either repent or be filled and the more opprobriouslie she vpbraided him the more she inflamed him till at last ouercome with the rage of loue he shaked off all dutie reuerence towards his mother and committed himselfe wholy to Seneca Amongst his familiars was Annaeus Serenus who faining loue to the same freed woman couered cloked with his owne name the first heats of this yoong prince and such things as the prince had bestowed on hir by stealth he openly aduouched to be his gifts Then Agrippina changing her stile seeketh to win the yoong man by faire alluring speeches offereth rather hir own chamber and bosome to hide those things which his youth high fortune desired Yea she cōfessed her vntimely seuerity offered him the vse of al her wealth which was little inferior to the Emperors as before too seuere in correcting her sonne so now vnreasonably humbled and cast downe in courage The which change did neither deceiue Nero and gaue his neerest friends cause of feare and prayed him to beware of the trecherie of this woman alwaies fell and cruell and then false and dissembling Nero hauing by chaunce seene the wardrop where the apparell laye which Princes wiues and parents were wont to shine in made choise of a garment and iewels and sent them his mother most bountifully seeing he sent of his own the chiefest and which by others were most of all desired But Agrippina exclaimeth that these ornaments were not so much giuen her to adorne and trim her selfe as to exclude her from the rest and that her sonne would diuide those things with her which came wholly from her Neither wanted there some to carrie these speeches and make them woorse then they were Whereupon all such growing odious vnto Nero vpon whom this womans pride chiefly relied displaceth Pallas from the charge which Claudius had giuen him in which he carried himselfe as if he had beene chiefe Lord and master of all It is reported that when Pallas departed with a great retinue following him Nero verie aptly said that Pallas went to resigne his office True it is that Pallas had couenanted with the Prince not to be called in question for any act past and that he had made euen with all accounts of the common-wealth Agrippina after this more mad and wilfull then euer gaue out threatning and thundering speeches yea not forbearing the Princes eares but criyng that Britannicus was now growen to mans estate a true and woorthie plant to receiue his fathers Empire which a graffed sun by adoption now possessed by the iniury and trumperie of his mother There should be no let in her but that al the villanous practises of that infortunate house should be layde open and first of all her owne marriage and her impoisoning of Claudius That only thing was prouided by the gods to her good that her sonne in law was aliue She would goe with him to the campe where on one side Germanicus daughter should be heard on the other side that base companion Burrhus and Seneca the banished the one his hand cut off and the other with his professors eloquence quarelling and debating of the rule and gouernment of the whole world In vttering of this she bent her fist towards him heaped one iniurie vpon another called Claudius and the infernall ghosts of the Silaniens and so many fruitlesse wicked attempts which she had beene author of Nero troubled with these speeches and the day now at hand on which Britannicus had accomplished the full age of foureteen yeeres began to ponder with himselfe sometimes the violence of his mother somtimes the towardlines of Britannicus knowen of late by good proofe which hath won him great fauour and good will On a festiuall day dedicated to Saturne amongst other pastimes of his equals drawing lots who should be King the lot fell to Nero who commanding diuers things vnto others which could not turne to their shame commaunded Britannicus to rise vp and stand in the middle and begin a song hoping the childe should be laughed to skorn as one ignorant how to carrie himselfe in sober companie much lesse in drunken But he verie constantly began a verse which signified that Nero had thrust him from his fathers seate gouerment of the Empire which mooued them all to open compassion because the night and lasciuious wantonnes had taken away all dissimulation IIII. Britannicus empoisoned Agrippina chased from the Emperours house NEro feeling himselfe toucht augmented his hatred and incensed with Agrippinaes threats because he could lay no iust cause against him nor openly durst not commaund the murdering of his brother practiseth secret meanes and commaundeth poison to be prepared Pollio Iulius tribune of the Pretorian cohort being his minister in the action Vnder whose charge Locusta a woman infamous for lewd practises and before condemned for empoysoning was kept prisoner For it was long before prouided that such as were neerest about Britannicus should haue no regard either of honestie or faith He tooke the first poison of his bringers vp which not being strong enough he voided by
bondmen L. Varius somtimes Consull was restored to his dignitie remoued before for couetous dealing and extortion And Pomponia Graecina a noble woman and wife to Plautius who returned with a small triumph out of Britannia and accused of strange superstition was remitted to the iudgement of her husband and he according to the auncient custome in the presence of her neerest kindred heard her cause of life and death and pronounced her innocent This Pomponia liued long and in continuall sorrow for after that Iulia Drusus daughter was murdered by Messallinaes trecherie she was not seene for forty yeers but in mourning apparel and very sad doleful Which she might lawfully do whilest Claudius raigned afterward turned to her glory Many citizens were accused that yeere of which number P Celer being one at the information of the inhabitants of Asia because Caesar could not acquit him he prolonged his cause till he died of age For Celer as I haue alreadie sayd hauing besturred himselfe in the murdering of Silanus the Proconsull cloaked all other villanies vnder the greatnes of that lewd action The Cilicians accused Cossutianus Capito criminally noted and discredited with many vices thinking he had had the same priuilege of vsing insolent behauiour in the prouince as he had done in the citie But turmoiled and molested with an ouerthwart accusation in the end letting fall his defence was condemned of extorsion Great suings preuailed so much for Eprius Marcellus of whom the Lycians demaunded restitution that some of the accusers were banished as though they had indangered an innocent man VIII A liberalitie of Nero towards certaine decaied gentlemen The warre of Armenia renewed Tiridates departeth the countrey WHen Nero was the third time Consull Valerius Messalla entered the same office whose great grandfather Coruinus an orator some old men remember to haue beene companion in office with Augustus of famous memorie Neroes great grandfathers father But the honor of this noble familie was bettered by giuing Messalla by yeare fiue hundred thousand sesterces to relieue his harmelesse pouertie To Aurelius Cotta likewise and Haterius Antoninus the Prince graunted that an annuall sum of money should be giuen although they had wasted riotously the wealth their ancestors had left them In the beginning of that yeere the warre which was drawne at length with soft and milde beginnings vntill then betweene the Parthians and the Romans for obtaining of Armenia was nowe hotly pursued because Vologeses would neither suffer his brother Tiridates to be depriued of the kingdome in which he had inuested him nor that he should enioy it as a gift from another Lord and Corbulo thought it woorthie of the greatnes of the people of Rome to recouer that which by Lucullus and Pompey had beene once gotten The Armenians being doubtfull and faithfull to neither side inuited both yet by the site of their countrey and conformitie of conditions being more neere vnto the Parthians and intermingled with them by mariages and not knowing what libertie was inclined rather to that seruitude But Corbulo had more adoe with the slothfulnes of the souldiers then perfidiousnes of the enimies for the legions remoued from Syria by a long peace grown lazie and idle could hardly endure the labor and paines of the Roman discipline Certaine it was there were old souldiers in that campe which had neuer kept watch nor ward a rampire or trench they gazed at as at a new and strange deuise without head-peeces without curasses neate and fine hunting after gaine hauing spent all their seruice in townes Whereupon the olde and feeble being dismissed he desired a supplie which was had out of Galatia and Cappadocia And to them was added a legion out of Germanie with wings of horsemen and all the armie kept in campe although the winter were so hard and the earth so couered with yce that they could not pitch their tents vnlesse they had first digged the ground Manie of their limmes grew starcke with extremitie of cold and many died in keeping the watch And there was a souldier noted carriyng a faggot whose hands were so stiffe frozen that sticking to his burden they fell from him as though they had beene cut from his armes Corbulo slightly apparailed bare headed was with them when they marched when they laboured praised the stout comforted the feeble and gaue example vnto them all Then bicause many refusing to endure the hardnes of the season such rigor of discipline forsooke him he sought a redresse by seueritie for he did not pardon the first and second fault as in other armies but he suffered death presently who forsooke his ensigne which by experience proued more profitable then clemencie For fewer forsooke that campe then where there was much mercie shewen In the meane season Corbulo hauing kept the legions in campe vntill the spring and disposed the aydcohorts in conuenient places charged them not to giue the onset The charge of the garrisons he committed to Pactius Ophitus once Captaine of the first ensigne who although he wrote to Corbulo that the Barbarians were carelesse and disordered and a fit occasion offered of atchieuing some exploite yet he was commaunded to keepe within his garrison and expect greater power But breaking his commandement when he saw a few troupes of horsemen issue out of a castle hard by and vnskilfully demaund battell he encountered the enimie and went away with the losse And those which should haue seconded them terrified with that discomfiture fled as fast as they could euerie man to his hold which to Corbulo was an exceeding griefe Who rebuking Pactius and the Captaines and the souldiers commaunded them all to pitch their tents out of the campe and there kept them in that disgrace vntil they were deliuered by the intercession sute of the whole armie But Tiridates besides his own followers succoured by his brother Vologeses not now by stelth but with open warre molesteth Armenia spoiling all such he thought faithfull to vs and if any forces were brought against him he deluded them by flying hither and thither terrifiyng more by fame then fight Corbulo therefore seeking occasion to ioyne battell but in vaine and constrained to make war now in one place now in another as the enimy did seuered his forces to the end that the Lieutenants Captaines might inuade diuers places at once Withall he aduertised King Antiochus to set on the gouernment next adioyning to him For Pharasmanes his sonne Rhadamistus being slaine as a traitor towardes him to testifie his loyaltie towards vs shewed more willingly his inueterate hatred against the Armenians Then the Isichians a nation neuer before confederate with vs being nowe brought to our side inuaded the hardest passages of Armenia whereby all Tiridates deseignments were crossed He sent Embassadors to expostulate in his owne and the Parthians name Why hauing of late giuen hostages and renewed amitie which opened the way to new benefites he should be driuen from the auncient possession of Armenia therefore
they had promised the Tribes came to meete him the Lords of the Senate in their holy-daie robes wiues and children placed according to their age and sexe and all the way he should goe builded with staires as in publicke shewes or triumphes Thereupon puffed vp with pride as a conquerour of publicke seruitude he went to the Capitoll and gaue thanks to the gods letting loose the raines to all lusts and licenciousnes of life which before badly restrained yet the reuerence towards his mother such as it was did in some sort bridle IIII. Neroes exercises IT was an old practise of his neuer to be absent from the race of chariots and no lesse vnseemely was that other delight of his at supper to sing to the harp as minstrels did which he said to haue beene a custome of auncient Kings and Captaines and a thing highly commended by Poets and attributed to the honor of the gods For melodie is sure dedicated to Apollo in that attire he doth stand not only in the cities of Greece but also in the temples at Rome a principall deitie and knowing things to come Neither could he now be remoued seeming good also to Seneca and Burrhus to yeeld him the one least he should persist in both And thereupon a space was inclosed in the valley of the Vatican to mannage his horses and not to be seene indifferently of euery man and not long after of his owne accord he called the people to see it who highly extolled him as the manner of the people is to be desirous of pastimes and very glad if the Prince draw them to it And his shame published abroad brought him not as it was thought it would any loathing therin but a farther prouocation thinking that the discredit would be shaken off if he could dishonor many with the like He brought to the skaffold many descended of noble houses bought for pouertie which because they be dead I will not name as hauing regard vnto their auncestors being rather his fault to giue money for ill doing then least they should commit that which is naught He constrained also the chiefe gentlemen of Rome with mightie gifts to promise their labour in the Theater vnlesse you say that a reward giuen by him who may commaund bringeth a necessitie in obeying Yet least he should be discredited by the publick Theater he instituted Playes called Iuuenalia as it were for the health of youth to which euery man willingly gaue his name not any ones nobilitie not his age or office borne being any hinderance vnto them but that Greekes and Latins exercised the arte of a stage player euen vnto gestures and measures vnseemely for men Yea noble women practised many gestures and vnseemely to their calling And in the wood which Augustus planted about the lake where he represented a sea fight Tauernes and meeting places were built where all prouocations of wanton lusts were sold where money was giuen to the good to spend of necessitie and to the intemperate to glory and brag of From thence sprang all lewdenes and infamie neuer at any time not when there was great corruption in manners in times past more dissolute lasciuiousnes vsed then at those impure assemblies Shame is scarse retained among men of honest example much lesse among such which striued who should haue most vices can chastitie and modestie or any good behauior be maintained Last of all Nero himselfe entereth on the stage tuning and playing on his instrument with great care and premeditating what to say his familiars assisting him and besides them a cohort of souldiers Centurions and Tribunes and Burrhus both grieuing and praising him Then also were first inrowled the gentlemen of Rome called Augustani men for their age and strength of body highly esteemed part of them shamelesse and saucy in behauior and part hoping thereby to rise to greater authoritie day and night with clapping of hands made all to ring of them commending the feature and voice of the Prince with termes attributed to the gods and were respected by him as honorable personages for their vertue And yet least the Emperours skill on stage only and musick should be published he desired to be well accompted of for versifying hauing gathered about him such as had any cunning therein much more such as were excellent They sate together * and made those verses hang together which he made there or elsewhere and supplied his words howsoeuer they were vttered which the fashion it selfe of his verses doth declare not running with one and the same vehemencie and vaine of writing He bestowed also some time after meate with Philosophers taking pleasure to heare how euery man defended his owne opinion and ouerthrew the contrarie Neither wanted there some which with their voice and graue countenance desired to be thought pleasant with the Emperour V. A strife betweene the inhabitants of Nuceria and the Pompeians ABout the same time of a light quarrell rose a great murder betweene the inhabitants of Nuceria and Pompeians at a shew of fencers which Liuineius Regulus put from the Senate as before I haue rehearsed represented to the people For first prouoking one another with bitter termes as it is often seene in malapert and saucie townesmen they came to stones and last of all to weapons the Pompeians being the stronger with whom the shew was set forth Many of the Nucerians were brought lame and wounded to the towne and many wept for the death of their children and parents the determining of which the Prince referred to the Senate the Senate to the Consuls And the cause being againe brought to the Senators the Pompeians were forbidden to assemble any such companies for tenne yeeres and their corporations erected against the lawes dissolued Liuineius and such others as raysed the sturre were banished Pedius Blaesus also was put from his Senators roome at the information of the Cyrenensians who layd to his charge that he had robbed the treasure of the god Aesculapius and mustered souldiers for money and suite The same Cyrenensians accused Acilius Strabo sometime Pretor and sent by Claudius as arbitrator of certaine lands which once belonging to King Apio and left to the people of Rome with the kingdome their neighbours possessed and occupied and by long licence and iniurie defended them to be theirs by right and equitie The lands therefore being giuen from them by sentence they enuied the iudge and the Senate answered they were ignorant of Claudius pleasure and that they should aske the Princes aduise The Prince approuing Straboes sentence wrote neuertheles that he would ayde the allies and giue them that which they had vsurped There died not long after Domitius Afer and M. Seruilius two notable personages which flourished with great honors and eloquence he in pleading of causes Seruilius famous for long frequenting the Forum and then for writing the Romane histories carriage of himselfe and neatnes of life which made him more renowned as equall to the other in wit yet
different in conditions VI. Whether it be conuenient to haue often playes to entertaine the people NEro being the fourth time Consull and Cor. Cossus the play called Quinquennale was ordained to be played at Rome after the maner of the Greeke combate whereof there went diuers reports as almost it hapneth in all new things for some there were which said that Gn. Pompeius was blamed by the ancient men for building a permanent Theater For in times past the playes were wont to be set forth on a skaffold built for that time and seates to continue no longer then the play lasted Or if thou wilt looke into more ancient times the people beheld them standing least if they should sit they would continue in the Theater whole daies in idlenes Neither should the ancient fashion of playes be obserued whē * as oft as the Pretors shuld set them forth no necessity was laid vpō any of the citizens to fight or looke on But the customes of the countrey being by little and little abolished were now vtterly ouerthrowne by disorders set from strange countries that whatsoeuer elsewhere might corrupt or was corrupted was seene in the citie and the youth vnlike to that it hath beene through strange manners wrestling naked idlenes and licentious loue the Prince and the Senate being authors thereof who haue not only giuen licence to vices but also giuen them strength and force The noblemen of Rome vnder colour of making orations and verses are discredited by stage-playing What remaineth then but only to vncloath themselues starke naked and take the caesti in hand and practise that fight in stead of armes and exercises of warre Or do they thinke they shall better vnderstand the knowledge of southsaying be more skilfull in the decuries of gentlemen accomplish the honorable charge of Iudicature if they vnderstand cunningly broken tunes and sweerenes of voices whole nights also were added to those shames because no time should be left honest but in that confuse multitude what euery person most dissolute desired by day durst venter on by night That licence pleased many and yet they cloaked it with honest termes That the ancients likewise did not abhorre the delight of playes and shewes according to their calling at that time and that stage-players were sent for from Thuscia The horse-race was represented by the Thurians but since Achaia and Asia was possessed by vs playes haue beene more exactly set foorth Neither hath there beene any one in Rome nobly descended which by reason of stage-playes hath discredited the stocke from whom he came these two hundred yeeres since L. Mamius triumphed who first set forth that kinde of shew in the citie Farther there was a regard had vnto thrift in erecting a continuall standing Theater rather then with infinite charges euery yeere set vp and build a new Neither should the magistrates waste their goods as they haue done on the people haue cause to be importunate with them for the combates according to the Greekes manner seeing the common-wealth did defray the charge The victories of orators and poets would be an incouragement vnto wits neither could it be offensiue to any iudge to lend his eares to honest studies and allowable pastimes To mirth rather then lasciuiousnes a few nights in fiue yeeres were giuen in which there is such great light of fires that no vnlawfull acte can be hidden In very deede that shew past without any notable dishonest part committed neither did the people shew any great insolencie although the common vices were restored to the stage and forbidden to shew themselues in such playes as were represented in honor of the gods The praise of eloquence none caried away but Caesar was pronounced victor and the Greekish attire which many wore in those dayes was layd aside VII Nero falleth sicke DVring these things there appeared a blasing starre which in the opinion of the common people betokeneth the change of a Prince Therfore as though Nero had alreadie beene driuen out they were busie to knowe who should succeede him Rubellius Plautus being famous in euerie mans mouth by the mothers side descended from the Iulian familie He was an obseruer of the old manner of liuing vpright graue and seuere liuing with all honestie as one retired in his own house and the more secret he was for feare of being accounted of so much the more his reputation increased An interpretation of a lightning begun by the like vanitie augmented the rumor For Neroes meate being striken with lightning and the table throwen downe at the lakes of Simbruinum in a place called Sublaqueum in the confines of Tiburtum from whence Plautus had his beginning by his fathers side all men beleeued that he was destined by the prouidence of the gods to the Empire and thereupon many fawned and courted him which by a greedie and for the most part deceiptfull ambition admire new things doubtfull and vncertaine Nero moued with these rumors writeth to Plautus aduising him to looke to himself and his assemblies and rid his hands of those which lewdly defamed him and that in Asia he had possessions by descent from his auncestors in which he might passe his youth safely and without troubles Whereupon he went thither with Antistia his wife and a few of his familiars At the same time too greedy a desire of pleasing his will in all he liked bred Nero both infamie and danger for swimming in the fountaine of the Martian water which was brought to the citie it was construed that he had defiled the holy drinkes and ceremonie of the place with his whole bodie and falling dangerously sicke thereupon it was constantly beleeued that it proceeded as a punishment from the wrath of the gods VIII Corbulo conquereth all Armenia ouer which Nero sendeth Tigranes to be King BVt Corbulo after the rasing of Artaxata thinking it his best to make profit of the fresh terrour for the easilier forcing of Tigranocerta by destroying of which he should augment feare in the enimie or by sparing it purchase the reputation of clemencie marcheth thither vsing no hostilitie by the way least he should take from them all hope of pardon yet with no remisnes or carelesse proceeding as one knowing that that nation is easilie subiect to chaunge as slow to perill so faithles when occasion is offered The Barbarians euerie man according to his wit some entreated some forsooke their villages and conueighed themselues to inaccessible places some hid themselues and the things they made most reckoning of in caues The Roman Captaine therefore vsing diuers policies shewed mercie towards the humble vsed celeritie in pursuing those which ranne away and crueltie against those which fled to the dennes and caues stopping the mouthes of them with vine branches and small wood and after set them on fire And passing by the confines of the Mardians a people well practised in theeuing and robbing they set on him but fled to their mountaines for their defence when they saw he turned towards
ensignes and marched on ouerthrew such as encountered them and thrust them among their owne fires Which being done they placed garrisons in their townes and cut down their woods which through their execrable superstitions among them were reckoned holie For they accounted it lawfull to offer sacrifice at their altars with the blood of captiues and aske counsell of their gods by the aspect of mans intrailes and fibres Newes came to Suetonius as he atchieued this enterprise of a sudden rebellion of the Prouince Prasutagus King of the Icenians verie famous for his riches a long time gotten made Caesar with two of his daughters his heire by will thinking that by that flatterie his kingdome and house should haue beene warranted from iniurie which fell out otherwise for his kingdome by Centurions his house by slaues was wasted spoiled as lawfull booties And to begin withall his wife Boudicea was whipped his daughters defloured And the chiefest of the Icenians as though they had receiued the whole nation for a pray were dispossessed of al their ancient inheritance the Kings kindred reputed as slaues By reason of which contumely feare of worse after that they were reduced into a forme of a prouince they take armes againe the Trinobantes being sturred to rebellion also others not yet broken to the yoke of seruitude by secret conspiracies had vowed to recouer their libertie bearing a bitter hatred against the old souldiers For those which were lately brought into the colonie of Camalodunum thrust out of their houses the auncient inhabitants tooke their liuings from them calling them captiues and slaues the new soldiers fauouring the insolent fiercenes of the old as well for likenesse and conformitie of life as hope of like licence Besides a temple erected in honor of Claudius of famous memory was an eye sore and an altar of perpetuall dominion ouer them and the Priests which were chosen vnder colour of religion wasted all the wealth of the inhabitants Neither did it seeme any hard matter to extirpate that colonie vndefensed and vnfortified which was not circumspectly foreseene by our captaines whilest they had a greater care of pleasure then good gouernment Amongst these things the image of Victorie set vp in Camalodunum fell downe without any apparant cause why and turned back as though it would giue place to the enemie And the women distempered with furie went singing that destruction was at hand And strange noises were heard in their court and the Theater gaue a sound like to a howling and a strange apparition in an arme of the sea was a foretelling of the subuersion of the colonie Further the Ocean bloudie in shew and dead mens bodies left after an ebbe as they brought hope to the Britaines so they droue the old soldiers into a feare who because Suetonius was farre off craued aide of Catus Decianus procurator He sent not aboue two hundred men and those badly armed and the number not great which was there before trusted to the franchise of the temple And those hindering which were confederates of the secret conspiracie troubled their deseignments for they neither made trench nor ditch nor sending away the old men and women and keeping the yong men only being as secure as it had beene in a full peace they were surprised with a multitude of barbarous people and all ouerthrowne and wasted with violence or consumed with fire the temple only excepted into which the souldiers had fled which also within two dayes was besieged and taken And the Britaine being thus conqueror and meeting with Paetus Cerealis Lieutenant of the ninth legion which came to succour them put to flight the legion and slew all the footemen Cerealis with the horsemen escaped to the campe and defended himselfe in the fortresses Through which ouerthrow and hate of the prouince driuen to take armes through the auarice of the Romaines Catus the procurator being afraid sailed to Gallia But Suetonius with wonderfull constancie passing euen among the enemies went on to London not greatly famous by the name of a colonie but for concourse of Merchants and prouision of all things necessary of great fame and renowme and being come thither stoode doubtfull whether he should choose that for the seate of warre or not and considering the small store of souldiers he had and how Petilius had well payed for his rashnes he determined with the losse of one towne to preserue the rest whole Neither was he won by weeping and teares to giue aide to such as demaunded it but gaue signe of remouing and receiued such as followed as part of his armie If imbecillitie of sexe or wearisomnes of age or pleasantnes of the place kept any back they were all put to the sword by the enemie The free towne of Verulamium receiued the like ouerthrow because the barbarians forsaking their Castels and forts and being well manned spoiled the richest and fattest and carrying it to a sure place glad of the bootie went on to places more notable It is certaine there were slaine in those places I haue spoken of to the number of seuentie thousand citizens and confederates Neither did they sell or take any one prisoner or vse any entercourse of traffick of warre but kill hang burne crucifie as though they would requite the measure they had suffered and as it were in the meane time hasten to anticipate reuenge XI Suetonius vanquished the Britaines vvhich Boudicea conducted her stoutnes and death NOw Suetonius hauing with him the foureteenth legion with the Standard bearers of the twentith and the aides from places adioyning which came all to the number almost of ten thousand armed men resolued to lay aside all delay and trie the chaunce of a maine battell And chooseth a place with a narrow entrance and inclosed behinde with a wood being well assured that he had no enimies but before him and that the plaine was wide without feare of ambush The legionarie souldier then marshalled togither in thicke and close rankes and the light harnessed closely about them the horsemen made the wings But the Britaines forces triumphed abroade in troupes and companies by such multitudes that the like had not beene seene and of such fiercenes of courage that they brought their wiues with them and placed them in carts in the vtmost parts of the plaine as witnesses of the victorie Boudicea hauing her daughters by her in a chariot now going to one now to another Told them that the Britaines were woont to make warre vnder the conduct of women But at that time not as though she had descended of such noble auncestors she sought neither for kingdome nor wealth but a reuenge as one of the common people of their lost libertie of her bodie beaten with stripes and the chastitie of her daughters violated That the desire of the Romaines was growen to that passe that they left none of what age soeuer nor any virgin vndefiled Neuertheles that the gods fauored iust reuenge
conspiracie more grieuous to Neroes eares who as readie and prompt to all mischiefes so vnaccustomed to heare of that he had done The punishment of Flauius was committed to Veianus Niger Tribune He in the next field commaunded a pit to be digged which Flauius finding fault with as not deepe inough sayd to the souldiers standing by This is not according to the order of seruice And being willed to stretch out his neck stoutly I would to God said he thou wouldest strike so stoutly Who quaking very much when he had scarse cut off his head at two blowes bragged to Nero of his crueltie saying that he was killed with halfe a blow The next example of constancie the Centurion Sulpitius Asper did shew for Caesar asking him why he had conspired his death answered briefely That so many his villanies could not otherwise be redressed Then he sustained the punishment commanded Neither did the rest of the Centurions degenerate in bearing their punishments But Fenius Rufus had not the like courage but set downe his griefes and lamentations in his testament Nero expected that Vestinus the Consull should also be drawen into the action iudging him violent and an enemie to him but the conspirators would not communicate their deseignments with him some by reason of old grudges but more because they thought him rash headie and insociable Furthermore Neroes hatred against Vestinus proceeded of their inward familiaritie the one contemning the Princes knowne cowardlines and the other fearing the fell courage of his friend often iesting at him with bitter skoffes which when they carry much truth with them leaue behinde them a biting memorie Besides there was a fresh cause of malice betweene them because Vestinus had married Statilia Messallina not ignorant that Caesar kept vnlawfull companie with her Therefore no crime no accuser appearing because he could put on no shew of accusation he fled to his absolute power sendeth Gerelanus the Tribune with a band of souldiers inchargeth him to preuēt the Consuls deseignmēts seise vpō his house which was as it were his fortresse and slew his chosen cōpanie of youth because Vestinus had his house looking ouer the market place and handsome slaues all of one age He had fulfilled that day all the duties of a Consull and making a banquet fearing nothing or else dissembling his feare the souldiers entred in and when word was brought him that he was called by the Tribune he rose without any delay had all things prepared him in a trice shut himself vp in his chamber had his Phisition at hand which cut his vaines and being yet lustie was caried to a bath put in hot water not once vttering a word which could argue either griefe or compassion on himselfe Those which were at table with him were in the meane time beset with a gard and not dismissed till the night was farre spent and then Nero imagining and laughing at the feare they were in as looking for their imminent ruine sayd they had paied enough for the Consuls good cheere XVI Lucanus and Quinctianus death Neroes liberalitie to the souldiers Who Nymphidius was The Senators flattery toward Nero. AFter that he commanded the death of M. Annaeus Lucanus who perceiuing as his bloud went out his feete and hands to waxe cold and his spirites by little and little to forsake the exterior parts of his bodie his hart yet strong his wit fresh remembring verses made by himselfe in which he represented a souldier wounded and dead with the like kinde of death rehearsed the verses themselues which were the last words he spake After that Senecio and Quinctianus not according to their former effeminat life and the residue of the conspirators were put to death neither speaking nor doing any thing worthie memorie But in the meane time the citie was filled with funerals the Capitoll with sacrifices one hauing his brother another his sonne put to death or friend or neere kindred gaue thanks to the gods deckt his house with Bayes fell downe at the Emperors knees and wearied his right hand with kisses And he thinking it to be done for ioy rewardeth with impunitie Antonius Natalis and Ceruarius Proculus speedie detection and Milichus enriched with recompences tooke vnto him a name which in the Greeke signifieth a sauiour And Granius Siluanus the Tribune although quit yet slew himselfe Statius Proximus frustrated the pardon which he had receiued of the Emperour by the vanitie of his death After this Pompey Cornelius Martialis Flauius Nepos and Statius Domitius were depriued of the Tribuneship not because they hated the Prince but yet supposed so to do Nouius Priscus for the friendship he had with Seneca and Glitius Gallus and Annius Pollio diffamed rather then conuicted were sent into banishment Antonia Flacilla Priscus wife followed him Egnatia Maximilla did the like with Gallus at the first all their wealth which was great left them then taken away both which increased their glorie Rufus Crispinus was banished also vnder colour of the conspiracie but hated of Nero because he had beene Poppaeas husband Verginius Rufus great reputation was cause of his exile for Verginius furthered the studies of youth with eloquence and Musonius with precepts of Philosophie Cluuidienus Quietus Iulius Agrippa Blitius Catulinus Petronius Priscus Iulius Altinus as it were an armie to make vp a number were banished to the Iles of the Aegaean sea But Cadicia Sceuinus wife and Cesenius Maximus were banished Italie knowing by the punishment only that they were called in question Annaeus Lucanus mother Atilla though not acquited yet was let go without punishment These things done by Nero calling the soldiers together to an oration he bestowed by pole vpon euery souldier vnder bands two thousand Nummi and corne without any price which they had before according to the rate it was sould Then as though he would declare some exploit done in war assembled the Lords of the Senate bestowed the ornament of triumphe vpon Petronius Turpilianus Consull Cocceius Nerua Pretor elect Tigellinus captaine of the gard and so extolling Tigellinus and Nerua besides their triumphall images in the Forum he placed their images also in the Pallace He gaue Nymphidius also the ornaments of a Consull of whome I will speake a little because now is the first occasion offered for he also was part of the Roman miseries He therefore sonne of a freed woman which had abandoned and made common her comely bodie to Princes bonde and freede men affirmed he was begotten by C. Caesar because by some chance he was tall of personage and of a sterne grim countenance or else C. Caesar being desirous of light-women had abused his mother also But Nero the Senators assembled and an oration made among them published an Edict to the people and added the informations and confessions of the condemned because he was often diffamed in the peoples mouth as though he had executed innocent persons for enuie or feare Neuerthelesse those which had a care
of knowing the truth did neither then doubt but the conspiracie was begun growne to ripenes and set on foote againe as those which returned to the citie after Neroes death confessed But in the Senate all of them according to each mans griefe abiecting themselues to flatterie Alienus Clemens bitterly inueighed against Iunius Gallio amazed with the death of his brother Seneca and intreating for his owne life calling him enemie and parricide vntill the whole Senate shewed their dislike therein least hee shoulde seeme to abuse publicke calamities and make them occasion of his priuate grudge or drawe the Prince to new crueltie forgotten and tempered with clemencie Then order was taken that gifts and thanks should be rendered the gods and peculiar honor done to the Sunne vnto whome there is an old temple in the Cirque in which the enterprise should haue beene accomplished who disclosed by his diuine power the secrets of the confederacie and that the Circensian pastime in honor of Ceres should be exhibited with more horse races and that the moneth of Aprill should beare the surname of Nero that a Temple should be built to Salus in the place from whence Sceuinus had taken the rapier which he himselfe had offered vp in the Capitol and wrote vnder it To Iupiter the reuenger Which presently was not noted but after that Iulius Vindex had taken armes it was interpreted as a foretelling and presage of future reuenge I finde in the commentaries of the Senate that Cerealis Anicius Consull elect gaue his censure that a Temple should be built with all speede at the common charge to diuine Nero which he thought conuenient as though exceeding the highest mortall degree he had deserued to be worshipped of men which after was knowen to be a token and foretelling of his end For the honor of the gods was neuer giuen the Prince vntill he were dead and gone out this mortall life THE SIXTEENTH BOOKE OF THE ANNALES OF CORNELIVS TACITVS I. Nero consumeth much in seeking out a hidden treasure which Cesellius Bassus dreamt of The death of Bassus Nero contendeth on the Stage for the prise of playing on the Harpe AFter that time Fortune began to delude Nero through his own vanitie taking hold of a promise made by Cesellius Bassus who being an African borne and busie headed built an assured hope vpon the shadow of a dreame which he had in the night And come to Rome hauing bought accesse to the Prince declareth that there was a caue in his ground of a huge depth wherein was contained great quantitie of gold vncoyned and vnwrought in a masse as in old time it was wont to be hidden For there lay a wall of very heauie bricks on the one side and on the other pillers standing vpright all which had laine hidden many yeeres to increase the wealth of the present time And as coniecture doth shewe Dido the Fenissian fleeing from Tyrus after she had built Carthage hid that treasure there least the newe people with ouer-great wealth should become wanton and riotous or the King of the Numidians their olde enemie for greedines of their gold sometime be incensed to make warre against them Whereupon Nero not well assured of the credit of the Author or certaintie of the busines nor any sent to view and learne whether a truth were reported of himselfe encreaseth the rumour and sendeth some to bring away all as it were a pray alreadie gotten Galleies and choise vessels were appointed to helpe to hasten the matter the people hauing no other speech in their mouth but that treasure through the credulousnes of the discouerer though not reporting of it all alike And it fell out by chaunce that the Quinquennale pastime which euerie fift yeere being represented was then the second time celebrated which ministred the orators their chiefest subiect to commend the Prince saying That the earth did not now bring forth only the vsuall fruits nor gold mingled with other mettals but a new plentie and that the gods themselues bestowed wealth in all aboundance and manie other things with great eloquence and no lesse seruile and base flatterie they fained being assured of easie beliefe in the hearer Riotuousnes in the meane time grew greater by vaine hope and the old wealth was consumed as though the other had beene offered prodigally to waste many yeeres Yea from thence largesses were bestowed and the expectation of that wealth was a cause in part of the publicke pouertie For Bassus hauing digged his ground and large fields round about auouching boldly this or that to be the promised caue not onely souldiers followed him but the countrey people were taken to dig and labour at length leauing his sottishnes and maruelling that his dreames neuer prooued false before and that he was neuer deceiued vntill then ridde himselfe of shame and feare by killing himselfe Some haue reported that he was imprisoned and set at libertie againe incontinently his goods first taken to the Princes treasure In the meane time the Senate the Quinquennale pastime drawing neer to shadow his shame offereth him the victorie of singing and withall the crowne of eloquence to colour the reproch of his singing on the Stage But Nero saying that he needed not the authoritie and fauour of the Senat in that respect as able of himself to make his partie good with his concurrents little doubting but that by the vprightnes of the iudges he should obtaine his deserued praise sang first of all a verse on the Stage then the people instantly crauing that he would publish all his studies for those were their words he entereth the Theater and obserueth all the orders of the Harpers as that being wearie yet he should not sit downe that he should not wipe off his sweate but with the garment he wore that no excrements should be seene at his mouth or nose And last of all kneeling and shewing a reuerence to the assembly with his hand expected the iudges sentence with a counterfeite feare And the citie-people accustomed also to approoue the gestures of the players answered him with a certaine measure and artificiall applause Thou wouldest haue thought they had reioyced and perhaps they did for the iniurie of the publick discredit But those which from townes farre off retaining as yet the auncient seueritie and custome of Italie and from remote Prouinces vnacquainted with dissolute behauiour came either as Ambassadors or for priuate busines could neither indure that sight nor applaude any way so dishonorable a labor but awearie with their vnskilfull clapping of hands and troubling the skilfull were often beaten by the souldiers placed in thicke aray least any moment of time should be lost by an vntuned and disproportionable crie or slothfull silence It is certaine that many horsemen which laboured to passe through the crowd and thicke multitudes were troden vnder feete and others whilest they continued day and night in their places were striken with deadly sicknes And yet if they should haue beene