repair their breaches only their Treasury was very empty whereupon the People were called together and were plainly told that in this exigent there must be no taking of mony for victuals weapons apparel or other necessaries for the Souldies but that they must trust the Commonwealth with the loan of these things till the Wars were ended This was willingly assented to and the Armies were well supplied both at home and abroad In the mean time the Roman Generals omitted no part of industry in seeking to recover what had been lost Cassiline was besiged by Fabius unto whose assistance Marcellus came The Town was well defended by a Carthaginian Garrison for a longtime but at length the Inhabitants grew fearfull craved a Parlee and agreed to deliver it up so as all might have liberty to depart whither they pleased This was consented to yet as they were issuing out Marcellus seizing upon a Gate entred with his Army and put all to the Sword only about fifty that had gotten out ran to Fabius who saved them and sent them to Capua Hannibal was this while about Tarentum but after long expectation of having it delivered to him he was faign to depart without it So he went to Salapia which he intended to make his wintring place and began to Victual it The new Counsuls chosen at Rome were Q. Fabius the Son of the present Consul and T. Sempronius Gracchus the second time The old Fabius became Lieutenant to his Son and on a time when the old man came to the Camp his Son rode out to meet him Eleven of the twelve Lictiors let him passe by on Hotsback which was against the custome but the Son perceiving this bad the last of the Lictors to take notice of it who thereupon bad old Fabius alight and come to the Consul on Foot the Father cheerfully did so saying It was my mind Son to make tryall whether thou didst understand thy self to be Consul Altinius a wealthy Citizen of Arpi came to Fabius and offered to deliver the Town into his hands Hannibal hearing of it was glad and sent for the Wise and Children of Altinius into his Camp he examined them by torment and being assured of the Treason he commanded them to be burnt and seized upon all Altinius his wealth Fabius shortly after came to Arpi which he took by Scalado in a stormy night Five thousand of Hannibals Souldiers day in the Town and of the Arpines there were about three thousand These were thrust formost by the Carthaginian Garrison who suspected them and therefore thought it no wisdom to trust them at their backs But after some little resistance the Arpines gave over the fight and Parlied with the Romans and the Arpine Praetor going to the Roman Consul received his Faith for the security of the Town wherefore they presently made head against the Garrison yet did the Carthaginians make stout resistance till it was agreed that they should passe safely and returne to Hannibal About this time Cliternum was taken by Sempronius Tudiâ—anus one of the Roman Praetors Also one hundred and twelve Gentlemen of Capua offered their service to C. Fulvius the other Praetor only upon condition to have their goods restored to them which shewed that their affections were turned from Hannibal to the Romans The Consentines also and the Thurines which had yeilded to Hannibal when there was no appearance of those great succours which were promised from Carthage returned to their old allegiance again Others would have done the like but that at this time Hanno met with and slew L. Pâ—mponius and a great multitude that followed him Hannibal in the mean time had all his care about Tarentum which if he could take it would be very commodius for the Landing of the supplies which he yet expected Long he waited for an opportunity and at last by the help of his Friends within it he one night entered at the two Gates that were opened for him and presently made to the market place which the Governour perceiving fled to the Port and taking Boat got into the Citadel that stood at the mouth of the Haven Hannibal having gotten the spoil of the Roman Souldiers goods he addressed himself against the Citadel which stood upon a Peninsula and was joyned to the Town by a causway which was fortified with a Wall and a ditch Against this Hannibal raised some works hoping in a short time to take it but whilst he was thus busied there came in a strong supply by Sea to them which made his attempt hoplesse The Tarentins Fleet lay in the Haven and could not go forth by reason of the Citadel whereby the Citizens were likely in a short time to suffer want To help this Hannibal caused their ships to be drawn up and carried through the streets which were long and plain and lanched them into the Sea without which done they so cut off all supplies that the Citadel began to suffer want Now this while the Roman Forces grew strong and Q. Fulvius Flaccus with Appius Claudius the new Consuls prepared to besiege the great City of Capua having now armed twenty three Legions though to fill them up they had listed many Boyes and they made a Law for their encouragement that their years should go on from that time as if they had been of lawfull age Before the Roman Army drew near the Capuans through their own wretchlesnesse began to feel want of Victuals they sent therefore to Hannibal desiring him to succour them before they were closed up and he sent Hanno with an Army to supply their wants Hanno appointed them a day to bring store of Carriages to convey in the provisions which he should make but when the day came they brought only fourty Waggons with a few pack horses Hanno was much vexed at it and appointed them another day when they should come better provided But in the mean while Q. Fulvius the Consul came privatly to Beneventum and having learned that Hanno was gone abroad a Forraging he marched all night and by the break a day assaulted his Camp which for a long time was gallantly defended but at last though with great losse he won it in which six thousand were slain seven thousand taken Prisoners besides a great Booty that Hanno had lately gotten from the Roman Confederats This misadventure and the neer approach of the Roman Consuls made them of Capua to send a pitifull message to Hannibal intreating him to hasten to their relief considering how faithfull they had been to him Hannibal answered them with fair promises and sent away two thousand Horse to keep their lands from spoile whilst himself was intent about taking the Citadel and some other Towns in thâ—se parts The Consuls fortifying Beneventum to secure their backs addressed themselves to the siege of Capua Many disasters befell the Romans in the beginning of this great enterprise Gracchus a brave Souldiers and lately twice Consul was slain He
strait Then he asked who had the Victory The Boeotians answered the Target-bearer Then he commanded them to bring to him Diophantus and Jolidas they told him they were both dead Upon this he advised his Citizens to make Peace with their enemies for that they had not any Captain of skill to lead them to the Wars And now said he it is time for me to die and therefore pluck the Dart Head out of my Body At this word all his Friends that were about him fetched grievous sighs and even cryed out for sorrow and one of them weeping said unto him Alas Epaminondas Thou diest now and leavest no Children behind thee Yea said he that I do Eor I leave two faire Daughters behind me whereof the one is the Victory at Leuctres and the other this of Mantinea So they pulled out the Dart and immediatly he gave up the Ghost without shewing any signe that he was at all troubled at it He used often to say That War is the Bed of Honour amd that it is a sweet Death to dye for ones Country He was one of the bravest Captaines that ever we read of For whereas others excelled in some one or two Virtues by which they made their Fame great and glorious he excelled in all the Vertues and good Parts that could be desired in a Grave Politick and Great Captain to make him compleat in all things that could be expected in an Heathen In his time he advanced his Country to the Principality of all Greece But after his Death they soon lost it and not long after Alexander the Great utterly â—rake them in peices made slaves of those that survived and razed their City to the very ground Aâ— in hiâ— life time he had alwayes detested covetouâ—nâ—sse so after his Death the Thebans were faigne to bury him at the common charge of the City because they found no mony in his house to defray the least patt of the Funerall expences FINIS Courteous Reader be pleased to take notice that these Books following are Printed for and sold by William Miller at the 〈…〉 in St Pauls Church-yard near the little North Door HIckes Revelation Revealed Folio Clarkes Martyrology Compleat with the Persecutions of England to the end of Queen Maries Reign Folio Lives of ten Eminent Divines some being as follow Bishop Vsher Dr Gouge Dr Harris Mr Gataker Mr Whittaker c. and some other famous Christians Life of Christ 4º Life of Herod the Great 4º Life of Nebuchadnezzar and Cyrus the Great the one the first founder of the Baylonian Empir the other the first founder of the Empire of the Medes and Persians 4º Life of Alexander the Great the first founder of the Grecian Empire As also of Charles the Great commonly called Charlemagne the first founder of the French Empire 4º A Prospect of Hungary and Transylvania together with an account of the qualities of the Inhabitants the Commodities of the Countries the Chiefest Cities Towns and Strong-holds Rivers and Mountains with an Historycal Narration of the Wars amongst themselves and with the Turks continued to this year 1664. As also a Brief Description of Bohemia Austria Bavaria Steirmark Crâ—atia Dalmatia Moravia and other Adjacent Countries contained in a Map joyned therewith by which Map you may know which Places are in the Power of the Turk and which Christians have 4º Cradock's KNOWLEDGE and PRACTICE Or a Plain Discourse of the Chief Things necessary to be KNOWN BELIEVED and PRACTISED in Order to SALVATION 4º Ford of Baptism 8º Cotton on the Covenant of Grace 8º Culverwell of Assurance 8º Records Urinal of Physick 8º Ravins Oriental Grammer 12º Peacocks Visitation 12º Dr Tuckney's Good Day well Improved 12º Death Disarmed 12º Balm of Gilead 12º Clamor Sanguinis 12º Aristippâ—â— or Bâ—lsac's Master piece 12º 〈◊〉 Charles's Works 24º Hannibal chosen General He besieges and takes many Townes His Valour and Policy His Victory He besieges Saguntum Saguntum taken Roman Ambassadors sent to Carthage The Carthaginians answer War denounced by the Romanes Hannibal prepares for Italy He Conquers much of Spain His passage through France He is opposed His Victory in France Some Gauls incourage him He passeth the Alps. The Gauls rise aganst the Romans They besiege Modena The Romans send an Army into Spain Hannibals losses in his march Hannibal prepares to fight A Battel The Romans beaten The Gauls forsake the Romans Hannibal beates the Consul He wins Clastidium Hannibals Forragers beaten Another Battel The Romans beaten Hannibals Policy Treacheries against him His dangerous march The Romans beaten again· The Romans beaten Great feaâ— at Rome A Dictator chosen Fabius his warinesse Hannibals Policy Fabius his wisdom Hinnibals Stratagem Hannibal Forragers beaten Minutius made equall with Fabius A Battel The Romans beaten Cannae Castle taken Varro makes hast to fight They prepare to fight The great Battel at Cannae Hannibals Policy The Romans beaten Many Towns inertain Hannibal Capua intertains him The Romans mourn Their Superstition A Dictator chosen Hinnibal beaten Acerrae taken by Hannibal Cassiline besieged· Mago sent to Carthage Large supplies promised to Hannibal Diverse Cities taken The promised Supplies come not Gracchus his Prudence The Capuans beaten Cuma besieged The Siege raised Hannibal delaies A Battel The Carthaginians bâ—aten The Romans poverty how supplyed Cassilâ—ne taken by the Râ—mans Arpi taken by the Romans The Romans beaten Tarentumâ—ake â—ake by Hannibal The Carthaginians beaten Capua besieged by the Consuls The Seige raised by Hannibal The Romans beaten Another victoâ—y Capua besieged again Hannibal comes to relieve them Hannibal intends for Rome and leaves it Capua taken The Consuls cruelty The publick wants supplied Salapia yeilded to Marcellus The Romans beaten A Battel A Battel The Romans beaten Tarentum taken The Romans beaten Locry besieged The Romans beaten The Consuls slaine The Romans beaten Great fear at Rome Asdrubal comes into Italy A Battel Asdrubal slaine Hannibal retires into Brusia His Prudence Scipio coms from Spain· Is chosen Consul He goâ— into Sycily Sends inti Africk And goes himself Vtica besieged The Carthaginians beaten And a second time They sue for Peace They dealt deceitfully Hannibal leaves Italy Comes into Afrck. An interview of the Generals Hannibals Speech to Scipio Scipios reply They prepar to fight A Battel Hannibal beaten He flies to Carthage and perswades them to seek Peace His Civil imployment He is complained of to the Romans He flies from Carthage to Tyre· He goes to Antioccus His counsel neglected He flies to Prusias Who betrays him His last Speech He poisons himself His Parentage and Education His parts He exercises and studies His Discourse with a Phylosopher His contempt of Riches His Poverty His Charity His Sobriety His Vigilance His Valor Tyran's in Thebes His prudence The Tyrants slain His Modesty He is advanced to Honour The Spartans beaten A Battel The Spartans beaten Peace among the Greeks The Thebans are excepted Plataees destroyed Hiâ— wisdom And courage His Prudence Fat men cashired His Prudence And Policy A Battel The Spartans beaten His Humility He plunders Laconia He braves the Spartans Messina re-edified Pallene destroyed Peloponesus fortified He beates the Spartans His Clemency He is envied His prudence He is accused and abused Pelopidas imprison ed by a Tyrant His Policy His Prudence Pelopidas released His witty speeches His Humility Megalopelis built The Thebans build a Navy New Wars A notable atempt An other but frustrated A Battel He is deadly woundâ—d The Spartans beaten His advice to the Thebans His death His character Hâ—s poverty
drew neer in good order to relieve them and doing therein the office of a good Citizen regarding more the good of his Country than the disgrace which he had wrongfully sustained Upon Fabius his approach Hannibal retired Fearing as he said to be well wet with the cloud that had hung so long upon the Hil-tops Minutius forthwith submitted himself to Fabius by whose favour he acknowledged that his life was preserved Thence forward the War went on slowly whilst Fabius his Dictatorship lasted and the year following also when he had delivered up his charge to the Consuls that followed his instructions With little pleasure did they of the poorer sort in Rome hear the great commendations which were given to Fabius by the principall Citizens because the War was not finished nor much done tending thereto And this affection was very helpfull to Terentius Varro in his suit for the Consulship and farther to help him he had a kinsman Bibius Herennius Tribune of the People He boldly affirmed that Hannibal was drawn into Italy and suffered there to range at his pleasure by the Noblemen that without a Plebeian Consul the War would never be ended c. By which perswasions the multitude were won to be wholly for Terentius to the great vexation of the Nobles who could not endure such an upstart But nothing could hinder the choise of Terentius Wherefore the Nobles to ballast this hot-headed man set up L. Aemilius Paulus a gallant man and a brave Captain to stand for the other Consuls place and he easily carried it These new Consuls Varro and Paulus omitted no diligence in preparing for the War wherein though Varro made the greater noise boasting what wonders he would do if he could but once see Hannibal yet the care and Prudence of Paulus did tend much more towards the effecting of it He wrote to the two old Consuls to forbear fighting and yet to ply the Carthagians with daily Skirmishes and so to weaken them by degrees that when he and his Fellow Consul came with the new Army they might find the four old Legions well accustomed to the Enemy and the Enemy well weakned These new Consuls raised an Army of above eighty thousand Foot and six thousand Horse Hannibal all this while lay at Geryon where all his provision and store was The Romanes to be neer him lodged about Canusium laying up most of their provisions in the Castle of Cannae This place Hannibal wan and thereby not only furnished himself but compelled his enemies to want many necessaries Hereby he also enabled himself to stay in that open Country fit for the service of the Horse Of this mishap when Servilius had informed the Senate it then seemed needfull to them to adventure a Battell with the Carthaginian rather than to suffer him thus to root himself in Italy When all things were ready in the City and the season of the year commodius the two Consuls with their Army set forward against Hannibal This was done with great solemnity Sacrifices and solmne Vowes were made to Jupiter and the other Gods for good successe and Victory and the Generals were accompanied with a great number that brought them out of the City and dismissed them with Friendly leave-taking and good wishes These new Generals arriving at the Camp dismissed M. Atilius one of the last years Consuls because of his age and retained Servilius with them as their Assistant Aemilius laboured to encourage his men telling them that the enemy had stole all the former Victories by his Ambushes that otherwise the Romans were far beyond them in Valour c. and therefore he exhorted them to play the men and to do their best This set them on fire to be dealing with the Carthaginians and herein Varro concurred with them longing for an oportunity to get the honour which he promised to himself having now such a numerous Army By this means the Romans fell into a great inconvenience by the disagreement of of their Generals Varro would fight and Aemilius would not for the present hoping for better advantage ere long when the enemy should be forced to dislodge out of the plain Country The Consuls command in in turnes every day Aemilius lodged six miles from Hannibal where the ground was uneven Terentius the next day descended into the plaines his Colleague beseeching him to stay but could not prevaile He sat down neer to the Carthaginian who yet gave him but a rude welcome and intertainment The Carthaginian Horse and light Armature fell upon the Roman Vant-Courriers and put the whole Army into a tumult whilst it was yet in its march but the Carthaginians were beaten off though not without losse The next day Aemilius who could not securely draw back the Army encamped upon the River Auâ—â—us sending part of his Forces over the River where they encamped themselves with the rest he fortified and kept within his Trenches Varro was perswaded that it concerned him in honour to make good his word to the People of Rome When therefore it was his turne to Command 〈◊〉 the break of Day he began to passe the River withâ—out staying to bid his Colleague good morrow But Paulus came to him labouring by all meanes to disswade him Terentius had nothing to answer but that his honour was engaged Hannibal had twice or thrice bâ—aved them which must not be endured When Aemilius perceived that he could not prevaile he was carefull that what must be done might be done well Ten thousand Foot he caused to be left behind in the Camp opposite to the Carthaginians to the intent that Hannibal might be forced to do the like or else when they were in fight these might fall upon his Camp and take it with all the wealth therein which would much distract the Carthaginians This done the Consuls drew forth their Army over the Water and ranged them in order of Battell This Hannibal was very glad of and therefore without any delay passed over the River also leaving in his own Camp enow to defend it and no more To encourage his men he told them how fit the ground was wherein they were to fight and that therefore they were to thank the Gods who had so infatuated the enemies as to choose such a place where the stronger in Horse was sure to pervail Besides said he These are the men whom you have beaten as often as you have seen them and now you are to fight for their Cities and all the Riches that are in them and ere many houres passe ye shall be Lords of all that the Romans enjoy This set his men on fire to be at it and at the same time came his Brother Mago whom he had sent to view the countenance of the enemy to whom he said What newes What worke are we like to have Work enough answered Mago for they are a horrible company As horrible a many as they be said Hannibal I tell thee that amongst them all there is not one
was expected but there came no more than a few Elephants and Hannibal was forced to rest contented with them Then did he take the Field and sought to make himself master of some good Haven Town that might serve to intertain the Carthaginian Fleet when it should arrive with the supplies For this end he sent Himilco who by the help of his good Friends the Brusians won Petilia he won also Concentia and Crotan and the City of Locri and many other places only the Town of Rhegium over against Sicily held out against him The Romans at this time were in such a case that Hannibal with a little help from Carthage might have reduced them to great extremity But his own Citizens suffered him to languish with expectation of their promised supplies which being still deferred from year to year caused as great opportunities to be lostâ— as a Conquerer could have desired But whatsoever Hannibal thought he was faign to apply himself to his Italian Friends and to feed them with Hopes and to trifle away his time about Nola Naples Cumae c. being loath to weaken his Army by a hard Siege that was to be reserved for a work of more importance Many offers he made upon Nola but alwayes with bad successe Once Mercellus fought a Battel with him there under the Walls of the City having the Citizens to assist him wherein Hannibal lost a thousand men which was no great marvil his forces being then divided and imployed in sundry parts of Italy at once At this time T. Sempronius Gracchus and Q. Fabius Maximus the late famous Dictator were chosen Consuls But Fabius was detained at Rome about matters of Religion or Superstition rather wherewith the City was commonly especially in the times of danger very much troubled so Gracchus alone with a Consular Army waited upon Hannibal amongst the Campanes not able to meet him in the Field yet attentive to all occasions that should be presented The Slaves that lately had been Armed were a great part of his followers These and the rest of his men Gracchus continually trained and had not a greater care to make his Army skilfull in the exercises of War than in keeping it from quarrels that might arise by their upbrading one another with their base condition Gracchus at this time had a bickering with the Capuans upon whom he came at unawars and slew above two thousand of them and took their Camp but staid not long to rifle it for fear of Hannibal that lay not far off By this his Providence he escaped a greater losse than he brought upon the Capuans For when Hannibal heard how things went he presently marched thither hoping to find these young Souldiers and Slaves busied in loading themselves with the Booty But they were all gotten safe into Cumae which so angred Hannibal that at the earnest request of the Capuans he assailed it the next day Much labour and with ill success he spent about this Town He raised a woodden Tower and brought it close to the Walls thereby to assault it but they within built a higher Tower whence they made resistance and found meanes to set Hannibals Tower on fire and whilst the Carthaginians were busy in quenching the fire they issued out charged them valiantly and drove them to their Trenches The Consul wisely sounded a retreat in time or Hannibal had requited them The day following Hannibal presented Battel to them but Gracchus refused it Seeing therefore no liklyhood to prevail he raised his Siege and departed About this time Fabius the other Consul took the Field and recovered some small Towns that Hannibal had taken and punished the Inhabitants severely for their revolt the Carthaginians Army was too small to Garrison all the Towns that had yeilded to them and with all to abide as it must do strong in the Field Wherefore Hannibal attending the supply from Carthage that would enable him to strik at Rome itself was driven in the mean time to alter his course of War and instead of making as he had formerly done a general invasion upon the whole Country he was faign to wait upon occasions that grew daily more commodious to the enemy than to him When Hannibal was gone to Winter in Apulia Marcellus wasted the Country of the Hirpines and Samnites the like did Fabius in Campania The People of Rome were very intentive upon the work they had in hand they continued Fabius in his Consulship and joyned with him Cladius Marcellus Of these two Fabius was called the Shield and Marcellus the Roman Sword The great Name of these Consuls and the great preparations which they made put the Campans in fear that Capua it self should be besieged wherefore at their earnest request Hannibal came from Arpi and having comforted his Friends on a sudden he fell upon Puteoli a Sea-town of Campania about which he spent three dayes in vain there being six thousand in Garrison wherefore he left it and marched to Terentum werein he had great intelligence In the mean time Hanno made a journy against Beneventum where T. Gracchus met him Hanno had with him about seventeen thousand Foot Brutians and Lucans besides twelve hundred Horse most of them Numidians and Moors Four hours he held the Romans work ere it could be perceived to which side victory would incline But Gracchus his Souldiers which were most of them Slaves had received from him a peremptory denunciation that this day or never they must purchase their Liberty by bringing every man an enemies head The sweet reward of Liberty was so desireable that they feared no danger in earning it though the cuting off their enemies Heads troubled them exceedingly which Gracchus perceiving proclaimed that they should cast away the Heads assuring them that they should have their liberty presently after the Battel if they wan they day This made them run headlong upon the enemy whom their disparate fury had soon overthrown if the Roman Horse could have made their party good against the Numidians But though Hanno did what he could and pressed so hard upon the Roman Battel that four thousand of the Slaves retired to a ground of Strength yet was he glad at length to save himself by flight with two thousand Horse all the rest being either slain or taken Gracchus preformed his promise to the Slaves making them free only on those four thousand that went aside in the Battel he inflicted this slight punishment that as long as they served in the Wars they should eat standing unlesse sicknesse forced them to break this order So Gracchus with his Army returned into Beneventum where they newly enfranchised Souldiers were Feasted in publike by the Townsmen some sitting some standing and all with their Heads covered as the manner of such was with white Caps This was the first Battel worthy of note that the Carthaginians lost since the comming of Hannibal into Italy Thus the Romans by degrees began to get heart and
was honourably interred by Hannibal some of whose straglers had slaine him the Manumissed Slaves that served under him took this opportunity to go every man whither he pleased so that it was long ere they could be got together again Yet the Consuls proceeded in their work Mago and the Citizens gave them but bad welcome sallying out and slaying fifteen hundred of their men Neither was it long ere Hannibal himself came fought with them and caused them to dislodge They removed by night and went severall wayes Fulvius towards Câ—nnâ— and Claudius into Lucanâ—a Hannibal followed Claudius bin could not reach him Yet by the way he met with one Penula a stout man that had the charge of neer sixteen thousand men with him he fought and slew him and almost all his men scarce a thousand of them escaping Then was Hannibal informed that Cneus Fulvius a Roman Praetor was in Apulia with about eighteen Thousand men Coming to Fulvius so forward he was that needs he would have fought with him that night Hannibal set Mago with three thousand men in an Ambush then offering Battel to Fulvius he soon had him in the Trap whence he was glad to escape himself leaving all save two thousand of his men dead behind him These two great blowes much astonied the Romans Yet when they had gathered they remainders of those Armies the Consuls fell hard again to the Seige of Capua At the first sitting down of the Consuls they proclaimed that whosoever would come out of Capua by such a day should be pardoned and enjoy his estate if not no grace was to be expected the Capuans relying on their own strength and the assistance of Hannibal rejected this offer with scorn And before they were wholly closed up they sent to Hannibal requesting his help He gave them good words and dismissed them But he thinking that they were well able to hold out for a long time staid to dispatch his businesse before he went by which means the Consuls had time enough to entrench and secure themselves When the Consulship of Claudius and Fulvius was expired they were continued in their charge of the Army as Proconsuls and their designe was to take Capua by Famine But Hannibal came before he was expected by the Romans and took one of their Forts and fell upon their Camp the Capuans also at the same time sallyed out but were beaten in again Yet did Clâ—â—iâ— in pursuing them receive a wound that ere long brought him to his Grave Hannibal followed his businesse better and had almost taken the Camp yet at length was repelled This extreamly angred Hannibal and made him intertaine a haughty resolution even to set upon Rome which accordingly he pursued and because that work must be done with celerity he caused his men to provide victuals for ten dayes and so marched forward This newes coming to Rome they sent to acquaint their Generals with it wishing them to do what they judged best for the safety of the City And thereupon Q. Fulvius took fifteen thousand choise Foot and a thousand Horse and with them hasted towards Rome As Hannibal drew neer making wofull havock as he went all the streets and Temples in Rome were filled with women crying and praying rubbing the Altars with their haire the Senators were all in the Great market place ready to give advice upon all emergencies But Fulvius and Hannibal arrived at Rome neer together The Consuls and Fulvius encamped without the Gate of Rome attending Hannibal who coming within three miles of the City advanced with two thousand Horse and rode along a great way under the Wals viewing and considering how he might best approach them Yet went he back without doing or receiving any hurt Many tumults were at this time raised in the City and the multitude were so affrighted that they would have run out of the Gates if they could have done it with safety The day following Hannibal brought up his Army and presented Battel to the Romans who would have accepted it had not a terrible shower of rain caused both the Armies to return into their Camps and this happened two dayes together and the weather cleered up presently after But Hannibal who had brought but ten dayes provision with him could not stay any longer he therefore made all the spoil he could in the Roman Territories passing like a Tempest over the Country and run towards the eastern Sea so fast that he had almost taken Regiuâ— before his arrival was suspected As for Capua he gave it for lost and 〈…〉 faction of Hanno which thus disabled him to relive that fair City Fulvius returned back to the Siege of Capua which now began to suffer want And faign they would have sent again to Hannibal but that all wayes were intercepted The truth is Hannibal had already done his best and now began to faint under the burden of that War wherein as he afterwards protested he was vanquished by Hanno and his Partizans in the Senate of Carthage rather than by any force of the Romans Capua being now brought to extremity the multitude forced the Senators to consult about the delivering of it up to the Romans The bravest of the Senators foresaw what the issue would be and therefore one of them invited the rest home to supper telling them that when they had Feasted themselves he would begin to them such a Health as should for ever free them from the malice of their enemies the Romans Twenty seven of the Senators imbraced the motion and when they had supped drank Poison whereof they died The rest hoping for mercy yeilded to discretion So a Gate was opened whereat a Roman Legion entred disarmed the Citizens and made the Carthaginians Prisoners The Senators were laid in Irons and presently after Fulvius caused all the Campane Prisoners to be bound to stakes and scourged a good while with Rods after which he struck off their heads The like rigor Fulvius used to all the Towns of the Campanians most of the Inhabitants with their Wives and Children he sold for Slaves the rest were banished after which the Glory of Hannibal began to shine more dimme and most of Italy by the terrible example of the Capuans had a generall inclination upon good conditions to return to the Roman side Marcellus and Levinus being chosen Consuls Levinus went into Sicily and Marcellus was to make War with Hannibal They were busy in raising Souldiers but wanted mony extreamly many wayes were proposed how to supply that want At last the Consuls said that no preswasions would be so effectual with the People as good examples wherefore they propounded and it was presently resolved that every one should bring and put into the Treasury all the mony Jewels and Plate that they had and none reserve more than one Salt and a Bowle wherewith to make their offerings to the Gods as also a Ring for himself and some other small Ornaments for his
they declined the fight The Carthaginian Battel was herewith more terrified then before so that refusing to give way to the Mercenaries they sell out amongst themselves and forbore to make head against their Enemies Thus were many of them beaten down and slain through their own indiscretion And this gave the Romans such advantage that the made a great slaughter both of the Carthaginians and Mercenaries who could neither fight nor easily fly Such as could ran towards Hannibal who kept his ground and would not stir to help these run-wayes Then did Scipio advance against Hannibal who intertained him after an other manner than ever he had been received in his life before All the former dayes work seemed but a Pastime in comparison of this The Romans were incouraged because they had prevailed all the day before they were also far more in number But Hannibals old Blades were fresh and the better men They fought with such obstinate resolution that no man gave back one Foot but rather chose to die than to lose their ground so that for a long time the Victory was uncertain But the return of Massanissa and Laelius with the Horse from the pursute of the Enemies was to the Romans most happy and in a needfull time These upon a suddain charging Hannibal upon the Reer overbore them with meer violence and put them to â—ouâ— Hannibal with a few Horse saved himselfe by flight and staid not till he came to Carthage where coming into the Senate he told them plainly that there was no other way left but to make such a Peace as could be procured Amongst other things it was agreed that the Carthaginians should pay to the Romans two hundred Talents a year for fifty years together Which mony when it came to be collected there was pitious lamentation amongst the People the Roman yoak begining to pinch them already that some of the Senators could not forbear weeping but Hannibal could not refrain from laughter For which Asdrubal Haedus one of Hanno's faction checked him saying that it ill becommed him to laugh since he had been the cause why all others did weep He answered that laughter did not alwayes proceed from joy but sometimes from indignation Yet said he My laughter is more seasonable and lesse obsurd than your teares For you should have wept when you gave up your Ships and Elephants and when you bound up your hands from use of Armes without the good leave of the Romans This miserable condition keeps us under and holds us in assured sevitude But of these things you had no feeling Now when a little mony is wrung from you you are very sensible of that God grant that the time come not wherein you shall acknowledge that it was the least part of your misery for which you have shed these teares Afterwards Hannibal in the Civill administration of the City gave an overthrow or two to the Judges which at that time bore all the sway in Carthage having all the lives goods and fame of the rest in their power Shortly after Hannibal was chosen Praetor by virtue of which Office he was superiour to them for that year He sent upon an occasion for one of the Treasurers to come to him but he proudly refused wherupon Hannibal sent a Pursevant for him and brought him in Judgment before the People accusing not only him but the rest of the Judges for their insolency and unbridled power withall propounding a Law that the Judges should be chosen from year to year He found also that they had robbed the Treasury which caused the Taxes to be laid upon the common People whereof he made such plain demonstration that they were compelled to restore with shame what they had gotten by knavery This so irritated his Enemies who were of the Romans Faction that they complained to the Roman Senate that the Barchine Faction grew strong again and that Hannibal would shortly be in Armes For he was like a wild Beast that could never be tamed that he held secret intelligence with King Antiochus who was an enemy to the Romans c. Hereupon the Senate sent three Ambassadors to Carthage to demand Hannibal but he kept such good espiall upon the Romans that he was informed of their intentions against which he was never unprepared And therefore when night was come he stole out of the City accompanied with two Friends whom he could trust and having Horses in a readinesse he rode all night and came to a Tower of his own by the Sea sâ—â—e and having provided a Ship in readinesse he bad Africk farewel lamenting the misfortune of his Country more than his own and shaped his course to Tyre which was the Mother City of Carthage There he was intertained Royally in whose worth and honour the Tyrians thought themselves to have interest because of the affinity between the Cities Thence went he to Antiochus who was exceeding glad of his coming intending War against the Romans To him Hannibal gave excellent advice how he might carry on his War against the Romans with best advantage but Antiochus hearkned more to his Courtiers than to him and so was shamfully beaten by the Romans at which time he admired Hannibal as a wise man yea as a Prophet who long before had foreseen and foretold him what now was come to passe and when it was too late wished that he had followed his Counsel To be brief Antiochus was forced by the Romans to sue for Peace which at last the Romans yeilded to Provided amongst other things that Hannibal might be delivered into their hands Hannibal getting an incling of this fled to Gortina in Creet where he lived a long time very quietly but at length he fell into the envy of many by reason of his great wealth whereupon he filled certain great chests with Lead and deposited them in the Temple of Diana there as if he kept the Treasure for a dead lift and thereupon the People having such a Pledge as that of him looked lesse after him But he in the mean time stole away to Prusias King of Bythinia having first molten his Gold and powered it into some hollow Statues of Brasse which he carried away with him Shortly after there fell a War between Prusias and Eumenes King of Pergamus Prusias being encouraged to break his League and to make War upon him by his confidence in Hannibal whom he had there to mannage his War for him The War therefore grew hot betwixt them both by Land and Sea But Eumenes by the assistance of the Romans overpowred Prusias in both And whereas Prusias was but weak of himself Hannibal procured him the assistance of some other Kings and States and those of very Warlike Nations and amongst them the aide of Philip King of Macedonia who sent him Philocles his General with a very considerable Army to help him When Prusias had received an overthrow from Eumenes by land he sought to try his
and saved them both Not long after the Lacedemonians by a stratagem won the strong Castle of Thebes called Cadmaea and put a strong Garrison into it and gave the Government of the City of Thebes unto Archias Philippus and Leontidas authors of all the mischief whereupon to avoid their Tyranny Pelopidas and many others were fain to save themselves by flight upon which they were banished by sound of Trumpet But as for Epaminondas they as yet said nothing to him but let him alone in the City for he was contemned as a man of no account because he was so much given to his Book and if he should have any mind to stir against them yet they judged he could could do nothing because of his Poverty Whilest Pelopidas and his Companions were at Athens they laid a plot to free Thebes from those Tyrants But Epaminondas not making a shew of any thing had devised an other way to effect it by raising the hearts and courages of the young men of the City For when they went out to play and exercise themselves he alwayes found out a way to make them wrestle with the Lacedomonians and when he saw the Lacedomonians throw them and give them shrewd falls they being the stronger he would prvately rebuke the Thebans and tell them that it was a shame for them to suffer the Lacedomonians to set their feet upon their throats for want of courage who yet were not half so strong and boisteâ—ous as themselves were All this while Pelopidas and his followers went on in their Plot and had such good success that one night they got privily into the City of Thebes and met at Charons House about forty eight in number Epaminondas knew all this well enough and at night some took him aside and endeavoured to perswade him to joyn with them in delivering their City from these Tyrants to whom he answered that he had taken order with his Friends and Gorgidas to put themselves into a readiness upon any such occasion but for his own part he would not have a hand in putting any of his Citizens to death unless they were legally condemned yet said he if you will make an attempt for the delivery of the City so as that it be without murther or blood shed I will joyn with you with all my heart But if you will persevere in your former determination pray you let me alone pure and not defiled with the blood of my Citizens that being blameless I may take hold of another occasion which may tend more to the good of the common wealth For the murthers that will be committed in this way cannot be contained within any reasonable bounds I know indeed that Pherecidâ—s and Pelopidas will especially set upon the Authors of the Tyranny but 〈◊〉 and Sâ—miâ—das being fierce and Cholerick men taking the liberty of the night will never sheath their swords till they have filled the whole City with murther and slain many of the chief Citizens Besides it s very convenient for the People of Thebes that some be left free and blamelesse of these murthers and guiltlesse of all that should be done in the fury of this action Notwithstanding all that was said the enterprise was executed and the Tyrants put to death the City was restored to her ancient liberty the Castle of Cadmaea was rendred up by composition and Lysandradâ—s the Lacedemonian and other Commanders that were in it were suffered safely to depart with their goods and Souldiers This was the occasion of the long Wars which followed between the Lacedomonians and Thebans with whom the Athenians joyned in League Epaminondas still applyed himself to his Book yet at last he was put forwards by Pammenes a chief man amongst the Thebans and he began to follow the Wars very eagerly and in divers encounters gave good proof of his prudence hardinesse and valour insomuch as by degrees he attained to the highest charges of Government in the Commonwealth and his Citizens who before made small account of him till he was fourty years old after when they knew him better they trusted him with their Armies and he saved the City of Thebes that was like to be undone yea and freed all Greece from the servitude of the Lacedemonians making his virtue as in a cleer light to shine with Glory shewing the effects when time served Upon a time Agesilaus King of Lacaedemon entered into Boeotia with an Army of twenty thousand Foot and five thousand Horse wherewith he harrased and spoiled all the plain Country and presented Battel to the Thebans in the open Fields which yet they would not accept of finding themselves the weaker Howbeit they defended themselves so well by the assistance of the Athenians and the wise conduct of Epaminondas and Pelopidas that they caused Agesilaus to return home with his Army But when he was gone the Thebans went with their Companies before the City of Thespies which they surprized and put to the Sword two hundred of the Garrison and afterwards returned back with their Army to Thebes and Pâ—aebidas the Lacedemonian who was then Governour of that City sallyeâ— out of the Town and charged upon the Thebans in their retreat who intertained him so hotly that he lost five hundred of his men and himself was slain in the fight Not long after the Lacedemonians returned with their former Army to make War with the Thebans who having seized upon certain straights and places of advantage so blocked up the way that they could not over run the Country and spoile it as they had done before yet did Agesilaus so molest and trouble them that at last it came to a main Battel that held long and was very cruel and though at the first Agesilaus had the better yet the Thebans charged him so furiously that at the length he himself was wounded and forced to retire being well paid for teaching the Thebans Millitary Discipline And this was the first time that the Thebans knew themselves to be as strong and lusty as the Lacedemonians whereupon they Triumphed in signe of Victory and from that time forward they grew more couragious to make head against the Enemy and to present them battel But that which most encouraged them was the presence of Epaminondas who counselled commanded and executed very wisely valiantly and with great successe At another time they went with a great number of chosen men before the City of Orobomene where yet they prevailed not because there was a strong Garrison of the Lacedemonians that sallied out upon them and the fight was very sharp betwen them yet though the Lacedemonians were far more in number the Thebans gave them the overthrow which never happened to them before For all other Nations thought that they had done excellent well if with a far greater number they had overcome a small number of the Lacedemonians But this Victory and an other which fell out shortly after under the conduct of
by the fall of some Towers whereat a hot assault was given But it was so gallantly defended by the besieged that the Carthaginians were not only beaten from the breach and out of some ground within the City which in the first fury they had wan but they were pursued even to their own Trenches and Camp Yet at length the Carthaginian Army wherein were one hundred and fifty thousand men did so tire out the Townsmen by their continuall Allarms that at length it gat into the Town and had been Masters of it but that they were hindred by some Counter-works which the Besieged had raised In this extreamity there was one Alcon that came out of the City to treat with Hannibal who would give no other tearmes but these hard ones That they should deliver up to him all the Gold Silver and Plate and other Riches which they had in the City That the Citizens should leave the City and take up such other habitations as he should appoint them neither should they carry any more out with them save the cloaths on their backs These tearmes seemed so unreasonable to Alcon that he durst not returne into the City to propound them to the Citizens Yet might they far better have submitted thereto how hard soever because thereby they might have saved their lives and the honour of their wives and Daughters whereas the City being shortly after taken by storm they saw their Wives and Daughters defloured before their faces and all put to the Sword that were above fourteen years of age The Treasures found in Saguntum which were very great Hannibal reserved therewith to pay his Army The Slaves and other booty he divided amongst his Souldiers reserving some choise things wherewith to present his Friends at Carthage to encourage them to the War This news exceedingly vexed the Romanes being angry at their own slownesse to send help to Saguntum which held out eight moneths looking still for succour but in vain Then did the Romanes send Ambassadors to Carthage to demand whether this act were done by their consents or whether it were Hannibals presumption alone If they granted the former they were to give them defiance Answer was made them in the Senate of Carthage by one of the Senators to this effect That by this Message the Commonwealth of Carthage was urged to plead Guilty or not Guilt That it belonged to them to call their own Commanders in question and to punish them according to their faults but to the Romanes to challenge them if they had done any thing contrary to their late League and Covenant It s true said this Speaker that in our negotiations with Luctatius your Ambassador the Allies of both Nations were comprehended but the Saguntines were not then your Allies and therefore no parties to the Peace then made For of your Allies for the future or of ours there was no question As for the last agreement between you and Asdrubal wherein you will say that the Saguntines were comprehended it s you that have taught us how to answer that particular For whatsoever you found in the Treaty between us and Luctatius to your disadvantage you said it was his presumption as promising those things for which he had no Commission from your Senate If then it be lawfull for you to disavow the Actions of your Ambassadors and Commanders concluding any thing without precise Warrant from you the same liberty may we also assume and hold our selves no way bound in honour to performe the contract that Asdrubal made for us without our Command and Consent In conclusion the Carthaginian Senate moved the Romane Ambassadors to tell them plainly the purposses of those that sent them whereupon Q. Fabius gathering up the skirt of his Gown as if somthing had been in the hollow thereof made this short reply I have herein my Gown-skirt both Peace and War Make you my Masters of the Senate election which you will have All answered even which of them you have a fancy to offer us Then quoth Fabius take War and share it amongst you Which all the Assembly willingly accepted War being thus proclaimed Hannibal resolved not to put up his Sword which he had drawn against the Saguntines till he had therewith opened his passage to the Gates of Rome So began the second Punick War indeed second to none that ever the People of Rome met with Hannibal wintered at Carthagâ—na giving license to his Spanish Soldiers to visit their Friends and refresh themselves against the Spring In the mean while he gave Instructions to his Brother Asdrubal for the Government of Spain in his absence He also took order to send many Troops of Spaniards into Africk to supply the roomes of those Affricans which he had drawn into Spain as also that the one Nation might remain as Pledges for the other He selected also four thousand Foot all young men and Persons of quallity out of the best Citties of Spain which were to be Garisoned in Carthage it self not so much to strengthen it as that they might serve for Hostages He also left with his Brother to guard the Costs and Ports fifty seven Gallies whereof thirty seven were ready Armed Of Africans and other Nations strangers he left with him above twelve thousand Foot and two thousand Horse besides one and twenty Elephants Having thus taken order for the defence of Spain and Africk he sent some to discover the Passages of the Pyrenaean Mountaines that part Spain from France and of the Alps that part France from Italy He sent Ambassadors to the inhabitants of the Pyrenes and to the Gauls to obtain a quiet passage that he might bring his Army intire into Italy These being returned with good satisfaction In the begining of the Spring he passed over the River of Iberus with an Army of ninety Thousand Foot and twelve Thousand Horse All those parts of Spain which had not before been entered he now subdued and appointed one Hanno to Governe Spain on the East side of Iberus with whom he left ten Thousand Foot and one thousand Horse When he came to the borders of Spain some of his Spanish Soldiers returned home without asking leave which that others also might not attempt he courteously dismissed such as were willing to be gone Hereby the Journey seemed the lesse tedious to such as accompanied him voluntarily With the rest of his Army consisting now but of fifty Thousand Foot and nine Thousand Horse he passed the Pyrenes and entered into Gaul now France But he found the Gauls bounding upon Spain ready in Armes to forbid his entrance into their Country but with gentle Speech and rich Presents which he sent to their Leaders he wan them to favour his expedition So without any other molestation he came to the Banks of Rhodanus where dwelt on each side of the River a People called Volcae These being unacquainted with the cause of his coming sought to stop his passage over the
that were Hostages with the Romans Then did Hannibal hasten towards Capua leaving Naples that he had thought to take in by Scalado but found the Walls too high and himself not fully furnished for a Siege At Capua he was intertained with great solemnity and Pomp all the Town being so earnestly in love with their new Guests that they murthered all the Romans that at present they could come by The same course with these of Capua ran the other Cities thereabout except Nola Nuâ—eria Naples Cassiliâ—e and Acenae which yet stood out for the Romans Rome it self was in great fear of Hannibals coming at the first report of the overthrow at Cannae and the grief of that losse was so generall and immoderate that it much hindred their provision against apparent danger All the Senators found work enough to quiet the Peoples lamentations Courriers were sent forth to bring them certain tidings how things went whereof when letters from the Consul Varro had fully informed them they were so amazed that they ran into Barbarous Superstition and by the advise of their Southsayers they buried two men and two women alive in the Ox-market Ambassadours also were sent to the Oracle at Delphi to enquire with what Prayers and Supplications they might pacifie the Gods and obtain an end of their calamities In the midst of these extremities they called home their Consul Terentius that he might name a Dictator and all sorts of people went forth to meet him and welcome him home which was done to hold up their reputation M. Junius was chosen for the Dictator and T. Sempronius Master of the Horse These fell presently to the â—â—ustring of Forces and raised four Legions and a thousand Horse yet were they faign to take some that were very 〈◊〉 and they encreased their number by adding to them eight thousand sturdy Slaves to whom liberty 〈◊〉 promised if they would deserve it by their manly service The Dictator also Proclaimed that whosoever were in debt and could not pay it or that had committed 〈◊〉 capitall offence should be pardoned if they would 〈◊〉 in the War 〈◊〉 to Arme these they were faign to take down out off their Temples the spoiles of their enemies 〈…〉 had been there 〈◊〉 The Dictator having dispatched all needfull businesses in the City took the Field with twenty five Thousand men with whom he marched into Campania and did little more then to keep Hannibal from spoiling the Country Marcellus one of the Roman Praetors lying at Oâ—tiâ—a with a Legion and fifteen hundred Souldiers newly taken up with whom he should have gone into Sicily hearing of the overthrow at Cannae sent his new livied men to Rome for the defence of it and with his Legion marched to Nola to help the Citizens there Hannibal had many Friends in Nola amongst the common People and therefore brought his Army thither and on a day seeing the Walls unmanned he bad his Souldiers bring their Lâ—dders and scale them But whilst they did it and were in confusion Marcellus with his men issued out at three severall Gates and set upon the Carthaginians expecting no such thing and did such execution amongst them that this was accounted a Victory and reputed the bravest act in all those Wars from whence they concluded that Hannibal might be overcome From thence Hannibal went to Acerrae where being refused entrance he laid Seige to it on every side wherewith the Citizens being terrified before his works were finished they stole out by night and left the Town empty which Hannibal sackt and burnt then hearing that the Dictator was about Cassiline thithâ—â— went he but found him not only many companies of the Roman Confederats were gotten into the Town and kept it The Citizens were affected to Hannibal and would faign have been free from there Guests who finding their intent in a night slew all the Citizens and fortified a part of the City against the enemy Hannibal gave diverse assaults to it but was still repelled with losse and many sallies they made with variable successe Hannibal mined and they countermined so that he was thriven to enclose them that he might win it by Famine T. Sempronius Gracchus Master of the Horse lay up the River with the Roman Army and would faign have relieved the Besieged but durst not venture Barrels of Corn he sent floating down the River to relieve them which being discovered came into Hannibals hands Gracchus cast abundance of Nuts into the stream which faintly sustained the Besieged At length when all their food was spent and whatsoever green thing grew under the Walls the Carthaginians plowed up the ground and the besieged presently sowed it with Rape-seed Hannibal admired their patience and said That he meant not to stay there till the Rapes were grown and therefore whereas he had intended to have made them an example for their obstinacy he was now content to grant them their lives upon an easie ransome and so quietly dismissed them The time of the year now being come Hannibal retired into Capua where he wintered and where as some say his Army was corrupted with the pleasures and plently there and made more effeminate than before About this time Hannibal sent his Brother Mago to Carthage with the joyfull newes of this great Victory He told the Carthaginian Senate with how many Roman Generals his Brother had fought how many Consuls he had chased wounded or slain How the Romans who never used to shun a Battel were now grown so cold that they thought their Dictator Fabius the only good Captain That not without reason their spirits were thus abated since Hannibal had slain above two hundred and six Thousand of them and taken above fifty Thousand Prisoners He told them how many States in Italy followed the Fortune of those great Victories He told them that the War was even at an end if they would follow it close and give the Romans no time of breathing He wished them to consider that the War was carried into an enemies Country that so many Battels had diminished his Brothers Army that the Souldiers that had deserved so well ought to be well rewarded and that it was not good to burden their new Italian Friends with exactions of mony Corn c. But that these must be sent from Carthage Lastly he caused the Gold Rings taken from the fingers of the Roman Knights that were slain to be powred out before them which being measured filled three Bushels This errand of Mago for the present found extraordinary good welcome And large supplies were voted to be sent to him But his old enemy Hanno obstructed them and the too much Parsimony of the Citizens was the cause that there was very little done and that which was done came too late However Mago brings the news of the great supply which was decreed to be sent which much rejoyced Hannibal and his new confederats The Spring drew on when the supply
have secured the Victory and yet they sent to Hannibal requiring him with out delay to do what he could Hannibal answered that they were his Lords and therefore might dispose of him and his Army but since he was Generall of their Forces he desired that he might have leave to make choise of his own time Yet to please them he made long marches to Zama and there encamped From Zama he sent forth his Scouts to learn where the Romans lay and what they were doing Some of these were taken and brought to Scipio who shewed them all his Camp and so dismissed them Hannibal admired at his Generosity and had a very great desire of an interview that he might talk with him and this he signified by a Messenger Scipio imbraced the motion and sent him word when and where he might meet with him Accordingly the two Generals rode forth with each of them a Troop of Horse till they met and then their men were bid to stand off Each of them had his Interpreter and when they met they stood silent for a while viewing one the other with mutuall admiration Then began Hannibal to salute the Roman to this effect That it had been better both for Carthage and Rome if they could have contained their ambition within the shoars of Africk and Italy for that the Countries of Sicily and Spain were no sufficient recompence for so many Fleets as had been lost and so much bloud as had been shed in making those costly purchasses But since what was past could not be recalled he said That it was time for them at the length to put an end to these contentions and to Pray the Gods to endue them with more wisdom for hereafter To which peaceable disposition his own years and long tryall of Fortune both good and bad made him inclineable But he feared that Scipio for want of such experiences would rather fâ—x his mind upon uncertain hopes than upon the contemplation of that mutability whereunto all humane affairs are subject Yet said he my own example may peradventure teach thee moderation For I am that same Hannibal that after my Victory at Cannae wan the greatest part of Italy and devised what I should do with your City of Rome which I hoped verily to have taken Once I brought my Army to your Walls as thou hast since brought thine to ours of Carthage But see the change I now stand hear intreating thee for Peace This may teach thee Fortunes instability I fought with thy Father Scipio He was the first Roman Generall that I met with in the Field I did then little think that the time would come when I should hove such business with his Son and thou maist have experience of the like in thy self who knowes how soon What saist thou Canst thou be content that we leave to you Spain and all the Islands between Italy and Africk By effecting this thou shalt have Glory enough and the Romans may well be glad of such a bargain and we will be faithfull in observing the Peace with you If thou refusest this consider what an hazzard thou must run to get a little more If thou staiest but till to morrow night thou must take such Fortune as the Gods shall allot The issue of Battels is uncertain and oft beguiles expectation Let us therefore without more ado make Peace Say not that some false-hearted Citizens of ours dealt fraudulently of late in the like Treaty It s I Hannibal that now desire Peace which I would never do but that I think it expedient for our Country and judging iâ— expedient I will alwayes maintaine it To this Scipio answered That he was not ignorant of the mutability of Fortune That without any note of insolence he might well refuse the conditions offered But said he if thy Citizens can be contented besides what I proposed and they formerly assented to to make such reparation for these late injuries as I shall require then I will further advise what answer to give you otherwise prepare for War and expect the issue Hereupon they brake off and each returned to his own Camp bidding their Souldiers to prepare for Battel wherein should be decided the quarrel between Rome and Carthage The next morning at break of day they issued into the Field each of them ordering their men as they judged most convenient After which Scipio rode up and down his Army biding them remember what they had atchieved since they came into Africk He told them that if they wan the day the War was aâ— an end and this Victory would make them Lords of all the World for after this none should be able to resist them But if they were beaten there was no possibily of escaping they must either Conquer or die or be miserable slaves under must mercilesse enemies Hannibal was far the weaker in Horse and a great part of his Army were raw Souldiers yet his Lords of Carthage would brook no delay He encouraged therefore his men as was most suitable to their qualities To the Mercenaries he promised bountifull rewards The Carthaginians he threatned with inevitable servitude if they lost they day but especially he animated his old fellow Souldiers by the many Victories which they had gotten over those that far exceeded them in number He bad them looke on their Enemies and see whether they were not by far fewer than that huge Army they had slaughtered at Canna He bad them remember that it was the Father of this Scipio whom they had made to run away c. Wherefore he intreated them upon whose virtue he meant wholy to repose himself that they would strive that day to make good their honour and to purchase the fame of Men Invincible When the Armies drew neer the Numidian Horsemen on both sides began to Skirmish the Trumpets and other instruments sounded to Battel Hannibals Elephants which were alwayes an uncertain kind of help were to break upon the Romans But some of them ran back upon their own Horse which they so disordered that Massanissa taking the advantage before they could re-ally charged them and drave them quite out of the Field The rest of these Beasts made a great spoile amongst the Roman Velites but being wounded they ran back upon the right point of their own Battel and disordered the Carthaginian Horse that were in that wing which gave such advantage to the Roman Horse that charging them when they were in disorder they drave them away likewise Then did the Battels of Foot advance and ran one at the other and the Mercenaries at the first seemed to have the better of the Romans But at length the Roman Discipline prevailed against boisterous strength And whereas the Romans were seconded by their Friends these Mercenaries received no help from those that should have seconded them For the new raised Africans when they saw the Mercenaries give back they retired also which made the hired Souldiers think themselves betrayed whereupon
Fortune by Sea wherein yet he was too weak for him wherefore Hannibal advised him to try whether he could not do that by Policy which by plain force he was not able to effect He put therefore a multitude of all sorts of Serpents into Earthen Pitchers to be hurled aboard the Enemies Ships when they were in fight giving order to the Souldiers and Sea-men to set all upon the Ship wherein Eumenes himself was and to defend themselves from the rest as well as they could and that he might the more certainly know in which Ship Eumenes was he sent an Herauld beforehand with a Letter containing nothing but a meer flout to Eumenes and full of abuses to his Person Whenas therefore Prusias his men came to it they fought neither against great nor small but on-against the Ship wherein Eumenes was whereupon he he was fain to seek his safety by flight yet had he perished had he not thrust in upon the next shore where he had placed for a relief upon all occasions a company of his men As for Eumenes his other Ships when they pressed hard upon the Enemy they let fly amongst them their Earthen Pitchers full of Snakes which at first seemed to them a ridiculous thing but when the Pitchers falling upon the Decks brake in pieces out flew the Snakes so that they could stir no where in the Ships by reason of the Serpents whereby they found themselves no lesse annoied by their stings than with the Arrowes of their Enemies which caused them to give over fighting and to fly to their Camp which was upon the Shoar Thus Hannibal by this trick got the better of Eumenes in that fight Nor then only but also in sundry other encounters and by one Stratagem or other he ever put Eumenes to the worst And once when he advised Prusias to fight and he durst not because the entrailes of the Beast said he forbid me What said Hannibal will you râ—ly more upon a litle piece of flesh in a Calfe than upon the Judgment of an old experienced Captain in the Field Now as soon as newes of these things came to the Senate at Rome they sent T Quintiâ—s Flaminius Ambassador to Prusias not so much to withdraw him from prosecuting the War against Eumenes as to intreat him to deliver to them Hannibal the most spitefull enemy they had in all the world Prusias to gratifie the Romans resolved either to kill Hannibal or to deliver him alive into the hands of Flaminius for which end he sent a Troop of Souldiers to inviron the lodging where Hannbal lay But Hannibal having before found cause to suspect the faith of Prusias had made some secret sallies under ground to save himself from any Treasonable or sudden assault But finding now that all passages were shut up against him he had recourse to his last remedy which he was constrained to put in practice as well to frustrate his enemies from their Triumphing over him as to save himself from their torture and mercilesse hands who as he well knew would neither respect his famous enterprises his Honour nor his Age. When therefore he saw no other way of escaping he took the poison which he alwayes had in readynesse for such an exigent and being ready to swallow it down he uttered these Words I will now said he deliver the Romans from the fear which hath so long possessed them that fear which makes them impatient af attending the Death of an old man This Victory of Flaminius over me which am disarmed and betrayed into his hands shall never be numbred in the rest of his Heroicall deeds No it shall make it manifest to all the Nations of the World how far the Antient Roman virtue is degenerated and corrupted For such was the Noblenesse of their fore-fathers as when King Pyrrhus invaided them in Italy and was ready to give them Battel at their own doors they gave him intelligence of the Treason intended against him by Poyson whenas these of a latter race have imployed Flaminius a man who heretofore hath been one of their Consuls to practice with Prusias contrary to the honour of a King contrary to his Faith given for my safety and contrary to the Lawes of Hospitality to slay or deliver up his own Guest Then drank he off that Poison and died P. Scipio Africanus in a discourse which he had with Hannibal asked him which of all the famous Captaines that ever lived he judged most worthy Hannibal gave to Alexander the great the first place to Pyrrhus the second and the third he challedged to himseâ—f But Scipio who thought his own Title better then that it ought to be forgotten asked yet further What then wouldest thou have said Hannibal if thou hadst vanquished me The Carthaginian replyed Then would I not have given the first place to Alexander but have claimed it as due unto my self When the Conditions of Peace granted by the Romans to the Carthaginians were reported to the Citizens they were very unpleasing whereupon one Gesco stood up to speake against them perswading the People not to yeild to such intollerable demands But Hannibal observing what favourable audience was given to this vain Orator by the unquiet yet unwarlike multitude he was bold to pull him down from his standing by plain force Hereat all the People murmured as if their common liberty were too much wronged by such insolence of this presumptuous Captain Which Hannibal perceiving rose up and spake unto them saying That they ought to pardon him if he had done otherwise than the Customs of the City would allow for as much as he had been thence absent ever since he was a boy of nine years old until he was now a man of five and fourty Having thus excused himself he exhorted them to embrace the Peace as wanting ability to defend themselves had the demands of the Enemy been yet more rigorous His Father Amilcar at what time he did Sacrifize being ready to take his journey into Spain called his Son Hannibal being than but nine years old caused him to lay his hand upon the Alter and to swear that being come to mans estate he should pursue the Romans with immortall hatred and that he should work them all the mischief that possibly he could THE LIFE DEATH OF EPAMINONDAS THE GREAT CAPTAINE OF THE THEBANS THe Father of Epaminondas was Polymnis who was descended of one of the most ancient and renowned Famelies amongst the Thebans the most part of which Noble linage had upon their Bodies for a naturall Birthmark the resemblance of a Snake This Polimnis had two only Sons Caphisias and Epaminondas whom he educated very carefully and had them very well instructed in all the liberall Arts and honest Sciences especially Epaminondas who had the more stayed witt and Was most inclined to Virtue desirous to learne humble obedient and wonâ—erfull docible and of one Dyonisius he learned to be very skilfull in Singing and
all other times to come abroad fine and neat and with a pleasant countenance but the next day after this Battel he came out very sad heavy and pensive and when his Friends asked him whether he had heard any ill news which occasioned this posture he said No but said he I perceive by my self yesterday that being overjoyed with the victory I obtained my heart was more elevated than it ought and therefore to day I correct that joy which yesterday exceeded its due bounds He knowing that it was the manner of the Spartans as much as possible to conceal their losses he suffered them not to carry away all their dead Bodies together but every City one after another by which it appeared that there were four Thousand of them slain But of the Booetians there were not found above three hundred dead This Battel was fought in the beginning of the second year of the hundred and second Olympiade The Lacedemonians having by this overthrow lost the greatest part of their honour which they had maintained so long yet lost not their courage but to keep their youth still in heart and to take away all fear from such as had escaped they sent Agesilaus with an Army into Arcadia who was contented to take a few small Towns of the Mantineans and so to return home again Some say that Lycomedes Captain of the Arcadians making an inrode neer to Orchomene slew in an encounter Politropus Captain of the Lacedemonians and two hundred Spartans with him which provoked the Lacedemonians against them and thereupon the Arcadians finding themselves too weak for them they sought alliance and aid from the Thebans Sure it is that these two States were now at enmity which occasioned the Arcadians and Thebans to joyn together who with their Allies being led by Epaminondas entered into Laconia with an Army of fourty thousand men besides thirty thousand others that followed the Camp At this time the Athenians sent Captain Iphecrates with twelve thousand men to aide the Lacedemonians But before their coming Epaminondas was entered into Laconia and had sacked all the Country which had not been wasted by any enemy for six hundred years before The Spartans seeing their Country thus plundred and destroyed were desirous to have gone out with such Forces as they had but Agesilaus would not suffer them telling them how dangerous it was for them to leave their City and to set upon such a potent and numerous enemy This made them quiet and Epaminondas in the mean time marched with his Army towards the River Eurotas which at that time was risen very high because of the Winter raines He endeavoured all he could to draw forth Agesilaus to a Battel who beholding Epaminondas a great while marching with his Army in Battel aray along the River side at the Head of his Troops he wondred at his boldnesse and Valour but would by no meanes adventure out of his Fort So that when this Army had plundred all Laconia Epaminondas led them back again laden with a very rich Booty And though Agesilaus was commended for pteserving his City in safety yet Epaminondas had by this inrode and especially by his Victory at Leuctres so impoverished the Country that Sparta could never after recover that losse nor grow into that reputation and power which it had before Yea notwithstanding the aide sent by the Athenians and the skill and experience of Iphicrates Epaminondas returned with his Army intire as he came Epaminondas that he might keep the Lacedemonians still underfoot and heape new troubles upon them gave Counsell to the Arcadians and their Allies to re-edify and replenish with People the City of Messina which the Lacedemonians had long before destroyed and when all the whole Councel had given their consents to it he forthwith by diligent enquiry sought out all that had been ancient Inhabitants in that City and in the space of eighty five Dayes having repaired the ruined Houses he raised again one of the most Noble and ancient Cities of Grâ—ece and left there a strong Garrison for their security This gat him as much if not more love and honour than any other service which he had ever done The Lacedemonians being freed from a great fear by his departure made an agreement with the Athenians leaving to them the chief command by Sea and reserving to themselves that by Land And afterwards by the assistance of the Athenians and that aide which came to them out of Sicily by little and little they recovered their Towns again The Arcadians to stop their proceedings assaulted the City of Pallene in Laconia and taking it by storme put all the Garrison therein to the Sword then razed the Town and plundred all the Country there abouts And expecting that the Lacedemonians would seek revenge they sent for aid to the Thebans who sent Epaminondas and the other Counsellers to assist them with six thousand Foot and five hundred Horse The Athenians having intelligence hereof sent their Army under the Conduct of Chabrias who marched directly to Corinth where he met with a good supply of Souldiers from the Megarians Pallenians and Corinthians so that now he had a Brigade of ten thousand men These intended to fortifie and stop all the passages and entrances into the Country of Poloponesus The Lacedemonians and their Allies joyning also with them made up an Army of twenty thousand men And accordingly beginning at the City of Cencrees unto the Haven of Lecheum they blocked all the wayes from one Sea to an other with mighty great peices of Timber laid acrosse and with a marvelous deep ditch and this great work was followed with such speed both by reason of the great multitude of labourers as also through the forwardnesse of them that prosecuted it with such earnestnesse that they had quite finished it before the Boeotians could arrive there Epaminondas when he came thither viewing this fortification perceiving that the easiest place to storme it was that which the Lacedemonians themselves guarded he sent to give them defiance though they were thrice as many in number as he was yet for all this they durst not come out but kept close under their fortification Notwitstanding he assaulted them in it and at last drave them out In the heat of the fight every one doing his best some assailing others defending Epaminondas chose out the valiantest men in all his Army and bravely charging the Lacedemonians he forced them to give back and in dispite of them he entred into Peloponnesus which of all other his Noble exlpoites was the most wonderfull and memorable action From thence he marched to the Cities of Epidaure and Troezen and so pillaged all the Country But he staied not to take any of the Towns because they had strong Garrisons in them Yet he put Sicyone Phuente and some other Towns into such fear that they yeilded themselves to him This being done he went to Corinth and overcame the
him who by his Authority forced them to it and instead of excusing himself he told them all the brave exploits which he had done at that time Adding withall that he was willing and ready to die if they so pleased Provided that they wrote upon his Tomb that Epaminondas was put to death because he had compelled the Thebans against their wills to burn the Country of Laconia which in five hundred years before had never been plundered That he had repeopled the City of Messina with Inhabitants two hundred and thirty years after it had been laid wast by the Lacedemonians That he had brought all the people and Towns of Arcadia to be as one Body in League together and had set all the Greeks at liberty and all these things said he we did in that Journey The Judges when they heard this worthy and true defence they all arose from their seats and laughed heartily and would not take up their Balls to Ballot against him But for the second accusation to wit that he had shewed favour to the Lacedemonians for his own particular honour he would make no particular answer to it before the People but rising out of the Theater he passed through the Assembly and went into the Park of Exercises Upon this the people being incensed against him refused to chuse him into Office as they had wont to do though there was great need of him and Created other Counsellers to go into Thessaly and the more as they thought to despite him they commanded him to go that expedition as a private Souldier which he refused not but went very willingly Pelopidas being sent a second time into Thessaly to make peace between the people and Alexander the Tyrant of Pheres was by this Tyrant not regarding that he was an Ambassadour and a Theban committed to prison together with Ismenias Upon this the Thebans being justly offended sent an Army of eight thousand Foot and five hundred Horse against him howbeit under the conduct of unskillfull Captains who wanting judgement to use their advantages thought good to return home without doing any thing But as they went back Alexander being stronger in Horse than they pressed hard upon their Reer killing some and wounding others so that the Thebans knowing neither how to go forward nor backward were in great distresse and that which aggravated their misery was that their victuals were almost spent Being thus almost out of hope ever to get home in safety Epaminondas being at that time a common Souldier amongst the Foot both the Captaines and Souldiers earnestly intreated him to help to redresse this disorder He thereupon chose certaine Footmen that were light armed and all the Horsmen and with these putting himself into the Rere of the Army he so lustily repulsed the Eenemy that the rest of the Army afterwards marched in great safety and still making Head as occasion served and keeping his Troops in good order he at last brought them all well home This brave Act Crowned him with new Glory confounded his enemies and made him well spoken of every where and by it he obtained the love and good will of the Citizens who set great Fines upon the heads of those Captaines who had behaved themselves so unworthily in that expedition And now the People seeing that by so many worthy deeds he had stoped the slanderous mouths and confuted the accusations of his ill willers they chose him again their Captain Generall to conduct a new Army into Thessaly At his coming all the Country wonderfully rejoyced only the Tyrant with his Captaines and Friends were exceedingly dejected and possessed with feare being Thunder-struck with the fame of so Noble a Captaine and his subjects had a good mind to rise up against him hoping that they should shortly see the Tyrant fully recompenced for all the wicked and cursed deeds that he had done amongst them Epaminondas when he came into Thessaly preferred the safety and deliverance of his Friend Pelopidas before his own honour and Glory and fearing lest Alexander when he should see himself and his State in danger to be overthrown should in his rage revenge himself upon Pelopidas he therefore purposly drew this War out in length marching often about him but never setting upon him in good earnest often seeming to make preparations and yet still delaying and this he did to mollify the heart of this Tyrant and not to provoke to the danger of his Friend the inhumane and unbridled passion of this cruel Bloudsucker Yet he being a Monster compounded of cruelty and cowardlinesse was so afraid of the very name and reputation of Epaminondas that he presently sent some to him to excuse his fact and to crave Peace But Epaminondas was not willing that his Thebans should make Peace and Alliance with so wicked a man only he was content to grant him a Truce for thirty Dayes upon the delivering to him Pelopidas and Ismenias So with them he returned back to Thebes and alwayes continued a faithfull Friend to Pelopidas so long as they lieved together Yet would he never share with him in his Riches but did still perseveare in his former strict poverty and Discipline He was very bold and yet it was mingled with a winning sweetnesse and a livly grace as may appear in sundy Examples Besides his bold speech to Agesilaus mentioned before At another time the Argians having made a League with the Thebans the Athenians sent their Ambassadors into Arcadia to see if they could gain the Arcadians to be their Friends And these Ambassadors began roundly and hotly to charge and accuse both the one and the other and Callistratus speaking for them reproached them with Orestes and Oedipus Epaminondas being present at that Assembly stood up and said My Lords we confesse that in times past we had a man that killed his Father and in Argos one that killed his Mother but as for us now we have banished all such wicked murtherers out of our Country and the Athenians have intertaned them At another time when the Spartans had laid many great and grievous imputations to the charge of the Thebans he said If they have done nothing else my Lords of Sparta yet at least they have made you forget to speak little But that which was most excellent and observable in Epaminondas and which indeed did stop the mouth of envy it self was his moderation and temperance knowing how to use any state or condition and never to rage either against himself or others alwayes bearing this mind that howsoever they took him and in what place soever they set him he was well contented so that he might but advance the good of his Country As may appear by this Example on a time his evil-willers thinking to bring him into disgrace and meerly out of spite made him superintendant or overseer of all the customs whilst others of his inferiors unworthy to be compared with him were placed in the most honourable
Offices Yet despised he not this meane Office but discharged it very Faithfully For said he the Office or Authority shewes not only what the man is but also the man what the Office is Shortly after Epaminondas was returned out of Thessaly the Arcadians were overcome by Archidamus and the Lacedemonians who in the fight lost not a man and therefore they called this journey the tearlesse Battel and Epaminondas forseeing that the Arcadians would yet have another storme he gave them counsel to fortifie their Towns which they did accordingly and built that City which afterwads was called Megalopolis situated in a very convenient place Whilst the Thebans made War with the Elians their neighbours the minde of Epaminondas was alwayes lifted up to high enterprizes for the good of his Country wherefore in an Oration which he made to his Citizens he preswaded them to make themselves strong by Sea and to endeavour to get the principality and to make themselves the Lords thereof This Oration was full of lively reasons whereby he shewed and proved unto them that the enterpize was both honourable and profitable which he made out by sundry Arguments telling them that it was an easy thing for them who were now the stronger by Land to make themselves also the stronger by Sea and the rather for that the Athenians in the War against Xerxes though they had armed and set forth two hundred Gallyes armed and well appointed with men yet they willingly submitted themselves to the Lacedemonians He alleadged many other reasons whereby he prevailed so far that the Thebans were willing to undertake the enterprize and thereupon gave present order to build an hundred Gallies and an Arsenall with so many rooms that they might lay them under covert in the Dock They ordered also to send to them of Rhodes and of Chio and of Byzantium to desire their furthrance in this enterprize for which end Epaminondas was sent with an Army unto these Cities In his Passage he met with Leches a Captain of the Athenians with a number of Ships in his Fleet who was sent on purpose to hinder this designe of the Thebans Yet Epaminondas so affrighted him that he made him retire back again and holding on his course he brought the aforenamed Cities to enter into League with the Thebans Shortly after the Thebans fell out with the City of Orchomene which had done them great hurt and mischiefe and having won it by assault slew all the men that were able to bear Armes and made all the women and children Slaves Some time after the death of Pelopidas certain private Persons of Mantinea fearing to be called to an account for their bad behaviours and robberies which they had committed if the Arcadians and Elians should agree they so brought it about that they raised a new quarrel in the Country which was divided into two Factions whereof the Mantineans were the chief on the one side and the Tageates on the other This quarrel went so far that the Parties would needs try it by Armes The Tageates sent to request aid of the Thebans who accordingly chose Epaminondas their Captain Generall and sent him with a good number of men of War to aid the Tageates The Mantineans being terrified with this aid that came out of Boeotia to their eneemies and at the reputation of their Captain they immediatly sent to the Athenians and Lacedemonians the greatest enemies of the Boeotians for their assistance which both the Cities granted Upon this there fell out many and great skirmishes in diverse parts of Peloponnesus and Epaminondas being not far off from Mantinea understood by some of the Country men that Agesilaus and his Lacedemonians were come into the Field and that they wasted all the Territories of the Tageates whereupon judging that there were but few men left in the City of Sparta to defend it he undertook a great exploit and dangerous and had certainly effected it if the marvelous good Fortune of Sparta had not hindred it His designe was this He departed from Tegea by night the Mantineans knowing nothing of it and taking a by way he had certainly surprised Sparta without striking a stroak had not a Post of Candia speedily carried word of it to Agesilaus who immediatly dispatched away an Horsman to give intelligence to them of Sparta to stand upon their guard and he himself speedily hasted after and arrived there a little before the coming of the Thebans who being very near the City a little before day they gave an assault to them that defended it This made Agesilâ—us to bestir himself wonderfully even beyond the strength of so old a man But his Son Archidamus and Isadas the Son of Phaebidas fought valiantly on all parts Epaminondas seeing how prepared the Spartanes were to oppose him began then to suspect that his design was discovered yet notwithstanding he left not off to force them all he could though he fought with great disadvantage considering the places wherein he was yea he continued fighting courageously till the Army of the Lacedemonians came on and till the night approached whereupon he sounded a retreat Then being informed that the Mantineans came on also with their forces he withdrew his Army somewhat farther off from the Town and there Camped After which he caused his men to refresh themselves with victuals and leaving certain Horsemen in the Camp he commanded them to make fires in the morning and in the mean time himself with the rest of his men went to surprize Mantinea before any should discover that he was departed Yet herein also he failed of his purpose the prosperity of the Thebans being come to its height and the course of Epaminondas his Life drawing neer to an end whereby Greece was deprived of this Noble and famous Captain from whom was taken a most notable Victory and that twice by strange accidents For at the second time when he was come neer to Mantinea that was left without guard and defence just then on the other side of the Town there arrived six thousand Athenians conducted by their Captain Hegelecus who having put sufficient force into the Town ordered the rest of his Army in Battel array without the Walls and immediatly also came the Mantineans and Lacedemonians together who prepared to put all to the hazard of a Battel and therefore sent for their Allies from all parts and when they were come together they were in all twenty five thousand Foot and two thousand Horse The Arcadians Boeotians and their partakers were thirty thousand Foot and three thousand Horse When they came to the Battel first the Horse charged with great fury and the Horsmen of the Athenians encountering with the Thehans proved too weak for them not because they were lesse valiant or hardy than the other but because they had not so good Chieftains and had few Archers amongst their Troops The Thebans on the other side were all excellently well appointed and had