If he fall by chaunce it is not lawfull for him to rise or get vp but is rowled out all their superstition tending to this that from thence the nation had his beginning that there dwelleth the God ruler of all others and vnto whom all other things are subiect and obedient The fortune of the Semnones giueth this authoritie their countrey is inhabited by an hundred villages and by their great bodie they take themselues to be the head of the Sueuians Contrarily the Longobards are renowned by reason their number is so small that being hemmed in with many verie puissant nations yet maintaine themselues not by doing any dutie to any but by warres and dangers After them the Reudigni and Auiones and Angli and Varini and Eudoses and Suardones and Nuithones are defended by riuers or woods hauing no notable thing particular in any sauing that generally they adore Herthum that is the mother-earth whom they beleeue to be present at mens affaires There is a wood called Castum in an Iland of the Ocean and a chariot dedicated in it couered with apparell which one Priest onely may lawfully touch He knoweth that the goddesse is in some secret part of the house and followeth her with great reuerence as she is lead by Kowes and make those holy daies places of ioy which she vouchsafeth to honor with hir presence Warre they make none nor put on any armour nor shew any weapon but peace and quietnes is onely knowen and loued vntill the same priest bring backe the goddesse to her Temple filled with the conuersation of mortall men Then the chariot and the apparell if you will beleeue it the diuinitie itselfe is washed in some secret lake bond men minister vnto her which the same lake doth incontinently swallow vp Whereof ariseth a secret terror and an holy ignorance what that should be which they onely see which are a perishing And this part of Sueuia reacheth far within the country of Germanie the neerer that I may describe that part which lyeth by Danub as I haue done that which lyeth along the Rhene is the citie of the Hermunduri faithfull to the Romans and therefore of all the Germans trafficke not onely vpon the banke of Rhene but euen within the hart of the countrey and in the most famous colonie of the Prouince Rhaetia These goe all ouer without a guard and whereas we shew other nations somtimes our armes sometimes our campe to these we lay open our houses and villages as people not desiring them In the countrey of the Hermunduri the riuer Albis hath his beginning in times past a famous riuer and well knowen but now onely heard of Neere vnto the Hermundurians dwell the Narisci the Marcomani and Quadi The greatest renowne and strength that the Marcomans haue is in that they got their dwellings by valour and driuing out in times past the Boiens Neither do the Narisci and the Quadi degenerate And that is as it were the frontier of Germanie on that side which the Danube borders The Marcomani and the Quadi had euen vntill times of our memorie Kings of their owne nation of the noble stocke of the Marobodui and Tudri but now they suffer strangers which haue their strength and power by the authoritie of the Romans and seldome vse our armes but are often helpt with our money Neither are the Marsigni Gothini Osi Burij which are behinde the Marcomani and Quadi of lesser valour among which the Marsigni and Burij resemble the Sueuians in speech and attire The Gallican toong doth conuince the Gothinos and the Pannonicall the Osos not to be Germans and that they endure to paie tribute part of the tribute the Sarmates part the Quadi charge them with as strangers The Gothini the more to their shame dig for mines of iron and all these people inhabite small store of plaine ground but wood-landes and hill tops Sueuia is deuided by a continuall ridge of hils beyond which dwell many nations amongst which the name of the Lygians is farthest spread into many cities It will suffice to reckon the strongest as the Arios Helueconas Maninos Elysios Naharualos Among the Naharualians there is a wood long agone consecrated to religion ouer which a Priest apparelled in womans attire is superintendent but the Romans interpret them to be the goddes Castor and Pollux The name of the god is Alcis Images there are none nor signe of strange superstition yet they are reuerenced as brothers and two yong men But the Arij besides their strength wherein they go beyond the other people I haue made mention of fell and cruell do set forth their naturall fiercenes with arte time for they vse black targets and die their bodies with the same colour and choose the darkest nights to fight in striking a terror with the shadow of so deadly an armie into the enemies none of them able to indure so strange and as it were hellish sight the eyes being first ouercome in all battels Beyond the Lygians the Gothones liue vnder Kings in a more seuere gouernment then the other people of Germanie and not in full libertie Then from the Ocean follow the Rugij Lemouij all of them bearing for their marke round bucklers and short swords and liuing vnder the subiection of Kings After those are the cities of the Suionians scituated in the Ocean besides men and armor strong in shipping which in making differ from other vessels in that both ends are fore-parts readie to land at each end without saile or oares in a ranke in the sides but the mariners are at libertie readie to change hither and thither as occasion serueth as in some other riuers Those people esteeme of riches and therefore one hath amongst them absolute rule and gouernmēt and not at the will of the subiect They are not all licensed to weare weapons as in other parts of Germanie but their weapons are shut vp vnder a keeper and that a slaue because the enemie can make no sudden incursion against them by reason of the Ocean If the souldiers be idle and at rest they easily grow insolent and in deede it is not for the Kings profit to commit the charge of armor to noblemen or free borne or freed men Beyond the Suionas there is another sea so slow and almost immoueable that many thinke it to be the bounds which compasse in the whole worlde because that the Sunne continueth so cleare and bright from his setting till the rising that it darkneth the starres And some are further perswaded that the sound of him is hard as he riseth out of the sea and many shapes of gods seene and the beames of his head So farre the fame is true and that there was the end of nature and the world Now on the right shore of the Sweuian sea the Aestyans inhabit whose maner of life is like the Sweuians but their language more like the Britains language They adore the mother of the goddes for a skutchion of
by a maine battell Now he determined by some subtiltie to set vpon Rhescuporis King of Thrace That countrey once hauing beene vnder Rhoemetalces after his death Augustus gaue part of it to his brother Rhescuporis part to his sonne Cotys In that partition the erable grounds the cities and places adioining to Greece fell to Cotys share That which was vnhabited wilde and lying neere the enimie to Rhescuporis The dispositions also of those Kings were such that the one was tractable and of a milde condition this stout coueteous and impatient of a companion and both at the first liuing in cunning and dissembled concord Then Rhescuporis began to exceed his bounds and draw that to himselfe which was giuen Cotys and vse violence if he resisted but not so hotly in Augustus time whom he feared being the author of both kingdomes would reuenge if he were despised But vnderstanding of a chaunge of the Prince he sent in troups of theeues beat downe his castles and sought occasions of warre Nothing did more trouble Tiberius then that those things which were once setled should now be disturbed and therefore making choise of a Centurion dispatcheth him away to signifie to the Kings that they should not in any case enter into armes and thereupon Cotys dismissed presently the aide he had prepared Rhescuporis with a fained modestie requesteth a place of meeting to ende their controuersie by conference neither did they long doubt of the time place and conditions the one yeelding to all with a facilitie of nature the other accepting all with a fraudulent meaning Rhescuporis as he pretended to conclude this agreement maketh a banket whē the night was far spent with great myrth much eating quaffing of wine he loaded vncircumspect Cotys with chaines who perceiuing the treason besought him by the sacred ceremonies of the kingdom the gods of the same familie by the entertainment of his table he would vse no such violence Hauing thus made himselfe maister of all Thrace he wrote to Tiberius that there were conspiracies wrought against him and the contriuer of them preuented And withall pretending warre against the Bastarnians and the Scythians maketh himselfe strong with a new power of footemen and horsemen Tiberius wrote to him coldly againe that if there were no fraude in his doing he might trust to his innocencie but neither he nor the Senate could discerne the right from wrong vnlesse they knew the cause therefore that he should deliuer vp Cotys and come to them and purge himselfe of the enuie of the crime Those letters Latinius Pandus Propraetor of Moesia sent with the souldiers vnto whom Cotys should be deliuered But Rhescuporis balancing betweene anger and feare and desirous to be guiltie rather of the fact committed then only attempted commandeth Cotys to be slaine and vntruly gaue it out that he had killed himselfe Yet for all this Caesar altered not his intended course but after Pandus decease whom Rhescuporis accused to haue beene his back friend made Pomponius Flaccus an old souldier and with whom the king was very inward and therefore a more fit instrument to deceiue for the same cause especiall gouernor of Moesia Flaccus being gone to Thrace by way of great promises perswaded him although doubtfull and calling to minde his owne wickednes to enter into the Romane garrison where he was garded with a strong companie vnder colour of honor He had Tribunes and Centurions at hand to counsell and perswade him and the further he went the greater gard and at last knowing in what termes of necessitie he stoode they brought him to the citie where being accused in Senate by Cotys wife he was condemned to be kept far from his countrey Thrace was afterward deuided betwixt Rhaemetalces his sonne who was knowne to be an enemie to his fathers proceedings and Cotys children which not being of full age Trebellienus Rufus who had beene Pretor in the meane season was made gouernor of the kingdome following the example of our predecessors who sent M. Lepidus into Aegypt to be gardian to Ptolemeus children Rhescuporis was caried to Alexandria and there going about to escape or because it was so fathered on him was killed At the same time Vonones who as we haue said was confined in Cilicia hauing corrupted his keepers vnder colour of going a hunting attempted all meanes to escape to the Armenians from thence to the Albanians and Heniochians and to his Cosen the king of Scythia And forsaking the sea coasts gote into bywayes and forrests and by the swiftnes of his horse posted with all speede to the riuer Pyramus The borderers vnderstanding the kings escape hauing broken down the bridges he not able to passe at any foord was taken by the riuers side and bound by Vibius Fronto captaine of the horsemen Anon after Remmius Euocatus vnto whose charge the king was first committed as it had bene in an anger thrust him through with his sword Wherupon it was the easlier beleeued that he had so slaine Vonones as one guiltie and consenting to his escape and therefore fearing he should be bewraied and accused XVII Germanicus sicknes and death The variance betwixt him and Piso BVt Germanicus returning from Aegypt and perceiuing that all which he had commaunded either in the legions or townes left vndone or changed cleane contrary began to vse grieuous and contumelious speeches against Piso and he to requite Caesar with no lesse dangerous attempts Whereupon Piso determined to depart Syria but staying a time by reason of Germanicus sicknes when he heard of his amendment and that the vowes were accomplished for his health he droue away by his sergeants the beast brought to the altar and disturbed the preparation made for the sacrifice and the solemne meeting of the people of Antioch Then he went to Seleucia expecting the euent of his sicknes which he fell againe into the rage thereof so much the more greeuous through an opinion that Piso had poisoned him for there were found pulled out of the ground and wals charmes verses and enchantmēts and Germanicus name engrauen in sheetes of lead ashes halfe burned and tempered with corrupt bloud and other sorceries by which it is thought that soules are dedicated to the infernall powers Some also were accused to haue bene sent from Piso to espie in what state he was in That droue Germanicus both into anger and feare considering with himselfe if his house should be besieged if he should lose his life in the sight of his enemies what should happen after to his wofull wife and his yong children he saw that the poison seemed slow in working but Piso hastened that he might alone haue the gouernment of the legions and the prouince But Germanicus was not so destitute of friends that the murderer should inioy the rewards of the murder And hereupon enditeth a letter to him in which he renounceth his friendship Some adde that he commaunded him to depart the prouince Piso made no longer delay but
looseth anker and moderated his course to returne the sooner if Germanicus death should open him a way to Syria Germanicus being a little amended and in some hope then growing feeble againe when his end was at hand he spake to his friends about him in this manner If I should die a naturall death yet should I haue iust cause of griefe against the gods that by an vntimely death they shuold take me in my youth from my kinsfolks children and countrey But now being brought to this passe by the lewde practise of Piso and Plancina I leaue in your breasts for my last prayers that you signifie vnto my father and my brother with what crueltie torne with what fraude circumuented I haue ended my miserable life with a most naughtie death If the hopes conceiued of me haue moued any if neerenes in bloud any yea if enuie towards me when I liued they will weepe that he who hath sometimes flourished and escaped so many battels should now end his life by the guile and treachery of a woman you shall haue occasion to complaine to the Senate and demaund the execution of lawes This is not the chiefest dutie of friends to shew their affection towards the dead by a slow and dull complaint but remember and execute that which they commanded Yea such as knew not Germanicus wil weepe for him If you did rather loue me then my fortune you will reuenge my death Shew the people of Rome Augustus neece and the same my wife and my children which are sixe in number the accusers themselues will haue compassion and those which pretend wicked commaundements shall either not bee beleeued or not pardoned His friends taking him by the right hand swore they would rather lose their life then omit reuenge Then turning to his wife intreated hir by the memorie of him and by the children common betweene them that she would lay aside all haughtines and submit her courage to raging fortune lest returning to the citie she stirred not with emulation of greatnes more powerable then her selfe against her Thus much he vttered openly and other things in secret whereby it was coniectured he stoode in feare of Tiberius Not long after he yeelded vp the ghost with great lamentation of the Prouince and countries about forren nations and Kings lamented also so great was his courtesie to his allies and mildnes to his enimies He was no lesse venerable to those which sawe him than to those which heard of him and did so well temper the greatnes of high estate grauitie that he auoided both enuie arrogancie His funerals although he had neither images nor pompe yet by the commendation and memorie of his vertues were honoured of all men Some there were which compared his fauour his age and manner of death by reason of the vicinitie of the places wherein they died vnto Alexander the great For being both of a comely stature noble parentage not much aboue thirtie yeeres of age they died in strange countries by the trecherie of their owne people But this man was courteous towards his friends moderate in pleasures his children certaine begotten in marriage by one woman Neither was he to be counted a lesse warrior then the other although he were not rash hindered to reduce vnder the yoke of seruitude the Germans daunted with so many victories And if he alone had had the supreme managing of affaires and power a name of a King so much the sooner he would haue carried away the prise renowne of warfare by how much he did excel him in clemencie temperancie other good vertues His bodie before it should be burned was laid naked in the market place of Antioche which was the place appointed for his buriall Whether he shewed any tokens of being poisoned or not it is vnknowen for diuers did diuersly interpretit either as they were inclined to pitie Germanicus or suspected to fauour Piso This being done the Lieutenants the Senators which were present cōsulted amōg themselues whom they should make gouernor of Syria the rest not greatly contending it was long debated betwixt Marsus Gn. Sentius in the end Marsus yeelded to Sentius being his elder prosecuting the suite more eagerlie He sent to Rome one Martina a woman infamous in that Prouince for empoisoning but deerly beloued to Plancina at the suite of Vitellius Veranius others which framed their acusations as against one already guilty of the fact But Agrippina wasted with sorrow feeble of body yet impatient of delaying reuenge took shipping with Germanicus ashes with her and her children all men taking compassion that a woman so nobly descended and who not long since in regarde of her stately marriage was honored and reuerenced by all men should now carrie in her lap those lamentable relickes of her husband incertaine of reuenge doubtfull of herperson so oft exposed to fortunes mercy by her vnluckie fruitfulnes XVIII Piso is doubtfull vvhether he should returne to Syria or not And prepareth an armie against Sentius IN the meane season a messenger ouertaketh and aduertiseth Piso at the Iland Cous that Germanicus was departed Which tidings he receiued intemperately offered sacrifices visited the temples nothing moderating his ioy and Plancina growing more insolent then first changed the mourning weede she ware for the death of hir sister into a ioifull attire The Centurions flocking about him told him that he had the good will of the legions at his deuotion that it was his best to returne to the prouince wrongfully taken from him and now voide of a gouernour Whereupon taking aduise what was best to be done his sonne M. Piso was of opinion that he shoulde make all haste to the citie that there was nothing yet done which might not be answered and that weakesuspicions and vaine reports were not to be feared The variance betweene him and Germanicus was woorthie perhaps of some rebuke but not punishment and by taking the prouince from him his enimies were satisfied But if he should returne Sentius being against him a newe ciuill warre would begin Neither would the Centurions and souldiers continue on his side with whom the fresh memory of their captaine and the loue deepely printed in their harts towards the Caesars woulde preuaile Domitius Celer one of his inwardest friends perswaded the contrarie That he ought to take the time when it was offered that Piso and not Sentius was made gouernour of Syria vnto him were the fasces and dignitie of Pretor giuen to him the legions committed If any violence should be offered by the enimie who should more iustly oppose his armes against them then he who hath receiued the authoritie of a Lieutenant and speciall commission Rumors grow stale and vanish away with time and often the innocent are borne downe with fresh enuie but if he had a power at hand and his forces increased many things which could not be foreseene by meere chaunce might turne to the better Do
which laie in garrison at Lugdunum The Turonians were ouerthrowne by the legionarie souldier which Visellius Varro Lieutenant of lower Germanie sent vnder the same captaine Auiola and certaine of the chiefe gentlemen of Gallia which brought him aide the better thereby to cloake their reuolt and when occasion serued rebell with more assurance Sacrouir was seene to demaund battell of the Romans bare headed as he saide to shewe his valour but the captaines said he did it to make himselfe the better knowne thereby to be spared from their darts Tiberius being consulted vpon that point made no reckoning of the disclosing of it but nourished the warre by doubting Florus in the meane time helde on his purpose enticed a wing of horsemen enrowled at Treuers and trained vp in our seruice discipline that hauing slaine the Roman merchants which there vsed trafficke he might begin the warre fewe of the horsemen were corrupted but most continued in their alleageance Other rude indebted persons or followers tooke armes and went towarde the forrest called Arden but the legions from both armies which Visellius and C. Silius had set to crosse them droue them backe Iulius Indus being of the same citie and an enimie to Florus and therefore more foreward to shew his valour being sent before with a choise power scattered and defeated that disordered multitude Florus escaped the conquerours hands by vncertaine lurking holes and at last perceiuing the souldiers to set on his places of refuge slewe himselfe with his own hands And that was the end of the rebellion of those of Treueri It was a matter of great difficultie to suppresse the Aedui by reason their city was more wealthie and the aide which should haue subdued them farther off Sacrouir had with certaine armed cohorts gotten possession of Augustodunum the chiefe citie of the countrey and taken the noblest mens children of all Gallia which there followed their studies as a pledge to win and binde their parents and kindred and withal secretly distributed weapons which himselfe had caused to be made to al the youth They were in number forty thousand the fift part armed as the legions were the others with hunting staues hangers such other weapōs as hūters vse To these were added certaine slauish fencers couered according to the countrey fashion from top to toe in armour of iron vnapt and vneasie to strike but to withstand impenetrable whom they call Crupellarij These forces were augmented though not by any open cōsent of cities adioining yet with euery mans particular good wil the Roman captaines striuing doubting who should haue the conducting of the warre both desiring it But Varro being old and feeble yeelded to Silius who was in his prime It was currant in Rome that not onely the Treueri and the Aedui but also that threescore and fower cities of Gallia had reuolted and the Germans ioined with them that Spaine was wauering and all as the nature of a report is beleeued more then it was Euery good man with a care of the common-wealth was greatly grieued many disliking the present state and desirous of alteration reioysed euen in their owne harmes and blamed Tiberius that in so great a hurlyburly he woulde still spende his labour in hearing accusers libels What saide they shall Iulius Sacrouir bee condemned of treason in Senate at last some were founde which with armes woulde suppresse these bloudy libels of accusers that a miserable peace was well changed for warre Tiberius so much the more composed to a careles securitie changed neither place nor countenance passed ouer those dayes after his accustomed woont either through haughtines of courage or because he knewe the matter to be lighter then the report In the meane time Silius marching on with two legions hauing sent a power of allies before wasteth the villages of the Sequans which were borderers and confederates with the Aeduans Anon after he marcheth speedily with his armie towardes Augustodunum the standard-bearers striuing who shoulde make most haste and the common souldier fretting and chasing likewise least he should rest the night as he was wont only that they might see the enemie and be seene that would be enough for the victorie Twelue miles off Sacrouir appeared in the champian countrey In the front he had placed his men couered with iron his cohorts on the wings and those which were halfe armed in the rereward himselfe mounted on a goodly courser amongst the chiefest of the citie went to the souldiers and put them in minde of the ancient glory of the Galli and how oft they had defeated the Romans How honorable a thing libertie was to the conquerors and how intollerable seruitude would be if they should be vanquished againe This exhortation was not long nor pleasing for the legions drew neere in battell aray the townesmen wanting discipline and ignorant of seruice did neither see nor heare what was best for them Silius on the contrary side although his hope had taken away all occasions of encouraging them yet cried That it was a shame for them being conquerors ouer the Germans to be brought against the Galli as against enemies and that of late one cohort had vanquished the rebellious Toronians one wing the Treueri a few troupes of horsemen of this same armie had put to flight the Sequans By how much the richer the Aedui are in money and abounding in pleasures the lesser courage they had Breake then in vpon them and binde them and flee to those which run away At that all of them giuing an out-cry the horsemen compassed them in the footemen set on the point and the wings made small resistance Those in complet yron harnes stuck somewhat to it their plates resisting and beating back the darts and swords but the souldier snatching his hatchets and axes as though he were to breake through a wall hewed their couering and carcasses Some with poles or forks ouerthrew this sluggish lump leauing them for halfe dead lying on the ground not once going about to rise Sacrouir goeth first to Augustodunum then for feare least it should be yeelded to the next village with a few of his trustiest friends where he slew himselfe with his owne hands and the rest one another and the village being set on fire ouer them they were all burnt together Then at last Tiberius wrote to the Senate that the warre was begun and ended neither adding nor taking away from the truth And that the Lieutenants had behaued themselues faithfully and valorously and himselfe directed them with counsell And withall yeelded the reasons why neither he nor Drusus went to the war magnifying the greatnes of the Empire and that it was not meete that Princes if some one or other towne rebell should forsake Rome from whence all other gouernment was deriued Now bicause there was no cause of feare he would goe see and settle the present estate of things The Lords of the Senat derceed vowes and processions for his returne with other conuenient
that it was not lawfull for Iupiters Priests to go out of Italie And that they had no other law then the Priests of Mars and Quirinus And if these had gouerned the Prouinces why was it vnlawfull for the Diales that there was no law of the people touching that matter found in the bookes of ceremonies The high Priest had often celebrated Iupiters sacrifices if the Flamen had beene hindered by sickenes or publicke affaires Seuentie and two yeeres after that Cornelius Merula was murdered no man was put to supplie the place and yet the ceremonies neuer ceased And if his creation could be omitted for so many yeeres without any hinderance to the sacrifices how much easlier might a man be absent with the Proconsularie dignitie for a yeere In times past they were forbidden to goe out of the Prouinces through the priuat grudges of the high Priest now through the fauour of the gods the high Priest was the soueraign aboue all men not subiect vnto emulation malice or priuat affection Against which when Lentulus the Augur and others had diuersly spoken in the ende they resolued to expect the censure of the high Priest Tiberius hauing deferred the hearing of the Flamins right moderated the ceremonies which were decreed in honor of Drusus Tribuniciall dignitie rebuking by name the insolencie of that sentence which would haue had the decree written in letters of gold against the custome of the countrey Drusus letters were also read which although they seemed to tend to modesty yet were reputed most proude They complained that things were growen to that passe that the yoong man hauing receiued so great honour yet vouchsafed not to visit the gods of the citie nor shew himselfe in Senat or begin at least his authoritie in his owne countrey But forsooth he is let by warre or hindered in some strange countrey when indeed he solaceth himselfe at his pleasure in the shores and lakes of Campania This lesson had the ruler of the world taught him this did he first learne of his fathers Counsels Although the olde Emperour should disdaine to come and shewe himselfe to the citizens and pretend his yeeres and trauell for an excuse yet what impediment hath Drusus but onely his arrogancie XIII A reformation of Sanctuaries BVt Tiberius strengthening in himselfe the soueraigntie left the Lords of the Senate a shadow of their auncient estate by sending the requests of the prouinces to their examination The licence and impunitie of ordaining Sanctuaries and priuiledged places increased throughout the cities of Greece The temples were filled with most lewd bondslaues in the same refuges were receiued debtors against their creditors and suspected of capitall crimes Neither was there any authoritie able to bridle the sedition of the people protecting all villanies no lesse then the ceremonies of the gods Whereupon it was concluded that the cities should send their Embassadors with their priuiledges which some left off of their owne accord as falsly vsurped many trusted to old superstitions or pleasures done to the people of Rome The pomp of that day was great in shew in which the Senators considered of the prerogatiues of their predecessors the agreements of confederates the decrees of kings which had bene before the Romans had gotten such great power and authoritie and the religions of the gods themselues being yet in the disposition of the Senate to confirme or alter all as in times past they could haue done The first which shewed themselues in Senate were the Ephesians declaring that Diana and Apollo were not borne in the Iland Delos as the common people did beleeue and there was in their countrey a riuer called Cenchrius and a wood called Ortygia where Latona being great with childe and leaning against an oliue tree which is yet in the place brought forth those two gods and that by the commaundement of the gods that wood was made sacred And that Apollo himselfe did in that place flee from Iupiters anger after he had slaine the Cyclopians After that Bacchus the conqueror in warre pardoned the Amazones which humbling themselues there caught hold of the altar And that the ceremonie of that temple increased by Hercules permission when he inioyed Lydia which was not diminished when the Persians had dominion ouer it After that the Macedonians then we had maintained the same priuiledges Next vnto those came in the Magnesians building their reasons on L. Scipio and L. Sullaes constitutions the one driuing out Antiochus and the other Mithridates and extolled the loyaltie and vertue of the Magnesians and commaunded that Diana Leucophrynes priuiledges should not be violated Then followed the Aphrodisienses Stratonicenses alleaging an order made by Caesar the Dictator and another later decree of Augustus of famous memory for the pleasures done them in taking part with their side during the time of their faction praysing them that they had sustained the assaults of the Parthians nothing at all changing their constancie towards the people of Rome But the Aphrodisienses maintained the priuiledges of Venus temple and the Stratonicenses Iupiter and Triuias ceremonies The Hierocaesarienses fetchte their matter from a farther beginning inducing their Dianapersica and a temple dedicated by king Cyrus and told a tale of Perperna of Isauricum and many other Emperours which graunted that holines not only to the temple but to two miles compas Then followed the Cyprians declaring that they had three temples whereof the most auncient was builded by Aerias and consecrated to Venus Paphia the second by his sonne Amathus and dedicated to Venus Amathusia the third to Iupiter Salaminius built by Teucer when hee fled from his father Telamon The Embassadors of other cities were heard likewise with whose multitude the Lords of the Senate being wearied some fauoring one side some another and because they contended which had merited most they referred the matter to the Consuls that looking into the right of the cause if they contained any secret abuse they should bring the whole cause againe to the Senate The Consuls besides those cities which I haue aboue named spake of another priuiledged place for malefactors dedicated to Aesculapius at Pergamum affirming that the rest were grounded vpon obscure beginnings in respect of their antiquitie The Smyrnaeans alleaged an oracle of Apollo by which they were commaunded to dedicate a temple to Venus Stratonicis the Tenians a verse of the same Apollo commaunding them to offer an image and temple to Neptune The Sardians brought in matters of later memory that to be Alexander the conquerors gift and the Milesians did the like vsing king Darius name for their franchise but both of these did worship Diana and Apollo The Cretensians made request that the image of Augustus might haue some priuiledge and decrees of Senate were made by which with great honor yet moderation was prescribed vnto all and commaundement giuen in those very temples to erect altars for a sacred memorie yet so that vnder colour of religion they should not fall into
his age He was Neroes sonne and on both sides extracted frō the Claudian familie although his mother went by adoption into the Liuian familie and after that into the Iulian. He had doubtfull fortunes from his first infancie for being a banished man he followed his father who was proscribed and being brought into Augustus house as his son in law was greatly maligned al the time that Marcellus and Agrippa and afterward Caius Lucius Caesar liued Yea his brother Drusus was better beloued then he of the citizens but after he had married Iulia his slipperie estate was tied to two great inconueniences which was either to indure the incontinencie of his wife or go from her After that returning from Rhodes he liued twelue yeeres in the Princes house which had no children then possessed the Empire almost 23. yeeres He changed his manners diuersly according to the times Whilest he was a priuat man he was of good life and credite and had commendations vnder Augustus He was close and craftie in counterfeiting vertues whilest Germanicus and Drusus liued and whilest his mother liued he kept a meane somtimes good and somtimes bad For crueltie he was infamous but in lasciuious lusts as long as he loued or feared Seianus secret In the end he burst into all wickednes dishonestie and reproch after that hauing cast away shame and feare he gouerned himselfe wholy according vnto his owne disposition and nature THE ELEVENTH BOOKE OF THE ANNALES OF CORNELIVS TACITVS I. The death of Asiaticus and Poppaea * The beginning of this Booke is wanting FOr he beleeued that Valerius Asiaticus who had beene twise Consull had in times past committed adultery with Poppaea withall greedily gaped after those gardens which he bought of Lucullus and beawtified and trimmed most stately Suilius was suborned to accuse them both Sosibius Germanicus bringer vp was ioyned with him who vnder colour of friendship counselleth Claudius to beware of such as were strong and rich as men dangerous vnto the state and that Asiaticus the principall author of murdering Caesar feared not to auouch it in a full assemblie of the people of Rome and challenge the glory of the fact vnto himselfe He was famous in the citie for it and a rumor spread throughout the prouince that he prepared a voyage toward Germanicus armie because that being borne at Vienna and strengthened with strong and great kindred he thought it an easie matter to stirre vp his countrey men But Claudius making no farther enquirie sent Crispinus the captaine of the gard with a band of readie souldiers as though it had bene to suppresse a warre who finding him at Baias layd yrons vpon him and drew him to the citie where he was not licensed to be heard of the Senate but in the Emperours chamber in the presence of Messallina There Suilius accused him that he had corrupted the souldiers and wonne them by money and loose life to all wickednes Then charged him with adultery with Poppaea and vnnaturall dishonestie of bodie At that although he were commaunded to silence he burst forth and sayd O Suilius aske thy children and they will confesse me to be a man And entering into his defence Claudius being wonderfully moued drew teares likewise from Messallinaes eyes who going out of the chamber to wipe them giueth Vitellius warning not to suffer the partie arraigned to escape She maketh haste to ouerthrow Poppaea sending some through the terror of prison to perswade her to kill her selfe Caesar being so ignorant therof that a few dayes after he asked her husband Scipio as he sate at table with him why he had sate downe without his wife who made him answere that she was dead But whilest Claudius consulted of Asiaticus deliuerance Vitellius with teares declaring how long time their friendship had continued and how they two did reuerence honor Antonia the Princes mother then running ouer briefely his seruices towards the common wealth and that so lately done in Britannia and what else might seeme to moue compassion left it in the end to his owne choise what death he would choose Claudius yeelding him the like clemencie with like words After this some perswading him that to die with famine and abstinence was an easie death he answered that he reiected such fauour and therefore hauing done those exercises he was vsually wont to do washed his body and fed daintily saying that it had bene a more commendable death to haue died by Tiberius slienes and cunning or C. Caesars violence then now by the treachery of a woman and Vitellius vncleane mouth cut his vaines and hauing first seene the fire wherein his bodie was to be burned commaunded it to be remoued to another place least the thick tuffed trees should be marred with the smoke so small reckoning did he make of death II. Certaine Romaines accused for a dreame A treatise of aduocates AFter this the Lords of the Senate were called together and Suilius goeth on and accuseth certaine noble and renowned gentlemen of Rome surnamed Petra The cause of their death was because they had lent their house vnto Mnester and Poppaea when they had any cause of conference But there was a dreame also obiected against one of them which was that he dreamed he had seene Claudius crowned with a crowne of eares of corne and the eares turned backwards interpreting that vision to signifie a dearth of corne Some report it to haue beene a garlande of vine braunches with white leaues which he sawe in his dreame and interpreted it to foretell that the death of the Prince shoulde follow at the end of Autumne Whatsoeuer the dreame was it is not to be doubted but that he and his brother were both put to death Crispinus had giuen him by decree of Senate fifteen hundred thousand sesterces and ornaments of the Pretor Vitellius added ten hundred thousand sesterces to be giuen to Sosibius bicause he had beene Britannicus Schoole-master and Claudius Counseller Scipio being demanded his opinion said Seeing I do thinke of Popaeus faults that which all you do thinke perswade your selues that I do say that which all you do say which was an excellent moderation and mean shewing the loue he bare hir as his wife and necessitie of giuing sentence being a Senator Suilius neuer ceased from accusations but prosecuted them with al crueltie and many followed his audacity for the Prince drawing vnto himselfe all the duties of lawes and magistrates opened the way to robberie Neither was there any marchandise more publikely bought and solde then the perfidiousnes of aduocates insomuch that Samius a woorthy gentelman of Rome hauing giuen Suilius fowre hundred thousand sesterces to pleade his cause and after perceiuing his preuarication and collusion ran vpon his sword in Suilius owne house Then C. Silius Consull elect of whose authoritie and fall I will speake in conuenient time beginning to speake the rest of the Senators rose vp and demanded earnestly that the lawe Cincia might be set
woman they inuaded her kingdome with a strong power of armed and choise youth Which was foreseene by vs and the cohorts sent to second her fought a hote battell which at the beginning was doubtfull though the end more ioyfull A legion also which Cesius Nasica commaunded fought with the like successe for Didius being stroken in yeeres and hauing receiued many honors thought it sufficient to execute his charge and driue away the enemie by the help of others These exploites although they were atchieued by two Propretors Ostorius and Didius in many yeeres yet I thought good to ioyne together least being seuered they should not so well haue beene remembred IX Nero Agrippinaes sonne is preferred before Britannicus sonne to Claudius NOw I will returne to the order of times Ti. Claudius beeing the fift time Consull and Ser. Cornelius Orfitus great haste was made to make Nero of full yeeres that he might seeme more capable of the gouernment And Caesar willingly yeelding to the flattery of the Lords of the Senate consented that Nero should be Consull at twentie yeeres of age and being elect in the meane season haue the Proconsulary authoritie out of the citie and be called prince of youth There was also giuen in his name a donatiue to the souldiers and a liberalitie to the people The Circensian playes being exhibited to win the fauour of the people Britannicus in his pretext and Nero in triumphing attire because the people should see the one in the magnificence of an Emperour and the other in the habite of a child thereby to presume what fortune to either of them should hereafter fall Withall if any of the Centurions or Tribunes bewayled Britannicus hap they were remoued either by fained pretences or vnder colour of preferment yea of the freed men if any were faithfull he was not suffered about him As these two met vpon occasion Nero saluted Britannicus by his name and Britannicus rendred him the like by the name of Domitius Which Agrippina taking hold of as a beginning of a quarrel carieth to her husband with a grieuous complaint saying that the adoption was nought set by the decree of Senate the ordinance of the people broken and abrogated in his owne house and if such contemptuous frowardnes of Britannicus teachers were not seuerely looked vnto it would burst out into some publike mischiefe Claudius moued with these complaints as though they had beene faults indeede either banished or put to death the chiefest bringers vp of his sonne and placed such ouer him as his stepmother would appoint Neuerthelesse Agrippina durst not leuell at her chiefest marke which was that her sonne should succeede in state vnlesse Lusius Geta and Rufus Crispinus captaines of Caesars gard were first discharged whom she thought would be mindfull of Messallinaes fauours towards them and therefore bound vnto her children Agrippina therefore beareth the Emperour in hand that the gard was deuided into factions through ambition of the two captaines striuing for superioritie that the discipline of seruice would be better kept if the souldiers were commaunded by one alone The charge of the cohorts was transferred vnto Burrhus Afranius a man of great fame for matter of seruice yet knowing well by whose practise and fauour he came to the place Agrippina began also to raise her owne estate to a higher degree by entering into the Capitol in a chariot which in times past was a custome only lawfull for the Priests in sacred rites which augmented the more the state of this woman because she was the onely example vnto this day of any one who being daughter of an Emperour hath been also sister wife and mother of an Emperour In the meane season her chiefest buckler Vitellius being in highest fauour and very old so slipperie is the state of great personages was accused by Iunius Lupus Senator of treason and aspiring to the Empire and Caesar readie to giue eare to the accusation if he had not rather changed his opinion by Agrippinaes threates then intreaties and so to banish the accuser which was the punishment Vitellius best liked That yeere many prodigious sights hapned as that many birds portending euill luck lighted vpon the Capitol many houses ruined by often earthquakes and the feare spreading among the astonied people many in throngs were smothered The want of corne and the famine which insued thereof was also construed as a presage of euill luck Neither did they complaine in secret only but came about Claudius as he gaue audience with turbulent clamors and hauing thrust him to the end of the forum followed him vntill that with a band of souldiers he brake through the prease It was most certaine that the citie was not victualled for aboue fifteene dayes but by the great goodnes of the gods and mildnes of the winter the citie was relieued in necessitie But truly in times past prouision of corne hath beene transported out of Italie into other prouinces farre distant And at this present we stand not in want through the barrennes of the countrey but we do rather manure Afrike and Aegypt and hazard the life of the people of Rome by sea whereof depends want or abundance X. Warres betweene the Romans and the Parthians THe same yeere a warre begun betweene the Armenians and Hiberi was cause of great troubles betwixt the Romans and the Parthians Vologeses was King of the Parthians descended by his mothers side of a Greek concubine yet got the kingdome by consent of his brothers Pharasmanes hath a long time possessed the Hiberians countrey as a King and his brother Mithradates the Armenians through our forces Pharasmanes had a sonne called Rhadamistus of a comely tall stature and of a verie strong and able bodie trained vp in the qualities and practises his father before him had beene and greatly renowned among his neighbors He was woont to say that the kingdome of Hiberia was small and yet kept from him by his father who was verie olde and so oft he did cast foorth those speeches and so fiercely that it was easily seene how greedie a desire he had to raigne Pharasmanes then seeing this yoong man so desirous and readie to rule misdoubting the peoples affection bent towardes him by reason of his declining yeeres thought it best to feede him with some other hope and set Armenia before his eies telling him that he had giuen that kingdome to Mithradates hauing first expulsed the Parthians Yet that it was not his best course to set on it by force but vse policie against Mithradates and intrap him when he least looked for it Rhadamistus vnder colour of some discontent with his father through the insupportable dealing of his stepmother goeth to his vncle where being intreated with all courtesie as if he had been his owne childe solliciteth the chiefe noble men of Armenia to rebellion Mithradates knowing nothing but still entertaining him with all fauour and kindnes Rhadamistus vnder colour of reconciliation returned vnto his father and declared
bondmen L. Varius somtimes Consull was restored to his dignitie remoued before for couetous dealing and extortion And Pomponia Graecina a noble woman and wife to Plautius who returned with a small triumph out of Britannia and accused of strange superstition was remitted to the iudgement of her husband and he according to the auncient custome in the presence of her neerest kindred heard her cause of life and death and pronounced her innocent This Pomponia liued long and in continuall sorrow for after that Iulia Drusus daughter was murdered by Messallinaes trecherie she was not seene for forty yeers but in mourning apparel and very sad doleful Which she might lawfully do whilest Claudius raigned afterward turned to her glory Many citizens were accused that yeere of which number P Celer being one at the information of the inhabitants of Asia because Caesar could not acquit him he prolonged his cause till he died of age For Celer as I haue alreadie sayd hauing besturred himselfe in the murdering of Silanus the Proconsull cloaked all other villanies vnder the greatnes of that lewd action The Cilicians accused Cossutianus Capito criminally noted and discredited with many vices thinking he had had the same priuilege of vsing insolent behauiour in the prouince as he had done in the citie But turmoiled and molested with an ouerthwart accusation in the end letting fall his defence was condemned of extorsion Great suings preuailed so much for Eprius Marcellus of whom the Lycians demaunded restitution that some of the accusers were banished as though they had indangered an innocent man VIII A liberalitie of Nero towards certaine decaied gentlemen The warre of Armenia renewed Tiridates departeth the countrey WHen Nero was the third time Consull Valerius Messalla entered the same office whose great grandfather Coruinus an orator some old men remember to haue beene companion in office with Augustus of famous memorie Neroes great grandfathers father But the honor of this noble familie was bettered by giuing Messalla by yeare fiue hundred thousand sesterces to relieue his harmelesse pouertie To Aurelius Cotta likewise and Haterius Antoninus the Prince graunted that an annuall sum of money should be giuen although they had wasted riotously the wealth their ancestors had left them In the beginning of that yeere the warre which was drawne at length with soft and milde beginnings vntill then betweene the Parthians and the Romans for obtaining of Armenia was nowe hotly pursued because Vologeses would neither suffer his brother Tiridates to be depriued of the kingdome in which he had inuested him nor that he should enioy it as a gift from another Lord and Corbulo thought it woorthie of the greatnes of the people of Rome to recouer that which by Lucullus and Pompey had beene once gotten The Armenians being doubtfull and faithfull to neither side inuited both yet by the site of their countrey and conformitie of conditions being more neere vnto the Parthians and intermingled with them by mariages and not knowing what libertie was inclined rather to that seruitude But Corbulo had more adoe with the slothfulnes of the souldiers then perfidiousnes of the enimies for the legions remoued from Syria by a long peace grown lazie and idle could hardly endure the labor and paines of the Roman discipline Certaine it was there were old souldiers in that campe which had neuer kept watch nor ward a rampire or trench they gazed at as at a new and strange deuise without head-peeces without curasses neate and fine hunting after gaine hauing spent all their seruice in townes Whereupon the olde and feeble being dismissed he desired a supplie which was had out of Galatia and Cappadocia And to them was added a legion out of Germanie with wings of horsemen and all the armie kept in campe although the winter were so hard and the earth so couered with yce that they could not pitch their tents vnlesse they had first digged the ground Manie of their limmes grew starcke with extremitie of cold and many died in keeping the watch And there was a souldier noted carriyng a faggot whose hands were so stiffe frozen that sticking to his burden they fell from him as though they had beene cut from his armes Corbulo slightly apparailed bare headed was with them when they marched when they laboured praised the stout comforted the feeble and gaue example vnto them all Then bicause many refusing to endure the hardnes of the season such rigor of discipline forsooke him he sought a redresse by seueritie for he did not pardon the first and second fault as in other armies but he suffered death presently who forsooke his ensigne which by experience proued more profitable then clemencie For fewer forsooke that campe then where there was much mercie shewen In the meane season Corbulo hauing kept the legions in campe vntill the spring and disposed the aydcohorts in conuenient places charged them not to giue the onset The charge of the garrisons he committed to Pactius Ophitus once Captaine of the first ensigne who although he wrote to Corbulo that the Barbarians were carelesse and disordered and a fit occasion offered of atchieuing some exploite yet he was commaunded to keepe within his garrison and expect greater power But breaking his commandement when he saw a few troupes of horsemen issue out of a castle hard by and vnskilfully demaund battell he encountered the enimie and went away with the losse And those which should haue seconded them terrified with that discomfiture fled as fast as they could euerie man to his hold which to Corbulo was an exceeding griefe Who rebuking Pactius and the Captaines and the souldiers commaunded them all to pitch their tents out of the campe and there kept them in that disgrace vntil they were deliuered by the intercession sute of the whole armie But Tiridates besides his own followers succoured by his brother Vologeses not now by stelth but with open warre molesteth Armenia spoiling all such he thought faithfull to vs and if any forces were brought against him he deluded them by flying hither and thither terrifiyng more by fame then fight Corbulo therefore seeking occasion to ioyne battell but in vaine and constrained to make war now in one place now in another as the enimy did seuered his forces to the end that the Lieutenants Captaines might inuade diuers places at once Withall he aduertised King Antiochus to set on the gouernment next adioyning to him For Pharasmanes his sonne Rhadamistus being slaine as a traitor towardes him to testifie his loyaltie towards vs shewed more willingly his inueterate hatred against the Armenians Then the Isichians a nation neuer before confederate with vs being nowe brought to our side inuaded the hardest passages of Armenia whereby all Tiridates deseignments were crossed He sent Embassadors to expostulate in his owne and the Parthians name Why hauing of late giuen hostages and renewed amitie which opened the way to new benefites he should be driuen from the auncient possession of Armenia therefore
punishmēts inflicted without note of the seuerity of the iudges infamy of times With the losse of his goods he should be confined in some Iland where by how much the longer he drew his guiltie life by so much the more miserable it should be to himselfe in particular and in time to come a notable example of publicke clemencie Thraseas libertie of speech broke the silence of the rest And after that the Consull had permitted the going aside to agree in their opinions all of them a fewe excepted condescended to Thrafeas opinion amongst whom the forwardest in flatterie was A. Vitellius brauling and contending with euerie one of the better sort but neuer replying to an answere a certaine note to know a timorous and faint hart But the Consuls not daring to put the decree in execution with common consent wrote to Caesar who wauering betwixt shame and anger in the end wrote againe That Antistius no iniurie before offered him had vsed most contumelious speeches against the Prince whereof a reuenge was demaunded of the Senat. And it was conuenient that a punishment should be ordayned answerable to the greatnes of the offence As for himselfe as he would haue hindered the seueritie of their resolution so he would not be against the moderation of the punishment therefore they might determine as they thought good giuing them power if they lusted to acquite him These or the like speeches recited and his dislike manifestly perceiued yet for all that neither did the Consuls alter their relation or Thrasea shrinke from his opinion or the rest goe from that which they had once allowed part of them least they should seeme to haue exposed the Prince to enuie many shrowding themselues vnder the number of voices Thrasea by his accustomed stoutnes of courage and because he would not fall from his glorie alreadie gotten Fabricius Veiento was accused of the like crime for vttering many slanderous speeches against the Lords of the Senate and Priests in those bookes which he called Codicillos Talius Geminus his accuser added further of him that he had sold offices and fauours of the Prince and the right of obtaining honours which was the cause why Nero vndertooke the hearing of that iudgement Who after conuiction banished Veiento out of Italie and commaunded his bookes to be burnt which as long as the reading and getting of them was dangerous were much sought for then libertie of hauing them graunted they were forgotten XIIII The death of Burrhus and who Tigellinus and Rufus his successours were The decay of Senecaes credit with an oration of his to Nero with Neroes answere AS publicke calamities daily increased so the remedies against them grewe scarse And Burrhus ended his life but whether by sicknes or poison vncertain It was coniectured by sickenesse because that his winde-pipe within swelling by little and little and in the end stopped he yeelded vp the ghost Most men affirme that by Neroes commaundement making as though he would haue applied a remedie to the palate of his mouth annointed it with poison and that Burrhus vnderstanding the practise when Caesar came to visite him turned his face from him and asking him how he did answered onely I am well He was much lamented in the citie for the memorie of his vertue and harmlesse sloth of one of his successors and enormous wickednes and adulteries of the other For Caesar had made two Captaines of the garde Fenius Rufus through the fauour of the people because he dealt in corne matters without gaine and Sofonius Tigellinus who helde on his old course of vncleane and infamous life which by custome was another nature in him Tigellinus was more inward with the Prince chosen as one priuie to his secret pleasures Rufus was of good reputation and fame with the people and accepted of the souldiers which he found by experience to breed Neroes mislike The death of Burrhus weakened Senecaes authoritie bicause his good artes wanted the strength they had hauing lost one as it were of their guides Nero inclined to the worser sort Which with sundrie sorts of calumniations set vpon Seneca saying That he continually heaped vp wealth aboue the calling of a priuate man and sought to win the peoples harts that in pleasant gardings and stately buildings he did almost exceede the Prince They obiected also that he attributed to himselfe onely the praise of eloquence and made verses often after he saw that Nero tooke a liking to them For shewing openly a dislike of the princes pleasures he detracted from his skil in riding and scoffed at his voice when he sang to what other purpose but that nothing should seeme excellent in the common-wealth which was not thought to be his inuention Nero was now out of his childhood and in the strength of his youth he should shake off his master being alreadie instructed with sufficient teachers to wit his ancestors But Seneca knowing of these accusations by some which had a care of honestie and Caesar more and more estranging himselfe from his familiaritie desireth a time to be heard and hauing obtained it beginneth thus It is foureteene yeeres Caesar since I haue beene put to thee as a guide to thy hope and eight since thou hast gouerned the Empire From that time vntill this thou hast heaped on me so many dignities and so much wealth that there wanteth nothing to my felicitie but the moderation of them I will alleage great examples not of mine owne calling but of thine Augustus thy great great grandfathers father licensed M. Agrippa to withdraw himselfe to Mitylenum to liue a priuate life and C. Maecenas to abide in the citie yet at ease as if he had beene in a forraine countrey Whereof the one a companion of his warres the other tossed and wearied with many trauels at Rome had receiued large rewards but answerable to their manifold deserts As for my selfe what was there in me for the requitall of thy munificencie saue onely my stuas I may say nourished in the shadow By which I haue gotten credit and reputation because I seemd to haue beene at hand and directed thy youth with instructions a great recompence in very deed of my trauell But thou hast done me besides this great fauours and inriched me with infinite wealth in so much that I do oft debate the matter with my selfe saying Am I being but a gentleman onely and borne out of the citie reckoned among the chiefest peeres of the citie Can it be that my new rising can shine among noble men honored with the marks of ancient antiquity Where is that minde of mine which once was contented with a little What doth he make such goodly gardens walke in such manner houses neer the wals of the citie doth he abound in such scope of grounds and vsury in so many places One defence commeth to minde for all that is that it was not my part to striue against thy gifts but both of vs haue filled our measure thou by
cities that only virgins do marrie and that only once and the man the like contracting with the hope and desire of one wife As they haue but one bodie one life so they take but one husband that they might haue no other thoughts no farther desires nor loue him as so deseruing it but because of matrimonie To prescribe a certaine number of children or kill any of their neere kindred they compt it a heinous crime Good manners are of greater authoritie and force among them then elsewhere good lawes They grow to haue these great lims and bodies which we maruell at naked and slouenly in euery house Euery mother nurseth her owne children with her owne breasts and send them not to nurses or other women Thou shalt not know the Lord from the slaue by any note of deintie and nice education for they liue amongst the same cattell and on the same ground vntill age doth distinguish the 〈…〉 his valour make him knowne Yong men giue not themselues too 〈…〉 e with women and therefore decay not so soone neither are 〈…〉 ed to marrie they are of the same yeeres of like growth they are 〈…〉 with such as are of like strength and the children expresse and shew the strength of their parents Sisters children are as much set by in their vnckles house as in their fathers Some are of opinion that this bond of bloud is the straitest and holiest and most of all required in taking of hostages as those which are of a more constant minde and in the familie the greatest part yet euery mans children succeede as heires and testament they make none at all If there be no children to succeede the next in degree are brothers vnckles by the fathers side and by the mothers The more kindred the greater affinitie the more an old man is honored and to be without children is of no reputation They must as well become enemie to their fathers enemies or kinsmens as friend to their friends Their hatred is not implacable for mans slaughter it selfe is satisfied and redeemed with a certaine number of beasts which contenteth the whole familie and is profitable for the common good for where libertie is there priuate enmities are dangerous III. Their domesticall life and behauiour GReater hospitality and entertainment is no where more bountiful than there being a cursed deed to barre any man his house and not giue him meate and drinke according to his abilitie When all is spent the last hoste will be a guide and companion vnto him to the next house vninuited for that skilleth not but are receiued with like curtesie in respect of hospitalitie making no difference whether he be of acquaintance or not If any thing be demaunded of him which is going away the manner is to graunt it and he may with like facilitie aske againe Gifts are things which please them well but those which giue them do not thinke they do you a benefit therein and those which receiue them not bound or beholden for them They entertaine their guests courteously immediatly after they rise which for the most part is verie late and the day well spent they wash and most commonly in warme water as hauing long winters and when they haue washed they fall to eate eurie man his stoole and his messe to himselfe then they fall to their busines and as oft to banket and make good cheere all armed To sit a tipling a day and a night is no disgrace to any There arise many quarrels as commonly it happeneth where drunkards meete which seldome end with brawling and iniurious termes but oftner with murder and hurt In their bankets they consult of peace and warre make attonements betwixt such as are at debate make marriages and choose their Princes as a time when the mind is neuer more open to plaine dealing or more sturred vp to great attempts The people being neither craftie nor subtle through the libertie of the place doth thē most discouer the secrets of his breast Euerie mans minde then being open and discouered the next day they waigh and examine it with a regard had to both the times They deliberate when they cannot dissemble and resolue when they cannot erre Their drinke is a liquor made of barley and corne corrupted into the likenes of wine But those which dwell neere the banke of Rhene buie wine their meats are simple wilde Apples fresh venison or curds or creame they driue away hunger without any solemne seruice ordainties but against thirst they vse not the like temperance If thou wilt please their humour in drunkennes in giuing them what they aske they will be as easilie ouercome with vices as armes They haue but one and the same kinde of pastime in euerie assemblie Yoong men which know the sport cast themselues naked and leape betweene swords and launces Practise bred the arte of doing it and arte the grace yet neither for gaine nor recompence albeit the reward of bolde and rash toies is the delight of the beholder And which thou wouldest maruell at fresh and fasting they play at dice as a matter of serious and earnest busines with such a rash desire of winning and losing that whē all else is lost they lay their libertie and bodie vpon the last throw and he who is ouercome entereth a voluntarie seruitude and although he be yoonger and stronger yet suffereth himselfe to be bound and sold Such is their obstinacie in a bad matter which they call faith but slaues of this condition they make away by marchandise to rid themselues of the shame of such a victorie Their other slaues they employ not in certaine affaires of house as we do ours but euerie one gouerneth his own house and houshold The Lord inioyneth him to pay a certaine of corne or cattell or apparell as he doth his tenant which the bondslaue performeth no more other duties of house belōg to the wife children It is a rare matter to beat their slaues or ouer-labour or emprison them yet they are woont to kill them not by discipline and seueritie but carried away with sudden anger as against an enimie sauing that it is vnpunished The freed men are not much aboue the slaue they seldome beare any sway in the house or city sauing in those countries which haue a King For there they are in greater authoritie then ether free borne or noblemen in other countries freed men being of vnequall condition make libertie better knowen To practise vsurie and in rich themselues with it they know not what it meaneth which is better kept then if it were forbidden All the ground the inhabitants about do possesse according to their number which they diuide among themselues according to their calling which is easily done by reason the fields are so spatious Their earable land they change by yeeres and let onelie not labouring to ouercome the fertilnes and largenes of it by industrie by planting of orchardes inclosing their medowes and watering their gardens onely
yet continuing for which although great preparation was made for the sommer following yet he by a sudden incursion made on the Chatti did anticipate it in the beginning of the spring For a rumor bred a hope that the enimies were banded into factions some fauoring Arminius and others Segestes the one most loyall and the other most disloyall vnto vs. Arminius disquieted Germanie Segestes discouered often to Varus but especially in the last banket after which armes were taken a rebellion intended and counselled him to cast himselfe Arminius and the chiefest of the conspirators into prison the people not daring any attempt the ringleaders being taken away and that he should haue time thereby to sift out the offenders from the innocent But Varus by destinie and Arminius violence died And although Segestes was by common consent drawen to the war yet he shewed himselfe very backward by his priuate grudge against Arminius increasing more and more bicause he had taken away by force his daughter betrothed to another Thus then the sonne in lawe being odious to the father the fathers in lawe at vtter defiance betwixt themselues that which should serue for a bond of friendship among friends serued here for a prouocation of wrath and malice Whereupon Germanicus committed fower legions to Cecinaes charge fiue thousand auxiliaries and certaine Germain bands leuied in haste inhabiting the hither side of Rhene Himselfe conducted the like number of legions with twise as many confederates and hauing builded a fort on the hill Taunus where his father before him had appointed a garrison led his armie without encombrance against the Chatti leauing L. Apronius behinde him to mend and make sure the passages by land and riuers for by reason of a drought and lownesse of the waters a thing seldome seene in that countrie they had marched a good way without danger but feared raine and rising of the water at his returne But his comming was so sudden vpon the Chatti that the weaker sort by age or sexe were presently either taken or slaine the yoong men swam ouer the riuer Adrana and draue backe the Romans which began a bridge But at last driuen away themselues with shot of arrowes and other engins entreating in vaine of conditions of peace some fled to Germanicus the rest abandoning their villages and houses dispersed themselues in the woods Germanicus hauing burned Mattium the capitall citie of the countrey returned toward the Rhene the enimie not daring to set on him as he retired as his manner is when he gaue grounde rather vpon policie then feare The Cherusci woulde willingly haue succoured the Chatti but Caecinaes armie fleeting from place to place kept them in awe and ouerthrew the Marsi which ventured to ioine battell with him Shortly after embassadors came from Segestes to craue aid against the violence of his countriemen which had besieged him Arminius bearing greater sway bicause he incited them to warre For among barbarous people the more audacious a man sheweth himselfe the more loiall he is reputed and the fittest instrument in troubled times Segestes ioined his sonne Sigismond to these embassadors but being touched in conscience was vnwillingly drawn to it bicause that when the Germans rebelled being priested at the altar of the Vbians he brake his head-bande which was the marke of his calling and fled to the rebels Yet trusting in the Romans clemencie fulfilled his fathers commandement and being courteously receiued was conueied with a garde to the shores of Gallia After this Germanicus thought it conuenient to conuert his power against those which besieged Segestes whom he deliuered with a great number of his kindred and followers Among whom there were many noble dames and Segestes daughter Arminius wife affecting rather hir husband than father and being taken not once falling a teare nor crauing fauor ioining hir hands on hir breast looked down vpon hir great belly The spoiles of Varus ouerthrowe were at the same time brought in and distributed as a bootie to the greatest part of such as had yeelded themselues with Segestes Who with a comely maiestie and bolde courage and loyaltie to the Romans began a speech in this maner This is not the first day that the people of Rome hath had experience of my constancie and loyaltie for since Augustus of famous memorie gaue me the priuileges of a citizen of Rome I made choise of such friends or enimies as might stand you in stead not for any hatred to my countrie for traitors are odious euen to those whose instruments they be but bicause I iudged it profitable alike to the Romans and Germans and preferred peace before war for this cause I accused Arminius rauisher of my daughter and infringer of the league concluded with you before Varus the generall But when I was by the slacknes of the generall deferred to a farther day of hearing hauing small hope of support in lawes I besought him earnestly that he would commit me Arminius and the rest of the conspirators to straight custodie I call to witnes that night which if it had pleased the gods I would it had been my last in which those things ensued which deserue rather to be bewailed than maintained In fine I laide irons on Arminius and suffered the same in my selfe by his faction But seeing you haue vouchsafed me your presence I prefer old quietnes before new garboiles not hoping for any reward thereby but onely to excuse my selfe from disloyaltie and to serue for a conuenient meanes of reconciliation for the German nation if they will rather repent than perish For my sonnes youth and error I craue pardon my daughter I confesse was drawen hither by force It resteth in you to determine whether it ought to be of greater force to be with childe by Arminius or be begotten by me Caesar with a milde answere promised his children his kindred safetie and himselfe his ancient seate in the prouince This done he bringeth backe his armie and with Tiberius liking tooke vpon him the name of Emperor Arminius wife was deliuered of a sonne which was brought vp at Rauenna of whom we will speake more hereafter and how he serued for fortunes scorne XIII Arminius stirreth the Germans to warre seeketh reuenge What danger Caecina vvas in Germanicus burieth the legions vvhich vvere slaine vvith Varus THe newes being spred of Segestes yeelding and gentle vsage as mens mindes were affected to peace or warre so they were mooued with hope or griefe Arminius being fierce of his owne disposition vnderstanding that his wife was taken prisoner and the fruite of hir wombe a bonde slaue became as it were mad and raunging the Cheruscians countrey craued for succour against Segestes and Caesar not being able to containe for outragious speeches saieng That that must needes be a braue father a mightie Emperor a woorthie armie that coulde with so much helpe carrie awaie one sillie woman He had defeated three legions and so many lieutenants not by treason nor against women great with
reformation if there were any dissolutiō in maners there should not want one to redresse it Among these things L. Piso reprehending the ambition vsed in places of iudgement corruption of iustice crueltie of aduocates the threats of accusers protested he would be gon forsake the citie and lead his life far off in some retired and solitarie place in the countrie and in so saying went out of the Senat house Tiberius was mooued at this and did what he could to pacifie him with faire words and withall was earnest with his neerest kinsmen to stay him either by intreatie or authoritie Not long after the same Piso gaue no lesse free testimonie of his griefe by sommoning Vrgulania to appeere in iudgement whom the fauour of Augusta had priuiledged aboue the course of lawes But Vrgulania disobeying the sommonce being conueied into Caesars house made small reckoning of Piso yet he desisted not although Augusta complained her credit was touched therein and her calling embased Tiberius thinking it a part of curtesie so far to yeelde vnto his mothers request as to promise he would goe to the Pretors Tribunall to defend Vrgulania went out of the pallace the souldiers being commanded to follow a far off The people which met him in the face marked with what a setled countenance he went forward protracting the time the way with diuers discourses vntill that Pisoes friends labouring in vaine to disswade him from the suite Augusta had commaunded the money which was demaunded to be brought to the Tribunall That matter was so ended not without some glory to Piso and greater fame to Caesar But Vrgulaniaes credit and authoritie was so ouer great in the citie that she disdained to come and giue witnes in a matter which was handled before the Lords of the Senate And therefore the Pretor was sent to examine her in her house when as the auncient custome was that euen the Vestall virgins were examined as witnesses in the common place of pleading and iudgement I would not recite the matters propounded that yeare but that the diuersitie of opinions betwixt Gn. Piso and Asinius Gallus in that point is worthie the knowing For Piso was of opinion that although Caesar had promised he would be present that so much the rather he would prosecute his cause against Vrgulania and that in the absence of the Prince the Senators and Gentlemen might execute their charge as a thing well beseeming the dignitie of the common wealth Gallus because Piso had first taken vpon him the colour of libertie held that there was nothing done with maiestie and answerable to the dignitie of the people of Rome but what was done in Caesars presence and therefore the assemblies of Italie and meetings of Prouinces were to be reserued vntill he would be present These things were debated very hotly on both sides Tiberius giuing them the hearing and holding his peace and in the end they were deferred There arose another controuersie betwixt Gallus and Caesar For Gallus was of opinion that the assemblies for creation of Magistrates should be from fiue to fiue yeares and that the Lieutenants of the legions who had executed that charge before they had been Pretors should then be chosen Pretors elect and that the Prince should euery yeare nominate twelue Little doubt but this aduise went deepe and reached to a secret of state Caesar neuerthelesse as though his authoritie should thereby be made greater said that it stoode not with his modestie to choose so many and defer so many And if the election should be euery yeare hardly could it be chosen but some would be offended although such as had the repulse might be comforted with hope to be chosen the next yeare And how would they hate me which should be deferred aboue fiue yeares how could it be knowne in so long a time what euery mans minde is what his house and fortune If men grow too prowd in one yeare what would they be if they should be cōtinued for fiue yeares Magistrates should so be multiplied fiue for one and lawes subuerted which haue prescribed a time for suters to exercise their industrie and to procure and inioy dignities With this speech in shew plausible he confirmed the state to himself he bettered the reuenews of certain of the Senators and therefore it was the more to be maruelled that he accepted no better of the request of M. Hortalus a noble yong man fallen into manifest pouertie This Hortalus was nephew to Hortensius the Orator and by the liberalitie of ten hundred thousand sesterces giuen him by Augustus perswaded to marry and haue children least so worthy a family should be extinguished Standing therfore with foure of his sonnes before the entry of the Senat house in stead of his opinion in a full assembly of the Senat in the pallace casting his eyes sometimes on the image of Hortensius placed among the orators and sometimes on that of Augustus began as followeth These children Lords of the Senat whose number and tender yeeres you see I haue not begotten of mine owne accord but bicause the Prince did so exhort me and bicause my predecessors had deserued to haue issue to succeede them As formy owne part seeing I could neither attaine to wealth nor win the peoples fauour through the alteration of times nor yet eloquence which is the proper ornament of our house I contented my selfe if my small abilitie were neither a reproch to my selfe nor a burden vnto others By the Emperors commaundement I tooke a wife behold the ofspring and progenie of so many Consuls and Dictators which I speake not for enuie to anie but to mooue pitie They shall inioie O Caesar whilest thou dost flourish such honours as thou wilt bestow vpon them In the meane space defend from pouertie L Hortensius nephewes sonnes brought vp by Augustus Tiberius perceiuing that the Senators were inclined to his speeches was the more readier to gainsaie him almost in these words If all such as are needie begin to come hither and craue for money for their children they shall neuer be all satisfied and the common-wealth vnable to supplie their necessities Neither haue our predecessors permitted vs to digresse from the matter put in deliberation and when we should intreat of somewhat to the benefit of the common-wealth debate how to better our priuate estates and increase our substance with the hatred of the Senat and Princes whether they graunt or denie our requests These are not petitions but vnseasonable importunate vnlooked for crauing to rise vp in this place and with the number and age of children when the Lords are assembled to handle other matters to assaile the modestie of the Senate and vse the like violence vnto me and as it were forciblie to breake open the publicke treasury which if we wast by ambition must be supplied by vnlawfull meanes Augustus of famous memorie hath giuen thee money Hortalus vnasked yet not vpon condition that it should alwaies be giuen thee
made famous and the spoiles dedicated by Augustus with the place where Antonie had camped by those meanes renewing the memorie of his auncestors for as I haue saide before Augustus was his vncle and Antonie his grandfather and therefore in that place he sawe represented things both ioifull and dolorous From thence he went to Athens which being an ancient citie and a confederate with the Romans he woulde haue but one Lictor before him The Graecians receiued him with most exquisite honors and represented the ancient exploites and saiengs of his predecessors that their flatterie might be so much the more gratefull and acceptable And going from thence to Euboea hepassed by Lesbos where Agrippina in hir last deliuerie had Iulia. Then desirous to visite places of antiquitie and fame he went to the confines of Asia Perinthum and Byzans cities of Thrace then he entered the straites of Propontis and the mouth of the Pontion sea Withall he releeued the prouinces which were wearied with ciuill discordes and oppressions of magistrates In his returne desirous to visite the sacrifices of the Samothracians and sundrie other things for change of fortune and our beginning from thence woorthie of honor The northren windes droue him backe againe Then he coasted Asia and came to Colophona to consult with the oracle of Clarius Apollo There is no woman as at Delphos but a priest vsually chosen out of certaine families and for the most part from Miletum doth heare onely the number and names of such as come to consult then going downe to a den and drinking a draught of the secret fountaine giueth answer being commonly ignorant in learning and verses in verses touching those things which a man hath fore-thought in his minde It is reported that by circumstances of darke speeches as the manner of the oracles is he prophecied that Germanicus death was not farre of But C. Piso to the ende he might more speedily begin to effectuate his determination sharpely rebuked the citie of Athens alreadie amazed with his turbulent behauiour indirectly carping at Germanicus that contrarie to the dignitie of the Roman name he had vsed too great curtesie not towards the Athenians which had beene wasted by so manie miseries but towards a rif-raffe of other nations and those which were Mithridates confederates against Sulla and Antonies against Augustus of famous memorie Other stale matters he obiected also against them as that they had not prosperous successe against the Macedonians and vsed violence against their owne citizens bearing them also a speciall grudge bicause that at his request they woulde not deliuer on Theophilus condemned of forgery by the counsel of the Areopagites From thence sailing with all celeritie by the Cyclades and seeking out the shortest cuts at the Iland of Rhodes he ouertooke Germanicus nothing ignorant how he had backbitten him yet neuerthelesse such was his milde disposition that when Piso was driuen through tempest against the rocks and that his miscarieng might haue beene imputed to chance he sent gallies to succour him and so deliuered him from danger But all this did not mollifie Pisoes hart but scarse enduring one daies staie forsaketh and preuenteth Germanicus For being come to the legions in Syria winning the basest of the common soldiers with gifts he began to displace the old Centurions and seuere Tribunes and bestowe their roomes on his followers or to the most lewdest suffered idlenes in the campes licentiousnes in the citie vagrant and riotous souldiers to range the countrey whereby they grew to such corruption that among the common sort he was called the father of the legions Neither did Plancina containe hir selfe within the bounds of womanly modestie but woulde be present at the horsemens exercise as the running of the cohorts and vse reprochfull speeches against Agrippina and Germanicus some of the better sort of soldiers readie to follow hir humour in bad actions bicause there was a secret rumour spred that those things were not done with dislike of the Emperour Germanicus knew all this but his greatest care was to preuent the Armenians That nation was in times past doubtfull and vncertaine to the Romans not onely through their disposition and affection but also through the situation of their countrey which stretching into our prouinces reacheth euen to the Medes And being seated betwixt great kingdomes are often in wars through hatred to the Romans and enuie to the Parthians King at that time they had none Vonones being expulsed But the nation fauoured Zeno Polemon king of Pontus sonne bicause that from his infancie he had imitated the customes and attire of the Armenians their hunting and banqueting and other exercises of the Barbarians greatly esteemed thereby winning the fauour as wel of the nobilitie as cōmon people Germanicus then in the city Artaxata the noble men approouing it in the presence of a multitude crowned him King the rest doing him honor as their King saluted him after the name of the city by the name of Artaxias The Cappadocians being reduced to the forme of a Prouince receiued Q Veranius for their Lieutenant and to giue them a good hope of the Roman gouernment some of the tributes vsually before paid to the Kings diminished ouer the Comageni then first reduced vnder the regiment of a Pretor Q. Seruaeus was made gouernor XIIII Germanicus and Pisoes iarring ALbeit all the affaires of the allies were setled in good order yet Germanicus was nothing the more at his ease by reason of Pisoes pride who being commanded either by himselfe or by his sonne to conduct part of the legions to Armenia neglected both At length they both met at Cyrrum where the tenth legion wintered Piso with a resolute countenance against feare and Germanicus as I haue said the milder of the two lest he should be thought to threaten But his friends their crafts master in prouoking hatred made the most of that which was true suggested much which was false laying diuers things to his own charge Plācinas his childrens In the end Caesar in the presence of a few of his familiars vttered som such speech to Piso as anger dissimulation doth suggest Piso answered with a proud submission so they departed open enemies After that time Piso was seldome seen at Caesars tribunal if he did assist at any time he shewed himselfe froward and alwayes dissented openly from him In a banket made by the king of the Nabateans when there were presented crownes of great waight to Caesar and Agrippina and light ones to Piso and the rest He was heard to say that that banket was made to the sonne of a Romane Prince and not to the sonne of a king of Parthia and withall threw away his crowne vttering many speeches against the superfluitie of the banket which although Germanicus could hardly digest yet indured all patiently Whilest these things were adoing Embassadors came from Artabanus king of the Parthians calling to minde their friendship and alliance with the Romans
and desiring that they might renew right hands and that in honor of Germanicus he would come to the banke of Euphrates And requested in the meane time that Vonones might not remaine in Syria least he should by messengers draw the noble men of the countrey round about to ciuill dissentions Touching the alliance Germanicus answered magnificently but concerning the kings comming and the honor done to himselfe he answered ciuilly and with great modestie Vonones was remoued to Pompeiopolis a sea towne in Cilicia not so much at Artabanus request as to spite Piso vnto whom he was most acceptable for many benefits and gifts bestowed vpon Plancina XV. Germanicus voiage to Aegypt and Thebes Maroboduus and Catualda both expelled flee to the Romanes WHen M. Silanus and L. Norbanus were Consuls Germanicus went to Aegypt to see the antiquities of the countrey but pretended a care of the prouince where he opened their storehouses and brought downe the price of corne and did other things to win the fauour of the people as to go without souldiers weare open shoes apparell himselfe like the Grecians imitating P. Scipio whom we haue heard to haue done the like in Sicily when the war was hottest against the Affricans Tiberius hauing lightly blamed him for his behauior and apparell did most sharply rebuke him that contrary to Augustus order without the princes licence he had entered Alexandria For Augustus amongst other secrets of state had reserued Aegypt and forbidden all Senators Noblemen and Gentlemen to enter into it but with permission least Italy should be oppressed with famine who soeuer should be maister of that prouince being the key of the sea and land and easily defended with a small power against a strong host But Germanicus not knowing that his voiage was misliked went vp Nilus beginning at the towne Canopus which the Lacedemonians built because Canopus the gouernor of their ship was buried there when Meuelaus going backe to Greece was carried to a contrary sea and land of Libya The next mouth of the riuer from thence is dedicated to Hercules the first of which name was borne there as the inhabitants do report and of whom all which come after him of like valour and vertue tooke their surname After that he visited the great monuments of auncient Thebes where yet were to be seene Aegyptian letters in old buildings which contained their ancient wealth And one of their auncientest Priests being commaunded to interpret those letters in the countrey language related that in times past there had dwelt in that citie seauen hundred thousand persons of age fit to beare armes and that with that armie King Rhamses had conquered Libya Aethiopia Media and Persia Bactria and Scythia and the countries which the Syrians and the Armenians and the Cappadocians their next neighbours inhabited and that their dominion reached from the Bithynian to the Lycian sea There were also read the tributes imposed ouer nations the weight of siluer and gold the number and furniture of horses and armour the gifts giuen to the Temples the Iuory sweete sauours and what plentie of corne what vtensiles euerie nation was charged to furnish which were no lesse magnificall then are now commaunded by the forces of the Parthi or power of the Romans But Germanicus was yet tied to other miracles whereof the chiefest was the image of Memnon made of stone when it was stroken with the sunne beames yeelding a sound like a mans voice and the Pyramides as great as mountaines on the not passable sandes built a vie by Kings in times past to shew their riches and the ditches wrought by handie worke to receiue the ouerflowing of Nilus so narrow in some places and so deepe in others that the bottome cannot be found by any search From thence he came to Elephantines and Syenes in times past the bounds of the Roman Empire which now openeth to the red sea Whilest Germanicus spent that sommer in visiting many Prouinces Drusus gate no small honour by sowing sedition in Germanie and incensing them to pursue Maroboduus already weakened euen to his vtter ruine Among the Gotones there was a noble yoong man called Catualda who through Maroboduus violence hauing before fled his countrey things standing nowe in doubtfull termes ventured a reuenge And with a strong power entered the frontiers of the Marcomans and hauing corrupted the chiefe noble men to his confederacie forceth the Kings pallace and a castle hard by Where he found the olde spoiles of the Sueuians and the base rascals of our Prouince and certaine marchants whom intercourse of Marchandice and a desire of increasing their wealth or last of all a forgetfulnes of their countrey had drawen from their own dwellings to the enimies countrey Maroboduus being forsaken of all hands had no other refuge left but the mercie of the Romans And hauing passed the riuer of Danub where it coasteth the Prouince of Notica wrote vnto Tiberius not as a fugitiue and suppliant but putting him in minde of his former fortune and estate alleaging that when sundrie nations inuited him to their alliance being sometimes a renowned King he preferred the amity of the Romans before them al. Caesar answered him that he should haue a sure and honorable dwelling in Italie if he listed to remaine there but if any thing of greater aduauncement should happen vnto him that he should depart with the same safe conduct he came thither Afterward he declared in Senat that the Athenians had no such cause to feare Philip nor the people of Rome Pyrrhus and Antiochus as this man An oration of his is yet extant wherein he extolleth his power the strength of the nations he had vnder him and how neere an enimie he was to Italie and what plots he had deuised to roote him out Maroboduus was receiued at Rauenna that if at any time the Sueuian should waxe insolent he was in sight as it were alwaies readie to returne But he departed not Italie the space of eighteene yeeres and grew old with losse of reputation through ouer great desire of liuing The like hope had Catualda and no other refuge for not long after being driuen out by the Hermunduri vnder the conduct of Vibilius he was receiued and sent to Forum Iulij a colonie of Gallia Narbonensis The barbarous people which followed both these lest being mingled among others should disturbe the quiet Prouinces were placed beyond Danubium betwixt the riuers Marus and Cusus and a King giuen them of the Quadian nation XVI Wars betwixt Rhescuporis and Cotys Rhescuporis is sent to Rome NEwes being come that Artaxias was by Germanicus made King of Armenia the Lords of the Senat ordained that Germanicus and Drusus should enter into the citie ouant or with a small triumphe and that arches should be erected about the sides of the Temple of Mars the Reuenger with the images of the two Caesars Tiberius being more glad that he had established a peace by wisedome then if he should haue ended the war
moued because Augustus did doubt only whether he should bestow her vpon a gentleman how much more ought we to consider that he gaue her to M. Agrippa and then after vnto me These things I would not hide from thee for the friendship which is betwixt vs but I will not be against thine nor Liuiaes deseignments and will forbeare at this time to speake what I had cast in minde and how neerely I purposed to linke thee vnto me I will only say that there is nothing so excellent but thy vertues and good will towardes me doth deserue it and when opportunitie shall serue I will vtter it either in Senate or before the people Seianus hearing this answere was nothing pleased not so much in regard of the marriage as because he feared Tiberius secret suspitions the rumor of the people and enuie which grew fast vpon him Yet fearing if he should cast off those great troupes which daily came to court him he should weaken his authoritie and by entertaining them minister matter of crime the marke he shot at was to perswade Tiberius to leade his life in some pleasant place far from Rome wherein he foresaw many things as that there could be no accesse to the Prince but by him that all letters being conueied by souldiers which were at his deuotion should passe through his hands that Caesar declining now to age and growen slothfull and effeminat through the quietnes of the place would disburden himselfe of cares of state and commit them to another and that the enuie borne to himselfe should be diminished accesse to the Prince being lesser and by that meanes all vaine shadowes remoued he should grow mightie in true power and authoritie Therefore by little and by little he findeth fault with the busines of the citie the concourse of people the flocking together of multitudes extolleth highly a quiet and solitarie life a life without anguish of minde and free from enuie most fit to thinke on important and waightie affaires And falling out by chance that Votienus Montanus cause was to be heard a man of a readie wit Seianus perceiuing Tiberius not resolued to leaue the citie perswaded him to be a very inconuenient matter to be present at the assemblies of the Senate least he should heare railing and reprochfull speeches but yet true vttered of himselfe in his owne hearing For Votienus being accused of contumelious words against Caesar whilest Aemylius a witnes and a souldier laboured earnestly to prooue his assertion rehearsed from point to point though the hearers buzzed and made a noise about him all Votienus words in which Tiberius heard many spitefull and reprochfull speeches backbitingly vttered in secret against himselfe which so moued him that he cried he would either presently or when the cause was heard purge himselfe and was hardly pacified either with intreatie of his neerest friends or flattery of all and so Votienus was punished as for treason Caesar persisting stifly vsing hard and rough dealing though that was one of the crimes obiected against him condemned to exile Aquilia for adulterie with Varius Ligur although Lentulus Getulicus Consull elect had alreadie condemned her by the Iulian law and put Apidius Merula from his Senators roome because he had not sworne to obserue Augustus actes X. Acontrouer sie betvvixt the Lacedaemonians and Messenians touching the rights of the Temple of Diana Piso Pretor of Spaine slaine by a villagois AFter that were heard the Embasies of the Lacedaemonians and Messenians concerning the right of the Temple of Diana Limenetidis which the Lacedaemonians auowed by the records of their Annales and profices to haue beene dedicated by their predecessors in their countrey but taken from them by Philip of Macedon with whom they warred and afterward restored vnto them by the sentence of C. Caesar and M. Antonius The Messenians on the contrarie side alleaged an old diuision of Peloponesus betweene Hercules successors and that that territorie Dentheliate wherein the Temple was fell to their King whereof there remained auncient monuments engrauen in stones and brasse And if it were necessarie to produce the testimonie of Poets and Chronicles they had more then they of good credit neither had Philip so done by force but according to equitie King Antigonus and the Captaine Mummius gaue the like iudgement So the Milesians being publikely made arbitrators of the cause and last of all Atidius Geminus Pretor of Achaia determined the same Whereupon iudgment was giuen on the Messenians side The Segestani likewise demaunded that Venus Temple built on the hill Eryce and fallen downe with age might be reedified calling to remembrance many things of her beginning pleasing vnto Tiberius eares which mooued him to vndertake willingly the charge as being of her blood After that the Massiliens requests were heard and the example of P. Rutilius allowed who hauing by law been expulsed Rome the Smyrnaeans receiued and made a citizen in their citie By which right also the Massiliens receiued Vulcatius Moschus a banished man who left all his goods to their common-wealth as to his countrey Two noble men Gn. Lentulus and L. Domitius died the same yeere It was to Lentulus a great honour ouer and besides that he was Consull and triumped ouer the Getuli that he endured his pouertie patiently then that hauing gotten great riches without iniuriyng of any he vsed them temperatly Domitius credit grew by his father who was lord of the sea in the ciuill wars vntill he thrust himself into Antonies faction and after that into Caesars His grandfather was slaine in the Pharsalian battell taking part with the nobilitie and himselfe chosen to marrie Antonia Octauius yoongest daughter After that he passed ouer the riuer Albis with his host and entered farther into Germanie than any other before him for which cause he obtained the honour of triumphe L. Antonius of great but vnfortunat nobilitie died likewise for his father Iulus Antonius being put to death for committing adulterie with Iulia Augustus sent him being verie yoong and his sisters nephewe to Marsilles where he cloked the name of banishment with the pretence of studie Notwithstanding he had great honor done him at his funerals and his bones buried in the tombe of the Octauians by decree of the Senat. The same men being Consuls a bloodie fact was committed in hither Spaine by a pesant of Termestine who assayling vpon the way L. Piso Pretor of the Prouince at vnawares and vnprouided as being careles by reason of peace killed him with one stroke then fled in post to the woods and forsaking his horse stealing by dangerous bie-waies beguiled his followers though not long for his horse being taken and brought to the next villages it was knowen whose he was And being found and put to the racke to bewraie his complices cried alowde in his countrey language that that was a vaine question to aske him and that his companions might boldly come and behold him on the torture for no torment or griefe should be
Macedon of the number of riuers the temperature of their countrey and what a rich territorie they had round about them But the Smyrnaeans fetching their antiquitie a farre off either that Tantalus from whence they came was descended from Iupiter or from Theseus issued also from the stocke of the gods or else that some one of the Amazons had founded them alleaged farther the seruice they had done to the people of Rome in which they most of all relied and that they had giuen them su cour by sea not only against forreine wars but also the wars of Italie And that they first of all had dedicated a Temple in honor of Rome M Porcius being Consull The people of Rome indeed then flourishing but yet not lifted vp to the height of their greatnes the citie of Carthage yet standing and many strong Kings liuing in Asia They brought in L. Sulla for a witnes whose armie being fallen into great danger through the roughnes of the winter and want of apparell when newes was brought thereof to the Smyrnaeans as they were assembled vpon occasion all which were present sent the apparell from their owne backes vnto our legions Thereupon the Lords of the Senats opinion being demaunded they preferred the Smyrnaeans And Vibius Marsus counselled farther that ouer and aboue his charge M Lepidus vnto whom the gouernment of that Prouince fell should haue a deputie appointed to take care of that Temple And bicause Lepidus through modestie refused to accept it Valerius Naso who had beene Pretor was by lot chosen and sent XIII Why Tiberius absented himselfe from the Citie WHilest these things thus passed Caesar hauing deepely thought vpon and after protracted his determination at last goeth into Campania vnder colour of dedicating a temple to Iupiter Capua and another to Augustus at Nola but indeede resolued to leade his life far from the citie The occasion of his departure although following some authors I haue attributed vnto Seianus wiles yet because that after Seianus death he continued sixe yeares in the like retired life I am often induced to doubt whether the cause be more truly to be referred to himselfe as going about to cloake by the place his crueltie and loose behauior Some were of opinion that being through age slender tall and crooked bald headed and his face spect with plaisters and ointments was therefore ashamed to shew himselfe in publick And at Rhodes he was wont to shun companie liue secretly and hide his lasciuious dissolute life Some gaue out that his mothers insupportable insolēcie droue him away whom as a companiō in state he could not indure nor yet be rid of her bicause the soueraigntie it self was her gift For Augustus was determined to leaue the Empire to Germanicus his sisters nephew who had a good report of all men but being ouercome by his wiues importunate intreatie he adopted Tiberius and Tiberius Germanicus which Augusta did vpbrayd vnto him and demanded the Empire againe which she had bestowed vpon him He departed with a small traine with him one Senator who had bene Consull which was Cocceius Nerua skilfull in the lawes one gentleman of Rome besides Seianus and of noble men only Curtius Atticus The rest were men indued with liberall sciences most of them Grecians with whose conference he purposed to passe the time Some Astrologers gaue out that Tiberius departed Rome vnder such a constellation that he should returne no more which was cause of manies ouerthrow which coniectured and diuulged that he had not long to liue for they could not foresee so incredible a matter as that he should want his countrey willingly eleuen yeeres together Wherein did appeare not long after how neere cosens their arte and falshood are and how truth is disguised and hidden vnder obscuritie For it was not spoken at aventure that he should not returne againe although they were ignorant of other things which should happen vnto him or whether he should quickly die or not which was not signified by those words of theirs because he ended his latter yeeres in some village not farre off or on the sea shore or neere vnto the wals of the citie At that time a doubtfull and dangerous perill which by meere chance Caesar fell into augmented the vaine rumor alreadie sowne and gaue him occasion to put more trust in Seianus friendship and constancie then euer he had done before For as they were eating in a countrey house called Spelunca betwene the sea Amuclanum and the hils of Fundani in a naturall grot or caue certaine stones falling suddenly from the mouth of it slew some of his seruitors which so affrighted the rest that they fled all away But Seianus with his knees his face and hands leaning and hanging ouer Caesar set himselfe against the other stones which were falling and in that plight was found by the souldiers which came to succour them This made him greater then he was and although he should haue giuen most pernitious counsell yet should haue had fauorable audience as one nothing caring for ought which might happen to himselfe He tooke vpon him the office of a iudge against Germanicus issue suborning some to play the parts of accusers and inueigh especially against Nero next in succession although a modest yong man yet oftentimes forgetfull of that which was requisit for the present time pricked forward by his freed men and followers which thought it long till he were Emperour to shew himselfe bold and stout of courage perswading him that that the people of Rome desired the armie couered and that Seianus durst do nothing to the contrarie though now he insulted alike ouer the patience of the old man and sloth and cowardlines of the yong Nero hearing these or the like speeches yet dreamt of no bad practise although some wilfull and vnconsiderate speeches slipt now and then from him which when the spies set ouer him had augmented carried to Caesar and Nero not suffered to purge himselfe droue manie into sundrie doubtes Some shunned to meete him some hauing saluted him turned presently from him many brake off abruptly their talke Seianus fauorers on the other side laughed in their sleeues to see it Tiberius whether the yoong man spake vnto him or held his toong cast a malicious eye or smiled dissemblingly vpon him and whether he spake or helde his toong it was alwaies a crime in him Neither was he secure from treason in the night his wife bewraying his watchings his dreames his sighes to Liuia her mother and she to Seianus who drew Drusus Neroes brother to his side with a hope of the Empire if he could remooue his elder brother which was alreadie downe and out of credit Drusus was of a cruell and fell disposition and besides the desire of rule and hatred which vsually raigneth betwixt brothers he was incensed with enuie to see Agrippina their mother readier bent to do Nero good then himselfe And yet Seianus did not so much tender Drusus but that he
blamed the magistrates and Senators that they had not by publike authoritie brideled the insolencie of the people and added withall how farre greater quantitie of corne he had caused to be brought then Augustus and out of what prouinces Whereupon a decree of Senate was enacted to restraine the people according to the auncient seueritie the Consuls being no lesse forward to publish it his owne silence in the cause was not construed to be a point of ciuilitie as he looked it should be but was imputed to his pride In the end of that yeare Geminius Celsus Pompeius Gentlemen of Rome were put to death for conspiracies among which Geminius through prodigalitie and loosenes of life and a friend to Seianus was a man of nothing And Iulius Celsus a Tribune loosing the chaine he was bound with at large then winding it about and forcing himselfe a contrary way brake his owne neck But Rubrius Fabatus despairing of the Roman affaires and fleeing to the Parthians and brought back safe from the streights of Sicilie by a Centurion had keepers appointed him not able to alleage any probable causes of his long voiages yet he escaped vnpunished rather through forgetfulnes then clemencie IIII. Tiberius marrieth his neeces Vsurers accused and the inconuenience that ensued SEr. Galba and L. Sulla being Consuls Tiberius hauing a long time bethought himselfe what husbands he should prouide his neeces whose age now came on made choise of L. Cassius and M. Vinicius Vinicius kindred came out of a small towne himselfe borne at Calles but his father and grandfather were Consuls the rest of his kindred were Gentlemen he was of a milde disposition and very eloquent L. Cassius was descended of one of the common people at Rome but auncient and noble and brought vp vnder the seuere discipline of his father and oftner commended for his courtesie then industrie To him he giueth Drusilla to Vinicius Iulia both Germanicus children and writeth to the Senate touching that matter with a light commendation of the yong men Then hauing yeelded some causes of his absence but very extrauagant came to matters of greater moment and the displeasures and dislikes he had incurred for the common wealth and requested that Macro the Prouost and some few of the Tribunes and Centurions might as oft as he came to the Senate enter into the Curia with him And albeit the Senate made a decree very generall without prescribing any number or qualitie of persons he was so farre from comming to any publick counsell that he neuer came so much as to the citie coasting about it and for the most part in by-wayes and still auoiding his countrey as much as he could In the meane season a great rabble of informers rose vp against such vsurers as tooke more for consideration of their money then they might by the law made by Caesar the Dictator concerning the manner of lending and holding possession within Italie long neglected heretofore because the publicke good is lesse set by then priuate commoditie Vsury in very deede hath beene an old disease in the citie and often a cause of seditions and discords and for that cause hath been restrained in auncient and lesse corrupted times For first it was ordained by the law of the twelue tables that no man should take aboue one in the hundred when as before that time it was as pleased the monied men After that by a Tribunitian law it was brought vnto halfe one in the hundred and in the end vsury was wholy forbidden and many lawes made by the people to cut off all fraud which often repressed reuiued againe by strange sleights and deuises But then Gracchus being Pretor vnto whom the examining of that question fell constrained by the multitude of such as were indangered thereby propounded the matter before the Lords of the Senate who daunted thereat for there was not one of them free from that fault craued respite of the Prince he graunted them a yeere and sixe moneths within which time euery man according to the prescript of law should settle his estate and make vp his domesticall accompts Hereupon euery man calling in his debts on a sudden ensued a great want scarcitie of money and by reason so many were condemned and their goods sold all the money ready coined wēt either to the princes or publick treasury Besides this the Senat ordained that two parts of the vsurie money should be bestowed vpō lands in Italie but the creditors disliked that and vrged the paiment of the whole as a matter impayring the credit of the parties conuented to goe from their word So at the first there was great running hither and thither and entreaties then they flocked about the Pretors tribunall and those things which were founde for a remedie as selling and buying of such mens goods turned to a contrarie effect bicause the Vsurers had hoorded vp all their money to buie land And bicause the multitude of sellers was cause that the value of landes was rated at a verie lowe and vile price how much the more a man was indebted the loather he was to sell And manie were thrust out of all they had and the decaie of their wealth carried their credit and fame headlong after vntill Tiberius relieued them by putting a hundred million sesterces in bancke and lent it for three yeeres space without consideration or interest if the debtor could giue securitie to the people of Rome in landes double the value of the debt By that meanes their credit was restored and other particular creditors by little and little found neither was the buying of landes practised according to the forme of the decree of Senat hotly at the beginning pursued as almost all such things are but in the ende carelesly neglected V. C. Caesar marieth Claudia daughter vnto M. Silanus what proofe Tiberius made of Trasullus skill AFter that the olde feares returne againe Considius Proculus being accused of treason who celebrating his birth day not doubting any thing was drawen to the Curia and at the same time condemned and put to death and his sister Sancia banished Q. Pomponius being accuser who being of an vnquiet and busie disposition pretended he had done this and that and all to currie fauour with the Prince thereby to steed his brother Pomponius Secundus who was then in danger Banishment is likewise decreed against Pompeia Macrina whose husband and father in law the one of Argos and the other of Lacedaemon men of marke and reputation among the Achaeans Caesar had alreadie afflicted and brought to ruine Her father likewise a famous gentleman of Rome and her brother who had beene Pretor seeing that their condemnation was at hand slewe themselues It was imputed vnto them for a fault that Gn. Magnus made reckoning as of a speciall friend of Theophanes Mytilenaeus their great grandfather and that the Grecian flatterie after his death had giuen him diuine honour After these Sext. Marius the richest man of all Spaine was accused
on foote by which it is prouided of old that for pleading of causes no man should take either money or gift Then they whom that iniurie seemed to touch making a noise Silius was eager and earnest against Suilius and contradicted him alleaging the example of Orators in times past Which esteemed fame with posteritie to be the fairest rewarde of eloquence otherwise that the princesse of good arts should be distained with the seruitude of base lucre and that no faith could be sincere and inuiolate where excesse of gaine is regarded And if causes shoulde be defended without rewarde there would be fewer of them where as now enmities accusations hatred and iniuries are fostered and that as the multitude of diseases brought the Phisitions gaine so the pestilent infection of the bar serueth now to inrich the lawiers Let them call to minde C. Asinius and Messalla and of later memorie Arruntius and Eserninus which were lifted vp to the highest degree of dignitie by their vpright life and vncorrupted eloquence The Consull elect vttering these speeches the others approouing the same they went about to giue iudgement that such shoulde be condemned vnto the like punishment as they were who had by briberie and extortion polled and oppressed the commons When as Suilius and Cossutianus and others which perceiued that there should be no generall decree set downe but a punishment for those which had beene openly conuicted came about Caesar and besought him pardon of that which was past And after a little silence nodding with his head vnto them they began as followeth Who was he so puft vp with pride that would presume or hope for eternitie of fame that it was expedient men should prouide for necessarie maintenance least through the want of aduocates the poore be oppressed by the rich and mightie Neither did eloquence come by chance and gratis vnto any without paine and labor the care of a mans owne familie was neglected if he were occupied in another mans busines many maintained their life by warre some by tilling the earth no man laboured to attaine to any knowledge vnlesse he had seene some commoditie in it It was an easie matter for Asinius and Messalla which were inriched with great rewards betweene Antonies and Augustus wars to shew a gallant and braue minde and for Eserninus and Aruntius heires of rich houses to do the like Examples were as readie for them to shew for what great rewards P. Claudius and C. Curio were woont to plead As for themselues they were but meane Senators which expected no gaine of the common-wealth but such as grew of peace The meanest of the people endeuored what he could to better his estate the rewarde of studies being taken away studies do also decay as hauing neither glory nor honor The Prince thinking that this was not spoken without ground of reason moderated the sum which they should take vnto ten thousand sesterces and that they which passed this summe should be condemned of extorsion III. Mithradates recouereth his kingdome Warres betweene Gotarzes and Bardanes for the kingdome of Parthia ABout the same time Mithradates who as I haue shewed gouerned Armenia and was brought to Caesar returned into his kingdome at Claudius perswasion trusting in the power of Pharasmanes King of the Hiberi and Mithradates brother who told him that the Parthians were at variance among themselues doubtfull what would become of the Kingdome and matters of smaller importance vtterly neglected For whilest Gotarzes practised great cruelties going about to kill his brother Artabanus his wife and his sonne whereby the rest were afeard they called in Bardanes who being a man of action and able to go thorow great enterprises in two daies inuaded three thousand stadia and chased out Gotarzes all amazed and dismayed not once dreaming of his comming and without any lingring seased on the next gouernments the Seleucians onely refusing to obey him Whereupon inflamed with greater anger then the present occasion ministred cause bicause they had reuolted from his father he besieged their citie which was strong and well fortified with a wall inuironed with a riuer and furnished with victuals and munition In the meane time Gotarzes strengthened with the Daharian and Hyrcanian power renueth the war And Bardanes enforced to abandon Leleucia remooued his campe to the champion countrey of the Bracteri Then the forces of the Orient being deuided and vncertaine which way to leane Mithradates had oportunitie offered him by chance to sease vpon Armenia and with the force of the Roman souldier rase and beat downe the strong fortresses the Hiberian campe at once wasting and spoiling the champion Neither did the Armenians make heade at all against them Demonactes their gouernour being slaine who onely durst haue waged battell against them Cotys King of lesser Armenia did somewhat hinder them some of the nobles ioyning with him But afterward being rebuked by Caesars letters all turned vnto Mithradates side more cruell then was expedient in a kingdome newly gotten But the Parthian Emperours making preparation to fight suddenly conclude a peace hauing discouered the treacherie of their subiects which Gotarzes bewraied vnto his brother At the first meeting they had a ielous conceit the one of the other then taking one another by the right hand before the altars of the gods they promised and couenanted to reuenge the treason of their enimies and agree and helpe one another Bardanes seemed most meete to possesse the kingdome And Gotarzes because there should remaine no sparkle of emulation went to Hyrcania And Bardanes returning againe Seleucia yeeldeth the seuenth yeere after her reuolt not without discredit to the Parthians whom one bare citie had so long deluded Then he inuadeth the strongest Prouinces and began to recouer Armenia if Vibius Marsus Lieuetenant of Syria had not hindered him by threatning to warre against him In the meane time Gotarzes repenting that he had yeelded the kingdome and the nobilitie vnto whom obedience in peace seemeth hardest calling him backe againe assembleth his forces togither whom Bardanes met at the riuer Erindes where skirmishing long on both parts for the passages Bardanes had the vpper hand and with prosperous battels subdued all the middle countries vnto the riuer Gindes which diuideth the Dahas from the Arij There his fortunate successes had an end for the Parthians although they were conquerers yet liked not to make warre so far off Wherefore building monuments in token of his wealth and power and that none of the Arsacides had euer before leuied any tribute of those nations he returned with great glorie and therefore so much the more fierce and intollerable to his subiects who hauing long before laide a snare to intrap him killed him at vnawares as he was a hunting in the Prime of his youth fewe of the old Kings to be matched in renowne with him if he had as well sought the loue of his subiects as to be feared of his enimies By the death of Bardanes the Parthian
with hope of this presage of good fortune he returneth to the citie and by the bountie of his friends and his owne wit and industrie obtaineth the Quaestorship and anon after the Praetorship among many men of note which sued for the same only by the suffrage and fauor of the Prince Tiberius hiding the basenes of his birth with these words Curtius Rufus seemeth to me to be borne of himselfe After this liuing vntill he was very aged â—n odious flatterer to his superiors arrogant to his inferiors crabbed among his equals he became Consull obtained the honor of triumph and in the end the gouernment of Affrike and there dying fulfilled his fatall destinie In the meane space for no cause then openly knowne nor afterward discouered Gn. Nouius a worthy gentleman of Rome was found with his sword by his side in the assemblie of those which came to salute the Prince for being broken on the torture he confessed nothing either of himselfe or others not knowen whether he purposed obstinately to conceale the matter or whether he were innocent The same men being Consuls P. Dolabella propounded in Senate that the shew of Fencers might be euery yeere set foorth at the charges of those which obtained the Questorship Which was a charge in our ancestors times giuen as a reward of vertue and was then lawfull for all citizens which trusted to their merites and vertues to sue for all kinde of offices without any regard had of their age being a thing lawfull for yong men to be Consuls or Dictators But the Quaestors were instituted when the Kings bare the sway as the law of the Curies declare renewed by L. Brutus and the power of choosing them continued in the Consuls vntill the people would also haue a share therein who first created Valerius Potus and Aemilius Mamercus threescore and three yeeres after the Tarquines were driuen out to the end they should follow the warres Then affaires multiplying more and more two were added for the busines of the citie Not long after the number was doubled when Italie and the prouinces were subiect to pay taske and tallage After that by Syllaes law twentie were created to furnish the Senate vnto whom he had giuen authoritie of iudgement And although the gentlemen of Rome had recouered their power of iudgement notwithstanding the Quaestorship was graunted according to the worth of the suters or courtesie of the giuers and that gratis vntill that by Dolabellaes aduise it was as it were put to sale VIII Certaine gentlemen of Gallia made Senators How the Senate was purged of naughtie men A. Vitellius and L. Vipsanius being Consuls when the matter was debated concerning the furnishing of the number of Senators and that the chiefe gentlemen of Gallia called Comata who long before were in league with the Romans and inioyed the priuileges of a citizen desired also the right of bearing offices in the citie great rumors were spread and the matter was debated before the Prince by men diuersly affected some affirming That Italie was not fallen to so low an ebbe that it could not furnish their citie of a Senate that the home-borne with their kinsemen did in times past supplie that want and no cause why they should be sory to imitate the custome of the auncient common wealth Yea there might examples be alleaged by which it might appeare that the vertuous inclination of the Romans at this day was not inferior to the vertue and glory of their ancestors Is it a small matter that the Venetians and Iusubrians haue thrust into the Curia vnlesse a companie of strangers be also put in as it were to keepe vs in captiuitie what other dignitie is there left for the residue of the nobles or if any of the Latian Senators fall to decay that those rich men would fill and possesse all whose grandfathers and great grandfathers being captaines of enemie nations haue slaine with the sword and violence our armies and besieged Iulius of famous memorie at Alesia These things are fresh in memorie What if we should call those to memorie which besieged the Capitoll and broke downe the altar of Rome with their owne hands That it was sufficient to inioy the name of a citizen and that the ornaments and marks of the Lords of the Senate the dignitie of Magistrates ought not to be made common But with these and the like speeches the Prince was nothing moued but immediatly spake against it and calling the Senate together began as followeth My auncestors among which the most auncient was Clausus taking his beginning of the Sabins and was at once made citizen of Rome and receiued into the familie of the Patricians gaue me counsell to gouerne the common wealth with such counsels and cares as they had done and transfer into it all that is good and commendable from whence soeuer it be brought Neither am I ignoraÌ„t that the Iulij came from Alba the Coruncani from Camerium the Porcians from Tusculum and that we may not search out farther antiquities there hath been men called into the Senate from Etruria Lucania and all Italie At last the citie was extended euen to the Alpes in so much that not only men seuerally but countries and nations vnited theÌ„selues to our name and grew as one whole bodie Then had we a sure and firme peace at home and flourished against forraine nations when the Transpadani receiued the freedome of the citie when vnder colour of leading our legions throughout the world and adding vnto them the strongest forces of the prouinces we eased the weake and wearied Empire Doth it repent vs that the Balbians came out of Spaine the worthiest men of Gallia Narbonensis to vs Their posteritie remaine with vs neither do they giue place vnto vs in loue towards this our countrie What other thing was the destruction and ouerthrow of the Lacedaemonians and Athenians although they were strong and puissant in armes but that they reiected those they conquered as strangers But our founder Romulus caried himselfe so discreetly that he had many which the same day were his enemies and citizens Strangers haue ruled ouer vs offices haue been giuen to the sonnes of such as haue bin freed froÌ„ bondage and not as some haue bin deceiued as a newe precident but it hath bin practised by our first people But we haue fought with the Senonians I pray you haue the Volci Aequi neuer prepared an army against vs we haue beene taken of the Galli and we haue giuen hostages likewise to the Tusci and passed vnder the yoke of the Samnites If thou wilt reckon vp all the warres none hath beene sooner ended than that against the Galli since that time we haue had a continuall and faithfull peace Now that in conformitie of manners artes and alliances they are mingled with our people let them rather bring to vs their gold and wealth then inioy it by themselues All things Lords of the Senate which are thought now to be
wounds and many of our men were slaine but after we had made our target fence thicke and broken downe those rude compacted heapes of stones and that the fronts of both the armies came close to handie strokes without ods the Barbarians fled to the hill tops But thither also as wel the light harnessed souldier as the corslets brake in after whom the one galding them with darts and Iauelins and the others marching thicke and close togither brake the ranks and disordered the Britaines hauing neither head-peece nor coate offence If they thought to resist our aid-souldiers they were beaten downe with swords and Iauelins by the legionaries if they turned to make head against them they were slaine with the pikes and two hāded swords of the auxiliaries That victory was famous Caractacus wife daughter were taken and his brothers yeelded themselues He himselfe as generally all succour failes in aduersitie crauing defence and protection of Cartismandua Queen of the Brigantes was by her taken prisoner and deliuered to the conquerers nine yeeres after the warre was begun in Britannia Whereupon his fame being carried ouer the Ilands and spread abroade throughout the Prouinces adioyning was also renowmed in Italie and they desired to see who he was that so manie yeeres had contemned our forces Neither was his name meanely esteemed of at Rome And whilest Caesar extolled his owne woorth he made the conquered more glorious The people was assembled as to see a notable spectacle The Emperours guard was all in armes and good order in the field before their campe then Caractacus vassals and retinue going before the caparissons his chaines and all other things gotten in warre against strangers were brought after then his brothers his wife and daughter and last of all he himselfe was shewen to the people The prayers of the rest were base for feare but Caractacus neither hanging downe the head nor in words crauing mercie when he stoode before Caesars tribunal spake as followeth If my moderation in prosperitie had beene as great as my nobilitie and fortune I had come rather as a friend into this citie then a captiue neither wouldest thou haue disdained to haue receiued me with couenāts of peace being descended of ancient progenitors and commaunding ouer many nations My present lot as it is to me dishonorable so is it to thee magnificent I haue had horses men armes wealth What maruell is it if vnwillingly I haue lost them for if you will commaund all men it followeth that all men become bondmen If presently I had yeelded and beene deliuered into thy hands neither my fortune nor thy glorie had beene renowned and obliuion would haue followed my punishment But if thou keepe me aliue I shall be for euer an example of thy clemencie Hauing spoken these words Caesar pardoned him his wife and his brothers And being all vnbound they did their reuerence likewise vnto Agrippina who sate aloft in another high chaire and gaue her the like praises and thankes as they had giuen the Prince Surely a new and strange thing and of our ancestors neuer vsed that a woman should sit and commaund the Roman ensignes but she carried herselfe as a fellow and associate of the Empire gottē by hir ancestors After this the Lords of the Senat being called togither they made long and glorious discourses touching Caractacus captiuitie affirming it to be no lesse honorable then when P. Scipio shewed Siphaces vnto the people and L. Paullus Perses or if any other had exhibited to the view of the people Kings vanquished and ouercome Then publike honours of triumphe were ordained for Ostorius his fortunes vntill then prosperous but not long after doubtfull either bicause that Caractacus being remooued as though thereby all had beene vanquished and subdued seruice was carelesly intertained or els bicause that the enimies hauing compassion of so mightie a King were more feruently enflamed to reuenge For they inuironed the campe-master and the legionarie cohorts which were left behinde to build fortresses in the Silures countrie and if they had not been speedily rescued by the villages and fortes adioyning they had been put to the sword euerie man Neuerthelesse the campe-master and eight Centurions and the forwardest common soldiers were slaine and anon after they put to flight our forragers and the troupes of horsemen which were sent to rescue them Then Ostorius sendeth abroade certaine light harnessed companies which yet could not staie their flight if the legions had not vndertaken the battell By their strength they fought with small oddes on either hand till at length we had the better of it and the enemie betooke him to his heeles with small losse because the day beganne to faile After that time they had diuers skirmishes though for the most part in woods and marishes according as occasion was giuen in manner of roades either by chance or of valoure sometime rashly sometimes with foresight now for anger now for bootie sometimes by their captaines commaundement and sometime without warrant but principally by the obstinacie of the Siluri exasperated with a speech which the Roman Emperour should haue vsed which was that as the Sugambri were destroyed and transported into Gallia so the name of the Siluri should vtterly bee extinguished And in this heate they intercepted two aidebandes vncircumspectly wasting and spoiling through the auarice of the captaines and by distributing the spoiles and prisoners drew the residue of the nations to reuolt when as Ostorius wearied with care and trauell yeelded vp his ghost the enemie reioysing thereat as at the death of a captaine not to be despised though not in battell yet spent by reason of the warre But Caesar being aduertised of the death of his Lieutenant least the Prouince should be destitute of a gouernor sent A. Didius in his place He being gone thither with great speede yet found not all quiet Manlius Valens in the meane space hauing had with a legion committed to his charge an vnluckie fight The fame whereof the enemie made greater then it was to terrifie the captaine which was comming and he vsed the like pollicie and augmented the fame of that which he had heard to win more praise by appeasing the sturres or if he could not to purchase pardon more easily The Siluri did therein endomage vs and waste and spoile farre abroad vntill by Didius comming they were driuē back But after that Caractacus was taken Venutius a very expert man in militarie affaires borne at the citie of the Iugantes as I haue said before a long time trustie vnto vs and defended by the Roman power as long as the marriage betwixt him and Cartismandua continued rebelled against vs by reason of a diuorse and warre betweene them But at the first the strife was onely betweene them two vntill Cartismandua by pollicie had taken prisoner Venutius brother and neerest kinsmen Whereupon the enemies kindled with rage and ignominie pricking them forward least they should be brought vnder the yoke of a
which Arcas Euander consecrated to Hercules the Temple of Iupiter Stator vowed by Romulus Numaes pallace and the Temple of Vesta with the peculiar gods of the people of Rome were consumed and burnt to ashes Now wealth gotten in so many victories excellent workes of the Greekes inuentions then old and perfect monuments of rare wits which in so beautifull a citie and flourishing more and more with manie other notable antiquities auncient men haue obserued and spoken of which could not be recouered Some there were which noted that this fire beganne the fourteenth Kalends of Iulie on which the Senones burnt the citie after they had taken it Some were so diligent therein that they counted iust so many yeeres and moneths and daies betweene both the fires X. Nero buildeth a sumptuous house Order taken for the building of houses Nero punished the Christians as though they had set the citie a fire YEt Nero vsed the destruction of his countrey to his benefit and built a house in which precious stones and gold were not so much woondered at as a thing long vsed and by superfluous riot common as for the fields and pooles in manner of wildernesses on one side woods on the other spatious fields and prospects The masters and contriuers of the worke were Seuerus and Celeris men of wit and audacitie to enterprise that by arte which nature had denied and foolishly cast away the Princes wealth For they had vndertaken to make a nauigable ditch from the lake Auerne vnto the mouth of Tyber alōg the rough and hard shore or through the opposite mountaines Neither is there any other moisture to feede the waters but the marshes of Pomptina other places being vneuen craggie grounds or drie and if they could be wrought through it would be an intollerable labour and no cause why Nero notwithstanding desirous to bring incredible things to passe laboured to digge the hils adioyning to Auerne where remaine the markes of his vaine hope to this day But the houses which were ruined were not built without order here and there as when the Galli had fired them but the streetes drawen by measure and proportion with spatious and large waies the buildings restrained to a certaine height and the courts made wide and galleries added to defend the front of the houses called Iles which galleries Nero promised to builde at his owne charges and deliuer them to their masters the courts and floores made cleane And gaue rewardes according to euerie mans degree and wealth and prefixed a time within which the housings finished or Iles their masters should receiue them The marishes of Hostia were appointed to receiue the rubbish and that the vessels which brought corne vp the riuer Tibris should be loaden downe with rubbish and that some part of the buildings themselues without timber should be built with stone of Gabi and Albanum which cannot be damnified with fire Now that water intercepted by priuate men to their owne vse from the citie might more aboundantly flowe in manie publicke places there were watchmen appointed to ouersee it and that euerie man should haue some prouisions to quench fires and that euerie house should be inuironed with his owne wals and not common to his neighbour Which being ordained for the publicke commoditie brought ornament to the new citie Yet some were of opinion that the old fashion of building was more wholesome bicause the narrownes of the waies and height of the houses could not so easily be pearced with the heat of the sunne But now the streetes being open and wide and vndefended from shadow they are scorched with greater heat And these things were prouided by mans counsell Anone after purging sacrifices were sought for of the gods the Sibyls books perused by aduertisement of which praiers were offered to Vulcane and Ceres and Proserpina and Iuno made fauourable by the matrons first in the Capitoll then at the next sea From which hauing drawen water the Temple and the image of the goddesse was sprinkled and the married wiues prepared banqueting beds and watcht in the Temple in honour of the same goddesse But the infamie was not wiped away neither by mans helpe nor largesse of the Prince or pacifiyng of the gods but that it was thought the fire came by commandement Therefore to extinguish the rumour Nero falsly accused and punished most grieuously certaine people hated for their wickednes which the common sort called Christians The author of that name was Christ who in Tiberius raigne was put to death vnder Pontius Pilat Procurator of Iudaea And their dangerous superstition suppressed for the time burst foorth againe not onely thorough Iudaea where it first began but in the citie also whither all wicked and shamefull things runne from all parts and are solemnised and esteemed First they were apprehended which confessed that religion then by their detection an infinite multitude were conuicted not so much for setting the towne on fire as for the hate of all men against them Such as were condemned were skorned and mocked and couered in wilde beasts skins and torne in peeces with dogs or fastened on crosses or burnt in fire and when the day failed they were burnt in the night to giue light Nero had made the prospect of his gardens fit for that spectacle and caused shewes to be set foorth in the Cirque and himselfe either apparailed like a wagoner shuffeld among the people or ranne the race with them Whereupon pitie was taken on those persons though guiltie and deseruing exemplarie punishment seeing they suffered not for any publicke good but to satisfie one mans crueltie onely XI Nero raketh money on all hands and robbeth the Temples Prodigious sights and their meaning IN the meane time Italie was wasted by contributions and borrowing of money the Prouinces ruined and the confederats of the people of Rome empouerished and the cities which were called free Yea the gods themselues were not priuileged from being made a pray but the Temples in the citie were robbed and the gold carried away which the people of Rome in all ages either in triumphes or vowes in prosperitie or feare had dedicated to the gods Yea in Achaia and Asia not onely gifts but the images of the gods were taken away Acratus and Secundus Carinates being sent thither of purpose The one a freed man readie to all villanies the other exercised in the Greekish learning in words onely but his minde not seasoned with any good artes It was reported that Seneca because he would shake from himselfe the infamie of sacriledge desired licence to depart to some countrey house a far off which not being graunted he fained himselfe sicke of the gout and kept his chamber Some haue giuen out that poison was prepared him at Neroes commandement by a freed man of his owne called Cleonicus and auoided by Seneca as forewarned by the freed man or by his owne feare sustained his life with a simple diet Crabbes and if he were a thirst