the former chearfully and the latter unwillingly The Latins were so strong that the Romans thought it convenient to create a Dictator and accordingly Virginius the Senior Consul nominated Posthumius his Collegue who chose Ebutius Helva for his Master of the Horse and hastning his Levies divided his Troops into four Parts reserving one to himself assigning the second to Virginius the third to Ebutius and the fourth to Sempronius who was to defend the City Upon Intelligence that the Latines had taken the Field Posthumius advanc'd with all speed to the Lake Regillus 14 Miles East of Rome by Tusculum where he fortifi'd himself against the Enemy who as yet were not all united but expected Aid from the Volsci The Romans divided themselves into three parts and were so conveniently posted as to cut off all Provisions from the Latine Camp designing to starve 'em but the News of the March of the Volsci alter'd their Measures making 'em resolve to engage The Roman Army consisted of 24000 Foot and 1000 Horse and the Enemy of 40000 Foot and 3000 Horse Tarquin's Son Titus commanding the main Body his Brother Sextus the Left Wing and Mamilius the Right Posthumius stood against Titus Ebutius against Sextus and Virginius against Mamilius and so began a bloody Battel Florus says that Posthumius cast one of the Ensigns among the Enemy that his Men might be the more eager to fall upon 'em and recover it and that Ebutius commanded the Bridles to be taken off the Horses that they might Charge with the greater Violence and Fury The Victory at last fell on the Romans side and the Battel was fought with so much Bravery and Courage that it was reported that the Gods themselves were present particularly Castor and Pollux mounted on milk white Steeds The Latines lost Mamilius and Sextus and were so broken that scarce a fourth Part of 'em escap'd and from the Place of this Victory Posthumius obtain'd the Sirname of Rhegillensis many others likewise gaining great Honour particularly Caius Marcius afterwards call'd Coriolanus After the Battel was over the Volsci arriv'd at the Camp whereof one Party was for attacking the Romans now weary but another Party willing to ingratiate themselves with the Conquerors prevail'd to send to the Dictator to let him understand That they came to his Assistance But Posthumius convinc'd 'em of their Falshood by their own Letters which he had intercepted and giving leave to the Messenger to return whom the Multitude wou'd have pull'd in pieces resolv'd to fall on 'em the next Day but in the Night they abandon'd their Camp and fled The Latines now in a very bad Condition sent in the humblest manner imaginable to beg Peace of the Romans and their Ambassadors with so many Tears and submissive Intreaties laid all the Blame on the Nobility that the Motion of Largius prevail'd in their behalf for the former League to be renew'd Thus ended all the Wars made upon the Tarquin's account which had been carry'd on for 13 Years As for Tarquin himself the only Person left of all his Family now abandon'd by the Latines Hetrurians Sabines with the rest of the Neighbouring People who all refus'd to harbour him he went into Campania to Aristodemus Prince of Cuma where he shortly after dy'd being about 90 Years of Age and the last King that Rome ever saw II. Upon the finishing of this War Posthumius laid down his Office and Appius Claudius the Sabine and Servilius Priscus were made Consuls for the Year following and now the Courts of Justice were again open'd and Processes against Debtors reviv'd This caus'd great Disturbances among the Common People the Plebeians alledging their Inability of paying their Debts upon the account of their Losses by the Enemies Incursions and their want of Tillage which Plea their Creditors likewise made use of shewing that these Losses were such as made the remitting of their Debts impossible which occasion'd many Tumults and Quarrels The Consuls endeavour'd to divert these threatning Mischiefs by making War against the Volsci who had lately assisted the Latines but none of the Plebeians wou'd List themselves making grievous Complaints against the intollerable Severity of their Creditors and declaring That they had ventur'd their Lives to preserve the Liberty of the State abroad and in requital were made Slaves by their Countrymen at home Now Servilius was willing to comply in some measure with the Poor but Appius very hotly oppos'd it as the most dangerous Remedy in the World and the Disagreement of the Consuls added much to the common Calamity However the Senate at last was forc'd to have recourse to the Popularity of Servilius who with fair Words and Promises perswaded the People into the Field where when he had by his good Services deserv'd a Triumph the Honour was deni'd him by the Insinuation of his Collegue Appius who represented to the Senate That by bearing and complying with the Multitude he had impair'd the Dignity of his Order The People now expecting the Performances of Servilius's Promises were wholly disappointed by Appius's Contrivances which doubled their Rage and made 'em carry all things by open Force rescuing their Companions out of the hands of the Serjeants holding Secret Cabals denying ever to touch a Weapon till their Burdens were remov'd These dangerous Stirs put the Senate to a great stand Appius still urg'd That nothing ought to be granted to the Rabble and the better to quell the Disturbances procur'd a Dictator to be created which most suppos'd wou'd be himself But the present Consuls made choice of M. Valerius a popular Man supposing that the Terror of the Office alone wou'd perform the Work and that a Person of a mild and moderate Temper wou'd best manage it Valerius chose Servilius the late Consul for his Master of the Horse and he minding the Pleasure of the People more than his own Authority told 'em That if they wou'd freely follow him not only what they justly requir'd concerning their Debts but other Rewards shou'd be granted 'em by which means he procur'd ten Legions to be listed With these he march'd against the Volsci Aequi and Sabines who were all up in Arms and having reduc'd 'em he divided some Lands he had taken from the Volsci among the Soldiers At his return he requested the Senate that his and their Promises might be made good but was check'd for his too great Compliance with the Multitude and because he was an old Man above Seventy unfit as he said to contend and unwilling to shew his utmost Authority he immediately laid down his Office This more inflam'd the common People who now had their private Consultations designing to separate themselves from the Patritians which when the Senate perceiv'd order was given to the Consuls not to disband the Army pretending that the Sabines and Aequi had new Designs against Rome Now the Soldiers being strictly bound by their Oath call'd Sacramentum at their first Listing cou'd not
their Friendship or diminish their Strength But this prudent Counsel wou'd not be heard so the Romans had these Articles allow'd 'em First That their Army shou'd march away only with their under Garments having first in Token of Slavery pass'd under the Jugum or Gallows Secondly They shouâ—d wholly quit all Samnium and remove all their Colonies And Thirdly Both Roman and Samnite shou'd live under the same Terms of Confederacy and Alliance The Romans were constrain'd to submit to these disgraceful Articles and with wonderful Shame Anger and Confusion return'd to Capua disarm'd and half naked and from thence to Rome The whole City was most sensibly afflicted at this shameful Disaster their generous Blood boiling in their Veins and nothing but Fury and Revenge appearâ—d in their Faces The Consuls refused to appear abroad or to act for which reason a Dictatâ—r was created for holding the Comitia for a new Election which was Aemilius Papus who appointed Valerius Flaccus for his Master of the Horse But instead of an Election of Consuls the State for a while fell into an Interregnum there being nothing but Grief and Vexation in all Places and the whole City put into Mourning But the Year following Consuls were chosen Papirius Cursor and Publilius Philo being the Persons and the Senate being assembled Posthumius one of the last years Consuls generously offerâ—d himself to be deliverâ—d together with his Collegue up to the Enemy and so to break the Caudine Treaty urging That only they two were oblig'd to observe the Articles and not the State which was altogether Ignorant of what was done This was gratefully accepted of but Pontius refusâ—d to receive 'em greatly exclaiming against the Perfidiousness of the Romans But the Army soon march'd against them under the Conduct of Papirius and sufficiently reveng'd themselves of all former Affronts overthrowing 'em in several Battels making em all pass under the Iugum recovering several Towns and freeing the 600 Hostages which they had deliver'd to em in the Caudine Treaty so that the Samnites cou'd very hardly obtain a two years Truce In the time of this Truce two new Tribes were added to the rest namely the Ufentine and Falerine which made the Number thirty one The Samnites incouragâ—d by some others broke their Truce which together with the Hetrurians warlike Preparations occasionâ—d the Creation of a Dictator which was L. Aemilius who made L. Fulvius moritious his Master of the Horse and in a bloody Battel overthrew the Enemy who came to relieve Saticula which he had invested The next Year another Dictator was created to carry on this War which was Fabius Maximus who chose Aulius Cerretan for his Master of the Horse and took Saticula managing the War with great Success against the Samnites and considerably inlarging the Roman Dominions in those Parts The following Year a dangerous Conspiracy was discover'd at Capua and this occasion'd the creating of a Dictator which was C. Maenius who made choice of M. Foslius for his Master of the Horse and soon suppressâ—d that Disturbance The next Year the Samnite War was carriâ—d on with great Vigour and a Dictator created which was C. Paetelius who made M. Foslius his Master of the Horse and gain'd great Advantages over the Enemy After which the Romans had a short Breathing Time and but a short one for soon after the Hetrurians making great Threats and as great Preparations another Dictator was created which was Iunius Bubulcus who perform'd little against 'em by reason of their keeping upon the Defensive In this same Year Appius Claudius being one of the Censors made the Famous Cawsey or High-way callâ—d Via Appia a Prodigious Work together with the Channel of Fresh Water which he brought into the City which Works he all alone Accomplishâ—d according to Livy A year or two was employâ—d against the Hetrurians till at last Papirius was made Dictator who chusing Bubulcus his Master of the Horse gave 'em the greatest Overthrow that they ever receiv'd yet all their Choicest Men being lost and from that time they were never able to perform much against Rome Four years after a Dictator was created for holding the Comitia for Election of Consuls which was Cornelius Scipio and Decius Mus was his Master of the Horse In the second Year after this the Samnites after many and great Losses obtainâ—d a Peace 12 Years after they broke their Truce and the Ancient League was renewâ—d with em and this happenâ—d 37 Years after the first War with that Nation Soon after this Peace was concluded the Romans turnâ—d their Arms against the Aequi and chastizâ—d them for Assisting the Samnites which affrighted other Nations into Subjection the Roman Dominions now daily increasing But however such Resistance was made as they thought it necessary to have a Dictator which was Iunius Bubulcus who chose M. Titinius for his Master of the Horse and in Eight days time return'd in Triumph In less than a Year after the Fame of the Hetrurians joyning with the Umbrians a People on the North of them and the Sabines occassion'd the creating of another Dictator which was Valerius Maximus who appointed Aemilius Paulus for his Master of the Horse This Dictator intirely broke the Power of all the Hetrurians reducing all their Territories to the Roman Subjection which happen'd above 420 Years after the first Wars with those People The Umbrians were likewise much weaken'd and lost a considerable Part of their Country the Romans still extending their Dominions on all Sides and continually Increasing their Strength During some sort of Intermission abroad the Commons began to fall into their former dissatisfi'd Humour and the Tribunes much complain'd that all the Priests and Augurs were created out of the Patritians and urgâ—d that the Plebeians might also partake of those Offices The Senate made no great Oppositions as being sufficiently accustom'd to yield in Matters of greater Moment So that whereas at present there were but Four Chief Priests and as many Augurs answering to the Four Tribes in the City now Four more were added and to those Five more out of the Body of the Commons And in this same Year Valerius the Consul preferr'd a Law of Appeal more carefully enacted which was the third time this Law was confirm'd since the Expulsion of the Kings and always occasionâ—d by the same Family The same Consul fell upon the Aequi who were now in Rebellion and in a little time they had nothing left 'em of their Ancient Fortune but the Stoutness of their Tempers The following Year was a Lustrum and Two new Tribes were added to the former namely the Aniensis and the Tarentine which now made the whole Number Thirty three The City was also much increas'd for at the next Lustrum five Years after there were cess'd no less than 262322 free Citizens Within a Year after this the Samnites after six Years Respite broke their League with the
and ever out of their Body except once and most commonly of the lower sort till by a Law made afterwards they were order'd to be created out of such of the Plebeians as were Senators They had the Power of Interposing and the Design of that Power was to relieve the Oppressed and to be a Shield to keep off all Evil and Mischief They null'd all such Decrees and Commands of the Senate and Consuls as they reckon'd unjust and of all other Magistrates except the Dictators and to shew their Readiness to protect the meanest their Doors stood open Night and Day to their Complaints They at first had their Seats plac d before the doors of the Senate-House tho' afterwards they enter'd in where examining the Decrees of the Fathers they either interpos'd by the word Veto or Vetamus solemnly pronounc'd or else sign'd 'em with the Letter T which made 'em pass They procur'd themselves to be accounted Sacrosancti so as by a Law made they were free from all manner of Compulsion and were inviolable either by Word or Deed and sâ—evere Penalties laid on such as broke it and lest the People shou'd afterwards repeal this Law they made all the Citizens take the most solemn Oath imaginable to preserve it intire and untouch'd As for the Ensigns of their Office they had no Toga Pretexta Lictors or Curule Chair but only a sort of a Beadle call'd Viator went before ' em The want of these Attendants their not entring at the beginning of the year and their not laying down their Office upon the Creation of a Dictator made some hold 'em to be no Magistrates but rather a Curb and Restraint to all others Notwithstanding the disproportionate Greatness of these Tribunes Power it was considerably limited by these two Things which they scarcely perceiv'd at the Beginning The first was their Confinement to the City Walls out of which they had no authority neither was it lawful for 'em to be absent from the City a day Dion says not an hour The second was their Number for any one of the ten had a Negative Vote and this was the only effectual means to moderate the Power which they afterwards assumâ—d the Patritians generally prevailing with one of the ten to be of their side which was sufficient to hinder the Designs of all the rest This was the first great Retrenchment of the Consular Power besides what had been caus'd by Poplicola before and now the Commonwealth was turn'd from an Aristocracâ— to a Democracy or at least to a Mixture of both The Awe which this Sacrosanct Magistracy had upon most People gave 'em occasion afterwards to enlarge their Power and Authority and to become most extravagantly Imperious assembling and dismissing the Senate imprisoning the Consuls and the like as shall be more particularly shewn afterwards So that they often prov'd the Cause of many dangerous Seditions and Tumults and were the greatest Disturbers of the Peace of the Common-wealth insomuch that they were by some Authors call'd Pestes Reipublicae This remarkable Innovation on the Government hapned in the 260th Year of the City 46 after the Ruine of the Babylonian and the Beginning of the Persian Empire and in the third Year of the 71st Olympiad CHAP. III. From the Creation of the Tribunes of the People to the Second Intermission of the Consular Power by the Decemviri Containing the space of 42 Years I. THE Commons having got a Confirmation of the Office of Tribunes from the Senate obtain'd further that they might yearly chuse two out of their own Body to assist these Officers These were first call'd Ministers and Assistants of the Tribunes but afterwards Aediles ab Aedibus curandis because one part of their Office was to take care of the Repairing the Publick Buildings Aqueducts and Common-Sewers especially the Temple of Ceres where all the Plebiscita or Ordinances of the Commons were kept of which they had an Oversight Besides the care of the Publick Buildings they were by the Permission of the Tribunes to determine some particular Controversies to look after such as held more Land than the Laws allow'd 'em to accuse such Matrons as liv'd Scandalously to punish excessive Usurâ—rs and Extortioners to restrain Tipling and Gaming-houses to Fine Persons for lewd and uncivil Words or Actions to Correct false Weights and Measures to provide Bread-Corn and Oyl in the time of Famine and to see that the same was not hoarded up nor the Markets forestall'd as also to take care that necessary Provisions were sent to the Armies and the like About 127 Years after were added two more out of the Patritians call'd Aediles Curules who shall be spoken of in their proper Place After the Commons had obtain'd these Officers and what else they desir'd they readily listed themselves to go against the Vâ—lsci under Posthumius the Consul He soon took Longula and Polustia from 'em then invested Corioli a strong City and the Metropolis of the Nation but the Antiates marching to its relief he left part of his Army under T. Largius and with the other advanc'd to give the Enemy Battel Largius in the mean time attempting to Storm the Town the Besieg'd receiv'd him with so much Courage and Vigour that the Romans were driven back to their Trenches in great Disorder but Caius Marcius a valiant Patritian formerly mention'd with a small Party most couragiously stood the Enemies Shock and with a wonderful Bravery forc'd 'em back into the Town whom he follow'd so close at their Heels that he went in with 'em By which the Besieg'd were so terrifi'd that not considering their own Numbers they fled to the contrary part of the City suffering him to let the rest of the Army into the Town which they soon possess'd themselves of Which done Marcius wou'd not permit the Soldiers to stay for Plunder but hastned 'em to joyn the Consul with all Speed and whilst the Armies were approaching desir'd leave of Posthumius to engage in the main Body with his Party where the chief Strength of the Enemy lay and having obtain'd that Post he behav'd himself with that admirable Courage and Conduct that the Enemy were soon overthrown The Consul gave him extraordinary Commendations owning him to be the chief Cause of the Victory and offer'd him a large Share of the Booty before the Division among the Soldiers But he modestly refus'd all but one single Horse which gain'd him greater Honour among the Soldiers and caus'd Posthumius to bestow the Surname of Coriolanus upon him for his incomparable Valour shewn at Corioli The Volsci by this Overthrow were forc'd to Submission and made their Peace This same Year was the League of Confederacy renew'd with the Latines and likewise a third Feria or Holy-day appointed by the Senate for the Union of the Nobility and Commons the first being for the Conquest of Hetruria in the fifth Kings Reign and the second for the Banishment of Tarquin This Year also dy'd Menenius
he pray'd That if his Banishment were unjust and meerly the effect of the Rage and Malice of the Multitude they might suddenly repent it and that it might visibly appear to the World how much the Romans were oblig'd by his Actions and stood in need of his Presence Thus like Achilles leaving his Imprecations on the Citizens he went into Banishment being fin'd 15000 Asses IV. About this same time many thousands of the Gauls finding their own Country too narrow for them and desirous of removing under the Conduct of Brennus their King broke into Hetruria and invested Clusium a City in Alliance with Rome These were the Galli Senones a very numerous and warlike People inhabiting most of that Part of Italy which now goes by the Name of Lombardy and which the Hetrurians had been Masters of before them a People vast in Body rude by Nature barbarous in Conditions and wandering as Rovers over many Countries The Inhabitants of Clusium much affrighted at their great Numbers and dreadful Looks sent immediately to Rome begging that State to interpose by sending Ambassadors and Letters to disswade these unjust Aggressors from proceeding in their Enterprize The Senate willing to perform this friendly Part dispatch'd Ambassadors to the 〈◊〉 chusing out three of the Family of the 〈◊〉 Persons of the greatest Quality and the most Honourable in the City for that Office The Gauls at first receiv'd 'em courteously enough and coming to a Conference with 'em the Ambassadors demanded the Reason of this their present Undertaking and what Injury the Clusians had done them Brennus made answer somewhat sharply That they had much injur'd 'em by refusing to part with some of their Lands when they had more than they themselves cou'd easily manage and this was nothing more than what the Romans themselves had done to the Albans the Fidenates the Ardeates the Veientes and many other People that they made War with These Reflections so enrag'd the Ambassadors that they immediately stirrâ—d up the Inhabitants to make a Sally against the Besiegers they themselves heading ' em It hapned that in the midst of the Fight Fabius Amâ—usius one of the Three killâ—d a Gaul of huge Bulk and was discover'd while he was disarming of him whereupon Brennus mov'd with a just Indignation immediately broke up the Siege and march'd directly for Rome Brennus that he might not seem to do any thing meanly or unjustly sent first to Rome demanding the Ambassadors to be deliver'd up as having broken the Law of Nations But Favour so far prevail'd above Equity that the Matter being referrâ—d from the Senate to the People no Satisfaction cou'd be had from either Nay further the Ambassadors themselves were with three others created Military Tribunes for carrying on the War The Gauls hearing this in a great Rage hastned their March breathing out nothing Revenge and Destruction to Rome The Places through which they march'd were so terrify'd with their Numbers the Fierceness of their Natures and their dreadful Preparations of War that they gave their Countries for lost But contrary to their Expectations they did no Injury as they march'd crying That the Romans only were their Enemies and that they took all others for their Friends The Romans met 'em at the River Allia 11 Miles from the City with an Army of 40000 Foot but most of 'em raw and unskilful Men and what was more dangerous under the Conduct of several Commanders In this Condition they engag'd the Gauls without either Order or Discipline or scarce any Courage and were miserably defeated The Left Wing was immediately driven into the River and there intirely cut off The Right escap'd better tho' with great Loss some dropping into Rome the rest as many as escap'd stole by Night to Veii giving Rome for lost and all that was in it for ruin'd This Day was ever after branded for an unlucky Day by the Romans wherein no Work of Note was to be done and was call'd Alliensis in their Kalendar Never was Rome in the like Consternation as at the News of the loss of this Battel and the sudden Approach of the Enemy Nothing but miserable Howlings and Lamentations were heard on all Parts some leaving the City others creeping into Holes Priests hiding their Relicks Women running like distracted Persons with their Children in their Arms and every one shifting for himself so that Rome became abandon'd and was left open to the Rage and Fury of the Enemy For they who resolv'd to stay at Rome quitting the rest of the City betook themselves to the Capitol which they fortify'd in order to hold out a Siege Only some of the Pontifices and Priests and the most ancient of the Senators such as had been honour'd with several Consulships and Triumphs who cou'd not endure to think of leaving the City put on all their Robes of State plac'd themselves in the Forum on their Ivory Chairs resolving since they had liv'd in Honour to die in State and in that noble Posture expected the utmost of what wou'd follow On the third Day after the Victory the Easiness of which much amaz'd the Gauls Brennus appear'd with all his Forces before the City and finding the Gates wide open the Walls unguarded and all things defenceless began to suspect at first some Stratagem of the Romans but after a little Consideration he enter'd the City and marching into the Forum he was more surpriz'd than ever to find so many Men sitting all in that remarkable Order and profound Silence like so many Statues Their splendid Habits and Ornaments their steddy Unconcern'dness their Majestick Gravity their venerable Looks together with that Air of Greatness which appear'd in 'em made the Gauls imagine 'em to be an Assembly of the Gods or at least somewhat more than Human till one Bolder than the rest stroaking Papirius's Beard was struck by him with his Ivory Staff whereupon he immediately kill'd the old Man Upon which began the Slaughter the rest of the Gauls following his Example set upon the rest and kill'd 'em all without Mercy or Distinction and continuing their Rage and Fury dispatch'd all that came in their Way In this Manner they proceeded Sacking and Plundering the Houses for many days together then setting the whole City in Flames burnt down every House to the Ground Thus was the famous City of Rome laid all in Ashes except the Capitol occasion'd by the Romans manifest Breach of Justice and the Laws of Nations This hapned 364 Years after it was first built 119 after the Expulsion of the Kings Anno Mundi 3615 in the third Year of the 97th Olympiad 60 Years before the Ruine of the Persian Empire and the setting up of the Macedonian by Alexander the Great and 388 before our Saviour Christ's Nativity CHAP. VI. From the Burning of Rome by the Gauls to the War with the Samnites when the Romans began much to extend their Conquests Containing the space of 46 Years I. ROme now felt the utmost
that they presently created a Dictator which was Valerius Corvus one of the last Years Consuls who appointed Aemilius Mamercinus for his Master of the Horse and march'd against the Rebels who had now forc'd T. Quintius an eminent Soldier to be their General Upon the Approach of both Armies the Rebels out of Fear yielded themselves and were receiv'd into Favour the Dictator having no more Imployment abroad In the same year the frequent Inroads made by the Romans into the Samnites Country drew 'em to a Peace the Sidicini being left to their Mercy II. Soon after this Peace the Samnites desir'd of the Romans that the Latins and Campanians might be commanded not to assist the Sidicini but because the Senate wou'd not deny that these Nations were under their Command and were likewise unwilling to provoke 'em such an ambiguous Answer was return'd that the Latins and Campanians thought themselves so far disoblig'd as to revolt Manlius Torquatus now Consul the third time and his Collegue Decius Mus were sent by the Senate to chastise the Latins who now wou'd be satisfi'd with no less than having one of the Consuls and half the Senators chosen out of their Nation Upon certain Dreams and Prognostications that the General on one side and the Army on the other was certainly to be destroy'd the Consuls Solemnly agreed That in what Part the Roman Army shou'd be distress'd the Commander of that Part shou'd devote himself to the Gods and die for his Country which generous Resolution was confirm'd by Oath And because they were all acquainted with each others Discipline and way of Fighting strict Commands were given that no Man upon pain of Death shou'd Fight without Orders Both Armies were drawn up in Battalia and a bloody and obstinate Ingagement immediately follow'd the Latins pressing very hard upon Decius's Part he according to his Promise devoted himself to the Gods and rushing violently into the midst of his Enemies after a great Slaughter lost his Life the Latins being soon after entirely defeated Nor was the Discipline of Manlius less remarkable than the Courage of Decius in relation to his own Son For he passing with his Troops before the Battel nigh the Enemy was challeng'd by Metius Captain of the Tusculans whom when he had slain and stripp'd his Father with Tears commended him for his Valour but condemn'd him for his Disobedience which though a sad was a profitable Example to the rest of his Men And after that cruel Commands were usually call'd Manliana Dicta The Latins now defeated begg'd Peace which being given 'em tho not with the same Conditions to all Manlius return'd in Triumph but was met only by the Old Men the Young Ones refusing to do him that Honour and ever after hating him upon the account of his Son Soon after the People of Antium and Ardea made incursions into the Roman Territories But Manlius being Sick he nam'd Papyrius Crassus for Dictator who appointed Papyrius Cursor his Master of the Horse and kept the Field some Months in the Antiates Country but no remarkable Action hapned The Consuls for the following Year Aemilius and Publius overthrew the Latins who had again revolted upon the Account of some Lands taken from ' em Publius by whose Conduct the Victory was obtain'd receiv'd into Alliance such Cities as had been worsted and Aemilius march'd his Army and sat down before Pedum which receiv'd Supplies from several Places Tho he had the Advantage in all Skirmishes yet still the Town held out and he understanding that his Collegue was return'd to his Triumph he immediately left the Siege and went for Rome to demand that Honour likewise The Senate was much offended at this Presumption denying him that Honour except Pedum was either taken or surrender'd which caus'd him out of Revenge to joyn with the Tribunes against the Patritians the rest of his Time his Collegue not opposing it being himself a Plebeian The Senate out of a Desire to get free of 'em both order'd a Dictator to be created whom it fell to Aemilius's share to nominate as having the Fasces that Month. Aemilius nam'd his Collegue Publius Philo who appointed Iunius Brutus for his Master of the Horse and was the second Plebeian Dictator in Rome Publius was a great Vexation to the Nobility and was full of Invectives against 'em procuring three Remarkable Laws whereof the first alter'd the very Constitution of the State which was That the Plebiscita shou'd bind the Quirites or Citizens of Rome of all Ranks and Degrees whatsoever The second was That such Laws as were enacted in the Centuriate Comitia shou'd be propos'd or pass'd by the Senate before they were voted by the People The third That whereas they had obtain'd before that both the Censors might be Plebeians now one at least must of necessity be so So now the Majesty of the Roman State was more impair'd by the Authority of these two at home than it was augmented by their Valour abroad In the following Year wherein Furius Camillus and C. Maenius were Consuls Pedum was taken by Storm and the Consuls in pursuit of the Victory Conquer'd all Latium bringing it and some neighbouring Parts to an intire Submission for which they triumph'd and had Statues on Horseback erected for 'em in the Forum an Honour very rare in those Days The several People of Latium had several Conditions of Peace appointed 'em some being rewarded and honour'd others punish'd and disgrac'd according as their former Behaviour had been To Antium was sent a new Colony the old Inhabitants being forbidden the Sea and had all their long Ships taken from 'em but had leave to enter themselves in the Colony and were made free of that City The Ships were some of 'em brought into the Roman Arsenal others burnt and with their Rostra or Beaks was the Gallery or Pulpit for Orations in the Forum adorn'd whence that had afterwards the name of Rostra The Year following Minutia a Vestal Virgin was bury'd alive in the Campus Sceleratus which as Livy believes had its Name from Incest for so Incontinency in those Women was call'd And in this same Year Publius Philo was made Praetor who was the first Plebeian that obtain'd this Honour the Senate little regarding it having been so often overpower'd in Matters of the greatest Consequence And this hapned in the 416th Year of the City and 28 Years after the first Creation of this Office III. Not long after the Agreement between the Romans and Latins a War broke out between the Arunci and the Sidicini in Campania in which the latter constrain'd the former to abandon their ancient Seats and settle in Suessa which was afterwards call'd Arunca The Arunci had given up themselves to the Romans who thereupon order'd 'em Relief but the Consuls deferring it lost the Opportunity of assisting ' em But in the next Year the Sidicini with their Confederates and Neighbours the Inhabitants of Cales were overthrown
a Reward proportionable to the Greatness of the Service Fabricius inrag'd at the Villany of the Physician and Disposing his Colleague to the same Opinion he immediately dispatchâ—d Letters to Pyrrhus to let him know what an ill Choice he had made both of his Friends and Enemies that he was in War with Honest Men and trusted and promoted Villains and that the Romans abhor'd all Treacherous Practices it being their Custom to Conquer an Enemy by the Power of their own Arms and not by Treason of the other Subjects Pyrrhus receiv'd the Message with all Courtesie and being more and more surprizâ—d at the Roman Greatness and Generosity he cry'd out This is that Fabricius whom it is harder to turn from the Ways of Vertue and Honesty than the Sun from its Course Such was the noble Spirit of the Romans in these Days where each Man minded the Honour of the Publick more than his own particular profit Pyrrhus made a strict inquiry into this Plot and executed the Physician and that he might not be excellâ—d in Generosity he immediately sent to Rome all the Prisoners without Ransom and again employ'd Cineas to Negotiate a Peace with 'em being now more desirous of their Alliance than ever But whether the Romans believ'd their sending home so many Prisoners too great an Obligation from an Enemy or too great a Reward for barely not doing Ill they wouâ—d not accept of 'em Gratis but immediately releasâ—d as many of the Tarentines and Samnites and wouâ—d admit of no Debate of Alliance or Peace with Pyrrhus till he had withdrawn his Forces from Italy and Sailâ—d back to Epirus in the same Ships that brought him over The King was much confounded at this being very unwilling to continue this War and much more to quit it Dishonourably but in a short time after he was reliev'd by an Expedition into Sicily he begin intreated by the Inhabitants to expell the Carthagâ—uians and clear the Island of Tyrants This prov'd an Honourable Pretence of drawing off his Forces and leaving Italy therefore sending Cineas before and putting a Garrison into Tarentum tho much against their Wills he embarkâ—d for Sicily with an Army of 30000 Foot and 2500 Horse after he had been in Italy two Years and Four Months III. The Absence of Pyrrhus gave the Romans much Respite or at least Leisure enough to punish the Samnites Tarentines Lucani and Brutii whom they warrâ—d against with good Success they having little Hopes but the Return of Pyrrhus with whom they were very Urgent letting him to understand That they were shut up in their Towns which cou'd hardly be maintain'd without his Assistance Pyrrhus tho he had been successful enought within two Years was glad to have so specious a Pretence of leaving Sicily when his Carriage there had been so displeasing to many that in a short time he must have left it with no other Pretence than Necessity and Self-Preservation About the time of his Return there happened such a dreadful Plague in Rome that Cornelius Rufinus the last year's Consul was created Dictator for the Ceremony of Driving a Nail into the Temple of Iupiter which they by Tradition believ'd wou'd asswage the Distemper and this was the third Dictator created upon this Account The Consuls for the following year were Curius Dentatus and Cornelius Lentulus the former of which raising new Levies was oppos'd by the People who refus'd to list themselves Curius resolving to go through with his Designs commanded the Names of every Tribe to be put into a Box and the Lot falling upon the Pollian Tribe the first that was drawn of that Tribe was cited and not answering he sold his Goods and upon his appealing to the Tribunes he sold the Man too saying The Commonwealth stood in no need of such a Member as refus'd all Obedience The. Tribunes at that time did not assist the Fellow and ever after hatt if any refus'd to stil himself in a just Muster when commanded it became a Custom to make a Slave of him Pyrrhus by this time had with some Difficulty and Danger got from Sicily to Tarentum with an Army of 20000 Foot and 3000 Horse where increasing his Army by new Levies he march'd into Samnium where the Romans had gather'd together a powerful Army Pyrrhus divided his Forces into two Part whereof one he sent into Lucania to hinder Lentulus from joyning with his Collegue Curius Dentatus against whom he directed his March then advantageâ—â—â—ly posted nigh Beneventum Pyrrhus hast'ning to attact him there before the other cou'd arrive with the 〈◊〉 of his Men and the fiercest of his Elephants march'd in the time towards the Roman Camp hoping to surprize 'em but passing through Woods his Lights fail'd him and his Men lost their way Whereupon a Council of War being call'd while they were in debate and at the break of day his Approach was discover'd by the Romans as they march'd down the Hills which put their whole Camp into much Disorder and Fear but recovering themselves Curius drew out his Troops in haste and falling in with the Vantguard of Pyrrhus put him to flight killing many Men and taking some Elephants This Success very much discourag'd the rest of Pyrrhus's Troops and Curius descending into the Plain join'd Battel with the whole Army In one Wing he repuls'd the Enemy in the other by the Violence of the Elephants he was born back to his Trenches where calling forth those who guarded 'em they from the high Places so ply'd the Beasts with Darts and fired Pitch and Hemp that they ran back upon their Friends bearing down and breaking all their Ranks so that the Victory fell to the Romans Pyrrhus having lost 23000 Men according to Eutropius Pyrrhus's Camp was also taken which was not only admir'd but likewise prov'd of very great Use afterwards for anciently the Romans and the Nations about 'em were wont to pitch their Tents without Order after the manner of Booths in the midst of their several Battalions but Pyrrhus measuring out his ground encampâ—d his whole Army within a Trench By his Example the Romans receiv'd great Light and Experience as to Warlike Affairs and afterwards adding such things as they found necessary they attained to the most absolute Skill in Encamping in succeeding times Curius Dentatus obtained a most splendid Triumph for this Victory being graced with four Elephants 1300 Prisoners of several Nations with several Implements of the Tarentine Luxury and Rarities A few days after his Collegue triumph'd over the Samnites and Lucani and this year was remarkable for the Censorship of Fabricius and Aemilius who remov'd Rufinus and who had been twice Consul and once Dictator out of the Senate for having ten pound of Silver Plate for the Use of his Table and in this Lustrum 271224 Free Citizens were cess'd or poll'd As for Pyrrhus he bore his Defeat with an undaunted Mind and receiving Letters from Greece and Asia he call'd the Epirots and Tarentines together
Veturius Philo and Pomponius Matho was his Master of the Horse The new Consuls were Aemilius Paulus and Terentius Varro the former a prudent experiencâ—d Person the latter a hot rash and inconsiderate Man These had gather'd together an Army of 80000 Foot and 6000 Horse which gave great Hopes to the People but raisâ—d as great Fears in some of the wiser sort especially Fabius who with all the powerful Arguments imaginable advis'd Aemilius To beware of the Policy of Hannibal and the Rashness of Varro Both Armies met at a Village in Apulia call'd Cannae where Varro resolv'd to engage contrary to Aemilius's Advice the Enemy being about 40000 Foot and 20000 Horse This Battel was fought with dreadful Fury on both sides and Hannibal had plac'd his Men with all possible Skill and Art so that the Romans were not only forc'd to fight with Wind Dust and Sun but pressing forwards were in a little time almost surrounded In short the Abilities of the Punick General at this time were more apparent than ever who more over-match'd them in Skill than they exceeded him in Numbers making a most miserable Slaughter of the Romans till quite wearied out he commanded his Soldiers to give over Aemilius was found desperately wounded by Lentulus a Colonel who offer'd him his Horse to fly but the Consul with weeping Eyes desired him to make use of it himself and go tell Fabius that he had follow'd his Directions to the last but Fate had conquer'd him and then falling among the dead Bodies he expirâ—d In this Battel the Romans lost 50000 Men. Polybius says 70000 2 Quaestors 21 Tribunes 80 of Senatorian Order and so many Equites or Knights that 't is said that three Bushels of their Rings were sent to Carthage the Enemy having lost but 5700 Men. Never was any thing so terrible and dreadful to Rome as the News of this fatal Defeat never was the City so sadly fill'd with Terrour and Tumult and never was a more universal Mourning and Lamentation throughout all the Streets than at this time The Citizens were all in an Uproar and Consternation and the Senators themselves in great Trouble and Confusion being extreamly disturb'd in their Debates by the dismal Outcries of miserable Women tearing their Hair and beating their Breasts after a sad and deplorable manner A Dictater upon this was created which was M. Iunius his Master of the Horse being T. Sempronius and Order was immediately given to keep all the Women from coming abroad into the Streets the Senators themselves going from House to House to comfort and appease 'em what they cou'd Great Care was likewise taken to set strict Guards at the Gates to keep all Persons from abandoning the City and to make all People see That there cou'd be no possible Meanâ—s of preserving themselves but by bravely defending the Walls In a short time Varro arrivâ—d at Rome with the weak and tatter'd Relicts of his Army and tho' he had been the principal Cause of this Defeat yet the Romans out of an extraordinary Greatness of Mind went out to meet him in Multitudes and the Senate return'd him Thanks for that he had not despair'd of the Commonwealth Notwithstanding the vast Losses sustain'd by Hannibal and the Revolt of a great part of Italy immediately after this last Defeat the Romans wou'd never so much as mention Peace Whereas as Livy says No Nation under Heaven but wou'd have fainted and have suffer'd themselves to have been overwhelm'd and crush'd with the weight of so mighty a Disaster III. Thus far was Hannibal extraordinary successful and had he made the best use of this his last Victory by marching directly to Rome he might in all Probability have put an end to the War and Roman State at once but this great Soldier as Maharbal Captain of his Horse told him knew perfectly how to gain a Victory but not how to use and improve it For his careless manner of proceeding that Summer gave the Romans an Opportunity of Recovering themselves when they were almost reduc'd to a despairing Condition And now they were inspir'd with new Courage and new Resolutions of prosecuting the War without Fainting making all possible Preparations for another Campaign arming of several thousands of Slaves and filling up the Senate which wanted 177 Persons This last was done by Fabius Buteo a Dictator created for that purpose without any Master of the Horse and that before the last Dictator was out of Office who was then abroad But that which provâ—d most fatal to Hannibal was his Wintering in Capua a most wealthy and luxurious City which among many other Places had surrenderâ—d it self to him since his last Victory Heâ—â—â—e utterly spoilâ—d an excellent and hardy Army which now was so enfeebled and enervated by their immoderate Use of the Pleasures and Effeminateness of that Place that ever after his Men became impatient of Labour and the ancient Military Discipline So that Capua became a Cannae to Hannibal â—s Soldiers And now Hannibal's Fortune began to change for in the next Campaign he was worsted in a Sally out of Nola by Marcellus the Praetor and repuls'd at Casilinum after he had brought the Place to great Extremities and not long after Marcellus gave him a considerable Repulse nigh Nola which gave the Romans mighty Hopes of farther Successes In Spain the Scipio's managâ—d the War with great Success overthrowing Hanno and gaining much Ground and likewise defeating Asdrubal who but just before had been order'd by the Senate of Carthage to go for Italy and joyn Hannibal which Design by this means was broke In Sicily and Sardinia tho' several Attempts were made by the Carthaginians and some Revolts hapned yet Affairs succeeded prosperously especially in Sardinia where a Battel was fought and 12000 Carthaginians kill'd and many taken Prisoners among whom were Asdrubal Hanno and Mago all Persons of the highest Quality Rome now had the Misfortune of having Enemies on all sides of her and in all Parts of her Dominions and Territories so that the Vigour and Diligence of her Inhabitants was certainly very admirable in sending Recruits and Supplies into Spain Sicily and Sardinia those distant Countries with the same Care as against Hannibal himself But what is a greater Instance of the Roman Courage and Magnanimity is their proclaiming War with Philip King of Macedon in Greece not long after their dreadful Defeat at Cannae for his making a League with Hannibal and their venturing to invade his Dominion which they did with good Success About this time Claudius Centho was created Dictator for holding the 〈◊〉 in the Consul's Absence for a new Election and his Master of the Horse was Fulvius Flaccus The Affairs of Sicily were in a little time alter'd by the Death of Hiero King of Syracuse and the Murder of his Grandson Hieronymus not long after which caus'd great Factions in that City The prevailing Faction proving Enemies to Rome Marcellus was sent thither who besiegâ—d the great
Vote of the Senate in these or the like Words Videant Consules ne quid detrimenti Respublicâ— accipiat Marius therefore with his Collegue set upon Saturninus in the Publick Assembly and forcâ—d him and his Followers into the Capitol where for want of Water they were constrain'd to yield after Marius had given 'em his Faith for their Safety Saturninus and Glaucius much rely'd upon Marius not scrupling to give out That they were but the Actors and Instruments of his Designs But notwithstanding this Security they were all cut in Pieces by the Equites in the Foâ—rum who broke in among 'em and Numidicus especially by his Sons Industry was recallâ—d with the General Applause of the People The Wars abroad and the Dissentions and Corâ—uptions at home did not hinder Learning for that â—till flourish'd more than ever and Poetry was come almost to its highest pitch in Rome for a little before â—his flourish'd the Famous Lucretius an admirable Poâ—t in his kind and in many particulars scarce inferiâ—ur to Virgil. Now for the space of seven or eight Years there was no great Action abroad nor any oâ—en Sedition at home but however there was great Dissatisfaction among those of the Senatorian Order by reason of the Power of Judicature given to the Equites by C. Gracchus's Laws which prov'd an extraordinary Grievance to â—em The Common-wealth too was bought and sold the Publicans who Farmâ—d the Publick Revenues being as they were Equites both Judges and Parties Upon these accounts Drusus the Tribune a very eminent and well-designing Person endeavour'd to restore the Fathers to their Ancient Privileges and Authority and yet not offend the Equites and therefore the Senate being now reducâ—d to a small Number he preferr'd a Law that as many Equites should be added to them and that the Power of Judicature shou'd be committed equally to all that shou'd be then of this Body This gave great Offence to both Parties and Caepio also one of Drusuâ—'s Collegues oppos'd him and coming into the Senate there accus'd some of the Highest Rank of Illegal Endeavours to gain Offices Drusus to withstand his Designs again propos'd the Agrarian Law and that the Allies and Confederates of Italy the present Possessors might take it amiss he gave 'em hopes of the Freedom of the City A great Concourse of Strangers was occasion'd upon this account and as great a Contention raisâ—d where Philippus the Consul for opposing the Law for dividing the Lands was Disgracefully buffeted by one of the Strangers and violent Disturbances follow'd Drusus disappointed in this Particular still endeavour'd to perform his Promise to the Italians but going home accompany'd with a Great Multitude of People he was Stabb'd in the Court of his own House having Breath enough to say That the Common-wealth cou'd never find a Person more true to her Interest than he IV. These Troubles did not end with Drusus's Death for soon after a very Dangerous War broke out upon this account with most of the Italians call'd the Social or Italian War These People had for some time taken it very hainously that they were deny'd the Freedom of the City which had been partly Promis'd 'em in the time of the Gracchi But now Drusus's Death who had very much heightned their Expectations inrag'd 'em more than eveâ— especially when the Equites immediately after had by-force of Arms procur'd a Law for Banishing all the Great Persons who were not for their Interest The Italians also thought that they had sufficient Reason to expect this Privilege from that City whose Subsistance and Empire had been so much maintainâ—d by their Valour they commonly sending out double the Number of Troops to those of Rome Upon these Grounds they resolv'd to procure that by Force and Violence which cou'd not be obtain'd by Intreaties and Civil Means and thereupon they joyned together in a close Confederacy and privately sent Messages and Hostages to each other namely the Lucanians Apulians Marsi Peligni with many others and especially the old Enemies of Rome the Samnites who made their Preparations with equal Diligence and Secrecy These private Transactions being discover'd at Rome tho' late enough Spies were immediately sent out into all Quarters to make what further Discoveries they cou'd One of which happening to see a young Man of Asculum carryâ—d into another City for an Hostage thereupon acquainted Servilius the Pro-Consul who going to Asculum and reprimanding the Citizens of that Place was set upon and Slain together with all the Romans Their Designs being now wholly discoverâ—d for their greater Security they all broke out into open Rebellion However first they thought it most convenient to send to Rome to complain but their Messengers cou'd not be Admitted without Satisfaction and Repentance for what they had already done Whereupon the War was committed to both the Consuls together with Mariâ—s and Sylla and several othersâ— ther 's who had Pro-Consular Authority the Forces on either side amounting to about 100 000 fighting Men. The War was very dangerous and destructive and Râ—tilius the Consul in a short time lost his Life falling into an Ambuscade laid by the Marsi and the Romans receiv'd many terrible Blows so that they were constrain'd to List many who had been Slaves The Bodies of the Consul and several others being carryâ—d into the City so discourag'd the People that the Senate made a Decree that henceforward the Bodies of the Slain should be Bury'd where they Dy'd which as a Prudent Example was likewise follow'd by the Enemy After the Death of Rutilius his Army was committed to Marius his Lieutenant and Capio who acted in Conjunction with him Caepio was Slain not long after in an Ambuscade laid by Popedius one of the Italian Generals so Marius had his Desire of Commanding alone and did excellent Service as likewise did Sylla the same Year For the following Year Pompeius Strabo Father to Pompey the Great and Porcius Cato were made Consuls and now the Senate thought fit to give the Freedom of the City to such of the Italians as had not Revolted which much establishâ—d those who were somewhat wavering in their Minds and abated the Courages of the other already ingag'd Yet these were not chosen into any of the 35 Triben but were placâ—d by themselves behind all so that in Voting they cou'd not hinder the rest which afterwards causâ—d some Disturbance Cato the Consul did very good Service this Campaign which swell'd him with such an Opinion of himself that he boasted himself equal to Marius for which he was Slain by Marius's Son in the midst of a Battel against the Marsi His Collegue Pompey overthrew the Picentes and Asculani and having long Besieg'd Asculum he defeated the Enemy which Sally'd out upon him he likewise kill'd 18000 of the Mâ—rsi taking 3000 Prisoners And at last possessing himself of Asculum he caus'd all the Officers and Principal Men in the City to be first Scourg'd and then Beheaded Sylla
all their Company Cato himself receiving a Wound on the Arm and Domitius hardly escaping And thus by Force and Violence both Pompey and Crassus obtainâ—d the Consulship The People shortly after being ready to give Cato the Praetor-ship Pompey pretended strange Prodigies in Heaven and dismiss'd the Assembly Then corrupting the Tribes with Money he procurâ—d 'em to chuse Antias and Vatinius Praetors Then by the Assistance of Trebonius the Tribune the Consâ—â—â— procur'd Laws which continu'd Caesar in his Government in Gaul for five Years longer and assign'd Syria and the Parthian War to Crassus and Africk and Spain to Pompey with four Legions whereof he lent two to Caesar for the Gallick Wars Caesar was now proceeding in his Fourth Year's Expedition which was employâ—d against several Nations of Germany who to the Number of 430000 of all sorts being driven out of their own Country by the Suevi the most powerfull of all the Germans had passâ—d the Rhme into Gaul and forcâ—d the Mâ—napii from their Habitations Caesar well knowing the Levity of the Gauls and their Readiness to cast off their Yoke resolvâ—d to tho' â—ehinder the Germans settling on this of the Rhine And perceiv'd that the Gauls had begun to treat with 'em he dissembled it and anticipating the usual Time of taking the Field he march'd directly to the Germans who being amaz'd at his extraordinary Diligence sent Ambassadors to him concerning a Treaty He gave 'em a patient Hearing and favourable Answers but still continuâ—d his March towards ' em At last the Articles were agreed upon provided Caesar wou'd stay three Days but he wouâ—d allow 'em but one during which time his Cavalry going out to Forage met with a Party of German Horse who fell furiously upon 'em and put 'em to flight pursuing 'em to their very Camp The Germans sending their principal Officers the next day to excuse the Fact Caesar detainâ—d 'em Prisoners and advancing with his whole Army towards the Enemy surprizâ—d â—em and cut 'em all in Pieces after which with great Skill and Industry he laid a Bridge over the Rhine marchâ—d into Germany relievâ—d the Ubii granted a Peace to such as were willing to depose Hostages burnt and destroyâ—d the rest and at the end of 18 Days return'd into Gaul breaking down the Bridge behind him Caesar finding he had time this Year to undertake a new Expedition and led on by the Greatness of his Courage and his Desire of Glory resolv'd to cross Seas into Britain an Enterprize so very hazardous that few but Caesar wou'd have ventur'd upon it His Pretence was the Britains sending continual Supplies into Gaul against the Romans and in order to his Design he made strict Enquiries of the Merchants that Traded thither what kind of People they were how they made War under what Laws they liv'd and which were their best Ports After which he sent Voluseus to view the Coasts in the mean time sending for the Ships he had employ'd against the Veneti and making all other necessary Preparations Upon the News of which several of the British People sent their Ambassadors with Tokens of Submission whom he sent back with good Words and with them Cornio the better to discover the Country under that Pretence But Cornio not daring to trust the Inhabitants continu'd but five Days upon the Coast and then return'd to make Report of what he had discover'd Caesar leaving all things in Gaul in a peaceable Posture and Sulpicius Rufus to guard the Ports put to Sea with two Legions and part of his Cavalry after Mid-night and made the British Coasts the next Morning where he found the Shores cover'd with Men to oppose his Landing and finding it impracticable there he fail'd eight Miles further There the Romans met with great Opposition and were in danger of being driven back till the Standard-Bearer of the tenth Legion boldâ—y leap'd a-shore and being well supported by Caesar's Diligence all the Army landed and the Britains fled The Britains were so terrify'd at the Romans Success that they sent to desire a Peace which was granted 'em and some Hostages deliver'd But a great Storm arising at that time miserably shatter'd the Transport-Ships lying at Anchor and this with Caesar's want of Provisions so incouragâ—d the Britains that instead of sending him the rest of their Hostages they march'd with a powerfull Army against him who meeting with one of the Legions abroad had almost defeated 'em but Caesar came in with timely Assistance and brought 'em off safely In these Extremities Caesar lost no time in reâ—itting his Ships procuring of Provisions and securing his Camp and being afresh attack'd by the Britains he overthrew 'em and burnt many of their Towns which oblig'd 'em again to desire a Peace Upon which he requir'd a double number of Hostages and finding the Season far advanc'd he again put to Sea and return'd to Gaul where he safely landed only two Ships that had on board 300 Men landing a little lower were set upon by the Morini who not long before had been reconcil'd to Caesar. They were soon reliev'd and Labietnus was sent to chastise the Revolters who being reduc'd he and Cotta harrass'd the Country of the Menapians who had hid themselves in the Woods After which the Roman Army was sent to their Winter-Quarters in Bâ—lgium which finishâ—d Caesar's fourth Years Expedition Caesar being very ambitious of enlarging the Roman Dominions as well as encreasing his own Reputation resolvâ—d upon a second Expedition into Britain the next Spring and made all necessary Preparations for it the Natives having given him a fair Pretence by breaking their Articles with him At the appointed Time he embarkâ—d with five Legions and 2000 Horse at lâ—cius or Calais and landed in Britain without Opposition where he shortly after forc'd one of their Camps with good success About which time News was brought him that his whole Navy was extreamly indamag'd with a Storm and some of his Ships lost which made him retire back towards the Sea-coast where with vast Labour and Industry he repairâ—d most of 'em in ten Days time and wrote to Labienus to build more After that he march'd against Cassivelaun the General of all the British Forces and after several Motions and a bloody Battel defeated him which so terrify'd the Enemy that they dared not appear in any Body against him after that Whereupon Caesar advancâ—d still further and passâ—d the Thames in spight of all Opposition his Men wading up to the Neck in the Water Cassivelaun notwithstanding his reputed Valour kept himself to the Woods and Forests and finding that several Towns were surrender'd to Caesar and particularly his own he also sent to him for a Treaty who receiv'd his Submission took Hostages and imposâ—d a certain Tribute upon Britain Then finding the Season far advancâ—d and apprehending the Danger of some Tumults in Gaul he cross'd the Sea again bringing back his Army with much Glory and Renown where with appeasing some
to block up Pompey by that Circumvallation This was done chiefly to diminish the mighty Reputation that Pompey had gain'd among Foreign Nations when all the World shou'd know that he was invested by Caesar and dared not hazard a Battel But Pompey resolv'd to run the hazard of any Scandal rather than a Battel at this time or to quit either Dyrrachium or the Sea so that both Parties at present were employ'd in Designs and Stratagems Caesar's Men daily carry'd on their Works to straighten the Enemy and those of Pompey did the same to enlarge themselves they having the Advantage as to Numbers besides their 's being the innermost Circumvallation was not extended so far as Caesar's Tho' Pompey declin'd coming to a Battel yet he severely gall'd Caesar's Men with his Archers and Slingers which oblig d 'em to make certain Blinds with Clothes and Skins for their Defence against the Arrows and no Day pass'd without some Encounter or other particularly when Caesar's ninth Legion was too far advanc'd Caesar brought it off safely when Pompey before believ'd it impossible It was very remarkable to find Caesar besieging an Enemy stronger than himself and supply'd with all Provisions by Sea while he himself was reduc'd to extream Necessity for want of Corn. Yet his Soldiers bore all with admirable Constancy remembring what great Honours they had often gain'd after such Miseries as these They made use of Beans and Barley and a Root call'd Chara which they mingled with Milk some of which they often threw among Pompey's Soldiers telling 'em That they wou'd rather eat the Barks of Trees than let Pompey escape now they had got him in their Power Pompey was extreamly surpriz'd at this and said That â—e did not expect to have had Wild Beasts to deal withal But afterwards when Summer came on there was a great Change for Pompey's Army cou'd hardly be kept alive being most distress'd for want of Water which Caesar by Dams and other Methods had turn'd another Way On the contrary Caesar's Army was in very good Health well furnish'd with Water and all Provisions except Wheat of which also they had fair hopes Harvest being so nigh After this follow'd several Skirmishes and one Night Pompey understanding Caesar was absent a little way attack'd his Works but was beaten off with considerable loss and forc'd to retreat into his old Trenches In this Encounter one Sceva a Centurion behav'd himself with a wonderful Bravery killing two Officers after he had been wounded in the Eye Shoulder and Thigh as Appian relates it and receiving 230 Shots upon his Buckler Caesar greatly rewarded him and many others and encourag'd by this good Success drew out his Men every day and offer'd Battel to Pompey within view of his Lines and tho' Pompey drew out also in Battalia yet he always kept his Troops under Defence of his Ramparts where Caesar did not think fit to attack kim Caesar had now by means of his Officers drawn several Provinces of Greece to his Party and understanding that Scipio was come into Macedonia he sent to him to procure an Accommodation between him and Pompey which he might easily bring about as having the command of an Army But Caesar finding this not to succeed apply'd himself more closely to block up Pompey and with the utmost Art and Diligence which brought him to a more dangerous Condition than ever for his Horses had consum'd all their Barley and likewise all the Leaves of the Trees so that there remain'd no more Subsistence for 'em and they were now scarce able to go on their Legs for want of Forage all which gave very great Hopes to Caesar and his Soldiers These Troubles and Inconveniencies which incompass'd Pompey made him resolve to break through especially after he had been inform'd of the Condition of Caesar's Fortifications by Roscillus and Aegus two Brothers of considerable Note who deserted Caesar and came over to him To carry on this Design he gave Orders to his light Harnass'd Men and Archers to defend themselves with Bavins and Faggots of Osiers then drawing out 60 Cohorts he put 'em on Board his Ships and attack'd Caesar's Works by the Sea which had been too little regarded and not well compleated This was done with such Effect that all the Centurions of the first Cohort were cut off except one and tho' Caesar and his Officers us'd the utmost Endeavour to hinder Pompey's Designs yet by means of his great Conduct and Forecast he got out of his Fortifications and incamp'd in another Place by the Sea where he had both the Conveniency of all Forage and of his Shipping besides Caesar perceiving the Loss he had sustain'd and that the Course of the War had not succeeded according to his Expectation resolv'd to change it and sit down close by Pompey In that Enterprize he design'd to cut off a Legion of the Enemy which was posted by a Wood but this Action brought on a general Battel where his Men were all entangled within the Intrenchments of the old Camps lately abandon'd and likewise so surpriz'd and over-power'd by Pompey's Forces that in spight of all Caesar's Endeavours they fled with great Precipitation and Loss The greatest part perish'd in the Trenches and on the River Banks press'd to Death by their Fellows Pompey pursu'd his Victory to the very Camp of Caesar but durst not attack it being both surpriz'd with the Suddenness of the Victory and the Fear of Ambuscades And this was his great Error in this Case for Caesar himself confess'd That he had been lost without Redress cou'd Pompey have known how to make use of the Victory This Advantage gain'd by Pompey caus'd him to be saluted Imperator Labienus begging the Prisoners caus'd 'em all to be slain and Pompey's Party had such Assurance that not thinking any more of further Engagements and Dangers they carry'd themselves as undoubted Conquerors which they reported in all Places not considering the many Circumstances that occasion'd this Success But Caesar being driven from his former Purposes resolv'd to change the whole Course of the War and assembling his Men together with a fearless Mind spake to 'em after this manner We have no reason to be dejected or discourag'd at our late Insuccess but have much more to be thankful to Fortune for the long and uninterrupted Course of her Favours in those many and glorious Conquests in Gaul and Britain and those happy and more successful Victories in Italy and Spain If after all these renown'd Exploits and noble Acts one little Disorder one Error of Inadvertency or indeed of Destiny it self has depriv'd us of the Success we might reasonably have expected we ought to correct all by the Greatness of our Souls and the Magnanimity of our Courages After his Speech he cashier d some Ensigns but he needed to make no other Examples for his Soldiers offer'd to punish themselves by any Labour or Danger crying out with great Impatience To Arms let us be reveng'd
the middle under the command of Scipio the Spaniards whom Pompey most rely'd upon on the Right under Domitius Aenobarbus and on the Left was Pompey himself with the two Legions Caesar had restor'd at the beginning of the War under Lentulus The rest were in the same Order between Scipio's Legions and the Wings only the Auxiliary Troops at least such as fought in Order compos'd the Body of Reserve for the others they were drawn out without Order upon the Left with the Archers Slingers and all the Cavalry the Right being fortify'd by a River Caesar left two Cohorts to guard his Camp and drew up in three Lines also in the same Order with Pompey the tenth Legion was upon the Right and the ninth upon the Left almost joyn'd to the eighth The rest of the Cohorts being drawn up between these Legions were on the Centre where Domitius Calvinus commanded Sylla having the Right Wing and Anthony the Left Caesar put himself at the Head of the tenth Legion whose Valour he had often experienc'd and with design to be opposite to Pompey who intended to fall suddenly upon the Flanks of Caesar's Troops but he soon perceiv'd it by the Order of his Battel and thereupon he drew six Cohorts out of all his Troops of which he compos'd a Body of Reserve He exactly instructed them in their Duty and above all gave them to understand That all the Hopes of Victory depended upon their Valour and Conduct alone Lastly he plac'd his Cavalry so as to cover the Right of the tenth Legion ordering over and above his third Line not to march till they receiv'd a Signal from him Now it was that the Fate of the vast Empire of Rome was to be decided by the greatest Generals the bravest Officers and the stoutest Soldiers in the World each Man almost being inspir'd with the Desire of conquering Gloriously or dying Honourably As the Armies approach'd the two Generals went from Rank to Rank encouraging their Soldiers Pompey represented to his Men The Iustice and Merit of his Cause the Advantage of their Numbers strengthen'd by the Assistance of so many Illustrious Senators and the Glory lately obtain'd at the Battel of Dyrrachium Caesar was contented only to demonstrate That he had endeavour'd by all possible Means to obtain an honourable Peace and if his Enemies had pleas'd they might have spar'd the Blood of so many brave Men. So seeing the Impatience of his Soldiers to fall on he gave the Signal of Battel the Word on Pompey's side was Hercules the Invincible that on Caesar's Venus the Victorious There was now only so much Space between the two Armies as was just sufficient for the Place of Battel but Pompey order'd his Men to receive the first Shock without moving from their Places Caesar's Soldiers seeing that like Men of Skill of their own accord made a Halt in the midst of their Carrier and after taking a little Breath ran furiously upon the Enemy first discharging their Javelins then drawing their Swords as Caesar had given 'em Orders Pompey's Men receiv'd the Charge without the least Disorder and falling on with their Javelins and Swords a cruel and bloody Battel ensu'd which for some time seem'd equal Then Pompey order'd his Cavalry to charge which with the multitude of Archers and Slingers soon oblig'd Caesar's Men to give ground and got themselves upon the Flank of his Army as they first design'd Whereupon Caesar immediately order'd the six Cohorts to advance which were his Body of Reserve to charge upon the Faces of the Enemy with their Pikes ported This Contrivance disorder'd those nice and esseminate Knights and the fear of spoiling their Faces put 'em into such Confusion that upon the Rallying of Caesar's Cavalry they were all broke in a Moment and the Slingers and Archers being thus abandon'd were all cut to pieces Caesar industriously following that Advantage advanc'd and charg'd Pompey's Troops upon the Flank which Charge they stood with great Resolution and the Allies bravely defended themselves when Caesar gave the Signal for his third Line to advance which fresh Troops pouring in upon Pompey's weary'd out and attack'd on all Sides easily broke ' em The Flight began among the Strangers tho' Pompey's Right Wing still valiantly maintain'd their Ground but Caesar causing his Men to cry out Kill the Strangers but save the Romans the Romans laid down their Arms and receiv'd Quarter but a miserable Slaughter was made among the Strangers who fled with all speed Caesar now finding the Victory certain and Pompey retreated to his Trenches cry'd out to his Men That they ought to pursue the Victory and take the Enemies Camp It was now Noon-day and tho' they were wearied out with the Extremity of the Heat yet upon seeing their General march a-foot at the Head of 'em they follow'd him with great Resolution and falling on with fresh Courage the Enemy all fled to the Mountains not far off Pompey himself was so extreamly dishearten'd and confounded that here he cou'd perform nothing worthy of his great Courage or Reputation but getting on Horse-back he fled to Larissa and from thence to the Sea Caesar found throughout the Camp much rich Furniture in the Tents Tables spread with fine Linen and Cubbords cover'd with Plate which sufficiently shew'd the Luxury and Assurance of the Enemy Caesar earnestly desir'd his Soldiers Not to amuse themselves with Plunder but to compleat this glorious Victory and by means of the great Respect they bore him he prevail'd So a Trench was immediately thrown up about the Mountain where the Enemy was retreated who wanting Water were forc'd to quit it and retire to Larissa Caesar immediately follow'd 'em with four Legions and after six Miles March drew up in Battalia which caus'd the Enemy to betake themselves to a high Hill at the Foot of which ran a River Now Night approaching Caesar's Men were almost spent and ready to faint with the incessant Toil of the whole Day yet still by his obliging Persuasions he prevail'd with 'em to cut off the Conveniency of Water from the Enemy by a Trench This immediately forc'd 'em to a Capitulation only some Senators made their Escape in the Dark The next Morning Caesar order'd all the Enemy to come down into the Plain and lay down their Arms which they obey'd and falling upon their Knees before him in the most suppliant Posture begg'd for Mercy which he granted 'em with all the Clemency and Kindness imaginable and commanded his Soldiers not to offer 'em the least Incivility nor plunder their Baggage Thus Caesar by his wonderful Skill and Courage and by the indefatigable Industry of his Soldiers obtain'd the most compleat tho' not the most bloody Victory that ever General in the World did 15000 of the Enemy being slain in Battel and 24000 surrender'd he himself losing a very inconsiderable Number In the mean time the great Pompey who just before had been the glorious Commander of Kings and all the
last forcâ—d to let go after nine Months and give way to a greater Violence which hurryâ—d him out of her Embraces This proceeded from Pharnaces the Son of the great Mithridates who had formerly been left King of â—osphorus and being ambitious of Recovering of his Father's Dominions he seiz'd Colchis with little trouble and all Armenia in the Absence of Deictâ—â—us the Tetrarch of that Kingdom besides some other Places Caesar being then employâ—d in Aegypt and hoping to reduce him by others had sent 〈◊〉 Calvinius against him with orders to receive all the Forces that were in Asia Domitius joyn'd with Deiotarus and Ariobarzanes march'd strait against Pharnaces then at Nicopolis which Place he had lately taken Pharnaces affrighted at his Enemy desir'd a Truce which Domitius contemn'd and resolving to fight was considerably worsted in the Engagement Pharnaces elevated with this Success took in the rest of the Cities of Ponâ—us and march'd into Bithynia hoping to meet with his Father's Fortune but was stop'd in his Career by the Revolt of Asander whom he had left in his Kingdom in Chief He design'd to march against him but was diverted by the News of Caesarâ— s coming who upon these Occasions thought it not honourable to make any longer Stay in Aegypt Pharnaces was much more terrify'd at the Name of Caesar than his Army and as he approach'd sent often to him about a Peace labouring by all Ways to evade the present Danger alledging Caesar ' s pardoning of Deiotarus who had been a greater Enemy to him than he not doubting but early to renew the War after his Departure Caesar sufficiently apprehensive of his Designs gave good Words to the Messengers the first and second time but at the third time he objected among other Crimes His Ingratitude to Pompey his Benefactor adding That be receiv'd no less Satisfaction in pardoning of all private Injuries than in revenging such as had been offer'd to the Republick And thereupon using all Expedition on one and the same Day he went and fought the Enemy who 〈◊〉 distress'd him with their Horses and Charious that bore Scythes but the Veteran Troops obtainâ—d the Victory in a few Hours and Pharnaces himself flying and endeavouring to break into Bosphorus was repulsâ—d and slain by Asander the just End of a Person so rebellious to his Father and so ungrateful to his Friends This Victory being so sudden and effectual made Caesar say That Pompey was very happy in gaining so much Glory against this Enemy at so easie a Rate And in writing to Anicius at Rome he express'd the Celerity of this Expedition in three Words Veni Vidi Vici I came I view'd I vanquish'd Caesar settled Affairs in these Parts as well as his time wou'd permit him and after his bestowing the Government of Armenia upon Ariobarzanes that of Iudaea upon Hyrcanus and Antipater and that of Bosphorus upon Mithridates he embark'd and went into Italy with a Diligence which put all the World into Admiration III. Upon Caesar's Arrival in Italy Cicero and a great many others of Pompey's Party went out to meet him and were receiv'd by him with the same Civility as if they had always been of his Interest This courteous and obliging Behaviour so far gain'd him the Favour of the People of Rome so that he easily appeas'd the Dissentions there and the time of his Dictatorship being expir'd he was chosen Consul with Aemilius Lepidus He cou'd not find time to make any long stay at Rome for the Remains of Pompey's Party had rally'd themselves in Africk under Scipio and Cato and Iuba King of Mauritania which made him hasten thither after he had appeas'd some Mutinies among his own Soldiers who insolently demanded their Rewards and their Discharge but upon Caesar's Presence and his telling 'em They shou'd not partake of the Honour of the African Expedition they submitted so as to offer themselves to be decimated Caesar after his usual Diligence landed in Africk with a small Party but the reâ—â— soon after followâ—d he was in some Distress for want of Necessaries for a little time but that he conquerâ—d with great Constancy After many Movements and several Skirmishes and smaller Battels between both Parties in which Caesar was sometimes in great Danger Caesar resolv'd to come to a decisive Baâ—tel if it were possible In order to this Design he invested the City Tapsus supposing that Scipio wou'd attempt to relieve it in which he was not mistaken for Scipio joyning with King Iuba and encamping near Caesar they shortly after came to a genâ—â—â—l Battel in which Caesar gave a final Defeat to all the Enemy's Forces with little or no loss on his side and became Master of all their Bag and Baggage Taplus Adrumentum and Zama immediately surrenderâ—d Cato fled to Utica and Iuba and Petreius kill'd one another in Despair and all Iuba's Kingdom submitted to the Government of Rome Sitius one of Caesar's Lieutenants shortly after encounter'd Afranius and Sylla as they were going for Spain defeated their Forces and took 'em Prisoners after which they were both killâ—d in a Mutiny Scipio himself and several Senators being embarkâ—d for Spain were driven upon Sitius's Fleet where they all were slain by their Enemies or by themselves Of the Generals of Pâ—mpey's Party Cato was only remaining who had retreated to Utica where he had establishâ—d a kind of Senate compos'd of 300 Romans He was at first resolv'd to hold out the Town but finding the Minds of the Inhabiâ—ants much divided he quitted that Design for another more agreeable to his Character and Philosophical Opinions He desir'd his Friends some to save themselves by Sea and others to relie upon Caesar's Goodness and embracing them with a more than ordinary Tenderness that Night his Discourses to 'em being about Morality where he defended that Maxim That the Vertuous were only happy and free but wicked Men were always miserable and Slaves His Sons suspecting his Intentions at Supper took his Sword from him which he miss'd not when he arose but lying down in his Bed read Plato's Dialogue call'd Phaedo concerning the Immortality of the Soul Then missing his Sword he was very angry and dissatisfy'd till it was brought him then feeling the Point he laid it by him saying I am Master of my self He then took his Book again which he had read twice over and fell into a sound Sleep but just as Day began to appear he took his Sword and thrust himself through the Breast which not despatching him he staggering fell upon his Bed and at the same time threw down a Table upon which he had drawn some Geometrical Figures At the Noise of this his Slaves came in and with their Cries also brought his Sons and Friends who found him weltring in his Blood and his Bowels out of his Body His Eyes were yet open which caus'd his Physician to ease him upon his Bed then putting up his Bowels which were yet unhurt he clos'd up the Wound
especially his Cavalry who were very well arm'd Caesar with great Art drew up his Troops likewise and after he had advanc'd a little Distance from his Trenches made a Halt expecting the Enemy to come down from the Hill This Delay made Caesar's Soldiers begin to murmur and so incourag'd those of Cneius that they advanc'd upon the declining part of the Hill so both sides gave a Shout and the Battel began This was extraordinary Sharp and Dreadful on both sides those on Caesar's side were extreamly incited by the Hopes of putting an End to all their Labours by this Battel and those on Pompey's side fought out of Necessity and Desperation most of 'em expecting no Pardon as having their Lives formerly given 'em when they had been overthrown with Afranius and Petreius The first Shock was manag'd on both sides with so much Courage that Caesar's Men who had been almost always us'd to Conquer found here a Stop put to their Fierceness the Battel continu'd for many Hours very obstinate and Caesar was never in so great Danger as now he threw himself several times with great Rage and Fury amongst the midst of the Enemy crying out to his Men and asking 'em If they were not asham'd to deliver him into the Hands of Boys So well did he encourage them by his Speeches but much more by a thousand brave and noble Actions which he perform'd himself that at last with much Difficulty and a long Time he overthrew the Enemy and kill'd 30000 upon the Spot This Battel was so fierce and dangerous that Caesar often said That all other Places he fought for his Glory but at Munda for his Life All his Ensigns were taken and Varus and Labienius slain in the Battel Cneius with 150 Horse escap'd to Carteia from whence thinking to save himself by Sea he was forc'd by Didius Caesar's Lieutenant to return to Land and being besieg'd within a Tower was attack'd so vigorously that he was forsaken by his People and slain in a Cave where he had hid himself But his Brother Sextus escaping from Corduba so well conceal'd himself that Caesar cou'd not find him All Spain immediately submitted to Caesar and he exacted great Contributions from all the Enemies Cities under Pretence of punishing their Rebellion After which he return'd to Rome with great Joy and Satisfaction that he had at last brought under Submission that Common-wealth which gave Laws to the greatest part of the World He enter'd Rome in Triumph but this Triumph was by no means attended with any joyful Acclamations of the People who were much concern'd to see the Memory of their belov'd Pompey insulted over and the Race almost extirpated of one of the greatest Men in Rome But Caesar did it the rather upon the Account of bringing the Roman Dominions into Peace and Subjection and the perfect finishing the Civil War which tho' it continu'd not much above four Years had been so destructive to the Roman People that at a Census just before Caesar's last Expedition there were found but one hundred and fifty thousand Heads of Families in Rome whereas in that Lustrum before there were three hundred and twenty thousand V. Caesar had now rais'd himself far above all Romans and above all Mortals in that Age by his wonderful Acts having subdu'd and conquer'd the best Parts of the World in almost as short a time as others cou'd reasonably travel those Countries And now the Senate again began to conferr new Honours upon him and those greater than ever They made him Dictator in perpetuum Consul for Ten Years subjected all Magistrates even Plebeian to his Power and ordain'd that he alone shou'd command the Armies and raise Money which made him Sovereign Prince or King in effect Among other Titles he had that of Deliverer given him and so was enter'd in the Fasti and a Temple erected to Liberty but above all that of Imperator not in that sense as Generals were wont to have it given 'em by their Soldiers after some worthy Exploit but as it signify'd the greatest Authority in the Common-wealth From this Iulius was deriv'd the Name of Imperator or Emperour as likewise that of Caesar to his Successours and this was the first beginning of the Imperial State of Rome tho' it was not perfectly setled till some Years after Caesar was likewise made Censor for his Life time so that now most of the Magistracies seem'd to centre in him As for the Consulship he divested himself of that for a certain time and created Fabius and Trebonius Consuls for the rest of the Year of whom it happen'd that Fabius dy'd the last Day of his Magistracy and Caesar substituted Canivius for the remaining Hours whereupon Cicero jestingly writ in one of his Epistles That during the Consulship of Canivius not a Man din'd yet no Harm was committed in that time for he was wonderfully vigilant and ne'er slept throughout his whole Consulship From this time forward the Consulship grewcheaper and few held it a whole Year especially when all its Authority and ancient Dignity was in a manner swallow'd up by the Imperial Power soon after Thus Caesar had order'd the Consulship but for other Magistrates he pretended he wou'd not concern himself with 'em but leave 'em to the People to be nam'd according to the ancient Custom but it prov'd only a Pretence for he made them himself and sent 'em into the Provinces without the ancient Way of Sortition In other Magistrates the same Number was observ'd only the Praetors upon the account of the Largeness of the Roman Dominions were encreas'd to sixteen and the Quaestors to forty Besides he had no other Way to gratifie those to whom he had made large Promises and this caus'd him to admit many into the Senate without Distinction whether the Person was a Soldier or a Libertine by Original so that the Number of the Senate by this means arose to nine hundred Many he also brought into the Ranks of Patritians Consulares and of those who had born other Offices which became a Custom to those who were afterwards Emperours To his Friends he gave much away both in Money and Lands which was very pleasing to them who made their Designs but others took it very hainously and testifyâ—d their Resentments either by Words or Libels The Management of publick Money was now translated from the Quaestors to the Aediles and afterwards return'd no more to 'em but at length was committed to Persons of Praetorian Dignity Six Aediles were also made of which two were Patritians call'd Curules and four Plebeians For the following Year Caesar enter'd upon the Consulship again with Anthony who was likewise his Master of the Horse and now he more closely apply'd himself to the Business of the Common-wealth than ever He first took care to pardon all such as had been in Arms against him and greatly tax'd the Cruelty of Sylla and thereby obtain'd as great a Name
ruin'd my best Friend At these Words he retir'd into his Tent and kill'd himself or caus'd his freed Man to do it Titinius arriv'd immediately after with the Cavalry all rejoycing but their Joy was suddenly dash'd and Titinius first accusing himself of Folly and Laziness in a great Rage slew himself upon the Body of his Friend Brutus was extreamly sorrowful for the Death of his Companion whom he call'd the last of the Romans causing his Body privately to be remov'd and bury'd out of Sight lest his Army shou'd be too much dejected In the mean time he told his Friends That he thought Cassius very happy in being beyond the reach of those Misfortunes which remain'd for them to suffer He for some little time kept from Fighting epxecting to starve his Enemies who were now in extream want of Provisions their Fleet being lately defeated but at last being forc'd to it by the Fear of a general Desertion and the Eagerness of his Soldiers he drew 'em up in Battalia It is reported that the Spectre which he had seen before appear'd to him again the Night before his great Battel but now said nothing Whatever melancholy Apprehensions he had upon him he encourag'd his Men as much as possible promising 'em the Liberty of Plundering the two Cities of Lacedemon and Thessalonica and when the Battel began the Eagerness of both Parties made 'em throw aside their missive Weapons and betake themselves immediately to their Swords fighting with great Fury till after much time and more Bloodshed Brutus's Party was born down by main Force and intirely defeated Brutus himself fled to a Hill hard by and there remain'd all Night and when in the Morning he saw no Way of escaping he began to cry out O unhappy Vertue I follow thee as a solid Good but thou art only a meer Notion a vain empty Name or at best a Slave of Fortune Yet shortly after he told some of his Friends That he look'd upon himself much Happier than any of his Conquerors since he shou'd enjoy that Reputation which always follows Vertue and which Tyranny and Injustice cou'd never deserve Then going aside with a particular Friend call'd Strato he with all Earnestness begg'd of him To shew him the last Office of his Friendship and seeing him very unwilling to perform so hard a Duty he call'd for a Slave Ah! then cry'd Strato It shall never be said that the great Brutus in his last Extremity stood in need of a Slave for want of a Friend so turning away his Head he presented the Sword 's Point to Brutus who threw himself upon it and immediately expir'd This was the End of these two memorable Persons Brutus and Cassius and as some write they themselves died by the same Weapons with which they kill'd Caesar who had given 'em their Lives after the Battel of Pharsalia and after that had loaden 'em with his greatest Favours which Favours some make use of to aggravate the Ingratitude and others to magnifie the Justice of the Act. All such as knew themselves guilty of Iulius Caesar's Death slew themselves with their own Hands but the rest rallying themselves sent Deputies to Caesar and Anthony for an honourable Composition which the two Generals frankly allow'd of By this famous Overthrow the Triumviri establish'd their Authority so far as to give the last Blow to the Liberty of the Common-wealth for the Opposition they met from Pompey was inconsiderable in respect of this in which they were to dispute for one Half of the Roman Dominions This hapned above two Years after Iulius Caesar's Death and about half a Year after the second Triumvirate in the 712th Year of the City and 40 before our Saviour's Nativity CHAP. V. From the Deaths of Brutus and Cassius to the Banishment of Lepidus which vary'd the Course of the second Triumvirate's Power Containing the space of six Years I. As the last Efforts and Struggles of a dying Commonwealth are generally the most violent so were these of Rome the greatest that ever she had for the maintaining her Liberty For in the Sedition of the Gracchi and in the Wars of Marius and Sylla Rome and Italy were only Sufferers and tho' in the Dissentions of Caesar and Pompey the Troubles were more General yet several of the Senators and People thought they might well enough stand Neuters out of their Respect to the Common-wealth which Name in Appearance was still reverenc'd Whereas in these last Wars the Mask was wholly laid aside and all things were carry'd on in such an open Manner that there was an absolute Necessity of Declaring for Liberty or against it But now all Pretence of Liberty was utterly ruin'd by the Defeats of Brutus and Cassius and from that Moment the Triumviri began to act as Sovereigns and to divide the Roman Dominions between 'em as their own by Right of Conquest though Lepidus was not much consider'd by the other two as either having no Share in this last Battel or little Interest among the Soldiers The following Days after the Victory were employ'd by the Triumviri in punishing their Enemies Anthony sacrificâ—d Hortensius to the Memory of his Brother Caius Livius Brutus the Father of that Livia who was afterwards marryed to Octavius killâ—d himself in his Tent and Quintilius Varus adorn'd with all the Marks of those Honours he had born caus'd himself to be slain by his freed Man Octavius upon this Occasion appear'd more Cruel than was agreeable to his natural Temper he sent the Head of Brutus to Rome to be thrown at the Feet of his Uncle's Statue his Ashes were sent to his Wife Porcia Cato's Daughter who according to her Father's and Husband's Example it is said kill'd her self by swallowing down hot Coals and Ashes Octavius forc'd a Senator and his Son to draw Lots for their Lives but they both refus'd it the Father voluntarily gave up himself to Execution and the Son stabb'd himself before his Face To another that begg'd of him to have the Rites of Burial he said That that wou'd sâ—on be at the Disposal of the Ravens These bitter Words and rigorous Punishments render'd him both odious as well as terrible to all the Prisoners who were brought before him After the Triumviri had satisfy'd their Revenge they thought upon establishing their Authority Anthony undertook to go into Asia to raise Money for the Soldiers Rewards in those Provinces that were Tributary to the Romans and Octavius took upon him to lead the old Troops into Italy to put them in Possession of the Lands that were promis'd ' em Anthony first visited Greece as being the Country where Flattery was manag'd with the greatest Delicacy in the World was familiarly present at the Conferences of the Philosophers at Athens and made great Presents to that City Then leaving Marcus Censorius to command in Greece he pass'd over into Asia with all his Troops There all the Princes of the East who acknowledg'd the Roman Power came to make their
himself in a Posture of Disputing the Empire with Forces equal to his Enemies Still Anthony began to grow more odious to the Roman People for having brought Cleopatra to Athens and there honouring her beyond any Mortal before her he sent to Rome with Orders to Octavia to leave his House with all her Children Octavia readily obey'd these unjust Orders without Murmuring only lamenting her hard Fate because she was made to serve for a Pretence to a War whose Consequences must needs be fatal to her Several of Anthony's Friends not being able any longer to bear with his Disorders abandon'd him and Octavius having got Anthony's Will into his Hands found new Matter to complain of to the Senate and People which was Anthony's ordering That if he dy'd in Rome his Body shou'd be carry'd in funeral Pomp through the principal Places of the City and then sent into Aegypt to Cleopatra To this a Report was added That Anthony design'd to give Rome to Cleopatra if his Arms were prosperous and to transferr the Seat of the Empire into Aegypt so that notwithstanding all the Care of the more prudent Sort and all their Endeavours to reconcile these two great Men it plainly appear'd that nothing but the Sword could decide the present Controversie III. As soon as Octavius found himself in a good Condition to carry on the War he publickly proclaim'd it against Cleopatra and divested Anthony of his Authority which he had in a manner already parted with in favour of that Princess The Decree imply'd besides That Anthony was now no longer Master of his own Will since Cleopatra with her Philtres had taken away the use of his Reason so that he was not to be esteem'd as a Person engag'd in this War which was only manag'd by Mardion her Eunuch and Iras and Charmia her Women who were all his Governours All Anthony's Followers were invited over with great Promises of Rewards but not declar'd Enemies partly to prevent their growing Desperate and partly to render Anthony more inexcusable in making War against his Country only for the sake of an Aegyptian Woman The Forces of these two Generals were answerable to the Empire they contended for one drawing all the East and the other the West to his Party All the several Kings of Asia that were Allies of the Romans follow'd the Fortune of Anthony some by their Persons and others by their Troops alone all which with Anthony's Forces compos'd an Army of 100000 Foot and 12000 Horse and his Fleet consisted of 500 Ships of War whereof many were of the largest Bulk Octavius in his Party had no Foreign Princes and his Army amounted to no more than 80000 Foot but was as strong in Cavalry as his Enemy's In his Fleet were 250 Vessels but all Light better Mann'd and more convenient than Anthony's This Year by reason of Anthony's recalling his Troops out of Media from the Protection of that Country the Parthians became Masters of it and Armenia was likewise lost The two great Men being now in readiness for Action they first began to shew their Hatred by reflecting Letters and when Octavius reproach'd Anthony with his Love to Cleopatra and the Prodigality of his Feasts he on the other side put him in mind of the famous Feasts of the twelve Gods where he and his other Guests represented the Deities they ador'd To which he added His prepostrous Match with Livia and his infamous Divorce of Scribonia for not bearing the Insolence of that new Mistress and all the Roman Ladies that Octavius had any great Familiarity with were brought upon the Stage He proceeded likewise to tax Octavius with Cowardice at the Battels of Mutina and Sicily whereupon Octavius wrote to him That it was childish to fight any longer with the Pen but if he wou'd approach at the Head of his Army he shou'd have Ports in Italy to land without Molestation that he wou'd draw his Troops so far from the Sea that Anthony shou'd want no room for Encamping and putting his Men in Battalia To make return to this Bravade Anthony tho' he were much the older challeng'd Octavius to fight a single Combat or if he pleas'd he wou'd give him Battel in the Plains of Pharsalia where the great Caesar and Pompey had formerly decided their famous Differences Anthony was now at Actium a Town on the Coasts of Epirus at the Entrance of the Gulf of Ambracia and while he lay there without Action Octavius pass'd over from Brundusium and surpriz'd Toryne a City nigh Actium This Exploit amaz'd Anthony's Soldiers because his Legions were not yet arrivâ—d but Cleopatra to re-assure 'em made slight of it and in a jesting Way said what Damage is it for Octavius to take the Scummer alluding to the Word Toryne which signifies a Scummer as if the Danger had been no greater than the taking of a Dinner Anthony had brought all his Ships into the Gulf whither Octavius the next Day after the taking of Toryne came forward and offer'd him Battel Anthony's Vessels were very ill Mann'd however he drew 'em into a fighting Posture with their Oars a-peek as if he intended to bear down upon the Enemy but Octavius durst not engage him in that narrow Passage and therefore stood off to Sea the other refus'd to follow but as he perfectly knew the Country thereabouts he cut off the Water from Octavius's Camp on every side which much distress'd his Army But the Success of Agrippa in taking Leucadia Petras and Corinth about this time much reviv'd the Soldiers and likewise occasion'd Amintas Deiotarus and Demitius to go over to Octavius To the latter of these Anthony according to his natural Generosity sent his People and all his Equipage which so sensibly touchâ—d Domitius who was Sick already that he was not able to outlive the Grief of abandoning a Man who thus by Kindness only had reveng'd his Perfidiousness In the mean time Canidius arriv'd with the Legions who now began to change his Mind concerning Cleopatra desiring Anthony To send her back and go himself into Macedonia where he might fight by Land with so much more Advantage because Dicomes King of the Getes had promis'd him a powerful Assistance He farther told Anthony That it would be a renouncing both Sence and Reason to put a Victory to the Hazard of the Seas and Winds which they were certain of at Land by the Valour and Experience of their General who to this Day had kept up the Title of Invincible and by the Hearts and Courages of their Soldiers who had been try'd in so many great Dangers Anthony was much inclin'd to follow this Advice but Cleopatra whose Words were Oracles byass'd him the other Way and oblig'd him against his Will to hazard both his Empire and Life in a Sea-Fight and this only that she might escape with more ease if Anthony should lose the Day Anthony had now resolv'd to fight by Sea and while he was putting his Fleet in Order
the Senior of 'em holding out the Skirt of his Robe told the Senate Here we bring you War or Peace chuse which you please The Chief of the other answerâ—d Deliver which you will the Roman replying War the other accepted of it And thus began the Second Punick or Carthaginian War 23 Years after the First in the 536th Year of the City A. M. 3787 in the Third Year of the 140th Olympiad 291 Years since the beginning of the Consular State 172 since the Destruction of the City by the Gauls 112 since the Beginning of the Macedonian Empire by Alexander and 216 before our Saviour's Nativity CHAP. X. From the Beginning of the Second Punick War to the Finishing of it by Scipio Africanus when the Romans became perfect in the Arts of War Containing the Space of 17 Years I. THE War being broke out a Second Time between these two Rival Nations the Romans and Carthaginians the latter committed the Management of it to Hannibal Amilcar's Son now in Spain a Person of wonderful Abilities as to War both for Conduct and Valour of a hardy laborious and indefatigable Body as well as a fierce daring and undaunted Mind This General had Sworn himself a Mortal Enemy to the Romans and having over-run all Spain to the Pyrenaean Mountains he resolv'd to run any Danger or Hazard so he might procure the Ruin of the Roman State therefore leaving Hanno with a sufficient Force to guard that Country he cross'd the Pyrenaean Mountains into Gaul with an Army of 50000 Foot and 9000 Horse of different Nations and Languages From whence he shortly pass'd the Rhosne with great Danger and Difficulty the River there being swift and spacious and its Banks cover'd with many and dangerous Enemies In Ten days March from thence he arrivâ—d at the Foot of the Alps over which he resolv'd to pass into Italy notwithstanding the Lateness of the Season the Fears of his Men his Ignorance of the Ways the Labour of the March and all the numerous Perils and Hazards that attended so vast an Enterprize It was now in the midst of Winter and every thing appear'd strange and dreadful the prodigious Height of the Mountains Cappâ—d with Snows the rude mis-shapen Cottages on the sides of Craggy steep Rocks the Cattel Sheep and Horses parchâ—d and stiff with Cold the People Barbarous and with long shagg'd Hair like Savages and nothing to be seen but a general Scene of Deformity and Horrour The Soldiers in this March besides their Fears were extreamly afflicted with the Greatness of the Colds and grievously harass'd by the narrow Defiles the slippery Passages and the craggy Rocks but more especially by the Inhabitants who from their lurking Places fell often upon 'em with great Slaughter and sometimes by their unusual Shouts and Outcries which were redoubled by the Echo's between the Rocks and Valleys their Horses were so affrighted as they frequently overthrew themselves Men and Carriages down these narrow Precipices who falling from one Rock to another made a dreadful Rumbling as if it were the Fall of some Castle or great Building Nevertheless after Nine Days painful March through these untrodden Paths Hannibal at last gainâ—d the Top of these vast Mountains where he refreshâ—d his Men and encouragâ—d their fainting Minds by a distant Prospect of Italy telling â—em That now like hardy Soldiers they had mounted not only the Walls of Italy but those of Rome too After two Days Respite among these dismal Places the Army movâ—d forward and were forc'd to encounter with new Difficulties for Prodigious Quantities of Snow being lately fallen as many Men were lost in the depth of that as had been before by the Enemies Encounters And now a sort of Despair appear'd in almost every Man's Face but Hannibal's who still remain'd steady and unshaken inciting 'em forward till they arrivâ—d at a Place which was a Rocky Precipice where the Earth had lately fallen away to the depth of 1000 Foot so that it was impossible to pass with Elephants or Horses Whereupon he endeavour'd to bring his Men through other unknown Ways but finding the Snow had made 'em impassable he was forcâ—d to betake himself to the levelling the Rock In order to that great Numbers of huge Trees were fell'd and a mighty Pile made against it and set on fire when the Rock was red-hot they soften'd and putrefy'd it with Vinegar as Livy relates it and then with wonderful Labour cleav'd it lessening the Descent by such moderate Turnings that not only the Beasts of Burden but the Elephants also might safely pass Four Days indefatigable Toil was employ'd about this Rock the Beasts the mean while being almost stary'd having had very little Sustenance all that time But coming lower certain Valleys afforded Pasture where the Cattel were refresh'd and Rest allow'd the weary Soldiers From thence Hannibal descended into the Plains having been 15 Days in passing the Alps it being now the 5th Month after his setting out from New Carthage which was a City built by Asdrubal in Spain At his arrival in the Country of the Insubres he found his Army reduc'd to about 18000 Foot and 6000 Horse according to Polybius having lost most of 'em upon the Alpes Scipio the Consul hearing of Hannibal â—s March hasten'd to meet him before his Men were well refreshâ—d Both Armies met at Ticinum now Pavia in which Battel the Consul being Wounded was savâ—d by the great Valour of his young Son afterwards callâ—d Africanus and in a few Hours was defeated especially by the means of the Numidian Cavalry who unexpectedly fell upon his Rear Soon after this Defeat Sempronius the other Consul out of Sicily joynâ—d Scipio at the River Trebia Sempronius having been successful in some Skirmishes resolvâ—d to give the Enemy Battel before too many of the Gauls were joynâ—d him tho' Scipio was much against it who was now laid up of his Wounds Hannibal knowing the Gauls to be all at his Devotion and finding his own Men fresh and vigorous endeavour'd at nothing more than a Battel Upon the nigh Approach of these Armies Hannibal convey'd 1000 choice Horse into a private Place and another Party he sent to brave the Romans before they cou'd provide against the Extremity of the Weather by Meat or Drink so that engaging with Cold and Hunger passing the River up to the Arm-pits and being unexpectedly charg'd both in Front and Rear they were intirely defeated tho' not without great Slaughter of the Enemy through whose Ranks 10000 desperately broke and escap'd to Placentia 26000 being either slain taken or drown'd in the River The Carthaginians having done what they were able in pursuing retirâ—d to their Camp so stupify'd with Cold that they were scarcely sensible of their Victory for Rain mixt with Snow and intolerable Cold kill'd many of their Men and almost all their Beasts and Elephants Thus Hannibal was now as successful in his Battels as before he had been daring in his Marches the Romans never
having met with a more formidable Enemy or a more expert General II. The Loss of these two Battels caus'd the Romans to be more diligent in the Preparations for the next Campaign for the Managing of which C. Flaminius and Servilius Geminus were chosen Consuls The former of these had a good Faculty of Speaking but no great Skill in War Hannibal having all this while kept in the Country of the Gauls where he had recruited and strengthen'd his Army now resolved to change the Seat of the War and march into Hetruria and after some Consultation about the Way thither he fixt upon that of the Fens as short and unexpected to the Enemy tho' far more difficult to pass Here they found a miserable Passage being forcâ—d to march three or four Days and Nights through nothing but Water without any Sleep or Rest which sorely distress'd his Men many of the Beasts were left dead in the Mud and the Hoofs came off the Horses Feet Hannibal himself riding upon an Elephant which was the only one left alive escap'd with his Life but got intolerable Pains in his Eyes and lost one of them entirely Being at last arriv'd upon dry ground and understanding Flaminius's fiery Temper the better to entrap him he pass'd by his Camp and march'd farther into the Country wasting it with Fire and Sword This enrag'd Flaminius who thought himself slighted and despis'd by the Enemy and when he was advised by some To use great Caution and not rashly pursue especially by reason of the Enemies Cavalry but above all things to stay for the Conjunction of his Collegue's Forces he cou'd by no means bear their Words but rising with all his Troops he began his March as if nothing had been more certain than the Victory his Army being follow'd with a greater number of Rabble laden with Chains Bonds and the like for the Prisoners and Booty Hannibal was now at a Lake callâ—d Thrasymene nigh which were certain Mountains and between them and the Lake was a narrow Passage leading to a Valley just by encompass'd with a Ridge of Hills These Hills Hannibal made choice of placing and disposing his Men round about so that when Flaminius follow'd him into the Valley he was immediately hemmâ—d in and attack'd on all sides to the cutting off of his whole Army and the loss of his own Life and this was done almost before they couâ—d see who engagâ—d 'em by reason of a Mist which was risen from the Lake About 15000 of the Romans fell in the Valley and 6000 escap'd to a Village where they were forcâ—d to yield themselves Prisoners Hannibal gathering all his Prisoners together to the number of 15000 kept the Romans but dismiss'd the Latins without Ransome and he sought also for the Consulâ—s Body to bury it but cou'd not find it Servilius the other Consul who lay at Ariminum having Intelligence of Hannibal's March into Hetruria with all speed detach'd a Party of 4000 Men commanded by Centinius to joyn Flaminius if possible before the Battel Hannibal hearing of this Supply immediately after his Victory detachâ—d out a sufficient Party under Maharbal who cut off one half of the Romans and forcâ—d the rest to a Hill where they yielded themselves Prisoners The Romans were now in a great Consternation at these vast Losses and upon mature Deliberation they found it necessary to have a General with absolute Authority whereupon they resolv'd upon a Dictator which was Fabius Maximus a Person of extraordinary Wisdom and Experience in whom was a happy Mixture of Caution and Boldness He made choice of Minutius Rufus for his Master of the Horse who was of a Temper more hot and violent than himself Having made what Preparations he was able he set forward to meet Hannibal with little Intention to fight him but rather to wait his Motions straiten his Quarters and cut off his Provisions which he knew wou'd be the most effectual way to ruin him in a Country so far from his own He always encamp'd on the highest Grounds free from the Insults of the Enemies Cavalry still keeping pace with 'em when they marchâ—d he followâ—d â—em when they encamp'd he did the same but at such a distance as not to be forcâ—d to engage by which means he gave them no Rest but kept 'em in a continual Alarum This cautious way of proceeding which got him the Name of Cunctator made Most Men suspect his Courage except Hannibal himself who was extreamly troubled and inrag'd at it using all possible Artifices to make Fabius and his Actions become despicable sometimes by braving him in his Camp and other times by wasting the Country round him Soon after Hannibal designing for Casinum was by a mistake Conducted to Casilinum nigh Campania where entring a Valley inviron'd with Mountains Fabius detachâ—d 4000 Choice Men who possessâ—d themselves of the Entrance and with another Party cut off 800 of his Rear putting his whole Army into some disorder Hannibal finding himself block'd up and in a dangerous Condition one Night he ordered small Fagots and lighted Torches to be ty'd to the Horns of 2000 Oxen which by their tossing their Horns and scattering the Fires so frighted the Party that guarded the Entrance that they quitted their Posts and by this Stratagem Hannibal drew off his Army and escap'd tho' with considerable Damage to his Rear This Action tho' excellently well manag'd by Fabiu's procur'd many Complaints against him and Hannibal to improve their Hatred ravagâ—d the Country about but carefully spar'd Fabiusâ—s Lands to render him suspected of a secret Correspondence with him These Suspicions and Fabius's want of Courage as his Men believâ—d prov'd so prejudicial to him that in his Absence soon after Minutius his Master of the Horse having skirmish'd with some Success procur'd so much Favour from the Multitude that his Power was made equal with the Dictator's which was a thing beyond all Example Minutius was so exalted with his late Successes and this new Honour that he resolv'd contrary to all the Perswasions of Fabius to engage Hannibal with his Part of his Army which he did where he was cunningly drawn in by Hannibal to a disadvantageous Place and was in great danger of being intirely defeated when Fabius who had been a careful Observer of this Action from an Eminence in his Camp came in and falling upon the Enemy with extraordinary Skill and Courage soon forc'd 'em to retreat and sav'd Minutius Hannibal after this Battel told his Friends That he thought the Cloud which had so long hover'd upon the Mountains wou'd some time break upon 'em with a Storm As for Minutius he was so far convinc'd of his former Rashness that he confess'd his Errour to Fabius whom he now call'd his Father and renouncing his new Power again subjected his Office freely to the Dictatorship Soon after Fabius's time was expirâ—d a Dictator was created for holding the Comitia for a new Election of Consuls which was