ours to flight and took our Camp yet in reality they confess you to be absolutely victorious for I dare assure you that neither to morrow nor in a long time after it they will not dare to engage you again unless they are forced to it which is an indubitable proof of your yesterday's victory and their present fear As Wrestlers in the Gymnick Games when they decline the strife acknowledge themselves the weaker They have indeed assembled all this mighty Army only to come and encamp in the passages into Thrace and there continue for the same fear that made them fortifie themselves at our first coming hinders them from drawing out after the disgrace they yesterday received which was such as obliged the most ancient and most experienced of their Generals to kill himself a most ample Testimony of their disorder These are the reasons why they come not down when we defie them but trust more in their Rocks than their Arms. Now brave Romans make your gallantry appear and force them to fight as yesterday you forced them and certainly it would be dishonourable for you not to dare to assault Cowards trembling with fear or to suffer it to be said that men like you were of less strength than Walls For we are not come hither to remain all our lifetime in the Field where we cannot subsist for all provisions will soon fail us and if that were not yet every wise Man will put an end to War with the soonest and enjoy the sweets of peace the longest he can possibly we will therefore give orders to lay hold on time and occasion We I say whose courage and conduct you repent not to have yesterday followed and you for your parts let your Generals â—ee your bravery now that they demand the effects of it and trouble not your selves for the baggage you yesterday lost for our riches consist not in that but in the victory which if we gain will not only restore what our Enemies took from us but make all they have ours if therefore you are in hast to recover them make haste to fight Not but that yesterday we recovered a great deal it may be more than we lost for they had in their Camp all the riches of which they had robbed Asia and you when you came from home left behind you whatever was precious and brought nothing but what was necessary So that if there were anything valuable in our Camp it was your Generals Equipage a loss they are so far from considering they are ready to venture all that they have left to make you perfectly victorious nor shall that hinder us from giving as a reward of your Victory five thousand Drams to every Soldier five and twenty thousand to every Centurion and to every Tribune fifty thousand On the morrow he drew out his Army but the Enemies not coming down he was troubled yet he continued every day to do the same Brutus on his side always kept one part of his Army at their Arms in case he should be forced to fight and planted the other upon the way by which the Victuallers brought their Provisions to favour their passage there was a little Hill near Cassiâ—s his Camp of which the Enemies could not possess themselves but with difficulty because from the Camp they might be galled with Darts and Arrows yet Cassius had placed a Guard there for fear lest some might be so bold as to come and lodge there Brutus having flighted it Caesar's People one night seised upon it bringing with them great quantities of Hides and Hurdles to defend them from the Darts This Hill being taken ten other Legions went and encamped five Furlongs off near the Sea and two Legions advancing four Furlongs further posted themselves so that they might reach to the very shore Their design was to make an attempt either upon the Shore or cross the Marish or by some other invention to cut off the passage of Provisions to Brutus but he took care to prevent them by building Forts directly opposite to the Enemies Camp which gave them no small vexation for they were manifestly afflicted with Famine which dayly more and more growing upon them as much increased their fears Thessaly was not able to supply them with Provisions enough and by Sea they could not hope to have any Brutus being Master besides the news of the Sea Fight on the Ionian Sea was come to both Armies which gave them fresh occasions of fear and Winter approaching it would be an unsufferable annoyance if they should be forced to endure it encamped in the Marishes To make the best provision in these straits they could they sent a Legion into Achaia to get in what provision they could and send it away speedily to the Army but that could not all warrant them from the dangers wherewith they were threatned Wherefore seeing all their endeavours could not oblige the Enemy to a Fight and that in vain they every day drew out into the Plain they advanced up to the very Trenches with shouts and revilings to incense Brutus's Men who they resolved not to besiege but to force to fight at what rate soever But Brutus continued firm in his first resolution the rather because he knew they were ready to perish with hunger and because his Fleet had got the better in the Sea Fight so that perceiving the despair the Enemies want had brought them to he chose rather to see himself besieged or endure any thing than fight with hunger-starved and desperate Men who expected no other relief than from their Arms. But to this the Soldiers could not consent nor endure to be thus shut up like Women without doing any thing The Officers themselves complained not that they disapproved Brutus's design but that ascertaining themselves upon the disposition they beheld in the Soldiers they believed they should advance the Victory The mildness and courteous temper of Brutus to all Men occasioned much of this for Cassius was severe and imperious the Officers of his Army executed his Orders without asking a reason of them and though they did not approve them durst not contradict them But Brutus was willing to do all things with the approbation and consent of those commanded in the Army At last the Soldiers began to gather in Companies and to ask one another Why has our General so ill an opinion of us what fault have we committed have we not beaten and put to flight our Enemies cut in pieces their best Companies and forced their Camp Yet he still dissembled it and would not speak to them for fear of doing any thing might reflect on his Honour by suffering himself to be led by a blind multitude especially the Strangers who as unconstant as Slaves would every day be changing Masters and on the first occasion would desert him But when he saw himself importuned by the Tribunes and the Centurions who advised him to take that opportunity whilst the Soldiers burning with a desire to
could make hoping to oblige Scipio to quit his design on Lybia Mago was not over-quick in the Execution of these Orders whether it were that he could not joyn with Hannibal who was far distant or that he foresaw a troublesome event of the Enterprise Asdrubal upon his return from the Chase of the Elephants levies upon the Lands of the Carthaginians and Lybians six thousand Foot and eight hundred Horse he buys likewise five thousand slaves for the Gallies and the Numidians furnished him with two thousand Horse besides some Foreign Mercenary Troops so that having assembled an Army composed of sundry Nations he brought them about two hundred Furlongs from the City and there exercised and trained them There were at present in Nâ—midia divers Kings whose Estates were separate among whom Syphax held the first degree Massanissa Son to the King of the Massesulians a Warlike People was likewise very considerable and was withal so comely of person and active of mind that Asdrubal the son of Gisco one of the principal men of Carthage desired him for his son in law though he were a Numidian As soon as the Marriage was agreed upon that young Prince went to make War in Spain but Syphax who was in love with the Lady mad that she was engaged to another with an Army invades the Carthaginians Lands and promises Scipio who came out of Spain to confer with him that if he would assault Carthage he would joyn Arms with him which was the reason that the Carthaginians who knew well of what importance Syphax would be to them in this War gave him Masanissa's Mistress in Marriage without either his or Asdrubals own knowledg for they were both together in Spain That young Prince receiving advice of the affront done him so much resented it that to revenge himself he entered into a secret alliance with Scipio which yet could not be kept so private but it came to Asdrubals knowledge who though he were much troubled at the injury done to this Lover and his Mistress yet he believed he was bound to prefer the publick good to his private resentment and therefore to make away Masanissa To which end when this Prince was upon return from Spain to take possession of his Fathers Kingdom lately dead he gave him some Horse to accompany him with Orders to destroy him in what manner soever it were but the King suspecting their design withdrew himself privily out of their hands and went to seise upon his Fathers Kingdom which after he had got possession of he drew together a flying wing of people accustomed to fight by night as well as by day and to charge and retreat in a marvelous manner for so they make war in Numidia where the men easily endure hunger live on herbs instead of bread and drink only water and where the Horses never eat Oats but feed only on Straw and Grass and drink but seldom Masanissa's Army was composed of twenty thousand men of this temper with whom he made strange incursions spoiling the Neighboring Provinces out of design to keep his men in Exercise These preparations made both the Carthaginians and Syphax who had been complices in the affront put upon the young Prince believe they were made only to serve against them wherefore they resolved to prevent him making account that after they had defeated him they would go meet the Romans They had a far greater Army then he carried along with them great quantities of Baggage and Waggons loaden not only with things necessary but voluptuous on the contrary Masanissa was in all labor an Example to his Souldiers Among all his Cavalry there was no loads either of Provison or Baggage so that having nothing to hinder them sometimes they made a retreat sometimes they charged the Enemy and then again retired into places strong by Situation If sometimes he perceived himself pressed too hard upon he gave order to his people to save themselves as they best could and in the mean time kept himself concealed only with a few till such time as all returning by day or by night they were again assembled at the place by him appointed for their Rendezvouz Nay sometimes it hapned that he hid himself only with two horsemen in a Cave about which the enemy lay encamped and that without being discovered And it was indeed his principal care that the enemy should not know the place of his retreat that they might never be able to assail him but alwaies be forced to stand upon their own defence As for provision he gave himself not much trouble still furnishing himself by nightly surprises and whether it were Village Town or City he plundered all dividing the Prey among his Companions For which reason many Numidians stocked to him not for pay for he had none established but for booty which was more worth then pay Whilst Masanissa thus made war against the Carthaginians Scipio had perfected his preparations in Sicily so that having sacrificed to Iupiter and Neptune he set sayl for Affrica with two and fifty long Ships four hundred Ships of burthen and a great number of Barks and Shallops his forces were composed of Sixteen thousand foot and Six hundred horse and with them he brought great store of Arms and Engines of War Syphax and the Carthaginians having advice of his coming resolved to make a dissembled peace with Masanissa and to patch up things with him until such time as they had defeated Scipio But well he knew their design and that he might pay them in their own Coyn having first sent advice to Scipio he comes to find out Asdrubal with his whole body of horse as if he had been indeed reconciled It was near unto Utica that Asdrubal Syphax and Masanissa were incamped separately and Scipio having been driven by the winds on that Coast was likewise encamped near unto Asdrubal who had twenty thousand foot seven thousand horse and twenty seven Elephants Whether Syphax were afraid or that he had a mind to betray all parties he feigned that his Neighbors had invaded his Kingdom and under pretence to go and defend it left the others Scipio in the mean while having reduced some Cities under his obedience sent daily out some of his people to skirmish that he might draw Asdrubal to a battel which yet he despaired to do when Masanissa by night comes secretly to his Camp where after some Civilities passed on either side he advises him to place the next morning five thousand men in Ambush about thirty furlongs from Utica near the tower of Agathocles formerly Tyrant of Syracusa And about break of day he perswades Asdrubal to send Hanno who commanded the horse to take a view of the Roman forces and throw himself into Utica lest the enemy lying so near those inhabitants should revolt offering himself to follow and second him if Asdrubal thought it convenient Hanno hereupon took the field with a thousand chosen Carthaginian horse and some Lybians Masanissa with his Numidians
hands joyned towards the Conqueror like people imploring mercy Scipio ordered them to meet him at the Camp where being seated in the Tribunal he caused them to be brought to his presence whither being come they cast themselves on their knees weeping till being raised up by the Ushers and having permission to speak Asdrubal began in this manner Most certain it is Sirs that neither Hanno whom you see here nor my self nor any person of wisdom in all Cartâ—age are guilty of those crimes wherewith you charge us for when our unhappy Citizens oppressed by famine injured those sent from you we opposed our selves and sent them back to you Nor ought the people of Carthage in general to be accused who sent their deputies and of whom the most part signed the Articles with joy but as the Populacy suffer themselves to be easily seduced to their own ruine whatever is pleasing to the multitude is usually preferred before that which is most profitable We our selves have had experience of it for what ever propositions we have made some private calumniators who never had the boldness to discover their thoughts in our presence have hindred us from being believed Wherefore Sirs Judge not of our affairs by what is practised in Rome for your discipline in your Counsels is extreamly different from ours and if by chance our crime seem to some greater then the calamity that constrained it let him consider that hunger is a pinching necessity and that that was the principal cause of our misfortunes for had we not been pressed by it it is not to be believed that the same people who had but newly demanded peace offered so much mony parted with the greatest patt of their Dominion sworn to observe the Articles of Peace and sent to that purpose deputies to your Senate should be violently hurried on to offend you without expecting the return of those they had sent But we must attribute this accident to the anger of some God and to the tempest which cast your provisions into our Port in a time when almost all Carthage was ready to perish with hunger hunger that pernicious counsellor against anothers goods especially in the brests of people wanting all things 't would be certainly a piece of injustice to punish with severity what this miserable multitude have done Yet if you will impute this fault rather to our malice then our misery we confess it we crave pardon for it Were we innocent we would endeavor to justifie our selves but being criminals we supplicate for grace hoping that you who are in the top of prosperity will the easier grant it if you consider that humane affairs are subject to strange reverses and that those who were yesterday in a condition to do injuries are to day under a necessity of imploring mercy You may behold Sirs a fresh example in the unhappy City of Carthage she that for seven hundred years togehas been the greatest and most powerful City of all Africa powerful in Ships in Silver in Elephants in Foot in Horse She whose Dominion extended over the Lybians and over many Cities and Isles by Sea and Land in short She that has so long been the Rival of your Empire Now no more places her hope in her Ports nor in her Ships nor in her Horse nor in her Elephants nor in her Provinces which she has quitted to you but she expects her safety from your mercy You that she has heretofore so ill treated You will do an Action worthy of your selves if considering the deplorable Estate to which we are reduced you will receive a moderation in the midst of your prosperity and having regard as well to your own accustomed generosity as to the ancient felicity of Carthage you will in our misery make such a use of the favors of fortune as may not displease the immortal Gods but that by your clemency you will acquire a glorious name that can never die whilst there is memory among men Nor need you hereafter more fear the perfidiousness of Carthage the chastisement they receive for their past faults will be an eternal warning to them and as the good Counsel they had given them but despised had kept them in bounds of duty so now they have been faulty repentance joyned with the punishment inflicted on them will prevent their falling again and whilst you inveigh against the cruelty and injustice of the Carthaginians you should be careful lest you fall into the same crimes for as poverty often occasions men to sin those who are in prosperity have opportunity to exercise their humanity and goodness thus it is of concern both to the honor and the advantage of your Commonwealth rather to preserve so great a City than to destroy it but you may act as you please for our parts we have but two things to oppose in our defence the Antient Dignity of the Carthaginian Empire and that Noble Moderation you have used to the rest of the World which joyned with your Valour hath raised you to so high a Soveraignty And for what concerns the conditions of the Treaty we only desire Peace for Terms we have none to propose leaving them wholly to your Discretion Asdrubal finish'd his Oration with tears upon which Scipio causing the Deputies to retire held a Council about this important Affair with the principal Officers of the Army and after a long deliberation caused the Carthaginians to return to whom he spake in this manner You are not worthy of pardon after having so often violated your Faith and having as a complement of all so evilly treated our Deputies A truth so manifest that by your own confession there is no punishment whatsoever which you deserve not for the expiation of your crimes but it is needless to reproach you with faults your selves confess And now you have recourse to prayers you that had you gain'd the Victory would have rooted out even the Roman Name We have not treated you at the like rate but sent back your Agents from our City at the same time you had injured ours and violated the Treaty and those very Agents being by the Sea cast into our Camp and War already declared I sent back to you without offering them the least wrong Therefore in the condition your affairs are reduced to you cannot believe we will order you any thing advantageous I will therefore tell you my thoughts if the Senate approve them if they think it convenient we will yet grant you peace on condition you surrender into the hands of the people of Rome all your Ships of War save only ten and all your Elephants That you restore all you have taken from us or the value of what cannot be found in the estimation of which if any difference arise I will be Judge That you likewise deliver up all the Captives and Fugitives and all those Italian Souldiers who followed Hannibal into Africa which must be performed within a month after the day of publication of the Peace
Shops wherein men and women laboured night and day without respit unless so much time as necessity and nature required for food and sleep so that every day they made one hundred Bucklers three hundred Swords a thousand Arrows for the Cross-bow five hundred Darts and Javelins and as many Cross-bows as they could and when they wanted strings to bend them with the Women cut off their Hair to make Cords of Whilst the Carthaginians prepared for War with so much care and diligence the Consuls were not so pressing whether it troubled them to resolve upon doing a thing so extraordinary or that they thought they could when ever they pleased with ease take by force a disarmed City Besides they imagined that necessity would soon take them off their courage it being ordinary that those who in the extremity of Affairs are at first furiously opposite after having more closely considered the matter grow fearful of displeasing those who have the power of destroying them which happened in effect in Carthage where a certain man perceiving his Fellow-Citizens already growing sensible of fear came into the Assembly under another pretence and told them that of many evils the least was to be chosen when they had not wherewithal to defend themselves Mean while Masanissa was not well satisfied that he having brought down the Power and Glory of the Carthaginians the Romans should come and snatch the Victory out of his hands and had crossed the Sea without first communicating their design to him which they had used to do in former Wars However when the Consuls to sound his intentions demanded his assistance he replyed he would not be wanting as soon as he knew they stood in need of it and indeed sometime after he sent one to the Confuls to know if they had any thing for him to do but they not enduring his Pride and mistrusting him as a person grown angry made answer that when they stood in need of him they would send him word and yet were they at present in some straits for Provisions which were only brought them from Adrumetum Leptis Saxa Utica and Chella for Asdrubal held all the rest of Lybia from whence he sent what he could to Carthage Some days being passed the two Consuls drew their Army near the City resolved to besiege it It was situate in the great Golf of Africa encompassed by the Sea in form of a Peninsula the Neck of which dividing it from the Continent was about five and twenty Furlongs broad Towards the West there stretched out a long Point of Land about half a Furlong wide which advancing into the Sea divided it from the Marish and was inclosed on all sides with Rocks and with a single Wall Towards the South and the Continent where stood the Cittadal called Byrsa it was inclosed with a triple Wall of thirty Cubits high not accounting the height of the Parapets and Towers which flanked it round in equal distances of about two Acres one from another Their Foundations were about thirty Foot deep and they were four Stories high the Walls reaching only to the second but they were vaulted and that so vastly that underground there were Stalls for three hundred Elephants with all things necessary for their sustenance and above Stables for four thousand Horse and Lofts for their Provender besides there were Lodgings for twenty thousand Footmen and four thousand Horsemen in short all their ordinary preparations for War were lodged in their Walls only There was but one place of the City where the Walls were low and weak This was a neglected Angle which began at the Point of Land we spoke of before and reached to the Ports for they had two Ports disposed in such manner that a Ship might easily go from one to the other and yet there was but one entrance through a passage of about sixty six Foot wide secured with Chains the first was for Merchants where were many and divers sorts of Quarters for the Mariners the other which was the inner Port was for the Men of War in the midst of which stood an Island encompassed about as well as the Port with vast Keys in which there were Places or Docks to put under covert two hundred and twenty Ships and above Store-houses where they wrought and made all things necessary for the Shipping the Fronts of each place were upheld by two Pillars of Marble of Ionick workmanship so that the whole round as well of the Port as the Island represented on both sides two magnificent Gallies Within this Island stood the Admirals Palace from whence the Trumpet gave the Signal of his Orders from whence he published his Ordinances and from whence he overlooked all things The Island stood directly opposite to the mouth of the Port extending it self a good way forward so that from thence the Admiral could discern what passed at Sea a great distance off but those at Sea could not perceive what passed within nay when the Merchants were entred into their Port they could not see the Men of War for their Port was separate from the inward Port by a double Wall and for them there was an entrance from their Port by a Gate into the City without passing into the other Such was at this time the face of Carthage The Consuls having each taken their quarter began their assaults Manlius to the Landside with design to fill up the Ditch and possess himself of the Rampire within it that so he might afterwards attempt the high Walls and Censorinus from the Sea causing Ladders to be planted both on the Shore and in his Ships against that ill fortified Angle which had been always neglected they both despised their Enemy believing him disarmed but when they found new made Arms and Men fully resolved to defend themselves they were surprised as at a Prodigy and retreated acknowledging that from the very first they committed an errour in believing they should carry the City without fighting They made a second assault which succeeding no better than the first increased the courage of the Carthaginians and now the Consuls fearing Asdrubal who lay encamped on the edge of the Marish lodged their Forces apart Censorinus with his Naval Army in the Marish against the Walls of the City and Manlius on the neck of the Peninsula towards the Continent Being thus posted Censorinus passed the Marish to go in search of Materials for the building of Engines where he lost five hundred Workmen and great quantity of Arms having been encountred by Amilcar sirnamed Phameas Colonel of the Carthaginian Horse yet forbore he not the bringing of Materials with which having caused to be made Ladders and other Engines he with them returned to the aâ—â—ault but in vain Manlius after some slight attempts and beating down part of the first Wall desparing of success gave over the Enterprise but Censorinus having filled up a part of the Marish near to the point of the Land to gain more room raised two Rams of
an extraordinary size of which one was driven forward by six thousand Foot encouraged by the Orders and Presence of their Captains and the other by the Gally-slaves whose labour was over-seen by those who had the command of the Gallies This begat subject of Emulation so that the Commanders as well as the others striving who should out-do each other a great part of the Wall was soon overthrown and the City might plainly be seen into The Carthaginians on their side did not sleep but apply'd themselves to repair by night what breaches the Rams had made by day but because the night was not sufficient for so great a labour fearful lest the Romans should easily beat down again what they had repaired whilst it was yet moist and unsettled they resolved upon a Sally and some with Swords and others with Torches in their Hands so vigorously assaulted the Engines that though they burnt them not quite yet they rendred them useless and retreated into the City in order Day appearing the Romans entertained a conceit of entring Carthage by the breach which the Inhabitants could not quite repair and they saw within a spacious place very proper to fight in The Carthaginians expected them having placed in the Front all their Armed men others with Stones and Clubs in the Rear and all about in the neighbouring Houses those who were any way capable of defending them The Romans enraged that disarmed men thus despised them entred in throngs into Carthage but Scipio to whom the taking of this City gave afterwards the sirname of Africanus being yet but Tribune took special care not to enter contenting himself with drawing up his Regiment by Companies in Battel near the Walls of the City from whence as much as in him lay he hindred others from passing in and sustained those whom the Carthaginians beat back by favouring their retreat and this was it gave him his first reputation and made him gain the Character in all Letters that were wrote to Rome of being wiser than the Consuls At length Censorinus his Army becoming sorely afflicted with sickness by reason of being posted among dead and stinking waters and that the height of the Buildings hindred them from breathing the Sea Air he resolved to put to Sea but the Carthaginians having observed that the wind blew directly to the Roman Fleet filled with Tow and dried Vine-twigs a quantity of small Barques within their Port that the Enemy might know nothing of it and having plaistred them over with Pitch and Brimstone brought them out in sight of the Romans and there hoisting sail set fire to them so that the wind and the violence of the flames drove them into the midst of the Fleet which were almost all burn'd After this Censorinus being gone to Rome to be present at the Assembly then to meet for Election of Magistrates his departure gave such boldness to the Carthaginians as to make an attempt upon Manlius his Camp To this end they sallyed by night some armed and others who had no Arms carrying Bridges and stormed the Ditch in that place next the Town and were already pulling out the Palisades when the Alarm being run through the whole Camp by reason of the obscurity of the night Scipio with his Horse marched out of the farther Gate and going the round of the Camp without the Line terrified the Carthaginians and made them retreat again into their City all the World gave Scipio the glory of having saved the Army in this nocturnal terrour by his Conduct and Manlius determined to keep better Guards and to fortifie himself to which effect he caused a Wall to be built in the place where there was but a Palisade and built a Fort on the Sea to receive those Ships that brought him Provisions That done he took the Field with ten thousand Foot and two thousand Horse besides Hewers of Wood and Forragers to gather in Harvest throughout all the level Country Those who were employed in this Service were commanded by Tribunes who relieved one another according to their turns which gave occasion to Phameas who commanded the African Horse to signalize himself this young man diligent and handy and who had with him small but swift Horses which lived on Herbs when they had nothing else and could endure hunger and thirst if there were occasion concealed himself among the Woods or in the Valleys and when he perceived the Enemy stood not upon their Guard sallyed from his Covert and came thundring upon them like an Eagle and after having charged the Romans retreated into a place of security But when Scipio commanded he never appeared for Scipio continually kept his Foot in order and his Horse in a fighting posture and when any Corn was to be cut he never suffered the Reapers to go to work till he had first gone the round of the Field they were to cut down both with Horse and Foot in their Arms himself guarding the out-skirts with some Squadrons and if any of the labourers stragled from the others or went out of the Circle he punished them severely wherefore Phameas never durst attempt him and Scipio still continuing his vigilance his glory increased from day to day insomuch that the other Tribunes who envyed him raised a report that there was an old Alliance between Scipio and the Family of Phameas It happened also that some Africans retiring themselves to some Towers or Castles of which there are great number in that Country the other Tribunes after having granted them Pass-ports forbore not to lay Ambushes for them in the way and rob them But Scipio on the contrary convey'd them to the very House insomuch that hereupon none afterwards would enter into a Treaty but in his presence so much the good opinion of his Virtue and Honesty was increased not only in the thoughts of the Romans but of the Enemies themselves Manlius being returned to the Camp after having gathered in Harvest the Carthaginians by night assaulted the Fort on the Sea with great violence and besides to strike terrour into the Romans the whole Multitude coming out of the City made a horrible noise The Consul ignorant of the cause of this Tumult kept within his Trenches but Scipio having caused two Squadrons of Horse to mount each with his Torch in his hand posted in forbidding his people to engage because of the night and only giving them order to run to and fro so that they might make the Enemy believe they were a greater force than they were and likewise strike an apprehension into them that they were advancing to charge them this succeeded for the Carthaginians afraid of being charged on both sides retreated into their City and this was a farther addition to the brave exploits already performed by Scipio it being now in every Mouth he alone was worthy to have Paulus for his Father and to be enrolled in the Family of the Scipio's into which he had been adopted Some time after Manlius going to
Nucera with design to assault Asdrubal the enterprise displeased Scipio the more because he saw that in his March he was to pass through narrow ways among the Rocks the tops of which were possessed by the Enemy However he would go but being come within three furlongs of that General on the Banks of a River which he must pass to fall on Scipio did what he could to oblige the Consul to a retreat telling him another time and other means were requisite to reach Asdrubal Those who envyed him were not wanting to oppose his proposition and to say that it favoured more of cowardise than prudence to turn tail after having seen the Enemy and that it was to give them an opportunity to come and charge them in the Rear He then proposed another advice to wit that at least they should throw up Trenches on that side the River that if they were repulsed they might have a retreat but they laughed at this and one of them said he would lay down his Sword if he must obey the orders of Scipio and not those of Manlius Hereupon the Consul who was not very expert in War past the River and was no sooner on the other side but he engaged Asdrubal where there happened a great slaughter on both sides but because Asdrubal had his Camp near he retreated thither from whence as from a place of security he observed in what manner he might defeat the Romans who already repenting themselves of their enterprize regained the River in good order yet could they not very commodiously repass it because there were but few Fords and those very dangerous so that they were forced to file off Now Asdrubal taking his time charged them with great fury slaying an infinite of those who sought rather to fly than defend themselves of which number were three of the Tribunes the principal of those who had advised the General to give battel Scipio presently rallyed all the Cavalry he could with three hundred Horse which he had and dividing them into two Squadrons caused them to march against the Enemy each of his side with order not to charge at the same time but make their discharge of their Darts and then immediately retreat then charging again retreat in like manner He was of opinion that thus having always one half of them fronting the Enemy and stopping them with force of Darts he should constrain him to close his Battalia's which indeed happened for after often renewing this kind of fight and that the Africans saw they continually charged them with Darts which extremely vexed them they turned all their Power against Scipio giving by this means leisure to the rest of the Army to repass the River and Scipio seeing the Romans on the other side passed himself through all the showers of Darts thrown at him by the Africans Now at the beginning of this fight four Roman Cohorts which the unexpected assault of the Enemy had hindred from gaining the River were retired to an Eminence where Asdrubal besieged them The Romans perceived nothing of it till such time as they were about to encamp and now they did know it knew not what to resolve on some were of advice to continue their march and not to expose a great Army for a small Number Whereupon Scipio remonstrated to them that when the debate was about a matter of importance mature deliberation 't is true was requisite but that now seeing so many brave men in an extreme danger nothing was to be left unattempted to releive them In short having taken with him Provision for two days he set forward leaving the Army in a great fear lest he should not return himself As soon as he came to the place where the Enemy besieged the Romans he immediately seised of an Eminence nigh to that to which the Cohorts were retired to and which was only divided from it by a very narrow Valley His coming hindred not the Africans from continuing the siege for they could not think that his men tired with travel could give any assistance to the besieged but he seeing that the two Hills joyning themselves together at the foot made but a very small Valley advances that way and posts himself above the Enemy who startled at his courage and readiness betook themselves to a disorderly flight He would not pursue them because they were the greater number but contented himself with the saving of these four Cohorts which were given over for absolutely lost The Soldiers seeing him return contrary to their hopes and that not only he himself was safe but that he had likewise saved others gave assurance of their inward rejoycing by their outward acclamations and shouts of joy conceiving an opinion of him that he acted nothing but by the assistance of the same Divinity which was believed to foretel things to his Ancestor Scipio Manlius returned to his Camp near the City after having suffered sufficiently for not giving credit to Scipio who would have disarmed him from the Expedition and whereas many thought it strange that they had left their Dead unburyed especially three Tribunes Scipio gave liberty to a Prisoner and sent him to Asdrubal to entreat him to give Funerals to the Tribunes He caused them to be sought for among the Dead and knowing them by the Rings of Gold they wore for by them are the Chiefs among the Romans distinguished from the private Soldiers who wear only Iron ones he gave them honourable Funerals whether moved to it out of humanity or that in justice he ought it to the rule of War or else already reverencing the Glory of Scipio he was willing by this Office to oblige that great man To proceed as the Romans who had had this bickering with Asdrubal were on their return to Carthage still frighted with their defeat Phameas cruelly perplexed them and on the other side the Carthaginians came forth to meet them so that they could not recover the Camp without the loss of some servants which those from the City cut off Mean while the Senate sent Commissioners to the Army to enquire into the state of affairs to whom both Manlius and the Chief Officers and likewise even those Tribunes who had escaped from the Rout gave an account very advantagious in favor of Scipio For at last so many glorious successes had stopt the mouth of Envy All the Army did the like but above all his brave Actions spoke enough for themselves Wherefore the Commissioners upon their return to Rome published with one voice the admirable qualities of Scipio and the great love the Souldiers bore him which extreamly pleased the Senate But now the Army being weakned by a great many disgraces Ambassadors were sent to Masanissa to demand forces against the Carthaginians who found him no longer among the living That King finding himself oppressed with age and sickness and having many illegitimate Children on whom he had bestowed great gifts and three legitimate Sons all of different minds and manners he
sent to entreat Scipio as his friend by succession from his Ancestors to come and see him and to consult with him about dividing his Kingdom among his Children he immediately posted away but ere he could arrive Masanissa had given up the ghost having laid his Commands on his children to obey Scipio in what manner soever he should divide the succession amongst them Those were the last words of this great man happy in all things for by divine favor he reconquered his own Kingdom which Syphax and the Carthaginians had seized on and enlarged it in such manner that from Mauritania which lies upon the Ocean he extended the bounds of his Dominion into the Continent as far as Cyrene giving Laws to an infinite number of people and teaching them a sweeter manner of living for before the Numidians lived only on herbs and despised tillage He left great store of Silver in his Coffers and many warlike Troops whom himself had exercised in revenging himself of his enemies He took Syphax with his own hand and brought the Carthaginians so low that the Romans had not afterwards so much difficulty to destroy them He was tall of Stature and very strong so that though far advanced in years he would be present at all occasions so long as he lived and ever mounted on horseback without a saddle but the greatest sign of his vigorous constitution was that though he had many Children died before him yet he never had less then then ten living at a time after once he had arrived that number and being now fourscore and ten years old he left his youngest only four years old That great age had he advanced to and bore it out well but at length of force he must die Scipio did with honor cause the liberality of their father to be given to the bastard Children divided the mony among the legitimate Children together with the Revenues and willed that they should all bear the title of King As for the charges of State he distributed them to every one according to their capacity and inclination He gave as by priviledge of birth-right to Micipsa the Eldest who loved Peace the City of Cirtha the ancient residence of the Kings to Gulussa the second who was a Soldier the Command of the Armies and to Mastaball the third who was a Scholar the charge of Justice Having made this division of the Goods and Kingdom of Masanissa Scipio forthwith brought Gulussa along with him to assistance of the Romans who having presently discovered the place where Phameas concealed himself and from whence he issued out to surprise them soon rid them of that inconvenience One day Scipio and Phameas met in a place where there was only a water-course between that was impassible Scipio who was doubtful of some ambuscades advanced only with three of his people to make discovery and Phameas came forward on the other side accompanied only with one which made Scipio judging he had a desire to speak with him advance likewise only with one to attend him when they were nigh enough to hear each other he spake thus to the African Why do not you labour for your particular safety since you can do nothing for your Country to which the other answered and what safety can I expect in the Estate to which Carthage is reduced after having done you so much mischief Assuredly replyed Scipio if you believe I have any power and that I am a man of Faith and Honor I dare promise you in the name of the Romans not only grace and pardon but acknowledgements The African thanked him that had more confidence in him than in all others and told him I will think of it and if I believe it may be done I will give you notice and with that they parted Now Manlius to wipe away the stain of his first expedition to Nucera returned thither and having taken provisions for fifteen days encamped and fortified himself as Scipio had counselled him to do the first time but he was a long time without doing any thing which blasted his fame the more besides the hazard he ran the Army into of being beaten by Asdrubal upon their return to Carthage Whilst he lay thus in an incertainty what to do one of Gulussa's people brought a packet to Scipio who keeping it sealed till he came to the full Council of War there broke it open and found writ in it to this effect Such a day I will come to such a place meet me there with what force you please and give Order to those who are upon the Guard to receive me if I come by night To this purpose were the contents of the Letters which had no name subscribed but Scipio perceived well that it was an invention of Phameas Though Manlius was fearful lest Scipio might be deceived by that politick man yet seeing he had a good opinion of him he permitted him to go to the place assigned with Orders to receive an Oath of Fidelity from Phameas without assuring him any set reward but only promising that the Senate would recompence him according to his deservings But there was no need of these promises for as soon as Phameas was come to the place appointed he said that he put his own safety into the hands of Scipio and for recompence he referred himself to the judgment of the Senate and people of Rome and the morrow after having given his parol he drew up all his Troops in battalia and being advanced to the head of them with the Officers as if he were about to consult of something of importance he spoke to them in this manner If there remained any hopes to relieve our Country I should be ready to die with you but seeing it in the Condition in which you all know it I am resolved to take Order for my own affairs I have assurance given me for my self and those that will follow me Now you are to think what you have to do Having thus spoken the Captains and those who were under their command to the Number of two thousand two hundred Horse declared for the Romans the rest stood firm by vertue of the authority and perswasion of Hanno surnamed the White As Scipio returned to the Camp accompanied with Phameas all the Army came forth to meet him receiving him with a general acclamation as in a Triumph But Manlius above all expressed extraordinary joy and no longer fearing his retreat might be shameful because he believed Asdrubal startled at the Revolt of Phameas durst not follow him he discamped for want of Provisions not the fifteenth day after his departure but the seventeenth And because he had yet three days march through troublesome ways Scipio took Phameas and Gulussa with their Horse and made an inroad into the Country which the inhabitants of the place call the Great Abyss from whence they returned at night to their quarters with a great booty and good store of Provisions Manlius having advice that Calphurnius
at the Undertaking as if in a long time or perhaps never Scipio could have brought it to perfection but the whole Army laboured in it with an emulation of each other without resting day or night insomuch that at last the Besieged affrighted resolved to make another entrance on the farther side of the Port where the Peninsula extends it self more into the Sea where a Dam could not be made both by reason of the depth of the Water and violence of the Winds All the people therefore set themselves to digging so much as the very Women and Children and beginning from within and continuing their work without telling their design and at the same time mustering up all the old Materials they had they fell to make Galleys of divers sorts following their business with much courage and diligence but so secretly that the Prisoners themselves could give no other account to Scipio save that they continually heard a great noise in the Port but knew not what it meant Having at last completed every thing they suddenly opened the Mouth of the Port and about break of day came forth with fifty Galleys and great quantity of Barques Brigantines and other smaller Vessels in so good order that they were very capable to strike This new Mouth so unexpectedly opened and the unthought of coming out of such a Fleet so startled the Romans that had the Carthaginians immediately fell upon their Fleet unfurnished both of Mariners and Slaves all hands being employed in the Works to advance the Siege they might easily have made themselves Masters of it But because it was decreed by the Destinies that Carthage should be razed they contented themselves with this vain Shew and proud Bravado retreating into their Port without doing any thing else Three days afterwards they came forth again to Sea with design to engage the Romans in good earnest whose Fleet being now in a readiness set forward to meet them they began the fight with great shouts on both sides the Seamen Souldiers and Commanders equally shewing their Courage the one party fighting for their safety the other to compleat their Victory so that there was a furious fight on both parts nothing being to be seen but wounds and death In the fight the Carthaginian Brigantines gliding along under the banks of the great Roman Galleys broke them sometimes in the Poop sometime struck of their Rudders and sometime burst a sunder their Oars so that they damaged them extreamly and when they found themselves overcharged they rowed off with a wonderful Nimbleness and as nimbly returned to the Charge At last the two Fleets having fought till Sun setting with equal advantage the Carthaginians thought it convenient to retire not that they confessed themselves overcome but that they might next morning return to the fight in better order In this retreat their smaller Vessels being lighter and swifter got the Van and entring in a huddle into the Port so stopt the entrance of the great Vessels that they were forced to retire to a very spacious key built against the City-wall for the unlading of which they had during this War raised a little rampart for fear left the enemies should possess it There they stood firm with their Prows twined towards their enemies all the Soldiers standing in a fighting posture some upon the Ships others on the Key and others on the Rampart The Romans who followed them had no great difficulty to assail them for t is not hard to fight with Ships that lie still but when they were again to draw of because of their length not being able to turn nimbly they received as much damage in the retreat as they had given in the Charge for as they turned about they were forced to receive all the blows of the shot from the Carthaginian Engines on their broad sides At last five Ships which the City of Sidon allies of the people of Rome had sent to Scipio went and dropt their Anchors out at Sea at a good distance from the Carthaginian and giving scope of Cable enough advanced by force of Oars and after having given their charge warped back again by their Cables which they had brought in at their poop and then again returned to the Charge and in like manner retreated All the Fleet followed the Example of those of Sidon whereby the Carthaginians were much damaged till such time as the fight having continued a good part of the night the remainder of their Ships â—heltred themselves in the Haven Morning being come Scipio attempted the Key because he thought the gaining of it would make the mouth of the Port useless he therefore caused Rams and other batteries to be planted against the Rampart with which he beat down a part of it But the Carthaginians though oppressed with hunger and many other inconveniences forbore not by night to assault the Roman Engines not by Land for there was no passage nor upon Ships for the Sea was too shallow but naked and without light for fear they should be discovered far of they entred the Sea where none kept guard and passing some wading with the water up to their brests and others swimning till they came very near the batteries where when they could no longer couceal themselves because they had lighted their fires naked as they were they received an infinite of wounds yet not without revenge for their fury carried them to strange resolutions and all gored as they were with Arrows and Darts in their Brests in their Faces yet they abated nothing of their violence but like fierce beasts pressed forward to meet the strokes till having set fire to the Engines they so dismayed those that defended them that they took their flight towards the Camp where never before was seen such an alarm as this caused by naked enraged people Scipio astonished at the disorder came forth of the Camp with some Horsemen whom he commanded to kill those that would not stand and with his own hands he killed some and by that means obliged the rest who else had been all lost to keep their post where they stood all the night in Arms. As soon as it was day the Carthaginians delivered from the trouble of the Engines labored to repair that part of the Rampier that was broken down adding towers at certain intervals On the other side the Romans made other Engines and planted them on platforms which raised them as high as the towers of the enemies and from thence cast burning torches brimstone and pots full of flaming pitch with which they burnt some of them which put the Carthaginians to flight and opened the Romans a way to the Key to pursue them but because the ground on which they ran was slippery by reason of the blood shed there they could not overtake them Scipio being become Master of the Key lodged on it fortified it and caused a wall of brick to be built to the Cityward very near the City walls and of equal height When it
that he sought his Alliance excused himself and when his Brother Attalus and Phileter wondred that he despised the Alliance of so great a King his Neigbour who offered it of himself he laid before them the importance of this War in which possibly in the beginning they might fight with equal Forces but that in the end the Romans would prove victorious by reason of that courage and generosity which rendred them undefatigable In which case said he I shall remain free and secure in my Kingdom but if Antiochus overcome 't is possible so powerful a Neighboâ—r may deprive me of my Estates or if he lâ—t me keep them 't will be only on conditions of submission to his Empire These were the Reasons why he would not accept the Match Now Antiochus being returned to the Hellespont and passed over into Chersonesus took many places in Thrace either by force or surrender set at liberty all the Greeks that were under the Dominion of the Thracians and was extremely liberal to those of Bizantium because their City being seated at the mouth of the Sea was very commodious for War he likewise by his bounty and the terror of his Arms drew the Galatians to his party judging those great Bodies were very proper to oppose the Romans in a Battel After this he came to Ephesus whence he Deputed Lysias Eginetes and Menippus to Rome in effect to pry into the intentions of the Senate but in appearance to tell the Fathers That always hitherto he had been affectionate to the Romaâ— Name and likewise that he had been desired to have been received into their Alliance if they had thought him worthy However he could not but wonder that they should order him to quit the Cities of Ionia to release to some of them the Tribute they ought him not to meddle with the Affairs of Asia and to abandon the Possession of Thrace which he held of his Ancestors for that such kind of commands were usually given to the Conquered and not to Friends The Senate knowing well that these Ambassadors were only come to sound them answered in few words If Antiochus leave the Asiatique Greeks at liberty and touches nothing in Europe he may be if he pleases friend of the people of Rome This was all they said without giving any farther reason to the Ambassadors Antiochus thereupon designing as soon as he could to seize upon Greece that from thence he might begin the War against the Romans thought good to communicate his intentions to Hannibal who told him That Greece having for a long time been afflicted with War he thought there would be no great difficulty in seizing upon it But that it was hard for a Prince to make War in his own Country because of the scarcity of Provisions that might happen but much more easie to maintain it in his Enemies Country That Antiochus would never attain his desires upon the Romans in Greece considering the conveniencies they had of supplying themselves with Provisions and the faculty of raising Men He therefore counselled him to siâ—se on some part of Italy and make that the seat of the War whereby the Roman Affairs would as well at home as abroad be weakned I know said he Italy perfectly well and if you will give me but ten thoâ—sand men dare promise my self to land and post my self in some place convenient for your designs from thence I will write to my Friends in Carthage to engage them to stir up the people to revolt who already of themselves weary of the present Government preserve no great fidelity for the Romans and who out of hopes of a better Fortune will attempt any thing as soon as they hear of my return to Italy The King with pleasure listned to this advice and considering as true it was that the Engagement of the Carthaginians in this War was of no small importance gave him charge to write forthwith to his Friends However he writ not for he could not do it with safety the Romans having their Spies every where and the War not being yet declared Besides there were many envious persons in Carthage and that Republick was troubled with those Divisions which not long after were the cause of its ruine Howbeit he sent to his Friends a certain Tyrian Merchant called Ariston who came to Carthage under pretence of Trade and by him he desired them that as soon as they heard he was entred Italy they should move the people to revenge the outrages they had received he acquitted himself very well of his Commission for Hannibal's Enemies knowing of the coming of this Ariston began to make a great noise as if he had the management of some contrivance to the prejudice of the Publick so that search was made for the Tyrian and he that he might not only engage the Friends of Hannibal fixed up by Night in the Place a certain Writing by which that Captain exhorted all the Senate to joyn with Antiochus for the defence of the Country and that done gets him to Sea Morning being come and the Writing read the Friends of Hannibal found themselves by this invention discharged of any suspicion could be had of them because it was believed the whole Senate had part in this advertisement However the people knew not what to resolve on they affected not the Roman Rule but they had neither the power nor the boldness to attempt any thing Mean while the Romans to cry quits with Antiochus sent him likewise Embassadors to sound him and spy into his Forces of the number of which was Scipio the African They came to Ephesus where understanding that he was gone into Pisidia they staid for him and during his absence had several conferences with Hannibal They expostulated with him that whilst Carthage was in Peace and Antiochus upon the point of being declared Enemy of the people of Rome he had left his Country though since the League neither he nor any other Carthaginian had any cause of complaint This was a policy in the Ambassadors who believed by these familiarities with Hannibal they might bring him under suspicion with the King of which as great a Polititian as he was he was not at all aware But the King being advertised of it grew jealous of him and confided not in him as he had done before but besides his jealousie Antiochus grew envious of this great Commander fearing left if his Affairs had success all the Glory would be attributed to Hannibal One day as 't is said these two excellent men holding a conference before a numerous Auditory fell upon a discourse of great Captains and Scipio having asked Hannibal who of them all he esteemed to be the greatest He replied Alexander of Macedon To which Scipio agreed because he yielded to Alexander And thereupon asking again to whom he gave the second place he named Pyrrhus King of Epire because in his Judgement Boldness and Courage were the principal Virtues of a General of an Army and of
of Tichiontes was repulsed for they defended themselves couragiously But Cato having posted himself near the Callidromos about the last watch advanced and surprized the Enemies yet asleep however he had a sharp scuffle by reason of the incommodiousness of the place where the Soldiers were forced to Scramble up the Rocks and Precipices to come at the Etolians Mean while Manius marched directly towards Antiochus having drawn off his Army into several bodies for he could not fight otherwise in these straits where the King expected him having placed his Targets and light Armed Foot in the Front of his Phalanx which he had embatteled before his Camp on the right hand stood the Slingers and Archers who guarded the Foot of the Mountain On the left the Elephants and on the Sea-side those Companies appointed for the Guard of his Person When they were engaged Manius found himself rudely intreated on all sides by the light Armed Soldiers But bravely sustaining the Shock and sometimes giving ground sometimes returning fiercely to the charge he harassed them in such manner that he put them to the Rout. The Phalanx opened to give them passage and closing again presented the Romans with an infinite of sharp long Pikes By this Invention it was that Alexander of Macedon and Philip did principally make themselves terrible for no Man was so hardy as to press upon this thick and affrightful forrest of Pikes Hereupon on a sudden might be perceived the Etolians with great crys flying from the Callidromos and sheltring themselves in Antiochus Camp which at the instant struck fear into both parties who knew not what it meant but when they knew Cato who with loud shouts pursued the Flyers and saw him already nigh the Camp the Kings Soldiers who had heard the Roman Courage and Valor largely spoken of and were sensible of their own defects and faintness occasioned by their having spent the Winter in Pleasures and Idleness began to be afraid and their fear blinded them so that they could not observe the numbers commanded by Cato but imagining them far greater then they were and apprehensive lest they should Plunder their Camp they ran thither in disorder followed so close by the Romans that they entred Pelmel with them and forced them to a second flight Manius pursued them as far as Scarphiâ— and made a horrible slaughter took a great number of Prisoners and at his return from the chase of the Enemy gave their camp in spoil to his Soldiers Mean while the Etolians had siesed the Roman camp which they found abandoned but as soon as they saw Manius return they quitted it It is said that of the Roman Army there were about two hundred Men slain either in the fight or the pursuit Antiochus lost ten thousand reckâ—â—â—â—â— the Prisoners and he as soon as he saw his Army give way saved himself with five hundred Horse and at one carriere reached Elatia From thence he got to Chalcis where his Fleet lay on which he Embarqued with his new Spouse Eubia for so she was called and fled to Ephesus Yet he took not with him all his Ships for some that were laden with Provision fell into the hands of the Roman Admiral who sunk them News of this Victory being brought to Rome publick Prayers were made all the City rejoycing at the happy beginnings of this War and in acknowledgment of Philips fidelity they sent back to him his Son Demetrius who was yet a Hostage in the City Whilst at Rome they were giving Demostrations of their joy for this happy success the Phocians Chalcidians and many other people who had been of the Kings party came to ask pardon of Manius who forgave them After which he went with Philip to spoil Etolia took all their Cities together with Damocrites General of that Nation the same Damocritus who had threatned Flaminius he would encamp on the banks of Tiber. After this he took his March towards Callipolis over Mount Corax which is of a great height and very difficult to pass by reason of the Rocks especially for an Army laden with baggage and the spoils of the Enemy as this was for in passing this cragged way many Soldiers with their Arms and Equipage were lost among the Precipices besides they stood in fear of the Etolians who might have troubled them but they appeared not being busied in sending 〈◊〉 to Rome to desire peace Antiochus in the mean while drew towards the Sea side with all Expedition possible all the forces that had been levied in the Lands under his obedience He caused likewise a Fleet to be fitted out the command of which he gave to Polexenidas who had been banished from Rhodes and not long after passed into Chersonesus which he fortified a second time he placed Garrisons in Sestos and Abidos by which the Romans might pass into Asia And having designed Lysimachia for his Principal Magazine he caused to be brought thither great store of Ammunition and Provision believing the Romans would soon draw towards him with great forces both by Sea and Land The Senate and People of Rome sent as Successor to Manius L. Sâ—ipio now Consul and because he was not over expert in the Art of War they gave him for Lieutenant Publius his brother who having overcome the Carthaginians had brought away the surname of African as a spoil Whilst these two brothers were laboring in their preparations Livius who before had Commission to hinder the Enemy from making any descent in Italy having been sent Successor to Attilius who commanded the Romans Naval Forces Embarqued on those Ships he had for the Defence of the Coasts together with some sent by the Carthaginians and other Allies and came to the Port of Pyraeâ—m where Attilius having delivered up to him the command of the Fleet he took the Sea with fourscore and one Ships all Armed for War followed by Eumenes with fifty more the better half of which were likewise Armed They first made a descent in Phocida which yet held for the King but now for fear receiving them they the day following went forth to fight For Polexenidas who commanded Antiochus his Fleet was coming to meet them with two hundred Ships much lighter then theirs which was a great advantage for the Romans were not yet perfectly skilled in Sea Affairs This Captain seeing that two Carthaginian Ships advanced in the head of the Fleet sent out three of his against them which took them both but empty for the Africans had cast themselves into the Sea Livius angry at this affront makes a head and goes to charge the Admiral they stay for him and grapple with him so that the Ships being now fast to one another they fought as if on firm Land but the Romans being most daring leaped into the Enemies Ships and making themselves Masters of them brought them into the body of their Fleet together with the two Carthaginian Ships had been taken at first After this Prologue to a Battel when the two Fleets came
to rout the Legions gave them chase Mean while the Macedonian Phalanx which stood lock'd up together upon four Fronts in the midst of the Cavalry finding themselves opened on all sides by the flight of the Wings opened to receive in the midst of them some Companies of light armed Men who fought at the head of them and presently closed again And now Domitius easily encompassed the Macedonians thus clustred together with his Horse and light armed Foot and shrewdly annoyed them for they could neither come to the charge nor enlarge themselves and their experience stood them in no stead at this close order but rather exposed them to the Darts of their Enemies All they could do was to present their Pike heads to the Romans provoking them to come to the push otherwise threatning they would come to them but being on foot and heavily armed they durst not go to assault Horsemen for fear of breaking the Order of their Phalanx which they could very hardly recover The Romans pressed not too close upon these old Soldiers thus lock'd together and exasperated by despair but wheeling about them they charged them at distance with Arrows and Darts of which not any fell without execution because they being so hudled together could not shun them seeing themselves harassed in this manner and not knowing what course to take they gave ground but still retreating and not breaking their Order insomuch that the Romans durst not yet draw near but were satisfied to charge them at distance till such time as the Elephants which they had placed between the Battalia's began to break their Ranks and refusing any more to obey their Rulers caused the whole multitude to betake themselves to flight in disorder Domitius having routed the Phalanx attempted to force Antiochus his Camp whilst he continued driving the Legions that were opposed to him unto their very Camp they not being supported by any Horse nor any Darters nor Slings for Domitius had placed none in this Wing believing it sufficiently defended by the River But the King being repulsed by the Tribune that had the charge of the Guard of the Camp who sallied out with some fresh Forces and caused those that fled to return to the charge turned head puffed up with an opinion of the Victory because he knew not what had passed elsewhere Attalus Brother to Eumenes advanced to encounter him with a Body of Horse of which the King made so light off that he charged through and through without receiving any great damage But when he came to have knowledge of the defeat by the slaughter of his people with whom all the Field of Battel was covered seeing the vast heaps of Bodies Men Horses and Elephants confusedly mixed together and that even his Camp was in the Enemies power he likewise betook himself to flight and all upon the spur made for Sardis whither he reached about midnight From Sardis he presently took the way towards Celenes which men call Apamia whither he had understood his Son was escaped On the morrow he departed from Celenes towards Syria leaving his Captains to rally the ruines of his Army and in the mean time sent Ambassadors into the Field of Battel to demand peace of the Consul who was then burying the Bodies of his dead spoiling those of the Enemy and gathering together the Prisoners Among the Dead there were found about four and twenty Roman Knights and about three hundred Footmen who had been slain by Antiochus and of Eumenes Soldiers only fifteen Horsemen As for the Enemy they lost fifty thousand men comprizing the Prisoners for the number of the dead was so great it could scarcely be counted All the Elephants fell upon the place save only fifteen which were taken alive After this Victory so great that many could scarce believe it for they could not imagine that a handful of men fighting in an Enemies Country could possibly defeat such a prodigious Army of the Kings and especiall of the Macedonian Phalanx composed all of old Soldiers now stronger in men than ever and believed invincible after this Victory I say Antiochus his Friends blamed his rashness for having undertaken this War against the Romans and said that from the beginning he had made it appear that he was no great Captain having so inconsiderately abandoned Lysimachia and the Chersonesus and besides that withdrawn the Garrisons from the Hellespont by means of which he might have hindred the Scipio's from passing into Asia And at last they condemned his imprudence for imprisoning as it were the choice Forces of his Army thereby rendring them useless and placing his hopes in a heap and multitude of new leavied Soldiers rather then in men accustomed by long exercise to the toils of War and whose bodies and courages were both invincible Whilst all the world talked in this manner of Antiochus the Romans grown more resolute then before now began to think nothing impossible founding their thoughts as well upon their native valor as upon the assistance of the Gods and not being able sufficiently to admire their own good fortune when they considered how being so infinitely unequal in number and in a strange Country they had in one only battel and in one day subdued so many Nations made prize of so great Riches overcome so many Mercenary Troops quell'd the glory of the Macedonians and in short ruined Antiochus King of so many Kingdoms and reduced him that had gained the Surname of Great to a by-word and a Proverb of Antiochus the Great has been Whilst the Romans entertained themselves with these pleasant thoughts Publius brother to the Consul finding himself in a condition to undertake a journey came to the Camp where the Kings Deputies had Audience They now only desired to know what Antiochus must do that he might be received into the friendship of the Senate and People of Rome to which Publius answered That this War was not begun but through the fault and covetousness of Antiochus who possessing a great Empire of which the Romans were not at all jealous not therewith content had despoiled Ptolemy his kinsman and friend to the people of Rome of the lower Syria had invaded Europe without any right subdued Thrace fortified the Chersonesus and built Lysimachia In conclusion having brought an Army into Greece had endeavored to reduce under servitude the Greeks whom the Roman People had lately set at liberty and continued his enterprizes till such time as he was defeated at Thermopylae That though he had been forced to save himself by flight he had abated nothing of his Ambition but had renewed the War by Sea where he had been beaten in several Engagements and had never made any Overture of Peace till the Roman Army was come over into Asia That even then he had proudly refused their conditions and setting on Foot a mightier Army to make yet greater attempts was fallen into an Extremity of Disgrace But said he though with reason we may impose on him a
Ancient King by a fatal presage of the death of that Prince which happened soon after Whereupon a Mariner casting himself into the Water and having taken up the Diadem put it on his Head and brought it drie to Alexander who for a reward gave him a Talent of Silver The Divines told him he should put this man to death some say he did it others deny it and others again say it was not at all a Mariner but Seleucus himself who cast himself into the Water and put the Diadem on his Head for fear of wetting it and that the presage was fulfilled in the persons of them both Alexander dying at Babylon and Seleucus succeeding in the greatest part of his Empire These are the signs I have met with presaging his greatness To proceed after the death of Alexander he was Captain of the Guards of the Kings Houshold a command which whilst the King lived had been possessed by Ephestion and after him by Perdiccas from thence rising by degrees he came to the Government of Babylon and at last mounted the Throne and because he had gained many Victories he was called Nicator for I think that more probable than to imagine that because he slew Nicator he bore away that name as a precious spoil He was tall of Stature and so strong that when Alexander once sacrified a Bull in fury breaking from its Cords and escaping he alone stop'd it laying fast hold on his Horns which is the reason why they place Horns with his Statues He beautified the Country under his Dominion with many fair Cities which he built from one end to the other of which sixteen he caused to be called by the name of his Father Antiochia's six after his Mothers name Laodicea's nine after his own name Seleucia's four after his Wives names three after the first Apamia's and one after the last Stratonicea the fairest remaining to this day are five two Seleucia's one on the Sea side the other on the Tigris Laodicea in Phaenicia Antiochia in Mount Libanus and Apamia in Syria He likewise gave names to others either Grecian or Macedonian names as Beraea Edessa Maronea Perinta Callipolis Achaia Polla Orope Amphipolis Arethusa Astachia Tegaea Chalcis Larissa Heraea Apolonia and in Parthia it self Sotera Calliope Charis Hecatonpolis Achaia in India Alexandropolis and in Scythia Alexandrescatta His Victories gave a name to Nicepborea in Mesopotamia and to Nicopolis in Armenia which confines on Cappadocia 'T is said likewise that when he was about to build Seleucia on the Sea side It was marked out by the Thunder wherefore the Thunder is there adored as a God and to this day they sing Hymns to it and use many particular Ceremonies And when he designed to lay the Foundations of that which is upon the River Tygris the Magi or Southsayers who had Orders to set out the day and hour when the Work was to begin to the end it might be built under a fortunate Constellation pitched upon an unhappy hour because they were not well pleased that a great City should be built there to awe themselves And that as the King in his Tent waited for the fatal hour and all the Army stood ready to lay their hands to the Work as soon as the Signal should be given them The hour of good Augury being come the Soldiers on a sudden thinking they heard the Command given fell to the Work with so much alacrity that no forbidding whatsoever could stay them at which Seleucus was much cast down but the Magicians seeing him disquieted about the fate of the City demanding only safety for their persons and having obtained it spoke to him in this manner The Oration of the Magicians SIr neither Men nor Cities can change their Fate be it good or bad for every City has its Destiny as well as every Man now it hath pleased the Gods that this here shall endure many ages being begun at this present hour True it is that because we feared that when once built it would become a Fortress against our selves we have endeaoured to divert the Destinies but they will still be Mistresses both of the cunning of Magicians and inanimadvertency of a King Wherefore Fate it self commanded your Army to do what was most advantagious 'T is a truth we assure you of and that you may believe we deceive you not again You were here in person you commanded they should stay for the signal and your Army which in other occasions where they were to throw themselves into dangers and to endure toil and labour has always been perfectly obedient to you could not now stand still though you commanded it but all on a sudden with its Officers ran to the work as if it had been commanded and so indeed it was and therefore could not be staid at your commands but who in humane affairs can have more power than a King but a God God which this day grants you the full of your desires God who a more faithful Counsellor than we is the Author of the Foundation of this City God enemy of our Nation and Allies since now we have no more strength left having neighbours more powerful than we so near us In short rest assured this City is founded under a fortunate Constellation and shall flourish a long time And now we hope as our fault proceeded only from the fear we had of the decay of our felicity you will not repent your self of the pardon you have granted us The King mightily pleased with the Magi's discourse forgave them And this is what I have found concerning Seleucia Now Seleucus willing that whilst he was yet living his Son might be King gave to him the greatest part of his Territory in the main Land but though this were an action worthy the magnanimity of a mighty Prince in my judgement what he did in favour of this Son's love and of that modesty he strugled with in his sickness declared more courage and prudence For this young Prince was passionately in love with Stratonice his Fathers Wife by whom Seleucus had already had a Child yet knowing his passion to be criminal he never discovered it nor gave the least symptom of it to any person but smothering his grief languished in his bed and desired death Erasistratus himself that famous Physician to whom the King gave such large allowance could not at all conjecture whence his distemper sprung till such time as observing that he had no corrupt humours in his body he concluded the seat of his malady must be in the mind the contagion of which had past into the Body He knew his Grief Anger and other disturbances of Man's Spirit could not well be concealed but that a Modest Person might well conceal his Love and founding himself upon this he privately discoursed it with Antiochus and conjured him to tell him the cause of his Distemper But not being able to draw any thing from him he kept near his Bed had diligently observed those
she at last was punished and for him he degenerated nothing from Cleopatra for he having advice of it declared War against his Brother drove him out of his Kingdom and made himself King of Syria he enjoyed it no long time being himself expelled by the Arms of Seleucus Son to Antiochus Grypus who respected not in him the Quality of Uncle but he became so violent and lived with so much Tyranny that being at Mopsa a City of Cilicia he was burnt alive in the place of publick Exercise His Successor was Antiochus the Son of the Cyzycenian whom the Syrians believed had escaped his Uncles traps only for his Piety wherefore they sirnamed him the Pious and yet he was only saved by a Curtezan fell in love with him because of his Beauty which makes me think the Syrians gave him that name only out of a jeer for this Pious man married Selene who had before been married to his Father the Cyzyoenian and to his Uncle Grypus Therefore Divine Justice suffered him in punishment of his Crime to be driven out of his Kingdom by Tigranes and the Son he had by Selene who being bred in Asia was called Asiatick to be deprived of his Kingdom by Pompey as we have before related having reigned only one year during which that General was elsewhere employ'd He was the seventeenth King after Seleucus without reckoning Alexander the Bastard or his Son who were not of the Race nor their Domestick Diodotus To conclude the Race of the Seleucides Reigned two hundred and seventy years and if we account from the time of Alexander the Great till this Kingdom was reduced into the form of a Province we must likewise add those fourteen years which Tigranes Reigned Thus much I thought good to say by the way concerning the Macedonians that were Kings of Syria though the Subject be somewhat separate from our History The End of the Syrian War APPIAN OF ALEXANDRIA HIS HISTORY OF THE Roman Wars IN PARTHIA PART I. BOOK III. The Argument of this Book I. THE Introduction to the History II. Crassus chosen Consul leaves Rome to go against the Parthians III. Crassus first Expedition wherein he do's nothing memorable IV. Crassus preparations for his second Expedition and the presages of his misfortune V. His march and the treachery of Agbarus VI. Upon Intelligence that the enemy is not far off he draws up his Army in Battel VII Description of the Battel VIII Success of the Battel and the death of Crassus Son IX The end of the Battel wherein the Romans are worsted X. Crassus decamps by by night XI The Parthians pursue their Victory and Crassus is slain XII The Parthians rejoyce at Crassus death XIII The beginning of Anthony's War against the Parthians in which Ventidius makes great progress XIV Anthony's Preparations XV. Some fights between Anthony and the Parthians XVI Anthony's retreat XVII The rashness of Flavius Gallus who had nigh lost the Army XVIII Famine in the Army XIX Continuation of Anthony's retreat and the end of the War AFter Pompey and those who as we have already said succeeded him in the Government of Syria Gabinius was sent to Command in that Province whither as he was disposing himself to make War against the Arabs Mithridates King of Parthia driven out of his Kingdom by his brother Orodes came to him to request him to suspend his Expedition against the Arabs and march against the Parthians But Ptolemy the Eleventh King of Egypt had more prevalency over the Spirit of the Proconâ—ul and by the power of Mony wrought so far with him that in stead of going against the Parthians he led his Army to Alexandria After having reestablished that King he was condemned to Banishment for having without the Senates Order undertook a War in Egypt forbid by the Oracles and particularly by the Sibyls verses Crassus succeeded him who going to make War upon the Parthians perished with his whole Army After his death when L. Bibulus was governor of Syria the same Parthians made an irruption into the Province and afterwards under the Government of Saxa who succeeded him over-run all as far as Ionia the Romans being imbroiled in Civil Wars yet did they nothing memorable besides spoiling the Country rather like thieves then Men of War and all that was but the consequence of Crassus overthrow which had given them a boldness that Anthony was at last to give check to but to write the History of this Expedition we must begin our discourse farther of The day of Assembly for Election of Consuls being come C. Caesar Pompey the Great and Marcus Crassus being found Competitors the two last notwithstanding all the endeavors of Cicero Cato and those of the Contrary Faction obtained the Consulate by force and prolonged to Caesar the Government of Gaul for five other years Having drawn by lot the Governments of Syria and Spain Syria fell to Crassus and Spain to Pompey with which all Men were well satisfied For the people were pleased that Pompey should not go far from the City and there was great likelyhood because he extreamly loved his Wife that he would not willingly absent himself for any long time On the other side Crassus as soon as he saw himself Governor of Syria dissembled not his satisfaction He thought no greater happiness could have arrived him and so far did his Excess of Joy transport him as to make him in his familiar conversation with his friends utter a thousand extravagancies which savored of the young Man and seemed contrary to his nature who had never been taken for a Proud Man or a Boaster but now exalting his thoughts above their due level his judgment was perverted insomuch that he not only promised himself to subdue the Syrians and the Parthians but as if the Victories gained by Lucullus against Tigranes and by Pompey against Mithridates had been but sports his depraved imaginations carried him as far as the Bactrians the Indians and the Oriental Ocean Though in his Commission there was not any mention made of a War against the Parthians yet no Man doubted but he was resolved to undertake it Caesar himself writing to him from Gaul commended his design and exhorted him to pursue it but many good and understanding Men thought it strange he should go to make War against innocent people who only demanded peace Wherefore Crassus having intelligence that Atteius Tribune of the people had a design to hinder his going out of the City was afraid and intreated Pompey who had a great power over the spirits of the people to be his Conductor they found in the Street a great number of Persons disposed to Arrest him but Pompey observing them went to meet them and with a smiling countenance appeased them so that they held their peace and gave him passage Atteius only made opposition first by forbidding Crassus to pass any farther and then by commanding the Usher to sieze his person but the other Tribunes not thinking it convenient
loosing all if he went to the succour of his Son yet he loved him and therefore was in doubt whether he should go to his relief or endeavour to save the rest At last he caused the Army to March towards the Enemy who presently appeared to meet them witnessing by their loud and terrible shouts that they had gained the Victory and letting the Romans know by the confused noise of their Drums that they must again prepare to fight Thus they made their approach bearing the Head of Publius upon the end of a Lance and asking by way of derision who were the Parents of that young Man and of what Family he was for they could not believe that Crassus the basest of all men could beget a Son so Brave and Valiant This sight cast down the spirits of the Romans more than all the Calamities they had suffered and instead of stirring up in them that indignation and desire of revenge which it ought overwhelmed them with horror and fear However Crassus Valour appeared upon this occasion extraordinarily he cryed out as he marched on Horse back through the Ranks The Oration of Crassus THis Misfortune concerns me only fellow Soldiers the glory and felicity of our Country remains yet intire whilst you are in a condition to defend it And if you have any compassion upon me for having lost a Son of that Value discharge your anger on your Enemies and deprive them of their joy by punishing their cruelty Loose not your Courage for the misfortune happened to me whoever pretends to great recompences is subject to like disgraces Lucullus did not Vanquish Tigranes nor Scipio Antiochus without the expence of blood Our Fathers lost a thousand Ships in the Conquest of Sicily and in Italy it self many Generals and Captains have perished whose loss hath not hindred their party from gaining the Victory for the Roman Empire is not mounted to this Greatness and Power by the good Fortune of the Romans but by their Patience and height of Courage in Adversity After these words Crassus perceiving that most of the Soldiers received them but coldly commanded to give a great shout all together which made but their inward grief the more known for they shouted with weak and discordant Voices whilst the Barbarians answered them in a Tone high and Harmonious The Fight presently began wherein the Enemies light Horse wheeling about the Romans galled them in Flank with showrs of Arrows whilst the Lanciers who assailed them in Front made them recoyl and croud close together However some out of fear of the Arrows drew off from the gross to charge nearer at hand but they did their Enemies littleâ—hurt and were presently killed by their Lances whose Iron head entring the Body was followed by a thick Staff thrust forward with so great violence that often times it went through and through both Horse and Man After the Battel had thus lasted till night the Parthians retreated saying That they gave that night to Crassus to bewail his Son unless he made choice of the better way and had rather go and present himself to Arsaces than be carried And having said these words they went and lodged in a place hard by with full hopes the next Morning to put an absolute end the Victory The Romans on the contrary had but an ill night of it they had no thoughts either of burying their dead or dressing their wounded of which some lay dying every one bewailed his own self for there was no hopes of safety whether they staid in that place till day or whether whilst it was dark they set forward cross those vast Plains for the wounded if they carried them would hinder their flight and if they forsook them the cryes of those miserable Creatures would give notice to the Enemy of their departure And though they imputed all their misfortune to Crassus they wished notwithstanding they might either see or hear him but he had withdrawn himself and with his head bound up had cast himself on the ground in the dark Whereby he became a great Example of the inconstancy of Fortune to the Vulgar and of rashness and ambition to the Learned having suffered himself to be so far transported by those two failings that he could not content himself to be one of the Prime among so many thousands of Citizens but believed himself miserable because he was accounted but the third Man in Rome Octavius his Lieutenant and Cassius his Quaestor having found him in this posture roused him up and entreated him to take courage but seeing he was in utter despair by advice of the Tribunes and Centurions they themselves published the Deaf March and began to discamp without noise but when the sick and wounded perceived that they were about to forsake them with their cryes and roarings they spread a general trouble throughout the Army even those who were already got into the Plain took the Alarm as if the Enemy had been ready to fall on wherefore they made many halts putting themselves in order to fight and perplexed with the great numbers of the wounded that followed them of which they took up some and left others they made but little way save only three hundred Horse that fled away by themselves with whom Ignatius arrived about Midnight at Carres where having called in Latin to those were upon the Guards of the Walls he bid them go and tell Coponius the Governour of the place that there had been a great Fight between Crassus and the Parthians and without explaining himself farther or so much as telling his name advanced towards the Bridge the truth is he saved those Horse but he was blamed by all the World for forsaking his General not but that Crassus had some benefit by Coponius having this advice for the Governour conjecturing by the ambiguity of his words and by the suddenness of his departure that the Messenger brought no good news immediately drew to Arms what Force he had and when he had advice that the General was upon the way went out to meet him and gathering up as many of the Soldiers as he could conducted them to the City As for the Parthians though they knew well that the Romans were dislodged yet they would not pursue them by night but as soon as it was day they run to their Camp and cut the throats of all those they had left which amounted to no less than four thousand and then pursued the rest of whom they took great numbers whom they found dispersed in the plain besides four Cohorts under the conduct of the Lieutenant Vargonteius who having stragled in the March by night fell into their hands enclosed in a strait where having valiantly defended themselves they were all cut in pieces except only twenty Soldiers who with their Swords in their hands opened themselves a passage through the midst of their Enemies and whose courage the Enemies themselves admiring suffered them to pass at an easie rate to Carres without pursuing
without any alarm but on the third whilst Anthony thought of nothing less than the Parthians and that upon the assurance of the Peace the Army marched without standing on their Guard the Mardian espying the Bank of a River newly broken and the way by which they were to pass full of Water he judged the Parthians had done it to put a stop to the Romans by making difficult the passage and showing it to Anthony advised him to prepare to receive the Enemy The Roman General presently Martialled his Army leaving between the Ranks spaces for the Darters and Slingers to make their discharges At the same time the Parthians appeared perswading themselves they should now compass in the Army and defeat them but the light-armed Foot drawing off to receive them charged them so briskly that after many wounds given and taken they retreated yet for several times they renewed the skirmish till the Gaul Horse marched against them in a Body and treated them so severely that the remainder of that day they durst attempt them no more Anthony by this assault knowing what he had to do hereafter made the Army March in Battalia on four Fronts linining not only the Rear but likewise the Flanks with Darters and Slingers and giving Order to the Horse to repulse the Enemy if they came to attack them but not to pursue them too far after they had chased them back so that the Parthians after having thus followed them four days with equal loss began to give it over and making the ground of their departure to be the approaching Winter disposed themselves on the morrow to leave off the pursuit The day before they were to be gone one of Anthonies Captains called Flavius Gallus a Valiant and Worthy Man requested a greater number of the Light-armed Foot for defence of the Rearguard and some part of the Calvalry from the Wings as if he had some brave exploit to put in execution Having obtained his desire he set himself to chase back the Enemies that came to skirmish not as before retreating in his Body as soon as he had made them give ground but charging them home and obstinately maintaining the Fight which being observed by those who maintained the Rearguard they recalled him for fear lest being divided from the Army the Enemy should encompass him 'T is said farther that Titius the Questor staid the Ensigns to make him return reproving him for loosing so many brave Men but that Gallus quarrelling with him and bidding him meddle with his own Affairs he left him and joyned with the main Body Gallus charging forward on the Enemy with two much heat found himself beset in the Rear and on all sides oppressed with Showers of Arrows so that he was forced to send for aid in which the Colonels of the Legions and among the rest Canidius who had much power with Anthony seem to have committed a great fault for whereas they ought to have marched with all their Force thither they sent only some few Cohorts and as those were defeated others not observing that by this means the Army would by little and little be put to the rout and had been so if Anthony himself had not speedily made in with all the Vanguard but now the third Legion advancing athwart the Flyers and standing the shock of the Enemy stop'd them short and hindred their passing farther There were no less than three thousand men slain in this Engagement and five thousand brought off wounded among whom was Gallus thrust through and through with four Arrows of which he dyed not long after Anthony went among the Tents to visit the others comforting them and weeping himself out of grief and compassion but they rejoycing to see him took him by the hand and pray'd him to take care of his own health and not afflict himself any more They called him their Emperour and told him their wounds were all healed whilst they saw him well And indeed there appears not in all that Age to have been any General that had an Army so vigorous so brave and so patient and if we have regard to the respect and obedience they bore him as well great as small Officers as Soldiers and the high account they made of his favour preferring it before their own safety or their very lives certainly he yielded to none of the Ancient Romans and surely they were disposed to it by many Motives by his Nobleness his Eloquence his Uprightness his Liberality both frequent and great and by the sweetness of his familiar Conversation but above all his tenderness and compassion for the afflicted and the care he took to see them furnished with all things necessary made the sick and wounded almost as well satisfied as if they had been well Now this Victory had so raised the Enemies hearts before almost tired and despairing that they passed that night near the Camp in hopes e'er long to be plundring the Publick Treasure and find the Tents deserted On the morrow they assembled in far greater Numbers so that it is thought they could not be less then forty thousand Horse for the King sent those of his own train one after another as to an evident and assured victory for as for himself he never engaged in person In the mean time Anthony designing to make an Oration to his Soldiers would have put on a sad coloured habit to move the more Compassion but his Friends diswading him from it he came to the Assembly in the Habit of General he praised those had behaved themselves well and declaimed against those that fled of whom the first desired him to be of good Courage and the last having given reasons for their flight offered themselves to be decimated or what other punishment he pleased so that he would forbear to afflict himself and to look ill upon them Thereupon lifting up his eyes to heaven he besought the Gods that if any Divinity were jealous of his past happiness they they would let all the miseries wherewith he was threatned to fall upon his own head and give Victory to the rest of the Army The next day they again set forward in better Order so that the hopes of the Parthians who aâ—â—ailed them began to decay for they thought they were come to Pillage and Plunder and not to fight but finding themselves stiffly beat back by the Roman Piles which the Soldiers now discharged with a wonderful Alacrity they once again were forced to give ground Yet ceased they not from following the Roman Army and one day as they galled them with their Arrows whilst they were descending a little Hill the Targetiers faced about and after having received the light Armed Foot into the Ranks set their Knees to the ground and Ranging their Bucklers one above another formed a Testudo where the Bucklers rising by degrees Resembled in some measure the Seats of a Theater And indeed this was an Excellent Rampire against the Arrows for they slid away on both sides
the Testudo The Parthians thinking the Romans were thus set down out of weariness giving over their Bow 's came to charge them at Push of Pike but they Rising all at once and giving a great shout with their Piles broke the foremost Ranks and forced the rest to Flight But in the mean time Famine began sorely to oppress the Army for the Soldiers being continually in Fight could not range abroad for Provisions besides there wanted Mills the greatest part being left behind because either Beasts of Carriage were dead or imployed to carry the sick and wounded so that 't is said a Bushel of Wheat Athens Measure was sold for fifty Drams and Barly Bread for its weight in Silver they were forced at last to eat Roots and Herbs and because they found but few that were known they were necessitated to make experiment of all they met with and unhappily fell upon an Herb that caused Madness and in the conclusion proved death for as soon as any had eaten of it they lost their Understanding and Memory and fell to turning upside down and removing all the Stones they met with believing they were at work upon some very serious matter so that all the Camp was filled with People rooting up and removing Stones from one place to another who at last died vomiting of Cholor Wine was the Cure for this Distemper but it was not to be had insomuch that 't is said Anthony seeing so many of his People die and the Parthians still at his heels often cryed out Oh the ten thousand Admiring those ten thousand Men who under the Conduct of Xenophon marched a much longer way making their retreat from the Plains of Babylon to the Sea without loosing so much as one Man though in their way they were often assaulted by far greater Numbers of Enemies The Parthians seeing they could not hinder the Romans March nor engage them to divide one from the other and that they had been often beaten began again to talk civilly to those went abroad for Corn and Forrage showing them their unbent Bows and telling them that now they might freely go and indeed there appeared only some Medes who passed a day or two's march farther without committing any Act of Hostility but only under pretence to secure the Towns distant from the great Road. After these Civilities and Fair words the Romans were somewhat more hearty Anthony himself grew a little pleasant and began to have some inclination for the way of the plain because it was told him that there was greater conveniency of Water then in the Mountains As he had resolved it one of the Enemies called Mithridates Cousin to that Moneses who had fled for refuge to Anthony and to whom he had given three Cities came to the Camp and asked for any one that could talk with him either in the Syrian or Parthian Tongue Alexander of the City of Antioch a trusty Friend of Anthonies presenting himself the Parthian after having told him that what he did was for Moneses sake asked him if he saw far afore those high Mountains that touched one another He making Answer he saw them well The Parthians said the other lie there in Ambush with all their Forces for this Plain extends it self as far as those Mountains and there they wait for you out of hopes that giving credit to their fair words you will leave your Road to Cross the Plain In the other way you have nothing to suffer but Labor and Thirst to which you are already accustomed but if you engage in this Anthony will scarce come better off then Crassus And having said thus much he departed This being reported to Anthony he was afraid and conferred with his Friends and with the Mardian whom he found of the same judgment for he knew that the way of the Plain though there were no Enemy to be feared was hard to find and many difficult passes whilst all the inconvenience of the other was want of water only for one days march Determining therefore to take the way of the Mountains and to depart the same night Orders were given to the Soldiers to furnish themselves with water and because the most part wanted Vessels they filled their Head-pieces and certain skins sewed together The Army was already set forward when the Parthians having intelligence of it contrary to their custom followed them by night About break of day they came up with the Rearguard and fell upon them tired as they were with Travel and want of sleep for that night the Romans had marched two hundred and forty Furlongs and did not believe the Enemy could be so soon upon them which made them almost loose their Courage besides their thirst encreased with their Fight being forced to fight and march together Mean while the Vanguard met with a River clear and cool but whose salt and venemous waters ulcerated the bowels as soon as they were drunk and provoked an intolerable thirst The Mardian had given notice to the Soldiers of it but that could not hinder them though he forbad it never so much from drinking Anthony himself came amongst them and conjured them to have yet a little patience shewing them that they were not far from another River where they might drink and that henceforward the way was craggy and unaccessible for Horse and therefore the Enemy must of necessity retire at the same time he caused the Retreat to be Sounded that at least the Soldiers might a little refresh themselves in the shade As they pitch'd their Tents and that the Parthâ—ans were retired according to their Custom Mithridates came again and Alexander going out to meet him he advised him to raise the Camp after the Army had never so little refreshed themselves and to march with all the speed they could past the other River for that was the bounds of the Parthians beyond which they woâ—ld not go This advice being brought to Anthony he sent to the Parthians by Alexander Cups and Vessels of Gold of which he took as much as his Coat would cover The rest of this days March was without any Alarm but the night following was troubled by the Romans themselves who made it both hurtful and dangerous for they killed those who had any Gold or Silver to rob them plundered the publick Treasury loaden on the Beasts of Carriage and at last Anthony's owâ— Equipage even to his necessary Vessels and Tables of inestimable price which the Thieves broke in pieces and divided amongst them that occasioned so great a tumult and so strange an affright for they thought the Enemy already master of the Baggages that Anthony having called to him one of his Guards named Ramnus who was his freed Man he forced him to promise him upon Oath to run him through with his Sword as soon as he should command it and to cut off his Head lest he should fall into the power of the Enemy or be known when he was dead This discourse having drawn
of Victory consisted only in this Port had fortifyed all he could Yet the height of the Walls amused not Sylla who presently clapt to his scaling Ladders but the Cappadocians bravely defending themselves after giving and receiving many Wounds he gave over and retreated to Eleusina and Megara where he fell to building Engines resolved to take the Pyraeum by raising Platforms or Terrases higher then the Walls Thebes furnished him with Workmen and Materials as Iron Instruments for Battery and such like things he cut down Timber in the Academy to frame his great Engines and beat down all those long Walls which joyned the Port with the City that their Ruins might serve to raise his Platforms There were in Pyraeum two Athenian Slaves who whether they were affectionate to the Romans or to provide for their own security in case they succeeded writ on Bullets of Lead what passed within and threw then with Slings into the Roman Camp Sylla observing that they continually slung them and examining the matter more narrowly found writ one of the Bullets Tomorrow the foot will sally out on the Labourers in Front while the Horse charge the Roman Army in Flank Whereupon he laid an Ambush for them and when they thought to surprize the Romans they were themselves surprized by the Romans who after a great Slaughter drove the rest into the very Sea Archelaus seeing the Platforms advanced in height caused towers to be erected directly opposite to them from whence with Darts he sorely vexed the Workmen and having caused Forces to come from Chalcis and other Isles he arrived not only the Marriners but the Galley-Slaves seeing himself in such an extremity of danger Thus he who before much exceeded the Besiegers in Numbers seeing his Forces encreased by these new Recruits made the Night following about the second Watch a vigorous Sally wherein carrying lighted Torches he burnt one of the Testudo's with all its Engines The Consul soon repaired the loss and in ten day's rebuilt and planted others in their stead against which Archelaus opposed a Tower he erected on the Wall After this Dromichetes whom Mithridates had sent with new Recruits being arrived Archelaus drew out the Kings Army in Battel intermixing the Slingers and Archers and drawing them all up so close under the Wall that those who had Guard might from thence annoy the Enemies at distance with their Bows and Slings whilst a Party he had placed near the Gates sallyed out upon a signal given with Torches in their hands to set fire on the Machins The Fight was fierce and continued a long time doubtful sometimes one giving Ground and sometimes the other the Barbarians were the first that turned their Backs but Archelaus soon forced them to stay and return to the Charge which so startled the Romans that they themselves fled till Murena coming to the head of them forced them to turn again upon the Enemy At length some Companies of Souldiers returning from the Wood to whom those who had been branded with Infamy for their flight joyned themselves and arriving in the heat of the Fight they charged so furiously upon Mithridates Battel that after having slain two thousand they forced the rest to save themselves in the Port in spite of all the resistance of Archelaus who did all he could to stop them and was so obstinate in it that the Gates being shut before he could get in they were forced to draw him up the Walls with Ropes Thus Sylla had the honour of keeping the Field who discharged of the Infamy those had been noted for it because of their good service upon this occasion and honoured the other with military Recompences And because Winter was coming on he went and encamped near Eleusina and that he might not be annoyed by the Excursions of the Enemys Horse he caused a deep Trench to be dug from the Mountains to the Sea Whilst they wrought at it there happened daily Skirmishes some or other continually either going from the Trench or coming from the Wall and throwing Darts or shooting Arrows Stones or Bullets of Led This Work finished Sylla who stood in need of Shipping sent to Rhodes to furnish himself but the Rhodians who could not pass the Seas which were covered with Mithridates his Fleets advised Lucullus a man very considerable among the Romans and one of Sylla's Lieutenants to embarque privately for Syria and Alexandria to demand of the Kings and the Maritime Cities Ships to joyn with the Rhodian Fleet. He took their advice and fearless of any thing embarqued himself on a pittiful passage Boat and often changing Boats that he might not be known came to Alexandria About this time the two Slaves cast from the Walls Bullets of Lead on which they had written that the next Night Arcâ—elaus sent to Athens where the people were very much oppressed with Famine some Souldiers laden with Corn upon which advice Sylla laying an Ambush for them took both the men and the Corn. The same day Munatius engaging with Neoptolemus the other of Mithridates his Generals wounded him killed him fifteen hundred of his men and took a far greater number Prisoners Some time after whilst the Guards of the Port yet slept some Romans cast Ladders from their Engines upon the Walls and being got up slew the first they met with which so surprised the Barbarians that some believing all was taken by the Enemy leaped from the Top of the Walls but others more resolute put themselves upon their defence slew the Captain of those were got up and threw the rest headlong down And some of them were so bold as to sally out of the Gate with Torches in their hands with intent to set fire to one of the Romans Towers And they had done it had they not been prevented by Sylla who after a Fight which lasted all Night and next Day forced them to retreat within their Walls After this Archelaus caused to be raised on the Wall a great Tower opposite to the greatest of the Romans where they fought without intermission with shot from their Arbalists or Cross-bow's till such time as Sylla discharging from his greatest Cross-bow's twenty large leaden Blluets at a time against the Enemies slew a great Number of them and shook the Tower in such manner that it cleaving almost asunder they were forced to draw it under their Walls that they might not have the discouragement to see it tumble down in pieces Mean while Famine from day to day increasing in Athens Archelaus was designing to send them Provisions by night of which the leaden Bullets soon gave notice But that General doubting that some one advertised the Romans of his designs gave order that at the time when the Corn was to be sent there should be a Party ready at the Gates to Sally out with Torches in their hands upon the Romans at the same instant that Sylla assaulted those which carried it and indeed it happened that Sylla took the Souldiers that carried
an end of their labors after this Victory and hoped to gain so much the more praise the more they incountred with danger and difficulty wherefore they did all they could to gain these last Walls till such time as Archelaus astonished at their obstinacy deserting them retired into the strongest part of the Pyraeum which being on all sides begirt with the Sea the Consul who had no Ships could attempt nothing against him From thence he took his march by Boeotia to go into Thessaly and being got to Thermopylae he rallyed the remains as well of those Troops which himself had brought into Greece as of those which came under the Conduct of Dromicheses He sent likewise for all that Army which had followed Arcathias the Kings Son into Macedon which were all fresh Men that wanted nothing and besides all these Mithridates had sent him some new Recruits for he was continually sending Sylla in the mean time burnt the Pyraeum which had given him so much more trouble then the City sparing neither Arsenal nor Dock nor in short any thing that was considerable This done he took the Field to follow Archelaus taking as well as he the Road of Boeotia As he was upon his March those Troops lately assembled at Thermopylae came forward to meet him as far as Phocida Thracians Pontique Scythians Cappadocians Bithynians Galatians Phrygians and others came from the Provinces newly Conquered by Mithridates amounting in all to sixscore thousand Men under several Generals over whom Archelaus was Generalissimo Sylla's Forces were composed of Romans and Italian Allies together with such Greeks and Macedonians as had come over from Archelaus to him And possibly some Auxiliary Troops of the Neighboring Countries but all these amounted not to a third of his Enemies when they were encamped close by each other Archelaus every day drew out his Army to invite Sylla to a battel but he considering the Nature of the place and the great Number of his Enemies thought it best to temporize At length they retreated towards Chalcis whither he followed them waiting for a favorable opportunity and a convenient place And at last perceiving that near to Cheronea they were encamped in a place environed with Cragged Rocks which were very difficult to pass he posted himself hard by in a spacious plain and drawing up his Army resolved to force Archelaus to a Battel whether he would or no He found the place was advantagious for him either to charge or retreat in whereas Archelaus was shut up among the Rocks which would not permit him to fight with all his Forces together nor could he well form his Bodies or draw in Battel among those uneven Cragged Stones where if any misfortune happened those Rocks themselves would hinder his Escape In short having according to his desire met him in a place where Numbers would be useless he advanced to engage him He who thought of nothing less then Fighting had fortified his Camp with Negligence enough nor had he taken notice of the disadvantage of the place till the Romans furiously advanced to the Charge He then commanded a party of his Horse to make head against them but they being defeated and driven into the Precipices he sent next sixty Chariots to endeavor to break the Ranks of the Legions who opening to the Right and Left gave them way quite through till they had past the Rearguard where before they could turn the Horses and Drives were all slain by the Darts thrown at them from all sides Archelaus defended as he was by the Rocks might have staid in his Post but receiving Intelligence that Sylla was at hand he chose rather with all speed possible to draw up those vast Multitudes into Battel in those straits and then pressing forward with the Horse of his Vanguard he broke quite through the Battel of the Romans dividing it into two and then easily surrounding each part because of their small Number these two half-bodies seeing themselves inclosed cast themselves into an Orb and bravely defended themselves but that where Galba and Hortensius commanded was sorely put to it because Archelaus himself being at the head of his Men pressed on them extreamly and all the Barbarians Fighting in his presence strove to show their General some signal Marks of their Valor At last Sylla coming with a Gross of Horse Archelaus who guessed by the Cornets and by the dust arising from the Horse-feet that it was he gave over this manner of Fighting to regain his Order of Battel but the Roman Charging home with all the Flower of his Cavalry and two Regiments of Foot which he had laid in Ambush amongst the thickest of the Enemies yet astonished and not able to recover any Order over-pressed them broke them put them to the Rout and gave them Chase. The Victory thus begun on this part Murena did wonders to advance it on the Left for after having pricked forward those about him by reproaches he violently led them on upon the Enemy and put them likewise to the Rout Thus Archelaus two Wings being defeated his Main Body stood not long but all equally took their Flight nor was Sylla deceived in the Judgment made of the Success of this Enterprize for the Enemies intangled in those streits could not fly or if they did threw one another down the Precipices and if they turned head fell into the hands of the Romans wherefore the wisest of them returned to their Camp but Archelaus who could not believe the discomfiture so great stopt their entrance and sent them back upon the Enemy which they obeyed though they had no Captains to put them in order nor saw no Ensigns which every one in the Rout had thrown here and there and besides they had neither Room to Fight nor to Retreat Thus in this extremity they were slaughtred like Sheep either by their Enemies on whom they could not revenge themselves being too close crouded or by their own Comerades as it often happens in a too close and disordered Battle wherefore they returned in throngs to the Gates of the Camp complaining to those had shut them out and reviling them that adoring the same Gods and being tyed by so many bonds one to the other they contributed more to their destruction then the Enemies themselves At last Archelaus opened the Gates but too late They entred in confusion and disorder and the Romans encouraging one another threw themselves Pell Mell among the Flyers where they gave the last push to the Victory Archelaus and all those that escaped from the Slaughter met together at Chalcis where of one hundred and twenty thousand Men they found but ten thousand The Romans believed they had lost fifteen Men but two of them afterwards returned Thus ended this battel fought between Sylla and Archelaus General under Mithridates near to Cheronea the Success whereof was as well deserving of the Prudence of Sylla as of the foolish rashness of Archelaus Sylla seeing himself Master of a great Number of
places Thus Pompey cleared the Seas without fighting and his Lieutenants every one in their Quarter took all the Corsairs that haunted there After this he went into Cilicia with a great number of Soldiers and Workmen and store of Engines believing he should be put to the assaulting after sundry manners those Forts built upon such high Rocks But the renown of his name alone and the vastness of his preparations struck such a terror into the Pyrates that they believed they should make the better composition if they yielded without fighting Those who were in the two largest Forts called Crague and Anticrague were the first who submitted at discretion and after them all those who held the Mountains of Cilicia one after another yielded themselves with great quantities of Arms either already furnished or else only begun in the Shops besides a great number of Ships some half built others ready to sail with Copper Iron Canvas Cordage and divers others Materials which they had gathered together for their use There were found also many Captives which they kept there some for Ransome others to labour in their works Pompey burnt all their unwrought Materials carried the Ships along with him and sent the Captives home many of whom found that their Funerals had been performed their friends believing them dead As for the Pyrates who appeared not to have engaged themselves in this kind of life but because they had lost their substance by the War he assigned them for their dwellings Malle Adane Epiphania and such other Cities as were but thinly inhabited in the upper Cilicia some of them likewise he sent to Dima in Achaia Thus the War against the Pyrates which all Men thought would have been long was ended in a few days by Pompey There were seventy two Ships taken three hundred yielded up with sixscore Towers Forts and others places of retreat and about ten thousand slain of those who stood out upon their Defence After this so expeditious victory the success of which exceeded all Mens hopes the Senate and People of Rome in acknowledgement of the great Service done by Pompey conferred on him signal Honors They gave him the Commission of the War against Mithridates continued to him the same Power to make Peace and War and at his own Arbitrement to declare Friends and Enemies to the People of Rome those whom he should think Worthy and over and above all this made him Generalissimo of all their Forces out of Italy Never before had the People of Rome given so much Power to one Man at once which possibly was the Reason why they called him GREAT for as to any thing else the other Generals had before left but little to do in this War Pompey then having Assembled the Forces of Asia went and encamped on the Frontiers of Mithridates Estates who had at present a very gallant Army composed of thirty thousand Foot and three thousand Horse all chosen Men raised upon his own Lands for the defence of his Kingdom Lucullus had not long before spoiled all that Country so that victuals were still scarce which made many of Mithridates Soldiers run into the Roman Army and though the King inflicted cruel punishment upon those were surprised in the attempt throwing some headlong down the Rocks squeezing out others eyes and burning some alive so that fear kept many of them in their duty yet did his Army by little and little wast by reason of the scarcity Which occasioned his sending Ambassadors to Pompey to demand upon what conditions he might have peace to which the Roman answered by delivering up the Runaways and yielding himself at discretion The King having reported this answer to the Revolters and seeing them terrified at it swore he never would have peace with the Romans because of their cruelty Nor would consent to any thing but what should be for the Common good of those had done him Service Whereupon Pompey having laid a party of Horse in Ambush sent the rest to skirmish with Mithridates Camp with Orders to give ground after the first charge as if they had been surprised with fear till such time as having drawn the Enemy into the Ambush they charged them both together And indeed the Romans put them to the Rout and might possibly have entred the Camp in the Rear of those that fled if Mithridates fearing the disorder had not drawn out his Foot and placed them in Order before the Camp which forced them to a retreat This was the first Engagement of Horse between the two parties At length the King oppressed for want of provisions returned into the heart of his Kingdom in hopes that the Enemy could not subsist in that ruined Country at least without much inconveniency But Pompey presently discamped and bringing in provisions along with him marched as far as the Eastern parts of the Kingdom where he caused a Line to be drawn of one hundred and fifty furlongs in length fortified with many Forts to inclose the King and cut of his passage to fetch in Corn and Forrage Mithridates gave no hindrance to this work either out of fear or out of imprudence which ordinarily precedes Calamity and soon found himself once more reduced to such want that he was forced to kill all the beasts of burthen to sustain his Army keeping only the Horses of Service With infinite trouble he made a shift to subsist thus for fifty days and afterwards with great silence made his escape by night through difficult ways On the morrow Pompey overtaking him fell upon his Rear-guard but the King notwithstanding all the Counsel of Friends would not give Battel but contenting himself to oppose the Romans with some Horse to keep him off gained towards Evening the Forrests which served him for Retreat The next day he possessed himself of a Village fortified with Rocks on all sides to which there was but one Avenue in which he placed four Regiments for Guard directly opposite to which the Romans went and pitched their Camp that so the King might have no way to escape On the morrow the two Armies betook themselves to their Arms very early and those which had the Guard on one Party and the other began the skirmish Some of the Kings Horsemen alighting from their Horses without Command went to assist their Infantry but seeing a great party of the Roman Cavalry come forward to the charge they all at once set a running towards the Camp to take their Horses that they might return to fight against the Romans on equal terms But those who were still above and ready to descend in a posture of fighting seeing these People run with great cries and in disorder and not knowing the reason believing that the Camp being taken on the other side they fled themselves likewise threw down their Arms and betook themselves to flight and because the way was narrow the croud was so great that they overthrew and tumbled one another down the Precipices Thus the Army
multitude of other Persons with Governments and likewise with great Sums of Money He built also Cities Nicopolis in Armenia the less as a Monument of his Victory Eupatoria in the Kingdom of Pontus which Mithridates Eupator had called by his name when he founded it and afterwards had rased it for opening its Gates to the Romans which Pompey afterwards rebuilding from the ground called Magnopolis He reedifyed likewise Mazaca a Citie of Cappadocia which had been demolished during the War and repaired divers others which were ruined or decaying in divers places of Pontus Palestine the lower Syria and Cilicia in which last is scituated that City formerly called Soly and at present Pompeiopolis which he peopled for the most part with Pyrates He found in the City of Talauris where Mithridates Magazines were two thousand Vessels of Onichit is bound about with Gold quantity of Flagons Cups Tables and Seats all perfectly beautiful There were likewise such vast numbers of Bridles and Saddles enriched with Gold and precious Stons that the Questor was thirty daies in receiving and counting them One part of these precious moveables came to Mithridates by succession from Darius the Son of Histaspes having passed from hand to hand to the several Successors of the Kings of Persia unto him Cleopatra had taken another part out of the Treasures of the Ptolemies and given them in keeping to the Inhabitants of the Isle of Coos from whence Mithridates had brought them and the rest that King had bought and stored together himself being very curious of rich moveables Towards the end of Winter Pompey distributed rewards to his Victorious Soldiers fifteen hundred Attick Drams to every Soldier And to the Tribunes and Centurions proportionably so that it is said the whole Sum of this distribution amounted to sixteen thousand Talents After this he went from Ephesus to Italy by Sea and dismissing his Army at Brundusium returned to Rome And by this popular action astonished the Romans as if they had seen a Miracle The whole City went forth to meet him the youngest a great way and others according to their Age and after all came the Senate themselves admiring the prodigious greatness of the actions he had done For never before him had any person defeated so powerful an Enemy nor added so many Provinces to the Roman Empire or extended their Dominion to the Euphrates And in like manner he entred in Triumph in in a more Magnificent manner then ever any had done before in the five and thirtieth year of his age The Pomp lasted two days for it required a great deal of time for the passing by of so many different People Ponticks Armenians Cappadocians Cilicians the several Nations of all Syria Albanians Heniochians Acheans Scythians and Iberians He brought likewise into the Ports seven hundred Ships compleatly fitted and sent into the City Chariots laden with Gold and Rarities of inestimable price among which was the Table of Darius the Son of Histaspes the Chair and Scepter of Eupator with his Figure of Massie Gold eight foot high and yet was only the Breast and Head and seven hundred thousand five hundred and ten Talents of Silver Money There were likewise a great number of Waggons laden with Arms and some with Ship Beaks After followed a multitude of Captives and Pyrates chained and habited every one according to the fashion of his Country before the Triumphal Chariot marched the Satrapes Captains and Sons of Kings some Captives others Hostages to the number of four hundred twenty four Among whom was Tigranes the Son of Tigranes five Sons of Mithridates Artaphernes Cyrus Oxathres Darius and Xerxes and two Daughters Orsabaris and Eupatra and among the rest Olthalces and Aristobulus King of Colchis and the Jews the Tyrants of Cilicia and the Queens of Scythia Three Iberian Generals two of the Albanians with Menander of Laodicea who commanded Mithridates Horse Those absent were carried in Picture Tigranes and Mithridates fighting giving ground and flying Mithridates besieged his secret flight by night his death and with him his two Daughters companions of his misfortune there were shown likewise the Pictures of his Children of both Sexes that dyed before him and the Figures of the Gods adored by the Barbarians adorned after the manner of their Country and neer to them a fair Table with this Inscription Ships of War taken eight hundred Cities built in Cappadocia eight in Cilicia and Caelosyria twenty in Palestine Seleucia Kings overcome Tigranes of Armenia Artoces of Iberia Oreses of Abania Darius of the Medes Areta of the Nabathaeans and Antiochus Commagenes Then appeared Pompey on a Chariot all glittering with precious Stones clad as some say in the Coat of Alexander of Macedon but if that may be believed 't is likely it was found among Cleopatra's Movables which the Inhabitants of the Isle of Coos delivered to Mithridates At last after the Chariot marched the Officers of the Army who had served him in this expedition some on Horseback others on foot who all together conducted their General to the Capitol When he was arrived there he put not to death any of the Captives as all who triumphed before him had done but sent them back into their own Countries at the publique charge except only the Kings and Kings Children of whom he not long after put to death Aristobulus and after him Tigranes As for Pharnaces he in the mean time kept the Inhabitants of Phanagoria blockt up till such time as Famine made them resolve to give him Battel however the King granted their pardon and without injuring any of them was content to take Hostages Sometime after he took Sinope and desirous to make himself Master of Amisa he made War upon Calvisius who then Commanded the Roman Forces in the Country in the time that Caesar and Pompey were engaged against each other and at last the Romans being elsewhere busied he was driven out of Asia by Asander upon a particular Quarrel He had likewise to do with Iulius Caesar as he returned from Aegypt after the Rout of Pompey which happened about that Mount where his Father had beaten Triarius and being beaten escaped to Sinope with a thousand Horse whither Caesar wanting leasure to follow him sent Domitius to whom he yielded the City who after he was come out with his Cavalry according to the Articles of Peace agreed between them caused all the Horses to be killed which did not well please the Horsmen with whom Shipping himself he retired by Sea to the Kingdom of Pontus As soon as he came there he assembled a great number of Sâ—ythians and Sarmatians and made himself Master of Theodotia and Panticapea but Asander renewing the War with him his Horsemen being dismounted and not used to fight on foot were beaten and Pharnaces showing himself the only man of Valour was slain after having received many wounds the fiftieth year of his Age and fifteenth of his Reign in Bosphorus C. Caesar gave his Kingdom
to Mithridates of Pergamus who had served him well in Aegypt but at this day all those people are free and there are yearly Praetors sent into the Kingdoms of Pontus and Bithynia Caesar confirmed all those who had received favours from Pompey in the Estates and Governments he had given them though he complained they had taken part with their Benefactor to his Prejudice save only the priest-hood of Commanes which he took from Archelaus to give to Nicomedes But some time after not only these Estates but also all that C. Caesar and M. Anthony had given to others were reunited to the Roman Empire after that Augustus became Master of Aegypt for the Romans let slip no opportunity to enlarge their Empire Wherefore having extended it by the Mithridatick War from the Euxine Sea to the sandy Desarts of Aegypt and from the Pillars of Hercules which are in Spain to the Euphrates It was not without reason they called this Victory great or gave to Pompey who made all these Conquests the Title of Greaâ— they possessed likewise all Africa as far as Cyrene it self which was given them by the Testament of Appion the last King of that Countrey who was a Bastard of the Race of the Lagides so that to have the whole Circuit of the Mediterranian Sea they wanted only Aegypt which was their last Conquest The end of the fourth Book of the Romans War with Mithridates APPIAN OF ALEXANDRIA HIS HISTORY OF THE Roman Wars IN ILLYRIA PART I. BOOK V. The Argument of this Book I. DEscription of Illyria and those who first inhabited it II. Apollo 's Chastisement of the Illyrians Sacriledge III. The Romans War with Agron King of Illyria IV. Their Wars against Demetrius and against Genthius V. Against the Ardians Palarians Iapodes Segestians and Dalmatians VI. The affairs of C. Caesar with the Dalmatians and other Nations of Illyria VII Beginning of Augustus Conquests in Illyria VIII His War against the Iapodes and the Siege of Metulia IX His Wars against the Segestians and Paeonians X. His Expedition against the Dalmatians and the siege of Promona XI The Conclusion of this History THE Illyrians according to the opinion of the Greeks are the People that inhabit above Macedon and Thrace from the Charnians and the Thesprotes as far as the Ister and this is the Length of Illyria its breadth extends from Macedon and the Mountains of Thrace as far as the Paeonians and the Ionian Sea and the end of the Alps. It contains five days Journey in breadth and its length is thrice as much as the Greeks report the Romans after measuring it found it six thousand Furlongs long and twelve hundred broad and assure us that it took its name from Illyrius Polyphemus and that Polyphemus the Cyclops had three Sons by Galatea Celtus Illyrius and Gallus who going out of Sicily gave their Names to the Celtes Illyrians and Galatians of which Nation they made themselves Kings and indeed this opinion seems to me the most probable of all They say likewise that Illyrius had sons Achilles Autarius Dardanus Medus Taulantius and Perhebius and Daughters Partha Daorta Dazera and others from whom are descended the Taulantians Perhebians Achilleians Autarians Dazeretians and Darsians That Autarius had two Sons Pannonius or rather Paeonius and Scordiscus from which Paeonius came Triballius who all three gave their names to three Nations as we learn in Ancient Records Illyria therefore as we find to this day by several Publick Testimonies in that great Countrey was formerly possessed by the Scordisks and Triballians who continually made War till such time as those that remained of the Triballians went away to the Getes above the Ister And this Nation which to the time of Philip and Alexander had a great reputation is at this day so utterly decayed that there scarce remains to us the memory of its name The Scordicks are likewise much weakned for being subdued by the Romans they retreated within the Isles of the River Ister However sometime after a party returned and inhabited a Corner of Paeonia Wherefore the Scordisks are to this day reckoned among the Paeonians The Autarians who likewise possessed a good tract on the Sea Coast were likewise driven out by the Ardians After that the Liburnians who were esteemed excellent Seamen came and setled themselves in a part of Illyria from whence they scoured all the Ionian Sea plundring all the Ships they met with and because they had Ships very swift and extreamly light the Romans call Vessels that excel in swiftness Liburnicks 'T is said that Apollo's anger was the cause of the utter destruction of the Autarians and that they going with those Celtes that are called Cimbrians to besiege the City of Delphos were forthwith defeated and took their flight in disorder some of them not staying till the battel began by reason of the Rain Tempest and Thunder which terrified them Those who returned found their whole Country covered with infinite multitudes of Frogs who stinking poisoned the Rivers with their putrefaction and that at last the Earth casting forth Malignant Vapors bred a cruel Plague in Illyria This Malady siesed chiefly on the Autarians who leaving their Country carried the Contagion along with them so that no person durst receive them after three and twenty days travel they stopt in a marshy and unhabited Country and built Cities on the Confines of the Basternes As for the Celtes Apollo sent into their Country such Earthquakes as swallowed up whole Cities at once and that this Calamity ceased not till they as well as the others had quitted their habitations and come into Illyria where finding the Associates of their crime extreamly weakned by the Plague which had swept away the greatest part of them they easily overcame them but the Contagion siesing likewise upon them by their touching of infected Cloths they departed thence and for change of air went as far as the Pyrenaeans Afterwards taking their way towards the East the Romans who were fearful lest the Celtes with whom they had several times been engaged should once more pass the Alps and fall into Italy sent against them their Consuls who were defeated with their whole Army This defeat of the Consuls and the dreadful name of the Celtes struck a terror throughout all Italy till such time as having chosen Marius General who had lately gained a great Victory against the Lybians Numidians and Marusians they overcame the Cimbrians and afterwards had the better of them in several Engagements as we have set down in the recital of the Roman Wars against the Gauls So that weakned by such vast effusion of blood and grown hopeless of settling themselves in any other place they again recovered their Ancient Seat after having done much mischief and suffered innumerable losses And here ended Apollo's punishment of the impiety of the Illyrians and Celtes Yet this deterred them not from afterwards committing other Sacriledges for at another
another Asdrubal the Son of Gilco War lay heavier upon the Scipio's who yet oftentimes retired victorious with the slaughter of many Africans and Elephants Till Winter coming on the Africans retired among the Turditani and for the Scipio's Cneus went and wintred among the Orsonenses and Publius among the Castulovenses which last having advice of Asdrubal's advancing that way going out of the City with a small Party only to discover the Enemies Camp imprudently fell in with Asdrubal and his Horse by whom both he and all that were with him were overpowred and cut in pieces In the mean time Gneus Ignorant of this Calamity had sent some Soldiers to his Brother to receive Corn who joyning Battel with another Party of Africans they unexpectedly met upon the way news of it being brought to Cneus he made hast to their relief with such Soldiers as he had in readiness but the Carthaginians having before cut in pieces the other Party fell upon Cneus likewise and forced him to fly for shelter to a certain Tower which setting on fire they burnt him and all his people This misfortunate end had those two brave men the Scipio's leaving the Spaniards especially those gained by their Conduct to the Roman alliance in no small regret for their loss The Fathers at Rome grievously afflicted at this distaster sent Marcellus newly come from Sicily and with him Claudius into Spain with a thousand Horse ten thousand Foot and store of Provision who whilst they sloathfully manage Affairs the Carthaginian Power mightily increased in Spain almost all the Province being possessed by them and the Romans shut in the Pyrenean Mountains which reported at Rome more sadly disquieted the Fathers fearful lest whilst Hannibal wasted those parts of Italy next the Alpes the Africans should make a descent at the other end wherefore though they willingly would have given over this Spanish War yet they thought it not safe apprehensive lest it likewise might be transferred to Italy and therefore appointed a day of assembly for the nominating a Proconsul for Spain but when no man then stood for it their fears revived and a sad silence seized all the assembly Till Cornelius Scipio the Son of Publius slain in Spain a very young man being not yet twenty four years of Age but prudent and valiant and of a strong constitution stept forth in the midst of the people and with a brave and noble boldness discoursing first of his Father and then of his Uncle deploring both their misfortune added that he alone was left of that Family to be the revenger of his Father his Uncle and his Country and copiously and magnificently subjoyning many other things as if inspired by some Divine Spirit promising not only the recovery of Spain but the Conquest of Africa and Carthage it self so that his discourse seemed to some to proceed only from youthful Levity but because he cheared the peoples fainting minds with hope for promises are Cordials to any that are in fear thinking he had a heart fit for these great things they chose him General for Spain but the Old men interpreted this rather a confident rashness in him then a setled bravery of mind which when Scipio perceived he recalled the people to the Assembly and with the same Gravity as before speaking of his Age said that it ought to be no objection to his undertakings yet if any one of riper Years would accept the command he was ready to yield it to him But none taking up the offer he went with greater admiration and applause to this War with 〈◊〉 thousand Foot and five hundred Horse for he was not permitted to carry greater Forces whilst Hannibal wasted Italy with Mony and other warlike Provision and twenty eight Ships which carried him into Spain where â—oyning the Remain of the old Spanish Army to those he brought and calling a Counsel he confirmed the Soldiers minds with a noble and eloquent Oration And already the Fame was spread throughout all Spain weary of the Carthaginian Government and desirous of Scipio's Vertue that Scipio the Son of Scipio was come a General sent to them by the Counsel of the Gods And Scipio himself knowing the opinion conceived of him much improved it by pretending to do nothing but by advice from above But when he had certain knowledge that the Enemy had four standing Camps at good distance from each other and that their numbers were five and twenty thousand Foot and two thousand five hundred Horse and that all their Stores Money Corn Arms Darts Ships Captives and Hostages for all Spain were laid up in the City called formerly Saguntum but now Carthagena where Mago commanded with ten thousand Carthaginians he resolved as thinking the Garrison of no great strength first to invest this place both because he was desirous to possess himself of such Stores and because he understood if he took this City abounding in Silver Gold and all Riches and whence it was but a short passage into Africa it would be a secure retreat for him both from Sea and Land Encouraged by these hopes all men knowing whither he designed about Sun-set he Discamped and all night long marched towards Carthagena and about break of day began to open his Trenches to the great terrour of the Enemy who dream'd not of his coming the next day he prepared for the assault and disposed his Engines and Scaling Ladders about all parts of the Town save only in that place where the Walls are low by reason of the Seas washing them for which reason likewise they are the less vigilantly defended Then at night when all were armed with Darts and Stones the Fleet likewise lying before the Haven lest the Enemies Ships should slip out for this brave spirited man had conceived a certain hope of taking the Town before day he advanced with his Machines commanding those on the Machines to charge Mago at the Gates instructs his ten thousand that when they saw it convenient they should rush forth only with their Swords for that Spears would be of little use in those narrow places the rest of his Soldiers he posted upon Towers disposing many Engines Stones Darts and Catapults upon the Walls and with great diligence attending the Affair At length the shot being given the charge was stoutly made and received Stones Darts and other sorts of missile Arms flew about with great violence some from hands some from Machines and some from Slings and if there were any other device it was made use off But Scipio's men were hard put to it for those ten thousand men that were at the Gates rushing out with their Swords in their hands upon those that thrust forward the Engines and giving and taking many wounds the dispute was a long time equal till at length by unwearied courage and fixed resolution the Romans got the the better and then Fortune changing those who stood upon the Walls began to be afflicted but when the Scaling Ladders were applied
over into Africa he would give him all the assistance he could This was a man in all things constant to his Faith but he for this reason fell off from the Carthaginians Massanissa was betrothed to the Daughter of Asdrubal the General under whom he now made War and Syphax almost died for this Ladies Love wherefore the Carthaginians judging of what importance it would be to them in this present War if they could joyn to their party against the Romans so Potent a King without consulting the Father gave him the Daughter in Marriage and and this Asdrubal out of respect to him kept secret from Massanissa but he finding it out some other way sought thereupon Scipio's friendship Mago having still a fleet to command seeing the affairs of Spain grown desperate sailed among the Ligurians and Gauls there to raise Mercenary Soldiers After his departure those of Cadiz as if betrayed by Mago yielded themselves to the Romans from which time first began the Roman Custom to send Annual Magistrates into Spain as to a Conquered People to keep in Peace and Govern the Province which hapned in the hundred forty fourth Olympiad But Scipio leaving the whole Country in Peace with no very strong Garrisons placed all the Soldiers weakned with wounds together in one City which from Italy he called the Italian famous for the birth of Trajan and Adrian who after in succeeding times came to be Roman Emperors and himself building a Magnificent Fleet with a great Number of Captives and loaden with Mony Arms and other spoils returned to Rome where he was received with mighty Pomp to his great and incredible glory as well because of his youth as because of the Expedition wherewith he had done so many Noble exploits insomuch that those who envyed him confessed that his actions had far exceeded his Rich Promises wherefore to the admiration of all Men he received the Honor of Triumph Indibilis who as soon as Scipio was gone rebelled was by those who Commanded in Spain gathering together Forces out of the Garrisons and Auxiliaries from their Allies fought with and slain the stirrers up of the Rebellion were brought to tryal their goods confiscate and they condignly punished The People their confederates condemned to pay fines disarmed and forced to give Hostages and receive stronger Garrisons This Issue had the Romans first Attempts in Spain In succeeding times the Romans being employed in War against the Gauls the inhabitants about Po and Philip of Macedon the Spaniards laying hold of the opportunity began to form new designs To suppress which were sent Generals from Rome Sempronius Tudertinus and M. Hâ—lvidius and after them Minucius to whom because the troubles grew greater Cato with larger Forces was sent for Successor a young Man indeed but solid patient in labor and so fam'd for Prudence and Eloquence that he was among the Romans called Demosthenes by way of comparing him with that most Excellent of all the Graecian Orators He arriving in Spain when he came among the Mart Towns there gathered about him from all parts above forty thousand Enemies Having taken a little time to Exercise his Soldiers when the signals on both sides were hung out and the Armies ready to Engage he sent away his fleet to Marsilia telling the Soldiers the present danger was not so great in their Enemies being superior to them in Numbers for that nothing was difficult which stedfast courage could not overcome as in their want of shipping so that they had no way of refuge or safety left but in being victorious And having thus spoken led his Soldiers to the fight not filled with hopes according to the custom of other Generals but with the terror of their danger The Battels being joyned he went every where intreating pressing forward and incouraging his Men and when the fight had continued doubtful till evening not a few falling on both sides he with three Cohorts of the reserve went to the top of a high hill from whence he had a clear prospect of the whole Action where observing his Main Body much oppressed running down with great shouts and fury upon the Enemy and first exposing himself to danger he gave a beginning to the Victory All Night he gave the Enemy chase slaying Multitudes and possessing himself of their Camp at his return he congratulated his Soldiers embracing them as the Authors of the Victory then giving them that time to refresh their bodies by repose which their labors required he afterwards sold the prey But when Deputies came to him from all parts to crave Peace he first demanded Hostages and afterwards signing Letters sent them to all the People severally giving order to those that carried them to take care that they might be delivered in one day which he had appointed having before computed in how long time a Messenger might be going to the remotest City and accordingly to the rest By these Letters he Commanded the Magistrates of every particular City that the same day on which they received his Orders they should demolish the Walls of their City which if they delayed he denounced their slavery They newly overcome in battel and ignorant whether these Commands were sent to the rest or to them only were tormented with great fears for if this Command were to them alone they knew themselves not able to withstand the Romans and if the Command were general they were no less fearful lest they should be the only City delay'd it's execution Therefore and because they had not time to send mutual Messengers to each other and were likewise urged to dispatch by those who brought the Orders every one having their own safety only in prospect they all diligently set themselves about throwing down their Walls for when they had once decreed obedience they thought their Celerity would prove to their advantage and those whose Walls were first demolished should have the Honor of it Thus all the Cities about the River Iberus by the policy of the General in one day levelled their own Walls the consequence of which was that by reason of their weakness they continued longer in Peace Some years after about the hundred and fiftieth Olympiad the inhabitants about the River Iberus and the Lusones with many Spanish Exiles and Fugitives revolted from the Romans These being defeated by Fulvius Flaccus fled to their several Cities but the greatest part having no land and only laboring for their bread chose Complega for their habitation a City newly built and strangely and suddenly become powerful from hence sending to Flaccus they commanded that the Cloaks Horses and Swords of several Men by name slain in the late War might be given up to them and that he would suddenly before any thing worse befel him depart from Spain Answer being returned that he would bring them many of those Cloaks Flaccus with the Army following their Deputies pitcht his Camp before the City But they having Souls too mean to maintain so lofty a Command betook
The end of the seventh Book of the Spanish War APPIAN OF ALEXANDRIA HIS HISTORY OF THE Roman Wars WITH HANNIBAL PART I. BOOK VIII The Argument of this Book I. THe occasion of this War briefly rehearsed II. Hannibal passes the Alpes takes Turine twice defeats Scipio slay's Flaminius and destroys his whole Army III. Centenius defeated by him the City in great fear make Fabius Dictator IV. The Battel at Cannae Varro's Cowardise V. The Peoples fear after the defeat at Cannae The Senates Courage and Hannibal's cruelty VI. Several Roman Allies revolt to Hannibal Gracchus the Proconsul slain VII Capua besieged by the Romans Hannibal to divert that Siege marches directly to Rome the Cities fears Nevertheless he returns having only viewed it VIII Hannibal's Stratagem defeated by Claudius Capua taken by the Romans IX Titia taken and recovered Salatia revolts from Hannibal X. The Consuls Fulvius and Marcellus slain yet Hannibal's Affairs grow worse and worse XI Asdrubal Hannibal's brother with the Army he brought out of Spain totally routed XII Hannibal quitting all the rest of Italy retires among the Brutians and in vain expects aid from Carthage XII Scipio sails with an Army into Africa several of the Brutians fall off from Hannibal XIII He is recalled home his cruelty at his departure and the end of this War NOw what was done by Hannibal the Carthaginian when out of Spain he led his Forces into Italy during the full sixteen years that he there continued in Arms acting and in his turn suffering all the extremities of War till by his fellow Citizens his own Country being in jeopardy he was recalled and by the Romans driven out of Italy shall be the Subject of this Book and though the causes both of the breaking out and of the carrying on this War into Italy as well what in reality they were as what was openly pretended be in the Spanish History most accurately declared yet it will not be amiss for the refreshing the Readers Memory to make some short rehearsal Amilcar sirnamed Barcas Father of this Hannibal in that War waged between the Romans and Carthaginians in Sicily was General of the Carthaginian Forces and being for his ill Conduct accused by his Enemies and thereof doubtful he so managed Affairs that before rendring any account of his former charge he was created General against the Numidians In which War because he much advanced the Commonwealth and by Gifts and Rapines pleased that Army he was first sent by the Carthaginian people to Cadiz whence crossing over that Strait into Spain by sending many rich Presents out of the Spoil of that Country into Carthage he reconciled himself to the people striving by all means to wipe off the Memory of the Sicilian Ignominy At length having subdued many People and got great Glory he drew on the Carthaginians with a hope and desire of possessing all Spain as a thing easily effected whereupon the Saguntines and other Greeks inhabiting Spain sought for refuge to the Romans Whereupon it was agreed between the Romans and Carthaginians and ratified by Writings that the Bounds of the Carthaginian Dominion should be the River Iberus After which Barcas setling in Spain the Affairs of the subdued People was in a certain Battel slain and Asdrubal the Son-in-Law of Barcas substituted in his place who being likewise as he was hunting killed by a Slave whose Master he had put to death the third from them who for his skill in and love of warlike Affairs was chosen General by the Army was this Hannibal the Son of Barcas and Brother to Asdrubal's Wife a young man indeed but who had lived all his time with his Father or Brother-in-Law and having now the Command given by the Soldiery the Carthaginian people approved it and so this Hannibal of whom I am about to write was declared General for the Carthaginians against the Spaniards who perceiving his Fathers friends exposed to the designs and malice of their Enemies who despising his Youth began to set things on foot against them not being ignorant but their dangers would one day fall upon his own head That out of the publick fear he might acquire and establish freedom and security for himself he devised how to embroil his Country in a War and thinking none more fit for his purpose more lasting nor likely to be more for his Glory than a War with the Romans the very attempting which though he succeeded ill would get him no small Renown to omit the report spread abroad that when a Boy his Father made him swear at the Altar never to be at peace with the Romans he resolved notwithstanding the League to cross over the Iberus which he thus found occasion to effect He set on some to accuse the Saguntines and plied the Senate with frequent Letters alledging that the Romans solicited all Spain to revolt till at length he obtained leave to deal with the Saguntines as he himself thought fit so he crossed the Iberus and utterly rased the City of the Saguntines Thus were all the Leagues made between the Romans and Carthaginians since the Sicilian War utterly broken But what Hannibal and others either Carthaginian or Roman Generals did in Spain the Spanish History declares He gathering together vast multitudes of Africans Celtiberians and many other Nations delivering over Spain to his Brother Asdrubal and climbing over the Pyrenean Hills came into Celtica which is now called Gallica leading with him ninety thousand Footmen twelve thousand Horse and seven and thirty Elephants and joyning to him some Gauls partly gained by Gold partly by Promises and partly by Force lead them along with him whence proceeding on his March when he came to the Alpes though he saw no ascent nor passage for all before him seemed craggy and inaccessible yet with a strange confidence of mind which no labour could make bend he setled himself to go forward and finding all the passages stop'd with deep Snow and Ice congealed together thawing it by kindling mighty Fires and quenching the Ashes with Water and Vinegar and then breaking the scorched and cleaving Rocks with Iron Hammers and Wedges by little and little lessened them and opened himself a way which to this day lyes so and is called Hannibals passage But when hunger began to afflict his Army he with more speed lead them on whilst none yet knew of his coming into Italy After six Months spent after his departure from Spain with great difficulty and the loss of many men he in the end got down from the Mountains into the Plain where giving his Army some short rest he went and took Turine a City of the Gauls which being gained by storm and the Captives to strike a terrour into the rest of the Gauls all slain he marched his Army to the Eridanus now called Po whereabouts the Romans at that time waged War against the Boian Gauls P. Cornelius Scipio the Roman Consul then sent to wage War against the Carthaginians in Spain hearing
the cheat so the rest of Hannibal's Army and those that drove the Cattel got safe to the passage and he with his whole Army having thus beyond his own hopes got the Victory and brought all his men safe off he marched forward till he came to Gerione a City of Apulia stored with Corn which making himself Master of he spent the Winter in the midst of plenty and abundance Fabius with the same resolutions and constancy still following him pitch'd his Camp within ten Furlongs of Gerione the River Aufidus running between both Armies but the six Months being expired which is the time established for the Dictatorship at Rome the Consuls Servilius Attilius again entring into their Magistracy came to the Army and Fabius returned to Rome This Winter many skirmishes and engagements of Parties happened betwixt both Armies in which always the Romans came off with the greater Honour and Glory wherefore Hannibal who till that time writing to his friends used to adorn and set out his Letters with his own praises now began to distrust his Affairs and require Supplies of Men and Money But his Enemies who from the very first condemned his undertakings then especially feigned not to understand him for Conquerors said they did not use to ask but freely to send Mony to their own Country which Hannibal proud with so many victories yet demands At which words the Carthaginians moved sent him neither men nor money which Hannibal deploring sent Letters into Spain to Asdrubal his brother commanding him that with the first of the Summer with all the force he had and what quantity of gold he could raise he should make an irruption into Italy and wast the utter parts thereof that both sides burning the Romans might be afflicted with a doubtful War in this Posture stood Hannibals affairs The Fathers sorely grieved for the defeat of Flaminius and Centenius and so many other cruel mischiefs which they daily as they thought dishonorably suffered not being able to endure the War to continue so long at their own doors and as it were in their very Seats once more raised and sent an Army into Apulia consisting of four Legions enrolled not without great regret in the City and a mighty power of their Allies Withal they created two Consuls one famous for Warlike Prowess L. Aemilius who had made War in Illyria the other of the Popular Faction Terentius Varro a man who only with lofty promises soothed the minds of the Common people whom when they sent out armed to the War they besought as soon as they could to engage the Enemy and not by longer Protracting the War exhaust the City by so many recruits of Men Mony and Provisions and through Idleness suffer the Country to burn The Consuls receiving the Army that was in Apulia and being now in all seventy thousand Foot and six thousand Horse pitch their Camp in Cannae a Town of Apulia directly opposite to the Carthaginians Hannibal who had always been desirous to fight and impatient of lying idle at this time more especially did not decline an Engagement being pressed to it by his own necessities and a fear leâ—t the Mercenary Soldiers not having their wages paid should either run away from him or be scattered about the Country to get in Forrage Wherefore he daily provoked the Enemy whilst the Consuls were of quite different and disagreeing judgments Aemilius thought that Hannibal was to be defeated by Temporizing and patience for that having only such Provisions as he day by day fetcht in he could not long subsist whilst it was hazardous fighting an Army and a General so long versed in Battels and accustomed to Victory but Terentius raised by the people and therefore remembring the Peoples Commands was for present fight None save only Servilius Consul the year preceding were of Aemilius mind but all the Senators and those of the Order of Knights who had any Office in the Army were of Terentius opinion Whilst the Romans lay in this manner Hannibal who having a party sent out either to Wood or Forrage set upon by them first overcome about the last watch of the night discamped and feigned a flight as if he had fought to return to his own Country which Varro beholding he drew out the Army as if he had been to pursue a flying Enemy Aemilius in the mean time earnestly forbidding it and calling them back which when he saw did nothing avail he went himself according to the Roman Custome to take the usual signs and he seing the Chicken peckt not Commanded to let Varro know the ill Auspices He indeed yielded to Religion but being returned into the Camp before all the Army tore his Hair crying out that his Colleague had out of envy rob'd him of the victory the whole croud assenting to what he said and making the like complaints But when Hannibal saw his deceit had little profited him he forthwith returned into his Camp and discovered his dissembled flight yet all this would not prevail with Varro thence forward to suspect Hannibal but on the Contrary going into the Praetorium before all the Senators Centurions and Military Tribunes he grievously inveighed against Aemilius who either by falsely representing the Religious auspices had rob'd the City of a Certain Victory or through Fear and Cowardise not daring to fight himself had envyed him the glory of the day in Raving manner uttering these speeches the Soldiers who stood about the Tent greedily receiving and gladly hearing these words with bitter reproaches blasted Aemilius who yet forbore not though in vain to advise many useful things but when all save only Servilius were furiously carried away by Varro's perswasion the next day which was almost the last of his Command for he after yielded it to Varro he drew out his Army to fight Hannibal perceived it but because he was not that day sufficiently prepared drew not out his Army The next day both Generals drew into the field The Romans in a triple Battel so as that the main body consisted of Armed Foot and the two Wings of light Armed Foot and Horse Aemilius commanded the main body Servilius the left Wing and Varro the Right and each had with them a body of about a thousand chosen Horse to run up and down upon all occasions and give assistance where it was needful This was the Order of the Roman battel Hannibal not ignorant that a certain stormy wind which they call Vulturnus and is the North East blew usually about Noon in those parts made it his first care to take possession of the ground so that he might have the wind upon his back Then upon a certain hill covered over with trees and broken in sunder by several close Valleys he placed some Horse and nimble Soldiers in Ambush to whom he gave orders that in the heat of the battel and when the wind was risen they should charge the Enemy in the Rear to these he added five hundred Celtiberians who besides their
long Swords wherewith they were girt had under their Coat Armors or Jacks short Daggers to stand in a readiness till he had occasion for them and quietly to wait for the signal to be given them Then having likewise drawn his Army into a Triple Battel and extended his Horse as far as he could upon the Wings to inclose the Enemy he gave the right Wing to Mago his brother the left to Hanno his Nephew and kept the main Battel himself to be opposite to Aemilius who had the greatest Fame and knowledge in War he had likewise two thousand Horse besides a thousand commanded by Maharbal whom he appointed to keep continually moving with orders upon occasion to assist any that were oppressed And doing these things delay'd the battel till the second hour at what time the wind began to rise when all things were put in good order the Generals began to incourage their respective Soldiers the Romans by putting them in mind of their Parents Wives and Children and withal by remembring them of former defeats let them know they fought this battel for the last stake and their own general and particular preservation Hannibal on the other side remembring his Men of their many famous Exploits and the several Victories they had already gained against this very Enemy told them dishonorable it would be should they now be vanquished by those they had so often overcome And now the Trumpets sounding a charge and the Foot giving a shout the light Armed Men first began and then forthwith the Legions advanced to the Battel then the slaughter was great and the labour mighty both sides couragiously maintaining the ground In the mean time Hannibal gave Orders to his Horse to inclose the Enemies Wings whom the Roman Horse though far inferiour in number yet being drawn out in length and extended as far as possible with noble and undaunted courage received especially those in the left Wing toward the Sea Wherefore Hannibal and Maharbal taking along those Horse they had with them with a violent shock and a savage and barbarous howling fell in upon the Romans as if by one fierce onset they would break through and overset them but the Romans received their charge without amazement or giving the least ground Hannibal seeing all these endeavours fruitless lifted up the Signal for those five hundred Celtiberians who soon after going out of the Body as if they had deserted their party delivered up to the Enemy their Shields Darts and Swords which were all the Arms that appeared about them Servilius praising them and soon disarming them having as he thought no other Armour but their Coats of Male commanded them to set down behind the Army not thinking it honourable in the Enemies sight to cast Revolters into Bonds and seeing them disarmed all to their Coats he feared no hurt from them besides the Army being in all parts ingaged it was a time very unseasonable to do any thing more to them About the same instant some Regiments of the Africans dissembling a flight began with great cryes to run towards the Mountains that warned by the Signal for so it was agreed on those who lay in the clefts of the Hill might fall upon such as pursued them So at one instant all the Horse and light armed Foot rising out of their Ambushes and at the same time a great and violent storm of wind blowing the dust into the Romans faces and blinding them besides the force of the wind driving back the Roman Darts and making them flee faintly and uncertain whilst the Carthaginians coming with it flew more sure and strong the Romans not able any way to avoid these things fell foul of one another and the whole Army began to stagger when those Celtiberians laying hold of this occasion to act their design unsheathing their Daggers first slew those at whose backs they stood and siesing on their Shields Darts and Swords fell more freely upon the whole Body and being behind them made a horrible slaughter The Romans having their Enemies before them and being inclosed by Ambushes and withal slain by these mixed amongst them upon whom they could not turn being so pressed by the Carthaginians in Front and being likewise deceived by the likeness of the Arms for the Celtiberians having got Roman Shields they were scarce to be distinguished from their own men were distracted with various and doubtful dangers but among these misfortunes the dust raised by the wind did most of all afflict the Romans for they could neither understand their own loss but as is usual in all frights and tumults believed every thing worse than it was and thought the Ambushes greater and those five hundred much more numerous wherefore at length believing their Camps already encompassed by the Horse and Fugitives they began to make a disorderly flight first on the right Wing Varro himself leading the way and afterwards on the left whose Commander Servilius running in to Aemilius and about ten thousaud stout Horse and Foot gathering about these two Commanders they first and by their Example the rest of the Horsemen soon after alighting though they were on all sides encompassed round yet on foot renewed the fight against Hannibal's Horse There might be beheld all that men skilful in War and reduced to utter despair could in that rage and fury act against an Enemy yet they were slain on all sides and now Hannibal himself inclosing them encouraged his men sometimes with exhortations to perfect the relicks of the Victory and sometimes reproaching their cowardise that when the whole Army was scattered and fled they could not overcome so small a number Yet the Romans as long as Servilius and Aemilius stood kept their Orders giving and receiving multitudes of wounds but when those two Generals fell stoutly forcing their way through the midst of their Enemies and then dispersing themselves they fled and many of them escaped to several Quarters There were about fifteen thousand who at the beginning of the rout had fled into the two Camps these Hannibal forthwith besieged two thousand that had fled into the Town of Cannae yeilded themselves to him a few got safe to to Canusium and the rest were dispersed through the Woods This was the event of the Battel at Cannae begun the second hour of the day and continuing till two hours within night till this very time famous for the great slaughter there being in few hours no less than fifty thousand killed great numbers taken alive many Senators slain with all the Centurions and Primipiles and the two bravest of three Generals for as to the third he most cowardly though the Author of this Calamity ran away at the beginning of the rout Thus the Romans in two years War with Hannibal had lost of their own and their Allies no less than two hundred thousand men Hannibal having gained this famous and signal Victory in which by four several Actions he demonstrated the Excellency of his Conduct when he gained
crying out that there was no danger that only a few were broke in with the Elephants whose small Number indeed when it appeared for by this time by Claudius command Torches were lighted and fires blown up the Romans fear was turned into anger and falling upon them being but light armed men they easily slew them As for the Elephants there wanting room to receive them they ran confusedly among the Tents and Huts and no Darts because of the narrowness of the place and the vastness of their bodies being thrown in vain they were every where wounded till with anguish they grew so enraged that tumbling down and treading under foot their riders for they could not govern nor turn them upon the Enemy with rage and horrid yellings they broke out of the Camp Thus Claudius Flaccus by stedfast courage and diligence circumvented Hannibal in an unexpected stratagem and by defeating him of his purpose both overcame him and by his prudence preserved his trembling Army Hannibal failing in this enterprise drew his forces into Lucania to their Winter quarters where this fierce man never before accustomed to delights gave himself over to Lust and Luxury By which means by degrees and not long after he brought a strange change upon all his affairs Claudius returned to his Colleague to Capua and now both of them strove their utmost to reduce this Town hoping to force it whilst Hannibal lay quiet in his Winter-quarters The Campanians in want of all things for nothing could be brought them from abroad and ready to perish for hunger yielded themselves up to the Roman Generals And with themselves Hanno and Bostar who commanded the Carthaginian Garrison with all their Soldiers and the Romans placing a Garrison in the City cut off the hands of all the Fugitives they there found the African Nobility they sent to Rome the rest they sold. Then turning upon the Campanians the Authors of the Defection they punished with death the rest only with fines upon their Lands The Country of Campania because a Champian is very Fertile Capua thus restored to the Romans the Carthaginians were deprived of a very considerable place for the conveniency of their affairs in Italy Among the Brutians who are a part of Italy a Man of the City of Sisia a Man addicted to Hunting and accustomed to bring part of his game to the Governor of the Punick garrison had so wrought himself into his friendship that he was in a manner his Consort in Command who grieved in mind to see the Soldiers insolencies and abuses of his Country-men made a contract with the Roman General to which they both pledged their Faiths and by degrees brought into the Cittadel as Prisoners many Roman Soldiers whose Arms himself siesed on as his spoils when he thought his Number sufficient he loosed their Bonds and arming them overpowring the Punick Garrison brought in a Roman but not long after Hannibal passing that way the Garrison affrighted fled to Rheginis the Tisiatae delivered themselves to Hannibal who burning the chiefs of the Revolts placed there another garrison At Salatia in Apulia which was then under the Punick power there were two kinsmen who both for their Riches and Power might well be esteemed Princes but between whom there was perpetual discord Dasius favored the Carthaginian and Blasiâ—s the Roman affairs As long as Hannibal was prosperous Blasius lay still when the Roman Power by recovery of most part of it's Empire began to revive Blasius had the confidence to move his Enemy at least to consent with him for the safety of his Countrey leâ—t if the Romans should take the place by storm he should become engaged in an irrecoverable misfortune Dasius dissembling a consent betray'd the matter to Hannibal Hannibal was Arbitrator and Judge Dasius the accuser Blasius being guilty had only this one thing to say in his defence that out of private enmity he laid false crimes to his charge and indeed the knowledge that his accuser had long been his enemy and bore him a secret grudge procured him the more freedome to argue in his own defence Hannibal neither contemning the thing nor giving too much Credit to an Enemy Commanded them both to withdraw as if he would consider of it by himself But the place as they went out being very narrow and none being nigh enough to bear witness Blasius thus whipped Dasius And will not you good man yet save your Country Dasius crying out immediately repeats it to Hannibal upon which Blasius making his complaint Now now said he there is no man but will believe snares laid for my life by the cunning of my Enemy but this trick of his if I before lay under any suspicion will perfectly clear me of it for who pray that is not mad would trust such a thing to an Enemy But you may object it may be at first I was deceived in him but I beseech you what man that is brought to his Tryal and denying the Fact before the Tribunal in the hearing of many his accuser present who may reveal it will afresh communicate such a thing to him who has already shewed his mind to betray him But if he were a faithful friend indeed what help could he bring to me towards the safety of his Country or why should I implore his help who has no power to give any These words Blasius pronounced aloud and as I believe foreseeing the event and then making way to whisper Dasius in the ear told him that he would lessen his future Credit and Authority and so work Hannibal that he should not believe any crime he objected against him Nor did Blasius after he was dismissed forbear to ply his adversary in this manner as a man whom now he contemned having taken off all belief of what he said Therefore Dasius at length feigned himself moved by his solicitations with intent to get from him all the manner how he had formed his design which he nothing demurring upon I will said he go to the Roman Camp which the other knew to be then very remote and thence receiving some forces from the Praetor who is my very good friend bring them hither Thou shalt work for me here and stay to keep the City and having thus said presently without Dasius being privy to it he went from the City directly to Rome and not to the Camp where leaving his Son for Hostage and receiving from the Senate a thousand Horse makes a speedy return already in his mind presaging the event Dasius for some days after not seeing his adversary strait way conjectured that having now his word he was gone to perfect the business and whilst he meditated upon the great distance he was to find the Camp at slowly and securely he goes to Hannibal not doubting but to return time enough to be there before the other And being come to the speech of Hannibal Now said he whilst he is bringing an Armed Power into the City I will in the very
succeed in the Attempt For this reason Apuleius to revenge this Affront of Metellus once more demanded the Tribuneship and took the opportunity when Glaucia then Praetor presided in the Assembly Notwithstanding Nonius of Noble Race having with bloody Reproaches declaimed against Apuleius and Glaucia was designed Tribune But they fearing lest he having obtained that Dignity should handle them roughly broke up the Assembly and presently slipped after him a Troop of Murtherers who reached him as he was escaping into a certain House and slew him And because this Murther struck all the World both with horrour and compassion those of Glaucia's Faction being got very early in the morning about him in the place of the Assembly before the people were come gave the Tribuneship to Apuleius So no more Inquest was made after Nonius death none daring to accuse the Tribune of such a Riot Metellus was likewise sent into Banishment by a Cabal of his Enemies upheld by Marius now the sixth time Consul who bare him a private Grudge And this was the Trap they layd for him Apuleius made a Law touching the Division of Lands in the Province of the Gauls out of which Marius had lately driven the Cimbrians so that now it was under dependence of the Romans and not of the Gauls By this Law it was enacted that if the People passed it the Senate should approve it in ten days and by Oath oblige themselves to stand to it and whosoever would not swear to be expelled the Senate with twenty Talents Fine Thus an opportunity of Revenge presented of it self for there was not any likelihood that many of the Senators but especially Metellus Noble minded as he was would endure to be forced to swear Apuleius appointed a day of Assembly and mean time sent Messengers from himself to give notice to the Tribes in the Country in whom he had great confidence because the greater part of them had born Arms under Marius This Law which seemed made in favour of the Allies was not very pleasing to the Roman People So that no Order was kept in this Assembly and whosoever stood up against it was thrown headlong down by Apuleius Hereupon the People of the City began to cry out that they heard thunder as often as which happens it is Sacrilege to enact any thing But when Apuleius Party gave not yet over their Violences the Citizens trussing up their Gowns and seizing on the Arms of all they met dispersed the Country-men who notwithstanding being recalled by Apuleius Rallyed and returning to the Charge with Clubs likewise in their hands made such a bustle that at length the Law past That done Marius assembled the Senate to consult about the Oath demanded from the Senators and because he knew Metellus constant and steady in his Resolutions he spoke his opinion first and assured them he would never willingly swear Metellus did the like and the rest of the Senate praising both one and the other the Consul dismissed the Assembly but on the fifth day the time prescribed by the Law to swear on Marius having about ten of the Clock assembled the Senate in great haste told them he was afraid of the People eager for the Execution of the Law but that he had found a device to secure them That they ought to swear to that Law so far as it was legitimate with which the Country People whom they had most cause to apprehend being satisfied would be gone and then it would be very easie to make it appear to be no Law being published by force and whilst it thundred contrary to the Customs of their Ancestors And having thus said without staying to ask any one's opinion or so much as giving time to think of it whilst all kept silence through fear and surprize he rises up and goes to the Temple of Saturn where the Treasurers of the Exchequer were to swear them and first of all himself and Friends oblige themselves by Oath to the Observation of the Law All the rest of the Senators every one in fear for himself swore likewise save only Metellus who remained stedfast and fearless in his Resolution So Apuleius next morning caused in Usher to lay hold of him to make him go out of the Palace and when the other Tribunes of the People commanded the Usher to let him go he ran to the Country Men and told them they could have no Lands nor would the Law be of force unless Metellus were driven out of the City In so much that it was decreed in the Assembly of the people that he should be banished and that the Consuls should forbid him Fire and Water and they allowed one day to the Senate to consider of the matter The Citizens enraged at this Action assembled with Arms under their Gowns to conduct him through the City But he thanking them for their good will with all the Civilities imaginable told them he would never suffer his Country to run any hazard for his sake Then Apuleius published the Ordinance for his Banishment which Marius soon confirmed by Decree And thus this man esteemed by all the World went into Exile After this Apuleius was again nominated Tribune of the people for the third year and they chose for his Colleague one who most said was a Fugitive Slave and who boasted himself to be Son to the elder Gracchus for whom all the rabble gave their votes with much eagerness out of the respect they had to the said Gracchus After this was held an Assembly for the election of Consuls where Anthony by general consent of all the world was nominated to this Dignity 'T was not yet known who of Glaucia or Memmius that strove for it should be his Colleague but because Memmius was of much the better House Glaucia and Apuleius fearful he should carry it caused him to be set upon in the very assembly of the People by certain Murtherers who in the face of the whole world slew him with Clubs so that by reason of this disorder the Assembly broke up after having beheld the violation of all that respect due to the authority of the Laws to Justice to Men and to God On the morrow the people incensed with the horrour of the Action gathered together to punish it in the person of Apuleius but he assisted by great numbers of the Country people whom he had caused to come of purpose and taking along with him Glaucia and C. Sanfeius Quaestor went to seise the Capitol The Senate declares them Enemies and Marius with regret arms against them but so few people and so slowly that the people tired with his delays cut the Pipes which carried water to the Temple till Sanfeius no longer able to endure thirst gave advice to fire the Capitol but Glaucia and Apuleius out of the confidence they had in Marius yielded first and Sanfeius after them but when the people cryed out with one voice to put them presently to death the Consul shut them up in
instant falling was found struck in the Thigh and a Shooe-makers Knife in the Wound Thus Drusus as well as others was slain in his Tribuneship The Knights were not wanting to draw advantages against their Enemies out of Drusus his Designs and to find out matter of Calumny and to this effect they perswaded Q. Valerius Tribune of the People to make a Law declaring all such Criminals who openly or underhand favoured the Allies in their design to enter into the Government of the Republick out of hopes soon to expose to their Accusers the Head Men of the City to become the Judges of this crime so odious to all Citizens to destroy their Enemies and make themselves almighty wherefore when the other Tribunes opposed the publication of this Law the Knights all drew their Swords and presenting the points to the Throats of the Opposers made them pass it by force That done they presently suborned Accusers against the most considerable of the Senate Bestia one of the first accused would not come at their Summons but went of himself into exile rather than submit himself to the power of his Enemies Cotta called next to judgment after him appeared but after he had given a brave account of the Employments he had undergone in the Republick and declared against the Knights he left the City without staying for their Sentence Mummius sirnamed the Achaick after having been fooled by his Judges who promised to absolve him was banished to Delos where he ended his days This mischief falling upon the worthiest and best men the People began to be afflicted to see themselves in so short time robbed of the presence of so many great persons and the Allies when they knew of Drusus's Death and the cause of the Banishment of so many illustrious men thought it was no longer time to suffer their Protectors to be so unworthily treated and seeing no other way to succeed in their hopes resolved to revolt against the Roman People and to make War upon them with all their power To this purpose they sent secret Deputations to each other signed an Union and gave reciprocal Hostages of all which they had but late notice in the City now wholly busied in trials and tumults At last when they had advice of it they sent into all corners the properest people they could find out to discover the truth of this news under pretence of doing something else one of which espying a Child of Ascoly in another City whither he had been sent for Hostage advised Servilius thereof who governed as Proconsul in those Quarters from whence we may gather that even from those times the Countries of Italy were distributed to Proconsuls a custom which many ages after the Emperour Adrian revived though not to last long after his death Servilius came forthwith to Ascoly when the Inhabitants happened to celebrate a Solemn Festival where whilst he thought to frighten them with his threats when they perceived the League was discovered they slew him and with him Fonteius his Lieutenant After having begun with them they spared no Roman but put all to the Sword and plundered their Goods Thus they proceeded to an open Revolt and all the Neighbouring People took Arms the Marsians the Pelignians the Vestins and the Marucians who were followed by the Picenians the Ferentins the Hirpins the Pompeians the Venusines the Apulians the Lucanians and the Samnites all Nations long time Enemies to the Roman Name And in short all the people from the River Liris which I believe is at this day called Literva to the bottom of the Adriatick Gulf as well within Land as on the Sea-Coasts Their Deputies going to Rome to complain that the right of Freedom was not granted them though by their assistances and Services they had highly contributed to the increase of the Empire The Senate answered them very roughly that when they were returned to their duty they would hear their Deputations but otherwise they would give them no audience so fallen from all hopes they prepared for War raised Forces and set out a hundred thousand men as well Horse as Foot The Roman Army was not less numerous comprizing those Allies continued faithful to them Sext. Iulius Caesar and P. Rutilius Lapus Consuls commanded for the Romans for this Intestine War was thought so important that they put them both in Commission They began to keep Guards at the Gates for the security of the City and likewise of the Neighbours for since these Novelties were sent on foot they knew not whom to trust There was great likelyhood of division even in the City it self To the Consuls they appointed Lieutenants the greatest men of the Age A. Rabirius Cn. Pompey Father to him gained the Sirname of Great Q. Cepio C. Perpenna C. Marius Valerius Messala A. Sextus Caesar P. Lentulus his Brother T. Didius Licinius Crassus Cornelius Sylla and Marcus Marcellus To each they assigned his Quarter with the authority of Proconsul and from time to time sent them Recruits so dangerous did this War appear as for the Allies besides particular Captains chosen by every City they gave command to T. Afranius P. Ventridius M. Egnatius Q. Popedius C. Papius M. Lamponius C. Iudacilius Hirius Asinius and Vetius Cato who likewise divided the Forces among them and took every one his portion to make Head against the Roman Forces There happened several Defeats on both sides which I will succincty relate Vetius Cato killed two thousand of Sextus Iulius his Men and forced him to shut himself up in Isernia which remained firm to the Roman Alliance with the remainder of his Forces of whom L. Acilius and L. Scipio got thence in Slaves Habit the rest pressed with hunger yielded at discretion Marius Egnatius took Venafra by treason and cut in pieces two Roman Cohorts P. Presenteius encountring Perpenna with ten thousand Men put him to flight with the slaughter of four thousand and taking most of the others Arms who threw them away to hasten their Flight Wherefore the Consul Rutilius took the Command from Perpenna and gave the remainder of his Army to C. Marius M. Lamponius engaging Licinius Crassus killed eight hundred of his men upon the place and pursued the rest fighting as far as Grumentum C. Papius possessed himself of Nola which was delivered up and made offer to two thousand Romans that were there in Garrison to receive them into his Army if they would joyn party with him which they accepted all save the Officers whom he put in prison where they died by Famine The same took Stabia Minterna and Salerna which were a Colony of the Romans and gave employment in his Army to all the Inhabitants of those Towns and likewise to their Slaves after which having spoiled all the Country of Nocera the Neighbouring Cities yielded to him for fear of the spoil and sent him ten thousand Footmen and one thousand Horse which he had demanded of them with which Recruits he
went and besieged Acerra Sextus Caesar came with ten thousand Gaul Foot and the Numidian Horse and encamped near unto Papius who to debauch the Numidians from the Roman Party took Oxinta Son of Iugurtha formerly King of Numidia out of the Prisons of Venusa where he was kept caused him to be cloathed in Purple and to shew himself to his Subjects insomuch that the Consul perceiving that some of the Numidians were dayly running away to their King sent the rest into Africa as suspected After this Papius was so rash as to attempt to force the Roman Camp and was already pulling down the Palisade when a great Body of Horse sallying out of the Postern Gate charged him and slew six thousand of his men However this Victory prevented not the Consul 's quitting that Post and marching elsewhere with his Army In Povilla the Canusians together with the Venusians and several other People yielded to Iudacilius and those who would not submit he subdued by force slew all the Noble Romans that he found and made the Citizens and Slaves serve in his Army Mean while the other Consul Rutilius together with C. Marius having built two Bridges over the Liris not far distant from each other with intent to pass over their Armies Vetius Cato who was encamped on the other side with his Army directly opposite to Marius his Bridge to dispute their passage laid by night an ambush in a Valley near Rutilius his Bridge and after having let him heedless as he did pass on a sudden fell upon him with his Ambush who cut in pieces great numbers of the Romans and drove multitudes into the River The Consul himself was wounded in the Head and sometime after died But when Marius who was still at the lower Bridge understood the misfortune by the number of Bodies brought down by the Current he presently passed with all his Army and forced the Enemy's Camp which had but a slender Guard so that Cato was forced to stay that night on the place where he had gained the Victory and on the morrow to march away for want of Provisions The Bodies of the slain Consul and other Persons of Quality which were no small number being carried to the City to give them Burial occasioned an universal sadness in Men's minds which was not soon shook off so grieved they were to behold the loss of so many Citizens Wherefore the Senate upon Consultation enacted that hereafter the Bodies of all such as died in Battel should be buried in the same place where they were slain lest the sight of them should daunt the Courages of others and dishearten men from going to the War Of which as soon as the Enemies had advice they made a like Ordinance No person succeeded Rutilius in the Consulate for the remainder of the year Caesar not having leisure to go to the City to hold the Assembly What remained of his Army was divided between C. Marius and Q. Cepion But Cepion suffered himself to be deceived by Q. Popedius who Commanded a Body of the Enemy's Forces He came to him as a Run-away bringing along with him as Hostages two young Slaves clad in the Robe worn by the Sons of Persons Free and Noble and the better to gain his Confidence brought him some Bars or Pigs of Lead covered with Gold and Silver After which he perswaded him to go and charge the Enemy's Army whither he would conduct him and that instantly while there was no one to command them So he placed himself at the head of Cepion's Forces and when he was come to the place where he had laid his Ambush he put on his Horse towards a rising Ground as if he would discover where the Enemies were and from thence gave the Signal to his Men who falling upon Cepion's slew him with many others those that escaped were by the Senate's Order joyned with Marius About the same time Sextus Caesar whose Army was composed of thirty thousand Foot and five thousand Horse having marched among certain difficult Streits was unexpectedly fallen upon by Marius Egnatius who drove him into a Valley and forced him to run away in his Litter because he was sick towards a certain River passable only by one Bridge where after having lost the greatest part of his Army and the Remainder at every step throwing away their Arms with much difficulty he at length secured himself in Theana He armed again as well as he could those men he had left and with a Recruit sent him took the Field to go and relieve Acerra which Papius still besieged where encamping near the Besiegers they lay a long time without eithers daring to assault the other For Caius Marius he bravely repulsed the Marsians who came to engage him and gave them chase to the very Hedges of their Vineyards which seeing they had clambered over with much difficulty he would pursue them no farther But Sylla who was encamped on the other side the Vineyards encountring the Flyers slew likewise a great number of them So that that day the Marsians lost six thousand Men besides great quantity of Arms which the Victors got Yet this Victory did but the more increase the fierceness of the Marsians They gathered new Forces and had the boldness to come and offer Battel to the Romans who for fear of being overpowered kept within their Trenches For this Nation is very Warlike and as report goes never lost the Day before and indeed to this very day never any triumphed in Rome over the Marsians or without the Marsians On another side of the Country about Mount Falernus Iudacilius T. Afraâ—nius and P. Ventidius with all their Forces joyned together engaged the Army of Cn. Pompey routed him and pursued him to the very Gates of Firmo where he shut himself up And leaving Afranius to besiege the City the other two went each a several way about other Affairs Pompey presently gave new Arms to such as were preserved from the Defeat but he durst not adventure a Shock till such time as a fresh Army being come to him he caused Sulpitius to take a Compass by unfrequented ways and gain the Backs of the Enemy giving him Orders to fall on in the Rear whilst he charged them in Front They fought so well on both sides that the Victory remained a long time in equal Ballance but when the Enemies saw their Camp burning which Sulpitius had set on fire and that Afranius was slain upon the place their hearts failed them and they fled away in disorder and as many as could escaped to Ascoly Pompey forthwith besieged the Town which Iudacilius who was a Native of it fearing for his Country strove to succour with eight Cohorts He gave advice hereof to the Besieged with Orders to make a Sally upon the Besiegers so soon as they should discover him coming at a distance that the Enemy might not know on which side to defend themselves But the Inhabitants were so cowardly that they never stirred
foot which yet hindred not Iudacilius from forcing a Passage through his Enemies and with as many as could follow him entring the place where he reproached them with their Cowardice and Disobedience After which despairing of the safety of his Fellow-Citizens he caused all his Enemies to be slain as well out of former hate as because of the fault lately committed in despising his Orders and giving by their Example occasion to others to do the like Then he caused a Pile to be raised in the Temple upon which setting up a Bed after having been very merry at a Feast to which he invited his Friends he took a draught of Poyson and laying himself upon the Bed desired them to seâ— fire to the Pile and so died that he might not survive his Country Mean while the time of Sex Caesar's Consulate was expired but the Senate prolonged his Command for the year following with the Authority of Consul As soon as he had his new Commission he fell upon twenty thousand of his Enemies as they discamped killed eight thousand upon the place and carried off the Field an infinite number of Bucklers which the rest that fled had left But his Sickness having forced him to stay some time about Ascoly at length carried him off and according to his desire C. Bebius succeeded in his Charge Whilst these things passed on the Coast of the Ionian Sea on the other side the Hetrurians and the Umbrians with some of their Neighbouring People drawn on by the Example of others inclined to a Revolt It was soon known at Rome and the advice of it put them in new fears Wherefore the Senate apprehensive of seeing themselves encompassed by Enemies on all sides caused the Coasts between Cuma and the City to be guarded by new Forces in which for want of men they entertained the Freed Men a thing never before done and granted to those Allies who had continued faithful the Freedom of their City which was the only thing in the World they desired This Decree being published by all the People about Hetruria was received with general satisfaction By this Act of Grace they engaged more firmly the true Friends of the people of Rome setled in their duty such as were wavering and made the Enemy more mild in hopes of the same favour They distributed not these new Citizens into the Tribes which were already five and thirty for fear they should out-number the old ones but they formed new Tribes wherein they were put by Decuries so that they gave last of all their Voices which were often superfluous because the five and thirty Ancient were more than half the number of the Tribes This design was not at first observed or perhaps the Allies contenting themselves at present herewith demanded no more Notwithstanding being afterwards considered it gave fresh occasion to Tumults The people above the Coasts of the Ionian Sea who yet knew not that the Hetrurians had changed their minds had sent fifteen thousand Men to their Assistance whom they had ordered to march through all the by ways imaginable Cn. Pompey lately made Consul surprized them killed about five thousand of them and the rest dispersed endeavouring to recover their Countries through rough and craggy ways and in all the Rigors of a sharp Winter having nothing but Acorns to eat perished almost all with Cold and Hunger During the same Winter Portius Cato Colleague to Pompey going to War upon the Marsians was slain After which L. Cluentius to brave Sylla who lay encamped on the Pompeian Hills went and encamped within three Furlongs of him And Sylla not able to brook the affront without staying for those that were gone to Forage went out and charged him but he was beaten and forced to retreat The Foragers being returned he once more fell on put Cluentius hard to it and forced him to remove his Camp further off whither there coming to him a Recruit of Gauls he returned once more to try the Fortune of the Field As the two Armies were drawn up a Gaul of very large Stature advanced and dared any Roman to a single Combat but he being slain by a very small Numidian struck all the rest of the Gauls into such a Panick that they turned their backs â—nd by the disorder of their Flight caused all the rest of Cluentius Army to do the like and fly by the way towards Nola. Sylla pursued them so eagerly that he slew thirty thousand of them by the way and because they would not open more than one of the Gates of Nola to let them in the Inhabitants fearing lest the Enemy should press in with them there were twenty thousand more slain under the Walls among whom was Cluentius performing to the last all the Offices of a brave and gallant Leader The General going marched against the Hirtians and began to besiege Equilania Whereupon the Inhabitants expecting the Assistance of the Lucanians who were to come the same day demanded time to consider about their Surrendry He who knew their Cunning gave them an hours time during which he caused to be brought great quantity of Bavins of Vine-twigs to the Foot of the Wall which was only of Beams of Timber and the hour being past set fire to them So they surrendring only for fear he gave the Plunder of the Town to the Soldiers as if it had been taken by Storm which Example made other Cities of the Hirpins willingly submit themselves to the Romans Those being yielded he carried the War to the Samnites not by those Avenues which were guarded by Mutilus their Chief but by fetching a Compass through Ways by which they never thought an Enemy could come So that falling in among them at unawares he slew great numbers the rest flying every way they best could and Mutilus himself being wounded escaping with very few into Isâ—rnia Sylla after having pillaged the Camp marched to Boviana where was held an Assembly of the Rebel People where because there were three Forts whilst the Inhabitants thought only of defending themselves from him he caused some Cohorts to march about with Order to strom each of these Forts on the other side and signifie to him by the smoak when they were Masters of them Which succeeding happily he approached the Walls and after three hours Assault took the Town This was what past under Sylla's Conduct during this War after which he went to Rome to demand the Consulate As for Cn. Pompey he reduced the Marsians the Marcinians and the Vestins On the other side C. Cosconius Pretor burnt Salapia after having taken it by force reduced Cannes under the Obedience of the Romans and having besieged Canusa which the Samnites came to relieve after a stout and rugged Fight with great loss of men on both sides he was repulsed and forced to retire into Cuma But he soon got a Revenge for as the Army of the Samnites lay only parted from the Roman by a River Trebatius their
General sent to Cosconius that he should either pass the River and he would retire or that he should retire and himself would pass the River that they might come to a Battel Cosconius chose rather to retire and as soon as Trebatius was passed defeated him pursuing his routed Men to the River side where most of them were drowned So that the Enemy lost fifteen thousand men and the rest with Trebatius escaped into Canusa Cosconius after this Victory went to spoil the Countries of Larinate Venusa and Pouilla and assaulting the Pediculi in two days became Master of all the Nation who came and submitted themselves His Successor Cecilius Metellus to whom he delivered up the Army defeated those of Pouilla in a Battel where Popedius one of the Authors of the Rebellion being killed the Remainder of his Forces came by Bands to submit to the Conqueror Thus the War of the Allies continued with much heat until in the end all Italy obtained the Right of free Citizens of Rome save only the Lucanians and the Samnites who notwithstanding soon after were admitted as well as the rest and distributed by Tribes as we have said before for fear they should have more Votes than the ancient Citizens being indeed more numerous About the same time there arose another Tumult in the City about Debts for some exacted the Interest of money lent with more rigor than was permitted by the ancient Laws For it seems the Romans as well as the Greeks abhorred Usury as a Trade ruinous to the Poor and an occasion of Law-Suits and Enmities The Persians themselves had no better opinion of it and made the difference but very small between the practice of it and cheating and lying Notwithstanding because Usury was now permitted by a Custom introduced some years past the Creditors had some Right to demand it but the Debtors delayed Payment under pretence of Wars and Tumults Some there were likewise that seeing themselves oppressed by the Usurers threatned to have them condemned in a Fine Asellio the Pretor Judge of these matters did all he could to compose all Differences but not being able to compass it he left them to the Law after having explained to the other Judges as in a difficult matter what was Right and what was Custom Whereupon the Usurers who could not endure mention should be made of the old Laws got rid of the Pretor in this manner One day as he sacrificed in the Temple of Castor surrounded with a great Croud of people as is ordinary some one having thrown a Stone at him he set down the Cup and began to â—ly towards the Temple of Vesta but being prevented by others who stopt his passage he ran into a Tavern to hide himself where they cut his throat In this Confusion many who thought he had escaped into the Cloister of the Vestals pursuing him with too much heat of passion ran into those places where men cannot enter without Sacrilege Thus was Asellio the Praetor killed in exercising his Office clad in the holy Habit of Cloth of Gold worn only on solemn Festivals about two of the Clock in the middle of the place and offering a Sacrifice The Senate caused to be published by sound of Trumpet that they would give to whoever should discover the Authors of this Murder a Reward in Money if a Free Man his Liberty if a Slave and Pardon if one of the Accomplices Yet they could never gain any intelligence of it for the Usurers took a course to stifle even the Memory of this Riot which we may likewise reckon among the Tumults of the City It was followed by those Differences which happened between the Chiefs of the Factions who as in open War assailed each other with formed Armies each proposing no less price of his Victory than his Country of which he pretended to become Master It was immediately after the War of the Allies that these Dissentions took Birth and thus they began After that Mithridates King of Pontus and other Countries had seized on Bythinia Phrygia and the neighbouring Asia as we have said in one of our former Books Sylla then Consul obtained for his part of the Government the Province of Asia with Commission for the War against Mithridates Before his departure from the City Marius who thought there would be more profit than danger in this War and besides spurred forward with a desire to Command engaged by a World of Promises P. Sulpitius Tribune of the People to serve him in this Affair and at the same time put the new Citizens in hopes to raise them to an Equality with the old ones in their Votes and cause them to be distributed among the ancient Tribes By doing them this kindness he laboured for himself of which though he made no shew yet was it only for his own ends he sought their favour Sulpitius presently made a Law which if it had passed had given Marius the whole Authority in the Commonwealth so much would the New Citizens have out-voted the Old by reason of their numbers The old ones who perceived it opposed it with all their might and at last upon this difference they grew to so much heat as to come to handy Strokes and Stones The mischiefs increasing the Consuls fearing lest in the Assembly which was nigh at hand they should come to the last Extremities ordained Feasts for several days like to the solemn ones with intent to prolong the time of the Assembly and the danger wherewith the City was threatned But Sulpitius without having regard to the Feasts gave order to those of his Faction to meet forthwith upon the place with Arms under their Gowns to make use of upon occasion even against the Consuls themselves And prepared in this manner he began to declare against these Feasts as unlawful commanding Sylla and Q. Pompey to revoke them at that very moment that the People might pass their Suffrages concerning the Laws This discourse raised a great Tumult Swords were drawn as before was agreed on and the Points presented to the Consuls who would not yet give way to it till such time as Pompey luckily and nimbly getting away Sylla withdrew under pretence to go and consider of it Mean while Pompey Son to the Consul and Son in Law to Sylla for having spoken something I know not what too freely was slain by Sulpitius Faction and Sylla returning in a small time after revoked the Feasts and at the same instant went away for Capua where his Army lay with design to march from thence into Asia against Mithridates for as yet he knew not the Plot laid against him The Feasts being revoked and Sylla gone Sulpitius passed the Law about which so much stir had been made and withal instead of Sylla gave Commission to Marius to make War against Mithridates Sylla having advice hereof resolved to defend his Commission with Arms And to this end draws together his Soldiers who hoped as well as he every man to
had not sent Pompey with a new Army to joyn the first Pompey was yet but a young man but already in high esteem for those brave things he had done under Sylla in Africa and likewise in Italy so he undertook this Expedition with great courage and to pass the Alpes after the example of Hannibal he made a new way between the Springs of the Po and the Rhosne which are separated one from the other only by some small Mountains from whence these two Rivers go to discharge themselves in two different Seas the Rhosne into the Tyrhene Sea taking its course through the Transalpine Gaul and Po into the bottom of the Adriatick Gulf gliding along the Cisalpine Gaul As soon as he got to Spain he lost a Legion which he had sent to convoy his Foragers Beasts of Loading and Boys nor could he hinder Sertorius from taking and pillaging the Town of Aurona in the sight of him In the taking of this Town a certain Woman exceeding the ordinary strength of her Sex with her Fingers thrust out the eyes of a man that would have ravished her which coming to Sertorius's knowledge he put the whole Cohort to death though they were all Romans because they had already committed the like crimes Hereupon Winter being come the two Armies separated but at the beginning of the Spring they again took the Field Metellus and Pompey setting forth from the Pyraenean Hills where they kept their Winter Quarters and Sâ—rtorius and Perpenna from Lusitania they met near Sucrona and gave Battel where as they were hotly engaged there not being a Cloud to be seen just before on a sudden the Air was full of Thunder and Lightning which would have passed for a Prodigy with some other Armies but these being all old Soldiers minded it not nor did it hinder them from making a great Butchery on one side and the other Metellus having defeated Perpenna pillaged his Camp but on the other Wing Sertorius having wounded Pompey on the Thigh with a Javelin routed him so that it is incertain which side had the better Sertorius had a tame white Hind which had used to go at liberty in the Fields she having been some days wanting he counted it an ill presage and as long as he thought her lost would not fight with the Enemy who scoffed at him but seeing her come running to him he took the Field and rejoycing at her return as a good Augur began himself the Skirmish Short time after there was another great Battel fought near Saguntâ—m which lasted from Morning to Evening without advantage on one part or the other but at last Pompey was fain to yield after having lost six thousand Men and Sertorius three thousand and for Metellus he likewise cut in pieces five thousand of Perpenna's Men. The next day Sertorius taking along with him a great number of Barbarians went in the Evening to assault Metellus his Camp who doubted of no such thing and he had certainly forced it if Pompey bringing timely relief had not put him by his Enterprise Mean while the Summer being slipped away both Armies parted and went to their Winter Quarters The year following which agrees with the hundred seventy sixth Olympiad the Roman Empire encreased two Provinces by the last Testament of two Kings Nicomedes having left to the Romans Bythinia and Ptolemy sirnamed Apion of the Race of the Lagides the Province of Cyrene but they had likewise great Wars in Spain this we are now speaking of in the East with Mithridates over all the Sea with the Pyrates about Crete with the Inhabitants of the Island and in Italy against the Gladiators who rose all upon a sudden and gave them a great deal of trouble Though they had so many Affairs upon their Hands yet they forbore not to send to the Army they had in Spain two Legions which being arrived Metellus and Pompey came down from the Pyraenean Mountains and Sertorius and Perpenna left Portugal to go meet them when they drew near a great number of Sertorius's Soldiers went and yielded to Metellus which so angred Sertorius that he treated many others with great cruelty and by his ill conduct got the hate of all the rest But the greatest complaint his Army made against him was that instead of Romans he had taken Celtiberians for his Guard and chose rather to trust his person with Strangers than those of his own Nation They could not endure to be accused of infidelity though they bore Arms under an Enemy of the Roman People and that which troubled them the more was that he for whose sake they had been perfidious to their Country would not trust them besides they thought it very unjust that they should be punished for Runaways they who had kept constant to their duty Moreover this gave occasion to the Celtiberians to tell them upon all occasions that they doubted of their fidelity However Sertorius was not quite forsaken the Soldiers standing in need of such a General for indeed there was not any in this age more successful nor that better understood War wherefore the Celtiberians because of his activity and diligence called him Hannibal whom they esteemed the most hardy and most prudent General of all the Earth Upon these wavering inclinations of Sertorâ—us's Army Metellus went dayly out in parties and never returned without bringing in whole Troops of Prisoners and Pompey besieging Palenza had undermined the Walls so that they were only supported by Stanchions of Timber but Sertorius coming on he was forced to raise his Siege and the besiegers having set fire to the Stanchions retreated with Metellus Sertorius having repaired that part of the Wall that was fallen set himself to pursue the Enemies and overtook them on the Borders of Calagyra and slew three thousand Men and this was all passed in Spain this year In the beginning of the next the Roman Generals finding themselves the stronger assailed without fear those Cities that held on Sertorius's Party whose Affairs were now in an ill condition and their first successes having heightened their courage they made great progress yet there was no set Battel but having continued the War till the next year they began to despise Sertorius in such manner that they wasted all his Province For when he saw fortune had turned her back to him he gave ground too and abandoned himself in such manner to the pleasure of Wine and Women that he never afterwards engaged the Enemy but he was beaten He grew likewise extremely cholerick his passion took fire on the least suspicion punishing with cruelty and confiding in no man so that Perpenna who after Lepidus's Death was come of his own accord to joyn him with considerable Forces began to fear and having suborned ten Soldiers took a resolution to destroy him but the conspiracy was discovered some of the Conspirators punished with death and others escaped by flight Perpenna was so fortunate beyond his own hopes as not to be
comprised in the accusation which hastened so much the more the loss of Sertorius for seeing he never went unguarded he invited him to a Feast where after having made him drunk and his Guards too he executed his enterprise The Soldiers at the first knowledge of it detested the Parricide and changed into good will all the hatred they bore Sertorius as ordinarily all anger is appeased by the death of him from whom we believe we have received an offence they now stood no longer in fear of him and compassion recalled into their minds the memory of his virtue besides they considered the danger to which they were now exposed to Perpenna was despised by them as a vulgar man whereas they believed that on Sertorius's valour only depended the safety of the whole Army In this general hate of Perpenna the Barbarians were most violent especially the Portugals for whom the dead General had always a particular esteem But when after opening his Will they found his Murderer amongst his Heirs it is scarce possible to believe how much it added to their horrour of this Villany committed upon the person not only of his General but likewise of his Friend and Benefactor And possibly they had done him some violence if he had not appeased them some with gifts and some with promises and killed some with his own hands to strike terrour into others He went likewise from City to City making Orations to the people and to gain their good Will set at liberty those Sertorius had laid in Irons and returned the Hostages he had taken from the Spaniards These good deeds sweetened in some measure the minds of men so that they obeyed him in quality of Praetor and Successor to Sertorius but yet they were not quite appeased for as soon as he saw himself settled he grew extraordinary cruel killing three Roman Gentlemen had fled to him for Refuge and putting to death his Brother's Son After Sertorius's death Metellus withdrew to the other side of Spain thinking there was no danger in leaving Pompey alone to deal with Perpenna They several times engaged and for divers days skirmished together to try their Men but the two Armies stirred not till on the tenth day when they had a Battel both one Party and the other thinking it convenient to come to an end of the business for Pompâ—y slighted Perpenna whom he thought no great Captain and Perpenna fearing lest his men would not long continue in good order and duty made as much haste as he could to try the fortune of Arms. The Fight was not long Pompey having to deal with an ordinary Captain and an Army weak and discontented soon got the advantage so that scarce any Stand being made Perpenna took his flight in disorder and fearing to fall either into his Enemies or his own mens hands he hid himself in a Thicket from whence he was pulled out by some Horsemen that found him The Soldiers began to revile him calling him the Murderer of Sertorius and he began to cry out aloud that he had many things to discover to Pompey touching the Seditions of the City whether it were true or only an invention to make them carry him alive before Pompey But Pompey commanded them to dispatch him before he saw him for fear left if he told them any new thing it might occasion fresh calamities in the City and surely he did prudently and all men praised his discretion Thus the death of Sertorius put an end to the Wars of Spain which certainly had lasted longer and not been so easily determined had he longer lived About the same time Spartacus a Thracian by Nation who had formerly born Arms in the Roman Militia and was now a Captive in Capua to serve as a Gladiator perswaded about seventy of his Comrades to fight rather for their own liberty than to please the spectators and breaking Prison he gave them such Arms as he took from Passengers and went and posted himself on Mount Vesuvius Store of fugitive Slaves and likewise some free people of the Country flocking to him upon the news of his Revolt he received them and began to make Incursions and Robberies in the Neighbouring Places he made Oenomaus and Crixus two Gladiators his Lieutenants and because he equally divided the Prey among his Companions in a short time he gathered together so great Forces that first Varinius Glaber and then P. Valerius being sent against him not with formed Bodies but such men as they could get together as they passed along were beaten for the Roman People esteemed these only a concourse of Thieves and not worth the name of a War Spartacus in the Fight took Varinius's Horse and there mist little but that the Gladiator had taken the Pretor After these Victories such multitudes came in to him that he soon beheld seventy thousand Men under his Command He then set himself to provide Arms and to make great Preparations so that the Consuls were sent against him with two Legions one of which engaging with Crixus near Mount Gorganus the Gladiator was killed with thirty thousand of his Men scarce a third part of his Army escaping Spartacus having taken his March by the Aventine to gain the Alpes and thence pass into Gaul one of the Consuls got before him to stop his passage and the other Consul followed him at the Heels He fell upon them one after the other and made them give ground and indeed put them to flight in which the Vanquisher having taken three hundred Roman Prisoners he cut their Throats and offered them in sacrifice to Crixus's Ghost his forces being afterwards swelled to sixscore thousand Men he marched directly towards the City and to make the quicker way caused all the Baggages to be burnt his Prisoners murdered and his Beasts of Loading slain Upon the way several Runaways offered themselves to him but he would accept of none And when the Consuls to stop his March engaged him once more in the Country of Picene he defeated them with a great loss of their Men. However he changed his design of going to the City because he found himself too weak his Army not being sufficiently furnished with all things necessary for War for he was not aided by any Commonalty and all his Forces were composed of fugitive Slaves and Runnagate People He went therefore and seised upon the Mountains and likewise of the City of Turine and caused Proclamation to be made that he forbid all sorts of Merchants to bring any Gold or Silver into the Camp and all Soldiers to keep any so with what they had they bought Iron and Copper without doing any wrong to those which brought it and by this means they got together abundance of Materials with which they fixed themselves up Arms of all sorts Mean while they went dayly out a skirmishing and having once more encountred the Romans gained the Victory together with a good store of Spoil and Booty It was now three years that
with all the Forces he could get together As for Lentulus after having given to the Conspirators every one his Quarter Cethegus and he agreed that as soon as they should have advice that Catiline was arrived at Fesulae they should go with Daggers under their Robes very early in the morning to Cicero's House where by reason of their Offices they might without difficulty get entrance and drawing him into a private place under pretence of some secret Conference stab him That at the same time Lucius Sextus should assemble the People and accuse Cicero that being fearful by Nature and suspitious without cause he unseasonably and to ill purpose troubled the City and that the night following with a Band of Conspirators they should set fire in twelve places pillage the City and kill all the honest people they met with Whilst Lentulus Cethegus Statilius and Cassius who were the Heads of the Conspiracy formed these Designs and waited only for Opportunity to execute them the Deputies of the Allobroges being come to Rome to complain of their Magistrates were drawn into this Conspiracy out of hopes they would cause the Gauls to rise against the Republick Lentidus being about to send them to Catiline accompanied with Vulturtius of Crotona who carried Letters without Superscription The Allobroges irresolute what they had to do discoursed the matter with Fabius Sanga Protector of their City for it is the custom of the Provincials that each Nation hath his Protector at Rome Cicero having received this advice from Sanga gave Order to arrest the Deputies as they were upon their Return and with them Vulturtius who being brought into full Senate confessed all that they had negotiated with Lentulus and attested that they had often heard him say that the Destinies had promised the Dominion of the City to three Cornelius's of which Cinna and Sylla had been the two first and he should be the third Hereupon the Senate degraded Lentulus of his Dignity of Senator and Cicero went to cause the Conspirators to be arrested whom having placed under sure Guards in the Praetors Houses he returned to the Senate to deliberate Mean while the knowledge of this Affair not being yet publick a great Tumult was raised about the Palace and all the Accomplices of the Conspirators took the Alarm in so much that the Slaves and Freed Men of Lentulus and Cethegus having raised a great number of Artisans used their endeavours to break open the Back Doors of the Praetors to take thence their Masters by force Which being told Cicero he came hastily out of the Senate and having placed Courts of Guard every where returns and presses the Senate to give their Judgments The first whose Advice was demanded was Sillanus designed Consul for it is the Custom to being to demand Opinions by those nominated to that Dignity because as I imagine the Execution of the Senate's Decrees regarding them they ought to utter their mind with more Circumspection and Prudence His Advice was the Conspirators should be punished with death in which many others followed him Nero speaking in his trun was of opinion they should for some time be kept Prisoners till Catiline was defeated and they more fully informed of the matter which was also the Opinion of C. Caesar who was in some kind suspected as if a Partner in their designs or at least to have had knowledge of them of which however the Consul spoke not a word not daring to cope with a Man so beloved of the People He added to Nero's advice that they should be distributed in the Cities of Italy such as Cicero should chuse and after the War was finished be called to Judgment for it was not reasonable to condemn Persons of that Quality without granting them a formal Tryal This seemed just and many returned to this Opinion till Cato openly declaring his suspition of Caesar and the Consul fearing that the night following a multitude of Conspirators which were now in the Palace and in fear for themselves should attempt some desperate Action brought back the greatest part of the Senators to the Opinion that the Conspirators being taken in a Flagrant Offence ought to suffer without being allowed the Formality of a Process In so much that before the Senate rose Cicero himself caused the Accused to be brought from the particular Houses where they were guarded to the Prison where without the knowledge of the People he caused the Sentence of death to be executed in his presence then going to the place attested to all the World they were no longer among the Living Hereupon the rest of the Conspirators dispersed every one contenting himself that he had escaped and the City was that day delivered from great Inquietude Catiline had already assembled twenty thousand men about the fourth part of which were armed with which he took his March towards Gaul where he hoped to compleat his Preparations But Anthony the other Consul overtaking him near the Alps defeated him without much pains for as he had laid this Design with little Prudence so he as imprudently managed it and was forced to fight before he was prepared Notwithstanding most true it is that neither Catiline nor any of those Persons of Quality with him would fly but were all slain fighting in the midst of their Enemies The death of Catiline was the end of this Conspiracy from which Cicero's Prudence secured the Commonwealth So that being before known only for his Eloquence he in this Occasion made himself famous for his Actions and no Person doubted but he had saved his Country from the Ruin wherewith it was threatned Wherefore publick thanks were given him and after many Acclamations Cato saluting him called him The Father of his Country Which is indeed an Appellation so glorious that Cicero having been the first to whom it was given for his Merit it is the Custom to this day to honour only such Emperors with it as are worthy For as soon as any come to the Monarchy they joyn not this Title with their other Sirnames nor is it granted but by a publick Decree and as a Testimony of accomplished Vertue As for Caesar being ready to go for Spain the Government of which he had obtained he was arrested by his Creditors whom he could not pay having dreined himself by Ambitious Expences and he was heard at that time to say that he wanted two Millions and five hundred Thousand Deniers to be worth nothing He agreed with them as well as he could and being entred into his Government he amused not himself to go from City to City to hear talk of Affairs or to administer Justice such things had no Correspondency with the Greatness of his Designs But he began to raise Soldiers and to make War with the rest of the People of Spain whom after having plundred their Territories he made Tributary to the Romans In so much that having sent a great Summ of Money to the Treasury the Senate granted
him the Honour of Triumph As they were making in the Suburbs Magnificent Preparation for his Entry the day designed for the Election of Consuls drawing nigh of necessity those who demanded that Dignity must be present and it was not permitted after entring the City without Pomp to make another Entry in Triumph He had a long time passionately desired the Consulate and the things necessary for his Triumph were not yet ready Wherefore he presented a Request to the Senate that he might have permission to demand that Dignity by his Friends which he knew had been granted others though it were forbid by the Law The last day being come whereon those that pretend to the Consulate must give in their Names and Cato continually opposing Caesar's Request he renounced his Triumph entred into the City and made his Declaration expecting the day of the Assembly Mean time Pompey Illustrious and Powerful because of the great Actions he had done against Mithridates demanded of the Senate the Ratification of many things he had granted to Kings Tetrarchs and Cities which many opposed out of the Envy they bore this Great Man But especially Lucullus who being recalled out of Asia when he had quite weakned the Forces of that King having left the same Pompey that War easie to terminate vaunted that the Honour of that Victory belonged to him and had drawn Crassus to his side Pompey vexed that his Designs were opposed makes Alliance with Caesar promising him upon Oath that he would serve him to get the Consulship and soon after by Caesar's means Crassus was reconciled to Pompey Thus these three great Men served one another to obtain what they desired And the Historian Varro who writ a Book of their Union calls it the Three-headed Conspiracy Wherefore the Senate beginning to suspect their Power gave to Caesar L. Bibulus his Enemy for his Colleague between whom there soon happened such a difference as made them take up Arms one agaist the other But Caesar knowing the Art of Dissembling made in full Senate an Oration to Bibulus upon the Subject of Concord as if he would prevent their Dissentions from causing any Inconveniency to the Commonwealth Now whilst it seemed in all outward appearance that he endeavoured seriously for Peace and that the other who doubted nothing stood not upon his Guard all on a suddain he comes to the Senate accompanied with a great Multitude of People and proposes a Law in favour of the Poor He distributed Lands to them gave to them that were Fathers of three Children Campania the most fertile Territory belonging to Italy and by this means got the Love and favour of the People for there were twenty thousand found under that Qualification And when many of the Senate opposed the Publication of these Laws he withdrew from the Palace as if not able to endure their Injustice and all that Year there was no more Session of the Senate But he went to the place for Orations and mounting the Tribunal demanded of Pompey and Crassus who still assisted him if those Laws did not to them seem reasonable and after having received their approbation demanded the suffrages of the people who came to that Assembly with Arms under their Gowns As for the Fathers for the Senate could not Assemble but by the order of both Consuls they held some private meetings in Bibulus house but all that did nothing against the Power and Interest of Caesar yet they ceased not to provoke Bibulus to oppose the Laws of his Colleague whatever should happen by it That it might rather be said he was overcome by the Malice of another than by his own remissness He ventured therefore upon the place one day as Caesar was making an Oration to the people and a Tumult arising about some words they had together they came to blows Bibulus his Rods were broken and some Tribunes that took his part wounded but he without being daunted presented his naked Neck to Caesar's Faction with these words If I cannot perswade my Colleague what is just I will at least by my death make him Criminal and Execrable However his Friends pulled him thence and caused him to enter the Temple of Iupiter Stator which is nigh the place Then Cato being strong and vigorous overthrew all those stood in his way got up into an eminent place and began to speak but those of Caesar's Party drew him out of the place which yet made him not give over for he returned again by another way crying out continually against Caesar till being again carried away by force the Consul got the Laws past The People having sworn to observe them they would have the Senators take the same Oath which some by Cato's perswasion having refused to do he proposed to the People to declare Criminal whoever would not swear And this Declaration being passed they all took the Oath for fear even the Tribunes themselves who had opposed in vain since the Law was ratified Mean while a certain man of the People called Vetius ran into the middle of the place crying out he was sent by Bibulus Cicero and Cato to kill Caesar and Pompey and that Dagger was to that purpose put in his hand by Posthumius Lictor to Bibulus Though this matter were much suspected Caesar made use of it to embitter the Multitude and referred the Information till the next day but Vetius was the night following killed in Prison This Accident admitted of divers Interpretations but Caesar cast the fault on some who had a sense of their being guilty and managed things so that the People permitted him to take Guards to secure him from such Attempts as might be made upon his Person And now Bibulus quitted absolutely the Government of the Commonwealth and remained in his house as a private Person all the Remainder of his Consulate But his Colleague seeing himself Master of all without troubling himself to make any Information about Vetius business laboured to make more Laws in favour of the People and according to his promise made all that Pompey had done to be approved In these times the Knights who were the middle Order between the Senate and the People powerful both by reason of their proper Riches and the Profits which they made of the Imposts which they farmed from the People highly courted Caesar in so much that supported by his favour they presented their Request to the Senate for an Abatement of the Rent of their Farms And when the Fathers demurred upon and withstood it without taking notice of their Oppositions by the sole consent of the People he abated them a third part Whereupon the Knights having received a greater favour than they demanded or durst hope for cryed up to the Skies him from whom they had received it And now Caesar grew stronger than he was before in the favour of the People for by this only benefit he gained a great number of interessed Persons to sustain his Dignity Besides all this to gain so
much the more the good Grace of the Citizens he gave them often the Divertisements of Shows and Chases by which he ran in debt every where much beyond what he was worth every day surpassing himself in the Magnificence of his Gifts and the Profuseness of his Largesses At last he brought Matters so about that they gave him the Government of the Gauls as well on this side as beyond the Mountains for five Years with fonr Legions After having obtained it knowing that he must be a long time absent from the City and that Envy has more power than Favour he gave his Daughter in Marriage to Pompey not but that they were already very good Friends but he was fearful left the too great Success of his Arms might stir up Envy even in a Friend Moreover he designed for Consuls the Year following the stoutest of his Faction A. Gabinius one of his greatest Confidents and L. Piso his Father in Law with whom he had lately Allyed himself Cato perpetually crying out that these Marriages tended to a Tyranny and for Tribunes of the People he nominated Vatinius and Clodius Pulcher. This Clodius was infamous for having slipped into the Sacrifices of the good Goddess where none but Women ought to enter in which place he had layed a Blemish upon the Chastity of Caesar's own Wife who yet never expressed any Resentment because this Man was beloved by the People but however he repudiated his Wife there were some who afterwards made him come to a Tryal as a Prophaner of Sacred Things Cicero pleaded his Accusation and Caesar himself was called in as a Witness but he deposed nothing against him On the contrary he advanced him to this Office of Tribune in hate to Cicero who frequently used to blame the Union of these three Men as tending to the Ruin of the Publick Liberty Nor thought he much to pardon one of his Enemies the Affront he had received so he might be revenged of another who had only offended him in suspecting he had an ill Design so much was his Ambition more violent than his Love And yet there is some appearance that Caesar received the first Obligation from Clodius who served him with all his Credit and Interest when he demanded the Government of the Gauls However it were this is what passed in Caesar's Consulate which being expired he went into the Province in Quality of Pro-Consul After his departure from the City Clodius caused Cicero to be called to Judgment for having contrary to Law put to death Cethegus and Lentulus before they were condemned But he bore this Accusation with as much Cowardice as he had shewed Courage in the Noble Action he did for he went through the Streets with his Beard grown his Hair unkembed clad in a sad Colour and begging of every one he met to assist him he was not ashamed to be importunate with People that were utterly unknown to him in so much that having no regard to Decency whilst he would have moved Compassion he made himself ridiculous and that Man who all his life had managed others Affairs with so much Courage suffered himself to fall into the Excess of Fear in his own Cause It is reported the like happened to Demosthenes in Athens and that Orator who had so bravely defended so many accused being accused himself chose rather to fly than to defend himself before the Judges In like manner Cicero seeing that Clodius whom he followed through the Streets in the posture of a Suppliant derided his Prayers and Submissions and reviled him with words lost all hope and resolved to go into a Voluntary Exile whither many of his Friends followed him the Senate having given him Letters of Recommendation to all Kings and Sovereigns where he designed to make his Retreat Whereupon Clodius demolished his Houses as well in the City as the Country and became so fierce and arrogant that he esteemed himself equal to Pompey the most powerful Man of that time in the City Wherefore Pompey made an Agreement with Milo his Colleague a Man of Enterprize to whom he promised the Consulate to serve him against Clodius and obliged him to propose to the People the Return of Cicero believing that being returned he could talk no more of the present Estate of the Commonwealth that he would have in mind the benefit newly received and be always ready to oppose the designs of Clodius Thus Cicero banished by Pompey's means was by the favour of the same Pompey again recalled to his Country about sixteen Months after his departure and his Houses both in City and Country were rebuilt at the Publick Charge When he returned there went such a Concourse to meet him at the Gates that the whole Day was scarce enough for their Complements which happened also to Demosthenes when after his Exile he was received into Athens Mean while Caesar glorious for the great things he had done in Gaul and Brittany as we have said speaking of the Affairs of Gaul and loaden with vast Riches repassed into Cisalpine Gaul that he might a little refresh his Army wearied with continual War As soon as he was arrived there and that he had sent store of Silver to a great many Persons in the City the Officers of the Common-wealth for that Year together with all the other Governors of Provinces and Generals of other Armies came to salute him so that there was sometimes sixscore Rods about his Person There came likewise more than two hundred Senators some to thank him for Favours received some to get Money of him or something else of that kind For now he alone could do all things having so many Forces at his Service and so much Money in his Coffers and besides he was always ready to oblige all the World Pompey and Crassus the Companions of his Power being come as well as others to see him they consulted together about their Affairs and agreed that Pompey and Crassus should take the Consulate and should prolong to Caesar the Government of Gaul for other five Years after which they parted At the time for Election of Consuls Domitius Aenobarbus standing up Competitor with Pompey and the day of Nomination being come they came both before Day to the place where the Assembly is held and after some sharp words fell to blows In the Tumult he that carried the Light before Domitius received a Wound with a Sword upon which all his People fled and he with much hazard escaped to his House Pompey's Robe was also brought home bloody so much danger did they both run in this sudden Broil Crassus and Pompey having obtained the Consulate gave Caesar according to their promise the Government of Gaul for five Years longer and between themselves they divided the Provinces and the Armies Pompey had the Governments of Spain and Africa whither he sent Friends to command in his place and he stayed in the City And Syria with all the Neighbouring Countries remained to Crassus for his
with the liberality of their General Indeed he gave profusely to them to prepare them to the execution of his Designs of which they were not ignorant nor therefore became they less affectionate to him but Pompey giving credit to the reports brought him neither made any Levies of Men nor any other preparations capable to sustain so great a War To proceed when they next in Senate debated this Affair and that the Fathers spoke their opinion one after the other the Consul by a wile having demanded them apart if they were of the opinion to take away Pompey's Command many were of a contrary mind and after asking if they thought it convenient to send a Successor to Caesar they all agreed to it But Curio then asking anew if they would not that both should dismiss their Forces there was but two and twenty contradicted it and three hundred and seventy all affectionate to the publick good followed Curio's judgment whereupon the Consul dismissing the Assembly cryed out Well then take Caesar for your Master Soon after a false rumour coming that Caesar had passed the Alpes and was marching directly to the City all the World was allarm'd and the Consuls proposed to the Senate to send for the Legions were at Capua to employ against him as an Enemy of the State Whereupon Curio saying that the news was false the Consul grew angry and said Since in consulting of Affairs with all the Senate I am hindred from providing for the safety of the Common-welth I will provide alone according to the power which I have After which going out of the City with his Colleague and presenting a Sword to Pompey We order you said he my Colleague and I to march against Caesar and fight for your Country and to that purpose we give you that Army is at Capua or in any other place of Italy with power to raise Forces at your discretion He declared he would obey them because it was their command but adding withal these words If no better Expedient can be found Which he did craftily to perswade them of the sincerity of his intentions Though Curio had no farther power in the Administration of the Common-wealth a Tribune not being permitted to go out of the circuit of the Walls yet he deplored in all Assemblies of the People the present state of Affairs and was so bold as to demand is full Senate that all People should be forbid enrolling themselves in the Forces levyed by Pompey but seeing he laboured in vain and lost all hopes of being able to serve his Friend the time of his Tribuneship being almost past and likewise growing fearful for himself he departed on a sudden to go and find out Caesar who being lately returned from England had crossed that Gaul which is bounded by the Rhine and passed the Alpes with five thousand Foot and three hundred Horse He met him on the way to Revenna which is the Frontier of Italy and the last Town of his Government where he received Curio with all possible testimonies of good will and after having thanked him for the services he had done him desired his counsel in what he had to do Curio advised him to send as speedily as he could for his Forces and lead them to the City but Caesar chose rather first to try some way of Accommodation wherefore he writ to his Friends that they should endeavour to obtain of the Senate that he might only keep two Legions with the Government of the hither Gaul and Illyria till such time as he was named Consul and that he would deliver up to whoever they should send for Successor all the rest of the Province and all the remainder of his Forces Pompey was content with the proposition but because the Consuls opposed it Caesar writ to the Senate a Letter which Curio having rode three thousand and three hundred Furlongs in three days gave to the new Consuls as they entred the Palace the first day of the year In the beginning he spoke in advantageous terms of the great things that he had done then he protested that he was ready to quit his command so Pompey would do this same but if Pompey kept it he would keep it too and should suddenly be in the City to revenge the outrages done as well to him as to his Country When they heard these last words they all cryed out that he declared War by this Letter and immediately nominated for his Successor L. Domitius who departed soon after with four thousand Men new levied and because Anthony and Cassius Tribunes of the People were of Curio's mind the Senate grew so much the hotter against him and giving Pompey's Army the name of the Army of the Common-wealth declared that of Caesar Enemy to their Country And at last Marcellus and Lentulus Consuls ordered those Tribunes to go out of the Senate for fear lest without having regard to their Dignity though sacred they should be evilly treated Then Anthony leaping from his Seat in Choler invoked with great cries the faith of men and God and lamented that an authority which had hitherto been held sacred was no longer in security and that they shamefully drove from the Senate those who proposed saving advice as if they had been guilty of Murder or some other crime Afte having said these words he departed in a fury foretelling as if he had been a Divine the Wars Proscriptions Banishments and Confiscations wherewith the City was threatened and making horrible imprecations against those who were the cause of all their miseries Curio and Cassius withdrew likewise with him for Pompey's Soldiers were already come to environ the Palace and they departed all three together in the Habit of Slaves upon hired Horses and so got to Caesar. He shewed them in the condition they were to his Soldiers to enrage them the more telling them that after all their great services they were declared Enemies to their Country and that those great men had been shamefully driven out of the Senate because they had only said a word in their defence The War being thus declared on both sides the Senate who believed that the Army out of Gaul could not come in a long time to Caesar and that with so few Forces as he had he would not take the Field gave order to Pompey to send for out of Thessaly thirteen thousand Men that were of the old Soldiers and to enrol men in pay of the most warlike Nations circumadâ—acent with power to take money out of the Treasury to defray the expence of the War and in case the publick money should fail there were several private men would advance it till such time as it could be levyed upon the Cities of Italy which they laboured to do with much haste and rigour For Caesar's part he had sent people to bring his Army but being accustomed to succeed more by diligence striking a terrour and hardiness than any mighty preparations he resolved to begin this
great War with his five thousand Men and seise of some places of Italy were commodious for him first he sent before to Rimini some Centurions and Men who were to enter the City as Passengers and then all of a sudden to seise on that City the first that offers it self coming from Gaul and himself in the Evening going out as if he had found himself ill after a Feast leaves his Friends and mounting in a Chariot drove himself the same way followed at a distance by his Cavalry when he came to the Banks of Rubicon he stopped some time looking upon the water and thinking of the calamities he went about to be the cause of if he passed that River in Arms. At length turning to those of his Train My Friends said he if I pass not this River immediately it will be to me the beginning of all misfortunes and if I do pass it I go to make a world of people miserable and therewithal as if he had been pressed forward by some Divinity he drave into the stream and crossing it cries with a loud voice The Lot is cast From whence continuing on his way with speed he seised on Rimini by break of day and all in an instant places Garrisons in all the good places of that Country which he reduced either by force or favour Mean while as it happens in these unexpected Allarms the whole Country was filled with people flying the Countrymen forsaking their Habitations and nothing was to be heard but Cries and Lamentations and Groans yet no man knew from whence this disorder came but all imagined that Caesar was upon them with all his Forces The Consuls receiving the news gave not Pompey who perfectly understood War leisure to prepare himself and take his own time they began to press him to be gone out of the City and make Levies of Forces in Italy as if Rome had been in immediate danger of being taken and plundered And the Senate surprised with so unlooked for an irruption were terrified and began to repent they had not accepted those reasonable conditions offered by Caesar but this was not till fear had opened their eyes and led them back from Partiality to Reason for now men talked of a great many Prodigies and extraordinary Signs which had appeared in the Heavens that it had rained Blood in many places that in others the Statues of the Gods had sweat that many Temples had been struck with Thunderbolts that a Mule had engendred besides an infinite of other things which seemed to foretel the change of the present state and the ruine of the Common-wealth so as it should never be re-established wherefore they made Vows and Prayers as in a publick Consternation And the people remembring again the miseries they had suffered because of the Dissentions of Sylla and Marius cryed out that they ought to take away the Command as well from Caesar as from Pompey since that was the only means to prevent a War Cicero himself was of opinion that Deputies should be sent to Caesar to treat an Accommodation but the Consuls absolutely opposed it Favonius quipping at Pompey because of a word he had once said with too much arrogance Bid him stamp on the ground with his Foot and see if any armed Men would rise To which Pompey answered You will want none so you will follow me and are not troubled to leave the City and Italy it self if there be occasion for people of courage said he do not make liberty consist in the possession of Lands and Houses they cannot want in any place they come to and if they lose not their courage will soon recover their Houses and Lands After having said these words and protested he would hold him for an Enemy that out of fear to lose what he possessed deserted the Common-wealth in extreme danger he went out of the Palace and soon after out of the City to joyn the Army that was at Capua The Consuls followed him presently but the other Senators weighted it a little longer and spent all the night in the Palace without resolving any thing and at length as soon as it was break of day the greater part followed the same way after Pompey Mean time Caesar having reached at Corfinium L. Domitius whom they had sent for his Successor with four thousand Men of which he had already lost a part he besieged him in the City from whence endeavouring to escape the Inhabitants stopped him at the Gate and brought him to Caesar to whom the Remainder of his Forces yielded themselves he received them kindly that he might draw others by their example and without doing any wrong to Domitius he suffered him to go whither he pleased with all his Equipage hoping by this courtesie to oblige him to take his Party yet without hindring him from going to find out Pompey These things being done in such an instant Pompey on the other side marches from Capua to Nucera and from Nucera to Brundusium that he might from thence pass to Epire where he designed to establish the Seat of the War he writ to all Provinces and those that commanded them to Kings themselves to Sovereigns and particular Cities that with all convenient speed they should send him what Forces they could supply him with in which every one laboured with all his power He had his own particular Army in Spain ready to march at his first command and for those Legions he had with him he gave one part of them to the Consuls whom he sent before into Epire they embarquing at the same time at Brundusium happily crossed the Gulf and landed at Dyrrachium which some by mistake think to be Epidamnum for Epidamnus King of the Barbarians who inhabited those Countries built near the Sea the City to which he gave his own name and Dyrrachus his Grand-son by his Daughter whom they said was begot by Neptune added to this City a Port which they call Dyrrachium This Dyrrachus being in War with his Brother Hercules returning from Erythrea assisted him on condition to have a part of the Country for his reward Hence comes it that the Dyrrachians call him their Founder as having part in the Lands which they possessed not that they disavow Dyrrachus but they are well pleased out of vanity to derive their original from a God rather than a Man 'T is reported that in the Fight Hercules ignorantly slew Ionius the Son of Dyrrachus and after having payed him all Funeral Honours threw the Body into the Sea which from him was called Ionian Some Phrygians having deserted their Country seised afterwards on this and on the City it self where they remained a long time till after them the like was done by the Taulantieni who are a people of Illyria and again by the Liburnians another Nation of Illyria who used to rob their Neighbours in very swift Brigantines which the Romans afterwards making use of called Liburnicks The Dyrrachians chased away by the Liburnians having called
Province of Gaul He likewise distributed Corn to the People then much straitened with Famine and at the request of the same people consented to the return of the Exiles except only of Milo But when they demanded a Release of their Debts into which they had been forced to run by reason of the Wars and Tumults it being impossible for them to pay because the inheritances they might otherwise sell to clear themselves were now valued at nothing he absolutely refused it yet he created Censors to put a value on things to be sold and ordered that the Creditors should take them as ready Money and in part of so much of their Debts as they should be valued at That done about the depth of Winter he sent Commissaries of War to all his Armies to bring them to the Rendezvous he had appointed at Brundusium and departed from a City in the Month of December without staying for the first day of the next year as his Quality of Conful obliged him The people went out in great crowds to attend him both to pay him that Honour and to beg of him to make a reconciliation with Pompey for it was mre than likely that which soever of the two got the Victory would become Master of the Common-wealth and he by great journies went on towards Brundusium Pompey on the other side without any intermission caused Ships to be built Forces to be raised Money to be gathered in and having taken forty of Caesar's Ships in the Superiour Sea waited for his passing over Mean while he continually employed his Soldiers in some exercise where himself was still present and in person began any work even beyond what his age seemed to give leave to which gained him all Mens Hearts who thronged in from all parts as to some Spectacle to see his Exercises Caesar's Forces were composed of ten Legions and for Pompey he had five Legions which went over out of Italy with their Horse two of which remained of Crassus's Forces which he had led against the Parthians and some part of those who went into Egypt under Gabinius all amounting to eleven Legions of Italians and about seven thousand Horse besides the Auxiliary Troops of Ionia Macedon Peloponnesus Boeotia the Archers of Crete and the Slingers of Thrace he had likewise some Gaul and Galatian Horse and Comagenians sent him by Antiochus Cilicians Cappadocians and some Soldiers of Armenia the less Pamphylia and Pisidia He designed not to make use of all these Strangers to bear Arms but destined the greatest part of them to labour in the Trenches and other Works wherein he would not employ the Italians that he might not divert them from the Exercise of Arms. These were his Land Forces for the Sea he had six hundred long Ships fitted and armed for War a hundred of which besides Seamen were filled with Roman Soldiers on whom was the chiefest relyance besides a great many Ships of Burthen which carried his Ammunition and Provisions the Command of all this Fleet was committed to several Vice-Admirals over all whom M. Bibulus was Admiral Things thus prepared he caused all the Senators and Knights he had with him to assemble together and at the Head of his Army thus spake to them The Oration of Pompey THe Athenians Gentlemen formerly deserted the Walls of their City when they fought in the defence of their Liberty because they thought the Men composed the City and not the Buildings by which means they soon recovered them and in a short time after built them much more beautiful than before Our Predecessors likewise went out of Rome when the Gauls like a Torrent invaded them and Camillus returning with them from Ardea regained it in the same condition they had left it In a word those that are wise think their Country every where where they can preserve their liberty These examples and the hopes of a like success have obliged us to come hither not to forsake our Country but the better to prepare our selves to defend it and to revenge it's cause upon him who having a long time designed to oppress it is become Master of it by their means whom he hath with gifts corrupted He I say who being by you declared Enemy to the Common-wealth hath by his audacious Enterprises invaded the authority of the Senate and Roman People and given the government of your Provinces to those of his Faction to some that of the City and to others that of Italy Iudge after this what violence and cruelty he will forbear to exercise towards his Country if we be so unhappy to let our selves be overcome He who commits such insolencies in the beginning of a War whereof he fears the event and whilst he is liable to receive the punishment of his Crimes which is what we ought to wish and hope to see by the Divine Assistance for he hath in his Party none but Wretches corrupted by the Money he hath drawn out of our Province of Gaul who chose rather to be his Slaves than to live equally with other Citizens for my part I never was wanting nor shall not be wanting to expose my self to all sorts of Dangers I offer my self to perform the Function of General or Soldier and if I yet have the same good fortune and the same experience which hitherto have made me every where victorious I beseech the Gods they may prove advantageous to my Country and that I may not be less happy now when the Dispute is whether I shall prevent it's being oppressed than when I extended the Bounds of its Empire We have reason to have confidence in the protection of the Gods and in the Iustice of our Cause for never can any be more just and honest to whoever loves his Country and the Common-wealth Besides those great preparations we have made both by Sea and Land and the Forces will come in to us from all parts as soon as the War is begun is sufficient to encourage us for all the Levant Nations as far as those bordering on the Euxine Sea whether Greeks or Barbarians are of our side and all the Kings of those people who are either the Romans Friends or Allies or mine will send us Soldiers Arms Provisions and all things necessary Let us go then and give to our Country the assistance it merits which your Virtue exacts from you and my good Fortune demands from me but remember always Caesar's Pride and with readiness to obey my Orders Pompey's last words were followed by a general acclamation of the whole Army Senators and other persons of Quality who all desired him to lead them whither he thought fit But he considering that it was the very worst season of the year and besides imagining that Caesar impeded in the City the creation of Consuls would not attempt to cross a Sea usually tempestuous before the end of Winter gave order to those commanded the Sea Forces to guard the passage and sent his Army into Garrisons in Thessaly
in Battel from whence some making reflexion on these words which on a suddain heat escaped him have believed that if he had been Victorious he would have made himself Master of the Commonwealth Now to give an Account of the number of the Forces on both Parts without having recourse to that Multitude of Authors who so ill agree in this Point I will follow the gravest of the Romans who report exactly the number of the Italians as the principal Force of the Army and make little mention of the Auxiliaries whom indeed they had but little consideration of Caesar had about two and twenty thousand Men of whom about a thousand were Horse and Pompey had half as many more of whom about seven thousand were Horse So that most credible Authors say that there were about seventy thousand Italians in both Armies those who are most modest say sixty thousand and those who are boldest four hundred thousand of whom some say Pompey's made more than half others that Caesar's were but one third so difficult it is exactly to know the truth But however it were both the one and the other Party placed their chief Relyance on those of that Nation Not but that Caesar had good Auxiliary Forces he had French Cavalry and a great number of Transalpine Gauls and Grecian Light Armed Foot of the Acarnanians Etolians and Dolopes But Pompey had a great multitude of all the Oriental Nations as well Horse as Foot out of Greece the Lacedemonians with their Kings the other Peloponnesians and Boeotians and even the Athenians came to this War Though both Parties had caused it to be proclaimed by the publick Cryer that all Persons were forbid touching them being Priests to Ceres the Inventor of Laws yet would they come to bear Arms that they might have the Honour to fight for the Roman Empire After the Greeks came Troops of almost all Nations lying upon the Sea-Coasts of the Levant Seas from Thrace from the Hellespont from Bithynia Phrygia Ionia Lydia Pamphilia Pisidia Paphlagonia Cilicia Syria Phaenicia Iudaea Arabia Cyprus Rhodes with Slingers from Crete and all the other Isles There were likewife Kings and Sovereigns with their Forces Deiotarus Tetrarch of Gallograecia and Ariarathes King of Cappadocia Taxiles lead the Armenians from this side the Euphrates and Megabates Lieutenant of King Artabasus those from beyond that River besides several little Sovereigns that brought what Forces they had They say likewife that Cleopatra and her Brother yet a Child sent sixty Gallies whose Forces were not at the Fight no more than those of the rest of the Fleet who lay doing nothing at Corcyra And most certain it is that Pompey was not so prudent as he ought to have been in not making good use of his Naval Forces in which he was so strong that he might always have hindred the bringing from any place Provisions to his Enemy but chusing rather to fight on Land against Men hardened to Labour and accustomed to Victory But it is apparent that the Victory at Dyrrachium made him slacken his Care and that nothing could have been more advantageous to Caesar than that loss for Pompey's Soldiers grown proud with that Success would no longer obey and marched against their Enemies hand over head But decreed it was he should commit this fault to give Birth to that Empire which extends it self so far over the Nations of the Earth The Armies being disposed and ready to fight the two Generals by words endeavoured to encourage their Men And Pompey spoke to his in this manner The Oration of Pompey AT length Soldiers you are put in a posture to fight rather by commanding me than doing what I command For whereas I was resolved to destroy Caesar by temporizing you would needs fight him Since you therefore are the Enactors of this Battel and the Arbiters of it shew what you are to those Enemies you so far surpass in number Despise them as young and vigorous Conquerors should the Vanquished surcharged with Age and tired with Labour Besides your advantage over them lies not only in your Preparations and Forces but in the Testimony of your own Consciences and in the Iustice of your Cause since we fight for Liberty for our Country for the Laws for Glory for so many Senators and so many Roman Knights against a Man who aims at Dominion by his Thefts and Robberies Let us go on then in good hopes whither your Courage leads you and remember the Day of Dyrrachium when we put to flight the same Enemy and what a great number of Colours you in one day brought away your Prize Caesar in like manner encouraged his Men in words to this purpose The Oration of Caesar. THe most difficult part of our Labours is now at an end Fellow Soldiers we are no more to fight with Hunger and Want we have now only Men to deal with aud this day will put an end to all provided you do but remember the promise you made me at Dyrrachium and in what manner you swore to one another in my presence never to return from the Fight without Victory These are the Men we are come to seek from as far as the Pillars of Hercules those who durst not stand us but fled before us out of Italy these who after we had fought ten Years together for the Glory of our Country after that we had gained a multitude of Victories and added to the Roman Empire four hundred Nations in Spain Gaul and Brittany would have deprived us of the Honours due to us of the Triumphs and other Recompences our Services merited In a word these whom I could never move neither by the Iustice of my Right nor by the Favours I have done them for you know how many of them I have set free without doing them the least injury in hopes they would do things reasonable for me Remember then their Injustice and if ever you did believe I had any kindness or good will for you if you if you have ever experienced my Liberality or received my Largesses let this Day 's Actions make good your Acknowledgments It is no hard matter for Old Soldiers to overcome Hot-headed Young sters unskilled in the Mystery and who like Children come to the business in disorder and despising their General for I am certainly assured he himself leads them trembling and sore against his mind to this Battel for seeing his Fortune grow old he is himself grown slothful and stupid and does not so much command as obey the Command of others Hitherto I have yet spoke to you only concerning the Italians for the Strangers I would not have you trouble your selves nor account them for any thing nor would I have you go to charge the Slaves of Syria Lydia and Phrygia only born for Flight and Servitude I know it certainly and you shall see it that Pompey will not give them any place in his Battel Engage therefore only the Italians and if the Strangers come to
run after you like Dogs when you have routed the Italians spare them as your Allies but put all the Strangers to the Sword to strike a terror in others But first of all to perswade me that you remember your promise and that you desire to die or overcome as you go out of the Camp I command you that your selves pull up the Palissade and fill up the Trench that we may have no hopes left but in Victory And that the Enemies seeing we have no more a Camp may understand that of necessity we must lodge in theirs After having thus spoke to his Soldiers he left two thousand of the oldest for Guard of the Baggage and the rest as they came out of the Camp pulled up the Pallissade and filled up the Ditch with as little noise as might be Which being told to Pompey by some who thought they prepared themselves for Flight he knowing their Confidence began to sigh that he must fight against fierce Beasts whom he might have defeated by Famine which is the only way to reduce Beasts But now there was no going back for as the Proverb says The Knife was at his Throat Wherefore leaving four thousand Legionary Soldiers for the Guard of the Camp he caused the rest to march in Battalia between Pharsalia and the River Enipeus where Caesar planted himself directly opposite to him So that the Front of both Battels was composed of the Legions in three Bodies at some distance one from the other whose Flanks were covered with two Wings of Horse among whom were mixed Archeres and Slingers The Legions in whom both Parties placed their chief Hope being ranged in this Order they brought on the Strangers more for Shew than Service Pompey had a great number of divers Languages out of which he drew apart the Macedonians Peloponnesians Boeotians and Athenians as more accustomed to keep their Ranks with silence and placed them near his Legions and for the others Caesar had conjectured he drew them into a Body apart with Orders to environ the Enemy as soon as the Battel was begun and to do what they could to break in and plunder Caesar's Camp whose Works he had seen thrown down Scipio Father in Law to Pompey was in the middle of the Battel L. Domitius on the Left Wing Lentulus on the Right and Affranius stayed for Guard of the Camp In Caesar's Army Sylla Anthony and Cn. Domitius commanded and he according to his custom chose his place at the Head of the Tenth Legion Which the Enemies having observed they opposed against him all their best Horse that being the stronger in number they might inclose him Caesar on the contrary knowing their design drew off a Body of three thousand Men of the best of his Foot to releive him upon occasion and commanded that as soon as they saw the Enemy come to invest him they should charge them with their Piles aiming chiefly at the Face for young and unexperienced People who put value on their Beauty would be fearful to receive any Wound might render them deformed And now the Generals went through the Ranks to give necessary Orders exhorting them to shew their Courage and giving them the Word for that day which on Caesar's side was Venus the Victorious and on Pompey's Hercules the Invincible Thus standing in Battalia they for a long time kept silence on both sides each Party keeping his Ground and expecting when the other should begin the Fight For they were moved with Compassion to see the greatest number of Forces that had ever before been seen together of the Italian Nation and all Chosen Men about to expose themselves to the Hazard and Uncertainty of a Battel for the Interest and Passion of two Romans envious of each other And as the Danger approached the Ambition wherewith they had hitherto been blinded began to remit and give place to Fear Reason having chased away the furious Appetite of Glory began to represent to them the greatness and the Cause of the Disgrace wherein they might fall That two Men disputed for the Preheminence with contempt of their Lives and yet neither could promise to himself the living in the meanest Degree unless he got the Victory And that for their Difference such numbers of brave Men were about to hazard their utter Destruction It came likewife into their Minds that having so lately been Friends and Allies and endeavoured to render each other mutual Service for the Support of their Grandeur they should now draw Swords one against another and oblige to be Followeres in their criminal Passion so many Generals and Officers among whom nothing but Concord ought to have been maintained being of the same City and some of them Brethren for so they were having engaged themselves unawares as in two different Parties of so many thousand Men of the same Notion many extraordinary things must necessarily happen Thus the two Generals making these reflecrtions were touched with remorse and because this Day was to make one of them the first or the last of all Men they could not easily resolve to begin a Fight the Success whereof was so soubtful Some report that both of them shed tears The Day was now well advanced whilst both Parties thus stood viewing one another and the Legions stood firm without moving from their places till Pompey perceiving that the Strangers wearied with the delay kept their Ranks but ill fearing lest by their Example the others might take the liberty to do the same before the Battel began commanded first to sound the Charge which Caesar on the other side immediately scconded And now the Soldiers heartned by the sound of the Trumpets and the presence of their Officers who going through the Ranks encouraged them to do well began to march one againsts the other with an incredible Vehemence yet with deep silence like People who had often been upon the same Occasions When they came within a Dart's Flight the Light-Armed Foot gave the first Discharge and then the Horse fell on where after having given great Evidences of their Valour on both sides Pompey's had the Advantage as being more numerous and went about to invest the Tenth Legion Whereupon Caesar gave a Sign to his Reserve appointed for that purpose to advance which at an instant they did throwing their Piles at the Faces of the Horse-men who not able to bear the Brunt of these desperate Men nor endure that they should pierce their Cheeks and thrust out their Eyes fled away in disorder Which gave Opportunity to Caesar's Horse who before were fearful to be environed to charge Pompey's Legions in Flank where they lay naked being deserted by the Horse-men Pompey advised of it gave Order to his Foot not to advance farther nor to assail the Enemy nor to throw any Pile but presenting their Points to those came at them to fight standing their Ground Some have praised this way of fighting invented by Pompey as advantageous to those that are like to be inclosed
therefore proposed to him either Egypt or King Iuba the later they thought not of sufficient Reputation but all counselled his Retreat into Egypt They alledged that it was not far off that it was a Powerful Kingdom an Excellent Country where he would want neither Shipping nor Provisions nor Money and whose Kings though yet but Minors were obliged to serve him because of the good Offices he had done their Father So by those Reasons he was perswaded to bend his Course towards Egypt There was at present a Division in the Royal Family Cleopatra who before reigned joyntly with her Brother Ptolemy being driven out now raised Forces about Syria and Ptolemy her Brother was encamped near Mount Cassia on the Frontiers of Egypt to hinder her Re-entry into the Kingdom It happened that the Wind drove Pompey into that place who seeing so great an Army on the Shore stopped and because he judged as it proved true that the King was there he sent one to give him advice of the Cause of his coming and to remember him of his Friendship with his Father He was yet but thirteen Years of Age and had for Overseers Achillas in what concerned Affairs of War and Photinus the Eunuch for the Treasury Those began to consult betwixt them what they should do in this Conjuncture and having called to counsel with them Theodatus the Rhetorician School-Master to the Infant King He proposed to them an execrable Advice which was to cut off Pompey to gain the favour of Caesar Which being resolved on under pretence that in that place the Sea was full of Shoals so that greater Vessels could not approach they sent him a wretched Boat in which there were some Officers of the Royal House and with them a certain Roman Soldier called Sempronius who now bore Arms in Egypt but had formerly served under Pompey He presented him his hand on the Part of Ptolemy inviting him to enter and go with him to his Friend who waited for him Mean while the Army was drawn up in Battel on the Sea Shore in the midst of which appeared the King clad in his Royal Robes as if to do Honour to his Guest Though Pompey had already some cause to distrust considering this Army in Battel the pittifulness of the Boat that the King came not in Person to meet him nor sent any Person of Quality yet he went into the Skiff repeating to himself these Lines of Sophocles To Tyrants Courts the Valiant and the Brave Though free they enter soon become their Slave When he saw that after he was got some distance from his Ships no Person spoke to him his suspition increased Wherefore either knowing Sempronius for a Roman or a Soldier that had served under him or conjecturing it because he only stood up according to the Discipline of the Romans which permits not Soldiers to sit before their General he said turning towards him Surely I have known you Fellow Soldier Which Sempronius having acknowledged as soon as he turned away he gave him the first blow which was followed by many others that took away his Life His Wife and Friends seeing afar off this Murther began to cry out and lifting up their hands to Heaven imploring the Gods Revengers of violated Hospitality with all speed took their Flight Photinus's People cut off Pompey's Head which he kept to present to Caesar when he should arrive in Egypt out of hopes of a great Reward but he revenged this Murther as became him Some one having found the Trunk of his Body buried it upon the Sea-Shore raising over it a little Tomb upon which some other wrote this Inscription Scarce should a Temple to hold that suffice Which huddled in a little Sand here lies This Sepulchre being in process of time quite covered over with Sand the Emperour Adrian visiting that Country caused it in these our times to be sought for and after having found it with the Copper Images which the Inhabitants of these Coasts had dedicated to Pompey which were fallen with age in the ruines of a Temple he caused the Rubbiâ—â— to be removed made the Sepulchre visible and set up the Images Thus ended this great Man his days after having fortunately put an end to many Wars of great Importance and augmented the Roman Empire by which he got the Title of Great Never before had he been vanquished and from his very youth began to be happy in all his undertakings for from the three and twentieth to the eight and fiftieth year of his age he had in effect the power of a King though he took upon him only the quality of a private Citizen because of the dispute for preheminence between him and Caesar. Lucius Scipio his Father-in-law and all the rest of the persons of Quality that escaped from the Battel of Pharsalia retired to Corcyra where they had of purpose left Cato with other Forces and three hundred Galleys There having divided the Fleet among Pompey's chief Friends Cassius sailed towards Pontus to engage Pharnaces to take up Arms against Caesar Scipio and Cato went into Africa relying upon those Forces Varus had and the assistance they hoped for from Iuba King of the Moors And Pompey's Eldest Son with Labienus Scapula and another part of the Army went by great Journeys to Spain with design to draw that Province to their Party to raise other Forces of Spaniards Celtiberians and even of Slaves and to make the greatest Preparations they possibly could so great were yet the Wrecks of Pompey's Power which by a prodigious blindness he deserted and fled The Soldiers in Africa offered Cato the chief Command but he refused it because there were there present Lieutenants of Consular Quality and he had never arrived to higher Dignity in the City than the Charge of Pretor Wherefore L. Scipio being chosen General of that Army he laboured likewise in these Quarters to encrease and exercise his Forces so that there were raised at the same time two powerful Armies against Caesar one in Africa and the other in Spain He for his part stayed at Pharsalia but two days after the Victory that he might sacrifice to the Gods in the Field of the Battel and suffer the Soldiers take some repose tired with the Toil of that Great Day He likewise granted Liberty to the Thessalians who had served him faithfully upon this Occasion And the Athenians coming to demand his Pardon he forgave them with these words How often must the Glory of your Predecessors with-hold you from falling down those Precipices whither your own faults lead you The third day he marched towards the East whither he understood Pompey was fled As he passed the Hellespont upon little Boats for want of Ships in the middle of the Strait Cassius in his way to Pharnaces suddainly comes up with a great number of Gallies and though he might with so many Bottoms have easily defeated his Enemy who was infinitely the weaker yet such was the prodigious good Fortune
upon it Crowns and other Military Presents they set fire to it and about it the People spent all the Night They forthwith erected an Altar and at present there is a Temple where Caesar is adored as a God for after that Octavius his Adopted Son who changed his Name into that of Caesar had following his steps taken upon him the Government of the State he mightily strengthened and augmented that Monarchy of which he had laid the Foundations which endures to this day and to pay him all possible Honours ranked him in the number of the Gods From this Example it is that to this day the People give the Title of Gods to their Emperors after their death if they have neither been Trants nor manifestly guilty of great Crimes they who formerly would not suffer them to take the name of King whilst living Thus fell Caesar on the Day which the Romans call the Ides of March an Augur had told him that day would be fatal to him but he laughed at it and the very same morning told him jesting The Ides of March are come to which the other without surprize made answer But not yet gone Yet the great Assurance of the Augur nor many other Presages could not hinder him from going to the Assembly where he was murdered in the fifty sixth Year of his Age Happy in all things Magnificent and with just reason comparable to Alexander for they were both beyond measure Ambitious Warlike ready in the Execution of what they had resolved and hardy in Dangers they spared not their Bodies and in War relyed not so much upon their Conduct as upon their Bravery and good Fortune The one went a long journey in a Countrey without Water to go to Hammon happily crossed over the bottom of the Pamphilian Gulf the Sea being retired as if his Genius had locked up the Waters As another time marching in the Champian it caused it to cease from raining Navigated an unknown Sea Being in the Indies first scaled the Walls of a City and leaped down alone into the midst of his Enemies receiving thirteen Wounds was always Victorious and whatever War he was engaged in he ended it in one or two Battels In Europe he subdued many Barbarous People and reduced them under his Obedience together with the Grecians a fierce People and Lovers of Liberty who never before obeyed any Person but Philip who commanded them for some time under the Honourable Title of General of the Greeks He carried his Arms almost through all Asia with an incredible Celerity And to comprize in a word the Happiness and Power of Alexander all the Countries he saw he conquered and as he was designing to conquer the rest he died As for Caesar passing the Ionian Sea in the midst of Winter he found it calm as well as the British Ocean which he passed without any knowledge of it in a time when his Pilots driven by Storm against the English Rocks lost their Ships Another time embarking alone by Night in a little Boat and rowing against the Waves he commanded the Pilot to hoist Sail and rather to consider the Fortune of Caesar than the Sea He threw himself more than once all alone into the midst of his Enemies when his Men were all struck with Panick Fear and is the only General of the Romans that ever fought thirty times in Pitch'd Battel against the Gauls and subdued in Gaul forty Nations before so dreadful to the Romans that in the Law dispensing with Priests and Old Men from going to the War the Wars against the Gauls are excepted and the Priests and Old Men obliged to bear Arms. Before Alexandria seeing himself alone inclosed upon a Bridge he laid down his Purple threw himself into the Sea and pursued by his Enemies swam a long time under Water only by Intervals lifting up his head to take breath till coming near his Ships he held up his hands was known and so saved For the Civil Wars which he either undertook out of Fear as himself says or out of Ambition he had to deal with the greatest Generals of the Age fighting at the Head of many great Armies not Barbarians but Romans encouraged by their former Actions and by their good Fortune yet he defeated them all and not one of them but he ruined in a Fight or two But we cannot say of him as of Alexander that he was never overcome for he suffered once a great loss against the Gauls under the Conduct of Triturius and Cotta his Lieutenants In Spain his Army was so near blocked up by Petreius and Afranius that he wanted but little of being besieged At Dyrrhachium and in Africa they turned their Backs and in Spain against the young Pompey the fled But for Caesar himself he was always undaunted and whatever War he engaged in came off in the end Victorious and the Roman Empire which now extends it self by Sea and Land from the Euphrates to the Atlantick Ocean was brought under his Power partly by his Valour and partly by his Clemency He setled himself much better than Sylla and governed himself with more moderation for being King in effect in spite of all the World he took not that name At last making his Preparations for other Wars he was surprized by death as well as Alexander Their Armies were also alike for the Soldiers of both were chearful in Fight and hardy but stubborn and mutinous when over-wrought with Labour The Deaths of both of them were equally mourned and lamented by their Armies who attributed to them Divine Honours They were both well made in Body and of Noble Aspects both descended from Iupiter one by Eacus and Hercules and the other by Anchises and Venus Though they were inflexible when resisted they were easle to pardon and be reconciled and likewise to do good to such as they had vanquished contenting themselves with the Victory Hitherto the Comparison is just save only that their Beginnings were not equal for Alexander began with the Quality of a King in which he had been before instructed by his Father Philip but Caesar was only a Private Man and though he were of an Illustrious Race yet his Fortunes were much incumbred They both despised the Presages that threatned them without injuring those Divines foretold their death and almost the same Signs happened to them and a like Event for in the Sacrifices made by one and the other twice they found not the Chief of the Entrails of the Victims the first time they were only threatned with great Danger Alexander's happened when besieging the Oxidrakes being mounted first upon the Wall and the too great weight breaking the Ladders behind him he beheld himself deserted by his Men and threw himself into the midst of his Enemies where having received many Wounds on his Breast and a great blow on the Neck he was ready to die when the Macedonians touched with shame broke open the Gates and relieved him The like happened to
Caesar in Spain in the Fight between him and young Pompey where seeing his Men went on trembling he advanced betwixt the two Armies received two hundred Darts on his Buckler till such time as Fear having given place to Shame all the Army ran in and secured him from the Danger Thus the first Entrails without the Chief threatned only Danger of Death but the Second were a certain Presage of Death it self Pythagoras the Divine after having sacrificed said to Appollodorus who feared Alexander and Ephestion that he need fear nothing for they both should shortly die Ephestion dying some time after Appollodorus doubting lest there might be some Conspiracy formed against the King gave him notice of the Prediction He only laughed at it and informing himself of Pythagoras what those Presages meant he told him it was a Sign of Death whereupon he again laughed praising Appollodorus's love and the Divine's freedom As for Caesar the last time he went to the Senate as we have said a little before the same Presage presenting he said smiling he had seen the like in Spain to which the Augur answering that he was then in danger but now the Sign was mortal he yielded in some measure to that Advice and offered another Sacrifice but tired with the length of the Ceremonies entred the Palace and perished There happened to Alexander the same thing for when he returned from the Indies to Babylon with his Army being come nigh the City the Chaldeans counselled him to defer his Entry to whom having given this Verse for Answer Who promises most Good 's the best Divine they besought him at least that he would not let his Army enter with their Faces to the West but would fetch a Compass that in entring they might see the Rising Sun and the City It is said he would have obeyed them in this but in marching about he met with a Marshy Ground which made him slight the second as well as the first Advice so that he entred the City with his Face to the West Some time after embarking upon the Euphrates and going down to the River Pallacota which receives the Euphrates and carries its Waters into Marshes and Pools which might happen to drown all Assyria he resolved to make a Dam and it is said that going down the River he laughed at the Chaldeans because he had gone into Babylon and come out of it again in a Boat without any harm But Death attended him at his Return from this Voyage Caesar's Raillery with the Augur who told him the Ides of March were fatal to him was much alike he answered him jearing the Ides were come and yet he was killed the same day So that herein there was great agreement between them both in the Presages they received from the Divines without being offended their Raillery and the Event of the Prediction They were likewise great Lovers of the Sciences as well of their own Country as Strangers Alexander conferred with the Brachmen who are esteemed the most subtil and sagacious of the Indians as the Magi are of the Persians Caesar did the like with the Egyptians when he re-established Cleopatra in her Kingdom which occasioned him when the Peace was made to reform many things amongst the Romans and that after the Example of the Egyptians he regulated the Year by the Course of the Sun which before was governed by the Moon and so till then were unequal by reason of the Intercalary Days It happened to him likewise that not one of those who conspired his Death escaped but were all punished as they deserved by his Son and as the Murderers of Philip were by Alexander but in what manner we shall relate in the following Books The End of the Second Book of the Civil Wars of Rome APPIAN OF ALEXANDRIA HIS HISTORY OF THE Civil Wars OF ROME PART II. BOOK III. The Argument of this Book I. ANthony causes Amatius who gave himself out to be the Son of Marius to be sâ—ain which begets him the ill will of the People whereupon the Senate appoint him Guards II. Brutus and Cassius settle their Affairs and leave the City Dolobella and Anthony get the Governments of Syria and Macedonia to their prejudice III. Octavius adopted by Caesar comes to Rome and goes to visit Anthony IV. His Speech and Anthony's Answer V. Caesar finding Anthony not well disposed to him labours to gain the hearts of the People Dolobella goes into Syria and puts to death Trebonius VI. Caesar and Anthony reconciled by the mediation of the Soldiery VII Anthony having in prejudice of the reconciliation disobliged Caesar the Officers of his Guards declare their resentment of it VIII Anthony's Answer to them and the second reconciliation between him and Caesar. IX A third Breach between Caesar and Anthony four Macedonian Legions come to Brundusium for Anthony and Caesar raises Forces X. Anthony's four Legions mutiny against him and after being appeased two of them come over to Caesar. XI Preparations on one side and the other XII Anthony being tacitly declared Enemy Cicero gives reasons for it XIII Piso makes an Oration in favour of Anthony XIV Anthony declared Enemy and an Army decreed to Brutus and Cassius which discontents Caesar yet he lends a part of his Forces to the Consuls to help them to raise the Sâ—ege of Modena where Anthony had inclosed Decimus Brutus XV. After several Engagements before Modena Anthony raises his Siege and marches over the Alpes XVI Caesar will not see Decimus and Pansa at the point of death discovers to Caesar the Senates intention to ruine him XVII Cassius and Brutus grow powerful in Syria and Macedon XVIII Caesar does all he can to oblige Anthony to a reconciliation and in the mean time the Senate nominates Commissioners to call Anthony to account XIX Anthony joyns with Lepidus which terrifies the Senate XX. Caesar by his Soldiers demands the Consulate which being refused he marches towards Rome at which the Senate are so affrighted that they grant it him XXI The Senate repenting of their grant and preparing for defence Caesâ—r comes to Rome where he is well received and obtains the Consulate XXII Caesar being Consul condemns the Conspirators reconciles himself with Anthony and Decimus Brutus is slain in Gaul and his Head brought to Anthony CAesar the most worthy to reign of all men that ever had lived among the Romans being in this manner slain by his Enemies the People celebrated his Funerals But because all those who any way contributed to his dearh were punished we shall in this and the Book next following treat of the manner how the principal Heads of this Conspiracy perished and after that conclude the History of these Civil Wars Anthony having lost the good will of the Senate by ministring occasion to the people to violate the indemnity at Caesar's Funeral Pomp and being the cause of their running to set on fire the Houses of the Conspirators regained their good esteem by an action which had
respect to the publick Good There was one Amasius who falsly giving himself out to be the Son of Marius had taken his name and only in consideration of his reporting him to be his Father was beloved of the People for by that supposition they thought him a Kinsman of Caesar's and indeed he appeared extremely afflicted for his death erected an Altar in the place where he was burnt and attended by a Troop of Hectors terrified the Conspirators of whom the greatest part having left the City those to whom Caesar had given Governments retired likewise Decimus Brutus to that Gaul neighbouring upon Italy Trebonius into Asia and Tullius Cimber into Bithynia As for Cassius and Brutus to whom the Senate bore great affection they had been designed by Caesar to command the year following Cassius in Syria and Brutus in Macedonia and at present were Praetors in the City In the present juncture of Affairs they laboured to gain the Soldiers designed for the Colonies by permitting them among other things to sell their shares which the Law prohibited them till after twenty years possession It was reported that Amatius had a design against their lives and waited only for an opportunity to execute it which being told to Anthony he according to the authority he had by virtue of his charge caused him to be arrested and with an extraordinary boldness put him to death without any tryal The Senate were amazed at it as a violent action not permitted by their Laws however they suffered it because they saw no other way of security for Cassius and Brutus but the companions of Amatius and the rest of the people affected with grief for him and enraged against Anthony that he durst in that manner treat a person whom they loved thinking they ought not to dissemble it but gathering together in the place began to cry out and rail against Anthony requiring the Magistrates to consecrate Amatius his Altar and perform the first Sacrifices to Caesar. And when Anthony's Soldiers would have driven them thence they grew more tumultuous making greater noise than before some of them shewing the Basis from whence they had taken Caesar's Statues and one of them cryed out he could likewise shew them the Shop where they were melting down they presently followed him and finding it as he said set fire to the House Another Party of Anthony's people coming to quench it some of those Mutineers were slain and some taken of whom the Slaves were hanged and the rest thrown headlong down the Rocks The Tumult being appeased that affection people bore to Anthony converted into hatred On the contrary the Senate were well satisfied for without this the Conspirators had not been in security of their persons But when Anthony proposed to the Fathers the return of Sextus Pompey Son of that great Pompey lamented by all men against whom Caesar's Party yet made War in Spain and to give him out of the Treasury fifty Millions of Attick Drams in recompence of the Goods of his Father which had been confiscate and to make him Admiral as his Father had been with power to dispose of all the Roman Fleet as he should think fit all the Senators were astonished approved his proposition and spent the rest of that day in praises of him for no man had ever appeared so affectionate to the publick Good as the great Pompey nor had been so universally lamented and `twas because Brutus and Cassius had followed him that all men still honoured them Wherefore Cicero without ceasing praised Anthony and the Senate who were not ignorant that he was hated by the people permitted him to chuse as a Guard of his person as many as he pleased of the old Soldiers then in the City He whether he had before provided for it or that he gladly made use of the presenting occasion took such Guards as amounted to six thousand persons nor did he enlist private Soldiers for he thought at a pinch he could easily find them elsewhere but all experienced Officers whose affection he had gained in the time they had served under Caesar and the most considerable of these he had made choice of for Tribunes to whom he shewed Honour and Respect making them partakers in all things fit to be communicated The Senate began to grow jealous of his Guards whether because of their great numbers or because they were all chosen Men and advised him to reduce them to a certain number to avoid envy which he promised to do as soon as the Tumults of the people were appeased Moreover the Senate and people having approved all that Caesar had done and decreed of this Anthony had the Register which when Caesar had thoughts of departing on his designed Expedition he had left with him with great numbers of Requests on which he had yet made no Order so that Faberius Caesar's Secretary being perfectly at his Devotion he added many things in favour of several persons gave Gratuities to Cities Potentates and to his own Guards as if done by Caesar's Order whereas they owed the obligation only to Anthony he likewise by the same means placed many persons in the degree of Senators and performed great quantity of other matters at the Senates request that he might lessen the aversion they had to his Guards such was Anthony's Conduct As for Brutus and Cassius seeing the people and the old Soldiers continued their animosities against them and imagining some other might be found to make an attempt upon their lives as well as Amatius and being besides sensible of Anthony's malice who now having nothing to stand in fear of being so well guarded hindred the re-establishment of the Common-wealth they began to provide for their own safety besides the firm relyance they had in Decimus Brutus who was at hand with three Legions they wrote to Trebonius in Asia and to Tullius in Bithynia to raise Money with as much secresie as they could and gave order to secure the Soldiery to them whilst they put themselves in a readiness to take possession of those Governments Caesar had commissionated them for But because their due time for departure was not yet come they judging it indecent to go take possession of their Provinces before the time of executing their Charges in the City was expired and yet had rather spend the rest of the year as private persons than exercising the Office of Praetors whilst neither their persons were secure nor they honoured according to their deserts The Senate knowing their thoughts gave them Commission to cause Corn to be brought from all parts into the City till the time limited for their going into their Provinces which they did that Brutus and Cassius might not seem to flie so great care had they of the reputation of those two Men for whose sake especially they favoured the Party of the Conspirators After that the Praetors were gone out of the City to execute their Commission Anthony being thenceforth the only powerful Man could heartily
be declared Enemy but he would have us stay till he be too powerful for us Cicero having spoken in this manner his Friends began to make such a noise that it was impossible for any to be heard that would answer him till Piso rose up out of respect to whom not only the rest of the Senators but even Cicero's Party kept silence and then he declared himself in these terms The Oration of Piso. THe Laws Conscript Fathers require that the Accused should hear his Accusation impleaded before him and after having made answer expect his Sentence This is what Cicero that mighty Accuser cannot deny me Wherefore since he has not accused Anthony of any thing while he was present but would now value himself upon this opportunity of his absence to blacken him with a multitude of Crimes I present my self to make appear the falsity of his Accusations which I hope to do in few words In the first place he says that after Caesar's death Anthony seized upon the publick Moneys but the Laws have ordained particular Punishments for Thieves but never declared them Enemies to their Country Besides Brutus having slain Caesar accused him in a publick Assembly of the People of having wasted the Publick Treasure and drained dry the Exchequer Some time after Anthony ordered an Inquisition to be made you approved his Ordinance and promised the tenth Penny to the Discoverers and we submit our selves to pay double if any one can convict Anthony of having been a Partner in that Crime So much for what concerns the Publick Moneys As for the Government of Gaul it is true you did not give it to Anthony but he obtained it by Decree of the People in the presence of Cicero as others obtained other Provinces and as Caesar himself obtained the same It is ordered by the same Decree that if Decimus refuse to part with Gaul Anthony may have liberty to constrain him by force and to employ to that end the Army designed against the Thracians provided they made no attempt on Macedon But Cicero accounts not Decimus an Enemy who is in Arms against the Ordinance of the People and yet would have Anthony be so whom the People ordered to make this War So that blaming the Decree he blames the Authors but he ought rather then to have disswaded them than now revile them having given his consent to it he ought rather to have prevented the giving that Government to Decimus whom the People had chased hence as a Murderer than deprive Anthony whom they had gratified In summ it is some imprudence to oppose the Ordinances of the People in such a perillous time without remembring that in the beginning of the Commonwealth they were Iudges of these things and declared Friends of Enemies whom they thought worthy for by the Ancient Laws the People were the sole Arbiters of Peace and War And there is no doubt but had they a Head they would reassume this Authority and absolutely deprive us of it But Anthony has put to death his Soldiers he has acted according to the Power given him by your Commission Nor did there ever General give account of such matters to any Man for the Legislators never thought it for the Commonwealth's Advantage that a General should own his Soldiers for Iudges of his Actions Besides nothing is more dangerous in an Army than Soldiers Contempt of their Commander which has proved the destruction of many in the midst of Victory Besides none of the Kindred of the decimated either have or do yet complain and yet Cicero accuses him of Man-slaughter and not content with the usual Punishment of that Crime treats him as a publick Enemy Yet constantly affirms he has undergone strange affronts from his Soldiers in that two Legions whom you commanded to obey him deserted him contrary to the Law of War not to yield themselves to you but to Caesar. Notwithstanding all which Cicero thinks their Action good and yesterday advised they might be rewarded at the Expence of the Publick God grant the Example may not one day prove dreadful but however it be Cicero's Heat and Animosity has carried him to a manifest Contradiction for he at once accuses Anthony of aspiring to the Tyranny and of ill treating his Soldiers And certain it is that those who pretend to usurp the Sovereign Power instead of ill treating Military Men do all they can to gain their favour However since he has had the confidence to impose this Calumny upon Anthony that following Caesar's steps he aimed at the Tyranny let us examine all his Actions particularly Has he put any one to death without due Process as Tyrants use to do he who is himself in danger of being condemned without being heard Has he chased out of the City or calumniously accused any Person before you And is there any appearance he that has done no private Wrong should attempt Publick But pray Cicero when was this done Was it when he published the Indempnity or when he proposed the recalling the Son of your Pompey and making good to him his Father's Estate out of the Publick Moneys or when he caused to be arrested and put to death the false Marius who troubled our Peace for which he was praised by all the Senate and my Lords of the Senate this is the only Action Cicero durst not blame because you applauded it Or in fine was it when he passed that Decree by which it is prohibited to make Dictators For this is the Summ of all his Management of Publick Affairs during the two Months which after Caesar's death he stayed in the City during which the People sometimes sought for the Murderers to put them to death and you your selves were often in fear and trouble of what might arrive had he then been an ill Citizen could he ever expect a Conjuncture more favourable to his Designs But he never abused that Power and Charge of the Consulship How so Has not he alone governed the Commonwealth Dolobella being gone for Syria Kept he not armed Men about him for his security which you your selves appointed Kept he not a Guard by Night in the City even about his own House which yet was only done to warrant him from the Ambushes of his Enemies Had he not a fair apportunity upon the death of Caesar his Friend his Benefactor beloved by all the People And did there not one yet fairer present it self when he entertained Guards to defend his life against those Murderers that attempted his though he never put to death or banished one of them yet still he pardoned them so far as in civility he could nor ever hindred the giving of them Governments These Conscript Fathers are the great Crimes the manifest Crimes wherewith Cicero accuses him Nor is he content to make Anthony's Actions only pass for Crimes He divines and says he had designed to bring his Army into the City but that he was afraid of Caesar who had already with another Army possessed it
while secure till such time as his own Son having some doubt he was gone thither shewed the way to the Executioners of the Proscription In reward whereof the Triumvirs gave him his Father's Estate and the Office of Aedile but he enjoyed not either long for returning drunk from a Debauch upon some reviling words given to the Soldiers who had killed his Father they killed him too For Thoranius who was not Pretor but had been he was Father to a wretchless Youth who yet had a great deal of power over Anthony He therefore entreated the Centurions to delay his death but so long till his Son had begged him of the Triumvir To which they laughing answered He has already begged you but it is in another manner Which the Old Man hearing prayed them but to give him so much time as to see his Daughter and having seen her forbad her from pretending any thing to his Estate leâ—t her Brother should beg her likewise of Anthony The end of this wicked Son was no better than the others for after having consumed his Patrimony in all sorts of Debauchery he was accused of Theft and condemned to Banishment As for Cicero who had ruled in the Assemblies of the People after Caesar's death he was proscribed with his Son his Brother and all their Servants Clients and Friends He was embarked on a small Boat to make his Escape by Sea but not able to endure the tossing of the Waves he returned to a Meadow that belonged to him near Capua which upon occasion of writing this History I would needs see As he reposed himself and that those that sought him were not far off for of all the Proscripts Anthony caused him to be sought with most diligence a Flock of Crows flying over the place where he slept waked him with their Cries and began with their Beaks to pull the Covering from off him till his Slaves thinking it an Advertisement of the Gods returned him into his Litter and took their way towards the Sea through the thickest of the Forest. Presently after several Soldiers coming to that place one after another and demanding of those they met if they had not seen Cicero they all out of the compassion they had for him answered that he was embarked and was already a good way off at Sea But a Shoo-maker called Cerdo a Creature to Clodius formerly a mortal Enemy to Cicero having shewed the Centurion Laena followed but by a few Soldiers the way he had taken he presently pursued him Cicero was accompanied with more people disposed to defend him than Laena had with him to assault him Wherefore having overtaken him he made use of policy and began to cry out as if he had called to other Centurions behind him Come on Gentlemen come on Whereupon the people of the Proscript imagining that they were about to be over-pressed by numbers grew fearful and deserted him Then Laena though Cicero had formerly pleaded for him in a Cause wherein he overcame drew his Head out of the Litter and cut it or rather hewed it off at three blows so unhardy he was He likewise cut off the Hand wherewith he had writ the Orations accusing Anthony of Tyranny which after the example of Demosthenes he called the Philippicks And at the same instant dispatching away Expresses both by Sea and Land to carry this pleasing News to Anthony he himself followed them to Rome where finding Anthony in the place seated in the Tribunal he shewed him at a distance the Head and Hand of Cicero And he ravished with joy put a Crown upon the Centurion's Head and gave him for a Reward two hundred and fifty thousand Attick Drams as having freed him of the greatest of all his Enemies and from whom he had received the highest injuries His Head and Hand stood a long time for a Spectacle before the Tribunal where he used to make his Orations And more flocked now thither to see him than did before to hear him It is said likewise that Anthony at a Collation caused the Head to be set upon the Table that he might contemplate it more at leisure and satiate himself as we may so say with the view of it Thus was Cicero slain to this day in great Esteem for his Eloquence And who when he acted in the Quality of Consul had done signal Services to his Country yet after his death he was thus unworthily treated by his Enemies His Son was already escaped to Brutus in Greece but his Brother and Nephew were unhappily taken by the Soldiers The Father begged he might die before his Son and the Son requested he might die before his Father and they having promised to satisfie them both took them apart and slew them at the same instant But Egnatius and his Son embracing each other died together and their Heads being both struck off at one blow the two Bodies kept still their hold of each other Balbus designing to escape with his Son by Sea sent him before thinking that by not going together they would not so easily be known and himself soon after set forward to follow him at a distance but some one either out of malice or mistake having told him that his Son was taken he returned of his own accord to offer himself to the Excutioners and his Son perished by Ship-wrack So much did fortune contribute to the Calamities of these times Aruntius had a Son that could not resolve to fly without him yet at length he prevailed so far as to perswade him that being young he ought to survive him The Mother having been his Guide as far as the City Gates returned speedily to give Burial to her Husband whom they had slain And some days after hearing her Son was starved to death at Sea she slew her self Hitherto we have proposed Examples of good and evil Children As for Brothers Those two called Ligarii proscribed together lay hid in an Oven till such time as being betrayed by their Slaves one was slain at the same time and the other who slipped from the Executioners knowing his Brother was dead cast himself from the Bridge into the River Some Fisher-men that thought he fell in by mischance and not designedly came in to save him from which he defended himself some time by plunging himself to the bottom of the Water till such time as they pulling him out do what he could he told them You do not save me but lose your selves with a Proscript Yet say what he could they were resolved to save his Life But the Soldiers who had the Guard of the Bridge understanding he was a Proscript came in and cut off his Head Of two other Brothers one having cast himself headlong into the River his Slave after having sought the Body five days at length found it and in the condition he was being hardly to be known cut off his Head and carried it to the Tribune to have the Reward The other being hid in a Privy was betrayed
pursued by Soldiers and crying out he was not proscribed but they had a mind to destroy him for his Riches was led to a place where the Names of the Proscripts were affixed thrt he might see his own which having read they cut off his Head Aemilius not knowing himself was of the number of the Proscribed and seeing another that fled asked the Centurion who that Proscript was Upon which the Centurion knowing him replyed Thou art one as well as he and so slew them both Cilon and Decius being informed as they came out of the Palace that their Names were in the Roll of the Proscripts before any one set upon them took their way towards the Gate so affrighted that their Flight alone made them known to the Centurions had the Guard of the Avenues Icilius the same that in the Judgment of Brutus and Cassius when Caesar sate President when all the other Judges gave privately their Votes to condemn them alone durst publickly argue for their Discharge remembred not himself in this occasions of that great Generosity for seeing a dead Body carrying out of the City he set to his Shoulder with the rest that so he might gain a passage in favour of the Bier But the Guards at the Gate perceiving there more people than were usually employed in that Office yet without doubting of them would only know if they did not carry a live Body instead of a dead Which occasioned that Icilius being disowned by the rest was known and at the same time slain Varus being betrayed by one of his Freed-men fled and taking the way of the Mountains got to the Marshes of Minturnum where he hid himself to take a little repose Mean time those of Minturnum coming by chance to seek for Thieves who often run thither for Shelter seeing the Leaves of the Bushes shake discovered him So that being taken and confessing himself to be a Thief they condemned him to death But seeing that they went to put him upon the Rack to make him confess his Companions he told them I give you notice my Masters that I have been Consul and am proscribed in which Quality I am more considerable to those that now govern that you ought not have the boldness either to torment or put me to death for since my death is inevitable I had rather die by my Equals The Judges had much ado to believe him and thought it only a Fiction when a Centurion arriving knew him cut off his Head and left the rest of his Body to the People of Minturnum Largus found in the Country by Soldiers that sought for another they had pity of a Man fallen into their Hands unlooked for and let him escape into the Woods where being met and pursued by others he run again to the first crying out Kill me you that would have saved me for I had rather you than others should have the Rewards Thus dying he made his acknowledgments of their good will Rufus who was Neighbour to Fulvia Anthony's Wife having a very fine House which formerly he had refused to sell her though now he would gladly have given it her was found among the number of the Proscripts His Head being brought to Anthony he said it belonged not to him and sent it to his Wife who caused it not to be nailed up in the Publick Place but before the same House Another having a House of Pleasure in the Country with a magnificent Garden wherein was a deep and beautiful Grotto which had been the cause of his Proscription One day as he was refreshing himself in his Grotto one of his Slaves espying the Soldiers afar off hid him in the obscurest part of the Cave and taking his Cloaths presented himself to the Soldiers in such a frightful posture as if he indeed had been his Master And certainly he might have passed for him had not another of his Slaves discovered the Deceit Thus the Master being slain the people incensed against the Traytor never left importuning the Magistrates till he was hanged and that the other had obtained his Liberty Aterius being likewise hid one of his Slaves discovered him and for it had his Liberty But not content therewith when the Goods of the Proscript were publickly sold and that the Children would have bought them he not only out-bid them but reviled them with words which they seemed not at all to resent but still followed him every where with tears in their eyes till such time as the people were so much incensed that the Triumvirs condemning his Avarice revoked his Liberty and remitted him under the power of the Children of the Proscript One would have thought this Cruelty should have been exercised only upon persons grown at least to full years it extended it self even to Orphan Children with intent to spoil them of their Riches And one was killed as he went to School with his Master who held the Child so strongly embraced they could not pull him out of his arms Another called Attilius had the same day taken the Robe Virile and his Friends conducted him to the Temple to offer Sacrifices ordinary upon those occasions when he was inserted in the Roll of the Proscripts his Slaves and Friends all presently fled every one his way and he remaining alone forsaken of all his great Train retired to his Mother who was so frighted that she refused him her House So that not daring to apply himself to any other person after being so treated by a Mother he fled to the top of a Mountain whence Hunger forcing him to descend he fell into the hands of one of those Thieves who steal Free Persons to make them Slaves This Young Man tenderly bred and not able to undergo Labour and Hardship escaped chained as he was and recovered the publick Road where presenting himself to the first Centurion passed by he ended his life Mean while Lepidus triumphed over the Spaniards and to that purpose published an Ordinance drawn up to this effect All Persons of what Degree soever are enjoyned to employ this day in Feasts Sacrificing and Rejoycing under pain of Proscription After that he mounted in Triumph to the Capitol accompanied by all the most remarkable Persons of the City chearful in appearance but with Souls oppressed with Hate and Anger As for the Goods of the Proscribed they plundered their Houses but they found few Purchasers of their Lands for most Men were ashamed to add to their Misfortunes and believed ill luck would attend themselves should they deal in such Goods Besides there was no security for such as were known to have Money and it was so dangerous to make new Acquisitions that no Man was secure of what he held from his Ancestors There were therefore none but very bold men that bought and because they were but few they had them for a small matter So that the Triumvirs who thought that the Moneys hereby raised would serve for the Expence of the War found it to fall short two
at such a Lodging went and hired a wretched Chamber next to one hired by a Soldier where not able to endure to live in continual fear he passed from infinite terrour to prodigious boldness and causing himself to be shaved went and kept a School in Rome it self till such time as peace was made Volusius being proscribed whilst he was Aedile had a Friend Priest to the Goddess Isis who lent him a Linnen Robe that covered him to the very Heels so that passing through the Country in the habit of a Priest to that Goddess and every where performing the usual Ceremonies he escaped to Pompey Sittius a Native of Cales as he was very rich so he had been at great expence in the service of his Countrymen in acknowledging of which they took Arms in his defence threatened his Slaves with death if any ill happened to him and permitted not the Soldiers to approach their Walls till such time as the mischief diminishing they sent to the Triumvirs and obtained from them that he might stay in his own Country banished from any part of Italy So Sittius became the only person of all mankind that ever was in exile in his own Country Varro a Philosopher Historian Soldier and General of great Reputation was also proscribed possibly for being so as an Enemy to Monarchy All his Friends were at strife who should have the Honour to secure him Calenus carried it and kept him in a Country House of his where Anthony often divertised himself as he passed by yet none either of Varro's or Calenus's Slaves discovered him Virginius a fair spoken Man perswaded his Domesticks that if they slew him for a small gain which yet they were not sure of they would be afflicted with eternal remorse of conscience whereas on the contrary by saving his life they might expect immortal Glory and hope for rewards greater and more certain wherefore as if they had been one of his companions they followed him in his flight wherein being known by the Soldiers he talked to them in the same manner he told them that there was no hate between them for which they should kill him and that doing it only for Money they might get more and more honestly if they would go with him to the Sea side whither his Wife was to bring all he had They believed him and went along and indeed his Wife had been there according to agreement betwixt them but Virginius staying too long she believed that coming there before her he was embarqued and therefore embarqued to follow him yet leaving a Slave on the Shore to give Virginius notice if he were yet behind The Slave seeing Virginius coming ran to meet him and shewed him the Vessel wherein his Wife was not yet out of sight and withal talked to him of his Wife his Money and the reason why she left him The Soldiers were so absolutely perswaded that when Virginius entreated them either to stay till he could make his Wife return or to embarque with him to go after her and receive their Money they entred with him into the Vessel and themselves setting hand to the Oars brought him into Sicily where after having received what he had promised them they continued in his service till the time of the Peace Rebulus being in a Vessel that was to carry him for Sicily the Pilot began to demand Money of him threatning to discover him if he gave it him not to whom Rebulus made a like answer as Themistocles had done in his flight that he would have saved a Proscript for Money insomuch that the Pilot affrighted with the answer brought him speedily to Pompey Murcus was likewise proscribed because he had Command in Brutus's Army and being taken after Brutus was defeated he feigned himself a Slave Barbula bought him and because he saw him active gave him the Government of all his other Slaves and withal made him his Cash-keeper Murcus behaved himself in this Employment with more prudence than nature ordinarily gives to Slaves his Master hereupon had some suspicion of him and exhorting him to courage promised to secure him though he were one of the Proscripts which he constantly denyed telling him out of his own invention his Name his Family and his former Masters Barbula thereupon carried him to Rome thinking if he were one of the Proscripts he would be loath to go however he followed him but some time after as Barbula was before one of the Consul's Gates one of his Friends knowing Murcus in his Train in the Habit of a Slave gave him notice of it and he by the intercession of Agrippa desired his pardon of Caesar who caused him to be crazed out of the Roll of the Proscripts esteemed him afterwards as his Friend and employed him not long after in the Battel of Actium against Anthony Barbula served under Anthony and fortune had ordered each of them his turn for Barbula after Anthony's Defeat was taken prisoner feigning himself a Slave Murcus bought him as if he had not known him and gave advice of it to Caesar from whom he obtained power to return him like for like and this conformity of fortune between them continued ever for they were afterwards Colleagues in one of the highest Dignities of the City Some time after Lepidus reduced by Caesar to the condition of a private Man from a Sovereign that he was constrained by a like necessity to submit to Balbinus who escaping the Proscription returned with Pompey and was now Consul and thus it happened Maecenas had accused Lepidus the Son of a Conspiracy against Caesar together with the Mother as an Accomplice for Lepidus himself he deâ—pised as weak The Son being sent to Caesar then at Actium Maecenas caused it to be ordered that if the Mother would be dispensed with from the toil of the Journey she should give in such security as the Consul should approve but none being found would be bound for her Lepidus having often in vain presented himself before Balbinus's Gate and sometimes too before the Tribunal from whence the Officers had forced him to retire had scarce the liberty at last to say these words The accusers themselves are testimonies of my innocency by saying I am no Abettor with my Wife and Son 'T was not I proscribed you and at this day I am my self under the power of Proscribers wherefore let me beg you to consider the instability of humane things and to accept my security for my Wife or send me prisoner along with her Lepidus having thus spoke Balbinus moved at this great change discharged his Wife from the security demanded Cicero the Son of the Orator being sent into Greece by his Father who foresaw the miseries that afterwards happened retired first to Brutus and afterwards to Pompey and had both under one and the other very honourable Employments in the War At last Caesar to make it appear he had not consented to his Father's death made his Son first Pontifex or High Priest some
necessary which were brought to them by Sea whereas the Enemy neither had Provisions nor any place whence to fetch them for the Merchants could not bring any from Egypt at present afflicted with Famine Pompey Murcus and Aenobarbus stopped their coming from Africa Italy and Spain and Macedon and Thessaly who only fed the Army were not long able to maintain it Cassius and Brutus knew all this very well and were therefore in no haste to give Battel but Anthony who was apprehensive of Famine resolved to force them to it He imagined that if secretly he could contrive the making of a way cross the Marish he might cut off the Enemy's Passage for their Provisions brought them from Thassa Having therefore several times caused the Army with all their Ensigns to draw out into Battel as if all his Force had been there wrought night and day with a Party he had drawn out of the Gross to make a little way through the Marish cutting of Bushes and raising a Causway supported with Walls on both sides lest it should tumble down and driving in Piles on those places he could not fill up on which he placed Bridges of Wood with such a profound silence that the Enemy perceived nothing for the Bushes they left on both sides the Causway hindred their Prospect The Work being finished in ten days he sent by night a great number of Cohorts to the other side who seizing on some advantageous Posts raised Forts which they soon brought into a condition of defence Cassius was astonished at this Undertaking and at the secrecy of its Execution And to put the change upon Anthony by hindring his Communication with his Forts He undertook likewise a like Work quite cross the Marish from his Camp to the Sea They therefore began to raise Terrasses and to place Bridges of Wood on Piles in the deepest places as had been done by Anthony and already the Causway which he had made was broken so that those which were passed over had no way of Return nor could he though he knew it releive them This put him in such a rage that though it was already Noon he immediately made his Army which was on the other side march to the Intrenchment which first Cassius had made between his Camp and the Marish making them bring with them Spades Pick axes and Ladders resolving after he had carried it to storm Cassius his Camp Mean while as Caesar's Men made their Bravadoes in that Space which was between the two Camps Brutus's Men thinking it a shame for them if armed as they were they suffered their Enemies unpunished to affront them to their very Beards without any other Orders than that of a Tribune sallyed out and charging them in Flank killed as many as they could reach and having once begun the Fight turned upon the Gross of Caesar's Army which was marching towards them put them to flight and pursued them to the very Camp and at last became Masters of the Camp it self which was in common between Caesar and Anthony Caesar was not there because of a Dream by which he was advertized to absent himself that day as himself has writ in his Commentaries But Anthony seeing the Fight grow hot was very glad to see the Enemy engaged for he was mighty fearful of wanting Provisions yet he would not return into the Plain for fear of disordering his Ranks in countermarching his Army but continued his March towards the Hill which in spite of the Darts lanced at him from above by the Enemy he mounted and came to handy strokes with Cassius's Army which was there drawn up and stood amazed at an Attempt so little judicious Having presently broken them and put them into disorder he assaulted the Trench between the Camp and the Marsh and with an incredible briskness pulled out the Pallissadoes filled up the Ditch beat down the Rampart cut in pieces the greatest part of those that defended the Gate passed over the Bellies of the rest and threw himself into the place Many of his People entred by the Breaches of the Rampart some clambered over heaps of dead Bodies And all this was done in such a moment of time that those who were at work in the Marish came not to the Assistance of their Companions till their Trench was gained and then Anthony and those that entred with him charging them with fury drove them back into the Marish and returned to assault Cassius his Camp whilst the rest of the Army were still fighting with Cassius's People without the Trench The Camp because it was strong of it self was very slenderly guarded and therefore soon forced whereupon those who defended themselves without and were before hard put to it seeing now their Camp in the power of the Enemies betook themselves to a shameful flight Thus the Advantage became equal on both sides Brutus beat the Enemy on the left Wing and took their Camp and Anthony on the other side by a wonderful boldness took Cassius's Camp after having slain great numbers of his Men. The dust flew so thick in the Field of the Battel that one Party knew not what had happened to the other And when the Soldiers came to know the place where they were they called to them their Fellows who looked rather like Day-labourers than Soldiers being so besmeared with dust they could scarce be known and certainly had one Party of them met another loaden with Booty they had again fought for their Spoil It is thought that on Cassius's side there might be slain about eight thousand besides Lacquies and on Caesar's side twice as many more Cassius having lost his Camp and all hopes of regaining it retreated to a Hill hard by Philippi to see what passed but because the dust was so thick that he could see nothing but that his Camp was taken he commanded Pindarus his Esquire to kill him As Pindarus was excusing himself from doing it there came a Man from Brutus to tell him that Brutus on his side had the better and was Master of the Enemy's Camp To which he made only this short Answer Tell him I wish him an entire Victory And turning at the same time towards Pindarus Why delay you said he dispatch and free me from this Infamy Pindarus thereupon ran him with his Sword into the throat and so died Cassius according to the opinion of some Others say that some Horse-men coming to bring him the News of Brutus's Victory he imagined they were Enemies and sent to Titinius to know the certainty and that those Horse-men having received Titinius as Cassius his Friend with Caresses and Shouts of joy he believed Titinius was fallen into the hands of the Enemy and saying We have stayed to see them take away our Friend retired with Pindarus into his Tent and was no more seen wherefore some think he slew his Master without having any Command to do it However it were Cassius died on his Birth-day after this Battel which passed as we
fight would possibly do something great besides if any misfortune happened they could retreat within their Trenches and defend themselves he grew angry that his Officers should give him such counsel and suffer themselves to be so easily carried away by the impatience of his Soldiers who chose rather to hazard the loss of all than to overcome without danger However he consented though to theirs and his own ruine saying only this short sentence I see I am reduced to make War as Pompey did and rather to be commanded than to command For my part I believe he said no more for fear of discovering what he most of all feared lest the Army which had formerly served under Caesar should upon discontent go over to the Enemy For this was what both Cassius and he had from the beginning some suspicion of and therefore took care not to give the Soldiers any cause of dissatisfaction Thus Brutus drew his Men out of the Camp much against his will and drew them up in order but still forbad them going too far from the Hill that their retreat might be more easie and that they might from above charge the Enemy more advantageously with their missile Arms. Both Parties were in a brave and fighting condition and therefore came resolutely forth to the Battel animated by reasonable considerations on the one side the fear of Famine and on the other by a just Shame for having forced their General to fight before he had a mind to it Wherefore they burn'd with desire to make him see in their deeds the same Bravery and Courage they had boasted in words for fear lest he should reproach them of having been carried away rather by rashness than prudence Brutus going on Horseback from Quarter to Quarter with a severe look put them in mind of it and the better to imprint it in their thoughts as time gave leave spoke these words You would needs fight and have forced me to conquer in another manner than I desired But have a care you do not deceive both your own hopes and mine you have the advantage of the Hill which fights for youâ— all behind you is on your side whereas the Enemy are to defend themselves both against you and Famine To which discourse which he made as he went up and down the Army they answered him with shouts of joy and promises of well doing Caesar and Anthony in the mean time went each on their side through the Ranks encouraging their Soldiers with hand and voice without flattering them or dissembling the condition wherein they were being certain to die by Famine if they got not the Victory which was a powerful motive to spur them on We have found our Enemy said they and have got him now Fellow Soldiers out of his Trenches from whence we have taken so much pains to draw him but after having provoked him by so many defiances have a care of your Honour and let your Actions make good the threats you have â—ttered Chuse now either to fight against hunger an invincible Enemy which gives no Quarter or against Men who cannot stand before you if you employ but your Arms your Courage nay your very Despair as you ought to do For our Affairs are in such a condition they admit of no delay this day must put an end to the War either by an entire Victory or a glorious death If you come off victorious you will in one sole day and one only Fight get Provision Treasure Fleets Arms and besides all the Donative we have promised you for the Victory which will surely be ours if in giving the onset we remember the necessity to which we are reduced and after having put them in disorder seise the Gates of their Camp and drive them either among the Precipices or into the Plain so that they can no more rally or shut themselves up in those Trenches where by a cowardise unheard yet in any Enemy they place their hopes not in fighting but in not fighting at all By these words Caesar and Anthony so encouraged their Soldiers that they would have blushed not to have answered their Generals expectation besides there being no other way to remedy their want of Provisions which was augmented by what had happened on the Ionian Sea they chose rather to undergo the worst that could befal them in Fight than to perish by a misery inevitable Upon these Motives the two Armies were inflamed with an incredible ardour The Soldiers no more remembred they were Fellow Citizens but threatened each other as if they had been two Nations that had been at a perpetual enmity Such power now had anger got over them above either reason or nature And in short both Parties divined that this Battel would decide the destiny of the Roman Empire as indeed it did After having employed one part of the day in preparing themselves about nine of the Clock two Eagles began to fight between the two Armies who observed them with a profound silence till such time as that on Brutus's side turning tail gave occasion to the contrary Party with great shouts to run on upon their Enemies The Charge was fierce and cruel for they threw away as useless their Piles and all other Weapons ordinarily used in Fight to come to the Swords point they gave neither blow nor thrust in vain and each side endeavoured to break through and disorder the opposite Ranks the one Party fighting for safety more than for Victory and the other for Victory only remembring that by their importunity they had forced their General to engage Nothing was to be seen but slaughter nor heard but groans as soon as any one fell those of his Party drew him off and another fresh Man stepped in out of the next Rank to supply his place Mean while the Generals acted wonders they run from place to place and shewed themselves every where encouraging those whom they saw had the advantage and exhorting others whom they perceived overpressed yet to hold out a little till they could send fresh Men to disengage them Thus the Front of the Battel was always full yet at last Caesar's People either pressed forward by their fear of Famine or spurred on by his good fortune for Brutus's Men were no way faulty made the first Line of the Enemies a little recoil who gave ground without any trouble or disorder as if it had been a great Machine removed at once but at last the first Rank being broken those who fought in it retreated more nimbly into the second and those of the second into the third that it begat some confusion for they were both pressed upon by the Enemies and those of their own Party so that they betook themselves to a disorderly flight And now Caesar's Men according to the command they had received seised upon the Gate though with a great deal of danger for they were sorely galled by Darts from the Rampart and by those who yet stood their ground without till
when Lucius's Gladiators could come to a close Fight with them they made a great slaughter The work being brought to perfection the Besieged began to be afflicted with Famine which augmented from day to day for neither Lucius nor the Inhabitants had made any Provision of Victuals which coming to Caesar's knowledge he caused the Lines to be guarded with double care and diligence Now on the Eve of New-years-day being a solemn Festival Lucius imagining they would not have so much care of the Watch as ordinarily went and stormed the Gate of their Trenches believing that by opening this passage he might gain an entrance into the City for those other Forces he had in divers Quarters But the Legion then upon the Guard presently running in and Caesar himself with the Pretorian Cohorts Lucius after a long Fight resolutely maintained was forced to a Retreat and this happened at the same time that at Rome where they had layed in stores of Corn for Provision for the Soldiers the People detesting both the Wars and the Victories ran to all the Magazines and pillaged them of all the Corn. After this Ventidius and those with him judging it shameful for them not to relieve Lucius perishing with Famine set forward to their assistance and at first over-run those Forces which Caesar had left to oppose their Designs but Agrippa and Salvidienus coming in with a greater power they were fearful of being surrounded and so turned off to Fulcinia a little City about one hundred and sixty Furlongs from Perugia where Agrippa having besieged them they gave Lucius notice of there being there by great Fires which they kindled in the Night time Ventidius and Asinius were of the mind to sally out and fight Plancus on the contrary said they had better stay a while for fear of engaging themselves between Agrippa and Caesar so the Besieged in Perugia who had rejoyced at the first sight of the Fires seeing their Companions came not imagined they had met with some obstacle but when the Fires were quite extinct then they believed them absolutely defeated whereupon Lucius oppressed with Famine would once more attempt an Assault by night and from the first Watch till it was light did all he could to force the Lines but being every where repulsed he retreated into Perugia where having taken an exact account of the Provision remaining he forbade giving any to the Slaves whom yet he set Guards over lest flying to the Enemy they should betray the extremities of the Garrison so that whole Troops of those poor wretches might be seen walk staggering through the City and as far as the Rampire eating Grass or green Leaves or whatsoever they could find and when they were dead Lucius caused them to be interred very deep lest if he should have burnt them the Enemy should have knowledge of it or letting them lie they should putresie and by their corrupt stench engender the Plague But when there appeared no end either of Famine of Funerals the Soldiers quite wearied out desired Lucius they might once more attempt the Enemies Trenches promising themselves this time to carry them he approved their resolution and told them In our last Assault we fought not so stoutly as the present occasion and our nâ—â—ssity did require now we have no other way but either to yield or if that seem worse then dying to sight it out to the death All of them courageously accepting of these conditions they besought him to lead them on in open day that if there were any Cowards among them the night might not keep them from being known Lucius made his Sally about break of day with a great quantity of Iron Instruments many kind of Ladders Tools of all sorts to fill up the Trenches with portable Towers to lay Bridges over to the Walls all kind of missile Arms with Stones and Bundles of Osiers or Wattles to throw upon the Stakes They then began the Assault with such fury that they presently filled up the Ditch passed the Palisade and gained the Foot of the Wall which some laboured to undermine and others brought Ladders to scale others drew close up their Towers with a wonderful contempt of their lives though there fell upon them Showers of Stones of Darts and of Leaden Bullets They assaulted the Lines in several places at once so that the Enemy distracted could not so vigorously apply themselves to the defence of all whereby it happened in one Place Lucius's Men having brought up a Tower had cast their Planks upon the Wall where though fighting in extreme danger as being galled both in Front and Flank by the Enemies missile Arms they at length forced their way and some of them gained the Wall followed pell mell by others and possibly their despair had met with a happy success if the Enemy knowing there were not many of these Machines had not opposed the most valiant of Caesar's Soldiers to these weak and tired Men who soon tumbled them down the Walls and having broken in pieces their Machine with contempt wounded them from above yet with broken Arms and wounded Bodies their very voices almost failing them they still resolutely stood to it but when they saw the Bodies of those who had been slain upon the Wall stripped and thrown after them the contumely seemed unsufferable and they stood like Men struck dumb or like Wrestlers at the Gymnick Games that would breath themselves a while so that Lucius seeing them in this condition took compassion on them and sounded a Retreat However when Caesar's Soldiers joyful for their success made a great noise with their Arms as a mark of Victory they reentred with fury and bringing out Ladders for they had no more Towers in a desperate mood attempted to scale the Wall but all in vain and indeed it was impossible wherefore Lucius running about to all places besought them not to cast themselves away and brought them off weeping and much against their wills After this fierce Assault Caesar to prevent the Enemies from making the like upon his Trenches lined his Walls with Courts of Guard giving order that at the first signal they should mount the Rampire some in one place and some in others and this they did continually though none assailed them with design to exercise the Soldiers and strike terrour into the Enemy Mean while Lucius's Soldiers began to be quite out of heart and to neglect their Guards as it often happens after such unfortunate repulses and many not only of the Soldiers but Officers went and submitted themselves to Caesar. Lucius himself touched with pity to see so many Men so miserably ending their lives would willingly have consented to an Accommodation if he had not had with him some particular Enemies of Caesar's who were fearful to fall into his hands but when it was known that he kindly received the very Runaways all Mens minds grew more inclinable to peace so that Lucius fearing left if he alone resisted they would deliver him
to Dominion and I made use of my Brother's Forces with hopes to suppress the power of you all and if now my Brother comes to subvert Monarchy openly or privately I will go to him once more to make War for my Country against you though so highly obliged to you but if he seeks Associates to maintain his tyranny I will serve you against him so long as I shall believe you affect not the Monarchy for I shall always prefer my affection to my Country before either Friend or Relation Caesar now again admiring Lucius told him that whatever offers he made he should not accept of his service against his Brother but that he thought such a Man as he fit to be entrusted with the whole Province and Army of Spain in which he should have Peduceius and Luceius for his Lieutenants Thus he sent Lucius out of the way with Honour having given private orders to his Lieutenants to watch him narrowly Anthony having left Fulvia sick at Sycione set fail from Corcyra to pass the Ionian Sea with two hundred Ships he had built in Asia wherein he had but very slender Forces Upon advice that Aenobarbus came to meet him with a great Fleet and a mighty Army some were jealous that he would not prove faithful to the new made peace because he had been condemned as an Abettor of Caesar's death and therefore put in the number of the Proscribed and had taken part against Caesar and Anthony in the Battel of Philippi But Anthony that he might not seem to distrust any thing held on his course with five of his best Ships commanding the rest to follow at a distance when Aenobarbus with all his Fleet and Army were come in sight Plancus who was on board of Anthony began to be afraid and advised him to stop and send some before to make tryal of the Faith of this doubted Man But Anthony made answer That he had rather perish by the violation of a peace than save himself by betraying the least fear They were now come so nigh that they knew easily each other and the Admiral 's Ships stood Stem to Stem with their Flags aloft when Anthony's chief Lictor standing on the Prow according to custom whether he had forgot that they were making towards a Man whose Faith was in some question and who had under his Command an Army of his own or moved by the customary duty of Subjects and inferiours to their Superiours he commanded them aloud to strike their Flag which they obeyed and brought up their Ship along Anthony's side then the Commanders having saluted each other Aenobarbus's Soldiers called Anthony Emperour and Plancus with much ado recovered out of his fright Anthony having received Aenobarbus into his Ship they sailed to Paleonta where Aenobarbus's Land Forces lay where he resigned up his Tent to Anthony as his General From thence embarquing they sailed to Brundusium kept with five Cohorts for Caesar where the Inhabitants shut their Gates against them against Aenobarbus as their ancient Enemy and against Anthony for being in their Enemies company Anthony enraged at this refusal and thinking it only a pretence and that indeed Caesar's Men by his orders hindred his entrance went and seised upon the Neck of the Peninsula drew a line cross and fortified it for the City stands in a Peninsula in form of a Crescent so that now there was no coming to the City by Land the Line being drawn from one Sea to the other he likewise raised Forts round the Port which is very spacious and in the Islands wherewith it is encompassed and sent along the Coasts of Italy to seise of all commodious places and dispatched withal at the same time to Pompey to oblige him as much as possibly he could with his Fleet to infest Italy He very gladly sent Menodorus with a strong Fleet and four Legions into Sardinia which then held for Caesar where he drew two Legions to his Party scared with the agreement between Anthony and Pompey In the mean time Anthony's Men took Saguntum in Ausonia and Pompey besieged Thuria and Consentia and sent his Horsemen into their their Territories Caesar assailed in so many places at once sent Agrippa to relieve those in Ausonia who passing by the Colonies commanded the Veterans to follow him as if he were to lead them against Pompey but when they were told he acted by Anthony's orders they stole away every Man to their Houses which most of all terrified Caesar. However he went in person to Brundusium with another Army and by seasonable Caresses drew the Veterans to their duty they now following him out of a real respect and reverence to his person and yet holding among themselves secret conferences of reconciling him with Anthony whom if they found obstinate to make War they would then defend their General 's honour who was now some days detained at Canusium in Men he much outnumbred Anthony but when he saw Brundusium so beleaguered that he could no way force the Lines he contented himself to encamp near it to view the Enemy and wait a favourable occasion Though Anthony was so well fortified in his Trenches that he could well have defended himself against much greater Forces than Caesar's yet he sent with all speed for his Army out of Macedon and in the mean time by this stratagem amused Caesar he sent by night on board the long Ships and Vessels of Burthen great numbers of Countrymen and Servants and in the day time landed them again one after another all armed in the sight of Caesar as if they had been armed out of Macedon And now his Machines being in a readiness he began his Batteries upon Brundusium to Caesar's great grief who could no way relieve the place when towards the Evening news was brought to both Parties that Agrippa had retaken Tiguntum and that Pompey repulsed from Thurâ—n continued the Siege of Consentia which much troubled Anthony but when he heard that Servilius with twelve hundred Horse was gone over to Caesar he could not contain himself but rising from Supper he mounted with such of his Friends as were in a readiness and accompanied only by four hundred Horse with a singular boldness beat up the Quarters of fifteen hundred near Uria and so surprised them that they yielding he brought them the same day before Brundusium such an opinion of his being invincible had the Battel of Philippi got him The Pretorian Soldiers heightened by this success went afterwards one after another up to Caesar's Trenches upbraiding their ancient Comrades for bearing Arms against Anthony who had saved their lives at Philippi Whereupon the others answering that on the contrary they made War upon them they came at length to Conferences wherein they began their reciprocal complaints on one side that they had refused them entrance into Brundusium and corrupted Calenus's Army and the other that they had besieged Brundusium made inroads into Ausonia treated with Aenobarbus one of Caesar's Murderers and
with Pompey their common Enemy At length Caesar's Men discovered their inclinations to the other that they followed Caesar without having forgot the Virtues of Anthony and that their design was to procure a reconciliation between their Generals to which if Anthony would by no other means be inclined then they must repel force with force all which they went and published even before Anthony's Trenches Whilst these things passed the opportune news was brought of the death of Fulvia who not able to bear her Husband's reproofs was fallen sick with discontent that he was angry with her for he had left her sick and at his departure not vouchsafed to visit her which hastened her end All Men believed her death commodious for both Parties for she was a Woman of a turbulent spirit and who only out of her jealousie of Cleopatra had kindled this War However Anthony seemed much grieved at the accident as believing himself the cause There was one Lucius Cocceius intimately a Friend to both Generals whom the Summer before Caesar had sent with Cecinna as his Envoy to Anthony then in Phaenicia Cecinna forthwith returning he had till now stayed with Anthony Thus Cocceius laying hold on the occasion feigned that he was recalled by Caesar and desired audience to take his leave and Anthony permitting him to depart he trying him farther asked whether he would not write to Caesar having received Letters from him by the same Cocceius to which Anthony replyed What can we now write to one another being Enemies unless it be mutual reproaches besides I then returned him answer by Cecinna the Copies of which you may take if you please To this cavil Cocceius made retort that Caesar was not to be called an Enemy who had so favourably treated Lucius and other Friends of his But me said Anthony he has shut out of Brundusium seised upon my Provinces and Calenus's Army As for his favour shewed only to my Friends that has not so much preserved their Friendship to me as made them my Enemies by his kindness Cocceius hearing him enter upon complaints would no farther move an angry Man but went to Caesar who seeing him and wondred he was returned no sooner Is it said he to him because I saved your Brother's life that you are become my Enemy Câ—cceius answered Is it so you call your Friends Enemies and take away their Provinces and Armies Caesar hereto replyed After Calenus 's death should I have left in the hand of such a young Man Forces of such consequence Anthony being absent Lucius discontent Asinius and Aenobarbus hard by and ready to employ them against us 'T was the same reason made me hasten to get Plancus 's Legions into my hands lest they should have joyned with Pompey as the Horse did who went over into Sicily To which Cocceius made answer that things had been otherwise represented to Anthony yet he did not believe them till as an Enemy he was shut out of Brundusium That was not done by any command of mine replyed Caesar nor could I divine that he was coming to land there or dream that he should come along with Enemies The Inhabitants of Brundusium and the Officers left there in Garrison to oppose the attempts of Aenobarbus did without orders from me shut their Gates against Anthony newly confederated with Pompey our common Enemy and bringing along with him Aenobarbus a Parricide condemned by publick sentence proscribed and who after the Battel of Philippi besieged Brundusium and to this day wastes all the Coasts of the Ionian Sea who burnt my Ships and plunders all Italy To which Cocceius made reply You reserved to one another the liberty to treat with whom you pleased Anthony has no more made peace with any Murderer of your Father than your self he has too great an honour for his memory Aenobarbus was none of the Parricides but condemned by malicious Iudges when not conscious of the conspiracy And if we think him unworthy of favour for being a Friend to Brutus we must have a care lest we make all Men our Enemies The peace was made too with Pompey not with design to quarrel with you but that if you made War upon Anthony he might have him for an Associate and if you did not to reconcile you together as being a Man you can impeach with no crime In this too you are in the fault for had there been no motion of War in Italy they durst not have sent Deputies to Anthony Thereupon Caesar pursuing his complaints said 'T was Manius Fulvia and Lucius made War upon me and Italy and never durst Pompey before with his Forces attempt the Coasts till he was encouraged to it by Anthony Not only encouraged said Cocceius but commanded for I will hide nothing from you he will with his Fleet invade the rest of Italy now destitute as it is of Shipping unless you make peace Whereto Caesar who had not without reflections listened to this discourse of Cocceius said However Pompey has but little to brag of being repulsed from Thuria Hereupon Cocceius havâ—â—g now a full insight of their controversies made mention of Fulvia's death how not enduring her Husband's displeasure she fell sick and her Distemper increasing by a continual melancholy that Anthony was so unkind as not to visit her in her sickness it had hastened her end And now she is dead said he there needs nothing more than that you explain your mutual suspicions to one another Caesar mollified by this discourse of Cocceius made him his Guest for that day who entreated him as the younger to write to Anthony his elder he denyed writing to his Enemy from whence he had received no Letters but complained that his Mother whom he had always so perfectly honoured as his Kinswoman had fleâ— out of Italy as if she could not have commanded him as if he had been her own Son so under this pretence Caesar wrote to Iulia. As Cocceius was going out of the Camp many Centurions discovered to him the mind of the Army who with all the rest told this likewise to Anthony that he might understand what a War he was about to engage himself in if he made not peace with Caesar. Wherefore he advised him to remand Pompey who wasted Italy into Sicily and to send Aenobarbus into some other part till new Leagues were made To this Iulia his Mother joyning her prayers and intreaties there was nothing stood in the way but the shame Anthony feared he should be exposed to if the Peace not succeeding he should again be forced to have recourse to Pompey's assistance but his Mother putting him in hopes confirmed by Cocceius partaker of Caesar's privacies Anthony consented caused Pompey to return to Sicily promising to take care of all matters agreed on between them and sending Aenobarbus Governour into Bithynia which as soon as Caesar's Army knew they chose Deputies to go to both Generals whom they besought to refrain from accusing each other for they were not made
death and others through despair hastening it for the expectation is but an addition of pain and now they were all out of hopes of any safety when on a sudden towards break of day the wind began to duller and about Sun-rising there was little or none yet the Sea still continued in a rage The Inhabitants of the Country remembred not to have even seen so furious a Tempest Thus the greatest part of Caesar's Ships and Men perished and he besides the loss sustained in the first Sea-Fight having received these two afflictions one in the neck of the other retreated the same night with all haste to Vibone by the Mountain Way not enduring longer to look on that misfortune to which he could apply no remedy From thence he wrote to all his Friends and all his Commanders to repair speedily to him for fear lest as it ordinarily befalls the unfortunate some new design should be laid against him he likewise sent all the Land Forces he had with him along the Coasts of Italy for fear lest Pompey puffed up with this success should make some attempt but he thought nothing of it no nor so much as when the Sea was still of falling upon the remainder of the Shipwrack neither while they lay there nor when they were upon departure On the contrary he suffered them to gather together whatever they could save of Ships or Rigging and make a safe retreat before the wind to Vibone whether he thought he had beat them sufficiently or that he knew not how to make use of his advantage or else as we have said elâ—ewhere was cow-hearted upon an Assault and content only to defend himself Caesar had not above half his Ships left and those but in ill condition yet leaving Forces to guard them he went much troubled in mind into Campania for he had no more Ships nor time to build any though he stood in great need of them the Famine growing sharp and the people crying out incessantly for peace and detesting this War as undertaken contrary to a solemn League besides he wanted Money which was scarce at Rome The Citizens would pay nothing nor permit any to be raised on them At length being very politick in the conduct of his own Affairs he dispatched Maecenas to Anthony well instructed to clear all new differences might have happened between them and to draw him to be his Associate in the War which if it succeeded not he resolved to transport his Legions into Sicily upon Ships of Burthen and there fight Pompey by Land without any more hazarding a Sea-fight Whilst he was perplexing himself with these cares news was brought him that Anthony had passed his word to serve him that Agrippa his Lieutenant in Gaul had gained a great Victory against the Aquitains and that his Friends and some Cities promised him Ships which were already building whereupon taking heart he began to make greater preparations than before About the beginning of the Spring Anthony set Sail from Athens and arrived at Tarentum with three hundred Sail to assist Caesar according to his promise but Caesar having now changed his mind would now stay till the Ships building for him were in a readiness And when he was urged to employ Anthony's Fleet which was sufficient to put an end to this War he excused himself that he was engaged in other Affairs which made it apparent he either had some new cause of quarrel with Anthony or else scorn'd his assistance contenting himself with his own Forces Though Anthony was offended at this proceeding yet he staid still in the same place and sent to him once more for whereas his Fleet lay at a great charge and he stood in more need of Italian Soldiers for the Parthian War he had thoughts of changing his Fleet for Legions Though by the League each had power of raising Men in Italy but because it was fallen to the others division he imagined it would be more difficult for him Wherefore Octavia her self came to Caesar to be as it were Arbitress between them He told her that being deserted by Anthony he had been in danger of losing his life in the Sicilian Strait She answered that had been already discoursed and declared to Maecenas He then objected that Anthony had sent Callias his Freed Man to Lepidus to make a League together against him To which she answered that to her knowledge Callias was sent to Lepidus to treat a Match for Anthony being about to go to the Parthian War would before his departure have his Daughter married to Lepidus's Son according to his promise Octavia affirming this and Anthony sending Callias to Caesar to torment him if he pleased and know the truth from his own mouth he would not receive him but sent word he would meet Anthony between Metapontum and Tarentum and discourse with him himself Through the place appointed runs a River called likewise Metapontum and they both by chance arriving at the same time Anthony lighting out of his Chariot leaps alone into a little Skiff he found there to go meet Caesar confiding in him as his Friend Caesar emulating that Generosity did the same so meeting in the middle of the River they disputed a long time who should go to the other side at length Caesar prevailed having resolved to go to Tarentum to see Octavia he therefore mounts with Anthony in his Chariot lights at his Lodgings and without any Guards lies there all night Anthony on the morrow repays him with the same confidence so sudden were their changes ambition of Empire raising reciprocal Jealousies and the necessity of their Affairs obliging them to confide in each other Caesar then put off the War against Pompey to the next year but Anthony not thinking fit longer to delay the War against the Parthians they made an exchange Anthony gave Caesar sixscore Ships which he forthwith delivered him and Caesar promised to send him twenty thousand Legionary Soldiers Octavia likewise gratified her Brother with ten Galliots a sort of Vessel between a Galley and a Ship of Burthen which she begged of Anthony and he in return gave a thousand chosen Men for Guards which Anthony himself picked out And because the time of the Triumvirate was near expired they prolonged it for five other years without staying for the suffrage of the People so they parted Anthony making with all diligence towards Syria leaving Octavia and a little Daughter they had with her Brother In the mean time whether that Menodorus were naturally perfidious or that he was fearful of Anthony who had threatened him with Shakles as his Fugitive Slave or were not rewarded to his expectation or else moved with reproaches of his infidelity which Pompey's other Freed Men after the death of Menecrates continually loaded him with exhorting him to return to his duty he demanded safe conduct which being granted him he returned into Pompey's service with seven Vessels whilst Calvisius Caesar's Admiral perceived nothing of it wherefore Caesar
came to an Anchor in a Shoal Bay where he lay as if he had been fast in the Ouz till the Enemies running down from the Mountains as to an assured Prey tacking about he rowed off laughing at and deriding them to the grief and astonishment of the whole Army After he had thus made known of what importance it was to Caesar to have him for a Friend or Enemy he gave liberty to a Senator called Rebilus who he had before taken that he might go before and prepare matters raising a report among his People that they should ere long have a Fugitive of consequence which was Vinidius Marcellus an intimate Friend of Caesar's whose affection he himself had gained when he before quitted Pompey's service and after that drawing near to the Enemy and desiring to have some conference with Vinidius in a certain Island touching an Affair of Importance to both Parties Having obtained it when they were alone he told him that when he left Caesar's Party to go to Pompey he had been forced to it by the injuries he dayly received from Calvisius then Admiral but that now Agrippa had the Command of the Navy he was ready to return to Caesar's service of which he could not complain provided Vinidius would bring him a safe conduct from Messala who in Agrippa's absence commanded the Fleet promising by some signal Action to repair his fault However till he had his safe Conduct he must to avoid suspicion make War upon Caesar's Party as before Messala at first scrupled the doing it as dishonourable yet at length he granted it whether yielding to the necessities of the War or before well informed of Caesar's mind or that he foresaw he could not be displeased at it So Menodorus once more changed Parties and going to Caesar cast himself at his Feet begging pardon for his fault without telling what obliged him to commit it Caesar pardoned him because of Messala's word passed to him but gave orders narrowly to watch him and permitted the Officers of his Galleys to go whither they pleased Caesar's Fleet being now ready he came to Vibona where he gave order to Messala to pass over into Sicily with two Legions to joyn Lepidus's Army and that he should land in the Gulf against Tauromenia he sent three likewise to Stylida which is the very extremity of the Strait to wait a fair opportunity and commanded Taurus to sail about with his Fleet from Tarentum to the Promontory of Scyllace which is directly opposite to Tauromenia He came prepared to fight both on Sea and Land for his Land Army followed him before whom marched his Horse with orders to make discoveries from the Land as the Liburnick Brigantines did at Sea As he was advancing in this manner Caesar came and after having seen him near Scyllace and approved the order he kept returned to Vibona Pompey as we have said had placed good Garrisons in all places of the Island where any Forces might land and kept his Fleet at Messina ready to go and relieve who stood in need Whilst these Preparations were made on both sides Lepidus having sent for out of Africa for the remainder of his Forces which consisted in four Legions Papia one of Pompey's Lieutenants met them in open Sea and whilst they staid for him as a Friend gave them chace they took them for the Ships Lepidus was to send to meet them and indeed he did send but coming out too late when the Ships of Burthen saw them they took them for Enemies and would not approach them whereas now staying for Papia some were taken some burnt some sunk and others recovered Africa of the four Legions two perished in the Sea and if any Soldiers saved themselves by swimming Tisienus another of Pompey Lieutenants caused them to be massacred as fast as they came on shore The rest of the Army came either now or afterwards to Lepidus and Papia returned to Pompey Caesar with all his Fleet passed from Vibone to Strongyle one of the five Aeolian Isles and seeing on the Coast of Sicily great store of Forces at Pelora Miles and Tyndari he believed Pompey was there in person wherefore leaving Agrippa his Admiral in the Post he returned to Vibone and soon after joyned with Messala with design to lay hold of the opportunity of Pompey's absence to surprise Tauromenia and so fall upon him two several ways Agrippa therefore goes from Strongyle to Hiera and driving out the Garrison takes the place resolving next day to attempt Miles and Demochares the Admiral who lay there with forty Ships wherefore Pompey fearing Agrippa's success sent other forty Ships from Messina to Demochares under the Command of Apollophanes another of his Freed Men who was followed by Papia with seventy others Agrippa before day weighed with half his Ships as if he were only to fight with Papia whom he had some intelligence he might meet but when he saw Apollophanes's Fleet followed by another of seventy Sail he sent presently to give notice to Caesar that Pompey was at Miles with the greatest part of his Naval Force and placing himself in the middle of his great Ships sent to the rest at Hiera with all speed to follow him These two Ships thus magnificently equipped and having Towers in Poop and Prow being come up with each other after with Signals given and their Men encouraged to do well charged with great violence some stem and stem and others standing off to gain their Enemies Broad-side and fall on with greater terrour great was the noise made by the Ships shocking against each other and greater the Shouts of the Men. Pompey's Ships were middle sized light and easie to go about and so much more active against the Enemy and by their swiftness fit to take all advantages in boarding but Caesar's being greater and heavy were of consequence much less nimble but on the contrary stronger both to give the Shock and abler to receive it Caesar had the best Soldiers and Pompey the most skilful Mariners wherefore these charged not right forwards upon Caesar's great Ships but shearing by them sometimes broke a whole Gang of Oars and sometimes carried away their Rudders and sometimes likewise suddenly bringing about they charged them with their Beak Heads giving no less a Shock than they received but when Caesar's Ships could reach any of these light timbered Vessels they pressed upon them so furiously with their Beak Heads that they either staved them or bored them through and through and if they came at any time to fight Board and Board the great Ships miserably knocked them down with missile Arms thrown from aloft and casting in their Grapnels easily stopped them so that the service being too hard to be born the Adversary had no way to save themselves but by leaping into the Sea where Skiffs appointed for that purpose took them up Mean while Agrippa whose main design was upon Papia's Ship gave him so cruel a Shock in the Bow that he
fastened in Pulleys to draw it back with a Catapulta or Sling to dart it forcibly into the Enemies Ships But the day of Battel being come the whole Gang of Rowers began to shew their skill not without great Shouts and Acclamations then followed the flying of missile Arms some thrown out of Engines some out of Hand as Stones Javelins Arrows Fire-brands and flaming Darts the Ships run Board and Board some in the Waste some on the Bows and some ran with their Prows so fiercely at others that they over-set those stood on their Fore-Castles and made their own Ships unserviceable Other lighter Vessels contented themselves only to skirmish lancing as they passed by unto each other Darts Javelins and other missile Arms other smaller were appointed to take up such as fell into the Sea The Soldiers Rowers and Seamen did wonders assisted by the skill of the Pilots heartned by the encouragements of the Commanders and the continual playing of the Engines but the Harpagon was most of all approved being light enough to fly at a distance into the Enemies Ships it stuck fast especially when they drew it back with the Cords they could not cut it being bound about with Iron Hoops and the Cords they could not reach to because of its length besides this Machine being yet unknown they were not provided of any long Bills to cut the Ropes There was but one way in this unprepared condition they could think of and that was by force of Oars to strive to get loose from it but then the Enemy pulled up too both striving one way the Harpagon still did its office wherefore coming to a close Fight they leaped into one anothers Ships and were often so mixed together that it was hard to know which party any were of for they wore all one kind of Habit and most spoke the Latine Tongue and the Word for that day was known by both Parties And in this confusion when no person trusting to anothers giving him the Word if he did not know him there was a horrible Slaughter and the Sea was presently covered with Bodies Arms and Wracks of Vessels for they left nothing unattempted besides Fire which after the first shock and that they came to fight Board and Board they made no more use of Both Armies from the Shore beheld this dreadful Fight not without fear and passion as thinking them engaged for every one of their particular safeties but how intentive soever they were they could discern nothing for it was impossible in a long Train of six hundred Ships from whom they heard shouts and acclamations sometimes from one side and sometimes from the other to discover any thing distinctly At length Agrippa judging by the Colours upon their Towers which was the only mark of difference between them that there were more of Pompey's Ships perished than theirs encouraged those about him as if already victorious to renew the Charge and not give over pressiâ—g upon the Enemy which they did till those opposite to him were first forced to give way and beating down their Towers shewed him their Poops and fled towards the Strait to the number only of seventeen Ships most of the rest cut off by Agrippa who got between them and the Flyers from going the same way run violently on Shore where sticking fast they were either got off by the Enemy or there burnt which those that were yet fighting in open Sea seeing yielded The Caesarian Sea Forces soon proclaimed their Victory by their Shouts and Acclammations which were answered by the Land Army on Shore whilst Pompey's Men groaned out of grief and despair As for Pompey himself he departed in haste from Naulochus to go to Messina so astonished that he had no thoughts at all of his Land Army which made them led by Tisienus surrender to Caesar upon good conditions which example was likewise followed by the Horse perswaded by their Officers There were in this Battel three of Caesar's Ships sunk and twenty eight of Pompey's and all the rest burnt taken or split upon the Rocks save only those seventeen that fled Pompey as upon the way he heard of the defection of his Army laid down his Imperial Robe and took a private habit sending some before to Messina to load what they could upon his Ships for he was prepared for this a long time before and sending to Plenius who was at Lilybaeum with eight Legions to come presently to him Plenius forthwith set forward but all his Friends and all his Garrisons having yielded to the Conquerour and his Enemies being already in the Strait to come to Messina he did not think it convenient to stay for Plenius in the City though it were a very strong place but embarquing upon those seventeen Ships he had made Sail towards Anthony whose Mother he had favourably received in a like misfortune and Plenius arriving at Messina after Pompey's departure he there shut himself up resolving to stand upon his defence Now after the Victory Caesar staying in his Camp near Naulochus had given order to Agrippa to go and besiege Messina which together with Lepidus he did Plenius having sent out to them Deputies to capitulate Agrippa was of the mind to defer the business till next day that Caesar came thither but Lepidus himself received them upon composition and to get the Army of Plenius into his own possession gave them share in the plunder of the City equal with his own so that besides pardon which they only asked for they had found a Booty they did not expect they that very night plundered the City with Lepidus's Men and delivered themselves up to be his So that Lepidus by this recruit beholding himself Master of two and twenty Legions and a brave Body of Horse raised his hopes and laid a design upon seising upon Sicily This project he founded upon his first having landed in the Island and having taken more Cities than Caesar wherefore he gave Command to his Garrisons not to receive any Forces but his own and seised upon all the Passages On the morrow Caesar being arrived at Messina sends some of his Friends to Lepidus to make his complaint of these proceedings and to represent to him that he was come into Sicily only to serve Caesar and not to conquer for himself To which he answered by a reciprocal complaint That they had taken from him his part of the Empire which Caesar had usurped all to himself and if he would restore that he would willingly part with Africa and Sicily Caesar angry at this answer goes to him himself reproaches him with ingratitude and after some mutual threats they part and from that instant begin to keep Guard apart and the Ships went and anchored at some distance from the Port because as was reported Lepidus had a design to burn them and the Soldiers detesting these Dissentions believed they were again falling into another Civil War Not that they made any comparison of Lepidus with