vngarded there would be neither profit nor glorie that she had beene taken There is a miracle reported as it were by some diuine power happened for all things out of the houses were lightened by the sun but that which was inuironed with the wals was on such a sudden couered with a darke cloud separated with lightning that it seemed the will of the gods was it should be destroyed Hereupon Nero was saluted Emperor processions made by decree of Senat and images triumphall arches set vp and the Consulship continued on him and ordained that the day the victorie was gained the day of the newes the day wherin they talked of it in Senat should be kept holie other such like so far beyond measure that C. Cassius cōsenting vnto the rest of the honors giuen him touching the processions said that if they would giue the gods thanks for so many fauours of fortune al the yere would not be enough to make them processions And therefore they should distinguish working daies from holie daies in such sort that the gods might be honoured and temporall busines not hindered X. Suilius is banished Octauius tribune of the people killeth Pontia with whom he was in loue ABout that time P. Suilius a man crossed with many aduersities and iustly incurred the hatred of many was called in question and condemned not without some touch of Senecaes credit This Suilius in Claudius raigne was both cruell and corrupt and by alteration of times brought lowe though not so much as his enemies desired and who rather would seeme culpable then as a suppliant craue pardon For it was thought that the penaltie of the law Cincia against such as pleaded causes for money was set on foote againe only to subuert and ouerthrow him Yet Suilius neuer forbare complaints and hard speeches besides his natural fiercenes more free by reason of his old age laying in Senecaes dish that he was an enemie to Claudius friends vnder whom he had sustained a most iust banishment withall that with his idle and dead studies applying himselfe to the vnskilfulnes of raw youth he enuied such as vsed a liuely and vncorrupt eloquence in defending the citizens He had beene Questor to Germanicus and Seneca an adulterer of his house Was it to be iudged a greeuouser offence to receiue a suters reward freely offered for a mans honest trauell then to defile the beds of Princes wiues with what wisedome with what precepts of Philosophers within foure yeeres friendship with the King had he gotten three thousand times three hundred thousand sesterces At Rome he coozened men of their legacies and such as died without children as if he had layd a snare to intrap them Italy and the prouinces were drawne dry by his excessiue vsurie As for himselfe he had but small store of wealth gotten by his labour and sweate He would suffer the accusation perill and what else might fall rather then subiect his old credit and estimation to a new vpstart Neither wanted there such as reported these or worser speeches to Seneca againe and other informers were found which accused Suilius that he had pouled and pilled the allies when he was gouernor of Asia and purloined the common treasure Then because he had obtained a yeeres space for to make enquirie of these matters it seemed to be the shorter course to begin with crimes committed neere about the citie because of such witnesses were at hand They obiected against him that the bitternes of his accusation droue Q. Pomponius to a necessitie of ciuill war that he had brought Iulia the daughter of Drusus and Sabina Poppaea to destruction falsly accused Valerius Asiaticus L. Saturninus Cornelius Lupus yea a great companie of gentlemen of Rome had beene condemned by his meanes in fine all Claudius crueltie was imputed to Suilius He for his defence answered that he had vndertooke none of those things of his owne will but to obey the Prince vntill Caesar caused him to hold his toong saying that he was assured by his fathers memoriall that he neuer inforced any man to accuse another then he pretended Messallinaes commaundement and his defence began to faile him Why was there no other chosen to speake for that cruell vnchast dame the instruments of cruell actions are to be punished when as hauing receiued the reward of their lewdnes yet go about to lay it to others charge Therefore part of his goods being taken from him for part was left his sonne and his neece and that also was excepted which was giuen them by their mothers or grandfathers testament he was banished into the Ilands of Baleares neuer losing courage either in the time of his danger or after condemnation And it is reported that he suffered that separation from company liuing both aboundantly and delicately The accusers had ouerthrowne his sonne Nerulinus for the enuie they bare the father and his owne extortions if the Prince had not opposed himselfe as though the reuenge had beene sufficient About the same time Octauius Sagitta Tribune of the people mad in loue with Pontia a maried wise by great gifts brought her vnlawfull loue and vse of her bodie then to forsake her husband promising her mariage and inducing her to the liking of him But when this woman was free from her husband she began to finde delayes shifting it off that her father was vnwilling and in the end finding a hope of a richer husband went from her promise Octauius on the contrary side somtimes complained sometimes threatned protesting his credit was lost and his money consumed finally put his life which only remained in her hands But being reiected craueth one nights pleasure for his satisfaction then promised he would desist The night was appointed and Pontia gaue charge of watching the chamber to a maide which was priuie to their dealings He with one freed man conueyeth in a weapon vnder his garment Then as the manner of louers is sometimes angrie sometimes chiding sometimes intreating sometimes vpbraiding spending some part of the night in voluptuous pleasures at last kindled with griefe and complaints with his sword ran through this woman which feared no such thing and wounded the maide which ran in and so rusheth out of the chamber The next day the murder was knowne and the murderer not doubted of being knowne manifestly that they had beene together But a freed man protested it was his doing in reuenge of the iniuries done to his patrone and moued some with the strangenes of that example to beleeue him vntil the maid recouered of her wound discouered the truth Then Octauius accused of the murder before the Consuls by Pontias father at the end of his Tribuneship was condemned by the Senat according to the lawe Cornelia against murderers XI Nero taketh away Sabina Poppaea from her husband THe same yeere an vntemperate life no lesse infamous then the former was a beginning of greater mischiefes in the common wealth There was in the citie one
the Rostra by C. Caesar her nephewes sonne who not long after succeeded in soueraigntie But Tiberius omitting no part of his pleasures excused by letters his absence from his mothers obsequies as though he had been hindered by important affaires and vnder colour of modestie cut off many honorable ceremonies which the Lords of the Senate had decreed should be done in memory of her and especially that no diuine ceremonie shuld be ordained for her because said he such was her will And in part of the same letters he found fault with such as went about to win womens fauor good will therein couertly carping the Consull Fusius a man highly in Augustus grace his crafts-master in winning of womens fauor a iesting mate oft accustomed bitterly to skoffe at Tiberius a thing which great potētates keepe long in memory But now Tiberius began to grow worse and worse his rule tyranous for whilest his mother liued there was some refuge left because he had a long time accustomed to shew himselfe dutifull vnto her and Seianus durst not crosse her but then hauing as it were the bridle in their owne hands they brake loose at once and letters were sent against Agrippina and Nero which the common people iudged to haue been sent before but kept back by Augusta for not long after her death they were read in Senate containing bitter and sharp words yet neuer obiected that he had borne armes or stirred any rebellion against him but only vnnatural loues to yong men and incontinēt life But against his daughter in law he durst not obiect so much but only her arrogant and prowd speeches and obstinate minde The Senators were stroken into a feare and silence vntill some few whose hopes depended not on honest meanes but made publick calamities occasion of priuat benefits demaunded that the matter might be referred to voices Cotta Messallinus shewing himselfe most forward with a cruell sentence But the other chiefe gentlemen and especially the magistrates were afraid for although Tiberius had angerly inueighed against them yet he left other things in doubt There was in the Senat one Iunius Rusticus chosen by Caesar to set downe the actes of the Senators and therefore was thought to know best his intent and purpose who either by fatall destinie for before he had giuen no token of his constancie or subtle deuise forgetting imminent perils whilest he feareth vncertainties thrusteth himselfe among the Consuls yet wauering and doubting what to do and aduiseth them not to put the matter to deliberation saying that greatest matters might be turned in a moment and that some space of time ought to be giuen the old man to repent himselfe and the people withall carying Agrippinaes and Neroes images with them enuiron the Senat house and wishing all prosperous fortune to Caesar crie that those letters were false and that the ouerthrow of the Princes house was intended against the Princes will and so there was nothing concluded that day in preiudice of the parties Certaine counterfeit iudgements were spread abroad against Seianus vnder the Consuls names Some men secretly and therefore the more saucily practising their wits as their fancie lead them which yeelded Seianus farther matter of calumniation and kindled his anger saying that the Princes displeasure was nothing regarded that the commons were at iarre with the Senate that new orations and new decrees of Senate were heard and read now adayes What remaineth but to take armes in hand and choose those for their Captaines and Emperours whose images they had followed for their ensignes Whereupon Caesar reiterating his iniurious speeches against his nephewe and daughter in lawe and rebuking the people by edict complained to the Senate that the imperiall maiestie had bene openly deluded and skorned through the fraude of one of the Senators and therefore required that the hearing of the cause might be reserued wholy vnto himselfe They consulted no farther on the matter but condemned the parties but not to death because they were forbidden and protested they were readie to execute reuenge if the Prince had not hindered them * * There wanteth very much of the story in this place which hath perished through time II. The death of Seianus of his friends and children One faineth himselfe to be Drusus Germanicus sonne WHether it be a more lamentable case to be accused for breach of friendship or to accuse his friend I can not well iudge * no mans crueltie or clemencie will I trie * but free and bearing my selfe on my owne conscience I will preuent danger I beseech you that you would not haue me in remembrance rather in mourning and sad then ioyfull manner and cherefull reckoning me in the number of those which haue escaped publick calamities by an honorable end Then talking now with one now another as by chance they were neere vnto him he spent a great part of the day either in entertaining or taking leaue of them And hauing many about him which noted how resolute assured he was in countenance no man dreaming any such matter with a sword which he had hidden vnder his garments slew himselfe and after he was dead Caesar vsed no such reprochfull and iniurious speeches nor obiected any such heinous matter against him as he did against Blaesus After this P. Vitellius and Pomponius Secundus cause was heard Vitellius they accused that he had offered the cofers of the publicke treasury whereof he had charge and the money which was in them for souldiers pay to stirrers vp of new broiles The other Considius who had been once Pretor accused for hauing had great friendship and amitie with Velius Gallus who after that Seianus was punished fled to Pomponius gardens as to a place of safe refuge both of them in their distresse hauing no other comfort left but the constancie of their brothers who became baile for their life Shortly after Vitellius through many delaies betwixt hope feare wearied out vnder colour of vsing it in his studie asking for a penknife lightly prickt a vaine and ended his life with griefe and anguish of minde But Pomponius being a Gentleman of a gallant carriage and excellent wit bearing aduerse fortune patiently ouerliued Tiberius Then was there order taken though the peoples anger were mitigated and many others pacified with the former punishment that the rest of Seianus children should be punished Whereupon they were carried to prison the sonne hauing some feeling of the danger which hung ouer his head but the daughter was so simple that she often asked whither they would leade her and for what that she would do no more so and that it was sufficient to chastice her with the rod like a childe The writers of that time affirme that because it was neuer heard of before that a virgin should be put to death according to the custome of the Triumuiri that she was deflowred by the executioner immediatly before the halter was put about her neck and both strangled The bodies
Iulius Aquila gentleman of Rome contemnig both of them began to sollicite the countries about him and allure fugitiues and at last hauing assembled an armie chaseth out the King of the Dandarides and inioyeth his kingdome Which being vnderstoode and looking euerie hower that he would inuade the Bosphoran Aquila and Cotys distrustring their owne forces because Zorsines King of the Soraci had taken armes againe sought for forreine aide and sent Ambassadors to Eunones King of the Adorsian nation being no hard matter to draw him to their fellowship after he had declared what oddes there was between the Roman forces and the rebell Mithradates Whereupon they agreed that Eunones should haue charge of the horsemen and the Romains besiege townes Then hauing mustered their armie in order they marche in battell aray the Adorsi defending the front and the rereward the cohorts and Bosphorani the middle battell armed after our fashion And so driuing backe the enimie we came to Soza the chiefe towne of Dandarica which Mithradates forsooke where we left a garrison as being doubtfull of the inhabitants fidelitie From thence they marched to the Soraci and hauing passed the riuer Panda they besieged the citie Vspe situated on a high place fortified with wals and ditches sauing that the wals not being made of stone but of hurdles ioyned togither earth in the middle were too weake against the besiegers who hauing erected towres higher than the wals with fire and dartes disordered they besieged and had not the night broken off the battell the towne had beene assaulted and taken the same day The next day they sent Ambassadors to intreat for the free men but of slaues they offered ten thousand which the Conquerours refused And because that to slaie such as yeelded would be a cruell part and to keepe so great a multitude hard they thought it best to hold on the siege and kill them by right of warre and thereupon the signe was giuen to such souldiers as had scaled the wals to put them to the sword V. Mithradates being forsaken by Zorsines King of the Soraci ye eldeth to Eunones King of the Adorsi and came to Rome after he had made a peace THe slaughter of the Vspensiens stroke the rest into a feare thinking now that there was no safetie in any thing seeing their armes their fortresses high and hard places riuers and townes were forced alike Zorsines then long waighing with himselfe whether he should succour Mithradates desperate case or prouide for his fathers kingdome at length the loue of his countrey swaying him hauing giuen pledges he prostrated himselfe before the image of Caesar to the great glorie of the Roman armie which without any losse of bloodshed on his side came as it is most manifest victorious within three daies iourney of the riuer Tanais But in returning fortune was not alike bicause some of the shippes carried on the Taurian shores were by the Barbarians surprised the prefect of the cohorts and most of the Centurions slaine In the meane time Mithradates finding no safetie in armes debateth with himselfe whose mercie he should trie He feared his brother Cotys because he betrayed him once and was now his enimie There was none of the Romans of such authoritie that their promises should greatly be regarded in fine he addresseth himselfe to Eunones his enimie for priuate grudge but great and of better credit through the friendship newely contracted with vs. Therefore composing his countenance and attiring himselfe sutable to his present estate goeth to the Kings pallace and casting himselfe at his knees saith Behold here Mithradates whom by sea and by land you haue so manie yeeres sought Behold I am here of my owne voluntarie will Vse as thou wilt the sonne of great Achemenes which is the onely thing which the enimies haue not taken from me But Eunones moued with the nobilitie of the man the change of his fortune at his prayer which argued no base minde lifteth vp the suppliant and commendeth him that he had chosen the Adorsian nation and his right hand for obtayning of pardon And withall sendeth Ambassadors and letters to Caesar with these contents That the first friendship betwixt the Emperours and Kings of other mightie nations proceeded of conformitie and likenes of fortune but Claudius amitie and his of a victorie common to them both That the end of warre were most notable when peace was made with pardoning So when Zorsinus was conquered nothing was taken from him for Mithradates although he had deserued woorse no power no kingdome was intreated for but onely that he might not be lead in triumphe and lose his life Neuerthelesse Claudius although he were milde and gentle towards forreine nobilitie yet doubted whether it were best for him to receiue the captiue vnder condition of life or demaund him by force of armes For on one side the griefe of iniuries receiued and desire of reuenge pricked him and on the other reasons to the contrarie That he should take a warre in hand in a hard conntrey and a hauenlesse sea withall that the Kings were fierce and the people scattered and the soile fruitlesse and needy of victuals then that lingering would bring tediousnes and haste danger the praise should be small to the conquerers the infamie great if they tooke the repulse therfore it were best to take the offer and keepe the exiled who being poore how much the longer he liued so much the more punishment he should indure Mooued with these reasons he wrote to Eunones In verie truth that Mithradates deserued examplarie punishment neither wanted he power to execute it neuerthelesse it hath seemed best vnto our predecessors to vse as great benignitie towards humble suppliants as hard and rigorous dealing towards the enimie for triumphes were gotten of whole nations and kingdomes Then Mithradates was deliuered and carried to Rome by Iunius Celo Procurator of Pontus and thought to haue spoken more boldly to Caesar then his estate required His speech was carried to the people in these termes I am not sent backe vnto thee but am come and if thou beleeue me not let me goe and trie There appeered no signe of feare in his countenance when as garded with keepers neere vnto the court he was shewen vnto the people The Consularie ornaments were giuen to Colo and the Pretorian to Aquila VI. The death of Lollia Paulina through Agrippinaes iealousie Calpurnia driuen out of Italie VNder the same Consuls Agrippina boiling with deadly hatred and malice against Lollia because she had contended with her for the marrying of the Prince left no meanes vnsought vntill she had stirred vp some to accuse her of conference had with the Chaldeans and Magicians and counsell asked of the idoll of Apollo Clarius concerning the Emperours marriage Hereupon Claudius the defendant vnhard hauing spoken much before the Senate of her noblenes of birth that she was L. Volusius sisters daughter that Cotta Messallinus was her great vncle and she once wife
legion and all the ayd he could leuie in the prouince on the banke of Danubium as an ayd to the conquered and a terror to the conquerer least puffed vp with prosperous fortune they would so disturb our peace For an infinite power of the Ligians and other nations were comming drawen with the fame of the wealth of Vannius kingdome which for thirtie yeeres space he had enriched with pillages and tributes Vannius owne forces consisted in footemen his horsemen were of Sarmates called Iazygiens vnable to encounter the multitude of the enemies power and therefore defended himselfe in fortresses and purposed to protract the warre But the Iazygiens not able to indure to be besieged but wandering and wasting the champion adioyning droue Vannius to a necessitie of fighting because Ligius and Hermundurus were pressing in on the backs of them Vannius therfore issuing out of his fort lost the battell but not without honor euen in his distresse because in person he shunned not the battell and face to face receiued wounds in his bodie and at last fled to his shipping which waited for him in Danubium by and by his vassals following him hauing receiued land to dwell in planted themselues in a part of Hungaria The kingdome Vangio and Sido parted betweene them shewing great loyaltie towards vs. Their subiects either for their desert or such being the disposition of those which are kept vnder whilest they were yet a getting the kingdome shewed them all tokens of loue and affection but after they had gotten it as the greater their loue before so the greater their hatred after VIII Ostorius gouernor of great Britannia gaineth a battell against the Iceni and tooke Caractacus King of the same countrey and sent him to Rome The warres of the Romaines against the Siluri POstorius Propretor of Britannia at his landing found all in an vprore the enemie ranging the allies countrey and vsing so much the greater violence bicause he thought the new captaine as vnacquainted with his armie and the winter also begun would not come foorth to encounter him But he knowing well that the first successe breedeth either feare or confidence gathered with speede his readiest cohorts made toward the enemie slaying those which made head against him pursued the residue stragled abroad for feare least they should ioyne againe and least a faithles and cloaked peace should neither giue the captaine nor the souldier any rest he disarmed those he suspected and hemmed them in with garrisons betweene Antona and Sabrina Which the Iceni first of all refused a strong people and vnshaken with warres because that of their owne motion they had sought our alliance and amitie and at their instigation the people adioyning chose a place to fight compassed in with a rude and common trench and narrow entrance to hinder the comming in of horsemen That fence the Roman Captaine although he wanted the strength of the legions went about to force with the aide of the allies alone and hauing placed his cohorts in rankes setteth the troupes of horsemen in alike readines to their busines then giuing the signe of battell brake the rampire and disordered the enimies in their owne fortresses Who stroken in conscience with a remorse for their rebellion and seeing all passages of escaping stopped vp shewed great courage and valoure in defending themselues In which fight M. Ostorius the Lieutenants sonne deserued the honour of sauing a citizen But by the slaughter of the Iceni those which wauered betweene warre and peace were quieted and the armie lead against the Cangi Whose countrey they wasted and spoiled the enimie not daring to shew himselfe in fielde or if priuily and by stealth they attempted to cut off any which dragged behind they payed for their comming Now the Roman armie was come neere vnto the sea coast which lookes towards Ireland when as certaine tumults sproong vp among the Brigantes brought backe the Captaine certainly resolued not to attempt any new matter vntill he had setled the old But as for the Brigantes some fewe put to death which first began to take armes the residue being pardoned all were quieted The Siluri could neither by crueltie nor faire meanes be hindered from making warre and therefore no remedie left to keepe them vnder but with a garrison of legionarie soldiers The which to performe more easily a colonie called Camalodunum of a strong companie of old souldiers was brought into the subdued countrey as an aide and safegard against the rebels and inducement to the confederates to the obseruation of lawes From thence they marched against the Siluri besides their owne courage trusting to Caractacus strength who hauing waded thorow manie dangers and in manie aduentures prosperous and luckie had gotten such reputation that he was preferred before all the British Captaines But in craft and skilfulnes of the countrey hauing the aduantage on vs but weaker in strength remoueth the war to the Ordouices and there all those ioyning to him which feared our peace resolued to hazard the last chaunce chusing a place for the battell where the comming in and going out was verie incommodious to vs and to his great aduantage Then they got to the top of a hill and if there were any easie passage vnto them they stopped it vp with heapes of stones as it were in maner of a rampire Not farre off ranne a riuer with an vncertaine foord where a great troupe of his best soldiers were readie in order before the rampire Besides this the leaders went about exhorted and incouraged the souldiers taking all occasion of feare from them and putting them in hope with all other inducements of warre And Caractacus coursing hither thither protested That that day and that battell should be either the beginning of the recouering of their libertie or perpetuall seruitude He called vpon the names of his auncestors which chased Caesar the Dictator out of the Ile by whose valour they were deliuered from hatchets and tributes and inioyed freely their wiues and childrens bodies vndefiled Whilest he vttered these or the like speeches the people made a noise about him and euerie man swore according to the religion of his countrey that he would yeeld neither for wounds nor armes That courage and cheerefulnes greatly astonied the Roman Captaine and considering the riuer before his face the forte they had cast vp the high hils which hanged ouer them all things deadly to thē and commodious for the enimie droue him into a doubt of the successe Neuerthelesse the souldier demaunded battell crying that there was nothing which valour could not ouercome The Prefects and Tribunes vsing the like speeches greatly incensed the ardour and courage of the rest The Ostorius hauing viewed what places were of hard passage and which of easie leadeth his armie boiling with choler with small difficultie ouer the riuer But when we were come to the rampire as long as we fought with throwing of dartes we receiued most
siege or els because it was tempered least it should worke immediatly But Nero impatient of lingring long working wickednes threatned the Tribune cōmanded the poisoneresse to be put to death bicause that whilest they respect the rumor and forge excuses for their owne safty they droue off his security They then promising as spedy a death as if he shold be slaine with a sword neere vnto Caesars chamber a poison was sod strong and violent by proofe of poisoning The custome was for Princes children to sit with other noble mens of the same age in presence of their neere kindred with a spare diet at a table by themselues Britannicus there taking his repast because one of the seruitours did taste his meates and drinkes least the custome should be omitted or the villanie disclosed by both their deaths this pollicie was deuised A drinke yet not hurtfull but very hote and tasted of was presented to Britannicus then that being refused by reason of the heate the poison was powred into cold water which so spread throughout all the parts of his bodie that his speech and spirits were at once taken from him Those which sate about him were in a maze the other which knew nothing ran away but they which were of deeper iudgement stirred not but looked Nero in the face he leaning on the table like one that knew nothing of the practise sayd he was often wont to fall into such fits through the falling sicknes which Britannicus had been greeuously afflicted with from his infancie and that his sight and speech by little and little would come to him againe But Agrippina was possessed with such a great feare an astonishment of senses although she indeuored to hide it in countenance that she was easily iudged to be as ignorant of the fact as Britannicus sister Octauia for she saw that she was bereaued of her greatest stay perceiued well that it was a beginning of parricide Octauia also although of yong yeeres yet had learned to hide her griefe her loue and all affections and so after a little silence the mirth of the banquet began againe Britannicus bodie was burnt the same night he died all funerall preparation hauing beene prouided before hand which was but small neuertheles he was buried in Campus Martius in such stormes showres that the people beleeued they portended the wrath of the gods against so heinous a fact which yet many excused in Nero calling to minde the auncient discord of brothers in termes of soueraigntie and how Kings admit no companions Many writers of that time do deliuer that Nero many dayes before had abused Britanicus bodie and therefore that now his death could not seeme either vntimely or cruell although it happened in the sacred libertie of his table his sister not hauing so much as time to imbrace him hastned before his enemies face against the last of Claudius bloud and his bodie defiled before he was poisoned Caesar excused the hastines of the obsequies by an edict saying that the custome of auncient times was to celebrate in secret manner and not openly dolefull and bitter funerals without either solemnities or praises As for himselfe hauing lost the ayde and comfort of his brother the rest of his hopes were anchored wholy in the common wealth and that the Lords of the Senat people should so much the more fauour maintaine that Prince which was only left of the familie borne to rule and absolute dominion Then he enriched with gifts the chiefest of his friends Neither wanted there some which blamed men pretending grauitie that they deuided houses and possessions as though they had beene booties Some thought the Prince forced them thereto as guiltie of his fact and hoping for pardon if he could bind vnto him the mightiest and strongest in power But his mothers wrath could by no munificence be appeased but she embraced Octauia and had often secret conference with her friends and besides her naturall couetousnes scraping money together of all hands as it were for some purpose on a pinch she entertained the Centurions and Tribunes with all courtesie she honored the names and vertues of the nobilitie which then were in towne as though she had sought for a head to make a faction Nero perceiuing that commaundeth the gard of souldiers which heretofore was appointed to gard the Emperors wife and now her as his mother to be taken from her and certaine Germans which she had besides the former appointed to gard her to depart and be gone And least she should be frequented with multitudes of saluters he deuideth his house sendeth his mother to that which was Antoniaes and as oft as himselfe came thither garded with a companie of Centurions after a short salutation departed againe V. Agrippina accused for conspiring against Nero. Silana punished Pallas and Burrhus accused THere is no mortall thing more mutable and flitting then the fame of greatnes not sustained by his owne force and strength Agrippinaes house was now vtterly forsaken no man went to comfort her no man to visite her sauing a few women and vncertaine of them whether for loue or hatred Among which Iunia Silana was one who as I haue alreadie declared at Messallinaes instigations was separated from hir husband C. Silius a woman of great parentage of alluring and wanton beautie and a long time welbeloued of Agrippina Yet afterwards there was a priuie grudge betweene them two bicause Agrippina had dehorted Sext. Africanus a noble yoong gentleman from marriyng of Silana saying shee was vnchast and growne into yeeres not because she meant to reserue him for hir selfe but fearing least he should enioy Silanaes goods if she died without issue Silana hauing a hope of reuenge offered sollicited Iturius and Caluisius followers of her owne to accuse Agrippina yet not for any old and stale matter as that she bewailed the death of Britannicus or published the iniuries done to Octauia but that she intended to stir vp Rubellius Plautus by the mothers side as neere to Augustus as Nero was to new enterprises against the state by marriyng of him Empire gotten by her meanes afflict inuade the common-wealth afresh These things Iturius and Caluisius discouered to Atimetus a freed man of Domitia aunt vnto Nero. Who glad of the occasion offered for betweene Domitia and Agrippina there was deadly hatred vrged the stage player Paris a freed man likewise of Domitia to goe withall speed to Nero and enforme most bitterly against her The night was well spent and Nero well tippled when Paris entereth as one accustomed at other times to entertaine the Prince with sports and iestes but then his countenance setled to sadnes and declaring the whole order of Atimetus tale did so terrifie and daunt the Prince that he determined to kill not onely his mother and Plautus but discharge Burrhus of his office as aduaunced by Agrippinaes fauour and readie therefore to requite her with as good a turne Fabius Rusticus reporteth that
letters were written to Caenina Tuschus to come and take charge of the guard but that Burrhus credit was saued and kept in his office by Senecaes meanes Plinie and Cluuius seeme there was no doubt made of Burrhus loyaltie and in verie deede Fabius inclineth much to the commendation of Seneca as one of his preferment But our meaning is to follow the consent of authors and if any affirme contrarie we will deliuer it vnder their names Nero trembling for feare and exceeding desirous of the death of his mother could not indure the delay vntill Burrhus had promised to performe it if she were conuicted of the crime But euerie man might alleage what he could for his defence much more a mother Neither were there any accusers present and nothing to ground on but one mans report out of an enimies house He was to cōsider that it was night and that spent in banqueting and therefore all would seeme to smell of rashnes and folly The Princes feare somewhat lightened by these speeches and the day come one went to Agrippina to let her vnderstand of the accusation to purge her selfe or looke to suffer Burrhus was to do the message in presence of Seneca with some freed men as witnes of the speeches Then Burrhus hauing declared the accusation and the authors of it vsed threatning termes and Agrippina not forgetting her old fiercenes returned him his answere saying I maruell not if Silana neuer hauing had childe know not what the affections of mothers are neither are children changed by their parents as adulterers by shamelesse women Neither if Iturius and Caluisius hauing wasted their substance bestow this their last labour in vndertaking this accusation therefore am I to sustaine the infamie of parricide or Caesar haue scruple of conscience that I would commit it as for Domitia I would thanke her for the hate she beareth me if she would likewise in good will and loue towards my Nero striue with me Now by her concubine Atimetus and Paris the stage player she doth as it were compose fables for the stage She was busie about her fish pooles of Baia when by my counsels Neroes adoption proconsularie authoritie election to be Consull and other steps to mount to the Empire were procured Or else let some one be brought foorth to make it appeere that I haue practised with the citie-cohorts corrupted the loyaltie of the Prouinces or sollicited bond-men or freedmen to rebellion I might haue liued if Britannicus had beene soueraigne but if Plautus or some other should get the rule of the common-wealth forsooth there should want accusers to laye to my charge not wordes sometimes vnaduisedly escaped thorough feruencie of loue but such crimes also from which I could not be acquited but as a mother by hir son The assistance moued with these speeches and endeuoring to appease her anger she requireth to speake with her sonne before whom she spake nothing in defence of her innocencie as if she had distrusted or of her benefits as to vpbrayd him but obteined reuenge of her accusers and rewards for hir friends The charge and office of prouision of corne was giuen to Senius Rufus the commission of plaies which Caesar was a preparing to Aruntius Stella Aegypt to C. Balbillus Syria was appointed to P. Anteius then abused with diuers deuises and in the ende detained in the citie But Silana was banished Caluisius also and Iturius Atimetus was executed Paris being in greater credit by reason of pleasures ministred to the Prince then that he should be put to death Plautus was sent away for the time with silence Pallas after this and Burrhus were accused to haue practised to call Cornelius Sylla for noblenes of birth and affinitie with Claudius whose sonne in lawe he was by marriage of Antonia to the Empire The author of that accusation was one Paetus a man infamous by causing debters to forfeit their goods and then manifestly conuicted of vanitie and falshoode Neither was Pallas innocencie so gratefull as his pride insupportable for when some of his freed men were saide to haue beene priuie to the practise he made answer that in his house he appointed nothing to be done but with a nod of his head or hand or by writing if he had much to say least if he shoulde haue spoken vnto them he should seeme to haue made them his fellowes Burrhus although accused yet gaue sentence among the iudges Paetus the accuser was banished and the writings burnt by which he went about to renewe the recordes of the treasurie alreadie cancelled In the end of the same yeere the gard of the soldiers which was woont to be at the plaies was taken away for a greater shew of libertie and bicause the souldier being absent from the disorder of the Theater shoulde be lesse corrupt and the people shewe by proofe whether they would vse modestie if the guarde were away The prince hallowed and purged the citie with sacrifices by aduise of the southsaiers bicause Iupiters and Mineruaes temples were set on fire with lightning VI. Neroes disorders the case of the franchised debated an order for certaine magistrates Q. Volusius and P. Scipio being Consuls there was peace abroad filthie lasciuiousnes at home during which Nero gadded vp down the streetes to infamous brothell houses by-corners in slaues attire to be vnknown accompanied with such as snatched away wares from mens stales wounded such as met them and with such small regard whome that Nero himselfe hath receiued and carried away blowes and marks on the face And when it was knowne to be Caesar which played those pranks the disorder grew greater against both men and women of accompt and with like licentiousnes abusing Caesars name many practised the same insolencies gathered together in particular companies and so spending the night as it had been in taking a towne and captiuitie One Iulius Montanus a Senator who had not yet taken vpon him the dignitie by chaunce coping with the Prince in the darke and rudely thrusting him backe as he offered him violence then knowing him and crauing pardō was inforced to die as though therby he had reproched him of folly Nero more wary and fearefull after that went not without a rabble of souldiers and fencers which medled not at the first and whilest the prince made his party good but after if he were ouermatched by such as he abused they layd hands immediately on their weapons He turned the disordered licence at plaies and part-taking in fauor of stage players almost to a mutinie by giuing impunitie and rewards himselfe priuily or for the most part openly looking on vntill the people growing to sedition and fearing greater stirres no other remedie was found then to expell the stage-players out of Italie and place a gard of souldiers againe on the theater At the same time the deceit and vngratefull behauior of freed men was debated in Senat and instant sute made that the patrons might haue authoritie to reuoke the
Sabina Poppaea daughter of T. Ollius but she had takē the name of Sabinus Poppaeus her grandfather by the mothers side a man of worthie memorie honored with the Consularie dignitie ornaments of triumph for Seianus friendship did ouerthrow Ollius before he came to any dignities This woman was graced with all things sauing an honest mind for her mother surpassing other women of her time in beautie gaue her both glorie beautie wealth she had sufficiēt to maintain her nobilitie her speech affable gratious nor no grosse wit but knowing wel how to pretend modestie liue lasciously she came little abroad and then part of her face couered with a vaile either not to fill the eie of the beholder or bicause it becōmed her best of her credite regard she had neuer making no differēce betweene hir husbands adulterers neither subiect to her owne will nor anothers but where profit was offered thither she carried her affection This woman then being wife to Rufus Crispinus a gentleman of Rome by whom she had a sonne Otho seduced through his youth riot bicause he was most inwarde in friendship with Nero It was not long but they ioined marriage to adulterie Otho either bicause he was vncircumspect in loue or bicause he would enflame the princes lust praised his wiues beautie and comely feature in his presence that both enioying one woman his credite and authoritie might by that bond grow greater He hath bin often heard to say as he hath risen from banquetting with Caesar that he woulde go to her in whom was all beautie and nobilitie and to her who kindling all mens desire was able to make them most happie Through these and the like prouocations there was no long delaie made Nero then finding accesse vnto her Poppaea at the first by allurements and cunning began to inueigle him saying that she was not able to withstande his loue and that she was ouercome with his beautie Then perceiuing the princes lust to be growen hot she began to grow proud and if she entertained him aboue a night or two it was all she coulde affoorde him saying she was a married wife and that she could not abandon her husband as being bounde vnto Otho for his manner of cariage and behauiour which fewe came neere vnto that he was in courage and demeanour magnificent and in all respects woorthie of highest fortune As for Nero vsing a bond-slaue for his concubine and tied to Actes familiaritie he had learned nothing of that seruile companie but basenes and niggardice Otho after this was barred of the accustomed familiaritie with the Prince then of his companie and retinue and last of all least he should be his concurrent in the citie he made him gouernour of the prouince of Portingall Where he liued vntill the ciuill wars not as before disorderly but honestly and vncorruptly as one loosly giuen when he had little to do but in office and rule more stayed and temperate All this while Nero sought to cloke his vitiousnes and licentious life Afterward he beganne to be iealous of Cornelius Syllaes dull and heauie disposition interpreting it contrarie to that which it was deeming him a craftie and subtle dessembler Which iealousie Graptus a freed man of Caesars by age and experience and time vntill then well practised in Princes houses augmented with this lie The Miluian bridge in those daies was notorious for a haunt of dissolute and vnruly persons in the night Whither Nero resorted also to inioy his licentious pleasures more freely being out of the towne and returning backe by the Flaminian way Graptus put him in the head that there had bin wait laid for him which he escaped by destinie because he went another way to Sallustius gardens falsly accused Sylla to be the author thereof Bicause that some of the Princes seruitors returning that way by chaunce were by some licentious behauiour of youth which in that place was verie cōmon put in greater fright than danger Yet there was no one of Syllaes seruitours or vassals knowen His faint hart and not daring any enterprise being well knowen to be farre from any such fact yet neuerthelesse as though he had been conuicted he was commaunded to depart his countrey and liue within the wals of Marsiles Vnder the same Consuls the Embasies of the Puteolanians were heard which the Senators on one side and the communaltie on the other sent to the Senate the Senators charging the communaltie with insolencie and the people charging the magistrates chiefe gentlemen with couetuousnes And when the sedition was alreadie growen to throwing of stones and threatning to fire one another and like to drawe on murder and war C. Cassius was chosen to order the matter but knowing that they could not endure his seueritie at his request that care was committed to the brothers the Scribonians with a band of the Emperours guarde through the terrour of which and punishment of a fewe the townesmen were set at quietnes againe I would not speake of the very common decree of Senate by which the citie of Syracusa was licensed to exceede the number prefixed in the shew of Fencers If Paetus Thrasea had not spoken against it and giuen matter vnto backbiters to reprehend his iudgement For said they if he beleeued that the common-wealth wanted the libertie of Senators why did he meddle in such trifles He should rather haue perswaded or disswaded matters of warre or peace of tributes of lawes and other things wherein consisted the estate of Rome It was lawfull for the Lords of the Senate as oft as they thought conuenient to giue their opinion to propounde what they listed and aske for a consultation vpon it Was it onely woorthie of correcting that at Syracusa the plaies should not be so long Be all other things in the Empire as well as if not Nero but Thrasea had the gouerment thereof The which if they were let passe with great dissimulation how much more should they forbeare vaine trifles Thrasea on the contrary his friends demaunding him a reason why he contradicted the decree made answere that he did it not as being ignorant of the present estate of things but for the greater honour of the Lords of the Senat and shew manifestly that they would not dissemble in important affaires which would looke into such small matters XII Matters of policie redressed The Senators withstand Nero touching subsidies THe same yeere through the often and importunate sute of the people blaming the couetousnes of the farmers of the common rents Nero doubted whether it were best to command that there should no more subsidies and tributes be leuied and giue so faire a gift to the worlde But this sudden pang hauing first commended the bounteousnes of his minde the LL. of the Senate staied affirming it to be the dissolution of the Empire if the reuenewes by which it was sustained should be diminished for if custome were taken away it would follow that the abolishing of
Iudges clemencie Not long after forsaking Achaia for the present the causes were vncertaine he came againe to Rome hammering greatly with himselfe of going to the prouinces of the East and especially Aegypt Then by an edict witnessing his absence should not be long and that all should go well with the common wealth he went to the Capitol to worship the gods And as he entered the temple of Vesta taken suddenly with a shaking ouer all his bodie either the goddesse of the place terrifying him or the remembrance of his villanies alwaies accompanying him with feare he changed his determination affirming that all cares were nothing to him in regard of the loue of his countrey that he had seene the sad countenances of the citizens heard their secret complaints why he should go about so great a iourney whose short and reasonable absence they could not indure as men wont to be comforted with the sight of the Prince against all crosses and aduersities Therefore as in priuat friendships the neerest pledges and kindred are most deerest so the people of Rome had great power ouer him and that he must obey them seeing they kept him from going These and the like speeches were pleasing to the people desirous of pastimes and which was their chiefest care fearing want of corne if he should be absent The Lords of the Senate and the nobilitie knew not whether he were more cruell farre off or neere then as the nature of all great feare is they beleeued that which hapned to be worst He to win an opinion that he was no where so merrie as in the citie made bankets in publick places and vsed the whole citie as it had beene his owne house Those bankets were most spoken of for riot and fame which Tigellinus prepared which I will lay downe as a parerne of all least the same wastfulnes should be often repeated In Agrippaes lake therefore he built a boate whereon the banket was drawne with other boates The boates were beset with gold and Iuory The rowers were stale Catamites placed according to their age and skill of vnnaturall vncleannes He had prepared Fowle and wilde beasts out of diuers countries and out of the Ocean On the brinke of the poole were brothell houses filled with noble women and ouer against them were common strumpets naked vsing filthie gestures and behauiour And when the night was come all the wood and houses about rang with singing and shined with lightes Nero himselfe defiled with lawfull and vnnaturall lusts left no wickednes vndone because he would be most corrupt And a few dayes after he was wedded as it had been solemnely to one of that polluted crew called Pythagoras The Emperour was couered with a yellow vaile There went before him those which gaue him in marriage the wedding bed was prepared and wedding torches all was seene which euen the night doth hide in a married woman IX Diuers parts of Rome burnt by chaunce or by the malice of Nero. THere followed a great misfortune but whether by chaunce or deuise of the Prince vncertaine for authors haue affirmed both but of all the greatest and most grieuous that euer chanced to this citie by violence of fire It began in that part of the Cirque that ioyneth to the hils Palatine Caelian then taking in the ware-houses wherein was marchandise which nourished the fire increasing more and more by the blowing of the winde burnt all the length of the Cirque Neither were the houses compassed with any defences or temples walled or any thing else to stay the furie of it But spreading with violence consumed first the plaine then rising to the hils againe wasting the low places by swiftnes of hurt preuented the remedies the citie being subiect to it by reason of the narrownes of the streetes turning and winding lanes on euery hand and vnorderly as it was in old Rome Therewithall the lamentations of fearefull women of aged men and vnskilfull youth helping themselues and succouring and leading the weake and impotent or tarrying for them some hastning some abiding encombred and hindered all the rest and often whilest they looked behinde them the fire had hold on them either on the side or before them or if they had escaped to the next places there was all on a light fire likewise yea those places which were thought farre from danger were found to be in the same case In the end doubtfull what to eschue or whither to flee they filled the streetes and lay in the fieldes some all their goodes lost and wanting dayly foode other for loue of some which they could not saue cast themselues away although they had easie meanes to escape Neither was there any man which durst to quench it through the often threatning of many which hindered them yea some openly threw burning fire-brands into it and cryed alowd that they had a warrant for it either because they might rob and steale more licentiously or because they were so commaunded Nero being then at Antium came not to the citie vntill the fire was come neere his owne house on that side that it ioyned with the pallace and Maecenas orchardes Yet it could not be hindered from burning his house and pallace and all else round about But to giue some cōfort to the chased fugitiue people he opened Campus Martius and the monumēts of Agrippa and his own gardens and erected buildings in haste to receiue the needie multitude Vtensiles were brought from Hostia and other neere townes and the price of corne brought downe vnto three nummos All which although done in fauour of the people yet was not accepted bicause a rumor was spread that at the verie time that the citie was on fire he went to the stage in his house and sang the destruction of Troy comparing present calamities with old disasters At last on the sixt day the fire ended at the bottom of the Esquilin hill by beating downe a huge number of buildings that the fielde and as it were the open heauen might withstand and encounter the continuall rage And before the feare was past it began afresh but not so terriblie in open places of the citie and therfore the hurt of people the lesse but the Temples of the gods and galleries deuoted to pleasure were almost all ruined The obloquie of that fire was the greater bicause it burst out to Tigellinus houses of pleasure sometimes belonging to the Aemylians And it seemed that Nero sought the glorie of building a new citie and calling it by his name For Rome was diuided into fourteene wardes whereof fower were vntouched three consumed to the ground of the other seauen some markes of buildings remained but rent and halfe burnt It were no easie matter to reckon the number of houses and buildings standing by themselues called Iles and Temples which were consumed but the auncientest in regard of religion as the Temple which Seruius Tullius built in honour of the Moone and the great altar and Temple