in great disorder For Antigonus had placed the GAVLES in the rereward of his army to close it in which were a conuenient number and did valliantly defend the first charge and the skirmishe was so hotte that the most of them were slaine After them the leaders of the elephantes perceiuing they were enuironned on euery side yelded them selues and their beastes Pyrrus seeing his power to be now increased with such a supply trusting more to his good fortune then any good reason might moue him thrust further into the battel of the MACEDONIANS who were all afrayed and troubled for the ouerthrowe of their rereward so as they would not once base their pykes not fight against him He for his parte holdinge vp his hande and callinge the Captaines of the bandes by their names straight wayes made all the footemen of Antigonus turne wholly to his side who flying saued him selfe with a few horsemen and kept certaine of the cities in his realme apon the sea coast But Pyrrus in all his prosperity iudging nothing more toâ—edownde to his honor and glory then the ouerthrow of the GAVLES layed aside their goodliest and richest spoyles and offred vp the same in the temple of Minerua Itonida with this inscription VVhen Pyrrus had subdude the puisant Gaules in fields He caused of their spoyles to make these targets armes and shields The vvhich he hanged vp intemple all on high Before Minerua goddesse here in signe of victory VVhen he had ouercome the vvhole and hugie hoast The vvhich Antigonus did bring into his contries coast Ne maruell should it seeme though victory he vvonne Since valliantnes bringes victory and euermore hath done And valliantnes alvvayes hath constantly kept place From age to age and time to time in AEacus his race Immediatly after this battell all the cities of the realme of MACEDON yelded vnto him but when he had the citie of AEGES in his power he vsed the inhabitantes thereof very hardly specially bicause he left a great garrison of the GAVLES there which he had in pay This nation is extreame couetous as then they shewed them selues for they spared not to breake vp the tombes wherein the kinges of MACEDON lay buried there tooke away all the gold and siluer they could finde and afterwards with great insolency cast out their bones into the open winde Pyrrus was tolde of it but he lightly passed it ouer and made no reckening of it either bicause he deferred it till an other time by reason of the warres he had then in hande or else for that he durst not meddle with punishing of these barbarous people at that time But whatsoeuer the matter was the MACEDONIANS were very angry with Pyrrus blamed him greatly for it Furthermore hauing not yet made all thinges sure in MACEDON nor being fully possest of the same new toyes and hope came into his head and mocking Antigonus sayd he was a mad man to goe apparrelled in purple like a king when a poore cloke might become him like a priuate man Now Cleonymus king of SPARTA being come to procure him to bring his army into the contry of LACEDAEMON Pyrrus was very willing to it This Cleonymus was of the blood royall of SPARTA but bicause he was a cruell man and would do all thinges by authority they loued him not at SPARTA nor trusted him at all and therefore did they put him out made Areus king a very quiet man. And this was the oldest quarrell Cleonymus had against the coÌ„mon wealth of SPARTA but besides that he had an other priuate quarrel which grewe vppon this cause In his olde yeares Cleonymus had maried a fayer younge Lady called Chelidonide which was also of the blood royall and the daughter of Leotychides This Lady being fallen extreamely in loue with Acrotatus king Areus sonne a goodly young gentleman and in his lusty youth she greatly vexed and dishonored her husbande Cleonymus who was ouer heade and eares in loue and iealousie with her for there was not one in all SPARTA but plainely knewe that his wife made none accompt of him And thus his home sorowes being ioyned with his outwarde common greues euen for spight desiring a reuenge in choller he went to procure Pyrrus to come vnto SPARTA to restore him againe to his kingdome Hereupon he brought him into LACEDAEMONIA forthwith with fiue and twenty thowsand footemen two thowsand horse and foure and twenty elephantes by which preparacion though by nothing else the worlde might plainely see that Pyrrus came with a minde not to restore Cleonymus againe vnto SPARTA but of intent to conquer for him selfe if he could all the contrie of PELOPONNESVS For in wordes he denied it to the LACEDAEMONIANS them selues who sent Ambassadors vnto him when he was in the city of MEGALIPOLIS where he tolde them that he was come into PELOPONNESVS to sette the townes and cities at libertie which Antigonus kept in bondage that his true intent and meaning was to send his young sonnes into SPARTA so they would be contented to the end they might be trained after the LACONIAN manner and from their youth haue this aduantage aboue all other kinges to haue bene well brought vp But faining these thinges and abusing those that came to meete him on his way they tooke no heede of him till he came within the coast of LACONIA into the which he was no sooner entred but he beganne to spoyle and wast the whole contry And when the Ambassadors of SPARTA reproued and founde fault with him for that he made warres vpon them in such sorte before he had openly proclaimed it he made them aunswer no more haue you your selues vsed to proclaime that which you purposed to do to others Then one of the Ambassadors called Mandricidas replied againe vnto him in the LACONIAN tongue If thou be a god thou wilt doe vs no hurt bicause we haue not offended thee and if thou be a man thou shalt meete with an other that shal be better then thy selfe Then he marched directly to SPARTA where Cleonymus gaue him counsell euen at the first to assault it But he would not so do fearing as they sayd that if he did it by night his souldiers would sacke the city and sayd it should be time enough to assault it the next day at broad day light bicause there were but few men within the towne and beside they were very ill prouided And furthermore king Areus him selfe was not there but gone into CRETA to aide the GORTYNIANS who had warres in their owne contry And doutlesse that only was the sauing of SPARTA from taking that they made no reckening to assault it hotly bicause they thought it was not able to make resistaunce For Pyrrus camped before the towne throughly perswaded with him selfe that he should finde none to fight with him and Cleonymus frends and seruauntes also did prepare his lodging there as if Pyrrus should haue come to supper to him
to it through Scipioes liberalitie or else bicause he thought the time was come that it was the surest way to take part with the ROMANES which were the conquerors It is that Masinissa that afterwards through the goodnes of the ROMANES became the great and mighty king of NVMIDIA and in deede he was diuers wayes a profitable frende vnto the ROMANES Furthermore the selfe same yeare which was the fourteenth of the seconde warre with the AFRICANS SPAYNE was the first nation and people of the vpland men dwelling in the hart of the realme that was conquered vnder the happie conduct of the Viceconful Scipio howbeit it was the last realme that was made a prouince long time after by Augustus Caesar. Now Scipio not contenting him self with the great victories he had obteined in verie short time in SPAYNE for he had an imagination good hope also to cōquer AFRICKE he thought that his best way to make all the meanes he could possible to get Syphax king of the MASAESYLIANS a frend to the ROMANES Wherefore after he had felt the kinges minde perceiuing that he was well inclined to make league with the ROMANES he presently set all his other affaires aside and sailed into AFRIKE with two gallies onely at fiue owers to a bancke At the selfe same time also came Hasdrubal the sonne of Gisgo thither from GADES so that both these valliant lusty Captaines came of purpose to the king enuying one the other to craue the kinges good will vnto their contrie and common wealth Syphax welcomed them both into his Court and did vse them verie honorably and curteouslie and appointed that they should both eate at one table and lye in one selfe chamber bicause the one shoulde not thinke his enterteinment better then the other It is reported that Hasdrubal wondering at the magnanimity and great wisedom of Scipio that was present he considered with him selfe the great daunger the citie of CARTHAGE and all AFRIKE besides was in through that mans meanes for he saw him yet a young man quicke and excellent in all manner of great vertues and that had continuallie obtained such victories and therefore considering the lustie youth of this gentleman he imagined that it was vnpossible to perswade him to imbrace peace rather then warre Besides he was affraied also that Syphax moued by the personage and authoritie of him that was present would take parte with the ROMANES and in deede his minde gaue him rightlie for so it happened For though Syphax at the first shewed him selfe in different to them both and had moued talke to end the warre betwext the ROMANES and the CARTHAGINIANS yet afterwards when Scipio tolde him he coulde conclude no peace without consent of the Senate of ROME he reiected Hasdrubal and inclining to Scipioes request he made league with the people of ROME So Scipio being returned againe into SPAYNE him self partely by force and partely also by L. Martius meanes conquered ILITVRGIVM CASTVLO and certaine other places that refused to yeeld them selues vnto the ROMANES And to the end nothing should be lacking for all kinde of sports and pleasures after he had so fortunatelie obtained so many famous victories when he was come to newe CARTHAGE he caused the fensers to prepare them selues to fight with great pompe where there were many great estates not only to see that pastime but also they them selues to handle the weapons in person But amongest other SPANYARDES of noble houses there were two called Corbis Orsua which were at strife together for the kingdom but that day they ended their quarrell the one being slaine by the others hand The fight was verie lamentable grieuous to the beholders but the death of him that was slaine troubled them much more for they were both cousin germaines After all this Scipio hauing his mind still occupied in matters of greater waight and importance then those which he had already brought to passe he fell sicke His sickenes being caried through all SPAYNE and as it happeneth often his disease being reported to be muche greater and daungerous then it was in deede thereuppon not only the nations of SPAYNE beganne to rise in hope of chaunge but the armie selfe also of the ROMANES the which he had left at SVCRO First of all martiall discipline was corrupted through the absence of the Generall Afterwardes also the report of his sickenes and daunger of his life being spred abroad in the armie raised suche a rebellion among them that some of them litle regarding the authoritie and commaundement of the head Captaines of the bands they draue them away and chose two meane souldiers for their Captaines who presumptuouslie tooke vpon them the name geuen vnto them by men of no authority and yet with more arrogancie made the bundells of roddes and axes to be caried before them Such follie doth furie and vaine ambicion oftentimes worke in mens minds On the other side the SPANYARDS slept not and specially Mandonius and Indibilis who aspiring to the kingdom of SPAYNE came to Scipio when he was conqueror after he had taken newe CARTHAGE But afterwards being offended to see the power of the ROMANES increase daily they sought occasion to make some alteracion So after they had heard not onely of Scipioes sicknes but also how he was at deathes dore and did beleue it they presentlie leauied an armie and went and made warre with the SVBSSITANS which were confederates of the ROMANES But Scipio being recouered againe of his sickenes like as vpon the false rumor of his death euery man beganne to rise euen so after the truth was knowen in deede of his recouerie they were all put downe againe and not a man of them durst proceede any further in their rebellion Scipio being more skilfull in martiall discipline then acquainted with sedition and rebellion although he was maruelously offended with the souldiers that had committed this follie yet in the end least following his anger men should haue thought him to haue exceeded all boundes of reason in punishing of them he referred all vnto the counsell The most parte of them gaue aduise that the authors of the rebellion shoulde be punished and all the rest pardoned for by this meanes sayd they the punishment shall light vpon a few that haue deserued it and all the rest shall take example by them Scipio followed that aduise and presently sent for all the seditious bands to come to new CARTHAGE to receiue their pay The souldiers obeyed his commaundement some of them making their fault lesse then it was as men doe often flatter them selues others also trusting to the Captaines clemencie as knewing him not to be extreame in punishment For Scipio was wont to say that he had rather saue the life of one ROMANE citizen then to kill a thowsand enemies The rumor ranne also that Scipio had an other armie readie the which he looked for to ioyne with them and then
continually acquainted them with playing of the flute beinge highly estemed of them in those dayes They brought in the vse also to make loue in the middest of all their youthefull sportes exercises of their bodies to frame the young mens manners and to bring them to a ciuil lyfe And therfore they had reasoÌ„ that gaue the goddesse HARMONIA to the THEBANS for defender and patronesse of their cittie who was begotten as they say betwene Mars and Venus For that geueth vs to vnderstande that where force and warlike corage is ioyned with grace to winne and perswade all thinges by this vnion and accorde are brought to a goodly proffitable and most perfect gouernment Now to returne againe to the matter of this holy bande of the THEBANS Gorgidas deuiding it in the former ranckes and placing it all alongest the fronte of the battell of the footemen it did not appeare what they were able to doo of them selues for that he brought them not all into one body so as thereby they might see what seruice the whole companie coulde doo being togeather considering that it was deuided and mingled amongest manie other that were a great deale of lesse value then them selues But Pelopidas that had made good proofe of their valliauntnes before when they sought about him of them selues without others by them at TEGYRA woulde neuer after deuide nor seperat them one froÌ„ the other but keeping them together as one entier body that had al his members he would alwaies beginne with them to geue a charge in his most daungerous battels For as we see in running of coches at games that horses being tyed all together in a fronte doo runne faster and stronger then they doo when they are lose and put to it alone and not for that they being many togeather doo breake through the ayer better but for that the contention and enuy betweene them to outronne one another doth in dede set their hartes and stomakes a fyre Euen so he thought that valliaunt men geuing one another a desire and enuie to doo well shoulde haue the more corage and woulde be of greater force when they fought one in another sight But the LACEDAEMONIANS afterwardes being at peace and league with all the other GREECIANS proclaymed open warres against the THEBANS onely and kyng Cleombrotus went to inuade them with an army of tenne thowsande footemen and a thowsande horsemen Wherupon the THEBANS were not only in the like daunger they stoode in before to lose their libertie but the LACEDAEMONIANS did openly threaten they would vtterly destroy them for euer so that all the contrie of BOEOTIA stoode in greater feare then euer they did before And one day as Pelopidas went out of his house to goe to the warres his wife bringing him out of the doores to take her leaue of him weeping she praied him hartely to looke well to him selfe But he aunswered her againe my good wife it is for priuate souldiers to be carefull of them selues but not for captaines for they must haue an eye to saue others liues And when he came to the campe he founde the captaines and the Lieuetenantes of the armie in sundrie opinions and he was the first that agreed with Epaminondas opinion who thought it best they shoulde gaue battell to the enemies Pelopidas at that time was neither gouernor of BOEOTIA nor general of the armie but onely captaine of the holy bande notwithstanding they had great affiance in him gaue him great authoritie in couÌ„saile concerning their affaiers such as became a man that had made so good testimonie of his naturall loue affection to his contrie as he had done Now being determined in counsaile that they shoulde geue the enemie battell they all mustred together in the valley of LEVCTRES where he had a vision in his dreame that troubled him verie muche In that valley there are the tombes of the daughters of one Scedasies whiche by reason of the place they call the LEVCTRIDES for that they were buried there after they had bene defyled and rauished by certaine guestes of the SPARTANS that laye in their house trauayling that way This act being so horrible and wicked the poore father of these defiled virgines coulde neither haue iustice nor reuenge of the LACEDAEMONIANS and therefore after he had bande and cursed the LACEDAEMONIANS with most horrible and execrable raylinges and curses as might be possible he kylled him selfe vpon the graues of his daughters The LACEDAEMONIANS had many sundrie oracles prophecies signes of the goddes to warne them to take heede of the wrathe of the LEVCTRIDES howbeit euerie man vnderstoode not the signification of this prophecie but were deceiued by the equiuocation of the name For there was a litle towne in the contrie of LACONIA standing apon the sea called LEVCTRVM and in ARCADIA also by the cittie of MEGALIPOLIS there was another towne called by the same name This misfortune chaunced longe before the battell of LEVCTRâ—S but then Pelopidas dreaming in his tente thought he sawe in a vision the daughters of Scedasus weeping about their graues and cursing the LACEDAEMONIANS and that he sawe their father also commaunding him to sacrifice a red mayden to his daughters if they woulde obtaine the victorie This commaundement at the first seemed verie cruel and wicked whereuppon when he rose he went to the Prognosticators and generalles of the armie and tolde them his dreame So some of them saide this was no matter to be lightly passed ouer but to be considered of alledging manie examples in the like cases As of Menecius the sonne of Creon in olde time and of Macaria the daughter of Hercules And yet of later memorie the wise Pherecydes whome the LACEDAEMONIANS slue and whose skynne their kynges doo keepe at this daye by commaundement of an oracle And Leonidas who following a prophecie of the goddes did as it were sacrifice him selfe for the safetie of GREECE And furthermore the younge boyes which Themistocles did sacrifice to Bacchus Omestes to say eating rawe fleshe before the battell of Salamina And all these sacrifices were acceptable to the goddes as the victories following did plainely shewe it In contrarie manner also king Agesilaeus comming from those very places from whence king Agamemnon came in the time of the warres of Troia and going also against the same enemies dreamed one night in the cittie of AVLIDE he sawe the goddesse Diana asking him his daughter for sacrifice But he tenderly louing her would by no meanes perfourme it and thereupon was compelled to breake of his iorney before he had execused his enterprise and departed with small honor Other to the contrarie stoode to it stowtely and saide it was not to be done For so cruell abhominable and brutish a sacrifice could not be acceptable to any of the goddes nor to any god better ot mightier then ours considering that they be no impressions in the ayre nor gyants that rule the world but the
vnto whome I might compare Lucullus I thought it best to compare him with Cimon bicause they haue bene both valliant souldiers against their enemies hauing both done notable exploytes in warres against the barbarous people and moreouer they haue both bene curteous mercifull vnto their citizens were both the only men that pacified the ciuill warres and dissention in their contrie and both the one the other of them wan notable victories of the babarous people For there was neuer GREECIAN Captaine before Cimon nor ROMANE Captaine before Lucullus that had made warres so farre of from their contrie leauing a parte the deedes of Bacchus and of Hercules and the deedes also of Perseus against the AETHIOPIANS the MEDES and the ARMENIANS and the deedes of Iason also if there remaine any monument extant since their time worthie of credit in these our dayes Furthermore herein they are to be likened together that they neuer ended their warres they only ouerthrewe their enemies but neuer ouercame them altogether Againe they may note in them a great resemblaunce of nature for their honestie curtesie and humanitie which they shewed vnto straungers in their contrie and for the magnignificence and sumptuousnes of their life and ordinarie expence It may be we doe leaue on some other similitudes betwene them howbeit in the discourse of their liues they will easily appeare Cimon was the sonne of Miltiades and of Hegesipyle a THRACIAN woman borne and the daughter of king Olorus as we finde wrytten in certaine poeticall verses which Melanthiusâ— and Archelaus haue wrytten of Cimon The father of Thucydides the historiographer him selfe who was of kinne also vnto Cimon was called in like manner Olorus showing by the agreeing of the name that this king Olorus was one of his auncesters and did also possesse mines of gold in the contry of THRACIA It is sayd moreouer that he dyed in a certaine place called the ditchie forrest where he was slaine howbeit that his ashes and bones were caried into the contrie of ATTICA where his tombe appeareth yet to this day amongest the tombes of them of the house and family of Cimon neere vnto the tombe of Cimons owne sister called Elpinicè Notwithstanding Thucydides was of the village of ALIMVS and Miltiades of the village of LACIA This Miltiades Cimons father being condemned by the state to pay the summe of fifty talentes was for non payment cast into prison and there dyed and left Cimon and his sister Elpinicè aliue both Orphanes and very young Now Cimon in his first young yeares had a very ill name and reporte in the city being counted a riotous young man a great drinker following his grandfather Cimons facions vp and downe as he had also his name sauing that his grandfather for his beastlines was surnamed Coalemos as much to say as foole Stesimbrâ—tâ—â— THASIAN who was about Cimons time wryteth that Cimon neuer learned musike nor any other of the liberall sciences accustomably taught to young noble mens sonnes of GREECE that he had no sharpe wit nor good grace of speaking a vertue proper vnto children borne in the contry of ATTICA howbeit that he was of a noble minde and plaine without dissimulacion so that he rather liued PELOPONNESIAN like then like an ATHENIAN For he was euen such as the Poet Euripides described Hercules to be A simple man he vvas and could not vvell disguise As honest eke in thinges of vveight as vvit could vvell deuise This serued fitly to be applied vnto Stesimbrotus wordes wrytten of him but notwithstanding in his first younge yeares he was suspected of incontinency with his sister who in deede otherwise had no very good name For she was very familiar with the painter Polygnotus who painting the TROIAN Ladies prisoners vpon the walls of the gallery called the Plesianaction and now Poecile to say set out and beawtified with diuers pictures he drue as they say LAOPICES face vpon Elpinices picture This painter Polygnotus was no common artificer nor hierling that painted this gallery for moneys sake but gaue his labor franckely to the common wealth as all the historiographers that wrote in that time do witnesse and as the Poet Melanthius also reciteth in these verses At his ovvne proper charge great cost he hath bestovved In decking vp our temples here vvith gilted roofes embovved For honor of the goddes And in our tovvne likevvise He hath adornd the common place vvith many a fine deuise Painting and setting forth in stately shovv to see The images of demy goddes that here amongest vs be Yet some say that Elpinicè did not secretly companie with her brother Cimon but lay with him openly as his lawfull maried wife bicause she could not for her pouerty haue a husband of like nobilite and parentage to her selfe Howbeit that a certaine man called Callias being one of the richest men of the citie did afterwardes fall in fansie with her and desired to mary her offering to pay her father Miltiades fine of fiftie talents wherein he stoode condemned a debter to the state so that he might haue her to his wife Cimon was contented and vppon that condicion maried his siste Elpinicè vnto Callias This notwithstandinge it is certaine that Cimon was somewhat amorous and geuen to loue women For Melanthius the Poet in certaine of his elegies maketh mencion for his pleasure of one Asteria borne at SALAMINA and of an other called Muestra as if Cimon had bene in loue with them But vndoutedly he loued his lawefull wife Isodice maruelous well the daughter of Euryptolemus Megaetes sonne and tooke her death very grieuouslie as we may coniecture by the elegies that were wrytten vnto him to comforte him in his sorowe Panaetius the Philosopher is of opinion that Archelaus the Phisitian wrote those elegies and sure it is not vnlikely considering the time in which they were wrytten But furthermore Cimons nature and condicions deserued great commendacion For his valliantnesse he gaue no place vnto Miltiades and for his wisedome and iudgement he was not inferior vnto Themistocles and it is out of all doubt that he was a iuster and honester man then either of them both For he was equall with the best of either of both in the discipline of warres and for the valliantnesse of a noble Captaine and he did much excell them both in the properties of a good gouernor and in thadministracion of the affayres of a citie when he was but a younge man and had no experience of warres For when Themistocles at the comminge in of the MEDES counselled the people of ATHENS to goe out of the citie to leaue their landes and contrie and to shippe into gallies and fight with the barbarous people by sea in the straight of SALAMINA as euerie man was wonderinge at his bolde and venturous counsell Cimon was the first man that went with a life and iolitie through the streete Ceramious
these troubles Yet furthermore this caused the souldiers vtterly to dispayre of helpe from the goddes when they considered with them selues that so deuout and godly a man as Nicias who left nothing vndone that might tend to the honor and seruice of the goddes had no better successe than the most vile and wicked persones in all the whole army All this notwithstandinge Nicias strained him selfe in all that might be both by his good countenaunce his cheerefull words his kinde vsing of euery man to let them know that he fainted not vnder his burden nor yet did yeeld to this his misfortune and extreame calamity And thus trauelling eight dayes iorney out right together notwithstanding that he was by the way continually set apon wearied and hurt yet he euer mainteined his bandes and led them whole in company vntill that Demosthenes with all his bandes of souldiers was taken prisoner in a certaine village called POLYLELIOS where remaininge behinde he was enuirroned by his enemies in fight and seeing him selfe so compassed in drewe out his sword and with his owne handes thrust himselfe thorow but dyed not of it bicause his enemies came straight about him and tooke hold of him The SYRACVSANS thereupon went with speede to Nicias and told him of Demosthenes case He geuing to credit to them sent presently certaine of his horsemen thither to vnderstand the troth who brought him worde that Demosthenes and all his men were taken prisoners Then he besought Gylippus to treate of peace to suffer the poore remaine of the ATHENIANS to departe out of SICILE with safety and to take such hostages for the sure payement of all such summes of money the SYRACVSANS had disbursed by meanes of this warre as should like him selfe which he promised he would cause the ATHENIANS to performe satisfie vnto them Howbeit the SYRACVSANS would in no wise hearken to peace but cruelty threatning reuiling them that made mocion hereof in rage gaue a new onset vpon him those fiercely then euer before they had done Nicias being then vtterly without any kinde of vittells did notwithstaÌ„ding hold out that night marched all the next day following though the enemies darres still flew about their eares vntill he came to the riuer of Asinarus into the which the SYRACVSANS did forcibly driue them Some others of them also dying for thirst entred the riuer of them selues thinking to drinke But there of all others was the most cruell slaughter of the poore wretches euen as they were drinking vntil such time as Nicias falling downe flat at Gylippus feete sayd thus vnto him Since the goddes haue geuen thee Gylippus victory shewe mercy not to me that by these miseries haue won immortall honor and â—â—â— but vnto these poore vanquished ATHENIANS calling to thy remembraunce that theâ—â— tunes of warre are common and howe that the ATHENIANS haue vsed you LACEDAEMONIANS curteously as often as fortune fauored them against you Gylippus beholding Nicias and perswaded by his wordes tooke compassion of him for he knew he was a frend vnto the LACEDAEMONIANS at the last peace concluded betwext them and furthermore thought it great honor to him if he could cary away the two Captaines or generalls of his enemies prisoners shewed him mercy gaue him wordes of comforte and moreouer commaunded besides that they should take all the residue prisoners But his commaundement was not knowen in time to all insomuch as there were many moe slaine than taken although some priuate souldiers saued diuers notwithstanding by stealth Now the SYRACVSANS hauing brought all the prisoners that were openly taken into a troupe together first vnarmed them then taking their weapons from them hong them vp apon the goodliest younge trees that stoode apon the riuers side in token of triumphet And so putting on triumphing garlandes apon their heades hauing trimmed their owne horses in triuÌ„phant maner also shorne all the horses of their enemies in this triumphing sorte they made their entry into the citie of SYRACVSA hauing gloriously ended the most notable warre that euer was amongest the GREECES one against an other and attained also the noblest victory that could be atchieued and that only by force of armes and valliancy So at their returne a counsell and assembly was holden at SYRACVSA by the citizens and their confederates in the which Eurycles one of the orators a practiserin publicke causes first made peticion that the day on the which they had taken Nicias might for euer thenceforth be kept holy day without any maner of worke or labor but only to doe sacrifice to the goddes and that the feast should be called Asinarus feast after the name of the riuer where the ouerthrow was geuen This victory was had the six and twenty day of the moneth of Iuly And as touching the prisoners that the confederats of the ATHENIANS and their slaues should be openly solde by the dromme and that the naturall ATHENIANS which were free men and their confederates of the contry of SICILE should be clapped in irone layed in prison the Captaines only excepted whom they should put to death The SYRACVSANS coÌ„firmed this decree And when the Captaine Hermocrates went about to perswade them that to be merciful in victory would be more honor vnto them than the victory it selfe they thrust him backe with great tumult And furthermore when Gylippus made sure that for the Captaines of the ATHENIANS he might cary them aliue with him to SPARTA he was not onely shamefully denyed but most vilely abused so lusty were they growen apon this victory beside also that in the time of the warre they were offended with him could not endure his straight seuere LACONIAN gouernment Timaeus sayth moreouer that they accused him of couetousnes and theft which vice he inherited from his father For Cleandrides his father was conuict for extorcion and banished ATHENS And Gylippus selfe hauing stolen thirty talentes out of a thowsande which Lysander sent to SPARTA by him and hauing hid them vnder the cusinges of his house being bewrayed was compelled with shame to flie his contry as we haue more amply declared in the life of Lysander So Timaeus wryteth that Nicias Demosthenes were not stoned to death by the SYRACVSANS as Thucydides and Philistus reporte but that they killed them selues apon word sent them by Hermocrates before the assemble of the people was broken vp by one of his men whom the kepers of the prison let in vnto them howebeit their bodies were cast out at the iaile dore for euery man to beholde I haue heard there is a target at this present to be seene in a temple at SYRACVSA which is sayd to be Nicias target couered all ouer with golde and purple silke passinge finely wrought together As for the other prisoners of the ATHENIANS the most of them dyed of sickenes and of ill handling in the prison where they had no more allowed them to liue
shall heare The ROMANES by chaunce celebrated the feast called Lupercalia Caesar being apparelled in his triumphing robe was set in the Tribune where they vse to make their orations to the people and from thence did behold the sport of the runners The manner of this running was this On that day there are many young men of noble house and those specially that be chiefe Officers for that yeare who running naked vp downe the citie annointed with the oyle of olyue for pleasure do strike them they meete in their way with white leather thongs they haue in their hands Antonius being one amonge the rest that was to ronne leauing the auncient ceremonies old customes of that solemnitie he ranne to the Tribune where Caesar was set and caried a laurell crowne in his hand hauing a royall band or diademe wreathed about it which in old time was the auncient marke and token of a king When he was come to Caesar he made his fellow ronners with him lift him vp so he did put this laurell crowne vpon his head signifying thereby that he had deserued to be king But Caesar making as though he refused it turned away his heade The people were so reioyced at it that they all clapped their hands for ioy Antonius againe did put it on his head Caesar againe refused it and thus they were striuing of and on a great while together As oft as Antonius did put this laurell crowne vnto him a fewe of his followers reioyced at it as oft also as Caesar refused it all the people together clapped their hands And this was a wonderfull thing that they suffered all things subiects should doe by commaundement of their kings yet they could not abide the name of a king detesting it as the vtter destructiō of their liberty Caesar in a rage rose out of his seate and plucking downe the choller of his gowne from his necke he shewed it naked bidding any man strike of his head that would This laurel crowne was afterwards put vpō the head of one of Caesars statues or images the which one of the Tribunes pluckt of The people liked his doing therein so well that they wayted on him home to his house with great clapping of hands Howbeit Caesar did turne thē out of their offices for it This was a good incoragemēt for Brutus Cassius to conspire his death who fel into a cōfort with their trustiest friends to execute their enterprise but yet stood doubtful whether they should make Antonius priuy to it or not Al the rest liked of it sauing Trebonius only He told them that when they rode to meete Caesar at his returne out of SPAYNE Antonius he alwaies keping company lying together by the way he felt his mind a farre of but Antonius finding his meaning would harken no more vnto it yet notwithstanding neuer made Caesar acquainted with this talke but had faithfully kept it to him self After that they cōsulted whether they should kil Antonius with Caesar. But Brutus would in no wise consent to it saying that ventring on such an enterprise as that for the maintenāce of law iustice it ought to be clere from all villanie Yet they fearing Antonius power the authoritie of his office appointed certain of the cōspiracy that when Caesar were gone into the Senate and while others should execute their enterprise they should keepe Antonius in a talke out of the Senate house Euen as they had deuised these matters so were they executed and Caesar was slaine in the middest of the Senate Antonius being put in a feare withall cast a slaues gowne vpon him and hid him selfe But afterwards when it was told him that the murtherers slue no man els and that they went onely into the Capitoll he sent his sonne vnto them for a pledge bad them boldly come downe vpon his word The selfe same day he did bid Cassius to supper and Lepidus also bad Brutus The next morning the Senate was assembled Antonius him selfe preferred a lawe that all things past should be forgotten and that they should appoint prouinces vnto Cassius and Brutus the which the Senate confirmed and further ordeyned that they should cancell none of Caesars lawes Thus went Antonius out of the Senate more praysed and better esteemed then euer man was bicause it seemed to euery man that he had cut of all occasion of ciuill warres and that he had shewed him selfe a maruelous wise gouernor of the common wealth for the appeasing of these matters of so great waight importance But nowe the opinion he conceiued of him selfe after he had a litle felt the good will of the people towards him hoping thereby to make him selfe the chiefest man if he might ouercome Brutus did easily make him alter his first mind And therefore when Caesars body was brought to the place where it should be buried he made a funeral oration in cōmendacion of Caesar according to the auncient custom of praising noble men at their funerals When he saw that the people were very glad and desirous also to heare Caesar spoken of his praises vttered he mingled his oration with lamentable wordes and by amplifying of matters did greatly moue their harts and affections vnto pitie compassion In fine to conclude his oration he vnfolded before the whole assembly the bloudy garments of the dead thrust through in many places with their swords called the malefactors cruell cursed murtherers With these words he put the people into such a fury that they presently toke Caesars body burnt it in the market place with such tables fourmes as they could get together Then whē the fire was kindled they toke firebrands ran to the murtherers houses to set thē afire to make thē come out to fight Brutus therfore his accomplices for safety of their persons were driuē to fly the city Then came all Caesars friends vnto Antonius specially his wife Calpurnia putting her trust in him she brought the moste part of her money into his house which amounted to the summe of foure thowsand talents furthermore brought him al Caesars bokes writings in the which were his memorials of al that he had done ordeyned Antonius did daily mingle with them such as he thought good and by that meanes he created newe officers made newe Senators called home some that were banished and deliuered those that were prisoners and then he sayde that all those thinges were so appoynted and ordeyned by Caesar. Therefore the ROMANES mocking them that were so moued they called them CHARONITES bicause that when they were ouercome they had no other helpe but to saye that thus they were found in Caesars memorialls who had sayled in Charons boate and was departed Thus Antonius ruled absolutely also in all other matters bicause he was Consul and Caius one of his brethren Praetor and Lucius the other Tribune Now thinges remayning in
this state at ROME Octauius Caesar the younger came to ROME who was the sonne of Iulius Caesars Nece as you haue heard before and was left his lawefull heire by will remayning at the tyme of the death of his great Vncle that was slayne in the citie of APOLLONIA This young man at his first arriuall went to salute Antonius as one of his late dead father Caesars friendes who by his last will and testament had made him his heire and withall he was presently in hande with him for money and other thinges which were left of trust in his handes bicause Caesar had by will bequeathed vnto the people of ROME three score and fifteene siluer Drachmas to be giuen to euery man the which he as heire stoode charged withall Antonius at the first made no reckoning of him bicause he was very younge and sayde he lacked witte and good friendes to aduise him if he looked to take such a charge in hande as to vndertake to be Caesars heire But when Antonius saw that he could not shake him of with those wordes and that he was still in hande with him for his fathers goods but specially for the ready money then he spake and did what he could against him And first of all it was he that did keepe him from being Tribune of the people and also when Octauius Caesar beganne to meddle with the dedicating of the chayer of gold which was prepared by the Senate to honor Caesar with he threatned to send him to prison and moreouer desisted not to put the people in an vnprore This young Caesar seeing his doings went vnto Cicero and others which were Antonius enemies and by them crept into fauor with the Senate and he him self sought the peoples good will euery manner of way gathering together the olde souldiers of the late deceased Caesar which were dispersed in diuers cities and colonyes Antonius being affrayd of it talked with Octauius in the capitoll and became his friend But the very same night Antonius had a straunge dreame who thought that lightning fell vpon him burnt his right hand Shortly after word was brought him that Caesar lay in waite to kil him Caesar cleered him selfe vnto him and told him there was no such matter but he could not make Antonius beleue the contrary Whereuppon they became further enemies then euer they were insomuch that both of them made friends of either side to gather together all the old souldiers through ITALY that were dispersed in diuers townes made them large promises sought also to winne the legions of their side which were already in armes Cicero on the other side being at that time the chiefest man of authoritie estimation in the citie he stirred vp al meÌ„ against Antonius so that in the end he made the Senate pronouÌ„ce him an enemy to his contry appointed young Caesar Sergeaunts to cary axes before him such other signes as were incident to the dignitie of a Consul or Praetor moreouer sent Hircius and Pausa then Consuls to driue Antonius out of ITALY These two Consuls together with Caesar who also had an armye went against Antonius that beseeged the citie of MODENA and there ouerthrew him in battell but both the Consuls were slaine there Antonius flying vpon this ouerthrowe fell into great miserie all at once but the chiefest want of all other that pinched him most was famine Howbeit he was of such a strong nature that by pacience he would ouercome any aduersitie and the heauier fortune lay vpon him the more constant shewed he him selfe Euery man that feleth want or aduersitie knoweth by vertue and discretion what he should doe but when in deede they are ouerlayed with extremitie and be sore oppressed few haue the harts to follow that which they praise and commend and much lesse to auoid that they reproue and mislike But rather to the contrary they yeld to their accustomed easie life and through faynt hart lacke of corage doe chaunge their first mind and purpose And therefore it was a wonderfull example to the souldiers to see Antonius that was brought vp in all finenes and superfluitie â—â— easily to drinke puddle water and to eate wild frutes and rootes and moreouer it is reported that euen as they passed the Alpes they did eate the barcks of trees and such beasts as neuer man tasted of their flesh before Now their intent was to ioyne with the legions that were on the other side of the Mountaines vnder Lepidus charge whoÌ„ Antonius tooke to be his friend bicause he had holpen him to many things at Caesars hand through his meanes When he was come to the place where Lepidus was he camped hard by him and when he saw that no man came to him to put him in any hope he determined to venter him selfe and to goe vnto Lepidus Since the ouerthrow he had at MODENA he suffred his beard to grow at length and neuer clypt it that it was maruelous long and the heare of his heade also without koming and besides all this he went in a mourning gowne and after this sort came hard to the trenches of Lepidus campe Then he beganne to speake vnto the souldiers and many of them their hartes yerned for pitie to see him so poorely arrayed and some also through his wordes beganne to pitie him insomuch that Lepidus beganne to be affrayd and therefore commaunded all the trompetts to sownd together to stoppe the souldiers eares that they should not harken to Antonius This notwithstanding the souldiers tooke the more pitie of him spake secretly with him by Clodius Laelius meanes whom they sent vnto him disguised in womens apparel gaue him counsel that he should not be affraid to enter into their campe for there were a great number of souldiers that would receiue him and kill Lepidus if he would say the word Antonius would not suffer them to hurt him but the next morning he went with his army to wade a ford at a litle riuer that ranne betweene them and him selfe was the foremost man that tooke the riuer to get ouer seeing a number of Lepidus campe that gaue him their handes plucked vp the stakes and layed flat the bancke of their trenche to let him in to their campe When he was come into their campe and that he had all the army at his commaundement he vsed Lepidus very curteously imbraced him and called him father and though in deede Antonius did all and ruled the whole army yet he alway gaue Lepidus the name and honor of the Captaine Munatius Plancus lying also in campe hard by with an armye vnderstanding the report of Antonius curtesie he also came and ioined with him Thus Antonius being a foote againe and growen of great power repassed ouer the Alpes leading into ITALY with him seuenteene legions and tenne thowsand horsemen besides six legions he left in garrison amonge the GAVLES vnder the charge of
hauing soone recouered his helth he discharged his Phisitions vvith such vvords as these Feast me no more vvith your Hippocrates and Galene sith they can no skill to helpe me to recouer my helth but vvell fare Quintus Curtius that could so good skill to helpe me to recouer my helth Novv if the reading and knovvledge of histories be delightfull and profitable to all other kind of folke I say it is much more for great Princes and Kings bicause they haue to do vvith charges of greatest vveight and difficultie to be best stored vvith giftes and knovvledge for the discharge of their dueties seeing the ground of stories is to treate of all maner of high matters of state as vvarres battells cities contries treaties of peace and alliances and therefore it seemeth more fit for them than for any other kinde of degrees of men bicause they being bred and brought vp tenderly and at their ease by reason of the great regard and care that is had of their persons as meete is for so great states to haue they take not so great paines in their youth for the learning of things as behoueth those to take vvhich vvill learne the noble auncient languages and the painfull doctrine comprehended in Philosophie Againe vvhen they come to mans state their charge calleth them to deale in great affaires so as there remaineth no exercise of vvit more conuenient for thē than the reading of histories in their ovvne tunge vvhich vvithout paine is able to teache them euen vvith great pleasure and ease vvhatsoeuer the painfull vvorkes of the Philosophers concerning the gouernment of common vveales can shevve them to make them skilful in the vvell ruling and gouerning of the people and contries that God hath put vnder their subiection But the vvorst is that they euer or for the most part haue such maner of persons about them as seeke nothing els but to please them by all the vvayes they can and there are very few that dare tell them the truth freely in all things vvhere as on the contrary part an history flattereth with them not but layeth open before their eyes the faults and vices of such as vvere like them in greatnesse of degree And therefore Demetrius Phalereus a man renovvmed as vvell for his skill in the good gouernment of a common vveale as for his excellent knovvledge othervvise counselled Ptolomy first king of AEgypt after the death of Alexander the great that he should often and diligently reade the bookes that treated of the gouernment of kingdomes bicause sayd he thou shalt finde many things there vvhich thy seruaunts and familiar friendes dare not tell thee Moreouer this is another thinge that suche great personages can not easily trauell out of the bounds of their dominions to goe vievv straunge contries as priuate persons doe bicause the ielousie of their estate and the regarde of their dignitie requires that they should neuer be in place vvhere another man might cōmaund them And often times for vvant of hauing seene the contries and knovven the people and Princes that are their neighbours they haue aduentured vppon attempts vvithout good ground to anoyde the vvhich the instruction they may haue by the reading of histories is one of the easiest and fittest remedies that can be found And though there vvere none other cause then onely this last surely it ought to induce Princes to the often and diligent reading of histories vvherein are vvritten the heroicall deedes of vvise and valiant men specially of kings that haue bene before them the considering vvhereof may cause them to be desirous to become like them specially vvhich vvere of stately and noble courage bicause the seedes of Princely vertues that are bred vvith them selues doe then quicken them vp vvith an emulacion tovvards those that haue bene or are equall in degree vvith them asvvell in respect of noblenes of bloud as of greatnes of state so as they be loth to giue place to any person and much lesse can find in their harts to be outgone in glory of vertuous doinges VVhereof innumerable examples might be alleaged if the thing vvere not so vvelknovven of it self that it vvere much more against reason to doubt of it than needefull to proue it Therefore a man may truely conclude that an historie is the scholemistresse of Princes at vvhose hand they may vvithout payne in vvay of pastyme vvith singular pleasure learne the most part of the things that belonge to their office Novv according to the diuersitie of the matter that it treateth of or the order and manner of vvriting that it vseth it hath sondry names giuen vnto it But yet among the rest there are tvvo chiefe kinds The one vvhich setteth dovvne mens doings and aduentures at length is called by the common name of an historie the other vvhich declareth their natures sayings and maners is properly named their liues And although the ground of them both doe cloze very neare in one yet doth the one respect more the things and the other the persons the one is more common and the other more priuate the one concerneth more the things that are vvithout the man and the other the things that proceede from vvithin the one the euents the other the consultacions betvvene the vvhich there is oftentymes great oddes according to this aunsvver of the Persian Siramnes to such as maruelled hovv it came to passe that his deuises being so politike had so vnhappy sucesse It is quod he bicause my deuises are vvholly from my ovvn inuention but the effects of them are in the disposition of fortune and the king And surely amonge all those that euer haue taken vppon them to vvrite the liues of famous men the chiefe prerogatiue by the iudgement of such as are clearest sighted is iustly giuen to the Greeke Philosopher Plutarke borne in the citie of Chaeronea in the contry of Baeotia a noble man perfect in all rare knovvledge as his vvorkes may vvell put men out of doubt if they lyst to read them through vvho all his life long euen to his old age had to deale in affayres of the common vveale as he him selfe vvitnesseth in diuers places specially in the treatise vvhich he intitled VVhether and olde man ought to meddle with the gouernment of a common weale or not and vvho had the hap honor to be schoolemaster to the Emprour Traian as is commonly beleeued and as is expressely pretended by a certaine Epistle se◠before the Latin translation of his matters of state vvhich to say the truth seemeth in my iudgement to be somevvhat suspicious bicause I find it not among his vvorkes in Greeke besides that is speaketh as though the booke vvere dedicated to Traian vvhich thinge is manifestly disproued by the beginning of the booke and by diuers other reasons Yet not vvithstanding bicause me thinkes it sagely grauely vvritten and vvell be seeming him I haue set it dovvne here in this place Plutarke vnto Traeian sendeth greeting I knovv vvell that
make them gouernors and heades of the same Pitheus grandfather to Theseus on the mothers side was one of his sonnes and founded the litle city of TROEZEN and was reputed to be one of the wisest men of his time But the knowledge and wisedom which onely caried estimacion at that time consisted altogether in graue sentences and morall sayinges As those are which wanne the Poet Hesiodus such fame for his booke intituled The workes and dayes in the which is read euen at this present this goodly sentence which they father vpon Pitheus Thou shalt performe thy promise and thy pay to hyred men and that vvithout delay And this doth Aristotle the Philosopher himselfe testifie and the Poet Euripides also calling Hippolytus the scholler of the holy Pitheus doth sufficiently declare of what estimacion he was But AEgeus desiring as they say to know how he might haue children went vnto the city of DELPHES to the oracle of Apollo where by Apolloes Nunne that notable prophecy was geuen him for an aunswer The which did forbid him to touch or know any woman vntill he was returned againe to ATHENS And bicause the words of this prophecy were somewhat darke hard he tooke his way by the city of TROEZEN to tell it vnto Pitheus The wordes of the prophecy were these O thou vvhich art a gemme of perfect grace plucke not the tappe out of thy trusty toonne Before thou do returne vnto thy place in Athens tovvne from vvhence thy race doth roonne Pitheus vnderstanding the meaning perswaded him or rather cunningly by some deuise deceiued him in such sorte that he made him to lye with his daughter called AEthra AEgeus after he had accompanied with her knowing that she was Pitheus daughter with whom he had lyen and douting that he had gotten her with child left her a sword and a payer of shoes the which he hidde vnder a great hollow stone the hollownes wherof serued iust to receiue those things which he layed vnder it and made no liuing creature priuy to it but her alone straightly charging her that if she happened to haue a sonne when he were come to mans state of strength to remoue the stone and to take those things from vnder it which he left there that she should then sende him vnto him by those tokens as secretly as she could that no body els might knowe of it For he did greatly feare the children of one called Pallas the which laye in wayte and spyall by all the meanes they could to kill him only of despight bicause he had no children they being fiftie brethern and all begotten of one father This done he departed from her And AEthra within fewe moneths after was deliuered of a goodly sonne the which from that time was called Theseus and as some say so called bicause of the tokens of knowledge his father had layed vnder the stone Yet some others write that it was afterwardes at ATHENS when his father knewe him and allowed him for his sonne But in the meane time during his infancie childehood he was brought vp in the house of his grādfather Pitheus vnder the gouernmēt teaching of one called Cōnidas his schoolemaster in honour of whom the ATHENIANS to this daye doe sacrifice a weather the daye before the great feaste of Theseus hauing more reason to honour the memorye of this gouernour then of a Silanion and of a Parrhesius to whom they doe honour also bicause they paynted and caste mowldes of the images of Theseus Now there was a custome at that time in GRECE that the yong men after their infancie and growth to mans state went vnto the cittie of DELPHES to offer parte of their heares in the temple of Apollo Theseus also went thither as other did and some saye that the place where the ceremonie of this offering was made hath euer sence kept the olde name and yet continueth Theseia Howbeit he dyd not shaue his head but before only as Homer sayeth like the facion of the ABANTES in olde time and this manner of shauing of heares was called for his sake Theseida And as concerning the ABANTES in trothe they were the very first that shaued them selues after this facion neuertheles they learned it not of the ARABIANS as it was thought of some neither dyd they it after the imitation of the MISSIANS But bicause they were warlike and valliant men which did ioyne neere vnto their enemie in battell and aboue all men of the worlde were skilfullest in fight hande to hande and woulde keepe their grounde as the Poet Archilochus witnesseth in these verses They vse no slynges in foughten fields to have nor bended bovves but svvords and trenchant blades For vvhen fierce Mars beginneth for to raue in bloody field then euery man inuades His fiercest foe and fighteth hand to hand then doe they deeds right cruell to reconpt For in this vvise the braue and vvarlike bande Doe shevv their force vvhich come from Negrepont The cause why they were thus shauen before was for that their enemies should not haue the vauntage to take them by the heares of the head while they were fighting And for this selfe same consideration Alexander the great commaunded his captaines to cause all the MACEDONIANS to shaue their beards bicause it is the easiest holde and readiest for the hande a man can haue of his enemie in fighting to holde him fast by the same But to returne to Theseus AEthra his mother had euer vnto that time kept it secret from him who was his true father And Pitheus also had geuen it out abroade that he was begotten of Neptune bicause the TROEZENIANS haue this god in great veneration and doe worshippe him as patron and protector of their cittie making offerings to him of their first fruites and they haue for the marke and stampe of their money the three picked mace which is the signe of Neptune called his Trident But after he was comen to the prime and lustines of his youth and that with the strength of his bodie he shewed a great courage ioyned with a naturall wisedome and stayednes of wit then his mother brought him to the place where this great hollowe stone laye and telling him truely the order of his birth and by whom he was begotten made him to take his fathers tokens of knowledge which he had hidden there gaue him counsell to goe by sea to ATHENS vnto him Theseus easilye lyft vp the stone and tooke his fathers tokens from vnder it Howbeit he answered playnely that he would not goe by sea notwithstanding that it was a great deale the safer waye and that his mother and grandfather both had instantly intreated him bicause the waye by lande from TROEZEN to ATHENS was very daungerous all the wayes being besett by robbers and murderers For the worlde at that time brought forth men which for strongnesse in their armes for swyftnes of feete and for
was chosen captaine of the great shippe Argus and had commission to sayle euery where to chase and driue awaye rouers and pyrates and to scoure the seas through out About this time Daedalus being fled from CRETA to ATHENS in a litle barke Minos contrarie to this restraint woulde needes followe him with a fleete of diuers vessels with owers who being by force of weather driuen with the coaste of SICILE fortuned to dye there Afterwardes his sonne Deucalion being marucilously offended with the ATHENIANS sent to summone them to deliuer Daedalus vnto him or els he woulde put the children to death which were deliuered to his father for hostages But Theseus excused him selfe and sayed he coulde not forsake Daedalus considering he was his neere kynseman being his cosin germaine for he was the sonne of Merope the daughter of Erichtheus Howbeit by and by he caused many vessels secretly to be made parte of them within ATTICA selfe in the village of Thymetades farre from any highe wayes and parte of them in the cittie of TROEZEN by the sufferance of Pitheus his grandfather to the ende his purpose shoulde be kept the secretlyer Afterwardes when all his shippes were readye and rygged out he tooke sea before the CRETANS had any knowledge of it in so much as when they sawe them a farre of they dyd take them for the barkes of their friends Theseus landed without resistaunce and tooke the hauen Then hauing Daedalus and other banished CRETANS for guydes he entred the cittie selfe of GNOSVS where he slewe Deucalion in a fight before the gates of the Labyrinthe with all his garde and officers about him By this meanes the kingdome of CRETA fell by inheritance into the handes of his sister Ariadne Theseus made league with her and caryed away the yong children of ATHENS which were kept as hostages and concluded peace and amytie betweene the ATHENIANS and the CRETANS who promised and sware they woulde neuer make warres against them They reporte many other things also touching this matter and specially of Ariadne but there is no trothe nor certeintie in it For some saye that Ariadne honge her selfe for sorowe when she sawe that Theseus had caste her of Other write that she was transported by mariners into the I le of NAXOS were she was maryed vnto O Enarus the priest of Bacchus and they thincke that Theseus lefte her bicause he was in loue with another as by these verses shoulde appeare AEgles the Nymphe vvas loued of Theseus vvhich vvas the daughter of Panopeus Hereas the Megarian sayeth that these two verses in olde time were among the verses of the Poet Hesiodus howbeit Pisistratus tooke them awaye as he dyd in like manner adde these other here in the description of the helles in Homer to gratifie the ATHENIANS Bolde Theseus and Pirithous stovvte descended both from godds immortall race Triumphing still this vvearie vvorlde aboute infeats of armes and many acomly grace Other holde opinion that Ariadne had two children by Theseus the one of them was named O Enopion and the other Staphylus Thus amongest others the Poet Ion writeth it who was borne in the I le of CHIO and speaking of his cittie he sayeth thus O Enopion vvhich vvas the sonne of vvorthy Theseus did cause men buylde this stately tovvne vvhich novve triumpheth thus Nowe what things are founde seemely in Poets fables there is none but dothe in manner synge them But one Paenon borne in the cittie of AMATHVNTA reciteth this cleane after another sorte and contrarie to all other saying that Theseus by tempest was driuen with the I le of CYPRVS hauing with him Ariadne which was great with childe and so sore sea sycke that she was not able to abide it In so muche as he was forced to put her a lande and him selfe afterwards returning abourde hoping to saue his shippe against the storme was forthwith compelled to loose into the sea The women of the countrye dyd curteously receyue and intreate Ariadne and to comforte her againe for she was marucilously oute of harte to see she was thus forsaken they counterfeated letters as if Theseus had wrytten them to her And when her groninge time was come and she to be layed they did their best by all possible meanes to saue her but she dyed notwithstanding in labour and could neuer be deliuered So she was honorably buried by the Ladies of CYPRVS Theseus not long after returned thither againe who tooke her death maruelous heauily and left money with the inhabitantes of the countrie to sacrifice vnto her yearely and for memorie of her he caused two litle images to be molten the one of copper and the other of siluer which he dedicated vnto her This sacrifice is done the seconde day of September on which they doe yet obserue this ceremonie they doe lay a young childe vpon a bed which pitiefully cryeth and lamenteth as women trauellinge with childe They saye also that the AMATHVSIANS doe yet call the groue where her tombe is sette vp the wodde of Venus Adriadne And yet there are of the NAXIANS that reporte this otherwise saying there were two Minoes and two Adriadnees whereof the one was maried to Bacchus in the I le of NAXOS of whome Staphylus was borne and the other the youngest was rauished and caried away by Theseus who afterwardes forsooke her and she came into the I le of NAXOS with her nurce called Corcyna whose graue they doe shewe yet to this day This seconde Adriadne dyed there also but she had no such honour done to her after her death as to the first was geuen For they celebrate the feaste of the first with all ioye and mirthe where the sacrifices done in memorie of the seconde be mingled with mourninge and sorowe Theseus then departing from the I le of CRETA arriued in the I le of DELOS where he did sacrifice in the temple of Apollo and gaue there a litle image of Venus the which he had gotten of Adriadne Then with the other young boyes that he had deliuered he daunced a kinde of daunce which the DELIANS keepe to this day as they say in which there are many turnes and returnes much after the turninges of the Labyrinthe And the DELIANS call this manner of daunce the crane as Dicaorcus sayeth And Theseus daunced it first about the altar which is called Ceraton that is to saye horne-staffe bicause it is made and builded of hornes onely all on the left hande well and curiously sette together without any other bindinge It is sayed also that he made a game in this I le of DELOS in which at the first was geuen to him that ouercame a braunche of palme forreward of victorie But when they drewe neere the coast of ATTICA they were so ioyfull he and his master that they forgate to set vp their white sayle by which they shoulde haue geuen knowledge of their healthe and safetie vnto AEgeus Who
we ought to consider in them the diuersities of manners and passions seeing anger is vnreasonable and wrathe rashe and passionate then can we not clere the one nor excuse the other of extreme rage and passion in the facte committed by the one against his brother and by the other against his naturall sonne Howbeit the occasion and beginning of anger doth muche excuse Theseus who moued with the greatest cause that might be was put into suche choller and passion But if Romulus variaunce with his brother had proceeded of any matter of counsell or cause of the common weales there is none so simple to thincke that his wisdome would so sodainely haue set vpon him Where as Theseus in contrarie manner killed his sonne prouoked by those passions that fewe men can auoyde to wit loue ielousie and false reporte of his wife Moreouer Romulus anger went to the effect whereof the issue fell out very lamentable Theseus anger stretched no further then to roughe wordes and olde folkes curses in their heate For it seemeth cursed fortune and nought els was the cause of his sonnes only mishappe as forespoken and wished for somewhat by his father These be the speciall things maye be alledged for Theseus But for Romulus this was a noble thing in him First his beginning being very lowe and meane and his brother and he taken for bonde men and the children of hoggeheards before they were them selues all free they set at libertie in manner all the LATINES winning at one instant many titles of glorie and honour as distroyers of their enemies defenders of their parents Kings of nations founders of newe citties and no ouerthrowers of the olde where as Theseus of many habitations and houses made onely one and dyd ouerthrowe and plucke downe diuers states bearing the names of auncient Kings princes and halfe goddes of ATTICA All these also dyd Romulus afterwards and compelled his enemies whom he had ouercome to distroye their owne houses and to come and dwell with their conquerours And in the beginning he neuer chaunged nor increased any cittie that was buylt before but buylt him selfe a newe cittie out of the grounde getting all together land countrie kingdome kinred and mariages without losing or killing any man and to the contrarie rather he dyd good to many poore vacabonds who had neither countrie lands nor houses and desired nothing els but to make a people amongest them and to become cittizens of some cittie Also Romulus bent not him selfe to follow theeues and robbers but subdued by force of armes many mightie and puissant people he tooke citties and triumphed ouer Kings and Princes which he had vanquished in battell And touching the murder of Remus it is not certainely knowen of whose hands he dyed The most parte of authors doe charge other with the death of him But it is certaine that Romulus deliuered his mother from apparant death and restored his grandfather to the royall throne of AEneas who before was deposed and brought from a King to seruill obedience without any regarde of honour or dignitie to whom he dyd many moe great pleasures and seruices Besides he neuer offended him willingly no not so muche as ignorantly Contrarylie I thincke of Theseus who fayling by negligence to put out his white sayle at his returne cannot be cleared of parricide howe eloquent an oration soeuer could be made for his excuse yea though it were before the most fauorable iudges that could be Wherefore an ATHENIAN very well perceyuing that it was an harde thing to excuse and defend so fowle a faulte dothe fayne that the good olde man AEgeus hauing newes brought him that his sonnes shippe was at hand dyd ronne in so great haste to his castell to see his sonne arriue a farre of that as he ranne his foote hit against some thing and ouerthrewe him as though he had none of his people about him or that neuer a man seeing him ronne so hastely to the sea side dyd make haste to attende and wayte vpon him Furthermore Theseus faults touching women and rauishements of the twaine had the lesse shadowe and culler of honestie Bicause Theseus dyd attempt it very often for he stale awaye Ariadne Antiope and Anaxo the Troezenian Againe being stepped in yeres and at later age and past mariage he stale awaye Helen in her minoritie being nothing neere to consent to marye Then his taking of the daughters of the TROEZENIANS of the LACEDAEMONIANS and the AMAZONES neither contracted to him nor comparable to the birthe and linadge of his owne countrie which were at ATHENS and descended of the noble race and progenie of Erichtheus and of Cecrops dyd geue men occasion to suspect that his womannishenes was rather to satisfie lust then of any great loue Romulus nowe in a contrarie manner when his people had taken eight hundred or thereabouts of the Sabyne women to rauishe them kept but onely one for him selfe that was called Hersilia as they saye and deliuered the reste to his best and most honest cittizens Afterwardes by the honour loue and good entertainment that he caused them to haue receyue of their husbands he chaunged this violent force of rauishement into a most perfect bonde and league of amitie which dyd so knyt and ioyne in one these two nations that it was the beginning of the great mutuall loue which grewe afterwards betwext those two people and consequently of the ioyning of their powers together Furthermore time hath geuen a good testimonie of the loue reuerence constancie kyndenes and all matrimoniall offices that he established by that meanes betwext man and wife For in two hundred and thirtie yeres afterwards there was neuer man that durst forsake or put awaye his wife nor the wife her husband And as among the GRECIANS the best learned men and most curious obseruers of antiquities doe knowe his name that was the first murderer of his father or mother euen so all the ROMAINES knewe what he was which first durst put away his wife It was one called Spurius Caruilius bicause his wife was barren and had no children The effects also doe agree with the testimonie of the time For the Realme was common vnto Kings of both nations and through the alliance of these mariages that beganne first of rauishements both nations liued peaciblie and in equalitie vnder one ciuill policie and well gouerned common weale The ATHENIANS contrariewise by Theseus mariages dyd get neither loue nor kynred of any one persone but rather they procured warres enmities the slaughter of their citizens with the losse in the ende of the cittie of APHIDNES and yet very hardely and by the mercie of their enemies whom they honored as godds they escaped for him the daunger which the TROIANS suffered afterwards for the self acte done by Alexander Paris So it fell out at the last that his mother was not only in daunger but euen feelingly suffered like miserie and captiuitie which Hecuba dyd
but much like as one should geue some easie medicine to purge an ouerthrowen bodye with all humours and disseases Therefore he thought first that all grosse superfluous humours were meete to be dissolued purged and then afterwardes to geue them a new forme and order of gouernment When he had thus determined with him self before he would take in haÌ„d to doe any thing he went to the citty of DELPHES where after he had sacrificed to Apollo he coÌ„sulted with him about his matters From whom he returned withthis glorious title by the oracle of Pythia ô beloued of the goddes and rather god then man Where when he craued grace of Apollo to establishe good lawes in his countrie it was aunswered him that Apollo graunted his petition and that he should ordaine the best and perfectest manner of a Common wealth that euer had or should be in the worlde This aunswer dyd comforte him very much so he beganne to breake his purpose to certen of the chief of the cittie secretly to praye exhorte them to helped him going first to those he knew to be his friends after by litle litle he wanne others to him who ioyned with him in his enterprise So when he saw the time fit for the matter he caused thirtie of the chiefest men of the cittie in a morning to come into the market place well appointed furnished to suppresse those that would atteÌ„pt to hinder their purpose Hermippus the historiographer rehearseth twentie of the chiefest but he that aboue all others dyd most assist him in his doings was the greatest ayde vnto the stablishing of his lawes was called Arithmiadas The king Charilaus hearing of this assembly dyd feare there had bene some conspiracie or insurrection against his person for his safety he fled into the temple of Iuno called Chalceoecos as much to saye as Iunos brasen teÌ„ple Howbeit afterwards when he knew the trothe he waxed bolde came out of the temple againe he him self fauored the enterpriso being a prince of a noble minde howbeit very soft by nature as witnesseth Archelaus that was then the other king of LACEDAEMON by telling how Charilaus aunswered one that praised him to his face in saying he was a good man And how should I not ê™ he be good when I cannot be euill to the euill In this chauÌ„ge of the state many things were altered by Lycurgus but his chiefest alteration was his lawe of the erection of a Senate which he made to haue a regall power equall authoritie with the Kings in matters of weight importance was as Plato sayeth to be the healthfull counterpease of the whole bodye of the CoÌ„mon weale The other state before was euer wauering somtime inclining to tyraÌ„nie when the Kings were to mightie somtime to coÌ„fusion when the people would vsurpe authoritie Lycurgus therfore placed betwene the Kings the people a counsaill of Senatours which was as a stronge beame that helde bothe these extreames in an euen ballance gaue sure footing ground to either parte to make strong the state of the comon weale For the eight twenty Senatours which made the whole bodye of the Senate tooke somtime the Kings parte when it by as nodefull so pull downe the furie of the people and contrarilie they held sometimes with the people against the Kings to bridle their tyrannicall gouernment Aristotle sayeth he ordeined the number of Senatours to be but eight and twenty bicause two of thirtie that ioyned with him a fore dyd for feare forsake him at his enterprise Howbeit Spharus writeth that from the beginning he neuer purposed to haue more then eight and twenty to be the Senate And perhappâ—s he had great regard to make it a perfect number considering it is compounded of the number of seuen multiplied by foure and is the first perfect number next to sixe being equall to all partes gathered together But as for me my opinion is he chose this number rather then any other bicause he ment the whole bodye of the counsaill should be but thing persones adding to that number the two Kinges Lycurgus tooke so great care to establishe well this counsell that he brought an oracle for it from Apolloes temple in DELPHES This oracle is called vnto this daye Retra as who would saye the statute oracle whereof the aunswer was When thou haft built a temple vnto Iupiter the Syllanian and to Manerus the Syllanian and deuided the people into lineages thou shalt stablishe a Senate of thirtie counsellers with the two Kings shalt assemble the people at times conuenient in the place betweene the bridge and the riuer Cnacion There the Senatours shall propound all matters and breake vp after their assemblies and it shall not be lawfull for the people to speake one worde In those dayes the people were euer assembled betweene two riuers for there was no hall to assemble a counsaill at large nor any other place prepared for them For Lycurgus thought no buylded place meete for men to geue good counsaill in or to determine causes but rather a hinderance bicause in such places men be drawen to muse on vaine things and their mindes be caried awaye with beholding the images tables and pictures comonly set vp for ornameÌ„t in such open places And if it be in a Theater then beholding the place where the playes and sportes be made they thincke more of them then any counsaill Againe if it be in a great hall then of the fayer embowed or vawted roofes or of the fretised feelings curiously wrought and sumptuously set forth and tend not still their busines they come for When the people were assembled in counsaill it was not lawfull for any of them to put forth matters to the counsell to be determined neither might any of them deliuer his opinion what he thought of any thinge but the people had onely authoritie to geue their assent if they thought good to the things propounded by the Senatours or the two Kings Howbeit afterwardes the two Kings Polydorus and Theopomous bicause the people dyd many times crosse and alter the determination of the Senate by taking away or adding some thing to it they dyd adde those wordes to the oracle aforesaid That if the people would not assent to any ordinaunce of the Senate then should it be lawfull for the Kings and Senate to breake vp the counsell and to frustrate all things done in the same the wise aduise of the Senate being encountered thus their meaning to the best so peruerted to the worse These two Kings persuaded the people that at the very first this addition came with the oracle of Apollo as the poet Tyrtaeus maketh mention in the place where he sayeth From Delphos I le this oracle is brought of Pythia into their country soyle The Kings euen they to vvhom of right there ought a louing care in princely breasts to boyle the Spartane vvealthe to
sometime the conuersation of suche as be holye religious and deuoute But to beleeue the goddes haue carnall knowledge and doe delight in the outward beawtie of creatures that seemeth to carie a very harde beliefe Yet the wise EGYPTIANS thincke it probable enough and likely that the spirite of the goddes hath geuen originall of generation to women and doe beget fruite of their bodies howbeit they holde that a man can haue no corporall companie with any diuine nature Wherein they doe not cōsider that euery thing that ioyneth together doth deliuer againe a like substaūce to that wherewith it was ioyned This notwithstanding it is mete we should beleeue the godds beare good will to men and that of it doth spring their loue whereby men saye the goddes loue those whose manners they purifie and inspire with vertue And they doe not offende which fayne that Phorbas Hyacinthus and Admetus were sometimes the louers of Apollo and also Hippolytus the SICYONIAN of whom they reporte that euer when he passed ouer the arme of the sea which lieth betweene the citties of SICYONA and of CIRRAHA the god which knewe he came reioyced and caused Pythia the prophetesse to pronounce these heroycall verses I knovve full vvell my deare Hippolytus returnes by sea my minde diuineth thus It is sayd also that Pan was in loue with Pindarus and his verses and that the goddes honored the poets Hesiodus Archilocus after their death by the Muses They saye moreouer that AEsculapius laye with Sophocles in his life time and at this daye they doe yet showe many tokens thereof and after his death another god as it is reported made him to be honorably buried Nowe if they graunte that such things maye be true how can we refuse to beleeue that some goddes haue bene familliar with Zaleucus Minos Zoroastres Lycurgus Numa and such other like personages which haue gouerned kingdomes stablished common weales and it is not vnlike that the goddes in deede dyd company with them to inspire and teache them many notable things and that they did drawe neere vnto these Poets players of the harpe that made and played many dolefull and ioyfull ditties at the least for their sporte and pleasure onely if euer they came neere them Neuertheles if any man be of other opinion the waye is open and large as Bacchylides sayed to thincke and saye as he lust For my selfe I doe finde that which is written of Lycurgus Numa and other suche persones not to be without likelyhood and probabilitie who hauing to gouerne rude churlishe stiffe necked people and purposing to bring in straunge nouelties into the gouernments of their countries did fayne wisely to haue conference with the godds considering this fayning fell to be profitable beneficiall to those themselues whom they made to beleeue the same But to returne to our historie Numa was fourty yeres olde when the ambassadours of ROME were sent to present the Kingdome vnto him to intreate him to accept thereof Proclus and Velesus were the ambassadours that were sent One of the which the people looked should haue bene chosen for King bicause those of Romulus side did fauour muche Proclus and those of Tatius parte fauored Velesus Nowe they vsed no long speache vnto him bicause they thought he would haue bene glad of suche a great good fortune But contrarely it was in deede a very hard thing required great persuasions much intreatie to moue a man which had allwayes liued quietly at ease to accept the regiment of a cittie which as a man would saye had bene raysed vp and growen by warres and martiall dedes Wherfore he aunswered them in the presence of his father and one other of his kinsemen called Martius in this sorte Chaunge alteration of mans life is euer daungerous but for him that lacketh nothing necessarie nor hath cause to cōplaine of his present state it is a great follie to leaue his olde acquainted trade of life to enter into another newe and vnknowen if there were no other but this only respect that he leaueth a certaintie to venter vpon an vncertainty Howbeit there is further matter in this that the daūgers perills of this kingdom which they offer me are not altogether vncertain if we will looke backe what happened vnto Romulus Who was not vnsuspected to haue layed waite to haue had Tatius his fellow cōpanion murdered now after Romulus death the Senatours selues are mistrusted to haue killed him on the other side by treason And yet they saye it and singe in euery where that Romulus was the sonne of a god that at his birthe he was miraculously preserued and afterwardes he was as incrediblie brought vp Whereas for my owne parte I doe confesse I was begotten by a mortallman and was fostered brought vp and taught by men as you known and these fewe qualities which they prayse commend in me are conditions farre vnmoto for a man that is to raigne I euer loued a solitarie life quiet and studie and did exempt my selfe from worldly causes All my life time I haue sought and loued peace aboue all things and neuer had for doe with any warres My conuersation hath bene to companie with men which meete only to serue honour the goddes or to laughe and be merie one with another or els to spende their time in their priuate affayers or otherwise sometime to attend their pastures and feeding of their cattell Whereas Romulus my ROMAINE lordes hath left you many warres begonne which peraduenture you could be contented to spare yet now to mainteine the same your citie had neede of a martiall King actiue strong of bodye Your people moreouer through long custome and the great increase they are geuen vnto by feates of armes desire nought els perhappes but warres and it is plainely seene they seeke still to growe and commaund their neighbours So that if there were no other consideration in it yet were it a mere mockerie for me to goe to teache a cittie at this present to serue the goddes to loue iustice to hate warres and to flye violence when it rather hath neede of a conquering captaine then of a peaceable king These and suche other like reasons and persuasions Numa alleaged to discharge him selfe of the Kingdome which they offred him Howbeit the ambassadours of the ROMAINES most humbly besought and prayed him with all instance possible that he would not be the cause of another newe sturre and commotion among them seeing both partes in the cittie haue geuen their consent and liking to him alone and none other to be their king Moreouer when the ambassadours had left him vpon this sute his father and Martius his kinseman beganne also priuately to perswade him that he should not refuse so good and godly an offer And albeit he was contented with his present state and desired to be no richer than he was nor coueted no princely honour nor glorie bicause he sought only
most famous vertue yet he must needes thincke that to rule well was to doe the goddes good seruice whose will it was to employe the iustice they knewe in him and not to suffer it to be idle Refuse not therefore q they this royall dignitie which to a graue and wise man is a goodly field to bring forth many commendable workes and fruites There you maye doe noble seruice to the godds to humble the heartes of these martiall people and to bring them to be holy and religious for they readely turne and easely conforme them selues vnto the nature of their prince They dearely loued Tatius although he was a straunger they haue consecrated a memorie to Romulus with diuine honours which they make vnto him at this daye And it maye be that the people seeing them selues conquerers will be full enough of warres and the ROMAINES being nowe full of spoyles triumphes will be glad to haue a gentle prince and one that loueth iustice that they maye thenceforth liue in peace vnder good and holy lawes And yet if it be otherwise that their hartes be still full of heate and furie to fight is it not better to turne this their desire to make warres some other waye when a man hathe the bridle in his owne handes to doe it and to be a meane in the meane time to ioyne the countrie and all the nation of the SABYNES in perpetuall loue and amitie with so mighty and florishing a cittie besides all these persuasions and reasons there were many signes also as they saye which promised him good lucke together with the earnest affection and liking of his owne countrie cittizens Who so soone as they vnderstoode the coming and commission of the ambassadours of ROME they importunately desired him to goe thither and to accept the offer of the Kingdome that he might more straightly vnite and incorporate them together with the ROMAINES Whereupon Numa accepted the Kingdome Then after he had done sacrifice to the goddes he set forwardes on his iourney towardes ROME where the people and Senate went out to meete him with a wonderfull desire to see him The women at his entrie went blessing of him and singing of his prayses They dyd sacrifice for him in all the temples of the goddes There was neither man nor woman but seemed to be as ioyfull and glad as if a newe Realme and not a newe Kinge had bene come to the cittie of ROME Thus was he brought with this open ioye and reioycing vnto the market place where one of the Senatours which at that time was regent called Spurius Vettius made them pronounce his open election and so by one consent he was chosen King with all the voyces of the people Then were brought vnto him the tokens of honour and dignitie of the king But he him selfe commaunded they should be stayed a while saying He must first be confirmed King by the goddes Then he tooke the wise men priests with whom he went vp into the Capitoll which that time was yet called mounte Tarpeian And there the chiefest of the soothesayers called Augures turned him towardes the southe hauing his face couered with a veyle and stoode behinde him laying his right hande vpon his heade and praying to the goddes that it would please them to declare their willes by flying of birdes or some other token concerning this election and so the soothesayer cast his eyes all about as farre as he could possiblie discerne During all this time there was a maruelous silence in the market place although then an infinite number of people were assembled there together attending with great deuotion what the issue of this diuination would be vntill there appeared vnto them on the right hande good and lucky birdes which did confirme the election Then Numa putting on his regall robes came downe from mounte Tarpeian into the market place where all the people receyued him with wonderfull showtes of ioye as a man the most holy and best beloued of the goddes that they could haue chosen So hauing taken the royall seate of the Kingdome his first acte was this That he discharged the garde of the three hundred souldiers which Romulus had allwayes about his persone called Celeres saying he would not mistrust them which trusted him neither would he be King ouer people which should mistrust him His second acte was that he did adde to the two priests of Iupiter Mars a thirde in the honour of Romulus who was called Flamen Quirinalis For the auncient ROMAINES also called their priests instituted in the olde time Flamines by reason of certaine litle narrowe hattes which they did weare on their heades as if they had called them Pilamines for Pilos in Greeke signifieth a hatte And at that time as they saye there were many moe Greeke wordes mingled with the Latine then there are at this daye For they called the mantells the Kings did weare Loenas And Iuba sayeth that it is the very same which the GRECIANS call Chloenas and that the younge boye which was a seruaunte in the temple of Iupiter was called Camillus as some of the GRECIANS doe yet call the god Mercurie bicause he is seruaunt of the godds Now Numa hauing done these things at his first entrie into his Kingdome still to winne further fauour and goodwill of the people beganne immediately to frame his citizens to a certaine ciuilitie being as iron wrought to softenes and brought them from their violent and warlike desires to temperate and ciuill manners For out of doubt ROME was properly that which Plato ascribeth to a cittie full of trouble and pryde For first it was founded by the most coragious and warlike men of the worlde which from all partes were gathered there together in a most desperate boldnes and afterwards it increased and grewe strong by armes and continuall warres like as pyles driuen into the grounde which the more they are rammed in the further they enter and sticke the faster Wherefore Numa iudging it no small nor light enterprise to plucke downe the hawty stomacks of so fierce and violent a people and to frame them vnto a sobre and quiet life dyd seeme to worcke it by meanes of the goddes with drawing them on thereto by litle and litle and pacifying of their whotte and fierce corages to fight with sacrifices feastes dauncings and common processions wherein he celebrated euer him selfe In the which together with their duotion there was mingled nowe and then pastime and pleasure and sometimes he layed the terrour and feare of the goddes before their eyes making them beleeue that he had seene straunge visions or that he had heard voyces by which the goddes dyd threaten them with some great troubles and plagues allwayes to pull downe and humble their heartes vnto the feare of the goddes This was the cause why they thought afterwardes that he had learned his wisdome of Pythagoras the philosopher bicause the greatest parte of the philosophie of the one and
of the dead or be it Proserpina or Venus as the most learned men among the ROMAINES doe iudge who not without cause doe attribute the order of the beginning and ende of mans life to one self god power diuine Numa ordained also how long time euery bodie should mourne in blackes And for a childe from three yeres to tenne yeres of age that died he ordeined they should mourne no more monethes then it had liued yeres and not to adde a daye more For he commaunded that the longest time of mourning should be but then moneths onely and so long time at the least he willed women should remaine widdowes after the decease of their husbands or els she that would marie within that time was bounde by his order to sacrifice a whole bullocke Numa also erected many other orders of priestes of two sortes whereof I will only make mention The one shal be the order of the SALII and the other of the FECIALES for me thinckes both the one and the other doth manifestly showe the great holines and singular deuotion which he had in him The FECIALES are properly those which the GRECIANS call IRENOPHYLACES as who would saye peacekeepers And in my iudgement they had their right name according to their office bicause they did pacifie quarells with reason by waye of order and did not suffer as much as in them laye that any matter should be tried by violence vntill they were past all hope of any peace For the GRECIANS call it properly Irenen when both parties agree and decide their controuersie with reason and not with sworde Euen so those which the ROMAINES called the Feciales went many times in persone to those that dyd the ROMAINES iniurie and sought to persuade them with good reason to keepe promise with the ROMAINES and to offer them no wrong But if they would not yeld to reason whom they sought to persuade then they called the goddes to the witnes thereof and prayed them that if they dyd not most earnestly incense the ROMAINES to pursue that most iustely apperteined vnto their right that all euills and mischieues of the warres might fall vpon them selues and on their countrie This done they dyd threaten open warres against such enemies And if the FECIALES would not cōsent to open warres and dyd happen to speake against them it was not lawfull in that case neither for priuate persone nor for the King him selfe to make any warres But like a iust prince he must haue leaue by their sufferance to make the warres Then dyd he cōsider consult by what meanes he might best procure prosecute the same Concerning this matter they iudge that the ill happe which came to the ROMAINES when the cittie of ROME was taken and sacked by the GAVLES chaunced iustely for breaking of this holy institution For at that time the barbarous people besieged the cittie of the CLVSINIANS and Fabius Ambustus was sent ambassadour vnto them to see if he could make peace betweene them The barbarous people gaue him an ill aunswer whereupon Fabius thincking his embasie had bene ended and being somwhat whotte and rashe in defence of the CLVSINIANS gaue defiaunce to the valliantest GAVLE there to fight with him man to man Fortune fauored him in this chalēge for he slew the GAVLE and stripped him in the fielde The GAVLES seeing their man slayne sent immediately an heraulde to ROME to accuse Fabius howe against all right and reason he beganne warres with them without any open proclamation made before The FECIALES being then consulted with thereabout did declare he ought to be deliuered into the handes of the GAVLES as one that had broken the lawe of armes had deserued it but he made friends to the people which fauored him very much by their meanes escaped his deliuerie and punishment Neuerthles the GAVLES within shorte time after came before ROME with all their power which they tooke sacked and burnt euery whit sauing the Capitoll as we haue written more amplie in the life o◠Camillus Now concerning the Priestes that were called Salij they saye he dyd institute them vpon this occasion In the eight yere of his reigne there came a pestilent disease through all ITALIE and at the length it crept also into ROME Whereat euery man being greatly affrayed and discoraged they saye there fell from heauen a target of copper which lighted betweene the handes of Numa They tell hereof a wonderfull tale which the King him selfe affirmed he heard of the Nymphe Egeria and the Muses To wit that this target was sent from heauen for the health and preseruation of the cittie and therefore he should keepe it carefully and cause eleuen other to be cast and made all like vnto the same in facion and greatnes to the ende that if any would enterprise to steale it he should not tell which of them to take for the right target Moreouer he said he was commaunded to consecrate the place to the Muses in the which he dyd oftentimes companie with them and also the fieldes which were neere thereabouts and likewise to geue the fountaine that sprange in that place vnto the Vestalls professed that euery daye they might drawe water at that well to washe the sanctuarie of their temple The successe hereof proued his words true for the sicknes ceased incontinently So he assembled all the chief craftes men then in ROME to proue which of them would take vpō him to make one like vnto that Euery man despayred to performe it Howbeit one called Veturius Mamurius the excellentest workeman that was in those dayes dyd make them all so sute like that Numa him selfe dyd not knowe the first target when they were all layed together So he ordeined these priests Salij to haue the custodie of these targets to see them safe kept They were called Salij not after the name of a SALIAN borne in SAMOTHRACIA or in MANTINEA as some haue vntruely alleaged who first inuēted the manner of dauncing all armed but they were so called of their facion and manner of dauncing and leaping For in the moneth of Marche they goe skipping and leaping vp and downe the cittie with those targetes on their armes apparelled in red cassockes without sleues and girded about with broade leather sworde girdells studded with copper hauing helmets of copper on their heads striking vpon their targets with shorte daggers which they carie in their hands Moreouer all their dauncing consisteth in mouing of their feete for they handle them finely making tornes aboue ground and beneath with a sodaine measure a maruelous force of agilitie They call these targets Ancylia bicause of their facion which is not altogether compasse for they are not all round as other cōmon targets be but they are cut with circles wreathed about both the endes bowing in many foldes and one so neere another that altogether they come a to certaine wreathed forme which the GRECIANS call Ancylon
and to supply the defect of the other they were both enforced to bring in a straunge manner of gouernment Furthermore touching their seuerall kinde of gouernment diuiding of their people into states and companies that of Numa was maruelous meane and base and framed to the liking of the meanest people making a bodie of a cittie and a people compounded together of all sortes as goldesmithes minstrells founders shoemakers and of all sortes of craftes men occupations together But that of Lycurgus was directly contrarie for his was more seuere and tyrannicall in gouerning of the nobility casting all craftes and base occupations vpon bondemen straungers and putting into the handes of his cittizens the shield and launce suffering them to exercise no other arte or science but the arte and discipline of warres as the true ministers of Mars which all their life time neuer knewe other science but only learned to obey their captaines and to commaund their enemies For to haue any occupation to buye and sell or to trafficke free men were expressely forbidden bicause they should wholy absolutely be free And all sciences to get money was lawfull for slaues and the ILOTES being counted for as vile an occupation as to dresse meate and to be a scullian of a kitchin Numa put not this difference amongest his people but only tooke away couetous desire to be riche by warres but otherwise he did not forbid them to get goodes by any other lawfull meanes neither tooke any regarde to bring all to equalitie and to be a like wealthy but suffered euery man to get what he could taking no order to preuēt pouertie which crept in spred farre in his cittie Which he should haue looked vnto at the beginning at that time when there was not too great an vnequalitie amongest them and that his cittizens for substaunce were in manner equall one with another for then was the time whē he should haue made head against auarice to haue stopped the mischieues inconueniences which fell out afterwards they were not litle For that only was the fountaine and roote of the most parte of the greatest euills mischieues which happened afterwardes in ROME And as touching the diuision of goodes neither ought Lycurgus to be blamed for doing it nor Numa for that he did it not For this equality vnto the one was a groūd foundation of his common wealth which he afterwards instituted and vnto other it could not be For this diuision being made not long before the time of his predecessour there was no great neede to chaunge the first the which as it is likely remained yet in full perfection As touching mariages their children to be in common both the one the other wisely sought to take awaye all occasion of iealousie but yet they tooke not both one course For the ROMAINE husband hauing children enough to his contentation if another that lacked children came vnto him to praye him to lende him his wife he might graunte her vnto him and it was in him to geue her altogether or to lende her for a time to take her afterwardes againe But the LACONIAN keeping his wife in his house the mariage remaining whole vnbroken might let out his wife to any man that would require her to haue children by her naye furthermore many as we haue told you before did them selues intreat men by whom they thought to haue a trimme broode of children layed them with their wiues What difference I praye you was betwene these two customes sauing that the custome of the LACONIANS shewed that the husbāds were nothing angrie nor grieued with their wiues for those things which for sorrowe and iealousie doth rent the hartes of most maried men in the world And that of the ROMAINES was a simplicitie somwhat more shamefast which to couer it was shadowed yet with the cloke of matrimonie and contract of mariage confessing that to vse wife children by halfes together was a thing most intollerable for him Furthermore the keeping of maidēs to be maried by Numaes order was much straighter more honorable for womanhed Lycurgus order hauing to much scope and libertie gaue Poets occasion to speake and to geue them surnames not very honest As Ibycus called them Phanomeridas to saye thighe showers and Andromanes to saye manhood And Euripides sayeth also of them Good nutbrovvne girles vvhich left their fathers house at large and sought for young mens companie tooke their vvare in charge And shevved their thighes all bare the taylour did them vvrong on eche side open vvere their cotes the slytts vvere all to long And in deede to saye truely the sides of their petticotes were not sowed beneath so that as they went they shewed their thighes naked and bare The which Sophocles doth easily declare by these verses The songe vvhich you shall singe shal be the sonnet sayde by Hermionè lusty lasse that strong and sturdy mayde VVhich trust her petticote about her midle shorte and set to shevve her naked hippes in francke and frendly sorte And therefore it is sayed the LACON wiues were bolde manly stowte against their husbands namely the first For they were wholy mistresses in the house and abroade yea they had law on their side also to vtter their mindes franckly cōcerning the chiefest matters But Numa euer reserued the honour and dignitie vnto the women which was left them by Romulus in his time when their husbands after they had taken them awaye perforce disposed them selues to vse them as gentely as possibly they could neuertheles he added otherwise thereto great honesty and tooke away all curiositie from them and taught them sobrietie did inure them to speake litle For he did vtterly forbid them wine and did prohibite them to speake although it were for things necessarie onles it were in the presence of their husbands In so much as it is reported that a woman chauncing one daye to pleade her cause in persone openly before the iudges the Senate hearing of it did send immediately vnto the oracle of Apollo to know what that did prognosticate to the cittie And therfore Numa thought the memorie of the naughty women would much commend the great humilitie gentlenes obedience of the good For like as our GRECIAN historiographers doe note those which were the first that killed any of their cittizēs or haue fought with their brethern or haue killed their fathers or mothers euen so the ROMAINES doe note that Spurius Caruilius was the first which forsooke his wife two hundred thirtie yeres after the first foundation of ROME which was neuer done by any before And that the wife of one Pinarius called Thalea was the first which euer brawled or quarrelled with her mother in lawe called Gegania in the time when Tarquine surnamed the provide raigned so well and honestly were the orders of Numa deuised concerning mariage Moreouer the age and time marying
them neither haue they done any vnseemely thing but haue passed the rest of their life like wise constant and vertuous men For it is not loue but weaknes which breedeth these extreme sorowes and exceeding feare in men that are not exercised nor acquainted to fight against fortune with reason And this is the cause that plucketh from them the pleasure of that they loue and desire by reason of the continuall trouble feare and griefe they feele by thincking howe in time they maye be depriued of it Nowe we must not arme our selues with pouertie against the griefe of losse of goodes neither with lacke of affeâ—tion against the losse of our friendes neither with wante of mariage against the death of children but we must be armed with reason against misfortunes Thus haue we sufficiently enlarged this matter The ATHENIANS hauing nowe susteined a long and troublesome warre against the MEGARIANS for the possession of the I le of SALAMINA were in the ende wearie of it and made proclamation straightly commaunding vpon payne of death that no man should presume to preferre any more to the counsaill of the cittie the title or question of the possession of the I le of SALAMINA Solon could not beare this open shame and seeing the most parte of the lustiest youthes desirous still of warre though their tongues were tyed for feare of the proclamation he fayned him selfe to be out of his wittes and caused it to be geuen out that Solon was become a foole and secretly he had made certaine lamentable verses which he had cunned without booke to singe abroade the cittie So one daye he ranne sodainly out of his house with a garland on his head and gotte him to the market place where the people straight swarmed like bees about him and getting him vp vpon the stone where all proclamations are vsually made out he singeth these Elegies he had made which beganne after this sorte I here present my selfe an Heraulde in this case vvhich come from Salamina lande that noble vvorthy place My minde in pelting prose shall neuer be exprest But songe in verse Heroycall for so I thincke it best This Elegie is intituled SALAMINA and conteineth a hundred verses which are excellently well written And these being songe openly by Solon at that time his friendes incontinently praysed them beyond measure and specially Pisistratus and they went about persuading the people that were present to credit that he spake Hereupon the matter was so handled amongest them that by and by the proclamation was reuoked and they beganne to followe the warres with greater furie then before appointing Solon to be generall in the same But the common tale and reporte is that he went by sea with Pisistratus vnto the temple of Venus surnamed Coliade where he founde all the women at a solemne feast and sacrifice which they made of custome to the goddesse He taking occasion thereby sent from thence a trusty man of his owne vnto the MEGARIANS which then had SALAMINA whom he instructed to fayne him selfe a reuolted traytour that he came of purpose to tell them that if they would but goe with him they might take all the chief ladyes and gentle women of ATHENS on a sodaine The MEGARIANS easely beleeued him and shipped forthwith certaine souldiers to goe with him But when Solon perceyued the shippe vnder sayle comming from SALAMINA he commaunded the women to departe and in steade of them he put lusty beardles springalles into their apparell and gaue them litle shorte daggers to conuey vnder their clothes commaunding them to playe daunce together vpon the sea side vntill their enemies were landed and their shippe at anker and so it came to passe For the MEGARIANS being deceyued by that they sawe a farre of as sonne as euer they came to the shore side dyd lande in heapes one in anothers necke euen for greedines to take these women but not a man of them escaped for they were slayne euery mothers sonne This stratageame being finely handled to good effect the ATHENIANS tooke sea straight and costed ouer to the I le of SALAMINA which they tooke vpon the sodaine and wanne it without much resistaunce Other saye that it was not taken after this sorte but that Apollo Delphicus gaue Solon first such an oracle Thou shalt first vvinne by vovves and sacrifice the helpe of lordes an demy goddes full bright of vvhose dead bones the dust engraued lies in vvesterne soyle Asopia that hight By order of this oracle he one night passed ouer to SALAMINA dyd sacrifice to Periphemus to Cichris demy goddes of the countrie Which done the ATHENIANS deliuered him fiue hundred men who willingly offered them selues the cittie made an accorde with them that if they tooke the I le of SALAMINA they should beare greatest authoritie in the common weale Solon imbarked his souldiers into diuers fisher botes and appointed a galliot of thirtie owers to come after him he ankred hard by the cittie of SALAMINA vnder the pointe which looketh towards the I le of NEGREPONT The MEGARIANS which were within SALAMINA hauing by chaunce heard some inckling of it but yet knew nothing of certaintie ranne presently in hurly burley to arme them and manned out a shippe to descrie what it was But they fondly comming within daunger were taken by Solon who clapped the MEGARIANS vnder hatches fast bounde and in their roomes put aborde in their shippe the choycest souldiers he had of the ATHENIANS commaunding them to set their course direct vpon the cittie and to keepe them selues as close out of sight as could be And he him self with all the rest of his souldiers landed presently and marched to encounter with the MEGARIANS which were come out into the fielde Now whilest they were fighting together Solons men whom he had sent in the MEGARIANS shippe entred the hauen wanne the towne This is certainly true testified by that which is shewed yet at this daye For to keepe a memoriall hereof a shippe of ATHENS arriueth quietly at the first by by those that are in the shippe make a great showte and a man armed leaping out of the shippe ronneth showting towardes the rocke called Sciradion which is as they come from the firme lande and hard by the same is the temple of Mars which Solon built there after he had ouercome the MEGARIANS in battell from whence he sent backe againe those prisoners that he had taken which were saued from the slaughter of the battell without any ransome paying Neuertheles the MEGARIANS were sharpely bent still to recouer SALAMINA again Much hurte being done suffered on both sides both parts in the ende made the LACEDAEMONIANS iudges of the quarrell But vpon iudgement geuen common reporte is that Homers authoritie dyd Solon good seruice bicause he did adde these verses to the number of shippes which are in the Iliades of Homer which he rehearsed before the iudges as if they
their voyces also there in deede are they most bounde and subiect bicause they doe but obaye the rich in all they doe commaund But yet in this acte there is a thinge more wonderfull and worthie to be noted That commonly discharging of dettes was wont to breede great tumultes and seditions in common weales And Solon hauing vsed it is a very good time as the phisitian ventring a daungerous medecine dyd appease the sedition already begonne and did vtterly quenche through his glorie and the common opinion they had of his wisdome and vertue all the infamie and accusation that might haue growen of that acte As for their first entrie into the gouernment Solons beginning was farre more noble For he went before and followed not another and him selfe alone without any others helpe dyd put in execution the best and more parte of all his notable and goodly lawes Yet was Publicolaes ende and death much more glorious and happie For Solon before he dyed sawe all his comon wealthe ouerthrowen but Publicolaes common weale continued whole as he left it vntill the broyle of ciuill warres beganne againe among them Solon after he had made his lawes and written them in wodden tables leauing them without defence of any man went his waye immediatly out of the cittie of ATHENS Publicola abiding continually in ROME gouerning the state dyd throughly stablishe confirme the lawes he made Furthermore Solon hauing wisely forseene Pisistratus practises aspiring to make him selfe King he could neuer let him for all that but was himselfe ouercome and oppressed with they tyrannie he sawe stablished in his owne sight and in dispight of him Where Publicola ouerthrewe and dyd put downe a mightie Kingdome that had continued of long time and was throughly stablished his vertue and desire being equall with Solons hauing had besides fortune fauorable and sufficient power to execute his vertuous and well disposed minde But as for warres and marshall deedes there is no comparison to be made betweene them For Daimachus Plataian doth not attribute the warres of the MEGARIANS vnto Solon as we haue written it where Publicola being generall of an armie and fighting himselfe in persone hath wonne many great battels And as for matters of peace and ciuill gouernment Solon neuer durst present him self openly to persuade the enterprise of SALAMINA but vnder a counterfeat madnes and as a soole to make sporte Where Publicola taking his aduenture from the beginning shewed him selfe without dissimulation an open enemie to Tarquine and afterwardes he reuealed all the whole conspiracie And when he had bene the only cause and autor of punishing the traitours he dyd not only driue out of ROME the tyrannes selues in persone but tooke from them also all hope of returne againe Who hauing allwayes thus nobly valiantly behaued him self without shrinking backe or flying from ought that required force a manly corage or open resistaunce dyd yet shewe him selfe discreete where wisedome was requisite or reason and persuasion needefull As when he conningly wanne king Porsena who was a dredfull enemie vnto him and inuincible by force whom he handled in such good sorte that he made him his friend Peraduenture some might stand in this and saye that Solon recouered the I le of SALAMINA vnto the ATHENIANS which they would haue lost Publicola to the contrarie restored the lands vnto Porsena againe which the ROMAINES had conquered before within the countrie of THVSCAN But the times in which these things were done are allwayes to be considered of For a wise gouernour of a Realme and politicke man doth gouerne diuersely according to the occasions offred taking euery thing in his time wherein he will deale And many times in letting goe one thing he saueth the whole and in losing a litle he gayneth much As Publicola dyd who losing a litle pece of another mans countrie which they had vsurped saued by that meanes all that was assuredly his owne And whereas the ROMAINES thought he should doe very much for them to saue their cittie only he got them moreouer all the goodes that were in their enemies cāpe which dyd besiege them And in making his enemie iudge of his quarrell he wāne the victorie winning that moreouer which he would gladly haue geuen to haue ouercome and haue sentence passe of his side For the King their enemie dyd not only make peace with them but dyd also leaue them all his furniture prouision and munition for the warres euen for the vertue manhood and iustice which the great wisedome of this Consul persuaded Porsena to beleeue to be in all the other ROMAINES The end of Publicolaes life THE LIFE OF Themistocles THEMISTOCLES parentage dyd litle aduaunce his glorie for his father Neocles was of small reputation in ATHENS being of the hundred of Phrear tribe of Leontis of his mother an allien or straunger as these verses doe witnesse Abrotonon I am yborne in Thracia and yet this highe good happe I haue that into Grecia I haue brought forth a sonne Themistocles by name the glorie of the Greekishe bloods and man of greatest fame Howbeit Phanias writeth that his mother was not a THRACIAN but borne in the countrie of CARIA and they doe not call her Abrotonon but Euterpé And Neanthes sayeth furthermore that she was of HALICARNASSVS the chiefest cittie of all the Realme of CARIA For which cause when the straungers dyd assemble at Cynosargos a place of exercise without the gate dedicated to Hercules which was not a right god but noted an alien in that his mother was a mortall woman Themistocles persuaded diuers youthes of the most honourable houses to goe down with him to annointe them selues at Cynosargos conningly thereby taking away the differēce betwene the right alien sorte But setting a parte all these circumstaunces he was no doubt allied vnto the house of the Lycomedians for Themistocles caused the chappell of this familie which is in the village of PHLYES being once burnt by the barbarous people to be buylt vp againe at his owne charges and as Simonides sayeth he dyd set in forth and enriche it with pictures Moreouer euery man doth confesse it that euen from his childhood they dyd perceyue he was geuen to be very whotte headed sturring wise and of good spirite and enterprising of him selfe to doe great things and borne to rule weighty causes For at such dayes and howers as he was taken from his booke and had leaue to playe he neuer played nor would neuer be idle as other children were but they allwayes founde him conning some oration without booke or making it alone by him selfe and the ground of his matter was euer comonly either to defend or accuse some of his companions Whereupon his schoolemaster obseruing him ofte sayed vnto him suer some great matter hangeth ouer thy head my boye for it cannot be chosen but that one daye thou shalt doe some notable good thing or some extreme mischief Therefore when they went about to
the rather bicause many of them had already spent it euery penney and for this trouble they all cried out with open mouth against Camillus But he being set vp and not knowing otherwise howe to excuse him selfe was forced to bring forth as cold and as vnreasonable an excuse as he could make which was forsoothe he had forgotten his vowe he had made The people notwithstanding were eger still against him saying howe he had vowed then to offer the tenth parte of the enemies goodes to the goddes and that nowe he would performe it with the tenthes of the citizens goodes Neuertheles euery man hauing brought that he should for his parte it was thought good they should cause a massie cuppe of golde to be made to send to the temple of Apollo at DELPHES And small store of golde being in the cittie of ROME as the officers of the cittie were serching vp and downe to get it the women of ROME of their owne voluntary willes without motion agreed among themselues that they would departe with all the iuells they had towardes the making vp of this offering which came to the weight of eight talents In recompence whereof to honour them withall the Senate ordeined that they should be praysed openly with funerall orations at their buriall as they dyd vse at honorable and noble mens obsequies For before that lawe it was not the manner to prayse women openly at their funeralles Nowe there were appointed three of the noblest men of the cittie to goe to carie this offering they sent them out in a galley well manned stored also with good mariners trimly set forth in all triumphing manner howbeit both in storme calme weather they were in daunger of their liues For after that they had scaped drowning very narrowly by tempest when the winde was downe againe they fell into another daunger which they escaped also beyond all hope For harde by the Iles of AEOLVS the gallyes of the LIPARIANS fell vpon them as if they had bene rouers But when the LIPARIANS sawe they made no resistance intreated them holding vp their hands they gaue no further charge vpon them but only fastened their gallye vnto theirs So when they had haled them to the shore they declared they were pirates offered to make porte fale of the men goodes as if they had bene a lawfull prise had solde them in deede had not the wisedome authoritie of Timesitheus letted them who was gouernour at that time of the cittie and had great a doe to persuade them to let them goe And he dyd not so leaue them but sent out certaine of his owne shippes to accompanie them in their iorney who dyd helpe them to goe and performe their offering For which curtesie of his the ROMAINES afterwardes dyd him great honour at ROME according to his well deseruing The Tribunes of the people beganne nowe to set a foote againe the lawe for the deuiding of the inhabitans of ROME vnto the cittie of VEIES But the warres of the FALISCES fell out happely at that time wherby the noble men dyd choose such officers as they would So they chose Camillus Tribunus militaris of the souldiers and fiue other to assiste him the seruice in that case requiring a generall that caried both authoritie reputation among them as an olde experienced souldier in the warres When the people had confirmed the election Camillus immediatly entred the territories of the FALISCES with the ROMAINES armie where he layed siege vnto the cittie of the FALERIANS being very well fortified vitteled and stored with all other munition of warre Knowing therefore that it was no small attempt to winne this cittie and that it would not be done in a shorte time he pollitikely sought whatsoeuer came of it to keepe his coūtrimē occupied about some thing to staye them for going home least by repayring to ROME they should haue many occasions to rebell raise some ciuill dissention For the ROMAINES dyd wisely vse this remedie to disperse abroade like good phisicians the humours which troubled the quiet state of their cōmon weale at home But the FALERIANS trusting in the situation of their cittie which was very strong in all partes made so litle accompt of the siege that those which kept not watche vpon the walles walked vp and downe in their gownes in the cittie without any weapon about them and their children went to schoole the schoolemaster also would commonly leade them abroade out of the cittie a walking to playe and passe the time by the towne walles For the whole cittie had one common schoolemaster as the GRECIANS also haue which doe bring vp their children from litle ones in company together bicause one maye be familiarly acquainted with an other This schoolemaster spying his time to doe the FALERIANS a shrewd turne dyd accustomably take all his scholers out of the cittie with him to playe not farre from the walles at the beginning afterwards brought them into the cittie againe after they had played their fill Now after he had led them abroade thus once or twise he trayned them out euery daye a litle further to make them to be bolde persuading them there was no daunger But at the length one daye hauing gotten all the cittizēs children with him he led them within the watche of the ROMAINES campe there deliuered all his scholers into their handes prayed them they would bring him vnto their generall So they did And when he came before Camillus he begāne to tell him that he was schoolemaster vnto all these children neuertheles that he dyd more esteeme to haue his grace and fauour then regarde his office he had by this name title Camillus hearing what he sayed beholding his threacherous parte he sayed to those that were about him Warre of it selfe surely is an euill thing for in warres many iniuries mischieues are done neuertheles amōg good men there is a law discipline which doth forbid thē to seeke victorie by wicked traiterous meanes that a noble worthie generall should make warre procure victorie by trusting to his own valliantnes not by anothers vilenes villanie Therefore he commaunded his sergeants to teare the clothes of the backe of this vile schoolemaster to binde his hands behinde him that they should geue the children roddes whippes in their handes to whippe the traitour backe againe into the cittie that had thus betrayed them grieued their parents Now when the FALERIANS heard newes that the schoolemaster had thus betrayed them all the cittie fell a weeping as euery man maye thinke for so great a losse and men women ranne together one in anothers necke to the town walles gates of the cittie like people out of their wittes they were so troubled When they came thither they saw their childrē bringing their schoole master backe againe starcke naked and bownde whipping of him
commendation of his good seruice dyd prepare vpon no occasion and to no purpose to enter into the countrie of BOEOTIA had procured also a thousand of the lustiest most valliant men of the cittie to be contented to goe with him in that iorney ouer and aboue the rest of the armie he had leauied he went about to turne him from his purpose and to keepe him at home by many persuasions he vsed to him before the peoples face and spake certen wordes at that time that were remembred long after and these they were That if he would not beleeue Pericles counsell yet that he would tarie time at the least which is the wisest counsellor of men These wordes were pretilie liked at that present time But with in fewe dayes after when newes was brought that Tolmides selfe was slaine in a battell he had lost neere vnto the cittie of CORONEA wherein perished also many other honest valliant men of ATHENS his wordes spoken before dyd then greatly increase Pericles reputation good will with the common people bicause he was taken for a wise man and one that loued his citizens But of all his iorneis he made being generall ouer the armie of the ATHENIANS the iorney of CHERRONESVS was best thought of and esteemed bicause it fell out to the great benefit and preseruation of all the GRECIANS inhabiting in that coūtrie For besides that he brought thither a thousand cittizens of ATHENS to dwell there in which doing he strengthened the citties with so many good men he dyd fortifie the barre also which dyd let it from being of an I le with a fortification he drue from one sea to another so that he defended the countrie against all the inuasiōs and piracies of the THRACIANS inhabiting thereabouts deliuered it of extreme warre with the which it was plagued before by the barbarous people their neighbours or dwelling amongest them who only liued vpon piracie and robbing on the seas So was he likewise much honored esteemed of straungers when he dyd enuironne all PELOPONNESVS departing out of the hauen of PEGES on the coast of MEGAERA with a fleete of a hūdred gallyes For he dyd not only spoyle the townes all alōgest the sea side as Tolmides had done before him but going vp further into the mayne lande farre from the sea with his souldiers he had in the gallyes he draue some of them to retire within their walles he made them so affrayed of him and in the countrie of NEMEA he ouercame the SICYONIANS in battell that taried him in the field and dyd erect a piller for a notable marke of his victorie And imbarking in his shippes a newe supply of souldiers which he tooke vp in ACHAIA being friends with the ATHENIANS at that time he passed ouer to the firme lande that laye directly against it And pointing beyond the mouth of the riuer of Achelous he inuaded the countrie of ACARNANIA where he shut vp the OENEADES within their walles And after he had layed waste and destroyed all the champion countrie he returned home againe to ATHENS hauing shewed himselfe in this iorney a dreadfull captaine to his enemies and very carefull for the safety of his souldiers For there fell out no manner of misfortune all this iorney by chaunce or otherwise vnto the souldiers vnder his charge And afterwardes going with a great nauie maruelous well appointed vnto the realme of PONTVS he dyd there gentily vse and intreate the cities of GRECE and graunted them all that they required of him making the barbarous people inhabiting thereabouts and the Kings and Princes of the same also to know the great force power of the ATHENIANS who sailed without feare all about where they thought good keeping all the coastes of the sea vnder their obedience Furthermore he left with the SINOPIANS thirteene gallyes with certen number of souldiers vnder captaine Lamachus to defend them against the tyranne Timesileus who being expulsed and driuen awaye with those of his faction Pericles caused proclamation to be made at ATHENS that sixe hundred free men of the cittie that had any desire to goe without cōpulsion might goe dwell at SINOPA where they should haue deuided among them the goodes landes of the tyranne his followers But he dyd not followe the foolishe vaine humours of his citizens nor would not yeld to their vnsatiable couetousnes who being set on a iolitie to see them selues so strōg and of suche a power and besides to haue good lucke would needes once againe attempt to conquer EGYPT and to reuolte all the countries vpon the sea coastes from the empire of the king of PERSIA for there were many of them whose mindes were maruelously bent to attēpt the vnfortunate enterprise of entering SICILIA which Alcibiades afterwardes dyd muche pricke forward And some of them dreamed besides of the conquest of THVSCAN the empire of CARTHAGE But this was not altogether without some likelyhood nor without occasion of hope considering the large boundes of their Kingdome the fortunate estate of their affayres which fell out according to their owne desire But Pericles dyd hinder this going out and cut of altogether their curious desire employing the most parte of their power and force to keepe that they had already gotten iudging it no small matter to keepe downe the LACEDAEMONIANS from growing greater For he was allwayes an enemie to the LACEDAEMONIANS as he shewed him selfe in many things but specially in the warre he made called the holy warre For the LACEDAEMONIANS hauing put the PHOCIANS from the charge of the tēple of Apollo in the cittie of DELPHES which they had vsurped hauing restored the DELPHIANS againe vnto the same so sone as they were gone thence Pericles went also with another armie restored the PHOCIANS in again And where as the LACEDAEMONIANS had caused to be grauen in the forehead of a woulfe of brasse the priuiledge the DELPHIANS had graunted them to be the first that should make their demaundes of the oracle he hauing atteined the like priuiledge of the PHOCIANS made his image also to be grauen on the right side of the same image of the brasen woulfe Nowe howe wisely Pericles dyd gouerne GRECE by the power of the ATHENIANS his deedes doe plainely shewe For first of all the countrie of EVBOEA dyd rebell against whō he brought the armie of the ATHENIANS And sodainely in the necke of that came newes from another coaste that the MEGARIANS also were in armes against them and howe that they were already entered into the countrie of ATTICA with a great armie led by Plistonax king of LACEDAEMON This occasion drewe him homeward againe and so he marched backe with speede into his countrie to make preparation to encoūter his enemies that were already entered into the territories of ATTICA He durst not offer them battell being so great a number of valliant souldiers but hearing that king Plistonax was
the calamities of his countrie only to accuse the ATHENIANS and to make them odious to the world Pericles hauing woÌ„ne the cittie of SAMOS he returned againe to ATHENS where he dyd honorably burie the bones of his slaine citizens in this warre and him self according to their manner custome made the funerall orations for the which he was maruelously esteemed In suche sorte that after he came downe from the pulpit where he made his oration the ladies gentlewomen of the cittie came to salute him brought him garlaÌ„ds to put vpon his head as they doe to noble coÌ„querers when they returne from games where they haue wonne the price But Elpinieé coming to him sayed Surely Pericles thy good seruice done deserueth garlands of triumphe for thou hast lost vs many a good and valliant citizen not fighting with the MEDES the PHOENICIANS and with the barbarous people as my brother Cimon dyd but for destroying a cittie of our owne nation and â—ynâ—ed Pericles to these wordes softely aunswered Elpinice with Archilocus verse smyling VVhen thou art olde painte not thy selfe But Ion writeth that he greatly gloried and stoode muche in his owne conceipt after he had subdued the SAMIANS saying Agamemnon was tenne yeres taking of a cittie of the barbarous people and he in nine moneths only had wonne the strongest cittie of the whole nation of IONIA In deede he had good cause to glorie in his victorie for truely if Thucydides reporte be true his conquest was no lesse doubtfull then he founde it daungerous For the SAMIANS had almost bene lordes of the sea and taken the seigniorie thereof from the ATHENIANS After this the warres of PELOPONNESVS being whotte againe the CORINTHIANS inuading thilanders of CORPHV Pericles dyd persuade the ATHENIANS to send ayde vnto the CORPHIANS and to ioyne in league with that Iland which was of great power by sea saying that the PELOPONNESIANS before it were long would haue warre with them The ATHENIANS consented to his motion to ayde those of CORPHV Whereupon they sent thither Lacedaemonius Cimons sonne with tenne gallyes only for a mockery for all Cimons familie and friendes were wholy at the LACEDAEMONIANS deuotion Therefore dyd Pericles cause Lacedaemonius to haue so fewe shippes deliuered him and further sent him thither against his will to the ende that if he dyd no notable exploite in this seruice that they might then the more iustly suspect his goodwill to the LACEDAEMONIANS Moreouer whilest he liued he dyd euer what he could to keepe Cimons children backe from rysing bicause that by their names they were no naturall borne ATHENIANS but straungers For the one was called Lacedaemonius the other Thessalus and the third Elius and the mother to all them three was an ARCADIAN woman borne But Pericles being blamed for that he sent but renne gallyes only which was but a sleÌ„der ayde for those that had requested them and a great matter to them that spake ill of him he sent thither afterwardes a great number of other gallyes which came when the battell was fought But the CORINTHIANS were maruelous angrie and went complained to the counsell of the LACEDAEMONIANS where they layed open many grieuous complaints and accusations against the ATHENIANS and so dyd the MEGARIANS also alledging that the ATHENIANS had forbidden them their hauens their staples and all trafficke of marchaundise in the territories vnder their obedience which was directly against the common lawes and articles of peace agreed vpon by othe among all the GRECIANS Moreouer the AEGINETES finding them selues very ill and cruelly handled dyd send secretly to make their moue complaintes to the LACEDAEMONIANS being afeard openly to complaine of the ATHENIANS While these things were a doing the cittie of POTIDAEA subiect at that time vnto the ATHENIANS and was built in olde time by the CORINTHIANS dyd rebell and was besieged by the ATHENIANS which dyd hasten on the warres Notwithstanding this ambassadours were first sent vnto ATHENS vpon these complaints Archidamus king of the LACEDAEMONIANS dyd all that he could to pacifie the most parte of these quarrells and complaints intreating their friendes and allies So as the ATHENIANS had had no warres at all for any other matters wherewith they were burdened if they would haue graunted to haue reuoked the decree they had made against the MEGARIANS Whereupon Pericles that aboue all other stood most against the reuocation of that decree that dyd sturre vp the people made theÌ„ to stand to that they had once decreed ordered against the MEGARIANS was thought the only original cause author of the PELOPONNESIAN warres For it is sayed that the LACEDAEMONIANS sent ambassadours vnto ATHENS for that matter only And when Pericles alledged a lawe that dyd forbid them to take away the table whereupon before time had bene written any coÌ„mon law or edict Polyarces one of the LACEDAEMON Ambassadours sayed vnto him Well said he take it not awaye then but turne the table onely your lawe I am suer forbiddeth not that This was pleasauntly spoken of the ambassadour but Pericles could neuer be brought to it for all that And therefore it seemeth he had some secret occasion of grudge against the MEGARIANS yet as one that would finely conuey it vnder the coÌ„moÌ„ cause cloke he tooke froÌ„ them the holy laÌ„ds they were breaking vp For to bring this to passe he made an order that they should send an herauld to summone the MEGARIANS to let the land alone that the same herauld should goe also vnto the LACEDAEMONIANS to accuse the MEGARIANS vnto theÌ„ It is true that this ordinance was made by Pericles meanes as also it was most iust reasonable but it fortuned so that the messenger they sent thither dyed and not without suspition that the MEGARIANS made him awaye Wherefore Charinus made a lawe presently against the MEGARIANS that they should be proclaimed mortall enemies to the ATHENIANS for euer without any hope of after reconciliation And also if any MEGARIAN should once put his foote within the territories of ATTICA that he should suffer the paynes of death And moreouer that their captaines taking yerely their ordinary othe should sweare among other articles that twise in the yere they should goe with their power and destroy some parte of the MEGARIANS lande And lastly that the heraulde Anthemocritus should be buried by the place called then the gates Thriasienes and nowe called Dipylon But the MEGARIANS stowtely denying that they were any cause of the death of this Anthemocritus dyd altogether burden Aspasia and Pericles with the same alledging for proofe thereof Aristophanes verses the Poet in his comedie he intituled the Acharnes which are so common as euery boye hath them at his tongues ende The young men of our lande to dronken bybbing bent ranne out one daye vnrulily and tovvards Megara vvent From vvhence in their outrage by force they tooke avvaye Simatha noble curtisan as she dyd sporte and
countrie and to shewe that they were no cowardes But Pericles wisely considered howe the daunger was to great to hazard battell where the losse of the cittie of ATHENS stoode in perill seing they were three score thousand footemē of the PELOPONNESIANS of the BOEOTIANS together for so many was their number in the first voyage they made against the ATHENIANS And as for those that were very desirous to fight and to put them selues to any hazard being mad to see their countrie thus wasted and destroyed before their eyes Pericles dyd comforte and pacifie them with these wordes That trees being cut and hewen downe dyd spring againe in shorte time but men being once dead by no possibilitie could be brought againe Therefore he neuer durst assemble the people in counsell fearing least he should be inforced by the multitude to doe some thing against his will. But as a wise man of a shippe when he seeth a storme coming on the sea doth straight geue order to make all things safe in the shippe preparing euery thing readie to defend the storme according to his arte and skill not harkening to the passengers fearefull cries and pittiefull teares who thinke them selues cast away euen so dyd Pericles rule all things according to his wisedome hauing walled the cittie substancially about and set good watche in euery corner and passed not for those that were angrie offended with him neither would be persuaded by his friends earnest requests intreaties neither cared for his enemies threates nor accusatiōs against him nor yet reckoned of all their foolishe scoffing songes they songe of him in the cittie to his shame and reproche of gouernment saying that he was a cowardly captaine and that for dastardlines he let the enemies take all and spoyle what they would Of which number Cleon was one that most defamed him and beganne to enter into some prety credit and fauour with the common people for that they were angrie and misliked with Pericles as appeareth by these slaunderous verses of Hermippus which were then abroade O King of Satyres thou vvho vvith such manly speache of bloudy vvarres and doughty dedes dost daylie to vs preache VVhy art thou novve afrayed to take thy launce in hande or vvith thy pike against thy foes corageously to stande Synce Cleon stovvte and fierce doth daylie thee provoke VVith biting vvordes vvith trenchaunt blades deadly davvnting stroke All these notwithstanding Pericles was neuer moued any thing but with silence dyd paciently beare all iniuries and scoffings of his enemies and dyd send for all that a nauie of a hundred sayle vnto PELOPONNESVS whether he would not goe in persone but kept him self at home to keepe the people in quiet vntill such time as the enemies had raised their campe and were gone awaye And to entertaine the common people that were offended and angrie at this warre he comforted the poore people againe with causing a certen distribution to be made amongest them of the common treasure and diuision also of the landes that were got by conquest For after he had driuen all the AEGINETES out of their countrie he caused the whole I le of AEGINA to be deuided by lot amongest the cittizens of ATHENS And then it was a great comforte to them in this aduersitie to heare of their enemies hurte and losse in suche manner as it dyd fall out For their armie that was sent by sea vnto PELOPONNESVS had wasted and destroyed a great parte of the champion countrie there and had sacked besides many small citties and townes Pericles selfe also entring into the MEGARIANS countrie by lande did waste the whole countrie all afore him So the PELOPONNESIANS receyuing by sea asmuche hurte and losse at the ATHENIANS hands as they before had done by lande vnto the ATHENIANS they had not holden out warres so long with the ATHENIANS but would sone haue geuen ouer as Pericles had tolde them before had not the goddes aboue secretly hindered mans reason and pollicie For first of all there came such a sore plague among the ATHENIANS that it tooke awaye the flower of ATHENS youth and weakened the force of the whole cittie besides Furthermore the bodies of them that were left aliue being infected with this disease their hartes also were so sharpely bent against Pericles that the sicknes hauing troubled their braynes they fell to flat rebellion against him as the pacient against his physitian or children against their father euen to the hurting of him at the prouocation of his enemies Who bruted abroade that the plague came of no cause els but of the great multitude of the coūtry men that came into the cittie on heapes one vpon anothers necke in the harte of the sommer where they were compelled to lye many together smothred vp in litle tentes and cabines remaining there all daye long cowring downewardes and doing nothing where before they liued in the countrie in a freshe open ayer and at libertie And of all this saye they Pericles is the only cause who procuring this warre hathe pent and shrowded the country men together within the walles of a cittie employing them to no manner of vse nor seruice but keeping them like sheepe in a pinnefolde maketh one to poyson another with the infection of their plague sores ronning vpon them and geuing them no leaue to chaunge ayer that they might so muche as take breathe abroade Pericles to remedy this and to doe their enemies a litle mischief armed a hundred and fiftie shippes and shipped into them a great number of armed footemen and horsemen also Hereby he put the cittizens in good hope and the enemies in great feare seeing so great a power But when he had shipped all his men and was him selfe also in the admirall ready to hoyse sayle sodainely there was a great eclypse of the sunne and the daye was very darke that all the armie was striken with a maruelous feare as of some daungerous and very ill token towardes them Pericles seeing the master of his gallye in a maze withall not knowing what to doe cast his cloke ouer the masters face and hid his eyes asking him whether he thought that any hurte or no. The master aunswered him he thought it none Then sayed Pericles againe to him There is no difference betwene this and that sauing that the bodye which maketh the darknes is greater then my cloke which hideth thy eyes These things are thus disputed of in the schooles of the philosophers But Pericles hoysing sayle notwithstanding dyd no notable nor speciall seruice aunswerable to so great an armie and preparation For he laying seige vnto the holy cittie of EPIDAVRVM when euery man looked they should haue taken it was compelled to rayse his seige for the plague that was so vehement that it dyd not only kill the ATHENIANS them selues but all other also were they neuer so fewe that came to them or neere their campe Wherefore perceyuing the ATHENIANS
a lyon Another time being but a litle boye he played at skayles in the middest of the streete with other of his companions and when his turne came about to throwe there came a carte loden by chaunce that waye Alcibiades prayed the carter to staye a while vntill he had played out his game bicause the skailes were set right in the high way where the carte should passe ouer The carter was a stubborne knaue and would not staye for any request the boye could make but draue his horse on still in so much as other boyes gaue backe to let him goe on but Alcibiades fell flat to the grounde before the carte and bad the carter driue ouer and he durste The carter being afeard plucked backe his horse to staye them the neighbours flighted to see the daunger ranne to the boye in all hast crying out Afterwards when he was put to schoole to learne he was very obedient to all his masters that taught him any thing sauing that he disdained to learne to playe of the flute or recorder saying that it was no gentlemanly qualitie For sayed he to playe on the vyoll with a sticke doth not alter mans fauour nor disgraceth any gentleman but otherwise to playe on the flute his countenaunce altereth and chaungeth so ofte that his familliar friends can scant knowe him Moreouer the harpe or vyoll doth not let him that playeth on them from speaking or singing as he playeth where he that playeth on the flute holdeth his mouth so harde to it that it taketh not only his wordes from him but his voyce Therefore sayed he let the children of the THEBANS playe on the flute that cannot tell howe to speake as for vs ATHENIANS we haue as our forefathers tell vs for protect ours and patrones of our countrie and goddesse Pallas and the god Apollo of the which the one in olde time as it is sayed brake the flute and the other pulled his skinne ouer his eares that played vpon the flute Thus Alcibiades alledging these reasons partely in sporte and partely in good earnest dyd not only him selfe leaue to learne to playe on the flute but he turned his companions mindes also quite from it For these wordes of Alcibiades ranne from boye to boye incontinently that Alcibiades had reason to despise playing of the flute and that he mocked all those that learned to play of it So afterwards it fell out at ATHENS that teaching to playe of the flute was put out of the number of honest and liberall exercises and the flute it selfe was thought a vile instrument and of no reputation Furthermore in the accusations Antiphon wrote against Alcibiades it is declared that when he was a boye he fled out of his tutours house into the house of Democrates one of his louers and howe Ariphron one of his tutours thought to haue made a beadle crie him through the cittie But Pericles would not suffer him saying that if he were dead they should knowe it but one daye sooner by crying of him and if he were aliue that it would be such a shame to him while he liued that he had bene better he had neuer bene heard of againe The same Antiphon accuseth him further that he had killed a seruaunt of his that attended on him in the wrestling place of Sibyrtius with a blowe of a staffe But there is no reason to credit his writing who confesseth he speaketh all the ill he can of him for the ill will he dyd beare him Now straight there were many great riche men that made muche of Alcibiades and were glad to get his good will. But Socrates loue vnto him had another ende and cause which witnessed that Alcibiades had a naturall inclination to vertue Who perceyuing that vertue dyd appeare in him and was ioyned with the other beawtie of his face and bodye and fearing the corruption of riches dignitie and authoritie and the great number of his companions aswell of the chiefest of the cittie as of straungers seeking to entise him by flatterie and by many other pleasures he tooke vpon him to protect him from them all and not to suffer so goodly an ympe to lose the hope of the good fruite of his youthe For fortune doth neuer so intangle nor snare a man without with that which they commonly call riches as to let hinder him so that philosophie should not take holde on him with her free severe and quicke reasons So Alcibiades was at the beginning assayed with all delightes and shut vp as it were in their companie that feasted him with all pleasures only to turne him that he should not hearken to Socrates wordes who sought to bring him vp at his charge and to teach him But Alcibiades notwithstanding hauing a good naturall wit knewe that Socrates was and went to him refusing the companie of all his riche friendes and their flatteries and fell in a kinde of familliar friendshippe with Socrates Whom when he had heard speake he noted his wordes very well that they were no persuasions of a man seeking his dishonesty but one that gaue him good counsell went about to reforme his faultes and imperfections and to plucke downe the pride and presumption that was in him then as the common prouerbe sayeth Like to the crauen cocke he drovvped dovvne his vvinges vvhich covvardly doth ronne avvaye or from the pit out flinges And dyd thinke with selfe that all Socrates loue and following of young men was in dede a thing sent from the goddes and ordeined aboue for them whom they would haue preserued put into the pathe waye of honour Therefore be beganne to despise him selfe and greatly to reuerēce Socrates taking pleasure of his good vsing of him much imbraced his vertue so as he had he wist not howe an image of loue grauen in his harte or rather as Plato sayeth a mutuall loue to wit an holy honest affection towards Socrates Insomuch as all the world wondred at Alcibiades to see him commonly at Socrates borde to playe to wrestle to lodge in the warres with Socrates and contrarily to chide his other well willers who could not so much as haue a good looke at his handes and besides became daungerous to some as it is sayed he was vnto Anytus the sonne of Anthemion being one of those that loued him well Anytus making good cheere to certen straungers his friendes that were come to see him went and prayed Alcibiades to come and make merie with them but he refused to goe For he went to make merie with certen of his companions at his own house and after he had well taken in his cuppes he went to Anytus house to counterfeate the foole amongest them and staying at the halle doore and seeing Anytus table and cubberd full of plate of siluer gold he commaunded his seruants to take awaye half of it and carie it home to his house But when he had thus taken his pleasure he would come
there was one Diomedes at ATHENS a friend of Alcibiades no ill man who desired once in his life to winne a game at the playes Olympicall This man being enformed that the ARGIVES had a coche excellently furnished belonging to their cōmon weale and knowing that Alcibiades could doe very much in the cittie of ARGOS bicause he had many friends in the same he came to intreate Alcibiades to buye this coche for him Alcibiades thereupon bought it but kept it to him selfe not regarding Diomedes request he had made Diomedes seeing that fell starke mad for anger and called the goddes men to witnesses that Alcibiades did him open wrong and it seemeth that there fell out sute in lawe vpon the same For Isocrates wrote an oration and drue a plea in defence of Alcibiades being yet but a childe touching a couple of horses yet in this plea his aduersarie was called Tisias and not Diomedes Furthermore Alcibiades being yet but a young man when he came to practise and pleade publikly he put all other Oratours to silence but only two that were euer against him the one was Phaeax the sonne of Erasistratus and the other Nicias the sonne of Niceratus Of these two Nicias was a man growen and had wonne the name reputation of a good captaine And Phaeax beganne also to come forward as he dyd being of a good and honorable house but he lacked many things and among other eloquence specially For he could more properly talke and discourse among his friends priuately then he had any good grace to open a matter openly before the people For he had as Enpolis sayeth VVordes enovve but no eloquence There is a certen oration extant in writing against Alcibiades and Phaeax where among other accusations is brought in howe Alcibiades was ordinarily serued in his house with gold siluer plate that belonged to the cōmon weale and which were vsed to be borne for state magnificence in solemne processions before them and how he vsed them as boldly as if they had bene his owne Now there was one Hyperbolus in ATHENS at that time borne in the village of Perithoide of whom Thucydides maketh mencion as of a naughty wicked man whose tongue was a fit instrument to deliuer matter to all the Comicall poets of that time to poore out all their tawnts and mockes against men Howbeit he was so impudent a persone and cared so litle what men sayed of him that he passed not though he were defamed neither dyd any thing greue him whatsoeuer they reported of him which some doe call boldnes and corage being no better in deede then plaine impudencie extreme madnes and desperate follie He would neuer please any man if the common people had any grudge to any noble man or magistrate whom they would any waye accuse Hyperbolus wicked tongue was their instrument to vtter their spyte Now the people by Hyperbolus procurement being assembled were ready to proceede to the banishment of Ostracismon by most voyces The manner custome of this kynde of banishment was for a time to banish out of their cittie such a one as seemed to haue to great authoritie and credit in the cittie and that was rather to satisfie their enuie then for to remedy their feare And bicause it was manifest it would fall out to one of them three to be banished to wit Alcibiades Nicias or Phaeax Alcibiades sound meanes to ioyne all their three factions in one becomming friends one to another and hauing conferred with Nicias about it he made Hyperbolus self to be banished who was the chief instrument to prepare the waye of their banishment Howbeit other saye he spake not with Nicias about it but with Phaeax and ioyning his parte with Phaeax he caused Hyperbolus to be banished who feared nothing lesse for it was neuer seene before that a man of meane countenaunce and of small authoritie fell into the happe of this banishment As Plato the Comicall poet testifieth speaking of Hyperbolus Although for his deserts this payne to him is due or greater punishment prepard the vvhich might make him rue Yet since he vvas by birth a persone meane and base such punishment therefore dyd seeme for him to great of grace Since Ostracismon vvas not made at first to be nor yet deuisde as punishment for suche meane folke as he But of this matter we haue spoken more at large before and now to returne againe to Alcibiades Nicias had great reputation among straungers and his enemies greued at it no lesse then at the honour the cittizens selues dyd vnto him For his house was the common inne for all LACEDAEMONIANS when they came to ATHENS and they euer laye with him moreouer he had very well entertained the LACADAEMON prisoners that were taken at the sorte of PYLE And afterwards when peace was concluded betweene LACEDAEMON and ATHENS and their prisoners redeliuered home againe by Nicias meanes only procurement they loued him more then euer they dyd before This was blowen abroade through GREECE that Pericles had kindled the warres amongest them and Nicias had quenched it so some called this peace Nicium as one would saye Nicias worke But Alcibiades stomaking this and enuying Nicias glorie determined to breake the peace whatsoeuer came of it Wherefore to compasse this matter knowing first of all that the ARGIVES had no liking of the LACEDAEMONIANS but were their mortall enemies and that they dyd but seeke matter to fall out with them he secretly put them in hope of peace and league with the ATHENIANS Moreouer he dyd persuade them to it both by letters and worde of mouthe speaking with the magistrates and suche as had greatest authoritie and credit amongest the people declaring vnto them that they should not feare the LACEDAEMONIANS nor yeld to them at all but to sticke to the ATHENIANS who would sone repent them of the peace they had made and breake it with them Afterwardes when the LACEDAEMONIANS had made league with the BOEOTIANS and had redeliuered the cittie of PANACTVM to the ATHENIANS all defaced and spoyled contrarie to the league Alcibiades perceyuing how the people were muche offended thereat made them more earnest against them and therewith all brought Nicias in disgrace with the people and charged him with many matters of great likelyhood As at that time when he was generall that he would neuer take any of the LACEDAEMONIANS when they were shut vp within the I le of SPHACTERIA and muche lesse distresse them when he might and moreouer that when other had taken them prisoners by force that he had founde the meanes to deliuer them and send them home againe to gratifie the LACEDAEMONIANS Furthermore that being their friende he dyd not his duety to disswade the people from making of league offensiue and defensiue with the BOEOTIANS and the CORINTHIANS and againe also if there were any people of GREECE that had a desire to become friendes and allies with the
only to leaue of his race to reigne amongest the LACEDAEMONIANS This matter was brought by diuers vnto king Agis eares who at the length beleeued it but specially when he beganne to make a reckoning of the time how long it was sence he laye with his wife For lying with his wife one night when there was a terrible earthquake he ranne out of his chamber for feare the house would fall on his head so that it was tenne moneths after ere he laye again with her Whereupon her sonne Leotychides being borne at the ende of tenne moneths he sayed he was none of his and this was the cause that Leotychides dyd not succede afterwards in the Kingdome bicause he was not of the bloude royall After the vtter ouerthrowe of the ATHENIANS in SICILIA those of the Iles of CHIO and LESBOS with the CYZICENIANS dyd send all about a teÌ„ne ambassadours of SPARTA to let the LACEDAEMONIANS vnderstand they had good will to leaue the ATHENIANS so they would send them ayde to defend them The BOâ—OTIANS fauored those of LESBOS Pharnabazus the king of PERSIANS lieutenaunt fauored the CYZICENIANS This notwithstanding the LACEDAEMONIANS were better affected to helpe those of CHIO first by the persuasion of Alcibiades who tooke their matters in hande And he tooke sea him self and went into ASIA where he almost turned the countrie of IONIA against the ATHENIANS and keeping allwayes with the generalles of the LACEDAEMONIANS he dyd muche hurte the ATHENIANS Yet notwithstanding king Agis dyd beare him ill will partely for the iniurie he dyd him in dishonoring and defiling his wife and partely also for that he enuied his glorie bicause the rumour raÌ„ne all about that the most parte of the goodly exploytes of these warres dyd happen well by Alcibiades meanes Other also of the greatest authoritie among the SPARTANS that were most ambitious among them beganne in their mindes to be angrie with Alcibiades for the enuie they bare him who were of so great power that they procured their gouernours to write their letters to their captaines in the field to kill him Alcibiades hearing of this dyd no whit desist to doe all he could for the benefit of the LACEDAEMONIANS yet he had an eye behind him flying all occasioÌ„s to fall into their handes So in the ende for more suerty of his persone he went vnto Tisaphernes one of the king of PERSIANS lieutenantes with whom he wanne incontinently suche credit that he was the first chiefest persone he had about him For this barbarous man being no simple persone but rather malicious subtill of nature and that loued fine crafty men dyd wonder how he could do easely turne from one manner of liuing to another and also at his quicke witte and vnderstanding Moreouer his company and manner to passe the time awaye was commonly maruelous full of mirthe and pleasure and he had suche pleasaunt comely deuises with him that no man was of so sullen a nature but he would make him merie nor so churlishe but he would make him gentle So that both those that feared him and also enuied him they were yet glad to see him it did them good to be in his companie vse talke with him In so muche as this Tisaphernes that otherwise was a churlishe man and naturally hated the GRECIANS dyd geue him selfe so muche vnto Alcibiades flatteries and they pleased him so well that he him selfe dyd studio to flatter Alcibiades againe and make muche of him For he called Alcibiades his fayer house of pleasure goodly prospect notwithstanding he had many goodly gardens sweete springes grene arbours and pleasaunt meadowes and those in all royall and magnificent manner Alcibiades despairing vtterly to finde any safetie or friendshippe emong the SPARTANS and fearing on thother side king Agis also he beganne to speake ill of them and to disgrace all that they dyd to Tisaphernes By this practise he stayed Tisaphernes from ayding them so friendly as he might moreouer he dyd not vtterly destroye the ATHENIANS For he persuaded him that he should furnishe the LACEDAEMONIANS but with litle money to let them diminishe and consume by litle and litle to the ende that after one had troubled and weakned the other they both at the length should be the easier for the King to ouercome This barbarous man dyd easely consent to this denise All the world then sawe he loued Alcibiades and esteemed of him very muche in so muche as he was sought to and regarded of all handes of the GRECIANS Then were the ATHENIANS sorie and repented them when they had receyued so great losse hurte for that they had decreed for seuerely against Alcibiades who in like manner was very sorowfull to see them brought to so harde termes fearing if the cittie of ATHENS came to destruction that he him selfe should fall in the ende into the handes of the LACEDAEMONIANS who maliced him to the death Now about that time all the power of the ATHENIANS were almost in the I le of SAMOS from wheÌ„ce with their armie by sea they sought to suppresse the rebelles that were vp against them and to keepe all that which yet remained For they were yet pretily strong to resist their enemies at the least by sea but they stoode in great feare of the power of Tisaphernes and of the hundred fiftie gallyes which were reported to be comming out of the countrie of PHâ—â—â—â—CIA to the ayde of their enemies which if they had come the cittie of ATHENS had bene vtterly spoyled and for euer without hope of recouery The which Alcibiades vnderstanding sent secretly vnto the chiefest men that were in the armie of the ATHENIANS at SAMOS to geue them hope he would make Tisaphernes their friende howbeit not of any desire he had to gratifie the people nor that he trusted to the communaltie of ATHENS but only to the honorable and honest citizens and that conditionally so as they had the harre and corage to bridell a litle the ouer licentiousnes and insolencie of the common people that they would take vpon them the authoritie to gouerne and to redresse their stare and to preserue the cittie of ATHENS from finall and vtter destruction Vpon this aduertisement all the heades chief men dyd geue very good eare vnto it sauing only Phrynichus one of the captaines and of the towne of DIRADES Who mistrusting that was true in deede that Alcibiades cared nor which ende went forward nor who had the chief gouernment of ATHENS the nobilitie or the communaltie and dyd but seeke all the deuises and wayes he could to returne againe if it might be possible in any manner of sorte and that he dyd but currie fauour with the Nobilitie blaming and accusing the people he stoode altogether against the motion whereupon Alcibiades deuise was not followed And hauing now shewed him selfe open enemie to Alcibiades he dyd secretly aduertise Astiochus then admirall to the LACEDAEMONIANS of Alcibiades
and trouble the enemies partely to feare the BIZANTINES the more with their sodaine cōming amōg them partely that his cōfederates within the cittie might with better oportunitie receyue him his cōpanie into the towne with the more assured safety whilest euery man ranne to the hauen to resist them that were vpō the gallyes Neuertheles they wēt not away vnfought with For those that laye in garrison within the cittie some of thē PELOPONNESIANS other BOEOTIANS other MEGARIANS dyd so valliātly repulse them that came out of their gallyes that they draue thē to retire abord againe Afterwardes hearing how the ATHENIANS were entred the cittie on thother side they put them selues in battell raye went to mete them The battell was terrible of both partes but Alcibiades in the ende obtained victorie leading the right winge of his battell Theramenes the lefte The victorie being gotten he tooke 300. of his enemies prisoners who had escaped the furie of the battell But after the battell there was not a BYZANTINE put to death neither banished nor his good cōfiscated bicause it was capitulated by Alcibiades with his cōfederats that neither he nor his should hurt any of the BIZANTINES either in persone or goodes nor any way should rifle them And Anaxilaus being afterwards accused of treason in LACEDAEMON for this practise he aunswered and iustified him self in suche sorte that they could not finde he had committed the faulte layed vnto his charge For he sayed that he was no LACEDAEMONIAN but a BYZANTINE that he sawe not LACEDAEMON in daunger but BYZANTIVM which the enemies had compassed about with a walle they had built that it was vnpossible to bring any thing into the cittie Moreouer he alleaged that they hauing very smal store of corne within the cittie as was true in dede the PELOPONNESIANS and BOEOTIANS that laye there in garrison dyd eate it vp while the poore BYZANTINES them selues their wiues and children dyed for very hunger Therefore it could not be sayed of him that he had betrayed his countrie but rather that he had deliuered it from the miseries and calamities the warres brought vpon it wherein he had followed the example of the honestest men of LACEDAEMON who dyd acknowledge nothing honest and iuste but that which was necessarie and profitable for their countrie The LACEDAEMONIANS hearing his reasons he alleaged for his purgation were ashamed to condemne him and therefore they let him goe Now Alcibiades desirous in the ende to see his natiue countrie againe or to speake more truely that his contrymen should see him after he had so many times ouerthrowen their enemies in battell he hoysed saile and directed his course towardes ATHENS bringing with him all the gallyes of the ATHENIANS richely furnished and decked all about with skutchines and targettes and other armour and weapon gotten amongest the spoyles of his enemies Moreouer he brought with him many other shippes which he had wonne broken in the warres besides many ensignes and other ornaments all which being compted together one with the other made vp the number of two hundred shippes Furthermore where Duris SAMIAN writeth who challengeth that he came of his house that at his returne one Chrysogonus an excellent player of the flute that had wonne certaine of the Pythian games dyd playe suche a note that at the sounde thereof the galley slaues would keepe stroke with their owers and that Callipides another excellent player of tragedies playing the parte of a comedie dyd sturre them to rowe being in suche players garments as euery master of suche science vseth commonly to weare presenting him selfe in Theater or stage before the people to shewe his arte and that the admirall galley wherein him self was entred the hauen with a purple saile as if some maske had come into a mans house after some great banket made neither Ephorus nor Theopompus nor Xenophon make any mention of this at all Furthermore me thinkes it should not be true that he returning from exile after so long a banishment hauing passed ouer such sorowes calamities as he had susteined would so prowdly presumptuously shewe him selfe vnto the ATHENIANS But merely contrarie it is most certain that he returned in great feare doubt For when he was arriued in the hauen of PIRAEA he would not set foote a lande before he first sawe his nephewe Euryptolemus diuers other of his friendes from the hatches of his shippe standing apon the sandes in the hauen mouthe Who were come thither to receyue and welcome him tolde him that he might be bolde to lande without feare of any thing He was no soner landed but all the people ranne out of euery corner to see him with so great loue and affection that they tooke no heede of the other captaines that came with him but clustred all to him only cried out for ioye to see him Those that could come neere him dyd welcome imbrace him but all the people wholy followed him And some that came to him put garlands of flowers vpon his head those that could not come neere him sawe him a farre of the olde folkes dyd pointe him out to the yonger sorte But this cōmon ioye was mingled notwithstanding with teares sorowe when they came to thinke vpon their former misfortunes and calamities to cōpare them with their present prosperitie waying with them selues also how they had not lost SICILIA nor their hope in all things els had failed thē if they had deliuered them selues the charge of their armie into Alcibiades hands when they sent for him to appeare in persone before them Cōsidering also how he found the cittie of ATHENS in manner put from their seigniorie cōmandement on the sea on the other side how their force by lāde was brought vnto such extremitie that ATHENS scātly could defend her suburbes the cittie self being so deuided turmoiled with ciuill dissention yet he gathered together those fewe small force that remained had now not only restored ATHENS to her former power soueraintie on the sea but had made her also a conquerer by lande Now the decree for his repaire home againe was past before by the people at the instant request of Callias the sonne of Callaeschrus who dyd preferre it as he him selfe dyd testifie in his elegies putting Alcibiades in remembraunce of the good turne he had done him saying I vvas the first that moued in open conference the peoples voyce to call thee home vvhen thou vvert banisht hence So vvas I eke the first vvhich thereto gaue consent and therefore maye I boldly saye by truthe of suche intent I vvas the only meane to call thee home againe by suche request so rightly made to moue the peoples vayne And this maye serue for pledge vvhat friendshippe I thee beare fast sealed vvith a faithfull tongue as plainely shall appeare But notwithstanding the people being assembled all in counsaill Alcibiades came before
was so surnamed bicause the people had chosen him Censor twise Through whose persuasion they made a lawe that no man from thenceforth might require or enioye the Censorshippe twise Caius Martius whose life we intend now to write being left an orphan by his father was brought vp vnder his mother a widowe who taught vs by experience that orphanage bringeth many discommodities to a childe but doth not hinder him to become an honest man and to excell in vertue aboue the common sorte as they that are meanely borne wrongfully doe complayne that it is the occasion of their casting awaye for that no man in their youth taketh any care of them to see them well brought vp and taught that were meete This man also is a good proofe to confirme some mens opinions That a rare and excellent witte vntaught doth bring forth many good and euill things together like as a fat soile bringeth forth herbes weedes that lieth vnmanured For this Martius naturall wit and great harte dyd maruelously sturre vp his corage to doe and attempt notable actes But on the other side for lacke of education he was so chollericke and impacient that he would yeld to no liuing creature which made him churlishe vnciuill and altogether vnfit for any mans conuersation Yet men marueling much at his constancy that he was neuer ouercome with pleasure nor money and howe he would endure easely all manner of paynes and trauailles thereupon they well liked and commended his stownes and temperancie But for all that they could not be acquainted with him as one cittizen vseth to be with another in the cittie His behauiour was so vnpleasaunt to them by reason of a certaine insolent and sterne manner he had which bicause it was to lordly was disliked And to saye truely the greatest benefit that learning bringeth men vnto is this that it teacheth men that be rude and rough of nature by compasse and rule of reason to be ciuill and curteous to like better the meane state then the higher Now in those dayes valliantnes was honoured in ROME aboue all other vertues which they called Virtus by the name of vertue selfe as including in that generall name all other speciall vertues besides So that Virtus in the Latin was asmuche as valliantnes But Martius being more inclined to the warres then any other gentleman of his time beganne from his Childehood to geue him self to handle weapons and daylie dyd exercise him selfe therein And outward he esteemed armour to no purpose vnles one were naturally armed within Moreouer he dyd so exercise his bodie to hardnes and all kynde of actiuitie that he was very swift in ronning strong in wrestling mightie in griping so that no man could euer cast him In so much as those that would trye masteries with him for strength and nimblenes would saye when they were ouercome that all was by reason of his naturall strength and hardnes of warde that neuer yelded to any payne of toyle he tooke apon him The first time he went to the warres being but a strippling was when Tuquine surnamed the prowde that had bene king of ROME and was driuen out for his pride after many attemptes made by sundrie battells to come in againe wherein he was euer ouercome dyd come to ROME with all the ayde of the LATINES and many other people of ITALIE euen as it were to set vp his whole rest apon a battell by them who with a great mightie armie had vndertaken to put him into his Kingdome againe not so much to pleasure him as to ouerthrowe the power of the ROMAINES whose greatnes they both feared and enuied In this battell wherein were many hotte and sharpe encounters of either partie Martius valliantly fought in the sight of the Dictator a ROMAINE souldier being throwen to the groūd euen hard by him Martius straight bestrid him and slue the enemie with his owne handes that had before ouerthrowen the ROMAINE Hereupon after the battell was wonne the Dictator dyd not forget so noble an acte therefore first of all he crowned Martius with a garland of oken boughs For whosoeuer saueth the life of a ROMAINE it is māner among them to honour him with such a garland This was either bicause the lawe dyd this honour to the oke in fauour of the ARCADIANS who by the oracle of Apollo were in very olde time called eaters of akornes or els bicause the souldiers might easely in euery place come by oken boughes or lastely bicause they thought it very necessarie to geue him that had saued a cittizens life a crowne of this tree to honour him being properly dedicated vnto Iupiter the patron and protectour of their citties and thought amongest other wilde trees to bring forth a profitable fruite and of plantes to be the strongest Moreouer men at the first beginning dyd vse akornes for their bread and honie for their drincke and further the oke dyd feede their beastes and geue them birdes by taking glue from the okes with the which they made birdlime to catche seely birdes They saye that Castor and Pollux appeared in this battell and how incontinently after the battell men sawe them in the market place at ROME all their horses being on a white fome and they were the first that brought newes of the victorie euen in the same place where remaineth at this present a tēple built in the honour of them neere vnto the fountaine And this is the cause why the daye of this victorie which was the fiftenth of Iulye is consecrated yet to this daye vnto Castor and Pollux Moreouer it is daylie seene that honour and reputation lighting on young men before their time and before they haue no great corage by nature the desire to winne more dieth straight in them which easely happeneth the same hauing no deepe roote in them before Where contrariwise the first honour that valliant mindes doe come vnto doth quicken vp their appetite hasting them forward as with force of winde to enterprise things of highe deseruing praise For they esteeme not to receaue reward for seruice done but rather take it for a remembraunce and encoragement to make them doe better in time to come and be ashamed also to cast their honour at their heeles not seeking to increase it still by like deserte of worthie valliant dedes This desire being bred in Martius he strained still to passe him selfe in manlines and being desirous to shewe a daylie increase of his valliantnes his noble seruice dyd still aduaunce his fame bringing in spoyles apon spoyles from the enemie Whereupon the captaines that came afterwards for enuie of them that went before dyd contend who should most honour him and who should beare most honorable testimonie of his valliantnes In so much the ROMAINES hauing many warres and battells in those dayes Coriolanus was at them all and there was not a battell fought from whence he returned not without some rewarde of
beate maruelous strongely Now that Martius was euen in that taking it appeared true sone after by his doinges For when he was come home to his house againe and had taken his leaue of his mother and wife finding them weeping and shreeking out for sorrowe and had also comforted and persuaded them to be content with his chaunce he went immediatly to the gate of the cittie accompanied with a great number of Patricians that brought him thither from whence he went on his waye with three or foure of his friendes only taking nothing with him nor requesting any thing of any man So he remained a fewe dayes in the countrie at his houses turmoyled with sundry sortes and kynde of thoughtes suche as the fyer of his choller dyd sturre vp In the ende seeing he could resolue no waye to take a profitable or honorable course but only was pricked forward still to be reuēged of the ROMAINES he thought to raise vp some great warres against them by their neerest neighbours Whereupon he thought it his best waye first to stirre vp the VOLSCES against them knowing they were yet able enough in strength and riches to encounter them notwithstanding their former losses they had receyued not long before that their power was not so muche impaired as their malice and desire was increased to be reuenged of the ROMAINES Now in the cittie of ANTIVM there was one called Tullus Aufidius who for his riches as also for his nobilitie and valliantnes was honoured emong the VOLSCES as a king Martius knewe very well that Tullus dyd more malice and enuie him then he dyd all the ROMAINES besides bicause that many times in battells where they met they were euer at the encounter one against another like Iustie coragious youthes striuing in all emulation of honour and had encountered many times together In so muche as besides the common quarrell betweene them there was bred a maruelous priuate hate one against another Yet notwithstanding considering that Tullus Aufidius was a man of a great minde and that he aboue all other of the VOLSCES most desired reuenge of the ROMAINES for the iniuries they had done vnto them he dyd an acte that confirmed the true wordes of an auncient Poet who sayed It is a thing full harde mans anger to vvithstand if it be stiffely bent to take an enterprise in hande For then most men vvill haue the thing that they desire although it cost their liues therefore suche force hath vvicked ire And so dyd he For he disguised him selfe in suche arraye and attire as he thought no man could euer haue knowen him for the persone he was seeing him in that apparell he had vpon his backe and as Homer sayed of Vlysses So dyd he enter into the enemies tovvne It was euen twy light when he entred the cittie of ANTIVM and many people met him in the streetes but no man knewe him So he went directly to Tullus Aufidius house and when he came thither he got him vp straight to the chimney harthe and sat him downe and spake not a worde to any man his face all muffled ouer They of the house spying him wondered what he should be and yet they durst not byd him rise For ill fauoredly muffled and disguised as he was yet there appeared a certaine maiestie in his countenance and in his silence whereupon they went to Tullus who was at supper to tell him of the straunge disguising of this man Tullus rose presently from the borde and comming towards him asked him what he was and wherefore he came Then Martius vnmuffled him selfe and after he had paused a while making no aunswer he sayed vnto him If thou knowest me not yet Tullus and seeing me dost not perhappes beleeue me to be the man I am in dede I must of necessitie bewraye my selfe to be that I am I am Caius Martius who hath done to thy self particularly and to all the VOLSCES generally great hurte and mischief which I cannot denie for my surname of Coriolanus that I beare For I neuer had other benefit nor recompence of all the true and paynefull seruice I haue done and the extreme daungers I haue bene in but this only surname a good memorie and witnes of the malice and displeasure thou showldest beare me In deede the name only remaineth with me for the rest the enuie and crueltie of the people of ROME haue taken from me by the sufferance of the darstardly nobilitie and magistrates who haue forsaken me let me be banished by the people This extremitie hath now driuen me to come as a poore suter to take thy chimney harthe not of any hope I haue to saue my life thereby For if I had feared death I would not haue come hither to haue put my life in hazard but prickt forward with spite and desire I haue to be reuenged of them that thus haue banished me whom now I beginne to be auenged on putting my persone betweene thy enemies Wherefore if thou hast any harte to be wrecked of the iniuries thy enemies haue done thee spede thee now and let my miserie serue thy turne and so vse it as my seruice maye be a benefit to the VOLSCES promising thee that I will fight with better good will for all you then euer I dyd when I was against you knowing that they fight more valliantly who knowe the force of their enemie then such as haue neuer proued it And if it be so that thou dare not and that thou art wearye to proue fortune any more then am I also weary to liue any lenger And lt were no wisedome in thee to saue the life of him who hath bene heretofore thy mortall enemie and whose seruice now can nothing helpe nor pleasure thee Tullus hearing what he sayed was a maruelous glad man and taking him by the hande he sayed vnto him Stande vp ó Martius and bee of good chere for in profering thy selfe vnto vs thou dost vs great honour and by this meanes thou mayest hope also of greater things at all the VOLSCES handes So he feasted him for that time and entertained him in the honorablest manner he could talking with him in no other matters at that present but within fewe dayes after they fell to consultation together in what sorte they should beginne their warres Now on thother side the cittie of ROME was in maruelous vprore and discord the nobilitie against the communaltie and chiefly for Martius condemnation and banishment Moreouer the priestes the Soothesayers and priuate men also came and declared to the Senate certaine sightes and wonders in the ayer which they had seene and were to be considered of amongest the which such a vision happened There was a cittizen of ROME called Titus Latinus a man of meane qualitie condition but otherwise an honest sober man geuen to a quiet life without superstition and much lesse to vanitie or lying This man had a vision in his dreame in the which he thought
that Iupiter appeared vnto him and commaunded him to signifie to the Senate that they had caused a very vile lewde daunser to goe before the procession and sayed the first time this vision had appeared vnto him he made no reckoning of it and comming againe another time into his minde he made not muche more accompt of the matter then before In the ende he sawe one of his sonnes dye who had the best nature and condition of all his brethern and sodainely he him selfe was so taken in all his limmes that he became lame and impotent Hereupon he tolde the whole circumstāce of this vision before the Senate sitting vpon his litle couche or bedde whereon he was caried on mens armes and he had no sooner reported this vision to the Senate but he presently felt his bodie limmes restored again to their former strēgth vse So raising vp him self vpon his couche he got vp on his feete at that instant walked home to his house without helpe of any man The Senate being amazed at this matter made diligent enquierie to vnderstand the trothe in the ende they found there was such a thing There was one that had deliuered a bōdman of his that had offended him into the hands of other slaues bondemen had commanded them to whippe him vp down the market place afterwards to kill him as they had him in execution whipping him cruelly they dyd so martyr the poore wretch that for the cruell smarte payne he felt he turned writhed his bodie in straūge pittiefull sorte The procession by chaunce came by euen at the same time many that followed it were hartely moued offended with the sight saying that this was no good sight to behold nor mete to be met in processiō time But for all this there was nothing done sauing they blamed rebuked him that punished his slaue so cruelly For the ROMAINES at that time dyd vse their bondemen very gently bicause they them selues dyd labour with their owne hands and liued with them emong them and therefore they dyd vse them the more gently and familliarly For the greatest punishment they gaue a slaue that had offended was this They made him carie a limmer on his showlders that is fastened to the axeltree of a coche and compelled him to goe vp and downe in that sorte amongest all their neighbours He that had once abidden this punishement and was seene in that manner was proclaimed and cried in euery market towne so that no man would euer trust him after and they called him Furcifer bicause the LATINES call the wodd that ronneth into the axeltree of the coche Furca as muche to saye as a forke Now when Latinus had made reporte to the Senate of the vision that had happened to him they were deuising whom this vnpleasaunt daunser should be that went before the procession Thereupon certain that stoode by remembred the poore slaue that was so cruelly whipped through the market place whom they afterwardes put to death and the thing that made them remember it was the straunge and rare manner of his punishment The priestes hereupon were repaired vnto for their aduise they were wholy of opinion that it was the whipping of the slaue So they caused the slaues master to be punished and beganne againe a newe procession and all other showes and sightes in honour of Iupiter But hereby appeareth plainely how king Numa dyd wisely ordaine all other ceremonies concerning deuotion to the goddes and specially this custome which he stablished to bring the people to religion For when the magistrates bishoppes priestes or other religious ministers goe about any diuine seruice or matter of religion an herauld euer goeth before them crying out alowde Hoc age as to saye doe this or minde this Hereby they are specially cōmaunded wholy to dispose them selues to serue God leauing all other busines and matters a side knowing well enough that whatsoeuer most men doe they doe it as in a manner constrained vnto it But the ROMAINES dyd euer vse to beginne againe their sacrifices processions playes and suche like showes done in honour of the goddes not only vpon suche an occasion but apon lighter causes then that As when they went a procession through the cittie and dyd carie the images of their goddes and suche other like holy relikes vpon open hallowed coches or charrets called in LATIN Thensae one of the coche horses that drue them stoode still and would drawe no more and bicause also the coche man tooke the raynes of the bridle with the left hande they ordained that the procession should be begonne againe a newe Of later time also they dyd renewe and beginne a sacrifice thirtie times one after another bicause they thought still there fell out one faulte or other in the same so holy and deuout were they to the goddes Now Tullus and Martius had secret conference with the greatest personages of the cittie of ANTIVM declaring vnto them that now they had good time offered them to make warre with the ROMAINES while they were in dissention one with another They aunswered them they were ashamed to breake the league considering that they were sworne to keepe peace for two yeres Howbeit shortely after the ROMAINES gaue them great occasion to make warre with them For on a holy daye common playes being kept in ROME apon some suspition or false reporte they made proclamation by sound of trumpet that all the VOLSCES should auoyde out of ROME before sunne set Some thincke this was a crafte and deceipt of Martius who sent one to ROME to the Consuls to accuse the VOLSCES falsely aduertising them howe they had made a conspiracie to set apon them whilest they were busie in seeing these games and also to set their cittie a fyre This open proclamation made all the VOLSCES more offended with the ROMAINES then euer they were before and Tullus agrauating the matter dyd so inflame the VOLSCES against them that in the ende they sent their ambassadours to Rome to summone them to deliuer their landes and townes againe which they had taken from them in times past or to looke for present warres The ROMAINES hearing this were maruelously netled and made no other aunswer but thus If the VOLSCES be the first that beginne warre the ROMAINES will be the last that will ende it Incontinently vpon returne of the VOLSCES ambassadours and deliuerie of the ROMAINES aunswer Tullus caused an assembly generall to be made of the VOLSCES and concluded to make warre apon the ROMAINES This done Tullus dyd counsell them to take Martius into their seruice and not to mistrust him for the remembraunce of any thing past but boldely to trust him in any matter to come for he would doe them more seruice in fighting for them then euer he dyd them displeasure in fighting against them So Martius was called forth who spake so excellently in the presence of them all
handes he stabbed his dagger in them both and slue them outright But after this facte all his seruauntes and friendes refused him and there only taried with him but Euander CRETAN Archedamus AETOLIAN and Neo BOEOTIAN And as for the meane souldiers there were none that followed him but the CRETANS yet it was not for the good will they dyd beare him but for the loue of his golde and siluer as bees that keepe their hiues for loue of the hony For he caried with him a great treasure and gaue them leaue to spoyle certen plate and vessell of golde and siluer to the value of fiftie talents But first of all when he was come into the cittie of AMPHIPOLIS and afterwards into the cittie of ALEPSE and that the feare was well blowen ouer he returned againe to his olde humour which was borne and bred with him and that was auarice and miserie For he made his complainte vnto those that were about him that he had vnwares geuen to the souldiers of CRETA his plate and vessell of gold to be spoyled being those which in olde time belonged vnto Alexander the great prayed them with teares in his eyes that had the plate they would be contented to chaunge it for ready money Now suche as knewe his nature sounde streight this was but a fraude and a CRETAN lye to deceaue the CRETANS with but those that trusted him and dyd restore againe the plate they had dyd loose it euery iotte for he neuer payed them pennie of it So he got of his friendes the value of thirtie talents which his enemies sone after dyd take from him And with that summe he went into the I le of SAMOTHRACIA where he tooke the sanctuarie and priuiledge of the temple of Castor and Pollux They saye that the MACEDONIANS of long continuaunce dyd naturally loue their Kings but then seeing all their hope and expectation broken their hartes failed them and broke withall For they all came and submitted them selues vnto AEmylius and made him lorde of the whole Realme of MACEDON in two dayes and this doth seeme to confirme their wordes who impute all AEmilius doings vnto his good fortune And surely the maruelous fortune he happened on in the cittie of AMPHIPOLIS doth confirme it muche which a man cannot ascribe otherwise but to the speciall grace of the godds For one daye beginning to doe sacrifice lightning fell from heauen and set all the wodde a fire apon the aulter sanctified the sacrifice But yet the miracle of his fame is more to be wondred at For foure dayes after Perseus had lost the battell that the cittie of PELLA was taken as the people of ROME were at the listes or showe place seing horses ronne for games sodainly there rose a rumour at the entring into the listes where the games were how AEmylius had wonne a great battell of king Perseus and had conquered all MACEDON This newes was rise straight in euery mans mouthe and there followed vpon it a maruelous ioye and great cheere in euery corner with showtes and clapping of handes that continued all the daye through the cittie of ROME Afterwards they made diligent enquierie how this rumour first came vp but no certaine authour could be knowen and euery man sayed they heard it spoken so as in the ende it came to nothing and passed awaye in that sorte for a time But shortely after there came letters and certen newes that made them wonder more then before from whence the messenger came that reported the first newes of it which could be deuised by no naturall meanes and yet proued true afterwards We doe reade also of a battell that was fought in ITALIE nere vnto the riuer of SAGRA wherof newes was brought the very same daye vnto PELOPONNESVS And of another also in like manner that was fought in ASIA against the MEDES before the cittie of MYCALA the newes whereof came the same daye vnto the campe of the GRAECIANS lying before the cittie of PLATOEES And in that great iorney where the ROMAINES ouerthrewe the Tarquines and the armie of the LATINES immediatly after the battell was wonne they sawe two goodly young men come newly from the campe who brought newes of the victorie to ROME and they iudge they were Castor and Pollux The first man that spake to them in the market place before the fountaine where they watered their horse being all of a white fome tolde them that he wondred howe they could so quickly bring these newes And they laughing came to him and tooke him softely by the beard with both their handes and euen in the market place his heare being blacke before was presently turned yellowe This miracle made them beleeue the reporte the man made who euer after was called AEnobarbus as you would saye bearded as yellowe as golde Another like matter that happened in our time maketh all suche newes credible For when Antonius rebelled against the emperour Domitian the cittie of ROME was in a maruelous perplexitie bicause they looked for great warres towards GERMANIE But in this feare there grewe a sodaine rumour of victorie and it went currantly through ROME that Antonius him selfe was slaine and all his armie ouerthrowen not a man left a liue This rumour was so rife that many of the chiefest men of ROME beleeued it and dyd sacrifice thereupon vnto the goddes geuing them thankes for the victorie But when the matter came to sifting who was the first authour of the rumour no man could tell For one put it ouer still to another and dyed so in the ende amongest the people as in a bottomles matter for they could neuer boult out any certen grounde of it but euen as it came flying into ROME so went it flying awaye againe no man can tell howe Notwithstanding Domitian holding on his iorney to make this warre met with postes that brought him letters for the certen victorie and remembring the rumour of the victorie that ranne before in ROME he founde it true that it was on the very same daye the victorie was gotten and the distaunce betweene ROME the place where the field was wonne was aboue twenty thousand furlōges of Euery man in our time knoweth this to be true But againe to our historie Cn. Octanius lieutenant of the armie of AEmylius by sea came to ancker vnder the I le of SAMOTHRACIA where he would not take Perseus by force out of the sanctuarie where he was for the reuerence he dyd beare vnto the goddes Castor and Pollux but he dyd besiege him in suche sorte as he could not scape him nor flye by sea out of the Ilande Yet he had secretly practised with one Oroandes a CRETAN that had a brigantine and was at a prise with him for a summe of money to conuey him awaye by night but the CRETAN serued him a right CRETANS tricke For when he had taken a borde by night into his vessell all the Kings
them three hundred seuen and thirtie thousand foure hundred and two and fiftie men and Marcus AEmylius Lepidus named president of the Senate who had that honour foure times before and dyd put of the counsell three Senatours that were but meane men And the like meane and moderation he his companion Martius Philippus kept vpon viewe and muster taken of the ROMAINE horsemen And after he had ordered and disposed the greatest matters of his charge and office he fell sicke of a disease that at the beginning seemed very daungerous but in the ende there was no other daunger sauing that it was a lingring disease and hard to cure So following the counsell of phisitians who willed him to goe to a cittie in ITALY called VELIA he tooke sea and went thither and continued there a long time dwelling in pleasaunt houses vpon the sea side quietly and out of all noyse But during this time of his absence the ROMAINES wished for him many a time and ofte And when they were gathered together in the Theaters to see the playes and sportes they cried out diuers times for him whereby they shewed that they had a great desire to see him againe Time being come about when they vsed to make a solemne yerely sacrifice and AEmylius finding him selfe also in good perfect health he returned againe to ROME where he made the sacrifice with the other priestes all the people of ROME gathering about him reioycing muche to see him The next daye after he made another particular sacrifice to geue thankes vnto the goddes for recouerie of his healthe After the sacrifice was ended he went home to his house sate him downe to dinner he sodainly fell into a rauing without any perseuerance of sicknes spied in him before or any chaunge or alteration in him and his wittes went from him in suche sorte that he dyed within three dayes after lacking no necessarie thing that an earthly man could haue to make him happy in this world For he was euen honoured at his funeralles and his vertue was adorned with many goodly glorious ornaments neither with gold siluer nor iuorie nor with other suche sumptuousnes or magnificence of apparell but with the loue and good will of the people all of them confessing his vertue and well doing and this dyd not only his naturall country men performe in memorie of him but his very enemies also For all those that met in ROME by chaunce at that time that were either come out of SPAYNE from GENVA or out of MACEDON all those that were young and strong dyd willingly put them selues vnder the coffin where his bodie laye to helpe to carie him to the churche and the olde men followed his bodie to accompany the same calling AEmylius the benefactour sauiour and father of their countrie For he dyd not only intreate them gently and graciously whom he had subdued but all his life time he was euer ready to pleasure them and to set forwardes their causes euen as they had bene his confederates very friends and neere kinsemen The inuentorie of all his goodes after his death dyd scant amownte vnto the summe of three hundred three score and tenne thousand siluer Drachmes which his two sonnes dyd inherite But Scipio being the younger left all his right vnto his elder brother Fabius bicause he was adopted into a very riche house which was the house of the great Scipio Africanus Suche they saye was Paulus AEmylius conditions and life The ende of Paulus AEmylius life THE LIFE OF Timoleon BEFORE Timoleon was sent into SICILE thus stoode the state of the SYRACVSANS After that Dion had driuen out the tyranne Dionysius he him selfe after was slaine immediatly by treason and those that ayded him to restore the SYRACVSANS to their libertie fell out and were at dissention among them selues By reason whereof the cittie of SYRACVSA chaunging continually newe tyrannes was so troubled and turmoiled with all sorte of euills that it was left in manner desolate and without inhabitants The rest of SICILE in like case was vtterly destroyed and no citties in manner left standing by reason of the long warres and those fewe that remained were most inhabited of forreine souldiers straungers a company of lose men gathered together that tooke paye of no prince nor cittie all the dominions of the same being easely vsurped and as easie to chaunge their lorde In so muche Dionysius the tyranne tenne yeres after Dion had driuen him out of SICILE hauing gathered a certen number of souldiers together againe and through their helpe driuen out Niseus that raigned at that time in SYRACVSA he recouered the Realme againe and made him selfe king So if he was straungely expulsed by a small power out of the greatest Kingdome that euer was in the worlde likewise he more straungely recouered it againe being banished and very poore making him selfe King ouer them who before had driuen him out Thus were the inhabitants of the cittie compelled to serue this tyranne who besides that of his owne nature he was neuer curteous nor ciuill he was now growen to be farre more dogged and cruell by reason of the extreme miserie and misfortune he had endured But the noblest cittizens repaired vnto Icetes who at that time as lorde ruled the cittie of the LEONTINES and they chose him for their generall in these warres not for that he was any thing better then the open tyrannes but bicause they had no other to repaire vnto at that time they trusted him best for that he was borne as them selues within the cittie of SYRACVSA bicause also he had men of warre about him to make head against this tyranne But in the meane time the CARTHAGINIANS came downe into SICILE with a great armie and inuaded the countrie The SYRACVSANS being afrayed of them determined to send ambassadours into GRAECE vnto the CORINTHIANS to praye ayde of them against the barbarous people hauing better hope of them then of any other of the GRAECIANS And that not altogether bicause they were lineally descended from them and that they had receyued in times past many pleasures at their handes but also for that they knewe that CORINTHE was a cittie that in all ages and times dyd euer loue libertie and hate tyrannes and that had allwayes made their greatest warres not for ambition of Kingdomes nor of couetous desire to conquer and rule but only to defend and mainteine the libertie of the GRAECIANS But Icetes in another contrarie sorte he tooke apon him to be generall with a minde to make him selfe king of SYRACVSA For he had secretly practised with the CARTHAGINIANS and openly notwithstanding in words he commended the counsell and determination of the SYRACVSANS and sent ambassadours from him selfe also with theirs vnto PELOPONNESVS not that he was desirous any ayde should come from them to SYRACVSA but bicause he hoped if the CORINTHIANS refused to send them ayde as it was very likely they would
Captaines and leaders of men of warre to the deathe and specially for the tretcherie of Calippus and Pharax whereof the one was an ATHENIAN and the other a LACEDAEMONIAN Both of them sayed they came to set SICILE at libertie and to driue out the tyrans and yet neuertheles they had done so much hurte vnto the poore SICILIANS that the miserie and calamitie which they had suffered vnder the tyrans seemed all to be golde vnto them in respect of that which the Captaines had made them to abyde And they did not thinke them more happy that had willingly submitted them selues vnto the yoke of seruitude then those which they sawe restored and set at libertie Therefore perswading them selues that this CORINTHIAN woulde be no better vnto them then the other had bene before but supposing they were the selfe same former craftes and alluring baytes of good hope and fayer wordes which they had tasted of before to drawe them to accept newe tyrans they did sore suspect it and reiected all the CORINTHIANS perswasions Sauing the ADRANITANS onely whose litle citie being consecrated to the god Adranus and greatly honored and reuerenced through all SICILE was then in dissention one against an other in so muche as one parte of them tooke parte with Icetes and the CARTHAGINIANS and an other side of them sent vnto Timoleon So it fortuned that bothe the one and the other making all the possible speede they coulde who shoulde come first arriued bothe in manner at one selfe tyme. Icetes had about fiue thowsande souldiers Timoleon had not in all aboue twelue hundred men with the which he departed to goe towards the citie of ADRANVS distant from TAVROMENION about three hundred and fortie furlonges For the first dayes iorney he went no great way but lodged betymes but the next morning he marched very hastely had maruelous ill way When night was come and day light shut in he had newes that Icetes did but newyly arriue before ADRANVS where he encamped When the priuate captaines vnderstood this they caused the voward to stay to eate repose a litle that they might be the lustier the stronger to fight But Timoleon did set still forwards prayed them not to stay but to goe on with all the speede they could possible that they might take their enemies out of order as it was likely they should being but newly arriued troubled with making their cabbons preparing for supper Therewithall as he spake these wordes he tooke his target on his arme and marched him selfe the formost man as brauely and coragiously as if he had gon to a most assured victorie The souldiers seeing him marche with that life they followed at his heeles with like corage So they had not passing thirty furlonges to goe which when they had ouercomen they straight set apon their enemies whome they found all out of order and began to flye so soone as they saw they were vpon their backes before they were aware By this meanes there were not aboue three hundred men slayne and twise as many moe taken prisoners and so their whole campe was possessed Then the ADRANITANS opening their gates yelded vnto Timoleon declaring vnto him with great feare and no lesse wonder how at the very time when he gaue charge apon the enemies the dores of the temple of their god opened of them selues that the Iaueling which the Image of their god did hold in his hand did shake at the very ende where the iron head was and how all his face was seene to sweate This in my opinion did not onely signifie the victorie he had gotten at that time but all the notable exploytes he did afterwardes vnto the which this first encounter gaue a happye beginning For immediatly after many cities sent vnto Timoleon to ioyne in league with him And Mamercus the tyran of CATANA a souldier and very full of money did also seeke his friendship Furthermore Dionysius the tyran of SYRACVSA being weary to follow hope any longer and finding him selfe in maner forced vnto it by long continuance of seige made no more reckoning of Icetes when he knewe that he was so shamefully ouertrowen And contrariwise much esteeming Timoleons valiantnes he sent to aduertise him that he was contented to yelde him selfe and the castell into the handes of the CORINTHIANS Timoleon being glad of this good happe vnlooked for sent Euclides and Telemachus two Captaines of the CORINTHIANS to take possession of the castell with fowre hundred men not all at a tyme nor openly for it was vnpossible the enemies lying in wayte in the hauen but by small companies and by stelthe he conueyed them all into the castell So the souldiers possessed the castell and the tyrans pallace with all the moueables and municion of warres within the same There were a great number of horse of seruice great store of staues and weapons offensiue of all sortes and engynes of batterie to shoote farre of and sundry other weapons of defence that had bene gathered together of long tyme to arme threescore and tenne thowsand men Moreouer besides all this there were two thowsand souldiers whome with all the other thinges rehearsed Dionysius deliuered vp into the handes of Timoleon and he him selfe with his money and a few of his friendes went his way by sea Icetes not knowing it and so came to Timoleons campe This was the first tyme that euer they sawe Dionysius a priuate man in base and meane estate And yet within fewe dayes after Timoleon sent him from thence vnto CORINTHE in a shippe with litle store of money Who was borne and brought vp in the greatest and most famous tyrannie and kingdome conquered by force that euer was in the world and which him selfe had kept by the space of tenne yeares after the death of his father Since Dion draue him out he had bene maruelously turmoyled in warres by the space of twelue yeares in which time although he had done muche mischiefe yet he had suffered also a great deale more For he sawe the death of his sonnes when they were men growen and able to serue and cary armor He saw his daughters rauished by force deflowred of their virginitie He saw his owne sister who was also his wife first of all shamed cruelly handled in her person with the greatest villanies most vile partes done vnto her that his enemies could deuise afterwards horribly murdered with his childrē their bodies in the end throwen into the sea as we haue more amply declared in the life of Dion Now when Dionysius was arryued in the cittie of CORINTHE euery GRAECIAN was wonderfull desirous to go see him and to talke with him And some went thither very glad of his ouerthrow as if they had troden him downe with their feete whom fortune had ouerthrowen so bitterly did they hate him Other pittiyng him in their heartes to see so great a chaunge did behold him as
it were with a certaine compassion considering what great power secret and diuine causes haue ouer mens weakenes and frailtie and those thinges that daily passeth ouer our heades For the world then did neuer bring forth any worke of nature or of mans hand so wonderful as was this of fortune Who made the world see a man that before was in maner Lorde and King of all SICILE sit then commonly in the cittie of CORINTHE talking with a vitailer or sitting a whole day in a perfumers shoppe or commonly drinking in some celler or tauerne or to brawle and scolde in the middest of the streetes with common whores in face of the world or els to teach common minstrels in euery lane alley and to dispute with them with the best reason he had about the harmony musike of the songs they sang in the THEATERS Now some say he did this bicause he knew not els how he should driue the time away for that in dede he was of a base mynde and an effeminate person giuen ouer to all dishonest lusts and desires Other are of opiniō he did it to be the lesse regarded for feare lest the CORINTHIANS should haue him in gealouzy and suspicion Imagining that he did take the chaunge and state of his lyfe in grieuous part and that he should yet looke backe hoping for a tyme to recouer his state againe and that for this cause he did it and of purpose fained many thinges against his nature seeming to be a starke nideotte to see him do those thinges he did Some notwithstanding haue gathered together certaine of his answers which doe testifie that he did not all these thinges of a base brutish mynde but to fitte himselfe onely to his present misery and misfortune For when he came to LEVCADES an auncient cittie built by the CORINTHIANS as was also the citty of SYRACVSA he told the inhabitants of the same that he was like to yong boyes that had done a fault For as they flye from their fathers being ashamed to come in their sight are gladder to be with their brethrē euē so is it with me said he for it would please me better to dwell here with you then to go to CORINTHE our head citty Another tyme being at CORINTHE a stranger was very busie with him knowing how familiar Dionysius was with learned men and Philosophers while he raigned in SYRACVSA and asked him in the ende in derision what benefite he got by Platoes wisedome and knowledge he answered him againe how thinkest thou hath it done me no good whē thou seest me beare so paciently this change of fortune Aristoxenus a musitian and other asking him what offence Plato had done vnto him he answered That tyrans state is euer vnfortunate and subiect to many euills but yet no euill in their state was comparable to this That none of all those they take to be their most familiars dare once tell them truely any thing and that through their fault he left Platoes company Another tyme there commeth a pleasaunt fellow to him and thinking to mocke him fiuely as he entred into his chamber he shooke his gowne as the manner is when they come to tyrans to shewe that they haue no weapons vnder their gownes But Dionysius encountred him as pleasantly saying to him do that whē thou goest hēce to se if thou hast stollē nothing And again Philip King of MACEDON at his table one day discēding into talke of songs verse and tragedies which Dionysius his father had made making as though he wondred at thē how possibly he could haue leisure to do them he answered him very trimly and to good purpose He did them euen at such tymes quod he as you and I and all other great Lordes whom they recken happy are disposed to be drunke play the fooles Now for Plato he neuer saw Dionysius at CORINTHE But Diogenes Sinopian the first tyme that euer he met with Dionysius sayd vnto him O how vnworthy art thou of this state Dionysius stayed sodainely and replied Truly I thanke thee Diogenes that thou hast compassion of my misery Why sayd Diogenes againe Doest thou thinke I pitty thee Nay it spiteth me rather to see such a slaue as thou worthy to dye in the wicked state of a tyrant like thy father to lyue in such securitie and idle lyfe as thou leadest amongst vs When I came to compare these wordes of Diogenes with Philistus wordes the Historiographer bewailing the harde fortune of the daughters of the LEPTINES saying that they were brought from the toppe of all worldly felicity honor and goodes whereof tyrannicall state aboundeth vnto a base priuate and humble life me thinkes they are the proper lamentations of a woman that soroweth for the losse of her boxes of painting cullers or for her purple gownes or for other suche prety fine trimmes of golde as women vse to weare So me thinkes these things I haue intermingled concerning Dionysius are not impartinent to the description of our liues neither are they troublesom not vnprofitable to the hearers oneles they haue other hasty busines to let or trouble them But now if the tyraunt Dionysius wretched state seeme straunge Timoleons prosperitie then was no lesse wonderfull For within fiftie dayes after he had set foote in SICILE he had the castel of SYRACVSA in his possession and sent Dionysius as an exile to CORINTHE This did set the CORINTHIANS in suche a iollitie that they sent him a supply of two thousand footemen and two hundred horsemen which were appointed to land in ITALIE in the countrie of the THVRIANS And perceyuing that they could not possiblie goe from thence into SICILE bicause the CARTHAGINIANS kept the seas with a great nauie of shippes and that thereby they were compelled to staye for better oportunitie in the meane time they bestowed their leysure in doing a notable good acte For the THVRIANS being in warres at that time with the BRVTIANS they dyd put their cittie into their hands which they kept very faithfully and friendly as it had bene their owne natiue countrie Icetes all this while dyd besiege the castel of SYRACVSA preuenting all he could possible that there should come no corne by sea vnto the CORINTHIANS that kept within the castell and he had hiered two straunge souldiers which he sent vnto the cittie of ADRANVS to kill Timoleon by treason who kept no garde about his persone and continued amongest the ADRANITANS mistrusting nothing in the world for the trust and confidence he had in the safegard of the god of the ADRANITANS These souldiers being sent to do this murther were by chaunce enformed that Timoleon should one day do sacrifice vnto this god So apon this they came into the temple hauing daggers vnder their gownes by litle and litle thrust in through the prease that they got at the length hard to the aulter But at the present time as one encoraged another
grewe so highe and rancke in the great markett place of SYRACVSA as they grased their horses there and the horsekeepers laye downe by them on the grasse as they fed and that all the cities a fewe excepted were full of redde deare and wilde bores so that men geuen to delite in hunting hauing leysure might finde game many tymes within the suburbes and towne dytches hard by the walles and that such as dwelt in castells and stronge holdes in the contrye would not leaue them to come and dwell in cities by reason they were all growen to stowte and did so hate and detest assemblies of counsell orations and order of gouernment where so many tyrans had reigned Timoleon thereuppon seeing this desolacion and also so fewe SYRACVSANS borne that had escaped thought good and all his Captaines to write to the CORINTHIANS to send people out of GREECE to inhabite the citie of SYRACVSA agayne For otherwise the contrye would growe barren and vnprofitable if the grounde were not plowed Besides that they looked also for great warres out of AFRICKE being aduertised that the CARTHAGINIANS had honge vp the body of Mago their general vpon a crosse who had slayne him selfe for that he could not aunswere the dishonor layed to his charge and that they did leauy another great mightie armie to returne againe the next yere following to make warres in SICILE These letters of Timoleon being brought vnto CORINTHE and the Embassadors of SYRACVSA being arriued with them also who besought the people to take care and protection ouer their poore citie and that they would once againe be fownders of the same the CORINTHIANS did not gredily desire to be Lordes of so goodly and great a citie but first proclaymed by the trompett in all the assemblies solemne feastes and common playes of GREECE that the CORINTHIANS hauing destroyed the tirannie that was in the citie of SYRACVSA and driuen out the tyrannes did call the SYRACVSANS that were fugitiues out of their contrye home againe and all other SICILIANS that liked to come and dwell there to enioy all freedom and libertie with promise to make iust and equall diuision of the landes among them the one to haue as much as the other Moreouer they sent out postes and messengers into ASIA and into all the Ilands where they vnderstoode the banished SYRACVSANS remayned to perswade and intreat them to come to CORINTHE and that the CORINTHIANS would giue them shippes Captaines and meanes to conduct them safely vnto SYRACVSA at their owne proper costes and charges In recompence whereof the citie of CORINTHE receaued euery mans most noble praise and blessing as well for deliuering SICILE in that sorte from the bondage of tyrannes as also for keeping it out of the handes of the barbarous people and restored the naturall SYRACVSANS and SICILIANS to their home and contrye againe Neuertheles such SICILIANS as repayred to CORINTHE apon this proclamacion them selues being but a small number to inhabite the contrye besought the CORINTHIANS to ioyne to them some other inhabitantes aswell of CORINTHE it selfe as out of the rest of GREECE the which was performed For they gathered together about tenne thowsand persons whom they shipped and sent to SYRACVSA Where there were already a great number of other comen vnto Timoleon aswell out of SICILE it self as out of al ITALYE besides so that the whole number as Athâ—nis writeth came to three score thowsand persons Amongst them he deuided the whole contrye and sold them houses of the citie vnto the value of a thowsand talents And bicause he would leaue the olde STRACVSANS able to recouer their owne and make the poore people by this meanes to haue money in common to defraye the common charges of the citie as also their expences in time of warres the statues or images were solde and the people by the most voyces did condemne them For they were solemly indited accused arraigned as if they had bene men aliue to be condemned And it is reported that the SYRACVSANS did reserue the statue of Gelon an auncient tyranne of their citie honoring his memorie bicause of a great victorie he had wonne of the CARTHAGINIANS neare the citie of HIMERA and condemned all the rest to be taken away out of euery corner of the citie and to be sold. Thus beganne the citie of SYRACVSA to replenishe againe and by litle and litle to recouer it selfe many people comming thither from all partes to dwell there Thereupon Timoleon thought to set all other cities at libertie also and vtterly to roote out all the tyrans of SICILE and to obteyne his purpose he went to make warres with them at their owne dores The first he went against was Icetes whome he compelled to forsake the league of the CARTHAGINIANS and to promise also that he would rase all the fortresses he kept and to liue like a priuate man within the citie of the LEONTINES Leptines in like maner that was tyran of the citie of APOLLONIA and of many other litle villages thereabouts when he saw him selfe in daunger to be taken by force did yeld him selfe Whereupon Timoleon saued his life and sent him vnto CORINTHE thinking it honorable for his contrye that the other GRAECIANS should see the tyrans of SICILE in their chiefe citie of fame liuing meanely and poorely like banished people When he had brought this to passe he returned forthwith to SYRACVSA about the stablishment of the common weale assisting Cephalus and Dionysius two notable men sent from CORINTHE to reforme the lawes and to helpe them to stablishe the goodliest ordinaunces for their common weale And now in the meane time bicause the souldiers had a minde to get some thing of their enemies and to auoydidlenes he sent them out abroade to a contrye subiect to the CARTHAGINIANS vnder the charge of Dimarchus and Demaratus Where they made many litle townes rebell against the barbarous people and did not onely liue in all aboundance of wealth but they gathered money together also to mainteyne the warres The CARTHAGINIANS on thother side while they were busy about the matters came downe into LILYBEA with an armie of three score and tenne thowsand men two hundred gallyes and a thowsand other shippes and vessells that caried engines of batterie cartes vittells municion and other necessary prouision for a campe intending to make sporting warres no more but at once to driue all the GRAECIANS againe quite out of SICILE For in deede it was an able armie to ouercome all the SICILIANS if they had bene whole of them selues and not diuided Now they being aduertised that the SICILIANS had inuaded their contrye they went towards them in great furie led by Asdrubal Amilcar generalls of the armie This newes was straight brought to SYRACVSA and the inhabitants were so striken with feare of the report of their armie that being a maruelous great number of them within the citie scant three thowsand of them had the hartes to arme them selues
lawe and decree that if any ATHENIAN passing to and fro through the contrie of BOEOTIA did beare armor against the thirtie tyrannes that were gouernors and oppressors of the libertie of ATHENS there should no BOEOTIAN seeme to see or knowe any thing therof In the mean time Pelopidas though he were of the younger sort did procure still euery one that was banished to seeke the libertie of his contrie and openly made an oration to them all declaring that it were not onely a cowardly part but also a wicked offence to the goddes if they would suffer their contrie to remaine so in cōtinuall bondage straungers to inhabite it with a garrison to make them subiect to the yoke and they in the meane time to be contēted to saue thē selues to liue delicately and idely at ATHENS to studie to doe what shal please the ATHENIANS to commaund thē to be affraide of the orators those which through eloquence can perswade the common people to doo what they lust Therefore he perswaded them that they should hazard all being a matter of so great weight and take example of Thrasybulus noble corage and hardynes who departing from THEBES did driue out the tyrannes that did oppresse ATHENS and euen so we departing from ATHENS should seeke to deliuer Thebes also from bōdage When he had by these perswasions drawen them to his opinion they secretely sent vnto their frendes that remayned still in THEBES to let them vnderstand their minde and determination who all lyked very well of their purpose Insomuche CHARON that was the chiefest man among them promised to lende them his house to assemble in Philidas also founde meanes to be secretarie to Philip and Archias who were gouerners captaines of the city at that time for the LACEDAEMONIANS Epaminondas on thother side making no shewe of any thing had of longe time practised to styrre vp the corage of the younge men of THEBES For when they were at any games or exercises of bodye he woulde euer procure them to wrastle with the LACEDAEMONIANS And after he sawe them reioyce when they had cast them and that they were the stronger he would chide them tell them they might be ashamed for lacke of corage to suffer the LACEDAEMONIANS to hold their noses to the gryndstone that were nothing like to them in strength Now the confederates appointed a day certen to breake the I se of their pretended enterprise agreed that Pherenicus with other that were banished shoulde tarie at the village of THRIASIVM and that they should sende the valliauntest and lustest young men before to geue the venter to enter the cittie adding this therewithall that if the enemies fortuned to surprise them all the other of the conspiracie ioyntly togeather should be ready to geue order that their fathers mothers and children should lacke nothing necessarie for them Pelopidas was the first man offered him selfe to vndertake the enterprise after him Melon Damoclidas Theopompas all three men of the greatest houses of THEBES who loued maruelously togeather and for no respect would euer offend one another although from the beginning there was euer emulation among them for honor glory by striuing who should exceede other in vertue valliantnes Now they were twelue of them who taking leaue of the rest sent a foote post before to Charon to aduertise him of their comming and they them selues went on their iorney casting litle short clokes apon them and taking houndes with them and hunters staues in their handes bicause their enterprise should not be mistrusted by those that met them on the way and that they should thinke them hunters vp and downe the feildes for their pleasure So whē their messenger they sent came to the cittie and had tolde Charon that they were comming he neuer shronke from his worde though the daunger towarde was great but like a stowt and honest man did abide by his promise he made and tolde him they should be most hartely welcom to his house But another man called Hipposthenidas very honest otherwise one that loued his contry and the preseruation thereof and a good frend of those also that were banished fainting straight apon the sodaine report of these newes and his minde was troubled and his hart fayled him so as his nose fell a bleeding to thinke apon the greatnes of the instant daunger he was like to fal into hauing neuer cast before with him selfe how by this enterprise they shoulde put all the empire of the LACEDAEMONIANS in hazard of vtter destruction and laye a plat besides to ouerthrowe all their owne common weale and state by laying al their hope apon a fewe banished men hardly able to wade through with their enterprise Whereupon so sone as he was come home he secretly dispatched a messenger one of his familliar frends vnto Melon Pelopidas to will them they should deferre their enterprise for better oportunitie so to returne backe again to ATHENS Chlidon was the man he sent of this message who presently went home to his house and taking his horse out of the stable had his wife fetche him the brydell quickly The brydell not being readily to be founde she told him she had her it out to one of their neighbours Then they fell a chiding together about it and at length brake out to fowle wordes and lastely his wife fell a cursing of him and prayed the goddes he might haue ill lucke in his iorney and those that sent him Chlidon hauing spent the most part of the day chiding and brawling with his wife about the brydell and furthermore misliking the tokens of his wiues cursing and banning of him he determined not to goe a foote out of the dores of that arrant and so went about some other busines Thus had this noble enterprise in manner bene altogeather dashed before it was fully begonne Now those that were in Pelopidas companie chaunged apparell with the contrie men bicause they woulde not be knowen and did diuide themselues for that they would not come into the cittie 〈…〉 together but at diuers gates beinge day light At that time it was a meruelous winde and great snowe and the weather was so boysterous that euery man got him within dores which fell out happily for the conspirators that they were not knowen when they came into the cittie So their frendes and confederates within the citie receaued them as they came and brought them to Charons house where were assembled together with those that were banished eight and forty persones only Now for the tyrans thus stoode the matter with them Philidas their secretary was of the conspiracy as we haue told you before and he knewe all the practise Wherefore he had longe before solemnely bidden Archias and his companie to supper to his house that verie night to be mery together had promised to entertaine them with women to welcome them with all of purpose that when they had in
of CENCHREES they ouerthrew the ATHENIANS that came to trouble them in entringe into the straight of PELOPONNESVS supposinge to haue stopped their passage Thus was the valliantnes of these two worthy men greatly commended and honored of euery body for so many notable exployts victories as they had wonne and their maruelous good successe greatly wondered at But as their glory and renowne increased abroade so did their contrie mens malice and enuie encrease against them at home who had prepared such a welcome home for them as was to bad and vile for so honorable seruice as they had done For Epaminondas and Pelopidas bothe at their returne were accused of treason For there was a speciall law at THEBES that commaūded all such as should happen to be gouernors of BOEOTIA to resigne their office immediatly to the new officers elect at the beginning of the first moneth of the yeare which in BOEOTIA they call BOVCATION and they had kept it foure whole moneths aboue their tearme appointed in which time they had done all that we haue spokē of before as well in the prouince of MESSENIA of ARCADIA as also in the contrie of LACONIA Pelopidas was the first of the two that was called in by processe therfore he stoode in the greater daūger howbeit in the end they were both discharged again As for Epaminondas he tooke his accusatiō the attempt of his enemies wherby they sought to haue cast them both away quietly enough Iudging that pacience to those that deale in state and gouernment is a great shew of force magnanimitie But Pelopidas being of a hotter nature and more chollericke and set on besides by some of his friendes did take this occasion to be reuenged Meneclidas the orator was one of those that came into Charons house with Pelopidas and Melon but notwithstandinge the THEBANS did nothing honor him as they did the rest He taking this ill at their handes being maruelous eloquent of speeche but vitiously geuen otherwayes and a man of a vile and mischieuous nature did fondly abuse his eloquence falsely accusinge those that were his betters in honesty and credit And not beinge contented with this first accusation he practised so commonly that he put Epaminondas one yeare from being gouernor of BOEOTIA which he sued for and moreouer he was euer against him in all matters of state he tooke in hande But he coulde neuer bring Pelopidas out of fauour with the people and therefore he sought to make bate betwixt him and Charon For it is the common tricke of all spitefull persones when they can not be thought so honest men as those whome they enuie to go about to proue that they are not so honest and meete men as those whome they preferre and commende So in all his orations he made to the people he continually extolled and commended Charons noble actes and victories and specially that victory aboue other which the THEBANS wanne before the iorney of LEVCTRES in a skirmish of horsemen that was before the city of PLATEES he hauinge charge of the same of the which he woulde leaue this memory Androcydes a CYZICENIAN and painter was at a price with the THEBANS to painte them some other battell in a table and he did drawe this worke in the citie selfe of THEBES but as he was in hand with all the rebellion of the THEBANS fell out against the LACEDAEMONIANS and warre followed on the necke of that whereuppon the painter forsooke THEBES leauinge his worke in manner done and perfitte The THEBANS kept this table by them and this Meneclidas moued the people they woulde hange it vp in some temple or publicke place with an inscription apon it sayinge thus This was Charons victorie of purpose to deface and obscure the glorie of Pelopidas and of Epaminondas To vaine and fond was his ambition to set before so many noble battells and victories one simple ouerthrowe of Charon in the which Gerandas one of the meanest gentlemen of all SPARTA was slayne and forty other with him this was all he did Pelopidas misliked Meneclidas motion maintaining that it was directly against the lawes of THEBES which did expresly forbid that no priuate person should be honored with the title of common victorie but willed the glory thereof should be attributed to all the people generally In dede Pelopidas in all his orations did greatly praise and commend Charon notwithstandinge he made open proofe howe Meneclidas was an enuious and spitefull detractor and a naughty wicked man oftentimes askinge the THEBANS if they them selues were worthy of no honor so as in the end he caused Meneclidas to be condemned in a great summe of money But he finding him selfe vnable to pay it beinge so great a summe practised afterwardes to alter the whole state and gouernment I thought good to dilate this at large bicause me thinkes it doth somewhat declare Pelopidas nature and maners what they were Now about that time Alexander the tyran of PHERES was at open warres with many people of THESSALIE and did vse all policie he coulde to bringe them all to his obedience Whereupon the free cities sent their Ambassadors vnto THEBES to pray them to send them a captaine with an armie to aide them Then Pelopidas seeinge Epaminondas occupied about the warres of PELOPONNESVS did offer himselfe to the THESSALIAN Ambassadors beinge lothe to drowne his experience and sufficiency in warres with vnprofitable and tedious idlenes knowing that in those partes where Epaminondas lay there neded no other captaine Now when he came with his armie into THESSALIE the citie of LARISSA yelded presently vnto him where the tyran Alexander came to mete with him and to pray him to treate a peace betwixt him and the THESSALIANS Pelopidas attempted to bring it to passe seeking in steade of a tyran to make him a gentle iust and lawefull gouernor of THESSALIE But when he saw no perswasions could take place with the tyran and that he grewe more stubborne and vntractable and woulde not heare reason and moreouer that he heard many greuous complaintes of his great cruelties and how they accused him to be a maruelous dissolute and vnruly person in all his doinges and extreamely couetous besides then he beganne to speake roundly to him and to handle him roughly But the tyran thereupon stole away secretely from him and fled with his gard and souldiers about him So Pelopidas leauinge the THESSALIANS out of all feare and daunger of the tyran and furthermore in good peace and amity one with the other he went into MACEDON where Ptolomy made warre at that time with Alexander beinge kinge of MACEDON they bothe hauing sent for him to heare and determine the quarrell betwixt them and also to helpe him that had the right against him that did the wrong So when he came thither he pacified them bothe and restored the banished men of either side to their landes and goodes againe For assurance of
hundred horsemen vnder the conduct of Malcitas and of Diogiton They findinge Alexanders army ouerthrowen that he had lost the most parte of his strength did compel him to geue vp the THESSALIANS townes he kept by force against thē to set the MAGNESIANS the PHTHIOTES the ACHAIANS at liberty withdrawinge his garrisons he had placed in their strong holdes and therewithall to sweare that from thence forth he would marche vnder the THEBANS against any enemy they should leade him or commaunde him to go against So the THEBANS were pacified apon these conditions Now will I tell you how the gods plagued him soone after for Pelopidas death who as we haue tolde you before had pretily instructed THEBE his wife that she shoulde not feare the outward appearance nor power of his tyranny although she were enuironed with souldiers of banished mē whom the tyran enterteined to gard his person He self on the other side fearing his falshode as also hating his cruelty conspired her husbands death with her three brethren Tisiphomus Pytholaus Lycophron executed her cōspiracy after this sorte The tyrans palice where he lay was straightly garded euery where with souldiers who nightly watched his persone but their bed chamber which they cōmonly vsed to lie in was in the top of al his palice where they kept a dog tyed at the chamber dore to giue warninge which was a terrible dog and knewe none but the tyran and his wife and his keeper that gaue him meate Nowe when Thebe purposed to worke her feate she locked vp her three brethren a whole day neere vnto their bed chamber So when night was come and being bed time The went her selfe alone according to her maner into Alexanders chamber and finding him a sleepe she stale out straight againe and bad the keeper of the dogge to cary the dogge away for her husbande was disposed to take rest and would haue no noyse There was no way to get vp to this chamber but by a ladder which she let downe and fearing least her brethren should make a noyse she had coueted the ladder staues with wolle before she let it fall downe When she had gotten them vp with their swordes and had set them before the dore she went first her selfe into the chamber tooke away the tyrans sword that hong at his beds head and shewed it them as a token geuen them that he was a sleepe When it came to the pinche to do the deede these young men were afrayed and their heartes beganne to faile them But she tooke on with them and called them cowardly boyes that would not stande to it when it came to the point with all sware in her rage that she woulde goe wake the tyran and open all the treason to him So partely for shame and partely for feare she compelled them to come in and to step to the bed her selfe holding a lampe to light them Then one of them tooke him by the feete and bounde them hard an other caught him by the heare of his head and pulled him backewards the third thrust him through with his sword So by chaunce he dyed sooner then he should haue done and otherwise then his wicked life deserued for the maner of his death So Alexander was the first tyran that was euer slaine by the treason of his wife whose body was most villanously dispitefully vsed after his death For when the townes men of PHERES had drawen him through the city in myer and durt they cast him out at length to the dogs to deuore The ende of Pelopidas life THE LIFE OF Marcellus MArcus Claudius that was fiue times Consull at ROME was the sonne as they say of an other Marcus and as Posidonius wryteth he was the first of his house surnamed Marcellus as who would say a marshall warlike man by nature For he was cunninge at weapons skilfull in warres stronge and lusty of body hardy and naturally geuen to fight Yet was he no quarreler nor shewed his great corage but in warres against the enemy otherwise he was euer gentle and fayer condicioned He loued learning and delited in the Greeke tongue and much esteemed them that could speake it For he him selfe was so troubled in matters of state that he could not study and follow it as he desired to haue done For it God as Homer sayth did euer make men To vse their youth in vvarres and battells fierce and fell till crooked age came creeping on such feates for to expell They were the noblest and chiefest men of ROME at that time For in their youth they fought with the CARTHAGINIANS in SICILE in their midle age against the GAVLES to kepe them from the winning of all ITALIE againe in their old age against Hanniball the CARTHAGINIANS For their age was no priuiledge for them to be dispenced with in the seruice of their warres as it was else for common citizens but they were bothe for their nobilitie as also for their valliantnes and experience in warres driuen to take charge of the armies deliuered them by the Senate people Now for Marcellus there was no battell could make him giue grounde beinge practised in all fightes but yet he was more valliant in priuate combate man for man then in any other fight Therefore he neuer refused enemie that did chalenge him but slue all those in the fielde that called him to the combat In SICILE he saued his brother Octacilius life being ouerthrowen in a skirmishe for with his shielde he couered his brothers body slue them that came to kill him These valliant partes of him being but a young man were rewarded by the generalles vnder whom he serued with many crownes and warlike honors vsually bestowed apon valliant souldiers Marcellus increasing still his valliantnes and good seruice was by the people chosen AEdilis as of the number of those that were the worthiest men and most honorable and the Priestes did create him Augure which is a kinde of Priesthoode at ROME hauing authority by law to consider and obserue the flying of birds to diuine and prognosticate thinges thereupon But in the yere of his office of AEdile he was forced against his wil to accuse Capitolinus his brother in office with him For he being a rash and dissolute man of life fell in dishonest loue with his colleagues sonne Marcellus that bare his owne name who beinge a goodly younge gentleman and newly come to mans state was as well thought of and taken of euery man for his manhoode and good qualities as any way for his beawty and personage The first time Capitolinus moued this dishonesty to him he did of him selfe repulse his shameles offer without any others priuitie but when he saw he came againe to tempt him the seconde time he straight reuealed it to his father Marcellus his father beinge maruelously offended withall as he had good cause went and accused Capitolinus before
the city of MILLAINE was taken After that all the other cities there about yelded of them selues without force of siege and the GAVLES wholly submitted them selues all that they had to the mercy of the ROMAINES who graunted them peace vppon easie condicions For these famous victories the Senate of ROME gaue all the honor of triumphe vnto Marcellus only and that was as wonderfull and worthy a sight as any that euer past before him what for the infinite spoyles and the numbers of great men taken prisoners and also for the exceeding sumptuousnes stately shew thereof But the goodliest sight of all for the rarenes was to behold Marcellus selfe carying on his shoulders the whole spoyle of the barbarous king to offer vp to Iupiter Feretrian For he had cut downe a goodly younge oke of the mountaine straight and shut vp very long which he had trimmed vp in forme of triumphe hanging all the armed peces he had wonne of the king very orderly rounde about it Then when all the show of his triumphe was past he him selfe tooke the oke on his shoulders and gotte vp vpon his triumphing charet and so marched through the city carying these signes thereupon which was the noblest sight and honorablest show of the whole triumphe His army followed after the charet singing verses and songes of victory in praise of the goddes and their Captaine and when he had passed through the whole city and was come to the temple of Iupiter called Feretrian there he set vp this young oke and token of triumphe This Marcellus is the third and last ROMAINE Captaine to whom happened this honor in our age For the first man that euer offered vp to Iupiter the spoyles of the general of their enemies was king Romulus who wanne the like spoyles of Acron king of the CAENINIANS The second was Cornelius Cossus who slue Tolemnius generall of the THVSCANS And the third was Marcellus who slue with his owne handes Britomarus king of the GAVLES and after him no man euer since could obtaine the like good fortune The god to whom these maner of spoyles are consecrated thus is called Iupiter Feretrian so tearmed as some write bicause they do cary this token of triumphe to him following the deriuation of this Greeke word Ferin which signifieth to cary for in those former times many Greeke words were mingled with the Latine Other affirme it is one of the surnames of Iupiter signifying as much as lightening for Ferire in the Latine tonge signifieth to strike And some say also in warres it is properly to hurt or kill with his owne handes for the ROMAINES do vse at this day when they geue a charge apon their enemies in battell or that they haue them in chase flying to crie incoraging one another Feri Feri which is as much as kill kill And the spoyles taken frō the enemies also are generally called Spolia but those which Lieutenantes generall or generalles do take from the generalles of their enemies when they haue slaine them they are called particulary Spolia opima Yet some hold opinion that kinge Numa Pompilius mencioning the rich spoyles or Spolia opima in his cōmentaries speaketh of the first the second and the third and commaundeth that the first spoyles which are wonne should be consecrated to Iupiter Feretrian the second vnto Mars and the third vnto Quirinus And that they should giue to him that had wonne the first spoyles three hundred Asses the second two hundred the third a hūdred But notwithstanding the best opinion vsuall taking of Spolia opima referreth them to be the first spoyles wonne in a foughten field those which the Lieutenāt of an army or a general doth take frō the general of the enemies after he hath slaine him with his owne handes And thus much for declaracion of this matter Furthermore the ROMAINES were so ioyfull of this victory of their good successe in this warre that they caused a massie cuppe of golde to be made of the spoyle they had gotten weyinge a hundred pounde weight which they sent to offer vp in the temple of Apollo Pythias in the city of DELPHES in token of thankes and they made liberall diuision besides of the spoyles vnto their frendes and confederates and sent a great parte of it vnto Hieron king of SYRACVSA who was their confederate Not lōg after Hanniball being entred ITALIE Marcellus was sent with an army by sea into SICILE And after the great ouerthrow was giuen at the battel of CANNES wherein there died so many thowsande ROMAINES and that very few of them saued them selues by flyinge into the city of CANNVSIVM they looked that Hanniball hauinge ouercome the flower of all the ROMAINES youth and their greatest force woulde not fayle to come straight to ROME Wherefore Marcellus first sent fifteene hundred of his men by sea to help to defende ROME and hauinge afterwardes receaued commaundement from the Senate he came to CANNVSIVM where he tooke such as were fled thither for succor after the battell so brought them out to the fielde to defende the countrie Now the ROMAINES hauing lost the most parte of all their best Captaines in diuerse sundry battells before of all those that remained Fabius Maximus was the onely able and reputed man for commendacion of his honesty and wisedom yet they misliked of him notwithstanding for a timerous man and of no corage as a man to ful of doubts and consideracion and loth to put any thing in hazard saying he was a good Captaine to defende but not to offende the enemy Whereupon they thought good to ioyne Marcellus liuely youth corage with Fabius feminine feare and wisedom and therefore some yeares they chose them both Consulls together or else they sent one of them as Consull and the other as Proconsull eche in his turne to the contrie where they hadde warres And for proofe hereof Posidonius wryteth that the ROMAINES at that time called Fabius Maximus their target and Marcellus their sword Therefore Hanniball him selfe sayed he feared Fabius Maximus as his gouernor and Marcellus as his enemy bicause the one kept him from hurting of others and the other did hurt to him selfe Immediatly after this great victory at CANNES Hannibals souldiers became so bolde so carelesse and disordered that they kept the fielde without feare of any thing and dispersed them selues farre from their campe wherefore Marcellus setting apon those stragglers he slue them euery man so by litle and litle did still lessen the power and strength of his enemy Afterwardes he aided the cities of BIZANTIVM and of NOLA and stablished the true deuotion and loue of the BIZANTINES towardes the ROMAINES from thence he went to NOLA found great sediton there betwixt the Senate people bicause the Senate coulde not keepe the people in obedience but they woulde needes take Hannibals parte The cause of the peoples stubbornnesse grewe by occasion of a
in the turning of a hand spoyled and brought to nought For it is sayd that the riches and goodes taken away at the sacke of SYRACVSA were nothinge inferior to the spoyles of CARTHAGE which was also sacked not longe after that for the other parte of the city of SYRACVSA called ACRADINA was soone after also taken by treason and spoyled against the Captaines willes sauinge the kinges treasure which was reserued to be caried to the common treasure of ROME SYRACVSA beinge taken nothinge greued Marcellus more then the losse of Archimedes Who beinge in his studie when the citie was taken busily seekinge out by him selfe the demonstracion of some Geometricall proposition which he hadde drawen in figure and so earnestly occupied therein as he neither sawe nor hearde any noyse of enemies that ranne vppe and downe the citie and much lesse knewe it was taken He wondered when he sawe a souldier by him that bad him go with him to Marcellus Notwithstandinge he spake to the souldier and bad him tary vntill he had done his conclusion and brought it to demonstracion but the souldier being angry with his aunswer drew out his sword and killed him Other say that the ROMAINE souldier when he came offered the swords poynt to him to kill him and that Archimedes when he saw him prayed him to hold his hand a litle that he might not leaue the matter he looked for vnperfect without demonstracion But the souldier makinge no reckening of his speculation killed him presently It is reported a third way also sayinge that certeine souldiers met him in the streetes going to Marcellus carying certeine Mathematicall instrumentes in a litle pretie coffer as dialles for the sunne Sphaeres and Angles wherewith they measure the greatnesse of the body of the sunne by viewe and they supposing he hadde caried some golde or siluer or other pretious Iuells in that litle coffer slue him for it But it is most true that Marcellus was maruelous sorie for his death and euer after hated the villen that slue him as a cursed and execrable persone and howe he made also maruelous much afterwards of Archimedes kinsemen for his sake The ROMAINES were estemed of at that time by all nations for maruelous expert souldiers and taken for verie vallyant and daungerous men to be dealt with but they neuer shewed any example of their clemencie and curtesie and least of all of any ciuill manner to any straungers vntill Marcellus taught the way whose actes did shewe the GREECIANS then that the ROMAINES were more gratious and mercifull then they For he did so curteouslie intreate those that hadde to do with him and shewed such fauour to priuate persones and also to whole citties that if there were any crueltie shewed in the citties of ENNA or at MEGARES or against the SYRACVSANS it was rather through their owne fault and follie that were hurt then theirs that didde them the hurte And for profe hereof I will recite you one example onely amongest many There is a citie in SICILE called ENGYIVM it is no great thinge but a verie auncient citie of name by reason of the trafficke thither for that there are certeine goddesses to be seene whome they worship called the mothers Some say the CRETANS were the first builders and founders of the temple there where you shall see speares and helmets of copper and apon them are grauen the name of Meriones and apon others Vlysses name also which are consecrated to these goddesses This citie stoode altogether at the deuotion of the CARTHAGINIANS and Nicias beinge the chiefest man of the same was all he might against it and perswaded them openlie in all their counsailles to take parte with the ROMAINES prouinge it by many reasons that his enemies counsaylinge the contrarie were vnprofitable members of the common wealth Whereuppon Nicias enemies fearinge his greatnesse and authoritie they did conspyre amonge them selues to apprehende him and to deliuer him to the CARTHAGINIANS But Nicias hearinge of such a matter and findinge that they laye in wayte to take him vsed this pollicie to preuent their treason He gaue out openlie very ill speeches against the goddesses and did many things in derogation of their honor and sayd the sight of them which was a matter of great credit was but deuise and that there was no credit to be geuen to them These words tickled his enemies imagining that the common people would lay the mischiefe they pretended against him to him selfe as the only causes of his owne hurt So they hauinge appointed a day to apprehende him by chaunce a common counsaill was kept that day they hadde determined of where Nicias speaking to the people about matter of counsaill in the middest of his oration fell to the grounde to the great wonder of the whole assembly as euery man may coniecture Howbeit neuer a man sturred a prety while after he beganne to lift vppe his head a litle and to looke gastely about him with a faint trembling voyce which he still gathered higher and lowder by litle and litle vntill he sawe all the people wonderously afrayed and amazed that not one of them durst speake Then throwing his gowne from him and renting his coate he got vpon his feete halfe naked and ranne towardes the gate of the Theater cryinge out that the goddesses mothers did torment him and not a man durst once come neere him nor offer to stoppe him they were so supersticious and foolishly afrayed of the goddesses imagining it was some diuine punishment But by this meanes he easily got to the gates of the city and fled from them all and he was neuer seene after that time to do or speake like a madde man in any thing His wife that was made priuy to his deuise and furthered his intent went first and fell downe on her knees before the goddesses mothers in their temple as she had hartily prayed vnto them faining afterwards she would go seeke her husbande that ranne vp and downe the fieldes like a madde man she went out of the city with her litle children and no body troubled her Thus did they escape without daunger and went vnto Marcellus to SYRACVSA The ENGIENIANS afterwards played such insolent partes that Marcellus in the ende went thither and caused them all to be taken and bounde as though he woulde haue put them to execution But Nicias came to him with the teares in his eyes and embracing his knees and kissinge his handes besought him to take pitie of his poore citizens beginning first with those that were his greatest enemies This good nature of Nicias so pacified Marcellus wrath that he pardoned them all did no hurt to the city and gaue Nicias certeine land besides many other rich giftes he bestowed apon him Thus it is reported in the history of Posidonius the Philosopher Now Marcellus being sent for home by the ROMANES bicause they had warres in their owne contrie and euen at ROME gates he departed out of
SICILE returning towardes ROME and caried the goodliest tables pictures and statues and other such ornamentes as were in SYRACVSA meaning first to beautifie his triumphie with them and to leaue them afterwardes for an ornament to ROME which before that time neuer knewe what such curious workes ment For this finenes and curious tables and imagery neuer came into ROME before but was throughly set out with armor and weapons of barbarous people and with bloody spoyles and was also crowned with monumentes of victories and triumphes of diuerse enemies which were no pleasaunt but rather fearefull fightes to looke apon farre vnfitte for feminine eyes But euen as Epaminondas did call the plaine of BOEOTIA Mars scaffolde where he kept his games and Xenophon also called the city of EPHESVS the armorers shoppe euen so me thinkes as Pindarus said they might rightly haue tearmed ROME the temple of Mars fighting And this wanne the peoples good willes much more to Marcellus bicause he did so passingly set foorth ROME with such excellent fine toyes of GREECE But Fabius Maximus on the other side was better beloued of the old men bicause he brought no such toyes with him from the city of TARENTVM when he wanne it In deede he brought away golde and ready coyne and much other goodes that were profitable but for images and tables he left them standing in their places speaking a thing of great note Let vs leaue the TARENTINES their goddes offended with them And furthermore the noble men were angry with Marcellus saying that by this act he had purchased ROME great malice and hate First bicause he did not onely leade men prisoners in his triumphe but the gods also and secondly bicause he had filled the people full of pritle pratle idle curiosity spending all the whole day in gasinge and wondering at the excellency of the workemen and of their workes where before they woulde fall to their labor or else they went to the warres not being acquainted with curiosity nor idle life as Euripides sayd speaking of Hercules In vvicked practises he simple vvas to see but he excelld in vertuous dedes and feates that vvorthy be Notwithstandinge Marcellus did glory amongest the GREECIANS them selues sayinge that he had taught the ROMAINES to esteeme the wonderfull workes of GREECE which they knewe not before But at his returne out of SICILE his enemies procured that his honor of triumphe was denied him So Marcellus knowing that he had yet left somewhat to do in SICILE and that the warre was not altogether ended and fearing besides least a third triumphe would make him to much enuied he was contented with good will to haue the honor of the great triumphe in the mountaine of ALBA only of the litle triumphe in the city of ROME This maner of litle triumphe is called in Greeke Euan and the ROMAINES call it Ouatio And this difference there is betwene them that in the Ouation triumphe the party to whom it is graunted doth not enter into the city apon triumphing charet drawen with foure horses nor doth cary any lawrell apon his head in token of triumphe nor hath any trompettes or hornes blowen before him but doth marche a foote with a payer of slippers on his fete hauing flutes and how boyes playing before him and wearing a garlande of fyrre tree apon his heade so as this maner of entry is nothing warlike and is rather a pleasaunt then fearefull sight And that reason doth flatly drawe me to beleue that these two kindes of entries they graunted to the Captaines returning from the warres with victorie were deuided in the olde time rather for the maner then for the greatnes of the doings For such as had ouercomen their enemies by great slaughter and bloody battells they did make their entry with pompe of triumphe that was altogether marshall and terrible followed with their souldiers armed and crowned with lawrell garlandes as their custome was in musteringe their campe in the warres But they on the contrary side that without any exployte of armes returned home with victorie either by peaceable meanes or by force of their eloquence the law graunted them the honor of Ouation triumphe which was quiet and full of all ioy and mirth For the flute is an instrument of pleasure belonginge to peace and the fyrre tree is a tree consecrated to Venus which goddesse aboue all goddes and goddesses doth most detest warres This second kinde of entry was called Ouatio not as many GREECIANS haue taken it comming of this word Euan which is a voyce and song of ioy although they did vse also to accompanie the Captaines making their entry in this sorte crying and singing Euan but there were certeine GREECIANS that would haue fetched the deriuation of this word from an old common custome they had were of opinion besides that parte of this honor did apperteine to god Bacchus whose surname we cal Euius and somtimes Thriambus Howbeit this is not the true deriuation of the name but after this sorte At the great triumphe and entry made the Captaine or generall that triumpheth as a conqueror did offer and sacrifice by the old orders and ancient customes of ROME one or diuers oxen where at the seconde triumphe called the Ouation he onely sacrificed a mutton which the ROMAINES call in their tongue Ouenm and thereof was it called Ouation And here by the way is to be noted the difference betwixt the lawe maker of the ROMAINE lawes and customes and the law maker of the LACEDAEMONIANS how both of them were contrary to the other in appointinge their sacrifices for victorie For at SPARTA the Captaine or generall that had done his feate by policy or frendshippe the sacrifice he did offer vppe to the goddes was an oxe and he that by force and bloody battell had obtained victory only offred vp a cocke for sacrifice For though they were very good souldiers yet they thought better of his seruice that by his wisedom wise perswasions obteined victory then of his that wanne it by valliantnes and force of armes Thus may you see which of these two lawemakers hadde best reason in his ordinaunces But nowe to Marcellus againe He beinge chosen Consull the fourth time his enemies and euill willers did stirre vppe the SYRACVSANS against him and perswaded them to complayne to the Senate of him that he had cruelly and vncurteously vsed them contrary to the auncient league allyances made long time before with the ROMAINES Marcellus beinge sacrificinge one day in the Capitoll while the Senate were sette in counsaill the SYRACVSANS deputies came before them kneeling downe besought thē to giue them audience that they would do them iustice The other Consull that was present rebuked them being angry they had so maliciously spyed the occasion of Marcellus absence But when Marcellus hearde of it he straight left of all and came to the Senate and first satte him downe in his
on high So Marcellus tooke his horse with Quintus Crispinus his fellow Consull and his sonne one of the Tribunes of the souldiers hauing onely two hundred and twenty horsemen with him of the which there was not one ROMAINE among them but all were THVSCANS sauing forty FREGELLANIANS who from the beginning of these warres had alwayes shewed them selues very faithfull and louing to Marcellus The hill we spake of before being thicke couered with wodde and bushes the enemies hadde set a skowte to watche on the toppe of it to geue warning if they saw any comming towardes it The ROMAINES coulde not see him and he on the other side might see euen into their campe and perceiue what was done as he did aduertise those at that time that lay in ambushe for Marcellus comminge and they suffered him to passe on vntill he came directly against them Then they shewed vpon the sodaine and compassing in Marcellus they both shot and strake at him some following them that fled and other fighting with the forty FREGELLANIANS which only stucke to it who came roundly in together notwithstanding the THVSCANS were fled apon the first crie they heard to defend the two Consulls vntill such time as the Consull Crispinus hauinge two woundes on his body with a dart did turne his horse to flie And with that one of the enemies gaue Marcellus such a sore blowe with a speare hauinge a broade iron head that he ranne him quite through The FREGELLANIANS that were left aliue beinge but a few in number seeinge Marcellus slaine left him lyinge on the grounde and tooke his sonne away with them that was very sore hurt and by the swiftnes of their horses recouered their campe and saued them selues At this ouerthrowe there were not slayne aboue fortie men and fiue and twentie taken prisonners of which fiue of them were the Consulls sergeauntes and their officers that caried axes before them and the other were all horsemen Within few dayes after the other Consull Crispinus died also of his hurtes which was such a misfortune as neuer came before to the ROMAINES that both their Consulls were slaine at one battell Now Hanniball made no great reckeninge of all that were slaine or taken at this fielde but when he heard that Marcellus selfe was slaine at this ouerthrow he went him selfe straight to the place to see him So when he had viewed his body a great while standing hard by it and considering his strength his stature and countenance hauing taken full view of all the partes of him he spake no proude word against him nor shewed any glad countenance as some other would haue done that had slaine so valliant and daungerous an enemy but wondering how he came to be slaine so straungely there he tooke of his ring from one of his fingers that sealed his letters and geuing his body buriall according to his estate made it to be honorably burnt and then put all his bones and ashes into a siluer potte on which he him selfe put a crowne of golde and sent it vnto Marcellus sonne It fortuned so that certaine light horsemen of the NVMIDIANS merte with them that caried this siluer pot and would haue taken it from them by force but they stood to it and woulde not parte withall and so fightinge and striuing together for it the bones and ashes were scattered all about Hanniball hearinge this sayed to them that were about him see howe nothinge can be which the goddes will not So he punished the NVMIDIANS and cared no more to gette Marcellus bones together but perswaded him selfe it was the will of the goddes he shoulde dye so straungely and that his body shoulde haue no buriall Cornelius Nepos and Valerius Maximus wryte it thus but Liuie and Augustus Caesar say that the pot was caried vnto his sonne and honorably buried Marcellus did consecrate many monumentes in diuerse places besides those at ROME As at CATANA in SICILE a place for young men to exercise them selues in In the I le of SAMOTHRACIA in the temples of the gods called Cabires many images and tables he brought from SYRACVSA And in the I le of LINDOS in the temple of Minerua where among other there is a statue of his and this epigramme grauen vnder it as Posidonius the Philosopher wryteth O thou my frend I say vvhich passest forth by me of Claudius Marcellus here the image mayest thou see vvhose family at Rome vvas of the noblest name Seuen times he Consull chosen vvas in vvhich he ouercame great numbers infinite in open fielde and fight of such as sought his contries spoyle and put them all to flight The author of this epigramme reckeneth the two times of his being viceconsull for two whole Consullshippes but his posteritie continued alwayes in great honor vnto Marcellus the sonne of Octauia Augustus Caesars sister and of Caius Marcellus He dyed a young man being AEdilis of ROME maried vnto Iulia Augustus daughter with whom he liued no lōg time But to honor the memory of him Octauia his mother built the library and Augustus Caesar the Theater which are called to this day Marcellus Theater and library THE COMPARISON OF Marcellus with Pelopidas THese are the greatest thinges and best worthy of memory in my opinion of all Pelopidas and Marcellus doinges and for their maners and naturall condicions otherwise they were all one bicause they were both valliant painefull and noble minded sauing that this difference onely was betwene them That Marcellus in many cities he tooke by assault did cruelly murder them and spilt much bloode where Epaminondas and Pelopidas contrarily did neuer put any to the sword they ouercame neither did they take away the libertie from any citie they tooke and it is thought the THEBANS woulde not haue handeled the ORCHOMENIANS so cruelly as they did if one or both of them had bene present Nowe for their actes it was a noble and wonderfull peece of seruice that Marcellus did with so small a company of horsemen as he tooke with him to ouerthrow so great a number of horsemen footemen both of the GAVLES a thinge that neuer Generall but him selfe did and specially that slewe with his owne handes in the fielde the Generall of his enemies Which Pelopidas could neuer attaine vnto for he seeking to kill Alexander the tyran of PHERES was slaine first him selfe and suffered that which he desired to haue done to an other And yet for that seruice may be objected the battells of LEVCTRES and of TEGYRA which were both famous and notable But to encounter with those there was no notable ambushe or secrete practise done by Marcellus that was any thing like comparable to that Pelopidas did at his returne from exile when he slew that tyrans that kept THEBES in bondage For that was as notable a policy and sodaine an enterprise stolen apon as none was euer greater or more famous It is true Marcellus was yoked with
sette aside foure score talentes that were geuen to the PLATAEIANS with the which they built a temple vnto Minerua and gaue her an image and sett out all her temple with pictures that remaine whole vntill this day and the LACEDAEMONIANS notwithstanding did set vp their tokens of victorie by them selues and the ATHENIANS theirs also by them selues So they sending vnto the oracle of Apollo in the city of DELPHES to know vnto what gods and how they should do sacrifice Apollo aunswered them that they shoulde builde vp an aulter vnto Iupiter protector of their libertie howbeit that they shoulde put no sacrifice vpon it vntill they had first put out all the fier through the whole contrie bicause it had bene polluted and defiled by the barbarous people and then that they shoulde fetche pure and cleane fyre at the common aulter whereon they doe sacrifice vnto Apollo Pythias in the city of DELPHES This aunswer being deliuered the great Lords and officers of GREECE went through all the contrie to put out the fyre euery where And there was a man of the same city of PLATAEES at that time called Euchidas that came and offered him selfe and promised he woulde bringe them fyre from the temple of Apollo Pythias with all possible speede that might be So when he came to the city of DELPHES after he hadde sprinckled and purified his body with cleane water he put a crowne of lawrell apon his heade and went in that manner to take fyre from the aulter of Apollo When he had done he hyed him againe as fast as he coulde ronne for life vnto the citie of PLATAEES and came thither before the sunne was set hauing commen and gone that day a thowsande furlonges But after he hadd saluted his citizens and deliuered them the fyre he brought he fell downe dead at their feete and gaue vp the ghost The PLATAEIANS lift him vp starke deade and buried him in the temple of Diana Euclia to say of good renowme and caused afterwards this Epitaphe following to be grauen vpon his tombe Engraued here doth lye Euchidas speedy man vvho in one day both to and fro to Delphes lightly ranne Euen from this selfe same place vvhich thou doest here behold such hast post hast he svviftly made thereof thou mayest beholde Many thinke that this goddesse Euclia is Diana and so they call her But other holde opinion she was the daughter of Hercules and of Myrto the Nymphe Menatius daughter and Patroclus sister that dyed a virgine and was honored afterwardes as a goddesse of the BOEOTIANS of the LOCRIANS For in all their cities and townes in open places they finde an aulter and image dedicated vnto her and all that are maried doe sacrifice to her apon that aulter Afterwards there was a generall counsell holden by all the GREECIANS in the which Aristides made a motion that all the cities of GREECE shoulde yearely sende their deputies at a certeine day appointed vnto the city of PLATAEES there to make their prayers sacrifices vnto the goddes and that from fiue yeares to fiue yeares they shoulde celebrate common games that should be called the games of liberty and that they should also leauy through all the prouinces of GREECE for maintenance of the warres against the PERSIANS and barbarous people tenne thowsand footemen a thowsand horsemen and a flete of a hundred sayle Item that the PLATAEIANS thencefoorth should be taken also for deuoute and holy men and that no man should so hardy hurt or offende them and that they shoulde onely tende the sacrifices vnto the goddes for the health and prosperitie of GREECE All which articles were enacted in forme and maner aforesayed and the PLATAEIANS bounde them selues yearely to kepe solemne sacrifices and anniuersaries for the soules of the GREECIANS that were slaine in their territories fightinge for defence of the libertie of the GREECIANS And this they obserue yet vnto this daye in this sorte The sixteenth day of the moneth of Maemacterion which the BOEOTIANS call Alalcomenies and is about the moneth of Ianuary they goe a procession and before the procession there goeth a trompetor that soundeth the alarom Then there follow certeine charrettes loden with braunches of fyrre tree and with nosegayes and garlandes of triumphe then a blacke bul certeine yong gentlemen noblemen sonnes that cary great cawdrons with two eares full of wine and milke such as they vse to powre apon the graues of deade men for propiciatory oblations and other young boyes free borne that cary oyles perfumes and other sweete odours in vyoll glasses For no seruaunt or bonde man may lawfully be admitted to haue any office about this mistery for that they whose memory they honor dyed all fighting for defence of the liberty of GREECE After all this shew followeth the prouost of the PLATAEIANS for that time being last of all who may not all the rest of the yeare besides so much as touch any iron nor weare any other coloured gowne but white Howebeit then he weareth on a purple coloured coate and holdeth a funerall potte in one of his handes which he taketh in the towne house and a naked sworde in the other hande and so goeth through the cittie in this sorte after all the pompe aforesayed vnto the church yarde where all their graues be that were slaine at that battell So when he commeth thither he draweth water out of a well that is there and with the same he washeth the fouresquare pillers and images that stand apon those tombes and then annointeth them with oyles and sweete sauors afterwardes he sacrificeth a bulle and layeth him apon a heape of wodde hard by him as they do when they burne the bodies of dead men and making certaine praiers and peticions vnto Iupiter and Mercurie goddes of the earth he doth solemnely inuite the soules of those valliant men that dyed fightinge for the liberty of GREECE vnto the feast of this funerall sacrifice Then he taketh a cuppe full of wine in his hande and spilling it all vpon their tombes he speaketh these wordes aloude I drinke to the worthy and valliant men than dyed sometime in defence of the liberty of GREECE This solemne ceremony and anniuersarie the PLATAEIANS doe duely obserue vnto this present day Nowe when the ATHENIANS were returned to ATHENS Aristides perceiuing the people were bent to stablish a populer state where the people might beare the whole rule and authoritie iudginge them well worthy to be considered of in respect of their noble seruice and valiant courage they had shewed in this warre cōsidering also that they would hardly be brought to like of any other gouernment being yet in armes and very stowte by reason of the famous victories they had obteyned he caused a law to be made that all authority of gouernment should runne in equality among the citizens and that thencefoorth all burgesses as well poore as rich should be chosen by voyces of the people and
Some saye he didde thus for very miserie and couetousnesse other thinke and tooke it that he liued so sparingely to moue others by his example to cutte of all superfluitie and wast Neuerthelesse to sell slaues in that sorte or to turne them out of dores when you haue hadde the seruice of all their youth and that they are growen olde as you vse brute beastes that haue serued whilest they may for age me thinkes that must needes proceede of to seueare and greedie nature that hath no lenger regarde or consideracion of humanitie then whilest one is able to doe an other good For we see gentlenesse goeth further then iustice For nature teacheth vs to vse iustice onely vnto menne but gentlenesse sometimes is shewed vnto brute beastes and that commeth from the very fountaine and springe of all curtesie and humanitie which shoulde neuer drye vp in any manne liuinge For to saye truely to keepe cast horses spoyled in our seruice and dogges also not onely when they are whelpes but when they be olde be euen tokens of loue and kindenesse As the ATHENIANS made a lawe when they builded their temple called Hecatompedon that they shoulde suffer the moyles and mulettes that did seruice in their cariages about the buildinge of the same to graze euerie where without lette or trouble of any manne And they say there was one of those moyles thus turned at libertie that came of her selfe to the place to labour goinge before all the other draught beastes that drewe vppe cartes loden towardes the castell and kept them companie as though she seemed to encorage the rest to drawe which the people liked so well in the poore beast that they appointed she shoulde be kept whilest she liued at the charge of the towne And yet at this present are the graues of Cimons mares to be seene that wanne him thrise together the game of the horse race at the games Olympian and they are harde by the graue of Cimon him selfe We heare of diuerse also that hadde buried their dogges they brought vppe in their house or that wayted on them as amonge other olde Xanthippus buried his dogge on the toppe of a cliffe which is called the dogges pit till this day For when the people of ATHENS did forsake their citie at the comminge downe of Xerxes the kinge this dogge followed his master swimminge in the sea by his gallies side from the firme lande vnto the I le of SALAMINA And there is no reason to vse liuinge and sencible thinges as we woulde vse an olde shooe or a ragge to cast it out apon the dongehill when we haue worne it and can serue vs no longer For if it were for no respect els but to vse vs alwayes to humanitie we must euer showe our selues kinde and gentle euen in such small poyntes of pitie And as for me I coulde neuer finde in my hart to sell my drawght Oxe that hadde plowed my lande a longe time bicause he coulde plowe no longer for age and much lesse my slaue to sell him for a litle money out of the contrie where he had dwelt a long time to plucke him from his olde trade of life wherewith he was best acquainted and then specially when he shal be as vnprofitable for the buyer as also for the seller But Cato on the other side gloried that he left his horse in SPAYNE he had serued on in the warres duringe his Consulship bicause he would not put the common wealth to the charge of bringing of him home by sea into ITALIE Now a question might be made of this and probable reason of either side whether this was noblenes or a niggardlines in him but otherwise to say truely he was a man of a wonderful abstinence For when he was general of the army he neuer tooke allowance but after three bushells wheat a moneth of the common wealth for him selfe and his whole family and but a bushel and halfe of barley a day to keepe his horse and other beastes for his cariage On a time when he was Praetor the gouernment of the I le of SARDINIA fell to his lot And where the other Praetors before him hadde put the contry to exceeding great charge to furnish them with tents bedding clothes and such like stuffe and burdened them also with a maruelous traine of seruaunts and their frends that waited on them putting them to great expence of feasting and bancketing of them Cato in contrary maner brought downe all that excesse and superfluitie vnto a maruelousneere and vncredible sauinge For when he went to visite the cities he came a foote to them did not put them to a penny charge for him selfe and had onely one officer or bailife of the state that waited on him and caried his gowne and a cuppe with him to offer vp wine to the goddes in his sacrifices But though he came thus simply to the subiects and eased them of their former charges yet he shewed him selfe seuere and bitter to them in matters concerning iustice and spared no man in any commaundement or seruice for the state and common wealth For he was therein so precise that he woulde not beare with any litle fault So by this meanes he brought the SARDINIANS vnder his gouernment both to loue and feare the Empire of ROME more then euer they did before For his grace both in speakinge and wrytinge did rightly shewe him selfe bicause it was pleasaunt and yet graue sweete and fearfull mery and seueare sententious and yet familiar such as is meete to be spoken And he was to be compared as Plato sayed vnto Socrates who at the first sight seemed a plaine simple manne to them that knew him not outwardly or else a pleasant tawnter or mocker but when they did looke into him and found him throughly they sawe he was full of graue sentences goodly examples and wise perswasions that he coulde make men water their plantes that hearde him and leade them as he would by the eare Therefore I can not see any reason that moues men to saye Cato hadde Lysias grace and vtteraunce Notwithstandinge lette vs referre it to their iudgementes that make profession to discerne orators graces and styles for my parte I shall content my selfe to write at this present onely certaine of his notable sayinges and sentences perswadinge my selfe that mennes manners are better discerned by their wordes then by their lookes and so doe many thinke On a time he seeking to disswade the people of ROME which woulde needes make a thankefull distribution of corne vnto euerie citizen to no purpose beganne to make an oration with this preface It is a harde thinge my Lordes of ROME to bringe the bellie by perswasion to reason that hath no eares And an other time reprouinge the ill gouernment of the citie of ROME he sayed it was a hard thinge to keepe vppe that state where a litle fishe was solde dearer then an Oxe He sayed also that
this young maide went somewhat boldly by the chamber of young Cato to go into his father the young man sayd neuer a word at it yet his father perceiued that he was somewhat ashamed and gaue the maide no good countenaunce Wherefore findinge that his sonne and daughter in lawe were angry with the matter sayinge nothinge to them of it nor shewinge them any ill countenaunce he went one morninge to the market place as his maner was with a traine that followed him amongest whome was one Salonius that had bene his clearke and wayted vpon him as the rest did Cato calling him out alowde by his name asked him if he hadde not yet bestowed his daughter Salonius aunswered him he had not yet bestowed her nor woulde not before he made him priuie to it Then Cato tolde him againe I haue founde out a husbande for her and a sonne in lawe for thee and it will be no ill matche for her vnlesse she mislike the age of the man for in deede he is very olde but otherwise there is no faulte in him Salonius tolde him againe that for that matter he referred all to him and his daughter also prayinge him euen to make what matche he thought good for her for she was his humble seruaunt and relyed wholly vppon him standinge in neede of his fauor and furtheraunce Then Cato beganne to discouer and tolde him plainely he woulde willingely mary her him selfe Salonius therewith was abashed bicause he thought Cato was too olde to mary then and him selfe was no fitte manne to matche in any honorable house speciallie with a Consull and one that hadde triumped howebeit in the ende when he sawe Cato ment good earnest he was very glad of the matche and so with this talke they went on together to the markette place and agreed then vpon the mariage Now while they went about this matter Cato the sonne taking some of his kinne and frendes with him went vnto his father to aske him if he had offended him in any thinge that for spight he shoulde bringe him a steppe mother into his house Then his father cried out sayd O my sonne I pray thee say not so I like well all thou doest and I finde no cause to complaine of thee but I do it bicause I desire to haue many children and to leaue many such like citizens as thou art in the common wealth Some say that Pisistratus the tyran of ATHENS made such a like aunswere vnto the children of his first wife which were men growen when he maried his seconde wife Timonassa of the towne of ARGOS of whom he had as it is reported Iophon and Thessalus But to returne againe to Cato he had a sonne by his second wife whom he named after her name Cato SALONIAN and his eldest sonne died in his office beinge Praetor of whome he often speaketh in diuerse of his bookes commendinge him for a very honest man And they say he tooke the death of him very paciently and like a graue wise man not leauing therefore to do any seruice or businesse for the state otherwise then he did before And therein he did not as Lucius Lucullus Metellus surnamed Pius did afterwards who gaue vp medling any more with matters of gouernment and state after they were waxen olde For he thought it a charge and duety wherevnto euery honest man whilest he liued was bounde in all piety Nor as Scipio AFRICAN hadde done before him who perceiuing that the glory fame of his doings did purchase him the ill will of the citizens he chaunged the rest of his life into quietnes and forsooke the citie and all dealings in common wealth and went dwelt in the contry But as there was one that told Dionysius the tyran of SYRACVSA as it is wrytten that he could not die more honorably then to be buried in the tyranny euen so did Cato thinke that he could not waxe more honestlie olde then in seruing of the common wealth vnto his dying day So at vacant times when Cato was desirous a litle to recreate and refresh him selfe he passed his time away in makinge of bookes and lookinge vppon his husbandry in the contry This is the cause why he wrote so many kindes of bookes and stories But his tillage and husbandry in the contry he did tende and followe all in his youth for his profit For he sayed he had but two sortes of reuenue tillage and sparinge but in age whatsoeuer he did in the contry it was all for pleasure and to learne some thinge euer of nature For he hath wrytten a booke of the contry life and of tillage in the which he sheweth howe to make tartes and cakes and how to keepe frutes He woulde needes shew such singularity and skill in all thinges when he was in his house in the contry he fared a litle better then he did in other places and would oftentimes bid his neighbours and such as had lande lying about him to come and suppe with him and he would be mery with them so that his company was not onely pleasaunt and likinge to olde folkes as him selfe but also to the younger sorte For he had seene much and had experience in many thinges and vsed much pleasaunt talke profitable for the hearers He thought the bord one of the chiefest meanes to breede loue amongest men and at his owne table woulde alwayes praise good men and vertuous citizens but would suffer no talke of euill men neither in their praise nor dispraise Now it is thought the last notable acte and seruice he did in the common wealth was the ouerthrow of CARTHAGE for in deede he that wanne it and rased it vtterly was Scipio the seconde but it was chiefely through Catoes counsell and aduise that the last warre was taken in hand against the CARTHAGINIANS and it chaunced apon this occasion Cato was sent into AFRICKE to vnderstande the cause and controuersie that was betwene the CARTHAGINIANS and Massinissa kinge of NVMIDIA which were at great warres together And he was sent thither bicause king Massinissa had euer bene a frend vnto the ROMAINES and for that the CARTHAGINIANS were become their confederates since the last warres in the which they were ouerthrowen by Scipio the first who tooke for a fyne of them a great parte of their Empire and imposed apon them besides a great yearely tribute Now when he was come into that contrie he founde not the citie of CARTHAGE in miserie beggerie and out of harte as the ROMAINES supposed but full of lusty youthes very riche and wealthie and great store of armour and munition in it for the warres so that by reason of the wealth thereof CARTHAGE caried a high sayle and stowped not for a litle Wherefore he thought that it was more then time for the ROMAINES to leaue to vnderstande the controuersies betwext the CARTHAGINIANS and Massinissa and rather to prouide betimes to destroye CARTHAGE that hadde beene euer an
not obey his commaundement all those he solde for slaues and with the money he made of them to spight them the more he built a goodly fayer walke within the citie of MEGALIPOLIS Yet furthermore to do the LACEDAEMONIANS all the mischiefe he coulde and as it were to treade them vnder the feete in their most grieuous misery he did a most cruell and vniust acte towarde them For he compelled them to leaue the discipline and maner of education of their children which Lycurgus had of olde time instituted and made them to follow the maner the ACHAIANS vsed in liew of their olde grounded contry custome bicause he sawe they would neuer be humble minded so long as they kept Lycurgus order and institucion Thus were they driuen to put the heades in the choller by the miserable mishappe that befell them and in all despight to suffer Philopoemen in this maner to cut a sunder as it were the sinewes of their common wealth But afterwardes they made sure to the ROMAINES that they might be suffered to enioy their auncient discipline againe which being graunted them they straight left the maner of the ACHAIANS and did set vp againe as much as was possible after so great miserie and corruption of their maners their olde auncient customes and orders of their contry Now about the time the warres beganne in GREECE betwene the ROMAINES and king Antiochus Philopoemen was then a priuate man and without any authority He seeinge that kinge Antiochus lay still in the citie of CHALCIS and did nothing but feast and loue and had maried a younge maide farre vnmeete for his yeres and perceiuing that his SYRIAN souldiers wandered vp and downe the townes in great disorder playing many lewde partes without guide of Captaines he was very sory he was not at that time Generall of the ACHAIANS and tolde the ROMAINES that he enuied their victory hauing warres with enemies that were so easily to be ouercome For sayd he if fortune fauored me that I were Generall of the ACHAIANS at this present I woulde haue killed them euery man in the cellers and tippling houses Now when the ROMAINES had ouercome Antiochus they beganne to haue surer footing in GREECE and to compasse in the ACHAIANS of all sides and specially by reason the heades and gouernors of the cities about them did yeelde to the ROMAINES to winne their fauor And now their greatnesse grewe in hast by the fauor of the goddes so as they were become the monarche of the whole worlde who brought them nowe to the ende that fortune had determined Philopoemen in the meane time did like a good pylot bare hard against the billowes and roughnesse of their waues and though for the time he was forced to giue place and to let things passe yet for all that he was against the ROMAINES and did withstande them in the most parte of their proceedinges by seeking euer to defend the liberty of those who by their eloquence well doing caried great authority among the ACHAIANS And when Aristaenetus MEGALOPOLITAN a man of great authority among the ACHAIANS and one that euer bare great deuotion to the ROMAINES sayd in open Senate among the ACHAIANS that they should deny the ROMAINES nothinge nor shew them selues vnthankefull to them Philopoemen hearing what he sayd held his peace a while and suffered him to speake though it boyled in his hart he was so angry with him and in the ende breaking all pacience and as one ouercome with choller he sayd O Aristaenetus why haue you such hast to see the vnfortunate ende of GREECE Another time when Manius Consull of ROME after he had conquered king Antiochus did make request to the counsell of the ACHAIANS that such as were banished from LACEDAEMON might returne home into their contry againe and that Titus Quintius Flaminius also did earnestly intreate them Philopoemen was against it not for any hatred he bare vnto the banished men but bicause he would haue done it by his owne meane and the only grace of the ACHAIANS to the ende they shuld not be beholding for so good a turne neither vnto Titus nor yet to the ROMAINES Afterwardes he him selfe being Generall of the ACHAIANS did restore them wholly to their owne againe Thus was Philopoemen somtime a litle to bolde and quarrellous by reason of his great stomake and specially when any man of authority sought for to haue thinges Lastely beinge three score and tenne yeares of age he was the eight time chosen Generall of the ACHAIANS and hoped well not only to passe the yeare of his charge in peace and quietnes but also all the rest of his life without any sturre of new warres he saw the affaires of GREECE take so good successe For like as the force strength of sickenes declineth as the naturall strength of the sickely body empaireth so through all the cities and people of GREECE enuy of quarrell and warres surceased as their power diminished Neuerthelesse in the end of his yeares gouernment the goddes diuine who iustly punish all insolent wordes and deedes threw him to the grounde as they suffer a ryder vnfortunately to take a fall of his horse beinge come almost to the ende of his cariere For they wryte thar he beinge in a place on a time amongest good companie where one was maruelously praised for a good Captaine sayed vnto them why masters can ye commende him that was contented to be taken prisoner aliue of his enemies Shortely after came newes that Dinocrates MESSENIAN a priuate enemy of Philopoemenes for certaine controuersies past betwene them and a man generally hated besides of all honorable and vertuous men for his licentious wicked life had withdrawen the city of MESSINA from the deuotion of the ACHAIANS and moreouer that he came with an army to take a towne called COLONIDE Philopoemen was at that time in the city of ARGOS sicke of an agew and yet hearing these newes tooke his iorney toward MEGALIPOLIS making al the hast he could possible so that he came aboue foure hundred furlongs that day Straight he departed thence toward MESSINA and taried not but tooke with him a company of men at armes of the lustiest and wealthiest MEGALOPOLITANS who were all young noble men of the city and willingly offered them selues to goe with him for the goodwill they bare him and for the desire they had to follow his valliantnes Thus went they on their way towards the city of MESSINA and marched so longe that they came nere vnto the hill of Euander where they met with Dinocrates his cōpany gaue so fierce an onset on them that they made them all turne taile howbeit in the meane while there came a reliefe of fiue hūdred men to Dinocrates which he had left to keepe the contry of MESSINA The flying men that were scattered here there seeing this supply gathered them selues againe together and shewed vpon the hills Philopoemen fearinge to be enuironned and being
caused thē to be taken which afterwards were put to death with all kind of tormēts That done they burnt Philopoemenes body and did put his ashes into a pot Then they straight departed from MESSINA not in disorder one apon an others necke as euery man listed but in such an order and ray that in the middest of these funeralles they did make a triumphe of victorie For the souldiers were all crowned with garlandes of lawrell in token of victory notwithstanding the teares ranne downe their cheekes in token of sorowe and they led their enemies prisoners shackled and chained The funerall pot in the which were Philopoemenes ashes was so couered with garlandes of flowers nosegaies and laces that it could scant be seene or discerned and was caried by one Polybius a young man the sonne of Lycortas that was Generall at that time to the ACHAIANS about whom there marched all the noblest and chiefest of the ACHAIANS and after them also followed all the souldiers armed and their horses very well furnished The rest they were not so sorowfull in their countenance as they are commonly which haue great cause of sorow nor yet so ioyful as those that came conquerers from so great a victory Those of the cities townes and villages in their way as they past came and presented them selues vnto them to touche the funerall pot of his ashes euen as they were wont to take him by the hande and to make much of him when he was returned from the warres and did accompany his conuoy vnto the city of MEGALIPOLIS At the gates whereof were olde men women and children which thrustinge them selues amongest the souldiers did renewe the teares sorowes and lamentacions of all the miserable and vnfortunate city who tooke it that they had lost with their citizen the first and chiefest place of honor among the ACHAIANS So he was buried very honorably as appertained vnto him and the other prisoners of MESSINA were all stoned to death about his sepulchre All the other cities of ACHAIA besides many other honors they did vnto him did set vp statues and as like to him as could be counterfeated Afterwards in the vnfortunate time of GREECE when the city of CORINTHE was burnt and destroied by the ROMAINES there was a malicious ROMAINE that did what he could to haue the same pulled downe againe by burdening accusing Philopoemen as if he had bene aliue that he was alwaies enemy to the ROMAINES and enuied much their prosperity and victories But after Polybius had aunswered him neither the Consul Mummius nor his counsellers nor lieutenaunts would suffer them to deface take away the honors done in memory of so famous worthy a mā although he had many waies done much hurt vnto Titus Quintius Flaminius vnto Manius So these good men then made a differēce betwene duety profit did thinke honesty profit two distinct things and so separated one from the other according to reason and iustice Moreouer they were perswaded that like as men receiue curtesie and goodnes of any so are they bound to require them againe with kindenes and duety And as men vse to acknowledge the same euen so ought men to honor and reuerence vertue And thus much for the life of Philopoemen The ende of Philopoemenes life THE LIFE OF Titus Quintius Flaminius IT is easie to see Titus Quintius Flaminius forme and stature by Philopoemenes statue of brasse to whome we compare him the which is now set vppe at ROME neere to great Apollo that was brought from CARTHAGE and is placed right against the comming in to the show place vnder which there is an inscription in Greeke letters But for his nature and conditions they say of him thus he would quickely be angry and yet very ready to pleasure men againe For if he did punish any man that had angered him he would do it gently but his anger did not long continew with him He did good also to many and euer loued them whom he had once pleasured as if they had done him some pleasure was ready to do for them still whom he founde thankefull bicause he would euer make them beholding to him and thought that as honorable a thinge as he could purchase to him selfe Bicause he greatly sought honor aboue all thinges when any notable seruice was to be done he would do it him selfe and no man should take it out of his hand He would euer be rather with them that needed his helpe then with those that could helpe him or do him good For the first he esteemed as a meane to exercise his vertue with the other he tooke them as his fellowes and followers of honor with him He came to mans state when the citie of ROME had greatest warres and trouble At that time all the youth of ROME which were of age to cary weapon were sent to the warres to learne to traile the pyke and how to become good Captaines Thus was he entred into marshall affaires and the first charge he tooke was in the warre against Hanniball of CARTHAGE where he was made Colonell of a thousande footemen vnder Martellus the consull who being slaine by an ambush Hanniball had layed for him betwene the cities of BANOIA and VENVSA then they did choose Titus Quintius Flaminius gouernor of the prouince and city of TARENTVM which was now taken againe the seconde time In this gouernment of his he wanne the reputacion as much of a good and iust man as he did of an expert and skilfull Captaine By reason whereof when the ROMAINES were requested to send men to inhabite the cities of NARNIA COSSA he was appointed the chiefe leader of them which chiefely gaue him hart and corage to aspire at the first to the Consulshippe passinge ouer all other meane offices as to be AEdile Tribune or Praetor by which as by degrees other younge men were wont to attaine the Consulshippe Therefore when the time came that the Consulls should be elected he did present him selfe amonge other accompanied with a great number of those he hadde brought with him to inhabite the two newe townes who did make earnest sute for him But the two Tribunes Fuluius and Manlius spake against him and sayed it was out of all reason that so younge a man should in such manner prease to haue the office of the highest dignitie against the vse and custome of ROME before he hadde passed through the inferior offices of the commonwealth Neuertheless the Senate preferred it wholly to the voyces of the people who presently pronounced him Consull openly with Sextius AElius although he was not yet thirtie yeare olde Afterwardes AElius and he deuidinge the offices of the state by lotte it fell apon T. Quintius to make warre with Philip kinge of MACEDON In the which me thinkes fortune greatly fauored the ROMAINES affaires that made such a man Generall of these warres for to haue pointed a Generall that by force and violence woulde haue
CHALCIDIANS did not alone only honor reuerence Titus but he was generally honored also by the GREECIANS as he deserued was maruelously beloued for his curtesie and good nature which argueth plainely that they did not fainedly honor him or through compulsion but euen from the hart For though there was some iarre betwixt him and Philopoemen at the first about seruice for emulation of honor and after betwixt him and Diophanes also both generalls of the ACHAIANS yet he neuer bare them any malice in his hart neither did his anger moue him at any time to hurt them any way but he euer ended the heate of his wordes in counsell and assemblies where he vttered his minde franckely to them both Therefore none thought him euer a cruell man or eger of reuenge but many haue thought him rashe and hasty of nature Otherwise he was as good a companion in company as possibly could be and would vse as pleasaunt wise mirthe as any man As when he sayed to the ACHAIANS on a time who would needes vniustly vsurpe the I le of the ZACYNTHIANS to disswade them from it my Lordes of ACHAIA if ye once goe out of PELOPONNESVS you put your selues in daunger as the torteyses doe when they thrust their heades out of their shell And the first time he parled with Philip to treate of peace when Philip said vnto him you haue brought many men with you and I am come alone In deede it is true you are alone sayd he bicause you made all your frendes and kinne to be slaine An other time Dinocrates MESSINIAN being in ROME after he had taken in his cuppes in a feast where he was he disguised him selfe in womans apparell and daunced in that manner and the next day followinge he went vnto Titus to pray him to helpe him through with his sute which was to make the citie of MESSINA to rebell and leaue the tribe of the ACHAIANS Titus made him aunswer that he would thinke vpon it but I can but wonder at you sayd he howe you can daunce in womans apparell and singe at a feast hauinge such matters of weight in your head In the counsell of the ACHAIANS king Antiochus ambassadors beinge come thither to moue them to breake their league with the ROMAINES and to make alliance with the king their master they made a maruelous large discourse of the great multitude of souldiers that were in their masters army and did number them by many diuerse names Whereunto Titus aunswered and tolde how a frend of his hauing bidden him one night to supper and hauing serued so many dishes of meate to his bord as he was angry with him for bestowing so great cost apon him as wonderinge howe he could so sodainely get so much store of meate and of so diuerse kindes My frende saved to me againe that all was but porke dressed so many wayes and with so sundry sawces And euen so quod Titus my Lords of ACHAIA esteeme not king Antiochus army the more to heare of so many men of armes numbred with their launces and of such a number of footemen with their pykes for they are all but SYRIANS diuersely armed only with ill fauored litle weapons Furthermore after Titus had done these thinges and that the warre with Antiochus was ended he was chosen Censor at ROME with the sonne of that same Marcellus who had bene fiue times Consull This office is of great dignitie and as a man may say the crowne of all the honors that a citizen of ROME can haue in their common wealth They put of the Senate foure men only but they were not famous They did receiue all into the number of citizens of ROME that would present them selues to be enrolled in their common regester with a prouiso that they were borne free by father and mother They were compelled to doe it by Terentius Culeo Tribune of the people who to despight the nobility perswaded the people of ROME to commaunde it so Nowe at that time two of the noblest and most famous men of ROME were great enemies one against an other Publius Scipio AFRICAN and Marcus Porcius Cato Of these two Titus named Publius Scipio AFRICAN to be prince of the Senate as the chiefest and worthiest persone in the citie and got the displeasure of the other which was Cato by this mishappe Titus had a brother called Lucius Quintius Elaminius nothing like vnto him in condition at all for he was so dissolutely and licentiously giuen ouer to his pleasure that he forgatte all comlinesse and honesty This Lucius loued well a younge boy and caried him alwayes with him when he went to the warres or to the charge and gouernment of any prouince This boy flattering him one day sayd vnto Lucius Quintius that he loued him so well that he did leaue the sight of the Swordplayers at the sharpe which were making ready to the fight although he had neuer seene man killed before to waite vpon him Lucius being very glad of the boyes wordes aunswered him straight thou shalt loose nothing for that my boy for I will by by please thee as well So he commaunded a condemned man to be fetched out of prison and withall called for the hangman whome he willed to strike of his head in the middest of his supper that the boy might see him killed Valerius Antias the historiographer wryteth that it was not for the loue of the boy but of a woman which he loued But Titus Liuius declareth that in an oration which Cato him selfe made it was wrytten that it was one of the GAVLES who beinge a traitor to his contry men was come to Flaminius gate with his wife and children and that Flaminius making him come into his halle killed him with his owne handes to please a boy he loued that was desirous to see a man killed Howebeit it is very likely that Cato wrote in this sorte to aggrauate the offence and to make it more cruell For many haue wrytten it that it is true and that he was no traitor but an offendor condemned to dye and amonge other Cicero the orator doth recite it in a booke he made of age where he made it to be tolde vnto Catoes owne persone Howesoeuer it was Marcus Cato being chosen Censor and clensing the Senate of all vnworthy persones he put of the same Lucius Quintius Flaminius although he had bene Consull which disgrace did seeme to redowne to his brother Titus Quintius Flaminius also Whereupon both the brethren came weping with all humility before the people and made a petition that seemed very reasonable ciuill which was that they would commaunde Cato to come before them to declare the cause openly why he had with such open shame defaced so noble a house as theirs was Cato then without delay or shrinking backe came with his companion into the market place where he asked Titus out alowde if he knew nothing of the supper
Whereupon Demetrius went with his army to set apon the AETOLIANS and hauinge conquered the contry left Pantauchus his Lieutenaunt there with a great army and him selfe in person in the meane time marched against Pyrrus and Pyrrus on thother side against him They both missed of meetinge and Demetrius goinge on further on the one side entred into the realme of EPIRVS and brought a great spoyle away with him Pyrrus on the other side marched on till he came to the place where Pantauchus was To whome he gaue battell and it was valliantly fought our betwene the souldiers of either party but specially betwene the two Generalls For doutlesse Pantauchus was the valliantest Captaine the stowtest man and of the greatest experience in armes of all the Captaines and souldiers Demetrius had Whereupon Pantauchus trusting in his strength and corage aduaunced him selfe forwardes and lustely chalenged the combat of Pyrrus Pyrrus on the other side being inferior to no king in valliantnes nor in desire to winne honor as he that would ascribe vnto himselfe the glory of Achilles more for the imitacion of his valliancy then for that he was discended of his blood passed through the middest of the battell vnto the first rancke to buckle with Pantauchus Thus they beganne to charge one an other first with their dartes and then comming nearer fought with their swordes not only artificially but also with great force and fury vntill such time as Pyrrus was hurte in one place and he hurte Pantauchus in two The one neere vnto his throte and the other in his legge so as in the ende Pyrrus made him turne his backe and threw him to the ground but neuerthelesse killed him not For so soone as he was downe his men tooke him and caried him away But the EPIROTES encoraged by the victory of their kinge and the admiration of his valliantnesse stucke to it so lustely that in the end they brake the battell of the MACEDONIAN footemen hauing put them to flight followed them so liuely that they slewe a great number of them and tooke fiue thousande prisoners This ouerthrowe did not so much fill the hartes of the MACEDONIANS with anger for the losse they had receiued nor with the hate conceiued against Pyrrus as it wanne Pyrrus great fame honor making his corage and valliantnes to be wondred at of all uch as were present at the battell that saw him fight and how he layed about him For they thought that they saw in his face the very life and agility of Alexander the great and the right shadow as it were showinge the force and fury of Alexander him selfe in that fight And where other kinges did but only counterfeate Alexander the greatin his purple garments and in numbers of souldiers and gardes about their persones and in a certaine facion and bowing of their neckes a litle and in vttering his speech with an high voyce Pyrrus only was like vnto him and followed him in his marshall deedes and valliant actes Furthermore for his experience and skill in warlike discipline the bookes he wrote him selfe thereof do amply proue and make manifest Furthermore they reporte that kinge Antigonus being asked whome he thought to be the greatest Captaine made aunswer Pyrrus so farre foorth as he might liue to be olde speaking only of the Captaines of his time But Hanniball generally sayd Pyrrus was the greatest Captaine of experience and skil in warres of all other Scipio the second and him selfe the third as we haue wrytten in the life of Scipio So it seemeth that Pyrrus gaue his whole life and study to the discipline of warres as that which in dede was princely and meete for a king making no reckoning of all other knowledge And furthermore touching this matter they reporte that he being at a feast one day a question was asked him whom he thought to be the best player of the flute Python or Cephesias whereunto he aunswered that Polyperchon in his opinion was the best Captaine as if he would haue sayd that was the only thing a prince should seeke for and which he ought chiefly to learne and know He was very gentle and familiar with his frendes easie to forgeue when any had offended him and maruelous desirous to requite and acknowledge any curtesie or pleasure by him receiued And that was the cause why he did very vnpaciently take the death of AEropus not so much for his death which he knewe was a common thing to euery liuing creature as for that he was angry with himselfe he had deferred the time so long that time it selfe had cut him of from all occasion and meanes to requite the curtesies he had receiued of him True it is that money lent may be repayed againe vnto the heires of the lender but yet it greueth an honest nature when he can not recompence the good will of the lender of whom he hath receiued the good turne An other time Pyrrus being in the city of AMBRACIA there were certaine of his frends that gaue him counsel to put a naughty man out of the city that did nothing but speake ill of him But he aunswered it is better quod he to keepe him here still speakinge ill of vs but to a fewe then driuing him away to make him speake ill of vs euery where Certaine youthes were brought before him on a time who making mery together drinking freely were bolde with the king to speake their pleasure of him in very vnduetifull sorte So Pyrrus askinge them whether it was true they sayed so or no it is true and it please your grace sayed one of them we sayed it in deede and had not our wine failed vs we had spoken a great deale more The king laughed at it and pardoned them After the death of Antigona he maried many wiues to increase his power withall and to gette moe frendes For he maried the daughter of Antoleon kinge of PAEONIA and Bircenna the daughter of Bardillis king of ILLYRIA and Lanassa the daughter of Agathocles tyran of SYRACVSA that brought him for her dower the I le of CORPHVE which her father had taken By Antigona his first wife he had a sonne called Ptolomie By Lanassa an other called Alexander and by Bircenna an other the youngest of all called Helenus all which though they were marshall men by race and naturall inclination yet were they brought vp by him in warres and therein trained as it were euen from their cradell They wryte that one of his sonnes beinge but a boy asked him one day to which of them he would leaue his kingdome Pyrrus aunswered the boy to him that hath the sharpest sworde That was much like the tragicall curse wherewith Oedipus cursed his children Let them for me deuide both goodes yea rentes and lande VVith trenchaunt svvord and bloody blovves by force of mighty hande So cruell hatefull and beastly is the nature of ambition and desire of rule But after
selfe same instant serued the ITALIANS horse in the like manner so as both their horses fell dead to the ground Howbeit Pyrrus men that were about him saued him presently and flew the ITALIAN in the fielde although he fought it out right valliantly The ITALIANS name was Oplacus borne in the city of FERENTVM and was Captaine of a bande of men of armes This mischaunce made kinge Pyrrus looke the better to him selfe afterwardes and seeinge his horsemen geue backe sent presently to hasten his footemen forward whom he straight set in order of battell and deliuering his armor and cloke to one of his familiars called Megacles and being hidden as it were in Megacles armor returned againe to the battell against the ROMAINES who valiantly resisted him so that the victory depended longe in doubt For it is sayd that both the one side and the other did chase and was chased aboue seuen times in that conflict The chaunginge of the kinges armor serued very well for the safety of his owne persone howebeit it was like to haue marred all and to haue made him loose the fielde For many of his enemies set vppon Megacles that ware the kings armor and the partie that slue him dead and threw him starke to the grounde was one Dexius by name who quickely snatched of his head peece tooke away his cloke and ranne to Leuinus the Consul crying out alowde that he had slaine Pyrrus and withall shewed foorth the spoyles he supposed to haue taken from him Which being caried about through all the bands openly shewed from hand to hand made the ROMAINES maruelous ioyfull and the GREECIANS to the contrary both afeard and right sorowfull vntill such time as Pyrrus hearing of it went and passed alongest all his bandes bare headed and bar 〈…〉 holdinge vp his hande to his souldiers and geuinge them to vnderstande with his owne voyce that it was him selfe The elephantes in the ende were they in deede that wanne the battell and did most distresse the ROMAINES for their horses seeing them a farre of were sore afrayed and durst not abide them but caried their masters backe in despite of them Pyrrus at the sight thereof made his THESSALIAN horsemen to geue a charge apon them whilest they were in this disorder and that so lustely as they made the ROMAINES flie and susteine great slaughter For Dionysius wryteth that there dyed few lesse then fifteene thowsand ROMAINES at that battell But Hieronymus speaketh onely of seuen thowsande And of Pyrrus side Dionysius wryteth there were slaine thirteene thowsande But Hieronymus sayth lesse then foure thowsande howebeit they were all of the best men of his army and those whome most be trusted King Pyrrus presently hereupon also tooke the ROMAINES campe which they forsooke and wan many of their cities from their allyance spoyled and ouercame much of their contry Insomuch as he came within six and thirty mile of ROME whither came to his aide as confederates of the TARENTINES the LVCANIANS the SAMNITES whom he rebuked bicause they came to late to the battel Howbeit a man might easily see in his face that he was not a litle glad and proude to haue ouerthrowen so great an army of the ROMAINES with his owne men and the aide of the TARENTINES onely On thóther side the ROMAINES hartes were so great that they would not depose Leuinus from his Consullshippe notwithstandinge the losse he had receiued and Caius Fabricius sayed openly that they were not the EPIROTES that had ouercomen the ROMAINES but Pyrrus had ouercome Leuinus meaning thereby that this ouerthrow chaunced vnto them more through the subtilty and wise conduction of the Generall then through the valliant feates and worthines of his army And hereuppon they speedily supplied their legyons againe that were minished with other newe souldiers in the dead mens place and leauied a fresh force besides speaking brauely and fiercely of this warre like men whose hartes nothinge appawled Whereat Pyrrus maruelinge much thought good first to send to the ROMAINES to proue if they would geue any eare to an offer of peace knowing right well that the winning of the city of ROME was no easie matter to cōpasse or attaine with that strength he presently had and also that it would be greatly to his glory if he could bring them to peace after this his valliant victory And hereupon he sent Cineas to ROME who spake with the chiefest of the city and offred presentes to them and their wiues in the behalfe of the king his master Howbeit neither man nor woman would receiue any at his handes but aunswered all with one voyce that if the peace might be general to all they all priuately woulde be at the kinges commaundement and woulde be glad of his frendshippe Moreouer when Cineas had talked in open audience before the Senate of many curteous offers and had deliuered them profitable capitulacions of peace they accepted none nor shewed any affection to geue care vnto them although he offered to deliuer them their prisoners home againe without raunsome that had bene taken at the battell and promised also to aide them in the conquest of ITALIE requiring no other recompence at their handes sauing their goodwills only to his master assurance for the TARENTINES that they should not be annoyed for any thinge past without demaunde of other matter Neuertheless in the ende when they had hearde these offers many of the Senators yeelded and were willinge to make peace alleaginge that they had already lost a great battell and howe they looked for a greater when the force of the confederates of ITALIE should ioyne together with king Pyrrus power But Appius Claudius a famous man who came no more to the Senate nor delt in matters of state at all by reason of his age and partely bicause he was blinde when he vnderstoode of king Pyrrus offers and of the common brute that ranne through the city howe the Senate were in minde to agree to the capitulacions of peace propounded by Cineas he could not abide but caused his seruantes to cary him in his chayer apon their armes vnto the Senate dore his sonnes and sonnes in law taking him in their armes caried him so into the Senate house The Senate made silence to honor the comming in of so notable worthy a personage and he so soone as they had sette him in his seate beganne to speake in this sorte Hitherunto with great impacience my Lordes of ROME haue I borne the losse of my sight but now I would I were also as deafe as I am blinde that I might not as I doe heare the 〈…〉 rte of your dishonorable consultacions determined vpon in Senate which tende to subscribe the glorious fame and reputacion of ROME What is now become of all your great and mighty bragges you blased abroade through the whole worlde that if Alexander the great himselfe had come into ITALIE in the time that our fathers had bene in
the flower of their age and we in the prime of our youth they would not haue sayed euery where that he was altogether inuincible as now at this present they doe but either he should haue left his body slaine herein battell or at the least wise haue bene driuen to flie and by his death or flyinge shoulde greatly haue enlarged the renowne and glory of ROME you plainly show it now that all these words spoken thē were but vaine arrogant vaunts of foolish pride Considering that you tremble for feare of the MOLOSSIANS CHAONIANS who were euer a pray to the MACEDONIANS and that ye are afrayed of Pyrrus also who all his life time serued and followed one of the gard vnto Alexander the great and nowe is come to make warres in these partes not to aide the GREECIANS inhabiting in ITALIE but to flie from his enemies there about his owne contry offering you to conquer all the rest of ITALIE with an army wherewith he was nothing able to kepe a small parte of MACEDON only for him selfe And therefore you must not perswade your selues that in making peace with him you shall thereby be rid of him but rather shall your draw others to come set apon you besides For they will vtterly despise you when they shal heare ye are so easily ouercome and that you haue suffered Pyrrus to escape your handes before you made him feele the iust reward of his bolde presumptuous attempt vpon you carying with him for a further hier this aduantage ouer you that he hath geuen a great occasion both to the SAMNITES and TARENTINES hereafter to mocke and deride you After that Appius had tolde this tale vnto the Senate euery one through the whole assembly desired rather warre then peace They dispatched Cineas away thereupon with this aunswere that if Pyrrus sought the ROMAINES frendshippe he must first departe out of ITALIE and then sende vnto them to treate of peace but so longe as he remained there with his army the ROMAINES would make warres vpon him with all the force and power they could make yea although he had ouerthrowen and slaine tenne thowsand such Captaines as Leuinus was They say that Cineas during the time of his abode at ROME intreating for this peace did curiously labor to consider and vnderstande the manners order and life of the ROMAINES and their common weale discoursing thereof with the chiefest men of the city and how afterwards he made ample reporte of the same vnto Pyrrus and tolde him amongest other thinges that the Senate appeared to him a counsell house of many kinges And furthermore for the number of people that he feared greatly they should fight against such a serpent as that which was in olde time in the marises of LERNE of which when they had cut of one heade seuen other came vp in the place bicause the Consull Leuinus had nowe leauied an other army twise as great as the first was and had left at ROME also many times as many good able men to cary armor After this there were sent Ambassadors from ROME vnto Pyrrus and amongest other Caius Fabricius touching the state of the prisoners Cineas tolde the kinge his master that this Fabritius was one of the greatest menne of accompt in all ROME a right honest man a good Captaine and a very valliant man of his handes yet poore in deede he was notwithstanding Pyrrus taking him secretly a side made very much of him and amongest other thinges offered him bothe golde and siluer prayinge him to take it not for any dishonest respect he ment towardes him but only for a pledge of the goodwill and frendshippe that should be betwene them Fabricius would none of his gift so Pyrrus left him for that time Notwithstanding the next morninge thinkinge to feare him bicause he had neuer seene elephant before Pyrrus commaunded his men that when they sawe Fabricius and him talkinge together they shoulde bringe one of his greatest elephantes and set him harde by them behinde a hanging which being done at a certaine signe by Pyrrus geuen sodainly the hanging was pulled backe and the elephant with his troncke was ouer Fabricius heade and gaue a terrible and fearefull crie Fabricius softely geuing backe nothing afrayed laughed and sayd to Pyrrus smiling neither did your golde oh king yesterday moue me nor your elephant to day feare me Furthermore whilest they were at supper fallinge in talke of diuerse matters specially touchinge the state of GREECE and the Philosophers there Cineas by chaunce spake of EPICVRVS and rehearsed the opinions of the EPICVRIANS touching the goddes and gouernment of the common wealth how they placed mans chiefe felicity in pleasure how they fled from all office publike charge as from a thing that hindereth the fruition of true felicity howe they maintained that the goddes were immortall neither moued with pity nor anger and led an idle life full of all pleasures and delightes without taking any regarde of mens doinges But as he still continued this discourse Fabricius cried out alowde and sayd the goddes graunt that Pyrrus and the SAMNITES were of such opinions as long as they had warres against vs Pyrrus marueling much at the constancy and magnanimity of this man was more desirous a great deale to haue peace with the ROMAINES then before And priuately prayed Fabricius very earnestly that he would treate for peace whereby he might afterwards come and remaine with him saying that he would giue him the chiefe place of honor about him amongest all his frendes Whereunto Fabricius aunswered him softly that were not good oh king for your selfe quod he for your men that presently doe honor and esteeme you be experience if they once knew me would rather choose me for their kinge then your selfe Such was Fabricius talke whose wordes Pyrrus tooke not in ill parte neither was offended with them at all as a tyran woulde haue bene but did him selfe reporte to his frendes and familiars the noble minde he founde in him and deliuered him apon his faith only all the ROMAINE prisoners to the ende that if the Senate would not agree vnto peace they might yet see their frendes and kepe the feast of Saturne with them and then to send them backe againe vnto him Which the Senate established by decree vpon paine of death to all such as should not performe the same accordingly Afterwardes Fabricius was chosen Consull and as he was in his campe there came a man to him that brought him a letter from kinge Pyrrus Phisitian wrytten with his owne handes in which the Phisitian offered to poyson his maister so he would promise him a good reward for ending the warres without further daunger Fabricius detestinge the wickednesse of the Phisitian and hauing made Q. AEmilius his colleague and fellowe Consull also to abhorre the same wrote a letter vnto Pyrrus and bad him take heede for there were that ment to poyson him The contentes of his
and lodged with him When night was come the LACEDAEMONIANS counselled together secretly determined to send away their wiues and litle children into CRETA But the women them selues were against it and there was one amonge them called Archidamia who went into the Senate house with a sword in her hand to speake vnto them in the name of all the rest and sayd that they did their wiues great wronge if they thought them so fainte harted as to liue after SPARTA were destroyed Afterwards it was agreed in counsell that they should cast a trenche before the enemies campe and that at both the endes of the same they should bury cartes in the ground vnto the middest of the wheeles to the end that being fast set in the ground they should stay the elephantes and kepe them from passing further And when they beganne to go in hand withall there came wives and maides vnto them some of them their clothes girte vp round about them and others all in their smockes to worke at this trenche with the old men aduising the young men that should fight the next morning to rest them selues in the meane while So the women tooke the third parte of the trenche to taske which was six cubittes broade foure cubits deepe and eight hundred foote long as Philarchus sayth or litle lesse as Hieronymus wryteth Then when the breake of day appeared the enemies remoued to come to the assault the women them selues fetched the weapons which they put into the young mens hands and deliuered them the taske of the trenche ready made which they before had vndertaken praying them valliantly to keepe and defend it tellinge them withall howe great a pleasure it is to ouercome the enemies fighting in view and sight of their natiue contry and what great felicity and honor it is to dye in the armes of his mother and wife after he hath fought valliantly like an honest man and worthy of the magnanimity of SPARTA But Chelidonida being gone a side had tyed a halter with ariding knot about her necke ready to strangle hang her selfe rather theÌ„ to fall into the hands of Cleonymus if by chaunce the city should come to be taken Now Pyrrus marched in person with his battell of footemen against the fronte of the SPARTANS who being a great number also did tary his comming on the other side of the trenche the which besides that it was very ill to passe ouer did let the souldiers also to fight steadely in order of battell bicause the earth being newly cast vp did yeld vnder their feete Wherefore Ptolomie king Pyrrus sonne passing all alongest the trench side with two thowsand GAVLES all the choyce men of the CHAONIANS assayed if he could get ouer to the other side at one of the endes of the trenche where the cartes were which being set very deepe into the ground and one ioyned vnto an other they did not only hinder thassaylants but the defendants also Howbeit in the end the GAVLES began to plucke of the wheeles of these cartes and to draw them into the riuer But Acrotatus king Areus sonne a young man seeing the daunger ranne through the city with a troupe of three hundred lusty youthes besides went to inclose Ptolomie behinde before he espied him for that he passed a secret hollow way till he came even to geue the charge vpon them whereby they were enforced to turne their faces towardes him one runninge in an others necke and so in great disorder were thrust into the trenches and vnder the cartes insomuch as at the last with much a doe and great bloodshed Acrotates and his company draue them backe and repulsed them Now the women and old men that were on thother side of the trenche saw plainly before their face howe valliantly Acrotatus had repulsed the GAVLES Wherefore alter Acrotatus had done this exployte he returned againe through the city vnto the place from whence he came all on a goare blood coragious and liuely for the victory he came newly from The women of SPARTA thought Acrotatus farre more noble and fayrer to beholde then euer he was so that they all thought Chelidonida happy to haue such a frend and louer And there were certaine olde men that followed him crying after him goe thy way Acrotatus and enioy thy loue Chelidonida beget noble children of her vnto SPARTA The fight was cruell on that side where Pyrrus was and many of the SPARTANS fought very valliantly Howbeit amongest other there was one named Phillius who after he had sought long and slaine many of his enemies with his owne handes that forced to passe ouer the trenche perceiuing that his hart fainted for the great number of woundes he had apon him called one of them that were in the rancke next behinde him and geuing him his place fell downe deade in the armes of his frendes bicause his enemies shoulde not have his body In the ende the battell hauinge continued all the day longe the night did separate them and Pyrrus being layed in his bed had this vision in his sleepe He thought he â—â—rake the city of LACEDAEMON with lightning and that he vtterly consumed it whereat he was so passing glad that euen with the very ioy he awaked And thereuppon foorthwith commaunded his Captaines to make their men ready to the assault and told his dreame vnto his familiers supposing that out of dout it did betoken he should in that approache take the citie All that heard it beleued it was so sauing one Lysimachus who to the contrary sayed that this vision like him not bicause the places smitten with lightning are holy and it is noâ— lawfull to enter into them by reason wherof he was also affraied that the goddes did signifie vnto him that he should not enter into the citie of SPARTA Pyrrus aunswered him that saied he is a matter disputable to fro in an open assembly of people for there is no maner of certainty in it But furthermore euery man must take his weapon in his hand set this sentence before his eyes A right good signe it is that he vvould hazard life In iust defence of masters cause vvith speare and bloody knife Alludinge vnto Homers verses which he wrote for the defence of his contry And saying thus he rose and at the breake of day led his army vnto the assault On thother side also the LACEDAEMONIANS with a maruelous corage magnanimity farre greater then their force bestirred them selues wonderfully to make resistaunce hauing their wiues by them that gaue them their weapons wherewith they fought and were ready at hand to geue meate drinke to them that needed and did also withdrawe those that were hurt to cure them The MACEDONIANS likewise for their parte endeuored them selues with all their might to fill vppe the trenche with wodde and other thinges which they cast vpon the dead bodies and armors lying in the bottome of the ditche the
LACEDAEMONIANS againe labored all that they could possible to let them But in this great broyle one perceiued Pyrrus a horse backe to haue lept the trenche past ouer the strength of the cartes and make force to enter into the city Wherfore those that were appointed to defende that parte of the trench cried out straight and the women fell a shreeking and running as if all had bene lost And as Pyrrus passed further striking downe with his owne handes all that stoode before him a CRETAN shot at him strake his horse through both sides who leapinge out of the prease for paine of his wounde dying caried Pyrrus away and threw him vppon the hanging of a steepe hill where he was in great daunger to fall from the toppe This put all his seruauntes and frendes about him in a maruelous feare and therewithall the LACEDAEMONIANS seeing them in this feare and trouble ran immediatly vnto that place and with force of shotte draue them all out of the trenche After this retyre Pyrrus caused all assault to cease hoping the LACEDAEMONIANS in the end would yeelde consideringe there were many of them slaine in the two dayes past and all the rest in maner hurt Howbeit the good fortune of the citie whether it were to proue the valliantnes of the inhabitantes them selues or at the least to shew what power they were of euen in their greatest nede and distresse when the LACEDAEMONIANS had small hope left brought one Aminias Phocian from CORINTHE one of king Antigonus Captaines with a great band of men and put them into the city to aide them and straight after him as soone as he had entred king Areus arriued also on thother side from CRETA and two thowsand souldiers with him So the women went home to their houses makinge their reckening that they should not neede any more to trouble them selues with warres They gaue the olde men liberty also to goe and rest them selues who being past allage to fight for necessities sake yet were driuen to arme them selues and take weapon in hande and in order of battell placed the newe come souldiers in their roomes Pyrrus vnderstanding that newe supplies were come grewe to greater stomake then before and inforced all that he could to winne the towne by assault But in the end when to his cost he founde that he wanne nothing but blowes he gaue ouer the siege and went to spoyle all the contry about determining to lye there in garrison all the winter He coulde not for all this auoide his destenie For there rose a sedition in the city of ARGOS betwene two of the chiefest citizens Aristeas and Aristippus and bicause Aristeas thought that kinge Antigonus did fauor his enemy Aristippus he made hast to sende first vnto Pyrrus whose nature and disposition was such that he did continually heape hope vppon hope euer taking the present prosperity for an occasion to hope after greater to come And if it fell out he was a loser then he sought to recouer him selfe and to restore his losse by some other newe attempts So that neither for being conqueror nor ouercomen he would euer be quiet but alwayes troubled some and him selfe also by reason whereof he sodainly departed towardes ARGOS But king Areus hauing layed ambushes for him in diuerse places and occupied also the straightest and hardest passages by the which he was to passe gaue a charge vppon the GAVLES and MOLOSSIANS which were in the tayle of his army Now the selfe same day Pyrrus was warned by a Soothsayer who sacrificing had founde the liuer of the sacrificed beast infected that it betokened the losse of some most neere vnto him But when he heard the noyse of the charge geuen he thought not of the forwarning of his Soothsayer but commaunded his sonne to take his household seruauntes with him and to go thither as he him selfe in the meane time with as great hast as he could made the rest of his army marche to get them quickely out of this daungerous way The fraye was very hotte about Ptolomie Pyrrus sonne for they were all the chiefe men of the LACEDAEMONIANS with whome he had to doe led by a valliant Captaine called Eualcus But as he fought valliantly against those that stoode before him there was a souldier of CRETA called Oraesus borne in the citie of APTERA a man very ready of his hande and light of foote who running alongest by him strake him such a blowe on his side that he sell downe dead in the place This prince Ptolomie being slaine his company began straight to flie and the LACEDAEMONIANS followed the chase so hottely that they tooke no heede of them selues vntill they sawe they were in the plaine field farre from their footemen Wherefore Pyrrus vnto whom the death of his sonne was newly reported being a fire with sorow and passion turned so dainly vpon them with the men of armes of the MOLOSSIANS and being the first that came vnto them made a maruelous slaughter among them For notwithstanding that euery where before that time he was terrible and inuincible hauing his sword in his hande yet then he did shewe more proofe of his valliantnes strength and corage then he had euer done before And when he had sette spurres to his horse against Eualcus to close with him Eualcus turned on the toe side and gaue Pyrrus such a blowe with his sword that he missed litle the cutting of his bridle hande for he cut in deede all the raines of the bridle a sunder But Pyrrus straight ranne him through the body with his speare and lighting of from his horse he put all the troupe of the LACEDAEMONIANS to the sword that were about the body of Eualcus being all chosen men Thus the ambition of the Captaines was cause of that losse vnto their contry for nothing considering that the warres against thē were ended But Pyrrus hauing now as it were made sacrifice of these poore bodies of the LACEDAEMONIANS for the soule of his dead sonne and fought thus wonderfully also to honor his funeralls conuerting a great parte of his sorow for his death into anger and wrath against the enemies he afterwardes held on his way directly towardes ARGOS And vnderstanding that king Antigonus had already seased the hills that were ouer the valley he lodged neere vnto the city of NAVPLIA and the next morning following sent a heraulde vnto Antigonus and gaue him defyance calling him wicked man and chalenged him to come downe into the valley to fight with him to trye which of them two should be king Antigonus made him aunswer that he made warres as much with time as with weapon furthermore that if Pyrrus were weary of his life he had wayes open enough to put him selfe to death The citizens of ARGOS also sent Ambassadors vnto them both to pray them to departe sith they knew that there was nothing for them to see in the city of ARGOS and that they would let
vp together in this sorte there was not one that could helpe him selfe for it seemed to be masse and heape of a multitude and one whole body shut together which sometime thrust forward and sometimes gave backe as the sway went They fought not so much against their enemies who set apon them behinde but they did them selues more hurt then their enemies did For if any drew out his sword or based his pyke he could neither scabard th one againe nor lift vp thother but thrust it full vpon his owne fellowes that came in to helpe them and so killed them selues one thrusting vpon an other Wherefore Pyrrus seeing his people thus troubled and harried to fro tooke his crowne from his heade which he ware apon his helmet that made him knowen of his men a farre of and gaue it vnto one of his familiars that was next vnto him and trusting then to the goodnes of his horse flewe vpon his enemies that followed him It fortuned that one hurt him with a pyke but the wound was neither daungerous nor great wherfore Pyrrus set vpon him that had hurt him who was an ARGIAN borne a man of meane condition and a poore olde womans sonne whose mother at that present time was gotten vp to the toppe of the tyles of a house as all other women of the city were to see the fight And she perceiuing that it was here sonne whome Pyrrus came apon was so afrighted to see him in that daunger that she tooke a tyle and with both her handes cast it apon Pyrrus The tyle falling of from his head by reason of his head peece lighted full in the nape of his neck brake his necke bone a sunder wherewith he was sodainly so benummed that he lost his fight with the blow the raines of his bridle fell out of his hande and him selfe fell from his horse to the ground by Licymmias tombe before any man knew what he was at the least the common people Vntill at the last there came one Zopyrus that was in pay with Antigonus and two or three other souldiers also that ran straight to the place and knowing him dragged his body into a gate euen as he was comming againe to him selfe out of this traunse This Zopyrus drewe out a SLAVON sword he wore by his side to strike of his head But Pyrrus cast such a grimme countenance on him betwene his eyes that made him so afrayed his hand so to shake therewith that being thus amazed he did not strike him right in the place where he should haue cut of his head but killed him vnder his mouth about his chinne so that he was a great while ere he could strike of his head The matter was straight blowen abroade amongest diuerse whereupon Alcyoneus running thither asked for the head that he might know it againe But when he had it he ranne presently vnto his father withall and found him talking with his familiar frends and cast Pyrrus head before him Antigonus looking vpon it when he knew it layed apon his sonne with his staffe and called him cruell murderer and vnnaturall barbarous beast and so hyding his eyes with his cloke wept for pity remembring the fortune of his grandfather Antigonus and of his father Demetrius and then caused Pyrrus head body to be honorably burnt buried Afterwards Alcyoneus meeting Helenus king Pyrrus sonne in very poore state mufled vp with a poore shorte cloke vsed him very curteously with gentle wordes and brought him to his father Antigonus seeing his sonne bringing of him sayd vnto him this parte now my sonne is better then the first and pleaseth me a great deale more But yet thou hast not done all thou shouldest for thou shouldest haue taken from him his beggerly cloke the weareth which doth more shame vs that are the gainers then him that is the loser After he had spoken these wordes Antigonus embraced Helenus and hauing apparelled him in good sorte sent him home with honorable conuoy into his realme of EPIRVS Furthermore seasing all Pyrrus campe and army he curteously receiued all his frendes and seruauntes The end of Pyrrus life THE LIFE OF Caius Marius IT is not knowen what was the third name of Caius Marius no more then of Quintius Sertorius who had all SPAYNE in his handes at one time nor of Lucius Mummius he that destroyed the citie of CORINTHE For this name of Achaicus that was geuen vnto Mummius of Africanus vnto Scipio and of Numidicus vnto Metellus were all surnames geuen them by reason of the conquestes they wan By this reason Posidonius thinketh to ouercome them that say that the third name the ROMAINES haue is their proper name as Camillus Marcellus Cato For if it fell out so sayd he then it must needes follow that they which haue two names should haue no proper name But on the otherside also he doth not consider that by the like reason he should say that women haue no names for there is not a woman in ROME that is called by her first name which Posidonius iudgeth to be the proper name of the ROMAINES And that of the other two the one is the common name of all the house of family as or the POMPEIANS of the MANLIANS and of the CORNELIANS like us the HERACLIDES and the PELOPIDES are amongest the GREECIANS and the other is a surname taken of the deedes or of the nature forme or shape of the body or of some other like accident as are these surnames Macrinus Torquatus Sylla Euen as amongest the GREECIANS likewise Mnemon which signifieth hauing good memory Grypos hauing a crooked noâ—eâ— Callinicos conquering But as for that the diuersitie of custome would deliuer obiection sufficient to the contrary to him that lifted And furthermore as touching the fauor of Marius face we haue seene an image of his in marbell at RAVENNA a city of the GAVLES which doth liuely represent that rough seuerity of nature and maner which they say was in him For being borne a rough man by nature and geuen to the warres and hauing followed the same altogether from his youth more then the ciuill life when he came to authority he could not bridle his anger and chollericke nature And they say furthermore that he neuer learned the Greeke tongue nor vsed it in any matters of weight as though it had been a mockery to study to learne the tongue the masters whereof liued in bondage vnder others After his second triumphe in the dedication of a certaine temple he made Greeke playes to shewe the ROMAINES pastime and came into the Theater how beit he did but sit downe only and went his way straight Wherfore me thinkes that as Plato was wont to say oft vnto Xenocrates the Philosopher who was of a currish nature had his head euer occupied and so seuere Xenocrates my frend I pray thee doe sacrifice to the Graces So if any man could haue perswaded Marius to haue
sacrificed to the Muses and to the GREECIAN Graces that is to say that he had knowen the Greeke tongue to so many famous and glorious deedes as he did both in peace and warres he had to ioyned so vnfortunate and miserable an end as he made through his choller and extreame ambition at such yeares and through an vnsatiable couetousnes which like boysterous windes made him to make shipwracke of all in a most cruell bloody and vnnaturall age The which is easily knowen in reading the discourse of his doinges First of all he was of a meane house borne of poore parents by father mother that got their liuings by sweate of their browes His father as him selfe was called Caius Fulcinia was his mother And this was the cause why he beganne so late to haunt the city and to learne the ciuility and manners of ROME hauing bene brought vp alwayes before in a litle poore village called CIRROEATON within the territory of the city of ARPOS where he led a hard contry life in respect of those that liued pleasauntly and finely in the cities but otherwise well reformed and nearest vnto the manners of the auncient ROMAINES The first iorney he made vnto the warres was against the CELTIBERIANS in SPAYNE vnder Scipio AFRICAN when he went to besiege the city of NVMANTIA where his Captaines in shorte time found that he was a better souldier then any other of his companions For the did maruelous easily receiue the reformation of manners and the discipline of warres which Scipio aduaunced amongest his souldiers that were ill trained before and geuen ouer to all pleasure And they say that in the sight of his Generall he fought hand to hand with one of his enemies and slew him vpon which occasion Scipio to make him loue him did offer him many curtesies and pleasures But specially one day aboue the rest hauing made him suppe with him at his table some one after supper falling in talke of Captaines that were in ROME at that time one that stoode by Scipio asked him either bicause in deede he stoode in doubt or else for that he would curry fauor with Scipio what other Captaine the ROMAINES should haue after his death like vnto him Scipio hauing Marius by him gently clapped him apon his shoulder and sayd peraduenture this shal be he Thus happely were they both borne the one to shew from his youth that one day he should come to be a great man and the other also for wisely coniecturing the end by seeing of the beginning Well it fortuned so that these words of Scipio by reporte aboue all things else put Marius in a good hope as if they had bene spoken by the oracle of some god and made him bold to deale in matters of state and common wealth where by meanes of the fauor countenaunce Cecilius Metellus gaue him whose house his father and he had alwayes followed and honored he obtained the office of Tribuneshippe In this office he preferred a law touching the manner howe to geue the voyces in election of the Magistrates which did seeme to take from the nobility the authority they had in iudgement And therefore the Consull Cotta stepped vp against it and perswaded the Senate to resist that lawe and not suffer it to be authorised and therewithall presently to call Marius before them to yeld a reason of his doing So was it agreed vppon in the Senate Now Marius comming into the Senate was not abashed at any thing as some other young man would haue bene that had but newly begonne to enter into the world as he did and hauing no other notable calling or quality in him sauing his vertue only to commend him but taking boldenes of him selfe as the noble actes he afterwards did gaue show of his valor he openly threatned the Consull Cotta to sende him to prison if he did not presently withdrawe the conclusion he had caused to be resolued apon The Consull then turning him selfe vnto Caecilius Metellus asked him how he liked it Metellus standing vp spake in the behalfe of the Consull and then Marius calling a sergeaunt out commended him to take Metellus selfe and to cary him to prison Metellus appealed to the other Tribunes but neuer a one would take his matter in hand so that the Senate when all was done were compelled to call backe the conclusion that before was taken Then Marius returning with great honor into the market place among the assembly of the people caused this law to passe and be authorised and euery man held opinion of him that he would proue a stowt man and such a one as would stoupe for any feare nor shrinke for bashfullness but would beard the Senate is fauor of the people Notwithstanding he shortly after chaunged opinion and altered the first by an other act he made For when an other went about to haue a law made to distribute corne vnto euery citizen without payment of any penny he was vehemently against it and ouerthrew it so that thereby he came to be a like honored and estemed of either party as he that would neither pleasure the one nor the other to the preiudice of the common wealth After he had bene Tribune he sued for the chiefest office of AEdilis Of the AEdiles there are two sortes the first is called AEdilitas Curulis so named bicause of certaine chayers that haue crooked seete vpon which they sit when they geue audience The other is of lesse dignity and that is called AEdilitas popularis and when they haue chosen the first and greater AEdilis at ROME they presently proceede the same day also in the market place vnto election of the lesser Marius seeing plainely that he was put by the chiefest of the AEdiles turned againe straight yet to demaund the second but this was misliked in him and they tooke him for too bold too shameles and too presumptuous a man So that in one selfe day he had two denyalles and repulses which neuer man but him selfe before had And neuerthelesse all this could not cut his combe but shortely after he sued also for the Praetorshippe and he lacked but litle of the deniall of that yet in the ende being last of all chosen he was accused to haue bribed the people and bought their voyces for money And surely amongest many other this presumption was very great that they saw a man of CASSIVS SABACON within the barres where the election is made running to and fro amonge them that gaue their voyces bicause this Sabacon was Marius very great frend The matter came before the iudges and Sabacon was examined vpon it Whereunto he aunswered that for the great extreame heate he felt he was very dry and asked for colde water to drinke and that this man had brought him some in a potte where he was howbeit that he went his way as soone as euer he had dronke This Sabacon was afterwardes put out of
triumphed into the city with Catulus Luctatius meaning to shew himselfe curteous and moderate in so great prosperity and peraduenture also fearing Catulus souldiers who were in readinesse and prepared if Marius would haue depriued their Captaine of that honor to let him also of his triumphe And thus you see howe he passed his fift Consulshippe After that he made more earnest sute for the sixt Consulshippe then euer any other did for his first seeking the peoples goodwilles by all the fayer meanes he could to please them humbling him selfe vnto them not only more then became his estate and calling but directly also against his owne nature counterfeating a curteous populer manner being cleane contrarie to his disposition His ambition made him timerous to deale in matters of the state concerning the city For that corage and boldenesse which he had in battell against the enemy he lost it quite when he was in an assembly of people in the city and was easily put out of his byase with the first blame or praise he heard geuen him And though they reporte that on a time when he made a thowsande CAMERINES free of the city of ROME bicause they had done valliant seruice in the warres that there were some that did accuse him saying that it was a thing done against all law he aunswered them that for the noyse of the armor he could not heare the law Notwithstanding it seemeth that in dede he was greatly afeard of the fury of the people in an assembly of the city For in time of warres he euer stoode apon his reputacion and authority knowing that they had neede of him but in peace and ciuill gouernment bicause he would rather be the chiefest man then the honestest man he would creepe into the peoples bosomes to get their fauor and goodwil And thus through his euill behauior he brought all the nobility generally to be his enemies But he feared nor mistrusted none so much as he did Metellus for the great vnthankefull parte he remembred he had played him and the rather also bicause he knew him to be a iust true dealing man and one that was euer against these people pleasers and flatterers Marius therefore practised all the wayes he could to get Metellus to be banished ROME Wherfore to compasse his intent he fell in frendship with Glaucia and one Saturninus two of the most boldest most desperate and most hardbraind young men that were in all ROME who had all the rablement of rogues and beggers and such tumultuous people at their commaundement by whose meanes he made new populer lawes and caused the souldiers to be called home out of the warres mingled them with the people of the city in common assemblies to trouble and vexe Metellus Moreouer Rutilius an honest and true writer howbeit an enemy vnto Marius wryteth that he obtained his sixt Consulshippe by corruption of money which he caused to be distributed amongest the tribes of the people that he bought it for ready money to put by Metellus and to haue Valerius Flaccus not for his fellowe and companion in the Consulshippe but rather for a minister of his will. There was neuer ROMAINE to whome the people graunted the Consulshippe six times except it were vnto Valerius Coruinus only But for him they say that there was fiue and forty yeares betwene his first Consulship and the last Where Marius since the first yeare of his Consulshippe continued fiue yeares together by good fortune one after an other But in his last Consulship he wanne him selfe great hate and malice bicause he did many fowle faultes to please Saturninus withall as amongest others when he bare with Saturninus who murdered Nonius his competitor in the Tribuneship Afterwardes when Saturninus was chosen Tribune of the people he preferred a law for distribution of the landes among the common people and vnto that law he had specially added one article that all the Lords of the Senate should come openly to sweare that they should kepe and obserue from pointe to pointe that which the people by their voyces should decree and should not deny it in any iotte But Marius in open Senate made as though he would withstand this article saying that neither he nor any other wise man of iudgement would take this othe for said he if the law be euill then they should doe the Senate open wrong to compell them by force to graunt it and not of their owne goodwills But he spake not that meaning to do as he said for it was but a bayte he had layed for Metellus only which he could hardly escape For imagining that to tell a fine lye was a peece of vertue and of a good wit he was throughly resolued with him selfe not to passe for any thing he had spoken in the Senate And to the contrary also knowinge well enough that Metellus was a graue wise man who esteemed that to be iust and true as Pindarus sayd is the beginning and foundacion of great vertue he thought he would outreach him makinge him affirme before the Senate that he would not sweare knowinge also that the people would hate him deadly if he would refuse afterwardes to sweare And so in dede it happened For Metellus hauing assured them then that he would not sweare the Senate brake vp vppon it And shortly after Saturninus the Tribune calling the Senators vnto the pulpit for orations to compell them to sweare before the people Marius went thither to offer him selfe to sweare Whereupon the people making silence listned attentiuely to heare what he would say But Marius not regarding his large promise bragges made before the Senate sayed then his necke was not so long that he would preiudice the common wealth in a matter of so great importance but that he would sweare and obey the lawe if it were a law This shifting subtilty he added to it to cloke and couer his shame and when he had sayd so he tooke his othe The people seeing him sweare were maruelous glad and praised him with clapping of their hands but the nobility hanging downe their heads were ashamed of him and were maruelous angry in their hartes with him that he had so cowardly and shamefully gone from his word Therupon all the Senate tooke their othes one after an other against their wills bicause they were afrayed of the people Sauing Metellus whome neither parentes nor frendes perswasion and intreaty could once moue to sweare for any punishment that Saturninus had imposed vpon them which refused to take the othe but continued one man still according to his nature and would neuer yelde vnto it offering to abide any payne rather then to be brought to consent to a dishonest matter vnbeseming his estate And thereuppon went out of the assembly and talking with them that did accompany him told them that to do euill it was too easie a thing and to doe good without daunger it was also a
of the ATHENIANES amongest other called Philocles he that perswaded the ATHENIANS to cut of the prisoners thumbes of their right handes that were taken in the warres to th end they should no more handle the pyke but only serue to pull the ower Both the tone and the tother rested that day hoping to haue battel without faile the next morning But Lysander hauing an other meaning with him commaunded the maisters and maryners notwithstanding that they should haue their gallies ready to geue battell the next morninge by breake of day bicause euery man should get a bord betimes and should keepe them selues in order of battell making no noise at all attending what he would commaunde them and further made the armie by lande also to be ranged in battell ray by the sea side The next morning at sunne rising the ATHENIANS beganne to row with all their gallies set in order of battell in a fronte But Lysander though he had his shippes in order to fight the proes lying towardes the enemies before day towed not for all that against them but sending our pynnasies vnto the first gallies commaunded them straightly that they should not stirre at all but keepe them selues in order making no noyse nor rowing against the enemy Though the ATHENIANS also were retyred in the night he would not geue the souldiers leaue to come to lande out of the gallies before he had sent first two or three gallies to discrie the fleete of his enemies who brought him word that they had seene the ATHENIANS take lande The next morning they did the like the third day and the fourth also all in one sorte so that the ATHENIANS beganne to be bold of them selues and to despise their enemies imagining they lay thus close for feare of them and durst not come forward In the meane time Alcibiades who lay at that time in the contrie of CHERRONESVG in certaine places which he had conquered came ryding to the campe of the ATHENIANS to tell the Captaines and generalls of the armie the great faultes they committed First for that they had cast ancker and kept their shippes in an open place where there was no maner of succor nor harber to retyre vnto vpon any storme and worst of all bicause that they were to fetche their vittells farre of at the citie of SESTOS vnto which hauen they should rather draw them selues vnto considering that they had but a litle way to go also that they should haue the citie to backe them which would furnish them with all thinges necessarie and beside that they should be further of from their enemies which were gouerned by one generall onely that did commaund them all and were so well trained that at a whistle they were ready straight to execute his commaundement Alcibiades perswasions to these Captaines of the ATHENIANS were not only misliked but furthermore there was one called Tydeus that answered him very lewdly that he had nothing to doe to commaunde the armie but other that had the charge of them Alcibiades mistrusting thereby some treason quietly went his way The fift day the ATHENIANS hauing made the same countenaunce to present battell vnto their enemies and retyring the same night as of custome very negligently and in ill order as men that made no reckening of their enemies Lysander sent againe certaine galliots to discrie them commaunding the Captaines of the same that when they perceiued the ATHENIANS had left their gallies and taken lande they should then returne backe with all possible speede they could and being mid way ouer the straightes that they should lift vp a copper target into the ayre apon the top of a pyke in the foredecke for a signe to make all the whole fleete to row in battell Now Lysander him selfe in the meane time went in persone from galley to galley perswading exhorting euery Captaine that they should put their galliots maryners and souldiers in good readines to th end that when the signe should be lifted vp they should rowe with all their might in battell against the enemies Wherefore so soone as the copper target was set vp in the ayer and that Lysander had made his trompet sound out of the Admiral for a token to hale out into the sea the gallies immediatly beganne to row for life in enuy one of an other and the footemen that were apon the lande ranne with speede also to the toppe of a high cliffe neere vnto the sea to see what would be the ende of his fight bicause the distaunce from one side to the other in that place was not fully two myles which they had sone cut ouer and in a litle space through the great diligence force of rowing with their owers So Conon the chiefe Captaine of the ATHENIANS perceiuing from the shore this great flete comming with a full force to assault them he then cried out to the souldiers that they should runne to their shippes and being in a rage to see thinges in this daunger called some by their names others he intreated and the rest he compelled to take their gallies But all his diligence was to no purpose bicause the souldiers were wholly scattered here and there For so soone as they were set a lande out of their gallies at their returne some went to buy prouision other went a walking in the fieldes some were set at supper in their cabines and other were layed downe to sleepe nothing mistrusting that which happened to them through their Captaines ignoraunce and lacke of experience But when the enemies were ready to ioyne and fall vpon them with great cries and noyse of owers Conon hauing eight gallies stale secretly out of the fleete and flying vnto Euagoras saued him selfe in the I le of CIPRVS In the meane time the PELOPONNESIANS falling apon the other gallies tooke some of them emptie and brake the others as the souldiers beganne to come aborde apon them And as for the men some were flaine by their shippes as they ranne vnto them like naked men without weapon and out of order thinking to haue saued them selues other were killed in flying bicause the enemies landed and had them in chase And there were taken aliue of them three thowsand prisoners with the Captaines Lysander moreouer tooke all the whole fleete of their shippes the holie galley excepted called Paralos and the eight that fled with Conon and after he had destroyed all the campe of the ATHENIANS he fastened the gallies that were taken vnto the keele of his gallies and returned with songes of triumphe with the sound of flutes and hoboyes towards the citie of LAMPSACVS hauing wonne a great victory with litle labor and had cut of in a small time the long continuing and most diuerse warre that euer was and had brought forth so many sundrie straunge euentes of fortune as are vncredible For there had bene infinite battells fought both by sea and lande and had altered many sundry times and there
was slaine at that time moe Captaines than in all the other warres of GREECE together all which were at the length brought to ende and determined by the good wisedome and conduction of one onely man And therefore some thought that this great ouerthrowe was geuen by the gods and sayd that at the departure of Lysanders fleete out of the hauen of LAMPSACVS to get set apon the fleete of the enemies they perceaued ouer Lysanders galley the two fires which they call the starres of Castor and Pollux the one on the toneside of the galley and the other on thother side They say also that the fall of the stone was a token that did signifie this great ouerthrow For about that time as many hold opinion there fell out of the ayer a maruelous great stone in the place they call the goates riuer which stone is seene yet vnto this day holden in great reuerence by the inhabitauntes of the citie of CHERRONESVS It is sayd also that Anaxagoras did prognosticate that one of the bodies tyed vnto the vaulte of the heauen should be pluckt away and should fall to the ground by a slyding shaking that should happen For he sayd that the starres were not in their proper place where they were first created considering that they were heauy bodies and of the nature of stone howebeit that they did shine by reflection of the fire elementory had bene drawen vp thither by force where they were kept by the great violēce of the circuler motion of the element euen as at the beginning of the world they had bene stayed let from falling downe beneath at that time when the separation was made of the colde and heauy bodies from the other substaunce of the vniuersal world There is an other opinion of certaine Philosophers where there is more likelyhoode then in that For they say that those which we call falling starres be no fluxions nor deriuacions of the fire elementorie which are put out in the ayer in a manner so soone as they be lighted nor also an inflammation or cōbustion of any parte of the ayer which by her to ouermuch quantity doth spread vpwardes but they are celestiall bodies which by some slackenes of strength or falling from the ordinary course of heauen are throwen and cast downe here beneath not alwayes in any parte of the earth inhabited but more ofter abroade in the great Occean sea which is the cause that we do not see them Notwithstanding Anaxagoras words are confirmed by Damachus who writeth in his booke of religion that the space of three score and fifteene yeares together before that this stone did fall they saw a great lumpe of fier continually in the ayer like a clowde inflamed the which taried not in any one place but went and came with diuerse broken remouings by the driuing whereof there came out lightnings of fire that sell in many places and gaue light in falling as the starres do that fall In the end when this great body of fire fell in that parte of the earth the inhabitants of the contrie after that they were a litle boldened from their feare and wonder came to the place to see what it was and they found no manner of shew or appearaunce of fire but only a very great stone lying vpon the ground but nothing in comparison of the least parte of that which the compasse of this bodie of fire did shew if we may so name it Sure herein Damachus wordes had neede of fauorable hearers But againe if they be true then he vtterly comuteth their argumentes that maintaine that it was a peece of a rocke which the force of a boysterous winde did teare from the toppe of a mountaine and caried in the ayer so long as this hurle winde continued but so soone as that was downe and calme againe the stone fell immediatly Neither doe we say that this lightning bodie which appeared so many dayes in the element was very fire in deede which comming to dissolue and to be put out did beget this violent storme and boysterous wind in the element that had the force to teare the stone in sunder to cast it downe Neuertheles this matter requireth better discourse in some other booke then this But now to our story Whē the three thowsand ATHENIANS that were taken prisoners at that ouerthrow were condemned by the counsell to be put to death Lysander calling Philocles one of the Captaines of the ATHENIANS asked him what paine he would iudge him worthy of that gaue the citizens so cruell wicked counsell Philocles being nothing abashed to see him selfe in that miserie aunswered him Accuse not them that haue no iudge to heare their cause but since the goddes haue geuen thee grace to be conqueror doe with vs as we would haue done with thee if we had ouercome thee When he had sayd so he went to washe him selfe and then put on a fayer cloke vpon him as if he should haue gone to some feast and went lustely the formest man to execution leading his contrie men the way as Theophrastus wryteth After this done Lysander with all his fleete went by all the cities of the sea coast where he commaūded so many ATHENIANS as he founde that they should get them to ATHENS letting them vnderstand that he would not pardone a man of them but put them all to death as many as he found out of their city And this he did of policie to bring them all within the precinct of the walles of ATHENS bicause he might so much the sooner famish them for lacke of vittells for otherwise they would haue troubled him sore if they had had wherewithall to haue maintayned a long siege But in all the cities as he passed by if they were gouerned by the authority of the people or if that there were any other kinde of gouernment he left in euery one of them a LACEDAEMONIAN Captaine or gouernor with a counsell of tenne officers of them that had bene before in league and amity with him the which he did as well in the cities that had euer bene confederates and frendes vnto the LACEDAEMONIANS as in them that not long before had bene their enemies So he went sayling all alongest the coastes fayer and softely making no haste stablishing in manner a generall principality ouer all GREECE For he did not make them officers that were the richest the noblest or honestest men but such as were his frendes out of those tribes which he had placed in euery citie to them he gaue authority to punish and reward such as they liked of and would be present him selfe in persone to helpe them to put those to death whome they would execute or otherwise expulse or banish their contrie But this gaue the GREECIANS small hope of good or gratious gouernment vnder the rule of the LACEDAEMONIANS Wherefore me thinkes that Theopompus the comicall Poet doted when he compared the
LACEDAEMONIANS vnto tauerners wines saying that they had geuen the GREECIANS a tast of the sweete drinke of libertie and that afterwardes they had mingled it with vineger For the tast they gaue the GREECIANS of their gouernment from the beginning was very sharpe vnto them bicause Lysander tooke the rule and authority of gouernment out of the peoples handes and gaue it vnto a fewe of the boldest and most seditious men in euery citie Thus hauing spent a great time in this voyage to make these alterations he sent newes before to LACEDAEMON that he was comming with two hundred saile He spake also with the kinges Agis and Pausanias in the contry of ATTICA perswading him selfe that he should winne the city of ATHENS at the first assault But when he saw his expectation failed that the ATHENIANS did valliantly resist him he returned once againe with his fleete into ASIA where he made an end of chaunging and altering the maner of gouernment through euery city in equall maner stablishing a counsell of tenne officers only in euery one of them putting euery where many citizens to death and banishing many also Among others he draue all the SAMIANS out of their contry and restored againe all them that had bene banished before and the city of SESTOS also being yet in the ATHENIANS handes he tooke it from them And furthermore he would not suffer the naturall SESTIANS to dwell there but draue them away and gaue their citie their houses and landes vnto shippe maisters officers of gallies and galley slaues that had bene in the warres with him But therein the LACEDAEMONIANS were against him and this was the first thing that they did forbid him for they restored the SESTIANS against his will vnto their landes and goodes againe But as the GREECIANS were very much offended to see the partes Lysander played so were they all very glad againe to see these others which he afterwardes did For he restored the AEGINITES againe to their landes and houses who had bene put form them a long time He restored also the MELIANS and the SCIONAEIANS to their landes againe which the ATHENIANS had gotten from them and draue out the ATHENIANS Furthermore Lysander being aduertised that the citizens and inhabitantes of ATHENS were pinched sore for lacke of vittells he returned againe and came into the hauen of PIRAEA by meanes whereof he kept the citie so straight that he made them yeelde vppon such condicions as he him selfe would Howbeit there are certaine LACEDAEMONIANS that say Lysander wrote vnto the EPHORES the city of ATHENS is taken And that the Ephori wrote againe vnto him it is well that it is taken But this is but a tale deuised to make the matter seeme better for in deede the capitulacions which the Epâ—â—ri sent vnto him were these The Lordes of the counsell of LACEDAEMON haue thus dereed that ye doe rase the fortification of the hauen of PIRAEA That ye do ouerthrow also the long wall that ioyneth the hauen to the citie That ye yeelde vp and redeliuer all the cities which ye doe holde and content your selues with your liues and contry only This doing ye shall haue peace so that ye performe our demaundes That ye shall receiue those which are banished for the number of shippes ye shall dispose of them as we shall will you The ATHENIANS agreed vnto the articles contained in that bill following the counsell of Theramenes the sonne of Agnon Who when a young orator called Cleomenes did openly aske him in anger if he were so bold to dare to doe or say any thing contrary vnto that which Themistocles had done before time to assent vnto the LACEDAEMONIANS that the walle which he built in despite of them should by their coÌ„maundement now be rased he aunswered him openly againe young man my frend I doe nothing contrary to Themistocles doinges For like as he heretofore did build the walle for the safety and benefit of all the citizens and people that were in ATHENS at that time euen so doe we that are here nowe for the selfe same cause plucke it downe and rase it And if it be true that walles doe make cities happy then it must needes follow that the city of SPARTA which neuer had any walles should be the vnfortunatest of all other So Lysander hauing receiued all the ATHENIANS shippes but twelue the walles of the city also to vse them at his pleasure on the sixteenth day of march on which day in olde time the ATHENIANS had wonne the battell by sea within the straight of SALAMINA against the king of PERSIA he counselled them straight to chaunge the forme of their gouernment The people could not brooke that motion and were maruelously offended withall Whereuppon Lysander sent to declare vnto them that they had broken the articles of the peace made betwene them for that their walles were yet standing the tenne dayes being expired in which they had promised to ouerthrowe them and therefore that he would once againe referre it to the determination of the counsell howe they should be vsed that had broken the articles and couenaunts of the first peace Other say that immediatly he referred it vnto the deliberacion of the counsell of their confederates that is to say whether they should altogether destroy the city and make the inhabitantes thereof slaues and bondmen or no. In this counsell it is reported that there was a THEBAN called Erianthus whose opinion was that they should vtterly rase the city make the contry a desert so that it should neuer after serue for other thing but for pasturage of beastes But during this dyet counsell there was a banket made whereunto all the Captaines and chiefe officers of the army being bidden there was a PHOCIAN a singer of songes that sang the entry of the Chorus to the tragedy of Electra made by the Poet Euripides which beganne in this sorte Electra noble Daine and daughter to a king Euen Agamemnon king of Greece vvhose fame so vvide did ring I come novv to your courtes vvhich lye both vvide and vvast By spoyle of vvarres depopulate destroyed and disgrust These words moued all the hearers with coÌ„passion so that the most parte of them thought it were too great a sinne to destroy so noble a city which brought forth so many famous wise men great persones Wherefore Lysander when the ATHENIANS had submitted theÌ„ selues altogether to his will caused all the women players of pipes or shalmes to come out of the city and gathered all those together which he had in his owne campe also and with the sound of their instruments he made the walles and fortifications of the city of ATHENS to be pulled downe to the very ground and set all their gallies on fire burnt them in the presence of the confederates of the LACEDAEMONIANS who daunced and played in the meane season with garlandes of flowers on their heades in token that
that day was a beginning of their full and perfect liberty Immediatly after he chaunged also the state of the gouernment establishing a counsell of thirty Magistrates in the city and other tenne also in the hauen of PIRAEA hauing all equall and like authority and therewithall made Callibius a gentleman of SPARTA Captaine of the castell there and left a good garrison of the LACEDAEMONIANS with him This Callibius one day lift vp his staffe he had in his hande to strike Autolycus withall a strong made man to wrestle whereuppon Xenophon the Philosopher made his booke in olde time called Conuiuium But Autolycus that was a cunning wrestler hauing all the sleights of wrestling sodainly tripped Callibius with his legge and lifting him vp at the armes ende cast him to the ground Howbeit Lysander was not angry with Autolycus for it but reproued Callibius telling him that he should haue remembred if he had bene wise that he had the gouernment ouer free men and not of bonde men Notwithstanding shortly after the thirty gouernors of the city to satisfie Callibius put this Autolycus to death When Lysander had done all these things he tooke sea againe and went into the contry of THRACIA and sent by Gylippus before vnto SPARTA who had bene Captaine and generall of the SYRACVSANE in SICILIA all the golde and siluer that was left in his handes with all the presentes besides which had bene priuately geuen him and with the crownes also that had bene presented him which were maruelous in number as it is to be thought for that many came to present him considering the great power he had and that in maner he was chiefe and sole prince of all GREECE This Gylippus did rippe the seames of euery bagge in the bottome where the money was and tooke a good summe out of euery of them and afterwardes sowed them vp againe not thinking that there had bene a border vppon euery bagge apon the which was declared the number and kindes of gold and siluer that were therein Now when he was come to SPARTA he hid the money he had stolen vnder the house eauinges and went deliuered the bagges he had brought into the handes of the Ephori shewing them Lysanders scale which he had set to euery one of them The Ephori hauing opened the bagges told the money found that the summe agreed not with the borders of the contentes and yet coulde not tell where the fault was But a seruaunt of Gylippus told them in darke wordes saying that vnder the tyles of his masters house there lay a great number of owles Nowe the greatest parte of the coyne of golde and siluer which was curraÌ„t through GREECE was stamped with the marke of an owle by reason of the ATHENIANS Thus Gylippus after so many noble exploytes done in warres committing so shameful vile a dede was banished out of his coÌ„try of LACEDAEMONIA But the wisest men of SPARTA and so deepest iudgement fearing the power of golde and siluer and seeing by proofe of Gylippus doinges that it had such power to make one of their chiefest men to fall through couetousnes they greatly blamed Lysander for bringing of it into LACEDAEMON beseeching the Ephori that they would send all this golde and siluer out of SPARTA as a plague prouocation and wicked baite to make them do euill declaring vnto them that they should vse no other money but their owne only Whereupon they referred all to the wisedome and determination of the counsell Theopompus wryteth that Sciraphidas was he that did moue the counsel of the Ephori in it Howbeit Ephorus calleth him Phlogidâ—â— who was the first that spake against it in the counsell that they should not admit nor receiue into the city of SPARTA any money of golde or siluer but should onely content them selues with their owne contry iron coyne the which first of all comming from the fire redde hotte was quenechd with vineger to th end they should be forged no more nor employed vnto any other vse For it was so eager and brittle by meanes of this temper that they coulde no more conuert it to any other purpose and beside it was very heauie and vnhandsome to remoue considering that a great heape and quantitie of it was but of small value And it seemeth they did vse of olde time containe litle iron money and in some places copper money called Obelisci from whence the small peeces of money now extant are called Oboli whereof six make a Drachma so termed for that it was as much as the hand could gripe Neuerthelesse at the earnest sute of Lysanders frendes that stoode against it and held hard with him it was decreed in the counsell that the money should remaine in the city and ordained that it should be currant onely but for that fayres of the common wealth And if it were found that any priuate man did either locke vp or kepe any money that he should suffer death for it as if Lycurgus when he made his lawes feared gold and siluer and not the couetousnes and auarice which the golde and siluer bringeth with it The which was not taken away so much prohibiting priuate men to haue it as it was ingendred only by a common tolleracion of getting it For the profit which they sawe it brought withall made it to be esteemed and desired For it was vnpossible they should despise a thing priuately for vnprofitable which they saw reckened of commonly as a thing very necessary and that they should thinke it would not serue their turne priuately seeing it so commonly esteemed and desired But we are rather to thinke that priuate mens manners are conformed according to the common vses and customes of cities then that the faultes and viâ—â— of priuate men doe fill cities and common weales with ill qualities And it is more likely that the partes are marred corrupted with an infection of the whole when it falleth out ill then that the partes corrupted should drawe the whole vnto corruption For to the contrary the faultes of a parte destroyed which might be preiudiciall vnto the whole are oftentime â—â—â—dressed and corrected by thother partes whole and entier But they that tooke this resolucion in their counsell at that time to haue money in the common wealth made feare of punishment and of the law to be the outward watchmen of citizens houses to keepe that no money should come in to them But all this while they made no inwarde prouision to kepe the entry of their soules from all passion greedy desires of money by to the contrary they made them all to haue a couetous desire to be rich as if it were a great and honorable thing But for that we haue hertofore in other places reproued the LACEDAEMONIANS And moreouer Lysander caused a statue of brasse to be made like him selfe of the spoile he had gotten of the enemies to set it vp in the citie of
together Lysander prayed him he would write an other letter vnto the Lordes of SPARTA contrary to his first how that he had done him no hurt at all and that he had no cause to complaine of him but he did not remember that he was a CRETAN as the common prouerbe sayeth that could deceaue an other CRETAN For Pharnabazus hauing promised him that he would performe his desire wrote letter openly purporting the effect of Lysanders request but behinde he had an other of contrary effect so like on the out side vnto the other that by sight no man could discerne those froÌ„ the other And when he came to put his seale he chaunged the first with the last that was hidden gaue it him When Lysander came vnto SPARTA he went as the maner is straight to the pallace where the Senate kept and gaue his letters vnto the Ephores thinking that by theÌ„ he should haue bene cleared from all daunger of the greatest accusations they could haue burdened him withall bicause that Pharnabazus was very well thought of of the Lords of LACEDAEMONIA for that he did euer shew him selfe willing and ready to helpe them in all their warres more then any other of the kinges Lieutenauntes of PERSIA The Ephori hauing read this letter they shewed it vnto him Then did Lysander plainly see that the common prouerb was true That Vlysses vvas not subtill alone Thereuppon he went home to his house maruelously troubled But within few dayes after returning to the pallace againe to speake with the Lords of the counsell he told them that he must needes make a voyage vnto the temple of Iupiter Ammon to discharge certaine sacrifices which he had vowed and promised to him before he had wonne the battells Some say that in deede Iupiter Ammon appeared to him in a dreame as he did besiege the city of the APâ—â—ODIANS in the contry of THRACIA and that by his commaundement he raised the siege and charged them of the city that they should thanke Iupiter Ammon and doe sacrifice vnto him by reason whereof they thinke that he ment good faith when he sued for licence to make this voyage into LIBYA to performe the vowes which he had made But the most parte did certainely beleue that he made sure to goe this iorney for a cloke and colour only to absent him selfe bicause he feared the Ephores and that he coulde not endure the yoke and subiection which he must abide remaining at home neither could like to be commaunded And this was the true cause of his sute to goe this voyage much like vnto a horse taken out of a freshe posture and goodly meadowes to bring him into a stable make him to be iorneyed as he was before Neuerthelesse Ephorus writeth an other cause the which I will recite hereafter In the end Lysander hauing hardly obtained licence tooke shippe and crossed saile But during his absence the kinges of LACEDAEMON remembring that he kept all the cities at his commaundement by meanes of the frendes he had in euery city whom he had made chiefe gouernors of the same that by their meanes he came in maner to be absolute prince ouer all GREECE they tooke vppon them to redeliuer the gouernment of the townes and cities againe into the handes of the people and also to put downe his frendes whome he had stablished there And hereupon fell out great insurrection againe For first of all they that were banished from ATHENS hauing surprised and taken the castell of Phyla apon the sodaine did set apon the thirty gouernors tyrans whom Lysander had placed there and ouercame them in battell Whereuppon Lysander straight returned to SPARTA perswaded the LACEDAEMONIANS to referre the gouernment to the number of a few and to punish the insolency of the people So by his procurement they sent first a hundred tallents vnto the thirty tyrans for an aide to maintaine this warre and appointed Lysander him selfe generall But the two kinges of SPARTA enuying him and fearing least he should take the city of ATHENS againe they determined that one of them would go Whereupon Pausanias went thither immediatly who in apparaunce seemed to maintaine the tyrannes against the people but in effect he did his indeuor to appease this warre for feare least Lysander by meanes of his frends and followers should once againe come to haue the city of ATHENS in his power the which he might easily doe And thus hauing agreed the ATHENIANS againe one with an other and pacified all faction and commocion among them he pluckt vp the roote of Lysanders ambition But shortly after the ATHENIANS rebelling againe against the LACEDAEMONIANS Pausanias him selfe was reproued bicause he yelded so much to the boldnes and insolency of the people which were brideled and restrained before by the authority of the small number of gouernors and to the contrary they gaue Lysander the honor to be generall who ruled not in this rebellion to please mens mindes and to content them neither with fond ostentation of glory but seuerely for the profit and commodity of SPARTA It is true he would geue great wordes and was terrible to them that resisted him As he aunswered the AEOIVES one day who contended for their confines with the LACEDAEMONIANS and seemed to alleage the best reasons Euen they sayd he that shall proue the stronger hereby shewing theÌ„ his sword shal be they that shal pleade their cause best for their confines An other time when a MEGARIAN had tolde his minde boldly enough in open counsell he aunswered him thy wordes good frend had neede of a city meaning therby that he was of too meane a towne to vse so great words And to the BOEOTIANS also who were in dout to professe them selues frends or enemies he sent vnto theÌ„ to know if he should passe through the contry with his pykes vpwardes or downewardes And when the CORINTHIANS also were reuolted from their allyance he brought his army harde vnto their walles but when he sawe his men were afrayed and made cursey whether they should goe to the assault or not by chaunce spying a hate comming out of the towne ditches he sayd vnto theme Are ye not ashamed to be afrayed to goe and assault your enemies that are so cowardly and slothfull as hares doe keepe their formes at ease within the circuite of their walles Now king Agis being deceased he left behinde him his brother Agesilaus and his supposed sonne Leotychides Wherefore Lysander that had loued Agesilaus aforetime gaue him counsell to stande for the right of the crowne as lawefull heire and next of the blood discending of the race of Hercules bicause it was suspected that Leotychides was Alcibiades sonne who secretly had kept Timea Agis wife at what time he was banished out of his contry and came then to remaine in SPARTA And Agis selfe also concluding by reckening of the time of his absence that his wife coulde not be with childe by him
warres who were so forward and aduenturous in all daungers therof in the inuasions of the MEDES into GREECE in the battells of the GAVLES that they were slaine all of them but onely Damon a litle childe left fatherlesse and motherlesse surnamed Peripolias that escaped who for goodly personage and noble corage excelled all the lusty youthes of his time though otherwise he was very rude and of a seuere nature Now it fortuned that when Damon was growen of full age a ROMANE Captaine of an ensigne of footemen lying in garrison for the winter season in the citie of CHAERONEA fell in great loue with Damon and bicause he could not reape the frutes of his dishonest loue by no intreaty nor giftes there appeared vehement presumptions that by force he went about to abuse him for that CHAERONEA at that time being my naturall city where I was borne was a small thing and being of no strength nor power litle regarded Damon mistrusting the Captaines villanie and detesting his abhominable desire watched him a shrewd turne and got certaine of his companions not many in number bicause he might the more secretly compasse his enterprise to be a counsel with him and take his parte against the Captaine Now there were a sixteene of them in consort together that one night blacked their faces all with soote the next morning after they had dronke together by the breake of day set vpon this ROMANE Captaine that was making sacrifice in the market place and slue him with a good number of his men and when they had done fled out of the citie which was straight in a great vprore for the murther committed Thereuppon they called a counsell and in the market place condemned Damon and his confederates to suffer paines of death hoping thereby to haue cleared their innocencie for the fact done to the ROMAINES But the selfe same night as all the magistrates and officers of the city were at supper together in the towne house according to their custome Damon his followers stale vpon them sodainly slue them all fled againe vpon it It chaunsed about that time that Lucius Lucullus being sent on some iorney passed by the city of CHAERONEA with his army bicause this murther was but newly done he stayed there a few dayes to examine the troth originall thereof And found that the commons of the citie were in no fault but that they them selues also had receiued hurte wherupon he tooke the souldiers of the ROMANES that remained of the garrison caried theÌ„ away with him In the meane time Damon destroyed all the contry thereabout and still houered neere to the citie insomuch as the inhabitantes of the same were driuen in the end to send vnto him and by gentle wordes and fauorable decrees handled him so that they intysed him to come againe into the city and when they had him amongest them they chose him Gymâ—â—iarchus to say a master of exercises of youth But shortly after as they were rubbing of him with oyle in his stooue or hotte house starke naked as he was they slue him by treason And bicause that there appeared sprights of long time after in that place that there were heard gronings sighings as our fathers tolde vs they caused the dore of the hotte house to be walled vp yet for all that there are visions seene and terrible voyces and cries heard in that selfe place vnto this present time as the neighbours dwellinge by doe testifie Now they that were discended of this Damon for there are yet of his race in the contrie of PHOCIDES neere vnto the citie of STIRIS who do only of all other both keepe the language and maners of the AETOLIANS are called ASBOLOMENI signifyinge blacke and besmered with soote bicause that Damon and his fellowes did blacke their faces with foote when they slue the ROMANE Captaine But the ORCHOMENIANS being neere neighbors vnto the CHAERONEIANS and therfore their enemies hyered an informer of ROME a malitious accuser to accuse the whole citie as if it had bene one priuate person alone for the murther of the ROMANES whome Damon and his companions had slaine The inditement was drawen and the case pleaded before the gouernor of MACEDON for that the ROMANES did send no gouernors at that time into GREECE and the counsellers that pleaded for the citie of CHAERONEA relied vpon the testimonie of Lucius Lucullus referring them selues to his reporte who knew the troth how it was Thereupon the gouernor wrote vnto him and Lucullus in his letter of aunswere aduertised the very troth so was our city cleared of the accusation which otherwise stoude in daunger of vtter destruction The inhabitantes of the city of CHAERONEA for that they had escaped the daunger by testimonie of Lucius Lucullus to honor him withall they set vp his image in stone in the market place next vnto the image of Bacchus And we also that be liuing at this present though many yeares be gone and passed sence do notwithstanding recken our selues partakers of his forepassed benefit And bicause we are perswaded that the image and portraiture that maketh vs acquainted with mens manners and condicions is farre more excellent then the picture that representeth any mans person or shape only we will comprehend his life and doinges according to the troth in this volume of noble mens liues where we doe compare and sorte them one with an other It shal be sufficient for vs therefore that we shew our selues thankefull for his benefit and we thinke that he himselfe would mislike for 〈…〉 of his true testimonie to be requited with a fauorable lye told in his behalfe But like as when we will haue a passinge fayer face drawen and liuely counterfeated and that hath an excellent good grace withall yet some manner of bleamishe or imperfection in it we will not allowe the drawer to leaue it out altogether nor yet too curiously to shewe it bicause the 〈…〉 would deforme the counterfeate and the other make it very vnlikely Euen so bicause it is a hard thing or to say better peraduenture impossible to describe a man whose life should altogether be innocent and perfect we must first study to wryte his vertues at large and thâ—â— by seeke perfectly to represent the troth euen as the life it selfe But where by chauÌ„ce we finde certaine faultes and errors in their doinges proceeding either of passion of the minde by necessity of the time or state of the common wealth they are rather to be thought imperfections of vertue not altogether accomplished then any purposed wickednes proceeding of vice â—â— certaine malice Which we shall not neede too curiously to expresse in our history but rather to passe them lightly ouer of reuerent shame to the meere frayelty of mans nature which can not bringe foorth a man of such vertue and perfection but there is euer some imperfection in him And therefore considering with my selfe
whither to the warres then the common people hauing no bodie to gainesay them turned and altered the gouernment of the citie topsie turuey and confounded all the auncient lawes and customes which they had obserued of long time and that by the procurement and setting on of Ephialtes For they tooke away all hearing of causes in maner from the court of Areopagus put all authoritie of matters iudiciall into the handes of the people and brought the state of the citie into a pure Democratia to say a common weale ruled by the sole and absolute power of the people Pericles being then in great credit who altogether fauored the peoples faction Wherefore Cimon at his returne finding thauthority of the Senate and counsell so shamefully defaced and troden vnder foote was maruelously offended withall and sought to restore thauncient state of iudgement againe as it was before and set vp the gouernment of the nobility called Optimacia that was established in the time of Clisthenes But then beganne his enemies againe with open mouth to crye out vpon him reuiuing the olde former naughty rumor that ranne of him before that he kept his owne sister furthermore accusing him that he did fauor the LACEDAEMONIANS And amongest other thinges there ranne in the peoples mouthes the verses of the Poet Eupolis which were made against Cimon No vvicked man he vvas but very negligent And therevvithall to vvyne much more then vnto money bent He stale somtimes avvay at Sparta for to sleepe And left poore Elpinicè his vvife at home alone to vveepe And if it be so that being thus negligent geuen to wyne he haue gotten so many cities and wonne such sundry great battells it is out of doubt then that if he had bene sober carefull there had neuer bene before him nor since any GRAECIAN Captaine that had passed him in glorie of the warres In deede it is true that from the beginning he euer loued the manner of the LACEDAEMONIANS for of two twynnes which he had by his wife Clitoria he named th one of them Lacedaemonius and thother Eleus as Stesimbrotus wryteth saying that for that cause Pericles did euer twit them in the teeth with their mothers stocke Howbeit Diodorus the Geographer wryteth that both those two and an other third called Thessalus were borne of Isodice the daughter of Euryptolemus the sonne of Megacles How soeuer it was it is certaine that Cimons credit grew the greater by the fauor and countenaunce which the LACEDAEMONIANS gaue him who had hated Themistocles of long time and for the malice they bare him were glad that Cimon being but a yoūg man did beare more sway in ATHENS then he Which the ATHENIANS perceiued well enough and were not offended withall at the beginning bicause the goodwill of the LACEDAEMONIANS towardes him did bring them great commodity For when the ATHENIANS beganne to growe of great power and to practise secretly that the confederats of the GRAECIANS should forsake the LACEDAEMONIANS to ioyne with them the LACEDAEMONIANS were not angrie withall for the honor and loue they bare vnto to Cimon who did alone in maner manedge all th affayres of GRAECE at that time bicause he was very curteous vnto the confederates and also thankefull vnto the LACEDAEMONIANS But afterwardes when the ATHENIANS were aloft and of great power and that they saw Cimon stucke not for a litle matter with the LACEDAEMONIANS but loued them more then they would haue had him they beganne then to enuy him bicause in all his matters he had to do he euer highly praised and extolled the LACEDAEMONIANS before them But specially when he would reproue them of any fault they had committed or that he would perswade them to do any thing the LACEDAEMONIANS sayd he I warrant ye do not so That as Stesimbrotus sayth made him maruelously to be maliced of the people But the chiefest thing they accused him of and that most did hurt him self out vpon this occasion The fourth yeare of the raigne of Archidamus the sonne of Zeuxidamus king of SPARTA there fortuned the wonderfullest and most fearefull earthquake in the citie of LACEDAEMON and thereabouts that ouer was heard of For the earth in many places of the contrie opened and fell as into a bottomlesse pit The mountaine Taygetum shooke so terribly that points of rockes fell downe from it All the citie was layed on the ground and ouerthrowen fiue houses only excepted the rest being wholy destroied And it is said also that a litle before this earthquake came the young men of that citie were playing with the young boyes exercising thē selues starke naked vnder a great galery couered ouer as they were sporting together there started vp a hare hard by them The young men spying her ranne after the hare starke naked and oyled as they were with great laughter They were no sooner gone thence but the top of the gallery fell downe apon the boyes that were left and squashed them all to death And in memorie of the same the tombe where they were afterwardes buried is called vnto this day Sismatias as much to say as the tombe of those which the earthquake had slaine But king Archidamus foreseeing straight vppon the sodaine the daunger that was to come by that he saw present perceiuing his citizens busie in sauing their householde stuffe and that they were running out of their houses made the trompetters to sound a hotte alarome vpon it as if their enemies had come stealingly vpon them to take the citie to th ende that all the inhabitantes should presently repayre vnto him settinge all busines aparte with armor and weapon That sodaine alarome doubtlesse saued the citie of SPARTA at that time for the ILOTAE which are their slaues and bondmen in the contrie of LACONIA and the contrie clownes of litle villages there aboutes came running armed out of all partes to spoyle and robbe them vpon the sodaine that were escaped from this earthquake But when they found them well armed in order of battell they returned backe againe as they came and then beganne afterwardes to make open warres vpon them when they had drawen certaine of their neighbors vnto their confederacie specially the MESSENIANS who made hotte warres vpon the SPARTANS Whereupon the LACEDAEMONIANS sent Periclidas vnto ATHENS to demaunde ayde whome Aristophanes the Poet mocking sayed VVith visage pale and vvanne he on the aulter sate In skarlet govvne requiring ayde to succor their estate Against whom Ephialtes also spake very much protesting that they should not ayde nor relieue a city that was an enemy vnto ATHENS but rather suffer it to fall to the ground and to spurne the pride and arrogancy of SPARTA vnder their feete But Cimon as Cricias saieth being more carefull for the benefit of SPARTA then for thenlarging and encreasing of his contry brought it to passe by his perswasion that the ATHENIANS sent him thither with a great power to helpe them And
sute or open audience Like tonny fishe they be vvhich svviftly diue and doppe Into the depth of Occean sea vvithouten stay or stoppe But afterwardes also when ye take them out of their common practise and pleadinges Then are they graueld straight vvithouten grace or skill Their eloquence lyes then in dyke and they them selues be still For Lucullus had studied humanitie from his youth and was well learned in all the liberall sciences but when he came to elder yeares to refreshe his witte after great troubles he fell to the studie of Philosophie which quickened the contemplatiue parte of his soule mortified or at the least betimes brideled the ambitious and actiue parte specially after the dissention betwixt him and Pompey But to acquaint you better with his learning yet it is said that when he was a young man he layed a great wager with Hortensius the Orator and Sisenna the historiographer in iest as it were at the first but afterwardes it fell to good earnest that he would write the breuiary of the warres of MARSICVM in verse or profe in the Latin or Greeke tongue which soeuer fell to his lotte and I thinke his happe was to doe it in prose in the Greeke tongue bicause we finde a litle Greeke storie extant of the warres of the ROMANES against the MARSIANS He dearely loued his brother Marcus Lucullus as appeared by many manifest proofes but the chiefest and most noted proofe among the ROMANES was this Him selfe was elder then his brother Marcus and yet for all that would neuer sue to beare office in the common wealth nor accept any before his brother but taried alwayes till he should be chosen and let his owne time passe ouer This great curtesie to his brother so wanne the peoples hartes as Lucius being absent they chose him AEdilis and his brother Marcus with him for his sake He was in the flower of his youth in the time of the MARSIANS warres wherein he did many wise and valliant deedes The cause notwithstanding that moued Sylla to make choyce of him was rather for his constancy good curteous nature then for any other respect For when Sylla had once wonne him he euer after employed him continually in his most weightie causes as in a commission specially he gaue him to coyne money For in deede parte of the money that Sylla spent in the warres against king Mithridates was coyned by Lucullus commaundement within the contrie of PELOPONNESVS whereupon they were called Lucullian peeces and were currant a longe time amongest the souldiers to buy such things as they stoode in nede of and neuer refused by any Sylla being afterwards at ATHENS the stronger by land but the weaker by sea so as his enemies cut of his vittells from him sent Lucullus into EGYPT and LIBYA to bring him such shippes as he found in those partes It was in the deepe of winter and yet he spared not to sayle with three brigantines of GREECE and as many galliots of the RHODIANS putting him selfe not only to the daunger of the sea in so long a voyage but of his enemies in like maner who knowing them selues to be the stronger went sayling euery where with a great nauie But for all these daungers he first arriued in the I le of CRETA and wanne their goodwilles From thence went to the citie of CYRENE where he found the inhabitaunts turmoyled with ciuil warres and continuall oppressions of tyrans from which troubles he deliuered them and gaue them lawes to establishe gouernment amongest them putting them in remembraunce of Platoes wordes spoken to their auncesters in old time in the spirite of a prophecie For when they prayed Plato to write them lawes and to appoint them some forme of gouernment for their common wealth he made them aunswere it was a hard thing to geue lawes to so riche and fortunate people as they were For to say truely as nothing is harder to be ruled then a rich man so contrarily nothing readier to receiue counsell and gouernment then a man in aduersity This lesson framed the CYRENIANS at that time to be more ciuill and obedient to the lawes Lucullus gaue them When he departed thence he coasted towardes EGYPT where he lost the more parte of his shippes by pyrates but for his owne person scaping their handes he was very honorably receiued in the citie of ALEXANDRIA For all the kinges armie came to meete him at sea gallantly trimmed and appointed as they were wont to welcome home the kinge when he returned from any voyage by sea and king Ptolomye him selfe being very young at that time gaue him as honorable entertainment as he possible could For amongest other honors that he did him he lodged him in his courte and defrayed his ordinarie dyet where neuer straunge Captaine was lodged before and did not only spend the ordinary allowance in feasting of him which he vsed vnto others but commaunded foure times as much prouision more to be made as he had before Notwithstanding Lucullus tooke no more then reasonable was for his person nor yet would he receiue any maner gift althogh the king had sent him presents to the value of foure score talentes And which more is would not so much as go see the citie of MEMPHIS nor any other of the famous monumentes and wonderfull sightes in EGYPT saying that it was for a man that trauelled vp and downe for his pleasure and had leasure withall to see such thinges but not for him that had left his Captaine in the field at the siege of the walles of his enemies To conclude this young king Ptolomye would in no case fall in frendshippe with Sylla fearing least he should thereby put him selfe into warres but gaue him men and shippes 〈…〉 bring him into CYPRVS And as he was ready to imbarke the king bidding him farewell and embracing him gaue him a goodly rich emerod set in gold which Lucullus at the first refused vntill the king shewed him his picture grauen in it and then accepted the gift fearing least the vtter refusall might cause the king thinke he went away discontented and should perhaps therefore lay an ambushe by sea for him Thus hauing gotten a certaine number of shippes together of the porte townes thereaboutes ouer and besides such as the pyrates and sea rouers had hidden being parte of their spoyles and bestowed with their receitors went on with them into CYPRVS where he vnderstoode that his enemies lay close in certaine creekes under the foreland watching to bourde him as he sayled by Whereuppon he vnrigged and bestowed his shippes in docks and sent worde to all the porte townes thereabouts that he was determined to winter there and therefore willed them to prouide him vittells other necessarie munition to be in readines against the spring But in the meane while when he saw time conuenient he put his whole fleete againe to the sea with all possible speede
ouerthrew them in maner euery man And Muraena following king Tigranes at the heeles spyed an occasion to geue the charge as he passed a long and narrow valley in the bottome wherof the way was very ill and specially for an armie of such a length taking the oportunity set apon the rereward which Tigranes perceiuing fled straight vpon it making all his cariage to be throwen downe in the way before the enemies to stay them There were a great number of the ARMENIANS slayne in this ouerthrow and moe taken Those thinges hauing this successe Lucullus went to the city of TIGRANOCERTA the which he besiegeth round In that citie were a maruelous number of GRAECIANS that had bene brought thither by force out of CILICIA and many of the barbarous people also whom they had vsed in the like forcible maner as they had done the ADIABENIANS the ASSYRIANS the GORDIAENIANS and the CAPPADOCIANS whose townes and cities Tigranes had destroyed and compelled them to come and inhabite there By reason whereof this city of TIGRANOCERTA was full of golde and siluer of mettells statues tables and pictures bicause euery man as well priuate as Princes and Lords studied to please the king to enrich and beawtifie this city with all kindes of furniture and ornamentes fit for the same And hereuppon Lucullus straighted the siege as much as he could perswading him selfe that Tigranes would neuer suffer that it should be taken but though he had otherwise determined yet for very anger would present him battell thereby to enforce him to raise his siege And surely he gessed right had it not bene that Mithridates had disswaded him by expresse letters and messengers that he should in no case hazard battell and perswaded him rather to cut of the vittells on all sides from the ROMANES with his horsemen The selfe same counsell and aduise did Taxiles the Captaine whom Mithridates sent geue him in his campe and prayed him very earnestly that he would not proue the inuincible force of the ROMANES Tigranes pacientlie harkened to their reasons at the first But when the ARMENIANS were come and all the force of the contry besides and the GORDIAENIANS and that the kinges of the MEDES and of the ADIABENIANS were commen also with all their power and that on thother side there came a maruelous great host of the ARABIANS that dwell apon the sea of BABYLON and a multitude of the ALBANYANS from the CASPIAN sea and of the IBERIANS their neighbors besides a great company of free people liuing without a king that dwell by the riuer of Araxes some comming freely to doe him pleasure other for their pensions and pay which he gaue them then was there none other talke neither at his table not in counsell but of assured hope of victorie and of great bragges and barbarous threatninges so that Taxiles was in great dauÌ„ger of him selfe bicause he was against the determination taken in counsell for geuing of the battell Now was it thought that Mithridates did enuy the glory of king Tigranes and therefore did thus disswade him from battell For which respect Tigranes would not so much as tary for him and bicause also Mithridates should haue no parte of the honor of his victory but went into the fielde with all this great army vaunting amongest his familiars as they reporte that nothing grieued him but one that he should fight with 〈…〉 lone and not with all the other ROMANE Captaines Now this brauery was not so fond not so farre out of square but that there was great likelyhoode of it when he saw so many sundâ—ie nations about him so many kinges that followed him so many battells of armed footemen and so many thowsande of horsemen For he had in his army of bowmen and slinges onely twenty thowsand fiue and fifty thowsand horsemen whereof seuenteene thowsande men of armes armed from toppe to toe as Lucullus him selfe wrote vnto the Senate and a hundred and fifty thowsand armed footemen deuided by ensignes and squadrons of pyoners carpinters masons and such other kinde of handy craftes men to plaine wayes to make bridges to passe ouer riuers to stoppe streames to cut wodde and to make such kinde of workes of this sorte of people the number of fiue and thirty thowsand who followed in battell ray in there reward of the army making their campe seme farre greater by so much the more stronger When Tigranes shewed on the toppe of mownt Taurus and that they might plainly see his whole army from the city and that him selfe also might easily decerne Lucullus armie that besieged TIGRANOCERTA the barbarous people that were within the citie were so glad of this sight that they made wonderfull showtes of ioy and great clapping of handes threatning the ROMANES from their walles and shewing them the army of the ARMENIANS Lucullus in the meane time sate in counsell to consider what was to be done wherein some were of opinion that he should raise his siege and goe with his whole armie vndeuided against Tigranes But others liked not that he should leaue so great a number of enemies at his backe neither that he should raise his siege Lucullus made them aunswere that neither of them both did counsell him well but both together did counsell him right Whereuppon he deuided his armie and left Muraena at the siege of TIGRANOCERTA with sixe thowsand men and he with foure and twenty cohortes in the which were not aboue tenne thowsand armed footemen and all his horsemen with a thowsand bow men and slinges or thereabouts went towardes Tigranes and camped in a goodly broade fielde by the riuers side The ROMANES seemed but a handfull to Tigranes campe so that for a while Tigranes parasyts made but a may game of them to sporte withall For some mocked them to scorne other drewe lottes and played away their parte of the spoyles as if they had already wonne the fielde and euery one of the kinges and Captaines came and offered them selues to Tigranes and besought him euerie man for him selfe that he would geue him the honor alone to leade this battell that it would please him to sit by in some place to see the sporte Tigranes then bicause he would shewe that he could be as pleasaunt as the rest spake a thing knowen to euery man If they come as Ambassadors quod he they are very many but if they come as enemies they be but fewe And thus they played vpon the ROMANES and tooke their pleasure of them at that time but the next morning by breake of day Lucullus brought all his men armed into the fielde and put them in order of battel Now the campe of the barbarous people lay on thother side of the riuer towards the East and by chaunce the streame of the riuer turned sodainly towardes the West where there was a better ford to passe ouer Wherfore Lucullus marching with his army by the riuers side following the streame to meete
vsed delay of time to execute and valliant expedition to winne the victory This was the cause why Mithridates made no hast to come to the battel thinking still that Lucullus had vsed his wonted policy to delay and geue backe alwaies and therefore he came by small iorneys vnto Tigranes campe But meeting at the first with a fewe of the ARMENIANS that fled as he came on his way like men that had bene frayed he straight mistrusted the ouerthrow but afterwards meeting greater troupes of them naked sore wounded then he knew how the matter went So he went to seeke out Tigranes whom he found alone forsaken of his men and in very poore estate yet did not he requite Tigranes in aduersity with that pride and disdaine he had vsed him before in his miserie but lighted of his horse to be waile with him their common misfortune and gaue him all his officers and traine of a kings court that followed him to serue him comforting him exhorting him to plucke vp his hart againe and to be coragious thenceforth Hereupon they both leauied a freshe the whole force power they could from all the partes of their dominions In the meane season there fell out great sedition in the city of TIGRANOCERTA betwene the GRAECIANS and the barbarous people for the GRAECIANS they would haue yeelded vp the towne into Lucullus hands Whereupon Lucullus geuing an assault to the city at that very instant wanne it seased vpon the kings treasure there leauing all the rest to the spoile of the souldiers in the which besides all other riches there was eight thowsand talents in ready money And yet besides all that he gaue of the spoile that was won apâ—n the enemies eight huÌ„dred Drachmas vnto euery souldier And vnderstanding that there were diuers musitians common players minstrels and such kinde of people meete for feastes and sporte whom Tigranes had sent for thither from all partes to dedicate the Theater he had made in his city he caused all theÌ„ to serue at the sports and feastes of this victory After the solempnization whereof he sent the GRAECIANS home againe vnto their contry and gaue them money to defraye their charges by the way and the barbarous people also that were brought thither by force from their natiue contries And so it fortuned that by the desolation and destruction of a city forsaken many others were built againe and stored with people bicause those cities had thereby recouered their naturall inhabitants againe who euer after did loue honor Lucullus as their benefactor and founder All other things prospered also according to his vertue and merites For Lucullus liked better the praise that came of bounty of iustice and of clemencie then that that came by force of marshall prowes cheualry For in deedes of armes he sayd his army partly deserued praise and fortune also caried the best parte away but the praise of the other were onely due vnto him selfe Whereby he shewed the valor of an excellent good man well taught and trained vp in vertue and so reaped the frute of his worthy deserts For by those good partes he wanne the hartes of the barbarous people in such sorte that the kinges of the ARABIANS came of good will to put them selues and their goods into his hands So did the nation of the SOPHENIANS also yeld them selues vnto him The GORDIAENIANS in like maner they liked Lucullus so well that they would willingly haue forsaken their cities houses contry to follow him with their wiues children vpon this occasion Zarbienus king of these GORDIAENIANS as we haue recited before had priuily entred amity with Lucullus by meanes of Appius Clodius who could no lenger away with the tyranny of Tigranes This practise was bewrayed vnto Tigranes who put Zarbienus his wife children to death before the ROMANES maine army came into the contry of ARMENIA Howbeit Lucullus did not forget it but passing through his realme gaue him very royall funeralles For hauing heaped vp a huge pyle of wodde sumptuously set out with cloth of gold and siluer other rich spoiles of Tigranes he him selfe in person would needes set it a fire and made the funerall effusions and accustomed sprincklinges at burialles with his frendes and kinsemen doing him this honor as to call him frend and confederate of the ROMANE people appointed also a great summe of money besides to erect a sumptuous tombe for him For they found great store of gold and siluer in the kinges castell and there was plenty of prouision also of three hundred thowsand bushells of wheate the which did enriche his souldiers maruelously and made Lucullus to be wondered at that hauinge receiued not one Drachma from the sparing coffers at ROME he had notwithstanding made the warre entertaine it selfe About the self same time also the king of the PARTHIANS sent Ambassadors vnto him to offer him his frendshippe and allyance which Lucullus willingly accepted and sent Ambassadors froÌ„ him also of acceptation who made reporte to Lucullus at their returne that the king of the PARTHIANS stoode doubtfull how to resolue which parte he should take and that secretly he sent vnto Tigranes to aske the realme of MESOPOTAMIA for his reward to aide him against the ROMANES Lucullus being truly enformed of the king of PARTHIAES double dealing determined to leaue Tigranes and Mithridates as two enemies wearied ouercome a litle to proue the force power of the PARTHIANS by making warres vpon theÌ„ thinking it great honor vnto him if he might discomfit and ouerthrow three so mighty kings one after an other like a valliant conqueror that had ouercome three famous Captaines together and had passed through the contries of three of the greatest Princes vnder the sunne alwayes a conqueror and neuer conquered Hereupon he wrote immediatly vnto Sornatius and other of his Captaines which he had left to keepe the realme of PONTVS that they should repayne to him with all speede with the bandes they had vnder their charge for that he was determined to departe out of the contry of GORDIAENA to go against the PARTHIANS howbeit his purpose altered by occasion For his Lieutenauntes that had many times before founde their souldiers mutinous and rebelling at their commaundements knew plainly then their cancred stomakes incorrigible disobedience For they could not possibly get them from thence by any compulsion or perswasions they could vse but contrarily they cryed out and tolde them plainly that they would no lenger tary where they were but would goe home to their contry and leaue the realme of PONTVS without gard or garrison at all And further that worst of all was when these newes were brought to Lucullus campe they gaue a full example of boldnes to his souldiers there to mutiny in such sorte hauing good will and disposition thereunto of themselues before For their purses being full and they acquainted with finenes were become so dull
fauor the SYRACVSANS by reason of the goddesse Proserpina protector and defendor of the citie of SYRACVSA to requite her for that she gaue him Cerberus the dogge porter of hell and that he did malice the ATHENIANS besides bicause they tooke the AEGESTAENS partes who came of the TROYANS whom he much hated for breaking their promise and saith with him whose city him selfe had ouerthrowen in reuenge of the wrong that Laomedon king of TROY had offered him Howbeit Timaeus shewes as much wit and iudgement in deliuering vs such toyes in an history as he doth in correcting the stile of Philistus or in condēning and railing of Plato and Aristotle But in my fansie this ambition contention to wryte or to speake more clerkely then others sheweth alwayes a base enuious minde like a scholler full of his schoole pointes But when it striueth with thinges that are past all chalenge correcting then is it extreame follie and madnes Sence therefore I may not passe ouer nor omit certaine thinges which Thucydides and Philistus haue already set downe and especially those wherein they lay open Nicias nature and qualities which the variety of his successes and fortune did couer I must lightly touch them and reporte so much as is necessary conuenient least men condemne me for slouth and negligence And in the rest I haue endeuored to gather and propounde thinges not commonly marked and knowen which I haue collected as well out of sundry mens workes auncient recordes as out of many olde antiquities and of them all compiled a narration which will serue I doubt not to decipher the man and his nature Of Nicias therefore may be sayd that which Aristotle hath wrytten of him that there were three famous citizens of ATTHENS very honest men which fauored the cōmunalty with a naturall fatherly loue Nicias the sonne of Niceratus Thucydides the sonne of Milesus and Theramenes the sonne of Agnon But of the three this last was of smallest accompt for he is flowted as a forrenner borne in the I le of CEOS and chalenged besides for inconstant inresolute in matters of state and gouernment and inclining somtimes to one faction sometime to an other he was called Cothurnus a kinde of buskin indifferently seruing for both legges and in old time was vsed of common players of tragedies Of the other two Thucydides being the elder did many good actes in fauor of the nobility against Pericles who alwaies tooke parte with the inferior sorte Nicias that was the younger had reasonable estimation in Pericles life time for he was ioyned Captaine with him and oftentimes also had charge by him selfe alone without him After Pericles death the nobility raised him to great authoritie to be as a strong bulwarke for them against Cleons insolency boldnes and with all he had the loue of the people to aduaunce and preferre him Now this Cleon in troth could do much with the people he did so flatter and dandle them like an olde man still feeding their humor with gaine but yet they them selues whome he thus flattered knowing his extreame courtousnes impudency and boldnes preferred Nicias before him bicause his grauity was not seuere nor odious but mingled with a kinde of modesty that he seemed to feare the presence of the people which made them thereby the more to loue and esteeme him For being as he was of a fearefull mistrustfull nature disposition in warres he cloked his feare with good fortune which euer fauored him alike in all his iorneys and exploytes that he tooke in hande where he was Captaine Now being much affrayed of accusers this timorous manner of his proceeding in the citie was founde to be popular whereby he wanne him the good will of the people and by meanes thereof rose daily more and more bicause the people commonly feare those that hate them aduaunce them that feare them For the greatest honor nobility can doe to the communalty is to shewe that they doe not despise them Nowe Pericles who through his perfit vertue only and force of his great eloquence ruled the whole state common wealth of ATHENS he needed no counterfeate colour nor artificiall flattering of the people to winne their fauor and good willes but Nicias lacking that and hauing wealth enough sought thereby to creepe into the peoples fauor And where Cleon would entertaine the ATHENIANS with pleasaunt toyes and deuises and could feede the people humor that way Nicias finding him selfe no fit man to worke by such encounter crept into the peoples fauor with liberality with charges of common playes and with such like sumptuousnes exceeding in cost and pleasaunt sportes not only all those that had bene before him but such also as were in his time There yet remaine monuments of his consecrating vnto the goddes as the image of Pallas in the castell of ATHENS the gilt being worne of and the chappell which is vnder the festiuall table of Bacchus for he many times had the chiefe prise in Bacchus daunses neuer went away without some game And touching this matter there goeth a reporte that at certaine playes whereof Nicias defrayed the charges one of his men came forth apon the players stage before the people apparelled like Bacchus being a goodly tall young man without any heare on his face the ATHENIANS tooke such pleasure to see him so attired that they made a clapping of their hands a long time together for ioy Therewithall Nicias stoode vp and told them that it were a shame for him to leaue the body of a man in bondage that openly was esteemed as a god and thereupon foorthwith made this young slaue a free man Men wryte also of certaine sumptuous and deuout acts he did in the I le of DELOS where the daunsers and singers which the cities of GRAECE sent thither to singe rimes and verses in the honor of Apollo were wont before to arriue disorderly and the cause was for the numbers of people that ranne to see them who made them singe straight without any order and landing in hast out of their shippes they left their apparell and put on such vestements as they should weare in procession and their garlands of flowers on their heades all at one present time But Nicias being commaunded to go thither to present the singers of ATHENS landed first in the I le of RENIA hard adioyning to the I le of DELOS with his singers his beastes for sacrifice and with all the rest of his traine carying a bridge with him which he had caused to be made at ATHENS vpon measure taken of the channell betwext the one and thother I le set out with pictures and tables with gilding with nosegayes and garlandes of triumphe and with excellent wrought tapistry which in the night he set vp vpon the channell being not very broade and the next morning by breake of the day caused his singers to passe ouer apon it singing all
least the same signified that all the goodly preparation of this army the which was set out with such pompe brauery would come to nothing Now for Nicias that he spake against this warre in open counsell whilest they were deliberating apon it and that he was not caried away with any vaine hope nor puffed vp with the glory of so honorable a charge to make him chaunge his minde therein surely he shewed him selfe an honest man wise and constant But when he saw plainly that he could by no perswasions remoue the people from the enterprise of this warre neither yet by sute nor intreaty get him selfe discharged from being a Captaine thereof but that they would in any case make him one of the heades of the army then was it out of time to be fearefull and still geuing backe turning his head so oft like a child to looke apon his gallie behinde him and euer to be telling that no reason could be heard in determining of this iorney For in deede this was enough to discorage his companions to marre all at their first setting out where to say truly he should sodainly haue set apon his enemies haue gone to it with a lusty corage to haue assayed fortune But he tooke a cleane contrary course For when Lamachus thought good at their first comming to goe straight to SYRACVSA and to geue them battell as neere the walles as might be that Alcibiades on the other side was of opinion first of all to goe about to winne the cities that were in league with the SYRACVSANS and after that they had made them rebell then to goe against the SYRACVSANS them selues Nicias to the contrary spake in counsell and thought it better to goe on fayer and softly deserying the spastes of SICILE round about to view their gallies and preparation so to returne straight to ATHENS againe leauing only a few of their men with the EGESTANS to helpe to defende them But this from the beginning maruelously cooled the corage of the souldiers and quite discoraged them Shortly after also the ATHENIANS hauing sent for Alcibiades to aunswere to certaine accusations Nicias remaining Captaine with Lamachus the other Captaine in sight but Nicias selfe in power and authority the Lieutenaunt generall of all the army still vsed delayes running vp and downe and spending time so long in consultation till the souldiers were left without both hope and corage and the feare thenemy had of them at their first comming to see so great an army was now in maner cleane gone Yet Alcibiades being in the army before he was sent for from ATHENS they went with three score gallies to SYRACVSA of the which they placed fifty in battell ray out of the hauen and sent the other â—enne into the hauen to discouer which approaching neere the city caused an Herauld to make open proclamation that they were come thither to restore the LEONTINES to their landes and possessions and tooke a shippe of the enemies in the which among other thinges they founde tables wherein where wrytten the names of all the inhabitants of SYRACVSA according to their tribes and houses These tables were kept farre from the citie in the temple of Iupiter Olympian but at that time they had sent for them to know the number of men of seruice and of age to beare weapon The same tables being taken by the ATHENIANS and caried to the generalls of the army the soothsayers seeing this long rolle of names at the first misliked it fearing least the prophecy had bene fulfilled which promised them that the ATHENIANS one day should take all the SYRACVSANS Howebeit it is reported this prophecy came to passe in an other exployte wheÌ„ Callippus ATHENIAN hauing slaine Dion wan also the city of SYRACVSA Now when Alcibiades was gone from the campe Nicias bare all the sway and commaunded the whole army For Lamachus though otherwise he was a stowre man an honest man and very valliant of his handes and one that would not spare him selfe in time of neede neuerthelesse he was so poore and miserable that euen when he was in state of a Generall gaue vp an accompt of his expences he would not sticke to put into his bookes so much for a gâ—wne and so much for a payer of pantophles Where Nicias authority reputacion contrarywise was of an other maner of out as well for other respectes as for his riches and for the honor of many noble thinges which he had done before As one namely which they tell of him that on a time being a Captaine with others and sitting in counsell with his companions in the counsell house at ATHENS about the dispatch of certaine causes he spake vnto Sophocles the Poet then present amongest them and bad him speake first and say his opinion being the oldest man of all the whole company Sophocles aunswered him againe in deede I confesse I am the oldest man but thou art the noblest man and him whom euery man regardeth best So hauing at that time Lamachus vnder him a better Captaine man of warre then him selfe was yet by being so slow to imploy the army vnder his charge by deferring of time still and houering about SICILE as farre from his enemies as he could he first gaue the enemies time and leasure to be bold without feare of him And then going to besiege HYBLA being but a polting litle towne and raising the siege without taking of it he fell into so great contempt with euery man that from thenceforth no man almost made any more reckoning of him At last he retyred vnto CATANA with his army without any other exployte done â—saying that he tooke HYCCAPA a baggadge village of the barbarous people and where it is sayd 〈…〉 courtisane was borne and that being then a young gerle she was sold among other persoâ—â— and afterwardes caried into PELOPNNESVS And in fine the sommer being farre spent Nicias was informed that the SYRACVSANS had taken such corage to them that they would come and enterprise the charge apon them first and that their horsemen were approached already before his campe to skirmish with them asking the ATHENIANS in mockery if they were come into SICILE to dwell with the CATANIANS or to restore the LEONTINES to their landes againe Hereupon with much a do Nicias determined to goe to SYRACVSA and bicause he would campe there in safety and at ease without hasard he sent one of CATANA before to SYRACVSA to tell them as if he had bene a spye that if they would sodainly come and set apon the campe of the ATHENIANS take all their cariage he wished them to come with all their power to CATANA at a day certaine which he would appoint them For the ATHENIANS sayd he for the most parte are within the city wherein there are certaine citizens which fauoring the SYRACVSANS haue determined so soone as they heare of their coÌ„ming to keepe the gates of the
withall but two dishefulls of barley for their breade and one of water for eche man a day In deede many of them were conueyed away and sold for slaues and many also that scaped vnknowen as slaues were also solde for bondmen whom they branded in the forehead with the printe of a horse who notwithstanding besides their bondage endured also this paine But such their humble pacience and modesty did greatly profit them For either shortly after they were made free men or if they still continued in bondage they were gently intreated and beloued of their masters Some of them were saued also for Euripides sake For the SICILIANS liked the verses of this Poet better than they did any other GRAECIANS verses of the middest of GRAECE For if they heard any rimes or songes like vnto his they would haue them by hart one would present thē to an other with great ioy And therfore it is reported that diuers escaping this bondage and returning againe to ATHENS went very louingly to salute Euripides to thanke him for their liues and told him how they were deliuered from slauery only by teaching them those verses which they remembred of his workes Others tolde him also how that after the battel they scaping by flight wandering vp and downe the fieldes met with some that gaue them meate drinke to sing his verses And this is not to be maruelled at weying the reporte made of a shippe of the city of CAVNVS that on a time being chased in thether by pyrates thinking to saue thē selues within their portes could not at the first be receiued but had repulse howbeit being demaunded whether they could sing any of Euripides songes and aunswering that they could were straight suffered to enter and come in The newes of this lamentable ouerthrow was not beleued at the first when they heard of it at ATHENS For a straunger that landed in the hauen of PIRAEA went and sat him downe as the maner is in a barbers shoppe thinking it had bene commonly knowen there beganne to talke of it The barber hearing the straunger tell of such matter before any other had heard of it ranne into the city as fast as he could and going to the gouernors tolde the newes openly before them all The magistrates thereupon did presently call an assembly and brought the barber before them who being demaunded of whom he heard these newes could make no certaine reporte Whereupon being taken for a forger of newes that without ground had put the city in feare and trouble he was presently bound and layed on a wheele wheron they vse to put offenders to death and so was there tormented a great time vntill at last there arriued certaine men in the city who brought too certaine newes thereof and told euery thing how the ouerthrow came So as in fine they found Nicias wordes true which now they beleued when they sawe all those miseries light fully apon them which he long before had prognosticated vnto them The end of Nicias life THE LIFE OF Marcus Crassus MArcus Crassus was the sonne of a Censor who had also receiued the honor of triumphe but him selfe was brought vp in a litle house with two other of his brethren which were both maried in their fathers mothers life time and kept house together Whereuppon it came to passe that he was a man of such sober and temperate dyet that one of his brethrē being deceased he maried his wife by whom he had children For women he liued as continent a life as any ROMANE of his time notwithstanding afterwardes being of riper yeares he was accused by Plotinus to haue deflowred one of the Vestall Nunnes called Licinia But in troth the cause of that suspicion grew thus Licinia had a goodly pleasaunt garden hard by the suburbes of the city wherewith Crassus was maruelously in loue and would faine haue had it good cheape and vpon this only occasion was often seene in speeche with her which made the people suspect him But foras much as it seemed to the iudges that his couetousnes was the cause that made him follow her he was clered of thincest suspected but he neuer lest followinge of the Nunne till he had got the garden of her The ROMANES say there was but that only vice of couetousnes in Crassus that drowned many other goodly vertues in him for mine owne opinion me thinkes he could not be touched with that vice alone without others since it grew so great as the note of that only did hide and couer all his other vices Nowe to set out his extreame couetous desire of getting naturally bred in him they proue it by two manifest reasons The first his maner and meanes he vsed to get and the seconde the greatnes of his wealth For at the beginning he was not left much more worthe then three hundred talentes And during the time that he delt in the affayers of the common wealth he offered the tenthes of all his goodes wholly vnto Hercules kept open house for all the people of ROME and gaue also to euery citizen of the same as much corne as would kepe him three monethes yet when he went from ROME to make warre with the PARTHIANS himselfe being desirous to know what all he had was worth founde that it amounted to the summe of seuen thowsande one hundred talentes But if I may with license vse euill speeche wryting a troth I say he got the most parte of his wealth by fire and blood raising his greatest reuenue of publicke calamities For when Sylla had takē the citie of ROME he made portesale of the goods of them whom he had put to death to those that gaue most tearming them his booty onely for that he would the nobility and greatest men of power in the citie should be partakers with him of this iniquity and in this open sale Crassus neuer lest taking of giftes nor bying of thinges of Sylla for profit Furthermore Crassus perceiuinge that the greatest decay commonly of the buildinges in ROME came by fire and falling downe of houses through the ouermuch weight by numbers of stories built one apon an other bought bondme that were masons carpinters and these deuisours and builders of those he had to the number of fiue hundred Afterwardes when the fire tooke any house he would buy the house while it was a burning and the next houses adioyning to it which the owners folde for litle being then in daunger as they were and a burning so that by proces of time the most parte of the houses in ROME came to be his But notwithstanding that he had so many slaues to his workemen he neuer built any house from the ground sauing his owne house wherein he dwelt◠saying that such as delighted to builde vndid them selues without helpe of any enemy And though he had many mynes of siluer many ploughes and a number of hyndes and plowmen to followe the
there came Ambassadors vnto him from Arsaces kinge of the PARTHIANS who deliuered him their message in fewe wordes and tolde him that if this army he brought came from the ROMANES to make warre with their master then that he would haue no peace nor frendship with them but would make mortall warres against them Further if it were as he had heard say that Crassus against the peoples mindes of ROME for his owne couetous desire and peculiar profit was come in a iolity to make warre with the PARTHIANS and to inuade their contry then in that respect Arsaces would deale more fauorably in consideration of Crassus yeares and was contented also to suffer his men to departe with life and goods whom he tooke rather to be in prison than in garrison within his cities Thereto Crassus coragiously aunswered that he would make them aunswere in the city of SELEVCIA Therewith Vagises one of the eldest Ambassadors fell a laughing and shewing Crassus the palme of his hand told him thus heare will sooner grow in the palme of my hand Crassus than you will come to SELEVCIA In this sorte the Ambassadors tooke their leaue of Crassus and returned to their kinge Hyrodes tellinge him he was to prepare for warre In the meane space certaine of Crassus souldiers whom he had left in garrison in the cities of MESOPOTAMIA hauing scaped maruelous daungerously and with great difficulty brought him newes of importance hauing them selues seene the wonderfull great campe of the enemy their maner of fight in the assaultes they made to the cities where they lay in garrison And as it falleth out commonly among men escaped from any daunger making thinges more fearefull and daungerous than they be in deede they reported that it was vnpossible by flyinge to saue them selues if they did followe in chase neither to ouertake them also if they fled And further that they had such kinde of arrowes as would flie swifter than a mans eye could discerne them and would perce through any thing they hit before a man could tell who shot them Besides for the horsemens weapons they vsed that they were such as no armor could possibly hold out and their armors on thother side made of such a temper and metall as no force of any thing could pearce them thorow The ROMANES hearing these newes fell from their former stowtnes and corage being borne in hande before that the PARTHIANS differed nothing at all from the ARMENIANS and CAPPADOCIANS whom Lucullus had ouercome and spoyled so oft that he was weary withall and they had already made accompt that their greatest paynes in this warre was but the tediousnes of the iorney they had to make and the trouble they should haue to follow those men that would not abide them But then contrarie to expectation they looked to come to strokes and to be lustely fought withall Hereupon diuers Captaines and head officers that had charge in the army among whom Cassius the tresorer was one aduised Crassus to stay and to deliberate in counsell to knowe whether he were best to goe on or to remaine where he was The soothsayers them selues did partely let Crassus vnderstand that the goddes shewed no good tokens in all their sacrifices and were hardly to be pacified But Crassus gaue no eare to them neither would heare any other that told him as much but only listned to them that counselled him to make hast Yet Crassus chiefest comforte and incoragement was of Artabazes king of ARMENIA who came to his campe with sixe thowsand horse which were but only the kinges cornet and garde Againe he promised him other tenne thowsand horsemen all armed and barbed and thirty thowsande footemen which he kept continually in pay and counselled Crassus to enter the PARTHIANS contrie vpon ARMENIAES side bicause his campe shoulde not onely haue plenty of vittells which he would send him out of his contry but for that he should also march in more safety hauing a contrie full of mountaines and woddes before him very ill for horsemen which was the only strength and force of the PARTHIANS Crassus coldly thanked Artabazes for his good will all his noble offer of aide yet told him he would take his iorney through MESOPOTAMIA where he had left many good souldiers of the ROMANES And thus departed the king of ARMENIA from him But now as Crassus was passing his army apon the bridge he had made ouer the riuer of Euphrates there fel out sodaine straunge terrible crackes of thūder with fearefull flashes of lightning full in the souldiers faces moreouer out of a great blacke clowde came a wonderfull storme and tempest of winde apon the bridge that the maruelous force thereof ouerthrewe a great parte of the bridge and caried it quite away Besides all this the place where he appointed to lodge was twise striken with two great thunder clappes One of his great horse in like case being brauely furnished and set out tooke the bit in his teeth and lept into the riuer with his ryder on his backe who were both drowned and neuer seene after They say also that the first Eagle ensigne that was to be taken vp when they marched turned backe of it selfe without any handes layed vppon it Further it fortuned that as they were distributing the vittells vnto the souldiers after they had all passed ouer the bridge the first thing that was geuen them was salte and water lintels which the ROMANES take for a token of death and mourning bicause they vse it at the funeralles of the deade After all this when Crassus was exhorting his souldiers a worde scaped his mouth that troubled the armie maruelously For he told them that he had broken the bridge which he had made ouer the riuer of Euphrates of purpose bicause there should not a man of them returne backe againe Where in deede when he had seene that they tooke this word in ill parte he should haue called it in againe or haue declared his meaning seeing his men so amazed thereat but he made light of it he was so wilfull In the ende he made ordinarie sacrifice for the purging of his army and when the Soothsayer gaue him the intrells of the beast that was sacrificed they fell out of his handes Crassus perceiuing that the standers by were troubled withall fell a laughing and told them you see what age is yet shall you not see my sword fall out of my hande So hauing ended his sacrifice he beganne to marche forwarde into the contrie by the riuers side with seuen legions of footemen and litle lacke of foure thowsand horse and in maner as many shot and slinges lightly armed There returned to him certaine of his skoutes that viewed the contry and told him there was not an enemy to be seene in the field howbeit that they had founde the tracke of a maruelous number of horse which seemed as they were returned backe Then Crassus first of
accused that he redeemed detractours with money I am glad sayd he that hauing delt thus long in affayers of the state it is found I haue rather geuen than taken And now touching expences Nicias was thought the better and more ciuill citizen For his charge and cost was in dedicating some goodly image to the goddes or in making of publicke playes or pastimes to recreate the people But all the money he spent that way and all that he was worth besides was nothing comparable and but a small parte of that Crassus bestowed in an open feast he made at ROME feasting so many thowsandes at one time and did finde and maintaine them also for a certaine time after Now I can not but wonder at those men that deny vice to be an inequality and disagreement of maners repugnant in it selfe seeing men may honestly spend that which is naughtily gotten Thus much for their goodes For Nicias doinges in the common weale he did nothing maliciously cruelly nor vniustly neither any thing of selfe will or stomake but rather delt plainly and simply For he was deceiued by trusting of Alcibiades and neuer came to speake before the people but with great feare Crassus on thother side was reproued for his vnconstancie and lightnes for that he would easily chaunge frendes or enemies and he him selfe denied not that he came to be Consull the seconde time by plaine force and cruelty hauing hiered two murderers to kill Cato and Domitius And in the assembly the people held for deuiding of the prouinces many men were hurte and foure were slaine in the market place and more then that Crassus him selfe which we haue forgotten to wryte in his life gaue one Lucus Aunalius so sore a blow on the face with his fist for speaking against him that he sent him going with blood about his eares But as Crassus in those thinges was very fierce and cruell so Nicias womanish behauior on thother side and faint hart in matters of the common wealth humbling him selfe to the meanest and most vile persones deserueth great reproache Where Crassus in this respect shewed himselfe assuredly of a noble minde not cōtending with men of small accompt as with Cleon or Hyperbolus but would geue no place to Caesars fame and glory nor yet to Pompeyes three triumphes but sought to goe euen with them in power and authority and had immediatly before exceeded Pompeyes power in the dignity of Censor For Magistrates and Gouernors of the common weale should make them selues to be honored but not enuied killing enuy by the greatnes of their power But if it were so that Nicias preferred quietnes and the safety of his persone aboue all things else and that he feared Alcibiades in the pulpit for orations the LACEDAEMONIANS in the forte of Pyle and Perdiccas in THRACIA he had liberty scope enough to repose him selfe in the city of ATHENS might haue forborne the dealing in matters as Rhethoricians say haue put a hoode of quietnes apon his heade very well For doubtlesse concerninge his desire to make peace it was a godly minde in him and an act worthy of a noble person to bring that to passe he did appeasing all warre wherein Crassus certainely was not to be compared to him though he had ioyned all the prouinces to the Empire of ROME that reach vnto the Caspian sea and to the great Occean of the INDIANS But on the other side also when one hath to deale with people that can discerne when a man ruleth according to equity and iustice and that he seeth he is in the prime of his credit and authoritie he must not then for lacke of corage suffer wicked men to steppe in his roome nor geue occasion to preferre such to authoritie in the common weale as are vnworthie for that place and countenaunce neither should allowe such any credit as are altogether of no credit nor trust as Nicias did who was the only occasion that Cleon being before but a pratling Orator was chosen Generall Neither doe I also commend Crassus for that in the warre against Spartacus he made hast to geue him battell more rashely then safely or considerately For his ambition spurred him forwarde bicause he was afrayed least Pompeyes comming should take from him the glorie of all that he had done in that warre as Mumius tooke from Metellus thonor of the winning of CORINTHE But besides all this Nicias fact therein was without the compasse of reason and can no way be excused For he did not resigne his honor office of Generall to Cleon his enemy when there was hope of good successe or litle perill but fearing the daunger of the iorney he was contented to saue one and tooke no care besides for the common wealth Which Themistocles shewed not in the time of the warre against the PERSIANS For he to keepe Epicydes an Orator a man of no reckoning beside his eloquence and extreamely couetous from being chosen Generall of ATHENS least he should haue ouerthrowen the common weale secretly brided him with money to leaue of his sute And Cato also when he saw the state of ROME in greatest daunger sued to be Tribune of the people for the common wealthes sake And Nicias in contrary maner reseruing him selfe to make warre with the city of MINOA or with the I le of CYTHERA or with the poore vnfortunate MELIANS if there fell out afterwards occasion to fight against the LACEDAEMONIANS then away went his Captaines cloke and he left the shippes the armie and munition to the charge and gouernment of Cleons rashnes and small experience of warre when the necessitie of the seruice required the wisest and most expert Captaine The which he did not despising the meanes to make him honored but it was a plaine drawing backe at time of neede to defend his contrie Wherefore afterwardes he was compelled against his will to be Generall to make warres in SICILIA with the SYRACVSANS bicause the people thought he was not so earnest to disswade the iorney for that he thought it not 〈…〉 for the common wealth but bicause through his sloth and cowardlinesse he would make his contrie lose so good an oportunity to conquer SICILE Yet was this a great testimony of his honesty and trust they had in him who though he euer hated warre did flie from the offices of honor and charge in the common wealth his contriemen notwithstanding did alwayes choose him as the most experienced persone and meetest man of the citie Now Crassus in contrarie maner desiring nothing else but to be Generall could neuer attaine to it but in the warre of the bondmen and yet was it for lacke of an other for Pompey Metellus and both the Lucullus were then abroade in the warres although he was otherwise of great estimation and authoritie Howbeit it seemeth to me that his frendes that loued him best thought him as the comicall Poet sayth A good man any vvay else but in
and alteration was gathering men together to set vp Marius faction that was in manner vnder footee Sertorius tooke his parte bicause he saw that Octauius was but a slow and lither man and did not besides trust any of Marius frendes So was there a cruell conflict betwene them euen in the market place within the city selfe where Octauius had the vpper hand And Cinna Sertorius scaped by flying hauing lost few lesse then ten thowsand men in this only ouerthrowâ— Neuerthelesse afterwardes through practise and policy they got those souldiers together againe that were dispersed here and there through ITALIE so as in shorte time they made their power equall with Octauius force Marius also being aduertised of the same tooke the sea incontinently and returned into ITALIE out of AFRICKE and came to Cinna to serue as a priuate souldier vnder his Captaine and Consull Now they all liked well that Marius should be receiued sauing Sertorius who was against him all he could â—fearing that either his credit and estimation should diminish Cinna hauing a worthier Captaine then himselfe to serue him â—â— else that Marius cruelty and seuerity who pardoned none offence would â—arre all togetherâ—â— hauing no stay in his anger but bent vtterly to all kinde of cruelty to his enemies if Cinna fortuned to haue the victorie And thereunto he added this further that nowe they had the victory in maner in their hands if they once receiued Marius vnto them he would robbe them of all the honor of ending this warre and being also in authority he was neither to be trusted nor commaunded Whereunto Cinna aunswered thus that he thought the words he had alleaged to be true howbeit that he was ashamed and besides could not see with honesty how he might refuse Marius or send him backe sithens he had purposely sent for him to commit parte of the charge of these warres vnto him Sertorius againe replied Sure I thought Marius had come of his owne good will vnsent for therfore as for the best in mine owne opinion I gaue aduise not to receiue him but sithence it is so that you sent for him before and that he is now comen vpon your coÌ„maundement you were much to blame to aske counsell whether you should now receiue him or not And therefore you must needes accept his seruice that is comen apon your worde for the bonde of your promes past you doth now cut of all counsell or other resolution Thereupon Marius was called for and when he came they deuided their whole army into three partes and then beganne to charge apon their enemies of all handes so as they obteined victorie Howbeit Cinna and Marius committed as horrible cruelty in this victory as could possibly be shewed insomuch as the ROMANES thought all the miseries they had endured in time of this warre nothing and but a play as it were in respect of the great calamities they sell into afterwardes Nowe Sertorius on thother side neuer caused man to be slaine for any priuate malice or quarrell he had with any person neither did he hurte any man when he had ouercomen but was much offended with Marius insolency cruell murders and when he had good oportunity to speake with Cinna a parte he did qualifie him the best he could and made him more milde and tractable through his perswasion In fine Sertorius seeing Marius garded with a great number of bondmen for lacke of other souldiers in this warre whom he vsed as executioners of his slaughter and butchery alwayes attending about his person as a garde and suffering them also to make them selues riche partly with that he gaue them or commaunded them to spoyle and partely also with that they violently tooke without his commaundement of their owne masters killing them when they had done rauishing their mistresses defiling their children he could no lenger abide such wickednes and villany but made them all to be slaine in their campe where they lay together being no lesse then foure thowsand persones Afterwardes when he saw that the elder Marius was deade and that soone after Cinna was slaine the younger Marius his sonne against his counsell and contrary to the lawes of ROME had by force made him selfe Consull and that Carbo Scipio and Norbanus which had bene ouercomen by Sylla were comen out of GRâ—ECE to ROME wards partely through the cowardlines of their Captaines and partely also bicause they were betrayed and solde of their owne men and further considering therewithall that his person could doe no good in those affayers which waxed worse and worse by meanes of thauthoritie of such as had least wit and vnderstanding and specially also seeing Sylla campe hard by Scipio making much of him and feeding him with hope of a good peace whilest vnderhand he wanne his souldiers from him notwithstanding that he was certainly warned and told of it before Sertorius then vtterly dispairing of ROMES prosperity and wellfare departed from ROME to go towardes SPAYNE thinking that if he could get the first possession and gouernment of that realme it would at the least be a refuge and receit for all those of their tribe that should chaunce to be banished out of their contrie Howbeit in his voyage thitherward he met with foule and rough weather and passing through a contry of mountaines the barbarous people inhabiting the same demaunded tribute of him for licence to passe through their territories Thereat the souldiers of his company were maruelously offended saying that it were too much shame and dishonor for a Proconsull of ROME to pay tribute to vile barbarous people NotwithstaÌ„ding Sertorius passed not for the shame they sayd it would to be him but aunswered them thus that he bought time which thing he should most recken of than aspireth to haughtie enterprises and so pleased the barbarous people with money And thus he made such speede as he quickely recouered SPAYNE which he found greatly replenished with people and specially of young men able to weare armor But now Sertorius perceiuing that they had bene hardly delt withall before through the insolency pride and couetousnes of the ROMANE Gouernors whom they ordinarily sent from ROME and that therefore they hated all manner of gouernment first of all sought to winne the good willes of all the whole contrymen one and other Of the noble men by being familiar and conuersaunt with them and of the common people by easing them of their taxe and subsidies But that which bred him most loue of all men generally was this that he dispensed with them for lodging of souldiers and receiuing of any garrison within their cities compelling his souldiers to set vp their tentes and to make their cabines without the suburbes of great cities to winter there causing also his owne pauillion to be first set vp and lay in it him selfe in persone This notwithstanding he pleased not these barbarous people in all things to win their fauor for he armed
whereof as we sayd before lay full apon the North. This Northen winde which some call Caecias is the only winde of all other that most keepeth in that quarter and riseth from the moores and mountaines thereaboutes which he continually couered with snow and then in the hart of sommer is nourished and inforced by the melting of the ice and snow and so bloweth a ioly coole winde which refresheth the barbarous people and beastes all the day long Sertorius marking this with him selfe and vnderstanding by the inhabitants therabouts that this winde blew commonly among them commaunded his souldiers to gather a great quantitie of this light britle earth together to raise a mount of it right against the other hill The barbarous people made a mockery of it at the first thinking Sertorius would haue made a mount to haue fought with them apon it howbeit he went on with his worke till night came and then brought his souldiers backe againe into his campe The next morning by breake of day there was a prety litle winde sturring that only blew of the toppe of his forced mount the highest parte of that masse of earth as chaffe when they winnowe corne and as the sunne beganne to haue any power the North winde also rose which soorthwith filled all the hill with dust And withall came Sertorius souldiers who threw downe the hill to the bottome which they laid gathered the day before and brake all those drie clots of clay in peeces The horsemen on thother side they still wanâ—â—â—ged their horses vp and downe in it to raise vp the greater dust which the winde caried as soone as it rose and blew into the caues of these barbarous people full in their faces through their holes and cities of the rockes So they hauing no other veâ—tes nor ayer any way but there where the winde blew in apon them it did so blindefolde their eyes and filled their caues with such a hotte stuffing ayer that they were almost choked with all not able to take breath For when they should drawe their breathes this stuffing ayer and dust came in at their mouthes so fast that they had much a doe to hold our two dayes and on the thirde yeelded them selues vnto Sertorius mercy the which thing did not so much increase his power as it wanne him honor by policie to haue wonne such an vnlikely conquest which by force could neuer haue bene gotten and where to fight was matter impossible So longe therefore as he made warre with Metellus alone he commonly had the aduantage of him bicause Metellus was an olde man and heauy could not resist Sertorius lusty youth that led a light army like rather to a company of theeues and robbers than to an army of men of warre But afterwardes when Pompey was come ouer the mountaines Pyrenei and that both of them being encamped eche before other and that Pompey had shewed him all the stratageames and policies of warre possible â—oo a good Captaine to deuise he the like vnto Pompey and found that Sertorius had the better of him both in laying his ambushes also in foreseeing to intrappe him then grew the sames of Sertorius to be so great that euen in ROME it selfe he was thought to be the noblest Captaine of best conduction of any man in his time Yet was Pompey at that time of great fame and reputacion which afterwardes also waxed greater by the noble actes he did vnder Sylla who gaue him the surname of Pompey the great for that he had deserued honor of triumphe before his beard was growen So when he was comen thus into SPAYNE diuers townes and cities subiect vnto Sertorius were halfe in minde to yeelde vnto Pompey but afterwardes they shared againe apon the chaunce that happened vnto the citie of LAVRON beyond all expectacion For Sertorius being gorre to lay siege to it Pompey in hast went thither with his armie to raise the siege Neere vnto the city there was a litle hill very commodious to lodge a campe in and also to distresse them of the citie whereupon th one made hast to get it and thother to keepe him from it Notwithstanding Sertorius was the first man and got the hill and Pompey came euen as he had taken it who was very glad it had so fallen out thinking to haue made Sertorius sure at that time being kept in on the one side with the citie of LAVRON and with his army on the other Thereupon he sent vnto the citizens and bad them care for nothing more then to stand apon their walles at their pleasure to see Sertorius straightly besieged who thought to haue besieged them This message being brought to Sertorius he smyled at it and sayd that he would teache Syllaes younge scholler for so in mockerie he called Pompey that a wise Captaine should rather see behinde then before him and therewithall he shewed the LAVRONITANS sixe thowsande footemen well armed which he had left in his campe when he came to take the hill where he was to th end that if Pompey came by chaunce to assaile him they should geue a charge apon his rereward Pompey hauinge founde this too late durst not offer Sertorius battell fearing to be compassed in behinde and on thother side he was ashamed to forsake the LAVRONITANS whome he was driuen in th ende to see vtterly spoyled and destroyed before his eyes and durst not once sturre to helpe them The barbarous people of the contrarie parte seeinge no hope of aide by him yeelded straight vnto Sertorius who did not onely pardon them but also suffered them to goe whether they would Howbeit he burnt the citie for no anger or crueltie being a Captaine that neuer shewed crueltie in anger but to shame Pompey withall and to stoppe their mouthes that made such accompt of him and that this brute might runne among the barbarous people that Pompey him selfe being present and might in manner haue warmed him by the fire that burnt a goodly city of his confederates neither durst nor could helpe them In deede Sertorius in continuance of this warre 〈…〉 much losse and great hurt howbeit it was alwayes through the fault of his Lieutenaunt 〈…〉 as touching him selfe he was neuer ouerthrowen nor those he led And yet he euer 〈…〉 more honor in recouering of those battels which his Captaines lost than his enemies did that had put them to the worse As in the battell he wanne against Pompey by the city of SVCRON and in an other he wanne against Pompey and Metellus both by the citie of TVâ—OIâ— And as for the ouerthrow of SVCRON it is thought it came through Pompeyes ambition making the more hast for feare Metallus should be partaker of the honor of his victorie and that was the thing Sertorius looked for to fight before Metellus came to ioyne with him and therefore he fought the battell with Pompey towardes night supposing the darkenesse of the night would
the sea side By this meanes both the Captaines his enemies were compelled to seuer theÌ„ selues farre one from the other insomuch as Metellus went to winter in GAVLE Pompey remained in SPAYNE in great scarcetie of all thinges for lacke of money to winter in the territories of the VACCEIANS and wrote to the Senate at ROME that he would returne with his armie into ITALIE if they sent him not money out of hande for that he had spent all his owne dayly fighting for the defense of ITALIE Thus it was certainly thought at ROME that Sertorius would be in ITALIE before Pompey bicause he had through his valliancy and great skill brought two of the most famous Captaines of their time to great extreamitie and distresse Then did Metellus showe howe much he feared Sertorius and how he thought him a great and dreadfull enemie For he proclaimed by sounde of trompet that if any ROMANE could kill him he would geue him an hundred siluer talentes and twentie thowsand Iugera of land and if he were a banished man he promised he should be restored to his contry and goodes againe buying his death by treason whome he could not ouercome by force And furthermore being his chaunce once to winne a battell of Sertorius he was so ioconde and prowde for this victorie that he would needes therefore be called Imperator to say Prince or soueraine Captaine and was contented the people should sette vp aulters and doe sacrifices vnto him in euerie citie where he came And it is furthermore reported of him that he wore garlandes of flowers on his head and would be bidden to dissolute bankets sitting at the table in a triumphing robe and they made images of victory goe vp and downe the hall moued by certaine secret engines carying triumphes of golde and crownes and garlandes of triumphe and daunsers of goodly young boyes and fayer girles following of them with songes of triumphe in his praise Wherein doubtlesse he deserued to be laughed at shewing him selfe so much caried away with ioy and vaine glory for one ouerthrowe geuen vnto him whom him selfe was wont to call Syll 〈…〉 gitiue and the remnant of the banished men of Carbo On thother side Sertorius noble coâ—age was easily discerned first for that he called the banished men which were escaped froÌ„ ROME and comen to him Senators and hauing them about him called them the Senate making some of them Treasorers others Pretors directing and ordering all thinges according to the manner of his contrie And in this also that making warres with the souldiers of the cities of SPAYNE and defraying the same at their owne charges yet he neuer gaue them any authoritie so much as in word but ruled them alwayes with ROMANE officers and Captaines saying still that he fought for the liberty of the people of ROME and not to increase the glorie and power of the SPANYARDS to the hurt and dishonor of the ROMANES For to say truly of him he euer loued his contrie well and longed much to be sent for home againe and yet in his greatest troubles when thinges thwarted him most then was his minde greatest yeelding to maner of shewe or appearance to his enemies of any faint hart or discoragement in him Againe when he was in best prosperitie and had most aduantage of his enemies he sent vnto Metellus and Pompey both letting them vnderstand that for his parte he was contented to lay armes aside and to liue at home like a priuate man so that he might be lawfully restored and called home by edict and that he had rather be counted the meanest citizen in ROME then being a banished man out of his contry to be called Emperor of the world And it is said that one of the chiefest causes which made him desire so much to be called home againe was the tender loue he bare vnto his mother that had brought him vp from the time of his fathers death vpon whom he cast all his loue and delite insomuch as after that his frends in SPAYNE had sent for him to come to be their Captaine and that he had bene a while among them receiuing newes that his mother was departed out of the world it so strake him to the hart that he had almost dyed for sorrowe For he lay seuen dayes together continually on the grounde weeping neuer gaue his souldiers the watch word nor would be seene of any of his frends vntil that the other noble men and Captaines of his owne estate came to him to his tent and were so importunate of him by intreaty and perswasion that they gotte him out of his tent to shew him selfe to his souldiers to speake to them to take order for his affayres which prospered very well By these signes many haue iudged that he was of a curteous and pityfull nature and that naturally he was geuen to be quiet and peaceable howbeit that he was forced of necessity to take charge of men of warre bicause he coulde not otherwise liue quietly nor safely being pursued by his enemies which would neuer let him rest and thereuppon entred into warre for his owne gard and safety The treaty selfe he made with king Mithridates argued his noble minde For when Mithridates whome Sylla had ouercomen was recouerd againe like a wrestler that being ouerthrowen getteth vp on his feete to trye an other fall with his enemy and tooke apon him to inuade ASIA Sertorius fame was then so great that he was spoken of through the world by marchauntes comming from the West who blew abroade the reporte therof al the East partes ouer euen into the realme of PONT like to marchandises which they went to seeke for in straunge contries Whereupon Mithridates being perswaded by the vaine vauntes of his fauored courtiers who compared Sertorius to Hanniball and him selfe vnto king Pyrrus saying that the ROMANES being set apon by them both could not withstand two such excellent natures great powers together when the noblest Captaine of the world should be ioyned with the greatest and most puisant Prince that euer was sent thereupon his Ambassadors into SPAYNE vnto Sertorius with full power and commission to promise him money and shippes towards the maintenaunce and charge of this warre in recompence whereof he desired that Sertorius would redeliuer him the possession of ASIA againe the which he had surrendred vp vnto the ROMANES apon the peace made betwext him and Sylla Sertorius hereupon called his counsell together which he termed the Senate to consult apon this matter And when they were all of opinion that he should accept Mithridates offers and were exceedingly glad of the same considering that they asked them nothing but a tide in the ayer and a name of things which were not in their power offring them therfore things present whereof they had greater neede yet would Sertorius neuer agree therunto Notwithstanding thus much he graunted Mithridates that he should enioy OHPPADOCIA
for both the kinges when they were in the citie did eate together in one halle Then Agesilaus knowing that Agesipolis as him selfe was geuen to loue would euer minister talke to him of the goodly young boyes of the citie intising him to loue some one of them which he him selfe did loue and therein he was both his companion and helper For in these LACONIAN loues there was no manner of dishonestie offered but a true affection and honest regarde to frame the boy beloued vnto vertue and honest condicions as we haue more amply declared in the life of Lycurgus Agesilaus by this meanes hauinge the whole authoritie aboue all men in the citie in his handes made his halfe brother Teleutias Generall by sea and him selfe with the armie by land went to besiege the citie of CORINTHE where with his brothers helpe by sea he tooke the long walls of the same The ARGIVES which kept CORINTHE at that time at Agesilaus arriuall there were solemnisinge the feast of the Isthmian games who made them flie euen as they came from sacrificing vnto the god Neptune driuing them to leaue all their preparation and solemnity Then diuers banished men of CORINTHE that were in his armie besought him that he woulde keepe these Isthmian games But he denyed them yet was contented they shoulde them selues solemnize them and so him selfe remained there during the time of the feast for their safetie Afterwardes when Agesilaus was gone thence the ARGIVES returned and did celebrate the Isthmian games and there weresome of them which hauing wonne the game at the first did also winne it at the second time and others that were victours before were this second time ouercome Whereupon Agesilaus sayd that the ARGIVES shewed them selues rancke cowardes that esteeming so much as they did these playes and sacrifices they durst not once offer to fight with him for defence of the same For him selfe touchinge such like sportes and games he euer thought it good to keepe a meane not to be too curious For he was contented to honor such solemne assemblies and common feastes with his presence as were commonly vsed in SPARTA tooke great pleasure to see the sportes betwene the yong boyes and girles of SPARTA howbeit touching the games he seemed not to be acquainted with some of them wherein others had great delight As we read that Callipides an excellent stage player wonderfully esteemed of among the GRAECIANS for a singular man in that arte meeting Agesilaus on a time at the first did his duetie to him and then arrogantly thrust him selfe amonge them that walked with him thinking the king would haue made much of him but perceiuing he made no countenaunce to him in the end he asked him O king Agesilaus doe you not know me Agesilaus looking apon him aunswered what art not thou Callipides the stage player And so made no further account of him An other time beinge desired to heare a man that naturally counterfeated the nightingalls voyce he would not heare him saying I haue oftentimes heard the nightingall it selfe An other time also when Menecrates the Phisitian hauing by good fortune cured a desperate disease called him selfe Iupiter and arrogantly vsurped that name presuminge in a letter he wrote vnto Agesilaus to subscribe it in this manner Menecrates Iupiter vnto king Agesilaus greeting Agesilaus wrote againe vnto him Agesilaus vnto Menecrates health So whilest Agesilaus was in the territorie of CORINTHE where he had taken the temple of Iuno beholding his souldiers forraging spoiling the contrie rounde about Ambassadors came to him from THEBES to pray him to make peace with the THEBANS But he that alwayes hated the THEBANS and besides that thought it then very requisite for the good successe of his doinges to make light of it seemed as he neither heard nor saw them that spake vnto him But euen at that very instant as by diuine reuenge to crie quittance there fell a great mishappe vpon him For before the Ambassadors were gone from him he had newes that one of their bandes called the mothers were slaine euery man by Iphicrates which was the greatest losse that they in long time before had susteined For they lost a great number of valliant souldiers all naturall LACEDAEMONIANS who being well armed euery man were slaine by naked or light armed hierlinges Thereupon Agesilaus went straight into the field with hope to saue them or at the least to be reuenged But receiuing certaine intelligence by the way that they were all slaine he returned againe to the temple of Iuno from whence he came and then sent for the Ambassadors of the BOEOTIANS to geue them audience But they to requite his former disdaine vnto them made no manner of speache of peace but onely requested him to suffer them to enter into CORINTHE Agesilaus being offended aunswered them if it be to see your frendes triumphe of their victorie ye may safely do it to morrow Thereupon the next morning taking the Ambassadors with him he destroyed the CORINTHIANS contrie euen to the walles of their citie And when he had made the Ambassadors see that the citizens of CORINTHE durst not come out into the field to defend their contrie he gaue them leaue to depart Then taking the remaine of that band that was ouerthrowen which by flight had escaped he brought them into LACEDAEMON againe alwayes remouing his campe before day and neuer encamped till darke night bicause the ARCADIANS their mortall enemies should not reioyce at their losse After this voyage to gratefie the ACHAIANS he entred in with them into the contry of ACARNANIA brought great spoyles from thence after he had ouercomē them in battel Moreouer when the ACHAIANS besought him to remaine with them all the winter to keepe their enemies from sowing of their grownd he made them aunswere he would not For sayde he they will be afraide of warre the next yeare when all their fieldes shall be sowen with corne and so in deede it came to passe For the army returning againe they made peace incontinently with the ACHAIANS About that time Pharnabazus and Conon with the king of PERSIENS armye being Lordes of the sea without let of any destroyed and spoyled all the coast of LACONIA Moreouer the city of ATHENS did reare vp her walls againe by helpe of Pharnabazus money wherewith he had furnished them Thereuppon the LACEDAEMONIANS thought good to make peace with the king of PERSIA and to that ende sent Antalcidas Ambassadour vnto Tiribazus most shamely and cruelly betraying to the king the GRAECIANS inhabiting in ASIA for whose libertie Agesilaus had made warres with him before So it was Agesilaus happe not to be foyled with any part of his shame for Antalcidas that was his enemie sought all the meanes he could to conclude this peace for that he saw warre did daily increase the authoritie honor and fame of Agesilaus Notwithstanding he aunswered one then that reproued him for that the LACEDAEMONIANS did
ouerthrowen and all went to wracke By this time Agesilaus was growen olde and could no more goe to the warres for verie age but his sonne Archidamus with the aide which Dionysius the tyranne of SYRACVSA sent vnto them wanne a battell against the ARCADIANS called the tearelesse battell for there dyed not one of his men and they slue a great number of their enemies This victorie plainely shewed the great weakenesse and decaie of the citie of SPARTA For in former times it was so common a thing vnto them to ouercome their enemies in battell that they did sacrifice nothinge else to the goddes in token of thankes within the citie but a poore cocke and they that had fought the battell made no boast of it neither did they that hard the newes reioice greatly at it For when they had wonne that great battell at the citie of MANTINEA which Thucydides describeth the Ephori only sent the messenger that brought the newes for reward a peece of powdered meate and no other thing But then when newes was brought of this victorie and that they vnderstoode Archidamus came home victorious neither man nor woman could keepe the citie but the father him selfe went first of all to meete him with the teares in his eyes for ioy and after him all the other Magistrates and officers of the citie and a swarme of old folke both men women came downe to the riuers side holding vp their hands to heauen thanking the goddes as if their citie had redeemed and recouered her shame and lost honor and beganne nowe to rise againe as before it did For vntill that time some say that the husbandes durst not boldly looke their wiues in the faces they were so ashamed of their great losses and miserable estate Now the citie of MESSINA being by Epaminondas reedified and replenished with people he called home againe out of all partes the naturall inhabitants of the same The SPARTANS durst not fight with him not to hinder his purpose though it spighted them to the hartes and were angrie with Agesilaus for that in his raigne they had lost all that territory which was as great as all LACONIA selfe and that for goodnesse and fertilitie compared with the best partes of all GRAECE the which they had quietly possessed many yeares before And this was the cause why Agesilaus would not agree to the peace which the THEBANS sent to offer him and all bicause he would not relinquish that in wordes which the enemies kept in deedes Therfore being wilfully bent once more to fight with them he went not only without recouering the thing he looked for but had in maner also lost the citie of SPARTA by a warlike stratageame in the which he was deceiued For the MANTINIANS being newly reuolted againe from the alliance of the THEBANS and hauing sent for the LACEDAEMONIANS Epaminondas receiuing intelligence that Agesilaus was departed from SPARTA with all his power to aide the MANTINIANS marched away secretly by night from TEGEA without the priuitie of the MANTINIANS and went straight to SPARTA the which he had almost surprised on the sodaine going an other way then Agesilaus came being in manner without men to defende it Howebeit a THESPIAN called Euthynus as Callisthenes sayth or as Xenophon wryteth a CRETAN brought Agesilaus newes of it who dispatched a horseman straight to aduertise them of the citie of SPARTA and marching forward him selfe to returne stayed not longe after before he arriued He was no sooner come but incontinently also came the THEBANS who passing ouer the riuer of Eurotas gaue assault to the city Then Agesilaus perceiuing that there was no more place nor time of securitie as before but rather of desperation and courage he valliantlie defended it more then an olde mans yeares coulde beare Thus through corage and desperate minde whereto he was neuer brought before neither did euer vse it he put by the daunger and saued the citie of SPARTA from Epaminondas handes setting vp markes of triumphe for repulsing of the enemies and making the women and children of SPARTA to see the LACEDAEMONIANS how honorablie they rewarded their nurse and contrie for their good education but Archidamus chiefely of all other fought wonderfully that day running into euerie parte of the citie with a fewe about him to repulse the enemies wheresoeuer the daunger was greatest It is sayd also that at that time there was one Isadas the sonne of Phaebidas that did maruelous straunge thinges to beholde both in the face of his enemies as also in the sight of his frendes He was of goodly personage and at that time in the prime of his youth and being starke naked and vnarmed his bodie noynted with oyle hauing in one hande a borestaffe and in the other a sworde in this maner he went out of his house and ranne amongest them that fought killinge and ouerthrowing his enemies that withstoode him and was not once hurt either for that the goddes preserued him for his manhoodes sake or else bicause men thought him more then a man The Ephori immediatly gaue him a crowne in honor and reward of his valliantnesse but withall they set a fine on his head to pay a thowsand siluer Drachmas for his rashe attempt to hasard him selfe in battell vnarmed for defense Shortly after they fought an other great battell before the citie of MANTINEA There Epaminondas hauing ouerthrowen the first ranckes of the LACEDAEMONIANS and coragiously distressing the rest valliantly following the chase there was one Anticrates a LACONIAN who receiuing him as Dioscorides writeth slue him with his borespeare The LACEDAEMONIANS to this day notwithstanding doe call the ofspring of this Anticrates Machariones as much to say as swordmen as though he had slaine him with a sword The LACEDAEMONIANS did esteeme this Anticrates so much for that deadly stroke he gaue bicause they were afrayed of Epaminondas while he liued that they gaue him that slue him great honors dignities and discharged all his ofspring kinred from payment of subsidie and common contribucions which priuiledge one Callicrates a kinseman of this Amicrates enioyed euen in our time After this battell and death of Epaminondas the GRAECIANS hauing taken peace generally amongest them Agesilaus would needes exclude the MESSENIANS from being sworne to this peace saying that they neede not sweare bicause they had no city Now forasmuch as all the GRAECIANS els did receiue them as amongest the number tooke their othe vnto this peace the LACEDAEMONIANS brake of from this general peace and none but they onely made warre in hope to recouer the MESSENIANS contrie and all through the allurement of Agesilaus who for this cause was thought of the GRAECIANS a cruell and vnsatiable man for warres to deale so craftily and all to breake this generall league Againe he brought him selfe in discredit with all men beinge compelled to make his citie bare of money borowing of them still and
raising sundrie contribucions amongest them whereas in deede it had bene his best way to haue ended all those miseries hauing so happie an occasion offred at that time not to haue lost so great an Empire of so many townes and cities both by sea and lande and all to plague his contrie to winne the lande and riches of the MESSENIANS But yet was this most shame vnto him of all other when he gaue him selfe vnto one Tachos a Captaine of the EGIPTIANS euerie man thinking it a shamefull parte of him that such a personage as he reputed the chiefest man of all the GRAECIANS and the which had filled the worlde with reporte of his fame and glorie should for money let out his person to hyre and the glorie of his name vnto a barbarous person a traitor and rebell to his kinge and maister to become a mercenarie Captaine and souldier to doe him seruice And moreouer he being now foure score yeares of age and vpwardes his bodie all mangled with woundes though he had vndertaken this honorable charge for the recouerie of the libertie of the GRAECIANS yet had his ambition deserued some blame for noble actes haue their time yea rather the good and ill doe nothing differ from other but in meane and mediocritie But Agesilaus had no regard of all this and thought no manner of shame in seruice specially for benefitte of the common wealth but perswaded him selfe that it was a dishonor to him to liue idlely in a citie and doe nothing till death should come and make his summones thereupon therefore he leuied men of warre through all GRAECE with the money Tachos sent vnto him and with them tooke sea hauing thirtie SPARTANS counsellers and assistantes to him as he had in his first iorney Now Agesilaus being arriued in EGIPT all the chiefe Captaines and Gouernours of king Tachos came to the sea shore and honorablie receiued him and not they only but infinite numbers of EGIPTIANS of all sortes that were maruelous desirous of him for the great fame that went abroade of Agesilaus came thither from all partes to see what manner of man he was But when they sawe no stately trayne about him but an olde graybeard layed on the grasse by the sea side a litle man that looked simplie of the matter and but meanely apparrelled in an ill fauored threed bare gowne they fell a laughing at him remembring the merie tale that the mountaines should bring forth and was deliuered of a mouse Besides all this they wondered when they sawe men being him presentes to welcome him that he tooke meale calues and geese and such grosse thinges and refused all confections perfumes and other delicacies praying them that offered those dainty things to him to geue them to the ILOTES his slaues Theophrastus wryteth that he delighted maruelously in the rushe Papyrus and liked the garlandes they made of them for their finenesse and the handsomnesse the which he caried home with him when he departed thence Hauing spoken at that time with Tachos who was assembling his armie to goe on his iorney he was not made chiefetaine generall as he looked he should haue bene but was appointed only Colonell of all the straungers Chabrias Generall of all the armie by sea and the chiefe of all the rest was Tachos him selfe in person This at the first grieued Agesilaus to the hart being driuen whether he would or not to beare with the vanitie and pride of this EGIPTIAN So he sayled with him into PHENICE against the PHENICIANS imbasing him selfe against his noble disposition and minde and gaue him place vntill he saw time of reuenge It chaunced that one Nectanebos a nephewe of this Tachos hauing the leading of parte of this armie rebelled against him and being chosen king by the EGIPTIANS he sent vnto Agesilaus and prayed him to come and take his parte The like he did also vnto Chabrias and prayed him to ioyne with him promising great rewardes vnto them both Tachos vnderstanding that besought them both that they would not forsake him Chabrias for his parte also did likewise intreate Agesilaus and perswade him what he coulde to continewe frendshippe with Tachos Agesilaus aunswered him for thee Chabrias thou camest of thine owne good will and therefore mayest doe what thou thinkest good but so is it not with me For I am sent hither a Captaine by my contrie to serue the EGYPTIANS and therefore it were no honestie for me to make warre with them whome I am sent to serue and aide were it not that they them selues which sent me doe nowe commaunde me the contrarie This aunswere being made he sent certaine of his men to SPARTA to accuse Tachos and to commende Nectanebos Both they also for their partes sent to intreate the counsell of LACEDAEMONS the one as being alwayes their frende and confederate and the other promising to be their faithfull frende thencefoorth The LACEDAEMONIANS hauing heard the requestes of both aunswered them openly that Agesilaus shoulde consider of this matter and wrote secretlie to him that he should doe what he thought best for the common wealth of SPARTA So Agesilaus taking with him the mercenarie souldiers which he had brought out of GRAECE went vnto Nectanebos cloking his departure that it was for the benefitte of his contrie to bewray a wicked thing but in deede taking away the visard to benefit his contrie they might by a better name rightly haue tearmed it treason Howebeit the LACEDAEMONANS placing the chiefest ppoynt of honor to consist in the benefit of their contrie did acknowledge nothing to be iustice but that which they thought might serue for the aduauncement of the glorie of SPARTA Tachos seeinge him selfe forsaken thus by his mercenarie straungers fled But nowe on the other side there rose an other Kinge in the citie of MENDES against this Nectanebos who hauinge leauied to the number of a hundred thowsande fightinge men came to fight with Nectanebos But he thinking to encorage Agesilaus tolde him that in deede they went a great number of men of all sortes together and speciallie men of handie craft and therefore that they were not to be feared bicause they knewe not what warre ment But Agesilaus aunswered him againe it is not their number that I feare but their rudenesse and vnskillfullnesse which is hardest of all to deceiue For warlike stratageames doe most preuaile against men that haue greatest feare and experience and therefore they foresee one thing rather then an other But men of no iudgement nor experience neither feare daunger nor haue forecast and therefore doe geue him no more aduantage that seeketh to deceiue them then the wrastler by slight is able to ouerthrowe him whome he can not sturre nor remoue Afterwardes the MENDESIAN king him selfe sent vnto Agesilaus to winne him if he could Nectanebos then beganne to be affrayed For when Agesilaus counselled him to trye it by battell as soone as he could and not to prolonge
such as heard him but named only did clappe their hands for ioy cried out with them Talassio commending the choyce they had made for him So hereof they say came this custome that euer since they haue cried this word Talassio vnto them that are newly maried bicause the mariage of that fayer young maid proued fortunate and happy vnto Talassius And this me thinkes soundeth neerest to the troth of that they reporte of this wedding crie of Talassio Shortly after this iudgement geuen Pompey maried Antistia After that going vnto Cinnaes campe they wrongfully accused him for somewhat whereupon he being afrayed secretly stale away Now when they could not finde him in Cinnaes campe there ran straight a rumor abroade that Cinna had put him to death Theruppon they that of long time had maliced Cinna did set vppon him for this occasion But he thinking to saue him selfe by flying was straight ouertaken by a priuate Captaine that followed him with his sworde drawen in his hande Cinna seeing him fell downe on his knees before him and tooke his seale from his finger wherewith he sealed his letters which was of great price and offered it him Tushe sayd the Captaine I come not to seale any couenaunt but to chastice a villaine and cruell tyranne and therewithall thrust his sword thorowe him and slue him presently Cinna being slaine in this sorte Carbo succeeded him and tooke the gouernment in hande being a more cruell tyranne than the first Shortly after came in Sylla being wished for and desired of the most parte of the ROMANES for the grieuous oppressions and miseries they endured that they thought them selues happy to chaunge Gouernor for their citie was brought into such miserie as hoping no more to see ROME recouer her lost libertie they desired yet a more tollerable bondage Now Pompey at that time was in a place of ITALIE called PICENVM nowe the marches of ANCONA where he had certaine inheritaunce but much more great loue and good will of the cities for his fathers sake He seeing that the noblest men of ROME forsooke their houses and goodes to flie from all partes vnto Syllaes campe as vnto a place of safetie would not goe to him as a fugitiue and cast away to saue him selfe without bringing him some power to increase his armie but would honorably goe thither with an armie as he that ment first to doe him selfe pleasure So he felt the good will of the PICENTINES who willingly tooke his parte and reiected them that were sent by Carbo Among them there was one Vindius that stepping forth said that Pompey which came from schoole the last day must now in hast be a Captaine But they were so offended with his speech that they straight dispatched him and killed him out of hande After that time Pompey being but three and twentie yeare olde tarying to receiue no authoritie from any man tooke it apon him himself causing a tribunal to be set vp in the middest of the market place of AVXIMVM a great populous city he commaunded the two brethren called the Ventidiaus being the chiefest men of the citie and they that for Carboes sake withstoode his doinges without delay foorthwith to auoide the citie and so beganne to leauie men and to appoint Captaines sergeaunts of bandes Centeniers and such other officers as appertaine to marshall discipline Then he went to all the other cities of the same marches and did the like They that tooke parte with Carbo fled euery man and all the rest willingly yeelded vnto him whereby in shorte space he had gotten three whole legions together munition to entertaine them cartes and all maner of beastes for cariage In this sorte he tooke his iorney towardes Sylla not in hast as a man affrayed to be met with by the way but by small iorneyes staying still where he might hurt his enemy causing the cities euery where as he came to reuolt from Carbo Neuerthelesse three Captaines of the contrarie parte Carixna Calius and Brutus all three did sette apon Pompey together not all in a fronte nor of one side but in three seuerall places they compassed him with their armies thinking to haue made him sure at the first onset This nothing amazed Pompey but putting his force together in one place he first marched against Brutus hauing placed his horsemen among the which he was him selfe in person before the battell of his footemen Now the men of armes of the enemie which were GAVLES comming to geue charge apon him he ranne one of the chiefest among them through with his launce and slue him The other GAVLES seeing him slaine turned their backes and brake their owne footemen so that at length they all fled for life Thereupon the Captaines fell out among them selues and some fled one way some an other way the best they could Then the townes round about thinking that they were dispersed for feare came all in to Pompey and yeelded them selues Afterwardes Scipio the Consull comming against Pompey to fight with him when both battels were in maner ready to ioyne before they came to throwing of their dartes Scipioes souldiers saluted Pompeys men and went on their side So Scipio was driuen to flie And in fine Carbo him selfe hauing sent after him diuers troupes of horsemen by the riuer of Arsis Pompey made towards them and did so fiercely assaile them that he draue them into such places as was almost impossible for horsemen to come into Whereupon they seeing no way to scape yeelded them selues horse and armor all to his mercie Sylla all this while heard no newes of these ouerthrowes wherefore as soone as he vnderstoode of it fearing least Pompey should miscarie being enuironned with so many Captaines of his enemies he made hast to matche towardes him for to aide him Pompey vnderstanding of his approache commaunded his Captaines to arme their men and to put them in battell ray that their Generall might see them brauely appointed when he should present thē vnto him for he looked that Sylla would doe him great honor in deede he did him more honor then Pompey looked for For when Sylla saw him a farre of comming towardes him and his armie marshalled in so good order of battell and such goodly men that so brauely aduaunced them selues being coragious for the victorie they had obtained of their enemies he lighted a foote When Pompey also came to doe his duety to him and called him Imperator as much as Emperour or soueraine Prince Sylla resaluted him with the selfe name beyonde all mens expectacion present litle thinking that he would haue geuen so honorable a name vnto so young a man as Pompey who had not yet bene Senator considering that he him selfe did contende for that title and dignitie with the faction of Marius and Scipio Furthermore the entertainment that Sylla gaue him euery way was aunswerable to his first kindnes offered him For when Pompey came before him
spede after PoÌ„pey But bycause he had no ships ready he let him go hasted towardes SPAYNE to ioyne Pompeys army there vnto his Now Pompey in the meane space had gotten a maruelous great power together both by sea by land His armie by sea was wonderfull For he had fiue hundred good shippes of warre of gallioâ—s foystes pinnases an infinite nomber By land he had all the flower of the horsemeÌ„ of ROME and of all ITALIE to the nomber of seuen thowsand horse all riche men of great houses and valliant minds But his footemen they were men of all sorts raw souldiers vntrained whom Pompey continually exercised lying at the citie of BERROEE not sitting idely but taking paines as if he had bene in the prime of his youth Which was to great purpose to incorage others seeing Pompey being eight and fifty yeare old fight a foote armed at all peeces then a horsebacke quickly to draw out his sword while his horse was in his full career and easely to p 〈…〉 vp againe and to throw his dart from him not onely with such agillitie to hyt pointe blanke but also with strength to cast it such a way from him that fewe young men could doe the like Thither came diuers kinges princes and great lordes of contries and yeelded them selues vnto him and of ROMANE captaines that had borne office he had of them about him the nomber of a whole Senate Amongst them came vnto him Labienus also who before was Caesars frend had alwayes bene with him in his warres in GAVLE There came vnto him also Brutus the sonne of that Brutus which was slaine in GAVLE a valliant man and which had neâ—er spoken vnto Pompey vntil that day bycause he tooke him for a murderer of his father but then willingly followed him as defendor of the libertie of ROME Cicero him selfe also though he had both written and geuen counsell to the contrarie thought it a shame to him not to be amongest the nomber of them that would hazard their liues for defence of their contry There came vnto him also Tidius Sextius euen into MACEDON notwithstanding that he was an old man and lame of one of his legges whom others laughing to scorne to see him come when Pompey saw him he rose went to meete him iudging it a good token of their goodwills vnto him when such olde men as he chose rather to be with him in daunger then at home with safety Hereupon they sate in counsell and following Catoes opinion decreed that they should put no citizen of ROME to death but in battel and should sacke no citie that was subiect to the Empire of ROME the which made Pompeys part the better liked For they that had nothing to doe with the warres either bycause they dwelt farre of or els for that they were so poore as otherwise they were not regarded did yet both in deede and word fauor Pompeys parte thinking him an enemie both to the goddes and men that wished not Pompey victorie Caesar also shewed him selfe very mercifull curteous where he ouercame For when he had wonne all Pompeys armie that was in SPAYNE he suffred the captaines that were taken to go at libertie onely reserued the souldiers Then comming ouer the ALPES againe he passed through all ITALY came to the citie of BRVNDVSIVM in the winter quarter and there passing ouer the sea he went vnto the citie of ORICVM laÌ„ded there Now Caesar hauing Vibius one of Pompeys famillier frends with him whom he had takeÌ„ prisoner he sent him vnto Pompey to pray againe that they might meete both of them desperse their armies within three dayes and being recoÌ„ciled geuing their faith one to an other so to retorne into ITALY like good frends together Pompey thought againe that these were new deuises to intrappe him Thereupon he sodainely weÌ„t downe to the sea tooke all the places of streÌ„gth by the sea side safly to lodge his campe in all the ports creekes harbars for ships to lie in rode so that what wind so euer blew on the skie it serued his turne to bring him either men vittels or money Caesar on thother side was so distressed both by sea by land that he was driueÌ„ to procuer battel to assaile Pompey euen in his owne forts to make him come out to fight with him of whom most times he euer had the better in all skirmishes sauing once when he was in daunger to haue lost all his army For Pompey had valiantly repulsed his men and made them flie and had slaine two thowsand of them in the field but he durst no enter pelmel with them into their campe as they fled Whereupon Caesar saide to his frendes that his enemie had wonne the victorie that day if he had knowen how to ouercome This victorie put Pompeys men in such courage that they would needes hasard battell And Pompey him selfe also though he wrote letters vnto straunge kinges captaines and cities of his confederacie as if he had already wonne all was yet afrayed to fight an other battell thinking it better by tracte of time and distresse of vittells to ouercome him For Caesars men being olde and expert souldiers and wont euer to haue the victorie when they sought together he knew they would be lothe to be brought to fight any other kinde of way to be driuen to often remouing of their campe from place to place and still to fortifie and intrench them selues and therefore that they would rather put it to aduenture out of hande and fight it out But notwithstanding that Pompey had before perswaded his men to be quiet and not to sturre perceyuing that after this last bickering Caesar being scanted with vittells raised his campe and departed thence to goe into THESSALY through the contrie of the ATHAMANIANâ—â— then he could no more bridle their glorie and corage which cried Caesar is fled let vs follow him And others let vs retorne home againe into ITALY And others also sent their frendes and seruantes before to ROME to hier them houses neere the market place intending when they came thether to sue for offices in the common welth Some there were also that in a iollitie would needes take shippe and faile into the I le of Lâ—â—ROS â— vnto Cornelia whom Pompey had sent thether to cary her that good newes that the warre was ended Thereupon assembling the counsell Afranius thought it best to winne ITALY for that was the chiefest marke to be shot at in this warre for whosoeuer obteyned that had straight all SICILE SAâ—DINIA CORSICA SPAYNE and GAVLE at commaundemment Furthermore that it was a dishonor to Pompey which in reason should touche him aboue all thinges to 〈…〉 their conâ—rie to be in such cruell bondage and subiection vnto slaues and flatterers of tyrantes offering it selfe as it were into their handes But Pompey neither thought it honorable for
of an armie may easily be brought from his wife and safe counsell with rumor and tumult of a few fearefull men that should perswade him it were a shame and dishonor for him if he did otherwise yet were this no straunge matter but a fault to be pardoned But for Pompey the great whose campe the ROMANES called their contrie and his tent the Senate and called all the Praetors and Consuls that gouerned at ROME rebells and traitors to the common wealth of ROME who coulde excuse him who was neuer seene commaunded by other then him selfe but had bene alwayes chiefe Captaine and Generall in any warre he made and euer had the vpper hand but that he was drawen on by the scoffes of Faonius and Domitius to hazard battell to endaunger the whole Empire and liberty of ROME only for feare they should call him king Agâ—memnon Who if he had so much regarded present infamie he should haue fought from the beginning for defence of the citie of ROME and not to haue taken example of Themistocles policie by flying and afterwards to thinke it a shame as he did to lye in THESSALIE a time without fighting Neither did God appoint them the fieldes of Pharsalia for a Theater or close campe of necessitie to fight which of them shoulde haue the Empire of ROME Further there was no Heraulde to summone him to fight as there are at games of price where he must aunswere to his name and come and fight or else to loose the honor of the crowne vnto an other But there were infinite other fieldes and townes and as a man woulde say the whole earth which the commoditie of his armie by sea gaue him choyse to conquer if he would rather haue followed the steppes of Fabius Maximus of Marius of Lucullus or of Agesilaus him selfe who did paciently abide no lesse tumultes within the citie selfe of SPARTA when the THEBANS went to summone him to come out to fight for all the rest of his contrie And in AEGYPT also he did abide many false accusations against him wherewith the king him selfe did burden him praying him alwayes to haue a litle pacience In fine hauing followed the best counsell which he had determined with him selfe from the beginning he saued the AEGYPTIANS against their willes and furthermore he did not only keepe the citie of SPARTA from so great a daunger but did also set vp tokens of triumphe in the same against the THEBANS whereby he was not compelled at that time to lead them out to the slaughter and besides that gaue his citizens occasion to obtaine victorie afterwardes Hereupon Agesilaus was highly praised of them whose liues he had saued against their wills And Pompey contrarily was blamed by them selues through whom he had offended yet some say that he was deceiued by his father in law Scipio For he meaning to keepe the most parte of the money to him selfe which he had brought out of ASIA did hasten and perswade Pompey to geue battell telling him that there was no money left The which though it had bene true a worthie Captaine should not so lightly haue bene brought into error vpon a false accompt to hazard him selfe to loose all Thus may we see what both of them were by comparing them together Furthermore for their iorneys into AEGYPT the one fled thither by force the other willingly went thither with small honor for moneys sake to serue the barbarous people with intent afterwards to make warre with the GRAECIANS Lastly in that which we accuse the AEGYPTIANS for Pompeys sake for the like matter doe they againe accuse Agesilaus For the one was cruelly put to death betrayed by them whom he trusted Agesilaus forsooke them which trusted him and went to the enemies hauing brought aide to fight against them The end of Pompeys life THE LIFE OF Alexander the great HAuing determined in this volume to write the life of king Alexander of Iulius Caesar that ouercame Pompey hauing to speake of many things I will vse none other preface but only desire the readers not to blame me though I do not declare al things at large but briefly touch diuers chiefly in those their noblest acts most worthy of memory For they must remember that my intent is not to write histories but only liues For the noblest deedes doe not alwayes shew mens vertues and vices but ofteÌ„times a light occasion a word or some sporte makes mens naturall dispositions and maners appeare more plaine then the famous battells wonne wherein a slaine tenne thowsand men or the great armies or cities wonne by siege or assault For like as painters or drawers of pictures which make no accompt of other partes of the bodie do take resemblaunces of the face and fauor of the countenauce in the which consisteth the iudgement of their maners disposition euen so they must geue vs leaue to seeke out the signes and tokens of the minde only and thereby shewe the life of either of them referring you vnto others to wryte the warres battells and other great thinges they did It is certaine that Alexander was discensed from Hercules by Caranus and that of his mothers side he came of the blood of the AEacides by Neoptolemus They say also that king Philip his father when he was a young man fell in fancie with his mother Olympias which at that time also was a younge maiden and an orphane without father or mother in the I le of SAMOTHRACIA where they were both receiued into the misterie and fraternity of the house of the religious and that afterwards he did aske her in mariage of her brother Arymbas with whose consent they were maried together The night before they lay in wedded bed the bride dreamed that lightning fell into her belly and that withall there was a great light fire that dispersed it selfe all about into diuers flames King Philip her husband also shortly after he was maried dreamed that he did seale his wiues belly and that the seale wherewith he sealed left behinde the printe of a Lyon. Certaine wisards and soothsayers tolde Philip that this dreame gaue him warning to looke straightly to his wife But Aristander TELMECIAN aunswered againe that it signified his wife was conceiued with childe for that they doe not seale a vessell that hath nothinge in it and that she was with childe with a boy which should haue a Lions hart It is reported also that many times as she lay asleepe in her bed there was seene a serpent lying by her the which was the chiefest cause as some presuppose that withdrewe Philips loue and kindnes from her and caused him that he lay not so oft with her as before he was wont to doe either for that he feared some charme or enchauntment or else for that he thought him selfe vnmeete for her company supposing her to be beloued of some god Some do also report this after an other sort as in this
realme greatly enuyed hated of daungerous enemies and euery way full of daunger For the barbarous nations that were neere neighbours vnto MACEDON could not abide the bondage of straungers but desired to haue their naturall kinges Neither had Philip time enough to bridle and pacifie GRAECE which he had conquered by force of armes but hauing a litle altered the gouernmentes had through his insolencie left them all in great trouble and ready to rebell for that they had not long bene aquainted to obey Thereupon Alexanders counsell of MACEDON being affraid of the troublesome time were of opinion that AlexaÌ„der should vtterly forsake the affaires of GRAECE and not to follow them with extremitie but that he should seeke to winne the barbarous people by gentle meanes that had rebelled against him and wisely to remedy these new sturres But he farre otherwise determined to stablish his safety by corage and magnanimitie perswading him selfe that if they saw him stowpe and yeeld at the beginning how litle so euer it were euery one would be apon him Thereupon he straight quenched all the rebellion of the barbarous people inuading them sodainely with his armie by the riuer of DANVBY where in a great battell he ouerthrew Syrmus king of the TRIBALLIANS Furthermore hauing intelligence that the THEBANS were reuoked and that the ATHENIANS also were confederate with them to make them know that he was a man he marched with his armie towardes the streight of Thermopiles saying that he would make Demosthenes the Orator see who in his oratioÌ„s whilest he was in ILLYRIA in the contry of the TRIBALLIANS called him child that he was growen a stripling passing through THESSALY should finde him a man before the walles of ATHENS When he came with his armie vnto the gates of THEBES he was willing to geue them of the citie occasion to repent them and therefore onely demaunded Phoenix and Prothytes authors of the rebellion Furthermore he proclaimed by trompet pardon and safetie vnto all them that would yeld vnto him The THEBANS on thother side demaunded of him Philotas Antipater two of his chiefest seruauntes made the crier proclaime in the citie that all such as would defend the libertie of GRAECE should ioyne with them Then did Alexander leaue the MACEDONIANS at libertie to make warre with all crueltie Then the THEBANS fought with greater corage and desire then they were able considering that their enemies were many against one And on thother side also when the garrison of the MACEDONIANS which were within the castell of CADMIA made a salie vpon them and gaue them charge in the rereward then they being enuironned of all sides were slaine in maner euery one of them their citie taken destroyed rased euen to the hard ground This he did specially to make all the rest of the people of GRAECE afraid by example of this great calamitie and miserie of the THEBANS to thend none of them should dare from thenceforth once to rise against him He would cloke this crueltie of his vnder the complaintes of his confederates the PHOCIANS and PLATEIANS who complaining to him of the iniuries the THEBANS had offred could not denie them iustice NotwithstaÌ„ding excepting the priests and the religious and all such as were frendes vnto any of the Lords of MACEDON all the frendes and hinsmen of the poet Pindarus and all those that had disswaded them which were the rebells he sold all the rest of the citie of THEBES for slaues which amounted to the nomber of thirtie thowsand persones besides them that were slaine at the battell which were six thowsand moe Now amongest the other miseries calamities of the poore citie of THEBES there were certaine THRACIAN souldiers who hauing spoyled and defaced the house of Timoclea a vetuous ladie and of noble parentage they deuided her goods among them and their captaine hauing rauished her by force asked her whether she had any where hidden any gold or siluer The ladie told him she had Then leading him into her garden she brought him vnto a well where she said she had cast all her iuells and precious things when she heard the citie was taken The barbarous THRACIAN stouped to looke into the well she standing behind him thrust him in and then threw stones enow on him and so killed him The souldiers when they knew it tooke and bound her and so caried her vnto Alexander When Alexander saw her countenance marked her gate he supposed her at the first to be some great lady she followed the souldiers with such a maiestie boldnes AlexaÌ„der theÌ„ asking her what she was She aunswered that she was the sister of Theagenes who fought a battel with king Philip before the citie of CHAERONEA where being generall he was slaine valiantly fighting for the defense of the libertie of GRAECE Alexander wondering at her noble aunswere and couragious deede coÌ„maunded no man should touche her nor her children so freely let her goe whether she would He made league also with the ATHENIANS though they were very sory for their miserable fortune For the day of the solemne feast of their misteries being come they left it of mourning for the THEBANS courteously enterteining all those that flying from THEBES came to them for succour But whether it was for that his anger was past him following therein the nature of lyons or bycause that after so great an example of crueltie he would shew a singuler clemency againe he did not only pardon the ATHENIANS of all faules committed but did also counsell them to looke wisely to their doings for their citie one daie should commaund all GRAECE if he chaunced to die Men report that certenly he oftentimes repented him that he had delt so cruelly with the THEBANS and the griefe he tooke apon it was cause that he afterwardes shewed him selfe more mercifull vnto diuers others Afterwardes also he did blame the furie of Bacchus who to be reuenged of him made him kill Clitâ—â— at the table being droncke and the MACEDONIANS also to refuse him to goe any furtherto conquer the INDIANS which was an imperfection of his enterprise and a minishing also of his honor Besides there was neuer THEBAN afterwardes that had escaped the furie of his victorie and did make any peticion to him but he had his sute Thus was the state of THEBES as you haue heard Then the GRAECIANS hauing assembled a generall counsell of all the states of GRAECE within the straights of Peloponnesus there it was determined that they would make warre with the PERSIANS Whereupon they chose Alexander generall for all GRAECE Then diuers men comming to visite Alexander aswell philosophers as gouernors of states to congratulate with him for his electioÌ„ he looked that Diogenes Sinopian who dwelt at CORINTH would likewise come as the rest had done but when he saw he made no reckoning of him and that he kept still in the suburbes of CORINTHE at a place
GEDROSIA he staied there also certein daies to refresh his army with feasting bāketing It is said that one day whē he had dronke hard he went to see the games for daunsing amongst thē the games which a yong man called Bagoas had set forth with whō Alexander fel in liking bare the bel This Bagoas being in his daunsing garmēts came through the Theater sat him downe by Alexander The MACEDONIANS were so glad of it that they showted clapped their hands for ioy crying out alowde to kisse him So that in fine he toke him in his armes kissed him before them all Thither came Nearchus his Admiral vnto him who made report what he had sene done in his nauigatiō Alexander was so glad of that as he was desirous to saile by sea him self so entring into the sea oceanum by the mouth of Euphrates with a great fleete of ships to cōpasse in all the coasts of ARABIA AFRICKE thēce into Mare Mediterraneū by the straights of the pillers of Hercules To this intēt he built a great nūber of ships in the city of THAPSACVS sent for mariners shipmasters pilots out of al parts But now the difficultie of the iorney which he tooke apon him for the cōquest of INDIA the daunger he was in whē he fought with the MALLIANS the nūber of his mē which he lost besides which was very great al these things cōsidered together making mē beleue that he should neuer return with safetie they made all the people which he had cōquered bold to rise against him gaue his gouernors Lieuetenants of prouinces occasion to cōmit great insolēcies robberies exactiōs of people To be short it put al his kingdom in broile sedition Insomuch as Olympias Cleopatra rising against Antipater they deuided his gouernmēt betwene thē Olympias chosing for her the kingdō of EPIRVS Cleopatra the kingdō of MACEDON Which whē Alexander had heard he said his mother was the wisest for the realme of MACEDON would neuer haue suffred a womā to raigne thē Therupon he sene Nearchus back again to the sea determining to fil all the sea coasts with warre As he trauelled through the cōtries farre frō the sea he put his capteines gouernors to death which had reuolted against him of those he slue Oxyarthes one of Abulites sonnes by his own hād rōning him thorow with a pike And whē Abulites self also had brought Alexāder iij thowsād talēts only without any other prouisiō made for vittels for his army he made him put the money before his horse which would not once touch it Then sayd he vnto him I pray thee to what purpose serueth this prouisiō therwithal immediatly cōmitted him to prisō As he came through the cōtry of PERSIA he first renued the old custō there which was that as often times as the kings did return home frō any far iorney they gaue vnto euery womā a crown a peece It is said therfore that for this cause some of their natural kings many times did not returne again into their cōtry that Ochus amōgst others did not so much as once returne back again willingly banishing him self out of his cōtry of niggardlines because he would not be at this charg After that Cyrus tomb king of PERSIA being toūd brokē vp he put him to death that did it although he were a MACEDONIAN of the citye of PELLA and none of the meanest called Polymachus Whē he had red the inscriptiō writtē apō it in the Persian tōgue he would needes also haue it writtē in the Greeke tōgue this it was O mā vvhat so thou art vvhēcesoeuer thou cōmest fro I knovve thou shalt come I am Cyrus that conquered the Empire of Persia I pray thee enuy me not for this litle earth that couereth my body These words pearced Alexanders hart whē he cōsidered the vncertainty of worldly things There also Calanus the INDIAN Philosopher hauing had a flyxe a litle while praied that they would make him a stacke of wod such as they vse to burne dead bodies on then rode thither a horse back after he had made his praier vnto the godds he cast those sprincklings apon him which were vsed to be sprinckled at the funerals of the dead Then cutting of a locke of his heare before he went vp on the wodstacke he bad al the MACEDONIANS that were there farewel shooke them by the hands praying thē that day to be mery and drinke freely with the king whom he would see shortly after in the citye of BABYLON When he had said these words he layd him down vpon the wodstack couered his face neuer sturred hand nor foote nor quinched when the fire tooke him but did sacrifice him self in this sort as the maner of his contry was that the wise men should so sacrifice thēselues An other INDIAN also who followed Iulius Caesar did the like many yeares after in the citye of ATHENS there is his tombe yet to be seene cōmonly called the INDIANS tombe When Alexander came from seing this sacrifice of Calanus he did bid diuers of his frends Capteines to supper to him there did bring forth a crown for a reward vnto him that drank best He that drank most of al other was one Promachus that drank foure gallons of wine wan the crown worth a talent but he liued not aboue three dayes after And of other also that fell in sport to quaffing who should drink most there died of thē as Chares writeth one forty persons of an extreme cold that tooke thē in their dronkennes wine When they were in the citie of SVSA he married certein of his frends him self also married Statira one of king Darius Daughters disposing also of the other PERSIAN Ladies according to their estate and birth vnto his best frends He made also a solemne feast of cōmon mariages amongst the MACEDONIANS of thē that had ben maried before At which feast it is writtē that nine thowsand persons sitting at the bords he gaue vnto eueryone of them a cup of gold to offer wine in honor of the gods And there also amongst other wōderful gifts he did pay al the dets the MACEDONIANS ought vnto their creditors the which amounted vnto the summe of tenne thowsand talents sauing a hundred thirty lesse Wherupon Antigenes with one eye falsely putting in his name amongest the number of the detters bringing in one that said he had lent him money Alexander caused him to be paid But afterwards when it was proued to his face that there was no such matter Alexander then was so offended with him that he banished him his court depriued him of his captainship notwithstanding that he had before shewed him self a valiant mā in the warrs For whē he was but a yong man he was shot into the eye before the city of
other letters from Caesar which semed much more reasonable in the which he requested that they would graunt him GAVLE that lyeth betwene the Mountaines of the Alpes ITALY ILLYRIA with two legions only then that he would request nothing els vntil he made sute for the second Consulship Cicero the Orator that was newly come from his gouernment of CILICIA trauelled to reconcile them together pacified Pompey the best he could who told him he would yeld to any thing he would haue him so he did let him alone with his armie So Cicero perswaded Caesars friends to be contented to take those two prouinces and six thowsand men onely that they might be friends at peace together Pompey very willingly yelded vnto it graunted them But Lentulus the Consul would not agree to it but shamefully draue Curio and Antonius out of the Senate whereby they them selues gaue Caesar a happy occasion culler as could be stirring vp his souldiers the more against them whē he shewed them these two notable men Tribunes of the people that were driuen to flie disguised like slaues in a cariers cart For they were driuen for feare to steale out of ROME disguised in that manner Nowe at that time Caesar had not in all about him aboue fiue thowsand footemen and three thowsand horsemen for the rest of his armie he left on thother side of the Mountaines to be brought after him by his Lieuetenants So considering that for th execution of his enterprise he should not neede so many men of warre at the first but rather sodainly stealing vpon them to make them affraid with his valiantnes taking benifit of the oportunitie of tyme bicause he should more easily make his enemies affraid of him comming so sodainly when they looked not for him then he should otherwise distresse them assailing them with his whole armie in giuing them leysure to prouide further for him he commaunded his Captaines and Lieuetenants to go before without any other armor then their swords to take the citie of ARIMINVN a great citie of GAVLE being the first citie men come to when they come out of GAVLE with as litle bloodshed and tumult as they could possible Then committing that force and armie he had with him vnto Hortensius one of his friends he remeyned a whole day together openly in the sight of euery man to see the sworde players handle their weapons before him At night he went into his lodging and bathing his body a litle came afterwards into the hall amongest them and made mery with them a while whome he had bidden to supper Then when it was well forwarde night and very darke he rose from the table and prayed his company to be mery and no man to sturre for he would straight come to them againe howebeit he had secretly before commaunded a fewe of his trustiest friendes to followe him not altogether but some one way and some an other way He him selfe in the meane tyme tooke a coche he had hyered and made as though he woulde haue gonne some other waye at the first but sodainely he turned backe againe towardes the citie of ARIMINVM When he was come vnto the litle ryuer of Rubicon which deuideth GAVLE on this side the Alpes from ITALY he stayed vppon a sodaine For the nearer he came to execute his purpose the more remorse he had in his conscience to thinke what an enterprise he tooke in hand his thoughts also fell out more doubtfull when he entred into consideration of the desperatnes of his attempt So he fell into many thoughts with him selfe and spake neuer a word wauing sometime one way sometime an other way and often times chaunged his determination contrary to him selfe So did he talke much also with his friends he had with him amongest whom was Asinius Pollio telling them what mischieues the beginning of this passage ouer that riuer would breede in the world and how much their posteritie and them that liued after them would speake of it in time to come But at length casting from him with a noble courage all those perillous thoughts to come speaking these words which valiant men commonly say that attempt daungerous and desperat enterprises A desperat man feareth no daunger come on he passed ouer the riuer and when he was come ouer he ranne with his coche and neuer staied so that before day light he was within the citie of ARIMINVM and tooke it It is said that the night before he passed ouer this riuer he dreamed a damnable dreame that he carnally knew his mother The citie of ARIMINVM being taken and the rumor thereof dispersed through all ITALY euen as if it had bene open warre both by sea land as if all the lawes of ROME together with thextreme bounds and confines of the same had bene broken vp a man would haue sayd that not onely the men and women for feare as experience proued at other times but whole cities them selues leauing their habitations fled from one place to another through all ITALY And ROME it selfe also was immediatly filled with the flowing repaire of all the people their neighbours thereabouts which came thither from all parties like droues of cattell that there was neither officer nor Magistrate that could any more commaund them by authoritie neither by any perswasion of reason bridle such a confused an disorderly multitude so that ROME had in maner destroyed it selfe for lacke of rule and order For in all places men were of contrary opinions and there were daungerous sturres and tumults euery where bicause they that were glad of this trouble could keepe in no certaine place but running vp and downe the citie when they met with others in diuers places that seemed either to be affraid or angry with this tumult as otherwise it is impossible in so great a citie they flatly sell out with them and boldly threatned them with that that was to come Pompey him selfe who at that time was not a litle amazed was yet much more troubled with the ill wordes some gaue him on the one side and some on the other For some of them reproued him and sayd that he had done wisely and had paid for his folly because he had made Caesar so great and stronge against him the common wealth And other againe did blame him bicause he had refused the honest offers and reasonable condicions of peace which Caesar had offered him suffering Lentulus the Consul to abuse him too much On thother side Phaonius spake vnto him and bad him stampe on the ground with his foote For Pompey beeing one day in a brauerie in the Senate sayd openly let no man take thought for preparation of warre for when he lysted with one stampe of his foote on the ground he would fill all ITALY with souldiers This notwithstanding Pompey at that tyme had greater number of souldiers then Caesar but they would neuer let him follow his owne
went him selfe before with six hundred horse and fiue legions onely of footemen in the winter quarter about the moneth of Ianuary which after the ATHENIANS is called POSIDEON Then hauing past ouer the sea Ionium and landed his men he wanne the cities of ORICVM and APOLLONIA Then he sent his shippes backe againe vnto BRVNDVSIVM to transport the rest of his souldiers that could not come with that speede he did They as they came by the way like men whose strength of body lusty youth was decayed being wearied with so many sundry battells as they had fought with their enemies complayned of Caesar in this sorte To what ende and purpose doth this man hale vs after him vp and downe the world vsing vs like slaues and drudges It is not our armor but our bodies that beare the blowes away and what shall we neuer be without our harnes of our backes and our shieldes on our armes should not Caesar thinke at the least when he seeth our blood and woundes that we are all mortall men and that we feele the miserie and paynes that other men doe feele And now euen in the dead of winter he putteth vs vnto the mercie of the sea and tempest yea which the gods them selues can not withstand as if he fled before his enemies and pursued them not Thus spending time with this talke the souldiers still marching on by small iorneys came at length vnto the citie of BRVNDVSIVM But when they were come found that Caesar had already passed ouer the sea then they straight chaunged their complaints and mindes For they blamed them selues and tooke on also with their Captaines bicause they had not made them make more haste in marching and sitting vpon the rockes and clyffes of the sea they looked ouer the mayne sea towards the Realme of EPIRVS to see if they could discerne the shippes returning backe to transport them ouer Caesar in the meane time being in the citie of APOLLONIA hauing but a small armie to fight with Pompey it greued him for that the rest of his armie was so long a comming not knowing what way to take In the ende he followed a daungerous determinacion to imbarke vnknowen in a litle pynnase of twelue ores onely to passe ouer the sea againe vnto BRVNDVSIVM the which he could not doe without great daunger considering that all that sea was full of Pompeys shippes and armies So he tooke shippe in the night apparelled like a slaue and went aborde vpon this litle pynnase said neuer a word as if he had bene some poore man of meane condicion The pynnase laye in the mouth of the riuer of Anius the which commonly was wont to be very calme quiet by reason of a litle wind that came from the shore which euery morning draue backe the waues farre into the maine sea But that night by il fortune there came a great wind from the sea that ouercame the land wind insomuch as the force strength of the riuer fighting against the violence of the rage waues of the sea the encownter was maruailous daungerous the water of the riuer being driuen backe and rebounding vpward with great noyse and daunger in turning of the water Thereuppon the Maister of the pynnase seeing he could not possibly get out of the mouth of this riuer bad the Maryners to cast about againe and to returne against the streame Caesar hearing that straight discouered him selfe vnto the Maister of the pynnase who at the first was amazed when he saw him but Caesar then taking him by the hand sayd vnto him good fellow be of good cheere and forwardes hardily feare not for thou hast Caesar and his fortune with thee Then the Maryners forgetting the daunger of the storme they were in laid on lode with ores and labored for life what they could against the winde to get out of the mouth of this riuer But at length perceiuing they labored in vaine and that the pynnase tooke in aboundance of water and was ready to sincke Caesar then to his great griefe was driuen to returne backe again Who when he was returned vnto his campe his souldiers came in great companies vnto him were very sory that he mistrusted he was not able with them alone to ouercome his enemies but would put his person in daunger to goe fetch them that were absent putting no trust in them that were present In the meane time Antonius arriued and brought with him the rest of his armie from BRVNDVSIVM Then Caesar finding him selfe strong enough went offered Pompey battel who was passingly wel lodged for vittelling of his campe both by sea land Caesar on thother side who had no great plenty of vittels at the first was in a very hard case insomuch as his men gathered rootes mingled thē with milke eate them Furthermore they did make breade of it also sometime when they skirmished with the enemies came alongest by them that watched and warded they cast of their bread into their trenches and sayd that as longe as the earth brought forth such frutes they would neuer leaue beseeging of Pompey But Pompey straightly commaunded them that they should neither cary those words nor bread into their campe fearing least his mens hartes would faile them and that they would be affraid when they should thinke of their enemies hardnes with whome they had to fight sithe they were weary with no paynes no more then brute beastes Caesars men did daily skirmishe hard to the trenches of Pompeys campe in the which Caesar had euer the better sauing once only at what tyme his men fled with such feare that all his campe that daye was in greate hazarde to haue beene caste awaye For Pompey came on with his battell apon them and they were not able to abyde it but were fought with and dryuen into their campe and their trenches were filled with deade bodyes which were slayne within the very gate and bullwarkes of their campe they were so valiantly pursued Caesar stoode before them that fledde to make them to turne heade agayne but he coulde not preuayle For when he woulde haue taken the ensignes to haue stayed them the ensigne bearers threw them downe on the grounde so that the enemyes tooke two and thirtye of them and Caesars selfe also scaped hardely with lyfe For stryking a greate bigge souldier that fledde by him commaunding him to staye and turne his face to his enemie the souldier beeing affrayde lift vppe his sworde to stryke at Caesar. But one of Caesars Pages preuenting him gaue him suche a blowe with his sworde that he strake of his showlder Caesar that daye was brought vnto so greate extremitie that if Pompey had not eyther for feare or spytefull fortune left of to followe his victorie and retyred into his campe beeing contented to haue dryuen his enemyes into their campe returning to his campe with his friendes he sayde vnto them the victorie this daye
aduersitie in their teeth and he that telleth them plainly of their faultes seemeth also to despise them For like as honnie sweete by nature applied vnto woundes doth bring both smart and paine euen so sharpe wordes though profitable doe bite the vnfortunate man if they be not tempered with discretion curtesie And therefore Homer the Poet calleth swete and pleasaunt thinges 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as yeelding and not striuing with contrariety against that parte of the minde whereby we be angrie and froward For euen as sore eyes doe like to looke on blacke and darke colours and can not abide the bright and glaring so in a city where for want of foresight and gouernment things goe not well men be so diuers and vnwilling to heare of their owne fault and estate that they had rather continue in their follie and daunger then by sharpnes of words to be rebuked and restored So that it being impossible to amend one fault with a greater that common wealth must be in great daunger that when it hath most nede of helpe is lothest to receiue any and he also hazardeth him selfe that plainly telleth them their faultes Like as therefore the Mathematician sayth that the sunne doth not altogether follow the motion of the highest heauen nor yet is moued directly contrary but fetching a compase a litle ouerthwart maketh an oblique circle and by variety of approching and departing preserueth all things kepeth the world in good temperature Euen so too seuere gouernment contrarying the peoples mindes in all things is not good as also it is maruelous daungerous not to correct offendors when they offend for feare of the peoples displeasure But the meane sometime to yeelde vnto the people to make them the more willing to obey and to graunt them things of pleasure to demaund of them againe things profitable that is a good way to gouerne men the better by For by gentle meanes they are brought to doe many profitable things when they seeke it not of them by rigor authority In deede this meane is very hard to be obserued bicause authority is hardly tempered with lenity But when they meete together there is no harmony more musicall nor concordance more perfit then that and therfore it is said that thereby God doth gouerne the world working rather a voluntary then a forced obediēce in men But this fault of seuerenes was in Cato the younger for he could not fashion him selfe to the peoples maners neither did they like his neither did he win his estimacion in the common wealth by flattering of them And therefore Cicero sayd that he was put by the Consulship for that he behaued him selfe as though he liued in the common wealth deuised by Plato not amongest the disordered and corrupt posterity of Romulus Me thinketh I can liken him properly vnto vntimely frute the which though men doe take pleasure to see and wonder at yet they eate them not Euen so the auncient simplicity of Catoes maner hauing so long time bene out of vse comming then to shew it selfe in that corrupt time ill maners of the city was in deede much praiseworthy but yet not the conuenientest nor the fittest for him bicause it aunswered nor respected not the vse and maners of his time For he found not his contry as Phocion did vtterly destroyed but tossed in a daungerous tempest being not of authority like the pilot to take the sterne in hand gouerne the shippe he tooke him selfe to tricking the failes and preparing the tacle so to assist men of greater power And yet being in no greater place he so thwarted fortune which seemed to haue sworne the ouerthrowe of the estate of ROME that with much a doe with great difficulty a long time after she executed her malice And yet the common wealth had almost gotten the victory of her by meanes of Cato his vertue with whom I doe compare the vertue of Phocion who yet in my opinion were not in all thinges alike neither in their honesty nor policy of gouernment For there is difference betwext manhood manhood as there was betwext that of Alcibiades and that of Epaminondas betwext wisedom wisedom as betwext that of Aristides that of Themistocles betwext iustice iustice as betwext that of Numa that of Agesilaus But the vertues of these men to him that shall superficially regard slightly consider them seeme all one in quality in maner vse both alike in temperance of curtesie with seuerity manhood with wisdom a vigilant care for others with presence of corage security of mind for them selues abhorting all filthines corruption imbrasing cōstancy loue of iustice that for any man to discerne the difference betwene thē it requireth an excellent good wit iudgement Now touching Cato euery man knoweth that he was of a noble house as we wil shew you hereafter in his life but for Phocion I gesse he came of no base parentage For if he had bene the sonne of a spoonemaker as Idomeneus testifieth Glancippus the sonne of Hyperides hauing in an inuectiue he wrote against him rehersed all the mischiefes he could of him he would not haue forgotte to haue vpbraid him with his base parētage neither he him self also if that had bene true had bene so well brought vp as he was For when he was but a young man he was Platoes scholler and afterwards Xenocrates scholler in the schoole of Academia and so euen from his first beginning he gaue him selfe to followe them that were learned For as Duris writeth neuer ATHENIAN saw him weepe nor laugh nor washe him selfe in any common bathe nor his hands out of his sleeues when he ware a long gowne For when he went to the warres he would alwaies goe afoote and neuer wore gowne vnles it were extreame cold and then the souldiers to mocke him withall would say it was a signe of a sharpe winter when they sawe Phocion in his gowne Nowe though in deede he was very curteous and gentle of nature yet he had such a grymme looke withall that no man had any desire to talke with him but such as were of his familliar acquaintance And therefore when Chares the Orator one day mocked him for the bending of his browes and that the ATHENIANS fell in a laughter withall My Maisters q Phocion the bending of my browes haue done you no hurt but the foolery and laughing of these flatterers haue made ye oftentymes to weepe Furthermore his maner of speech was very profitable for the good sentences and counsells he vttered but it was mixed with an imperious austere and bitter shortnes For as Zeno the Philosopher sayeth that the wise man should temper his wordes with witte and reason before he vtter them euen so was Phocions speech the which in few words comprehended much matter And thereupon it seemeth that Polyeuctus SPHETTIAN sayd that Demosthenes was an excellent Orator but
Phaonius a very friende of his Caesars harte beeing then lift vppe for that he had brought his first purpose to passe beganne nowe to preferre an other lawe to diuide all CAMPANIA and the countrye called TERRA DI LAVORO the lande of labour vnto the poore needy people of ROME and no man stoode against him but Cato Whereuppon Caesar made his officers to take him from the pulpit for orations to cary him to prison All this made not Cato stowpe nor leaue his franke speeche but as he went he still spake against this edicte and perswaded the people to beware of them that preferred suche lawes All the Senate and the beste sorte of Citizens followed Cato with heauy hartes shewing by their silence that they were offended and angrye for the iniurye they did vnto him beeing so worthy a man Insomuch as Caesars selfe perceiued that the people were offended with it and yet of ambition stomacke he looked alwayes when Cato would haue appealed vnto the people So when he saw that Cato ment no such matter at length ouercomen with shame and dishonor he him selfe procured one of the Tribunes to take Cato from the Sergeaunts In fine all Caesars practise tended to this ende that when he had wonne the peoples fauor by such lawes they should then graunt him the gouernment of all the GAVLESâ— aswell on this side as beyond the mountaines and all ILLYRIA with an armie of foure legions for the space of fiue yeares notwithstanding that Cato told the people before that they them selues with their own voyces did set vppe a tyrant that one day would cut their throats They did also chuse Publius Clodius Tribune of the people which was of a noble house a thing directly contrary to the law But this Clodius had promised them so that they would helpe him to banish Cicero out of ROME to do all that he could for them Furthermore they made Calphurnius Piso Caesars wifes father and Gabinius Paulus a man wholly at Pompeys commaundement as they write which knew his life and manners Consuls the next yeare following Now notwithstanding they had the rule of the common wealth in their owne handes and that they had wonne parte of the citie with brybes and the other parte also with feare yet they were both affraid of Cato when they considered what trouble they had to ouercome him which they did very hardly notwithstanding and to their great shame beeing driuen to vse force and yet thought they should neuer haue done it Furthermore Clodius vtterly dispaired that he could possibly banish Cicero so longe as Cato was there So deuising wayes howe to doe it when he had taken possession of his office he sent for Cato and beganne to tell him that he thought him the honestest and iustest man of ROME and that he was ready to performe it to him by deede For where many made sute vnto him to be sent into CYPRVS to make warre with king Ptolomy he thought none so worthy as him selfe and therefore for the goodwill he bare him he was very willing to offer him that pleasure Cato strayght cryed out with open mowth that this was a deuise to intrappe him not to pleasure him Then Clodius prowdly and fiercely aunswered him well seeing thou wilt not goe with good will thou shalt goe then against thy will and so he did For at the first assemblye of the citie be caused the people to graunt his commission for his iorney thither but they neyther appoynted him shippes nor souldiers nor any other Ministers to goe with him sauing two Secretaries onely of the which the one of them was a very villayne and arrant theefe and the other one of Clodius followers Besides all this as if they had appoynted him but litle to doe in CYPRVS agaynst Ptolomy he made them commaunde him after that to goe and restore the outlawes and benished men of the citie of BYZANTIVM vnto their coutrye and goodes agayne of purpose onely to keepe Cato farre enoughe from ROME whylest continued Tribune Cato beeing driuen by necessitie to obeye he counselled Cicero whome Clodius pursued to beware that he made no sturre agaynst him for feare of bringing ROME into ciuill warre and murther for his sake but rather to absent him selfe that he might an other tyme preserue his contrye After that he sent his friende Canidius before into CYPRVS vnto Ptolomye to perswade him to bee quiet without warre declaring vnto him that he shoulde nether lacke honour nor riches for the ROMANES woulde graunt him the priesthoode of Venus in the citie of PAPHOS Cato in the meane tyme remayned in the I le of RHODES preparing him selfe there and abyding his aunswer In the tyme of these sturres Ptolomy king of AEGYPT for a certen offence and discorde with his subiectes departing out of ALEXANDRIA sayled towardes ROME hoping that Caesar and Pompey with a greate armie woulde restore him to his crowne and kingdome agayne He beeing desirous to see Cato sent vnto him supposing he woulde come at his sending for Cato by chaunce was occupyed at that tyme about some busines and badde the Messenger will Ptolomy to come to him if he woulde see him So when Ptolomy came he nether went to meete him nor rose vppe vnto him but onely welcomed him and badde him sitte downe It amazed the king at the first to see vnder so simple and meane a trayne suche a statelines and maiestie in Catoes behauior But when he hearde him boldely talke with him of his affayres and suche graue talke from him reprouing his follye he had committed to forsake suche princely pleasure and wealth to goe and subiect him selfe vnto suche dishonour suche extreame paynes and suche passing greate giftes and presents as he shoulde throwe awaye to satisfie the couetousnes of the rulers at ROME the which was so unsatiable that if all the Realme of AEGYPT were conuerted into siluer to giue amonge them it woulde scarce suffice them in respect whereof he counselled him to returne backe with his nauye and to reconcile him selfe agayne with his subiectes offering him selfe also to goe with him to helpe to make his peace Then Ptolomy comming to him selfe and repenting him of his follye knowing that Cato tolde him truely and wisely he determined to followe his counsell had not his friendes turned his mynde to the contrarye So when Ptolomy came to ROME and was driuen to wayte at the gates of the Magistrates that were in authoritie he sighed then and repented his follye for that he had not onely despised the counsell of a wise man but rather the Oracle of a god Furthermore the other Ptolomy that was in CYPRVS a happye turne for Cato poysoned him selfe Cato beeing also informed that he lefte a wonderfull summe of money behynde him he determyned to goe him selfe vnto BYZANTIVM and sent his Nephewe Brutus into CYPRVS bicause he durst not truste Canidius so farre Then hauing restored the banished men vnto the peoples sauour agayne
honoring him for his Philosophie Thus Cato did pull downe the pride of the king at that time who before had vsed Scipio and Varus as his noble men and subiects howebeit Cato did reconcile them together againe Furthermore when all the companie prayed him to take charge of the whole armie and that Scipio him selfe and Varus both did first geue him place and willingly resigned vnto him the honor to commaunde the whole campe he aunswered them he woulde not offende the lawe sith he made warre onely to preserue the authoritie and priuiledge thereof neither would take vpon him to commaunde all him selfe being but Vicepraetor where there was a Viceconsull present For Scipio was created Proconsull and furthermore the people had a certayne confidence that their affaires woulde prosper the better if they had but the name of a Scipio to leade them in AFRICKE Nowe when Scipio was Generall ouer them he woulde straight for Iubaes sake haue put all the inhabitantes of the citie of VTICA without respect of age vnto the sworde and haue rased the houses to the grounde as those that had taken Caesars parte Howebeit Cato woulde not suffer him but protesting vnto them that were present and calling the gods to witnesse in open counsell with great difficulty he saued the poore people of VTICA from that cruell tragedy and slaughter Afterwards partly at the request of the people and partly also at Scipioes instance Cato tooke apon him to keepe the city fearing least by treason or against their wills it should come into Caesars hands bicause it was a strong place of scituacion and well replenished with all things necessary for him that should kepe it Cato did both furnish it also fortifie it For he brought in great store of corne he repaired the rampers of the walls made great high towers cast depe trenches round about the city paling thē in betwext the trenches and the towne he lodged all the young men of VTICA compelled them to deliuer vp their armor weapon and kept all the rest within the city it selfe carefully prouiding that neuer a man of thē should be hurt by the ROMANES besides did also send corne armor munition money vnto the campe so that the city of VTICA was the staple storehouse of the warres Moreouer as he had before counselled Pompey not to come to battell the like counsell he now gaue also vnto Scipio not to hazard battel against a man of great skill experience in warres but to take time whereby by litle and litle he should consume the power strength of Caesars tyranny But Scipio was so stowt that he regarded not Catoes coūsell but wrote otherwhile vnto him twitting him with his cowardlines in this maner that it was enough for him to be safe in a good city compassed about with walls though otherwise he sought not to hinder men to be valliant to execute any enterprise as occasion was offred Cato wrote againe vnto him that he was ready to goe into ITALIE with his footemen and horsemen which he had brought into AFRICKE to draw Caesar from them and to turne him against him Scipio made but a spor◠at it Then Cato shewed plainly that he did repent him he had geuen him the preferrement to be generall of the army bicause he saw he would but fondly prosecute this warre also that if he chaunced to ouercome he could not moderately vse the victory against his contry men Then he beganne to mistrust the good successe of this warre and so he told his frendes for the Generalls hastines and vnskilfulnesse and yet if beyonde expectacion it fell out well and that Caesar were ouerthrowen he would neuer dwell at ROME any more but would flye the crueltie and bitternes of Scipio who euen at that present time did prowdly threaten many But in the ende that fell out sooner then looked for For a poste came to him late that night who but three dayes before departed from the campe and brought newes that all was lost in a great battell by the citie of THAPSES which Caesar had wonne that he had taken both campes that Scipio and king Iuba were fled with a fewe men and that all the rest of their armie was slaine These newes did put the citizens in such a feare and maze and specially being in the warre and in the night time that for very feare they could scant keepe them selues within the walles of their citie But Cato meeting with them stayed them that ranne vp and downe crying in the streetes and did comfort them the best he could Yet he tooke not all their feare from them though he brought them againe vnto them selues from the extasie they were in declaring vnto them that the losse was nothing so great as it was made and that it was a common matter to enlarge suche newes with wordes enowe By these perswasions he somwhat pacified the tumult and vprore and the next morning by breake of day he made proclamacion that the three hundred men which he had chosen for his counsellers should come and assemble in the temple of Iupiter they all being citizens of ROME which for trafficke of marchaundise lay in AFRICKE and all the ROMANE Senators and their children also Nowe whilest they gathered them selues together Cato him selfe went verie grauely with a set modest countenaunce as if no suche matter had happened hauing a litle booke in his hande which he read as he went This booke conteyned the store and preparacion of minicion he had made for this warre as come armor weapons bowes slings and footemen When they were all assembled he began greatly to commend the good loue and faithfulnes of these three hundred ROMANES which had profitably serued their contry with their persons money and counsell and did counsell them not to depart one from an other as men hauing no hope or otherwise seeking to saue them selues scatteringly For remeining together Caesar would lesse despise them if they would make warre against him and would also sooner pardon them if they craued mercie of him Therefore he counselled them to determine what they would do and for his owne parte he sayed he would not mislike whatsoeuer they determined of for if their mindes followed their fortune he would thinke this chaunge to proceede of the necessitie of time But if they were resolued to withstande their misfortune and to hazard them selues to defend their libertie he then would not only commend them but hauing their noble corage in admiration would him selfe be their chieftaine and companion euen to proue the fortune of their contrie to the vttermost The which was not VTICA nor ADRVMETVM but the citie selfe of ROME the which oftentimes through her greatnes had raised her selfe from greater daungers and calamities Furthermore that they had many waies to saue them selues the greatest meane of all was this that they should make warre with a man who by reason of his warres was
be the better beliked and to be fine and trimme in his apparell and to cast vpon him a plaine spanish cape taking pleasure in the dyet bathes and manner of the auncient LACONIAN life and openly boasted besides that he would not desire to be king but onely for the hope he had to restore the auncient LACONIAN life by his authority Then began the state of LACEDAEMON first to be corrupted and to leaue her auncient discipline when the LACEDAEMONIANS hauing subdued the Empire of the ATHENIANS stored them selues contry both with plenty of gold siluer But yet reseruing still the lands left vnto them by succession from their fathers according vnto Lycurgus first ordinaunce institucion for diuision of the landes amongest them which ordinaunce and equalitie being inuiolably kept amongest them did yet preserue the common wealth from defamation of diuers other notorious crimes Vntil the time of the authoritie of Epitadeus one of the Ephores a seditious man and of prowde conditions who bitterly falling out with his own sonne preferred a law that euery man might lawfully giue his landes and goods whilest he liued or after his death by testament vnto any man whom he liked or thought well of Thus this man made this law to satisfie his anger others also did confirme it for couetousnes sake and so ouerthrew a noble ordinaunce For the riche men then began to buy lands of numbers and so transferred it from the right lawful heires whereby a few men in short time being made very riche immediatly after there fell out great pouertie in the citie of SPARTA which made all honest sciences to cease brought in thereuppon vnlawfull occupacions who enuyed them that were wealthy Therefore there remayned not aboue seuen hundred naturall Citizens of SPARTA in all of them not aboue a hundred that had lands and inheritance for all the rest were poore people in the citie and were of no countenaunce nor calling besides that went vnwillingly to the warres against their enemies looking euery day for sturre and chaunge in the citie Agis therefore thinking it a notable good acte as in deede it was to replenish the citie of SPARTA againe and to bringe in the old equalitie he moued the matter vnto the Citizens He found the youth against all hope to giue good eare vnto him and very well giuen vnto vertue easily chaunging their garments life to recouer their libertie againe But the oldest men which were now euen rotten with couetousnes and corruption they were affraid to returne againe to the straight ordinaunces of Lycurgus as a slaue and ronneagate from his Maister that trembleth when he is brought back againe vnto him Therefore they reproued Agis when he did lament before them their present miserable estate and wishe also for the former auncient honor and true dignitie of SPARTA Howbeit Lysander the sonne of Lybis and Mandroclidas the sonne of Esphanes and Agesilaus also greatly commended his noble desire and perswaded him to goe forward withall This Lysander was of great authoritie and estimation amongest them in the citie Mandroclidas was also very wise and carefull about any matter of counsell and with his wisedom and policy very valiant Agesilaus in like manner the kings Vncle and an eloquent man was very effeminate and couetous and yet prickt forward to giue his furtherance to this attempt as it appeared by his sonne Hippomedon who was a notable good souldier and could doe very much by meanes of the loue and good will the younge men did beare him But in deede the secret cause that brought Agesilaus to consent vnto this practise was the greatnes of his dette which he ought of the which he hoped to be discharged by chaunging of the state and common wealth Now when Agis had wonne him he fought by his meanes to drawe his mother also vnto the matter which was Agesilaus sister She could doe very much by the number of her friendes followers and detters in the citie by whose meanes she ruled the most part of the affayres of the citie after her owne pleasure But the young man Hippomedon making her priuie vnto it at the first she was amased withall and bad him hold his peace if he were wise and not medle in matters vnpossible and vnprofitable But when Agesilaus had told her what a notable acte it would be and how easily it might be brought to passe with maruelous great profit and that king Agis beganne also to strayne her with great intreatie that she would willingly depart with her goods to winne her sonne honor and glory who though he could not in money and riches come to be like vnto other kinges bicause the slaues and factors onely of the kinges Seleucus and Ptolomy had more money then all the kings of SPARTA had together that euer raigned yet if in temperance thriftines noble mind exceeding all their vanities he could come to restore the LACEDAEMONIANS againe vnto equalitie that then in deede he should be counted a noble king These women being stirred vp with ambition by these perswasions of the younge man seeing him so nobly bent as if by the goddes their mindes had secretly bene inflamed with the loue of vertue did presently alter their mindes in such sort that they them selues did pricke forward Agis and sent for their friends to pray and intreate them to fauor his enterprise and furthermore they brought on other women also knowing that the LACEDAEMONIANS did euer heare and beleeue their wiues suffering them to vnderstand more of the affayres of the state then they them selues did of their priuate estate at home Herein is to be considered that the most part of the riches of LACEDAEMON was in the handes of the women and therefore they were against it not onely bicause thereby they were cut of from their finenes and excesse in the which being ignorant of the true good in deede they put all their felicitie but also bicause they sawe their honor and authoritie which they had by their riches cleane troden vnder foote Therefore they comming to Leonidas they did perswade him to reproue Agis bicause he was elder man then he and to let that this enterprise went not forward Leonidas did what he could in fauour of the riche but fearing the common people who desired nothing but alteracion he durst not openly speake against him but secretly he did the best he could to hinder Agis practise talking with the Magistrates of the citie and accusing Agis vnto them he told them how he did offer the riche mens goods vnto the poore the diuision of their landes and the abolishing of all detts for rewarde to put the tyrannie into his handes and that thereby he got him a stronge gard vnto him selfe but not many Citizens vnto SPARTA This notwithstanding king Agis hauing procured Lysander to be chosen one of the Ephores he presently preferred his lawe vnto the counsell The articles whereof were these
That such as were in debt should be cleered of all their debts and that the landes also should be diuided into equall partes so that from the valley of Pallena vnto mount Taugetus and vnto the citie of MALEA and SELASIA there should be foure thowsand fiue hundred partes and without those boundes there should be in all the rest fifteene thowsand partes the which should be distributed vnto their neighbours meete to cary weapon and the rest vnto the natural SPARTANS The number of them should be replenished with their neigbours and straungers in like manner which should be very well brought vp and be able men besides to serue the common wealth all the which afterwards should be diuided into fifteene companies of the which some should receiue two hundred others foure hundred men should liue according to the olde auncient institucion obserued by their auncestors This lawe being preferred vnto the Senate the Senators grewe to diuers opinions apon it Whereuppon Lysander him selfe assembled the great counsell of all the people and there spake vnto them him selfe and Mandroclidas and Agesilaus also praying them not to suffer the honor of SPARTA to be troden vnder foote for the vanitie of a fewe but that they would remember the auncient oracles of the goddes warning them to beware of auarice as of the plague and destruction of the common wealth and of the late oracle also brought vnto them from the temple of Pasiphaé The temple and oracle of Pasiphaé was famous at the citie of THALAMES and some say that Pasiphaé was one of the Daughters of Atlas which was gotten with child by Iupiter was deliuered of a sonne called Hammon Other thinke that it was Cassandra one of king Priamus Daughters that died there which was surnamed Pasiphaé bicause she gaue all the aunswers oracles of things to come But Phylarchus writeth that Daphné the Daughter of Amycla flying from Apollo that would haue rauished her was turned into a lawrell tree and honored by Apollo with the gift of prophecie So they said that this oracle of the god commaunded them that the SPARTANS should againe returne vnto their former auncient equalitie stablished first by Lycurgus lawe When euery man els had spoken king Agis rising vp briefly speaking vnto the people sayd that he would bestowe great contributions for the reformation of this common wealth which he was desirous to restore againe For first of all he would make common all his errable and pasture he had and besides that he would adde to six hundred talents in ready money and so much should his mother grandmother kinsemen and friendes all the which were the richest and wealthiest in SPARTA When the people heard what he sayd they maruelled much at the noble minde of this younge king and were very glad of it saying that for three hundred yeares space together the citie of SPARTA had not so worthy a king as he But Leonidas contrarily assayed with all his power he could to resist him thinking with him selfe that if king Agis purpose tooke place he should also be compelled to doe as he did and yet he should haue no thankes but king Agis bicause that all the SPARTANS indifferently should be compelled to make their goods in common but the honor should be his onely that first beganne it So he asked Agis whether he thought Lycurgus had bene a good and iust man or not Agis aunswered that he had bene Then replyed Leonidas did you euer see that he had taken away and abolished any detts or had receyued straungers into the number of the Citizens of SPARTA Who contrarily thought his common wealth vnperfect if all straungers were not banished the citie Agis agayne aunswered him that he maruelled not that Leonidas beeing brought vp in a straung contry and also maryed there in a noble mans house he should be ignorant of Lycurgus lawes who banishing gold and siluer out of his citie did therewithall exile dette and lending And for straungers he hated them that woulde not conforme them selues vnto the manners and facions of life which he instituted and those they were which he banished not for any ill will he bare vnto their persons but bicause he feared their manners of life least that mingling them with the Citizens they should make them runne after vanitie and couetousnes to be riche For otherwise Terpander Thales and Pherecydes which were all straungers were maruelously reuerenced and honored in SPARTA in olde tyme bicause they did singe in their writings the selfe same thinges which Lycurgus had established in his lawes And thou thy selfe also doest commend Ecprepes being one of the Ephores bicause he did cut with a hatchet the two stringes which Phrynis the Musitian had added vnto the Citheme more then the seuen common stringes and those also which did the like vnto Timotheus and yet thou reprouest me bicause I goe about to roote out all excesse and pride out of SPARTA as though those men did not farre of preuent that these superfluous stringes of the musicke delighting the Citizens mindes too much with their songes should not cause them fall vnto such trade and manner of life as should make the citie at discord with it selfe After this contencion the common people did sticke vnto king Agis and the riche men followed Leonidas praying and perswading him not to forsake them and further they did so intreate the Senators in whom consisteth the chiefe authority to determine and disgest all matters before they be propownded vnto the people that they ouerthrew the law by the onely voice of one man more Wherefore Lysander who was yet in office attempted to accuse Leonidas by an auncient lawe forbidding that none of the race of Hercules should mary with any straung woman nor beget children of her and sayde further that no man vpon payne of death should dwell anywhere but in SPARTA When he had instructed others to obiect these thinges agaynst Leonidas her with other of his colleagues obserued a signe in the element the ceremony wherof was in this sorte Euery nynenth yeare the Ephori chusing a bright night without moone-light did sit downe in some open place and beheld the starres in the element to see if they saw any starre shoote from one place to another if they did then they accused their kinges that they had offended the goddes and did depriue them of their kingdom vntill some oracle came from DELPHES or Olympus to restore them againe Lysander then declaring that he had seene a starre flie in the element did therefore accuse king Leonidas and brought forth witnesses against him how he had maried a woman of ASIA the which one of king Seleucus Lieuetenants had giuen him in mariage that he had two children by her afterwards being forsaken of his wife that refused him he returned againe into his contry against his will so had possessed the kingdom for lacke of lawful heire So following his accusation in this manner
very well brought vp in the LACONIAN discipline and better then any man of his yeares Cleomenes did loue him dearely and commaunded him that when he should see he were dead and all the rest also that then he should kill him selfe last of all Now they all being layed on the ground he searched them one after another with the poynt of his sword to see if there were any of them yet left aliue and when he had pricked Cleomenes on the heele amongest others and saw that he did yet knit his browes he kissed him sate downe by him Then perceiuing that he had yelded vp the ghost imbracing him when he was dead he also slue him selfe and fell vpon him Thus Cleomenes hauing raigned king of SPARTA sixteene yeares being the same manner of man we haue described him to be he ended his dayes in this sort as ye heare Now his death being presently bruted through the citie Cratesiclea his mother though otherwise she had a noble minde did notwithstanding a litle forget her greatnes through thextreame sorow she felt for the death of her sonne and so imbracing Cleomenes sonnes she fell to bitter lamentacion But the eldest of his sonnes no man mistrusting any such matter found meanes to get out of her handes running vp to the toppe of the house cast him selfe headlong downe to the ground that his head was all broken and splitted yet died not but was taken vp crying and angry with them that they would not suffer him to dye This newes being brought to king Ptolomy he commaunded they should first flea Cleomenes and then hange vp his body and also that they should put his children his mother and all her women wayting on her to death among the which was Panteas wife one of the fayrest and curteousest women in her tyme They had not beene longe maried before when these mischieues lighted apon them at what tyme their loue was then in greatest force Her parents then would not let her depart and imbarke with her husband but had locked her vp and kept her at home by force Howbeit shortly after she found the meanes to get her a horse some money and stale away in the night and gallopped towards the hauen of Taenarus where finding a shippe ready bound for AEGYPT she imbarked and went to seeke her husband with whome she gladly and louingly ledde her life forsaking her owne contry to liue in a straunge Realme Now when the Sergeaunts came to take Cratesiclea to put her to death Panteas wife led her by the arme carying vp her traine and did comfort her although Cratesiclea otherwise was not affraid to dye but onely asked this fauor that she might dye before her litle children This notwithstanding when they came to the place of execution the hangman first slue her children before her eyes and then her selfe afterwards who in such great griefe and sorowe sayd no more but thus Alas my poore children what is become of you And Panteas wife also being a mighty tall woman girding her clothes to her tooke vp the slayne bodies one after another and wrapped them vp in such things as she could get speaking neuer a word nor shewing any signe or token of griefe and in fine hauing prepared her self to dye and plucked of her attyre her selfe without suffering any other to come neare her or to see her but the hangman that was appoynted to stryke of her head In this sorte she dyed as constantly as the stowtest man liuing could haue done and had so couered her body that no man needed after her death to touche her so carefull was she to her ende to keepe her honestie which she had alwayes kept in her life and in her death was mindefull of her honor wherewith she decked her body in her life tyme Thus these LACEDAEMON Ladies playing their partes in this pitifull tragedie contending at the time of death euen with the corage of the slayne SPARTANS their contrymen which of them should dye most constantly left a manifest proofe and testimonie that fortune hath no power ouer fortitude and corage Shortly after those that were appoynted to keepe the body of king Cleomenes that hong vpon the crosse they spied a great Serpent wreathed about his head that couered all his face insomuch as no rauening fowle durst come neare him to eate of it whereuppon the king fell into a supersticious feare being affrayd that he had offended the goddes Hereuppon the Ladyes in his Court began to make many sacrifices of purification for the cleering of this sinne perswading them selues that they had put a man to death beloued of the gods and that he had something more in him then a man The ALEXANDRINIANS thereuppon went to the place of execution and made their prayers vnto Cleomenes as vnto a demy god calling him the sonne of the goddes Vntill that the learned men brought them from that error declaring vnto them that like as of oxen being dead and rotten there breede bees and of horse also come waspes of asses likewise bitels euen so mens bodies when the marie melteth and gathereth together doe bringe forth Serpents The which comming to the knowledge of the auncients in olde tyme of all other beastes they did consecrate the Dragon to Kinges and Princes as proper vnto man. The end of the life of Agis and Cleomenes TIBERIVS AND CAIVS GRACCHI NOW that we haue declared vnto you the historie of the liues of these two GRAECIANS Agis and Cleomenes aforesayd we must also write the historie of two ROMANES the which is no lesse lamentable for the troubles and calamities that chaunced vnto Tiberius and Caius both of them the sonnes of Tiberius Gracchus He hauing bene twise Consul and once Censor and hauing had the honor of two triumphs had notwithstanding more honor and fame onely for his valiantnes for the which he was thought worthy to marye with Cornelia the daughter of Scipio who ouercame Hanniball after the death of his father though while he liued he was neuer his friend but rather his enemy It is reported that Tiberius on a tyme found two snakes in his bed and that the Soothsayers and wysards hauing considered the signification thereof did forbid him to kill them both and also to let them both escape but one onely assuring him that if he killed the male he should not liue long after and if he killed the female that then his wife Cornelia shoulde dye Tiberius then louing his wife dearely thinking it meeter for him also that he being the elder of both and she yet a younge woman should dye before her he slue the male and let the female escape howbeit he dyed soone after leauing twelue children aliue all of them begotten of Cornelia Cornelia after the death of her husband taking vpon her the rule of her house and children led such a chast life was so good to her children and of so noble a minde that euery man
as if he had red some historie poynted as it were with his finger vnto all the whole assembly the notable great seruice worthy deedes the which the CHALCIDIANS had done in former times for the benefit and honor of GRAECE And in contrary maner also what mischief inconuenience came by meanes of the flarterers that altogether gaue them selues to curry fauor with the MACEDONIANS With these and such like perswasions Demosthenes made such sturre amongest the people that the Orator Lamachus being affraid of the sodaine vprore did secretly conuey him selfe out of the assembly But yet to tell you what I thinke Demosthenes in my opinion facioning him selfe euen from the beginning to followe Pericles steppes and example he thought that for other qualities he had they were not so requisite for him and that he would counterfeate his grauitie and sober countenance and to be wise not to speake ouer lightly to euery matter at all aduentures Iudging that by that manner of wisedom he came to be great And like as he would not let slippe any good occasion to speake where it might be for his credit so would he not likewise ouer rashely hazard his credit and reputacion to the mercy of fortune And to proue this true the orations which he made vppon the sodaine without premeditation before doe shewe more boldnes and courage then those which he had written and studied long before if we may beleeue the reports of Eratosthenes Demetrius PHALERIAN and of the other comicall Poets For Eratosthenes sayd that he would be often caried away with choller aud sutie Demetrius also sayth that speaking one daye to the people he sware a great othe in ryme as if he had bene possessed with some diuine spirit and sayd By sea and land by riuers springes and Ponds There are also certaine comicall Poets that doe call him Ropoperperethra as who would say a great babbler that speaketh all thinges that commeth to his tongues ende Another mocked him for too much affecting a figure of Rethoricke called Antitheton which is opposicion with saying Sic recepit sicut cepit which signifieth he tooke it as he found it In the vse of this figure Demosthenes much pleased him selfe vnles the poet Antiphanes speaketh it of pleasure deriding the coūsel he gaue the people not to take the I le of HALONESVS of king Philip as of gift but to receiue it as their owne restored And yet euery body did graunt that Demades of his owne naturall wit without arte was inuincible and that many times speaking vpon the sodaine he did vtterly ouerthrow Demosthenes long studied reasons And Aristo of the I le of CHIO hath written Theophrastus iudgement of the Orators of that time Who being asked what maner of Orator he thought Demosthenes he aūswered worthy of this citie Then again how he thought of Demades aboue this citie said he The same Philosopher writeth also that Polyeuctus SPHETTIAN one of those that practised at that time in the common wealth gaue this sentence that Demosthenes in deede was a great Orator but Phocions tongue had a sharper vnderstanding bicause in fewe wordes he comprehended much matter And to this purpose they say that Demosthenes him selfe said also that as oft as he saw Phocion get vp into the pulpit for orations to speake against him he was wont to say to his friends see the axe of my words riseth And yet it is hard to iudge whether he spake that in respect of his tongue or rather for the estimacion he had gotten bicause of his great wisedome thinking as in deede it is true that one word only the twinckling of an eye or a nod of his head of such a man that through his worthines is attained to that credit hath more force to perswade then all the fine reasons deuises of Rethoricke But now for his bodily defects of nature Demetrius PHALERIAN writeth that he heard Demosthenes him selfe say being very olde that he did helpe them by these meanes First touching the stammering of his tongue which was very fat and made him that he could not pronounce all syllables distinctly he did helpe it by putting of litle pybble stones into his mouth which he found vpon the sands by the riuers side so pronounced with open mouth the orations he had without booke And for his smal and soft voice he made that lowder by running vp steepe and high hills vttering euen with full breath some orations or verses that he had without booke And further it is reported of him that he had a great looking glasse in his house and euer standing on his feete before it he would learne and exercise him selfe to pronounce his orations For proofe hereof it is reported that there came a man vnto him on a time and prayed his helpe to defend his cause and tolde him that one had beaten him and that Demosthenes sayd agayne vnto him I doe not beleeue this is true thou tellest me for surely the other did neuer beate thee The playntif then thrusting out his voyce alowde sayde what hath he not beaten me yes in deede q Demosthenes then I beleeue it now for I heare the voyce of a man that was beaten in deede Thus he thought that the sound of the voyce the pronunciation or gesture in one sort or other were thinges of force to beleeue or discredit that a man sayth His countenance when he pleaded before the people did maruailously please the common sorte but the noble men and men of vnderstanding found it too base and meane as Demetrius Phaleritus sayde amonge others And Hermippus writeth that one called AEsion beeing asked of the auncient Orators and of those of his tyme aunswered that euery man that had seene them would haue wondred with what honor reuerence and modestie they spake vnto the people howbeit that Demosthenes orations whosoeuer red them were too artificiall and vehement And therefore we may easily iudge that the orations Demosthenes wrote are very seuere and sharpe This notwithstanding otherwhile he would giue many pleasant and witty aunswers apon the sodain As when Demades one day sayd vnto him Demosthenes will teach me after the common prouerbe the sowe will teach Minerua He aunswered straight againe This Minerua not long since was in Collytus streete taken in adulterie A certain theefe also called Chaleus as much to say as of copper stepping forth to saye somewhat of Demosthenes late sitting vp a nights and that he wrote and studied the most part of the night by lampe light in deede q Demosthenes I know it grieues thee to see my lampe burne all night And therefore you my Lords of ATHENS me thinkes you should not wonder to see such robberies in your citie considering we haue theeues of copper and the walles of our houses be but of claye We could tell you of diuers others of his like wittie and pleasant aunswers but these may suffice for this present and therefore we
intituled vnto Formio and Stephanus for the which he was iustly reproued For Formio pleaded against Apollodorus with the oration which Demosthenes selfe had made for him which was euen alike as if out of one selfe cutlers shoppe he has solde his enemies swords one to kil another And for his knowen orations those which he made against Androtion Timocrates and Aristocrates he caused them to giue them vnto others when he had not yet delt in matters of state For in deede when he did put them forth he was not passing seuen or eight and twenty yeare olde The oration which he made against Aristogiton and the other also of libertie against Ctesippus the sonne of Cabrias he spake them as he saith him selfe or as others write openly vnto the people bicause he intended to mary Chabrias mother Howbeit he did not but maried a SAMIAN womaÌ„ as Demetrius Magnesius writeth in his booke he made intituled Synonyma and in that he wrote against AEschines where he accuseth him that he delt falsely when he was Ambassador It is not knowen whether it was euer recited or not although Idomeneus writeth that there lacked but thirtye voices onely to haue quit AEschines But in this me thinkes he spake not truely and doth but coniecture it by that the one the other haue sayd in their orations against the crowne in the which nether the one nor the other doe say precisely that this accusation proceeded to iudgement But let other that lyst decide this doubt Now before the warre beganne it was euident enough to which parte Demosthenes would incline in the common wealth For he would neuer leaue to reproue and withstand Philippes doings Therefore he being more spoken of in Philippes Court then any man els he was sent vnto him the tenth person with nyne others in ambassade Philippe gaue them all audience one after an other howbeit he was more carefull and circumspect to aunswer Demosthenes oration then all the rest But otherwise out of that place he did not Demosthenes so much honor nor gaue him so good entertainment as to his other companions For Philip shewed more kindes and gaue better countenance vnto AEschines and Philocrates then vnto him Wherefore when they did highly praise Philip and sayd that he was a well spoken Prince a fayer man and would drinke freely and be pleasant in company Demosthenes smyled at it and turned all those thinges to the worst saying that those qualities were nothing commendable nor meete for a king For the first was a qualitie meete for a pleader the second for a woman and the third for a sponge In fine warres falling out betwene them bicause Philip of the one side could not liue in peace the ATHENIANS on the other side were still incensed stirred vp by Demosthenes daily orations Whereupon the ATHENIANS first sent into the I le of EVBOEA the which by meanes of certaine priuate tyrannes that had taken the townes became subiect againe vnto Philip following a decree Demosthenes had preferred so went to expulse the MACEDONIANS againe After that also he caused them to send ayde vnto the BIZANTINES vnto the PERINTHIANS with whom Philip made warre For he so perswaded the ATHENIANS that he made them forget the malice they did beare vnto those two nations the faults which either of both the cities had committed against them in the warres touching the rebellion of their confederats he caused them to send them ayde which kept them froÌ„ Philips force power Furthermore going afterwards vnto all the great cities of GRAECE as Ambassador he did so solicite perswade them that he brought them all in manner to be against Philip. So that the army which their tribe should find at their common charge was fifteene thowsand footemen all straungers and two thowsand horsemen besides the Citizens of euery citie which should also serue in the warres at their charge and the money leauied for the maintenance of this warre was very willingly disturbed Theophraâ—tus writeth that it was at that tyme their confederats did pray that they would set downe a certaine summe of money what euery citie shoulde paye and that Crobylus an Orator shoulde make aunswer that the warre had no certaine maintenance inferring that the charges of warre was infinite Now all GRAECE being in armes attending what should happen and all these people and cities being vnite in one league together as the EVBOEIANS the ATHENIANS the CORINTHIANS the MEGARIANS the LEVCADIANS and the CORCYRIAETANâ— the greatest matter Demosthenes had to do was to perswade the THEBANS also to enter into this league bicause their contry confined and bordered with ATTICA besides their force and power was of great importance for that they caried the fame of all GRAECE at that time for the valliantest souldiers But it was no trifling matter to winne the THEBANS and to make them breake with Philip who but lately before had bound them vnto him by many great pleasures which he had done to them in the warre of the PHOCIANS besides also that betwixt ATHENS THEBES by reason of vicinitie there fell out daily quarells and debates the which with euery litle thing were soone renued This notwithstanding Philippe being prowde of the victorie he had wonne by the citie of AMPHISSE when he came and inuaded the contry of ERATIA and was entred into PHOCIDE the ATHENIANS were then so amased with it that no man durst occupie the pulpit for orations neither could they tell what way to take Thus the whole assemblie standing in a doubt with great silence Demosthenes onely step vp and did agayne giue them counsell to seeke to make league and alliance with the THEBANS and so did further encourage the people and put them in good hope as he was alwayes wont to doe Then with others he was sent Ambassador vnto THEBES and Philippe also for his parte sent Ambassadors vnto the THEBANS Amyntas and Clearchus two gentlemen MACEDONIANS and with them Daochus Thessalus and Thrasydaeus to aunswer and withstande the perswasions of the ATHENIAN Ambassadors Thereuppon the THEBANS beganne to aduise them selues for the best and layd before their eyes the miserable frutes and calamities of warre their woundes being yet greene and vncured which they gotte by the warres of PHOCIDE Notwithstanding the great force of Demosthenes eloquence as Theopompus writeth did so inflame the THEBANS courage with desire of honor that it trode vnder their feete all manner of considerations and did se rauishe them with the loue and desire of honestie that they cast at their heeles all feare of daunger all remembrance of pleasures receiued and all reason perswading the contrary This acte of an Orator was of so great force that Philippe forthwith sent Ambassadors vnto the GRAECIANS to intreate for peace and all GRAECE was vppe to see what would become of this sturre Thus not onely the Captaines of ATHENS obeyed Demosthenes doing all that he commaunded them but the gouernors also
with the ATHENIANS But Demosthenes in contrarie maner ioyning with the Ambassadors sent from ATHENS into euerie quarter to solicite the cities of GRAECE to seeke to recouer their libertie he did aide them the best he coulde to solicite the GRAECIANS to take armes with the. ATHENIANS to driue the MACEDONIANS out of GRAECE And Phylarchus writeth that Demosthenes encountered with Pytheas wordes in an open assemblie of the people in a certain towne of ARCADIA Pytheas hauing spoken before him had said like as we presume alwaies that there is some sickenesse in the house whether we doe see asses milke brought so must that towne of necessitie be sicke wherein the Ambassadors of ATHENS doe enter Demosthenes aunswered him againe turning his comparison against him that in deede they brought asses milke where there was neede to recouer health and euen so the Ambassadors of ATHENS were sent to heale and cure them that were sicke The people at ATHENS vnderstanding what Demosthenes had done they so reioyced at it that presently they gaue order in the fielde that his banishment should be reuoked He that perswaded the decree of his reuocation was called Damon PAEANIAN that was his nephew and thereupon the ATHENIANS sent him a galley to bring him to ATHENS from the city of AEGINA So Demosthenes being arriued at the hauen of Piraea there was neither Gouernor Priest nor almost any townes man left in the city but went out to the hauen to welcome him home So that Demetrius MAGNESIAN wryteth that Demosthenes then lifting vp his handes vnto heauen sayed that he thought him selfe happie for the honor of that iorney that the returne from his banishment was farre more honorable then Alcibiades returne in the like case had bene For Alcibiades was called home by force he was sent for with the good will of the citizens This notwithstanding he remained still condemned for his fine for by the law the people coulde not dispence withall nor remit it Howbeit they deuised a way to deceiue the lawe for they had a manner to geue certaine money vnto them that did prepare and sette out the aulter of Iupiter sauior for the day of the solemnitie of the sacrifice the which they did yearely celebrate vnto him so they gaue him the charge to make this preparacion for the summe of fifty talents being the summe of the fine aforesayd wherin he was condemned Howbeit he did not long enioy the good happe of his restitucion to his contry and goodes For the affaires of the GRAECIANS were immediatly after brought to vtter ruine For the battell of Cranon which they lost was in the moneth Munichyon to wit Iulie and in the moneth Boedromion next ensuing to wit August the garrison of the MACEDONIANS entred into the forte of Munichya And in the moneth Pyanepsion to wit the October following Demosthenes died in this maner When newes came to ATHENS that Antipater and Craterus were comming thither with a great armie Demosthenes and his frends got out of the towne a litle before they entred the people by Demades perswasion hauing condemned them to dye So euery man making shift for him selfe Antipater sent souldiers after them to take them and of them Archias was Captaine surnamed Phygadotheras as muche to say as a hunter of the banished men It is reported that this Archias was borne in the citie of THVRIES and that he had bene sometimes a common player of tragedies and that Polus also who was borne in the citie of AEGINES the excellentest craftes maister in that facultie of all men was his scholler Yet Hermippus doth recite him amongest the number of the schollers of Lacritus the Orator And Demetrius also wryteth that he had bene at Anaximenes schoole Now this Archias hauing founde the Orator Hyperides in the citie of AEGINA Aristonicus MARATHONIAN and Himeraus the brother of Demetrius the PHALERIAN which had taken sanctuary in the temple of Aiax he tooke them out of the temple by force and sent them vnto Antipater who was at that time in the citie of CLEONES where he did put them all to death and some say that he did cut of Hyperides tongue Furthermore hearing that Demosthenes had taken sanctuarie in the I le of CALAVRIA he tooke litle pinnasies and a certaine number of THRACIAN souldiers being comen thither he sought to perswade Demosthenes to be contented to goe with him vnto Antipater promising him that he should haue no hurt Demosthenes had a straunge dreame the night before and thought that he had played a tragedie contending with Archias and that he handled him selfe so well that all the lookers on at the Theater did commende him and gaue him the honor to be the best player howbeit that otherwise he was not so well furnished as Archias and his players and that in all maner of furniture he did farre exceede him The next morning when Archias came to speake with him who vsing gentle wordes vnto him thinking thereby to winne him by fayer meanes to leaue the sanctuarie Demosthenes looking him full in the face sitting still where he was without remouing sayd vnto him O Archias thou diddest neuer perswade me when thou playedst a play neither shalt thou nowe perswade me though thou promise me Then Archias began to be angrie with him and to threaten him O sayd Demosthenes now thou speakest in good earnest without dissimulacion as the Oracle of MACEDON hath commaunded thee for before thou spakest in the clowdes and farre from thy thought But I pray thee stay a while till I haue written somewhat to my frendes After he had sayd so he went into the temple as though he would haue dispatched some letters and did put the ende of the quill in his mouth which he wrote withall and bit it as his maner was when he did vse to write any thing and held the ende of the quill in his mouth a pretie while together then he cast his gowne ouer his head and layed him downe Archias souldiers seeing that being at the dore of the temple laughing him to scorne thinking he had done so for that he was affrayed to dye called him coward and beast Archias also comming to him prayed him to rise and beganne to vse the former perswasions to him promising him that he would make Antipater his frende Then Demosthenes feeling the poyson worke cast open his gowne and boldly looking Archias in the face sayd vnto him Nowe when thou wilt play Creons parte and throwe my bodie to the dogges without further graue or buriall For my parte O god Neptune I do goe out of thy temple being yet aliue bicause I will not prophane it with my death but Antipater and the MACEDONIANS haue not spared to defile thy sanctuarie with blood and cruell murder Hauing spoken these wordes he prayed them to stay him vp by his armeholes for his feete began alreadie to faile him and thinking to goe forward as he past by the author of Neptune he
when they will finely conuey the hardnes of the speeche to say he is dead When night was comen and that he was going homeward as he came through the market place the people did wayte vpon him no more with silence as before but with great cryes of his praise and clapping of handes in euery place he went and called him Sauior and second fownder of ROME Besides all this at euery mans dore there were lynckes and torches lighted that it was as light in the streetes as at noone dayes The very women also did put lights out of the toppes of their houses to doe him honor and also to see him so nobly brought home with such a long trayne of the chiefest men of the citie of the which many of them had ended great warres for the which they had triumphed and had obteyned many famous conquests to the Empire of ROME both by sea and land confessing betwene them selues one to another that the ROMANES were greatly bound to many Captaines and generalls of armies in their time for the wonderfull riches spoyles and increase of their power which they had wonne howbeit that they were to thanke Cicero onely for their health and preseruation hauing saued them from so great and extreme a daunger Not for that they thought it so wonderfull an acte to haue striken dead the enterprise of the conspirators and also to haue punished the offenders by death but bicause the conspiracie of Catilin being so great and daungerous an insurrection as euer was any he had quenched it and pluck it vp by the rootes with so small hurt and without vprore trouble or actuall sedition For the most part of them that were gathered together about Catiline when they heard that Lentulus and all the rest were put to death they presently forsooke him and Catiline him selfe also fighting a battell with them he had about him against Antonius the other Consul with Cicero he was slayne in the fielde and all his armie defeated This notwithstanding there were many that spake ill of Cicero for this facte and ment to make him repent it hauing for their heades Caesar who was already chosen Praetor for the yeare to come Metellus and Bestia who should also be chosen Tribunes They so soone as they were chosen Tribunes would not once suffer Cicero to speake to the people notwithstanding that he was yet in his office of Consul for certaine dayes And furthermore to let him that he should not speake vnto the people they did set their benches vpon the pulpit for orations which they call at ROME Rostra and would neuer suffer him to set foote in it but onely to resigne his office and that done to come downe againe immediatly He graunted thereunto and went vp to the pulpit vpon that condition So silence being made him he made an othe not like vnto other Consuls othes when they resigne their office in like manner but straunge and neuer heard of before swearing that he had saued the citie of ROME and preserued all his contry and the Empire of ROME from vtter ruine and destruction All the people that were present confirmed it and sware the like othe Wherewithall Caesar and the other Tribunes his enemies were so offended with him that they deuised to breede him some new sturre trouble amongest others they made a decree that Pompey should be sent for with his army to bridle the tyranny of Cicero Cato who at that time was also Tribune did him great pleasure in the furtherance of the common wealth opposing him selfe against all their practises with the like authoritie and power that they had being a Tribune and brother with them and of better estimation then they So that he did not onely easily breake all their deuises but also in a goodly oration he made in a full assembly of the people he so highly praised and extolled Ciceroes Consulship vnto them and the thinges he did in his office that they gaue him the greatest honors that euer were decreed or graunted vnto any man liuing For by decree of the people he was called father of the contry as Cato him selfe had called him in his oration the which name was neuer giuen to any man but onely vnto him also he bare greater swaye in ROME at the time then any man beside him This notwithstanding he made him selfe enuyed and misliked of many men not for any ill acte he did or ment to doe but onely bicause he did too much boast of him selfe For he neuer was in any assembly of people Senate or iudgement but euery mans head was full still to heare the sound of Catulus and Lentulus brought in for sporte and filling the bookes and workes he compiled besides full of his owne prayses the which made his sweete and pleasant stile tedious and troublesom to those that heard them as though this misfortune euer followed him to take away his excellent grace But nowe though he had this worme of ambition and extreme couetous desire of honor in his head yet did he not malice or enuy any others glory but would very franckly praise excellent men as well those that had bene before him as those that were in his time And this appeareth plainly in his writings They haue written also certaine notable wordes he spake of some auncient men in olde time as of Aristotle that he was like a golden flowing riuer and of Plato that if Iupiter him selfe would speake he would speake like him and of Theophrastus he was wont to call him his delight of Demosthenes orations when one asked him on a time which of them he liked best the longest saide he There be diuers writers also who to shewe that they were great followers of Demosthenes doe followe Ciceroes saying in a certaine epistle he wrote vnto one of his friends wherein he said that Demosthenes slept in some of his orations but yet they forget to tel how highly he praised him in that place and that he calleth the orations which he wrote against Antonius in the which he tooke great paines and studied more then all the rest PHILIPPIANS to followe those which Demosthenes wrote against Philip king of MACEDON Furthermore there was not a famous man in all his tyme either in eloquence or in learning whose fame he hath not commended in writing or otherwise in honorable speech of him For he obteyned of Caesar when he had the Empire of ROME in his handes that Cratippus the PERIPATETICKE Philosopher was made Citizen of ROME Further he procured that by decree of the court of the Areopagites he was intreated to remaine at ATHENS to teach and instruct the youth there for that he was a great honor ornament vnto their city There are extant also of Ciceroes epistles vnto Herodes others vnto his sonne willing him to follow Crattipus in his studie and knowledge He wrote an other letter also vnto Gorgias the Rethoritian and
by this meanes he got him out of the daunger of his office of Tribuneship for that yeare he made fayer weather with him as though he ment to reconcile him selfe vnto him and tolde him that he had cause rather to thinke ill of Terentia for that he had done against him then of him selfe and alwayes spake very curteously of him as occasion fell out and sayde he did thinke nothing in him nether had any malice to him howbeit it did a litle grieue him that being a friend he was offered vnkindnes by his friend These sweete wordes made Cicero no more affraied so that he gaue vp his Lieuetenancie vnto Caesar and beganne againe to pleade as he did before Caesar tooke this in such disdaine that he hardened Clodius the more against him and besides made Pompey his enemie And Caesar him selfe also sayd before all the people that he thought Cicero had put Lentulus Cethegus and the rest vniustly to death and contrary to lawe without lawfull tryall and condemnation And this was the fault for the which Cicero was openly accused Thereuppon Cicero seeing him selfe accused for this facte he chaunged his vsuall gowne he wore and put on a mourning gowne and so suffering his beard and heare of his head to growe without any coeming he went in this humble manner and sued to the people But Clodius was euer about him in euery place and streete he went hauing a sight of raskalls and knaues with him that shamefully mocked him for that he had chaunged his gowne and countenance in that sort and oftentimes they cast durt and stones at him breaking his talke and requests he made vnto the people This notwithstanding all the knights of ROME did in manner chaunge their gownes with him for companie and of them there were commonly twenty thowsand younge gentlemen of noble house which followed him with their heare about their eares were suters to the people for him Furthermore the Senate assembled to decree that the people should mourne in blacks as in a common calamitie But the Consuls were against it And Clodius on thother side was with a band of armed men about the Senate so that many of the Senators ranne out of the Senat crying tearing their clothes for sorow Howbeit these men seeing all that were nothing the more moned with pity and shame but either Cicero must needes absent him selfe or els determine to fight with Clodius Then went Cicero to intreat Pompey to ayde him But he absented him selfe of purpose out of the citie bicause he would not be intreated and laye at one of his houses in the contry neare vnto the citie of ALBA So he first of all sent Piso his sonne in lawe vnto 〈…〉 to intreate him and afterwardes went him selfe in person to him But Pompey beeing tolde that he was come had not the harte to suffer him to come to him to looke him in the face for he had bene past all shame to haue refused the request of so worthy a man who had before shewed him suche pleasure and also done and sayde so many thinges in his fauor Howbeit Pompey beeing the sonne in lawe of Caesar did vnfortunately at his request forsake him at his neede vnto whome he was bownde for so many infinite pleasures as he had receyued of him afore and therefore when he hearde saye he came to him he went out at his backe gate and woulde not speake with him So Cicero seeing him selfe betrayed of him and nowe hauing no other refuge to whome he might repayre vnto he put him selfe into the handes of the two Consuls Of them two Gabinius was euer cruell and churlishe vnto him But Piso on thother side spake alwayes very curteously vnto him and prayed him to absent him selfe for a tyme and to giue place a litle to Clodius furie and paciently to beare the chaunge of the tyme For in so doing he might come agayne another tyme to be the preseruer of his contry which was nowe for his sake in tumult and sedition Cicero vpon this aunswer of the Consul consulted with his friendes amonge the which Lucullus gaue him aduise to tary and sayd that he should be the stronger But all the rest were of contrary opinion and would haue him to get him away with speede for the people would shortly wishe for him agayne when they had once bene beaten with Clodius furie and folly Cicero liked best to followe this counsell Whereuppon hauing had a statue of Minerua a long tyme in his house the which he greatly reuerenced he caried her him selfe and gaue her to the Capitoll with this inscription Vnto Minerua Protector of ROME So his friends hauing giuen him safe conduct he went out of ROME about midnight and tooke his way through the contry of LVKE by lande meaning to goe into SICILE When it was knowen in ROME that he was fledde Clodius did presently banishe him by decree of the people and caused billes of inhibition to be sette vppe that no man should secretly receiue him within fiue hundred myles compasse of ITALY Howbeit diuers men reuerencing Cicero made no reckoning of that inhibition but when they had vsed him with all manner of curtesie possible they did conduct him besides at his departure sauing one citie onely in LVKE called at that tyme HIPPONIVM and nowe VIBONE where a SICILIAN called Vibius vnto whome Cicero before had done many pleasures and specially amonge others had made him Maister of the workes in the yeare that he was Consul would not once receyue him into his house but promised him he woulde appoynt him a place in the contry that he might goe vnto And Caius Virgilius also at that tyme Praetor and gouernor of SICILE who before had shewed him selfe his very greate friende wrote then vnto him that he shoulde not come neare vnto SICILE This grieued him to the harte Thereuppon he went directly vnto the citie of BRVNDVSIVM and there imbarked to passe ouer the sea vnto DYRRACHIVM and at the first had winde at will but when he was in the mayne sea the winde turned and brought him backe agayne to the place from whence he came But after that he hoysed sayle agayne and the reporte went that at his arryuall at DYRRACHIVM when he tooke lande the earth shooke vnder him and the sea gaue backe together Whereby the Soothesayers enterpreted that his exile shoulde not be longe bicause both the one and the other was a token of chaunge Yet Cicero notwithstanding that many men came to see him for the goodwill they bare him and that the cities of GRAECE contended who shoulde most honor him he was alwayes sadde and could not be merie but cast his eyes still towardes ITALY as passioned louers doe towardes the women they loue shewing him selfe faynte harted and tooke this aduersitie more basely then was looked for of one so well studied and learned as he And yet he oftentimes praied his friends not to call him Orator
one of his Heraulds that his father had sent him in happy hower to deliuer the ATHENIANS from all their garrisons and to restore them againe to their auncient libertie and freedom to enioye their lawes and auncient gouernment of their forefathers After the proclamacion made all the common people straight threwe downe their weapons and targets at their feete to clappe their handes with great showtes of ioy praying him to land and calling him alowde their Sauior and benefactor Now for them that were with Demetrius PHALERIAN they all thought good to let the stronger in although he performed not that he promised and also sent Ambassadors vnto him to treate of peace Demetrius receiued them very curteously and sent with them for pledge one of the dearest friends his father had Aristodemus MILESIAN Furthermore he was not careles of the health and safety of Demetrius PHALERIAN who by reason of the chaunge and alteracion of the gouernment of the common wealth at ATHENS stoode more infeare of the people of ATHENS than of his enemies Therefore Demetrius regarding the same and vertue of the man caused him to be conueyed according to his desire vnto THEBES with good and sufficient safe conduct And for Demetrius him selfe although he was very desirous to see the citie he saide he would not come into it before he had first restored it vnto her auncient libertie and freedom and also driuen away the garrison thence and thereuppon he cast trenches round about the castell of MVNYCHIA In the meane season bicause he would not be idle he hoysed sayle and coasted towards the citie of MEGARA within the which Cassander also kept a strong garrison Demetrius busily following these matters was aduertised that Cratesipolis surnamed Polyperchon who had bene Alexanders wife a Lady of passing fame and beauty and lay at that time in the citie of PATRAS would be glad to see him he leauing his armie within the territorie of the MEGARIANS tooke his iorney presently vnto her with a few of his lightest armed men and yet the stale from them and made his tent to be set vp a good way from them bicause this Ladie might not be seene when she came vnto him Some of his enemies hauing present intelligence thereof came and set vpon him before he knew it Demetrius was so scared that he had no further leysure but to cast an ill fauored cloke about him the first that came to hand and disguising him selfe to flie for life and scaped very hardly that he was not shamefully taken of his enemies for his incontinencie But though they missed him they tooke his tent and all his money in it After that the citie of MEGARA was taken and won from Cassanders men where Demetrius souldiers would haue sacked all howbeit the ATHENIANS made humble intercession for them that they might not be spoyled Demetrius thereuppon after he had driuen out Cassanders garrison he restored it againe to her former libertie In doing that he called to mind the Philosopher Stilpo a famous man in MEGARA though he liued a quiet and contemplatiue life He sent for him and asked him if any of his men had taken any thing of his Stilpo aunswered him they had not For q he I sawe no man that tooke my learning from me This notwithstanding all the slaues of the citie were in manner caried away Another time Demetrius making much of him as he was going his way saide vnto him well Stilpo I leaue you your citie free It is true O king q he for thou hast left vs neuer a slaue Shortly after he returned againe vnto ATHENS and layde seege to the castell of MVNICHIA the which he tooke and draue out the garrison afterwards rased it to the ground After that through the intreatie and earnest desire of the ATHENIANS who prayed him to come and refresh him selfe in their citie he made his entry into it and caused all the people to assemble and then restored vnto them their auncient lawes and libertie of their contry promising them besides that he would procure his father to sende them a hundred and fiftye thowsand busshells of wheate and as much woode and tymber as should serue to make them a hundred and fiftie gallies Thus the ATHENIANS through Demetrius meanes recouered the Democratia again to wit their populer gouernment fifteene yeares after they had lost it and liued all the time betwene their losse and restitucion from the warre called Lamiacus warre and the battell that was fought by the citie of CRANON in the state of Oligarchia to wit vnder the gouernment of a fewe gouernors in sight but in truth a Monarchie or kingdome bicause they were vnder the gouernment of one man Demetrius PHALERIAN that had absolute authoritie ouer them But by this meanes they made their sauior and preseruer of their contry Demetrius who seemed to haue obteined such honor and glory through his goodness and liberalitie hateful and odious to all men for the ouergreat and vnmeasurable honors which they gaue him For first of all they called Antigonus and Demetrius kings who before that time had alwayes refused the name and the which among all other princely honors and prerogatiues graunted they that had deuided betwene them the Empire of Philip and Alexander durst neuer once presume to chalenge nor to take vppon them So vnto them only they gaue the style and names of the goddes sauiors and tooke away their yearely Maior whome they called Eponymos bicause they did shew the yeares of olde time by the names of them that had bene Maiors Furthermore in stead thereof they ordeyned in the counsell of the citie that there should yearely be chosen one by voyces of the people whom they should name the Priest of their Sauiors whose name they should write and subscribe in all publike graunts and couenants to shewe the yeare and besides all this that they should cause their pictures to be drawen in the veyle or holy banner in the which were set out the images of their goddes the patrones and protectors of their citie And furthermore they did consecrate the place where Demetrius first came out of his coche and there did set vp an aulter and called it Demetrius aulter comming out of his coche and vnto their tribes they added two other the ANTIGONIDES and the DEMETRIADES Their great counsell at large which they created yearely of fiue hundred men was then first of all brought into sixe hundred bicause euery tribe must needes furnishe of them selues fifty counsellers But yet the straungest acte and most new found inuention of flattery was that of Stratocles being the common flatterer and people pleaser who put forth this decree by the which it was ordeined that those whome the common wealth should send vnto Antigonus and Demetrius should in stead of Ambassadors be called Theori as much to say as ministers of the sacrifices For so were they called whome they
did vse to celebrate those sports aforesaid he caused them to be kept solemnised at ATHENS as in a place where this god in reason should be best honored reuerenced bicause he was patrone of the citie and for that the ATHENIANS maintained that he was their progenitor From thence he returned into MACEDON knowing that it was against his naure to liue idelly in peace seing on the other side also that the MACEDONIANS did him more seruice were more obedient to him in warres that in time of peace they grew seditious full of vanity quarell he went to make warre with the AETOLIANS and after he had spoiled and destroyed their contry he left Pantauchus his Lieutenant there with a great part of his army Demetrius him selfe went in the meane time with the rest of his army against Pyrrhus and Pyrrhus also against him but they missed of meeting ech with other Whereupon Demetrius passed further vnto the realme of EPIRVS the which he spoiled forraged Pyrrhus on the other side went on so farre that he met with Pantauchus Demetrius Lieutenant with whom he fought a battell and came to the sword with him so that he did both hurt him and was also hurt by him But in the end Pyrrhus had the vpper hand he put Pantauchus to flight slue a great number of his men tooke fiue thowsand prisoners the which was the chief ouerthrow of Demetrius For Pyrrhus wan not the MACEDONIANS ill will so much for the mischieues hurts he had done vnto them as he got him selfe great fame renowne with them bicause him selfe alone had with his owne hands done all the noble exployts of warre in that iorney for the which he was afterwardes had in great estimacion among the MACEDONIANS Nowe many of them began to say that he was the only king of all others in whom the liuely image of the hardines valliantnes of Alexander the great was to be seene that all the rest but specially Demetrius did but counterfeate his grauetie Princely countenaunce like players vpon a stage that would counterfeate his countenaunce gesture And to say truely there was much finenes and curiosity about Demetrius to make him a playing stocke in cōmon playes For some say that he did not onely weare a great hat with his diadeame vpon his head was apparelled in purple gownes imbrodered with gold but also that he did vse to weare certaine wollen shooes on his feete died in purple colour not wouen but facioned together like a felt and gilt vpon it And furthermore he had long before caused a cloke to be made of a maruelous rich sumptuous peece of worke For vpon it was drawen the figure of the world with starres and circles of heauen the which was not throughly finished by the chaunge of his fortune So there was neuer king of MACEDON after him that durst weare it albeit there were many prowde arrogant kings that succeded him Now the MACEDONIANS were not onely sory and offended to see suche things as they were not wont to be acquainted withall but they much more misliked this curious maner of life specially bicause he was ill to come to and worse to be spoken with For he gaue no audience or if he did he was very rough would sharply take them vp that had to do with him As he kept the Ambassadors of the ATHENIANS two yeres would geue them no answere yet made as though he loued them better then any other people of GRAECE Another time also he was offended bicause the LACEDAEMONIANS had sent but one man only Ambassador vnto him taking it that they had done it in despite of him And so did the Ambassador of the LACEDAEMONIANS answere him very gallantly after the LACONIAN maner For when Demetrius asked him how chaūceth it that the LACEDAEMONIANS do send but one man vnto me No more but one said he O king vnto one On a time he came abroad more plainly popularlike then he was wont to do whereby he put the people in good hope that they might the easelier speake with him and that he would more curteously heare their complaints Thereupon many came and put vp their humble supplicacions and bills of peticion vnto him He receiued them put them vp in the lappe of his cloke The poore suters were glad of that and waited vpon him at his heeles hoping they should quickely be dispatched but when he was vpon the bridge of the riuer of Axius he opened his cloke cast them all into the riuer This went to the harts of the MACEDONIANS who then thought they were no more gouerned by a king but oppressed by a tyran it grieued thē so much more bicause they did yet remember either for that they had seene them selues or otherwise heard their forefathers say howe curteous king Philip was in all such matters and howe that one day as he passed through the streete a poore old woman pluckt him by the gowne and estsoones humbly besought him to heare her but he aunswered her he was not then at leasure Whereuppon the poore woman plainly cried out to him leaue then to be king This word so nettled him and he tooke such a cōceit of it that he returned presently to his pallace setting all other matters a part did nothing else many dayes but gaue him selfe to heare all sutes began with this poore olde woman For truly nothing becommeth a Prince better thē to minister iustice for Mars as Timotheus saith signifieth force is a tyran but iustice law according to Pindarus is Queene of all the world Moreouer the wise Poet Homer saith not that Princes Kings haue receiued the custody of engines of munition neither also strong mighty ships of Iupiter to kepe them to destroy townes withall but with them to maintaine law iustice And therefore he calleth not the cruell bloody king but the iust merciful Prince Iupiters frend scholler And Demetrius boasted that he had a name and title contrarie vnto Iupiter whom they called Polieus or Poliouchos signifying protector and preseruer of cities and that he was called Poliorcetes a Fortgainer Thus the ill was taken for the good vice preferred for vertue bicause he could not discerne the truth from falsehod which turned his iniustice to glory iniquity to honor But now to returne where we left Demetrius fell into a great daungerous sickenes in the citie of PELLA during which time he almost lost all MACEDON by a sodaine inuasion Pyrrhus made who in maner rode it all ouer came as farre as the city of EDESSA Howbeit so sone as he recouered health again he easely draue him out afterwards made peace with him bicause he would not fighting with him whom he should haue daily at his dores stil skirmishing somtime here somtime there lose the
moone vvhose face abideth at no stay Tvvo nights together but doth chaunge in shape from day to day At first she riseth small vvith hornes And as in age she grovves VVith fuller cheekes and brighter light a greater face she shovves And vvhen she commeth to the full and shineth faire and bright Among the goodly glistring starres the goodlyest in the night She fades and falles avvay againe and runnes a counterpace Vntill she haue forgone the light and figure of her face This comparison might I say much better be applied vnto Demetrius fortune to his rising and falling and to his ouerthrowe and reliefe againe For when euery man thought his force and power vtterly ouerthrowen then began he to rise againe by repaire of souldiers which by litle and litle came vnto him and straight reuiued him with good hope This was the first time that he was euer seene meanely apparelled like a priuate man vp and downe the contry without some shewe or tokens of a king And there was one that seeing him in this estate at THEBES pleasauntly applied these verses of Euripides vnto him Of god immortall novv becomme a mortall vvight Ismâ—nus bankes and Dirces streames he haunteth in our sight Nowe when he beganne to haue some hope againe and was as it were entred into the great high way of kinges and had gotten souldiers about him which made a bodie and shew of royall power he restored the THEBANS their libertie and gouernment againe But the ATHENIANS once more reuolted from him and did reuoke the dignitie and Priesthoode of Diphilus who had bene that yeare created Priest of the sauiours in steade of the Gouernour which they called in old time Eponymos as we haue told you before and made a lawe that from thencefoorth the auncient and common Gouernors of their citie should be restored againe to their auncient manner and they sent also into MACEDON vnto king Pyrrhus rather to terrifie Demetrius whome they sawe beginne to rise againe then for any hope they had he woulde come and helpe them Howbeit Demetrius came against them with great furie and did straightly besiege the citie of ATHENS Then the ATHENIANS sent Crates the Philosopher to him a man of great estimacion and authoritie who so handled him partely by intreatie and partely also through his wise perswasions and counsells he gaue him for his profit that Demetrius presently raised his siege Wherfore after he had gathered together so many shippes as were left him and had imbarked twelue thowsande footemen and a small number of horsemen he presently tooke sea and sailed towards ASIA meaning to take the prouinces of CARIA and LYDIA from Lysimachus and to make them to rebell against him There Eurydice sister to his wife Phila receiued him by the citie of MILETVM hauing with her one of Ptolomyes daughters hers called Ptolemaide the which had bene affore affianced to him by Seleucus meanes So he maried Ptolemaide there with the good will and consent of her mother Eurydice After his mariage he presently went into the field againe and did set forwardes to winne some cities whereof many willingly receiued him and others he tooke by force Amongst them he tooke the city of SARDIS whether came diuers Captaines vnto him of king Lysimachus who yeelded them selues and brought him a greate number of men and muche money besides But Demetrius receiuing aduertisement that Agathocles Lysimachus sonne followed him with a great armie he went thence into PHRYGIA making account and also hoping that if he coulde winne ARMENIA he might easely make MEDIA rebell and then that he woulde see if he coulde conquer the high prouinces of ASIA where he might haue many places of refuge if fortune turned against him Agathocles followed him verie neere and yet skirmishing diuers times with him Demetrius alway had the better howebeit Agathocles did cut of his vittells from him euerie waye and kept him at suche a straight that his men durst no more stray from the campe to forrage wherefore they susteyned great want of vittells and then beganne his men to be affrayed and to mistrust that he would make them followe him into ARMENIA and MEDIA The famine dayly increased more and more in his armie and it chaunced besides that missing his waye and failing to gage the forde well as he passed ouer the riuer of Lycus the furie and force of the riuer caried his men downe the streame and drowned greate number of them and yet notwithstandinge these greate troubles they mocked him besides For one wrote at the entrie and comming in to his tent the first verse of the tragedie of Oedipus COLONIAN wrytten by Sophocles chaunging onely some word Thou impe of old and blind Antigonus To vvhat a point hast thou novv caried vs But in the end the plague began also in the middest of this famine a common thing and almost a matter of necessitie it should so be bicause that men being driuen to neede and necessitie doe frame them selues to eate all that comes to hande whereupon he was driuen to bring backe those few men that remained hauing lost of all sortes good and bad not so fewe as eight thowsand fully told When he came into the prouince of TARSVS he commaunded his men in no case to meddle with any thing bicause the contrie was subiect vnto king Seleucus whom he would in no wise displease But when he sawe it was impossible to stay his men being now brought to such extremitie and neede that Agathocles had bard vp the straights and passages of mount Taurus against him he wrote a letter vnto Seleucus first declaring his miserable state and hard fortune and then presenting his humble petition and request vnto him praying him to take pitie vpon his frend whom spitefull fortune had throwen into such miserie and calamitie that coulde not but moue his greatest enemies to haue compassion of him These letters somewhat softened Seleucus hart insomuche that he wrote to his Gouernors and Lieutenauntes of those partes to furnish Demetrius person with all thinges needefull for a Princes house and vittells sufficient to maintaine his men But one Patrocles a graue wise man accounted and Seleucus faithfull frend also came to tell him that the charge to entertaine Demetrius souldiers was not the greatest fault he made therin most to be accoÌ„pted of but that he did not wisely looke into his affaires to suffer Demetrius to remaine in his coÌ„try considering that he had alway bene a more fierce and venturous Prince then any other to enterprise any matters of great importaunce and nowe he was brought to such dispaire and extremitie that he had framed his men which were but ranke cowardes contrarie to their nature to be most desperat hardie in greatest daungers Seleucus being moued with these perswasions presently tooke his iorney into CILICIA with a great armie Demetrius being astonied with this sodaine chaunge and dreading so great an armie got him to the
fighting with their Emperor and Captaine Antonius hearing these newes being yet in ARMENIA commaunded Canidius to goe presently to the sea side with his sixteene legions he had and he him selfe with Cleopatra went vnto the citie of EPHESVS there gathered together his gallies and shippes out of all parts which came to the number of eight hundred reckoning the great shippes of burden and of those Cleopatra furnished him with two hundred and twenty thowsand talents besides and prouision of vittells also to mainteyne al the whole army in this warre So Antonius through the perswasions of Domitius commaunded Cleopatra to returne againe into AEGYPT and there to vnderstand the successe of this warre But Cleopatra fearing least Antonius should againe be made friends with Octauius Caesar by the meanes of his wife Octauia she so plyed Canidius with money and filled his purse that he became her spokes man vnto Antonius and told him there was no reason to send her from this warre who defraied so great a charge neither that it was for his profit bicause that thereby the AEGYPTIANS would then be vtterly discoraged which were the chiefest strength of the army by sea considering that he could see no king of all the kings their confederats that Cleopatra was inferior vnto either for wisedom or iudgement seeing that longe before she had wisely gouerned so great a realme as AEGYPT besides that she had bene so long acquainted with him by whom she had learned to manedge great affayres These fayer perswasions wan him for it was predestined that the gouernment of all the world should fall into Octauius Caesars handes Thus all their forces being ioyned together they hoysed sayle towards the I le of SAMOS and there gaue them selues to feasts and sollace For as all the kings Princes communalties peoples and cities from SYRIA vnto the marishes Maeotides and from the ARMENIANS to the ILLYRIANS were sent vnto to send and bringe all munition and warlike preparation they could euen so all players minstrells tumblers fooles and ieasters were commaunded to assemble in the I le of SAMOS So that where in manner all the world in euery place was full of lamentations sighes and teares onely in this I le of SAMOS there was nothing for many dayes space but singing and pyping and all the Theater full of these common players minstrells and singing men Besides all this euery citie sent an oxe thither to sacrifice and kings did striue one with another who should make the noblest feasts giue the richest gifts So that euery man sayd what can they doe more for ioy of victorie if they winne the battell When they make already such sumptuous feasts at the beginning of the warre When this was done he gaue the whole rabble of these minstrells such kind of people the citie of PRIENE to keepe them withal during this warre Then he went vnto the citie of ATHENS and there gaue him selfe againe to see playes and pastimes and to keepe the Theaters Cleopatra on the other side being ielous of the honors which Octauia had receiued in this citie where in deede she was maruelously honored and beloued of the ATHENIANS to winne the peoples good will also at ATHENS she gaue them great gifts and they likewise gaue her many great honors and appointed certaine Ambassadors to cary the decree to her house amōg the which Antonius was one who as a Citizen of ATHENS reported the matter vnto her made an oration in the be halfe of the citie Afterwards he sent to ROME to put his wife Octauia out of his house who as it is reported went out of his house with all Antonius children sauing the eldest of them he had by Fuluia who was with her father bewailing lamenting her cursed hap that had brought her to this that she was accompted one of the chiefest causes of this ciuill warre The ROMANES did pitie her but much more Antonius those specially that had seene Cleopatra who nether excelled Octauia in beawtie nor yet in young yeares Octauius Caesar vnderstanding the sodain wonderful great preparation of Antonius he was not a litle astonied as it fearing he should be driuen to fight that sommer bicause he wanted many things the great and grieuous exactions of money did sorely oppresse the people For all manner of men els were driuen to pay the fourth part of their goods and reuenue but the Libertines to were those whose fathers or other predecessors had some time bene bond men they were sessed to pay the eight part of all their goods at one payment Hereuppon there rose a wonderfull exclamation and great vprore all ITALY ouer so that among the greatest faults that euer Antonius committed they blamed him most for that he delayed to giue Caesar battell For he gaue Caesar leysure to make his preparacions and also to appease the complaints of the people When such a great summe of money was demaunded of them they grudged at it and grewe to mutinie vpon it but when they had once paied it they remembred it no more Furthermore Titius and Plancus two of Antonius chiefest friends and that had bene both of them Consuls for the great iniuries Cleopatra did them bicause they hindered all they could that she should not come to this warre they went and yelded them selues vnto Caesar and tolde him where the testament was that Antonius had made knowing perfitly what was in it The will was in the custodie of the Vestall Nunnes of whom Caesar demaunded for it They aunswered him that they would not giue it him but if he would goe and take it they would not hinder him Thereuppon Caesar went thither hauing red it first to him self he noted certaine places worthy of reproch so assembling all the Senate he red it before them all Whereuppon diuers were maruelously offended and thought it a straunge matter that he being aliue should be punished for that he had appoynted by his will to be done after his death Caesar chiefly tooke hold of this that he ordeyned touching his buriall for he willed that his bodie though he dyed at ROME should be brought in funerall pompe through the middest of the market place and that it should be sent into ALEXANDRIA vnto Cleopatra Furthermore among diuers other faultes wherewith Antonius was to be charged for Cleopatraes sake Caluisius one of Caesars friends reproued him bicause he had franckly giuen Cleopatra all the libraries of the royall citie of PERGAMVM in the which she had aboue two hundred thowsand seueral bookes Againe also that being on a time set at the table he sodainly rose from the borde and trode vpon Cleopatraes foote which was a signe giuen betwene them that they were agreed of That he had also suffred the EPHESIANS in his presence to call Cleopatra their soueraine Ladye That diuers times sitting in his tribunall and chayer of state giuing audience to all kings and Princes he had receiued loue
whippe him at thy pleasure that we may crie quirtaunce From thenceforth Cleopatra to cleere her selfe of the suspicion he had of her she made more of him then euer she did For first of all where she did solemnise the day of her birth very meanely and sparingly fit for her present misfortune she now in contrary maner did keepe it with such solemnitie that she exceeded all measure of sumptuousnes and magnificence so that the ghests that were bidden to the feasts and came poore went away rich Nowe things passing thus Agrippa by diuers letters sent one after an other vnto Caesar prayed him to returne to ROME bicause the affaires there did of necessity require his person and presence Thereupon he did deferre the warre till the next yeare following but when winter was done he returned againe through SYRIA by the coast of AFRICKS to make warres against Antonius and his other Captaines When the citie of PELVSIVM was taken there ran a rumor in the citie that Seleucus by Cleopatraes consent had surrendered the same But to cleere her selfe that she did not Cleopatra brought Seleucus wife and children vnto Antonius to be reuenged of them at his pleasure Furthermore Cleopatra had long before made many sumptuous tombes and monumentes as well for excellencie of workemanshippe as for height and greatnes of building ioyning hard to the temple of Isis. Thither she caused to be brought all the treasure pretious things she had of the auncient kings her predecessors as gold siluer emerods pearles ebbanie iuorie and sinnamon and besides all that a maruelous number of torches faggots and flaxe So Octauius Caesar being affrayed to loose suche a treasure and masse of riches and that this woman for spight would set it a fire and burne it euery whit he alwayes sent some one or other vnto her from him to put her in good comfort whilest he in the meane time drewe neere the citie with his armie So Caesar came and pitched his campe hard by the city in the place where they runne and manage their horses Antonius made a faly vpon him and fought verie valliantly so that he draue Caesars horsemen backe fighting with his men euen into their campe Then he came againe to the pallace greatly boasting of this victorie and sweetely kissed Cleopatra armed as he was when he came from the fight recommending one of his men of armes vnto her that had valliantly fought in this skirmish Cleopatra to reward his manlines gaue him an armor and head peece of cleane gold howbeit the man at armes when he had receiued this rich gift stale away by night and went to Caesar. Antonius sent againe to chalenge Caesar to fight with him hande to hande Caesar aunswered him that he had many other wayes to dye then so Then Antonius seeing there was no way more honorable for him to dye then fighting valliantly he determined to sette vp his rest both by sea and lande So being at supper as it is reported he commaunded his officers and household seruauntes that waited on him at his bord that they should fill his cuppes full and make as muche of him as they could for said he you know not whether you shall doe so much for me to morrow or not or whether you shall serue an other maister and it may be you shall see me no more but a dead bodie This notwithstanding perceiuing that his frends and men fell a weeping to heare him say so to salue that he had spoken he added this more vnto it that he would not leade them to battell where he thought not rather safely to returne with victorie then valliantly to dye with honor Furthermore the selfe same night within litle of midnight when all the citie was quiet full of feare and sorrowe thinking what would be the issue and ende of this warre it is said that sodainly they heard a maruelous sweete harmonie of sundrie sortes of instrumentes of musicke with the crie of a multitude of people as they had bene dauncing and had song as they vse in Bacchus feastes with mouinges and turninges after the maner of the Satyres it seemed that this daunce went through the city vnto the gate that opened to the enemies that all the troupe that made this noise they heard went out of the city at that gate Now such as in reason sought the depth of the interpretacion of this wōder thought that it was the god vnto whom Antonius bare singular deuotion to counterfeate and resemble him that did forsake them The next morning by breake of day he went to set those few footemen he had in order vpon the hills adioyning vnto the citie and there he stoode to behold his gallies which departed from the hauen and rowed against the gallies of his enemies and so stoode still looking what exployte his souldiers in them would do But when by force of rowing they were come neere vnto them they first saluted Caesars men and then Caesars men resaluted them also and of two armies made but one and then did all together row toward the citie When Antonius sawe that his men did forsake him and yeelded vnto Caesar and that his footemen were broken and ouerthrowen he then fled into the citie crying out that Cleopatra had betrayed him vnto them with whom he had made warre for her sake Then she being affraied of his fury fled into the tombe which she had caused to be made and there locked the dores vnto her and shut all the springes of the lockes with great boltes and in the meane time sent vnto Antonius to tell him that she was dead Antonius beleuing it said vnto him selfe what doest thou looke for further Antonius sith spitefull fortune hath taken from thee the only ioy thou haddest for whom thou yet reseruedst thy life when he had sayd these words he went into a chamber vnarmed him selfe and being naked said thus O Cleopatra it grieueth me not that I haue lost thy companie for I will not be long from thee but I am sory that hauing bene so great a Captaine and Emperour I am in deede condemned to be iudged of lesse corage and noble minde then a woman Now he had a man of his called Eros whom he loued and trusted much and whom he had long before caused to sweare vnto him that he should kill him when he did commaunde him and then be willed him to keepe his promise His man drawing his sworde list it vp as though he had ment to haue striken his maister but turning his head at one side he thrust his sword into him selfe and fell downe dead at his maisters foote Then said Antonius O noble Eros I thanke thee for this and it is valliantly done of thee to shew me what I should doe to my selfe which thou couldest not doe for me Therewithall he tooke his sword and thrust it into his bellie and so fell downe vpon a litle bed The wounde he had killed
came to be Emperour And of the sonnes of Germanicus the one whose name was Caius came also to be Emperour who after he had licentiously raigned a time was slaine with his wife and daughter Agrippina also hauing a sonne by her first husbande AEnobarbus called Lucius Domitius was afterwardes maried vnto Clodius who adopted her sonne and called him Nero Germanicus This Nero was Emperour in our time and slue his owne mother and had almost destroyed the Empire of ROME through his madness and wicked life being the fift Emperour of ROME after Antonius THE COMPARISON OF Demetrius with Antonius NOw sithence it falleth out that Demetrius and Antonius were one of them much like to the other hauing fortune a like diuers and variable vnto them let vs therefore come to consider their power and authoritie and how they came to be so great First of all it is certaine that Demetrius power and greatnes fell vnto him by inheritance from his father Antigonus who became the greatest and mightiest Prince of all the successors of Alexander and had won the most parte of ASIA before Demetrius came of full age Antonius in contrary maner borne of an honest man who otherwise was no man of warre and had not left him any meane to arise to such greatnes durst take vpon him to contend for the Empire with Caesar that had no right vnto it by inheritaunce but yet made him selfe successor of the power the which the other by great paine and trauell had obteyned and by his owne industrie became so great without the helpe of any other that the Empire of the whole worlde being deuided into two partes he had the one halfe and tooke that of the greatest countenaunce and power Antonius being absent oftentimes ouercame the PARTHIANS in battell by his Lieutenaunts and chased away the barbarous people dwelling about mount Caucasus vnto the sea Hyrcanium insomuche as the thing they most reproue him for did most witnes his greatnes For Demetrius father made him gladly marrie Phila Antipaters daughter although she was too old for him bicause she was of a nobler house then him selfe Antonius on thother side was blamed for marying of Cleopatra a Queene that for power and nobilitie of blood excelled all other kings in her time but Arsaces and moreouer made him selfe so great that others thought him worthie of greater things then he him selfe required Now for the desire that moued the one and the other to conquer realmes the desire of Demetrius was vnblameable iust desiring to raigne ouer people which had bene gouerned at all times desired to be gouerned by kings But Antonius desire was altogether wicked tyrannicall who sought to keepe the people of ROME in bondage and subiection but lately before rid of Caesars raigne and gouernment For the greatest and most famous exployte Antonius euer did in warres to wit the warre in the which he ouerthrew Cassius and Brutus was begon to no other ende but to depriue his contriemen of their libertie and freedom Demetrius in contrarie maner before fortune had ouerthrowen him neuer lest to set GRAECE at libertie and to driue the garrisons away which kept the cities in bondage and not like Antonius that bosted he had slaine them that had set ROME at libertie The chiefest thing they commended in Antonius was his liberalitie and bountie in the which Demetrius excelled him so farre that he gaue more to his enemies then Antonius did to his frends although he was maruelously well thought of for the honorable and sumptuous funerall he gaue vnto Brutus bodie Howbeit Demetrius caused all his enemies be buried that were slaine in battel and returned vnto Ptolomy all the prisoners he had taken with great giftes and presentes he gaue them They were both in their prosperitie verie riotouslie and licentiouslie geuen but yet no man can euer say that Demetrius did at any time let slippe any oportunitie or occasion to followe great matters but onelie gaue him selfe in deede to pleasure when he had nothing else to doe And further to say truely he tooke pleasure of Lamia as a man woulde haue a delight to heare one tell tales when he hath nothing else to doe or is desirous to sleepe but in deede when he was to make any preparation for warre he had not then Iuey at his darts end nor had his helmet perfumed nor came not out of Ladies closets picked and princt to go to battell but he let all dauncing and sporting alone and became as the Poet Euripides faith The souldier of Mars cruell and bloodie But to conclude he neuer had ouerthrowe or misfortune through negligence nor by delaying time to followe his owne pleasure as we see in painted tables where Omphale secretlie stealeth away Hercules clubbe and tooke his Lyons skinne from him Euen so Cleopatra oftentimes vnarmed Antonius and intised him to her making him lose matters of great importaunce and verie needefull iorneys to come and be dandled with her about the riuers of Canobus and Taphosiris In the ende as Paris fledde from the battell and went to hide him selfe in Helens armes euen so did he in Cleopatraes armes or to speake more properlie Paris hidde him selfe in Helens closet but Antonius to followe Cleopatra fledde and lost the victorie Furthermore Demetrius had many wiues that he had maried and all at one time the which was not dissalowable or not forbidden by the kinges of MACEDON but had bene vsed from Philippe and Alexanders time as also king Lysimachus and Ptolomy had and did honor all them that he maried But Antonius first of all maried two wiues together the which neuer ROMANE durst doe before but him selfe Secondly he put away his first ROMANE wife which he had lawfully maried for the loue of a straunge woman he fondly fell in fancy withall and contrarie to the lawes and ordinaunces of ROME And therefore Demetrius mariages neuer hurt him for any wrong he had done to his wiues but Antonius contrarily was vndone by his wiues Of all the lasciuious partes Antonius played none were so abhominable as this onely fact of Demetrius For the historiographers write that they would not suffer dogges to come into the castell of ATHENS bicause of all beastes he is too busie with bitcherie and Demetrius in Mineruaes temple it selfe lay with Curtisans and there defiled many citizens wiues And besides all this the horrible vice of crueltie which a man would thinke were least mingled with these wanton delightes is ioyned with Demetrius concupiscene who suffered or more properly compelled the goodliest young boy of ATHENS to dye a most pitiefull death to saue him selfe from violence being taken And to conclude Antonius by his incontinencie did no hurte but to him selfe and Demetrius did hurte vnto all others Demetrius neuer hurte any of his frendes and Antonius suffered his Vncle by his mothers side to be slaine that he might haue his will of Cicero to
time he prayed to haue pacience and not to attempt any sturre or alteracion against him nor to speake euill of him among the GRAECIANS This Plato sought to bring to passe and brought Dion to studie Philosophie and kept him in the Academy at ATHENS Dion lay in the citie of ATHENS with one Callippus whome he had knowen of long time howbeit he bought him a house in the contrie to lye there sometime for his pleasure the which he gaue afterwards at his returne into SICILIA vnto Speusippus that kept him company and was continually with him more then with any other frend he had in ATHENS through Platoes counsell who to soften and recreate Dions maners gaue him the company of some pleasaunt conceited man knowing that this Speusippus coulde modestlie obserue time and place to be pleasaunt and merie for which respect Timon in his Satyricall ieasts calleth Speusippus a good ieaster Nowe Plato him selfe hauing vndertaken to defray the charges of common playes in the dauncings of young children Dion tooke the paines to teache and exercise them and moreouer was him selfe at the whole charge of these playes Plato suffering him to bestowe that liberality and curtesie vpon the ATHENIANS the which wanne Dion a great deale more good will then Plato honor Dion kept not still at ATHENS but went also to see the other good cities of GRAECE passing his time away He being at common feastes and assemblies with the chiefest men and best learned in matters of state and gouernment neuer shewing any light partes nor signe of tyrannicall pride in his maner of life nor of a man that had bene brought vp with all pompe and pleasure but like a graue vertuous man and well studied in Philosophie whereby he grew to be generallie beloued and esteemed of all men the cities graunted him publike honors and sent him decrees of his glorie made in their counsells assemblies Furthermore the LACEDAEMONIANS made him a SPARTAN burges of the city not passing for Dionysius displeasure though at that time he had geuen them great aide in the warre they made against the THEBANS Some report that Dion on a time was intreated by Ptaeodorus MEGARIAN to come and see him at his house and Dion went thither This Ptaeodorus was a maruelous great rich man therefore Dion seeing a great number of people standing at his gates and that it was a hard thing to come and speake with him he had such great busines he turned vnto his frends that did accompanie him who were angrie they made him tarie so long at the gate and sayd vnto them what cause haue we to thinke euill of him sith we did the like when we were at SYRACVSA But Dionysius being incensed with enuie against him and fearing the good will the GRAECIANS bare him he kept backe his reuenue and would no more sende it him and seased all his goodes the which he gaue to his receiuers to keepe Furthermore bicause he would cleere him selfe of the infamie he had gotten amongest the Philosophers for Platoes sake he sent for diuers wise and learned men and vainly coueting to excell them all in wisedome he was driuen improperlie and out of time to alleage many wise sayinges he had learned of Plato Thereuppon he beganne againe wish for him and to condemne him selfe for that he had no wit to vse him well when he had him at his commaundement and that he had not heard so muche as he should haue done of him and like a tyranne as he was madlie caried away with light desires and easilie chaunging minde from time to time a sodaine vehement desire tooke him in the heade to haue Plato againe So he sought all the meanes and waies he could deuise to pray Archytas the Pythagorian Philosopher to tel him that he might boldly come and to be his surety vnto him for that he would promise him for first of all they were acquainted together by his meanes Therefore Archytas sent thither Archidamus the Philosopher Dionysius also sent certeine gallies and some of his frendes thither to pray Plato to come to him and he him selfe wrote speciallie and plainly that it should not goe well with Dion if Plato came not into SICILIA but if he would be perswaded to come that then he would doe what he would haue him Many letters and requests came vnto Dion from his wife and sister insomuche as Dion so vsed the matter that Plato obeyed Dionysius without making any excuse at all So Plato wryteth him selfe that he was driuen to come againe the third time into the straight of SICILIA To trie if once againe he could Charibdis daungers passe Nowe Plato being arriued in SICILIA he made Dionysius a great ioyfull man and filled all SICILIA againe with great good hope for they were all verie desirous and did what they could to make Plato ouercome Philistus and the tyrannie with his Philosophie The women of Dionysius Court did entertaine Plato the best they could but aboue all Dionysius seemed to haue a maruelous trust and affiance in him and more then in any other of all his frendes For he suffred Plato to come to him without searching of him and oftentimes offred to geue him a great summe of money but Plato would take none of it Therefore Aristippus CYRENIAN being at that time in the tyrannes Court in SICILIA sayd that Dionysius bestowed his liberalitie surelie For to vs that aske much he geueth litle and much vnto Plato that requireth nothing After Dionysius had geuen Plato his welcome he beganne to moue him againe of Dion Dionysius on the other side at the first did vse him with fine delayes but afterwards he shewed him selfe angrie in deede and at length fell out with Plato but yet so couertlie that others saw it not For Dionysius dissembled that and otherwise in all other things he did him as much honor as he could deuise practising thereby to make him to forsake Dions frendshippe Now Plato found him at the first that there was no trust to be geuen to his wordes and that all were but lyes and deuises he either sayd or did howebeit he kept it to him selfe and euer paciently bare all things hoping for the best and made as though he beleued him They two thus finelie dissembling with eache other thinking to deceiue all men and that none shoulde vnderstande their secrets Helycon CYZICENIAN one of Platoes frendes did prognosticate the eclipse of the sunne The same falling out as he had prognosticated the tyran esteemed maruelously of him and gaue him a siluer talent for his labor Then Aristippus sporting with other Philosophers sayd he could tell them of a straunger thing to happen then that So when they prayed him to tell them what it was I do prognosticate sayd he that Plato and Dionysius will be enemies ere it be long In th end it came to passe that Dionysius made porte sale of all Dions goodes and kept the
against him But Heraclides to pacifie this tumult of the people suborned one Hippon an Orator who preferred the lawe Agraria vnto the people for the diuision of all the Iland amongest them and that the beginning of libertie was equalitie and of bondage pouertie vnto them that had no landes Heraclides giuing his consent to this decree and stirring the common people to sedition against Dion that withstoode it perswaded the SYRACVSANS not onely to confirme the lawe Hippon had propownded but also to discharge the hyered straungers to choose other Captaines and gouernors and to rid them selues of Dions seuere gouernment But they supposing straight to haue bene rid from the tyranny as from a long and grieuous sicknes ouerrashly taking vpon them like people that of long time had bene at libertie they vtterly vndid them selues and ouerthrew Dions purpose who like a good Phisition was carefull to see the citie well ordered and gouerned So when they were assembled to choose new officers in the middest of sommer there fel such horrible thunders and other terrible stormes vnfortunate signes in the element that for the space of fifteene dayes together the people were stll scattered and dispersed when they were assembled insomuch that being affraide of these signes aboue they durst not at that time create any new Captaines Certaine dayes after as the Orators had chosen a fayer time to proceede to the election of officers an oxe drawing in a cart being daily acquainted with euery sight and noyse sodainly without any occasion offered fell into a madnes against the carter that draue him and breaking his yoke asonder ranne straight to the Theater and there made the people runne into euery corner to flye and saue them selues and then flinging and bearing all downe before him that stoode in his way he ranne through as much of the citie as the enemies afterwards wanne of them This notwithstanding the SYRACVSANS making light accompt of all these signes they chose fiue and twenty Captaines of the which Heraclides was one and secretly they sent to feele the hiered souldiers to see if they could entice them from Dion to cause them to take their part and made them large promises to make them free men as them selues of SYRACVSA The souldiers would not be enticed from him but faithfully louingly tooke Dion amongest them with their armor and weapon and putting him in the middest of them led him in this manner out of the citie and did no man hurt but reprouing their vnthankfulnes and villanie vnto all those they met by the way Then the SYRACVSANS despising them for their smal number bicause they did not first set vpon them but trusting on the other side to them selues for that they were the greater number they came to assayle them supposing they should easily ouercome them in the citie kil euery man of them Dion being thus at a straight that of necessitie he must fight against his owne contry men or els be slaine him selfe with his souldiers he held vp his hands to the SYRACVSANS very earnestly praied them to be content pointing them with his finger to the castell that was full of their enemies which shewed them selues vpon the wals saw what they did In the ende when he saw that he could not pacifie their furie tumult and that all the citie was in an vprore with the prittle prattle of these seditious people who like the sea were caried with the wind he did yet sorbid his souldiers to giue any charge vpon them who notwithstanding made a countenaunce with great cryes and ratling of their harnes as if they had ment to ronne on them Then the SYRACVSANS durst not abide by it but ranne away like sheepe through the streets no man chased them So Dion called backe his men againe led them directly into the cōtry of the LEONTINES Thē the new officers gouernors of SYRACVSA perceiuing that the women laughed them to scorne bicause they would recouer the shame they had lost they armed their men a new againe did marche after Dion to fight with him whome they ouertooke at a riuer as he was ready to passe ouer Then began their horsemen a litle to skirmishe with Dions company But when they saw he did no more beare with their faults for contries sake but frowned in deede vpon them did set his men in battel ray against them then they turned their backs againe with more shame and reproache then before and so fled vnto the citie of SYRACVSA had not many of their men slaine The LEONTINES receiued Dion very honorably tooke the straungers his souldiers and gaue them pay made them free Citizens with them sent Ambassadors also vnto the SYRACVSANS to wil them to let the straūgers haue their pay The SYRACVSANS on their side also sent Ambassadors vnto the LEONTINES to accuse Dion So all their confederats were assembled in the citie of the LEONTINES in that assembly after both parties had bene heard to heare what they would say it was iudged that the SYRACVSANS were to blame Howbeit they would not stand to the iudgement of their confederats for they were now growen proud careles bicause they were gouerned by no man but had Captaines that studied to please them were affraid also to displease them After that there arriued certain gallies of Dionysius at SYRACVSA of the which Nypsius NEAPOLITAN was captaine which brought vittels money to help thē that were beseged within the castel These gallies were fought with the SYRACVSANS obtained victorie and tooke foure of the tyrannes gallies the three bancks of owers a peece howbeit they fondly abused their victorie For they hauing no body to commaund nor rule them imployed all their ioy in ryoting and bancketting and in fond and dissolute meetings taking so litle care and regard to their busines that now when they thought the castel was sure their owne they almost lost their citie For Nypsius perceiuing that euery part of the citie was out of order and that the common people did nothing all day long vnto darke night but bybbe and drinke drunke dauncing after their pypes and howboyes and that the gouernors them selues were very glad also to see such feasting or els for that they dissembled it and durst not commaund and compell them that were droncke he wisely tooke the occasion offered him and scaled the wall which had shut vp the castell and wanne it and ouerthrewe it Then he sent the barbarous souldiers into the citie and commaunded them to doe with them they met what they would or could The SYRACVSANS then too late found their fault and hardly gaue present remedie they were so amazed and sodainely set on for in deede they made a right sacke of the citie Here men were killed there they ouerthrewe the wall in another place they caried away women and litle children prisoners into the castell weeping and crying out
and lastly they made the Captaines at their wits ende who could giue no present order nor haue their men to serue them against their enemies that came hand ouer head on euery side amongest them The citie being thus miserably in garboyle and the ACRADINE also in great hazard of taking in the which they put all their hope and confidence to rise againe euery man thought then with him selfe that Dion must be sent for but yet no man moued it notwithstanding being ashamed of their vnthankefulnes and ouergreat folly they had committed in driuing him away Yet necessitie inforcing them vnto it there were certaine of the horsemen and of their confederats that cryed they must send for Dion and the PELOPONNESIANS his souldiers which were with him in the territorie of the LEONTINES Assoone as the first worde was heard and that one had the hart to tell it to the people all the SYRACVSANS cryed out there was the poynt and they were so glad of it that the water stoode in their eyes for ioy and besought the gods it would please them to bringe him vnto them they were so desirous to haue him againe For they called to minde howe valliant and resolute he was in daunger and how that he was neuer affrayde but did encorage them with his manhood in such sort that being led by him they were not affrayd to set vpon their enemies So the confederats for them sent presently Archonides and Telesides vnto him and the noble men that serued on horsebacke they sent him also fiue amongest them beside Hellanicus Who tooke their horses and posted for life so that they came to the citie of the LEONTINES about Sunne set and lighting from their horses they went first of all and kneeled downe at Dions feete and weeping tolde him the miserable state of the SYRACVSANS Straight there came diuers of the LEONTINES and many of the PELOPONNESIAN souldiers vnto Dion mistrusting then that there was some newes in hand to see the earnest and humble sute the Ambassadors of SYRACVSA made vnto him Wherefore Dion tooke them presently with him and brought them him selfe vnto the Theater where the common counsells and assemblies of the citie were holden Thither ranne euery man to heare what the matter was Then Archonides and Hellanicus brought in by Dion tolde openly before the whole assemblie the greatnes of their miserie and requested the hyered souldiers to come and ayde the SYRACVSANS forgetting the iniurie they had receiued considering that they had more dearely payd for their follye then they them selues whome they had so iniured would haue made them to haue suffered When they had sayd their mindes there was a great silence through all the Theater and then Dion rose vp and beganne to speake But the great teares that fell from his eyes would not suffer him to speake wherefore the hyered souldiers being sory to see him weepe prayed him not to trouble him selfe but to be of good corage Then Dion letting goe the sorowe and griefe he had conceiued he beganne to speake vnto them in this manner My Lordes of PELOPONNESVS and you also the confederats I haue called you together to consult with you what you should doe For my selfe it were no honesty for me to consult what I should do now when the city of SYRACVSA standeth in peril of destruction therefore if I can not saue it from destruction yet at the least I wil bury my selfe in the fire and ruine of my contry But for you if it please you once more to helpe vs vnaduised more vnfortunate people you shal by your meanes set the poore distressed city of SYRACVSA againe a foote which is your deede Or if it be so that remēbring the iniuries the SYRACVSANS haue offred you you wil suffer it to be destroyed yet I besech the gods that at the least they will requite your valliantnes fidelity good loue you haue borne me vntil this present beseeching you to remēber Dion who nether forsooke you at any time when you haue bene iniuried nor his cōtry men when they were in trouble So going on stil with his tale the mercenary straūgers stepped forth with great noise praied him to leade them to ayde SYRACVSA Then the Ambassadors also that were sent from the SYRACVSANS saluted imbraced them prayed the gods to blesse Dion them with al the good hap that might be So when al was whisht quiet Dion willed them forthwith to goe prepare them selues that they should be there ready armed after supper determining the very same night to go to aide SYRACVSA But now at SYRACVSA while day light lasted Dionysius souldiers captaines did al the mischief villany they could in the city when night came they retired again into their castel hauing lost very few of their men Then the seditious gouernors of the SYRACVSANS tooke hart againe vnto them hoping that the enemies would be contēted with that they had done therfore began a new to perswade the citizens to let Dion alone not to receiue him with his mercenary souldiers if they came to aide him saying that they them selues were honester men then the straungers to saue their city to defend their liberty without help of any other So other Ambassadors were sent again vnto Dion some from the captaines gouernors of the city to stay them that they should not come others also from the horsemen noble Citizens his friends to hastē his iorney Whereuppō by reason of this variance Dion marched very softly at his ease Now by night Dions enemies within the city got to the gates kept thē that Dion should not come in Nypsius on the other side made a saly out of the castel with his mercenary souldiers being better appointed a greater nūber of thē then before with thē he straight plucked downe all the wal which they had built before the castel ran sacked the city At this saly out of the castel they did not only kill the men they met but women litle children also staied no more to spoile but to destroy put all to hauock For bicause Dionysius saw that he was brought to a straight desperat case he bare such mortal malice against the SYRACVSANS that sith there was no remedy but that he must needes forgo his tyranny he determined to burye it with the vtter destruction desolation of their citie And therefore to preuent Dions ayde to make a quick dispatch to destroy all they came with burning torches in their hands did set fire of all things they could come to further of they fiered their darts arrowes bestowed them in euery place of the city So they that fled for the fire were met withall slayne in the streetes by the souldiers and others also that ranne into their houses were driuen out againe by force of fire For there were a number of houses that were
afire and fel downe vpon them that went and came This misery was the chiefest cause why all the SYRACVSANS agreed together to set open the gates vnto Dion For when Dion heard by the way that Dionysius souldiers were gone againe into the castell he made no great haste to marche forward but when day was broken there came certaine horsemen from SYRACVSA vnto Dion who brought him newes that the enemies had once againe taken the city Then also came other of his enemies vnto him and prayed him to make haste Now their miserie increasing still and they being brought into hard state Heraclides first sent his brother vnto Dion and then Theodotes his Vncle to pray him to come quickly and helpe them For now there was no man left to resist the enemies bicause he him selfe was hurt and the citie also was in manner cleane burnt destroyed When these newes came to Dion he was yet about three score furlong from the towne So he told his mercenary souldiers the daunger the towne was in hauing encoraged them he led them no more fayer softly but running towards the city meeting Messengers one of anothers neck as he went that prayed him to make all the possible spede he could By this meanes the souldiers marching with wōderful spede good will together he entred the gates of the city at a place called HECATOMPEDON First of all he sent the lightest armed he had against the enemies to th ende that the SYRACVSANS seeing them they might take a good hart again to them whilest he himself in the meane time did set al the other heauy armed souldiers and Citizens that came to ioyne with him in battell raye did cast them into diuers squadrons of greater length then breadth and appointed them that should haue the leading of them to thend that letting vpon the enemies in diuers places together they should put them in the greater feare terror When he had set all things in this order had made his prayers vnto the gods that they saw him marching through the citie against their enemies then there rose such a common noyse reioycing great showte of the souldiers mingled with vowes prayers and perswasions of all the SYRACVSANS that they called Dion their god sauior the mercenary souldiers their brethren fellow Citizens Furthermore there was not a SYRACVSAN that so much regarded his owne life person but he seemed to be more affraid of the losse of Dion only then of all the rest For they saw him the foremostman ronning through the daūger of the fire treading in bloud vpon dead bodies that lay slaine in the middest of the streets Now in deede to charge the enemies it was a maruelous daungerous enterprise for they were like mad beasts stoode beside in battell ray alongst the wal which they had ouerthrowen in a very daungerous place hard to win Howbeit the daunger of the fire did most of all trouble amaze the straungers did stoppe their way For on which side soeuer they turned them the houses round about them were all of a fire and they were driuen to marche ouer the burnt timber of the houses and to ronne in great daunger of the walls of the house sides that fell on them to passe through the thicke smoke mingled with dust beside to keepe their rancks with great difficultie And whē they came to assaile the enemies they could not come to fight hand to hand but a few of them in number bicause of the straightnes of the place howbeit the SYRACVSANS with force of cries showtes did so animat encorage their men that at length they draue Nypsius his men to forsake the place The most part of them got into the castell being very neare vnto them the other that could not get in in time fled straglingly vp and downe whom the GRAECIAN souldiers slue chasing of them The extremitie of the time did not presently suffer the Conquerors to reape the frute of their victory nether the ioyes imbracings meete for so great an exployte For the SYRACVSANS went euery man home to his owne house to quenche the fire the which could scarcely be put out all the night When daye brake there was none of these seditious flatterers of the people that durst tary in the citie but cōdemning them selues they fled to take their fortune Heraclides and Theodotes came together of their owne good wills to yeld them selues vnto Dion confessing that they had done him wronge and humbly praying him to shew him selfe better vnto them then they had shewed them selues vnto him that it was more honorable for him being euery way vnmatchable for his vertues to shew him selfe more noble to conquer his anger then his vnthankfull enemies had done who contending with him before in vertue did now confesse themselues to be farre inferior vnto him This was the summe effect of Heraclides Theodotes submission vnto Dion But his friends did perswade him not to pardon two such wicked men who did malice enuy his honor and as he would doe the straungers his souldiers any pleasure that he should put Heraclides into their hands to roote out of the common wealth of SYRACVSA his vile manner to flatter and curry fauor with the people the which was as daungerous and great a plague to a citie as the tyranny Dion pacifying them aunswered Other generals of armies said he do imploy al their wits in marshall exercise warres but for him selfe that he had of long time studied learned in the schole of the Academy to ouercome anger enuy all malice contencion The noble proofe whereof is most seene not in vsing honest men and his friends moderately but shewing mercy also vnto his enemies forgetting his anger against them that haue offended him and that for his part he had rather ouercome Heraclides not in riches and wisedom but in clemency iustice for therein chiefly consisted excellencie sith no man els in warres can challenge power gouernment but fortune that ruleth most And though Heraclides sayd he through enuy hath done like a wicked man must Dion therefore through anger bleamish his vertue In deede by mans law it is thought meeter to reuenge an iniurie offered then to doe an iniurie but nature sheweth that they both proceede of one selfe imperfection Now though it be a hard thing to chaunge and alter the euill disposition of a man after he is once nuseled in villany yet is not man of so wild brutish a nature that his wickednes may not be ouercome with often pleasures when he seeth that they are continually shewed him Dion aūswering his friends thus he forgaue Heraclides beginning againe to shut vp the castell with a wal round about he cōmaūded the SYRACVSANS euery man of them to cut downe a stake to bringe it thither So when night was come setting his souldiers
layed nettes ouerthwart the ryuer and tyed litle bells on the toppe of them to sownd when any man was taken in the nettes The XANTHIANS made a salye out by night and came to fire certaine engynes of battery that bette downe their walls but they were presently driuen in agayne by the ROMANES so soone as they were discouered The winde by chaunce was maruelous bygge and increased the flame so sore that it violently caried it into the cranewes of the wall of the citie so that the next houses vnto them were straight set a fire thereby Wherefore Brutus beeing affrayde that all the citie woulde take of a fire he presently commaunded his men to quenche the fire and to saue the towne if it might be But the LYCIANS at that instant fell into such a frensie and straunge and horrible dispayre that no man can well expresse it and a man can not more rightly compare or lyken it then to a franticke and moste desperate desire to dye For all of them together with their wiues and children Maisters and seruaunts and of all sortes of age whatsoeuer fought vppon the ramper of their walles and did cast downe stones and fierworkes on the ROMANES which were very busie in quenching the flame of the fire to saue the citie And in contrary manner also they brought fagotts drye wodde and reedes to bringe the fire further into the citie asmuch as might bee increasing it by suche thinges as they brought Nowe when the fire had gotten into all the partes of the citie and that flame burnt bright in euery place Brutus beeing sorye to see it gotte vppon his horse and rode rownde about the walles of the citie to see if it were possible to saue it and helde vppe his handes to the inhabitants praying them to pardon their citye and to saue them selues Howbeit they would not be perswaded but did all that they coulde possible to cast them selues away not onely men and women but also litle children For some of them weeping and crying out did cast them selues into the fire others headlong throwing them selues downe from the walles brake their neckes others also made their neckes bare to the naked swordes of their fathers and vndid their clothes praying them to kill them their owne handes After the citye was burnt they founde a woman hanged vppe by the necke holding one of her children in her hande deade by her hanged vppe also and in the other hande a burning torche setting fire on her house Some woulde haue had Brutus to haue seene her but he woulde not see so horrible and tragicall a sight but when he heard it he fell a weeping and caused a Herauld to make proclamation by sownd of trompet that he woulde giue a certaine summe of money to euery souldier that coulde saue a XANTHIAN So there were not as it is reported aboue fiftye of them saued and yet they were saued against their willes Thus the XANTHIANS hauing ended the reuolution of their fatall destinie after a longe continuance of tyme they did through their desperation renue the memorie of the lamentable calamities of their Auncestors Who in like manner in the warres of the PERSIANS did burne their citie and destroyed them selues Therefore Brutus likewise beseeging the citie of the PATAREIANS perceyuing that they stowtly resisted him he was also affrayde of that and could not well tell whether he should giue assault to it or not least they woulde fall into the dispayre and desperation of the XANTHIANS Howbeit hauing taken certaine of their women prisoners he sent them backe agayne without payment of ransome Nowe they that were the wiues and Daughters of the noblest men of the citie reporting vnto their parents that they had founde Brutus a mercifull iuste and curteous man they perswaded them to yeelde them selues and their citie vnto him the which they did So after they had thus yeelded them selues diuers other cities also followed them and did the like and founde Brutus more mercifull and curteous then they thought they should haue done but specially farre aboue Cassius For Cassius about the selfe same tyme after he had compelled the RHODIANS euery man to deliuer all the ready money they had in gold and siluer in their houses the which being brought together amounted to the summe of eyght thowsande talents yet he condemned the citie besides to paye the summe of fiue hundred talents more Where Brutus in contrary manner after he had leauyed of all the contrye of LYCIA but a hundred and fiftye talents onely he departed thence into the contrye of IONIA and did them no more hurt Nowe Brutus in all this iorney did many notable actes and worthy of memorie bothe for rewarding as also in punishing those that had deserued it Wherefore amonge the rest I will tell you of one thinge of the which he him selfe and all the noble men of the ROMANES were maruelous glad When Pompey the great hauing lost the battell against Iulius Caesar in the fieldes of PHARSALIA came and fell vppon the coast of AEGYPT hard by the citie of PELVSIVM those that were protectors to the young king Ptolomy beeing then but a childe sate in counsell with his seruaunts and friendes what they shoulde determine in that case They were not all of one mynde in this consultacion for some thought it good to receyue Pompey others also that they shoulde driue him out of AEGYPT But there was a certayne Rethoritian called Theodotus that was borne in the I le of CHIO who was the kinges Schoolemaister to teache him Rethoricke He beeing called to this counsell for lacke of sufficienter men sayde that bothe the one and the other side went awrye aswell those that were of opinion tó receyue Pompey as the other that woulde haue had him driuen awaye and that the best waye was considering the present tyme that they shoulde laye holde on him and kill him adding withall this sentence that a deade man byteth not The whole counsell stucke to this opinion So for a notable example of incredible misfortune and vnlooked for vnto Pompey Pompey the great was slayne by the motion and counsell of this wicked Rethoritian Theodotus as Theodotus afterwardes did him selfe boast of it But when Iulius Caesar came afterwardes into AEGYPT the wicked men that consented to this counsell had their payment according to their deserts for they dyed euery man of them a wicked death sauing this Theodotus whome fortune respyted a litle while lenger and yet in that tyme he liued a poore and miserable life neuer tarying longe in any one place So Brutus going vppe and downe ASIA Theodotus coulde hyde him selfe no lenger but was brought vnto Brutus where he suffered paines of death so that he wanne more fame by his deathe then euer he did in his life About that tyme Brutus sent to praye Cassius to come to the citye of SARDIS and so he did Brutus vnderstanding of his comming went to meete him with all
tell how to vse them he had chosen of good men he made them become euill so that neither the one nor the other coulde be the parte of a wise man For Plato him selfe reproueth him for that he had chosen suche men for his frendes that he was slaine by them and after he was slaine no man woulde then reuenge his death And in contrarie maner of the enemies of Brutus the one who was Antonius gaue his bodie honorable buriall and Octauius Caesar the other reserued his honors and memories of him For at Millayne a citie of GAVLEON ITALIE side there was an image of his in brasse verie like vnto him the which Caesar afterwardes passing that way behelde verie aduisedly for that it was made by an excellent workeman and was verie like him and so went his way Then he stayed sodainly againe and called for the Gouernors of the citie and before them all tolde them that the citizens were his enemies and traitors vnto him bicause they kept an enemie of his among them The Gouernors of the citie at the first were astonied at it and stowtlie denyed it and none of them knowing what enemie he ment one of them looked on an other Octauius Caesar then turning him vnto Brutus statue bending his browes sayd vnto them this man you see standing vp here is he not our enemie Then the Gouernors of the citie were worse affrayed then before could not tel what answere to make him But Caesar laughing and commending the GAVLES for their faithfulnes to their frendes euen in their aduersities he was contented Brutus image should stand still as it did THE LIFE OF Aratus CHrisyppus the Philosopher my frend Polycrates being affrayed as it seemeth of the euill sound of an auncient prouerbe not rightlie as it was spoken and in vse but as he thought it best he wrote in this maner VVhat children do their auncetors commend But those vvhom fortune fauors to the end But Dionysodorus TROEZENIAN reprouing him doth rehearse the prouerbe rightly as in deede it is VVhat children do their auncetors commend But those vvhose life is vertuous to the end Saying that this prouerbe stoppeth their mouthes who of them selues are vnworthie of praise and yet are still boasting of the vertues of their auncesters whose praise they hiely extoll But affore those that as Pindarus sayth Do match their noble auncetors in provvesse of their ovvne And by their frutes commend the stocke vvhence they them selues are grovvne As thy selfe that conformest thy life vnto the examples and maners of thy vertuous auncesters it is no small good happe for them often to remember the noble deedes of their parentes in hearing them spoken of or otherwise for them selues oftentimes to remember some notable doings of their parents For in them it is not for lacke of commendable vertues that they report others praise and glorie but in ioyning their owne vertues to the vertues of their auncesters they do increase their glorie as inheriting their vertuous life as challenging their discent by blood Therefore hauing wrytten the life of Aratus thy contrie man and one of thy auncesters whose glorie and greatnesse thou doest not blemishe I doe sende it vnto thee not that I thinke but that thou hast more diligentlie then any man else searched out all his deedes and sayings But yet bicause that thy two sonnes Polycrates and Pythocles reading and still hearing some thing reported might be brought vp at home by the example of their auncesters whose deedes shall lye before them to followe For he loueth him selfe more then he regardeth perfit vertue or his credit that thinketh him selfe so perfit as he neede not follow any others example The citie of SICYONE after it fell from her first gouernment of the optimacie and nobilitie which is proper to the cities of the DORIANS like an instrument out of tune it fell into ciuill warres and seditious practises through the Orators of the people and neuer ceassed to be plagued with those troubles and miseries alway chaunging new tyrannes vntill that Cleon being slaine they chose Timoclidas and Clinias their Gouernors two of the noblest men of greatest authoritie in all the citie Now when the common wealth beganne to grow to a certeine state of gouernment Timoclidas dyed and Abantidas the sonne of Paseas pretending to make him selfe Lord of the citie he slue Clinias and put to death some of his parentes and frendes draue away others and sought also to put his sonne Aratus to death that was then but seuen yeare old But in this hurly burly and tumult Aratus flying out of his fathers house among them that ranne away and wandering vp and downe the citie being scared and affrayed finding no man to helpe him by good fortune he gotte into a womans house called Soso which was Abantidas sister and wife vnto Periphantus his father Clinias brother She being of a noble minde and iudging that the childe Aratus by Gods prouidence fledde vnto her hidde him in her house and in the night secretlie sent him vnto the citie of ARGOS Now after that Aratus had scaped and was safe from this daunger from that time there bred in him a vehement malice against tyrannes the which still increased in him as he grewe in yeares So he was vertuouslie brought vp in the citie of ARGOS with his fathers frends and perceiuing with him selfe that he waxed bigge and strong he disposed his bodie to diuers exercises and became so excellent in them that he contended in fiue manner of exercises and oftentimes bare the best away And in his images and statues he appeared in face ful and well liking as one that fed well and the maiestie of his countenaunce argueth that he vsed suche exercise and suche commonly are large eaters From whence it came that he did not geue him selfe so muche to pleading as peraduenture was requisite for a Gouernor of a common wealth Howebeit some doe iudge by his Commentaries he wrote that he had an eloquenter tongue then seemed vnto some bicause he wrote them in hast hauing other busines in hand and euen as things came first into his minde But afterwards Dinias and Aristotle Logitian slue Abantidas who did commonlie vse to sit in the market place to heare their matters and to talke with them And this gaue them good meanes and oportunitie to worke their seate they did After Abantidas death his father Paseas possessed the tyrannie whom Nicocles afterwardes slue also by treason and made him selfe tyranne in his place It is reported that this Nicocles did liuelie resemble the countenaunce of Periander the sonne of Cypselus as Orontes PERSIAN was very like vnto Alcmaeon the sonne of Amphiaraus and an other young LACEDAEMONIAN vnto Hector of TROYA whom Myrsilus wryteth was troden vnder mens feete through the ouergreat presse of people that came to see him when they hearde of it This Nicocles was tyranne foure monethes together in the which
enuy malice his prosperitie and souerainty they did not onely mainteyne them selues as free men in the middest of the seruitude of so many great cities large and mighty but did also deliuer many other people of GRAECE from their tyrants Now for Aratus manners he was one that in nature loued ciuill gouernment and equalitie among Citizens in one selfe citie he was nobly minde and more painefull about the affayres of the common weale then carefull of his owne busines and hated tyrants to the death and imployed his good or euill will wholy for the seruice of the common wealth And therefore he seemed not to be so fownd a friend as he was a gentle and mercifull enemye framing him selfe in either of both as tyme serued for the common wealth To be short it was a generall and common voyce amonge all the cities confederats in priuate company and at open meetings in the Theaters that Aratus loued nothing but vertue and honesty That in open warres he was not so valliant and coragious as he was crafty and suttell to take a citie on the sodaine Furthermore though he was valliant to attempt many great things the which men thought he would neuer haue brought to passe yet it seemeth he left many thinges possible vndone the which he might easily haue done for that he durst not venter on them For as there be beastes whose sight is perfitteth by night and by day they can see nothing bicause the subtiltie of the humor and moysture in their eyes is dried vp and can not abide the bright light of the daye euen so men that otherwise by nature are very wise are easely affrayd of daunger when they must venter on it at noone dayes where contrarily they are bold in secret enterprises sodeinly to attēpt any thing Now this contrarietie and difference in men well brought vp groweth through ignorance lacke of instruction of Philosophie which of it selfe doth norish vertue as frute that springeth vp without planting or helpe of mans hand But this is best discerned by examples So Aratus hauing ioyned him selfe and his citie SICYONE vnto the ACHAIANS and seruing in person as a man of armes among the rest he was maruelously beloued of his generalls that law him so obedient For notwithstanding that he had made so large a contribucion as the estimation of him selfe and the force of his citie vnto the common wealth of the ACHAIANS yet he was as ready to obey and execute the commaundments of the generals as the poorest and meanest souldier were he of DYMA or of TRIYA or of any other small village whatsoeuer Furthermore a great summe of money beeing sent him from king Ptolomy for a gifte amownting to twenty and fiue talents he tooke it but forth with disposed it amongest his poore contry men both to releeue their want as also to redeeme prisoners This notwithstanding the banished men still vexed troubled them that had their goods lands to haue thē out of their hands and otherwise would be satisfied by no meanes Their common wealth therefore beeing in great daunger to fall into ciuill warre Aratus perceiuing there was no other way to helpe this michiefe but by Ptolomies liberalitie he determined to goe vnto him to praye him to helpe him with money to pacifie this grudge and tumult So he imbarked at the hauen of METHONA aboue the foreland of MALEA to sayle from thence into AEGYPT howbeit he had such a contrary wind and the sea rose so hie that the maister of the shippe was driuen to let her goe whether she woulde to take sea roome So beeing driuen quite from his direct course with great daunger he got to the citie of ADRIA which was his enemy bicause Antigonus kept it and had a garrison in it But Aratus did wisely preuent it going a shore wandred farre from the sea with one of his friends called Timanthes and got into a wodde where they had an euill nights rest He had not gone farre after he had left his shippe but the Captaine of the garrison came and south for him Notwithstanding his seruaunts had mocked him finely being before instructed by Aratus what aunswer they should make saying that he was gone and fled into the I le of EVROPA Howbeit the Captaine of the garrison stayed the shippe his men and all things els she had in her and tooke her for a good prise Within fewe dayes after Aratus being maruelously troubled and at a straight with him selfe what he should doe there happily arriued a ROMANE shippe hard by the place where he kept most partly to hide him selfe and partly also to see if he could discouer any thing This shippe was bownd for SYRIA So he had delt with the master of the shippe in that forte that he tooke him abourd and promised he would deliuer him in CARIA and so he did But he was in as much daunger this second iorney againe by sea as he was in the first he made towards AEGYPT From CARIA a long time after Aratus went to AEGYPT and spake with the king who made very much of him for Aratus fed him still by sending of him passing fayer tables and pictures of GRAECE of excellent workemanship And in deede hauing a singuler good wit he alwayes got together and bought the excellentest painted picture he could get but specially the pictures of Pamphilus and Melanthus to send them vnto the king For learning florished yet in the citie of SICYONE and they esteemed the paintings of tables in that citie to be the perfittest for true cullers and fine drawing of all other places Insomuch as Apelles though he was then of maruelous same for paynting went thither and gaue to these two excellent paynters a talent to remayne a while in their company not so much to attaine to the perfection of the art as thereby to winne him selfe same And therefore when Aratus had restored his citie againe to libertie he caused all the images of the tyrannes to be defaced and plucked downe howbeit he stoode doubtful a long tyme whether he should deface Aristratus picture or not who raigned in the tyme of Phillip For it was paynted with the hands of all the schollers of Melanthus being by a triumphant chariot that caried a victorie and as Polemon the Geographer writeth Apelles hand was to it This picture was a passing peece of worke to see to so that Aratus at the first yelded and was contented to saue it for the excellencye of the workemanship yet in the ende ouercome with the extreme hate he bare vnto tyrants he had it should be defaced Now it is reported also that Nealces the paynter being one of Aratus friends prayed him with the teares in his eyes to pardon such a notable peece of worke But when he sawe Aratus so hard harted that he would not graunt it he tolde him it was good reason to make warre with tyrants but not with their pictures Let vs then q
then Aratus came from the castell vnto the Theater of the citie whether repayred an infinite number of people aswell for the desire they had to see him as also to heare him speake vnto the CORINTHIANS So hauing placed the ACHAPANS of either side as the comming into the Theater Aratus being armed went vp into the chayer or pulpit for orations hauing his face quite chaunged both for the great paynes he had taken and also for lacke of sleepe so that his body being ouerwearied his spirits were euen done Now when all the assembly of the people seeing him in the chayer did humble them selues to shewe hâ—â—â— all the honor and kindnes they could possible he tooke his speare out of his left hand into his right and bowing his knee and body somewhat he leaned vpon it and so stoode a great while in this manner before he spake receiuing the cryes of ioy and clapping of handes which the people made praysing his valliantnes and blessing his good happe and fortune Then when they had done and were quiet againe he framed his countenance and began to make an oration vnto them in the name of all the tribe and common wealth of the ACHAIANS meete for the enterprise from whence he came and perswaded them to ioyne to the ACHAIANS So therewithall they presently deliuered him the keyes of their citie the which were neuer before that tyme in their power since the raigne of king Philip. Nowe touching the other Captaines of king Antigonus Aratus hauing taken Archelaus prisoner he let him goe but put Theophrastus to death bicause he would not goe out of CORINTHE Persaus Captaine of the castell seeing the castell but lost he secretly saued him selfe fled vnto the citie of CENCHREES And it is reported that as he was afterwards in talke of Philosophie where one mainteyning that a man could not be a good Captaine vnles he were a perfit wise man This q he is one of Zenoes opinions rightly the which heretofore pleased me best but now this young SYCYONIAN Aratus hath made me of an other mind Many writers doe report this saying of Persaus Furthermore Aratus wanne presently the temple of Iuno and the hauen of LICHAEVM where he tooke fiue and twenty shippes of king Antigonus and fiue hundred horse of seruice for the warre and foure hundred SYRIANS which he sold euery one of them The ACHAIANS left within the castell of the Acrocorinthe a garrison of foure hundred footemen and fiftye doggs and as many hunts all the which were kept for the watch of the castell Now the ROMANES wondring at the valliantnes of Philopaemen they called him the last of the GRAECIANS Euen so might I also in my opinion say that this acte is the last and most famous of all the GRAECIANS and deserueth to be equall aswell for valliantnes as also good successe with the greatest exploytes of the most famous auncients as that which followed immediatly after doth amply declare For the MEGARIANS reuolting from king Antigonus did straight ioyne with Aratus and the TROEZENIANS also with the EPIDAVRIANS did likewise enter into league and friendship with the ACHAIANS So at the first inuasion he made he went to spoyle the contry of ATTICA and crossed ouer to the I le of SALAMINA and spoyled and destroyed it euen as if he had deliuered the power and force of the ACHAIANS out of prison to serue his owne turne in any thing he thought good of Howbeit he sent home the ATHENIAN prisoners without paying of ransom and all of policie to make them desirous to rebell against the MACEDONIANS Furthermore he made king Ptolomy a friend and confederat of the ACHAIANS with condition that he should be Lieuetenant generall both by sea by lande For these respects Aratus was of maruelous estimation and credit with the ACHAIANS insomuch that where they could not yearely choose him their general being contrary to their law they chose him at the least euery second yeare but in effect all was done by his aduise and counsell For they saw plainly that it was nether honor nor riches nor friendship of kings Princes nor the priuate benefit of his owne citie wherein he was borne nor any other thing els that he preferred before the glory increase of the common wealth of the ACHAIANS For he was of opinion that cities by theÌ„ selues were but weake being ioyned together with the chaine of common benefit they were a strength one to preserue the other And in like manner euen as the parts that are in the bodies of brute beasts haue life sustenance being ioyned knit together straight so soone as there is any seperation of them th one from thother they liue no more putrifie euen so cities also were brought to decay by them that did disperse their societie among them in contrary manner did then againe increase when ioyning with any other great body city they were gouerned with wisedom good counsell So Aratus seing the chiefest cities thereabouts enioy their lawes and liberties thought it a shamefull thing to leaue the ARGIVES in slauery bondage Wherefore he practised to kil the tyrant Aristomachus that gouerned them both to shew him selfe thankefull to the citie for his bringing vppe there as also to ioyne that great mighty citie vnto the tribe of the ACHAIANS Now there were diuers men that had the harts and corage to vndertake to doe it of the which the chiefest were AEschylus and Charimenes the Soothsayer but they had no swordes for they were straightly forbidden by the tyrant and grieuous punishments ordeyned for them that should be found with any swordes Aratus therefore caused certen litle short daggers to be made at CORINTHE for them the which he sowed vp in packes caried on certen beasts loden with other baggage and stuffe But the Soothsayer Charimenes did impart this enterprise vnto a third man and made him one of the conspiracie with them AEschylus being very much offended with it beganne therefore to enter into practise by him selfe and left their company Charimenes perceiuing that tooke such a toye in his head in a mad moode that he bewrayed them as they went about to execute their enterprise This notwithstanding the most parte of the conspirators saued them selues and fled to CORINTHE So the tyrant Aristomachus was slaine shortly after by his owne men But then another tyrant Aristippus a crueller man than the first made haste to take the tyranny before he could be resisted This notwithstanding Aratus with all the young men of the ACHAIANS able to serue in the field went sodainly thither with ayde hoping to find them of the citie very glad to recouer their libertie Howbeit the people being acquainted and of longtime vsed paciently to beare the yoke of bondage there was not a man of them that would once take his part So he returned backe againe and did nothing sauing that thereby the ACHAIANS
Aratus by the hand as if by force he had cast him out of the castell and had also taken the citie of MESSINA from him sayd vnto him come on then lette vs euen take that course But after that time Aratus came as litle to the Court as might be and so by litle and litle left Philippes companie For when he went to make warre in the realme of EPIRVS he was earnestlie in hand with Aratus to goe that iorney with him But Aratus prayed him to hold him excused and so remained at home being affrayed to be brought into an euill name with Philippes doings For Philippe afterwards hauing shamefullie lost his armie by sea against the ROMANES besides hauing had also verie euill successe in all other his affaires he returned againe to PELOPONNESVS thought once more to haue deceiued the MESSENIANS But when they founde his practise then he beganne with open force to spoyle their contrie Aratus then flatlie fell out with Philip and vtterly refused his frendship for that he perceiued then the iniurie he had done his sonnes wife the which grieued him to the harte but yet he made not his sonne priuie to it bicause he coulde gette no other amendes then to knowe what iniurie had bene done to him considering that he had no way nor meanes to be reuenged For king Philip was maruelously changed and from a curteous and chast young Prince becomen a vitious and cruell tyran the which to speake truely was not a chaunge or alteracion in nature but a manifest declaracion when he was no more affrayed of any man of his wicked and deuelish mind the which through feare had of long time bene kept secret Now to prone that Philips first loue and good will he bare vnto Aratus was also mingled with feare and reuerence that which he did afterwards vnto him did plainly shew it For he being desirous to put Aratus to death not thinking him selfe free so long as he liued neither king nor tyran he durst not goe about to kill him him selfe but procured one of his Captaines called Taurion and commaunded him to make him away as secretly as he could possible specially with poyson in his absence This Taurion fell in frendship with Aratus and poysoned him with no violent poyson but so tempered qualified it as it did by litle and litle heate the bodie and procure a pretie coffe which brought him into a consumption Aratus knewe he was poysoned but bicause he sawe it booted not to bewray it he bare it pacientlie and made no words of it as if he had had some naturall disease about him Yet on a time one of his chiefest frends being in his chamber with him who wondred to see him spit blood as he did he told him frēd Caephalon mine this is the reward of a kings loue So he died of this poison in the city of AEOIVM being the seuenteenth time chosen Generall of the ACHAIANS who would haue had him buried in the selfe same place and haue made some honorable monument for him worthie of his noble life But the SICYONIANS thinking them selues dishonored if his body were buried any where else but in their owne citie they so perswaded the counsell of the ACHAIANS that they suffered them to take Aratus bodie with them Yet was there an auncient law that forbad buriall within the walls of the citie of any maner of person whatsoeuer and besides that law they had a certaine superstitious feare in them that made them they durst not Whereuppon they sent to Apolloes temple at DELPHES to aske counsell of his Nunne that gaue the Oracles who made them this aunswere Thou happie soile of Sicyon Aratus natiue place VVhereas thou askest counsell in that noble Captaines case For keeping of a yeareminde and for making feastfull dayes In honor of that vvorthie vvight to last henceforth alvvaien If any hinder your intent through fondnes or through spight Both sea and land and heauen it selfe vvill punish that same vvight This Oracle being brought all the ACHAIANS were maruelous glad of it but the SICYONIANS speciallie who presentlie chaunging their mourning into publike ioy they caried the bodie from the citie of AEGIVM brought it home as in maner of procession in white robes and garlands of flowers on their heades singing hymnes and songes of ioy and daunsing till they came to the citie of SICYONE And there they chose out the chiefest place and buried him as their founder father and sauior of their citie and the place is called at this present time ARATIVM There they yearely make two solemne sacrifices the one the fift of Nouember at which time he deliuered the citie of SICYONE from tyrannie they call this sacrifice Soteria as much to say as the feast of health and the other on his birth day as it is reported For the first sacrifice that was done by the Priest of Iupiter the sauior The second sacrifice also was done by Aratus sonne who was girt about with a cloth not altogether white but mingled with purple colour So during the sacrifice they song hymnes vpon the harpe in praise of him and the maister of the Musitians made a procession round about being accompanied with boyes and young men of the citie after whom followed the Senate crowned with garlands of flowers and other citizens that were disposed to goe a procession How beit the most part of the honors that were appointed to be done vnto him were left of by processe of time chaunge of things that followed afterwards Thus you see what the life of Aratus the father hath bene as we find in histories Now Philip being a wicked man and cruell of nature caused his sonne Aratus also to be poysoned not with a deadly poyson but with such poyson as troubleth a mans wits so that through their deuelish receit he becometh a starke foole without any wit at all and maketh him to attempt straunge and abhominable things and to haue certaine shamefull and detestable desires insomuch as his death though he dyed in the pryme of his youth could not be thought miserable but rather a happy deliuerance to him of all his miseries and mishappes But Philip afterwards so long as he liued payed vnso Iupiter protector of all iustice and frendship the punishment his wicked life deserued For after he was ouercome in battell by the ROMANES he was compelled to yeelde him selfe to their mercy by whome he was depriued from all the rest of his landes and dominions he had and of all his shippes but fiue only and condemned besides to pay a thowsand talents for a fine and to giue his sonne in hostage and they only left him for pities sake the kingdom of MACEDON with all the appertenaunces And there he daily putting to death the chiefest of his nobilitie and neerest of blood vnto him he filled his realme with crueltie and mortall hate against him Furthermore
honor and the slaue enfranchised had priuiledge giuen him to weare ringes of gold and he was called Martianus Vicellus who afterwards of all the infranchised bond men became the chiefest man about his Master Galba In the meane tyme Nymphidius SABINE began at ROME not couertly but with open sorce to take vpon him the absolute gouernment of the Empire perswading him self that Galba was so old that he could hardly be brought in a lytter vnto ROME being at the least three score and thirteene yeare olde besides also that the army of the PRAETORIANS which were in ROME did beare him good will of long tyme and then acknowledged none other Lord but him onely for the large promise he had made them for the which he receiued the thankes and Galba remained the debter So he presently commaunded Tigellinus his companion and Captaine with him of the army of the PRAETORIANS to leaue of his sword and disposing him selfe to bancketing and feasting he sent for all those that had bene Consuls Praetors or Proconsuls of prouinces and made them all to be inuited in the name of Galba So there were certaine souldiers gaue out this rumor in the campe that they should doe well to send Ambassadors vnto Galba to praye him that Nymphidius might be their onely Captaine still without any companion ioyned with him Furthermore the honor and good will the Senate bare him calling Nymphidius their benefactor and going dayly to visite him in his house procuring him to be Author of all their decrees passed in Senate and that he should authorise them this made him hie minded and the bolder by much insomuch that shortly after they that came to honor him in this sort did not onely hate and mislike his doings but moreouer he made them affrayd of him Furthermore when the Consuls had giuen to commoÌ„ purseuants any commissions vnder seale or letters pattents signifying the decrees of the Senate to cary them to the Emperor by vertue of which letters pattents when the officers of the citie doe see the seale they straight prouide the purseuants of coches and â—reshe horses to further their speede and hasty iorney Nymphidius was very angrye with them bicause they did not also come to him for his letters sealed by him and his souldiers to sende likewise vnto the Emperor But besides all this it is also reported that he was like to haue deposed the Consuls howbeit they excusing them selues vnto him and crauing pardon did appease his anger And to please the Commons also he suffred them to put any of Neroes friends to death they could meete withall Amonge other they slue a Fenser called Spicillus whome they put vnder Neroes statues which they dragged vp and downe the citie Another also called Aponius one of Neroes accusers they threw him to the ground and draue carts ouer him loden with stones And diuers others also whom they slue in that manner of the which some had done no maner of offence Hereuppon one Mauriseus one of the noblest men of the citie so esteemed sayd openly in the Senate I feare me we shall wish for Nero againe before it be long So Nymphidius being comen in manner to the fulnes of his hope he was very glad to heare that some repyned at him bicause he was the sonne of Caius Caesar that was the next Emperor after Tiberius For this Caius Caesar when he was a young man had kept Nymphidius mother which had bene a fayer young woman and the Daughter of one Callistus one of Caesars infranchised bond men whome he had gotten of a Laundres he kept Howbeit it is found contrary that this Nymphidius was borne before Caius Caesar coulde knowe his mother and men thought that he was begotten by a Fenser called Martianus with whome his mother Nymphidia fell in fancie for that he had a great name at that time in ROME and in deede Nymphidius was liker to him in fauor then vnto any other So he confessed that he was the sonne of this Nymphidia how beit he did ascrybe the glory of the death of Nero vnto him selfe and thought him selfe not sufficiently recompensed with the honors they gaue him nether also with the goods he enioyed nether for that he lay with Sporus whome Nero loued so dearely whome he sent for to Neroes funeralls whilest his bodye was yet a burning and kept him with him as if he had bene his wife and called him Poppaeus Furthermore all this did not content him but yet secretly he aspyred to be Emperor partly practising the matter in ROME it selfe by the meanes of certaine women and Senators which were secretly his friends and partly also through one Gellianus whome he sent into SPAYNE to see how all thinges went there Howbeit after the death of Nero all things prospered with Galba sauing Verginius Rufus only who stoode doubtfull yet and made him sorely mistrust him for that he was affrayd besides that he was generall ouer a great and puisant army hauing also newly ouerthrowen Vindex and secretly ruling the best parte of the Empire of ROME which was all GAVLE and then in tumult and vprore ready to rebell lest he would harken vnto them that perswaded him to take the Empire to him selfe For there was no Captaine of ROME at that tyme so famous and of so great estimation as Verginius and that deseruedly for that he had done great seruice to the Empire of ROME in tyme of extreamitie hauing deliuered ROME at one selfe tyme from a cruell tyranny and also from the daunger of the warres of the GAVLES This notwithstanding Verginius persiâ—ting still in his first determination referred the election of the Emperor vnto the Senate although that after the death of Nero was openly knowen the common sort of souldiers were earnestly in hand with him and that a Tribune of the souldiers otherwise called a Colonel of a thowsand men went into his tent with a sword drawen in his hand and bad Verginius either determine to be Emperor or els to looke to haue the sworde thrust into him Yet after that Fabius Vaelens Captaine of a legion was sworne vnto Galba and that he had receiued letters from ROME aduertising him of the ordinaunce and decree of the Senate in th end with much a doe he perswaded the souldiers to proclayme Galba Emperor who sent Flaceus Ordeonius to succeede him vnto whome he willingly gaue place So when Verginius had deliuered vp his army vnto him he went to meete with Galba on whome he wayted comming on still towards ROME And Galba all that time neither shewed him euill countenance nor yet greatly esteemed of him Galba him selfe being cause of the one who feared him and his friends of the other but specially Titus Iunius who for the malice he bare vnto Verginius thinking to hinder his rising did vnwittingly in deede further his good happe and deliuered him occasion to draw him out of the ciuill warres and mischieues the which lighted afterwards vpon
his father Hamilcar who of all the Captaines the CARTHAGINIANS euer had was the mortallest enemye vnto the ROMANES And it is written also that at what time Hamilcar made his preparation to goe into SPAYNE he compelled Annibal being but a boy to sweare in a sacrifice he made that he would be a mortal enemy to the ROMANES assoone as euer he came to the state of a man So the remembrance of these things were still fresh in the young mans minde as the Idea or image of his fathers hate and still prouoked him to spie out all the meanes he could how to destroy the Empire of ROME Besides also the BARCINIAN factioÌ„ neuer left to prick him forward vnto it bicause by wars he might raise him self to greatnes so increase his estate These causes aswell common as perticuler inticed Annibal to attempt warre against the ROMANES and gaue the stowt young man occasion by these meanes to practise innouation There was a people at that time called the SAGVNTINES who confyned indifferently betwixt the ROMANES and CARTHAGINIANS and were left free by the former peace concluded These SAGVNTINES euer after tooke part with the ROMANES and by meanes of the league that was made betwixt them the ROMANES alwayes found them very true and faithfull to the Empire of ROME Annibal therfore thought with him self he could not deuise to make a better match to anger the ROMANES withall and to kindle the fire of his malice also against them then to make warre with the SAGVNTINES their confederats Howbeit before he would be openly seene to set vpon them he first determined to leade his armye against the OLCADES and other people on the other side of the riuer of Iberus and after he had ouercomen them then to finde occasion to molest the SAGVNTINES to make it appeare that the warre was rather begonne by them then purposely intended by him So after he had ouercome the OLCADES he did set vpon the VACCEIANS spoyled their contry besieged many cities and tooke HERMANDICE and ARBOCOLE greate and riche cities Nowe he had in manner ouercome all the whole contrye when diuers fugitiues from the citie Of HERMANDICE 〈…〉 another conspired against him leauied men and intised the OLCADES that 〈…〉 to take their part Then they 〈…〉 their neighbours that they would all agree sodainly to set vpon 〈…〉 at his returne They being a people that desired nothing more then to fight 〈…〉 that they had receiued iniuries by Annibal did easily hâ—rken vnto â—â—â— counsell and â—â—â— on leaâ—uing a great number of men â—â— the number of a hundred thowsand they went to assaile â—â—â— at his returne from the VACCEIANS by the riuer of Tagus wheÌ„ the 〈…〉 their army they staied vpon it were maruelously affraid And doutles they had had a great ouerthrow if they had sought with those so fierce people being affraid of their sodaine â—omâ—â—â—ng also Ioden as they were with so great spoyles the which Annibal deepely considering like a wise Captaine as he was be would not fight but lodged his campe in the place where they were Then the next day following he passed his army ouer the riuer with as litle noise as he could leauing the passage where the enemies might easiliest come ouer vngarded bicause vnder pretence of dissembled feare he might intise the barbarous people to passe ouer the riuer to take the oportunitie occasion offred them Now in deede as he was the â—ubtillest captaine had the finest stratageames of any other captaine of his time so his policy was not in vaine and his purpose to good effect in abusing of the enemy For the wild barbarous people reposing too great trust in the multitude of their men supposing the CARTHAGINIANS had ben affraid with great fury entred the riuer to passe it ouer So they being greatly troubled out of order by this meanes specially before they could passe all ouer the riuer they were set vpon by the CARTHAGINIANS first by certen horse men afterwards with the whole army so that there was a great number of them slaine and the residue were put to flight After this victory all the people inhabiting about the riuer of Iberus yelded themselues vnto him sauing the SAGYNTINES who though they saw Annibal at hand comming towards them yet trusting to the friendship of the ROMANES they prepared to defend them selues against him and therewithall sent Ambassadors presently to ROME to shew the Senate in what great daunger they were also to pray aide against their so great enemye that made warres so hortely with them The Ambassadors that were sent to ROME were scant gone out of SPAYNE when Annibal made open warre on them with al his army pitched his campe before the citie of SAGVNTVS When this matter was reported at ROME consulted of for the wrongs that had bene done to their confederats the Senators delt but slackly in it by decree onely sent P. Valerius Flaccus Quintus Bebius Pamphilus vnto Annibal to will him to raise his seege from SAGVNTVS if they found he would not harken to them that then they should thence repaire to CARTHAGE to pray them to deliuer their generall Annibal vnto them bicause he had broken the peace Polybius writeth that Annibal did heare these Ambassadors howbeit that he made them a slender aunswer Liuius writeth in contrary manner that they were neuer heard nor came at any time to his campe Howbeit they both agree thus far that they came into SPAYNE afterwards went into AFRIKE from thence came to CARTHAGE where after they had deliuered their message vnto the couÌ„sel the BARCINIAN faction were so much against them that they dishonorably returned to ROME obtained not their desire Now in the Senate of CARTHAGE there were two contrary parts factions of the which the first tooke his beginning from the gouernment of Hamilcar surnamed Barcha so discended as it were by succession to his sonne Annibal grew afterwards vnto such greatnes that that faction aswel abroad as at home ruled all masters iudiciall The second faction came of Hanno a graue man of great authoritie in the same common wealth howbeit a man more giuen to embrace peace quietnes then otherwise disposed to warre trouble It is he onely as it is reported who at that time when the Ambassadors of the ROMANES came to CARTHAGE to complaine of the iniuries done to their confederats that did then in manner against the will of all the whole Senate counsell them to keepe peace with the ROMANES and to beware of warres the which one day might peraduenture vtterly destroy their contry Doubtles if the CARTHAGINIANS woulde haue followed the graue counsell of Hanno rather then to haue giuen place to their desires and had followed the Author of peace and not to haue bene ruled by them that gaue counsell to make warres they hadde not rafted of
that cullerably fled vnto the Consuls who receiued them very curteously placed them in the rereward of the army They seeing their time shewed behind the enemies did sodainly geue them charge Then the army of the ROMANES war vtterly ouerthrowen Annibal obtained victory Liuie writeth that there were slaine in this battell forty thousand footmen and aboue two thowsand seuen hundred horsemen Polybius saith that there were many more slaine Well letting this matter passe it is certaine that the ROMANES had neuer greater losse neither in the first warre with AFRICKE nor in the seconde by the GARTHAGINIANS as this ouerthrowe that was geuen at CANNES For there was slaine the Consul Paulus AEmylius him selfe a man vndoubtedlie deseruing great praise and that serued his contrie and common wealth euen to the lower of death Cn. Seruilius Consul the yeare before he was also slaine there and many other that had bene Consuls Praetors and others of such like dignitie Captaines Chieftaines and many other Senators and honest citizens and that suche a number of them that the verie crueltie it selfe of the enemie was satisfied The Consull Terentius Varro who was the onelie author of all this warre and slaughter seeinge the enemie victor euerie waye he saued him selfe by flyinge And Tuditanus a Chiefetaine of a bande comminge through his enemies with a good companie of his men he came vnto CANVSIVM Thither came also about tenne thowsande men that had escaped from their enemies as out of a daungerous storme by whose consent the charge of the whole armie was geuen vnto Appius Pulclur and also vnto Cornelius Scipio who afterwardes did ende this warre Thus was the ende of the battell fought by CANNES Newes flewe straight to ROME of this ouerthrowe the which though they iustly filled all the citie with sorowe and calamitie yet the Senate and people of ROME kept alwaies their countenance and greatnes euen in this extreame miserie Insomuch that they had not only good hope to kepe their city safe but furthermore they leauied a new army made young men to beare armor yet left not SICILIA and SPAYNE vnprouided in the meane time so that they made the world to wonder at them to consider these things how they could in so great calamity trouble haue so noble harts such wise counsel But to let passe the former ouerthrowes great losses they susteined at TICINVM at TREBIA and at the lake of Thrasimene what nation or people could haue borne this last plague whereby the whole force power of the ROMANES was in maner vtterly destroied and ouerthrowen and yet the people of ROME so held it out that with so great wisedome counsell that they neither lacked manhood nor magnanimity Besides to help them the more Annibal being cōqueror trifling time in taking his leisure refreshing his army he gaue the ROMANES leasure that were ouercomen to take breath againe to restore them selues For doutlesse if Annibal being conqueror had immediatly after the victorie obtained brought his armie directly to ROME surely that ROMANES had bene vtterly vndone or at the least had bene cōpelled to haue put all in venter So it is reported that Annibal oftentimes afterwardes repented himselfe he followed not his victory complaining openly that he rather followed their counsell which wished him to let his souldiers rest then Maharbals aduise general of his horsemen who would haue had him gone straight to ROME and so to haue ended all this warre But he seing Annibals delay told him as it is reported this that is now cōmon in euery mans mouth Annibal thou knowest how to ouercome but thou knowest not how to vse victory But what all things are not as Nestor saith in Homer geuen to men all together For some had no skill to ouercome others knew not how to follow their victory some also could not kepe that they had won Pyrthus king of the EPIROTES that made warre with the ROMANES was one of the famousest Captaines that euer was yet as men write of him though he was maruelous fortunate to cōquer realmes he could neuer kepe thē Euen so in like maner some Captaines haue bene indued with excellent vertues yet notwithstanding haue bene insufficiēt in martial affaires deseruing praise in a Captaine as we may read in diuers histories Now after this battell sought by CANNES the ATTELLANIANS the CALATINIANS the SAMNITES after thē also the BRVTIANS LVCANIANS diuers other nations people of ITALY caried away with the same of this great victory they al came yelded vnto Annibal And the city of CAPVA also the which Annibal was desirous to haue won long before for taking their old frends consederats made new league frendship with Annibal the which wan him great estimacion with other nations For at that time the city of CAPVA was very populous of great power the chiefest city of estimacion of all ITALY next vnto ROME Now to tel you is few words what is reported of CAPVA it is certaine that it was a Colony of the THVSCANES the which was first called VVLTVRNVM after that CAPVA by the name of their Gouernor called Capidus or otherwise as it is most likely bicause of the fieldes round about it For on euery side of it there are goodly pleasaunt fieldes full of all kindes of frutes growing on the earth called in Greeke Kepi Furthermore all the contry is confined round about with famous nations Towarde the sea there dwell the SYBSSANIANS the CVMANIANS and the NEAPOLITANS On firme land also towards the North are the CALENTINIANS and the CALENIANS On the East and South side the DAVNIANS and NOLANIANS Furthermore the place is of a strong scituacion and on the one side is compassed in with the sea and on the other side with great high mountaines Now the CAMPANIANS florished maruelously at that time and therefore seeing the ROMANES in maner vtterly vndone by the battel they had lost at CANNES they quickly tooke parte with the stronger as it commonly falleth out and furthermore besides that they made league with Annibal they receiued him into their city with great triumphe hoping that the warre being ended they should be the chiefest wealthiest of all ITALY But marke how men are commonly deceiued in their expectation Now when Annibal came into the city of CAPVA there was worlde of people that went to see him for the great fame they heard of him For there was no other talke but of his happy victories he had wonne of the enemie So being come into the citie they brought him vnto Pacuuius house his verie familiar frende who was a man of great wealth and authoritie as any among all the CAMPANIANS Then he made him a notable banket to the which no citizens were bidden sauing onely Iubellius Taurea a stowt man and the sonne of Pacuuius his hoast who through his fathers meanes with much a doe was reconciled to
harts of many men euen so at that present time his barbarous crueltie made diuers cities misliking to be subiect to the CARTHAGINIANS rebell against him and to take part with the ROMANES Amongest them was SALAPIA the which was yelded vp vnto the Consul Marcellus by Blacius meanes chiefe of all the ROMANE faction and a band also of choyce horsemen which was left there in garrison were manner in slaine euery man of them This is the citie where Annibal fell in fancy with a gentlewoman and therefore they greatly reproue his immoderat lust and lasciuiousnes Howbeit there are others that greatly commending the continencie of this Captaine say that he did neuer eate lying and neuer drancke aboue a pint of wine nether when he came to make warre in ITALY nor after that he returned into AFRICK Some there be also that say Annibal was cruell and vnconstant and subiect to diuers such other vices howbeit they make no manner of mention of his chastitie or incontinencie But they report that his wife was a SPANYARD borne in CASTVLO a good towne and that the CARTHAGINIANS graunted her many things and trusted her very much bicause of the great faith and constancie of that nation Now Annibal after he had lost as we haue told you the citie of SALAPIA he found the meanes to cry quittance and to make the ROMANES lose more then he had lost For at the selfe same time Fuluius Viceconsul lay beseeging of HERDONEA hoping to winne the citie without resistance And bicause he stoode in no feare of any enemy round about him for Annibal was gone into the contry of the BRVTIANS he kept no watch and was altogether negligent in martiall affayres contrary to the nature of the ROMANE Captaines Annibal being aduertised thereof by spialls would not lose such a goodly oportunitie and therefore comming into APVLIA with his armye ready he came so hastely vnto HERDONEA that he had most stollen vpon Fuluius vnprouided in his campe Howbeit the ROMANES valiantly receiued the first charge with such corage that they fought it out lenger then it was looked for Notwithstanding in the ende as the ROMANES two yeare before that had bene ouercome not farre from thence with their Consul Fuluius euen so likewise vnder the conduct of this Fuluius Viceconsul the ROMANE legions were vtterly ouerthrowen and their Captaine slaine with the most part of his armye The Consul Marcellus was at that time in the citie of SAMNIVM who being aduertised of this great ouerthrow desired to be euen with him and though it seemed he came too late to helpe things past remedie yet he brought his army into the contry of the LVCANIANS whether he vnderstood Annibal was gone after his victorie and came and camped directly ouer against his enemye and soone after came to battell The which the CARTHAGINIANS refused not but gaue such a fierce onset on either side that they fought it out till Sunne set and no man knew who had the better and so the night parted them The next morning the Romanes shewing againe in field in battell raye made it knowen that the enemies were affrayd of them For Annibal kept his men within the campe and the next night following stale away without any noyse and went into APVLIA Marcellus also followed him foote by foote and sought to put all to hasard by some notable battell for he bare him selfe thus in hand that of all the ROMANE Captaines there was none machable with Annibal but him selfe either in counsell wit or policie or els in martiall discipline or warlike stratageames Howbeit the winter following kept him that he could not fight any set battell with the enemie for after he had made a fewe light skirmishes bicause he would not trouble his souldiers any more in vaine he bestowed them in garrison for the winter time At the beginning of the next springe procured partly by Fabius letters who was one of the new Consuls for that yeare and partly also through his owne disposition he brought out his garrisons sooner then they were looked for and came with his army against Annibal who lay at that time at CANVSIVM Now it chaunced that through the nearenes of both their campes and the good desire they both had to fight in fewe dayes they fought three seuerall times The first battell when they had fought it all night in manner with like hope of both sides and that it could not be iudged which of them had the better they bot of purpose retyred into their campe againe The second day Annibal was conquerer after he had slayne almost two thowsand seuen hundred enemies and put the residue of the army to flight The third day the ROMANES to recouer the shame and dishonor they had lost the day before they were the first that prayed they might fight and so Marcellus led them out to battell Annibal wondering at their valiantnes sayd vnto his people that he delt with an enemy that could nether be quiet Conquerer nor conquered So the battell was more bloudy and cruell then any that was before bicause the ROMANES did their best to be reuenged of their losse and the CARTHAGINIANS on the other side were mad in their mindes to see that the vanquished durst prouoke the vanquishers vnto battell In the ende the ROMANES being sharpely reproued and also perswaded by Marcellus to sticke to it valliantly like men that the newes of their victorie might come to ROME before the news of their ouerthrowe they flue in among the presse of their enemies and neuer left fighting till that after they had thrise broken their enemies they made them all flie At the selfe same time Fabius Maximus tooke the citie of TARENTVM againe almost after the selfe same sort it was lost This being reported vnto Annibal he sayd the ROMANES haue also their Annibal The next yeare following Marcellus and Crispinus were chosen Consuls who preparing to put them selues in readines for warre they led both the armies against the enemy Annibal dispayring that he was not able to resist them in battel he sought all the wits he had to deuise some way to intrappe them by sutteltie whome he could not ouercome by battel So Annibals head being occupied thus there was offred him a better occasion to bring this enterprises to passe then he looked for Betwene both campes there was a prety groue in the which Annibal layed certen bands of the NVMIDIANS in ambushe to intrappe the enemies passing to and fro On the other side the Consuls by consent of them all thought it best to send to view this groue and to keepe it if neede required least in leauing it behind them the enemies should come so be vpon their iacks afterwards Now before they remoued their armye both the Consuls went out of their campe with a small company of horsemen with them to view the situacion of this place and so going on very vndiscreetely and worse appoynted then became men
At the first battell Annibal had the victorie but after the second Sempronius ouercame him Since that time I can finde in no Guerkenot Latyn Author that Annibal did any famous acte in ITALY worthy memorie For being sent for he AFRICKE by the CARTHAGINIANS he left ITALY sixteen yeares after this APRION warre was begonne greatly complayning of the Senate of CARTHAGE and of him selfe also Of the Senate bicause that all the time he had bene in his enemies contry so long they had allowed him so litle money and so scanted him besides with all other thinges necessary for the warres And of him selfe bicause that after he had so often ouercome the ROMANES he had alwayes delayed time after the victorie and had giuen the enemy libertie to gather force againe It is reported also that before he imbarked and tooke sea he set vp trumphing arche or piller by the temple of Iuno Lacinia in the which were briefly grauen his noble victories both in the Punick and Graeke tongue So when he was departed out of ITALY the wind serued him well that in few dayes he arriued at LEPTIS and landing all his army he first came to ADRVMENTVM and afterwards vnto ZAMA There receiuing aduertisement how the affayres of the CARTHAGINIANS prospered he thought it best to deuise some way to end this warre For this cause he sent vnto Scipio to pray him to appoynt him some conuenient place where they might both meete and talke together of matters of great importance Now it is not certainely knowen whether Annibal did this of his owne head or by commaundement from the Senate Scipio refused not to come to parley Wherefore at the day appoynted there met two famous generalls of mighty nations in a great plaine together either of them hauing his Interpreter to talke together of diuers matters touching peace and warre For Annibal was altogether bent to peace bicause he saw the affayres of the CARTHAGINIANS were worse worse euery day that they had lost SICILIA SARDINIA and SPAYNE bicause the warre was brought out of ITALY into AFRICK bicause Syphax a mighty king was taken prisoner of the ROMANES and also bicause that their last hope consisted in the army he had brought into AFRICK which was the onely remayne and reliefe of so long a warre as he had made in ITALY and also bicause that the CARTHAGINIANS had so small a power left both of straungers and also of Citizens that there were scarse men enough to defende the citie of CARTHAGE So he did his best to perswade Scipio with a long oration he made rather to agree to peace then to resolue of warre Howbeit Scipio that liued in hope to bringe this warre to a good ende he would not seeme to giue eare to any peace Wherefore after they had long debated the matter of either side in the ende they brake of and made no agreement Shortly after was this famous battell striken by the citie of ZAMA in the which the ROMANES obtayned a victorie For first of all they made the CARTHAGINIANS Elephants turne vpon their owne army so that they did put all Annibals horsemen out of order And Laelius and Masinissas who made both the winges increasing their feare gaue the horsemen no leysure to gathes them selues in order againe Howbeit the footemen fought it out a long time with a maruelous great corage insomuch that the CARTHAGINIANS trusting in their former victories thought that all the safetie and preseruation of AFRICK was all in their handes and therefore they layed about them like men The ROMANES on the other side had as great harts as they and besides they stoode in the better hope Howbeit one thing in deede did the ROMANES great seruice to helpe them to the victorie and that was Lalius and Masinissaes returne from the chase of the horsemen who rushed into the battell of the enemie with great furye and did put them in a maruelous feare For at their comming the CARTHAGINIANS harts were done and they saw no other remedie for them but to hope to scape by flying So it is reported that there were slayne that day aboue twenty thowsand CARTHAGINIANS in the field and as many more prisoners Annibal their generall after he had taryed to see the ende of the battell fled with a few of his men out of the great slaughter Afterwardes when he was sent for to CARTHAGE to helpe to saue his contry he perswaded the Senate not to hope any more in warres but did counsell them that setting all deuises a part they should send vnto Scipio the ROMANE Captaine to make peace with him vpon any condicion When the tenne Ambassadors had brought the capitulacion and agreement vnto CARTHAGE of the articles of peace it is reported that there was one Gisgo who misliking to heare talke of peace he made an oration and perswaded all he could to renew warre against the ROMANES Wherefore Annibal perceiuing that diuers men confirmed his opinion and being much offended to see such beasts and men of no vnderstanding to dare to speake of such matters in so daungerous a time he cast him downe headlong whilest he was yet in his oration So when he sawe that the Citizens and all the whole assembly thought this too presumptuous a part of him vnmeete altogether for a free citie he him selfe got vp into the pulpit for orations and sayd Let no man be offended if a man that from his youth hath bene alway out of CARTHAGE brought vp all his life time in warres be ignoraunt of the lawes and ordinaunces of the citie After that he spake so wisely to the articles of peace that the CARTHAGINIANS being immediatly moued by the authoritie of so great a person they all agreed to accept the condicions which the vanquither the necessitie of time offred them The articles out of dout were very extreame and such as the vanquished are wont to receiue with all extreamitie by the conquerors But besides all other things the CARTHAGINIANS were bouÌ„d to pay the ROMANES an annuell tribute vntill a certen time were ronne out So when the daye came that the first pencion was to be payd to the ROMANES and that euery man grudged when the subsedy was spoken of some saye that Annibal being offended with the vaine teares of the CARTHAGINIANS he fell a laughing And when Hasdrubal Haedâ—s reproued him bicause he laughed in such a common calamitie of all the citie he aunswered that it was no laughture nor reioycing from the hart but a scorning of their fond teares that wept when there was lesse cause and onely bicause it touched euery priuate mans purse then before when the ROMANES tooke from the CARTHAGINIANS their shippes armor and weapons and their spoyles of the great victories which they had wonne before and now gaue lawes and ordinaunces vnto them that were vanquished I know some Authors write that Annibal immediatly after he had lost the battell fled into ASIA for
more to looke after the inlarging of their dominions but only to cōsider which way they might keepe their owne contry they sent for Annibal to come out of ITALIE Who returning with great speede into AFRIKE before he did anything else he thought good first to talke with P. Scipio about peace either bicause he was affrayed of the good fortune of this young man or else for that he mistrusted he coulde not otherwise helpe his contrie and common wealth which he saw decaying like to be destroied Wherfore a place was appointed where they might meete according to his desire where when they were both met they had long talke together about the ending of this warre In the end Scipio offred Annibal such condicions of peace that by them it appeared the ROMANES were not wearie of warre and that Scipio him selfe being a young man had better hope to obtaine victorie then great desire to hearken to peace So all hope of peace being set aside they brake of their talke and the next morning two famous and worthie Captaines of the most noble nations that could be prepared them selues to battell either to geue or take away in short time from their cōmon weales the seigniorie and Empire of all the worlde The place where they imployed all their force and where this famous battell was fought as it is reported was by the citie of ZAMA in the which the ROMANES being conquerors did first make the Elephants flie then the horsemen and in the ende brake so fiercely into the footemen that they ouerthrew all the army It is reported that there were slaine and taken by the ROMANES aboue fortie thowsande CARTHAGINIANS Annibal fled out of the fury of the battell saued him selfe though that day he had shewed him selfe like a valliant and famous Captaine For at this battell he had set his armie in better order then euer he had done before and had strengthened it both with the commoditie of the place and reliefe besides and euen in the verie furie and terror of the battell he so besturred him selfe among his souldiers that the enemies them selues did commend praise him for a noble Captaine After this victory Scipio meeting with Vermina king Syphax sonne that brought aide to the CARTHAGINIANS he put him to flight and came and brought his army to the walls and hauen of CARTHAGE thinking as in deede it fel out that the CARTHAGINIANS would sue to him for peace For as the CARTHAGINIANS before had bene very good souldiers readie to make warres so were they now become timerous faint harted specially when they saw their Generall Annibal ouercomen in whom they chiefly reposed all their hope and trust for defense of their contrie Wherefore they being as I haue sayed out of hart sent Ambassadors vnto Scipio to pray him that according to his accustomed clemencie he woulde graunt them peace Nowe was great sute made at ROME to haue the gouernment of the prouince of AFRIKE and one of the newe Consuls made hast to come and make warre with such charge and preparation as was meete for his dignitie and calling and therefore Scipio doubting that an other shoulde carie away the glorie for ending of so great a warre he was the better contented to yeeld to the CARTHAGINIAN Ambassadors requestes So the capitulaciō of the articles of peace was offred vnto the CARTHAGINIANS according to the conquerors mind and besides all other things the whole fleete of all their shippes and gallies in the which consisted much their hope were taken from them For when the whole fleete was burnt it was such a lamentable sight vnto them all that there was no other thing but weeping and lamenting through the whole city as if CARTHAGE had bene destroied and rased to the very ground For as some doe write there were fiue hundred shippes burnt of all sortes These things therefore should make vs all beware of humaine frayeltie the which we often forget in our prosperitie For they that before perswaded them selues to conquer the world after they had wonne so many great battells and victories of the enemie and in maner conquered all ITALIE and so valliantly besides besieged the city of ROME were in short time after brought to such misery and extreamity that all their power and force being ouercome they had left them no more but the walls of CARTHAGE and yet they were not sure to keepe them but through the speciall grace and fauor of the enemie After these things were done Scipio by decree of the Senate did not only restore king Masinissa to his realme againe but also adding thereunto the best part of all king Syphax contrie they made him one of the mightiest kings of all AFRIKE and afterwards he gaue honorable gifts vnto euery man as he had deserued In fine after he had set all the affaires of AFRIKE at good stay he brought his army backe againe into ITALIE at what time there came to ROME a world of people to see so great and famous a Captaine returning from such wonderfull great victories So he entred into ROME with pompe of triumphe Terentius Culeo following of him with a harte on his head bicause that through his fauor and frendship he was taken out of bondage Polybius wryteth that king Syphax was led in triumphe howbeit some say he dyed before Scipio triumphed In deede diuers that did triumphe some before him during the warres of the CARTHAGINIANS and others afterwards in the warres of MACEDONIA ASIA they made greater shew of plate both of gold and siluer in their triumphe and led also a greater number of prisoners howbeit one onely Annibal that was ouercome and the glorie of so great a warre ended did make the triumphe of P. Scipio so excellent and famous that it farre passed all the golde and magnificent pompe of all others triumphes For after AFRIKE was conquered no nation then was ashamed to be ouercome by the ROMANES For he made this prouince as it were a bridge and open passage to increase and enlarge the Empire of ROME both in MACEDON and also in ASIA and in other parts of the world besides Now Scipio whom I may rightly call AFRICAN after the conquest of AFRIKE being returned to ROME he lacked no temporall dignities nor honors For in the counsell holden for the election of Censors although there were diuers others of the noblest houses of ROME that sued for that office yet he him selfe and AElius Petus were preferred before all the rest and after they were created Censors they did gouerne in their office like good men and with good quietnes Afterwards the Censors that followed them did still one after an other choose Scipio AFRICAN Prince of the Senate the which dignitie was wont to be geuen to them only that obtained the type of all honor through their great conquests and benefits done to their contry Shortly after he was againe chosen Consul with
not otherwise thinke of him but that he was a great and valiant Captaine Others also speaking of Scipio doe greatly prayse and commend him for the foure Chieftaines he ouercame and for the foure great armies which he defeated and put to flight in SPAINE and also for that he over came and tooke that great king Syphan prisoner In fine they come to prayse that famous battell in the which Scipio ouer came Annibal ZAMA For if Fabius sayd they were praysed bicause he was not ouercome by Annibal what estimation will they make of the AFRICAN that in a pitched battell ouercame that so famous dreadfull Captaine Annibal and also did ende so daungerous a warre Besides alfeo that Scipio did alwayes make open warre and commonly fought with the enemy in plaine field Where Annibal in contrary manner did alwayes vse craft and sâ—â—elry and was full of stratageames policie And therefore all Authors both Graeke and Laâ—yâ—y doe count him very fine and suttell Furthermore they greatly commend Annibal for than he maynteyned his army of so sundry nations so long time in peace as he had warre with the ROMANES and yet that there was neuer any mutinie of rebellion in his campe On the other side they blame him againe bicause he did not follow his victory when he had ouercomen the ROMANES at that famous battell of CANNES and also bicause he spoyled his souldiers with too much ease and the pleasures of CAMPANTA and APVLIA whereby they were so chaunged that they seemed to be other souldiers then those that had ouercomen the ROMANES at the sundry battells of TREBIA THRASYMENE and CANNES All writers doe reproue these thinges in Annibal but specially his crueltie For amongest other thinges what crueltie was it of him to make a woman with her children to come from ARPIto his campe and afterwardes to burne them aliue What shall a man say of them whome he cruelly put to death in the temple of Iuno Lacinia when he departed out of ITALY For Scipio AFRICAN on the other side if we shall rather credit the best authors that write then a number of other detracters and malitious writers we may say he was a bountifull and temperate Captaine and not onely liuely and valiant in fight but also curteous and mercifull after victorye For oftentimes his enemies proued his valiantnes the vanquished his mercy and clemency all others men his faithfulnes Now therfore let vs tel you what his continency liberalitie was the which he shewed in SPAYNE vnto a young Lady taken prisoner and vnto Luceius Prince of the CELTIBERIANS doth it not deserue great prayse Nowe for their priuate doings they were both vertuously brought vp and both of them imbraced learned men For as it is reported Annibal was very famillier with Socillus LACEDAEMONIAN as the AFRICAN was with Ennius the Poet. Some saye also that Annibal was so wel learned in the Graeke tongue that he wrote an historie in Graeke touching the deedes of Manlius Volso Now truely I doe agree with Citero that sayd in his booke de Oratore that Annibal heard Phormio PERIPATETICIAN in EPHESVS discoursing very largely of the office and duety of a Chieftaine and generall and of the martiall lawes ordinaunces and that immediatly after being asked what he thought of that Philosopher he should aunswer in no very perfit Graeke but yet in Graeke that he had seene many old doting fooles but that he had neuer seene a greater doterd then Phormio Furthermore both of them had an excellent grace in their talke Annibal had a sharpe tawnting wit in his aunswers When king Antiochus on a time prepared to make warre with the ROMANES and had put his army into the field not so well furnished with armor and weapon as with gold and siluer he asked Annibal if he thought his army sufficient for the ROMANES yea Sir ê™ he that they be were the enemies neuer so couetous This may truely be sayd of Annibal that he obtayned many great victories in the warres but yet they turned to the destruction of his contry Scipio in contrary manner did preserue his contry in such safetie and also did so much increase the dominions thereof that as many as shall looke into his desert they can not but call ROME vnthankefull which liked rather that the AFRICAN preseruer of the citie should goe out of ROME then that they would represse the fury and insolency of a few And for myne owne opinion I can not thinke well of that citie that so vnthankfully hath suffred so worthy and innocent a person to be iniured and so would I also haue thought it more blame worthy if the citie had bene an ayder of the iniurye offred him In fine the Senate as all men doe report gaue great thankes vnto Tiberius Gracchus bicause he did defend the Scipions cause and the common people also following the AFRICAN when he visited all the temples of ROME and left the Tribunes alone that accused him did thereby shewe how much they did loue and honor the name of the Scipioes And therefore if we should iudge the Citizens harts and good wills by those things men would rather condemne them for cowards to haue suffered such outrage then vnthankfull forforgetting of his benefits for there were very few that consented to so wicked a deede and all of them in manner were very sory for it Howbeit Scipio that was a man of a great minde not much regarding the malice of his enemies was content rather to leaue the citie then by ciuill warres to destroy it For he would not come against his contry with ensignes displaied nether would he solicite straunge nations and mighty kings to come with force and their ayde to destroy the citie thew which he had beautified with so many spoyles and triumphes as Martius Coriolanus Alcibiades and diuers others did by record of auncient stories For we may easily perceiue howe carefull he was to preserue the libertie of ROME bicause when he was in SPAYNE he refused the title and name of king which was offred him and for that he was maruelous angry with the people of ROME bicause they would haue made him perpetuall Consul and Dictator and considering also that he commaunded they should set vp no statue of him nether in the place of the assembly nor in the iudgement seate nor in the Capitoll All which honors afterwardes were giuen by the Citizens vnto Caesar that had ouercomen Pompey These were the ciuill vertues of the AFRICAN which were great and true prayses of continency Now therefore to deliuer you the summe and effect of all these thinges these two so famous Captaines are not so much to be compared together in their ciuill vertues in the which Scipio chiefly excelled as in the discipline of warres and in the glory of their famous victories To conclude their deathes were somewhat a like for they both dyed out of their contries although Scipio was not condemned by his contry as
Annibal was but would by voluntary banishment dye out of the citie The ende of the whole volume of Plutarkes liues Three things necessary for a Magistrate or Captaine Prouerbe Sossius Senecio a Senator of Rome Theseus and Romulus very like The linage of Theseus Pelops king of Peloponnesus Pitheus the grandfather of Theseus The wisedom of Pitheus AEgeus the father of Theseus AEthra the daughter of king Pitheus the mother of Theseus The Palla 〈…〉 tides Pallas had fiftie sonnes VVhy Theseus vvas so called Connidas Theseus schoolemaster A custome to offer heares at Delphes Theseia Theseus manner of shauing The Abantes The cause of shauing their heares before Alexander Magnus made the Macedonians shaue their beardes Theseus said to be Neptunes sonne The Troezenians coyne stamped vvith Neptunes three picked mace Theseus youthe Great robbing in Theseus time Thucid. lib. 2. Hercules a destroyer of theeues Hercules serueth Omphale Theseus foloweth Hercules â—â—she of saue pricketh men forward to great enterprises Theseus and Hercules nere kynsemen Periphetes Corinetes a famous robber slayne of Theseus Theseus caried the clubbe he wanne of Periphetes at Hercules did the lions skin Sinnis Pityocamtes a cruel murtherer slaine Perigouna Sinnis daughter Theseus begaâ—te Menalippus of Perigouna Ioxus Menalippus sonne Ioxides Phaea the wilde sowe of Crommyon slaine Phaea a woman theefe Sciron a notable robber throweÌ„ downe the rocks by Theseus AEacus Cychreus Cercyon the Arcadian slaine of Theseus by wrestling Damastes Procrustes a cruel murtherer slaine of Theseus Hercules doinge Termerus euill Cephisus aviâ—er of Caâ—â—â— The Phytalides the first men that feasted Theseus in their houses This sacrifice Pâ—â—â—che calleth Milâ—â—â—â—â—hia Medea perswaded AEgeus to poyson Theseus AEgeus acknowledgeth Theseus for his sonne The Pallantides take ernes against AEgeus and Theseus Leos an Herauld bewrayeth their treason to Theseus Theseus killeth the Pallantides The bull of Marathon taken aliue by Theseus Apollo Delphias Iupiter Hecalian The Athenians payed tribute to Minos king of Creta for the death of Androgeus his sonne The manner of the tribute conditioned The Minotaure what it was The Laberinthe a prison in Creta Taurus one of Minoes captaines Of the Bottieians Plin. lib. 4. cap. 2. King Minos defated by the Poets in the theaters as Athens RadamaÌ„thus The thirde time of payment of the tribute The Atheniâ—â—e are grieued to depart with their children Theseus offereth to goe with the children into Creta Lotts dreâ—m for the children that should goe The Athenians sent their children into Creta in a shippe with a blacke sayle AEgeus geueth the master of the shippe a white sayle to signifie the safe returne of Theseus Cybernesia games Hiceteria offering Theseus taketh shippe with the tribute childreÌ„ the sixt of Marche and sayleth into Creta Venus Epitragia Theseus slewe the Minotaure by meanes of Ariadne king Minoes daughter Theseus returne â—â—e of Creta Taurus ouercome of Theseus was a men Taurus suspected with Pasiphäe king Minoes wife How Ariadne fell in loue with Theseus Minos sendeth Theseus home with his prisoners and releaseth the Athenians of their tribute 〈…〉 Daedalus 〈…〉 King Minos dyed in Sicile Deucalion King Minoes sonne sent to Athens to demaunde Daedalus Theseus sayled into Creta and a anne the cittie of Gnosvs and slewe Deucalion Diuers opinions of Ariadne O Enopion Staphylus Theseus sonnes Theseus leaueth Ariadne in Cyprus Ariadne dieth wish childe in Cyprus The ceremonie of the sacrifice done to Ariadne in Cyprus Venus Ariadne Two Minoes and two Ariadnees Corcyna Ariadnes nurce Theseus returneth out of Creta into the I le of Delos Theseus daunce called the Crane Palme a tokeÌ„ of victory Theseus master of his shippe forgate to see out the white sayle AEgeus death Theseus arriueth safe with the tribute children in the hauen of Phalerus The Herauld bare a rodde in his hand The feast Oscophoria October called Pyanepsion in the Aâ—ucan tongue Persd of Iresione in the life of Homer and Suidas Theseus went into Creta with the tribute children in the galliot of 30. owers Disputation about increase The galliot alleaged for a doubt Theseus thanksfullnes to the Phytalides â—hâ— were the first that frosted him in their houses Theseus brought the â—â—cabiâ—ants of the contrie of Arciâ—â— into cue cin Asty the towne house of the Athenians The feastes Panathenea and Metaecia Theseus resigneth his kingdome maketh Athiâ— a common wealth The oracle of Apollo in Delphes Theseus maketh differeÌ„ce of states and degrees in his coÌ„mon weals Theseus the first that gaue ouer regall power framed a populer state An oxe stamped in Theseus coyne Hecatomboeon Decaboeon Olympia Theseus erected the games Isthmia in the honour of Neptune Theseus iornye into mare Maior Antiopa the Amazone rauished by Theseus Solois fell in loue with Antiopa Solois droâ—â—ed him selfe for loue Pythopolis built by Theseus Solois fl The cause of the warres of the Amazones against the Athenâ—â—s Bosphorus Cimmericus an arme of the sea Theseus fighteth a battell with the Amazones The order of the Amazones battell Peace concluded as feâ—â—e moneths ende by meanes of Hyppolita Oreemosion the name of a place Auncient toÌ„bes of losenge facion Thermodon nowe called Haâ—monst Hippolytus Theseus senne by Antiopa Phâ—dra Theseus wife and Minos daughter king of Creta Theseus mariages Theseus battels Prouerbe Nots witheus Theseus Prouerbe This is another Theseus Theseus valliantnes the cause of Pirithous friendshippe with him Pirithous Theseus sworne brethern in the field Pirithous maried Deidamia The Lapithae ouercomen the Centauari Theseus and Hercules met at Trathina Theseus fiftie yere olde wheÌ„ he rauished Hellen. The manner of Hellens rauishement Diana Orâ—hia Theseus lefte Hellen in the cittie of Aphidnes Theseus went with Pirithous into Epirus to steale Proserpina Aidonius daughter Pirithous terne in peces with Cerberus Theseus close prisoner The warre of the Tyndarides against the AtheniaÌ„s Academia why so called Marathon Aphidnes wonne raced by the Tyndarides Alycus Scirons sonne slayne at the battell of Aphidnes The Tyndarides honoured at godds and called Anaces Cicer. de Nasdeâ—r lib 3. King called Anactes Anaces why so called AEthra takeÌ„ prisoner and caried to Lacedaâ—mon Diuers opinions of Homers verses Sperchius â— Theseus deliuered one of prison by Hercules meanes The AstheniaÌ„s disdaine to obey Theseus Theseus fled from Athens into the I le of Sciros Theseus cruelly slayne by Lycomedes Menestheus king of Athens Theseus sonnes Cimon taketh the I le of Sciros and bringeth Theseus bones to Athens Theseus tumbe Neptune why called Asphalius and Gaiochus Diuers opinions about the name of Rome Tybria st The beginning of kissing their kinsefolkes in the mouthe came from the Troian women Fables of Romulus byrthe An oracle of Thetis in 〈…〉 Thuscans See the fragments of Fabius Pictor and of Cato See also Haelitarnasseus T. Linius Romulus kinred Romulus mother Faustulus Cermanum Ruminalis The goddesse Rumilia Acca Laurentia Faustulus wife that nurced the twynnes The Greeke soâ—â—â— Larentia Lâ—reÌ„tia fâ—â—t Laurentia a curtisan Tarrutius Vâ—labrum
warning he had in his sleepe Themistocles loue to his country The manner of Themistocles death Themistocles children Themistocles tumbe and relickes Honour done to Themistocles after his death VVhy Camillus neuer came to be Consul The authoritie of a fewe odious to the common people Camillus wisedome and modestie Camillus hearte Camillus acts in his Censorshippe The cittie of Veies besieged The siege coÌ„tinued seuen yeres together Camillus twise chosen Tribune of the souldiers The wonderfull ouerflowing of the lake Albanus The crafte of a Romaine An oracle brought from Delphes Camillus chosen Dictator Matuta Leucothea The cittie of Veies taken by mining Camillus prayer when Veies was taken Fayned wonders of images Plutarches iudgement of miracles Camillus stately triumphe of the Veians A lawe for the people of Rome to dwell as Veies The chiefest cause of the peoples malice against Camillus A cuppe of golde sent to Delphes The ladyes of Rome giue their iuells towards the making of it VVhat time womens prayses beganne at funeralle in Rome Camillus chosen Tribune of the souldiers Camillus besiegeth the Falerians Camillus worthie acte to the schoolemaster betraying the FaleriaÌ„s children A noble saying of Camillus and wise precept for warres Valiantnes to be preferred before vilanie The Falisciäs by their ambassadours doe yelde theÌ„ selues and goodes vnto Camillus The message of the ambassadours of the FalisciaÌ„s vnto the Romaines Camillus tooke a summe of money of the Falerians and made peace with all the rest of the Falisces Lucius Apuleius accused Camillus The equitie of the Romaines who would not peruers the Lawe though they dearely loued Camillus but willingly offered to paye his fine Camillus prayer before his departure one of Rome Camillus exileth him selfe from Rome Tokens of the warres of the Gaules The originall beginning of the Gaules ArroÌ„ a Thuscan the procurer of the Gaules comming into Italie Lacke of iustice the cause of the destruction conquest of Thuscan by the Gaules The power of the Thuscans in olde time Clusium a cittie of ThuscaÌ„ besieged by the Gaules Brennus king of the Gaules Fabius Ambustus a Romaine breaketh the common laze of all nations Brennus reproueth Fabius for breaking the lawe of armes Numa Pompilius erected the colledge of the Faciales The Gaules marche towards Rome The Romaines armie were 40000 footemen To many rulers of an armie doe confound all order and putteth the army in perill Allia fl The battell at the riuer of Allia where the Gaules wanne the field of the Romaines 300. of a name slaine in one daye The Romaines superstition in obseruing of dayes The holy fier The force of fyer Fabius chief bishoppe of Rome Rome taken of the Gaules Aristotles testimonie of the taking of Rome The maiestie of the olde Senatours set in the market place of Rome The cittie of Rome rased by the Gaules The citie of Ardea Camillus wordes vnto the Ardeans in excuse of the Romaines Camillus persuadeth the Ardeans to take armes against the Gaules Camillus slue the Gaules haâ—d by Ardea PoÌ„tius Cominius got â—p into the Capitoll at Rome Camillus chosen Dictator the second time The Gaules clime vp to the Capitoll in the night The holy gese saued the Capitoll Marcus Manlius rebulsed the Gaules from the Capitoll The Gaules vexed with the plague as Rome The Romaines went about to redeeme their libertie of the Gaules with golde Camillus came to Rome with his army Camillus speaketh stowtely to Brennus king of the Gaules Camillus ouerthroweth the armie of the Gaules Rome was 7. moneths in the hardes of the Gaules Camillus triumphed of the Gaules The busie headed Orators stirre the people is tumulte against Camillus Camillus Dictacorshippe proreged Camillus persuaded the people that he could â—â— dwelâ— in Rome 〈…〉 leous Viâ—â—â—â— Rome is buildâ— againe Rome was nowe built againe in a yere Romulus augures staffe founde hole after Rome was burnt Camillus chosen Dictator the third time Tutola or Philotis craf subtiltie Rome deliuered froÌ„warres by Tutola the bondmayde The maydens seaâ—â—e called Nonae Capratinae Camillus stratageame against the Latines and Volsces Camillus slue the Latines Camillus tooke the citie of Aeques Camillus wonne the citie of Sutrium Marcus MaÌ„lius Capitolinus maneth sedition Flattery and hypocrisie sinneth the multitude common people MaÌ„lius clapt in prison by Q. Capitolinus Dictator Camillus cosen againe Tribunus militaris Marcus MaÌ„lius Capitolinus put to death Lucius Furius gaue battell to the Praenestines men and Volsces and was ouerthrowen Camillus wanne the fielde of the Praenestines and Volsces Camillus slue the Thuscans as Sutrium Camillus s 〈…〉 again against the Thusculanians The crafte of the Thusculanians Great seditioÌ„ moued in Rome by Licinius Stolo Camillus created Dictator the fourth time Licinius Stolo made a laâ—e for enioying of landes Stolo the first offender of the same law The Gaules come againe to Rome Camillus chosen Dictator the 5 time Heâ—â— Camillus appointed his souldiers with armour weapon to fight with advantage against the Gaules Anias st Camillus slue the Gaules againe The Romaines have they exempted priestes from the warres Sedision as Rome about choosing of Consuls Policy to yeld so necessitie A commoner chosen Consul with a noble man. Marcus AEmilius Lucius Sextus consuls Camillus died of the plague VVit allwayes to be employed to good things Antisthenes saying of a flute player The power of vertue Pericles stacke Pericles mothers dreame Pericles had a long head Pericles studies and teachers Zenon Eleatean Pericles â—â—â—ners and behaviour Pericles pacience The benefits of naturall philosophie VVhat was signified by the rammes head that had but one horne was found in Pericles grounde Pericles likened as Pisistratus Pericles first beginning to deale in the coÌ„moÌ„ wealth To much familiaritie breedeth contempt Ephialtes an orator VVhy Pericles was surnamed Olympius Thucydides Pericles aduersarie Pericles sayings Pericles common wealthe The good deedes of Cimon Pericles large distribution diminished the Areopagit authoritie Pericles causeth Cimon to be banished Athens The Ostracismon Pericles calleth Cimon from exile Pericles moderation vnto Cimon The murther of Ephialtes Thucydides Pericles aduersary in the coÌ„moÌ„ wealth A politicke care for idle persones Sumptuous buildings erected by Pericles Diuers artificers at AtheÌ„s The Odeon Pericles erected games for musicke The Poets raise vp slauÌ„ders against Pericles The noble saying of Pericles Thucydides banished by Pericles Pericles power Pericles somwhat altereth the common weale The force of eloquence Pericles commended for his good life worthines Pericles free from giftes taking Pericles good husbandrie Anaxagoras a mathematician Great diuersitie betwext contemplatiue and ciuill life Anaxagoras determined to furnish him self to death Anaxagoras saying to Pericles Pericles appointeth a generall councell to be holden as AtheÌ„s Pericles loued the safry of his men in warres Time the best counseller Tolmides slaine in the field Pericles iâ—rneyes Achelous â—â— Pericles would not followe the couetousnes of the people The enterprise of Siciliae Pericles an enemie to the Lacedaemonians Plistonax king of Lacedaemon
Anicius Praetor Perseus laye at the foote of the mount Olympus with 4000 horsemeÌ„ 40000 footemen AEmylius admonition to his souldiers Paulus AEmylius would haue the watch to haue no speares nor pikes The originall of springes Fountaines compared to womeÌ„s brests Scipio Nasica and Fabius Maximus offer thens selues to take the straights The height of the mount Olympus Nasica tranne the straights of Macedon Persons pitched his caÌ„pe before the cittie of Pydne The riuers of AEson and Leucus AEmylius aunswer to Scipio Nisca for geuing charge apon the enemies The skill and foresight of a wise captaine The eclipse of the moon The superstitioÌ„ of the Romaines when the moone is eclipsed The cause of an eclipse of the moone AEmylius policie to procure shirmishe The army of the Macedonians marching against the Romaines in battell The battell betwext Perseus and AEmylius PersoÌ„ goeth out of the battell vnto Pydus Victorie woÌ„ne by labour not by slothe Salius a captaine of the Pelignians tooke the ensigne and threwe it among the enemies The valliaÌ„tnes of Marcus Cato AEmilius victorie of Perseus The battell fought and wonne in one hower The vallâ—â—â—nes of Scipio the lesse Perseus fled from Pydne to Pella Time dutie to be obserued to the Prince Death the indignation of the Prince The couetousnes of the Cretans Misers whine for their gooddes The Macedonians submit them selues to AEmylius VVonders Newes brought to Rome out of Macedon in 4. dayes of Aemylius victorie there and no man knewe howe they came AEnobarbus why so called Cn. Octanius AEmylius lleutenaunts by sea The miserable state Perseus was brought vnto by the craft subtletie of a Cretan King Perseê° yeldeth him self in Samothracia vnto Cneus Octauius Perseus vnprincely behauiour vnto AEmylius AEmylius oration vnto Perseus prisoner AEmylius oratiom touching fortune and her vnconstantie AEmylius honorable progresse in Graece AEmylius setteth Macedon at a slaye AEmylius wordes above the care and good order at feasts AEmylius abstinence AEmylius cruell acte spoyling of Epirus AEmylius tooke shippe at the cittie of Orica and returned into Italie The enuie of Seruius Galba vnto AEmylius 〈…〉 abâ—â— AEmylius triumphe Seruilius oration for the furtheraunce of AEmylius triumphe A notable description of AEmylius triumphe Perseus children king Perseus AEmylius scorneth Perseus cowardlines Foure huÌ„dred crownes of gold sent vnto AEmylius by the citties of Graece AEmylius adversitie AEmylius fortitude in his great aduersitie AEmylius oration in his trouble for the death of his children The death of king Perseus A straunge kind of death The statee of Perseus sonnes By AEmylius victorie the people payed no more subsidie AEmylius chosen CeÌ„sor The office authoritie of the Censor AEmylius sicknes AEmylius remoued from Rome and dwelt in the citty of Velia The death of AEmylius in Rome AEmylius funeralles AEmylius goodes what they came to The state of the Syracusas before Timoleons coÌ„ming Icetes tyraÌ„ne of the Leontines By what voice Timoleon came to be generall Timoleons parentage manners Timophanes Timoleons brother what he was Timoleon saued his brothers life The Corinthians enterteined 400. straungers made Timophanes captaine of them to keepe their cittie Timophanes cruelty vsurpation of the kingdom Timophanes slaine by his brothers procurement Our acts must be honest and constant Phocions saying Aristides graue saying TimoleoÌ„ chosen generall to go into Sicile Icetes tyran of the Leontines a traytor A signe happened to Timoleon Timoleon tooke shippe towards Sicile A burning torche appeared in the element vnto Timoleon Icetes beseegeth Dionysia Icetes sendeth Ambassadors vnto TimoleoÌ„ TimoleoÌ„ crafttier then the Carthaginians Rhegio a citie of Greece Timoleon laÌ„deth as Tauvomenion in Sicile Andromachâ— the Father of Timaeus the Historiographer gouerner of the citie of Tauromenion The Carthaginians Ambassador did threaten to destroy the citie of Tavromenion by shewing Andromachâ— the palme and backe of his hand The god Adranus Timoleon ouerthrew Icetes armie made him flye from Adranus The Adranitans yeld vnto Timoleon Mamercus tyran of Catana Dionysius the tyran yeldeth him selfe and the castell of Syracusa vnto Timoleon Dionysius the tyran of Syracusa sent to Corinthe The miseries calamities of Dionysius the tyran Dionysius brought to Corinthe The Inconstancie of fortune Notable sayings of Dionysius Syracusan The benefite of Philosophy A tyranes state vnfortunate This agreeth with AEsops wordes to Solon who wished him oÌ„ming to princes to please them or not to come nere them See Solons life and his answer to AEsop. Diogenes saying to Dionysius the tyrane Timoleons prosperitie Icetes hiereth two souldiers to kill Timoleon at Adranus The treason discouered to Timoleon by one of the souldiers The wonderfull worke of fortune Icetes bringeth Mago a Carthaginian with a great army to Syracusa Leon captaine of the Corinthians within the castell Leon wanne Acradina Contention of fortune and valliancie The stratageame of Hanno the admirall of the Carthaginians Timoleon marcheth to Syracvsa Mago forsaketh Sicile vpoÌ„ suspect of treason Anapus fl Timoleon wynneth the citie of Syracusa Timoleon ouerthroweth the castell of Syracvsa Timoleon made Syracvsa a popular gouernment The miserable state of Sicile Mago slue him selfe being called to aunswer his departure out of Sicile The Corinthians replenished the citie of Syracusa vvith three score thovvsand inhabitants Leptines tyran of Apollonia yelded to Timoleon The armie shippes of the CarthaginiaÌ„s against TimoleoÌ„ Asdrubal Amilcar being generalls Timoleon weÌ„t with 6000. man against the Carthaginians Crimesus fl Smallage an ill signe Prouerbe Garlandes of smallage The order of the Carthaginians armie Timoleon geueth charge apon the Carthaginians as they came ouer the riuer of Crimesus The seruice of the armed cartes Timoleons maruelous biggâ— voyce Timoleons order and fight A maruelous tempest of thunder ligthning rayne winde and â—ayle full in the Carthaginians faces as they fought Timoleons victorie of the Carthaginians Timoleon banisheth the thowsaÌ„d treytorous souldiers out of Sicile Gisco sone froÌ„ Carthage with 70. saile into Sicile Messina viseth against Timoleon Mamercus verses tyrant of Catena Calâ—â—â— of Sicile Damirias fl Strife among Timoleons captaines for passing ouer the riuer Timoleons deuise to draw lottes to pacifie the strife Timoleon taketh Icetes Eupolemus his sonne aliue and did put them to death Icetes wiues and children put to death The crueltie of Icetes towards Dion and his Mamercus ouercome in battel Abolus fl Timoleon maketh peace with the Carthaginians Lycus fl Catana yelded vp vnto Timoleon Hippon the tyranne of Messina Hippon put to death Mamercus the tyranne put to death TimoleoÌ„ quieteth all Sicile Timoleon compared with the famousest meÌ„ of Greece Timoleon attributeth his good successe vnto fortune Timoleon dwelleth still with the Syracvsans Simonides saying Timoleons accusers Timoleons great praise Timoleon in his age lost his sight The great honor the Syracusans did Timoleon being blind A laeâ—â—e made to honor Timoleon The death of Timoleon Timoleons funeralles An honorable decree of the SyracusaÌ„s for the memorie of Timoleon Timoleons
tombe built in the market place The coÌ„parison of Timoleon and Paulus AEmylius for the vvarres The woÌ„derful continencie of AEmylius from bribes Not to take giftes commended for a singular vertue AEmylius Constancie for exceeded Timoleons To be so bold veÌ„turous is not good The aunswere of a souldierâ— to king Antigonus Diuers opinions of life death why the Greecians do punish him that casteth away his target Iphicrates comparison of an armie of men A lieutenant of an armie must be careful to saue him selfe Timotheus saying Pelopidas Marcellus lost both their liues by to much venturing Pelopidas stock liberalitie Aristotles saying of rich men Pelopidas saying for the necessitie of monie The persit frendshippe betwixt Pelopidas Epaminondas The true cause of frendshippe Agesipolis king of the Lacedaemonians Cadmea the castel of Thebes taken by Phebidas captaine of the Lacedaemonians Ismenias death Pelopidas Pherenicus and Androclidas banished from Thebes Archias and Leontidas gouerners of Thebes vnder the Lacedaemonians Androclidas slayne The thanckfulnes of the Athenians vnto the Thebans Pelopidas counsel for the libertie of the Thebans Conspiracie against the Lacedaemonians for the libertie of Thebes Charon kept promise with daunger of life Pelopidas coÌ„meth into Thebes disgised in cloynes apparel Philidas secretary to the tyrans Pelopidas daunger Archias Bishop of AtheÌ„s bewraieth the treason to Archias in a letter VVeighty matters to morrow Prou. Pelopidas killeth the tyrans The Liberty of the Thebans restored Pelopidas receiueth the Castell of Cadmea by Composition Pelopidas ouerthrewe the seigniorie of the Lacedaemonians Pelopidas policy to make the Athenians fall out againe with the Lacedaemonians The Thebans exercise in armes Antalcidas saying to king Agesilaus The victory of Thebans against the Lacedaemonians Pelopidas victory of the Lacedaemonians at the battlle of Tegyra Melas ft. Latona brought to bed betwene two springes called the Palme and the Oliue Pelopidas victorie What enemies are moste terrible to be feared The first institution of the holie bande Men louing together fight desperately against their enemies Hercules Iolaus loue Platoes saying of a louer The Goddesse Harmonia Cleombrotus king of the Lacedaemonians Pelopidas princely aunsweare Se what plagues folowe where iustice is denied Pelopidas dreame vision in the fieldes of Leuetrea Agesileus dreame Godly sayings concerning God. Gods prouidence and sodaine ayde The filly slaine sacrificed The battell at Leuctres The cause of the ouerthrow of the Lacedaemonians Pelopidas and Epaminondas victorie at the battaile of Leuctres Pelopidas Epaminondas iorney into Peloponesus being both gouernors of Boeotia Apenall lawe at Thebes for resigning vp of offices at the yeers end Pelopidas Epaminondas went ouer the riuer of Eurotas with 70. thousand meÌ„ The ingratitude of the Thebans toward Pelopidas and Epaminondas The Lawe Boucation Epaminondas patience Pelopidas coÌ„demneth Meneclidas a seditious orator and accuser The practise of spitefull men Our forefathers did paint and set forth their battailes Alexander the tyran of Pheres Larissa a city Philip of Macedon deliuered for ostage vnto Pelopidas Pelopidas taken prisonner by the tyran Alexander at Pharsale Pelopidas stoutnes Thebe the wife of Alexander the tyran Epaminondas sent into Thessalie with an army The brutishe cruelty of Alexander the tyran Epaminondas deliuered Pelopidas out of prison Artaxerxes king of Persia Pelopidas sent Ambassador to the king of Persia Pelopidas greatly honored of the king of Persia. Pelopidas refused the great giftes of the kinge Artaxerxes Timagoras Ambassador for the Athenians put to death for taking great giftes of the kinge of Persia Pelopidas second iourney against the tyran AlexaÌ„der of Pheres The eclipse of the sunne made the Thebans afraid Battaâ—ll geuen by the temple of Thetis vnto the tyran Alexander Pelopidas slaine The great lamentacion mourning for Pelopidas death The oration of the ThessaliaÌ„s to the Thebans The strange manner of sorowe of Alexander the great for the death of Ephestion Pelopidas happines Esops sayinge of the happines of the dead Death a blessed thing The Thebans reuenged Pelopidas death Alexander the tyran of Pheres slaine by his wife Alexander the tyran of Pheres was the first tyran that was slaine by his wife Marcellus kinred Marcellus condicions The Romaines troubled with warres Marcellus saved his brother Octacilius Marcellus chosen AEdilis and Augure Marcellus accuseth Capitolinus The Romaines had warres with the Carthaginians two twenty yeres together The warre of the Gaules Gessates mercenary Gaules A lawe to exempt ecclesiasticall persone froÌ„ the warr The Romaines did feare the warre of the Gaules Men and women buried aliue Flaminius P. Furius Consulls Newes brought to Rome of strange things seene in Romania Flaminius ouercome the Gaules in battayle The great religion of the Romaines An ordinance for publike sacrifice Marcellus Cneus Cornelius Consulls The Gaules Gessates make warres with Rome and come ouer the Alpes Acerres a city apon the riuer of Po. Clastidium a village or this side the mountaines The maner of the Romaines when they worship The combat a horsebacke betwixt Britomarus king of the Gaules and Marcellus Marcellus slue king Britomaerus as Clastidium Marcellus prayer vnto Iupiter Feretrian The Gaule ouercome by Marcellus Marcellus wanne the city of Millaine Marcellus triumphe Marcellus offeringe up of his rich spoiles The three persones that offered vp Spolia opima in Rome Romulus Cossus Marceâ—us Iupiter Feretrian why so called Spolia opima what they be Marcellus sent into Sicile with an army Posidonius wordes of Fabius Marcellus Lucius Bandius of Nola a valliant man. Marcellus gentlenes Reward made Bandius a true subiect Marcellus victorie of Hanniball at Nola. Marcellus proconsull Certaine Spanyards and Numidians are reuolted from Hannibal Marcellus the third time Consull sent into Sicile The seuerity of the Romaines to cowardly souldiers Cowardes detested of the Romaines Hippocrates generall of the Syracusans Marcellus wanne the city of the Leontines Marcellus besiegeth Syracusa Archimedes a notable mathematician Architas and Eudoxus famous Mathematicians VVhy Plato reproued Eudoxus and Architas Archimedes with an engine drew one of the greatest hackes Hieron the king had a shore The woÌ„derful force of Archimedes engines as Marcellus siege of Syrcusa Marcellus Sambuca Marcellus wondred as Archimedes engynes Archimedes profowndely learned Archimedes Siren. Archimedes demonstracion of the Cylinder Marcellus victories in Sicile Danippus a LacedaemoniaÌ„ Captaine taken prisoner Marcellus winneth Syracusa Acradina Marcellus gentlenes Rich spoyled at Syracusa Archimedes mathematiciaÌ„ slaine in his study Marcellus clemency Engyivm a city in Sicile Nicias craft Marcellus the first that brought in finenes curious tables and pictures into Rome of the spoyles of Syracusa Marcellus entreth into Rome with Ouation triumphe VVhos the Ouation triumphe is Ouation whereof it is called The sacrifices of the quiet triumphe The sacrifices of the litle triumphe Ouation The differeÌ„ces betwixt the Spartans and Romaines in their sacrifices for victorie The Syracusans accuse Marcellus Marcellus being Consull aunswered the Syracusans accusations as a
of the Argiues Helenus Pyrrus sâ—nne The straunge loue of an Elephant to his keeper Kinge Pyrrus slaine with a tyle throwen by a woman Alcyoneus king Antigonus sonne Antigonus courtesie towards Pyrrus body and frendes Of the names of the Romaines Marius fauor Marius could no skill of the Greeke tongue Platoes saying to Xenocrates Marius parents maners and contry Marius first iorney vnto the warres Scipio Asricous iudgement of Marius Marius Tribune of the people Costa Consull Two sortes of AEdiles AEdilitas Curulis AEdilitas popularis Marius denyed to be AEdilis Marius chosen Praetor Sabacon put of the Senate Caius Herennius pleaded in Marius behalfe touching the patron client Marius actes in Spayne The opinioÌ„ of Spanyards in olde time Eloquence riches raised men to authority How Marius credit and estimacion grew Iulia Marius wife Marius temperaunce and pacience Caecilius Metellus Consull The Labours presence of the Generall maketh the souldiers worke willingly Marius the author of Turpilius false accusation death Vacca a great city The cause of the supposed treason against Turpilius Turpilius wrongfully put to death Displeasure betwixt Metellus Marius Marius first time of being Consull Marius offended the nobility Marius depriued Metellus of the honor of conquering of king Iugurthe Bocchus kinge of Numidia deliuereth Iugurthe vnto Sylla Lucius Sylla Quaestor vnder Marius The originall cause of the ciuill warres betwixt Marius and Sylla The comming into Italie of the Teutons and Cimbres The army of the Tevtons and Cimbres 300000 men Cimbri Cimmerij Marius chosen Consull the second time against the law Law must giue place for common benefit Marius triumphe into Rome for king Iugurthe How Marius trained his souldiers Marius moyles Marius commended for his iustice Marius third Consullshippe Manius Acilius Lieutenant of the army vnder Marius Lucius Saturninus Tribune Marius fourth Consullshippe with Catulus Luctatius Rhodanus fl Marius channell The Cimbres went through Germanie into Italie The Teutons and Ambrons fall apon Marius to passe into Italie through the territory of Genua Martha a wise woman or prophetesse The attier of Martha in time of sacrifice A wonder of the Vultures shewed to Marius VVonders seene Batabaces the priest of the mother of the goddes Aulus Pompeius Tribune The enemies campe were removing sixe dayes together Marius bolde wordes to his souldiers and their aunswer Battell betwixt the Ambrons Marius Marius ouercome the Ambrons The mannishnes of the women Marius seconde battell with the Teutons Marius victory of the Teutons and Ambrons Much veine followeth after great battells Marius the fift time Consull Athesis flu Catulus Luctatius the Consull flieth from the Cimbres Marius refused to enter in triumphe Marius goeth towardes Catulus Luctatius to helpe him Po flu Marius mocke to the Cimbres The Cimbres march against Marius Marius deuise for alteringe the darte in fight Baeorix king of the Cimbres Two and fiftie thowsand and three hundred men betwene Marius and Catulus The Romaines battell The battell of the Cimbres A dust raised that neither army could see one another The sunne ful in the Cimbres faces The fielde fought the 27. of Iuly Horrible cruelty of women Prisoners 60. thowsand Men slaine six score thowsand Might ouercoÌ„meth right Metellus against people pleasers Valerius Flaccus Consull with Marius the sixt time Valerius Coruinus sixe times Consull The law Agraria An article for the othes of the Senate to confirme what the people should passe by voyce Marius duble dealing To lye cunningly Marius taketh it for a vertue Timorous policy causeth periury Metellus constant in vertue Metellus wise saying touching well doing Metellus banishment Marius doble dealing betwene the nobilitie and people Marius procureth sedition at Rome No trust on the faith of the coÌ„mon people Metellus returne from banishement Marius iorney into Cappadocia and Galatia Marius prowd wordes to Mithridates The cause of the dissension betwene Marius Sylla The warre of the confederates Siloes stowts chalenge and Marius answer Mons Misenum Marius ambition Sulpitius gard of sixe hundred knightes Sulpitius boldness Marius sedition Marius flieth from Rome Marius the sonne flieth into Africke Marius found an ayrie of Eagles How many egges the Eagle layeth Liris fl Marius set a land and forsaken of the mariners Marine hidden in the marisses Marius takeÌ„ Fanniaes curtesie vnto Marius One hiered to kill Marius The Minturnians suffered Marius to go his way with sefety Marica Sylua Marius the elder flieth into Africke Marius wise answere of surtimes inconstancy Marius the younger esâ—apeth Hyempsals hands Cinna driuen out of Rome by Octauius Marius ioyneth force with Cinna Octauius negligence in defence of the citie of Rome against Cinna Marius Octauius too much geuen to Southsaiere Octauius vertue and imperfection Octauius slaine by Marius souldiers Agreas contrariety in astronomy Cinna and Marius entry into Rome Bardini Marius caused great murder in Rome Marius crueltie Small trust of frendes in aduersitie The faithfulnes of Cornutus seruaunts to their master M. Antonius the Orator betrayed by a tauerner The force of eloquence Catulus Luctatius killed himselfe The Bardiaeians slaine of their Captaines for their crueltie Marius seuenth Consulship Marius thoughtes and feare Deuise to winne sleepe Marius the fathers death Marius mad ambition a note against the ambitious Platoes words at his death note that in Syllaes life following to appeareth that Marius the younger was besieged in the city of Preneste and not in Perusia as ye rende here So as the city seemeth to be mistakeÌ„ in one of these liues Lysanders image Licurgus the anchor of wearing longe heare The commoditie of wearing longe heare Lysanders kinred The education of the Laconian children Lysanders manners VVise man he euer melancholye Lysander a despisor of riches Lysanders words of Dionysuis liberalitie Lysander admirall for the Lacedaemonians by sea Lysander enlargeth the citie of Ephesus Sardis a citie in Lydia Lysander tooke money for paye of his souldiers Lysanders victorie of the Athenians by sea Cherronesus a contrye in Thracia Callicratidas Lysanders successor in his office of admyraltie Playnenes coÌ„mended for a vertue but liked as an olde image of a god that had bene excellent faier The spighte of Lisander to Callicratidas Nothing estemed with the Barbarians but money Callicratidas pacience The death of Callicratidas Lysander crafty and deceitfull A wise saying of Lysander The wicked dissembling and double dealing of Lysander Lysander regarded no periâ—rie following the example of Polycrates the tyran of Somos Cyrus liberaâ—itie to Lysanders Lysanders artes by sea Philocles cruel advise vnto the Athenians Lysanders craft in marine fight Alcibiades gaue good aduise to the Captaines of the AtheniaÌ„s A copper target lift vp the signe of battell by sea Conon Admirall of the Athenians Lysanders victory of the Athenians Paralos the holy galley of Athens The starres of Castor and Pollux A stone fell out of the element AEgos st Anaxagoras opinion of the starres VVhat falling starres be Damachus testimonie of the fiery stone seene in the element
An other opinion of the stone that fell Philocles coÌ„stancy Captaine of the Athenians Lysanders cruelty Theopompus the Comicall Poets sayinge of the Lacedaemonians The Athenians yeelde vp Athens_to Lysander The maner of peace offered by the Lacedaemonians to the AtheniaÌ„s A notable saying for the walle of cities Erianthus cruell aduise against the Athenians The sweete musicke so frened their cruell hearts and moued them in pity Lysander ouerthrew the walles of the city of AtheÌ„s Callibius Captaine of the Castell of Athens Autolycus as cunninge wrestler Autolycus pus to death Lysander sent money to Sparta by Gylippus Gylippus robbed parte of the money be caried to Sparta The Grekishe coyne was marked with an owle Gyllippus banishment Couetousnes of money corrupted Gylippus one of the chiefest men of LacedaemoÌ„ The iron money of Lacedaemonia At what time the Lacedaemonians receiued gold and siluer againe The ill life of the Magistrate the cause of disorder in a commoÌ„ weale A galley of gold and Iuory Lysanders honors and pride Platoes saving of the ignorant Ignoraunce coÌ„pared with blindenes Lysanders ambition pride and 〈…〉 Lysander brake his word othe and procured the deads of eight hundred people 〈…〉 Eteocles wordes of Lysander Thorax put to death for offending the law The LaconiaÌ„ Scytala what maner thing it is and how vsed Lysander carieth letters against him selfe Lysander goeth to Iupiter Ammon King Pausanias reconciled the Athenians with the Spartans Lysanders terrible words The death of king Agis Lysander depriueth Leotychides of his kingedomes Through Lysanders working Agesilaus â— was made king Ambition abideth no equalles Agesilaus priâ—ie grudge to Lysander Lysanders wisedome Lysander surueiour of the vittells Lysanders talke with king Agesilaus after the Laconian maner of speaking Lysander seeketh innouation in the state of Sparta The Families of the kinges of Lacedamon Lysander deuiseth false oracles corrupted soathsayers with money Lysanders fained deuise to possesse the kingdome The warres of Boeotia Diuers causes sâ—â—â—â—used of the beginning of these wars An edict against the banished men from Athens An edict made by the Thebans in fauor of the banished meÌ„ Lysanders iorney vnto Boeotia Cithaeron mons Cissusa sons Lysander staine by the Thebans To aske leaue of thenemie to burye the deade is dishonorable Lysanders tombe Oplites A. destinie menitable Phliarus A. Hoplia Isomantus Neochorus slâ—e Lysander Orchalide â—â—â—s Helicon moons Pausanias exile Lysanders cleane handes and pouertie commended after his deathe Lysanders counsell for altering of the kingdom Lacratidas wisdom forbearing to shewe extremitie to the deade Lysander honored by the Spartans after his death Singlenes of life late mariage and ill mariage punished by the Lacedaemonians Syllaes kinred Syllaes honesty reproued by meanes of his great wealth Syllaes flauore That is bicause that Syl in laten signifieth oker which becometh red when it is put to the fire and therfore Syllaceus color in virusâ—ia signifieth purple colour Syllace skeffing Syllaes voluptuosnes Sylla Quaestor The cause of Bocchus freÌ„dshippe vnto Sylla Iugerthe deliuered vnto Sylla by kinge Bocchus Thenor of Iugurthes takinge ascribed vnto Sylla Syllaes noble deedes vnder Marius Sillaes doings vnder Catulus Ambition is to be fled as a mortall furie Sylla chosen Praetor Orobazus Ambassador from the king of the Parthians vnto Sylla Sylla accused of extorcion Ciuill warres Timotheus Athenians would not tribune the glory of his doinges to fortune Sylla gaue fortune the honor of all his doinges Syllaes belefe in dreames A straunge fight appeared to Sylla Sylla straunge of conditions Sylla chosen Consull Metellus chiefe bishop of Rome a maried Syllaes wiues Marius fonde ambition VVonderfull signes seene before the ciuill warres The ThuscaÌ„s opinion of eight worldes The wickednes of Sulpitius the Tribune Marius and Sulpitius sedition All lawe ceased for a time by reason of Sulpitius oppressions and wicked lawes Sylla marcheth towards Rome with six legions Posthomius the deuine did prognosticate victory vnto Sylla Syllas vision on his dreams Sylla set the houses a fire in Rome Marius and Sulpitius condemned to death Treason lustly rewarded The ingrailtude of Sylla reproved Lucius Cinna Consull Cinna sware to be Syllaes frende Sylla went against Mithridates Mithridates power Sylla befiegeth the city of Athens Sylla tooke the smells and roady money out of all the temples of Greece and brought it to him to AtheÌ„s Caphis supersticion for touching the holy thinges The commendacion of the auncient Romaine Captaines for ordering of their souldiers and also for their modest expences Sylla the first man that spob led all good seruice of souldiers by ouermuch libertie and sufferauoco The wickednes of the tyran Arision The greue valianmes of Marcus Teius Athens taken by Sylla The slaughter of the Athenians after the taking of the eisit Anthesterion Marche The time of Noes flood Aristion the tyran yeelded The hauen of Piraea wonne Philoes armory burnt by Sylla Taxilles army a hundred thowsande footemen Tenne thowsand horsemen Foure score ten thowsand cartes with Sythes The force of the BarbariaÌ„s consisted in horsemen and in their carts with Sythes The straight of Thermopyles Pqrnassus hill The city of Tithora Sylla Hortensius met at Patronide The plaine of Elatea Philobaeotus mont Their whole army together 1500. horse 15000. footemen The braue armor and furniture of the Thracians MacedoniaÌ„s seruing vnder Taxilles king Mithridates lieutenaunt Many commanders make disobediens souldiers Cephisus fl Syllaes straightnes to his souldiers A good policie to weary feare full souldiers with extreame labor whereby to make them desirous to fight Edylium moÌ„t Assus fl Sylla sendeth Gabinius with a legion to aide Chaeronea Oldeles met propheths of victory vnto Sylla Saluenius aSouldiers Iupiter Olympias Acotuim Edylium mountaines Thurium mons aliue Orthopagues Morion fl Apollo Thurial Chaeron the founder of the city of Charonea Sylla ordereth his battell Sylla droue Archelaus aide from the hill The force of the armed cartes with Sythes consist in long course Syllaes conflict with Archelaus as Thurium Slaues made free by authority of the Lieutenaunts in the fielde Syllaâ—â— victory of Mithridates Lieutenauntes The field was wonne in the plaine of Elatea Molus fl Apollo Pythias Iupiter Olympias Flaccus Consull went against Sylla Dorylaus Mithridates generall against Sylla The goodly plaine before the city of Orchomene The riuer of Melas and nature therof Syllaes words to animate his souldiers Diogenes slaine Syllae victory of Mithridates Lieutenauntes as Orchomene Sylla â—â—revâ—â—â—ne â—trelâ—â— Live in the famous battells at Chaeronea and at Orchomene Talke betwixt Sylla and Archelaus at the meeting Peace concluded betwext Sylla Archelaus in Mithridates behalfe apon condicions Archelaus suspected of treason Aristion tyran of Athens poysoned by Sylla Mithridates exception to the condicioÌ„s Archelaus sene from Sylla to Mithridates Sylla Mithridates meete at DARDANE The stowtnes of Sylla Mithridates excuseth him selfe to Sylla Syllaes aunswer to Mithridates Nicomedes king of Bithynia Ariobarzanes king of Coppadocia A hundred fifty thowsand Romanes slaine in one day
in Asia by Mithridates commaundement Fimbria camped as Thyatira Fimbria slain Sylla very hardly inreated them of Asia Aristotle and Theophrastus backes Sylla went to the bathes as Adipsum for the gowte in his legges Bubbles of fire rising out of a meadow by Dyrrachivm A Satyre takeÌ„ sleeping and brought to Sylla Sylla went against fifteene Generalls foure hundred and fiftie ensignes Syllaes returne into Italie Ephewn mons Sylla ouerthrew the CoÌ„sull Norbanus and Marius the younger neere to the mountaine Epheum A slaue foreshewed Syllaes victory and the burning of the Capitoll which fell out truely A winde that blewe flowers out of a meadow vpon Lucullus souldiers by the city of Fidentia Lucullus victory as Fidenâ—a Syllaes policie with Scipio Sylla wanne 40 ensignes from Scipio by policie Carboes saying of Sylla touching the foxe and lyon Marius the younger with 85. ensignes presenteth Sylla baâ—tell by the city of Signium Syllaes vision in his dreame Marius fled to Praenesta Carbo fled into Africke Thelesinus the Samnyte faâ— Sylla in great danÌ„ger Syllaes daunger Sylla fled Lucretius Offella besieged Marius in Praeneste In the ende of Marius life it is reported contrarie that Sylla besieged Marius the younger in Perusia and not in Praeneste â—doo saued themselues in Antemna and yelded to Sylla vpon promise of life Sylla against the law of armes and his promise caused sixe thowsand men to be slaine Honor chaungeth condicions Sylla the example Infinite murthers committed in Rome by Sylla and his fauorers The boldnes of Caius Metellus to tell Sylla his cruelty in open Senate Syllaes prosâ—iripsion 〈…〉 The murder of outlawes generall through Italy Quintus Aurelius a quiet men that medled not slaine for his house Marius the younger slue him selfe as Praeneste being put all into one place together Lucius Catilinae slue his owne brother Sylla Dictator Lucretius Offella slaine Syllaes twinnes named Faustus and Fausta Sylla leaueth his Dictatorshippe Marcus Lepidus chosen Consull Sylla feasted the people VVine of forty yeres olde vpward Sylla brake his owne lawes he made Valeria desirous to be partaker of Syllaes happines Sylla maried Valeria the sister of Hottensius the Orator Syllaes impostume turned to lyce Diuers famous men that dyed of lyce Syllaes commentaries containe 22. bookes Syllaes sonne that was dead appeared to him in his dreams in ill fauored apparell Granius strangeled in Syllaes fight by his arme commaundements Syllaes death Posthumi Syllaes funeralls Syllaes epitaphe The chiefe person is not alwayes the honestest Lysander Syllaes faults Lysanders temperance and moderate life Syllaes licensious and prodigall life Syllaes tyrannicall saying Sylla for ware to be preferred before Lysander Sylla fought with men of greatest power and ouercome them Syllaes magnanimity Plutarkes iudgement of Sylla and Lysander Peripoltas his posterity The manners leud partes of Damon Peripoltas Lucius Lucullus examâ—nesh the truth of the murther Damon slaine by treason Asbolomeni who they were and why so called Chaeronea indited for the murther Lucullus called for a witnesse of the troth Historie is a certaine image of mens manners and wisedom A pretty similitude Howe to describe the life of a man. Cimon Lucullus in what thinges they were like Cimons linadge Thucidydes linadge Miltiades died in prison Cimon defamed in his youth Coalemos foole Cimons condicions Elpinicè Cimons sister vnchast Polygnotus the painter Elpinicè being poore had regarde to matche ccording to her state calling Cimon subiect to lasciuious life The praise of Cimons conditions Cimons personage commended Cimon Generall for the Athenians by sea King Pausanias through his insolency and pride lost the Lacedaemonians all their rule of Greece Pausanias killed the young Bizantine virgine Cimon iorney and victorie in Thracia Butes burneth him selfe city and frendes for feare of Cimon Statues of Mercury Sochares Decelean spake against Miltiades request for the garland of Olyue boughes Cimon wanne the I le of Scyros The counsell of the Amphictyons Theseus bones brought to Athens 400. yeres after his death by Cimon Sophocles and AEschylus contention for victory AEschylus ouercome by Sophocles dwelleth in Sicilia and dyeth there Cimon sang passing sweety Cimons cunning diuision of the spoyle Herophytus Samian gaue Counsell to choose the spoyle Cimons liberality and hospitality Cimons charity How Cimon vsed his goode The hospitality of Lichas Spartan Cimons godly actes CimoÌ„ brought the golden world againe Cimons integrity and cleane hands Resaces attempted to bribe Cimon Darickes whereof so called A noble saying of Cimon The benefit of paines seruice and the discommodity of case and idlenes CimoÌ„ plagued the Persians Chio an Ile Cimon wanne the city of Faselia Ariomandes the kinges Lieutenant of his whole army by sea ryding at ancher before the riuer of Eurymedon Cimons victory of the Persians both by sea and land Cimon tooke two hundred sayle prisoners at the battell fought by the riuer of Eurymedon Cimon ouercame the battell of the barbarous people also by lands Cimon brought the king of Persia to conditioÌ„ of peace Callias sent Ambassador to take the othe of the king of Persia Cimon was at the charge of certaine commoÌ„ buildings Cimon draue the Persians out of Thracia Cimon accussed and discharged CimoÌ„ praiseth the temperate life of the Lacedaemonians Stesimbrotus the historian * Areopagus was a village of Mars by Athens where the iudges called Areopagitae did sit to iudge causes of murder and other waightie matters concerning the common wealth Democratia rule of communalty Pericles in Cimons absence reduceth the common wealth vnto the state Democratia Optimacia the gouernment of the nobility CimoÌ„ followed the Lacedaemonians maner A maruelous great earthquake in Lacedaemon Taygetum â—â—nâ— Archidamus sodaine policy saued the city Ilotae slaues bondmen to the Lacedaemonian Cimon procured ayde for the Lacedaemonians Cimon banished for 10. yeares Cimon called from exile Cimons dreame The interpretation of the dreame Cimons death prognosticated The cause of Themistocles willing death The death of Cimon Cimons death kept very secret No famous act done by any Graecians to the barbarous people after Cimons death Cimons monuments at Athens Lucullus parents Lucullus accuseth Seruilius the Soothsayer The Romanes thought it a noble dede to accuse the wicked Lucullus eloquence Lucullus studied Philosophy in his latter time Lucullus booke of the warre of the Marsians in Greeke Lucullus loue to his brother Marcus. Lucius M. Luculâ—us both chosen AEdiles Sylla gaue Lucullus commission to coyne money in Peloponnesus Lucullus geueth lawes to the CyreniaÌ„â— A notable saying of Plato Lucullus iorney into Egypt A notable rich entered geuen Lucullus by kinge Ptolomye Lucullus doinges vnder Sylla by sea Lucullus stratageame Fimbria besieged Mithridates in Pitane Lucullus would not aide Fimbria in besieging Mithridates Neoptolemus king Mithridates Lieutenant by sea Lucullus put to flight Neoptolemus Mithridates Lieutenaunt by sea Lucullus stratageaâ—ia as the siege of the Mitylenians Lucullus honored of Sylla The first occasioÌ„ of quarrell bentwext Pompey and Lucullus Lucullus M. Cossa
man. The nature of the people Nicias liberality magnificence Nicias superstitions Nicias mynes of siluer Nicias for feare gaue to the wicked Nicias warenes to offende Nicias Hierons schoole master Dionysius Chalcus founder of the city of Thuries Nicias life Notable actes done by Nicias The lawe of armes A least of Cleon. Cleons victory of the Lacedaemonians The immoderate liberty of Cleon. Cleons lewd and light ieastures in his Orations Alcibiades diuers wit. Cleon Brasidas the two peacebreakers generally of all Graece Nicias reconcileth the Spartans with the AtheniaÌ„s Nicias peace Ambassadors sent froÌ„ Spartan to Athens Alcibiades craft and deceit The earthquake holpe Nipias Nicias sent Ambassador vnto Sparta The vse of the Ostracismon Hyperbolus Nicias and Alcibiades ioyned tribes against Hyperbolus Hyperbolus banished for tenne yeares The taking away of tenne yeres banishment Nicias chosen Captaine for the warres of Sicila Signerâ—o feare the AtheniaÌ„s not to attempt the enterprise of Sicile Statues mangled AtheÌ„s The madness of Meton the Astronomer Nicias foolish fearefullnes Nicias counsell for inuading the Syracusans Lamachus valliant buâ— simple Lais the courtisan caried out of Sicile into Peloponnesus Nicias notable strategeame Nicias winneth the hauen of Syracvsa Nicias forbeareth to spoyle the temple of Iupiter Nicias besiegeth Syracvsa Nicias wall as the siege of Syracvsa The death of Lamachus Nicias sole Captaine of the whole army Gyllipus a Lacedaemonian aideth the Syracusans Gongylus a Corinthian Gylippus arriuall at Syracvsa Gongylus the Corinthian slaine Nicias good fortune chauÌ„ged Euthydemus and Menander chosen Captaines with Nicias Demosthenes arriuall at Syracvsa Demosthenes rashnes Nicias counsell vnto Demosthenes Demosthenes rashnes The slaughter of the Athenians as Syracusa The corage of Leo Bizantine The eclipse of the moone The eclipse of the moone not knoweÌ„ of long time Anaxagoras the first that wrote of the eclipse of the moone The Athenians do persecute the Philosophers Socrates put to death for Philosophy Dyon very skilfull in naturall causes Nicias ignorant of naturall causes The Syracusans ouercome the AtheniaÌ„s by sea The soothsayers do promise victory to the Syracusans The Athenians againe ouercome on the sea by the Syracvsans Nicias deceiued by Hermocrates The miserable state of the Athenians departing from Syracusa Nicias extreame misery Demosthenes taken of the Syracusans Nicias moueth treaty of peace Nicias army ouercome at the riuer of Asinarus Nicias words yelding him selfe vnto Gylippus Gylippus sheweth mercy to Nicias The Syracusans enter into the Syracusa with triumphe Asinarus feast The Captaines of the Athenians coÌ„demned to dye Gylippus a couetous man. Cleandrides condemned for extorcion Nicias and Demosthenes slue them selues Euripides verses saued many of the Athenians liues The AtheniaÌ„s doe torment the bringer of the newes of their ouerthrow Nicias foreshewed the miseries of the AtheniaÌ„s Marcus Crassus kinred youth Crassus couetousnes Crassius riches How Crassus came by his goodes Crassus saying of builders Crassus care about seruauntes VVhat belongeth to good husbandry and in whom it consistes Crassus iudgement who was a riche man. Archidamus saying of warre Crassus faâ—â—â— at his boâ—â—de Crassus eloquence Crassus flieth Marius and Cinna Vibius curtesie â—â—to Crassus Crassus came Crassus viage into Africke Crassus sent by Sylla into the contry of the Marsians The emulation beâ—â—â—â—â— Crassus and Pompey Sylla called Pompey Imperator Crassus tooke the city of Tvder The valliantnes of Crassus Crassus enuieth Pompey The Romanes called Pompey the great Crassus industry and cause of rising in the common wealth Three factioÌ„s at Rome Crassus inconstancies Sicinius prouerbe The warre of the bondmen called Spartacus warre The wit and behauior of Spartacus the chiefe Captaine of the bondemens warre Clodius a Romane Praetor sent against Spartacus with 3000 men Clodius the Preator ouercome of Spartacus Publius Varinus Praetor sent against Spartacus Spartacus victory of P. Varinus Gellius and Lentulus both Consulls sent against Spartacus Cassius ouercomen by Spartacus Crassus sent against Spartacus Mummius Crassus Lieutenant Mummius ouerthrowen by Spartacus The Romanes maner of punishinge cowardly souldiers Crassus wonderfull trench and wall A wonderfull nature of the water of the lake of Lucania Ambush laied by Crassus The valiaÌ„tnes of Spartacus souldiers Spartacus retyred to the mountaines of Petelie The noble corage of Spartacus Spartacus slaine Pompeyes triumphe for Spayne Ouatio see Marcellus life Crassus made Consull with Pompey Crassus great feasting of the people of Rome The dreame of Onatius Aurelius Crassus and Pompey made frendes Crassus Censor with Catulus Crassus suspected for Catilines conspiracie Crassus and Caesar confederates with Catiline Crassus Cicero as enemie Caesar reconciled Crassus and Pompey together Pompey Crassus and Caesar al three ioyned in frendshippe Pompey and Crassus did meete with Caesar at Luca Pompeyes stout aunswer Crassus modest aunswere Pompey made him selfe and Crassus Consulls by force Pompey and Crassus Consulls the second time Crassus had the gouernment of Syria Atteius the Tribune against Crassus departure Obseruations of cursinges among the Romanes Crassus iorney into Syria Deiotarus king of Galatia Crassus passeth ouer the riuer of Euphrates Zenodotia taken by Crassus Publius Crassus came to his father in Syria Great faultes committed by Crassus The first signes of Crassus ill luâ—ke This name of Arsaces or Arsacides was common to all the kings of the Parthians Ambassadors of the Parthians sent to Crassus Vagises words shewing Crassus the palme of his hande Hyrodes king of the Parthians Cassius treasorer vnder Crassus Crassus forewarned by the Soothsayers of his ill successe Artabazes king of Armenia came to Crassus campe VVonderfull signes and tokens to Crassus Crassus armie was fifty thousand men Ariamnes a Captaine of the Arabians Ariamnes deceiueth Crassus Surena and Sillaces Arsaâ—es Lieutenauntes Surena sent against Crassus Surena what he was Surenaes courte and traine Surena a young man but very wise Artabazes sent an Eâ—bassage vnto Crassus Crassus wilfulnes Crassus army against the Parthians Sureâ—â—s stratageame for the hiding of his great army Crassus battell with the Parthians The ParthiaÌ„s kettle droÌ„mes The person of Surena Generall of the Parthians described The ParthiaÌ„s fought veryrâ—ng The maner of the Parthians fight The praise of Censorinus Megabacchus The miserable fight of the Romanes against the Parthians Carres a city of Mesopotamia Ischnes a citie The death of Publius Crassus Crassus oration to his souldiers wiâ—â— his bare was full of sorrow Crassus an example of fortunes inconstancie Crassus flying Coponius Gouernor of Carres in Mesopotamia The valliantnes of twentie Romanes A stratageame of Surena Andromachus treason to Crassus The ParthiaÌ„s do noâ—refight by night Cassius gentle aunswere in the straightes The worthines of the Romane souldiers to their chiefetaine An other stratageame of Surena Surenaes crafty speeche to Crassus Crassus words to the Romanes going to his death Surenaes craft to Crassus Octauius slaine Crassus slaine The number of the Romanes that were slaine and taken Sureneth triumph of Crassus Aristides bookes intituled the Milesians AEsope wise saying
The description of Sureness army Crassus head brought to Hyrodes See the reward of craft and periury The miserable ende of king Hyrodes and Surena Hyrodes strangled by his sonne Nicias and Crassus richesse Lycurgus saying Nicias and Crassus actes in the commoÌ„ wealth The duetie of Gouernors Magistrates Nicias fearefulnes Themistocles and Catoes vertue Nicias honestie The diuersitie betwext Nicias and Crassus Nicias actes commended Crassus by his folly bleamished the happines of the Romanes Crassus death more commendable then Nicias end VVhy chalices of necessitie happen one like an other The townes where Homer was borne and dyed Foure famous Captaines that had but one eye a peace The praise of Sertorius The paretage of Sertorius Rhea the mother of Sertorius Sertorius eloquent Sertorius first souldierfare Sertorius souldierfare vnder Marius Sertorius Colonell of a thowsands footemen Castulo a city of the Celtiberians Sertorius stratageame Sertorius treasorer Generall of Gaule aboue the Poâ— Padua â—â— Sertorius lost one of his eyes by fight The occasion of Sertorius malice vnto Sylla Sertorius tooke parte with Cinna Sertorius disswaded Cinna to receiue Marius Sertorius temperance Sertorius slue Marius garde of bondmen Sertorius went into Spayne Sertorius curtesie to the Spanyardes Sertorius flieth out of Spayne into Africke The I le of Pityusa The fortunate Ilandes The Elysian fieldes Sertorius wan the citie of Tingis Antaeus tombe and greatnes Iuba of a kinges stocke Sertorius was sent for by the Lusitanians to be their Captaine Sertorius vertues and qualities Sertorius bountie and clemencie Sertorius fained lye of the hynde Sertorius army The army of this Romanes led by foure Captaines Sertorius victories This place may well be taken two wayes and either of both allowable according to the other is might be said to leade Romane citizens to the warres fighting like valliant men Sertorius warlike vertues Metellus practiseth to besiege the Langobrites and to take their city for lacke of water Sertorius finely deceiued Metellus at the siege of the Langobrites Sertorius ouerthew Aquinus Sertorius taught the Spanyards the maner of the Romanes The citie of Osca Sertorius subtill policies The Spanyards deuotion The Spanyards loue to Sertorius Perpenna ioyned with Sertorius Ebrus fâ— A fine deuise of Sertorius to teache men the benefit of time and perseuerance Sertorius wordes to his souldiers declaring thinâ—onâ— of his deuise The Characitanians what people they be Tagus fl Sertorius wonderfull deuise against the barbarous people called the Characitanians Sertorius dedes against Pompey Sertorius goeth to lay siege to the citie of Lauron Sertorius worthy saying of a Captaine Sertorius burnt the city of Lauron in Pompeis sight Sertorius of him selfe inuincible Battell betwext Sertorius Pompey Pompey fled Sertorius at Sucron Sertorius mocke to Pompey Sertorius slue Memmius Pompeis Lieutenaunte Shame turned into anger Sertorius bisieged of Pompey Metellus feared Sertorius Metellus made himselfe be called Imperator Metellus veâ—itie Sertorius noble minde Sertorius honorable respect vnto his contrie Sertorius minde greatest in aduersity Sertorious affection to his contrie Sertorius naturall loue to his mother Mithridates sent Ambassadors vnto Sertorius in Spayne Sertorius noble 〈…〉 to 〈…〉 their daâ—â—â— requests Sertorius worthy saying Sertorius league with Mithridates M. Marius sent vnto Mithridates King Mithridates gaue M. Marius Proconsull the vpper hand The enuie of Perpenna vnto Sertorius The seditious words of Perpenna against Sertorius Sertorius slew the Spanyards sonnes The treason of Perpenna his accomplices against Sertorius The treason deuised against Sertorius Sertorius modesty as his table The murder of Sertorius Perpenna taken by Pompey Pompeis wisedom in burning Sertorius letters Perpenna his conspirature put to death by Pompey Eumenes parentage How Eumenes came to preferrement by the kinges of Macedon Barsine the wife of Eumenes Eumenes made Gouernor of the contries of Cappadocia and Paphlagonia Eumenes skill in warre Eumenes dreams Battell betwext Eumenes and Craterus Craterus death Neoptolemus slaine Eumenes victory of Craterus and Neoptolemus Sardis the chiefe city of Lydia The constancy of Eumenes in aduersity Eumenes stratageame Eumenes talke with Antigonus and magnanimity Eumenes besieged in the forte of Nora Eumenes personage and pleasantnes Eumenes industry in the siege for marshall exercise This was Aridaus the sonne of Philippe father of Alexander whom they had surnamed Philippe Eumenes made king Philippes Lieutenaunt of his army Argyraspides Alexanders souldiers so called for their siluered shieldes Eumenes to temperance Eumenes fairred deuise Eumenes wilienesse to minde him selfe out of daunger Pasitigris fl Eumenes battell with Antigonus and victorie Antigonus souldiers armed with gilt armors Antigonus mocke to Eumenes Eumenes stratageame against Antigonus Enuy the coÌ„panion of vertue Eumenes death conspired Eumenes tare all his frendes letters to kepe them out of trouble The old band of the Macedonians were euery man 60 yeare old and most about Eumenes conflict with Antigonus Eumenes bestrayed by the Argyraspides The oration of Eumenes to the trailors Argyraspides his souldiers Antigonus aunswer for the keping of Eumenes being prisoner The noble minde of Eumenes The head of Eumenes The iust reward of treason The gouernment of Eumenes and Sertorius The deedes condition of Eumenes and Sertorius coÌ„pared Sertorius death more honest then the death of Eumenes The parentage of Agesilaus The instruction of Agesilaus Agesilaus learned to obey before he came to commaund The modestie of Agesilaus Agesilaus laments Alcibiades committeth adultery with kinge Agis wife Agesilaus created king through Lysanders meanes A lame king Agesilaus proclaimed king Leotychides a bastard Ephori were certaine officers authorised to coÌ„â—oâ—le the kinges insolency and iniustice if any were by them vsed Agesilaus an vprighter enemy than a frend VVhether attention among the nobility be profitable in a common wealth Agesilaus iorney into Asia Agesilaus dreame in Avlide Lysanders glory diminished Agesilaus grudge vnto Lysander See the life of Lysander Ambitious heades are very daungerous in a common wealth Agesilaus dedes in Asia and the falsehood of Tisaphernes Agesilaus crafe Sardis the chiefe city of Lydia Agesilaus victory of Tisaphernes Agesilaus made Generall of all the Lacedaemonians nauy Cotys king of Paphlagonia become Agesilaus frend Agesilaus draue Pharnabazus out of his temes The meeting of Agesilaus and Pharnabazus Agesilaus wordes vnto Pharnabazus Agesilaus to his frendes was without respect a frend Agesilaus letter in the behalfe of his frend Other read to haue pity and to be wise Agesilaus saying Agesilaus vertues Agesilaus sent for one of Asia Agesilaus obedience to his contrie Agesilaus darke speeches Agesilaus despising deceiuing the barbarous people returned home through their contries Agesilaus ouercome the Pharsalians Narthacium mens The eclipse of the sunne Pisander Generall of the 〈…〉 slaine in battell The Ilande of Gnidos Agesilaus battell with the Thebans Helicon mens The worthines of Agesilaus The temple of Minerua Itonian The constancy of Agesilaus Canathrum what it is Cleora the wife of king Agesilaus Apolia and Prolyta Agesilaus daughters
affrayed or offend the law The chappell of feare ioyned to the halle of the Ephores The oration of king Cleomenes touching the first originall of the Ephores Asteropus the first man that gaue authority to the Ephores Cleomenes reformeth the state of the coÌ„mon wealth of Lacedaemon Cleomenes inuadeth the borders of the Megalopolitans King Cleomenes the teacher and example of temperancy Cleomenes moderate dyet Cleomenes curteous entertainment at his bord Cleomenes leadeth his army against Aratus and the Achaians The victory of Cleomenes against the Achaians Aratus treason to his contrie Cleomenes winneth the citie of Argos King Pyrrhus slaine at the citie of Argos The force of Lycurgus laâ—es The Argiues doe rebell against Cleomenes Cleomenes lost the citie of Corinthe Cleomenes lost the citie of Argos The death of Agiatis king Cleomenes wife The noble minde of Cratesiclea Cleomenes mother Cleomenes sendeth his mother and children hostages vnto Ptolomy king of AEgypt Cleomenes wanne the citie of Megalipolis Cleomenes noble saying Cleomenes rased the citie of Megalipolis Cleomenes stratageame A wise Captaine should not rashly put him selfe in hazard The moderacion of Cleomenes to his enemies Money the sinewe of warres The saving of Archidamus Cleomenes ouercomen by Antigonus for lacke of money to pay his souldiers The power of fortune Battell betwixt Cleomenes and Antigonus at Selasia The treason of Demoteles Cleomenes ouerthrowen by Antigonus Antigonus wanne the citie of Sparta The death of Antigonus the sonne of Demetrius king of Macedon Cleomenes flieth out of Peloponnesus The oration of Therycion vnto Cleomenes against death Cleomenes oration of death VVilling death must haue honorable respect Cleomenes flieth into AEgypt vnto king Ptolomy Cleomenes vertue Nicagoras Messenian an enemy to Cleomenes Cleomenes committed to prison to Alexandria Cleomenes practiseth to kill king Ptolomy The ende and death of Cleomenes and his friendes The corage of Panteas Cleomenes hanging vpon a crosse had a Serpent wreathed about his head Liuing things breeding of the corruption of dead beasts VVhy the Dragon is coÌ„secrated vnto Princes The worthines of Tiberius Gracchus the father Tiberius Gracchus the father maried Cornelia the Daughter of Scipio AfricaÌ„ The tender loue of Tiberius to his wife Cornelia The praise of Cornelia mother of the Gracchi A true description of Tiberius Caivs Gracchi Tiberius made Augures Tiberius maried Appius Clodius daughter Tiberius Gracchus souldierfare Tiberius Gracchus chosen Quaestor Tiberius Graecehus coÌ„cludeth peace with the Numantines The peace broken with the Nvmantines VVhy Tiberius preferred the Law Agraria Iugera VVhy Caius Laelius was called the wise Tiberius Graecchus chosen Tribune of the people Counsellers so Tiberius for preferring the law Lex Agraria Tiberius oration Marcus Octauius Tribune did with stand Tiberius lawe The modest contention betwixt Tiberius and Octauius Tiberius deposeth Octauius of his Tribuneship Tiberius preserveth the law Agraria King Attalus made the people of Rome his heire Tiberius law for deuiding of Attalus money Titus Annius a suttell questioner and aunswerer of thinges The oration of Tiberius Gracchus touching the power and authoritie of the Tribune Other lawes made by Tiberius Gracchus Vnluckie signes vnto Tiberius Flauius Flaccus beâ—raieth the conspiracy against Tiberius Nasica doth set apon Tiberius Gracchus Tiberius Gracchus the Tribune slaine Tiberius frends slaine The cruell death of Caius Billius Nasica chiefe Bishoppe of Rome Scipioes sentence of the death of Tiburius Gracchus Caius Gracchus maners Caius Gracchus Quastar in Sardinia Caius Gracchus vision and dreame Caius Gracchus returneth out of Sardinia vnto Rome Caius Gracchus Tribune of the people Caius Gracchus Lawes Cornelia mother of the Gracchi honored of the people of Rome Other lawes preferred by Caius Gracchus Caius Gracchus power Other lawes of Caius Gracchus The Italian myle conteineth eight furlong Caius Gracchus chosen Tribune the second time Liuius Drusus one of the Tribunes Lawes preferred by Liuius Drusus Liuius Drusus pacifieth the people against the Senate Fuluius Commissioner with Caius a verie seditious man. The death of Scipio African the lesse Vnluckie signes appearing vnto Caius This man is named afterwardes Opimius Caius Gracchus fell out with the Tribunes Caius Gracchus repulsed from the third Tribuneship Sedition betwext Caius Gracchus the Senate Antillius C. Gracchus sergeaunt slaine An ordinance made by the Senate against C. Gracchus The people defended C. Gracchus The words of Licinis to her husband Caius Gracchus Fuluius sent his sonne to the Consull with a Heraulds rodde to offer peace The death of Fuluius and his eldest sonne The flight of Caius The faithfulnes of Caius Gracchus seruaunt The temple of concord built by Opimius the Consul Opimius the first Consul vsurping the power of the Dictator Opimius bribed with money of Iugurthe and condemned The Gracchi were maruelously desired of the people The magnanimity of Cornelia the mother of the Gracchi The power of learning to ouercome sorow The wisedom of the Gracchi The Actes of the Gracchi did litle profit Rome The ende of the Gracchi vnfortunate The deedes of the Gracchi The faultes of the Gracchi True happines consisteth in the minde and manners of man not in any place or contry Expedient for an Historiographer to be in a famous citie Plutarkes coÌ„try very litle Demosthenes coÌ„pared with Cicero The parentage of Demosthenes The patrimony lese Demosthenes Demosthenes why he was called Battalus Demosthenes why surnamed Argas Calistratus the Orator The earnest desire of Demosthenes to learne eloquence Isaeus Demosthenes schole master of Rethoricke Demosthenes first practise in drawing penning of orations A remedie for the paine of splene Demosthenes mocked of the people for his long orations Demosthenes impediments of nature Demosthenes celler Demosthenes seldom pleaded on the suddein Demosthenes in his oration studieth to please the people Demosthenes terrified Lamachus in his oration 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The naturall eloquence of Demades the Orator Theophrastus iudgement of Orators Phocion called the axe of Demosthenes orations Demosthenes by industry reformeth his defects of nature Demosthenes countenance and gesture misliked of the nobilitie Demosthenes witty answers The time of Demosthenes comming to practice in the assayres of the state Displeasure betwixt Demosthenes and Midias Demosthenes an enemy to the Macedonians The constancy of Demosthenes defended against Theopompus Note the inconstancy and suttell euasion of these Orators Demosthenes preferreth honesty as a special rule in his orations Demosthenes a timerous man and giuen to bribes Demosthenes franke speech in his orations Demosthenes orations which were true and which false Demosthenes doings against Philip. Demosthenes stirreth vp Graece against the Macedonians Demosthenes force of eloquence ioyned the Thebans with the Athenians and wanne them from Philippe king of Macedon The ouerthrow of the Graecians foreshewed as Chaeronea by signes and auncient oracles The riuer of Thermodon or Haemon in the contry of Chaeronea Another opinion of Thermodon Demosthenes flieth from the battell Demosthenes word and deuise vpon his shield Demosthenes corrected with money of
suerer gard to a Prince then the loue of the subiects The miserable life of Aristippus the tyrant of Argos Aratus gouernment obtayned by vertue Chares fl Aratus gaue Aristippus the victorie Aratus straâ—agâ—â—â— to intrappe the tyrant Aristippus Aratus victory of the tyrant Aristippus Aristippus the tyrant slayne A philosophicall question whether trembling and chaunging of culler in daunger be a signe of cowardlines Lysiadas tyran of Megalipolis Lysiadas tyran of Megalipolis leaueth the tyrannie and yelded him selfe and his dominion vnto the Achaians Dissention betwixt Aratus and Lysiadas One of Isopes tales of the Cuckowes question to litle birdes Aratus noble counsell against the AEtolians Geraniamous Aratus setteth vpon his lascinious enemies A womaÌ„ with a Burganet of her head seemed a monstrous thing The signe of Diana with the Pallenians Aratus bringeth the AEtolians in league with the Achaians Aratus atteÌ„pteth to set Athens at libertie Aratus ouerthrowen by the Macedonians Aratus by perswasion deliuered Argos from tyrannie The loue and faith of the Achaians vnto Aratus Aratus ouerthrowen in battel by king Cleomenes hard by the mountaine Lycaeum Aratus tooke the citie of Mantinea The death of Lysiadas Aratus once againe ouerthrowen by king Cleomenes Aratus reproch A Gouernor of a common weale ought no more to forsake his contry in time of daunger then the maister of a shippe his shippe at storme and tempest The meanest man of Sparta was to be preferred before the greatest Prince of Macedon Esopes hunter Polybius Historiographer Philarchus the Historiographer not greatly to be credited Cleomenes winneth the citie of Megalipolis from the AchaiaÌ„s The spitefull letters that passed betwext Cleomenes and Aratus Aratus pâ—â—seth the rebells of Sicyone to death Aratus constancie in daunger Aratus sureletie when he fled out of Corinthe The citie of Corinth yeelded vp vnto Cleomenes Aratus in great daunger for his contrie King Cleomenes curtesie vnto Aratus The AchaiaÌ„s do send for king Antigonus Gouernors obey necessitie Antigonus honorable enterteinment to Aratus A woÌ„der shewed to Aratus Antigonus and Aratus sworne brethren The citie of Argos reuolted from Cleomenes Aristomachus drowned in the sea Aratus infamie for Aristomachus Mantinea called Antigonia by Aratus decree Aratus ouerthrowen in battell by the citie of Caphyes The AchaiaÌ„s sent for king Philip Antigonus sonne Aratus a wise counseller Enuy the coÌ„panion of vertue The beginning of displeasures betwext Aratus and Philip. The deepe dissimulacion and double dealing of king Philip. Aratus the sonnes wordes vnto Philip. The wise answere of Aratus vnto king Philip touching the safetie of a Prince Aratus the father forsooke Phillippe Philip of a curteous Prince became a cruell tyran Aratus poysoned by king Philippes meanes A kinges frendshippe daungerous The death of Aratus A law for buriall among the Sicyonians The Oracle for Aratus buriall Arativm Yearely sacrifices appointed to bones Aratus memorie The miserable death of Aratus the sonne Straunge kindes of poisoning King Philip punished for his wickednes Persaeus king Philippes sonne when Paulus AEmylius triumphed for in Rome Iphicrates saying what maner of man a Mercenarie souldier should be AEmylius saying of souldiers Platoes saying of an armie Demades saying of Alexanders armie after his death The Empire of Rome whereas likened Nymphidius Sabyne and Tigellinius betrayed Nero The hope of gifts destroies the Empire of Rome The wealth and nobility of Galba Galbaâ—s maners Galbaâ—s curtesie Iunius Vindex revelled against Nero In this place the Greeke is corruptly red pâ—â—bâ—â—â—s for peaâ—â—â—â—et Sulpitius Galba saluted by the souldiers an Emperour Galba iudged an enemie by the Senate of Rome and his goods sold by the â—rier Clodius Macer Gouernor of Africke Verginius Rufus Gouernor of Gaule Verginius Rufus called Emperour * Others read Clonia Colonia Citie of Spayne Nymphidius Sabine taketh vpon him to be Emperor Honors done to Nymphidius by the Senate made him grow no bold and insolent Neroes frieÌ„ds slayne at Rome by Nymphidius commaundemens The parentage of Nymphidius Verginius a famous Captaine The â—â—â—ditiâ—â—â— of Titus Iunius Nymphidius practises The oration of Antonius Honoratus Tribune of the souldiers vnto his mutinous souldiers Nymphidius aspireth to be Emperor Nymphidius Sabine slaine The crueltie of Galba Cornelius Tatanus calleth him Turpilianus Galba thired Rome with murder The vileueâ— of Galba Hesiodus saying Galba killeth Nereos seruaunts and officers The noble saying of the Emperour Galba Galba offended the souldiers Tumult amongest the souldiers and legione of the Romanes in Germany Othoes maners Poppea Othoes wife Otho sent Propraetor into Lusitania Othoes credit about Galba Othoes practise aspiring to the Emperor The legions in Germanie doe rebell against Galba The souldiers doe rebell against Galba Vitellius accepted the name of Germanicus but not of Caesar. Vitellius named Emperor by the souldiers Galba adopteth Piso his successor Euill signes appeared vnto Galba Ptoloâ—ers prediction of Othoes Empire Optio and Tesserarius why so called by the Romanes Otho bribed the Praetorian souldiers The presage of Ombricius the Soothsayer touching the treason practised against Galba Otho called Emperour Otho receiued of the Praetorian souldiers A shamefull lye of a souldiers Tamuls for Galba * Tachus doth call him Virgilio * Cornelius Tacitus doth call him Densus The velliansnes and sidelitie of Sempronius in discharge of his othe to the Emperour Galba The death of Sempronius The death of Galba his wordes at his death * Others doe read Marcus. The murther of Piso and T. Iunius The Senate sware by the name of Otho Citizens beades sold at Rome Othoes moderation at the beginning of his raigne Tigellinus killeth him selfe Otho at the beginning of his raigne tooke vpon him the name of Nero. Tumulâ— amongest the Praetorian souldiers The death of Crispinus Othoes liberalitie to the souldiers Vitellius rebellion Small difference betwext Otho and Vitellius maners of life VVonders seene at Rome The wonderfull ouerflowing of the riuer of Tiber. The srewâ—â—dnes of Otho and Vitellius souldiers PlaceÌ„tia the fertilest town of all Italie The praise of Othoes Captaines and dispraise of Vitellius Captaines Fabius Valens Cremona a goodly citie Paulinus Othoes Captaine accused for a coward Bebriacum a towne by Cremona Othoes consultacion of geuing battell Freshwater souldiers lamens their pleasaunt life at Rome fealing the paines and smart of a souldier Secundus the Orator secretarie vnto Otho the Emperour Vitellius a dronkard and glutton Otho a wanton and licentious liner The towne of Bresselles in hard by the riuer of Po. Battell bewixt the Othonians and Vitellians Legions called by prety names Denowrer Helper The valliantnes of the Battanâ—j in warres Note the â—riâ—â— seruice of Fensers and what souldiers they he The Othonians ouercomen in battell by the Vitellians The cowardlines of the fresh water souldiers Marius Celsus orationes Othoes souldiers perswading them to goe to Vatellius Othoes Captaines doe yeld them selues vnto Vitallius Me that fight a battell know not all thing that are done at the battell The great fidelitie of the souldiers vnto the Emperor
vvith svvifter course This is vvithouten fayle The ATHENIANS had nine score in euery one of the which there were eightene souldiers whereof foure of them were archers and all the rest armed men Themistocles also did with no lesse skill wisedom choose his time place to fight forbearing to charge his enemies vntill the hower was come that of ordinarie custome the sea winde arose and brought in a rough tyde within the channell which dyd not hurt the GRAECIAN gallyes being made lowe and snugge but greatly offended the PERSIAN gallyes being highe cargged heauie not yare of steredge and made them lye sidelong to the GREECIANS who fiercely set vpon them hauing allwayes an eye to Themistocles direction that best foresawe their aduaÌ„tage At the same time Ariamenes Xerxes admirall a man of great valure and worthiest of the Kings brethern be stowed arrowes and dartes as it were from the walles of a castell charging the gallye of Aminias Decelian and Sosicles Pedian which were ioyned and grappled with him and fiercely entring the same was by them valliantly receyued vpon their pikes and thrust ouer borde into the sea Whose bodie floting amongest other shippewracks ARTEMISIA knowing caused to be caried to king Xerxes Nowe whilest this battell stoode in these termes they saye that there appeared a great flame in the element toward the cittie of ELEVSIN and that a lowde voyce was heard through all the plaine of THRIASIA vnto the sea as if there had bene a nuÌ„ber of men together that had songe out alowde the holy songe of Iacchus And it seemed by litle and litle that there rose a clowde in the ayer from those which sange that left the land came lighted on the gallyes in the sea Other affirmed that they sawe armed men which did reache out their hands from the I le of AEGINA towards the GREECIAN gallyes they thought they were the AEACIDES for whose helpe they all prayed before the battell was begonne The first man of the ATHENIANS that tooke any of the enemies shippes was Lycomedes a captaine of a gallye who hauing takeÌ„ very rich furniture flagges did afterwards coÌ„secrate them to Apollo laurell as ye would saye victorious The other GREECIANS in the fronte being equall in nuÌ„ber with the barbarous shipps by reason of the straightnes of the arme of the sea wherein they sought so straightned as they could not fight but by one one where by the BARBARIANS disorderly layed one another abourde that they did hinder them selues with their ouer multitude in the end were so sore pressed vpon by the GREECIANS that they were coÌ„strayned to flye by night after they had fought mainteined battell vntil it was very darke So the GRAECIANS wanne that glorious famous victorie of the which maye truly be affirmed that as Simonides sayeth VVas neuer yet nor Greeke nor Barbarous crevv that could by sea so many men subdevv Nor that obteind so famous victorie in any fight against their enemie Thus was the victorie wonne through the valliantnes and corage of those that fought that battell but especially through Themistocles great policie and wisdome After this battell Xerxes being mad for his losse thought to fill vp the arme of the sea and to passe his armie by lande vpon a bridge into the I le of SALAMINA Themistocles bicause he would feele Aristides opinion tolde him as they were talking together that he thought best to goe and occupie the straight of HELLESPONT with the armie by sea to breake the bridge of shippes which Xerxes had caused to be made to the ende said he that we maye take ASIA into EVROPE Aristides liked not this opinion for we haue said he fought all this while against this barbarous King who thought but to playe with vs But if we shut him within GREECE and bring him to fight of necessitie to saue his life such an enemie that commaundeth so great an armie will no more stand still as a looker on and set at his ease vnder his golden pauilion to see the pastime of the battell but will proue euerie waye and be him selfe in euery place at all assayes to taâ—e him self from such a straight daunger Thus with politicke care foresight he maye easely amend his former faulte committed by negligence and doe well enough when he shall see his life and Kingdome both depend vpon it Therefore Themistocles I would thincke not best to breake his bridge at all which he hath caused to be made but rather if we could to build another to it to driue him out of EVROPE as sone as we could Themistocles then replied Seeing you thincke this were good to be done we must all laye our heades together to deuise how he maye be forced to come out assone as we could They breaking of with this resolutioÌ„ Themistocles sent immediately one of the Kings enuches called Arsaces that was one of the gromes of his chaÌ„ber whom he found out amoÌ„gest the prisoners by him he sent this message vnto the king That the GREECIANS hauing woÌ„ne the battell of him by sea had decreed in their counsell how they would goe to the straight of HELLESPONT to breake the bridge of shippes he had caused to be made there Whereof he thought good to aduertise him for the goodwil he did beare him and to the ende he might bethincke him betimes to get him away to the sea within his own dominion and so passe backe againe into ASIA as sone as he could whilest he gaue order to his allies and confederates to staye following him at the poope The barbarous King vnderstading these newes was so affrayed that he hoysed away with all possible speede The further foresight and great wisdome of Themistocles and Aristides in marine causes dyd manifestly appeare afterwards in the battell the GREECIANS fought before the cittie of PLATEA against Mardonius king Xerxes lieutenante who hauing but a small power of the King his soueraines there dyd yet put the GREECIANS to great distresse and in hazard to haue lost all Of all the townes and citties that fought in this battel Herodotus writeth that the cittie of AEGINA wanne the same for valliantnes aboue the rest of priuate men among the GRECIANS Themistocles was iudged the worthiest man although it was sore against their willes bicause they enuied much his glory For after the battell done all the captaines being gotten into the straight of PELOPONNESVS and hauing sworne vpon the altar of their sacrifices that they would geue their voyces after their consciences to those they thought had best deserued it euery one gaue him selfe the first place for worthines and the seconde vnto Themistocles The LACEDAEMONIANS caried him into SPARTA where they iudged the honour and dignitie to their admirall Eurybiades but the wisedome and pollicie they attributed to Themistocles In token thereof they gaue him an oliue braunche and the goodliest coche that was in their cittie and moreouer they
sent three hundred of their lusty youthes to accompany him and conducte him out of their countrie They saye at the next feastes and assembly of the playes Olympicall that were made after this victorie when Themistocles was once come into the showe place where these games were played the people looked no more on them that fought but all cast their eyes on him shewing him to the straungers which knewe him not with their fingers and by clapping of their handes dyd witnesse howe much they esteemed him Whereat he him selfe tooke so great delite that he confessed to his familiar friends he then dyd reape the fruite and benefit of his sundry and painefull seruices he had taken in hande for the preseruation of GREECE so ambitious was he of nature couetous of honour as we maye easely perceyue by certen of his dedes and notable sayings they haue noted of him For being chosen admirall of ATHENS he neuer dispatched any causes priuate or publicke howsoeuer they fell out vntill the very daye of his departure and taking shippe and all bicause that men seeing him ryd much busines at once and to speake with so many persones together they should esteeme him to be the notabler man of the greater authoritie Another time he walked vpon the sandes by the sea side beholding the dead bodies of the barbarous people which the sea had cast vp vpon the shore and seing some of them that had on still their chaynes of golde and bracelets he passed by on his waye but shewed them yet to his familiar friende that followed him and sayed vnto him take thou those for thou art not Themistocles And vnto one Antiphates who in his youth had bene a goodly young boye and at the time dyd scornefully behaue him selfe vnto him making no reckoning of him and now that he sawe him in authoritie came to see him he sayed O my young sonne and friend we are both euen at one time but to late growen wise He sayed the ATHENIANS dyd not esteeme of him in time of peace but when any storme of warres were towardes and they stoode in any daunger they ranne to him then as they ronne to the shadowe of a plane tree vpon any sodaine raine and after fayer weather come againe they cut awaye then the braunches and bowghes thereof There was a man borne in the I le of SERIPHA who being fallen out with him dyd cast him in the teethe that it was not for his worthines but for the noble cittie wherein he was borne that he had wonne such glorie Thou sayest true sayed he but neither should I euer haue wonne any great honour if I had bene a SERIPHIAN nor thou also if thou haddest bene an ATHENIAN An other time one of the captaines of the cittie hauing done good seruice vnto the common weale made boast before Themistocles and compared his seruice equall with his Themistocles to aunswer him tolde him a prety tale That the working daye brawled on a time with the holy daye repining against her that he laboured for his liuing continually and howe she dyd nothing but fill her bellie and spende that they had gotten Thou hast reason sayed the holy daye But if I had not bene before thee thou haddest not bene here nowe And so if I had not bene then where had you my masters bene nowe His owne sonne was a litle to sawsie with his mother and with him also bearing him self ouer boldely of her good will by meanes of her cockering of him Whereupō being merely disposed he would saye that his sonne could doe more then any mā in all GRECE For sayeth he the ATHENIANS commaunde the GRAECIANS I commaunde the ATHENIANS my wife commaundeth me and my sonne commaundeth her Moreouer bicause he would be singular by him selfe aboue all other men hauing a pece of lande he would sell he willed the crier to proclaime open sale of it in the market place and with all he should adde vnto the sale that his lande laye by a good neighbour An other time two men being suters to his daughter he preferred the honester before the richer saying he had rather haue to his sonne in lawe a man that lacked goodes then goodes to lacke a man These were Themistocles pleasaunt conceites and aunswers But after he had done all these things we haue spoken of before he tooke in hande to buylde againe the cittie and walles of ATHENS and dyd corrupt the officers of LACEDAEMONIA with money to the end they should not hinder his purpose as Theopompus writeth Or as all other saye when he had deceyued them by this subtiltie he went vnto SPARTA as ambassadour sent thither of purpose vpon the complaintes of the LACEDAEMONIANS for that the ATHENIANS dyd inclose their cittie againe with walles who were accused vnto the counsaill of SPARTA by an orator called Poliarchus who was sent thither from the AEGINETES of purpose to prosecute this matter against the ATHENIANS Themistocles stowtely denied it to them and prayed them for better vnderstanding of the trothe they would sende some of their men thither to see it This was but a fetche only to winne by this delaye the ATHENIANS so muche more time to rayse vp their walles and that the ATHENIANS should keepe as ostages for suertie of his persone those they should send to ATHENS to bring backe the reporte thereof and so it fell out For the LACEDAEMONIANS being informed of the trothe as it was dyd him no hurte but dissembling the misliking they had to be thus abused by him sent him awaye safe and sounde Afterwardes he made them also mende and fortifie the hauen of PIRAEA hauing considered the situation of the place and all to incline the cittie to the sea Wherein he dyd directly contrary to all the counsell of the auncient kings of ATHENS who seeking as they saye to withdrawe their people from the sea and to accustome them to liue vpon the lande by planting sowing and plowing their groundes dyd deuise and geue out abroade the fable they tell of the goddesse Pallas And that is this how she contending with Neptune about the patronage of the country of ATHENS brought forth and shewed to the iudges the olyue tree by meanes whereof she preuayled and obteined the preheminence Euen so Themistocles dyd not ioyne the hauen of PIRAEA vnto the cittie of ATHENS as the comicall poet Aristophanes sayeth but rather ioyned the cittie vnto the hauen PIRAEA and the lande vnto the sea By this meanes he made the people strong against the nobilitie and brought the communaltie to waxe bolder then they were before by reason the rule and authoritie fell into the handes of saylers mariners pilottes shippemasters and such kinde of seafaring men so as the pulpet where all the oracles were made stoode in the market place of PNYX and dyd looke towardes the sea But the thirtie tyrannes that came in afterwardes dyd remoue it and turne it towardes the lande holding opinion
he had sayed doing lesse hurte to Cimon then any other of his accusers How is Idomeneus to be credited nowe who accuseth Pericles that he had caused the orator Ephialtes to be slaine by treason that was his friende and dyd alwayes counsell him and take his parte in all kinde of gouernment of the common weale only for the iealousie and enuie he dyd beare to his glorie I can but muse why Idomeneus should speake so slaunderously against Pericles vnles it were that his melancholy humour procured suche violent speache who though peraduenture he was not altogether blameles yet he was euer nobly-minded and had a naturall desire of honour in which kinde of men such furious cruell passions are seldome seene to breede But this orator Ephialtes being cruell to those that tooke parte with the Nobilitie bicause he would spare nor pardone no man for any offence whatsoeuer committed against the peoples authoritie but dyd followe and persecute them with all rigour to the vttermost his enemies layed waite for him by meanes of one Aristodicus TANAGRIAN and they killed him by treason as Aristotle writeth In the meane time Cimon dyed in the I le of CYPRVS being generall of the armie of the ATHENIANS by sea Wherefore those that tooke parte with the Nobilitie seeing Pericles was nowe growen very great and that he went before all other citizens of ATHENS thincking it good to haue some one to sticke on their side against him and to lessen thereby somewhat his authoritie that he might not come to rule all as he would they raised vp against him one Thucydides of the towne of ALODECIA a graue wise man and father in lawe to Cimon This Thucydides had lesse skill of warres then Cimon but vnderstoode more in ciuill gouernment then he for that he remained most parte of his time within the cittie where continually inuaying against Pericles in his pulpit for orations to the people in shorte time he had stirred vp a like companie against the faction of Pericles For he kept the gentlemen and richer sorte which they call Nobilitie from mingling with the common people as they were before when through the multitude of the commnons their estate and dignitie was abscured and troden vnderfoote Moreouer he dyd separate them from the people and dyd assemble them all as it were into one bodie who came to be of equall power with the other faction and dyd put as a man will saye a counterpease into the ballance For at the beginning there was but a litle secret grudge only betwene these two factions as an artificiall flower set in the blade of a sworde which made those shewe a litle that dyd leane vnto the people and the other also somwhat that fauored the Nobilitie But the contention betwene these two persones was as a deepe cut which deuided the cittie wholy in two factions of the which the one was called the Nobilitie and the other the communaltie Therefore Pericles geuing yet more libertie vnto the people dyd all things that might be to please them ordeining continuall playes and games in the cittie many feastes banckets and open pastimes to entertaine the commons with suche honest pleasures and deuises and besides all this he sent yerely an armie of three score gallyes vnto the warres into the which he put a great number of poore cittizens that tooke paye of the state for nine moneths of the yere and thereby they dyd learne together and practise to be good sea men Furthermore he sent into the countrie of CHERRONESVS a thousand free men of the cittie to dwell there and to deuide the landes amongest them fiue hundred also into the I le of NAXOS into the I le of ANDROS two hundred fiftie into THRACIA a thousand to dwell with the BISALTES other also into ITALIE when the cittie of SYBARIS was built againe which afterwardes was surnamed the cittie of the THVRIANS All this he dyd to ryd the cittie of a number of idle people who through idlenes beganne to be curious and to desire chaunge of things as also to prouide for the necessitie of the poore townes men that had nothing For placing the naturall citizens of ATHENS neere vnto their subiects and friendes they serued as a garrison to keepe them vnder and dyd suppresse them also from attempting any alteration or chaunge But that which deliteth most and is the greatest ornament vnto the cittie of ATHENS which maketh straungers most to wonder and which alone doth bring sufficient testimonie to confirme that which is reported of the auncient power riches and great wealthe of GRECE to be true and not false are the stately and sumptuous buildings which Pericles made to be built in the cittie of ATHENS For it is the only acte of all other Pericles dyd and which made his enemies most to spight him and which they most accused him for crying out vpon him in all counsailles assemblies that the people of ATHENS were opēly defamed for carying awaye the ready money of all GRECE which was left in the I le of DELOS to be safely kept there And although they could with good honestie haue excused this facte saying that Pericles had taken it from them for feare of the barbarous people to the ende to laye it vp in a more stronger place where it should be in better safetie yet was this to ouer-great an iniurie offered vnto all the rest of GRECE and to manifest a token of tyrannie also to beholde before their eyes howe we doe employe the money which they were inforced to gather for the maintenaunce of the warres against the barbarous people in gilding building and setting forth our cittie like a glorious woman all to be gawded with golde and precious stones and howe we doe make images and build vp temples of wonderfull infinite charge Pericles replied to the contrarie and declared vnto the ATHENIANS that they were not bounde to make any accompt of this money vnto their friendes and allies considering that they fought for their safety that they kept the barbarous people farre from GRECE without troubling them to set out any one man horse or shippe of theirs the money only excepted which is no more theirs that payed it then theirs that receyued it so they bestowe it to that vse they receyued it for And their cittie being already very well furnished and prouided of all things necessary for the warres it was good reason they should employe and bestowe the surplus of the treasure in things which in time to come and being throughly finished would make their fame eternall Moreouer he sayed that whilest they continue building they should be presently riche by reason of the diuersitie of workes of all sortes and other things which they should haue neede of and to compasse these things the better and to set them in hande all manner of artificers and worke men that would labour should be set a worke So should all the townes men
and inhabitants of the cittie receyue paye and wages of the common treasure and the cittie by this meanes should be greatly beawtified and muche more able to mainteine it selfe For suche as were stronge and able men of bodie and of yeres to carie weapon had paye and entertainment of the common wealthe which were sent abroade vnto the warres and other that were not meete for warres as craftes men and labourers he would also they should haue parte of the common treasure but not without they earned it and by doing somewhat And this was his reason and the cause that made him occupie the common people with great buildings and deuises of works of diuers occupations which could not be finished of long time to the ende that the cittizens remaining at home might haue a meane and waye to take parte of the common treasure and enriche them selues aswell as those that went to the warres and serued on the sea or els that laye in garrison to keepe any place or forte For some gayned by bringing stuffe as stones brasse yuory gold ebbany cypres Other got to worke and facion it as carpinters grauers fownders casters of images masons hewers of stone dyers goldsmithes ioyners working in yuorie painters men that set in sundrie cullers of peces of stone or wodde and turners Other gayned to bring stuffe to furnishe them as marchaunts mariners and shippemasters for things they brought them by sea And by lande other got also as carte makers cariers carters corde makers sadlers collermakers pyoners to make wayes plaine miners such like Furthermore euery science and crafte as a captaine hauing souldiers had also their armie of the worke men that serued them labouring truely for their liuing who serued as preÌ„tises iorney men vnder the workemasters so the worke by this meanes dyd disperse abroade a common gayne to all sortes of people and ages what occupation or trade soeuer they had And thus came the buildings to rise in greatnes sumptuousnes being of excellent workemanshippe for grace beawtie not comparable bicause euery workeman in his science dyd striue what he could to excell others to make his worke appeare greatest in sight and to be most workemanly done in showe But the greatest thing to be woundred at was their speede and diligence For where euery man thought those workes were not likely to be finished in many mens liues and ages from man to man they were all done and finished whilest one only gouernour continued still in credit and authoritie And yet they saye that in the same time as one Agatarchus boasted him self that he had quickly painted certen beastes Zeuxis another painter hearing him aunswered And I contrarilie doe reioyce that I am a long time in drawing of them For coÌ„monly slight and sodaine drawing of any thing cannot take deepe cullers nor geue perfect beawty to the worke but length of time adding to the painters diligence and labour in making of the worke maketh the cullers to continue for euer For this cause therefore the workes Pericles made are more wonderfull bicause they were perfectly made in so shorte a time and haue coÌ„tinued so long a season For euery one of those which were finished vp at that time seemed then to be very auncient touching the beawtie thereof and yet for the grace continuance of the same it looketh at this daye as if it were but newly done and finished there is suche a certaine kynde of florishing freshnes in it which letteth that the iniurie of time cannot impaire the sight thereof As if euery one of those foresaid workes had some liuing spirite in it to make it seeme young and freshe and a soule that liued euer which kept them in their good continuing state Now the chief surueyour generall of all these workes was Phidias albeit that there were many other excellent worke masters in euery science occupation For the temple of Pallas which is called Parthénon as a man would saye the temple of the virgine and is surnamed Hecatompedon for that it is a hundred foote euery waye was built by Ictinus and Callicrates and the chappell of Eleusin where the secret ceremonies of the mysteries were made was first founded by Corabus who raised vp the first pillers in order standing beneath on the ground and dyd set them vp vnto the master chaptrells But after he was dead Metagenes borne in the towne of XYPETA turned the arches ouer and then dyd set the pillers in order also which are aboue and Xenocles of the towne of CHOLARGEA was he that made the lanterne or toppe of the steeple which couereth the sanctuarie but the long wall which Socrates heard Pericles him selfe geue order for the building of it was done by Calliâ—rates who vndertooke the worke Cratinus the Poet in a comedie he made laugheth at this worke to see how slowly it went forward and how long it was a doing saying Pericles long a goe dyd ende this vvorke begonne and build it highe vvith glorious vvordes if so it had bene done But as for deedes in dede he built nothing at all but let it stande as yet it stands much liker for to fall And as for the Theater or place appointed for musicke where they heare all musicians playe and is called Odeon it is very well made within with diuers seates degrees and many ranges of pillers but the toppe of the roofe is altogether rounde which is somwhat hanging downeward round about of it selfe comming together into one pointe And it is sayed that this was made after the patterne and facion of king Xerxes royall pauilion and that Pericles was the first deuiser and maker of it Wherefore Cratinus in another place of his comedie he maketh of the THRACIANS doth playe very pretily vpon him saying Pericles here doth come Dan Iupiter surnamed and onyons hed vvhich hath in his great noddell finely framed The plot of Odeon vvhen he deliuered vvas from banishment and daungers deepe vvherein he long dyd passe Pericles was the first that made maruelous earnest labour to the people that they would make an order that on the daye of the feast called Panathenaâ— they would set vp games for musicke And he him selfe being chosen ruler of these games as iudge to rewarde the best deseruer ordained the manner the musicians should euer after keepe in their singing playing on their flutes or vpon the citherne or other instruments of musicke So the first games that euer were for musicke were kept within the Odeon and so were the other after them also euen celebrated there The gate and entring into the castell was made and finished within the space of fiue yeres vnder the charge of Mnesicles that was master of the workes And whilest these gates were a building there happened a wonderfull chaunce which declared very well that the goddesse Minerua dyd not mislike the building but that it pleased her maruelously For one of the most painefullest workemen that