wherein after he had slain Immaradus Pausan in Atticis the son of Eumolpus their General he also lost his life when he had reigned 50 years He left three sons Cecrops Metion and Pandorus who falling into contention about the succession put it to the arbitration of Xuthus He adjudged it to the eldest but yet would they not rest satisfied which made him leave Athens Cecrops 2d and go into Aegialea where he died This Cecrops the second some think to have gathered the people into twelve Towns for that living dispersedly abroad the Carians by Sea and the Boeotians called Aeonae by Land harrased the Countrey as * L. 9. p. 397. C. Strabo writeth At the end of 40 years his son named Pandion succeeded him Pandion who was expelled the Kingdom by the sons of Metion his Uncle and fled to Pyla the King of Megara his father-in-father-in-law who left him his Successor Whil'st he here reigned he begat four sons Aegens Lycus Pallas and Nisus Pausan ut priùs who after his death went against the Metiontidae and expelled them Athens the Dominions whereof they divided into four parts according to their father's injunctions Megara falling to Nisus who reigned there a long time Aegeus 7. Though this division was made yet was Aegeus Soveraign in effect for fear of whom Lycus fled to Athens Pallas the other brother had 50 sons A. M. 2723. which growing up gave cause enough to Aegeus to be jealous of them having him in contempt because he was childlesse For though he married two wives Plutarch in Theseo yet had he issue by neither of them which made him go to Delphos to enquire of the Oracle about posterity The answer being obscure in his return he was entertained by Pittheus the son of Pelops a man famous for learning at Traezene Begetteth Theseus who either understanding the Oracle or otherwise induced Apollod A.M. 2725. made his daughter Aethra to lye with him after he had caused him to drink good store of Wine At his departure he put a sword and a knife under a great stone bidding her if she brought forth a Boy as soon as he could remove the stone and take those things from under it to send him with them as tokens unto Athens and he would own him for his son She accordingly brought forth a son called Theseus from putting the marks under the stone whom Pittheus brought up and for that he proved exceeding prudent and couragious his mother at sixteen years of age brought him to the stone acquainting him with his Original and his fathers injunctions He easily removing it and taking away the tokens prepared for his journey but they were unwilling to let him go by Land because all the wayes were full of Robbers since Hercules who went up and down destroying them after his killing of Iphitus had quitted these parts and was gone into Lycia where for some years he served Omphale the Queen But Theseus burning with emulation upon hearing continually the praise of Hercules his Kins-man for their mothers vvere next Cousins resolved to take that vvay to obtain some renown in killing those Robbers and effected his design upon several of them 8. Being arrived at Athens he vvas in danger to be poysoned by his father through the perswasion of Medea who now vvas fled to him from Corinth Plutarch and filled his jealous head vvith suspitions of this stranger till thinking it vvisdom to make himself known rather than let another do it he shewed him the tokens vvhich he presently acknowledged owning him for his son made his subjects as such to take notice of him But the sons of Pallas who before had been seditious now seeing all hopes of the Kingdom taken from them by him and disdaining that Aegeus should first reign himself being not of the bloud Royal but adopted onely by Pandion as Plutarch vvriteth and then leave for his Successor a stranger and a Bastard they took Arms and the better to accomplish their design divided themselves into two parties whereof the one came openly vvith their father against Athens and the other lay in ambush The acts of Theseus Theseus having notice of the later sort surprized and cut them all off vvhich so discouraged the other as they separated themselves and fled Theseus after this to employ himself and gain the favour of the people went and took the Marathonian Bull fetch 't out of Crete by Hercules and brought him quick into the Citie after he had infested the Countrey very much Then sailed he to Crete vvhere as the fable goeth he slew the Minotaure a Monster kept by Minos King of that Island Minos 9. Minos (q) Diodorus l. 4. p. 183. Rhadamanthus and Sarpedon were the Children of Jupiter by Europa and all adopted by Asterius the Grand-son of Hellen by his son Teutamus King of that Island who married their mother and was childlesse Minos was the Law-giver of the Cretians this honour being ascribed to him by the most Authentick of ancient (r) Plato in legibus Aristot Politic. l. 2. cap. 8. Authors Yet (Å¿) Apud Strabon lib. 10. p. 476. Epherus in his book of Europaean Commonwealths vvrote that he was but an imitator of one Rhadamanthus of the same name with his brother who by others is also said to have been imployed by Minos in this work but more ancient who first cultivated the Island by Laws Cities and Common-wealths feigning that he had from Jupiter all the Ordinances which he published In (t) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 imitation of him Minos having continued in the Law of Jupiter nine years produced Laws in writing and ascribed them to the same Author as Homer also hinteth vvhich (u) Odyss vvord of Homer though Strabo taketh to signifie a continuance for ten years yet Plato and from him (x) Lib. 1. c. 2. Exter Exemp 1. Valerius Maximus interpret it not of nine years continuance but every ninth year vvherein as it seemeth he amended his Laws Although Minos vvas a King yet he directed according to * Apud Strab. ut priùs pag. 480. B. Ephorus the vvhole model of his Laws to the freedom of his subjects This liberty he thought to be preserved best by Concord vvhich vvould be most established by the prevention of avarice and luxury the great causes of disagreement He would therefore have them all live soberly and frugally to vvhich purpose he ordained that Boys should live together in companies called Ageloe vvhen they vvere grown up and men in others called Syssitia from eating together vvhich they also named Andrâ—a from their mâ—nhood that taking their meat all in publick the poor might live in equal condition vvith the rich The form of the Cretian Common-wealth 10. After the abdication of regal power the chief Magistracy was exercised by ten Cosmi in power though not in number like to 〈◊〉 Spartan Ephori being chosen out of the lowest
two Laws from Vesta Zathraustes amongst the Arimaspians from a good Doemon Mneves amongst the Egyptians from Mercury Minos the Cretian from Jupiter Lycurgus the Lacedaemonian from Apollo and Numa the Roman from the Goddesse Egeria To this number * Biblioth l. 1. p. 59. B. in Margine Notat Diodorus out of Ethnick ignorance addeth Moses himself writing that he counterfeited conference with the god Jaus 5. But the people missing Moses so long a time and not knowing what was become of him raised a tumult and caused Aaron to make them a god that might go before them The Hebrews have a Tradition that Hur opposing this was slain but Aaron overcome with their furious importunity made them a molten Calf of Gold The molten Calf after the fashion of the Egyptians who Worshipped two Heifers Apis and Mnevis which they accounted gods Fourty dayes and as many nights being ended God gave Moses two Tables of stone wherein was written the Decalogue by his own finger Chap. 31. c. and sent him down telling him wherein his people were employed Moses something appeasing Gods wrath came down from the Mount SECT 2. but seeing them dance before the Calf in a great rage cast the Tables out of his hands and brake them He put the Calf into the fire and grinding it to pouder threw it into the Brook and made them to drink of the water then commanded the Levites to take every man his sword and slay his Neighbour so that of the people fell that day about 3000 men After this going up into the Mount the second time he interceded for the people and at his return removed the Tabernacle or Tent wherein he used to speak with God out of the Camp in token of the Lords displeasure He hewed two new Tables of stone like to the former and having given order for the making of an Ark of Wood and all things about the Tabernacle according to the pattern shewed him in the Mount he went up the third time and continued there fourty dayes and as many nights without eating any thing as before In this time God wrote anew the ten Commandments and being pacified renewed the league conditionally and proposed other Laws to the people When Moses returned his face shone so that he put thereon a vail when he spake to the multitude to which he declared Gods commands urged the observation of the Sabbath and the offering for making of the Tabernacle in the work whereof the latter part of this year was spent by Bezaleel and his Companions The Tabernacle reared 6. On the first day of the first moneth of the second year Chap. 40. was the Tabernacle reared and in this moneth were these things done which are spoken of in the third book of Moses called Leviticus On the fourteenth day was the passeover celebrated in the Wildernesse of Sinai Num. 19. On the first of the second moneth God commanded Moses to number all the Israelites Num. 1. except the Tribe of Levi from twenty years old to sixty the number of whom amounted to 603550. just so many as had been found seven moneths before when the contribution was to be made for the Tabernacle Chap. 10. On the 20th of the same moneth the Cloud which rested on the Tabernacle removed and they following it in four Armies came from the Wildernesse of Sinai to that of Paraâ— where they stayed 23 dayes in their 13th Mansion of Kibroth-Hattaavah Here the people weary of their Heavenly bread Chap. 23. lusted after the flesh of Egypt and were punished with a sudden fire which devoured many and was at length quenched by the prayer of Moses Chap. 11. Here also Moses complaining to God of the great burthen which lay upon him The Sanhedrim the Sanhedrim of the seventy Elders was instituted In this place moreover God gave the people Quailes for a whole moneth on which they surfeited so that a plague arose whil'st the flesh was yet betwixt their teeth and many perished Hence the place had its name of Kibroth-Hattaavah or the Sepulchers of concupiscence 7. From Kibroth-Hattaavah they removed to Hazeroth Chap. 12. where Aaron and Miriam spake against Moses about his wife Miriam struck with Leprosie Miriam for that was struck with Leprosie and cast out of the Camp till Aaron confessing their fault and interceding to Moses for her he prayed to God and she was healed She being after seven dayes received again into the Camp they removed Chap. 13. and came to Rithma near unto Cades-barnea in the same desart of Paran In the fifth moneth of the second year and the time of Vintage Caleb the son of Jephunne Joshua the son of Nun and ten other principal men were hence sent to spy the Land of Canaan The Spies search the Land After fourty dayes they returned bringing with them of the fruit of the Land Caleb and Joshuah incouraged the people but the rest utterly disheartned them causing them to dispair ever to possesse it because of the strength of the walled Towns and the Gyants which there lived This raised such a mutiny that they not onely murmured against Moses but spake of making them a Captain Chap. 14. and of returning into Egypt threatning to stone Caleb and Joshua who laboured to the contrary This so highly provoked the Lord that he threatned suddenly to destroy them and being prevailed with by Moses to mitigate his wrath denounced that none of twenty years and upwards should ever enter into the promised Land but wander up and down till their Carkeises fell in the Wildernesse except Caleb and Joshua And this sentence was presently executed upon the ten which had caused the sedition 8. When they had therefore now arrived at the borders of the promised Land they were commanded to turn back again into the Wildernesse towards the Red Sea But to make some amends as they thought for their late fear and cowardise The Israelites commanded to turn back they arose in the morning and against the expresse command of Moses went up into the Mountain to fight where the Amalekites and Canaanites that there inhabited smote and discomfited them even unto Hormah At their return they wept before the Lord but were not heard and upon this occasion and the death of those that fell daily in the Desart Moses as it 's thought composed the 90 Psalm wherein complaining of Humane frailty and shortnesse of life he signifieth that Man's age was reduced to 70 or 80 years and so now the third time was it as it were cut shorter by the halfe the two former having been immediatly after the Flood and again in the time of Phaleg at the division of the Earth 9. Thenceforth from their departure from Cades-Barnea are numbred 17 more stations in the Wildernesse of Paran wherein they spent 38 years wandring about till all the rebellious ones were consumed The things which hapned in those years cannot certainly
made provision for them for these thirteen years The Solymitans or Shepherds with the unclean multitude made now great havock of all things in Aegypt burning Villages and Cities and raging against the sacred Animals with their Priests whom they compelled to be their Butchers and drave away naked the forementioned Priest still giving Laws and framing their Policy who being from Osiris the Heliopolitan-god called Osarsiphus now changed his name into Moses But at the end of the thirteen years Amenophis returned with great power out of Aethiopia and with the assistance of his Son Rampses fell upon the Shepherds and unclean multitude whereof killing many they pursued the rest as far as the borders of Syria 13. These ridiculous lyes are much more augmented by others Chaeremon Chaeremon his ridiculous Lyes who professed to write the History of Aegypt giveth the same name Amenophis to the King and of Rhamesses to his Son but addeth that the Goddesse Isis appeared to the former complaining that her Temple was destroyed by War That Phritiphantes a sacred Scribe told the King that if he would be freed from terrors in the night he must purge Aegypt from polluted Men he therefore gathering out 250000 diseased persons cast them out of his borders That the two Scribes Moses and Joseph the Aegyptian name of the former being Tisithes and of the later Petesephis became their Leaders and coming to Pelusium found there 380000 which Amenophis having left behind would not convey into Aegypt with those they struck up a league and undertook an Expedition against the Land Amenophis not expecting the issue of their attempt fled into Aethiopia leaving his wife big with child which lying hid in a Cave brought forth a Son called Messenes He when he came to age expelled the Jews to the number of 200000 into Syria and received back his Father Amenophis out of Aethiopia Lisimachus his malicious forgeries 14. Lysimachus an Historian going beyond the other two in the maliciousnesse of his lyes wrote that when Bocchoris reigned in Aegypt the people of the Jews infected with Leprosie Scab and other diseases resorted to the Temple to beg for their living and many being infected with this disease barrennesse fell upon the Land Bocchoris sending to the Oracle of Ammon about it received this answer that the Temples were to be cleansed from impure and prophane persons who were to be cast out into the Desart but the scabbie and Leprous should be drowned the Sun not enduring they should live which being done and the Temples purified fruitfulnesse would be restored to the Earth Bocchoris accordingly ordered the Priests to gather all the prophane out of the Temples and give them up to Soldiers who were to carry them into the Wildernesse and the Leprous and Scabbie to be wrapped in Lead and cast into the Sea which being drowned accordingly the other were exposed to perish in the Desart But those consulting for their own safety kept fires that night and strict watch then the day following a solemn Fast to God for their preservation On the next counsell was given them by a certain Man named Moses that they should march on in one body till they arrived at some good Soil Then commanded he them to be kind to no man to give bad counsell rather than good and overthrow the Temples of the gods as many as they should find which being approved of they travelled through the Desart and after much trouble came to a fruitfull Soil where using the Inhabitants very injuriously and rifling and burning the Temples they arrived at length in that Country since called Iudaea and building a City seated themselves there This City was at first called Hierosyla from the spoiling of the Temples but afterwards to shun the disgrace of the occasion they changed it into Hierosolyme and took the name of Hierosolymitans Apion his Lyes 15. Further than this Apion a Grammarian of Alexandria Josephus Lib. 2. contr Apionem as he counterfeited himself but born in Oasis a Town of Aegypt amongst severall other lyes against the Jews wrote that he had received from the eldest of the Aegyptians how Moses was a Heliopolitan and being brought up according to the customs of his Country changed the rites thereof at his own pleasure That he led the Leprous Blind and Lame out of Aegypt but fairly saith it was in the first year of the seventh Olympiad the same wherein Carthage was built by the Tyrians which happened about 150 years after Hiram the King of Tyre as apppeareth out of the Phoenician Annals with whom Solomon was contemporary He mentioned the same number of infirm persons as Lysimachus but addeth a reason why the Sabbath was so called Travelling six dayes together saith he on the seventh day they rested in Judaea for that they were sorely plagued with Ulcers in their privy parts and named it Sabboth from the Aegyptian word Sabbatosis which signifieth that disease Notwithstanding that he saith they finished their journey in six dayes yet he further writeth that Moses hid himself for forty dayes upon the Mount Sinai which lyeth betwixt Aegypt and Arabia whence coming down he gave Laws unto the Jews As for the Jewish Religion he was not ashamed to write that in their Temple was set the head of an Asse made of gold and of great value which being there worshipped was taken thence when Antiochus Epiphanes spoiled the place 16. Such absurdities were delivered by the Egyptians and those who out of desire to gratifie them have after their example endeavoured to conceal the truth to which Josephus in his two Books against Apion hath abundantly answered Severall reasons have moved them to corrupt their Originall Records Reason for these Lyes raised by the Aegyptians and others against the Jews The Israelites growing great in that Country out of it they returned to the promised Land by the stretched out arm of God to the great reproach of their cruel and imperious Lords The difference of religion raised also betwixt the two Nations as betwixt the Jews and the whole world mortall enmity whilst the one worshipped the onely true God and the base and degenerate spirit of the other fell down to things far inferior to themselves which difference some though but few persons discerning were ambitious to become Proselytes to the Jewish Doctrine Hence again arose such Envy that some descended to that indiscretion and weaknesse as to contradict their own most antient and authentick Writers The in-bred blindnesse of Men's minds increased by Paganish Education hath so far prevailed that the (b) As Diodorus Siculus in Eclog. lib. 34. 40. Tacitus Hist lib. 5. ad initium Justin. lib. 36. greatest part of Heathen Writers have in this contention sided with the Egyptians otherwise contemptible enough in their eyes and subscribed to what they have said concerning the Originall of the Jewish Nation though some (c) Strabo lib. 16. p. 761. Dion Cassius lib. 37. have not given credit to
have provided for Magistrates that they might attend publick businesse without any detriment to themselves and so be preferred meerly for their Virtue The Suffetes 8. These Suffetes were more rightly in their own Language called Sophetim the Hebrew name of those chief Judges amongst the Israelites who from Joshua to Saul governed their Commonwealth and the History of whose actions by us called Judges hath the same title of Sophetim for that interpretation which renders it Sophim i. e. Overseers at the first sight appeareth lesse probable Their Office was to * Livius ibid. Lege Ubbonem Emmium in Descr Reâ—p Carthaginiensium assemble the Senate in which doubtlesse they presided and proposed They decided causes Criminal but their power was confined to home nothing appearing of their medling with warlike matters or having command of the Armies To these Suffetes was added a Senate which because Aristotle compareth it with that of Lacedaemon Senate may be supposed elective out of the best sort and most antient men and the Senators it 's likely injoyed the dignity all their lives How many they were in number doth not appear but that herein this Senate exceeded the other of Lacedaemon is to be gathered from * Lib. 19. Justin who speaketh of 100 persons that out of it were chosen for Judges to take account of the actions of all Generals at their return from the Wars This Senate as that at Rome was the chief member and as the Soul of the State wherein the Suffetes propounding as the Consuls there all thines of moment were brought to it especially what concerned those great things of Empire viz. Peace War and Leagues The Suffetes deliberating with the Senate if it was unanimous and they resolved the same thing their Decree was Law to the whole State but if the Senate and Suffetes disagreed then was the matter referred to the People Concio or Assembly 9. In the Concio or Assembly of the People any one of the rabble might speak his mind freely and without danger contradict the Magistrates The People's Decree concerning any thing referred was taken for the ultimate determination of the whole and State and being once passed was so binding that it was not lawful to offer any thing against it which Aristotle reprehendeth and well may he as too Popular and too much declining from the best form of a Commonwealth affirming this Constitution to have no place in the best modelled States But * quo supra Polybius dissenting from the Philosopher where he compareth the Carthaginian with the Laconick and Roman Commonwealths sheweth that it was poised of the three kinds of Government that the Suffetes were as Kings the Senate held the place of Optimates or Nobility and the People a convenient power Yet he addeth that when Hannibal made War upon the Romans which happened ten years after the death of Aristotle the State of Carthage declined from it's antient and best condition the People having assumed more than formerly vvhen the Roman Senate's authority was yet whole This he thinketh to have much incommodated their affaires and brought great advantage to the Romans Consule Polybium But what authority the People had during the best and most ancient State he no where in those Books and fragments that are remaining declareth Emmius thinketh that it consisted in electing Magistrates making Laws Leagues Peace and War in appointing and ordering Negotiations Customs Tributes and such like things which concerned the generality and respected the profit of the multitude But some of these things seem rather to have fallen under the consideration of the Kings and Senate however the disorders that followed as in all other such Governments will satisfie the Reader in his opinion of the excellency of Monarchy Council of 104. 10. Besides the Senate there was a Council of 104 men whereof Aristotle onely informeth us and which according to the round number from him we may call the Centumvirate They had power to chuse five men out of their body who had very large and great authority Both these sorts of Magistrates retained their povver longer than any other enjoying it both before and after they came to be of the five vvhich thing vvas plainly Oligarchical But in that they were not chosen by lot but by the Suffrages of the People and served without wages in that they alone took cognisance of and judged controversies and publick actions none being remitted to others as the custom was at Lacedaemon this he taketh notice to be Aristocratical He compareth the power of the Centumvirate with that of the Ephori at Sparta whereby he teacheth us that the power of judging lay in it And as the Ephori were acording to him Conservators of Popular liberty at Sparta protecting the Plebeians against the power of the great ones so it is likely from these words of Aristotle that those 100 men at Carthage were the Keepers of the Popularity Herein he prefereth them before the Ephori that they were not chosen out of the rabble but the better sort of Citizens wherein lay also a piece of Aristocracy for mean persons being preferred to greatest places do much hurt a Commonwealth saith he and have already endamaged that of the Lacedaemonians Censors Amonst civil Officers there were some that made inspection into the manners of the Citizens as Corn. Nepos telleth us in the life of Amilcar Pretorship the Father of famous Hannibal from whom they removed a beautiful young man called Asdrubal because he was reported to be more familiar with him than modesty required There was also a Praetorship which had authority to look to the Customs and Tributes and also to prefer Laws as appeareth by Hannibal who being chosen into this office not onely reformed the Customers but also taking notice of the corruption of Judges procured a Law for them to be chosen every year But whether there were more than one of these Officers is not to be discovered from antient Writers 11. Besides the faults before mentioned Aristotle reprehendeth the Custom of chusing the Suffetes for their riches which openeth a dore to avarice and indirect practices thence arising Faults in the Common-wealth He also noteth it as a fault that one and the same man had several Offices which yet they esteemed as a great honour One detestable practice they used of old to sacrifize to their gods humane Sacrifices when any affliction or disaster fell upon them and even their own Sons as Plato witnesseth which custom they seem to have brought with them out of Palaestine every year sending thither such kind of presents unto Hercules as we find in Pliny Another absurd Law they had Lib. 30. cap. 5. which forbad any Citizens to learn the Greek Langage lest they should hold intelligence with the Enemy because one Suniator had so done with Dionysius the elder Good Laws as Justin writeth This indeed was laudable that this City abhominated Drunkennesse
writeth by a Law which L. Julius or Villius Tribune of the people preferred whereby was limited a certain age before which it was not lawfull to stand for any place of Magistracy but from Cicero it should rather appear that there were several Laws made for the several Offices and at length the Lex Julia or Annaria included and abolished all the rest For (c) Philipica 5. he maketh them many calling them in the plural number Leges Annales and Livy saying that then first of all a Law was preferred by Julius in effect contradicteth himself relating elsewhere a (d) Lib. 25. passage concerning Scipio Africanus that when he stood for the Aedileship the Tribunes of the people opposed him alleging that he was not yet arrived at the lawfull age which was required for that Office and yet he was many years before Julius or his Law Cicero (e) Quo priùs declareth the 43th year to have been the age of Consulship saying that Alexander the Great having died in his 33th year came ten years short of the Consular age If his words be taken strictly the 43th but if more largely the 42th was the year and this rather as many examples do confirm A grave age became this most grave and weighty Office but sometimes the people dispensed with the Law as will be shewn the Emperours neglected it and Caesar Dictator before them who made Dolabella Consul at 25. It s duration Lastly as for the Term or duration of the Consulship it was annual as we before hinted in Brutus his model and so continued till Julius Caesar made several in one year so that afterwards Consuls were nominated for three two and one moneth and others substituted one after another Hence came it to passe that there were two sorts of Consuls Ordinary and Substitute the former beginning on the Calends of January and the later at other times This custom continued till Constantine who again made the Office Annual and instead of the Suffecti or Substitute ordained a new kind called Consulares and Consules Honorarii whose Office was not called Consulatus but Consularitas having derived its Original from the Consular Ornaments invented by Julius Caesar Of this titular promotion (f) Lib. 6. Epist 21. Cassiodorus is to be consulted The first Consuls 5. But to come to the matter in hand the first Consuls were L. Junius Brutus and L. Tarquinius Collatinus who began this Office according to (a) Lib. 5. Dionysius his Computation in the beginning of the 68th Olympiad wherein Ischomachus of Crotone was Victor Isagrus being Archon at Athens Because they could not deny that many good things had been done by Kings for the Commonwealth Their Acts. they would have the name preserved for ever in the State and therefore gave order to the Pontifies and Augurs to chuse out some one who taking care of Superstition and being exempted from War should be called Rex Sacrificulus A. M. 3496. Ol. 67. ann 4. V.C. 245. Darii 13. to which Office allotted unto the Patritians Manilis Papirius of that Order first attained Next after this fearing that the people might have as they well might an ill opinion of their intentions and say that for one they had got two Kings to diminish envy whereas each of them had as yet twelve Axes carried before them as the Kings used to have they ordered that but one of them should have twelve Axes and the other twelve Lictors with Rods alone and each his moneth should have the Axes This contained the people better in obedience as other things whereby they laboured to render themselves popular For they revived the Laws of Servius Tullius concerning publick meetings and assemblies with other things which conduced to the satisfaction of the common sort who now looked upon their lawlesse liberties as recovered 6. Tarquinius after his banishment first stayed at Gabii for some time whither many of his party flocking to him after he could not prevail with them of that place to make War in his behalf against the Romans he betook himself into Toscany or Hetrâ—ria where he could claim kindred by his mother and there winning mens minds by his munificence and moving them with his tears he procured Ambassadors to be sent to Rome in his behalf First they moved that he might be received again promising on his behalf very good demeanour for the time to come and when this equity could not be heard they or others sent aferwards as Plutarch writeth desired he might have his goods especially such as were descended upon him from Tarquinius Priscus his Grand-father who had in no wise ill deserved of them Brutus according to his furious and malicious temper very vehemently opposed it saying that it would shew little forecast in them to furnish him with money to imploy against themselves but his Collegue was for restoring the goods and prevailed to have the Decree passe on his side by one Vote onely overpowering the contrary party according to Dionysius The Ambassadors having it in charge to labour with the friends of Tarquinius that they might do something effectually drew out the time in length pretending they wanted carriages and must sell such things as could not be removed They stayed so long as to draw over to them some of the two notable families of the Aquillii and Vitellii viz. two persons of this and three of that Of all these Collatinus the Consul was Uncle and Brutus also had married the sister of the Vitellii by which he had several Children whereof two youths they drew in having convinced them of their fathers vehemency madnesse and folly and given them good hopes of great things to be done for them by Tarquinius 7. These men met in the house of the Aquillii to ripen their businesse There in the dark a certain slave Vindicius by name Lege inter alios Dionysium l. 5. Plutarch in Poplicola fearing to be found in that room when they came in and not with any intent to harken had himself behind a Chest and heard their whole debate concerning their purpose of killing the Consuls about which they gave Letters then to the Ambassadors who lodged in the house and were present at the meeting to be delivered to Tarquinius The Slave in this case knew not how to carry himself for to go to Brutus and to accuse his own sons to him seemed an hard and bold attempt as also no lesse to do it unto Tarquinius their Uncle no private person he knew to whom he might communicate so great a matter and yet a thing of such consequence he thought was not to be buried in silence nor yet the discovery thereof deferred At length he betook himself to P. Valerius who had also a great hand in casting out the King Revealed Valerius exceedingly struck with the thing that he might proceed warily first secured the slave to have him forth coming then sending his brother Marcus to seize
with the extravigancy of the ten retired themselves expecting the Comitia for the Creation of new Magistrates They add two Tables of Laws to the ten 5. The Decemviri added two Tables of Laws to the ten that were made the year before Amongst these new Laws there was one which forbad marriage betwixt the Patritians and Plebeians for no other cause as Dionysius conjectureth than lest the families being joyned together concord should ensue betwixt the two orders These Laws thus by accident saith (a) Lib. 2. Dig. de Origine Juris Pomponius came to be called the Laws of the twelve Tables being written by the Decemviri through the perswasion of one Hermodorus an Ephesian as some reported then banished into Italy concerning which person (b) Tusculan lib. 5. Plin. lib. 84. Strabo lib. 14. Cicero and others are to be consulted These Laws being established it followed SECT 1. that disputations and controversies of the Court should be necessary for as much as an interpretation was to be built upon the authority of the Learned This disputation or this unwritten Law composed by the Learned is not called by any peculiar name as all other parts but by the common one of Jus Civile or Civil Law onely Besides out of these Laws at the same time almost were composed certain cases wherein men contested one with another which cases lest the People should make them at their pleasure were to be certain and solemn and this part of Law is called Actiones Juris The Original of the Civil Law or Cases at Law Thus almost at the same time these three sorts of Laws arose viz. the Laws of the twelve Tables from these flowed the Civil Law and from the same were composed Cases at Law But the knowledge of expounding all these and the Cases themselves were kept by the College of Pontifices who appointed yearly those that judged Private Persons which custome the People used almost 100 years Afterward when Appius Claudius had propounded and reduced these Cases into form (c) Consule Valer. Max. l. 2. c. 5. exemp 2. A. Gellium Noct. Attic. l. 6. c. 9. Cicero pro Murena Gnaeus Flavius his Scribe and the son of a Libertine or of one whose father was once a Slave stole the Book and gave it to the People which accepted so thankfully of the gift that he was made Tribune of the Commons a Senator and Aedilis curulis This Book was called Jus Civile Flavianum as the other Jus Civile Papirianum Yet Flavius added nothing of his own to the Book The City increasing and there being as yet wanting certain sorts of Cases not long after Sextus Aelius composed other Cases and gave a Book to the People called Jus Aelianum How the parts of it came in by degrees 6. There being now in the City the Lex or Law of the twelve Tables the Jus Civile or Civil Law and the Cases of Law it came to passe that the Commons disagreeing with and separating from the Patritians appointed Laws of their own making called Plebiscita After their return there being a great controversie about these it was thought good to receive them also for Laws and so it was enacted by a Law preferred by * Vide Livium lib. 3. A. Gellium l. 15. c. 26. Hortensius the Dictator so though there was a difference in the form of making a Law called Lex and a Plebiscitum yet the authority was the same Then for that it was difficult for the People to meet because of it's multitudes necessity it self devolved the care of the Commonwealth upon the Senate So the Senate began to interpose and whatsoever it resolved was observed and that Law was called Senatus Consultum At the same time the Magistrates also administred Justice and that the People might know what they would determine concerning any thing and to fore-arm themselves they published Edicts which Edicts of the Praetors constituted the Jus Honorarium so named from the honour and authority of the Praetor Lastly as the course of affaires reduced the making of Laws to fewer fashions at length it came to passe through several Factions viz. of Sylla Marius Pompey and Caesar that there was necessity of the Commonwealth's being governed by a single person For the Senate not being able to govern all the Provinces a Prince was ordained and what he appointed was taken for Law So that in the Commonwealth of Rome all Law was either so constituted by a Law called Lex as that of the twelve Tables or properly called Jus Civile which being unwritten consisted in the interpretation of the Learned or Cases of Law which contained the form of Pleas or a Plebiscitum made without the authority of the Fathers or the Edict of a Magistrate called Jus Honorarium or a Senatus Consultum which without a Law Lex was ordained by the sole authority of the Senate or Principalis constitutio which the Prince himself enacted 7. These things are written by Pomponius in this narrative of the Original of Law for the better understanding whereof it is to be noted that the word Jus signifieth all Law or right in general and is that genus whereof Lex is but a species being defined by (a) Seu Scribenianus Institut l. 1. Tit. 2. Justinian the Emperour to be that which the People of Rome upon the quaestion put by a Senatorian Magistrate for example a Consul did enact As for the twelve Tables they were furnished with Laws partly borrowed from the Graecians partly added at the discretion of the Lawmakers and partly the same as formerly were in use SECT 2. Of the first sort were such especially as concerned private interests Of the second was that which forbad mariage betwixt the Nobility and Commons And of the third that Law which from Dionysius we formerly mentioned to have been made by Romulus giving power to a man to call together his wives kindred and judge her for drinking wine or dishonesty this is attested to have been taken into the twelve Tables by (b) Lib. 14. cap. 13. Plinie and (c) Lib. 10. cap. 23. Gellius also hinteth as much From (d) Jus triplex tabulae quod ter Sanxere quaternae Sacrum Privatum Populi commune quod usquam est Ausonius is observed that these twelve Tables were divided into three parts whereof the first contained what belonged to the Religion of the Romans the second what concerned the publick and the third the rights of private men Great are the commendations which many give of them but the most eminent is Cicero's Encomium that we name no more Disputing under the name of Crassus in (e) Lib. 1. de Oratore one place he thus speaketh If diversity of Studies please any in the twelve Tables there is a great image of Antiquity because the antient use of words is known and certain kinds of actions declare the life and custome of our Ancestors If any look at Polity you
shall find it all in the twelve Tables which describe all the interests and parts of the State or if any one be taken with this glorious Philosophy Cicero his commendation of the 12 tables I will speak more boldly these are the fountains of all his disputes contained in the Civil Law Jure Civili and Laws Legibus Though all be displeased I will speak what I think that little Book of the twelve Tables alone in my opinion excelleth the Libraries of all the Philosophers if one view the fountains and heads of Laws both in weight of authority and copiousnesse of advantage In another (f) De Legibus lib. 2. place he writeth that when he was a boy they were wont to learn the twelve Tables as some necessary Poem Lastly a collection of the fragments of these Tables out of approved Authors such especially as conduce to the explication of the Institutions and of antient Law with deep Antiquities hath been made by I. Crispinus to which the Reader is referred The Decemviri retain their power 8. But to return the Decemviri at the usual time of the Comitia bidding farewel to the customs of their Country and the new Laws neither regarding the approbation of Senate nor People continued themselves in power for the year following which was the third of the Decemvirate the first of the 83 Olympiad according to Dionysius wherein Criso of Himera was Victor Philiscus being Archon at Athens They so ordered the matter shortly as even all the considerable part of the Citizens Patritians and others they either killed or forced to quit the City This pleased them well enough but the Sabines and Aequi thinking it a fit time to attempt some great matter against Rome invaded the territories thereof and of the Latines The Decemviri much troubled hereat after a consultation how to make resistance several wayes found themselves constrained to assemble the Senate wherein Appius with a premeditated Oration propounded the matter of the War They assemble the Senate about War L. Valerius Potitus the son of him that besieged the Capitol and grandson of Poplicola first arose and though he was commanded by Appius to forbear flew high against the tyranny of the present Usurpers He being forced to silence was seconded by Marcus Horatius Barbatus great grandson of the Collegue of Poplicola who having expressed great indignation the Decemviri incensed with his biting words threatned to cast him down headlong from the Rock All the Senators at this cried out as at a breach of their privilege and made a tumult whereat the Ten repented of what they had done and excused themselves saying they deprived none of speaking to the matter in hand but interrupted Seditious Orations which they might do by their power of Consuls and Tribunes received from the People not for a year onely nor any limited time but till the work of Laws were finished untill which time they were resolved to act and then give an account of their administration Appius having delivered this in the name of all Stirs in the Senate asked the opinion of C. Claudius his Uncle 9. Claudius beginning his Oration with the occasion of their meeting fitly shewed what was the occasion of it The War he demonstrated to be begun by no other inducements than what the present distempers of the State afforded which were bred by the arbitrary and tyrannical carriage of his Nephew and his nine Companions He made out what these distempers were and by virtue of his relation to Appius took upon him after a sharp reproof by the nearnesse of their blood their Ancestors and the Decemvir's Father with all that was dear and religious to them both to conjure him that putting a stop to his ambitious course destructive to himself as well as the publick he would resign his usurped power and restore the Common-wealth to it 's former government and liberty Appius answered him not a word which so moved him that with tears he signified he would depart to Rhegillum the seat of his Forefathers and there continue till that fell upon the Decemvirate which he guessed would happen in a short time for as much as he could not endure to behold his Nephew degenerate so much from the antient worth of their Family As concerning the War he advised the Fathers to resolve nothing till the accustomed Magistrates were first created The graver and more eminent sort of Senators that spake after were all of this opinion which made the Ten resolve to ask none now according to their age as the custome was but M. Cornelius called upon his brother Lucius to deliver his opinion He attributed all that had been said against the Decemviri to envy saying it was because the speakers themselves could not compasse the Office and laboured to shew that it was most foolish counsel to resolve upon new elections which would require time and defer the War that threatned ruine and desolation By pressing the danger very close and urging what necessity there was of committing the War to the management of the Decemviri he drew almost all the younger sort to his party there being many even in the Senate from whom fear wrested compliance After all these the Decemviri gave Valerius leave to speak whom first of all they had interrupted He professed he was of Claudius his judgement as to the whole and answered all the reasons of Cornelius by one proposal that a Dictator might be instantly named shewing that if they missed of this opportunity they could not expect again to bee assembled by the Decemviri 10. Few that delivered their opinions after him remained unconvinced and many were changed from the sense they had before delivered He required then of the Ten that the matter might be further considered of and all might have liberty to recall their votes which caused a great contest betwixt him and Cornelius who desiring that the Decemviri might have the command in the War cried out that the thing was already decided in a legal manner and desired the parties might be counted Much heat being shewed by both the Fathers were also divided which advantage the Ten took to do what they pleased Appius then formally declaring for what cause they had been assembled told them they were divided according to the three several opinions of Claudius Cornelius and Valerius every one having had liberty to speak his mind freely and seeing that most had approved of what Cornelius had propounded he declared his partie to have overcome Then commanded he the Clerk to draw up a Senatus Consultum whereby power of raising Forces and commanding them was given to the Decimviri and therewith the Senate was dismissed They were by this kind of victory rendred more confident and imperious as having now in their own thoughts established themselves by having an Army at their command which Valerius had advised the Fathers earnestly to beware They make use of the Senate to their own advantage Horatius
Classes Centuries and Tribes further the authority of the Senate and Commons with the Power of Magistrates he of all others hath delivered most accurately That these things may be better understood It 's commendation he compareth them with the customs of Greece as where he speaketh of Clients he occasionally maketh mention of this relation amongst the Athenians and Thessalians as Caesar also writeth it to have been ordinary amongst the Galls He compareth the Roman Dictator with the Harmostes of the Lacedaemonians the Archons of the Thessalians and the Aesymnetes of the Mitylenaeans The Laws of Romulus Numa and Servius had perished but for him as also the knowledge of the Original of Rome in a great measure and so choice are all his Collections that they tend as to the instruction of the Reader in the depth of State mysteries so also to his acquiring or retaining a religious awe of Providence Such is his History saith * Bodinus Method Histor cap. 4. one well able to judge that if it had been kept intire for it consisteth of twenty Books as Photius informeth us there would have been no cause of bewailing the losse of Varro's treasures with whom he was very familiar as well as Pompey the Great and Tubero and from whom he seemeth to have derived his choicest Antiquities These things render a sufficient account why he is made use of in the History of Roman matters rather than any other 20. Servius Tullius the sixt King of Rome first instituted the Census as was shewn before and did the work himself without any peculiar Officer as also did the Consuls untill this time But now in the 66th year from the banishment of Tarquinius and the 311 of the City there having been no Census for seventeen years for that the Consuls were necessarily diverted from that work by more urgent businesse the Senate procured out of their own order two peculiar Officers to be created who were called Censores because according to their Censio or estimation the People was cessed saith Varro or because every one accounted himself worth so much quanti illi censuissent as they judged or estimated according to Festus 21. At the beginning they were created for five years because according to Servius his constitution the People were to be cessed at ever Lustrum The duration of the Office of Censors which conteined so many But their dignity and power so increasing that they seemed of too long a continuance nine years after in the 320 of the City by a Law which Mamercus Aemilius the Dictator preferred Livius lib. 3. the duration of their Office was confined within the term of one year and an half Though their Office at first was onely to take an estimate of mens Estates and describing all publick and private fiches to distribute the People according to their wealth into Classes and Centuries Their power yet within a while they came to have inspection into manners also For they upon misdemeanour put out of the Senate took away publick horses and cast out of the Tribes The former kind of punishment was inflicted upon Senators the second upon Equites and the last upon meer Plebeians Their removing Senaters was by passing them by at the new election For In voce Praeteriti such Senators saith Festus as were passed by in former times were lyable to no disgrace because as the Kings chose and substituted whom they pleased so after them the Consuls and Tribunes Military such as they had greatest interest in first Patritians and then after Plebeians till by the Tribunitial Law of Ovinius it was ordained that the Censors out of every order or rank should curiatim elect the most worthy into the Senate whence it came to passe that such as were passed by or removed were noted with ignominie This note out of Festus hinteth to us the antient power of the Roman Kings in making Senators one of the greatest supporters of the Throne of their Empire 22. As for the disgrace which they put upon Equites Vide Plutarchum historiam narrantem in Pompeio Livium lib. 29. Festum in voce censio It was the custome for every Eques at the publick Census to appear before the Censors with their Horses in their hands If they approved of them they bade them passe by and lead away the Horse if they determined otherwise they took away the Horse and commanded him to be sold The third note of disgrace concerned the Plebeians whom they either removed from their own Tribe into another lesse honourable according to Livie or made them Aerarii and registred them in the tables of the Caerites whereby rhey were deprived of their Centurie and remained Citizens onely in this respect ut pro capitibus suis tributi nomine aera solverent as writeth Asconius Pedianus upon the Oration of Cicero against Q. Caecilius called Divinatio which disputeth who ought to be admitted the Accuser of Verres Lib. 16. cap. 13. Gellius telleth us what was meant by the tabulae Caeritum The Caerites inhabitants of Caere in Tuscany once called Agylla we understand to have been first of all made Municipals without any right of suffrage and it was granted them that they might receive the honour of being free of Rome without any trouble or burthen for that they received the Sacra or idols of the Romans and preserved them in the Gallick War that is when Rome was taken by the Galls as Livie hath the story also in this fourth Book Hence were those called Tabulae Caeritum vice versa wherein the Censors caused such to be registred as they deprived of the right of Suffrage Although these several sorts of punishment respected the several rancks of men Livie lib. 4. yet sometimes those of higher degree tasted of all or most of them so that Senators might not onely be passed by and Equites deprived of their Horses but lose their Tribes also and be reduced to the condition of Aerarii 23. This Office being committed to the prudent management of able persons The effects of it became effectual to the repression of such vice as fell not under the particular cognisance of penal Laws Private faults and domestick miscariages were by them noted with such actions sometimes as now would not simply incur the censure of precise illegallity or indecency Some of their questions upon oath were such as these (a) Lege A. Gellium l. 4. cap. ult Hast thou a wife according to thy mind to which one once making a jesting answer was made an Aerarius A certain man yawning before the Censors had been punished in that sort but that he swore he did it unwillingly being troubled with that disease which the Romans called Oscedo P. Scipio Nasica and M. Pompilius being Censors and finding a certain Knight very fat and compt whose horse was exceeding lean and ill favoured they asked him the reason of that difference to which he answered Because he looked to himself
of Sardinia by T. Manâ—ius Torquatus the Consul In the following year being the 520 of the City the first (b) Val. Max. l. 2. c. 1. exemp 4. Agellius l. 17. c. 21. Dionys Halicarn divorce was made by Sp. Carvilius Ruga who though he did it under a specious pretence of his wives barrennesse was ever ill-willed for it by the People This same year was M. Porcius (c) Cicero de Senectute born in the precincts of Tusculum who had the name of (d) Plutarch in Catone Cato for his wisdom Catus in the Roman language whence the diminutive Catulus signifying sagacious acute or ingenious And this year did Cn. Naevius the Poet (e) Agellius ut supra publish playes to the People Câ— Naevius the Poet. who wrote also the first Punick war wherein he served in the most ancient kind of Verse called Saturnii Versus which were succeeded by the Fescennini some being with metre and some without He died in the 30 year after this and left a proud (f) Idem l. 1. c. 24. Epitaph of his own making which he commanded should be ingraven on his Tomb and Gellius hath recorded together with those of Plautus and Pacuvius 23. Five years the Temple of Janus continued shut and in the sixth was opened by a War with the Illyrians For Teuta Queen of that Nation Polybius l. 2. the widdow of Agron who for joy that he had prospered in his enterprises against the Aetolians drank so hard that he fell into a Pleurisie and thereof died elevated by her prosperity in Peace gave out commissions to her Subjects to rob all at Sea whomsoever they met with The Illyrians then having taken Phoenice a strong City of Epirus struck a great terror into all the maritime parts of Greece and setting upon the Italian Merchants some they robbed The Illyrians infest the Italians at sea others they killed and not a few they caried away prisoners The Romans having hitherto neglected all complaints against them when now many came together sent unto Illyricum Caius and Lucius Coruncani to inform themselves concerning these matters Teuta answered she would take care that no publick injury should be offered to the Romans but it was not the custom to hinder any from making what private commodity they could out of the Sea But saith Lucius the Romans have a good custom publickly to prosecute private injuries and to relieve the injured therefore we will shortly endeavour God willing to constrain thee to amend these customs The Queen took this liberty of speech so hainously that her womanish impotency and anger prevailed against the Law of Nations to have some sent after the Ambassadors who killed Lucius For this War was decreed against her Whence a War ensueth and both the Consuls of the 525 year of the City Cn. Fulvins Centumalus and L. Posthumius Albinus Consul the second time were sent into Illyricum Fulvius with the Navy and his Collegue with the Land-Army 24. Fulvius received Corcyra A. M. 3776. Ol. 137. an 4. V.C. 525. Sel. Callinici 18. Ptol. Euerg 18. Idem Justin given up into his hands by Demetrius Pharius then took he Apollonia and the Armies joyning the Consuls freed Dyrrhachium besieged by the Illyrians Then most of the Illyrick Cities were either taken or delivered up whereupon the Queen retired with a few followers to Rhizon a strong Town situate upon a River of the same name and the Spring following sent to Rome to desire Peace It was granted to her on these terms Peace is granted to Teuta the Queen To pay a yearly tribute to quit all Illyricum except a very few places and Not to sail beyond the River Quissus with more than two Barks and these unarmed For nine years the Illyrians continued in obedience till the 535 year of the City wherein rebelling they were again reduced by Aemilius Paulus and M. Livius the Consuls For Demetrius Pharius then their King forgetting the great favours received from the People of Rome wasted the Towns of Illyricum subject to the Romans and passed the bounds set by the League Aemilius within seven dayes took Dimalium and followed him to Pharus a Town of the Island Phario which he also took Demarius being fled to Philip King of Macedonia he seized on the rest of Illyricum which he ordered to pay a stipend to Pineus the son of Agron But thus was begun and finished the War with Teuta which Florus according to his custom breaking the order and series of time falsly placeth after the Gallicum Cisalpinum or that with the Galls inhabiting within the Alps. 25. For the same year wherein the Peace was made with Teuta A. M. 3777. V.C. 526. the promulgating of the Agragrian Law by C. Flaminius Tribune of the people brought this great The Seditious attempts of Flaminius the Tribune and dangerous War upon the Commonwealth There being a good quantity of ground Conquered within the Countrey of these Galls he preferred a Law for the dividing of it to the people man by man Q. Fabius Maximus being now Consul the second time stifly opposed it Sp. Carbilius his Collegue not stirring as (a) De Senect Cicero telleth us the Senate also laboured to crosse it but when in the Rostra Flaminius read the Law his father laying hands on him he obeyed and went down though he neither valued the Consul nor Senate nor yet was affrighted with the levying of an Army Nay the people about him was so overawed by paternal right that Lib. 5. cap. 4. Exemp 5. as Valerius Maximus writeth though the Assembly was thus disappointed not the least muttering was heard Whether the Law for division fully passed or not by reason of the interruption by old Flaminius yet this thing gave occasion to a new and great War as Polybius writeth who mistaketh the time by four years for as much as these stirs about the Agrarian fell not out in the 522. but the 526 of the Citie wherewithall the second Consulship of Fabius Maximus and that of Sp. Carnilius Maximus is joyned Indeed the first of Fabius fell in with the 521 year of the Citie two years before Teuta killed the Ambassador and two more at least before the finishing of the Illyrian War whence may be conjectured that as the mistake of Polybius might arise from want of distinction betwixt the first and second Confulships of Fabius so the error of Florus or him who ever wrote that System in placing the Gallick War before the Illyrian might proceed from an inconsiderate trust to the Authority of that excellent Author 26. The report concerning this Law awakened the Galls especially the Boii Occasioneth the War called Bellum Gallicum Cisalpinum who were nearest neighbours Concluding now that the Romans fought not so much for glory and dominion as out of a covetous design of inriching themselves they sent to the Insubres for aid exhorting them to remember what their Ancestors once
16. p. 779. C. inhabited part of Arabia from the River Euphrates to the Red-sea called Arabia Petraea from Petra the Metropolis of the Countrey which wanting fruits abounded in Sheep and Cattel (h) Lib. 19. p. 722. A. Diodorus describeth it to have lyen like a Wildernesse untilled as without inhabitants without Rivers or Fountains It was unlawfull with them to sow or plant to drink wine or build houses being extraordinary desirous of liberty and judging these things but temptations to such as were stronger to inthral them Some of them kept Camels others Sheep some used to convey Spices brought out of Arabia the Happy to the Sea When they were invaded by an Enemy they betook themselves into the Wildernesse which being vast and without water affoarded them sufficient protection Another son of Ismael named Kedar gave name to a place of Arabia the Desart often mentioned in Scripture It is thought that though the Chusaeans Madianites and Ismaelites were of several Originals yet they dwelt promiscuously together and grew up into one Nation of the Saracens 11. Fifteen years after this Isaack being 138 years old and blind Gen. â—7 sent his eldest son Esau to Hunt for Venison that he might eat and blesse him before his death But Jacob by his mother's help supplanted him and got the blessing having formerly bought his birthright for pottage Hereat Esau inraged determined to kill him after his fathers death which Rebecca knowing sent him into Mesopotamia to her brother Laban that he might thence also take a wife out of her own kindred and not make his choice amongst the Hittites of which Esau had married two wives In his journey Chap. 28.29.30 God appeared to him in a dream and blessed him for which cause he changed the name of the place from Luz into Bethel Coming to Laban after a moneths time Jacob flieth from his brother into Mesopotamia he Covenanted to serve him seven years for his youngest daughter Rachel which being ended Leah the eldest was given to him in her stead and presently after Rachel for which he agreed to serve him other seven years A. M. 2246. Rachel most beloved continued barren and Leah because neglected obtained favour of God to be fruitfull which raised such emulation betwixt them as Rachel first and then Leah gave her maid to his bed accounting the Children begotten on them as their own Within seven years he had by Leah seven sons His issue viz. Reuben Simeon Levi Judah Issachar Zabulon and a daughter named Dinah by Bilhah Rachel's maid two sons Dan and Naphtali by Zilpah Leahs maid also two sons Gad and Asher Lastly by Rachel her self one son named Joseph and born the fourteen year of his service ending Six years longer he served Laban for wages being to have the Cattel of such and such a colour which his hard master changed ten times but could not withstand the providence of God in his growing rich His return 12. Having served his father-in-father-in-law and Uncle twenty years Chap. 31.32 c. and observing what envy he had contracted from him and his sons he stole away with all he had and proceeded three dayes on his yourney ere his departure was known Then Laban with his friends pursuing overtook him after seven dayes in Mount Gilead which from the event of this meeting had its name After several expostulations they made a Covenant Laban being warned by God not to hurt him and in Testimony thereof laid together an heap of stones which Jacob called Galead but Laban in his Syrian tongue Jegar-Sahadutha Jacob then continued his journey towards Canaan A. M. 2266. wrestling with God's Angel in his way from which he received a blessing and the sirname of Israel His brother Esau also met him and lovingly received him contrary to his fears The first place he stayed at was Succoth so called because there he built an House and made Booths for his Cattel Thence he passed over Jordan and came to Sichem where he bought of Hamor the father of Sichem a Field for a hundred Lambs or so many pieces of money How long he continued in either of these places is not expressed Demetrius * and Alexander Polyhistor wrote that he abode ten years in Socot Apud Euseb praeparat Evang. lib. 9. cap. 21. saying nothing of Sichem perhaps because he made little stay there Indeed Dinah seemeth to have been ravished not long after their first coming thither Hamor speaking to his Citizens concerning them as persons lately come and her curiosity to see the women of that Countrey probably may be thought to have proceeded Dinah ravished from the strangenesse of it At the end of these ten years she was ravished then sixteen years old being born a little before Joseph and perhaps the same year To be revenged upon Sichem who committed the rape her two brothers Simeon and Levi slew him and put the whole Citie to the sword coming upon them when they were yet sore by Circumcision which he had procured them to admit of that he might obtain the maid for his wife 13. Jacob much troubled hereat was commanded by God to go to Bethel having buried all the strange gods and the earings of his family under the Oake in Sichem At Bethel he erected an Altar to the Lord and here Deborah the Nurse of Rebecca died Thence he removed to Ephrath being 107 years old Rachel dieth and when they had almost reached the place Rachel died in Travel of Benjamin having as Demetrius and Alexander wrote lived with her husband 23 years Eleven years after Jacobs return into Canaan Chap. 38. when he was now 109 years old Joseph being hated of his brethren because he had brought to their father their evil report and for his dreams which presaged his preheminence over them they sold him to the Ismaelites Joseph sold A.M. 2277. who carried him down into Egypt where Potiphar Captain of the Kings Guard bought him being now seventeen years old Ten years he lived with him till refusing to satisfie the wanton desires of his Mistresse he was falsly accused by her of her own fault and cast into prison The year after he interpreted the Dreams of the chief Butler and Baker of Pharoh both which were in prison with him and accordingly the Baker was hanged but the Butler restored who yet forgat Joseph 14. At this time his Grand-father Isaac died aged 180 years A. M. 2288. in the 2288 year of the World He was buried in Hebron by his two Sons Esau and Jacob Isaac dieth the former having as some think they have ground in charity to believe reconciled himselfe to his Brother and joyned himselfe to the Church not being estranged from the Grace of God but onely from the speciall and particular Covenant as to the promised Seed which they have the same reason to think concerning Ismael The Funerall past and the Goods divided betwixt them being both
and fell by the Sword being added advance the number to 24000. Phineas the Son of Eliazar the Priest executing judgment upon Zimri an Israelite and Cozbi a Madianitish Woman in the act of Fornication the Wrath of God was thereby appeased and the Plague staied Moses numbereth the people 14. A little after God commanded Moses the third time to number the people In this space of 40 years all the Men of War were perished except Caleb and Joshua which amounted to the number of 603000. Yet was there by this time such a supply of young ones grown up that they almost equallized the number of their Fathers there being found 601730 from 20 years old and upwards besides 23000 Levites reckoned from a moneth old After this Moses by Gods command sent Phineas with 12000 Men against the Midianites who had conspired with the Moabites against them Chap. 31. He destroyed them and amongst them Balaam the Soothsayer Balaam slain who as it appeareth was not yet returned The Women they brought away Captives whereof the Married-ones they slew and kept the Virgins for themselves Now were the Lands of Sihon King of the Ammorites and Og King of Bashan Chap. 32. divided amongst the Reâ—benites The land beyond Jordan divided Gadites and the half Tribe of Manasses on this condition that they should accompany their bretheren over the River Jordan and assist them in the conquest of the Land of Canaan so long as need should require 15. The time now drew near that Moses must dye being not to passe over into the Land of Canaan Therefore in the 11th moneth of the 40th year he made a repetition of the Law to the people Deut. 1 c. related God's benefits bestowed on them and exhorted them to obedience The Law he wrote in a Book and commanded it to be read every 7th year at the Feast of Tabernacles He also at the command of God wrote a Song concerning the future Idolatry and afflictions of the Israelites Joshua being then ordained Captain of the people in his stead he ascended from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo part of the Mountains of Abarim Deut. Ult. and whose top is called Phasga or Pâ—sgah looking towards Jericho There God having shewn him the Land of Canaan from the one side to the other Moses dieth A. M. 2548. he died some 5 months after Aaron being 120 years old the third part of which time saving one moneth he spent as * Antiq. l. 4. Josephus writeth in Government in the 40 year ending after he had brought the Israelites out of Aegypt the year of the World 2548. God buried him in the Valley of Moab over against Beth-Peor and no Man knoweth of his Sepulcher to this day Concerning his body a contest hapned between Michael the Arch-Angel and the Devill the reason of which is thought to be because Satan would have had the place thereof known that the people might be drawn to Idolatry out of reverence to so great a person The Israelites mourned for him 30 dayes and with his life endeth the Pentateuch or his five Books The Book of Joshua followeth taking it's beginning from the 41th of the departure out of Aegypt and the 2549th year of the World 16. Whilst the Israelites were still mourning for Moses Josh 1 2 3 4 Chapters the two Spies were sent over Jordan as some think to search the Land The next morning after their return the whole Host removed from Shittim and came to Jordan where they lodged that night and the next day passed over the River As soon as the feet of the Priests which bare the Ark touched the water it fell off on both sides and made a way so that they went over on dry ground the floods not returning to their place so long as the Ark remained in the channel On the 10th day of the first moneth Nisan they arrived in the Land of Canaan The Israelites passe over Jordan into the Land of Canaan and took up their first Mansion at Gilgal A. M. 2549. ineunte Chap. 5. not far from Jericho Here it 's thought the next day God commanded that all the Males should be circumcised this Sacrament being omitted ever since they left Mount Sinai because they were in constant expectation of travell upon which account neither had they kept the Passeover since that time Three dayes they rested and on the fourth they did ear the Passeover and the day following unleavened bread of the Corn of the Land at which time Manna ceased after it had continued 40 years 17. The first place they fell upon with War was the City of Jericho Chap. 6. which having compassed with the Ark seven dayes on the seventh the walls fell down of their own accord the City was taken and all therein put to the Sword except the Family of Rahab she having harboured the Spies had security promised from them whom Salmon of the Tribe of Judah married to whom she bare Boaz. Jericho destroyed All the goods found therein were also accursed nothing thereof to be made prey which Law Achan transgressing Chap. 7 8 9. caused Israel to be discomfited at Ai and for that was first stoned and then burnt with all that belonged to him The Kings of Canaan startled at Josua's successe combined against him but the Gibeonites fearing the worst counterfeited a Message to him as from a far Countrey and procured safety to themselves and posterity yet such as slavery was joyned therewith Adonsedek King of Jerusalem and the Kings of Hebron Jarmuth Lachish and Deber enraged hereat conspired against them and fell upon their Citie to the relief whereof Joshua being called raised the siege and prosecuting his victory against the Kings at his command the Sun stood still over Gibeon Chap. 10. and the Moon in the Valley of Ajalon The Sun and Moon stand still Upon which strange miraculous accident this is observed that Ajalon being scarce a German mile Westward of Gibeon the Moon as 't is probable was then decreasing or in the wane and Codomannus these two Luminaries standing still and moving together the Astronomical account was thereby nothing at all disturbed 18. Joshua drave the five Kings to that streight that they hid themselves in a Cave at Makkeda where after he had utterly vanquished and destroyed their Armies Joshua vanquisheth the Kings he took them and killing them hanged their Carcases on five Trees till Sun-set then cast them into the Cave and laid a great heap of stones thereon Chap. 11. c. After their death he warred with many other petty Kings as with the King of Libnah Lachish Gezer Eglon Hebron and the rest there was not one Citie that made peace with Israel save the Hivites the inhabitants of Gibeon all others they took in battel and utterly destroyed except such as it pleased God to reserve for a lash and scourge wherewith to reduce them
eighth year viz. after the division or eighth years because this servitude ended in the eight But that it began not immediatly after the division neither after the death of Joshua seemeth evident because the Israelites served the Lord as long as that Generation lasted which had seen his wonders which cannot be conceived extinct at the same time with him Others think a longer time then seven years to have passed betwixt the division and this oppression assigning fourteen years to the government of Joshua after the division then ten more to the government of the Elders after his death Jacobus Cappellus who might very well live longer then so none that were twenty years old when they came out of Egypt having entred Canaan except Joshua and Caleb After that as many years they attribute to an Anarchy in the sixth year of which they will have the Civil War to have broken out betwixt Benjamin and the rest of the Tribes Judg. 20. wherein all the Benjaminites except 600 were slain Four years after this War and at the end of the 10th Cushan the King of Mesopotamia afflicted Israel for its idolatry eight years But concerning this there is no certainty Othniel delivereth them 23. At the end of the eight years God stirred up for a deliverer Judg. Chap. 3. Othniel of the Tribe of Judah Nephew to Caleb by his younger brother Kenaz and his son-in-son-in-law Into his hands the Lord delivered Cushan and the Land had rest fourty years After his death which is set to the end of these fourty years Israel turned again to idolatry and the Lord delivered them up to Eglon Eglon oppresseth them King of Moab for eighteen years At the end of this term he stirred up Ehud a left-handed man of the Tribe of Benjamin who under colour of a message stabbed Eglon into the belly Delivered by Ehud and gathering the Israelites together on Mount Ephraim slew 10000 of the Moabites all men of War After this the Land is said to have rested 80 years the words being taken literally but then some think none of the years of the Tyrants or Oppressors are to be counted severally and by themselves but to be included herein as other years after mentioned else the account will swell much larger then the whole number of years which the Scripture seemeth to allow of If we take-in all the years ascribed to the Tyrants then they will have it an Enallage frequent in all Languages and instead of 80. Ehud governed or the Land rested under him onely eight years but others think they have as much reason to take them literally Shamgar judgeth Israel 24. After Ehud Shamgar the son of Aneth judged Israel Chap. 4. but no mention is made of any time It followeth when Ehud was dead the Children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the Lord and he sold them into the hand of Jabin King of Canaan whose General was Sisera and who had 900 Chariots of iron Jabin oppresseth them he mightily oppressed them twenty years It is most probable that in this time the Government of Shamgar was included he slew with an Oxe-good 600 of the Philistins And the Philistins who at this time might also afflict Israel or else it being but short might fall betwixt Ehud's death and the oppression of Jabin there being probability enough that some time passed after his death before the Israelites so highly provoked the Lord as to be given up into Jabins hands At the end of these twenty years Deborah Deborah and Barach deliver them the wife of Lapidoth judging Israel at this time in Mount Ephraim moved by God sent for Barak the son of Abinoam from Kadesh-Naphtali and made him Captain He with 10000 men of Zebulon and Naphtali overthrew Sisera who flying on his feet to the Tent of Heber the Kenite descended of Jethro father-in-father-in-law to Moses Jael his wife killed him by a Nail driven into his Temples as he lay asleep So the Land rested under Deborah fourty years as we read it * Usher another interpreting it in the 40th year viz. after the rest restored to it by Ehud 25. This time expired and the Israelites relapsing to idolatry Jud. 6. God gave them up into the hands of the Midianites The Midianites oppresse them and other people of the East which afflicted them seven years destroying their Corn driving away their Cattel and making havock of all things This made them cry to the Lord who first reproved them by a Prophet and afterwards by an Angel stirred up Gideon the son of Joash of the Tribe of Manasses to deliver them He having pulled down the Altar of Baal and burnt his grove Chap. 7. out of 23000 men chose 300. with which number marching against the Midianites Gideon delivereth them he so affrighted them by a stratagem of Lamps and Pitchers that he routed their whole Army The Ephraimites took Oreb and Zeeb Gideon following the Chance beyond Jordan wholly discomfited them and took Chap. 8. and slew two Kings of the Midianites Zeba and Zalmanna After so great a victory the Israelites offered him the Kingdom but he refused it and asked onely the earings of the prey wherewith he made an Ephod which afterwards gave occasion to idolatry all Israel going a whoring after it and became a snare to him and his house But thus Midian being subdued the Country was in quietnesse under Gideon 40 years as most read it but as others was quiet in the 40th year viz. after quietnesse restored to it by Deborah and Barach Abimelech his Son maketh himself King 26. Though Gideon refused the Soveraignty Chap. 9. yet Abimelech his base Son thinking such a thing was not to be neglected dealt with the Sichemites of whose City his Mother was native to make him King and by their help he seized on the Kingdom having slain his Seventy Brethren upon one stone Jotham the youngest onely escaping The Israelites after Gideon's death had again turned after Idols and therefore God not onely subjected them to the Dominion of this most wicked of all parricides but to intestine dissentions by reason of him For after he had tyrannized three years Gaal with the Sichemites conspired against him which having timely discovered he destroyed them and their City sowing it with Salt and burnt the house of their god Berith with a thousand Men and Women which had fled to it Then went he against Thebez and took it the Inhabitants whereof retired for defence into a strong Tower Here as he was about to set fire to the door a Woman cast down a piece of a Mil-stone upon his head and so brake his skull that he caused his Armour-bearer to kill him lest it should be said that he died by the hands of a Woman Tolah judgeth Israel After his death Tolah the Son of Puah Chap. 10. the Son of Dodo a Man of Issachar that dwelt
found to have passed from the Originall of Jubilies to the Dedication of the Temple which make up eleven Jubilies and eight years Ludov. Cappellus So the service therein began in the eighth year of the twelfth Jubilie or in the first year of the second week of the twelfth which seemeth agreeable to the Ceremoniall Law wherein most things consist in the number of 7 and are reckoned by Sabbaticall years and Jubilies And if we divide 3095 by 7 we shall find the Temple dedicated in the first year of the 442d week from the Creation almost twelve intire Jubilies after the Service thereof had been first appointed on Mount Sinai Solomon's Navy 43. About the same time Solomon built a Navie at Esion-gaber 1 Kings 1. on the shoar of the Red Sea in the Land of Edom. This furnishing with his own Subjects and the Tyrians then by reason of the situation of their Countrey the best Sailors in the World sent to him by Hiram he dispatched to Ophir once in three yeers for gold and other marchandise whence they brought him 420 talents The Country of Edom David had formerly subdued and thence Solomon his Son had the priviledge of building his Ships there Aeleth or Eloth called by other Writers Aelana and Aelanum was then a famous City seated upon the Arabian Gulf to part whereof lying about it it gave appellation As Esion-gaber was the Arcenall for building the Navie so this City seemeth to have been the Emporium or Mart-town and as long as the Edomites continued under the obedience of the Kingdom of Judah it is probable that thence Marchandise was transported to Petra the chief City of Arabia and so to Jerusalem But when the Edomites revolted which happened after the death of Jehosaphat the course was altered from Jerusalem to Rhino colura a City in Phoenicia upon Aegypt and there continued long till such time as the Ptolomie's with much adoe brought down the trade to Alexandria To effect this they made two Ports upon the borders whereof the one bare the name of Berenice and is mistaken by Josephus for Esion-gaber that lying at a great distance both from this and Elath which seemeth to be the same place mentioned in (d) Strabonem lege lib. 16. p. 780. D. 781. A. B. c. Vide Fullerum in miscellaneis Strabo by the name of * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Albus Pagus 44. As this Navigation of the Tyrians gave a beginning to their Fame in that Art so from it as is probably conceived came the name of the Red Sea or that of Edom first to be famous in other Countries Their Traffick increasing they might well send out Colonies into other parts and hence as Herodotus writeth the Sea-coast of Arabia might be inhabited by them but as for their coming from these parts to inhabit Phoenicia which opinion seemeth to have taken it's originall SECT 3. from the journey of the Israelites out of these Coasts it is a meer Fable Sailing out of the Arabian into the Persian Gulf the name of Red Sea might upon this occasion be given by them to both which is usually to be expounded of both in antient Writers the word Edom being changed into others of the same signification in severall Languages As for Ophir if we think this Country denominated from the Son of Sem or him from it either immediately by his habitation therein or rather mediately by the Tyrians imposing that name upon it which properly belonged to a place in Arabia then need wee not seek for it in America and feign strange circuits to have been made from the Red Sea round about Africk to sail thither as those who place it in that part of the World are forced to do His buildings 45. Solomon after the dedication of the Temple fortified Jerusalem with a treble wall and repaired Hazron the antient Metropolis of the Canaanites so did he Gaza of the Philistins he built Bethoron Gerar and the Millo or munition of Jerusalem He also built Megiddo in Manasseh on this side Jordan Balah in Dan and Thadmor which may be either Thameron in the Desart of Judaea mentioned by Ptolomy or Palmyra as Josephus thinketh situate in the Desart of Syria on the borders of his Dominions which being many Ages after rebuilt by Adrian the Emperour was named after him Adrianopolis He built for himself in thirteen years time a Palace and an house for his Wife the Daughter of Pharaoh After this he offered twenty Towns bordering upon the Tribe of Asher to Hiram King of Tyre as a reward for the assistance he afforded him in his buildings but he refusing them he placed Colonies therein And from his refusall the Country came to be called Cabul His incontinency and idolatry 46. In the later part of his reign he fell into great incontinency 1 Kings 11. and thence became accessory to abhominable Idolatry He loved many strange Women as together with the Daughter of Pharaoh Women of the Moabites Ammonites Edomites Sidonians and Hittites of the Nations wherewith the Children of Israel were forbidden to marry He had 700 Wives and 300 Concubines which turned his heart after other gods so that he went after Ashtaroth the goddesse of the Sidonians and Milcom the abhomination of the Amorites he built an high-place for Chemosh the abhomination of Moab in the hill before Jerusalem for Molech the abhomination of the Children of Ammon and so did he for all his strange Wives which burnt incense and sacrificed to their gods This provoked the God of Israel who had twice appeared to him insomuch that for his horrible ingratitude he determined evil concerning his Kingdom to be fulfilled in his Son Yet have we ground to judge well of his eternall condition seeing he made a recantation of his former errors and was used as a Pen-man of Scripture by the Holy Ghost His death He dyed after he had reigned 40 years A. M. 3025. being without parallel for Wisdom Magnificence and Humane Frailty A. M. 3025. SECT III. From the death of Solomon and the rent of the Kingdom to the destruction of the Kingdom of Judah 1. SOLOMON being dead Rehoboam his Son 1 Kings 12. by Naama an Ammonitish Woman reigned in his stead The Tribes when they met at Sichem to make him King petitioned for a relaxation of their burthens imposed by his Father to which he answered so churlishly despising the counsel of the antient and grave Men that ten Tribes revolted from him Ten Tribes fall off from Rehoboam and made King over them Jeroboam the Son of Nebat 2 Chron. 11. Ver. 13 14. who had fled into Aegypt for fear of Solomon after that God's intentions came to be known of giving him part of the Kingdom 2 Chron. 11. v. 13 14. With Rehoboam yet remained the two Tribes of Judah and Benjamin and the greatest part of the Levites who left their possessions and setled themselves
Chron. 19 20 21. chap. travelling himself from Beersheba unto Mount Ephraim to accomplish it he also constituted Judges to whom he gave a pious and strict charge After this the Moabites Ammonites and a great multitude of others invaded him against which he first strove by Prayer to God and thereby obtained Victory his Enemies being so stricken with madnesse that they fell upon and slaughtered one another Afterwards intending to send Ships for gold to Ophir because he joyned with wicked Ahaziah King of Israel the Lord spoiled the works and the Ships were broken at Esion-geber Some think he made his Son Partner in the Kingdom it self having formerly been but his Vicegerent a year or two before he died He reigned 25 years or rather 24 with some odd months Joram 6. To Jehosaphat succeeded Joram being 32 years old 2 Chron. 21. A. M. 3109. to the best Father the worst Son who being established in his Seat made away all his Brethren and some of the Princes In his dayes the Edomites or Idumaeans who hitherto from the time of David had been in subjection to the Kings of Judah revolted They had heretofore been governed by a Vice-Roy chosen either out of themselves or the Jews but now they made themselves a King the Prophecie of Isaac the common Progenitor of both Nations being now fulfilled that though Esau should serve his younger Brother Jacob yet the time should come when he should break the yoak from off his neck Gen. 27.40 At the same time Libnah a City of the Priest's in the Tribe of Judah revolted because he had forsaken the God of his Fathers for having married Ahab's Daughter he followed the example of his house making high-places in the Mountains of Iudah and causing his Sujects to commit Idolatry therein Because of this 2 Chron. 21. vers 12. there came a Writing to him from the Prophet Elijah rebuking him for his sin and foretelling his punishment Elijah being before this taken up to Heaven the Jews have believed that this Letter was sent down thence Some think there was another Prophet of this name but most are inclined to believe that foreseeing before his assumption the Idolatry of this man he left this Letter with his Schollers to be delivered to him in due time According to the threatnings therein contained God first stirred up against him the Philistins and Arabians who making an invasion took away all his goods his wives and sons except Jehoahaz the youngest otherwise called Ahaziah and Azariah Afterwards God struck him with an incurable disease in his bowels which after two years came out of his body so that he miserably died having reigned eight years three whereof are to be reckoned in conjunction with his father He was buried without honour at Jerusalem not in the Sepulcher of Kings not desired missed nor lamented Ahaziah A. M. 3116. 7. 2 Kings 8. 2 Chron. 22. Ahaziah his son succeeded him who followed the steps of his Grand-father Ahab's wicked family and became a Patron of Idolaters But having scarce reigned one year he went down to Jezreel to visite his Uncle Joram King of Israel where they were both killed by Jehu 2 Kings 9. Joram being slain outright and Ahaziah dying shortly after of his wound at Megiddo Athaliah his mother seized upon the Kingdom Athaliah usurpeth Chap. 11. 2 Chron. 24. wherein to establish her self she destroyed all the Royal seed Onely Jehosheba the daughter of Joram and wife to Jehojada the High-Priest withdrew Joash an infant her brother's son and hid him six years in the house of God At the end of these years Jehojada brought him out to the people then seven years old and anointing him King slew Athaliah restored the worship of God and destroyed the house of Baal whose Priest Matthan he slew before the Altar Joas 8. Joas then succeeded his father after six years 2 Kings 12. A. M. 3122. who did what was good and just as long as Jehojada the Priest lived and through his advice took care to repair the Temple which now had stood 155 years But Jehojada being dead who lived 130 years the Jews observing that he the repairer of the Temple was born the same year that the builder thereof died Idolatry brake out afresh through his connivance The Prophets exclaimed against it in vain especially Zacharias the son and successor of Jehojada against whom Joas was so far transported beyond the bound's of piety gratitude to his father's memory that he commanded him to be stoned and that in the Court of the house of the Lord. Whil'st as he died he said The Lord look upon it and requite it So he did for after a years time the forces of Hazael King of Syria though but small invaded Judah destroyed all the Princes of the people and sent the spoyl to their King Joas himself they left very sick of great diseases but when they were departed from him his own servants conspired against him for the bloud of the sons of Jehojada the Priest and slew him on his bed in the 40th year of his reign A. M. 3160. 9. Amaziah his son succeeded him Chap. 14. who also seemeth to have reigned with him the three last years seeing he is said to have begun his reign in the second year of Joas King of Israel When he was confirmed in his seat 2 Chron. 25. A. M. 3160. he put those to death that slew his father sparing their Children according to the Law of Moses In his 12th year he undertook an expedition against the Edomites with 300000 of his own Subjects and 100000 Israelites which he hired for 100 Talents of silver But as he was about to begin his march a Prophet dehorted him from joyning to himself the Idolatrous Israelites so that he dismissed them and they returned home in great discontent He prospered against the Idumaeans but the Souldiers dismissed fell upon his Cities and smiting 300 of them took much spoyl Yet he at his return to amend the matter having brought home the gods of the Edomites set them up to be his gods bowed down before them and burnt incense to them The Lord being sore angry for this sent first a Prophet to him whom he rejected But burning with a desire to be revenged upon the Israelites he sent and defied Joas their King who admonished him to be well advised but this being in vain they met and joyned battel wherein Amaziah was taken and led back to Jerusalem the Wall of which Citie Joas demolished 400 Cubits and plundering the house of the Lord with the Kings house then departed Fifteen years after Amaziah lived but then having turned away from following the Lord a conspiracy was made against him in Ierusalem whence he fled to Lachish and there was slain by the pursuers after he had reigned 29 years Uzziah 10. He left a son named Uzziah and Azariah who succeeded him 2 Kings 15. but being
and whatsoever was in his house for which Isaiah the Prophet denounced the carrying away of all these things to Babylon For the pride of his heart there was wrath upon him and Iudah yet he humbled himself both he and the inhabitants of Iudah so that the wrath of the Lord came not upon them in his dayes He flourished in abundance of riches and honour stopped the upper water-course of Gihon and brought it streight down to the West-side of the Citie of David He reigned 29 years 3 whereof were together with his father being dead they buried him in the chiefest Sepulchers of the sons of David and all Iudah with the Inhabitants of Ierusalem did him honour at his death Manasses 15. Manasses his son succeeded him at the Age of twelve years 2 Kings 21. 2 Chron. 33. A. M. 3304. Olymp. 19. an 4. and therefore was begotten by him after his recovery He did evil in the sight of the Lord above those Nations which the Lord had cast out before Israel being more Idolatrous then any of his Predecessors he was also given to Witchcraft and Divinations built Altars for all the Host of heaven which he served in the two Courts of the house of the Lord wherein he also set up an Image of the Grove which he had made He filled Ierusalem with innocent bloud amongst other Martyrs Isaiah the Prophet as it 's said being sawn asunder with a wooden saw because he was free with him in reproving his ungodly life although he was of the bloud royal as the son of Amos the brother of King Amaziah according to the tradition of the Jews who also have related him to have been father-in-father-in-law nay as some Grand-father by the Mothers side to Manasses himself In such wickednesse continued he for several years till such time as God sent upon him the Captains of the King of Assyria Esarchaddon some think who took him lying hid amongst the thorns and carried him bound with fetters unto Babylon which City as it appeareth from this place was now again under the King of Assyria Here having leisure and occasion to bethink himself in his affliction he repented was humbled greatly and besought the Lord who heard his Prayer and restored him to his Kingdom After this he knew that the Lord was God and purged his Realm of Idolatry which Reformation the Jews make to have been in the 33th year before his death He reigned 55 years Amon. 16. Amon his Son succeeded him in his Kingdom and Idolatry A. M. 3359. Olymp. 33. an 4. but not in his Repentance worshipping and sacrificing to all the carved Images which his Father had made and going on to trespasse more and more After two years his servants conspired against him and slew him in his own house Chap. 34. all whom the people of the Land put to death and made Iosiah his Son a child of eight years old King in his stead Josiah He in the eighth year of his reign began to seek after the God of his Fathers and in his twelfth to cleanse his Kingdom and all the Land of Israel from Idolatry although the greatest part of the later was now subject to the King of Assyria 2 Kings 23. 2 Chron. 35. A. M. 3368. Olymp. 35. an 4. In the 18th year of his reign and of his age the 26th he commanded the Temple to be repaired and the Worship of God therein restored where also finding a Book of the Law he renewed the Covenant between God and the people and celebrated such a solemn Passeover as had not been kept in Israel since the time of the Judges Now if the time of the Judges and the Oppressions be not confounded but taken at their full length then this year being the 9â—0th ending or the 931th beginning from the entering into Canaan was the 7th of the 133 week or the last of the 19th Jubilie Iosiah in his 31th year ending disguised himself that he might fight with Necho King of Aegypt who was going up against the Assyrian and would not hearken to his words from the mouth of God labouring with him to refuse fighting against the Lord who had sent him and commanded him to make haste Therefore joyning battell with him in the Valley of Megiddo he was sore wounded and being carried to Ierusalem died there all Iudah and Ierusalem mourning and making great lamentation for him Jehoahaz 17. Whilst Pharaoh was busie in his affairs against the Assyrians the people made Jehoahaz the younger Son of Josias King 2 Chron. 36. A. M. 3392. Olymp. 41. an 4. who continued but three moneths in the dignity For Pharaoh having finished his work at Euphrates and in Coelesyria came to Jerusalem whence he led away into Aegypt this young King and left his elder Brother Eliakim in his place whose name he changed into Jehoiakim Jehoiakim imposing a taxe of a hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold upon the Land Though Jeoahaz be said to have reigned three moneths yet some will have a year to have passed betwixt the 31 year of Josias and the first of Jehoiakim partly for that Josias seemeth to have reigned something more than 31 years and some space would be taken up in so solemn a mourning for him before the instalment of Jehoahaz and also to consult about this thing seeing it was against right and custom to give this honour to the younger Brother lastly some time perhaps some moneths was requisite for setling the affairs of Judaea about the instalment of Jehoiakim and the tribute Ludovicus Cappellus moreover giveth a whole year to Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim though the Scripture speaketh but of three moneths a piece that the last year of Zedekiah might fall into the 390th year from the rent of the Kingdom of which more when we arrive at that time 18. Jehoiakim thus advanced by Pharaoh Necho was 25 years old when he began to reign which if so he was born in the fifteenth year of his Father's age as if Jehoahaz was 23 when he began his reign he must also have been born in the sixteenth of Josiah This maketh Josiah to have applied himself to procreation of children at least in the fourteenth year of his life which seeming too early and not agreeable to the Piety of that Prince there are that suspect for 25 ought to be read 15 and 13 for 23 so that the one might be born in the 24 and the other in the 25 year of his Father But thereis no necessity for such a reading of the Text. The fourth year of Jehoiakim fell in with the first of Nebuchadnezar King of Babylon Ierem. 25 1 3. and was the 23th from the 13th of the reign of Josias wherein Jeremiah the Prophet first began to prophesy and hence it also appeareth that Iosias reigned at least full 31 years and that one passed between his death and the beginning of Iehoiakim else 23 onely had passed betwixt the
term it was then drowned by the Priests Being dead a great and solemn mourning there was untill another could be found with the same marks Now some make this beast to be worshipped in honour of Apis King of the Argives August de Civit Dâ— l. 18. c. 5. who going down into Egypt was there Deified after his death and called Serapis But there having been several Kings in divers places of that name they are confounded one with another 4. Nothing indeed but uncertainties attend the most ancient History of that Nation no two Authors agreeing betwixt themselves concerning the succession of the Egyptian Kings This is not onely to be attributed to the force of time but the unfaithfulnesse of their Priests who having it committed to their charge to record the Memorables of their Countrey foysted things of their own heads into the story concealed from the Natives whatsoever made against their own profit and from strangers all things that tended to the dishonour of their Countrey Out of such a kind of design they related not the same things to such as travelled thither with a desire to be informed so that from the corrupt Fountains of their records have proceeded the Histories of several who pretending to have taken them out of the very Archives are no lesse dissonant amongst themselves then from the truth The Catalogues of their Kings are full of inextricable Labrynths Manetho being of no credit because of his notable lying and all those who professe to follow him as Josephus Africanus Eusebius Syncellus Scaliger Usher and others not agreeing in their ranking and ordering of them The Dynasties of the Egyptian Kings 5. Several Dynasties are made to have preceded the time of Abraham Euseb with whose birth as it is placed in the 43th year of Ninus the beginning of the 16th is â—oyned Much labour is spent by some in an endeavour to clear the order of these Dynasties and to expound them But if they should be allowed of little more then 200 years are to be assigned to the continuance of all the first 15. because the passage of Cham and his posterity from the Mountains of Ararat into Egypt and the establishment of a formal Government there could scarce be performed within one Century after the Flood time for the increase of mankind and the unpassablenesse of the earth duely considered except we cast the beginning of the first Dynastie back beyond the Flood It hath been thought therefore that these were not several successions of Kings which continued for so small a time but rather certain Ranks and Orders of Governours under the Kings who might be content to injoy their ease and quiet together with the Dignity as the Kings did which Joseph served whil'st the management of publick affairs was wholly committed to these Regents or Lieutenants of sundry linages or sorts of men who by their actions might leave greater impressions upon posterity than the Kings themselves and so give occasion to the Egyptians of vaunting them for so many Soveraign Princes indeed That Eusebius might accommodate the times and Orders of these Dynasties to the Histories of other parts of the World he is not afraid to transpose them as he findeth them in several Authors Upon this account Jacobus Cappellus thinketh it a vain thing to recite in his Chronicle the series of the Kings seeing Manetho by whom Scaliger would amend Eusebius is most unworthy of creâ—it But it being requisite to give beginners some insight into the story such things must be briefly related as out of such uncertainties carry the greatest shew of probability Orus the last of the Egyptian gods 6. After Typhons death Isis as Diodorus writeth Lib. 1. p. 13. c. for some time governed the Kingdom but so joyntly with her son Orus or Horus that he is also said to have succeeded after the death of his father and is moreover accounted the last of the gods He instituted a year consisting of three moneths Censorious c. and thence a year was called after him Horos The Egyptian year properly so called consisted of 365 dayes but besides this they had also monethly years of thirty dayes and others of four moneths apiece or 120 dayes that by this various and cunning account as Cappellus thinketh they might delude the Greeks Of this later way few examples we meet with but Diodorus maketh mention of it assigning the cause to have been for that they divided their Solar year not into four but onely three parts and Cappellus maketh this following account to consist of such kind of years After the gods came men to the Government and the Egyptians boasted that they had Kings of their own Countrey and home-born for the most part during the term of 4700 years after Cambyses strangers as Persians and Macedonians having governed them Now these 4700 years he guesseth to consist of four moneths apiece and to contain 1544 Julian years Vide Cappellum ad A. M. 1931. 1941. which being deducted out of the years of the World at the period whereof Cambyses came down into Egypt 1931 will remain at what time Osiris or Orus his son might perhaps die who being the last of the gods Kings began where they ended Menis the first King 7. The first King that reigned after these gods was Menas or Menis Herodotus Diodorus which name by some is thought to have been onely of Dignity and that Osiris was so called Others think Mercurius Trismegistus meant thereby for that the Hebrew word Meni signifieth an Arithmetician and that Osiris might well be termed Trismegistus being a great Conquerour Philosopher and Benefactor to mankind in giving good Laws and teaching profitable arts Another would have Sesostris whom he supposeth to have succeeded Osiris to be meant by Menas as nothing inferiour to Osiris in prowesse and great undertakings But Sesostris the Great reigned not till many years after and nothing hindereth but Menas in the Egyptian language to say nothing of the Greek might be a proper name as well as a title of dignity But who succeeded him is not known the Priests feigning 52 Princes to have followed him in order for the space of 1400 years unto Busiris multiplying Kings years lies or fallacies to make their story the more admirable We must therefore in this unknown path take the blind conduct of the Dynasties again of which omitting the first seventeen to which almost 4000 years are ascribed the 18th is by Cappellus made to begin nine years before the time whereunto Eusebius sets it viz. in the 107th year of the Patriarch Jacob Amos or Amosis the first in order of it being Amos A.M. 2274. or Amosis 8. To his reign are given 25 years so that according to this account he it was who honoured Joseph and set him over the Land Euseb He dying in the second year of the Famin Chebros Amenophis Mephres c. Chebros succeeded him who reigned
congruous when clothes were not as yet found out as also his cleansing the Country of Monsters and wild Beasts at that time the Earth being but inhabited in a scattered manner Apollo in like sort was no other than Orus who was taught the Arts of Prophecying and Healing by his Mother Isis As to this controversie is observable the incertainty of the names of those Heathenish vanities the same being to some Isis The incertainty of the Heathenish Deities to others Ceres and to others Themophoris or the Inventor of Laws to others Juno to others the Moon and to some all those names are one Osiris in like manner is now taken for Serapis then for Dionysus otherwhiles for Pluto sometimes for Ammon and Jupiter and not seldome thought to be Pan as Diodorus hath observed 31. Severall Colonies they glory to have sent forth The first by Belus the Son Libya Colonies pretended to by the Aegyptians and Neptune into Babylon where upon Euphrates he constituted Flamins after the custom of Egypt free from all taxes and impositions These by the Babylonians were called Chaldaeans who in imitation of the Egyptian Priests and Philosophers observed the Stars Danaus out of Egypt peopled Argos the almost ancientest City of Greece The Nation of the Colchi and the Jews they prove theirs by Original from the rite of Circumcision Cadmus and Phoenix his Brother they report to have been Natives of their Egyptian Thebes whence the former translated the name of that City into Greece but Agenor his Father as is believed being the Brother of Belus and Uncle to Aegyptus and Danaus came thence into Phoenicia then have they further occasion to boast of a Colonie led by him into that maritime tract The Athenians they prove to have been a Colonie led by Cecrops from Sais in Egypt for that they alone called their City Astu from a place so named in their Country and because the members of their Common-wealth were distinguished into three rankes of Noblemen who only were capable of honours as the Egyptian Priests Country-men who bare Arms agreeable to that sort of people in Egypt who being called Husbandmen afforded Soldiers for the Wars lastly Artificers exercising manual and common Arts which fitly answereth to the custom of that place Besides Cecrops Petes the Father of Mnestheus and Erictheus were of the Egyptian extraction of whom the later carrying great store of Corn out of Egypt to Athens thereby obtained the Kingdom and gave occasion to the Story that Ceres at that time came into Greece 32. Although it may not passe for currant that the whole World is beholding to them for the use of Letters the knowledge of the Stars Geometricall Speculations the best Laws and most of the liberall Arts as they have bragged Ammianus Marcell l. 17. De Hieroglyph vide Ioh. Pierium Valerianum Bellunensem yet most antient have several of these things been amongst them Besides the common and usuall way of writing they had certain Notes The Aegyptian Hyeroglyphicks called * Hieroglyphicks wherein each letter served for a word and single words expressed whole sentences As by the image of a Vulture they expressed the word Nature because in that kind of Bird no Male can be found By the picture of a Bee making Honey they undestood a King hinting that in a Governour a sting or sharpnesse ought to be mixed with sweetnesse They also used aenigmaticall compositions or mixtures of images as by a Scepter with an Eye and an Ear on the top thereof they signified the Soveraign and all-knowing Majesty of God As for Astronomy though the Babylonians for the antiquity of their knowledge herein had no need to give them place yet were the Egyptians furthered in the due observation of the Stars by the plainnesse and evennesse of their ground and the severity of the air it never raining in Egypt in ordinary course of Nature which defect is supplyed by the yearly overflowing of the River If the World be bounden to them for Geometry it 's to be ascribed also to their River as another fruit of it's inundation whereby washing away the marks and removing the fences of their particular Lands they were forced every year to measure them over again and thence through necessity driven to Mathematicall speculations Now that the best Laws and most ingenuous Arts were from them conveyed into Greece they evidence by a particular of the bearers 33. The Priests pretending in their Sacred Records to find the Register of their names and to demoâ—strate the truth thereof by other tokens Diodorus l. 1. p. 60 61 62. have made mention of Orpheus who out of Egypt fetched the Mysteries of Ceres with the Fable of the Inferi Greek Poets Philosophers that borrowed their knowledg of the Egyptians or those in Hell the severall places whereof with the Ferrie-man Charon are taken out of the Fens of Acherusia and the passing over this Lake by boat to bury their dead there Besides him they make mention of Musaeus Melampus Daedalus and Homer who travelled into Egypt to get knowledge To these they add of Law-givers Lycurgus the Spartan and Solon the Athenian who borrowed many of their Laws and Plato the choicest of his notions Pythagoras of Samus from them received his Sacred Speech as it 's called his Principles of Geometry Arithmetick and The doctrine of the transmigration of Souls Democritus of Abdera they take for granted to have lived amongst them five years in which time he proved an excellent Astrologer Oenopis of Chius by his conversation with their Priests and Astrologers amongst other things learnt the particular oblique course of the Sun And to add no more Eudoxus the Mathematician is beholding to Egypt where he studied for those instructions which much profited Greece and thereby procured him no small honour 34. The invention of Philosophy and Laws with all the rest of the Egyptian wisdom wherein Moses was learned is ascribed by divers unto Hermes (m) Laertius Jamblicus or Mercurius Trismegistus of whom yet either as to his person or time nothing certainly can be affirmed Hermes or Mercurius Trismegistus Cotta in Cicero reckoneth up five who have born the name of Mercury The first begotten by the Heaven or the Day the second Son to Valens and Pheron who liveth under the Earth called also Triphonius the third begotten by Jupiter the third on Maia the fourth Son to the Nile whom the Egyptians feared to name for reverence sake the fifth and last whom the Phaeneatans worship who slew Argus and flying thereupon was set over Egypt to the Inhabitants whereof he gave Laws and Literature and was by them named Theul But others attribute the finding out of Letters not to the last but the first Mercury truly called Theut Thoyoth Thot and Tautus it being utterly against all Antiquity that any should out of Greece transport Learning into Egypt Others account two of this name naturall Egyptians of whom the later was
afforded least advantage By Land no War arose that gave any sufficient advantage of inlarging their dominions further than to the disturbance of their next Neighbours they stirred not abroad nor gave their minds to any new Conquests Those that were Subjects were patient under the yoak and Equalls in power made no considerable quarrells till all Greece came to be divided in the old War betwixt the Inhabitants of Chalcis and Eretria Then to hinder them from growing great the affairs of the Persians were advanced till having cast out their Tyrants who all this while contenting themselves with the private power they had over particular places stirred not they got ground by little and little of the Eastern Empire Almost during this whole Period had they * No written Laws no written Laws Homer being witnesse who never useth the word * No written Laws Law throughout his writings †Joseph centra Apion l. 2. They were not generally governed but by indefinite Sentences and Praecepts of their Kings remaining a long time without any written Praecepts and referring all to the event according to which Judgment insued Such was the most antient condition of Greece in generall Now a particular account is to be given of the severall Kingdoms and States that were most considerable and contemporary with the Babylonian Empire SECT II. The Sicyonian Kingdom The Sicyonian Kingdom most ancient 1. THe affairs of the Sicyonian have the (a) Euseb in Chronic. August de Civit Dei l. 18. Pausan in Corinthiacis p. 49. Edit Graec. Francfurti 1583. first place allotted to them in Antiquity who inhabited a City situated upon the Bay of Corinth and the confines of Achaia Here Aegialeus began a Kingdom about 270 years after the universall Deluge 232 before the beginning of Inachus 1313 before the first Olympiad Aegialeus the first King the year of the World 1915 according to the Vulgar way of computation without taking in the 100 years formerly mentioned in the History of the Judges and the 859th year of Noah whilst Ninus reigned in Assyria A. M. 1915. From him the City was first called Aegialia and part of the Peninsula it self according to some SECT 2. which afterwards was from Pelops named Peloponnesus Europs Telchines Apis. He left his Kingdom to Europs his Son after he had reigned 52 years and Europs having reigned 45 was succeeded by Telchines He governed 20 and was followed by Apis who was so great that all within the Isthmus was from him called Apios When he had continued 25 years Thelxion his Son Thelxion succeeded him during whose reign all things were so prosperous and happie that being dead they worshiped him for a god by sacrifices Aegyrus and solemnizing games which as they say were first invented for his sake Him followed Aegyrus after he had reigned 52 years Aegyrus or Aegydrus Thurimachus Leucippus Peratus reigned 33 Thurimachus 45 Leucippus 53 who had onely a Daughter named Calchinia on which Neptune or rather Mesapus begat Peratus who was Heir to his Grand-father and governed 47 years Plemnaeus Orthopolis After Peratus followed Plemnaeus whose children all died as soon as they were born till Ceres came in the likenesse of a Woman and brought up Orthopolis who succeeded his Father having reigned 48 years 2. Orthopolis the twelfth King of Aegialea had a Daughter named Chrysorthe Coronus Corax Epopeus on which Apollo is supposed to have begot Corenus his successor Coronus left two Sons Corax and Lamedon Corax after he had reigned 30 years died without issue and Epopeus a Thessalian seized on his Kingdom Epopeus stole Antiopes the Daughter of Nycteus King of Thebes for which injury he was prosecuted with War by the Thebans A battell being fought he had the better but both the Kings were mortally wounded Nycteus presently died after he was carried home but left the tuition of Labdacus the Son of Polydorus and Nephew to Cadmus whose Guardian he had been to his Brother Lycus requesting of him to lead down another Army into Aegialea to revenge him upon Epopeus to punish Antiope if he could take her Lamedon but in the mean time Epopeus died also of his wounds being neglected and Lamedon the Son of Coronus obtained his Fathers Kingdom gave up Antiope to Lycus as Pausanias writeth though Apollodorus saith A. M. 2616. that Lycus took Aegialea and slew Epopeus Antiope in the way to Thebes fell in travell and brought forth Amphion and Zethus who being found and nourished by an Herdsman the former gave himself to Musick and the later to nourishing of Cattell and both afterwards revenged their Mother upon Lycus and his Wife Dirce from whose hard usage she had escaped and came to them 3. Lamedon maried Phenò the Daughter of Clytius an Athenian and undertaking War against Archander and Architeles the Achaeans sent for Sicyon the Son of Metion and Nephew of Erechtheus out of Attica to assist him Sicyon from whom the City was named to whom giving his Daughter Zeuxippe in mariage A. M. 2656. he left him also his Successor From Sicyon the City was named Sicyon and the Country Sicyonia He had a Daughter named Chthonophyle on which Mercury begat Polybus after whose birth she was maried to Phlias the Son of Dionysus Polybus Adrastus and to him bore Androdamas Polybus succeeding his Grand-father left also his Grand-Son Adrastus by his Daughter maried to Talaus King of Argos his Heyr who being expelled his own City had fled to him But he making his peace at home returned Janiscus and after his departure Janiscus or Inachus the Nephew of that Clytis whose Daughter maried with Lamedon came out of Attica and obtained the Kingdom Phaestus After Janiscus had reigned 42 years he gave way by death to Phaestus one vulgarly accounted the Son of Hercules who after eight years at the direction of an Oracle went over into Crete where he built a City of his own name Zeuxippus 4. After his departure Zeuxippus the Son of Apollo by the Nymph Syllis A. M. 2846. was King of Sicyon but reigned not long Hippolytus Nephew to Phaestus by his Son Rhopalus Hippolytus obtained his Grand-Fathers seat Against him Agamemnon King of Mycenae made War till he forced him to submit After four years succeeded Polyphides Polyphides Pelasgus and continued 31 then Pelasgus 20 and after this * Ex Castore Rhodio Chronographo Eusebius would have Zeuxippus to have begun his reign which after 32 years ended with the Kingdom The Priests of Apollo Carinus It having now continued the space of 962 years the Priests of Apollo Carnius obtained the Soveraignty and held it 33. SECT 3. Lacestades Phalces seizeth upon Sicyon But Pausanias writeth that when Lacestades the son of Hippolytus reigned at Sicyon Phalces the son of Temenus who had been King of Argos seized upon it with the Dores in the night time
either for that he who is said to have found out the way of purging had cured the Daughters of Praetus Aunts to Anaxagoras of their madnesse as was told before or (x) Pausan ut suprà Diodor. l. 4. p. 188. invented a Remedy for that distemper which had seized epidemically upon the women of those parts But Perseus begat of Andromeda five Sons Perses Alcaeus Sthenelus Electryon and Mestor Hereof Perses the first as the Greeks believed gave Originall to the Persians Alcaus was Father to Amphytrion Stheneles succeeded his Father in the Kingdom of Mycenae and Electryon begat Alcmena wife to Amphytrion Sthenelus on a Daughter of Pelops begat Eurystheus his Successor seven moneths after whose birth Hercules the Son Amphytrion and Alcmena was born Hercules Aphules their other Son coming into the World after Hercules for they were Twins Amphytrion was accounted the Father of him and Jupiter of Hercules whereupon A. M. 2724 Juno is said to have ever hated him and by the help of Ilythia Lucina or the Moon to have hindred his birth and kept his Mother in travell for seven dayes The Boy was first named Alcaeus after his Grand-Father but afterwards for his great atchievements called Hercules and ascribed to no less a Father than Jupiter who made the night wherein he begat him as long as three that his strength might be the greater That this person was eminent in his time is easie to be granted but incredible things contained in twelve labours being reported to be done by him are either meant of the passing of the Sun through the twelve Signs of the Zodiack or what things were performed by several others that lived elsewhere have been by his Country-men attributed to him whose Epithete of Hercules signifying fame and glory spread abroad in the air came also to be given to them if the word be of no other than Greekish Original How many of that name 13. Cicero reckoneth up six who had the name of Hercules The first and most antient he maketh begotten by the antientest Jupiter on Lipitus and to have striven with Apollo about the Tripos The second was an Aegyptian Son to Nile who despised the Phrygian Letters The third a Native of Crete and one of the Idaei Dactyli who first found out the making of Iron by taking notice of the melting of that Metall in the Hill Ida when it burned and being five in number had the name of Dactyli from the fingers in number so many on each hand The fourth was son to Asteria the Sister of Latona and Father to Carthage being worshipped by the Tyrians Belus in India is reckoned for the fifth and then in the sixth place cometh this Son of Alcmena The Aegyptian Hercules is said to have aided the gods in their War against the Gyants which being the off-spring of the Earth Diodorus acknowlegeth that this cannot agree with the time of the Graecian Hercules who lived but one Age before the Trojan War but rather happened at the original of Mankind 14. Hercules the Tyrian is believed to have been the Captain of that Expedition which the Phoenicians made into Spain and Gades which though the Graecians attribute to theirs yet this convinceth their assertion of falshood that in the Island Gades was a most antient Temple wherein Hercules was worshipped not after the Graecian manner but according to the Rites of Phoenicia This was he who erected his pillars at the bound or unmost limit of the World and that overran Spain Italy and Gaul Ganchoniathon a Phoenician Author of great antiquity wrote that he was the Son of Demacuns and that his proper name was Melcharthus which signified the King of the City by the Greeks called Melicertes and Palaemon He was also called Diodas * Consule Bocharti Canaan lib. 1. cap. 24. by Eusebius for which Desanaus is thought to be corruptly written in Hierom's translation which Phoenicâ— â—ame he seemeth to have had because he was invocated by lovers their happy successe being supposed to depend on him Some think this Tyrian Hercules was the same with the Aegyptian or Libyan by Pausanias named Maceris who undertook a journey to Delphos and whose Son Sardus leading a Colonie into the Island Ichnusa changed it's name into Sardinia Tacitus * Annual lib. 2. writeth that the Libyans would have the most antient Hercules a native of their Country and that such as came near him in valour and renown were named after him Diodorus Siculus and Eusebius mention three of this name though the former attributeth all their actions to the youngest or the Son of Alcmena Servius four and Varro 44. And here must be remembred what was before noted that it was the custom of old to call the most antient Kings by the name of Saturn their Sons by that of Jupiter and their most valiant and active Nephews by this of Hercules 15. This Heroe being so much written and talked of it concerneth beginners to have some account of his actions and the rather because they include the labours of many Amphytrion his Father as it seemeth Apollodorus Diodor. was Prince of Tirynthos The story of Hercules the son of Alcmena but thence was forced to flye to Thebes having at unawars killed Electryon his Uncle and father-in-Father-in-Law where Hercules being educated slew Linus his Musick-Master with an Harpe as he taught him His Father seeing his disposition and fearing some such like accident might fall out again sent him amongst the Herdsmen where not yet eighteen years old he slew a Lyon For his extraordinary strength and courage he was taken notice of by Thespis or Thespius Prince of the Thespienses who made him lye with his fifty daughters of which begetting so many sons these afterwards passed over into the Island Sardinia with the name of Thespiades A little after this he delivered Thebes from the Tyranny of Erginus King of the Minyans who exacted an annual Tribute of 100 Oxen. He destroyed Orchomenus with his Palace therein and for this was rewarded with Megara daughter to Creon Prince of Thebes When he was about 20 years old he sailed with Jason amongst others to Colchos to fetch thence the Golden Fleece so much celebrated by Poets and variously interpreted by Expositors of Mythology 16. This Jason was the son of Aeson and the fourth in descent from Aeolus being born at Ioleus which place Pelias King thereof unjustly detained from his father The Argonautae He considering with himself what glory Perseus and others of late had gotten sought how he might accomplish some notable Enterprize for the eternizing of his name and having at length resolved on this design published his intentions throughout Greece by a Crier The young and active spirits of that time were much taken therewith and 53 of the flowr of Greece gave their names to the expedition of whom the most eminent besides Hercules were Orpheus Scholar to Linus Oiâ—eus Telamon and Peleus the sons of Aeacus Pollux and
the City Sais near to Delta being by the Aegyptians called Nâ—uth To her he had formerly erected a Statue in Aegypt and he as they say first gave the name of Zeus to him whom the Latins called Jupiter As there were several Minervaes so also more (e) Varro de Analogia Vide Ludovic Viâ—em in Augustin dâ— Civitat Dei lib. 18. cap. 9. than one City known by the name of Athenae From this in Attica And Athenae the Citizens were by the Romans called Athenienses but another there was in Euboea built by Cecrops the Son of Erechtheus the Inhabitants of which went by the name of Athenaeâ— and a City in Naâ—bone a Province of Gaule near to Marseils called Atheneopolis and the Citizens Atheneopolitae There was also in Laconia a Town called by the name of Athenae Deucalion his story 3. In the dayes of (f) Euseb Cecrops Deucalion the Son of Prometheus reigned in Thessalie whose history being remarkable must be briefly touched Lapetus had three Sons Atlas Prometheus and Epimetheus For (g) Servius ad 8. Aeneiad the first One telleth us there were three that bore the name of Atlas One a Moor and the greatest of all another an Italian Father to Electra the third an Arcadian Father of Maia the Mother of Mercury all which the antients confound according to their custom The first (h) Diodorus l. 5. lived near to Mount Atlas to which for his great skil in Astrology is attributed the bearing up of the Heavens and he is also counted the Father of Electra Prometheus found out the instrument to strike fire and thereupon is said to have stolen fire from the Gods Deucalion his Son married Pyrrha the daughter of his Uncle Epimetheus and in his time (i) August de Civit. Dei l. 18. c. 8. Orosius l. 1. happened that great deluge in part of Greece which is known by the addition of his name that Country called most antiently and truly Hellas his seat near to the Mountain Parnassus being chiefly afflicted with it on which Hill he is thought to have saved many men by boats and thence the Fable to have risen of his repeopling the Earth But that we may note it altogether there are three particular Floods which we read to have hapned to this Country of Geece The first under Ogyges called the Ogygean deluge concerning whom we shall speak in the History of Thebes This fell 248 years before either of the other and overwhelmed Attica especially so that as Pererius will have it it remained waste 200 years after The next was this of Deucalion which happened 737 years before the first Olympiad and the (k) Diod. l. 5. p. 223. third fell 86 after it in the dayes of Dardanus and Cadmus His issue which is especially to be noted for a distinct knowledge of the several sorts of Greeks 4. Deucalion of Pyrrha his wife begat Hellen and Amphyction Hellen gave the name of Hellenes to his Subjects before called Graeci and of Hellas to the Country formerly named Pelasgia from the Pelasgi who there inhabited as Haemonia from Haemon the son of Pelasgus and Pyrrhaea from Pyrhar Strabo l. 8. He had three sons Xuthus Aeolus and Dorus. To Aeolus he left his Kingdom and sent the other two abroad to seek out seats elsewhere Aeolus grew so famous that the name of Jupiter and Neptune came to be given him Dorus inhabited the Country Histiaeotis Herod l. 1. Pausan in Achaicis about the Mountains Ossa and Olympus Xuthus after his Father's death was banished Thessalie by his other Brothers for stealing away a great part of his Fathers treasure and came to Athens where he married the daughter of Erechtheus on which he begat Achaeus and Ion. Achaeus getting aid from Athens and Aegialus went into Thessalie and recovered his Grand-Father's Kingdom but afterwards killing a man by chance he fled into Laconia Strabo ut suprà where his posterity continued till expelled by the Heraclidae and Dorienses as we shewed in the History of Tisamenus Ion being exceeding famous at Athens had a numerous progeny which for that Attica was now grown too full was sent out as a Colony into Peloponnesus whence they were thrust out by their brethren the Achaeans after they had denied them harbour as is formerly said and returned to Athens from which Citie they were afterwards led out into Asia by the sons of Codrus But these things hapned in after times The Council of Areopagus 5. In Cecrops his time (l) Euseb one maketh the Council or Senate of Areopagus to have had its Original though no clear light can we discover concerning the true beginning of it (m) Cicero offic l. 1. Plutarch Some write that it began under Solon but (n) Aristot another of a more antient date signifieth that it was a Court of Judicature before (o) Pausan in Atticis One deriveth the word from Mars in Greek Ares making him to have been first tried there for killing Halirrhodius the son of Neptune who offered violence to his daughter Alcippe Others would fetch a reason from the erecting of his Spear there or from this Suidas that the Court of Areopagus took Cognisance of slaughters which are usually committed with Swords or other Weapons of Mars Lastly some think it thence to have been named for that the Amazons when they fought against Theseus made Mars his Hill their Fortresse and there offered sacrifice to him * Euseb Cecrops died after he had reigned 50 years and because Erysicthon his son died before him Cranaus Cranaus the most powerfull man then at Athens succeeded him in the Kingdom He after he had reigned some seven years Pausan ut suprà A. M. 3507. was thrust out by Amphyction Amphyction the son of Deucalion and his son-in-son-in-law the founder as some have thought of the National Council of the Amphyctiones of which we have already spoken He is reported to have given entertainment to Dionysus or Bacchus who at this time as they say came into Attica and when he had reigned ten years was also expelled by Erichthonius Erichthonius 6. The father of Erichthonius was said to be Vulcan and his mother the earth because he was found in Vulcan's Temple upon the earth Apollodorus l. 3. with a Snake wound about his feet whence also they feigned that he had feet like Snakes and invented a Chariot wherein he might ride and hide them He instituted Games to Apollo and Minerva and having reigned 50 years left his Kingdom to his son Pandion Pandion who also after 40. gave way to his son Erechtheus Erechtheus He became a man of great account and whereas the subjects of Athens were before his time called Cecropidae thenceforth they were named after the place it self He made War upon the inhabitants of Eleasine Ion the son of Xuthus and his own Grand-son by his daughter being his chief Commander
they had Authority to assemble the people as the Kings and other Archons in former times and to resolve with them about publick businesse 21. Such were the improvements of that liberty which Theseus bestowed on the people But though they seemed great yet were they not arrived at that heighth as to satisfie the heady multitude offended with the too great power of the Nobler and Richer sort and which finding it self aggrieved with the many inconveniences that arose for want of Laws the sentence of the Magistrate or Judge being the onely Law many grudges and discords thence arose which so far prevailed as that after 50 years power was given to one Draco Draco a man honest and wise but of austere severity to make Laws Many he framed reformed the Court of the Ephetae A.M. 3381. which he made to consist of 51 persons not under 50 years of age who were to judge of murders and such like Crimes But so severe were his constitutions concerning manners judging no lesse than death to the least offence that as they were by Demas said to be written in bloud so in processe of tiâ—e they grew intolerable Plutarch in Solone and little or no relief had the poorer sort against the power of the great ones with the usury of whom they were even exhausted Hence grew great disturbances in the Commonwealth the Commons hated the Nobility and the Nobility feared the Commons nothing but desolation seemed to attend the State some being earnest for a Popular Government others for an Oâ—igarchie and others for a middle way These tempered and poised the other two parties but nothing at length seemed to avail except all the whole power should be put into the hands of one and a plain Tyranny erected as the onely sufficient remedy for these desperate distempars The common sort were hot for an equal division of the publick grounds now in the hands of the rich and fit to make themselves an head and do it by force but the most prudent sort taking notice of Solon Solon now very eminent a man of unblameable life and unbyassed by the interest of either party him they besought having sufficient wisdom to compose these differences of the distracted Common-wealth offering him the power and command of all How he became eminent 22. A year or two before those great disturbances hapned that which give a rise to the eminency of Solon and as well out of respect to the Common-wealth as in relation to him must be recited briefly Plutarch Diogenes Laertius in vita Solo t is Polyaenus Stratagem l. 1. The Island Salamine lying not far from Athens had of late time revolted to the Inhabitants of Megara and for the recovery of it several attempts had been made with such bad successe that a Law was preferred whereby it was ordained Capital for any man thenceforth to move about it Solon considering the consequence hereof counterfeited himself mad and going into the place of publick meeting began as the people came about him to say a company of odd conceited Verses whereby he so moved them that they repealed the Law and decreed another expedition against the Megarians ordaining him their Captain therein Solon sayling towards Colias where the Athenian women were keeping the Feast of Ceres sent one to the Megarians who counterfeiting himself a fugitive should tell them that now at this place they might easily surprize the women This being done he sends them away and in their rooms and cloaths left there a company of beardlesse young men who being provided of Daggers stabbed the Megarians when they came to seize on their prey and so by this plot which several Authors say was executed by Pisistratus though devised by Solon the Athenians again recovered the Island Solon proved it to belong to Athens Frontinus Strat. l. 4. c. 7. Justin 212. Aeneas Poliorcet l. 4. for that Philaeus the son of Eurysaces and Grand-son to Ajax Telamonius being made free of the Citie gave it unto the Athenians and because that such as were buried there lay with their faces to the West according to the Athenian custom whereas the Megarians buried their dead in a carelesse manner not regarding any such position 23. Solon having got much credit by the successe of this enterprise procured such to be called to an account as had been guilty of the death of Cylon Herod l. 5. This man being famous for his victory at the Olympick Games affected the Tyranny of Athens and endeavouring to seize on the Castel failed therein and fled for refuge to the image of Minerva whence the Magistrates giving him hopes of life took him and his companions and notwithstanding put them to death This now was accounted a great injury offered to the goddesse and such as both the actors thereof their posterity and Countrey were esteemed as contaminate and lyable to heavy punishment Solon perswaded them to submit to tryal and 300 Judges were appointed out of the chiefest persons who condemned them to banishment Whil'st this was adoing the Megarians fell upon the Athenians took Nisaea and recovered Salamis strange sights also appeared whereat the Citie was afrighted and their Prophets told them that certain Crimes were committed which must be expiated For this cause Epimenides a famous Philosopher whom some reckon amongst the number of the seven wise-men in the room of Periander was sent for out of Greece to cleanse the City a plague having also faln upon it at this time as Diogenes Laertius writeth in his life Several Altars upon this occasion he caused to be made as amongst the rest one (y) Cicero de Legibus lib. 2. to Contumelie or Reproach and another to Impudence At (z) Isiodorus lib. 4. Epist 69. this time also it is thought that the Altar was erected to the unknown God they having received no benefit by making addresses to their known ones but present ease as soon as this Altar and a Temple of the same dedication were made and used One (a) Hieron in Comment ad Titum saith this was the Inscription To the gods of Asia Europe and Africk to gods unknown and strange (b) Beza another that it ran after this manner To the gods of Asia Europe and Africk to the unknown and strange god in the singular number But these calamities increasing publick discontents made the assistance of Solon the more desirable 24. He feared much to undertake so difficult a task as a setlement and as for the Tyranny so then it was termed he refused it absolutely Lege Plutarch in Solone Aristot lib. 2. Politic. Julius Pollux lib. 8. A.M. 3411. though his friends perswaded him that by his moderation and good demeanour he might easily change this odious name into that of a Kingdom But being elected Archon after Philombrotus in the third year of the 46 Olympiad some 93 years after the last change of Government and in the dayes of Nebuchadnezar He reformeth
the Common-wealth King of Babylon he set himself about the work of reformation and first of all eased the people of the great burthen of their debts whereby they redeemed their bodies and estates which act was in Greek called Sisachthea Some have thought that it was onely of the interest but others of the principal too alleging him to have forgiven 5 some have said 15 talents that were owing to himself However he made them more able to satisfie their Creditors by raising the value of money as of the Attick Mina from 75 drachms to 100. Then for the setling of the Commonwealth in way thereto and in the first place he abrogated all Draco's Laws except that against murther as too severe The four Tribes of the people he left as they were ordered by Erechtheus distinguished into Souldiers Crafts-men Husband-men and keepers of Goats but for that here was no distinction made according to estates and it concerned those that had most therein to take care of the Commonwealth he also divided the people into four Ranks or Classes according to their substance and out of the three first ordered all Magistrates to be chosen the fourth and last having equal Votes in the great Council or Assembly of the whole body of the State in which lay the supream power The first was called Pentacosio Medimni the second was the Ordo Equestris the third called Zeugitae and the fourth Thetae Hereby he gave a right to the common sort to elect and call to account the Magistrates to have an hand in making and repealing Laws and in the highest Court of Judicature by which equal temper he suppressed all these factions that had lately risen And yet lest the multitude should be too much elevated A Senate of 400. besides the Court of Areopagus he instituted a Senate of 400. 100 to be chosen out of each Tribe through which all things should passe into the great Assembly wherein nothing was to be debated but what was offered from this Council elected a new every year 25. The College of the nine Archons he left Elective as he found it but ordained that they should not be admitted to take their Oath till they had first in the Senate made proof of their descent and the unblameablenesse of their life especially of their duty to their Parents and then been approved in the great Assembly after which they were to take their Oath in the Kings Gate to keep the Laws and accept of no bribes Vide Ubbonem Emmium in descript Reip. Athen. or if they should be thereof detected then to erect at Delphos a Statue of Gold of their own bignesse and the same Oath they were again to take as they went up to the Castle Crowned with Myrtle Unto them severally he assigned their Offices for the most part as they were before onely more certain and for a reward of their good service if after much and through examination they were found upright and faithfull they were to be chosen unto the Senate of Areopagus the Colledge of the Archous being hereby constituted the seminary of it To this Council Of Areopagus consisting of most grave experienced and upright men an inspection was given into all concernments of State a power of preserving the Laws and Customs and also of reforming manners in which particular they were so severe that once they condemned a boy for a custom of pulling out the eyes of Quails as hereby betraying a bad disposition They met ordinarily thrice a moneth on Mars his hill whence the Council had it's name but extraordinarily as occasion required and then in the place called the King's Gallery As for the Council of State consisting of 400 it had power also to determine great matters and controversies of it self and if it saw it convenient to report them to the people If the assent of the people was had then passed it's acts and constitutions into firm Laws if not they continued in force one year and no longer To this Council moreover it belonged to provide for such as were grown poor and were to be maintained by the publick to call all indebted to the State to an account and provide for the making of Gallies The Assembly of the People 26. To the great Assembly of the people alone belonged the power of making and nulling Lawes of Peace and War sending Ambassadors and giving the freedom of the City When they were met together they took an Oath with a bitter execration to consult the best they could for the good of the Commonwealth Those that were above fifty years of age spake first and after the businesse was throughly debated they signified their pleasure by holding up their hands Solon ordained that all the Laws should be reviewed once a year being recited by the Thesmothetae But when any were to be abrogated or new ones made the whole Assembly took not that matter of debate upon it self but committed it to the care of the most grave and prudent amongst them chosen for that purpose and called Nomothetae amongst which none were admitted but such as had dealt in the most important affaires Before them five Orators called Syndici pleaded concerning any Law that was to be abolished which should not be done without mature advice lest thereby an occasion might be given to sedition and innovation and what was concluded by these Nomothetae the body of the people alwaies approved The Assembly was had ordinarily thrice in 35 dayes at the pleasure of the Council of State or 400 but extraordinarily upon occasion called together either by the same authority of the Strategi or Generals for War and sometimes of the nine Archons Courts of Judicature 27. For Courts of Judicature besides the Areopagites formerly mentioned there was that of the Ephetae founded as its thought by Demophon the Son of Theseus consisting at first of 50 Judges chosen out of Attica and as many from Argos but Draco excluding the Strangers made the number onely 51 Citizens and after him Solon tempering the rigor thereof transferred thence the more weighty matters to Areopagus leaving the Judgment of casual homicide and lying in weight for life in some cases to it The causes brought in thither were reported by the King or second Archon There was another Court most large and common consisting of 500 1000 or sometimes 1500 persons according to the occasion chosen by lot out of all the Citizens of 30 years old and upwards They judged of many and often of the greatest causes and this was called the Heliastick Council becuase they sate in an open place where the Sun shone A fourth Court there was of Arbitrators consisting of 220 chosen out of the Tribes and being aequilly divided according to the number of them heard and determined their Causes A fifth and least considerable there was yet made up of thirty persons at the first afterwards increased to forty going in circuit to the several sorts of people gathered by Theseus
into one City heard and judged lesser matters As for the Officers belonging to the several Courts the twelve men for imprisonment and execution with the Officers of the several tribes they are scarce to be mentioned by this Work Particular Laws 28. For particular Laws Solon knowing what a multitude of people inhabited Athens took such care for prevention of idlenesse that he absolved any son from the duty of maintaining his Father fallen into povery Plutarch in Solon that had not procured him to be instructed in some Trade and the same liberty he gave unto such as were born of Strumpets He made a Law whereby he gave leave to the people to make Testaments which they never could do before all the estates of deceased persons going to the next Heir He forbad women to have any portions lest marriages should be made for gain yet succeeded they in the inheritances of their Fathers in default of issue Male. Some things about Marriages and Adultery he decreed which have been noted and not unworthily as absurd He commanded the Court of Areopagus to take an account of all persons how they lived and punish those that could render none He forbad all native fruits except that of the Olive to be transported out of Attica And nothing is more memorable than this that he deprived of all honour and rendred infamous those that in a time of faction and sedition in the City joyned themseves to neither party concluding that such as were concerned for the good of the Commonwealth would according to their best apprehensions side with such as contended for it His Laws he exposed to publick view that none should pretend ignorance in them He sware the People Magistrates and Senate to observe them for an hundred years and the Archons if they brake them to set up a Statue at Dephos of their own bignesse Then to conclude his Work he reformed the Calender much amisse at that time and reduced the year into such a form as was agreeable to the motion of the Sun Solon travelleth 29. The work being over there wanted not those who would both praise and discommend it Some would be amending it by addition Idem ibid Herodotus l. 1. others by Substraction or change so that plainly seeing what stir would be about it he got leave to travel for ten years in which time he went into Aegypt where he conversed with Amesis and into Lydia where he had that notable conference with Croesus before mentioned But while he was abroad the City anew brake into factions There were the Pediaeans headed by Lycurgus the Paralians by Megacles and the Diacrians by Pisistratus one who was descended from Codrus the last King To the later a company of the poorer sort joyned themselves such as were most inveterate against the rich and although they had not much to say against Solon's Laws yet were they desirous of innovation hoping to be gainers therein Things were in this posture when Solon returned home who being received with much honour laboured by his authority to take off the ring-leaders of the several factions and reconcile them Pisistratus seemed to give ear to him being a man of deep dissimulation and so much apter to deceive in that no man appeared so great a friend to equality as he and therfore a greater Enemy to the change of the present Government But Solon quickly found him out yet prosecuted him not with any open malice but sought to draw him from his designs by fair means often professing that no man was more inclined to Virtue or to make a good Common-wealth's-man if the desire of rule and soveraignty were but taken from him 30. For all this Pisistratus proceeded and by his seeming readinesse to patronize the poorer sort against the rich invaded the Tyranny He wounded himself and his Chariot-horses and drove into the Forum Plutarch ut suprà making shew of an escape from great danger and desired of the people that he mignt have a guard assigned him to defend his person He so far prevailed as to have fifty persons allowed him though Solon stepping to him told him he did not well to act Ulysses in Homer A. M. 3425. who as he counterfeited himself wounded to circumvent his Enemies so did he the same that he might cheat his fellow Citizens and opposed the thing as much as possible Having obtained the liberty of so many followers he then took leave to increase their number and thereby got the Castle into his hands at which the City was much startled Solon went into the Assemblie of the people Pistratus invadeth the tyranny where upbraiding them with their former stupidity he earnestly exhorted them yet now to pluck up that tyranny by the roots which before they might have so easily prevented but not at all prevailing such consternation had seized upon men's spirits he got him to his house and laying his weapons before his Court-gate said he had discharged his duty towards his Country and thenceforth kept himself quiet continuing in the City though his friends moved him to flie for his life But such a reverence bore Pisistratus not onely to his person but also to his Laws that he retained still the most of them in their former vigour A few he made himself as one for maintenance of maimed Soldiers though some attribute this also to Solon and say the occasion was given by one Thesippus and another against idlenesse whereby he caused the ground to be more diligently tilled and the City more quiet than usual By these two he effectually provided for his own interest obliging the Soldiers by the one and by dispersing the people into the Country through the other under praetence of preventing idlenesse and keeping up tillage cutting off from them all occasion of plotting any thing prejudicial to him For he knew well that as Theseus his gathering them all up into one Town conduced to the preservation of that liberty he meant to bestow on them so this contrary way tended as much to the keeping up of his arbitrary power 31. Being seized of the Soveraignty he carried it exceeding well to People Magistrates and Laws and much adorned the City of which he held possession about three years Then Megacles and Lycurgus with their parties Expelled so prevailed as they banished both him and his tyranny Herodot l. 1. cap. 59. and being condemned his goods were set to sale of which none but Callias the Son of Phoenippus would adventure to buy any But not long it was before those that cast him out became the means of his restitution for falling out amongst themselves Megacles upon promise that he would marry his daughter covenanted to bring it about and effected it by a strange and ridiculous wile There was a woman in the City named Phya Val. Max. l. 1. c. 2. Ext. exemp 2. almost four cubits tall but otherwise of tolerable beauty her being armed curiously dressed and seated
said that he died in Crete and that he ordered his body to be burnt and the ashes thrown into the Sea lest his Relicks being brought back to Sparta they should account themselves freed from the Oath But * In Apologet. Tertullian writeth that he famished himself because the Lacedaemonians went about to alter his Laws The War with the Argives 21. Lycurgus being dead and the State setled after this great change it renewed the War formerly begun with the Argives and afterwards deluded with the ambignity of the Oracle commenced another against the Tegeata Pausan in Arcadicis Herod lib. 1. a people of Arcadia by whom they were worsted and Charilaus the King was taken prisoner through the especial valour of the women yet was he presently set at liberty upon his oath never to fight more against them which he but ill performed After this they overthrew divers Cities on which the Achaeans had seized some whereof made their peace as Pausanias telleth us and departed out of Peloponnesus Pausan in Messenicis The Colleague of Charilaus or Charillus for some time was Teleclus whose death gave one occasion to the famous Messenian War Charilaus was succeeded by Nicander his Son and Teleclus by Alcamenes In * Clemens Strom. lib. 1. the 34th year of Nicander was celebrated the first Olympiad The first Olympiad after the restitution of those Games by Iphitus in which Coraebus a Cook of Elis got the Prize in the Course These solemnities being of so great consequence in the knowledge of times must not be passed over without some observation The renewing of the Olympick Games 22. These exercises had in former times been held by divers others as Hercules both the Idaean and the son of Amphytrion as some think Pelops Endymion Neleus Pelias Lycurgus and others After the descent of the Heraclidae into Peloponnesus Oxylus the Aetolian also who as we said was chosen their guide and according to agreement Pausan in Eliacis had the Country of Elis given to him renewed the Games but they were interrupted as formerly or seldom observed for about 300 years till Iphitus the son of Praxonidas and Nephew of Haemon descended from him and one of his Successors again restored them after which they never intermitted but were kept up for many generations But the occasion of the last restitution was this Greece being almost ruined by seditions and pestilence Iphitus inquired of the Oracle at Delphos how those evils might be redressed A. M. 3229. Osiae 34. and it was answered that it was expedient for him and the Eleans to restore the Olympick Games whereupon he proclaimed them and for the better celebration of them procured a Truce to be made The place whence they had their name was Olympia a City situated in the territories of the Pisaeans upon the River Alpheus upon which account the Pisaeans contended a long time with the Eleans about their interest in them There was a Temple dedicated to Jupiter Olympius and a place for races and all sorts of exercises filled with many goodly buildings which resembled another City Near to the Town was also a place where the Eleans sate and judged of the controversies arising about Victories to which Crowns were given As long as the Eleans continued under a Monarchical Government their Prince of the posterity of Oxylus was sole Judge but afterwards there were two chosen by the votes of the people which were after increased to the number nine then to ten and last of all to twelve This Solemnity was held once every fifth year beginning so that from the commencing of one to the beginning of another passed four entire years by some mistaken for five because of the commencement of the Games The time was at the full of the Moon the change whereof immediatly preceded the Summer solstice in the moneth by them called Hecatombaeon 23. Upon this occasion meetings and consultations were had concerning the affairs of all Greece besides the Inhabitants of which many flocked from other Countries Care was here taken concerning the form of the year for the intercalation of a day at the end of every fourth Charge was given to the Priests of the Temple to take notice of every new Moon especially of that wherewith the moneth Hecatombaeon began and to proclaim it they were also not onely to register the names of the Victors in the several sorts of Games with other things that concerned them but also whatsoever memorable thing occurred in the intervals The account of time henceforth never failed and the affairs of Greece and other Countries were known in a most certain order And here the second interval of time amongst three reckoned by * Vide Censorinum de Die Natali cap. 21. Varro received it's period The first began with the beginning of things and ended at the Deluge called by him unknown the second began where the first ended and concluded with this restitution of the Olympiads which he termed Fabulous because the Storie thereof is mixed with Fables and the third commencing with the first Olympiad reached to his own time which he name Historical for that things done therein were truly and clearly related This happened 408 years after the destruction of Troy 774 before the Aera of Christ A. M. 3229. 24. Towards the later end of the seventh Olympiad A. M. 3256. V. C. 5. Jothami 10. a great change was made in the Government of Lacedaemon The bringing in of the Ephori into Sparta by the bringing in of the Ephori who according to Plutarch had their beginning 130 years after Lycurgus It seemeth that for all the means used by him to gain an equality and clip the power of the great ones yet it again grew extravagant within this time Arist Polit. l. 5. c. 11. so that the people to provide against that of the Kings and Senate for the future got these Officers created Five they were in number whereof one Elatus was the first chosen every year by and out of the people Val. Maxim lib. 4. without any distinction of birth or wealth insomuch that sometimes the meanest sort of men were elected which custom is noted as bad by Aristotle Plutarch in vita Licurgi But their use and end being onely to protect the liberty of the people such what ever they were must be preferred as made the greatest show of love to freedom of a sharp and bold wit and aversnesse towards the power of the great ones Plato de Legibus lib. 3. Theopompus the Son of Nicander and Grandson to Charilaus was King at this time who bringing in or giving way to this Office his wife rebuked him for so doing saying that he would leave the Kingdom to his Son of lesse value than he had it of his Father to which he answered Cicero de Legibus lib. 3. that on the contrary he should leave it so much the greater by how much more durable Indeed
hereby it came to passe as Plutarch observeth that the Kingly power being lesse was not subject to that envy which ruined the affairs of the Kings of Messene and Argos who would not moderate their power nor at all stoop to any popularity and the government here being poised continued longer as freed from the intestine distempers of the neighbour Commonwealth Yet it is also observed by * Machiavelli sopra la prima Decad. di Tito Livio one that the reason of the prosperity and long duration of the Spartan State above that of the Athenian and others is to bee fetched from it's so much partaking of Aristocracy and the want of that influence which the heady multitude had into the greatest affaires elsewhere 25. The general and most probable opinion is that the Ephori were brought in in the time of Theopompus So writeth Aristotle Plutarch and Valerius Maximus yet (a) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lib. 1. cap. 65. Herodotus having reckoned up several things performed by Lycurgus in the framing of his Commonwealth at length addeth Further Lycurgus ordained the Ephori and Elders of which opinion Xenophon seemeth also to have been in his Treatise of the Lacedaemonian Commonwealth But though they were brought in during the reign of Theopompus yet it is not agreed of who was the principal cause of their creation because the end or design thereof is uncertaian though that ere now spoken of be generally received (b) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 De Legibus l. 3. Plato and Plutarch as he confesseth from him will have them created to be as a bridle to the power of the Kings for theirs it must needs be which he calleth hereditary Cicero also in his third Book of Laws testifieth that the Ephori at Sparta were opposed against the Kings as the Roman Tribunes against the Consuls who as well as the Senate were even at the first institution feared by the Commons for that they were the chief Patritian Magistrate at that time and the animosities in that State were caused by the distinction of the two orders Valerius Maximus maketh the same comparison betwixt Ephori and Tribunes and maketh them instituted by Theopompus for this very end whom Plato also seemeth upon the same account to call the third Saviour of the Lacedaemonians so that he must have been at the least instrumental in their institution Aristotle (c) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Politic. lib. 2. accounteth this Magistracy as the nerves of the Commonwealth joyning the parts thereof together because the people by virtue of it being partaker of Empire was quiet so that the people seemeth especially considered in this Office by which in another place the Philosopher expresly saith Theopompus moderated the power of the Kings But Cleomenes King of Sparta as (d) In Cleomene Plutarch himself relateth the Story affirmed in a speech to the people that Lycurgus having added the Senate to the Kings the Commonwealth was for a long time governed without any other Magistracy Afterwards when the Messenian War was drawn out in length the Kings because they were employed abroad chose some of their friends to administer Justice whom they left as their Deputies over the people and those were called Ephori from their inspection Being at first no other than Assistants to the Kings by little and little they assumed power to themselves and no body aware of it constituted a peculiar Office Hereof he said a sign remained at that day for that the King being called by the Ephori refused to come once and again but at the third call came to them besides Asteropus who first inlarged the bounds of this Office was Ephorus many ages after Their power 26. The power of those Magistrates for what end soever constituted as of others in other places was moderate at the first but in processe of time as the ambition of them and the confidence of the people thereupon increased it exceeded the due and just bounds and made the Government almost degenerate into a Democracy They not onely consulted with the Kings and Senate resolved about the affaires of State and judged of controversies amongst the people but afterwards grapled even the whole power into their hands doing all things themselves that were of moment They governed the Assemblies of the people proposing and gathering suffrages they made and disanulled leagues ordered what forces were to be sent out for which they also made provision they rewarded or punished according to their pleasure other Magistrates calling the very * Agis Kings to account for their lives insomuch that as the Philosopher observeth they obtained a kind of tyranny the onely remedy was that their Office was but annual Pausanias and being five in number the designs and indeavours of one or two were crossed and overthrown by the contrary party nothing being done without the consent of the whole College They rose not up as other Magistrates Vide Plutarch Corn. Nepotem in presence of the Kings with whom they mutually sware every moneth the Kings that they would rule according to the Laws and they in the name of the people to preserve their rule thus ordered safe and entire to them With their entring into their Office the year began constantly in Winter as we learn from Thucydides and from one of them as principal Lib. 5. the year was named who thence was called Eponymus as from the Archon at Athens At their first entrance they were wont to publish an Edict that the men should take off all the hayr from their upper lips Plutarch in Cleomene ex Aristotele and observe strictly all the Laws lest they should be constrained to punish them requiring obedience in a little thereby to inure the people to it In the Wars two of them used to go out with the Kings to assist them in their Councils They were wont to proclame open war against the publick slaves or Helots giving liberty to kill them and thence is to be derived that cruel custom of the Cryptia rather than from any constitution of Lycurgus as Aristotle thinketh The cause thereof as Plutarch judgeth was the conspiring of these slaves against their Masters during the Messenian War The Messenian War 27. In the second year of the ninth Olympiad this War began Pausanius in Messenicis though the ground of the quarrel had been partly laid several years before the bringing in of the Ephori In the dayes of Teleclus Father to Alcamenes now King there being a Temple of Diana in the borders Strabo l. 6 8. to which both the Lacedaemonians and Messenians constantly resorted it hapned that some Spartan Virgins going thither according to the custom were abused by the Messenians Just in lib. 3. and Teleclus indeavouring to prevent the injury was there slain moreover the Virgins for very shame and grief destroyed themselves as the Lacedaemonians told the story On the contrary the Messenians pleaded that at
after it was known that he lay with his Mother Cratea 8. He married Melissa the daughter of Procles or Patrocles tyrant of Epidaurus on whom he begat Cypselus and Lycophron Laertius in vita Periandri Herod ut suprà whereof the elder was very blockish and stupid At the instigation of his whores he afterwards killed his wife kicking her when she was great with childe then lay with her when she was dead and calling together the Corinthian women as well adorned as possible to celebrate the feast of Juno caused his guard to strip them all naked and made a parentation to Melissa of all their clothes and ornaments Lycophron his youngest son who onely was capable of Government moved by Procles his Grand-Father grew exceeding froward and refractory because of his Mother's death insomuch as differences and distasts increasing Periander banished him first his house then forbad all his Subjects to speak to or comfort him and at length forced him into Corcyra But after some years growing old infirm and unfit for businesse he sent for him home offering to passe over all to him but by no arguments or intreaties could he move him to return till he offered to change places and devest himself of all power Now when this was agreed on the Corcyraeans fearing above all things to have Periander come amongst them to prevent it killed the young man Periander to be revenged took away from them 300 of their choicest Boyes which he sent to Haliattes King of Lydia his friend and allie to be gelded but they being driven upon the Island Samus the Inhabitants took such pity both on them and their relations as to send them home safe and disappointed the Tyrant This so vexed him now almost eighty years old that he dyed of grief though by some he be reckoned amongst the seven Wise Men of Greece Suidas out of most antient Authors delivereth this character of him That he was an harsh and cruel Tyrant very martial scarce being ever out of War very powerful at Sea having so convenient Havens both upon the Ionian and Aegean Gulfs He reigned nigh forty years and dyed in the fourth of the 48th Olympiad A. M. 3420. Olymp. 48. an 4. V.C. 169. Nabuch 24. seven after the establishment of Solon's Laws A. M. 3420. Psammetichus 9. Periander being dead his Tyranny as it were tottered for three years and some six moneths during which time Psammetichus the son of Gordias brother to Periander or rather something akin to him held it as appeareth by (e) Politic. l. 5. c. 12. Aristotle who onely hath preserved his name to us from utter oblivion After his removal the power of one man was laid aside and the people put themselves into a Free-State which continued as long as the liberty of Greece it self The form thereof is not described to us by any antient Author onely this we know from (f) In Timoleonte Dione Plutarch that it was inclining more to Oligarchy than that of â—yracuse SECT 7. the power of the multitude being more bounded Yet for certain the Government was popular things of greatest consequence never being resolved on without the consent and decree of the people which kept those of highest concernment in its own power and if any other in the World was a friend to Antimonarchical liberty and an utter enemy to Monarchy where ever it was found in Greece For this City undertook many times great Wars for this very cause and not out of any ambitious design as is clear in the case of the Syracusians and others so that a Captain out of it was most desirable upon such an occasion as may hereafter be discovered SECT VII The antient Kingdom of Thebes 1. Boeotia had on the West Phocis on the East the Euboean Sea on the North the Eastern Locri and on the South Attica and Megaris The chief seat and Metropolis of this Country was Thebes the builder of which is not certainly known Calydnus Calydnus is reported first to have reigned here whence by a Poet of Chalcis it is called the Tower of Calydnus and in Hesychius Calydnaean is the same with Antient. After him was Ogyges A. M. 2244. or Ogygus Ogyges from whom Thebes by the Poets is called Ogygian and that great Ogygian Deluge is named which is said to have happened in his time 1020 years before the first Olympiad in the dayes of Phoroneus King of Argos as Africanus gathereth and so overwhelmed all the region of Attica that it made it inhabitable for 200 years as Pererius noteth Pausanias writeth In Boeoticis Atticis that he was King of the Ectenae the first Inhabitants of Thebais and that from his son Eleusine a famous Town in Attica took both Original and name as some were of opinion These Ectenae are reported to have been comsumed by Pestilence whom succeeded the Hyantes and Aonae that continued in those parts together with the Temmices who came from Sanium and the Leleges till Cadmus coming to Greece made himself Master of this place in the dayes of Corax King of Sicyon and Danaus of Argos 347 years after the beginning of Ogyges Cadmus 2. This Cadmus acccording to the tradition of the Greeks Apollod lib. 2. was son to Agenor the brother of Belus Uncle to Danaus and Aegyptus who coming out of Aegypt into Phoenice some 36 years before on his wife Telphassa begat three sons Cadmus Phoenix Cilix and a daughter named Europa This Europa Jupiter stole and carried over Sea into Crete in the likenesse of a Bull where he begat on her Minos Rhadamanthus and Sarpedon Diod. l. 4. p. 183. Asterius King of the Island afterwards married her and having no children of his own adopted her sons Herodotus telleth us that some Greeks Asterius perhaps Lib. 1. cap. 2. or some for him in revenge for what the Nation had formerly suffered from the Asiaticks in stealing away Ino went to Tyre and thence stole Europa the Kings daughter bringing her away in a ship whose ensign was a Bull whence occasion was given to feign that she was carried over upon a Bull 's back 3. Agenor sent out his three sons to seek their Sister Diod. lib. 4. p. 147. charging them never to return without her into Phoenicia Cadmus sailed first into the Island Callâ—sthe lying betwixt Crete and Callisthe where he left a Colony and thence into Thasus so named from Thasus one of his Companions Pausan l. 5. A. M. 2555. and head of another Colony left here and at length into Greece where in Boeotia being past all hope of finding his sister and consequently of returning into Phoenicia by the command of an Oracle he founded Thebes or re-edifying what was formerly built by Ogyges anew laid the foundation of the Castle which ever after from him retained the name of Cadmèa The Hyantae beaten by his Forces fled the night following into Phocis Strabo l. 9.
losse of their former estates reckoned amongst the Tribes and Curiae to the number of 3000 so that now the Roman footmen were increased to 6000 men Upon the Victory over Caenina and Antemna he first triumphed and designed a plot for a Temple to Jupiter Feretrius so called from Romulus his bringing home in triumph the spoils of Acron the King of Caenina whom he slew The spoiles were named by the Romans Opima Spolia The plot of ground was about 15 foot long and this was the original of the Capitol Having obtained a great name for his valour and clemency many eminent men went over to him with their families amongst whom was Caelius who gave name to an hill in the City and some whole people committed themselves to his protection having taken example from the Medullini and received Colonies from Rome This successe the Sabines sore repined at laying now the blame one upon another that they had not withstood the beginnings of the Roman greatnesse wherefore they resolved to correct their former carelessnesse by double diligence and assembling together at Cures their Metropolis decreed War against Rome for the spring following and made choise of T. Tatius their King to be General Romulus made all possible provision for resistance fortifying the Capitoline and Aventine hills Lucumo from Solonium a City of Hetruria brought Auxiliary forces and Numitor was not wanting to the assistance of his Grand-son 9. The Sabines having demanded restitution of their Virgins and to have the authors of the injury delivered up that they might have a more specious pretence for their actions received no satisfactory answer and therefore both parties drew out into the field The Sabines brought 25000 foot and almost 1000 horse and the Roman Army contained 2000 foot and 800 horse a very great number for a new builded City Tatius pitched his Tents betwixt the Quirinal and Capitolian hill where seeing all places strongly fortified and small hopes for him to attempt any great matter as he despaired of doing any good one Tarpeia the daughter of Tarpeius who kept the Capitol called to his men from above and covenanted with them to betray the place into their hands Concerning the wages she was to receive several stories or fables are related It is said that she required to have what they wore on their left arms meaning their bracelets but when she let them in they threw their Targets which they carried on their left arms upon her and therewith pressed her to death Being Masters of the Capitol they had thereby great advantage to continue the War at their pleasure and first some light Skirmishes insued but at length they resolved to do their utmost on both sides and for several dayes continued the fight so long as till night severed them for the most part with equal successe This made the Sabines seriously bethink themselves whether they had best carry on the War or retreat and the Romans were rather more to seek how to hold out yet neither party would stoop to desire a Treaty Whilst they remained in this anxious condition those Sabine women that were married to the Romans and the cause of the War through the perswasion of Hersilia one of the principal amongst them The end of Sabine War became mediators and made peace betwixt these Fathers and Sons in Law after the War had lasted six years The conditions were A. M. 2363. V. C. 12. Achazi 2. that Romulus and Tatius should reign at Rome with equal prerogative that the City from Romulus should be called Rome but the Citizens Quirites from Cures the native place of Tatius Such of the Sabines as would were made free of Rome and a respect was had of those Matrons that procured the peace that they which would live with their husbands should bee exempted from all work and service besides spinning and making of Cloath 10. Some write that from thirty of these women which undertook this reconciliation to perpetuate their memories the Tribes were named but Terentius Varro denied it alleging that they had names before and that by this honour given to thirty the rest of the women were not passed by and discouraged For five years the two Kings reigned peaceably together and joyntly subdued the Camerini a Colony of the Albans but in the sixth it hapned that some of Tatius his friends plundring the Lavinians Tatius killed and by him being protected notwithstanding Romulus and the Senate judged they were to be given up moreover killing the Ambassadors sent to demand them wherein they were also born out by him when he went to Lavinium to sacrifize or perswade the injured persons to be quiet the friends of the Ambassadors fell upon and knocked him in the head Romulus to his great contentment thus freed from his partner made satisfaction to the injured and burying Tatius at Rome very honourably subdued Fidenae a Town five miles off which had seized on provisions coming to Rome in a time of famine Thither he sent some of his own to inhabit according to his custom and then punished the Crustumini who had killed those Planters which hee sent amongst them The Veii overcome and over them he obtained his second triumph The Veii a most powerful people of Hetruria inhabiting a City no lesse than Athens situated upon a craggy Rock at some twelve miles distance from Rome found themselves concerned in what the Fidenates suffered and by an Embassie required the Romans thence to remove their Garrison and restore the Inhabitants to their whole demesens This being denied they met at Fidenae and there fought two bloody battels wherein Romulus had the better and triumphed the third time Plutarch writeth that the Veientes ridiculously challenged Fidenae to belong to them and receiving a scornful answer from Romulus divided themselves into two parts whereof with one they fought the Fidenatae and with the other went to meet Romulus who slew of them above 8000 with the losse of 2000 of his own men In the next battel he is fabulously reported to have killed 7000 with his own hand being half the number that was slain The Veientes now betook themselves to intreaties and entred into a League with the Romans for an hundred years on these conditions to quit a great part of their grounds with the Salt-pits near the River and give up fifty Hostages of their most considerable families Romulus triumphed over them on the Ides of October leading with him their Captain an aged man who had badly performed his office for which he was afterwards personated by an old man in all Triumphs Romulus grown tyrannical 11. This was the last War managed by Romulus who being grown exceeding high and tyrannical upon his successe inlarged his prerogative beyond those bounds he had formerly set to it and made use onely of the Senate to ratifie his commands Hereby hee contracted the hatred of that Order though the Soldiers loved him which brought him to an untimely death Some think
him to strike hard he cut thorow it This much inhanced the reputation of his skill and he flourished thenceforth with great honour till at length he was suddenly missing and his body never could be found which turned to the disquiet of Tarquinius For the sons of Ancus Marcius now grown men grudged him their fathers Kingdom and often thought of thrusting him out expecting much from martial men who generally bore love to their fathers memory Now they accused him to the people of having made away the Augur because he had contradicted his devices and created him some trouble till Tullius his son-in-son-in-law answered the objections and cleared him of the Calumny Missing of their design this way they counterfeited repentance and being easily reconciled to the old man out of respect to their father cloaked their malice for three years Then they cloathed two of their companions like Shepherds who going to the Court and pretending to be faln out did beat each other and called loud upon the King for Justice having at their backs other Conspirators apparelled also in rustick vveeds who offered to give Testimony on both sides Being called in to the King they wounded him to death and betaking themselves to their heels were caught confessed who were authors of the plot Tarquinius murdered and received their just reward To this end came Tarquinius sirnamed Priscus after his Grand-son of the same name had obtained the Kingdom about 80 years old when he had reigned 38 years and done many and great good Offices for the Commonwealth 28. Tarquinius Priscus being dead Servius Tullius his son-in-son-in-law succeeded him in the fourth year of the 50th Olympiad wherein Epitelides the Laconian was Victor Servius Tullius his descent and education when Archestratides was Archon at Athens concerning whose Original and private life something is first to be spoken Dionysius l. 4. Livius l. 1. Florus l. 1. c. 6. A certain man of Corniculum a Town in Latium of Royal bloud was slain when Tarquinius took the place and left his wife Ocrisia big with Child which woman Tarquinius gave to his Queen Tanaquil Ocrisia then was delivered of a son in the Kings house named Tullius and sirnamed Servius by her in remembrance of her bondage When being an Infant he lay in the Cradle a flame of fire is said to have appeared and incompassed his head which raised great expectation of him in Tanaquil a woman skilfull in the mysteries of her Countrey She brought her husband into a great opinion of him so that he was educated by them and answering what had been conceived of him at length was made their son-in-law then abroad he had Command in the Army and at home managed publick Affairs for the King when grown old in all things behaving himself with such integrity valour and prudence as purchased him the love of all the people Now whereas Tarquinius had at his death no sons as Dionysius maketh most manifest but left two Grand-sons both Infants Tanaquil having a desire that Tullius should succeed him kept his death private for some time till he had procured the people to banish the Marcii giving out that the King dangerously wounded though not dead had referred all businesse to him according to his custom Being secure of the faction of the Marcii he then carried out Tarquinius to be buried as newly dead and as Tutor to the young Children executed the Office of King which Tanaquil out of the window had told the people was her husband's will when yet she feigned him to be living But the Patricians grudging Tullius this honour conspired how the next time he assembled the Senate they might constrain him to leave off all the royal ensigns and then go to an Election according to the usual manner 29. He coming to the knowledge hereof Assembled the people and producing the two boyes pleaded their case and his own he promised them to pay all their debts and divide to those that wanted the publick grounds Hereby retaining the power under the notion Guardian The Patritians were sore agrieved thereat but the wisest sort thought it not good to stir though they plainly saw the Authority of the Senate much infringed For they considered that if they should make a King of their own body the people would not approve the choice and if it were referred to the multitude Tullius would assuredly be the man wherefore they thought it more wisdom to suffer him to reign in an unlawfull manner that so they might ever have some just pretence against him than by stirring in the matter to procure him a legal Title But he prevented this their design going with his mother mother-in-law and all his kindred in mourning habits unto the Forum where he shewed the people how lamentable his condition was through the plots of the Patritians against him which he deserved no otherwayes than by his good deeds towards the commonality he laid to their charge that they would call in the Marcii that had murdred Tarquinius and expose his posterity who had so well deserved of the State together with himself to the same cruelty and in conclusion offering to lay down all if such was the pleasure of the people and undergo any hardship rather than be troublesom he offered to descend from the Tribunal A great clamour then arose mixed with prayers and tears of those that besought him to retain the Government and presently some that were provided beforehand began to cry out that he was to be chosen King and the Curiae were to be called to the Vote which thing was instantly resolved by the multitude He gladly took hold of the opportunity thanked them that they were mindfull of the benefits received from him promised larger if he were elected King and appointed a day for the Comitia or Assembly whereof he intended to have present those also that were abroad in the Countrey Obtaineth the Kingdom At the day appointed for the Assembly of the Curiae called Curiata Comitia he was chosen King by the suffrages of them all and so in despight of the Conscript Fathers who refused to confirm the choice as the manner was obtained the principality 30. A.M. 3427. V.C. 76. Olymp. 50. an 3. Nebuch 31. Presently after his setlement he accomplished his promise concerning the division of the publick Land to such as were forced to preserve themselves by dayly labour in other mens grounds and in the Curiata Comitia preferred fifty Laws concerning contracts and injuries He added two Hills to the former five viz. the Viminal and Esquiline in the later whereof he lived himself and was the last man that inlarged the Pomaeria of the Citie the Wall whereof was never any further stretched out though very large Suburbs were afterwards added After he had compassed all the seven Hills within one Wall he distinguished the Citie into four parts and instead of three made four Tribes And as Romulus distinguished the people according to their Seats and
Communion in Sacrifices into Tribes and Curiae so Servius making every one give an account how much he was worth according to their riches divided them into six Ranks or Classes Of these the first and highest consisted of such as were worth 110000 Asses each of which answereth to ob 9. of our money the next four decreased in value a fourth part and in the last were contained all such whose Estates were of little or no value The Census 31. The Classes he did also so subdivide into Centuries as 192 were made in all his design herein being to know certainly how many were fit to bear Arms and what Treasure might be supplied for Wars or other occasions He also first ordained the Lustrum so named a Luendo from paying saith Varro Lustrum as Flustrum a Fluendo to be celebrated after this Census De Lingua Latina lib. 5. or value of each according to their substance On a certain day after the valuation he enacted that all the Citizens should meet in their Armour in the Campus Martius every one in his several Classis and Century where by sacrifice the Citie was expiated or Lustrated This solemnity was termed Solitaurilia Lib. 1. cap. 5. or rather Suovetaurilia because an Hog Sheep and Oxe were sacrificed as we read in Quintilian These things being performed the Lustrum was finished which because of continual change of mens Estates he ordained should be reiterated every five years so that he who begun it according to Lipsius in his twelfth year celebrated it himself four times according to Valerius Maximus Every fifth year the Tribute or Taxe called Census was paid and thence Lustrum seemeth to have had it's name Lib. â— c. 4. After the banishment of the Kings the Consuls managed this businesse till the Censors Magistrates proper to the work were brought in Lastly Joseph Scaliger telleth us we must distinguish the old Roman Lustrum from the later or Julian which is onely a Systeme of four Julian years whereof the last consisteth of 366 dayes absolutely without any overplus of hours De Legibus l. 3. For the Old and Proper Lustrum contained five years compleat which that cited by Cicero concerning the Censors out of the Laws of the twelve tables Let them be two Let them obtain the Magistracy for five years maketh manifest so that this Lustrum cannot answer to an Olympiad properly so called of which beginners are to take notice 32. Of the six Classes which contained 193 Centuries Dionys ut suprà the first and richest was divided into 98 the Equites or Horsmen being counted in the second into 22 taking in Artificers the third into 20 the fourth 22 the fifth 30 and the sixth and last of the poorer sort made up but one Century Men and moneys being levied according to these Centuries and not by poll each Century such a quantity it came to passe that the richest being fewer yet divided into more Centuries here the word is not to be taken for 100 persons precisely The Centuries and Cexturiata Comitia being made use of onely to expresse such a division were never free from warfare and contributed also more money than the rest they that were but moderately or meanly provided of wealth being exceeded by the other in twenty Centuries went to the War by turns and paid but little Tribute and they that had not any estate to speak on underwent no burthens This seemed very just and equal to him that they who were most concernd should take most pains and bear the greatest cost the Romans at that time maintaining themselves in the Wars without any pay from the publick But the richer sort something grieved to undergo all charge and danger for the preservation of others as well as themselves Servius sufficiently satisfied and requited by giving them in a maner the whole prerogative in matters of State the porer being almost wholly removed from any power in the Commonwealth though at first they did not perceive it 33. This secret lay in the Comitia or Assemblies where the people resolved about the most important affairs these three things being in their power viz. Creation of Magistrates as well Military as Civil making or abrogating Law and decreeing Peace or War concerning which things the suffrages of the several Curiae were wont to be gathered and the vote of the porest availed as much as that of the richest person whence the poorer sort being much more numerous than the rich ever prevailed by their Multitudes Tullius understanding this instead of those of the Curiae called the Comitia of the Centuries upon such occasions First of all were called the Centuries of the first or richest Classis viz. the 18 of Knights or Horsmen and the 80 of Footmen which being three more in number than all the rest besides if they all agreed they overcame in number and there was no need of calling any of the others to the vote If they disagreed the 22 Centuries of the second Classis were called and if need were the third Classis and the fourth till 97 Centuries agreed in their suffrages If this hapned not after the calling of the fifth 192 Centuries being divided equally in number and of several opinions then was the sixth Classis called conteining the last Centurie free from Tributes and War and to which side it joyned that overcame 34. This rarely hapned and was almost impossible the Comitia being ended most commonly by the first call but however seldom came it to the fourth Classis so that the two last were supervacaneous By this constitution the poorer sort were deceived thinking it enough that every mâ—n as well one as another gave his suffrage and not considering that the suffrage of the whole Centurie was but one whether it contained more or fewer persons in it But at length seeing themselves freed from danger and charge they were content and the richer injoying such priviledges for their pains and cost were well satisfied and this order was kept for many Ages till afterwards by the violent actings of some the common sort got more power as Dionysius himself observed the innovation to have broken in in his time At the first Lustrum were found 84700 Citizens but to increase their number hee brought in the custom of making Slaves free of the Commonwealth whom being before manumitted or set free he distributed into the four Tribes of the City 35. These Slaves were either made or born such as Justinian the Emperor distingisheth them The custom of manumiting Slaves The former sort were either taken in War then properly called Mancipia or bought of the publick or of some private man The later were those that were born either of both Parents being such or of the Mother onely At first they obtained their liberty gratis by well deserving some way of their Masters or some by payment of money earned by their honest labours they having a certain Peculium though all
was said to belong to their Masters But in processe of time when the Romans degenerated from their former worth and honour some by Roberies others by breaking of houses and other villanies got money whereby they purchased their freedom Some by helping their Masters in these things obtained liberty as a reward others on condition to let them enjoy the monthly allowance of Corn out of the publick purse or other Largesses conferred by Princes upon poor Citizens Sometimes they were manumitted through the levity and vain-glory of their Lords some having by their Testaments set at liberty all their Slaves to obtain a fame of clemency after their death and that their Funerals might be celebrated by a great train of such as wore caps upon that occasion in which pomp a thousand Rogues have been seen who much better deserved hanging This was laid to the charge of the Mistresse of the World that challenging the Empire over all she should defile her self with such impure Citizens which custom might have been reformed as Dionysius observeth by the care of the Censors who inquiring into the lives of Senators and Knights never considered what persons were unfit to be admitted Free-men 36. Tullus not onely clipped the power of the Patritians and Senate but took away half of the King's Prerogative also Whereas the former Princes called before themselves all controversies Tullius clipeth the King's power and took cognisance of crimes as well committed against particular persons as the publick he separated these causes making himself Judge of such as respected the Commonwealth and referring the quarrels of private persons unto others to whom he prescribed Laws and Rules for to go by After he had thus ordered the Common-wealth he caused the Latines to build a Temple at Rome to Diana upon the Aventine hill whereat they should meet and feast every year and so preserve themselves as one body politick in unity and concord If any controversie arose betwixt particular Towns it was to be decided by the judgement of others in such a manner as the Amphyctiones in Greece were wont to proceed the Council of the Ionians at the Temple of Ephesus and that of the Dorienses in the Temple of Apolla built by common consent at Epitropium These things were done by Tullius at home according to Dionysius Livie and others to which we may add from Pliny that he first stamped money with the image of Cattel whence it was called Pecunia whereas the Romans before his time used it in a rude lump or Masse As for his actions abroad he warred with the Hetruscans 20 years who refused to obey him as an obscure man and renounced the league formerly made In all battels both with the united Nation and particular Cities he ever had the better triumphed over them thrice and at length forced them to submit to the yoak on the same terms as formerly Tarquinius had imposed it except that from three Towns that had been principal in the revolt hee took part of their grounds which he divided to those that had newly been made free of the City Is murdered by his son in Law and his own daughter Having done these things at home and abroad when he was grown old and not far from the natural period of his life he perished by the devices of Tarquinius his son in law and of his own daughter 37. Tullius had two daughters by his wife Tarquinia which he married to their two Cousin-germans the grand-sons of Tarquinius joyning them in wedlock according to their age as he thought it most equal and convenient But it hapned that they were matched together with those of dispositions clean contrary to one another Lucius the elder a man of a bold arrogant and tyrannical nature had an honest modest wife and one most dutiful towards her Father on the contrary Aruns Tarquinius the younger being of a mild and sweet disposition light on a wicked woman one of a bitter spirit against her Father ready for to attempt any thing Lucius breaking out into passion against his Father in Law for keeping the Kingdom from him was still appeased by his wife but Aruns being content to stay his time and averse to any thing that might favour of disrespect to Tullius was importuned ever and disquieted by his wive's earnest and tedious sollicitations to attempt the utmost though with the destruction of her Father for the obtaining of the Soveraignty This woman being impatient of her husband's backwardnesse and bewitched by the fury of ambition resolved to change husbands if it might be and match her self to the other Tarquin who suited well with her own humor she brake her mind to Lucius telling him of what a sordid spirit they were to suffer an Usurper so long to possess their Patrimony railing against her own husband as a man of a poor and degenerate disposition and at length made a profer for them two to dispatch out of the way their present unequal yoak-fellows and then unite themselves in that relation thereby to bring about their noble and gallant design He was not backward to a compliance and the device was accordingly brought about after which they resolved by force to expel Tullius from the Kingdom if hee would not give place on his own accord raising a faction of the Patritians that were discontented with the King 's new modelling of the State and the poorest Plebeians whose assistance they purchased openly without any respect to right or modesty Tullius was not ignorant what they intended and feared also to be destroyed ere hee could provide for his defence yet thinking it an unseemly thing to make War upon his son in Law and his own daughter and punish them as Enemies he indeavourd by fair means to take them off before their Friends blaming admonishing and dehorting Tarquinius from the intended injury 38. Effecting nothing hereby but the other saying he would plead his cause in the Senate he called together the Fathers and gave him liberty to speak Tarquin laid his claim to the Kingdom as his Grand-fathers Heir and alleged that Tullius kept it from him unjustly having got all his preferment from their family and obtained the place illegally without the consent of the Senate Tullius replied that the Kingdom was in the power of the People to dispose of it to whomsoever they would which he proved from the example of Tarquinius Priscus who being a stranger was preferred before the Marcii He mentioned how well he had deserved of him by protecting and taking care of him in his minority and as for his coming to the Government without the ordinary assent of the Senate that concerned the Fathers and not him He then appealed to the Senate whether ever he had wronged or carried himself arrogantly towards any of them that they should conspire with his son in Law against him and in conclusion told them that if they thought Tarquinius the fitter man he should not be against the profit of the Commonwealth
blessing all such as willingly offered themselves to dwell in Jerusalem Then returnd he to the King from whom he yet obtained leave to come again into Judah where he seemeth to have lived untill the sixteenth year of Darius Nothus in which the first part of the seventy weeks endeth consisting of 49 years viz. seven weeks which are thought to be those of which the Angel spake that the street should be built again and the wall even in troublous times 17. After Artaxerxes had made peace with the Graecians he fell into civil and intestine broils with Megabyzus who had done him such service in Aegypt and elsewhere if credit be given to Ctesias from whom we have a relation of these transactions This Megabyzus after he had quieted Aegypt and committed it to the Government of Sartamas departed thence and went to the King Artaxerxes his civil War with Megabysus leading along with him Inarus and some Greekish prisoners after he had obtained a promise from him that no punishment should be inflicted on them though Amytis or rather Amestris the King's Mother had so layn upon him to deliver into her hands not onely them but Megabyzus himself her son in Law being inraged for the death of Achaemenes who in the former Expedition was slain by the Ionians For five years he endured her importunity without yielding but at length being wearied and overcome he gave up the Greeks and Inarus into her power His body she nailed overthwart to three crosses and beheaded 50 of the Greeks which were all she could take That Inarus was crucified Thucydides witnesseth though nothing of this time or manner and Herodotus reporteth Lib. 3. cap. 15. that his son Thannyras was restored by the Persians to the Principality of his Father 18. Megabyzus being sorely moved with the usage of his prisoners concealed his displeasure for a time but getting leave to depart to his Government in Syria whither he had privately sent some Greeks beforehand broke out into open Rebellion and got an Army together of 150000 men Against him then was sent Osiris with 200000 who joyning battel with him wounded him in the thigh but received two wounds from him one in his thigh and the other in his shoulder with the anguish whereof and losse of blood he fell from his Horse and was taken prisoner and though his men well behaved themselves yet were they overthrown and Megabyzus getting the Victory used him very courteously and sent him back to the King who desired it After this was sent more forces commanded by Mexistenes Nephew to Artaxerxes by his Brother Artarius the Governour of Babylon He also giving battel to Megabyzus was wounded by him both in shoulder and head though not mortally and being put to flight Megabyzus obtained another famous Victory 19. Things going thus Artarius dealt with him by Messengers then Artoxares the Eunuch Governour of Paphlagonia and Amestris also advised him yet to be reconciled to the King afterwards Artarius himself Amytis his wife and Artoxares now twenty years of age were sent to him to perswade him to go to him Being perswaded after his return the King signified to him by a message that he freely pardoned him all that was past but going on a time a hunting with him when a Lyon set upon the King as he raised himself up Megabyzus slew him whereat Artaxerxes was in a great rage that he had stricken him before he could touch him and commanded his head to be cut off But by the intercession of Amestris Amytis and others his life was spared yet was he banished to Cyrta a Town upon the Red Sea and Artoxares the Eunuch into Armenia for speaking freely to the King in his behalf Five years he then continued in exile at the end of which feigning himself to be a Pisagas which in the Persian tongue signifieth a Leper at whom no man might come he fled away and came to his wife Amytis at his own house by whom scarcely being known he was by her means and the help of Amestris reconciled once again to the King who made him eat at his own table as formerly and so continued in great favour till his death at 76 years of age for which the King was much troubled 20. Whilst the Graecians were busie with one another in the Peloponnesian War of which now several years had passed Thucyd. l. 4. Artaxerxes sent Artaphernes a Persian to the Lacedaemonians with a Letter written in Assyrian Characters in which amongst other things he desired to know plainly of them how they stood affected for that he was utterly ignorant of what they thought many Ambassadours coming and no one of them agreeing with another wherefore he desired that if they intended to declare themselves they would send some of their own back with Artaphernes What was effected hereby is not known but we find elsewhere Diodorus ad Olymp. 84. an 3. that the Lacedaemonians entred into a League with him in one main matter contrary to that formerly made with the Athenians For whereas it was provided first in the one that the Greekish Cities in Asia should be left to their own liberty in the other they were expresly left under his Dominion such influence had then the Civil Wars of Greece upon the matters of Asia perhaps because the Lacedaemonians were jealous of the Ionians Artaxerxes dieth as the Colony of their adversaries the Athenians who if not now entred into War with them were much suspected jealousies abounding betwixt them Not long after this Message Artaxerxes died Ad Olymp. 88. an 4. having reigned according to Diodorus fourty years compleat according to Sulpicius Severus 41. but after Ctesias 42. amongst which opinions 't is probable that he died in the beginning of the 42 year after the death of Xerxes in the second year of the 89 Olympiad A. M. 3582. 421 years before the birth of Christ 21. Artaxerxes had onely one legitimate son by his wife Damaspia Ctesias in Excerptis Histor Persic named Xerxes but 17 by Concubines amongst which were Sogdianus Ochus and Arsites Xerxes succeeded his father but was slain by Secundianus as he was drunk in the 45th day after his death Secundianus then became King but causing Bagorazus the Eunuch to be stoned for something done about his fathers body incurred the displeasure of the Army which because of this and his brothers death could never be taken off by all the gifts he bestowed on them Being jealous of his brother Ochus whom his father had made Governour of the Hyrcanians he sent for him but he refused to come and so did several times till he had got a considerable Army For Arberius General of the horse revolted to him then Arxanes the Viceroy of Egypt and Artoxares coming out of Armenia caused him to take the Cidaris or Citaris a Cap peculiar to the Kings and Priests of Persia Ochus Ochus thus taking the Royal Ensign and Title of King Idem changed
his name into Dariaeus and was also most commonly called Darius Nothus By the advice of Parysatis his wife he enticed by all means Secundianus to come to him not sparing Oaths or any other wayes to get him into his hands and so far prevailed that though Menostanes the Eunuch counselled Secundianus not to trust himself yet he came to him and being cast into ashes he died the same way as Darius the son of Hystaspes formerly made away his Emulators Jacobus Cappellus though some think this Darius to have been the first inventor of this punishment and that it is falsly ascribed by Valerius Maximus to the son of Hystaspes Then reigned he alone by himself after his brother had reigned six moneths and twenty dayes The three Eunuchs Artoxares Artibarxanes and AthoÌ„us were in great power with him but especially he was advised by his wife His Children by whom he had two Children Amistris a daughter and Arsaces a son called afterwards Artaxerxes before he came to the Kingdom Afterwards he begot of her another son called Cyrus from the Sun and others to the number of 13. But all the rest died young except these two and his fourth son named Oxendras Ctesias Stirs in his time 22. After this Arsites his own brother both by father and mother and Artyphius the son of Megabyzus revolted from him Artasyras was sent with an Army against them who falling upon Artyphius was worsted in two battels but in the third overthrew him and corrupting the Greeks that fought for him drew away all his Company except three Milesians so that upon the Oath of Artasyras for his security for that Arsites could not be found he yielded himself to the King He was minded to put him to death but Parysatis his wife perswaded him to spare him for a time for Arsites seeing him unpunished would also be moved to yield himself and then he might rid himself of them both together which accordingly came to passe both being cast into the ashes though Darius was hardly brought by her perswasions to make away his brother now also Pharnacyas who with Secundianus had slain Xerxes was put to death and Menostanes being apprehended shunned the same punishment by laying violent hands upon himself This Rebellion was followed by the revolt of Pisathnes the Governour of Lydia against whom Tissaphernes and others being sent he met them having in his Army Lycon the Athenian with such Greeks as he had brought with him who being corrupted by the Kings Captains revolted from him so that with fair words he was drawn in and carried to the King who cast him into the ashes and gave his Government to Tissaphernes and the Cities with the regions adjoyning to Lycon for a reward of his treachery After this followed the treason of Artoxares in great power with Darius who conspired about killing him and transferring the Kingdom to himself For this purpose being an Eunuch he caused his wife to make him a beard that he might seem no other than a perfect man but the matter being revealed by her he was delivered up into the hands of Parasytis who put him to death 23. Arsaces afterwards called Artaxerxes the eldest son of Darius married Statira the daughter of Idarnes a man of prime rank amongst the Persians and Terituchmes the son of Idarnes who after his death succeeded in his Government married Amistris daughter to the King She had a sister named Roxana who being very beautifull and well skilled in shooting Terituchmes fell in love with her and having to do with her detested his wife insomuch as he resolved to murder her by the help of 300 men with whom he practised to revolt Whilest he thought hereof one Udiastes a man in great power about him being promised great matters if he could deliver the Kings daughter from so great a danger slew him but the son of this Udiastes who was Armour-bearer to Terituchmes and was not present at his death after he had notice thereof cursed his father and seizing upon the Citie Zaris delivered it up to Terituchmes his son Then did Parysatis bury alive the Mother Brethren and Sisters of Terituchmes and commanded Roxana to be cut in pieces alive Darius would have had her to have made away Statira his daughter-in-daughter-in-law together with the rest but through the importunity of Arsaces her husband she spared her of which Darius told her that afterwards she would sorely repent as it came to passe From the second year of this King * Hist sacr lib. 2. Sulpicius Severus and * Josephus Scaliger Edu Livelaeus Junius many learned men with him count the beginning of the seventy weeks of Daniel ending them with the destruction of Jerusalem because the number of years do agree and the Angel maketh mention of that desolation though nothing be spoken in any place concerning any going out of a Decree during the reign of this Prince from which those weeks must needs have commenced They must needs allow the work now to have been carried on by the sollicitation of the Prophets Haggai and Zachariah which had been interrupted for 115 years ever since the second year of the return of Zerubbabel and Jeshua at which time they began to build But now at this time and before this lived Malachias the last of all the Prophets who exhorts not the people to the building of the Temple as the others did which is an evidence of the finishing of it before but reprehends those corruptions which * Cap. ult Nehemiah in his second Government had observed amongst the Jews viz. marriages with strangers unjust detention of Tithes and corruption of Divine worship And because the succession of Prophets was no more to be expected in the later end of his Prophecie he exhorts the people to keep the Law of Moses untill such time as the great Prophet the Messias should be revealed before whom John Baptist was to come in the spirit and power of Elias The ending of the Canon of holy Scripture is by Eusebius placed in the 32th year of Artaxerxes Longimanus After these Prophets the Hebrews held the men of the great Synagogue to have succeeded but the later Jews reckon the three last Prophets amongst them and Esra as the President of the Council 24. Against this Darius the Medes rebelled but were after some time reduced again into obedience At this time the States of Gâ—eece being plunged deep in the Peloponnesian War Xenoph. Hellenic 10. he made his advantage thereof as much as he could siding with the Lacedaemonians against the Athenians who did him most hurt in Asia both by their great skill and practice in Navigation and being allied to the Ionians whom as their Colonies they helped against him so that much entercourse and great transactions passed betwixt Tissaphernes his Lieutenant and those of Sparta which are involved in the affairs of Greece Idem ibid. Exped Cyri lib. 1. Diodorus ad Olymp. 93. an 1. ad
into Asia such an one appeared to him advised him to it and promised him successe Then going up to the City he ascended to the Temple and sacrifized according to the directions of the Priest who shewed him the Prophecy of Daniel wherein was foretold that a Graecian should obtain the Empire of the Persians He accounting himself the man rejoyced thereat and the next day offered to the People whatsoever they would ask of him who requested they might live after their own Laws and Customs that on every seventh year in which they sowed not they might pay no tribute and that such of their Country-men as inhabited Babylon and Media might also be left to their own Laws all which he readily granted them He offered them also if they would follow him the freedom of the exercise of their Religion whereupon many gave their names to the Expedition and then leading his Forces to the neighbouring Cities he was friendly received by them 46. The Samaritans met him in the way desiring him to visit their City Sicirna seated at the foot of the Hill Gerizim and inhabited by the Runagates of the Jewish Nation to honour their Temple with his presence and to remit to them also the tribute of every seventh year they sowing not therein for that they were Hebrews though not Jews as descended of Joseph and his two Sons Ephraim and Manasseh Curtius lib. 4. all which he referred to his return By this time his Officers had recovered several places that had revolted as Callus Paphlagonia Antigonus Lycaonia and Balacrus Miletus after he had overthrown Idarnes the Captain of Darius Cilicia he had committed to the care of Soscrates the Country about Tyre to Philotas the son of Parmenio who had delivered his charge of Cebestia to Andromachus that he might follow the Expedition All the Towns of Palestine he had got now into his hands except Gaza which Batis the Eunuch resolved to hold out against him He besiegeth Gaza This was a City distant from the Sea about two miles and an half of difficult accesse by reason of the depth of sand about it the Sea near unto it being very muddy being large seated upon an high Rock and compassed with a strong wall Hither having commanded Hephaestion to go before with the Fleet he came and sate down before it with all his Forces 47. Having viewed the situation of the City Diodorus Josephus Curtius Arrianus ut prius he resolved that light kind of earth to be fit for digging of mines which he commanded presently to be attempted and seeing that no wooden turrets could be erected by the walls because of the loosenesse of the sand he made a great heap of earth and stones to be laid which equalled the height of the walls on which he planted his Engines for batterie By the advice of Aristander his Prophet he contained himself for a time without the reach of the Arrows but the Arabians whom Batis the Governour called Baberneses by Josephus had hired issuing forth set fire to the Engines and beat away the Macedonians from the Mount he ran in with the Targetiers to the rescue and kept his men from running but he himself received a wound on his shoulder Afterwards those Engines being come by water with which he had taken Tyre he caused the whole City to be surrounded with mounts two furlongs broad and 250 foot high whereby conflicting both with Engines above ground and below at length after two moneths it was taken the wall being broken by a Mine at which breach the Macedonians entred Alexander himself led in his men and when his former wound was not yet quite cured received a bruise on his thigh with a stone The defendants stirred not from their places but fighting to the last were all slain to the number of 10000. The women and children the Conquerour made Slaves and furnishing the City with a new Colony gathered out of the places adjacent used it as a Garrison in the War Diodorus ad Olymp. 112. ana 2. Curtius lib. 4. 48. From Gaza he sent Amyntas the Son of Andremo with ten Gallies into Macedonia to make a Leavie of the stoutest young men and bring them over because the War though prosperous wasted his old stock of Soldiers and he could not so well trust foreiners as his own subjects Then marched he strait for Egypt He marcheth for Egypt and the seventh day after his removal from Gaza arrived at that place afterwards called Alexanders-Camp and came to Pelusium Here met him great multitudes of Egyptians who being weary of the insolence and avarice of the Persians expected his coming and gladly received him Placing a Garrison in Pelusium and commanding that the ships should sayl up the River to Memphis he having the Nile on his right hand came through the desart to Heliopolis and thence crossing the River unto Memphis which when he approached Mazaces the Persian Governour met him and delivered into his hands 800 Talents with all the royal houshold-stuff Here he sacrifized to all the Egyptian Gods and celebrated Games and then sayled down the River to the Sea and when he came to Canopus sayled about the Lake Mareotis betwixt which and the Egyptian-Sea he chose out a place whereon to build a Citie which he would have called after himself Alexandria 49. In this place towards the Sea and Haven stood there once a Village named Rhacotis When the figure of the new Citie was to be delineated Strabo lib. 17. for want of Chalk they marked out the ground with Meal which presently was seized upon by an innumerable company of Fouls of all sorts Plutarch in Alexandro that from the Sea and Lake came flocking thither Foundeth Alexandria and devoured it all Hereat the King was discouraged but his Prophets told him that it signified the Citie should he exceeding populous and wealthy and nourish all sorts of men He himself designed in what place the Forum should be and where the Temples that were to be Consecated to the Egyptian and Graecian Gods and herein used the skill of that noble Architect Dinocrates called also Stasicrates who was imployed by the Ephesians in restoring of their Temple formerly consumed with fire This afterwards Famous Citie was founded by Alexander in the fifth year of his reign and the first of 112th Olympiad the 417th of Nabonasar from which year the moneth Thoth as also the fifth of Darius the supputation of the years of Alexander is begun by Ptolomy the Mathematician and a Native of this Citie A. M.3673 329 years before the Aera of Christ 50. Leaving the care of his new designed Citie to fit Overseers he took a journey toward the Oracle of Jupiter Hammon Iidem situate in the vast sandy desarts of Libya because he had heard that Perseus and Hercules had formerly gone thither or to know his fortune Arrianus lib. 3. or that he might at least have occasion to boast of his
which first got this man love afterward procured him envy Themistocles whispering this into the ears of the multitude that whilest he took upon him to censure all things he had prepared for himself a Throne in the ruine of the Courts of Judicature and defended with a sufficient Guard The multitude puffed up with their successe at Marathon and designing great things in their heads could ill bear any that excelled them in fame and glory and therefore flocking into the Citie they banished him by the Ostracism cloaking their envy at his glorie with a specious pretence of fear of Tyranny 31. When they were come together to give their suffrages Idem ibid. a Countrey-man ignorant of Letters is reported to have given a shell to Aristides not knowing him but to be of the common sort and desired him to write therein for him the name of Aristides at which he wondring and asking him if ever he had received any injury at his hands he said no but that he was troubled to hear him all over go by the name of Just Aristides hearing this answered nothing but wrote his own name and gave it to the man and when he departed out of the Citie with hands lifted up to heaven prayed contrary to what Achilles did when he found himself ill used by Agamemnon Iliad â— that the estate of Athens might never happen to be such as to give them occasion to think of Aristides But in the third year after when Xerxes now marched through Thessaly and Boeotia towards Attica the Athenians repealing their Decrees recalled all that were banished especially for fear of Aristides lest joyning with the Enemy he might by his Authority draw many of their Citizens to revolt They were mistaken concerning the mans disposition for before the Decree for his return was made he had not been wanting to provoke the Graecians as much as he could to defend their liberty then joyned with Themistocles though one most averse to him and for the publick good advanced him to the highest degree of Dignity He joyned in endeavours with him for procuring the Graecians to fight and understanding that Psyttalia a little Island before Salamina was possessed of the Enemy he passed over thither with a party of such as voluntarily followed him and put all of them to the sword except some of the chiefest to whom he gave quarter He disposed Soldiers so throughout the Island that on which quarter soever any of either party should light he might seize upon them and so preserve his friends and provide that none of the Enemy should escape upon which account a Trophy was erected in Psyttalia And when Themistocles to try him after the victory said that one brave act was done viz. the overthrow of Xerxes but that another remained which was by breaking the bridge to take Asia in Europe he earnestly desired him to reject all such advice and rather to consider how soon they might expell the Mede out of Greece lest being shut in with such great Forces and all opportunity of flight being taken away he might by necessity beâ—egged on to revenge 32. After the overthrow and flight of Xerxes Herodotus lib. 8. cap. 111. Themistocles having the greatest authority in the fleet went therewith against such Islanders as had taken part with the Persians The acts of Themistocles immediatly after the flight of Xerxes demanding money of them He urged them with two powerfull divinities Perswasion and Necessity to which the Inhabitants of Andros one of the Cyclades trusting in the strength of their Fortifications opposed two others as strong as the former viz. Poverty and Impossibility whereupon they were close besieged but it being to no purpose the Fleet returned to Salamine Themistocles without the privity of the rest going to other Islands from whom by his threats he exacted much money After they had at Salamine divided the spoil and consecrated part thereof to their gods they went to the Isthmus Idem cap. 122. c. Plutarch in Themistocle there to reward him who should be thought to have best in the War deserved of Greece When the Captains severally came to deliver their minds in writing at the Altar of Neptune each one ascribed to himself the first place in merit but to Themistocles assigned the second which amounted to as much as if by a silent confession they had acknowledged his merit to be principal And though by the envy of the Captains his glory was depressed yet was he accounted the most prudent man of all Greece and being invited down to Lacedaemon by the judgement of that severe State His glorie as the praise of valour was given to their own Eurybiades so that of prudence and dexterity unto him They gave him a crown of Olives and the best Chariot they had as a reward and what before was not done to any mortal man by them at his departure to do him honour they sent 300 Horse to conduct him to the borders of their Dominions After this the Graecians overthrew Mardonius whom Xerxes had left behind him at the battel of Plataea and the same day the Persian Fleet at Mycale a Promontory of Ionia which they hereby restored to liberty Xanthippus being Archon at Athens in the second year of the 7â—th Olympiad and the seventh of the Reign of Xerxes During which passages abroad little hapned at home but in relation to them the summe of which elsewhere hath been related 33. As for learned men which flourished during this period some of the seven Wise Men of Greece lived in the time of Cyrus Learned Men. and about the beginning of the Persian Empire These seven were Pittacus of Mitylene Consule Diogenem Laertium who was born about the 32th Olympiad Bas of Priene Chilon of Lacedaemon and Cleobulus of Lindus all who flourished about the 47th Olympiad with Thales of Miletus who being born about the first year of the 35th Olympiad foretold an Eclypse of the Sun which hapned about the third year of the 48th in the reign of Alyattes and Astyages and about the beginning of the 58th having helped Croesus over the River Halâ—s by drayning it with a ditch then died The sixth was Solon of Athens who died the same year with Thales and the seventh Periander of Corinth 34. Besides these there was Xenophanes the Colophonian who being born in the 40th Olympiad came into Sicilie when Hieron and Epicharmus flourished about the 70th Olympiad Epicharmus lived 97 years as Lucian writeth and invented the Comedy eight years before the beginning of the Persian Empire Phocylides flourished at the same time to whom a Poem yet extant concerning Laws is ascribed though Scaliger thinks it made by some Hellenistick Jew Besides these Anacreon the Teian Poet who as * Lib. 7. cap. 7. Pliny writeth was choaked with the stone of a raisin Simonides a Poet of the Island Ceos where he was born in the City Iulis Having lived some time at Athens
resolved that Theramenes Thrasybulus and others with 42 ships should hasten to such Vessels as were as good as lost to preserve them and the men and the rest should sayl to Mitylene against Eteonicus but a vehement Tempest arising they were all hindred and forced to continue in the same place during which stay Eteonicus having notice by a Pinnace how things went told his men the clear contrary with which artitifice incouraging them to take the Sea he escaped It might have been expected that the ten Captains who joyntly had the command in Chief over the Athenian Fleet might have received great honour for such a victory But they were instead hereof by the especial endeavour of Theramenes brought to judgement for suffering many Citizens to perish in the broken and sunken ships whereas as it was pretended they might have saved them They alleged justly for their excuse the Tempest which followed the fight but after much canvasing both in the Senate and Assembly of the people the malice of Theramenes who set persons on to make great lamentations for those that were dead so far prevailed together with the forgery of a certain fellow who saying that he himself escaping in a Meal-Tub had been intreated by those that were in peril of drowning And for that 8 are rewarded with a sentence of death executed upon six of them there present amongst whom Pericles the son of Pericles to desire the people to revenge their death against the Captains that against the form of Law contrary to which Socrates the Philosopher onely resolutely refused to act as one of the Prytanes eight of them were condemned and six being present were put to death amongst whom was Pericles the son of Pericles Those that were absent escaped the heady multitude quickly repenting of their rashnesse and the accusers of them were bound over to answer what they had done Afterwards a sedition being raised wherein Cleophon was slain they took the opportunity and fled but Callixenus one of the most faulty returning to the Citie and hated of all men was famished to death 87. The Soldiers of Eteonicus wintring in the Island Chius Xenoph. lib. 2. where they wanted both victuals and clothes most of them conspired together to seize upon the Citie Chius to which whosoever agreed was to wear a Reed as a distinction He having notice of it was sensible what ill will disgrace and damage it would bring upon him if it proceeded and fearing his own life he boldly killed one of the Soldiers whom he met with the Reed upon him and being asked the reason of it said as boldly it was for wearing that mark of Sedition whereat the rest were so daunted that they for fear cast away their Reeds and so the plot was broken in pieces Then received he money of the Chians and gave them a moneths pay and taking no further notice of the plot encouraged them with fair words and promises and so sayled away After this the Allies met together at Ephesus to consult about their affairs Lysander is sent for by the Allies to resume the Government of the Fleet where it was agreed that ten men should be sent to Lacedaemon to desire that Lysander might be sent back to the Fleet of whose abilities they had already sufficient proof By the Laws of Sparta he could not be twice General and therefore they found out a middle way to appoint Aracus to that place and send him as his Lieutenant Five and twenty ships were then delivered to Lysander at the end of the 26th year of the War wherein Cyrus killed his two Cousins Autobaesaces and Mitraeus because they had not given him the honour due to Kings of Persia by holding their hands within their clothes when they came to him For this he was accused to his father who upon pretence of sicknesse sent for him to come to him 88. The year following wherein Archytas was Ephorus at Sparta Idem ibid. Corn. Nepos in Plutarch in Lysand in Alcibiad and Alexias Archon at Athens Lysander gathering his Navy together went to Cyrus for money which being obtained with some difficulty he paid his Soldiers and Sea-men their Arrears At Samus also the Athenians provided for fighting where in the mean time came a Message to Cyrus from his father who now being sick desired to see him although at this time the King lay incamped against the Thamneri of Media Neighbours to the Cadusians who had revolted Cyrus hereupon sent for Lysander and consulting with him about the War desired him not to fight the Athenians except he overmatched them in number of men told him his father and he were able enough to encrease the Fleet upon occasion and to bind him and the state of Sparta to him he gave him all the Revenues he had in those parts with all the ready money and so took his journey Lysander neither daring to fight the Enemy with so few ships nor to be idle with so many subdued some places and having given Agis a visit in Attica sayled unto the Hellespont which finding clear he besieged Lampsacus and took it The Athenian Fleet which consisted of 180 Gallies hearing of this came from the Cherronesus to Sestus The Athenian Fleet quite defeated at Aegospâ—tamos by Lysander and thence sayled to Aegospotamos a River over against Lampsacus the Hellespont at this place being not two miles broad Lysander contained his men in great order and refused to fight without an advantage which was at length given him by the Athenians who braved him but were in continual disorder carelesly running up and down insomuch that Alcibiades having notice of it came and advised the Captains to look better to themselves but returned vvith no other recompence than bad vvords But Lysander keeping diligent vvatch upon them observed his time vvhen they vvere most of them landed some eating and drinking others looking for victuals and others vvandring up and dovvn and setting upon the Fleet easily became Master of it all vvithout any opposition except eight vvherevvith Conon fled into Cyprus unto Evagoras the King knovving hovv bad entertainment he should have at home 89. Such Athenians as had confusedly got into their ships vvere slain or taken and those that vvere yet on Land by the Land Forces vvhich Lysander had in a readinesse for that purpose He took 3000 men vvith the Captains and all the ships except those eight of Conon and a Packe-Boat vvhich tacking to his ovvn ships with the found of Pipes and the paean sung he returned in triumph unto Lampsacâ—s Then called he the allies together to consider what was to be done with the prisoners A consultation what is to be done with the prisoners Many crimes were objected against them as that they had done many unjust things and now had determined if they had got the Victory to cut off the right hands of the Peloponnesians or the thumbs rather as Plutarch hath it of their right hands that they
might never be able more to handle spears but row with oares and having taken the two Gallies of Andrus and Corinth to cast headlong all the men into the Sea the perswader to this being Philocles Hereupon it was resolved that they should all be put to death except Adimantus who had withstood the Decree of cutting off the hands All of them put to death except Adimantus which sentence was accordingly executed Lysander then sailing about to the Cities under the Athenian power dismissed the Garrison Soldiers and all others he found with charge to get them to Athens under pain of death which crafty policy he used to fill the City with men that it might not be able long to endure a Siege for want of Victuals When they of the City heard the news they were affected accordingly bewailing not onely the fortune of the slain but their own also expecting now that should be done to themselves which heretofore they had done to the Melians a Colony of Sparta and to the Histiaeans Scionaeans Toronaeans Aeginetans and many other Greek Cities not in way of revenge for any injury but out of indulgence to their own lust for that they rejoyced in other mens miseries Yet as grief would give way to prudence they took care for fortifying the City against a Siege in which they could not look for any assistance from elsewhere all their Confederates except the Samians having forsaken them and such as they had banished from their dwellings being again restored to those places which they had filled with Colonies of their own 90. Lysander having taken away Democracy brought in the power of a few into all the Cities Herein he dealt with much cruelty and ambition putting in such men onely as were his creatures that he might obtain an unlimited power or Tyranny over all Greece and sending for Land forces from Sparta Lysander besiegeth Athens both by Sea and Land he besieged Athens both by Sea and Land The Athenians continued so resolute for a long time that till many were already dead of famine not a word was heard of asking Peace Then Ambassadors were sent to Agis the Spartan King about it who referred them to Sparta having as he said no commission to entertain their overtures Thither then they went offering that they might gain the friendship of Lacedaemon to part with all places besides the City and Piraeus where they would retain the Fortifications but they had for answer that if they seriously desired peace they must repair home and not return till they had better advised of the matter Hereat the Athenians were much abashed thinking now of nothing but servitude none daring to propose the demolishing of the walls for the Lacedaemonians having offered them Peace upon these terms Archestratus for advising them to embrace it was imprisoned and it was decreed that it should be unlawful to mention it for the time to come Theramenes then procured to be sent to Lysander to get out what his intention was whether to enslave them or to have the walls demolished and thence he returned not till the fourth moneth that in this time they might be constrained to resolve of something At his return SECT 4. he said he could get no other answer but that they must send again to Sparta and thereby he procured himself and others to be sent with full authority for concluding a Peace 91. The Ambassadors of the Confederates being assembled at Sparta many of them especially the Corinthians and Thebans urged that no composition was to be made with them but that Athens should be destroyed but the Spartans would not give way to it saying it was not their intention to destroy a City which in the greatest dangers of Greece had done the greatest things for it's deliverance They then without much delay made peace with them upon these terms That the long walls and the fortifications of the Piraeus should be demolished that they should deliver up all their ships except twelve receive their exiles follow the Lacedaemonians both by Sea and Land in the Wars Which yieldeth and have the same Friends and Enemies with them Some at the return of the Ambassadors would have refused these terms but the far major part siding with Theramenes accepted of them Lysander then seized upon the ships and the walls upon the sixteenth day of the moneth Munichion on which they had formerly overthrown the Persians at Salamine and went about to alter the Government which the People strongly resisted insomuch that he sent back to Sparta to complain of them saying they had broken the League in that their walls were not demolished and though no worse thing was yet decreed against them though pressed by some yet this made them willing to receive any thing The walls demolished and the Gallies burnt Then sent he for all the Pipers out of the City to whom joyning those in his own Camp at the noise of their instruments he caused the walls to be demolished and the Gallies to be burnt the Confederates making great solemnity as if that day gave beginning to the liberty of Greece Herewith the 27th year and the War it self ended which being carried on for so long a time with most various fortune dubious and inconstant events with infinite charges all sorts of contests and the ruine of so many Captains as had not perished in all the Wars of Greece besides was finished by the politick industry of one man A. M. 3600. Ol. 93. an 4. V. C. 349. Darii Nothi 19. Belli Pelop. 27. whom some thought thereupon they could not sufficiently admire in the 780th year after the end of that of Troy in the fourth of the 93d Olympiad the nineteenth of Darius Nothus who died presently after the conclusion of the Peace A. M. 3600. SECT IV. From the end of the Peloponnesian War to the beginning of the reign of Philip King of Macedonia containing the space of 44 years 1. THe year following being that wherein the 94th Olympiad was celebrated in the course of which Crocinas the Thessalian got the prize Xenoph. ut prius Endicus was Ephorus at Sparta and Pythadorus Archon at Athens whom yet the Athenians did not so account because that the Oligarchy being brought in this year they esteemed it as anarchical As soon as the long walls and the Piraeus were demolished by the command of Lysander thirty men were chosen to make Lavvs by vvhich the Commonvvealth might be governed After their creation and investiture in the povver they deferred both to publish or vvrite the Lavvs but constituted the Senate and other Magistrates at their pleasure The 30 Tyrants at Athens Then first they laid hold of all such as had under the Democracy lived by informing and false accusing of others vvhich vvas not displeasing to honest men So that those being condemned by the Senate they vvere put to death But aftervvards they began seriously to lay their heads together hovv they might
same with the Common of all Greece he might be unwilling to force them to the utmost But he placed a Garrison of his own in Thebes and Justin writeth how he sold for slaves all the prisoners of that Citie and the bodies of such as had been slain to their friends for burial that of the chiefest of the Citizens some he put to death and confiscated the goods of the rest being sufficiently sensible of their ingratitude After the fight when the Athenians fortified their Citie as expecting a siege (d) Plutarch in Demosthene Demosthenes at his own charge re-edified part of the Wall for which service Ctesiphon thought he was to be honoured with a Garland at the publick meeting of Greece but Aeschines contended it was against the Law and so his Oration against Ctesiphon concerning the Crown or Garland was written this year Charonides or Charondas being Archon the third of the 110th Olympiad and the first of the reign of Arses the Persian King 32. (a) Diodorus ad ann 4. Philip by his successe having utterly broken the courage of the principal Cities of Greece now gave out that he would undertake a War against the Persian for the general commodity all the estates and thereby and with his great courtesie gained much upon some sorts of people At length he called them together at Corinth and largely discoursing of the War shewed the certain hope of successe and earnestly exhorted them to undertake it Obtaineth to be named General at Sea for all Greece against the Persian to which all either out of love or fear assented He was chosen Captain General for the expedition allowance of men and money were appointed to the several Cities the (b) Justin lib. 9. Lacedaemonians alone scorning both him and the conditions of his peace accounting that slavery and not peace which was imposed by the Conquerour The Auxiliaries of Greece amounted to 200000 foot and 15000 horse over and above the forces of Macedonia and the barbarous Nations thereto adjoyning Whilest he thus prospered in his affairs abroad (c) Plutarch in Alexandre great differences arose in his own house by his putting away Olympias upon pretence of incontinency and marrying Cleopatra the Niece of Attalus Olympias a woman of an high spirit and melancholick nature took it exceedingly to heart Differences in his house by a new marriage incensed all she could her son Alexander who at the Wedding hearing Attalus in his Cups to exhort the Macedonians to pray for a lawfull Heir of the Kingdom from Philip and Cleopatra calling him naughty fellow asked him if he counted him a Bastard and therewith threw a Cup at him Philip hereupon with his drawn Sword made at Alexander but to the good of both being light headed with Wine and mad with anger stumbled and fell After this Alexander carried his mother into Epirus and went himself into Illyricum whence his father shortly recalled him by the procurement of Demaratus the Corinthian Not long after Pexodarus the Governour of Caria sent to offer his eldest daughter in marriage to Aridaeus the base son of Philip whence great talk being raised that Philip did it on purpose to devolve the Crown upon Aridaeus Alexander sent one Thessalus a player to Pexodarus to perswade him to neglect a Bastard and a Fool and transfer his affinity upon himself which was very well liked by Pexodarus Philip smelling out the matter checked Alexander grievously as degenerate and unworthy of the hope of a Kingdom being ambitious to become son-in-law to a Carian who was no better than a slave to a barbarian King 33. The next Spring having enquired of the Oracle concerning the successe of the Persian War which gave him answer as ambiguous Diodorus ad Olymp. 111. ann 1. Pausan in Arcadicis Justin and to the same purpose as formerly to Craesus he sent three Captains over into Asia under pretence of setting the Greek Cities at liberty Attalus Parmenio and Amyntas He himself whilest the forces were gathering together made a magnificent sacrifize to the gods and celebrated the marriage of his daughter Cleopatra with her Uncle Alexander of Epirus to which he invited all that would and gave large entertainment being willing to show to the Graecians how thankfully he took their making him General of all Greece Feasting and Musick there was in abundance and the Feast being done for that day but all the solemnity to be renewed on the next whilest it was yet night all the people ran together into the Theatre Thither were carried twelve Images of his gods in solemn procession and his own next after in a Divine habit as arrogating to himself a place in the Council of the gods Then followed he himself apparelled in a white Roab in the midst of the two Alexanders his son and son-in-law As he thus proceeded in the ruff of his pride He is stabbed the people sending up loud acclamations to the skies and Ecchoing his felicity one Pausanias met him in the straightest place of his passage and stabbed him into the side the wound being so mortal that he fell down dead This Pausanias having been invited to a Feast by Attalus had been carnally abused by him after he was drunk and then prostituted to the filthy lust of base fellows A.M. 3668. Ol. 110. ann 4. V.C. 417. Arsis 2. Phllippi 24. for which having complained to the King partly because of their affinity and because Philip intended to use him in the War he could have no satisfaction and for this cause took this revenge upon his unjust judge yet Alexander objected to Darius that his father was made away by his procurement 34. The murderer having mounted on hors-back had got away whilest the tumult was about the body but that his shooe catching hold on a Vine he was thereby pulled down and then slain by Perdiccas and others This end had Philip after he had reigned 24 years and lived 46. to which Olympias is reported by some to have contributed by incouraging Pausanias to commit the fact and neither knew they how to clear Alexander of the matter She put a Golden Crown upon Pausanias his head as he hung on the Crosse and a few dayes after burnt his body upon the Reliques of her husband and built him a Monument in the same place and caused a yearly parentation to be made to him After this having killed Cleopatra's young son in her bosom she then hanged her or as one saith fried them both to death in a brazen Vessel and consecrated the sword wherewith Philip was slain to Apollo under the name of Myrtalis by which she was called when young The foundation of a great Empire was laid by Philip and a great pattern left unto his son which to make was far more hard than what with greater glory was atchieved by Alexander His great atchievements The recovery of Macedon when there were two Competitors that had such assistants was a work of
his daughters 10. He was so great a contemner of Popularity and so conscious of his wickednesse and publick infamie that he refused the honours offered him by them of Melita not for any pride but with a friendly admonition that it would be to them infamous and to him not at all advantagious So when Stesichorus Cleaeneta Theano and others thought of writing in his praise he seriously desired they would forbear wishing rather that his name might be buried in oblivion than celebrated in the Writings of Learned men and to no purpose adorned with false commendations Being grievously provoked by the affronts of the Messenians Catanians Leontines Zanclaeans and Tauromenites he prosecuted them to the utmost often saying that he most certainly knew they would fall into his hands which accordingly came to passe He confesseth that he had tortured in the brazen Engine 37 men seriously wishing they might be the last but he foresaw that Lamachus and Epiterses though absent would increase the number These things are related in the Epistles that go under his name which some Learned Men think written by Lucian But whoever so drew to the life another's disposition as he there doth his own insomuch as Suidas accounteth them * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 very admirable If one consider their style accutenesse and invention there are no Epistles of any Tyrant no not of any Orator or Philosopher to be compared with them But if one look at the disposition of the man he was a portentous thing Phalaris his disposition born for the chastisement of the naughtinesse of men of cruel hatred and unparalleld cruelty yet of a most propense and munificent mind towards his Friends and withall reverencing Virtue so much in his very Enemies that for it's sake he would pardon injuries and relinquish hatred 11. That is scarce credible which Clearchus relateth in (a) Lib. 9. Athenaeus that he was transported with so great cruelty as to have served up to his table sucking and new born Infants (b) Lib. 2. c. 4. Aelian hath a more likely story concerning Chariton and Melanippus Chariton loved Melanippus with an extravagant and immodest Love as appeareth from the historian SECT 2. Melanippus having a contest with one of Phalaris his friends was commanded and at length forced to desist which taking very ill he complained of it to his Lover and desiring his assistance for killing the Tyrant thought of taking in other young men into the conspiracy Chariton and Melanippus Chariton desired of him to trust him alone with the matter to take an opportunity to revenge him unwilling that both of them should miscarry in it if it were discovered and on a time made at Phalaris with his dagger but was prevented by his Guard which he had continually about him Being examined concerning his Complices he endured great tortures so long that Melanippus more sensible of them than he himself went to the Tyrant and revealed the whole matter He admiring the courage and love of both dismissed them with this condition that they should depart the same day out of Sicilie This love which appeareth to have been no better than an unnatural lust was afterwards by Apollo called divine whence as in other respects these impure Spirits the gods of Heathens betrayed themselves what they were And hence it is no wonder that the Philosophers of old such as Socrates Plato Xenophon Aeschines Cebes and the rest might approve of this affection towards Males which the (c) Val. Max. l. 6. c. 1. Plut. in Marcello Romans yet abhorred in some Ages the (d) Aelian l. 3. c. 12. Lacedaemonians held as Capital and the Lake wherein Sodom and Gommorah were swallowed up evinceth to have been contrary to the Law of God and Nature But as for Phalaris after he had tyrannized sixteen years he perished by the fury of all the multitude of Agrigentum which as (e) Offic. l. 2. Cicero writeth fell upon him Some thought that his subjects conspired against him being principled thereto by the doctrine of Pythagoras of which opinion is also (f) Cap. 32. Jamblichâ—s in the life of this Philosopher But the whole relation concerning Pythagoras his entercourse with Phalaris is therefore deservedly suspected because the Philosopher being yet young had scarce passed into Italy The death of Phalaris hapned about the first year of the 58 Olympiad and the twelfth year of Cyrus his Reign reckoned from his first obtaining the Kingdom of Media SECT II. Of such thing as were Contemporary with the Persian Empire 1. AFter the death of Phalaris A. M. 3525. Ol. 75. an 1. V.C. 274. Xerxis 6. the Citizens of Agrigentum recovered their liberty and enjoyed it till Thero again brought them under He was the son of Aenesidamus and boasted that he was descended from Oedipus Thero Tyrannus of Agrigentum He got the prize at the race with the Chariot in the Olympick games and is celebrated by (a) Olymp. Herod l. 7. c. 153 c. Pausan l. 6. Sive Eliac l. posteriore Pindar the Poet whose Scholiast teacheth us that he was Father in Law to Gelon Tyrant of Syracuse by his daughter Demareta and married also his brother's daughter At this time Panatius made himself Lord of Leontium and Cleander of Gela. Cleander after seven years was succeeded by his brother Hippocrates who sore afflicted the people of Naxus of Zancle or Messana and Leontium whom he forced to acknowledge him for their Lord. After seven years he was also slain in a battel against the Siculi having before this made war with the Syracusians and by composition got from them the City of Camerina Gelon of Syracuse After his death Gelon the son of Dinomenes descended of the race of the Rhodians who with the Cretans and other Greeks had seated themselves in Sicilie that had commanded his Forces with great successe and to whom he committed the trust of his Children breaking all obligations made himself Lord of Gela. After he was in possession of this Town a Sedition happening in Syracuse betwixt the Magistrates and People he being called in to the assistance of the Governours that were driven out by the multitude made himself Prince Such being the danger and infirmity of all Governments except rightfully successive Monarchy This fell out in the second year of the 72 Olympiad when Hybrilides was Archon at Athens the 31th of Darius Hystaspis and the same as some reckon wherein the battel at Marathon was fought Now the comportment of Sicilian affairs constraining us to speak most concerning Syracuse so considerable a place both as to its self as a Citie and as the scene of so great transactions requireth a more accurate description The Original of Syracuse 2. Syracuse was first inhabited by some Greeks of Aetolia and had the name of Ortygia These were expelled by the Siculi who possessed themselves of the place and at length were outed also by a Colony led hither out
he forbad any to go abroad with more than one waiting woman except she were either drunk went out of the Citie by night or betook her self to an Adulterer to deck her self either with costly apparel except she professed the trade of a Strumpet He forbad men in like manner to wear Gold Rings or a Milesian Garment under pain of being accounted Whoremongers and Adulterers Aelian * Var. Hist l. 2. c. 37. mentioneth a Law of his prohibiting any one to drink strong Wine except by the Physicians order though for health's sake upon pain of death and another * Lib. 13. c. 24. commanding that an Adulterer convicted should lose both his eyes Concerning the later a notable thing hapned to the Law-giver himself whose son being found guilty of this Crime all the people were willing for his sake to remit the punishment but he would not suffer his Laws to be broken but to preserve sight to his son commanded that one of his own and another of the young man's should be pulled out 49. (a) Contra Timara Demosthenes maketh mention of another Law commanding that he who struck out his Neighbours eye should be punished with the losse of one of his own as a Lex talionis It hapned that a naughty man bearing a grudge to his Neighbour that had but one eye threatned him to strike it out though with the losse of one of his own The poor man terrified exceedingly herewith and judging continual blindnesse worse than death with a rope about his neck came into the Council and asked a Law that whosoever should strike out his eâ—e that had but one or deprive him of the use of one who was pur-blind should lose both his own or be punished with the like calamity and losse that he should bring upon his Neighbour This as just he easily obtained and this was the onely new Law which in 200 years time was brought in the Insolency of innovators being repressed by the severity of the former constitution as the Orator observeth Another there was that a thing controverted should remain in the possession of him whose it was when the sute commenced till such time as a definitive sentence passed concerning which (b) Excerpt 7. lib. 12. Polybius telleth a notable story of two men that contending about a slave the one having had him long in possession the other got him into his hands two dayes before the tryal and then the former went and taking him away possessed him the second time The Judges referred the matter as an hard case to the Cosmopolis who determined in favour of the first and last possessor but the other contended with him about the sense of the Law to whom he offered that both of them should go with ropes about their necks and dispute about it The young man told him he was old and expecting but three or four years longer to live dying now would be no great losse to him whereas he expecting a far longer time according to the course of nature should have the far worse bargain with which facete reply he handsomly ended the dispute and the Judges confirmed the opinion of the Cosmopolis (c) Politic. lib. 2. cap. 5. Aristotle mentioneth a Law of Zaleucus which forbad inheritances to be sold except in urgent necessity and this was to be proved which Law being neglected amongst the Leucadians made their Government degenerate into too much Popularity (d) In Positiis Heraclides mentioneth other two whereof the one forbad mourning for the dead it being the custom of the Locrians to feast after Funerals The other inhibited all retaling shops commanding Husband-men to sell their own Commodities This was the form of the Commonwealth of Locri called Epizephyrii from the Promontory Zephyrium near adjoyning being a Colony of Locri (e) Lege Polybium lib. 12. Excerpt 3. Ozolae one of the two Locri of Phocis in Greece whereof the other was called Locri Opâ—â—tii and Epicnemidii Dionysius the elder having got footing in Italy made himself master of this place but yet left them to their own freedom but Dionysius his son Tyrannized in the manner aforesaid The Syracusians beg aid of the Corinthians 50. When Dionysius recovered his Principality over Syracuse the Citizens were more inclining to one Hicetas born amongst them who at that time was Lord of Leontium Plutarch in Timoleon yet notwithstanding all their attempts he kept his possession But within awhile the Carthaginians from without invaded them being thus at odds within amongst themselves which constrained the Syracusians to send and beg aid of Corinth their Metropolis Hicetas with the Messengers sent some of his own as desiring the same thing but held secret intelligence with the Carthaginians The Corinthians resolving to send aid to their Colony Timolcon pitched upon Timoleon for their Captain He was the son of Timodemus or Timenaetus of a quiet and loving disposition but a great Enemy to such as mastered their neighbours which he shewed effectually against his own brother whom having made himself Lord of Corinth by the help of some Mercenaries he gave way to have killed being in the room and bursting out into tears whilst his two companions did it Some accounting this act as unnatural and impious though others commended it he thereupon abstained from all imployment for twenty years till this charge was laid upon him Whilst he was preparing for the Expedition Icetas dealt underhand with the Carthaginians Sent to their aid that he might be advanced into the place of Dionysius wrote to Corinth to stop their proceedings and procured the Carthaginians to send to forbid Timoleon from setting foot in Sicilie He besieged Dionysius but rising up upon other thoughts and returning homewards the besieged followed him and falling on his reaâ— forced him to fight Having the better in this ingagement he killed 3000 of Dionysius his men then pursuing the rest to Syracuse got it all into his hands except the Island Timoleon being more earnestly pressed forwards by his fellow Citizens upon discovery of Icetas his treachery though he fell into the hands of the Carthaginians sent from him to intercept him yet escaped and arrived in Sicilie with ten ships and 1200 men The several Cities in the Island being accustomed to be deceived and ill used by others suspected him also but finding the Inhabitants of Adranâ—m to be part for him and part for the Carthaginians he using admirable expedition fell sodainly upon the Enemies Camp which taking he was admitted into the Town After this diverse other places joyned with him and with speed marching to Syracuse he unexpectedly also broke into the City 51. Syracuse was now held by three several parties Timoleon's and that of Dionysius and Icetas in so many several quarters moreover the Carthaginians were in the Haven with 150 Gallies which carried 50000 men It troubled Timoleon to see himself overmatched but presently things turned very well for him Ten ships came loaden
with men and money from Corinth to his aid and Mamercus Tyrant of Catana and divers forts joyned themselves to him which so discouraged the Carthaginians as they weyed anchor and departed into their own dominions Icetas being destitute of their assistance was quite discouraged and Messana now also declared for Timoleon He expelleth Dionysius Dionysius too being terrified at this his successe sent to him and yielded up himself with all he had into his hands whom he suffered upon his delivery of the Castle and laying down his Principality to depart Corinth A. M. 3661. Ol. 109. an 2. V. C. 411. Ochi 19. Philippi 18. Justin ut supra some four years after the recovery of his former estate Thenceforth having lost all by his sluggishnesse Who liveth in great want at Corinth he lived in great contempt and penurie so as he would walk up and down in poor ragged cloathes frequent the Stewes and drinking houses gaze upon that meat in the shambles which he had no money in his purse to buy and at last took upon him the office of a Paedagogue in which he might best imitate his former cariage towards his Subjects in tyrannizing over his boyes Aelian reporteth that Philip of Macedon meeting meeting him on a time asked him the reason why he kept not that great and strong Principality left him by his father to which he answered Var. hist l. 12. c. 60. That his father left him that inheritance but not his fortune whereby he defended both himself and it This was the end of the Tyranny of Dionysius father and son 64 years after the first beginning of it in the second year of the 109 Olympiad A. M. 3661. 52. Icetas very unwilling to lose his hopes of preferment procured the Carthaginians to return to Syracuse Mago filled the Haven with his ships and landing 60000 men pitched his Camp in the City Icetas then laid siege to the Castle which the Corinthians now held from the resignment of Dionysius Timoleon relieved them by provisions sent from Catana in little Vessels through the Carthaginian Fleet whereupon Icetas and Mago drew out a strong party and besieged Catana after whose departure Plutarch Leon Captain of the Corinthians sallied out of the Castle and falling upon the besiegers lying in a secure and carelesse posture killed some and the other flying took Achradina the strongest quarter of the City This the two Generals understanding quicky faced about and returned but missed of both places out of desire to possesse both Timoleon having secured Messana returned with 4000 men towards Syracuse whereupon Mago for fear hoised up sails and departed for Africk having by his lazinesse and cowardize lost a fair opportunity of reducing all Sicilie into the power of his Superiours Afterwards Timoleon dividing his men set upon such places of the City as Hicetas yet retained Timoleon recovereth Syracuse and setleth the State thereof and by force got them all into his power without any bloodshed of his own party then threw he down all the fortifications and monuments of the Tyrants except Gelon's Statue calling the People to the work by a publick Crier Then he applied himself to the making of Laws agreeable to a Popular Government which yet he endeavoured but to little purpose so to restrain as to prevent the inconveniencies which formerly had their rise from too much popularity In explaining and illustrating Diocles his Laws he used the help of Cephalus and Dionysius both Corinthians He ordained a new annual and chief Magistrate whom he would have called the Servant of Jupiter Olympius in memory of their recovered liberty commanding that by his name the year should be signed as by the Archons at Athens and the Consuls at Rome The first that bore this Office was Callimedâ—s a man of prime note being chosen by the Suffrages of the People Now whereas by reason of Wars Seditions and Banishments the City was even exhausted he recalled the Exiles out of Sicilie Greece and Asia which being in number 10000 he increased by a far greater consisting of Sicilians and Italians of Greekish Original to whom being made free of the City he distributed Lands and possessions 53. Icetas having retired to Leontium Timoleon laid siege to that City but finding it strongly manned rose up from before it and went about to other places to which he restored liberty expelling their Tyranni In this meanwhile Icetas went against Syracuse but was forced to retreat with great losse Timoleon's renown was by this time so spread abroad that many towns of the Sicanians and others subject to the Carthaginians sent to him to desire they might be admitted into the social League The Carthaginians herein were so concernd as to prepare amain for the renewing of the War procuring Soldiers out of Gall Liguria Spain and Africk Mago had killed himself after his shameful return and his dead body was nailed to a crosse for the mal-administration of his Office therefore in the third year after they sent over Asdrubal and Amilcar with 200 long-ships and above 1000 of burthen wherein were so many men transported as made up those already in Sicilie 70000 Foot and 1000 Horse which with warlike Chariots marched against Timoleon He having composed the difference with Hicetas mustered all his forces and judging it wisdom to transfer the War into the Enemies Country for this purpose he chose out of all 12000 men with which he marched away in haste but in his journy a great mutiny happened amongst his Soldiers For one Thrasius a rash impudent fellow who with the Phocians had rifled the Temple at Delphos cried out that Timoleon being mad led them into most certain death for that the Carthaginians in number so far exceeded them and he advised the Mercenaries to return to Syracuse and demand the pay already due to them Timoleon had much adoe to take up the matter and 1000 utterly refused to follow him But he rejoyced that the mutineers had already fallen off before they came to any ingagement and with the rest hasted toward the Enemy 54. By the convenience of a mist he got near to the Enemy undiscried then lying upon the River Crimesus Ten thousand of the Carthaginians passing the River he fell down upon them from the hills and made great slaughter and their friends coming in to their relief the fight was sharply renewed and the Carthaginians by their great numbers began to incompasse the other round when fell such a storm as together with the valour of the Greeks forced them to their heels Flying into the River by heaps the Foot amongst the Horse and Chariots multitudes perished being either pressed wounded to death by the swords of their Companions drowned through the swiftnesse of the stream then increased by rain or else killed by the Enemy on their backs The Carthaginians receive a great overthrow the Sacred band so called consisting of 2500 of the choicest Soldiers figâ—ting most valiantly all died
the name of Consul But he should rather have said that then the name of Judex crept in for it appeareth out of Livie that they were called Judices next after Praetors before the name of Consuls came in The Historian in his third Book speaking of such things as happened in the first year after the writing of the twelve Tables addeth In these times it was the custom not to call the Consul by the name of Judex but Praetor (f) De Ling. Latina lib. 5. Varro out of antient Commentaries confirmeth this and (g) De Legib. lib. 3. Cicero giveth the Etymology of all these Offices thus à praeeundo judicando consulendo Praetores Judices Consules appellantur Some upon good grounds coniecture that after the creation of Praetors who were peculiar Judges the name of Judex was left and that of Consul succeeded which continued to the last Their power 2. The power of Consuls was at first the same with that of Kings allayed onely by plurality of persons and shortnesse of time so that Cicero calleth it Regium Imperium and Regia potestas and the Greeks chose to call them Hypatoi which signifieth those that are most excellent or chief as Dionysius telleth us In the beginning they might imprison and sentence at their pleasure having the power of life and death over the Citizens though scarce the authority to make peace and vvar as Lipsius affirmeth By degrees this great power was diminished and that especially by two things viz. Appeal and Interposing called Provocatio and Intercessio The former was presently brought in after the banishment of the Kings by Valerius Poplicola who preferred a Law for taking away animadversion upon Citizens from the Consuls and giving liberty of Appeal to the People as the higher Judge But by the Interposition of the Tribunes of the people who were afterwards created all actions of the Consuls whatsoever might be obstructed as by the voyce of the people it self whose power and dignity thenceforth dayly increased and took authority over all Magistrates Hereby was that of the Consuls much diminished Yet not quite broken and dissolved as long as the Commonwealth continued their Offices being both many and large For first they were the head of the State all ordinary Magistrates being subject and obnoxious to them except the Tribunes in whose actions they might interpose Secondly they had the chief Command in the War over Citizens and Associates as also over Provinces and Subjects whom they might punish and Authority to appoint Officers in the Army as appeareth out of Cicero and Polybius in several places Thirdly they assembled the people consulted with it preferred Laws also which if enacted bore their names Fourthly they received Letters from Governours of Provinces from Nations and Cities gave audience to Ambassadors and what was to be done either by Senate or people passed through their hands as chief Ministers of State Fifthly as the Senate handled and executed all things in peace and vvar so did they govern it in some sence they assembled and dismissed it therein they asked the Members their opinions counted and divided them and in conclusion they steered the ship of the Commonwealth This was their power while the free State continued but after it was subjected to the power of one person their authority was again much impaired few of all these privileges remaining to them for that the Prince assumed the rights of all Magistrates but especially those of the Consuls and Tribunes Under the Emperours they were employed in consulting the Senate administring Justice assigning Tutors or Guardians manumitting Slaves letting out to farm the Customs which Office formerly belonged to the Censors and managing publick Games besides they had the honour of having the year Characterized by their names as formerly These things will be sufficiently evinced at least most of them in the sequel of this History concerning Roman affairs Certain Rites concerning them 3. There were observed certain Consular Rites which it will rather behove us in this place to relate than scatteredly hereafter to give an account of them First of all the time wherein the Consuls assumed their Office was not set or constant but various till the year of the Citie 532. when both they and other Magistrates entred on the Calends of January having before as * Ad A.M. 3676. Simpson and others observe Commenced on the Calends of Quintilis called July as well as at other times The first day was an high day and very creditable to them the Senate and people meeting at their houses saluting and accompanying them to the Capitol where they took their Oaths and Sacrifized Thence they went to the Senate house where they were ordered by a Senatus Consultum to give thanks to the Prince of the Senate then sent they gifts to their friends and threw money to the people which later expense was afterwards taken away by the Emperours and appropriated to the repairing of aquaeducts They twice swore to govern according to the Laws as all other Magistrates did none being to keep his Office above five dayes except publickly sworn when first they entred once in the Capitol and then again in the Rostra in their hands to whom they succeeded and at the laying down of their Office again at the years end they swore in like manner that wittingly and willingly they had done nothing contrary to the said Laws Another Rite there was as Lipsius termeth it about their power which thereby was so increased as to become as absolute as the Kingly was This was onely upon an extraordinary occasion or in extream necessity when all lay at the stake and the Citie was in danger Then a Decree of the Senate passed in this form Viderint Consules nequid Resp detrimenti accipiat or Dent operam Consules nequid Resp detrimenti Capiat as * De bello Catalin◠Sallust hath it who addeth that this greatest power was given by the Senate to these Magistrates to raise forces make War all manner of wayes to punish Citizens and associates to have both at home and abroad in War absolute command and judiciary power Otherwise without the command of the people no Consul could do any of these things In a word by this Decree was restored to them that power or rather more given which was taken away by the Appeal and other Laws 4. What the Ornaments and Ensigns of the Consuls were we have formerly observed out of Dionysius to which shall be added upon occasion what may be thought requisite The age capable of this Office As for the age wherin a man was capable of this Office (a) Annal. lib. 11. Tacitus observeth that of old it was lawfull at any age to sue for the Consulship and the supream power of Dictator But afterwards being taught otherwise by experience in the 573th year of the Citie the Romans thought fit to set bounds to juvenile heat and ambition This was as (b) Lib. 10. Livy
be lawfull for any to kill him And lest afterwards the people should abrogate this Law they made all the Citizens take the most solemn Oath that could be devised both for themselves and posterity to preserve it for ever inviolable as (k) Lib. 6. Dionysius writeth who hath also exemplified the Law it self To this (l) Pro Sext. Cicero addeth that they were not onely by sacred Laws fortified against Force and Arms but against words also and interruption of speech 41. But as their power of Interposing was most powerfull against Consuls and Senate The ballance to their power so also against themselves the dissent of one man being sufficient to hinder whatever all his Collegues designed This appeareth to have been the onely constant effectual means for moderation of that power which afterwards they assumed when the Patritians could prevail with one of the College to interpose By that awe which their Sacrosanct Magistracy struck into all men improved through their prompt boldnesse very common in men of meanest condition they took advantage to inlarge their bounds * Lib. 2. cap. 2. Exemp 7. Valerius Maximus writeth that at first it was not lawfull for them to enter into the Senate but they had seats placed before the door where examining the Decrees of the Fathers such of them as they suffered to passe they signed with the letter T. But nothing in Dionysius is more common than their speaking in the Senate and their contentions with the Members thereof in that very place at the very time and that in the infancy of their Office However these fellows at first presumed not to Tyrannise and disturb all as afterwards they did they presumed not at first to assemble the Senate which afterward they did in the 277 year of the Citie in processe of time to dismisse it also when called by another Within a small time they assembled the people preferred Laws The extravagancy of their power executed their sawcy Decrees against the Magistrates themselves commanding the Consuls to be carried to prison especially after the enacting of the Hortensian Law whereby the Plebiscita obliged the whole Roman people for that they were the chief Officers of the Commons 42. Great were the Seditions and Tumults which turbulent spirits backed with such liberty stirred up so as notwithstanding their first end was to preserve right Lucan rightly termeth them Turbantes jura Sylla was the first that bridled their extravagancy by depriving them of liberty to prefer Laws to make Orations and obtain any Office of Magistracy but after his death Aurelius Cotta by a new Law restored the later privilege to them and all the rest they recovered when Pompey and M. Crassus were Consuls Their power thus recovered they kept till the Emperours swallowed it up themselves and left them little more than a name which continued till the time of Constantine As for the Ensigns of their Office they wore not the Praetexta had no Lictors or Sargeants neither used they a Curule Chair onely a sort of Beadle called Viator went before them For want of these Ceremonies as because they entred not at the beginning of the year and laid not down their Office upon the Creation of a Dictator which others did Plutarch writeth that some held them to be no Magistrates but rather a curb and restraint to such Several other sorts of Tribunes Lastly besides these Tribunes and the Tribuni Celerum formerly mentioned there were afterwards many other sorts as Tribuni Militum and Tribuni Aerarii during the Commonwealth under the Emperours are found Tribunus Voluptatum Tribunus Matrimoniorum Tribunus Chartariorum Tribunus Provinciarum Tribunus Fori and Tribunus Scholarum concerning which Cassiodorus in his Epistles and Lissius in his Commentary of the Magistrates of old Rome are to be consulted 43. The Commons having got from the Senate a confirmation of the Office of Tribunes obtained further that they might yearly chuse out of their own body two to be as Ministers to these Officers to Judge certain causes referred to them from the Tribunes take care of publick buildings and provisions These were first called the Ministers and Assistants of the Tribunes The Aediles created but afterward saith Dionysius from one of their Duties had the name of Aediles Many things of great consequence were committed to their trust being very much like to the Agoranomi amongst the Greeks Festus acknowledging that in the beginning Aediles was a Magistrate who took care both of publick and private buildings yet saith he was so called quòd facilis ad eum plebis aditus esset Truer is the derivation which Varro giveth agreeable to that of Dionysius that they were named Aediles from Aedes the buildings of which they took care or those particularly wherein the Plebiscita were kept of which they had the over-sight This later Etymology is rendred by Pomponius who in his second book of the Original of Law describing the several Offices of Magistracy maketh the end of the constitution of the Aediles to have been that they might take care of that house where the Decrees of the people were laid up Whence soever the word was derived it came out of Latium being a name of certain Magistrates in the Latine Towns as was also Dictator and Duumvir as some observe out of Spartianus To these Aediles Plebis who were instituted in the 271 year of the Citie at the same time with the Tribunes were added two more out of the Patritian order 117 years after called for distinction Aediles Curules because they used the Curule Chair whereas the other onely sate on Benches as the Tribunes and Quaestors The occasion of creating those shall be shewn in its place the end was onely then for celebrating of Games 44. This number continued till the time of C. Julius Caesar who in the 710 year of the Citie added two more whom he would have created also out of the Patritians They were called (a) Diod. lib. 43. Cereales from Ceres being appointed to take care of and make provision for Corn. This number of six thus distinguished continued till the time of Constantine as is probably conjectured and were as most other Offices of Magistracy taken away by him The Aediles Their Office saith (b) 3. de Legibus Cicero are the Curators of the Citie of provisions and of solemn Games Of the Citie because they looked to publick works and Temples made provision against fires which Augustus seemeth to have charged upon them saith Lipsius had inspection over Funerals and such like Rites of smaller moment over Marriages and Adulteries Baths Aqueducts Sinks and Streets both for repairing and cleansing of them Of Provisions for that they had the over-sight of all things to be sold men and other creatures determining judging and censuring by their words and edicts Of solemn Games and onely solemn not votive and private ones as the Ludi Florales Circenses Megalenses Romani c. Sometimes at
during whose Office all was quiet at home the Volsci renewing the War upon the Romans Fabius was sent to the assistance of the Latines and Hernici whom they had invaded and Aemilius led the other part of the Forces to Antium where he was worsted by the Volsci and being forced to desert his Camp had with his whole Army been cut off but that his Colleague in good time sent some choice Companies to recruit him For the next year M. Fabius brother to Caeso and L. Valerius son of Marcus who put Cassius to death being Consuls proposed it to the Senate to fill up the Army at Antium A Decree passing for new Levies the People refused to be listed calling for the division of the grounds and one of the Tribunes withstood the Consuls This put them upon this device The Consuls evade the interposition of the Tribunes to sit in the Campus Martius where whosoever was cited and did not appear they punished him if he had any Lands by cutting his trees and pulling down his houses or if he hired grounds by driving away his Cattel or other wayes the Tribune not being able to do them any good for that the power of his Office was confined within the walls so as it was unlawful for them to lye one night out of the City except in the Latine feriae where all the Magistrates for the common safety were wont to sacrifize in the Albanian Mount unto Jupiter 65. This forced the Commons to submit and so the Consuls making Levies led out the Legions Fabius to the defence of the associates and Valerius against the Volsci who ingaging with him in battel came off on equal terms and afterwards neither party were forward to fight It was believed in the City that the Roman Army wilfully neglected an opportunity of victory out of hatred against the Consul whom they despised as a man of no experience and in revenge against the Fathers who had so long frustrated their hopes about the division of publick grounds At this time one of the Vestal Nuns Opimia by name being convicted of incontinencie was shut up within the ground in the Forum and her corrupters scourged and put to death At the next election of Consuls there was great contention the Patritians having a desire to prefer some in whom they could confide and particularly pitching upon the son of Appius a man of the same temper with his Father and the Commons as much labouring the Contrary When the Consuls held the Comitia the Tribunes interposed and when the Tribunes called the People together the Consuls would not suffer any thing to be done Commotions in the City contending that it belonged to their Office Both parties being incompassed with those of their Factions railed and sometimes came to hand cuffs so that worse threatning and the Senate consulting what was to be done some moved to have a Dictator named who might first correct all distempers of late brought in and then deliver the power to men of approved integrity but a middle way pleased to create Interreges for holding of the Assemblies The first was A. Sempronius who for his five dayes governing assaires in a peaceable manner the other Magistrates having laid down created according to the manner Sp. Largius He in the Centuriata Comitia made Consuls with the well liking of both sides C. Julius a favourite of the Commons and Q. Fabius now the second time elected a man addicted to the power of the great ones In their Consulship the Aequi and Veientes invaded the Roman Territories and did much hurt Against the later they were sent with the Legions after some contest with the People who were hardly drawn in by Largius because the Senate had now deferred the execution of the Agrarian Law five years and harrazing the Country returned home with much spoil neither was any thing else of moment done that year 66. The year following which was the first of the 75 Olympiad wherein Xerxes made his Expedition into Greece Callias being Archon at Athens had for Consuls Caeso Fabius again and Sp. Furius Dionys l. 9. to whom came messengers from the Latines desiring assistance against the insolence of the Aequi and all Hetruria was reported now to be in arms at the desire of the Veientes The Consuls were ordered to assist the one and suppress betimes the other but when they came to raise men Icilius one of the Tribunes interposed upon the old pretence of the Agrarian Law The work being hereby hindred Appius advised the Senate to set one Tribune against another by drawing ever some of them unto their side as the onely way to abate the power of that Office now so sacred and inviolable This course both at present and afterwards was effectual Wars abroad and the Consuls with their Armies departed each one into his Province Furius against the Aequi and Fabius into Hetruria Furius harrazed the Enemies Country and returned home with great booty Fabius though an able Warriour was so hated by his men that when they had in battel routed the Enemy they refused to pursue or do any thing more but departing against his command to their Camp thence also marched home lest they should procure him the honour of a Triumph The following Consuls Ch. Manlius and M. Fabius again were both sent to carry on the War in Hetruria where they held the Soldiers in the Camp so long till the Enemy was ready to fall upon it and for shame they desired to be led forth Fabius taking this opportunity upbraided them with their disobedience to the Consul the last year in that place and shewing them how little cause he and his Colleague had to trust them having sufficiently humbled them led them forth A greater and longer battel was never fought by the Romans who were thought to be Victors onely because the Hetruscans the night following forsook their tents Manlius was slain and for that cause his Colleague refused the Triumph saying it was not right for him to take the Laurel at his funerals Having disbanded his Army he laid down his Office two moneths before the time because his wounds disabled him for service and by the second Interrex in the Comitia were declared Consuls Caeso Fabius his brother who having extraordinarily deserved in the late battel was now honoured with this Office the third time and T. Virginius 67. Virginius being sent into Hetruria against the Veientes was over-powered by them and had lost his whole Army but that Fabius upon the intimation of his extream necessity came out of the Country of the Aequi and brought him off When the Romans were retreated the Veientes made excursions very near the City to the great losse and disparagement of the State The Senate found it necessary to have a constant guard upon the borders but the Treasury was low the tributes of private men were not sufficient for this new charge and it seemed that none would give their names willingly
to so constant a work When they were at a stand the whole family of the Fabii by the procurement of the Consul voluntarily offered to take both the charge and trouble upon it self onely which was gratefully accepted The family of the Fabii ingage against the Veientes The Fabii then under conduct of Marcus the last year's Consul fortified a Castle near the River Cremera and not far from Veii Their whole number was at first 4000 whereof their Clients and friends made up the greater part and of such as bore the name of the Family there were 306 afterwards another Company followed being led by Caeso Fabius the Consul Out of this Castle which they named Cremera from the River they made excursions and much endamaged the Enemy This caused the Veientes again to implore the aid of all Hetruria which making preparations news came that the Aequi and Volsci also had agreed upon an invasion The Senate hereupon ordered their Armies to be provided whereof L. Aemilius the next year's Consul led one against the Hetrusci with whom joyned Caeso Fabius as Proconsul C. Servilius the other Consul marched with another part against the Volsci and Ser. Furius with the third against the Aequi having also the power of Proconsul Furius no lesse happily than sodainly finished his work Servilius rashly managing his affaires lost many men and not daring to adventure all in a battel drew out the War in length But Aemilius giving battel to the Veientes and their Associates overthrew them and then storming their Camp forced them to beg Peace 68. Having purchased a Truce by the grant of provisions for two moneths to the Consul's Army and six moneths pay they had leave to send to the Senate The Fathers upon reading of Aemilius his letters who advised them by all means to finish the War resolved to make Peace and left the conditions thereof to him He having a respect rather to equity than the profit of the Conquerours made a League with them neither taking from them any grounds nor any more money nor receiving any Hostages to secure their obedience which procured him much evil will and deprived him of the due honour of a Triumph They ordered him to assist his Colleague against the Volsci but he complaining grievously of them to the People and suggesting to the multitude that they were angry because the War was finished out of a desire to have the Peoples thoughts diverted from the Agrarian Law disbanded his Army as also that of Furius and hereby afforded much matter for contention betwixt the Nobility and Commons The year following being the first of the 76 Olympiad wherein Scamander of Mitylene was Victor in the course and Phaedon Archon at Athens the new Consuls C. Horatius and T. Menenius found some obstruction in the Levies the Commons still complaining that the Agrarian Law was not executed But necessity cut off the dispute eleven several Cities of Hetruria having declared against the Veientes for making Peace without publick consent and forced them to break it The pretence was for that the Fabii were not drawn off from Cremera who sending intelligence to the Senate of this intended breach it ordered Menenius to march into Hetruria as Horatius against the Volsci While Menenius loitered in his Expedition Cremera was taken and the Fabii all cut off Some wrote that it was by an Ambush as they were returning to Rome to sacrifize for the whole family according to their custome But others delivered more probably that being accustomed to make depredations they were drawn into snares by the Hetruscans who caused herds of Cattel to be driven thither where they had bestowed a sufficient quantity of men and being overpowered were all at length destroyed All the adventurers are cut off though with the great losse of the assaliants except such as they had left to keep the Cattel These were so far from being discouraged at what had befallen their fellows that they also stood it out to the last man enduring all extremity and fighting when half dead with weapons wrested from the hands of their Enemies 69. A tradition remained to posterity that 306 of this family being cut off none remained except one Boy who for his youth could not serve in the Expedition Dionysius sheweth the vanity hereof by these reasons 1. All except one could not be unmaried or without children for an ancient Law commanded all at a legitimate age to mary and provide for Posterity which being diligently observed till their age the Fabii alone would not contemn but Whether only one Boy remained of the family 2. Grant this it is not to be granted A. M. 3528. Ol. 15. an 4. V. C. 277. Xerxis 9. that none of those had a brother of young years 3. If their Fathers had been so utterly deprived of their Sons yet certainly all would not have been so old and dry as to despair of any more issue and consequently make no provision for it by mariage 4. And if they had no fathers living yet would it be a prodigious thing to suppose that none of them left any son as yet an Infant a Wife with Child or a young brother This is true that of the three brothers Caeso Marcus and Quintus in the family of whom the Consulship had continued for seven years Marcus onely left a young son besides whom none of this name afterwards being famous thence the report might rise that none else was preserved Concerning the time of this defeat Authors something differ (a) Lib. 1. c. 16. Macrobius maketh the day to have been the 17th of the Calends of Sextilis (b) In Camillo Problem Plutarch after the Summer solstice and about the full Moon in the middle of the moneth Quintuis (c) Lib. 6. Livy and (d) Lib. 18. Tacitus on the fifteenth of the Calends of Sextilis which suiteth with that of Plutarch and (e) Fast 2. Ovid on the Ides of February 70. The Veientes having recovered the Castle went confidently against the Roman Legions which lay incamped not far of and as was thought might have relieved the Fabii but that Menenius the Consul out of envy would not make use of the opportunity They took the advantage of his unskilfulnesse and seized on an Hill near unto him where placing a Guard they made sallies upon the Camp and so straightned it that they brought him to fight upon very unequal terms and put his Army to the worst The Romans forsook their Camp and fled in so tumultuous a manner that had the Veientes not been too greedy of plunder they might utterly have destroyed them The day following they invaded the Roman Territories and came as far as the Hill Janiculus The Veientes peirce within two miles of the Citie two miles from the Citie whereon they seized and thence made excursions to the great disgrace of the Romans Horatius the other Consul returning from the Volsci overthrew them twice and gave the
were most eminent for age prudence and dignity and who especially respected their repute and honour that these men should publish Laws both concerning private and publick businesse by which right should be prescribed both to private persons and Annual Magistrates The Question they put off till the Trinundinum giving any one leave to speak freely either for or against it 80. The Patritians extraordinarily moved that the Senate's authority in this matter was utterly neglected both by fair and foul means laboured to hinder the debate casting the meanest sort like Slaves out of the Forum who minded their private commodity more than the publick Peace Amongst those sticklers Caeso Quintius the son of L. Quintius Cincinnatus Caeso Quintius called to an account was principal one of great Nobility beautiful in person and very stout and expert in War Him the Tribunes resolved to make an example to all young men and called him to answer for his life before the People He refused to answer except at the Tribunal of the Consuls but his Father earnestly intreated for him recounting the several eminent services he had done for the State and imputing this miscariage to his youth and indiscretion The multitude plainly declared by signs that they were ready to gratifie him which when Virginius perceived knowing that if Caeso escaped without punishment the insolence of the young Patritians would be intolerable he procured M. Volscius one of his Colleagues to tell feigned a story how in the time of the Plague he and his brother returning from a friends house in the night were set upon by Caeso and his drunken Companions in the Forum who killed his brother outright and left Volscius himself half dead He added that both the Consuls dying of the Plague he could have no satisfaction and in the succeeding Consulship whensoever he cited Caeso before the Magistrates as several could bear witnesse he received nothing blows This so inraged the multitude that they had torn him in pieces but that the Consuls and some of the Tribunes kept them off His tryal then was deferred not without a great controversie whether he should lye in prison or be out upon bail the latter whereof at length was accepted by the interposition of the Senate and he fled into Hetruria Flieth and is condemned leaving his ten sureties to pay the money which was exacted of them by the Tribunes who also condemned him His Father sold the greatest part of his estate to reinburse the sureties and content with a small quantity of ground beyond Tiber and a little cottage sustained himself very laboriously by the help of a few slaves for grief and poverty abstaining from the City and his Friends and neglecting to divert himself with publick solaces 81. The Tribunes were much crossed in their expectations For the calamity of Caeso was so far from moderating the insolency of the young Patritians that they grew much higher opposing the Question both by words and deeds so as in this Consulship the Law could not be preferred For the following year P. Valerius Poplicola and C. Claucius Sabinus were created Consuls and the Commans made the same Tribunes as the year before who perceiving the Law was not by perswasion to be enacted sought to terrifie both People and Consuls A plot of the Tribunes They caused various rumours to be spread that Enemies had hatched a great conspiracy against the Commons then coming into the Senate there affirmed it pretending they had letters from some friends to assure them of it They said certain Senators were in the plot but that the greatest part consisted of the order of the Equites which it was not seasonable then to name but they had designed in Conjunction with Caeso Quintius the Exile to murder the Tribunes with others by night and then at their leasure to rescind whatever had been granted by the Senate unto the Commons In conclusion they desired the inquisition of so grievous a design might be committed unto themselves The Senate being very sollicitous Claudius the Consul who was fully perswaded that what the Tribunes went about was the onely conspiracy by ripping up their designs concerning the Agragrian Law and the bad successe of their endeavours which put them upon this exploit fully convinced the Fathers how the matter stood Discovered by the Consul especially when they would neither name their friends from whom the Letter came nor the Messenger and though the Tribunes highly complained of him and the Senate unto the People yet the most sober amongst the Commons were satisfied with his reasons Whilest the heat of this contention remained the Citie fell into such danger from outward Enemies as never before which saith Dionysius had been foretold by Sibyll's books that it would arise out of intestine division and was likewise signified by the prodigies of the foregoing year when besides strange sights and noises it rained pieces of flesh of which some were devoured by all sorts of birds before they fell to the ground and the rest continued long upon the earth without either change of colour or smell Ap. Herdonius seizeth on the Capitol 82. Ap. Herdonius a Sabine with 4000 men seized upon the Capitol the and called the Slaves to their liberty At this time of extream of danger the Tribunes made what disturbance they could instigating the multitude not to fight against the Enemy except the Patritians would ingage by Oath to Create ten men for the making of Laws and suffer the Commons to live with them upon equal terms of privilege Claudius would have wholely omitted them and carried on the War by the Patritians and their Clients onely but Valerius thought it necessary to have a closure in the body before it should go about to defend it self from outward attempts and therefore promised with an Oath that if the people would chearfully carry on that War as soon as peace was restored he would permit the Tribunes to put the question Which is retaken and indeavour to satisfie the desire of the Commons Claudius then being appointed to look to the Citie Valerius on all sides set upon the the Capitol which was taken by storm though he lost his life having omitted neither the part of an able General nor valiant Soldier For though he had received many wounds yet he gave not over till climbing the Walls a great stone was tumbled down upon him which took away his life The War being ended the Tribunes required of Claudius to make good the promise of his Collegue but he deferred the matter by several pretences and at length alleged he could do nothing of himself He appointed then the Comitia for Creation of a new Consul into the room of Valerius The Patritians were very sollicitous to get some chosen that would defend their interest and resolved upon L. Quintius Father to Caeso lately banished who at the day appointed was chosen by all the Centuries of the first Classis as well Equites
as the other Quintius made Consul so that the rest of the Classes were not called They that were sent to fetch Quintius into the Citie found him at Plow without as much as a Coat about him onely in his Trusse and a Cap on his head Seeing the company make towards him he wondred what it meant but being told by a Viator that run before he put on other apparel and in a seemlier habit presented himself Being saluted not by his own name but by that of Consul invested with Purple honoured by the Fasces and other Ensigns of Magistracy he was desired to begin his journey whereat pausing a little he answered with tears Then for this year this little field shall be unsown and we shall be in danger of want After this taking leave of his Wife and commending his houshold affairs to her care he departed for the Citie 83. Quintius restrained the Tribunes from preferring the Law by denouncing that except they were quiet he would lead out all the Citizens against the Volsci When they said they would not permit him to make Levies he called the people and put the younger sort in mind of their Sacramentum or Military Oath whereby they had bound themselves to the Consuls to follow whithersoever he would lead them and not be wanting to the Majesty of the Roman people He affirmed they were all obnoxious to him by this Oath now he was Consul and sware he would animadvert upon Offendors according to the Laws Herewith he commanded the Standards to be moved out of the Aerarium and told them that to make them know they should have no leasure for Tribunitial actions in his Consulship he let them understand he would not return out of the Enemie's Countrey till his Office was at an end and bade them prepare for wintring in the Camp The multitude terrified hereat His carriage in his Office desired him to forbear this rigour and he did it upon this condition that they would not molest him for his whole time but suffer him to spend it in administring Justice He behaved himself with such prudence Justice painfulnesse and courtesie that the Commons thought they stood not in need now of any new Laws and the Senate was desirous to have him Consul for the following year to oppose him to the Tribunes who executed that Office now the third time But as he approved it not in them so he himself would not commit the same fault as he counted it and in the Assembly speaking much against such as would not quit their Office when their time was finished swore most religiously that he would not accept the Consulship till he had laid down his present charge Having finished a new Election he betook himself to his little Cottage and his former laborious course of life 84. The year following the Aequi surprized Tusculum which action caused a War betwixt them and Rome wherein they were worsted together with their friends the Volsci and forced to beg peace But in the next Consulship they were drawn again to revolt and making War upon the Latines by Gracchus Claelius their Captain an industrious man who had improved the power granted him by his Countrey almost to regallity Dionysius ut supra Livius lib. 3. He drew the Roman Army into so disadvantagious a place that it was thought convenient to make a Dictator He is made Dictator which was L. Quintius Cincinnatus The Messengers found him newly dressed for when he espied the company suspecting they came to him he left the Countrey-work he was in hand with and put on his better Clothes Seeing himself made Dictator by the trapped Horses the 24 Axes the Purple and other royal Ensigns he was so far from being delighted with this honour He overthroweth the Aequi. that he said with indignation This year's Crop will also be lost by reason of mine imployment and my family must be famished When he came to the Citie he incouraged the people and named Master of Hors-men L. Targuinius a man of no great esteem by reason of his poverty but a good Soldier Having gathered together the Forces he gave Claelius battel and beat him into his Camp which having besieged some time he forced the Aequi to give him up with other incendiaries to be punished with death according to their deserts as also to passe under the Jugum two Spears set in the ground and a third laid over upon them in form of a pair of Gallows in token of servitude and because they had the year following without any provocation plundred Tusculum to suffer him to deal in the like manner with Corbio The choicest part of the plunder he caused to be carried to Rome the rest he gave to his own Soldiers and those of T. Quintius the Quaestor saying that the other of Minutius the Consul who had been besieged by the Enemy ought to be content that they fell not as a prey into his hands Having caused Minutius to lay down his Office he returned to the Citie with a more illustrious Triumph than any Captain before him the General of the Aequi and other Eminent prisoners in Chains preceding his Chariot having overthrown a strong Army and plundred and fortified a Citie of the Enemy within seventeen dayes after his Creation That absolute power which he might have kept for six moneths he presently resigned having first given an account of his administration And when the Senate and his private friends would have enriched him with publick Ground Plunder and Contributions he utterly refused it and betaking himself again to his small Cottage preferred a laborious life before Kingly power for that he pleased himself more in his poverty than others in the abundance of their wealth 85. The year following the Sabines whose grounds the other Consul Nautius had wasted as also the Aequi were in Arms having retaken Corbio against whom when Levies came to be made the Tribunes again withstood them being all new Created the fourth time Hereupon the Fathers with weeping eyes signified to the People that being forsaken by them who hitherto had stiled themselves their Children they would go forth and fight against the Enemy in their own persons wherewith the multitude being sore moved and Virginius seeing that do he what he could they would give their names he averred it to be the resolution of the Commons to live and die with them onely they desired some reward for all their pains and danger which was that they might live in equal freedom If this could not be granted they waved it and desired another thing which he was sure would not intrench upon the Senate's privileges The Consul affirming the thing should be proposed if they would but refer it to the Senate he desired that the number of the Tribunes might be increased unto 10. The Senate debating the matter C. Claudius the son of Appius the Elder spake against it alleging that the Commons would never be satisfied but Quintius who now
bore the greatest sway commended the opinion of Appius that the * Vide suprà Parag. 66. onely way to crosse the design of the Tribunes was to set them one against another and if so it would make more for the interest of the Senate to have their number increased The number of Tribunes increased to 10. Accordingly a Senatus Consulum was drawn that it should be lawfull for the Commons to increase their College of Tribunes to the number of 10. and it was presently confirmed by the People After this the Sedition being appeased the Consuls levied Forces and managed the War succesfully against the Sabines and Aequi. 86. The ensuing year being the second of the 81 Olympiad A. M. 3350. Ol. 81. ann 2. V. C. 280. Art Longim 10. and the 297 year of the Citie according to Cato as the 298 after the account of Varro had for Consuls M. Valerius and Sp. Virginius who having nothing to do abroad had too much employment in the Citie Before this time the Tribunes onely reigned in the Assemblies neither taking upon them to call together the Senate nor give their voices therein But now they ventured to assemble the Fathers by the procurement of Icilius principal of the College an industrious and eloquent man who presumed to make a further innovation in the State requiring the Aventine Mount for the People to build upon which being a mile and an half in circuit was not as yet fully inhabited but publick Their incroachments and full of vvood The Tribune moving the Consuls to procure a Decree of the Senate for his new project and they deferring the matter an Apparitor was sent from the College to cite the Consuls before it He applying himself to one of their Lictors was beaten and sent back which so inraged the Tribunes that apprehending the Lictor they led him to the Tarpeian Rock the Consuls though much troubled not being able to rescue him for that none could hinder the execution of what the whole College resolved all they could do was to desire some of the Tribunes themselves to interpose But this could not be effected they having resolved at the beginning not to dissent from one another that thereby they might preserve their Authority inviolable As concerning the Lictor then they answered they were resolved yet they put not the man to death giving his life to the intreaties of the graver sort of Patritians lest that order should be driven by just indignation to attempt something extraordinary Having then assembled the Senate the Consuls sharply reprehended them but Icilius excused what had been done to the Lictor by the sacred Laws which forbade all both publick and private to crosse a Tribune By a premeditated Oration he endeavoured to shew that he had not unjustly assembled the Senate and when he had seemed sufficiently to have answered the charge of the Consuls he mentioned the Law A Law for division of certain grounds That what private men were possessed of and was justly gotten should remain unto them what ground by force or fraud was already furnished with buildings the expence of building beâ—â—â— considered by arbitration should be recovered to the use of the People and what was yet publick be divided amongst them He shewed that this Law would be exceedingly profitable for the suppression of all Agrarian Seditions forasmuch as the Commons would be satisfied with possessions at home No man dissenting except C. Claudius a Decree of the Senate passed for it accordingly 87. The remainder of the year was spent in building For the next were created Consuls T. Romulius and C. Veturius Icilius and his Colleague being continued in their Office The civil dissentions supposed to be removed by the late Law were again revived and the forein Enemies of the Commonwealth were in Arms Dissentions renewed to the greater profit than discommodity of it For such a vicissitude now there was that Peace brought Sedition and Warre procured Concord which the chief Magistrates apprehending wished for nothing more than external motions and when there was Peace abroad sought occasion for War as understanding the growth of the Citie 's prosperity to be procured thereby The present Consuls were of this mind being jealous of the beggerly and idle multitude And their opinion was right that they were to be diverted but there they failed that wheras in so ill a crasis of the State they ought to have proceeded gently they admitted the excuse of none who desired exemption from the War but severely inflicted penalties upon all which gave occasion to the Tribunes to make disturbance crying out that they violated the privilege of their Office by imprisoning such as appealed to it From mutual revilings sometimes it came to blows both parties being berounded with those of their faction and the People not fully complying with the Tribunes in their demands they went into the Senate where they required that the Consuls might either lay down their Offices or answer their crime against the Sacrosanct Tribunitial power before the People The Senate determined nothing seeing it dangerous to diminish the power either of the Consuls or Tribunes at which the later much discontented returned to the multitude Some were for departing again from the Patritians others more moderate would expect the course of Law against those who had violated so sacred an Office and a third the most sober party disliked this as well as the other for that the Consuls were the Supreme Magistrates and thought it meeter to punish their abettors If the Tribunes had not at length restrained their anger against Senate and Consuls the City that day had destroyed it self so intent were both parties upon Arms and War But they set the Consuls a day to answer before the People and then were prevailed with to let the matter fall telling the Commons that they remitted what concerned themselves for their sakes whom they ought not to deny it but would revenge the injury done to the whole to prevent an ill example The Agrarian Law after 30 years with another of equal right published 88. This was by promulgating the Agrarian Law which hitherto had layn dormant for thirty years to which another was added of equal right which the former year could not be passed Having with an oath promised to prefer these Laws they appointed a day for the Comitia wherein having first themselves spoken largely several others related what good service they had done for the Commonwealth and laboured to shew how unworthy a thing it was for them to be defrauded of those grounds which by their labour and danger they had gained and admitted to no part of reward The multitude gladly hearing such discourses none more affected mens minds than L. Siccius Dentanus a man of admirable shape 58 years old and furnished with military eloquence for a seditious attempt He told them he had served his Country in the Wars forty years and been an Officer thirty sometimes a
by which they came upon the Camp of the Aequi where it was forsaken of the guard now gone to behold the fight of the two Armies before this time joyned Falling in with a shout the Aequi supposing the other Consul present forsook the Camp and fled after which Siccius and his Cohort marched down towards the battel whom the Enemy discovering on their back and knowing their Camp to be taken were also discouraged and fled The Romans pursued them till night and did great execution but none so valiantly demeaned himself as Siccius Dentatus 92. Siccius having lodged himself and his men in the Enemies Camp the next day set it and all the stuff therein on fire and with haste marched for Rome on purpose to deprive the Consuls of the honour they expected Coming into the Forum he related to the Tribunes and People the whole passage how he and his old men being destined to ruine had obtained the Victory He revengeth himself upon the Consuls Hereby he not onely ingratiated himself with the People but procured the displeasure of the Senate also against the Consuls who were denied the honour of a Trimph The Commons gratified Siccius in the highest measure they could making him one of their Tribunes for the following year wherein Sp. Tarpeius and A. Ternius or Thermus rather as Gellius hath it were Consuls The first he did relating to his Office was to set the former Consuls a day to answer before the People for violating the power of the Tribuneship and devising the destruction of him and his Soldiers and so resolved was the whole College that the judgment passed without interruption intended by the Patritians and they were both condemned in a pecuniary mulct The present Consuls were hereby rendred more inclinable towards the Commons so that they procured a Decree of the Senate and a Law passed in the Centuriata Comitia A new Law that All Magistrates should have liberty to punish such as violated their authority which was formerly the privilege of the Consuls onely But the mulct was not left to their discretion provision being made that it should not exceed the worth of two Oxen or thirty Sheep which Law was long observed by the Romans After this the Tribunes propounded to the Senate that Laws might be made which the Citie should use for ever Romulius perswadeth the Senate to submit to new Laws After a grave debate the advice of Romulius the late condemned Consul prevailed who contrary to the expectation of both parties spoke in behalf of the thing propounded He said he was for the interest of the Patritians as long as there was any hopes of its continuance but finding things in such a condition as it must necessarily decline he thought it wisdom to comply with that necessity and advised that Ambassadors might be sent to the Greek Cities in Italy and to Athens thence to fetch such Laws as were most excellent and befitting the Commonwealth After their return was to be propounded to the People the choice of Law-makers what their power should be for how long and what other things should appertain to them Siccius extraordinarily affected with the mans ingenuity said he was how friends with him and remitted his fine but he refused to forbear the payment of it because already sacred to their gods A Senatus Consultum being made and confirmed by a Plebiscitum Ambassadors were chosen to fetch Laws from the Greeks Commissioners chosen fetch some out of Greece These were Sp. Posthumius Ser. Sulpitius and A. Manlius to whose use Gallies were assigned and furnished at the publick charge as was suitable with the Majesty of the Roman People 92. For the following year being the first of the 82 Olympiad wherein Lycus a Thessalian of Larissa was Victor in the course Charephanes exercising the Office of principal Archon the 300th year of the Citie being now ended as Dionysius computeth following the account of Cato P. Horatius and Sext. Quintilius were Consuls Now fell a greater plague than ever had been known upon both Citie and Countrey which swept away Quintilius the Consul and Sp. Furius chosen in his place with four Tribunes and many Senators The succeeding Consuls were L. Menenius and P. Sextius who took care for Corn to supply the Citie which laboured under a famine by reason that the grounds lay untilled the former year In their year the Ambassadors returned out of Greece with Laws presently after which the Tribunes required that according to the Senates Decree law-makers might be appointed The Consuls knowing not how to deny them yet unwilling to weaken the interest of the Patritians deferred the matter saying that the time of the Comitia was at hand after which they would labour joyntly with the Consuls Elect in the businesse The Tribunes were content but when the Comitia were past wherein Appius Claudius and T. Genutius were chosen they grew idle and neglected the administration of affairs as now belonging unto others and Menenius was sickly pining away as was thought by melancholy of which Sextius took advantage pretending he could do nothing by himself The Tribunes then betook themselves to the Consuls Elect and though they had not yet entered upon their Magistracy importuned them to gratifie the Commons by proposing great honours and rewards Appius being elevated with the hope of a new kind of Magistracy grew popular and perswaded his Collegue to a compliance so that Sextius was forced to call together the Senate and propound concerning Laws 93. Many things were spoken as well by those that desired a new model as others who thought it sufficient to rest satisfied in the customs of their Countrey But the opinion of the designed Consuls prevailed which Appius the principal of the two delivered being asked his advice according to the custom before any other Senators Their sense was that ten men but of the chief of the Senate were to be Elected whose power continuing for a year should be the same with that of the Kings and Consuls and all other Magistracies cease till they might be renewed according to Laws in the mean time the ten men or Decemviri were to administer Justice to private men and model the Commonwealth When the day came wherein this Senatus Consultum was to be confirmed by the People the designed Consuls resigned their Office for which they were exceedingly admired and remembred in the choice In the Centuriate Comitia were created App. Claudius and T. Genutius late Consuls Elect P. Sextius Consul for that present year the three Ambassadors who fetched Laws out of Greece P. Posthumius Ser. Sulpitius The Decemviri chosen A. Manlius and one of the former year's Consuls T. Romulius who had been condemned by Siccius the Tribune and afterwards was the author of this popular act besides these out of the Senate C. Julius T. Veturius and P. Horatius all of Consular dignity The Tribunes Aediles Quaestors and all other Magistrates were for a time devested of all
power Instead of Horatius Livy mentioneth P. Curiatius SECT II. From the Creation of the Decemviri to the War of Privernae which fell out the same year that Darius Codomannus died the space of 121 years The second change of Government when 1. THe second change in the Government from Consuls to Ten men A.M. 3554. Ol. 82. ann 2. V.C. 302. Artax Longim 14. or Decemviri as the first was from Kings to Consuls hapned in the 302 year of the Citie according to the account of Cato and the 303 after the computation of Larrutius and Varro which fell in with the 2 and 3 years of the 82 Olympiad the 14th of the reign of Artaxerxes Longimanus 449 before the Aera of Christ A. M. 3554. and as may be gathered both out of Dionysius and Livy on the Ides of May. The acts of the Decemviri for the first year 2. The Decemviri having taken upon them the Government in reference to a new constitution agreed that onely one of them at one time should have the Fasces and other consular Ensigns He assembled the Senate confirmed the Decrees and did other things agreeable with chief Magistracy The rest for to lessen envy differed little in habit from private men having onely an Accensus or sort of Beadle going before them which Livy addeth to the relation of Dionysius They succeeded by turns for a certain limited time till the year went about The present Possessor of the Fasces onely saith Livy but all of them as Dionysius seemeth to mean judged private causes together with publick ones belonging to their subjects and associates All things they managed with such Justice and moderation that the Commonwealth seemed most happy under them having no need of appeal Appius above the rest grew exceeding popular by his familiarily with the ordinary sort so as in a manner he carried away the praise from the whole College for that he had a further design than any of the rest 3. At length having made a model out of such Laws as were brought out of Greece and their own Countrey 's customes they proposed it to the view of all men in ten Tables that any one might make exceptions liberty being given to private persons to inform the Law-makers who consulted much with the Nobility about the work When all approved of them a Senatus Consultum passed nemine contradicente for the ratifying of these Laws and the question being put to the People in the Centuriata Comitia they were confirmed most religiously in presence of the Pontifies Augurs and Priests Then were they ingraven in brasse saith Dionysius and others in Ivory saith Pomponius the Lawyer and proposed to the publick view in the most conspicuous part of the Forum as Minos of old according to Plato and long after him Solon caused his Laws to be written in Tables by the Athenian called * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cyrbes and Axones The year being almost out the Decemviri moved the Senate about the Comitia After a great debate it was resolved to continue this kind of Magistracy for the following year because something seemed yet wanting to the new model through the shortnesse of time allotted to the work but especially for that by this Office the Tribuneship was suspended of which the Patritians had cause to be most jealous The commons thought they had good reason to concur with the Fathers in this choice and the day for holding the Comitia was appointed The most antient and honorable of the Fathers stood for this Office fearing that if turbulent spirits were possessed of it they might have a great advantage against the State Above all others was Appius extolled to the skies the Commons labouring earnestly to retain him in his place for that none had behaved himself better than he He desired to be excused pretending he had rather be discharged of so troublesom and ingratefull a work At length overcome as it were by the intreaties of the people he professed himself amongst the Candidates Appius obtaineth to be Decemvir the second time by cheating the credulous multitude and by accusing all others as owing him ill will for his publick spirit made way for himself and his friends In the Centuriate Comitia he was made Decemvir the second time and with him was joyned Q. Fabius Vibulanus who had been Consul three times a man hitherto of unblameable carriage out of the other Patritians by the procurement of Appius were created M. Cornelius M. Servilius L. Minucius T. Antonius and Manius Rabuleius persons of no great Eminency and out of the Commons Q. Petilius Caeso Duellius and Sp. Oppius whom he took in the more to ingratiate himself with the rabble saying it was just that the Commons should share in that Magistracy which was to govern and command all 4. Appius a man more popular than any Magistrate that ever governed either King or Consul with his nine Collegues entred his Office on the Ides of May which saith Dionysius hapned in the full Moon according to the course whereof moneths at that time were observed The first thing the Decemviri did He and his Collegues labour to establish themselves was mutually to agree and confirm by Oath to be of one mind not to hold the Assemblies but perpetually to retain the power in their own hands to admit none into their number and to be of equal power and authority amongst themselves to make use of Senatus Consultum 's and Plebiscitum 's but rarely and never except in case of necessity acting most things by virtue of their own power On the first day which to the Romans was ever Festival and Religious after their superstitious Ceremonies were over they all appeared with regal Ensigns which exceedingly terrified the people especially the Axes added again to the Rods which Poplicola had laid aside and none of his Successors the Consuls used in the Citie By this fear they sought to procure themselves security each of them getting about him a company of stout young men such as were most addicted to him Some preferring their private commodity before the publick good flattered them and even amongst the Patritians themselves were not wanting who though Eminent both for birth and estate patiently bore the oppression of their Countrey The Decemviri indulging their pleasures exercised now their authority with all licentiousnesse nothing valuing the Roman Senate and people Being both Legislators and Judges many Citizens they unjustly put to death and deprived others of their Estates whose causes were all formally judged that they might have some shew and pretence of Justice accusers being suborned out of their Dependents each one affording all assistance herein to his Collegue Such private persons as in their sutes feared their cause were constrained to joyn themselves to the party of their Judges so as it came to passe in a short time that most of the Citizens were also corrupted Such as were offended
him to be the right Lord and owner of her Great outcries and lamentation being made as well by the by-standers as the Virgin 's relations Appius commanded all to depart and gave order to Claudius to take possession of his Slave Virginius seeing there was no way but to yield to the Tyrant's lust if his daughter lived desired he might speak with her a little aside as to take his last farewell which being granted he drew her hanging upon him and pitifully bewailing her condition towards a Butchers stall whose knife taking into his hands he said Daughter I will send thee to our Ancestors both free and of honest repute for the Tyrant will not suffer thee to be either here and therewith he stabbed and dispatch'd her 14. With the bloudy knife in his hand he ran through the Citie calling the People to their liberty and coming to the Gate rode Post to the Army a company of 400 Plebeians following after In the same posture he came to the Camp at Algidum holding the knife which together with his cloaths was all bloudy Calling the Soldiers together he took occasion from his own misfortune to let them see in what condition their liberty stood and with urgent reasons perswaded them to revolt from the ten and redeem their Countrey They being conscientious as to their Sacramentum or Military Oath whereby they had sworn not to forsake their Leaders but follow them whithersoever he told them they were discharged from any Obligation because the Law for the Oath supposed the Captains should be created according to the Laws which the ten were not having usurped the power ever since the last time for the Comitia Being satisfied herewith the Army departed some few Centurious onely remaining and took up its station in the Aventine Mount and the next day fortifying the Camp chose ten Captains whereof M. Oppius was the Chief Presently there came a great party from Fidenae and joyned with them being offended with the murther of Siccius and they chusing also ten men out of their body to the twenty the whole matter now contended for was referred Appius in the mean while having gone by force to suppresse the tumult he had raised in the Citie was overpowered by the faction of Valerius and Horatius formerly mentioned and now perceiving that most of the odium lay upon himself as the principal cause he kept himself in his house Sp. Oppius therefore assembled the Fathers at which time came the Captains from Fidenae requiring that the revolters might be punished L. Cornelius accordingly moved that they should all be remanded back to their charges which if they obeyed the Ring-leaders onely were to be punished but if they refused the Senate then should consider how all those might be dealt with who had betrayed their trust But the Fathers were too sensible of present grievances to hear the motion of such corrupt interest Procureth the destruction of the Decemvirate and were prevailed with by Valerius and Horatius to make Peace with the Army which by this time was departed to the Holy Mount on condition that the same form of Government should return as was in being before the creation of the Decemviri 15. Valerius Potitus and M. Horatius Barbatus both inheritors of popularity The next Consuls prefer Popular Laws were created Consuls in the Centuriate Comitus who according to their promise to the Commons when they procured them to lay down Arms that they would by all means possible procure their benefit preferred divers Laws to the regret of the Patritians One was that such Laws as the Commons enacted should passe in the Comitia of the Curiae wherein they were more prevalent than the Partitians as those in the Centuriate by reason of their influence upon the Equites and the richer sort of Plebeians were ever too strong for the multitude by reason of the distribution of the several Classes into Centuries formerly shewn After this the Tribunes whereof Virginius was one thought fit to call the Decemviri to an account Virginius being appointed the accuser of Appius insisted most saith Livie upon that Law which commanded the defendant to have liberty till such time as his or her slavery was proved which Appius had gone about to violate in his daughter's case Before the trial being committed to prison for that no bail would be taken he was there found dead as some thought secretly made away by the Tribunes but as they and others gave out having hanged himself After him Sp. Oppius as next to him in guilt was accused and being condemned died the same day in prison by his own hands saith Livie The other eight banished themselves and Claudius the pretended Master of Virginius was driven out after them with which justice the State was satisfied and indemnity given to all others Things thus seeming to be setled the Consuls took the field against the Aequi Volsci and Sabines against whom their successe was such as deserved a Triumph but the Senate gave them a repulse being grieved at the Laws they had made in behalf of the Commons Claudius also the Uncle of Appius accused them of the murther of his Nephew and other violent courses taken against the Decemviri and their party whereas all ought to have been according to agreement buried in oblivion The Consuls appealed to the People and complaining much of the Senate procured by the help of the Tribunes a Law to passe for their receiving the privilege of Triumph from the People 16. The Commons by all the privileges already obtained were but more inflamed with a desire of greater each morsel out of the prerogative of the Patritians adding unto their appetite After three years they required to be made partakers of the Consulship which hitherto the other had enjoyed Yet the multitude being insatiable and restlesse demand the Consulship being elected in the Centuriate Comitia wherein they themselves had the power The Tribunes provided a bill for making the People free and at their own choice whether they would create Patritians or Plebeians at every election which thing the Senators bearing most hainously as seeing their privileges utterly ruined thereby thought all things to be endured rather than the Law should passe The Allies of Rome now sent for aid against the Aequi and Sabines who invaded them and news was brought that the Veientes and Ardeates would revolt but the Tribunes those Popular Tyrants hindred all Levies Publick businesse hereby hindred suffering none that refused to be listed to receive punishment neither could the Senate prevail with them to defer the matter till the Warre should be ended The Consuls in so difficult a time held a private conference of certain Senators whereof Claudius according to the genius of his Ancestors was all for resistance urging that nothing was in this matter to be yielded to the Commons who went about to change the constitution of the State and thereby were enemies to it But T. Quintius shewed what
Office was forced the year following to reassume it because of the Volsci who now took Armes as also the Aequi and Etruscans all which he overthrew Livius lib. 6. and forced the Volsci to yield themselves after the War had continued with them for 70 years In the third year after this he overcame them again and with them the Hernici and Latines whereof the later had ever from the battel at the Rhegillan Lake been trusty and faithful until now and from the Etruscans he recocovered two Towns which they had taken from the Allies of Rome This he did being Tribune Military though envied by M. Manlius who having done special service in the Capitol by repelling the Galls obtained the Sirname of Capitolinus Being naturally haughty and ambitious he was herewith puffed up so as to extenuate the deserts of Camillus and by ingratiating himself with the common sort through paying their debts and railing against the great ones plainly to aim at the Soveraignty This together with the War depending with the Volsci which was also aggravated by the defection of the Hernici and Latines caused the Senate to resolve that a Dictator should be created 37. This was A. Cornelius Cossus as Livie writeth though Plutarch nameth Quinctius Capitolinus whom the other reporteth to have been Master of the Horse-men to Cossus Plutarch in Camillo He triumphing over the Enemies from without called also by the help of the Tribunes Manlius to account and shut him in prison The multitude much afflicted hereat took mourning garments and made such disturbance that after some time he was set at liberty But holding private meetings in the night and growing more bold in his design the Senate committed it to the care of the Tribunes Military whereof Camillus was one as afterward in cases of great exigency to the Consuls to take care that the Commonwealth should receive no dammage Being then brought to his trial again in that place whence a view of the Capitol might be had he would ever point to it and put the People in mind of what he had done there for them whereupon Camillus caused his Judges to remove without the gate Manlius thrown from the Tarpeian Rock into the grove called Lucus Petelinus where being no sight of the Capitol he was condemned He was thrown headlong from the Tarpeian Rock the place both of his honour and infamie and it was decreed that none of the Manlii should afterward be called Marcus 38. After these things the Latines rebelling and the Volsci were severally overthrown without and great tumults hapned within by reason of the debts of the Commons now again exceedingly increased Their Tribunes incensed them against the Patritians and the contest was sharpened by Fabius Ambustus one of this order who having maried one daughter to a Patritian and another to a Commoner this took such distaste at her husbands condition being void of honour that Fabius told her he would so order the matter that the same dignity should be communicated to her house as was to that of her Sister From this time he consulted with Licinius Stolo her husband and L. Sestius about the preferring of a Law for making one Consul out of the Commons These two being made Tribunes of the People laboured so vigorously about it that after long and great contention it came to that passe that for five years they suffered no Supreme Magistrates to be created Nine years this dispute continued Wonderfull Sedition and confusion about the Consulship those two continuing Tribunes still and the matter had come to another separation or worse but that Camillus reconciled the parties He was made Dictator the fourth saith Plutarch for this purpose but finding the multitude too stubborn which threatned to Fine him except he complied he again laid down his Office The Senate then caused another Dictator to be named under whom Licinius Stolo preferred a Law which forbad any man to possesse above 500 Akers of ground and afterwards being found himself to have above was punished by virtue of his own constitution Whilest the Contention was on foot about the Consulship news came that the Galls many thousands in number were marching from the Adriatick-Sea towards Rome which composed the difference for the present and made them cast their eyes upon Camillus as Dictator the fifth time Camillus the fifth time Dictator again overthroweth the Galls at the River Aniene He being near 80 years of age refused not the employment in this time of so great danger and perceiving the Galls to fight with swords striking at the heads and shoulders of their Enemies without any art or dexterity he furnished his men with light iron Helmets and bound their Targets about with brasse teaching them how to fence and receive the stroaks By this device he rendred the swords of the Galls so unserviceable that giving them battel at the River Aniene he easily overthrew them in the 23th year after he had recovered Rome from their Countrey-men 39. After this fight the Romans despised the Galls whom before they exceedingly feared insomuch that wheras by a Law immunity from War was granted to Priests an exception and Proviso was added as to that with the Galls Camillus in his retreat had Velitrae given up into his hands but having now finished all his warlike exploits a very considerable one remained to be performed by him at home For at his return he was received with fierce and impatient Contests betwixt the Senate and Commons about the Consulship and retaining his power that thereby he might serve the interest of the Nobility an Officer was sent from the Tribunes to pull him down from his seat in the Forum and bring him before them His attendants repelling the man Unheard of Seditions such a noise and tumult followed as never before had been known the multitude crying out pull him down He laid not down his Office but departing to the Senate-house had a serious debate with the Fathers about the matter and after a great and various Contention that party prevailed which granted to the Commons that one of the Consuls might be created out of their body Procure to the Commons the Consulship and the Offices of Praetor and Aedilis Curulis to the Patritians For this they desired and obtained of the Commons to have a Praetor created yearly out of the Patritian order for administration of Justice in the Citie By this agreement a good understanding being revived betwixt the parties for as long a time as the infirmity of the Government could bear a Temple was dedicated to Concord which Camillus had vowed moreover a fourth day was added to the Latine Feriae and the greater sort of Games were solemnized which when the Aediles of the Commons refused to manage the young Patritians offered themselves and the Senate procured also of the People that two Patritians every year might be made Aediles who from the Chair called Sella Curulis had the name of Aediles
ambiguous an answer was made as the Samnites being left but dubious the Latines and the other thought themselves so far disobliged as to rebel T. Manlius Torquatus now Consul the third time with Decius Mus his Collegue was sent to chastize the Latines Upon dreams which they both had that one General on the one part and the Army on the other belonged to the Dii Manes and Tellus mater they agreed that in what part the Roman Army should be distressed he under whose command it was should devote himself and that strict discipline should be observed so that all were forbidden to fight without orders The Army being sorely put to it in Decius his wing he devoted himself and rushing into the midst of his Enemies after great slaughter made lost his life Decius Mus devoteth himself L. Manlius the other Consul's Son passing with his Troop A. M. 3666. Ol. 110 an 2. V.C. 415. Ochi 23. Philippi 22. before the battel near the Camp of the Enemy was challenged by Geminius Metius Captain of the Tusculans whom when he had slain and stripped his Father for a reward caused him to be put to death whence cruel Commands were wont to be called Manliana Dicta Of the manner of the Combat * Lib. 9. cap. 13. Aulus Gellius or Agellius is to be consulted The Latines being overthrown were wholly subdued and begged Peace which being given to them though not with the same conditions to all Manlius returned and was met by antient men onely the young ones refusing to do him that honour who ever after both hated and cursed him in reference to his son 46. After his return the Antiates and Ardeates made incursions into the Roman Territories Being by sicknesse rendred unfit for War he named L. Papyrius Crassus for Dictator who appointed L. Papyrius Cursor his Master of Horse-men but nothing memorable was done The Consuls for the following year The Latines overthrown T. Aemilius Mamercus and Q. Publius Philo overthrew the Latines who had rebelled because of the grounds taken from them Publius by whose conduct and auspicium the Victory was obtained receiving into amity such Cities as had been worsted Aemilius led the Army against Pedus which received supplies from several places Though he had the better in all skirmishes yet the Town holding out and he hearing that his Colleague was returned home to his deceed Triumph he also left the Siege and departed to demand that honour The Senate was offended and denied to permit him the honour except Pedus was either taken or surrendred which caused him out of revenge all the year following to joyn with the Tribunes against the Fathers his Collegue not opposing it because a Plebeian The Senate having a desire to be rid of them commanded a Dictator to be named but it belonging to Aemilius to name him he whose were the Fasces for this moneth named his Collegue who appointed Junius Brutus his Master of Horse-men And his Dictatorship was very grievous to the Nobility being full of invectives against them and the procurer of three Laws whereof the first altered the very constitution of the State The very constitution of the State changed This was that the Plebiscita should bind all the Quirites or the whole People comprising all rankes and degrees The second that such Laws as passed in the Centuriata Comilia should be proposed by the Fathers before the Suffrage The third that one of the Censors at least should be a Plebeian whereas now it was come to that passe that both might be such Thus did the Government of Rome devolve fast to a Democratical temper the interest of the Patritians being now quite broken by the force of the former Law which proved as a Lex talionis to them and as a punishment for their rebellion against their Kings in they 416 year of the City after Varro's account which fel in with the first of Arses King of Persia and the 23 of Philip King of Macedonia 47. In the following year wherein L. Furius Camillus and C. Maenius were Consuls Pedus was taken by storm and the Consuls in pursute of the Victory subdued all Latium All Latium subdued for which they triumphed and had Statues on horseback set up in the Forum an honour but rare in those dayes The several People of Latium had several conditions of Peace set them To Antium was sent a new Colony and the old inhabitants were forbidden the Sea had all their long-ships taken from them had leave to enter themselves in the Colony and were made free of the City The ships were partly brought into the Roman Arcenal partly burnt and with their Rostra or beaks was the Gallery or Pulpit for Orations adorned which was built in the Forum whence that Temple was afterwards called Rostra The year following Minutia a Vestal Nun was buried quick in the Campus Sceleratus The Rostra at Rome whence so called which I believe saith Livie had it's name from Incest for so the fault of incontinency in those women was termed And in this same year Q. Publius Philo was made the first Prator out of the Commons the Senate not regarding now what hapned in this kind because they had been overpowered in things of greatest consequence Now also a War arose betwixt the Aurunci and Sidicini whereof the former were constrained by the other to forsake their antient seat and depart to Suessa which was afterwards called Aurunca The Aurunci had given up themselves to the Romans who thereupon ordered them relief but the Consuls deferring it this fell out in the mean time But the next year the Sidicini and the Ausones who inhabited Cales were overthrown and Valerius Corvinus now the fourth time Consul for the following year and the greatest Roman Captain of this time took Cales also where a Colony was placed In the second year after the taking of Cales the Census was solemnized and two Tribes added Metia and Scaptia for the newly admitted Citizens the Acerrani were also made free of the City without the privilege of Suffrage by a Law preferred by L. Papirius the Praetor 48. In the year following above 170 women were put to death for the art of poysoning being discovered by a she Slave whereas heretofore there had been no inquisition made after this crime which therefore was counted such a prodigie that a Dictator was made for fixing of a nail which they had read in their Annals to have been a remedy for the distempers of the State when the Commons separated from the Patritians For the two succeeding years a War was managed against the Privernates who were drawn into it by Vitruvius Vallus War with the Privernates a man of principal note amongst the Fundani In the first year they were overthrown in the next he was either taken or delivered up and Privernum either stormed or surrendred both being affirmed by Writers A. M. 3675. Ol. 122. an 3. V. C. 424. Darii 7.
Alexandri 7. of whom Livie is to be consulted the principal actors were together with â—itruvius put to death and the rest of the Inhabitants made free of the City The first year of this Warre fell in with the last of Darius Codomannus the last King of Persia being the 424 of the City when L. Papyrius Crassus the second time and L. Plautius Venox or Veuno were Consuls AN INSTITUTION OF General History The First Part. BOOK III. Of the Empire of the Macedonians and Affairs of the World Contemporary with it CHAP. I. From the beginning of the Monarchy of Alexander to his death containing the space of six years and ten moneths 1. ALexander riding hard after Darius came a little after he had expired Alexander bewaileth Darius saw the body and bewailed his death with tears he cast his own Garment over him and sent him to his Mother to be royally interred amongst his Ancestors Curtius lib. 5. cap. 14. Diodorus ad Olymp. 112. anâ— 3. 4. His brother Oxyathres he received into the number of his own friends and maintained him in his former Dignity Then did he begin to pursue Bessus but finding that he was fled far before into Bactria he left off his pursute and returned to Hecatompolis in Parthia where his Soldiers being tickled with a rumour that the Macedonians should have leave to return home Curtius lib. 6. Capp 2.3 rouzed him up from his idlenesse and luxury to which now he began to give way after the Persian fashion but they were at length quieted and perswaded by him to perfect the work thus for carried on in Asia Leaving then Craterus in this Countrey with some Forces he marched into Hyrcania which Nabarzanes had seized on who yielded it up Marcheth into Hyrcania and himself to him After this he invaded the Mardi a neighbouring people who not being wont to be thus provoked by any made resistance with 8000 men and intercepted Bucephalus his most beloved horse which being given him by Demaratus the Corinthian A.M. 3676. Ol. 112. anâ— 4. V.C. 425. Alexand. 8. when unsadled would suffer none to come on his back and when adorned none but the King himself whom to receive he bowed down Alexander exceedingly moved with the losse of him after he had slain and taken most of these men cut down all the Trees and threatned the Nation with utter destruction in case they did not restore the horse so that for fear they did it and with him sent their Presents and asked pardon by 50 Messengers 2. Returning back he received 1500 men which had been sent out of Greece to Darius with 90 Ambassadors Over this party he made Captain Andronicus who brought them to him and then went on to Zadracarta the principal Citie of Hyrcania where he staid fifteen dayes Hither Thalestris Queen of the Amazons Whether the Queen of the Amazons ever came to him is said with 300 vvomen Consulae Plutarchum in Alexandro Arrianum lib. 7. to have come to have issue by him which story though it be delivered for a truth by some yet is there better ground to suspect it seeing that neither Ptolomy the son of Lagus who was then with him and wrote his Acts neither any other good Author of those times approved of it and Alexander himself in his Letters to Antipater wherein he gave him an account of his affairs mentioned how the Scythian King offered to him his daughter in marriage but not a word of this matter After this he returned into Parthia and purposing now to go against Bessus who in Bactria had taken upon him a royal Robe and the name and little of Artaxerxes King of Persia he thence removed into the Countrey of the Arii He cometh into the Countrey of the Arii Satibarzanes the Governour thereof meeting him at the City Susia he confirmed him in his place but after his departure he revolted from him whereby the King was constrained to march back against him which he hearing fled with 2000 men towards Bessus so as Alexander following him some time but in vain reduced the Countrey to obedience and returned to his former expedition Then came he into the Countrey of the Zarangaei which was governed by one Barsaentes who having had an hand in the murther of Darius now fled into India whence he was afterwards sent That of the Zarangaei and put to death Here in this Land of the Zarangaei or Drangae was a conspiracy against Alexander discovered first by Dymnus to Nicomachus who though he swore secrecy communicated it to Zeballinus his brother Zeballinus or Ceballinus acquainted with it Philotas the son of Parmenio who delaying to tell it to the King either through heedlesnesse or on purpose thereby procured the destruction of himself and family 3. For Ceballinus suspecting him to be in the plot because of his delay discovered the matter to Metro a young Nobleman and Master of the Armory who acquainting the King therewith he presently caused them all to be apprehended Dymnus knowing wherefore he was called Lege Cartium lib. 6. 7. Plutarch Diodorum ut priùs Arrianum lib. 3. killed himself Ceballinus cast all the blame upon Philotas who denied not that he had been told of such a businesse but said he revealed it not to the King onely through neglect and because he esteemed it of no consequence Being brought to the Rack Philotas put to death for Treason he either confessed the thing as it was or feigned a story and wrongfully accused himself to escape the extremity of Torment after vvhich he vvas put to death Now vvas Parmenio his father a man of 70 years of age Governour of Media one vvho had done especial service for the King and his father Philip. Alexander either for that he feared he vvas privy to the conspiracy And Parmenio his Father or thought it not safe that he should out live his son sent one away vvith speed vvho delivering a counterfeited Letter to him as from Philotas slevv him as he read it Amongst others that vvere shot to death for this conspiracy was Alexander Lyncestes the son-in-son-in-law of Antipater who had conspired the destruction both of Philip and Alexander and for his treason been kept in durance now three years This being done the King proceeded in his Expedition against Bessus 4. Though the Soldiers condemned Parmenio and his Son while living yet they pittied them when dead and conceived great indignation against their Judges Alexander understanding this that he might know their several minds gave out that he was sending into Macedonia and whosoever would might have an opportunity thereby to write to their friends By their Letters all which he caus'd to be opened he knew who were discontented and ready to Mutiny and all those he gathered into one company lest they should corrupt the rest setting over them one Leonidas an intimate friend of Parmenâ—o The King in his March came to the Country of the
for the Tributes of the places other 500 upon pain of being prosecuted with War To these things Simon answered that he held no Towns belonging to any other but had recovered his own by right of War but as for Joppe and Gazara which had done great harm to his people he offered to pay him 100 Talents at which the King was so displeased that following at that time Tryphon to Orthosias Cendebaeus sent by Antiochus against the Jews is defeated by John the son of Simon he left Cendebaeus to oversee the Sea-Coasts with order to build up Cedron whence he might make War upon the Jews He coming to Iamnia made inroads upon Judaea and built up that Town according to order which John the son of Simon then lying at Gazara understanding gave notice thereof to his father who now being decrepit committed the War to him and his brother Judas He taking with him 20000 foot and a party of horse marched straight down against Cendebaeus and then placing his horse in the midst of the foot that it might protect and be protected against the Cavalry of the Enemy which was exceeding strong he overthrew him and putting the whole Army to the rout some betook themselves into the Fort newly built and others flying away he pursued them as far as the Towers of Azotus which having set on fire and slain 2000 men he retreated safe into Judaea 74. This successe of John sufficiently moved Antiochus to punish Simon but it was done to his hand by one who of all others might least have done it There was one Ptolomy the son of Abubus son-in-law to Simon and by him set over the Province of Jericho He entertaining his father-in-father-in-law as he went his Circuit about the Countrey to take care for the Government thereof slew him treacherously after a feast together with his two sons Mattathias and Judas son-in- Simon and his two sons murdered by his son-in-son-in-law when he had governed the people 8 years His design was being rich to obtain the Principality of that Countrey where he lived and therefore he presently certified Antiochus of his feat desiring an Army of him wherewith he might subdue the Cities of Iudaea He also sent certain cut-throats to murder Iohn Simons son wrote to the Collonels of the Army to draw them over to him and sent others to seize upon Ierusalem and the Temple But Iohn having timely notice of his treachery prevented his death by that of the Messengers and was made High-Priest in the room of his father and here the Author of the first books of Maccabees concludes his work having therein delivered the history of 40 years Antiochus besiegeth Jerusalem Josephus Antiq. lib. 13. cap. 16. Antiochus taking the opportunity of Simons death came into Iudaea which wasting round about he drove up Iohn sirnamed Hyrcanus into Ierusalem to which he laid close siege his Army being divided into seven parts The besieged being exceedingly helped from the strength of the Walls stood out manfully so that he raised an hundred Turrets from which he endeavoured to scale the Walls and compassed in the Town with a double Trench that none might escape but they still defending themselves sometimes sallied out and did him harm Hyrcanus seeing a great and uselesse multitude in the Citie which consumed the victuals put out the more infirm out of the Walls whence being hindred from going any further by the siege they wandred about the Walls almost famished till at the feast of Tabernacles out of pity they were again admitted 75. At this feast of Tabernacles Hyrcanus sent out to Antiochus to desire a Truce for seven dayes because of the celebration thereof He not onely granted this but sent in also Bulls with gilded horns golden and silver Cups with all sorts of spices and beasts for sacrifice and made a feast to the Army by which the other taking notice of his great humanity whence he was sirnamed Pius as also uncertain for what other reason Sidetes withall considering that the Sabbatical year being now at an end and the people being hindred from sowing a famine was likely to insue he sent out to him desiring that the Iews might be suffered to live according to their own Laws Many about the King advised him utterly to destroy the Citie to blot out the very name of the Iews from under heaven at least to dissolve their Laws and change their course of life so diverse from and disagreeable to other Nations but he being moved by a principle of magnanimity and bounty rejected this counsel and approving of the piety of the Iews commanded them to deliver up their Arms But departeth upon good terms for the besieged pull down their Walls pay Tribute for Joppe and other Towns without Judaea and receive a Garrison A. M. 3870. Ol. 161. ann 2. V.C. 619. Seleucid 178. Ptol. Physconis 12. Joh. Hyrcan 1. upon which conditions he offered them peace They yielded to all but the last because they would not converse with the Gentiles yet in Lieu of it chose to give Hostages amongst others Hyroanus his own brother and pay 500 Talents whereof 300 at present whereupon the siege was removed and they were freed from any further incumbrance Hyrcanus opening the sepulcher of David who had been the richest of Kings took out thence 3000 Talents wherewith filling his Coffers he first listed strangers in his Militia and entertained Antiochus and his Army in Ierusalem very plentifully 76. Antiochus Sidetes in the eighth year of his reign Iustin lib. 38. Appian in Syriacis Livius lib. 59. three years after his departure from Ierusalem undertook an expedition against Phraates the Parthian to fetch back his brother Demetrius still kept there in free custody who had twice attempted an escape but being retaken still was sent back to his wife and children not so much out of any pity or respect of alliance as because that King having an itching desire of getting Syria also into his power preserved him to use against his brother as time and opportunity should serve Antiochus with a great but extraordinarily effeminate Army marched into Media where many Eastern Princes met him with all their hearts giving up themselves and Countreys to him and cursing of the pride of the Parthians whereby he got such strength as overthrowing the Enemy in three several battels he reduced him within the bounds of his own Countrey But what he thus suddenly got he almost as quickly lost again for upon the approach of Winter quartering his Soldiers abroad in the Countrey the people were so oppressed what by the exaction of provisions and their insolence that they again revolted to the Parthian and upon agreement at one and the same time set upon them as they were severally disposed of in their quarters Antiochus Sidetes is slain by the Parthians Antiochus hearing this with that party which lay with him came in to relieve the next to him and there met with Phraates himself
this War depended the year following was Alexandria in Egypt built as Livy writeth whereas the foundation of this Citie was laid while Alexander was in Africk the year before the death of Darius and the fifth before this wherein C. Paetilius and L. Papyrius Mugilanus were Consuls This same year he maketh Alexander the King of Epirus to have been slain who being Uncle by the mothers side to Alexander the Great is thought to have undertaken an expedition into Italy out of emulation towards his Nephew that as the one was now Conquering the East so the other might endeavour to subdue the West having no lesse matter to work upon in Italy Africk and Sicily than the other found in Asia and Persia He was deceived by the Oracle of Jupiter of Dodona which bidding him beware of Pandosia and Acheron he knowing there was a Citie of the former name in Epirus and a River of the later thought himself so much the safer as he could get farthest off from these Being therefore sent for by the Tarentines he came into Italy and made War with the Brutii and Lucani from whom he took many Towns and 300 families which he sent as Hostages into Epirus He entred into a League with the Metapontini and Romans But the Brutii and Lucani recruiting themselves by the supplies of their neighbours re-inforced the War and set upon him near Pandosia a Town situate a little above Consentia the Metropolis of the Brutii near to which ran a River called Acheron Alexander King of Epirus slain in Italy Taking this River with his horse he was therein slain by a Lucanian and his dead body being carried down the stream into the Enemies quarters was mangled into pieces A certain woman whose husband and Children were taken prisoners by the Epirots got the pieces together and in exchange for her relations sent his bones to Metapontus whence they were conveyed into Epirus unto Cleopatra his wife and Olympias his sister whereof the one was sister and the other mother to Alexander the Great The Palaepolitans being conquered the Tarentines their allies proceed in the War and draw in the Samnites and Neapolitans 2. The Palaepolitans though assisted by the Samnites and Tarentines were overmatched so as glad they were to yield up their City and the Samnites lost three of their own Towns The Tarentines yet proceeded and drew both the Samnites and Neapolitans the other part of this Greek Colony afresh into the War wherein also the Inhabitants of Vestinus together with their allies ingaged themselves Whilst this War was but beginning great stirs hapned in the City There one L. Papyrius had given up himself to C. Publius as a slave to work out his fathers debt Being a young man of a beautiful body Publius attempted filthily to abuse him and when he would in no wise suffer this most grievously beat and tore his body with rods In this plight Papyrius got away and running to the People by declaring his condition so affected them that they procured the Fathers to decree that the Consuls should propose to them in the Comitia these two Laws the first That no man should be detained in bonds New Laws in favour of Debtors except for some misdemeanor till the time of his punishment the second that the money and goods not the body of the debtor should be responsible Whereupon all prisoners for debt were forthwith set at liberty The year following the Vestini were overthrown by Junius Brutus Scaeva the Consul who also took from them two Towns His Collegue L. Furius Camillus being sick in Samnium or the Country of the Samnites pronounced Dictator L. Papyrius Cursor the most famous Captain by far of those times who named Q. Fabius Rutilianus for his Master of Horse-men Papyrius being in Camp against the Samnites was forced to return to Rome L. Papyrius Cursor made Dictator for the renewing of his auspicia and at his departure commanded his Master of Horse-men not to stir out of the trenches to fight one stroak till he came back A. M. 3681. Ol. 114 an 1. V. C. 430. Alexand 13. but Fabius understanding that a notable advantage of doing something of consequence was presented from the Enemy fell upon the Samnites and made great slaughter of them The Dictator hearing of this in a great rage returned to the Camp and had put him to death but that he was rescued by the Army from which flying to the City Papyrius followed him and pressing sore to the Senate the necessity of discipline and authority Is hindred from punishing Fabius Rutilianus his Master of the Horse-men would not at all give way to the intreaties of the Fathers This forced M. Fabius the father of the party to appeal to the People and their Tribunes by which he hardly was drawn to pardon him though his authority was saved together with the life of Fabius through the intreaties of those who might justly have Commanded it as was confessed by himself 3. This severity of the Dictator so alienated the hearts of the Soldiers from him that it had well nigh cost him the losse of a battel which constrained him to be more Popular then afterward he overthrew the Samnites and harrazed their Country The Samnites overthrown This made them desire Peace but returning quickly again to their former enmity in the second year after they received another great defeat from A. Cornelius Aruina the Dictator Herewith they were so struck that they sent all the prisoners they had home to Rome with such plunder as they had taken and the dead body with the goods of him who had been the author of the revolt and who fearing to be given up had killed himself Desire Peace which is denied them The Senate onely received the men Livius lib. 9. with such goods as any Citizen could challenge for his own and denied them Peace At this C. Pontius a leading man amongst them took occasion grievously to enveigh against the injustice of the Romans and causing them to take arms led them presently near to a place called Caudium whence having apparelled ten Soldiers in the habit of Shepherds he sent them to Calatia where he heard the Consuls lay at present with a charge that when they should be asked where the Army of the Samnites was they should answer in Apulia besieging Luceria which it had already well nigh taken A rumour being already spred abroad of such a thing now obtained greater credit and the Romans accounted themselves by all means bound to succour Luceria and the rather for fear lest all Apulia should revolt Two wayes there were which led to Luceria One by the Sea side open and secure another through the Straights of Caudinum called Furcae Caudinae at this day Caudino and Forche Caudine ten miles distant from Benevento a place incompassed about with high mountains into which one could not enter They entrap the Roman Army at Furcae Caudinae nor depart
any one threaten a Slave in that manner Fabius Gurges after this being Consul Livii Epitom lib. 11. fought unprosperously with the Samnites whereupon the Senate consulted about removing him from the Army Fabius Maximus his father deprecating this ignominy prevented it by promising he would go to the War as Legatus or Lieutenant to his son A. M. 3713. Ol. 122. an 1. V. C. 462. Seleuci 21. Ptol. Lagi 32. He performed it and so assisted the young man that he procured him Victory and a Triumph wherein C. Pontius the Samnite being led was put to death After this L. Posthumius a man of Consular dignity being set over the Army used the help of the Soldiers in his own field and for that was punished The Samnites desiring Peace the League was renewed with them the fourth time But presently again as it seemeth they rebelled for P. Cornelius Rufinus War with the Samnites and Manius Curius sirnamed Dentatus because born with teeth Eutropius lib. 2. according to Plinie overthrew them in several bloody battels and took divers of their Towns Livie in his eleventh Book as appeareth from it's Epitome wrote that Curius Dentatus the Consul having overthrown the Samnites and Sabines who had rebelled triumphed twice the same year After this were Colonies sent to Castrum Sena and Adria The Triumviri for Capital matters were now also first made The Census being perfected the Lustrum was made and 273000 polls of Roman Citizens were cessed 7. Livii Epitom lib. 11. Plin. lib. 16. Xonaras Presently after happened the third separation of the Commons from the Patricians The third separation of the Commons The cause was the great debts which the porer sort had contracted As a remedy for this the Tribunes of the Commons those incendiaries proposed new tables in way of defalcation which the Consuls in favour of the creditors opposed The contest came to that height that the Plebeians departed into the Janiculum for the reconciliation and reducement of whom Q. Hortensius was made Dictator He appeased them with good words and perswaded them to return by promising that for the time to come their Pleb scita should have the force of Laws A. M. 3719. Ol. 123. ann 3. V. C. 468. Seleuc. 27. Ptol. Lagi 38. and bind the whole politick body The Lex Hortensia This accordingly by a Law called Lex Hortensia he enacted though it appeareth out of Livy that the same in effect had been granted twice before viz. in the 305 year of the Citie by L. Valerius and M. Horatius the Consuls and again in the 416. by Q. Publius Philo the Dictator 50 years before this present which having not been observed might give the Commons as great distaste as the matter of debts if we may judge from that which pacified them * Lib. 1. cap. 25. Florus telleth a story that the businesse of Matrimony betwixt the Patricians and Plebeians caused this third separation of the Commons into the Janiculum the tumult being raised by Canuleius the Tribune But Students are to take notice that none but he speak any thing of this Sedition in this place and by the instigation of this person for this cause of marriage That great Contentions were raised betwixt the two orders about the taking away the Law made by the Decemviri which forbad marriage betwixt them The errour of Florus is oftens arrested by Levy But that the Commons departed into the Janiculum for the burthen of their debts after great and long contentions in the 468th year of the Citie is by several Authors affirmed and that thence they were reduced by Hortensius the Dictator who preferred a Law in the Esculeium that what the Commons commanded should bind all Quirites neither do Writers mention any other cause of the third Separation 8. Hortensius died in the time of his Magistracy Livius Epitom l. 11. 12. After this there was action with the Volsinienses and Lucani against whom assistance was given to the Thurini Then the Roman Ambassadors being killed by the Galls Senones War was decreed against them and L. Caecilius the Praetor was cut off by them with the Legions The Tarentines being jealous of the growth of the Roman power had hitherto privily favoured the Samnites though openly they maintained a confederacy with the Romans The Original of the Tarentines and a description of their Citie Government and conversation This people being the ofspring of the Partheniae who were banished Lacedaemon for that being promiscuously begotten they could not have any inheritance Lege Strabon l. 6. p. 278. c. Florum lib. 1. c. 18. and therefore plotted against the State as was shown before inhabited a Citie called Tarentum from Taras a certain Heroe the Metropolis once of Calabria Apulia and all Lucania It was situate in a Peninsula on the Bay of the Adriatick Sea famous for its bignesse Walls and Haven especially which lay so convenient for sayling into the Roman Coasts Istria Illyricum Epirus Achaia Africk and Sicily that Florus accounteth the situation admirable The Tarentines affecting took Democratical Government obtained great power in those parts having a more considerable Fleet than any of their neighbours 30000 foot 3000 horse and 1000 persons fit to command them They imbraced the Philosophy of Pythagoras especially one Archytas who governed the Citie a long time In after times luxury was produced by prosperity to such excesse that if credit may be given to Strabo the Tarentines had more publick Festivals yearly than the year hath dayes by reason whereof the State of the Commonwealth under such a Government was rendred much worse One of their bad customs was as he judgeth it to use the Conduct of foreiners in their Wars for against the Messapii and Lucani they imployed Alexander the Molossian and before that Archidamus the son of Agesilaus as afterward Cleonymus and Agathocles and afterwards Pyrrhus against the Romans They contended with the Messapii about Heraclea and imployed also against them the two Kings of the Daunii and Peucetii Neither would they obey the forein Captains for whom they had sent but fell to odds with them which procured no small inconvenience 9. Near to the Haven in the view of the Sea was the Theatre of the City which proved the cause of all its misery and calamities saith Florus They were therein beholding Games when L. Valerius the Duumvir as he is called in Livy's Epitome or one of the Roman Admirals sayled thither as to a confederate Citie They taking the Romans for Enemies saith Florus Orosius lib. 4. cap. 1. Xonaras who addeth what cannot be credited that they scarce knew who or whence the Romans were or as others think having both knowledge and malice sufficient set upon the Fleet and either sunk or at least rifled it and slew the Admiral The Original of their War with the Romans The Senate sent L. Posthumius to complain of the injury who delivering his message
Mercenaries hapned which much distressing the Commonwealth he passed over into Spain where having to do with such an Enemy as he could grow upon The Acts of Amilcar Barcas after the ending of the first Punick War he there inlarged far and wide the Carthaginian Dominion and died in great honour though he was drowned in a River being put also to flight by Orisson King of the Iberi Diod. Sicul. lib. 25. Eclog. who pretending to come to his assistance in the siege of Helice unexpectedly fell upon him As he had governed the Army in Spain nine years son-in- Of Asdrubal his son-in-son-in-law so his son-in-son-in-law Asdrubal succeeding him commanded it almost as many with a mind as averse from the Romans as he but he dissembled his hatred and designs that he might gain all Spain to the Carthaginian interest After 8 years he was slain by a Gall saith Polybius or a slave to a certain Spaniard saith Justin who killed him in revenge for his Masters death He also much bettered the affairs of Carthage not so much by Arms Polyb. lib. 3. Livius l. 21. Corn. Nepos in Hamilcar Val. Max. l. 9. c. 3. Eater Exemp 3. as his winning carriage upon the petty Princes After his death Annibal the son of Amilcar Barcas was chosen Captain by the Army Annibal the son of Amilcar Barcas created General by the Carthaginians and presently confirmed at Carthage by the people whom his father taking along with him into Spain being then nine years old compelled to swear at the Altar his hand touching the sacrifice that as soon as he could he would be an Enemy to the people of Rome 31. Annibal presently after his Creation fell upon the Olcades whom he subdued and besides them within a years space the Vaccaei and Carpentani and nothing remained beyond the River Iberus that was considerable and unsubdued besides the Saguntines They being confederate with Rome gave them there intelligence how things went who sent some into Spain to see how matters stood and what was intended by the Carthaginians These Commissioners having audience of Hannibal religiously admonished him not to meddle with the Saguntines and according to the League made with Asdrubal not to passe over the River Iberus His answers did not conceal his inward hatred which caused the Romans to expect no better than a War but they hoped to have Saguntus the seat thereof and endeavoured to clear themselves of Illyricum ere it hapned Annibal was not ignorant of what they designed and therefore resolved by taking that Town to cut off all hope of vvarring in Spain He doubted not by that example to terrifie others so as to reduce to obedience those that yet stood out and confirm therein such as he had already brought under and this especially he aimed at by reducing this place to leave no Enemy at his back by the plunder of which also he intended to gratifie his Soldiers With all his force then he set upon it and provoking his men by his own example to all manner of diligence He taketh Saguntus a Town in Spain confederate with Rome took it in the eighth moneth The Inhabitants retained their fidelity unto the Romans to the last and when almost spent with hunger Fire Sword and Engines they that remained in a fire made in the Forum consumed themselves with all their riches as Florus writeth though Polybius speaketh of much money found in the Town besides rich stuff which Hannibal sent to Carthage 32. When first the Romans heard that Saguntus was taken they sent Ambassadors to Carthage to require that Hannibal should be delivered up as the breaker of the League Satisfaction is demanded by the Romans or else to denounce War Upon their arrival the Carthaginians deputed Hanno to treat with them who sleighted the matter of the League made with Asdrubal pretending there was none and if there was it was made by his meer pleasure without consent of the Senate Besides therein he said was no mention made of the River Iberus that a regard was to be had of the Allies of both the States he confessed but this nothing concerned the Saguntines who at the time of the ratification were not confederates with Rome The Ambassadors perceiving the Carthaginians backward to what they propounded said no more but the Senior of them holding out the lap of his Gown to the Senate Here saith he we bring you both War and Peace whether you will have I shall bring forth The Carthaginian King bade them bring forth which they pleased then the Roman saying he would take out War many of the Senators answered that they accepted of it And none being given War is denounced and accepted of This fell out in the Consulship of M. Livius afterward called Salinator from his bringing up the Impost upon Salt and L. Aemilius Paulus In their time forein Ceremonies begun to be brought into Rome which displeasing the more sober sort of men the * Val. Max. l. 1. c. 3. exemp 3. Senate thought fit that the Chapels of Isis and Serapis should be pulled down When no Artificers would venture to touch them Aemilius the Consul put off his pratexta or long Roab edged with purple silk and taking an Hatchet struck it into the door 33. In the year following being the 536 of the City A. M. 3787. Ol. 140. an 3. V. C. 536. Antiochi Mag. 6. Ptol. Philop. 5. Polyb. l. 3. Livius l. 21. the sixth of Antiochus the Great and the fifth of Ptolomy Philopator in the Consulship of Pub. Cornelius Scipio and Tib. Sempronius Longus three and twenty years after the ending of the first Punick War the Second began which we have described by Polybius The second Punick or Carthaginian War beginneth and after him by T. Livius who hath transcribed the 21 Book of his History almost word for word Annibal now 26 years of age in the Spring moved from his winter quarters with 90000 Foot and 12000 Horse and passing over the River Iberus subdued all the Towns as far as the Pyrenaean hills Annibal having conquered all Spain as far as the Pyrenaean hills Then leaving Hanno with a sufficient force to keep the Country and sending as many of the Spanish Soldiers home he marched with the the rest in number 50000 Foot and nigh 9000 Horse over the Pyrenaean hills and so through Gall unto the Alpes Having marched 100 miles in ten days from the River Rhodanus he came to the foot of these mountains which when he ascended he encountred with great difficulties being opposed by the Allobroges inhabiting the Country now called Savoy who possessed themselves of the places through which he must necessarily passe On the ninth day he came to the top whence his Soldiers had a prospect of Italy Proceeding after a little rest he lost as many men here in the depth of the Snow as formerly by the incursions of Enemies and at length came to a place which would
he had absented himself for several years were created Consuls having been at great ods and now reconciled through the interposition of the Senate Livius was ordered to meet Asdrubal and Nero appointed to attend the motions of Annibal But the later having some successe against his Enemy picked out of the flower of his Army 6000 Foot and 1000 Horse and with great secrecy and as much speed marched towards his Collegue that he might reach him ere he joyned with Asdrubal Being joyned they incompassed him who was by a deceitful guide led into a dangerous place and cut him with his whole Army in pieces then marched Nero back to his own Army and ere Hannibal knew of his departure cast his brothers head into his Camp whereby to his grief he knew of the defeat Is cut off with his whole Army by Livius and Nero the Consuls The year following did P. Scipio after many Victories obtained finish the War in Spain all the Carthaginian Captains being either taken or driven away This hapned five years after his undertaking the charge and thirteen after the beginning of the Warre 48. Scipio coming to Rome and being made Consul Livius lib. 29. greatly desired to be sent into Africk Scipio having subdued Spain is made Consul urging it to the Senate as necessary for finishing the War and undertaking so to manage his affaires as to force the Carthaginians to recall Hannibal for the defence of his own Country Fabius Maximus most earnesty and with some heat opposed this and a considerable difference hereupon arose but at length Sicily was granted him for his Province and leave given him to passe over into Africk if he saw it convenient for the Commonwealth All this year he spent in the Island A. M. 3800. Ol. 143. an 4. V. C. 549. Seleucidarum 108. Ant. Mag. 19. Ptol. Philop. 18. Belli Punici 14. in providing necessaries for his Expedition and the next with a brave Fleet landed in Africk where Masanissa King of Numidia who in Spain had joyned with him came in to his aid Within a while he killed Hanno with 3000 men and besieged Utica The year following passeth into Africk but Syphax King of Numidia the enemy and competitor of Masanissa who formerly had entred into league with Scipio but again upon a mariage with Annibal's niece revolted coming with the Carthaginians to raise the siege he having attempted in vain to storm the Town rose up and departed to his winter quarters 49. In Winter he was not idle but again besieged Utica Idem lib. 30. Polyb. l. 14 15 and entred into a Treaty with Syphax and Asdrubal about a Peace in the mean time sending his ablest Soldiers in the habit of slaves with his Commissioners to view the Enemie's Camps This being sufficiently done he brake off the Treaty and set fire upon the Camps which the other not suspecting but thinking it came by accident were cut in pieces when they were busied in quenching the fire to the number of 40000 men and 6000 were taken Prisoners Not long after he gave them another great overthrow which so affected the Carthaginians with fear that they called home Hannibal Presently after they sent a Fleet to relieve Utica Where he so distresseth the Cathaginians which worsted the Roman Navy and they might have done more than this had not fear made them loiter But shortly after this Scipio again routed Syphax who had got together an unexperienced company of strangers and taking him prisoner gave his Kingdom to Masanissa In Italy about this time Mago was overthrown and wounded in an ingagement with Quintilius Varus the Praetor and M. Cornelius the Proconsul he also was recalled as well as his brother Annibal and died on the Sea of his wounds The Carthaginians sent an Ambassage to Rome with a design to obtain a cessation till Hannibal could arrive out of Italy But their aim being sufficiently understood the message was slighted and to witnesse their perfidiousnesse they brake the Law of Nations by offering to violate Messengers sent from Scipio That they recal Hannibal 50. Annibal being recalled by his superiours with very much reluctancy quitted Italy after he had therein spent sixteen years He complained much of the Senate and of himself Of the Senate because fighting so long a time in an Enemie's Country they had so little supplied him with money and other things necessary for War Of himself for that having so often overthrown and put to flight the Roman Legions he had still delayed and given them time to breath It 's reported also that ere he took ship he built an arch near the Temple of Juno Lacinia wherein in Punick and Greek letters he wrote the sum of his great atchievements Taking the Sea A. M. 3802. V. C. 551. he landed in a few dayes at Leptis whence he marched to Adrumentum and thence to Zama Considering now the weak estate of his Country he desired a meeting with Scipio to treat of Peace which being granted the two greatest Captains in the World came to an interview betwixt their Armies but receiving mutually no satisfaction they returned to decide the controversie by the sword Hannibal in the battel behaved himself most gallantly and like so expert a Warriour amongst his Soldiers consisting of so many Nations and languages But providence ordained the Victory to Scipio who slew 20000 and took as many prisoners yet not without great losse of his own men whereof 2000 fell After this Annibal perswaded his Country-men to aske Peace Whom he also overthroweth and Ambassadors were dispatched away accordingly 51. Scipio was not averse to a closure as loth to part with the glory of concluding the War which the year before was in danger of being taken from him by Tib. Claudius Nero the Consul and now by C. Cornelius Lentulus who both had procured Africk for their Province and to be joyned in aequal authority with him The power of concluding the Peace was by the People decreed to Scipio with ten others which was at length agreed to on these termes That the Carthaginians being free should enjoy all their territories in Africk but the Romans hold Spain with all the Islands of the Mediterranean any time in question betwixt the two States That all rebells and fugitives should be given up to the Romans Whereupon Peace is desired and obtained That the Carthaginians should deliver up all their beaked ships except ten Triremes with all their tamed Elephants and tame no more It was made unlawful for them to make War in Africk or elsewhere without licence from the People of Rome They were to restore all to Masanissa and enter into confederacy with him To give money and corn to the Roman Auxiliaries till the Ambassadors should be returned A. M. 3804. Ol. 144. an 4. V. C. 553. Ant. Mag. 23. Ptol. Epiphan 3. Belli Punici 18. To pay 10000 talents of Silver in the space of fifty years and
give 100 Hostages for performance of these things Thus ended the second Punick War in the eighteenth year and Scipio obtained the honourable sirname of Africanus being the first General if Livy observeth rightly who was ennobled by the name of a Country he had overcome 52. The Romans had little or no rest after this War for immediately begun or rather went on the Macedonian or that with Philip the occasion being given as was said ten years before upon his entrance into confederacy with Annibal The Aetolians being also invaded by him Livius lib. 31. aid was sent them The Macedonian War by which he was worsted and after seven years a Peace was made But now the Romans having nothing to do and being not without provocation as well by his breaking of his faith with the Aetolians and others of their friends in those parts as by his supply of men and mony not long before sent to Hannibal and at the earnest request of the Athenians the territories of whom he had wasted they decreed War anew against him being also complained of by Attalus King of Pergamus and the Rhodians for molesting the Cities in Asia Ser. Sulpitius Galba the Consul obtaining Macedonia for his Province Galba the Consul prospereth against Philip. by himself and his Lieutenant put him to the worst divers times and had almost taken him Together with Attalus and the Rhodians he caused him to raise his siege from Athens whereupon the Aetolians before backward enough by reason of their Magistrate A. M. 3805. Ol. 145. an 1. V. C. 554. Seleucidarum 113. Ant. M. 24. Ptol. Epiph. 4. and the Athamanians now incouraged invaded his Dominions but being idle and carelelesse were easily repelled by him This year did M. Furius the Praetor get a great Victory over the Galls which besieged Cremona in Italy killing 30000 and with them Amilcar the Carthaginian Captain For this after much dispute in the Senate he triumphed though against the custom and without president for any one to receive this honour that had obtained Victory with the Army of another as he had done with the Soldiers of C. Aurelius Cotta the Consul in his absence who took it most hainously The year following C. Bebius the Praetor entering unadvisedly into the territories of the Galls Insubres was incompassed and lost above 6600 men 53. Nothing considerable was this year done in Macedonia by P. Villius Tappulus the Consul but his successor T. Quintius * Apud Livium l. 32. Flamininus not Flaminius as Plutarch now hath him for the Flaminini Patritians must not be confounded with the Flaminii who were Plebeians using great expedition beat Philip out of the Straights wherein securely he had incamped and by Sea his brother Lucius with Attalus took several towns of his confederates And so doth Flaminius and besieged Corinth though in vain The time coming for the election of new Consuls and it being usual for them to take the Provinces from their predecessors One good thing done by the Tribunes of the People 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Philip overthrown by Flamininus at Cynoscephale desireth and obtaineth peace the Tribunes rightly objected that this course hindred the progresse of the Wars and procured Quintius his Government to be continued to him who being about taking of the Castle of Opus Messengers came from Philip about a Treaty Several times they met which before they had also done at the Straights and the Ambassadors of Attalus the Rhodians and Achaeans were present but the effect was nothing and Philip gave up Argos into the hands of Nabis Tyrant of Lacedaemon who used the Inhabitants with great cruelty and incredible exaction A. M. 3809. Ol. 146. an 1. V.C. 558. Ant. M. 28. Ptol. Epiph. 8. But Quintius following Philip into Thessaly gave him such a blow at Cynoscephale as forced him to ask Peace which was granted upon terms moderate enough All the Cities of Greece which he had got in his hands were hereby beyond all expectation and to the wonder of themselves and others set at liberty and left to their own Laws The year preceding this conclusion did the Galls receive a great overthrow from Cornelius the Consul But in Spain C. Sempronius Tuditanus was totally defeated The same year wherein the Macedonian War ended the slaves in Tuscany made a dangerous Rebellion but were chastized and quieted by Attilius the Praetor And about the same time was another victory obtained over the Galls 54. The year after the ratification of the peace A. M. 3810. V.C. 559. some bickering there was in the Citie about the women For twenty years before there had been a Law preferred by Oppius Tribune of the People presently after the defeat at Cannae forbidding women the wearing of Gold or Purple and the use of any other kind of Pomp. This now did two of the present Tribunes labour to abrogate the face of things being changed and the occasion removed M. Porcius Cato the Consul stood stifly for preserving the Law inveighing much against the Females but partly through the apposite reply of L. Valerius the Tribune unto the Consul out of his own book called Origenes and especially through the importunity of the women themselves who with liberty of behaviour sufficient filled the streets and came to the Assembly and constrained two of the Tribunes to let fall their interposition it was abrogated Cato then betook himself into Spain his Province The Oppian Law against the women repealed where using severity towards himself as well as his Soldiers he restored the Roman interest by good Discipline Having led his Army upon the back of the Spaniards and thereby necessitated them to fight he overthrew them in a great battel and took their Camp after which notwithstanding the ficklenesse of the Natives he reduced the Province to obedience The same Summer did L. Valerius Flaccus his Collegue give another overthrow to the Galls in Italy 55. In Greece Nabis the Tyrant of Sparta still held it and Argos in slavery wherefore the freedom of them still was wanting to the universal liberty of Greece resolved to be vindicated from the oppression of the Macedonian party Quintius upon Nabis his refusal to quit Argos besieged them both and took in Gytheum a Port Town which drove Nabis to ask peace Motions in Greece Quintius was not against it urging to the Graecian Allies the length which was likely to be of the siege of Sparta the unseasonablenesse of the Winter season and the War that threatned from Antiochus King of Asia but indeed fearing lest one of the new Consuls taking Macedonia for his Province might rob him of the glory of fending the whole controversie in these parts Yet the Greeks being earnest for suppressing the Tyrant he seemed to yield to it and afterwards put them off by demanding such supplies as they could not furnish him with Notwithstanding this the peace could not be made for Nabis accepted not of the terms
accompanied with most of the Senate many Equites and some Commoners where Gracchus was speaking to the People and endeavoring to be chosen Tribune for the following year They fell upon him and his hearers whereof they killed 300 and amongst them himself with a piece of a seat as he ran down from the Capitol Thus he fell by the means of his own kinsman He and his complices are killed by the means of Scipio Nasica his kinsman which was the first blood drawn by the Romans from one another being a most excellently accomplished man though too violent in a matter honest enough Offic. l. 1. And this was the first blood which in a seditious way the Romans first drew from one another observed by Cicero to have been at the same time that the other Scipio destroyed Numantia 8. At this time were there some risings at Athens and in Delos Livii Epitom l. 59. being as sparks of that fire formerly kindled by Ennus in Sicily which with some trouble were extinguished neither was Italy altogether free from them But a more noble War insued about the Kingdom of Asia For Orosius l. 5. c. 8 9. Attalas King of Pergamus or Asia for so he is called because of a good part of Asia given to Eumenes his father by his last will left the People of Rome his heir But after his death Aristonicus his base brother seized on the Kingdom as his inheritance Aristonicus contesting with the Romans for the Kingdom of Pergamus First was Licinius Crassus the Consul sent against him Velleius Patercul l. 2. c. 4. Florus l. 2. c. ult but was overthrown and being taken struck one of the Soldiers on the eye on purpose to provoke him to kill him which he did He having thus miscaried though he was assisted in his enterprise by several Kings his Successor M. Perpenna hasting into Asia set upon Aristonicus at unawares when he was not yet recovered of the security contracted by his Victory and overthrowing him in battel besieged him in Stratonice where he forced him by famine to yield and shortly after the Consul died at Pergamus The remainder of the War was finished by M. Aquilius the next year's Consul Is taken who poisoned Fountains for taking in some Cities and having together with those joyned with him according to the custom setled the Province with sufficient oppression of the people he led Aristonicus in Triumph though taken by another man's labour who by order of the Senate was strangled in prison in the 625 year of the Citie And strangled the said M. Aquilius Nepos and C. Sempronius Tuditanus being Consuls 9. Vide Appian de bello civili lib. 2. Velleium lib. 2. cap. 6. Plutarch in Gracchis Val. Maxim lib. 6. cap. 2. Exemp 3. Livii Epitom lib. 59 60. Orosium lib. 5. cap. 10. Florum lib. 3. cap. 15. The civil dissentions died not with Gracchus who perished four years before his Law for division of the grounds being still in force and the people being sensible of the equity thereof as they accounted it for that the rich had got all into their hands The civil dissentions renewed and those that underwent all the toyl in Conquering the Land were ready to starve being also exhausted by the Wars and almost none but slaves left in Italy for ordering of the grounds Gracchus had a younger brother called Caius whom together with Fulvius Flaccus and Papirius Carbo he had made Triumviri for division of the grounds Caius Graccbus the brother of Tiberius patronizeth his Law He with his Collegues undertook the patronage of the Law and prosecuting his Enterprize with all earnestnesse such trouble arose about the division in accounting and removing that the Italians finding themselves agrieved betook themselves to Scipio Africanus He refused not to undertake their patronage yet in the Senate spake nothing against the Law onely thought fit that the executive power thereof should be taken from the Triumviri and given to some others The Senate most willingly did this and conferred it on Sempronius Tuditanus the Consul who finding the work troublesom went his way under pretence of the War in Illyricum There being now none to flie to in this case the people conceived great indignation against Scipio as ingratefull and favouring the Italians more than themselves from which his Enemies took occasion to raise further jealousies Indeed hearing of Gracchus his death at Numantia by repeating a verse in * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Odyss 1. Homer he liked well of what was done to him and being at his return asked concerning his death he approved of it before all the people which being offended at him for it he rebuked the multitude with contumelious language But at night going to his Chamber he meditated of something he intended to speak to the people the day following and in the morning was found dead in his bed it 's uncertain by what means Scipio Africanus the younger dieth suddenly Cornelia the Mother of the Gracchi was suspected to have joyned with her daughter his wife who being not over-handsome neither loved him much not was over much loved in practizing something upon him No inquisition was made after his death and he was buried privately though so great a man and one that had been the pillar of the Commonwealth 10. The Possessors of the grounds still made delayes in the division and some thought that they to whom they were to be divided should in way of recompense be made free of the Citie which however pleasing to others was highly displeasing to the Senate While men muttered much of these things C. Gracchus procured the Tribuneship and then bearing a grudge to the Senate effectually shewed it Caius getting the Tribuneship preferreth Laws distastfull to the Senate He preferred a Law for dividing of the publick Corn to every man monethly and getting his Office continued to him for another year that he might gratifie the Equites brought down the Office of judging corrupt Officers from the Senators unto them Romulus as we said instituted three Centuries of Equites or Hors-men whereof one from himself was named Ramnensis another from Fitus Tatius Tatiensis and the third from Lucanio or Lucus Luceris Under Romulus and the Kings they were also called Celeres Flexumines and Trossuli Afterwards Tarquinius Priscus added 300 more and so there continued to be 600 Equites The Order and Rank of Equites or Knights how and when it came up But though they were in the Commonwealth from the beginning yet had they no peculiar order authority or rank till this Law of Gracchus by which it was enacted that these judgements should be peculiar to them Their reputation thence forward increased with various successe about the Publicans till Cicero's time who boasting himself of this order procured it such honour that from his Consulship it came to be as a peculiar order in the State before being included in the
though the other passing over the River Halys fired 300 of his Villages Afterwards came Callidius from Rome who though he shewed no Decree of the Senate yet said it was the pleasure of the Fathers The King overthroweth Murena that all acts of hostility should be forborn and afterwards he talked with Murena alone Yet did not Murena forbear so that the King judging that War indeed was intended resolved to look to himself and passing over the River overthrew Murena in battel who fled into Phrygia This Victory brought many over to the King's party and hereupon he drove all Murena's Garrisons out of Cappadocia Sylla now Dictator was not well pleased he should be thus disturbed and therefore sent A. Gabinius to command Murena in good earnest to forbear and reconcile the King to Ariobarzanes And the second Warre endeth Mithridates gave him his son of four years of age for an Hostage and received part of Cappadocia So things were setled again and the second War as Appian saith ended in the third year But some seven years after another was begun 22. Presently after the last conclusion he sent to Rome to have the conditions of the League recorded but the thing was neglected Ariobarzanes sent also to complain that he kept the greater part of Cappadocia from him whereupon Sylla commanded him to quit it which accordingly he did Afterward he sent again to desire that the League might be recorded but Sylla being now dead the matter was not as much as reported to the Senate Hereupon he underhand procured Tigranes King of Armenia his son in Law to invade Cappadocia The Warre again breaketh out and why whence he led away 300000 persons and there built a City to be the Metropolis of the Kingdom which from himself he named Tigranocerta i. e. the City of Tigranes L. Magius and L. Fannius who had fled to him from Fimbria's Army perswaded him to send into Spain and joyn in League with Sertorius which he did and had granted to him Bithynia and Cappadocia receiving from him as a Captain M. Varius or Marius one of his Officers Being now without hope of pardon he made all preparations possible and got together an Army out of divers Countries consisting of 140000 Foot and 16000 Horse wherewith the following Spring he invaded Bithynia which Country Nicomedes being dead without issue had a little before given by testament to the People of Rome Mithridates recovereth Bithynia which thing inraged him Cotta the Governour a man of little courage fled to Chalcedon and he got it all into his hands 23. In the 680 year of the City Appian ut supra Plut. in Lucullo L. Lioinius Lucullus and M. Aurelius Cotta being Consuls the former of them was sent against Mithridates with one Legion out of the City to which were joyned those two that belonged to Fimbria and two more so that in all he had an Army of 30000 Foot and 1600 Horse He found the King before Cyzicus a City of Propontis and presently besieged the besieger Lucullus besiegeth him besieging Cyzicus Hee drove him to such straights by the help of L. Manius who now again revolted that though having a great desire to the place he laboured much to take it yet through extreme famin he was forced first to send away the Horse and sick Footmen into Bithynia whereof 15000 were intercepted and then to flye himself with the rest that could escape the great slaughter made of them in their flight During this double siege Eumachus one of Mithridates his Captains made incursions into Phrygia subdued the Pisidae and Isauri and endeavoured to do the same by Cilicia till he was repelled by Detotarus one of the Tetrarchs of Gallo graecia But Lucullus improved his successe on land by several Victories at sea wherein he took divers of Mithridates his Commanders and hasted into Bithynia to overtake him And forcing him to flye persueth him into his Kingdom He flying with all speed for fear of this suffered most grievous shipwrack and had been cast away but that he was received into a Pirate's Vessel to which he was glad to commit himself in so great danger and at length after many difficulties got into his own Kingdom whither now Lucullus pursued him A. M. 3932. V.C. 681. having in his way taken in Bithynia and Paphlagonia He made all possible preparations for resistance sending for aid to Tigranes his son in Law and to his own son reigning in Bosphorus and hee sent Diocles with great gifts to the Scythians but he ran away to Lucullus In the space of a year hee got together 40000 Foot and 4000 Horse with which force he once or twice repelled the Romans and struck some terror into them But Lucullus sending out some Horse for provisions he also sent a party to interrupt them which fighting in a disadvantagious place was worsted Being now destitute of Horse he thought of removing from Cabira where he had wintred and communicated his intention to his friends They not expecting the sign began to pack up and send their baggage out of the Camp before day which the Army taking notice of thought much they should flye without any warning given and in great fear and disorder breaking out of the trenches ran away The King went about to hinder them but none taking notice of him he was born down in the crowd and being got on horseback betook himself also to flight and might have been taken but that the Romans were too busie in plundering the Camp though warned by their General to forbear And into Armenia 24. Mithridates first fled to Comana and thence into Armenia to Tigranes who admitted him not to his presence but caused him to be entertained like a King though in fenny and unwholesome places All Pontus except a few places yielded to Lucullus to whom also Machares King of Bosphorus sent a crown of gold and purchased the title of his friend and allie Afer this Lucullus pursued Mithridates into Armenia intending to fall on Tigranes King thereof if he gave him occasion by defending his Enemy Tigranes at this time was a very potent Prince having conquered several Nations He wrestred Asia from the Parthians transported many thousands of Greeks out of Cilicia and Cappadocia into a City built by him near Euphrates and called Tigranocerta be obtained Syria and Palestine displacing the Kings thereof as was acknowledged by Lucullus This made him intollerably proud so that when he rode he would have four of those Kings he had subdued to run beside him like Lackies and stand before him with their hands folded in token of subjection when he sate on his throne Lucullus sent to him Appius Claudius his wive's brother to demand Mithridates but he was then busied in Phoenicia in reducing some places which the Messenger made an opportunity in his absence secretly to withdraw from him many whom his intollerable pride had rendred impatient At his return he gave
Nero disswaded it judging it better to secure them till Cataline were suppressed and the thing better sifted out Of this opinion was C. Julius Caesar something suspected to be privy to the design He would have them dispersed in several Towns in Italy by the Consul's appointment afterwards to be tried and not put to death altogether unheard This seemed very plausible till Cato great Grand-son to M. Porcius Cato the Censor very earnestly pressed the contrary falling foul upon Caesar as a suspicious person Fourth Then the Consul made his fourth Oration wherein he so disputeth of the two contrary opinions as he evidently inclineth to severity as fearing what the guilty party might do the night following out of necessity and desperation Catalines complices put to death Hereby the Senate was induced to put them to death as surprized in the fact which Cicero saw done accordingly ere the house arose After this Cataline was overtaken by C. Antonius the other Consul near the Alps as he was going into Gall to perfect his Levies and there fighting most valiantly was slain And he himself slain His men also fought it out to the last scarcely one of them being taken So was quasht this most dangerous conspiracy by the vigilancy especially of Cicero the Consul who wrote an History thereof which is lost Publick thanks for his great care and pains were given to him and at the instance of Cato with divers acclamations of the People he was first of all others stiled Father of his Countrey C. Julius Caesar beginneth to be eminent 43. Now began C. Julius Caesar to be very eminent two years after these stirs being sent as Praetor into the further Spain Lege Suttonium in Julio He was born in the 654 year of the Citie C. Marius the sixth time and L. Valerius Flaccus being Consuls the same that the Sedition about Saturninus hapned on the 12th day of the moneth Quinctilis afterward from him named July by Antonius his Law His birth His father was C. Julius Caesar who never arose higher than the Praetorship and died suddenly at Pisae as his shooes were drawing on in the morning his mother was Aurelia the daughter of C. Cotta and Julia the wife of Marius was his Aunt In his youth having married Cinna's daughter by which he had Julia refusing to put her away he was in great danger being with much ado spared by Sylla who as it were foretelling what trouble he would bring to the State said that in Caesar were many Marii The foundation of his Military skill he laid in Asia The foundation of his Military skill under M. Thermus the Praetor by whom being sent into Bithynia to fetch away the Navy he stayed with Nicomedes the King to whom it was suspected that he prostituted himself Afterwards in the taking of Mitylene he had deserved well and served under Servilius Isauricus in Cilicia but not long For hearing of Sylla's death and hoping to make his fortune out of the dissentions raised by Lepidus home he came but not finding a convenient oppportunity and having to no purpose accused Dolobella to shun the Envy thereby contracted he went to Rhodes to hear Apollonius whence sayling in Winter he fell into the hands of the Pirates and was forced to purchase his freedom with fifty Talents to revenge which he procured some ships took some of them whom he nailed to Crosses though without leave from the Praetor who would have sold them After this he gave a stop to Mithridates his Lieutenant and saved divers Cities in Asia He assisted Pompey the Consul and others Made Quaestor in restoring the Tribuneship which Sylla had broken Shortly after he was made Quaestor and sent into further Spain where going about to administer Justice he came to Gades and saw Alexanders image in the Temple of Hercules It troubled him exceedingly to consider that he himself had done no memorable thing at that age wherein Alexander had Conquered the World and thereupon he earnestly desired to be recalled that being in the Citie he might catch at some opportunity for his own advancement Joyneth with factious persons 44. Having got leave to return ere his time was out he joyned presently with the Latine Colonies in demanding the freedom of the Citie and had incited them to some desperate design but that the Senate for fear of the worst retained the Legions some time which were raised for Cilicia He was suspected to have been of the party of M. Crassus of P. Sulla also and Autronius who having been designed Consuls were found to have indirectly sought for the Office and so according to Law forfeited their places to the discoverers in the beginning of the year to set upon the Senate and kill whom they pleased Crassus being made Dictator he was to have been Master of the hors-men under him and all things being ordered according to their pleasure the Consulship was to have been restored to the other two â—ome have affirmed whom Suetonius citeth that he also conspired with Cn. Piso that the one in the Citie and the other abroad should rise which was prevented by Piso's death Made Aedilis Being after this Aedilis he so managed the businesse of publick buildings and shews that all was ascribed to him and nothing to his Collegue by which means and others he procured the favour of the People and essayed by the Tribunes to get Egypt assigned to him which now having expelled the King he thought would affoard him an opportunity of an extraordinary command But he was crossed by the great ones whom that he might vex he restored the Trophies erected by Marius over the Cimbri which Sulla had caused to be pulled down and suborned those who accused Rabirius By his means especially the Senate had suppressed Saturninus the seditious Tribune and now being brought before Caesar as his Judge he was so severe against him that nothing so much helped the man in his appeal from him to the People 45. After his repulse as to Egypt he stood for the High-Priesthood and by large sums such corruption were those times arrived at bought so many voices as he carried it from two most powerfull men and his Seniors Getteth by bribery the High Priesthood having more suffrages out of their two Tribes than they had out of all the rest besides Then being Praetor he stood for the complices of Cataline so earnestly as he drew to his party the brother of Cicero the Consul and diverse others After this he assisted Caecilius Metellus the Tribune in preferring turbulent Laws till both of them by a decree of the Senate were displaced and yet then would he sit and execute his Office still till forced to withdraw then out of policy he restrained the multitude which flocked to him Joyneth again with seditious men and offered to restore him by strong hand of which the Senate taking notice gave him thanks with great commendations and re-invested
through his Province without offence Caesar's acts in Gall the first year to consider whereof he took time till the Ides of April and in the mean time raised a wall twenty miles in length from the Lake Lemanus to the Hill Jura which divdeth Burgoin from Switzer-land and thereby hindred their passage They then bent their course to Araris a River in France now called Saon where in their passage be overthrew and dispersed them Florum l. 3. c. 10. Livii Epitom l. 103. Orosium l. 6. c. 7. They sent him another message to no purpose and repelled 4000 of his Horse which too greedily chased them but he continually followed and hindring them from wasting the Country at length quite routed and put them to flight of 348000 130000 onely remaining who also shortly after were forced for want of provisions to yield and giving Hostages and delivering up their arms to return from whence they came and rebuild their Towns and Villages After this was done the Galls complained to him of Ariovistus King of the Germans who had seized on a third part of the Countrey belonging to the Sequani now Burgundians and intended to take the rest also He first sent to him but this being in vain he led his Army against him and they came to an enterview which succeeding not he overthrew him also and he fled into Germany in a little boat two of his wives and as many daughters being taken These things Caesar accomplished in the first Summer in the Consulship of his two creatures Piso and Gabinius 6. The following year all the Belgae now inhabitants of the Low-countries for the most part except those about Rheimes conspired together against the Romans The acts of his second year Caesar Comment l. 2. and besieged Bibrax now Bearne and another fort kept by Q. Titunus Caesar hereupon marched to the River Axona now Le Disne and there overthrew them after which divers yielded themselves but the Nervii a People about Tournay in Flanders a warlike and severe Nation stood out with whom joyned the Attrebates and Veromandui now Inhabitants of Artois and of part of Picardie but these he utterly overthrew scarcely any escaping out of the field This was done that year wherein Cicero was recalled In the third year purposing for Italy himself he sent Servius Galba with the twelfth Legion and part of the Horse against the Antuates Veragri The third and Seduni Lib. 3. Dio lib. 39. Nations inhabiting from the River Rhene as high as the Alpes because he would have the passage thereabout cleared for traffick Galba defeated a great multitude of them which set upon him in his Camp Caesar not long after returning found the Veneti and other Nations of Gallâ—a Celtica in rebellion who gave him trouble enough but at length he overthrew the Veneti at Sea Crassus subdued the Sontiates and the greatest part of Aquitaine and Sabinus the Unelli and maritime Cities Then fell he upon the Marini a People near Calais in Picardy and the Menapii also these two Nations still being in Arms. But Winter growing on foul weather secured them in the marishes and caused him to remove his men to their winter-quarters 7. Now by this time he had got great store of of wealth Sueton in Julio Appian belli civilis lib. 2. Pultarch in Pompeio in Crasso Dio lib. 39. p. 108. Patercul l. 2. c. 46. wherewith he not onely paid his debts but made him great store of friends by gifts and contributions Herewith he corrupted the Aediles Praetors Consuls and their wives Passing over the Alpes this Winter into Luca where he took up his head quarters so great concourse was made to him that there were present 200 Senators amongst whom were Crassus and Pompey and so many Proconsuls and Praetors Great confluence to him at Luca. that 120 bundles of rods have been seen together at his gates He fearing he might be recalled procured Pompey and Crassus to obtain the Consulship for the following year and continue him his imployment in Gall for other five years Cato perswaded L. Domitius to stand for the Consulship telling him he should contend not for Magistracy but for liberty against the Tyrants But Pompey fearing Cato's vehemency lest having the whole Senate in his power he should perswade the People to what was best sent some armed men upon Domitius as he went down to the Forum who killed the slave that caried the light before them dispersed them all Cato being the last that fled who received a wound on his arm whilst he fought for Domitius Pompey and Crassus having thus by force obtained the Consulship bore themselves nothing more moderately afterwards The people being about to give Cato the Praetorship Pompey and Crassus according to agreement obtained the Consulships by force and continue to Caesar his Command for other five years Pompey pretended a strange fight from Heaven and dismissed the Assembly then corrupting the Tribes with money he procured Antias and Vatinius to be chosen Praetors A. M. 3950. Ol. 181. ann 2. V. C. 699. Hyrcani 9. Then by the help of Trebonius the Tribune they procured Laws which continued to Caesar as they had agreed his Government in Gall for other five years assigned Syria to Crassus with the Parthian War and to Pompey all Africk and the Spains with four Legions whereof two he lent to Caesar for the Gallick Wars Pompey being permitted to Govern his Provinces by Deputies stayed at Rome where he spent his time in shews and pastimes Crassus much rejoyced in his part scarcely being able to contain himself abroad and at home contrary to his wonted gravity breaking forth into Childish expressions of joy For he sleighted the thoughts of Syria and Parthia as one who would so order his affairs that the exploits of Lucullus against Tigranos and of Pompey in the War with Mithridates should seem but toys extending his hopes as far as Bactria the Indians and the utmost Ocean 8. The Tribunes hindred all they could the Consuls from raising men and laboured to repeal the Laws made for their expeditions Crassus against the minds of all men resolving to go against the Parthians Pompey was herewith well enough contented having sent his Lieutenants into his Provinces and being unwilling to leave the Citie as he pretended Plutarch Dio ut priùs because of the charge of Provisions committed to him which Cicero in way of recompence for his labour in his restitution had procured him from the Senate that so he might have authority all over the Roman Empire But Crassus betook himself to force which when the Tribunes saw themselves unable to withstand they desisted but loaded him with curses and when he made the accustomed prayers in the Capitol for prosperous successe they spoke of unluck auspicia and prodigies which had hapned Atteius the Tribune laboured to hinder him from going many exclaiming against it as an unworthy thing that he should
deliverance This was resolved either out of fear as they pretended that he should get Aegypt into his power or because they contemned so great a person now unfortunate or rather to curry favour with Caesar Pompey then being received into a little boat as though to come to the King who stood on the other side of one of the mouths of Nile with his Army was treacherously slain when he could neither flye nor defend himself Is treacherously slain He covered his face with his gown and neither speaking nor doing any thing unbecoming him with a groan patiently received the stroaks So fell this great man being in War a most able Captain and in Peace except when he stood in fear of a concurrent equal full of modesty in the 58 year of his age and the very day preceding his birth-day and the third year of these unhappy differences His head was cut off and reserved as a present for Caesar his body was cast upon the shoar for every one to gaze at and afterwards being washed with Sea-water by Philip his Libertus or Freed-man who stood by it till all had looked their full he wrapped it in his own coat and burnt it with the rotten pieces of a Fisher's boat which he there found 32. Caesar having staid two dayes at Pharsalum on the third pursued Pompey lest he should renew the War and so came to Alexandria where his head and ring were presented to him He took the ring but was grievously offended at the sight of the head Dio lib. 42. and weeping which Lucan accounteth but feigned commanded it to be buried The news of Caesar's successe was not believed at Rome till he sent Pompeys ring thither Then was power given him by them there Caesar thereupon honoured at Rome to determin of his Enemies as he pleased and to make War where he would without asking leave of the People They voted him Consul for five years and Dictator not for half an one as was the custom but a whole year with the power of a Tribune for his life which thing was never granted to any before him He accepted these honours and entred upon his second Dictatorship But ere his departure out of Aegypt he was put to much trouble and danger For there being at that time a difference betwixtt young Ptolomy and his sister about the Government he stood much her friend which favour she is said to have purchased with the losse of her chastity His endeavours for her Pothinus the Eunuch Caesar de bello civili l. 3. Dio l. 42. Hirtius de bello Alexandrino Sueton. in Julio who now feared to be punished for the sedition he had raised about Pompey interpreted as sinisterly meant towards the King The Alexandrian War and thereby raised a dangerous War which yet though in Winter was prosperously ended by Caesar and the young King flying from his Camp was drowned too many of his followers pressing into and sinking the boat Caesar then gave the Kingdom to Cleopatra and to colour the matter caused her to take as an husband her younger brother but eleven years of age But she brought the Dictator himself a son not long after who by his permission she named Caesario and had kept him longer with her than nine moneths or else had followed him to Rome but that he was necessarily drawn another way by the means of Pharnaces who now had invaded Pontus his father's Kingdom Plutarch in Antonio Yet this woman after his departure is said to have been as familiar with his Enemy Cn. Pompey the eldest son of Pompey the Great 33. Caesar then went against Pharnaces and taking Syria in his way visited the Cities He restored Hyrcanus to the Priesthood in Judaea Josephi Antiquit lib. 14. cap. 15. though Antigonus the son of Aristobulus who being let out of Prison by him and sent home had been poysoned by Pompey's party sued to him for the Government He made also Antipater whom Hyrcanus had sent to joyn with Mithridates of Pergamus with 3000 horse Hirtius and who did good service in the Alexandrian War Governour of Judaea He promoted his own Kinsman Sexius Caesar from a Quaestorship to the Government of Syria A. M. 3958. V. C. 707. which Scipio father-in-father-in-law to Pompey had enjoyed the year before From Syria he sayled into Cilicia and thence marched with all speed against Pharnaces who out of fear sent several times to him about a Peace but he returned him onely good words that he might surprize him At length he gave him conditions which he neglected to perform Caesar overthroweth Pharnaces hoping Caesar would be called away and therefore he fell on Plutarch in Caesare Appian belli civil lib. 2. and overthrew him at the Hill Scotius where formerly Mithridates defeated Triarius within five dayes after his arrival and four hours after he had got a sight of his Army so that writing to a friend at Rome to note the celerity of this Enterprize he expressed it in three words Veni Vidi Vici Then receiving such places as Pharnaces had seized on and setling things in Asia as he passed exacting much money of the people he was called home into Italy by stirs which hapned in the Citie Returneth to Rome 34. He quieted the Seditions and the mutiny of his own Soldiers Plutarch in Caesare Dio lib. 42. Appian ut suprà A. M. 3959. V. C. 708. Lege Plutarch in Catone minore who flew high in their demands for a dismission and a payment of what he had promised them Then being declared Consul for the following year for that the year of his Dictatorship was out he passed over into Africk where Scipio Cato Labienus Petreius and others of Pompey's Captains were with Juba Suppresseth Pompey's friends in Africk He got the better in several battels Juba caused his slave to kill him and his young Son Caesar led in Triumph who being brought up in Italy proved an excellent Historian Cato at Utica stabbed himself having read over Plato his Phaedo of the Souls immortality The wound not being deep enough he died not presently but strugling betwixt life and death cast himself off from his bed and threw down a Geometrical Table which making a noise his son and servants rushed in and finding him in that condition his Freed-man who was a Physician began to put in the bowels which were untouched and sow up his belly But he coming to himself pushed him from him and tearing out his bowels inlarged the wound and died being a man of wonderfull Justice Severity and Magnanimity Caesar hearing of his death let fall some expressions which signified a great desire to have got him into his hands and hinted as was thought an intention of dealing mildly with him Petreius and Scipio also perished in Africk After these things returning to Rome he Triumphed four times over Gall Pontus Alexandria and Africk it being unlawfull to do it over
any Roman although he carried in Tables a representation of what he had done in the Civil Wars Then went he once more into Spain against Pompey's sons Pompey's sons in Spain A. M. 3960. Ol. 183. ann 4. V. C. 709. Hyrcani 20. to whom several had fled out of Africk where coming to fight near Munda his Army was struck with such fear as it was never nearer running It had fled but that he snatching a Target out of a Soldier 's hand went and ingaged the Enemy himself had 200 Darts thrown at him whereat his Officers being ashamed came on and he got the day 30000 of his Enemies being slain with two of their Captains Labienus and Varus Cn. Pompey also though he fled was taken and his head sent to Caesar 35. This year being that of his third Consulship which he exercised with M. Aemilius Lepidus being Pontifex Maximus or High-Priest he amended (a) Sueton. in Julio Plutarch in Caesare Dio l. 43. p. 226. E. Caesorinus de die natali c. 20. Macrobius Saturnal l. 1. c. 14. Plin. l. 18. c. 25. the Roman year which reformed by him is yet after him called Julian The Julian year Herein he used the skill of Sosigenes an excellent Mathematician of Alexandria where he learned this account though the Alexandrian Moneths consisted of 30 dayes apiece and five dayes were added at the end of every year in Astronomical Calculations SECT 7. and of Flaevius the Scribe in rectifying the Calendar Whereas now in the Moneth of February were intercalated 23 dayes he intercalated betwixt November and December two other Moneths containing 67 dayes so that this present year had fifteen Moneths and 445 dayes But this work seemeth to have been done before his last expedition into Spain After his return he (b) Dio ut suprà p. 236. c. laid down the Conshulship and bringing in a new mode of creating honorary Consuls for three moneths made Q. Fabius Maximus and C. Trebonius whereof the former dying in the last day of the year Caninius Rebilus obtained to succeed him for the few hours that remained whereupon Tully (c) Famil Epist l. 7. Epist 30. Caninio consule scito neminem prandisse nihil tamen eo consule mali factum est fuit enim mirifica vigilantia qui suo toto consulatu somnum non viderit calls him the most vigilant Consul for that he never slept during his Office Now were vast honours decreed him by the Senate Vast honours decreed to Caesar (d) Dio ut suprà Livius lib. 116. Appian belli civil lib. 2. as that he should be Dictator in perpetuum and have the stile of Imperator not in that sense as Generals were wont to have it given by their Soldiers after some worthy exploit but whereby the greatest Authority in the Commonwealth was signified For the Militia was to be wholely and solely at his disposal as also raising of money and all sorts of Magistrates even Plebeian were to be subject to him and swear to contradict none of his decrees SECT VII From the absolutenesse of Julius Caesar to the end of the second Triumvirate and the absolutenesse of Octavius Caesar or Caesar Octavianus the space of 15 years 1. CAESAR being now Consul the fifth time with M. Antonius whom he much favoured and promoted for that in his Tribuneship he so much stood for him to shun (a) Sueton in Julio Appian belli civil lib. 2. envy in the Citie thought upon making War upon the Getae and Dacae which had made inroads into Pontus and Thrace About this time young Castor the son of Castor by (b) Lib. 12. pag. 568. Suidas in voce 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vide Gerard. Vossium de Historicis Graecis lib. 1. cap. ult Strabo called Saocondarius by the daughter of Deiotarus the King or Tetrarch of Galatia to whom Pompey gave Armenia the Lesse which gift the Senate having confirmed was taken away by Caesar because he took part with Pompey came to Rome to accuse his Grand-father He was sent by his father and mother together with Phidippus a Physician Deiotarus his slave who was corrupted by their promises to feign an accusation against his Lord that he would have killed Caesar vvhen he entertained him in his Tetrarchy King Diotarus defended by Cicero Deiotarus father and son vvho reigned together had at that time four Ambassadors in the Citie vvho offered their own bodies to Caesar for the safety of their Masters But Cicero being mindfull of the friendship and familiarity he had had vvith the old man made an Oration for him in Caesars house vvherein he premiseth that it vvas so unusual a thing for a King a real King for as for the Kings of Lacedaemon vvho vvere called to account by the impudent Ephori they vvere indeed no Kings having nothing but the title and therefore this can make nothing against this truth to be questioned for his life that before that time it vvas never heard of Deiotarus being acquitted by Caesar put to death his daughter as she had deserved together with her husband Castor Saocondarius that noble Chronographer concerning whom Gerard John Vossius is to be consulted in his Treatise of Greek Historians 2. Caesar in his last Consulship to (a) Joseph Antiquit lib. 14. cap. 17. gratifie Hyrcanus the High-Prtest and Ethnarcha of the Jews as also the Nation granted to him to enjoy and Govern the Citie of Jerusalem as he pleased which he might also fortifie with Walls To the Jews he granted also a freedom from the charge of Portage and Toll with an abatement of the publick Revenue in the second year of letting it out to farm In this second Julian year his Collegue (b) Appian bell civil lib. 2. Dio lib. 44. Censorin de die Natali cap. 9. M. Antonius procured by a Law that the Moneth Quintilis should in honour of his name be after it called July He now restored (c) Dio lib. 43. Strabo lib. 8. 17. Carthage and Corinth which two Cities had both in one year been destroyed by Roman Colonies sent thither The moneth Quintilis called July Now (d) Dio lib. 43. Appian belli civil lib. 2. Plutarch in Caesare Sueton. in Julio Livii Epitom lib. 116. the people had a great desire to be revenged on the Parthian for the losse of Crassus and his Army and to him unanimously the War was decreed and lest any stirs should be in his absence he was permitted to name all Officers that should be in the Citie for three years 'T is thought he would gladly have had the title of King though the people being against it he declined it For as he came into the Citie from the Hill Albanus where he had sacrifized some saluted him by the name of King which the people took ill whereupon he said he was not King but Caesar and all holding their peace he passed on sad and grieving And when one of
statue made him a Senator though but nineteen years old decreed that he should be considered towards preferment as ten years older and gave him equal power with Hirtius and Pausa the Consuls whom now they sent to relieve Brutus They took Bononia but Antony being bold for that he had got the better in some skirmikes went and met Pansa whom he overthrew but returning carelesly into his Camp was worsted by Hirtius A littel after a great battel was fought near Mutina wherein Antony was quite defeated and fled to Lepidus then Proconsul in the further Gall. A. M. 3962. V. C. 712. Both the Consuls died of wounds Hirtius in Antonie's Camp and Pansa at Bononia Brutus being at this time spared by Caesar thought of departing with his ten Legions to M. Brutus and Cassius now in Greece but his Soldiers moved by the difficulty of the journy revolted the six new raised Legions to Caesar and the four of old Soldiers to Antony He then purposing with a small attendance to passe through Gall was taken at Aquilea and betraied by Capenus Sequanus Governour of the Countrey who sent his head to Antony Before this Appian Livius lib. 120. Cicero Philip. 11. Trebonius another of his Complices in Caesar's death excluding Dolabella whom the Senate had judged an Enemy from Pergamus and Smyrna was taken by him in the later place and after grievous torments had his head cut off which the Soldiers kicking about as a foot-ball did so abuse as no face was to be seen on it Not long after the death of Decimus Brutus Minutius Basilius another of the Conspiratours was slain by his slaves whom he had gelded in a great rage 9. Now the Senate having no need of young Caesar slighted him exceedingly Yet having no need of Caesar the Senate again slighted him decreeing the honour due to him unto Brutus whom he had relieved giving him very bitter taunts and denying him a Triumph Being sensible hereof and how most of them were of Compey's Faction Appian ut supra Livius l 119. Sueton. in Angusto Patercul l. 2. c. 62. Livii Epitom lib. 120. he began to tamper with Antony by Letters as also with Lepidus for a conjunction and sent 400 Soldiers into the City in the name of the Army to demand the Consulship for him Hereat the Senat straining hard one Cornelius a Centurion laying his hand on his Sword said This shall do it if you will not Then called he Antony and Lepidus into Italy whereat the Senate much startled and too late blaming their own rigidity decreed him Consul and whomsoever he would take to himself So he invaded the Consulship a moneth and five dayes before he was twenty years old and took Q. Pedius for his Collegue Then by a Law was fire and water forbidden to all that had an hand in the death of Caesar and their goods were sold The Senate was now so changed either through good advice or fear that in stead of slighting they advanced him above all example Vide Dionem lib. 46. They resolved that after his Consulship he should take place of all Consuls and though formerly they were displeased with his levying forces being a private man now they desired him to add to his Army and decreed to him the Legions of Decimus Brutus The City was committed to his care Livii Epit. l. 120. Appian bell civil l. 4. and power given him to act what he pleased Which procureth the Thumviraté though without the prescript of the Laws which he retained fifty six years till his death Not long after came Aemilius Lepidus and M. Antonius into Italy whom he met about Bononia and after a three dayes conference entred into confederacy with them which is famous by the name of the Triumvirate The Terms of the Combination 10. The terms of this Combination were That Caesar for the remainder of the year should leave the Consulship to Ventidius who formerly in the Social War when a Boy was led in Triumph and after that rubbed the heels of * Concurrite omnes Augures Aruspices Portentum inusitatum constatum est recens Nam mulos qui frecabat Consul factus est Mules for his living Idem ibid. Dio lib. 46. That a new authority of three men should be erected to take away civil dissentions which they three should execute for five years with Consular power for the Dictatorship was waved because of a Law lately preferred against it by Antony with authority to dispose of all Offices for that Term. That Antony should have as a Province all Gall except that of Narbon which Lepidus was to have with Spain and to Caesar was Africk with Sardinia and Sicily assigned other places beyond the Seas being left to another time They agreed further that their Enemies should be destroyed wherein the case of Cicero moved the greatest controversie For Antony would not meddle except he in the first place should be slain These Verses were scattered up and down the Citie Lepidus was content but Caesar stood much against it Gellius lib. 5. cap. 4. yet on the third day he assented an exchange being made for he yielding up Cicero Lepidus permitted his brother Paulus and Antony L. Caesar his Uncle by the Mother's side to be proscribed Lastly it was agreed that Lepidus should be Consul the following year instead of Decimus Brutus designed formerly by Julius Caesar He guarding Rome and Italy the other two were to make War upon Brutus and Cassius who now though at first without any decree of the Senate had seized on Macedonia and Syria Cassius in Laodicea besieged Dolabella who being judged an Enemy by the Senate for the death of Trebonius when the Citie vvas taken caused his Page to cut off his head and so ended his life being a man of no great solidity He vvas son-in-law to Cicero but after the divorcing of Tullia they fell into great enmity vvhereupon the Orator proved a back friend to him in the Senate reigning amongst the Fathers and the People with his Eloquence The effects of it 11. The first effect of the Triumvirate was a Proscription of some 300 persons of Equestrian and Senatorian ranks Appian Though the pretence was to revenge Caesar's death yet many were murdered for their rich Estates others out of malice and some for their convenient Houses and Gardens Amongst those of greatest note was Varro who now living to see and feel a second Tricipitina yet escaped with his life Cicero the man most aimed at by Antony for opposing him so vehemently in the Senate upon the Triumvirs their coming went to Sea but the winds being contrary and because he could not endure the shaking of the ship he returned saying he would die in his Countrey often preserved by him Being weary both of his flight and life Plutarch in Cicerone he came to a Village a little more than a mile distant from the Sea Here his servants
appeared in that first Philip then Alexander his son and their Successors easily subdued and kept them under As for their Colonies each one usually followed the fortune of its Metropolis little but tumults banishments and Massacres do we hear of or of private mens getting the power over them for that wanting rightfull and successive Princes they lay open to the cheats of their fellow Citizens The particular cases of Corcyra Samus Syracuse and others demonstrate this and therewith the danger and infirmity of Antimonarchical Government 9. But in particular such were the several constitutions of these Cities that Aristotle himself liked none of them as appeareth in his books of Politicks The constitutions of their several States were dangerous The Cretian Commonwealth had its extravagancies and if a Government may be judged from the carriage and disposition of the people in the opinion of Epimenides one of their own Poets it was most naught Lycurgus by taking away the just and Hereditary power of the Kings of Sparta and contrary both to nature and loyalty dissolving the Government of his Forefathers made but way for many inconveniences in the too great power of the Senate and otherwise but especially for the tyranny of the Ephori five fellows chosen yearly out of the rabble who domineered with unparalleld insolence over all Solon's constitution after so many changes and alterations wherein no rest could be procured from the time they forsook Kingly Government gave no such setlement but that Pisistratus presently after cheating the rabble over and over very easily made himself Master of Athens Their Ostracism frighted all able persons from medling with the Commonwealth as also did the Petalism of Syracuse whereupon their affairs went down the wind till they were forced to recall the banished and change still from one constitution to another never being at quiet for that the multitude tyrannized in their assemblies As for the learning of the Greeks whereof they so much boasted they had it either from the Egyptians or Caldaeans who were subject to and from the beginning flourished under Monarchy and Pisistratus who was a Monarch though of his own making made the first Collection of books and thereby brought learning into Athens and Greece Finally the Greeks in their Wars were forced to make use of single persons and at home in their greatest necessities did they fly to them as Dionysius of Halicarnassus mentioneth the Harmostes of Lacedaemon the Archus of the Thessalians and the Aesâ—mnetes of the Mitylenaeans whom he compareth with the Dictator of the Romans 10. For the Romans 't is a meer mistake of Agrippa Their affairs never more prospered than under Monarchy if we consider the small beginnings of the City An answer to Agrippa's Argument taken from the Romans Romulus did exceeding much for his time and so did his successors in their several wayes with so small a power as such a Colony could produce insomuch as revengeful and furious Brutus acknowledged that no better way of Government could be found out than what they had chalked out to them The faults in it seem to have been his something too much indulging at his first constitutions a popular humour which might bring him to his end afterwards Then Servius to curry favour with the rabble that they might maintain him in his illegally procured power diminished the Regal authority and that of the Senate which gave the multitude such a scope as after could they not be reduced into any order After him Tarquinius the heir of Priscus might go about to recover this power for a little charity may be allowed us for one who lived in so dark and remote times and whose actions were onely recorded by his Enemies seeing we have formerly related his story as we find it and thereby might incur that prejudice which together with the fault of his son and the implacable malice of Brutus procured his banishment This may be added as an ill accident that Romulus dying childlesse the Kingdom came to be elective which thing must at length bring great inconveniences so that experience now hath taught such Kingdoms to continue the Government to particular Families But Brutus his giving to his Consuls full regal power though they were two and Annual and putting the sword fully into their hands together with his acknowledgement of the good government of all the former Kings do more than make us suspect his spleen to have acted him most in the change of the power especially the consequences considered For the power of the Consuls being shortly after diminished or rather enervated by Valerius who by flattering of the multitude got the name of Poplicola the common sort got head and confounded all things nothing but changes and re-changes hapening till at length they quite outed the Patricians of their power giving them leisure to repent their joyning with Brutus and brought things to that ruine and disorder formerly mentioned as compelled them to turn about and by their Lex Regia hereafter to be spoken of to devolve all their power upon a single Person 11. Such and so many were these seditions and tumults that thrice the common sort departed from the Patricians out of the City And no sooner was the War against their King ended but the stirs begun and these very stirs have we proved from Dionysius The disorders and tumults arising from their Antimonarchical Government to have procured immediately the setting up of another King in effect for half a year's continuance viz. the Dictator to which Officer they were forced to flye in all difficulties Now it sufficiently appeared that the want of a King hindred the promotion of their affaires for ever when any work was to be done abroad nay when the Enemy was even at the gates would the multitude mutiny and with so much adoe at length could be drawn out that businesse was retarded and thereby their affairs not a little impaired the Monarch being wanting who should have kept both orders in subjection and awe The weight of Usury and oppression was the first pretended cause of these stirs but from it the multitude passed on from one thing to another never resting till it had got all Offices of dignity power and profit into it's own hands as hath been at large made out To effect this they would one while have Consuls and another while Tribunes Military having formerly made Decemviri for the making of new Laws so that within the space of 134 years they had 37 changes in the Government 37 Changes of Government in 134 years wherof to make it clear fifteen were from Consuls to Tribunes Military and from Tribunes to Consuls the two grand ones from Kings to Consuls and from Consuls to Decemviri and twenty Dictatorships besides Interregnums many an one whereby for five dayes the chief power was in the hands of their Interreges Thus was the Government tossed to and fro by the multitude and little was done abroad by reason of these
their Governments but for a year And as soon as successors were sent them they were presently to depart the Provinces and not loiter in their return but come to Rome within three moneths The distribution of the Provinces was made on the Ides of January as may be gathered from Ovid who thought also that Caesar Octavianus had the Sirname of Augustus given him the same day which indeed was the fourth day after as appeareth from Censorinus 28. For the Provinces being divided and all things setled it was debated in the Senate whether he ought not to be called Romulus because he had founded the Empire but the other more venerable name of Augustus propounded by Munacius Plancus at length seemed best for sacred places and Temples consecrated by Augurs the Romans termed Augusta Caesar though he much desired that of Romuâ—us saith Dio yet perceiving he should be suspected of affecting the Kingdom omitted it and was sirnamed Augustus as greater than the nature of man could make him For those things are called Augusta Sirnamed Augustus which are most worthy of honour and most sacred wherefore the Greeks expresse it by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as if thou shouldest say Venerable Thus Caesar alone got the whole power into his hands having both money for though he had his own separate from the Treasury yet did he use this at his pleasure and the Militia in his own hands When his ten years were out other five and when they were expired five more and these ended ten more and ten more after them were added so that he had his authority still continued for his life for which cause his Successors though they had the power setled on them for life yet at the end of every ten years solemnized as it were the renewing of it As soon as Caesar had but made his Oration about resigning his command and distributing the Provinces many honours were conferred on him as that Laurel should be planted before his gates in the Palatium and upon those trees Oaken garlands hung as for him who was a perpetual Conquerour of Enemies and preserver of Citizens The house of the Emperour also was wont afterwards to be called the Palatium or Palace not for that it was ever so decreed but because Caesar lived in the Palatium or Palatine hill and there was his Praetorium his house also received some dignity from the Mount it self because Romulus there lived therefore though the Emperour saith the Historian live elsewhere yet is his house called the Palatium or Palace But after he had done those things which he promised then was he called Augustus by the Senate and People From this day forward began the soveraign power and authority to be in the hands of one man which the Greeks called Monarchy Yet the Romans derived the Epoche of their Augusti from the Kalends of January of this year as Censorinus writeth who compareth with the 265 year of this Aera the 283 of the Julian ordination This seventh Consulship of Augustus Caesar and the beginning of his Monarchy fell out in the 727 year of the City the second of the 188 Olympiad the thirteenth of Herod the Great 25 before the birth of Christ A. M. 3978 he himself as it 's said the seventh and M. Vipsanius Agrippa the third time being Consuls 29. On this manner all the power of the People and Senate was transferred upon Augustus All power of Senate and People transferred upon him saith Dio. Lib. 55. p. 517. A. M. 3978. Ol. 188. an 2. V.C. 727. Herodis 13. For this notable translation and change in the Government there was a Law made which is famous by the name of Lex Regia after which it's convenient to make a little enquiry for the better information of Students in this great affair A Law may be so and is so called either for that a King made or preferred it or because it was made and enacted concerning a King or Kingly power In the first sense such Laws as were made by Romulus and his successors the antient Kings of Rome are by Lawyers called Legee Regiae whereof Dionysius Halicarnasseus hath recorded many and of which several have been already mentioned in their due places and in the (a) Tit. de mortuo inferendo l. 2. Code is yet extant a Law called Lex Regia concerning the burial of a woman with child so called because enacted by some ancient King But in the later acceptation is to be understood this Law whereby Regal and that absolute power was conferred upon Augustus by the Roman People The Law it self is not now extant in terms nor exemplified in any Author still remaining yet it is mentioned by Justinian in his (b) Lib. 1. Tit. 2. de Jure Nat. c. Institutions of Law who there writeth speaking of several sorts of Law that what pleaseth the Prince hath the vigour of a Law forasmuch as by the Lex Regia which was made concerning his power the People granted to him all it's command and authority By a Law called Lex Regia In the (c) L. 1. Tit. de Constit Principum Pandects he also mentioneth it well-nigh in these very words in a third (d) L. 1. sect cum itaque C. tit de Vet. Jure Enucleando place also expressing it to the same purpose that by an antient Law called Lex Regia all the right and all the power of the Roman People was translated into the Emperours authority therefore it is otherwise called Lex Imperii and Augustum privilegium As for Commentators upon both Institutions and Pandects with other parts of the Civil Law nothing is more acknowledged by them all as they have occasion 30. But as fot the interpretation of this Law some difference there hath been amongst Expositors who lived since the Civil Law was restored in the West A different manner of expounding it For some there have been ever since that time who rightly understood all manner of power and authority to be so by the Roman People transferred upon the Prince by that Law that they affirmed the People thereby deprived and made destitute of all power and authority Others thought power and authority indeed was given to the Prince to make Laws but so that by this concession the power of the People was in no sort diminished and the force of Plebiscitums and Senatusconsultums as well future as past was the same as formerly so that Prince People Senate and Commons had equal authority in this matter both these opinions being held as appeareth from Accursius Hostiensis and others But the later of them seemeth thence to have risen The Reason that they mistook this Lex Regia called also corruptly Lex Remnia for the Hortensian Law or rather thence as a late (a) Joh. Seldenus in Fletam Dissert cap. 3. sect 3. learned man judgeth that the Professors and Students of the Civil Law which was newly restored were fearful lest by asserting
the true power of the Emperours they should give offence to such People and Cities as then lived in a course contrary to such a prerogative and thereby injure their newly restored profession And hence might that most known controversie arise concerning the power of the Prince from this Law betwixt the Martinians and Bulgarians But as for that conceit about the Hortensian Law it was enacted by Q. Hortensius the Dictator in the 468 year of the City not the 422 as that same learned man hath it and the 284 not the 330 before the birth of Christ upon the third separation of the Commons and 259 before the enacting of the Regal Law The purport of it was that all Quirites or Romans should be bound by the Plebiscita or the Decrees of the People Hence as we formerly observed out of Pomponius concerning the Original of the Roman Laws the authority of making Laws was the same though the fashions differed although the same thing in effect was done long before the Hortensian Law viz. by L. Valerius and * V. C. 305. M. Horatius the Consuls who got it enacted by a Law in the Centuriata Comitia that what the Commons resolved on in their Tribes or Tributa Comitia saith Livy but in their Curiae or Curiata Comitia saith Dionysius should bind the whole People which thing we having formerly omitted in it's own place here supply having yet * Lib. 2. c. 4. sect 2. par 46. observed that a Law was also preferred by Q. Publius Philo the Dictator 111 years after the other to the same purpose and 211 before the Lex Regia 31. Now strange it is that Accursius and others should wrest any thing of the Hortensian Law and apply it to the Lex Regia or rather make them all one as he doth expounding the Regia thus Scil. lata ab Hortensio mirabili Oratore although he acknowledgeth as necessarily he must that the Hortensian Law made onely expresse mention of the power of Senate and Commons It 's not easie to guesse what he meant by so strange a conceit but this interpretation is made of it by * one as able to judge as any The Hortensian Law strangely wrested by some that as the Hortensian Law concerning Regal Right that is Seldenus ubi supra the Right of Regiment or Government gave to the People and Senate of which two orders or estates then the Roman body politick consisted equal power and authority so when the Prince came to be joyned as a third party in like manner an equal power should be granted to him as to the other two and that from the sence of the same Law And those of this opinion interpret Justinian who saith concerning the Plebiscita that from the Hortensian Law they began to be of no lesse value than Laws and also the same of the Senatusconsulta that because the People was so increased that it could not easily meet together for making of Laws that therefore the Senate was consulted as though the same power remained to Senate and People still under the Emperours as before They strangely disputed also whether the power so granted by the People to the Emperour might not be revoked as that which is given to Delegates from the Delegators And this is all that can be imagined as meant by those men concerning the Hortensian Law as to the subject in hand though it be strangely wrested to their design and maketh nothing for their purpose But in vain 32. For nothing is more certain than the former opinion viz. that the people by the Lex Regia were wholy deprived of all Power and Authority in making Laws This is clear from the words of Justinian formerly cited which clearly signifie that the whole Power and Authority of People and Senate was transferred upon and yielded or granted to the Emperours by this Law And he (a) L. 12. C. tit de Legibus c. elsewhere declareth that his sentence standeth for Law and bindeth all under his command which indeed the very composing of the body of Law as from him it is transmitted to us sufficiently demonstrateth wherein he by his sole Authority repealeth what he pleaseth and enacteth anew what seemeth good to him without interposition of any other Authority which he could not have done nor his Predecessors as to the Plebiscita and Senatusconsulta though he might as to the Principales Constitutiones except he had had that power which formerly belonged to People and Senate For the whole power of people and Senate was given up by the Lex Regia to the Emperour and they were devested of all (b) C. Tit. de Legib. l. 1. Constantine challengeth to himself alone Authority to judge betwixt Law and Equity Ulpian wrote that all the Power and Authority which they had the People placed upon and in the Emperour by the Lex Regia and the most learned and accurate (c) Consule inter alios Francisc de Amaya obs l. 1. c. 1. expositors of more later times agree with him herein rejecting the Hortensian Law utterly as having any thing to do in this matter of the Regal Law In the Laterane Palace at Rome or the Capitol is extant (d) Inscript Gruteri p. 142. Ursinus Notis ad Leges Senatusconsulta a Table of brasse wherein is to be seen a fragment of this Law renewed as to Vespasian confirming many things of Soverain and sole Authority as descending upon him from his Predecessors and enacting that what he had done decreed or commanded before this ratification should be held and taken for as good Law as if the People it self had done decreed or commanded it For though he might make use of this ratification yet his right was as strong before there being no such custom as some have thought that particular Princes had particular and several Laws made for their Authority that one for Augustus respecting himself and Successors as is clear from Justinian who never mentioneth any other nor speaketh in the plural number 33. If we fetch an explanation of the Lex Regia from Historians we shall find that though they mention it not in words yet they give that Supream and absolute power to Augustus which devesteth the Senate and People of all Legislative Authority and sheweth that his command and that of his Successors was as large as could be transferred upon a Prince that was to govern persons of free condition without Tyranny Suetonius saith that he received perpetual Tribunitial power which could obstruct all proceedings of Senate and People and perpetual regiment of manners and of the Laws Historians shew it Dio saith expresly that * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all the power of People and Senate was transferred upon him and that all things were managed meerly as the Emperour pleased though all other Magistrates except the Censors were preserved And that the Emperours may appear to have so great power saith he not by
For it is manifest that Cicero having read this Poem did translate it into Latine and joyned it to his works who was afterward put to death by the Triumvir Antonius and Antonius was overcome by Augustus who reigned six and fifty years Tiberius succeeded Augustus in whose reign our Saviour came into the World and the mystery of religion began to flourish and the people were changed Of which I suppose the chief of the Italian Poets hath thus sung 81. He meaneth Virgil Eclog. 4. whose Poem he reciteth concerning the Golden dayes foretold by Sibylla Cumaea by which name the Romans called all the Siybills because of the old Cumana or Cumaea whose Verses were burnt in the Capitol in the 671 year of the Citie and were supplied by other fetch 't from Erythrae and elsewhere as also concerning a Child that was to be born He ascribeth to this Child such Divine things as none can doubt but that he must be above a man whom Sibylla described by such expressions Now that such Verses could be feigned by Christians none can affirm but the grosly ignorant who know not that Virgil died several years viz. 18 before Christ was born Neither can it be thought he feigned it on his own head although we cannot say with Constantine or Eusebius that he did thus mystically involve and cover the truth lest the Emperour should be offended with him for writing that which was contrary to their Laws and Statutes established concerning their Gods or that we do believe that he foresaw the happy and glorious mystery of our Saviours coming but that he might avoid their cruelty and speak his audience in the accustomed manner Some of late also have rejected the Poems ascribed to these women as feigned by Christians because they seem to speak more plainly of Christ than the true Prophets do and exhibit rather an history of Christ already come than a Prophecy of his coming They think it contrary to the Word of God to think that these profound mysteries should be more clearly propounded to the Gentiles than to the Jews Some of late have also questioned them This also much moveth them for we will confesse the utmost that they perceive many of the antients in the most primitive times to have counted it the choicest work they could perform to help the heavenly truth by their fictions whereby the new doctrine might more easily be admitted by the Pagan wise men And as they cannot but most grievously reprehend this thing so not sufficiently can they admire the judgment of those Fathers who with such facility received these writings and as doubt not to produce testimonies from them to underprop the heavenly truth 82. But it is answered by way of utter denial that there were many in the Primitive times who sought to establish the truth by fictions and lyes and by challenge made for them to produce any one lye or fiction made or used by the most antient Fathers though for a good end Certainly they which in their disputations with the Pagans appeal to the testimony of the Sibylls deserve great commendations for their prudence And hence may it be proved that those testimonies were not forged because they in all conflicts more willingly had recourse to them than to any other For can we imagine them fools with whom these Fathers had to do They were as cunning and knowing as the best they were Philosophers Rhetors Professors of Arts States-men and most commonly such as enjoyed the greatest honours Where is it objected by any of these in the most Primitive times But in vain that these testimonies were feigned by Christians This answer would have been easie and ready and such as would instantly have stopped the mouths of Primitive Saints But the wisest and bitterest of the Enemies of Christians do not make any such reply in the most antient times knowing well enough these Oracles to which the Romans had ever recourse and which were known sufficiently to the whole World through which it ran for current that in the Books of the Sibylls was held forth that one should reign who came out of the East The clearnesse of these testimonies concerning Christ can make nothing against them for Esaâ—as spake not more evidently of Christ than Balaam who said that a Star should rise out of Jacob. Who dare prescribe to God a manner of prophecying as if it were not free to him to speak plainly or obscurely to Jew or Gentile or as if there were not in the Scripture most clear predictions concerning Christ But grant that the Sibylline Oracles are clearer Ought not those things which are predicted to the Gentilles corcerning Christ to be clearer because they wanted Moses and the rest of that learning which should direct them unto him that what here was wanting might be supplied by the perspicuity of these Oracles Although we ought not to judge of these Oracles by that light which at present appeareth For what things are most evident to us after the accomplishment were most obscure when they were predicted If any one had feigned them he would have made them industriously more obscure that they might seem written before the things were done and like to those Prophecies which are contained in the Scriptures These Heathen Prophets spake some times clearly according to the intention of God who overruled them but often abruptly It 's thought they prophecied as of old Balaam's Asse spoke and not otherwise did Hydaspes and the Sibylls speak clearly of the coming of Christ the Holy Spirit moving them and governing their tongues It appeareth (a) In Apolog. 2. p. 82. totius operis from Justin Martyr that it was forbidden upon pain of death to read Hydaspes Sibylla or the Prophets lest the People should attain to the knowledge of good things To these (b) Strom. l. 6. Clemens bringeth in St. Paul himself referring the Greeks Take ye also the Greek Books acknowledge Sibylla that she manifested one God and things to come Take ye also Hydaspes read him and you shall find the Son of God more clearly and openly described 83. To omit what might be and by others hath been produced out of * Vide August de Civit. Dei l. 10. c. 23. Lud. vivem in Locum Tertul. Apollog c. 21. Heathen Writers concerning the blessed Trinity for we may easily admit that God who was ever the God of the whole World and designed to do the Gentiles good also in the knowledge of himself might give to them such hints of the truth as afterwards might be improved for their welfare we shall come to the last testimony concerning Christ and that such an one as will reduce us to the course of our design After that Christ was risen from the dead Pilate made report unto Tiberius of the Person and Works of Christ and had sent his Disciples about to preach and work miracles for the conversion of the World Pilate who then governed in Judaea reported
was even now out of the Consulship and neither provoking nor being provoked coveted slothfull idlenesse as Tacitus telleth us with the specious and comely name of Peace 32. The year after was Albinus sent into Judaea to succeed Festus who died in his Government Albinus succeedeth Festus Josephus Antiquit lib. 20. cap. 8. About the same time Agrippa who had power after his Uncle of Chalcis to bestow the High-Priesthood on whomsoever he pleased gave it to Ananus son of that Annas or Ananus who beyond example having himself enjoyed the Office had five sons who every one of them executed the same This young Ananus being a Sadduce as also very bold and cruel conceiving he had got a convenient opportunity Festus being dead and Albinus not yet arrived called a Council and condemned James the brother of Jesus Christ James the Just killed by the procurement of Ananus the High-Priest as Josephus writeth with some others as guilty of impiety to be stoned This act displeased saith the Historian A. D. 63. V.C. 815. all good men and especially such as were most studious of the Law who desired of Agrippa that he would command Ananus to forbear the like for the time to come some going also to meet Albinus told him that the High-Priest had no authority to call a Council whereupon he wrote to him very angrily and threatned him upon which account Agrippa the King removed him from his Office after the third moneth Burrhus dieth At this time died Burrhus at Rome Tacitus Annal. lib. 14. capp 51 52 c. not without suspition of poyson and Seneca's power was weakned by the losse of that conjunction whereby they had mutually strengthned the hands of each other Seneca was now backbited and by Nero sleighted of whom he desired leave to withdraw himself having been with him fourteen years and he offered to give up his great estate into his hands for that had brought him so far into envy but Nero having learnt and practised dissimulation under colour of respect denied his Petition Nero marrieth Poppaea Now did Nero marry Poppaea whom all this while he had kept as his Concubine and dismissed Octavia loaded with accusations of barrennesse and greater Crimes and when the people troubled at it grew seditious he caused her to be put to death in that fatal Island Pandateria The same year also as 't is believed he poysoned the Chief of the Liberti or Freed-men Peryphorus because he was against his marrying Poppaea and Pallas for that living very long he had scraped together a vast sum of money 33. At this time were the stirs renewed in Armenia Tacitus Annal. lib. 15. capp 1. 2 3 c. For Vologeses seeing his brother thus beaten off and Tigranes set up in his stead had invaded the Countrey to revenge the injury offered to the line of the Arsacidae Corbulo though very warily yet resisted and repelled him when Cesennius Paetus was sent to defend that Countrey who by his ignorance in Military matters and rashnesse undid all The stirs in Armenia renewed Being besieged he was glad to Covenant for his preservation to quit Armenia and remove the Garrisons thence which done Nero was to be sent to Yet so ridiculous and degenerate were they at Rome as to erect Trophies over the Parthians though they knew nothing of the successe either one way or other The Parthian Ambassadors came to Rome to desire that as they hinted which had been gotten by force but without effect for War was decreed against them to be managed by Corbulo yet were they dismissed with gifts so as there might be hope that if Tiridates himself would intreat for the Diadem it should not be in vain Corbulo again invaded Armenia at which the Parthians affrighted came to a Treaty wherein it was agreed that Tiridates laying down his Diadem at the feet of Nero's Statue should not receive it without his leave Nero now growing now worse and worse broke out into most horrid impieties well nigh beyond all belief 34. The next year being the 817 of the Citie Idem ibid. capp 37 38 c. the 65th after the birth of Christ and of his own reign the 10. C. Lecanius Bassus and M. Licinius Crassus being Consuls acting the common Stage-player and giving up himself to all luxury and unheard-of pollutions Sueton in Nâ—â—urone cap. 38. amongst the rest he married himself as a woman to one of his filthy crue called Pythagoras all things being provided and celebrated as at a marriage He made himself also the husband of Sporus from whom he took as much of the Male as possible and ordered him to be brought to him in a Veil as a Bride Nero's wickednesse Being offended at the deformity of the old buildings and the narrownesse of the streets or else to feed his cruel eye with so sad a spectacle as he had read to have hapned at the siege of Troy he caused the Citie to be set on fire which burning six dayes and seven nights of the fourteen divisions four onely remained whole A. D. 65. V. â— 817. Idem ibid. cap. 16. Tacitus ut suprà cap. 44. the other being wasted or defaced with the fury of the flame He beheld the fire from the Tower of Maecenas and very merry at the beauty of it as he termed it in a Player's habit sung the destruction of Ilium This calamity being generally attributed to him as the cause he accused the Christians thereof Setting Rome on fire he accuseth and persecuteth the Christians and raised the First Persecution torturing them with most exquisite kinds of punishment About this time he sent Gessius Florus into Judaea to succeed Albinus who desiring to gratifie them of Jerusalem for all the mischief he had done ere his departure brought out all the prisoners whereof those that were commited for any capital offence he put to death but the rest he fined onely and dismissed whereby all the Gaols being thus emptied the Country was filled with thieves more than before The year following was discovered a conspiracy against Nero which gave him occasion further to indulge his cruel humour 35. Who was the Author of it is uncertain as also upon what particular grounds it was hatched though all the persons bore him malice Idem ibid. c. 49 c. as they thought they had reason But Lucan the Poet who wrote the Civil Wars betwixt Caesar and Pompey A conspiracy against him and was nephew to Seneca by his brother Annaeus Mela was aggrieved that Nero envied him the glory he had got by his Verses and several others joyned with them out of love to Cn. Piso the head of the party It was discovered by Milichus the Freed-man of Sceninus who had commanded him to scour his dagger and provide necessaries for wounds whereupon some would have had Piso to have gone to the Rostra and laid open the Tyrant to the People to
Senate shall be assembled it shall be effectual to all ends and purposes as if the Senate had been assembled or held by Law Moreover whomsoever he shall commend to the Roman Senate and People that stand for any Magistracy power command or charge or to whomsoever he shall give or promise his suffrage let them be considered beyond the usual form in the Comitia As also it may be lawful for him to inlarge the Pomaerium if he think it convenient for the Commonwealth so as it was lawful for Tib. Claudius Caesar Germanicus Moreover whatsoever he shall think useful for the Commonwealth or agreeable to the Majesty of all things divine or humane publick or private let him have right and authority to act and do so as it was lawful for Divus Augustus and Tiberius Julius Caesar Augustus and Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus Moreover from what Laws and Plebiscita it was ordained that Divus Augustus Tiberius Julius Caesar Augustus and Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus should be loosed from those Laws and Plebiscita let the Emperour Caesar Vespasian be loosed And what things soever by what Law or asking soever Divus Augustus Tib. Julius Caesar Augustus and Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus ought to do let it be lawful for the Emperour Caesar Vespasian Augustus to do them all Moreover what things soever before the asking of this Law were acted done decreed or commanded by the Emperour Caesar Vespasian Augustus or by any other by virtue of his command or mandate let them be held as just and valid as if they had been done by command of the People or Commons The Sanction If any one by virtue of this Law hath done or shall do any thing against the Laws asking of Laws rogationes Plebiscita or Senatus Consulta or shall not do what he ought to have done according to any Law asking Plebiscitum or Senatusconsultum and that by virtue of this Law let no dammage thence light upon him neither let him owe any thing to the People for this matter neither let any have an action against him neither let any one judge him nor permit the matter to be debated before him 23. In the fourth year of Vespasian Caesennius Paetus President of Syria Josephus de bello Judaico lib. 7. c. 27. accused Antiochus King of Comagena and Epiphanes his Son as holding correspondence with the Parthian whereupon order was given him to prevent what might ensue Paetus then invaded Comagena which Antiochus quitted Paetus gaineth Comagena being loth to fight and fled into Cilicia His sons also after they had made some opposition went to Vologesus into Parthia But Paetus procured Antiochus to be taken and sent to him bound towards Rome yet Vespasian caused him to be loosed and stay at Lacedaemon where he allowed him a revenue to live like himself and he afterwards sent for both him and his sons to the City where they were magnificently entertained About this time the Alani who being Scythians inhabited about Tanais and the Lake Meotis consulted with the King of the Hyrcanians who was Master of the Straights to invade Media which they entred and sacked at their pleasure Pacorus the King being forced up into a strong hold and glad to redeem his wife and concubines with 100 Talents The Alani invade Media and Armenia From Media they passed into Armenia and wasted the Country Tiridates the King opposed them but was near being taken alive in batttel for with his sword he cut in pieces the rope that was cast about his neck as they were therewith drawing him amongst his Enemies and escaped But they inraged at his opposition wasted the Kingdom and carying great booty out of both Countries returned home Several acts of Vespasian 24. Vespasian took away liberty from Achaia Lycia Rhodes Sueton in Vespasiano Byzantium and Samus reducing them into Provinces as also Thrace Cilicia and Comagena the King whereof he sent for to Rome as we said before Cappadocia now began to be over-run with barbarous Nations to restrain whom he added Legions and placed one of Consular dignity over it in room of a Knight Orosius l. 7. c. 9. At length all Wars and tumults being suppressed both at home and abroad he shut the Temple of Janus the sixth time from the foundation of the City It was his principal care first to setle and establish the afflicted and tottering condition of the Empire and then to adorn it Whereas the City was very deformed by reason of the burning of it he permitted any to build upon old plots if the owners would relinquish them he also re-edified the Capitol As to his personal quality he was of much temper and clemency His character easily passing by and forgetting injuries The meannesse of his former condition he sought not to hide but sometimes would professe it openly He took not the Tribunitial power nor title of Father of his Country for some time If any innocent person were punished it was sorely against his will and for want of knowledge He passed by the treason of many that had plotted his destruction saying They were fools and knew not what a weight and trouble the Empire was he weeped and groaned at the punishment of an offender To Vologoses King of Parthia who wrote to him thus Arsaces King of Kings to Fl. Vespasian Xiphilinus ex Dione without any reproof he directed his answer thus Fl. Vespasian to Arsaces King of Kings The onely vice reprehended in him was covetousnesse and yet to that seeking earnestly for money he was constrained through the necessities of the State T is certain he used it well however gotten being very liberal in feasting relieving impoverished Senators and others of desert Hee incouraged learning and gave the first stipends out of the Exchequer to the Professors thereof He was Consul eight times besides once before he was Emperour and in his last Consulship died of a flux His death in the 69 year of his age the tenth of his reign being compleated in the 832 of the City A. D. 79 he himself the ninth time and Titus Caesar the seventh being Consuls He was the first Emperour whose successor was his own son In his time flourished Pliny the elder and writer of the Natural History Who also the same year that he died whilst he went to see what might be the cause of the burning of the hill Vesuvius was stifled with the smoak thereof and died as Pliny Junior his nephew writes in his Epistle * Lib. 6. ep 16. to Trajan And that of Pliny Now also Quintilian and other learned men were famous Titus succeedeth him 25. Titus his eldest son succeeded him by whom Jerusalem had been taken and destroyed on the eighth of the Calends of June He was born that year wherein Caius was slain Sueton in Tito Eutrop l. 7. Orosius l. 7. c. 9. alii and brought up with Britanicus the son of Claudius being
deceived Adam and Eve was Christ they kept a living Serpent which with opening of the chest and charming of the Priest came forth licked the bread upon the altar Epiphan haeres 37. August l. de haeretib and wrapped it self about it Their manner was to kisse the bread and so to eat believing verily that the Serpent had consecrated it They defended themselves that the Nicolaitans and Gnosticks delivered them this service About the same time there were certain Jews which believing in Christ called themselves Nazarai of Nazareth Epiphan haeres 29. In confessing Jesus Christ to be the Son of God they contraried the Jews But they erred in Christian Religion in that they addicted themselves wholy to the whole Law Idem haeres 38. Aug. There were other Hereticks which honoured Cain and took him for their Father whence they were called Cains They highly esteemed of Esau Corah Dathan and Abiram with the Sodomites They called Judas the Traitor their Cosin honoured him for betraying of Christ affirming that he foresaw how great a benefit it would bring to mankind They read a certain gospel written as they said by Judas they reviled the Law and denied the Resurrection There were others called Sethiani who derived their pedegree from Seth the son of Adam whom they honoured and called Christ and Jesus they held that in the beginng of the World he was called Seth but in the latter dayes Christ Jesus Epiphanius saith Epiphan haeres 39. Aug. Euseb l. 4. c. 10 11. Epiphan haeres 41. that he disputed with some of them in Aegypt and that the last of them were in his time Cerdon the Heretick came from Syria to Rome when Hyginus was Bistop there He taught that God preached by the Law and Prophets was not the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ He said that Christ was known the Father of Christ unknown He denied the Resurrection and the Old Testament he held other things with the Manichies and Marcion was his Scholar 19. In the time of Hyginus Valentinus the Heretick came to Rome lived under Pius and continued till Anicetus He taught 1. That Christ brought his flesh with him from Heaven Tertullian contra Valentinianos Epiphan haeres 31. Philastrius and took no flesh of the blessed Virgin but passed through her as water through a conduict-pipe 2. That there are two beginnings of all things Profundum i. e. the Deep and Silentium i. e. Silence these being maried together had issue Understanding and Truth which brought forth 300 Aenoae or Ages and of these were the Devil and others born who made the World In the reign of Antoninus Pius Marcion also the Heretick began to teach living in the time of Justin Martyr who wrote against him He was native of Pontus first a Stoick then a Christian he followed Basilides Cerdon and Valentinus in their Heresies Meeting Polycarpus he said Knowest thou us Polycarp answered I know thee for the first born of Satan Epiphanius writeth Euseb l. 4. c. 11 14. Epiphan haeres 42. Theophyl Hieron cont Jovinian Irenaeus l. 3. c. 4 29. that being a Bishops son when he had defloured a Virgin he was by his own Father excommunicated and afterwards flying to Rome because they there admitted him not into the Church he began to preach detestable doctrine He taught that there were three beginnings Good Just and Evil that the New Testament was contrary to the Old He denied the Resurrection He baptized such as died without Baptism saying that Paul bade him do so He taught that mariage was unlawful and that it was a great sin to marry That Cain the Sodomites and all wicked men were saved because they met Christ when he descended into hell but the Patriarchs and Prophets are still in hell for not meeting Christ for they thought said he that Christ came to tempt them Under Anicetus also came to Rome Marcellina a woman which infected many with the Heresie of Carpocrates who called himself 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 She is said to have kept and offered incense to the Statues and Pictures of Christ which the Gnosticks said had been made by command of Pilate as also to others of St. Paul 20. About the nineteenth year of Antoninus Pius the beginning also of Montanus his Heresie is placed by Epiphanius but from Eusebius Cappellus would gather that the original of it was fifteen years before because the Historian writeth that Apollinaris wrote against Miltiades Haeres 48. and Montanus the Hereticks under the Proconsulship of Gratus who seemeth the same with him whose Consulship is by Cassiodorus cast into the fourth of Pius He thinks therefore that in the nineteenth year some new thing might be attempted by Montanus as he might this year institute his Prophetesses These were his two Country-women Priscilla and Maximilla born at Pepuza a City of Phrygia upon which account he called Hierusalem by that name Cappellus further observeth that of such things as are attributed to Montanus some were truly his some after his death were added by the Montanists and some falsely ascribed to them Montanus really held that the promise of sending the Holy Ghost was deferred till his time and in himself fulfilled because the Church heretofore could not bear the yoak of more severe and holy discipline which he indeavoured to bring in by appointing the eating of dried meats fasting and Monogamy or single mariage The Montanists after their number was increased did those things which Hierome mentioneth viz. they appointed themselves Patriarchs 2 Cenonae which word seemeth of Phrygian Original and 3 Bishops That is falsly imputed to them Ad Marcellum tom 3. cp 9. which Jerome saith others did attribute but he would not believe viz. that they pricked an Infant and with his bloud made up the Eucharist If this opinion may be attributed to any Haeresie or if this prejudice did not arise from the imputation of this kind of cruelty by the Heathen to Christianity it self the Carpocratians rather than the Montanists were guilty of it But because both sorts were called Gnosticks as swelling with an opinion of knowledge what was acted but by one might easily be attributed to the other So because Montanus as full of the Holy Ghost called upon men in the name of the Father he was believed to confound the persons of the Trinity into one which was the invention of the Sabelliani 100 years after 'T is further said of him that he baptized the dead and not allowing of second marriages permitted married persons to be separated when they themselves would That he took away repentance affirming that sinners could never have their sins pardoned by repentance And that the Apostles and Prophets understood not any thing they had written but were Arreptitii Now to return to civil matters 21. Pius being dead on the Nones of March Marcus the son of Annius Verus succeeded M. Aurelius Antoninus Philosophus and L. Verus who was first adopted by Catilius Serenus his
of Adrian in the * Lib. 4. c. 25. words of Melita Bishop of Sardis who wrote an Apology to the Emperour and also * C. 13. exemplifieth the Epistle it self This letter also of M. Antoninus Philosophus is extant in the most antient Copy of the Vatican library in the end of Justin Martyr's works added by some studious and well-affected person first translated into Greek out of Latin and again into Latin out of Greek most accurately as we are informed by Syâ—burgius in his Annotations upon Justin Martyr But the Emperour being called into Pannonia for the finishing of the War there and passing into Sarmatia fell sick Hereupon seriously bethinking himself what might happen to the Empire in the minority of his son these parts being not fully reduced to obedience especially in case he should degenerate from the worth of his ancestors and give himself up to luxury and cruelty he called his friends together and seriously commended him unto them to be advised and assisted for the best After this he lived but one day and a night to the grief of all men He died at Vendebona the 17 of March in the 58 year of his age M. Aurelius dieth and of his Empire the 19 the 932 of the City A.D. 180. Arrius Praeseus the 2 time and Aelius Gordianus being Consuls Commodus 31. Herodianus l. 1. Olymp. 239. an 4. V. C. 932. A. D. 180. Commodus his son for whose sake Dio maketh the Physicians to have killed him succeeded him having two years before been made a Consul through a dispensation with the Lex Annaria as Lampridius writeth although it seemeth something strange that this Law could take place upon those to whom the title of Augustus was not denied Being owned by the Army for some time he governed according to the direction of his Father's friends but being obnoxious to flatterers by reason of his youth who sought to make their own ends out of him he shotly after contrary to the judgement of his best Counsellors made a dishonourable Peace with the Enemy and away he went to enjoy the pleasures of Rome where he was joyfully received for his fathers sake his beatuty also much commending him to the eye For a time he here also harkned to his fathers friends but making one Perennius an old Soldier Captain of his Guards he being excessively covetous allured him at first by pleasures to idlenesse and neglect of businesse then governing all himself he falsely accused them and others of the richer sort that he might seize on their estates This his design was furthered by Lucilla the Emperour's sister who grudging that Crispina Commodus his wife should take place of her entered into a conspiracy against her brother and ingaged one Quadratus a young Noble man therein who perswaded Quintianus to kill Commodus His difficulties But he meeting him had no power to do the deed onely shewing his dagger said The Senate sends thee this and so was apprehended and put to death with his complices These words concerning the Senate thus foolishly spoken never went out of the Emperours mind but made him suspect all the Fathers which advantage Perennius took and perswaded him to kill all the chiefest of them This being performed this man affected the Soveraignty but was in good time discovered both he and his sons whom he had sent into Illyricum to draw the Legions to revolt and received their reward 32. Commodus to prevent the too great power of one man put two into his place Cleander and Niger for the time to come and yet presently after had more plots laid for his life There was one Maternus who practising the trade of robbery got a great company of Highway-men together and making himself Captain of a considerable Army wasted Gall and Spain and thence repelled resolved to venture for the Soveraignty it self Having but little hope to obtain it by force because of the People and the Pretorian bands he betook him to his wits At that time the Annual solemnity was kept in honour of the mother of their gods wherein it was lawful for Soldiers or any other to imitate Magistrates or their Officers Taking this opportunity he sent some of his Soldiers privily armed to get amongst the Sargeants and Officers of the Emperour and so to kill him but being betrayed by his own party he and his plot both miscaried After this succeeded a terrible Pestilence accompanied with a Famine which Cleander a Phrygian one who from a slave came into greatest power made an occasion to advance himself He bought up all the Corn thinking by a largesse thereof to purchase the Empire of the Soldiers and People but these rising against him as the cause of the Dearth and Plague too after that with great difficulty by reason of his power the matter was revealed to Commodus he also received his reward These things caused the Emperour to be jealous of all men to cast off all care of State affaires and giving ear to every back-biter to kill any Hence also no persons of worth being admitted into his presence he was ruled by dissolute companions and fell more and more into disorder 33. He turned chariot-driver Idem ibid. Orosius l. 7. c. 16. and spent his time in killing beasts with darts and other unworthy exercises He was the best markesman that ever was known scarcely ever missing any mark he aimed at He publickly killed multitudes of wild beasts upon the theatre amongst the rest a Panthere which just being about to devour a man he hit and slew in the nick of time as she was about to seize on him In stead of Commodus the son of Marcus he commanded himself to be called Hercules the son of Jupiter Casting off the usual Robe of Princes in complyance with that name he would lye on a Lyons skin and have a club in his hand yet he would wear purple garments and cloath of Gold His cariage To his former title he added Amazonian and Conquerour Rome he stilled Immortal and Fortunate and the World His Colony A great fire hapened in the City which burned that excellent Library gathered by his Praedecessors with the Temple of Peace and other buildings which accident as the People accounted an ill omen so they laid the guilt upon him knowing well his practices which he never strove to conceal Though his throwing of darts upon the theatre much derogated from the Imperial Majesty they were indifferently pleased with it but when he came naked upon the stage and acted the common fencer it seemed intolerable At length at the Feast of Janus resolving not to proceed from his Palace as Emperour but as a Fencer from the fencing School attended with such like to the view of the People this occasioned his end 34. For this his resolution being known to his Friends Martia his beloved Concubine Laetus his General and Electus his Chamberlain laboured with all intreaties to divert him from so shameful a
death But to such an end came he Euseb Hist l. 6. c. 29 in Chron. being the first Emperour created onely by the Army without consent of the Senate after he had reigned three years A. V. C. 991 A. D. 238. 41. Now to our continuation of Ecclesiastical matters In the first year of Alexander or the last of Heliogabalus Bishops the day preceding the Ides of October Callistus Bishop of Rome was crowned with Martyrdom The Sea was vacant six dayes and then succeeded Urbanus the seventeenth Bishop according to Damasus on the twentieth of October and first Feria In the tenth of Alexander on the eighth before the Calends of June died Urbanus The Sea was vacant thirty dayes Damasus Euseb and then Pontianus succeeded on the eighth before the Calends of July the sixth Feria In the first of Maximinus Pontianus being banished into the Island Sardinia there died on the thirteenth of the Calends of December and Autherus succeeded him who in the year following on the third of the Nones of January was crowned with Martyrdom because he had diligently gathered an History of the Martyrs and laid it up in the Church The seat was vacant thirteen dayes and then was Fabianus elected on the seventeenth of January and the first Feria being the twentieth Bishop of Rome according to Damasus And about the * Euseb Hist. l. 6. c. 15 26 35. eleventh year of Alexander Heraclas who once was Origen's Usher in the School of Alexandria was Bishop of that Sea where he continued sixteen years CHAP. VI. From the death of Maximinus the first created Emperour without consent of the Senate to the Monarchy of Constantine the first Christian Emperour who reformed Religion and translated the Imperial seat to Byzantium the space of 86 years 1. THE news of Maximinus his death being brought to Rome filled the City with extraordinary joy having taken Maximus as he was listing men in Italy who thereupon went to Aquileia and received the Army to which he pardoned all things past Then returned he to Rome where he and his Collegue managed matters with discretion enough Herod Capitol Zozimus l. 1. Eutrop. l. 9. could they have agreed betwixt themselves but the one being jealous of the other and both endeavouting to grapple all the power into their own hands thereby wrought to themselves sodain destruction The Praetorian bands hated them both as created by the Senate and resolved for the removal of such an indignity offered to the Army to make them away which Maximus understanding would have sent for the Guard of Germans which he knew both to be faithful to him and able to resist the power of the other but Balbinus suspecting that he intended something against himself would not suffer it and so the Soldiers entering the Palace haled them out and after all sorts of indignities offered to their persons upon report that the Germans were coming slew them both Now knowing no fit person whom they might prefer and being assured it would be very acceptable to the People they made choice of Gordianus Gordianus who had been formerly made Caesar At his beginning so great an Eclypse of the Sun happened April 2. on the second Feria as Cappellus agreeth with Mulierus that the day seemed to be turned into night Olymp. 254. an 2. V. C. 991. A. D. 238. and nothing could be done in houses without candles Sabinianus in Africk attempted new matters but was slain Gordianus being yet very young undertook an Expedition against the Persians over whom Sapores in his third year began to reign having succeeded Artaxerxes their first King By the good conduct of Misitheus his father-in-Father-in-Law he prospered very well but he being slain or made away the Soldiers not enduring the rawnesse of Gordianus transferred the Soveraignty unto Philip and killed him after he had reigned six years It s observed that all those nine that slew him perished by their own hands their own swords and the very same with which they destroyed him M. Julius Philippus 2. M. Julius Philippus was by birth an Arabian of Trachonitis his Father being a notable Captain of thieves in that Country He made his son partaker with him in the Imperial dignity Eutrop. l. 9. Victor Euseb Hist l. 6. c. 34 in Chron. In his fourth year fell out the the 1000th of Rome which was celebrated with great pomp and all manner of Games from April 21 to April 21 of the following year Eusebius reports of him that he was the first Christian Emperour and that being desirous to joyn with the multitude in the Ecclesiastical Prayers he could not be admitted till he had first rendred an account of his Faith and joyned himself with such as for their sins were examined and set in the place of penitents therefore because he was faulty in many things saith the Historian he willingly obeyed and declared by his works his sincere and religious mind towards God The Martyrologies will have him and his son converted by occasion of the solemnity of the 1000th year and being baptized by Fabianus Bishop of Rome after confession of his sins to have been admitted to the Communion But saith Cappellus if any of this had been true would the Senate that was so set against the Christians have reckoned him amongst the gods At least would not Decius have objected this as a crime against him The Scythians in his time infesting the Empire he repelled by his Lieutenants Marinus raising a Commotion in Pannonia he sent Decius to quiet the Soldiers who put the purple upon him Philip then led an Army against this Usurper and they met at Verona where the old Emperour was defeated and slain which news coming to Rome his son a child of twelve years of age was murdered by the Praetorian bands after they had reigned about five years 3. Quinctus Trajanus Decius as Orosius calleth him Olymp. 257. an 1. V. C. 1002. A. D. 249. Orosius lib. 7. cap. 21. Euseb Hist l. 6. c. 39. Lege item Zozimum lib. 1. Eutrop. l. 9. Pomponium Laetum was born in Pannonia Decius According to the custom he assumed his son into participation of the Empre He quieted at his beginning some motions in Gaul but raised a great one against the Church being Author of the seventh Persecution out of hatred to Philip or as others say having conspired against Philip out of hatred to Christianity by his edicts many were put to most cruel deaths He received his reward after a short time for now the Gothes originally inhabitants Scanzia invaded Thrace and other places both by Land and Sea because such of them as served in the Wars had been defrauded of their pay At the desire of the Senate to which he commended the Commonwealth in his absence he marched against and overthrew them in several battels notwithstanding that he lost his son and Priscus Governour of Philippi revolted and had perfected his Victory but
him for a time in incouraging the Christians but afterwards plotting against him he also began a grievous persecution against the People of God changed the good Laws and laid heavy impositions on his Subjects Constantine being hereby constrained to make Warre upon him overthrew him in Pannonia and several times afterwards for that he had renewed the War both by Land and Sea most perfidiously and given the title of Caesar to Martinianus At length he forced him to yield his person and deliver up his Robe by the hand of his wife Licinius put to death which was Constantine's sister given him on purpose to oblige him He sent him to Thessalonica where he afterwards attempting new matters he commanded him to be slain 15. Thus did Constantine obtain the Monarchy of the Roman Empire in the nineteenth year of his reign the fourth of the 275 Olympiad A. V. C. 1077 Constantine obtaineth the Monarchy A. D. 324. Six years after in the 25 of his reign he repaired Byzantium and making it larger than ever caried from Rome the greatest part of the ornaments and of Christian Senators and calling it after himself Constantinople Buildeth Constantinople would have it also named New Rome and to be head of the Roman Empire with the same right as the other He first of all had designed to build a City near Sardis in Asia Vide Ludovicum in Augustin de Civitate Dei lib. 5. c. 25. Simsonium in Chron. cathol ad A. M. 3347. Joan. Baptistam Egnatium in Constantino l. 2. Rom. Principum afterwards begun one at Sigaeum a Promontory of Mount Ida in the Country of Troas The third time the design was begun at Chalcedon where walls were erected but fowls snatching up and carrying away the cords of the workmen to Byzantium a City of Thrace upon it the Emperour pitched This Town was first built in the third year of the thirtieth Olympiad Hesychius saith by a Colony of the Argives Ammianus by one of the Athenians Velleius saith it was a Colony of the Milesians and Marcianus Periegetos of the Megarians being so named from Byzas their Country-man and Captain of the Colony It stood right over against Chalcedon in a far better soil which made Apollo term the founders of the later blind men because they passed by so excellent a place It ran through various fortune according to that influence which Greece had into it's affaires as we have from time to time observed upon occasion Severus the Emperour almost destroyed it but by the Soldiers of Galienus it was brought to ruine and now restored and augmented by Constantine 16. This Empire being now in it's declining condition by reason of it's old age for all sublunary things are subject to the vicissitude of time and sorely distempered by inward heats into which want of hereditary Monarchy and the horrid licentiousnesse of a standing Army had thrown it as also labouring under so huge a bulk and so great a plethora as Nature could not well govern Constantine by translating thither the Imperial seat occasioneth the ruine of the Empire being forced as it were by Constantine to change its natural suitable and native air by so violent an alteration contracted it's mortal infirmity For as plants being transplanted out of their native soil into other regions divers in climate and quality retain little of their natural virtue so humane affairs especially Dominions and Empires by such great mutations lose their vigour and stability even also as we see it happeneth to several sorts of Animals For this cause the Senate would never consent to the Commons to depart from Rome to Veii though a place much more pleasant and commodious especially after Rome was burnt by the Galls All great and sodain mutations as to the body natural so to the body Politick are ever dangerous But this translation of the Imperial Seat to Byzantlum seemeth also to have given some occasion to a second error of Constantine whereby dividing his Empire into three parts to his sons of one great one he made three with a notable diminution of authority and strength For his sons falling out amongst themselves they so defeated one another as the Empire was exhausted and enervated amongst them 17. For although it sometimes a little recovered under one Prince yet remained it so lyable to divisions How this came to passe that it seldom happened but it was divided into Eastern and Western till at length Odoacer King of the Heruli and Turingi entering Italy with a great Army cast Augustulus into such straights that out of desperation he quitted the Western Empire which happened about the year 476. The Hunni ere this had passed over Danubius Alaricus King of the Vandals had taken Rome The Vandals first seized on Andalusia and afterwards on Africk the Alani on Lusitania now Portugal and the Gothes on the greater part of Spain the Angli on Britain and the Burgundians on Provence Justinian the Emperour by driving the Vandals out of Africk and the Goths out of Italy did a little repair these decayes but the effect thereof continued not long for about the year 710 the Armies and Heresie of Mahomet began to disturb the Eastern Empire and in a short time the Saracens over-ran Syria Aegypt Africk Sicily and Spain About the year 735 they also seized on several parts of Gall. Thus was the Western Empire by little and little torn in pieces and cantonized At length by a new title it came to Charls the Great in whose family it scarcely continued 100 years and then came to be Elective by seven Persons and so continueth rather a resemblance of an Empire than otherwise unto this day As for the Eastern it continued so weak that scarcely sometimes could it defend the Metropolis against the Saracens much lesse could it afford any assistance to the other and after the Saracens the Turks got ground of it by little and little till having for many years left the Emperours little more than an empty name at last Constantinople also was taken by Mahomet the Great No more at present by way of Anticipation either concerning the decay of the Roman Empire or of those particular Kingdoms Principalities and States that were cut out of it all which are referred to the method of another Volume But as we said the division of the Empire took it's original from the translation of the Imperial Seat to Byzantium it increased by plurality of Princes and came to perfection in the promotion of Charls the Great after which there was no communion of Government Laws Magistracy or Councils as had been before Now to our continuation of Ecclesiastical matters Bishops 18. In the second year of Decius was Fabianus Bishop of Rome crowned with Martyrdom on the fourteenth of the Calends of February The Sea was vacant for one year and then was chosen Cornelius whose election displeasing some Novatus ordained against him Novatianus The year following Cornelius was Martyred on
Astrea a Romance in 3 Volumes in Folio Paulo Paruto's History of Venice Translated by Henry Earl of Monmouth Bishop Andrews second Volume of Sermons The Grand Scipio an excellent new Romance written in French by Monsieur de Vaumoriere and rendred into English by Gil. Havers The History of the Commonwealth of Venice by James Howel Esq The Wall-flower an excellent Romance written by Dr. Baley A Compendious History of the Goths Swedes Vandals and other Northern Nations written by Olaus Magnus Arch-Bishop of Upsal and Metropolitan of Sweden Clelia an excellent new Romance the fifth and last Volume Gondibert an Heroick Poem written by Sir William Davenant Parthenissa an excellent Romance in five Volumes written by the Right Honorable the Lord Broghill The civil right of Tythes wherein setting aside the higher Plea of Jus Divinum from the Equity of the Levitical Law or that of nature for sacred services and the certain apportioning by the undoubted Canon of the New Testament the labourers of the Lords Vineyard of the Church of England are estated in their quota Pars of the Tenth or Tythe per legem Terrae by civil Sanction or the Law of the Land written by C. E. Mr. of Arts. The Art of making Devises by Tho. Blunt The Immortality of the Soul demostrated by the light of nature by Doctor Charleton Natural History of nutrition life and voluntary motion containing all discoveries of Anatomists and most probable opinions of Physicians concerning the Oeconomie of humane nature Methodically delivered in Exercitations Physico-Anatomical by Dr. Charleton Epicurus's Morals collected partly out of his own Greek Text in Diogegenes Laertius and partly out of the Rhapsodies of Marcus Antonius Plutarch Cicero and Seneca and faithfulle Englished by Dr. Charleton Ironodia Gratulatoria Latin Poems by Pa. Fisher The siege of Rhodes The History of Sr. Francis Drake The cruelty of the Spaniards in Peru expressed by Instrumental and Vocal Musick and by Art of perspective in Scenes c. all three written by Sir William Davenant Unum Necessarium or the Doctrine and practice of Repentance by Jer. Taylor D. D. A Collection of Offices and Forms of prayer publick and private fitted for the needs of all Christian assemblies by Jer. Taylor Dr. of Divinity A Collection of Letters made by Sr. Toby Mathews Knight with a Character of the most excellent Lady Lucy Countesse of Carlile by the same Author to which is added many Letters of his own to several persons of Honour who were Contemporary with him Satyrical Characters and handsom Descriptions in Letters written to several persons of quality Poems viz. A Panegyrick to the King Songs Sonnets the Blind Lady a Comedy the fourth book of Virgil Statius Achilleis with Annotations A Panegyrick to General Monck by the Honorable Sr. Rob. Howard The Characters of the Passions written in French by the Sieur de la Chambre Physician to the Lord Chancellor of France put into English by a person of quality Anthropologia abstracted or the Idea of humane nature reflected in brief Philosophical and Anatomical Collections The Court of Rome wherein is set forth the whole Government thereof The Grand difference between France Spain and the Empire with the Titles Claims and pretences to each others Dominions discussed and stated by an Impartial hand very necessary for the clear understanding of the present Commotions and great affairs of Europe A Triumphant Arch Erected and Consecrated to the glory of the Feminine Sex by Monsieur de Scudery Englished by J. B. Gent. Humane Industry or a History of most Manual Arts deducing the Original Progresse and Improvement of them furnished with variety of Instances and Examples shewing forth the Excellency of humane wit â—eraphick Love written by the Honorable Robert Boyl Certain Physiological Essayes written at distant times and on several occasions by the Honorable Robert Boyl A Prospective of the Naval Triumph of the Venetians over the Turks to Signor Petro Liberi that Renown'd and Famous Painter by Gio. Francesco Busenello Englished by Tho. Higgons Esq Rats Rim'd to death or a Collection of Ballets made on the Rump Parliament Dr. Jer. Taylors Rules of living and dying Sr. Walter Rawleighs Ghost or a Translation of Lessius de Providentiâ Numinis Animi Immortalitate written against the Atheists and Politicians of these dayes A Devout Paraphrase on the 50th Psalm by Math. Kellison D.D. A Discourse of a Method for the well guiding of Reason and the Discovery of Truth in the Sciences Musarum Delitiae containing several pieces of Poetick wit by Sr. John Menuis and Dr. Smith Poems Elegies and Sonets written by the Bishop of Chichester All Horace his Lyricks or his fourth book of Odes and his book of Epods Englished Heroick Education or choice Maxims and Instructions for the most sure and facile training up of youth in the wayes of Eminent learning and virtues a Treatise very necessary for all men but most especially for such as undertake the charge to govern the young Nobility and Gentry A Treatise of adhering to God written by Albert the Great Bishop of Ratisbon put into English by Sr. Kenelm Digby Knight Also a Conference with a Lady about choice of Religion The Royal Game at Chess-Play sometimes the recreation of the late King Charls the first of blessed memory with many of the Nobility Illustrated with almost an hundred Gambels being the study of Biochimo the famous Italian A Diarium or Journal divided into 12. Jornades in Burlesque Rhime or Droling verse with divers other pieces of the same Author Satyrical Declamations at the entertainment at Rutland house by Sr. William Davenant A Proposition for the advancement of Experimental Philosophy by Abraham Cowley A Discourse between the aforementioned Author and the Devil concerning Oliver Cromwel The Ephesian Matron or a Discourse upon the nature of Women The Roman the Conversation of the Romans and Macenas in three excellent Discourses written in French by Balsac Englished by a person of quality PLAYES The Enchanted Lovers The Amorous Fantasm The Noble Ingratitude The Guardian Cowley Bélius and Thetis Loves labour lost Hamlet Prince of Denmark Romio and Juliet
and severely prohibited Wine as much as to be tasted in in the Camp as Plato recordeth in his Laws This also Aristotle commendeth that for an incouragement to warfare they had a Law which gave liberty to a Soldier to wear so many Rings as he had served times in the field The People were by their natural constitution morose and surly obedient to their Magistrates The disposition of the people agreeable with their government tyrannical towards their Subjects most dejected in time of fear and cruel in anger resolute in their designs notwithstanding all force of flattery and so infamous for their breach of faith that the Punick faith or trust became a Proverb As for their greatnesse and Dominion the description thereof is to be left to it's proper place Now must their affaires abroad in Sicily and other parts be defined with the matters of that Island 12. At what time or upon what occasion the Carthaginians first came into Sicilie is uncertain (a) Decad. 1. lib. 4. Livie will have them first called in by the Sedition of the Islanders in the year that T. Quintius Sirnamed Cincinnatus as also Penno and Cn. Julius Mento were Consuls which was in the beginning of the Peloponnesian War the 323 year of the City 50 years after the passage of Xerxes into Greece and consequently as many from the Victory which Gelon got over them a grosse mistake (b) Lib. 18. Justin out of Trogus having first related their impious custom of pleasing their gods by humane Sacrifices addeth that the divine powers being therewith displeased or averse to them when they had long unhappily made War in Sicilie they translated it into Sardinia and there losing the greatest part of their Army received a grievous overthrow whereupon they banished Mazaeus their General by whom they had conquered a great part of Sicilie Mazaeus and done great matters against the Africans with that part of the Army which remained The Army taking this in great disdain sent to the City to desire a repealing of the Act of banishment and threatned by force to rescind it in case they were thereto constrained by a denyal of their sute Their message being despised they besieged the City and after a few dayes took it Mazaeus calling the People together complained of the injury excused the necessity of the War and inveighed against the contempt of his Victories He said he would pardon all but such as had been authors of the injurious Exile of their fellow Citizens and accordingly putting ten of the Senators to death he restored the City to it's Laws Not long after being accused of an intention to make himself absolute he was punished both for his paricide committed against his Country and his own Son as Justin termeth it whom being a Priest he had crucified for refusing to come to him before he had finished his superstitious rites and when he came appeared in his purple and other ornaments which Mazaeus thought unsuitable with the condition of him his Father Him succeeded Mago by whose industy the wealth dominion and reputation of the Carthaginians for matters of War increased Mago 13. Mago being the first who by ordaining military discipline Justin lib. 19 had laid the foundation of Empire and added to the strength of the City as well by introducing Virtue as the Art of War left two Sons behind him Asdrubal and Amilcar who by treading in his paths succeeded as well to the greatnesse as the Patrimony of their Father Under their conduct the State made War in Sardinia and fought against the Africans who demanded Tribute for the ground on which Carthage stood which also at length they constrained the Carthaginians to pay Asdrubal died of his wounds in Sardinia whose death was ennobled by publick mourning eleven Dictatorships as Justin calleth them by which seemeth to be understood no other than so many times sending out or commissionating as General with full power in the field yet so as to be under the commands of the State and four Triumphs and the Enemies of Carthage took heart as if with the Captain it 's force and power was also dead The Inhabitants of Sicilie then vexed with the continual injuries of the Carthaginians betook themselves to Leonidas the brother of the King of Sparta and a great War insued wherein both parties long strugled with various Fortune At this time came Ambassadors from Darius the Son of Hystaspes King of Persia commanding the Carthaginians to forbear offering humane Sacrifices and eating mans flesh requiring them to burn their dead rather than bury them Darius his message to the Carthaginians and demanding assistance against the Greeks with whom he was about to ingage in War They denied to afford any succours because of their continual Wars with their neighbours but obeyed him in the rest lest they should seem too stubborn saith Justin yet that they stood not to their word the testimonies of Plato Diodorus and Pliny do certifie Whilst these things passed Amilcar was slain in the War of Sicilie leaving three Sons Amilco Hanno and Gisgo Asdrubal also left so many viz. Annibal Asdrubal and Sappho Of these Annibal is mistaken for Annibal the great by one who hath made some short Notes upon * Margine ad l. 19. excus Londini pro Felice Kingstonio 1651. Justin and Amilcar his Uncle for Amilcar Barchas Father to the famous Annibal and Mago also for another of this name that lived * Vide infra paragr 53. many years after in the dayes of Dionysius the younger and Timoleon The Annotator wondreth what came into Justin's mind to make Annibal the great the son of Asdrubal and well he might if any such thing had been intended he also referreth the Reader to the life of Timoleon to find that Mago killed himself and was after his death nailed to a crosse because he fought unprosperously in Sicilie which Plutarch intendeth of another person Of this grosse mistake of one whosoever he was that took upon him to inform beginners Students in History are to take notice and beware 14. For this Amilcar seemeth no other than the very same that was slain in the battel fought with Gelon of Syracuse in the sixth year of Xerxes Son to Darius King of Persia from which was made a digression into the affaires of Carthage The great defeat of Amilcar With Amilcar perished 150000 Carthaginians the Captives that remained of his Army filled all the Cities of the Island and the State of Carthage was constrained to beg peace having as some say made this War at the instance of Xerxes that thereby the Greeks in Sicilie might be diverted from helping their Friends After this Herold l. 7. c. 153. Aelian var. hist lib. 13. c. 37. A. M. 3527. Ol. 75. an 3. V. C. 276. Xerxis 8. Gelon was offered the Kingdom of Sicilie but he generously refused it whereby he obtained the greater glory and love At length having setled all things