made famous and the spoiles dedicated by Augustus with the place where Antonie had camped by those meanes renewing the memorie of his auncestors for as I haue saide before Augustus was his vncle and Antonie his grandfather and therefore in that place he sawe represented things both ioifull and dolorous From thence he went to Athens which being an ancient citie and a confederate with the Romans he woulde haue but one Lictor before him The Graecians receiued him with most exquisite honors and represented the ancient exploites and saiengs of his predecessors that their flatterie might be so much the more gratefull and acceptable And going from thence to Euboea hepassed by Lesbos where Agrippina in hir last deliuerie had Iulia. Then desirous to visite places of antiquitie and fame he went to the confines of Asia Perinthum and Byzans cities of Thrace then he entered the straites of Propontis and the mouth of the Pontion sea Withall he releeued the prouinces which were wearied with ciuill discordes and oppressions of magistrates In his returne desirous to visite the sacrifices of the Samothracians and sundrie other things for change of fortune and our beginning from thence woorthie of honor The northren windes droue him backe againe Then he coasted Asia and came to Colophona to consult with the oracle of Clarius Apollo There is no woman as at Delphos but a priest vsually chosen out of certaine families and for the most part from Miletum doth heare onely the number and names of such as come to consult then going downe to a den and drinking a draught of the secret fountaine giueth answer being commonly ignorant in learning and verses in verses touching those things which a man hath fore-thought in his minde It is reported that by circumstances of darke speeches as the manner of the oracles is he prophecied that Germanicus death was not farre of But C. Piso to the ende he might more speedily begin to effectuate his determination sharpely rebuked the citie of Athens alreadie amazed with his turbulent behauiour indirectly carping at Germanicus that contrarie to the dignitie of the Roman name he had vsed too great curtesie not towards the Athenians which had beene wasted by so manie miseries but towards a rif-raffe of other nations and those which were Mithridates confederates against Sulla and Antonies against Augustus of famous memorie Other stale matters he obiected also against them as that they had not prosperous successe against the Macedonians and vsed violence against their owne citizens bearing them also a speciall grudge bicause that at his request they woulde not deliuer on Theophilus condemned of forgery by the counsel of the Areopagites From thence sailing with all celeritie by the Cyclades and seeking out the shortest cuts at the Iland of Rhodes he ouertooke Germanicus nothing ignorant how he had backbitten him yet neuerthelesse such was his milde disposition that when Piso was driuen through tempest against the rocks and that his miscarieng might haue beene imputed to chance he sent gallies to succour him and so deliuered him from danger But all this did not mollifie Pisoes hart but scarse enduring one daies staie forsaketh and preuenteth Germanicus For being come to the legions in Syria winning the basest of the common soldiers with gifts he began to displace the old Centurions and seuere Tribunes and bestowe their roomes on his followers or to the most lewdest suffered idlenes in the campes licentiousnes in the citie vagrant and riotous souldiers to range the countrey whereby they grew to such corruption that among the common sort he was called the father of the legions Neither did Plancina containe hir selfe within the bounds of womanly modestie but woulde be present at the horsemens exercise as the running of the cohorts and vse reprochfull speeches against Agrippina and Germanicus some of the better sort of soldiers readie to follow hir humour in bad actions bicause there was a secret rumour spred that those things were not done with dislike of the Emperour Germanicus knew all this but his greatest care was to preuent the Armenians That nation was in times past doubtfull and vncertaine to the Romans not onely through their disposition and affection but also through the situation of their countrey which stretching into our prouinces reacheth euen to the Medes And being seated betwixt great kingdomes are often in wars through hatred to the Romans and enuie to the Parthians King at that time they had none Vonones being expulsed But the nation fauoured Zeno Polemon king of Pontus sonne bicause that from his infancie he had imitated the customes and attire of the Armenians their hunting and banqueting and other exercises of the Barbarians greatly esteemed thereby winning the fauour as wel of the nobilitie as cōmon people Germanicus then in the city Artaxata the noble men approouing it in the presence of a multitude crowned him King the rest doing him honor as their King saluted him after the name of the city by the name of Artaxias The Cappadocians being reduced to the forme of a Prouince receiued Q Veranius for their Lieutenant and to giue them a good hope of the Roman gouernment some of the tributes vsually before paid to the Kings diminished ouer the Comageni then first reduced vnder the regiment of a Pretor Q. Seruaeus was made gouernor XIIII Germanicus and Pisoes iarring ALbeit all the affaires of the allies were setled in good order yet Germanicus was nothing the more at his ease by reason of Pisoes pride who being commanded either by himselfe or by his sonne to conduct part of the legions to Armenia neglected both At length they both met at Cyrrum where the tenth legion wintered Piso with a resolute countenance against feare and Germanicus as I haue said the milder of the two lest he should be thought to threaten But his friends their crafts master in prouoking hatred made the most of that which was true suggested much which was false laying diuers things to his own charge Plācinas his childrens In the end Caesar in the presence of a few of his familiars vttered som such speech to Piso as anger dissimulation doth suggest Piso answered with a proud submission so they departed open enemies After that time Piso was seldome seen at Caesars tribunal if he did assist at any time he shewed himselfe froward and alwayes dissented openly from him In a banket made by the king of the Nabateans when there were presented crownes of great waight to Caesar and Agrippina and light ones to Piso and the rest He was heard to say that that banket was made to the sonne of a Romane Prince and not to the sonne of a king of Parthia and withall threw away his crowne vttering many speeches against the superfluitie of the banket which although Germanicus could hardly digest yet indured all patiently Whilest these things were adoing Embassadors came from Artabanus king of the Parthians calling to minde their friendship and alliance with the Romans
they had promised the Tribes came to meete him the Lords of the Senate in their holy-daie robes wiues and children placed according to their age and sexe and all the way he should goe builded with staires as in publicke shewes or triumphes Thereupon puffed vp with pride as a conquerour of publicke seruitude he went to the Capitoll and gaue thanks to the gods letting loose the raines to all lusts and licenciousnes of life which before badly restrained yet the reuerence towards his mother such as it was did in some sort bridle IIII. Neroes exercises IT was an old practise of his neuer to be absent from the race of chariots and no lesse vnseemely was that other delight of his at supper to sing to the harp as minstrels did which he said to haue beene a custome of auncient Kings and Captaines and a thing highly commended by Poets and attributed to the honor of the gods For melodie is sure dedicated to Apollo in that attire he doth stand not only in the cities of Greece but also in the temples at Rome a principall deitie and knowing things to come Neither could he now be remoued seeming good also to Seneca and Burrhus to yeeld him the one least he should persist in both And thereupon a space was inclosed in the valley of the Vatican to mannage his horses and not to be seene indifferently of euery man and not long after of his owne accord he called the people to see it who highly extolled him as the manner of the people is to be desirous of pastimes and very glad if the Prince draw them to it And his shame published abroad brought him not as it was thought it would any loathing therin but a farther prouocation thinking that the discredit would be shaken off if he could dishonor many with the like He brought to the skaffold many descended of noble houses bought for pouertie which because they be dead I will not name as hauing regard vnto their auncestors being rather his fault to giue money for ill doing then least they should commit that which is naught He constrained also the chiefe gentlemen of Rome with mightie gifts to promise their labour in the Theater vnlesse you say that a reward giuen by him who may commaund bringeth a necessitie in obeying Yet least he should be discredited by the publick Theater he instituted Playes called Iuuenalia as it were for the health of youth to which euery man willingly gaue his name not any ones nobilitie not his age or office borne being any hinderance vnto them but that Greekes and Latins exercised the arte of a stage player euen vnto gestures and measures vnseemely for men Yea noble women practised many gestures and vnseemely to their calling And in the wood which Augustus planted about the lake where he represented a sea fight Tauernes and meeting places were built where all prouocations of wanton lusts were sold where money was giuen to the good to spend of necessitie and to the intemperate to glory and brag of From thence sprang all lewdenes and infamie neuer at any time not when there was great corruption in manners in times past more dissolute lasciuiousnes vsed then at those impure assemblies Shame is scarse retained among men of honest example much lesse among such which striued who should haue most vices can chastitie and modestie or any good behauior be maintained Last of all Nero himselfe entereth on the stage tuning and playing on his instrument with great care and premeditating what to say his familiars assisting him and besides them a cohort of souldiers Centurions and Tribunes and Burrhus both grieuing and praising him Then also were first inrowled the gentlemen of Rome called Augustani men for their age and strength of body highly esteemed part of them shamelesse and saucy in behauior and part hoping thereby to rise to greater authoritie day and night with clapping of hands made all to ring of them commending the feature and voice of the Prince with termes attributed to the gods and were respected by him as honorable personages for their vertue And yet least the Emperours skill on stage only and musick should be published he desired to be well accompted of for versifying hauing gathered about him such as had any cunning therein much more such as were excellent They sate together * and made those verses hang together which he made there or elsewhere and supplied his words howsoeuer they were vttered which the fashion it selfe of his verses doth declare not running with one and the same vehemencie and vaine of writing He bestowed also some time after meate with Philosophers taking pleasure to heare how euery man defended his owne opinion and ouerthrew the contrarie Neither wanted there some which with their voice and graue countenance desired to be thought pleasant with the Emperour V. A strife betweene the inhabitants of Nuceria and the Pompeians ABout the same time of a light quarrell rose a great murder betweene the inhabitants of Nuceria and Pompeians at a shew of fencers which Liuineius Regulus put from the Senate as before I haue rehearsed represented to the people For first prouoking one another with bitter termes as it is often seene in malapert and saucie townesmen they came to stones and last of all to weapons the Pompeians being the stronger with whom the shew was set forth Many of the Nucerians were brought lame and wounded to the towne and many wept for the death of their children and parents the determining of which the Prince referred to the Senate the Senate to the Consuls And the cause being againe brought to the Senators the Pompeians were forbidden to assemble any such companies for tenne yeeres and their corporations erected against the lawes dissolued Liuineius and such others as raysed the sturre were banished Pedius Blaesus also was put from his Senators roome at the information of the Cyrenensians who layd to his charge that he had robbed the treasure of the god Aesculapius and mustered souldiers for money and suite The same Cyrenensians accused Acilius Strabo sometime Pretor and sent by Claudius as arbitrator of certaine lands which once belonging to King Apio and left to the people of Rome with the kingdome their neighbours possessed and occupied and by long licence and iniurie defended them to be theirs by right and equitie The lands therefore being giuen from them by sentence they enuied the iudge and the Senate answered they were ignorant of Claudius pleasure and that they should aske the Princes aduise The Prince approuing Straboes sentence wrote neuertheles that he would ayde the allies and giue them that which they had vsurped There died not long after Domitius Afer and M. Seruilius two notable personages which flourished with great honors and eloquence he in pleading of causes Seruilius famous for long frequenting the Forum and then for writing the Romane histories carriage of himselfe and neatnes of life which made him more renowned as equall to the other in wit yet
that it was not lawfull for Iupiters Priests to go out of Italie And that they had no other law then the Priests of Mars and Quirinus And if these had gouerned the Prouinces why was it vnlawfull for the Diales that there was no law of the people touching that matter found in the bookes of ceremonies The high Priest had often celebrated Iupiters sacrifices if the Flamen had beene hindered by sickenes or publicke affaires Seuentie and two yeeres after that Cornelius Merula was murdered no man was put to supplie the place and yet the ceremonies neuer ceased And if his creation could be omitted for so many yeeres without any hinderance to the sacrifices how much easlier might a man be absent with the Proconsularie dignitie for a yeere In times past they were forbidden to goe out of the Prouinces through the priuat grudges of the high Priest now through the fauour of the gods the high Priest was the soueraign aboue all men not subiect vnto emulation malice or priuat affection Against which when Lentulus the Augur and others had diuersly spoken in the ende they resolued to expect the censure of the high Priest Tiberius hauing deferred the hearing of the Flamins right moderated the ceremonies which were decreed in honor of Drusus Tribuniciall dignitie rebuking by name the insolencie of that sentence which would haue had the decree written in letters of gold against the custome of the countrey Drusus letters were also read which although they seemed to tend to modesty yet were reputed most proude They complained that things were growen to that passe that the yoong man hauing receiued so great honour yet vouchsafed not to visit the gods of the citie nor shew himselfe in Senat or begin at least his authoritie in his owne countrey But forsooth he is let by warre or hindered in some strange countrey when indeed he solaceth himselfe at his pleasure in the shores and lakes of Campania This lesson had the ruler of the world taught him this did he first learne of his fathers Counsels Although the olde Emperour should disdaine to come and shewe himselfe to the citizens and pretend his yeeres and trauell for an excuse yet what impediment hath Drusus but onely his arrogancie XIII A reformation of Sanctuaries BVt Tiberius strengthening in himselfe the soueraigntie left the Lords of the Senate a shadow of their auncient estate by sending the requests of the prouinces to their examination The licence and impunitie of ordaining Sanctuaries and priuiledged places increased throughout the cities of Greece The temples were filled with most lewd bondslaues in the same refuges were receiued debtors against their creditors and suspected of capitall crimes Neither was there any authoritie able to bridle the sedition of the people protecting all villanies no lesse then the ceremonies of the gods Whereupon it was concluded that the cities should send their Embassadors with their priuiledges which some left off of their owne accord as falsly vsurped many trusted to old superstitions or pleasures done to the people of Rome The pomp of that day was great in shew in which the Senators considered of the prerogatiues of their predecessors the agreements of confederates the decrees of kings which had bene before the Romans had gotten such great power and authoritie and the religions of the gods themselues being yet in the disposition of the Senate to confirme or alter all as in times past they could haue done The first which shewed themselues in Senate were the Ephesians declaring that Diana and Apollo were not borne in the Iland Delos as the common people did beleeue and there was in their countrey a riuer called Cenchrius and a wood called Ortygia where Latona being great with childe and leaning against an oliue tree which is yet in the place brought forth those two gods and that by the commaundement of the gods that wood was made sacred And that Apollo himselfe did in that place flee from Iupiters anger after he had slaine the Cyclopians After that Bacchus the conqueror in warre pardoned the Amazones which humbling themselues there caught hold of the altar And that the ceremonie of that temple increased by Hercules permission when he inioyed Lydia which was not diminished when the Persians had dominion ouer it After that the Macedonians then we had maintained the same priuiledges Next vnto those came in the Magnesians building their reasons on L. Scipio and L. Sullaes constitutions the one driuing out Antiochus and the other Mithridates and extolled the loyaltie and vertue of the Magnesians and commaunded that Diana Leucophrynes priuiledges should not be violated Then followed the Aphrodisienses Stratonicenses alleaging an order made by Caesar the Dictator and another later decree of Augustus of famous memory for the pleasures done them in taking part with their side during the time of their faction praysing them that they had sustained the assaults of the Parthians nothing at all changing their constancie towards the people of Rome But the Aphrodisienses maintained the priuiledges of Venus temple and the Stratonicenses Iupiter and Triuias ceremonies The Hierocaesarienses fetchte their matter from a farther beginning inducing their Dianapersica and a temple dedicated by king Cyrus and told a tale of Perperna of Isauricum and many other Emperours which graunted that holines not only to the temple but to two miles compas Then followed the Cyprians declaring that they had three temples whereof the most auncient was builded by Aerias and consecrated to Venus Paphia the second by his sonne Amathus and dedicated to Venus Amathusia the third to Iupiter Salaminius built by Teucer when hee fled from his father Telamon The Embassadors of other cities were heard likewise with whose multitude the Lords of the Senate being wearied some fauoring one side some another and because they contended which had merited most they referred the matter to the Consuls that looking into the right of the cause if they contained any secret abuse they should bring the whole cause againe to the Senate The Consuls besides those cities which I haue aboue named spake of another priuiledged place for malefactors dedicated to Aesculapius at Pergamum affirming that the rest were grounded vpon obscure beginnings in respect of their antiquitie The Smyrnaeans alleaged an oracle of Apollo by which they were commaunded to dedicate a temple to Venus Stratonicis the Tenians a verse of the same Apollo commaunding them to offer an image and temple to Neptune The Sardians brought in matters of later memory that to be Alexander the conquerors gift and the Milesians did the like vsing king Darius name for their franchise but both of these did worship Diana and Apollo The Cretensians made request that the image of Augustus might haue some priuiledge and decrees of Senate were made by which with great honor yet moderation was prescribed vnto all and commaundement giuen in those very temples to erect altars for a sacred memorie yet so that vnder colour of religion they should not fall into
guard about him seeing his sonne alreadie taken and the Romans on euerie side of him rushing in among their weapons with the losse of his life escaped captiuitie And that was the end of that warre Dolabella desiring the honour of triumphe Tiberius denied it him and gaue it Seianus least his vncle Blaesus commendation should be obscured But Blaesus was neuer the more esteemed and the denying of the honour to Dolabella augmented his honour bicause that with a lesser armie he had taken manie notable prisoners slaine the Captaine and caried away the fame of ending the warre The Ambassadors of the Garamantes a people seldome seene in the citie came after the death of Tacfarinas all astonied as being of the conspiracie to satisfie the people of Rome After this Tiberius vnderstanding of Ptolemaeus diligence in his warres renuing the old custome sent one of the Senators to him with an Iuorie staffe and embrodered or wrought gowne which were woont to be the auncient gifts of the Lords of the Senat and to giue him the greater honor called him King companion and friend of the people of Rome VII A rebellion of bond-slaues suppressed Serenus accused by his owne sonne THe same sommer beginnings of warre attempted in Italie by bond-men were suppressed by meere chaunce The beginner of this tumult was T. Curtisius sometimes a souldier of a Pretorian band who at the first in secret conuenticles in Brundisium and townes adioyning then by writings publikly spread abroad tolled to libertie the rude and fierce bond-slaues dispersed in the woods when by the fauour of the gods there arriued three Galleies for the vse of passengers in that sea And Curtius Lapius rent gatherer in those countries vnto whom by lot fell the Prouince Cales according to the auncient custome hauing in a readines a power of sea souldiers discomfited the conspirators who then did but begin their enterprise Caesar sent out of hand Staius a Tribune with a strong Power who brought the Captaine himselfe and the ringleaders of this bold attempt to the citie greatly afeard of the multitude of bond-men which increased to a huge number the free borne decreasing dayly more and more The same men being Consuls there happened a bloodie example of calamitie and crueltie the sonne accusing the father both called Q. Vibius Serenus both brought before the Lords of the Senat the father out of banishment deformed poore and vnhandsome bound in chaines and his sonne pleading against him who finely and featly attired with a cheerefull countenance affirmed that secret practises had beene wrought against the Prince and certaine firebrands of war sent into Gallia to raise a rebellion himselfe being both accuser and witnes He charged Caecilius Cornutus once Pretor to haue furnished them with money who through the wearisomnes of trouble accounting the danger his bane hastened his owne death But contrarily the defendant stoutly turning towards his sonne shaking his irons called the gods to reuenge praying that they would send him to exile againe to lead his life far from such customs and inflict condigne punishment vpon his son And affirmed constantly that Cornutus was innocent and frighted with a false accusation which should easily be perceiued if some others were appeached also for himselfe could not practise the death of the Prince and an innouation with one only companion Then the accuser named Gn. Lentulus and Seius Tubero Caesar himselfe being ashamed to heare the chiefe of the citie and his deerest friends Lentulus very aged and Tubero of a weake body accused of raising a rebellion and disturbing the common-wealth and therefore both were incontinently acquited The fathers bondmen were put to the racke which made against the accuser who through the wickednes of his fact growing halfe frantick and terrified with the speech of the people which threatned either to cast him headlong from the Robur or draw him in peeces or punish him as a parricide departed the citie but brought back from Rauenna was forced to end his accusation Tiberius nothing at all dissembling the old grudge he bare Serenus the banished For after Libos condemnation by letters he vpbraided Caesar that his seruice only was vnrecompensed with some other things more peremptorily then safely to prowd eares and readie to take offence Eight yeeres after Caesar cast this in his dish many waies carping his actions in the meane space although contrary to his expectation through the constancie of his bondmen the rack could extort nothing against him When all had giuen sentence that Serenus should be punished according to the auncient custome Tiberius to bleare their eyes and dissemble his grudge would not allow of the sentence Gallus Asinius was of opinion that he should be confined in Gyarum or Donusa which he misliked also saying that both those Ilands wanted water and that to whome life was graunted things necessary for life ought to be graunted whereupon Serenus was caried backe to Amorgum And because Cornutus had slaine himselfe it was propounded in Senat whether the informers should loose their rewards if any arraigned only of treason and not condemned slew himself Which they had all followed if Caesar had not sharply and openly contrary to his accustomed manner complained in defence of the informers saying that by that meanes the lawes would be brought to nothing and the common wealth run to ruine and that it were more tollerable to abolish the lawes themselues then take away the keepers of them By this meanes the promooters a race of men found out for a common ouerthrow and destruction and neuer duly punished were allured with rewards These continuall causes of sorrow were sauced with some small contentment for C. Cominius a gentleman of Rome conuicted of scandalous verses against Tiberius was pardoned at the intreatie of his brother a Senator A strange case that knowing what was best for sottish or senseles he was not and what fame followed clemencie yet he desired rather cause of heauines and sorrow Neither is it a matter of deepe insight to know the peoples affection when they extoll Princes actions from the hart and when from the teeth outward And Tiberius himselfe at other times cunningly premeditating his words and with staggering and stammering deliuering his minde yet when he meaneth good in deed vnto any findeth his toong readie and loose But when P. Suilius somtimes rent gatherer to Germanicus was conuict for taking of money for giuing iudgment therfore expulsed Italie his opinion was that he should be banished into some Iland and that with such vehemencie that he bound it with an oath to be profitable for th ecommon wealth Which for the present time was taken for a rigorous sentence but after Suilius returne turned to his commendation whome subsequent times sawe mightie but a slaue to money a long time as he lusted but neuer as he ought vsing Prince Claudius friendship The same punishment was ordained against Catus Firmius a Senator as falsly accusing his sister of treason Catus as I
perceiued that he had a care of things to come for not going about the bush but in plaine termes he vpbraied Macro that he turned his backe to the West and looked alwaies toward the sun-rising And hapning by chāce that some speech was had of L. Sulla whom C. Caesar was wont to scoffe laugh at Tiberius foretold him that he should haue all his vices but not so much as one of his vertues And withall imbracing the yongest of his nephewes with weeping teares the other looking on with an enuious eye sayd vnto him thou shalt kill him and another shall kill thee Yet his sicknes growing more and more vpō him he omitted not any part of his wāton vncleane lusts counterfeiting and putting on a face of courage euen in his weaknes and infirmitie and was wont to mock at the Phisitiōs skill that after 30. yeers space they wanted other mens counsell to know what was good or hurtfull for their own bodies In the meane time at Rome there were certaine seedes of murders sowen to take effect after Tiberius death Laelius Balbus had accused Acutia somtimes the wife of P. Vitellius of treason who being cōdemned when a recompence was to be ordained for the accuser Iunius Otho Tribune of the people withstood it wherupon they two growing to a iarre Otho was sent into banishment Then Albucilla infamous for loose loue with many once wife to Satrius Secundus the detector of the conspiracie was accused of certaine impieties and inchantments against the Prince with her as confederats her adulterers Gn. Domitius Vibius Marsus L. Arruntius Of Domitius nobilitie I haue spoken before Marsus also was of an ancient stock and endued with many good vertues But the memoriall sent vnto the Senate doth testifie that Macro had charge of the examinatiō of the witnesses torture of the bondmen and the Emperours letters gaue no token of suspition against them either because he was weake feeble or bicause he knew nothing of it many crimes were forged by Macro knowen enimie to Arruntius Domitius therefore premeditating his defence Marsus as though he had purposed to pine away by famishing himselfe prolonged their liues Arruntius whilest his friends perswaded him not to be too hastie but linger on answereth them That the same things do not beseeme all men alike that for his own part he had liued long ynough and had no other thing to repent him of but that he had among so manie vaine mockeries perils prolonged his heauie and carefull old age hauing bin long hated of Seianus now of Macro alwais of som one of the mightiest not through any fault of his but bicause he could not endure wickednes True it is he might linger out during the short time the Prince hath to liue but how should he escape the yoong Prince which is to come If Tiberius after such long experience in affaires by the force of rule and dominion hath changed and altered is it to be hoped that C. Caesar who is yet scarse out of his childhood vnexpert and vnacquainted with al things or brought vp trained in the lewdest shuld follow a better course hauing Macro for his guide who being chosen to oppresse Seianus bicause he was woorse than he afflicted the common-wealth with greater calamitie I foresee said he a heauier seruitude and therfore I will flie as well from that which is alreadie past as that which is at hand Speaking these things as it had bin in maner of a Prophesie he cut his vaines It shal appeere by those things which insued that Arruntius died in good time Albucilla hauing wounded herselfe with a blow giuē without effect was carried to prison The ministers of her whoredom Grasidius Sacerdos who had been Pretor was banished into an Iland and Pontius Fregellanus condemned to be put from the Senate the saide punishments were decreed against Laelius Balbus by these themselues which were glad of it bicause Balbus was thought to vse his eloquēce cruelly as one alwais at hād ready against the innocēt XII Tiberius death ABout the same time Sext. Papinius descended of a Consularie familie chose a sudden euilfauoured death by casting himselfe headlong from a high place The cause was attributed to his mother who hauing bin long before put away from her husband by flattering speeches lasciuious wantōnes induced the yoong man vnto that villanie that to auoid the discredit with her he could finde no remedie but death She being accused in Senate albeit she prostrated hirselfe at the Lords feet long shewed her common griefe womens weaknes in such desires and other lamentable and pitifull monings witnessing hir dolour and griefe yet was banished the citie ten yeers vntil her yoongest son was past the vnconstant slipperines of his youth Now Tiberius bodie strength began to forsake him but not yet his dissimulation He had the same courage vigour of minde his countenance and voice was strong desiring somtimes to be pleasant cloked his manifest decay of strength And often changing at last setled himselfe in a promontorie of Misenum in a house which somtimes Lucullus had bin Lord of where it was known that his death was at hand by this means There was a Phisition verie skilfull in his arte called Charicles yet neuer accustomed to gouerne the Prince in his sicknes but to assist him with his counsell This Phisition departing from Tiberius as it had bin about some busines of his own vnder colour of dutie taking him by the hand felt the pulse of his vains but yet he could not vse the matter so cunningly but the emperor perceiued him Whether Tiberius were offended with him or not it was vncertaine if he were so much the more suppressing his anger caused meat to be made readie otherwise than his custome had bin sitteth downe as it had been in honor of his friends farewell Charicles neuerthelesse assured Macro that his spirits decayed and that he coulde not liue aboue two daies Whereupon great debating of matters passed among those which were present and messengers posted away to the lieutenants armies The 17. of the Kalends of April his breath being stopped he was thought to haue ended this mortall life Then C. Caesar with a great multitude flocking about him and congratulating his good fortune went forth to take vpō him the Empire when newes came on the sudden that Tiberius was come to his speech sight again that meate was called for to put him out of his swouning vpon this they were all stroken into a great feare and dispersed themselues some one way some another euerie man counterfeiting a sad cheere and ignorance of all this And C. Caesar stroken dumbe in the top of his hope expected his last doome Macro resolute and stout commanded the old man to be smoothered by casting many clothes on him and euerie man to depart from the doore And so Tiberius ended his life the 78. yeere of
a credit and reputation in peace and in warre a defence And it is not onely an honour and glorie in ones owne nation to haue a gallant number and a valiant in his traine but is also a matter of reputation with cities adioyning as men sought vnto by Ambassadors and presented with gifts and do oftentimes by their onely fame end warres When they come to ioyne battell it is a dishonor to the Prince to be ouercome in valour and to his followers not to go as far in prowesse as their Prince Now to returne aliue from that battell in which his Prince is slaine is a perpetuall infamie and reproch being the principallest part of their oath to defend and maintaine him and ascribe their owne exploits to his glorie and honour Princes fight for victorie the followers for the Prince If the citie wherein they are borne grow lazie with a long peace and idlenes most of the yoong noblemen goe of their owne will to those nations wherein there is warres bicause that nation disliketh rest and quietnes as winning greater renowne in doubtfull and hazardeous attempts and not able to entertaine so great number of followers but by violence and warre sometimes by the liberalitie of their Prince getting that horse of seruice and bloodie and conquering sword Their bankets and large but rude diet is insteede of pay but matter to minister liberalitie commeth by warre and rapine To manure the ground or expect the season thou canst not so easilie perswade them as to prouoke the enimie and deserue wounds to get that with the sweate of thy browes which thou maist winne by the losse of thy blood they hold as an idle slothfull part When they are not busied in wars they giue not themselues much to hunting but spend more of their time in idlenes as a people much giuen to sleep and feed When the valiantest and warlikest are idle they commit the care of houshold affaires tillage to women old men to the weakest of their family and do themselues grow heauie and lazie a strange diuersitie of disposition that the same men should so much loue slouth and hate quietnes The custome is in cities to bestow by pole vpon the Princes either of their cattell or graine which is receiued as an honor yet supplieth their wants But aboue all they are exceeding glad if any thing be presented them by neighbour-nations which do send sometimes in particular sometimes in common as choise horses great weapons furniture for horse and chaines and now we haue taught them also to receiue money It is well knowen that the Germans dwell in no cities nor will not suffer their houses to ioyne together but asunder the one from the other as they liked best of their fountaines fields or wood They build not their villages as we do one house close to another but euery man leaueth a space about his house either as a remedie against misfortunes of fire or by vnskilfulnes in building Parget and mortar they vse not nor tiles and vse to all buildings vnsquared and vnwrought timber without any beautie or delight but do daube some places very diligently with such a cleare and shining earth that it resembleth a picture or draught of colours It is a fashion amongst them to dig deepe caues vnder ground and couer them ouer with dung as a succour in the winter and garner for their graine tempering the rigour of the cold by such places and if at any time the enemie come vpon them he forrageth all open places but hidden vnder ground are either not found or else are saued because they are driuen to seeke them They all weare a kinde of cassock called sagum clapsed or for want of one fastned with a thorne and hauing no other garment but naked lye all day in the harth or by the fire The richer sort are distinguished from the others by their garments which are not large and wide as the Sarmates and Parthians vse to weare them but straite and shewing the proportion of euery part of the bodie Besides they weare certaine pelts made of beasts skins those neere the Rhene-banke carelesly but those which are farther off more curiously as neuer trimming themselues with far-fet merchandise They make choise of certaine beasts and heere and there specke their skins with spots and the like with the skins of beasts taken in the farthest Ocean or vnknowen sea The man and womans attire differeth in nothing sauing that the women often vse linnen garments trimmed and interlaced with purple and the vpper parts of their bodies without sleeues their armes bare and their bosome naked and vncouered Yet matrimonie is seuerely kept among them the thing most commendable of all their manner of life for of all barbarous people they alone content themselues euery man with one wife except some very few which not for vnruly lust but for their nobilitie are sued vnto for sundrie marriages The wife giues not a dowry to her husband but the husband to the wife Their parents and neere kinsmen are present when they giue any gifts the one to the other which are not exquisite as to daintie dames or for to beautifie and trim the new married wife but oxen and a horse with furniture and a shield with a sword and lance With these gifts the wife is taken and she also doth bring her husband some armes this is the greatest bond these are the secret ceremonies these they thinke to be the gods of marriage And least the woman should thinke herselfe exempt and free from bonds of vertue or hazards of warre in the very beginnings and first speech of marriage she is put in minde that she commeth as a companion of his labours and dangers and that she shall suffer and venture the fame in peace and warre that he doth that is the signification and construction of the oxen yoked of the horse with bridle and furniture this the meaning of the weapons and armes giuen on one side and the other thus she must liue thus she must die she receiueth that which she must deliuer vnuiolated and pure to her children which their daughters in lawe do receiue as worthie things and yeeld againe to their nephues They liue therefore in most straite chastitie vncorrupted with the allurements of shewes and spectacles or prouocations in banketting As well men as women are ignorant of the secrets of learning Adulterie is seldome committed in so populous a nation and the punishment for it incontinently inflicted as best liketh the husband who hauing cut her haire turneth her naked out of his house in the presence of her kinsfolks and driueth and beateth her throughout all the towne no pardon giuen to her that hath violated her chastitie neither for her beautie nor age nor wealth can she euer after finde another husband No man laugheth at vices neither when any is corrupted or doth corrupt do they say it is the time Yet there is one thing more commendable in those
they vse much tillage Hereupon they diuide not the yeere into so many seasons as we do the winter spring time and sommer they vnderstand and haue names for but as for the autumne as well the name as the commodities it bringeth are vnknowen Ambition they vse none in their funerals onely that one thing is obserued that the bodies of noblemen are burned with a certaine kinde of wood The pile of the funerall fire they do neither fill vp with apparell nor sweete odors euerie mans armes and somes horse was burnt likwise The toombe is raised vp with turnes of earth great workes and laborious monuments they despise as heauie for the dead lamentation and teares they quickly forbeare but griefe and sorrow slowly It is seemely enough for the women to mourne and for men to remember the dead This is it which we haue learned in generall of the beginning and customes of the Germans Now I will lay downe the ordinances and customes of euerie people in particular and how they differ and what nations haue gone out of Germanie to the Gallois IIII. What Gallois haue passed into Germanie IVlius of famous memorie the chiefest of all authors doth deliuer that the state of the Gallois hath in times past beene of greater force and power then now it is and therefore not vnlike but the Gallois went into Germanie For what great hinderance could the riuer be that euerie nation as he was strong should not set himselfe in possession and chaunge seats yet vnoccupied and not diuided by any power of kingdomes Therefore the Heluetians held that which lyeth betweene the Hercynian forrest and the two riuers Rhene and Moene and the Boij that which is beyond both nations of Gallia The name of the Boiemi doth yet continue and doth signifie the old memorie of theplace although the inhabitants be changed But whether the Arauisci from the Osi a people of Germanie came into Pannonia or the Osi from the Auarisci into Germanie is yet vncertaine considering they vse the same language lawes and customes for being equall in times past in pouertie and libertie the commodities and discommodities of both the banks were common to them alike The Treueri and the Neruij ambitiously seeme to haue their beginning frō the Germans as though by this glorie of blood they should be vnlike and differ in cowardlines from the Gallois Without all doubt the banke of Rhene is inhabited with the people of Germanie the Vangiones Treboci Nemetes The Vbij albeit they haue deserued to be a Roman colonie and desire to be called rather Agrippinians by the name of their foundresse though not ashamed of their beginning haue heretofore past ouer and for good proofe of their fidelitie haue beene planted vpon the banke of Rhene to keepe off others and not for any safetie of their owne Of all these nations the chiefest in valour are the Batauians which inioye small parte of the banke of Rhene but inhabit an Ilande of the riuer ofRhene in times past a people of the Catti and went by reason of ciuill sedition into those countries to be a part of the Roman Empire The honour and marks of auncient alliance do yet continue for they are neither contemned by paying tributes nor oppressed by the farmer of publick reuenues They are exempted from charges and contributions as reserued for vse of warre as it were armes and weapons The Mattiaci do the like allegeance for the greatnes of the people of Rome hath been inlarged further then the old bounds of the Empire did extend and beyond the Rhene Therefore in regard of their habitation and bounds they inhabit the banke but in hart and minde dwell with vs in other things like the Batauians sauing that by reason of their soile and aire they are more forward and stout I will not accompt them among the people of Germanie albeit they are planted beyond Rhene and the Danube of whose land the tenth is raised The lewdest of all the Gallois and whom neede hath driuen to venture haue possessed that countrey as doubtfully holden Not long after hauing inlarged their bounds and placed fortresses farther they are within the compasse of the Empire and are a part of the prouince Beyond these the Cattians begin from the Hercynian forrest but haue not so wide marish a countrey as the other cities in which Germanie doth open and spread itselfe for the hils are one by another and continue a certaine space and then by little and little waxe thinner and the Hercynian forrest doth containe the Catti and is the bounds of their territorie They are a people hardned to labour well set sterne countenanced and of greater courage As Germans go they are sensible wise men and considerate they preferre choise men harken to their leaders know their ranks know where aduantages are bridle their heate dispose of the day to their benefit intrench in the night hold fortune among things doubtfull and esteeme of valour as of certaintie and which is most rare and vnderstood only by discipline they repose more assurance in their leader then in the armie All their strength consisteth in footemen whom besides their armes they loade with yron tooles and prouision Thou maist see others go to skirmish but the Catti march to warre They seldome skirmish or fight at aduenture Their horsemen are of this propertie that they either quickly win the victorie or yeeld Suddennes is neere vnto feare lingering draweth neerer constancie And that which is seldome vsed among other people of Germanie through their boldnes and hardines it is growen to a cōmon consent among the Catteans that is when they come to ripe yeeres they suffer their haire and beard to grow at length and neuer put off that vowed ornament of the face and as it were a bond of vertue vntill they haue killed an enemie Vpon bloud and spoile they vncouer their forehead and say they haue paied back the price of their birth and thinke themselues worthie of their countrey and parents the cowardly and vnwarlike remaine in their ilfauourednes Besides this euery man as he is most valiant weareth an yron ring an ignominious thing to that people as it were a bond vntill they rid themselues of it by killing an enemie This qualitie pleaseth many of the Catteans And then they grow graye respected of their owne people and enemies these begin euery battell these make alwayes the first ranke strange to behold for in time of peace they are altogether as fierce in countenance There is not one of them that hath a house or liuing or care of any thing As they come to euery mans house they are maintained prodigall of other mens and contemners of their owne vntill through feeble old age they are no longer able to indure so hard a labour V. Of the Tencterians Chamauians and Frisians NExt vnto the Catti the Vsipij and Tencteri do inhabit the Rhene running in a certaine channell and which may suffice for a bound The Tencteri besides