at Samir in Mount Ephraim arose to defend Israel and judged it 23 years After him Jair a Gileadite 22 years Jair thought to be descended of that Jair who took the Towns of Argob and called them after himself Hanoth-Jair as his thirty Sons in like manner after that example named so many Cities which they possessed in the Land of Gilead 27. Jair being dead the Israelites returned to their evil courses Judg. 10. ver 8.9 serving Balaam Ashtaroth the gods of the Moabites Ammonites and the Philistins for which God sold them into the hands of the Philistins and Ammonites The Philistins Ammonites oppresse Israel It is written And that year they oppressed the Children of Israel 18 years all that were on the other side Jordan in the Land of the Amorites which is in Gilead Moreover the Ammonites passed over Jordan to fight also against Judah and Benjamin and the house of Ephraim so that all Israel was sore distressed Some will have this oppression but to begin at the death of Jair others think they had oppressed Israel 18 years before and now passed over the River to afflict the other Tribes The Israelites cried to God and being reproved put away their Idolls hereupon the Ammonites being got together in Gilead and the Israelites assembled in Mizpah in the same Country Jepthah the Son of Gilead begotten on an Harlot was sent for by the Gileadites and made Captain Chap. 11. being a mighty Man of valour He first sent to expostulate with the King of Ammon and to demand the cause of the War He answered it was because Israel took away his Land when they came out of Aegypt from Arnon unto Jabbock and unto Jordan of which he required restitution Jepthah replyed that in their journey from Aegypt they sent to the Kings of Edom and Moab to desire passage through their Coasts but this being denied they turned aside through the Wildernesse and compassed about the Lands of Edom and Moab not coming within the borders of Moab and so at length came and pitched on the other side of Arnon which was the limit of Moab's Coasts Then that Sihon King of the Ammorites denying them passage and fighting against them the Lord God of Israel delivered him into their hands and they possessed the Land of the Amorites from Arnon unto Jabbock and from the Wildernesse unto Jordan 28. Seeing the God of Israel had dispossessed the Amorites he demanded a reason why he should possesse that Country and whether he was any thing better then Balack the Son of Zippor King of Moab who never strove nor fought against Israel Lastly he asked him why he recovered not the Land all the 300 years which the Children of Israel had enjoyed it and appealed to God for righteous judgement betwixt them These 300 years if they be reckoned exactly the years of the oppressions and of the Judges must all along be counted in length without including the one in the other but if this be done still many more than 300 will be found and 100 years more will arise in the account of time from the coming out of Aegypt to the building of the Temple than the Scripture in another place alloweth of Some say if so many years really passed betwixt the last year of Moses save one and this time of Jepthah as those successions do make 400 years was rather to have been mentioned seeing the number exceeded that of 300 and therefore accounting the other way short of 300 they allegde that it is usuall when a full or round number is chosen rather to make use of that which most favoureth their cause and therefore Jepthah meant by 300 about or almost so many On the contrary others believe that the scripture doth not suffer them to omit the years of Servitude and contain them under those of the Judges which they suppose clearly appeareth out of those * Judg. 11.18 words before mentioned which in generall describe the condition of the Israelites as successively guilty of Idolatry then punished and delivered after which falling into an Anarchy at the death of their deliverer they again relapsed into the same sin They will have also the particular accounts of these things in Scripture by their order and distinction to hold out no lesse unto us Jeptha overthroweth the Ammonites 29. But the King of the Ammonites not hearkening to Jepthah was overthrown with a very great slaughter Jepthah at his going forth vowed if the Lord would deliver the enemie into his hands that whatsoever came first out of his house to meet him at his return should surely be the Lord's and he would offer it for a burnt offering It happened that his onely Daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and dances and after she had bewailed her Virginity he is said to have done to her according to his vow Some observe that for And in the place may be read Or as if he would offer the thing if it were to be offered or however to consecrate it to the Lord. And their opinion seemeth most probable who hold she was not offered up as a burnt-offering but consecrated to God by perpetuall virginity and austerity of life being altogether separated from Humane society except four dayes in a year for a little refreshment it being said that he executed his Vow upon her for that he did not redeem her with money according to the Law mentioned in Chap. ult Exodus but left her consecrated to God in an unmarried state lest she should seem to be another's and not the Lord 's Jepthah after this warred against the Ephraimites who spake against and threatned him and his house Judg. 12. He cut off 42000 Men all being slain in their passage over Jordan that could not pronounce Shiboleth Having judged Israel six years he died and was buried in Gilead Abzon Elon Abdon Judges 30. After Jephthah arose Ibsan of Bethlehem and judged Israel seven years then Elon a Zebulonite 10 and Abdon the Son of Hillel a Pirathonite after him eight years Now the Philistins again vexed Israel 40 years Seeing neither of these three are said to have delivered the Land The Philistins vexe Israel some think those 40 years to have included some of their Government There are that fetch the beginning of them from the 4th year of Ibzan and end them at the death of Sampson whom they will have the immediate Successor of Abdon Of those that are for the lengthning out of the time some think they are to be reckoned from the death of Abdon Usher and end at the beginning of Samson's Government Sampson which others again inferr by good arguments to be included in them or else 20 of them must fall in with the time of Eli the Seventy Interpreters accordingly giving to Eli not 40 years as the Hebrew Copies but onely 20. Still there are not wanting who think Eli to have succeeded Abdon and Sampson's 20 years who
blessing all such as willingly offered themselves to dwell in Jerusalem Then returnd he to the King from whom he yet obtained leave to come again into Judah where he seemeth to have lived untill the sixteenth year of Darius Nothus in which the first part of the seventy weeks endeth consisting of 49 years viz. seven weeks which are thought to be those of which the Angel spake that the street should be built again and the wall even in troublous times 17. After Artaxerxes had made peace with the Graecians he fell into civil and intestine broils with Megabyzus who had done him such service in Aegypt and elsewhere if credit be given to Ctesias from whom we have a relation of these transactions This Megabyzus after he had quieted Aegypt and committed it to the Government of Sartamas departed thence and went to the King Artaxerxes his civil War with Megabysus leading along with him Inarus and some Greekish prisoners after he had obtained a promise from him that no punishment should be inflicted on them though Amytis or rather Amestris the King's Mother had so layn upon him to deliver into her hands not onely them but Megabyzus himself her son in Law being inraged for the death of Achaemenes who in the former Expedition was slain by the Ionians For five years he endured her importunity without yielding but at length being wearied and overcome he gave up the Greeks and Inarus into her power His body she nailed overthwart to three crosses and beheaded 50 of the Greeks which were all she could take That Inarus was crucified Thucydides witnesseth though nothing of this time or manner and Herodotus reporteth Lib. 3. cap. 15. that his son Thannyras was restored by the Persians to the Principality of his Father 18. Megabyzus being sorely moved with the usage of his prisoners concealed his displeasure for a time but getting leave to depart to his Government in Syria whither he had privately sent some Greeks beforehand broke out into open Rebellion and got an Army together of 150000 men Against him then was sent Osiris with 200000 who joyning battel with him wounded him in the thigh but received two wounds from him one in his thigh and the other in his shoulder with the anguish whereof and losse of blood he fell from his Horse and was taken prisoner and though his men well behaved themselves yet were they overthrown and Megabyzus getting the Victory used him very courteously and sent him back to the King who desired it After this was sent more forces commanded by Mexistenes Nephew to Artaxerxes by his Brother Artarius the Governour of Babylon He also giving battel to Megabyzus was wounded by him both in shoulder and head though not mortally and being put to flight Megabyzus obtained another famous Victory 19. Things going thus Artarius dealt with him by Messengers then Artoxares the Eunuch Governour of Paphlagonia and Amestris also advised him yet to be reconciled to the King afterwards Artarius himself Amytis his wife and Artoxares now twenty years of age were sent to him to perswade him to go to him Being perswaded after his return the King signified to him by a message that he freely pardoned him all that was past but going on a time a hunting with him when a Lyon set upon the King as he raised himself up Megabyzus slew him whereat Artaxerxes was in a great rage that he had stricken him before he could touch him and commanded his head to be cut off But by the intercession of Amestris Amytis and others his life was spared yet was he banished to Cyrta a Town upon the Red Sea and Artoxares the Eunuch into Armenia for speaking freely to the King in his behalf Five years he then continued in exile at the end of which feigning himself to be a Pisagas which in the Persian tongue signifieth a Leper at whom no man might come he fled away and came to his wife Amytis at his own house by whom scarcely being known he was by her means and the help of Amestris reconciled once again to the King who made him eat at his own table as formerly and so continued in great favour till his death at 76 years of age for which the King was much troubled 20. Whilst the Graecians were busie with one another in the Peloponnesian War of which now several years had passed Thucyd. l. 4. Artaxerxes sent Artaphernes a Persian to the Lacedaemonians with a Letter written in Assyrian Characters in which amongst other things he desired to know plainly of them how they stood affected for that he was utterly ignorant of what they thought many Ambassadours coming and no one of them agreeing with another wherefore he desired that if they intended to declare themselves they would send some of their own back with Artaphernes What was effected hereby is not known but we find elsewhere Diodorus ad Olymp. 84. an 3. that the Lacedaemonians entred into a League with him in one main matter contrary to that formerly made with the Athenians For whereas it was provided first in the one that the Greekish Cities in Asia should be left to their own liberty in the other they were expresly left under his Dominion such influence had then the Civil Wars of Greece upon the matters of Asia perhaps because the Lacedaemonians were jealous of the Ionians Artaxerxes dieth as the Colony of their adversaries the Athenians who if not now entred into War with them were much suspected jealousies abounding betwixt them Not long after this Message Artaxerxes died Ad Olymp. 88. an 4. having reigned according to Diodorus fourty years compleat according to Sulpicius Severus 41. but after Ctesias 42. amongst which opinions 't is probable that he died in the beginning of the 42 year after the death of Xerxes in the second year of the 89 Olympiad A. M. 3582. 421 years before the birth of Christ 21. Artaxerxes had onely one legitimate son by his wife Damaspia Ctesias in Excerptis Histor Persic named Xerxes but 17 by Concubines amongst which were Sogdianus Ochus and Arsites Xerxes succeeded his father but was slain by Secundianus as he was drunk in the 45th day after his death Secundianus then became King but causing Bagorazus the Eunuch to be stoned for something done about his fathers body incurred the displeasure of the Army which because of this and his brothers death could never be taken off by all the gifts he bestowed on them Being jealous of his brother Ochus whom his father had made Governour of the Hyrcanians he sent for him but he refused to come and so did several times till he had got a considerable Army For Arberius General of the horse revolted to him then Arxanes the Viceroy of Egypt and Artoxares coming out of Armenia caused him to take the Cidaris or Citaris a Cap peculiar to the Kings and Priests of Persia Ochus Ochus thus taking the Royal Ensign and Title of King Idem changed
a great present of money and arms Some six years after he sent other Ambassadors to them now having well nigh fallen out with the Romans offering them ten ships of fifty oares sufficiently manned and furnished for War which as of concernment amounting almost to ten Talents they accepted of most gladly and dispatched back to him Lycortas again with Polybius his son though he was too young by the Laws for such an employment with Aratus the son of famous Aratus the Sicyonian to give him thanks for the former present and fetch the ships into Peloponnesus but he was dead ere they could get out of their own Country For plotting now against Seleuous Philopator who had succeeded Antiochus his Father in the Kingdom of Syria and preparing an Army against him Hieronym in Danel when one of his Captains asked him where he would get money sufficient for such an enterprize he answered that his friends were riches to him which being told abroad amongst the People his Officers fearing he would fleece them to supply himself Is poysoned took him away by poyson after he had lived 27 years and reigned 24 thereof A. M. 3825 and the first of the 150 Olympiad Ptolomy Philometor 12. He left two sons and one daughter all very young A. M. 3825. of which the eldest son succeeded him being sirnamed Philometor in the eighth year of Seleuous Philopator King of Syria After his Anacleteria Idem ibid. his mother Cleopatra the daughter of Antiochus the Great being lately dead through the perswasion of Eulaius the Eunuch and Lenaeus his principal Counsellours he began to cast his thoughts upon Coelesyria Prepareth for Soelesyria which being given to his mother as a portion was unjustly kept from him as he conceived by his uncle Antiochus Epiphanes who now had succeeded his elder brother in the Kingdom of Syria Antiochus hearing of their preparations for the War at Alexadria came down into Egypt to prevent them and overthrew the King several times as hath been said But his uncle Antiochus Epiphanes preventeth him by getting all Aegypt into his hands and got the whole Country except that City Polyb. Legat. 81 82. into his power after which Ptolomy deliberating with Comanus and Cineas what was to be done it was resolved that a Council of the most expert Captains should be erected by the advice whereof all things should be managed The first resolve of this Council was that such Graecian Ambassadors as were present should be sent to Antiochus about an agreement with whom Ptolomy joyned of his own two others The first day after their arrival they were entertained very nobly and on the next had audience wherein they laid all the blame upon Eulaius the Eunuch and urging the youth and kindred of the King to him laboured to pacifie him He after he had assented to them in these things and spoken more to the same purpose laboured with much earnestnesse to demonstrate that Coelesyria belonged to the Crown of Syria alleging it to have belonged to Antigonus the first founder of that Kingdom and produced the conveiances of it to Seleucus after the death of the other from the Macedonian Kings Moreover calling to their remembrance that Antiochus his Father had lately obtained it again by right of conquest he flatly denied that ever he passed it over as a portion with his daughter to the late King of Egypt and so having discoursed on this subject to the satisfaction of all his hearers he then departed to Naucratis where friendly treating the Inhabitants and giving a largesse to such Greeks as dwelt there he thence departed for Alexandria deferring to give any answer to those that had been sent to him till such time as Aristides and Theris were returned saying he would have all the publick ministers of Greece to be conscious to and witnesses of all his intentions 13. But no satisfactory answer if any was given Porphyr in Graecis Euseb or any thing done for Philometor by Antiochus so that being thus outed of his Kingdom after 12 years reign and giving up himself for all that to nothing but sluggishnesse and luxurie the Alexandrians took upon them to make his younger brother King sirnaming him Euergetes though the badnesse of his manners made them afterwards change it into Cacergetes being also called Physcon from his extraordinary fat paunch Athenaeus lib. 12. cap. 17. Philometor was forced at length to betake himself to the Alexandrians too who receiving him made him partaker with his brother in the Kingdom Ptolomy Physcon made King but shortly after again expelled him which thing Antiochus made use of and under pretence of restoring him continued the War and overthrowing young Ptolomy in a Sea-fight besieged Alexandria Polyb. Legat. 83 84. but seeing that to be to no purpose arose and departed into Syria leaving Philometor at Memphis to whom he restored all Egypt except Pelusium which he kept as the key of the Country in his own hands not doubting but when one of the brothers had ruined the other to come and with ease enough devoure the Conquerour Livius l. 45. But though his two Nephews were otherwise sottish enough yet in this they shewed prudence to disappoint him A. M. 3837. Ol. 153. ann 1. V.C. 586. Ant. Epiphan 9. Ptol. Philom 13. for the elder seriously considering how little he ought to trust him sent to Cleopatra his sister who seconding him to her brother both by advice and entreaty The two brothers agree and are saved harmlesse from their Uncle by the Romans procured a peace to be made with consent of both their friends the Citizens of Alexandria giving way the more readily because of the dearth which troubled them by reason of the War as well when they were at liberty as besieged This drew off the Vizard from Antiochus who whereas he ought to have rejoyced if he really intended the restitution of Philometor fretted exceedingly hereat and nothing would serve him but needs he must come down again into Egypt and had laid siege to Alexandria the second time had not the Roman Ambassadors terrified him from his purpose as we shewed in its more proper place and forced him to quit both Egypt and Cyprus 14. Idem ibid. The Roman Ambassadors took some pains by their Authority to make them two friends not being throughly reconciled before and so they continued for six years peaceably together Porphyrius ut prius But then differences betwixt them arose so high thar the Senate at Rome wrote to their Ambassadors sent into Syria after the death of Antiochus Epiphanes by all means to reconcile them of which mediation we yet hear of no fruit at all Polybius Legat. 107. for presently the younger expelled his elder brother Philometor being thus spoyled of his Kingdom with a very few attendants and in a pitifull habit Valerius Max. Lib. 5. cap. 1. Exemp 1. came to Rome for help making
this War depended the year following was Alexandria in Egypt built as Livy writeth whereas the foundation of this Citie was laid while Alexander was in Africk the year before the death of Darius and the fifth before this wherein C. Paetilius and L. Papyrius Mugilanus were Consuls This same year he maketh Alexander the King of Epirus to have been slain who being Uncle by the mothers side to Alexander the Great is thought to have undertaken an expedition into Italy out of emulation towards his Nephew that as the one was now Conquering the East so the other might endeavour to subdue the West having no lesse matter to work upon in Italy Africk and Sicily than the other found in Asia and Persia He was deceived by the Oracle of Jupiter of Dodona which bidding him beware of Pandosia and Acheron he knowing there was a Citie of the former name in Epirus and a River of the later thought himself so much the safer as he could get farthest off from these Being therefore sent for by the Tarentines he came into Italy and made War with the Brutii and Lucani from whom he took many Towns and 300 families which he sent as Hostages into Epirus He entred into a League with the Metapontini and Romans But the Brutii and Lucani recruiting themselves by the supplies of their neighbours re-inforced the War and set upon him near Pandosia a Town situate a little above Consentia the Metropolis of the Brutii near to which ran a River called Acheron Alexander King of Epirus slain in Italy Taking this River with his horse he was therein slain by a Lucanian and his dead body being carried down the stream into the Enemies quarters was mangled into pieces A certain woman whose husband and Children were taken prisoners by the Epirots got the pieces together and in exchange for her relations sent his bones to Metapontus whence they were conveyed into Epirus unto Cleopatra his wife and Olympias his sister whereof the one was sister and the other mother to Alexander the Great The Palaepolitans being conquered the Tarentines their allies proceed in the War and draw in the Samnites and Neapolitans 2. The Palaepolitans though assisted by the Samnites and Tarentines were overmatched so as glad they were to yield up their City and the Samnites lost three of their own Towns The Tarentines yet proceeded and drew both the Samnites and Neapolitans the other part of this Greek Colony afresh into the War wherein also the Inhabitants of Vestinus together with their allies ingaged themselves Whilst this War was but beginning great stirs hapned in the City There one L. Papyrius had given up himself to C. Publius as a slave to work out his fathers debt Being a young man of a beautiful body Publius attempted filthily to abuse him and when he would in no wise suffer this most grievously beat and tore his body with rods In this plight Papyrius got away and running to the People by declaring his condition so affected them that they procured the Fathers to decree that the Consuls should propose to them in the Comitia these two Laws the first That no man should be detained in bonds New Laws in favour of Debtors except for some misdemeanor till the time of his punishment the second that the money and goods not the body of the debtor should be responsible Whereupon all prisoners for debt were forthwith set at liberty The year following the Vestini were overthrown by Junius Brutus Scaeva the Consul who also took from them two Towns His Collegue L. Furius Camillus being sick in Samnium or the Country of the Samnites pronounced Dictator L. Papyrius Cursor the most famous Captain by far of those times who named Q. Fabius Rutilianus for his Master of Horse-men Papyrius being in Camp against the Samnites was forced to return to Rome L. Papyrius Cursor made Dictator for the renewing of his auspicia and at his departure commanded his Master of Horse-men not to stir out of the trenches to fight one stroak till he came back A. M. 3681. Ol. 114 an 1. V. C. 430. Alexand 13. but Fabius understanding that a notable advantage of doing something of consequence was presented from the Enemy fell upon the Samnites and made great slaughter of them The Dictator hearing of this in a great rage returned to the Camp and had put him to death but that he was rescued by the Army from which flying to the City Papyrius followed him and pressing sore to the Senate the necessity of discipline and authority Is hindred from punishing Fabius Rutilianus his Master of the Horse-men would not at all give way to the intreaties of the Fathers This forced M. Fabius the father of the party to appeal to the People and their Tribunes by which he hardly was drawn to pardon him though his authority was saved together with the life of Fabius through the intreaties of those who might justly have Commanded it as was confessed by himself 3. This severity of the Dictator so alienated the hearts of the Soldiers from him that it had well nigh cost him the losse of a battel which constrained him to be more Popular then afterward he overthrew the Samnites and harrazed their Country The Samnites overthrown This made them desire Peace but returning quickly again to their former enmity in the second year after they received another great defeat from A. Cornelius Aruina the Dictator Herewith they were so struck that they sent all the prisoners they had home to Rome with such plunder as they had taken and the dead body with the goods of him who had been the author of the revolt and who fearing to be given up had killed himself Desire Peace which is denied them The Senate onely received the men Livius lib. 9. with such goods as any Citizen could challenge for his own and denied them Peace At this C. Pontius a leading man amongst them took occasion grievously to enveigh against the injustice of the Romans and causing them to take arms led them presently near to a place called Caudium whence having apparelled ten Soldiers in the habit of Shepherds he sent them to Calatia where he heard the Consuls lay at present with a charge that when they should be asked where the Army of the Samnites was they should answer in Apulia besieging Luceria which it had already well nigh taken A rumour being already spred abroad of such a thing now obtained greater credit and the Romans accounted themselves by all means bound to succour Luceria and the rather for fear lest all Apulia should revolt Two wayes there were which led to Luceria One by the Sea side open and secure another through the Straights of Caudinum called Furcae Caudinae at this day Caudino and Forche Caudine ten miles distant from Benevento a place incompassed about with high mountains into which one could not enter They entrap the Roman Army at Furcae Caudinae nor depart
not which the other took in ill part yet sent for him again For having laid out much upon the Fleet he intended to exchange it for some Italian Legions to be used in the Parthian Warr it being difficult for him to raise men in Italy which was subject to Caesar though by their last agreement both were left free there to make their Levies Antony and Caesar make a new agreement and prorogue their power Octavia coming over to her brother agreed them who then made the exchange and because the time of the Triumvirate set by the Senate was almost out prorogued their power for five years longer without any consideration had of the suffrages of the People So Antony departed into Syria Caesar deferring his Expedition into Sicily untill the following year 22. He determined to invade Sicily from three several quarters Lepidus Idem who now joyned with him was to invade it from Africk Taurus from Tarentum and he himself from Puteoli Pompey resolved to oppose him so many several wayes but at this time it needed not for Caesar's Navy was the second time wracked by a Tempest which so puffed up Pompey that he stiled himself Neptune's son But Caesar gave not over the enterprize for the same Summer having recruited his forces and mended his ships he put forth to sea and then though on Lepidus his part were lost two Legions overthrew Pompey's Fleet but was again worsted and yet landed 21 Legions and 2000 Horse besides 5000 lightly armed No great or memorable battel was there on Land but Pompey sent to his Enemy to know if he would fight by Sea fearing his Land-Forces He accepted of his offer and then finally defeated him having sunk 28 of his Vessels The rest were either taken or broken Pompey overthrown by Caesar seventeen onely escaped A. M. 3969. V. C. 718. and at the sight of this overthrow his Land-forces yielded to Caesar so that with his seventeen Vessels he fled to Antony from whom he expected protection having restored formerly his mother safe to him when in such a condition Messana still stood out but the Garrison at length yielded to Lepidus who granted to the Soldiers to draw them to his party the plunder of the Town equal with his own Having now by the addition of those Forces 22 Legions and a strong body of Horse under his command he pleased himself with thoughts of getting all Sicily into his hands to which he pretended a right as first invaded by him and he sought to hinder Caesar all he could from the possession of it 23. Caesar expostulated with him for his ingratitude but to no purpose Then found he means to draw away all his Army from him Appian ut supra Plutarch in Antonio Dio. l. 49. which now was something averse to Civil Warrs and satisfied of the greater worth of Caesar being moreover incensed against their General for making Pompey's Soldiers partakers with them in the plunder of Messana Yet though his Soldiers would have killed him did he save them alive but outed him of all power and banished him One head of the Tricipitina broken off so that thus fell one head of this Tricipitina Pompey not being persued by Caesar craved protection from Antony yet sent to the Parthian in case he should not be received by him Then thought he of seizing upon Syria and the parts adjacent upon a rumour of Antony's being overthrown whereupon he was pursued by his party and at last taken and killed at Midaius a Town of Phrygia as Dio writeth but as Florus and Appian at Miletus in the fourtieth year of his age fourteen years after the death of his Father Pompey killed Caesar at his return restrained roberies in the City setting watches therein and administred things in the antient way by annual Magistrates He burnt all letters written in time of War promising he would restore the Commonwealth as soon as Antony should return who he knew would also lay down the Magistracy all Civil Warrs being ended He was therefore received with luckie acclamations and had a Perpetual Tribuneship bestowed on him as invited by this honour to lay down his other power Concerning this he wrote privately to Antony who whilst Caesar was thus imployed about Pompey had called Cleopatra into Syria and there given her Phoenicia Caelesyria Cyprus a great part of Cilicia with part of Arabia Nabathaea Antony doateth on Cleopatra and so much of Judaea as brought Balsamum Then sending her home he marched into Armenia where yet he could do nothing for desire of her like himself but ever thought of returning to her which shortly after he did but was much troubled in his passage by the Parthians to whom his Army had revolted but that they killed such as first passed over to them 24. The year following and that wherein Pompey was slain Plutarch Dio. he was solicited by the King of Media in conjunction with him to make Warre upon the Parthian but was hindred by stirs which hapned betwixt Cleopatra and Octavia his wife who now returning to him out of Italy met with letters at Athens to stop her there he pretending necessary avocations by Warre Caesar then would have had her come to his house but she would go to her husbands where she educated both his children and her own as became her Then did Antony return into Armenia where he caught the King by a wile and brought him in triumph into Aegypt Now would he be called Father Bacchus His extravagancies in Aegypt as Cleopatra Isis who now was stiled by him Queen of Aegypt Cyprus Africa and Caelesyria Caesario whom she had by Julius Caesar being her partner in these Principalities But his own sons by her Alexander and Ptolomy he named Kings of Kings betwixt whom he did not onely part what Provinces he himself had but also Armenia Parthia and Media and to Cleopatra their daughter assigned Cyrene These things together with the disgrace of his sister provoked Caesar who made report of them to the Senate and People Hereby he incensed men's minds against Antony who shortly after went into Media and entered into league with the King thereof Caesar at the same time fought against several People of Illyrioum and the next year both provided for the Civil War betwixt themselves 25. Antony in way of recrimination to Caesar objected his putting Lepidus besides the Triumvirate and taking his Soldiers as those of Pompey to himself which ought to have been equally free for both and he challenged his part of the Soldiers raised in Italy Caesar and he fall out For Caesar besides what we formerly mentioned accused him of taking Aegypt as his Province Dio l. 50. Florus l. 4. c. 11. killing Pompey abusing Artavasdes the Armenian King to the great infamy of the Roman State but above all upbraided him with Cleopatra and what he had assigned to their children as also for that he owned Caesario as begotten by
clearly appeareth in Scripture what things our Lord did and suffered for unworthy sinners after he had eaten this Supper though the order of the former passages concerning his preaching be obscure and therefore we have more largely described them Being betrayed by Judas into the hands of the Chief-Priests and by them delivered up to Pilate the Governour he being convinced of his innocence and their malice sought how to deliver him till they told him that if he did it he was not Caesar 's friend whereupon fearing to be accused to Tiberius A. D. 33. Ol. 202. an 4. V. C. 787. of protecting one who affected the Kingdom he condemned him and delivered him to the Soldiers to be crucified This was about the sixt hour or a little after noon at what time a great darknesse arose for that the Sun was obscured and continued till the ninth hour or three of the clock Then Christ to shew the bitternesse of his torment cried yet with a loud voice Eli Eli Lamasabachtani and receiving the vineger after he had commended his soul into the hands of his Father gave up the ghost Thus he who was in the form of God and counted it no robbery to be equal with God made himself of no reputation and suffered death even the most ignominious death of the Crosse for ingrateful men 73. Some think that the darknesse which hapened at our Saviour's Passion was onely in the Land of Judaea But others finding that the Evangelists mention * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mat. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Marc. Luc. the whole Earth conclude that this Eclypse was Oecumenical or Universal Luke expresly saying that the Sun it self the eye of the whole World was darkned Some conceived that the Sun was darkened by the interposition of the body of the Moon The miraculous Eclypse at our Saviour's death whereof (a) Epist 7. Dionysius the Areopagite as he calleth himself was an eye witnesse at what time he and Apollophanes the Philosopher being at Heliopolis observed the Moon suddenly to cast her self before the Sun though it was not the time of conjunction and again from the ninth hour to the evening opposing her self to the middle line of the Sun If so it was an extraordinary miracle the Moon being now at the full as (b) De Civitat Dei l. 3. c. 15. Augustin observeth it to have been ever at the Passeover and consequently at the greatest distance from the Sun out of which respect others seem to have held that the Sun was darkned not by the interposition of that luminary but the retention of his beams That the darknesse was universal appeareth from the records of Heathen Writers which as (c) Lib. 7. c. 4. Orosius saith besides the Evangelists mentioned the greatnesse of the Eclypse And (d) Apologet. c. 21. Tertullian writing to Pagans saith You cannot make this wonder suspected seeing your own Calendars have remarked it and your selves retain the testimonies thereof in your own registers Amongst Greek Authors Phlegon (e) A ud Euseb in Chronico Orig. contra Celsum l. 2. in Matth. Trallianus the Freed-man of Adrian the Emperour Recorded by the Heathen in his Work of Olympiads or Chronicle which consisted of sixteen Books clearly spoke of this Eclypse writing in his thirteenth Book that in the fourth year of the 202 Olympiad the greatest Eclypse hapened that ever was known for at the sixth hour of the day it was night so that the Starrs were seen in the Heavens 74. That Christ was put to death in the reign of Tiberius by Pontius Pilate (a) Annal. l. 15. c. 44. Cornelius Tacitus writeth an Author guilty of Ethnick ignorance and prejudice But (b) Antiq. l. 18. c. 4. Josephus the noble Jewish Historian giveth him an honourable testimony writing that At the same time there was one Jesus a wise man The testimony of Josephus concerning Christ if it be lawful to call him a man For he was a worker of wonderful works and a teacher of those which willingly receive the truth He had also many followers not onely Jews but Gentiles and he was believed to be Christ And whereas by the malice of our Princes Pilate condemned him to be crucified yet notwithstanding they who first loved him have persevered For he appeared to them alive the third day the Prophets having foretold in their writings these and many other wonderful things concerning him and to this day the People from him called Christians hath not ceased This he relateth after he had spoken of that Sedition which hapened because of Pilate his bringing in of Caesar's Images Some from amongst our selves have not given credit to this relation thinking it to be foisted in by some Christians for the greater honour of our Religion But as the piae fraudes supposed to have been used by the Primitive Christians are rather increased than otherwise by some who either pedantically and out of ostentation seek for applause from the prejudice of their own cause as one hath done of late in reference to the matter in hand or as out of a melancholick and distrustful humour question the evidence of the truth so is there no reason that this testimony should be condemned amongst them For Josephus maketh mention of John Baptist giving him large commendations and relateth also that he was beheaded though he assigneth the cause to have been but of jealousie of him and lest he should make some commotions through his popularity which likely enough might be some cause especially the malice of Herodias considered which woman would not be wanting to fill his head with suspition although the main reason was his reproving of the incest He also maketh mention of James the brother of Alphaeus whom he calleth the brother of Jesus Christ how he was put to death at Jerusalem saying that all good men were sorely troubled at it and clearly expresseth himself dissatisfied in it writing that Ananus who commanded the murder to be done did ill and this he saith not onely because the Judicial power was taken away from the Jews as is evident from the course of his words 75. It is hence clear enough that Josephus was not in the number of those whom Herod Agrippa could have pleased in the killing of the other James the brother of John Defended to be true and not feigned by Christians and truly amongst the Jews such as were not extremely malicious against Christ were something inclining to him if we consider the temper of that People It cannot therefore be said that Josephus was so inveterately despightful against Christ and Christians that as some have thought he utterly passed over the story of Christ upon that account This Principle would have induced him to rail rather than to be silent to bespatter the Christian generation rather to say nothing or rather to seem displeased at their sufferings It 's true he was with the younger Agrippa but almost a
of Vindex as to be called an unskilfull Musician after the name of his family Aenobarbus yet at length terrified by many messages he returned to Rome Now had he most horrid projects in his head as of killing the Captains and Governours of Provinces with all the Exiles and all of Gallish Original at Rome of poysoning the whole Senate in feasting burning the Citie and letting loose wild beasts upon the people thereby to hinder the quenching of the flames From these things he was thought to be terrified more by despair of accomplishing them than out of any repentance concerning his purpose In preparing for his expedition his especial care was for the choice of carriages wherein to convey his Concubines and instruments for the stage 42. When he heard of the revolt of the rest of the Armies in a great rage taking some poyson with him in a Golden box he left his house and sending some of his trustiest servants to Ostia to make ready some ships moved the Tribunes and Centurions of his Guard about flying with him but some staggering at it and hanging backwards others flatly refused it Then he considered whether he should not fly to the Parthian or in an humble manner to Galba or whether going to the Rostra in a mourning habit he should not there ask pardon in as dolefull a manner as he could for what was past but he was fearfull to be pulled in pieces ere he could reach the publick meeting-place and put off those thoughts till the next day At night finding his Guards withdrawn he started out of his bed and sending his friends about to their Lodgings went also himself but none would answer so that he returned to his Chamber whence his attendants also were now fled having taken away the furniture and removed out of the way the box of poyson Then desired he that some one would kill him but none attempting it Then saith he I have neither Friend nor Enemy and run down as to throw himself into Tiber. But stopping ere he came there he desired some lurking hole wherein he might recover his spirits and Phaon his Freedman offering him his assistance he went with him to a Village four miles distant in a disguise hearing as he passed the prayers of the people for his destruction A. D. 69. Ol. 211. ann 4. V. C. 821. Here being called on to rid himself out of the way and prevent the abuses which else would fall upon him he ordered things to be prepared for his dead body weeping and adding Qualis Artifex perâ—â— How excellent an Artist do I die Understanding at length that he was declared an Enemy by the Senate and how he was sought for to be punished more majorum or after the custom of their Ancestors and upon his enquity hearing that this kind of death was to be stripped and having his neck made fast in a Pillory to be whipped to death he called for two Daggers the points of which he onely felt and put them up again pretending that his fatal hour was not yet come He bade Porus lament and weep and wished that some would help him by their own example to kill himself He killeth himself chiding also himself for his backwardnesse Certain hors-men now drawing near to fetch him alive he at length effected it by the help of Epaphroditus his Freed-man on the fourth of the Ides of June having reigned 13 years seven moneths and 28 dayes in the 32th of his age and the 821 of the Citie An. Dn. 68. C. Silius Italicus and M. Valerius Traehalus being Consuls Vespasian asked Apollonius what was Nero 's overthrow He answered Nero could touch and tune the Harp well noting his excessive delight in that Instrument But in government sometimes he used to wind the pins too high sometimes to let them down too low The unequal and untimely Enterchange of power Pressed too far and Relaxed too much destroyeth authority above all things Ecclesiastical matters in his time 43. About the later end of Nero's second year St. Paul was sent bound to Rome by Festus where he continued in durance two years In his third year living at Rome in free custody he wrote to the Ephesians Philippians Colossians and Philemon Consule Lud. Cappellum in Histor Eccles Illustrata Tacitum Annal l. 15. c. 44. Euseb Eccles Hist l. 2. c. 25. l. 3. c. 1. About the end of the fourth he seemeth to have been set at liberty and thence to have returned into Greece and Asia where for five or six years he established the Churches he had founded In the eleventh year of Nero he is said to have suffered Martyrdom at Rome For Nero having set the Citie on fire accused the Christians as Tacitus writeth and exposed them to ignominious deaths Some he caused to be covered with the skins of wild beasts that they might be devoured of Dogs others to be Crucified and others burnt alive and that in the night that they might give light to passengers He offered his own Garden for this show and celebrated the Circensian Games amongst the common sort in the habit of a Chariot driver who could not have raged against Christianity as Tertullian observeth but that some excellency was in it In this First persecution besides Paul who was beheaded and many others Peter also was Crowned with Martyrdom being Crucified as 't is reported with his head downward which kind of death himself desired because he would die in a more dishonourable sort than his Lord and Master But some will have St. Paul and Peter to have suffered Martyrdom in the last year of Nero's reign and that on June the 29. insomuch that Chrysostome saith that the day of Pauls death was more known than that of Alexander 44. After the Martyrdom of James sirnamed Just the First Bishop of Jerusalem whom Eusebius (a) Eccles Hist l. 2. c. 23. from Clemens reporteth to have been thrown down from a Pinacle of the Temple and brained with a Fuller's Club who governed that Sea thirty years Simon (b) Idem l. 3. cap. 11. Cleopas the Lords Cousin German one of the 70 Disciples and which saw Christ with his eyes was chosen into his place by the Apostles and Disciples themselves being gathered together for this purpose After the Martyrdom of Peter (c) Idem l. 3. c. 2 13 19. in Chron. Linus one of the 70 Disciples of whom Paul made mention succeeded him in the Sea of Rome where he continued Bishop twelve years though some place his Martyrdom also in the last year of Nero and the ninth before the Calends of October Evodius one of the 70 Disciples whom St. Paul remembred in his Epistles was Bishop of Antioch being by Eusebius said to be the first known to govern that Church Him succeeded Ignatius (d) Idem l. 3. c. 19 32 in Chron. Tritem the Disciple of John who wrote as they say to Mary the Mother of Christ and Mary unto him
again He wrote unto John the Evangelist and to Polycarpus his Disciple Besides he wrote sundry other notable Epistles yet extant and in the eleventh year of Trajan was brought to Rome and torn in pieces of wild beasts as will be shewn Eusebius writeth that he was the second Bishop by succession after Peter in the Church of Antioch When Nero had reigned the space of eight years Lib. 2. 24. saith the Historian first after Mark the Evangelist Anianus took the government of the Church of Alexandria a man both virtuous and renowned in all respects CHAP. III. From the death of Nero to that of Domitian the last of the family of Vespasian the space of 27 years 1. GALBA after the death of Nero obtained the Principality yet not long Galba succeedeth Nero. for being Emperour Tacitus Histor lib. 1. Sueton in Galba he maintained not the opinion which had been conceived of him whilest a private man for that he gave way to a cruel and covetous humour acting all things according to the will and lust of three men whom the people thence called his School-masters But his severity towards the Soldiers especially that speech Legi à se militem non emi procured his ruin who upon the revolt of the Armies in upper Germany betrayed him to M. Salvius Otho notwithstanding he had adopted Piso He was murdered by them in the Forum near the place where Curtius rode into the hole Is murdered by his Soldiers and his head being cut off for some time was carried up and down on a spear till his Enemies had with the sight satisfied their flouting appetite and then it was buried with the body He died on the 17th of the Calends of February in the 73th year of his age having reigned seven moneths 2. Otho seized on the Empire by the help of his Soldiers having resolved it after he saw Piso preferred before him Otho seizeth on the Empire Idem ibid. Tacitus Histor lib. 2. Plutarch in Othone He was Nero's great friend and companion and now refused not to be called by his very name suffered his Images and Statues to be restored as also his Officers and Freed-men to their several places and the first thing he subscribed to was for money to finish his golden house But A. Vitellius was shortly after saluted Emperour in Germany by the Army there being son to L. Vitellius who governed Syria Being sent into Germany by Galba he denied nothing to the Soldiers but granted them their wills with impunity in all things and for that was rewarded with this Election Hereupon Otho desired the Senate that they would send to him to acquaint him with his Election and to perswade him to be quiet but he himself by Letters offered to be onely partner with him in the Soveraignty and to be his son-in-law The Enemy drawing near the Praetorian bands stood very faithfully to him Being opposed by Vitellius even so far that with much ado and with the slaughter of some of their Officers were they kept from destroying the Senate which they suspected to be false to him His interest was to draw out the War in length having the Enemy at advantage who was straightned both for necessaries and by reason of the narrownesse of the passage But he rashly and imprudently resolved on a battel either for that Vitellius was not yet come or urged by the earnestnesse of the Soldiers They had four ingagements whereof in the first three he had the better but in the last at Bebriacum a Village in Italy betwixt Cremona and Verona now called Labemein was worsted yet so as he might without difficulty have recovered himself though taken at unaware and deceived by pretence of a parley But being ashamed to seek his own establishment with the hazard of so many mens lives He killeth himself rather than out of any desperation he killed himself He was much extolled for his generous death as it was accounted which rendred him so much more desirable than his life had done that many thought him to have killed Galba not so much out of the desire of rule as to restore liberty so called to the Commonwealth He died on the 12th before the Calends of May in the 38th year of his age and the 95th day of his Empire 3. Otho being dead though Vitellius was detested by those at Rome yet when they heard how things went they began to flatter Tacitus Histor l. 2. c. 3. Sueton in Vitellio and gave him the title of Emperour The Army of upper Germany which first mutined against Galba turning to him Vitellius owned as Emperour he gladly received the sirname of Germanicus but deferred the title of Augustus and utterly refused that of Caesar When yet in Gall he heard of the event of the battel at Bebriacum he presently cashiered the Praetorian bands as giving a bad example of revolt and 120 which had demanded a reward of Otho for killing Galba he commanded to be sought and put to death Hereby he much commended himself to the People and gave hopes of an excellent Prince but carrying on all things afterwards according to his natural inclination and former course of life he deserved to be ranked amongst the worst of Governours 4. He returned to Rome in a triumphant manner and gave up himself to luxury and excesse wherein he also tolerated his family and Soldiers as in all manner of wickednesse Coming through the fields where the Armies fought when many loathed the noisomnesse of the carsseises he stuck not to say Is very vicious Optime olere occisum hostem melius civem that A slain Enemy smells well but sweeter a Citizen He drunk much wine in the place before them all to prevent any hurt that might proceed from the stench and caused this liquour to be distributed to the Soldiers with the like vanity and insolence Entring the City as into a field with trumpets sounding to the charge with colours flying and in his coat-armour he fell more and more into the neglect of all Laws divine and humane He made himself Perpetual Consul and that it might be seen after whose pattern he meant to govern in the Campus Martius attended by a number of Priests he sacrifized for the Soul of Nero and at a solemn feast commanding a Musician to sing something of Domitius he leaped up and applauded the beginning of Nero's songs He governed State matters at the will and discretion of the vilest Player and chariot driver especially of Asiaticus his Freed-man He gave himself over to such luxury as he had been accustomed to in the dayes of Caius and Nero especially to gluttony the abhominable excesse whereof turned him into a very Monster For he would eat four or five meals a day which that he might be able to bear he used frequent vomiting and inviting himself to the houses of his friends he would as Nero did put them to incredible expenses At his coming
kindly unto him set his Throne above the Throne of the Kings that were with him in Babylon and changing his prison garments allowed him a continuall diet all the dayes of his life But for his wickednesse and debaucheries he continued not long Neriglissor being circumvented by Neriglissor his Sister's Husband and slain when he had raigned but two years Neriglissor after his death reigned 4. After him came his Son Laborosardochus Laborosardochus Nabonidus who being of an untowardly disposition was made away by his Relations after nine months and they preferred to his place one Nabonidus a Babylonian by Ptolomy called Nabonadius by others Nabannidochus and Labynitus (g) Apud Iosephum lib. 1. contr Apiâ—em Who reigned 17 years for which some think 27 is to be read This succession we have from Berosus the Caldaean attested by Ptolomy who yet leaveth out Laborosardochus either for his small continuance or because he reigned together with his Father But learned Men do not agree in the manner of reconciling this History with what Daniel hath written of Belshazar Whether the same with Belshazar Some will have Zabynitus or Nabonodus to be Belshazar Nabonodus being the last of the Kings which Belshazar also seemeth to be at his death Babylon being taken by Cyrus as the interpretation of the writing on the wall hinteth Peres thy Kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians As for Darius the Mede he seemeth to them to be no other then Cyaxares the Son of Astyages King of Media and the Uncle of Cyrus who of his own accord delivered Babylon to him and they think this sufficient to prove that Laborosardochus could not bee Belshazar because hee hath but nine months assigned him by Berosus whereas we read in Daniel of the third year of Belshazar 28. Others think they have ground enough to denie Nabonidus to be Belshazar who is called the Son of Nebuchadnesar in regard no such relation is mentioned by Berosus that can intitle him to so much as his grand-child which Laborosardochus was by his Daughter being called his Son by a common Hebraism For the Latin version of Josephus which maketh Nabonodus of the blood it is in no case agreeable to the Originall which plainly relateth him to have been of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 conspiracy For the 5th year of Belshazar it well enough agreeth with Laborosardochus because he reigned 4 years with his Father and after his Father's death nine moneths by himself Now the History of Daniel onely relateth Belshazar to have been slain not that Babylon was then besieged by Cyrus it being improbable say they that a time of so great danger the King and his Nobles should spend in feasting and jollity but rather likely that behaving himselfe too insolently in that drunken fit he was knocked in the head by his Companions as Berosus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hinteth and the Scripture rather seemeth to approve than contradict As for the interpretation of the Writing on the wall it might note what was already determined and within a little time was to be accomplished concerning Cyrus the Persian who being at that time known to the World could not be hid from Daniel who had met with his name long before in the Prophesie of Isaiah and had his mind without doubt fixed upon the 70 years of Captivity foretold by Jeremiah to which a period should shortly be put by that person That Darius Medus was of Median descent appeareth but that he was King of the Medes can no way be evinced especially seeing that no antient Greek Historian maketh mention of Cyaxares the Son of Astyages whom we read to have had but one Daughter except Xenophon and he either one purpose seemeth to thwart Herodotus or to have written his Cyropaedia rather (h) Cicero ad quintum Fratrem Ep. 1. to shew what a Prince ought to be than what Cyrus was indeed and so to have taken some of that liberty of invention which others (i) As the Grand Cyrus of George de Scudery Governor of Nostre Dame de la Garde a Romance of 10. Volumes have done of late upon the same and other Subjects But though Joseph Scaliger may seem to show more reason for this later assertion yet Pererius truly affirmeth the thing to be obscure perplexed and difficult 29. If Laborosardochus bee taken for Belshazar then Nabonodus must be the same with Darius Medus whom further some would have to be the Brother of Astyages not his Son and yet called Cyaxares In him the Empire of the Babylonians ceased and was derived upon the Persians by Cyrus whose first beginnings are to be viewed with the progresse of his actions Cyrus which made way to that pitch of greatnesse whereat he arrived Herein Historians do not relate the same things That Astyages was his Grand-father is acknowledged by all except Ctesias who will have them nothing akin and calleth him Astyigas His Father's name is granted to be Cambyses his Country Persia but his condition is diversly reported of Herodotus writeth how Astyages dreaming two dreams concerning his Daughter Mandane The sum of what Herodotus hath written concerning his Birth and Fortune which by the Wizards were interpreted to portend the losse of his Kingdom through the greatnesse of her issue gave her in marriage to one Cambyses a Persian of obscure fortune and not satisfied in this security sent for her when she was with child and as soon as the Boy was born gave him to one Harpagus to be made away Harpagus fearing he might afterwards be called to an account by the Mother for violence offered to the Babe delivered him to the King's Shepherd to be exposed in the Woods unto the mercie of wild beasts This being done and the Shepherd's Wife lately brought to bed of a stil-born child she prevailed with her Husband to fetch him home nursed and brought him up as her own Son amongst the Shepherds At seven years of age being chosen King of the Boyes in their play he executed the office with severity towards such as were disobedient and for this was complained of by their Parents to the King Being sent for and accused of the crime he would acknowledge none alledging he had done like a King and standing in his justification without the least change of countenance Astyages was struck with admiration and presently called to mind his dream Upon examination of the Shepherd he got out the whole matter owned him for his Grand-son because he thought the dream fulfilled in his boyish reign amongst the Shepherds onely he thought it good to send him out of the way into Persia 30. But to punish Harpagus for his disobedience he invited him to supper and caused to be served up to the table his onely Son of which after he had eaten heartily and approved the meat he let him see his entertainment by the head hands and feet reserved in another platter Harpagus for
through the prayer of the Prophet Elijah it rained not upon the Land for three years but at the end thereof he prayed again and the Heavens gave rain He took occasion to shew the vanity of the Idoll Baal and then slew his Priests for which being threatned by Jezebel he fled into the desart to Mount Horeb. Chap. 19. Against Ahab came up twice Benhadad King of Syria once with 32 petty Kings and both times with great forces but still was overthrown Chap. 20. and at the latter time yielded himself Ahab honourably received him and making a league with him let him go in safety for which he was sharply rebuked by a Prophet and told that his life should go for the life of Benhadad and his own people for his people but there followed a peace betwixt Israel and Syria for three years In this space Ahab fell sick for Naboth's Vineyard who being by Jezebels procurement accused of blasphemy was stoned to death and so Ahab injoyed the Vineyard by way of confiscation For this so wicked a fact severe judgement was pronounced against him and Jezebel by Elijah the execution whereof by a temporary repentance they caused to be be prorogued But the three years of the peace being expired he renewed the War with Syria for that Benhadad having ingaged to restore such Cities as he had taken refused to surrender Ramoth-Gilead Four hundred false Prophets perswaded him to undertake the Expedition onely Micajah sent from God disswaded him from it With him joyned Iehosaphat King of Iudah whose Son Iehoram had maried Athaliah his daughter But going down both together Ahab received a wound by an arrow and thereof died that day in the 22th year of his reign A. M. 3103. Jehosaphati 18. Ahaziah 6. Ahaziah his Son succeeded him whom he had formerly made his Associate in the Kingdom and reigned 2 years in all being said to have begun his reign in the seventeenth year of Iehosaphat King of Iudah because his Father then dyed having reigned 21 years and some part of another After Ahab's death Moab fell off from Israel 2 King 1. to which it had been subject ever since the dayes of David Ahaziah falling sick of a fall which he had through a lattise in his upper Chamber sent to consult Baal-zebub the god of Ekron about his recovery but the Lord commanded Elisah to meet the Messengers and denounce death to him for this his sin Hereat Ahaziah being angry sent two Captains with their fifties one after another to fetch him to him but he called for fire down from Heaven which consumed them then being intreated by the third he went with him to the King where denouncing the same to his face Joram Ahaziah accordingly died not long after Him his Brother Ioram followed in the 18th year of Iehosaphat King of Iudah ending who wrought evil in the sight of the Lord Chap. 3. but not like his Father and Brother for he put away the Image of Baal erected by his Father yet cleaved to the sin of Ieroboam the Son of Nebat who made Israel to sin because of his carnall interest all the Kings of Israel accounting it an especiall piece of policy to busie the people in the worship of the golden Calves 7. Joram made War upon the Moabites which had revolted in conjunction with Jehosaphat King of Judah and the King of Edom his Tributary Elisha the Prophet miraculoussy providing the Armies of water and promising them Victory When the Sun arose and shone upon the Pits full of water it appeared to the Moabites blood so that they concluding their Enemies to have fallen one upon another came out to take the plunder of the field but finding other entertainment were repelled with great consternation and losse The Israelites then falling upon the Countrey made havock of all things and besieged Mesha King of the Moabites in Kir-hazereth who being streightened attempted with 700 Men to break through to the King of Edom but could not whereupon taking his Son his own some think others the King of Edom's which should have reigned in his stead he offered him for a burnt-offering upon the wall This spectacle seemed so horrible as raised indignation against Israel and such pity towards the Man driven by extreme necessity as Josephus telleth it that being mindfull of the mutability of humane affairs they raised the Siege and departed 8. Benhadad King of Syria made severall attempts upon Israel and besieging Samaria reduced it unto extreme necessity by Famine Him Hazael his Servant slew and possessed himself of his Kingdom but having received together with it the succession of the War Jehoram went up against him Chap. 8. and was accompanied by Ahaziah King of Judah to Ramoth-Gilead Here receiving a wound he returned to Iezreel to be cured but the Army was left under severall Captains amongst which was Jehu the Son of Jehosaphat to whom Elisha sent one of the Sons of the Prophets Jehu annointed King to annoint him King He was presently received as such by the Army and returning to Jezreel Chap. 9. slew Joram A. M. 3117 Athaliae 1. Chap. 10. and gave Ahaziah his death's wound after he had reigned twelve years Destroyeth the family of Ahab He caused Iesabel to be thrown down out of a window where her carkeise was eaten by the Dogs after which writing Letters to Samaria he procured Seventy Sons of Ahab to be slain and their heads sent to him Then going thither he slew 42 persons in his way of the kindred of Ahaziah King of Iudah who were going to visite Iehoram and Iesabel at Samaria he put to death all the Priests of Baal and burnt the Temple with the Images Yet took he no heed to walk in the Law of the Lord God of Israel with all his heart departing not from the sin of Ieroboam For his executing of justice upon the house of Ahab the Lord promised that his seed of the fourth generation should sit upon his Throne Yet because of the rottennesse of his heart he began to cut Israel short in his dayes by the means of Hazael who now subdued not onely the Gileadites but also whatsoever the Israelites possessed beyond Iordan raging with cruelty againg Man Woman and Child as Elisha had foretold him Iehu coming to the Kingdom at the same time as Aâ—haliah began her usurpation in Iudab reigned full 28 years and then died Jehoahaz 9. Iehoahaz his Son succeeded him in the 23th year of Ioash the Son of Ahaziah King of Iudah who did evil in the sight of the Lord Chap. 13. in the sin of Ieroboam a grove being also in Samaria Hazael mightily oppressed Israel also in his dayes so that to him were left but 50 Horse-men A. M. 3145. Joasi 23. 10 Chariots and 10000 Foot-men Yet the Lord was intreated by him and sent Israel a Deliverer notwithstanding which yet Prince and People remained incorrigible After he had
term it was then drowned by the Priests Being dead a great and solemn mourning there was untill another could be found with the same marks Now some make this beast to be worshipped in honour of Apis King of the Argives August de Civit Dâ— l. 18. c. 5. who going down into Egypt was there Deified after his death and called Serapis But there having been several Kings in divers places of that name they are confounded one with another 4. Nothing indeed but uncertainties attend the most ancient History of that Nation no two Authors agreeing betwixt themselves concerning the succession of the Egyptian Kings This is not onely to be attributed to the force of time but the unfaithfulnesse of their Priests who having it committed to their charge to record the Memorables of their Countrey foysted things of their own heads into the story concealed from the Natives whatsoever made against their own profit and from strangers all things that tended to the dishonour of their Countrey Out of such a kind of design they related not the same things to such as travelled thither with a desire to be informed so that from the corrupt Fountains of their records have proceeded the Histories of several who pretending to have taken them out of the very Archives are no lesse dissonant amongst themselves then from the truth The Catalogues of their Kings are full of inextricable Labrynths Manetho being of no credit because of his notable lying and all those who professe to follow him as Josephus Africanus Eusebius Syncellus Scaliger Usher and others not agreeing in their ranking and ordering of them The Dynasties of the Egyptian Kings 5. Several Dynasties are made to have preceded the time of Abraham Euseb with whose birth as it is placed in the 43th year of Ninus the beginning of the 16th is â—oyned Much labour is spent by some in an endeavour to clear the order of these Dynasties and to expound them But if they should be allowed of little more then 200 years are to be assigned to the continuance of all the first 15. because the passage of Cham and his posterity from the Mountains of Ararat into Egypt and the establishment of a formal Government there could scarce be performed within one Century after the Flood time for the increase of mankind and the unpassablenesse of the earth duely considered except we cast the beginning of the first Dynastie back beyond the Flood It hath been thought therefore that these were not several successions of Kings which continued for so small a time but rather certain Ranks and Orders of Governours under the Kings who might be content to injoy their ease and quiet together with the Dignity as the Kings did which Joseph served whil'st the management of publick affairs was wholly committed to these Regents or Lieutenants of sundry linages or sorts of men who by their actions might leave greater impressions upon posterity than the Kings themselves and so give occasion to the Egyptians of vaunting them for so many Soveraign Princes indeed That Eusebius might accommodate the times and Orders of these Dynasties to the Histories of other parts of the World he is not afraid to transpose them as he findeth them in several Authors Upon this account Jacobus Cappellus thinketh it a vain thing to recite in his Chronicle the series of the Kings seeing Manetho by whom Scaliger would amend Eusebius is most unworthy of creâ—it But it being requisite to give beginners some insight into the story such things must be briefly related as out of such uncertainties carry the greatest shew of probability Orus the last of the Egyptian gods 6. After Typhons death Isis as Diodorus writeth Lib. 1. p. 13. c. for some time governed the Kingdom but so joyntly with her son Orus or Horus that he is also said to have succeeded after the death of his father and is moreover accounted the last of the gods He instituted a year consisting of three moneths Censorious c. and thence a year was called after him Horos The Egyptian year properly so called consisted of 365 dayes but besides this they had also monethly years of thirty dayes and others of four moneths apiece or 120 dayes that by this various and cunning account as Cappellus thinketh they might delude the Greeks Of this later way few examples we meet with but Diodorus maketh mention of it assigning the cause to have been for that they divided their Solar year not into four but onely three parts and Cappellus maketh this following account to consist of such kind of years After the gods came men to the Government and the Egyptians boasted that they had Kings of their own Countrey and home-born for the most part during the term of 4700 years after Cambyses strangers as Persians and Macedonians having governed them Now these 4700 years he guesseth to consist of four moneths apiece and to contain 1544 Julian years Vide Cappellum ad A. M. 1931. 1941. which being deducted out of the years of the World at the period whereof Cambyses came down into Egypt 1931 will remain at what time Osiris or Orus his son might perhaps die who being the last of the gods Kings began where they ended Menis the first King 7. The first King that reigned after these gods was Menas or Menis Herodotus Diodorus which name by some is thought to have been onely of Dignity and that Osiris was so called Others think Mercurius Trismegistus meant thereby for that the Hebrew word Meni signifieth an Arithmetician and that Osiris might well be termed Trismegistus being a great Conquerour Philosopher and Benefactor to mankind in giving good Laws and teaching profitable arts Another would have Sesostris whom he supposeth to have succeeded Osiris to be meant by Menas as nothing inferiour to Osiris in prowesse and great undertakings But Sesostris the Great reigned not till many years after and nothing hindereth but Menas in the Egyptian language to say nothing of the Greek might be a proper name as well as a title of dignity But who succeeded him is not known the Priests feigning 52 Princes to have followed him in order for the space of 1400 years unto Busiris multiplying Kings years lies or fallacies to make their story the more admirable We must therefore in this unknown path take the blind conduct of the Dynasties again of which omitting the first seventeen to which almost 4000 years are ascribed the 18th is by Cappellus made to begin nine years before the time whereunto Eusebius sets it viz. in the 107th year of the Patriarch Jacob Amos or Amosis the first in order of it being Amos A.M. 2274. or Amosis 8. To his reign are given 25 years so that according to this account he it was who honoured Joseph and set him over the Land Euseb He dying in the second year of the Famin Chebros Amenophis Mephres c. Chebros succeeded him who reigned
such reports 17. As Manetho erreth in the cause of the departure of the Jews out of Egypt Manetho his false Chronologie so also in the time thereof though not so grossely as his Friend Apion Manetho nameth the King Themusis by whom they were expelled Who if the same with Amosis he lived 230 years before their true departure and that he is the same appeareth by Manetho's Catalogue taken out of Josephus But to go on with the Storie of the Kings Themusis reigned according to Manetho 25 years and four moneths after their Expulsion Chebron his Son succeeded him and reigned thirteen years next him Amenophis 20 with seven moneths his Sister Amesses 2 and 9 moneths Mephres followed her and continued twelve years and nine moneths him Mephramuthosis who reigned 25 and ten moneths then Thmosis nine and eight moneths Amenophis thirty and ten moneths Orus 36 and five moneths His Daughter Acencheres reigned 12 years and one moneth Rathotis her Brother nine years Acencheres twelve and five moneths another of that name twelve and three moneths Armais four and one moneth Armesis one and four moneths Armesses Miamun Sixty six and two moneths and lastly Amenophis ninteen and 6 moneths In whose time one who forsaking Eusebius followeth Manetho in ranking those Kings holdeth the Israelites to have departed Egypt and consequently will have this King drowned in the Sea That Ramesses Miamun was he who first began to afflict the Israelites the length of his reign as * Usserius Annal Vet. Test ad A. M. 2427. 2494. one supposeth maketh probable whose name also seemeth to him to have given appellation to one of the Cities in building of which they were imployed 18. After Amenophis reigned Sethosis who having great Forces both by Land and Sea left his Brother Armais deputy of Egypt Manetho apud Josephum l. 1. contr Apionem and forbidding him the Diadem and medling with his Wife or Concubines undertook an Expedition against Cyprus and Phoenicia Sethosis or Aegyptus and then against the Assyrians and Medes all which he brought under A. M. 2522. either by the sword or the terror of his name whereby elevated in his mind he confidently marched up and down the East-countries overturning the Cities and States thereof at his pleasure Much time being herein spent his Brother in the mean while acted all things in Aegypt contrary to his injunctions by the advice of his Friends assuming the Diadem and rebelling Of this the Chief-Priest secretly gave him intelligence so that hasting back to Pelusium he recovered his Kingdom Manetho addeth that this Sethosis was also called Aegyptus from whence the Country took the name of Aegypt and this his Brother Armais had also the appellation of Danaus If so then Amenophis who was swallowed up of the Sea His Brother Armais or Danaus must be taken for Belus the Father of Aegyptus and Danaus according to the Greeks who not being confounded with the Father of Ninus as by Mythologists he is wont to be is said to have lived 322 years before the destruction of Troy which account Learned Usher judgeth fitly to agree with the time of Amenophis He also thinketh Ramesses Miamun to be Neptune Mia coming near to and therefore seeming to be derived from Moy which in the antient Aegyptian language Ramesses Miamun the same with Neptune according to Josephus signifieth water Neptune is said also to be Father of Busiris who at this time tyrannizing about the River Nile cruelly slew such Strangers as came near him Such a Son indeed was worthy of so cruell a Father as Ramesses Miamun and it seemeth likely enough that the Story of Busiris might be taken from his and his Son's cruelty to the Israelites and so the thing may well enough be applied to Amenophis Amenophis his Son with Busiris Further if we observe what * A. Gellius Noct. Attic. lib. 15. c. 21. another telleth us that the Poets are wont to call cruell and bloody men by the name of Neptune as born of the raging and troublesome Sea then may we find more reason for Ramesses Miamun his being so called because of his inhumanity towards the Israelites and their innocent Children 19. Now to joyn this Storie of the Aegyptians with that of the Greeks whom yet the other complain of as corrupting their Antiquities (d) Lib. 2. Apollodorus writeth how Neptune on Lybia the Daughter of Epaphas who being the Son of Telegonus What the Greeks write concerning Sethosis and Io the second daughter to Jasus King of Argos built Memphis as some say and reigned in the lower part Aegypt begat two Sons Belus and Agenor whereof the later went into Phoenicia and there reigned Belus obtained Egypt and of Anchinoë the Daughter of Nilus begot Aegyptus and Danaus He sent Danaus to inhabit Africk or Lybia so called from his Mother and after Aegyptus had subdued the Country of the Melampodi or Black-feet named it Egypt after himself which according to Eusebius was formerly called Aeri◠and according to others Potamitis But he whom Maneth◠in Josephus calleth Sesothis seemeth to be the same with Diodorus his Sesoosis and Sesostris of Herodotus concerning whom both of them record as Manetho hath done very admirable things Agreeable to what Manetho delivereth of Sesothis Herodotus (e) Lib. 2. c. 102 c. writeth that Sesostris subdued many Nations (f) Lib. 1. p. 34 c. Diodorus saith His Conquests that Sesoosis conquered Arabia and Lybia before his Father's death and afterwards having a great ambition to do as much by all the World first secured the affections of his Subjects at home to keep them in obedience by his clemency and bounty Then with an Army of 600000 Foot 24000 Horse and 27000 Chariots he set upon the Ethiopians towards the South whom having conquered he compelled to pay a Tribute of Ebonie Ivory and Gold With a Navy of 400 Ships sent into the Red Sea he subdued all the maritime Coasts as far as India he himself with a Land-Army over-running not onely those parts of Asia which afterwards Alexander subdued but beyond Ganges all as far as the Ocean it self 20. After this he conquered the Nations of Scythia as far as the River Tanais which severeth Asia from Europe and left some of his Egyptians to make a Plantation by the Lake Maeotis that gave originall to the Nation of the Colchi which the Egyptians supposed they sufficiently proved to be their Colonie from the use of Circumcision imagining that the Jews had also this rite from them Finally all Asia he subdued with most of the Islands Cyclades but then passing over into Europe was in danger of losing his Army for want of Provisions and by the difficulty of places therefore in Thrace he put bounds to his Expedition having in all places erected Pillars wherein was written his successe and where he found courage he caused a member of a Man to be ingraven but where
and thence to Athens where he was acquitted in the Court of Areopagus about his mother the suffrages for and against him being equal in which case judgement alwayes passed on the Defendants side Paterculus l. 1. A little after this he is thought to have killed Pyrrhus as he was sacrifizing to his father at the Temple of Delphos and then resumed his wife Pausan in Corinthiacis When Menelaus was dead he obtained the Kingdom of Sparta the Lacedaemonians being more willing to receive him as the Grand-son of Tyndareus by Clytemnestra than the base sons of Menelaus Nicostratus and Megapenthos begotten on a slave It is probable that he as his father before him was supream Lord of Argos and that the Successors of Melampus and Bias ever since the division of the Kingdom or for a good space held their principalities of his Predecessors and himself But now being King of Lacedaemon and the greatest part of Arcadia lying near to Argos after the death of Cylababos the son of Sihenelus who left no Children and that Amphilochus was departed thence to the Amphilochians to whom he gave name having the Phocians constant friends to him he easily made himself sole master of Argos and so this Kingdom was re-united about 140 years after the threefold division of it Divers years after he placed a Colony of the Aeolians in Asia * Strabo l. 13. pag. 582. four ages before that of the Ionians and shortly after died in Arcadia when he had reigned 70 years 34. He left (b) Vide Pausan ut priùs p. 60. Apollodorum l. 2. pag. 123. two sons One legitimate and named Tisamenus from his revenging his fathers death begotten on Hermione and another born of Erigone the daughter of Aegisthus Tisamenus succeeded him according to Pausanias though Paterculus writeth that both of them reigned after their fathers death Tisamenus Scarce was Tisamenus warm in his seat when he was displaced by the Heraclidae or posterity of Hercules They had several times attempted their return into Peloponnesus but were ever frustrated till now Hyllus the son of Hercules once or twice Cleodaeus his son after him and Aristomachus his son also with the same successe Aristomachus left three sons Temenus Cresphontes and Aristodemus which being grown up consulted the Oracle of Apollo concerning their return and had the same answer their father formerly had that they should attain their desire if they went by the way Stenygrus which word in the Greek being of an ambiguous signification Aristomachus thinking by it to be meant the Isthmus as a narrow way led down his forces through it and miscarried Temenus objecting this the Pythia or woman that delivered the Oracles answered that their Ancestors by their misunderstanding had been Authors of their own infelicity for whereas Hyllus was told that the third fruit was to be expected the third Generation was meant and not the third crop or summer as he expounded it and accordingly perished And as for Stenygrus by it they were to understand the deep Sea on the right hand as one entreth Peloponnesus and not the narrow Isthmus Having received this answer and conceiving all things now to be fulfilled and ripe for their effectual return they built ships in Aetolia upon that Sea the place wherein they were made thenceforth keeping the name of Naupactus from that occasion Whil'st they were about this work a certain Prophet appeared to them and foretold them several things but Hippotes taking him for a Magician sent on purpose to delude the Army killed him For this a Pestilence was sent amongst them about which consulting the Oracle they were bidden to banish Hippotes for 10 years and use the conduct of a Captain with three eyes for two years space The return of the Heraclidae 35. Seeking out such a man they met one (c) Apollodorus Oxylus an Aetolian son to Thoas that went to the siege of Troy who being on hors-back had but one eye now returning into his own Countrey from Elea in Peloponnesus whither he had been banished for killing a man Him they made Captain of the expedition bargaining to procure him the possession of Elis as (d) Eliac 1. p. 150. Pausanias witnesseth who reporteth him to have ridden on a Mule that had but one eye and therefore to have been taken for the man meant by the Oracle through the perswasion of Cresphontes Being ready they (e) Polyaenus Stratag l. 21. A.M. 2901. gave out they would march again through the Isthmus and by that means the Peloponnesians attending their motions there easily passed over the Sea and landed at Molycrjum Three parts of Peloponnesus especially they challenged as their due Argos because descended of Perseus whereas Tisamenus the present King was of the posterity of Pelops Lege Pausan in Argolicis Strabon l. 18. p. 352 c. who had no right to that Kingdom Lacedaemon for that Hercules killed Hypocoon who had expelled Tyndareus thence and restored the later to the Kingdom on this condition to keep it for his children Messenia because having also conquered it when he destroyed the City Pilus and slew all the brothers of Nestor he gave it to him of meer goodness and compassion but on the same condition as Lacedaemon to Tyndareus The dominion of Argos without much adoe they got into their hands after that taking a certain Village in the confines thereof Temenus fortified it and used it for a place of retreat for carrying on the War One Philonomus betrayed Sparta into their hands Strabo lib. 18. p. 365. which they entered with sound of Pipes instead of Trumpets as most effectual by the tune to make the Soldier attentive and keep his ranks which use was constantly observed by the Lacedaemonians Polyaenus together with that of the Harp 36. Tisamenus and the Achaeans thus expelled these parts Phusan in Achaicis Messenicis Laeinicis and out of Messenia by the Heraclidae and Dorienses their associates sent to the Ionians then inhabiting Peloponnesus their Neighbours desiring leave to live amongst them But they being jealous of him lest for his high birth and valour he should be chosen King of the Country denied their request The Achaeans then driven by necessity and desperation attempted to get by force what they could not by intreaty and though they lost Tisamenus in the fight drave the Iones out of their Seats and constrained them to passe into Attica where they were received by the Athenians through the perswasion of Melanthus the King As for the Heraclidae when they came to divide what they had won Argos fell to Temenus Cresphontes by fraud used in the Lot obtained Messene and Lacedaemon became the portion of Procles and Eurystheus the sons of Aristodemus who was slain by the sons of Pylas kinsmen to Tisamenus before they entered Peloponnesus They also according to their ingagement possessed Oxylus of Elis. Temenus obtained Argos 37. Temenus being setled in Argos
sort of people as those Vide Aristot quo prius Strabon yeâ— not out of the whole body but particular families which custom Aristotle accounteth worse than the other of Lacedaemon Those Cosmi at home Governed the Common-wealth in War commanded the Army with absolute Authority There was also a Senate chosen out of those who in this Office had well demeaned themselves being for life and not liable to be called to account There was an Order of Hors-men who were bound to keep Horses for the service of the State whereas they at Lacedaemon had no such tie upon them In the Concio or great Assembly all Members of the Commonwealth had equal Votes but its power was not great confirming onely what was propounded by the Senate and Cosmi They had publick slaves called Periaeci from their inhabiting up and down the Countrey who tilled the grounds and paid in a constant Revenue All when ripe of age were commanded to marry for the propagation of legitimate issue Yet they did not lead their wives to their houses when newly married but let them stay till they were fit to govern a family The Boys took their meat altogether on the ground serving themselves and the elder sort They were cloathed meanly and alike both Winter and Summer they used bickerings with one another both with single hand and Weapon on certain dayes and had those who exercised them also in shooting and a vvarlike kind of leaping invented by Cures moreover in certain Rithms called properly * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rythmi Cretici The Cretians had several commendable Laws as that which severely restrained drunkennesse another commended by Plato that required an account how publick Corn was distributed and spent The younger sort were utterly forbidden to make any inquiry into the equiry of the Laws and if the elder were unsatisfied without their knowledge they were to have recourse to the Magistrates and their own equals But that the Laws might be ingraven in their memories the boyes vvere vvont vvhen they vvere taught to read to get some of them by heart being put into Verse together vvith some Musical Notes 11. Lycurgus the Spartan Law-giver made this model the pattern of his new Commonwealth having travelled into the Island vvhere he had converse vvith Thales a man ennobled for his Lavvs and Lyrick Poems Strabo lib. 10. pag. 482. for vve must not suppose Minos the sole Author of the Cretiam customs As the Cretians had their Cosmi so the Spartans their Ephori though most probable it is that these vvere brought in after the death of Lycurgus As they a Senate so these also endovved vvith the like immunities The Concio or Assembly of the people in Crete resolved nothing but vvhat vvas propounded by the Cosmi and Senate vvhich vvas follovved by the first constitution of Lycurgus the Senate propounding at Sparta The Periaeci Aristot Politic. lib. 2. cap. 8. and Heloti fitly agreed though the Cretians received lesse dammage from the former because being in an Island there vvere no Neighbours to hold correspondence vvith the slaves The Syssitia of the Lacedaemonians vvere fetched as Aristotle proveth from Crete and their Phiditia taken from the Andria of that place as also their education of Children vvas agreeable to the Cretian Plato commendeth much the Commonvvealth of Crete De Legibus lib. 8. and the Legislator for his vvisdom and prudence though he abominateth the immodest love of boyes and rejecteth his reason for it vvhich yet Lycurgus so approved as to put it in his model Aristotle condemneth it as also amongst some other things the Election of the Cosmi and their too great advantage they had of raising seditions in the State vvhen they came to be punished But Polybius affirmeth the two Commonwealths of Crete and Sparta to have vastly differed not fearing to blame Ephorus Xenophon Calisthenes and Plato for saying they were very like because with the Cretians it was usual to ingrosse Land and Money whence they were avaricious contentious sedition and what not moreover they had annual Magistrates Lib. 4. 6. whereas the other had two Kings for life They were he saith fraudulent and crafty in their private demeanour and most unjust in their publick Councils Proverb cum Cretense Cretissare lib. 8. Though some publick abuses taxed by Polybâ—us might have crept in in antient times yet it appeareth from the testimony of that Verse of Epimenides a Cretian which St. Paul citeth and confirmeth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that the disposition even of the old Cretians for Epimenides is found contemporary with Solon was very naught 12. Minos succeeding his Step-father begat Lycastes and left him his Successor who on Ida the daughter of Corybas begat Minos the secohd fathered also on Jupiter He had issue by Pâ—pphae daughter to Sol and Crete Deucalion Astrea Androgeos Ariadne and other children Androgeos going to the solemn Feast of the Panathenaea instituted by Theseus at Athens excelled all men in the exercises then performed whereby he became farmiliarly acquainted with the Sons of Pallas This when Aegeus perceived fearing they might by his means receive some aid and assistance he procured him to be made away at which Minos sore aggrieved came to Athens to demand satisfaction but obtaining none is said to have procured from Jupiter a Famine to fall upon all Greece and especially Attica which could not be abated till he received satisfaction A (b) Plutarch ut suprà yearly Tribute then be imposed on the Athenians of seven Boys and as many Girls which being unwillingly willing to submit to they were sore displeased when they came to part with their children and repining at Aegeus as the author of their calamity at the third time of sending Theseus offered himself to go amongst the rest The Fable is that they were to be devoured of the Minotaure a Monster whose upper parts were like to those of a Man but resembled a Bull in the other Some thought there might be such a Monster indeed but most account it fabulous and it is interpreted to be meant of one Taurus the Captain of Minos who might have custody of these children whom Aristotle will not have killed but made slaves till their death Theseus promising to kill this Minotaure Aegeus with much adoe yielded he should go and commanded the Master of the ship that whereas for the sadnesse of the occasion they used black sails if his Son came back alive he should change them for white ones as soon as they came within kenning of Attica He killeth the Minotaure 13. Theseus coming into Crete by the help of Ariadne the daughter of Minos which fell in love with him got into the labyrinth where the Minotaure was kept and which was made by Daedalus who having killed his Sisters son at Aâ—hens fled into this Island and slew him It is thought Philocharus apud Plutarchum ut suprà that when he landed he offered the Combat to
whomsoever would accept of it and that this Taurus who bore himself high upon his valour and was hated by all for his ill manners was forced by Minos to accept of it Theseus having killed him was so admired by the King that he gave him back the children and remitted the Tribute Ariadne fell in love with him whom some say he carried away with him but others that he left her behind and she hanged her self several things one contrary to another being reported of her Peace now being made and Theseus returning homewards they were so transported with joy that they forgot to set up the white sailes whereupon Aegeus dispairing of his sons safety threw himself headlong from a Rock and perished The death of Aegeus From this Aegeus some would fetch the name of the Aegean Sea But others think it was so called from Aegae the Island near Euboea others from Aegae a town of Euboea some from Aega a promontory of Aeolis and others from the Rock Aege lying betwixt Tenedus and Chius Again some from Aegeus the name of Neptune in Pherecydes and others from Aegeon the same with Briareus and others from a Goat because by it's turbulency it leapeth like that creature Festus who deriveth the name also from Aegeus mentioneth other two Originals as probable viz. the many Islands which to one looking at them a far off appear as Goats in the Greek language called Aegae and the perishing of Aege the Queen of the Amazons in it Concerning Aegeus Suidas telleth a long story out of Nicocrates which is refuted by the Scholiast of Apollonius who concerning this is to be consulted together with Strabo and Pliny Theseus gathereth the Athenians into one City 14. Theseus succeeding his Father A. M. 2775. set himself all manner of wayes to deserve well of his Subjects Whereas before they were dispersed in twelve Towns or more he gathered them into one City as being more convenient for strength concord and dispatch of publick businesse This being hard to effect by reason that the people were unwilling to quit their present possessions for new hopes he went from place to place shewing them the convenience of the thing and that he might effectually perswade he promised them liberty offering to lay down all power except that of the Generalship and of keeping the Laws in all other things to be like them and the power to rest in the people The multitude being allured by this promise he made the chief City called Cecropia his regal seat and built another about it for the people which he divided into three ranks of Nobility Husbandmen and Artificers all under the same aequality of liberty and Law But the former sort he appointed to be the fountain of Magistracy yet so as elective by the suffrages of the other two He abolished the several Courts of Judicature belonging to the twelve Towns and constituted one general Prytaneum in the City Thus did he devest himself of all royalty in a manner and brought popular-government into the State His exploits 15. As Hercules had instituted the Olympick Games in honour of Jupiter Plutarch so he ordained the Isthmian and dedicated them to Neptune He sailed with Hercules into the Euxine Sea some say by himself against the Amazons from amongst whom he got Antiope his wife which gave occasion to that sort of women to come against Athens They sore distressed it by a Seige till peace was made by Antiope or Hippolyta as others called her Some have affirmed that he was not partaker in any Exploit with any of the Heroes of his time except in that he helped the Lapithae against the Centaurs Others again contend that hee sailed to Colchos with Jason and assisted Meleager in killing the Boar whence came the Proverb Non sine Theseo he also performed many brave things by himself without the assistance of any hence he came to be counted Alter Hercules Having contracted near friendship and alliance with Perithous the Son of Ixion being now 50 years old he joyned with him in stealing away Helena the daughter of Tyndareus from Sparta and when they cast lots who should have her she fell to him He carried her to his Mother living at Aphidna there to be kept till she were ripe for marriage But having agreed that he who obtained her should help the other to procure him a wife elsewhere they both travelled into Epirus to steal thence the daughter of Aidoneus King of the Molossians whose wife was called Proserpina and his Dog Cerberus he himself by the Fable being named Pluto When he understood their errand that they came not to wooe but to steal be laid hands on them both and caused his Dog to devoure Perithous kept Theseus in prison till Hercules desired he should be set at liberty 16. Whilst Theseus was absent one Menestheus the son of Peleus who was Grand-son to Erechtheus by his Son Oâ—neus incensed the people against him and that upon the account of that change he had made in the State which he would have them believe was intended to inslave them under pretence of liberty and at this time came down the Tyndaridae Idem Castor and Pollux some think by his procurement against Athens in behalf of their Sister Finding that she was not there and discovering the place of her restraint they went to Aphidna and taking it by force recovered her and took Aethra the Mother of Theseus which afterwards accompanied her as her servant to Troy and at the taking of that Town was set at liberty by her Grand-son Demophon By means of Menestheus the Tyndaridae were received into Athens and great honour was done unto them which thing contributed to his design For when Theseus returned the Citizens were so wrought upon His exile that in no wise would they be reconciled and so was he forced to banish himself into the Island Scyrus having sent away his children privatly to Elpenor the son of Chalcedon into Euboea One writeth Diod. l. 4. p. 184. Pausanians in Atticis A. M. 2802. that sailing towards Crete to Deucalion the son of Minos whose Sister Phaedra he had married after the death of Antiope he was driven by tempest upon Scyrus the Inhabitants whereof receiving him with great honour for reverence of his name Lycomedes their King out of jealousie made him away having led him up to a Rock And death as though to shew him the Country and thence tumbled him down headlong Menestheus 17. Menestheus then began his reign at Athens in the dayes of Atreus King of Argos and Mycenae and some years after accompanied Agamemnon and Menelaus to the siege of Troy with 50 ships During the War we hear little or nothing of him but after the City was taken he honoured the Funerals of Ajax the son of Telamon with a Funeral Oration Philostratus in Heroicis which work belonged to the Athenians to perform for those that died in the Wars but
he thrust his feet in Iron fetters and exposed him as a prey to wild beasts Yet either by those that had this charge Diodorus l. 4. p. 185. A.M. 2695. or others that found him he was carried to Polybus King of Corinth who caused his feet to be healed from the swelling of which he had the name of Oedipus and brought him up Many years after when he was grown Laius either hearing some rumor concerning him or carried by natural affection went to enquire of the Oracle what had hapned to his son and at the same time it chanced that Oedipus having heard of some design against himself went thither also to enquire who were his true Parents They met in Phocis A.M. 2722. where Laius bidding the other somewhat imperiously to give way Oedipus moved with choler killed him being utterly ignorant who he was Creon 8. Laius being dead Creon the brother of Jocaste called also Epicaste seized upon his Kingdom Oedipus and kept it for some time till Oedipus explained the ridle of Sphinx T is Munster which the Boeotians also called Phix Apollodorus is feigned to have had an head and face like a woman the hinder parts like a Lyon and wings as a Bird and keeping upon the Hill Phicion Plutarch in lib. quòd bruta ratione utuntur or Phiceon so named from her she proposed ridles which whosoever could unridle should have Jocaste in marriage with the Kingdom but if not she presently devoured them Unridleth the ridle of Sphinx Her ridle to Oedipus was this what is it that which goeth both on two Legs three and four A.M. 2758. Many having lost their lives for a misinterpretation he expounded it to be meant of a man who when an Infant creepeth on hands and feet when arrived at ripenesse of age goeth upright on legs and when he cometh to be old useth a staff Some think her a deformed and savage kind of woman that living on prey used to lie in wait for passengers But Pausanias writing that she was the Bastard daughter of Laius others judge her to have been for her wisdom preferred to determine the pretences of such as claimed the Kingdom and that those who were cast in the tryal she punished with death which cruelty the Poets detesting raised the fable Because of her abilities this kind of Monster was made by * Clemens Strom. l. 5. the Aegyptians an Hieroglyphick of wisedom and strength in both wich Plutarch maketh her to have excelled 9. Oedipus then married Jocasta his own mother not knowing what she was to him and obtained the Kingdom of Thebes Diodorus telleth us that he had two sons by her Eteocles and Polynices with as many daughters but others say he had them by Euryganea the daughter of Hyperphas At length all came to light both that he had killed his father and married his own mother whereupon she presently hanged her self and his sons kept him up close for the filthinesse of the thing as some say though others will have him driven from Thebes and that going to Theseus King of Athens he there died a little after Polynices while his father was yet living went to Argos Pausan Diodorus Apollod where he married Argia the daughter of Adrastus but after his death returned to Thebes to succeed him in the Kingdom The two brothers then agreed to reign by turns Eteocles Polynices but Eteocles having the first course refused to yield up his power at the time prefixed so that Polynices was glad to return to Argos At the same time there hâ—pned to be with Adrastus one Tydeus the son of Oeneus who having killed a man in Aetolia fled also to him both these he kindly received and by direction of the Oracle making them his sons-in-law promised to restore them to their Countreys and Estates Beginning first with Polynices he sent Tydeus in Ambassage to Eteocles who caused fifty men to lie in wait for him by the way but he killed them all and returned safe to Argos Adrastus to revenge the injury made all possible preparation for a War and invited all the best Souldiers from all quarters to the expedition Seven Eminent Captains gave their names whereof Amphiaraus who had married Eriphile the sister of Adrastus was Chief though of so ancient a thing as this Theban-war there can be little certainty The Theban War 10. A.M. 2785. Having each of them his several Army or Company rather they marched to Thebes which they besieged and divided themselves according to the Gates of the Citie Eteocles made all preparations for defence assigning to every Gate its Officer and consulted Tiresias a Prophet then blind concerning the event of the War He answered that the Thebans should overcome if Menaeceus the son of Creon would devote himself as a sacrifice to Mars which he presently did killing himself before the Gates Diod. l. 4. p. 177. The Thebans then made a sally but were beaten back to the Walls which when the Argives approched Capaneus one of the seven Captains first of all others set to Ladders and mounted but he being killed the other retreated and many of them were slain in the pursute After this it was agreed that the two brothers in a single Combat should decide the quarrel and so doing they mutually fell by the hands of each other then followed a very sharp fight wherein all the Captains that followed Adrastus were slain and he onely escaped by the swiftnesse of his Horse Arion Yet this victory cost the Thebans so dear that being themselves almost ruined hence Cadmea victoria became a proverb This War fell out 28 years before that of Troy Laodamus 11. Eteocles leaving behind him a young son named Laodamus Creon the brother of Jocasta assumed the Guardianship of him and would not suffer the Argives to be buried till Theseus and the Athenians procured it Ten years after the War when Laodamus was now grown up the sons of those Captains that had been slain called Epigoni made an expedition against Thebes to revenge the death of their fathers The expedition of the Epigoni A.M. 2795. Consulting before-hand the Oracle of Delphos about the successe they were bidden to chuse Alcmaeon the son of Amphiaraus for their General which having done and marching into Thebais they wasted all the Countrey round about the Citie Hereupon the Thebans made a sally and a sharp conflict insued wherein Laodamus slew Aegialeus the son of Adrastus and was himself killed by Alcmaeon though Pausanias saith he escaped out of the fight and fled to the Illyrians After this the Citie was taken and with other plunder Pausan Tiresias the Prophet was sent as a present towards Delphos but drinking by the way presently died This is he SECT 1. Thersander who is said to have experienced both Sexes and lived seven Generations even from the dayes of Cadmus to this time The Epigoni having taken
a Chapel dedicated to him under the title of Jupiter Indiges Ascanius 7. Ascanius his son succeeded him who before was called Euryleon till his name came to be changed in their flight from Troy as Dionysius writeth Some thought him the same with the eldest son of Aeneas by Creusa and called Iulus from whom the family of the Julii took it's name but others accounted him younger Mezentius grew very high upon the death of Aeneas and besieging Lavinium forced the Latines to submit themselves but requiring all their wine to be yearly sent as a tribute into Hetruria they would not endure so harsh terms and encouraging themselves fell upon their Enemies at unawares and killing Lausus the King's son amongst many others forced him to submit to equal conditions Thirty years after the founding of Laviuium Ascanius led out a new Colony and built another City called Alba Longa built Alba Longa whither he betook himself A. M. 2852. ante Rom. 400. leaving the old to his Mother Lavinia who if his own Parent managed the Kingdom for him in his non-age He died in the 28th year of his reign and was succeeded by Sylvius whom some make his son others his brother saying that Lavinia being left with child by Aeneas Ascanius his Successors in Alba. for fear of Ascanius fled into the Woods and there was delivered of this child who from the place of his birth had the name of Sylvius Iulus the eldest son of Ascanius contended with him for the Kingdom but the people conceiving it to belong to him of right as the Nephew of Latinus gave the Priesthood to the other in whose family it thenceforth continued Frpm Sylvius all his Successors were Sirnamed Sylvii whereof the first after he had reigned 29 years was Aeneas Sylvius his Son Aeneas having reigned so many left Latinus his Successor whom after 51 followed Alba for 39. After Alba Capetus reigned 26 years Capys 28 Calpetus * A. M. 3081. or Carpentus 13 and then Tiberinus eight who being drowned in the River Albula bestowed on it the name of Tiber. After him Agrippa reigned 24 years then Alladius called also Aremulus and Romulus Sylvius 19 who was very wicked and tyrannical insomuch that he would counterfeit Thunder desirous to be accounted a god by his Subjects and justly perished by Thunder and inundation through excessive rains Aventinus succeeded him who gave name to one of the seven Hills and after 37 left Procas Sylvius his Successor 8. Procas the thirteenth King of Alba left two Sons A. M. 3209. Oziae 14. Numitor and Amulius whereof the later and younger violently thrust his brother from the Kingdom and that he might have no posterity to revenge the injury caused his son to be made away in a pretended hunting and his daughter Rhea to be devoted to the service of Vesta and a single life In the fourth year of her Priesthood as she was going to fetch water for the service of the goddesse she was light upon by some one and ravished some said by one of her lovers others by Amulius himself who came disguised upon her rather out of desire to make an occasion against her than for any affection but for credit of the cause the fact is laid upon Mars in whose grove it was committed and who came to her as 't is said in a terrible manner with Thunder and Lightning Rhea called also Sylvia and Ilia conceived with two boyes Rhea the daughter of Numitor bringeth forth Twins and when they were born she was either put to death or condemned to perpetual prison and they were thrown into the River A. M. 3235. Olymp. 2. an 4. Oziae 40. At the fall of the water they were left upon the dry ground and a Wolf moved with their cries came and suckled them with her teats till they were taken notice of by Faustulus the King's Herdsman who brought them home to his wife Acca Laurentia that had been newly brought to bed of a stilborn Child Some thought that Numitor aware of his brother's intention to make them away caused other two to be brought in their rooms and gave his two Nephews to be nourished by this Faustulus Others write that this Acca Laurentia was but the Paramour of the Herdsman and for the naughtinesse of her life called Lupa LupanarÃa amongst the Romans signifying brothel houses and Lupa a Strumpet whence the fable arose that the Children were nourished by a Wolf Their names were Romulus and Remus Romulus and Remus 9. The boyes grown up proved active and couragious suitably to their birth but being educated as was agreeable with the fortune and employment of their Foster-father they had occasion to fall out with the Herds-men of Numitor and Remus being taken prisoner was carried before the King Dionys. Now did Faustulus reveal the whole matter to Romulus concerning their Original who got together a company of Herds-men and therewith falling upon the Palace slew Amulius and restored their Grand-father to the Kingdom After things were setled at Alba the young men had a desire to build a Citie in the place where they had been brought up which their Grand-father well approving gave them the ground with such of his subjects as he knew to be of his brothers faction and all others that of their own accord would willingly go out in this new Colony Lead out a Colony Most of the Trojans gave their names whereof continued to the time of Dionysius almost 50 families the inhabitants of the place also as many as were left about Palantium and Saturnia were taken in and the multitude divided into two parts that by emulation the work might proceed with greater expedition But what was intended for a laudable contention grew to a greater inconvenience for hereby were two factions made which preferring the brothers each before the other raised in them ambitious desire of preheminence This soon appeared in that they could not agree about the place Romulus would have the Palatine Hill or Palantian to be taken in and Remus contended for Remuria though on the other they were educated The matter was brought before their Grand-father who advised them to go apart and observe the flying of Birds and to whom hapned the most lucky flight he should be accounted the Author of the Colony Romulus went to the Palatine Hill and Remus to the Aventine near adjoyning Remus first had six vultures come flying by him but Romulus his flock doubled the number so that both of them were saluted King and neither would give place to the other Remus killed 10. The contention grew so sharp as to proceed to a fight wherein Remus had the worst of it and was slain which Dionysius thinketh the most probable opinion Others write that he scoffed at the lownesse of the Wall which his brother had made saying it would easily be passed over by Enemies and therewith leaped over it himself for which he was presently
first obtaining the Kingdom of Media 5. What time passed from the Conquest of Babylon and the beginning of his Monarchy unto his death is controverted amongst learned Writers Some reckon ten years or thereabouts and others but three of which number was once Joseph Scaliger who afterwards retracted it as an error but Ludovicus Cappellus hath renewed the assertion making it probable by arguments drawn from Scripture who therefore is to be consulted in his sacred * In notis ad Tab. 13. Chronology His issue Cyrus had issue two sons Cambyses and Smerdis or Tanaoxares with three daughters Atossa Meroe and Artystona to which Ctesias addeth Amytis Atossa and Meroe their brother Cambyses afterwards married and Darius Hystaspis obtained Artystona as also Atossa after the death of Cambyses Of the two sons to Cambyses he left his Kingdom and to Smerdis or Tanaoxares assigned the Government of Media Armenia and the Cadusians according to Xenophon Cambyses maketh War upon Egypt 6. Cambyses presently after he came to the Government made all possible provision for a War with Egypt the cause whereof is to be enquired after Herodotus telleth a story how he sent to Amasis King of that Countrey to desire his daughter Nitetis in marriage Lib. 3. cap. 1. which he not daring to deny because of the then formidable power of the Persians and not willing to gratifie him absolutely for that he conceived his daughter would be entertained but as a Concubine he found out a way as he thought to satisfie Cambyses A. M. 3476. Olymp. c. 2. an 4. V.C. 225. Cambysis 1. and yet keep his daughter There was one of Apries his predecessor's daughters yet unmarried her he sent to him under the name of his own who when she had sufficiently ingratiated her self with Cambyses told him how indeed she was nothing a kin to Amasis but begotten by his Lord and Master whereat the Persian conceived such indignation that to be revenged on him he invaded Aegypt But that which moved Cambyses to send for this woman seemeth something strange He had formerly desired from Amasis a Physician for the eyes the best that could be procured in Aegypt wherewith he gratifying him the man took it so ill of Amasis to be sent out of his native Country that in way of revenge he moved the matter to Cambyses concluding with himself that the King of Aegypt would not send his own daughter This was the saying of the Persians which Herodotus rather approveth than what the Aegyptians alleged that Cambryses was son to Nitetis the daughter of Apries and that the Persians ascribed that to the Son which beonged to the Father Vide Polyaenum lib. 8. because they would have Cambyses born of Cassanâ—ane the daughter of Pharnaspes of the noble race of Achaemenes and yet he confesseth there was a report that besides Cassandane Cyrus kept Nitetis as his Concubine whom he most affected and that to revenge his mother upon her Cambyses when but young threatned and after his Father's death made War upon Aeâ—ypt However things might go in reference to the daughter of Apries Cambyses seemeth to have invaded that Kingdom upon pretence of the right he had to it as Heir by conquest to Nebuchaâ—nesar who subdued it though it revolted from his Successors which might be concealed from Herodotus by the Priests who spared not to invent lyes for a cover to the disgrace of their Country 7. While Cambyses was yet busie in his preparations Vide Herod l. 3. cap. 4 c. one Phanes an Halycarnassaean by birth taking something in distaste from Amasis whom he served fled out of Aegypt by ship and coming into Persia advised this King that for his better passage of the sandy Desarts he should send to the King of the Arabians for sale conduct who being no good friend to the Aegyptian Passâ—th throâ—gh the Sâ—ndie Desarts came and met him with Camels bearing abundance of water which was necessary for the sustenance of the Army in that hot and dry place Ere Cambyses could arrive in Aegypt Amasis had prevented captivity by a natural death and Psammenâ—tus his son having succeeded him expected his coming at Pelusium one of the mouths of Nile Here a battel being fought the Aegyptians were overthrown and fled to Memphis whither Cambyses sent after them to yield up themselves to him but they tare in pieces the messengers and then being besieged stood out for some time but at length the City was taken Conquereth Aegypt Psammenitus had his son put to death before his eyes to try his patience though the Conquerour too late repented of it and had given him his life with the Kingdom to govern as a Province had he not attempted new matters for which he was forced to drink Bulls blood and so died having reigned six moneths after his Father His extravagant practices 8. This work done in Aegypt Cambyses betook himself to extravagant practices The dead body of Amasis he caused to be brought forth to be beaten pinched and then burnt contrary to the practice as well of the Persians as Aegyptians who abhorred such a thing because the former accounted Fire a god the later a ravenous beast perishing with the thing devoured by it Then resolved he to make a three-fold War One upon the Carthaginians another upon the Ammonians or the Inhabitants of the place situate about the Temple of Jupiter Hammon and the third against the long-lived Aethiopians who inhabited Africk near to the Southern Sea He resolved to send a Fleet against the Carthaginians an Army of Foot against the Ammonians and as for the Aethiopians he would first send to discover their Country While his Messengers were dispatching towards Aethiopia he gave order to the Phoenicians who having yielded themselves were his onely strength at Sea to fight against Carthaâ—e which they flatly refused because that City was a Colony of their own and thereby this design was dâ—shed After the return of his messengers who brought him word how he was slighted by the Aethiopian King in great rage and haste he set forwards against him without all thought of victualling his Army commanding all his foot to follow His fruitlesse Expeditions except the Graecians When he was come to Thebes he sent about 50000 men against the Ammonians with command after they had spoiled them to burn the Temple and so he marched on with the rest of the Army But ere he had passed the fifth part of his journy all provisions failed and all the beasts that carried burthens were eaten up yet did he not now recollect himself but proceeded till they were constrained to eat up every tenth man and then returned he with great losse and disgrace to Memphis where he dismissed the Greeks from his service The forces sent against the Ammonians never reached thither neither ever returned being all overwhelmed as was reported in the Sandy Wildernesse 9. Cambyses at his return to Memphis found
his name into Dariaeus and was also most commonly called Darius Nothus By the advice of Parysatis his wife he enticed by all means Secundianus to come to him not sparing Oaths or any other wayes to get him into his hands and so far prevailed that though Menostanes the Eunuch counselled Secundianus not to trust himself yet he came to him and being cast into ashes he died the same way as Darius the son of Hystaspes formerly made away his Emulators Jacobus Cappellus though some think this Darius to have been the first inventor of this punishment and that it is falsly ascribed by Valerius Maximus to the son of Hystaspes Then reigned he alone by himself after his brother had reigned six moneths and twenty dayes The three Eunuchs Artoxares Artibarxanes and AthoÌ„us were in great power with him but especially he was advised by his wife His Children by whom he had two Children Amistris a daughter and Arsaces a son called afterwards Artaxerxes before he came to the Kingdom Afterwards he begot of her another son called Cyrus from the Sun and others to the number of 13. But all the rest died young except these two and his fourth son named Oxendras Ctesias Stirs in his time 22. After this Arsites his own brother both by father and mother and Artyphius the son of Megabyzus revolted from him Artasyras was sent with an Army against them who falling upon Artyphius was worsted in two battels but in the third overthrew him and corrupting the Greeks that fought for him drew away all his Company except three Milesians so that upon the Oath of Artasyras for his security for that Arsites could not be found he yielded himself to the King He was minded to put him to death but Parysatis his wife perswaded him to spare him for a time for Arsites seeing him unpunished would also be moved to yield himself and then he might rid himself of them both together which accordingly came to passe both being cast into the ashes though Darius was hardly brought by her perswasions to make away his brother now also Pharnacyas who with Secundianus had slain Xerxes was put to death and Menostanes being apprehended shunned the same punishment by laying violent hands upon himself This Rebellion was followed by the revolt of Pisathnes the Governour of Lydia against whom Tissaphernes and others being sent he met them having in his Army Lycon the Athenian with such Greeks as he had brought with him who being corrupted by the Kings Captains revolted from him so that with fair words he was drawn in and carried to the King who cast him into the ashes and gave his Government to Tissaphernes and the Cities with the regions adjoyning to Lycon for a reward of his treachery After this followed the treason of Artoxares in great power with Darius who conspired about killing him and transferring the Kingdom to himself For this purpose being an Eunuch he caused his wife to make him a beard that he might seem no other than a perfect man but the matter being revealed by her he was delivered up into the hands of Parasytis who put him to death 23. Arsaces afterwards called Artaxerxes the eldest son of Darius married Statira the daughter of Idarnes a man of prime rank amongst the Persians and Terituchmes the son of Idarnes who after his death succeeded in his Government married Amistris daughter to the King She had a sister named Roxana who being very beautifull and well skilled in shooting Terituchmes fell in love with her and having to do with her detested his wife insomuch as he resolved to murder her by the help of 300 men with whom he practised to revolt Whilest he thought hereof one Udiastes a man in great power about him being promised great matters if he could deliver the Kings daughter from so great a danger slew him but the son of this Udiastes who was Armour-bearer to Terituchmes and was not present at his death after he had notice thereof cursed his father and seizing upon the Citie Zaris delivered it up to Terituchmes his son Then did Parysatis bury alive the Mother Brethren and Sisters of Terituchmes and commanded Roxana to be cut in pieces alive Darius would have had her to have made away Statira his daughter-in-law together with the rest but through the importunity of Arsaces her husband she spared her of which Darius told her that afterwards she would sorely repent as it came to passe From the second year of this King * Hist sacr lib. 2. Sulpicius Severus and * Josephus Scaliger Edu Livelaeus Junius many learned men with him count the beginning of the seventy weeks of Daniel ending them with the destruction of Jerusalem because the number of years do agree and the Angel maketh mention of that desolation though nothing be spoken in any place concerning any going out of a Decree during the reign of this Prince from which those weeks must needs have commenced They must needs allow the work now to have been carried on by the sollicitation of the Prophets Haggai and Zachariah which had been interrupted for 115 years ever since the second year of the return of Zerubbabel and Jeshua at which time they began to build But now at this time and before this lived Malachias the last of all the Prophets who exhorts not the people to the building of the Temple as the others did which is an evidence of the finishing of it before but reprehends those corruptions which * Cap. ult Nehemiah in his second Government had observed amongst the Jews viz. marriages with strangers unjust detention of Tithes and corruption of Divine worship And because the succession of Prophets was no more to be expected in the later end of his Prophecie he exhorts the people to keep the Law of Moses untill such time as the great Prophet the Messias should be revealed before whom John Baptist was to come in the spirit and power of Elias The ending of the Canon of holy Scripture is by Eusebius placed in the 32th year of Artaxerxes Longimanus After these Prophets the Hebrews held the men of the great Synagogue to have succeeded but the later Jews reckon the three last Prophets amongst them and Esra as the President of the Council 24. Against this Darius the Medes rebelled but were after some time reduced again into obedience At this time the States of Gâ—eece being plunged deep in the Peloponnesian War Xenoph. Hellenic 10. he made his advantage thereof as much as he could siding with the Lacedaemonians against the Athenians who did him most hurt in Asia both by their great skill and practice in Navigation and being allied to the Ionians whom as their Colonies they helped against him so that much entercourse and great transactions passed betwixt Tissaphernes his Lieutenant and those of Sparta which are involved in the affairs of Greece Idem ibid. Exped Cyri lib. 1. Diodorus ad Olymp. 93. an 1. ad
out in the Persian and Greek language that the King was hard by with an huge Army ready and prepared for fight This news made a great confusion all thinking they should be charged in that disorder Cyrus leaping from his Chariot put on his Curace and mounting on horsback took his Darts in his hand and commanded the rest to Arm and every man to take his place Clearchus stood in the point of the right Wing by the River Euphrates Menon and his Regiment held the point of the left and Cyrus himself the midst with 600 hors-men Armed with great Curaces and Tases and all of them with Casks except he alone who stood waiting the fight with his head unarmed according to the custom of Persia The King had with him 90 Myriads or 900000 and 150 Chariots having on both sides sythes prominent and bearing straight forth from the Axle-trees and some from the former seat of the Chariot with their points turned toward the ground that they might cut in pieces whatsoever they met and struck upon His purpose was to send them with high speed against the Ranks of the Graecians to break and rent them asunder 38. The Kings Army came on an equal and slow pace in great silence quietnesse and order which amased and discouraged Cyrus and the Graecians Artaxerxes and Cyrus joyn battel little expecting any such thing Cyrus now galloping up to the right Wing cried out to Clearchus to lead the Graecians against the middest of the Enemies battel because the King was there saying that if he were overcome there would be no more for them to do Clearchus seeing the middest of the battel and hearing from him that the King by reason of his multitudes which stretched out the body was far without the point of the left Wing of the Graecian Phalang would not for all that draw away the right Wing from the River fearing to be confronted and incompassed on both sides but answered he would have a care that all things should go well The word was betrayed before they joyned so that they were forced to change it to Jupiter the saviour and victory after the giving of which the Graecians singing the Paean and running on with a shout the Barbarians before they came within an Arrows shot turned their horses and fled the other following the Chace with all speed and crying to one another not to haste too much but to follow in good order The Chariots void of Guides were carried some upon the Enemies themselves some upon the Graecians who upon a forecast opened and let them passe through onely some were overthrown by fear who notwithstanding were reported to have had no harm nor yet any other Graecian in this whole fight one onely excepted who was strucken with an Arrow in the left side Cyrus worshipped as King 39. Cyrus beholding this sight much rejoyced and was now worshipped as King by those about him notwithstanding he followed not the Chase but keeping by him his 600 horse observed what the King would do who being in the midst of his Phalang without the point of Cyrus his left Wing and seeing no man to fight against him on the contrary part wound and turned his battel to the left hand to overwing and encompasse in his Enemies Cyrus perceiving it and fearing lest coming on the backs of the Graecians he should cut them in pieces galloped forth and met him in front and charging with his 600. overcame and put to flight the 6000 that were ordered before him and with his own hands as was reported slew Artagerses one of his Generals His 600 pursuing hotly were dispersed except a few that were left with him for the most part such as usually sat at his Table with which being accompanied he espied the King and the Troup about him and after he had said I see the man flew out directly against him struck him on the breast and wounded him through the Curace as Ctesias of Gnidus the Kings Physician related who reported also that he cured the Wound Whilest Cyrus thus fought one with a Dart hit him a sore blow under the eye 40. The King and Cyrus with their followers in defence of either of them thus coping together Cyrus was slain by the King as his flatterers said Xenoph. ut suprà Plutarch in Artaxerxe as others by a Carian though Ctesias writeth his death to have hapned after the King had withdrawn himself to an Hill being first wounded besides the eye and then dispatched by a thrust into his left Leg by a Caunian of a base condition who with other of his Companions had thrust himself it being now dark Cyrus slain in amongst his followers Here he died in the battel of Cunaxa a place distant from Babylon 500 furlongs or 60 odd miles a man in the opinion of such as had acquaintance with him of a most Kingly disposition and most worthy a Crown of all the Persians that succeeded Cyrus the Great Clearchus before the fight advised him to keep himself behind the Army and not to venture into danger to whom he replied as one who wished him to carry himself unworthy a Kingdom whilest he fought for one In the opinion of Plutarch not so much his rashnesse though inexcusable as the lazinesse not to say cowardise of Clearchus is to be condemned who having marched so many miles for no other purpose than to place him in the Throne not so much endeavoured his safety and Conquest as his own ease and secuâ—ity The event of the fight shewed that none of those about the King would have endured the least brunt from the Graecians and that after they had been put to flight and he with them or else killed in the place the victory and Kingdom must have remained to Cyrus But this advantage was lost by Clearchus who so placed his men that Artaxerxes could not have desired a more convenient order on his part they being at greatest distance from him and his Army insomuch that he neither perceived himself overcome by them A.M. 3607. V.C. 353. Xenoph. Plutarch ut priùs in Pericle and Cyrus was sooner slain than they could reap any fruit of their victory This battel was fought about the beginning of the fourth year of the 95 Olympiad Epaenetus or Xenaenaetus being Archon at Athens in the third ending or fourth beginning of Artaxerxes 41. Artaxerxes commanded the head and right hand of Cyrus to be cut off and following the Chace chanced upon his Camp which they plundred and took thence his Phocaean Concubine called the wise and beautifull whose name in her own Countrey was Mitto but by Cyrus called Aspasia whom the King most loved and kept amongst his 360 Concubines Now were he and the Graecians near four miles asunder these last giving Chace to such Enemies as stood before them as if they had been Conquerours of the whole Army the other rifling the Camp of the Graecians as if his Army had gained
with Hipparchus the Son of Pisistratus he went into Sicilie unto Hiero by whom being asked what God was he demanded a daies time to consider of it and after that another still professing that the more he studied the point the more he was to seek in it Some say he found out the Art of Memory and that being very covetous he first exposed the Muses to sale In the second year of the 58th Olympiad and eight before the Persian Empire died Anaximander the natural Philosopher of Miletus Anaximenes his Scholar flourished about that time Theagenes of Rhegium the most antient Chronographer Democedes of Crotone a Physician being taken Captive with Polycrates by Oetes the Persian was carried as a slave to Darius with whom he lived in great esteem after he had cured his foot and the breast of his wife Atossa 35. There flourished also in Darius his time Cadmus of Miletus an Historiographer there having been another of this name and place according to Suidas who in four Books wrote the History of Miletus and all Ionia and Strabo nameth Cadmus Phercydes and Hecataeus as those who first of all Greeks wrote Prose Hecataeus flourished at this time and gave light to Herodotus Phrynichus the Athenian a tragical Poet who first caused a woman to be personated and invented the verse with four feet Heraclitus the Ephesian a contemner of Heathenish Idols SECT 2. who out of fear wrote his Book of Nature in such an obscure manner that thence he got the name of Scotivus or Dark Zeno of Eâ—ea or Velia in Italy Scholar to Parmeaides who conspiring against Nearchus the Tyrant endured torments to death rather than he would discover his complices Pythagoras the son of Mnesarchus the Samian but born at Sidon in Phoenicia about the 53 Olympiad Diogenes Jamblicus Just a lib. 20. Plin. l. 2. c. 8. Being twelve years old he learnt of Thales and Phocylides from the later taking the transmigration of Souls Travelling into Aegypt and to Babylon he drunk in the learning of both places About the 68th Oâ—ympiad he went into Italy where he lived first at Crotone and then at Metapontus Here he taught and constituted the Italian School or Sect as Thales had done the Ionick Whereas others suffered themselves to be called Sophoi he would be called out of modesty Philosophus In the 67th Olympiad he found out the nature and course of the Planet Venus In the fourth year of the 70th he died at Metapontus where he was so admired that his house was made a Temple and that part of Italy called Magna Graecia Amongst his Scholars was Milo the famous Wrestler and women through him became famous for learning their Epistles being yet extant SECT II. Of such things as fell out amongst the Graecians from their Victories at Plataea and Mycale until the beginning of the Peloponnesian War containing the space of 48 years 1. THe Persians being overthrown in Greece both at Sea and Land Thucyd. l. 1. and so driven utterly out of Europe and those that fled into Asia in ships being also defeated at Mycale Leutychides the Spartan who there commanded in chief returned home with his associates of Peloponnesus The Athenians with the Ionians and those that inhabited upon the Hellespont besieged Sestus which the Persians had seized on all Winter and reduced it after which they also all departed home 2. The Athenians having brought home their wives and children Idem ibid. Plutarch Corn. Nepos in Themistocle after the overthrow of Mardonius had the popular Government restored by Arâ—stides and set themselves to rebuild the walls of their City in a greater compasse and stronger than had been formerly being thereto especially induced through the perswasion of Themistocles The Lacedaemonians above all others were hereat exceedingly troubled as considering that having obtained so great glory by the two Victories at Marathon and Salamina the Athenians would contend with them for the Principality and upon that account they wished them as weak as might be The Athenians rebuild their walls which the Lacedaemonians grudge They disswaded them therefore from going on with their work alleging that it was dangerous for Greece to have any fortified place without the Peloponnesus which the Barbarians might seize on and possesse They said they would send answer by Ambassadors of their own and Themistocles took the businesse upon him He first went alone and ordered that the rest should follow but not till the wall was brought to a reasonable height that in the mean time both bond and free should ply the work and sparing no place whether holy or prophane private or publick take all such stuff for building as they might soonest light on When he came at Sparta he demanded no audience but sought to protract the time pretending he expected his Collegues The Lacedaemonians complaining that neverthelesse the work went on and that he went about to deceive them the other Ambassadors arrived of whom after he knew that the fortifications were almost finished he laboured to perswade the Ephori who now had the chief power in that State that the things were false which they were made to believe desired them to send persons considerable whom they might trust to make inspection and keep him as an Hostage till their return 3. They sent accordingly three of their principal men to Athens and with them Themistocles his Collegues to whom he gave in charge that the Lacedaemonians should not be dismissed till his return After their departure he demanded audience of the Magistrates and Senate and then freely and openly professed that the Athenians by his advice agreeable to the common-Law of Nations But are eluded by Themistocle had fenced their publick and private gods with a wall that they might more easily defend them and neither could that be to the dammage of Greece of which Athens was the bulwark against the Barbarians for here the King's Navy had twice suffered Shipwrack He told them they did ill to regard more their private ambition than what was profitable for all Greece and to conclude if they expected the return of their Ambassadors they must dismisse him or else never expect to see them return which accordingly they were forced to do with much private regret though ashamed to own the cause He advised his Country-men further to finish the work of the Piraeus or Port of Athens which they had begun a long time before whilst he was Archon for he perswaded them first to apply themselves to Sea-matters as the way to obtain Dominion and commended to them that place as most convenient for their design having three natural Havens The wall he caused to be made so thick as two Carriages loaded with stones might passe by each other but brought the height of it but to half of that which he had designed And with so great a desire was he caried out for the inlargement of the Dominion of that State that observing the Lacedaemonian Navy to
that they thought seriously of concluding the War till otherwise perswaded by Alcibiades who undertook an expedition into Ionia to withdraw it from the obedience of Athens and did very much effect it The Athenians hereat abashed Alcibiades his actings against his own Countrey and fearing all their Associates would revolt took out 1000 Talents which as yet had been untouched as forbidden by the Law and laid them out in this case of extremity in provisions and especially in preparing a new Fleet. Then by Alcibiades his means was a League of alliance made betwixt Darius Nothus King of Persia and the State of Sparta by virtue of which the King allowed money for paiment of their Soldiers The Athenians recovered Lesbus and Clazomenae the Milesians and Chians principal in the revolt were destroyed by them but again they had the worst of it in a Sea-fight near unto Rhodes which the Peloponnesians then by fair means drew to their society exacting of the Inhabitants 23 talents in the name of tribute which successe because of the strength of this City made them confidently despise the money and alliance of Persia 62. For Tissaphernes and they were at some difference about the form of the League which they complained was not rightly drawn for therein they were tied to give up to the Persian the Islands Thessalie Locri and Boeotia which heretofore had been under the power of that Empire which seemed unworthy for the Lacedaemonians to do who pretended themselves the vindicators of the liberty of Greece against the incroachments of the Athenians Herewith Tissaphernes was grievously netled and departed in discontent from Cnidus where eleven Spartans had met him to require that the instruments should be corrected At this time also it hapned that Alcibiades was envied for his glory and suspected by the Peloponnesians and hated by Agis the Spartan King He flieth from the Spartans out of fear for that he had corrupted his wife insomuch that order was reported to have been sent to Astyochus the General to kill him but he withdrew himself to Tissaphernes He laid open to him the full State of the Peloponnesians perswaded him to diminish the pay that his Master allowed them by changing a Drachme into three Oboli a day part of which also he should ever keep unpaid to keep the Seamen at his devotion He further suggested crafty counsel to him especially that they should not suffer the Athenians to be suppressed by the Lacedaemonians but to keep those two States ever in an even ballance He suggesteth crafty counsel to Tissaphernes and let them weaken one another by their mutual enmities yet to favour a little more the Athenians because they would be content with part of the soveraignty of the Seas and would go no further whereas the Spartans would not rest here but contend for the sole Dominion and to bring all the Graecians from under the Persian yoak These things he pressed upon him as great mysteries of State for his Master's service and as such he imbraced them wherefore the promise he had made of joyning the Phoenician Fleet with that gallant one of the Peloponnesians was not performed and the power of this weakened by the with-holding of the Soldiers pay He desireth to return to his Country 63. Alcibiades had a great desire to return into his own Country which would not be to any purpose except it were preserved and therefore he communicated these things to Tissaphernes He wrote to some of the chief of the Athenians then lying at Samus concerning his desire and told them wherein he was dealing with him and yet he signified that he had no mind to return as long as the Popular Government under which he was banished should continue The Athenians that lay at Samus liked the matter well and generally inclined to change the Government for that they were made to believe that Tissaphernes by the procurement of Alcibiades would be their friend and they should have money from him for the payment of their Army Phrynicus standeth in fear of him and laboureth to destroy him But Phrynicus the General standing in fear of Alcibiades by reason he had spoken too freely against him opposed it with all his might and when he could do nothing by words very boldly acquainted Astyochus the Lacedaemonian General with the matter He who now had not Alciliades in his power was no whit eager for his destruction and being withall corrupted by Tissaphernes to betray his trust went and acquainted him and Alcibiades with what he had received Hereupon Alcibiades wrote to the Athenians in Samus and acquainted them with the treachery of Phrynicus required them to put him to death as a Traitor to his Country who hereupon was exceedingly troubled and boyled with anger against Astyochus yet in so desperate a case adding one rash act unto another To no purpose he wrote again to him upbraided him with unthankfulnesse and signified that he would betray Samus with all the Athenian Army there unto the Lacedaemonians which he could do because the Town was unwalled and would do forasmuch as it was lawful in so eminent a danger as he was in to provide for his own security 64. Astyochus without taking this opportunity to serve his Country made this known also to Alcibiades which Phrynicus understanding and knowing that Alcibiades would write hereof to the Army that he might prevent him he told the Soldiers that the Enemy intended to set upon Samus by Sea and Land now that the City wanted walls whereupon he commanded them having absolute authority to raise a work about it and keep diligent watch This was done accordingly and then though Alcibiades his letters presently after arrived yet no credit was given to the accusation as proceeding from his bitter Enemy but more confidence reposed in him Alcibiades then applied himself to Tissaphernes to reconcile him to the Athenians but he being unwilling to lose all his credit was cool in the businesse But whilst he dealt with him the Soldiers in Samus having sent to Athens to deal with the People about the change of Government Pisander chief of the messengers laboured to convince them of the absolute necessity thereof for that otherwise they could not be freed from imminent destruction The People being circumvented yielded to it gave him with ten other Commissioners power to treat and conclude whatsoever they found necessary for the State with Tissaphernes and Alcibiades but the former of these standing in fear of utterly losing the Peloponnesians and having this alwaies in his mind to keep the two States in an equal ballance Commissioners sent to treat with Alcibiades and Tissaphernes but in vain would not give any encouragement or open his mind fully to Alcibiades who fearing to lose his credit and power with him which he had so boasted of to the Athenians that he might put them by demanded such hard Conditions as he knew they could not grant and so the
also preserved uncorrupt and natural 43. The same year hapned such a Sedition and Massacre at Argos Diodorus ad Olymp. 102. an 3. as could never be paralleld in Greece That City was then governed in a Democratical way but the Orators so stirred up the People against the Nobility that some being accused An unparelled Sedition at Argos the fruit of Antimonarchical Government for fear conspired against the Popular Government to prevent their own ruine Being hereupon suspected and examined some fearing to be tortured made away themselves and one in the midst of his pains accused thirty of the most eminent in the City The common sort giveing credit to this accusation put all those to death unheard and confiscated their goods and then many others being accused who were wealthy they put them all to death and in this manner made an end of 1600. The Orators themselves now were afraid lest in this so general a Massacre they themselves also might unexpectedly miscarry and therefore ceased from their calumniations which being understood by the multitude as though they now forsook them they put as many of them to death as they could find in the City the vengeance of God thus repaying them 44. The next year the Lacedaemonians sent 1000 of their Citizens Idem ad ann 4. Xenoph. and 500 Argives and Boeotian Exiles under the command of Polytropus into Arcadia who there fortified Orchomenus but meeting with Lycomedes the Mantinean General of the Arcadians he was slain in battel with 200 men The Arcadians after this desiring help of the Athenians in vain procured it of the Boeotians who dispatched into Peloponnesus Epaminondas and Pelopidas to whom the other Boeotarchae of their own accord left the command of the Army When they were come into Arcadia all the Confederates made up the number of 50000 men but yet the Thebans were very unwilling to invade Laconia They considered that the Country was well fortified and that the Lacedaemonians terrible every where would fight more desperately at their own dores Epaminondas invadeth Laconia But the other pressing them much to it and some bringing word how the borders were desolate of defence and offering to conduct them into it at length they invaded it in four several bodies and bearing down all opposition met together at Sallasia whence they marched for Sparta it self burning and consuming all things in their passage Plutarch Corn. Nepos in Agesilao Six hundred years had the Dores now inhabited Laconia and for all this time not an Enemy had dared to appear in it so that this unusual sight caused great tumults in the City the women having never before seen as much as the smoak of War nor the men able to endure a Siege Agesilaus contained them within bestowing them as he found convenient in several places for the defence of the City which had no other walls than the bodies of it's Inhabitants He was much moved at the arrogance of the Enemy who challended him by name as the cause of these dissentions to come out and fight yet so contained himself as taking great pains for the preservation of his Country he shewed clearly that if he had not been the City could not have continued 45. The Boeotians laboured to provoke the Spartans to fight bidding them either do it or confesse themselves to be inferior to their Enemies to which they answered that when they saw occasion they would not fear to try a battel with them for all They left then the City and making great waste of all Laconia returned into Arcadia The Spartans in the time of this their extremity had promised liberty to such of their Slaves as would fight for them and sent to Athens to procure assistance from that State which the Ambassadors procured to be decreed especially by this motive that the Lacedaemonians had saved that City at the end of the Peloponnesian War when the Thebans were earnest for it's utter destruction Iphicrates sent to assist the Spartans They made choice of Iphicrates for the General in this Expedition who otherwise a man of excellent conduct yet is judged by Xenophon to have been far overseen in the management of this employment For having loitered at Corinth and the Thebans being about to return home he ought to have fortified Cenchrea where they had the most convenient passage and when he sent to spie whether they had passed Oneus His conduct is censured by Xenophon he sent both all his own and the Corinthian Horse whereas few had been sufficient to spie and better for a speedy retreat and hereby he lost no fewer than twenty men and the Thebans retuned without any great molestation The Lacedaemonians having got 4000 Auxiliaries besides 1000 Slaves newly manumitted and many men out of the neighbouring Towns thought themselves then fit to try a battel yet convenient for them first to send to the Thebans about a peace They offered it to them on these terms that Messene should be restored by them and the Laconians left to their liberty Most enclined to receive these terms till Archidamus rising up said that peace was not to be received upon such unequal conditions by them who were wont to give and not to receive it that Messene was justly destroyed 300 years before and could not be restored but to the great distresse and dammage of the Lacedaemonians 46. But Epaminondas having to his great honour restored Messene fully the grounds being divided Diodorus ad Olymp. 102. ann 4. and all things done after 85 dayes spent in this Expedition returned home and being in his way molested by Iphicrates pursued him home to the walls of Athens Epaminondus retutning questioned for his life But there was a Law at Thebes which made it capital for any one to retain the chief command longer than was in that case provided by the constitutions of the City new Magistrates being to be chosen the beginning of the new moneth Bacatius This Epaminondas knowing to have been made for the good of the City would not keep it to the dammage thereof and continued his command four moneths longer than his Commission warranted After his return he and his Colleagues were accused and he permitted them to lay all the blame upon himself They being hereby freed no man expected any defence from him as having nothing to say for himself He appearing denied nothing that his adversaries objected confessed what his Colleagues said to be true Plutarch in Pelopida Corn. Nepos in Epaminonda and refused not to undergo what the Law inflicted onely he made one request to them that this might be written upon his Tomb Epaminondas was punished with death by the Thebans because he constrained them at Leuctra to vanquish the Lacedaemonians whom before he was General Aelian var. hist lib. 13. cap. 42. none of the Boeotians durst once look on and for that in one battel he not only saved the Thebans from ruine but also
possible provision for defence He invaded the Locrians who killing some of his men refused to restore the bodies alleging the Law that all sacrilegious persons ought to be cast out unburied but he on purpose ingaged with them in another Skirmish and with some of theirs redeemed them formerly denied Then forced he the Prophetesse to ascend the Tripos to give him advice concerning the Warre She out of fear told him he might do whatsoever he pleased 14. The Temple of Apollo Pythius and the Oracle at Delphos one of the two chief Cities of Phocis Elatea being reckoned with it till made a Commonwealth of it self by the Lacedaemonians was of antient Original as appeareth by the (a) Odyss â— 75. vide Strabo lib. 9. p. 417. D. Poets making Agamemnon before his Expedition to Troy to have received answer from it The place thereof was accounted the middle of all Greece and also the navil of the whole World a Fable being invented related by Pindar that two Eagles some say Crows being sent out the one from the East and the other from the West by Jupiter met here The (b) Diodorus ad Olymp. 106. an 2. Original of the Oracle is to be fetched from Goats which feeding about that cave or hole where afterwards the Temple was built were seen to skip and utter voices unusual to others and themselves at other times The original of the oracle at Delphos which the Herdsman perceiving went thither himself and was affected in like manner withall foretelling things to come This being blazed abroad and many who flocked thither experiencing the same thing themselves it came to be judged an Oracle For a time one gave answer to another indifferently but many were transported with the fury and leaping down into the hole were utterly lost so that it was judged best to set apart one woman who should attend constantly and a certain Engine to be made wherein standing safely over the place she might give out the Oracle This Engine having three feet came thence to be called Tripos the woman was named Pythia from asking saith Strabo and the first of all others was called Phemonoe Virgins at first were onely destinated to this work till one of them being ravished by Echecrates the Thessalian women of about 50 years but in the habit of Virgins were onely allowed of The Temple in more antient times was very famous for the Oracle for the sitting of the Amphyctiones the Pythian Games and the riches thereof but in the time of Strabo it was decaied in reputation being nothing so much accounted of which we may gather from it's poverty seeing by gifts it was not able to recover the wealth taken out of it in after times as it did that which it enjoyed in the time of Homer having been rifled before it was recruited again by the present of Croesus his Father Alyattes the Italians Sicilians and others 15. Philomelus sent to Athens Lacedaemon and the other eminent Cities of Greece to excuse himself professing he onely intended the recovery of the Temple into the possession of his Country-men and not with any desire or design to pillage the treasures adding that he should be alwayes ready to account for the money or gifts belonging thereto He desired that if any out of ill will to the Phocians bare Arms against them that they would enter into League with them or at least to forbear all Hostility The messengers effectually solliciting according to their instructions brought the Athenians and Lacedaemonians to enter into society and to promise aid but the Boeotians with the Locrians and some others thought the contrary and resolved that the Temple was to be rescued Idem ad an 3. Philomelus seeing what kind of a brunt he must undergo laboured all wayes to strengthen himself for which purpose abstaining yet from the Treasures of the Temple he took a great summe of money from the Citizens of Delphi wherewith he hired Soldiers Having got together a considerable force he took the field and overthrew the Locrians who made head against him They then sent to Thebes requiring aid for Apollo and themselves and the Boeotians thinking their demand to be just desirous to shew their Devotion and conceiving it to concern them that the Decrees of the Amphyctiones should not be nulled sent to the Thessalâ—ans The Council of Amphyctiones decreeth War against the Phocians and the rest of the Amphyctiones to joyn with them in this War against the Phocians The Council meeting together then Decreed that War was to be made upon them which caused great motions and factions throughout all Greece 16. Some thought Religion bound them to relieve the God and punish the Phocians as sacrilegious persons but others inclined to defend them according to their particular interests The Boeotians Locrians Perrhaebaeans Dâ—rians Dolopians Athamanians Achaeans they of Pthiotis the Magnetes Aenianes and some others were for rescuing the Temple With the Phocians stood the Athenians Lacedaemonians and some others of Peloponnesus whereof the Lacedaemonians were now more than before concerned for not having paid their Fine imposed on them by the Amphyctiones within the time limited at the last sitting they were Fined 1000 Talents more This made them desire that the Decrees of the Council should be invalid as well as the Phocians and being unwilling to contract the Odium of making War in their own name upon that account they were glad to do it as it were in the name of the other endeavouring withall to get the Temple into their own hands Philomelus when there came certain intelligence that the Thebans would invade them with a strong Army to furnish himself with mercenaries seized upon the Treasury of the Temple then offering half as much more wages as formerly he had multitudes offered themselves to the service With 10000 he invaded the Locrians who being assisted with the Boeotians opposed him and having the worst of it afterwards taking some of his men as they were gathering forage put them to death as sacrilegious persons condemned by the Amphyctiones This the Phocians complaining of procured of their General that to stop such proceedings for the time to come he should punish such prisoners as he took in the same kind After this the Armies removed into other parts of the Countrey Philomelus slain where ingaging in Woody and difficult places of passage the Phocians were overmatched with the number of their Enemies and being put to flight Philomelus after he had omitted nothing worthy of a Captain for fear he should come into the power of his Enemies leaped down a Rock and perished with the fall With Diodorus consenteth (a) In Phocicis Pausanias as to the kind of his death though (b) Lib. 8. Justin writeth him to have been slain in the beginning of the fight Onomarchus succeedeth him 17. Onomarchus his Collegue taking upon him the Office of General after his death gathering up the reliques of the Army therewith
same with the Common of all Greece he might be unwilling to force them to the utmost But he placed a Garrison of his own in Thebes and Justin writeth how he sold for slaves all the prisoners of that Citie and the bodies of such as had been slain to their friends for burial that of the chiefest of the Citizens some he put to death and confiscated the goods of the rest being sufficiently sensible of their ingratitude After the fight when the Athenians fortified their Citie as expecting a siege (d) Plutarch in Demosthene Demosthenes at his own charge re-edified part of the Wall for which service Ctesiphon thought he was to be honoured with a Garland at the publick meeting of Greece but Aeschines contended it was against the Law and so his Oration against Ctesiphon concerning the Crown or Garland was written this year Charonides or Charondas being Archon the third of the 110th Olympiad and the first of the reign of Arses the Persian King 32. (a) Diodorus ad ann 4. Philip by his successe having utterly broken the courage of the principal Cities of Greece now gave out that he would undertake a War against the Persian for the general commodity all the estates and thereby and with his great courtesie gained much upon some sorts of people At length he called them together at Corinth and largely discoursing of the War shewed the certain hope of successe and earnestly exhorted them to undertake it Obtaineth to be named General at Sea for all Greece against the Persian to which all either out of love or fear assented He was chosen Captain General for the expedition allowance of men and money were appointed to the several Cities the (b) Justin lib. 9. Lacedaemonians alone scorning both him and the conditions of his peace accounting that slavery and not peace which was imposed by the Conquerour The Auxiliaries of Greece amounted to 200000 foot and 15000 horse over and above the forces of Macedonia and the barbarous Nations thereto adjoyning Whilest he thus prospered in his affairs abroad (c) Plutarch in Alexandre great differences arose in his own house by his putting away Olympias upon pretence of incontinency and marrying Cleopatra the Niece of Attalus Olympias a woman of an high spirit and melancholick nature took it exceedingly to heart Differences in his house by a new marriage incensed all she could her son Alexander who at the Wedding hearing Attalus in his Cups to exhort the Macedonians to pray for a lawfull Heir of the Kingdom from Philip and Cleopatra calling him naughty fellow asked him if he counted him a Bastard and therewith threw a Cup at him Philip hereupon with his drawn Sword made at Alexander but to the good of both being light headed with Wine and mad with anger stumbled and fell After this Alexander carried his mother into Epirus and went himself into Illyricum whence his father shortly recalled him by the procurement of Demaratus the Corinthian Not long after Pexodarus the Governour of Caria sent to offer his eldest daughter in marriage to Aridaeus the base son of Philip whence great talk being raised that Philip did it on purpose to devolve the Crown upon Aridaeus Alexander sent one Thessalus a player to Pexodarus to perswade him to neglect a Bastard and a Fool and transfer his affinity upon himself which was very well liked by Pexodarus Philip smelling out the matter checked Alexander grievously as degenerate and unworthy of the hope of a Kingdom being ambitious to become son-in-law to a Carian who was no better than a slave to a barbarian King 33. The next Spring having enquired of the Oracle concerning the successe of the Persian War which gave him answer as ambiguous Diodorus ad Olymp. 111. ann 1. Pausan in Arcadicis Justin and to the same purpose as formerly to Craesus he sent three Captains over into Asia under pretence of setting the Greek Cities at liberty Attalus Parmenio and Amyntas He himself whilest the forces were gathering together made a magnificent sacrifize to the gods and celebrated the marriage of his daughter Cleopatra with her Uncle Alexander of Epirus to which he invited all that would and gave large entertainment being willing to show to the Graecians how thankfully he took their making him General of all Greece Feasting and Musick there was in abundance and the Feast being done for that day but all the solemnity to be renewed on the next whilest it was yet night all the people ran together into the Theatre Thither were carried twelve Images of his gods in solemn procession and his own next after in a Divine habit as arrogating to himself a place in the Council of the gods Then followed he himself apparelled in a white Roab in the midst of the two Alexanders his son and son-in-law As he thus proceeded in the ruff of his pride He is stabbed the people sending up loud acclamations to the skies and Ecchoing his felicity one Pausanias met him in the straightest place of his passage and stabbed him into the side the wound being so mortal that he fell down dead This Pausanias having been invited to a Feast by Attalus had been carnally abused by him after he was drunk and then prostituted to the filthy lust of base fellows A.M. 3668. Ol. 110. ann 4. V.C. 417. Arsis 2. Phllippi 24. for which having complained to the King partly because of their affinity and because Philip intended to use him in the War he could have no satisfaction and for this cause took this revenge upon his unjust judge yet Alexander objected to Darius that his father was made away by his procurement 34. The murderer having mounted on hors-back had got away whilest the tumult was about the body but that his shooe catching hold on a Vine he was thereby pulled down and then slain by Perdiccas and others This end had Philip after he had reigned 24 years and lived 46. to which Olympias is reported by some to have contributed by incouraging Pausanias to commit the fact and neither knew they how to clear Alexander of the matter She put a Golden Crown upon Pausanias his head as he hung on the Crosse and a few dayes after burnt his body upon the Reliques of her husband and built him a Monument in the same place and caused a yearly parentation to be made to him After this having killed Cleopatra's young son in her bosom she then hanged her or as one saith fried them both to death in a brazen Vessel and consecrated the sword wherewith Philip was slain to Apollo under the name of Myrtalis by which she was called when young The foundation of a great Empire was laid by Philip and a great pattern left unto his son which to make was far more hard than what with greater glory was atchieved by Alexander His great atchievements The recovery of Macedon when there were two Competitors that had such assistants was a work of
in the place Near upon 13000 were slain and 15000 taken with 200 Chariots the greatest part whereof was broken in pieces and 1000 brigandines with 10000 shields though most of the Arms were swallowed up in the water Those Carthaginians that remained in great consternation escaped to Lilâ—baeum Their friends at Carthage hearing of their defeat were in no little fear out of conceit that Timoleon would now come over thither Wherefore they recalled Gisco the brother of Hanno out of banishment and made him General over the Army which they raised with money out of other Nations not thinking it meet to thrust themselves into such danger for the time to come But Timoleon returning to Syracuse found it a convenient time to punish the mutiniers whom he banished Sicilie commanding them to depart the City before Sun set Passing over into Sicilie they seised on a Town amongst the Brutii who rising and besieging them took the place and therein put them all to the sword 55. Hicetas often mentioned before and Mamercus Tyrannus of Catana joyned with the Carthaginians against Timoleon perswading them for fear of losing their share in Sicilie to send over some forces They sent away Gisco who hired some Greeks the first which served that Nation They cut off some hundreds of Timoleon's Mercenaries and Hicetas invaded the Syracusian Territories whence getting much booty he marched into Calauria in contempt of Timoleon who lay there now with inconsiderable forces in comparison of his Hicetas being pursued by Timoleon got over the River Damyria and then endeavoured to hinder his passage but he pressing upon him slew 1000 of his men and putting him to flight pursued him into the Territories of Leontium Timoleon taketh and putteth to death Hicetas where he took him alive with his son Eupolemus and put them both to death as Traitors to their Country together with Euthymus his General of the Horse for that in a speech to the Leontines he had scoffed at the Corinthians saying they needed not to be afraid though the Corinthian women were come from home terming Timoleon and his men no other than women Overthroweth Mamercus After this Timoleon overthrew in battel Mamercus killing 2000 of his men whereof the greater number were Carthaginians who thereupon earnestly begged peace and had it granted on these conditions That they still retaining all in their hands within the River Lycus it should be yet lawful for any one to remove thence to Syracuse with his goods and family and to renounce alliance with them and with all the Tyranni in Sicilie which at this time had enslaved many Cities of the Island Mamercus fled over into Italy Hippo and Mamercus put to death and Catana was delivered up to Timoleon who betook himself to Messana where he besieged Hippo by Land and Sea and taking him in his flight delivered him up to the Citizens who put him to death Mamercus yielded himself to Timoleon who having promised him he would not be his accuser he cast himself upon the People of Syracuse but perceiving them as he began to speak inraged against him he attempted to dash out his own brains and that not dispatching him he was taken up and executed as a robber 56. Timoleon after this drove away Nicodemus who ruled over the Centorippini Nicodemus Apolloniades put out of their power and forced Apolloniades to lay down his power which he exercised over the Agynnaeans whom having restored thus to liberty he made free of Syracuse Then did he restore all the other Cities to their desired liberty one after another and received them into confederacy with Syracuse and it was proclaimed by the voice of a publick Crier throughout Greece A. M. 3666. Ol. 110. an 2. V. C. 415. Ochi 23. Phil. 22. that The People of Syracuse offered houses and land to all that would joyn themselves as members to their Commonwealth Hereby it came to passe that multitudes flocked thither as to a new inheritance Timoleon setting himself to the care of the State corrected and explained the Laws of Diocles and acted other things necessary SECT 1. as he thought to the well being thereof till growing old he lost his sight which calamity as he bore very moderatly so by reason of it he intermitted not publick businesse Not long after he died and was buried by the confluence of all Sicilie the affaires whereof he had setled Timoleon 's death games being celebrated yearly in memory of him as for an Hero This hapned in the 58 year of his government the last of the 110 Olympiad and the last also of the reign of Philip of Macedon father to Alexander the Great about the year of the World 3668 A. M. 3668. Ol. 110. an 4. V. C. 417. Arsis 2. Phil. 24. the second of Arses King of Persia and seven before the beginning of the Macedonian Empire to the time whereof what we have further to say concerning the affairs of Sicilie is to be referred which affaires will shew that the infirmity of Popular Government is greater than that Timoleon by his constitutions could heal the distempers thereof and further evince the worth of Monarchy CHAP. IV. The affairs of the Romans contemporary with the second Empire SECT I. From the Banishment of Tarquinius and first change of the Government to the alteration made by the Decemvivi the space of 57 years 1. THe Kingly Office being banished with Tarquinius though both rebelliously and impudently that of Consuls succeeded Consuls Who were so called a Consulendo Festus observeth out of Verrius that the word Consulas was used by the Antients not onely for Consilium petas and perconteris but also for judices and statuas Moreover the word Consulere is many times taken for providere or prospicere According to this Etymology various is the opinion of Learned Men concerning this Office Some derive it from the duty or work of consulting the Senate Whence so called which was incumbent upon the Consuls Others interpret it of judging which saith (a) De Magistrat pop Rom. cap. 7. Lipsius I onely read in (b) Lib. 1. c. 9. Quintilian who puts the question whether Consul was so named from consulting or judging seeing that consulere was used also for the later whence arose that phrase Rogat boni Consulas that is judices but not only Quintilian but Festus also in the word Consulas giveth this Etymology Lastly some derive it from the end of the Office which was consulere or providere as (c) Lib. 1. c. 9. Florus and Justinian's Code But those Magistrates were not first of all named Consules but Praetores which name although it was common to others yet stuck to them by way of excellency (d) In voc Praetoria Porta Festus saith it expresly and so doth (e) 24 25. Justinian in his Novellae Constitutiones Xonaras saith the name of Praetor continued till the Decemviri who being banished then at length crept in
and Valerius made provision for their own defence by gathering together their Clients and dependents and Claudius as he had said departed into the Country of the Sabines whose example multitudes following left their native seat with their wives and chidren departing into voluntary exil The Decemviri troubled hereat endeavoured at first to hinder them by shutting the gates but again fearing they might out of fury attempt some dangerous thing they let them depart but seized on such goods as they left behind having accused them of defection These things being added to the former miscariages incensed much more both Patritians and Plebeians against them Yet had they proceeded no further in such like outrages they might probably for a much more longer time have secured their power through that influence which the mutual emulation of these orders afforded For the Plebeians were glad to see the high spirits of the Patritians dejected and the Senate void of all power on the other side the Nobility rejoyced that the Commons had lost their former liberty having not the least help because the Tribunitial power was taken away But they neither using moderation in War nor temperance at home constrained all to unite for their destruction which followed certain hainous offences committed against the Commons They lead out an Army against the Sabines and Aequi 11. They divided their Army into three parts whereof one remained with Appius and Oppius in the Citie the two other their Collegues led forth against the Sabines and Aequi. The later forced the Romans to forsake their Camp and shamefully to fly which caused great rejoycing in Rome amongst the Enemies of the Decemviri so that Appius fearing some attempt wrote to his Collegues in the Army by one means or other to destroy their known adversaries which was effected upon diverse But at Rome Siccius Denratus the Roman Achilles as he was named amongst others spake much against the Captains as Cowards and unskilfull which Appius understanding with good words perswaded him to go as Lieutenant or Legatus to the Army then lying at Crustumeria against the Sabines He not suspecting what was designed undertook the employment for that the Office of Legatus was most sacred and honorable amongst the Romans having the authority and power of a General and the inviolablenesse and veneration of a Priest When he came to the Camp he was sent out with 100 men upon service who had order to kill him He fought with them all slew fifteen and wounded twice as many Siccius Dentatus made away by them so that finding it too difficult a task to kill him by hand-stroaks they threw Darts and Stones at him and thereby at length and at a distance performed what was injoyned them Though the murderers according to agreement gave out he fell by the Enemie's hand yet the Soldiers fetching him off to give him honorable burial by several circumstances plainly perceived the truth and demanding Justice against the instruments when that was put off and they concealed they easily understood who were the principal cause and thought of nothing more than how to revolt 12. The Army lying at Crustumeria and Fidenae being thus incensed against the Decemviri another wicked act of Appius caused the other which lay incamped at Algidum against the Aequi not onely to think of but fully to effect a revolt There was one L. Virginius a Plebeian who had a daughter the most beautifull of all Roman women The maid being but young and at School near the Forum Appius as he passed that way fell in love with her in such a measure as by no means could he allay his brutish passion Marry her he could not being a Plebeian neither could he hope to obtain her for his Concubine there remained then no other way for him to enjoy her than by procuring M. Claudius one of his Clients to challenge her as his Slave so that the matter being brought before him to judgement he might judge her so to be Claudius laid his claim by affirming she was the true and natural daughter of his Slave and that the wife of Virginius now dead her self being barren procured the Child and brought it up for her own which though he and others knew well enough yet being young he had not opportunity till now to right himself The pretence was so impudent as raised the indignation of all persons no otherwise concerned than as in the publick liberty Numitor the maid's Uncle by her mother and Icilius the son of Icilius one of the first Tribunes of the Commons to whom she was already contracted sufficiently evidenced the truth but Appius being bent upon his lustfull design would hear no reason and had not a tumult hapned out of the indignation of the multitude would have given her up in the hands of Claudius till such time as her father could be sent for from the Army to defend her cause Being hardly drawn to put off the matter till the next day and not giving any more time wrote to Algidum to hinder Virginius from coming bidding Antonius the Commander of that Legion to confine him lest he should hear any thing of his daughter But Numitor and the brother of Icilius prevented the Letters and Virginius pretending the death of a near relation getting leave to depart through by-wayes returned to the Citie fearing a pursute after the arrival of the Letters which accordingly hapned but he thus evaded it 13. Virginius then was present in the morning to the great astonishment of Appius when his daughter was commanded to be brought forth He proved the maid to be his own daughter and no supposititious brood but Appius a man of no great natural abilities besides the brutish corrupted by the greatnesse of his power and inflamed with the excesse of his passion neither considered the defence of Virginius nor was moved by the bitter tears of the Virgin being angry at the pity of the standers by who apprehended the case of Father and Daughter no otherwise than as their own as if he himself were more to be pitied enduring more for her beauties sake than she herself Interrupting those that spake in her behalf and commanding them silence he told them that this was not the first time he had had knowledge of this matter for that Claudius his father being a Client to their family had committed him yet a Boy when he died to his protection In the time of his Guardianship he said it had been cleared to him how Numitoria had procured the Girl of Claudius his Slave Appius his abominable practices for Virginia but he thought it more convenient to let the matter rest till Claudius was grown up either to take or sell her as he should like best Since he came into imployment he had not medled with his Clients affairs but he himself it seemeth making an inventory of his goods and having notice of this Slave now challenged his right and accordingly he both witnessed and judged
branches whereof both retained the name as far as the Sea it self Alexander taking the right hand sayled down that Channel his Army being led according to the custom near the Rivers side The next day arose such a Tempest as exceedingly distressed the Fleet some ships being driven so far as scarcely could they be recovered whereupon for some time the King stayed here at a ceatain Island and sent men on shore to take up some Natives to be their Guides Coming lower where the Chanel was very broad another Tempest forced them into a certain Creek where as great a fear seized on them and so much the greater because they were unacquainted with the occasion of it It hapned that the Tide being exceeding high as it is at this day at Cambaia Is distressed upon the water where the River Indus falls into the Sea all the grounds near the River were overflown except certain Hills which appearing like so many Islands to them the Macedonians swom and left their Boats When the water fell again the Vessels were left on the drie ground some being overwhelmed and others turned upon their sides But the River according to the course of the Tide overflowing again at the due time such Vessels as stuck fast in the Mud were lifted up unhurt but those that the water found otherwise placed were either dashed against one another or miscarried after some other fashion 29. Repairing his Navy as he could he sent before two Boats to make discovery of another Island below by the Indians called Cilluta but by him Scillastis near which he must needs sayl down into the Ocean Hearing that it was large and very Commodious to harbour in he gave order for the Fleet to go thither but he himself proceeded further to search whether there was easie passage at the River's fall for the whole Navy into the Sea Having passed some 200 furlongs he discovered another Island and then returned to the Fleet where having sacrifized to some gods he went back and performed this service to others after another fashion saying he was commanded so to do by the Oracle of Jupiter Hammon Sayling out of Indus into the Ocean he sacrifized Bulls to Neptune and after the burning of Incense cast out a Golden Vial with Golden Cups into the Sea Passeth into the Ocean praying for a prosperous voyage to his Navy which he intended under command of Nearchus his Admiral should sayl through the Ocean into the Persian Gulf and so up Euphrates and Tigris and that no mortal after him might passe the bounds of his expedition Then returned he up the River to Pattala whither he found Pithon come with the Forces purposing to leave half the Fleet at the Citie to this day called Pattala in Cambaia he commanded Hephaestion there to make an Haven and provision for shipping He himself sayled down the stream on the left hand which first lead him to a Lake where he left Leonnatus with most of the Soldiers and with 30 ships passed through this Mouth of Indus into the Ocean 30. His design was to see whether the Fleet might not best sayl this way into the Sea and he satisfied himself that it might Then did he Travel up the shore and caused Wells to be digged thereon to furnish the Navy with water Returning then to Pattala he sent part of his Army to dig more and going to the Lake he caused Havens to be made and provision for shipping he also left there a Garrison with necessaries for 8 moneths At this time the Etesian vvinds in this Countrey blowing from the South though in other places from other quarters hindred Navigation wherefore he was constrained to leave Nearchus at Pattala with the Fleet till they should cease He journeyed through the Countrey of the Arabitae or Arbitae to the River Arabius or Arbis digging pits on the shore for the use of the Fleet in its passage by these Coasts Nearchus the Admiral sayleth the Ocean Nearchus and his followers were two moneths after Alexander's departure driven out by the Inhabitants of Pattalena and compelled to begin their Voyage ere the season of the year well served Coming to the mouth of the River they were forced to cut through a Rock for some way such a Ditch as by the help of the Tide might convey their ships safe into the Ocean The Arabitae hearing of Alexander's approach fled into the Mountains so that without opposition he passed over the River Arabius and came into the Countrey of the Oritae of whom killing some and taking others because they had not submitted themselves he thence marched into the Borders of the Gedrosians with whom the Oritae had joyned but upon his approach sent and begged peace which he granted on condition that they would depart to their dwellings He set over them Apellophanes with whom he left Leonnatus one of the keepers of his body with a party of horse and foot to expect the coming of the Fleet and in the mean while to build a new Citie and settle the affairs of the Countrey 31. In his passage through the Countrey of the Gedrosians greate losse and damage hapned to him than in all his expedition through Asia besides because what for want of water by excesse of heat ill diet and hunger he carried not out the fourth part of those forces he brought into India Alexander passeth the Countrey of the Gedrosians with incredible difficulty Yet was not this losse sustained through ignorance for some tell us that he knew of the danger very well but hearing that this Countrey had been formerly invaded both by Semiramis and Cyrus whereof the former was forced to fly but with 30 Attendants and the later with 7. he had an itching desire to passe through it and in the glory of his adventure to excell them After incredible trouble undergone for 60 dayes he came to Pura the chief Citie where as it was time he refreshed his Army and thence marched towards the Borders of Caramania Hither news came that Philip Governour of the Oxydracae and of other Indians vvas killed by the Mercenary Soldiers but that his death vvas revenged upon them by the Macedonians vvhereupon he vvrote to Taxiles and Eudemus to take care of the Countrey till such time as he could send one to succeed Philip. Coming into Caramania not far from Persia he animadverted upon the Governour as upon Cleander and Sitalces vvho being sent to kill Parmenio had after his death committed grievous outrages upon the people in those parts He also punished Ozines and Zariaspes who had solicited the Persians to revolt and Heracon who had rifled the Temple at Susa here also he made Peucestes one of the keepers of his body they being before this seven in number In the mean time Nearchus having passed the borders of the Arabii Oritae Gedrosians Ichthyophagi came into the Persian Gulf and arrived at Armusia now called Ormus where understanding that his Master was but distant five dayes journy
purpose and afterwards resolved to go 3 dayes journey off into Gabiene for that the Armies were both much straightned for necessaries Eumenes hearing this sent some who as Fugitives should acquaint him how as that night he intended to fall in upon his Camp which he believing stayed expecting him and then did Eumenes make haste to get into Gabiene before him Antigonus seeing himself deluded marched after with great expedition and leaving behind the rest of his Army with a party got before him He presented then himself to his view upon the Mountains which Eumenes seeing and thinking he had all his Forces with him made an Alt and so they mutually deceived each other Here in the Countrey of the Paraetaceni they joyned battel wherein Eumenes had the better though the other got the advantage of ground but then his Soldiers beginning to be refractory would needs depart to their baggage The victory controverted and not stay to bury their dead Whereupon Antigonus doing this first the victory came to be controverted 16. Antigonus finding himself to have had the worst of it Diodorus ut suprà Plutarch in Eumene Cornel. Nepos went his way to Gamarga in Media where was plenty of Provisions and then Eumenes finding his Army in no good case to pursue him departed to Gabiene Here he divided his Forces into their Winter quarters not according to his own desire but the pleasure of the Soldiers for the old ones which had followed Alexander in his Conquests were grown so high as they would rather give Laws to their Captains than receive them Antigonus hearing this thought to surprize them on a sudden and for that they should know nothing of it resolved to take a by-way which yet was declared to Eumenes who not being able to call his Soldiers together so soon as was requisite betook himself to his seldom failing policy He caused fires to be made on the Mountains where the Enemy was to passe which they beholding thought he had there with him his whole Army and so took the common way after they were come into the midst of their journey Antigonus stayed one day to recruit his Army and Eumenes gathered in the mean time his Forces together which admired his prudence so much as they ordered him to be the Chief which made him come into the danger of life divers of the great ones conspiring against him which made him say he was amongst a company of wild beasts and caused him to make his Will and tear his Letters lest any of them that had wrote unto him should be troubled after his death This as it was faithfully done to his friends so was it also in good time as it after fell out 17. For shortly after Antigonus and he came to a Pitch-battel which decided the controversie though not for the Conquerour Eumenes lead into the field 36700 foot 6050 horse and 114 Elephants Antigonus brought 2â—000 foot 9000 horse and 65 Elephants The Argyraspides or silver shields got the victory for they put all Antigonus his foot to flight and killed 5000 of them so that though Peucestes withdrew himself out of the fight with his own horse and 1500 more yet Eumenes with the losse of 700 on his side got the day But neither valour nor wisdom could befriend him for the place where they fought being exceeding dusty so as ones sight was taken away at a little distance Eumenes getteth the better Antigonus sends a party of his horse to plunder his Enemies baggage so that the Macedonians though Conquerors after the battel fell into a deep melancholy for the losse of their Wives and Children taken away and Teutamus first without the knowledge of any one sent to Antigonus who Covenanted with him to restore him all on condition Eumenes were delivered to him and they would all passe into his Camp whereupon the Macedonians But is betrayed by his men the 1000 which Peucestes commanded and most of the other Captains revoked and Eumenes having his hands tied behind him was delivered up his Army shamefully following him to the Tents of Antigonus leading it self in Triumph after him Antigonus for shame would not see Eumenes his old fellow Soldier in that condition but assigned him to Keepers at first requiring he should be strictly looked to but afterwards remitting that rigour till almost all perswaded him to make an end of him This he was loath to do and took 7 dayes to consult in but then fearing some Sedition might arise in the Army he commanded his dayly allowance of meat should be withdrawn saying he would never lay hands upon him Two or three dayes he languished in this condition and then the Army being to march And killed one was sent in and killed him without the knowledge of Antigonus so fell this brave man excelled in Military glory but by few Captains in the eighth year after the death of Alexander 18. Cassander having obtained of Antigonus 35 ships and 6000 men Diodorus l. 18. sayled with them to Athens which together with the Haven he had got into his power by means of Nicanor whom he had sent before-hand for that purpose Against him came Polysperchon intending to besiege him but his Provisions failing he left his son with a party in Attica and with the greatest part of the Army marched into Peloponnesus against the Inhabitants of Megalopolis who onely amongst the Cities had refused to take away their Oligarchy and had joyned with Cassander Here he had the worst of it and that brought him so into contempt as most of the Greek Cities revolted from him to Cassander and the Athenians seeing they could not shake off his Garrison agreed with him that he should retain the Fort Munychia till the War was finished with the Kings but that the Citie should be governed by one whom he appointed which was Demetrius Phalereus the Philosopher Theophrastus his Scholar who Governed ten years with moderation and was honored with 360 Statues Laertius in vita Phocionis Then Cassander making an expedition into Macedonia found there many friends The year after Polysperchon by the help of Aeacida King of the Molossians reduced Olympias with Alexander the son of Rhoxane her Grand-Child into Macedonia whereupon Eurydice the Wife of Aridaeus the King fortified herself and sent to Cassander for aid but the Macedonians fearing the Majesty of Olympias fell away from her Olympias destroyeth Aridaeus and his Wife and she with her husband being both committed to prison he was first made away and then Olympias sent her a Sword an Halter and Poyson to chuse which of them she pleased so she praying the gods that she might have at length such gifts sent unto her hanged her self with her Garter This hapned after Aridaeus had enjoyed the title of King six years and four moneths 19. Olympias killed Nicanor the brother of Cassander Diodorus l. 19. and destroyed the Sepulchre of his other brother Iollas and then chusing
is betraied by the instrument into the hands of justice and held him by the clothes till he was taken Being brought into Antiochus his Tent who sat late at night with a few attendants to see the issue of the project the King was amazed and could not forbear weeping to see him so eminent a man lye bound before him upon the ground in so sad a condition but a Council of War being called after several wayes of punishment proposed at last it was agreed that he should have his outward members and limbs cut off after that his head A. M. 3791. Ol. 141. an 3. V.C. 540. Ant. Mag. 10. Ptol. Philom 9. and that being sowed into an Asses bladder his body should be nailed to a crosse which was executed accordingly This end had he who was son to Andromachus the brother of Laodice wife to Saleucus who had maried Laodice daughter to Mithridates and had held all Asia on this side Taurus having recovered it by his own industry and valour a man he was exceeding wise and of great experience yet left as Polybius observeth for us a double warning to posterity not to trust any rashly and not to be puffed up with prosperity or be secure of any thing incident to mankind to which we may add another viz. that none presume to rebel against their Soveraigns for punishment will overtake them His death being known within as they all first agreed in making lamentations for him so shortly after they fell at odds being divided into two factions of which the one stuck to his wife and the other to Ariobazus the Governour so that having suspition of each other both parties yielded themselves and the place to Antiochus 24. A year or two after Polyb. lib. 10. excerpt Appian in Syriacis Antiochus undertook an Expedition into the East to reduce Media and Parthia which had revolted and he passing through both thereupon caused Arsaces to withdraw himself into Hyrcania which he considering and judging that he would not have forsaken this Couctry if he had been able to have defended it resolved to follow him so that with great difficulty he passed over the hills and entred also into that Region where we find that he took some Towns Antiochus maketh an Expedition into the East but what further he did against Arsaces or upon what terms he returned if Polybius his history had been kept entire we might have known After this he quieted the upper Asia and coming into Bactria for a good while endeavoured to drive out thence Euthydemus the King thereof whom he defeated Polybius excerpt lib. 11. and behaved himself most stoutly whence he got great credit for his valour At length Euthydemus complaining that he was injurious in opposing him thus who had not revolted from him but cut off the posterity of those that had beseeching him also not to envy him the name of King especially considering that by this dissention neither of their affaires could be secure for that a number of the Scythian Nomades hovered at the borders and were like to overrun the Country Antiochus who being tired with the tediousnesse of the War had sought occasion to make a Peace not unwillingly now heard the overtures of it especially after that Euthydemus sent his son Demetrius to him with whom he was so taken for his person and parts as thinking him worthy of a Kingdom he first promised him one of his daughters and then yielded that his Father should take the title of King Then the conditions of the league being written down and sworn to and taking with him all the Elephants that Euthydemus had he marched over Caucasus and renewed the confederacy with Sophagasenus the Indian King then taking with him more Elephants of which he had now 150 and leaving Androsthenes of Cyzicus to bring the treasure promised him he came to Arachosia and so through Drangiana into Carmania The fruits of it where he was forced to Winter having received this fruit by this Expedition that besides the Countries recovered and the maritime Cities and Dynasties on this side Taurus added to his Dominions he struck such an awe into his Subjects as kept them more in order and he was thought to be esteemed as well by the People of Europe as those of Asia worthy to govern 25. Not long after this A. M. 3803. Ol. 144. an 3. V.C. 552. Ant. Mag. 22. Ptol. Epiph. 2. Ptolomy Philopater dying and leaving a young son behind him but four years old Philip of Macedonia and he as we before hinted made a wicked League for the outing him of his Kingdom and dividing it amongst them wherefore he striking again at Coelesyria and Phoenicia got Judaea into his power which * Antiquit. l. 12. c. 3. Livius l. 33. as Josephus telleth us was tossed betwixt these two Crowns as a ship with the waves For Scopas the Aetolian recovered it again out of his hands for young Epiphanes and yet again not long after lost it with Coelesyriâ— being overthrown by Antiochus near the fountains or heads of Jordan at the City Panaeas with whom the Jews then presently joyned He joyneth with Philip against Ptolomy getteth Judaea and presently loseth it again Falling upon Attalus his Territories the Romans procure him to desist but the Inhabitants of Gaza standing still out for Ptolomy their City was taken and razed In the mean time whilst Scopas was recovering the Cities of Syria Antiochus himself was busie in invading the Kingdom of Attalus who then being employed with the Romans in the Macedonian War against Philip had left it naked of defence both by Land and Sea but upon his complaint to the Roman Senate they sent to Antiochus to tell him that seeing Attalus was employed by them against Philip the common Enemy he would do a thing very acceptable unto them to abstain form his Territories adding withall A. M. 3807. Ol. 145. ann 3. V. C. 556. Ant. M. 26. Ptol. Epiphanis 6. that it was convenient for all the Kings which were the friends and allies of the People of Rome to be at peace amongst themselves with the authority of which message he was so moved as he drew out his Army again from the borders But this respect to the Romans continued not many years he entering upon such courses as gave them offence and proceeding therein at length to an open War 26. For having reduced all Coelesyria into his power Idem ibid. and wintered at Antioch the next Spring sending before his two sons Ardyes and Mithridates with the Army and command to stay for him at Sardis he himself followed with the Fleet to attempt the several maritime Towns of Cilicia and Caria which were under Ptolomy Yet he ministreth occasion for a War with them and also to help Philip both at Sea and Land who now was busie in the War with the Romans Divers places by fair and foul means together he took in yet Coracesium stood out
the besieged upon such terms as they required 56. Going to the Temple he offered sacrifice and shewed civility and respect towards the place but a little after considering the strength thereof A. M. 3842. Ol. 154. an 2. Seleucidarum 150. Antiochi Eupatoris 2. Ptolom Philomet 18. V. C. 591. Joseph Antiq. lib. 12. cap. 15. caused the wall round about to be demolished contrary to his oath Then returning to Ptolemais the Inhabitants being great Enemies to the Jews stickled hard to break the League but Lysias by his defence quieted their minds and confirmed the Peace The King hasting thence towards Antioch Lysias accused Menelaus the High-priest to him as an incendiary and he that had been the cause of the War so that being thrown into a Tower full of ashes he there miserably ended his life and in his room was substituted one Alcimus of Aron's line but not of the family of the Priests through Lysias his direction which Onias the son of the last Onias the Priest understanding went into Aegypt where insinuating himself into Ptolomy Philometor and Cleopatra he obtained a Temple like that at Jerusalem to be built in the Province of Heliopolis and himself to be made Priest thereof Antiochus coming to Alexandria A Temple built to God at Heliopolis by the procurement of Onias found Philip Master thereof but setting upon it he took it by force and taking him therein put him to death and so quickly quieted these stirs being reserved with his Guardian though but a little time for others more dangerous His Ambassadors now which Lysias had sent about the death of Octavius had been at Rome where labouring to clear him of the fact they were sent back without answer whereat Demetrius the son of Seleucus being much startled began to cast again in his head how to obtain his freedom and the Kingdom according to his title which was so clear and evident 57. Consulting with Polybius the Achaean and Historian Polybius Legat. 114. 1 Maccab. 7. 2 Maccab. 14. whether he should not once more move the Senate in the businesse he advised him not to dash himself twice against the same Rock but attempt something of himself worthy of a Kingdom hinting thereby what he would have him to do But he being ruled by one Apollonius his intimate friend but a young unexperienced man requested the Fathers again that at least he might not be constrained to stay there as an Hostage seeing they had secured the Kingdom of his Cousin Antiochus They yet remained of the same opinion and resolved as formerly so that then he consulted how to escape first with Diodorus a cunning man who was come from Syria and had belonged to him and then with Polybius who procured Menethyllus the Aegyptian Ambassador to hire a Carthaginian ship just then sailing for Tyre so that Diodorus being sent before to feel the People's mind and seek for advantages he taking a few friends along with him supped at a friends house whither for fear he should stay too long Polybius sent him a secret hint not to let slip this opportunity whereupon making as though he was sick he arose from the table and came that night to Ostia upon the mouth of Tyber Menethyllus going before told the Master of the ship that he had received orders from his Prince to reside still at Rome Demetrius the right heir escapeth from Rome but that he would send some young men of approved fidelity to him A. M. 3843. Ol. 154. an 3. V. C. 592. Seleucidarum 151. Ptolom Philomet 19. to acquaint him with the affaires of his negotiation So Demetrius and his followers going on shipboard away they sailed by break of day At Rome nothing was known of his escape till the fourth day On the fifth the Senate met about it yet did not make any provision for the pursuing of him thinking it to be too late but a few dayes after they sent three Commissioners into Greece who viewing the affaires there were commanded thence to passe into Asia and amongst other things have an eye to what he should attempt 58. Landing in Lycia he thence wrote to the Senate Zonarus ex Dione Joseph lib. 12. cap. 16. Justin lib. 34. Lib. Maccab. ut suprà that he had no intentions to disturb his Cousin Antiochus but onely revenge upon Lysias the death of Octavius then getting into his hands Tripolis a Town of Phoenicia as sent by the Senate to possesse the Kingdom none gain-said him so that he seized also upon Sparneae Thence having gotten some forces together he marched towards Antioch out of which Antiochus with Lysias his Governour for that they thought he was sent by the Romans and therefore feared to oppose him coming out to meet him in a friendly manner was presently made away after he had reigned about two years Demetrius having thus obtained the Kingdom Getteth the Kingdom and killeth Seleucus displaced Heraclides whom Epiphanes his Uncle had made Treasurer at Babylon and his brother Timarchus whom he had also placed Governour there for that he had badly behaved himself in his Office whence from the Babylonians he got the sirname of Soter the next after Antiochus the son of Seleucus Nicator as * In Syriacis Polybius Legat. 120 122. Appian observeth The Roman Commissioners being now come to Ariarathes into Cappadocia he sent Menocharis thither to them to deal with them about his confirmation in the Kingdom offered also to Ariarathes the Widow of Perseus of Macedonia and his sister to vvife but he refused her for fear of giving offence to the Romans After the return of Menocharis and his report thinking it his main interest to oblige these men he cast off all other things and labouring to please them He courteth the Commissioners of Rome that he may be owned as King sent first to them into Pamphylia then to Rhodes offering to do any thing whereby to purchase his being acknowledged King by the Romans and Tiberius one of the Commissioners stood him in great stead for the obtaining of this his desire He shortly after sent Menocharis and others in Ambassage to Rome A. M. 3844. Ol. 154. ann 4. V.C. 593. Seleucid 152. Demet. Soter 2. Ptol. Philom 2◠and with them Leptines the murderer of Octavius who offered himself to be sent and a Crown of Gold in token of his thankfulnesse for his good usage all the time of his being an Hostage The Senate long deliberating upon the businesse resolved at length not to receive Leptines lest they should seem to be satisfied for the publick affront but rather lay the blame upon all Syria and reserve to themselves an occasion of revenge when and as often as they should see convenient as for Demetrius himself they bestowed their friendship upon him with this condition if he would give sufficient caution to be thenceforth as much in their power as formerly 59. Alcimus who had procured from Eupator to be made High-Priest
for the Tributes of the places other 500 upon pain of being prosecuted with War To these things Simon answered that he held no Towns belonging to any other but had recovered his own by right of War but as for Joppe and Gazara which had done great harm to his people he offered to pay him 100 Talents at which the King was so displeased that following at that time Tryphon to Orthosias Cendebaeus sent by Antiochus against the Jews is defeated by John the son of Simon he left Cendebaeus to oversee the Sea-Coasts with order to build up Cedron whence he might make War upon the Jews He coming to Iamnia made inroads upon Judaea and built up that Town according to order which John the son of Simon then lying at Gazara understanding gave notice thereof to his father who now being decrepit committed the War to him and his brother Judas He taking with him 20000 foot and a party of horse marched straight down against Cendebaeus and then placing his horse in the midst of the foot that it might protect and be protected against the Cavalry of the Enemy which was exceeding strong he overthrew him and putting the whole Army to the rout some betook themselves into the Fort newly built and others flying away he pursued them as far as the Towers of Azotus which having set on fire and slain 2000 men he retreated safe into Judaea 74. This successe of John sufficiently moved Antiochus to punish Simon but it was done to his hand by one who of all others might least have done it There was one Ptolomy the son of Abubus son-in-law to Simon and by him set over the Province of Jericho He entertaining his father-in-law as he went his Circuit about the Countrey to take care for the Government thereof slew him treacherously after a feast together with his two sons Mattathias and Judas Simon and his two sons murdered by his son-in-law when he had governed the people 8 years His design was being rich to obtain the Principality of that Countrey where he lived and therefore he presently certified Antiochus of his feat desiring an Army of him wherewith he might subdue the Cities of Iudaea He also sent certain cut-throats to murder Iohn Simons son wrote to the Collonels of the Army to draw them over to him and sent others to seize upon Ierusalem and the Temple But Iohn having timely notice of his treachery prevented his death by that of the Messengers and was made High-Priest in the room of his father and here the Author of the first books of Maccabees concludes his work having therein delivered the history of 40 years Antiochus besiegeth Jerusalem Josephus Antiq. lib. 13. cap. 16. Antiochus taking the opportunity of Simons death came into Iudaea which wasting round about he drove up Iohn sirnamed Hyrcanus into Ierusalem to which he laid close siege his Army being divided into seven parts The besieged being exceedingly helped from the strength of the Walls stood out manfully so that he raised an hundred Turrets from which he endeavoured to scale the Walls and compassed in the Town with a double Trench that none might escape but they still defending themselves sometimes sallied out and did him harm Hyrcanus seeing a great and uselesse multitude in the Citie which consumed the victuals put out the more infirm out of the Walls whence being hindred from going any further by the siege they wandred about the Walls almost famished till at the feast of Tabernacles out of pity they were again admitted 75. At this feast of Tabernacles Hyrcanus sent out to Antiochus to desire a Truce for seven dayes because of the celebration thereof He not onely granted this but sent in also Bulls with gilded horns golden and silver Cups with all sorts of spices and beasts for sacrifice and made a feast to the Army by which the other taking notice of his great humanity whence he was sirnamed Pius as also uncertain for what other reason Sidetes withall considering that the Sabbatical year being now at an end and the people being hindred from sowing a famine was likely to insue he sent out to him desiring that the Iews might be suffered to live according to their own Laws Many about the King advised him utterly to destroy the Citie to blot out the very name of the Iews from under heaven at least to dissolve their Laws and change their course of life so diverse from and disagreeable to other Nations but he being moved by a principle of magnanimity and bounty rejected this counsel and approving of the piety of the Iews commanded them to deliver up their Arms But departeth upon good terms for the besieged pull down their Walls pay Tribute for Joppe and other Towns without Judaea and receive a Garrison A. M. 3870. Ol. 161. ann 2. V.C. 619. Seleucid 178. Ptol. Physconis 12. Joh. Hyrcan 1. upon which conditions he offered them peace They yielded to all but the last because they would not converse with the Gentiles yet in Lieu of it chose to give Hostages amongst others Hyroanus his own brother and pay 500 Talents whereof 300 at present whereupon the siege was removed and they were freed from any further incumbrance Hyrcanus opening the sepulcher of David who had been the richest of Kings took out thence 3000 Talents wherewith filling his Coffers he first listed strangers in his Militia and entertained Antiochus and his Army in Ierusalem very plentifully 76. Antiochus Sidetes in the eighth year of his reign Iustin lib. 38. Appian in Syriacis Livius lib. 59. three years after his departure from Ierusalem undertook an expedition against Phraates the Parthian to fetch back his brother Demetrius still kept there in free custody who had twice attempted an escape but being retaken still was sent back to his wife and children not so much out of any pity or respect of alliance as because that King having an itching desire of getting Syria also into his power preserved him to use against his brother as time and opportunity should serve Antiochus with a great but extraordinarily effeminate Army marched into Media where many Eastern Princes met him with all their hearts giving up themselves and Countreys to him and cursing of the pride of the Parthians whereby he got such strength as overthrowing the Enemy in three several battels he reduced him within the bounds of his own Countrey But what he thus suddenly got he almost as quickly lost again for upon the approach of Winter quartering his Soldiers abroad in the Countrey the people were so oppressed what by the exaction of provisions and their insolence that they again revolted to the Parthian and upon agreement at one and the same time set upon them as they were severally disposed of in their quarters Antiochus Sidetes is slain by the Parthians Antiochus hearing this with that party which lay with him came in to relieve the next to him and there met with Phraates himself
Government of the City This was the end of Antipater a right good man a great States-man and one who had preserved his fidelity to his Prince and his care to his Country before his own private or ambitious purposes 24. His sons having knowlege of his death Idem ibid. Herod would have revenged it out of hand and by open force but Phasaelus thought good rather to circumvent the murderer by some way of his own lest a civil Warre should ensue and therefore seemed to be satisfied with Malichus his flat denial of the thing and set himself about building of a monument for his Father Herod visiting Samaria and seeing it much out of order laboured what he might to cherish it and sate in Judgement deciding the controversies of the People and then presently came up to Jerusalem to the Feast with a Company of Soldiers at his heels Malichus being exceedingly afraid of his coming perswaded Hyrcanus not to permit him to enter and he accordingly forbad him to approach so holy a solemnity with a prophane rout of strangers but he notwithstanding this got in by night and so affrighted Malichus that he betook him to his old trade of dissembling weeping to him bitterly for the death of Antipater as his kind friend yet in the mean time providing himself of a guard so that for a time it was thought fit by Herods friends nor to envince his deceit but for the shunning of suspition to treat him fairly yet did he signifie by letters his Father's death to Cassius who willed him again to revenge it Antiq. ut prius cap. 20. and gave order to the Tribunes then lying at Tyre to assist him in his just endeavours Cassius not long after having taken Laodicia they went and caried him crowns and money and then Herod thought to be even with him but he suspecting something at Tyre out of desperation cast higher matters than ever in his head For his son being kept hostage in that City he resolved to go in and cary him out by stealth into Judaea and then when Cassius should be ingaged in the War against Antony to sollicit that Country to revolt and get to himself the Principality and cast out Hyrcanus But the cunning of Herod prevented him who being aware of his project invited him and Hyrcanus to supper and then sent to the Tribunes to come out to meet him who remembring the commands of Cassius encountering him on the shoar slew him there Hyrcanus was so astonished with fear at the fact that he was not himself and scarce recovering his sense asked Herod who had slain Malichus to whom one of the Tribunes answered His son Herod revengeth his death the command of Cassius at which he replyed that Cassius had preserved both him and his Country by cutting off him that plotted the destruction of both Whether he spake this seriously or approved the thing out of fear is uncertain but thus Herod revenged his Father's death upon Malichus 25. Cassius being gone out of Syria Idem ibid de bello lib. 1. c. 10. there hapned a great stir at Jerusalem by means of Foelix who being left there Commander the Soldiers attempted violence upon Phasaelus intending by his death to revenge that of Malichus upon his brother Herod It hapned that at that time Herod living at Damascus with Fabius the Roman Captain was sick and unable to come and help his brother Falleth sick but he by himself was too hard for Foelix and forced him into a Tower whence he let him go with his life and then expostulated much with Hyrcanus objecting ingratitude to him for taking Foelix his part and suffering the brother of Malichus to seize upon divers Castles for now he held many and Massada amongst the rest the strongest of all But Herod after his recovery regained them all from him suffering him to depart quietly out of Massada upon his desire Antiquit. l. 14. cap. 21. Antigonus the son of Aristobulus about this time so bribed Fabius that he suffered him to get himself an Army and Ptolomy Minnaeus because of the former affinity betwixt them made him his son in Law Marion also who by Cassius his means had subjected Tyre and divers places of Syria His acts after his recovery came in to his help having seized upon three Castels in Galile but Herod also going against them had them all surrendred by the Tyrians whom he dismissed very graciously out of respect to their City and then marched against Antigonus whom being scarcely entred the Coasts of Judaea he overthrew Returning to Jerusalem he was received very honourably not onely by the People but Hyrcanus also who had of late received him into his family contracting him to Mariamne the daughter of Alexander the son of Aristobulus and his own niece by his daughter by which wife he was made a father of three sons and two daughters having on a former wife and his own Country-woman named Doris begotten Antipater his eldest son But now within a while Cassius and Brutus were overthrown at Philippi by Caesar and Antony of whom the former returning into Italy the other came over into Asia which gave occasion to new stirs in Judaea 26. Antony being come into Bithynia Cap. 22. Ambassadors were sent to him thither from all Countries Stirs in Judaea upon the approach of Antony and amongst the rest came some from the chief of the Jews to complain of Phasaelus and Herod who usurped as they said all the power an empty title being onely left to Hyrcanus Herod went to defend himself and so prevailed with his money that his accusers were never heard Antony having reached Ephesus an Ambassie was dispatched to him in the name of Hyrcanus and the whole Nation desiring that all Captives which Cassius had caried away out of Judaea might be set at liberty by his Letters published throughout the Province Cap. 23. which he readily granted out and as he was travelling into Syria Cleopatra met him in Cilicia to whose allurements wholy giving up himself at the same time came 100 of the most considerable of the Jews to complain again of the two brothers whom Messala defended and Hyrcanus himself stood by to assist Their cause being heard at Daphne Antony demanded of Hyrcanus whether part was fitter to Govern who answering in commendation of Herod he who formerly loved the young men for their fathers sake with whom he had contracted familiarity when he served in Egypt under Gabinius constituted them both Tetrarchs and committed to them the Government of the Jews To this purpose he wrote Letters and cast fifteen of their adversaries into prison and had put them to death had not Herods intercession prevailed for them and yet were they not discouraged so as to desist For instead of 100. a thousand returned in Ambassage and stayed for him at Tyre but his favour being further purchased by the two brothers he commanded the Magistrate of that place
which with the great trouble of his whole Army and use of Engines for battery at length he slew and sent it's skin 120 foot long to Rome The history hereof was curiously and elegantly related by Livie as (c) Lib. 1. c. ult Exemp ult Polybius ut supra Valerius telleth us After this d the Consul gave the Carthaginians a defeat fighting in such a place where their Horse and Elephants could do them no service and then took Tunetum or Tunis But not long after he was overthrown himself Defeateth the Carthaginians and not long after is defeated and taken himself taken prisoner and almost his whole Army lost this Victory being got for the Carthaginians by Xantippus the Lacedemonian A. M. 3749. Ol. 131. an 1. V. C. 498. Ant. Thei 7. Ptol. Philad 29. M. Attilio Regulo 2. L. Manlio Vulsâ—ne Coss whom afterwards sending honourably home as they pretended they commanded those that caried him to drown him and his in the Sea lest so great a Victory should be ascribed to the Lacedemonians as Appian writeth Of 30000 but a few escaped into the City Aspis called also Clupea where they were besieged till their Enemies perceiving they profited nothing rose up and made provision for resisting the succours which the Senate sent the following year under command of M. Aemilius Paulus and Ser. Fabius Nobilior the Consuls They taking the Sea with 350 ships were opposed by the Carthaginians whom they defeated and took 114 of their Vessels with the men in them as Polybius writeth or took 30 and sank 104 as Eutropius and Orosius the later whereof addeth that of the Carthaginians were slain 35000 and that the Romans lost nine Gallies and 1100 men The Consuls then went to Clupea but taking in the reliques of the Army presently set sail again for Sicily The Pilots told them they must take heed of the outward part of that Island which was full of shelves and very dangerous especially at that time betwixt the rising of Orion and the Dog But they gave no heed to the Seamen out of a desire by shewing of their fresh Victory and Plunder to procure certain Towns upon the Coasts to yield They had safely passed the middle of the sea and drew near to the Coasts of Camarina when such a tempest and so great calamities fell upon them as cannot be expressed saith Polybius The Consuls in their return from Sicily perish by a lamentable shipwrack Agrigentum destroyed for the greatnesse therereof For of 464 ships Idem ibid. Eutrop. l. 2. Diod. Siculus l. 23. Eclog. 12. A. M. 3750. 80 scarcely were saved and the rest were swallowed up or cast upon rocks so that the shoar was filled with dead bodies and broken pieces of ships Both the Consuls perished Those few that escaped Hiero kindly received and furnishing them with clothes and other necessaries coveyed them safe to Messana Karthalo the Carthaginian taking advantage of this disaster besieged conquered and burnt Agrigentum the walls whereof he also demolished 6. The Romans nothing at all discouraged by the greatest losse that ever a tempest procured gave order for the making of 220 Gallies which was prosecuted with such alacrity that in three moneths time they were both made and lanched Asdrubal the Carthaginian with all the old Army new levies and 140 Elephants came into Sicily and of old and new Vesses made up a Fleet of 200 sail The Consuls A. Attilius and Cn. Cornelius being commanded to passe into Sicily therein this year took several Towns and returned Their successors C. Servilius Caepio and C. Sempronius Blaeso in the beginning of the next Spring with all the Fleet passed into Sicily and thence into Africk where coasting about they landed in many places but did nothing memorable At length they came to the Island of the Lotophagi called Meninx not far distant from the lesser Syrtis Here they fell upon some quicks in the low water and were in great danger being utterly ignorant of the Coasts but the tide returning when they had lightned the ships cleared then off the shelves and they returned in a kind of flight to Panormus in Sicily Another shipwrack of the Consuls Then passing hence towards Rome through the Straights very unadvisedly such a tempest fell upon them as above 150 ships were lost Though the Senate and People were marvailously pricked forward to all attempts by desire of glory yet so many and great were their losses at Sea that they were constrained to omit naval preparations and place all their hope in the land forces They sent L. Cacilius Metellus and Cn. Furius Pacilus the Consuls into Sicily with the Legions and 60 ships onely for the conveying of necessaries to the Army And not onely did they plainly yield the Dominion of the Sea to the Carthaginians but feared them also on Land because of their Elephants which had often times done them great dammage Asdrubal the Punick General understanding their fears and how one of the Consuls was returned back into Italy with half of the Army in great confidence wasted the grounds about Panormus and the more carelessely because Metellus kept himself within the walls But the Consul taking an opportunity so placed his men in respect of the Elephants that when the Carthaginians came against the Town he overthrew them slew 20000 and took 26 Elephants according to Eutropius But Orosius writeth that 26 were slain and 104 taken and Livie related as appeareth by the Epitome of his nineteenth Book Metellus the Consul defeateth the Carthaginians that 120 Elephants were led in triumph with thirteen Captains of the Enemy Diodorus Siculus maketh the occasion of the overthrow to have been given by the Celtae in Asdrubals Army who meeting with wine brought thither by Merchants so ingurgitated themselves therein that being not themselves they broke the ranks and turned all into disorder which opportunity Metellus instantly improved Which moveth them to send about a Peace 7 This defeat caused the Carthaginians to desire Peace and offered to send to the Senate about it Amongst the Messengers was Attilius Regulus whom they had overthrown and taken prisoner five years before and now bound with an oath to return to Carthage in case neither Peace nor exchange of prisoners could be procured He when he came to Rome according to what he thought of the intererst of the Commonwealth disswaded the Senate from Peace and yet to keep his oath returned to Carthage where he was cruelly tormented to death and as * De Finib l. 5. Sed consule 〈◊〉 Gellium l 6. c. 4. Cicero writeth by hunger and watching Regulus one of the Messengers disswadeth it and for that at his return is tormented to death having his eye-lids cut off The year following because the Land-forces were very fearful of the Carthaginian Elephants and very unchearfully went about their work the Romans provided another Fleet and besieged Lilybaeum a Town standing upon the southern Promontory of Sicily over-against
was in desperate condition by want of necessaries till fearing a defection for that some had revolted already or till being forced by the earnestnesse of his Soldiers he led them out to battel Both parties though Countrey-men were so greedy of ingaging that they neglected to use any missive vveapons and betook themselves to their Swords fighting with great animosity till at length Brutus his side was born down and put to the rout And Brutus after a defeat He escaped to an Hill where remaining all night when in the morning he saw no way of escaping Antony having made him sure lest he should renew the War he set his swords point to his left pap where the motion of the heart is felt and forcing it into his breast expired A. M. 3963. Ol. 185. ann 3. V.C. 712. Hyrcani 22. Ante Christ 40. This was the end of these two men by the same vveapons as some write wherewith they killed Caesar who had given them their lives and received them into favour after the battel of Pharsalum While they sought liberty by his death by that very means they lost that which they accounted such being indeed no other than a liberty for the common sort to run into extravagancies and for particular men to abuse their credulity and by flattery to procure power which they then would improve even Pompey himself as well as Sylla Cinna Marius and Caesar further than their Commissions extended With them perished the hopes of that called a Commonwealth which thenceforth never was more seen Appian As for the succeeding bickerings which the Triumviri had with young Pompey they were but inconsiderable in comparison of this War with Cassius and Brutus who having under their power all the Roman Empire from Macedonia to the River Euphrates with above 20 Legions 20000 horse 200 long ships and infinite sums of money so long as they remained the Commonwealth seemed though not at Rome as yet to be surviving 16. Caesar being indisposed for he had not his health this expedition and therefore was not in the first fight returned into Italy Caesar returneth to Rome Antony went into Asia to gather up money for the paiment of largesses promised to the Soldiers Here he squeezed out of the poor Inhabitants that little which was left them by Cassius and Brutus Appian belli civil lib. 5. Plutarch in Antonio Dio lib. 48. the followers of whom he also restored as he met with them except such as had an hand in Caesar's death In Cilicia he met with Cleopatra Queen of Egypt on whom he presently doated having formerly had much affection for her when yet a Girle at such time as he accompanied Gabinius into that Kingdom Antony followeth Cleopatra into Egypt Thither he now followed her having first sent a party of horse to plunder Palmyra a Town situate near Euphrates and laid most heavy Tributes and Impositions upon the Provinces After Caesar had recovered A. M. 3964. V.C. 713. according to their agreement at parting he set himself to divide Lands to the Army in Italy which hereby was put into a great combustion the number of Soldiers being so great that multitudes of Inhabitants were turned out and many Towns emptied to give place to those new comers who committed many outrages and had not purchased those Lands by any service to the State as was complained but by serving to inthrall it to the Dominion of three men Fulvia the wife of Antony and Lucius his brother now Consul envied Caesar this popularity with the Soldiers and contended earnestly that they ought to settle the Soldiers of Antony which was granted But herewith not contented they resolved to prosecute him with War She for that she desired her husband might be recalled thereby from Cleopatra concerning whom she had too much cause to be jealous of him and he out of desire to innovate pretending an indeavour to suppresse the Triumvirate and to reduce the antient form of Government and trusting much to the strength of his brother The Perusian War betwixt Caesar and the brother and wife of Antony 17. Much ado was made to reconcile them but to no purpose The antient Possessors of the grounds flocked to Lucius and the new ones to Caesar to whom Salvidienus coming out of Gall with great strength Appian Lucius went to oppose him but was diverted by Agrippa and reduced to such straights betwixt them two though Ventidius and Asinius two of Antonie's Captains were not far off that glad he was to betake himself for security to Perusia a strong Town where he was closely besieged by Caesar and his party He stood out very couragiously till forced by famine to yield to mercy then coming out first and casting himself into Caesar's hands he interceded for his Soldiers and desired all the blame might be upon himself he was received honourably and his Soldiers were pardoned at the desire of their Enemies The Town was to be plundred but by a mad-man A M. 3965. V. C. 714. who set his own house on fire and therein perished it was burnt down to the ground About this time was the first Ecloge of Virgil written who now was some 28 years old during the division of those Lands as clearly appeareth from it Vide Servium in locum the above mentioned L. Antonius and P. Servilius Isauricus being Consuls in the 713th year of the Citie and the third of the Triumvirate 18. After the Perusian War for so 't is called Caesar suspecting Antonie's affection towards him Appian to strengthen himself seized on Spain and Gall Caesar provideth for the worst though his Provinces taking occasion at the death of his Lieutenant vvhereby being 40 Legions strong he vvas able to graple vvith him if need should require But having no shipping he was at a losse as to Sea matters and therefore married Scribonia the sister of Libo father-in-law to Sextus Pompey from whom he hoped by this alliance if need were to obtain peace Antony this Spring moved from Alexandria where he had lived all Winter very loosely with Cleopatra as against the Parthians who now under conduct of Labienus had over-run Syria as far as Tyre Antonies carriage in the East Though this Town was set upon by them and he pretended he would relieve it yet he did not alleging a necessity of going to the War against Pompey who now hindred all Provisions from coming to the Citie and thereby caused a great dearth Dio lib. 48. he again excused himself why he came no sooner to that against Pompey because he was retained by the Parthian War Sayling then into Asia he had news of the event of the Perusian War and blamed much his wife and brother whence passing into Greece he met with her and his mother Julia whom Pompey having taken now sent safe to him Thence he sayled over the Ionian Sea where Aenobarbus delivered up all his Fleet and forces to him
18. Pathmos one of the Cyclades St. John banished to Pathmos where he wrote his Revelation In this work he sheweth both Christs and his own hatred of the Doctrine of the Nicolaitans for several Heresies had by this time sprung up as St. Paul had forewarned (b) Lib. 2. c. 13. Eusebius maketh Simon Magus the first Author of Heresies concerning whom we have already spoken but as to his Heresies particularly 1 He affirmed that he himself was Father Son and Holy Ghost and that he was worshipped of all people by divers names Haereticks 1 Simon Magus 2. That Christ did suffer no hurt from the Jews for he was Christ 3. That any man might ly with any woman for this was no sin 4. That the World was made by Angels and that an Angel redeemed mankind 5. He denied the Resurrection 6. He thought that the gifts of the holy Ghost might be bought with money and therefore that sin of him is called Simony (c) Clemens Alexandr Strom. l. 3. Euseb l. 3. c. 29. Nicholas the Patron of the Nicholaitans was one of the seven first Deacons 2 Nicholaitans He having a fair wife and being accused of jealousie permitted any to marry her at which fact others taking occasion thought it lawfull for any man to have the company of any woman whom they themselves could like (d) Lib. 2. Tom. 2. Haer. 25. Epiphanius writeth that they taught Venery to be so necessary that those men who used it not every week on Friday could not be saved Besides these Hereticks 3 Corinthians about the year 69 sprung up the Heresie of the Corinthians (e) Irenaeus Epiphanius Euseb l. 3. c. 28. l. 4. c. 14. Cerinthus was a Jew by birth He taught that the World was made by Angels 2. That Jesus our Saviour had for his Parents indeed Joseph and Mary and that at his baptism Christ descended on him who saith he is called the holy Ghost by whom he did all his miracles Philastrius when Jesus was to be crucified of the Jews then Christ left him and returned into Heaven 3. That Christs Kingdom after the resurrection should be an earthly Kingdom and men then should live in all fleshly lusts and pleasures together for 1000 years 4. He denied the Divine nature of Christ and said that he had onely an humane nature and that he was not yet risen from the dead but should rise hereafter 5. He affirmed that the old law and all the old Commandments and Precepts belonging to it were to be kept together with the new Law or Gospel and that therefore Circumcision was necessary for every one that would be saved Epiphanius writeth that certain Haereticks called Alogi affirmed Cerinthus to have been the Author of the Revelation Menander 33. Euseb l. 3. c. 26. c. Irenaeus Epiphan August Philastr About the beginning of Domitian arose also the Heresie of Menander a Samaritan and the Scholar of Simon Magus He taught first that the World vvas made by Angels and that these Angels could be overcome by no means but by Art Magick 2. He denied Christ to be true man 3. He affirmed himself the Saviour of the World and that he came from Heaven to save mankind that all vvho vvould be saved must be baptized in his name Out of his Doctrine that vve may speak of these Hereticks briefly budded that of Saturninus of Antioch who not long after in like manner taught 1 That the vvorld vvas made by seven Angels vvithout the knowledge of God the father 2. That Christ vvas but the shadow of a man for he had neither the true Body nor Soul of a man and thus he fulfilled the mystery of our redemption 3 He said moreover that marriage and procreation vvas of the Devil Basilides Basilides of vvhom vvere named the Basilidiani agreed in several points vvith Simon Menander and Saturninus He taught that Christ did not suffer but Simon of Cyrene that Christ taking the form of Simon laughed them to scorn 2 He turned men avvay from Martyrdom affirming that it vvas no sin to deny Christ in time of persecution 3. That the Angels made 365 Heavens Euseb l. 4. c. 7. and that these Heavens made the World He vvrote 24 books upon the Gospel and feigned to himself Prophets vvhom he called Barcabas and Barcoph He commanded silence to his Scholars for the space of five years after the manner of Pythagoras Carpocrates and the Gnosticks his Scholars 34. Irenaeus vvriteth that in the time of these tvvo Carpocrates lived the father of the Heresie held by the Gnosticks vvho thought good not to make knovvn the Sorcery of Simon privily but openly glorying of charmed love-drinks of Devilish and drunken dreams of assistant and associate spirits vvith other like illusions They taught further that vvho so vvould attain to the perfection of their mysteries must vvork such facts though never so filthy othervvise could they not overcome as they termed them the secular Potentates unlesse every one played his part after the same secret operation These vvere the most vile Hereticks in filthinesse of all others They held 1. That the Soul vvas made of the substance of God and that brute beasts have reason as man hath 2. That there are tvvo Gods a good and an evil one and that this evil God vvas the Creator of all things Carpocrates also taught 1 That Christ vvas a meer man born of Joseph and not of the blessed Virgin that he was a good man and therefore after he was Crucified his Soul went up into Heaven but his body is still in the Grave 2. That the World was made by Angels 3. That there is no resurrection 4. He rejected the Old Testament as not Canonical Besides these at this time arose the Heresie of the Ebionites Ebionites so called from Ebion He taught that Christ was but a meer man 2. That when Jesus was 30 years old there descended on him and dwelt in him another person called Christ and thus Jesus and Christ dwelt and were united together 3. He agreed with Cerinthus in the rest of the Heresies touching Circumcision and keeping all the Law of Moses He denied the Epistles of Paul accusing him that he fell from the Law The Jewish Sabbath and other Ceremonies he observed together with the Jews onely the Sunday he celebrated as we do in remembrance of the resurrection 'T is reported that St. John hearing Ebion was in the Bath refrained his company Epiphan Haeres 30. Euseb l. 3. c. 21. and having seen and allowed the three Gospels published by the other Evangelists wrote his own to confute the Heresies of him Cerinthus and Menander CHAP. IV. From the death of Domitian to that of Pertinax and the exposing of the Empire to publick sale by the Soldiers the space of 97 years 1. IT is reported of Domitian that not long before his death he dreamed Sueton in Domitian Eutropius Xiphilinus
which other Emperours were wont Si vos liberique vestri valetis Bene est Ego quidem exercitus valemus But the extraordinary strength which now appeared in the Jews was given them for their destruction The greater danger their mutiny had occasioned to the Empire the greater was the Emperours severity in punishing their rebellion past the greater his care to prevent the like in time to come In battels skirmishes were slain of them 580000. besides an infinite number consumed with famine and diseases during the time of this lingring War protracted of purpose by the Romans not willing to try it out in open field with such a forlorn desperate multitude Dio who lived not long after this time emphatically notes that they were left few in number their Land laid waste fifty of their strongest Munitions utterly razed and 985 of their Chief and most populous Towns sackt and consumed by fire Adrian after this strange desolation by Publick Decree ratified by the Senates consent prohibited any Jew to come within the view of Judaea Before this overthrow they had manifest signs foreshewing their desolation Solomon's Sepulchre which they held in greatest honour saith Dio a little before this War fell asunder of its own accord Wolves and Hyaenaes howled throughout their streets and devoured them in the fields Such Jews as Adrian took Captive he banished into Spain his own Countrey this was their 10th Captivity saith John * Chron. Hisp A. D. 137. Vasaeus where they had their Synagogues till the time of Ferdinand and Isabel and Emanuel King of Portugal 12. The State of the Jews from this time untill the expiration of the Roman Empire cannot easily be gathered from any Roman vvriters who seldom vouchsafe the Jews or Christians any mention unlesse inforced thereto by some famous vvar or mutiny or by some other event redounding to the Roman glory Judaea after this time was not famous for any tumult till the ruin of Romes greatnesse the Jews wanted strength and the Christians willing minds to procure the Emperours glory by Seditions Hereupon whatsoever calamity either of them suffered by the Romans was passed over by Roman vvriters as private wrongs not worthy registring in their Annals Upon this account 't is no wonder they took no notice of our Saviour or his Acts all tending to Peace and Loyalty For as Tacitus notes Judaea was most quiet in Tiberius his time which was the best news the Romans cared to hear thence Yet the general estate of the Jews between Adrians and Honorius his time as * Dr. Jackson B. 1. Chap. 27. pag. 114. upon the Creed one observes may be gathered out of the reverend Fathers of the Primitive Church who usually stopped the mouths of Heathens or blasphemous Atheists by proposing their condition then known unto all the World for such as our Saviour had foretold it Thus much of the Jews untill the series of time and affairs reduce us to them 13. Adrian if we look at his natural disposition was as it were compounded of vice and virtue Adrians Character yet so as he seemed to have the command of them and may be reckoned amongst good Princes He was much addicted to studies and well seen in most of the liberal Arts here was his fault that he desired to comprehend all and did not reserve himself for the most worthy being one of the most curious men that ever lived And in him that saying was sufficiently demonstrated Non est curiosus quin idem sit malevolus For he was so envious that he mortally hated all better Scholars than himself and consequently the greatest Professors in all Sciences but such as were unable for their Profession he would dismisse with great rewards He killed Apollodorus the Architect for shewing him something freely the errours in his buildings The Captain of his Guard was Similis who as Dio writeth getting leave to retire and live quietly in the Countrey his last seven years commanded this Inscription to be set on his Tomb Here lieth Similis whose life consisted of many or 67 years yet he lived but 7. His cruelty toward his later end we may in charity impute to his peevishnesse contracted by the Dropsie with which he was sore vexed in every part In his time the Church was under some persecution for Xistus Bishop of Rome was Crowned with Martyrdom in the tenth year of his reign on the eighth of the Ides of April to whom succeeded Telesphorus according to Damasus but this was rather from the malice of others and the wicked custom then on foot than out of his inclination Being something satisfied with the Apologies of Quadratus and Aristides two learned men he wrote a Letter to Minutius Fundanus Proconsul of Asia which Justin Martyr hath exemplified in his second Apology and from him as it seemeth Eusebius in his History after this manner 14. The Emperour Caesar Aelius Adrianus to Minucius Fundanus I received a Letter from Serenius Granianus His Letter in behalf of the Christians that right worthy man thy Praedecessor the occasion whereof I cannot with silence passe by lest thereby men be troubled and a gap left open to the malice of Sycophants Wherefore if your Provincials can prove ought against the Christians whereof they charge them and justifie it at the Bar let them proceed and not impeach them onely for the name with making outcries against them For it is very expedient that if any be disposed to accuse the accusation be throughly known of you and sifted Therefore if any accuse the Christians that they transgresse the Laws see that you judge and punish according to the quality of the offence But in plain terms if any upon spite or malice in way of cavillation complain against them see that by all means you chastise and punish him according to his malice Adrian at length by vomiting blood in great quantity contracted a Dropsie if Dio writeth Physician like which so tormented him that he desired death He dieth but could not have it according to the prayer of Severianus whom though he judged him worthy of the Empire of late he had put to death but at length by an ill kind of diet accelerated it yet saying Multi Medici Regem sustulerunt and enquiring * Animula vagula blandula hospes comesque corporis Quae nunc abibis in loca Pallidula rigida nudula Nec ut soles dabis jocos of his Soul whither it meant to go He died on the fourth of the Ides of July having lived 62 years and reigned 21 with 11 moneths in the 891 year of the City A. D. 138 Sulpitius Camerinus and Quintius Niger Magnus being Consuls In his time flourished Ptolomy of Alexandria that great Astronomer Aulus Gellius or Agellius Justin who epitomized Trogus Pompeius and others 15. Adrian first adopted L. Verus who died the year before him on the first day of his second Consulship and the Kalends of January He had a son named
Alogi denied Christ to be the Word condemned John's Gospel and said that Cerinthus the Heretick wrote the Revelations Theodotus a Montanist through Sorcery took his flight towards Heaven but down he fell and died miserably Adamites devised a Church after the fashion of an hot-house to keep them from cold for the space of an hour or Service time they were all naked men and women Virgins preached unto the rest their Church they called Paradise and themselves Adam and Eve (a) Euseb Eccl. Hist l. 5. c. 14 19. Florinus and Blastus fell from the Church and taught at Rome that God was the Author of evil whom Irenaeus confuted (b) L. 5. c. 28. Theodotus a Tanner denied the Divinity of Christ he was the first Author of the Heresy of Artemon for which cause Viator Bishop of Rome excommunicated him Artemon his disciple accounted Christ but a bare and naked man He lived in the time of Victor and Zephyrinus His companions were Asclepiodorus and Natalius who repented and fell at the feet of Zephyrinus Bishop of Rome for absolution (c) Lib. 6. c. 12. Marcianus the Heretick maintained an heterodox opinion out of the pretended Gospel of Peter whom Serapion Bishop of Antioch confuted (d) Epiphan haeres 57. Noetus denied there were three Persons saying All three were one He called himself Moses and said Aaron was his brother He said the Father Son and Holy Ghost suffered in the flesh CHAP. V. From the death of Pertinax and the exposing of the Empire to sale to the death of Maximinus the first elected Emperour without consent of the Senate the space of 45 years 1. THE Soldiers having murdered Pertinax got them to their Camp Herodian l. 2. and set the Empire to sale proclaming that they would prefer him that should offer most Two there were found who bade money for it first Sulpicianus a man of Consular dignity Governour of the City and Father in Law to Pertinax and Didius Julianus of the same degree a great Lawyer and exceeding rich The Soldiers being jealous lest the former should have an intention to punish them for the murther of Pertinax accepted the offer of Julianus who promised what they would ask having as he said treasures of Silver and Gold Didius Julianus purchaseth the Empire Being by a ladder received up to the wall and so into the Camp he promised to restore the honours and statues of Commodus to grant them what liberty they enjoyed under that Prince and to give them more than they cold ask or expect he was caried into the Palace the people by the way cursing and upbraiding him with his purchase Having thus invaded the Empire he gave himself up to all Luxury but being unable to perform his promise to the Soldiers lost their favour and fell into the contempt of all men the people desiring another Prince At this time Pescenninus Niger was Governour of Syria who as well for the greatnesse of his place his Province containing all from Phoenicia unto Euphrates as for his popularity was most eminent him did the People extol and they implored his assistance He being glad of this opportunity easily perswaded his Soldiers to accept of him for their Emperour and entertained Ambassadors which now had recourse to him as the lawful Prince But then giving himself up to idlenesse he neglected to setle and confirm his estate by going to Rome and what was more by drawing the Army in Illyricum to his side and so lost all 2. At this time governed both the Pannoniaes L. Septimius Severus an African born a man forward and crafty who seeing the Roman Empire thus obnoxious to every man's catch resolved to venture for it amongst the rest especially in regard that of those two who had seized on it the one was negligent and secure the other hated and despised Being also incouraged by some dreams he first of all inveighed against the Praetorian bands which had killed Pertinax whom knowing to be much beloved by his Soldiers he highly extolled him and easily perswaded them to revenge his death who once was Lieutenant of the forces in Illyricum Then presently though he pretended he sought it not was he saluted Emperour and took upon him the name of Pertinax which he knew was acceptable to all After this he marched with great speed to Rome the Italians who ever since the dayes of Augustus had not been used to War receiving him in all places and Julianus his Soldiers very slowly providing for resistance though he had now distributed to them all the money he could by any means compasse Severus conveyed his Soldiers in a disguised manner into the City which was full of them privily armed ere Julianus or the People were aware whereupon Julianus wrote to him to signifie he was willing to receive him into participation of the Empire and afterwards desired he might resign it For the Senate seeing him so timorous and the other now at hand being called together according to the antient custome by the Consuls decreed death to him and the Empire to Severus Julianus held the dignity seven moneths having purchased death at an excessive rate Severus obtaineth it 3. Severius having thus obtained the Empire that he might not at first crack his credit by falsifying his word got those Soldiers into his power that had slain Pertinax making them be stripped of their Military Cloaths banished them 100 miles from the Citie Then entring the Court Olymp. 243. ann 1. V.C. 946. A. D. 193. he promised great things to the Senate professing his intention was to govern after the prescript of Marcus and not onely to take the name but also disposition of Pertinax although there were some who so well knew him that they could not be deceived After this he prepared for an expedition against Niger but fearing to leave an Aemulator at his back he endeavoured to prevent him This was Clodius Albinus who at this time governed Britain was of Patrician rank and had a strong Army at his Command He flattered him with the title of Caesar beseeching him as the fittest person to take care of the Empire for that he himself grew old and his Children were Infants Albinus overjoyed that he should obtain what he had desired without any trouble fooled himself in his vain confidence especially for that Severus had written to the Senate in the same strain had ordered money to be stamped vvith his Image erected him some Statues and did him honour othervvise to deceive him 4. Niger much troubled at his coming towards him Lege Herodian lib. 3. Eutrop. lib. 9. Aurelium Victorem Xiphil ex Dione Orosium lib. 7. cap. 17. took care for securing the passages into Asia gathered together all the forces in those parts obtained aid from the Parthian and Atrenian Kings seized on Byzantium and fortified the straights of the Mountain Taurus Severus therefore directed not his course towards Byzantium but marched for Cyzicus where Aemilianus
the Barbarians and Romans which Bassianus afterwards increased When he had in some sort repressed the Rebels he sickned not so much out of any bodily distemper as for grief and sorrow of mind by reason of the desperate and unreclaimable demeanour of his son Antoninus who once or twice gave the attempt to kill him with his own hand Here he dieth These were his last words A troubled State of the Commonwealth I found in every place but I leave it in peace and quietnesse even amongst the Britains He died at Eboracum now called York having tried as he * Omnia fui nihil expedit said all sorts of lives and condemned all of vanity on the day before the Nones of February having reigned 18 years and almost lived 66. A. V. C. 964. A. D. 211. Q. Epidius Rufus and Pomponius Bassus being Consuls 8. Severus his body was in a Military sort carried forth by his Soldiers to the funeral fire and honoured with a solemn justing and running at tilt performed by his Sons and Soldiers He was also Canonized a god after the ordinary manner of the Apotheosis of the Roman Emperours which being not formerly touched its convenient in this place to describe as we have it from Herodian A custom saith he Lib. 4. ad initium the Romans have to consecrate those Emperors that die their sons or successors surviving And whosoever are thus honoured be canonized and registred in the Roll of their Divi or gods During this complement they hold a general mourning through the whole City and the same mixed with a festival solemnity The manner of the Apotheosis of the Roman Emperours For the dead body they bury with a sumptuous funeral according to the manner of other men But they frame an Image of wax resembling in all points the party deceased and lay the same openly at the Entry of the Palace upon a most ample and stately bed of Ivory erected on high and covered with Cloath of Gold And verily that Image lieth with a pale colour like unto a sick man About the bed there sits a good part of the day the whole body of the Senate on the left hand arrayed in their blacks and on the right hand certain Matrones honorable by the Dignity of their Husbands or Parents And there is not one of them seen to wear any Gold about them nor to be adorned with Jewels but clad in white and slender Garments they represent mourners This they do for seven dayes together during which time the Physicians resort dayly to him to feel his pulse and consider of his disease and thereupon as of their Patient judicially pronounce that he groweth worse and worse Then when he seemeth to be dead certain of the noblest and most choice young men as well of Senatorian as Equestrian rank take up the bed and carry it through the Via Sacra into the old Forum where the Roman Magistrates were wont to lay down their Offices Here on both sides are certain steps raised in manner of stairs upon which on the one hand are placed a quire of boyes of noblest birth and Patritian dignity and on the other a Company of women of noble parentage singing in commendation of the deceased Prince Hymns and Sonets tuned to a solemn and mournfull note 9. These things done they take up the bed or hearse again and carry it out of the City into the Campus Martius where in the broadest place thereof a frame or turret four-square with equal sides is raised and made in manner of a Tabernacle of no other matter than great pieces of Timber Now this within is all filled with dry fuel but without adorned with rich hangings interwoven with Gold wire with divers Ivory portraicts of Imagery and sundry curious pictures Over this frame stood another somewhat lesse but in form and furniture like unto the former with windows and doors standing open And so a third and fourth Turret smaller every one than that next beneath it and others like it still one after another till you come to the last which is the least of all the rest The manner of this building you may compare to those Lanterns or light Towers standing by Haven sides and commonly called Phari which give light by fire in the night time and direct ships at Sea in their course to safe Harbours The Hearse then being mounted up into the second Tabernacle they get together spices and odours of all sorts as also all the sweet smelling fruits herbs juyces and liquors that the whole World will affoard and thereon pour them by heaps For there is no Nation City or State nor any person of rank and quality but strive every one to bestow in honour of the Prince these last gifts and presents Now when there 's a mighty heap of spices raised and the whole room is therewith filled then all of Knights degree first ride about the aedifice marching in a certain measure and therewith in their courses and recourses observe a Warlike kind of motion round in just measure and number Chariots are also driven about by such as sitting in them are cloathed in purple and represent all the famous Roman Captains and Emperours These things thus performed he that succeedeth in the Empire takes a torch and sets it to the tabernacle then all the rest on every side put fire under and every place being filled with that drye fuel and odors instantly are taken with a vehement fire Then presently from the last and least tabernacle as from some high turret when the fire is put underneath an Eagle is let flye which is believed to carry the Princes Soul up into Heaven And so from that time forward the Emperour is adored amongst the rest of the gods 10. Lege Herodian l. 4. Aurel. Vict. Spartian Eutrop l. 9. Dion lib. 77. Orosium l. 7. c. 8. Severus left his two son Antoninus Bassianus called also Caracalla from a barbarous habit he gave to the people as Spartianus writeth and Geta equal sharers in the Empire They after his death left not off their former contentions but increased them to that height that they could neither live nor reign together but thought of parting the Empire betwixt them but their mother Julia Spartianus maketh her the step-mother of Antoninus and to have loved him better than her own son Geta nay filthily insomuch that she maried him afterwards by her passionate interposition hindred it They then betook themselves to secret conspiracies which succeeding not Antoninus resolved though it were by open force to kill his brother whom he perceived to be far better beloved than himself and either breaking into his brothers chamber Bassianus having killed his brother cruelly rageth against others or getting in by his mothers means under pretence of reconciliation to be made killed him in her bosom This done he secured the Empire to him by bribing the Soldiers to whom he was so profuse that in one day he
single matrimony But we must not forget that about the fourth of Severus he wrote a most excellent Apology for the Christian Faith Clemens Alexandrians At the same time with Tertullian flourished Clemens Alexandrinus because a Philosopher of Alexandria the Scholar of Pantenus and Master of Origen Eusebius mentioneth him and Pantaenus in the second of Severus at which time it 's probable he wrote his Stromata for not intending his Chronology beyond the time of Commodus Minutius Felix he seemeth not long after his death to have begun that Work At this time also lived Minutius Felix an eminent Lawyer and the Author of that excellent Book intituled Octavius which as Lactantius writeth doth declare how fit an assertor of the truth he might have been had he applyed himself wholly to that study This Book being intended as an Apology for Christian Religion acquainteth us what thoughts the Heathen at that time had thereof as also do the Apologies of Justin Martyr the Books of Origen against Celsus and especially that of Tertullian We have already shewn the rise and increase of Christian Religion we have delivered the series of the most eminent Bishops and Fathers thereof as also of the several Hereticks which from within disturbed the peace thereof We have also given an account of the several fiery tryals the faithful underwent But what opinions the Infidels had of Christians and Christianity of what crimes they accused them whence their hatred proceeded whereupon the Emperours grounded their bloody Edicts what the Primitive Saints did in the mean time how they behaved themselves under these pressures how they caried it towards their Enemies how they stood affected in duty towards their Princes in sum what their conversations both as men and Christians were is most worthy to be considered and those things in short out of the Apologies aforenamed and other Authors we shall endeavour to discover 15. The first thing that the Heathens cavilled at in Christianity was the newnesse of it (a) Acts 17 18. St. Paul seemed to them to be a setter forth of new gods And there was an antient Law at (b) Tertullian Apol c. 5. Rome which forbad introducing new ceremonies into Religion as worshipping strange deities unlesse approved by the Senate and this was an inviolable Law which binding Emperours as well as others An inquiry into the condition of Christians Tiberius could not as he desired receive Jesus Christ amongst their gods for the Senate would not approve of a God they did not know This prejudice which yet in Idolatry often effected nothing amongst the Romans was increased by a misapprehension of our Lord and Saviours sufferings his being crucified made them despise both him and his Hence (c) Annal. l. 15. c. 44. Tacitus telling the original of the Christians will let the World know that Christ from whom they derived their name was Tiberio imperitante per procuratorem Pontium Pilatum supplicio affectus And hence Trajan (d) Acta Ignatii in his discourse with Ignatius when he would mean Christ called him Crucifixus the Crucified in way of contempt This contempt was increased into disdain by reason that Christ would have no other Gods as they accounted them sharers with him in worship and this disdain was heightned into rage when Christians preaching this saving doctrine declaming against Idolls The reason of the prejudice of Heathens against them proving the Heathen gods to be devils and striking at the root of Paganism endeavoured to draw even the whole World from superstition and Idolatry so antient and universal You say we do not worship the Gods saith (e) Apol. c. 10. Tertullian This was accouned a crime of sacrilege and worthy of death much more then to disswade others from doing it Quid homines sustinebitis enim me impetum suscepta orationis liberius exerentem homines inquam deploratae illicitae ac desperatae factionis grassari in Deos nonne ingemiscendum est saith (f) Minuc Fael Octav. p. 22. Caecilius as he is brought in by Minutius Hereupon the Christians were accounted 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Atheists and it was a custom to cry out against them where the Greek tongue was used (g) Smymens Ecclesiae epist De S. Polycarpi Martyrio p. 16. 20. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Take off the Atheists which words they would have had Polycarp utter as a sign of his recantation This by reason of the malice of Devils who were worshipped under the names of the several gods did render them so highly impious in the opinion of the vulgar and so inraged the multitude against them that (h) Tertull. Apol. cap. 40. if Tiber over-flowed if Nile watered not the plains if Heaven stopped its course and did not powr its rains here below if there were Earth-quake Famine or plague they would immediately cry out Christianos ad Leones Cast the Christians to the Lions as the cause in their opinion of all the calamities that arrived in the World and all the evils that people suffered 16. Prejudice and hatred being risen thus high invented false accusations and caught hold of idle surmises nothing ill seeming incredible concerning those that are already odious (a) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pag. 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Apol. c. 7. Athenagoras saith that three things they objected against Christians Atheism Thyestes his feasts and the Copulation of Oedipus The two later whereof as much as concerneth Thyestes and Oedipus we have spoken above in their due places b Tertullian thus explaineth The Crimes pretended against us the horror of which makes us passe for wicked in the opinion of the people are that we meet together to sacrifize a Child that after we have taken away his life by a barbarous superstition we devour his body and when we have eaten the flesh of this innocent we commit Incests They add that we have Dogs which serve to overthrow the Candles and doing the Office of those infamous Merchants of modesty make us lose all shame in taking the lights from us and covering our actions under the veil of darknesse embolden us to seek the use of ungodly and sacrilegious pleasures Malicious slanders concerning the manner of their worship Caelicius maketh beginners initiated by the bloud of an Infant which they all licking up and dividing his Members amongst themselves by so horrid a Ceremony confirmed their league and the Covenant of their mutual secrecy These Sacra saith he are more abominable than all sacrilege And as for their feasting 't is known sufficiently all speak of it in all places the Oration also of our Certensis doth witnesse it They meet together to eat on a set day with all their Children Sisters Mothers Persons of every Sex and every age There after much eating when the feast is now grown hot the heat of incestuous lust is kindled by drunkennesse the Dog that is tied to the Candle-stick is provoked by casting a piece of
meat beyond the length of the string by which he is bound to a violent leap Thus the conscious light being overthrown and put out c. so he proceedeth to the same purpose but in worse terms And Justin Martyr in his Conference with (c) Pag. 227. B. Tryphon the Jew demandeth of him after this manner Do you also believe concerning us that we devour men and after meat the lights being put out use wicked and promiscuous Copulation Lastly Theophylus Patriarch of Antioch in his third book (d) Pag. 119. D. to Antolycus against Calumniators of Christian Religion summeth up what we have already said in these words They say that our wives are common and accuse us that we use promiscuous Copulation Besides they lay to our charge that we do not abstain from our own sisters but rashly dare to violate those with incestuous lust But this is most cruel and brutish of the Crimes they object against us when with an impious mouth they prate that we eat mans flesh neither do they cease to traduce our Religion or Doctrine as of yesterday and destitute of all truth which neither we our selves if a controversie arise are able to defend with clear demonstrations Further they say that our Doctrine is nothing but folly and meet toys 17. That malice which invented these impious adjuncts of Christian Religion found out a suitable object of vvorship for the Romans had so far forgotten their own antient custom of serving their Gods without Images or resemblances for Numa as Plutarch telleth us and the antient Romans for many years admitted no Images in their Temples because the Deity cannot be made out by any external resemblance that they thought it impossible for any Religion not to be guilty of Idolatry towards some visible thing Hence came that fable related by (a) Histor lib. 5. Tacitus an Author guilty of malice against both Jews and Christians that the Jews consecrated the Image of an Asse because forsooth being pressed sorely with thirst in the deserts of Arabia certain wild Asses shewed them the Fountains where they were wont to drink although this Author who saith he lies not writeth that Pompey having taken Jerusalem and entred into the Temple to see the mysteries of the Jewish Religion saw there no Image at all (b) Apoll cap. 16. Tertullian conceiveth that from this tale sprung that conceit that the Christians the Religion of whom was drawn from that of the Jews and succeeded it worshipped the Effigies of an Asse And the object of it I hear saith Cecilius that they vvorship a Consecrated head of an Asse the most filthy of all sorts of Cattel I know not out of what foolish perswasion a Religion worthy of and descended from such manners But he goeth further and relateth a report that the very object of their vvorship was also obscene (c) Ibid. Tertullian further writeth that some were of opinion they worshipped the Crosse and Cecilius from the ignominious death of our Lord and this instrument of it argueth to the infamy of Christian Religion in an abominable manner Tertullian in the same place telleth us that some with more apparent reason believed the Sun to be their God and sent them to the Religion of the Persians herein suspecting them for so doing because when they prayed they turned themselves toward the East And after an answer to this lye he addeth The calumnies invented to cry down our Religion arose to such excesse of impiety that not long ago in this Citie a picture of our God was shewed by a certain infamous person that got his living by exposing to the sight of the people wild beasts who by a strange faculty gotten by him to avoid their bitings making use of his craft shewed also the aforesaid picture to all comers with this inscription thereon This is Onochoetes the God of Christians This supposed God of the Christians pretended by him had the ears of an Asse an hoof on one of his feet carried a book and was clothed with a Gown we laugh at the barbarousnesse of this name and the extravagancy of this figure Such were the blasphemies of Pagans against Christian vvorship and as an argument for them they produced the secrecy of Christian meetings which their own cruelty and rage had made necessary They (d) Tertul. Apol cap. 39 talked of nothing more than the excesse of the Tables of the Christians And after all this they (e) Idem ibid. cap. 42. objected that they were not any way profitable in the commerce of the World 18. As to their outward demeanour they accused them of Sedition as well as Atheism Let (a) Apol. cap. 10. Tertullian speak upon what frivolous grounds You say we vvorship not the Gods nor for the welfare of the Emperours offer sacrifices to them They were accused of Sedition The one of these two Crimes whereof you accuse us must necessarily follow upon the neck or in consequence of the other for being resolved to render no manner of vvorship to your Deities we must necessarily in like manner be resolved not to sacrifize at their Altars whether for our selves or for what person soever it be Hereupon you conclude us guilty of Sacrilege and high Treason Pliny was wont as appeareth from his Epistle to Trajan to try Christians by supplications made to the Images of the Gods and amongst these to the Emperour's picture by Frankinscence and Wine This burning incense was an ordinary tryal in all ages They were also counted singular and factious for that they would not swear by the Fortune or Genius of the Emperours This the holy Martyr (b) Epist Ecclesiae Smyrnens de S. Polycarpi Martyrio Pag. 20 21. Polycarp was bidden to do by the Proconsul a little before his suffering These prejudices and false opinions being heightned and irritated by the malice of Devils who found themselves neerly concerned therein procured wonderfull enmity and malice in the hearts of Pagans against the faith 19. Is it not strange saith (a) Apol. c. 3. Tertullian that the hatred vvherewith this name is pursued in such manner blinds the minds of most men that vvhen they vvitnesse the probity of a Christian they mix in their discourse as a reproach that he hath imbraced this Religion One saith truely he of vvhom you speak is an honest man if he vvere not a Christian and his life vvould be free from blame Another Do you know such a one vvho had the reputation of a vvise and discreet man he is lately turned Christian Again These people by an extreme blindnesse of hatred speak to the advantage of the name Christian Hence wonderfull hatred vvhen they strive to render it odious For say they How pleasant and of vvhat a good humour vvas that vvoman How sociable and jovial was that man 'T is pity they should be Christians So they impute the amendment of their lives to the profession of Christianity Some of them also
Then returning into the West Victor Orosius he bent his endeavours against Tetricus who reigned in Gall. Tetricus being vexed by his Seditious Soldiers desired him whom he termed Invincible to rescue him from such evils and betrayed his Army into his hands Euseb Hist l. 7. cap. 30. in Chron. Valerian growing proud upon such successe first of all Romans set a Diadem on his head and adorned himself with Gold and Pearl He began also to persecute the Christians but undertaking a War against the Persians he was slain betwixt Byzantium and Heraclea through the malice of his Secretary in the sixth year of his reign In his first year Agathias Hormisda the third Persian King began his reign which lasted but one year Him succeeded Varane and reigned three years and him followed Narses who continued 28. In his first year also died Plotinus the Platonist who deriding all religion perished through the just judgement of God by a filthy and painfull disease although he had chosen a pleasant and wholesom place wherein to live in Campania Firmicus lib. 1. Now also flourished Porphyrius his Scholar who of a Christian became a great Enemy to Christianity and wrote 15 books against it to which Eusebius answered in 30. of which 20 were extant in the time of Jerome but at this day not one Tacitus 8. There was an inter-regnum after the death of Valerian for 8 moneths Orosius lib. 7. cap. 24. Eutrop. lib. 9. the Senate and Army straining courtesie the one with the other at length the Senate made choice of Tacitus a man of Consular Dignity who in his sixth moneth died of a Feaver at Tarsus The Senate desired him that in case he should die presently he would not leave his Children his Successors Fl. Vopiscus but some man of approved worth and valour as the necessity of the State required This man was Probus Zozimus Pomponius Laetus yet notwithstanding Florianus the brother of Tacitus invaded the Empire but was cut off by Probus near Tarsus within the space of two or three moneths Probus Probus unwillingly receiving the burthen upon him managed the Government with great commendation He recovered Gall out of the hand of the Francones a people of Germany which now first seized on it after many bloudy battels and after this was ingaged in Civil Wars For Saturninus was saluted Emperour in Egypt who was overthrown also and killed also against his mind and the same successe he had against Proculus in Gall and Bonosus a Britain born He overthrew the Sarmatians subdued several barbarous Nations about Thrace by the terrour of his name onely quieted all Asia and forced the Parthian King to desire peace which he granted Returning afterward into Thrace he planted several barbarous people within the Roman Empire whereof some revolting he chastized and reduced them Now all things flourished exceedingly through peace and security which made him something slight the Soldiers who thereupon as he was marching through Illyricum against the Persians murdered him at Syrmium though he fled for safety into a fortified Tower That saying undid him Si vixero non opus erit ampliùs Romano Imperio militibus a speech of great despair for the Soldiers Witty and sharp speeches fallen from Princes have often given fire to Seditions Surely saith the most learned Viscount of St. Albans Princes had need in tender matters and ticklish times to beware what they say especially in those short speeches which fly abroad like Darts and are thought to be shot out of their secret intentions For as for large Discourses they are flat things and not so much noted Carus 9. M. Aurelius Carus of the Province of Narbon in Gall Olymp. 265. ann 3. V. C. 1036. A. D. 283. succeeded him who when he had created Caesars his two sons Carinus and Numerianus restrained the Sarmatians that upon the death of Probus threatned Italy But going against the Persians after he had recovered Mesopotamia and taken the two noble Cities of Parthia Ctesiphon and Cochis he was slain by a Thunder-bolt in his Tent near to the River Tigris Orosius Eutrop. Vopiscus Of his two sons Numerianus was with him and Carinus was left behind to look to Gall. Numerianus returning out of the East as Conquerour and lying sick in his Litter was killed by Arius Aper his father-in-law who gaped after the Empire Scarcely after some dayes was this wickednesse detected by the stench of the Carkase Diocletian and then the Author of it being also discovered Valerius Deocletianus who governed the family of Carus was chosen Emperour and rewarded Aper as he had deserved On the 15th before the Calends of December and 10 dayes after he entred Nicomedia in Purple From the beginning of this Diocletian the Egyptians began a new Aera fetching its rise from the new Moon of Thoth the preceding moneth August 29 which they called the Aera of Grace for some reason or other Cappellus observeth that the fluctuating and vitious Chronology of Baronius henceforth beginneth to be right For thinking saith he that he exhibited the years both of the true and received Aera of Christ in truth he exhibited neither the one sort nor the other Beginning the Aera of Diocletian from the 284 year of our Lord its true and right so that it be understood of the received not of the true Aera of Christ and the same is to be said concerning the years of the following Emperours But after this Carinus and Diocletian fought for the Soveraignty and Carinus after much ado was slain by his own Soldiers for his lasciviousnesse which made an end of a bloudy and laborious War 10. Diocletian then enjoyed the Dignity alone but great stirs arising in Gall Carausius also who was set to defend the Sea-Coasts from the invasion of the Franks and Saxons rather taking part with them than otherwise he was constrained to create Caesar Maximianus Herculeus Orosius ubi suprà cap. 25. Eutrop. lib. 9. Festus Rufus He suppressed the motions in Gall but commanding Carausius to be killed this man put on the Purple though a man of mean condition and seized upon Britain Achilleus rebelled in Egypt Africk was in trouble and Narses King of Persia invaded the Eastern parts Diocletian awakened with these dangers promoted Maximianus to be Augustus and they two adopted for Caesars Maximianus Galerius and Constantius Chlorus who married Theodora the wive's daughter of Herculeus and by her had six sons as the other the daughter of Diocletian Carausius valiantly held Britain for seven years and then was slain by Allectus who having kept possession of the Island three years was overthrown by Asclepiodorus Constantius fighting against the Allemans in Gall at first was worsted but afterwards got a great victory wherein 60000 of them are said to have been slain Maximianus Herculeus reduced Africk Diocletian himself besieging Achillens in Alexandria 8 moneths at length slew him therein gave up the
Astrea a Romance in 3 Volumes in Folio Paulo Paruto's History of Venice Translated by Henry Earl of Monmouth Bishop Andrews second Volume of Sermons The Grand Scipio an excellent new Romance written in French by Monsieur de Vaumoriere and rendred into English by Gil. 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Blunt The Immortality of the Soul demostrated by the light of nature by Doctor Charleton Natural History of nutrition life and voluntary motion containing all discoveries of Anatomists and most probable opinions of Physicians concerning the Oeconomie of humane nature Methodically delivered in Exercitations Physico-Anatomical by Dr. Charleton Epicurus's Morals collected partly out of his own Greek Text in Diogegenes Laertius and partly out of the Rhapsodies of Marcus Antonius Plutarch Cicero and Seneca and faithfulle Englished by Dr. Charleton Ironodia Gratulatoria Latin Poems by Pa. Fisher The siege of Rhodes The History of Sr. Francis Drake The cruelty of the Spaniards in Peru expressed by Instrumental and Vocal Musick and by Art of perspective in Scenes c. all three written by Sir William Davenant Unum Necessarium or the Doctrine and practice of Repentance by Jer. Taylor D. D. 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Humane Industry or a History of most Manual Arts deducing the Original Progresse and Improvement of them furnished with variety of Instances and Examples shewing forth the Excellency of humane wit â—eraphick Love written by the Honorable Robert Boyl Certain Physiological Essayes written at distant times and on several occasions by the Honorable Robert Boyl A Prospective of the Naval Triumph of the Venetians over the Turks to Signor Petro Liberi that Renown'd and Famous Painter by Gio. Francesco Busenello Englished by Tho. Higgons Esq Rats Rim'd to death or a Collection of Ballets made on the Rump Parliament Dr. Jer. Taylors Rules of living and dying Sr. Walter Rawleighs Ghost or a Translation of Lessius de Providentiâ Numinis Animi Immortalitate written against the Atheists and Politicians of these dayes A Devout Paraphrase on the 50th Psalm by Math. Kellison D.D. A Discourse of a Method for the well guiding of Reason and the Discovery of Truth in the Sciences Musarum Delitiae containing several pieces of Poetick wit by Sr. John Menuis and Dr. Smith Poems Elegies and Sonets written by the Bishop of Chichester All Horace his Lyricks or his fourth book of Odes and his book of Epods Englished Heroick Education or choice Maxims and Instructions for the most sure and facile training up of youth in the wayes of Eminent learning and virtues a Treatise very necessary for all men but most especially for such as undertake the charge to govern the young Nobility and Gentry A Treatise of adhering to God written by Albert the Great Bishop of Ratisbon put into English by Sr. Kenelm Digby Knight Also a Conference with a Lady about choice of Religion The Royal Game at Chess-Play sometimes the recreation of the late King Charls the first of blessed memory with many of the Nobility Illustrated with almost an hundred Gambels being the study of Biochimo the famous Italian A Diarium or Journal divided into 12. Jornades in Burlesque Rhime or Droling verse with divers other pieces of the same Author Satyrical Declamations at the entertainment at Rutland house by Sr. William Davenant A Proposition for the advancement of Experimental Philosophy by Abraham Cowley A Discourse between the aforementioned Author and the Devil concerning Oliver Cromwel The Ephesian Matron or a Discourse upon the nature of Women The Roman the Conversation of the Romans and Macenas in three excellent Discourses written in French by Balsac Englished by a person of quality PLAYES The Enchanted Lovers The Amorous Fantasm The Noble Ingratitude The Guardian Cowley Bélius and Thetis Loves labour lost Hamlet Prince of Denmark Romio and Juliet