turn Besides the People were pleased with his courteous and frank Salutations and Greetings for he never met any Citizen how mean and low soever but he returned him his Salute by Name He was looked upon as a man well read in History and pretty well seen in Aristotle's Philosophy which one Alexander read to him whose Commerce with Crassus was a sufficient Argument of his good nature and meek disposition For 't is hard to say whether he was poorer when he entered into his Service or while he continued in it for being his only Friend that used to accompany him in his Progresses he would lend him a Cloak for a Journey and when he came home demand it again O the patience of the Wretch when even the Philosophy he professed did not look upon Poverty as a thing indifferent but of this hereafter when Cinna and Marius got the Power in their hands 't was soon perceived that they came not for any good they intended to their Country but designing the ruine and utter destruction of the Nobility and as many as they could lay their hands on they slew amongst which was Crassus his Father and Brother but himself being very young for the present escaped the danger but understanding that he was every way beset and hunted after by the Tyrants taking with him three Friends and ten Servants with all possible speed he fled into Spain having formerly been there and contracted a great acquaintance while his Father was Prator of that Country but finding all People in a Consternation and dreading the Cruelty of Marius as if he was already at their Doors he durst not discover himself to any Body but hid himself in a large Cave which was by the Sea-shore and belonged to Vibius Pacianus to whom he sent one of his Servants to sound him his Provisions also beginning to fail Vibius was well pleased at his Escape and enquiring the place of his abode and the number of his Companions he went not to him himself but Commanded his Bayliff to provide every day a good Meals-meat and carry it and leave it upon such a Stone and so return without taking any further notice or being inquisitive promising him his Liberty if he did as he commanded and that he would kill him if he did otherwise The Cave is not far from the Sea made by the closing together of some Cliffs through the Chinks of which enters a refreshing and delicate Gale When you are entred you find a wonderful high Roof and a great many very large Rooms one within another neither is it void of Water or Light for a very pleasant and wholsome Spring runs through the Cliffs and the natural Chinks let in the Light all day long and by reason of the thickness of the Rock the Air within is pure and clear that which is foggy and unhealthful being carried away with the Stream While Crassus remained here the Steward brought them what was necessary but never saw them nor knew any thing of the matter though they within saw and expected him at the customary times neither was their entertainment such as just to keep them alive but very plentiful and delicious for Pacianus resolved to treat him with all imaginable Civility and considering he was a young Gentleman he resolv'd to gratifie a little his youthful Inclinations for to give just what is needful seems rather to come from necessity than from a hearty Friend Taking with him therefore two handsom Damsels he shew'd them the place and bid them go in boldly whom when Crassus and his Friends saw they were afraid of being betray'd demanding therefore what they were and what they would have they according as they were instructed answered They came to wait upon their Master who was hid in that Cave Then Crassus perceiving 't was a kind Trick of Vibius took the Damsels to him and kept them there with him as long as he staid who gave an account to Vibius of what they wanted and how their Case stood One of which Ladies though she was very old Femestellus says he had seen and often heard her tell the Story When Crassus had lain concealed there eight Months as soon as he understood Cinna was dead he appeared abroad a great number of People flocking to him out of which he selected 2500. He visited many Cities and as some write sack'd Halaca though he ever obstinately denied it hence getting together some Ships he passes into Africa and joyns with Metellus Pius an eminent Person that had raised a very considerable Army but upon some difference between him and Metellus he stay'd not long there but went over to Sylla by whom he was very much esteemed when Sylla passed over into Italy he kept all the young Noble-men that were with him in Employment some he dispatched one way and some another it fell to Crassus his share to raise men among the Marsians he demanded a Guard being to pass through the Enemie's Countrey to whom Sylla replied sharply I give you for Guard your Father your Brother your Friends and Kindred whose unjust and cruel murther I am now going to revenge whereat Crassus being netled he went his way broke boldly through the Enemy and behaved himself briskly in all Sylla's Encounters from whence they say began the Emulation for Glory between him and Pompey for though Pompey was the younger man and had the disadvantage to be descended of a Father that was disesteemed by the Citizens and hated as much as ever Man was yet in these Affairs he appeared so glorious and great that Sylla always used when he came in to stand up and pull off his Hat an Honour which he seldom shewed to Older men and of as good Quality evermore he saluted him Imperator this fir'd and stung Crassus though indeed 't was but Pompey's due to be preferred for he both wanted experience and his two innate Vices Sordidness and Avarice Tarnish'd all the Lustre of his Actions for when he had taken Turdesia a Town of the Vmbrians he converted all the Spoil to his own use for which he was complained of to Sylla Nay in the last and greatest Battle before Rome it self where Sylla was worsted some of his Batalions giving ground and others quite broken though Crassus got the Victory in the right Wing which he Commanded and pursued the Enemy till night he then sent to Sylla to acquaint him with his Success and demand Provision for his Soldiers By Prescriptions and Sequestrations he lost his repute by making great purchases for little or nothing and expecting Presents too besides Nay they say he sequestred some one of the Brescians without Sylla's Order only for his own profit wherefore Sylla never after trusted him in any Publick Affairs As no man was more cunning than Crassus to ensnare others by flattery so no man lay more open to it or swallowed the Bait more greedily than himself and this particularly was observed of him that though he was the most covetous
Craterus had a mighty name among them and the Soldiers after Alexander's death were extremely fond of him remembring how he had often for their sakes incurred Alexander's displeasure restrained him from following the Persian Fashions to which he very much inclined and keeping up the Customs of his Country when through Pride and Delicacy they began to be disregarded Craterus therefore sent Antipater into Cilicia and himself and Neoptolemus Marcht with a great Army against Eumenes expecting to come upon him unawares and to find his Army disordered with revelling after the late Victory Now that Eumenes should suspect his coming and be prepared to receive him is an Argument of his Vigilance but no great one of his Sagacity But that he should contrive both to conceal from his Enemies the ill Posture he was in and from his own Men whom they were to fight with so as to serve against Craterus himself not knowing he commanded the Enemy this indeed seems to shew the peculiar Address and Talent of a great General He gave out therefore that Neoptolemus and Pigris with some Cappadocian and Paphlagonian Horse and designing to March by night he fell into a deep sleep and had an extraordinary Dream For he thought he saw two Alexanders ready to engage each Commanding his several Phalanx the one assisted by Minerva the other by Ceres and that after a hot dispute he on whose side Minerva was was beaten and Ceres gathering the Corn wove it into a Crown for the Victor This Vision Eumenes interpreted as boading Success to himself who was to fight for a fruitful Corn-Country the whole being sowed with Corn and the fields so thick with it that they made a beautiful shew of a long peace And he was farther confirmed in his opinion when he understood that the Enemy bore Minerva and Alexander in their Colours wherefore he also bore Ceres and Alexander and gave his Men orders to make Garlands for themselves and to dress their Arms with wreaths of Corn he found himself under many temptations to discover to his Captains and Officers whom they were to engage with and not to conceal a secret of such moment in his own breast alone yet he kept to his first resolutions and ventured to run the hazard of his own Judgment When he came to give Battel he would not trust any Macedonian to engage Craterus but appointed two Troops of Foreign Horse commanded by Pharnabazus Son to Artabazus and Phaenix of Tenedos with Order to charge as soon as ever they saw the Enemy without giving them leisure to speak or retire or receiving any Herauldor Trumpet from them for he exceedingly feared the Macedonians lest knowing Craterus they should go over to his side He himself with 300 of his best Horseled the right Wing against Neoptolemus When the Enemy having past a little Hill came in view and Eumenes his Men charged with more than ordinary briskness Craterus was amazed and bitterly reproached Neoptolemus for deceiving him with hopes of the Macedonians revolt but he encouraged his Men to do bravely forthwith charged The first Ingagement was very fierce and the Spears being soon broke to pieces they came to close fighting with their Swords and here Craterus did by no means dishonour Alexander but slew several of his Enemies and repulst divers that assaulted him but at last received a Wound in his side from a Thracian and fell off his Horse Being down many not knowing him went over him but Gorgias one of Eumenes his Captains knew him alighting from his Horse guarded his Body which was now in an ill condition and even in the very Agony of Death In the mean time Neoptolemus and Eumenes were engaged who being inveterate and mortal Enemies sought for one another but missed for the two first Courses but in the third discovering one another they drew their Swords and with loud Shouts they immediately charged their Horses striking against one another like two Galleys they quitted their reins and taking mutual hold they drew off one anothers Helmets and their Armour from their Shoulders while they were thus stripping one another each of their Horses went from under them and they fell together to the ground each of them keeping their hold and wrestling Neoptolemus getting up first Eumenes wounded him in the hamm and withal got upon his feet before him Neoptolemus staying himself upon one knee the other Leg being grievously wounded and himself undermost fought courageously though his strokes were not mortal but receiving a blow in the neck he fell down and fainted Eumenes transported with Rage and inveterate Hatred to him sell to reviling and stripping of him and perceived not that his Sword was still in his hand wherewith he wounded Eumenes in the Groin near the privy parts but in truth rather frighted than hurt him his blow being faint for want of strength Having stript the dead Body ill as he was of the Wounds he had received in his Legs and Arms he took Horse again and made towards the left Wing of his Army which he supposed to be still engaged Hearing of the Death of Craterus he rode up to him and finding there was yet some Life in him alighted from his Horse and wept and laying his right hand upon him inveighed bitterly against Neoptolemus and lamented both Craterus his Misfortune and his own hard fate that he should be necessitated to engage against an old Friend and Acquaintance and either do or suffer so much mischief This Victory Eumenes obtained about ten days after the former and got a great reputation for atchieving it partly by his Conduct and partly by his Valour But on the contrary it created him great Envy both among his own and his Enemies that he a Stranger and a Foreigner should employ the Forces and Arms of Macedon to cut off one of the bravest and most considerable Men among them Had the news of this defeat come timely enough to Perdiccas he had doubtless been the greatest of all the Macedonians but now he being slain in a Mutiny in Aegypt two days before the News arrived the Macedonians in a rage decreed Eumenes his Death giving joint-Commission to Antigonus and Antipater to prosecute the War against him Passing by Mount Ida where the King had a breed of Horses Eumenes took as many as he had occasion for and sent an account of his doing so to the Masters of his Horse Whereat Antipater is said to have laught and profest to admire the wariness of the Man who seemed to think that an account of the King's Affairs would either be expected from him or given to him Eumenes had designed to engage in the Plains of Lydia near Sardis both because his chief strength lay in Horse and to let Cleopatra see how powerful he was But at her particular request for she was afraid to give any umbrage to Antipater he marched into the upper Phrygia and Wintered in Celaene when Alcetas Polemon and Docimus disputing with him who
Italy and posted his Army by the River Athesis where blocking up the Passages on both sides the River with strong Fortifications he made a Bridge that so he might go to their assistance that were on the other side if so be the Enemy having forced the narrow Passages should storm the Fortresses The Barbarians came on with such Insolence and Contempt of their Enemies that to shew their Strength and Courage rather than out of any necessity they went naked in the showers of Snow and through the Ice and deep Snow climbed up to the tops of the Hills and from thence placing their broad Shields under their bodies let themselves slide from the Precipices along their vast slippery Descents 37. When they had pitched their Camp at a little distance from the River and surveyed the Passage they began to cast up their Banks Giant-like tearing up the neighbouring Hills and brought Trees pulled up by the roots and heaps of Earth to the River therewith damming up its course and with great heavy Materials rowlled down the Stream and dashed against the Bridge they forced away the Planks which supported it whereat the greatest part of the Roman Soldiers very much affrighted left their Camp and fled Here did Catulus shew himself a generous indulgent General in preferring the Glory of his People before his own for when he could not prevail with his Soldiers to stand to their Colours but saw how cowardly they all deserted them he commanded his own Standard to be taken up and running to the foremost of those that fled he led them forward chusing rather that the disgrace should fall upon himself than his Country and that they should not seem to fly but following their Captain to make a retreat The Barbarians assaulted and took the Fortress on the other side Athesis where admiring at the few Romans there left who had shewn themselves of an extream great Courage and had fought worthy their Country they dismissed them with an easie Composition swearing them upon their Brazen Bull which was afterwards taken in the Battel and they say carried to Catulus's House as the chief Trophy of the Victory 38. Thus falling in upon the Country destitute of defence they wasted it extreamly whereupon Marius was presently sent for to the City where when he arrived every one supposing he would Triumph the Senate too unanimously voting it he himself did not think it convenient whether that he were not willing to deprive his Soldiers and Officers of their share of the Glory or that to encourage the People in this juncture he would make the honour of his Victory give place to the present Fortune of the City deferring it now to receive it afterwards with the greater Splendour Having left such Orders as the occasion required he hast'ned to Catulus whose drooping Spirits he very much raised and sent for his Army from Gallia as soon as it came he passing the River Po endeavoured to drive the Barbarians out of that part of Italy which lies South of it 39. But they pretending they were in expectation of the Teutones and wondering they were so long in coming deferred the Battel either that they were really ignorant of their Defeat or at least were willing to seem so for they very much abused those that brought them such News and sending to Marius required some part of the Country for them and their Brethren and Cities fit for them to inhabit When Marius enquired of the Ambassadors who their Brethren were and they calling them Teutones all that were present fell out a laughing but Marius scoffingly answered them Do not trouble your selves for your Brethren for we have already provided Lands for them which they shall possess for ever The Ambassadors perceiving the jeer railed at him and threatned that the Cimbri would make him smart for it and the Teutones too when they came And they are not far off replied Marius it will be very unkindly done of you to go away before you have taken leave of your Brethren saying so he commanded the Kings of the Teutones to be brought out as they were in chains for they were taken by the Sequani before they could make their escape from the Alps. This was no sooner made known to the Cimbri but they with all expedition came against Marius who then lay still and guarded his Camp 40. 'T is said that against this Battel Marius first made their Javelins after a new fashion for before at the place where the Wood was joyned to the Iron it was made fast with two Iron-pins now Marius let one of them alone as it was and pulling out the other put a weak wooden peg in its place contriving it so that when it was stuck in the Enemy's Shield it should not stand right out but the wooden peg breaking the Iron should bend and so the Pile sticking fast by its crooked point should weigh down the Shield Now Baeorix King of the Cimbri came with a small Party of Horse to the Roman Camp and challenged Marius to appoint the time and place where they might meet and fight for the Country Marius answered That the Romans never consulted their Enemies when to fight however he would gratifie the Cimbri so far and so they pitched upon the third day after for the place the Plain near Vercellae which was convenient enough for the Roman Horse and afforded room for the Enemy to display their Numbers 41. They observed the time appointed and drew out their Forces against each other Catulus commanded 20300 and Marius 32000 who were placed in the two Wings leaving to Catulus the Main Battle Sylla who was present at the Fight gives this Relation saying withal that Marius drew up his Army in this Order out of malice to Catulus for he hoped with his Wings stretched out farther to fall in upon the Body of the Enemies Army it being customary in that manner of embattelling that the Army should represent a Crescent the two extream Points much advancing and the main Battel remaining behind and to rout them before Catulus and his Army should be able to charge them They observe likewise that Catulus himself alledgeth this in vindication of his Honour accusing this enviousness of Marius The Infantry of the Cimbri marched quietly out of their Trenches having their Flanks equal to their Front every side of the Army took up thirty furlongs their Horse that were in number 15000 made a very splendid appearance They wore Helmets whereon were the gapings of wild Beasts and other strange shapes which they heightning with Plumes of Feathers appeared greater than they were they had on Breast-plates of Iron and white glittering Shields and for their offensive Arms every one had two-edged Darts and when they came hand to hand they used great and heavy Swords 42. They did not fall directly upon the Front of the Romans but turning to the right they endeavoured to enclose them by little and little getting the Enemy between them and
their Infantry who were placed in the left Wing The Roman Commanders soon perceived the Design but could not contain the Soldiers for one happ'ning to shout out that the Enemy fled they all hastned to pursue them whereupon the Barbarian Foot came on moving like a great Ocean Here Marius having washed his hands and lifting them up towards Heaven vowed an Hecatomb to the Gods and Catulus too in the same posture solemnly promised to consecrate a Temple to the Fortune of that day they say that Marius having the Victim shewed to him as he was sacrificing cried out with a loud voice The Victory is mine 43. However in the Engagement they that write Sylla's Life say that Marius was very unfortunate for a great dust being raised which as it might very probably happen almost covered both the Armies he as soon as he had charged them leading his Forces to the pursuit missed of the Enemy and having passed by their Army for a good space wandered up and down the Field mean while the Enemy by chance engaged with Catulus and the heat of the Battel was chiefly with him and his men among whom Sylla says he was The Romans had great advantage of the heat and Sun that shone in the faces of the Cimbri for they though very well able to endure cold as having been bred up in cool and shady places as we observed before were yet overcome with the excessive Heat they sweat extreamly and were much out of breath being forced to hold their Shields before their Faces for this Battel was fought not long after the Summer Solstice or as the Romans reckon about the third of the Calends of August then called Sextilis The Dust too gave no small addition to their Courage in as much as it hid the Enemy for they could not afar off discover their number but every one advancing to encounter those that were nearest to them they were come to fight hand-to-hand before the sight of so vast a multitude had struck terror into them 44. The Romans were so much used to labour and so well exercised that in all the heat and toil of the Encounter not one of them was observed either to sweat or to be out of breath insomuch that they say Catulus recorded it in commendation of his Soldiers Here the greatest part and most valiant of the Enemies were cut in pieces for those that fought in the Front that they should not break their Ranks were fast tied to one another with long Chains put through their Belts As they pursued those that fled to their Camp they met with a most horrid Tragedy the Women standing in Mourning by their Carriages slew all that fled some their Husbands some their Brethren others their Fathers and strangling their little Children with their own hands threw them under the Wheels and Horses feet and then killed themselves They tell of one that was hanging on the very top of a Waggon with her Children tied dangling at her heels the men for want of Trees tied themselves some to the horns of the Oxen the necks of others were fastned to their legs that so pricking them on by the starting and springing of the Beasts they might be torn and troden to pieces Yet for all they thus massacred themselves above 60000 were taken Prisoners and those that were slain were said to be twice as many 45. The ordinary plunder Marius's Soldiers forcibly took away but the other Spoils as Ensigns Trumpets and the like they say were brought to Catulus's Camp which he used for the best Argument that the Victory was obtained by himself and his Army Whereupon some Dissentions arising as it often happens among the Soldiers the Ambassadors from Parma being then present were made Judges of the Controversie whom Catulus's men carried about among their slain Enemies and manifestly shewed them that they were slain by their Piles which were known by the Inscriptions having Catulus's Name cut in the Wood nevertheless the whole Glory of the Action was ascribed to Marius by reason of his former Victory and under colour of his present Authority The Populace more especially stiling him the third Founder of their City as having diverted a danger no less threatning than was that when the Gauls sacked Rome and every one rejoicing at home with his Wife and Children sacrificed to the Gods and to Marius and would have had him solely to have the honour of both the Triumphs However he would not do so but Triumphed together with Catulus being desirous to shew his Moderation even in so great Circumstances of good Fortune besides he was not a little afraid of the Soldiers in Catulus's Army lest if he should wholly bereave their General of the Honour they should endeavour to hinder him of his Triumph 46. Marius was now in his Fifth Consulship and he used for the Sixth in such a manner as never any before him had done he took the People by the hand and ingratiated himself with the Multitude by his Complaisance thereby not only derogating from the Publick Grandeur and Majesty of his Office but acting also contrary to his own inclination that so he might seem popular and obliging for which nature had never designed him He was they say exceeding timorous through his Ambition in any business which concerned the Government or was handled in Publick Assemblies and that undaunted presence of Mind he always shewed in Battel against the Enemy forsook him when he was to Harangue the People being one that was apt to shew very great Concern either at their commendation or dispraise 'T is reported that having at one time made free of the City 1000 men of Camerino who had behaved themselves valiantly in this War and this seeming to be illegally done some or other calling him to an account for it he answered that the Law spake too softly to be heard in such a noise of War however he himself appeared to be more concerned and astonished at that noise which was made by the Assemblies The need they had of him in time of War procured him his Wealth and Dignity but in Civil Affairs when he despaired of getting the first place he was forced to betake himself to the favour of the People never regarding to be a good man so that he were but a great One 47. Whereupon he became very odious to all the Nobility and especially fearing Metellus who had been so ingratefully used by him and who being truly vertuous was naturally an Enemy to those that managed the People not for the publick good but for their private pleasure Marius therefore endeavoured to banish him the City and to this purpose he contracted a familiar Acquaintance with Glaucias and Saturninus a couple of daring resolute Fellows who had a great company of poor seditious People at their beck by their assistance he enacted certain Laws and gathering some Soldiers he placed them in the Assembly and by this Faction oppressed Metellus And as
breadth of the River Assus which running betwixt and at the bottom of the same Hill falling into Cephisus with an impetuous Confluence made that a safe Height to lodge on wherefore beholding the Brass Targettiers to make up hastily Sylla was willing to take prepossession and took it by the vigorous Address of the Soldiers Archelaus put back from hence bent his Forces upon Chaeronea The Chaeroneans who bore Arms in the Roman Camp beseeching Sylla not to abandon the City he dispatcht Geminius the Tribune with one Legion and withal sent out the Chaeroneans endeavouring but not able to get in before Geminius so active was he and more swift to relief than they who prayed Relief Juba writes that Ericius was the man sent not Geminius Thus narrowly escaped our Native City From Lebadea and the Cave of Trophonius there were spread abroad favourable Rumours and Prophecies of Victory to the Romans which the Inhabitants report at large And as Sylla himself affirms in the tenth Book of his Memoirs Quintus Titus an obscure Man of those who traffick into Greece came to him after the Battel won at Chaeronea and declared that Trophinius had foretold another Fight and Victory on the same place within a short time After him a Soldier by name Salvenius brought an account from the God of the issue of Affairs in Italy As to the Vision they both agreed in this that for Stature and Majestick Grace they had seen somewhat in the likeness of Jupiter Olympius Sylla when he had passed over the Assus march'd up to Edylium and encamped close to Archelaus who had intrench'd himself strongly between the Mountains Acontium and Edylium towards those called Assia The Place of his Intrenchment is to this day named from him Archelaus Sylla after one days respite having left Muraena behind him with one Legion and two Cohorts to amuse the distracted Enemy with continual Alarms went and sacrificed on the Banks of Cephisus The holy Rights ended he held on towards Chaeronea to receive the Forces there and view Mount Thurion where the Enemy had posted themselves This is a craggy Heighth running up gradually to a Point which we call Orthopagon at the foot of it is the River Morius and the Temple of Apollo Thurius The God had his Surname from Thuro Mother of Cheron whom ancient Fame makes Founder of Chaeronea Others assert that the Cow which Apollo gave to Cadmus for a Guide appeared there and that the Place took its Name from the Beast for the Phaenicians call a Cow Thor. At Sylla's approach to Chaeronea the Tribune who had been commanded out to guard the City drew his Men into Arms and meet him with a Garland of Laurel in his hand which Sylla accepting of and withal caressing and animating the Soldiers to the Encounter two Men of Chaeronea Homoloichus and Anaxidamus present themselves before him and proffer with a small Party to dislodge those who were posted on Thurium for that there lay a Path unknown to the Barbarians from Petrochus along by the Musaeum leading over head upon Thurium by this way it was easie to fall on and either stone them from above or force them down into the Plain Sylla assured of their Faith and Courage by Geminius when he had exhorted them to go on with the Enterprise Embattelled the Army and disposing of the Cavalry on both Wings himself commanded the Right and the left he committed to the direction of Muraena in the Rear of all Gallus and Hortensius his Legates had planted themselves on the upper Grounds with the Cohorts of Reserve to watch the motion of the Enemy who with infinite numbers of Horse and expedite light-armed Foot having made the Wing pliant and ready to wind about at pleasure gave suspicion that he intended to over-reach and enclose the Romans In the mean time the Chaeroneans who had Ericus for Commander by appointment of Sylla covertly surrounding Thurium and discovering themselves there arose a great Confusion and Rout and mutual Slaughter amongst the Barbarians for they kept not their stand but making down in that hurry cast themselves on their own Spears and violently bore each other headlong the Enemy from above pressing on and wounding them on the open side insomuch as there fell three thousand about Thurium Some of them who escaped being met by Muraena as he stood in Array were cut off and destroy'd Others breaking through to their Friends and falling disorderly into the Ranks filled most part of the Army with fear and Tumult and put the Chief Officers to a stand which was no small disadvantage For immediately upon the Discomposure Sylla coming full speed to the Charge disappointed the Service of their Armed Chariots which require a good space of Ground to gather strength and impetuosity in the Career whereas a short drift proves weak and ineffectual like that of Engines without a full swing Thus it fared with the Barbarians at present whose first Chariots that set forth spurtingly and made but a faint impression when the Romans had repulsed with a clattering din and slaughter they called for more as is usual in the publick Cirque By this time the Gross of both Armies met The Barbarians on one side charged their long Pikes and with Shields lock'd close together like a Roof over head strove what in them lay to preserve their Battalion entire The Romans on the other side threw by their Piles and with drawn Swords put by their Pushes the sooner to mingle with them in the rage they were then in For in the Front of the Enemy they beheld fifteen thousand Slaves whom the Royal Commanders had set free by Proclamation and rang'd amongst the Men of Arms. Whereupon a Roman Centurion is reported to say That he never knew Servants allowed to play the Masters unless on the Holy-days of Saturn These Men by reason of their deep and thick Array as well as for their daring Courage yielded but slowly to the weighty Legions till at last by slinging Engines and Darts for which the Roman spar'd not from behind they were forc'd to give way and scatter And as Archelaus was extending the the Right Wing to encompass the Enemy Hortensius with his Cohorts came down amain with intention to charge him in the Flank but Achelaus wheeling about suddenly with two thousand Horse Hortensius overlaid with numbers withdrew himself to the upper Grounds not far from the main Body and was surrounded by the Enemy When Sylla heard this he came speeding from the right to his succour before the Engagement but Archelaus guessing the matter by the dust of his Troops turned to the right Wing from whence Sylla came in hopes to have surprised it without a Commander At the same instant likewise Taxilles with his Brass-Targetiers assailed Muraena so as a Cry coming from both places and the Hills repeating it around Sylla stood in suspence which way to move it seeming best to reassume his own Station he sent in aid
Circumstances wherein either the Information of the Inhabitants or his own Experience had instructed him commanded his Soldiers to shovel up a great Quantity of this light dusty Earth to heap it up together and make a Mount of it over against the the Hill wherein these Barbarous People resided who imagining that all this Preparation was for the Raising of a Fort or for the making of a Bulwark against them they looked upon it as a Design most worthy to be laughed at however he continued the Work till the Evening and brought his Soldiers back into their Camp The next Morning when a gentle Breeze arose and moved the lightest Parts of the Earth and dispersed it about as the Chaff before the Wind and when the Sun coming to be higher the blustering Northerly Wind had covered the Hills with the dust the Soldiers turned this new Mount of Earth over and over and brake the Clots of Clay in Pieces whilst others on Horseback rode through it backward and forward and raised a Cloud of dust which being committed to the Wind was blown into the Dwellings of the Characitanians the entrances into which were all towards the North and there being no other Vent or Passage than that through which blustering Caecias rushed in upon them together with all the powdered Earth and Dust tossed and blown about it quickly blinded their Eyes and filled their Lungs and causing a Difficulty of Breathing choak'd them up whilst they strove to draw in the rough harsh Air mingled with streams of Dust nor were they able with great hardship to hold out above two Days but yielded up themselves on the third This Success added not so much to the Strength and Power of Sertorius as it encreased his Glory and Renown in letting the World see that he was able to conquer those Places by Art and by the Strength of his Brain which were impregnable and never to be taken by the Force of Arms. He was continualy Successful during the whole War against Metellus who by Reason of his Age and his slow Temper was not able to resist the active Boldness and Bravery of Sertorius who commanded a light army more like a Band of Robbers than a due established Militia When Pompey also had passed over the Pyreneans and placed his Camp near him where both of them gave their utmost Proofs of their Gallantry and Skill in War both in Receiving and Attacking one another Sertorius far surpassing him either in defending himself or countermining the Designs of his Enemies his fame was then highly celebrated even in Rome it self for the most terrible Warriour and the most expert Commander of his Time For considering that the Renown of Pompey was not small who had already won much Honour by his Prowess and Magnanimity in the Wars of Sylla from whom he received the Title of Magnus and was called Pompey the Great and who had ascended to the Honour of a Triumph before the Hairs were grown on his Face and many Cities which were under Sertorius had an earest Desire to Revolt when they were deterred from it by that great Action amongst others which he performed near the City of Lauron contrary to the Expection of all As soon as Sertorius had laid siege to Lauron Pompey came with his whole Army to relieve it and there being a Hill near this City very advantagiously seated they both made haste to take it But Sertorius prevented him and took possession of it first and Pompey having drawn down his Forces was not sorry that it had thus succeeded for he imagined that he had hereby enclosed his Enemy between his own Army and the City and sent in a Messenger to the Citizens of Lauron to bid them be of good Courage and to come upon their Walls where they might see their Besieger Besieged Sertorius perceiving their Intentions smiled and told them he would now teach Sylla's Scholar for so he called Pompey in derision that it was the Part of a General to look as well behind him as before him and at the same time shewed them six thousand Soldiers which he had left in his former Camp from whence he marched out to take the Hill where if Pompey should assault him they might fall upon his Rear Pompey discovered this too late and not daring to give Battle for fear of being encompassed in on every side and yet being ashamed to leave his Friends and Confederates in extream Danger was forced to sit still and see them ruined before his Face for the Besieged despaired of Relief and delivered up themselves to Sertorius who spared their Lives and granted them their Liberties but burnt their City not out of Anger or Cruelty for of all Commanders that ever were Sertorius seems least of all to have indulged these Passions but only for the greater Shame and Consusion of the Admirers of Pompey and that it might be reported amongst the Spaniards that the Fire which burnt down his Confederates tho' 〈◊〉 was so near as to be well warm'd at it was not able to raise heat enough in him to dare to relieve them Sertorius sustained some Losses in these Wars but he always defended those with him and maintain'd himself Invincible and it was by other Commanders under him that he suffer'd and he was more admir'd for being able to repair his Losses for shewing himself brave in danger for recovering the Victory when the Field seem'd already to be lost than the Roman Generals against him for gaining these Advantages As at the Battle of Sucro against Pompey and at the Battle near Turia against him and Metellus together It is reported that the Battle near the City of Sucro was fought through the Impatience of Pompey lest that Metellus should share with him in the Victory and thro' the willingness of Sertorius to fight with him before the Arrival of Metellus However Sertorius delay'd the time till the Evening considering that the darkness of the Night would be a great disadvantage to his Enemies either Flying or Pursuing who were meer Strangers and had no knowledge of the Country When the fight began it happened that Sertorius was not placed directly against Pompey but against Afranius who had Command of the Left Wing of the Roman Army as he commanded the Right Wing of his own but when he understood that his Left Wing began to give way and yield to the furious Assaults of Pompey he committed the care of his Right Wing to other Commanders and made haste to relieve those in distress and rallying some that were flying and encouraging others that still kept their Ranks he renewed the Fight and set upon them with that Force that he routed the Enemy and brought Pompey who was pursuing into great danger of his Life for after being wounded and thrown from his Horse he escaped unexpectedly for the Africans with Sertorius who took Pompey's Horse set out with Gold and covered with rich Trappings fell out with one another and upon
manner they could and met with some of the straggling Vessels that had escap'd the Storm in which were a very few Horse and not quite 2000 Foot and two Elephants with these Pyrrhus march'd streight to Tarentum and Cineas being inform'd of his Arrival drew out his Forces to meet him when he enter'd the Town he did nothing unpleasing to the Tarentines nor put any force upon them till his Ships were all in Harbour and the greatest part of the Army got together then considering the People as neither able to preserve themselves nor secure others unless they were necessiated to it and intending while he engaged for them in the Field to remain at home bathing and feasting themselves he first shut up the Places of Publick Exercise and their Walks where vainly solicitous they fought for their Country only in discourse of Wars he prohibited likewise all Solemn Festivals Revels and Jollities as unseasonable and call'd them to Arms being most severe and inflexible in Listing men fit for Action and Service Upon which many left the Town unaccustomed to such a Discipline calling it mere Slavery not to live in Pleasures He now received Intelligence that Levinus the Roman Consul was upon his March with a great Army and plundering Lucania as he went The Confederate Forces were not come up to him yet he thought it very indecent to suffer so near an approach of an Enemy and neglect it and drew out with his Army but first sent an Herald to the Romans to know if before the War they would decide the differences between them and the Italicks by a course of Justice and make use of his Mediation to determine them but Levinus returning Answer that the Romans neither accepted him as Arbitrator nor fear'd him as an Enemy Pyrrhus advanc'd and Encamp'd in the Plain between the Cities of Pandosia and Heracléa and having notice the Romans were near and lay on the other side of the River Lyris he rode up to take a view of them and seeing the Order the appointment of the Watches the Excellent Form and in a word the whole Scheme of their Encampment he was amaz'd and calling one of his Friends next to him This Order says he Megacles of a Barbarous Nation is not at all Barbarous we shall see afterward what they can do and growing a little more thoughtful of the Event resolv'd to expect the arriving of the Confederate Troops And to hinder the Romans if in the mean time they should endeavour to pass the River he planted men all along the Bank to oppose them but they hast'ning to prevent the coming up of those Forces he look'd for attempted the Passage with their Infantry where it was fordable the Horse getting over in several places so that the Greeks fearing to be surrounded were oblig'd to retreat which Pyrrhus understanding was hugely surpriz'd and commanded his Foot Officers to range their men in Battalia and continue in Arms himself with 3000 Horse advanc'd hoping to attack the Romans as they were coming over scatter'd and disorder'd but when he saw a vast number of Shields appearing above the water and the Horse following them in good order drawing up his men in a closer Body himself in the Head of them began the Charge he was very remarkable by the bravery and Glistering of his Arms which were exceeding rich but more by the things he did there which gave signal proof that his Fame had not out-gone what he was able effectually to perform but especially when exposing his hands and Body to the Fight he bravely repell'd all that engag'd him managing the Battel with a steady and undisturb'd Reason and such a presence of mind as if he had been quite out of any Action himself flying from place to place and assisting those whom he thought most oppress'd by the Enemy Here Leonatus a Macedonian observing one of the Italians very intent upon Pyrrhus riding up towards him and changing places as he did and moving as he mov'd Do you see Sir said he that Barbarian on the black Horse with white feet he seems to me one that designs some great and dangerous thing he looks constantly at you attends on you only full of Fury and Violence and takes no notice of others Good Sir have a care of that Fellow Leonatus said Pyrrhus it is impossible for any man to avoid his Fate but neither he nor any other Italian shall have much satisfaction in ingaging with me While they were in this discourse the Italian placing his Spear and quickning his Horse rid furiously at Pyrrhus and run his Horse through with his Launce at the same Instance Leonatus ran his through both Horses falling Pyrrhus his Friends surrounded him and brought him off safe and kill'd the Italian bravely defending himself He was by Birth a Tarentine Captain of a Troop and nam'd Oplacus This made Pyrrhus use greater caution and now seeing his Horse give Ground he brought up the Infantry and rang'd them in order and then changing his Robe and his Arms with Megacles one of his Friends and obscuring as it were himself in his charg'd upon the Romans who receiv'd and engag'd him and a great while the Success of the Battle remain'd undetermin'd and 't is said there were seven Turns of Fortune both of pursuing and being pursu'd This change of his Arms was very opportune for the safety of his Person but had like to have overthrown his Affairs and lost him the Victory for several falling upon Megacles the first that gave him his mortal wound was one Dexter who snatching away his Helmet and his Robe rid presently to Levinus holding them up and saying aloud he had kill'd Pyrrhus These Spoils being carried about and shown among the particular Ranks the Romans were transported with Joy and gave a huge Shout but mightily discouraged and terrified the Greeks Pyrrhus understanding what had hap'ned rid about the Army with his face bare stretching out his hand to his Souldiers and telling them aloud it was He. At last the Elephants principally distress'd the Romans their Horses before they came near not enduring them went back with their Riders upon which he commanded the Thessalian Cavalry to charge them in this disorder and gave them a total rout with great effusion of Bloud Dionysius affirms near 15000 fell of the Romans Hieronymus no more than 7000. On Pyrrhus's side the same Dionysius makes 13000 slain the other under 3000 but they were the flower of his men as well of his particular Friends as Officers in whom he always most confided and made use of in greatest occasions Beside he possess'd himself of the Romans Camp which they deserted and drew off several Confederate Cities and wasted the Country round about and advanc'd so far that he was within about 37 Miles of Rome it self After the Fight many of the Lucanes and Samnites came in and join'd him he chid them for their delay and appear'd extreamly satisfi'd and rais'd
Kings and by stirring up and exasperating Mithridates especially who was then apparently making preparations for War he himself should be chosen General against him and so furnish the City with new matter of Triumph and his own House with the Plunder of Pontus and the Riches of its King Wherefore though Mithridates had entertained him with all imaginable obligingness and respect yet he was not at all wrought upon or softned by it but said O King either endeavour to be indeed more potent than the Romans or else quietly submit to their Commands With which he almost astonished him having indeed often heard the Fame of the bold speaking of the Romans but was now first acquainted with that Impudence 53. When Marius returned again to Rome he built an House close by the Market-place either as he himself gave out that he was not willing his Clients should be tired with going far or that he imagined it would cause the greater Concourse at his Gates yet this was not the true reason neither but because being inferiour to others in obliging Conversation and the Arts of Courtship like a meer Tool and Implement of War he was thrown aside in time of Peace Amongst all those whose brightness eclipsed his Glory he was most extreamly incensed against Sylla who had received his Rise from the hatred which the Nobility bore Marius and had made his disagreement with him the first step of his Preferment When Bocchus King of Numidia who was stiled the Associate of the Romans dedicated some Trophies of Victory in the Capitol and by them the Picture of himself in Gold delivering Jugurtha to Sylla Marius upon this was almost distracted with rage and Ambition as though Sylla had arrogated this Honour to himself and endeavoured forcibly to pull down these Presents Sylla on the other side as vigorously resisted him but the War of the Confederates then on a sudden threatning the City put a stop to this Sedition just ready to break out Now the most warlike and best peopled Countries of all Italy conspired together against Rome and were within a little of subverting the Empire their chief strength consisting not only in their Weapons and the Valour of their Soldiers but standing upon equal terms with the Romans as to the Courage and sufficiency of their Commanders 54. This War so various as to its Encounters and so uncertain as to its Success what Glory and Power it conferred upon Sylla of so much it deprived Marius who seeded not to be very brisk in his Charges but was for the most part guilty of Delays Retreats and almost Cowardice whether it were that his Age had quenched that heat and vigour he was formerly Master of for he was now above sixty five years old or that as he himself said having some distemper in his Nerves and his Body unfit for Action he had for meer shame ventured upon some Expeditions above his strength Yet for all this he came off Victor in a considerable Battel wherein he slew 6000 of the Enemies and never gave them any advantage over him Nay though he was once surrounded by the Works of the Enemy he contained himself and though insulted over braved and challenged yet he seemed not much concerned at it There goes a report that when one Publius Silo a man of the greatest Worth and Authority among the Enemies said to him If thou beest that great Captain Marius come to a Battel he answered If you be such an one force me to fight And another time when the Enemy gave them a good opportunity of a Battel and the Romans through fear durst not charge so that both Parties retreated he called an Assembly of his Soldiers and said It is no small question whether I should call the Enemies or you the greater Cowards for neither dare they face your backs nor you theirs 55. At length pretending to be worn out with the Infirmity of his Body he laid down his Command Afterwards when the Italians were worsted several at Rome by the Interest of those that led the People sued for Employment in the War with Mithridates Sulpitius Tribune of the People a bold resolute Fellow contrary to every body's expectation bringing in Marius declared him Proconsul and General in that War whereupon the People were divided some were on Marius's side others voted for Sylla and jeeringly bad Marius go to his Baths at Baiae to cure his Body worn out as himself confessed with Age and Catarrhs Now Marius had indeed there about Misenum a Villa more effeminately and luxuriously furnished than became a man employed in so many and great Wars and Expeditions This same House Cornelia bought for 75000 Denarii and not long after Lucius Lucullus for 250000 in so short a time did the Luxury and Effeminacy of the Romans increase After all this Marius very ambitiously and childishly affecting to shake off his Age and weakness went into the Field where exercising himself with the Youth he shewed himself still nimble in his Armour and expert in riding though indeed he were grown less active in his Age by reason of his great belly and his inclining to fatness and corpulency 56. These Actions of his pleased some that went to see his vain-glory in those Justs and Exercises but the better sort that saw him pitied his Avarice and Ambition that from a begger growing so extreamly rich and from nothing becoming so great would know no bounds of his good Fortune nor be content with being admired and quietly enjoy what he had already got but as if he still were in extream poverty should at so great an Age leave Glory and Triumphs to go into Cappadocia and the Euxine Sea to fight Archelaus and Neoptolemus Mithridates's Generals Marius's pretences for this Action of his seemed very ridiculous for he said he had a mind himself to educate his Son in that War This soon ruined the City which had been a long time sick of such practices when Marius had once found so opportune an Instrument for the publick destruction as Sulpitius's Insolence 57. This Fellow in all other respects admired and imitated Saturninus only found fault with his Cowardice and backwardness in his Designs he therefore made no such foolish delays but got 600 Horse about him as his Guard which he named Anti-Senators with these Assassines he set upon the Consuls whilst they were at the Assembly and took the Son of one of them who fled from the Market-place and slew him Sylla being hotly pursued took into Marius's House which none could suspect by that means escaping those that sought him who hastily passed by there and it is said was safely conveyed by Marius himself out at the other door and came to the Camp Yet Sylla in his Memoirs positively denies that he fled to Marius but that he was carried thither to consult of those matters to which Sulpitius would have forced him against his Will to consent that he surrounding him with drawn
Letters to Pausanias that he shou'd remove from Platea and make haste to join Forces with him at Haliartus where he himself wou'd certainly meet him by break of day These Letters fell into the hands of the Enemies Spies and were brought to the Thebans Upon the opening of 'em they entrusted their City with the Athenians and they sallying out at the first Watch arriv'd at Haliartus and put part of their Forces into the City a little before Lysander came Lysander had at first resolv'd to pitch his Tents upon the side of an Hill and wait for Pausanias but day drawing on he grew impatient and led his Soldiers out in a direct line along the Road to the Walls of the City There is a Fountain call'd Cisseusa in which they say Bacchus was wash'd immediately after his birth for the Water is like Wine of a bright Colour and a pleasant taste not far off grows the Cretian Storax by which the Haliartians guess Radamanthus dwelt there and the rather because his Sepulchre too which they call Alea is seen in this place The monument of Alcmena is hard by where they pretend she was buri'd when after Amphitryo's death she marri'd Radamanthus 'T was here about on the left side of Haliartus that those Thebans who had not entred the City were plac'd from whence with great fierceness they fell upon the Enemies Rear In the mean time those within the City putting themselves into one body with the Haliartians kept their order in quiet But assoon as Lysander appear'd with his Van-Guard before the Gates they rush'd out killed him and one of his Priests with some few more for the greater part made their escape to the main Army but the Thebans pursu'd 'em so closely that they all soon dispers'd and fled to the Hills A Thousand of them were kill'd in this pursuit and 300 of the Thebans fell by chasing 'em too rashly into craggy and dangerous places These 300 had been suspected of correspondence with the Lacedaemonians which made 'em so rash and desperate that they were resolv'd to wipe off this disgrace though with the loss of their Lives The news of this defeat came to Pausanias as he was going from Platea to Thespias He presently put his Army in order and made towards Haliartus where about the same time Thrasybulus was arriv'd with a party of the Athenians under his Command Pausanias wou'd have articled with 'em upon terms for the dead but the Spartan Magistrates wou'd not consent to it and were angry with him for offering such mean proposals They declar'd Lysander's body shou'd not be redeem'd by conditions but if they fought it out and Conquer'd they might carry it off honourably if they happen'd to be overcome themselves 't wou'd however be more glorious to die upon the spot with their Commander The Magistrates carrying it thus high with the usual haughtiness of Spartans Pausanias who was more calm saw 't was too difficult a matter to think of routing the Thebans who were just now flush'd with Victory besides if this cou'd have been done the body lay so near the Walls that it cou'd not easily be bore off without a truce so he immediately dispatch'd an Herauld obtain'd a Treaty drew back his Forces carri'd away Lysander and buri'd him in the Country of his Friends the Panopeans His Monument is still to be seen in the Road from Delphos to Chaeronea where the Lacedaemonians for some time took up their quarters and while they staid there one of Phocis giving an account of the Battel to one of his Companions said The Enemy fell upon 'em after Lysander had pass'd Ophlites A Spartan Lysander's Friend that stood by having not heard of that name ask'd what Ophlites he meant and yet says the Phocian that's the place where we lost our bravest men 't is the River that runs by the City The Spartan immediately wept and broke out into this expression O how unavoidable are the decrees of Fate For it seems the Oracle had pronounced this to Lysander Take care to shun Ophlites watery Field And him who bears a Dragon in his Shield Some indeed say Ophlites doth not run to Haliartus but is a River near Coronea which mix'd with the River Phliarus passes along to that City 'T was formerly call'd Oplias but now 't is known by the name of Isomantus Neocorus the Haliartian who kill'd Lysander bore a Dragon in his Shield and 't is probable that this was signifi'd by the Oracle 'T is reported there was an Oracle concerning the Thebans in the Peloponnesian War which foretold the Battel at Delium and this at Haliartus though this hapned thirty years after The Oracle runs thus Don't follow in your chase the eager Hound Vpon the Confines fly th ' Orchalian Ground That den of Foxes This place about Delium he calls the Confines where Baeotia borders upon Attica and the Hill Orchalides which now they call Alopecon lies in that part of Haliartus which is towards Helicon The Lacedaemonians look'd upon Pausanias his proceedings as so dishonourable to a Spartan General that they wou'd have tri'd him for his Life but he durst not venture to appear so fled into Tegaea where he devoted himself to a private Life in the Temple of Minerva Lysander's poverty which was discover'd at his death made his virtue more admir'd when it appear'd that from so much plenty and power such rich presents from so many Cities which were under his Government he had not at all encreas'd the wealth of his own private Family This is observ'd by Theopompus whom we may sooner believe when he commends than when he finds fault for men are more apt to discommend than praise Ephorus says that upon some dispute between the Confederates with Sparta when Lysander's writings were to be examin'd Agesilaus was order'd to make the search who finding a discourse of Lysander's concerning the Government where he endeavour'd to show how advantageous 't wou'd be to the Commonwealth if the right of succession which the Family of the Eureutiontidae and Agiadae pretended to was broke and the Kingdom made elective This discourse Agesilaus design'd to publish and discover by that means what sort of a Friend Lysander was to 'em in private But Lacratidas a wise man and at that time President of the Council wou'd not suffer him so basely to abuse a great General 's memory and told him that these papers which were so plausibly and ingeniously writ deserv'd to rest honourably with their Author and that 't was inhumane to dig Lysander out of his Grave The Spartans bestow'd many honours on him after his death amongst which this was none of the least There were some who had engag'd themselves to Lysander's Daughters while every thing about him appear'd Rich and Splendid but when they saw how poor and honest he died they broke off their contract These in respect to Lysander's memory the Spartans severely fin'd For there was it seems in Sparta a Law which punish'd as
to Muraena four Cohorts and commanding the fifth to follow him returned on the spur to the right Wing which then of it self held Archelaus to equal play at his appearance they gave one lusty push for all and overcoming followed them disorderly flying to the River and Mount Acontium Neither was Sylla unmindful of the danger Muraena was in for hasting thither and finding them Victorious he help'd to pursue Many Barbarians were slain on the spot many more cut in pieces as they were making to the Camp Of such infinite Multitudes ten thousand only got safe into Chalcis Sylla writes that there were but fourteen of his Soldiers wanting and that two even of those returned towards evening wherefore he inscribed on Trophies Mars Victory and Venus as having won the Day no less by Good-fortune than by true management and force of Arms. That Trophie of the Field-Battel stands on the Place where Archelaus first gave back as far as the Streums of Molus The other is erected high on the top of Thurium where the Barbarians were environ'd signifying in Greek Letters That Homoloichus and Anaxidamus were the Chief Leaders The Hymns of Victory for this Action were celebrated at Thebes where Sylla built a Stage for Musick near Oedipus's Well As for the Judges of the Performance they were Grecians chosen out of other Cities because he bore an implacable hatred to the Thebans and having cut off from them half their Territories he consecrated the same to Apollo and Jupiter commanding them out of the Revenue to make satisfaction to the Gods for the Riches himself had taken from them After this hearing that Flaccus a Man of the contrary Faction being chosen Consul had crossed the Ionian Sea with an Army to act in shew against Mithridates but in reality against himself he took the way of Thessalia designing to meet him but in his March about Meleteia received Advises from all Parts That the Countries on his back were over spread and harrased by no less a Camp-Royal than was the former For Dorilaus arriving at Chalcis with a mighty Fleet on board of which he brought over with him Eighty Thousand of the best-appointed and best disciplin'd Soldiers of Mithridates his Army had made a sudden Incursion into Baeotia and secured that Coast in hopes to bring Sylla to a Battel making no account of the disswasions of Archelaus but giving it out as to the last Fight that without Treachery so many Thousand Men could never have perished However Sylla facing about expeditiously made it appear to Dorilaus that Archelaus was a wise Man and had good skill in the Roman Valour insomuch as Dorilaus himself after some small Skirmishes with Sylla at Tilphossion was the first of those who thought it not advisable to put things to the decision of the Sword but rather by expence of Time and Treasure to wear out the War nevertheless the Field of Orchomenos where they then lay encamped gave no small encouragement to Archelaus as being most advantageous to those who excel in Cavalry to engage in For of the Baeotian Campagnes that is the fairest and largest which confining on the Principal Seat of the Orchomenians alone opens a clear Prospect void of Cover as far as the Fens where the River Melas is swallowed up Of all the Grecians Rivers this only which ariseth from under the City Orchomenus draws with it a deep and navigable Water from the very Head encreasing about the Summer Solstice like Nile and bringing forth all things growing there yet small and without Fruit. It runs not far before the main Stream loseth it self among the blind and woody Marsh Grounds a small Branch whereof mingleth with Cephisus about that place especially where the Lake is thought to produce the best Flute-reeds Now that both Armies were posted near each other Archelaus lay still but Sylla fell to casting up Ditches athwart from either side that if possible by cutting the Enemies from the firm and open Champagne he might force them into the Fens They on the other hand not enduring this but at the Word of Command issuing out furiously in full Bodies not only the Men at work were dispersed but most part of those who stood in Arms to justifie the Work cast themselves disorderly into flight Upon this Sylla leaps from his Horse and snatching hold of an Ensign rusht through the midst of the Rout upon the Enemy crying out aloud To me O Romans it seems glorious to fall here And as for you when demanded where was it you betrayed your General remember you say at Orchomenus His men Rallying again at these words and two Cohorts coming to his succour from the right-Right-Wing he gave a fierce Onset and turn'd the Day Then retiring some few Paces back and refreshing his Men he came on again to block up the Enemies Camp but they again sallied out in better Order than before Here Diogenes Son in-law to Archelaus having fought on the right-Right-Wing with much Gallantry made an Honourable end And the Archers being pressed on hard by the Romans and wanting space for a retreat took their Arrows by handfuls and striking with those as with Swords beat them back In the end they were all shut up into the entrenchment and had a sorrowful Night of it by reason of their slain and wounded The next day again Sylla leading forth his men up to their Quarters went on finishing the Line and as they were drawing out to give him Battel fell on and putting a large Party of them to the rout in the fright they were in none daring to abide he took the Camp by force whence the Marishes were filled with Bloud and the Lake with dead Bodies insomuch as to this day there be found of the Barbarian make many Bows Helmets pieces of Breast-plates and Swords buried deep in Mud some two hundred years since the Fight Thus much of the Action of Chaeronea and Orchomenus Cinna and Narbo at Rome using injustice and violence towards Persons of the greatest Eminency many of them to avoid that Tyranny repaired to Sylla's Camp as to a safe Harbour where in a short space he had about him the Majestick face of a Senate Metella likewise having with difficulty conveyed her self and Children away by stealth brought him word that his City and Country houses were set on fire by the Adversary and prayed his help at home Whilst he was in doubt what to do being impatient to hear his Country abused and not knowing how to leave so great a work as the Mithridatick-War unfinished comes unto him Archelaus a Merchant of Delos with some hopes of an accommodation and private instructions from Archelaus the King's General Sylla lik'd the business so well as to desire a speedy conference with Archelaus in Person and had a meeting at Sea on that side of Delos where the Temple of Apollo stands When Archelaus began to propose and demand of Sylla that quitting his Pretensions to Asia and Pontus he should set
of Polite and Universal Learning but of all the Writings of Aristotle and Theophrastus they had no exact knowledge because Theophrastus bequeathing his Study to the Heir of Neleus Sceptius these happ'ned to fall into rude and illiterate Hands During Sylla's stays about Athens there fell into his Feet a lumpish benuming Pain which Strabo calls the first fetterring on of the Gout Wherefore taking a Voyage to Adipsus he made use of the Hot Waters there easing his thoughts of Care likewise and merrily passing away the time with Drolls As he was walking along the Sea-shore certain Fishermen brought him a lovely Present of Fish Being taken therewith and understanding that they were Men of Alaeae What said he be there any of Alaeae surviving For having won the Field at Archomenus in the heat of a Pursuit he had destroyed three Cities of Baeotia Anthedon Larymna and Alaeae The Men knowing not what to say for fear Sylla with a smiling Countenance bad them cheer up and return in peace as who had brought with them no small or contemptible Intercessors The Alaei from hence took Courage and embodying re-entred the City Sylla having march'd through Thessaly and Mecedon down to the Sea-coast prepared with twelve hundred Vessels to cross over from Dyrrachium to Brundisium Not far from hence is Appollonia and near it a spot of Ground dedicated to the Nymphes which from among flowry Dales and Meads discovers here and there springs of Fire continually streaming out Here they say was a Satyr such as Statuaries and Painters represent found sleeping and brought before Sylla where he was ask'd by several Interpreters who he was when with much ado he sent forth a harsh unintelligible Noise like the Neighing of a Horse and crying of a Goat in mixt Consort Sylla dismay'd at it turned aside in detestation At the point of Transportation because Sylla was concerned least at the first setting foot upon Italy the Army should dissolve of it self one by one among the Cities they of their own accord first took an Oath to stand firm by him and with good-will not to injure Italy then seeing him straitned for a round summ of Money they readily offered their assistance and contributed each Man according to his Ability However Sylla would not accept of the Benevolence but praising their Good-will and withall rowzing up their Courage he put over as himself writes against fifteen Commanders with four hundred and fifty Cohorts under them The happy success of Affairs was plainly foretold him by the Divine Power for as he was sacrificing at his first landing about Tarentum the Liver seemed to have on it the figure of a Crown of Laurel with two Labels pendant And little while before his arrival in Campania about the Mountain Hephaeus two stately Goats were seen in a Rencounter by day performing like Men in a Battel This Apparition rising up gradually from the ground dispersed several through the Heavens like to fancied Representations in the Clouds and so vanish'd out of sight Not long after in the self-same place when Martius the younger and Norbanus the Consul attack'd him with two great Armies without prescribing the Order of Battle or ranging his Men according to their Divisions by the sway only of one common Alacrity and Transport of Courage he overturn'd the Enemy and shut up Norbanus into the City of Capua with the loss of seven thousand of his Men. This was the reason says he that the Soldiers disbanded not throughout the Towns but stuck close together and despised the Enemy though infinitely more in number At Silvium as he himself relates it there met him a Servant of Pontius an Enthusiast saying That he brought him the power of the Sword and Victory from Bellona the Goddess of War and if he hasted not that the Capitol would be burnt which fell out on the same day the Man foretold it namely on the sixth day of the Month Quintilis which we now call July Moreover at Fidentia Marcus Lucullus one of Sylla's Commanders reposed such confidence in the sprightly forwardness of the Soldiers as to dare to face fifty Cohorts of the Enemy with only sixteen of his own but because many of them were unarmed delayed the Onset As he stood thus in gaze considering with himself a gentle gale of Wind bearing along with it from the neighbouring Meadows an innumerable company of Flowers threw them in scatteringly among the Army which falling about casually and resting upon the Shields and Helmets shew'd them to the Enemy as crown'd with Chaplets Upon this being further animated they joyned Battel and victoriously slaying eight thousand Men took the Camp This Lucullus was Brother to that Lucullus who in after-times conquered Mithridates and Tygranes Sylla seeing himself surrounded with so many Armies and such mighty Powers had recourse to Art inviting Scipio the other Consul to a Treaty of Peace The Motion was willingly embrac'd and thereupon followed several Meetings and Consultations in all which Sylla interposing still matter of delay and new Pretences in the mean while debauched Scipio's Men by Under-instruments of his own who in subtil train and all the Methods of Inveigling were as well practised as the General himself For entring into the Enemies Quarters and intermixing they wrought off some by present Money some by Promises others by fair Words and Perswasions so as in the end when Sylla with twenty Cohorts drew near they came forth to salute him leaving Scipio behind them in his Tent where he was found all alone and dismissed Thus Sylla having used twenty Cohorts as Stales to draw in forty more Cohorts of the Enemy led them all back into the Camp On this occasion Carbo was heard to say That having a Fox and a Lion in the Breast of Sylla to deal with he was plagued most with the Fox Some time after at Signium Marius the younger with eighty five Cohorts offered Battel to Sylla who was extreamly desirous to have it decided on that very day for the night before he had seen a Vision which to his thoughts represented Marius the Elder who had been long since dead advising his Son Marius to beware of the following day as of fatal consequence to him For this reason Sylla longing to come to a Battel sent to the Camp afar off for Dolabella But because the Enemy had beset and lock'd up the Passes his Soldiers were exceedingly tired by Skirmishing and Marching at once To these difficulties was added moreover tempestuous rainy Weather which distressed them most of all wherefore the Principal Leaders came to Sylla and besought him to defer the day shewing him withall how the Soldiers lay all along on the Ground cast down with Toil and leaning upon the Target When with much difficulty he had yielded and given order for the setling of the Camp they had no sooner begun to cast up a Rampart and draw a Ditch across but Marius came riding up furiously at the Head of his Troops in hopes to have
thereabout but the rest perish'd with their Vessels or were taken by this you may guess at their number for though a great many escaped out of the Fight and a great many others were sunk yet two hundred Gallies were taken by the Athenians When their Land-Army drew toward the Sea-side Cimon was in suspence whether he should make a descent For thereby he should expose his Greeks wearied with Slaughter in the first Engagement to the Swords of the Barbarians who were all fresh Men and Superiour to them in number But seeing his men resolute and flush'd with Victory he made them land tho they had not yet wiped off the Sweat and Bloud of the first Battel As soon as they touched Ground they set up a shout and ran furiously upon the Enemy who stood firm and sustained the first shock with great obstinacy so that the fight began to be very doubtful the principal men of the Athenians for Quality and Courage were slain at length tho with much ado they routed the Barbarians some they took Prisoners and plundered all their Tents and Pavillions which were full of very rich Spoil Cimon being thus a perfect Conqueror having in one day gained two Victories wherein he surpassed that of Salamis by Sea and that of Platea by Land was encouraged to pursue his Success So that News being brought that the Phaenician Succours in number eighty Sail were at the Gulf of Hidram he bended his Course toward them and encompassed them about They had not received any certain account of the former defeat and now were in great doubt what to think so that thus surprized they lost their Vessels and all the men were either Slain or Drowned This success of Cimon so daunted the King of Persia that he presently made that memorable Peace whereby he engaged that his Armies should come no nearer the Grecian Sea than the length of a Horse-race And that none of his Gallies or Vessels of War should appear between the Cyanean and Chelidonian Isles Calisthenes says that he agreed not to any Articles but that upon the fear this Victory gave him he prudently kept off so far from Greece that when Pericles with fifty and Ephialtes with thirty Gallies cruised beyond the Chelidonian Isles they could not discover one Persian Sail. But in the Collection which Craterus made of the publick Acts of the People there is an Original draught of this Treaty as following upon that defeat And 't is reported that at Athens they erected the Altar of Peace upon this occasion and decreed particular Honours to Callias who was employed as Ambassador to manage the Treaty The People of Athens raised so much Money from the Spoils of this War which were sold by publick Out-cry that besides other Expences and raising the South Wall of the Cittadel they laid the Foundation of those Walls afterwards finished which they called Skele i e Long Shanks that join the City to the Port but the place where they built them being a Moorish Ground they were forced to sink great Weights of Stone to secure the Foundation and all this they did out of the Money Cimon supplied them with It was he likewise that adorned Athens with those Publick Places of Exercise which they afterward so much frequented and delighted in He set the Forum with Plain-trees The Academy which was before open and exposed to the Weather he fenced with Trees and beautified with Fountains he made covered Alleys to walk in and set out Ground for Foot and Horse-races Afterward being informed that some Persians who had made themselves Masters of the Chersonese were so peremptory in not quitting it that they called in the People 〈◊〉 the higher Thrace to help them against Cimon whom they despised for the smallness of his Forces he set upon them with only four Gallies and took thirteen of theirs Then having drove out the Persians and subdued the Thracians he made the whole Chersonese subject to the Commonwealth of Athens From hence he went against the People of Thasos who had revolted from the Athenians and having defeated them in a Fight at Sea where he took thirty three of their Vessels he stormed their Town seized for the Athenians all the Mines of Gold on the other side of it and all the Country dependant of it This opened him a fair Passage into Macedon so that he might have Conquered the greatest part of it But because he neglected that Opportunity he was suspected of Corruption and that he was bribed off by King Alexander So by the Combination of his Adversaries he was accused of being false to his Country Before the Judges he pleaded That he never made an Interest with the Rich Ionians nor Thessalians as others have from whence they drew both Honour and Profit but that he always embraced the Friendship of the Macedonians for as he admired so he wished to imitate the Sedateness of their Temper their Temperance and Simplicity of â—iving which he preferred to any sort of Riches tho he had always been and still was Ambitious to enrich his Country with the Spoils of her Enemies Stesimbrotus making mention of his Trial reports That Elpinice in behalf of her Brother addressed her self to Pericles one of the most vehement of his Accusers to whom Pericles answered with a Smile You are too Old Madam to manage Affairs of this Nature However after that he became the mildest of his Prosecutors and rose up but once all the while to plead against him which he did but very faintly And Cimon was acquitted As for his demeanour at home he always restrained the Common People who would have encroached upon the Nobility and affected the Supream Power over them But when he afterward was called out to War the Multitude broke loose as it were reversed all the ancient Laws and Customs they had hitherto observed this they did chiefly at the instigation of Ephialtes they withdrew likewise the Cognisance of almost all Causes from the Areopagus so that all Appeals being made to them the Government was reduced to a perfect Democracy and this by the help of Pericles who declared in favour of the Common People But Cimon when he returned seeing the Authority of this Great Council so eclipsed was exceedingly troubled and endeavoured to remedy these Disorders by bringing things to their former state and restoring the Nobility to those Degrees of Command they had in the time of Calisthenes This the others declaimed against with all the vehemence possible and began to revive those Stories concerning him and his Sister and cried out against him as addicted to the Lacedaemonians Consonant to these Calumnies are the famous Verses of Eupolis the Poet upon Cimon Ill Nature to him we cannot reproach But he is Lazy and he will Debauch He goes to Sparta and is so unkind He leaves poor Elpinice in Bed behind But if when Slothful and a Drunkard he could storm so many Towns and gain so many Victories certainly if he had been sober
from gilt and rich Armour a greater Temptation to the Victors than security to the Bearers gave them broad Swords like the Romans and Massy Shields chose Horses better for Service than Shape drew up an hundred and twenty Thousand Foot in the figure of the Roman Phalanx had sixteen Thousand Horse besides Chariots Arm'd with Scyths no less than an hundred Besides which he set out a Fleet not at all cumbred with Golden Cabins lascivious Baths and Womens furniture but stored with Weapons and Darts and other necessaries and made a descent upon Bithynia Not only these parts willingly received him again but almost all Asia grievously oppressed before by the Roman Extortioners and Publicans seemed to be recovered of their former Distemper These afterwards who like Harpies stole away their very Nourishment Lucullus drove away and by reproving them did what he could to make them more moderate and thereby prevented a general Sedition then breaking out in all parts While Lucullus was detained in rectifying this Cotta finding Affairs ripe for Action prepared himself for the War with Mithridates and News coming from all hands that Lucullus was then Marching into Phrygia and he thinking Victory just almost in his hands lest his Collegue should share in the Glory of it hasted to Battel without him But being routed both by Sea and Land he lost sixty Ships with their Men and four Thousand Foot he himself was forced into and besieged in Chalcedon there waiting for relief from Lucullus There were those about Lucullus who would have had him leave Cotta and go forward being then in a ready way to surprise the defenceless Kingdom of Mithridates And it was highly resented by the Soldiers that Cotta should not only lose his own Army but hinder them also from Conquest which at that time without the hazard of a Battel they might so easily have obtained But Lucullus in a Solemn Speech declared unto them That he would rather save one Citizen from the Enemy than be Master of all that they had Archelaus Governor of Baeotia under Mithridates revolting from him and siding with the Romans demonstrated to Lucullus that upon his bare coming he might easily surprise all the Country of Pontus but he answered that it did not become him to be more fearful than Huntsmen to leave the chase of the wild Beasts abroad and seek after sport in their deserted Lodges Having so said he made towards Mithridates with thirty Thousand foot and two Thousand five hundred Horse But being come in sight of his Enemies he was astonished at their Numbers and resolved to forbear fighting and wear out time But Marius whom Sertorius had sent out of Spain to Mithridates with Forces under him stepping out and challenging him he prepared for Battel In the very instant of joining no manifest alteration preceeding of a sudden the Sky opened and a great Body of light fell down in the midst between the Armies in shape like a Hogshead but in Colour like melted Silver insomuch that both Armies being surprised stood off This wonderful Prodigy hap'ned in Phrygia near Otryae Lucullus after this began to think with himself that no Man could have Power and Wealth enough to sustain so great Numbers as Mithridates had for any long time in the face of an Enemy Commanded one of the Captives to be brought before him and first of all asked him how many Companions were quartered with him and how much provision he had left behind him and when he had answer'd him Commanded him to stand aside then asked a second and a third the same question after which comparing the quantity of provision with the Men he found that in three or four days time his Enemies would be brought to want As for himself he was able to subsist longer having stor'd his Camp with all sorts of provision and living in plenty was better able to beset his hungry Enemy Which made Mithridates set forward against the Cyzicenians miserably shattered in the fight at Chalcedon where they lost no less than three thousand Citizens and ten Ships And that he might the safer steal away from Lucullus immediately after Supper by the help of a dark and gloomy Night he went off and by the Morning gained the City opposite to it and sat down with his Forces upon the Adrastian Mount Lucullus saw his Motion and pursued him but daring not to fall upon him with disorderly Forces sate down also near the Village called Thracia a convenient pass and plentiful place from whence and through which all the provisions for Mithridates's Camp must of necessity come Whereupon judging of the event he kept not his mind from his Soldiers but when the Camp was fortified and the Works finished called them together and with great assurance told them that in few days without the expence of Bloud he would bring Victory to them Mithridates besieged the Cyzicenians with ten Camps by Land and with his Ships blockt up the Strait that was betwixt their City and the Continent and stormed them on all sides who were fully prepared stoutly to receive him and resolved to endure the utmost extreamity rather than forsake the Romans That which troubled them most was that they knew not where Lucullus was and heard nothing of him though at that time his Army was visible before them But they were imposed upon by the Mithridatians who shewing them the Romans Encamped on the Hills Do ye see those said they those are the Auxiliary Armenians and Medes which Tigranes sent to Mithridates These were astonish'd at the vast numbers round them and could not believe any place of relief was left them no not if Lucullus had come up to their assistance Demonax sent by Archelaus was the first who told them of Lucullas's arrival but they disbeliev'd his report and thought he came with forged News to comfort them At which time a Fugitive Boy was taken and brought before them who being asked where Lucullus was smiled at their jesting as he thought but finding them in earnest with his finger shewed them the Roman Camp upon which they took Courage In the Lake Dascylitis they used Vessels of a midling size the biggest whereof Lucullus drew ashoar and carrying her in a Waggon to the Sea filled her with Soldiers who Sailing along unseen in the dead of the Night came safe to the City The Gods themselves wondring at the constancy of the Cyzicenians seem to have animated them with signs from above but more especially now in the Festival of Proserpina where a black Heifer being wanting for Sacrifice they supplied it by a Meat-offering which they set before the Altar The holy Heifer set apart for the Goddess and at that time grazing with the Herd of the Cyzicenians on the other side of the Strait left the Herd and came home to the City alone and offered her self for Sacrifice By Night the Goddess appearing to Aristagoras the Town Clerk I am come said she and have brought the
concerning his Silver Mines For he possess'd many and of great avail in the Lauriotick Ground but wrought them not without hazard He maintained there a multitude of Slaves and his Wealth consisted chiefly in Silver whereby he had many Retainers and many Hangers-on about him craving and having for he gave to them who could do him mischief no less than to those who deserved well of him In short his Fear made a Rent-charge for the Rogues and his Humanity for Honest Men. Of these things we have Testimony even in our Comedies for Teleclides brings in an Informer saying thus Troth Charicles refus'd to give five Mark Lest it be said that he an Elder Brother Came first of all from out his Mother's Fob But Nicias Niceratus's Son Gave twenty Mark Wherefore Tho well I know I say not He is a Friend and Wise if I mistake not And he who is brought in by Eupolis in his Maricas representing a good simple Poor Man How long Friend since thou last saw Nicias I saw him not save lately standing in the Streets The Man confesses that he saw Nicias And what the wiser he for seeing him unless he had a Spell from him You have heard Companions Nicias taken in the very Fact Think you ye Sots to take a good Man in any Crime Cleon in Aristophanes threatning says I 'll throttle their fine Speakers and make Nicias all agast Phrynichus represents him wanting Courage and ready to be scar'd out of his Senses in these Verses Good Man was he that very well I know And never did like Nicias trembling go So afraid he was of Informers and so reserved that he neither would venture to eat with any Citizen nor to have ordinary Discourse with them nor any Conversation nor Pastime whatsoever Nor indeed had he any leisure for those Diversions When he was Archon he staid in Court till night was the first upon the Bench and the last that left it And if no Publick Business took up his time yet was it very hard to have Access or to speak with him he being retir'd at home and lock'd up And when any came to the Door some Friend of his gave them good words and begg'd their Pardon for that Nicias was then very busie certain Affairs of State and the Publick lay heavy upon him Who principally acted this Part for him and contributed mostwhat to his Pride and Vanity in this matter was Hieron a Man educated in Nicias's Family and instructed by him in Letters and Musick He pretended to be the Son of Dionysius surnamed Chalcus whose Poems are yet extant and who was Governour of a Colony that planted in Italy and built Thurii This Hieron also transacted all the Secrets for Nicias with the Divines and gave out in Speeches to the People What a toilsom and miserable Life he led for the sake of the Commonwealth He said Hieron can never be at quiet neither at the Bath nor at his Meat but some Publick Care seizes him Careless and negligent of his own zealous for the Publick Good scarce ever going to Bed till after that others have had their first sleep So that his Health is impaired and his Body wasted Neither chearful nor affable with his Friends but abandons them together with his own Concerns for the Publick Other Men make Friends by being in Office enrich themselves fare deliciously and play with the Government And this truly was Nicias his manner of Life so that well might he apply to himself that of Agamemnon With Pageantries and Pomp the World I brave Yet in effect am but the Peoples Slave He observed That the People in a Man of Eloquence or of eminent Parts and Ability made use of his Talent to serve their Occasions but were always jealous and held a watchful Eye upon his Power curbing and breaking it and taking down his Authority and Reputation This was manifest in their Condemnation of Pericles their Banishment of Damon their Distrust of Antiphon the Rhamnusian but especially in the Case of Laches that took Lesbos who giving an Account of his Conduct in the very Court of Justice unsheathed his Sword and slew himself On these Considerations Nicias declined all difficult and all little Enterprises Or if he took a Command he was for doing what was safe Thus 't is likely he had for the most part Success which he did not attribute to any Wisdom Conduct or Courage of his own but to avoid Envy he thank'd Fortune for all and gave God the Glory This the Actions themselves testifie for at that time there hapned many and terrible Shocks to the City of Athens yet had not he a hand in any of them The Athenians were routed in Thrace by the Chalcedonians Calliades and Xenophon Commanding in Chief Demosthenes was the General when they received the Blow in Aetolia At Delos they lost a Thousand Citizens under the Conduct of Hippocrates The Plague was principally laid to the charge of Pericles he having shut up close together in the Town a Crowd of Country-Fellows for the War who by the change of Place and their unusual Course of Living bred the Pestilence Nicias stood clear of all this and by his Conduct was taken Cythera an Island most commodious against Laconia and held by the Lacedaemonians Many Places likewise in Thrace which had revolted he took and subdued He shutting up the Megareans within their Town seized upon the Isle Minoas and soon after marching swiftly from thence to Nisaea made himself Master there then making a Descent upon the Corinthian Territory he overcame in Battel and slew a great number of the Corinthians with their Captain Lycopheon There it hapned that two of his Men were left by an oversight when they carried off the Dead which when he understood he made an Halt and sent an Herald to the Enemy for leave to carry off the Dead though by a certain Law and Custom he that by a Truce craved leave to carry off the Dead seemed to quit the Victory Nor was it lawful for him that did this to erect a Trophy for his is the Victory who is Master of the Field and he is not Master who asks leave as wanting Power to take But he chose rather to renounce his Victory and his Glory than to let two Citizens lie unburied He scowred the Coast of Laconia all along and beat the Lacedaemonians that made Head against him He took Thyraea Garrison'd by the Arginetans and carried the Prisoners to Athens When Demosthenes had fortified Pylos and the Peloponnesians brought together all both their Sea and Land Forces before it after the Fight about the number of Four hundred Native Spartans were left ashore in the Isle Sphacteria Now the Athenians thought it a brave Exploit as indeed it was to take these Men Prisoners But the Siege in places that wanted Water being very difficult and untoward and to convoy the vast necessaries about by Sea in Summer
tedious and vastly chargeable in Winter doubtful or plainly impossible this grieved them and they repented their having rejected the Ambassy of the Lacedaemonians that had been sent to treat a Peace and League with them Which was done at the Importunity of Cleon who opposed it chiefly out of a Pique to Nicias For being his Enemy and observing him to labour a Complyance with the Lacedaemonians he perswaded the People to break off the Treaty Now therefore that the Siege held long and they heard of the dismal Extremities that press'd their Army they grew inraged against Cleon but he turns all the blame upon Nicias charging it on his Softness and Cowardice that the besieged Escap'd Were I the General quoth he they should not hold out so long The Athenians presently replyed Why then do not you go with a Squadron against them And Nicias standing up resigned his Command at Pylos to him and bids him take what Forces he pleased along with him and not swagger with VVords out of harms way but go forth and perform some memorable Service for the Common-wealth Cleon at the first shrunk back startled with the surprize but the Athenians Commanding and Nicias lowdly upbraiding him he so provoked and fired with Ambition took upon him the Charge and said farther That once within Twenty days after he embarqu'd he would either kill the Enemy upon the place or bring them alive to Athens This the Athenians were readier to laugh at than to believe for on other occasions his Flashes and Extravagances used to make them sport and were pleasant enough As for Instance 't is reported that once when the People were assembled and had waited his coming a long time at last he enters with a Garland on his Head and prays them to Adjourn to the next day For quoth he I am not at leisure to day I have Sacrificed to the Gods and am to Feast my Strangers Whereat the Athenians laughing rose up and dissolved the Assembly However at this time he had the lucky hit and Commanded so Gallantly in Conjunction with Demosthenes that within the time he had limited he carried Captive to Athens all the Spartans that had not fall'n in Battel This brought an horrible Disgrace on Nicias for this was not to throw away his Shield but something more foul and Ignominious to quit his Charge voluntarily out of Cowardice and by yielding up his Command of his own accord to put into his Enemies hand the opportunity of Atchieving so brave an Action Aristophanes has a fling at him on this occasion in his Birds saying thus No time by Jove is left for us to snort in Nor to be restif like Nicias In his Husbandmen he says thus A. I VVou'd be telling B. VVell And who hinders thee A. You yet wou'd I give an Hundred Marks That you wou'd rid my hands of the Charge B. Content with those of Nicias they will make Two hundred Besides all this he did a vast prejudice to the City by suffering the Accession of so great Reputation and Power to Cleon whereby he assumed that Turbulent Spirit and unbridled Impudence and opened the Door for greater Mischief to the Common-wealth whereof a sufficient part fell to his own share For now Cleon banisht away all Decorum from the Pulpit and first of all broke out into Exclamations flung open his Cloak smote his Thigh and ran up and down whilst he was speaking which soon after introduced amongst those who managed the Affairs of State such License and Contempt of decency as brought all into Confusion Now also grew up at Athens Alcibiades such another Common-wealth-Man tho not altogether so unruly But as the Land of Egypt which through the Richness of the Soyl is said Great Plenty to produce Both wholesome Herbs and Drugs of deadly Juyce So the Nature of Alcibiades was strong and luxuriant in both kinds and made way for a great many Innovations Whereby it fell out that after Nicias had got his hands clear of Cleon yet had he not opportunity to settle the City perfectly in quietness For having brought Matters to a pretty fair pass all was dash'd and plung'd again into Confusion by Alcibiades through the Wildness and Extravagance of his Ambition and he embroyled again in War worse than ever Which sell out thus They who principally hindred the Peace were Cleon and Crasidas War setting off the Vertue of the one and hiding the Villainy of the other it gave to the one occasions of Atchieving brave Actions to the other of Committing enormous Crimes Now when these two were in one Battel both slain near Amphipolis Nicias having perceived that the Spartans had long been desirous of a Peace and that the Athenians had no great Stomach to the War both being alike tyred and as it were by consent laying down their Arms He therefore in this nick of time employs all his Might to make a Friendship betwixt these two Cities and to deliver the other States of Greece from the Evils and Calamities they laboured under and so establish their Happiness to after Ages He found the Men of Substance the Aged Men and the Husbandmen generally all inclined to Peace besides many others by discoursing in private and by Informing them he brought over to be not so very Keen for a War Whereupon he now encouraged the Hopes of the Lacedaemonians counselled them and put them upon it to seek Peace They confided in him as being on other Occasions a moderate Man and because of his Kindness and tender Care over the Prisoners taken at Pylos and in Chains making their Misfortune the more easie upon them The Athenians and the Spartans had before this concluded amongst themselves a Cessation for a Year whereby conversing with one another they tasted again the sweetness of Peace and Security and mingling together Familiars and Strangers they wisht an end of that fighting and Blood-shed And with delight heard the Chorus sing such as this Rest my Launce and no man mind thee Till around the Cobwebs bind thee And with joy remembred that saying They who sleep in peace are awaked by the Cocks-Crow not by the Trumpet And on the same score they curst and kickt them out of Company who said that the Fates decreed this to be a War of thrice nine Years It followed afterwards that all points having been debated they made a Peace And most People thought now indeed they had got an end of all their Evils And Nicias was in every Man's mouth as one especially beloved of the Gods who for his Piety and Devotion had given him to bear the same Name with the fairest and greatest of all Blessings For in Truth they called the Peace Nicias's work as the War the Work of Pericles Because on very light occasions he seemed to have plunged the Grecians into very great Calamities Whereas Nicias perswaded them to forget the highest injuries that they might be Friends Wherefore they call that to this day the Nician Peace
body else but those that exhorted him to proceed nor did Artabaces King of Armenia confirm him a little who came to his aid with 6000 Horse these were said to be only the King's Life-guard for he promised 10000 Curiassiers more and 30000 Foot at his own Charges he perswaded Crassus to invade Parthia by the way of Armenia for he would not only supply his Army with Forage but his Passage would be more secure by reason of the roughness of the Country and a continued Chain of Mountains which were almost impassable to Horse in which the main strength of the Parthians consisted Crassus returned him but cold thanks for his readiness to serve him and the Splendour of his Assistance and told him he was resolved to pass through Mesopotamia where he had left a great many brave Roman Soldiers whereupon the Armenian went his way As Crassus was passing his Army by Zeugma many strange and supernatural Thunders were heard and the Lightning flashed upon the Army and during the Storm a Hurricane broke down the Bridge and carried part of it away and two Thunderbolts fell upon the very place where the Army was going to Encamp and one of the General 's Horses famously caparison'd broke from the Groom leap'd into the River and was seen no more and when they went to take up the great Standard the Eagle turned its head backward and after he had passed over his Army as they were distributing Provisions they first gave Lentils and Salt which the Romans account ominous being what is set before the dead And as Crassus was haranging his Soldiers he let fall a Word which struck a great terror in the Army for said he I will break down the Bridge that none of you may return and whereas he ought when he had perceived his blunder to have corrected himself and explained his meaning to those that were so concerned at it he wou'd not do it out of meer stubbornness and when at the last general Sacrifice the Priest gave him the Entrails they slipt out of his hand and when he saw the standers by concerned at it he laught and said See what 't is to be an old Man but I 'll hold my Sword fast enough so marching his Army along the River with seven Legions little less than 4000 Horse and as many light armed Soldiers the Scouts returning declaring that not one Man appeared but that they saw the footing of a great many Horses which seemed to retire and fly whereupon Crassus conceived great hopes and the Romans began to despise the Parthians as men that would not come to handy-strokes but Cassius and the rest advised him to refresh his Army in some of the Garrison Towns and remain there till they could get some certain Intelligence of the Enemy at least to make toward Seleucia and keep by the River that so they might have the convenience of Ships to bring him Provisions which might always accompany the Army and the River would secure them from being environed and if they should fight it might be upon equal terms As Crassus was considering hereupon there came to the Camp an Arabian Tribune named Ariamnes a cunning subtle Fellow and one which was the chief cause of all the misfortune that befell them some of Pompey's old Soldiers knew him for he had serv'd with them under him and had received some Kindnesses of him and was looked upon as a Friend to the Romans but was now suborned by the King's Officers and sent to Crassus to entice him if possible from the River and Hills into the Plain where he might be surrounded for the Parthians desired any thing rather than to be obliged to meet the Romans face to face he therefore coming to Crassus and he had his Tongue well hung highly commended Pompey as his Benefactor and admired the Forces that Crassus had with him but seemed to wonder why he delayed and made Preparations as if he should not use his Feet more than his Arms against those Men that taking with them their best Goods and Chattels had designed long ago to fly for refuge to the Scythians or Hyrcanians but supposing they were to fight at least he ought to make what hast he could before the King could recover Courage and get his Forces together for you see Surena and Syllaces are opposed to you to hinder your further progress but the King himself does not appear but this was all a Lye for Hyrodes had divided his Army into two parts with one he in Person wasted Armenia revenging himself upon Artuasdes and sent Surena against the Romans not out of Contempt as some pretend for there is no likelihood that he should despise Crassus one of the Chiefest men of Rome to go and fight with Artuasdes and invade Armenia but for my part I believe he apprehended the danger and therefore he expected the Event and that Surena should first run the hazard of a Battel and circumvent the Enemy Nor was this Surena an ordinary Person but for Wealth Family and Authority the second man in the Kingdom but for Courage and Prowess he was the first neither was any one so large sized or so well shaped whenever he travelled alone he had 1000 Camels to carry his Baggage 200 Chariots full of Concubines 1000 compleatly Arm'd men for his Life-Guards and a great many more light Arm'd and at least 10000 of his Servants and Retinue and the Honour had long belonged to his Family that at the King's Coronation he put the Crown upon his Head and when this very King Hyrodes had been exiled he brought him in 't was he that took the great City of Seleucia was the first Man that scaled the Walls and with his own hand beat off the Defendants and though at that time he was not above 30 years old he was counted as wise and discreet wherein he had much the advantage of Crassus who was easy to be imposed upon first through his overweening confidence and afterwards because he was dastarded and cow'd by his Calamities When Ariamnes had thus work'd upon him he drew him from the Rivers into vast Plains by a way that at first was pleasant and easie but afterwards very troublesome by reason of the depth of the Sand not a Tree not any Water and no end of this to be seen so that they were not only spent with thirst and the difficulty of the passage but the uncomfortable Prospect of not a bough not a stream not a hillock not a green herb dismayed them quite but an odd kind of a Sea of Sand which encompassed the Army with its Waves Here they began to suspect some Treachery and at the same time came Messengers from Artuasdes that he was engaged in a bloody War with Hyrodes that had invaded his Country so that now 't was impossible for him to send him any succours Wherefore he advised Crassus to turn back and with joynt Forces to give Hyrodes Battle or at least that he should so March
and Encamp where Horses could not easily come and keep to the Mountains Crassus out of Anger and Vanity writ him no Answer but told them At present he was not at leisure to mind the Armenians but he would call upon them another time and revenge himself upon Artuasdes his Treachery Here Cassius his Party began again to complain but when they perceived how much Crassus was displeased they gave him over but privately rail'd at the Barbarian What evil Genius O thou worst of Men brought thee to our Camp and with what charms and potions hast thou bewitched Crassus that he should march his Army through a vast and deep Desart through ways which are rather fit for a Captain of Arabian Robbers than the General of a Roman Army But the Barbarian being a very subtle fellow very submissively exhorted them and encouraged them to sustain it a little farther but ran about the Camp and under pretence of cheering up the Souldiers asked them in scoff What do you think you march through Campania expecting every where to find Springs and Shades and Baths and Inns of Entertainment consider you now travel the Confines of Arabia and Assyria Thus he managed them like Children and before the cheat was discovered he rode away not but that Crassus was privy to his going but he had perswaded him that he would go and contrive how to disorder the Affairs of the Enemy and it was observed that Crassus came not abroad that day in his Scarlet Robe which Roman Generals use to wear but in a black one which as soon as he perceived he changed And the Standard-Bearers had much ado to take up their Eagles which seemed to be fixed to the place Crassus laught at it and hastened their March and compelled his Infantry to keep pace with his Cavalry till some few of the Scouts returned and told them that their Fellows were slain and they hardly escaped that the Enemy was at hand resolved to give them Battel here all was in an uproar Crassus was struck into an amaze and for hast could not put his Army in good order First therefore as Cassius advised they opened their Ranks and Files that they might take up as much space as could be to prevent their being surrounded and distributed the Horse into the Wings but afterwards changing his Mind he drew up his Army in a square and made a Front every way each of which consisted of Twelve Companies to everyone of which he alotted a Troop of Horse that no part might be destitute of the Assistance that the Horse might give and that they might be ready to assist every where as need should require Crassus Commanded one of the Wings young Crassus t'other and himself was in the middle thus they marched on till they came to a little River named Bolissus a very inconsiderable one in it self but very grateful to the Soldiers who had suffered so much by Drought and Heat all along their march Most of the Commanders were of the opinion that they ought to remain there that night and to inform themselves as much as possible of the number of the Enemies and their Order and so march against them at break of Day but Crassus was so exalted at the eagerness of his Son and the Horsemen that were with him who desired and urged him to lead them on and engage that he Commanded those that had a mind to it to eat and drink as they stood in their Ranks and before they had all well done he led them on not leisurely and by stops as if he was going to Battel but kept on his pace as if he had been in haste till they saw the Enemy contrary to their expectation neither so many nor so magnificently Armed as the Romans expected for Surena had hid his main Force behind the first ranks and ordered them to hide the glittering of their Armour with Coats and Skins but when they approached and the General gave the Signal immediately all the field rung with a hidious noise and terrible clamour for the Parthians do not encourage themselves to War with Cornets and Trumpets but with a kind of Kettle Drum which makes a dead and solemn noise like the Bellowing of Beasts mixt with something like thunder for they well considered that the sense of hearing which receives the first impressions most easily disturbs the Mind and subverts the understanding When they had sufficiently terrified the Romans with their noise they threw of the covering of their Armour they shone like lightening in their Brest-plates and Helmets polished and furbished and made of Margianian Steel and their Horses were covered with Brass and Steel Trappings Surena was the tallest and comelyest Man himself And the Sweetness of his Looks and Effeminacy of his Habit could not promise so much Manhood as he really was Master of for his Face was Painted and his Hair parted after the fashion of the Medes whereas the other Parthians look'd more terrible with their hair shaggy after the Scythian Mode Their first design was with their Launces to beat down and force back the first Ranks of the Romans but when they perceived the depth of their Battel and that the Soldiers kept their ground they made a retreat and pretending to separate and break their Orders they encompassed the Romans round ere they were aware of it then Crassus Commanded his Light Armed Soldiers to charge in but they had not gone far before they were received with such a shower of Arrows that they were glad to retire amongst the heavy-Armed which was the first occasion of their disorder and terror when they perceived the strength and force of their Darts which pierced and broke their Arms Body and all Now the Parthians divided themselves and began to shoot from all sides not aiming at any particular for indeed the order of the Romans was so close that they could not miss if they would and Arrows being forced out of strong bent Bows the strokes were very violent Now was the state of the Romans desperate for if they kept their ranks they were wounded and if they charged though they hurt the Enemy ne'er the more they suffer'd ne'er the less For the Parthians threw their Darts when they fled an Art which none but the Scythians are better practis'd in and 't is cunningly contriv'd for while they thus fight to make their escape they avoid the dishonour of a Flight however the Romans had some comfort to think that when they had spent all their Arrows they would either give over or come to Handy-strokes but when they understood there were several Camels loaded with Arrows and when the first Ranks had discharged those they had they wheeled off and took more Crassus seeing no end of it was out of all heart but sent to his Son that he should endeavour to fall in upon them before he was quite surrounded for the Enemy charged mostly upon that Quarter and rode about that they might come behind him
little advanced unexpectedly they had a view of the Enemy who had passed the Hills that lay between them and was marching down into the Plain seeing therefore the glittering of the Enemies Golden Armour which glar'd in the Sun the good Order of their March the Elephants with their Castles on their backs and the Men in their Purple as their manner was when they were going to give Battel the Front stopt their March and called out for Eumenes for they would not advance a step but under his Conduct and fixing their Arms in the ground gave the Word among themselves to stand requiring their Officers also not to stir or engage or hazard themselves without Eumenes News of this being brought to Eumenes he hastned them that carried his Litter and put forth his right hand Assoon as the Soldiers saw him they saluted him in the Macedonian Language and took up their Shields and striking them with their Pikes gave a great shout inviting the Enemy to come on for now they had a Leader But Antigonus understanding by some Prisoners he had taken that Eumenes was sick and to that degree as to be carried in a Litter presumed it would be no hard matter to tread in pieces the rest of them since he was ill Wherefore he made the greater haste to come up with them and engage But being come so near as to discover how the Enemy was drawn up and appointed he was astonished and paused for some time at last he saw the Litter carrying from one Wing of the Army to the other and as his manner was laughing aloud he said to his Friends That Litter there it seems is the thing that offers us Battel but withal he immediately wheeled about with all his Army and decamped The other side finding a little respite returned to their former custom of revelling and assuring every Man the port of a General taking up for their Winter-Quarters near the whole Country of the Gabeni so that the Front was quartered near 100 furlongs from the Rear which Antigonus understanding marcht immediately towards them taking the worst way through a Country that wanted Water but the way was short though uneven hoping if he should surprize them thus scattered in their Winter-Quarters the Soldiers would not easily be able to come up time enough and join with their Officers But being to pass through a Country uninhabited where the Winds were bleak and boisterous and the Frosts great he was very much checkt in his March and his men exceedingly tired The only relief in this case was making continual fires whereby his Enemies got notice of his coming For the Barbarians who dwelt on the Mountains bordering upon the Desart amazed at the multitude of fires they saw sent Messengers upon Dromedaries to acquaint Peucestus He being astonisht and almost struck dead with the News and finding the rest in no less disorder resolved to flee and get up what Men he could by the way But Eumenes delivered him from his great fear and trouble undertaking to stop the Enemies Career that he should arrive three days later than he was expected Having persuaded them he immediately dispatched Expresses to all Officers to draw the Men out of their Winter-Quarters and Muster them with speed He himself with some of the chief Officers rode out and chose an eminent place within view of such as travelled the Desart this he fortified and quartered out and commanded many fires to be made in it as the Custom is in a Camp This done and the Enemies seeing the fire upon the Mountains Anguish and Despair seized Antigonus supposing that his Enemies had been long advertised of his March and were prepared to receive him Wherefore lest his Army now tired and wearied out with their March should be forced immediately to encounter with fresh Men who had Wintered well and were ready for him quitting the near way he marched slowly through the Towns and Villages to refresh his Men. But meeting with no such Skirmishes as are usual when two Armies lie near one another and being assured by the People of the Country that no Army had been seen but only continual Fires in that place he concluded he had been outwitted by a Stratagem of Eumenes and being very much troubled advanced towards him resolving immediately to give Battel By this time the greatest part of the Forces were come together to Eumenes and admiring his Conduct declared him sole Commander in chief of the whole Army Whereat Antigenes and Teutamus Captains of the Argyraspides being very much offended and envying Eumenes formed a Conspiracy against him and assembling the greater part of the Lords and Officers consulted when and how to cut him off When they had unanimously agreed first to abuse his service and make him miscarry in the next Battel and thence take an occasion to destroy him Eudamus the Master of the Elephants and Phadimus gave Eumenes private advice of this design not out of kindness or good will to him but lest they should lose the Money he had lent them Eumenes having commended them retired to his Tent and telling his Friends he lived among a Herd of wild Beasts made his Will mangled and tore all his Letters lest his Correspondents after his Death should be questioned or punished for the Intelligence they had given him Having thus disposed of his Affairs he thought of letting the Enemy win the Field or of flying through Media and Armenia and seizing Cappadocia but came to no Resolution while his Friends stayed with him After forecasting divers things in his mind which his changeable Fortune made unsteady and sickle he at last put his Men in Array and encouraged the Greeks and Barbarians as for the Argyraspides they encouraged him and bid him be of good heart for the Enemy would never be able to stand them For indeed they were the oldest of Philip and Alexander's Soldiers tried Men that had long made a Trade of War that had never been beaten or so much as foiled most of them 70 none less than 60 years old Wherefore when they charged Antigonus his Men they cried out You fight against your Fathers you Rascals and furiously falling on routed the whole Troop at once no Body being able to stand them and the greatest part dying by their hands so that Antigonus his Foot were routed but his Horse got the better and he became Master of the Baggage through the Cowardise of Peucestus who behaved himself negligently and basely While Antigonus not daunted with the loss of his Infantry was vigilant and active and had the advantage of the ground For the place where they fought was a large Field neither deep nor hard under foot but like the Sea-shore covered with a fine soft sand which the treading of so many Men and Horses in the time of the Battle reduced to a small white dust that like a Cloud of Lime darkened the Air so that one could not see clearly at any distance and so made it
easie for Antigonus to take the Carriage unperceived After the Battel Teutamus sent a Message to Antigonus to demand the Baggage He made Answer He would not only restore it to the Argyraspides but serve them farther in other things if they would but deliver up Eumenes Whereupon the Argyraspides made a villainous Resolution to deliver up this great Man alive into the hands of his Enemies So they came to wait upon him being unsuspected by him but watching their opportunity against him some lamenting the loss of the Baggage some encouraging as if he had been Victor some accusing the rest of the Captains till at last they all fell upon him and seizing his Sword bound his hands behind him with his own Girdle When Antigonus had sent Nicanor to receive him he begged he might be led through the Body of the Macedonians and have liberty to speak to them neither to request nor deprecate any thing but only to advise them what would be for their Interest A silence being made as he stood upon a rising Ground he stretched out his hands bound and said What Trophy O ye basest of all the Macedonians could Antigonus have wished for so great as you your selves have erected him in delivering up your General Captive into his hands How vile is it when you were Conquerors to own your selves Conquered for the sake only of your Baggage as if it were Wealth not Arms wherein Victory consisted Nay you deliver up your General to redeem your Lumber As for me I am unvanquished though a Captive Conqueror of my Enemies and betrayed by my Fellow-Souldiers For you I adjure you by Jupiter the Protector of Arms and by all the Gods that are the avengers of Perjury to kill me here with your own hands for 't is all one and when I am murdered yonder it will be esteemed your Act nor will Antigonus complain for he desires not Eumenes alive but dead If ye would with-hold your own hands release but one of mine it shall suffice to do the Work but if you dare not trust me with a Sword throw me bound as I am to wild Beasts This if you do I shall freely acquit you from the guilt of my death as the most just and kind of Men to their General While Eumenes was thus speaking the rest of the Souldiers wept for grief but the Argyraspides bawled out to lead him on and gave not attention to his trifling For it was nothing so grievous the Lamentation of this Chersonesean Plague which in thousands of Battels had annoyed and wasted the Macedonians as it would be for the choicest of Philip and Alexander's Souldiers to be defrauded of the Fruits of so long Service and in their old Age to come to beg their Bread besides that their Wives had lain now three Nights with their Enemies So they pushed him on with all speed and violence But Antigonus fearing the Multitude for no body was left in the Camp sent ten of his strongest Elephants with divers of his Mede and Parthyaean Lances to keep off the Press Then he could not endure to have Eumenes brought into his presence by reason of their former Intimacy and Friendship but when they that had taken him had enquired of Antigonus how he would have him kept As I would said he an Elephant or a Lion A little after being moved with Compassion he commanded the heaviest of his Irons to be knock'd off one of his Menial Servants to be admitted to anoint him and that any of his Friends that were willing should have liberty to visit him and bring him what he wanted Long time he deliberated what to do with him sometimes inclining to the advice and Promises of Nearchuâ— of Crete and Demetrius his Son who were very earnest to preserve Eumenes whilst all the rest were unanimously instant and importunate to have him taken off 'T is reported that Eumenes should enquire of Onomarchus his Keeper why Antigonus now he had his Enemy in his hands would not either forthwith dispatch or generously release him And that Onomarchus contumeliously answered him That the Field was a more proper place than this to shew his Contempt of Death To whom Eumenes replied And by Jupiter I shewed it there ask the men else that engaged me but I could never meet a Man that was too hard for me Therefore rejoyned Onomarchus now you have found such a Man why don't you submit quietly to his pleasure When Antigonus resolved to kill Eumenes he commanded to keep his Meat from him and so with two or three days fasting he began to draw near his end But the Camp being on a sudden to remove an Executioner was sent to dispatch him Antigonus granted his Body to his Friends permitted them to burn it and having gathered his Ashes into a Silver Urn to send them to his Wife and Children Eumenes being thus taken off the Divinity appointed no other of the Captains or Commanders to revenge the Disloyalty of them that had betrayed him but Antigonus himself abominating the Argyraspides as wicked and inhumane Villains delivered them up to Ibyrtius Procurator of Arachosia commanding him by all ways and means to confound and destroy them so that not a man of them might ever come to Macedon or so much as within sight of the Greek Sea SERTORIUS THE LIFE OF QUINTUS SERTORIUS Translated from the Greek By Edward Browne M. D. VOLUME III. IT is no great wonder if in long process of time the Wheel of Fortune running variously hither and thither through the Universe shall happen to fall divers times into the same Trace and the like Occurrences be often produced and if the number of Subjects to be wrought upon be infinite Fortune being supplied with matter sufficiently copious may more easily produce this remarkable likeness in humane Affairs Or if otherwise all things be composed and framed out of a finite and limited number of Events when these have all appeared the same of necessity must again come to pass the Series and whole course of Accidents having already been performed Now some being delighted with such casualties as exactly resemble one another make Historical Collections of those fortuitous Occurrences they have heard or read of and observing some Fatality therein represent them as the works of a rational predeterminating Power and Providence Thus they observe that of two eminent Persons both whose Names were Attis both Nobly Born and of most Illustrious Families the one of Syria the other of Arcadia both of them were slain by a wild Boar that of two Noblemen Both whose Names were Actaeon the one was torn in pieces by his Dogs the other by his Lovers that of two famous Scipio's the one overthrew the Carthaginians in war the other totally ruin'd and destroy'd them the City of Troy was the first time taken by Hercules for the horses promis'd to be given him by Laomedon the second time by Agamemnon by means of the celebrated great wooden Horse and the third
the dividing of the Spoyl gave over the Pursuit Afranius in the mean time as soon as Sertorius had left his Right Wing to assist the other part of his Army overthrew all that opposed him and pursued them to their Camp fell in with them and plunder'd them till it was dark Night knowing nothing of Pompey's Overthrow nor being able to restrain his Soldiers from Pillaging When Sertorius returning with Victory fell upon the Forces of Afranius which were in Disorder and slew great Numbers of them and the next Morning came into the Field again well arm'd and offered Battle but perceiving that Metellus was near he drew off and returned to his Camp saying If this old Woman had not been here I would have whipped that Boy soundly and sent him to Rome Sertorius being much concerned that his white Hind could no where be found whereby he was destitute of an admirable Contrivance both to amuse and encourage the Barbarous People at a time when he most stood in need of it some of his Men wandring in the Night chanced to meet her and knowing her by her colour took her to whom Sertorius promised a good Reward if they would tell no one of it and presently shut her up a few days after he appeared in Publick with a very chearfull Look and declared to the Chief Nobility of the Countrey that the Gods had foretold him in a Dream that some great good Fortune should suddenly attend him and being set on the Tribunal to Answer the Petitions of those who applied themselves to him The Keepers of the Hind let her loose and she no sooner espied Sertorius but she ran leaping with great joy to his Feet laid her Head upon his Lap and licked his Hands as she formerly used to do and Sertorius stroaking her and making much of her again with that tenderness that the Tears stood in his Eyes all that were present were immediately filled with Wonder and Astonishment and afterwards accompanying him to his House with respectfull Congratulations and loud Shouts for Joy they looked upon him as a Person above the Rank of Mortal Men as one that was influenced from above and that was highly beloved by the Gods and being hereby mightily encouraged they conceived far better hopes for the future When he had reduced his Enemies to the last extremity for want of Provision he was forced to give them Battle in the Plains near Saguntum to hinder them from foraging and plundring the Countrey where both Parties fought gloriously and Memmius the greatest Commander in Pompey's Army was slain in the heat of the Battle but Sertorius overthrew all before him and with great slaughter of his Enemies pressed forward towards Metellus This old Commander making a stout resistance beyond what could be expected from one of his years was wounded with a Lance which struck amazement into all that saw it or heard of it and filled the Roman Soldiers hearts with Sorrow and with Shame to be thought to have left their General in distress but at the same time it provoking them to Revenge and Fury against their Enemies they soon covered Metellus with their Shields and brought him off in safety and then valiantly repulsed the Spaniards whereby Victory changed sides and Sertorius that he might afford a more secure Retreat to his Army and that more Forces might more easily be raised retired into a strong City in the Mountains and thought it was the least of his Intention to sustain a long Seige yet he began to repair the Walls and to fortifie the Gates whereby he deluded his Enemies who came and set down before the Town hoping to take it without much resistance and gave over the pursuit of the Spaniards affording them opportunity to gather together again and to raise new Forces for Sertorius to which purpose he had sent Commanders to all their Cities with Orders when they had sufficiently encreased their Numbers to send him word of it which News he no sooner received but he sallied out and forced his way through his Enemies and easily joyned with the rest of his Army and having received this considerable reinforcement he set upon the Romans again and by fiercely assaulting them by alarming them on all sides by ensnaring circumventing and laying Ambushes for them he cut off all Provisions by Land while with his Ships of War and Pyratical Vessels he kept all the Coast in awe and hindred their Recrutes by Sea whereby he forced the Roman Generals to dislodge and to separate from one another Metellus departed into Gallia and Pompey wintered among the Baccaeans in a wretched condition where being in extreme want of Money he wrote a lamentable Letter to the Senate to let them know that if they did not speedily supply him he must draw off his Army for he had already spent his own Estate in the Defence of Italy To these Extremities the Chiefest and the most Powerfull Commanders of the Age were reduced by the Skill and Valour of Sertorius and it was the common Opinion in Rome that he would be sooner in Italy than Pompey and how far Metellus was terrified with his Greatness and at what rate he esteemed him he plainly declared when he offered by Proclamation an hundred Talents and twenty thousand Acres of Land to any Roman that should kill him and leave if he were banished to return attempting villanously to betray and sell him when he despaired of ever being able to overcome him in open War with all the powerfull Forces of the Roman Empire And when afterwards he gained some advantage in a Fight against Sertorius he was so wonderfully pleased and transported with his good Fortune that he caused himself to be publickly proclaimed Imperator or Sovereign Commander and ordered that all the Cities which he visited should receive him with Altars dedicated and Sacrifices offered to him where indulging himself in splendid Entertainments and costly Suppers he would sit drinking in his Triumphal Robes with Garlands and Crowns upon his Head while the Images and Figures of Victory were introduced by the motion of Machins bringing in with them Crowns and Trophies of Gold to present to him and Companies of young Men and Women danced before him courted him and sang to him Songs of Joy and Triumph whereby he rendred himself deservedly ridiculous for being excessively delighted and puffed up with the thoughts of following one that retired of his own accord and for having once the better of him whom he used to call Sylla's Fugitive and his Forces the Remainder of the scattered Troops of Carbo The Generosity of Sertorius signally appeared when he appointed a Senate and called together all the Roman Senators which fled from Rome and came and resided with him and out of these he chose Praetors and Quaestors and adorned his Government with all the Roman Laws and Constitutions and though he made use of the Arms Riches and Cities of the Spaniards yet he would never
wherefore the young Man taking with him 1300 Horse 1000 of which he had from Caesar 500 Archers and Eight Companies of his best Armed Soldiers that stood next him he led them up with design to charge the Parthians Whether it was that they feared to stand an Army in so good Array as some think or else designing to entice young Crassus as far as they could from his Father pretended to fly whereupon he crying out That they durst not stand pursued them and with him Censorinus and Vegabacchus both famous one for his Courage and Prowess the other for being of a Noble Family and an excellent Orator both Intimates of Crassus and his Contemporaries The Horse thus pushing on the Infantry staid little behind being exalted with hopes and joy for they supposed they had already Conquered and now were only pursuing till when they were gone too far they perceiv'd the Deceit for they that seemed to fly now turned again and a great many fresh ones came on hereupon they made an Halt for they doubted not but now the Enemy would Attack them because they were so few but they placed their Curiassiers against the Romans and with the rest of their Horse rode about scowring the field and stirring up the sand they raised such a Dust that the Romans could neither see nor speak to one another and for want of room tumbling upon one another they were slain not by a quick and easie Death but with intolerable pain and convulsions for rowling among the Darts they lingered away of their Wounds and when they would by force pluck out the barbed Arrows they caught hold of the Nerves and Veins so that they tore and tortured themselves many of them Died thus and those that survived were Disabled for any service and when Publius exhorted them to charge the Curiassiers they shewed him their Hands nailed to their Shields and their Feet stuck to the ground so that they could neither fly nor fight wherefore he charged in briskly with his Horse and made a gallant Onset but the Fight was very unequal either as to the offensive or defensive part for the Romans with their weak and little Javelins struck against Targets that were of tough raw Hides or Steel whereas the naked Bodies of the Gauls were exposed to the strong Spears of the Enemy for upon these he mostly depended and with them he wrought Wonders for they would catch hold of their Spears and seize upon the Enemy and so pull them off from their Horses where they could scarce stir by reason of the heaviness of their Armour and many of them quitting their own Horses would creep under those of the Enemy and stick them into the Belly which growing unruly by reason of the pain trampled upon their Riders and Enemies promiscuously The Gauls were chiefly tormented by reason of the Heat and Drought being not accustomed to them and most of their Horses were slain by being spurred on against the Spears so that they were forced to retire among the Foot bearing off Publius grievously wounded Observing a sandy Hillock not far off they made to it tying therefore their Horses to one another and placing them in the midst and joyning all their Shields together before them they thought they might make some Defence against the Barbarians but it fell out quite contrary for when they were drawn up in a Plain the Front in some measure secured those that were behind but when they were upon the Hill one being higher than another there was no avoiding of it but all were equally exposed bewailing their Inglorious and useless Fate There were with Publius two Greeks that lived near there at Carras Hieronymus and Nichomachus they perswaded him to retire with them to Icenas a Town not far from thence and Allie of the Romans No said he there is no death so terrible for the fear of which Publius would leave his Friends that die upon his Account but wishing them to take care of themselves he embraced them and sent them away and because he could not use his Arm for he was run through with a Spear he opened his Side to his Armour-Bearer and Commanded him to run him through and 't was said that Censorinus fell after the same manner Vegabacchus slew himself as also the rest of best note and the Parthians coming upon the rest with their Lances killed them fighting nor were there above 500 taken Prisoners cutting off the head of Publius they directly march towards Crassus and this was the posture of Affairs when he had commanded his Son to fall upon the Enemy and word was brought him that they were fled and perceiving that the Enemy did not press upon him so hard as formerly for they were gone to fall upon Publius he began to take heart a little and drawing his Army into a convenient place expected when his Son would return from the pursuit of those whom he thought defeated as soon as he saw his danger the first Messengers were intercepted by the Enemy and slain the last hardly escaping came and declared That Publius was lost unless he had speedy Succours Crassus was mightily distracted not knowing what Counsel to take being fearful for the main Chance and desirous to help his Son at last he resolved to move with his Forces Just upon this up came the Enemy with their shouts and noises now more terrible with their Drums astonishing the Romans who now feared a fresh engagement and they that brought Publius his Head upon the point of a Spear when they were come so near that it could be known scoffingly enquired where were his Parents and what Family he was of for 't was impossible that so brave and gallant a Gentleman should be the Son of so pitiful a Coward as Crassus This sight above all the rest dismayed the Romans for it did not incite them to courage as it ought to have done but to horror and trembling though they say Crassus out-did himself in this Calamity for he passed through the ranks and cried out to them This dear Country-men is my own peculiar Loss but the Fortune and the Glory of Rome is safe and untainted so long as you are safe but if any one be concerned for my loss of the best of Sons let him shew it in revenging him upon the Enemy Take away their joy revenge their Cruelty nor be dismayed at what is past for whoever attempts great matters must suffer something Neither did Lucullus overthrow Tigranes without Bloodshed nor Scipio Antiochus Our Ancestors have lost 1000 Ships about Sicily and how many Generals and Captains in Italy None of which notwithstanding failed to overthrow the Conquerors for the State of Rome did not arrive to this height by Fortune but by perseverance and virtue While Crassus thus spake exhorting them he saw but few that gave much heed to him and when he ordered them to shout for the Battel he found the deadness of heart of his Army which made but a
faint and weak noise but the shout of the Enemy was clear and bold and when they came to the business the Horsemen riding about shot their Arrows and the foremost ranks with their Spears drove the Romans close together except those who rush'd upon them for fear of being killed by their Arrows Neither did these do much Execution being quickly dispatched for the strong thick Spear made great Wounds and often run through two Men at once as they were thus fighting the Night coming on parted them the Parthians boasting that they would indulge Crassus one Night to mourn his Son unless upon better consideration he would rather go to Arsaces than be carried to him and therefore took up their Quarters near them being flush'd with their Victory But the Romans had a sad Night of it for neither taking care for the Burial of their dead nor the Cure of the Wounds nor the Groans of the expiring every one bewailed his own Fate For there was no means of escaping Whether they should stay for the Light or venture to retreat into the vast Desart in the Dark and now the Wounded Men gave them new trouble for to take them with them would retard their flight and if they should leave them they might serve as Guides to the Enemy by their Crys but however they were desirous to see and hear Crassus though they were sensible he was the cause of all their Mischief but he retired and hid himself where he lay as an Example of Fortune to the Vulgar but to the Wise an Example of Inconsiderateness and Ambition Who not content to be Supperior to so many Millions of Men but being inferiour to two esteemed himself as the lowest of all Then came Octavius his Lieutenant General and Cassius to comfort him but he being altogether struck sensless they called together the Centurions and Officers and agreeing that the best way was to fly they ordered the Army to march without sound of Trumpet and at first with silence but when the disabled Men found they were left behind a strange Confusion and Tumult with an Outcry and Lamentation seized the Camp and a trembling and dread fell upon them as if the Enemy were at their heels by which means now and then turning back now and then standing to their order sometimes taking up the Wounded that followed sometimes laying of them down they wasted the time except 300 Horse whom Ignatius brought safe to Carrae about midnight where calling to the Watch assoon as they heard him he bid them tell Coponius the Governour that Crassus had fought a very great Battel with the Parthians having said but this and not so much as telling his Name he rid away at speed to Zeugma 'T is true by this means he saved himself and his Men but he lost his Reputation by deserting his General but however his Message to Coponius was for the advantage of Crassus for suspecting by this hasty and confused delivery of himself that all was not well he immediately ordered the Garrison to be in Arms and assoon as he understood that Crassus was upon the way towards him he went out to meet him and received him with his Army into the Town but the Parthians although they perceived their dislodgment in the Night yet did not pursue them but as soon as it was day they came upon those that were left in the Camp and put no less than 4000 of them to the Sword and with their light Horse pick'd up a great many straglers Vargontinus the Legate broke off from the main Body with about three Cohorts which strayed out of the way the Parthians encompassing these in an eminence slew every Man of them excepting twenty who with their drawn Swords forced their way through the thickest and they admiring their Courage opened their Ranks to the right and left and let them pass without any further molestation to Carrae Soon after a false report was brought to Syrena that Crassus with his principal Officers had escap'd and that those who were got into Carrae were but a confused Rout of insignificant People not worth further pursuit Supposing therefore that he had lost the very Crown and Glory of his Victory and yet being uncertain whether it were so or not and therefore not able to resolve whether he should besiege Carrae or follow Crassus he sent one of his Interpreters to the Walls commanding him in Latin to call Crassus or Cassius for that the General Syrena had a mind to threat with him as soon as Crassus heard this he embrac'd the Proposal and soon after came up a Band of Arabians who very well knew the faces of Crassus and Cassius as having been frequently in the Roman Camp before the Battel They having espied Cassius from the Wall told him that Syrena desired a Peace and would give them safe Convoy if they would make a League with the King his Master and withdraw all their Garrisons out of Mesopotamia and this he thought most advisable for them both before things came to extremity Cassius greedily embracing the Proposal desired that a time and place might be appointed where Crassus and Syrena might have an interview The Arabians having charged themselves with the Message went back to Syrena who was not a little rejoiced that Crassus would stand a Siege next day therefore he came up with his Army insulting over the Romans and haughtily demanding of them Crassus and Cassius bound if they expected any mercy the Romans seeing themselves deluded and mock'd were much troubled at it and advising Crassus to lay aside his long and empty Hopes of aid from the Armenians resolved to fly for it and this Design ought to have been kept private till they were upon their way but Crassus could not conceal it from the Villain Andromachus nay he was so infatuated as to chuse him for his Guide The Parthians then to be sure had punctual intelligence of all that passed but it being forbid to them by the Laws of their Country and no less difficult to fight by Night Crassus chose that time to set out in and the trusty Andromachus lest he should get the start too far of his Pursuers led him into Morasses and places full of Ditches and Inclosures so that it was exceeding painful and vexatious to his Company and some there were who supposing by these Windings and Turnings of Andromachus that no good was intended resolved to follow him no further and at last Cassius himself returned to Carrae and his Guides the Arabians advising him to tarry there till the Moon was got out of Scorpio he told them that he was most afraid of Sagittarius and they with 500 Horse left him and went into Assyria Others there were who having got honest Guides took their way by the Mountains and got into places of security by day-break these were 5000 under the Command of Octavius a very gallant Man but Crassus fared worse for Andromachus had so intangled him in the Fens and rough