by the Syrians reigned over them 23 years But Antiochus Asiaticus and his Brother both of them the Sons of King Antiochus the Pious reigned over part of Syria of which Tigranes could not make himself Master They went to Rome to Petition for the Kingdom of Egypt which belonged to Setene their Mother and themselves too and continued their Suit for two years together Tigranes put Setene Sirnamed Cleopatra to Death in Prison and by this means the Title which Antiochus Asiaticus had to the Kingdom of Egypt and to part of Syria fell to the Ground In several Engagements Tigranes was defeated by Lucullus the Roman Consul who was Governor of the Province of Cilicia After this Pompey marched to Tigranes who was so much terrified at the very sight of him that he quitted his Diadem and with a great deal of Submission and Respect yielded himself to Pompey But he mov'd with Compassion put the Diadem again upon his Head re-established him in his Kingdom of Armenia upon certain Articles and made Syria a Roman Province This happened in the year of the World 3885 before Christ 64. Anno Vrbis Romae Conditae 688. 87 Having thus given you a short Account of the Kings of Syria from Seleucus the immediate Successor of Alexander the Great in that part of his Conquests down to Tigranes we shall in the next place give you a List of the Kings which reigned in Asia Minor who possessed another part of Alexander's Conquests Sect. 3. The Kings of Asia Minor or Pergamos PErgamos a City of Mysia situated on the River Caica in Asia Minor was the Capital City of a great State called The Kingdom of Pergamos which began about the year of the World 3634 before Christ 316 years It had eight Kings and lasted the space of 188 years Years of the World Years before Christ. 3634. 1. Antigonus one of Alexander's Captains who had Asia Minor for his Share marched against Eumenes routed and killed him being betrayed by his Veteranâ— Soldiers At last Antigonus was routed and slain by Seleucus King of Syria and Casander King of Macedonia He reigned 15 years 316 3649. 2. Demetrius his Son succeeded his Father Antigonus and reigned 15 years He was expelled Asia won Macedon but was expelled thence taken by Seleucus and within 3 years after died 301 3666. 3. Next after him succeeded Philaterus Intendant of the Finances of Lâ—simachus King of Thrace against whom he rebelled and became King of Pergamos in the 16th year of his Age over which he reigned 20 years 282 3688. 4. Eumenes succeeded his Brother Philaterus and reigned about 21 years He subdued several small Places round about Pergamos and defeated the Army of Antiochus the Son of Seleuchus near Sardes At last he died by immoderate Drinking 262 3709. 5. Attalus Nephew to Philaterus succeeded Eumenes and reigned 44 years 'T is said that he governed with so much Prudence and managed his Treasures so thriftily that his Subjects freely conferred on him the Title of King which his Predecessors presumed not to take up thô they did hold the Quality and Grandeur of One. He defeated the Gauls contrary to all Expectation At last he fell sick at Thebes and was removed thence to Pergamos where he died in a good old Age being about 72 years old 241 3753. 6. Eumenes II. the eldest Son of Attalus succeeded him and reigned 40 years His three Brothers Attalus Phileterus and Atheneus bore so much Respect as well as Love to the King their Brother that they becames his Life-Guards 197 3793. 7. Attalus II. Sirnamed Philadelphus succeeded his Brother Eumenes and reigned about 21 years He drove Orophernes and Demetrius Soter out of Cappadâ—cia and fully re-established Ariarathes in his Kingdom He was conquered by Prusias King of Bithynia who entred Pergamos robbed the Staâ—ues of the Gods and rifled the Temples Upon this Attaâ—us sent his Brother Atheneus to Rome to complain thereof to the Senate who ordered Prusias to forbear warring against Attalus Pâ—usias slighted the Orders of the Senate burnt the Temples made great Havock in the Neighbouring Countries and defied Attalus who had shut himself up in Pergamos The Senate sent a third time Ambassadors to make up a Peace between him and Attalus which at last was effected This Attalus was a great Friend to the Romans and a constant Favourer of Learned Men at length Peace and Idleness corrupted and spoiled this good Man who left his Kingdom to Attalus Philometor his Nephew 157 3813. 8. Attalus III. Sirnamed Philometor the last King of Pergamos succeeded his Uncle and reigned only 5 years He was a very cruel Prince put his nearest Relations and dearest Friends to Death not so much as sparing his Mother or his Wife In the Second Year of his Reign he retired into the inmost Parts of his Palace where he dressed himself in a very mean Habit let his Beard and Hair grow without cutting never appeared in Publick led a Life exempt from all manner of Pleasures and seemed to inflict a Punishment upon himself for the Crimes he had been guilty of Having thus quitted the Administration of the Government he dug in his Garden sowed Seeds and by an extravagant sort of Humour laid out his greatest Care in cultivating Venemous Plants such as Henbane Hellebore Hemlock Aconite c. He extracted the Juice and Liquor and gathered the Seeds of them of which he made a great many dangerous Presents to his Friends He became so skilful in the Art of Botany especially in whatever related to the Manuring of Plants that he composed a very curious Book upon that Subject wherein as Varro relates he set down the Season of Sowing and of Gathering the Seeds of Plants He applied himself to Founding of Metals became a great Master in that Art cast several Figures and made use of them in raising a Mausoleum to the Memory of his Mother At last being too eagerly set upon these sort of Exercises which exposed him continually to the Heat of the Sun or the Furnace he was seized with a violent Feaver and died on the seventh day of his Illness 137 Eudemius of Pergamus carried the Last Will and Testament of Attalus to Rome and gave the Diadem of the Kingdom and the Royal Robe to Tiberius Gracchus Tribune of the People By this Will Attalus made the People of Rome his Heir Populus Romanus bonorum haeres esto The Romans finding by their Common Law that his Kingdom was a part of his Demeans seiz'd thereon by virtue of these Words Let the People of Rome be the Heirs of my Demeans There was some Fault found with the Romans for putting such a Construction on his Will but having the Power in their own Hands they made it to be a good Title In this City it was that they first dressed Sheep-skins and of them made Parchment whereon they wrote before the Invention of Paper and hence came the Name of Parchment called in Latin Charta Pergamena CHAP. V. Of the
of the River Indus At Susa he married Statira the eldest Daughter of Darius and bestowed the youngest on his Friend Hephestion 3626. Some time after he left Susa and went to Ecbatane where he spent whole Days and Nights in Riot and Excess His Friend Hephestion died there of a Debauch in Drinking Alexander caused the Physician who had tended on this Favourite in his Sickness to be hang'd To divert the Grief he conceived at the Death of his dear Hephestion he carried on the War against the Cosseans He subdued them in the space of 40 Days thô they fled under the Covert of Mountains and were never conquered by the Kings of Persia. Afterwards he made his Army pass Tigris and marched towards Babylon The Caldean Astrologers met him and advised him not to go thither for it would be fatal to him but slighting their Advice he went thither and was received with great Shouts and Acclamations of Joy He built in Babylon a Dock capable of containing 1000 Sail of Ships and embarking on the River Euphrates he visited Arabia It was then that he laughed at the Caldeans saying He entred Babylon and went out of it again without any harm done him Thus in the height of his Confidence he sailed about the Lakes of Arabia 324 3627. And upon his return to Babylon gave himself wholly to his Pleasures and especially to immoderate Drinking The Journal of his Life represents him in his last Days as a Man drenched in Drunkenness and who did nothing but Eat drink and Sleep Potavit perpotavit crapulam edormiit solito more crapulam decoxit One day as he was offering Sacrifices to the Gods for the Victories he had gained he feasted himself and his Friends drank very hard and carried on the Debauch till late at Night When the King returned from this Feast a Physician of Thessalia invited him and his Company to come and drink at his House The King accepted the Offer and carried twenty of his Friends along with him There was in the Company one Proteas a Macedonian who was a great Drinker the King and this Man challenged each other to drink and at last the fatal Bowl came into his Hands which he drank off and with it his Death Some say there was Poison in that Bowl others that it was his immoderate and excessive Drinking which was the cause of that violent Fever which immediately seized him and within a few days hastened his End He died in the flower of his Age being but 33 years old and was equally lamented both by Greeks and Persians Sisygambis who survived all the Misfortunes of her own Family yet broke her Heart at the News of his Death And thus have we given you a summary Account of the Birth Education Rise Growth Heighth and Fall of this once Great Man We have briefly described what he did before and what he did after he became the Vniversal Monarch of Asia and as he thought of the whole World Considering the Extent and Largeness of his Conquests and the short space of Time he took up in effecting them we may see with what Reason the Prophet Daniel compared him to a Flying Leopard You see that within the compass of a very few years he added to his Petty Kingdom of Macedon Thrace Greece Egypt part of Arabia and of Africa Syria Pamphylia the two Phrygia's Caria Lydia Paphlagonia Assyria Susiana Drangiana Arachosia Gedrosia Aria Bactriana Sogdiana Parthia Hircania Armenia Persia Babylonia Mesopotamia and India But at last in the midst of all his Glory in the very centre of his Conquests he was cut off by an untimely Death and thô he boasted himself to be descended of the Gods and was adored by his Flatterers as One yet he found his Mistake perceived he was but a Mortal Man and that he must die like the rest of the Petty Princes whom he had conquered By him fell the Grecian Monarchy too after it had lasted about 6 years and 10 months For after his Death his Conquests were cantoned among his Captains each seizing on what Share thereof he could At first 't is said the Provinces were divided among thirty of them But at last they were reduced to four Principalities under four Princes Ptolemy had Egypt for his Share Seleucus reigned at Babylon and in Syria Cassander became Master of Greece and Macedonia And Antigonus had Asia Minor for his Part. The Reign and Successors of Ptolemy King of Egypt and the Reign and Successors of Cassander King of Macedonia we shall not treat of here since they belong more properly to another Place where in two distinct Chapters we shall be more particular in speaking to them In this Chapter we shall only give you an Account of the Successors of Alexander the Great who reigned in Syria and in Asia Minor Sect. 2. The Kingdom of the Syrians This Kingdom began under Seleucus Ninacor in the Year of the World 3633 before Christ 317 and lasted about 253 Years to the Year of the World 3886 at which time it was made a Roman Province by Pompey BEfore we give an Account of its Kings it may be proper to give you a short Description of the Country Syria formerly was a large Country in Asia including Assyria Mesopotamia Babylonia Phenicia and Palestina and it has oft been taken for the same with Assyria Some extended its Bounds as far as the Euxine Sea and hence we read of several Syria's in Holy Writ But if we cut off Assyria Mesopotamia and Babylonia from it then Syria is bounded on the North by the Mountain of Amanus which parts it from Armenia On the East by Mesopotamia from which 't is parted by the River Euphrates On the South by Arabia Petrea And on the West by part of Egypt the Phenician Sea Cilicia and a small part of the Mountain Amanus It is at present called Souria or Soristen is one of the finest Champain Countries in the World and abounds with pleasant Pastures Damascus was the Capital City of Syria which became a great Kingdom when the Empire of Alexander the Great was after his Death divided among his Generals Years of the World Years before Christ. 3633. 1. Seleucus Nicanor was the first King of the Syrians He was at first made General of the Cavalry afterwards became Master of Babylonia and Antigonus Master of Susiana 317 This Seleucus being assisted by Ptolemy the Son of Lagus by Cassander and Lysâ—machus defeated Antigonus who was the first King of Asia after the Death of Alexander He conquered India put Demetrius Poliorcetes to death in a Prison and killed Lisymachus in an Engagement Iustin tells us that the Seleucides were all born with the print of an Anchor on their Thigh And Historians say that never any Father loved his Children so passionately as this Seleucus for the Proof of which they relate this notable Instance His Son Antiochus fell sick of a violent Passion for his Mother-in-Law Stratonice Erasistratus his Physician perceiving it went
the Maccabees After this Demetrius raised Forces against Alexander but was defeated and killed by him By this means Alexander was established in the Kingdom of Syria over which he reigned 6 years 151 Demetrius the eldest Son of Demetrius Soter being willing to revenge the Death of his Father and to regain his Kingdom had great Success therein Apollonius join'd with him and was sent by Demetrius into Iudea to fight the Iews who were in League with Alexander Ionathan and Simon engaged him several times At last Alexander ravaged Syria Ptolemy Philopator and Demetrius marched against him where Ptolemy was wounded in the Engagement Within a few days after Alexander was killed by his Domesticks and Ptolemy upon the sight of his Head died for Joy 3805. 12. Demetrius Nicanor became at last sole King of Syria and suffered the Iews to live very peaceably Ionathan laid Siege to the Fortress of Ierusalem and Demetrius sent to have him come to him and give him an Account of that Action Ionathan still continued the Siege and pacified Demetrius by his Presents 145 No sooner had Demetrius Nicanor disbanded his old Forces having as he thought no further Occasion for them but Tryphon laid hold on the Opportunity to make young Antiochus Sirnamed the Divine King who was the Son of Alexander He endeavoured to make Ionathan his Friend who did him great Services 3807. 13. Antiochus the Divine set up by Tryphon but afterwards the latter being minded to be King himself instead of Antiochus and being afraid Ionathan should oppose him in his Designs surpriz'd and killed him Simon is Elected in his Place to be both General of the Army and High-Priest He several times defeated Tryphon who that he might the more easily usurp the Regal Dignity killed Antiochus 143 3809. 14. Tryphon the Vsurper In his time Demetrius Nicanor marched with his Forces into Media to strengthen himself against Tryphon where he was taken Prisoner by the General of the Army of the King of Persia and Media At last the Soldiers could not away with Tryphon and went over to Cleopatra the Wife of Demetrius who surrender'd her self and her Army to her Brother Antiochus Sedetes 141 3812. 15. Antiochus Sedetes took the Government upon him and reigned about 10 years He at first made a League with Simon the High-Priest and afterwards very dishonourably broke it sending Cendebeus against him whilst he went in pursuit of Tryphon who retired into Apamea which being taken he was killed there Simon the High-Priest being very old sent his Sons against Cendebeus who beat him This only served to foment the Jealousy of his Son-in-Law Ptolemy against the Father and his Children who killed the Father and two of his Sons in a Feast to which he had invited them In the Eighth Year of the Reign of Antiochus Sedetes there happened an Earthquake at Antioch at 10 a clock in the morning on February the 21st After this Antiochus with his Army were cut off in Parthia which gave way for his Brother Demetrius to remount the Throne 138 3822. Demetrius Nicanor reassumed the Throne after his return from the Parthians where he had been Prisoner But he had debauched himself so much among the Parthians and grew by his Pride so intolerable that neither his Soldiers nor his Subjects could endure him but chose themselves another King 128 16. Alexander Zebenna was the Man they Elected who was the Son of a certain great Merchant Demetrius was abandoned by all Men fled from one Country to another and at last was assassinated as he was going into a Ship But some say he was killed by his Wife Cleopatra Zebenna in his Prosperity proved ungrateful to his Friends and forgot his old Benefactor Ptolomy Physicon who had set him upon the Throne Ptolomy by way of Revenge assisted Antiochus Gryphus against him who defeated put him to flight and afterwards killed him 3826. 17. Antiochus Gryphus reigned 8 years very prosperously and all Syria enjoyed a profound Peace His Mother Cleopatra offended at her Son 's good Fortune upon his return from the War he had successfully ended against Zebenna presented him with a Glass full of rank Poison He excused himself out of Compliment and his Mother still urged him to drink it off At last he frankly told her That he was informed of her ill Will towards him and that she could not clear her Innocence better than by drinking up what she was so civil to offer him Upon this she was forced to drink off what she had prepared for her Son and so was poisoned Antiochus Cyzicenus declared War against his Brother Gryphus but was defeated by him 3835. 18. Antiochus Cyzicenus had the Fortune at last to defeat his Brother Gryphus who fled away and was turned out of his Kingdom which his Brother became Master of But no sooner was he King but he gave himself up to all manner of Pleasures and Debaucheries He associated with none but Comedians Buffoons Jugglers and Fencers He applied himself very seriously to the making of Puppets dance and became so great a Master in that Mechanical Art that he could make Figures of Birds to fly and run along as if they were natural 115 3856. 19. Seleuchus the Son of Antiochus Gryphus having raised Forces declared War against his Uncle Antiochus Cyzicenus They came to an Engagement wherein Antiochus was defeated His Horse carried him into the Enemies Camp and he for fear of being taken alive killed himself 92 3860. 20. Antiochus the Pious the Son of Antiochus Cyzicenus having escaped the Ambuscades which his Uncle had laid for him declared War against him after he had taken upon him the Diadem at Arada Seleucus was routed beaten out of all Syria and fled into Cilicia He was received there by the Mopseates who being enraged by the extravagant Contributions which Seleucus raised upon them burnt him in his Palace with two of his Friends Upon this Antiochus and Philip two Twin-Brothers of Seleucus in revenge of his Death besieged Mopsuesta took it by Storm and demolished it Antiochus the Pious marched against them and defeated them Antiochus was drowned in a River as he fled away and his Brother Philip reigned together with Antiochus the Pious and afterwards they endeavoured by War to decide which of the two should be sole Master 90 3861. 21. Demetrius Euceres the Son of Antiochus Gryphus was seated upon the Throne of Damascus by Ptolemy Lathurus But Antiochus the Pious opposed the new King being assisted by his Brother Philip's Forces Iosephus says that Antiochus the Pious was killed in a Battel against the Parthians 89 22. Philip and Demetrius Euceres both of them the Sons of Gryphus became Masters of the Kingdom of Syria Thus for these last years the Seleucides raising continual Commotions with each other for the Crown were at length cut off in several Battels The Syrians offended at these Disturbances called in Tigranes King of Armenia and submitted to his Government 3863. 23 Tigranes called in
was I then 'T is certain that about this time Alexander abandon'd himself to Luxury Pleasures Debaucheries and other Effeminacies of the Persians He put Philotus and his Father Parmenio to Death upon suspicion of being guilty of High-Treason His good old Soldiers the Macedonians being jealous that their old Greek Customs would be abolished found great fault at his Proceedings and took the liberty to Censure him for causing himself to be called the Son of Iupiter To divert which he drew them out to another Battel and ordered them to march against Satibar-Zenes Governor of the Arians who had revolted 3621. This year Alexander marched into the Country of the Arismaspians a People of Arachosia whom he subdued as well as the Inhabitants of Parapamisa He passed the Mountain of Caucasus in 17 days became Master of Bactriana of which he made Artabazus Governor Afterwards with a Flying Army he entred Sogdiana which is part of Tartary But Water being scarce in that place himself and Army had like to have perished for Thirst. 329 About this time they brought Bessus the Murderer of Darius to Alexander who stripp'd him naked loaded him with very heavy Chains caused his Ears and Nose to be cut off and referred him to the farther Vengeance of Oxiatres Brother of Darius whom Alexander affectionately loved By him he was crucified and then quartered alive in the same place where he had killed the King his Master 3622. Alexander marched against the King of the Scythians who lived on the other side the River Tanais He engaged the Army of that Barbarian defeated and put it to flight From thence he went to Marakand and reduced all the Rebels who had taken up Arms against him in Sogdiana whither the King of the Scythians sent Ambassadors to him Here it was that Alexander in his Drink killed his dear Friend Clitus the Occasion of which was this Alexander gave a Treat to all his Chief Commanders and in the midst of his Cups began to extoll his own Actions and to depretiate those of his Father Philip. The young Generals were very well pleas'd to hear such fine Things but the old Commanders who had served under King Philip were offended at the Discourse Among the latter was this Clitus who being a frank and sincere Man could not flatter the King in his Vanity but check'd him for his Ambition and Ingratitude Which provoked the King so far that he rose from his Seat and would have stabb'd him with his Lance in the very Room if he had not been hindred from it by several who stood by But Alexander still intent upon Revenge followed Clitus and stabb'd him with a Spear that he took from one of the Centries who was then sleeping The next day when the Fumes of Wine were evaporated and the King saw Clitus weltring in his Gore his Grief was so great that he had killed himself if he had not been prevented by those who attended him He kept his Chamber fasted and mourned for 4 Days together but at last was reconciled to himself through the Importunity of some of his old Courtiers who brought a great many fine Arguments to perswade him that he had killed Clitus justly 328 3623. Alexander continued enlarging his Conquests ravaged and raised Contributions from all the Provinces round about Oxiatres Cohortanus Governor of a small Territory invited him to a splendid Treat to which Alexander made several of his Friends go and invited them to marry the fairest Daughters of these Barbarians himself leading an Example in marrying Roxana the Daughter of Oxiatres an extraordinary Beauty And now he resolved on attempting the Conquest of India and issued forth such Orders as he thought necessary for so great a Design 327 About this time it was that the King gave Ear to his Flatterers and would be adored as a God Calisthenes the Philosopher the Kinsman and Disciple of Aristotle took the freedom to blame him for it but was afterwards cast into Prison where he died in Torments He was accused under a pretence of being an Associate in the Conspiracy against the King's Life for which Hermolaus had been put to Death before Alexander leaving Bactriana marched into India intending to push on his Conquests to the Eastern Sea that so his Empire might have no other Bounds than what the World had He besieged and took Nisa situated at the foot of the Mountain Meros which was consecrated to Bacchus where the petty Kings of India waited upon him and did him Homage He received them honourably and made use of them as Guides to direct him in those unknown Countries He marched to Mazâ—ga the chief Town of Assaceni which Queen Cleophis held out against him with 30000 Men. There he received a Wound by the shot of an Arrow and the extremity of his Pain made him cry out They call me the Son of Jupiter but at last I find my self to be no more than a Man He took this great City and Cleophis with a great Train of Ladies waiting upon the Conqueror to implore his Clemency was re-established in her Estates After this he stormed several Cities passed the River Indus and very civilly received a Neighbouring King named Omphis who came to surrender both himself and his Army to his Service Abisarius a Potent Prince whose Territories lay on the other side Hydaspes sent his Ambassadors to assure him That he was ready to put himself and Kingdom under his Protection In the midst of these Successes Alexander sent to King Porus willing him in way of Acknowledgment to bring him Contribution-money and to meet him upon the Frontiers of his Dominions to which Porus very haughtily replied That he would give him the Meeting at the Head of his Army But he was convinced of his Error for his Army was defeated and himself taken Prisoner Alexander being affected at the Misfortune of this King and admiring his Courage restored his Kingdom to him and made him one of his Friends This Defeat of Porus opened the way for the Conqueror to proceed further into India several of whose Provinces he subdued 3624. This year Alexander took the City of Oxydraca by Storm where he himself was the first who entred He was dangerously wounded by the shot of an Arrow which pierced his Armour and went into his Body He made War with other People and subdued the Musicani who inhabit the more Southerly Parts of the River Indus He caused their King to be hanged because he had falsified his Word From thence he passed into Pathalia where the King of that Country waited upon him and offered him all his Kingdom 3625. This year having conquered all he could by Land he lanched out into the Ocean to see if there were any more Provinces left for him to conquer He returned back by the way he came embarked upon Euphrates and Tigris with a Design to go into the Persian Sea in search of the Heads of that River hoping he might discover them as he did those
and told Seleucus that his Son's Distemper was Incurable How so said the King Because reply'd the Physician he is in love with my Wife Ah! said Seleucus to him I know you are more my Friend than to let my Son die and to hinder him from marrying your Wife Pray Sir replied Erasistratus were it your Case would you let him have yours Ay Ay said the King and all my Dominions to boot if his Life could not be saved without it Upon this the Physician unravelled the whole Mystery to him and told him in plain terms that Stratonice was the Person whom he so passionately lov'd Seleucus was as good as his Word called the People together and made a very pathetical Speech to them that they might not be surprized at such an unusual kind of Marriage For thô he had already a Son by his dear Stratonice yet he made no scruple to marry her to Antiochus his eldest Son and not a Man opposed it Thô this Complaisance was very irregular yet none can deny but Seleucus was a very great Prince He was killed by Ptolemy after he had reigned about 35 years 3668. 2. Antiochus Soter succeeded his Father and reigned about 12 years 282 3680. 3. Antiochus Theos the Son of Antiochus Soter and Stratonice reigned about 24 years His Sirname of Theos was given him by the Milesians because he had freed them from the Tyranny of Timarchus He was poisoned by Laodicea one of his Wives whom he had put away and afterwards recalled to Court 270 3704. 4. Seleucus Callinicus or Poron succeeded his Father and reigned about 20 years He died with a fall off his Horse This King aided by the Gauls engaged in a long War against Antiochus Hierax 246 3723. 5. Seleucus Seraunus succeeded his Father and reigned 3 years He was poisoned in Phrygia by his Lieutenant-Generals as he was marching to make War against Attalus 227 3726. 6. Antiochus the Great succeeded his Brother Seleucus being sent for from Babylon by the Aâ—my which was then encamped in Syria that so he might take Possession of the Kingdom He reigned about 36 years He was engaged in a War against several Nations First he waged War against Ptolemy Philopator King of Egypt was beat by him and sued for a Peace which Ptolemy very generously granted him Afterwards he carried on a War against the Romans by whom he was always worsted so that at last he was obliged to sue for a Peace This King likewise routed Malon received Hannibal invaded Greece and was defeated by Glabrio At last having his Treasures drained by these unsuccessful Wars to fill them up again he resolved upon rifling the Temple of Iupiter in Elimais but he was killed in the Attempt by the People of the Place Before his Death he nominated his Son Seleucus Philopator for his Successor 224 3763. 7. Seleucus Philopator succeeded his Father and reigned about 12 years He did little because the ill Successes of his Father against the Romans had exhausted his Kingdom This is that Seleucus mentioned in the Second Book of Maccabees where 't is said of him that because of the Respect which he bore to the High-Priest Onias he supplied the Temple with its necessary Sacrifices every year However Daniel stiles him Vilissimus indignus Decore Regio i. e. The basest and the worst of Men not worthy of the Royal Diadem 187 About the end of his Reign he was prevailed upon to send Heliodorus to rifle the Treasures belonging to the Temple of Ierusalem and it may be very well affirmed that his Weakness was the cause of those Troubles and Seditions which afterwards happened both in Church and State He was at last killed by Heliodorus 3775. 8. Antiochus Epiphanes or the Illustrious who had been carried to Rome as an Hostage after the Defeat of his Father Antiochus the Great made his Escape thence at the end of 3 years and Demetrius the Son of Seleucus was sent thither in his stead As soon as Antiochus was returned into Syria Heliodorus who would fain have been King killed Seleucus But Eumenes and Attalus outed Heliodorus and left Antiochus the Illustrious in quiet Possession of the Kingdom of Syria who reigned over it about 12 years He took away the High-Priesthood from Onias who was a Man of excellent Piety and bestowed it on the Impious Iason his Brother and the next year he took it again from Iason and bestowed it on his Brother Menalaus who gave more Money than the former for it Two years after this a Rumour being spread that Antiochus died in his Expedition against Egypt Iason raised great Disturbances in Ierusalem which caused Antiochus after he had defeated the Egyptians to exercise unheard-of Cruelties in Iudea and to carry away all their Treasures Afterwards Antiochus sent Apollonius into Iudea who one Sabbath-day killed a whole Congregation who were got together to offer Sacrifice Some say that he sent Lysias Gorgian Timotheus and other Commanders against the Iews who were all routed by Iudas Maccabeus Much about this time it was that this Iudas retired into the Wilderness choosing to live upon Herbs rather than defile himself with those prophane Meats which in all Parts were then sacrificed But at last Antiochus hastening out of Persia to Ierusalem with a Design to cut off all the Iews of that Place fell out of his Chariot bruised his whole Body and died of a loathsome Disease 175 3786. 9. Antiochus Eupator succeeded his Father and reigned about 2 years Lysias according to some but Philip according to others governed his Kingdom made a Peace with Iudas Maccabeus which was soon after violated About this time it was that Eleazar having assaulted an Elephant upon which he supposed the King was killed the Beast and was crushed to Death by the fall of him 164 Antiochus having taken Bethsura went against Ierusalem and made a Peace with the Iews but it being broke he caused the Walls to be demolished led away Menalaus along with him whom he put to Death as the Cause of all the War and put Alcimus into his Place 3788. 10. Demetrius Soter the Son of Seleucus Philopator having made his Escape from Rome came to Antioch put Antiochus and Lysias to Death and when he was King sent Bacchides into Iudea with Alcimus to whom he promised the High-Priesthood He afterwards sent thither Nicanor who made a League with Iudas Maccabeus but he having broke it was soon after killed by Nicanor This Demetrius reigned about 11 years 162 The People of Antioch rebelling against Demetrius took a young Man named Alexander who was said to be the Son of Antiochus the Illustrious and being assisted by the Neighbouring Kings set him upon the Throne 3799. 11. Alexander Epiphanes or Balas becoming Master of Ptolemais sent to Ionathan to make a League with him and settled him in the High-Priesthood which had been vacant 7 years and a half by the Death of Alcimus This Ionathan was the first High-Priest of the Race of
himself in Prison The other Eight banished themselves This year the Consuls warred so successfully against the Aequi Volsci and Sabines as to deserve a Triumph Within 3 years after the Romans obtained another signal Victory over the Aequi and Volsci And now the Tribunes being more turbulent than ever nothing would satisfie them but the passing two Laws the one for permitting Marriages between Patritians and Plebeians and the other for making the Plebeians capable of the Consulship The first was passed but as an Expedient for the other it was proposed That six Governors should be chosen with Consular Authority three Patritians and three Plebeians who were stiled Tribuni Militum i. e. Military Tribunes V. Period from the Creation of the Military Tribunes to the Burning of Rome by the Gauls lasted 54 Years Years of the World Years before Christ. 3508. The first Military Tribunes who were created were only three Patritians whose Office expired at the end of 8 weeks and Consuls created afresh This year two new Officers named Censors were chosen out of the Patritians to estimate Men's Estates and to inspect into the Lives and Manners of Men And the Romans gained a Victory over the Volsci leading Cluâ—ius their General in Triumph Within 3 years after Sp. Melius by his Bounty to the Poor affected to be King upon which Q. Cincinnatus was again made Dictator and chose Servilius Ahala for the Master of his Horse who slew Sp. Melius in the Forum The Tribunes enraged at the Death of their Friend Melius caused Military Tribunes to be created for one year The next year Consuls were again created and a War carried on against Tolumnius King of the Veientes to whom the Fidenates had revolted This War proved so dangerous at first that the Romans were forced to create a Dictator but they obtained a signal Victory over their Enemies Corn. Cossus a Tribune in the Army killing the King Tolumnius and obtaining the Opima Spolia which he offered to Iupiter 442 It would be too long to relate the particular Wars which the Romans had with their Neighbours the Volsci Aequi Fidenates and Veientes to tell you of the several Dictators made in this time and of the Change of the Government from Consuls to Military Tribunes from them to Consuls again which ever and anon happened We think it sufficient to recite some of the most memorable Passages of these Times The Questors were increased from Two to Four but a long time e're they could get any Plebeians to be chosen into that Office The Military Tribunes were increased first from Three to Four and then to Six but a considerable time before they could get any Plebeians into the Number In this Period of Time the Slaves conspired to fire the City and seize upon the Capitol but were discovered and executed The Romans proclaimed War against the Veientes besieged the City Veii which was taken after 10 years Siege by Camillus who won over the Falisci by his Generosity to yield to the Romans and was for little or no reason afterwards banished After this the Galli Senones entred Italy under the Command of Brennus invested Clusium broke up thence marched towards Rome defeated the Romans at the Battel of Allia entred Rome killed several of the Senators as they sat in their Robes in the Senate-House and burnt the City all but the Capitol which still held out against them VI. Period from the burning of Rome by the Gauls to the War with the Samnites lasted 46 Years Years of the World Years before Christ. 3562. After Rome was burnt the Gauls laid Siege to the Capitol which they were nigh taking by Surprize in the night had not the Romans discover'd the Assaulters by the Cackling of some Geese Camillus who had been banished laying aside his private Animosities returned to Rome at the Head of 40000 Ardeans and expelled the Gauls He perswaded the Romans who were for removing to Veji to fix at Rome and rebuild it M. Manlius who had before saved the Capitol was accused of Aiming at the Sovereign Power and was condemned to be thrown down the Tarpeian Rock which was accordingly executed In this Period several Dictators were created among the rest one to drive a Nail on the right side of Iupiter's Temple in the Capitol and two others for the Assembling the Comitia Centuriata for the Election of Consuls who were never known to be created upon the like Occasions before Within this time the Tribes were increased the Aediles Curules appointed publick Stage-Plays instituted to appease their Gods in a sore Plague several Battels fought successfully against the Gauls the Aequi Volsci and Hetrurians a Plebeian Dictator was created a Law made That one of the Consuls should be a Plebeian and the Military Tribunes were for ever laid aside 78 years after their first Creation 388 VII Period from the War with the Samnites to the Wars with Pyrrhus King of Epirus This Period takes up 63 Years Years of the World Years before Christ. 3608. Hitherto the Romans had only to do with their next Neighbours but now increasing in Strength and Power they ventured to engage the Warlike Samnites a People above 100 Miles off Rome The occasion of this War was the Samnites falling upon the Campanians who sent their Ambassadors to Rome to put themselves and their Country under the Protection of the Romans Upon this the two Consuls marched against them and after an obstinate Fight Valerius one of the Consuls defeated them in Campania whilst the other Consul Cornelius by his ill Conduct in Samnium had like to have lost the Victory which was retriev'd by the Boldness of P. Decius a Tribune in the Army After these Defeats the Samnites made Peace and became one of the Roman Allies 342 The next War which the Romans made was against the Latines who aided the Enemies of the Samnites then in Confederacy with Rome Against them Manlius Torquatus and P. Decius Mus were sent by the Senate who came to an Engagement with the Enemy wherein Decius one of the Consuls was killed and Manlius the other Consul gained the Victory Manlius returned in Triumph but was received by the old Men only the young Men refusing to do him that Honour because he had beheaded his own Son for charging the Enemy thô successfully contrary to his Orders The next Consuls warr'd against the Latines overthrew them and Publius the Plebeian Consul was afterwards made Dictator in which time he procured three remarkable Laws to be made At last the Latines were wholly subdued and brought to an entire Submission Within this Period Publius Philo formerly Consul and Dictator was made Praetor and was the first Plebeian who attained to that Honour Minutia a Vestal Virgin was buried alive for Incontinency the Romans fought the Sidicini and defeated them the Gauls threatned to attack the Romans upon which a Dictator was created 170 Women were put to Death for the Art of Poysoning upon which a Dictator was created to drive
memorable Actions against that King routed him and Tigranes King of Armenia often and in a short space reduced all Pontus except a few Places to the Romans About this time Spartacus the Gladiator having raised an Army of about 70000 Vagabonds and overthrown many of the Roman Commanders was conquered by Licinius Crassus the Proconsul in Apulia Whilst Lucullus was carrying on his Conquests over Mithridates and Tigranes Pompey was sent first to scour the Seas of the Pyrates who were sent out by Mithridates to infest the Italian Coasts which having done upon his return he was made Commander in Chief against Mithridates and his Allies Upon this he set upon his Expedition subdued Mithridates and Tigranes the latter of them made Peace with the Romans but the former being Deposed and made Prisoner by his Son Pharnaces got an honest Gaul to put an end to his Life Pompey marched against Darius the Median and Antiochus King of Syria for molesting the Roman Allies Afterwards he went into Iudea entred Ierusalem and made all Iewry Tributary to Rome At length he returned home loaded with Honour and Glory obtained a Triumph which lasted two days wherein appeared the Son of Tigranes with his Wife and Daughter Zozima the Wife of Tigranes himself Aristobulus King of Iudea the Sister of King Mithridates with her five Sons and some Ladies of Sâ—ythia Whilst Pompey was abroad a horrid Conspiracy was carried on at home by Catiline and his Accomplices which was discovered to Cicero the present Consul by Fulvia the Courtesan of Q. Curius one of the Plotters Upon this Catiline was banished several of the Conspirators apprehended and put to Death and the whole Plot was quashed by the Vigilance and Care of Cicero who was the first Man that was stiled the Father of his Country After these Disturbances Cesar who had been Questor and Aedile was made Pretor and afterwards attained the High-Priesthood Upon the expiring of his Pretorship he procured the Government of Spain prevailed upon Crassus a wealthy Man to be his Security for 830 Talents having run so far in Debt by his Profuseness returned to Italy stood for the Consulship and entred into a Combination with Pompey and Crassus who were stiled the first Triumvirate and managed the Affairs of Rome at their Discretion XV. Period from the First Triumvirate to the Dissolution of it by the Death of Crassus and Pompey and to the Perpetual Dictatorship of Cesar which takes in the time of 15 Years Years of the World Years before Christ. 3892. We are now arrived to that part of the Roman Affairs which make up a great part of their History but yet to keep to our proposed Brevity we shall relate only the principal Matters and that as briefly as possible The first Effect of this Triumvirate was the promoting Cesar to the Consulship one Bibulus being his Collegue As soon as Cesar was Cousul he confirmed all Pompey's Acts won the Commonalty over to him by preferring and enacting a Law for dividing certain Lands in Campania among such poor Citizens as had three Children or more procured the Province of Gaul to be assigned him for 5 years and accordingly at the end of his Consulship marched thither with four Legions 58 Before he went away he married his Daughter Iulia to Pompey procured his two Friends Gabinius and Piso to be made Consuls and Clodius one of the Tribunes In his Absence Cicero was banished by the Instigation of Clodius and Cato sent against Ptolemy King of Cyprus Cesar's first Enterprize was against the Helvetians whom he defeated and killed near 200000 of them After this he turned his Forces against Ariovistus King of Germany who had molested the Sequanians the Roman Allies had an Interview with him came to an Engagement and defeated him killing about 80000 Germans upon the Spot The next year Cesar marched against the Belgae who had confederated against the Romans gave them Battel defeated them and the rest bordering upon the Sea-Coast yielded After this he led his Army against the Nervians and cut them all in Pieces Upon the News of these Victories the Senate of Rome decreed a solemn Festival for 15 Days and this year Cicero was recalled from Banishment The next Spring Cesar designing for Italy sent out Servius Galba one of his Lieutenants against the Antuates Veragres and Seduni whom within a short time he defeated Soon after his return from Italy he marched against the Veneti and subdued them and about the latter end of the Campagn went against the Morini and Menapii but did nothing against them In the mean time Crassus and Sabinus two of his Lieutenants subdued the one the Sontiates and the other the Vnelli This Winter Cesar went to Italy took up his Head Quarters at Lucca where the Triumvirate entred upon new Measures and Pompey and Crassus being made Consuls continued Cesar five years longer in his Government in Gaul and assigned Syria and the Parthian War to Crassus and Africk and Spain to Pompey And by this time Cesar had got wherewithal to pay his Debts and make Presents to his Friends In the fourth year of Cesar's Expedition he fought an Army of Germans being 430000 strong defeated them entirely cast a Bridge over the Rhine relieved the Vbii returned and crossed the Seas to Britain made them submit and returned again to Gaul and reduced the Morini and Menapians The next year he crossed again into Britain gave them Battel defeated them and their General Cassivelan sent to him for a Treaty Upon his return into Gaul he relieved Q. Cicero one of his Lieutenants who was besieged by the Eburones The sixth Campagne Cesar reinforcing his Army with three Legions more and as many Auxiliaries as he could get subdued the Nervii Senones Carnutes and Menapii crossed the Rhine a second time marched against the Suevi turned his Arms against the Eburones returned to Gaul and put the Sicambri to flight who had set upon Cicero's Camp After this he fell afresh upon the Eburones and then called a Council in Gaul to punish all Revolters and for the supplying his Army with Necessaries Whilst Cesar was thus Successful in Gaul Crassus raised his Levies for the Parthian War in his Journey marched through Ierusalem rifled the Temple of its Treasure to the value of 10000 Talents fell upon the Parthians but was routed and killed by them Thus fell Crassus one of the Triumvirate and by this means gave rise to the Contests between the other two which soon after ensued Pompey kept at Rome and did all he could to lessen Cesar and to raise his own Esteem After the Death of Crassus great Contests happened in Rome Clodius was killed by his great Enemy Milo and Milo was banished to Marseilles Pompey was made Consul alone and afterwards took Scipio Metellus for his Collegue having lately married his Daughter Cornelia In the mean time Caesar carried on his Conquests in Gaul and in two years time compleated them He put in for the Consulship