that they who gave the votes were ignorant and void of clear judgement or corrupt But both are dishonourable and unworthy the Athenians CHAP. IX Decrees of the Athenians against some Revolters What Decrees did the Athenians make and those in a Democracy That every one of the Aeginetae should have his thumb cut off from his right hand so that he might for ever after be disabled from holding a Spear yet might handle an Oar That all the young men of Mitylene should be put to death Which Decree was made at the instigation of Cleon son of Cleaenetus That such as had been taken Prisoners by the Samians should be branded in the face with the mark of an Owl This also was an Athenian Decree I wish O Minerva Guardian of the City and Jupiter Eleutherius and all the Gods of the Grecians that the Athenians had never done these things and that it might never have been said of them CHAP. X. Timotheus having heard Plato discourse judged himself to be less happy I have heard that Timotheus son of Conon General of the Athenians when he was in height of felicity and took Cities with great ease so as the Athenians knew not how they should honour him sufficiently met accidentally with Plato son of Aristo as he was walking with some Scholars without the City wall and seeing his reverend presence his proper person and graceful aspect hearing him also discourse not of Contributions Gallies Naval affairs Supplies Reliefs Confederates Islanders and the like matters but of those things which he professed and in which he employed his studies said ' ' O this life and true felicity Whence it appears that Timotheus did not conceive himself absolutely happy as not enjoying this though otherwise in highest honour and esteem with the Athenians CHAP. XI What Socrates said of those that were put to death by the Thirty Tyrants Socrates seeing that the Thirty Tyrants put many eminent persons to death and betrayed the rich to excessive punishments said to Antisthenes Doth it repent thee that we have done nothing in our whole lives great and remarkable as those Monarchs who are described in Tragedies Atreus's Thyestes's Agamemnons and Aegisthus's They are in those Plaies beheaded feasted with their own flesh and generally destroyed But no Poet was ever so bold or impudent as to represent a poor man kill'd upon the Stage CHAP. XII Of Themistocles giving over Prodigality I know not whether this speech of Themistocles son of Neocles be commendable or not After that his Father had cast him off giving over Prodigality he began to live temperately and to refrain from Curtezans being taken with another affection that of governing the Athenian State and contested eagerly with the Magistrates endeavouring to make himself the chief He said as is reported to his friends What will you give me who never yet was envied He that loves to be envied hastens according to Euripides to harm himself But that this is folly Euripides himself declares CHAP. XIII Of Socrates abused in a Comedy by Aristophanes Anytus and his Companions studied to doe Socrates a mischief for those reasons which are related by many but feared the Athenians doubting if they should accuse Socrates how they would take it his name being in high esteem for many respects but chiefly for opposing the Sophists who neither taught nor knew any solid learning Wherefore they began by making trial in less things to sound how the Athenians would entertain a Charge against his life for to have accused him upon the very first he conceived unsafe as well for the reason already mentioned as lest the friends and followers of Socrates should divert the anger of the Judges upon them for falsly accusing a person so farre from being guilty of any wrong to the State that he was the onely Ornament of Athens What then do they contrive They suborn Aristophanes a Comick Poet whose onely business was to raise mirth to bring Socrates upon the Stage taxing him with crimes which most men knew him free from Impertinent discourse making an ill cause by argument seem good introducing new and strange Deities whilst himself believed and reverenced none hereby to insinuate an ill opinion of him even into those who most frequented him Aristophanes taking this Theme interweaves it with much abusive mirth pleasant Verses taking for his subject the best man of the Grecians The argument of his Play was not against Cleon he did not abuse the Lacedemonians the Thebans or Pericles himself but a person dear to all the Gods especially to Apollo At first by reason of the novelty of the thing the unusual personating of Socrates upon the Stage the Athenians who expected nothing less were struck with wonder Then being naturally envious apt to detract from the best persons not onely such as bore office in the Commonwealth but any that were eminent for learning or vertue they begun to be taken with the CLOUDS so was the Play named and cried up the Poet with more applause then ever any before giving him with many shouts the victory and sending word to the Judges to set the name of Aristophanes in the highest place Socrates came seldome to the Theatre unless when Euripides the Tragick Poet contested with any new Tragedian then he used to goe And when Euripides contended in the Piraeum he went thither also for he loved the man as well for his wisedome as the sweetness of his Verse Sometimes Alcibiades son of Clinias and Critias son of Callaeschrus would invite him to a Comedy and in a manner compell him for he was so farre from esteeming that he did greatly contemn those persons that were abusive and scurrilous in their language being himself a temperate just good and discreet person which hugely troubled the Comedians And this was the ground as well as other things suggested by Anytus and Melitus of Aristophanes his Comedy who it is likely too got a great summe of money by it they being eager in prosecution of their design and he prepared by want and malice to receive their impression But this he best knows In fine the Play got extraordinary credit that of Cratinus being verified The Theatre was then Fill'd with malicious men It being at that time the Feast of Bacchus a multitude of Grecians went to see the Play Socrates being personated on the Stage and often named nor was it much the Players should represent him for the Potters frequently did it upon their stone Juggs the strangers that were presenâ—… not knowing whom the Comedy abused raised a humme and whisper every one asking who that Socrates was Which he observing for he came not thither by chance but because he knew himself shoulâ—… be abused in the Play had chosen the most conspicuous Seat in the Theatre to puâ—… the strangers out of doubt he rose up anâ—… all the while the Play lasted continued iâ—… that posture So much did Socrates despisâ—… the Comedy and the Athenians themselves CHAP. XIV Of a
or other to our end Therefore it is time for us all to die with the soonest before we feel any of the miseries which attend Old age CHAP. XXXV That Sleep is the Brother of Death and of the decease of Gorgias Gorgias the Leontine being at his latter end and being of a great age and surprised by sickness fell by degrees asleep and when one of his friends coming to visit him asked him how he did Just now saith he Sleep is going to deliver me up to his Brother CHAP. XXXVI Of Socrates falling sick in his old age Socrates being very old fell sick and one asking him how he did Well saith he both waies sor if I live longer I shall have more Emulators if I die more Praisers CHAP. XXXVII Of a Law which prohibited the sick to drink Wine Zaleucus the Locrian made many excellent and convenient Laws of which this was not the worst If any of the Epizephyrian Locrians being sick drank pure Wine unless by prescription of the Physician though he returned to his former health yet he was to be put to death for drinking it without leave CHAP. XXXVIII A Law of the Romans and other people not allowing Wine to all persons nor of all ages This was also a Law of the Massilians That no Women should tast Wine but of what age soever they were they should drink water Theophrastus affirms that this Law was of force also among the Milesians which not onely the Ionian but Milesian Wives observed But why should we not speak of the Law of the Romans Or how can I avoid being reproched of neglect if having mentioned the Locrians Massilians and Milesians I omit to speak of my own Country Amongst the Romans this Law was strictly observed that no free Woman or she slave should drink Wine nor any of Noble birth from their childhood till five and thirty years of age CHAP. XXXIX The Law of the Câ—…etans concerning Learning The Cretans commanded all free-born children to learn the Laws with a kind of melody that their minds might be inticed by their Musick and they get them by heart the more easily so that if they committed any thing contrary to Law they could not plead ignorance The second thing which they were appointed was to learn the Hymns of the Gods The third Encomiums of good men CHAP. XL. That Beasts love not Wine and of some Beasts that will be drunk Every irrational creature naturally abhorreth Wine especially those who being over-fed with Grapes become drunk Crows if they eat the herb Oenutta as also Dogs run mad If the Ape and the Elephant drink Wine the one forgets his strength the other his subtilty and both are easily to be taken CHAP. XLI Of some who were lovers of Drink and great Drinkers Lovers of Drink were Dionysius in Sicily and Nisaeus a Tyrant also Apollocrates son of Dionysius the Tyrant Hipparinus kinsman of Dionysius Timolaus a Theban Charidemus an Orithean Arcadion Erasixenus Alcetas a Macedonian and Diotimus an Athenian This last was called a Tunnel because putting a Tunnel into his mouth he could drink wine poured into it without taking breath They relate of Cleomenes the Lacedemonian that he was not onely a great Drinker but that he also used the ill custome of the Scythians to drink Wine unallai'd They say also that Io of Chios the Poet was an immoderate drinker of Wine Likewise Alexander the Macedonian in honour of Calanus the Brahman an Indian Sophist that burned himself instituting Games of Musick Horse-racing and Wrastling to gratifie the Indians he added another part proper to that Country which was Drinking To him that should be Victor he appointed a Talent for his reward to the next thirty Minae to the third ten Promachus got the Victory Moreover Dionysius at the Feast which they call Choae proposed a golden Crown as a reward to him that drank most Xenocrates the Chalcedonian was Victor and taking the Crown when he went away after Supper put it upon a Statue of Mercury which stood at the door according to his custome for he used to lay there Garlands of Flowers Myrrhe Ivy and Laurel and leave them Also Anacharsis as it is said drank much at Periander's house He brought this custome from his own Country for it is proper for the Scythians to drink pure Wine Lacydes and Timon Philosophers are said to have drank much Likewise Mycerinus an Aegyptian a Prophecy being brought him from Buta foretelling that he should live but a little while to delude the Oracle by doubling the time turning nights into daies watched and drank continually To these adde Amasis the Aegyptian of whom Herodotus attests enough And Nicoteles a Corinthian must not be severed from these And they say also that Scopas the son of Creon and Antiochus the King were much addicted to Wine for which reason he put the whole Government of his Kingdome into the hands of Aristaeus and Themisto Cyprians whilest he given over to Drunkenness bare onely the Title of King Likewise Antiochus Epiphanes delivered as pledge to the Romans used to drink Wine immoderately As also his name-sake Antiochus who waging Warre with the Medians against Arsaces was a slave to Drunkenness Amongst these may be reckoned Antiochus the great Immoderate drinking cast Agro King of the Illyrians into a Pleurisie and kill'd him Likewise Gentius another King of the Illyrians was a great Drinker What shall we say of Orophernes King of Cappadocia who was also a great Drinker And if we must mention Women in whom to love drink is a great vice to drink much a greater Clio as they say contended in drinking not with Women onely but with Men for she was a great Drinker and had the better of every one carrying in my opinion a shameful victory CHAP. XLII Of Plato's renown and of his Laws for equal Distribution The fame of Plato and renown of his Vertue came to the Arcadians and Thebans who thereupon sent Embassadours earnestly to request him to come over to them not onely to instruct their young men in Philosophy but which was a higher concernment to ordain Laws They were ready to have obtained what they desired of him for the son of Aristo was pleased with the invitation and intended to yield to them He asked the Embassadours how they stood affected to Equality of estates when understanding by them that they were so averse from it as not to be by any means induced thereto he refused to goe CHAP. XLIII Certain eminent persons among the Grecians very poor There were most excellent persons among the Grecians who lived in extreme Poverty Aristides son of Nicomachus and Phocion son of Phocus Epaminondas son of Polymatis Pelopidas a Theban Lamachus an Athenian Socrates son of Sophroniscus and Ephialtes son of Sophonides CHAP. XLIV A description of a Picture made by Theon a Painter Amongst other things which witness the excellent art of Theon the Painter was this Picture An armed man ready to charge the
what they please I must instance also the skill of Perseus in Politicks for he taught Antigonus and of Aristotle who instructed Alexander Son of Philip from his youth in Philosophy And Lysis Disciple of Pythagoras taught Epaminondas Therefore if any shall say Philosophers are unpractical he speaks inconsiderately and ignorantly though for my own part I should much more willingly embrace the contemplative quiet life CHAP. XVIII Of the Discourse betwixt Midas the Phrygian and Silenus and the incredible relations of Midas Theopompus relates a discourse between Midas the Phrygian and Silenus This Silenus was son of a Nymph inferiour by nature to the Gods onely superiour to Men and Death Amongst many other things Silenus told Midas that Europe Asia and Africk were Islands surrounded by the Ocean That there was but one Continent onely which was beyond this world and that as to magnitude it was infinite That in it were bred besides other very great Creatures Men twice as big as those here and they lived double our age That many great Cities are there and peculiar manners of life and that they have Laws wholly different from those amongst us That there are two Cities farre greater then the rest nothing like to each other one named Machimus Warlike the other Eusebes Pious That the Pious people live in peace abounding in wealth reap the fruits of the Earth without Ploughs or Oxen having no need of tillage or sowing They live as he said free from sickness and die laughing and with great pleasure They are so exactly Just that the Gods many times vouchsafe to converse with them The Inhabitants of the City Machimus are very Warlike continually armed and fighting They subdue their Neighbours and this one City predominates over many The Inhabitants are not fewer then two hundred Myriads they die sometimes of sickness but this happens very rarely for most commonly they are kill'd in the Wars by Stones or Wood for they are invulnerable by Steel They have vast plenty of Gold and Silver insomuch that Gold is of less value with them then Iron with us He said that they once designed a Voiage to these our Islands and sailed upon the Ocean being in number a thousand Myriads of men till they came to the Hyperboreans but understanding that they were the happiest men amongst us they contemned us as persons that led a mean inglorious life and therefore thought it not worth their going farther He added what is yet more wonderful that there are men living amongst them called Meropes who inhabit many great Cities and that at the farthest end of their Countrey there is a place named Anostus from whence there is no return which resembles a Gulf it is neither very light nor very dark the air being dusky intermingled with a kinde of Red That there are two Rivers in this place one of Pleasure the other of Grief and that along each River grow Trees of the bigness of a Plane-tree Those which grow up by the River of Grief bear fruit 〈◊〉 this nature If any one eat of them he shall spend all the rest of his life in tears and grief and so die The other Trees which grow by the River of Pleasure produce fruit of a contrary nature for who tasts thereof shall be eased from all his former desires If he loved any thing he shall quite forget it and in a short time shall become younger and live over again his former years he shall cast off old age and return to the prime of his strength becoming first a young man then a child lastly an infant and so die This if any man think the Chian worthy credit he may believe To me he appears an egregious Romancer as well in this as other things CHAP. XIX Of the dissension betwixt Aristotle and Plato The first dissension betwixt Aristotle and Plato is said to be thus occasioned Plato did not approve of his life and habit for Aristotle wore rich garments and shoes and cut his hair after a manner not used by Plato He also wore many Rings for ornament he had a deriding kind of look and was peremptory in discourse all which mis-became a Philosopher Plato seeing this rejected him and preferred before him Xenocrates Speusippus Amyclas and others to whom he shewed respect and admitted them to his conversation On a time Xenocrates being gone into his Country Aristotle came to Plato accompanied with a great many of his Disciples of whom was Mnason the Phocian and the like Speusippus was then sick and unable to be with Plato Plato was fourscore years old and through age his memory much impaired Aristotle assaulting and circumventing him by propounding arrogantly some questions and arguing with him discovered himself injurious and ingrateful Hereupon Plato retiring from his outward Walk walked privately with his friends After three months Xenocrates returned from his Journey and found Aristotle walking where he had left Plato and seeing that he and his Disciples went not from the walk to Plato but directly to the City he asked one of the Walk where Plato was doubting that he was sick He answered He is not sick but Aristotle troubling him hath made him quit the Walk and now he teacheth Philosophy privately in his own Garden Xenocrates hearing this went presently to Plato whom he found discoursing with such as were present who were young men of eminent quality and some of the Noblest When he had ended his discourse he saluted Xenocrates kindly according to his usual manner and Xenocrates did the like to him When the company was dismist Xenocrates without speaking a word to Plato or acquainting him with it got his friends together and sharply reproved Speusippus for having yielded the Walk to Aristotle Then to his utmost he opposed the Stagirite and so farre proceeded the contention that at last Aristotle was thrown out and Plato restored to his former place CHAP. XX. Of Lysander and some Gifts presented to him To Lysander the Spartan going to Ionia some of his acquaintance there sent amongst many other presents an Oxe and a Cake He looking upon the Cake asked what Dainty it was To which he that brought it answered It was made of Honey Cheese and some other things Give this then said Lysander to the Hilots for it is not meat for a free person Buâ—… the Oxe he commanded to be sacrificed killed and drest according to the fashion of his Country and did eat of it with delight CHAP. XXI Of the Magnanimity of Themistocles On a time Themistocles yet a boy returning from School his Master bade him meeting Pisistratus the Tyrant to go a littlâ—… out of the way Whereto he generously answered Is not here way enough for him So much did somthing ingenious and generous appear in Themistocles at those years CHAP. XXII Of the Piety of Aeneas and compassion of the Greeks to the Trojans When Troy was taken the Grecians as it becomes Greeks commiserating the condition of the Captives made Proclamation
into their Luxury not able to bear their unaccustomed Diet he ended his life by a Dysentery and changed Luxury for Death CHAP. II. Pherecydes how he died Pherecydes Master of Pythagoras falling sick first had a very hot Sweat viscous-like Phlegm afterwards like that of Beasts then little Vermin grew in him and his flesh corrupting into them he wasted away and so ended his life CHAP. III. Of Hercules his Pillars Aristotle affirms that those Pillars which are now called of Hercules were first called the Pillars of Briareus but after that Hercules had cleared the Sea and Land and beyond all question shewed much kindness to men they in honour of him not esteeming the memory of Briareus called them Heraclean CHAP. IV. Of some Trees growing in Delus It is reported that in Delus there groweth an Olive and a Palm which Latona touching was immediately brought to bed whereas until then she could not CHAP. V. Of Epaminondas his Indigence and Magnanimity Epaminondas had but one Vest and that sordid so that whensoever he sent it to the Fuller he was forced to stay at home for want of another Whilest he was thus indigent the Persian King sending him a great summe of money he would not accept it And if I mistake not he that refused the Gift was more Magnanimous then he that offered it CHAP. VI. Of the voluntary death of Calanus Likewise the end of Calanus the Indian is worthy to be praised another would say to be admired It was on this manner Calanus the Indian Sophist having bid a long farewell to Alexander and the Macedonians and to life when he would free himself from the Fetters of the Body caused a Pyre to be made in the fairest Suburb of Babylon the wood thereof was dry and chosen for fragrancy Cedar Thyum Cypress Myrtle and Laurel He having performed his accustomed exercise which was to run a course came and stood in the middle of the Pyre crowned with reeds The Sun shone upon him and he worshipped him which was the sign he had given the Macedonians that they should kindle the Pyre which they did and continued standing upright in the flame and fell not till he was quite consumed Hereat Alexander as is reported much astonished said that Calanus had vanquished greater Enemies then he For he warred with Porus and Taxiles and Darius but Calanus with Pains and Death CHAP. VII Of Anacharsis The Scythians wander up and down their own Country but Anacharsis being a wise man extended his travells farther for he came into Greece and Solon admired him CHAP. VIII How some have born Scoffs Scoffs and Reproches to me seem of no force for if they meet with a solid minde they are shattered in pieces but if with a mean and low they have power and many times occasion not onely grief but death whereof take this instance Socrates being derided in a Comedy laughed but Poliagrus hanged himself CHAP. IX Of Aristotle Aristotle having prodigally consumed his Patrimony went to the Warres which succeeding ill with him also he then traded as an Apothecary But coming by chance into the Peripatus and hearing the discourses there being of better natural parts then most of them he acquired that habit which afterwards he put in execution CHAP. X. The number of some Ships and Arms which the Athenians lost The Athenians were diligent in taking care for their Navy Sometimes having the better and sometimes being worsted they lost in Aegypt two hundred Galleys with all that belonged to them at Cyprus a hundred and fifty in Sicily two hundred and forty in the Hellespont two hundred Of compleatly-armed Souldiers there were slain in Sicily forty thousand and at Chaeronaea a thousand CHAP. XI The Cruelty of a King of Thrace towards his Children A King of Thrace his name let some other tell when Xerxes warred against Greece fled to the Mountain Rhodope and advised his six Sons not to fight against Greece But thâ—…y not obeying him when he returned he put out the eyes of them all an act unlike a Grecian CHAP. XII That Dâ—…mades waâ—… fined for making a 〈◊〉 â—…at Alexander should be accounted a God I cannot but love this act of the Athenians In a publiâ—…k Assembly of the Athenians Demades rising up decreed that Alexander should be the thirteenth Deity But the people not enduring his excessive impiery fined him a hundred Talents for enrolling Alâ—…xander who was a mortal amongst the Celestial Gods CHAP. XIII That the Athenians were inclined to Novelties The Athenians were very changeable as to Government and exceedingly inclined to alteration They patiently suffered Kingly Government under Cecrops Erechtheus and Theseus and afterwards under the Codridae they experimented Tyranny under the Pisistratidae they used Aristocracy four hundred years after which they chose yearly ten Citizens which governed the City At last there happened an Anarchy by the Sedition of the Thirty Tyrants This ready change of customes whether it should be commended or not I know not CHAP. XIV An Attick Law concerning the Interrment of Bodies and killing of Oxen. This was an Attick Law Whosoever happens to light upon the Carâ—…ase of any man he must throw earth all over it and bury it as looking towards the West This also was observed by them A ploughing Oxe that laboureth under the yoak either with Plough or Cart sacrifice not For he also is a Tiller of the earth and partakes with men of their labour CHAP. XV. Places of Judicature in Athens for Murthers Attick Courts of Judicature for wilfull Murthers in the Areopagus for involuntary in the Palladium for those who confessed the Murther but pleaded the lawfulness of it in the Delphinium CHAP. XVI That a little Boy was condemned for Sacrilege A little Boy carried away a Plate of Gold which fell from the Crown of Diana It was discovered The Judges caused play-things and Dice to be set before him as also the Plate He again laid hold of the Plate whereupon they put him to death for Sâ—…crilege not sparing his age but punishing the act CHAP. XVII Of the Superstition of the Athenians The Athenians were so Superstitious that if any one felled a little Oak out of the Heroes Grove they put him to death And Atarbes for that he killed the Sparrow sacred to Aesculapius they spared not but executed him Not pardoning either his ignorance or madness but preferring the concernment of the God before both these For some said he did it by chance others through fury CHAP. XVIII Of a Woman with child condemned to death The Court of Areopagus having tried a Woman poisoner and it being judged she should die they would not put her to death until she were delivered of the Infant wherewith she was great Then saving the innocent Child they executed the guilty person CHAP. XIX How Aeschylus condemned for Impiety was preserved Aeschylus the Tragick Poet was by reason of some Play condemned â—…or Impiety Whereupon the Athenians being ready to stone him Amynias his
who by their Fathers Law were deprived of interest in the State CHAP. XI Of Gelo offering to resign the Government Gelo having overcome the Carthaginians at Himera reduced all Sicily to his obedience Then coming into the Market-place unarmed he declared that he would resign the Government to the Citizens But they refused knowing him to be more loving to the people then desirous of Monarchick power Hence in the Temple of Sicilian Juno there is an Image representing him unarmed which pictures this action CHAP. XII Of the Happiness of Dionysius and what end it had Dionysius the second had an Empire excellently fortified after this manner He possessed Ships no less then four hundred of five rows and six rows of Oars His power of foot-souldiers was a hundred thousand Horse-men nine thousand The City of Syracusa was adorned with exceeding great Havens and encompassed with a very high Wall He had store for five hundred Ships more His provision of Corn which was laid up was a hundred Myriads of Medimnae His Magazine was furnished with Shields Swords and Spears many LeggArms Breast-plates and Slings The Sling was Dionysius his own invention He had also many Auxiliaries and confiding in these Dionysius thought he possessed an Empire bound with Adamant But he first put his Brothers to death then saw his Sons cruelly murthered and Daughters first ravished then killed Not one of those that descended from him had the rite of Sepulture for some were burned alive others cut in pieces and cast into the Sea This happened to him when Dio Son of Hipparinus invaded his Kingdome He himself died old in extreme poverty Theopompus saith that through excessive Drinking he had so great an infirmity in his Eyes that he grew blind and that he sat in Barbers Shops and talked jestingly to move laughter and that in the midst of Greece he led a dishonourable and wretched life No light argument to persuade men to moderation and temper is the change of Dionysius his fortune from so high to so low a condition CHAP. XIII Of Tyrannical Governments in Greece which have continued in Posterities It is excellently ordered by Providence that Tyrannical Governments last not to the third Generation but either the Tyrants are rooted out like Pitch-trees or their Children devested of Power But amongst the Greeks these Tyrannical Governments are known to have lasted so long that of Gelo in Sicily of the Leucanians in Bosphorus and of the Cypselidae at Corinth CHAP. XIV Of a Conspiracy against Darius I am told an extraordinary meek act of Darius Son of Hystaspes Aribazus the Hyrcanian with many other persons not inconsiderable in Persia conspired against him The Plot was laid at a Hunting which Darius understanding was not daunted but commanded them to betake themselves to their Weapons and Horses and to fix their Arms. And looking sternly upon them Why then doe you not that said he which you designed But they seeing the undaunted look of the man gave over the attempt And so great fear seized them that they threw away their Spears leaped from their Horses adored Darius and delivered themselves up to doe with them as he pleased He separated them from one another and sent some to the confines of India others to the borders of Scythia and they continued ever afterwards faithful to him being mindful of this favour The End AELIAN's Various History The Seventh Book CHAP. I. Of Semiramis and how she obtained the Assyrian Empire OF Semiramis the Assyrian several things are related She was the fairest of Women yet neglected her Beauty When she came to the King of Assyria whether she was summoned through the renown of her Beauty as soon as he saw her he fell in love with her She requested of the King that he would grant her a Royal Robe and that she might have the command of Asia five daies and the ordering of all things during that time She failed not of her request But as soon as the King had seated her upon the Throne and that she knew all things were at her power and disposal she commanded the Guard to kill the King and so possessed herself of the Assyrian Empire Dinon relates this CHAP. II. Of the Luxury of Strato and Nicocles Strato the Sidonian is said to have studied to exceed all men in Luxury and Magnificence Theopompus the Chian compares his life to the Feasting of the Phaeacians which Homer according to his great wit as he useth to doe highly magnified This man had not a single Musician at his Feast to delight him but there waited many Women-Musicians and players on the Flute and beautiful Curtezans and Women-dancers He emulated exceedingly Nicocles the Cyprian and Nicocles him This emulation was about nothing serious but concerning the things we spoke of For each of them hearing from those who came from the other what was done there emulated and endeavoured to exceed the other But this lasted not alwaies for both died violent deaths CHAP. III. A Consolatory Saying of Aristippus Aristippus to some of his friends beinâ—… exceedingly afflicted besides many otheâ—… Consolatory speeches said thus at first tâ—… them I come to you not as to condolâ—… with you but to suppress your grief CHAP. IV. Of the praise of a Mill. Pittacus exceedingly commended a Mill making an Encomium upon it for that many persons may exercise themselves in little compass There was a common Soâ—… hence called the Mill-Song CHAP. V. Of the hand-labour of Ulysses and A chilles in many things Even Laertes was by his Son surprize labouring with his hands and pruning Tree when he was very old Ulysses like wise confesseth that he knew many things and how to doe them with his own hands There is not any man alive so good At making fires cleaving out the wooâ—… He also quickly made a little Ship by his own labour without any Ship-wright And Achilles himself who was the third from Jupiter did cut the meat and dress the Supper for the Embassadours that came from the Achaeans CHAP. VI. The answer of a Scythian concerning Cold. On a time there falling a great Snow the King of the Scythians asked one whom he saw walk naked whether he were not frozen He again asked the King whether his Forehead were not frozen To which he answering No the other replied Neither am I for I am Forehead all over CHAP. VII Of Demosthenes his Watchfulness Pytheas scoffed at Demosthenes Son of Demosthenes saying that his Arguments smelt of the Lamp because he sat up all the night meditating and considering what he should say when he wâ—…s to come before the Athenians CHAP. VIII Of Alexander's grief at Hephaestion's Death When Hephaestion died Alexander cast into the Pyre his Arms and Gold and Silver to be burnt with the dead body as also a Vest of great esteem amongst the Persians He likewise caused all the chieâ—… Souldiers to be shaved himself acting aâ—… Homerical passion and imitating his Achilles But he did more eagerly
Pericles when his Sons were taken away by the Pestilence bore their death with great fortitude By whose example the rest of the Athenians were encouraged to suffer patiently the loss of their nearest friends CHAP. VII Of Socrates his Equanimity in all things Xanthippe used to say that when the State was oppressed with a thousand miseries yet Socrates alwaies went abroad and came home with the same look For he bore a mind smooth and chearful upon all occasions farre remote from Grief and above all Fear CHAP. VIII Of Dionysius his Incontinence Dionysius the younger coming to the City of the Locrians for Doris his Mother was a Locrian took possession of the fairest houses of the City and caused the floors to be strewed with Roses Marjoram and other Flowers He also sent for the Daughters of the Locrians with whom he conversed lasciviously But he was punished for this for when his Tyranny was subverted by Dio the Locrians seized on his Daughters and prostituted them publickly to all persons especially to such as were of kin to the Virgins whom Dionysius had abused This done they pricked their fingers under their nails and so killed them then they pounded their bones in a Mortar and whosoever tasted not of the flesh that was taken from them they cursed What remained they cast into the Sea As for Dionysius he suffered the vicissitude of Fortune at Corinth in extreme poverty becoming a Metragyrta and begging Alms beating a Tabour and playing on a Pipe till he died CHAP. IX That Demetrius also was Incontinent Demetrius Poliorcetes having taken Cities abused them to maintain his Luxury exacting of them yearly one thousand and two hundred Talents Of which summe the least part was employed for the Army the rest expended upon his own Disorders for not onely himself but the floors of his House were anointed with sweet Unguents and according to the season of the year Flowers strewed for him to tread on He was lascivious also he studied to appear handsome and Died his hair yellow and used Paint CHAP. X. Of Plato's little valuing Life Plato when it was told him that the Academy was an unhealthful place and the Physicians advised him to remove to the Lyceum refused saying I would not to prolong my life goe live on the top of Athos CHAP. XI Of Parrhasius the Painter That Parrhasius the Painter wore a Purple Vest and Crown of Gold besides others the Epigrams on many of his Images attest On a time he contested at Samos and met with an Adversary not much inferiour to himself he was worsted the subject was Ajax contending with Ulysses for the Arms of Achilles Parrhasius being thus overcome said to a friend who bewailed the misfortune that for his own being worsted he valued it not but he was sorry for the son of Telamon that in the same contest had been twice overcome by his Adversary He carried a Staff full of golden Nails His Shoes were fastened on the top with golden Buckles They say he wrought freely and without trouble and chearfully singing softly all the while to divert himself This is related by Theophrastus CHAP. XII Of the Epicureans banished by the Romans and Messenians The Romans expelled Alcaeus and Philiscus out of the City because they taught the young men many dishonest pleasures Likewise the Messenians expelled the Epicureans CHAP. XIII Of the Gluttony and excessive Fatness of Dionysius I am informed that Dionysius the Heracleote son of Clearchus the Tyrant through daily Gluttony and intemperance increased to an extraordinary degree of Corpulency and Fatness by reason whereof he had much adoe to take breath The Physicians ordered for remedy of this inconvenience that Needles should be made very long and small which when he fell into sound sleep should be thrust through his sides into his belly Which office his Attendants performed and till the Needle had passed quite through the fat and came to the flesh it self he lay like a stone but when it came to the firm flesh he felt it and awaked When he had business when any came to speak with him for advice or orders he set a Chest before him some say it was not a Chest but a little kind of Turret which hid all of him but his face which was seen out of the top and so talked with them an excellent Garment farre fitter for a Beast then a Man CHAP. XIV Of the extraordinary Leanness of Philetas They say that Philetas the Coan was extremely lean insomuch that being apt to be thrown down upon the least occasion he was fain as they report to put Lead within the soles of his Shoes lest the wind if it blew hard should overturn him But if he were so feeble that he could not resist the wind how was he able to draw such a weight after him To me it seems improbable I onely relate what I have heard CHAP. XV. Of Homer The Argives give the first Palm of all Poetry to Homer making all others second to him When they sacrificed they invoked Apollo and Homer to be present with them Moreover they say that not being able to give a portion with his Daughter he bestowed on her his Cyprian Poems as Pindar attests CHAP. XVI Of Italy and of Mares both Man and Horse The Ausonians first inhabited Italy being Natives of the place They say that in old time a man lived there named Mares before like a Man behind like a Horse his name signifying as much as Hippomiges in Greek Half-horse My opinion is that he first back'd and managed a Horse whence he was believed to have both Natures They fable that he lived a hundred twenty three years and that he died thrice and was restored thrice to life which I conceive incredible They say that more several Nations inhabited Italy then any other Land by reason of the temperateness of the Country and goodness of the Soil it being well watered fruitful and full of Rivers and having all along convenient Havens to harbour Ships Moreover the humanity and civility of the Inhabitants allured many to remove thither And that there were in Italy one thousand one hundred and ninety seven Cities CHAP. XVII Of Demosthenes his Pride Demosthenes seems to be argued of Pride by this relation which saith that the Water-bearers raised a Pride in him when they said something of him softly to one another as he passed by For he who was puffed up by them and proud of such commendations what must he be when the whole publick Assembly applauded him CHAP. XVIII Of Themistocles Themistocles son of Neocles likened himself to Oaks saying that men come to them for shelter when they have need of them in rain and desire to be protected by their boughs but when it is fair they come to them to strip and peel them He also said If any one should shew me two waies one leading to the Grave the other to the Tribunal I should think it more pleasant to take that which leads to the