it though now he betrayed no such intention the fact had been approved of as done upon an Usurper and a Tyrant though they had not long before taken a solemn oath for his preservation and decreed such vast honours to him Antonius by putting them in mind that if he were judged deservedly slain all his acts were to be nulled and consequently the assignment of several Offices which he had of late made to several of them effected that no more was done than to decree an Amnestie or oblivion for all that was past An Amnestie voted by the Senate for which Cicero much laboured The offices were confirmed with this reason entered because it was requisite for the good of the Commonwealth and the day following the Senate meeting again decreed Provinces to the murderers viz. to M. Brutus Crete Afnick to Cassius to Thobonius Asia to Cimber Bithynia and Gall about Padus to Decimus Brutus After this Caesar's testament was opened wherein he made heirs three Nephews of his Sisters Caesar's Testament C. Octavius of three parts in four of his estate not of half onely Sueton in Julio Flor. l. 4. c. 4. as it 's found in Livy's Epitome and L. Pinarius and Q. Pedius of the other fourth part C. Octavius he adopted into his name and family and most of those that killed him he named amongst the Guardians of his son if one should be born to him As second heirs if the former should not possesse the inheritance he named Decimus Brutus and M. Autonius He also in his will gave no small matter to the Romans to be divided man by man as Plutarch writeth This moved the People out of measure to indignation against the Conspirators Antonius the Consul vehemently stirring up the multitude in his funeral Oration They were driven to that rage that after the burning of the Corps they were hardly disswaded from firing their houses and they tore in pieces one Cinna whom they mistook for another of that name that was one of them 6. Now the series of affaires bringeth us to Caesar Octavianus the adopted son of Julius He was grand-son to his sister Julia which woman was wife to M. Attilius Baâ—bus Octavius his heir and by him had a daughter that was maried to C. Octavius He was born in the Consulship of Cicero Appian de bello civili l. 3. Sueton in Augusto Dio l. 45. and lost his father who governing Macedonia died sodainly before he could stand for the Consulship when but four years old He accompanied this his great Uncle in the last Spanish War who ever kept him close to him in their travail and was now sent by him to Apollonia to study intending to take him along with him in the Parthian War There he heard of his death and the inheritance left to him His Mother and Father-in-Law Marcius Philippus were unwilling he should take the name of Caesar as subject to much envy but after some pause he resolved to the contrary and assuming the name of Caesar Octavianus made use of the good affections of his Uncles friends in Greece who accompanying him to the City he was met by a vast number of others from Rome Here after he had accepted of the adoption and confirmed it by the authority of the Praetor as the custom was he went to Antony whom he expected to have his friend and assistant in prosecuting his Uncle's Enemies But after some waiting he entertained him with great contempt and though he had got a great quantity of Caesar's money yet he denied to let him have any fearing he should grow into too much esteem Purchaseth the Love of the People Caesar hereupon sold his own inheritance to pay the legacy given to the People which procured him much love his Uncle's or Father's as now he must be called old Soldiers flocked to him whom he accepted of out of fear of Antony who now became every day more odious both to him to People and Senate 7. The Senate suspected Antony as intending to set up himself Appian Livii Epitom lib. 117. Dio l. 45. and he intended nothing more for which cause he resolved to have some Province assigned him Antony practizeth for his own advancement wherein he might get power To curry favour then he propounded to be considered Sextus Pompey who yet remained of the sons of Pompey the Great that beloved man that in requital for his fathers estate confiscated he might have an allowance out of the publick and command of the Seas with that Navy he formerly had This being received with great applause was enacted and so Pompey was called back into Sicily where he afterwards waged a great War against Caesar Antony perswaded Dolobella his Collegue a young man whom Caesar having ordained to be Consul after his departure out of the City when he was dead took the Office and inveighing against his benefactor would have had the day of his death stiled the birth-day of the City though he loved him not to ask Syria not of the Senate but the People hoping that after him he should not be denied such a request The difference increasing betwixt him and Caesar he desired to have the six Legions which lay in Macedonia and obtained them deceiving the Senate by a false rumour that the Getes hearing of Caesar's death had invaded that Province He baited them by preferring a Law against any one's being Dictator It was his design to bring these Legions over into Italy to awe and command all and that he might effect this he preferred by force a Law for changing of Provinces and thereby procured to his brother C. Antonius Macedonia which formerly had been assigned to M. Brutus and to himself the nearer Gall or Gallia Cisalpina which before was given to Decimus Brutus 8. The Senate would in no wise grant this whereupon he betook himself to the People When he had brought over his Legions part of them revolted to Caesar who now out of fear went up and down Italy gathering Soldiers out of the Colonies his father had planted With a considerable Army at length Antony marched into Gall whence he commanded Brutus to be gone who gave way to him then but departed to Muâ—â—na resolving there to stay and endure a siege for that he had some considerable strength and expected assistance Here Antony straightly besieged him which the Senate hearing of by Cicero's working especially who now began to speak and write his fourteen Orations in imitation of those of Demosthenes called Philipicks declared him an Enemy to the State which proved a means for the bringing in and preferring of Caesar Octavianus The hatred of him procureth young Caesar's preferment For though the Senate cared not at all for him as being generally of Pompey's faction Appian ut supra Dio l. 46. Plutarch in Antonio Cicero Philip. 5. Sueton in Octavio yet they resolved to make use of him for his Armies sake and therefore erected him a
statue made him a Senator though but nineteen years old decreed that he should be considered towards preferment as ten years older and gave him equal power with Hirtius and Pausa the Consuls whom now they sent to relieve Brutus They took Bononia but Antony being bold for that he had got the better in some skirmikes went and met Pansa whom he overthrew but returning carelesly into his Camp was worsted by Hirtius A littel after a great battel was fought near Mutina wherein Antony was quite defeated and fled to Lepidus then Proconsul in the further Gall. A. M. 3962. V. C. 712. Both the Consuls died of wounds Hirtius in Antonie's Camp and Pansa at Bononia Brutus being at this time spared by Caesar thought of departing with his ten Legions to M. Brutus and Cassius now in Greece but his Soldiers moved by the difficulty of the journy revolted the six new raised Legions to Caesar and the four of old Soldiers to Antony He then purposing with a small attendance to passe through Gall was taken at Aquilea and betraied by Capenus Sequanus Governour of the Countrey who sent his head to Antony Before this Appian Livius lib. 120. Cicero Philip. 11. Trebonius another of his Complices in Caesar's death excluding Dolabella whom the Senate had judged an Enemy from Pergamus and Smyrna was taken by him in the later place and after grievous torments had his head cut off which the Soldiers kicking about as a foot-ball did so abuse as no face was to be seen on it Not long after the death of Decimus Brutus Minutius Basilius another of the Conspiratours was slain by his slaves whom he had gelded in a great rage 9. Now the Senate having no need of young Caesar slighted him exceedingly Yet having no need of Caesar the Senate again slighted him decreeing the honour due to him unto Brutus whom he had relieved giving him very bitter taunts and denying him a Triumph Being sensible hereof and how most of them were of Compey's Faction Appian ut supra Livius l 119. Sueton. in Angusto Patercul l. 2. c. 62. Livii Epitom lib. 120. he began to tamper with Antony by Letters as also with Lepidus for a conjunction and sent 400 Soldiers into the City in the name of the Army to demand the Consulship for him Hereat the Senat straining hard one Cornelius a Centurion laying his hand on his Sword said This shall do it if you will not Then called he Antony and Lepidus into Italy whereat the Senate much startled and too late blaming their own rigidity decreed him Consul and whomsoever he would take to himself So he invaded the Consulship a moneth and five dayes before he was twenty years old and took Q. Pedius for his Collegue Then by a Law was fire and water forbidden to all that had an hand in the death of Caesar and their goods were sold The Senate was now so changed either through good advice or fear that in stead of slighting they advanced him above all example Vide Dionem lib. 46. They resolved that after his Consulship he should take place of all Consuls and though formerly they were displeased with his levying forces being a private man now they desired him to add to his Army and decreed to him the Legions of Decimus Brutus The City was committed to his care Livii Epit. l. 120. Appian bell civil l. 4. and power given him to act what he pleased Which procureth the Thumviraté though without the prescript of the Laws which he retained fifty six years till his death Not long after came Aemilius Lepidus and M. Antonius into Italy whom he met about Bononia and after a three dayes conference entred into confederacy with them which is famous by the name of the Triumvirate The Terms of the Combination 10. The terms of this Combination were That Caesar for the remainder of the year should leave the Consulship to Ventidius who formerly in the Social War when a Boy was led in Triumph and after that rubbed the heels of * Concurrite omnes Augures Aruspices Portentum inusitatum constatum est recens Nam mulos qui frecabat Consul factus est Mules for his living Idem ibid. Dio lib. 46. That a new authority of three men should be erected to take away civil dissentions which they three should execute for five years with Consular power for the Dictatorship was waved because of a Law lately preferred against it by Antony with authority to dispose of all Offices for that Term. That Antony should have as a Province all Gall except that of Narbon which Lepidus was to have with Spain and to Caesar was Africk with Sardinia and Sicily assigned other places beyond the Seas being left to another time They agreed further that their Enemies should be destroyed wherein the case of Cicero moved the greatest controversie For Antony would not meddle except he in the first place should be slain These Verses were scattered up and down the Citie Lepidus was content but Caesar stood much against it Gellius lib. 5. cap. 4. yet on the third day he assented an exchange being made for he yielding up Cicero Lepidus permitted his brother Paulus and Antony L. Caesar his Uncle by the Mother's side to be proscribed Lastly it was agreed that Lepidus should be Consul the following year instead of Decimus Brutus designed formerly by Julius Caesar He guarding Rome and Italy the other two were to make War upon Brutus and Cassius who now though at first without any decree of the Senate had seized on Macedonia and Syria Cassius in Laodicea besieged Dolabella who being judged an Enemy by the Senate for the death of Trebonius when the Citie vvas taken caused his Page to cut off his head and so ended his life being a man of no great solidity He vvas son-in-law to Cicero but after the divorcing of Tullia they fell into great enmity vvhereupon the Orator proved a back friend to him in the Senate reigning amongst the Fathers and the People with his Eloquence The effects of it 11. The first effect of the Triumvirate was a Proscription of some 300 persons of Equestrian and Senatorian ranks Appian Though the pretence was to revenge Caesar's death yet many were murdered for their rich Estates others out of malice and some for their convenient Houses and Gardens Amongst those of greatest note was Varro who now living to see and feel a second Tricipitina yet escaped with his life Cicero the man most aimed at by Antony for opposing him so vehemently in the Senate upon the Triumvirs their coming went to Sea but the winds being contrary and because he could not endure the shaking of the ship he returned saying he would die in his Countrey often preserved by him Being weary both of his flight and life Plutarch in Cicerone he came to a Village a little more than a mile distant from the Sea Here his servants
and so they came to Brundusium where they were kept out by a Garrison placed there by Caesar The Triumvirs fall out 19. This made such a breach betwixt them that Antony blocked up the Town and procured Pompey from Sicily to invade Italy Appian Caesar came to Brundusium where the old Soldiers being unwilling to fight against Antony the Army laboured to reconcile the Triumvirs which Cocceius friend to both at length effected with much labour Pollio on Antonie's side and Maecenas on Caesar's as Delegates making up the breach All offences were mutually to be forgiven and for that Marcellus husband to Octavia Caesar's sister was now dead and also Fulvia Antonie's wife for grief that he neglected her Antony married Octavia Then was the Roman Empire divided betwixt them Are reconciled and a new agreement is made the bounds of their Dominins being Codropolis a Town of Illyricum all from it Westward being to obey Caesar and all Eastward Antony Africk was left to Lepidus who now was even no body and having offended Caesar had been confined by him to that Province The War against the Parthians was judged to Antony and that against Pompey who must needs now be suppressed unto Caesar Antony sent Ventidius into Asia to restrain the Parthians who now had made an incursion as far as Ionia But out of Sardinia did Menodorus Pompey's Admiral the second time eject Helenus Caesar's Captain whereupon Caesar refused to hearken to Antony when he moved him to be reconciled unto Pompey Both the Triumvirs or rather now the Duumvirs being come to the Citie were received with most lamentable complaints of poor people ready to starve for want of Provisions which Pompey hindred from coming from the East by Sicily from the West by Sardidinia and Corsica which he had in his power and from Africk by his Navy also which then was most powerful at Sea Caesar could not be drawn to make Peace with him A great famine caused by Sextus Pompey notwithstanding the loud cries and prayers of the multitude which obstinacy drew him and Antony rescuing him into such danger as both of them were near stoning At length being forced to it and Pompey being perswaded they met but Pompey expecting to be admitted into the power and place of Lepidus the Treaty came to nothing Yet the pressure of the famine brought them together again and amongst other things it was concluded that Pompey retaining all the Islands he had already and Peloponnesus over and above as long as they should hold their power and having liberty to be Consul and to discharge the Office by any of his friends he was to leave the Sea open Procureth an agreement with him and pay to the People what corn was due out of Sicily The proscribed persons except such as were guilty of Caesar 's death had now all liberty to return The day following Consuls were designed for four years Frst Antonius and Libo than Caesar and Pompey next Aenobarbus and Sosius and lastly Caesar and Antony who then it might be hoped might restore the Government to the People Then did Antony and Caesar return and were most joyfully received Joseph Antiq. lib. 14. c. 26. And this year being the 714 of the City did they procure Herod the Great to be declared King of Judaea in the first year of the 184 Olympiad Cn. Domitius Calvinus the second time and C. Asinius Pollio being Consuls 20. Antony departed towards the East again for the Parthian Warre Dio lib. 49. Appian in Parthicis which hitherto Ventidius his Lieutenant had managed with good successe having got several victories wherein Labienus who brought them into Syria and Pharnapates or Phraates or Barzapharnes being called by several names the greatest of their Captains Ventidius prospereth against the Parthians with Pacorus son to Orodes the King Florus l. 4. c. 9. were slain After this he repelled them in Media and Mesopotamia and besieged Antiochus Comagenus in Samosata whom he suffered upon promise of 1000 talents to send Ambassadors unto Antony who now drew near and for that the siege was likely long to continue by reason of the desperat resolution of the defendants granted him Peace for 300 talents accepted but of two Hostages and those inconsiderable ones and he gave him leave to put to death Alexander who had formerly revolted to the Romans This by (a) Dio ut prius some he was thought to do for fear of the Army which was angry at his ill usage of Ventidius though others say Plutarch in Antonio he honoured him according to his deserts who though a man of an obscure extract now first of all others triumphed over the Parthians Antony having setled the affairs of Syria departed to Athens where he spent the winter with Octavia But the (c) Appian de bello Civil l. 4. peace with Pompey continued but a short time The cause of the breach whatever secretly was aimed at was pretended to be for that Antony being to quit Peloponnesus would do it but upon this condition that Pompey should give him satisfaction for such moneys as was due to him from the Inhabitants But Pompey liked not of any such condition and therefore rigged a new Fleet and provided himself of forces perhaps giving credit to Metrodorus who would tell him that the present state of affairs was no true Peace but rather a cessation of arms He then renewed his Piracy which renewed the former grievances and made the People cry out that the matter was onely altered from three Tyrants to four But Metrodorus revolted to Caesar bringing in with him Corsica Sardinia and three Legions and then Antony was called to Brundusium to consult about the War Thither he came at the day appointed but Caesar keeping not his word he staied not for him either not liking the breach of the Peace The Peace with Pompey broken or for that he envied Caesar all that power he saw him have for still they suspected and grudged each other A. M. 3967. V. C. 716. Herodis 2. But Caesar being provided set out to Sea as to invade Sicily and was beaten back by Pompey though he took him at unawares who heard nothing of the revolt of Metrodorus till also of Caesars coming Afterward his ships lying at Anchor were extreamly battered and most of the men were cast away 21. Caesar fortified the Coasts of Italy for fear lest Pompey should make an invasion which he not knowing how to improve a Victory Idem was never wont to attempt Then wanting all manner of provisions for the Warre he sent Maecenas to Antony who refusing not to joyn with him this cheared him together with a Victory got by Agrippa in Aquitaine many Cities and private persons also promising aid Antony came to Tarentum with 300 ships but whether there was something else betwixt them or for that he was now furnished he slighted his help Caesar excused himself that he met him
Egypt he sent Cornelius Gallus before him who seized on Paraetonium the Chief Citie on that part near Africk and Pelusium the other strongest Town towards Syria did Cleopatra betray to him secretly forbidding the Alexandrians to go out against him Antony once fought prosperously against his horse and the second time was beaten then he sent him a challenge which Caesar refused saying that if Antony so pleased there were 1000 wayes lying open for his destruction Wherefore bethinking himself that he could not die with more credit than in battel he resolved to oppose Caesar both by Sea and Land but Cleopatra procured that both his Navy and horse revolted Hereupon he returned into the Citie crying out that he was betrayed by her for whose sake he had taken up Arms. She being afraid of him departed to her Monument and sent some to tell him she was dead pretending fear of Caesar Upon which message he resolving to follow her wounded himself in the belly The wound not quickly dispatching him she sent for him up into her Monument whither he was pulled up by her self and two women being willing to live now that she was alive Antony killeth himself and hoping he might possibly recover But he shortly after died willing her as well as she could to provide for her self and not grieve for him but rather rejoyce in that he had been the most famous of men as also most powerfull and now being a Roman was not through lazinesse overcome by a Roman Such was the end of this man who through desire of fame became the Author of sad Tragedies to his Countrey who in the use of his power greatly abused it and was not onely overcome by a Roman but also by a Woman and then so behaved himself that he could not be excused from lazinesse effeminatenesse and luxury all which things checked that goodnesse of disposition supposed once to be in him and left Cleopatra little cause to rejoyce for any real glory that might accrue unto him 20. Caesar endeavoured to get Cleopatra into his hands that he might lead her in Triumph He easily obtained Alexandria Dio ut suprà Sueton. in Octavio Plutarch in Antonio Orosius lib. 6. cap. 19. Patercul lib. 2. cap. 87. Florus lib. 4. cap. 11. Livii Epit. lib. 133. Julian ad Themistium the Inhabitants whereof he pardoned but put to death Antyllus the son of Antony and some others He viewed the body of Alexander the Great and out of honour to his memory set on it a Golden Crown and strewed it with flowers but touching it he broke off a little piece of the Nose and refused to see the bodies of the Ptolomies though the Alexandrians much desired it saying he had a mind to see the King and not dead men Cleopatra dealt with her Physician to dispatch her but being terrified by Caesar upon the account of her Children she gave it over and did all she could but in vain to work upon his affections when he came to see her So doth Cleopatra her self and Egypt is made a Province Then did she give him an Inventory of her goods and he promised her fair things thinking thereby that he deceived her though he himself was deceived For she understanding that she was reserved for a Triumph prevented it by a voluntary death as is in the History of her Kingdom related Caesar made Egypt a Tributary Province and would have conferred the Government thereof upon Arius the Philosopher who formerly had taught him but he refusing the imployment he gave it to Cornelius Gallus a man of obscure birth Caesario the son of Cleopatra by Julius Caesar had by his mother been sent towards India with a great sum of money but at Rhodes his Governour perswaded him to return as now being to expect the Kingdom Caesar consulting what to do with him Ariaeus alluding to * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that prudent sentence of Homer said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To have many Caesars is not good and so he was sent after his mother A. M. 3975. Ol. 187. ann 3. V.C. 724. Herodis 10. Ante Christum 28. Whilest these things were doing at Alexandria was M. Tullius Cicero son of the Orator Consul at Rome taken in by Caesar to blot out the ignominy of betraying his father in the room of Licinius Crassus where he published Caesar his Collegue's Letters concerning the overthrow of Antony and put them up over the pleading place where his father's head had formerly been set But this overthrow and death of Cleopatra hapned in the 14th year after the death of Julius Caesar the third of the 187 Olympiad the 724 of the Citie 28 before the birth of Christ A. M. 3975. 294 after the death of Alexander the Great under whom as the Macedonian Empire began so now in Cleopatra and not till now it was quite extinct and here the Contemporaries with it receive their period AN INSTITUTION OF General History The First Part. BOOK IV. The Roman Empire CHAP. I. From the absolutenesse of Octavius to the death of Tiberius containing the space of 66 years 1. THE Roman Empire had now swallowed up the Macedonian The Grandeur of the Roman Empire with such Kingdoms and States as were at all considerable and Contemporary with it whereof though some might retain a shew of liberty yet were they but in a condition of vassalage except the Parthian Kingdom which as yet acknowledged no subjection and when it did being forced thereto for the most part by intestine divisions not long continued in that acknowledgement 2. This Empire now laboured under it's own weight and like to some unwieldy thing staggered by reason of the turgency of it's inward burthen without any extraneous violence it was grown up to an athletick habit and had already sufficiently manifested the danger of this constitution For being all head and no body it wanted those limbs which by direction from a superiour sense could secure it's progresse or indeed being all body and no head It laboureth under it's own own weight it was void of that influence which effecteth an orderly motion and is necessary for the subsistence of life it self The proper fruits of Popular Government were now grown fully ripe Every one would command and none would be ruled yet every man challenging a part in the Supreme power none enjoyed it much and therefore but few were really sollicitous for the upholding of it as Popular any further than some private interests led them The heady multitude indeed was violently caried on in it's desires after the chief command but some desired it rather that others might not enjoy it holding this Principle to oppose all rising though excellent persons whatsoever Others tickled with an humour of ruling and in intellectuals above their fellows set themselves to please the rabble by maligning other men crying up liberty and equality extolling the justice of the Agrarian and vaunting of great matters intended to be done
effeminatenesse and luxury so that gluttonous (o) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ventri indulgere 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 voluptatibus deditus and voluptuous persons (p) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unguentarius Lege Athenaeum lib. 15. c. 12. such as made it their profession to afford incitements to debauchery received Epithets from their name 41. Pactyas having fled to Cuma Mazares sent to demand him of the Citizens but they dismissing him he fled to Mytilene and thence to the Chians Taken who sold him to Mazares He then reduced such as had revolted and harrasing the Countrey of Priene with that lying upon Maeander and Magnesia fell sick and died Harpagus the Mede succeeded him and out of hand undertook an expedition against the Ionians The Phocaeans being first besieged obtained truce for a day and then shipping themselves left their ancient seat and passed over into the Island Chius and thence for that the Chians refused to sell them the Islands Oenusae lest they should thither carry the Traffick to Cyrnus where twenty years before they had built a Citie called Alalia Here playing the Pirates they were after five years defeated in a Sea-fight by the Tyrrhenians and â—arâ—haginians and then those that remained passed over to Rhegium in Iâ— where they built a Citie named Hyeâ—a in the Territories of Oenotria The Teians also after their example departed into Thrace where they built up a Citie called Abdera the foundations of it being formerly lâ—id by one Temâ—sius a Clazomenian whom the Thracians thence expelled The Ionians subdued The rest of the Ionians stood it out against Harpagus who yet utterly subdued and forced them to undergo the yoake the second time having refused to follow the counsel of Bâ—as the Prienaean one of the seven wise-men of Greece who advised them to shun servitude by going to Sardinia and there planting themselves in one great and common Citie as they had formerly reâ—ected the advice of Thales the Milesian another of that number to set up one common Court at Teus in the middle of Ionia After the Conquest of the Ionians Harpagus subdued the Carians Caunians and Lycians and brought all the lower Asia under the Dominion and Soveraignty of Cyrus who in the meâ—n while not idle did as much by the upper Provinces leaving nothing in his way but clearing all before him 42. Having Conquered the rest of the Continent he went against the Assyrians who being aware of him had furnished themselves in Babylon for a long siege And the Assyrians or Babylonians Coming to the River Gyndes which rising in the Mantienean Mountains runneth through the Countrey of the Dardaneans and emptieth it self in Tigris he could find no foâ—rd to passe it and a certain white Horse sacred to the Sun boldly taking the water was overwhelmed in the Floods Hereat being exceeding angry he threatned to reduce it to such a condition as it should not be knee-deep and accordingly setting all his Army on work derived it into 360 Rivolets in which employment he spent all that Summer The Spring following he marched for Babylon the King whereof â—abinitus opposed him but being defeated retreated into the Citie to which he then laid close siege In vain for a long time did he attempt the taking of it At length he divided his Army and leaving the two stronger parts of it the one at that side of the Town where the River entred the other there where it came out with the third he retired into the adâ—oyning Fens and digging great ditches derived the River into them Hereby he brought it to such an Ebb that his Souldiers easily passing it became Masters of the Citie and he of the Babylonian or Assyrian Empire This is the sum of what Herodotus hath written concerning the prosperous fortune of Cyrus The sum of Xenophons Cyropaedia 43. Xenophon contrary to the former story will have Cambyses his father no obscure man but King of Media not a word from him of his Grand-father's dream or exposing of the Infant When he was twelve years old he was sent for by Astyages into Media where having tarried till almost a man and being admired for understanding and abilities far above his age he returned to his father and entred into the * Lege de institutione Persarum Xenoph. Cyropaed l. 1. ad iâ—tium College of youth where he was trained up in all strict Discipline according to the customs of Persia Astyages dying Cyaxares his son succeeded him at what time the King of Assyria having subdued all the Syrians Arabians Hyrcanians and had now faln upon the Bactryans promised himself the absolute Empire of the East if he could but bring under the Medes and Persians He sent therefore to all his Neighbours to Croesus King of Lydia the King of Cappadocia to both the Phrygians Casians Paphlagonians Cilicians and Indians accusing these two Nations of ambitious designs to enslave them all and procured them to joyn with him in an offensive and defensive league against them Cyaxares hearing this desired of Cambyses his Brother-in-law to send down Cyrus to him with an Army Cyrus being accordingly chosen General by the people first subdued the Armenians who because of this combination of the Princes had denied to pay their accustomed tribute to Cyaxares and then perswaded his Uncle to invade the Assyrians to keep the War from his own doors 44. Making then an inroade into Assyria the King thereof Croesus of Lydia and divers other Confederates came against them but in the first ingagement were worsted and beaten back into their Camp and amongst others the Assyrian himself Neriglissor if any was slain The night following all brake out of the Fortifications and fled whereupon Cyrus prevailing with his Uncle to suffer him to pursue them with as many of the Medes as would follow him of their own accord in his way entred into confederacy with the Hyrcanians through the conduct of whom he overtook and again defeated them they also slew the Kings of Cappadocia and Arabia After this he invaded the Territories of the Babylonians went up to the Citie it self and challenged the King to a single Combat who refusing it he after some few skirmishes thereabout returned to Cyaxares upon the Borders of Media to deliberate about carrying on the War He found him greatly discontented at his successe out of apprehension that he had robbed him of all the glory and much averse to the War but at length he appeased him and so wrought underhand upon the Officers of the Army that they unanimously voted the War to be carried on Some time being necessary then for preparation he chose out a convenient place for the Army's Quarters and not long after understood by certain Fugitives and Prisoners that the King of Assyria was gone towards Lydia with much Treasure 45. Cyrus supposing his design to be for raising men prepared for the main chance by horsing his Persians inventing new and more convenient
was in desperate condition by want of necessaries till fearing a defection for that some had revolted already or till being forced by the earnestnesse of his Soldiers he led them out to battel Both parties though Countrey-men were so greedy of ingaging that they neglected to use any missive vveapons and betook themselves to their Swords fighting with great animosity till at length Brutus his side was born down and put to the rout And Brutus after a defeat He escaped to an Hill where remaining all night when in the morning he saw no way of escaping Antony having made him sure lest he should renew the War he set his swords point to his left pap where the motion of the heart is felt and forcing it into his breast expired A. M. 3963. Ol. 185. ann 3. V.C. 712. Hyrcani 22. Ante Christ 40. This was the end of these two men by the same vveapons as some write wherewith they killed Caesar who had given them their lives and received them into favour after the battel of Pharsalum While they sought liberty by his death by that very means they lost that which they accounted such being indeed no other than a liberty for the common sort to run into extravagancies and for particular men to abuse their credulity and by flattery to procure power which they then would improve even Pompey himself as well as Sylla Cinna Marius and Caesar further than their Commissions extended With them perished the hopes of that called a Commonwealth which thenceforth never was more seen Appian As for the succeeding bickerings which the Triumviri had with young Pompey they were but inconsiderable in comparison of this War with Cassius and Brutus who having under their power all the Roman Empire from Macedonia to the River Euphrates with above 20 Legions 20000 horse 200 long ships and infinite sums of money so long as they remained the Commonwealth seemed though not at Rome as yet to be surviving 16. Caesar being indisposed for he had not his health this expedition and therefore was not in the first fight returned into Italy Caesar returneth to Rome Antony went into Asia to gather up money for the paiment of largesses promised to the Soldiers Here he squeezed out of the poor Inhabitants that little which was left them by Cassius and Brutus Appian belli civil lib. 5. Plutarch in Antonio Dio lib. 48. the followers of whom he also restored as he met with them except such as had an hand in Caesar's death In Cilicia he met with Cleopatra Queen of Egypt on whom he presently doated having formerly had much affection for her when yet a Girle at such time as he accompanied Gabinius into that Kingdom Antony followeth Cleopatra into Egypt Thither he now followed her having first sent a party of horse to plunder Palmyra a Town situate near Euphrates and laid most heavy Tributes and Impositions upon the Provinces After Caesar had recovered A. M. 3964. V.C. 713. according to their agreement at parting he set himself to divide Lands to the Army in Italy which hereby was put into a great combustion the number of Soldiers being so great that multitudes of Inhabitants were turned out and many Towns emptied to give place to those new comers who committed many outrages and had not purchased those Lands by any service to the State as was complained but by serving to inthrall it to the Dominion of three men Fulvia the wife of Antony and Lucius his brother now Consul envied Caesar this popularity with the Soldiers and contended earnestly that they ought to settle the Soldiers of Antony which was granted But herewith not contented they resolved to prosecute him with War She for that she desired her husband might be recalled thereby from Cleopatra concerning whom she had too much cause to be jealous of him and he out of desire to innovate pretending an indeavour to suppresse the Triumvirate and to reduce the antient form of Government and trusting much to the strength of his brother The Perusian War betwixt Caesar and the brother and wife of Antony 17. Much ado was made to reconcile them but to no purpose The antient Possessors of the grounds flocked to Lucius and the new ones to Caesar to whom Salvidienus coming out of Gall with great strength Appian Lucius went to oppose him but was diverted by Agrippa and reduced to such straights betwixt them two though Ventidius and Asinius two of Antonie's Captains were not far off that glad he was to betake himself for security to Perusia a strong Town where he was closely besieged by Caesar and his party He stood out very couragiously till forced by famine to yield to mercy then coming out first and casting himself into Caesar's hands he interceded for his Soldiers and desired all the blame might be upon himself he was received honourably and his Soldiers were pardoned at the desire of their Enemies The Town was to be plundred but by a mad-man A M. 3965. V. C. 714. who set his own house on fire and therein perished it was burnt down to the ground About this time was the first Ecloge of Virgil written who now was some 28 years old during the division of those Lands as clearly appeareth from it Vide Servium in locum the above mentioned L. Antonius and P. Servilius Isauricus being Consuls in the 713th year of the Citie and the third of the Triumvirate 18. After the Perusian War for so 't is called Caesar suspecting Antonie's affection towards him Appian to strengthen himself seized on Spain and Gall Caesar provideth for the worst though his Provinces taking occasion at the death of his Lieutenant vvhereby being 40 Legions strong he vvas able to graple vvith him if need should require But having no shipping he was at a losse as to Sea matters and therefore married Scribonia the sister of Libo father-in-law to Sextus Pompey from whom he hoped by this alliance if need were to obtain peace Antony this Spring moved from Alexandria where he had lived all Winter very loosely with Cleopatra as against the Parthians who now under conduct of Labienus had over-run Syria as far as Tyre Antonies carriage in the East Though this Town was set upon by them and he pretended he would relieve it yet he did not alleging a necessity of going to the War against Pompey who now hindred all Provisions from coming to the Citie and thereby caused a great dearth Dio lib. 48. he again excused himself why he came no sooner to that against Pompey because he was retained by the Parthian War Sayling then into Asia he had news of the event of the Perusian War and blamed much his wife and brother whence passing into Greece he met with her and his mother Julia whom Pompey having taken now sent safe to him Thence he sayled over the Ionian Sea where Aenobarbus delivered up all his Fleet and forces to him
Caesar though to the Senate he had acknowledged him for his own son Antony bewitched by Cleopatra so far as not to be able to rule himself wrote to the Senate to have those things confirmed which he had setled upon her and her children The two Consuls Cn. Domitius and C. Sosius being much for him were forced to leave the City and get over to him who now also having raised great forces sent to Rome to drive Octavia out of his house and if taking his opportunity he had this Summer invaded Italy he might in all probability have put an end to the quarrel For Caesar was not yet provided wanting money exceedingly which he now exacted throughout Italy But this delay herein helped him that men's minds were more and more bent against Antony especially after Caesar had published his Testament A. M. 3973. Ol. 187. an 1. V. l. 722. Herodis 8. wherein he disposed as formerly to his and Cleopatra's children and ordained that though he should dye at Rome his body should be sent to her at Alexandria it was also reported that he meant if his matters prospered to give her Rome and transfer the seat of the Empire into Aegypt Hereupon the Warre was decreed against her and he was devested of his Triumvirate Vide Dionem ubi supra but not declared an Enemy for fear of those with him For then must they necessarily have been included in the same capacity and so driven upon desperate Councils to them therefore rewards were promised if they would forsake him and hereby was he thought rendred more inexcusable in that being unhurt he should make War for an Egyptian woman against his Countrey Then did the one draw all the East and the other the West to his party Caesar had ready 250 ships of War 80000 foot and 12000 horse Antony had 500 such like ships Their preparations for war very big and stately with 100000 foot and also 12000 horse The King of the Medes also sent him aid which being not sent back and Antony also recalling his forces he had left with him for the protection of that Countrey the Parthian became Master of that Kingdom and Armenia also was lost 26. The following year Agrippa being sent before by Caesar Idem Plutarch in Antonio took divers ships coming to Antony with Provisions Antony worsted and molested him exceedingly upon the Sea wherewith Caesar incouraged passed from Brundusium into Epirus to a Promontory whereof that lieth near the Bay of Ambracia sending his forces he took in Corcyra so did Agrippa the Island Leucas near to Actium with Patrae and Corinth Titius also and Taurus routed Antonies horse Then several persons of note fell off from Antony Sosius was beaten and lost his life at Sea and Antony himself was also worsted by a guard of Caesars Being much troubled hereat Canidius would have perswaded him to send away Cleopatra and decide the quarrel either in Thrace or Macedonia for that he was stronger in Land forces But though his navy had been twice worsted and he had lost many ships yet she obtained of him to fight at Sea providing withall all things as for a fight For four dayes the Sea was so rough with winds that it hindred them from fighting but on the fifth they joyned and then Caesar's ships being light could easily tack about and invade Antonies which were unwieldly and of little use Cleopatra wearied with long expectation ere it could certainly be known how things would go with her gilded deck Purple sayls A. M. 3974. V. C. 723. Herodis 9. Ante Christ 29. and sixty light Egyptian Gallies fled away which Antony seing presently followed forsaking his men and running away who ought to have animadverted upon such as did so Overthrown at Actium in a Sea-fight His Soldiers fought most valiantly notwithstanding the basenesse of their General who getting into Cleopatra's Gally went and sate by himself in a deep silence Patercul l. 2. c. 85. holding his head with both his hands till at the tenth hour they were partly perswaded and partly constrained to submit it being confessed that in this fight they behaved themselves like to and executed the Office of the best General and their General played the part of a run-away Soldier From this victory of Caesar at Actium a Promontory of Epirus Several * Dio. Suetonius Aurelius Victor Authors date his Monarchy which lasted from the second of September whereon the battel was fought to the 19th of August on which he died 44 years wanting 13 dayes Now was hee himself the third time Eutropius and M. Valerius Messala Consuls in the 723th year of the Citie the second of the 187 Olympiad and the seventh of Herod King of Judaea as Josephus gathereth the 29th before the Aera of Christ A. M. 3974. 27. His Land forces could scarcely believe his flight Plutarch in Antonio having such an Army left to him intire and for seven dayes were so constant to him that though the thing was clearly known they rejected Caesars messages but being now over-taken by him and forsaken of their Leader Canidius Patercul lib. 2. cap. 87. Dio lib. 51. who had posted away after Antony they yielded and were taken into Caesar's Army Then did Caesar go to Athens His Land forces yield to Caesar where he put to death Cassius Parmensis one of those that slew his Uncle and setling the affairs both of Greece and Asia determined to vvinter in Samus but was called into Italy by Agrippa to quiet his Soldiers who now mutinied He sailed then to Brundusium but the Senate meeting him there he went no further and having dispatched his businesse within thirty dayes returned into Asia Antony for some time lived disconsolately by himself Cleopatra conveyed ships over into the Red-Sea intending there to seek her fortune she had thought also of flying into Spain They both sent to Caesar she that her Children might have Egypt granted them and he that he might be permitted to live privately at Athens She sent him a Golden Crown and Scepter with a royal seat privily to curry favour and he though openly he threatned her secretly promised her safety and her Kingdom if she would kill Antony who was also advised by * Joseph Antiq l. 15. c. 10. Herod of Judaea to do as much by her 28. They sent again to him the first and second time and he gave up to him Turullius a Senator and one of the murderers of Julius Caesar He putting the man to death returned no answer neither the second time when he sent Antyllus his son to him with much Gold which he received Dio lib. 5. Plutarch in Antonio But with her he still dealt sending Thyrsus his Freed-man to her to make her believe that he was in love with her hoping she might kill Antony and preserve her Treasures which she threatned to burn if she came into any danger Now going down into
India to beg his friendship Returning home he shut the Temple of Janus the second time having formerly so done after his Triumph over Antony and his return out of Egypt which shutting was the third from the foundation of the Citie Strabo lib. 2. But after his return out of Spain it continued not long shut For Aelius Gallus made War against the Arabians and piercing far into their Countrey had subdued all Arabia Foelix but that he was betrayed At the same time also Candace Queen of Aethiopia sent her Captains to invade Egypt but they were repulsed by Petronius Governour of that Countrey for Cornelius Gallus having bespattered Augustus Lib. 17. and for that being condemned by the Senate had killed himself who also pursued them and taking divers Towns forced the Queen to beg peace and returned inriched to Alexandria Dio l. 17. Augustus some time after went into Greece and thence into Syria whither the Parthian now affrighted sent the Ensigns taken at the overthrow of Crassus and flight of Antony and now again did the two Kings of India Pandion and Porus send Ambassodors with presents As he returned home Virgil the Poet met him at Athens who now out of a desire to finish his Aeâ—eiados had resolved to withdraw himself out of the way into Greece and Asia but meeting here with Augustus in whose especial favour he flourished he was drawn back with him and viewing Megara in a very hot season contracted a distemper which was so much increased with sayling that growing still worse Vide vitam Virgilii A. M. 3990. V. C. 735. he died at Brundusium within a few dayes after his landing Virgil dieth in the 52th year of his age on the 12th of September and the 735th year of the Citie C. Sextius and Q. Lucretius being Consuls 37. Augustus his first wife was Scribonia which had been married to two persons of Consular Dignity and by one was a Mother Of her he begat his daughter Julia but within a short time divorced her as he pretended Sueton in Octavio cap. 62. 63 64. because of the perversity of her disposition Then did Nero who had followed L. Antonius to Perusium Augustus his wives and issue but afterwards was reconciled freely yield unto him Livia Drusilla though he had had one son already by her named Tiberius and she was big with another which being born three moneths after she had married Caesar was called Drusus By Livia Augustus had no Children but abortive His daughter Julia he married to Marcellus his sister Octavia's son and after his death to Agrippa making him put away his wife the daughter of Octavia for in a consultation Macenas took the liberty to tell him that he must either marry his daughter to Agrippa or take away his life there was no third way he had made him so great By Agrippa she had three sons Caius Lucius and Agrippa Posthuâ—â—us and two daughters Agrippina and Julia. The three sons were adopted by their Grand-father but the two former died before and the later was killed by Tiberius after the death of Augustus Dio lib. 54. Tiberius and Drusus subdued the Rhatians and Vindelicians People of Germany and afterwards the Pannonians and Frisians apart Agrippa was made partaker of the Tribunitial power by Augustus amongst other honours and ruled Syria by himself and Agents ten years Being sent into Pannonia of which Hungaria is part he stilled the Natives by the rumour of his coming and returning into Campania died shortly after Then was Tiberius compelled to mary Julia although he had already to wife Agrippina the daugher of Agrippa Within two or three years after Sueton. in Claudio Drusus having pierced very far into Germany and entered his Consulship together with L. Quintius Crispinus died also leaving two sons viz. Germanicus and Claudius in the 746 year of the City 38. The same year that Drusus died by a fall from his Horse as Livy wrote Sueton in Octavio Plinius l. 18. c. 25. Orosius lib. 6. cap. 21. Dio l. 55. p. 552. A. M. 3996. V. C. 745. Sueton in Tiberio Seneca de beneficiis l. 32. Tacitus Annal. lib. 1. who intended his History just so far Augustus being High-Priest which Office he took not upon him till the death of Lepidus amended the Calendar He amendeth the Calendar corrected formerly by his adoptive Father For in those 36 years there had been made an intercalation of twelve dayes whereas there ought to have been but of nine therefore he commanded that the twelve years following should passe without any intercalation at all that so the three dayes might be swallowed up Now he named August after himself the moneth Sextilis because in it he entered his first Consulship and had the first ensigns of Victory and Power rather than September wherein he was born The moneth â—â—â—ilis called 〈◊〉 hâ—m Aâ—gâ—sâ— Not long after did Tiberius rather by craft than force of Arms again subdue the Germans who maintained a most difficult Warre After his Triumph he withdrew himself into the Island Rhodes either because of Caius and Lucius or by reason of the intolerable dishonesty of his wife Julia for she was so abominably wanton that her father at length banished her into the Island Pandataria and very imprudently in his anger revealed her naughty cariage in way of complaint to the Senate of which indiscretion being afterward sensible he would often say that if either Agrippa or Maecenas had lived no such thing had hapened to him 39. Agrippa as we said having quieted Pannonia died after his return into Campania in the 743 year of the City three years before Drusus A. M. 3993. V. C. 743. Lib. 7. c. 8. Pliny telleth that they were first called Agrippae which were born with the feet forward as if a man should say born hardly or with much adoe And in this manner The death of Agrippa saith he as they say M. Agrippa came forth of his mothers womb the onely man almost known to have brought any good fortune with him and prospered in the World of all that were in that sort born Yet he was much pained with the Gout and passed all his youth and many a day after in bloody Wars and in danger of a thousand deaths Unfortunate he was in his children and especially in his two daughters the Agrippinae who brought forth two children pernicious to the whole Earth namely C. Caligula and Domitius Nero Emperours He died in the 51 year of his age A. M. 3997. V. C. 746. Velleius l. 2. c. 88. Dio l. 55. p. 552. tormented and vexed with the adulteries of his wife and oppressed with the intolerable servitude in which he lived under her father Four years after him and the year after Drusus died Maecenas the other favourite of Augustus Of Maecenas and the great Patron of Learned men He was in as great grace with Caesar as Agrippa though lesse honoured
for he contented himself with the Equestrian rank neither could he not obtain greater things but he would * Maecenas eques Hetrusco de Sanguint regum Intra fortunam qui cupis esse tuam Propertius l. 3. not He had great power with Augustus which he improved to the allaying of his passion and doing good offices for others as one example shews above the rest On a time as Augustus sate in Judgment and was about to sentence many to death he perceiving it and nor able to come at him for the croud wrote these words Rise up at last Executioner in a table and cast them into Caesar's lap as some other matter who having read them presently departed without condemning any Neither did this offend Augustus but he was glad that he had one who would be so free with him and curb that anger which either his inclination or the urgency of businesse moved him to (a) Cilnius Arreti Tyrrhenis ortus in oris Clarum nomen erat Silius Italicus Cilnius was the antient name of his Family and Arretium in the Tyrrhenian Coasts the place of it (b) L. 7. c. 5â— Pliny telleth strange passages of him as that he never was without an Ague and for three years before his death never slept a quarter of an hour together In the same year which was that wherein Augustus mended the Calendar and called the moneth Sextilis after himself Horace the Poet also died in the 57 year of his age His familiarity with Caesar and Maecenas is sufficiently known His life is written by Suetonius 40. Augustus having again quieted all Nations and shut the Temple of Janus the third time having ordained a general taxation throughout the Empire that he might know the State and worth thereof having also refused the name of Dominus or Lord with great earnestnesse which he forbad even his Children and Nephews by an edict to use towards him the Lord and Heir of all things came into the World in the fulnesse of time revealed by the Angel Gabriel to the Prophet Daniel for the fulfilling of the promises made concerning the seed of the woman The birth of our Lord Jesus Christ which should break the serpents head A. M. 4003. Ol. 194. an 3. V. C. 752. Caesare Augusto 13. M. Plautio Silano Coss Great difference there is in assigning the year of the World wherein our Saviour was born by reason of the difficulty of computation arising from the several versions of the Scriptures the intricate and uncertain successions of the Judges the variety of the forms of years and the several reckonings as to parcels of such as are related in Scripture A great help for the regulation of these things is afforded from prophane Histories But it beginneth but with Cyrus whose History as to the restauration of the Jews presenteth us with the first certain note of conjunction he being so named both by holy and prophane Writers but not Nebuchadnesar and yet the duration of his reign is also uncertain Yet as from all these opinions weighed together a good account may be given in another place more proper for the length of it as to the year of the World so the Evangelist teaching us that in the fifteenth year of Tiberius Christ was about thirty years old it must needs follow that Augustus reigned fifteen years after his birth so that if we count as some do the reign of Augustus from the death of Julius Caesar it lasted 57 years and then must Christ be born in the 42 of it But if we follow them as the order of this Work doth who with more reason fetch the beginning of his Empire from the death of Antony and the conquest of Aegypt then Christ's birth fell into the 28 year thereof and according to the computation which we most approve into the 4003 year of the World the 752 of the City and the third year of the 194 Olympiad wherein Caesar Augustus himself the thirteenth time and M. Plautius Silanus were Consuls Although Cyrenius who was Consul ten years before and is called elsewhere P. Sulpicius Quirinus might not formally be President of Syria which Office as others say was now obtained by Quintilius Vanus Josephus Antiq. l. 17. c. 7. who succeeded Saturninus who as yet was not departed out of the Province yet being set over this taxation by Augustus in that place this title might well be given him though he then governed Cilicia De bello Judaic l. 1. c. 15. as Herod is by Jesephus said to be constituted Procurator of all Syria though it had it's Officers who were to act by his assistance and direction Herod had now reigned 37 years and odd moneths and being deluded by the Wise Men whom he willingly suffered to search out Christ that he might destroy him killed all the children in and about Bethlehem of two years and under Matth. 2.16 which cruelty was but agreable with his disposition and constant practice Here that we may describe his affaires we must make a little digression and take them where we formerly left them A digression to the affairs of Herod 41. After he had obtained the possession of his Kingdom Josephus Antiq. l. 15. c. 1 c. he put to death 45 of Antigonus his friends having procured him to be beheaded as we formerly shewed Then did he prefer to the High-Priesthood one Ananel an obscure man neglecting Aristobulus the son of Aristobulus the King and brother to his own wife Mariamne and Antony desiring to see this youth for the fame of his beauty he fearing the Roman might advance him to stay him at home gave him the Priesthood and excused his neglect to send him by the inclination of the Jews to rebellion Perceiving him then to be in extraordinary favour with the Jews and that his mother Alexandra which he kept very close because of her restlesse spirit plorted the escape of her self and son into Aegypt a year after as he was swimming he caused him to be drowned and though Cleopatra accused him hereof to Antony yet by presents he made his Peace He maketh away Aristobulus In the Civil Wars he sided with Antony who having forces sufficient desired him to chastize the Arabians that denied the Tribute imposed on them This he did and though at first his attempts miscaried yet in another battel he quite overthrew and brought them under After the overthrow of Antony he had little hope that his own matters would go well He murdered Hyrcanus who onely survived of all the males of the Royal Family and whom he had recalled from Babylon Idem ibid. c. 9 c. whither he was caried by the Parthians He took the advantage of the old man's intent to flye into Arabia through the importunity of his daughter Alexandra who promised him great things if Herod should miscary under the power of Augustus Then providing as well as he could for the worst in case it should happen
the rest with his relations to the number of 800. he marched on to Massada and there placed them where no sort of Provisions was wanting but he himself held on for Petra in Arabia hoping of that King who was such a friend of his father to obtain help for the recovery of his brothers liberty But the Parthians after his departure from Jerusalem plundred the Citie and Palace and wasted the Countrey in wich they destroyed Marisa a wealthy Town and so reducing Antigonus into Judaea delivered up Hyrcanus and Phaselus into his hands who was grievously troubled that the women had escaped which he intended together with the money to have given to the Parthians 30. Then fearing that Hyrcanus by the favour of the people might again be restored to the Kingdom he either cut or bit off his ears making him thereby uncapable of the Priesthood which by the Law was not given but to one of an entire body But Phaselus knowing he was destined to death for that he could not otherwise kill himself for his bonds dashed out his brains against a stone Antigonus having received Hyrcanus and Phaselus depriveth the former of his ears and Phaselus dasheth out his own brains It was reported that being grievously wounded in his head Antigonus caused poyson to be put into it instead of salve and that he hearing before his death that his brother Herod had escaped underwent it chearfully as leaving behind him a revenger of it And he certainly knowing nothing thereof laboured exceedingly to prevent it going to Malchus the Arabian whom he knew to be obliged to his family hoping of him to get money either upon free gift or trust and resolving to give 300 Talents for his brothers Ransom whose son also a Child of seven years old he carried with him to leave as a pledge But the Arabian being perswaded by his great ones to retain the money owing with the goods which Antipater had deposited with him sent some to meet him and command him to depart from his borders and after he was gone repented of what he had done and sent after him but too late For he was now almost got into Egypt hearing of his brothers death in the way where Cleopatra kindly entertained him intending to use him in her Wars but nothing could hinder him from hasting to Rome though in the Winter season and though great stirs were reported to be in Italy whither also he came though with great danger for the difficulty of Navigation Being rejected by the Arabian he goeth to Rome 31. He came thither when not long before there had been an agreement made betwixt Antony and Caesar the Triumvirs the former having married Octavia sister to the later and another betwixt them two and young Pompey who then held Sicily which was a time convenient enough for his affairs He made his application to Antony of whose favour he had formerly tasted recounting to him the whole story of the Parthians over-running Judaea of his brothers death and the misery of his family now besieged in a Castle and how through these Tempests both at Sea and Land he had ventured to come to him as his onely harbour and refuge and withall was not sparing in the offering of money to him in case he could procure him to be declared King of Judaea Cap. 26. Pity wrought something with Antony being backed with the memory of that friendship which had passed betwixt Antipater and himself the money more and to these being superadded an hatred of Antigonus whom he accounted a turbulent man and one that bore a mind full of hatred towards the Romans he much inclined to favour him Caesar also partly for that Antipater had done good service for his adoptive father in Egypt and because he was willing to gratifie Antony was ready to do him all good Offices being also inclined to favour him out of a particular phancy he had to the man for his courage The Senate therefore being called first Messala and then Atratonius commended him to the fathers relating his father's and then his own merits towards the Commonwealth and withall they accused Antigonus and inveighed against him as an Enemy for that he had not onely born himself as such heretofore but now of late in the calling in of the Parthians Herewith the Senate being offended Antony then declared to them that it would much conduce to the carrying on of the Parthian War which was now depending if Herod should be King so that without any more to do he was so declared by the unanimous consent of all Where to the wonder both of himself and others he his declared King of Judaea and then being accompanied into the Capitol by Caesar and Antony on each hand the Consuls going before there sacrifized and according to the custom laying up the decree of the Senate was feasted by Antony Thus obtained he the Kingdom with the wonder of himself as well as others through the especial friendship of Antony having ever feared that the Romans would never consent he should have that honour which was not wont to be bestowed but upon a royal race and therefore he intended to have sued for it not for himself but for Alexander brother to Mariamne his wife and this increased the wonder that within seven dayes he should be dispatched and dismissed out of Italy But thus obtained he the Sovereignty of Judaea A. M. 3965. A. M. 3965. in the first of the 185 Olympiad Domitius Calvinus the second time and C. Asinius Pollio being Consuls some 37 years before the birth of Christ 32. During his absence Josephus de bello l. 1. c. 12. Antigonus laid close siege to the Castle of Massada where he left his relations abounding with all sorts of provisions onely water was wanting so that Joseph had thoughts of flying with 200 men into Arabia the King whereof he had now heard to have repented of the rejecting of his brother But this was prevented by a shower which fell by night as if sent on purpose from Heaven for their relief whereupon they were so heartned as to sally out upon the besiegers whereof they cut off many In the mean while Ventidius the Roman General being sent into Syria to expel the Parthians thence after their retreat came into Judaea pretending to help Joseph but indeed with intentions to fleece Antigonus of a round sum of money which he did pitching his tents nigh to Jerusalem which being done he drew off the greater part of his forces and left Silo with a party behind him lest the fraud should be understood whom Antigonus was also to pacifie till such time as the Parthians could come and help him But in the mean time Herod landed at Ptolemais and having got together no mean company hasted through Galile against him Idem Antiq. l. 14. c. 27. A. M. 3966. To Silo and Ventidius Antony had sent expresse order by Gellius to place him in the Kingdom Ventidius
was then busie in composing differences amongst the Cities which the incursion of the Parthians had made Silo was in Judaea but corrupted by Antigonus Yet Herod's Forces increasing he marched towards Massada to relieve his friends which he accomplished having first taken Joppe in his way notwithstanding the lying in wait against him by Antigonus after which having taken in also the Castle Ressa he went up to Jerusalem accompanied by Silo's Soldiers and many Citizens affrighted at his power Laying siege to the City both he and Antigonus laboured to draw over the contrary parties to themselves He besiegeth Jerusalem and though Herod could not at all move the Townsmen yet it appeared that Silo was corrupted for he suborned some of his Soldiers to begin a mutiny requiring to be led into a place more plentious of provisions which Antigonus had all cut off but Herod took such care for the bringing in of new that his plot was frustrated and taking out a party of ten Companies half Jews and half Romans went and took Jericho forsaken of its Inhabitants which he left to be rifled to the Romans Then returning he sent down the rest of their Army into their Winter quarters which he appointed in Idumaea Galile and Samaria Antigonus also obtained of Silo to have part of his men received into Lydda thereby endeavouring to curry favour with Antony so that the Romans lay idle all this season in places abounding with all necessaries 33. Herod was not idle but sending his brother Joseph into Idumaea with 1000 Foot and 400 Horse went down into Galile to reduce some places there held by Antigonus and within a short while brought all the Country into obedience except those men that lurked in caves and then dividing to his Soldiers 150 drachmes a man placed them also in their Winter quarters Silo a little after came to him being cast off by Antigonus who had ordered the Inhabitants to take all necessaries with them and flie into the mountains that so the Romans might be starved Ventidius being now ingaged in Syria against the Parthians sent to Silo to come to him when he had with Herod finished the War But Herod having no confidence in him dismissed him beforehand and went himself against the Thieves who dwelling in caves with their families in craggy and inaccessible rocks he was fain to invent certain cages which being let down to the sides of the rocks full of armed men either slew them or tumbled them down headlong out of their holes or else burnt them within and by this means he subdued them all Then setting Ptolomy over that Country he marched into Samaria but was presently forced to return for Ptolomy being set upon by those who formerly had disturbed Galile was slain and then they betook themselves into the fens and inacessible places and thence making excursions robbed all the Coasts thereabouts but he returning punished them pulled down their places of strength and fined the Cities 100 Talents In the mean while Ventidius having slain Pacorus and put the Parthians to flight by Antonius his command sent Machaeras to help Herod with two Legions and 1000 Horse but he being corrupted also by Antigonus would needs go to him as a spie against Herods will Yet when he went could not be received but was laid at with darts so that repenting he had not followed Herod's advice he went and secured himself in Emaus killing all the Jews that came in his way without any difference of friend or enemy out of madnesse for what had hapned unto him Herod being hereat enraged resolved to go and complain to Antony but he entreated him to stay or if he went however to leave Joseph with him to carry on the War against Antigonus which later he granted yet charging his brother not to venture all nor contend with Machaeras Then hasted he to Sâ—mosata upon the river Euphrates before which Antony then lay leading Auxiliaries with him both Horse and Foot At Antioch he met with many that having a design to go thither durst not for the Barbarians who lying in the wayes made great slaughters of travellers but he taking the conduct of them upon him stoutly defended them against the violence of the robbers and with great credit for his valour safely arrived at the Camp of Antony 〈◊〉 to Aâ—â—â—â—â— 34. Antony to do him honour sent out an Army to meet him A. M. 3967. with great praises and embraces received him at the Camp and gave him great respect as a King of his own setting up Shortly after his arrival Antiochus yielded up the place and then Antony committing the Province to Sosius Idem de bello ut prius cap. 13. and commending to him the affairs of Herod went away back into Aegypt In the mean while Joseph neglecting his brothers counsel was slain in Judaea and great innovations followed in that place and in Galile which Herod understanding being sent before by Sosius with two Legions lying at Daphne the Suburbs of Antioch marched into Galile where he worsted the Enemy and took the Castle they fled into whence hasting to Jericho he there feasted the chief Inhabitantes in a room which upon his departure to his chamber presently fell down whereupon he was accounted to be especially owned by God who had so wonderfully preserved him Not long after he got five Towns into his hands wherein he put to the sword 2000 of the Garrison Soldiers and then went against Pappus whom Antigonus had sent into Samaria in a vain ostentation as able to wage War in both places Pappus gave him battel very boldly but he overthrew him and in revenge of his brothers death did great execution whereby Antigonus his interest was clearly broken and he thought of quitting the City had the weather suffered the King to improve the Victory and make an end of the War At night Herod being weary he went to wash in a chamber where one boy onely was with him and therein chanced to be divers armed men of the Enemy who though they might have easily dispatched him then naked yet were they so affrighted as they gladly got out and saved themselves by flight The extremity of the weather being over Idem Antiq ut prius cap. 28. he went up to Jerusalem and laid siege to it in the third year after he had been declared King at Rome intending to use the same manner of opposition as Pompey had made formerly against the Temple But during the siege he went to Samaria He besiegeth Jerusalem and there maried Mariamne daughter to Alexander and niece of Aristobulus formerly contracted to him The mariage being over he returned A. M. 3968. Ol. 105. an 4. V. C. 717. Herodis 3. Ante Christum 35. and Sosius came also through Phoenicia up to Jerusalem so that both carryed on the siege with an Army consisting of eleven Legions Which after five moneths is taken and therein Antigonus who being beheaded by Antony here