their Harvest-work while he with the other two thirds advanc'd toward the Enemy posting himself on an Eminence about two Miles distant from Gerunium to try if he could from thence awe them and also to be in a better Post to succour his Foragers in case they should chance to be press'd But there happening to be a piece of high Ground between the two Armies which commanded near the Roman Camp he sent thither in the Night two Thousand of his light-arm'd Troops to take possession thereof This being observ'd in the Morning by Minutius he immediately order'd out his light-arm'd Soldiers likewise against them who attack'd them in their Post The Dispute was very warm for a while but in the end the Romans prevail'd and dislodging the Enemy came and posted themselves there Hannibal after this remain'd quiet in his Camp for some Days with all his Troops for that they had the Romans now so near Neighbours but after a while he was necessitated to send abroad for Forage for his Horse and to fetch in Corn for the supply of his Camp for that he was unwilling not only to spend out of the Store they had laid up but sollicitous to add to what they had already gather'd to the end they might live in plenty during Winter both Horse and Man placing his greatest hopes of success in the Service of his Horse In the mean time Minutius being inform'd that the Enemy was abroad in great numbers dispers'd here and there about the Country for the Services above-mention'd order'd his Troops to march at an Hour he thought most proper and being not far from the Enemies Camp drew up his Army in Battalia and ordering his Horse and light-arm'd Troops to be drawn up in Parties and small Divisions commanded them to march and attack the Foragers and to give no Quarter This Action did not a little perplex Hannibal who had not then Strength enough at hand to make head against the Enemy nor to succour those who were scatter'd stragling about the Country Those of the Romans who were commanded out against the Foragers kill'd many as they found them wand'ring to and again and those who stood drawn up in Battalia began so to contemn the Carthaginians that not satisfy'd to confine them to their Camp they were hardly with-held from attempting their Works insomuch that Hannibal seem'd to be greatly streightâ—ed Yet albeit he was reduc'd to that extremity that it was all he could do to keep his Ground and defend the Camp yet he deserted not his Post In short Asdrubal receiving those into the Camp under the Walls of Gerunium that had escap'd thither from the Enemy march'd at the head of four Thousand Men to the relief of Hannibal who being now in some sort reinsorc'd advanc'd against the Romans and stood some time in Battalia not far distant from their Camp so that in the end he came fairly off of the Danger that threaten'd him tho' with difficulty enough but in a word he came off Minutius having slain many of the Enemy in this Rencounter and more of the Foragers retir'd to his Camp full of assurance of future Success and on the Morrow upon the Carthaginians marching out of their Works he follow'd them and took possession of their Camp For Hannibal fearful lest the Romans should by surprize in the Night attempt and assault his Camp at Gerunium which was not in a very good state of Defence and might thereby become Masters of their Baggage their Plunder and all the Stores they had there laid up was therefore determin'd to return and abide in those Quarters In the mean time the Carthaginians forag'd for the furture with more caution and the Romans manifested less apprehension of the Enemy The news of this Action being brought to Rome and publish'd with more Vanity than Truth there was great Joy in the City For after the Consternation they had been in they reckon'd it a Change greatly for the better and as an Omen of their future good Fortune and that if their Armies had not of a long time perform'd any thing to the purpose it was not at least through the Cowardice of the Soldiers but the pusillanimity of the Dictator who apprehended every thing So that all the World began now to reproach Fabius and blame his Conduct for having lost so many fair occasions plainly through want of Resolution But they heap'd so many Praises on Minutius that in the end they decreed him an Honour that was without any example in the Republick For they invested him with absolute Authority imagining that by that act they should put it in his Power to give a speedy Period to the War and now by this Decree they came to have two Dictators at one and the same time to Conduct their Affairs which never happen'd at any time before among the Romans When Minutius came to understand how highly he was exalted in the Opinion of the People and that they had given him full Power he grew more determin'd and forward to attempt every thing how hazardous soever In the mean time Fabius returns to the Army without any change of Judgment through the Injuries which had been done him but rather more confirm'd in the Rules he had laid down to himself and observing that Minutius was now become insolent and uneasie to him by his new Authority and Successes and that he oppos'd him in every thing through a kind of Jealousie he had conceiv'd and that he was likely to push Matters to a decisive Battel he therefore put it to his choice whether they should command the Army by Days alternately or divide the Army and command the distinct Bodies apart and have two separate Camps and act as each of them saw good Minutius thereupon inclin'd to divide the Army whereupon the Legions were divided and encamp'd a-part about a Mile and an half asunder Hannibal as well by the Prisoners he had taken as by their Proceedings had now learn'd there was an ill understanding between the two Generals and well knew too the Mind of Minutius wherefore rightly judging that this posture of their Affairs would in the end work more Mischief to them than to him he began to contrive how to lay Baits for Minutius that he might a little restrain his Insolence and confound his Designs And observing a small rising Ground between his and Minutius's Camp by which either might incommode the other Hannibal therefore resolv'd to possess it and for that he was well assur'd the Roman embolden'd by his late Success would oppose him he therefore devis'd this Stratagem The Country round about near this piece of Ground was in truth plain and Champaign no part thereof seeming in any wise capable of Ambushes but forasmuch as in the plainest Countries there are little insensible Risings and Fallings Turnings and Windings Rocks and Caverns where Men may be conceal'd as here there was wherefore in these places he hid five Hundred Horse and five Thousand Foot divided into
afterwards King of Syracuse he was then indeed but young howbeit Nature had given him all the good Qualities to be wish'd in a Prince He was no sooner advanc'd to this Power but by the secret Practices and Address of some of his Friends he got possession of the City where he soon suppress'd those of the contrary Faction but proceeding in all things with so much Gentleness and Humanity that tho' the Syracusians would not approve the Election made by the Army he was nevertheless received as Praetor without the least Contest From the very beginning by the manner of his Administration of that Authority it plainly appear'd to those who could best discern that he was Born to something yet greater than the Praetorship For having rightly inform'd himself of the Humours and Manners of the Syracusians that they were Seditious and no sooner in Arms but they fell into Factious and Mutinous Practices and farther observing that Leptines one of the prime Citizens Superiour to the rest both in Credit and Interest and in great Reputation with the People for his Justice and Probity would be very useful to him with him he made an Alliance by taking his Daughter to Wife and proposing to lodge the Authority in the City with him during his Expeditions with the Army abroad Having compass'd these things and observing the old Mercenary Souldiers to have lost their Discipline to be quite spoil'd with Idleness and Debauchery and to be over and above not very well affected to him but were bandying and meditating some new Commotions he therefore forms a pretence of an Expedition against the Barbarians who were possess'd of Messina and having march'd out his Forces he Incamp'd near Centuripa in sight of the Enemy where drawing up to ingage them not far from the River Cyamosoros he so ordered his Battel that keeping his own Horse and Foot near himself with shew of attacking the Enemy elsewhere he by that means designedly expos'd the Mercenaries to the entire shock of the Mamertines where they were all cut off and while the Enemy were busied in the Execution withdrew his own People in safety to Syracuse By this Artifice he punish'd his Mercenaries and got rid of the disorderly and seditious part of his Army In brief having form'd an Army to his own Mind he govern'd and preserv'd his Authority in great Peace and Security and observing the Enemy to be grown Inrolent by their late Success and that they made Inroads and spoil'd the neighbouring Country he march'd out of the City with his new Army which he had now well Disciplin'd and meeting them in the Plains of Mylaeus near the River Longanus he obtain'd an entire Victory routing their Army and taking their principal Officers Prisoners By which Success they were so humbled that they lost all Courage for the future Having perform'd these things against the Barbarians he return'd with his Army to Syracuse where he was proclaim'd King by the Souldiers As to the Mamertines they being now depriv'd of their wonted Succours from Rhegium and their own strength being greatly diminish'd by their late losses one Party apply'd to the Carthaginians and deliver'd the Citadel into their Hands another sent Ambassadours to the Romans praying their Assistance and offering them the possession of the City imploring their Protection on the account of their Alliance and common Original The Romans were long debating what to determine herein nor indeed could they honestly resolve to assist them it being apparent how great a blemish it would be to their Honour who while they animadverted on the Treachery of their own Citizens at Rhegium should be found abetting and supporting the Mamertines eminently guilty of the like Crime But they saw too that the Carthaginians had not only subdu'd Africa but had made themselves Masters of many places in Spain and that Sardinia and all the adjacent Islands on the Coast of Italy were already in their possession these Reflections were weigh'd with apprehension enough for the Romans already look'd on the Carthaginian Neighbourhood with an Eye of Jealousie being as it were now surrounded by them and knowing that they had designs on Italy it self they foresaw how formidable they would grow by the Accession of all Sicily to their State and perceiv'd too that this Island unless they interpos'd to prevent it by assisting the Mamertines would certainly fall into their Hands For Messina would soon be theirs and Syracuse would not then be long able to withstand them the Territory of which two places contain'd a principal part of the Island All this they clearly understood and knew it would not be fafe for them to abandon those of Messina and permit the Carthaginians to be Masters of a Post that might prove as it were a Bridge to conduct them into Italy These Points were long and solemnly debated and yet the Senate could not be drawn to determine without mighty difficulty foreseeing that the Reproach in assisting the Mamertines would be greater than the Benefit But the People who had been greatly impoverish'd by their late Wars and each Man propounding to himself some way or other to repair his own particular damage decreed to carry on the Enterprise and the rather for that those who were to have Command of the Armies manifested how profitable an Undertaking it wou'd be both for the State in general and each Man in particular The Decree therefore pass'd and was confirm'd by an Ordinance of the People and Appius Claudius one of the Consuls was ordered to conduct an Army forthwith into Sicily to the Relief of Messina To him the Mamertines deliver'd up the City after either by Art or Force they had got rid of the Carthaginian Officer who commanded in the Citadel But the Carthaginians suspecting Treachery or Cowardise ordered the said Governour to be Crucified At the same time they directed their Fleet to make towards Pelorus and encamp'd with their Land-Army near a Town called Senes and besieg'd Messina with all their Forces Hieron conceiving he saw now a fair prospect of exterminating the Barbarians Possessors of Messina out of Sicily enters into a Confederacy with the Carthaginians and forthwith marches with an Army from Syracuse towards Messina and encamp'd along the Mountain Chalcidicus to cut off all Correspondence with the besieg'd on that side But Appius Claudius with unspeakable Bravery passing the Streight by Night got at length into Messina Howbeit perceiving the Besiegers resolute and the Town straitly press'd on both sides and the Army superior by Sea and Land and apprehending both Danger and Dishonour in the Enterprise he dispatch'd Ambassadours to the Carthaginians and Hieron to treat about an Accommodation and obtain Peace for the Mamertines But the Negotiation not taking effect and finding there was now no Remedy but Fighting he resolv'd first to attack the Syracusians Accordingly he march'd out against Hieron who oppos'd him with great Readiness and Gallantry but after a long and very sharp Conflict the Romans had the day beating
behave themselves bravely and shortly after they march'd to find the Enemy their Forces consisting of Twelve Thousand Foot and Four Thousand Horse and about an Hundred Elephants The Romans were a little surpris'd at the Novelty to see their Enemy thus to change their manner of proceeding by marching down and incamping in the plain Country but being assur'd of the Event they march'd toward them with all Expedition and incamp'd within Twelve Hundred and Fifty Paces of the Carthaginian Army who the next Morning held a Council of War how they should proceed while the Souldiers assembling in great numbers and proclaiming every-where the Name of Xantippus demanded with great earnestness to be led against the Enemy The Officers observing this their Willingness and being urg'd and conjur'd by Xantippus not to let this their Ardour cool without Action the Army was directed to prepare for the Battel and the Order and Manner of their drawing up intirely committed to Xantippus who proceeded after this manner He drew up all the Elephants in Front advanc'd some distance beyond the Line of Battel In the Rear of these at a good distance he appointed the Carthaginian Battalions in the Right Wing was dispos'd part of the Mercenaries and some chosen out of them were mix'd with the Horse advanc'd before the two points of the Battel The Romans seeing the Enemy now ranging into Battalia lost no time but readily advanc'd against them with their usual Courage Nevertheless in regard they had a just Apprehension of the Force of their Elephants they appointed their light arm'd Souldiers to march advanc'd in the Front of their Battel and to sustain them were plac'd good Troops in firm and close order Their Horse were drawn up on the Wings not extending in length so far as their manner usually was which was recompens'd by the addition of Depth whereby they justly computed that they should be the better able to sustain the shock of the Elephants but they were entirely in the wrong touching their Horse those of the Enemy much out-numbring them In short both Armies being drawn up according to the Design of their respective Leaders they remain'd some time in suspence attending the Signal to ingage And now Xantippus commanded the Guides of the Elephants to advance and attempt the breaking of the Romans Order and to the Cavalry which out-wing'd them to surround and attack them in the Flank And the Romans after clashing their Arms and giving a Shout as their manner is began the Battel but their Horse perceiving themselves out-numbred by those of the Enemy soon abandon'd their Post in the Wings and the Foot in the Left-point of their Battel partly out of fear of the Elephants and partly beleiving they should find less to do against the Mercenaries attack'd them on the Right and put them to flight pursuing them to their Retrenchments But it far'd otherwise with those who were oppos'd to the Elephants they being disorder'd by those Animals broken kill'd and trodden under foot True it is that the Body of that Battalian by reason of its great depth and firm order was not presently shaken but when the Rear which yet sustain'd them perceiv'd the Enimies Horse in their Flank and that they were in danger to be surrounded they were forc'd to face about to receive them On the other hand such of the Roman Army as had charg'd though the Elephants were no sooner escap'd that danger but they encounter'd with the Battalion of Carthaginians fresh and in good order who charging them cut them all off And now the Romans being attack'd and worsted on all sides many were destroy'd by the rage and force of those mighty Animals the Elephants many were kill'd on the spot by the Cavalry and very few attempted to fly those who did were most of them by reason it was an open Country slain by the Hourse and the Elephants Five hundred who follow'd Regulus in his flight fell with him alive into the Enemies Hands Of the Carthaginians were kill'd about Eight Hundred most of them Mercenaries who were oppos'd to the Left Wing of the Romans 〈◊〉 whose Army there did not escape above Two Thousand and those were of the Party thâ—â— broke and pursu'd the Carthaginians whâ—â— the Battel first began as was observ'd thâ—â— rest were all slain saving the Consul M. Aâ—lius Regulus and those taken with him an the Cohorts that remain'd escap'd as by Mâ—â—racle to Aspis As for the Carthaginians 〈◊〉 soon as they had pillag'd the Dead thâ—â—â—arch'd back to their City full of Glory anâ— Triumph leading the Consul with them among the rest of the Prisoners Certainly whosoever weighs with Judgment the Success of this Adventure may collect matter of much benefit for reforming the Errors of Mankind For what is more easie to determine in this case of Regulus than that the flatteries of Fortune are of all others the most vain and trustless and we may behold him who but Yesterstay was triumphing in the Pride of his Success refusing the Compassion due to a miserable People to Day seeing himself a Captive and in a state to implore that Grace which he refus'd them In short the Event of this Action confirms that excellent saying of Euripides That one wise Head is more worth than many strong Hands For it is manifest in the Case now before us that the Counsel and Abilities of one single Person subdu'd the Roman Legions who by their Experience and Bravery were esteem'd Invincible rescu'd a sinking and despairing Common-wealth and restor'd Courage to a beaten and spiritless Army grown stupid by their Misfortunes Let it not therefore be thought superfluous that we add these our Reflections while those who shall read what we have written may chance to be edify'd and improve their Minds in that laudable Vertue of Moderation for as there are two ways to correct Men's manners namely by their own Misfortunes and the Example of those of others so tho' the one be more sensible the other is more safe It is therefore the wisest way by shunning the Perils and Difficulties of the one when without toil or hazard we may safely contemplate the other and take out Lessons for our Instruction at other Men's Experience So that in sum it will be found that there is no Doctrine or Method more likely to improve us in the Conduct of our Life than the Experience we may extract from the Study of History which fairly and candidly reports to us the Transactions of Times past for by this means alone it is that we attain Wisdom and Experience for the bare asking which at all Times and in all Events will be found most preferable but so much by way of Refiection The Carthaginians whose Affairs had prosper'd to their Wish express'd their Joy with all possible Piety towards the Gods and mutual Congratulations and Festivals among themselves As to Xantippus who had so happy a share in the Advancement and Prosperity of their Affairs he shortly after an admirable
great Spoil Whereupon the Princes of that People observing there was no end of the Molestation the Romans gave them determin'd at length to put all to the hazard of a Battel accordingly having assembl'd and rendezvous'd all their Troops in one certain place they possess'd themselves of all the Treasure Jewels and Gold belonging to the Temple of Minerva and by them call'd Immoveables with which they made provision of all things they needed to further their Design and being now well provided they march'd chearfully against the Romans and incamp'd in their view with an Army of fifty thousand fighting Men. The Romans plainly saw the Enemy much exceeded them in number and were therefore thinking to re-inforce their Army by an Addition of those Gauls who were in Amity with them but when they consider'd the Faithlessness of that People in all their Treaties and Negotiations and that those whose Aids they were to use were of the same Nation with the others against whom they were to draw their Swords they cou'd not therefore determine to trust them in an Affair of so mighty importance Wherefore they found this Expedient they order'd the Gauls their Allies to pass the River remaining with their own Army on the other side then demolishing the Bridge the River not being fordable they kept them at least from siding with the Enemy since they could not resolve to trust them as Friends By this means too their own Army was left without any Hopes but in Victory for there was no Retreat but by the River and that was now unpassable after this was done they prepar'd to receive the Enemy The Soldiers deserv'd great Commendations by the Address and Skill they shew'd in this Battel having been instructed it seems how they were to behave themselves singly or in a Body For the Tribunes had remark'd in their former Conflicts that the Gauls were not formidable but in the Ardour of the first Attack that their Swords were of such a fashion and temper that they could give but one good out or two and then they would stand bent in their Hands and if they had not time to streighten them with their Foot on the Ground they became of no more use Wherefore the Tribunes distributed among the first Cohorts the Javelins us'd by the Triarians who were those that march'd in the Rear ranks commanding the Soldiers first to make use of those Arms and then to draw their Swords And now when they came to ingage they attack'd the Gauls as they had been order'd whose Swords by the first strokes on the Roman Javelins became bent and useless then the Romans advancing nearer with their Swords got so within them that they had not room to lift their Arm to take a cutting stroke which is their manner of Fighting whose Swords have no point While those of the Romans on the contrary being fashion'd for cutting and thrusting redoubling the one after the other they cut and pierc'd the Gauls in the Face and Breast and made a terrible slaughter among them Thus the Gauls were beaten and the Honour of that Day principally attributed to the Prudence and Ability of the Tribunes for the Consul Flaminius was to seek and had not sufficiently provided for the Safety of the Army who drawing up near the River had so order'd it that the Romans were deprived of one great Benefit which they make use of in Battel leaving them not space enough betwixt their Rear and the River to retire when occasion should make it necessary so that if during the Battel the Romans had been press'd never so little they had no whither to retire but into the River so great an Oversight was the Consul guilty of in that occasion But so it happen'd as we have related that the Romans by their Resolution got a signal Victory returning to Rome loaden with Spoil and Glory The following Year the Gauls sent their Ambassadours to the Romans to treat of a Peace on whatsoever Conditions they should please to grant it but the Consuls M. Claudius and Cn. Cornelius would not yield to treat with them whereupon they resolv'd to make their last Effort and put it once again to the hazard of War They therefore dispatch'd Orders for levying of Men among the Goesatae who inhabit about the Rhone of which People having taken thirty Thousand into their Pay they continu'd in Arms in expectation of the Enemy About the beginning of the Spring the Consuls lead their Armies into the Territory of the Insubrians and besieg'd the City of Acerras situate between the Po and the Alpes In the mean time the Insubrians were willing to do their best to raise the Siege but knew no way how to succour the Besieg'd the Enemy being possess'd of all the Avenues they therefore pass'd the Po with some of their Troops and marching them into the Roman Territories sat down before Clastidium The Consuls receiving this News M. Claudius Marcellus taking with him all the Roman Horse and a good Body of Foot march'd away with diligence to the Relief of that Place of whose coming the Gauls having got Intelligence rise from before it and march in Battalia against him and coming to ingage they made for a while a good stand against the Horse but being at length charg'd in Flank and Rear they were forc'd to yield the Advantage to the Romans betaking them to flight Many perish'd in the River which they attempted to repass and more were slain on the Spot Acerres likewise soon surrender'd where had been lodg'd great store of Ammunition and the Gauls retir'd to Milan which is the Capital City of the Insubrians But Cornelius follow'd them without loss of time and march'd after them thither where the Gauls attempted nothing during his stay but on his marching back towards Acerres they follow'd him and attacking his Rear kill'd many and put the rest of the Army to flight till Cornelius facing about at the Head of the Van-guard of the Army commanded those that were flying to make a stand and face towards the Enemy These Orders being obey'd the Romans make Head against them that charg'd their Rear But the Gauls flesh'd with Victory which they thought now sure sustain'd for a time the Charge but it was not long e'er they gave Ground and flying sought Sanctuary in the neighbouring Mountains whether Cornelius follow'd them and then march'd into the Country which he spoil'd and harrass'd and advancing to Milan took it by force So that after this Defeat the Princes of the Insubrians finding it in vain further to contend submitted and put themselves under the Protection of the Romans Behold now the Success of the War which the Romans wag'd against the Gauls wherein if we consider the Courage and Obstinacy of the Enemy the mighty Battles and the Multitudes that compos'd their Armies and the Slaughter of Men in the Field we shall be oblig'd without doubt to consent that History affords none that may paralled it while if on the other
fortify'd one part of his Camp Here he remain'd some Days the better to acquaint himself with the Ground and Situation of the Country and the Disposition of the Enemy feigning to Attack them now in one place now in another marching round them to give them the greater Terrour But perceiving every Post to be well-gaurded and not being able to find any one place that might incourage him to attempt them Cleomenes being vigilant and warily watching his Motions and always present at every place of importance he then chang'd his Purpose till at length the two Generals came to agree to joyn Battel For it was bruited about That Fortune had made choice of these two Great Men equal in Skill and Bravery to try the Mastery one against the other Antigonus order'd the Macedonians who carried Bucklers of Brass mingling among them the Illyrian Cohorts to march against those on Mount Eva these were commanded by Alexander Son of Acmetus and Demetrius the Pharian in the Rear of these he rang'd the Cretians and Acarnanians who were follow'd by a Body of Reserve consisting of two thousand Achaians Towards the River he order'd the Horse who were to ingage those of the Enemy under the Command of Alexander and on the Wings of the Horse he appointed a thousand Achaians and as many Megalopolitans while he himself resolv'd to attack Olympus at the Head of the Macedonians and Mercinaries knowing that Cleomenes was there he order'd the Mercenaries to have the Van and the Macedonian Phalanx to sustain them following-by Platton's whereunto they were compell'd through the difficulties of the Ground the Illyrians who pass'd the River Gorgylus over Night and were posted at the Foot of the Mountain were order'd to begin the Battel for which they were to receive a Signal by a White Flag that should be spread from the nearest Post they had to Olympus and the Signal that was to be given to the Megalopolitans and the Horse was a Purple Cassock or Coat which was to be wav'd in the Air where Antigonus himself was posted When all things were in a readiness the Signal was given to the Illyrians and after they had incourag'd each other they advanc'd towards the Enemy and began to ascend the Mountain while the Foot which Cleomenes had mingled with the Horse observing that the Achaian Cohorts were follow'd with no Reserve or Troops to sustain them advanc'd presently upon them and charg'd them in Flank and much gall'd those who were endeavouring to gain the Mountain at the same time Euclidas who was posted on the top of the Hill press'd them in Front and the Mercinaries warmly attack'd their Rear Philopoemen a Megalopolitan observing this Disorder presently conceiv'd what would be the Issue accordingly he told his Opinion to the Commanders in Chief of the Danger these Troops were in but observing they gave no heed to his Advice being then but Young and having never yet born any Command he therefore after he had incourag'd his Country Men attack'd with incredible Bravery the Enemies Horse This Action forc'd the Mercinaries who had fallen on the Illyrians Flank to retire to their Relief which was their proper Post who observing them to be now ingag'd and retreating from those whom they had before attack'd hastned to sustain them by which means the Illyrians and Macedonians and all those who were marching up the Mountain were deliver'd from the Obstacle that retarded their Motion and now resolutely advanc'd on the Enemy and it afterwards appear'd that their Success against Euclidas was owing to Philopoemen And it is reported that after the Battel Antigonus the better to try Alexander ask'd him How it came to pass that he adventur'd to Ingage before he receiv'd the Signal and that Alexander should reply It was not by his Order but that a certain young Man of Megalopolis had been the occasion without any Direction from him And that Antigonus reply'd thereupon That that young Man had judg'd rightly of the occasion of Victory and had done the part of a good Captain and that Alexander had acted like a young Soldier And now Euclidas observing the Illyrian Cohorts to approach forgot as one may say the advantage of the Ground where he was posted for it is the Rule of experienced Leaders when they are posted on superior Ground to the Enemy to move towards them and improve the advantage of the Shock that the descent of the Hill lends them thereby to give the greater Terrour to the Enemy and then if Necessity obliges them slowly to retire and gain the summet of the Hill for by disordering thus the Enemy and depriving them of the advantage they promis'd themselves by their different sort of Arms and the Order in which they march'd it would not have been hard for him to have forc'd them down the Hill so commodiously posted as he was But Euclidas perform'd nothing of all this but acted rather directly contrary and as if to do nothing at all would conduce to the Victory he remain'd on the top of the Hill where he was first posted imagining it to be his Duty there to attend the coming of the Enemy to the end that when he should have defeated them they might be the more intangled and obstructed in their Flight by reason of the Precipices and the broken Ground of the Mountain But it happen'd quite otherwise than he had conjectur'd for while he had so plac'd himself that he had left no room behind him to retire he found himself oblig'd to fight and defend himself on the top of the Hill against the intire unbroken Body of the Illyrian Cohorts whom he had permitted to gain the top and were now advancing toward him on level Ground so that he became an easie Conquest to the Illyrians having no Ground whereon to make an orderly Retreat all behind him being Rocks and Precipices In the mean time the Horse were warmly ingag'd where the Achaians perform'd all that could be look'd for in the like occasion for they knew this Battel did as it were decide their Liberty but Philopoemen was remarkable above all the rest whose Horse being first kill'd under him and afterward fighting among the Foot he was there struck through both his thighs at one stroke On the other-side the two Princes began the Battel on Mount Olympus with their light-arm'd Soldiers and their Mercenaries consisting of about five Thousand on each part Sometimes they fought by Parties and then again encountred with gross Bodies but with great Resolution on both sides the Action being under the Eye of their Masters and in View of both Armies sometimes they mingled and fought Man to Man and then Troop against Troop but howsoever it happen'd they fought with wonderful Resolution During this variety of Action Cleomenes receiv'd notice that his Brother was beaten out of the Field and that the Horse that fought in the Plain began to give Ground so that fearing to be incompass'd by the Enemy on all sides he was
were inclin'd to accompany him in his Voyage to Spain To which he joyfully reply'd That he would go most willingly And after he had besought him with all the moving Reasons which a Child was capable to urge that he would take him with him his Father then taking him by the Hand led him to the Altar where he made him swear on the same Altar That he would never be in Friendship with the Romans Wherefore he besought Antiochus to rest assured That he could never change his Sentiments towards that People and that if he had determin'd any thing against them that he would make no difficulty to rely on his Secresie and Fidelity and that he would serve him with joy and sincerity But that if he should enter into Terms of Friendship and Alliance with the Romans there should be no need of suggesting Accusations against him who would himself be the first that should declare his Aversion to Antiochus who in such case would have reason to hold him as an Enemy forasmuch as he could never be other than a mortal Foe to the Romans against whom he would attempt all things to the utmost of his power By this Discourse of Hannibal Antiochus perceiving he spoke from his Heart was cur'd of the Jealousie he had conceiv'd of him Behold here a singular Instance of the Hatred of Hamilcar and of the Determination he had taken which was yet made more visible by the effects For he bequeath'd two such Enemies to the Romans in Asdrubal his Son-in-Law and Hannibal his Son as nothing could be thought to surmount their Hatred But Asdrubal liv'd not to put his Purposes in execution while Hannibal surviv'd to wreak abundantly the Aversion he had inherited from his Father Which furnishes safe Advice to those who have the Administration of Publick Affairs to consult carefully the Minds and Motives of those with whom they treat a Reconciliation or with whom they make a new Friendship whether it be by force or necessity of the Times or an effect of Good-will as weary of Hostility For against the one we are to be carefully on our guard as being such who only attend the Advantage of a new Occasion while we may rely with assurance on the others and treat them with the sincerity of Subjects or of Friends We may justly then esteem these for the Causes of the War made by Hannibal and the Beginnings to be what we shall now further deliver The Carthaginians had deeply resented their loss of Sicily but after they had been compell'd to part with Sardinia and to pay the heavy Tribute they had contracted their Hatred grew to excess insomuch that when they had augmented their Dominion by the Conquest of so great a part of Spain they began to lend a more willing ear to the Clamours every where utter'd against the Romans In the mean time they lost Asdrubal to whom after the Death of Hamilcar they had given the Government of Spain The Carthaginians upon the death of Asdrubal remain'd a while in suspence touching their choice of a new General being willing to sound first the Inclinations of the Army but they no sooner understood that the Soldiers had unanimously made choice of Hannibal for their Leader when they forthwith call'd an Assembly and ratify'd with one Voice the Suffrages of the Soldiers Soon after Hannibal's confirmation in his Government he deliberated on reducing the Olcades under the Dominion of the Carthaginians pursuant to which Design he march'd against the City of Althaea a rich and well-fortify'd Place and sat down before it in which Siege he gave so many Marks of his Bravery and Ability that he soon became Master of the Place where his Success so terrify'd the neighbouring Towns that they readily yielded themselves up to the Carthaginians After he had amass'd much Treasure by the sale of the Booty he had taken in the several Towns he march'd to New-Carthage which he made his Winter-Quarters where he express'd great Generosity to those who had serv'd under him and paying the Soldiers their Arrears and promising further Marks of his Bounty he so won upon the Affections of the Army that they had already conceiv'd extraordinary hopes of his Government Early the next Spring he march'd against the Vaccoeans and soon became Master of Salmantica Then he besieg'd Arbucala which Place being great well-peopl'd and the Inhabitants obstinate in their defence gave him much trouble but in the end tho Town was surrender'd but on his return being attack'd by the Carpetanians a People reckon'd among the most powerful of those Nations he became on the sudden reduc'd to very great straits for these being join'd by those of the neighbouring Provinces whom the Oâ—â—ades being driven out of their Country had incens'd against the Carthaginians with whom came likewise those who had fled from Salmantica insomuch as if they could have compell'd Hannibal to a pitch'd Field he had doubtless been driven to great extremity But he who was singular both in Prudence and Dexterity so artfully made his retreat covering himself by the Tagus and contriv'd so to attack them in their passage over that River that what by the help thereof and the service of forty Elephants he had with him he happily effected what he had design'd when every body was in despair In short the Enemy being determin'd to attempt their utmost resolv'd to pass the River by several Fords at once but being encounter'd by the Elephants which were posted along the Banks for that service great numbers were slain as they came to Land before any could come in to their succour many were likewise cut off by the Horse who mingled in the River with the Enemy where by the strength of their Horses which better resisted the Current than the Foot and sighting from a higher place they had much the advantage In a word Hannibal at length pass'd the River himself and vigorously pursuing his success routed an Army of above an hundred thousand of these Barbarians who being thus defeated there remain'd none on that side the River Eber except the Saguntines that could give him any molestation But Hannibal cautiously abstain'd from any the least Hostility against that People pursuant to the Advice of Asdrubal which was To make himself first Master of the rest of the Country and insure his Conquests there before he gave occasion openly to the Romans to declare War against the Carthaginians In the mean time the Saguntines dispatch'd frequent Advices to the Romans led thereunto partly out of fear and foresight of their own impending Danger partly likewise out of Good-will to the end the Romans might be perfectly instructed in the Successes of the Carthaginians in Spain In short after a cold reception of many of these Intimations they determin'd at length to dispatch Ambassadors into Spain to be eye-witnesses of those things whereof they had been inform'd About which time Hannibal having subdu'd all those People which he had purpos'd to reduce was march'd
And directed those who best understood that Affair to take care for the transporting the Elephants while he assembled the Army where he produc'd Magilus who was come to visit him from the Countries that lie about the Po accompanied with other Princes of the Gauls making known to them by an Interpreter the Resolution that People had taken but what most animated the Soldiers was the Presents which those Princes had brought with them the tender of their Service and offers to ingage with them as their Companions in the War against the Romans In short after Magilus had assur'd them he would be their Conductor through all those Passages by which they were to march and that they should shortly arrive in safety in Italy and want for nothing in their Journey they thought it reasonable to yield entire belief to what he said they were likewise greatly encourag'd by what they heard of the abundance and fertility of the Country they were to invade and with the chearful and frank Behaviour of those who were to joyn with them in their Conflicts with the Romans The Gauls being now retir'd out of the Assembly Hannibal return'd where he represented to his People first the important Actions they had already atchiev'd how many notable Services by his Counsel and Leading they had already perform'd how many hazardous Adventures they had gone through whereof not any Man there had cause to repent Then he exhorted them to continue firm in their Resolutions inasmuch as they were of themselves convinc'd that the most difficult part of the Work was now pass'd their Passage over the River succeeding to their own Wishes nor could there be any remaining doubt of the Fidelity and Good-will of their Allies he requir'd in short that they would entertain no anxious Thoughts about the future but rely firmly on his Care and Circumspection telling them that by an entire resignation to his Conduct and Commands they would give the best and surest Marks of their Resolution and ascertain their Title to the Glory they had already won And now after the Soldiers by their Words and Actions had unanimously signify'd their approbation and readiness to obey him and their willingness to engage in all Dangers Hannibal praising their forwardness and imploring the assistance of the Gods for their Preservation commanded them to retire to their repose and to be in a readiness to march for that he determin'd to decamp the next Day so they departed The Assembly was no sooner dismiss'd when the Numidians return'd who had been sent abroad to discover of whom a great part were cut off and those who escap'd had sav'd themselves by slight For having incountred it seems not far from the Camp with certain Horse-men of the Romans whom Publius had sent abroad on the same Errand they had ingag'd so roughly that on the part of the Romans and Gauls an hundred and fifty were kill'd on the spot and of the Numidians above two hundred the Romans pursuing the rest to their Camp by which means they got knowledge of what had pass'd with the Carthaginians and so retir'd to their own Army with all the expedition they were able to assure the Consul of the Enemies arrival Whereupon the Romans decamp'd imbarking all their Baggage on board the Fleet and eagerly wishing to come to action with the Enemy they took their march up the River The Day after Hannibal had made his Oration to the Army he order'd all the Horse to move and march toward the Sea-Coast to intercept any sudden Danger that might threaten from that Quarter then he commanded the Foot to follow while himself attended the coming of the Elephants and those whom he had left to conduct them And here it will not be amiss that we give an account how they imbark'd those mighty Beasts They made many Floats of Timber whereof they joyn'd two and two together these Floats were fifty Foot long each and were plac'd pointing out into the River their inmost ends resting on the Bank and all well united together then they fasten'd others to the ends of those reaching yet farther out into the River these Machines so fram'd resembling in some sort a Bridge were well sustain'd and fasten'd with Cordage on all parts and defended from the violence of the Stream They moor'd or fasten'd this Platform to the Trees which grew on the Bank whereof there were good store after having inlarg'd and run out this Work to about two hundred Foot in length they joyn'd to the end thereof two other large substantial Floats well fasten'd together which they so joyn'd to the six'd Platform with Ropes as to be able easily to disjoyn them from the other to these moveable Floats they fasten'd Ropes whereby to tow and draw them with Boats appointed for that purpose to the other side the River and to hold them up against the Current that it might not drive down the Stream when the Machine should be loosen'd from the fix'd Stage then they cover'd the surface of it with Earth to make it appear firm Ground like that on the Bank for the Elephants were taught an exact Obedience to their Governors and were so in all things passing over the Water only excepted whereof they stood in great fear Wherefore the better to prevail on the rest they led two gentle Female Elephants foremost the others following They being brought to the outermost moveable Floats they then unty'd the Ropes by which they were fasten'd and tow'd the said Float with the Cargo of Elephants to the other side The Beasts were terrify'd at first and ran from one side to the other of the Float but beholding nothing but Water on all sides their sear then kept them in order Thus by several Voyages they wafted over all their Elephants some few excepted which leap'd through fear into the Water when they were in the middle of the Stream but these were likewise preserv'd tho' their Guides perish'd for by the help of their great Trunks which they held above Water they thereby discharg'd their Stomachs of the Water they had taken in and breath'd with freedom By this Artifice they transported their Elephants to the other side the River And now Hannibal posting his Horse and his Elephants in the Rear of the Army continu'd his march down the Stream towards the East The source or head of the Rhosne is situate far up in the Country above the Gulf of the Adriatick-Sea towards the West in those parts of the Alpes which regard the North tending in its passage towards the Southwest and discharging it self into the Sardinian-Sea In short this River for the most part makes its passage through a Champaign Country environ'd on both sides with Mountains whose North-side is inhabited by the Gauls-Ardienses the other is bounded by the North-side of the Alpes That part of the Alpes which runs from Marseilles to the bottom of the Adriatick separates the plain Country in the neighbourhood of the Po whereof we have
there is often sound in such Plains rising Ground and Eminences sit to cover and conceal Men nor is there hardly any River or Brook so small that hath not some kind of selter on the Banks that are for the most part cover'd too with Shrubs and Brambles and the like Under-wood where Foot may be very easily conceal'd and even Horse also with a little care by grounding their Arms which are otherwise discover'd at a distance After Hannibal then had held a Council of War where his Brother Mago and the rest of his Principal Officers were present to deliberate about the Battel which they expected would be speedily sought where they all approv'd of what he had therein propos'd and while the Army refresh'd themselves he took his Brother to conferr with apart who was a gallant young Man and train'd from his Childhood to Arms to whom he first appointed an hundred chosen Horse and the like number of select Foot for his Guard then he order'd him before it was dark to pick out a certain number of the bravest Men he could find in the whole Army whom he should direct to assemble and attend at his Tent after Supper for further Orders At the time appointed they appear where after he had exhorted them to the well-performance of their Duty and observ'd their chearful Behaviour he commanded them to sort themselves by two and two each one to chuse for his Companion the Man he best lov'd and most trusted These he commanded to draw together and assemble in a certain place he appointed in the Camp After these Orders were executed Hannibal out of these drew out a thousand Horse and the like number of Foot with Instruction to Mago how to put his Orders in execution and then privily dispatch'd them away during the Night accompany'd with proper Guides to the Place of Ambush Early in the Morning Hannibal assembled all his Numidians a hardy and indesatigable People these after he had well encourag'd and fairly promis'd to each one Rewards in proportion to his Merit he commanded to march out and brave the Enemy in the Camp with Directions that as soon as they should draw out to engage them and they had began to Pickeer that they should then retire back over the River His design being laid to surprize the Romans into a Battel fasting and not so well prepar'd for the business as they ought Then he directed the rest of the Army after his usual Exhortation to take a good repast and be ready under their Arms and with their Horses ready to march Sempronius the next Morning no sooner saw the Numidians approach when he commanded out the Roman Horse with Orders to attack them to sustain these he order'd out six thousand Darters and at length march'd the whole Army out of the Camp For he had conceiv'd such an assurance in the Numbers he had and was become so bold by his late Success that he reckon'd the show only of such a Body of Men would go far towards a Victory And now it may be noted that as the Winter was not yet quite past so the Day was snowy and very cold Furthermore the Romans both Horse and Foot had been made to march out of their Camp most of them fasting insomuch as the same Army that took the Field so forwardly began soon to shrink For when they came to ford the River which was much swell'd with the Rain of the Night before the Water was Breast-high so that the Romans thus contending at once with Hunger and Cold for the Day was now well advanc'd began to sink in their Courage and abate in their Strength while the Carthaginians on the contrary had taken a plentiful repast in their Tents and were well fortify'd with Meat and Drink and had anointed their Bodies before they put on their Arms. Hannibal who had long waited the occasion seeing the Enemy now over the River order'd the Baleares to advance with the rest of the light-arm'd Troops to the number of eight thousand Men to sustain them And having march'd about a Mile from his Camp he drew up his Army in Battalia his Line of Foot consisting of Spaniards Gauls and Africans amounted to about twenty thousand his Horse which he plac'd on the Wings to above ten thousand comprehending those which had been sent by the Gauls his Confederates his Elephants he plac'd advanc'd before the two Points of the Battel In the mean time Sempronius order'd a Retreat to be founded to draw off his Horse who were totally to seek how to behave themselves against this new Enemy with whom they had to do For they engag'd against Numidians whose way was to retreat in haste and to break and disperse themselves and to rally again with ease and return boldly to the Charge when they were least expected which is the Numidian manner of sighting As to the Foot Tiberius had drawn them up after the Roman Order There march'd in this Expedition sixteen thousand Roman Foot and twenty thousand of the Allies For when ever their Armies represented as one may say the Body of the Republick and that both the Consuls joyn'd their Troops on any pressing occasion the Roman Army consisted of that number In short Sempromus posted his Horse on the Wings amounting to about four Thousand and with a proud Port and slow motion advanc'd in good order against the Enemy The two Armies now drawing near the light-arm'd Troops who were advanc'd a good distance before the Lines of Battel began the fight It was visible from the begining that the Romans fought with disadvantage and that on the other hand the Carthaginians had every thing conspiring in their Favour For the Romaâ— Darters who had been harrass'd all the Morning till then had spent almost all their Ammunition against the Numidians and what remain'd was now wet and spoil'd Their Horse and the rest of their Army was not in a much better condition while the Enemy was in every thing superior for coming into the Battel fresh and vigorous they perform'd their Duty more chearfully and with greater readiness obey'd the Orders of their Leaders Wherefore as soon as they had secur'd the retreat of their light-arm'd Troops and the advanc'd Parties that began the Battel and their gross and heavy-arm'd Troops came to ingage the Romans not able to sustain the first Charge of the Enemy's Horse which not only outnumber'd theirs but were likewise in better plight as was noted beat them from their Post so that leaving the Flanks of their Foot now uncover'd the Carthaginian Pikes and a Party of Numidians who were posted near their Companions and had out-march'd the rest of the Body fell on the Points of the Romans Battel whom they so hard press'd that they disabled them from making head against those who charg'd them in Front Nevertheless their heavy-arm'd Troops every where in the first and second Ranks fought it at hand for a while with doubtful Bravery But the Ambush of Numidians
now rising and falling unlook'd for on the backs of the Romans who were got beyond them put them into great disorder And those on the two Points of the Roman Battel finding themselves press'd in Front by the Elephants and in Flank by the light-arm'd Troops no longer able to sustain it forsook their Ground and flying were pursu'd by the Carthaginians to the River In a word the Numidian Ambush coming to Charge the Rear of the Roman Battel slew many of them While those in the first Ranks animated by necessity charg'd the Gauls and some Africans with whom they had to deal with great Resolution and killing many broke the Carthaginian Battalion Nevertheless when they beheld the two Points naked and defeated being now without hope of succouring them or of being able to gain their Camp by reason of the multitude of the Carthaginian Horse which greatly terrify'd them and the Rivers being also much risen by the Rains that had fallen by which Impediments despairing to gain their Camp they safely retreated to the number of ten Thousand to Placentia the greatest part of the rest being slain on the Banks of the River Trebia partly by the Elephants and partly by the Enemies Horse some few Foot only and a good Party of Horse escaping who following the rest got likewise into Placentia As to the Carthaginians after they had pursu'd the Enemy to the River not being able for excessive cold to follow them further they retir'd to their Camp There was great joy in the Carthaginian Army on the occasion of this Success for their loss fell not heavy either on the Spaniards or Africans but mostly on the Gauls Howbeit they had suffer'd so much by the Snow and the extream rigour of the Weather that many Men and Horses dy'd afterwards of Cold and all their Elephants save one Sempronius was not ignorant of the great consequence of this Defeat but was willing however to hide it all he could from the Senate accordingly he sent his Dispatches to Rome wherein he gave them to understand that the severity of the Weather had snatch'd the Victory out of his hands This the Romans were at first willing to believe but when they understood soon after That the Carthaginians were possess'd of their Camp That the Gauls from all Quarters had revolted to them and That the Roman Soldiers were scatter'd here and there after the Battel securing themselves in the neighbouring Towns and that they had no subsistence but what was convey'd to them by Water up the Po they then became better instructed how to reckon of the issue of that Battel Nevertheless tho' their Affairs had so ill succeeded contrary to the expectation of all the World they proceeded to new Preparations for the War they consulted how to secure such Places as were in the neighbourhood of the Enemy they determin'd to dispatch Forces into Sardinia and Sicily and supply'd Tarentum and other proper places with good Garrisons Furthermore they equipp'd and sent to Sea a Fleet of sixty Ships Cn. Servilius and C. Flaminius also who were the new Consuls rais'd Levies among their Allies and made provision of Victual which they sent to Rimini and into Tuscany with show of purposing to send Troops into those Parts They likewise demanded Supplies of Hieron who sent them five Hundred Candiots and a Thousand Buckler-men Thus with mighty providence they proceeded in all necessary Preparations and it must be confess'd of the Romans that they are every way a terrible Enemy even when they are most terrify'd and menac'd with Danger During these Transactions in Italy Cn. Cornelius Scipio to whom his Brother had given the Command of the Naval Army as we have elsewhere noted landed on the Coast of Spain somewhere not far from the Empories where showing his Army he coasted along as far as the Eber reducing such by force as made resistance and receiving with singular Humanity into his protection such as voluntarily came in and took care above all things that the Army offer'd violence to none And after he had secur'd by good Garrisons such Places as he had brought under the Obedience of the Romans he march'd further up into the Country with his whole Army having been reinforc'd with new Auxiliaries which he levy'd among the Spaniards taking in all Places by force that lay in the way of his march In the mean time Hanno who Commanded for the Carthaginians in these Parts observing the progress Scipio made presently march'd his Army and came and encamp'd close by him not far from the City of Cissa Whereupon they came to a Battel and the Carthaginians were beaten the Romans taking very much Plunder those who had march'd with Hannibal having as we noted left the greatest part of their Substance in their keeping He made Alliance also Offensive and Defensive with all those on this side the River Eber. Hanno the Carthaginian General was taken Prisoner together with Indibilis the Spaniard who had usurp'd Kingly Authority over those who inhabited the inland Country and had preserv'd a particular and fast Affection for the Carthaginians As soon as Asdrubal had notice of this Adventure he pass'd the Eber to come to the succour of his Party but in the interim receiving advice That the Roman Sea-men belonging to the Fleet behav'd themselves negligently being grown careless and presumptuous on the success of their Land-Forces he march'd first against them taking with him eight Thousand of his best Foot and a Thousand Horse and finding the Romans dispers'd and scatter'd about the Country he fell upon them killing the greatest part and pursuing the rest to their Fleet. But he attempted nothing further but march'd back the way he came and repassing the Eber remain'd the Winter at New-Carthage where he made all necessary provision to sustain the War and for the defence of the Towns on that side the River As to Cn. Scipio as soon as he was come back to the Fleet he there animadverted on those according to the Roman Law of Discipline who he found had been guilty of the occasion of that Defeat And after he had drawn together and embody'd all his Forces by Sea and Land he march'd and kept his Winter-Quarters at Tarracona He divided the Booty that had been taken among the Soldiers by which he greatly gain'd their Good-will and establish'd in them a more chearful Disposition of Obedience to such future Orders as the Service should make necessary Thus we have set down the state of Affairs at that time in Spain Early the following Spring Cn. Flaminius led the Legions through Tuscany and came to Arezzo where he encamp'd But Cn. Servilius march'd to Rimini to do his best to shut up the Enemy's passage that way As to Hannibal he held his Winter-Quarters in the Cisalpine Gaul where he us'd his Roman Prisoners with great rigour for over and above their being under severe restraint their Sustenance was dispens'd to them very parcimoniously while on the other hand their
Parties of two and three Hundred in a Division according to the capacity of the places where they were to lodge and to be so dispos'd that the Enemies Foragers might not discover them This done he order'd his light-arm'd Troops to march and take possession of the Ground we mention'd whereupon Minutius who concluded the Enemy had given him a new occasion of Victory orders out his light-arm'd Troops to attack them and after these his Horse while he himself follow'd with the gross of the Army in Battalia keeping their Order The Sun was now risen and while every Bodies Eyes were fix'd on the place of Action Hannibal's Ambush riseth and advanceth by degrees unobserv'd by the Romans While Hannibal in the mean while was not slack to send Succours constantly to the Charge and at length advancing himself at the head of his Horse and the rest of the Army the Horse on both sides came soon to ingage Whereupon the light-arm'd Romans not being a match for the Carthaginian Horse were beaten and retreated to their Body putting them in great disorder Hitherto the Ambush remain'd expecting the Signal to fall on which being now given they come boldly to the Charge and attack the Romans on all sides as well on the gross as the light-arm'd Troops so that the dispute was very warm and bloody And now Fabius who saw how things went and fear'd lest Minutius and his Army should be lost march'd out of his Works and came in to his relief who was at his last stake whereupon the Romans who before were broken and disorder'd observing his approach took Heart and rally'd about their Ensigns and made a stand after their having lost many of their light-arm'd Men and more of the best and bravest of their Legionary Soldiers Upon the coming in of the fresh Legions that advanc'd to the Relief boldly and in firm order Hannibal began to be in doubt and therefore founded a Retreat and commanded his People from the Pursuit And now all Men justly judg'd who were ingag'd in the dangers of this Action and in a word concluded that the Romans had been beaten by the rashness of Minutius and that the Common-wealth had been at this time and always heretofore preserv'd and rescu'd through the wise and slow Temper of Fabius And they were soon satisfy'd in Rome of the wide disserence there was between the Prudence of a good General of an Army and a rash hot-headed Soldier Wherefore the Romans now taught by sharp Experience thought it Wisdom for the time to come to abide in a Body and in one Camp and that none was sit to be obey'd but Fabius As for the Carthaginians after they had made a Retrenchment between their Camp and this piece of Ground and had Garrison'd and well Fortify'd the Post and perform'd what was necessary to secure it from any further danger they betook themselves to their Winter-Quarters And now the time for election of their Consuls at Rome was come where L. Aemilius and C. Terentius were chosen and the Dictator's Authority thereby superseded As to the last Years Consuls Cn. Servilius and M. Regulus who had fill'd the place of Flaminius they were invested by Aemilius with Pro-consular Power and having the Camp committed to their Charge had the entire present Conduct of the War In the mean time Aemilius took care to make new Levies after he had imparted his Counsels to the Senate and sent Recruits likewise to fill up the Legions Orders were also dispatch'd to Servilius to be careful not to ingage in a general Battel but to exercise the Troops as often as occasion serv'd in Skirmishes and Rencounters to acquaint the young Soldiers with Danger and their Duty and qualifie them for more important Occasions For they were persuaded that much of their misfortune in the War hitherto was owing to the rawness and inexperience of their Troops who had not for the most part seen any Action of weight The Senate likewise dispatch'd the Praetor Posthumius into Gaul to endeavour to bring over those who had taken Arms under Hannibal to another Mind furthermore it was committed to his Care to Conduct over the Army that had winter'd at Lilybaeum They likewise supply'd the Scipio's who conducted the War in Spain with whatsoever they could be thought to need In a word both Consuls and Senate acted with great attention in all things that might avail towards a vigorous prosecution of the War As soon as Servilius had receiv'd the Consuls Orders he carefully put them in execution performing every other thing that related to his Charge but for Occurrences there happen'd nothing memorable enough to be related whether it was that his Instructions were too much limitted or that the Season of the Year permitted him not to enter on any considerable Action but little was done towards the advancement of their Affairs What was perform'd was by Pickeering and small and frequent Skirmishes and Rencounters wherein the Leaders were not without their share of some Praise acting in their Posts always with singular Temper and Prudence Thus then the two Armies remain'd encamp'd in view of each other all the Winter and a good part of the Spring But as soon as Hannibal saw there was Forage to be had he decamp'd from under Gerunium concluding there was nothing so advantageous for his Affairs as to labour by all ways possible to compel the Enemy to come to a Battel In the mean time he besieg'd and took the Citadel of Cannae where the Romans had laid up their Corn and Provisions of War for the Service of the Army The Town had been demolish'd the Year before and having now lost the Fortress with all their Provision and Stores within it the Roman Army became greatly streighten'd and were not only press'd through want of Provisions which they could not now obtain but with great difficulty the Enemy being possess'd of their Magazine but also because the Fortress of Cannoe commanded the whole Country round about They therefore dispatch'd Messenger on Messenger to Rome for Instructions how to comport themselves letting them understand That if the Enemy approach'd and press'd them there would be no means left to avoid coming to a Battel and that the Country being every-where wasted and destroy'd their Allies began to grow jealous of their Safety and seem'd only at present to stand in a sort of doubtful Neutrality to take their measures as the success of a Battel should determine them Whereupon the Senate came to a Resolution that they should give the Enemy Battel Howbeit they admonish'd Cneius to deferr it if possible to the coming of the Consuls whom they now dispatch'd away All People's Eyes were now on Aemilius their Hopes being in him as well on account of his Vertue as for that he had not long before conducted the War in Illyria much to the Honour of the Republick It was decreed That the Roman Army should consist of eight Legions which was what the People of Rome had
never before done and that each Legion should consist of five Thousand over and above the Succours of the Confederates For as we have hitherto observ'd the Roman Custom was to march out every Year with four Legions each containing four Thousand Foot and two Hundred Horse but now that they were thus threaten'd they thought sit to compose their Legions of five Thousand Foot and three Hundred Horse to which was added an equal number of Latin Auxiliary Foot and for the most part thrice the number of Horse It was the custom to assign to each Consul the one half of these Auxiliary Troops with two Legions when they march'd on any Expedition but they seldom employ'd more than one of their Consuls to manage any one War with two Legions and the Auxiliaries as we have observ'd and but very rarely it happen'd that the Romans were driven to employ all their Forces to finish any one War Nevertheless they were now so terrify'd that they conceiv'd eight Legions to be little enough After the Senate then had exhorted Aemilius to comport himself in that occasion as became the Majesty of the Common-wealth and had remonstrated to him of what mighty importance a Battel at that conjuncture was they dismiss'd him As soon as the Consuls arriv'd at their Camp they caus'd the Army to be drawn together imparting to them the Pleasure of the Senate and exhorting them to behave themselves as became them It was Aemilius who spoke to them whose Discourse principally tended to Apologize for past Failures for the Soldiers had been so dispirited by so many calamitous Adventures that they stood in need enough of good Admonition He therefore did his best to persuade them That if they had been vanquish'd in former Occasions it was not one or two but manifold Reasons that might be render'd for their Misfortunes but that now if they had the Hearts of Romans there was not one which he could foresee that might debarr them of Victory and triumphing over their Enemy That their two Consuls never were join'd before to conduct their Affairs with their joint Legions all assembled in one Body That the Soldiers till now were not fit for Service the State being serv'd by an Army of Novices raw and untrain'd to their Business and unus'd to the Toils and Perils of War and what was of greater moment tâ—ey had to do with a strange Enemy whom they had hardly ever seen before they came to engage with him That in short those who had been defeated near the River Trebia were hurry'd to a Battel within two Days after their arrival from a wearisome Voyage from Sicily That the others who lost the Day in Tuscany did not so much as see the Enemy that beat them not only before the Battel but during the Action it self the Mist and Darkness so hid them but that now at this time there was not room to alledge one of these Reasons For first they had with them both the Consuls who were not only themselves equally expos'd to the Dangers with them but they had so prevail'd that the last Year's Consuls themselves whose Magistracy was now expir'd did not refuse to stay and partake the Fortune of the Battel That as to the Soldiers they had now had time to acquaint themselves with the Enemy their Arms Order Numbers and manner of Fighting it having been near two Years that they had been in continual action against them so that Circumstances being totally chang'd from what they were they ought likewise to expect a change of Fortune And further That it was not to be doubted nor scarce possible to come to pass that having vanquish'd the Enemy in so many late Combats and Rencounters without any odds in their numbers they should fail of Victory in a Battel while they were to fight with an Army surmounting the Carthaginians by at least one half In a word Fellow-Soldiers says the Consul since every thing seems to promise Victory it only rests that you should carry your Hearts with you into the Field and a Determination to Vanquish and yet when I have said all it is not you that stand in need of Exhortation such Methods are only proper for Mercenaries who sight meerly for Pay or Allies who are constrain'd by Stipulations to hazard themselves for their Confederates and without any prospect of bettering their Fortune let the Success happen which way it will But you who come not into the Field to sight a foreign Cause but for your selves your Country your Wives and Children who are at present in a doubtful case through the many Dangers that threaten them and whose Condition the Success of a Battel will greatly change You I say need but only to be minded not admonish'd of these things For who is he among you who had not rather vanquish by Fighting or otherwise die in the Dispute than lead a wretched Life beholding these dearest Pledges I nam'd a Prey to a merciless Enemy In a word then resolve without Incitements from any thing I can utter and take Counsel from your own Reflections of the difference between the Vanquish'd and the Victor what Recompences you are to hope and what Calamities to fear And draw your Swords inspir'd with such Thoughts and bear in mind that you sight not now only for the Honour and Preservation of an Army but for your Country and the Roman Empire and in such case what use can there be of Persuasions If you sight unsuccessfully and chance to be Vanquish'd your Country will be left wholly without Succour she hath deposited all her Strength in your hands all her Power all her Hopes of Safety you will do well therefore Fellow-Soldiers to determine not to violate so great a Trust in an Occasion of such mighty moment act then correspondent to such an Obligation and express your Gratitude as becomes you In a word behave your selves so that it may appear to the whole World that if heretofore the Common-wealth hath sustain'd Damage and Reproach it was not because the Roman Vertue gave place to the Carthaginian but meerly to be attributed to the Inexperience of our Armies in those times unlucky Conjunctures and ill choice of Ground to fight in After this Discourse and others of the like Contents to animate the Soldiers he dismiss'd the Assembly The next Day the Consuls march'd the Army toward the Enemy and the Day after came within six Miles of their Camp Aemilius who observ'd the Country to be all plain and champaign Ground declar'd his Opinion against coming there to a Battel forasmuch as the Enemy much over-match'd them in Horse and that it therefore concern'd them to draw the Carthaginians if possible into such Ground as gave the advantage to Foot but in regard Terentius who knew no better would not be won to his Opinion it came to pass which seldom fails in Military Affairs that the two Leaders sell at variance The next Day then when Terentius had the Command for it is the
a long Line joining them at the extremity with the others possessing all that side of the Ground that look'd toward the South In the Right-Wing he posted the Roman Horse filling with them the space between the rest and the River The Foot he dispos'd in the same manner but in closer Order in the Rear than in the Front in regard the number of the Cohorts was doubled On the left Wing was plac'd the Horse of the Consederates the light-arm'd Troops were advanc'd some distance before the Line of Battel the whole Roman Army taking in the Troops of the Allies consisting of fourscore Thousand Foot and six Thousand Horse In the mean time Hannibal order'd the Baleares and light-arm'd Troops to pass the River posting them advanc'd before the Ensigns Then commanding the Gross of the Army to march he pass'd the River likewise in two places and rang'd them in order of Battel fronting the Enemy On the left point being the part nearest the River he posted his Spanish and Gaulish Horse opposed to that of the Romans next these he plac'd the one half of his African Foot who bare weighty Armour their Flank being likewise secur'd by the rest of the Africans His Numidian Horse he posted on the Right Wing and after having thus form'd his Line of Battel drawn out in length and of equal depth he made the Centre or middle Battalions which was compos'd of Spanish and Gaulish Legionaries to move a little forward in such manner as that the Figure when they had so done with the two Wings might be liken'd to a Yoak Crescent-wise or convex'd in the mid'st for having propos'd that the Gauls and Spaniards should first engage the Africans were posted at hand so as to fortifie and sustain them His Africans were arm'd after the Roman manner being well furnish'd for that Service out of the Spoils of the Enemy in former Battels The Spanish and Gaulish Bucklers were of one sort but their Swords were not alike The Spaniards wear Swords short stiff and pointed fit both for cutting and thrusting but the Gauls were only for cutting-strokes In a word it was a surprising Sight to behold them for the Gauls were stripp'd naked from the Waste upward and the Spaniards clad in white Linen-Cassocks border'd with Purple after the fashion of their Country In Hannibal's Army there were ten Thousand Horse but the Foot taking in the Auxiliaries and all did not exceed forty Thousand In the Roman Battel Aemilius was posted in the Right Terentius in the Left and the last Year's Consuls Marcus Attilius and Cn. Servilius led the Body On the part of the Carthaginians Asdrubal was posted on the Right Wing Hanno on the Left and Hannibal led the Body accompany'd by his Brother Mago The Roman Army fac'd toward the South and the Carthaginians consequently towards the North so that the rising Sun molested neither The Forlorn or advanc'd Parties began the Day and these light-arm'd Troops contended for a while with equal Courage and Success but as soon as the Spanish and Gaulish Horse on the Left Wing advanc'd against the Romans the Battel grew hot and bloody For they fought not now as had been the custom in other Battels by charging and wheeling off and then returning to the Charge But here when once they came to join the Horse-men mingling and often disengaging from their Horses fought it out Man to Man on Foot But the Carthaginian Horse in the end prevail'd killing the greatest part of the Romans on the place tho' their Behaviour was without blame Those who endeavour'd to escape took along the River but were most of them cut off Asdrubal giving no Quarter And now the Cohorts taking place of the light-arm'd Troops it was there likewise hotly disputed for a space but the Spaniards and Gauls who did not presently lose their Order were at length broken and forc'd to give ground to the superior number of the Romans and retreating back the Crescent or convex Part of the Figure which was form'd by this Body of Men and who first engag'd sunk back into the void space in the Rear The Roman Cohorts eagerly pursuing the advantage easily pierc'd the Body of the Enemy's Battel which was but weak and compos'd only of Gauls to the place where the Battalions stood in close order â—â—at had been drawn thither for that purpose during the Fight from the Right and Left Wings where all the Danger was In short the Romans thus pressing the Enemy who open'd to the Right and Left to give them passage advanc'd so far into the void space that they had now the African Foot who bare weighty Armour on their Flank both ways who moving from the Right and Left Wings inwards charg'd the Romans on both their Flanks at once each acting as the present occasion advis'd In short every thing came to pass as Hannibal had skilfully devis'd for the Romans pursuing the Gauls whom he well knew were not their match became at length encompass'd by the Africans By which means they were so enclos'd that they were not able to fight in a Body but as it were Man to Man or by small Parties against strong Bodies that press'd them from all Parts And now forasmuch as Aemilius who was posted in the Right Wing and had his share in the Conflict with Asdrubal and the Horse yet being hitherto unhurt and willing to equal his Actions with his Words by which he had encourag'd the Army seeing that all the Hopes they had left was in their Foot he charg'd through the Enemy's Battel killing and forcing all that stood in his way where he did his utmost to encourage his People Hannibal acting the same Part in the same Post having from the beginning conducted that part of his Army in Person As to the Numidians who fought in the Righ Wing against Varro and the Horse that were posted in the Left Wing of the Romans neither they nor the others acted any thing memorable on that side saving that the Numidians so amus'd the Romans by beating about them now offering to charge in one place now in another that they were thereby prevented from succouring those that were elsewhere distress'd But now that Asdrubal had compleated his Victory and destroy'd the greatest part of the Horse whom he had follow'd along the River and was return'd to re-enforce the Numidians then the Horse of the Roman Allies beholding their Danger turn'd their backs 'T is said that Asdrubal in this occasion perform'd an artful and prudent part who well knowing that the Numidians were singular at the pursuit of a slying Enemy he therefore order'd them to follow hard after the running Romans while he heading a Body of Foot advanc'd to re-enforce the Africans and coming in fell on the Rear of the Romans Battel and charg'd them likewise elsewhere with certain Squadrons of Horse which greatly hearten'd the Africans and as much terrify'd the Romans L. Aemilius having receiv'd many Wounds dy'd in the Battel after he
had liv'd to act in every thing the part of an able and vertuous Citizen and especially in this occasion The Romans resisted yet a while but as their Men fell their Ground by degrees became more and more streightned till at length they were so huddled up that they had not space to move and weild their Arms so they were all put to the Sword The two Consuls of the preceding Year likewise fell in this occasion Men of great Reputation for their Wisdom and Probity and who in this Action gave noble Proofs of the power and extent of Roman Vertue While matters pass'd thus here the Numidians who went in pursuit of the Roman Horse kill'd the greatest part of them and took some Prisoners A few got into Venusia and among these the Consul Terentius Varro a Person every way unworthy and who was chosen into the Magistracy for a Curse to his Country This issue had the Field of Cannae famous for the number of illustrious Men there present on both sides as well on the part of the Vanquish'd as the Victors And certainly the Action it self witnesseth its own Greatness for of six Thousand Roman Horse there escap'd no more than Seventy who got with the Consul into Venusia and about three Hundred of the Allies some by one means some by another As to the Foot ten Thousand were made Prisoners who were not in the Action Of the rest not above three Thousand escap'd all the rest dying bravely with their Swords in their Hands to the number of Seventy Thousand In a word the great advantage the Enemy had in Horse mainly contributed to their Success and prositable Instruction may be gather'd by remarking from hence That it is more safe to Fight with one hals the number of Foot less while you exceed the Enercy in Horse than to have both sides equal in Foot and Horse in a Battel But this Victory came not cheap to the Carthaginians for there dy'd in Battel on their part four Thousand Gauls fifteen Hundred Spaniards and Africans and about two Hundred of their Horse The Romans who were taken Prisoners were not in the Battel for Aemilius had left then in the Camp with Orders to march and attack that of the Enemy after the Battel should begin thereby to become Masters of their Stores and Ammunition in case Hannibal should chance to leave his Camp without a good Guard and in case he did he was sure to find his Army thereby diminish'd and the Romans with less business on their hands These then were taken much after this manner Tho' Hannibal left not his Camp without a good Guard nevertheless as soon as the Battel began the Romans pursuant to their Orders march'd to the Attack the Carthaginians for a while gallantly opposing them but at length when they were on the point of yielding to the superiour force of the Enemy Hannibal who was by that time Master of the Field came in to their Relief and routing the Romans forc'd them to take Refuge in their own Camp of these were kill'd about two Thousand the rest were taken alive Such as were scatter'd and dispers'd about the Country and had got into Fortify'd Places shar'd no better Fortune for the Numidians attack'd them where-ever they went taking to the number of two Thousand of their Horse Prisoners as we before noted The issue of this Battel prov'd in effect what either Party foresaw for the Carthaginians thereby became soon possess'd in a manner at least of all that part of Italy call'd the Ancient Province and Magna-Graecia Those of Tarentum the Arpinates and some Capuans putting themselves presently into their hands and all the rest giving manifest signs of their good Inclinations toward them Nor was Hannibal in doubt but that Rome it self would be his on the first Attempt while the Romans became now desperate after this Defeat of preserving their Dominion of Italy And under these Agitations terrify'd at once at their own and Countries Danger expected every moment to see Hannibal at their Gates And as if Fortune had a mind to make them drink the Dreggs of this bitter Cup they receiv'd news shortly after while the City was sinking under the weight of their Adversity that their Praetor whom they had sent to the Cisalpine Gauls was himself with his whole Army routed and cut off by an Ambush they had laid in his way Howbeit the Senate deserted not their Duty in this exigent They call'd on the Inhabitants to strengthen the Works of the City and gave all those needful Orders which their Circumstances would permit as by the success soon appear'd And tho' in truth the whole World was now witness that the Romans at this time were vanquish'd and gave place in Military Reputation to their Enemy nevertheless it will also be confess'd That what by their Constancy of Mind and the Wisdom of their Counsels they overcame at length these their Conquerors and not only rescu'd their Country but added not long after to their recovery of Italy the Conquest of the World Here then we have thought it proper to sinish this Book which contains so many memorable Tranfactions as well in Spain as Italy during the hundred and fortieth Olympiad And when we shall have spoken of the Occurrences of Greece during the same Olympiad we shall then return to Rome and discourse at large on the subject of that Common-wealth being persuaded that such Remarks as may be thence collected will not only be found worthy the Pen of an Historian but of excellent use both to those who would improve their Minds in such Contemplations as others who are actually in the Ministry of Publick Affairs as well for the correcting the Errors of present Governments as the forming and founding of new Common-wealths The End of the First Volume A Catalogue of BOOKS Printed for Rich. Wellington at the Lute in St. Paul's Church-yard and Sam. Briscoe near Covent-garden THE Italian Voyage or a compleat Journey through Italy In two Parts being an exact Character of the People and a Description of the chief Towns Churches Monasteries Tombs Libraries Pallaces Villa's Gardens Pictures Statues Antiquities as also of the Interest Government Rules Force c. of all the Princes By Richard Laswell Gent the second Edition with large Additions by a modern Name A Discourse of the Nature and Faculties of Man in several Essays with some Considerations on the Occurrences of Humane Life By Tim. Nourse Gent. Familiar Letters Written by John late Earl of Rochester to the Honourable Henry Savile Esq and several other Persons of Quality with Love-letters writ by the ingenuous Mr. Otway with several other Letters writ by his Grace the Duke of Buckingham Sir George Etheridge and Mr. Tho Brown In 2 Vol. Each may be had singly The Histories and Novels of the late ingenuous Mrs. Anne Behn Vol. I. viz. Oroonoko or the Royal Slave The fair Gilt or Prince Tarquin Agnes de Castro or the Force of generous Love The Lovers
gain'd the Hills and the Horse in the Plains bringing up and sustaining the Rear and who now drew near an Eminence call'd Propus They sent out their Horse after them to whom they joyn'd their light-arm'd Troops under the leading of Epistratus the Acarnanian these had order to fall on their Rear-guard to make some proof of the mettle of the Enemy Now if it were reasonable to come to a Battel they could not have made a worse choice than to attack the Enemy in the Rear for their Gross had already pass'd the Plains but to have done as they ought would have been to have ingag'd their Van as soon as they had enter'd on the Champaign Ground In which case they had had the benefit of fighting with the Advantage both in the nature of their Arms and the strength of their Order wherein in plain Ground they were in both superior to the Enemy who could not possibly have then fought without great odds against them But while they committed this over-sight and attack'd not the Aetolians till they had gain'd the Advantage of Ground it was no wonder that the Success fell out accordingly For the light-arm'd Troops no sooner came to the Charge when the Aetolian Horse had gain'd the Mountain firm and in good order keeping a good round march whereby to come up and Joyn their Foot Aratus who could not very well discover how the Affair went and not rightly judging of the Danger to which he was going to expose himself imagining the Enemies hasty Motion to be no other than Flight detach'd his Curiassiers from the Wings and commanded them to advance to the Charge to reinforce and sustain the light-arm'd Soldiers In the mean time drawing up the rest of his Troops into one Battalion he march'd himself at the Head of them and hastily advanc'd towards the Enemy doing every thing with precipitation But the Aetolian Horse had no sooner pass'd the Plain and joyn'd the Foot who had the Rear-guard and had now gain'd the Mountain when they immediately made a halt and ordering their Foot on the Flanks incourag'd one another to fear nothing And now facing about the Shouts they made caus'd those who were at a distance to return and hasten to their assistance so that their number increasing in confidence of their superiour Strength and the benefit of charging from higher Ground they boldly attack'd the Enemies Horse and their light-arm'd Troops and after a long and obstinate Dispute the Achaians were worsted Who flying so terrify'd those who were coming in no very good order to their Relief that they likewise retreated as fast as they came partly out of ignorance of the state of the Battel partly by meeting those of their Party who were flying for Safety from the Enemy This was the reason why it came to pass that this Party only of five Hundred of their Men was beaten and above two Thousand betook themselves to flight without ingaging And now the Aetolians who took Counsel of the present posture of the Field follow'd them hard in the Rear with great Shouts and Acclamations In short while the Achaian Troops were retreating back to the Gross as they thought of the Army which they hop'd would afford them a safe reception their Retreat was Soldier-like in good and safe order but as soon as they perceiv'd them to have quitted the advantageous Post they had taken that their Order was broken and confus'd marching in a Defileé then they sell into Confusion likewise and scattering and dispersing themselves here and there some got into neighbouring Towns others meeting a Battalion of their own Troops that advanc'd to their Succour so terrify'd each other tho' no Enemy were near that they both broke and dispers'd Of those that shifted for themselves as we observ'd some got into the Towns round about and a good Party escap'd to Orchomenus and Caphya which were not far off For had they not had those safe Retreats at hand they had been intirely ruin'd Thus have we related the Story of this Battel which was fought near Caphya As soon as the Megalopolitans came to understand that the Aetolians were encamp'd in the Territory of Methydrium they drew their whole Forces together and march'd to the Assistance of the Achaians but they arriv'd not till the Day after the Battel and their coming prov'd of no other use than to take care of burying the dead Bodies of those with whom they expected to have joyn'd and hop'd to have reliev'd So that digging a great Ditch in the Territory of the Caphyans they there bury'd the dead performing the Obsequies of those unfortunate Men with great Honour and Solemnity And now the Aetolians having obtain'd a Victory so contrary to their Hopes by the single service of their Horse and light-arm'd Soldiers took their march thereupon without fear or danger quite cross the Country of Peloponnesus And after making an attempt on Pellene and harrassing the Territory of Sicyon they took their way by the Isthmus These matters then which we have now related were the cause of the Confederate War and the Decree that was conceiv'd thereupon and confirm'd in a general Assembly of the Allies at Corinth where King Philip who procur'd the same and was present was the beginning of the said War In the mean time the Achaians soon after this Defeat call an Assembly where Aratus was severely prosecuted with Complaints on all hands As having been manifestly the occasion of the loss and dishonour they had sustain'd And by how much his Enemies press'd him with Accusations and with strong Reasons laid open his mismanagement by so much did the Hatred and Indignation of the People increase against him First there was no dispute but that Aratus had greatly err'd in having as one may say usurp'd the Magistracy by taking it upon him before he was regularly elected into his Charge And he could not deny but that what he had enterpriz'd thereupon had very ill succeeded Furthermore they blam'd him for that seeing the Aetolians yet in the heart of Peloponnesus he had been prevail'd with to dismiss the Achaian Troops notwithstanding he had been before well assur'd that Scopas and Dorimachus were sirmly determin'd to embroil their Affairs and to do all they could to ingage them in a War The third Article against him was His adventuring to ingage with so few Troops when he might with ease have made a good Retreat to the neighbouring Towns where he might at leisure have reinforc'd his Army and then given the Enemy Battel if he had seen cause The last and heaviest Charge against him was That after he had resolv'd to give the Enemy Battel he did not make one Soldier-like step in the whole Conduct of the Action For it had been in his choice to have sought on plain Ground which would have been much to his advantage for there the heavy-arm'd Troops could have ingag'd from whose service he could hardly have sail'd of Success While on the contrary he
determination to march and to take their way by Laconia through the Territory of the Argians and to joyn the King's Forces with what speed they might Accordingly they took the Field and arriving near Glympia a Fortress on the Borders of the Argians and Lacedaemonians it chanc'd that they did not encamp with that circumspection which they ought having neither Retrenchment or Pallisade nor was the place where they Encamp'd well chosen but in confidence of the good Will of the Inhabitants they quarter'd themselves under the Walls of the place Lycurgus coming to understand the Messenians were arriv'd took with him his Mercenaries and a small Party of Lacedoemonians and march'd to attack them and coming upon them about the close of the Evening boldly attempted their Camp And now tho' the Messenians had acted otherwise imprudently in every thing and had march'd with too small a Force and destitute of Officers in whose Judgment and Abilities they might rely nevertheless their behaviour in this Rencounter was without blame considering the surprize For as soon as they receiv'd notice of the arrival of Lycurgus leaving all their Lumber and whatever might trouble them behind they retir'd to a certain Fortress so that the Enemy got nothing but their Baggage and a few Horses of their Foot they lost not a Man and of their Horse not above eight or nine who fell on the spot After this Defeat the Messenians return'd home by the way of Argos and Lycurgus exalted with his Success march'd back to Sparta where he fell to making of new Levies and to deliberate with his Friends how to proceed so as to oblige Philip to come to a Battel before he left Laconia But the King nevertheless march'd from Elia plundering and ravaging the Country all along in his way and four Days aster return'd to Amycla with his Army in view of the Enemy As soon as Lycurgus had given the necessary Orders to his Friends and Officers touching the Battel they had resolv'd on he commanded the Troops to draw out of the Town consisting of about Two Thousand Men taking Possession of all the nearest Posts to Menelaium leaving Instructions with those that were appointed to remain within the Town to have a special regard to a Signal that he would give them which as soon as they saw they should issue out of the Town with all expedition and by as many ways as they could and draw up on a certain Ground where the River ran nearest to the Town In this posture stood Matters between the two Armies But lest our Relation should seem obscure through want of due light in the nature and situation of Places about which we treat we shall therefore do our best to be as clear in that as in our accounts of matters of fact which shall be our manner throughout our whole Work Some Places which are unknown we shall describe by comparing them with others that are known distinguishing them by Marks and Notes of common Observation For through want of a right Information herein many and great Errors have been committed in the Conduct of Enterprizes both by Sea and Land But we shall labour our utmost that the Readers of our History may be instructed as well in the manner as matter of Occurrences and that nothing may be left unsaid touching the Description of Towns and Countries and principally in Military Adventures wherein the better to explain our Mind we shall have recourse sometimes to some certain Port of the Sea sometimes to an Island sometimes to some conspicuous Temple Promontory oâ— Mountain or the Name of some Country and in short the divers Regions of the Heavens as being things generally known and familiar to Mankind 'T is by this Method then I say that we hope to be able to lead the Reader to a just Conception of Places and Situations to him otherwise unknown To give a general description then of thâ— City of Sparta 't is observable that in figure it is round it stands on a plain or bottom where there rises here and there certain Hillocks or Eminences and some places are waste and barren On the West-side runs the River Eurotas which is deep and unfordable at certain Seasons of the Year The Mountains of Menelaium are on the other side of the River regarding the North-East part of the Town these being almost inaccessible and exceeding high command all the space of Ground lying between the Eurotas and the Town which space in a word taking likewise the River into the account which runs by the foot of the Hills is not above a Furlong and an half wide Now by this way King Philip was oblig'd to pass in his return from his Expedition having on his left the Town and the Lacedaemonians drawn up in Battalia and on his right the River and the Troops of Lycurgus posted on the skirts of the Hills Furthermore the Lacedoemonians having stop'd the course of the River had brought all that space of Ground we mention'd under Water so that it became impossible for their Foot much less their Horse to march Wherefore the King's Army had no other way to go but in defilée along the foot of the Mountains by which means neither Party could sustain or relieve the other and the whole Army would run a mighty hazard marching so expos'd to the continual shot of the Enemy Philip therefore well weighing the Peril resolv'd that nothing could be better first done than to attempt Lycurgus and endeavour to beat him from his Post Wherefore taking with him his Mercenaries and Buckler-men which were sustain'd by the Illyrians he pass'd the River and march'd directly towards the Hills Lycurgus who could not but understand the King's purpose put himself in a posture to receive him and at the same time gave Signal to those within the Town who immediately sally'd out and drew up as they had been order'd placing the Horse on their right When Philip was advanc'd somewhat near to Lycurgus he order'd the Mercenaries to march to the Attack and so began the Battel For a while the Lacedaemonians having the advantage both in their Arms and the Ground had also the better in the Dispute But as soon as the Buckler-men advanc'd to sustain the others and that Philip himself with the Illyrians fell on their Flank the Mercenaries on the coming up of this Relief took new Courage and engag'd with so much Bravery that Lycurgus was worsted and betook himself to flight leaving about an Hundred of his Men dead on the place and 〈◊〉 greater number that were taken Prisoners Many got into the Town and Lycurgâ—s himself favour'd by the coming on of the Night got likewise through by-ways into Sparta Whereupon Philip having now the Mountains to friend where he plac'd the Illyrians on the Guard return'd himself with the Buckler-men and Mercenaries to the gross of the Army At the same time Aratus came from Amyclâ—e with the Phalanx on whose approach to the Town Philip repass'd the River to
slew about seven hundred Mysians of his Party and compell'd the rest to retire After this repulse Achoeus and Garsyeres return'd to the Camp while the Selgâ—ans doubting danger from a Sedition within the Town the Enemy being still at hand sent out some of their gravest Inhabitants to treat with Achoeus who at length accorded them Peace on the following Conditions That they should pay down presently four hundred Talents That the Pednelissâ—an Pris'ners should be enlarg'd and that within a certain space they should pay further three hundred Talents Thus the Selgians being reduc'd to manifest danger of losing their Country by the Treachery of Logbasis had the good Fortune to rescue it by their Resolution without staining their Liberty or violating the Alliance in which they were engag'd with the Lacedoemonians Achoeus having reduc'd the Country of Milyas to his Dominion and part of Pamphylia march'd to Sardis where he wag'd War with Attalus menacing also Prusias becoming formidable to all the Asians inhabiting on this side Mount Taurus But while he was diverted by the War with the Selgians Attalus having with him the Gauls Aegosages or Tectosages led his Army to the Towns of Aeolia and others in that Neighbourhood who out of fear had submitted to Achoeus The greatest part of which Towns yielded themselves up whom he receiv'd with gentleness willing them to understand it in effect of his Grace and Goodness nor were there many which exercis'd his Arms to reduce them The principal Places that submitted were Cuma Smyrna Phocoea and in short the Aegoeans and the Lemnites terrify'd at his arrival submitted The Teii and Colophonii also apply'd to him by their Ambassadors and put themselves and Towns under his Protection After he had receiv'd these People according to the Conditions of the ancient League and had likewise receiv'd their Hostages he entertain'd the Smyrnian Ambassadors with singular Benignity for indeed that People had above all others distinguish'd themselves by a generous Fidelity towards him From thence he continu'd his march and having past the River Lycus he came to the Towns inhabited by the Mysians and so proceeded to the Country of the Carsenses and in short spread so much Fear among them that the Garrison of Didyma-Tiche where Themistocles had been left Governour by Achoeus deliver'd up the Two Castles From thence he march'd and spoil'd the Lands of Apioe and passing the Mountain Pelecas he came and encamp'd near the River Megistus Here there happening an Eclipse of the Moon the Gauls who could no longer bear the Toils of so tedious a March for they went with their Wives and Children travelling in Waggons along with them conceiving the Eclipse to be ominous came to a Resolution to march no further Whereupon tho' they were a People of no use in Attacks and had all along during their march encamp'd by themselves being subject to no Discipline and were a proud and refractory Nation Nevertheless the King was in pain what to resolve about them for he was doubtful if he should dismiss them leâ—t they should take Arms under Achoeus and that to punish their Insolence by destroying them would redound to his discredit they having pass'd over into Asia out of respect to him wherefore he took that occasion for his return after he had promis'd to conduct them safe to the place from whence they came and assur'd them of Lands wherein to plant and that he would at no time refuse to comply with any of their reasonable Demands but do them all the good Offices in his Power so after he had led his Gauls to the Hellespont and treated those of Lampsacus the Alexandrians and Illians with great Respect they having continu'd firm in their Fidelity he return'd with his Army to Pergamus It was now early in the Spring when Antiochus and Ptolomy having made all necessary Provisions for the War were arriv'd at the conjuncture of deciding their Controversie by Battel Ptolomy march'd from Alexandria with an Army of seventy thousand Foot five thousand Horse and seventy three Elephants while Antiochus receiving intelligence of the Enemies advancing assembled also his Troops His Army consisted of Daoeans Carmanians and Cilicians who were light-arm'd these were commanded by Byttachus the Macedonian Theodotus the Aetolian who had deserted and betray'd the Affairs of Ptolomy was plac'd at the head of twenty thousand Men arm'd after the Macedonian manner chosen Troops and carrying for the most part silver'd Bucklers The Phalanx was compos'd of about twenty thousand which was conducted by Nicarchus and Theodotus surnam'd Hemiolius Menedemus the Alabandine led two thousand Archers and Slingers with whom were mingled a thousand Thracians There were likewise Medes Cyssians Caddusians and Caramanians to the number of five thousand who were order'd to obey Aspasianus the Median The Arabians and others of the Neighbour-Nations compos'd a Body of above ten thousand whose Chief was Zabdiphilus The Greek Mercenaries amounted to five thousand and at the head of these was plac'd Hippolochus the Thessalian Antiochus had likewise five hundred Candiots commanded by Eurylochus and a thousand new-rais'd Men of the same Country whose Leader was Zebes the Gortynian there were also five hundred Lydian Slingers and a thousand Cardaceans who had over them Lysimachus the Gaul The Horse consisted of about six thousand four thousand of which obey'd Antipater the King's Nephew the rest were led by Themison In conclusion the Army of Antiochus consisted of seventy two thousand Foot the Horse above-noted and a hundred and two Elephants Ptolomy first march'd to Pelusium where he encamp'd and as soon as the Reer was come up and he had distributed Bread to the Army he prosecuted his march through a Country destitute of Water along the Mountain Casius passing by a place call'd Barathra When he arriv'd at Gaza he drew out a Detachment with which he march'd and advanc'd before the Army without any apprehension of Impediment The fifth Day he came to a Place where he purpos'd to halt encamping about fifty Furlongs from Raphia This is the first City of the Lower Syria after Rhinocorura that lies in the way from Aegypt into that Country Antiochus at the same time advanc'd with his Army and passing by Raphia he encamp'd by Night about ten Furlongs from the Enemy For a while their Camps stood at this distance one from another But shortly after Antiochus decamp'd and came and lodg'd nearer the Enemy as well to better the Conveniences of his Army's abode as to hearten the Soldiers so that there was not now above five Furlongs space between their two Camps insomuch that those who went to Water and march'd out to Forrage had frequent Rencounters and often by Parties both Horse and Foot pickeer'd between their Camps Here Theodotus gave an instance of Aetolian Resolution and indeed worthy of a truly fearless Man For having resided heretofore in Ptolomy's Court and being well acquainted with the Ways and Manners of that Prince he got a little before Day-break into
Colossus an hundred Architects three hundred and fifty Artificers and fourteen Talents by the Year to pay for their sustenance Furthermore he gave them ten thousand Artabes of Corn for the expence of their Sacrifices and Exercises and twenty thousand of the like Measures of Corn for the Service of their Fleet. In short the greatest part of these particulars were soon deliver'd and a third part of the Money in Hand Antigonus gave them ten thousand pieces of Timber of sixteen Cubits long each piece seven thousand Planks of seven Cubits long each three thousand pounds of Iron three thousand pounds of Pitch and Rosin and a thousand Metreta's or Measures of Tar further promising them a hundred Talents of Silver Chryseis his Wife gave them an hundred thousand Measures of Wheat and three thousand pounds weight of Lead Seleucus Father of Antiochus gave immunity to all the Rhodians who Navigated on the Coast of his Dominions ten Gallies equipp'd for War and two hundred thousand Measures of Corn besides many other things of value Prusias Mithridates and the rest of the Princes then Reigning in Asia as Lysanias Olympichus and Limnoeus made them proportionable Presents In a word 't is impossible to recount the numbers of Towns and People who contributed to the Relief of the Rhodians according to their Ability in that occasion Insomuch that whoever should have consider'd only how suddenly that City rose from its Ruines to that wonderful height of Riches and Splendor both in Publick and Private would be struck with astonishment But when consideration is had to its Commodity of Situation and thâ— superfluity of all things that were supply'd them from abroad that they might be sure to want for nothing their flourishing State and the Felicity to which they so soon arriv'd will then cease to surprize us and rather defeat our Expectations We have a little enlarg'd on this Subject to exemplifie the Rhodians Love to their Commonwealth who have shewn themselves worthy of Praise from all Men and are an excellent Example for imitation And this we have taken the liberty the rather to say to the end that both Princes and People may confider and see how the Minds of Men are shrunk and how little the Liberalities of our Days appear when compar'd with the Munificence of our Forefathers and to the end that when they have extended a small Favour they may not exalt their own Generosity and for little Acts of Grace exact Remunerations and Honours equal to what was due to Kings of Old and that by weighing rightly eithers Merit neither may want his due About the beginning of Summer Agetas being Praetor of the Aetolians and the Elder Aratus Elected to that Magistracy by the Achaians being now enter'd on his Charge I think at least 't was there we brake off our Discourse of the Social War Lycurgus the Spartan returning home from Aetolia being recall'd by the Ephori who had found the Information false on which the Sentence of his Banishment was grounded he I say in conjunction with Pyrrhias the Aetolian who was at that time the Elean Praetor resolv'd to fall on the Lands of the Messenians Aratus in the mean time found the Achaian Mercenaries corrupted by Idleness and decay of Discipline and the Cities indispos'd to contribute towards the War through the default of Eperatus who had but ill discharg'd his Office of Praetor Wherefore after fit Exhortations to the Achaians and wresting from them by force as it were a Decree for his purpose he apply'd himself with his best diligence to prepare to prosecute the War The Achaians Decreed to entertain eight thousand Mercenary Stranger Foot and five hundred Horse and that they should levy at home three thousand Foot and three hundred Horse and that to compleat that number the Megalopolitans should contribute three hundred Foot call'd Chalcaspides from their bearing Brass-Bucklers and fifty Horse and that the Argians should furnish the like number It was further Decreed that they should fit out a Fleet and that three Ships should be sent towards Acta and the Gulph of Argos and three to hover about Patrae and Dymas and the Seas in the Neighbourhood While Aratus was busy'd in these Affairs and making Provision for the War Lycurgus and Pyrrhias led their Troops into the Territory of Messenia having concerted by their Agents about the time they were to move with their Armies into the Field But Aratus getting notice of their purpose took with him the Mercenaries to whom he joyn'd some chosen Troops and with these March'd away in haste to succour the Messenians and to proceed to Megalopolis In the interim Lycurgus takes Calamas a Messenian Town by Intelligence from whence he prosecuted his March to joyn the Aetolians But Pyrrhias having drawn but a small Force out of Elea was Encounter'd by the Messenians on their Frontiers and worsted and so compell'd to retire home again Whereupon Lycurgus defeated in his Hopes of increasing his strength by that addition and not having Force sufficient of his own to put his Design in effect after he had Forag'd the Enemy's Countrey and done them what damage he was able with the little strength he had return'd back to Sparta having done nothing worth mention The Enemy thus disappointed Aratus who was provident to foresee the future prevail'd with Taurion to order out fifty Horse and five hundred Foot enjoyning the Messenians to provide the like number with which Force he propos'd to defend the Frontiers of the Messenians Megalopolitans Tegaeans and Argians For that these Countries lying in the Neighbourhood of Laconia whenever the Lacedaemonians wage War in Peloponnesus stand expos'd to the first shock of the Enemy As to the Lands of Achaia that lie towards Elea and Aetolia those he resolv'd to defend with his Mercenaries joyning with them some Achaian Troops Aratus having put his Affairs in this posture dismiss'd the Megalopolitans home by a Decree of the Achaians for that having not long before been forc'd to leave their Country entirely ruin'd by Cleomenes and albeit they were poor and in no condition to do any thing Publick or Private nevertheless they possess'd still the same Courage and Greatness of Mind But this begat great Disorders and Dissentions among them as it seldom â—ails to happen in States or Private Families when pinch'd with Poverty and depriv'd of means to Prosecute what they would design First a Contention arose about the Structure of the Walls of their Town some were for confining it to streighter limits and so to build that when they should come to erect the Walls they might compass it without difficulty and that in case of Hostility they might the better defend it These remonstrating that their Town had not been lost nor they undone by the Enemy but through the over-great circuit of their Walls and their want of numbers to Man them Furthermore they propos'd that the Rich who had Possessions and Inheritances should contribute the third part of their Estates
and pursuing the Enemy into their Camp and so Appius return'd Victorious into Messina loaded with the Spoils of the Enemy And Hieron who perceiv'd he had made a wrong Judgment touching the Issue of the War march'd away immediately towards Syracuse Claudius receiving next Morning Intelligence of his Retreat and being now full of assurance by his late Success resolv'd to lose no time but forthwith to Attack likewise the Carthaginians Pursuant to which Resolution he order'd his Army to take their repast betimes and to be under their Arms earlier than ordinary and sallying out by break of Day he surpriz'd the Enemy and routed them with great Slaughter those who escap'd being broken and scatter'd securing themselves in the Neighbouring Towns Having obtain'd these Victories and rais'd the Siege from before Messina he began now to make Inroads here and there upon the Neighbouring Country and proceeded without impediment to plunder as far as the Territory of the Syracusians and their Confederates whither at length-he march'd with his Army and sate down before Syracusa Thus have I related the Motives and given the History of the Romans first Expidition out of Italy And for as much as we have judg'd and chosen this Conjuncture as the most proper and sure Basis whereon to superstruct our whole Design we have therefore concluded that we cannot better prepare the Mind of the Reader for what follows than by setting out from hence Tho' we have look'd yet a little farther back the better to open and explain the Reasons of Things to the end there may not remain the least doubt For in my Judgment whosoever would attain a right Knowledge of the present Greatness of the Roman State should first be inform'd when and how Fortune began to Espouse their Cause for they had once lost their Country and farther to be well instructed in the Means by which and the time when they had intirely reduc'd Italy under their Dominion they began to form Designs of their remoter Conquests It will not therefore be thought strange if when we are to Treat of Great States and Mighty People we should labour to unfold the remotest Accounts of Antiquity and draw our Supplies from as near the Spring-head as may be which is the course we have taken that we might be sure to build on sound and unshaken Principles so that whatsoever People shall be the Subject of our Story we shall endeavour to shew how and when they began and the Steps that conducted them to that degree of Power and Greatness wherein we shall behold them And this is the Method we have been already pursuing touching the Affairs of the Romans But we will forbear farther Digressions and proceed to our History after we have lightly touch'd on some Preliminary Matters and what falls in order principally to be noted is the Transactions between the Romans and the Carthaginians during their Contention about Sicily next will be the War in Africk To which is annex'd the War the Carthaginians wag'd in Spain mannag'd first by Hamilcar and after him by Asdrubal about which time the Romans invaded Illiria and other remote Countries of Europe then shall be handled the War they made on the Gauls inhabiting Italy and in course we shall mention that in Greece call'd the Cleomenick War which gives a period to our Second Book Of these in order with some necessary Remarks for better light into our History for we have not conceived it necessary or in any manner profitable to be over particular in those things it not being our purpose to write their History but so to touch them as may suffice the better to guide the Reader into what we purpose to relate In a word it will be easily perceiv'd by the Thread of our Discourse how necessary it was to make some recital of what others have said before so as to let in the Mind of the inquisitive by an easier passage to subsequent Occurrences But above all it behoves us to be punctual in setting down the Revolutions in Sicily during the War there between the Romans and Carthaginians than which for duration there is hardly any Example of the like in History nor of the Provisions that were made to Prosecute it nor for the Greatness of Action or importance and hazard of Enterprises number of Battels and extraordinary Adventures For in short those two States had liv'd hitherto under an exact observance of their Laws their Diicipline was pure and unshaken their Wealth not burthensome and their Strength equal Whosoever therefore shall carefully consider the Form and Power of those two States respectively will be better able to collect Matter whereby to make a juster Comparison by this War only than by any subsequent Transactions whatsoever between them And now we have but one weighty Impediment to stay the Course of our History which is that Philinus and Fabius the Historians who have the repute of excelling all others in their Exactness and Fidelity in delivering this Story have not nevertheless been so just in their Relations as became them And yet when I consider their manner of Life I cannot well tell-how to charge them with design'd Falshood I am therefore inclin'd to think it hath happen'd to them as it often does to Lovers Philinus's Affection for the Carthaginians hath brib'd his Belief in favour of their great Conduct Wisdom and Generosity in all their Actions and Deliberations and perverted his Judgment on the other hand touching the Romans As to Fabius he acts the same part for his Country-men nor would it be blam'd in the other Deportments of his Private Life it being but just that a Man of Honour should bear Affection towards his Country and his Friends and that he shew Aversion to their Enemies and Love to their Friends But when once a Man hath taken upon him the Character of an Historian his Affections are no more his own and he is to divest himself of every Passion For how often falls it out to bâ— the Duty of a Writer to applaud the Merits of an Enemy and blame the Conduct of a Friend when their Faults and Follies so require For as a Horse that is become blind is render'd almost useless so History if Truth be once wanting ceaseth to be of any use or instruction We are therefore to make no difficulty to detect the Errors of a Friend and to do right to the Vertues of an Enemy Nor must we scruple sometimes to blame those who but now had as just a Title to our Applause It being impossible that such who have the Authority and Administration of Publick Affairs should not sometimes miscarry or that those who often err should not be now and then in the right We are not therefore to weigh the Rank or Fortune of those who are in Authority but to be careful that our Writings speak the Truth of their Actions And that this is a just Observation will appear by what follows Philinus in the beginning of his Second
Souldiers dispers'd in a disorderly manner made a Sally upon them as they were then busie in their Harvest and having scatter'd them one Party attempted the pillaging the Camp and another attack'd their Guards But here the Excellency of the Roman Discipline was eminently seen as it hath appear'd on many occasions to their great Honour and the Benefit of their Affairs For as it is a most unpardonable fault to desert their Post or abandon their Corps of Guard those who had thus carelesly neglected their Duty resolv'd to repair their Fault by some remarkable Behaviour accordingly they rally'd and bravely sustain'd the shock of the Enemy tho' superior in number and albeit some of the Romans fell the loss on the Enemies side was much greater In short they surrounded the Carthaginians who had well-nigh forc'd their Retrenchment and making a great slaughter among them compell'd them at length to retreat to their Works After this Action the Carthaginians were more cautious in their Sallies and the Romans became more wary in their Foraging And now seeing the Carthaginians made no more such adventurous Sallies and their Fighting was reduc'd to Skirmishing and Picquering in small Parties the Consuls thought it best to divide their Army into two Bodies with one they possess'd the Ground where the Temple of Aesculapius stands facing the Town and with the other that on the side towards Heraclea in which two places they encamp'd and fortify'd their Leaguer with Lines of Circumvallation and Contravallation to prevent Attempts from the Town and hinder Supplies and Correspondence from without and to secure themselves from Surprises And in the Space between their two Lines they appointed strong Guards plac'd at convenient distances Their Provisions and all Necessaries were plentifully supply'd and brought by their Allies to Erbessa and from that Town which was not far from their Camp their Convoys pass'd without impediment Affairs continu'd in this posture for five Months neither Party gaining upon the other any advantage that might augment eithers hopes their Engagements being for the most part in slight Skirmishes But to be brief there being not less than Fifty Thousand Souls in Agrigentum this mighty Number soon reduc'd them to great straits for Provision and a Famine thereupon ensu'd In the mean time Hannibal who commanded in chief foreseeing he should not be able long to sustain the Siege dispatch'd frequent Advices to Carthage remonstrating their ill Condition and demanding speedy Succours The Carthaginians thereupon took Order for the embarking Elephants and all the Souldiers and Succours they could put on Board their Fleet consigning them to Hanno their other General in Sicily Who assembling his Forces at Heraclea march'd with all his Strength towards Erbessa which place he surpris'd being put into his Hands by Treachery and by this Success having depriv'd the Enemy of all manner of Relief the Romans who were but now the Besiegers became themselves besieg'd and in a word were reduc'd to such Straits of all kinds that they often deliberated about raising the Siege and had put it in execution had not Hieron afforded them what Help he was able which with great Parsimony sustain'd them Hanno having Intelligence of the evil state of the Roman Army that they were enfeebl'd by Want and diminish'd by Diseases the Plague being got among them took Assurance to think he might be now a Match for them He chose therefore about Fifty Elephants and march'd with all his Troops in great haste from Heraclea sending his Numidian-Horse before who had Orders to charge up to the Enemies Retrenchments with shew as if they would Engage them and to Retreat towards the Army in case the Romans Sallied out upon them This Service they punctually perform'd attacking one of the Roman Camps who march'd out with their Horse against them whilst they pursuant to the Orders they had receiv'd retreated to the Army and joyn'd Hanno then the whole Army facing about attack'd the Roman Horse encompassing them round and doing great Execution pursu'd them to their Camp Soon after Hanno seiz'd on an Eminence call'd Mount Torus distant from the Romans about Ten Furlongs and there Encamp'd his Army Where two Months pass'd without any remarkable Action he being unwilling yet to come to a pitch'd Battel and entertaining the Enemy only with flight Rencounters in small Parties But now Hannibal giving notice as well by Signs from the Town as by Expresses That they were no longer able to sustain the Wants they were under and that many were by Famine compell'd to Desert and go over to the Romans Hanno was at length drawn to come to a Decision to which the Romans were equally dispos'd for the Reasons already noted So the two Armies were drawn out on the Ground between their two Camps where they Fought and the Success was long doubtful till the Romans forc'd the Mercenaries who had the Vanguard to give back who as they retreated falling in among the Elephants those Animals being disorder'd broke the Line that sustain'd their Rear which Accident discompos'd the whole Army Whereupon the Carthaginians were put to flight the Romans making great slaughter among them Many were Slain and but a few got into Heraclea the Conquerours taking most of the Elephants and all the Cathaginian Baggage But what with the Joy of the Victory and Weariness of the Souldiers after the Battel the Roman Guards the following Night were not kept with their Customary Vigilance which being perceiv'd by Hannibal who now despairing of Safety in the Town took this Negligence of the Romans as an Invitation to him to attempt his Escape he therefore about Midnight with the Forreign Troops that were in the Town took his March and filling the Roman Trenches with Faggots pass'd over their Works and escap'd unhurt and unseen The Romans who saw not their Error till the Morning contented themselves with a short Pursuit Attacking them in the Rear and at the same time possess'd themselves of the Town without Resistance Where they took many Slaves and an inestimable Booty of all sorts of Riches There was great Joy at Rome on the News of the taking of Agrigentum every-body was pleas'd and each Man's Courage and Hopes were rais'd and they resolv'd to prosecute the Success of these their first Enterprises They thought it not now enough to have Rescu'd Messina and Enrich'd themselves by the War but elevated their Purposes and Expectations to the entire expelling the Carthaginians out of Sicily and exalting the Roman Name and Power for indeed that was the true Mark towards which all their Aims were levell'd To proceed it was now evident that the Romans were Superiour by Land and that their Hopes were not ill grounded that L. Valerius and L. Octacilius the New Consuls Successours to those who took Agrigentum would be able to go through with the Conquest of Sicily But still the Carthaginians were Masters at Sea and this Regard preserv'd them yet in equal Terms and Hopes with their Enemy It is
all expedition Accordingly he taking with him Five Thousand Foot and Five Hundred Horse came forthwith to Carthage where being chosen their Third General he and Asdrubal fell to consult about the present posture of their Affairs and concluded That above all things they ought to Succour the Province and not endure that the Romans should make their Incursions and such Spoil upon the Country In the mean while M. Atilius Regulus proceeds and in a short space makes a mighty Progress all such Towns as he attack'd that had no Walls he carry'd at the first Assault and such as were fortify'd he Besieg'd and coming to Adda which was a Place of Importance he incamp'd not far from the Walls and sat down before it But the Carthaginians knowing the usefulness of that Place and being resolv'd to defend the Country march'd out forthwith against him where arriving with their Army they posted themselves on an Eminence which albeit it gave them an Advantage against the Romans was nevertheless very incommodious to themselves in all Respects for as their greatest Strength and Hopes were in their Horse and Elephants so abandoning the plain and proper Country and marching and inclosing themselves in rough and inaccessible Places they pointed out as it were to the Enemy the Methods of their own Destruction And so in effect it prov'd for the Roman Commanders who were Men of Experience saw well enough that the main Strength and most formidable Part of the Carthaginian Army was render'd useless by their thus keeping the Mountains they therefore wisely manag'd this Error of of the Enemy and not delaying till they should be better advis'd improv'd the Occasion and accordingly march'd at break of Day and surrounded the Hill where they were thus incamp'd when now there could be nothing more useless to them than their Horse and Elephants In this Occasion the Mercenaries of the Carthaginians behav'd themselves gallantly and ingaging with the first Legion forc'd them to retreat howbeit being attack'd in the Rear by another Party marching about the Hill they were at length forc'd to give ground and retire and now being hard press'd they forsook their Camp with their Horse and Elephants and gaining the plain Country sav'd themselves the Romans pursuing their Foot for some space so they took their Camp and proceeded as before to make Inroads taking of Towns and spoiling the Country round about without any Impediment Then they march'd to Tunes and becoming Masters of that Place they lodg'd within the Walls which they chose to do in regard the Situation was proper for the Purpose they had in hand and was of all Places the most useful to incommode and distress Carthage itself and the Country round about it The Carthaginians who had so unfortunately manag'd their Affairs both by Sea and Land not so much thro' the Cowardise oâ— their Armies as the Insufficiency of their Chiefs began now to despair For over and above the Calamities we have related the Numidians taking the advantage of these their Troubles had made Inroads upon them and did them as much hurt as the Roman and in some parts of the Country under their Dominion a great deal more Insomuch that the People were compell'd to retire and save themselves in the City whither they brought both Fear and Famine a mighty Multitude of all sorts flocking at once thâ—ther And now Regulus having weigh'd that they had been too hard for the Carthaginianâ— both by Sea and Land and that Carthage itselâ— was not likely to be able long to hold out admonish'd them to treat about an Accomodation fearing least his Successor that was expected from Rome should if he made not a Peace deprive him of the Glory of putting an End to that War The Carthaginians on their part gladly listen'd to the Proposal and accordingly dispatch'd to Regulus some of their principal Citizens who after some time of Conference were so far from yielding to the Propositions that they had not Patience so much as to hear them repeated they were so Infamous For Regulus as if he had made a compleat Conquest would have had them esteem it as a singular Grace and Benifit to accord them a Peace upon whatsoever Conditions he should think fit to propound But the Carthaginians were of a different Mind and reckon'd that nothing could befal them more shameful and calamitous than what was demanded and that it could not be worse with them to be entirely conquer'd and brought under the Roman Yoke So they return'd not only full of Shame to be so treated but of Indignation at the intollerable Insolence of Regulus The Senate likewise after they had heard the Terms of Peace repeated which the Romans propos'd withstood it with so much Courage and Greatness of Mind that albeit they were at the brink of Despair the determin'd rather to abide any Adversity their worst Fortune could bring on them than stain the Nobility of their Name and Actions by so shameful a Treaty About this time there was return'd out of Greece a Carthaginian who had been sent thither to raise Souldiers in those parts for the Service of the State who brought a considerable number of Recruits with him and among the rest a certain Lacedemonian call'd Xantippus who had been educated according to the Spartan Discipline and was a Person well seen in Military Affairs he informing himself of the late Defeat of the Carthaginians and after having been thoroughly instructed in their Strength and the Provision they had made for the War their number of Horse and of their Elephants he concluded upon the whole Matter and so publish'd among his Friends That it was not the Enemy that had vanquish'd the Carthaginians but the Ignorance of their Leaders This Discourse of Xantippus was quickly spread among the People and came at length to the knowledge oâ— of the Magistrates who forthwith commanded he should be brought before them when he reason'd the whole matter to them and did endeavour to Demonstrate that if by taking his Advice they would alter their manner of Fighting and descending from thâ— Hills incamp and deal with the Enemy iâ— the Champain Country he assur'd them no only of Safety but of Victory The Souldiers who were edify'd by these Reasons concurr'd entirely with Xantippus to whom thereupon the Conduct of the Army was forthwith given and indeed this Advice of his was no sooner understood in the Army but they took Heart and conceiv'd new Hopes And as soon as they were march'd out of the Town and disciplin'd and form'd according to his Rules the Abilities of this their new Leader and the Ignorance of their former Captains became so visible that the Army express'd their Joy by loud and general Acclamations and a mighty Forwardness to be let against the Enemy having conceiv'd a firm Assurance that they could not miscarry under the Conduct of Xantippus In a word the Officers observing this Change in the Minds of the Souldiers incourag'd them with their Exhortations to
light arm'd Foot and those who carry'd Bucklers in the Rear But when he observ'd the Enemy to approach with Precipitation and as it were without any Order he presently changed the Order of his Battel commanding those who were in the Rear to advance to the Front who marching with a compass became opposs'd in Battel to the Enemy who taking those Motions to be an effect of Fear and a sort of Retreat attack'd them with great Resolution tho' without any Order But Hamilcar's Horse were no sooner advanc'd and those who follow'd them boldly sustaining them and altogether coming to the Charge when the Enemy who came in confusion and in haste began to fear finding so contrary to their Opinion the Resistance that was made which not being able to endure they soon betook themselves to flight one of their Parties encountring with another of their own which was coming to their Relief took them for Enemies in the Fright and ingaging defeated one the other most of the rest were destroy'd by the Horse and the Elephants In this Conflict there dy'd of the Africans near Six Thousand Men and about Two Thousand were taken Prisoners the Remainder some got into the Town near the Bridge and some into the Camp before Vtica After the Victory Hamilcar pursues the Straglers every-where taking the Town by the Bridge which the Enemy had abandon'd and retir'd to Tunes and forraging the Country round about some Towns yielding to him out of Fear others were reduc'd by force by which means having in a good degree recover'd the Carthaginians form the Fear they were under being almost at the point of Despair he gave them new Courage and lent them more Assurance in danger In the mean time Matho who continu'd the Siege of Hippona advis'd Spendius and Autaritus who was Chief among the Gauls to be careful not to lose sight of the Enemy but to take care however not to be surpris'd in the Champion Country by reason of Hamilcar's Superiour Strength in Horse and Elephants but to keep the skirts of the Hills and to march and incamp as near the Enemy as they could and to take the advantage of attacking them when they should perceive them at any time incumber'd or molested in their March but while he gave them this Counsel he forgot not to solicit the Numidians and Africans for Succours and to incite them to make use of the present Occasion to recover their Liberty So Spendius made choice of Six Thousand Men out of the several Nations that were incamp'd at Tunes to march and attend the Motions of the Carthaginians wheresoever they went keeping as he was advis'd the Foot of the Mountains He took likewise with him the Horse of Autaritus amounting to Two Thousand Gauls all the rest of that Nation who had serv'd at Erix under Autaritus having taken Pay with the Romans And while Hamilcar was incamp'd in a Plain surrounded on all sides with Hills Spendius receives Succours both of Africans and Numidians and resolves to attack the Carthaginians by surrounding them appointing the Numidians to ingage in the Rear the Africans in the Front resolving himself to fall on their Flank The Carthaginians were hereby reduc'd to very great straits looking on the Danger to be almost inevitable But it happen'd that at this time there was a certain Numidian in the Enemies Army call'd Naravasus a Man of Account both for Nobility and Courage He had heretofore been of the Carthaginian Party on the account of the Friendship that had been between them and his Father and now charm'd by the Vertue and Fame of Hamilcar he was resolv'd to renew old Kindness and conceiving this a proper occasion to put his Purpose in effect he determin'd to find out Hamilcar and contract this new-design'd Friendship with him Accordingly he advanceth towards their Camp attended only with about an Hundred Numidians and coming near their Lines he there halts and with a noble Assurance makes a Sign with his Hand that he had something to communicate with them Hamilcar not a little wondring at the Hardiness of the Action sent a Horse-man out to him to whom Naravasus reply'd He had something to say to the General but in regard the Carthaginians shew'd some Diffidence to trust him Naravasus forthwith dismounts and giving his Horse and Arms to his Guard in that manner naked and disarm'd with a gallant Boldness adventures into Hamilcar's Trenches Every body wonder'd at the Bravery of the Man but receiv'd him amicably and freely discours'd with him and being conducted to Hamilcar he told him He wanted not good Inclinations for the Carthaginians in general but his Ambition was principally to ingage in a Friendship with him which was the Motive that brought him which if he approv'd he should find him for the future a faithful Friend whether it were for Counsel or Action This Discourse of Naravasus and the Action it self perform'd with so frank a Boldness fill'd Barcas with unspeakable Joy insomuch that without the least shew of Distrust he embrac'd the Offer and not only made him his Confident in his most secret Negotiations and his Companion in all his Enterprizes but to purchase his Fidelity to the Carthaginians he promis'd him his Daughter to Wife And when the Conference and Treaty was ended Naravasus joins Hamilcar with a Body of Two Thousand Numidians with which Re-inforcement he offers the Enemy Battel Spendius likewise on his part being strengthen'd by the Africans marches against him where the Battel was obstinately fought The Victory was long in suspence but Hamilcar in the end had the Day whose Elephants did great Service and Naravasus signaliz'd himself above all others Spendius and Autaritus escap'd by Flight about Ten Thousand of their Men being slain and Four Thousand taken Prisoners After the Battel Hamilcar releas'd all the Prisoners that were willing to take Pay in the Army and arm'd them with the Spoils of the Dead As to those that were not willing to serve he assembl'd them together and there told them That he freely Pardon'd and Remited their Fault for that time and gave them their Liberty leaving every one to his own Course with this Caution only That if ever they were taken in Arms against the Carthaginians they were to expect no Mercy During these Transactions the Mercenaries that were in Garison in Sardinia mutiny'd likewise after the Example of Matho and Spendius and having shut up Bostar their Commander in chief in the Citadel they at length murther'd both him and all the Carthaginians with him Whereupon the Republick sent a Re-inforcement of more Troops under the Command of one Hanno whose Soldiers likewise abandon'd him on their arrival and join'd with the Rebels and at the same time seiz'd on their Leader and crucify'd him They likewise barbarously murther'd all the Carthaginians they could find in the Island and making themselves Masters of the strong Places kept them in possession and domineer'd till a Dissention happen'd between them and the Natives
the greatest are the Injuries and Avarice of Magistrates and Men in Authority whereof we have a bloody Example now before us the truth of which was made manifest as well in the Soldiers as their Officers Hamilcar greatly provok'd at these Barbarities order'd Hanno to join him concluding that by uniting all their Troops into one Body they should soon put a Period to the War And now contrary to his Custom he put all of the Enemy to death who fell into his hands and if at any time Prisoners were brought into the Army he ordered them without Mercy to be devoured of wild Beasts being at length convinc'd that the only Remedy to the Evils under which they suffer'd was to extend no Compassion to the Offenders but to diminish and utterly destroy them by all means possible But while the Carthaginians were in these fair hopes when Success every-where attended their Arms and they had reason to expect a favourable Issue of the War behold a Caprice of Fortune who changing Face turn'd the Tide of their Affairs The two Generals had no sooner united their Armies but they fell at Difference between themselves which bred such evil Effects that by that means not only many fair Occasions were lost of molesting the Enemy but Opportunities given to them to damnifie the Carthaginians which being observ'd and weigh'd by the State one of them was directed to quit his Command and who should remain in Authority to be left to the Election of the Army Another Misfortune likewise befel them about that time a Convoy of theirs coming from a City call'd Emporium wherein they had great Reliance for Supplies as well of Provisions as other Stores for the Army was lost by Tempest at Sea As to Sardinia which had ever yielded them great Relief in their straits that as we have already noted was totally lost But to fill the Measure of their Adversity the two Cities of Hippona and Vtica who alone of all the Towns of Africa had till that time preserv'd their Fidelity and not only during this War but in the time of Agathocles and even when the Romans made their Descent on Africa had continu'd faithful and never manifested the least Inclination of Revolt now abandon'd them and were not content barely to take part with the Africans without any apparent Motive but link'd themselves to their Fortunes in a League of fast Friendship and Alliance and grew into mortal Hatred against the Carthaginians which they witness'd by Murdering five Hundred of their Soldiers with their Officers who were sent to their Relief after they had receiv'd them into their Towns and afterwards cast their dead Bodies over the Walls In short those two Places gave themselves up entirely to the Africans expressing so great an Aversion to the Carthaginians that when they sent Ambassadours to them for leave to Bury their Dead they refus'd them So that now Matho and Spendius exalted with the Accession of so much good Fortune form'd a Design of laying Siege to Carthage it self During these things the Carthaginians dispatch'd Hannibal to the Army after they had maturely deliberated about the matter of Difference that had happen'd between the two Generals and had declar'd it was expedient that Hanno should relinquish his Authority Then Hamilcar with Hannibal and Naravasus made Inroads into the Country and cut off all the Enemies means of Susistance in which Service Naravasus was eminently useful as he did in every thing greatly serve them And this was the State of their Troops that kept the Field In the mean time Carthage itself being block'd up and inclos'd on all sides they were driven to have recourse for Succours to their Friends and Confederates Hiero King of Siracuse who was their fast Friend and having diligently suppli'd them with whatever they demanded during the whole War gave them now in their greatest Straits the best Evidence of his Friendship and this he wisely saw to be his safest Course as conducing to the better Support of his Power in Sicily and the Conservation of his Alliance with the People of Rome foreseeing that if Carthage were not preserv'd in a State to give them Jealousie it might be his Lot one Day to lye at their Mercy without any Prospect of Redress Herein I say Hiero did without question proceed like a prudent Prince it being in no wise safe to let a little Mischief grow to a head but to prevent by all means possible the exorbitant Increase of a Neighbouring Prince's Power lest when it shall be too late you find it past your Ability to withstand him when your own proper Interest shall come to be Contested On the other hand the Romans pursuant to the Treaty of Peace were not wanting in any thing to the Carthaginians though there soon happen'd a Difference between those two States In brief the Carthaginians at the beginning of this War had seiz'd and made Prize of all Vessels that traded from Italy to the Coast of Africa who for Lucre suppli'd their Enemies with whatsoever they wanted And now having in their Custody at least Five Hundred Prisoners of that Nation the Romans stomach'd it and began to give evidence of their Indignation thereat But this Point was soon compos'd for as soon as they signifi'd their Resentment by their Ambassadours the Carthaginians restor'd the said Prisoners in so frank a Manner that they on their side not to be behind hand in Curtesie forthwith enlarg'd without Ransom all the Carthaginian Prisoners which yet remain'd of those who had been taken during the Sicilian War Furthermore the Romans readily granted them whatsoever Assistance they demanded they permitted their Merchants to supply Carthage with every thing they stood in need of and Prohibited all manner of Commerce with their Enemies Moreover they rejected the Overtures made by the Ambassadours of those who had revolted from the Carthaginians in Sardinia and were in Possession of the Island though they offer'd to put it into their hands and to give farther Evidence of their Sincerity they refus'd the Tender the People of Vtica made them who would have freely given them their City so that the Carthaginians thus aided bore the Hardships of the Siege the more chearfully In the mean time Matho and Spendius both besiege and are besieg'd being reduc'd to so great straits for Provision and all other Stores and Necessaries by the good management of Hamilcar that in the end they were constrain'd to rise from before the City and selecting out Fifty Thousand of the choicest Men in their Armies with whom there join'd a Man of note call'd Zarxas at the Head of his own People with which Army they march'd to incounter the Enemy and observe the Motions of Hamilcar keeping however the Skirts of the Hills out of fear of the Elephants and the Horse of Naravasus still using their utmost Industry to keep Possession of those Fastnesses and tho' in Courage and Hardiness they were equal to the Carthaginians nevertheless they were worsted and
lighting their Fires in their Camp departed Leaving their Horse behind with Orders to follow them the same way they took with command at break of Day to shew themselves to the Enemy In the mean time they take their March silently towards Faesula where they halted to attend the coming up of their Horse and to Attack the Enemy by Surprize if they should advance after them In the Morning the Romans perceiving they were Retreated and had left only their Horse eagerly went on the Pursuit taking for granted that this Motion of the Enemy was a sort of Flight But they were no sooner advanc'd within distance when the Gauls who lay in ambush began to appear and a very sharp Conflict ensu'd wherein the Boldness and Number of the Gauls prevail'd Of the Romans there fell six thousand on the spot the greatest part of the rest making good their Retreat to a rising piece of Ground well situate for Defence where they abode the Gauls resolv'd presently to besiege them but being now weary with Marching and harrass'd with the Service of the preceeding Day they only left for that time a Party of their Horse on the Guard at the Foot of the Hill where the Romans were intrench'd and retir'd to refresh and repose themselves with Resolution the next Morning to attack and take them by Force if they refused Conditions In the mean while L. Aemilius who had been sent to Rimini to Guard the Coast of the Adriatick seasonably arriv'd Who having receiv'd Intelligence that the Enemy had enter'd Tuscany and farther that they were advanc'd towards the City he immediately march'd to join the other Army And now approaching those who were intrench'd on the Hill discover'd them at a distance by their Fires wherefore taking Courage and disguising some of their People they sent them privately through the Woods to give them an Account of the present Posture of their Affairs The Consul Aemilius having not now leasure for much Consultation order'd the Tribunes to march with the Foot by break of Day while himself at the head of the Horse speeds away directly towords the Hill but the Principal Officers of the Gauls who judg'd by the Fires they had seen over Night that the Romans were arriv'd held a Counsel to debate and determine how they ought to proceed When the King Aneroestus advis'd them to consider with Caution what they did he said the Plunder they had taken was already very great their Prisoners and the Cattel and other Booty of all sorts was beyond all Computation that on this Consideration it seem'd to him that their best course was not to hazard a Battel which might prove the total Ruine of their Affairs that the safest Counsel they could take was now to retreat and march back to their Country while they might do it with safety where when they had disencumber'd themselves of their Plunder they might with ease return and ingage the Romans if it were concluded reasonable So this Opinion of Aneroestus was approv'd and follow'd and the Gauls decamp'd the same Night taking their march along the Coast towards the Frontiers of Tuscany Aemilius having receiv'd into his Army those Troops that were incamp'd on the Hill after the Defeat of the Romans did not think it safe to give the Enemy Battel but determin'd to keep in their Rear and vigilantly take occasions of advantage upon them and attempt to recover at least part of their Plunder But behold at this very time the other Consul C. Atilius being return'd with the Army out of Sardinia was leading them along the Sea-coast towards Rome who utterly ignorant of what had pass'd happening to take the same way the Gauls did and was marching not far before them The Enemy was now arriv'd near Telamena a Promontory of Tuscany when some of their Forragers fell into Atilius's hands who gave him Intelligence of all that had pass'd assuring him that both the one and the other Army were not far off that the Gauls were at hand and that Aemilius was hard at their Rear The Consul was a little perplex'd at the News nevertheless assur'd of Victory by thus surprising the Enemy and inclosing them between their two Armies he order'd the Tribunes to draw up in Order of Battel and to inlarge their Front as wide as the Ground would possibly permit and now having observ'd an Eminence which commanded the Way by which the Enemy must necessarily pass he goes himself at the Head of the Horse and takes Possession of that Post designing from thence to give the first Attack conceiving that the Honour of the Victory would thereby be in a great degree ascrib'd to him but the Gauls who knew nothing of the Arrival of Atilius believing that Aemilius's Horse had got before them in the Night and had possess'd those advantagious Posts commanded their Horse and some choice Men of their Foot to march and beat them from that Ground but receiving Intelligence by certain Prisoners that Atilius was there they form'd their Battel of Foot in such manner as to be able to receive the Enemies Charge in Front and Rear for they were assur'd the one Army pursu'd them and the other would not fail to Attack them in Front This at least they strongly conjectur'd both by the Intelligence they had receiv'd and by the Countenance and Actions of the Enemy The Consul Aemilius had been inform'd that the Legions were landed at Pisa but he could not hope they were arriv'd so near but as soon as he perceiv'd the Dispute upon the Hill he took for granted his Collegue was now at hand whereupon he sent a Party of Horse to sustain them and after having form'd their Foot according to the Roman Discipline they mov'd toward the Enemy The Gauls plac'd the Goesates in their Rear believing that Aemilius would find them Work there next to them were posted the Insubrians in the Front were the Taurisques and those that inhabit beyond the Po. Thus the two Bodies being drawn up Rear to Rear they fac'd likewise toward Atilius to receive his Charge All their Chariots and Baggage were dispos'd on the Wings Their Plunder they had carried to a neigbouring Hill where they left it under a good Guard So the Army of the Gauls being drawn up I say facing two ways was not only terrible to behold but were in effect form'd in the most proper manner to receive the Attack The Insubrians and Bojans ingag'd cloath'd only in thin and light Garments But the Goesates such was their Fool-hardiness and Opinion of their Strength stripping themselves naked march'd in that manner in the Front of the Battel brandishing their Swords conceiving that in that Equipage they should not be only able to use their Arms with more freedom but being eas'd of their Garments they should find less Impediment from the Bushes and Briers that might molest them in time of Action The first Dispute was on the Hill we mention'd where great Bodies of Horse fought and attack'd each
that Province being such as was before related and as we but now deliver'd Early in the Spring the Roman Consuls having made due provision of all things necessary to put their Purposes in execution embark'd for their respective Governments Publius steering towards Spain with sixty Vessels and Tiberius Sempronius with a Fleet of one hundred and sixty whose Mind was so inflam'd with desire of Action and exalted with the provision he had made at Lilybaeum that he thought on nothing more than laying siege forthwith to Carthage it self Publius kept along the Coast of Liguria and in six Days arriv'd from Pisa at Marseilles and coming to the hither mouth of the River Rhosne which they call the Marseillian he began to land his Troops and notwithstanding he had receiv'd notice of Hannibal's having pass'd the Pyrenaeans he concluded however that he could not be so near as he was the difficulties of the Way and the many divers Nations of the Gauls by whom the Enemy was to make his Passage made him of that Judgment But Hannibal had surmounted all these Difficulties having bought his passage of some and won it by force of Arms from others and was now got with his Army to the Pass over the Rhosne having the Sea of Sardinia on his right When Publius receiv'd the news of the Enemy's approach he did not at first believe it as seeming to him incredible that he should be able to perform so difficult a march in so short a space Nevertheless he thought it advisable to endeavour after such intelligence as he might rely upon accordingly while his Army lay to refresh themselves and recover from the Toils of their Voyage consulting with his Officers what Posts would be most proper to possess and what way to take that he might get before the Enemy he commanded out three hundred choice Horse to discover to whom for their Guides and farther to sustain them he appointed the Gauls to be join'd who were in pay to those of Marseilles Hannibal being now on the Banks of the Rhosne within four Days march of the Sea at a certain place where the Channel of that River was not very large determin'd speedily to pass his Army after he had bought the Good-will of the People of the Country and purchas'd all their Canoes and Boats whereof there were great numbers forasmuch as those who live on that River Trassick on the Sea Furthermore he amass'd great quantities of Materials proper for the making of Floats whereof the Soldiers in the space of two Days had made abundant provision every one labouring his utmost to excuse the necessity of other Aid being resolv'd to owe their passage over the River to their own single Industry In the mean time the Barbarians on the opposite side assembled in great numbers to oppose their Landing which Hannibal no sooner perceiv'd but he concluded it impossible to compass his Intent by force having so numerous an Enemy to oppose him and that he could no longer remain where he was without danger of being encompass'd by the Enemy unless he speedily attempted something Whereupon after three Days debate about the first Watch of the Night he detach'd a Party of his Army with the Gauls of the Country for their Guides under the leading of Hanno the Son of Bomilcar After these had march'd about five and twenty Miles up the River they came to a place where the Water makes a small Island and there halted In this place they fell'd great quantities of Timber in the neighbouring Woods and in a short time made a sufficient number of Floats to wast them and so got a safe passage over the Rhosne none appearing to oppose them And having gain'd a piece of Ground whose situation fortify'd it self they there repos'd that Day not only to refresh themselves after so toilsome an Expedition but likewise to prepare for the farther prosecution of what had been given them in Orders In the mean while Hannibal essay'd by all means possible to pass over the River with that part of the Army that remain'd with him and nothing now so much troubled him as how to imbark his Elephants which were to the number of forty eight The fifth Night after the Detachment had pass'd the River they drew near the Barbarians who were assembled to oppose Hannibal's Landing who at the same time having his Troops in readiness order'd his Horse to imbark in the great Vessels and the best of his Foot in small Boat prepar'd to pass over But to the end his Floats and small Boats might go with more security he order'd the greater Vessels to keep above the Stream thereby to check the Current of the River Another invention they had likewise to transport their Horses they did not imbark them but swam in a Tow after their small Boats one Man holding three or four by the Bridle on each side the Boat Thus many were carry'd over at the first essay The Barbarians beholding all this Preparation ran in haste and disorder out of their Camp conceiving they should have no great difficulty to repulse the Carthaginians But as soon as Hannibal perceiv'd the Party on the other side to approach for according to the Orders Hanno had receiv'd they made the signs of their drawing near by Smoak in several places as they march'd he order'd his People to move the great Vessels to keep above with Directions to those that govern'd them to stem the Current keeping the Vessels with their bow upon the Stream the better to cover the others from danger So each one animating his Companion with auspicious Words Labour'd with incredible Industry to stem the violence of the Current In the mean time the Enemy on the other side gave them to understand by their Cries not unlike to Howlings that they expected them with resolution insomuch that the prospect every where was terrible and held the Spectators in great perplexity The Enemy having now wholly abandon'd their Tents those with Hanno fell in pell-mell among them unperceiv'd Some attack and set fire on their Camp while the greatest part march to charge those that guarded the Passage The Barbarians thus surpriz'd some hasten'd to preserve their Tents others remain'd to make head and sustain the 〈◊〉 Hannibal now perceiving the Success to â—â—swer his Design rang'd and drew his People up in Battalia as they Landed and incouraging them in few words they soon came to Blows with the Enemy who fighting in disorder by reason of the surprize were soon vanquish'd and dispers'd The Carthaginians having thus at once gain'd the Victory and their Passage us'd all possible dispatch in the transporting what was yet remaining on the other side the River and when that Work was over they encamp'd that Night on the Bank The next Morning having receiv'd Intelligence that the Roman Army with their Fleet was arriv'd at the mouth of the Rhosne Hannibal detach'd five hundred Numidian Horse with order to discover and bring an account of the Enemy
were no sooner gone and that Hannibal began to ascend the Mountains when they drew together in great numbers and possess'd themselves of the Posts where Hannibal must unavoidably March and most assuredly had they but kept themselves longer conceal'd the Carthaginian Army had run a mighty hazard but being discover'd by Hannibal tho' they did him some Mischief they were requited with equal loss For Hannibal was no sooner inform'd that the Barbarians were Masters of the Passes when he made his Army halt and take their Quarters that Night among the Rocks and Fastnesses In the mean while he dispatch'd a Party of Gauls who serv'd him for Guides to discover the Posture of the Enemy and learn what they could of their purpose And having understood that they kept Guard in those places only by Day but that in the Night they retir'd to a Town not far off he found this Expedient to obviate the present Inconvenience He decamp'd in broad Day and by slow Motions advanc'd with his Army till arriving not far from the Streights he then encamp'd not far from the Enemy and causing Fires to be made in the Camp about the first Watch of the Night where he left the greatest part of his Troops himself in the mean while with a Detachment of his best Men pass'd the Streights in the Night and while the Enemy was retir'd to the Town according to their Custom took possession of those Posts where they were wont before to keep their Guard When Day discover'd to the Enemy what had pass'd they did not presently determine what to do but when they observ'd the great quantity of Baggage that appear'd and perceiv'd that the Horse could afford them no succour which by reason of the narrow stony and broken ways could not march but in defiles they then resolv'd on the Attack And now as the Barbarians thus fell on them from all Quarters at once the Way it self being almost as terrible as the Enemy the Carthaginians receiv'd great loss especially in their Horses and Beasts of Carriage for the Way being streight stony and broken the Beasts of Burden were easily thrown down and disorder'd falling into Precipices But the Horses that were wounded gave them the greatest trouble for falling by their Wounds among the other Beasts and labouring to rise and recover their Feet in so narrow a Way so crowded they cast down others by their striving to save themselves which was the occasion of great Labour and Tumult This being observ'd and consider'd by Hannibal who well knew the Army could not subsist without their Beasts of Burthen which carry'd their Necessaries he immediately left the Posts he had taken and came to the relief of those who were thus hard press'd in their passage when falling on the Enemy from higher Ground he did not fail of doing them great Damage But the evil was that his own People were thereby equal Sufferers for the fear encreasing every-where by this new Tumult many miscarry'd and were lost in the Crowd but in the end most of the Allobroges were slain on the place and the rest sav'd themselves by Flight And now their Horses and other Beasts after some time of rest were led with great trouble and difficulty through the Streight but Hannibal after he had escap'd this Danger march'd himself with a good Detachment against the Town that had harbour'd the Enemy which he took without resistance finding it almost quite deserted the Inhabitants being all gone out in hopes of Booty This adventure prov'd very useful to his Affairs both with respect to the present and the future For he here recover'd many both Men and Horses and other Beasts which had fallen into the Enemy's hands and Cattel and Corn sufficient to sustain the Army for three Days But above all the Terror he had given by this success to the circumjacent places was such that none of the Gauls inhabiting the Towns near which he was to pass gave him the least molestation in his Passage In this Town Hannibal took up his Quarters where he remain'd a Day to rest and refresh his Army and then prosecuted his Journey For three Days together he march'd without Trouble or Alarm but the fourth he fell into much danger The People inhabiting in the Towns on the way he was to pass having secretly conspir'd against him met him however with Olive-branches and Garlands of Flowers Signs among the Barbarians of Peace and Friendship as the Caduceus is among the Greeks Hannibal who had now learn'd how far he was to trust these People endeavour'd by Questions to inform himself of their Purposes They told him That they had receiv'd notice of his Success against the Town and of the loss and defeat of those who had attack'd him in his march but as to themselves they came to give him assurance That they were resolv'd to do him no Injury nor suffer any to be done to him by others And that they were ready to give him Hostages for their Fidelity Hannibal remain'd long undetermin'd what to do having no great Opinion of their Sincerity but in the end weighing that to make a show of believing them might work on their Good-nature and by degrees win them to his Friendship if he seem'd to accept their Tenders and that in case of refusal they might presently become his Enemies he feign'd to consent to their Proposal and seem'd as they did dispos'd to enter into terms of Friendship with them In short after these Barbarians had given him security for their peaceable Behaviour supply'd his Army with Provisions and that they convers'd among the Carthaginians with all manner of freedom and confidence Hannibal began to have a better Opinion of their Sincerity and accepted their Service for his Guides through the many remaining difficult Ways by which they were to pass Howbeit after they had thus conducted the Army for two Days together they assembled at length all into one Body and attack'd the Rear at a Defile or streight Passage as they were marching in a Valley full of Rocks and broken Ground Great likelihood there was that the Carthaginian Army had here run the hazard of being entirely destroy'd had not their General who reserv'd a secret doubt of the well-meaning of this People obviated the mischief of this treasonable Purpose of theirs by ordering his Horse and Baggage to march in the Van of the Army and his choicest Foot to sustain the Rear But having dispos'd matters after this manner his loss became less grievous for his Foot in the Arrear-guard prov'd sufficient to put a stop to the violence of the Attempt Nevertheless they were not without great loss both of Men and Horses and the Enemy who was possess'd of the Ground above them brought such terror into the Army by rowling down mighty Stones and Rocks from the Precipices upon them and showring Vollies of Stones on their Heads that Hannibal was compell'd to take up his Quarters for that Night on the top of an Eminence expos'd
to the open Sky with that part of the Army that was with him remote from the Horse and the rest of the Troops and the Baggage the better to cover and defend them from danger who were hardly able in all that Night with great labour to compass their passage through the Valley In the Morning the Enemy being now retir'd Hannibal join'd his Army and Baggage and advanc'd towards the top of the Alpes After this the Gauls attempted no more to attack them in Bodies but in smaller Parties and with less ardour than before nevertheless falling sometimes on the Van sometimes on the Rear of the Army they seldom fail'd of making some spoil of the Baggage The Elephants happen'd to be of great use to the Carthaginians in these Conflicts for wheresoever they chanc'd to appear they so terrify'd the Enemy that the Army march'd by that means with much less molestation In nine Days after this Hannibal gain'd the top of the Mountains where he halted two Days being willing to give some repose to such of his Army as were come thus far without Wound or Sickness and to attend the coming of the rest of his Troops that were yet behind During this stay many Horses and Beasts of Carriage which had fallen and stray'd out of the way came in of their own accord following the Track of the Army to the great wonder of the Beholders But whereas the Snows were yet great in the Mountains Winter not being there quite over Hannibal perceiving his Soldiers to be somewhat discourag'd by reason of the Sufferings they had already felt and out of apprehension of what yet threaten'd them caus'd the Army to be assembled to the end he might speak to them and inspire them with new Resolution which he could no way better effect than by giving them a view and prospect of Italy which in a word lies so fairly to the Eye spreading and extending it self at the foot of those Mountains that Nature seems to have design'd them as a Rampart to cover and defend it So he gave them a survey of the Champaign Country that spreads it self all about the River Po and gave them to understand how welcome they should be to the People that Inhabited it He pointed out likewise to them whereabout the City of Rome stood and by this Artifice animated his harass'd Army The Day following he decamp'd and began to descend the Mountains and now saw no more of the Enemy to molest them in their march saving some small scatter'd Parties who rather awaited occasions how to steal than to fight Howbeit Hannibal's Losses were not lessen'd by reason of the great Snows and the exceeding bad march they had had which much weaken'd the Army Nor was their passage much better in the descent for what with the streight steep and slippery ways and the depth of the Snow the Soldier knew not where to set his Foot with safety for when-ever they slipp'd they were in danger of being lost and swallow'd up in the depths and precipices which lay hid and cover'd by the Snow Nevertheless the long practice in those Hardships and Dangers taught them to suffer all with Constancy But at length coming to a place where neither their Elephants nor Horses could pass the Way which was very steep before being now by the falling away of some of the Earth become more difficult renew'd their Fears which was manifest over the whole Army Upon this accident Hannibal took a resolution to attempt another way by taking a compass about those Mountains tho' there was no appearance of any passage but forasmuch as the great Snows render'd that Resolution too hazardous all places being cover'd and hid from the view he therefore chang'd his purpose In the interim there having fallen much new Snow on that which remain'd of the Winter before this last being loose and not yet deep yielded firm footing enough to the Soldiers but this was no sooner trampled on but it dissolv'd into Dirt and Mire whereby the Snow of last Year being frozen under it it became impossible to march thereon any more than on Ice it self none being able to keep their Feet and when they endeavour'd to sustain themselves on their Hands and Knees they often slid and were lost in Pits and Precipices When their Horses at any time slip'd they by their weight and labouring broke the Ice under them and so became buried and frozen to Death Whereupon Hannibal now desperate of obtaining his passage that way encamp'd his Army at the entrance of this Pass after he had first order'd the Snow to be remov'd which cover'd all the Ground and then by the labour of his Soldiers he wrought into the Hill it self and by unspeakable Pains made his Passage at length through it So in one Day he made way for his Horses and other Beasts to pass which immediately march'd on And now decamping the Army he sent his Horse and other Beasts to forrage and recruit themselves as they could come at Pasture where the Ground was not cover'd with Snow In the mean time he order'd the Numidians to make a passage for the Elephants which cost them three Days labour with great difficulty to effect but at length they made way for those Animals which had suffer'd much and were almost dead with Hunger For there was neither Forage nor Tree to be found on that part of the Alpes nor in the neighbourhood the Ground lying ever cover'd with Snow Winter and Summer but the lower Grounds on all sides produce Woods and Covert and there is no place thereabout that is not habitable After Hannibal had united his Troops he prosecuted his march and in the space of three Days got past these difficult and incommodious Places whereof we have given an account and recover'd the Plains howbeit with the loss of great numbers of his People for many fell by the Enemy many were drown'd in passing the Rivers and many of Sickness and the Hardships of their march to and over the Alpes And as he lost many Men so his loss of Horses and other Beasts of Burthen was yet much greater In a word after a march of five Months from his departure from New-Carthage and fifteen Days passage over the Alpes he boldly advanc'd into the Champaign Country lying about the River Po and the Frontiers of the Insubrians Of the Troops that march'd out with him there now remain'd of Africans about twelve Thousand eight Thousand Spaniards and six Thousand Horse according to his own Register left by him engrav'd on the Column at Lacinium which specify'd that number About this time Publius Cornelius who had left his Troops with Cneius his Brother to prosecute the War against Asdrubal in Spain embark'd for Pisa and from thence passing through Tuscany joyn'd the Armies of the Praetors who were in service in that Country against the Boians with these he took his march towards the Po where he encamp'd with design to come speedily to a Battel with
chang'd from what they were that both in Cloths and Countenance they appear'd more like Savages than Soldiers Wherefore his first and chief care was to restore Health and Strength to their Bodies and Vigour to their Minds and to recruit and strengthen his Horse When his Army was refresh'd his next business was to endeavour an Alliance with the Taurinians who inhabit at the foot of the Alpes and who at that time had War with the Insubrians but they would not be drawn to trust the Carthaginians Wherefore after having long sollicited them to Friendship in vain he sat down before their Capital Town which in three Days he took and all that made resistance he put to the Sword which struck the neighbouring Barbarians with such terror that they came all afterwards in to him as one Man giving themselves up to his discretion These indeed were constrain'd but the other Gauls who possess'd the Country about the Po chearfully took part with Hannibal as was lately observ'd But in regard now that the Roman Army was advanc'd so near they adventur'd not presently to show their Good-will but some of them were constrain'd to take part with them Whereupon Hannibal thought it the wisest way not to deferr longer but to take his March into their Country to the end that by some notable Action he might establish the Courage and renew the Hopes of those who were dispos'd to engage with him During these Motions he receives Intelligence That the Consul had pass'd the Po with all the Legions and was not now far off But this News he did not presently believe inasmuch as he knew he had left Scipio about the Rhosne and that the Passage by Sea from Marseilles to Tuscany was tedious and difficult Furthermore he was inform'd that the March from Tuscany to the Alpes was not only long but hardly to be surmounted by an Army But in the end fresh Advices coming daily to him of the truth thereof he became greatly surpriz'd at the Diligence of the Roman General who was no less astonish'd at the Expedition of the Carthaginian For he was of Opinion That Hannibal would not have attempted to adventure over the Alpes at the head of an Army compos'd of so many divers Nations or that if he was so hardy he must have miserably perish'd by the way But when he became assur'd that they were got over those Difficulties and were now in Italy and farther that they had already besieg'd and taken Towns he admir'd the intrepid Boldness of their Leader whose Attempt had exceeded the Power of Imagination it self This News was likewise heard at Rome with terror enough where after they had been inform'd of the taking of Saguntum by the Carthaginians and while they were as it were deliberating to send one of their Consuls into Africk to attack Carthage and the other into Spain to make War on Hannibal they receiv'd notice that Hannibal himself was in Italy besieging of Towns This was so surprizing to the Romans that the dread thereof made them send an express to Tiberius now at Lilybaeum to acquaint him with the arrival of the Enemy and to enjoin him to postpone all other Affairs whatsoever and repair with all the expedition he could to the rescue of his Country Whereupon Tiberius assembles his Maritime Forces and embarks forthwith for Rome leaving his Orders with the respective Tribunes to draw together what Troops they could out of their several Garrisons and set them a Day to rendezvous at Rimini a Town standing on the Coast of the Adriatick on the edge of the Plains that are water'd by the River Po towards the South So that great trouble and tumult was spread all over the Country which being alarm'd on all Quarters with evil Tidings the Romans were in great suspence about the issue of the War And now Hannibal and Scipio drew near each other and mutually animating their Soldiers spake to them in such terms as the time and the occasion requir'd Hannibal incited his Troops after this or the like manner He caus'd to be brought to the head of the Army which he had assembled for that purpose certain young Men who were Prisoners of the number of those that had been taken vexing and plundering the Army in their march over the Alpes whom he had therefore kept in very hard durance In short they appear'd loaden with Irons starv'd almost to death bearing on their naked Bodies the marks of the ill treatment they had suffer'd In this state these Wretches were presented to the view of the Army where Arms were brought and laid before them such as were us'd among the Gauls and not unlike those the Princes of that Nation make use of in their single Combats Besides these there were produc'd Horses and rich Habits and Furniture Then it was demanded If any among them were willing to engage and fight one with the other to the death on condition the Vanquisher should have the Prize and the Reward there propos'd while the Vanquish'd thereby put an end to his Misfortunes by laying down his Life on the place Which Proposition they all unanimously cry'd out they were most willing to accept Whereupon Hannibal order'd a certain number to be chosen by lot to enter the Lists two and two each imploring Fortune's favour Those to whom the Lots â—ell manifested great joy while the others on the contrary exceeding Grief So they fought it out while the rest of the Prisoners look'd on the Vanquish'd as hardly less fortunate than the Victors having by their death put a period to the Miseries they endur'd Nor had the Carthaginians themselves other Sentiments who comparing the Life of those that surviv'd with the Circumstances of those they saw slain their Pity seem'd to encline to the Survivers conceiving the Dead to be of the two the least unfortunate After Hannibal had entertain'd his Army with this Spectacle he told them That his purpose in so treating those Prisoners was to instruct them by an Example of the Calamities of others in the Contingences of Human Life and to the end to mind them of the State and Circumstances wherein they now were for that in a word Fortune had now put them under the very same choice and held out the same Prize and Rewards That they were ty'd up to the same necessity of vanquishing dying or being made Captives to their Enemies That if they obtain'd Victory not fine Horses only magnificently furnish'd wou'd be their Lot but by subduing the Romans they would be the richest and happiest of all that ever had born Arms That if they chanc'd to die doing their Duty bravely such a Death was a Dignity full of Glory and Renown a Death without pain or fear and purchas'd in pursuit of the greatest Good that can happen to Mankind But should they chance to be vanquish'd and that the fear of Death or Danger should betray them to a base Flight or if they had entertain'd any Thought otherwise to be safe
they must then determine to endure the last effects of Misery and Misfortune He said There could be none among them so weak or stupid who reflecting on the tedious and terrible March they had had from their Native Homes thither the many Perils Combats and dangerous Rencounters they had pass'd the fearful Rivers they had Forded and the like Dangers in their passage can have the least shadow of expectation by slight ever to return back And that since that Hope was totally extinguish'd they would do well to have the same Motions of Compassion of their own Fortune as they entertain'd but now for that of others For as they esteem'd the Condition of the Victors and the Vanquish'd equal or rather saw cause to pity the Survivers they could do no less for themselves than fight bravely chiefly indeed to Conquer but to die rather than not Overcome For should it be their hap to be Vanquish'd there would be no hopes of living but if they could with determination imprint these Reslections in their Minds there would be no doubt of Success nor fear but they should live to enjoy the Fruits of it That in a word none ever brought such Thoughts about them into the Field whether out of their own Temper or Necessity that were not crown'd with Victory That the Romans hitherto had to deal with Enemies otherwise than so inspir'd who for the most part plac'd their Safety in flight by reason they â—ought in the neighbourhood of their Country which was their refuge and by which means they wanted Resolution to sustain the shock of Danger like an Enemy strengthen'd by Despair Hannibal's Army heard with chearfulness the discourse he made them and manifested their Minds to be such as their Captain himself desir'd He therefore highly applauded their generous Behaviour and after he had told them they should be in a readiness to march early on the Morrow he dismiss'd the Assembly Cornelius Scipio had now pass'd the Po and because he design'd to advance further he caus'd a Bridge to be made over the Tesin And drawing the Army together he told them many things touching the Dignity and Glory of the Roman-State and of the memorable Actions of their Ancestors But take the relation a little more or less of what he deliver'd on that occasion He told them That tho' it might have so happen'd that they had never yet try'd the Enemy they had now to deal with they should nevertheless have reason to rely on Victory but since they were to fight against Carthaginians they ought to hold it an insupportable Indignity to the Name of a Roman that People so often by them beaten and who had been so long their Tributaries and bred to Servitude should presume to look with an angry Eye on a Roman But saith he since we have learn'd by many glorious Experiments that this Enemy will never have assurance to endure our approach What ought we not to hope if things are rightly weigh'd How lately was it prov'd that their Horse is inferiour to ours which beat them at the Rhosne and after killing many pursu'd the rest to their Camp He told them That the General and the rest of the Army having had News of the approach of the Roman Legions had retreated as if they sled and the Terror they were in had compell'd them sore against their Wills to attempt passing the Alpes back again He farther told them That Hannibal was come with but an handful of Men having lost the greatest part of his Army in his March and that those he had with him were so harrass'd and weaken'd with Diseases and the Hardships they had suffer'd that they were totally disabled for Service He farther told them That the greatest part of their Horse were lost and made unserviceable by the broken and stony ways they had march'd through He endeavour'd by the like suggestions to perswade the Army that the showing themselves only would be enough to obtain the Victory and that furthermore barely to behold the Enemy they had to deal with would inspire them with Contempt He said in short That he would not have quitted the Fleet nor his Spanish Expedition whither he had been commanded to go nor would have taken his March so willingly had he not been firmly convine'd by many Arguments and Reasons that the Journey he had undertaken was greatly for the Good of his Country and that the Victory was certain And now being a Man of great Account and Authority and it seeming to them that what he said was true the Army with great Ardour and Resolution demanded to be led against the Enemy So after having commended their Chearfulness and made them an Exhortation to be always in a Posture to receive his farther Commands he dismiss'd them On the Morrow these two Captains began their March along the River towards that part which regards the Mountains The Romans on the Left the others on the Right The next Day receiving News by their respective Foragers that the Armies drew near they both thought good to encamp where they were and intrench themselves But the next Morning Hannibal at the head of his whole Body of Horse and Scipio with his to whom they joyn'd their Archers took the Field both wishing to see each other And they no sooner perceiv'd by the Dust that was rais'd that the Gross on each side drew near when they began to range themselves in order of Battel Scipio put his Darters in the Van and mix'd the Gaulish Horse among them and having ordered the rest Front-wise mov'd slowly on As for Hannibal he plac'd his Horse that went with a single Bridle in the Van-guard together with all the other chosen Horse he had and so advanc'd against the Romans He had likewise plac'd his Numidians on the Wings to the end he might be able to come to attack the Romans Flank and so surround them And as the Leaders on both sides and the Troops they commanded were eager to engage they soon came to Blows But scarce had the Roman Darters deliver'd their first Volley when terrify'd with the Violence of the Enemies Charge and fearing to be trod and run down by the Horse which advane'd they retir'd in haste through the Intervals of their Battel among their Horse Those Bodies that came to ingage hand to hand fought with Resolution on both sides and equal Bravery a good space and the dispute seem'd no other than between Horse and Foot mingled for many in the heat of the Battel alighted and fought on Foot But when the Numidians by taking a compass had got on the Romans Flank the Darters who had retreated thither as was observ'd were sorely streighten'd and soon defeated the Numidians having in ' compass'd the greatest part of them And now at length those in the Van on the part of the Romans who before stood so firm having lost many Men who had sold themselves at a good Price were likewise driven to give ground upon the
share the sole Honour of the Victory he would not be persuaded to attend the coming of his Colleague In short he collected by all these Circumstances that Flaminius was likely to afford him many occasions to sur-prize him and lay Ambushes in his way to gall and molest him And in truth he was not mistaken in the judgment he had made of this Consul And most certain it is that they think very wide of the Truth who conceive that to acquire a right Knowledge and take just Measures of the Humour and Character of the Enemy he is to deal with is not among the prime Qualities and Duties of a General For as not only when we fight Man to Man but when one Rank chargeth another he who thinks of Victory ought with exact care to observe what naked or weak part the Enemy discovers whereby to compass his End in like manner those who have the Leading of Armies in time of War ought with skill and address to penetrate and discover the weak side of the Mind of that Captain with whom he hath to do For there are those who by an unaccountable kind of Imbecility and a Thoughtfulness which infects all the Actions of Life are not only remiss in their Publick Administrations but forget what belongs to the Duty of their Private Affairs Some are so abandon'd to the use of Wine that neglecting Nature's invitations to repose they become at length unable to sleep otherwise than by the Fumes of excessive Drinking others are captivated by Love who have not only thereby sacrific'd the Safety of Cities and great States but have themselves paid down their own Lives with Infamy Cowardice and a base Mind are Faults throughout the World but most capital in a General they are Blemishes to every private Man where-ever they are found and mark him with Reproach but in the Leader of an Army they are a publick Curse and Calamity For in short they are not only the cause of Armies languishing in Sloth and Idleness without ever entring on Action but they themselves who rely on such Leaders are often led into Precipices and inextricable Dangers Rashness Passion Pride and Vain-Glory are all so many inlets to the Enemies Success leading Men as it were and subjecting them to the Triumph of their Foes and hurrying their Friends and those who trust them to Perdition For such Men are always expos'd to the Trains and Stratagems of their Enemies Wherefore he who wisely studies and attains a right Knowledge of the Frailties and Weak-side of an Enemy and Attacks him there by vanquishing the Leader will soon be Master both of the General and his Army For as a Vessel that hath once lost her Pilot is not long able to dispute it with an Enemy and by taking him we soon become Masters of all that was under his Charge so in War where the one General is superior in Cunning or Military Abilities to the other he shall also render his Army superior to his Enemies Thus in a word our wise African having taken a scantling of the Roman General 's Capacity came at length to gain his Point After Hannibal had decamp'd from about Fesulé and had march'd by and got some distance beyond the Roman Camp he sell on their Frontiers whereupon the Consul became inrag'd to be thus contemn'd as he conceiv'd But Hannibal had no sooner began to spoil and ravage the Country and the Smoke which appear'd every where from far made it manifest that he was burning and destroying all before him Flaminius could not then abstain from Tears Nevertheless when any undertook to advise that it would be the safest course however not to follow and ingage temerariously with the Enemy nor to come too hastily and without mature deliberation ration to a Battel with an Army so much superior to them in Horse and above all that he ought to attend the coming of the other Consul and not adventure on Action till all their Troops were incorporated he lent so deaf an Ear to these Counsels that he had not Patience so much as to hear them demanding of those who thus advis'd him What they thought the People of Rome would say of him should he permit the Carthaginians to burn and destroy the Country with Fire and Sword up to the Walls of the City while he remain'd in Tuscany an idle Spectator of the Desolation of his Country and in the Rear of the Enemy without attempting any thing Wherefore he decamp'd and caus'd the Army to march and without regard to season or situation thought on nothing but how he might come speedily to a Battel as if Victory were the thing of all others he least doubted And in a word he had possess'd the Army with so strong an expectation of Success that there were see more Camp-Wenches and the rake holly Equipage of Boys an Vagabonds following the Army than there were Soldiers who bare Arms and all this Rabble bringing with them Chains and Shackles to secure the Prisoners In the mean time Hannibal led his Army through Tuscany on that Quarter that lies toward Rome leaving the City of Corone and the neighbouring Mountains on his left-hand and on his right the Lake Thrasimene and the more to provoke the Romans he sack'd and destroy'd all the Towns that lay in his march and did them all the other mischiefs that are the product of the cruellest War But as soon as he had notice of the approach of Flaminius and had made choice of Ground proper to put his Designs in execution he resolv'd to delay sighting no longer The Ground he had chosen lay thus There was a tract of plain even Ground stretching out in length a good distance This Level or Vale lay between and was inclos'd on both sides with high Mountains the farther end thereof being bounded by an inaccessible Eminence and the entrance border'd on a Lake between which and the said Mountain there is a very narrow Way or Defile which leads into the Plain Hannibal then having pass'd into the Plain by that Streight takes first possession of the high Ground he had in Front where he lodg'd his Spaniards and Africans behind the Mountains on the right he posted the Baleares and the rest of his light-arm'd Troops order'd in one deep File and posted the Gaulish Horse in the like order behind the Mountains on his left in such manner that they reach'd as far as the Defile we mention'd between the Lake and the Mountains which is the Inlet to the Plain These Orders being executed in the Night and Hannibal having thus surrounded the Plain he remain'd quiet making show of a Desire to sit still and attempt nothing In the mean time Flaminius follows close at his Rear eagerly pursuing his Determination to attack him and arriving in the Evening near the Lake Thrasimene he there encamp'd and early the next Morning march'd with his Van-guard along the Vale by the side of the Lake with determination to fall on the
Enemy The Day prov'd very dark and lowring by reason of a great Fogg that was risen nevertheless Hannibal upon notice that the better part of the Roman Army was now enter'd on the Plain and that their Vanguard was hard at hand gave the Signal of Battel dispatching his Orders to those who were in ambush to do their Duty so that the Enemy was on the sudden surrounded and at once attack'd on all sides Flaminius and the whole Army with him were struck with astonishment at this surprizing shock of the Enemy for the Fogg was so thick that they were not able to see about them and the Enemy falling among them from the Hills in all Quarters at once the Tribunes and Captains of the Romans could not discern which way to lead their Men nor how to bring Succours and Relief where 't was wanted and were in a word totally to seek how to behave themselves for they were charg'd at one and the same time in Front Flank and Rear by which means great numbers were slain not as Men sighting like Soldiers in Battel but taken as it were by stealth in their march e're they were able to put themselves in a posture of defence being as one may say betray'd and ensnar'd by the Imprudence of their General Flaminius himself now destitute both of Hope and Resolution falling among a Party of Gauls was by them environ'd and slain In this Battel there fell on the part of the Romans to the number of fifteen Thousand who were so beset that they could neither fight nor sly for it is religiously observ'd in the Roman Discipline never to abandon their Ranks or break their Order by flight Those who were surpriz'd in the Passage between the Lake and the Mountain dy'd miserably for being push'd by the Enemy into the Lake some being forc'd into the Water with their Arms not having leisure to think what they did were unfortunately drown'd others being the greater part enter'd the Lake as far as they were able leaving nothing above Water but their Heads where they remain'd a while till the Horse coming in attack'd them there Whereupon seeing there was now no other Remedy they demanded quarter in vain being all cut off those who were not slain by the Enemy killing one another About six Thousand who were well advanc'd in the Plain chanc'd to have the better of the Enemy whom they fought with in Front but in regard they could not discover how the Battel went they knew not whither to move or whom to relieve tho' it had been in their Power to have done much toward a Victory Wherefore believing they might light on some further occasion of Action they held on their march advancing till they had gain'd the top of the Hills where after they had remain'd a while and the Fogg began to clear up beholding the lamentable state of their Army and it being now out of their power to perform any Service to purpose the Enemy being Masters of the Field they made good their Retreat to a certain Town in Tuscany But the Battel was no sooner over when Hannibal sent a Detachment of Spaniards and his light-arm'd Troops after them under the Command of Maherbal who besieg'd them in the Place and after he had reduc'd them to extremity they yielded to his discretion who gave them their Lives Thus have we given the Narrative of this Battel that was sought in Tuscany between the Romans and Carthaginians Hannibal causing Maherbal's Prisoners to whom quarter had been given to be brought before him together with the rest that had fallen into their hands to the number of fifteen Thousand After he had told them That it was by his Orders that Maherbal had given them their Lives he distributed the Roman Prisoners to the Army to secure them under a good Guard but he sent home all the Latins gratis telling them only what hath been elsewhere noted That he was not come to invade or molest the Italians but to rescue their Liberty out of the hands of the Romans After this he led his Army into Quarters of Refreshment and solemnly bury'd thirty of his Officers who had been slain in the Battel His other Losses were inconsiderable the Victory not costing him above fifteen Hundred Men whereof the major part were Gauls And now his Hopes being thus justly rais'd he deliberated with his Brother and the rest of his Friends about the future Methods they were to take for improving the Victories they had gain'd In the mean time when the news came to Rome of this Defeat the Magistrates who could neither soften nor diminish it the Stroke had fallen so heavy assembled the People to whom they reported the naked truth of their Case And when at the same time the Praetor ascending the Tribunal pronounc'd these words We are Overcome they were struck with such terror that those who were then present and had been in the Battel thought they had cause to believe the Defeat was greater in Rome than in the Field Nor indeed was this surprize without reason for the Romans who had held so long a possession of Victory and were to learn the mournful Language of Vanquish'd and Oppress'd knew not how with Constancy to support an Affliction so new and unexpected The Senate only preserv'd their Temper with decency and omitted nothing that belong'd to their Function holding frequent Assemblies to deliberate about a Remedy for the Disease of which they were so sick During these Transactions the other Consul who was at Rimini near Adria on the Skirts of the Gauls and Confines of Italy not far from the mouth of the Po receiving intelligence that Hannibal was advanc'd into Tuscany and had besieg'd Flaminius in his Camp had therefore resolv'd to march to his Relief and joyn their Troops But in regard his Army was too numerous to march all in one Body he therefore pick'd out four Thousand Horse from the whole number of their Cavalry and giving the Command of these to C. Centronius order'd him to march before with expedition in order to the relief of Flaminius in case he should chance to be press'd before he could arrive But when Hannibal got intelligence that they were now sending those Succours after the Battel was lost he order'd out Maherbal with the light-arm'd Troops and a Body of Horse to encounter them Accordingly they met with Centronius fought with him and beat him killing almost half his Men on the place and forcing the rest to take Sanctuary on a neighbouring Hill and the next Day they fell alive into their hands It was but three Days ago that the news of their Misfortunes at the Battel of Thrasimene came to Rome and their Sorrow in the utmost ferment when to fill up the measure of their Affliction the news of this their last Defeat arrives when behold now not only the People in consternation but the Senate it self became sensibly touch'd Whereupon they thought it needful without deliberating on the Election of
their Annual Magistrates to resolve on the choice of some one single Person in whom the sole Authority should center In the mean time Hannibal who by the success of his Arms grew to believe he should be more than a Match for the Romans did not think it convenient to approach presently nearer Rome Wherefore he continu'd to harrass and spoil the Country destroying all by Fire and Sword where-ever he came taking his march toward Adria where he arriv'd in ten Days passing by the Frontiers of the Insubrians and Picentines The Country in his march being rich the Plunder of the Army grew so great and cumbersom that they could neither carry nor otherwise transport it The People where-ever he came he us'd with great Cruelty and according to the common manner of Treatment of Towns that are taken by force order'd all to be slain that they could find of Age to bear Arms such merciless impression had Hannibal's Hatred to the Romans given him Incamping now not far from Adria in a pleasant and fruitful Country abounding in all things he there gave order for the curing of his sick and infirm Soldiers and Horses for in his Winter-Incampments in the hither Gaul where he lay expos'd to all the rigours of the open Air incommoded by the stench of the filth and ordure of the Camp that what by their unwholsome Incampments what by their march through the Fens both Men and Horses the whole Army over were generally infected with a Disease call'd by the Greeks Lemopsoron but with us the Scurf or Scab which comes by Unwholsome Diet and hard Usage Wherefore happening into this place so commodious for every thing he was willing they should want for nothing that might advance their Recovery renew the Strength and recruit the Spirits of the Soldiers Hannibal being now possess'd of great quantities of Roman Arms of those he had either slain or taken he therefore arm'd his Africans after the Roman manner He also dispatch'd Letters by Sea to Carthage giving an account of his Successes having never since his coming into Italy till now approach'd the Sea-Coast The Carthaginians receiv'd the News with great acclamations of Joy and deliberated how best to re-inforce and supply their Armies both in Spain and Italy with all things of which they might stand in need The Romans in the mean time created Fabius Maximus Dictator a Person of a noble House and of so exemplary Vertue that his single Merit acquir'd to his Family the Title of Maximi from the great Actions he so happily WP2787atchiev'd There is this difference among others betwixt a Dictator and a Consul the Consul hath but twelve Axes carried before him the Dictator twenty four Furthermore the Consuls cannot act in many things without the Authority of the Senate but the Power of the Dictator is absolute and independent and during that Magistracy the Authority of all others become superseded that of the Tribunes of the People only excepted But we shall treat more particularly hereof in its proper place After Fabius had been nam'd for Dictator he chose M. Minutius for his Master of the Horse which is a Charge depending intirely on the Dictator and supplies his place in the Army when absent Hannibal after he had refresh'd his Army mov'd by easie marches along the Coast of the Adriatick thereby to gain time till he had fill'd his Troops here by washing his Horses with old Wine whereof the Country abounded he cur'd them of the Scratches and the Farcy Neither did he omit any care for the cure and recovery of his wounded Men by which means the rest were hearten'd and became the more chearfully dispos'd to go on such future hazardous Services as he should have further occasion to use them in Thus he continu'd his March and after he had plunder'd and forag'd the Territory of Pretutium Adria and that of the Marrucians and Ferentines he took his way towards Apulia which is distinguish'd by three Divisions each having its peculiar name One part is inhabited by the Daunians and another by the Messapians Hannibal first attack'd the Daunians and made spoil about Luceria a Colony of the Romans where he put all to Fire and Sword Then he encamp'd near Ibona from whence he sent his Troops to ravage the Lands of the Arpians and in short over-ran the whole Country of Apulia About this time Fabius enter'd on his Charge who after he had sacrific'd to the Gods march'd out of the City with his Master of the Horse at the head of four new-rais'd Legions which had been sevied according to Custom And after he had joyn'd his Troops near the Frontiers of the Dannians with those that had been sent to Rimini he sent the Consul back to Rome with Orders to Command the Fleet and have an Eye to the Enemies Motions by Sea while himself and the General of the Horse after he had taken possession of the Legions march'd and encamp'd near Aegas in view of the Enemy and not above six Miles from their Camp The Carthaginian as soon as he had notice of the arrival of Fabius led his Army out of the Camp and marching drew them up in Battalia near the Romans to amuse and terrifie them Where having remain'd some time and none appearing to oppose him he march'd back to his Quarters For Fabius who had determin'd to do nothing rashly and not to come presently to a Battel but to labour by all Arts and Means to secure the Interest of his Country held firm to his first Resolution By which means he soon grew into Contempt was reckon'd a Coward by his Country-men and one who out of poorness of Spirit shun'd all occasions of having to do with the Enemy But in the end his Actions taught them better how to value him and to confess That they could never have chosen a Leader who better knew his Business or could proceed with more Judgment and good Conduct which shortly after the issue of his Administiation abundantly manifested Hannibal's Troops who had been bred and broken to their Trade from their Childhood and he himself brought up among them and a perfect Master in Military Knowledge who had fought many Battels with Success in Spain and gain'd two important Victories already against the Romans and their Allies And what out-weigh'd all we have said and which to him was of greatest importance was that his Troops had no hopes or prospect of Safety but what they carry'd on the Points of their Swords which was Fabius's Motive to work with so much Cantion and Circumspection being well assur'd the Enemy would be superiour to him in Battel Wherefore by singular Prudence and Address he had recourse only to those Advantages wherein he was sure the Romans were the stronger In a word the Benefits the Romans enjoy'd and of which the Enemy could not deprive them were Provisions of Victuals and Stores of War in great abundance and plenty of good Men to recruit their Armies Fabius therefore held
or Pass over the Mountains He therefore order'd a Detachment of four Thousand Men to advance and take possession of the said Pass exhorting them to make good use of the occaslion and the advantage of the Post when they came to the Engagement which they so earnestly and so long desired to see This done he march'd himself with the Gross of the Army and possess'd the Mountains that commanded the said Passage by which the Enemy was to march And now the Carthaginians advancing encamp'd at the foot of the Mountains while Fabius was not in hopes only of making them part with their Plunder but that if Fortune prov'd never so little his Friend to be able at one stroke to put a period to the War Thus favour'd as he was by the advantage of the Ground Fabius then had nothing so much in his Thoughts as how best to post and destribute his Troops to lay his Ambush with most advantage whom principally to make choice of for their several Parts they were to execute and where first to begin the Attack But while he thus stood deliberating deserring the execution to the next Morning Hannibal who had got intelligence of his Design gave him not time to put it in effect First then he gave his Orders to Asdrubal who had the general charge of the Pioneers and Workmen of the Army to provide as many Faggots of dry combustible Matter as he possibly could procure to make choice of two Thousand of the best and strongest Oxen as could be pick'd out of the whole Herd of Plunder and to bring them to a certain place near the Camp there to attend his further Commands This done he caus'd the Grooms and Rabble of the Army to be assembled and pointing to them a piece of Ground at a distance that lay between the Camp and the Pass by which he was to march order'd them That as soon as they should receive the Signal that should be given to drive and force the said Herd of Cattel by that way up to the top of the Mountains This done he bad the Army to take their Supper and retire to their repose and about the third Watch of the Night he commanded the said Rabble to bind and fasten the Faggots they had provided to the Horns of the two Thousand Oxen. This being soon done by reason of the great number of Hands that were employ'd he then ordering the Faggots to be lighted gave them the Signal to march and drive them up as he had appointed He order'd likewise his light-arm'd Troops to march in the Rear of these and a while to encourage and sustain them but that as soon as the Cattel began to run and disperse they should with shoutings and great clamour take possession of all the advantageous Posts and gain the top of the Mountains to the end thereby to cover and defend the Army in their passage through the Defile and amuse and divert the Enemy in case they found them there In the mean time Hannibal decamps leading his Army towards the Streight by which they were to march The Van-guard consisted of his heavy-arm'd Troops these were follow'd by the Horse after them went the Baggage and Booty and the Spaniards and Gauls in the Rear of all The Romans who had been posted at the entry of the Pass beholding so many Fires wandring about the Mountains took it for granted that Hannibal had taken his March that way Whereupon quitting their Posts in the Streight they march'd with expedition up the Mountains but when they arriv'd and saw nothing but the Cattel carrying Fire on their Heads they grew greatly astonish'd and were struck with greater apprehension of Danger than they needed But now beholding Hannibal on his March who had already gain'd the Pass they made some small attempt upon them but the Cattel carrying Fire on their Heads covering the Mountain and mingling every-where among them so distracted them that they concluded it to be their safest course to keep the tops of the Hills and remain there on their guard till Morning when they might be better able to discern what it was that had so perplex'd them In the mean time Fabius was in trouble to understand the mystery of so many Fires and began to suspect it to be no other than what it really was namely a Carthaginian Stratagem Nevertheless mindful of the Resolution he had taken to hazard nothing he kept his Army within their Works and resolv'd not to stir till Morning while Hannibal observing that his Project succeeded to his wish and that the Defile remain'd totally unguarded pass'd safely with his Army and his Plunder But early in the Morning observing that the Party which had advanc'd to the tops of the Mountains were in danger the Romans who had march'd thither in the Night out-numbring them he therefore sent a Party of Spaniards to sustain and bring them off who falling on the Romans slew about a Thousand of them and with difficulty made good their Companions retreat Hannibal having now gain'd his passage out of the Territory of Falernum and seeing himself in safety began to consider upon Winter-Quarters and deliberated thereof among his Friends For he had now so terrify'd Italy throughout all Quarters that the whole Country stood astonish'd and undetermin'd what Counsels to take insomuch that Fabius was held in great Contempt as having through want of Resolution permitted the Enemy to make his escape when he had enclos'd him in places of so great advantage yet all could not move him a jot to depart from the Methods he had propos'd to pursue contemning all those vain Reports and the Opinion which the People had conceiv'd of him Sometime after Fabius being call'd to Rome to officiate at their Sacrifices he committed the Legions to the Conduct of Minutius injoyning him above all things at his departure to have a more vigilant Eye to the Preservation of the Army than how to Attack the Enemy But Minutius was so deaf to his Advice that even while Fabius was urging those safe Counsels he was meditating how by all means possible he might bring it about to give the Enemy Battel This was the posture of Affairs in Italy while Asdrubal at the head of an Army in Spain having equipp'd a Fleet of thirty Vessels during the Winter which had been left him by his Brother and adding to them ten more with all their Equipage that had been sent him from other parts he departed in the beginning of Summer from New-Carthage his Fleet consisting of forty Ships he committed to the care of Hamilcar with Orders to coast it along the Shore while he with his Land-Army march'd at the same time keeping near the Sea with intention to joyn both Armies near the mouth of the River Eber. Cn. Scipio coming to the knowledge of the Carthaginians purpose determin'd forthwith to march out of his Winter-quarters and endeavour to get before them But after he had been inform'd of their great Strength both
Custom of the People of Rome for the Consuls to Command in their turns decamp'd the Army much against Aemilius's liking and advanc'd toward the Enemy Whereupon Hannibal seeing them approach mov'd toward them with his light-arm'd Troops and his Horse and boldly attack'd them But the Romans sustain'd the first shock by mingling some of their heavy-arm'd Troops among their light-arm'd Soldiers and re-inforc'd these with their Archers and their Horse and in the end had the better of the Dispute The reason whereof was that the Body of the Carthaginian Troops did little or nothing to sustain those that fought while the Romans had mingled I say certain Cohorts with their light-arm'd Soldiers who fought at the same time In short the Night parted them but in truth with other Success than what the Carthaginian expected when he engag'd And the next Day Aemilius who approv'd not the Resolution of coming then to a Battel and saw he could not now retreat from the Ground where he was without great Hazard intrench'd himself near the River Aufidus with about two third parts of the Army This River only of all the rest in Italy takes its course through the Apennines for all the other Italian Rivers are dispers'd some emptying themselves into the Sea of Tuscany others toward the Adriatick Sea but the Aufidus which crosseth the Apennines hath its source in that part of Italy that borders on the Tuscan-Sea and runs into the Adriatick Aemilius then posted the rest of his Army on the other side the River toward that part that is Fordable somewhat more than a Miles distance from his other Camp and a further space from the Enemies in this place he order'd them to intrench to the end he might be the better able to succour and sustain his Foragers that went from either Camp and to attack with more ease the Enemies whensoever they ventur'd abroad on the same Errand And now Hannibal perceiving the time of Battel to approach and fearing lest his ill Success in the last Ingagement should have blunted the Mettle of his Soldiers thought it therefore advisable to speak to the Army and thereupon Orders them to be drawn together to that purpose and when they were assembled â—he bid them behold and survey the Country round about and then demanded what they could wish more if the Gods themselves had left them at liberty to chuse a place to fight in than that wherein they now stood surpassing as they did the Enemy so much in Horse We ought first then says he to acknowledge it a Blessing from Heaven that in order to Victory hath conducted the Enemy hither In the next place you are to allow me a share of your Thanks by whose management they are at length driven to a necessity of giving us Battel for they cannot chuse now but fight in a place which of all others they would refuse were it left to their choice In short I see no necessity to entertain you with many Words to animate you to go on chearfully I might perhaps speak to you on that Subject and labour to incite you to do Gallantly were you now to learn what the Romans can do for then indeed it might concern us to endeavour both by Words and Examples to inspire you with Thoughts worthy of you but at this time of Day after we have thrice vanquish'd them in three successive pitch'd Battels what Speech or what Eloquence can so well perswade you as the Success of your own Actions By the Battels you have already won you have subdu'd the Country and by that means reap'd the Harvest of plenty of every good and needful thing and my Promise to you therein made good and the Effects have prov'd that I meant what I said It now only remains that we make our selves Masters of their Cities and Towns and the Riches and Treasure they contain If we compass that Italy it self is ours This single Battel will finish all our Labours and by giving us the Empire and all that the Romans call theirs we become Masters and Lords of the Vniverse There is no need then of Language but of Hearts and Hands and I trust by the Favour of the Gods you will soon see the happy accomplishment of all I have promis'd you After Hannibal had thus spoken and the Army had given evidence both by their Voice and their Actions that they approv'd what he had said he remanded them to their Posts having first prais'd their Forwardness and the Resolution they had manifested and presently march'd and encamp'd on the other side the River where the gross of the Roman Army lay The next Day after having order'd the Army to take their repast he bid them prepare for Action and the Day following drawing up his Troops along the River he presented Battel to the Romans But Aemilius not liking the Ground and believing that want of Provision would soon constrain Hannibal to decamp he therefore mov'd not but took care only to have the two Camps well fortify'd Whereupon Hannibal march'd back to his own after having stood a while drawn up in Battalia in expectation of the Enemy After this he sent out his Numidians to molest those of the lesser Camp as they came to their watering place but Terentius not induring they should thus dare him so near his Works and hinder his Soldiers from supplying their Necessities became the more provok'd by such Bravado's to come to blows nor were the Soldiers less impatient so true it is that no time seems so tedious as the space between Resolving and Executing when once we have determin'd to abide the Dangers and Difficulties that lie in the way to our Purposes When the News came to Rome that the Armies drew near each other and that they were daily Pickeering and Ingaging by Parties the People were every where in great fear and suspence and the memory of so many late Defeats terrify'd them with the apprehension of the issue of the approaching Battel it being easie to foresee the deplorable state of the Republick in case of a Defeat Nothing was talk'd of in Rome but menaces out of their Sibyl's Books and scarce any thing was seen in Temples and Houses but Spectres and ill-boding Prodigies so that all their time was spent in Vows Sacrifices and Supplications For 't is a Custom among the Romans in any Extremities or Streights in their Affairs to omit nothing that they conceive may be of use to avert the Anger or Danger that threatens them either from the Gods or Men and in a word there is nothing on such occasions done or said among them that is held either Superstitious or unbecoming the Dignity of the Government The Day being now come when Terentius had the Authority he took the Fasces and the Sun was hardly risen when he order'd the Army to move out of their Camps ranging those in the greater Camp in order of Battel as they march'd out those of the lesser Camp he drew up in
countenance his march posting himself with the Buckler-men and light-arm'd Troops to cover those also who carry'd heavy Arms during their passage by that streight piece of Ground along by the foot of the Hills In the mean time those who were drawn up nearest the Town attack'd the Horse who were posted to cover the march of the rest In which occasion the Dispute was very obstinate where the Buckler-men perform'd excellent Service But in conclusion the King had the better here likewise and pursuing the Enemies Horse to the Gates of the City pass'd the River without difficulty and joyn'd the Phalanx But Night now approaching he found it behoveful to hasten his Retreat and was oblig'd to Encamp on a piece of Ground just without the Streight or Defilée It so chanc'd that the Guides themselves had pitch'd on that very place wherein to Encamp being so advantageous a Spot that whosoever would make Incursions into Laconia 't is impossible to choose a more commodious Post For it lies in the way to Tegaea and the Inland parts of the Country on the Banks of the River commanding the entrance of the Defilée distant about a quarter of a Mile from Sparta that side which looks toward the Town being cover'd by the Brow of an inaccessible Hill It lies I say just under the Rocks and Precipices thereof being a level piece of Ground plentifully supply'd with Water insomuch as it seems dâ—stin'd by Nature to ensure to the Soldier a safâ— entrance and retreat where being once Encamp'd and Masters of the Eminence they may with assurance say they are both safe and possess'd of a most pleasant Post which commands the Passage in and out of the Streight Here Philip having pass'd the Night without any Alarm in the Morning caus'd his Baggage first to march and leading the Army into the Plains he there drew up in Battalia in view of the City of Sparta where he remain'd a while to see if the Enemy were dispos'd to further Action Then making a short turn took his way toward Tegaea and coming to the Ground where the Battel had been heretofore fought between Antigonus and Cleomenes he there Encamp'd And the next Day after he had well observ'd every thing and sacrific'd on the top of either Mountain the one being call'd Olympia the other Eva securing his Rear-guard he prosecuted his march to Tegaea where he commanded the Booty to be sold and then return'd by Argoâ— to Corinth with the whole Army There he was met by Ambassadors from Rhodes and Chios who were dispatch'd to him on the subject of a Pacification The King gave them Audience and made semblance of an Inclination to a Peace with the Aetolians with whom he wish'd them to conferr and deliberate by what means it might be brought to pass So dismissing the Ambassadors he went to Lechoeum purposing to Embark from thence in order to a Descent on the Lands of the Phocians where he had meditated some Enterprize of great importance About this time Leontius Megaleas and Ptolomy being not yet totally out of hopes of giving some apprehension to King Philip endeavour'd so to cover their old Crimes to foment a murmuring among the Buckler-men and the King's Guards and they themselves instill'd the like seditious Opinions that they who were first in all Hazards and secur'd the rest of the Army from Danger were not treated according to their Merit and were not only not consider'd and distinguish'd by any particular Reward for their Service but even such Booty as fell into their hands was taken from them notwithstanding the constant custom in the like cases to the contrary After this manner they had so inflam'd them that assembling in Parties they attempted and rifled the Quarters of the King 's chief Friends and Favourites insomuch that their insolence grew to that height that they forbore not at length the King 's own Lodgings breaking the Roof thereof This Mutiny spread so great Terror and Disturbance about the City that the King having notice thereof came with all possible expedition from Lechoeum and immediately assembling the Macedonians partly by Remonstrances partly by Menaces appeas'd the Tumult But forasmuch as on such occasions Men are of divers Minds some advising to find out and seize on the Authors of the Sedition to make them Examples others that it were better to reduce things to Order and pacifie the Tumult without any further Process or Inquisition wherefore the King hiding his Purpose for the present and seeming well satisfy'd with what he had already done exhorted them only to Union and better Obedience and so dismiss'd the Assembly Not but that he was well aware who had been the prime Movers and Instigators of the Sedition but thought it Wisdom at that time to seem less knowing than he was But these stirs were soon over and King Philip's Phâ—cian Expedition likewise at that time for certain Reasons respited And now Leontius coming to perceive the vanity of his guilty Projects and the dangerous state he had contracted had recourse to Apelles soliciting his return from Chalcis and giving him frequent intimations of the many difficulties he met with and that the King grew into greater dislike of him in every thing Now 't is to be noted That during Apelleâ— residence at Chalcis his Deportment was more like a Sovereign Prince than a Subject governing all things with an Arbitrary Authority and labouring to be thought singular in his Sufficiency and Power and that the King acted nothing but by his Counsels by which means he disposed absolutely of every thing Wherefore all who were in the Magistracy and had charge of the Affairs in Macedon and Thessaly ever apply'd to him and took his directions in all their Consultations And iâ— short when at any time any of the Greâ—â— Towns had occasion to publish any new Law or Ordinances or to confer Honours or Prâ—ferments there was hardly any mention madâ— of the King but of Apelles Wherefore when Philip came to be rightlâ— inform'd of all these things he grew justlâ— sensible of the Outrage that had been donâ— him Nor was Aratus wanting to warm hiâ— Indignation howbeit he carry'd his Resentments so close that none were privy to his Purpose or knew any thing of his Mind Apelles therefore far from suspecting the least coldness from the King was persuaded that he should be receiv'd at Court after his wonted manner and soon dispose of the King's Mind at his pleasure wherefore he left Chalcis to come to the Aid of Leontius And now as he drew near to Corinth Ptolomy Leontius and Megaleas who commanded the Buckler-men and had prime Authority in the Army so wrought that the Flower of the King's Troops went out to meet and accompany him Insomuch that what with Officers and Soldiers they compos'd a pompons Train with which he made his entrance into the Town and so went directly to wait on the King But while he attempted according to his manner heretofore to enter into
are not far from Hyrcania It extends towards the South to Mesopotamia and the Territory of the Apolloniates Nor is it remote from Persia being cover'd on that side by the Mountain Zagros which hath an ascent of above twelve Miles And whereas this Mountain is divided and broken into many Parts and Eminencies it comes to pass that there are divers Vallies and deep Descents which are inhabited by the Cossoei Corbrenoe and Carchi and other Barbarous Nations who are generally given to War Towards the West they approach the Country of Atropatii who are not far from those People whose Dominion extends as far as the Euxine Sea The Frontiers of Media towards the North are in the Neighbourhood of the Elymaei Ariaracoe Cadducoei Matiani and in short overlook those Countries on the Pontic Sea that join the Palus Moeotis The Country is also parted into sundry Divisions by Mountains which run through it from East to West between which there are Plains abounding with Cities and Peopled Places As soon as Molon had made himself Master of this Country the most proper of all others wherein to establish the Seat of his Dominion over and above that he was become formidable as was noted by the Power he had acquir'd he grew likewise into such Reputation that the People of Asia believ'd he was not to be resisted especially when they saw the King's Army had been forc'd to Retreat into Towns for safety which they took for granted was no other than yielding up the Field This Success greatly augmented the Courage and Expectations of his Army Wherefore he resolv'd to pass the Tigris and march to the Seige of Seleucia But being prevented in that Design by Zeuxes who had seiz'd on the Vessels of Transportation he retir'd to a Place call'd Ctesiphon where he made plentiful Provision of all Necessaries for the Wintering of his Army When the King came to understand that Molon Advanc'd and that his own Army retir'd he then resolv'd to go at the Head of his Forces and to respite for a while his Expedition against Ptolomy But Hermias continu'd firm to his Purpose and prevail'd to divert him so Xenoetas an Achaian was sent with an Army having as absolute Authority as if the King had been there in Person Hermias demonstrating that 't was enough for Princes to make War against Rebels by their Lieutenants but that Kings ought to oppose themselves only to their Equals where Glory and Empire is the Subject in Dispute Thus having the young Prince intirely in his Possession he prevail'd to carry on his first Design so they went to Apamea where they Assembled the Troops From thence the King lead his Army to Laodicea then marching through the Desart they came to the Valley of Marsya between the Mountains Libanus and Anti-Libanus a Place very streight and inclos'd by those Mountains which come almost to touch and there where it is narrowest it is full of low and watery Ground where they gather Odoriferous Dew The Castle of Brochi Commands on the one side of the Streight on the other that of Gerra there being only a narrow way between them After some time had been spent in their March through this Vale and the taking in some Neighbouring Towns the King approached Gerra but both the one and the other Fortress being in the Hands of Theodotus the Aetolian who had likewise well Fortify'd the Defilée about the low Grounds and Posted Troops Commodiously for Defence the King resolv'd to force his Passage But when he had well consider'd that by Seiges he should Harrass his Army and be more a Sufferer himself than the Enemy and having some Reasons to believe that Theodotus would shortly be wrought over to his Service he forbore to Prosecute that Enterprize so that having no present Prospect of succeeding here and receiving notice of the Defeat of Xenoetas and that Molon Victorious had subdu'd many Provinces he resolv'd to relinquish all other Designs and deliberate on those Affairs which more nearly concern'd him For Xenoetas as we noted being sent with an Authority full and absolute could not well bear that Degree of Greatness which he had never hop'd to attain but grew insolent towards his Friends and acted inconsiderately against the Enemy For taking his march towards Seleucia having Diogenes Governour of Susiana and Pythias with him who brought his Troops from the Coast of the Red-Sea under his Command he came and encamp'd in view of the Enemy being cover'd on that side by the Tigris In the mean time many Deserters from Molon's Army swimming the River came over to Xenoetas who gave him assurance that in case he pass'd the River with his Army the greatest part of the Enemies Troops would revolt to him many of the Leaders being disoblig'd by Molon and that the Soldiers in general were dispos'd to return to their Duty Xenoetas incourag'd by these Reports resolv'd to pass over the Army and shew'd a purpose to make a Bridge at a certain place where by the force of the Stream the Earth is cast up in form of an Island but he did not prosecute that Design Whereupon Molon made a Jest of his Project Nevertheless Xenoetas in the mean time caus'd Boats to be built and seiz'd on others where they could be sound to put in execution what he had purpos'd Then picking out a Body of the best Troops of the Army both Horse and Foot and leaving Zeuxes and Pythias with the rest to guard the Camp he wasted over his Men by Night marching and encamping about Ten Miles above the Enemy where he made choice of a commodious and well-defended piece of Ground to encamp in for the River inviron'd it almost quite round and the rest was secur'd by a Moor and deep boggy Ground Molon upon knowledge hereof detach'd a Body of Horse with Command to march towards the Enemy partly to prevent the passing of those that remain'd behind and partly to attack those who were already got over But on their approach to Xenoetas's Camp there was no need of the Swords of an Enemy to defeat them for being it seems unacquainted with the Ground and Country about it they chanc'd to fall among the Bogs and watery places whereby not only their Design miscarried but most of the Party were lost Wherefore Xenoetas now persuaded that if he drew nearer to the Enemies Camp the greatest part of the Army would desert to him took his march along the River and came and Encamp'd close by them Whereupon Molon either out of Stratagem or some real doubt of the Soldiers Disposition left his Camp by Night with all his Baggage seeming to take his march towards Media Xenoetas now believing that Molon had forsaken his Camp through â—ear upon his approach or through distrust of his own Troops took possession thereof where he quarter'd his Army giving his Orders that the Horse and Baggage of Zeuxes Camp should forthwith pass over and joyn him Then assembling the Soldiers he incourag'd them
by giving them hopes of a good issue of the War for that Molon had already thought it his safest course to sly before them so commanding them to refresh and repose themselves he order'd them to be in a readiness to march by break of Day in pursuit of the Enemy And now the Army of Xenoetas full of Assurance and being possess'd of so great plenty of all things fell to Feasting and making Merry Drinking to excess and acting in every thing the parts of careless dissolute People While Molon when he thought he was got far enough made an halt and taking some space to refresh his People fac'd about and march'd directly back by the way he came and advancing to the Camp found the Enemy negligently scatter'd here and there plung'd in Sleep and Wine Wherefore attacking them at Day-break Xenoetas astonish'd at the surprize and not able to awaken and draw his Troops together to make head against the Enemy lost his Life gallantly fighting The greatest part of the Army were cut off in their Tents the rest casting themselves into the River hop'd to gain the Camp on the other side but very few escap'd over Here might be seen the divers Scenes of Tumult and Confusion in the Army for all had their share of Terror at an Attempt so unlook'd for And while they view'd their Camp on the other Bank of the River without regard to the violence of the Stream or the difficulty and danger of the Passage such was their Passion to escape the Swords of the Enemy their fear I say had so blinded their Judgment that to save themselves from the hands of those that pursu'd them they committed themselves to the Waters making their Horses Baggage and all attempt to pass the River as if they thought some special Providence had commanded the Flood to yield them succour and waft them safe to the other Shore so that it was a lamenble sight to behold at once Men Horses Arms Baggage the Dead and Living floating and mingled together in confusion Molon becoming Master of Xenoetas's Camp afterwards pass'd the River without impediment none withstanding him for Zeuxes who might have hinder'd him was fled wherefore he took possession likewise of the other Camp Then upon this Success he march'd speedily to Seleucia which soon fell into his hands for that Zeuxes and Diomedon who was Governour of the Place had deserted it Then reducing the upper Provinces to his Obedience where he found none to oppose him he march'd on and subdu'd the whole Country of Babylon and all the Territory extending as far as the Red-Sea From thence he march'd to Susa which was taken by Assault as other Places had been but he in vain attempted the Fortress of that Place for that Diogenes the Governour had made timely provision for his Defence Wherefore he forbore to use force but leaving Troops to block it up took his march back to Seleucia where he refresh'd and recruited his Army and then after he had well encourag'd them he proceeded on further Enterprizes Thus Molon reduc'd all the Country to the City Europus and all Mesopotamia as far as Dura When Antiochus came to be well inform'd of these Occurrences he quitted the barren Country of the Lower-Syria as we have noted and turn'd his Thoughts wholly on this War Wherefore assembling his Council once again to deliberate about it and requiring every one to deliver his Opinion plainly touching the War of Molon Epigenes again first gave his Judgment saying That it had been well for the King's Service if they had follow'd his first Advice without any delay or loss of time for the Enemy had made so great a progress that he was confirm'd in his former Opinion namely That it was most necessary the King should march with the Army and manage the War in Person But Hermias thereupon renew'd his Indignation against Epigenes charging and blaming him as heretofore and came to exaggerate his own Praises to that degree that every body despis'd him and contesting with the King himself labour'd all he could to make him persevere in his Syrian Expedition insomuch that great Offence was taken by Antiochus himself who notwithstanding interpos'd his Authority in vain to reconcile them Hermias being by no means to be wrought from his Aversion to Epigenes Howbeit his Advice at length prevail'd as being the most safe and profitable which Hermias not being able now longer to hinder seem'd on the sudden to accord entirely to what he cou'd not prevent and becoming as one may say another Man resolv'd that laying aside all other Affairs the War with Molon ought to be vigorously prosecuted Wherefore he apply'd himself with great diligence and turn'd all his Thoughts to make preparation for carrying it on And now when the King's Troops were assembl'd at Apamea there grew a Mutiny in the Army about the Arrears of Pay Whereupon Hermias perceiving the King to be surpriz'd and to seek what to do made an Offer to him proposing to satisfie the Soldiers Arrears out of his own private Fortune provided he would yield that Epigences might not be employ'd in that Expedition pretending that the Differences which had happen'd between them would be the occasion of Disputes that would greatly hinder him in the management of his Affairs The King in truth lent a very unwilling Ear to the Proposal believing it to be for his Service to take Epigenes with him who was well seen in Military Matters and in every thing an able Counsellor but won by the Artifices of Hermias who had gain'd likewise those about him he was not Master of his own Resolutions Wherefore yielding to present Necessity he comply'd with the Demand of Hermias Whereupon Epigenes retir'd to Apamea pursuant to the Orders he receiv'd from the King All of the King's Council were ill satisfy'd with this Resolution while on the other hand the Soldiers who had receiv'd satisfaction of their Demands express'd great Affection towards Hermias by whose means they had obtain'd their Arrears Nor was there any remaining Stirs saving among the Cyrrhestae of whom there revolted from the King's Service to the number of Six Thousand who for a while gave him some Trouble but being pursu'd and attack'd they were defeated by those that were sent against them the greatest part being cut off and the remainder returning to their Obedience And now Hermias having subdu'd those about the King by his Authority and gain'd the Good-will of the Soldiers by his Bounty departed with Antiochus and the Army but forgot not by means of Alexis who was Governour of the Citadel of Apamea to form this Design for the Destruction of Epigenes He forg'd a Letter from Molon to Epigenes and having corrupted one of his Servants by Promises of a great Reward gives him the Letter with Orders to lay it among the rest of his Master's Papers Whereupon Alexis comes to Epigenes and demands of him if he had not receiv'd Letters from Molon To which Epigenes
referr'd to the Accord made by the several Princes at what time Antigonus being defeated and vanquish'd Cassander Lysimachus and Seleucus met in a General Assembly to deliberate on that Subject when the entire Kingdom of Syria was adjudg'd to Seleucus Those who were present on the part of Ptolomy labour'd to prove the contrary and to show the weakness of Antiochus's Pretensions and further to exaggerate the Injury remonstrated the Indignity of breaking the Peace by the Treachery of Theodotus and the Expedition of Antiochus That Ptolomy the Son of Lagus enter'd on the War for the acquisition of Syria That he join'd his Arms with Seleucus conditionally that as the Dominion of Asia should be his so the Lower Syria and Phoenicia should fall to Ptolomy's share The several Ambassadors urg'd these and the like Reasons in the Conferences that were held but no fruit came of their Debates through want of one common Mediator For while Matters were canvas'd by People equally interess'd and partial to their own side without any one to moderate the Heats that could not but grow between them what success could be hop'd The Affair of Achoeus was likewise a great clog to the Negotiation For Ptolomy urg'd to have him compriz'd in the Treaty but Antiochus could not brook so much as to hear him nam'd exclaiming how scandalous it was that Ptolomy should entertain so much as a thought of giving protection to one in Rebellion against his Prince Thus while these two Princes built on the Equity of their Allegations the Treaty was defeated and early in the Spring Antiochus assembled his Troops with intention to attack the Enemy by Sea and Land and to prosecute his Conquest of what remain'd to be reduc'd of Caelo-Syria Ptolomy on the other part committing his Affairs in those parts to the Conduct of Nicolaus furnish'd Gaza plentifully with every needful thing for its defence mov'd also with his Sea and Land Forces On their arrival Nicholaus prepar'd with determination to abide the War and was readily supply'd in all his Demands by Perigenes to whom Ptolomy had given the Command of the Fleet and Naval Army which consisted of thirty Vessels of War and four hundred of Burthen Nicholaus was an Aetolian by Nation very brave and in the Trade of War superiour in Knowledge to most who at that time were in the Service of Ptolomy His first care was with part of his Army to possess the Streights near Platanos posting himself with the other part of his Army in the places near Porphyreon to prevent any attempt of Antiochus on that side In the mean while the Fleet remain'd at Anchor not far off On Antiochus's arrival at Marathum the Aradians apply'd to him with Tenders of Friendship and Alliance whom he did not only kindly receive but interpos'd his Mediation between the Islanders and those of the Continent composing the Difference that had happen'd between them and establishing Friendship among them Then marching into Syria by that passage which is call'd Thoûprosopon he came to Berytus took Botris in his march and burnt Trieres and Calamus From thence he dispatch'd Theodotus and Nicarchus with Orders to possess the Streights which lead to the River Lycus to be before-hand with the Enemy In the mean time himself kept on his march with the Army and came and Encamp'd by the River Damura Diognetus with the Fleet keeping always near him From thence taking with him Nicarchus and Theodotus with his light-arm'd Troops he went to view the Streights where Nicholaus was posted and after he had made Remarks to his Mind he return'd back to the Camp The next Day leaving Nicarchus with the Command of his heavy-arm'd Troops behind he march'd himself at the head of the rest of the Army to put in execution what he had projected Now in regard Mount Libanus streightens and contracts the passage by the Sea-Coast and the space is bounded by a Valley waste and inaccessible it comes to pass that the way between that and the Sea is very narrow and difficult Here it was where Nicolaus had posted himself where by placing good Guards in some places and fortifying others with Works he thought he should be able without much difficulty to withstand Antiochus's Passage The King in the mean time dispos'd his Army into three Divisions to Theodotus he gave the Command of one with Orders to attack the Enemy that was posted along the Mountain another Division he gave to Menedemus who was expresly directed to attempt the Passage that lay in the middle of the Vale the third he appointed for a reserve with respect to what might happen in the Naval Conflict These were lead by Diocles who was Governour of the Country of Parapotamia near the Euphrates Antiochus himself making choice of such a place attended only by his Guards where he might stand and have a fair view of all that pass'd on every side whereby being a Spectator of each Mans behaviour he was inabled to judge where to supply Succours in case of Need. And now Diognetus and Perigenes drew their Fleets into a Line of Battel drawing as near the Shore as they could insomuch as the whole Action by Land and Sea became one single prospect When the Signal was given they advanc'd to the Attack on all sides The Fight at Sea continu'd for some time doubtful their Forces being in every thing equal And notwithstanding Nicolaus seem'd a while to have the better having the advantage of Ground yet upon Theodotus's forcing the Enemy from their Post on the Mountain and from thence falling on the rest Nicolaus was compell'd to give Ground and betake him to flight About two thousand were slain in the pursuit and no fewer taken Prisoners the rest got into Sidon Perigenes likewise who once thought he had the better in the Naval Dispute terrify'd to behold his Friends beaten a-shoar left the Enemy a stern and flying secur'd himself in the same place Antiochus presently thereupon leads his Army to Sidon and encamps before the Town But he thought it not advisable to attack it for as it was very well supply'd with all sorts of Provisions of War so the Inhabitants were numerous and their Strength re-inforc'd by those who had fled thither after the Battel From thence then he took his march towards Philoteria ordering Diognetus his Admiral to make sail with the Fleet to Tyre Philoteria stands in the neighbourhood of a great Moor through which runs the River Jordan which from thence pursues its course through the Plains of Scythopolis Antiochus becoming Master of the two foremention'd Places grew into greater assurance of succeeding in his Enterprizes in regard the Territory subject to those Towns produc'd sufficient of all things to sustain his Army and yielded over and above enough of every thing he might need to prosecute his Design wherefore after he had strengthen'd them with good Garrisons he took his march over the Mountains and came to Atabyrium This Town stands on a rising
But this attempt being discover'd by the Selgians they hasten'd to prevent them and attacking them took all the Corn and cut off most of the Party This success so exalted them that they came thereupon to resolve not only to assault the Town but to attack Garsyeres himself in his Camp For the Selgians are a People who in War love both those Counsels and Enterprizes best that are most rash Leaving their Camp therefore with a good Guard they drew out the rest of their Troops and posted them in divers places about Garsyeres's Works and march'd to the Attack on all sides Garsyeres finding himself inclos'd every where by this surprizing Attempt and beholding his Defences in some places already broken down and the whole Camp reduc'd to extremity order'd his Horse to sally out by a way the Enemy had taken least notice of And now the Selgians believing the Horse to be fled and escap'd away made no more account of them but let them pass unpursu'd whereupon after they had gone some distance they wheel'd about and fell on the Enemy's Reeâ— where the Dispute was bloody Upon this the Foot who before were heartless and on the point of turning their Backs took Courage and fac'd the Enemy with fresh Resolution insomuch that the Selgians who â—ut now thought the Day their own behâ—ld themselves on the sudden surrounded on every side worsted and driven to fly At the same time the Garrison of Pednelissa sally'd and fell on the Selgians Camp which they forc'd whereupon the Enemy flying in disorder they lost to the number of at least ten thousand Men. Those of their Allies who escap'd retir'd home and the Selgians gaining the tops of the Mountains got to the City Garsyeres pursuing them being desirous to hasten out of the Defilée and approach Selgia before the Enemy could have leisure to rally and consult about their safety Accordingly he came before the â—â—ty with his Army where the Enemy hopeless of help from their Allies through the loss they had lately sustain'd in their Service and terrify'd at their Defeat grew into doubt both of their own and their Country's safety Wherefore calling an Assembly they agreed to dispatch Logbasis one of their Citizens in quality of their Ambassador to Achoeus This Logbasis had been in great esteem with Antiochus he who dy'd in Thrace and it seems had the care of the Education of Laodice whom he brought up with the tenderness of his own Child and who was afterwards marry'd to Achoeus On these Considerations they concluded him the properest Person to be sent in the present Exigence wherefore they dispatch'd him But Logbasis revealing the Secret of his Embassy to Garsyeres made so little reckoning of his Duty and the preservation of his Country that on the contrary he was instant with Garsyeres to let Achoeus understand that he was ready to put the City into his hands whereupon Garsyeres furnish'd with those Hopes dispatch'd Letters to Achoeus praying him to dispose himself for his Journey on the receipt of his Advice while he in the mean time held a Truce and enter'd into Treaty with the Selgians and contriving Disputes about the Articles of the Peace spun out the time till the coming of Achoeus and that Logbasis had leisure to conferr with him touching the execution of their Enterprize And now during the Treaty and the going and coming of Messengers from the 〈◊〉 to the Camp and from the Camp thitheâ— the Soldiers by degrees were admitted into the Town to traffick and buy Provisions and what else they wanted and Over-sight which hath had many bad effects And it may 〈◊〉 assurance be said that as there is no Creature that possesses so great a share of Sagacity and Reflection as Man so there is scarce any more subject to be deceiv'd For how many Townâ— Fortresses and even Camps have been by this means betray'd to the Enemy And albeit there are frequent and fresh Examples of such Disasters and we know they have befallâ—â— many 't is as true nevertheless that by I knoâ— not what kind of fatality we know not how to secure our selves against such Arts and aâ—â— always to seek to prevent them the reasonâ— take to be from our want of reflection on other Men's Adventures Our Providence is seen in making Provision to sustain and pay our Armies and to furnish our Soldiers with the best and most proper Arms for our Defence while at the same time we omit what is both more easie and profitable namely to be on our guard against these kind of Evils to which we lie expos'd For Prudence may be acquir'd at our leisure and by the study of History we improve the Understanding without difficulty in the contemplation of things past Achoeus fail'd not to be present at the time assign'd and the Selgians entring into Conference with him were in hopes on that occasion of sharing with others the Benefit of his Gentleness and Humanity But in the mean time Logbasis having privately got into his House a good number of those who came from the Camp into the Town labour'd with the Inhabitants not to lose the occasion but to improve while they might the Offers so bountifully tender'd by Achoeus That they would do well to convoke their Assembly and delibâ—rate on their present state and put a period to the Treaty they had already begun Whereupon they call'd an Assembly of the People drawing off those who were posted on the Walls and elsewhere for the defence of the Place pretending the necessity of a General Assembly of the whole Body of the People solemnly to conclude on the Proposals While things were in this posture in the Town Logbasis gives the Signal to the Enemy and in the mean time causes the Soldiers he had received into his House to be ready with their Arms while himself and his Sons likewise prepare to act their Parts Achaâ—us then approaches the Town on one side with one part of the Army and Garsyeres with another advances towards Cesbedium which is a Temple of Jupiter that commands the Town in manner of a Citadel But it chanc'd that these motions were observ'd by a certain Shepherd who giving an account to the Assembly that the Enemy were approaching the Walls some hastned to Cesbedium others to their Posts on the Walls from whence they had been call'd while the multitude enrag'd ran to the House of Logbasis whose Treachery being now manifest some untile the House while others attack and force the Gates and in short kill'd Logbasis with his Family and the whole Party that were with him Then they proclaim'd Liberty to their Slaves and drawing up in several Bodies they march'd to the defence of such Places as had most need of succour And now Garsyeres beholding the Temple in a posture of defence thought it not safe to advance while Achoeus who attempted the Gates and us'd his utmost Endeavours to get into the Town was attack'd by the Selgians who making a Sally
the Enemies Camp with two Men only in his company It was not easie to know him by his Face it being not yet Day nor by his Habit for that the Army consisted of great diversity of Garbs He having before observ'd where the King's Tent stood for that they had frequently pickeer'd near that place approach'd undiscover'd and entring the Tent where the King us'd to Eat and give Audience he search'd every-where for him but found him not Ptolomy it seems having lain that Night elsewhere Wherefore wounding only two Persons and killing Androeas the King's Physician he retir'd in safety having executed his Design if we rightly weigh the Hazard but fail'd only through want of information where the King was lodg'd After these two Princes had remain'd five Days thus near each other they agreed to come to a decision Ptolomy first march'd out and soon after Antiochus appear'd in Battel Their Bodies were compos'd of their Phalanxes and chosen Troops arm'd after the Macedonian manner who were oppos'd one to another their Wings were thus order'd in Ptolomy's Polycrates commanded the Left with the Horse that were under his Command and betwixt these and the Phalanx first march'd the Candiots next to the Horse These were follow'd by the Regiment of Guards call'd Agema after these march'd the Buckler-men led by Socrates then the Libyans arm'd like Macedonians The Right was led by Echecrates the Thessalian with the Horse who were under his Command on the Left next Echecrates march'd the Gauls and Thracians then Phoxidas with his Greek Mercenaries after these march'd the Aegyptian Phalanx They plac'd forty Elephants to cover the Left-Wing where the King was to be and the other thirty three stood on the Right to cover the Mercenary Horse Antiochus thus order'd his Battel On his Right he plac'd sixty Elephants to cover the extremities of that Wing where he himself propos'd to stand oppos'd to Ptolomy giving the Conduct to Philip his Foster-Brother in the Rear of these were posted two thousand Horse led by Antipater next these were the like number drawn up in form of a Tenaile after the Horse stood the Candiots in front then the Greek Mercenaries betwixt these stood the five thousand Men that were arm'd like Macedonians under the Command of Byttacus the Macedonian His Left-Wing consisted of two thousand Horse led by Themison After these were the Cardaces the Lydian Slingers and next those three thousand light-arm'd who were under Menedemus The Cyssians Medes and Caramanians follow'd and to these succeeded the Arabs and their Neighbour-People which clos'd up to the Phalanx The Right-point of the Battel was cover'd by the rest of the Elephants which were conducted by Myiscus who had been the King's Page In this order of Battel were the two Armies drawn up while the two Kings attended by their Officers and Favourites went from Rank to Rank to animate their Troops But forasmuch as they had plac'd their greatest Confidence in their Phalanxes which may be call'd Legionaries to these therefore they were more earnest in their Exhortations wherein Sosibius and Arsinoe seconded Ptolomy and Theodotus and Nicarchus Antiochus who were Chiefs of the Legionaries of the one and the other Army In short it may be concluded that the Speeches of these two Princes were near the same whereby to encourage their Troops neither being furnish'd with stronger Reasons than the other for they were but young Kings and had never yet done any thing very memorable out of which to collect Matter for their Exhortations wherefore they labour'd to hearten them to the Battel by laying before them the Prize of Glory that was to be won and the Reputation of their Ancestors and above all made large Promises of Rewards to the Officers in particular and the Soldiers in general to oblige them to their best performance in that occasion Thus then the two Kings animated their Armies partly by themselves and partly by their Interpreters As soon as Ptolomy and his Sister Arsinoe were come to the Left-Wing and Antiochus to the Right of their two Armies attended by their Guards they sounded to the Charge and the Battel began with their Elephants Some of those Beasts on Ptolomy's part came at first boldly on to the Attack and the Men who fought from the Turrets behav'd themselves well fighting from thence with their Pikes but the shock between the Elephants themselves was more remarkable those Animals attempting one the other with an impetuosity hardly to be represented for they fight after this manner They first make proof of their Strength by engaging with their Teeth and with a firm foot keeping their Ground press one against another with their utmost strength till by this contention one of them prevails and compels the other to yield ground to his superiour Strength whereby the Trunk being turn'd aside he is forc'd by endeavouring to disengage himself to expose his Side and Flank to his Enemy who fails not to hit him there goring him with his Tooth as Bulls do with their Horns But it came to pass that Ptolomy's Elephants for the most part wanted Courage to stand the Shock and as the Elephants of Libya who can neither endure the Smell nor Braying of those of India so these frighted at the Strength and Size of the others turn'd their backs before they came near them putting Ptolomy's Regiment of Guards into disorder who were drawn up behind them upon whom they fell In the interim Antiochus leading about his Battalion of Guards and getting before the Elephants charg'd Polycrates at the head of the Horse and at the same time the Mercenary Greeks who were posted near the Phalanx advanc'd against Ptolomy's Buckler-men whose Order had been already broken by the Elephants The Left-Wing of Ptolomy's Army being by this means worsted turn'd their backs and betook them to flight but Echecrates who commanded in the Right and stood waiting to see the issue of the Dispute between the two Points whereof we have been speaking observing a thick Cloud of Dust drive towards him and perceiving their Elephants would do nothing commanded Phoxidas who led the Greek Mercenaries to advance and charge those that were oppos'd to him while he led the Horse about and charge those that were posted behind the Elephants and were cover'd by those Animals whereupon attacking the Enemies Horse in Flank and Reer they put them to flight Nor was Phoxidas and those with him less fortunate who falling on the Medes and Arabs had the like success Thus the Right-Wing of Antiochus beat and the Left was beaten and now albeit the Phalanxes on either side were depriv'd of their Points they remain'd however entire and held their Order attending betwixt Hope and Fear the Event Antiochus we observ'd where he fought on the Right had the better but Ptolomy retiring into the Phalanx and appearing in view of both the Armies much discourag'd the Enemy and gave new Heart to his own People to prosecute the Battel insomuch that Andromachus and
will be found not only capable and insufficient in things that are divers but in the self-same things we shall see him Wise and Weak Brave and a Coward by fits Nor is there any thing new in what we remark on this Subject or remote from common Observation and Experience if we but consider with attention Some Men in heat of the Chace will boldly attack a wild Beast and do as bravely in single Combats yet cannot endure the dangers of a Battel and are not to be trusted in any Solemn Occasion in the Field Thus the Thessalian Horse are not to be broken or resisted when form'd into a Body in a Line of Battel but singly and Man to Man they are but a slight People The contrary whereof is found of the Aetolians The Candiots are wonderful in their way by Sea and Land their Dexterity in Ambushes Piracies Surprizes attempts by Night and beating up of Quarters and in short in every thing that requires Subtilty and Address wherein they are superiour to all others But in a pitch'd Field they are hardly to be brought to look an Enemy in the Face While it is found quite otherwise with the Achaians and Macedonians We have taken occasion of this Digression to the end the Credit of our History may undergo no blemish with the Reader when he shall chance to find the Characters of the same Men so inconsistent with themselves and see them acting different Parts on the same Subject After the Achaians pursuant to the Decree had assembled all their able Men for the Service of the War the Messenians repeated their Supplications by their Deputies that they might not be abandon'd to the Mercy of the Enemy and declar'd their willingness to be admitted into the League but the Achaian Ministers demurr'd to the receiving them into the Confederacy without the Concurrence first obtain'd of King Philip and the rest of the Allies For the general Treaty that was made by the procurement of Antigonus during the Reign of Cleomenes between the Achaians Epirots Phocians and Macedonians Boeotians Arcadians and Thessalians had been continu'd yet without infraction Nevertheless the Messenians had leave to hope that as soon as their Troops were form'd a supply of Succours should be given them on condition they sent the Sons of their Principal Citizens to be kept as Hostages at Lacedaemon whereby to give Security to the Allies that they should not come to any Accord with the Aetolians without their Concurrence The Lacedaemonians were at this time with an Army on the Frontiers of the Megalopolitans pursuant to the Conditions of the Treaty but in effect more to observe from thence the Event of these Agitations than to act the part of honest Allies And now the Affairs of the Messenians being concluded Aratus sent to the Aetolians to let them know what had been determin'd to require them to depart out of the Territory of Messenia and not to march into Achaia on peril of being treated as Enemies When Scopas and Dorimachus had receiv'd this Resolution of the Achaians and understood they were now in Arms and drawn together at the place of Rendezvous they concluded together that it was their best course to yield to their Demands and thereupon dispatch'd Messengers to Cyllene and to Ariston the Aetolian Praetor desiring them to take up all the Merchant Vessels they could procure in those parts and send them with expedition to the Island of Phlias where they were to attend further Orders In the mean time the Aetolian Army two days after took their march with their Plunder taking their way towards the Eleans For with that People they had preserv'd a fast Friendship thereby to keep their Passage open to invade and spoil the Peloponnesians Aratus confiding too easily on the Aetolians so quickly executing what they seem'd to promise dismiss'd the Achaians and Lacedaemonians and march'd himself towards Patroea with only three Thousand Foot and three Hundred Horse to whom were joyn'd the Troops of Taurion Dorimachus and Scopas receiving intelligence in the mean time that Aratus was in their Neighbourhood with an Army and fearing lest they should be attack'd at their Embarking and being well enough dispos'd to have the War continue dispatch'd away their Booty to the Fleet under a good Guard with Orders to make Sail to Rhium with their Cargo and there to attend as if it had been their purpose to Embark there When they themselves after they had a while march'd after their Plunder the better to secure it and observing every where as they went the disposition of the Country turn'd off and march'd towards Olympia As soon as they had the news of Aratus and Taurion's being in the Territory of Clitoria with the Troops we mention'd they then concluded they should not be able to Embark at Rhium without Danger or a Battel And therefore were of Opinion that their best course was to endeavour to come to Action as soon as they could before the Enemy should be reinforc'd with more Troops and while they continu'd secure and without any apprehension of a surprize For they reckon'd that if they could be able to put them into the least disorder they should then compass their Retreat without difficulty with the Spoils and Plunder they had taken and before the States of Aetolia could come to the Assembly or in case the Enemy terrify'd with the suddenness of the Attempt should refuse Battel they should then likewise not fail of gaining their Passage according to their own desire With these Thoughts they held on their march till they arriv'd near Methydrium in the Territory of Megalopolis where they incamp'd And now albeit the Achaian Generals were well aware of the Enemies approach yet they conducted their Affairs with so little forecast that they may be said to have neglected no one thing that might avail to perfect the Character of Folly and Insufficiency For in short as soon as they had quitted the Frontiers of the Clitorians they came and incamp'd near Caphya and when the Enemy on their moving from Methydrium took their March by Orchomenus the Achaians drew out and appear'd in Battel in the Fields of Caphya being defended on one side by the River that runs through that Country After the Aetolians had well consider'd the Ground that the Enemy was advantageously posted that they had cut many Trenches along the Bank of the River whereby it was hardly any where passable and after they had farther remark'd a strong desire in them to come to Blows they upon deliberate Thoughts concluded it their safest course to avoid a Battel contrary to their first Determination continuing therefore in good Order they march'd on taking their way towards Oligyrtus keeping the high Grounds And thought they should gain a great Point at that time if they could compass their Passage without molestation or being oblig'd to give the Enemy Battel After Aratus and Taurion had staid till they saw the Van of the Aetolian Army to have now