not endure to hear Agis continually deploring the present state of Sparta and wishing she might be restor'd to her ancient Glory But on the other side Lysander the Son of Lybis Mandroclidas the Son of Ecphanes together with Agesilaus did not only approve his Design but assisted and confirm'd him in it Lysander had a great Authority and Credit with the People Mandroclidas was esteem'd the ablest Man of his Time to manage any Affair in the Grecian Assemblies and joyn'd with skill had a great degree of Boldness Agesilaus was the King's Uncle by the Mother's side an eloquent Man but covetous and voluptuous he was not mov'd by any Consideration of publick Good but rather seem'd to be perswaded to it by his Son Hypomedon whose Courage and signal Actions in War had gain'd him a high Esteem among the young Men of Sparta tho' indeed the true Motive was because he had many Debts and hop'd by this means to be freed from them As soon as Agis had prevail'd with his Uncle he endeavour'd by his mediation to gain his Mother also who being exceeding rich had by her many Creditors Friends and Followers a considerable Power in the City At the first proposal she was very averse and earnestly advis'd her Son not to engage in so difficult and so dangerous an Enterprise but Agesilaus endeavour'd to possess her that the thing was not so difficult as she imagin'd and that it might in all likelihood redound to the great Honour and Advantage of her Family The King her Son earnestly besought her not to decline assisting him in so glorious a Design he told her he cou'd not pretend to equal other Kings in Riches the very Followers and Servants of Seleucus or Ptolemy abounding more in Wealth than all the Spartan Kings put together but if by Vertue and greatness of Mind he cou'd out-do them and if by his means Sparta could be restor'd to her ancient Splendor he shou'd then be a great King indeed In conclusion the Mother and the Grandmother also were so taken with the young man's generous Ambition that they not only consented but were ready on all occasions to spur him on to a Perseverance and did engage with him not only the men with whom they had an Interest but the Women also knowing well that the Lacedoemonian Wives had always a great power with their Husbands who us'd to impart to them their State Affairs with greater freedom than the Women wou'd communicate with the Men in the private Business of their Families which was indeed one of the greatest Obstacles to this Design for the Money of Sparta being most of it in the Womens hands 't was their Interest to oppose it not only as depriving them of those superfluous Trifles in which through want of Vertue they plac'd their chief Felicity but also because they knew their Riches was the main support of their Power and Credit Those therefore who were of this Faction had recourse to Leonidas representing to him how it was his part as the elder and more experienc'd to put a stop to the ill-advised Projects of a rash young Man Leonidas tho' of himself sufficiently inclin'd to oppose Agis durst not openly for fear of the People who did manifestly favour him and were desirous of this Change but under-hand he did all he cou'd to incense the chief Magistrates against him and on all occasions craftily insinuated that Agis having design'd an arbitrary Government wou'd divide among the Poor what belong'd to the Rich as a Bribe for a future Service That instead of so many rich Citizens of Sparta he might have a Company of Slaves to be his Guard Agis nevertheless little regarding these Rumors caus'd Lysander to be chosen Ephore then took the first occasion of proposing his Rhetra or Decree to the Senate the chief Articles whereof were these That every one shou'd be freed from their Lots All the Lands to be divided into equal portions Those that lay betwixt the Valley of Pellene and Mount Tegetum as far as the Cities of Mallea and Sellasia into 4500 Lots the remainder into 1500 these last to be shar'd by some chosen out of the adjacent Countreys men able and fit to bear Arms The first among the natural Spartans admitting also of Strangers to supply their Number those who were young vigorous and ingenious All these were to be divided into ten Companies some of four hundred and some of two with a Diet and Discipline agreeable to the Laws of Lycurgus This Decree being propos'd in the Senate occasion'd a hot Debate so that Lysander doubting the Event wou'd not expect the Issue but immediately convok'd the great Assembly of the People to whom he Mandroclidas and Agesilaus made Orations exhorting them that they wou'd not suffer the Majesty of Sparta to be brought into Contempt to gratifie a few rich Men who by specious pretences endeavour'd to delude them only that they themselves might pass their time in Riot and delights They bad them call to mind how ancient Oracles had forewarn'd them to beware of Avarice as the very Plague and utter Ruine of Sparta That they shou'd think of the Oracle lately deliver'd from the famous Temple of Pasiphae in Thelamia Some say this Pasiphae was one of the Daughters of Atlas who had by Jupiter a Son call'd Ammon Others are of opinion it was Cassandra the Daughter of King Priamus who dying in this Place was call'd Pasiphae as who should say clearly revealing Secrets as the Light discovers all things to the Eye Others will have it that this was Daphne the Daughter of Amiclas who flying from Apollo was transform'd into a Lawrel and honour'd by that God with the Gift of Prophecy But be it as it will 't is certain the People were made to apprehend that this Oracle had commanded them to return to their former state of Equality As soon as these had done speaking Agis stood up and said He wou'd not amuse them with vain words but contribute to what had been propos'd for their Advantage by real Effects In the first place he wou'd divide among them all his Patrimony which was of large extent in Tillage and Pasture he wou'd also give 600 Talents in ready Money and that his Mother Grandmother and his other Friends and Relations who were the richest of the Lacedoemonians were ready to follow his Example The People transported with admiration of the young man's Generosity highly applauded and loudly declar'd there had not been for 300 years so worthy a King in Sparta But on the other side Leonidas was now more than ever averse being sensible that he and his Friends wou'd be oblig'd to contribute with their Riches and yet all the Honour and Obligation wou'd redound to Agis He ask'd him then before them all Whether Lycurgus were not in his opinion a vast and a wise Man Agis answering He was And when did Lycurgus reply'd Leonidas cancel Debts or admit of Strangers he who thought the Commonwealth not secure
Engagement where the Enemy had again the better Caesar took an Ensign who was running away by the Neck and forcing him to face about said Look that way is the Enemy Scipio flush'd with this Success at first had a mind to come to one decisive Action Wherefore he leaves Afranius and Juba in two distinct Bodies not far distant and marches himself towards Thapsacus where he built a Fort which might serve for a Security to them and a Retreat to himself Whilst Scipio was taken up with this matter Caesar with an incredible dispatch made his way through thick Woods and an unpassable Country surrounded one Party of the Enemy and charg'd the other other in the Front When he had defeated these he improv'd this Opportunity and the course of his good Fortune so far that in one moment he took Afranius's Camp and destroy'd that of the Numidians Juba their King being glad to save himself by flight so that in a small part of a day he made himself Master of three Camps and kill'd 50000 of the Enemy with the loss only of 50 Men. This is the Account some give of that Fight Others say He was not in the Action but that he was taken with his usual Distemper just as he was setting his Army in Battalia He perceiv'd the approaches of it before it had too far disorder'd his Senses and as soon as he began to shake took care to be remov'd into a neighbouring Fort where he repos'd himself Of the Great Men that were taken after the Fight some Caesar put to Death others prevented him by killing themselves Cato had undertaken to defend Utica and for that reason was not in the Battel The desire which Caesar had to take him alive made him hasten thither upon notice that he had dispatch'd himself 't is certain Caesar was much discompos'd but for what reason is not so well agreed yet this he said Cato I envy thee thy Death because thou enviedst me the honour of saving thy Life Yet after all this the Discourse he wrote against Cato after his Death is no great sign of his kindness or that he was thorowly reconciled to him For how is it probable that he would have been tender of his Life who was so bitter against his Memory Yet from his Clemency to Cicero Brutus and many others who fought against him some have guess'd that Caesar's Book was not compos'd so much out of harted to Cato as in his own Vindication Cicero it seems had written an Encomium upon Cato and call'd it by his Name a Discourse written by so great a Master upon so excellent a Subject was sure to be in every ones hands This touch'd Caesar who look'd upon a Panegyric on his Enemy as no better then a Satyr against himself and therefore he made in his Anti-Cato a full Collection of whatever could be said in that Great Man's derogation Those Discourses had each of them their several Admirers as Men were differently inclin'd to the Parties Caesar upon his return to Rome did not forget to entertain the People with a large Account of his Victory telling them That he had subdu'd a Country which would supply the Publick every year with 200000 Bushels of Corn and 3000000 weight of Oyl He was allow'd three Triumphs for Aegypt Pontus and Afrric the last not for the Conquest of Scipio but Juba whose little Son was then led in Triumph the happiest Captive that ever was who of a barbarous Numidian came by this means to be reckon'd among the most Learned Historians of all Greece After these Triumphs he distributed Rewards to his Soldiers and treated the People with Feasting and Shews At one Feast he had 22000 Tables and entertain'd the People with Gladiators and Sea-Fights in honour to his Daughter Julia long since dead When those Shews were over an Account was taken of the people who from 320000 were now reduc'd 150000. So great a waste had the Civil War made in Rome alone not to mention what the other parts of Italy and the Provinces suffer'd He was now chosen a fourth time Consul and went into Spain against Pompey's Sons they were but young yet had got together a great Army and shew'd they had Courage and Conduct to command it so that Caesar was in extreme danger The great Battel was near Munda in which Caesar seeing his Men hard press'd and making but a weak Resistance ran through the Ranks among the Soldiers and crying out ask'd them Whether they were not asham'd to deliver him into the hands of Boys At last with great difficulty and the best efforts he could make he forced back the Enemy killing 30000 of them though with the loss of 1000 of his best Men. When he came back from the Fight he told his Friends that he had often fought for Victory but this was the first time he had ever fought for Life This Battel was won on the Feast of the Bacchanals the very day in which Pompey four years before had set out for the War The younger of Pompey's Sons escap'd and Didius some days after the Fight brought the elder 's Head to Caesar This was the last Battel he was engag'd in The Triumph he made for this Victory displeas'd the Romans beyond any thing For he had not defeated foreign Generals and barbarous Kings but had ruin'd the Children and Family of one of the greatest Men of Rome though unfortunate and it did not look well to triumph over the Calamities of his Country and to rejoyce in those things for which no better Apology could be made to the Gods and Men then their being absolutely necessary Besides that hitherto he had never sent Letter or Express of any Victory over his Fellow-Citizens but had seem'd rather to be asham'd of the Action then to expect Honour from it For all this the Romans taking the same side with Fortune gave the Rein into his hands and hoping that the Government of a single Person would give them time to breathe after so many Civil Wars and Calamities made him Dictator for Life This was a down-right Tyranny for his Power now was not only absolute but perpetual too Cicero propos'd to the Senate to confer such Honours upon him as were indeed in some measure within the bounds of modesty Others striving which should deserve most carried them so excessively high that they made Caesar odious to the most indifferent and moderate sort of men by the haughtiness and extravagance of those Titles which they decreed him His Enemies are thought to have had some share in this as well as his Flatterers it gave them more advantage against him and laid him more open to their Calumnies for since the Civil Wars were ended he had nothing else that he could be charg'd with And they had good reason to decree a Temple to Clemency in token of their Thanks for this mild use he made of this Victory for he not only pardon'd many of those who fought against him but farther
scorned observing in the mean time the Posture of the Enemy who having passed through grew careless as esteeming themselves past Danger whereupon they were immediately set upon by the Spartans yet were they not then put to Rout but marched on to Helicon vapouring That they themselves as to their part of the Army were not worsted Agesilaus sore wounded as he was would not be born to his Tent till he had been first carried about the Field and had seen the dead Men of his Party carried off in their Armour As many of his Enemies as had taken Sanctuary in the Temple he dismissed for there stood hard by the Temple of Minerva the Itonian and before it a Trophy erected by the Baeotians for a Victory which under the Conduct of one Sparton their General they obtained over the Athenians who were led that day by Tolmides and Tolmides himself slain Next morning early Agesilaus to make trial of the Theban Courage whether they had any mind to a second Encounter did command his Soldiers to put on Garlands on their Heads and play with their Flutes and raise a Trophy before their Faces but when they instead of Fighting sent for leave to bury their Dead he gave it them and so confirmed to himself the Victory After this he went to Delphos to the Pythian Games which were then celebrating at which Feast he assisted and there solemnly offered the tenth part of the Spoils he had brought from Asia which amounted to an hundred Talents Being now returned to his own Country the Eyes of the Spartans were upon him to observe his Diet and manner of Living But he not according to the Custom of other Generals came home the same Man that he went out having not so learned the Fashions of other Countries as to forget his own much less to nauseate or despise them but he follow'd all the Spartan Customs without changing either the manner of his Supping or Bathing or his Wifes Apparel as if he had never travelled over the River Eurotas The like he did by his Houshold-stuff his Armour nay the very Gates of his House were so old that they might well be thought of Aristodemus's setting up His Daughters Chariot called the Canathrum was no richer than that of other People Now this Canathrum whether Chariot or Chair was made of Wood in the shape of a Griffon or of the Tragelaphus some antick shape or other on which the Children and young Virgins were carried in Processions Xenophon hath not left us the Name of this Daughter of Agesilaus at which Dicaearchus is angry viz. that he can know the Names neither of Agesilaus's Daughter nor Epaminondas's Mother But in the Records of Laconia we find his Wifes Name to be Clâ—ora and his two Daughers to have been Apolia and Prolyta and you may even to this day see Agesilaus's Spear kept in Sparta nothing differing from that of other Men. There was a Vanity he observed among the Spartans about keeping running Horses for the Olympick Games upon which he found they much valued themselves Agesilaus much despised it as an Ostentation more of Wealth than Vertue deeming the Victory to be the Horse's not the Man's He therefore to convince the Grecians of it did put his Sister Cynisca upon keeping a running Horse for that Publick Solemnity To the wise Xenophon his Friend whom he much valued he did propose the bringing of his Children to Sparta to be there bred up in the strictest way of Discipline and in the noble Art of Obeying and Governing Lysander being dead and his Faction yet great and prevalent which he upon his coming out of Asia had raised against Agesilaus the King thought it advisable to expose both him and it by shewing what manner of a Citizen he had been whilst he lived To that end finding an Oration among his Writings that was composed by Cleon the Halicarnassean but intended to be spoken by Lysander in a Publick Assembly to excite the People to Innovations and Changes in the Government he resolved to publish it as an Evidence of Lysander's ill Practices But one of the Senators having the perusal of it and finding it strongly written advised him to have a care of digging up Lysander again and rather bury that Oration in the Grave with him This Advise he wisely hearkened to and ever after forbore publickly to affront any of his Adversaries but took occasions of picking out the Ring-leaders and sending them away upon Foreign Services He also found out ways of discovering the Avarice and the Injustice of many of them in their Employments yet when they were by others brought into Question he made it his business to bring them off obliging them by that means of Enemies to become his Friends and so by degrees wore out the Faction Agesipolis his Fellow-King was under the Disadvantage of being Born of an Exil'd Father and himself Young Modest and Unactive and meddled not much in Affairs Agesilaus took a course of growing upon him and making him yet more tractable According to the Custom of Sparta the Kings if they were in Town alway Dined together This was Agesilaus's opportunity of dealing with Agesipolis whom he found apt to Amorous Intrigues as well as himself He therefore alway discoursed him about handsome Boys egging him forward that way and himself assisting in it so far as to become the Confident of the Amour Yet were these Amours innocent according to the Custom of the Spartan Loves which were alway accompani'd with Vertue and Honour and a noble Emulation of which you may see more in Lycurgus's Life Having thus established his Power in the City he easily obtained that his half Brother Teleutias might be chosen Admiral and thereupon making an Expedition against the Corinthians he made himself Master of the long Walls by Land through the Assistance of his Brother at Sea Coming thus upon the Argives who then held Corinth in the midst of their Isthmian Games he made them out-run their Sacrifices and leave all their Festival Provisions behind them The exil'd Corinthians that were in the Spartan Army desired him to keep up the Feast and to appear Chief in the Celebration of it This he refused but gave them leave to carry on the Solemnity if they pleased and he in the mean time staid and guarded them When Agesilaus marched off the Argives returned to their Sports again with this variety of Fortune that some who were Victors before became Victors a second time others lost the Prizes which before they had gained But Agesilaus reproached them severely of Cowardise who having so great an Esteem of the Isthmian Games and so much valuing themselves upon the Victories there gotten yet durst not adventure to Fight in defence of them He himself was of Opinion that to keep a Mean in such things was best he allowed of the Sports usually permitted in his Country and would not refuse to be present at the
lye in wait for the Merchants that sail'd to the Bosphorus having prohibited all upon pain of Death that should attempt to carry Provisions or Merchandizes thither Then he set forward with the greatest part of his Army and in his March he casually happen'd upon several dead Bodies of the Romans uninterr'd which were of those Soldiers that were unfortunately slain with Triarius in the Wars against Mithridates these he buried all splendidly and honourably The neglect whereof 't is thought caus'd the first Hatred against Lucullus and alienated the Affections of the Soldiers from him Pompey having now by his Forces under the Command of Afranius subdued the Arabians that inhabit about the Mountain Amanus fell himself into Syria and finding it destitute of any natural and lawful Prince reduced it into the form of a Province as an Inheritance of the People of Rome He conquer'd Judaea and alter'd the form of Government there having taken King Aristobulus Captive Some Cities he built anew and others he set at liberty chastizing those Tyrants that brought them into Bondage The greatest time that he spent there was in the Administration of Justice deciding the Controversies of Kings and States and where he himself could not be present in Person he gave Commission to his Friends and sent them Thus when there arose a Difference betwixt the Armenians and Parthians touching the Title of a Country and the Judgment was referr'd to him he gave a Power by Commission to three Judges and Arbiters to hear and determine the Question For the Name of his Power indeed was great Neither were the Vertues of his Justice and Clemency inferiour to that of his Power whereby he cover'd a multitude of Crimes committed by his Friends and Familiars about him for although it was not in his Nature to check or chastise an Offender yet he would demean himself so to those that addressed with Complaints against them that the Party griev'd went always away contented forgetting the Injuries and patiently bearing even with their Covetousness and Oppression Among these Friends of his there was one Demetrius that had the greatest Power and Influence upon him of any he was a Bond-man infranchiz'd one of a very good Understanding however otherwise but a Youth and somewhat too insolent in his good Fortune of whom there goes this Story Cato the Philosopher being as yet a very young Man but of great Judgment and a noble Mind took a Journey of Pleasure to Antioch having a great desire in Pompey's absence to see the City He therefore as his Custom was walked on Foot and his Friends accompani'd him on Horseback But seeing before the Gates of the City a Multitude all in white Garments the young Men on one side of the Road and the Boys on the other he was somewhat offended at it imagining that it was officiously done in Honour of him which was more than he requir'd However he desired his Companions to alight and walk with him But when they drew near the Master of the Ceremonies in this Procession came out with a Garland and a Rod in his Hand and met them enquiring Where they had left Demetrius and when he would come Whereupon Cato's Companions burst out into a Laughter but Cato said only Alas poor City and passed by without any other Answer Now 't is clear that Pompey himself render'd Demetrius less odious to others by enduring his Sawciness and Insolence against himself For 't is reported how that Pompey when he had invited his Friends to an Entertainment would be very Ceremonious in attending till they came and were all plac'd whereas Demetrius would rudely seat himself at the Table with his Head cover'd even to his Ears before any one else could sit down Moreover before his return into Italy he had purchased the pleasantest Villa or Country-Seat about Rome with the fairest Walks and Places for Exercise and the most compleat Gardens call'd by the Name of Demetrius notwithstanding that Pompey his Master was contented with a mean and thrifty Habitation till his third Consulship Afterwards 't is true when he had erected that famous and stately Theater for the People of Rome he built as an Appendix to it an House for himself much more splendid than his former and yet as much beneath the stroke of Envy Insomuch as he that came to be Master of that House after Pompey could not but admire at it and seem very Inquisitive Where Pompey the Great us'd to Sup Thus are these things reported The King of Arabia Petraea who had hitherto despis'd the Power of the Romans now began to think it dreadful and therefore dispatch'd Letters to him wherein he promis'd to be at his Devotion and do what he would Command However Pompey having a desire to confirm and keep him in the same Mind marched forwards for Petra an Expedition not altogether irreprehensible in the opinion of many for by this 't was generally thought he did clearly decline the Chace of Mithridates whereas they thought themselves bound to turn their Arms against him as their inveterate Enemy who now had blown up the Coal again and reinforced his shattered Troops with fresh Preparations as 't was reported to lead his Army through Scythia and Pannonia into Italy Pompey on the other side judging it easier to break his Forces in Battel than seize his Person in Flight resolv'd not to tire himself out in a vain Pursuit but rather to spend his time in diverting the War upon another Enemy as a proper Digression in the mean while But Fortune resolv'd the Doubt for whilst he was yet not far from Petra and had pitch'd his Tents and encamped for that day as he was riding and managing his Horse without the Camp there came an Express by the flying Post out of Pontus with good News as was easily discernible a far off by the Heads of their Javelins that were crown'd with Branches of Laurel The Soldiers as soon as they saw them flocked immediately to Pompey who notwithstanding was minded to make an end of his Exercise but when they began to be clamorous and importunate he alighted from his Horse and taking the Letters went before them into the Camp Now there being no Tribunal erected there nor yet any military Hillock such as they use to make by cutting up thick Turfes of Earth and piling them one upon another they through eagerness and impatience heap'd up a pile of Pack-saddles and Pompey standing upon that told them the News of Mithridates his Death how that he had laid violent hands upon himself upon the Revolt of his Son Pharnaces and that Pharnaces had taken all things there into his hands and possession which he did as his Letters speak in right of himself and the Romans Upon this News the whole Army expressing their Joy as was fit fell to their Devotion in sacrificing to the Gods and Feasting as if in the Person of Mithridates alone there had died many thousands of
the Enemy in a sharp and bloody Fight in which all of them behaved themselves with remarkable Courage and Gallantry Thallus the Son of Cineas and Glaucus of Polymedes that fought near the General signalized themselves so did also Cleophanes merit the Reputation of a brave man having every where laid about him and call'd upon the Horse that were wheeling to succour the General who was in danger he made them face about so as to confirm the Victory already obtained by the Infantry By which means Plutarch was driven out of Eretria and the commodious Castle of it was taken being situate in that part of the Island where it is narrowed into a small neck of Land the rest of the Island being surrounded other-where by the Sea He would not permit them to take any of the Greeks Prisoners for fear the Orators at Athens should inflame the People against them to determine something to their prejudice This Affair thus dispatch'd and settled Phocion set Sail homewards having given most manifest tokens of his Justice and Humanity to the Allies and to the Athenians indisputable proofs of his Courage and Conduct His Successor Molossus had worse fate to fall alive into the Enemies hands which inspired Philip with great thoughts and designs to move with all his force into the Hellespont so to the Chersonesus and Perinthus and on to Byzantium The Athenians raising Recruits to relieve them the Demagogues made it their business to preferr Chares to be General who sailing thither effected nothing worthy of such an Equipage nor would the Confederates harbour his Fleet having jealousie of him so that he did nothing but pirate about pillaging their Friends and despised by their Enemies Upon this occasion the People being chased by the Orators were in great Ferment and highly enraged they had been so fool'd to send any Succour to the Byzantines whereupon Phocion rising up told them My Masters you have not so much reason to be concern'd at the Jealousies of your Friends as the Vnfaithfulness of your own Generals who render you suspected even to those who yet can't possibly subsist without your Succours The Assembly being moved with this Speech of his chang'd their minds on the sudden and commanded him immediately to raise more Force and assist their Confederates in the Hellespont which would be of the greatest moment for the security of Byzantium At this time Phocion's Name was up and an old Acquaintance of his who had been his fellow-Student in the Academy Cleon a man of highest renown for Virtue among the Byzantines having vouch'd for Phocion to the City they opened their Gates to receive him not permitting him though he desired it to incamp without the Walls but entertained him and all the Athenians with entire Respect and they to requite their Considence conversed with their new Hosts not only soberly and inoffensively but behaved themselves on all occasions with great chearfulness and resolution for their detence Thus came King Philip to be driven out of the Hellespont and despised to boot who was till now thought impossible to be match'd and even apprehended invincible Phocion also took some of his Ships and retook some of the Places he had garrison'd making besides several Inrodes into the Countrey which he plunder'd and over-run untill such time as he happen'd to be wounded by some of them that came to his Assistance he made off towards home The Megareans at this time privately praying Aid of the Athenians Phocion fearing lest the Boeotians being aware of it should prevent them call'd an Assembly very early in the morning and backing the Boeotians Petition it was put to the Question and voted in their favour As soon as ever it was done he made Proclamation immediately by sound of Trumpet and led them off straight from the Assembly to arm and put themselves in posture The Megareans received them joyfully they help'd them to fortifie Nisoea and build two new Bulwarks on each side from the City to the Haven and so joyn'd it to the Sea so that being sufficiently defended on the Land side from the Assailants it was secured to the Athenians Now was the time that the Liberty of Greece was openly disputed with King Philip and at Athens such Chiefs chosen in Phocion's absence that at his arrival from the Islands he dealt earnestly with the Athenians being deeply possess'd what danger might ensue that since Philip show'd some peaceable Inclinations towards them they would consent to a Treaty being contradicted in this by a prating pick-thank Fellow of those sort of Vermin that haunt the Places of publick Assembly this was a famous Place of the Athenians meeting open to the Air. This sawcy Companion asking Phocion if he durst presume to perswade the Athenians to Peace now their Swords were in their hands Yes said he I dare though I 'm satisfied I shall be thy Master in time of War and thou perhaps mine in time of Peace Since he could not prevail and Demosthenes's opinion carry'd it advising them to make War as far off home as possible that was to the far side of Attica Phocion argued that in these Matters the Place was not so much to be considered as the probability of Success for by this the distance of War was to be measured to be sure those that were worsted would have it quickly brought home to theirs doors Accordingly Matters succeeding ill the Innovators and Incendiaries haling up Charidemus to the Tribunal to be nominated to the Command the best of the Senators were in a panick fear and call'd a Meeting of the People at Areopagus where with Entreaties and Tears they hardly prevail'd to have Phocion preferr'd and intrusted with the care of the City He was of opinion that the fair Terms Philip proposed were to be accepted yet after demades had propounded that the City should receive the self same conditions that were tender'd to the rest of the States of Greece he opposed it till it were known what the Particulars were King Philip had demanded Being overborn in this Advice at that juncture of time presently after the Athenians sufficiently repented it when they understood that by them Articles they were obliged to furnish Philip both with horse and Shipping This Gentlemen says he I foresaw and therefore opposed but since you have now articled make the best on 't be courageous and bear it as well as you can remembring that your Ancestors using their Fortune indifferently sometimes giving Laws at other times truckling perform'd each part with decorum and perserved not only their own City but the rest of Greece Upon the news of Philip's Death he would not suffer the People to make Bonfires or other publick demonstrations of Joy and Jubilee minding them how ungenerous it was to insult upon such an occasion and that the Army that had fought them at Cheronoea was lessened by one man only When Demosthenes made Invectives against Alexander who was now set down before Thebes he repeated those
Verses of Homer What mean'st thou Fool with rage to swell his Breast Already full with glorious hopes possest What 's this but adding fresh fuel to the Fire and pushing your selves forwards into the Flames that are already devouring the Neighbour-hood for my part says he I will not be consenting to your destroying your selves though you should court me to it and for this end only have I continued my Command After Thebes was lost and Alexander had demanded Demosthenes Lycurgus Hyperides and Charidemus to be deliver'd up the whole Assembly turning their eyes frequently and intently upon him and calling on him also by Name to deliver his opinion at last he rose up laying hold upon one of his most dear and intimate Friends that he loved and confided in above all others telling them Sirs you have brought things amongst you to that pass that for my part should he demand this my Friend Nicocles I would not refuse him and should think it the greatest happiness my self to sacrifice my own Life and Fortune for your safety for truly says he it pierces my heart to see those that are fled hither for Succour from the desolation of Thebes and surely it will be more for the common Interest that we rather deprecate the Conqueror and intercede for both than run the hazzard of another Battel When this was decreed by the Commonalty Alexander is said to have rejected their first Address when it was presented throwing it back scornfully and turning his back on the Ambassadors they departed but the 2d which was presented by Phocion he graciously received understanding by the grave Seniors how much Philip always held him in the highest Esteem and Veneration and not only accepted his Memorial and Petition but also permitted him to advise him which he did to this effect that if his designs were for Peace and Quietness he should put a stop to his Career if the glory of his Arms were his aim he should do well to divert them from Greece and turn them on the Barbarians With divers such insinuations dextrously fitted to the Humour and Genius of Alexander he so won upon him and softned his Temper that he was heard to say The Athenians ought to value themselves for if any thing amiss betided him they only were worthy of the Soveraignty Conversing thus with Phocion as his Friend and Confident he did him that Honour which few of those that were next his Person ever received insomuch that Douris reports when he grew great and high after the Defeat of Darius he left off the word Greeting in all his Letters except in only those that were directed to Phocion and Antipater he condescended to use it which also is confirmed by Chares As for his Munificence to him it is well known he sent him a Present at one time of a 100 Talents which being brought to Athens Phocion demanded of the Bearers how it came to pass that among all the rest of the Athenians he alone should be so highly obliged to his Bounty and being told that Alexander esteemed him only a Person of Honour and Worth May it please him then said he to permit me to continue so and be still so reputed Following him to his House and observing his simple and plain way of Living his Wife imploy'd in the Pastry-work with her own hands himself pumping Water to wash his Feet they press'd him to accept it with some Indignation being asham'd as they said that Alexander's Friend should live so poorly and pitifully Phocion taking notice of a poor old Fellow in a tatter'd Coat passing by asked them If they thought him in worse condition than that poor Wretch They begg'd his pardon for the Comparison yet says he this man has less to live upon than I and is content and in short I must tell you if this summ be more than I can use it is altogether superfluous if I live up to it I shall give cause of jealousie both of your Master and my self to the rest of the Citizens So the Treasure was returned back from Athens giving the Gracians an illustrious Example how much truly richer the man is who by contracting his mind has no occasion for more than him who by the largeness of his Fortunes is capable of the largest Munificence Alexander was displeased at this and writ to him again acquainting him That he could not esteem those his Friends who thought much to be obliged by him Yet neither would this prevail with Phocion to accept the Money but he made use of his favour to intercede for Echecratides the Sophist and Athenodorus the Imbrian as also for Demaratus and Sparton two Rhodians that had been convicted of certain Crimes and were in custody at Sardis that he would please to enlarge them This was presently granted by Alexander and they were set at liberty Afterwards sending Craterus into Macedonia he commanded him to make him an Offer of four Cities in Asia Cio Gergetho Mylassis and Eloea any of which at his choice should be delivered to him being instant with him and declaing he should resent it should he continue obstinate in his refusal but Phocion was not to be prevail'd with at all and presently after Alexander died Phocion's House is shown to this day in a Village call'd Melita beautify'd with Tyles of Copper otherways plain and homely Concerning his Wives of the first of them there is little said save only that she was Sister of Cephisdotus the Statuary The other was a Matron of no less Reputation for Virtue and good Housewifery among the Athenians than Phocion for Probity It happen'd once when the People were entertained with a new Tragedy he that was to rigg out the Queen and her Attendants wanted some fine Habits and Accountrements for the purpose to make them appear splendid which not being provided the Player was sullen and refused to act but kept them in expectation till Melanthius the Master of the Revels push'd him on the Stage crying out aloud What Sirrah don't you take notice that Phocion's Wife goes constantly attended with one only waiting Woman but you must debauch the Sex and fill the Womens heads with nothing but pride and vanity This free Speech of his was received with wonderful Applause and clapp'd by the Audience round the Theater The same plain Lady entertaining at her House a Stranger a spruce Dame of Ionia who show'd her all her Finery of gold Embroidery rich Jewels Bracelets Necklaces and the like For my part Madam says she all my Ornament is my Goodman Phocion who has commanded the Athenians now this 20 years Phocion's Son had an ambition to make one at the Exercises performed at Athens in honour of Minerva every 5th year which he permitted him to do not so much to have the Garlands of Victory if he approved himself but for his Health and to invigorate his Body by manly Labour and Abstinence the young man being at other times intemperate and a Pot-companion Having succeeded in
Decree Metellus before-hand possessed the Forum with armed Men Strangers Gladiators and Slaves and all those that in hopes of Change followed Pompey which was no small part of the People besides they had great Assistance from Coesar who was then Proetor The best and chiefest Men of the City were no less offended at these Proceedings than Cato but they seemed rather likely to suffer with him than able to assist him In the mean time Cato's whole Family were in dreadful Fear and Apprehension for him some of his Friends did neither eat nor sleep all the night continuing in very great Perplexity his Wife and Sisters also bewailed and lamented him but he himself void of all Fear and full of Assurance did comfort and encourage them by his own Discourse After Supper he went to rest at his usual hour and was the next day waked out of a profound Sleep by Minutius Thermus one of his Collegues So soon as he was up they two went together into the Forum accompanied by very few but met by a great many who bid them have a care of themselves Cato when he saw the Temple of Castor and Pollux incompassed with armed Men and the ascent to it guarded by Gladiators at the top whereof sate Metellus and Caesar together turning to his Friends Behold said he that couragious Fellow who has raised so great Forces against one unarmed naked man and so he went on with Thermus They who kept the Passages gave way to those two but would not let any body else pass yet Cato taking Munatius by the Hand with much difficulty pull'd him thorow along with him Then going directly to Metellus and Caesar he sate himself down between them to prevent their talking to one another at which they were both amazed And those of the honest Party observing the Countenance and admiring the Spirit and Boldness of Cato went nearer and cry'd out to him to have Courage exhorting one another to stand together and not betray their Liberty nor the Defender of it Then the Clerk took out the Bill but Cato forbade him to read it whereupon Metellus took it and would have read it himself but Cato snatch'd away the Book Yet Metellus having the Decree by heart began to recite it without book but Thermus clapp'd his Hand to his Mouth and stopp'd his Speech Metellus seeing them fully bent to withstand him and the People inclining to their side sent to his House for armed Men who rushing in with great noise and terrour they all dispers'd and run away except Cato who alone stood still while the other Party threw Sticks and Stones at him from below Murena whom he had formerly accused could not brook this but came to him and holding his Gown before him cryed out to them to leave off throwing in â—ine perswading and pulling him along he forc'd him into the Temple of Caster and Pollux Metellus now seeing the Place clear and all the adverse Party fled out of the Forum thought he might easily carry his Point so he commanded the Souldiers to retire and going orderly to work he began to proceed in passing the Decree But the other side having recollected themselves returned very boldly and with great shouting insomuch that Metellus his Adherents were utterly dismayed and fled every one out of the Place They being thus dispersed Cato came in again and confirmed the Courage and commended the Resolution of the People so that now the Multitude were by all means for deposing Metellus from his Office The Senate also being presently assembled gave Orders to stand by Cato and to oppose this Decree which would certainly raise great Disturbance and perhaps Civil War in the Common wealth But Metellus continued still very bold and resolute and seeing his Party stood greatly in fear of Cato whom they look'd upon as invincible he flung out of the Senate and going into the Forum he assembled the People to whom he made a bitter and invidious Speech against Cate crying out He was forc'd to fly from his Tyranny and this Conspiracy against Pompey that the City would soon repent their having dishonoured so great a Man Cato was highly magnified for having thus delivered the State from the dangerous Tribuneship of Metellus and thereby in some measure diminished the Power of Pompey But he was more commended for that the Senate intending to disgrace Metellus and depose him from his Office Cato did altogether oppose and at length divert that Design For which the Common People admired his Moderation and Humanity in not insulting on an Enemy whom he had overthrown but wise Men acknowledged his Prudence and Policy in not exasperating Pompey After this Lucullus returned from the War in Asia the finishing of which and thereby the Glory of the whole would in all appearance fall to Pompey Lucullus also was like to lose his Triumph for Câ—ius Memmius traduced him to the People and threatned to accuse him which he did rather out of Love to Pompey than for any particular Enmity to Lucullus But Cate being related to Lucullus who had married his Sister Servilia and also thinking this design very unjust opposed Memmius and thereby underwent many Slanders and false Accusations insomuch that they would have turned him out of his Office pretending that he used his Power tyrannically Yet at length Cato so far prevailed against Memmius that he was forc'd to let fall the Accusations and to desist from his Design Lucullus having thus obtained his Triumph did yet more carefully cultivate Cato's Friendship which he look'd upon as a great guard and defence against Pompey's Power Pompey the Great also returning from the Army and considing in the Glory of his Actions and the Good-will of the People thought he should be denied nothing Therefore he sent to the Senate to put off the Assembly for the choice of Consuls till he could be present to assist Piso who stood for that Office To this most of the Senate presently yielded only Cato not thinking that this delay would be of any great importance but desiring to lessen and cut off the Hopes and Designs of Pompey withstood his Request and so over-ruled the Senate that 't was carried against him This did not a little trouble Pompey who found he should very often fail in his Designs unless he could bring over Cato to his Interest Therefore he sent for his Friend Munatius and Cato having two Neeces that were marriageable he offered to marry the eldest himself and take the youngest for his Son Some say they were not his Neeces but his Daughters whom Pompey would have thus married Munatius proposed the Matter to Cato in presence of his Wife and Sisters the Women very much desired the Alliance of so great and worthy a Person but Cato without delay or balancing presently answered Go Munatius go tell Pompey that Cato is not to be wrought upon by Women tho' otherwise I very much value his Kindness And while he deals uprightly in the State he shall find
all in Commotion and raising Tumults in the City At this all the rest fell into Despair lamenting and bewailing their condition but Cato endeavour'd to comfort them and sent to the three hundred desiring them to have a little patience Then the Officers of the Horse returned with no very reasonable Demands They said they did not desire to serve Juba for his Pay nor should they fear Caesar while they follow'd Cato but they dreaded to be shut up with the Uticans Men of a traiterous Nature and Carthaginian Race for tho' they were quiet at present yet as soon as Caesar should appear without doubt they would conspire together and betray the Romans Therefore if he expected they should joyn with him he must drive out of the Town or destroy all the Uticans that he might receive them into a Place void both of Enemies and Barbarians This Cato thought very cruel and barbarous but he mildly answered He would consult the three hundred Then he returned to the City where he found the Men not framing Excuses or dissembling out of Reverence to him but openly refusing to make War against Coesar which they said they were neither able nor willing to do And some there were who muttered out something about retaining the Senators till Coesar's coming but Cato seemed not to hear this for he was a little deaf At the same time came one to him and told him The Horse were going away Cato fearing least the three hundred should take some desperate Resolution concerning the Senators he presently went out with some of his Friends and seeing they were gone some way he took Horse and rid after them They when they saw him coming were very glad and receiv'd him very kindly entreating him to save himself with them At this time 't is said Cato shed Tears while earnestly begging for the Senators and stretching out his Hands some of their Horses he stopp'd and hung upon their Arms till he had prevailed with them out of Compassion to stay only that one day to procure a safe Retreat for the Senators Having thus persuaded them to go along with him some he plac'd at the Gates of the Town and to others gave the charge of the Citadel Now the three hundred began to fear they should suffer for their Inconstancy and sent to Cato entreating him by all means to come to them but the Senators flocking about him would not suffer him to go and said They would not trust their Guardian and Saviour to the Hands of perfidious Traitors At this instant in my opinion did most evidently appear to all in Vtica the Excellence the Clearness and admirable Simplicity of Cato's Virtue how sincere untainted and free it was from any mixture of Self-regard that he who had long before resolv'd on his own Death should take such extream pains toil and care only for the sake of others that when he had secured their Lives he might put an end to his own for 't was easily perceived that he had determined to die tho' he did endeavour not to let it appear Therefore having pacified the Senators he hearkened to the Request of the three hundred and went to them alone without any Attendance They gave him many thanks and entreated him to imploy and trust them for the future but in that they were not Cato ' s and could not come up to his greatness of Courage they begg'd he would pity their weakness and told him they had decreed to send to Caesar and entreat him chiefly and in the first place for Cato and if they could not prevail for him they would not accept of pardon for themselves but as long as they had breath would fight in his defence Cato commended their good Intentions and advised them to send speedily for their own safety but by no means to ask any thing in his behalf for those who are conquer'd must submit and those who have done wrong beg pardon for himself he was never overcome in all his Life but rather so far as he thought fit had got the Victory and had conquered Caesar in what was just and honest And indeed Caesar might be look'd upon as one surpriz'd and vanquish'd for he was now forc'd to discover and own those Designs which he had so long deny'd and always practised against his Countrey When he had thus spoken he went out of the Assembly and being informed that Coesar was coming with his whole Army Alas said he does he come against us as against men Then he went to the Senators and urged them to make no delay but hasten to be gone while the Horsemen were yet in the City So ordering all the Gates to be shut except one toward the Sea he appointed Ships for those that were to depart and gave Money and Provision to those that wanted All which he did with great Order and Exactness taking care to suppress all Tumults and that no wrong should be done to the People Marcus Octavius coming with two Legions encamped near Vtica and sent to Cato to treat about the chief Command Cato return'd him no Answer but said to his Friends No wonder all goes ill with us who are so much taken up with Ambition even upon the point of our Ruine In the mean time word was brought him that the Horse were going away and about to spoyl and plunder the Vticans Cato ran to them and from the first he met snatch'd what they had taken the rest threw down all they had gotten and went away silent and asham'd of what they had done Then he called together the Citizens of Vtica and requested them in behalf of the three hundred not to exasperate Coesar against them but all to seek their common Safety together with them After that he went again to the Port to see those who were about to imbark and there he embrac'd and dismiss'd those of his Friends and Acquaintance whom he had persuaded to go As for his Son he did not counsel him to be gone nor did he think fit to persuade him to forsake his Father But there was one Statyllius a young Man in the flower of his Age one of a brave Spirit and very desirous to imitate the invincible Constancy of Cato who entreated him to go away for he was a noted Enemy to Coesar but he refused to go Then Cato looking upon Apollonides the Stoick Philosopher and Demetrius the Peripatetick It belongs to you said he to bring down this young man's Spirit and to make him know what is good for him Thus having dismiss'd all the rest he returned to his Affairs gave Audience and dispatch'd Business in which he spent that night and the greatest part of the next day Lucius Coesar a Kinsman of Julius Coesar's being appointed to go Deputy for the three hundred came to Cato and desired he would assist him to make a persuasive Speech for them And as to you your self said he I shall not scruple to kiss the Hands and fall at the Knees of
grievous and dishonourable for Cleomenes who had scorn'd to come to Terms with Antigonus a brave Warriour and a Man of Action to wait an effeminate King's leisure till he should lay aside his Fiddle and end his Dance and then kill him These Courses being resolv'd on and Ptolomy hapning at the same time to make a Progress to Canopus they first spread abroad a Report that his Freedom was order'd by the King and it being the King's custom to send Presents and an Entertainment to those whom he would free Cleomenes's Friends made that provision and sent it into the Prison thereby deceiving the Keepers who thought it had been sent by the King for he sacrific'd and gave them large Portions and with a Crown upon his Head feasted and made merry with his Friends 't is said that he began the Action sooner than he design'd having understood that a Servant of one of the Accomplices lay abroad with a Mistress that he lov'd This made him afraid of a Discovery and therefore as soon as it was full Noon and all the Keepers drunk and fast asleep he put on his Coat and opening the Seam on his right Shoulder with his drawn Sword in his hand he issued forth together with his Friends provided in the same manner making 13 in all One of them by Name Hippotas was lame he follow'd the first Onset very well but when afterward he perceiv'd that they were more slow in their Advances for his sake he desir'd them to run him through and not ruine their Enterprize by staying for an useless unprofitable Man By chance an Alexandrian was then riding by the Door him they threw off and setting Hippotas on Horseback ran through the narrow Lanes and proclaim'd Liberty to the People but they it seems had Courage enough to praise and admire Cleomenes's Daring but not one had the heart to follow and assist him Three of them fell on Ptolomy the Son of Chrysermas as he was coming out of the Palace and kill'd him Another Ptolomy the Lieutenant of the City advancing against them in a Chariot they set upon dispers'd his Guards and Attendants and pulling him out of the Chariot kill'd him upon the Place Then they made toward the Castle designing to break open the Prison and take the Prisoners to their Assistance but the Keepers were too quick for them and secur'd the Passages Being baffled in this Attempt Cleomenes with his Company roam'd about the City none joyning with him but all retreating from and flying his Approach therefore despairing of Success and saying to his Friends That it was no wonder that Women rul'd o'er those Men that fled Liberty he excited them all to die as bravely as became his Followers and Men of their glorious Performances This said Hippotas was first as he desir'd run through by one of the young Men and then each of them readily and resolutely fell upon his own Sword except Panteus that Panteus that first surpriz'd Megalopolis This Man being a very handsom Person and a better Companion than any of the Youth the King lov'd and bad him when he had seen him and the rest fall'n die by their Example Panteus walk'd over them as they lay and prick'd every one with his Dagger to try whether any was alive when he prick'd Cleomenes in the Leg and saw him turn upon his Back he kiss'd him sate down by him and when he was quite dead cover'd his Carkase and then kill'd himself upon his Body Thus fell Cleomenes that great brave Man after he had been King of Sparta sixteen Years The News of their Fall being nois'd through the City Cratesiclaea though a Woman of a great Spirit could not bear up against the insupportable weight of this Affliction but embracing Cleomenes's Children made grievous Lamentations but the eldest Boy none suspecting such a Spirit in a Child threw himself headlong from the top of the House he was bruis'd very much but not kill'd by the Fall and was taken up crying and expressing his Resentments for not being permitted to destroy himself Ptolomy as soon as an Account of the Action was brought him gave order that Cleomenes's Body should be flea'd and hung up that his Children Mother and the Women that were with her should be kill'd Amongst those was Panteus's Wife a very fair Women and of a stately Carriage who had been but newly married and suffer'd these Disasters in the height of her Love Her Parents would not let her embark with Panteus presently after they were married though she eargerly desir'd it but shut her up and kept her by Violence at home yet a few days after she got an Horse and a little Money and escaping by Night made speed to Taenarus where she embark'd for Aegypt came to her Husband and with him chearfully endur'd to live in a foreign Country She led Cratesiclaea as she was going with the Souldiers to Execution held up her Train and begg'd her to be courageous who of her self was not in the least afraid of Death and desir'd nothing else but only to be kill'd before the Children When they were come to the Place of Execution the Children were first kill'd before Cratesiclaea's Eyes and afterwards she her self with only these words in her Mouth O Children whither are you gone But Panteus's Wife girded her Garments close to her and being a strong Women without any Noise or Lamentation lookt after every one that was slain and wound them up as well as her present Circumstances would permit and after all were kill'd dressing her self bound her clothes close about her and suffering none to come near or be an Eye-witness of her Fall besides the Executioner she courageously submitted to the stroak and wanted no Body to look after her or wind her up after she was dead Thus in her Death the Modesty of her Mind appear'd and set that Guard upon her Body which she always kept when alive And she in the declining Age of the Spartans shew'd that Women were no unequal Rivals of the Men and was on Instance of such a Courage as would not sneak to the Affronts of Fortune A few days after those that watch'd the hanging Body of Cleomenes saw a very great Snake winding about his Head and covering his Face so that no Bird of Prey would fly at it This made the King superstitiously afraid and set the Women upon several Lustrations as if he had been an extraordinary Man and one belov'd by the Gods that had been slain And the Alexandrians made Processions to the Place and gave Cleomenes the Title of Hero and Son of the Gods till the Philosophers satisfied them by saying That as Oxen breed Bees putrifying Horses Breed Hornets and Beetles rise from the Carkasses of dead Asses so the Humours and Juices of the Marrow of a Man's Body coagulating produce Serpents And this the Ancients observing appropriated a Serpent rather than any other Creature to Hero's THE LIVES OF THE GRACCHI TIBERIUS and CAIUS English'd from