of any Senatour of the house of the Manlies should bee called Marcus After this Camillus was the seuenth time created Tribune of the Soldiers and being very old ended his life in the 389. yeere after the building of Rome the gouernment being a yeere before his death againe reduced to the Consuls The first whereof was a * One of the Commeueltie Plebeian In those times flourisht the most renowned Captaines of warre in that Citie such as were Marcus Valerius Corvinus Titus Manlius Torquatus Caius Martius Rutilius Publius Decius Mus Papirius Cursor Publius Philo Lucius Volumninus and others One of which namely Titus Manlius Torquatus one of the Consuls beheaded his owne sonne for that he contrary to his command and out of his ranke had encountred his enemie in a single combat although hee got the vpperhand Publius Decius Alus the other Consull in the battell against the Latines deuow'd and bequeathed himselfe to death for the Romano Armie when violently rushing into the thickest troopes of his enemies by his death re-established the tottering state of Rome His sonne of his owne name foure times Consull performed the like against the Galli-Senones forty foure yeers after that At the same before-mentioned time in the x Most Authors agree of 10. or 12. yeers before viz. Anno Mundi 3620. or 22. 420. yeere of Rome built Alexander the great founder of the third Monarchie as we haue aboue declared flourished and made his warres Titus Liuius compares Lucius Papyrius Cursor with him and extending his discourse as well for his owne as his Readers recreation shews that he was able to haue resisted Alexander if happily hee had led his forces into Europe after his conquest of Asia and made warre vpon the Romanes This before-recited Papyrius Cursor was indued with the very quintessence of valour for omitting other his valiant acts when Titus Veturius Caluinus and Spurius Posthumius Albinus the two Consuls together with the whole armie at the y Made of speares or iauelings stucke in the ground vnder which the conquered were to passe in dishonour Forks of Caudium were compelled by the Lamnits to goe ignobly vnder the yoke and had made a dishonourable peace with the enemie Hee being created Consull vanquisht the late conquering enemie and put him to flight as also when hee was Dictator made his owne Master of the Cauallery an example to teach what strict obseruance ought to bee had in militarie discipline In this age also and a little vpwards Greece brought forth men of transcendent learning for then flourished Socrates and from him as from a certaine fountaine Aristippus Plato Antisthenes Speusippus Aristotle Diâ—aearchus Xenocrates Heraclides Theophrastus Polemo and Strabo all of them Physiologers and as Cicero cals them Speculators and hunters of Nature Then also flourished most famous Oratours as Gorgias Protagoras Prodicus Hippias Isoerates Lysias Demostenes Hyperides Aeschines Phalerius Demetrius And Historiographers chiefly Xenophon whom Cicero cals a Socratist and Calisthenes Alexander the great his companion In this age liued Dionysius the Spracusan Tirant to whom when Plato came and spoke freely concerning the dutie of a Prince he put him in great danger of his life as Cicero relates This was hee who committed not the guard of his body to his allies but to certaine strangers and sauage and barbarous people hee who taught his daughters how to cut their haire that they should not aduenture their neckes vnder the Barbers hands who suffered them not to vse any manner of edge-toole after they were come to yeeres but made them cindge his head and beard with red-hot Walnut-shels who resorted to his wiues often times by night but first made sure to suruey and prie into all places who not daring to shew himselfe in the common Pulpits was wont to speake to the people out of a Tower who shewed Damocles one of his Parrasites what manner of felicitie that of his was which he had boasted of for as hee sate in the middest of his choisest delicates with abundance and superfluitie of all manner of pleasures he caused a glittering sword hanging by a bristle of a horses vpper lip to be let downe that it might hang ouer his necke About forty two yeeres after Alexanders death Pyrrhus King of the Epirotes came into Italie and made warre with the Romanes In his second yeeres warre he solicited the Senate about concluding of a peace and a league But Appius Claudius both old and blinde who as Cicero writes had beene twice Consull before that came into the Court and disswaded the Senate inclining to peace from making any league with him for euen in that case wherein he then was he had so much courage as not to shrinke from any either priuate or publike seruice The Oration which hee then pronounced concerning Pyrrhus when hee broke off the peace was extant in Ciceroes daies as hee himselfe witnesseth At this time Cains Fabritius Luscinus performed a worthy piece of seruice for the Common-wealth who being solicited by Pyrrhus to reuolt contemned his most ample gifts and large proffers nor onely so but also sent him backe againe a certaine captiued runne-away who had certified that hee could take away the Kings life by poison Cicero compares him with Aristides the Athenian Mannius Curius Dentatus gaue Pyrrhus an vtter ouerthrow at his second inuasion of Italie and triumphed ouer him This Pyrrhus was the first that euer brought Elephants into Lucania And till this time being almost fiue hundred yeeres continuance the Romans were in warres with the inhabitants of Italie onely amongst whom the Latines Veientes Aequies Faliscians Samnites Hetrucians resisted very stoutly sometimes conquered sometimes conquering who being at length subdued and a peace setled that most bloody warre against the Carthaginians sprung vp the z Iosephus writes that it was built within 143 yeeres after Solomons Temple The first Punicke or Carthaginian warre beganne Anno mandi 3697. originall of which Citie is by euident testimonie prooued to be farre more z Iosephus writes that it was built within 143 yeeres after Solomons Temple The first Punicke or Carthaginian warre beganne Anno mandi 3697. ancient then Rome This warre begunne in the foure hundred eighty fift yeere of Rome built In which that noble act which hath report of performance by Marcus Attilius Regulus deserues singular commemoration who being taken prisoner by the Carthaginians and sent by them to Rome to treate of a peace and exchange of prisoners with condition except hee preuailed to returne to his bondage Hee when hee came thither perswaded the Senate the quite contrary way shewed that it was repugnant to the custom of the Common-wealth but yet holding it a point of honour to hold promise with his enemie returned to Carthage where hee was put to death with the most cruell kinde of punishment his eye-lids being cut away and so bound fast in an engine consumed to death by waking This warre proceeding the Romans had their first and
also was a motioner hauing made a very elegant Oration to the people in Pompeyes commendation Lucullus thus recalled held his triumph neuerthelesse and bestowed a very sumptuous banquet vpon the Romans soone after this leauing his Offices in the Common wealth hee liued at home privately studiing Philosophie and erected a most copiously furnisht Library In his ordinary table he was as at all times els very sumptuous and magnificent Cicero makes mention of this Library and sayes that he was wont to come thither to cull forth bookes Pompey put Mithridates to flight and pursu'd him very farre He caus'd King Tigranes to yeeld himselfe ouer into his hands and seeing him abased and forlorne in his campe aduanced him as Cicero writes and placing the * Insigne regium Diadem vpon his head again which he had taken from him vnder certaine cautions commanded him to raigne againe At length Mithridates being besieged by his owne sonne Pharnaces slew himselfe That warre which Pompey made against the Pyrates which was before hee went against Mithridates wonne him much authority This warre thus appeased presently another ciuill broile is broached for Lucius Catilina with many more conspired the ruine of the Common wealth but by Ciceroes singular industry who was then Consull his villany was discouered he expelled the City and hauing gathered together certaine bands and troopes of abiect fellowes in Hetruria was in battell by Caius Antonius Consul Ciceroes Collegue ouerthrowne and slaine Cicero euery where amongst his workes speakes much of the seruice which he then performed for the Common wealth and makes relation not onely of the firebrands then seene in the night time the flaming of the elements lightnings and earthquakes but also applies those wondrous prodigies which hapned when Lucius Cotta and Torquatus were Consulls being two yeares before his Consulship to this time when many Turrets in the Capitoll were strucke downe the Images of the gods ouerthrowne the statues of the ancient Heroes beat down the brazen tables of the Law melted as also the statue of Romes builder Romulus in forme of an Infant gaping and sucking at the teats of a wolfe was smitten Cicero describing Catilines nature and qualities saies that there neuer was such another Monster as hee vpon the face of the Earth composed of such contrary different and mutually antipathizing appetites and dispositions of nature In the time of Ciceroes Consulship was Caius Octauius borne Caius Octauius borne 3906. and Iudaea made Tributary to the Romanes after Cnelius Pompey had surprized the City of Ierusalem The fift yeare following Lucius Piso and Aulus Gabinius Consuls the x Now called Switzers Heluetians changed their habitation and leuying maine forces intended to passe thorow the Prouince of Gallia into the further parts thereof and there to seat themselues in regard of the fertility of the soile But Caius Iulius Caesar who was sixe yeares younger then Cicero hauing notice hereof preparing an Armie the Senate hauing authoriz'd him ouer that Prouince marcht thither and in pitcht battell vanquished the Enemy and afterwards going out against Arionistus King of the Germanes who had annoyed the Country of Gallia y That part of France betwixt the Riuer of Seine Garonne Celtica but more especially the z Now Walloons Heduies confederates with the Romanes ouerthrew him at Besanson a Towne of the a burgundians inhabiting about the riuer Seine Sequans not farre from the Rhyne Soone after he brought the whole Countrey of Gallia in subiection to the Romanes and forthwith striking ouer the sea into Brittaine conquered it Cicero reports that Caesar writ to him out of Brittaine on the first day of September and the Letters came to his hands the eight twentieth day of the same moneth When Caesar went into Gallia Cicero being molested by Publius Clodius Tribune of the Commons departed into exile first making an oration to the Gentry and Commons wherin he commended his children and family to their care and within a few moneths after being called backe by the Senate with exceeding great congratulation of the prople made another Oration to the Romanes wherein he rendered thanks to his friends Afterwards hee laid the blame on Lucius Piso and Aulus Gabinius Consuls for his banishment and shewed that by them hee was betrayed declaiming certaine Orations against each of them in one whereof hee counsail'd the Senate to take from them the Prouinces of Syria and Macedonia and not to call backe Caius Caesar hauing most happy successe in his wares in Gallia but to continue his authority whereby he might fully finish the warre Meane while Ptolomie Auletes King of Aegypt for his slothfulnesse and cruelty thrust out of his kingdome came to Rome and the Senate at Cneius Pompeyes entreaty restor'd him by Aulus Gabinius expelling Archelaus whom the people had ordained to be their king At length Gabinus was adiudged to pay into the common treasury 10000 Talents or as some of our times suppose 6000000. Euery Talent amounteth to 176 pound sterling because hee had receiued so much from Ptolomie And Marcus Crassus who had in charge the managing of the Parthian warre hauing past ouer the Riuer of Euphrates was ouerthrowne and soone after slaine at an enterview vpon Truce This was he who was wont to say that no man was rich except hee could maintaine an a An Army consisted of 2400 foot and 20000 horse Army at his owne charge About this time was Publius Clodius slaine by Titus Anaio Milo Cicero defended Milo Cneius Pompey being then the third time and alone Consull yet at length he was commanded to go into exile The warres with the Galles being ended which was about the eight yeare thereof that ciuill warre of Caius Caesars The ciuill warre betwixt Caesar and Pompey begunne 3916. with his sonne in law Pompey burst forth The occasion whereof was because Caesar was to be depriu'd of his Consulship except hee would first dismisse his forces and surrender his Prouince but hee was aduised that it could no waies stand with his safety to part from his Army yet hee condescended descended vpon condition that Pompey as well as hee should yeeld vp his forces but when that was refused marching out with his forces with incredible celeritie hee left Gallia and came into Italy where entring into the Country of Flaminia he tooke many townes some by force b Now Romandiâ—la oâ— hersome by dedition Vpon notice hereof Pompey and the two Consulls Caius Marcellus and Lucius Lentulus flye from Rome to BrundusiuÌ„ a Sea coast Towne in c Puell Apulia thither marcht Caesar but before his arriuall the Consuls had struck ouer the Seas to Durachium d Durace in Macedonia and not long after Pompey followes them Now Caesar being preuented by time not hauing a Nauie in readinesse could not pursue them but returnes to Rome where calling together the Senate he makes complaint of his iniuries and also propounded certaine conditions of peace but
and conuicted of falshood Further bee it granted that the Emperor was thus most exceedingly profuse perhaps for himselfe onely hee might herein abate of his own right but could not doe it for his successors authorized with coequal power and Protectors of the Common-wealth For hee who damnifies the freedome and liberties of his Empire ought not to haue the title of Father of his Countrey nor can he ordaine another to share with him in equality of authority or preiudice the same By Constantine the Emperors appointment The first Councell of Nice held in An. 325. continued 3. yeares a most populous Counsell was called and assembled at Nice a City in Bythinia wherein the heresie of Arrius denying Christ to be coequall in substance with his father was condemned It s recorded that many Bishops not onely out of Europe and Asia but also out of Egypt and Lybia met together there Amongst other one decree was that through Egypt Lybia and Pontapolis the ancient custome should be maintained that is all the Bishops there should remaine vnder superiority of the Bishop of Alexandria notwithstanding the vsurpation and withholding therof by the Bishop of Rome as also that the Church of Antioch and other Prouinces and Churches should each one entirely retaine their peculiar priuiledges After this Councell certaine Iewd opinions were vented one Eustathius being Author about shunning of mariage e In monasticall manner and some women artired in mens habite about a new and vnusuall kind of habit about forbearance to eate flesh and forsaking propriety of possessions And hereupon many husbands procuring a diuorce and seruants leauing their masters betaking themselues to this new and religious habite as they call it women likewise taking the same course forsaking their husbands and those who fed vpon flesh as also the Ministers of the Church that were maried being publikely contemned as persons impure and vnacceptable to God a Counsell was assembled at Gangra a town in Paphlagonia wherein those were condemned who either taught or held that opinion Constantine for reestablishing a peace in the Common-wealth being with most generall acclamation confumed both by the Senate and people of Rome turned himselfe wholy to forraine warres and after many battels ouerthrew the Gâ—thes and Sarmatians then forraging the Countrey of Thracia afterwards being strucken in yeares he proclaimed warre against the Persians who wasted the Country of Mesopotamia and in Asia where he was arriued with his Army after receipt of a medicine for recouery of his health breathed his last not without suspition of poison This is he by surname stiled the Great who named Byzantium a City of Thrace after his owne f His desire was to haue it called New Rome but vse preuailed and altered it to Constantinople name and thither translated the Imperiall Seat He began his g At Rome but hee raigned 6. yeares before in Brittaine and elsewhere raigne about the three hundred and twelfth yeare after the birth of Christ It is written that Comets of wonderfull greatnesse were seene before his death Hee left three sonnes Constantine Constantius and Constans amongst those was the body of the Empire diuided to Constantine part of the Alpes Gallia Hispaine Brittaine h The Iland of Orkney lying neer and belonging to Scotland the Orcades Ireland and i Now called Island lying beyond Scotland as some say others Hitland Constantine 337. An. 3. Constantius 337. An. 24 Conslaus 337. An. 1â— Thyle were allotted to Constans Italy Africa with the Islands Illyricum Macedonia Achaia Peloponnesus and Greece to Constantius Asia and Thrace Constantine not satisfied with this diuision made warre vpon his brother Constans and at Aquileia whither he was then come ioyning battell with Constans his forces lost both his Army and his life Constans who in the meane time was vp in Armes against the k The same who were afterwards called Gothes Carion Getes and Sarmatians in Dacia returnes into Italie and hauing gotten the Alpes inuaded Gallia and in two yeares space won all his deceased brothers dominions but was slaine within a while after by the treachery and crafty dealing of Magnentius Him the souldiers before hand allured and inueigled with rewards elected Emperour Constantius the onely suruiuing brother of the three vpon notice hereof deputing Gallus his vncles sonne and sisters husband his Vice-gerent ouer Asia marches with a strong Army into Italy and so into Gallia where in maine battell he ouerthrew the Enemy But Magnentius escaping sends his Ambassadors to sue for peace Whose suit the Conqueror rejecting he on a fresh wages battell again but with ill successe thereupon flying to Lyons where perceiuing his owne friends to conspire his destruction and not hauing any corner where to hide himselfe became his owne executioner Afterwards Constantius commanded Gallus his Cosin germane and Vicegerent for Asia as abouesaid who abused his authority and power to bee put to death when he could not otherwise remedy it After this he returnes into Asia with intent to prosecute the warre in Persia which by reason of Magnentius his faction aboue-mentioned he had broken off And in regard the Germanes about this time making an inroad into Gallia forraged the Countrey there hee adopted his other Cosin germane Iulianus Gallus his brother and to him committed the protection of Gallia Iulianus hauing had prosperous successe in his designes and in many battel 's gotten the vpper hand beat backe the Enemy beyond the Rhyne tooke many prisoners and rescued many Roman souldiers out of prison and at l Strasburg in Germany Argentine almost quite cut off the Enemies whole Army Hereupon the souldiers proclaime him not onely Caesar but also Augustus and set a Diadem vpon his head but against his will as hee pretended For in his letters to Constantius he indeauoured to remoue the envie of the fact froÌ„ himselfe But Constantius hereat greiuously offended ceasing his warre in Persia and liberally and kindly entreating the neighbouring nations that they might continue their allegiance sets forward on his iourney to reduce Iulianus to his duty but on the way whilst hee was yet in Asia being taken with a feuer ended his life first ordaining Iulianus his successor During Iulianus his raigne the enemies contained themselues within their owne bounds not raising any commotion in any place Julianus 361. an 1. m. 7. d. 23. He himselfe went out against the Persians and forraging Assyria hauing put the Enemies forces to flight marched forwards as farre as Ctesiphon At length returning home with his forces the enemy set vpon him in the rere where fighting in the midst of his souldiers in the maine battalia hee receiued a wound whereof within a while after he died an enemy to the name of Christ The souldiers hauing thus lost their Leader Iouinianus 363. m. 7. d. 22. being plunged in great distresse create Iouinianus Emperor at what time Iulius the first of that name was Bishop of Rome certaine of whose Epistles to
Ammonites and Moabites passed into Aegypt with an army where hauing got possession of all that Countrey afterwards begun his Monarchy In the second yeare of his Monarchy as the learned of our times collect he saw in his dreame a great Image whose head was of gold the brest and armes of siluer the belly and thighes of brasse the legges of iron the feet part of iron part of clay When hee awakt and could not call to mind what he had dreamt but yet remain'd mightily astonisht calling together his Magicians and soothsayers charged them vnder paine of death to interpret his dreame Daniel a yong man Captiue with the rest of his Nation brought thither from Ierusalem signified that he could satisfie the kings desire being brought forth first hee shewed what the dreame was and afterwards interpreted the meaning therof The Image said hee signifies the foure chiefe Monarchies of the world which are to succeed in order and turning his speech to the King himselfe Thou said hee whom God hath inuested with supreame power and glory to whom he hath giuen rule ouer all men beasts of the field fowles of the ayre Thou I say art the Golden Head of that Image After thee another kingdome of siluer shall arise worse then this of thine afterwards the third kingdome of brasse which shall beare rule farre and wide but the fourth kingdome shall be of iron for as yron breaketh in peeces and subdueth all things so also shall the fourth and last breake in peeces all the rest and bring them in subiection to it This therefore is the first and formerly neuer heard of prophesie of the four Monarchies which God reuealed to vs by his Prophet Daniel A thing truly worthy to bee committed to memory because in a few words it comprises the historie of all ages vntill the end of the world as afterwards I am to speake of Now it sufficeth how at this time first of all God hath discouered to vs the order and successiue course of the Monarchies Dan. 4. That place in Daniel also manifests more clearly of what great puissance this Nabuchodonozor was where the Scripture compares him to a Tree whose height reached to heauen which as it were oueâ—shaddowed the whole earth whose leaues were very faire and most abundantly loaden with fruit whereby all creatures were fed and fatned in whose braÌ„ches boughes all manner of fowle dwelt and made their nests This therfore is the first Monarchy which as it was exceedingly amplified in this Kings raigne hoisted vp to the very highest steppe So also it fell away and in his Nephewes time was quite extinguished euen as God had denounced by Daniel and other of his Prophets This Nabuchodonozor raigned three forty yeares It would quite the cost if all mortall men especially Kings and Princes would read diligently consider with how dreadfull a spectacle and example God as Daniel sets it downe reuenged his pride Dan. 4. and 5. that so they might the more reuerence Gods diuine Maiestie Euilmerodach 2 King 25. Ierem. 51. and performe that office to the people which is committed to them His son Euilmerodach succeded him he raigned 30 yeares Assur Labassardach and his successor Assur three yeares Labassardach who raigned y Metasthener and others say but 6. euen yeares succeeded him After him Balthasar bore rule â—â—ue yeares Many reckon them after this manner but the learned of our time omitting two of them Balthazar put Balthasar next after his father Euilmerodach write that he raign'd 14. y. which is very necessary to make the perfect number of 70. yeares during which space the Iewes were in captiuity to the Babylonians sithence their captiuity begun in the nineteenth yeare of Nabuchodonozors raigne Those who obserue this order and leaue out the two Kings before spoken of follow the Tract of Scripture and especially the Prophet Ieremieâ—s testimony Ierem. 25. who prophesied that the Iewes should serue the King of Babell his son and his sons son but in this point let euery man haue his iudgement free to himselfe Howbeit Balthazar as the Scripture mentions was the last King of the Babylonians Dan. 5. and in this all Writers agree As for the manner of the taking of Babylon many Authors describe it Dan. 5. Daniel also mentions how God denounced to this King his imminent and euen present calamitie and relates how the gouernement of the Monarchie after that King was slaine was translated to Darius the Mede Darius then 62. yeeres of age Many Writers call this Darius Cyarxes who was the son of Astiages eight King of the Medes whom Daniel cals Assuerus Dan. 9. who hauing no issue male bestowed his daughter in mariage vpon Cyrus the King of Persia's sister sonne and being prouokt to enter into a warre with the King of the Assyrians sent for aid to Cyrus who leading his forces thither and being made Generall of the whole armie returned conquerour hauing taken that most powerfull z Babylon Dan. 9. Citie It is recorded that Darius liued not aboue a yeere after this victorie And then when Darius was yet liuing after the taking of Babylon and the children of Israel Ier. 25. and 29. Dan. 9. had by this time remained captiue in Babylon almost 70. yeeres God reuealed in more ample manner to Daniel according to his praiers in that behalf who made knowne the same to the Prophet Ieremie foreshewer of the captiuitie Cyrùs founder of the second Monarchy of the Persians when the first of the Assyrians had stood about 1538. yeeres this was about 3434. and did not onely confirme the nearnes of their freedome but also shewed what time the Messias should come who should satisfie for the sinnes of men After Darius his death the sway of gouernment was committed to his sonne in law Cyrus and this is the beginning of the second Monarchie for now Cyrus alone held in his owne hands Assyria Media and Persia euen to the Ionian sea as Thucidides hath it hauing before his winning of Babylon taken Craesus that most puissant King of Lydia So this Cyrus is first King of the Persians and founder of the second Monarchie This most renowned Prince hauing vanquisht the Babylonians made warre with the Scythians whether going with his armie and at length intrapped and inuironed by his enemies was there slaine In the beginning of his raigne after the taking of Babylon hee permitted the Iewes to returne home againe out of captiuitie 2 Chro. 16. that they might reedifie the Temple and the Citie of Ierusalem and to that purpose bestowed very liberally out of his own Treasurie Isai 44. and 45. God by his Prophet Isai had foretold him by name some ages before he was born Xenophon brings him in discoursing with his sons before his death about the immortalitie of the soule as Cicero hath it who interprets that place as all others very elegantly Cyrus reached the 70. yeere of
To Antonius Pius his sonne Marcus Antoninus surnamed the Philosopher succeeded Antoninus the Philosopher 160 an 19. m. 0. d. 11. He tooke his c Carien calls him his brotuer kinsman Lucius Aurelius Verus to be his Associate in the Empire By him hee had happy successe in his warres in Parthia hee himselfe looking to the affaires of the Common-wealth at home and in the City but soone after Verus dying he raigned alone and ouercame in his warre against the Germaues ouerthrowing also the f Now Morauians Marcomannes Sarmatians Vandalls and g Inhabitants in and about Silesia Quadies who had inuaded the h Vpper lower Hungaria Pannonia's For at this time almost all the nations from Illyricum to Gallia had conspired against the name of the Romanes Commodus Antoninus the most lewd sonne of this most laudable Prince Commodus Anteninus 79. an 12. m. 8. d. 15. by his Leiutenants ouerthrew the i Of Mauritania or Morisco in Barbary Pertinax m. 3. Didius Iulianus m. 7. Septimius Seuerus 192. ca. 17. m. 8. â— 5. Moores and Dacians quieted the Pannoniaes Germanie and Britanie which Countries cast off their subiection He himselfe in the meane while wallowing in all manner of filthinesse and crueltie Septimius Seuerus had ciuâ—ll warres with Niger and Albinus who procured Asia and Gallia to make a reuolt he had good successe in his warres against the Parthians vanquâ—shed the Iewes throughout Syria subdued Abagatus King of the Persians and compelled the Arabians to come to composition He fortified Brittanie with a wall crosse ouertwart the Iland reaching to the Ocean on both sides and hauing subdued those people that annoyed the Country dyed at Yorke His son Antoninus Bassianus Caracalla Caracalla 210. an 6. m. 2. d. 5. made warre against the Parthians and Armenians This was hee that commanded Pupinianus * PrafectuÌ„ praetorij Gouernor of the pretorian Cohort Captaine of the Guard to bee put to death for refusing to defend his k For Caracalla slew his brother Geta. fratricide In his time flourisht many Lawyers and most of them Pupinianus his Auditors as Tarruntius Paternus Macer Papirius Fronto Anthius Maximus Hermogenianus Africanus Florentinus Triphoninus Iushts Callistratus Venuleius Celsus After Caracalla was slaine Macrinus succeeded Macrinus 216. An. 1. m. 1. d. 28. who hauing bad successe in his warres against Artabanus King of the Parthians and perceiuing the legions encline to Heliogabulus Bassianus his son Heliogabulus 217. an 3 m. 9. d. 4. Alexander Senerus 221. an 13. m. 0. d. 9. concluded a peace Alexander Seuerus a stout souldier successor to Heliogabulus that most brutish of men ouerthrew Artaxerxes King of the Persians in maine battle and recouered Mesopotamia which was lost by Heliogabulus Hee made warre by his Lieutenants in Mauritania Illyricum and Armenia and had good successe but afterwards in his expedition against the Germanes who had forraged the Countrey of Gallia was murthered by certaine of his owne souldiers Vlpianus the Lawyer Pupinianus his scholler was very intimate with him and in his time liued Paulus Pomponius and Modestinus To this Alexander Maximinus succeeded Maximinus 234. An. 2. Hee with maine forces marches into Germanie his Army consisting not onely of Roman souldiers but also of Moores Osdronians and Parthians who had serued vnder Alexander He burnt the Dorps in Germany farre and wide put very many of his enemies to the sword and tooke many more prisoners returning with a wealthy Army Germany being at peace he marches to Syrmium and was purposed to haue made warre against the Sarmatians not onely so but his further intent was to haue brought all those Countries which lye northward euen to the Ocean in subiection to the Roman Empire but his souldiers not enduring his cruelty Gordianus 236. m. 1. d. 6. created Gordianus their Captaine Generall which the Senate bearing no good will neither towards Maximinus ratified and proclaimed the other enemie to the Common-wealth He going about to reuenge this fact first made an Oration to the armie and then set forwards towards Rome the Senate vpon notice hereof proclaime Pupienus and Balbinus their Emperours Pupienus Balbinus 236. an 1. some moneths and to Pupienus was committed the charge of the warre against Maximinus who together with his sonne was at the siege of l A Citie in Italie Aquileia slaine by his owne soldiers as hee lay asleepe in his Tent. After this Pupienus and Balbinus being both slaine in a mutinie amongst the soldiers in the second yeere of their raigne the gouernement of the Empire was committed to Gordianus a yong Gentleman Gordianus iunior 237 Ann. 6. He in the fourth yeere of his raigne marched through Moesia and Thracia against the Persians in those countries subdued the enemies of the Romans from thence striking through Syria came to Antiochia which was then held by the Persians There he fought diuers battels in so much as hee compelled the Persians who were in a manner accounted the terror of Italie to containe themselues in their own limits At length in the sixth yeere of his Empire hee was slaine being betraied by Philip Captaine of the Gâ—ard Philip 243. An. 5. who had raised a mutinie amongst the soldiers And this Philip also who sent ouer his Lieutenants with an armie against the Scythians that were vp in armes against the confederates of the Romans and their free-boroughs came to the m He was slaine by his owne soldiers at Verona Decius 248. An. 2. like end Decius succeeded him who being created Emperour by the Legions of Illyricum and afterwards by coÌ„sent of the Senate first of all appeased the troubles in Gallia Afterwards commending the care of the Common-wealth to the Senate Hee together with his sonne whom hee had made his Collegue in the Empire sets forwards hauing the Senates consent thereunto on his expedition against the Scythians who both by sea and land forraged the country of Thracia and other dominions of the Empire from whence after some battels hauing got the vpper-hand and drawne the enemie into a narrow straight place he had returned with complete victorie had not Gallus Hostilianus Gouernour of the furthest parts of Moesia reuealed his counsell to the enemie whereupon it came to passe vpon ioyning battell that both hee and his sonne by trecherie circumuented were slaine After this Gallus 250. An. 1. m. 6. Gallus made Emperour by one of the Legions and the remainder of the furuiuing soldiers concluded a peace with the Scythians to the dishonour and ignominie of the Romans in that he promised to pay them tribute neuer heard of before and altogether vnworthy the Maiesty of so renowned a State The Scythians hereupon growne more fierce broke the league ouer-runne Dardania Thrace Thessalie Macedonia not resting there but Asia also â—ouerthrowing and subuerting very many Cities At length many other Countries after the example of the Scythians turned enemies to the Romans and many rebelled
Britaine in his iourney through Illyricum towards his intended warre against the Persians was trecherously slaine by his owne soldiers At this time the Common-wealth flourished peace being setled in all nations on euery side farre and neere in so much as Probus would sometimes say that the world would come to that passe shortly that there would be no need of Legions and garrisons but the souldiers offended at this his speech thought it best to cut him off After him followed Carus Carus 282. An. 1. and some moneths together with his sonnes Corinus Numerianus hee subdued the Sarneatians who now after Probus his death were growne more insolent and menaced euen Italie it selfe then making an expedition against the Persians tooke Mesopotamia and marching on further died His yonger sonne Numerianus serued in the warres with him his other sonne Carinus hee had set ouer the Gallia's Numerianus was slaine by his t Arius Aper Diocletian 284. an 20. wiues father and in his place came Diocletian with whom Carinus had diuers conflicts about obtaining the Empire but was ouerthrowne and slaine Diocletian in regard of the troubles and seditions in many places kindling tooke to him for his Collegue Maximianus He quiered the country of Gallia then in commotion as also Affrica and Diocletian Egypt putting the Authors of these broiles to death He recouered Britaina also in the tenth yeer after the reuolt and to the end that the state of the Common-wealth might be more firme and to auoid new commotions about succession hee adopted Galerius and Maximianus Constantius Chlorius Galerius being sent by Diocletian against Narses King of the Parthians had ill fortune in that warre losing the major part of his armie but afterwards commanded to renew the warre he ouerthrew the enemie in maine battell and marching on further in those places then any other Emperour except Trajan tooke Ctesiphon subdued all Assyria and recouered the fiue Prouinces lying beyond the riuer u Running through Armenia Tigris which had reuolted in Trajan the Emperours time Diocletian hauing setled the affaires of Asia returned into Europe where the Scythians Sarmatians * Almaines lying betwixt the Alpes and Ments as Carion supposes Alans x People of Sarmatia Bastarnans y â—welling about the Riuer Carpis in Scythia Constantius Galerius 304. an 2 m 3. an 7. m. 5. Carpies Chatties and Quadies were then all in peace Afterwards both hee as also Maximianus resigning their Soueraigntie inuest their Collegues before mentioned with the title of Emperours Constantius of the Gallia's Britaine the Hispaines Italie and Affrica and Galerius of Illyricum Greece and Asia Marcellus was then Bishop of Rome whose decree is extant prohibiting Bishops from calling a Synode without the authority of the Sea of Rome as also to condemne any Bishop who should appeale to Rome But Maxentius the Emperour persecuting him his estate as others before him was both meane and miserable Whereupon it may easily bee coniectured whether or no he in those perplexities and lurking corners could take so much vpon him as to establish such manner of decrees At length Constantius dying at Yorke Galerius adopted Severus and Maximianus In the meane space the Preterian souldiers at Rome elect Maxentius their Emperour After Seuerus was slaine Maximianus made choice of Licinius for his Collegue in the Empire Among those arose great troubles whereupon the Nobles of Rome call home Constantine Constantius his sonne then imploied in the Gallia's to rescue their Citie from the tyranny of Maxentius Constantine the Great 306. an 30. m. 9. d. 27. Hee marching forward into Italie with part of his armie in pitcht field got the victorie and afterwards quite defeated Maxentius his forces at the Citie of Rome After this hee fought against Licinius who being ouerthrowne in battell and almost growne into hatred with all men was at length slaine by his own souldiers Many write that the cause of this warre was for that Licinius did bitterly persecute the professors of Christianitie although he had been very often intreated and admonished to the contrary by Constantine For from the time of the resurrection of Christ vntill this age almost three hundred yeeres the professors of Christ were diuersly punished omitting those whereof the Scripture makes mention as of z Acts 7. Stephen a Acts 11. Iames the brother of Iohn b Acts 9. Peters imprisonment and inlargement by the Angel passing ouer in silence Paul likewise who grieuously persecuted the Church of God but after his conuersion escaped no kinde of punishment for Christs cause the Roman Emperours also as Nero Domitian Trajan Septimius Seuerus Decius Valerian Aurelian Diocletian and Maximian committed most horrible and outragious masfacres But Constantine comming to the Empire and imbracing the true Religion affoorded harbour and refuge to the Christians Then first of all beganne the Bishops of Rome to liue in safeâ—ie for till then almost all of them who from Peter whom they will haue to be their first are reckoned to thirty three were tormented with persecutions Their decrees are inserted in the bookes of the Councels but the greatest part of them are so sleight triuiall quite different from the sacred Scriptures as makes it credible that they were a long time after forged by some others But if they bee true and proceeded from them then indeed that which Paul by prophesie foretold 2 Thes 2. seemes most rightly to bee applied to this place that then that sonne of perdition and man of sinne beganne to worke the mysterie of iniquity That decree yet extant goes vnder Anacletus his name the fourth from Peter as they reckon wherein he ordaineth the Church of Rome to be by Christs command and institution the head of other Churches To Alexander the next after him is that decree attributed where he commands that the water should be consecrated with salt to purge the people and to auoid the snares of the Deuill But iudge I pray you how far those differ from that Maiestie of the Apostles how farre from the writings of S. c S. Ierom writes that he dyed in the 68 yere after the passion Suidas says that he liued 120 yeares Iohn the Euangelist who almost liued till this very time I haue onely set downe these two decrees that by them wee may iudge of the rest for they are almost of the same molde and cary open colour of ambition and not onely the speech wants the grace but also the matter it selfe hath no salt in it Colos 4. both which Paul requires in the Ministers of the Church And to this place also appertaines that decree of Constantine the Emperor which they haue inserted into their books for the foundation and bulwarke of their power For the cause and occasion of his excessiue d In conferring as they imagine the City of Rome the Empire of the West c. vpon he Popes liberality which is there set downe may out of history be disproued
king of the Gothes wholly bent himselfe to the warre Athila neuerthelesse proceeds and in the Downes of Chaalons which part of France in regard of the plaines is Champaigne was this most dismall battell fought in which as it is recorded 180000. men were slaine And Athila losing the day determined to kill himselfe lest he should fall aliue into the hands of his enemies Howbeit king Theodoricus his sonne following Aetius the Lieutenants counsaile returned home with his forces to succeed his deceased Father whereby Athila getting time to recollect himselfe retires into Pannonia and leaying new forces marches full swoln with reuenge into Italiâ— where at length winning the Citie of Aquilleia first wearied out with a long-continuing siege sackt and burnt it Then forthwith he takes Concordia Padua Vicentia Verona Brescia Bergamo Millaine and Pauie and so pillaging vp and downe o Romandiola Flaminia incamped at the meeting of the Riuer of Mencius and Po where deliberating about his passage to Rome with his Armie Leo the first of that name Bishop of Rome comes to him and so farre preuailed that altering his intent he not onely surceased his expedition to Rome but also quite remouing out of Italie returned into Pannonia where within a while after he ended his daies This was that Leo many of whose Epistles to Theodosius the second and Martianus the Emperour are extant wherein he partly apologizes for his absence from the Councels by them conuocated and intreats them not to bee offended for sending thither of his Legates and partly also requests that they would designe some place in Italie rather then in Asia for the celebrating of Councels but he obtained nothing Whilest Athila thus raged vp and downe Italie the Citie of Venice was builded Venice begunne to be built An. 430. when many of the abler sort leauing the adioyning places betooke themselues to those sea-sands little Islelands and hillockes as into some harbour Thus meane and in a manner desperate and miserable was the beginning of this Citie which now as we see is growne to a wonderfull greatnesse They reckon 805. Dukes till this time the first whereof was p Some Authors call him Paulutius Anafestus and write of his beginning in Anno Dom. 697. and after their Citie built 282. Paulus Anazatus in the yeere of grace 706. being 252. yeeres after the beginning of the building of their Citie Afterwards when Valentinianus was slaine Gensericus King of the Vandals sailing ouer with a Nauie from Affrica into Italie marches with an exceeding great armie being aided by the Moores towards Rome and takes the Citie in a manner left quite desolate but at the earnest request of Leo the Bishop who also as aforesaid appeased Athila hee forbore fire and sword The Citie-sackt captiues were transported to Carthage in great troopes The enemies after this infest Campania with grieuous outrages rase Capua Nola Naples and other Cities those who suruiue the sword they condemne to the irons and growne rich with the wealth of Italie returne into Affrica Martianus Emperour of the East a Prince of a calme nature inioyed peace hee was wont to say That it was not sitting for a Prince to take armes as long as he might liue in peace In his raigne The fourth Councell at Chalcedon in Bythinia and by his command a very great Councell was assembled at Chalcedon wherein Eutyches who confounded the two natures in Christ was condemned There amongst the rest it was decreed that no Clerke as they call them should bee admitted to the Churches of two Cities Pluralitie of liuings as wee tearme it was not then heard of which now is growne so ordinarie as nothing is more common And almost within our memorie that custome crept in amongst other blemishes of the Church that the Pope may conferre two Bishoprickes vpon one man If now therefore he would restore the custome in this behalfe which was held in the next precedent age hee should doe his dutie but seeing that cannot be can we suppose it euer to be granted that matters shall be amended according to the holy Scriptures and decrees of the Apostles and primitiue times No they toile in vaine that ballance the deedes of the Popes with the rules of ancient Religion Martianus dying in the seuenth yeere of his Empire Leo 457. an 17. Leo succeeded him and Auitus when Gensericus after the taking of Rome was returned into Affrica succeeded Valentinianus at Rome and in the West next to him Majoranus then Seuerus and after him Anthemius after those followed others but nothing eminent who perished in their mutuall massacres and treacheries and raigned but a while insomuch that now the other part of the Roman Empire in the West stood in great danger Nothing memorable is recorded of Leo the Emperour but that he entred into amitie and league with the Gothes then wasting Illyricum and an Epistle or two of Leo the Bishop of Romes to him Zeno 474. an 17. m. 2. d. 7. are extant Zeno q Called Isauricus because he was borne in Isaurica in Cicilia Isauricus was his successor Among stthose also who ruled in Rome after Valentinianus his death Augustulus was one in whose raigne Odoacer with a maine armie of Herulians and Syrians out of Pannonia inuades Italie takes Orestes a Nobleman of Rome who was fled to Pauie with his forces puts him to death sackes and burnes the Citie and marching on takes in the whole Country as far as Rome Augustulus deiected in minde voluntarily resignes his Empire Odoacer enters the Citie and obtaining the kingdome of Italie gouerned without resistance fourteene yeeres But at length Theodorieus King of the East-Gothes sent by Zeno the Emperour marching from Constantinople ouerthrew the r Part of the Gothes Gepides and Bulgarians opposing him and so making his way through Mysia and Pannonia arriues in Italie and incampes himselfe not farre from Aquileta whither Odoacer afterwards repairing a sharpe battell insued Odoacer losing the day fled but recollecting his forces ioynes battell on fresh and is againe ouerthrown most part of his armie lost some whereof perished in battell others in Å¿ A Riuer running through Verona Athesis Hee flies amaine towards Rome where shut out he spoiles the Country about and comes to Rauenna there at length after three yeeres siege vpon the Cities yeelding she was taken and put to death Odoacer thus cut off Theodoricus became Lord of Italie marches to Rome where hee assembled two Councels of Bishops whom hee called together out of sundry Prouinces of Italie to sit vpon t Pope of Rome Symmachus his cause whom the greatest part refused as one vnworthy and falsly created This Theodoricus was an Arian as the Papall bookes haue it His sirname was u Because of his victory at Verona Veronensis and was descended from that Theodoricus abouementioned who was slaine in the battell against Athila King of the Hunnes Odoacer was a * Of Rugerland in Pomerania Rugian a people
marching on beyond the Riuer Tigris and ransaking Persia farre and wide entring at length into amity with Sirochus the a Cosroes King of Persia's son who hauing slaine his father set vpon the Kingdome recouered Africa and Aegypt and whatsoeuer else the Persians had taken and it was couenanted that the Riuer Tigris should deuide the Persian and Roman dominions At this time also the Saracens seruing in the warres vnder Heraclius being defrauded of their pay reuolt in huge troopes and pillaging vp and downe Syria Mahomet being their Chieftaine took Damascus forraged Aegypt subdued Arabia and gaue the Persians some ouerthrowes This Mahomet was by parentage obscure but subtle and aduenturous as also afterwards enriched by mariage and by reason of his prompt wit carying great sway he propounds a new kind of doctrine to reason indeed very delectable but for the most part ridiculous and foolish whereby hee might more and more oblige the mindes of men and more firmly possesse himselfe with soueraigntie And though this flame might at first haue easily beene quenched yet being neglected in short space grew to a maine height and so from that time the Maiestie and Empire of the Romans in the East decayed more and more Nations reuolting one after another In Heraclius his raigne the fourth Councell of Toledo was celebrated where because most part of the Priests throughout Spaine did not euery day but onely vpon that day which wee call Sunday vse that prayer which Christ himselfe taught vs amongst other matters a reformation therein was decreed as also that the Apocalyps of S. Iohn as they say should bee read in the Church from Easter to Whitsontide The Gothes then raigned in Hispain when as the Spaniards growne weary as it is common of forraign gouernment attempting an innovation this Councell vnder a seuere penalty prohibited the practizing of any conspiracy against their King or the Gothish Nation and that after the Kings decease the States and Clergie of the whole Nation Constantine the III. raigned 2. moneths and Heraclian two yeares should by common consent appoint the successor The same decree was also renued in some other of their assemblies The singing of the Hebrew Allelujah in the Church in time of Lent was likewise forbidden Constans the II. 642. an 27. m. 8. d. 10. for that it was a time of sorrow and not of reioycing To Heraclius Constans succeeded who was his grandchild by his sonne Constantine He had an infortunate sea-fight with the Saracens who getting the victory tooke Rhodes and without doubt had proceeded further had not the factions kindled amongst them procured a two yeares truce with the Romanes The Emperour hauing this time to pause marches with an Army into Italy thereby as he boasted to rescue it out of the Enemies hands and arriuing at Tarento besieged Luceria and other places of Apulia belonging to the Lombards but in his iourney towards Naples his rereguard was cut off by the Lombards Entring Rome peaceably at length hee disrobes the City of all its ornaments and there staying a few dayes strucke ouer into Sicily where afterwards he was murthered in a Bath and some dissension arising after his death about succession the Sarazens laying hold on this opportunity with a great Nauy inuaded Sicilie commit a horrible massacre of the Islanders take Syracuse and carry away with them all Constans his spoiles taken from Rome Constantine the IIII or Bearded 669. an 16. d. 7. To Constans Constantine the IIII. succeeded commonly called the Bearded He for certain yeeres encountring with the Sarazens at length vanquisht them insomuch as they sued for peace and for a thirty yeares Truce as also condescended to pay a yearely Tribute and the Romanes Enemies in the East herewith shaken implore a peace But the Bulgars transpassing their bounds wast Thrace with them a peace was at length concluded and both the b Now Bursia in Asia Mysia's yeelded vp to them but afterwards when they perceiued the Romanes negligence breaking the league flye out againe and extenuate the forces of the Empire This Emperour as it is recorded was the first that ordained that whom the Clergy and people of Rome together with the souldiers had created Bishop of that City hee should obtaine full power for till this time the dignity of Bishop of Rome depended vpon the confirmation either of the Emperour or of his Deputy for Italy There is a long Epistle extant of Pope Leo the II to Constantine wherein hee condemnes all manner of heretiques and highly extolls him for his loue to and protection of Religion as also for his liberality and munificence adding that the Church hauing gotten such a Defender most ioyfully triumphed The sixth Councel at Constantinople 680. The sixth Counsell at Constantinople was held in his raign which consisted of 150. Bishops Wherein about the end thereof mention is made but in obscure words of those Canons stiled the Apostles But Gratianus reckons vp the contrary opinions for he auerres that there be those that can affirme that they were compiled by heretiques reiected by the Primitiue Church and accounted among the Apocrypha's Yet it is written that Zepherinus B. of Rome in order the sixteenth approued them as also after him this Councell before mentioned which as they report was ended in Iustine the II. his time Constantine the IIII. his sonne In briefe all flotes vpon incertaine grounds neither doe they agree in the number of the Canons for some hold 50. others 60. others 84. in which number indeed they are extant Whereby it may easily be coniectured that more were added by degrees and afterwards though proceeding from many comprehended vnder one title It is written that then also the Archbishop of Rauenna subiected himselfe to the Bishop of Rome who before that but most especially after the translation thither of the Exarchy would yeeld nothing at all to him To Constantine Iustinian II 686. an 10. Iustinianus his son succeeded he by reason of his nonage and inexperience misgouerned the Common-wealth and breaking the league which his father had made with the Sarazens and Bulgars was brought to that pinch as he himselfe was constrained to sue for peace to both of them At length being thrust out for his crueltie anâ— banisht with his nose cut off Leontius succeeded Leontius 696 an 3. hauing beene prisoner two yeares vpon suspition of affecting the Empire In the time of those broiles the Sarazens inuade Africa but were within two yeares after chased out thence by force of armes The Roman souldiers forsaking the garrison in Africa sith the Emperour sleighted ouer all affaires with negligence and carelessenesse and fearing lest they should againe bee expelled by the Sarazens Tiberius Apsimarus 699. an 7. who were then exceeding strong create one Tiberius Emperour He marches with his forces to Constantinople where winning the City takes Leontius cuts off his nose cast him into prison and constitutes a new Exarch in Italy And whilst
all matters were caried after this boisterous manner the Sarazens laying hold on this fit opportunity march out of Egypt with an huge Army and againe surprise Africa and Lybia and welnigh all Hispaine Iustinianus hee whom I aboue spoke of Iustinian the II. againe 706. An. 6. expeld and bannisht by Leontius by helpe of Tribellius King of Bulgaria at length takes Constantinople and therein Leontius and Tiberius whom hee put to death c First causing them to be caried vp and downe the city bound in cords then trampling vpon their necks and lastly beheading them Philippius Bardanes 712. an 2. m. 9. d. 7. after which hee raigned sixe yeares cruelly prouing also ingratefull to King Tribellius and at length ioyning battle with Philippicus Bardanes to whom the souldiers had reuolted both he and his sonne Tiberius were there slaine Pope Constantine pronounced this Philippicus for difference in Religion a Schismatick whose eyes being afterwards pluckt out by his owne seruants Anastatius the II. was his successor Anastatius the II. 715. an 1. m. 3. Hee sent a strong Nauie to the Rhodes to make warre with the Sarazens constituting an ecclesiasticall person Generall thereof whom the souldiers refusing to obey a mutinie arose and one Theodosius of obscure parentage was created Emperour Theodosius Adramittenus 716. m. 7. d. 16. who changing the voyage marches to Constantinople takes the City and confines Anastasius whoÌ„ he ouerthrew in battaile to a Monastery but not long after being expulst by Leo Lieutenant of his forces Leo Conon 717. an 24. m. 2. d. 25. hee also betakes himselfe to a Monasticall life About this time which was in the yeare of Grace 717. the Moores with their whole powers breake into Spaine and subdue it Rodericke being then King of the Hispaines whom the Gothes had elected The Sarazens in Leo's raigne hauing ouerrunne Thrace besiege Constantinople both by sea and land for three yeares space but at length being well nigh destroyed by the plague were constrained to retire home This Leo was a mortall aduersary to Gregory the II. Bishop of Rome and charged his Vicar or Exarch in Italy by all meanes to cut him off but the Lombards defended the Pope not for any loue they bare him but to the end that by these dissensions they might enlarge their owne Territories For vpon this occasion they surprised many townes belonging to the Exarchie-Certaine of this Gregories Epistles to the Clergy and Laity of Thuringia d A part of Saxony where the City Erford stands are extant whereby he admonishes them more and more to encrease in the knowledge of God as also to the Saxons sharply deterring them from worshipping of Idolls in which employment hee vsed one e An Englishman borne in Deuonshire Boniface his helpe whom he had sent into Germany The Emperour Leo throwes all statues Images of Saints out of Churches and enioynes the Pope also to doe the like but hee not onely disobeyes but also denounces sharpe punishment against him perseuering in his purpose Constantine the V. 741. an 35. m. 1. d. 27. To Leo his son Constantine of that name the V. succeeded surnamed Copronymos of the same Religion with his father He setting forth with a great Nauie against the Sarazens for recouery of Alexandria in Egypt vnderstanding by a messenger of the insurrections hatched at home and of Artabastus the new elected Emperour retires to Constantinople takes the City by force and puts out Artabastus his eies He also as his father Leo liued in vehement discord with Gregory the III. Bishop of Rome who forthwith sending his Nuntio's excommunicates him and they being cast in prison hee made a decree in the Councell thereupon assembled That whosoeuer should hereafter demolish the Images of Saints or contumeliously abuse them should be vtterly excluded from the Communion of the Church after this with all diligence and endeauour he erected Images in diuers Churches and as farre as he could sumptuously adorned them After Gregory the III. Zacharias succeeded An Epistle of his is extant to one Boniface a Bishop in Germany the same man as it appeares whose helpe Gregory the II. vsed as a little aboue mentioned Zacharias satisfied his requests and permitted Bishopricks at Merburgh Bamberg and Erphord and also gaue him leaue to goe to Charlemaine Charles Martel his sonne who was desirous to haue a Councell held in some City of the French Kingdome and that he might diligently reforme the abuses of the Church but most especially remoue adulterers and those that had many wiues from the order of Priesthood for sithence after the vndertaking of the holy Ministery they ought not to haue or touch so much as one wife much lesse at one and the same time they should haue more for Pauls words that a Bishop should bee the husband of one wife is to bee vnderstood not of the time present but past to wit that hee who desires to be admitted into the ministeriall function should haue no more wiues then one To this Epistle Charlemaines Edict who stiles himselfe Duke of the French is annexed wherein hee ordaines that a Councell should be held euery yeare in his presence and commands that adulterous Priests and whoremongers should be remoued out of their places and likewise prohibits them from hunting and hawking and charges them not to maintaine any whore at home but concerning wiues not a word From this time Aistulphus King of the Lombards required a tribute from the Romans sharply menacing them in case of non-payment Stephen the II. of that name then Bishop of Rome seeing hee could not stop his mouth neither with flatteries nor rewards sues to Constantine the Emperour for ayde but no helpe comming from him hee sollicites Pipin lately as we below shall mention made king of the French to lend him his hand He marching with an Army into Italy besieges Pauie and compells Aistulphus to come to composition but the Enemy after Pipins returne home growne more kene againe takes armes whereupon Pipin againe solicited marches into Italy then at length Aistulphus surrenders the Exarchie to Pipin in which Country those Cities are of chiefe account Rauenna Fauentia Caesena Forli Forlimpopoli Bologna Reggio Parma and Placentia It is written that Pipin deliuered all this Countrey into the Popes hands though the Emperor first required him to restore them to him as belonging to the Empire not to the Church of Rome To Constantine â—â—o the IIII 775. an 4. m. 11. d. 26. his son Leo the IIII. succeeded He vndertooke one only expedition into f Against the Sarazeni Syria where discomfited he retires home and not long after dyed of the same religion with his father leauing behind him his son Constantine the VI. who by reason of his nonage not of ability to raigne his mother Irene gouerned the Common-wealth but he waxen warmer in g 20 yeares of age yeares deposing his mother tooke the Empire vpon himselfe with no lesse insolency
expell the Emperous Deputies hanging some of them vpon gallowes The Emperour hereupon returning into Italy fought a hazardous battle with them The Pope was Copartner in the warre who fled to Venice At length when peace was concluded by truce he makes an expedition into Asia against the Enemies of the Christian Religion where going into a Riuer to wash himselfe was by force of the streame ouerwhelmed and drowned His sonne Henry Henry VI. 1190. an 8. m. 2. d. 22. of that name the VI. was his successor He after William the sonne of Roger King of Sicilies death hauing beene twice in Italy conquered Apulia and Calabria and taken Naples subdues Sicily placing strong garrisons there in regard of the inconstant disposition of that Nation Then hee constitutes certaine Nobles ouer Rauenna and Ancona and throughout Apulia and Hetruria soone after hauing assigned his son Fredericke as then an Infant for his successour in the Empire hee went into Sicily by consent of the Princes of Germany and there ended his n Falling into a burning feuer by a poysoned potion giuen him as it was supposed by his wife life Fredericke his son being as aforesaid in respect of his age but a Childe all men in a manner deemed it fitter to take his vncle Philip but Innocent the III. Pope of Rome most vehemently withstood that Howbeit the Princes disagreeing in their choice when some would create Philip others Otho Duke of Saxony a great vproare thereupon ensued especially about the coast of the Rhyne But Philip partly by force of Armes partly by his exceeding humanity drew on his aduersaries into subiection and forthwith made his peace with the Pope whom by experience he had found a bitter Enemy Not long after Otho IIII. 1208. an 4. he was murthered in his Chamber and Otho Duke of Saxony beforementioned was his successour who incurred the Popes displeasure being formerly his most entire friend and was at length excommunicated by him whereupon a Diet assembled the Electorall Princes solicited by the Pope to create another call home out of Sicilie Frederick the King thereof Henry the VI. his sonne to whom as a little aboue it is mentioned they had giuen allegiance being then an Infant Him the Emperour Otho meets with an Army at the Rhyne to stop his passage but was discomfited and returning into Saxony dyed as it was supposed of griefe Fredericke the II. 1212. an 11 And thus was Frederick made Emperour of that name the II. Grandchild to Frederick Aenobarb or Red-Beard by his sonne Innocent the III. before spoken of had a Councell at Rome called the Laterane there amongst others those decrees passed That the Chrisme and Eucharist which they call the Hoast should bee kept vnder Locke and Key That a priuate confession of sinnes should bee made once euery yeare That an election made by the ciuill Magistrate in spirituall promotions should be of no force That those of Ecclesiasticall Order should not without cause promise fealtie to those that are called Lay-men That the Lawes made by Princes should not preiudice Churches That Ecclesiasticall persons should bee exempted from all contribution That Tribute should not be paid before Tenths That the Reliques of Saints should not be showne forth of a Casket About these Decrees there followed a great dissention betwixt the Greekes and Latines for the Greekes would not touch those Altars whereon the Latines had offered vp the Hoast till they had washed and expiated them as also of a new baptized those whom the Latines had baptized Hereupon it was decreed that they shold returne to their mother Church of Rome whereby there might be one Fold and one Shepheard in case they obeyed not to bee after excommunication degraded from their Order The Emperor goes to Rome and is consecrated by Honorius the third Hee subdued those Rebells which were spred all ouer Italy and proscribes some of them Many whereof fled to Rome and implored the Popes ayde This gaue occaon of great discord for the Emperour tooke it most hainously that his aduersaries should haue their harbour and habitation there The rancor raging hotter Hee by consent of the Princes assignes his sonne Henry his successour in the Empire and summons the Princes to a Diet at Cremona but being hindered entrance there by the Pope and the Lombards factions returnes into Apulia and within a while after the Pope dyes to whom Gregory the IX Frederick the II. excommunicated by Gregory the IX three times succeeds who excōmunicates the Emperour for not performing his expedition against the Turkes whereto he had bound himselfe by vow The Emperour deprecating this offence and purging himselfe when nothing could preuaile hee marches to Rome deposes the Pope and inflicts a heauy mulct vpon his Complices then calling another Diet at Rauenna is hindered by the fugitiue Pope who had stirred vp enemies against him in euery place At length the Emperour after his wife was dead that he might performe his promise and prouide for the Common-wealth sets forward on his expedition into Asia But the Pope whilst he was absent makes warre and seizes vpon Apulia The Emperour hauing good successe recouering many places and amongst the rest Hierusalem being certified of the state of Italy concluding a ten yeares truce with the enemy returnes with his Army and recouers his owne Countries The Pope fortifies himselfe by a new league with these Nobles of Italy on whō the Emperour had set a mulct and then againe excommunicates him for entering into truce with the enemy The Emperour louing quietnesse by his Ambassadours treats for peace which with much a doe he obtained and so hee returned into Germany But the Pope not able to leaue his old guise dismantling Viterbo againe excommunicates the Emperour who hereat incensed beyond measure posts into Italy in raging and wrathfull manner and punishes all the Rebels throughout Hetruria Vmbria Lombardy and the Countrey bordering vpon Po whereupon the Pope ingeminates his excommunication and conioynes in league with the Venetians The Emperour coasting through Italy hauing in a manner reduced it all into his subiection layes siege to Rome and not long after Pope Gregory dyes hauing first summoned a Councell of his owne adherents at Rauenna whither notwithstanding they could not haue accesse all passages being blockt vp by the Emperour insomuch as certaine of them were taken This was the Pope that patcht together the Decretall Epistles as they call them which are a great part of the Pontificiall Law loaden with multiplicity of Commentaries wherein it may seeme wonderfull that such men there should bee that will take so much paines as to adhere to those not onely inconuenient triuiall foolish but also ridiculous workes as fast as if they were a kinde of Oracle and spend all their labour and time in interpreting explaining and garnishing them as though they were hired to that end to defend other mens folly and error with their best vigilancy and industry and to lose the reputation
fortunate sea-sea-fight in Sicilie against Hanno Publius Duillius Consul Cicero rankes this Duillius Mannius Curius and Caius Fabritius as also Attilius Calatinus Cneius and Publius both Scipioes Aphricanus Marcellus and Fabius Maximus within the list of the most renowned Consuls of Rome The yeere following Lucius Cornelius Scipio Consull took the Ilands of Corsiea and Sardinia The Carthaginian warre after it had lasted three and twenty yeeres Held 23. yeeres was at last appeased Quintus Luctatius Catulus Cercus and Aulus Manlius Consulls Two yeeres before this was Ennius borne Hee was elder then Marcus Portius Cato who cals him his familiar consort by fiue yeeres And Rome was now againe intrapt with new wars against the a Of Tuscame Faliscians b Of Tuscame vpon the Sea-coast Lygurians c Sclauonians Illyrians d Of Gallia now France Galles e Bohemians Boies f Of now Lumbardie The second warre which the Carthaginians begun Anno Mundi 3751. Insubrians whom hauing at length ouercome the second Punicke or Carthaginian warre burst forth in the twenty fourth yeere after the conclusion of peace Publius Cornelius Scipio and Titus Sempronius Longus then Consuls Hannibal was Captaine Generall in this warre who sack't the Citie of Saguntum and bending his course through Spaine towards Gallia and from thence to Italie in three seuerall battels at g Now Pauie Ticinum the Riuer Trebia and the Lake Thrasimine ouercame the Romanes But Quintus Fabius Maximus being created Dictator and marching forth against the enemie by subtle and dilatorie withdrawing from him weakened and tooke off the edge of his force and furie This was that very Fabius whose fame Ennius celebrating saith thus of him One mans delay our safety hath regained Cicero accounts him a great Politician and saies that hee could conceale keepe silence dissemble insnare and preuent his enemies in their consultations But after this the Romans receiued a very great ouerthrow at h A towne of Apulia in Italie Canna which strucke such an horrid feare in the Citie that many of the abler sort purposed to flie and forsake the Citie but were re-animated and withdrawne from their intents by Publius Cornelius Scipio Publius his sonne a magnanimous yong Gentleman and then scarce foure and twenty complete The fourth yeere following Claudius Marcellus tooke Syracusa after a long continuing siege In the sacking of which Citie the famous Mathematitian Archimides was slaine who was drawing certaine Astronomicall figures in dust not dreaming of the conquest of his country Marcellus hauing notice hereof tooke his death wonderfull heauily and commanded his body to bee buried not onely suffering the conquered Citie to remaine in safetie as Cicero writes but also left it so furnished that it should stand for a Monument of victorie humanitie and clemency Moreouer as he speakes vpon Verres the i Much like our Lord chiefe Iustices at this day Praetors arriuall there in this victory of Marcellus there were fewer men then gods slaine but Liuie reports that many abhominable examples of wrath enuy and auarice were then and there shewed Cicero when he was k Much like our office of Lord Treasurer Questor of Sicilia hauing by some description found out the place of Archimedes buriall shewed his tomb to the Senate of Syracusa 137 y. afterwards though it was quite worne out of memory grown ouer with bryars and brambles and vnknowne to the very Citizens themselues He further reports that this City of Syracusa was the greatest most beautifull city in Greece and that it was compact of foure very great Cities the Island where was the fountaine of Arethusa hauing great store of fish Acradania where the market place * Porticus The publike walking place for pleasure recreation or exercise Prado and * Curia Senatehouse stood Tyche where the Temple of Fortune stood Neapolis built last of all where the most spacious Theater was erected Moreouer this of any forraigne Nation was the first that entred into amity and allegiance with the Romans and was their first prouince as the same Cicero testifies Annibal soone after his victory compelled all Campania to bee yeelded vp to him but his Army wintering at Capua with superfluity of victualls and riot became wholy disjoynted and broken The third yeare after the ouerthow of Syracusa Capua was surrendred into the hands of the Romans and it was long and much demurred vpon whether or no they should quite destroy the City at length they agreed to preserue it yet lest it should at any time afterwards bee able to raise any rebellion their fields were quite taken away all manner of authority both of Magistrates and Senatours abrogated as also the Councell of Estate no image of a Common-wealth left but was appointed to bee a storehouse for fruit the plowmens rendezuous the Countreymens market town and the common Garner and Cornhouse for the countrey of Campania Within two yeares after this Asdrubal brought ouer new Auxiliary Forces into Italy but was slain at the riuer of Metaurum by Marcus Liuius Salinator Caius Claudius Nero Consulls In the meane while Publius Cornesius Scipio had good successe in Spaine after his father his vncle had lost their liues there He hauing recouered the whole prouince returnes to Rome and being made Consull desired to be authorized ouer Africa that he might make war there But Quintus Fabius Maximus an aged graue Senator withstood him very earnestly and vrged that it was not fit to passe into Africa but to ioyne battell with Hannibal Scipio contrariwise that if warre were made with the Carthaginians within their own Quarters they must of necessity be constrained to call home Hannibal out of Italy in whō they setled their chiefe hopes and helpes After much dispute the Senate grants Scipio the Prouince of Sicilie and permits him if it might be commodious to the Common-wealth to passe ouer into Africa He therefore at length sets forward out of Sicilie into Africa where what hee had foretold the Senate by word he confirmed by deed For the Carthiginians hauing receiued some ouerthrowes by him and being much endammaged call backe Hannibal Thus he who for sixteene yeeres together had raged vp and downe Italy and pickt out a place vnder the verie walles of Rome where to pitch his Tents was compelled to returne home though sore against his will and to his great griefe where at length in his owne country quarrell Hannibal vanquished An. mund 3797. hee was vanquished by Scipio who soone after by decree of the Senate concluded a peace with the Enemie Hereupon came his surname of Africanus But here we must consider after what manner the Romans creptout of these most intricate straights for all their fortune now hung by a most slender threed yet so it was destined that they should ouersway all force and trouble and become Lords of the whole earth Some report that Hannibal foresaw this when hee heard of his brother Asdrubals ouerthrow The