said that he died in Crete and that he ordered his body to be burnt and the ashes thrown into the Sea lest his Relicks being brought back to Sparta they should account themselves freed from the Oath But * In Apologet. Tertullian writeth that he famished himself because the Lacedaemonians went about to alter his Laws The War with the Argives 21. Lycurgus being dead and the State setled after this great change it renewed the War formerly begun with the Argives and afterwards deluded with the ambignity of the Oracle commenced another against the Tegeata Pausan in Arcadicis Herod lib. 1. a people of Arcadia by whom they were worsted and Charilaus the King was taken prisoner through the especial valour of the women yet was he presently set at liberty upon his oath never to fight more against them which he but ill performed After this they overthrew divers Cities on which the Achaeans had seized some whereof made their peace as Pausanias telleth us and departed out of Peloponnesus Pausan in Messenicis The Colleague of Charilaus or Charillus for some time was Teleclus whose death gave one occasion to the famous Messenian War Charilaus was succeeded by Nicander his Son and Teleclus by Alcamenes In * Clemens Strom. lib. 1. the 34th year of Nicander was celebrated the first Olympiad The first Olympiad after the restitution of those Games by Iphitus in which Coraebus a Cook of Elis got the Prize in the Course These solemnities being of so great consequence in the knowledge of times must not be passed over without some observation The renewing of the Olympick Games 22. These exercises had in former times been held by divers others as Hercules both the Idaean and the son of Amphytrion as some think Pelops Endymion Neleus Pelias Lycurgus and others After the descent of the Heraclidae into Peloponnesus Oxylus the Aetolian also who as we said was chosen their guide and according to agreement Pausan in Eliacis had the Country of Elis given to him renewed the Games but they were interrupted as formerly or seldom observed for about 300 years till Iphitus the son of Praxonidas and Nephew of Haemon descended from him and one of his Successors again restored them after which they never intermitted but were kept up for many generations But the occasion of the last restitution was this Greece being almost ruined by seditions and pestilence Iphitus inquired of the Oracle at Delphos how those evils might be redressed A. M. 3229. Osiae 34. and it was answered that it was expedient for him and the Eleans to restore the Olympick Games whereupon he proclaimed them and for the better celebration of them procured a Truce to be made The place whence they had their name was Olympia a City situated in the territories of the Pisaeans upon the River Alpheus upon which account the Pisaeans contended a long time with the Eleans about their interest in them There was a Temple dedicated to Jupiter Olympius and a place for races and all sorts of exercises filled with many goodly buildings which resembled another City Near to the Town was also a place where the Eleans sate and judged of the controversies arising about Victories to which Crowns were given As long as the Eleans continued under a Monarchical Government their Prince of the posterity of Oxylus was sole Judge but afterwards there were two chosen by the votes of the people which were after increased to the number nine then to ten and last of all to twelve This Solemnity was held once every fifth year beginning so that from the commencing of one to the beginning of another passed four entire years by some mistaken for five because of the commencement of the Games The time was at the full of the Moon the change whereof immediatly preceded the Summer solstice in the moneth by them called Hecatombaeon 23. Upon this occasion meetings and consultations were had concerning the affairs of all Greece besides the Inhabitants of which many flocked from other Countries Care was here taken concerning the form of the year for the intercalation of a day at the end of every fourth Charge was given to the Priests of the Temple to take notice of every new Moon especially of that wherewith the moneth Hecatombaeon began and to proclaim it they were also not onely to register the names of the Victors in the several sorts of Games with other things that concerned them but also whatsoever memorable thing occurred in the intervals The account of time henceforth never failed and the affairs of Greece and other Countries were known in a most certain order And here the second interval of time amongst three reckoned by * Vide Censorinum de Die Natali cap. 21. Varro received it's period The first began with the beginning of things and ended at the Deluge called by him unknown the second began where the first ended and concluded with this restitution of the Olympiads which he termed Fabulous because the Storie thereof is mixed with Fables and the third commencing with the first Olympiad reached to his own time which he name Historical for that things done therein were truly and clearly related This happened 408 years after the destruction of Troy 774 before the Aera of Christ A. M. 3229. 24. Towards the later end of the seventh Olympiad A. M. 3256. V. C. 5. Jothami 10. a great change was made in the Government of Lacedaemon The bringing in of the Ephori into Sparta by the bringing in of the Ephori who according to Plutarch had their beginning 130 years after Lycurgus It seemeth that for all the means used by him to gain an equality and clip the power of the great ones yet it again grew extravagant within this time Arist Polit. l. 5. c. 11. so that the people to provide against that of the Kings and Senate for the future got these Officers created Five they were in number whereof one Elatus was the first chosen every year by and out of the people Val. Maxim lib. 4. without any distinction of birth or wealth insomuch that sometimes the meanest sort of men were elected which custom is noted as bad by Aristotle Plutarch in vita Licurgi But their use and end being onely to protect the liberty of the people such what ever they were must be preferred as made the greatest show of love to freedom of a sharp and bold wit and aversnesse towards the power of the great ones Plato de Legibus lib. 3. Theopompus the Son of Nicander and Grandson to Charilaus was King at this time who bringing in or giving way to this Office his wife rebuked him for so doing saying that he would leave the Kingdom to his Son of lesse value than he had it of his Father to which he answered Cicero de Legibus lib. 3. that on the contrary he should leave it so much the greater by how much more durable Indeed
of Peloponnesus by Archias the Corinthian in the eleventh Olympiad Romulus then reigning at Rome and the Messâ—nian War being very hot in Peloponnesus This new Colony because of Archias and for that many followed him from Corinth owned that Citie for its Metropolis which at that time was most powerfull at Sea But many afterwards flocked out of other parts of Peloponnesus and by little and little the Citie of Syracuse so increased as it became not onely the greatest and most beautifull of all in Sicily but of Greek Cities whatsoever as Cicero affirmeth It contained as he writeth four great Cities the Island Acradina Tycha and Neapolis It s compasse was 180 furlongs having besides Suburbs two Ports very commodious for shipping being separated by the Island and grounds about it very fertile in some places rising into little Hills but compassed about with Fennes The first Inhabitants dwelt in the Island antiently called Ortygia then as the Citie increased the other parts were added whereof the latest was Neapolis As for the state of the Citie after it received a new beginning from Archias the form of the Commonwealth was without doubt the same that then was in the Metropolis under the Government of the Bâ—chiadae viz. Oligarchical bordering upon Aristocracie Afterwards the common people waxing heady outed the better sort of the possession of the grounds and seizing on the Government made bad to be worse as the sad changes and desolations will shew The Exiles by Herodotus called Gamori betook themselves to Gelon the Tyrannus of Gela who coming to restore them with an Army the people resisted not but received him into the Citie whereby obtaining the whole power he restored it not to the Nobility but made himself master of Syracuse This hapned at the time aforesaid and about 244 years after the Plantation of Archias 3. Gelon so used his power as he was loved by all and feared by none He every way much inlarged The acts and power of Gelon adorned and inriched the Citie out of all Conquered Towns he took the Noblest and worst disposed Citizens and brought them to Syracuse He procured the affections of almost all that dwelt in Sicily and so greatly strengthen'd himself that he was able with a Navy of 200 Triremes and as great an Army as all Greece could set forth against Xerxes to help the Graecians in the Median War and had gone to their assistance if they would either have granted him the Command of the Land Army or the Fleet. When he could obtain neither of those he imployed his forces against the Carthaginians who had been called into Sicily by the Egestans and on the same day wherein the Greeks obtained their victory at Salamine got so great an one over them at Himera a Maritime Town that his glory is thought to have equalled His successe against the Carthaginians if not exceeded the other of Themistocles At this time the Carthaginians were very powerfull and become Eminent whose affairs being by necessity to be joyned with such matters as relate to this Island of Sicily a more convenient place cannot be had to speak something as this work requireth of the Original and progresse of their Common-wealth The Original of Carthage 4. Carthage was a Colony of Tyre and Tyre of Sidon the most antient Metropolis of Phoenicia mentioned by Homer with commendation for ingenious industry who hath not one word concerning Tyre and built by Sidon the eldest son of Canaan Tyre was built about the 2747 year of the World and 240 years before Solomons Temple as (a) Antiquit. l. 8. c. 2. Josephus hath observed The Greeks thought it received its name from Tyrus the Founder and (b) Stephanus Byzantius Pollux lib. 1. some invented a fable of a Nymph called Tyros beloved by Hercules But Tsor in the Phoenician language signifying a Rock the situation it self sufficiently declareth the Original of the name which upon this account was communicated to three other places besides this eminent Citie viz. (c) Scylax in descriptione Phoenices vide Bocharti Canaan lib. 2. cap. 17. two in the Continent and another in the same Island Near the Island of this famous City stood Palaetyrus or Old Tyre mentioned by Joshua and called a strong Citie even at the division of the Land of Canaan which hapned about 200 years before the building of that whereof we speak Now (d) Antiquit. lib. 8. cap. 2. Contra Apionem lib. 1. Josephus maketh the Temple of Jerusalem to have been founded in the eleventh year of the reign of Hiram King of Tyre who was son to Abebaal by Josephus called Abibalus and by Eusebius Abelbalus Hiram or Huram according to the Hebrews by the Greeks called Irom and Syron for Horom by Eupolemus was a great friend to David and supplied Salomon his son with materials and work-men for building the Temple He also proposed hard questions to Solomon to be unfolded as Menander testified who translated the Tyrian Annals into the Greek language He strengthned and inlarged the Citie of Tyre as Dius also wrote and reigned 34 years After him his son Beleastartus reigned 7. and Abdastartus 9. who being slain by the four sons of his Nurse the eldest of them reigned twelve years Then Astartus the son of Baleastartus 12. his brother Astarimus 9. who was slain by his brother Phelles Phelles reigned but eight moneths being killed by Ithobalus the Priest of Astarta who reigned 32 years after him Badezorus his son 6. then Mettinus his son 9. and lastly Pygmalion 40. in the seventh of whose reign his sister Dido built the Citie of Carthage in Africk Therefore from the beginning of Hirams reign to the building of Carthage intervened 155 years and eight moneths and whereas the Temple was founded at Jerusalem in the twelfth of his reign from the building of the Temple to that of Carthage passed 143 years and eight moneths as Josephus collecteth from the Testimony of Menander the Ephesian in his first book against Apion The several opinions concerning the building of Carthage 5. But Appian in his History of the Punick Wars writeth that Carthage was built by the Tyrians 50 years before the destruction of Troy which precedeth the former date 360 years He nameth as founders Zorus and Carchedon according to the opinion of the Greeks who thought them the Captains of the Colony whereas Tsor or Zor was the name of the Metropolis and Carchedon of the new Citie Carthada signifying a New Citie in the Phoenician language as Solinus witnesseth Lib. 1. p. 48. Strabo again will have the Phoenicians to have led out Colonies as far as the Pillars of Hercules and planted some a little after the Trojan War upon the Maritime Coasts of Africk with which Virgil closing feigneth Dido to have reigned at Carthage at that time whereas she was 300 years later according to the Testimony of the Phoenician Annals so as Servius upon the Poet affirmeth the whole
the name of Consul But he should rather have said that then the name of Judex crept in for it appeareth out of Livie that they were called Judices next after Praetors before the name of Consuls came in The Historian in his third Book speaking of such things as happened in the first year after the writing of the twelve Tables addeth In these times it was the custom not to call the Consul by the name of Judex but Praetor (f) De Ling. Latina lib. 5. Varro out of antient Commentaries confirmeth this and (g) De Legib. lib. 3. Cicero giveth the Etymology of all these Offices thus à praeeundo judicando consulendo Praetores Judices Consules appellantur Some upon good grounds coniecture that after the creation of Praetors who were peculiar Judges the name of Judex was left and that of Consul succeeded which continued to the last Their power 2. The power of Consuls was at first the same with that of Kings allayed onely by plurality of persons and shortnesse of time so that Cicero calleth it Regium Imperium and Regia potestas and the Greeks chose to call them Hypatoi which signifieth those that are most excellent or chief as Dionysius telleth us In the beginning they might imprison and sentence at their pleasure having the power of life and death over the Citizens though scarce the authority to make peace and vvar as Lipsius affirmeth By degrees this great power was diminished and that especially by two things viz. Appeal and Interposing called Provocatio and Intercessio The former was presently brought in after the banishment of the Kings by Valerius Poplicola who preferred a Law for taking away animadversion upon Citizens from the Consuls and giving liberty of Appeal to the People as the higher Judge But by the Interposition of the Tribunes of the people who were afterwards created all actions of the Consuls whatsoever might be obstructed as by the voyce of the people it self whose power and dignity thenceforth dayly increased and took authority over all Magistrates Hereby was that of the Consuls much diminished Yet not quite broken and dissolved as long as the Commonwealth continued their Offices being both many and large For first they were the head of the State all ordinary Magistrates being subject and obnoxious to them except the Tribunes in whose actions they might interpose Secondly they had the chief Command in the War over Citizens and Associates as also over Provinces and Subjects whom they might punish and Authority to appoint Officers in the Army as appeareth out of Cicero and Polybius in several places Thirdly they assembled the people consulted with it preferred Laws also which if enacted bore their names Fourthly they received Letters from Governours of Provinces from Nations and Cities gave audience to Ambassadors and what was to be done either by Senate or people passed through their hands as chief Ministers of State Fifthly as the Senate handled and executed all things in peace and vvar so did they govern it in some sence they assembled and dismissed it therein they asked the Members their opinions counted and divided them and in conclusion they steered the ship of the Commonwealth This was their power while the free State continued but after it was subjected to the power of one person their authority was again much impaired few of all these privileges remaining to them for that the Prince assumed the rights of all Magistrates but especially those of the Consuls and Tribunes Under the Emperours they were employed in consulting the Senate administring Justice assigning Tutors or Guardians manumitting Slaves letting out to farm the Customs which Office formerly belonged to the Censors and managing publick Games besides they had the honour of having the year Characterized by their names as formerly These things will be sufficiently evinced at least most of them in the sequel of this History concerning Roman affairs Certain Rites concerning them 3. There were observed certain Consular Rites which it will rather behove us in this place to relate than scatteredly hereafter to give an account of them First of all the time wherein the Consuls assumed their Office was not set or constant but various till the year of the Citie 532. when both they and other Magistrates entred on the Calends of January having before as * Ad A.M. 3676. Simpson and others observe Commenced on the Calends of Quintilis called July as well as at other times The first day was an high day and very creditable to them the Senate and people meeting at their houses saluting and accompanying them to the Capitol where they took their Oaths and Sacrifized Thence they went to the Senate house where they were ordered by a Senatus Consultum to give thanks to the Prince of the Senate then sent they gifts to their friends and threw money to the people which later expense was afterwards taken away by the Emperours and appropriated to the repairing of aquaeducts They twice swore to govern according to the Laws as all other Magistrates did none being to keep his Office above five dayes except publickly sworn when first they entred once in the Capitol and then again in the Rostra in their hands to whom they succeeded and at the laying down of their Office again at the years end they swore in like manner that wittingly and willingly they had done nothing contrary to the said Laws Another Rite there was as Lipsius termeth it about their power which thereby was so increased as to become as absolute as the Kingly was This was onely upon an extraordinary occasion or in extream necessity when all lay at the stake and the Citie was in danger Then a Decree of the Senate passed in this form Viderint Consules nequid Resp detrimenti accipiat or Dent operam Consules nequid Resp detrimenti Capiat as * De bello Catalin◠Sallust hath it who addeth that this greatest power was given by the Senate to these Magistrates to raise forces make War all manner of wayes to punish Citizens and associates to have both at home and abroad in War absolute command and judiciary power Otherwise without the command of the people no Consul could do any of these things In a word by this Decree was restored to them that power or rather more given which was taken away by the Appeal and other Laws 4. What the Ornaments and Ensigns of the Consuls were we have formerly observed out of Dionysius to which shall be added upon occasion what may be thought requisite The age capable of this Office As for the age wherin a man was capable of this Office (a) Annal. lib. 11. Tacitus observeth that of old it was lawfull at any age to sue for the Consulship and the supream power of Dictator But afterwards being taught otherwise by experience in the 573th year of the Citie the Romans thought fit to set bounds to juvenile heat and ambition This was as (b) Lib. 10. Livy
amongst the rest with swords hid under their Cloaths who killing Eleazar and many of his faction seized also on that part of the Temple Idem ibid. Tacitus Hist l. 5. c. 12. and thereby the number of the factions was reduced to that of two That under John consisted of 8400. and the other under Simon of 10000 fighting men besides 5000 Idumaeans Notwithstanding the Enemy was at the Walls and to oppose him they a little joyned together yet did they break out the one upon the other and the poor people miserably suffered under both 16. The Citie being fortified with three Walls on every side Josephus de bello l. 6. c. 7 8 9 10 11. but where it was fenced with deep Valleys Titus having with much opposition placed his Engines battered the uttermost of them and breaking on the third of May into the Citie Breaking into it possessed all the North part as far as the Tower of Antonius and the Valley of Cedron Five dayes after he brake within the second Wall though the besieged made divers sallies They beat him out again but the fourth day after he recovered the place and prepared for the battery of the third Wall Yet he sent Joseph the Historian to them who exhorting them with many words to yield was entertained onely with scoffs and reproaches The people thinking to escape out of the Citie John and Simon stopped up all passages yet the famine increasing many came out whom being taken Titus caused to be Crucified to such a vast number that room was wanting for Crosses and Crosses for persons On the 12th of May he began four Mounts whereon to place his battering rams two near to the Castle Antonia where he hoped he might take the Temple and other two near the Monument of John the High-Priest where he thought he should with most ease break into the upper part of the Citie But John whose part it was to oppose the Romans in the former place cast down and burnt them two and two dayes after Simon did as much by the other though seventeen dayes had been spent in making them all He destroyed also many rams and engines and brake into the very Camp of the Romans but was repelled by Titus from Antonia who in a Council of Officers resolved now to compasse the whole City with a trench which with incredible diligence and celerity was finished in three dayes with thirteen forts to hinder the flight of the besieged and hinder the conveyance of relief into the City 17. The seditious were nothing herewith moved though the famine not only raged amongst the common sort but themselves also were pressed by it A certain Noble woman sod her child to eat it and such a mortality ensued that from the fourteenth of April to the first of July were caried out to be buried at the publick charge 115080 carkeises of the poorer sort Famine rageth as Titus was told by one Mannaeus who was appointed to pay the money Divers Noble men that fled to him certified him also that 600000 of the ordinary sort were cast dead out of the gates and others that were dead besides were innumerable for because they could not cary all out they laid them up in houses A bushel of corn was sold for a talent sinks and holes were raked to find old dung of Oxen to eat which much moved the Romans to compassion but the seditious were hereby nothing changed For Simon not obstaining from murders and rapines notwithstanding this lamentable condition killed Matthias the High-Priest by whom he had been let into the City with his three sons and sixteen others pretending that they purposed to flie to the Enemy Judas one of his own Officers hereupon weary of his cruelty attempted to betray a certain Tower whereof he had the charge to the Romans but being discovered was put to death with ten others of his complices John also being driven by necessity converted the Golden Vessels of the Temple with the sacred Money to prophane uses and was constrained to divide the Wine and Oil ordained for Sacrifices to his Soldiers 18. Titus cut down all the groves within a great distance of the City Idem l. 7. c. 1 c. and causing more mounts or scaffolds to be erected within 21 dayes on the first of July began to batter the wall of Antonia John that opposed him being beaten back and on the fift day broke into the Castle At this time many false Prophets suborned by the seditious told the multitude they must expect assistance from God and therefore though Titus often exhorted them to yield â—et the deluded defendants refuse to yield they flatly refused boasting that they would rather endure all miseries The contest was earnest about the Temple The wall of the inward part thereof was too strong for the battering rams and the defendants valiantly resisted at the top the foundation of the gates could not be undermined and therefore Titus was constrained to set them on fire Yet was it his intention to save the Temple but on the tenth of August a certain soldier without any command nay against the command of his General moved as by an instinct from above cast fire into the buildings on the North side which catching the flame imparted it to the Temple it self notwithstanding all that Titus could do to quench it The Temple burnt on the same day of the same moneth that it was formerly set on fire by the command of Nebuchadnezar The Temple thus burning Titus was saluted Imperator by his Soldiers and the Tyrants with their companions fled into the City They now desired a parly with the General himself who checked them much for their obstinacy but promised them life if they would yield But refusing to commit themselves to his fidelity they required to depart the City with their wives and children wherewith being greatly angred he commanded to be proclaimed by a Crier that They should not look any longer for mercy 19. He permitted his Soldiers to plunder and burn the City Idem ibid. c. 14 15 16 17 18. but the seditious wretches got to the King's house where many had deposited their wealth and thence repelled the Romans They also killed of their own Country People to the number of 6400 and rifling the money got them into the upper and strongest part of the City called Sion where for all this danger they still most cruelly tyrannized Titus having considered the strength of the place provided engines to batter the walls and began so to do it on the seventh day of September Part of the wall being broken down the Tyrants were seized with great fear and amazement not knowing what to do Some said the East part of it was broken down others that the Romans were entred and that they saw them out of the Towers so that the power of God appeared in the overthrow of these wretches for they forsook the Towers which were their onely strength and
which the Priests from whom Herodotus had his information hid this and all other things that tended to the dishonour of their Countrey 19. Returning from Aegypt into Palaestine he besieged (p) 2 Chron. 32. 1 Kings 19. Esay 37. Lachish and thence removed to Libnah where he wrote a blasphemous Letter to Hezekiah For hearing that Tirhakah King of Aethiopia or Arabia by Josephus called Tharsices by Strabâ— Tearkon was coming against him in behalf of the Egyptians he removed for fear and God sent his Angel into his Camp who slew in one night 85000 men which thing as a plague was also recorded by (q) Apud Joseph ut supra cap. 2. Berosus Then returned he as God had promised Hezekiah with great consternation into his own Land where raging against the Jews that dwelt at Niniveh if credit be to begiven to the book of â—obâ— he was after 44 dayes slain in the Temple of his idol Nisroch by his two sons Adâ—amelech and Sharezer who fled for it into the Land of Ararat or Armenia and Esarchaddon his son reigned in his stead Esarchaddon the same with Assaradinus 20. This Esarchaddon is thought and that probably to be the same with Assaradinus mentioned by Ptolomy in his Catalogue of Kings and who subdued Babylon It is also thought that (r) 2 Kings 17. this is he who when he brought a new Colony into Samaria from Babylon Cathah Ana Hamath and Sepharvaim at the same time making an inroad into Judaea as 't is very probable took (Å¿) 2 Chron. 33. Menasseh the King thereof in the Thorns and carried him in Captivity into Babylon for it appeareth from both these passages mentioned in Scripture that at this time that Citie was subject to the King of Assyria After Esarchaddon or Assaradinus had reigned thirteen years Saosduchinus succeeded him according to Ptolomy Saosduchinus and not Meroâ—ach whom the general opinion will have being King of Babylon to have killed him and again overthrown the Empire of the Assyrians For this succession is founded upon a feigned (t) Pseudo-Metasthenes apud Annium vit Eâ—bensem fol. 221. De cujus fictis Authoribus vide Joh. Goropium Biblioth Hispan Tom. 2. pag. 356. Gaspar Barterium ibid. pag. 386. 407. 417. 431. Seth. Calvis Isagog Chronil cap. 28.29 Chron. p. 171. A. Non est germanum opus Pam. in Tert. Apol. n. 287. Author imposed on the World with several others of the same credit and therefore deserveth to be rejected The time of this Saosduchinus falling in with that of Deioces who according to Herodotus built Ecbatane the Metropolis of Media if any credit be to be given to the book of Judith we may judge him to be that Nabuchadonosor mentioned there to have overthrown Arphaxad King of the Medes and builder of that Citie in the great plains of Ragan After he had taken him in the Mountains he slew him plundred Ecbatane and then returned victoriously unto Niniveh where he feasted his Army for 120 dayes The year after entring into Consultation how to subdue the several Nations about him he ordained Holophernes his General who straitly besieging Bethsara a Town of Judaea by the wisdom and courage of Judith the Widdow of one Manasses of the Tribe of Ephraim was circumvented and had his head cut off in his Tent. Chuniladanus 21. Saosduchinus or Saosducmus having reigned twenty years Chuniladanus succeeded him thought also to be the same with Saracus mentioned by Alexander Polyhistor Against him came (u) Herodotus lib. 1.102 c. Phraortes the son of Deioces in revenge of his father's death after he had first of all others subdued the Persians and the rest of Asia But his good fortune here forsook him and he perished with the greatest part of his Army in the 22 year of his reign His son Cyaxares succeeding is said to have been more puissant then his Ancestors and the first that distinguished the people of Asia into several Provinces and Souldiers into their several ranks of Pike-men Horsmen and those that used Darts He fought with the Lydians at which time so great an Eclipse of the Sun hapned that the day seemed to be turned into night Having brought to his obedience all Asia beyond the River Halys he gathered his forces together and went against Nineveh with intentions to destroy the Citie He overthrew the Assyrians in battel and besieged the place but it hapned at this time that a great Army of Scythians having driven the Cimmerians out of Europe The Scythians obtain Asia 28 years under conduct of Madyes the son of Protothya called otherwise Judathyrsus their King still followed them and from the Lake Maeâ—is leaving the Mountain Caucasus on their right hand pierced into Media 22. Cyaxares hereby was constrained to raise his siege went and gave them battel but was overthrown and lost the Dominion of Asia which the Scythians having obtained marched straight for Egypt Psammetichus the King met them on their way when they had new entred Palaestine and by good words backed with money prevailed with them to go no further They enjoyed the Dominion of Asia 28 years after the expiration of which term managing their affairs with as great neglect as formerly they had used diligence in polling and rifling the Countrey the greatest part of them being entertained by Cyaxares were made drunken and slain and the King recovered his Dominion Loose it During these things (x) Polyhistor apud Cedrenum vide Usserium in Annot. vet Test ad A. M. 3378. Nabopolassar a Babylonian and General to the Assyrian King contracted affinity with Astyages the son of Cyaxares and Governour of Media Nebucadnesar the son of Nabopolassar marrying Amylis daughter to Astyages The effect of this alliance was that they joyntly set upon Baracus or Chynaladanus in Niniveh and taking the Citie slew him therein after he had reigned 22 years At this time the Prophecies against Niniveh seem to be fulfilled in its destruction For in the latter end of the Greek book of Tobiaâ— it is written that Nebuchadonosor and Assuerus took Niniveh Tobias being yet alive who is said to have lived 127 years or as the Latine hath it 99. 95 having already passed from the taking of Samaria at which time he was carried Captive with his father into Assyria by Salmanasar Nabopolassar 23. Chynaladanus being dead Nabopolassar or Nabulassar obtained his Kingdom in the 123th year of Nabonasar according to (y) Magn. Syntax l. 5. c. 14. Ptolomy whose Canon of Kings also as to the term of years collected from the particular reign of each directly answereth to this account (z) 2 Kings 23. 2 Chron. 35. Against him came up Pharoh Necho and took Carchemish a Citie situate upon Euphrates killing Josiah the King of Judah who attempted to stop his passage He holding this Town the (a) Berosus apud Joseph lib. 1. contra Apionem Governour of Coelosyria and Phoenicia revolted from the
Lord as he slept in his Chamber and brought his head unto David Ishbosheth slain after seven years He rewarded them with death 1 Chron. 12. and was by the Captains and all the Elders of the Tribes anointed the third time King at Hebron over all Israel which government he held 33 years 2 Sam. 5.6 7. c. A little after this installment he took Jerusalem from the Jebusites and made it the seat of his Kingdom himself building and fortifying the Citie of Sion and Joab repairing the rest Then twice he overthrew the Philistins in Rephidim who came up against him after they heard he was made King 1 Chron. 12. c. The Ark of God he removed from Kiriath-Jearim to the house of Obed Edom the Gittite and thence after three moneths into Sion He purposed to build God an house but was forbidden because a man of bloud that work which was to be reserved for Solomon For besides his Wars in his younger time all the space betwixt this and the birth of Solomon seemeth imployed in Wars wherein he overcame the Philistins Amalekites Moabites Ammonites Idumaeans and Syrians The Borders of his Empire he very much inlarged not onely from Shihor of Egypt to the entring in of Hamath but also as far as Euphrates the utmost limits promised by God unto Abraham and onely possessed by him and his son and Successor Salomon David's adultery and murder 39. Salomon was the second son begotten on Bathsheba 1 Sam. 11.12 13. the wife of Uriah the Hittite with which woman David first committed Adultery and then for a cover added to it the Murder of her husband After he had been reproved by Nathan the Prophet he repented and wrote the 51 Psalm upon this occasion Punished Yet the Infant conceived in Adultery died as soon as it was born and though Salomon was born the next year at it's thought A. M. 2957. yet this sin escaped not without a further punishment For within awhile Davidis 14. his eldest son Amnon ravished his half-sister Tamar Amnon ravisheth Tamar and for that was killed by Absalom Some years after Chap. 15.16 17 18. Absalom by the advice and policy of Achitophel seized upon the Kingdom Absolom rebelleth David hereupon fled to God as his Rock of refuge and composed the 3d. and the 55th Psalms then opposing force to force overthrew Absolom in the Wood of Ephraim by Joab his General who thrust the young man through with a Dart as he hung in an Oak contrary to David's order who had charged all the Captains to deal gently with him for his sake This Rebellion was followed by a new sedition raised amongst the Israelites by one Sheba upon this occasion Chap. 19.20 because they had not the chief hand above the Tribe of Judah The conspiracy of Sheba in bringing back the King to his house but this was happily suppressed after Joab had procured the inhabitants of Abel to cut off Sheba's head 40. After these things several battels insued with the Philistins 2 Sam. 21. 1 Chron. 20. in one of which the last wherein he was present David hardly escaped the hands of Ishbi-benob one of the sons of the Gyant being rescued by Abishai his Nephew who slew the Philistin Not (c) 2 Sam. 24. long after tempted by Satan and his own ambition he numbred the people for which God being angry proposed to him three sorts of punishments David numbreth the people viz. Famine Sword 1 Chron. 20.7 or Pestilence as to which he chose rather to fall into the hands of God then of man Then God sent a Plague whereby perished in one day 70000 men but as the Angel was also about to destroy Jerusalem he was commanded to desist David at length having arrived at seventy years of Age was so decayed and spent by his many labours and troubles 1 Kings 1. that he could not receive any heat from Cloaths and therefore a young maid one Abisag 1 Chron. 28.29 a Shunamite was chosen out to lye in his bosom Adoniah his son taking advantage at this infirmity by the assistance of Joab the General and Abiathar the Priest seized upon the Kingdom Maketh Solomon King When he had notice thereof according to the prediction of God and his promise unto Bathsheba he established Solomon in his Throne and having given him a charge Dieth died about six moneths after when he had reigned over Judah alone in Hebron seven years and six moneths and in Jerusalem over all Israel and Judah 33 years in the year of the World according to the vulgar way of reckoning without taking in the 100 years formerly mentioned in the History of the Judges 2985. A. M. 2985. 41. David being dead and Solomon established in the Kingdom 1 Kings 2. Adonijah asked Abisag the Shunamite to wife and for that was put to death Solomon putteth Adoniah and others to death as affecting the Soveraignty Abiathar was removed from the Priesthood and Zadok of the Posterity of Phinehaz placed in his room as had been foretold by God against the house of Eli from which the Priesthood now returned Joab for fear fled to the horns of the Altar and there was slain by Benaiah who was made Generall in his stead Simei who had cursed David when he fled from Absalon was commanded to build him an house in Jerusalem and not to stir thence beyond the Brook Kidron upon pain of death which he after two years suffered having broken the order Chap. 3. Solomon within a year after his Father's death married the Daughter of Pharaoh after which offering 1000 burnt-offerings at Gibeon where the Tabernacle then rested God appeared to him in a dream and offered him whatsoever he would ask He asked onely wisdom to govern his people and neither riches nor honour with which God was so well pleased that he made him to excell therein all meer men and accumulated also the other upon himâ— 42. Having all things in a readinesse for building an house to the Lord Chap. 6. Clemens Stromat lib. 4. for which David his Father had made large provisions Vaphres King of Aegypt supplying him with 80000 Men and Hiram King of Tyre with as many besides an Architect named Hypero whose Mother was an Israelitish Woman of the Tribe of Judah he laid the foundation of the Temple in the 4th year of his reign and the second day of the second moneth Zif The Structure being in building 7 years The building of the Temple the work began according to their computation who by reckoning the years of the Judges and the oppressions severally add 100 years to the Aera of the World in the 3089th year from the Creation entering was dedicated in the 3095th ending and in the 587th year after the departure out of Aegypt also ending from which if we substract those 40 they lived in the Wildernesse then 547 years will be
heart so that he died but being wounded by Euphorbus Patroclus slain who came behind him he was slain by Hector Euphorbus endeavoured to get his body but was killed by Menelaus and the Soul of this Euphorbus Pythagoras affirmed according to his principle of commigration to have passed into his own body After this Achilles whose presence formerly had kept the Trojans within their Walls went out to fight and taking twelve young men alive slew them at the funeral of Patroclus By the River Scamander or Xanthus he killed Asteropaeus Captain of the Paeones from whom though he received a wound in the Arm yet went he to fight with Hector Hector slain who expected him without the Walls and would not be perswaded to decline his fury though it proved his ruine being slain in this single Combat about the 30th year of his age His body tied to a Chariot the Conquerour drew in Triumph about the Walls Diodorus l. 2. p. 91. but afterwards it was ransomed by Priamus After this he slew Memnon the Nephew of Priamus by his brother Tithonus who was sent out of Persia by the Assyrian King Teutamus to his aid then Troilus his son by Hecuba and lastly Penthesilea one of the Amazons who for murder had fled her Countrey and coming to Troas * Servius after Hector's death did good service against the Greeks When dead Achilles is said to have been enamoured of her body and with her also the valour of this sort of women is believed to have been extinct 31. Achilles whom no art nor violence of the Trojans could overcome was taken by the love of a Woman and slain by treachery For having a view of (a) Idem ad Virgil. Aeneiad l. 3. Polyxena the daughter of Priamus from the Wall he became so inslaved to her in his affections that he proceeded to a Treaty of marriage wherein he was shot with a Dart by Paris Achilles treacherously killed by Paris who hid himself behind the image of Apollo which idol is therefore feigned an assistant in the work Afterwards the Greeks had it revealed to them that except they could take the Palladium or Image of Pallas out of the City till they should get Hercules his Arrows and provide a wooden Horse Troy could never be taken Ulysses therefore and Diomedes as * Aeneiad 21. Virgil singeth stole away the Image Philoctetes who had the Arrows was sent for from the Island Lemnos and with them slew Paris the incendiary after whose death Deiphobus the son of Priamus obtained Helena as being of best account for valour next to his brother Hector Then was a wooden Horse prepared by the hands of Epeus which pretending to dedicate to Minerva they left before the Citie having industriously made it higher than the Gates hoping the Trojans would pull down part of the Wall to take it in They left also some of their choicest men in the Horses belly and Sinon with his hands bound behind him who under notion of a fugitive that had been ill used should perswade them to receive it into the Citie and then giving out that they would raise the siege for some time they withdrew into the Island Tenedos The Trojans with great resolution break down the Wall and taking in the Horse placed him in the Castel but in the night Sinon giving warning by fire the Greeks came from Tenedos and being easily let in by their companions by reason of the Trojans had drunk themselves fast asleep Troy taken the Citie was taken sacked and burnt A.M. 2821 Menelaus killing Deiphobus in his bed took away Helena and Priamus was slain in his own house by Pyrrhus or Neoptolemus the son of Achilles Of the Trojans which escaped Antenor being spared by the Greeks came with the Heneti into the Adriatick Sea where he built Padua and Aeneas the son of Anchises at length reached Italy This destruction of Troy hapned in the 10th year of the siege 408 before the first Olympiad 1182 before the Aera of Christ of the World 2821. in the dayes of Jepthah who judged Israel 32. Of the Greek Captains which escaped Ajax the son of Telamon striving with Ulysses for the Armour of Achilles and overcome by the judgement of the Army killed himself or else was circumvented by his adversary Ajax the younger the son of Oileus having taken prisoner Cassandra the daughter of Priamus unwilling to part with her was driven by the plots of Agamemnon to shift for himself and putting out to Sea in an unseasonable time miscarried by shipwrack Of those that returned home most encountred with many difficulties Ulysses especially who for many years wandred about The Greeks return home as it is poetically described by * In Odyss â— Homer Menelaus after the work was done presently commanded the Greeks to prepare for their return but Agamemnon being unwilling to depart before he had sacrifized to Minerva the Fleet was divided and a contention arose betwixt the followers of Menelaus when they came to Tenedos because some would have stayed for Agamemnon there insomuch as Ulysses then returned back to him Nestor set sayl thence before Menelaus but was overtaken by him about the Island Lesbos whence they sailed together as far as Attica where Menelaus staying to bury Phrontes the other left him and came safe home to Pylus Menelaus his ships were most of them overwhelmed in a Tempest about the Promontory of Malea and the rest with him and Helena driven into Egypt where and in other places he continued till * Consule Strab. l. 1. p. 37. c. the 8th year Agamemnon after he had sacrifized and erected an Altar to the twelve gods in the Promontory of Troas came home and was presently * Homer Odyss 4. murdered by Aegisthus the son of his Uncle Thyestes with whom Clytemnestra his wife the daughter also of Tyndareus had lived in Adultery and now conspired to make him away Orestes 33. He left a son named Orestes and three daughters begotten on this vvoman The Boy for he vvas but young was by his sister Electra and his Nurse vvhen they perceived his life vvas laid at by Aegisthus before his fathers return conveyed into Phocis unto Strophius Lege Simsonium in Chronico A. M. 2829. vvho had married his father's sister vvhence returning the 8th year after his death he killed Aegisthus together vvith his mother and recovered the Kingdom Because of his mothers death he vvas vexed by the furies and found some difficulty in mastering the Argives vvho now opposed him but by the help of the Phocians he recovered his father's Dominions though Menelaus his Uncle either for that he disapproved the death of his mother or for private respects bare him no good vvill and neglected him vvhich he shewed further in taking from him his daughter Hermione vvho had brought him a son and giving her to Pyrrhus the son of Achilles Tormented vvith the furies he vvent into Arcadia
the Common-wealth King of Babylon he set himself about the work of reformation and first of all eased the people of the great burthen of their debts whereby they redeemed their bodies and estates which act was in Greek called Sisachthea Some have thought that it was onely of the interest but others of the principal too alleging him to have forgiven 5 some have said 15 talents that were owing to himself However he made them more able to satisfie their Creditors by raising the value of money as of the Attick Mina from 75 drachms to 100. Then for the setling of the Commonwealth in way thereto and in the first place he abrogated all Draco's Laws except that against murther as too severe The four Tribes of the people he left as they were ordered by Erechtheus distinguished into Souldiers Crafts-men Husband-men and keepers of Goats but for that here was no distinction made according to estates and it concerned those that had most therein to take care of the Commonwealth he also divided the people into four Ranks or Classes according to their substance and out of the three first ordered all Magistrates to be chosen the fourth and last having equal Votes in the great Council or Assembly of the whole body of the State in which lay the supream power The first was called Pentacosio Medimni the second was the Ordo Equestris the third called Zeugitae and the fourth Thetae Hereby he gave a right to the common sort to elect and call to account the Magistrates to have an hand in making and repealing Laws and in the highest Court of Judicature by which equal temper he suppressed all these factions that had lately risen And yet lest the multitude should be too much elevated A Senate of 400. besides the Court of Areopagus he instituted a Senate of 400. 100 to be chosen out of each Tribe through which all things should passe into the great Assembly wherein nothing was to be debated but what was offered from this Council elected a new every year 25. The College of the nine Archons he left Elective as he found it but ordained that they should not be admitted to take their Oath till they had first in the Senate made proof of their descent and the unblameablenesse of their life especially of their duty to their Parents and then been approved in the great Assembly after which they were to take their Oath in the Kings Gate to keep the Laws and accept of no bribes Vide Ubbonem Emmium in descript Reip. Athen. or if they should be thereof detected then to erect at Delphos a Statue of Gold of their own bignesse and the same Oath they were again to take as they went up to the Castle Crowned with Myrtle Unto them severally he assigned their Offices for the most part as they were before onely more certain and for a reward of their good service if after much and through examination they were found upright and faithfull they were to be chosen unto the Senate of Areopagus the Colledge of the Archous being hereby constituted the seminary of it To this Council Of Areopagus consisting of most grave experienced and upright men an inspection was given into all concernments of State a power of preserving the Laws and Customs and also of reforming manners in which particular they were so severe that once they condemned a boy for a custom of pulling out the eyes of Quails as hereby betraying a bad disposition They met ordinarily thrice a moneth on Mars his hill whence the Council had it's name but extraordinarily as occasion required and then in the place called the King's Gallery As for the Council of State consisting of 400 it had power also to determine great matters and controversies of it self and if it saw it convenient to report them to the people If the assent of the people was had then passed it's acts and constitutions into firm Laws if not they continued in force one year and no longer To this Council moreover it belonged to provide for such as were grown poor and were to be maintained by the publick to call all indebted to the State to an account and provide for the making of Gallies The Assembly of the People 26. To the great Assembly of the people alone belonged the power of making and nulling Lawes of Peace and War sending Ambassadors and giving the freedom of the City When they were met together they took an Oath with a bitter execration to consult the best they could for the good of the Commonwealth Those that were above fifty years of age spake first and after the businesse was throughly debated they signified their pleasure by holding up their hands Solon ordained that all the Laws should be reviewed once a year being recited by the Thesmothetae But when any were to be abrogated or new ones made the whole Assembly took not that matter of debate upon it self but committed it to the care of the most grave and prudent amongst them chosen for that purpose and called Nomothetae amongst which none were admitted but such as had dealt in the most important affaires Before them five Orators called Syndici pleaded concerning any Law that was to be abolished which should not be done without mature advice lest thereby an occasion might be given to sedition and innovation and what was concluded by these Nomothetae the body of the people alwaies approved The Assembly was had ordinarily thrice in 35 dayes at the pleasure of the Council of State or 400 but extraordinarily upon occasion called together either by the same authority of the Strategi or Generals for War and sometimes of the nine Archons Courts of Judicature 27. For Courts of Judicature besides the Areopagites formerly mentioned there was that of the Ephetae founded as its thought by Demophon the Son of Theseus consisting at first of 50 Judges chosen out of Attica and as many from Argos but Draco excluding the Strangers made the number onely 51 Citizens and after him Solon tempering the rigor thereof transferred thence the more weighty matters to Areopagus leaving the Judgment of casual homicide and lying in weight for life in some cases to it The causes brought in thither were reported by the King or second Archon There was another Court most large and common consisting of 500 1000 or sometimes 1500 persons according to the occasion chosen by lot out of all the Citizens of 30 years old and upwards They judged of many and often of the greatest causes and this was called the Heliastick Council becuase they sate in an open place where the Sun shone A fourth Court there was of Arbitrators consisting of 220 chosen out of the Tribes and being aequilly divided according to the number of them heard and determined their Causes A fifth and least considerable there was yet made up of thirty persons at the first afterwards increased to forty going in circuit to the several sorts of people gathered by Theseus
the one consisting of 354. and the other of 365 doubled these eleven dayes and every other year inserted a moneth after February consisting of 22 dayes and by the Romans called Mercedonius because at that time wages were wont to be paid He changed the order of the moneths assigning to March formerly the first the third place to January the first and February the second whereof this was the last and the other the 11th in the dayes of Romulus Many have been of opinion that Numa added January and February to the rest of the moneths and that formerly the Romans had but 10. which appeareth by the name of December the last moneth and because the fifth and sixth moneths from March were called Quintilis and Sextilis Thus March must have been the beginning of the year which Romulus so named from Mars his supposed father The second was April so called from Venus as some thought because her superstitious worship was performed in it when the women were Crowned with Myrtle as they washed or as others gathered from the opening of Plants at that time of the year The third was May named from Maia and sacred to Mercury the fourth was June from Juno as some thought others deriving the names of these two from Majores and Juniores the Elder and younger The rest had their names from their order as Quintilis Sextilis September October November December Afterwards Quintilis was from Julius Caesar called July Sextilis August from Augustus September and October the Emperour Domitian changed into his own names but presently after he was killed they recovered their former Onely the two last ever retained their first appellations Of those moneths which Numa either added or ranked February was so called from the expiations which used to be in it signified by the word Februa then they were wont to make parentations to the dead and celebrate the Lupercalia certain Sacrifices and Games in honour of Pan much like to the Sacrifice of Expiations January was named of Janus which Numa seemeth to have set before March because he would shew that Civil vertue is ever to be preferred before what is exercised in War For Janus was accounted one of the most antient Gods or Kings from whom reigning in Italy some make the Romans descended very studious for civil society and humane converse and who changed the course of mans life from brutish and savage to an humane and gentle kind He is therefore feigned to be double faced because he brought in another fashion of life than what formerly had been and had a Temple built by Numa with two doors that were shut in peace and open in vvar as was before said These things Plutarch relateth in the life of Numa 15. But Livie and other considerable Authors (a) C. 3. Solinus (b) Satur. lib. 1. c. 12. Macrobius and (c) c. 20. Censorinus write that the first Roman year consisted but of ten moneths and 304 dayes six of the moneths having 30 dayes and the other four 31 apiece But this account differing from the course of the Sun Numa to make them agree added 51 dayes to the year That he might make up the twelve moneths from the six consisting of thirty dayes he took one day apiece and therewith made up 57. which were divided into two moneths whereof the one contained 29. and the other 28 dayes and so the year began to have 355. Of this opinion besides Junius Grauhanus and Fulvius both Varro and Suetonius were as appeareth out of Censorinus Yet Licinius Macer and Lucius Fenestella by the same testimony two antient Writers of Annals delivered that the first Roman year consisted of 12 moneths agreeable to the former opinion related by Plutarch This a * Joseph Scaliger de Emendatione Temp. lib. 2. Lidyatus de variis annorum formis cap. 17. noble pair of modern Criticks prove to have been the truer opinion affirming that January and February were not added by Numa but transferred from the end to the beginning of the year and endeavouring to shew that they who would have the year but to consist of 10 moneths make it no shorter than they that are for 12. distinguishing it not so much in number as placing of dayes for the Romans in Romulus his time filled up the year either by assigning more dayes than thirty to the moneths or adding so many in the end thereof as seemed to be wanting But it sufficeth to have touched these things for the direction of beginners 16. Numa to gain credit and obedience to his constitutions feigned that he had converse with the Goddesse Egeria He married Tatia daughter to Tatius the King by which he had a daughter named Pompilia Some said he neither had any other wife nor any more Children but others both as to wife and children dissented from them He lived above 80. reigned 43 years and at his death was buried with great honour His body was not burned which he forbad but buried in a stone Coffin under the Janiculum and the Books of his Ceremonies laid by him in another which being twelve written in Latine and as many in the Greek tongue were 400 years after when Publius Cornelius and Marcus Baebius were Consuls by water wrought out of the earth and for that it was thought wickednesse to have such things discovered to the multitude from which he also kept them after the fashion of the Pythagoreans not communicating discipline by writing but onely by word of mouth burned by command of the Senate He kept the State in constant peace and his ability herein contributed to the general quiet of Italy so that by the example of his reign Plutarch judgeth that saying of Plato to be verified that the onely means whereby men should be made happy would be to have a Philosophical mind and regal power concur in a Prince who would make vertue superiour to dishonesty But the fortune of the succeeding Kings added to the lustre of his glory For of the five which followed the last was cast out and died in exile and none of the rest obtained a natural and quiet end according to Plutarch Tullus Hostilius 17. Numa being dead and the Government devolved upon the Senate after several Interreges at length Tullus Hostilius was created King by the Universal consent of the Citie His Grand-father was that Hostilius A. M. 3333. V.C. 82. Olymp. 27. an 1. who most gallantly behaved himself against the Sabines at the Cittadel and married of that Nation the daughter of Hersilia After much valour shewn he was slain in battel and left a young son who at ripenesse of age of a noble Matrone begat this Tullus Hostilius the third King of Rome whose beginning according to the account of Dionysius was in the second year of the 27th Olympiad wherein Eurybates the Athenian was Victor when Leostratus was Archon at Athens in the 83 year of the Citie and the 31 of Manasses King of Judah At his first beginning he
Commanders in Darius his Army being incouraged by his Mule that foaled mangled his face cutting off his ears and nose and in gore blood counterfeited a flight to the besieged as thus abused by the King The Babylonians believed and according to his expectation chose him for their General after which he made several sallies and the besiegers according to the former agreement fled but within a while he betrayed the City to Darius And recovered He demolished the walls and nailing 3000 of the principal actors unto crosses pardoned the rest for whom 5000 women were sought by whom they might repair their decayed stock Zopyrus was rewarded as with other things in greatest account amongst the Persians so with the City of Babylon for his life The son of this Zopyrus was Megabyzus who afterwards conducted the Persian Army against the Athenians and their companions and son to this Megabyzus was that Zopyrus who revolted from the Persians to the Athenians 11. After the recovery of Babylon Darius wanting neither men not mony Darius goeth against the Scythians undertook an Expedition against the Scythians to be revenged on them for holding the (a) Vide l. 1. c. 2. p. 21. dominion of Asia 28 years at such time as persuing the Cimmerians they overthrew and kept under the Medes whom they found Lords of all in the dayes of their King Cyaxares This (b) Lib. 4. c. 1 c. Herodotus maketh the pretended cause of the War but (c) Lib. 2. Justin from Trogus relateth that it was because Lanthius the Scythian King denied him his daughter in marriage Darius caused a bridge to be laid over the Bosphorus into Europe half a mile long and thereon passing his forces over crossed the Sea himself by ship and gave charge to the Ionians his Subjects who together with the Aeoâ—ians and others that lived upon the Hellespont A.M. 3497. Olymp. 68. an 1. V.C. 246. Darii 14. made up the Navie to sail up the Sea as far as the River Ister which parted Scythia from Thrace over which he also enjoyned them to make a bridge In his march through Thrace all submitted to him except the Getes who out of Ignorance withstood him The Ionians prepared the bridge against his coming whom after he had transported his forces he commanded there to expect him Sixty dayes at the end of which if he returned not he permitted them to return into their own Country 12. The Scythians had no constant dwelling or habitation removing with their wagons wherein they lay and cattel from place to place according as they were furnished with grasse living upon milk and raw flesh without Towns or corn and taking their conduct from the Pole-Star as the Chrim Tartars their posterity at this day also live the great Chrim himself having no other City than an Agora or one of the Carts Having intelligence of his coming they sent their wives children and cattel towards the North then stopped all the wells destroyed all fruits of the Earth and sometimes appearing to the Persians again retired on purpose to deride them Darius seeing himself thus mocked and despairing to come at them by reason of their perfect knowledg of the Country and his ignorance therein fearing also his provisions might fail and especially lest the Ionians should forsake him at the bridge now that the Sixty dayes were expired bethought how he might make a safe retreat The Scythians getting knowledge hereof laboured to remove the Ionians from the bridge telling them how good it would be for them to return home in safety for that now the time prefixed by the King was expired They fell into consultation hereupon and Miltiades Tyrant or petty Prince of the Chersonesus besought them that having this opportunity they would not let it slip but free themselves from the Persian yoak But Histiaeus Tyrant of Miletus a City of Ionia and others who had enslaved their own Citizens at home fearing lest if the power of the Persians by which they were maintained were broken they should be reduced into a private condition or worse by their own Country-men resolved that nothing more concerned them than that the greatnesse of that Empire might be established Yet it was judged convenient to break the bridge so far as to be out of bow-shot from the Scythian side therein to comply with that People who perhaps else might force them to do it Beginning therefore to break it the Scythians believed their promise of performing the whole and returned to hunt out the Persians Expecting them to retreat that way which was best for Provisions they missed of them for Darius returned the same he went His retreat and with great difficulty recovered the banks of Ister Here he arrived by night and was much discouraged when he found the bridge broken but upon the first shout Histiaeus came with all his Vessels and made it up for the transportation of the Army 13. Darius passing over his Army marched through Thrace unto Sestus and thence sailed over into Asia leaving Megabysus in Europe with an Army of 80000 men Megabyzus according to order subdued the Perinthians and Paeonians whom he translated into Asia and having reduced to obedience all the Maritime Coast Earth and water demanded of Amyntas King of Macedonia Herod l. 5. c. 1. c. Justin lib. 7. sent into Macedonia to demand earth and water of Amyntas the King These were Symboles of subjection signifying an acknowledgement of fealty and voluntary homage the chief Soveraignty over all wherein propriety lay being yielded up with these two Elements Darius had formerly sent to demand them of the Scythians and they in return sent him a Bird Frog Mouse and five Arrows leaving him to make the interpretation which he framing according to his own wish thought that they had yielded all those Elements wherein those Creatures live and their Weapons withall into his hands But Gobryas construed the meaning to be this O ye Persians get ye wings like Birds dive under the water or creep into the holes of the Earth for else our Arrows will overtake you which exposition was accordingly verified Amyntas doubting of his own strength kindly entertained the Messengers and granting what they came for magnificently feasted them insomuch that being well heated with Wine they desired that women according to the custom of Persia might be brought in to them He replied that was not the fashion of Macedonia but yet he would gratifie them therein which being done they began to be uncivil towards the women whereat he inwardly fretted but for fear suppressed his indignation But his eldest son Alexander being present a young man of prompt boldnesse and little experience desired him to quit the room and let him alone to entertain the Guests and though he suspected him for his courage and disswaded him from any rash attempt yet did he withdraw accordingly Alexander then told the Persians they might have liberty to enjoy these women but for
came to Tyre the Inhabitants whereof refused to fight by Sea but yet let down none of their courage though 30 Messenges were come from Carthage to let them know that that State being hindred by a domestick War could not afford them any succour They sent their wives and children thither to be out of the danger being thereby the more willing to undergo any themselves which they little regarded making stout resistance but at length the City was taken one saith by treachery another by a stratageme but more by plain force Alexander himself alone first going down from the wooden Tower he had reared by a bridge laid upon the wall The Inhabitants though the Enemy had entred called one upon another and fortifying the narrow passages stood out still till the number of 7000 the most of those that fought were slain Tyre taken The Conquerour condemned the women and children that were found unto bondage the young men to the number of â—000 he caused to be hanged all along the shore or crucified as another telleth us which was accounted a servile kind of death because the Tyrian slaves had formerly conspired against their Masters and slain them all with their whole families leaving no free people alive except one Strato and his Son to whom and his posterity they committed the Kingdom Fifteen thousand the Sidonians saved upon the account of kindred they reckoning both Tyre and Sidon to have been built by Agenor from whom the City was again re-peopled and to such as had fled to the Temple of Hercules Alexander granted indemnity amongst which the King and his family were with some Carthaginians which were come for the honour of Hercules to the Metropolis A. M. 3673. Ol. 112. an 1. V.C. 422. Darii 5. Alexand. 5. This befel Tyre in the moneth Hecatombaon when Annicetus otherwise called Niceratus and Nicetas was Archon at Athens in the first year of the 112th Olympiad the fifth of Darius and the fifth of Alexander A. M. 3673. 42. During this Siege the Officers of Darius whch escaped from the battel at Issus with all those that followed them and the youth of the Cappadocians and Paphlagonians attempted to recover Lydia but Antigonus who there commanded for Alexander overthrew them thrice in several places At the same time also Aristimenes who was sent with some ships by Darius to recover the Coast of Asia lying upon the Hellespont was wholly defeated by a Fleet of Macedonians which Alexander had sent for out of Greece 43. Whilst Alexander lay before Tyre another Ambassage came to him from Darius who now offered him 10000 talents as a ransom for his relations and all Asia betwixt the Hellespont and the River Halys in Dower with his Daughter which conditions that he might incline him to receive he sets before him the difficulties of passing into the Eastern Countries and laid the losse of the last battel to the straightnesse of the place Darius sendeth new proposals to Alexander which he refuseth he sought to terrifie him by threatning to incompasse him in the plain Countries and bad him consider how impossible it was to passe the Rivers of Euphrates Tigris Araxes and the rest with things of the like nature The proposals being brought before a select Committee of Alexander's friends Parmenio who was now old and full of riches and honour said that if he were Alexander he would accept of them to which the King answered that so would he if he were Parmenio But he returned answer to Darius that he offered him nothing but his own and what victory and his own valour had possest him of that he was to give conditions and not to receive any and that having passed the Sea it self he disdained to think of resistance in transporting his Army over Rivers As for his Daughter he said he would marry her though without his consent and if he would taste of his humanity he should come and refer himself to him Darius having received this answer prepared himself anew for the War 44. Tyre being taken Alexander invaded Judaea resolving to bring all Palestine into subjection At this time Jaddus was the High-Priest there Euseb in Chronico Plin. lib. 12. cap. 25. Josephus Antiquit lib. 11. cap. 8. whose Brother Manasses married Nicaso the Daughter of Sanballat who had been sent from Darius to govern Samaria being both Sons to John called in Nehemiah Jonathan and Johanan who was Son to Jehoiada Manasses thus matching himself the people was displeased at it and thereupon Jaddus desired him to put away his wife not only the People but the Law so requiring it Hereupon he repaired to his Father in Law and told him that his wife was dear unto him but he must either part with her or his Priest-hood who answered that he would so bring it about that he should not onely be Priest but an High-Priest also A Temple built by Sanballat on mount Gerizim being minded to build for him upon Mount Gerizim near to Samaria a Temple like to that of Jerusalem which thing he would obtain to be confirmed by Darius Many betook themselves to Manasses being allured with the newnesse of the thing and the liberality of Sanballat but Alexander at that time passing the Hellespont the consultation thereupon was disturbed After Darius was beaten and retired back into Persia Sanballat revolted unto Alexander and going over to him with 8000 men though now very old desired of him leave to build his new designed Temple perswading him it would be for his interest that thereby the Jews being divided amongst themselves might be the lesse able to resist him Alexander yielding to his request he returned and falling with great industry upon the work he died not long after 45. This was at such time as Alexander lay before Tyre during which Siege Jaddus the High-Priest of the Jews refusing to break his Faith Alexander invadeth Judaea he sent round about to demand an Oath of Allegiance and assistance from the several Cities and amongst the rest the messengers came to Jerusalem Jaddeus or Jaddus the High-Priest answered That he had entred by Oath into society with Darius and whilst he lived he might not by any means break his Faith with which answer Alexander being moved after the taking of Tyre not of Gaza as Josephus thinketh for then he must have returned backwards hee invaded Judaea The High-Priest and People then looked for nothing but ruine but he imploring the assistance of God was warned in a dream to go out and meet him adorned with his Pontifical Vestments with the Levites and People as in a solemn Procession Alexander meeting this long train But his wrath is appeased lighted from his Horse and adored the Priest at which thing all the rest being amazed Parmenio asked him the reason thereof to whom he answered that he worshipped not the Priest but the God whom he served for that whilst he was yet in Greece and consulted about his Expedition
Military skill and valour was now gathering of greater Forces wherewith he intended to march into the higher Countries against the King himself but notwithstanding this and that it troubled him to leave Asia yet he resolved to obey acknowledging in his letter to the Ephori that then a General truly and justly commands when he is governed by the Lavvs and Magistrates upon vvhich account he said he vvould follovv the letter if not prevent it seeing they had set him a day and that he commanded not for himself but the City and Confederates although he had subdued a great part of Asia Agesilaus recalled out of Asia overthrovvn the Barbarians and had made great preparations for the War in Ionia He left Euxâ—nus the Harmosâ—es of Asia vvith a guard of 4000 Soldiers but making all provision for his Country drevv over many out of the Cities to the Service Having passed the Hellespont into the Cherronesus he held the same vvay that Xerxes formerly had done vvhen in the mean time the Ephori and Aristodemus guardian to Agesipolis the young King vvith an Army of 15000 overthrevv that of the Leaguers consisting of 20000 vvhereof 13000 bore heavy Armour making great slaughter though they lost no more than eight of their number Care was taken that Agesilaus should have notice of this successe with the Confederates in Asia who grieved onely that Greece should destroy so many of it 's own Worthies As he passed through Thrace he would not ask any of the Barbarians leave to go through their Countries but onely sent to know whether he should passe as a Friend or an Enemy All friendly received and conducted him except the Tralles who having formerly sold the passage to Xerxes now also demanded of him 100 Talents and as many women He jeered at them asking why they came not to receive what was demanded and going forwards made great slaughter of them The King of Macedonia when he asked the question of him said he would consider of it so let him said he but in the mean time we will proceed in our journy which boldnesse so awed the King that he suffered him to passe quietly 15. Having passed through Thessalie notwithstanding all opposition by order of the Ephori he invaded Boeotia The Sun Eclypsed August 24. and Agesilaus invadeth Boeotia Where he obtaineth a Victory against the Leaguers judging alwaies obedience best though he could have wished and had intended first to have been better provided As he invaded Boeotia the Sun was eclypsed August 24 according to the Astronomical Table and he received the news of the overthrow of Pisander upon the Coasts of Asia by Pharnabazus and Conon the Athenian who being for his skil in Sea-matters in great request with the Persian improved his interest for the restitution of the Fortune of his Country Upon this report he put on a good countenance lest he should discourage his men telling them Pisander the Admiral was slain but that his Fleet had obtained the Victory But now in Boeotia when he was come near to Coronea the Leaguers opposed themselves against him being the Boeotians Athenians Argives Corinthians Euboeans Aenianes and both the Locrians with whom was fought such a battel as had not hapned in that Age. At the first onset Agesilaus had the better in one wing but the Thebans in the other and being in the pursute were forced to retire to help their friends where he charging upon the Front of the Thebans and not on the Rear as he might have done did great execution and was wounded himself notwithstanding the valour of his Guard consisting of Fifty stour young-men lately sent him from Sparta to do him honour At length he had the better of it and dismissed un-hurt 80 of the Enemies who had taken Sanctuary near hand after which he went to Delphos and consecrated the tenth of his spoils which amounted to no lesse than 100 Talents In the mean time Gylus the Polemarchus brake out into Locris where the Soldiers beeing greedy of plunder were fallen upon by the Inhabitants whom though they repelled at first yet night coming on they were so intangled that Gylus himself and very many others were slain and all of them had been lost but that the Alarm being taken by the Camp relief was thence sent to them After this the Soldiers were dismissed to their several homes and Agesilaus went by ship to Sparta Yet notwithstanding the War continued the Athenians Boeotians Argives and their Confederates making excursions from Corinth which they had made the seat of Warre and the Lacedaemonians with their allies from Sicyon 16. The Corinthians considering that their grounds were wasted and many of them slain because of their being so near to the Enemy but their Confederates free from these mischiefs the most and best of them desired Peace and began to consider of it amongst themselves This being understood by the Argives Boeotians Athenians and especially by such amongst themselves as had received the Persian Gold and caused the War they fearing Corinth would return again to the Lacedaemâ—nians to prevent this they resolved to massacre all such as were for the Peace This they performed on a Festival when most were got together sparing none that took Sanctuary in religious places so that most of the elder sort were killed and the younger fled out of the City Many of them by the intreaty of their friends and upon the Oath of the Magistrates that they should be safe returned home within a short time but seeing plainly the City was in the way to ruine by the tyranny of those that governed Stirs at Corinth as that for Corinth it was to be called Argos the Laws of which City they must be forced to receive moreover being sensible that they had no more power at home than meer strangers some of them resolved it was better by attempting the freedom of their Countrey to die in the quarrel if it should fall out than to live in that slavish condition In prosecution hereof they let in Praxitas Governour of Sicyon for the Lacedaemonians within the long walls who having no great force with him fortified himself as well as he might which being understood at Argos they flocked out thence to assist their friends and the Lacedaemonians opposing themselves they came to a fight wherein after much difficultie and various Fortune the Lacedaemonians were conquerours making great slaughter of their Enemies This Victory was the more eminent for that so small a number had vanquished such multitudes after which they put to the Sword a Garrison of Boeotians which held the Haven called Lochaeus 17. Praxitas pursuing his Victory brake down part of the walls to make a passage for his men and then going on in the way towards Megara took two Towns wherein he left a Garrison and departed after which followed onely some light bickerings till at length the Lacedaemonians issuing out of Lochaeus with their friends besieged Corinth at which time the
bore the greatest sway commended the opinion of Appius that the * Vide suprà Parag. 66. onely way to crosse the design of the Tribunes was to set them one against another and if so it would make more for the interest of the Senate to have their number increased The number of Tribunes increased to 10. Accordingly a Senatus Consulum was drawn that it should be lawfull for the Commons to increase their College of Tribunes to the number of 10. and it was presently confirmed by the People After this the Sedition being appeased the Consuls levied Forces and managed the War succesfully against the Sabines and Aequi. 86. The ensuing year being the second of the 81 Olympiad A. M. 3350. Ol. 81. ann 2. V. C. 280. Art Longim 10. and the 297 year of the Citie according to Cato as the 298 after the account of Varro had for Consuls M. Valerius and Sp. Virginius who having nothing to do abroad had too much employment in the Citie Before this time the Tribunes onely reigned in the Assemblies neither taking upon them to call together the Senate nor give their voices therein But now they ventured to assemble the Fathers by the procurement of Icilius principal of the College an industrious and eloquent man who presumed to make a further innovation in the State requiring the Aventine Mount for the People to build upon which being a mile and an half in circuit was not as yet fully inhabited but publick Their incroachments and full of vvood The Tribune moving the Consuls to procure a Decree of the Senate for his new project and they deferring the matter an Apparitor was sent from the College to cite the Consuls before it He applying himself to one of their Lictors was beaten and sent back which so inraged the Tribunes that apprehending the Lictor they led him to the Tarpeian Rock the Consuls though much troubled not being able to rescue him for that none could hinder the execution of what the whole College resolved all they could do was to desire some of the Tribunes themselves to interpose But this could not be effected they having resolved at the beginning not to dissent from one another that thereby they might preserve their Authority inviolable As concerning the Lictor then they answered they were resolved yet they put not the man to death giving his life to the intreaties of the graver sort of Patritians lest that order should be driven by just indignation to attempt something extraordinary Having then assembled the Senate the Consuls sharply reprehended them but Icilius excused what had been done to the Lictor by the sacred Laws which forbade all both publick and private to crosse a Tribune By a premeditated Oration he endeavoured to shew that he had not unjustly assembled the Senate and when he had seemed sufficiently to have answered the charge of the Consuls he mentioned the Law A Law for division of certain grounds That what private men were possessed of and was justly gotten should remain unto them what ground by force or fraud was already furnished with buildings the expence of building beâ—â—â— considered by arbitration should be recovered to the use of the People and what was yet publick be divided amongst them He shewed that this Law would be exceedingly profitable for the suppression of all Agrarian Seditions forasmuch as the Commons would be satisfied with possessions at home No man dissenting except C. Claudius a Decree of the Senate passed for it accordingly 87. The remainder of the year was spent in building For the next were created Consuls T. Romulius and C. Veturius Icilius and his Colleague being continued in their Office The civil dissentions supposed to be removed by the late Law were again revived and the forein Enemies of the Commonwealth were in Arms Dissentions renewed to the greater profit than discommodity of it For such a vicissitude now there was that Peace brought Sedition and Warre procured Concord which the chief Magistrates apprehending wished for nothing more than external motions and when there was Peace abroad sought occasion for War as understanding the growth of the Citie 's prosperity to be procured thereby The present Consuls were of this mind being jealous of the beggerly and idle multitude And their opinion was right that they were to be diverted but there they failed that wheras in so ill a crasis of the State they ought to have proceeded gently they admitted the excuse of none who desired exemption from the War but severely inflicted penalties upon all which gave occasion to the Tribunes to make disturbance crying out that they violated the privilege of their Office by imprisoning such as appealed to it From mutual revilings sometimes it came to blows both parties being berounded with those of their faction and the People not fully complying with the Tribunes in their demands they went into the Senate where they required that the Consuls might either lay down their Offices or answer their crime against the Sacrosanct Tribunitial power before the People The Senate determined nothing seeing it dangerous to diminish the power either of the Consuls or Tribunes at which the later much discontented returned to the multitude Some were for departing again from the Patritians others more moderate would expect the course of Law against those who had violated so sacred an Office and a third the most sober party disliked this as well as the other for that the Consuls were the Supreme Magistrates and thought it meeter to punish their abettors If the Tribunes had not at length restrained their anger against Senate and Consuls the City that day had destroyed it self so intent were both parties upon Arms and War But they set the Consuls a day to answer before the People and then were prevailed with to let the matter fall telling the Commons that they remitted what concerned themselves for their sakes whom they ought not to deny it but would revenge the injury done to the whole to prevent an ill example The Agrarian Law after 30 years with another of equal right published 88. This was by promulgating the Agrarian Law which hitherto had layn dormant for thirty years to which another was added of equal right which the former year could not be passed Having with an oath promised to prefer these Laws they appointed a day for the Comitia wherein having first themselves spoken largely several others related what good service they had done for the Commonwealth and laboured to shew how unworthy a thing it was for them to be defrauded of those grounds which by their labour and danger they had gained and admitted to no part of reward The multitude gladly hearing such discourses none more affected mens minds than L. Siccius Dentanus a man of admirable shape 58 years old and furnished with military eloquence for a seditious attempt He told them he had served his Country in the Wars forty years and been an Officer thirty sometimes a
by which they came upon the Camp of the Aequi where it was forsaken of the guard now gone to behold the fight of the two Armies before this time joyned Falling in with a shout the Aequi supposing the other Consul present forsook the Camp and fled after which Siccius and his Cohort marched down towards the battel whom the Enemy discovering on their back and knowing their Camp to be taken were also discouraged and fled The Romans pursued them till night and did great execution but none so valiantly demeaned himself as Siccius Dentatus 92. Siccius having lodged himself and his men in the Enemies Camp the next day set it and all the stuff therein on fire and with haste marched for Rome on purpose to deprive the Consuls of the honour they expected Coming into the Forum he related to the Tribunes and People the whole passage how he and his old men being destined to ruine had obtained the Victory He revengeth himself upon the Consuls Hereby he not onely ingratiated himself with the People but procured the displeasure of the Senate also against the Consuls who were denied the honour of a Trimph The Commons gratified Siccius in the highest measure they could making him one of their Tribunes for the following year wherein Sp. Tarpeius and A. Ternius or Thermus rather as Gellius hath it were Consuls The first he did relating to his Office was to set the former Consuls a day to answer before the People for violating the power of the Tribuneship and devising the destruction of him and his Soldiers and so resolved was the whole College that the judgment passed without interruption intended by the Patritians and they were both condemned in a pecuniary mulct The present Consuls were hereby rendred more inclinable towards the Commons so that they procured a Decree of the Senate and a Law passed in the Centuriata Comitia A new Law that All Magistrates should have liberty to punish such as violated their authority which was formerly the privilege of the Consuls onely But the mulct was not left to their discretion provision being made that it should not exceed the worth of two Oxen or thirty Sheep which Law was long observed by the Romans After this the Tribunes propounded to the Senate that Laws might be made which the Citie should use for ever Romulius perswadeth the Senate to submit to new Laws After a grave debate the advice of Romulius the late condemned Consul prevailed who contrary to the expectation of both parties spoke in behalf of the thing propounded He said he was for the interest of the Patritians as long as there was any hopes of its continuance but finding things in such a condition as it must necessarily decline he thought it wisdom to comply with that necessity and advised that Ambassadors might be sent to the Greek Cities in Italy and to Athens thence to fetch such Laws as were most excellent and befitting the Commonwealth After their return was to be propounded to the People the choice of Law-makers what their power should be for how long and what other things should appertain to them Siccius extraordinarily affected with the mans ingenuity said he was how friends with him and remitted his fine but he refused to forbear the payment of it because already sacred to their gods A Senatus Consultum being made and confirmed by a Plebiscitum Ambassadors were chosen to fetch Laws from the Greeks Commissioners chosen fetch some out of Greece These were Sp. Posthumius Ser. Sulpitius and A. Manlius to whose use Gallies were assigned and furnished at the publick charge as was suitable with the Majesty of the Roman People 92. For the following year being the first of the 82 Olympiad wherein Lycus a Thessalian of Larissa was Victor in the course Charephanes exercising the Office of principal Archon the 300th year of the Citie being now ended as Dionysius computeth following the account of Cato P. Horatius and Sext. Quintilius were Consuls Now fell a greater plague than ever had been known upon both Citie and Countrey which swept away Quintilius the Consul and Sp. Furius chosen in his place with four Tribunes and many Senators The succeeding Consuls were L. Menenius and P. Sextius who took care for Corn to supply the Citie which laboured under a famine by reason that the grounds lay untilled the former year In their year the Ambassadors returned out of Greece with Laws presently after which the Tribunes required that according to the Senates Decree law-makers might be appointed The Consuls knowing not how to deny them yet unwilling to weaken the interest of the Patritians deferred the matter saying that the time of the Comitia was at hand after which they would labour joyntly with the Consuls Elect in the businesse The Tribunes were content but when the Comitia were past wherein Appius Claudius and T. Genutius were chosen they grew idle and neglected the administration of affairs as now belonging unto others and Menenius was sickly pining away as was thought by melancholy of which Sextius took advantage pretending he could do nothing by himself The Tribunes then betook themselves to the Consuls Elect and though they had not yet entered upon their Magistracy importuned them to gratifie the Commons by proposing great honours and rewards Appius being elevated with the hope of a new kind of Magistracy grew popular and perswaded his Collegue to a compliance so that Sextius was forced to call together the Senate and propound concerning Laws 93. Many things were spoken as well by those that desired a new model as others who thought it sufficient to rest satisfied in the customs of their Countrey But the opinion of the designed Consuls prevailed which Appius the principal of the two delivered being asked his advice according to the custom before any other Senators Their sense was that ten men but of the chief of the Senate were to be Elected whose power continuing for a year should be the same with that of the Kings and Consuls and all other Magistracies cease till they might be renewed according to Laws in the mean time the ten men or Decemviri were to administer Justice to private men and model the Commonwealth When the day came wherein this Senatus Consultum was to be confirmed by the People the designed Consuls resigned their Office for which they were exceedingly admired and remembred in the choice In the Centuriate Comitia were created App. Claudius and T. Genutius late Consuls Elect P. Sextius Consul for that present year the three Ambassadors who fetched Laws out of Greece P. Posthumius Ser. Sulpitius The Decemviri chosen A. Manlius and one of the former year's Consuls T. Romulius who had been condemned by Siccius the Tribune and afterwards was the author of this popular act besides these out of the Senate C. Julius T. Veturius and P. Horatius all of Consular dignity The Tribunes Aediles Quaestors and all other Magistrates were for a time devested of all
third year after this the two orders were something reconciled by the plunder of a Town taken from the Volsci and especially by a Decree of the Senate for the publick pay of the Armies with brasse money before which time every one bore his own charges in the War But such was the contentious disposition of the Tribunes those grand incendiaries that they drew this into odium as grievous to such who had formerly maintained themseves in the Wars and now were to pay others They effected that for a time the pay was denied The first Plebeian amongst the Tribunes Military and after three years they procured one Plebeian P. Licinius Calvus to be chosen amongst the Tribunes Military wherein they mightily applauded themselves and readily permitted the pay of the Army to be gathered Licinius caried himself so well in the Office that for the year following all the Tribunes Military save one were Plebeians 30. For these several years the War abroad was carried on with the Hetruscans with various successe and Veii the principal of their Cities was besieged no lesse in compasse than Athens and exceeding wealthy being within twenty miles of Rome It 's Inhabitants called Veientes had in behalf of the Fidenates waged War with Romulus afterwards being conquered had seven times rebelled and ever perfidious in time of Peace alwaies wasted the Roman Territories They compelled the Fidenates also to rebel perswaded them to kill the Ambassadors and the Romans thither sent to inhabit for they vied with the Romans themselves for power and riches They had moreover injured the Roman Ambassadors and not once procured Hetruria to rise against the State wherefore the People offended with so many injuries resolved utterly to destroy Veii Whereas the Soldiers untill this time were wont in Summer onely to be abroad in War and winter at home in the City now were they constrained both Winter and Summer to continue the Siege The seventh year thereof drawing towards an end the Tribunes Military were blamed of remisnesse so that for the following year new ones were created in their rooms Furius Camillus Amongst them was Furius Camillus who having got much credit in the battel fought with the Aequi and Volsci under Posthumius Tubertus the Dictator was honoured other wayes as by being created Censor in which Office he caused the Bachellors to mary the Widdovvs of such as had lost their lives for their Country and first of all others obliged Orphans to pay Tribute for that the depending Wars especially the Siege of Veii vvere very chargable to the State Being novv Tribune Military the second time he did nothing against Veii Plutarch in Camillo it having fallen to his lot to represse the Falerienses and Capenates vvho disturbed the Romans in their enterprize Made Dictator At length in the tenth year of the Siege they created him Dictator as the most fit person they had to finish it 31. Camillus appointed Cornelius Scipio to be his Master of Horse-men and first overthrowing in a great battel the Falisci and Capenates went against Veii Finding it full of difficulty to take a place of such strength by storm Surprizeth Veii he wrought a mine up into it through which his Soldiers issuing he easily surprized it Being elevated by so great an atchievement whereby he had thus subdued the corrival of Rome in the tenth year of the Siege he triumphed in a Chariot drawn by four white Horses which his Country-men thinking proper onely to the King and Father of their gods were much offended at it and indeed no man neither before nor after him saith Plutarch assumed to himself so much honour Being offended with this cariage they found themselves as much concerned in another matter The Tribunes of the Commons proposed a Law for dividing asunder the Senate and People whereof the one should stay at Rome and the other remove to Veii this parting as they thought being a ready means for the enrichment of both by the possession of two such considerable Cities The Plebeians now many and rich vehemently pressed it and the Patricians judging it would prove the overthrow of the State as earnestly opposed the Law betaking themselves to Camillus Incurreeth the displeasure of the multitude for hindring the separation of Patritians and Plebeians and otherwise who put it off by diverting the multitude into other courses Having contracted an alienation of mind from them upon these accounts another thing cast him into an absolute hatred and that if not upon a just yet a plausible pretence He had made a vow that if he took Veii he would dedicate the tenth part of the plunder to Apollo but when the City was taken either because he was unwilling to displease the Soldiery or forgot it the thing was omitted After he had laid down the Office of Dictator he moved the People in it and the Priests reported that the sacrifices portended the anger of their gods which must be appeased by gifts so that the Soldiers who had already spent what they had got upon their necessary uses were forced upon oath to restore the tenth part wherewith a present was made to Apollo Because there was litle Gold in the City the women contributed their ornaments in way of requital whereof the Senate decreed that at their burial they should also be commended by funeral Orations which before this had not been in use 32. The Tribunes again moving for a separation the War with the Falisci opportunely fell out to divert the multitude for which Camillus was chosen Tribune Military with five others He besieging the Falerii who inhabited a strongly fortified City the School-master thereof drew out his boyes into his Camp and offered to give them up into his hands which treachery he so far detested as to cause the Paedagogue to be stripped and put rods into the hands of his boyes wherewith they drove him back into the Town Herewith the Falerii were so affected as they yielded and the Senate referring them for conditions to Camillus he onely fined them a sum of mony and received them with all the Falisci into friendship But the Soldiers who hoped to have inriched themselves with the plunder of this place inveighed grievously against him and now the Tribunes pressing again the Law for separation he used such freedom in opposing it that they out of revenge accused him of having pilfred the plunder in the Hetruscan War whereof some brazen dores had been as they said seen in his house The multitude now upon several accounts exasperated against him resolved to shew their spleen So that not having any way to evade their displeasure he went into exile He goeth into exile lifting up his hands towards the Capitol and praying that if he was unjustly and meerly by the lust and malice of the multitude banished they might sodainly repent it and that it might appear to all men how much the Romans stood in need of and desired his presence Being gone he
to passe over with it into Asia and with the rest marched for Thessaly there to oppose Demetrius and the Greeks Stirs preceding the great battel There meeting and incamping with vast Armies neither of them would begin the battel expecting how things went in Asia till Demetrius was recalled thither by his father Lysimachus being landed there the Inhabitants of Lampsachus submitted to him whom he restored to their liberty stormed Sigeus and placed a Garrison there then he taketh in Phrygia upon the Hellespont and divers other places by the means of Docimus an Officer of Antigonus whom he had drawn over to him Prepelaus also whom he sent with a party to subdue the Cities of Aeolis and Ionia took other Towns Antigonus was at this time celebrating publick Games at Antigonia when hearing this news he presently broke them off and with all speed marched against Lysmachus Whom he reached and besieged him in his Camp for some time till he taking the opportunity of a dark and rainy night fled away Then hearing that Seleucus was drawing down his Forces from the upper Provinces he sent for Demetrius to come over with all expedition Seleucus had lately made peace with Sandrocottus or Androcottus who being a man of no quality had sollicited the Indians to revolt after the death of Alexander and to kill his Officers and thence took an occasion to subdue them under himself Bactria being subdued Seleucus had waged War with him but now for a Composure gave to him some Countrey lying upon the River Indus which Alexander had taken from the Arians and received 500 Elephants again of him in exchange Ptolomy with a compleat Army had come into Caelesyria where he reduced divers Cities but as he was besieging Sidon came a false report that Antigonus had overthrown Seleucus and Lysimachus and now was coming thitherward wherefore he made a Truce with the Sidonians for five moneths and returned but not long after came up again to that fatal ingagement with Antigonus 4. Plutarch in vita Demetrii Appianus in Syriacis The Forces of these several Princes were drawn down to be in readinesse against the Spring Antigonus had an Army of 70000 foot 10000 horse and 75 Elephants the contrary party had made up amongst them 64000 foot 1500 horse 400 Elephants and 120 Chariots Antigonus bragged that he would scatter the meeting of these Kings together as one might do the flocking of birds gathering Corn with the throwing of a stone but when they approached he was more melancholick than usual and was seen to discourse with his son in private in his Tent which he never used to do commended him also to the Army as his Successor This battel was fought at Ipsus a Town in Phrygia in which Demetrius leading the best party of horse ingaged with Antiochus the son and afterwards Successor of Seleucus whom he routed and put to flight but being too hot in the pursute undid all for retiring back he could not again joyn himself with the foot by reason that the Elephants were gotten between them Seleucus seeing this made as if he would have falln upon the Infantry thus destitute of the horse wherein his expectation failed him not for they fearing it part revolted to him and the rest were broken Antigonus slain in it and put to flight Antigonus standing his ground expected continually Demetrius to come to relieve him but in that expectation ended his life by a multitude of Darts thrown against him being now something above 80 years old Demetrius his son with 5000 foot and 4000 horse fled to Ephesus but there fearing his Soldiers might be some way false to him A. M. 3704. Ol. 119. ann 4. V. C. 453. Seleuci 12. Ptolom 23. he sayled to Salamine in Cyprus which he then held This fell out in the 3704 year of the World the fourth of the 119 Olympiad 23 years after the death of Alexander and six after their taking the Title of Kings upon them 5. The Conquerours parted his Dominions amongst them as we are told Iidem but it seems to have been chiefly Seleucus and Ptolomy who did not well agree about their prey and upon this account left a contention to their Successors Seleucus fell presently upon building Cities the first of which he called after himself Seleucia and the later to which he transferred the Inhabitants of Antigonia to the number of three thousand five hundred as we said before he called Antiochia either after his father or son's name for both are affirmed and this afterwards proved the Metrapolis of Syria Ptolomy after the death of Antigonus got Syria again with Cyprus Vide Usserium in prima parte Annal. pag. 461. and afterwards Cyrene also into his power and married his daughter Arsinoes unto Lysimachus as few years after his other to Agathocles the son Seleucus seeing that thus these two strengthned themselves in affinity The Alliances of the Kings thought not amisse to joyn also with Demetrius though gone down the wind and accordingly sent to him for his daughter Stratonice He receiving this unexpected Message sayled with her into Syria Passing by Cilicia which then Cassander held Plistarchus his brother cried out that he would invade his Territories and went strait to Seleucus to expostulate with him his being reconciled to the common Enemy But Demetrius landing went to Quinda where finding yet 200 Talents left in the Treasury he took them away and so went and met with Seleucus at Orossus who taking his wife away with him to Antioch Demetrius seized upon Cilicia and sent his wife Phila to Cassander her brother to purge him of those things laid to his charge by Plistarchus Notwithstanding Cassander he held Cilicia Plutarch ibid but Seleucus his son-in-law required that for a sum of money he would give it up into his hands which he refused and then he with some anger demanded Tyre and Sidon of him not being content though he held all from the Syrian Sea as far as India that his father-in-law should rest quiet with it A. M. 3707. Ol. 120. ann 3. V.C. 456. Seleuci 15. Ptolom 26. being sufficiently tossed with adverse fortune but he as stoutly denied this also saying that though he were a thousand times more overcome yet would he never purchase the affinity of Seleucus Cassander dieth and fortified the Cities with Garrisons The next year Cassander King of Macedonia died of a Dropsie which was so loathsom as Lice withall broke out of him after he had ruled that Countrey 19 years 26 after the death of Alexander A. M. 3707. 6. He left three sons by Thessalonice the daughter of Philip Idem ibid. in vita Pyrrhi Just lib. 16. and sister to Alexander Philip Antipater and Alexander The first succeeded his father but died presently of a Consumption Antipater coming after him killed his mother for that after her husbands death she seemed to favour his younger brother Alexander more than him in the
1 Maccab. 7. 2 Mac. 14. and now was not received nor owned by the people because that in the dayes of Epiphanes he had defiled himself came to Demetrius with other Apostates and such like as himself and accused his Countrey-men especially the Hasmonaeans i. e. Judas and his brethren that they had cut off and banished his friends Bachides sent by him against the Jews whereupon he sent one Bachides a trusty friend with great forces into Judaea confirming the Priesthood to Alcimus whom he sent back with him All their design being arrived there was to get Judas into their hands divers Scribes going out to them to sollicit for peace being confident because the Priest was of the seed of Aaron he most wickedly and contrary to his Oath given slew sixty of them in one day then Bachides going from Hierusalem sent about and caused divers that had fled from him and many of the people whom being slain he cast into a great pit and so committing the Countrey to Alcimus to the defence of which he left him some forces he returned unto his King Leaveth Alcimus the High-Priest with some forces After his departure Alcimus striving to confirm himself in the Priesthood made great havock of the people to restrain which Judas went throughout the Countrey and compelled his party to shut themselves up within their holds and growing stronger he restrained their invasions so that Alcimus being afraid of him goes once more unto the King carrying along with him a Crown of Gold a Palm and of the boughs which were used solemnly in the Temple and seeing he could not have any more accesse to the holy Altar taking a fit opportunity when he was asked of the affairs of his Countrey accused the Asidaeans and especially Judas as seditious of depriving him of the Priesthood the honour as he said of his Ancestors and plainly affirmed that as long as Maccabaeus lived the Kings affairs could not be secure This being seconded by some ill-willers to the Jews Demetrius was inflamed and sending for Nicanor one of his chiefest Princes Who accusing Judas Nicanor is sent against him and a bitter Enemy to the Israelites made him Captain over Judea and sent him forth with a Command to slay Judas to scatter them that were with him and make Alcimus High Priest of the great Temple 60. When he was come thither and understood the courage and resolution of Judas his brethren and companions for the defence of their Countrey he feared to try the chance of War and sent to make peace with the people who having agreed unto the Covenants the two Captains came together to consult about the League Nicanor was so taken with Judas as he continued with him loved him in his heart and perswaded him to marry and beget Children and so remained constant in his affection to him till Alcimus perceiving it Nicanor at first much loveth Maccabaeus and understanding the Covenants which were made betwixt them took a third journey to the King told him that Nicanor had taken strange matters in hand and appointed Judas a Traitor to the Realm to be his Successor Demetrius being hereat displeased by Letters checked him for these things and commanded him in all haste to send Maccabaeus bound unto Antioch which grievously troubled him that he who had done no hurt should be thus used but conceving it necessary for him to comply with the pleasure of the King he waited for a convenient opportunity to accomplish it Then complained of by Alcimus seeketh his destruction Behaving himself thenceforth more roughly to him the other suspected something by the great change of his carriage and therefore gathering a few of his men withdrew himself from him but he followed him with a strong power to Hierusalem and drawing him out to talk with him had prepared some to seize on him yet he having notice hereof got away and would see him no more Seeing his design to be discovered he went and fought with him near Capharsalama in which he lost about 5000 of his men and the rest fled into the Citie of David After this he came up to Mount Sion and some of the Priests with the Elders of the people went forth of the sanctuary to salute him peaceably and shew him the burnt-offering that was offered for the King but he jeering hereat demanded Judas to be delivered unto him and they affirming with an Oath that they knew not where he was he stretching out his hand against the Temple swore that except Judas and his forces were delivered up he would when he should return in peace set the sanctuary on fire His blasphemous threats demolish the Altar and build there a stately Temple to Bacchus The Priests hearing this went in and standing before the Altar with tears begged of God that he would frustrate the mans intentions and be avenged upon him and his Host for his blasphemous words 61. Hearing that Judas was gone from Jerusalem into Samaria 1 Maccab. 7. 2.15 he went and pitched his Tents in Bethhoron where new supplies from Syria came to him the Enemy being in Hadasa 30 furlongs off with no more than 3000 men He would fain have fought on the Sabbath day which the Jews who were constrained to follow friendly dehorting him from with great blaspemy uttered against God he refused to hear them demanding if there were a living Lord in heaven who commanded that seventh day to be kept and saying he himself was mighty upon earth to command them to Arm themselves and to perform the Kings businesse He is slain in battel But coming to the ingagement he himself was slain first which when his Army saw they cast away their Arms and fled and the Israelites following the chace slew 30000. so that not one of the Army was left remaining Coming to the plunder of the field they cut off Nicanor's head and hands and carried them to Jerusalem where they were hung up before the Temple his tongue being cut in pieces and cast unto the Fouls The end of the second book of Maccabees Then they decreed that the 13th day of the 12th moneth Adar as the Syrians call it the day before Mardocheus his day should be observed every year as the Author of the second book of Maccabees tells us who with this story finisheth his work 1 Maccab. 8. 9. being the Epitome of the five books of Jason a Jew of Cyrene After Nicanor's death Judaea was quiet for some time and then Judas hearing of the power of the Romans and their compassion of the distressed and how much Demetrius stood in awe of them sent Eupolemus the son of John and Jason the son of Eleazer on an Ambassage to the Senate Bachides and Alcimus sent into Judaea against Judas that entring into society with them the People might be freed from the yoke of Demetrius and the Greeks But Demetrius hearing of the mischance of Nicanor and his
his Inn the house of an Alexandrian Painter which when the Senate understood they sent for him and made as formal an excuse as possible that they had neither sent a Quaestor to meet him after the fashion of the receiving persons of his quality nor entertained him at the publick charge which hapned not by any neglect on their part but by reason of his sudden and secret arrival Then was he conducted from the Court to the publick House of entertainment and desired that laying off his unseemly habit he would move for audience and a Qaaestor was appointed to make him presents every day Philometor being expelled by his rebellious brother is restored by the Romans Euergetes or Physcon complaining they also give him relief At length according to his desire Polybius Legat. 113. Canuceius and Quintus were sent back with him to Alexandria who restored him to the Kingdom and made the two brothers assent to a division of it whereby Philometor was to hold Egypt and Cyprus and Euergetes possesse Cyrene the Covenant being most solemnly confirmed But Euergetes not being at all satisfied in his part hasted to Rome to reverse the agreement alleging that he gave not his consent freely at all but out of necessity of yielding to the times wherefore he desired of the Senate that Cyprus might be also adjudged to him with the addition of which his part would yet be far inferiour to his brothers Menethyllus being sent after him by Philometor replied that he ought not onely Cyrene but his life also to his brother so great hatred had he contracted from their subjects that with the wonder of all and beyond his hopes was that Kingdom bestowed on him and urged the agreement most religiously made and confirmed with faith given on both sides But Ptolomy denying stifly all this the Senate for that it seemed to them that the parting of the Kingdom was not yet fully concluded and especially thinking it to be for their interest that the division should be equal assented to his request and ordered T. Torquatus and Cn. Merula to go with him and put Cyprus into his hands For the Romans understanding now fully the strength of Egypt and considering what it might aspire to if united wisely made use of this difference and gratified the two brothers one after the other in their ambitious but imprudent desires 15. Departing out of Italy into Greece Polyb. Legat. 115.16.17 he there hired a strong band of men intending to sayl with them for Cyprus but the Roman Commissioners calling to mind the Decree of the Senate which was that they should reduce him without force perswaded him again to dismisse them and passe over to Cyrene and they in the mean time going to Alexandria would endeavour to perswade his brother to comply with the Senate and bringing him along with them meet him in the Confines of both Kingdoms He accordingly went to Crete where hiring 9000 Soldiers he passed over to Libyna where he expected to hear from Alexandria but the Romans there treating with his brother about a reconciliation and the yielding of Cyprus up to him something he assented to and put off others on purpose drawing out the time in length Fourty dayes with extraordinary entertainment he detained them at Alexandria during which time news came to Euergetes that the Cyrenians had revolted from him who understanding well the mind of his brother from his present carriage and seeing nothing suitable to royalty in Euergetes acting all things after a Tyrannical manner could not bring themselves to submit any longer to his Government Hearing this he sayled to Catabathmus thence to make for Cyrene in which place he found the Straights kept against him but sending some about to come upon the Defendants on their backs set upon them also himself and so cleared the passage but coming to Cyrene and ingaging with the Natives was worsted by them Whether he recruited himself again and recovered his Sovereignty here or no we have nothing from History to speak expresly but not long after he was in a capacity to attempt Cyprus being encouraged by the Senates renouncing their friendship with his brother upon his account where he was also overthrown by his brother and then besieged and taken in the Citie Lapithus Yet did Philometor spare him what for his innate clemency and brotherly affection and for fear of the Romans and not onely so but made a Covenant with him when Conquered wherein he restored him Cyrene and for Cyprus certain Cities with a quantity of Corn yearly and promised him his daughter in marriage worse than this being not accounted incest in that Countrey 16. Not long did they accord for Euergetes Polyb. Legat. 132. some two or three years after being incouraged by his former successe made another journey to Rome where in the Senate he made another loud complaint against his brother accusing him of plotting against his life for a witnesse of which design he shewed skars upon his body and aggravating the thing with all his might endeavoured to move the minds of all to compassion Two Ambassadors were present from Philometor to answer to whatsoever he should accuse him of but all mens ears were so filled with the others accusation that no place would be found for their defence so that they were instantly commanded to be gone and five Commissioners were appointed furnished all with Gallies to go and bring him into possession of Cyprus their Associates also both in Greece and Asia being written to and leave given to as many as would to assist him in the recovery of it Josephus Antiquit lib. 13. cap. 6. What was done as to the recovery of it through defect of History we are ignorant though some grounds we have to think he did not obtain the Island and no more do we hear of him till his brothers death Onias the Jew buildeth a Temple in Egypt In the dayes of this Philometor Onias the son of Onias the third High-Priest of the Jews seeing the Priesthood to be alienated from his family into that of the Hasmonaeans living in Egypt and having well deserved of the King in his Wars that he might eternize his memory petitioned him for leave to build a Temple in the Province of Heliopolis after the fashion of that at Jerusalem signifying that thereby would be better provided for the quiet of his Kingdom the Jews badly agreeing amongst themselves through the variety of their places of vvorship in that Countrey and misapplying the Prophecy of Isaiah Chap. 19. A. M. 3853. Ol. 157. ann 1. V.C. 602. Demet. Soteris 11. Ptol. Philom 29. concerning the spiritual Priesthood and reign of Christ to this his ambitions and unlawfull design His Petition was granted and in that Countrey built he a Temple resembling the true and lawfull one 180 furlongs distant from Memphis onely he put therein no Candlestick but hung up a Lamp in a Golden string which cast a light about like
the hill where staying for more company that they might ascend all together Pilate prevented them and killing some took many dispersed the rest and put to death the chief of those he had taken Hereof the Senate of Samaria complained to Vitellius President of Syria who sent Marcellus his friend to take charge of Judaea and commanded Pilate to go to Rome there to answer before Caesar what should be laid to his charge Hereupon he departed after he had governed Judaea ten years but ere he reached Rome Is sent to Rome to give an account of it Tiberius was dead About the same time that these things hapned in Samaria the Jews were banished Rome by the Emperour upon this occasion A certain Jew flying his native Country for breaking of the Laws came to the City where he professed himself an expounder of them and drew to him two or three no lesse reprobate than himself They made a Proselyte Fulvia the wife of Saturninus an honourable person and perswading her to send some Purple and Gold to the Temple of Jerusalem converted it to their own use The Jews banished Rome Saturninus complaining of this to Tiberius he thereupon commanded all Jews to depart Rome Of these the Consuls chose out and listed 4000 men whom they sent into Sardinia and punished many that refused to bear arms upon no other account than because they would not transgresse the Ordinances of their Country 87. About two years after the deach of Christ died Philip the Tetrarch son to Herod the Great a man of a modest and quiet disposition whose Principality Philip the Tetrarch dieth for that he died without issue Idem ibid. cap. 6. Tiberius laid unto the Province of Syria By this time Artabanus King of Parthia prospering against his neighbours was much puffed up and despising the old age of Tiberius Tacitus Annal. l. 6. c. 31. when his son Artamas was dead made his other son Arsaces King of Armenia in his stead The Parthian King revileth and dispirseth Tiberius He also reviled Tiberius by Letters objecting paricide murthers Sueton in Tiberio c. 60. lazinesse and luxury to him and willed him by a voluntary death to satisfie the most just hatred of his subjects as soon as possible But many Noble men of Parthia to escape his cruelty came to Rome and desired a King from Tiberius who thereupon gladly named Phraates the son of Phraates that had been of a long time Hostage at Rome and he dying in Syria he commended to them Tiridates Mithridates brother to Pharasmenes King of the Hiberi was also ordered to get Armenia who breaking into it joyned the Albanians to him and procured the death of Arsaces for the Parthians were easily overthrown being discouraged by a false rumour of the death of Orodes their Captain another of Artabanus his sons Artabanus having before this attempted Cappadocia sent also to demand the Treasure which Vonone had left in Syria and Cilicia and that had been seized by Tiberius * Idem in Tib. c. 49. who with great perfidiousnesse killed the owner at Antioch and he further demanded the antient Borders of the Persians and Macedonians bragging that he would invade whatsoever had been possessed by Cyrus and Alexander But Vitellius the President of Syria having drawn many of his subjects from their trust his mind so changed Tacitus ut suprà cap. 41. Dio l. 59. that he fled away cowardly with a few to the confines of Scythia Vitellius taking the opportunity carried Tiridates into the Kingdom but he by delaying to seize on the chiefest places and hastning his Coronation gave occasion to some of the great ones again to fly unto Artabanus who coming on the other fled as fast back into Syria so that he recovered his Kingdom with Armenia and resolved to set upon Syria 88. Tiberius hereupon wrote to Vitellius to make a peace with him Vitellius about this time was come to Jerusalem after the expulsion of Pilate where he celebrated the Passeover remitted to the Citizens the Impost upon such fruits as were sold Caiphas deposed and deposed Joseph sirnamed Caiphas Josephus Antiquit lib. 18. cap. 6. from the High-Priesthood to which he promoted Jonathan the son of Annas He met with Artabanus upon a bridge built over the River Euphrates where they concluded a peace and afterwards they were feasted by Herod the Tetrarch Darius the son of Artabanus was sent an Hostage to Rome with many presents But Tiberius died before Sueton ut suprà cap. 73. c. Tacitus Annal. l. 6. c. 50. March 16 having since the death of Seianus cruelly raged against many Tiberius dieth and lived dissolutely from his retirement to the Island Capreae whence he never returned to the Citie though he was twice on his way The people ran up and down overcome with joy upon the report of his death Some would have had his body cast into Tiber and others prayed that no other place might be assigned him now dead than amongst the wicked He reigned 22 years A. D. 38. Ol. 204. ann 1. V. C. 790. seven moneths and odd dayes and died in the 78th year of his age and the 790 of the Citie Cn. Acerronius Proculus and C. Pontius Nigrinus being Consuls CHAP. II. From the death of Tiberius to that of Nero the last Emperour of Caesar's family containing the space of 20 years 1. TIBERIUS left behind him a Grand-son of his own name by his son Drusus yet he preferred before him Caius the son of Germanicus either for some reason fetcht (a) Josephus Antiquit. l. 18. c. 8. from Astrology to which he was much given Caius the son of Germanicus succeedeth Tiberius or through the means (b) Sueton in Caligula c. 12. Tacitus Annal. l. 6. c. 50. of Macro his Freed-man and greatest favourite who being a loose and vile person Caius insinuated himself into his favour by the procurement of his wife With her Caius was wantonly familiar and promised her marriage by an Oath and under his hand if he could compasse the Empire wherewith Macro was well pleased if so be he could but therewith purchase greater preferment 'T is reported that he helped his Master forward by stifling him in the bed-cloths Others have thought (c) Sueton ut priùs that a slow-working poyson was given him by Caius some that meat was denied him others that when he demanded his Ring which they had pulled off from his finger they choked him with the Pillow However it came to passe Caius succeeded him and some (d) Xiphilinus ex Dione judged him willing that so it should be because he knew he would prove a very bad man and hoped that thereby the faults of his own reign might be something covered (e) Josephus ut suprà He was received with great applause by all men By the Army for that he had been brought up continually amongst them Some say he was
Honorarii being but Titular Consuls yet it also respecteth authority and power as well as meer Title in that the Law of the Praetor whereof we have formerly spoken is called Jus Honorarium 24. As for the Jus Coloniae it is so termed by Tacitus also in those words Atin Italia vetus oppidum Puteoli Jus Coloniae Cognomentum à Nerone adipiscuntur Gellius distinguisheth it from the Jus Municipii after this manner But of Colonies there is another relation or alliance necessitudo For they do come extrinsically into the City Jus Coloniae neither do they stand on their own roots but are as it were begotten by the State and have Laws and Institutions not of their own but those of the Roman people Yet this condition although it be more obnoxious and lesse free is accounted better and more excellent for the amplitude and Majesty of the Roman people whereof these Colonies seem to be certain Images and resemblances and also because the rights of the Municipia are obscure and obliturated which by reason of ignorance the owners cannot use Lib. 1. c. 14 15. From this it appears that Colonies were free of the Citie in which respect Paterculus giving us account of the several Colonies that were planted till the time of Marius mixeth with them such places as to which freedom was given making it as it were the same thing If it had been otherwise there would not have been any comparison as to privilege betwixt Municipia and Colonies and it would have saved Gellius the labour of proving against the common belief that the Jus Municipii was greater Now as for the Jus Latii Cap. 47. Suetonius distinguisheth it from Jus Civitatis for speaking what Augustus did to several Cities he hath this expression amongst the rest Latinitate vel civitate donavit Spartianus in the life of Adrian saith Latium multis civitatibus dedit And Tacitus coming up to our Term saith of Nero Annal. l. 15. c. 32. Jus Latii Eodem anno Caesar nationes Alpium maritimarum in Jus Latii transtulit The Latines were ever counted of the kindred of Rome the Romans having descended from them and upon this account there was a stricter League and Alliance with them than any other people which injoyed not the freedom of the Citie 25. The Latines envying the rising fortune of Rome their Colony laboured to suppresse it but still were worsted and ever forced to submit Servius Tullius the sixth King of Rome breathing after glory in future times in imitation of the Council of the Amphyctiones in Greece and other publick conventions as we have formerly said perswaded both Nations to build at Rome a Temple or Asylum out the common expense Dionys Halicarn lib. 4. where the Cities meeting yearly should sacrifize hold a fair at certain times and if any contention hapned amongst them it might be composed in a religious manner by their fellow Cities Gathering money he built the Temple of Diana in the Aventine Mount the most eminent in the Citie and wrote down the conditions of the League with the manner of observing the Feast and Mart. And that they might not be abolished by the injury of time he ingraved the Decrees of the Council in a pillar of brasse The strict League and Alliance betwixt the Romans and Latines and the Cities which were partakers of this society which pillar continueth till our age saith Dionysius dedicated in the Temple of Diana inscribed with such Characters as Greece antiently used which is no light argument that Rome was not built by Barbarians Tarquinius the last King and Successor of Servius renewed this League and taking in the Hernici and Volsci appointed another place in the midst of all those Nations viz. a Mount near to the Albanians called also Mons Albanus where yearly Feriae or a Festival were to be celebrated and for that time in respect of the religion of the place and the Law made for that purpose they were all to abstain from all manner of violence and in common sacrifize to Jupiter Latialis and Feast together it being appointed how much each people should contribute and receive Of these Feriae and this sacrifice were partakers 47 people and in our age saith the Historian the Romans observe these Ferlae called Feriae Latinae and some contribute Lambs some Cheese some a certain quantity of Milk and others Cakes or Wafers made up with Milk The sacrifice is one Bull for all of whose inwards a certain portion is given to every people They sacrifize for all in general and the Romans preside at the sacrifice Those Feriae at first consisted but of one day which Tarquinius appointed After his banishment the people added another And about six years after when Peace was composed betwixt Patritians and Plebeians after the Creation of the Tribuni Plebis and Aediles a third was added at what time the League was also renewed with the Latines because that after the Peace made with them at the end of the War with Tarquinius whose part they took they had continued peaceable and faithful to the Romans during their confusions and seditions 26. * Lib. 6. Dionysius mentioning the renewing of this League giveth us the substance of it by which description our design is accomplished as to the Jus Latii The Contents of the League These things were contained in the League Let there be mutual Peace betwixt the Romans and Latines as long as the Heavens and Earth keep the same Station and let neither make War upon the other nor procure others to do it nor give free passage to such as would but to the utmost help each other infested by War and equally divide the prey and spoils Concerning private contracts let the controversie be judiciarily decided in the Forum of that People where the contract was made Let nothing be added to the conditions of the League nor taken away without the consent of the Romans and all the Latine People To this purpose a League was established betwixt the parties and sworn to by all sacred things This near confederacy is to be taken as explanatory of the Jus Latii including such a strong alliance as was not made with any but afterwards according to this prescript In processe of time the Latines came to have the freedom of the City When this freedom was given to them is somethimg obscure Dionysius so relateth the story of Cassius in whose second Consulship according to him this League was renewed as if at the same time was given to them the freedom of the City for Cassius to curry favour with the Hernici gave them the same league and when he would have in his third Consulship the Agrarian to passe he caused the Latines and Hernici to be present at the Comitia to cary it by the greater number of voices But if any such thing were it was done rather by his over forwardnesse to gratifie them and without the consent of the