man whose name is Mago and therewith he fell a laughing which all the Souldiers also took for a good Omen In this great day the Carthaginian excelled himself expressing abundance of Military skill and of greâ—tnesse of spirit and courage He so marshalled his Army that all hands were brought to fight where every one might do the best service His Darters and Slingers he sent before to encounter the Roman Velites His Africans Armed after the Roman manner made the two Wings very deep in File Between these he ranged the Gauls and Spaniards armed the first with broad Swords and the other with short and well-pointed Blades The Gauls were strong of Body and furious in giving the Charge but soon wearied spending their violence at the first brunt The Spaniards were lesse eager but more wary These Hannibal caused to advance leaving void the place wherein they had stood and into which they might fall back if they were over-hardly pressed Between the left Batallion by the River side were the Gauls and Spanish Horse under Asdrubal On the right Wing was Maharbal with the Numidian Horse Hannibal himself with his Brother Mago led the Rear His Army this day was ten Thousand Horse and fourty Thousand Foot His enemies had two to one against him in Foot and he five to three against them in Horse The Roman Army was marshalled after their usuall manner On the right hand were the Roman Horsemen under the Consul Paulus On the left Wing was Varâ—o with the rest of the Horse which were of the Latines and other associates and Servilius had the leading of the Battel The Sun was newly risen and offended neither part the Carthaginians having their faces Northward and the Romans Southward After some light Skirmishes between the two Forlorns Asdrubal brake in upon the Consul Paulus and after a rough charge and much execution done the Roman Horse were overborn and driven by plain force to a staggering recoil When the Battels came to joyning the Roman Legionaries found work enough and more than enough to break that Body upon which at first they fell yet at last Hannibals men were forced to a hasty retreat But whilst the Legions following their supposed Victory rushed on upon those that stood before them and thereby engaged themselves deeply within the principal strength of the enemy the two African Battalions on either side advanced so far that getting beyond the Rear of them they almost wholly inclosed them Asdrubal having broken the Troops of the Roman Horse followed them along upon the River side beating downe and killing most of them without regard of taking Prisoners The Consul Paulus left his Horse and cast himself amongst the Legions as hoping by them to make good the day But he failed of his expectation Yet did he cheer up his men as well as he could both by Words and Example slaying many with his own hands The like did Hannibal amongst his Carthaginians in the same part of the Battel but with better successe For the Consul received a blow from a Sling that wounded him much and though a Troop of Roman Gentlemen did their best to save him from further harm yet was he so hardly laid at that by wounds and weaknesse he was compelled to forsake his Horse whereupon all his company also allighted Hannibal being near and seeing this said pleasantly I had rather he would have delivered them to me bound hand and foot meaning that he had them almost as safe as if they had been so bound All this while Varro with his associates in the left Wing was marvelously troubled with Maharbal and his Numidians who beating up and down upon the great Sandy plain raised a foul dust which by a strong South wind was driven into the eyes and mouths of the Romans These using the advantage both of their number and lightnesse wearied the Consul and his followers exceedingly neither giving nor sustaining any charge but continually making offers and then wheeling about Yet at the first they seemed to promise him a happy day of it For when the Battels were even ready to joyn five hundred of these Numidians came pricking away from their fellows with their Shieldes on their backs as was the manner of those which yeilded and throwing down their Armes yielded themselves Varro had no leasure then to examine them but bad them to rest quietly behind his Army till all was done These crafty marchchants did as he bad them for a while till they had oportunity to put their designe in execution Under their Jackets they had short Swords and Poniards with which and other weapons that they gathered up of those that were slaine they flew upon the hindmost of the Romans whilst all eyes were bent another way where they did much mischief and raised great terrour Thus Hannibal in a plain ground found meanes to lay an Ambush at the back of his enemies The last blow that put an end to all was given by the same hand that gave the first Asdrubal having routed and slain all the Roman Horse save the company of Aemilius that joyned themselves to the Foot did not stay to charge upon the face of the Legions but fetching a compasse he came up to the Numidians with whom he joyned and gave upon Terentius This fearfull cloud prognosticated a dismal storme wherefore Terentius his followers having wearied themselves much in doing little and seeing more work towards than they were like to sustain thought it their safest not how to use a Victory and God had otherwise determined When Hannibal had sacked the Roman Camps and trused up the spoils he dislodged and marched away to Samnium finding a disposition in many People thereabouts to forsake the Romans and to make aliance with him The first Town that opened their Gates to him was Cossag where he laid up his Baggage and leaving his Brother Mago to take in other pâ—aces he hastened into Campania He dismissed all his Prisoners that were not Romans without ransome whereby he won the affections of most of the Common People in Italy to incline to him He also gave leave to his Roman Prisoners to send to Rome to procure their ransome with whom he sent Carthalâ— the General of his Horse to see how Rome stood affected to peace The Senate commanded Carthalâ— to depart out of their Territories and refused to redeem their Prisoners probably because they wanted Mony wherewithall to do it Campania is a most pleasant and fruitfull Country and Capua the chief City in it rich and wealthy the Citizens despised now the unfortunate virtue of the Romans and sent Ambassadours to Hannibal with whom these Articles were agreed upon That the Campans should be absolutly free and Governed by their own Lawes That no Citizens of theirs should be subject to any Carthaginian Magistrate in War or Peace and that Hannibal should deliver to the Campans three hundred Roman Prisoners such as themselves should choose whom they might exchange for their Gentlemen
Marcellus bestowing his ashes in a Silver pot covered with a Crown of Gold and sent it to his Son to be interred where he pleased Then icinius the Roman Admiral laid hard Siege to Locri wherefore Hannibal went thither again but as soon as his Vant-couriers appeared the Romans ran in confused heapes to their Ships leaving all their Engins and whatsoever was in their Camp to Hannibal C. Claudius Nero and M. Livius were chosen Consuls at which time Asdrubal was already come into France and was approaching towards Italy Livius wold not stir against him but with a considerable Army and those of the choisest men and Claudius with an other Army was sent against Hannibal By this time newes came that Asdrubal was passing the Alps and that the Ligurians and those about Genoa were ready to joyn with him When all was ordered according to the Consuls minde they went forth of the City each his severall way The Citizens were full of fears there being an other Son of Amilcar come into Italy and one that in this expedition seemed to be of more sufficiency than Hannibal For whereas in that long and dangerous march through so many Barbarous Nations over great Rivers and Mountains Hannibal had lost a great part of his Army Asdrubal in the same journy had increased his descended from the Alps like a rowling Snowball far greater than when he came over the Pyrenes This made the People wait upon their Consuls out a Town like a pensive train of Mourners Asdrubal at his first coming into Italy set upon Placentia but there he lost a great deal of time and yet was faigne at last to leave it whereby he gave the Roman Consuls leasure to make ready for him and caused his Brother Hannibal to make no hast to meet him knowing that Placentia would not be taken in hast Nero made what speed he could to meet with Hannibal and stop him from joyning with his Brother He had with him fourty thousand Foot besides Horse with which he oft offered Hannibal Battel and in diverse Skirmishes had the better of him At Crumentum Hannibal fought with him but was worsted yet â—at he off and marched away to 〈◊〉 with Nero still at his heels Thence he went to Canuâ—â—â—m and sat down there neer the place where he had obtained his most memorable Victory There also Nero sat down by him thinking it enough to hinder him from joyning with his succours There was he advertised of Asdrubals approach by letters that were going to Hannibal which he intercepted wherefore he resolved that it was better to run some desparate adventure than to suffer them to joyn together He therefore took six thousand Foot and a thousand Horse all of his choisest men and away he posted as fast as he could to assist his Fellow Consul Livy at that time lay encamped neer to Serea Gallica and Asdrubal within half a mile of him In six dayes Nero finished his journy thither and by the way his company was encreased by some voluntaries The next day after his coming they consulted together and resolved to fight the enemy Asdrubal perceiving that both the Consuls were now together and thereupon feared that Hannibal was slaine and though before he was forward to fight yet now he thought it no shame to retreat farther from them So he dislodged secretly by night intending to get over the River Metaurus but being misled by his Guids he had not gone far before Nero was at his heels with all the Horse which hindred him from going any farther and the other Consul followed with the Legions in order of Battel Asdrubal seeing a necessity to fight omitted no care or circumspection His Gauls he placed in the left wing upon a Hill which the Enemy could not ascend without much difficulty In the right wing he stood himself with his Africans and Spaniards His Lygurians he placed in the midst and his Elephants in the Front of the Battel On the Romans side Nero had the right Wing Livius the left and Portius led the Battel Livy and Portius found strong opposition and with great slaughter on both sides prevailed little or nothing Nero laboured much in vain against the steep Hill where the Gauls stood out of his reach wherefore taking part of his Forces he led them round behind Livy and Portius and charged Asdrubal in the Flank which made the Victory incline to the Romans For Nero ran all along the depth of Asdrubals Battel and put it to rout Of the Spaniards and Africans the greatest part were slaine the Ligurians and Gauls saved themselves by flight Of the Elephants only four were taken alive the rest were slaine most by their riders the Guid having in readinesse a mallet and a chissel wherewith he gave a stroke between the â—ars in the joynt next the Head wherewith he killed the Beast upon a sudden Asdrubal strove with great Patience against many difficulties and performed all the duties of a worthy Generall and stout Souldier and when he saw the losse irraparable he rode manfully into the thickest of the Enemies where fighting bravely he was slain The number of the slain on both sides is variously reported the Camp and all the Riches in it fell into the hands of the Romans When it was known at Rome how Nero had left his Army they were much amazed and full of fears The People filled the Market place the Women ran to the Temples with Vows and Prayers and all were filled with melancholly therefore the newes of this Victory was intetained with exceeding joy as if Hannibal were already driven out of Italy Nero returning to his Camp threw the Head of Asdrubal before the Carthaginians and brought forth his African Prisoners bound sending two of them to give Hannibal notice what had happened Hannibal having in this unhappy fight lost besides his worthy Brother all hope that had so long sustained him in Italy withdrew himself into the Country of the Brutians and thither he caused all the Lucans his Friends to remove as likwise all that dwelt in Metapontum For he wanted men to defend so many places as he held lying so far asunder Wherefore he drew them all into â—â—ester compasse in the utmost corner of Italy it being a Country of much fastnesse and the People exceedingly devoted unto his service This was in the thirteenth year after his coming into Italy and from thence to the eighteenth year wherein he departed there was no memorable thing done For Hannibal wanted strength wherewith to make any great attempt the Romans had little minde to provoke him but thought it well that he was quiet This commendation is given him by the Roman Historians themselves That making War upon a People of all others the most Warlike he obtained so many Victories by his own good conduct And that leading an Army compounded of so many sundry Nations Africans Spaniards Gauls Carthaginians Italians and Greeks which were neither in
All that thou sees't and readest is Divine Learning thus vs'd is water turn'd to wine Well may wee then despaire to draw his minde View heere the case i' th Booke the Jewell finde THE LIFE DEATH OF HANNIBAL THE GREAT CAPTAIN OF THE CARTHAGINIANS Who maintained Wars against all the power of ROME for eighteen years together in ITALY AS ALSO The LIFE and DEATH of EPAMINONDAS the GREAT CAPTAIN of the THEBANS Who was famous both for his Virtues and Valour By SA CLARKE sometime Pastor in St Bennet Finck London LONDON Printed for William Miller at the Guilded Acorn in St Pauls Church-yard near the little North Door 1665. THE LIFE DEATH OF HANNIBAL the Great CARTHAGINIAN CAPTAIN Who maintained Wars in ITALY against the ROMAMS for eighteen years together By 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pastor in St Bennet Finck London LONDON Printed for William Miller at the Sign of the Guilded-Acorn in St. Pauls Churchyard near the little North door 1665. Licensed Roger L'estrange October 20. 1664. THE LIFE DEATH OF HANNIBAL THE GREAT HAnnibal the Son of Amilcar was about tweenty six years old when he was chosen Generall of the Carthaginian Forces in Spain He was elected by the Army as soon as Asdrubal their late Generall was dead and the election was approved and confirmed by the Senate of Carthage wherewith Hanno and his faction was nothing pleased This was now the third of the Barchine Famely so called of Amilcar whose surname was Barcas that commanded in chief over the men of War Hanno therefore and his Partizans being neither able to tax the Virtue of their enemies nor to perform the like services to the Common-wealth had nothing left whereby to value themselves excepting the generall reprehensions of War and cautelous advise of not provoking the Romans but they were little regarded For the Carthaginians saw apparently that the Oath of the Romans to the Articles of Peace was like to hold no longer than till the Romans could find some good advantage to renew the War It was therefore rather desired by the Carthaginians that whilst they were in a fit condition the War should begin rather than in some unhappy time of Famine or Pestilence or after some great losse in their Army or Fleet they should be driven to yeild to the impudent demands of their insulting enemies This disposition of his Citizens Hannibal well enough understood Neither was he ignorant that in making War with the Romans it was no small advantage to get the start of them Could he but bring his Army into Italy he hoped to find Friends and assistance even from those People that helped to encrease the Armies of the Romans But his design must be carried privately or else it would be prevented He resolved therefore to lay Siege to Saguntum in Spain where he now was with his Army which might seem not greatly to concern the Romans and would highly please the Carthaginians Having resolved hereupon neverthelesse he went orderly to work beginning with those that lay next in his way First therefore he entered into the Territory of the Olâ—ades and besieging Althaea in a few dayes he became Master not only of it but of all the other Townes in their Country and the Winter coming on he rested his Army in New Carthage or Carthagena imparting liberally to his Souldiers of the Spoiles that he had gotten in his late Conquests In the Spring he made War upon the Vaccâ—i and with little difficulty wan first Salamanca and after it Arbucala though not without a long Seige and much difficulty But in his return he was put to the height both of his Valour and Prudence For all such of the Vaâ—caei that could bear Armes being made desperate by the Spoile of their Country with diverse others that had escaped in the late overthrow joyning with the Toletans made up an Army of one hundred thousand able men waiting for Hannibal on the Banks of the River Tagus They knew that he was very adventurous and had never turned his back upon any enemy and therefore hoped that having him at such an advantage they should easily have foiled him But at this time our Great man of War knew as well how to dissemble his Courage as at other times to make good use of it For he withdrew himself from the River side as seeming fearfull to passe over it aiming thereby to draw over that great multitude from their Banks of advantage The Spaniards as Hannibal expected and desired thinking that he retreated out of feare thrust themselves in a disordered manner into the River to pursue him But when Hannibal saw them well neare over he turned back his Elephants to antertain them at their landing and thrust his Horsemen both above and beneath them into the River who by the advantage of their weapons slew almost all of those in the River without resistance and then pursued the rest who being amazed fled and so he made a very great slaughter of them The Saguntines perceiving the storme drawing near to them hastened their Ambassadours to Rome who complained that they were like to be undone onely for their Friendship to the Romans This so moved the Senate that some would have War presently proclaimed both by Sea and Land and the two Consuls sent with Armies one into Spain the other into Affrick But others went more soberly to work according to the Roman gravity whereby it was concluded that Ambassadours should be sent into Spain to view the State of their Confederates These Ambassadours found Hannibal at Carthagena where they had Conference with him who carried himself so reservedly that they departed as doubtfull as they came But whilst they were passing to and fro Hannibal prepared not only his Forces but some Roman pretences against Saguntum For the Tudetani who were neighbours to the Saguntines complained to him of sundry wrongs that they had received from them of Saguntum Probably Hannibal himself had hatched some of them Having therefore such an occasion he sat down with his whole Army before Saguntum The Romanes were glad of the Quarrel as hoping that Carthage with all belonging thereto would in short space become their own Yet were they not hasty to threaten before they were ready to strike but meant to temporize untill they had an Army in readinesse to be sent into Spain where they intended to make Saguntum the seat of War In the beginning of Hannibals Siege his Carthaginians were much discouraged by reason of the brave Sallies which the Saguntines made upon them in one of which Hannibal himself received a dangerous wound in the thigh that made him unable to stir for many dayes Yet in the meantime he was not unmindfull of his businesse but gave order to build certain movable Towers that might equall those upon the City walls and to prepare to batter the Curtaines and to make a breach These being finished and applied had soon wrought their desired effect A large breach was made
water But he was greatly assisted by those of Vivarets and Lionois for though many of them had transported themselves and their goods into Daulphine thinking to defend the Banks against him yet such as remained being willing to free their Country from such unwelcome Guests they helped him to make Boats informed him of a better passage higher up the River and sent him Guides When his Boats were ready he sent Hanno the Son of Bomilcar up the River to the Foard and himself in the mean time made a shew of entering the Foard below that Hanno charging the Gauls on their own side and himself at the same time passing the River in their faces might win the further Bank which was done accordingly though with some difficulty and thereby the enemies were dispersed Having passed this first brunt and overcome both the rage of the River and those that defended it he was visited by the Princes of the Cisalpine-Gauls that inhabited Piemont and Milan who had lately revolted from the Romanes These informed him that the passage over the Alps was not so difficult as report made it and gave him Guides with many other encouragements Yet found he himself extreamly encombred by the Savoyards and lost more of his Carriages and Carthaginians than he could well spare For he was twice strongly assaulted by them before he could recover the plaines on the other side He was fifteen dayes passing over the Alps wherein besides the trouble of his enemies he was much assaulted by foule weather and Snow it being now the begining of Winter But the fair and fertile plaines which they now were entring into with the assistance and encouragment of the Cisalpine Gauls gave them much comfort having nothing else of difficulty remaining but that which from the begining they made account to overcome by their proper valour and resolution namely the Romane Armies and resistance The Romane Ambassadours who had denounced War at Carthage in their return homewards took Spain in their way with a purpose to draw into their Alliance as many Cities and Princes as they could The first that they attempted were the Volcians from whom they received this answer that they would never joyn with them who had forsaken the Saguntines in their greatest need and that themselves had found the Cathaginians such good neighbours that they meant still to adhere to them From Spain the Ambassadours passed through Gaul perswading them not to suffer Hannibal to passe through their Countery and gloried much in their own strength But the Gauls laughed them to scorn and had scarce patience to hear them speak Telling them that they meant not to set their own Houses on Fire to save the Romanes from burning That the Carthaginians had never offended them as the Romanes had done who had already forced some of them out of their habitations and made others Tributaries who were as free as themselves With these unpleasing answers the Ambassadours returned home carrying no good newes of friends like to help them but rather that the Gauls intended to take part with their enemies And accordingly when the Cisalpine-Gauls heard that the Carthaginians had passed Iberus and were marching towards Rome the Bâ—ij and Insubrians rose up against the Romans Their quarrel was the late planting of Roman Colonies at Câ—emona and Placentia within their Territories Relying therefore upon the Carthaginian succour which they thought to be at hand laying aside all regard of those Hostages that they had lately given to the Romans they fell upon those Colonies The Towns they could not win but they forced the Romane Comissioners which were abroad to fly into Modena where they besieged them But the Gauls having little skill in besieging Cities grew weary and were desirous of Peace This they did on purpose to draw on some meeting that laying hands on the Romane Deputies they might with them redeem their Hostages and it fell out in part according to their wish For Ambassadours comming to them from Rome to treat with them they made them Prisoners Manlius the Praetor hearing of this outrage marched with his Army to relieve the besieged But the Gauls laid an Ambush in his way that falling upon him utterly routed him and slew most of his Army except a few that escaped into a defensible place upon the River Po. This being heard of at Rome C. Atilius the other Praetor hasted with an other Army to relieve the besieged But as the Gauls were too hasty so the Romans were too slow in the begining of this War For they could not believe that Carthage which had almost servilely endured so many indignities from them in the late peace durst be so bold on a suddain as to attempt the Conquest of Italy itself Wherefore they appointed one of their Consuls to make War in Spain and the other in Africk Titus Sempronius went into Africk with one hundred and sixty Gallies of five to an Oare which preparations seemed to threaten Carthage her self P. Cornelius Scipio the other Consul hasted towards Spain and by the way touching at Massilia he was there informed that Hannibal had passed the River Rhodanus whom he had thought to have found busy in Spain Hannibal also heard of the Consuls arrivall with whom he meant to have nothing to do Yet both sent forth Scouts Hannibal sent out five hundred Numidians and Scipio three hundred of his best Horse They met and fought and the Romans had the better of it But when Scipio drew neer thinking to have meâ— with the Carthaginians he found that they were gone three dayes before with an intent to see the Walls of Rome Scipio hereupon sent his Brother Cn. Cornelius Scipio into Spain with the greatest part of the Army against Asdrubal and himself with the choisest returned baâ—k and landing at Pisa he marched through Tuscany and Lumbardy where he drew together the broken Bands of Manlius and Atilius who were lately beaten by the Gauls intending therewith to oppose the enemy thinking to find them tired with their long Journey Five moneths Hannibal had spent in that tedious march from Carthagena When he had passed Rhodanus he had in his Army but thirty eight thousand Foot and eight thousand Horse the rest having perished with Diseases Enemies Rivers and Mountaines Having newly passed the Alps and scarce refreshed his wearied Army in Piemont he sought the friendship of the Taurini who being at this time in War with the Insubrians his good Friends the Taurini refused it whereupon he besieged their chiefe Town and in three dayes wan it the spoil whereof did much incourage his Army and the others Calamity terrified their Neighbours Most of those parts would willingly have joyned with Hannibal but when the Consul Scipio came amongst them they began to be better advised This wavering affection amongst the People made the Generals to hasten to a Battel Their meeting was aâ— Tieâ—nunâ— now Pavia where each of them wondred at the others expedition The
Senate at Rome were much amazed at Hannibals arrival in Italy wherefore they sent presently to Sempronius and the other Consul now in Sicily to give him notice of it and to require him speedily to return with his Army for the safegard of Italy which accordingly he did Scipio and Hannibal were now so near that fight they must ere they could part and therefore each of them encouraged their Souldiers by the best arguments they had Hannibal assuring his men that there was no mean betwixt Victory and Death When the Armies approached near each to other Scipio sent forth his Horsemen of the Gauls to begin the fight lining them with his Darters for their assistance himself with his men at Armes followed slowly in good order The Gauls being in their Generals sight behaved themselves gallantly and were as bravely opposed but their Darters at the very first ran cowardly away without casting a Dart for fear of being trodden down by the enemies Horse Yet did the Gauls maintain it stoutly and did more hurt than they received neither was Scipio unmindfull to relieve them wherefore he adventured himself so far that he received a dangerous wound and had there perished if his Son afterwards called Africanus had not brought him off Whilst the Romans were busy in helping their Consul an unexpected storm assailed them at their backs Hannibal had appointed his Numidian Horsemen to charge the Romans in their Flank and to compass them about whilst he with his men at Arms sustained their charge and met them in the face The Numidians preformed it well cutting in pieces the scattered Foot that ran away at the first encounter and then falling on the backs of those that charged Hannibal by this impression the Romans were shuâ—â—ed together and routed betaking themselves to their heels and leaving to their enemies the honour of the day Scipio perceiving how things were like to goe almost stole the Retreat with most of his Footmen yet unbroken and recovered the Bridge over Ticinus but notwithstanding his hast he lost six hundred of his men which brought up his Reare and should have broken down the Bridge It was two dayes after ere Hannibal could passe the River Scipio in the mean time refreshing his men and easing himself of his wound in Placentia But when Hannibal presented them Battel again and they durst not accept of it the Gauls which before assisted the Romans out of fear took courage and left them and thinking that now the time was come for the recovery of their liberty that night they fell upon the Roman Camp wounded and slew many especially of those that kept the Guard with whose Heads in their hands they fled over to the Carthaginians and presented their service Hannibal received them exceeding courteously and sent them to their own homes that they might preswade the rest of the Nation to become his confederates The same night the Consul stole a retreat as he had done before but not with the like successe For Hannibal had an eye upon him and ere he was gone far he sent his Numidians after him and himself followed with the Body of his Army Then had the Romans received a great blow but the Numidians greedy of prey fell to ransacking their Camp and thereby gave them liberty of escaping only some in the Reare were either slain or taken Prisoners Scipio being unable to travel by reason of his wound and judging it meet to stay for the coming of his fellow Consul entrenched himself strongly upon the Banks of the River Trebia which so diminished his reputation that every day more of the Gauls fell to Hannibal amongst whom came in the Boij that brought with them the Roman Commissioners Hitherto they had keept them as pledges wherewith to recover their own Hostages but now they delivered them to Hannibal as tokens of their affection to him Hannibal being in great want of victuals he attempted the taking of Clastidium wherein the Romans had laid all their Store and Amunition and a Brundusian that had the keeping of it surrendred it to him for a little money The newes of these disasters coming to Rome filled the Senate and People with a desire of revenge their Foot wherein their greatest strength lay being yet entire they therefore hasted away Sempronius with his Army who by speedy marches came to Scipio upon the Banks of Trebia The Consuls took counsel what was fittest to be done now that their Armies were conjoyned Sempronius was eager to fight before Scipio recovered of his wound that he might get the whole glory of the Victory He also feared the election of new Consuls his time being almost expired But Scipio perswaded the contrary by many arguments yet would not Sempronius be taken off wherewith Hannibal was exceedingly pleased who feared nothing so much as delayes To further the desire of Sempronius the Gauls that inhabited near to Trebia complained of injuries done to them by the Carthaginians Indeed they neglected to supply Hannibal with necessaries and therefore he was bold to be his own Carver Hereupon Sempronius sent forth a thousand Horse which coming unlooked for upon Hannibals Forragers who were heavy laden they cut many of them in pieces and chased the rest even to their Camp This indignity made the Carthaginians to sally out who caused them to retire faster than they came Sempronius relieved his own men and Hannibal did the like So that at length the Roman Army was drawn forth and Battel offered if the Carthaginians had not refused it This Victory for so the Consul would name it made the Romans very desirous to try it out in open Field notwithstanding Scipios diswasion from it This Hannibal was informed of by the Gauls that were in the Roman Camp therefore he resolved to secure the Victory by adding a Stratagem to his fortes He found in a hallow place overgrown with Reeds a fit trench to cover an Ambush Therein he cast his Brother Mago with a thousand choise Horse and as many Foot The rest of his Army when he had well fed and refreshed them he led into the Field and marched towards the Consuls Early in the morning he had sent over the River some Numidian Horsmen to brave the enemy and draw him forth to a bad Dinner before he had broken his Fast. Sempronius readily embraced the oportunity of fighting and forthwith sent over the River in a miserable cold day his Footmen who were almost to the armeholes which together with the waâ—t of food did much enfeeble them The Romans were strong in Foot having in all thirty six thousand the Masse of those were ranged in a grosse Battalion guarded on the Flanks with three thousand Horse thrusting their light-armed and Darters in loose Companies before the rest in the nature of a Vauâ—â—guard The Carthaginians equalled them in Foot and exceeded them in Horse when therefore the Roman Horse were broken by the Numidians when their Foot were
charged both in Front and Flank by the Spaniards Gauls and Elephants and when all were pressed in the Reaâ—e by Mago and his men out of the Ambush then fell the Romans by heaps under their enemies Swords and were beaten down as well fighting as flying so that of thirty six Thousand there escaped no more than ten thousand of all sorts The remainder of this broken Army was collected by Scipio who got therewith into Placentia stealing away the same night which was very rainy Sempronius eâ—caped with great danger and fled to Rome where he did his Office in choosing new Consuls for the year following and then returned to his Province with a fresh supply against Hannibal The Winter proved very sharp and unfit for service which well pleased the Romans who lay warme in Placentia and Cremona Yet did not Hannibal suffer them to lie very quiet but vexed them with continual Alarms assaulting divers places and taking some He also wan the Lygurians to him who to testifie their faithfull love presented him with two Roman Questors Treasureâ—s two Collonels and five young Gentlemen the Sons of Senators These and all his other Prisoners Hannibal held in streight places loaden with Irons and misserably fed But their followers he intreated courteously and sent them to their own Countries without ransome protesting that he undertook the War in Italy to free them from the oppression of the Romans By these meanes he drew many to his party and assistance But some of the Gauls fearing that their Country should be made the seat of War conspired against his Life others discovered the danger to him who yet soon after were ready to practice the same which enforced Hâ—â—nibal to use Perukes and false Beards the better to conceal himself from them At length when Summer was come he resolved to leave these giddy Companions and so passed the Appeniâ—â— Hills that he might approach nearer to Rome So away he went having his Army much recruted with Ligurians and Gauls and to prevent the obstructions in the ordinary way he chose to travel through the Fennes of Tuscany In those Marshes and Bogs he lost all his Elephants save one with one of his own eyes through the moistnesse of the Aire and by lodging on the cold Ground Yet at last with much ado he recovered the firme and fertile Plaines and Quartered about Arretium where he somwhat refreshed his weary Army and heard newes of the Romane Consuls C. Flaminius and Cn. Servilius were newly chosen Consuls for this year The first a tractable man wholly governed by the Senate the other a hotheaded man who fearing some obstruction gat him out of the City before the day of Election that he might as soon as he was chosen take possession of his Office fearing least he should lose his Honour which he hoped to gain in the War The Senators were so displeased at this that they sent for him back but he neglected their Command and hasted to meet with the Carthaginians whom he found at Arretium Hannibal was well pleased with the fiery disposition of this Consul and therefore provoked him by many indignities hoping thereby to draw him to fight ere Servilius came with the rest of the Army For which end he put to Fire and Sword all the Country round about him even under the Consuls nose By this Flaminius thought his Honour to be much empaired and therefore advanced towards the enemy Many advised him to stay for his Colleague but he would not be perswaded Then he commanded the Army to march All the Territory of Cortona as far as to the Lake of Thrasymene was on a light fire which whilst Flaminius thought to quench with his enemies bloud he pursued Hannibal so unadvisedly that he fell with his whole Army into an Ambush from thence he was charged unaware from all sides so that he knew not which way to turne nor how to make resistance There was he slain in that place accompanied with the carcasses of fifteen thousand of his Countrymen About six thousand of his Vantguard took courage out of desparation and breaking through their enemies they recovered the tops of the Mountains but being discovered there Maharbal was sent after them who overtook them by night in a Village and surrounded them with his Horse and so they yielded rendering up their Armes upon promise of life and liberty This accord Hannibal refused to confirme and so made them all Prisoners At this time he had about fifteen thousand Prisoners all that were not Romans he set free without ransome still portesting that for their sakes he came into Italy But the Romans he kept in streight Prison and held them to hard meat Presently after the Battell of Thrasymene C. Sempronius with four thousand Horse came neere to Hanaibals Camp He was sent from Ariminum by Servilius the other Consul to encrease the strength of Flaminius but coming too late he only encreased the misadventure Hannibal sent out Maharbal to intercept him who finding them amazed at the ill newes of the late losse charged and brake them killing almost half of them and drew the rest simply to yeild to mercy Servilius hearing of the overthrow and death of his Colleague hasted to Rome for the defence of it Greatly were the Romans amazed at these disasters and their aproaching danger Wherefore they had recourse to a remedy which had been long out of use and that was to choose a Dictator whose power was above the Consuls and scarcely subject to the Controll of the whole City And now they chose Q. Fabius Maximus the best reputed man of War in the City and Fabius chose M. Minutius Rufus Master of the Horse who was as the Dictators Leiutenant The first act of Fabius was the reformation of somewhat that was amisse in matter of Religion then were the Walls and Towers of Rome repaired and fortified the Bridges upon Rivers were broken down and all care taken for the defence of Rome it self Four Legions the Dictator raised in hast and from Ariminum he received the Army which Servilius had conducted thither With these he marched apace after Hannibal not to fight but to affront him He always lodged upon high grounds and of hard accesse knowing that the Roman Horse were far inferior to the Numidians Hannibal in the mean while pursued his Victory and ranged over all the Countries using all manner of cruelty towards the Inhabitants especially those of the Roman Nation of whom he put all to the Sword that were able to bear Armes Passing by Spoletum and Ancona he encamped upon the Adriatick shores refreshing his diseased and over-traveled Army and armed his Africans after the Roman manner and made his dispatches for Carthage presenting his Friends which were very many with part of the Spoils that he had gotten Having refreshed his Army cured his wounded and fed his Horses he followed the course of the Adriatick Shore towards Apulia a Northern
drew neer in good order to relieve them and doing therein the office of a good Citizen regarding more the good of his Country than the disgrace which he had wrongfully sustained Upon Fabius his approach Hannibal retired Fearing as he said to be well wet with the cloud that had hung so long upon the Hil-tops Minutius forthwith submitted himself to Fabius by whose favour he acknowledged that his life was preserved Thence forward the War went on slowly whilst Fabius his Dictatorship lasted and the year following also when he had delivered up his charge to the Consuls that followed his instructions With little pleasure did they of the poorer sort in Rome hear the great commendations which were given to Fabius by the principall Citizens because the War was not finished nor much done tending thereto And this affection was very helpfull to Terentius Varro in his suit for the Consulship and farther to help him he had a kinsman Bibius Herennius Tribune of the People He boldly affirmed that Hannibal was drawn into Italy and suffered there to range at his pleasure by the Noblemen that without a Plebeian Consul the War would never be ended c. By which perswasions the multitude were won to be wholly for Terentius to the great vexation of the Nobles who could not endure such an upstart But nothing could hinder the choise of Terentius Wherefore the Nobles to ballast this hot-headed man set up L. Aemilius Paulus a gallant man and a brave Captain to stand for the other Consuls place and he easily carried it These new Consuls Varro and Paulus omitted no diligence in preparing for the War wherein though Varro made the greater noise boasting what wonders he would do if he could but once see Hannibal yet the care and Prudence of Paulus did tend much more towards the effecting of it He wrote to the two old Consuls to forbear fighting and yet to ply the Carthagians with daily Skirmishes and so to weaken them by degrees that when he and his Fellow Consul came with the new Army they might find the four old Legions well accustomed to the Enemy and the Enemy well weakned These new Consuls raised an Army of above eighty thousand Foot and six thousand Horse Hannibal all this while lay at Geryon where all his provision and store was The Romanes to be neer him lodged about Canusium laying up most of their provisions in the Castle of Cannae This place Hannibal wan and thereby not only furnished himself but compelled his enemies to want many necessaries Hereby he also enabled himself to stay in that open Country fit for the service of the Horse Of this mishap when Servilius had informed the Senate it then seemed needfull to them to adventure a Battell with the Carthaginian rather than to suffer him thus to root himself in Italy When all things were ready in the City and the season of the year commodius the two Consuls with their Army set forward against Hannibal This was done with great solemnity Sacrifices and solmne Vowes were made to Jupiter and the other Gods for good successe and Victory and the Generals were accompanied with a great number that brought them out of the City and dismissed them with Friendly leave-taking and good wishes These new Generals arriving at the Camp dismissed M. Atilius one of the last years Consuls because of his age and retained Servilius with them as their Assistant Aemilius laboured to encourage his men telling them that the enemy had stole all the former Victories by his Ambushes that otherwise the Romans were far beyond them in Valour c. and therefore he exhorted them to play the men and to do their best This set them on fire to be dealing with the Carthaginians and herein Varro concurred with them longing for an oportunity to get the honour which he promised to himself having now such a numerous Army By this means the Romans fell into a great inconvenience by the disagreement of of their Generals Varro would fight and Aemilius would not for the present hoping for better advantage ere long when the enemy should be forced to dislodge out of the plain Country The Consuls command in in turnes every day Aemilius lodged six miles from Hannibal where the ground was uneven Terentius the next day descended into the plaines his Colleague beseeching him to stay but could not prevaile He sat down neer to the Carthaginian who yet gave him but a rude welcome and intertainment The Carthaginian Horse and light Armature fell upon the Roman Vant-Courriers and put the whole Army into a tumult whilst it was yet in its march but the Carthaginians were beaten off though not without losse The next day Aemilius who could not securely draw back the Army encamped upon the River Auâ—â—us sending part of his Forces over the River where they encamped themselves with the rest he fortified and kept within his Trenches Varro was perswaded that it concerned him in honour to make good his word to the People of Rome When therefore it was his turne to Command 〈◊〉 the break of Day he began to passe the River withâ—out staying to bid his Colleague good morrow But Paulus came to him labouring by all meanes to disswade him Terentius had nothing to answer but that his honour was engaged Hannibal had twice or thrice bâ—aved them which must not be endured When Aemilius perceived that he could not prevaile he was carefull that what must be done might be done well Ten thousand Foot he caused to be left behind in the Camp opposite to the Carthaginians to the intent that Hannibal might be forced to do the like or else when they were in fight these might fall upon his Camp and take it with all the wealth therein which would much distract the Carthaginians This done the Consuls drew forth their Army over the Water and ranged them in order of Battell This Hannibal was very glad of and therefore without any delay passed over the River also leaving in his own Camp enow to defend it and no more To encourage his men he told them how fit the ground was wherein they were to fight and that therefore they were to thank the Gods who had so infatuated the enemies as to choose such a place where the stronger in Horse was sure to pervail Besides said he These are the men whom you have beaten as often as you have seen them and now you are to fight for their Cities and all the Riches that are in them and ere many houres passe ye shall be Lords of all that the Romans enjoy This set his men on fire to be at it and at the same time came his Brother Mago whom he had sent to view the countenance of the enemy to whom he said What newes What worke are we like to have Work enough answered Mago for they are a horrible company As horrible a many as they be said Hannibal I tell thee that amongst them all there is not one
Pelopidas did so lift up and encourage the Thebans that they became more famous than 〈…〉 were before The year following Artaxerxes King of Persia intending to make War against Aegypt and therein to intertain diverse strangers laboured to make Peace amongst the Grecians in hope that they being at Peace amongst themselves would be the more willing to have Souldiers leavied amongst them For which end he sent Ambassadours to all the Townes of Greece to preswade and intreat them to be at Peace amongst themselves The Greeks were very willing to harken hereto being wearied on all sides with such long Wars and so were easily drawn to make Peace wherein it was especially agreed and concluded that all the Cities of Greece should be free and use their own Lawes and Commissioners were sent abroad to withdraw all the Garrisons where any were kept Unto this the Thebans only refused to agree that every Town should severally capitulate for it requesting that the Towns in the Country of Boeotia should be comprehended under the City of Thebes but the Athenians mightily opposed themselves against this and Calistratus one of their Orators made a notable Oration about it before all the States of Greece Epaminondas on the contrary made an excellent and vehement speech in defence of the right of the Thebans insomuch as this controversy was left undecided and the Treaty of Peace was universally agreed to amongst all the other Grecians the Thebans only excepted who were not comprised in it At this time the Athenians and Lacedemonians who had long contended amongst themselves about the Principality of Greece now agreed that the one should command by Sea and the other by Land And therefore they could not endure that the Thebans should aspire to be chief which made them seek to dismember the other Towns of Boeotia from them the rather for that the Thebans being strong and lusty of Body and much encouraged by their late Victories over the Lacedemonians would now contend with them for their superiority having a wonderfull confidence in the Wisdom and Prowesse of their Captaines especially of Epaminondas Matters resting thus doubtfull the Citizens of Plataees a Town of Boeotia were desirous to enter into League with the Athenians promising that if they would send them Souldiers they would put the Town into their hands But the Governours of Boeotia having intelligence of it and being desirous to prevent the Athenians brought a party of Souldiers against it who came before Plataees before the Citizens heard any newes of them so that part of them were surprised in the Field by the Horsmen and the rest fled into the Town where having no aid they were faign to accept of such tearmes as it pleased the Thebans to grant them which were presently to depart the Town with bag and baggage and never to returne again into the Country of Boeotia Then did they raze the City to the ground and saked the Town of Thespies which also was at enmity with them The Ambassadours of Persia again solicited the Greeks to a Generall Peace and Commissioners from every Town were to meet at Sparta about it Epaminondas was yet scarce known having laboured to conceal himself and in all his exploits of War had ever preferred the advancement of his great Friend and Companion in Armes Pelopidas before himself He was now chosen by the Thebans to go to Sparta where finding that the other Commissioners did much comply with Agesilaus he spake boldly and plainly not only in behalf of the Thebans but for all Greece also making it evident to all that War still encreased the greatnesse of Sparta only which kept all the other Towns of Greece under He therefore advised them to establish a firme Peace which would last the longer when all comprized in it should be equals Agesilaus perceiving all the Commissioners to be very attentive to and well pleased with this speech he asked him aloud if he thought it just and equal that all Boeotia should be set at liberty Epaminondas resently and boldly asked him if he thought it not also iust and reasonable that all Laconia should be set at liberty Thereupon Agesilaus in great anger stood up and commanded him to answer plainly if they should not restore all the Towns in Boeotia to their Liberty and Epaminondas answered him as before This so displeased Agesilaus who had an old grudge to the Thebans that immediatly he put their Name out of the List of those that should be comprized within the Treaty of Peace and proclaimed open War against them and now there was no remedy but the Thebans must bear the whole brunt alone for there was no one Town that durst send them any aid because they were all sworn to the Peace insomuch as all judged them to be utterly undone Friends pittied there estate and their enemies rejoyced verily believing that they could never stand before the Lacedemonians Then did the Lacedemonians send King Cleombrotus with an Army towards Thebes who being come neer to Chaeronea with ten thousand Foot and a thousand Horse he pitched his Camp there staying for his Allies The Thebans being informed of the approach of the enemy chose Epaminondas to be their Captain Generall giving him the charge of this War with six other Counsellers to be assisting to him Now there came Oracles to Thebes from all parts some promising Victory and others threatening their overthrow and Epaminondas commanded them to set those on the right hand of the chaire for Orations that promised Victory and the other on the left hand which being so disposed of he gat up into the chaire and said to his Citizens If you will be obedient to your Captains and valiant against your enemies these Oraoles on the right hand belong to you But if through faintness of heart ye refuse dangers those on the left hand shall be your Portion Then did he list the Names of all the Thebans which were able to bear Armes and chose out of some parts of Boeotia such as he thought fittest for the Wars His Presence exceedingly cheered up his Army and all the time that he was Captain the Thebans never saw in their Campany of those which they call sudden feares He used to say that there was no Death more honest and desirable than to die in the Wars and that the body of a Souldier should be hardened to endure any labour or paines He could not abide fat men and therefore cashired a whole Company of them as unprofitable burdens in his Army He had in all but six thousand fighting men and as they marched forwards they met with some unlucky signes as many esteemed them but he valued them not thinking that a resolution to fight in a good cause ought to be much stronger and of more force to raise up in him good Hope than these evill signes that appeared to make him fear the worst As he was marching towards the Lacedemonians they heard it Thunder and
they that were neer him asked him what that meant He answered that it betokened that the Enemies braines were troubled and beclouded who having places of advantage hard by them yet encamped in the plaines Indeed the Lacedemonians waited there for their Allies who yet failed them For all of them having at leasure considered of the speech of Epaminondas at Sparta began to distast the ambition of the Lacedemonians Epaminondas seeing his advantage caused his Army to march with speed and wan the straights by the City of Coronea and encamped there Cleombrotus understanding that the Thebans had possessed themselves of that passe despairing to recover it he made his Army to march a great compasse about the Country of Phocide going along the Sea Coast through a dangerous and troublesome way and so at the last he entered into the Country of Boeotia and as he went he took in some little Towns and certain Gallies that lay upon the Coast and at the last arrived at Leuctres and there sate down to refresh his men who were overwearied with their tedious march Then did Epaminindas presently advance that way to meet them and having passed over some little Mountaines he discovered them in the plain of Luctres where his men were much amazed to see so great an Army of their Enemies The six Counsellors came together to consider whether they should go forward and fight few against many or else retreat waiting for some beter advantage In this Councel their opinions fell out to be equall Three judged it best to retreat the other whereof Epaminondas was one thought it best to fight and with these three Pelopidas who was Captain of the Sacred Band joyned whereupon they all agreed to give them Battel Epaminondas seeing his Souldiers somewhat affirighted at the former ill signes to put courage into them he suborned some that were newly come from Thebes to scatter a report that no man could tell at Thebes what was become of the Armes that hung up in the Temple of Hercules but it was commonly said that the Demigods their Ancestors had taken them away to aid their posterity at this present time He caused another also who was newly come from Trophonius hole to report that the God which gives his Oracles therein commanded him to tell the Boeotians that when they had overcome their enemies in the plain of Leuctres they should celebrate yearly Playes to the honour of Jupiter and to gain the more credit to these devices Leandridas a Spartan that was banished out of his own Country and now was assisting the Boeotians being brought before the Souldiers he encouraged them to fight valiantly that Day For he swore unto them that the Lacedemonians had many Oracles biding them to beware of Leuctres Epaminondas also assembling his Army encouraged them with strong and lively reasons to shew their valour so that at lasty Souldiers being freed from their superstitious feares longed for nothing more than to come to blowes Epaminondas ever concluded his Orations to them with these Words O worthy men embrace sacred Death Advance your selves to a most honorable and famous Fight for your Country for the Tombes of your Ancestors and for your Holy things Just at this very time there came to the Thebans an aid of five hundred Horse and fifteen hundred Foot all Thessalians conducted by Jason This Jason endeavored to have made peace with both parties but could not prevail Also as Cleombrotus retired with his Army out of Boeotia he met a great supply of Lacedemonians and their Allies brought to him by Archidamus the Son of Agesilaus These he sent before thinking to daunt the courage of the Thebans with the sight of them and himself with the rest of his Army suddenly returned into the plain of Leuctres being fully resolved to fight and the Boeotians for their part shrunk not an inch back and so on both sides they set their men in Battel array Epaminondas ordered his Battel after a new fashion never before practised by any Captain For having chosen out of his Army the best and most valiant Souldiers he placed them together in one of the Points of his Battel where himself meant to fight in Person seconded by Pelopidas and his three hundred chosen men called the Holy Band In the other Point he placed his weaker men commanding them expresly not to abide the charge of their enemies that should assaile them in Front but fair and softly retire when they saw them come near them and it fell out as he wished and he hoped to determine the Battel by the virtue and prowess of those where he had placed all the flower and choice of his Army Now the sign of Battel being given the Lacedemonians advanced with the two Horns of their Battel ordered in the form of a Crescent On the contrary one of the wings of the Battel of the Boeotians began to give back and the other with great fury ran to charge the enemy in the Flank and soon they were come to the Swords point At the first because either side fought desperately the Victory for a time stood doubtfull But at last Epaminondas his Troop brake in amongst the Lacedemonians and slew most of those that were about Cleombrotus Yet while the King was alive he kept back the Thebans from the victory being accompanied with all the flower of his Army who fought very valiantly about him But after he fell dead to the ground having received and given an infinite number of wounds then thronged they together on all sides and there was a bloody and cruell fight about his Body where were heaps of men slain one upon another and though Epaminondas did all that possibly he could yet the Lacedemonians made such resistance that at last they forced the Thebans somewhat to give back whereby they conveyed the Body of the King out of the presse But this continued not long For Epaminondas both by his words and example did so raise up and encourage the hearts of his men that they fought like Lyons and gave so fierce a second charge upon their enemies that they wholly routed them and made them fly for life and Epaminondas fiercely pursuing the flying enemy made a great slaughter of them and obtained the most glorious victory that ever Captain won having in a pitched Field overcome the most Noble and warlike Nation of all Greece and that with a far smaller number of men than his enemies had He also rejoyced more in this than in all his other victories because it happened to him in his Fathers life-time and he often used to say that of all the honest and happy Fortunes that befell him nothing joyed his heart more than that he had vanquished the Lacedemonians at Leuctres his Father and Mother living to see it and indeed he that day did not onely preserve their lives but of all his Citizens besides the Lacedemonians having fully resolved utterly to destroy the Thebans Epaminondas used at
all other times to come abroad fine and neat and with a pleasant countenance but the next day after this Battel he came out very sad heavy and pensive and when his Friends asked him whether he had heard any ill news which occasioned this posture he said No but said he I perceive by my self yesterday that being overjoyed with the victory I obtained my heart was more elevated than it ought and therefore to day I correct that joy which yesterday exceeded its due bounds He knowing that it was the manner of the Spartans as much as possible to conceal their losses he suffered them not to carry away all their dead Bodies together but every City one after another by which it appeared that there were four Thousand of them slain But of the Booetians there were not found above three hundred dead This Battel was fought in the beginning of the second year of the hundred and second Olympiade The Lacedemonians having by this overthrow lost the greatest part of their honour which they had maintained so long yet lost not their courage but to keep their youth still in heart and to take away all fear from such as had escaped they sent Agesilaus with an Army into Arcadia who was contented to take a few small Towns of the Mantineans and so to return home again Some say that Lycomedes Captain of the Arcadians making an inrode neer to Orchomene slew in an encounter Politropus Captain of the Lacedemonians and two hundred Spartans with him which provoked the Lacedemonians against them and thereupon the Arcadians finding themselves too weak for them they sought alliance and aid from the Thebans Sure it is that these two States were now at enmity which occasioned the Arcadians and Thebans to joyn together who with their Allies being led by Epaminondas entered into Laconia with an Army of fourty thousand men besides thirty thousand others that followed the Camp At this time the Athenians sent Captain Iphecrates with twelve thousand men to aide the Lacedemonians But before their coming Epaminondas was entered into Laconia and had sacked all the Country which had not been wasted by any enemy for six hundred years before The Spartans seeing their Country thus plundred and destroyed were desirous to have gone out with such Forces as they had but Agesilaus would not suffer them telling them how dangerous it was for them to leave their City and to set upon such a potent and numerous enemy This made them quiet and Epaminondas in the mean time marched with his Army towards the River Eurotas which at that time was risen very high because of the Winter raines He endeavoured all he could to draw forth Agesilaus to a Battel who beholding Epaminondas a great while marching with his Army in Battel aray along the River side at the Head of his Troops he wondred at his boldnesse and Valour but would by no meanes adventure out of his Fort So that when this Army had plundred all Laconia Epaminondas led them back again laden with a very rich Booty And though Agesilaus was commended for pteserving his City in safety yet Epaminondas had by this inrode and especially by his Victory at Leuctres so impoverished the Country that Sparta could never after recover that losse nor grow into that reputation and power which it had before Yea notwithstanding the aide sent by the Athenians and the skill and experience of Iphicrates Epaminondas returned with his Army intire as he came Epaminondas that he might keep the Lacedemonians still underfoot and heape new troubles upon them gave Counsell to the Arcadians and their Allies to re-edify and replenish with People the City of Messina which the Lacedemonians had long before destroyed and when all the whole Councel had given their consents to it he forthwith by diligent enquiry sought out all that had been ancient Inhabitants in that City and in the space of eighty five Dayes having repaired the ruined Houses he raised again one of the most Noble and ancient Cities of Grâ—ece and left there a strong Garrison for their security This gat him as much if not more love and honour than any other service which he had ever done The Lacedemonians being freed from a great fear by his departure made an agreement with the Athenians leaving to them the chief command by Sea and reserving to themselves that by Land And afterwards by the assistance of the Athenians and that aide which came to them out of Sicily by little and little they recovered their Towns again The Arcadians to stop their proceedings assaulted the City of Pallene in Laconia and taking it by storme put all the Garrison therein to the Sword then razed the Town and plundred all the Country there abouts And expecting that the Lacedemonians would seek revenge they sent for aid to the Thebans who sent Epaminondas and the other Counsellers to assist them with six thousand Foot and five hundred Horse The Athenians having intelligence hereof sent their Army under the Conduct of Chabrias who marched directly to Corinth where he met with a good supply of Souldiers from the Megarians Pallenians and Corinthians so that now he had a Brigade of ten thousand men These intended to fortifie and stop all the passages and entrances into the Country of Poloponesus The Lacedemonians and their Allies joyning also with them made up an Army of twenty thousand men And accordingly beginning at the City of Cencrees unto the Haven of Lecheum they blocked all the wayes from one Sea to an other with mighty great peices of Timber laid acrosse and with a marvelous deep ditch and this great work was followed with such speed both by reason of the great multitude of labourers as also through the forwardnesse of them that prosecuted it with such earnestnesse that they had quite finished it before the Boeotians could arrive there Epaminondas when he came thither viewing this fortification perceiving that the easiest place to storme it was that which the Lacedemonians themselves guarded he sent to give them defiance though they were thrice as many in number as he was yet for all this they durst not come out but kept close under their fortification Notwitstanding he assaulted them in it and at last drave them out In the heat of the fight every one doing his best some assailing others defending Epaminondas chose out the valiantest men in all his Army and bravely charging the Lacedemonians he forced them to give back and in dispite of them he entred into Peloponnesus which of all other his Noble exlpoites was the most wonderfull and memorable action From thence he marched to the Cities of Epidaure and Troezen and so pillaged all the Country But he staied not to take any of the Towns because they had strong Garrisons in them Yet he put Sicyone Phuente and some other Towns into such fear that they yeilded themselves to him This being done he went to Corinth and overcame the
him who by his Authority forced them to it and instead of excusing himself he told them all the brave exploits which he had done at that time Adding withall that he was willing and ready to die if they so pleased Provided that they wrote upon his Tomb that Epaminondas was put to death because he had compelled the Thebans against their wills to burn the Country of Laconia which in five hundred years before had never been plundered That he had repeopled the City of Messina with Inhabitants two hundred and thirty years after it had been laid wast by the Lacedemonians That he had brought all the people and Towns of Arcadia to be as one Body in League together and had set all the Greeks at liberty and all these things said he we did in that Journey The Judges when they heard this worthy and true defence they all arose from their seats and laughed heartily and would not take up their Balls to Ballot against him But for the second accusation to wit that he had shewed favour to the Lacedemonians for his own particular honour he would make no particular answer to it before the People but rising out of the Theater he passed through the Assembly and went into the Park of Exercises Upon this the people being incensed against him refused to chuse him into Office as they had wont to do though there was great need of him and Created other Counsellers to go into Thessaly and the more as they thought to despite him they commanded him to go that expedition as a private Souldier which he refused not but went very willingly Pelopidas being sent a second time into Thessaly to make peace between the people and Alexander the Tyrant of Pheres was by this Tyrant not regarding that he was an Ambassadour and a Theban committed to prison together with Ismenias Upon this the Thebans being justly offended sent an Army of eight thousand Foot and five hundred Horse against him howbeit under the conduct of unskillfull Captains who wanting judgement to use their advantages thought good to return home without doing any thing But as they went back Alexander being stronger in Horse than they pressed hard upon their Reer killing some and wounding others so that the Thebans knowing neither how to go forward nor backward were in great distresse and that which aggravated their misery was that their victuals were almost spent Being thus almost out of hope ever to get home in safety Epaminondas being at that time a common Souldier amongst the Foot both the Captaines and Souldiers earnestly intreated him to help to redresse this disorder He thereupon chose certaine Footmen that were light armed and all the Horsmen and with these putting himself into the Rere of the Army he so lustily repulsed the Eenemy that the rest of the Army afterwards marched in great safety and still making Head as occasion served and keeping his Troops in good order he at last brought them all well home This brave Act Crowned him with new Glory confounded his enemies and made him well spoken of every where and by it he obtained the love and good will of the Citizens who set great Fines upon the heads of those Captaines who had behaved themselves so unworthily in that expedition And now the People seeing that by so many worthy deeds he had stoped the slanderous mouths and confuted the accusations of his ill willers they chose him again their Captain Generall to conduct a new Army into Thessaly At his coming all the Country wonderfully rejoyced only the Tyrant with his Captaines and Friends were exceedingly dejected and possessed with feare being Thunder-struck with the fame of so Noble a Captaine and his subjects had a good mind to rise up against him hoping that they should shortly see the Tyrant fully recompenced for all the wicked and cursed deeds that he had done amongst them Epaminondas when he came into Thessaly preferred the safety and deliverance of his Friend Pelopidas before his own honour and Glory and fearing lest Alexander when he should see himself and his State in danger to be overthrown should in his rage revenge himself upon Pelopidas he therefore purposly drew this War out in length marching often about him but never setting upon him in good earnest often seeming to make preparations and yet still delaying and this he did to mollify the heart of this Tyrant and not to provoke to the danger of his Friend the inhumane and unbridled passion of this cruel Bloudsucker Yet he being a Monster compounded of cruelty and cowardlinesse was so afraid of the very name and reputation of Epaminondas that he presently sent some to him to excuse his fact and to crave Peace But Epaminondas was not willing that his Thebans should make Peace and Alliance with so wicked a man only he was content to grant him a Truce for thirty Dayes upon the delivering to him Pelopidas and Ismenias So with them he returned back to Thebes and alwayes continued a faithfull Friend to Pelopidas so long as they lieved together Yet would he never share with him in his Riches but did still perseveare in his former strict poverty and Discipline He was very bold and yet it was mingled with a winning sweetnesse and a livly grace as may appear in sundy Examples Besides his bold speech to Agesilaus mentioned before At another time the Argians having made a League with the Thebans the Athenians sent their Ambassadors into Arcadia to see if they could gain the Arcadians to be their Friends And these Ambassadors began roundly and hotly to charge and accuse both the one and the other and Callistratus speaking for them reproached them with Orestes and Oedipus Epaminondas being present at that Assembly stood up and said My Lords we confesse that in times past we had a man that killed his Father and in Argos one that killed his Mother but as for us now we have banished all such wicked murtherers out of our Country and the Athenians have intertaned them At another time when the Spartans had laid many great and grievous imputations to the charge of the Thebans he said If they have done nothing else my Lords of Sparta yet at least they have made you forget to speak little But that which was most excellent and observable in Epaminondas and which indeed did stop the mouth of envy it self was his moderation and temperance knowing how to use any state or condition and never to rage either against himself or others alwayes bearing this mind that howsoever they took him and in what place soever they set him he was well contented so that he might but advance the good of his Country As may appear by this Example on a time his evil-willers thinking to bring him into disgrace and meerly out of spite made him superintendant or overseer of all the customs whilst others of his inferiors unworthy to be compared with him were placed in the most honourable
Thessalians amongst them men very skilfull in their Bowes who so plyed the Athenians that they wholly brake them and put them to the rout yet in their flight they did not run amongst their Footmen which made them somewhat recover their Honour which they had lost by running away On the contrary part as they fled they met with some Companies of Negropont whom the Arcadians had sent to take in certain Hills hard by the plain where the Battel was fought whom they put all to the Sword The men at Arms of the Thebans seeing them turn their backs did not pursue them at all but presently gave charge upon a great Battalion of Footmen forcing them all they could to break and run through them So the fight was very cruel and sharp yet in the end the Athenians were forced to quit the place whereupon a Collonel of Horsemen of the Elians who stood as a reserve to guard the Rere defended them and encountering with the Boâ—otians he resisted them and made them give back which reinforced the fault of the left point of their Army But in the right point after the Horsemen had charged one another the fight was soon determined For by reason of the great number of men at Armes of the Thebans and Thessalians the Mantineans and their partakers were soon put to rout and haveing lost a great number of their men they sheltered themselves under the Battalion of their Footmen and this was the issue of the fight between the Horsemen As for the infantry after they came once to the Sword it was a marvellous bloody and cruel fight For never before that time was there so many Greeks in the Field one against another nor so great and expert Captains nor such valiant Souldiers as were now The two Nations that at that time bare the name to be the bravest Footmen in all the world to wit the Thebans and Lacedemonians were now set in Front one against the other and they began to charge neither sparing Life nor limb The first charge they gave was with their Pikes which being soon broken with the huge blows they gave each other then they came to it with their Swords and lustily laying about them Body to Body Death raged in every place and there was a mighty carnage made for neither part shrunk back or gave over with wearinesse but stood to it like undaunted men And so continued this dangerous Fight for a long time by reason of the valiantness of either party the victory stood doubtfull for a great while and it could not be judged which side was like to have the upper hand For every one that fought had this resolution in his heart not to fear Death whatsoever befell them But rather desiring to make proof of their utmost Valour they willingly parted with their lives to lye in the Bed of Honour By reason whereof though the fight was sharp and cruel yet the event remained for a long space so uncertain that it could not be discerned to which side the Victory should fall But at last Epaminondas seeing no other remedy but that the issue of this doubtfull fight depended upon his own virtue and valour he resolved with himself to adventure his life upon it and presently gathering about him all the best and choisest men of his Army and of them having compounded a Company of stout and resolute Blades he ran with great fury into the thickest and greatest press of all his enemies marching himself the foremost man in all his Troop with a Spear in his hand with the which at the first blow he gave he slew the Captain of the Lacedemonians and straightway the rest of his company began to assail their enemies But Epaminondas laying about him like a Lion slew so many in the place where he stood with his own hands that at last he opned the Battel of the Lacedemonian whom he pursued laid on them so lustily that they being unable any longer to defend themselves against the irristable fury of himself and his followers were enforced to give back and leave the place to the Boeotians who yet followed them at their heels beating them down so eagerly that in a short space the whole Field was covered with dead Bodies lying on heapes one upon another But in the end the Lacedemonians seeing that they could no way save themselves gathered courage out of despair and a Company of them joyning together all set upon Epaminondas throwing an infinite number of Darts at him of which some he avoided others he received upon his Target but yet there were many that stuck in his Body which he pulled out and fought with the same weapons against those that had thrown them at him At last when he had done more than a man and beyond all humane strength thereby to win Honour to his Country by gaining them the victory a certain Lâ—coâ—ian called Anticrates thrust him into the breast with a Dart with such force as breaking the wood he left the iron Head sticking in his Body Having received this deadly wound he fell immediately to the ground But then was there a more cruel fight about him than ever there was before which occasioned great slaughter on both sides till the Thebans by fine force made their enemies to flie for their lives and when they had pursued them a while they returned back to their Camp that they might keep the dead Bodies in their power which was a certain signe that the victory was theirs and then they sounded a retreat and so the Battel ended Both sides challenged the victory and made Triumphs for it The Lacedemonians did it because the Athenians had slain those of Negropont that were sent to seize upon the Hils before mentioned and kept their Bodies in their power The Thebans on the other side having overcome the Spartans had the Bodies of them that were slain in the Battel in their power which was by far the greater number wherefore they said that they were the Victors Thus both standing upon their tearms it was a good while before either would send a Trumpet or Herauld to the other for leave to bury their dead Yet at last the Lacedemonians sent first and then they all betook themselves to give the dead an Honourable Burial And as for him that had killed Epaminondas he was highly esteemed and honoured for his valiant act and the Lacedemonians gave him many rich Presents and made him and his Posterity free from all publick Taxes and contributions in the Common-wealth As for Epaminondas he was brought yet alive into his Tent how beit his Physitians and Surgeons being called together to dresse his wounds they all concluded that so soone as they plucked the head of the Dart out of his Body he must needs die And truly he made a most noble and worthy end For first he called for his Target-bearer who was alwayes at his hand in the Battel and asked him Is my Target safe He brought it