hopes but even the thoughts of Land-fighting during that War Twenty thousand Carthaginians are said to have been slain in that action twenty six Elephants were taken there and all the rest afterwards For the Proconsul considering that the Elephants being fierce and untractable could not easily be brought to hand unless it were by men acquainted with their nature promis'd by Proclamation to set such Prisoners at liberty as would help to catch them And these having first caught the tamest and gentlest of them by their means easily brought the rest to hand L. Metellus sent them all to Rome having used a new Invention in transporting them by Sea For having no Ships fit for that use of several Hogsheads joyn'd together a piece of Timber being laid betwixt every two Hogsheads to keep them tight he made a float which after it was boarded and cover'd with Earth and the sides made up look'd like a Stable so that the Elephants mistrusting nothing entred into it and not being sensible they went by Water a thing they cannot endure were landed at Rhegium Asdrubal after this defeat escap'd to Lilybeum but being condemn'd at Carthage he was taken and put to death as soon as he return'd The Carthaginians mean while seeing their Forces routed their Elephants taken all Sicily except Lilybeum and Drepanum lost and the Romans again puissant both by Sea and Land being provided with a new Fleet resolv'd to make Peace which now they would be glad with all their hearts to have concluded upon any reasonable terms And bethinking themselves of M. Regulus and the Conditions of Peace propos'd by him they looked upon him as the fittest Instrument to obtain a Peace for them or what next to that would prove their greatest comfort an exchange of Prisoners and they doubted not but that he would use his utmost endeavour and application in the business if it were onely to serve his own turn For what Man could be thought so hard-hearted as not to desire a release from the miseries of a Prison to see his Children and enjoy his Country liberty and honour M. Regulus had a Wife and Children at Rome his Kinsmen and Relations were either Senators or else in Offices and his Brother a Consul He himself was belov'd by the Senate and people of Rome for his prosperous Exploits and pitied for his Calamity For which reasons therefore they could pitch upon no man that would be more diligent in managing the business for them or more likely to prevail in it Regulus undertook the thing not out of any hopes or design of advantage to himself as it afterwards appear'd but onely to persuade the Senate more effectually by his presence to maintain their own Interests And now being joyn'd with the Carthaginian Ambassadours when he came to the City he would not enter into it though he was desir'd to do so alledging that the Senate according to Ancient Custom ought to give Audience out of the Town to Ambassadours sent from an Enemy When the Senate was assembled He said before the Carthaginian Ambassadors that being by the Law of Arms made a Captive of the Carthaginians he came to present them with a memorial from his Masters in order to have a Peace concluded upon such terms as both Nations should think fit or if that were not granted to have an Exchange of Prisoners When the Ambassadours withdrew he follow'd them and though the Senate mightily importun'd him yet he would not be present at their Debates before the Carthaginians had consented to it then he sate down silent till he was ask'd his Opinion which he deliver'd in words to this effect My Lords I am yet a Roman and though my body as Fate would have it is in the power of the Enemy my mind being none of Fortunes Slaves remains what it was before wherefore in compliance with this which I properly call my own rather than with that which is another mans I advise you neither to exchange Prisoners nor to make Peace Whilst the War is afoot 't is wholly against your Interest to restore the Prisoners for they require several Captains for me and many young men for an old one among whom there are some I know that you do not despise But to end the War unless upon very good Conditions is both unbecoming men of your Wisdom and also prejudicial to the Public I am very sensible of the many difficulties you meet with in waging this War for great Enterprises cannot be atchieved without much labour and expences But if you compare the Carthaginians condition and your own together you will find all the advantage on your side we lost once 't is true a great Battel but we have often routed them since and our Victory at Palermo has dejected their Spirits more than their success against me had elated them They have lost all Sicily except one or two places and in the other Islands they have had but ill success You have a Fleet now which the Carthaginians dare not encounter though they were always superiour by Sea Nor have the losses sustain'd by storms so much impair'd your strength as encreas'd your caution As for Money perhaps both sides want it equally but your Italians will be more obedient to you than the Affricans to the Carthaginians whom they never lov'd and of late have hated mortally For those who without any injury or provocation revolted to me after their Country is wasted by their former Masters their Cattel driven away Money exhorted from them and their Princes slain what do you think do they expect but that a new Army come into Affrica from hence Beside that 't is easie for you to levy Soldiers having such plenty of men fit for War of the same Language Manners Religion Kindred and Country to one another I look on this to be a matter of that grand importance that for this reason you are able to dispute the Victory with the Carthaginians though you come short of them in all other respects For what will a mercenary Army signifie against such Forces as these and though they should he of any use yet the Carthaginians by their cruelty have render'd it as hard a task for themselves to raise forein Soldiers as to maintain those they raise Xanthippus to whom Carthage perhaps owes all she had to lose since being ingratefully and perfidiously treated stands for an Example to others to deter them from rashly entring into the Service of a People that requites the greatest kindnesses with the greatest injuries Besides the common rout of Barbarians that stupid and mercenary Race will be affraid to serve a People eminent and notorious for their cruelty to their own Countrymen of whom so many have died either by the Hangman or their Fellow-Soldiers hands Others being expos'd in desert Islands instead of having their Arrears paid them met with strange and dismal deaths and punishments such as not to be us'd by men My Lords You see here the reasons by which I am
opportunity into their hands to execute their often baffled design of burning the Roman Engines they sallied out in three Bodies and threw Fire-balls and other combustible materials upon them the Timber whereof the Engines were made being very apt to take fire having been fell'd long before and dry'd in the Sun The Romans came together from all quarters to oppose the Enemy but they fought upon great disadvantage for the Carthaginians by the light of the flames the Engines now being set on fire and the violence of the storm were inabled to cast their Darts with greater strength and surer aim Whilst the Romans were hereby incommoded as much as by the Arms of the Enemies For the Wind bearing violently against them blew the smoak ashes and flames in their Faces and drove the Enemies shot with redoubled force upon them they in the mean while shooting faintly and at random being not able to take aim in the dark and the violence of the Wind brake the force of their Shot Thus it came to pass that all the Roman Engines used both for Battery and Mines were burnt to Ashes And hereupon they would have risen from before Lilybaeum as despairing of ever forcing the place had not Hiero by sending to the Camp great Recruits of Provision prevailed with them to continue the Siege After this forbearing all atttacks upon the place they fortified their Camp and resolved to leave the success to time The Besieged likewise having repaired the ruins and breaches of their Walls became more resolute to hold out for the future But at Rome this news was very unwelcome however they were resolved to be avenged on their Enemies for the damages susteined at their hands and one of the Senators who had spoken some words concerning Peace is said to have been kill'd in the Senate-house so steddily and firmly were their minds bent to the War Great preparations were hereupon made and ten thousand Seamen raised and sent over into Sicily where a great number of Saylors had been lost The Consuls this year were P. Clodius Pulcher and L. Junius Pullus though that this same Clodius was the Grand-child of Caecus is falsly reported by some Authors When Clodius was arrived in Sicily and A. U. 504 took the command of the Army before Lilybaeum he assembled the Soldiers and exclaimed mightily against the Consuls the year before saying That more like Besieged than Besiegers they had through Cowardize and Sloth squander'd their time at Lilybaeum doing nothing to the great damage and dishonour of the Roman Name For he was a hot-headed Man fierce of temper and very haughty one that vaunted mightily for his high Birth and Parentage and behav'd himself both in his words and actions like a Man that was transported beyond his Senses he never shewed mercy to any Offender never forgave any fault but punished the least with immoderate severity whilst he himself was guilty of most shameful Oversights and Errours and those too in the management of the most important Affairs For that very Method of the former Consuls at which he was so much offended just now we find imitated afterwards by himself For he also made a kind of Mole to stop up the Entries of the Port nay what was yet a more insupportable piece of madness he with a furious suddenness attack'd Drepanum and lost a brave Navy by his own precipitousness as much as by the valour and good Conduct of Adherbal He had persuaded himself and others that the Enemy ignorant of the reinforcement lately sent to the Roman Fleet might be surpriz'd at Drepanum Forasmuch as they would never believe that the Romans would have either Courage or Power to give them Battel by Sea In pursuance hereof he selected two hundred and twenty of the best Ships and manned them with the stoutest he could chuse among the Legionary Soldiers who very ambitiously strove to get themselves listed for this service thinking they went to take some certain booty which was not far distant Drepanum being situate but fifteen miles from Lilybaeum and silently in the Night weighed Anchor and had a lucky Voyage of it in the dark being undiscovered by the Enemy But at the break of day when the foremost Ships were descry'd from Drepanum Adherbal was much surpriz'd at this appearance and doubted not but the Enemy was coming on Now he had two things proposed to his choice either instantly to fight the Enemy or else to venture a Siege by permitting them to Land The last of which he dislik'd both as a kind of treachery and also as a thing dangerous in its consequence Therefore he assembled all the Seamen upon the shore and called all the Mercenary Soldiers together and in few words but those pat to the business told them How great their advantage would be to fight it out like men of Courage and if they refus'd to do so what dangers they must expect from a Siege They entertain'd his words with great acclamations and Adherbal order'd them immediately to imbark and keeping the Admiral Galley aboard of which himself was in their sight to row up after her As soon as he had given these Orders he weighed Anchor first himself sayling just under the Rocks that hang over the Port whilst the Roman Galleys at the same time enter'd into it from the other side Clodius finding he was not to deal with a cow'd Enemy as he fancy'd that would refuse Battel but one resolv'd to defend himself and stand the shock was much surpriz'd at it and hastily countermanded all his Ships intending to embattel them in the open Sea but his Fleet observ'd no kind of order but sailed on very confusedly So that some of his Ships had enter'd the Haven others were making up towards it and some got into the mouth of it Hence it was that whilst they all strove to retire the Ships in this hurry ran one against another whereby their Oars were broken off and great confusion arose among them till having got clear of the Haven as well as they could they immediately drew up in Battel-array close to the shore for the time would not permit them to chuse a better place The Consul himself who at first had brought up the Rear now tack'd about and sailing about before all the rest setled himself upon the left Wing of his Fleet. But Adherbal in the mean while having pass'd by the Enemies left Wing with five Men of War for no more came up just with him began to confront the Romans having the open Sea behind him and at the same time the rest of his Fleet coming up as fast as they could joined these at a just distance according as he had commanded then ranging all his Ships he advanced against the Enemy in good order And now the Flags being hung out from both the Admirals they fell on very furiously both ingaging upon equal hopes but the Carthaginians having the better fortune for tho the Romans exceeded them in number of
in strength and himself by like insensible degrees to grow weaker and that if he did not attempt something extraordinary all would be lost resolv'd to fight with the first opportunity To which Scipio was no less forwards both from the hopes his late success had given him as also because he was willing to engage rather with one of them first before their three Armies were join'd However lest he should be hamper'd with them all at once he had augmented his Forces for seeing there was no use for the Fleet no Enemy appearing upon the Sea-Coast he laid up all the Ships at Tarricon and added the Seamen to his Land Forces and Arms enough he had taken at Carthage or at least made by the Artificers afterwards With these Forces Scipio early in the Spring march'd from Tarracon for by that time Laelius was return'd from Rome without whom he would undertake no grand Expedition and march'd towards the Enemy His passage was all calm and every Nation as they pass'd courteously receiv'd them and amongst the rest Indibilis and Mandonius met him with their Forces Indibilis spoke for them both but not at all like a Barbarian foolishly and unwarily but with a modest gravity and rather as excusing his revolt as necessary than boasting of it as undertaken at the first opportunity For he said he knew right well that the very name of a Deserter was no less odious to those they leave than suspected amongst those with whom they join nor could he blame those that did so if it were not the bare name but the double dealing that occasion'd it Then he enumerated at large his good services for the Carthaginians and on the other side their Avarice Pride and all kind of injuries to him and his Countrymen so that hitherto they had only had his body but his mind was long since there were right and faith were observ'd just as those fly to the protection of the Gods who no longer are able to endure the violences and injustice of men That all he desired was that his coming over might neither be reckon'd a Crime nor an Honour but as from that day they found him so and no otherwise they would value him Scipio made Answer That in truth he would do so nor could he count those Fugitives who judg'd themselves not bound to that Alliance where nothing was inviolable nor any duty regarded either towards God or Man Then were brought forth their Wives and Children who were received with mutual tears of joy and for that day they were conducted to their Lodgings The next Morning they concluded the particulars of their Treaty and then were for the present dismiss'd to gather together their Forces with whom returning they thenceforwards quarter'd in the same Camp with the Romans until by their guidance they came up with the Enemy The Carthaginian Army which lay next them was that of Asdrubal near the City Baetula before his Camp there were Out-Guards of Horse on whom the Roman Van-Couriers though weary with their march before ever they chose their ground to encamp on did as it were in contempt make so brisk a charge as easily shew'd what heart there was in both Parties for the Carthaginian Troops fled in confusion to their Camp and the Romans advanc'd their Standards almost up to the very Ports and so that day their Stomachs being only whetted for a Battel they pitcht their Tents In the night Annibal retreated his Forces to a Mount which on the top had a good large Plain a River on his Rear and in the Front as well as on both sides a steep Bank there lay under this Hill-top another Plain lower than the other which was also enclosed with a like high-bank as difficult for assent as the former into which Asdrubal the next day when he saw the Enemy resolv'd to fight him sent down his Numidian Horse Slingers and Africans Scipio riding about through the several Squadrons and Regiments shew'd them the Enemy You see quoth he their hearts already misgive them they despair before hand to sight on even ground but take the advantage of Hills and Banks and 't is only in confidence of the place rather than any assurance they have in their Arms or their Courage that they adventure to stand before you but you remember Carthage had Walls far higher than yonder Mounds and Banks and yet the Roman Souldiers quickly mounted and got over them and suffer'd neither Hills nor Forts nor the Sea it self to resist the fury of their approaches Those altitudes the Enemy have posted themselves upon will only do them this service that they may run away down Hill but even there too I trow I shall lay a block in their way For presently he order'd two Regiments forth one to keep the Streights of the Valley through which the River runs the other to seize the Road that leads from the City by the winding side of the Hill into the Fields Himself led on the Van Couriers who yesterday beat off the Enemies Horse Guards towards their Light arm'd Squadrons that stood on neither brow of the Hill at first they were to pass over a rough uneven ground and met with no difficulty but that of the way it self but no sooner were they got within reach but a mighty storm of all sorts of Darts and other Weapons came down thundering upon them as thick as Hail who answer'd them again with a showre of Stones wherewith the ground being all over-spread it served them very conveniently for Ammunition and at this sport the Snapsack Boys Lackies and other riff-raff that followed the Camp being mixt amongst the Souldiers were as busy as the best the truth is the ascent of it self was very difficult and much more when they were so pelted and as it were overwhelm'd with Darts and Stones yet being enur'd as they were to climbe Walls and resolutely bent on the service the foremost Ranks did at last reach the top where having once got plain ground and sure sooting they found the Enemy who were light and nimble to run here and there and shift well enough for themselves as long as they charg'd at a distance not able to stand their ground in a close Engagement hand to hand but easily beat back upon their main body that stood on the upper Hill whither Scipio having order'd this Victorious Party to follow them divided the rest of his Forces with Laelius commanding him with one Brigade to march about on the right hand of the Hill and seek the easiest place to get up at whilst he himself with the other takes the left hand way and fetching a small compass fell in pell-mell and charg'd the Enemy on the Flank This somewhat discompos'd their Front being apt upon the sudden shout and alarm to turn their Wings and Ranks that way but whilst they were in this hurry to confound them quite Laelius was got up and whilst they retreat to keep him off and prevent their being wounded in the
was broke out in his Province where he was like to receive but a very small remnant of an Army from Sex Digitius and that too full of fear and ready to run away to make the Senate Decree him one of the City Legions to which when he had added the Soldiers raised by himself that he might choose out of the whole number three Thousand five Hundred Foot and three Hundred Horse for with that Legion there being but little hopes in Sex Digitius's Army he 'd do the business But the Senate replyed and said They must not make Decrees for vain stories raised by private Persons to please Magistrates For nothing ought to be look'd apon as authentick but what either the Praetors wrote out of their Provinces or Embassadors brought word of If there were an Insurrection in Spain they would consent that the Praetor should raise tumultuary Souldiers without Italy The Senate intended that those tumultuary Soldiers should be mustered up in Spain though Valerius Antias says that C. Flaminius went over into Sicily also to make his Levy and as he went from thence into Spain being driven by a Tempest into Africa listed the straggling Soldiers that remained of P. Africanus's Army adding to the Levys in those two Provinces a third when he came into Spain Nor did the Ligurian War increase more slowly in Italy For they were now posted about Pisae with forty Thousand Men besides that a vast Multitude flock'd to them every Day through the fame of the War and the hopes they had of a good Booty The Consul Minutius came to Arretium on the Day that he had appointed the Souldiers to meet him From thence he led them in a square Body to Pisae and since the Enemy had removed their Camp a thousand Paces from the Town beyond the River the Consul entered into the City which was no doubt of it preserv'd by his arrival The next Day he himself also encamped beyond the River about five Hundred Paces from the Enemy From thence by light skirmishes he defended the Country of his Allies from being pillaged But he durst not march out into the Field because his Soldiers were new Men and mustered up out of several Countries not yet so well acquainted among themselves as to trust one another Mean while the Ligurians relying upon their Multitudes not only march'd out into the Field prepared to try a push for all they had but they likewise sent out a great many parties every way having Soldiers enough and to spare to the utmost limits of the Country for plunder who when they had got together a good quantity of Cattle and other Prey there was a Guard ready for them to bring it through into their Castles and Villages Whilst the Ligurian War continued at Pisae the other Consul L. Cornelius Merula led his Army through the very Borders of Liguria into the Country of the Boii where the face of the War was quite another thing to what it was in Liguria For there the Consul went out into the Field whilst the Enemy declined the fight and the Romans ran to and fro a plundering where no body came forth to meet them the Boii being more willing to let them freely take what they found than by defending of it to venture an engagement But when that all things were sufficiently wasted by Sword and Fire the Consul march'd out of the Enemies Country and led his Army towards Mutina in a careless manner being among a peaceful sort of People The Boii as soon as they perceived the Enemy to be gone out of their Confines followed after with silence and sought a place convenient to make an Ambuscade In order whereunto passing in the Night by the Roman Camp they lodg'd themselves in a Wood by which the Romans were to come But having done it so as that they were discovered the Consul who was used to remove his Camp at midnight lest the darkness should increase their fear in a tumultuary Fight stayed then till Day Nay and then too though he did not remove till Day yet he sent a Troop of Horse before to see what they must trust to And when they brought him word back what the Enemies Forces were and where they were posted he ordered all the Baggage of the whole Army to be thrown on one heap together and that the Triarii should raise a mound about it but went with the rest of his Army in Battalia up to the Foe The Gauls also did the same when they saw their Ambuscade was discovered and that they must fight a regular and set Battel where true Valour must win the Day About the second Hour they engaged the left Wing of the Allies Horse and the extraordinaries fighting in the Front They were commanded by two Consular Lieutenants M. Marcellus and Tib. Sempronius who was Consul the year before The new Consul was one while in the Van and anon keeping back the Legions in the Reer that should not fall on before the signal was given The Horse that was in those Legions he order'd Q. and P. Minucius Tribunes of the Souldiers to draw forth into an open Plain without the main Body of the Army from whence when he had given the signal they might have room to charge But as he was doing this a Message came to him from Tib. Sempronius Longus that the Extraordinaries could not endure the shock of the Gauls and that a great many of them were slain those that remain'd having partly through the Fatigue of it and partly through their fear remitted or slacken'd the ardour of the Engagement That therefore if he thought fit he should send a supply of one of the two Legions before they received any disgrace Thereupon he sent the second Legion and took back the Extraordinaries Then therefore the fight was renew'd and when not only fresh men but a Legion whose ranks stood thick and close came into the place the left Wing being withdrawn quite out of the Battle and the right advanced into the Front The Sun with sultry heat had almost burnt the Bodies of the Gauls who cannot by any means endure such weather yet they leaning one while upon each other and anon upon their Shields sustain'd the violence of the Romans Which when the Consul perceiv'd he commanded C. Livius Salinator who was Captain of the Alary Horse Allies most commonly that fought in the Wings of the Army call'd Alae to ride in with the swiftest part of his Cavalry and put their ranks into disorder but that the Legionary Horse should stand in the Reer This storm of the Horse at first confounded and disorder'd and then scatter'd the Gallick Army though not so much as to make them turn their backs for the Captains hinder'd it who with their Spear-staves punch'd the wavering Souldiers on their backs and would have forced them to return into their ranks though the Alary Horse riding in between would not suffer them The Consul therefore desired of his men That they would
the difficulty of what they were obliged to For how could they deliver up Amynander who was a King As also by the hopes which they had then by chance given them in that Nicander at that time coming from King Antiochus fill'd the multitude with vain expectations that both by Sea and Land there were great preparations for a War He on the twelfth day after he took Shipping return'd into Aetolia having perfected his Embassy and arrived at Phalara in the Malian Bay From whence when he had carried the money to Lamia himself with certain of his most active men toward the Evening in the Fields that lay betwen the Roman and the Macedonian Camp as he was going through wayes that he knew to Hypata fell into the hands of the Macedonians and was brought to the King before Supper was quite over Which being told him Philip who was concern'd as though a Guest not an Enemy had been come in bad him lie down and take part of what they had but soon after having sent away all the rest kept him there alone forbidding him to fear any thing Then he blamed the Aetolians for their ill Counsels which all return'd upon their own heads they having first brought the Romans and then Antiochus into Greece But that he had forgotten things that were past which might be easier reprehended than corrected and would not insult over their adversity That the Aetolians also ought to put an end to their animosities against him and Nicander particularly be mindful of that day on which he was by him preserv'd So having a Convoy order'd to carry him safe on his way Nicander came to Hypata as they were consulting about a Peace with the Romans Manius Acilius having sold or given to his Soldiers the booty about Heraclea when he heard that they were all in disorder at Hypata and also that the Aetolians flock'd to Naupactum that thence they might receive the whole shock of the War sent Ap. Claudius before hand with four Thousand Men to seize the tops of the Mountains that were hard to pass and himself got upon Oeta where he made a Sacrifice to Hercules in that Place which they call Pyra because there the mortal Body of that God was burnt Then marching away with his whole Army he went the rest of his Journey with ease and speed enough When he came to Corax which is a very high Mountain between Callipolis and Naupactum there many of his Beasts fell headlong they and their Burdens out of the Army and the Men were sore put to it But it was very obvious to observe with what a slothful Enemy they had to do who had not secur'd so rough a pass with any Guard to hinder any Enemies going that way He therefore seeing his Army was teaz'd there too went down to Naupactum and having set up one Bastion against the Castle he besieged the other parts of the City by dividing his Forces according to the situation of the Walls Nor did that attack cost him less work and trouble than that of Heraclea At the same time also Messene in Peloponnesus for refusing to be of their Council was besieged by the Achaeans For two Cities Messene and Elis were out of the Achaean Council and joyned with the Aetolians Yet the Eleans after Antiochus was driven out of Greece gave the Achaean Embassadors a milder answer That dismissing the Kings Guards there they would consider what they ought best to do But the Messenians having sent the Embassadors away without any answer at all had raised War and being in a fright upon their own account now that their Country was burnt all over with a destructive Army and they saw a Camp pitch'd hard by their City sent Embassadors to T. Quintius at Chalcis who was the Author of their liberty to tell him That the Messenians were ready both to open their Gates and surrender themselves to the Romans but not to the Achaeans Having heard the Embassadors Quintius went immediately from Chalcis to Megalopolis from whence he sent to Diophanes Praetor or Stadt-holder of Achaea a Messenger to bid him presently bring back his Army from Messene and come to him Diophanes did as he was ordered and raising the Siege went himself with all speed before the Army so as that he met Quintius about Ardania a little Town between Megalopolis and Messene Where when he had told the reasons of his besieging Messene Quintius having given him some gentle correction That he would dare to do so great a thing without his leave commanded him to disband his Army and not disturb that peace which was design'd for a general good bidding the Messenians Carry back the banish'd persons and joyn with the Achaean Council If they had any thing either at present to except against or for the future to provide against that they should come to him at Corinth Then he commanded Diophanes forthwith to summon him a Council of the Achaeans in which complaining that the Island of Zazynthus was intercepted by fraudulent means he required That it should be restored to the Romans Now Zazynthus had formerly belonged to Philip King of Macedon who had given it as an acknowledgment to Amynander for letting him lead his Army through Athamania into the upper part of Aetolia in which expedition having broken their hearts he forced the Aetolians to sue for Peace Amynander made Philip of Megalopolis Governour of that Island whither afterward in the time of the War wherein he joyned with Antiochus against the Romans having recall'd Philip to assist him in the management of his affairs he sent Hierocles of Agrigentum as his successor He after Antiochus's flight from Thermopylae and Amynander's being beaten out of Athamania by Philip sent Messengers of his own accord to Diophanes the Praetor of the Achaeans and for a certain summ of Money delivered up the Island to the Achaeans That the Romans thought ought to be theirs by right of War for Manius Acilius the Consul and the Roman Legions did not fight against Diophanes and the Achaeans at Thermopylae In answer to this Diophanes one while endeavoured to clear himself and his Nation and anon discoursed of the lawfulness of the action Some of the Achaeans not only at first said they abhorr'd such a thing but then also blam'd the Praetors obstinacy so that by their advice it was decreed That the whole matter should be left to T. Quintius Now Quintius as he was severe to those that opposed him so if they would yield he was very kind Wherefore omitting all signs of passion either in his voice or face he told them Gentlemen If I thought your having of that Island would be advantageous to the Achaeans I would advise the Senate and People of Rome to let you have it But as I see a Tortoise when he is gathered up into his shell is secure against all blows but when he puts forth any part is obnoxious to injuries and infirm whereever he is naked so I
they have possess'd in former Wars Then P. Licinius the Consul commanded the Senate's Decree to be openly read wherein it was ordain'd That War should be levy'd on Perseus to raise as many as they could of the old Centurion Captains for that service and that none should be exempted that exceeded not the Age of fifty after this he humbly exhorted them That in a War so nearly concerning Italy and against so formidable an Enemy they would not hinder the Colonels in raising Souldiers nor the Consul appointing to every one such Posts as should be thought most advantagious to the Common-wealth and if any thing arose that should be dubious they would submit it to the Senate After the Consul had finish'd his Discourse Sp. Ligustinus one of those who had appeal'd to the popular Tribunes beg'd leave of the Consul to speak a few words to the people and having obtain'd it he thus spoke I Spurius Ligustinus of the Crustuminian Bands am descended Fellow Souldiers from the Sabines My Father left me an Acre of Land and a small Cottage wherein I was born and nourished and at this day inhabit when I came to full Age I married my Fathers Neece by the Brother who brought with her no other portion than a free birth and chastity and with these a foecundity would have befitted a plentifuller Fortune we have had six Sons and two Daughters both now marriageable four of our Sons are arriv'd to manhood two are under Age I first became a Souldier in the Consulships of P. Sulpicius and C. Aurelius and serv'd a private Souldier in that Army transported into Macedonia against King Philip the third year T. Quintius Flaminius to incourage my forwardness assign'd me the command of the tenth division of the Spear-men our Army being disbanded after the Victory over the Macedonians I immediately went a Voluntier under M. Porcius the Consul into Spain than whom there is not a Commander now living could better judge of a Souldiers Courage and Vertue which those who by long service in the Wars under him and other Leaders have well experienc'd This great man I say thought me worthy the command he bestow'd upon me a third time I went a Voluntier in the Expedition against the Aetolians and Antiochus where from Manius Acilius I receiv'd the command of the first Centurion division Antiochus being repuls'd and the Aetolians vanquish'd we return'd into Italy and two years together I received pay with the pentionary Legions twice after this I bore Arms in Spain once under Q. Fulvius Flaccus a second time under Tib. Sempronius Gracchus the Praetor By Flaccus I was brought home from that Province among those who had purchac'd his favour by their courage and merits to attend his triumph At the entreaty of Tib. Gracchus I went with him into that Province where in few years I was advanc'd to the command of the first division of the Piliers thirty four times I have receiv'd from my Generals hand the rewards of Valour and Vertue six civick Coronets I have obtain'd twenty two years have followed the Wars and am now above fifty years old Thus since I have serv'd the State during the age of prescription and may plead the immunity of my years it is but just methinks Licinius I should now retire considering too I leave four Souldiers to supply my room But this I speak no otherwise than what might be modestly said in my own behalf for as long as I am able to bear Arms I will never excuse my self or oppose the authority of such deputed Officers as shall think me fit for service and shall readily obey their commands in any Post they shall esteem me worthy of nor shall the Army hew a bolder Souldier as all my cotemporaries in the Wars can testify both Officers and my old Comrades hath ever been my constant industry And you also my Fellow Souldiers that exercise the priviledge of appealing to the Tribunes it is necessary ye now preserve that reverence and obedience to the authority of the Senate and their Officers which ye kept inviolate in your younger age and esteem all places honourable wherein ye are posted for the defence of the Republick When he had finished his Speech the Consul highly applauded him and brought him from the people into the Senate where he was graciously received and the military Tribunes commanded to assign him the Post of the right hand Pilier in the first Legion and so the rest of the Centurion Captains letting fall their appeal obediently submitted That the Generals might hasten the sooner to their Provinces the Latine Anniversary was celebrated on the Calends of March which annual solemnity being ended C. Lucretius the Praetor after he had provided all things necessary for the Fleet departed for Brundusium Besides those Forces levyed by the Consuls a Commission was directed to C. Sulpitius Gala the Praetor to raise four Legions of Roman Citizens with a just proportion of Cavalry and Infantry and to chuse out of the Senate four military Tribunes to command them to levy likewise out of the Latine Alliances fifteen thousand Foot and twelve hundred Horse and to prepare them in readiness to obey such Orders as should be sent them from the Senate P. Licinius the Consul desiring an addition might be made to the civil and associate Armies obtained an Auxiliary of two thousand Ligurians and as many Archers as the Cretensians thought fit to send and also a certain number of Numidian Horse and Elephants to which purpose L. Posthumus Albinius Q. Terentius Culleo and C. Aburius were sent Embassadours to Massinissa and the Carthaginians It was likewise thought expedient to send A. Posthumius Albinus C. Decimius and A. Licinius Nerva Embassadours into Creet At the same time arrived Embassadours from King Perseus but it was not thought fit they should be admitted into the City seeing it was decreed by the Senate and the peoples Suffrages to make War on their King and the Macedonians they had Audience in the Temple of Bellona where they deliver'd this Message That the King their Master much wondred that an Army should be landed in his Dominions if he could obtain of the Senate to recal them home he was ready to repair the injuries he had offer'd their Alliances and therein to obey their directions there was at that time in the Senate-House Sp. Carvilius sent back from Greece by Cn. Sicinius on purpose to present the state of that affair he remonstrated that Perrhoebia was over ran by Arms and certain Cities of Thessaly vanquished with other designs that King had either effected or was ready to act These Allegations the Embassadours were commanded to answer who after some hesitations declared their Commission did not extend to those particulars they were therefore bid tell their Master That P. Licinius the Consul would shortly be with the Army in Macedonia to whom he might send his Embassadours if he intended as he said to make satisfaction for that his Ministers should have
Twin Brothers by comparing their Age and considering that their Genius shewed them to be of no servile extract had some recollecting thoughts of his Grandsons and by enquiring proceeded so far that he almost owned Remus to be one of them Thus was the King beset with Plots on every side for Romulus attack'd him not with a multitude of young Fellows as not being able to cope with him fairly had to hand but ordered the Shepherds to go several ways and meet at the Palace at such a time and Remus too got a company from Numitors house to assist in the Affair by which means they slew the King Numitor as soon as the Tumult began crying out That an Enemy had invaded the City and attack'd the Kings Palace when he had called together the youth of Alba into the Castle which he design'd to make himself Master of by force of Arms and when he say the young Men after the Murther was committed draw up towards him with gratulations in their mouths immediately called a Council and declared the injuries that his Brother had done him the extract of his Grandsons how they were born and bred and how they were discovered together with the death of the Tyrant and that he himself was the Author of it The young men marching through the midst of the Assembly with a great number attending on them when they had saluted their Grandfather by the name of King an unanimous consent of all the Company confirmed that name and established him in the Empire Thus the Government of Alba being setled upon Numitor Romulus and Remus had a mind to build a City in that place where they were exposed and educated for there were a great many Albans and Latines alive besides Shepherds who all gave them great hopes that Alba and Lavinium would be but inconsiderable places to that City which should be there built But whilst they were deliberating of this matter the old misfortune intervened that is an immoderate desire of Dominion and thence arose a fatal difference between them though from a small cause For they being Twins and so not distinguished in point of Age or precedence would needs have the Gods under whose protection those places were declare who should give the name to their new City and when it was built who should Reign over it Romulus chose the Mount Palatine and Remus the Aventine for their several quarters to view the Augury The Augury they say came first to Remus and that was six Vultures which when it was interpreted and after that a double number had shewn themselves to Romulus their parties and followers saluted both of them as King at the same time the former pretending to the Kingdom as precedent in time and the latter upon the account of the double number of Birds Thereupon at first they wrangled but fell at last from words to blows and in the Crowd Remus was slain The more vulgar report is that Remus in derision of his Brother leapt over his new Walls and for that was kill'd by Romulus who was vex'd at it and said in his fury so shall every one be served that leaps over my Walls Thus Romulus made himself sole Governour buit the City and call'd it by a name derived from his own He first of all fortified the Palatine where he was bred and offered Sacrifice to other Gods after the Albane manner bult to Hercules the Greek Heroe he did it as Evander had formerly ordered They tell you that Hercules when he had kill'd Geryon brought thither an Herd of very beautiful Oxen and Cowes and that near the River Tiber over which he swam and drove the Cattel before him he being tired with his journey lay down upon the grass to refresh himself and them with rest and convenient Food But having eaten and drank so much Wine as that he fell asleep a certain Shepherd that lived there hard by called Cacus a very strong fellow being taken with the beauty of the Beasts and having a great desire to rob him of them because he knew that if he drove them into his Cave their very foot-tracts would lead their Owner that way to seek for them he took the lovely brutes each one by the tail and drew them backwards into his Den. Hercules awaking early in the Morning servey'd his Herd and finding part of them missing went to the next Cave to see if perchance the tracts of them went that way where when he saw they were all turn'd as if they came out from thence and did not go any other way he was amazed and did not know what to do but began to drive his Cattel forward out of that unlucky place But afterward when some of the Cows that he was driving along low'd as they use to do for lack of their fellows which were left behind the lowing of thsoe that were shut up in the Cave by way of answer brought Hercules back again Whom when Cacus endeavoured to hinder from going to the Cave he received a blow with his Club of which though he call'd upon the Shepherds to assist him he immediately Died. Evander at that time who was banished Peloponnesus govern'd those parts more by his Authority than any regal Power for he was a Man that deserved a great deal of reverence upon the score of his wonderful Learning which was a thing wholly new to those People who understood not the Arts but much more venerable for the supposed divinity of his Mother Carmenta whom those Nations admir'd as a Prophetess before the coming of Sibylla into Italy And this same Evander being at that time startled at the concourse of the Shepherds who trembled to tell of a strangers being guilty of a palpable Murther when he heard the relation of the Fact and the reason of it and saw the habit and shape of the Man which was somewhat larger and more august than that of ordinary mankind he demanded of him Who he was And when he new his name who was his Father and what his Country accosted him saying Hail Hercules Son of Jupiter my Mother who was a true Prophetess told me that thou shouldest augment the number of those that dwell in Heaven and that an Altar should here be erected to thee which the most wealthy Nation in the World in time to come should call Maxima the Greatest and Sacrifice upon it according to thy command Hercules gave him his right hand and told him he received the Omen and would fulfil the Prophesie by building and dedicating an Altar And that was the first time that Sacrifice was made there when he taking a choice Heifer out of his Herd slew it calling the Potitij and the Pinarij Priests of Hercules who then were a very noble Family in those parts to assist him in performing of the ceremonies and to partake of the feast It so fell out that the Potitij were then present and that the Entrals were set before them but the Pinarij came to the
shower they say a great flock of Birds came and partly carried it away before it fell to the ground whilst what escaped them lay scattered for some days without any alteration in thâ— smell of it Whereupon the Sybils Books were consulted by the Duumviri who had the keeping of them out of which were foretold the danger that should happen from the coming of strangers into the City lest any violence or slaughter should be committed in the chief parts thereof and among other things it was advised that they should abstein from Sedition This the Tribunes said was done on purpose to hinder their Law from being passed and a great bustle there was Mean while behold to bring each Year about in the same course the Hernici brought them intelligence That the Volsci and the Aequi though very much disabled were fitting out their Armies again that their head Quarters was at Antium that at Ecetra the Antian Colony held publick Councils that being the chief place of meeting where all their great Designs for the War were laid When this news was told in the Senate they presently ordered a Levy to be made the Consuls being commanded to share the management of the War between them the one to have the Volsci and the other the Aequi for his Province With that the Tribunes cryed out in the Forum That the Volscian War was a story of their own contriving that the Hernici were always ready to assist them in such lies and that now the Liberty of Rome was not so much endangered by any foreign force as eluded by art for the Aequi and the Volsci who were almost utterly ruined and destroyed could not possibly be thought at that time of day to make a voluntary War that they sought for new Enemies that a faithful neighbouring Colony was scandalized that the Antians who were innocent had the War proclaimed against them though it were really intended against the People of Rome whom they would load with Arms and turn them headlong in that posture out of the City revenging themselves of the Tribunes by the exile and expulsion of the Citizens By this means that they might see the design of it the Law would be evaluated unless they took great care whilst they had power enough whilst they were at home and continued Romans not to be put out of possession of the City lest they should be made slaves If they had courage they could not want assistance for that the Tribunes were all of opinion there was no cause of fear from without nor any danger at all and that the gods took care the Year before that they might safely defend their Liberty Thus the Tribunes On the other side the Consuls sitting at some little distance made the Levy in their sight Wherefore the Tribunes ran to them with all the Assembly at their heels and upon that after some few were cited or called for an experiment as it were what they would do a Tumult presently arose in which whomsoever the Lictor by order of the Consul laid hold of the Tribune commanded him to let go Nor was there any equity or reason in what they did but each of them strove to gain their ends by force upon the confidence they had in their own strength As therefore the Tribunes behaved themselves in obstructing the Levy so did the Senators in impeding their Law which was proposed every Comitial or Assembly day The beginning of the quarrel was when the Tribunes had ordered the People to depart that the Senators would not stir But indeed there were scarce any of the Seniors there because in that case there was not so much occasion for advice and management as for temerity and boldness The Consuls also were very cautious lest in such a confusion they might bring any dishonour upon their dignity Among the rest there was one Caeso Quintius a brisk young Man not only upon the account of his Birth but his bulk and strength of Body to which endowments from the gods he himself had also adâ—ed many warlike Ornaments together with Eloquence upon civil occasions insomuch that no Man was reckoned more nimble either of his tongue or hands through the whole City He therefore standing amidst the throng of Senators much higher than the rest as if he had born all Consulates and Dictatorships in his sole voice and strength alone susteined the shock of the Tribunes and all the popular Storms For by his Conduct the Tribunes were often beaten out of the Forum and the People routed Whomsoever he met he sent away with some punishment and stript insomuch that if that were the way of proceeding all the World might see the Law was at an end Mean time though all the other Tribunes were much affrighted A. Virginius one of the Collegues gave Caeso warning to appear on such a day to be tryed for his Life by which he rather enflamed than terrified that furious Man for he upon that account was the more industrious to hinder the Law to vex the People and persecute the Tribunes as it were with a just War The Accuser let him run on that by his Crimes he might increase the flame and fewel of envy preferring the Law in the mean time not so much out of any hopes he had to carry it as to provoke Caeso's rashness Thereupon many things that were said and done by the young men unadvisedly were laid to the charge of Caeso only yet notwithstanding the Law was put off Then A. Virginius oft-times asked the People Are you satisfied now Romans that you cannot have Caeso to continue one of your fellow Citizens and at the same time obtain the Law that you desire But what do I talk of a Law He withstands their Liberty out-doing all the Tarquins in Pride and Tyranny stay 'till you see him made Dictator or Consul whom now you see though he be a private Person already reigning in his own strength and audacity Many of the hearers assented to him and complaining that they were abused incited the Tribune to go through with what he had undertaken And now the Day of Tryal was come when all men generally believed their Liberty depended upon the Condemnation of Caeso who being at last forced to it went about to desire the Peoples favour though with much regret of mind attended by his Relations and the best men in the City T. Quintius Capitolinus who had been three times Consul relating many honourable things of himself and his Family affirmed That there never was either in the Quintian Family or the whole City of Rome so great a Wit or a Person of such early Courage That he was his Soldier first of all and that he saw him oftentimes engage the Enemy Sp. Furius said That Quintius Capitolinus sent Caeso to him to relieve and assist him when he was in great danger which he did and that there never was any man before by whose means the Commonwealth was more supported L. Lucretius who had
took occasion thereby to defend his Brother and all his Collegues saying He wondred how it should happen that they who had sought after the Decemvirate so earnestly themselves should either alone or more than any others oppose the Decemviri Or how it came to pass that though for so many months when the City was at quiet no Man made any question whether they were legal Magistrates that had the sovereign Power in their hands they should now engage in Civil Quarrels when their Enemies were almost at their Gates unless perhaps they thought amidst such disturbances it might not so well be discerned what they did But he thought it not fair or just for any Man now when their minds should be imployed with greater matters to make any other thing the ground of delay to such a weighty affair For his part he would agree that whereas Valerius and Horatius pretended the Decemviri were out of their Office before the Ides of May the Senate when the Wars were over and the Commonwealth at rest should debate of it and that even now Appius Claudius should so prepare himself as to give an account of that Assembly which he being a Decemvir himself held for the creating of the Decemviri and should put it to the question whether they were created for one year only or for so long time 'till what Laws were lacking should be passed But he thought best at present to omit all other things except the War concerning which if common same was false and not only other Messengers but even the Tusculan Embassadors also brought them wrong intelligence they should send out Scouts to find the certainty and bring a true relation of it But if they believed the Messengers and the Embassadors they ought to make a Levy assoon as they could and the Decemviri to lead the Armies where-ever they pleased without any other cause to obstruct them The Junior Senators so over-voted the rest of the House as to make them comply with this advice Therefore Valerius and Horatius rising up again more vehement than before cryed out They would have leave to speak touching the Commonwealth that they would speak to the People if the Faction would not let them do so there for no private persons could hinder them either in the Senate-house or any other Assembly nor would they yield to such imaginary Authority Then Appius supposing that their Power was like to be ruined if they did not resist the violence of those Men with equal audacity cryed out It had been better for you to have spoken to the business in hand and to Valerius who said He would not hold his tongue for any private person he commanded a Lictor to go and seize him Upon which Valerius at the door of the Senate-house calling the Romans to witness of what he had done L. Cornelius took Appius in his Arms and though he did not consult the good of him which he seemed to save decided the contest so that Valerius by Cornelius's means had leave to say what he would But his Liberty reaching no farther than words the Decemviri had their ends The Consular Men also and the Seniors by reason of that remaining grudg they had to the Tribunes Power which they thought the People were more in love with than the Authority of the Consuls were even better pleased afterward that the Decemviri should go out of their Office voluntarily than that the People should rise again through hatred to them For if the matter were gently managed so as to put the Consuls into their former state without popular noise and tumult the People might possibly either by the interposition of Wars or moderation of the Consuls in their Office be brought to forget the Tribunes So then the Senate agreed to make a Levy and the Juniors seeing the Power of the Decemviri was without Appeal answered to their Names When therefore the Legions were raised the Decemviri chose among themselves fit Persons to go into the War and to Command the Army The chief of the Decemviri were Q. Fabius and Ap. Claudius but the War seemed greater at home than abroad They therefore thought that Appius's violence was more fit to appease the City Tumults and that Fabius though a Person of no great constancy in good Actions was very skillful in Military Affairs For the Decemviri and his Collegue had so altered this Man who had been formerly very famous for his Conduct both in Peace and War that he chose rather to be like Appius than himself To him therefore they committed the management of the War against the Sabines making Man Rabuleius and Q. Petilius his Collegues whilst M. Cornelius with L. Minucius T. Antonius Caeso Duilius and M. Sergius was sent into Algidum Sp. Oppius being by general consent left assistant to Ap. Claudius in the Government and Defence of the City But the Commonwealth was managed no better in the Wars than it was at home though the Commanders only fault was that they had made themselves odious to their fellow Citizens but the rest of the blame lay all upon the Soldiers who to hinder any thing fâ—om being ever done prosperously under the Conduct of the Decemviri permitted them to be oveâ—come though to their own as well as their Leaders dishonour So they were routed not only by the Sabines at Eretum but by the Aequi in Algidum Whereupon making hast from Eretum in the night time they pitched their Camp on a rising ground more near the City between Fidenae and Crustumenia to which place seeing the Enemies pursued them they never engaged in a fair Battel buâ— deâ—ended themselves by the Situation of the place and with a Bullwark not by their Courage or Arms. But their offence in Algidum was far greater and so was their slaughter too besides that they lost their Camp also with all their Baggage and ran away to Tusculum where they hoped nor failed they then of their expectation to live by the kindness and mercy of those old friends they had there In the mean time such dreadful news was brought to Rome That laying aside their hatred to the Decemviri the Senate thought fit to set Watches all about the City commanding all that could bear Arms to secure the Walls and stand in Garisons before the Gates Nor only so but they ordered Arms and supplies to be sent to Tusculum and that the Decemviri should go from the Castle of Tusculum into a Camp that the other Camp should be transferred from Fidenae into the Sabine Territories and that by a voluntary Attack upon them the Enemies should be deterred from making any attempt upon the City To the slaughter received from the Enemy the Decemviri added two horrid Exploits the one in the Wars and the other at home The first of which was this There was one L. Siccius in the Country of the Sabines who through the hatred which he bore to the Decemviri having talked privately with the common Soldiers about
brought to Rome they say Q. Servilius a Person of years and experience in the World beseeched the Gods That the Discord of those Tribunes might not prove more fatal to the Commonwealth than that at Veii and as if he foresaw that ill fortune should certainly attend them was urgent with his Son to raise more Men and provide more Arms. Nor was he a false Prophet for under the Conduct of L. Sergius when it was his day to govern having got into inconvenient place near the Enemies Camp for the Enemy pretending fear was retired into their Trenches by which means they were drawn thither in vain hopes of taking the Camp they were driven by a sudden effort of the Aequi upon them down a declining Valley many of them being destroyed and slain as they tumbled headlong one over another their defeat looking more like a ruin than a flight Whereupon the next day their Camp which even that day they were hardly able to maintain being great part of it surrounded by the Enemy they basely forsook and ran away from it out at the back Gate the Generals and the Lieutenants with all the Forces that were about the Ensigns going to Tusculum The rest stragling about the Country several ways went to Rome and carried news of a greater misfortune than they had really suffered At which the City was the less concerned because the event was answerable to all Peoples apprehensions and because there were supplies provided by the Tribune of the Soldiery to assist them in such dangerous circumstances And by his Order also when the inferior Magistrates had quieted the City tumults there were Scouts sent with all speed who brought word that the Generals and the Army were at Tusculum but that the Enemy had not â—â—moved their Camp out of the place But that which gave them most encouragement was that Q. Servilius Priscus being declared Dictator by an Order of Senate being a Person whose providence and foresight in things belonging to the publick as the City had many times before had experience of so especially in the event of that War he being the only Man who had an ill opinion of the contention between the Tribunes before their overthrow and having made his own Son that Tribune of the Soldiery by whom himself was declared Dictator Master of the Horse as some say though others write that Ahala Servilius was Master of the Horse that Year went to the War with a new Army and sending for them who were at Tusculuns pitched his Camp two thousand paces from the Enemy And now the pride and negligence which had been in the Roman Generals was upon the score of their success got into the Aequi. Wherefore the Dictator having at the very beginning of the fight by sending his Horse in upon them put the Enemies Van into disorder he ordered the Legions immediately to advance killing one of his Ensign-bearers for not making haste And so eager they were to fight that the Aequi could not sustein the shock but being defeated in the Field and making as fast as they could toward their Camp the Romans took that in less time and with more ease than they had fought the Battel Their Camp therefore being taken and rifled when the Dictator had given the Soldiers the Plunder and the Horse who pursued the Enemy flying from their Camp brought word back that all the Lavicans were vanquished and a great part of the Aequi fled to Lavici the next day the Army was led to Lavici and the Town being begirt was taken with Ladders and Pillaged Then the Dictator marched with his victorious Army back to Rome laid down his Office the eighth day after he was created Thereupon the Senate very opportunely before the Tribunes of the People could make any Agrarian tumults about dividing the Lands belonging to the Lavicans thought fit in a full House To send a Colony to Lavici and accordingly a thousand five hundred Planters who were sent from the City had U. C. 338 each of them two Acres apiece When Lavici was now taken and after that Tribunes of the Soldiery created with Consular Authority whose names this Year were Agrippa Menenius U. C. 339 Lanatus L. Servilius Structus P. Lucretius Tricipitinus who had all of them born that Office once before and Sp. Rutilius Crassus and the next Year A. Sempronius Atratinus a third time and M. Papirius Mugillanus with Sp. Nautius Rutilus a second time there was Peace abroad for those two Years together though Discord at home by means of the Agrarian Laws The disturbers of the Commons were Sp. Maecilius a fourth time and Metilius a third time Tribunes of the People who were both created in their absence These two having promulgated a Law That the Lands taken from the Enemy should be divided among the People to each man his share and the Estates of a great many Noblemen like to be by that popular Decree taken from them for there was hardly any spot of ground as belonging to a City Founded in anothers Dominions but what was got by force of Arms nor any ever assigned or sold but what the People had the proposed dispute seemed very severe both to the People and the Senate Nor could the Tribunes of the Soldiery though they sometimes spoke of it in the Senate and sometimes at private Consults among the chief of the City find out any expedient 'till Appius Claudius the Grandson of him who was Decemvir for making of Laws though the youngest Man at that time in the Senate-house as 't is reported said He had an old and a familiar remedy to tell them and that was that his Great Grandfather Appius Claudius shewed the Senate the only way to dissolve the Tribunes Power to wit by the interposition of their Collegues For new Men would easily be brought from their opinions by the authority of their Chiefs especially if a Man sometimes have more regard in what he says to time than authority their minds being always like their fortunes Now therefore since they saw the principal Collegues had got so far before the rest into the Peoples favour by their cunning management so that there was no room now left for them they would not stick to comply with the Senate in any thing whereby to oblige that whole Order and the chief of the Senators in particular This all approved of and especially Q. Servilius Priscus who commended the young Man for that he did not degenerate from the Claudian Race and in pursuance of it agreed that every one should tempt as many of the College of Tribunes as he could to an Interposition The Senate therefore being dismissed the Tribunes were courted by the Nobility with persuasions advice and promises That it would not only be an acceptable thing to every single Person but to the Senate in general they brought over six to make an Interposition And the next day when there was a reference made by compact to the Senate touching the Sedition
his Soldiers for the Enemies Priests came on before their Army with Flaming Torches in their hands and Painted Fillets resembling Snakes about their Heads and hanging down over their shoulders which waving to and fro by the Wind seemed to be real Serpents being thus accoutred and marching with a furious and frantick gesture the strangeness of the sight daunted at first the Romans so that like men agast or Distracted they fled trembling back to their Trenches But then when the Consuls the Commissary Generals and the Tribunes laugh'd at and Reproached them for being scar'd like Children with Bug-bears for very shame they presently took heart again and with a blind fury rush'd upon those very things which before they had fled from And having dissipated this vain Parade of their Enemies fell upon those that were Arm'd indeed and routed their whole Army And the same day making themselves Masters of their Tents returned Victors with a vast Booty the Soldiers with Military Catches and Drolls Joking both at the Enemies ridiculous Stratagem and their own silly Fears Soon after this the whole Nation of the Tuscans took Arms and led on by the Tarquinians and Faliscans were advanced as far as Salinae In this time of eminent danger C. Marcius Rutilus a Plebaean was chosen Dictator the first Commoner that ever obtained that dignity who nominated for his General of Horse C. Plantius a Commoner likewise This the Senators took as an affront that the Dictatorship should be shared by the Commons and therefore endeavoured all they could that no preparations should be made for the War nor any obedience be paid to this Dictator but so much the more readily was whatever he proposed graunted by the Commons So that in short time he march'd from the City on either side of the Tyber having Vessels in readiness to Transport his Army to any place where he could hear of the Enemy He not only surprized several Parties that were sent out to Harass the Country and cut off many straglers that were met with in the fields but unexpectedly fell upon their Camp and made himself Master of it taking 8000 Prisoners and having either kill'd or Chaced out of the Roman Dominions all the rest of Enemies he by the Suffrages of the People Triumph'd but without the approbation of the Senate Who because they would by no means suffer an Assembly for Election of Consuls to be held by the Dictator a Commoner nor by Popilius Laenas the Consul who was also a Commoner and for that the other Consul was necssarily detained abroad in the Wars so that he could not be there the matter came to an Inter-regnum that is for a Magistrate to be appointed for the present called an Interrex who was always one of the Nobility and was to continue in that Office but five days so there were Interregents successively Q. Servilius Ahala M. Fabius Cn. Manlius C. Fabious C. Sulpicius L. Aemilius Q. Servilius and M. Fabius Ambustus In the second Inter-regency their happened a controversie because they were both Patricians or of the Nobility that were created Consuls which was opposed by the Tribunes but the Inter-regent Fabius alledged a Law out of the 12 Tables that whatever was last Ordained and Commanded by the People should stand good and valid and that their Votes were a Law So that the Tribunes gaining nothing by their Interposing but the Proroguing the Assembly for the Election for some time at last two of the Patricu carried it viz. C. Sulpicius Paeticus the third time and M. Valerius Poplicola who the same day they were chosen entred into their Office Thus in the 400th year after the Building of Rome and the 35th after the City was recovered from the Gauls the Consulship was taken away from the Commons after they had enjoy'd it eleven years and now was brought into the hands of two Patricians The Town Empulum was this year taken from the Tyburtines without any extroardinary Action whether the War was manag'd there by both the Consuls jointly as some Authors have related or whether at the same time Valerius was concerned in that service Sulpicius was imployed to over-run and lay wast the Tarquinian Territories But a greater stickling there was at home between the Consuls and the Commons and their Tribunes The present Consuls thought themselves obliged not only in Courage but Fidelity as they two Patricians had received the Consulship so to deliver it up to Persons of the same Rank and that they must either wholly quit their Interest if the Consular dignity should become a Plebeian Magistracy or else must carefully conserve to the Nobility the possession thereof as they had received it intire from their Ancestors On the other side the Commons storm'd and rag'd To what purpose say they do we live or why are we number'd amongst the Citizens if that which was at first obtain'd by the vertue only of two Persons L. Sextius and C. Licinius we cannot now all of us together maintain Better it were to endure the Kings or the Decemvirs again or if there be yet any more greivous name of Arbitrary Empire than to behold both the Consulships engrossed by the Nobles to lose the priviledge of Commanding and obeying by turns and sigh under the oppressions of so many Lords who settled in an everlasting Power of Domineering and Ruling over us will esteem us born only to be their Vassals The Tribunes under hand blew the Coals and encreased the Tumults but all were so forward that the principal Ring-leaders could scarce be seen in the action above the rest Several times the People were in vain Assembled in the Campus Martius and many Election-days spent in seditious heats without coming to any conclusion at last the Commons over-match'd by the obstinacy of the Consuls could no longer endure it but their Tribunes crying out aloud That they might now bid adieu to their Liberties for ever that henceforwards they should be obliged not only to forbear coming into the field of Election but also to abandon the City it self since it was thus Captivated and oppressed by the Tyranny of the Nobles And with these words the Tribunes departed and all the Commons full of Grief and vexation presently followed them the Consuls tho forsaken by so great a part of the People did nevertheless proceed to an Election with that thin Assembly that was left and made choice of two Nobles viz. M. Fabius Ambustus who had been Consul twice before and T. Quintius Tho in some Annals I find M. Popilius named in stead of the latter Two Wars that year were manag'd with prosperous success in the first of which the Tyburtines were brought to a subbmission For having taken from them the City Sassula by storm the rest of their Towns must have run the same Fortune had not the whole Nation laying aside their Arms cast themselves upon the Consuls mercy and sworn Allegiance to the Romans Thus there was a Tryumph over the Tyburtines but otherwise
to put off the Meeting for Election the Dictator quitted his Office and so it came to an Inter-regency who found the Commons so exasperated against the Senators that the dispute continued to the Eleventh Inter-regent undetermined The Tribunes boasted that what they did was only to assert the Licinian Law but the truth was the Commons were more nearly concern'd about the business of Interest-mony which tho abated yet lay very heavy upon them and their private grievances heated their publick Debates Wearied with which at last the Lords of the Senate Ordered that L. Cornelius Scipio the Inter-regent for the time being should for Peace-sake observe the Licinian Law in the Consular Election whereupon P. Valerius Poplicola was chosen one of the Consuls and C. Marcius Rutilus a Commoner the other The Minds of men being once inclined to Concord the new Consuls thought it a fit juncture to try if they could accommodate the business of Use-mony the great thing which seem'd to threaten an Obstruction of their full and perfect unity and agreement Therefore they made the Payment of debts part of the publick care Establishing a Committee of five whom from their publick Office of dispensing and ordering of Monies they call'd Mensarij whose Equity and diligence therein was such as well deserves to have their Names transmitted with Honour to all Posterity being C. Decilius P. Decius Mus M. Papirius Q. Publius and Tib. Aemilius These Genlemen manag'd this difficult affair wherein many times both parties and always one would be apt to think himself aggriev'd or injured as with other prudent moderation so with the present Charge or Anticipated Expences rather than real damage of the publick For debts of a long standing and such as were much entangled more by the debtors negligence than Inability either the City discharged out of the Common stock by setting up certain Banks or Tables with ready Cash in the Common-Hall provided the debtors gave sufficient security to Reimburse the City or else paid them off by causing the parties Goods to be valued and sold at reasonable Rates so that a power of debts were in a little time satisfied not only without any Injury unto but also without any murmuring or complaint from either side After this a groundless apprehension of a Tuscan War all whose 12 Tribes or Nations were reported to be Associated in one Common Band or League against the Romans caused a Dictator to be nominated which was done in the Camp the decree of the Senate being dispatch'd thither to the Consuls and C. Julius was the man pitch'd upon to whom was added L. Aemilius for General of the Cavalry But notwithstanding this false alarm all was quiet abroad But at home in the City the Dictator tampering to get both the Consuls to be of the Nobility occasioned another Inter-regency during which C. Sulpicius and Fabius the Inter-regents by their Interposition obtain'd that which he attempted without success For the Commons being sweetned with the late kindness of paying off their debts were become more pliable and so the said C. Sulpicius Paeticus who was the first Inter-regent and T. Quintius Pennus both Patricians were chosen Both of them took the Field Quintius against the Faliscans and Sulpicius against the Tarquinians But neither of the Enemies would come to an engagement So that their chief service being to burn and harass the Country and lay all wast wherever they came they may be said to have wag'd War rather against Fields than Men. The continuance of which like a lingering Consumption brought down the haughty and obstinate spirits of both those Nations so far that they first Petition'd the Consuls and afterwards with their leave the Senate for a Peace which they obtain'd for the Term of 40 years and so the care and trouble of those two Wars being over whilst there was now some respite from Arms it was thought fit because the late general payment of debts had much altered Peoples fortunes and changed the properties of things that there should be made a general Cense or valuation of every mans Estate But when the Assembly for choice of Censors whose Office it was to dispatch that business came to be held C. Marcius Rutilus who had been the first Plebeian Dictator standing for the Censorship disturb'd the Peace of the States of the City This he seem'd to attempt in a very unseasonable time seeing both the Consuls at that time happen'd to be Patricians who declared that they would not admit him for a Competitor nor put up his name at the Election However both he by his earnest perseverance in his pretensions gain'd his point and the Tribunes endeavouring with all their might to recover their right in the choice of Consuls which for some time had been Interrupted assisted him therein For as the Majesty of his Person was equal to the highest pitch of Honour so the Commons were willing and in hopes that the same man who had opened the way to the Dictatorship should also procure their party a share in the Censorship And accordingly it was clearly carried by the Votes in the Assembly that together with Manlius Cnaeus the said Martius should be created Censor This year had also a Dictator viz. M. Fabius and his General of Horse Q. Servilius not so much for fear of any War as to prevent the Revival and observing of the Licinian Law at the choice of Consuls and yet for all the Dictatorship the Interest of the Nobility prov'd as weak in the Assembly for Electing of Consuls as it was in that of Censors For M. Popilius Laenas was made Consul on behalf of the Commons as well as L. Cornelius Scipio for the Patricians And the Commons Consul had the good fortune to prove the more Illustrious of the two For intelligence arriving that the Gauls with a mighty Army had entred into the Country of the Latins and lay there Encamped Scipio at that time happening to lie dangerously sick the Conduct of that War necessarily fell upon Popilius who having with great diligence levied an Army and appointed a Rendezvouz of all the Youth in Arms to be held at the Temple of Mars without the Gate Capena the Questors being Ordered to bring thither the Standards and Ensigns out of the Treasury after he had selected out of them 4 compleat Legions he put all the rest of the Soldiers under the Command of P. Valerius Publicola the Pretor and moved the Lords of the Senate that they would cause an other Army to be Listed for a Guard for the Common-wealth against uncertain Emergences of War Thus all things being settled and provided he himself set forward to meet the Enemy whose strength that he might know before he adventured to try it with the hazard of a Battel on an Hill as near as he could conveniently to their Camp he began to Entrench his Army The Gauls a People naturally Feirce and eager of Battel no sooner beheld afar off the Roman Ensigns but presently
Crisis of Forrein Affairs The Samnites measuring Right by their Power unjustly invaded the Sidicins who being weak and poor were glad to implore the Aid of their richer Neighbors the People of Capua But these Companions contributed little more than the empty name of Assistance for being Fresh-water-Soldiers softned with Luxury they were easily routed in the Sidicins Country by the Samnites a Nation hardned with long use of Arms and Military Discipline and so brought the whole stress of the War upon their own heads for the Samnites letting the Sidicins alone attacked the Campanians as being the principal strength of the Neighboring Nations over whom they knew they could as easily obtain a Victory as over any of the rest and were sure there to reap a greater Harvest both of Glory and rich Plunder To this purpose they first made themselves Masters of the Hills near Capua call'd Tifata at this day Monti de Capoa and placed there a strong Garrison whence they march'd down in Battel-array in a square Body and all their Carriages and Baggage with them into the Plain between that and Capua where a second Battel was fought and the Campanians being worsted forc'd to shelter themselves within their Walls Wherefore finding the Flower of their Youth cut off and that no Relief was to be expected near hand they were necessitated to address themselves to the Romans for succour Their Ambassadors being admitted to Audience in the Senate made an Oration to this effect The People of Capua most Noble Senators have sent us to desire at your hands a firm Peace for ever and Assistance at present Had we sought this Amity whil'st our Affairs were in a flourishing condition it might indeed have been of an elder Date but tyed with a weaker Knot For then remembring that we entred into Alliance with you as upon even ground we might perhaps have been as much your Friends but not under such great Obligations whereas now endeared by your Compassion and defended in our Distress we must needs more affectionately embrace and cultivate the memory of your Favors that we may not be branded with Ingratitude and shew our selves unworthy of any help from God or Man That the Samnites happened before us to be your Allies and Confederates may intitle them to a Precedency of Honor but cannot certainly be any sufficient Bar to exclude us from your Friendship since in your League with them there is Proviso that you should not make what new Alliances you should think meet You have always hitherto esteemed it a just cause of entring into Friendship if the Party that sought the same were desirous to be your Friend and truely we Campanians tho our present circumstances allow us not to speak magnificently of our selves may yet have leave to say that as both for the grandeur of our City and the Fertility of our Country we come not behind any People but your selves so we conceive that by our joining in a strict Association with you there may be no small Accession to your Interest and Advantages For when ever the Aequians and Volscians those eternal Enemies of your state shall presume to incommode you we shall by ready to fall upon their backs and what you now shall do for our preservation that will we always do for your Empire and Glory Which Nations that lye between us and you being once subdued which both your Valour and good Fortune promise will quickly be effected you will then extend your Dominions in a continued and uninterrupted Tract to our Neighbourhood 'T is greivous to us but such is our present Ill-fortune as compels us to acknowledg that we are reduced to that deplorable Extremity as we must be subject either to our Friends or our Enemies If you vouchsafe to defend us we are yours If you abandon us we fall under the Samnites Consider therefore deliberately whether you had rather that Capua and all ' its Territories should be annext to your state or encrease the power of the Samnites Your mercy Noble Romans and your succour ought in equity to extend to all that are miserable but especially to those whose good nature by yeilding an helping hand even above their power unto others that implored their Aid are now themselves all faln into the same necessity And yet to say the truth it was not so much for the Sidicins as for our selves that we were forc'd to take up Arms For beholding a neighbour Nation unjustly attacqued and spoiled by the Samnites we could not be so insensible as not to foresee that those fatal flames wherewith they wasted the Sidicins would quickly be carried into our Territories 'T is not because they are offended for any Injury received but because they are well pleased with a colourable occasion of Quarrel that the Samnites now invade us If this were only an angry Revenge and not rather an opportunity laid hold on to gratifie their greedy Ambition would it not have been enough that they twice defeated our Forces once in the Sidicins Country and now again at our own doors What a strange kind of Rage is this which all the Blood of two Vanquish'd Armies cannot quench Add hereto the wasting of our Country carrying away our People Captive making Booties of our Cattel Burning our Towns Ruinating and Destroying all before them with Fire and Sword could not their Wrath with all this be appeased No no 't is their insatiate desire of Empire that hurries them on to attacque Capua resolv'd either utterly to destroy that most goodly City or themselves to possess it But may it please you generous Romans to gain it before by your kindness rather than suffer them to seize it by their mischievous malice I know I speak to a People that useth not to decline just Wars yet if you shall but declare in our favour I am confident your bare word will save us and you will have no need to make use of your Arms. The Samnites high conceit of themselves and contempt of others reaches only to us and extends not to your Power which is above it So that the very shadow of your Assistance O Romans is able to protect us and whatever we shall thereby secure our Lands our Goods our Selves ready we shall be to acknowledg all to be yours For you shall the Campain Ground be Tilled for your advantage shall all the Resort to and Traffick of the City Capua be consign'd and ever shall you be reguarded by us no less than Founders Parents and next to the Immortal Gods No Colony of yours shall outvie us either in ready obedience or punctual Fidelity Grant O Conscript Fathers your gracious Countenance to the disconsolate Campanians afford us the Assistance of your invincible Name and bid us hope that Capua shall continue safe and inviolate With what Crouds of People of all Ranks do you think we were brought going on our Journey from thence hither How did we leave all places fill'd with their Vows their Prayers and their
my right hand Which every man of them did and followed Decius who led them through the Intervals of the Enemies Camp where no Out-guards nor Sentinels were placed They were now got to the midst of the Camp when a Soldier clambering over the Watchmens Bodies lying heavy asleep chanc'd to stumble on a Shield which gave such a sound as awakened the Watch-man who raised his next Fellow and he starting up gave the Alarm to others not knowing whether these Straglers were Friends or Enemies whether the Garrison on the Hill was breaking out or whether the Consul was returned to surprize their Camp However Decius seeing they could not avoid discovery commanded his men to set up a Shout whereby he amazed and affrighted the Enemy yet half asleep and so confounded them that they could neither readily take Arms nor make head against them nor yet pursue them so that whil'st the Samnites were in this terror and confusion Decius and his party slaying such of the Guards as resisted them had an opportunity to pass on towards the Consuls Camp It was not yet day and now they seem'd past all danger when Decius thus bespake his Followers Go on a Gods name in this course of generous Vertue my couragious Romans This Expedition and brave Retreat of yours all Ages shall extol with the highest Applauses but broad day-light is necessary for a full view of so much Gallantry you deserve better than that silence and darkness should hide you in your return with so much glory to the Camp Here therefore let us rest and wait for day His words were readily obey'd and at day-break he dispatch'd a Messenger afore to the Consul and so they hastned to the Camp where giving the Word no sooner was the noise spread That those were returned safe who freely exposed themselves to such apparent hazard for the common Safety but every one ran forth to meet them with Thanks and Praises and Congratulations They call them joyntly and severally their Saviours they praise and return thanks to the Gods and cry up Decius to the Skies This indeed was his Camp-Triumph through the midst of which he marched with his Armed Party every mans eyes fix'd upon him and paid no less Honor to the Colonel than if he had been Consul When he was come to the Praetorium or Generals Tent the Consul by sound of Trumpet call d all the Army together and beginning a Discourse in the deserved Praises of Decius he was by Decius himself interrupted and at his request waved the Oration For he advised and perswaded the Consul That passing by all Complements they should presently lay hold of the opportunity and whil'st the Enemy was yet in that Consternation and lay scattered about the Hill fall upon them the rather for that he believed some Parties sent out after him might be surprized stragling in the Forrest Forthwith the Legions were commanded to Arm and being now by their Scouts better acquainted with the Forrest march'd in a more open Road towards the Enemy and charg'd them suspecting no such matter and altogether unprovided For the Samnites Soldiers being stragling all abroad and for the most part unarm'd could neither Rally themselves together in order nor get into their Trenches They first beat the main Body into their Works and then routing the Guards became Masters thereof The Cry was heard all round the Hill and caused every man to fly out of his Hold so that a great part of them took their Heels before the Enemy could come up to them Those which fled into the Works being in number about Thirty thousand were all put to the Sword and the Camp plundered Things being thus luckily dispatch'd the Consul convening another Assembly proceeded to finish the praises of Decius which he had before begun and also amplified them with fresh commendations of this new Service and besides other Military Rewards presented him with a Crown of Gold and an hundred Oxen amongst which was an extraordinary one all white and fat and fair above the rest with guilded Horns The Soldiers who with him held the before-mentioned Hill had setled upon them a double proportion of Corn for ever and at present each of them an Ox and two Coats apiece After the Consuls Largess the Legionary Soldiers with unanimous shouts placed on the Head of Decius a Crown of Green Grass called Obsidionalis because it used to be given to him that had raised a Siege and so preserved a distressed Town or Army Nor were his own Band wanting to Crown him with another Chaplet of like Honor for bringing them off so happily Being thus loaded with Ensigns of Glory he Sacrificed his before-mentioned white Ox unto Mars and bestowed the rest of them upon the Soldiers that had accompanied him in that Service to whom also the Legions gave a pound of Wheat Meal and a Sextar a Measure much about our Quart of Wine apiece All which was perform'd with wonderful alacrity and seconded with Shouts and Acclamations to testifie their general Assent A third Battel happened at Suessula where the Samnites Army being routed by M. Valerius they thereupon sent for all the strength they could make at home and now resolved to venture all at one push Terrible tydings hereof came to Capua and from thence Posts were dispatch'd to advertise Valerius the Consul and request his aid He presently advanced leaving the Carriages and Baggage behind with a strong Guard and with speedy Marches came up near the Enemy where he took a very small Plot of Ground to Encamp in as having besides his Horses for Service no Beasts at all for Carriage nor any of that Rabble of Slaves and Snapsack-boys which use to follow Armies to encumber him The Samnites as if they were presently to engage drew up in Battalia and seeing none come forth to encounter them march'd up with Banners displayed to the very Camp of the Enemy where finding the Soldiers on the Rampire and understanding by their Scouts in how small a compass they lay concluding thence that they must needs be but few in number all the Army began to mutter That there need no more ado but to fill up the Ditches and cut down the Breast-work and so presently break into their Camp And in that rashness had the War been dispatch'd if the Commanders had not restrained the fury of their Soldiers But because so great a multitude as they were could not easily be supplyed with Victuals by the Convoys appointed for that purpose and for that as well by their Defeat at Suessula as by lying here so long without Fighting they were reduced to a scarcity almost of all things it was thought fit whil'st the Enemy as affrighted kept fast within his Works to sent out the Soldiers about the Country a Forraging well hoping that in the mean time the Romans who came lightly appointed and with no more Corn than they could carry on their shoulders besides their Arms would have spent all and be brought to
Forrage and bring in Prizes but by that time they had got together a brave Booty certain tumultuary Troops of the Etrurian Peasants suddenly raised by the Princes of that Country who had taken the Alarm began to make Head against them but in such a disorderly fashion that whil'st they came to rescue the Booty they had very like to have become a Prey themselves They being slain or put to flight the now victorious Roman Army plundered and wasted the Country all round at their pleasure and so with great Riches and plenty of all things returned to their Camp where by that time were arrived five Commissaries and two Tribunes of the Commons with peremptory Orders from the Senate to the Consul That he should not offer to pass through the Ciminian Forrest Glad they were that they came too late to hinder his Victory and with the joyful news thereof hastned back to Rome By this Expedition the War was encreased and its flames further spread rather than extinguish'd for all that Tract bordering on the foot of the Ciminian Mountains felt the smart of this Invasion which fill'd not only the Tuscans but all the Marches of Umbria with Indignation and desires of Revenge so that a greater Force than ever came up to Sutrium and not only advanc'd their Camp out of the Woods but for eagerness of Fighting drew up as fast as they could in the plain Field leaving the Enemy a convenient space to put themselves in Array over against them but finding them decline an Engagement came up and Bearded them almost at their very Trench and Rampire and then observing further that the Enemy had also withdrawn all their Out-guards into their Works the Soldiers clamour'd to their Generals to send for their allowance of Victuals that they might eat it there for they would continue in their Arms and either in the Night or else as soon as ever it was Day fall upon the Enemy The Roman Army was no less impatient than they but at the Generals Command kept in it was now well near four of the Clock in the After-noon when he ordered them to take their Refection and then to be ready in their Arms whenever he should give the Signal In the mean time he made a short Speech extolling to them the Samnites Courage and debasing the Tuscans saying There was no comparison either of this Enemy to that or in their numbers besides that he had another Engine at work which in due time they should be acquainted with in the interim it was fit to be concealed By this dark intimation he made shew as if the Enemy were betrayed by some of their own thereby to keep up his Mens Spirits lest they should be discouraged at their multitudes and this pretence seem'd the more probable because they lay unfortified The Soldiers after supper betook themselves to their Rest and being raised about the fourth Watch that is between two and three a clock in the Morning without any tumult stood to their Arms. The snapsack-boys and rabble that followed the Camp had pickaxes and shovels distributed amongst them to cast down the Rampire and fill up the Trenches with the Bank whil'st the Army was drawn up within the Circuit of the Works The selected Regiments were placed at the entrance of the Ports and all things being in readiness the Signal was given a little before Day which in Summer Nights is the time of the soundest sleep then the Rampire being level'd they march'd forth in good order all at once and charg'd the Enemy on all sides as they lay along scattered upon the Ground some before they were stirring others in their Tents scarce half awake and the greatest part hastning in that sudden fright to get on their Arms were surpriz'd and cut to pieces some few had put on their Armor but having neither Leaders nor any certain Command to follow were easily routed and pursued by the Horse some towards their Camp and others to the Woods which of the two prov'd the safer refuge For the Camp in the Field was that Day over-run what Gold or Silver found ordered to be brought in to the Consul the rest of the Spoil allow'd to the Soldiers Here was slain and taken of the Enemy to the number of Sixty thousand Some Authors will have this eminent Battel to be fought at Perusia beyond the Ciminian Woods and that the City of Rome was in no little pain for fear their Army intercepted in those dangerous Forrests should have been cut off by the united Forces of the Tuscans and Umbrians Wheresoever it was 't is certain the Romans had the glory of the Day so that soon after there came Ambassadors from Perusia Cortona and Aretium which were then the Capitol Cities of all Tuscany suing to the Romans for Peace and Alliance who obtained a Truce for the term of Thirty Years Whil'st these Exploits were acted in Etruria the other Consul C. Marcius Rutilus won the Town Allifas from the Samnites and reduc'd several other Castles and Villages either demolish'd by storm or surrendred intire Likewise at the same time the Roman Fleet under P. Cornelius whom the Senate had made Admiral set Sail for Campania and being arriv'd at Pompeii the Sea-men made a descent on Land to forage the Territories about Nuceria and having plundered the Neighboring places whence they might safely return to their Ships allured with the sweetness of Spoil as usually it falls out they rambled further and gave an Alarm to the Enemy and might every one have easily been cut off as they were stragling about the Fields but it happened no body met with them there only in their return in a disorderly march not far from their Ships the Boors of the Country fell upon them eased them of all their Booty kill'd part of them and the rest secur'd themselves aboard The advance of Q. Fabius beyond the Ciminian Woods as at first it terrified Rome overjoy'd the Samnites they had it reported That the Roman Army was surrounded and besieged They fancied that the Defeat at the Caudian Passes was to be acted over again That the same rapaciousness had inveigled that People which was always incroaching on their Neighbors into those unpassable Woods where no doubt they would be environed and destroyed not so much by their Enemies Arms as the disadvantages of the Place Nor was this rejoycing without a kind of Envy that Fortune had turn'd the glory of conquering the Romans from the Samnites and cast it upon the less deserving Tuscans Therefore they raised Men and Arms amain in all parts to crush to pieces the Consul C. Marcius resolv'd if he would not stand a Battel to advance directly through the Marsians and Sabines to joyn the Etrurians But the Consul met them by the way where a fierce Battel was fought between them with uncertain event and though it were indeed but a drawn Game yet the rumor went that the Romans were worsted because several Persons of Quality and
tug on 't he was forc'd to encounter the Enemy oft-times in Pitch'd-Battels continual Skirmishes and frequent Sallies so that 't was neither a meer Siege nor an even War in the Field for the Samnites did not so much defend themselves with their Walls as their Walls with their Bodies and their Arms but in the end by these daily Conflicts he reduc'd it to a just Siege and partly with Batteries and partly by main force took the City where the enraged Soldiers committed great slaughter there being 7400 cut to pieces and not full 3000 that had Quarter The Booty which was very considerable because the Samnites had brought all they had into a few Cities was distributed amongst the Soldiers The Ground was now all covered with Snow and there was no enduring longer abroad in the Field therefore the Consul march'd his Army out of Samnium and coming to Rome a Triumph was Decreed him by a universal consent and accordingly he did Triumph before he went out of his Office with as great State and Magnificence as those days could afford The Horse and Foot appeared in the Cavalcade adorn'd with all their Prizes of Honor Many a Civic Garland was worn that day by such as had saved the Lives of their Fellow-Citizens many that first mounted the Enemies Rampire and others that were formost in Scaling their Walls were distinguish'd by their several Badges and Crowns The Samnites spoils made a gallant show and the People took great delight in comparing them with those brought home by his Father wherewith the publick Buildings were beautified Divers noble Prisoners famous for their own or their Ancestors actions were led along in Chains and amongst the rest there was a vast quantity of Brass Bullion raised by the ransom of Prisoners amounting to Two millions five hundred thirty three thousand Asses in weight about 25006 l. 13 s. 4 d. sterling and of Silver taken in the several Cities 1330 pounds weight and upwards amounting to 3990 l. of our mony All this mony Brass and Silver was carryed into the common Treasury and nothing of the whole Booty given to the Soldiers which as it caused much discontent and envy so the same was encreased amongst the common People because they were charged with a Tax to pay off the Soldiers whereas if the Consul in a vain glorious humor had not brought these Sums into the Chamber of the City the same would have been enough both to have rewarded the Army and satisfied their Arrears Moreover before he went out of his Consulship he Dedicated the Temple of Quirinus which his Father being Dictator had Vowed for that he himself made any such Vow in the heat of the Battel I find not in any ancient Author nor could he in so short a time have finish d it This Temple he garnish'd with the Enemies Spoils whereof there was such abundance as not only suffic'd to deck up the same and the Town-Hall but great quantities of them were divided amongst and sent unto their next Allies and Colonies to beautifie their Temples and publick Buildings After the Triumph the Army took up Winter-Quarters amongst the Vestins because those parts were liable to be infested by the Incursions of the Samnites In the interim the other Consul Carvilius in Etruria first sate down before the City Troilus and for a great sum of mony gave leave for 470 of the richest Burgers to depart thence whither they list the rest of the Rabble fell into his hands after he had stormed the Town After which he took in five very strong and well fortified Castles Here were slain of the Enemy 2400 and almost 2000 taken Prisoners The Faliscans then coming to a Treaty he granted them a Truce for a Year upon paying down One hundred thousand Asses 312 l. 10 s. sterling and paying off his Soldiers for that Year After these signal Successes he came home to receive the honor of a Triumph which if not so glorious as his Colleagues for his Actions in Samnium yet adding his Services in Tuscany he might justly boast an equal merit He brought into the Exchequer of Brass mony Three hundred and ninety thousand pieces 637 l. 15 s. 7 d. sterling and with the rest built a Chappel to Sors Fortunae or good Fortune near the Temple dedicated to the same Goddess by King Servius Tullus Out of the Booty he gave his Soldiers 102 Asses 6 s. 5 d. ob sterling apiece and twice as much to each Centurion and Trooper which was so much the more gratefully accepted since his Colleague had been so nigardly as to give his Men nothing And indeed so much was this Consul in the Peoples favor that 't is said he protected his Lieutenant L. Posthumius who being Indicted by M. Cautius a Tribune of the Commons put off the Judgment by alledging his Command in the Army and that during his absence they could not proceed to a definitive Sentence The Year being now expired the new Tribunes of the Commons entred upon their Office but they not being duly elected five days after others were chosen in their stead The same Year a Lustrum or general Survey of the City was held by P. Cornelius Arvina and C. Marcius Rutilus the Censors and there were assessed 262322 Roman Citizens These were the six and twentieth Censors since that Office erected and this the nineteenth survey that had been taken The same Year and never before divers Persons that had done good Services in the Wars sate in the Publick Theaters to behold the Roman Plays with Wreaths and Garlands of Flowers upon their Heads and then too came up the fashion borrowed from the Greeks to honor those with Palm-branches that won the Prizes at those solemn Sports The Curule Aediles that exhibited these Sports having fined the Grasiers that held City-Lands for defrauding the Publick did with the Mony new pave the Road from Mars's Temple to the Beast-Market L. Papirius held the Court for electing of Consuls and chose Gurges the Son of Q. Fabius Maximus and D. Junius Brutus Scaeva and Papirius himself was made Praetor The many Prosperities of this Year were scarce able to ballance one Affliction which was that of the Pestilence so grievous both in the City and Country that it was look'd upon as an immediate Judgment from Heaven The Sacred Books of the Sibyls were consulted to know when the Gods would be pleas'd to put a period to this Calamity or what remedy there might be for it where 't was found That the God Aesculapius must be fetch'd from Epidaurus to Rome But so involved they were in Wars that nothing could this Year be done in it save only that one day was solemnly observed in honor of and supplications to the said Aesculapius THE SUPPLEMENT OF LIVY By John Freinsheim DECADE II. BOOK XI Lucius Annaeus Florus HIS EPITOME Fabius Gurges the Consul having been defeated by the Samnites and the Senate minding to remove him from his Command Fabius Maximus his Father
these Agis is depos'd from the Government and one of the Ambassadours that were return'd was put in his room by a decree of the People Not long after Milo being sent by the King plac'd a Garison in the Fort of Tarentum and requir'd that he should guard the Town himself the simple multitude being glad of it for they thought that Strangers took all the pains and trouble whilst they had ease and security An allowance of Victuals was therefore order'd for the Soldiers and Money for Pyrrhus with all chearfulness Aemilius in the mean time being inform'd of the arrival of these forein Soldiers that he might take his Winter-quarters in places of more security resolves to carry away his Army into Lucania but he was to pass through several defiles which were environ'd with steep and unpassable Rocks on one side and on the other side with the Sea The Tarentines having intelligence of the Roman Generals design put to shoar with several Ships carrying Engines to throw Stones wherewith they gall'd the Roman Soldiers whilst they marched through these narrow Passes which were expos'd to their shot Aemilius seeing Valour could not prevail made his way through by a Stratagem placing in the Flank of his Army which was expos'd to danger those Prisoners which were in the Rear in compassion of whom whilst they fear'd to shoot their own Men the Tarentines spar'd the Enemies also These are almost all the transactions of this Campagn at Tarentum At Rome C. Fabricius Luscinus who in his Consulship had bravely defeated the Samnites Brutians and Lucanians enter'd the Capitol in Triumph and not many days after Q. Marcius the Consul had the same honour being return'd from Hetruria where he fought with good success what the reason was that brought him back from that Province the Hetrurian War being as yet not ended at such an inconvenient time for he trumph'd the 11th of March is not recorded I guess he was call'd by the Senate who being then much concern'd with the expectation of Pyrrhus drew from every part all their Forces to oppose him For then first of all whilst this terrible War forced the Romans to put out several Armies for their defence the common Subjects who were anciently exempt from warfare were listed and Arms were given them upon the public charge they being too poor to buy for themselves So that whilst the Legions were elsewhere employed several Squadrons of these being posted upon the walls and in the Market-place might guard the City Nor could all these Methods have prevented imminent ruin had not the fortune of a People design'd by Fate to be Sovereign of the World reserv'd for these dangerous times very great Men and perhaps the bravest of any that State ever had being not renown'd for Wealth or Parentage but for their Valour and contempt of Riches For this Age bred up the Curii and the Coruncanii persons not esteemed for Wealth or Extraction but of eminent Renown which they being persons of great integrity acquir'd by their experience in War and an equal probity of Manners doing good service to their Country both ways which against a King to be fear'd on either account had as great need of Men that would contemn his Gold as of such as would put back his Sword Pyrrhus in the mean while not tarrying 'till Spring as he was bringing with him an Army of 22 thousand Foot and 3000 Horse besides twenty Elephants and a company of Archers and Slingers met in the midst of his Voyage with a great storm wherein he was almost cast away the Navy being dispersed and several Ships wrack'd when the Admiral also was in danger Pyrrhus threw himself into the Sea and with much ado swam to shore his courage supporting his loss of strength and the good attendance of the Messapians who treated him being cast out upon their shore with all kindness and civility some of the Ships that had escap'd were recover'd by their means and a few Horsemen two Elephants and under two thousand Foot were got together With these Forces he marches towards Tarentum where Cyneas with his Men went out to meet him and waited on him into the Town where being receiv'd by the Tarentines with all expressions of joy he repos'd himself a few days in which time when he observ'd the manners of this People to be such that unless they were reform'd they could not be preserv'd by any body but would be like to undo their own defenders he took no more notice of it for the present till the Ships that had been scatter'd by the storm were arriv'd so that he had Forces enough Then he shut up their Galleries and Theaters where the idle youth spent whole days in walking and pastime and prohibited all Feasts and Clubs and retrench'd the excesses of their solemn Games After which he strictly muster'd their young Men commanding the Press-masters as he us'd to do to list Men that were big set and he would make them valiant These being mingled among his own Troops lest if they were separated from the rest they should mutiny were train'd by him with the same exactness of discipline none being permitted to be often absent from his Colours upon pain of death And as for those that bore Arms already he compell'd them for the greatest part of the day to keep guard in the Market-place The unwontedness of which usage to Men of soft effeminate lives was mighty troublesom so that they call'd it Slavery thus to be constrain'd to save themselves whilst they were willing to perish by their idleness and Luxury And that which offended them more was the rudeness of some of the King's Guards who taking up their Quarters where they fancy'd kept them against the Masters will and afterwards behaved themselves with the same incivility towards their Wives and Children Many therefore being weary of such a life left the Town and departed into the Country till the Gates were shut up and a Guard was set to hinder them Then the Tarentines understanding too late that they had received a Master instead of a Confederate with anger and murmuring deplor'd their condition and that more freely when they had assembled together upon some necessary occasions and besides their usual passion were heated also with Wine and some informed Pyrrhus of the same who sent for several that were charged for railing against him at a Feast But the downright confession of one Person among them brought off the rest saying We own our selves to have spoken these words and if our Wine had not been out we had said worse than this Then Pyrrhus who had rather have the fault imputed to the Wine than to the Men smiling at the matter discharged them But still mistrusting the humours of this people where he saw any Person esteem'd either for his Authority or Counsel by the Tarentines he upon just or pretended causes sent him away to his Son Ptolomy a Youth of fifteen years of age to whom at his
increased with the number of the Ships Thus when the Galleys in the front stood nearest one another and those behind farthest asunder the order of these two Squadrons resembled the figure of a Wedg but when the third Squadron drawn in one Line filled the interval between the two former the figure of their Battalia was made Triangular The Ships belonging to the third Squadron tow'd along their Boats and smaller Vessels Last of all the Triarii being drawn in a Half-Moon extended out their Wings so as to inclose the rest before them Thus the Fleet being open before and close in the Rear seem'd like a Ships Stem being posted in an excellent order to defend it self and attack the Enemy When the Carthaginians Generals heard the Roman Fleet was coming and consider'd that their Town was weak and not tenable the People cow'd and fearful and their Neighbours wavering and dispos'd to Innovations they determined to encounter the Enemy being resolved to run any hazard rather than let them have a free passage to Affrica And when they had in few words encouraged their men bidding them remember they were to fight not onely for themselves but for their Wives and Children and therefore ought to do it with the greatest Valour possible they went on board and launch'd from shore having great hopes in their Seamen and Soldiers By this time the Romans came on and not far from Heraclea they engag'd with equal Forces The Carthaginians had agreed among themselves that Hanno the same that had been beaten before Agrigentum should command the right Wing and Hamilcar all the rest of the Fleet and having observed the Romans order of Battel they also divided their Fleet into four parts the left Wing being drawn in a Half-moon was order'd to lie near the shore but the rest of the Fleet stood in three Lines facing the Enemy Of these Hanno drew out the right Wing which consisted of the swiftest Galleys as far as he could into the main Sea that he might encompass the Enemy if the fight should begin any where else The Consuls charg'd without delay the Body of the Punic Fleet with their two Squadrons Now Hamilcar to disorder the Romans Battalia had order'd his men when they had joyn'd Battel immediately to retreat which they did and the Romans eagerly pursu'd them but they received no damage by reason of the swiftness of their Ships whilst the Roman Fleet as Hamilcar foresaw was put in disarray the Triarii and the third Squadron as yet not moving Which he no sooner saw but he gave the signal for his men to tack about and receive the Romans pursuing them and upon this arose a doubtful Battel rhe Carthaginians having the odds for swiftness of Ships and skill of Mariners but the Romans for strength of men Therefore so long as the fight was between the Ships rather than the Soldiers the Carthaginians prevailed but when once they came to grapple Ship to Ship then the Romans got the Victory whilst their Soldiers so good at handling their Arms and now in the sight of their Consuls bravely expos'd their lives endeavouring to signalize their Valour in the Action While things went thus on that side Hanno with the right Wing which had not mov'd yet bearing upon the Triarii attacked them from the Sea and distress'd them very sorely At the same time the Carthaginians left Wing changing their former posture and reducing themselves to a streight Line charged the Romans third Squadron which tow'd their Boats with their Beaks running full tilt upon the Enemy The Romans then disengaging themselves from those Boats they towed prepar'd for fight and here also arose a sharp Conflict Thus in three several places there were as many Naval fights as it were at a pretty good distance one from the other Having fought a long time upon equal terms and with doubtful fortune at length it happen'd as it generally does where men are equally engag'd at once in several places that that side which first defeats a party of the Enemies forces overcomes all the rest for Hamilcar being no longer able to withstand the shock drew off and the rest of the Punic Fleet was immediately routed Now whilst L. Manlius the Consul was busie in securing the Ships taken from the Enemy and towing them along M. Regulus seeing his men ingag'd in another place hasten'd to their aid with as many Ships of the second Squadron as had escaped without damage from the former service Soon did the Triarii apprehend their succour and taking heart again after they had desponded upon prospect of their danger began valiantly to encounter with the Enemy Hanno finding these make a stout resistance and himself pressed upon behind hois'd sail and saved himself by slight In the mean time L. Manlius seeing the Romans third Squadron driven towards shore by the Carthaginians left Wing directed his course thither when M. Regulus also came in who had now secur'd the Triarii and the Long-boats Thus was the Scene soon shefled and they were encompass'd themselves who had just before inviron'd the Romans whom they had once at their mercy pent up and inclosed and might have destroyed them to rights but for fear of the grappling-hooks not venturing too near they gave the Consuls time enough insomuch that they rescued their own men and also took fifty Ships of the Enemies with all the men inclosing them suddenly as in a toyl the rest being but few escap'd stealing away near the shore This Battel for variety of Accidents and the sharpness of the Conflict as also for the number of Ships lost may scarce be parallel'd The Carthaginians had sixty three Ships taken and above thirty sunk the Victors had twenty four sunk but none taken by the Enemy After this Victory being returned to Messina they spent some time there in refreshing the Soldiers re-fitting their Galleys and victualling their Fleet. During which time Hamilcar who would have hinder'd the Romans from going to Affrica and being not able to do it by force of Arms betook himself to this Intrigue he sends Hanno to the Consuls to desire a Peace thinking to gain time till the Forces he expected from Carthage were sent him When Hanno was come to the Consuls and heard some people crying out that it was fit he should be treated after the same rate as Cornelius Asina the Consul had been by the Carthaginians five years before If you do so says Hanno defending himself by a sly Complement then you will not be honester men than the Affricans And the Consuls presently understanding what was said commanded those to be silent who had discoursed of making Hanno Prisoner whom they accosted in a Language suitable to the Roman gravity telling him You are secur'd Hanno of any fear of this sort by the honour of the Roman Name But the treaty of Peace had no effect the Carthaginians not acting in earnest and the Consuls being more desirous of Conquest than Peace therefore they resolved no longer
to put off the Affrican Expedition Nor did the Carthaginians oppose them though they had once resolved among themselves to stop them in their Voyage But Hanno hastening before to fortifie Carthage Hamilcar durst not stir but kept at Heraclea whilst the Roman Fleet were neither incommoded by the Enemy nor the weather in their Voyage There were those that fear'd this long Expedition and trembled at the very name of Affrica and Mannius a Colonel was one of those who refus'd to obey the Orders of the Consul but Regulus being highly inrag'd against the man threatned to take off his head if he would not submit Thus at length the Consul was obey'd a nearer and greater terrour expelling all fears of the Journey There is a Promontory called Hermeum which from the Bay of Carthage runs out far into the Sicilian Sea The foremost of the Roman Galleys arrived upon that Coast and there staying a while till the whole Fleet had come up the Consuls passing by the Affrican shore came to the Town Here the Legions first landed and the Ships being hal'd ashore some works were made to defend them the City was invested because it would not surrender at first and being either deliver'd up or quitted by the affrighted Inhabitants for both is reported fell into the hands of the Romans And now though the Carthaginians labour'd under great distresses yet they were very glad that things had fallen out better to them than they expected For they feared hearing the success of their men at Sea that the Romans would have marched out-right to the Walls of Carthage upon which taking heart again they applied themselves to raise Forces and to defend the City and the Territories belonging to it The Consuls in the mean while having dispatch'd a Message to Rome both to inform the Senate of what was already done and also to consult them upon the present juncture of Affairs fortifie Clupea intending it for their Head-quarters and having placed a Garison in it for the defence of the Town and the Country marched on with the rest of their forces wasting that fertile and well-cultivated Country which had not seen an Enemy since the time of Agathocles they destroyed likewise many stately Palaces and carried away abundance of plunder besides above twenty thousand men none daring to oppose them They likewise took several Towns by storm and surrender wherein they found some desertors and set at liberty great numbers of Roman Citizens taken in the last Wars among whom I take Cn. Cornelius to have been who was again made Consul two years after In the mean while those that had been sent by the Consuls to Rome returned with the Senates Commands whereby One of the Consuls was order'd to stay in Affrica with such a part of their Forces as they should judg necessary to keep there without prejudice to the Commonwealth and the other to bring the rest of the Fleet and Forces to Rome So now Winter approaching M. Regulus remained behind with near fifteen thousand Foot five hundred Horse and forty Galleys the rest of the Fleet under the conduct of L. Manlius who safely pass'd the Coasts of Sicily returned to Rome laden with abundance of spoils and Slaves We find there were twenty thousand Slaves brought to Rome by Manlius and that a A. U. 498 Naval Triumph was decreed to him After this Ser. Fulvius Paetinus Nobilior and M. Aemilius Paulus were made Consuls to these Sicily and the Fleet were assign'd in charge They were unwilling to call Regulus home in the midst of his Victories and successes in Affrica and therefore he was commanded to manage the War in Affrica with the Character of Proconsul This Decree of the Senate none dislik'd so much as that very Person in honour of whom it was made who therefore complain'd in a Letter to the Senate among others giving this reason for his desiring one to be sent in his room that by the death of his Steward who was intrusted with the tilling of a little Field of his of seven acres in Pupinia a hir'd servant of his had taken this opportunity to run away carrying with him his Houshold-stuff wherefore his presence was requisite lest his Farm being neglected his Wife and Children should be starv'd upon which the Senate decreed that M. Regulus his Land should be till'd at the Public charge the Goods he had lost restor'd him and maintenance given to his Wife and Children These were the manners of those golden days But as oft as I read or write of such things I cannot but reflect with my self how much more lasting is the reward that accrues to men by Valour and Virtue than by Riches for the glory of M. Regulus survives so many Ages after him while the vastest Wealth perishes with and often before its Owners The Carthaginians mean while having constituted two Generals Asdrubal the Son of Hanno and Bostar call'd for a third Hamilcar out of Sicily who came speedily from Heraclea to Carthage with five thousand Foot and five hundred Horse These having held consultation together determined that their Army should be kept no longer within Walls as they had done till then and that the Romans were not to be suffered to act as they did at pleasure Then fir'd with eager resolutions to fight they led out their Army while Regulus over-running all the Country around came at last to the River Bagrada and when he was incamped there a sudden disaster befell his Army which was attended with some damage and greater terrour For a Serpent of prodigious Size set upon the Soldiers going for Water and the men being astonished and in vain resisting the Serpent swallowed up some of them in her jaws and bruised others twisting her self round about and lashing them with her Tail some also were destroyed by the venomous scent of this Monsters breath nay Regulus was so pester'd by it that he was forced with all his Army to come and fight for the possession of the River But seeing that he lost many men and yet could neither wound nor conquer the Serpent being arm'd with such thick scales as defended her from the Darts they threw at her he order'd Engines to be planted and thus with battering Rams they were forced to storm the Enemy like to some Castle After some shot made in vain a huge stone broke her Chine and so cool'd the impetuousness and fierceness of this formidable Monster and at last with much ado the Serpent was kill'd which had occasion'd so great terrour to the Legions and Cohorts that Regulus protested he had rather storm Carthage than have the same to do again with such another Monster But the Romans could incamp no longer there for the noisomness of this Serpents Carcass which corrupted the water with gore and infected the Country round with the scent And here Humane pride may blush at its own folly whilst it fancies nothing able to withstand its power This is certain that one Serpent alive engag'd the
Garison from Clupea and return to Sicily They brought away great spoils and booty which being laid up in the Town of Clupea during Regulus his prosperous successes were much encreas'd by their fresh Victories The Fleet arrived in Sicily in very good condition and the Consuls had been too fortunate if they had known to use their felicity moderately But in their return for Italy they thought to reduce some of the Maritime Towns of Sicily though the Pilots in vain dissuaded the attempt being between the rising of Orion and the Dog-star when there is always stormy weather at Sea they passed by the Coast of Affrica which was dangerous and Harbourless and suffer'd so great a wreck that there is no Example in this kind of any other so remarkable In short of three hundred sixty four scarce eighty could be saved and those all their lading being lost They lost likewise a great number of Long-boats and other Vessels of several sorts insomuch as that from the Coast of Camarina where the storm first fell upon them all the shore as far as Pachenus was filled with Carcasses of Men and Beasts and broken planks of Ships But King Hiero gave them considerable reliefs in this their distress who receiv'd them courteously supplying them with Cloaths Meat and tackling for their Ships and convoy'd them safe to Messina The Carthaginians taking advantage of this Calamity retook both the Isle and Town of Cossura and immediately crossing into Sicily destroyed Agrigentum having not been reliev'd when it was besieg'd by Carthalo Many men were kill'd and taken here the rest who made their escape through the middle of the Country into the Syracusan Territories seated themselves in a Village near the Temple of Jupiter Olympius and the Carthaginians had made themselves masters almost of the whole Island had not the Romans diligence in rigging out another Fleet kept the Confederates from falling away in this ticklish time For the Consuls were so active in the business that with an incredible speed they had one hundred and twenty new Ships built in three months space and Cn. Cornelius Asina and A. Atilius Celatinus again Consuls having mann'd the Fleet with several stout men out of the new Levies were commanded to sail as soon as they could This Cn. Cornelius was a great Example of Fortunes inconstancy which may encourage men to bear Adversity for he who seven years before being taken by the treachery of the Carthaginians had endur'd A. U. 499 slavery bonds and imprisonment now resum'd not onely those other ornaments of his Dignity but even the Consulship it self and his Fasces forc'd from him for the gaining of which he now rejoyc'd as much as he had griev'd for their loss The Consuls having passed over to Messina and taking such Ships as they found there being the relicks of the former Wreck arrived at the mouth of the River Himera with two hundred and fifty sail of Ships and took the Town of Cephalodium situate upon the same Coast at twelve miles distance from thence by treachery From Drepanum for they had bent their course thither they departed disappointed in their designs perceiving themselves not able to take the place in a little time and that Carthalo whilst they were about to besiege it was coming to its relief But not discourag'd with this disappointment they afterwards perform'd a more important Exploit with better success For directing their course to Palermo the chief Town in the Carthaginian Territory and possessing themselves of the Harbour they made a descent almost to the very Walls and besieg'd the Panormitanes who refused to surrender The nature of the Country thereabouts which affords plenty of Timber further'd their Enterprize so that having soon perfected their Works and whilst they vigorously push'd on the Siege they battered down a Tower lying to the Sea with their Engines and the Soldiers entring in at the breach stormed the outward Town called the New putting many of the Enemies to the Sword Nor did the old Town hold out long for when the multitude running thither for shelter had brought more terrour than provision into the place the Inhabitants dejected with the sight of their danger and fearing a Famine sent Ambassadours to the Consuls offering an absolute surrender with exception onely of liberty for their Persons But this the Consuls well knowing the extremities they were brought to denied to accept of unless they would at some stated Rate ransom themselves Hereupon two Mina's were set upon every head and fourteen thousand of them were redem'd the rest of the multitude being almost thirteen thousand were sold with the booty This was a remarkable Conquest and of great importance and advantage for several Towns in that Coast and some also more distant driving out the Carthaginian Garisons embraced the Roman Alliance The Jetinians first led the way and the Soluntinians Petrinians Tyndaritans and others presently followed them This done the Consuls having left a Garison at Palermo return'd to Messina and from thence to Rome but the Carthaginians having lain in wait for them took some Ships of burden with all the Money that they carried away After this two Triumphs were seen together at Rome the Consuls the year before being continued in their Authority held two Naval Triumphs over the Cossurians and the Carthaginians Ser. Sulpitius triumphed first the sixteenth of February and M. Aemilius the next day This year being computed the five hundredth since the building of Rome the Affrican Expedition happen'd but it prov'd of no effect Cn. Servilius Caepio and M. Sempronius Blaesus being Consuls put over into Sicily and failing in their attempt upon Lilybaeum directed their course towards Affrica being furnished with two hundred and sixty sail of Ships and whilst they cruis'd upon the Affrican Coasts and made descents into several places of the Country they took many Towns and abundance of prey and booty but nought of greater moment could be performed the Carthaginians meeting them everywhere being now more encourag'd because they had recover'd all that Regulus had taken from them and no other business hinder'd them the Revolters being suppress'd and punished For Hamilcar having over-run all Numidia and Mauritania reduc'd those Countries and imposing a Fine of one thousand Talents and twenty thousand heads of Oxen upon the People punished the Ring-leaders suppos'd to have kept correspondence with the Romans whereof three thousand were hung on Gibbets But in the mean while the Romans were not so much incommoded by their Enemies as by storms and misfortunes at Sea for the Fleet being driven to Meninx an Island of the Losophagi bordering upon the lesser Syrtis all the Ships being dry struck upon the Sand at an ebb till the Tide returning brought them off after they had unladed and were reduc'd to extream danger and when they had escaped this disaster with some loss fearing such unfortunate places they presently set sail like men flying before their Enemies but did not foresee that they were running themselves
Senate approv'd what the Proconsul had done as just and laudable and thereupon decreed a second Embassy which should go to the Corinthians and Athenians in the name of the State to notifie to them the Roman Peoples affection and kindness to the Grecians and their moderation towards all Men which got the Romans a great deal of love in those parts and the Corinthians passed a Decree immediately in honour of them whereby they were made free of the Isthmian Games one of the four Solemn Exercises of Greece Besides the Romans benefits to Apollonia and other Greek Towns they looked on themselves principally oblig'd to the Romans for their kindness in restoring liberty to the Corcyreans a Colony of the Corinthians The Athenians also having embraced the Roman Alliance decreed that they should be made free of Athens and of the most Sacred Mysteries of Ceres Fulvius the Proconsul in the mean while held a Naval Triumph over the Illyrians and having led those of the principal note among the Illyrians in the Solemnity he beheaded them This was the first Triumph over the Illyrians The next year P Valerius Flaccus and M. Atilius Regulus being Consuls the number of the Praetors A. U. 526 was doubled and four were made that they might have two to send into the Provinces of Sicily and Sardinia of these M. Valerius had Sardinia and its Appendage Corsica allotted to his share and C. Flaminius had Sicily At that time People were in great fear of a War with the Galls which the Boii and Insâ—bres not only between themselves but together with other Transalpine Nations were said to have in agitation for which purpose they had levied great Forces consisting of the Gaesatae a Gallic People so called from a particular sort of Arms peculiar to them Therefore now besides the usual Expedients they had recourse to other means for preventing this danger which with severe Judges nothing could excuse but the great affection men have for their Country upon whose account they might be allow'd to act something otherwise unwarrantable For besides other dangers threatning the State by divine Prodigies and an Invasion from the Enemy it was also found in the Sibylline Prophesies that the Gauls and Greeks were to possess themselves of the City Now to fulfil this Prediction and avert its dire effects this slight and Artifice was then practised M. Valerius Messalla A. U. 527 and L. Apustius Tullo being Consuls by an order of the Pontifs two Gauls a Man and a Woman and as many Greeks were buried alive in the midst of the Beast-market that so holding part of the Town they might seem to have compleated that Prophesie But this year among other matters of lesser moment was spent in preparations for the Gallic War now drawing on incredible numbera of Soldiers were raised for this War all Italy joyning with the Romans Q. Fabius the Historian who liv'd about this time says of the Romans that they had eight hundred thousand Men compleat in this War the Romans and Campanians making two hundred forty eight thousand Foot and twenty six thousand six hundred Horse the rest of this numerous Army was composed of the other Italians The Veneti and Cenomani also aided the Romans with twenty thousand men who were order'd to make incursions upon their Neighbours the Boii that so they might be oblig'd to act defensively in their own Country and not be in a capacity to join the Enemies since all the endeavours the Roman Ambassadours us'd to reclaim them from their attempts prov'd ineffectual the Veneti and Cenomani being persuaded to enter into an Alliance with the Romans the Boii and Insubrians persisted in their hostile designs But yet their Forces were lessen'd because their Kings durst not bring all the People but were obliged to leave a considerable number for the defence of their Country With the rest of their Forces being fifty thousand Foot and twenty thousand Horse they attempted to pass through Hetruria In the mean while L. Aemilius Papus and C. Atilius being Consuls obtained Sardinia Ariminum and its neighbouring Countrey Gaul for their Provinces for the Sardi distasted with the daily sight of a Roman A. U. 528 Praetor and his Mace rebelled again but C. Atilius quell'd them very easily L. Aimilius had a harder task of it with the Gauls now marching towards Rome having forced their passage through Hetruria The Governour of that Province seeing he could not stop their passage made after and overtook them about Clusium where towards Sun-setting he pitch'd his Camp near the Enemies The Gauls to entice the Romans to a Battel having laid the Plot before-hand in the Night march'd with all their Foot to a Town called Faesulae having left their Horse behind them who were order'd at break of Day to shew themselves onely to the Enemy and when they had so done immediately to retreat to the Foot who by that time were to post themselves in a place fit to receive the Horse and whence they might surprize the Enemies The Romans deceiv'd by this Stratagem went in close pursuit of the Horse as if they really fled before them and continued following them to Faesulae where a Body of fresh Men lay posted in Battalia to receive them when they were tir'd with the pursuit and now reduc'd to such a non-plus as it happens in such accidents that they knew not what course to take All that remain'd in their power to do was to sell their lives as dear as they could and either by their Swords to win the glory of the Day or else to die in the bed of Honour But the Gauls besides other things over-match'd them in point of number so that with their vast Forces they easily overcame them having killed above six thousand upon the Spot the rest fled the Gauls attempted to take a certain Hill fortified with Rocks which the greatest part fled to from the Battel but finding themselves tir'd with marching all the Night and fighting that day they went away to take some refreshment leaving a Body of Horse to beset that Hill which they made no question but would be taken the next day either by force or surrender In this nick of time Aimilius the Consul arrived there by good fortune which the Romans might wish but could not have hop'd for For at the same time the Gauls marching forwards the Consul went to Ariminum to cover and defend the Countries bordering on the Adriatic Sea but when he received intelligence that the Gauls were coming towards Rome making long marches from Ariminum by lucky hit he arriv'd in that place and encamped at a little distance from the Enemies The besieg'd on the Hill by the fire seen on that side guessing rightly that the Roman Army was come sent out some Men without Arms the better to pass the Enemies Sentinels undiscover'd by whom the Consul understanding the state of Affairs in the greatest hast the time would allow went before with the Cavalry to the Hill having order'd
their particular Parents and Relations who are Persons of the first Quality and Interest in those places where they dwell as also to the several Nations in general Every man you know is desirous to be trusted and for the most part Credit frankly given to any one obliges him the more firmly to be faithful The charge of conducting home the Hostages I desire may be committed to me that I may by my pains improve this my Counsel to the best advantage and as the thing in it self cannot but be very acceptable so I may by Words represent the greatness of the Obligation in its fairest colours Having with such Discourses perswaded the Man who happened not to be so subtle and crafty as most Carthaginians were wont to be away steals he privatly in the Night to the Roman Guards and meeting with some Spaniards that served there as Auxiliaries was by them carryed to Scipio and acquainted him with the Affair And after mutual promises of secresie and performance and a time and place agreed on for delivering the Hostages into his hands returns as secretly back again to Saguntum and spent the next day with Bostar in receiving his Orders telling him He would carry the Youths out in the Night the better to avoid the Enemies Guards so about the hour appointed he called up those that had them in their Custody and began his Journy and as if he had been altogether ignorant of what happened led them directly to the place where the Romans by his own treachery lay in Ambush to intercept them being conducted into the Roman Camp The Hostages were surrendred to their respective Relations by the Romans as their own act but freely in all respects as Bostar had intended to deliver them and as if it had been transacted in the name of the Carthaginians yet the Romans got more good will and greater thanks than the Carthaginians could have expected in doing the very same courtesie For the Spaniards having experienc'd them to be Proud and Oppressive whil'st their Affairs were prosperous would have concluded this Kindness to be an effect only of their present fear and weak condition But Scipio being before unknown conciliated a great opinion of his Clemency and good Nature by so liberal and generous an Action at his first coming amongst them And Abelox was look'd upon as a prudent Man that had not without good Reason exchanged the Friendship of the former for that of the latter Henceforwards the Spaniards with one consent were studying a Revolt and they had presently taken Arms but that the Season of the Year obliged both Romans and Carthaginians to break up the Campaign and betake them to their Winter-Quarters These were the Occurrences that pass'd in Spain the second Summer of the Punic War whil'st in Italy the Politick delays and wariness of Fabius gave the Romans some intermission and breathing-time after their several Defeats which as it did not a little vex Annibal and put him to his trumps to see that now at last the Romans had made choice of a General that was resolved to manage the War according to Reason and Judgment and not hazard any thing upon the Capricio's of Fortune So on the other side this wise Conduct of his was slighted and condemned amongst his own Citizens as well the Soldiery abroad as the Gown-men at home especially after it happened That in his absence the General of the Horse had rashly fought the Enemy with a Success more joyful and applauded than really great or advantagious Besides there were two other things that contributed to make the Dictator the worse thought of one contrived by the deceitful Policy of Annibal who being told by some Renegades which were the Dictators particular Lands when he utterly destroyed the Country round about and laid all level with the Ground gave a strict charge to his Soldiers to forbear all acts of Hostility there and not to touch any of his Estate Tenants or Possessions either with Fire or Sword or do them the least injury on purpose to raise Jealousies as if the Dictator held secret Intelligence with him and that this preservation of his Lands were but a reward paid for his suffering him to go on so long plundering and wasting others without controul The other arose from an Action of his own at the first indeed suspicious because done without waiting for the Senates Commission and Approbation but in the up-shot redounding no doubt to his singular praise and honor It was about Exchange of Prisoners for having Capitulated with the Enemy as had been formerly practised in the first Punick War That Prisoners should be mutually released and that side that received more than they gave to pay the other Two pound and an half of Silver between seven and eight pounds sterling for every Head It happened that Fabius received Two hundred and forty seven Prisoners more than he could ballance and the Senate after a long Debate of the matter because he had not Directions therein from them delayed to raise the Silver which was by the aforesaid Agreement to be paid for them amounting to near Two thousand pound of our mony Whereupon sending his Son to Rome he made sale of his Estate which the Enemy had spared and with the mony discharged the Debt to Annibal chusing rather to part with his private Fortune than bring a scandal on the Publick-Faith of his Country which he had engaged Annibal lay encamped under the Walls of Gerion a City which he had taken and burnt all but a few Houses reserved for Granaries to lay his Corn in and to replenish them therewith sent abroad two thirds of his Forces to bring in all the Grain they could find in the Neighboring Countries with the rest he remained in Person and kept them almost always in Arms both for securing his Camp and to be in readiness to relieve those that were abroad if they should happen to be attack'd The Roman Army was then in the Territories of Larinum Commanded by Minucius General of the Cavalry the Dictator being gone to Rome as aforesaid But the Camp which he left on an high Hill and place of safety was now carryed down into the Plain and according to the temper of the present chief Commander it was agitated in the Council of War either to set upon those Detachments of the Enemy Forraging the Country or else to storm their Camp now left but with an inconsiderable Guard Nor was Annibal insensible that together with the Commander the whole conduct of the War was chang'd and that now they would act with more fury than discretion therefore though the Enemy were advanced nearer him he continued still which a Man would scarce believe to send out one third part of his Army to gather in Harvest and kept the other two at the Camp which he also removed nearer to the Romans almost two miles from Gerion and Posted himself on a small Hill in view of the Enemy to let them perceive
in good earnest so that the Report went That most of the Mercinary Troops especially those of the Spanish Nation were upon the point of deserting and going over to the Enemy Annibal is said to have had sometimes thoughts of flying away with his Horse into Gallia and leave his Infantry to shift for themselves His Affairs being in this untoward posture he resolv'd to dislodge and march into the warmer Region of Apulia where the Harvest was more forward as also that being farther off from the Enemy such of his Men as were fickle and inconstant might not be able so easily to run away to them He march'd off therefore in the Night making Fires as before and some few Tents left for a shew that the fear of a like Stratagem as before might keep the Romans from pursuing But after the before-mentioned Lucanus Statilius had diligently search'd all places beyond their Camp and on the other side of the Mountains and brought advice that he had a sight of their Rear at a great distance a Council of War was next day held by the Romans and the matter debated whether or no they should follow and urge him to a Battel The two Consuls were still of the same different Opinions as always they had been but almost all the rest of the Officers concurred with Varro and none but Servilius that was Consul last year join'd with Paulus so by the majority of Votes away they went blinded by Destiny to render the little obscure Town Cannae illustrious to all Posterity for the Romans over-throw Near that Village Annibal had pitch'd his Camp having the Southernly Wind call'd Vulturnus at his back which in the Fields parch'd with drought is wont to raise vast Clouds of dust This was not only very convenient for his Men as they lay intrench'd but like to prove of good advantage to them when they should be drawn up in Battalia for having the Wind behind to cool them they should attack the Enemy who must needs be almost blinded with the dust driven full in their faces so abundantly The Consuls sending out Scouts before diligently to discover the Passages pursued the Carthaginians until they came to Cannae where having a sight of the Enemy they intrench'd themselves in two distinct Camps about the same distance from each other as they lay at Gerion The River Aufidus ran near each Parties Camp and gave both opportunities to supply themselves with Water from thence but not without skirmishing with each other But the Romans that were posted in the lesser Camp beyond the Aufidus could fetch Water with more freedom because the Enemy kept no Guards on the farther Bank of the River Annibal having now got a place of advantage for his Cavalry to engage in as being an open Champian Country and knowing his chief strength and hopes to consist in that part of his Forces offers the Consuls Battel draws up his Army to upbraid them and sends some of his Numidian Troops to skirmish with and provoke them This occasion'd the Roman Camp to be again fill'd with the murmurs of the Common Soldiers and discord between the two Consuls Paulus objecting to Varro the fatal rashness of Sempronius and Flaminius and Varro declaiming as fast at the Conduct of Fabius as commended by none but dull and cowardly Captains the latter call'd Gods and Men to witness that it was none of his fault that Annibal was suffered to demean himself as if he were Soveraign Lord of Italy or had taken possession thereof for his own use for ever but the same was wholly to be attributed to his Colleague who tyed up his hands and suffered not the Soldiers to take their Arms. though their spirits were up and they desired nothing so much as a Battel On the other side Paulus protested That if any disaster should happen to the Roman Legions by their being exposed or rather betrayed to the hazards of a doubtful Battel he would never be guilty of the blame of the Advice though he was ready to take his share whatever it should be in the event and only wish'd That those who were now so nimble and forward with their Tongues might in the Fight prove as brisk with their Hands Whil'st thus they spent time in scolding rather than consulting Annibal who had stood a great part of the day in Battalia retreated with most of his Troops into his Camp but sent over a Party of his Numidians cross the River to fall upon such as went for Water from the Romans lesser Camp whom being but a disorderly Rabble they presently put to flight with the noise and shout they made as soon as they gain'd the opposite Bank and pursued them up to the Out-guards and thence ventured further even almost to the very Ports This the Romans took in mighty dudgeon to see themselves thus affronted by a raskally crew of Moors in their very Camp and the only reason why they did not presently cross the River and fight the Enemy was because Paulus happened that day to have the Soveraign Command But that Power being next day devolved to Varro he without consulting his Colleague displayed the Signal and in Battel-array pass'd the River Paulus following him for though he could not approve the Enterprize yet he was bound to assist him in it Beyond the River they join'd with the Forces of the smaller Camp and drew up in this order On the right Wing which was next the River were placed the Roman Horse and next to them a Body of Foot on the Extremity of the left Wing the Associate Cavalry and within a Body of Foot but the Main-Battel consisted of Roman Legions intermixed with Archers and of the rest of the Light-harness'd Troops was composed the Van-guard The Consuls took charge of the Wings Terentius of the left Aemilius of the right and Cn. Servilius of the Main-Body Annibal as soon as 't was day-light sending before his Slingers and others lightly-armed pass'd the River and as his Forces came over rang'd them in order The French and Spanish Horse in the left Wing near the Bank of the River over against the Roman Cavalry the Numidians had the right Wing and the Main-Body was fortified with Foot so placed as the Africans were on each side and the French and Spaniards between them in the middle You would have fansied the Africans for the most part to have been a Roman Army they were so generally Arm'd with what they had taken either at Trebia or at Thrasymenus The French and Spanish had Targets much alike but their Swords were very different those of the French very long and without points the Spaniard used to push and make Passes at their Enemies rather than hack and slash them with down-right stroaks had shorter ones better to be wielded and with sharp points Those Nations above the rest were terrible as well by the greatness of their Stature and bulk of Body as for their strange habit the French all naked above the Navel
the Spaniards very gay in pure white Jackets embroidered with Purple The number of all his Forces that day in the Field is said to be Forty thousand Foot and Ten thousand Horse The left Wing was led by Asdrubal the right by Maharbal and in the Main-Battel was Annibal himself with his Brother Mago The Sun shone very indifferently on both their Flanks whether they drew up so on purpose or by chance the Romans fronted the South and the Carthaginians towards the North But the South-East Wind which the Inhabitants of those parts call Vulturnus rising very high drove mighty heaps of dust full in the Romans faces and almost choak'd and blinded them After the shout set up on both sides the Auxiliaries began to skirmish with their Darts and light Weapons then the left Wing of French and Spanish Horse charg'd the Roman Cavalry in the right but not after the usual method of Horse-Service for here they were forc'd to confront one another strait forwards having no room for wheeling about being shut up on the one side by the River and on the other by the Battalions of Foot so that standing all thick together as soon as their Horses began to be disordered the Riders grappled together and each Man laying hold on his opposite pull'd him down and so for the most part fought on foot yet was this Conflict rather sharp for a spurt than of long continuance for the Roman Cavalry were beat back and fled Then began the Foot to engage the French and Spaniards with equal strength and courage for a good while kept their Ranks but after several vigorous Efforts the Romans being as thick in the Front as in the Main-Body broke into that pointed Squadron of the Enemy which was thinner rang'd and swelling out at some distance from their main Battel and thereby the less able to resist their Impression and having once made them give ground followed their Blows so close that all at once with the same violence they pierc'd through them as they fled headlong until they got into the midst of their Main-Body and thence without resistance came up with their African Reserves who having drawn in their Wings on both sides the Gauls and Spaniards stood to it for a while stoutly somewhat advanc'd before the rest but they too being so far beat back as to range even with the rest of the Front after some further enforcement shrunk away leaving a Lane in the middle into which the Romans unwarily pressing after them the Africans charg'd them on the Flanks and spreading out their Wings encompass'd them on the Rear Henceforwards the Romans having in vain perform'd this first Encounter were forc'd to give over the Chase of the French and Spaniards and renew the Fight with the Africans upon a double disadvantage as being both surrounded and to deal with a fresh Enemy when they themselves were already almost tired out In the mean time there was hot Service in the Romans left Wing where their Associate Troops opposed the Numidian Horse yet it began but faintly at first and was manag'd with Punick Treachery for near upon Five hundred Numidians having besides the rest of their Arms and Javelins got short Skeins hidden under their Harness came riding full speed from their Army as Deserters with their Bucklers at their backs and all on a sudden dismounting cast both their Bucklers and Javelins at their Enemies Feet whereupon the Romans opening to the right and left received them into their Main-Body conducted them up to their Reserves and ordered them to abide in the Rear where they continued quiet until such time as they saw them fiercely engaged in all parts and that every Mans eye and mind was intent and altogether taken up therewith then snatching up Bucklers from amongst the heaps of the dead they fell upon the Romans behind and wounding their backs and cutting their ham-strings committed great slaughter but raised a far greater Terror and Tumult whil'st thus the Romans in some places were frighted and fled and in others fought stoutly though with little hopes Asdrubal who commanded that Wing detach'd the Numidians from the main Battel where they did little Service to pursue such as fled and seeing the Africans almost wearyed out rather with Killing than Fighting he reinforc'd them with the French and Spaniards INSTRVCTORUM AD PVGNAM CANNENSEM EXERCITVUM DELINEATIO Thus was the Battel at Cannae no less famous for the Romans defeat than that at the River Allia For though this prov'd not so fatal in the event because the Enemy did not make hast enough to improve his Victory yet here the slaughter was greater and the flight more dishonorable For as their running away at Allia betrayed the City so it saved the Army whereas at Cannae there were not above fifty followed the Consul that fled and as for the other Consul that was slain almost his whole Army took them to their heels The multitude in the two Camps being without any Commanders in chief and scarce half arm'd those that were in the bigger Camp sent messengers to the others That whil'st the Enemy wearied both with the Fight and with frollicking afterwards for their Victory took their repose and slept soundly they should come over to them and so in a joint Body march away for Canusium This advice some did altogether disdain For why quoth they do they send for us and not come hither themselves since so we had as soon be joyn'd But here 's the business they see all the Passage betwixt is full of the Enemy and they would willingly expose other mens Bodies to the danger rather than their own Others would not budge not so much for any dislike of the motion as for that their hearts failed them to attempt it Whereupon P. Sempronius Tuditanus a Colonel thus rounded them up What then Will you chuse rather to be taken by an Enemy whose Cruelty nothing can equal but his Covetousness Will you suffer your selves to be sold at so much an head and hear them when they enquire the price ask whether you are a Roman Citizen or a Latine Allie That so the proud Victor may encrease his Glory by your Misery and Reproach Certainly none of you will endure this if at least you are Fellow-Citizens with the brave Aemilius and so many other gallant and most valiant Men whose Bodies lie round about him who rather resolv'd to die in the Bed of Honor than live with Infamy Let us therefore forthwith before 't is light and more numerous Troops block up our Passage break through those few who in disorder make a noise before our Portals a good Heart and a good Sword will make way though they were never so thick with a pointed Battalion like a wedge weâ—l pierce through the midst of these straglers as easily as if none were to oppose us Come along then with me as many of you as are willing to save either your selves or the Common-wealth With these words he draws
wittingly or willingly then do thou O mighty Jupiter confound me my House and Family and bring me and all that I have to destruction and a most shameful end And you Metellus I require to swear after me as I have done and all the rest of you to take the same Oath for whoever shall refuse let him be assured 't is against him I have drawn this Sword Terrified no less than if it had been the Conqueror Annibal himself they all took the Oath and yielded themselves up to Scipio's Conduct Whil'st these things were doing at Canusium about 4000 Horse and Foot who were dispersed over the Country in the Rout were rallyed together and came up to the Consul at Venusia whom the Inhabitants received very courteously and having Quartered them from House to House bestowed upon the Horse to every one a Vest and Tunick and 25 Quadri-gates or pieces of mony with Chariots and four Horses engraven on them the whole sum amounts to about 15 s. 7 d. ob a Man and to the Foot ten such pieces and what Arms they wanted and in all other respects publick and private treated them most Hospitably as if they had strove that it should not be said All the People of Venusia were out-done by the kind Offices of one single Gentlewoman of Canusium But indeed by this time the Multitude at the later place were grown very burthensom to Madam Busa for they were now near Ten thousand in number Therefore as soon as Appius and Scipio understood that the other Consul was safe they sent an Express to acquaint him what Forces Horse and Foot they had with them and to know his pleasure Whether they should continue there or march to him at Venusia Varro thought best to go himself with what strength he had to Canusium so as now they made a pretty good shew of a Consular Army and seemed able to defend themselves if not by force of Arms in the Field yet at least by the strength of the Walls within the Town But at Rome the news went currant That not so much as any remnant of Citizens and Allies was left but that both the Consuls with their two Armies were all put to the Sword and hew'n to pieces to the last Man Never was there known whil'st the City was yet safe so much terror and tumult within the Walls of Rome I will therefore even at first sink under so great a Burthen and say nothing at all rather than undertake to set forth that which after I have used all the words I can will be represented far short of Truth After the Consul Flaminius and his Army destroy'd but last year at Thrasymenus this was not only a new wound added to that before it was heal'd but a Defeat that was as bad as many Overthrows altogether for every body said That with the two Consuls two whole Consular Armies were cut off That there was no longer any such thing in the World as a Roman Camp a Roman General or a Roman Soldier That Annibal was already Lord of Apulia of Samnium and as good as all Italy Nor was there certainly any other Nation under Heaven but would have fainted and suffered themselves to have been utterly over-whelm'd and crush'd with the weight of so mighty a Disaster Shall I compare hereunto the Defeat with the Carthaginians received at Sea near the Isle Aegates wherewith their Spirits were so broken that at once they were content to part both with Sicily and Sardinia and also to make themselves Subjects and Tributaries to the Romans Or their other Overthrow afterwards in Africk which utterly broke the back of this very Annibal and made him confess himself vanquish'd Neither of them are in any respect comparable to this save only that they were born and supported with less Courage and Resolution P. Furius and M. Pomponius the Praetors summon'd the Senate to sit in the Hostilian Court and consult for the safeguard of the City for they could not doubt but the Enemy having defeated their Armies would advance to assault Rome the only work that was behind to compleat the War But as the Fathers were much to seek what Remedies to apply to Calamities so great and yet not known to the full so their Debates were disturb'd with the loud Out-cries of the Women who almost in every House fill'd the Air with Lamentations and promiseuously mourn'd for the Quick as well as the Dead it not yet being certainly known who was slain Whereupon Fabius advised That Parties of Light-Horse should be sent out both on the Appian and Latine Road to enquire of such as they met that came from the Fight and were straggling home if any of them could give a true account of the Consuls and Armies misfortune and if the Immortal Gods had in compassion suffered any of the Roman name to survive where those Forces were Whither Annibal march'd next after his Victory What Preparations he makes What he is doing at present and what he probably designs for the future That in this Affair the nimblest and most active Young Men should be employed and in the mean time the Senators because there were few inferior Magistrates in Towns or at least the People would not so much reverence their Authority should themselves in Person appease this Hurly-burly and fearful tumult in the City by debarring the Dames and all sorts of Women from coming abroad into the streets but every one to keep in their own House by restraining the mournful Exclamations of whole Families and making silence through the Town To take order that all Posts and Messengers of News should to rights be brought before the Praetors without prattling to the Rabble by the way and that every body should patiently at home wait for such Tidings as particularly concern'd them Likewise to set Guards at the Gates to keep all Persons from going out of the City and make all Men see That they can have no hopes to preserve themselves but in defending the City and its Walls And when by these means the Hurry was over then might the Fathers fitly be called again together and take further Measures for the Publick Safety This Advice being generally approved and the Magistrates having cleared the Forum of the multitude that were thronging together the Senators divided themselves into several parts of the City to still the Uproars Then at last arriv'd Letters from Terentius the Consul giving an account That L. Aemilius the Consul was slain and the greatest part of the Army That himself was at Canusium rallying those that escaped this mighty Over-throw as scattered Planks after a Ship-wreek That the Forces he had got with him were about Ten thousand strong but disordered and of several Regiments and Bands intermixt That Annibal still continued at Cannae busie in taxing what Ransoms the Prisoners shall pay and intent upon the rest of the Pillage and neither measuring his late Victory with that Grandieur of Mind usual to Conquerors nor making that advantage
Enemy and caused his Forlorn Hope and Horse that were scouring the Fields to retreat thither also for their better security and not thinking fit to trust either to the Hill or River fortified his Camp with a Rampire in this interchangeable fear on both sides there pass'd some Skirmishes but neither the Numidian Horse were so good as the Spanish nor were the Moorish Archers able to deal with the Carpesian Targeteers who for agility were their equals and in courage and strength of body their Superiours At last seeing they could neither provoke Asdrubal to a Battel with all their braving him just under his Camp nor yet could easily storm his Works they went and took the City Asena where Asdrubal at his first coming upon their Frontiers had laid up his stores of Corn and other Provisions and thenceforwards grew so insolent that they would be under no Command either in the Field or the Camp which disorders Asdrubal perceiving to be occasion'd as usually it happens by their late success having encouraged his men to fall upon them as they were roving about without their Colours and in no Order descending from the Hill he marches in Battalia towards their Camp Of whose approach notice being given by some Messengers running in hast from the Sentinels and Out guards they cry'd out To Arms To Arms and as every one could get ready without Command or Ensigns they hurried confusedly to oppose him and some were already engaged whilst others were but coming up in heaps and some not yet got out of their Camp At first their boldness rendred them formidable but the Carthaginians being rang'd close and thick together the others soon found they were too few to deal with them and therefore began to look about for the rest of their Fellows and being every where worsted cast themselves in a Ring and made as good a defence as they could but being then thrust up so close had not room enough to wield their Arms and so being environ'd by the Enemy were for a good part of the day cut to pieces by degrees only a small Party broke through by dint of Sword and escap'd to the Woods and Mountains with the same fright they abandon'd their Camp and next day the whole Nation made their submission to the Carthaginians but did not long continue quiet for within a while after Asdrubal receiv'd Orders from Carthage to march away with all Expedition into Italy which being nois'd through Spain turn'd in a manner all their hearts to the Romans whereupon Asdrubal dispatcht an Express to Carthage with Letters to acquaint them how prejudicial the bare report of his going was to their affairs That if he should set forwards and go out of those parts before he could be pass'd the Iberus the Romans would be Masters of all Spain For besides that he had no sufficient Guard nor Commander to leave behind in his stead the Roman Generals there were such that it would be hard to make head against them with equal Forces Therefore if they had any regard of Spain it would be requisite to send some body to succeed him with a strong Army who would find his hands full enough of business let things succeed never so prosperously These Letters at first startled the Senate yet because all their aim was at Italy they would not reverse their orders touching Asdrubal's march thither only sent Himilco with a compleat Army and a Navy newly augmented to hold Spain in Obedience and defend it by Sea and Land Who having cross'd the Sea landed his Men and fortifyed them in a Camp drew his Ships also on Shore and cast up Works to secure them and then with a select party of Horse made what hast he could possibly through Nations some professed Enemies and others wavering in their inclinations and did not stop or stay at any place but always upon his Guard until he came to Asdrubal to whom having communicated the Senates command and from him received an account of the present state of Affairs and how the War in Spain was to be manag'd with like expedition return'd back to his Camp the celerity of his march being his only security for he was always gone from a place before the People could agree get together to surprise him Before Asdrubal began his march he levyed what Money he could in all the Cities and States in his Jurisdiction for well he knew that Annibal was forc'd to pay for his passage through certain Countries and that the assistance he had from the Gauls was hired and if he had undertaken that Journey empty-handed would scarce ever have penetrated so far as the Alps therefore having in great hast collected his Money away he marches towards Iberus Upon intelligence of these resolutions of the Carthaginians and Asdrubal's march both the Roman Generals laying aside all other Affairs prepared to join all their Forces together and go meet and oppose him for since Annibal himself was so formidable an Enemy that all Italy could scarce make head against him they concluded if Asdrubal and the Spanish Army should once join him there would presently be an end of the Roman Empire intent on these considerations they draw their Forces towards the Iberus and having pass'd the River call'd a Council of War to debate whether they should encamp themselves and wait the coming up of the Enemy to fight them or by falling upon some of the Carthaginians Allies retard their march And the latter being resolv'd on down they sat before Ibera a City not far from the River and the richest at that time in those parts Whereof Asdrubal having notice to help his Friends by diverting the Romans went and besieg'd a City that had lately submitted to the Romans whereupon they rais'd their Siege and advanc'd to engage Asdrubal himself For some Days both Armies lay but at five Miles distance not without some skirmishes and at last on one and the same day as if it had been by agreement each Party put forth the signal of Battel and with all the Forces they could make came into the Field The Romans drew up in three Battalions part of the Foot before the Standards as a Van guard the rest behind the Standards as a Rereguard and the Horse on both Wings Asdrubal plac'd his Spaniards in the Main Battel on the right Wing his Carthaginians and his Moors on the Left and as for his Auxiliary Horse the Numidians he clapt before the Carthaginian Foot to Guard them and disposed of the rest of the African Troops about the Skirts and edges of the several Batallions Nor were all the Numidians posted in the Right Wing but only those who after the manner of Vaulters led two Horses a piece and used oft-times in the hottest of the conflict to leap armed as they were from their wearied Horse upon the fresh one so nimble they were themsâ—lves and so tractable their Horses standing thus in Battalia the Generals of each side having equal hopes of success
it be but in quality of Slaves redeem'd for these Wars have leave to cope with the Enemy as they have done and endeavour by our manhood to regain our liberty as well as they Will you be pleased to make an Experiment of our Courage by Sea or by Land in a pitch'd Battel in storming a Town or entring a Breach We challenge and sue for some Services of the greatest difficulty and danger that we may the sooner make up whatever we were wanting in at Cannae seeing all the time we have lived since has but served to augment our disgrace Saying this they flung themselves down at Marcellus's feet who told them That he had neither Power of himself nor Commission otherwise to relieve them but he would represent their desires to the Senate and readily do for them whatever the Fathers should order These Letters being brought to the new Consuls and by them communicated to the Senate Their Lordships after some Debate thereupon declar'd That they saw no reason why the Affairs of the Commonwealth should be intrusted to those who deserted their Fellow-Souldiers fighting before Cannae however if M. Claudius the Proconsul should judge otherwise they left it to him to do therein what he thought might stand with the safety of the State and his own Honour provided that no one of them should be discharged from the Service nor rewarded with any Military token of Honour for his Valour nor suffer'd to come home as long as the Enemy continued within Italy After this by Authority of the Senate confirm'd by an Act of the Commons the City-Praetor held a Common Hall where there was a Committee of Five chosen to look after the repairing of the Walls and Forts and two Committees of Triumvirs the one to survey and inventory all Sacred things and Oblations the other to rebuild the Temples of Fortune and Dame Matuta within the Gate Carmentalis as also that of the Goddess Spes without the Gate which had all been demolish'd by the Fire last year At this time happen'd great Tempests that did much harm At Mount Alban it rain'd stones two days one after another many places were blasted with Lightning viz. two Chappels in the Capitol the Rampier in the Camp at Suessula in several places and two Sentinels struck dead the Wall and some Towers at Cumes not only struck with Thunderbolts but quite thrown down At Reate a mighty Stone or Rock seen to fly in the Air the Sun redder than ordinary and almost like Blood To expiate these Prodigies solemn Supplications were held one whole day and the Consuls spent divers days in attending the Affairs of Religion and during that time Sacrifices were offer'd for nine days together Whereas Annibal had long been in hopes and the Romans in doubt of the Tarentines Revolt there happen'd now an Accident abroad which not a little accelerated the same There was one Phileas a Tarentine that had long remain'd at Rome as a Lieger Embassadours who being a busie-headed man and quite weary with lying so long at quiet found means to get access to the Hostages which his Country had given to the Romans for their fidelity who were kept in an Apartment belonging to the Temple of Liberty and the less strictly guarded because 't was neither their own nor their Cities interest that they should offer to escape but this Embassadour with his frequent discourses inveigled them and having brib'd two Sextons or Wardens of the said Temple at the beginning of the Evening got them out of Custody and so away both he and they fled secretly out of Town homewards Next Morning early the News was all about Town and Messengers dispatch'd to pursue them who seized them on this side Tarracina and brought them all back and being led into the Common Hall they were by the Votes of the People first scourged and then thrown headlong from the Cliff of the Rock Tarpeia The severity of this punishment enraged two of the noblest Cities of the Grecians in Italy as being not only generally toucht in Honour but fill'd with particular resentments of Grief and Indignation as every one was related by Blood or Friendship to those that were thus basely put to death amongst the rest there were about thirteen Tarentine Noblemen of whom Nico and Philemenus were the principal that entred into a Conspiracy to revenge it but before they entred into any Action thought fit in the first place to have some Conference with Annibal and under pretence of going out a Hunting a nights go to him when they were got near his Camp the rest hid themselves in the Woods Nico and Philemenus advanced to the Out-guards offer'd themselves to be taken and desired to be brought before Annibal to whom they relate their design the grounds thereof and what progress they had made in it He thanked them and gave them large promises of reward enjoining them That the better to bubble the rest of their Country-men and avoid suspicion of Correspondence that when they came abroad to hunt they should drive away some of the Carthaginians Cattel which were abroad at pasture promising they should do it safely and without opposition The Booty brought in by these young Gentlemen was much taken notice of but when they had done so several times their Courage in attempting it was the less wondred at and nothing suspected At another Meeting with Annibal they concluded That the Inhabitants of Tarentum should remain free enjoy their own Laws and Customs and all things belonging to them and neither pay Tribute to the Punicks nor receive a Garrison without their own consent but the spoil of the Roman Garrison whom they were to deliver up and betray should belong to the Carthaginians These Articles being concluded Philomenus used much oftner to go out and come in a nights and as he was known to be a great Hunter so he had always his Hounds with him and other Furniture for the Sport and generally something that he brought home either caught by his Dogs or got from the Enemy being ready offered to his hands he would bestow upon the Captain of the Guard or the Sentinels He was believed to chuse to go out in the night for fear of being met with by the Enemy and the thing was now grown so customary that at any time of night if he did but whistle the Gate was presently open'd therefore Annibal thought it high time to proceed to Execution he was three days march off where that it might not be wondred at that he lay so long at one place he gave out that he was sick and the Roman Garrison in Tarentum were now out of all apprehensions of danger from his staying there But after he resolv'd to go for Tarentum chusing ten thousand Horse and Foot such as were fittest for Expedition both by the nimbleness of their Bodies and lightness of their Arms about the fourth Watch of the Night he began to advance sending before about fourscore Numidian Horse to scour
also beyond Sea were checquer'd with interchangeable Fortune King Philip in a very ill time became their Enemy but then the Aetolians and Attalus King of the lesser Asia did voluntarily offer to be their new Allies Fate even then by that Overture seeming to promise them the Empire of the East In like sort the Carthaginians as they lost Capua so they had won Tarentum and as they gloried not a little because without any opposition they had come up to the very Walls of Rome so they were pretty well mortified to find nothing at all gain'd in the end by that Expedition and that they should be so much slighted as whilst they sat before one Gate of Rome an Army of Romans was led forth at another and sent away into Spain And even in Spain also the greater hopes they had were that upon the death of two such renowned Generals and both their Armies routed the War would be at an end and the Romans driven from thence for ever the greater was their vexation to see those Victories rendred vain and of no use to them by the Valour of L. Marcius an unexpected Captain chosen in haste and performing such mighty Acts when they thought themselves sure enough that there was no body to make head against them Thus Fortune poizing their affairs in equal Scales all things were on both sides in a kind of wavering suspense and as well their hopes as their fears ran as high as at the very first moment that the War began But that which most of all gaul'd Annibal was that the seeing Capua more vigorously attacqu'd by the Romans than by him defended had quite alienated the affections of many of the States of Italy neither could he secure them all with sufficient Garrisons unless he meant to Cantonize his whole Army into driblets which would undo him in the Field and on the other side he was not willing by withdrawing his Garrisons to trust to his Allies Fidelity who being once left at liberty might easily be sway'd any way by their hopes or fears At last as he was naturally addicted to Avarice and Cruelty he resolved upon this course to plunder and make spoil of those Cities which he was not able to keep and so leave them wast and empty for the Enemy an Enterprize not more wicked and dishonourable in its first attempt than mischievous to himself in its consequences for he thereby utterly lost the hearts not only of those who actually suffer'd under these unjust violences and rapines but of all the rest besides for though the present loss and calamity reach'd but some few yet every body thought himself concern'd in the Example Nor was the Roman Consul wanting to solicite all such Cities as yielded him any grounds of hope that they might be brought over to the Roman Interest There were in Salapia two Noblemen eminent above all the rest Dasius and Blasius the former a firm Adherent to Annibal the latter as much as he durst favour'd the Romans and by secret Overtures had given Marcellus some hopes of a Revolt but the matter could not be brought about without the concurrence of Dasius wherefore after much musing and long delays he at length resolved rather for want of better Counsel than on any likelyhood of speeding to address himself to Dasius and acquaint him with the design Who not only out of aversion to the thing it self but Envy to the proposer as being the only man in the Town that was his match discovers the Plot to Annibal whereupon they both were summon'd to appear and as Annibal was sitting on his Tribunal dispatching some other affairs that he might anon the better attend unto the accusation of Blasius whilst the Plaintiff and Defendant stood apart by themselves a pretty way from the rest of the people Blasius briskly speaks to Dasius and again solicited him to deliver up the Town to the Romans Upon which Dasius as if now the matter were plain and manifest cries out aloud That even just now in the very presence of Annibal he was again instigating him to practise Treason and betray the City But this seem'd so extravagant a thing that Annibal nor any present could believe it but concluded rather that the accusation proceeded from Emulation and Malice and that therefore he chose to charge him with such a Crime as was not capable of other Witnesses that he himself might more freely devise lies against him and so they were both dismiss'd yet did not Blasius for all that give over this bold attempt but continued baiting of him with perpetual remonstrances how advantagious it would be both to themselves in particular and their Country in general whereby he at last prevail'd with him to consent that the City Salapia and the Punick Garrison there which consisted of five hundred Numidians should be rendred unto Marcellus but this could not be effected without much bloodshed for they were the stoutest Squadron of Horse in all the Carthaginian Army wherefore though they were surpriz'd and their Horses stood them scarce in any stead in the City yet with such Weapons as in that sudden Alarm they could catch up they first attempted to break their way through but finding that impossible they fought still most desperately to the last nor were there above fifty of them taken alive all the rest being kill'd upon the spot and the loss of this Wing of Horse was much more considerable to Annibal than of the City Salapia for never from that day forwards had the Carthaginians the better of the Romans in Cavalry which before was the only advantage they had over them and by which they obtain'd all their Victories About this time the Castle of Tarentum was grievously straitned for provisions and hardly able to hold out the only hope that M. Livius the Governour and the rest of that Garrison had was that they should be supplied from Sicily and for the safe Convoy thereof along the Coast of Italy there rod at Anchor a Fleet well near of twenty Sail before Rhegium The Admiral of which Fleet and of those Vessels appointed to transport Corn from time to time was one D. Quintius a person of obscure Birth but with many brave services he had signaliz'd himself and won much honour in military affairs at first he had the Command but of five Ships whereof two of the greatest which were three-Banked Gallies were allow'd him by Marcellus afterwards for his success in several Conflicts three more were added of five Banks of Oars apiece and at last he himself by calling upon the Confederate Cities as Rhegium Velia and Pastum for their Quota's of Ships which by their Treaties they were to furnish the Romans with made up a pretty Armado consisting as aforesaid of twenty Sail. As this Fleet put off from Rhegium it happen'd in their Voyage that Democrates Admiral of Tarentum with much a like number of Ships came up with them about five Leagues from Tarentum in a Bay call'd The
their Quality of Judges every one pleaded as violently as he list C. Laelius rising out of the Court repaired to Scipio at his Tribunal acquainting him That the matter was managed without all moderation or modesty insomuch that 't was fear'd they would fall together by the Ears or however if the Peace were kept yet it would be a detestable Example to future times if the Reward of Vertue should be obtain'd with Fraud Lyes and Perjuries For here stand the Legionary Souldiers on one side and the Seamen on the other all ready to swear by all the Gods things as they would have them to be though in truth they know nothing of the matter and thus not only draw down the guilt of Perjury on their own heads but pollute therewith our Ensigns and our Eagles on which they sware and utterly subvert that sacred and religious reverence due to an Oath and that he was both by P. Cornelius and M. Sempronius desired to inform him hereof Scipio kindly thank'd him and presently call'd all the Forces to an Audience where he declared That he was very well satisfied that Q. Trebellius and Sext. Digitius both mounted the Wall in several places at one and the same instant and therefore as an acknowledgment of their Valour he did on both of them bestow mural Crowns After which he confer'd rewards on others according to every ones merit and above all the rest he applauded C. Laelius the Admiral equalizing him with himself and bestowing on him a golden Crown and thirty head of Cattel In the next place he caused the Spanish Hostages to be call'd before him but how many there were of them I know not how to set down since I find in some Chronicles their number not full three hundred but in others seven hundred twenty five The like disagreement there is in other particulars one Author sayes the Punick Garrison here consisted of ten thousand men another says seven thousand and a third affirms they were not above two thousand In some I read of ten thousand taken in others above five and twenty thousand If I should follow Silenus a Greek Writer I must have set down of Scorpions great and small sixty taken but if I go by Valerius Antias I should tell you a Tale of six thousand of the greater sort and thirteen thousand of the smaller so insufferably will people lie upon Record Nay 't is not fully agreed who were the Chief Commanders for though most Authors name Laelius to be Admiral yet there are some that aver it was M. Junius Sullanus Antias Valerius writes that one Armes was Governour of the City for the Carthaginians and taken by the Romans but other Historians say it was Mago As little consent there is about the number of Ships the weight of the gold and silver Plate taken or the summ of money that was rais'd by the spoils If there were a necessity of believing any of them those that take the middle way are most likely to follow truth But to return again to Scipio when the Spanish Hostages appear'd he bid them all have a good heart and fear nothing for they were faln into the hands of Romans a people that always delight to oblige people by kindness and Civilities rather than to over awe them with fear and severities and to enjoy the Friendship and faithful Alliance of Foreign Nations more than to hold them in subjection and slavery Then after he had taken the Names of their Cities he also call'd over the Prisoners how many there were of each Nation and sent Messengers to their homes to come and receive them such Cities as happen'd to have Embassadours present their Country-men were restored immediately to them and the rest committed to the Custody of C. Flaminius the Quaestor to use them kindly till an opportunity was offer'd of sending them away Whilst this was a doing from the middle of the Crowd of Hostages a very antient Lady the Wife of Mandonius Brother to Indibilis the Chief of the Ilergetes flung her self at the Generals Feet beseeching him most earnestly That he would give special Command that such of the Female Sex as were Prisoners might be carefully kept and respected as they ought to be Scipio told her They should want for nothing We regard not that quoth she so much for a very little will be enough for us in our present wretched condition My care is for another matter when I behold the blooming youth of these Virgins here for as for my own part I am out of date and past the fear of those injuries which our Sex is most expos'd unto Now there stood about her divers Virgins in the prime of their Age and extreamly handsome the Daughters of Indibilis and some other fair young Ladies of like Quality who all paid her as much respect as if she had been their Mother Scipio replies Both my own strict Discipline as well as the general Civility of the people of Rome may assure you Madam That nothing shall amongst us suffer abuse which in any part of the World is held inviolable such outrages I am oblig'd to restrain for my own credit and the honour of Rome but both your Quality and Vertues engage me to a particular care of your safeties who in the midst of these your Calamities forget not the honour of your Sex Then he entrusted them to the charge of a person of approved Integrity who was charg'd to treat them with as much modesty and respect as if they were the Wives and Daughters of their nearest Friends and Benefactors By and by the Souldiers brought before him a young Lady of Marriageable years so lovely a Creature to look on that whereever she pass'd she attracted every Bodies Eyes and Admiration Scipio inquiring her Country and Parents amongst the rest came to understand That she was contracted to a young Gentleman call'd Allucius a Prince of the Celtiberians Therefore causing her Parents and Sweet-heart to be sent for when they arriv'd having understood how passionately the young man lov'd her he entred into a more familiar Discourse with him than with either the Father or Mother of the Maid and in these terms entertain'd him I am a young man as well as your self and so neither of us need blush to speak of the affairs of Love when your Lady was brought Prisoner before me by my Souldiers and I understood what a passion you had for her which her Beauty easily made me believe I thought my self oblig'd to do as I would be done by in the like Case For if I were minded to enjoy the pastimes of youth especially in an honest honourable way as I might if I had not wholly devoted my self to the service of the Publick I should not only think the highest transports of affection venial towards my Mistress but dread nothing so much as a Rival or any violence offer'd to her person and honour so in this respect I have to the utmost favour'd your Amour your
the Enemy had got his Ring therefore if any Letters came in Marcellus's Name or under his Sign Manual they should regard them as Counterfeits and Snares This Message was scarce got to Salapia when Letters were brought thither as from Marcellus That he intended to be there in person the night following and therefore willed the Souldiers that were there in Garrison to be in readiness if he should have any occasion to use them But the Salapians being forewarn'd easily smelt the Plot That Annibal design'd to be reveng'd on them not only for revolting but also for killing his Troopers treated the Messenger who was a Roman Fugitive with very fair words but sent him back that he might not observe how they prepared matters for as soon as he was gone they dispose of all the Townsmen in apt places for Guards round the City and set extraordinary Watches About the Gate where 't was believ'd the Enemy would come was posted the main strength of the Garrison Annibal about the fourth Watch came up to the Town having a Company in the Van that consisted of Roman Fugitives and in Roman Arms who coming to the Gate all spoke Latine and rouzed the Watch bidding them make haste and open the Gate for the Consul was come The Watchmen making as if they had been half asleep when they began to call bustled about and bestirred themselves mightily The Portcullis was let down which some of them with Leavers and Pullies began to pull up as high as a man might go under it upright The passage was scarce open when the Renegado's rush'd in at the Portal striving who should enter first but when about six hundred of the Enemy were got in on a sudden letting go the Rope that held it up down comes the Portcullis with a mighty noise and makes all fast The Deserters that were let in to make a shew as if they were all amongst Friends had their Arms not on their backs but their shoulders as well enough for a March and the Salapians being well arm'd easily cut them to pieces whilst others from the Gates Walls and Bullwarks with Stones Darts and Javelins pelted the rest of the Enemies that were without and drove them off So Annibal caught in his own trap was glad to be gone and march'd to raise the Siege of Locri which Town Cnicius had for some time batter'd furiously with abundance of Engines brought out of Sicily insomuch that Mago the Governour began to despair of defending the place but his hopes were reviv'd first by the news of Marcellus's being kill'd and especially by an Express That Annibal having sent his Numidian Horse before was in Person with the rest of his Army on their March to relieve him Therefore assoon as by a Sign from the Tops of the Hills he understood the Numidians were near hand he flings open the Gate and makes a desperate Sally on the Enemy which caused for a while a doubtful Fight because unexpected and not that he was of equal strength but assoon as the Numidians too charged in the Rear the Romans were so scar'd that they run in droves to the Sea and got aboard their Ships abandoning their Works and leaving behind them all their Engines of Battery and other Artillery So by the approach of Annibal Locri was set free Crispinus after he was advertiz'd that Annibal was return'd to the Bruttians commanded M. Marcellus a Colonel to lead the Army which his Collegue had commanded towards Venusia whilst he himself march'd his Legions to Capua the pain of his Wounds being so grievous that he could scarce endure the shaking of his Horse-litter He sent Letters to Rome of the Death of his Collegue and in what a dangerous condition he was himself so that he could not repair to Rome to hold the Elections both because he thought he should not be able to hold out so tedious a Journey as likewise for that he was in pain for Tarentum lest Annibal should bend his Forces thither out of the Bruttians Country That it would be necessary to send him some discreet and experienced persons with whom he might consult concerning the Affairs of the State The reading of these Letters caused great lamentation for the death of one Consul and no less fear of losing the other Therefore Q. Fabius the Son is dispatched to the Army at Venusia and to the Consul were sent three Commissioners Sext Julius Caesar L. Licinius Pollio and L. Cnicius Alimentus who was but just arriv'd from Sicily They were to acquaint the Consul That if he were not able to come to Town himself he should within some part of the Roman Territories nominate a Dictator for holding the Elections And that if he himself went to Tarentum then the pleasure of the Senate was That Q. Claudius the Praetor should march thence with his Legions into such part of the Country where he might defend most Cities of the Allies The same Summer M. Valerius with a Navy of an hundred Sail passed over from Sicily unto Africk and landing near the City Clupea wasted the Country a long way without any opposition but retir'd in an hurry to their Ships being advertiz'd that the Carthaginian Armado consisting of eighty three Ships was making that way with whom they engag'd not far from the said City Clupea and took eighteen of them and scatter'd the rest and so with a mighty Booty obtain'd both at Sea and Land return'd unto Lilybaeum Likewise this Summer King Philip assisted the Achaeans at their humble request being oppressed by Machanidas the Tyrant of Lacedemonia and also by the Aetolians who wafting an Army over the narrow Sea between Naupactum and Patrae which the Inhabitants call the Rios wasted their Territories There was also a Report That Attalus King of the lesser Asia would make an Expedition into Europe because the Aetolians in their last Diet had chosen him their Protector When therefore Philip made a descent into Greece the Aetolians met him near Lamia under the Conduct of Pyrrhus who was that year created Praetor with King Attalus because the latter was absent but they had with them Auxiliaries from him and almost a thousand from the Roman Fleet sent by P. Sulpicius but Philip routed them in two several Battels with great slaughter in each so that they were glad to shelter themselves within the Walls of Lamia whilst Philip retired unto Phalera a Town in the Gulf of Malea heretofore very populous for its excellent Haven and safe Rodes near hand for Ships to ride in and other advantages both by Sea and Land To this place repaired Embassadours from Ptolemy King of Egypt and from the Rhodians Athenians and Chians as Mediators to take up the Differences between Philip and the Aetolians and of nearer Neighbours there was Aminander Prince of the Athamanians Not that any of these were so much concern'd altogether for the Aetolians a sort of People more fierce and imperious than the Greeks generally use to be but to
out of the City several ways as if they had gone to two distinct Wars distracted mens minds with various cares Sometimes they revolved on the various Losses and Overthrows they received at Annibal's first coming into Italy sometimes they were troubled to imagine what Gods they could hope would be so propitious to their City and Empire as that at one and the same time all their Actions every where should prosper and give them success both at home and abroad That hitherto their State had been supported by vicissitudes of good and ill Fortune in distinct places whilst it seemed precipitating into ruine in Italy at Thrasymenus and Cannae Victories in Spain buoy'd up her Spirits Afterwards when in Spain Overthrows came thick one on the neck of another and shockt her with the loss of two most excellent Generals and two Armies almost at once successes in Italy and Sicily supported the drooping Head of the Republick and the interval of place when one of the Wars was always so remote gave opportunity to respire and recover themselves But now here were two Tragedies to be acted at once on one and the same Stage Two distinct and terrible Wars entertain'd in the Bowels of Italy two of the most renowned Captains in the World inclose between them the City of Rome with their dreadful Arms and the whole bulk of the War contracted to one place the whole burden laid on one shoulder For no doubt which soever of these Generals shall get a Victory he will in an instant join Forces with the other Nor did the sad remembrance of the last years Funerals wherein two Consuls were swept away at one Stake a little terrifie the people And with these perplexed melancholy thoughts they accompanied their present Consuls going to their several Provinces It is also found in some Records that Livius parted with such resentments against his Fellow-Citizens that when Fabius as his last Advice besought him that he would not rashly hazard a Battel with the Enemy before he were very well acquainted with his Nature he should with some emotion declare That assoon as he could get sight of the Enemy he would fight him And being ask'd the reason of so much haste should reply Because either by a Victory over the Enemy I shall gain immortal Honour or by the Overthrow of my ungrateful Country-men acquire some satisfaction to my self if not altogether honest and commendable yet at least such as they have deserv'd at my hands before Claudius the Consul was come into his Province C. Hostilius Tubulus with some Regiments lightly appointed fell upon Annibal as he past through the farther Borders of Larinum towards the Salentines and charging upon his Army whilst they were in the disorders of a march slew four thousand of them and took nine Colours Q Claudius who had Garrisons all up and down the Salentines Country upon advice of the Enemies advance that way drew out to meet them but Annibal to avoid engaging with two Armies at once dislodges by night out of the Territories of Tarentum and retires amongst the Bruttians and Claudius back to his Salentines Hostilius in the way to Capua meets the Consul Claudius near Venusia where out of both Armies were selected forty thousand Foot and two thousand five hundred Horse which the Consul intended to employ against Annibal the rest Hostilius was order'd to lead to Capua and deliver up to Q. Fulvius the Proconsul Annibal having drawn together all the Forces he had either in Winter-Quarters or the Bruttian Garrisons comes to Grumentum in Lucania hoping to recover those Towns that had for fear revolted to the Romans The Roman Consul having his Scouts abroad tends the same way and encamps not above a mile and an half off The Enemies inmost Works seemed almost joined to the Walls of that Town and between their formost Rampier and the Roman Camp was not above half a Mile which space was a Plain but overlook'd by a Ridge of bare open Hills that run along on the left hand of the Carthaginians and on the Romans Right not suspected by either Party because there were no Woods nor any Holes to conceal an Ambuscade several Shirmishes happen'd between small Parties but none worth mentioning The Romans only drift was to keep the Enemy there and Annibal was as willing to be gone yet for shew drew out into the Field in Battalia with all the strength he could make The Consul had borrowed a little of the Enemies Craft for since in those open Hills there was less fear of Ambuscade he thought fit so much the rather to lay one ordering five Regiments of Foot and as many Troops of Horse to get over those Hills by night and lye close in the Vallies behind instructing T. Claudius Asellus a Colonel and P. Claudius a Prefect of the Allies who had the Leading of them both as to the time and manner of their shewing themselves and attacquing the Enemy himself assoon as it was light had drawn all his Forces Horse and Foot into the Field Nor was it long before Annibal likewise gave the Signal of Battel and great shouts were made in his Camp by the Souldiers running to their Arms. The Horse and the Foot promiscuously hurried out at the Ports and in scattering Troops hastened towards the Enemy whom when the Consul saw in this disorder he commanded C. Aurunculeius a Tribune of the third Legion that he should with that Legions Cavalry charge them as furiously as might be For whilst they were thus like sheep spread in tumultuary heaps over the Plain they might easily be surprized and routed before ever they could be brought into Array Hannibal himself was not yet got out of the Camp when he heard the Clamours of some of his men that were fighting this quickned his march with the rest of his Forces towards the Enemy The formost were already terrified with the Horse and now the Romans first Legion and Right Wing of Cavalry were coming up to charge them The Carthaginians disorder'd as they were fought at a venture as each Company happen'd first to meet either Horse or Foot The conflict grew hotter by fresh Supplies still coming up and encreased by the numbers that continually rusht out like Bees in swarms to fight and undoubtedly in all that hurry Annibal had reduced his men to order and a regular Form of Battalia no easy matter to do unless where the Leader is very skillful and the Souldiers experienc'd and well disciplin'd if it had not been for the shout of the before mentioned Troops which they heard at their backs as they came running down the Hills upon them Then they grew afraid in earnest lest they should be hemm'd in and shut out from their Camp to which they fled as fast as they could and being so near the slaughter was the less yet the Horse charging all the way upon their Rear and the other Party running easily down Hill and doing great Execution on their Flank there were in
before their Camp but that which delay'd the Battel was that Asdrubal advancing with a small Party of Horse before the Ensigns to take a view of the Enemy happen'd to observe amongst them a great many old Targets which he had never seen before and Horses more lank and lean than formerly besides they seem'd to be more in number Hereupon suspecting that which was indeed in haste he sounds a Retreat and sent out some to the River where they had their water to see if they could catch any of them or at least to take notice whether they were swarthy and Sun-burnt more than ordinary as having been travelling lately Likewise he order'd a View to be taken at a distance of their Camp whether the Rampier were any where enlarged and to listen attentively whether they could hear one or two Trumpets sound in their Camp who bringing back an Account of all these Circumstances the Camps not being enlarged was a thing that continued their mistake For they were still but two just as they were formerly one of M. Livius the other of L. Porcius and the Rampiers or Trenches of either not set out one jot further in any place But that which sway'd most with Asdrubal as being an ancient experienced General and well acquainted with the Roman Customs against whom he had so many years waged War was this That they told him they heard one Trumpet in the Praetors Camp but two in the Consuls whence he concluded That undoubtedly both Consuls were there but how the other of them should get away from Annibal sorely troubled his mind for he could not imagine that which was the truth of the Case viz. That Annibal should be trickt in a matter of such moment as to be ignorant what was become of that General and that Army whose Camp was held within view of his own Therefore he concluded That he must by some unusual and mighty overthrow be disabled to follow him and was greatly afraid that himself was come with help too late when their affairs were grown desperate and that the Romans were courted by the same good Fortune in Italy as in Spain and sometimes again he thought his Letters might not come to his Brothers hands but that the Consul might intercept them and so hasten to prevent and cut him off by the way Not a little perplext with these various thoughts he puts out all the Fires and commanded all his Souldiers without noise to get together their Baggage and be ready to march on a Signal given at the first Watch But in that consternation and hurry in the dark two Fellows whom they had for their Guides being not carefully lookt after gave them the slip one running into a lurking hole which he had a good while had in his Eye the other being well acquainted with the shallows of the River Metaurus waded over so that the Army deserted by their Guides was forc'd to march at random through the Fields and divers of them weary and sleepy with watching laid them down here and there and left their Colours with very few Souldiers about them Asdrubal commanded them to follow the River and march on its Banks till the day should shew them the Road but going thus by the windings and turnings of the stream they ridded but little ground and when in the morning they endeavour'd to get over they could find no place convenient for the further they went upwards off from the Sea the higher were the Banks which straitning the River made it deeper though narrower than it was lower so that spending all the day thus unfortunately he gave the Enemy opportunity to pursue him First Nero with all the Cavalry came up then Porcius with the Light-arm'd Foot who on all sides playing upon Asdrubals Forces already weary and disheartned oblig'd them to quit their march which was no better than a Chace and to endeavour to encamp themselves on an high Bank just by the River side but then Livius was come up with all the rest of the Infantry not in the usual posture of a march but ready arm'd and in good order when they were all join'd and arrang'd in Battalia Claudius had charge of the Right Wing Livy of the Left and the Praetor of the main Battel Asdrubal seeing there was no avoiding but fight he must left off fortifying the place for a Camp and put himself in order as fast as they in the middle of his Front and before the Standards he plac'd his Elephants next them in the left Wing were his French men to oppose Claudius not that he trusted so much to them as that he thought the Enemy would be afraid of them himself in person on the Right Wing with a body of Spaniards in whom and his old Souldiers he reposed his greatest hopes resolv'd to confront Livius the Ligurians were behind the Elephants in the middle but the Battel was rather drawn out in length than breadth The French men were defended by an Hill that bore out over them The Spaniards Front was over against the Romans left Wing and all the right hand Battalions were as it were out of the Battel and did nothing for by reason of the Hill they could neither a Front nor a Flank charge the Enemy Between Livius and Asdrubal was begun a mighty Conflict with great and dreadful slaughter on each side There were the two Generals there the best part of the Romans Foot and Horse there were the Spaniards experienc'd Souldiers and wonted to cope with the Romans and there too were the Ligurians an hardy and Warlike people thither too the Elephants were turn'd who at first disorder'd the Front and made the Standards retreat but the Battel then growing more fierce and the clamours louder they would no longer be rul'd by their Riders but run up and down the two Armies like Ships without a Steersman so that you could not tell to which side they belong'd On the other hand Claudius seeing with all their efforts his men could not gain the Hill that was against them Cries out And did we march such a tedious way and in such hast to do just nothing at all Saying which words he detach'd some Regiments and wheel'd about behind the whole Army and unexpectedly not only to the Enemy but to those of his own Party charges the Enemy on the Enemies left Flank and was so nimble that presently after they appear'd on one side some of them were got behind them so that the poor Spaniards and Ligurians were slaughter'd on all sides Front Flank and Rear and the Execution was come up to the French but there was no resistance worth speaking of for a great part of them had before deserted their Colours running away in the night or lying asleep under the Hedges and those that were present being wearied with marching and watching for of all people they can least endure toil they were scarce able to bear their Arms on their shoulders and besides it was about Noon and
the Carthaginians and the Illiturgitans by betraying and killing such as fled to them for succour had added a new crime to that of their revolt But upon those People at his first coming when Spain was in a doubtful disposition it would not have been to his advantage so much as according to their deserts to have exercised any severities though now when things were all composed because the time of inflicting due punishment upon them seemed to be come he sent for L. Marcius with the third part of his Forces from Tarraco and ordered him to go and attack Castulo whilst he himself with the rest of his Army arrived at Illiturgi in about five Days The Gates were shut and all things set ready for the defence of the Town their Conscience of what they knew they deserved being to them instead of a Declaration of War Then Scipio began to exhort his Souldiers saying That the Spaniards themselves by shutting their Gates shewed not only what they feared but what they deserved wherefore they ought to wage War against them with much more animosity than against the Carthaginians For with these they contended almost without any passion for Empire and Glory only but of those they ought to take revenge for their treachery cruelty and villany That now the time was come in which they might be even with them for the horrid murder of their fellow-soldiers and the treachery that was designed against themselves also if they had fled that way yea that they might make them an example to all posterity and provide that no man should ever think any Roman Citizen or Soldier in any fortune so mean as to injure him The Soldiers being excited by this exhortation of their General divided their scaling Ladders among such Men as they chose out of every maniple and when the Army was so parted between them that Laelius commanded one half as Lieutenant they attacked the frighted City in two places at once Then not one General only or a great many of their Nobility but their own fear being conscious of what they had done perswaded the Towns-men with all speed to defend their City for they remembered and told each other That it was not Victory but Punishment which was sought for of them That it was of great importance where a Man dye whether in a Battel and in the Field where the fortune of War which is common to all men used oftentimes to raise the vanquished and afflict the conquerour or whether when their City was burnt and demolished they expired before the faces of their Wives and Children by stripes and bonds suffering all the cruelties and indignities imaginable Wherefore not only those of military age or Men but Women also and Boys came thither to assist them even above their strength either of body or mind reaching them Weapons as they fought and Stones to fortifie the Walls For it was not the Liberty alone which was at stake for which the Valiant were most concern'd but the extremity of all Punishments and ghastly Death was before all their Eyes Their minds were inflamed not only with striving who should take most pains or undergo most danger but even by looking at one another also Wherefore the Fight was begun with so much ardour that that very Army which subdued all Spain being often repelled by the Youth of that one Town was put to a dishonourable plundge Which when Scipio saw fearing lest by so many vain attempts of his Men his Enemies courage should increase and his Soldiers grow more disheartened he thought it his business to endeavour to bear a share in the danger and chiding the Soldiers sloth commanded the Ladders to be brought to him threatening That he himself if the rest were afraid would get up Accordingly he went with no small hazard under the Walls at which a shout was set up round about by the Soldiers who were much concerned for their General and Ladders began to be erected in several Places at the same time On the other side Laelius made his onset whereby the strength of the Towns-men was overcome the Defendants knock'd down and the Walls seized The Castle also on that side where it seemed impregnable was taken in the hurly-burly The African Fugitives who at that time were among the Roman Auxiliaries whilst the Towns-men were imployed in defending those Places where they thought there was most danger and the Romans got up whereever they could make their approaches spied a very high part of the City which because it was covered with an exceeding high Rock was neither fortified with any works nor had any men to defend it They therefore being light-timber'd Men and through much exercise very nimble carried Iron Spikes along with them and clim'd up where they could by the unequal prominencies of the Rock But where it was in any Place too steep and smooth they stuck their Spikes in at small distances and made steps as it were the first of them helping those that followed up by their hands and the last heaving up such as went before them till they came to the top Then they ran down into the City which was already taken by the Romans Then it appear'd that the City was attack'd merely out of spleen and hatred since no one was desirous to take any live Prisoners nor minded the Plunder though every thing lay wide open to their rapine they only kill'd both arm'd and unarmed Women as well as Men yea their cruel fury proceeded even to the slaughter of Infants Then they put fire to the Houses and demolished those they could not burn so earnest they were to obliterate the very footsteps of that City and rase the very memory of their Enemies seat From thence Scipio led his Army to Castulo which City not only the Spaniards that came thither but also the remainder of the Punick Army that was left since their being routed and scattered to all parts stood in defence of But the News of the slaughter at Illiturgi had prevented Scipio's arrival whereupon a terrour and despair had seized on all the Castulonians and upon several accounts since every single Person would consult his own Interest without regard to any body else there arose first a tacite jealousie and then open discord made a division between the Carthaginians and the Spaniards The latter of whom were publickly perswaded by Cerdubellus to make a surrender Himilco commanded the Punick Auxiliaries all whom and the City by a private compact Cerdubellus betrayed to the Romans But that Victory was more mild than the former nor were these People guilty of so great a crime besides that their voluntary surrender had taken off some part of the Enemies fury Then Marcius was sent to reduce the Barbarians if any there were not yet in perfect subjection to the Roman Empire Scipio went back to Carthage to pay his vows to the Gods and set forth the fencing Prize which he had designed upon account of the death of his Father
were willing to be eased of all other Wars at that time P. Sempronius after the Peace was concluded went to Rome to mind the affairs of his Consulship When M. Cornelius therefore and P. Sempronius were Consâ—lâ— which was in the fifteenth U. C. 546 year of the Punick War the Provinces assigned to them were to Cornelius Etruria with the old Army and to Sempronius the Bruttii that he mighâ— raâ—se new Legions To the Praetors were allotted to M. Marcius the City to L. Scribonâ—â—â— Libo a foreign Province and Gaul also to M. Pomponius Matho Scilicy and to T. Claudius Nero Sardinia P. Scipio was continued in his Command another year with the same Army and Navy that he had P. Licinius was also continued to have the Province of the Bruttii with the two Legions there as long as the Consul should think it consistent with the publick good for him to stay with Commission in that Province M. Livius and Sp. Lucretius were likewise kept still in with the two Legions wherewithal they had guarded Gaul against Mago Besides whom Cn. Octavius also was order'd having deliver'd Sardinia and the Legion there up to T. Claudius himself with 40 long Ships to go and secure the Sea-coast where-ever the Senate should think fit M. Pomponius the Praetor had two Legions out of the Army that was at Cannae with him in Sicily T. Quintius was appointed to be at Tarentum and C. Hostilius Tubulus both of them Propraetors at Capua with the same Guard as the year before Concerning the Government of Spain what two Proconsuls they would please to send into that Province was referr'd to the People whereupon all the Tribes consented that the same Proconsuls L. Cornelius Lentulus and L. Manlius Acidinus should have those Provinces as they had the year before The Consuls then began to make a Levy and not only to raise fresh Legions for the Bruttii but being so commanded by the Senate a supplement also for the other Armies Although the Province of Africa was not as yet openly setled upon my person the Senate I suppose concealing that affair lest the Carthaginians might be forewarn'd yet the City was in good hopes that the Campaigne in Africa would break up that year and the Punick War be made an end of That had filled their minds full of superstition and they were very apt not only to tell but believe strange Prodigies which caused a great many such like reports to wit That there were two Suns seen that it grew light in the night-time and that a stream of fire was seen at Setia to stretch it self from East to West That a Gate at Tarracina and at Anagnia not only a Gate but the Wall in many places was burnt by Lightning That in the Temple of Juno Sospita at Lanuvium there was an horrid noise with a great crash heard Now in respect to such strange things as those there was a supplication order'd for one whole day besides that a sacrificing of nine days continuance was order'd upon the account of its having rained stones To all which you may add their consultation touching their reception of the Mater Idaea of whom though M. Valerius one of the Ambassadors who came before the rest brought word that she should speedily be in Italy another fresh Message came that she was already come to Tarracina The Senate then were mightily at a plunge to find out who was the best man in the City To be sure each one of them desired more to carry the day in that respect than any Commands or Honours that could be bestowed upon them by the Suffrage either of the Senate or the People At last they judged P. Scipio the Son of Cneius who was slain in Spain a young Spark not yet of age to be a Questor i. e. not 27 to be the best man in all the City What Virtues he had to make them think so as I would willingly tell you if the Authors who lived nearest to that time gave any account of it so on the other hand I shall foist in my conjectures concerning a matter quite worn out by the mere Antiquity of it But this however is certain that P. Cornelius was order'd to go along with all the Matrons to meet the Goddess at Ostia to take her out of her Ship and bringing her ashore deliver'd her to the Matrons to carry to Rome When therefore the Ship arrived at the mouth of the River Tiber he as he was commanded took shipping down the River receiv'd the Goddess from the Priests and brought her ashore Then the chief Matrons of the City took her of him among whom there was one more remarkable than the rest whose name was Claudia Quinta who though her reputation as 't is said was before that time a little tainted made her chastity much renown'd to posterity upon the account of that religious service which she then perform'd And they in their Arms one after another whilst all the City came out to meet them putting Censers before their doors in the way that she was brought along in which they burnt Frankincense and pray'd That she might enter the City of Rome willingly and with a propitious inclination they carried her into the Temple of Victory which stands in the Palace upon the 12th of April which was an Holy-day For then the people in great numbers brought Offerings to the Goddess in the Palace where there was a Feast and several sorts of Games set forth called Megalesia But after that when they came to talk of the supplement which was to be made to the Legions that were in the several Provinces some of the Senators said It was now time since by the bounty of the Gods they were deliver'd from all manner of fear to rid themselves of those things which in their adversity they had been forced to endure By which words the Senators being put in expectation they went on and told them That those twelve Latine Colonies which when Q Fabius and Q Fulvius were Consuls had refused to give them any Soldiers had had almost a whole year of vacation from all military services as if it were an honour and a benefit bestow'd upon them when in the mean time your good and obedient Allies for their fidelity and compliance to the Roman Government had been exhausted with continual Levies every year By these kind of Speeches the Senates memory of a thing they had almost forgotten was not only refresh'd but they were also much incens'd Whereupon not suffering the Consuls to propose any other thing first they made an Order That the Consuls should send for the chief Magistrates and Counsels of Ten from Nepete Sutrium Ardea Cales Alba Carseoli Sora Suessa Setia Circei Narnia and Interamna for those were the Colonies concern'd in that affair to Rome and injoyn them that look how many Soldiers any of those Colonies had supply'd to the Roman People since the Enemy came into Italy they should each give a double number of Foot
he pleased he wrested whither he would He likewise fortold them that the Gods had given encouragement to them to go out to fight as to their Forefathers when they formerly ingaged at the Islands called Aegateis and therefore that there would be an end of the War and they should be at rest that the Booty of Carthage was as good as in their hands and that they should very shortly return into their Country to their Parents Wives Children and Houshold-Gods All which he spoke wich such an haughty carriage and pleasant aspect that you would have thought he had already gained the Victory Then he placed the Spear-men first and behind them the Principes the first Soldiers in the Van of the Army who were furnished with a Javelin c. and put the Triarii in the Reer He did not set the Regiments each in close Order before their Ensigns but the Maniples or Companies at some distance one from the other that the Enemies Elephants might have room enough when they came in so as not to break their Ranks He planted Laelius who had formerly been his Lieutenant but that was Questor by an Order of Senate without drawing Lots for it with the Italian Horse in the left Wing and Masinissa with the Numidians in the right He also filled up the wide spaces between the Maniples with the Velites of the Antesignani or light-arm'd Soldiers that fought among those that were before the Ensigns to whom he gave a charge That at the coming up of the Elephants they should either retire directly behind the Ranks or applying themselves to the Antesignani by running to the right and left among them should give the beasts way to rush in upon the dangerous Weapons Annibal for a terror set the Elephants which were eighty in number and more than he had ever had in any Battle before first in Array and after them the Ligurian and Gallick Auxiliaries with the Balearians and Mores mixt among them In the second Division of the Army he placed the Carthaginians Africans and the Legion of Macedonians and then leaving a small interval he put the Italian Soldiers in the Reer who were most of them Bruttians that of force and necessity more than any good will had follow'd him out of Italy He also rang'd the Horse all round the Wings the Carthaginians in the right and the Numidians in the left His address to the Army was very various being made to so many different sorts of men whose Language Manners Laws Arms Garb Complexion and ground of War was no ways the same The Auxiliaries he said should have a present and manifold reward out of the Booty The Gauls were inflamed with a natural and peculiar hatred toward the Romans The Ligurians had the fruitful Plains of Italy being brought down out of craggy Mountains into great hopes of Victory shewn unto them The Mores and Numidians he terrified with the tyrannical sway that Masinissa was like to bear over them infusing several hopes and fears into the rest of them and minding the Carthaginians of the Walls of their Country their Houshold-Gods the Sepulchres of their Ancestors their Parents Children fearful Wives and how they must expect either destruction and slavery or to be Emperors of the whole World but said no mean thing to them that tended to promote either their hope or fear And just as their General was saying this among his Country-men to the Carthaginian Officers that led their own People and to the Foreigners also by Interpreters that were mingled among them the Trumpets and Cornets sounded from the Roman Army and there was such a noise set up that the Elephants ran upon their own Men especially in the left Wing where the Mores and Numidians stood Masinissa seeing that with ease increased their dread and bereft the Army on that side of all assistance from their Horse But some few of the Beasts being unaffrighted were driven up into the Enemy and made a greater slaughter among the light-arm'd Soldiers though they receiv'd many wounds themselves For the light-arm'd Men retiring into the Maniples and having made way for the Elephants to save themselves from being trod to pieces threw their Spears on both sides into them nor were the Antesignani with their Javelins idle till such time as being by the Weapons which fell upon them from all parts forced out of the Roman Army they put to flight even the Carthaginian Horse in their own right Wing Laelius when he saw the Enemy in a confusion supplied fresh matter of terrour to them The Punick Army was now on both sides bereft of its Horse when the Foot fell on notwithstanding it was not equal to the Enemy either in hopes or strength Besides which though it he a small thing to speak of it was of great moment in the managing of the same affair the clamour or shout the Romans made was all of one tone and consequently so much the greater and more terrible whilst the Enemies voices were dissonant because their Languages were so different The Fight likewise on the Romans side was steddy because they lay heavy upon the Enemy not only through their own weight and strength but that of their Arms too whilst on the other side there was only more swiftness and agility than strength shown in their first Onset Wherefore upon the first effort the Romans made the Enemy immediately give way and then with their Elbows and Bucklers punching them on still as they got ground upon them they proceeded for some time without resistance the Reer pressing on the Van assoon as they perceived the Enemies Body to move which very thing also conduced very much to the routing of them On the other hand among the Enemies the second Division of their Army consisting of Africans and Carthaginians were so far from enduring the Retreat of their Auxiliaries in the Front that they gave back lest the Enemy when they had killed the Vanguard should have fallen upon them Wherefore the Punick Auxiliaries immediately turned their backs upon the Romans and facing their own Men fled partly into the second Division part of which they also slew for not receiving them as being e'rewhiles not assisted by them and then moreover excluded And now there were in a manner two Battles the Carthaginians being forced to ingage not only with the Enemy but their own Party also Yet notwithstanding they did not let them into their Body when they were so dismay'd and furious but closing their Ranks turned them out into the Wings and the open Plains beyond the Army because they were afraid to mingle men in such a consternation and so much wounded with a fresh and steady Army But the heaps of dead Men and Arms had so filled up the place in which the Auxiliaries a little before had stood that their passage that way was full as difficult as it had been through the main Body of the Enemy Wherefore the Spear-men that were first pursuing the Enemy over the
rough by Works that he raised in all the Avenues unpassable There were a great many Woody places all about very incommodious to the Macedonian Phalanx especially i. e. a Body of Souldiers of a form peculiar to the Macedonians who unless they could keep their long Spears like a Bullwark before their Shields which to do would require an open Plain were of no use at all Their Swords also which were of such a vast length among the Branches of the Trees that stood in their way on all sides hindered the Thracians The Cretan Regiment only was of use to them and yet even that too as when an Horse or its Rider lay open to them they could hit them with their Darts so against the Roman Shields they had neither force enough to strike through nor were their Bodies exposed in any part to that kind of Artillery Wherefore when they found by experience that to be a foolish sort of Weapons they set upon the Enemy with Stones that lay in great quantities all over the Vale. That clattering upon their Shields which made more noise than Wounds detained the Romans for some time as they were coming up But soon after despising such trifles they went part of them with their Shields close over their Heads through the opposing Enemies and part of them who going a little about had got to the top of the Hill forced the frighted Macedonians from their Posts and since the places thereabout were so rough that they could not escape cut off a great many of them The Consul therefore having passed the streights with less opposition than he proposed to himself he marched into Eordaea where when they had wasted all the Country he went into Elimea Thence he made an inrode into Orestis a Country and attack'd a Town called Celetrum situate in a Peninsula Land that is almost an Island save only one neck that joins it to the Continent about which Town there is a Lake except on one side where a strait neck of Land leads you to the Continent The Inhabitants therefore at first relying upon the very situation of the place refused to submit and shut their Gates but soon after when they saw the Ensigns coming near and that the Romans were got by putting their shields close over their Heads which they call'd Testudo as looking somewhat like the back of a Tortoise or rather a multitude of Tortoises join'd together up to the Gate and that the streights were full of the Enemy would not put it to the hazard of a Fight but were frighted into a surrender From Celetrum he went on into the Country of the Dassaretians where he took the City Pelium by storm carrying thence all the slaves with other Booty but dismiss'd the freemen without ransom and gave them their Town again not but that he put a strong guard into it because it was very conveniently situate for the making Incursions into Macedonia Thus having marched through all the Enemies Dominions the Consul led his forces back into peaceful Places about Apollonia whence the War first began For the Aetolians the Athamanes the Dardans and so many several Wars breaking out in divers places one upon the neck of another had diverted Philip who in opposition to the Dardans that were now marching out of Macedonia sent Athenagoras with his nimblest Foot and the greater part of his Horse commanding him to lye very hard upon their reer and pressing them behind to make their army the more slow in their motion fromward home Damocritus the Praetor who had formerly occasioned that delay in their resolutions concerning a War at Naupactum had now himself in the next Council perswaded the Aetolians to take up Arms after he had heard of the Horses engaging at Octolophus the coming over of the Dardans and Pleuratus with the Illyrians into Macedonia the arrival of the Roman Fleet at Oreum and against so many Macedonian Countries as lye round about a Sea siege also near at hand These reasons brought Damocritus and the Aetolians over to the Romans and thereupon marching forced with Amynander King of the Athamanes joyned to them they besieged Cercinium The Inhabitants had shut their Gates whether by force or freely is uncertain because they had a party of the Kings Soldiers to guard their Town However within a few days Cercinium was taken and burnt Those that survived out of that great Massacre were carryed away both slaves and free-men too among the rest of the booty That terrible news made all those that lived round the fenn Boebe leave their Cities and fly into the Mountains But the Aetolians for want of plunder departed thence and went into Perrhaebia where they took Cyretia by storm and rifled it in a miserable manner but accepted of a voluntary surrender and an alliance with the Inhabitants of Mallea From Perrhaebia Amynander advised them to go to Gomphi to which City Athamania is so near that they might take it without any great difficulty Then the Aetolians made toward the fertile Fields of Thessaly for plunders sake and Amynander followed them though he did not approve either of their exorbitant devastations or the pitching of their Camp at a venture in any place without any distinction or care to fortifie it Wherefore lest their rashness and negligence might be the cause of any miscarriage to him and his Men when he saw them encamping in the Plains under the City Phecadum he seiz'd a bank a little more than five Hundred Paces from thence though defended with no great fortification whereupon to post his Soldiers Now since the Aetolians save that they plundered all before them did not seem to think they were in an Enemies Country some of them stragling half-arm'd about the Fields and the rest who lay in the Camp without any Guards sleeping and drinking turning the day into night Philip surpriz'd them Of whose coming when some that were in the Fields came trembling to bring the news Damocritus and the rest of the Commanders were in a great fright it being then noon as it fell out when many of them whose Bellies were full were fallen asleep At that news therefore they waked one another and bad them take up their Arms sending some to call those back who were stragled for forage about the Country And thereupon so great was their consternation that some of the Horsemen went out without their Swords and many of them did not put on their Coats of Mail. Thus being hurryed forth scarce full six Hundred in all both Horse and Foot they light into the hands of the Kings Horse who were too many for them every way Wherefore they were defeated at the first onset and having scarce offered to fight ran shamefully back to their Camp though some of them which the Horse intercepted from the body of those that fled were slain and taken Philip when his Men were come near to the Bulwark ordered the Trumpets to sound a retreat for the Horses and their Riders too were
Phalanx to lay by their Spears whose length was an hinderance to them and use their Swords And at the same time also lest the Body of them should be easily broken in upon he took half of them from the Front inward and made them doubling to stretch out their Ranks so as that the Body of them might be long rather than broad he ordered them likewise so to close their Ranks that all the men and arms might join to one another Quintius having taken those that were in the fight in between the Ensigns and the Ranks gave the signal with a Trumpet Whereupon they say there was seldom ever heard such a shout as at the beginning of that fight was raised For it happen'd that both the Armies set up their Huzza together and not only those who at that time wore engaged but the reserves also and those who then were coming into the fight In the Right Wing the King whose chief help was the circumstance of place fighting from the higher ground had the better of it whilst in the left even then when the Reer of the Phalanx was at hand being it was in disorder and not composed for fighting they were in a consternation The main Body which was nearer to the Right Wing stood and lookt on as if they had not been concern'd in the Battle and the Phalanx that came up more like an agmen than an acies as being more fit for a March than an Engagement was scarce got up to the top of the Hill Quintius therefore though he saw his own men in the Right Wing give way put the Elephants first upon the Enemy and attacked them as they stood thus discomposed supposing that the routed part of them would draw the rest along with them And so it proved for the Macedonians immediately turn'd their backs being frighted with the first view of the Beasts The rest also follow'd them when one of the Tribunes of the Souldiers joining with all the Souldiers belonging to twenty Ensigns and leaving that part of their own Forces which must in all probability needs win the day wheeled about with a short Circuit and set upon the Right Wing of the Enemy that was running away He might indeed have put any Army into disorder by setting upon them in the Reer but besides that their general consternation was so much the greater in that the Macedonian Phalanx being heavy and immoveable could neither turn themselves about nor would the Romans who a little before when they fought against the Front of them gave way lying then very hard upon their Reer let them But besides this they were the less able to make resistance upon the score of the place too for they had quitted the top of the Hill from which they first fought whilst they pursued the Romans to the Enemy that was wheeled about upon their Reer They therefore for some time were slain in the midst between the Enemies but soon after a great many of them throwing down their Arms ran away Philip with a few Foot and Horse first took an higher Hill among the rest to see what fortune his men in the left Wing had but when he saw they were all running away as fast as they could so that all the Hills round about glitter'd with Ensigns and Arms he himself also went out of the Field Quintius having pursued them very close when he of a sudden saw the Macedonians advancing their Spears not knowing what they intended by it was concern'd at the novelty of the thing and stopt his Ensigns but when he heard that it was the custom of the Macedonians so to do if they had a mind to surrender themselves he design'd to give them quarter But the Souldiers being ignorant not only that the Enemies declin'd the fight but likewise what the Generals mind was made an attack upon them and killing the foremost put the rest into a confused flight Mean while the King made toward Tempe as fast as he could where he halted at Gonni for one day to receive those that happen'd to escape alive out of the Battle The Roman Conquerours in hopes of Booty thronged presently into the Enemies Camp but they found it for the most part already rifled by the Aetolians There were that day slain eight thousand of the Enemies and five thousand taken Prisoners with the loss of about seven hundred Romans If we will believe Valerius who extravagantly augments the accountâ— of all things there were forty thousand of the Enemies that day slain and which is a more modest lie five thousand seven hundred taken with two hundred forty one military Ensigns Claudius also tells us that there were thirty thousand of the Enemies slain and four thousand three hundred taken Prisoners Now I have not given the greatest credit to the least number but follow'd Polybius who gives an accurate account not only of all the Roman affairs but more especially of all great actions that have been done in Greece Philip having muster'd up all those that by the various Fortune of the Fight being scatter'd about had yet made a shift to follow him and sent several Messengers to Larissa to burn the Royal Records lest they should fall into the hands of the Enemy retired into Macedonia Quintius having sold the Captives and the Booty part of which he gave to the Souldiers went to Larissa before he yet well knew what Country the King was gone into or what he intended Thither came an Herald from the King under pretence to desire a Truce till such time as they could bury the dead that were slain in the Battle but really and truly to beg leave that he might send Embassadors to him The Roman granted both these requests and likewise bad the Herald tell the King He would have him be of good Courage Which words most mightily offended the Aetolians who were fill'd with indignation and complain'd That the General quite alter'd by being Victorious That before the fight he used to communicate all things both great and small with his Allies who now were privy to none of his Counsels for he did all things as he pleased himself seeking an occasion to contract a private friendship with Philip and though the Aetolians had born all the brunt of the War the Roman would turn all the benefits of Peace to his own peculiar advantage They indeed did not question but they had lost some honour but why they should be neglected they could not tell They believ'd that Quintius who was a man of a Soul invincible against such desires had a mind to some of the Kings gold and he on the other side was very angry and that deservedly too with the Aetolians for their insatiable covetousness of Booty and their arrogance in taking all the glory of the Victory to themselves a vanity whereby they offended the Ears of all men that heard them besides that when Philip was taken off and the strength of the Macedonian Monarchy broken he foresaw that the Aetolians
he returned to Seleucia with a much less Army than he brought from home There when he had order'd his Ships to be haled up into the Docks for it was now Winter he himself went on to winter at Antiochia And in this posture were the two Kings affairs That was the first year that ever there were Triumviri Epulones i. e. Three Officers created to take care of the sacred Feasts at the time of Sacrificing made at Rome whose names were C. Licinius Lucullus T. Romuleius who proposed the Law for their being created and P. Porcius Laeca To these Triumviri also as to the chief Priests was allow'd by the same Law the wearing of a white Gown guarded with Purple called Toga praetexta But the City Questors Q. Fabius Labeo and L. Aurelius that year had a great contest with all the Priests in general They had need of money because they were to pay the last payment of the money lent toward the carrying on of the War to those private persons of whom it was borrow'd The Questors therefore demanded of the Augurs and Priests the arrears of contribution which in the time of the War they had not paid Thereupon the Priests appealed to the Tribunes but all in vain for the stipend or aid-money was exacted from them for all those years that they had not paid it The same Year two of the chief-Priests dy'd and two more were put in their rooms M. Marcellus the Consul in the place of C. Sempronius Tuditanus who died whilst he was Praetor in Spain and L. Valerius in the room of M. Cornelius Cethegus Q. Fabius Maximus also the Augur or Soothsayer died very young before he had served an Office in the State nor was there any Augur that year put in his place Then the Consular Assembly was held by M. Marcellus the Consul in which there were created Consuls L. Valerius Flaccus and M. Porcius Cato After that they chose the Praetors who were C. Fabricius Luscinus C. Atinius Labco Manlius Vulso Ap. Claudius Nero P. Manlius and P. Porcius Laeca The Curule Aediles who were M. Fulvius Nobilior and C. Flaminius distributed ten hundred thousand Bushels of Wheat among the people at two Asses the Bushel which Corn the Sicilians had brought to Rome out of respect to C. Flaminius himself as well as to his Father But Flaminius let his Collegue partake with him in the peoples thanks for it That year the Roman Games were not only magnificently set forth but perform'd quite through thrice over The Aediles of the people Cn. Domitius Aenobarbus and C. Scribonius chief Curio i. e. Alderman brought a good many Graziers to justice before the people of whom there were three condemn'd and out of their Fines they built a Temple to Faunus in an Isle that was in the Tiber. The Plebeian Games were celebrated for two days and there was a Feast upon the same account When L. Valerius Flaccus and M. Porcius the day that they enter'd upon their Office had proposed to the Senate the division of the several Provinces the Senate thought fit that since there was a War broke out in Spain only for which reason of consequence they should want both a Consular General and a Consular Army the two Consuls should either agree between themselves concerning the hither Spain and Italy for their Provinces or cast Lots for them He that happen'd to have Spain should carry along with him two Legions five thousand Allies of the Latine Nation and five hundred Horse with twenty long Ships That the other Consul should raise two Legions which were enough to keep the Province of Gaul in awe since the Insubrians and Boians were subdu'd the year before Cato chanced to get Spain and Valerius Italy and then the Praetors chose their Provinces C. Fabricius Luscinus had the City C. Atinius Labeo the Foreign jurisdiction Cn. Manlius Vulso Sicily Ap. Claudius Nero the farther Spain P. Porcius Laeca Pisa that he might be on the back of the Ligurians and P. Manlius was sent as an assistant to the Consul into the hither Spain T. Quintius now that not only Antiochus and the Aetolians but Nabis also Tyrant of Lacedemon was suspected was continu'd in Commission a year longer and to have two Legions To which if there was any supplement wanting the Consuls were order'd to raise men and send them into Macedonia Ap. Claudius the Praetor had leave to raise besides the Legions which he had of Q. Fabius two thousand Foot and two hundred fresh Horse And the like number of new Horse and Foot was granted to P. Manlius for the service in the hither Spain with the Legion that had been commanded by the Praetor Minucius P. Porcius Laeca also had two thousand Foot and five hundred Horse out of the Gallick Army allotted him for the defence of Etruria about Pisa Sempronius Longus being continu'd in Commission at Sardinia The Provinces being thus divided the Consuls before they went from the City did sacrifice upon the score of the Spring by order of the chief Priests that being a thing which A. Cornelius Mammula the Praetor had vow'd to do by the Senates approbation and the peoples consent and was done twenty one years after it was vow'd when Cn. Servilius and P. Flaminius were Consuls At the same time C. Claudius Son of Appius surnamed Pulcher was chosen Augur in the place of Q. Fabius Maximus who died the year before and was then inaugurated i. e. install'd Now when all people were admiring that the War raised in Spain should be neglected there was a Letter brought from Q. Minucius That he had fought a successful pitch'd Battle at a Town call'd Turba with Budares and Besasides the Spanish Generals in which he had slain twelve thousand of the Enemies taken Budares Prisoner and routed all the rest Which Letter being read they were in less fear of Spain from whence they expected a mighty War But all their cares after the arrival of the ten Embassadors were imploy'd upon King Antiochus For they told them after they had first given an account of the transactions between them and Philip and upon what terms they had granted him a Peace that there was no less fear of a War to come upon them yet from Antiochus That he was come over with a vast Navy and a great Land Army into Europe and that unless the vain hopes he had which arose from a vainer rumour of invading Aegypt diverted him all Greece would shortly be in a flame Nor would the Aetolians themselves be at quiet being not only by nature a restless sort of people but now also offended at the Romans too That there was another mischief likewise that stuck in the very Bowels of Greece and that was Nabis who was at present Tyrant of Lacedemon and would be soon if he might sole Lord of all Greece being as covetous and as cruel as all the Tyrants that ever were heard of That if he were suffer'd to keep Argos as a Guard and a
in their courage and strength When his Men were now tired the Consul brought the Regiments of reserves out of the second Division of the Army into the fight whereby to animate their drooping hearts and then they being now made a new Army the fresh men with their new Weapons setting upon the tired Enemies first broke in upon them with a brisk effort in form of a Wedge as it were and soon after routed them so that they ran over the Fields as fast as they could back to their Camp When Cato saw all places fill'd with the flying Enemy he rode back to the second Legion that was in the Reer and ordering the Ensigns to be carried before him commanded them to march with all speed and attack the Enemies Camp But if any of them ran too eagerly out of their ranks not only he himself smote him with a Dart but bad the Tribunes and Centurions to correct them for it And now they were besieging the Enemies Camp when the Romans were repell'd with stones and stakes and all sorts of Weapons from the Bullwark But when the new Legion came on then not only the Besiegers were the more incouraged but the Enemy also more fiercely defended their Bullwark The Consul took a view of all places quite round to get an opportunity of breaking in upon them where they made the weakest resistance At the left Gate he saw them very thin and thither therefore led he the Vanguard and the Spearmen of the second Legion The Guard that was at the Gate could not endure the shock of them and the rest also when they saw the Enemy within the Bullwark being forced from their very Camp threw down their Ensigns and Arms and were kill'd in the very Gates by their own men that could not all get out at such narrow passages whilst the Souldiers of the second Regiment gauled them behind and the rest rifled their Camp Valerius Antias sayes that there were above forty thousand of the Enemy that day slain and Cato who was never backward to praise himself sayes there were a great many kill'd but does not mention the exact number of them He is thought to have done three very commendable things that day the one in that having led his Army about a good way from his Fleet and Camp where they could have no hopes but in their valour he began the fight amidst his Enemies the other in that he set the Regiments upon the Enemies Reer and the third for that he order'd the second Legion when all the rest were dispers'd to pursue the Enemy to march regularly in Rank and File under the Ensigns up to the Gate of the Enemies Camp Nor did he lie idle after he had got the Victory but having given the signal for a retreat and brought his men back all laden with spoils into the Camp he gave them some few hours of that night to take their rest in and then led them forth to plunder the Country And there indeed they were very extravagant in what they did the Enemy being all routed and dispersed which forced the Emporitan Spaniards and their Neighbours to a surrender no less than the unfortunate Battle the day before Many also of other Cities that had fled into Emporiae surrender'd themselves all which when he had saluted them very kindly and refresh'd them with Wine and Victuals he sent to their own homes Then presently he removed his Camp from that place and which way soever his Army went Embassadours met him from Cities that surrender'd themselves But when he came to Tarraco all Spain on this side Iberus was already subdu'd and the Captives as well Romans as Allies of the Latine Race who were oppressed in Spain by several misfortunes were brought back as a present to the Consul After that there was a report that the Consul would lead his Army into Turdetania and a false rumour also spread that he would go toward the inaccessible and devious mountainers Upon this vain report without any authority for it seven Castles belonging to the Bergistans revolted and that people the Consul bringing down his Army upon them subdu'd without any memorable Engagement But not long after the same Nation when the Consul was gone back to Tarraco and before he went forward any way from thence fell off again But were a second time reduced though they had not the same kind usage as before being all sold for slaves that they might never more disturb the Peace In the mean time P. Manlius the Praetor having received the old Army from Q. Minucius whom he succeeded and likewise join'd to it Ap. Claudius Nero's old Army out of the farther Spain went into Turdetania Now the Turdetans are accounted the most effeminate of all the Spaniards Yet relying upon their multitude they went to meet the Roman Army But the Horse being sent in upon them immediately put their Army into disorder The Foot conflict had no difficulty in it at all for the old Souldiers understanding very well the Enemies methods and the Discipline of War made no question of the Victory And yet they did not end the War with that fight The Turdetans hired ten thousand Celtiberians and prepared for the War with Foreign Arms. In the mean time the Consul being concern'd at the Rebellion of the Bergistans and supposing that the other Cities would upon occasion do the same thing disarm'd all the Spaniards on this side Iberus Which thing they took so very ill that many of them made away with themselves for being a Warlike Nation they thought it not worth while to live without Arms. Which when the Consul heard he order'd the Senators of every City to be called before him and told them It is not more our interest than yours that you should not rebel For that hath hitherto been always done with greater disadvantage to the Spaniards than trouble to the Roman Army But I suppose there is one way to prevent that by putting you out of a capacity to rebel And I am resolv'd to bring that about the mildest way I can Pray do you also assist with your Counsel in the affair for I 'll follow no advice more willingly than what you your selves shall give me Whereupon they being silent he told them he 'd give them some few dayes time to consider of it But when being summon'd again they held their tongues at the second Council also he in one day pull'd down all their Walls and then marching toward those that were not yet reduced as soon as he came into every Country admitted all the people that dwelt there round about to make their Surrenders save that he took Segestica a great and opulent City with Engines and Galleries like Pent-Houses made of Boards and cover'd with raw Hides c. to keep off Arrows c. from the Souldiers whilst they made their approaches to the Walls of a Town Now he found it so much the more difficult to subdue his Enemies then than those that
that besides the Army which he already had he should raise another of tumultuary Souldiers to the number of twelve thousand Foot and four hundred Horse to secure the Sea Coast of that Province which lay toward Greece Now the Praetor did not make that Levy out of Sicily only but the adjacent Islands also and fortified all the maritime Towns that stand to Greece ward with Garisons There was also an addition made to the former rumours by the arrival of Attalus Brother to Eumenes who brought word that King Antiochus was come with an Army over the Hellespont and that the Aetolians so prepared themselves as to be in Arms against his arrival Whereupon there were thanks paid to Eumenes who was absent as well as to Attalus who was present for whom they order'd an House rent free at publick Shows or Playes and splendid Entertainment with presents of two Horses with Armour accordingly silver Vessels of a hundred and golden ones of twenty pound weight When seveal Messengers one after another brought news that the War was now at hand they thought it concern'd them as soon as they could to choose new Consuls Whereupon an order of Senate was made that M. Fulvius the Praetor should send a letter forthwith to the Consul to let him understand that the Senate would have him deliver up the Province and the Army to his Lieutenants and return to Rome and upon the Road to send an Edict before him to give notice of the Assembly for choosing of Consuls The Consul obeyed this letter and having sent an Edict before him came to Rome That Year also there was great canvassing three Patricians standing for the same place whose names were P. Cornelius Scipio Son of Cneius who the Year before had been repulsed L. Cornelius Scipio and Cn. Manlius Volsco The Consulate was bestowed on P. Scipio that it might appear the honour was only suspended and not denyed to such a Man as he was whose Colleague was a Plebeian call'd Manius Acilius Glabrio The next Day there were chosen for Praetors L. Aemilius Paulus M. Aemilius Lepidus M. Junius Brutus A. Cornelius Mammula C. Livius and L. Oppius both of them sir-named Salinator This was the same Oppius that had conducted the Fleet into Sicily Now in the mean time whilst the new Magistrates were casting Lots for their Provinces M. Baebius was ordered to go over from Brundusium with all his Forces into Epirus and keep them about Apollonia M. Fulvius the City Praetor being imploy'd to build fifty new five bank'd Ships or Galleys Thus did the Roman People prepare themselves for all the attempts of Antiochus Nor did Nabis now defer the War but with all the force he had attack'd Gythium and pillaged all the Country of Achaia for sending aid to the Besieged The Achaeans for all that durst not meddle in the War before their Embassadours were come back from Rome that they might know what the Senates pleasure was but after the Embassadours were return'd they not only summon'd a Council to meet at Sicyon but sent Embassadours to T. Quintius for his advice In the Council they were all inclin'd to make a War though a Letter that came from T. Qâ—intius put some stop to it in which he told them that he would have them stay for the Praetor and the Roman Fleet. Now though some of the Nobility continu'd of the same opinion and others thought it best to make use of his advice whom they had consulted in the affair the greatest number expected Philopaemenes opinion who at that time was Praetor and excell'd all men of that age in prudence as well as authority He therefore having first told them it was a good custom among the Achaeans that the Praetor when he consulted about a War should not give his opinion in the case bad them resolve as soon as possible of what they pleas'd their Praetor would put their Decrees in Execution with integrity and care and endeavour as far as lay within the power of humane industry that they should not repent either of Peace or War This Speech of his conduced more to the inciting of them to a War than if by direct perswasion he had shewn his desire of managing their business Thereupon by unanimous consent they resolv'd upon a War leaving the time and method of carrying it on wholly to the Praetor Philopoemen besides that it was Quintius's advice to them himself also thought sit to expect the Roman Fleet which might defend Gythium toward the Sea but fearing lest the thing would not admit of delay nor that Gythium only but the Forces also sent to secure that City would be lost fitted out the Ships belonging to the Achaeans The Tyrant also had gotten a small Fleet to hinder any aids that might be sent in by Sea to the besieged of three men of War with some Barks and long Gallies having deliver'd his old Fleet according to contract up to the Romans Now to try the agility of these new Ships and that all things might be ready for an Engagement at the same time he made them put forth to Sea where he every day exercised the Rowers and the Souldiers with the imitation of a Sea-fight supposing that the hopes of the Siege depended upon his intercepting the maritime succours The Praetor of the Achaeans as he was equal to any of the famous Generals that ever were in the experimental part as well as the knowledge of Land fights so in Naval affairs was very unskilful being an Arcadian that lived in an Inland Country and ignorant of all Foreign matters save that he had been a Souldier and Commanded the Auxiliaries in Creet Now there was an old Gally of four Banks that had been taken eighty years before as it brought Craterus's Wife Nicaea from Naupactum to Corinth with the same of which Ship he being taken for it had been a signal Vessel formerly in the Kings Fleet order'd it to be brought down from Aegium though it were very rotten and almost ready to fall in pieces with age This therefore being at that time the Admirals Ship and riding before all the rest of the Fleet as Tiso of Patrae who was Admiral sailed in her the Laconian Ships from Gythium met them and upon its first bearing up being an old Vessel that was all over leaky with a new strong Ship it was split and all the men in her taken Thereupon the rest of the Fleet as fast as their Oars would give them leave seeing the Admirals Ship lost ran away Philopoemen himself was in a small Scout-ship nor did he stop in his flight till he came to Patrae But that accident did not at all dishearten him who was a military man and had gone through a great many misfortunes but on the contrary he said that if he had offended in Sea affairs of which he was ignorant he had the more hopes of succeeding in those things which he was well acquainted with and therefore would take care to make that
expectation of the Kings coming Now after the departure of the Romans they indeed had no Council of the whole Nation but consulted among their Apocleti so they call their Privy Council which consists of certain select men how they should make innovations in Greece They all knew that the chief men in the several Cities and all the best were of the Roman side and content with their present condition but that the multitude and such whose condition did not sute with their desires were for having all things quite alter'd The Aetolians therefore resolv'd not only very boldly but even impudently too to take Demetrias Chalcis and Lacedaemon in one day In order whereunto they sent one Nobleman to each of those Cities Thoas to Chalcis Alexamenus to Lacedaemon and Diocles to Demetrias The last of whom Eurylochus who was in banishment of whose flight and the cause thereof I told you before assisted as having no other hopes than by that means to return into his Country Eurylochus in a Letter admonish'd his Relations and Friends and those that were of the same Faction to advise his Wife and Children to go into a full Assembly in sordid apparel and the guise of Suppliants adjuring each man in particular and all in general not to suffer an innocent person to spend his age in banishment before he was condemn'd Whereupon as well honest men were moved with pity as ill and seditious persons by their hopes of confounding all things in an Aetolian tumult insomuch that every one of them consented to recal him Having made this preparation Diocles with all his Horse for then he was a Colonel of Horse going under a pretence to bring home the banish'd Stranger and having by travelling both day and night got a great way off when he was six thousand paces from the City at break of day chose out three Troops commanding the rest of the Horse to follow after and went before When he came near to the Gate he commanded them all to dismount and lead their Horses by their Bridle-Rains in some disorder as much like Travellers as they could that they might seem to be rather his Companions than his Souldiers Then he left one Troop at the Gate lest the following Horse should be shut out and in the middle of the City holding Eurylochus by the hand whom many people met and congratulated led him through the Forum i. e. Market-place to his own House Soon after the City was full of Horsemen and all the opportune places were seized after which there were Souldiers sent into their several Houses to kill the heads of the contrary Faction Thus was Demetrias subjected to the Aetolians At Lacedaemon they could not well force the City but were fain to take the Tyrant by treachery who being devested by the Romans of all his maritime Towns and shut up then also by the Achaeans within the Walls of Lacedaemon whoever should first kill him would be a man of the greatest esteem in all Lacedaemon Now they had a pretence of sending to him for that he tired them with his importunities to send him Auxiliaries he having renew'd the War upon their instigation Thereupon Alexamenus had a thousand Foot and thirty Horse chosen out of the youth allotted him whom the Praetor Damocritus in the Privy-Council of the Nation before-mention'd told they must not think that they were sent to the Achaian War or about any other business that they might each of them in their own opinion devise but that whatever sudden occasion Alexamenus should have they should be ready to execute his command though it were surprizing rash and bold with all obedience and should be as diligent as though they knew they were sent from home to do nothing but that With this preparation Alexamenus came to the Tyrant whom he fill'd with hope as soon as he arrived that Antiochus was already come over into Europe would shortly be in Greece and fill all the Land as well as Sea with Arms and Men. That the Romans would not now believe they had to do with Philip that the number of his Foot and Horse and Ships could not be told and that the body of Elephants would beat the Enemy with their very appearance That the Aetolians with their whole Army were ready to come to Lacedaemon when occasion requir'd it but that they had a mind to shew a good Army to the King at his arrival That Nabis also himself should take care not to let the Forces which he had lie idle and grow effeminate at home but should draw them forth and make them exercise their Arms preparing their minds as well as their bodies for the War For by continual practice the fatigue would be the more easy yea by the affability and courtesy of a General might be made not altogether unpleasant Thereupon they were drawn forth in great numbers before the City into a Plain by the River Eurotas the Tyrants Lifeguard standing in the middle whilst he himself with three Horsemen at the most of which Alexamenus was most commonly one rode before the Ensigns and view'd the utmost Wings of the Army The Aetolians were in the right Wing not only those that had formerly been the Tyrants Auxiliaries but the thousand also that came along with Alexamenus Alexamenus had made it his custom sometimes to ride about with the Tyrant among the ranks and to tell him what he thought best to be done and sometimes to ride into the right Wing up to his own men and then again as though he had order'd what was necessary to be done to retreat to the Tyrant again But upon the day that he had design'd for doing of the fact when he had rode a little way with the Tyrant he went to his own Horsemen that were sent from home with him and told them Fellow-Souldiers you must undertake a business which under my conduct you were commanded forthwith to execute wherefore prepare your minds and hands so that none of you be backward to do what you see me do before you He that delays and by his own advice obstructs my design let him know he shall never return home again With that they were all affrighted remembring what a charge they had when they came forth The Tyrant was coming from the left Wing when Alexamenus commanded his Horsemen to hold down their Spears and look at him who himself had but just recover'd his resolution having been confounded with the thoughts of so great an attempt When therefore the Tyrant drew near he made at him and running his Horse quite through knocked the Tyrant off Thereupon the Horsemen came about him as he lay on the ground and having given his Coat of Mail many a blow to no purpose at last pierc'd through into his naked Body so that he died before any relief came from the main Body of the Army Alexamenus with all his Aetolians went forward as fast as he could to seize the Palace The guard-du-corps seeing what was
an even Front planting near three thousand Horse without them of whom eight hundred belong'd to Eumenes and the rest were all Romans with the Trallians and Cretans who were in all five hundred in the Reer The left Wing did not seem to need such aids because a River on that side and craggy Rocks inclosed them Yet there also were placed four Troops of Horse These were all the Roman Forces save two thousand Macedonians and Thracians together that came as Voluntiers who were left for a Guard to the Camp They planted sixteen Elephants behind the Triarii in the Reer For besides that they thought they could not sustain the multitude of the Kings Elephants they being fifty four the African Elephants cannot cope even with an equal number that come from India either for that they are overcome in bulk for the Indian Elephants are far beyond the African or in fierceness The Kings Army was more various consisting of many Nations whose Arms and Persons too were very different There were sixteen Thousand Foot arm'd after the manner of the Macedonians who were call'd Phalangites being the main Body and in the Front divided into ten Parts He distinguished those several Parts by putting two Elephants between every two of them and the Army was from the Front inward two and thirty ranks deep Now there was not only this strength in the Kings Army but it created great terror as by its other appearance so also by the Elephants making such a show among the armed Men. They themselves were very bulky but their Frontals Armour that they wore upon their foreheads their Crests and the Turrets upon their backs with the four arm'd Men that stood thereon besides the manager of him added a new dread to their appearance On the right side of the Phalangites he planted fifteen Hundred Gallograecians to whom he joyn'd three Thousand Horse in Armour whom they call'd Cataphracti with a Wing of about one Thousand other Horse which they call Agema There were choice Men of Media and Horsemen made up of several Nations in those Parts Immediately behind them was an herd of Elephants placed in the Reer and on the same side in a Wing somewhat longer than ordinary stood the Kings Regiment call'd Argyraspides from their Silver Shields Then there were of the Dahae twelve Hundred Bow Horsemen and of light armour three Thousand part Trallians and part Cretans about as many of one as of the other besides that there were two Thousand five Hundred Mysians joined to the Bow-men In the Reer of that Wing were four Thousand Cyrtaean Slingers and Elymaean Bow-men all mingled together In the left Wing there were fifteen Hundred Gallograecian Horse added to the Phalangites and to them likewise two Thousand Cappadocians sent from King Ariarathres Then there were two Thousand seven Hundred Auxiliaries mixt of all sorts and three Thousand Cataphracti Horse in Armour and a Thousand other Horse besides the Kings Wing with lighter coverings both for themselves and their Horses in an habit not much unlike and a great many Syrians mixed with Phrygians and Lydians Before this Cavalry went Chariots armed with Sithes and Camels which they call Dromadas Upon these sate the Arabian Archers having slender Swords four Cubits long that they might from such an heighth reach the Foe Then there was another train like that which was in the right Wing consisting first of Tarentines and then of two Thousand five Hundred Gallograecian Horse with one Hundred fresh Cretans and fifteen Hundred Carians and Cilicians in the same Armour besides as many Trallians and three Thousand short shield-men who were Pisidians Pamphilians and Lycians After all these there were Auxiliaries of the Cyrtaeans and Elymaeans equal to those in the right Wing and sixteen Elephants stand at a small distance from them The King himself was in the right Wing having placed his own Son Seleucus and his Brothers Son Antipater to command in the left and given the management of the main Body to three Persons Minio Zeuxis and Philip Master of the Elephants A Morning Cloud as the Day went on lifted up to the Sky made a kind of darkness and then a showr from the South poured down and wet them all quite through Now that which did no hurt at all to the Romans was very incommodious to the Kings Men for neither did the obscurity of the Day in their small Army deprive the Romans of an ability to see quite round them nor did the Rain their Swords or Javelins for they were more of them heavy arm'd any hurt But the Kings Men whose Army was so broad could not see so much as the two Wings from the main Body much less the two Wings one another besides that the wet had spoiled their Bows Slings and the thongs of their Darts The Sith-arm'd Chariots too wherewith Antiochus thought he should have put the Enemy into such great disorder proved a terror to his own Men. Now they were armed much after this fashion they had Spears about the Pole standing out ten Cubits from the draughts like Horns with which they ran every thing through that met them and at the ends of the draughts two Sithes stuck out the one even with the draughts and the other lower declining toward the Earth the former to cut off all things that came by them and the latter to reach Men that fell down and came under them So also upon the Axles of the Wheels there were two Sithes fastned in the same manner on both sides several ways Now the King as I told you before had placed these Chariots thus arm'd in the front of the Army because if they had been planted in the Reer or the middle they must have been driven through his own Men. Which when Eumenes saw being no stranger to that manner of fighting but knowing how doubtful such a sort of Aid was if a Man scar'd the Horses rather than set upon them in a regular way he ordered the Cretan Archers Slingers and Darters that were Horsemen to ride up not in a close Body but as disperst as they possibly could and on all sides at once to fling in their Weapons upon them This storm as it were what with the Wounds given by the Weapons thrown from every side upon them what with the dissonant shouts that were set up so consternated the Horses that they presently ran all about the Plain like mad as though they had known no driver But the light Armour nimble Slingers and swift Cretans in a moment declin'd their violence and the Horse pursuing them augmented the tumult and fear of the Horses and Camels as of those also that were before set a gadding besides that there was a clamour added by the other numerous croud of those that stood about them By this means the Chariots were driven out of the Plain that was between the two Armies and then laying aside all vain jesting the two Armies having given the word on both sides at last fell
to the City of Soli. At the same time that these things were done the Massilian Embassadours brought word that L. Baebius as he was going into the Province of Spain was circumvented by the Ligurians and having great part of his Attendants slain was himself so wounded that though with some few Companions but no Lictors he got away to Massilia he died there within three dayes The Senate hearing that decreed that P. Junius Brutus who was Pro-Praetor in Etruria delivering the Province and the Army to one of his Lieutenants whom he thought fit should himself go into the farther Spain which should be his Province This order of Senate and a Letter was sent by Sp. Postumius the Praetor into Etruria and P. Junius the Pro Praetor accordingly went into Spain In which Province a little before his Successor came L. Aemilius Paulus who afterward to his great glory conquer'd King Perseus though the year before he had had but ill success having raised a tumultuary Army fought the Lusitanians in a pitch'd Battle The Enemies were all totally routed eighteen thousand Souldiers slain three thousand three hundred taken and their Camp seiz'd The Fame of which Victory made things much quieter in Spain The same year before the 30th of December L. Valerius Flaccus M. Atilius Serranus and L. Valerius Tappus were the Triumviri that carried a Latine Colony to Bononia by order of the Senate consisting of three thousand men of whom the Horsemen had seventy Acres of Land apiece and the others fifty The Land had been taken from the Boian Gauls as the Gauls had driven out the Tuscans That same Year many great men stood for the Censorship which business as though it had not been in it self enough to have bred any great contest occasioned another contention much greater There stood as Candidates T. Quintius Flaminius P. Cornelius Scipio Son to Cneius L. Valerius Flaccus M. Porcius Cato M. Claudius Mâ—rcellus and M. Acilius Glabrio who had conquer'd Antiochus and the Aetolians at Thermopylae Now to this last of them because he had made a great many Doles whereby he had obliged great part of the People did the favour of the multitude incline Which so many of the Nobility being not able to endure that an upstart Fellow should be so far prefer'd before them P. Sempronius Gracchus and C. Sempronius Rutilus Tribunes of the People appointed him a day of Tryal for that he had neither carried in Triumph nor brought into the Treasury some part of the Kings money and of the booty that was taken in Antiochus 's Camp The testimonies of the Lieutenants and Tribunes of the Souldiers were very different But above the rest of the witnesses M. Cato was most taken notice of whose authority which he had gained by the constant uniform tenour of his Life the white Gown used by Candidates diminish'd He being a witness in the case said that he did not see at the Triumph any of those gold and silver Vessels that were taken among other booty in the Kings Camp At last in Envy to him more than any body else Glabrio said He would stand no longer seeing that what Noblemen were only in silence vex'd at that a Competitour who was as very an upstart as himself had malign'd with such an horrid act of perjury as no mulct or fine could equal There was a Fine laid upon him of a hundred thousand Sesterces Now they contended twice about that matter but the third time when the person accus'd had desisted from his pretensions to the office the people would neither pass any Votes concerning the Fine nor the Tribunes be any longer engaged in that business The Censors created were T. Quintius Flaminius and M. Claudius Marcellus By whose means there having been an Audience of the Senate granted to L. Aemilius Regillus who had defeated Antiochus's Admiral by Sea without the City in the Temple of Apollo when they had heard what he had done and with what mighty Fleets of Enemies he had fought as also how many Ships he had sunk or taken he had a Naval Triumph granted him by the general consent of the House He triumph d upon the first of February in which Triumph there were carried through the City forty nine Crowns of gold but nothing near so much money as might have been expected in a Royal Triumph there being only thirty four thousand seven hundred Attick Tetradrachmes each of which was the weight of four Deniers and of Cistophori another Coin a hundred thirty one thousand three hundred Thereupon by order of Senate there were Supplications made for that L. Paulus Aemilius had met with such success in Spain Not long after L. Scipio came to the City who lest he might seem inferiour to his Brother for want of a Surname would needs be called Asiaticus He discours'd of his Atchievements both in the Senate and before the People at which time there were some who said that War was greater for the Fame of it than for any difficulty that he met with it being ended in one memorable Battle and that the glory of that Victory was anticipated at Thermopylae But to one that truly consider'd it It was a War with the Aetolians at Thermopylae more than with the King For what Forces had Antiochus there But in Asia there were all the powers of Asia up in Arms and Auxiliaries muster'd together from the utmost limits of the East out of all Nations Wherefore they not only paid the immortal Gods all imaginable honour for that they had made the Victory as easy as it was great but likewise decreed that the General should Triumph He accordingly triumphed in the Leap-Month i. e. February on the last day of it and his Triumph was a more glorious show to the Eye than that of his Brother Africanus but for the account of their atchievements and in respect of the danger and difficulty they met with no more to be compar'd to it than if you should set one General in competition with the other or compare Antiochus to Annibal He carried in Triumph two hundred thirty four military Ensigns draughts of Towns a hundred thirty four Elephants Teeth a thousand two hundred and twenty and Crowns of gold two hundred twenty four Of silver a hundred thirty seven thousand four hundred and twenty pounds of Attick Tetradrachmes two hundred twenty four thousand of Cistophores three hundred thirty one thousand and seventy of pieces of Philippian gold a hundred and forty thousand of silver Vessels all of them Emboss'd a thousand four hundred twenty four pound weight and of golden ones a thousand pound weight There were also some Captains of the Kings with certain Prefects and thirty two of his Courtiers led before the Chariot To each Souldier was given the summ of twenty five Deniers double so much to a Centurion and treble to an Horseman besides that there was a Souldiers pay and a double quantity of Corn bestow'd upon them after the Triumph as he had allow'd them
Camp when the Gauls lest their Fortifications should not well defend them stood arm'd before the Bullwark By which means being born down with all sorts of Weapons for that by how many the more and thicker they were so much the harder it was for any Weapon to miss them they were in a moment of time forced into their Bullwark having only left strong Guards at the very entrance of their Gates Upon the multitude that was forced into the Camp there was a great quantity of hurling Weapons thrown and that many of them were wounded you might know by the noise which was mingled with the cryes of Women and Children At those that stood as Guards at the several Gates the Antesignani such as stood before the Ensigns of the Legions threw Javelins But they were not wounded only having their Shields stuck through they were many of them fasten'd one to another nor could they any longer sustain the Romans vigour Thereupon slinging open their Gates before the Conquerours got in the Gauls run out of their Camp on every side with all the speed imaginable through paths and no paths nor could any Precipices or craggy Rocks hinder them for they fear'd nothing else except the Enemy Wherefore a great many of them falling headlong down a vast heighth were kill'd The Consul having taken the Camp abstain'd from the plunder and booty of it bidding his Souldiers Follow him every man of them in pursuit of the Foe and augment their fear now that they already were under such a consternation The other Army also with L. Manlius came thither but he did not suffer them neither to enter the Camp sending them streight away to pursue the Enemy He himself too a while after follow'd them having committed the keeping of the Captives to the Tribunes of the Souldiers supposing that the War would be at an end if in fright a considerable number of them were slain or taken When the Consul was gone forth C. Helvius arrived with the third party nor could he keep his men from plundering the Camp so that the booty became very unjustly theirs who had not been present at the Battle The Horse stood a good while not only ignorant that there had been a Victory obtain'd on their side but even that there had been a Fight But at last they too as far as their Horses could get up the Hills pursuing the scatter'd Gauls and over taking them about the Foot of the Mountain kill'd or took them The number of the slain could not easily be told because they ran and were slaughter'd through all the winding wayes upon the Mountains great part of them falling down from craggy Rocks into deep Vales and part of them being kill'd in the Woods and among the Brakes Claudius who sayes there were two Battles fought upon the Mountain Olympus sayes also that there were forty thousand men slain though Valerius Antias who uses to be more immoderate in augment of numbers tells us they were not above ten thousand The number of the Prisoners was doubtless full forty thousand for that they had carry'd along with them a crowd of all sorts and all Ages more like a people that were going to leave their Country than to War The Consul having burnt all the Enemies Arms in one heap order'd them all to bring the rest of the booty together and either sold what part of it was to be given to the publick use or with care that it should be equal divided it among the Souldiers They were also all of them commended publickly and each man rewarded according to his desert But above all Attalus with general assent of the rest for that youth was not only a person of singular Courage and industry in all enterprizes and dangers but of extraordinary modesty also But now there yet remained an entire War with the Tectosages against whom the Consul went he arrived in three marches at Ancyra a noble City in that Country from whence the Enemy was distant a little more than ten thousand paces Where whilst they were Encamped there was a memorable action done by a Captive Woman Ortiagon the petit Kings Wife a Woman of great Beauty was kept among several other Captives who were committed to the Custody of a Centurion that had all the lust and avarice of a Souldier about him He therefore first try'd her inclination Which when he found averse to voluntary Adultery he offer'd violence to her Body which Fortune had made a Slave After which to alleviate the indignity of the injury he put the poor Woman in hopes of returning to her own Country but did not freely like a Lover having contracted with her for such a quantity of gold Now lest any of his own People should know of it he permitted her to send one of the other Captives whom she pleas'd as a Messenger to her own Country appointing a place near the River where two and no more Friends of the Captive Lady should come next Night with the gold and receive her It happen'd that a Servant of the same Womans was one of the Captives under the mens Custody Him therefore the Centurion carry'd as the Messenger at the edge of Night without the Guards and the next Night the Womans two Friends and the Centurion with his Captive came to the place appointed Where when they shew'd the gold that made up the summ of an Attick Talent for so much he had bargain'd for the Woman commanded them with her own mouth to draw their Swords and kill the Centurion as he was taking hold of the gold Which when they had done and cut off his Head she took it wrapt it up in her Gown and carry'd it to her Husband Ortiagon who was fled back home from Olympus Whom before she embraced she threw the Centurions Head down before his Feet At which seeing he admir'd whose Head it was or what more than Female Exploit it was that she had done she confess'd to him what injury she had receiv'd and how she revenged her forced Chastity and they say by the Sanctity and Gravity of the remaining part of her Life preserv'd to the last the honour of this Matron-like Atchievement At Ancyra there came Envoys into the Consuls Camp from the Tectosages desiring That he would not Decamp from Ancyra before he had discoursed with their Kings For any conditions of Peace would be more eligible to them than War The time therefore was to be on the Morrow and the place as nigh the middle as could be between the Gallick Camp and Ancyra Whither when the Consul was come at the due time with a guard of five hundred Horse and seeing ne'r an one of the Gauls there was come back the same Envoys return'd to excuse their Masters and said That their Kings could not come upon the score of Religion but the Nobility of the Nations by whom the matter might be as well transacted would come The Consul also said that he would send Attalus Accordingly they came
who was now going to Prison were Cn. and P. Scipio two great and famous Men. That they when for some Years they had advanced the Roman Fame in Spain against many Generals and Armies too of the Carthaginians and Spaniards not only in War but in that they had given those Nations an instance of the moderation and honour that Romans were endowed with at last both dy'd for the good of the Roman People Now though it would have been enough for their Posterity to have maintain'd that Glory which they got yet that P. Africanus so far outdid his Fathers praises that he made People believe he was not born of Humane Blood but of Divine Extraction That L. Scipio of whom they then discoursed to pass by all that he had done in Spain and Africa when he was his Brothers Lieutenant who had been Consul was not only look'd upon by the Senate as a fit Person to have Asia for his Province though out of course and the management of the War against Antiochus but by his Brother also who after two Consulships one Censorship and a Triumph went into Asia as his Lieutenant Where lest the greatness and splendour of the Lieutenant should obscure the Consuls Glory it so happened that the Day whereon L. Scipio conquer'd Antiochus at Magnesia P. Scipio was sick at Elaea some few Days journey from thence That that Army was not less than that of Annibals with which they had fought in Africa and that there was among many other Generals of the Kings that very same Annibal too who had been General in the Punick War And that the War also was so managed that no body could blame so much as fortune for it But yet now in time of Peace they are seeking out for an accusation against him and say that he sold Peace for Money That by this means the ten Embassadors also were at the same time arraign'd by whose advice the Peace was made Yea that there were some of the ten Embassadours who accused Cn. Manlius but their accusation did not prevail not only so far as to gain credit to what they charg'd upon him but not so much as to retard his triumph But that indeed in Scipio's Case the conditions of Peace were suspected as being too favourable to Antiochus For his Kingdom was left entire he possess'd all after he was conquer'd that he had before the War but though he had a great quantity of gold and silver there was no part of it brought into the publick Treasury but all turn'd to private use Was not there more gold and silver brought in before all Peoples Eyes at L. Scipio's Triumph than at ten other Triumphs and put them all together For what should I speak of the Confines of his Kingdom or say That Antiochus had all Asia and the adjacent parts of Europe how great a tract of Land that is from the Mountain Taurus to the Aegean Sea since all people know how many not only Cities but Nations too it contains That this Country which is above thirty dayes Journey long and ten broad between the two Seas was taken away from Antiochus as far as the Mountain Taurus he being driven into the most remote Corner of the World What if the Peace were granted him for nothing could be taken from him more That when Philip was conquer'd he had Macedonia left him and Nabis Lacedaemon Nor was there any crime invented against Quintius for he had not Africanus for his Brother who when he should by his glory have done L. Scipio good quite contrary through the Envy that lay upon him did him an injury That there was more gold and silver thought to have been brought into Scipio's House than could have been made of all the Goods he had if they had been sold Where then is that gold of the Kings Where are so many Estates that he receiv'd There must have been an heap of this new gains in his House which costs him not much in keeping But what could not be made of his goods his Enemies would fetch out of his Body and back by vexation and contumelies against him so far as to put a person of such Renown in Prison among a parcel of Thieves and Robbers where he should die in the dark and the Stocks and afterward be thrown forth naked before the Prison which would be a disgrace to the City of Rome as well as to the Cornelian Family In opposition to this Terentius the Praetor repeated the Petillian Bill the order of Senate and the Sentence pass'd concerning L. Scipio and said that he unless the money that he was adjudg'd to pay were brought into the publick Treasury had nothing else to do but to order the party condemn'd to be taken and carry'd to Prison The Tribunes having withdrawn to consult a little after C. Fannius according to his own and all the rest of his Collegues opinions saving Gracchus declared that the Tribunes would not hinder the Praetor from exercising his authority But Tib. Gracchus said this was his resolution That he would not hinder the Praetor from making the money that was adjudg'd of L. Scipio 's goods but yet that he would not suffer L. Scipio who had conquer'd the most opulent King in all the World had propagated the Roman Empire to the utmost Borders of the Earth obliged Eumenes the Rhodians and so many other Cities of Asia by his kindness and imprison'd a great number of their Enemies chief Officers whom he led in Triumph to be in Jail among the Enemies of the Roman People and therefore charg'd them to let him go This resolution of his was heard with so much assent and people were so glad to see L. Scipio dismist that the sentence scarce seemed to have been pass'd in the same City Then the Praetor sent the Questors to take possession on behalf of the publick of L. Scipio's goods in which there neither appear'd any token of the Kings money nor was there even so much made of them as the summ in which he was condemn'd amounted to His Relations Friends and Clients raised money among themselves for L. Scipio insomuch that if he would have accepted of it he might have been somewhat richer than he was before his misfortunes But he would not take any of it What was necessary for him in Cloths and the like was bought for him by his Relations and the Envy of the Scipio's fell upon the Praetor his Council and the Accusers DECADE IV. BOOK IX The EPITOME 2. Aemilius the Consul having subdu'd Liguria joined that road which comes from Placentia to Ariminum to the Via Flaminia or Flaminian way 6. The principles of Luxury are said to be brought in by the Asian Army The Ligurians all about the Appennine were subdu'd 8 9 c. The Bacchanalia a Grecian Solemnity in honour of Bacchus celebrated in the night time which was the seminary of all wickedness having become the occasion of a vast multitudes entering into a Conspiracy was
he was circumvented in a disadvantagious place amidst the strait pass which was beset before-hand by the Enemy There he lost four thousand Souldiers and three Ensigns belonging to the second Legion besides that eleven Banners belonging to the Latine Allies were taken by the Foe and a great many Arms which because they were an incumbrance to them in their flight through those Woody places they threw away all along as they went But the Ligurians ceased to pursue before the Romans stopp'd their flight The Consul as soon as he was got out of the Enemies Territories lest it should be known how much his Forces were diminish'd disbanded his Army in an Allies Country though he could not for all that stifle the report of his ill success for the Wood from whence the Ligurians had chased him was called Saltus Marcius About the time that this news came out of Liguria there were Letters brought out of Spain full of joy and sadness mixt together For C. Atinius who two years before had gone Praetor into that Province fought a pitch'd Battle in the Asian Dominions with the Lusitanians in which there were six thousand men slain the rest being totally routed and forced to quit their Camp After which he led his Legions to attack the Town of Asia which he also took with almost as much ease as he had done the Camp but as he unwarily went under the Walls being wounded he in a few dayes dy'd Having read the Letter concerning the Death of the Pro-Praetor the Senate thought fit to send a man to overtake C. Calpurnius the Praetor at the Port of Luna and tell him that the Senate thought it requisite lest the Province should be without a Governour for him to make hast and go into it He that was sent came within four dayes to Luna from whence Calpurnius was departed some few dayes before In the hither Spain too L. Manlius Acidinus who went thither at the same time when C. Atinius went into his Province had a conflict with the Celtiberians from which they drew off without knowing who had the better of it save that the Celtiberians decamped the next Night and the Romans had an opportunity not only to bury their dead men but to gather up the spoils of the Enemy Some few dayes after the Celtiberians having raised a greater Army on their own accord provoked the Romans to Battle at a Town called Calagurris Now there is no reason given why when their numbers were increased they were yet weaker than before for they were conquer'd that bout twelve thousand of them slain above two thousand taken and the Romans took their Camp yea had not the coming of his Successor rebated the Conquerours vigour the Celtiberians had been totally subdu'd The new Praetors led both the Armies into their Winter Quarters At the same time when this news came out of Spain the Games called Taurilia were celebrated for two dayes upon a religious account After which M. Fulvius who prepared for them ten dayes together set forth those Games which he had vow'd in the Aetolian War There came many Artists out of Greece for honours sake and then also the Romans first saw Wrastling which was at that time shewn with hunting of Lions and Panthers so that the sport was perform'd with the variety and plenty of almost this Age of ours Then they kept a nine dayes solemnity for that in Picenum it had rained stones for three dayes and fiery meteors were said lightly to have sindg'd the Cloaths of many people There was also one day of supplication added for that the Temple of Ops in the Capitol was burnt by lightning Upon which score the Consuls sacrificed with the greater sort of Victims and purg'd the City About the same time there was a report came from Vmbria too that there was a Male and Female Bullock born of almost twelve years old They therefore abominating that Prodigy commanded it to be driven out of the Roman Territories and kill'd as soon as possible The same year the Transalpine Gauls coming over into Venetia without Ravage or War not far from that place where Aquileia now stands made choice of a place to build a Town Whereupon Embassadours being sent from Rome beyond the Alps about that business they receiv'd this Answer That they neither went from home by the authority of their own Nation nor did they know what to do in Italy At that time L. Scipio 〈◊〉 forth the Games which he said he had vow'd in the time of the War against Antiochus for ten dayes together out of that money which was raised for that purpose by the Kings and the several Cities Valerius Antias sayes that after his being condemn'd and that his goods were sold he was sent Embassadour into Asia to decide the Controversies between the two Kings Antiochus and Eumenes That then the money was raised for him and Artists gather'd together out of all Asia and that after his Embassy he moved the Senate concerning the Games of which before he had made no mention since the War in which he said they were vow'd When the year was now expiring Q. Marcius was to go out of his Office whilst he was U. C. 565 absent and Sp. Postumius having made an end of the Inquisitions with all care and integrity held the Assembly There were created for Consuls Ap. Claudius Pulcher and M. Sempronius Tuditanus The next day their Praetors were chosen viz. P. Cornelius Cethegus A. Postumius Albinus C. Afranius Stellio C. Atilius Serranus L. Postumius Tempsanus and M. Claudius Marcellus At the end of the Year since Sp. Postumius had brought word That as he travelled over both the Coasts of Italy he found two Colonies deserted the one in the upper Sea which was Sipontum and the other in the lower Sea called Buxentum there were three persons chosen by T. Maenius the City Praetor pursuant to an order of Senate to carry Planters thither whose names were L. Scribonius Libo M. Tuccius and Cn. Babius Tamphilus The War that was at hand with King Perseus and the Macedonians did not proceed from those causes that many people imagine nor from Perseus himself but was set on foot by Philip. For he himself if he had lived would have carry'd on that War One thing troubled him most of all when he had conditions imposed upon after he was conquer'd that the Senate had taken away from him the power of punishing those Macedonians who had revolted from him in the War though seeing Quintius had left out that whole matter in the terms of the Peace he had not despaired of obtaining that freedom Then when Antiochus was conquer'd at Thermopylae and they had shar'd the manage of the War between them so that at the same time Acilius attack'd Heracica and Philip Lamia when Heraclea was taken for that he was order'd to march off from the Walls of Lamia and the Town was surrender'd to the Romans he took that ill But the Consul asswaged his Anger in
a Lyer but even a mad man too But soon after when several came one after another and told the same story at last they believ'd it And before they were well assur'd that he was come near the City they all flock'd out to see the show Freemen and Slaves Women and Children Whereupon the crowd fill'd up the Gate whilst each particular person unless he were convinced by his own Eyes thought he could not be sufficiently assured of so great a thing They therefore that brought Philopoemen could hardly get in at the Gate for the throng of people that came out to meet them besides that a numerous multitude had blockt up the rest of the way By this means the greatest part of them being debar'd from the sight of him they got into a Theatre which stood by the rodes side and all with one Voice desired that he might be brought thither for the people to look upon But the Magistrates and Nobility fearing lest their compassion for so great a man when he was before them should cause any tumult for some of them probably would be moved by their respect to his former grandeur compar'd with his present condition and others by their remembrance of his extraordinary merits they set him in view at a good distance but immediately took him away out of their sight since the Praetor Dinocrates said that the Magistrates had a mind to ask him some questions about the great occasion of the War Then having brought him into the Court and called a Senate they began to advise By this time it was toward Evening e'r they had resolv'd not only upon other matters but where they might keep him safe the next night For they were amazed at the greatness of his former condition and courage so that they neither durst take him home with them nor entrust any single person with the custody of him But by and by some of them put the rest in mind that there was a publick Treasury under ground which was wall'd about with square stone Into that therefore he was bound and put and a great stone wherewith it was cover'd by the help of an Engine laid upon it Thus they thinking it more secure to trust to a place than to any man to keep him expected till the next Morning The day following the whole multitude remembring his former merits toward their City were of opinion that they ought to spare him and through him to seek out remedies for their present misfortunes though the Authors of the revolt in whose hands the Common-Wealth was did all in secret contrive his Death but whether they should hasten or defer it was the question At last those who were most desirous to have him punish'd prevail'd and there was a person sent to carry him poyson When he took the Cup they say he spoke no other words but only ask'd Whether Lycortas who was the other General of the Achaeans and the Horsemen escaped safe To which when it was answer'd Yes that he said 'T is very well and thereupon drinking off the Cup without any fear at all not long after expired Nor was their joy for his death of any long continuance to the Authors of that Cruelty For Messene being overcome in the War deliver'd up the Criminals at the request of the Achaeans and restored Philopoemens bones too who was buried by the whole Achaean Council and had so many humane honours by them confer'd upon him that they could hardly abstain for paying him divine ones By Writers both Greeks and Latines there is so much attributed to this man that by some of them it is set down as a signal remark upon this Year That three famous Generals deceased that Year Philopoemen Annibal and P. Scipio so equal did they make him to the greatest Generals of the two most puissant Nations in the World Mean while T. Quintius Flaminius came Embassadour to King Prusias whom the Romans suspected not only for having entertain'd Annibal after his flight but also for making War against Eumenes Thereupon whether because it was objected against Prusias by Flaminius that among other things there was a man in his Court who was of all men living the greatest Enemy to the Romans and had advised his own Country first and next when they were subdu'd King Antiochus to wage a War against the Roman people or because Prusias himself to gratifie Flaminius who was there present and the Romans resolv'd of himself to kill or deliver him up into his power upon the first interview with Flaminius there were Souldiers immediately sent to guard Annibals House Annibal had always had in his mind the prospect of such an end in that he not only saw the inexpiable hatred of the Romans to him but also that he ought not to put any confidence in those Kings besides that he had particular experience of Prusias's levity He likewise was much concern'd at the arrival of Flaminius as though it was like to be fatal to him Now that he might always have some way to escape when ever he should be set round with danger he had made seven wayes to go out of his House and some of them private too lest they might be stopped up by a guard But the severe commands of Kings make every thing discoverable that they have a mind to find out For they surrounded the whole House with guards so that no body could get out Annibal therefore when he was told that the Kings Souldiers were in his Porch endeavour'd to make his escape at a back Door which was out of the way and the most private out-let but finding that too block'd up by a Company of Souldiers and that all the House was environ'd quite round with Guards he call'd for that Poyson which he had long before prepared for such an occasion Let us free said he the Roman People from their tedious care since they think it long to expect the death of an old Man Flaminius will gain no great or memorable Victory over a person disarm'd and betray'd How much the Roman people are alter'd in their carriage even this day is a sufficient argument Their Fathers gave King Pyrrhus who was their Enemy in Arms and with an Army in Italy warning to take care of Poyson but they have now sent a Consular Embassadour to perswade King Prusias basely to murder his Guest and Friend With that having sent some Curses upon the Head and Kingdom of Prusias he invoked the Gods of Hospitality as Witnesses of his violated Faith and so drank up the Bowl Thus dy'd Annibal Polybius and Rutilius say that Scipio dy'd this Year though I agree not either with them or Valerius not with them because I find L. Valerius who was Censor with M. Porcius in the time of their Censorship chosen President of the Senate though Africanus had been so for two Surveys last past who whilst he lived unless he were put out of the Senate which is a remark that no body has ever made
Though he himself ever since I came back from Rome hath plotted against me in private Cabals with his Accomplices day and night yet he fixes upon me the character not only of an Assassinate but of barefaced Robber and Murderer He affrights you with his own danger that he may hasten the destruction of his innocent Brother by your means He sayes he hath no place of refuge in all the World that I may not have any hopes left even with you He loads me who am circumvented alone and helpless with the Envy of foreign favour which is more a disadvantage than a kindness to me And how maliciously does he bring that in when he mingles the action of this night with an invective against the rest of my life that he might not only make you suspect this business of which you shall know the truth by the other tenour of my life but also might support that vain accusation touching my hopes inclinations and designs by this nocturnal feigned and contrived argument He likewise studied to make the accusation appear sudden and unpremeditated as though it had arisen from this nights unexpected fear and tumult But Perseus you ought if I had been a Traytor to my Father and the Kingdom if I had enter'd into Conspiracies with the Romans or any others who were my Fathers Enemies not to have expected the story of this night but accused me of Treason before this time but if that distinct from this had been a vain accusation and would have shew'd your Envy against me more than my crime you ought even now to have omitted it or deferr'd it to another time that the World might see whether I had laid wait for you or you for me by a new and peculiar sort for malice Yet I as well as I can in this sudden disorder will separate what you have confounded and will discover the design of this night to be either yours or mine He would have you believe that I had a design to kill him that so when my Elder Brother was taken off who by the Law of Nations the custom of Macedonia and according to your judgment as he says is to have the Crown I the younger might succeed into his place whom I had murder'd What then is the meaning of that other part of his Oration in which he sayes that I court the Romans and that in confidence of them I am put into some hopes of the Kingdom For if I believ'd that the Romans were so powerful that they could make whom they pleas'd King of Macedonia and trusted so much in the favour that they had for me what need was there to kill my Brother Was it that I might wear a Diadem embrued in my Brothers blood That I might be execrable and hateful to those very men of whom by my real or at least my counterfeit probity I have gain'd so much good will if any peradventure they have for me unless you believe that T. Quintius by whose instigation and advice you say I am now govern'd though he himself live in so much amity with his own Brother advised me to murder mine He also hath collected not only the kindness of the Romans but the judgments of the Macedonians with the consent of almost all the Gods and Men whereby to make it credible that he shall not be equal to me in the contest and yet as though I were weaker than him in all other things pretends that I fled to the last refuge of wickedness Would you have this to be the conclusion of the case that which of us two was afraid lest the other should seem more worthy of the Kingdom he should be thought to have had a design to kill his Brother But let us pursue by all means the order of this contrived accusation He sayes that he hath been aimed at several wayes and hath brought all those methods of destruction into the compass of one day I design'd to kill him in the day time after the Lustration when we engaged and that forsooth on the Lustration day I design'd when I invited him to Supper as he 's pleas'd to tell you to poyson him I design'd when I came to be merry with him and had some men following me with Swords to murder him You see what seasons I chose to commit Parricidy in times of sport feasting and merriment What day What sort of a day Why that whereon the Army was survey'd and purified whereon the Royal Arms of all the Macedonian Kings that ever were being carry'd before us between the divided Victim we two alone by their sides Father march'd before and an Army of Macedonians follow'd us When I was purified and expiated by this Sacrifice though I had done that before which deserv'd to be atoned for yet even at that time especially when I saw the Victim lye near the way where we march'd was meditating upon that Parricidy that Poyson and those Swords which were prepared against that Feast Pray with what other holy rites should I afterward have purg'd my mind which was so contaminated with all sorts of wickedness But his Soul being blinded by a desire to accuse me right or wrong whilst he would render all things suspicious confounds one thing with another For if I design'd to take you off at Supper by Poyson what was less convenient than by a resolute Engagement in the Field to make you angry so that you might justly refuse to come to Supper as you did though invited Now since you in anger deny'd me was it my best way to endeavour to appease you that I might have another opportunity seeing I had once prepared the Poyson or was it better to quit that design for another to kill you with a Sworâ— and even that day too under pretence of making merry with you But why if I thought you avoided my Supper for fear of death did I not suppose you would avoid my Entertainment or Banquet after upon account of the same fear I am not ashamed Father to own it if I did take a dose of Wine more than ordinary among my Companions upon such an holy day as that was but I desire you also to inquire with what mirth with what sport the Feast was yesterday kept at my House to which that joy which you perhaps may think amiss of made some addition that in the youthful conflict with Arms our side had not the worst on 't This misfortune and fear of my life soon dispelled the strength of the Wine which if they had not intervened our Assassinates would have been all drunk and asleep If I had been to have storm'd thy House and when I had taken that to have kill'd the Master of it would I not have refrained from Wine for one day Would I not have kept my Souldiers from it But lest I only should defend my self with too much simplicity my good Brother also who is not at all suspicious tell you I know nothing else nor argue any thing save
their Bridles ran to and fro to the great slaughter of the Enemy and broke through all their spears The wedge being dissipated in which lay all their hopes the Celtiberians trembled and being ready to quit the fight lookt about which way to make their escape The Alary Horse too when they saw so memorable an exploit done by the Roman Horse were themselves inflamed by their valour and without any word of command rode in among the disorder'd Enemies With that all the Celtiberians were put to flight and the Roman General seeing the Enemy run away vow'd to build a Temple to Fortuna Equestris and to make Games in honour of the Good and Great Jupiter so the Celtiberians were scatter'd and slain over all the Wood. 'T is said there were seventeen thousand of the Enemies slain that day above three thousand taken with two hundred seventy seven military Ensigns and Horses near eleven hundred That day the conquering Army lodg'd in no Camp But yet this Victory was not gain'd without the loss of Souldiers for of the Romans there were slain four hundred seventy two and of the Latine Allies a thousand and nineteen with whom there also fell of Auxiliaries three thousand By this means the conquering Army having regain'd their former honour was led to Tarracon Tib. Sempronius the Praetor who came thither two days before went out to meet Fulvius at his arrival and congratulated his good management of the publick affairs Whereupon they agreed unanimously as to the Souldiers whom to disband and whom to keep still upon duty Then Fulvius when he had shipped the Souldiers that were dismiss'd went to Rome and Sempronius carry'd the Legions into Celtiberia whilst both the Consuls led their Armies into Liguria two several wayes Postumius with the first and the third Legion beset two Mountains called Balista and Suismontium keeping the narrow passes of those places so close that he hinder'd them from getting any provisions and subdu'd them by meer want of all necessaries Fulvius having with the second and fourth Legion attack'd the Apuan Ligurians from Pisae received the surrender of all of them that dwelt upon the River Macra and putting seven thousand of them on Board certain Ships that he had provided sent them over to Naples along the Coast of the Tuscane Sea from whence they were brought into Samnium and a place assigned them to inhabit among the Natives of that Country In the mean time A. Postumius cut down the Vines and burnt the Corn belonging to the Ligurians that lived upon the Mountains till they were forced by the misfortunes of War to submit and surrender their Arms. From thence Postumius departed and put to Sea to visit the Coast of the Ingurian Ligurians and Intermelians But before these Consuls arrived at the Army which was appointed to Rendezvous at Pisae A. Postumius and M. Fulvius Nobilior Brother to Q. Fulvius were Commanders of it Fulvius was a Tribune military in the second Legion who during his months wherein he was to command disbanded that Legion engaging the Centurions upon Oath to return the money designed for their pay into the Roman Treasury to the Questors Which when Postumius heard of at Placentia for thither as it happen'd he was then gone he pursu'd those disbanded men with some of his nimblest Horse and brought as many of them as he could overtake after he had rebuked them back to Pisa Concerning the rest he sent word to the Consul who upon his proposal of the case got an Order of Senate made that M. Fulvius should be banish'd into Spain beyond new Carthage besides that Letters were given him by the Consul to carry to P. Manlius in the farther Spain The Souldiers were order'd to repair back to their Colours and for a mark of disgrace to them it was decreed that they should have but six months pay for that year and that every Souldier who did not return to the Army should be sold by the Consul he and all he had The same year L. Duronius who was come out of Illyricum where he had been Praetor the year before to Brundusium leaving his Ships there in Harbour came to Rome and there discoursing of the exploits that he had done very confidently laid the blame of all the Piracy that was practis'd upon the Sea-Coast to the charge of Gentius King of the Illyrians saying That all the Ships that pillaged the Coast of the upper Sea came out of his Kingdom Concerning which affair he had sent Embassadours to the King but they could never have the liberty of speaking with the King Now at the same time there were Embassadours come from Gentius to Rome who said that at that time when the Roman Embassadours would have had admittance to the King he was sick in the farthest parts of his Kingdom And therefore that Gentius begg'd of the Senate that they would not believe those false accusations which his Enemies had forged against him But Duronius added farther that several persons both Citizens of Rome and Latine Allies had receiv'd great abuses in his Kingdom as also that by report some Roman Citizens were detained at Corcyra Thereupon it was by the Senate thought fit that they should all be brought to Rome where C. Claudius the Praetor should be judge of the case and that till then Answer should be given to King Gentius or his Embassadours Among many others who dy'd this year of the Plague there were several Priests also taken off of whom L. Valerius Flaccus the High-Priest was one into whose place they chose Q. Fabius Labeo and P. Manlius who was lately come back out of the farther Spain Triumvir in the ordering of the sacred Feasts in whose room they Elected Q. Fulvius Son to Marcus being then under seventeen years of Age. Concerning the choice of a King of the Sacrificers into the place of C. Cornelius Dolabella there was a Contest between C. Servilius the Arch-Priest and Cornelius Dolabella Duumvir of the Navy whom the High Priest commanded to lay down that Office that he might instal him in the other But he refused it and for that reason the Priest set a Fine upon him upon which Dolabella appealed and argu'd the case before the people When many of the Tribes being called in voted that the Duumvir ought to be obedient to the High-Priest and that the Fine should be remitted if he laid down his Office at last it thunder'd and that broke up the Assembly Then the Priests thought it a sin to inaugurate Dolabella but inaugurated P. Claelius Siculus who had been install'd in the second place At the end of this year C. Servilius Geminus the High Priest himself also deceas'd who was one of the Decemviri appointed to oversee the holy rites and in his place of Priest the College of Priests chose Q Fulvius Flaccus But M. Aemilius Lepidus was chosen to be High-Priest though many great men stood for that office and Q. Marcius Philippus was made Decemvir of the holy rites
much sharper than could well be expected where there were so few to make resistance nor was it ended before the Tribune and those that were about him were all slain Having thrown down the Generals Tent and all that were about it which they also rifled they went to the Market Place before the Questor or Treasurers Tent and into the street call'd Quintana which was between the great Officers Quarters and those of the common Soldiers where they met with great plenty of all things ready to their hands and within the Questors Tent Tables spread Thereupon the petit King immediately sate down and fell to eating and so by his example soon after did all the rest as if they had forgot they had either Arms or Enemies glutting themselves with Wine and Meat like People that had never been used to eat or drink at such a liberal rate The Romans at that time were in a quite different condition for they were consternated both by Land and Sea the Sailers pull'd down their Tents carryed the Provisions that lay upon the Shore as fast as possible into the Ships and the Soldiers who were all terrifyed ran to the Sea side to get into the Boats in all hast The Mariners for fear their Vessels should be overladen some of them stopp'd the crowd whilst others put off with their Ships to Sea insomuch that the Soldiers and Sea-men fell together by the Ears wounded and kill'd one another till by the Consuls order the Fleet was removed a great way from the Land After that he began to separate the unarm'd from the arm'd of all which there were scarce twelve Thousand found that had Arms and very few Horse men that had brought their Horses thither with them the rest being a rascally sort of People as scullions snapsack-boys and the like who were like to be only a prey to the Enemy if they once bethought themselves of the War But then at last came a Messenger to recal the third Legion and the Gallick Garrison whereupon they began from all parts to attempt the recovery of their Camp and clear themselves from that dishonour which then lay upon them The Tribunes Military of the third Legion Commanded the Soldiers to throw down their forage and fewel and charged the Centurions to mount the elder Men two and two upon the Beasts which they had unloaded bidding the Horse-men to take up behind them each one a lusty young Foot-Soldier and telling them withal what a mighty honour it would be to the third Legion to recover by their valour that Camp which the second Legion by their fear had lost For it was no hard task they said to regain it if the Barbarians who were imploy'd in plundering of it were but surpris'd and taken as they took them This exhortation of his was heard with the greatest alacrity that could be among the Soldiers Whereupon they presently carried forth the Ensigns in all hast but the Soldiers staid not for the Ensign-bearers though the Consul and the Forces that were brought back from the Sea came first to the Bulwark L. Atius the Eldest Tribune of the second Legion did not only exhort the Souldiers but also demonstrated to them that if the Istrians who were now Victorious had ever intended to keep the Camp with the same Arms wherewith they took it they would first have pursu'd their Enemy whom they had forced out of it and then have set good guards at least before the Bulwark but it was likely enough that they were all now drown'd in Wine and sleep With that he commanded A. Baculonius his own Ensign Bearer a person of known Courage to carry forward his Ensign To which he reply'd that if they would follow him he 'd so order the matter that the business should be done so much the sooner and thereupon with all his strength having flung the Ensign over the Bulwark he was the first man of all that enter'd in at the Camp Gate On the other side T. and C. Aelius Tribunes of the third Legion were come up with their Horse being presently follow'd by those whom they had put two and two upon the labouring Beasts for Carriage and after them by the Consul also with his whole Army But some few of the Istrians who were not quite drunk had wit enough to run away by times whilst others of them were kill'd as they lay asleep and the Romans recover'd all their goods again except only the Wine and Meat that was devoured The Roman Souldiers also who being sick were left behind in the Camp when they perceived that their own party was come within the Bulwark took up their Arms again and made a great slaughter But above all the rest one C. Popilius surnamed Sabellus behaved himself after a signal manner for he who was left in the Camp as having a wound in his Foot slew far the greatest of the Enemies of whom there were eight thousand Istrians kill'd but not a man taken for that their fury and indignation had made the Roman Souldiers unmindful of the booty Yet the King of the Istrians was taken in hast drunk from the Table and being by his own men set on Horseback made his escape On the Conquerors side there fell two hundred thirty seven Souldiers but more in their morning flight than in recovering their Camp Now it so fell out that Cn. and L. both surnamed Gavillius new Inhabitants of Aquileia as they came thither with provisions had like to have fallen into the hands of the Istrians whilst they had possession of the Camp They therefore leaving all their Carriages behind them and flying back to Aquileia fill'd all people not only at Aquileia but at Rome too with fear and tumult within some few days after there having been a report brought thither that the Enemies had not only forced the Camp and that the Romans were run away which was true but that they had lost all and the whole Army was utterly destroy'd Wherefore as is usual in such an hurry there were extraordinary Levies appointed to be made not only in the City but through all Italy too There were two Legions raised of Roman Citizens besides that the Latine Allies were injoin'd to send out ten thousand Foot and three hundred Horse M. Junius the Consul had Orders to go over into Gaul and muster up out of the Cities of that Province as many as each place could afford It was likewise decreed That Tib. Claudius the Praetor should give notice to the Souldiers of the fourth Legions with five thousand Foot and two hundred and fifty Horse of the Latine Allies to rendezvous at Pisae and that in the Consuls absence he should defend that Province as also that M. Titinius the Praetor should appoint a day whereon the first Legion and an equal number of Foot and Horse should meet at Ariminum Then Nero set forth in his Warlike Garb for Pisae his Province and Titinius having sent C. Cassius a Tribune military to Ariminum
was fought in Macedonia The next day there was a Senate held in the Senate House supplications decreed and an Order of Senate made That the Consul should dismiss all them that he had listed under him except the ordinary Souldiers and the Seamen and that the disbanding of them should be deferr'd till the Embassadours came from L. Aemilius the Consul who had sent the Letter-Carrier before them Upon the 26th of October about the second hour the Embassadours enter'd the City and drawing along with them a vast crowd of people that met and follow'd them where ever they went they walked strait on into the Forum up to the Tribunal The Senate was then by chance sitting and therefore the Consul brought the Embassadours into them Where they were detain'd so long as to declare what quantity of Foot and Horse the King had how many thousands of them were slain and how many taken with what a small loss of men so many Enemies were destroy'd with how few the King escaped that it was thought he would go to Samothrace and that the Fleet was ready to pursue him That he could not get away either by Sea or Land They said these very words a little after when they were brought into the publick Assembly where the peoples joy being renew'd after the Consul had set forth an Edict that all the Temples should be open'd every man in particular went out of the Assembly to give the Gods thanks and by that means the Temples of the immortal Gods all over the City were fill'd with a vast multitude not only of men but of Women too The Senate being called again into the Senate-House decreed that supplications should be made five dayes together in all the Temples about the City upon the score of L. Aemilius the Consuls great and good success and that Sacrifice should be made with the bigger sort of Victims That the Ships that stood ready and were just fit for service upon the Tiber should be taken up to be sent into Macedonia if the King could make any resistance and put into the Docks that the Seamen should have a years pay given them and be dismiss'd and with them all that had sworn to be true to the Consul as also that all the Souldiers at Corcyra Brundusium upon the upper Sea or in the Larinian Territories for in all those places there had been Forces posted with whom if occasion had been C. Licinius was to have assisted his Collegue should be disbanded The supplication was appointed in the Assembly of the people to begin upon the tenth of October and with that day to continue five dayes Two Embassadors viz. C. Licinius Nerva and P. Decius out of Illyricum came and brought word That the Illyrian Army was slain that their King Gentius was taken and that he and all Illyricum were now at the disposal of the Romans Upon the account of those performances under the Conduct and lucky success of L. Anicius the Praetor the Senate decreed a supplication for three days as the Latine Holy-Days were appointed by the Consul to be celebrated on the three days immediately preceding the Ides i. e. the 13th of November Some say That the Rhodian Embassadours being not as yet dismiss'd after the news of the Victory were called into the Senate to be jeered and laugh'd at for their foolish pride and that there Agesipolis the chief of them spoke to this purpose saying That they were sent Embassadours from the Rhodians to make Peace between the Romans and Perseus seeing that War was grievous and incommodious to all Greece in general yea a charge and a dammage even to the Romans themselves That Fortune had done very well in that the War being ended by other means she had given them an opportunity of congratulating with the Romans upon the score of so great a Victory Thus said the Rhodian to which the Senate reply'd That the Rhodians sent that Embassy not out of any care they took of the advantages of Greece or any respect to the charges which the Roman People had been at but on the behalf of Perseus For if that had been their care which they pretended they ought then to have sent Embassadours when Perseus having brought an Army into Thessaly besieged the Grecian Cities some of them for two years together and frighted the rest by threatning to make War against them That then there was no mention made by the Rhodians of a Peace but when they heard that the Romans having passed the Streights were got over into Macedonia and that Perseus was within their reach that then the Rhodians sent their Embassy for no other reason but to deliver Perseus out of imminent danger That with this Answer the Embassadours were dismiss'd At the same time M. Marcellus departing out of the Province of Spain after he had taken the famous City of Marcolica brought back into the Treasury ten pound weight of Gold and of Silver in Sesterces a Million In the mean time P. Aemilius the Consul being Encamped as I told you before at Sirae in Odomanticae received a Letter from King Perseus by the hands of three Embassadours who were but ordinary men upon the receit of which he is said to have wept to think of the frailty of mankind that he who a little before was not content with the Kingdom of Macedonia but attacked the Dardans and Illyrians calling in Auxiliaries from the Bastarnae should now since he had lost his Army be banish'd his Kingdom forced into a small Island and like a suppliant be protected by the religious respect born to a Temple only and not by his own strength But when he read these words King Perseus to Consul Paulus sendeth greeting his compassion was all taken off by the folly of the King who understood not his own circumstances Wherefore though in the other part of the Letter the intreaties of Perseus were such as did in no wise become a King yet that Embassy was dismiss'd without any Letter or Answer Perseus thereupon grew sensible what title he a conquer'd Prince ought to have left out and therefore sent another Letter with the title of a private person in which he desired and obtained that certain persons might be sent to him for him to discourse with concerning the state and condition of his present Fortune There were three Embassadours sent whose names were P. Lentulus A. Posthumius Albinus and A. Antonius but nothing was concluded of in that Embassy since Perseus was resolved to retain the Name of King and Paulus was very earnest to have him commit himself and all that he had to the protection and mercy of the Roman People Whilst these things were transacted Cn. Octavius with his Fleet arrived at Samothraca who endeavouring besides the present fright which he put him into sometimes with threats and sometimes with hopes to perswade him that he would deliver himself up was assisted in his undertaking whether by accident or design is not well known For L.
Atilius a noble youth observing that the Samothracians were at a publick Assembly desir'd of the Magistratâ—s that they would permit him to speak some few words to the people Which being permitted he ask'd them Have we my good Friends of Samothrace or truly or falsly been told that this holy Island is all a sacred and inviolable soil Whereupon when all the Company agreed to the acknowledg'd sanctity of the place he demanded farther Why then said he hath a murderer polluted it with the blood of King Eumenes And since every Preface or the solemn words before the performance of holy rites forbids all those who have not pure hands to come into the sacred place where such religious duties are perform'd will you suffer your Temples to be prophaned with the bloody body of a Villain Now there was a common report about all the Cities of Greece that Evander almost kill'd King Eumenes at Delphi Wherefore besides that they saw themselves and the whole Island together with the Temple in the power of the Romans supposing that these things were not objected against them without cause sent Theondas who was the chief Magistrate among them by them stiled Rex i. e. King to Perseus to tell him That Evander the Cretan was accused of murder and that they had old Laws which they received by tradition from their Ancestors concerning those that were said to bring polluted hands within the sacred limits of their Temples If Evander were confident of his own innocency that he should coâ—e and make his defence but if he durst not venture a Tryal that he should at least no longer defile the Temple but consult his own safety Perseus calling forth Evander told him He would not by any means advise him to submit to a tryal for he could not come off either upon the very case it self or by any favour he would meet with Besides that he was also afraid lest if Evander were condemned he would detect him for the author of so horrid an action Wherefore what had he to do but bravely to die Evander openly refused nothing that he proposed but saying that he had rather die by poyson than by the Sword privately contrived his escape Which when the King heard he fearing lest the anger of the Samothracians might be turn'd all against him as though the guilty person had been by him convey'd from Justice caused Evander to be kill'd Which rash murder being committed it came immediately into his mind that he had taken that stain upon himself which had been Evanders for Evander had wounded King Eumenes at Delphi and he himself had kill'd Evander at Samothrace so that two the most sacred Temples in the World were by his instigation polluted with humane blood But this crime was so far palliated by his bribing Theondas that he carry'd word back to the People that Evander kill'd himself But by this base act against the only Friend which he had lâ—ft whom he himself had tried upon so many occasions and betray'd because he would not be a Traytor he so far alienated the affections of all people that every body revolted to the Romans and forced him who was left almost alone to consult how to make his escape and therefore he sent for Oroandes a Cretan who knew the Coast of Thrace because he had traded there as a Merchant to put him on board a Bark and carry him to Cotys There is a Port at a certain Cape belonging to Samothrace where the Bark stood To which place about Sun-setting they carry'd down all things that were necessary and money too as much as they could privately convey The King himself at midnight with three others that knew of his flight went out at the back Door of the House where he lay into a Garden near his Bed-Chamber and from thence getting with much ado over a stone Wall came to the Sea-side Oroandes at that very time when the money was coming down which was the edge of night had set Sail and was going for Crete Wherefore since he found not the Ship in the Port Perseus having wander'd for some time upon the shore at last fearing the light which now approach'd and not daring to return to his Lodging lay in one side of the Temple near an obscure Corner thereof The Children of Noblemen among the Macedonians who were chosen to attend upon the King were called Pueri Regii the Kings Attendants Now that Retinue follow'd the King in his slight nor did they even then forsake him till by order from Cn. Octavius the Cryer made Proclamation that the Kings Servants and all other Macedonians that were in Samothrace if they would come over to the Romans should save their Lives Liberties and Estates which they either had with them there or had left in Macedonia Upon which Declaration they all came over and gave in their names to C. Postumius Tribune of the Souldiers Ion also of Thessalonica deliver'd up to Cn. Octavius the Kings small Children nor was there ever an one of them lest with the King except Philip only who was the eldest of his Sons Then he surrender'd himself and his Son to Octavius accusing fortune and the Gods in whose Temple they were for not assisting one that pray'd to them for it with any aid Whereupon he was order'd to be put into the Admirals Ship whereinto the money which remained was also carry'd and so the Fleet set Sail immediately for Amphipolis And thence Octavius sent the King into the Camp to the Consul having sent a Letter before-hand to let him know that he had him in his custody and was a bringing him thither to him Paulus supposing that to be as it really was an happy Victory kill'd several Victims upon the news of it and having called a Council in which he read the Praetors Letter sent Q. Aelius Tubero to meet the King commanding the rest to stay in a full body at his Tent. There never was such a multitude of people at any show as came to see this sight King Syphax indeed in the memory of our Fathers had been taken and brought into the Roman Camp who besides that he was not to be compared with Perseus either upon the score of his own Fame or that of his Country was then also no more than an addition to the Punick as Gentius of the Macedonian War But Perseus was the head and first mover of a War nor did the renown of his Father and Grand-Father only whose Descendant he was render him conspicuous but Philip also and Great Alexander shone brightly forth who had made the Macedonian Empire the chiefest in the whole World Perseus came into the Camp in a mourning Garb without any body else to Accompany him and make him more miserable by being in the same sad condition He could not go forward to be seen for the crowd of those that came to meet him till the Consul had sent the Lictors to remove the people and make a Lane to the Generals