that it now grew late he desired they would let them go out to wash The Persian Ambassadors killed and make themselves ready which done they should come again They assenting he dressed so many bare-faced young men in women's Clothes who being brought in when the Persians began to dally with them according to his command stabbed them with Daggers hid under their Clothes for that purpose Megabyzus hearing nothing of his Messengers sent one Prubares a Persian down with an Army to make diligent search after them but him Alexander easily took off by giving him his sister Gygaea in marriage with whom he had falln in love so that he suffering the matter to rest in silence no farther inquiry was made after it 14. The year following being the 16th of his reign Darius sent as Successor to Megabyzus Otanes the son of Sisamnes who took in the Cities Chalcedon Byzantium and Antander with the Islands Lemnos and Imber He himself was now returned to Susa whither he carried along with him Histiaeus Histiaeus who stood so much his friend at the Bridge of Ister Histiaeus having begun to build a Citie of his own in Thrace Darius out of colour of doing him honour and using his advice in his most important affairs drew him away from it knowing his great abilities and fearing his restlesse spirit There he continued for some years till not being able to hear so much talk of Empire and rule wherein he himself had no share he much preferred his antient Dominion though but over one Citie before this Real though plausible imprisonment and therefore sought how he might kindle a fire in Ionia that for his interest in that Countrey he might obtain to be sent thither to quench it and so with his liberty get some notable advantage for a great atchievement It hapned that his endeavours did but tend to the blowing up of that spark which was already kindled without his knowledge in Aristagoras his son in Law The occasion of the Ionian Rebellion who Governed Miletus in his absence The first rise was occasioned by the inhabitants of the Island Naxos who having banished some of their principal Citizens the Exiles fled to Anaxagoras for protection and succour He knowing not well of himself how to restore them Herod l. 5. c. 30. c. sent to Artaphernes the brother of Darius and his Lieutenant of Ionia then resident at Sardis proposing the Conquest of that Island to him and offering to subdue both it and all the rest of the Cyclades to the obedience of the Persian Empire Artaphernes acquainted the King with the businesse and he approving of it he lent him 200 ships under the conduct of Megabates his Kinsman A.M. 3500. Olyp 68. An. 4. V.C. 249. Daii 17. They sayled together towards Naxos and it hapned in the way that Megabates harshly used one of Aristagoras his followers for which he sharply rebuked him as having no authority to punish those under his command This the Persian took so hainously that he gave intelligence underhand to the Naxians of their coming who being forewarned were forearmed so that no good could Anristagoras do but spending his time to no purpose was forced at length to raise his siege For this fruitlesse attempt feating disgrace or worse from the Persians that he might prevent it he studied how to revolt and draw the Ionians into Rebellion 15. While he consulted with himself a Message came from Histians Idem c. 35. Polyanus lib. 1. who because the wayes were so watched that he could send no Letters shaved close the head of his trusty Slave and thereon with an hot iron ingraved such marks as served to make out his sence and after his hair was grown sent him to Miletus Aristagoras shaving his head again as he was commanded which was all the message that the slave carried by word of mouth presently and gladly apprehended the matter viz. that he should excite the Ionians to rebell Going now more cheerfully about his work that the Milesians might more readily receive the motion he restored them to a shew of liberty and to oblige the rest of the Cities by one means or other abdicated the power of their petty Princes or Tyrants as they were called But knowing how little able this strength would be to graple with the whole power of Asia which presently would be upon them he sayled to Lacedamon there to desire assistance from Cleomenes the King who refusing to intermeddle he thence went to Athens where as before he laid open the riches of Asia with the imbecillity of the Persians the present masters thereof and added that the Milesians as a Colony of the Athenians might justly expect relief from their hands 16. The conjuncture of affairs at present were such at Athens as he could not have had a more convenient opportunity Herodot l. 5. c. 96 97 98. It hapned that Hippias the son of Pisistratus being expelled from Athens had withdrawn himself to Sardis where he laboured with his whole might to make the Athenians odious to Artaphernes and bring the Citie into the command of Darius that so it might return to his own Dominion They sent their Ambassadors after him praying Artaphernes that he would give no credit to their Exiles but he urging them that if they meant to secure themselves they would receive Hippias they chose rather to become Enemies to the Persian and therefore compiled with the motion of Aristagoras The Athenians assist the Ionians They agreed to send out 20 ships under the command of Melanthius a man of principal note amongst them with which the Eretrians out of way of requital for aid formerly received from the Ionians joyned other 5. This was the beginning of those many evils which afterwards fell both upon the Greeks and Barbarians and of such Wars as ended not till in the destruction of the Persian Empire It fell out in the 19th year of Darius the second of the 69 Olympiad 501 before the Aera of Christ A.M. 3502. Aristagoras taketh Sardis 17. Aristagoras with this force went against Sardis which he easily took all but the Castle wherein Artaphernes secured himself A fire prevented the plundering of the Citie which was all turned into ashes by the means of a Souldier's burning one particular house The confusion being great Capp 99. c. the Persians and Lydians met together in the Market-place through which ran the River Pactolus having Golden Sands and imbodying themselves prepared to charge the Enemy which when the Gracians perceived they fled for fear to the Mountain Tmolus and thence to their ships lying at Coresus in the Territories of Ephesus Defeated in his retreat The Persians in the pursute slew a great part of them amongst whom fell Eualcides Captain of the Eretrians so much celebrated by Simonides the Ceian Poet and other eminent men those that escaped dispersed themselves through the Cities Aristagoras could not by any means
purchased the favour of the poorer sort by dividing unto them man by man that portion of Land which the two former Kings had kept to bear their charges saying that his own inheritance would suffice for his own expences Lest these should want room he took in the Hill Caelius where such as wanted habitation and now had gotten grounds built them houses and he also dwelt himself He was not onely of a different temper from Numa but as Livie describeth him more fiery than Romulus being as well moved by his proper inclination as the glory of his Grand-father so that he sought and greedily imbraced all occasions for War It was not long ere one was presented from the Albans who made depredations in the Roman Territories His War with the Albans and were again robbed by the Romans At that time Caius Cluilius Governed Alba who envying the growth of Rome sought to stir up division and raise War betwixt the two Cities Dionysius writeth that for this end he privately procured some to prey upon the Romans knowing they would revenge the injury and when they did so upon such as they could take he perswaded the Albans that they had received a great affront and excited them to take up Arms. 18. Ambassadors were sent to Rome to demand restitution Dionysius l. 3. Livius l. 1. and such as had been Authors of the injury to be given up into their hands This Hostilius being aware of and knowing that they who first refused to make satisfaction would bear the Odium of the War caused some of his friends kindly to entertain the Ambassadors pretending he was by necessary occasions hindred from giving them audience till he first sent some of his own to Alba to demand restitution They received a sharp repulse from Cluilius whereof Hostilius having notice then gave audience to the Albans told them how those that he sent had already received such an answer as argued the league quite broken whereupon he denounced a just and necessary War against the Albans which he would carry on not onely with his domestick forces but by the aid of his other subjects and dependents Both parties then made all possible preparations and drew out their forces to a place afterwards called the Ditch of Cluilius some five miles distant from Rome When they expected suddenly to decide the quarrel Cluilius was found dead in his Tent whether by some secret practice upon himself by grief or any other means is uncertain Into his place was chosen Metius Suffetius a man of a turbulent spirit and scarce able for warlike matters but thought fit for the place because as great an incendiary as his predecessor Yet sensible of danger that hung over his head from the Fidenates who gaped after the destruction of both he drew out the War in length and fearful to lose all was inclinable to a present composure Hostilius was now also not averse to a determination of the businesse being desirous to punish the Fidenates and Veientes who formerly overcome by Romulus had submitted to the obedience of Rome and in the dayes of Numa taken occasion of his peaceable Grovernment to provide for the absolute shaking off of the yoak This time they thought to present them with a fit opportunity for gathering together at Fidenae they were ready when the Albans and Romans should in battel have weakened each other to fall upon both 19. This plot discovered wrought so upon both the Captains that they came to a conference wherein much being alleged for the justice and right of both parties at length it was agreed that three persons on each side should by combat decide the quarrel and that City whose Champions should have the better obtain preheminence and command over the other Whiles every Officer desired to be one of the three Suffetius bethought himself of two ternions of brothers that were most fit as he thought to take it upon them One Seguinius of Alba had two daughters whereof one he married to Curiatius his fellow Citizen The Horatii and Curiatii and the other to Horatus a Roman It hapened that both being with child at the same time brought forth each of them three sons at the first birth which their Parents educated as the hope of their Families to these it was that Suffetius thought the Combat concerning Principality was to be committed being of equal years strength and courage The motion was imbraced by the parties who dispensed with their private affection no whit unsuitable to their consanguinity now that the honour and welfare of their Country was concerned In the Combat two of the Horatii were slain first and the third left to deal with three adversaries spirited afresh by the great advantage they had of him but warily retreating so as he might have but one upon him at a time he slew them all and Rome in him remained Conqueror As he returned into the City he was met by his Sister that fell upon him with chiding and outragious words for imbruing his hands in the blood of his Cousin-germans whereof one was contracted to her Now elevated by his successe and transported with a certain kind of Ecstatical love to his Country he killed her in the place as one that preferring private respect before publick good was unworthy to live Hereof he was accused and Tullus neither thinking it seemly to quit or condemn him as same say created the Duumviri for capital Judgement who condemed him but if so there lying appeal from these Officers to the People the multitude granted his life to the tears of his Father who not onely took not ill his daughters death but esteemed it an heroick act and gave her an ignominious burial 20. Hostilius dealt moderately with the Albans but Metius Suffetius their Dictator or King thinking his credit much impaired by the event of the Combat sought how he might betray the Romans and wrest the power out of their hands He dealt therefore underhand with the Fidenates and Veientes who now called to account for their double-dealings brake out into open rebellion and by promise of assistance incouraged them in their enterprize And when the Romans and the other came to ingage he resolved to stand neuter till he saw wich party had the better intending then to cloze with it The Romans were discouraged to see their friends stand aloof suspecting the treachery which Tullus also apprehending gave out that it was by his order as meaning by some stratagem to surprize the Enemy upon which report the Fidenates and their companions were discouraged and at length by the Romans who resumed their courage put to the rout After the Victory he called the Albans together and laying open the treachery of Suffetius which savoured the more of Treason because he had trusted him as his inward friend and kept him three years in his place caused him to be pulled in pieces having beforehand sent Marcus Horatius to Alba who rased the City and translated the Inhabitants
boldly was dismissed with a very dissatisfactory answer at his coming in having had * Valer. Max. lib. 2. cap. 5. Exemp 5. Urine thrown upon him or one of his companions War therefore was decreed against the Tarentines and committed to the management of L. Aemilius the Consul who first indeavoured by fair means to reclaim them and when that could not do it wasted their Territories with fire and sword revenging their insolence with cruelty as Orosius writeth for which service he triumphed the year after his Consulship as appeareth out of an old inscription The Tarentines finding themselves too weak for the encounter sent to Pyrrhus King of Epirus for aid whom they had formerly assisted against the Corcyraeans They send for Pyrrhus King of Epirus Plutarch in Pyrrho The multitude were of themselves rather inclined to peace but a certain company of men by Greek Authors called Demagogi from their leading of the people would not let them rest till they had resolved upon the War whereupon they sent Ambassadors to Pyrrhus who not onely in their name but of other Italians also Presented him with gifts and signified that they stood in need of a General Eminent both for abilities and reputation Italy it self being able to furnish them with forces out of the Countreys of the Lucanians Messapians and Samnites The King being of a restlesse spirit incouraging himself in vain hopes whereby he grasped as it were the Empire of all the West promised them to come over with an Army A. M. 3725. Ol. 125. ann 1. V.C. 474. Seleucidarum 33. Antiochi Soceris 3. Ptol. Philadelph 5. and dispatched before him with 3000 men One Cineas a Thessalian an excellent Orator and Scholar of Demosthenes He afterwards took the Sea himself with twenty Elephants 3000 horse and 22 foot besides 500 Archers and Slingers but upon the Main was seized with such a Tempest that his Fleet being severed many Vessels were lost he was forced to leap out into the water and with great hazard got to Land and onely at present two Elephants a very few hors-men and about 2000 foot could be recovered from the shipwrack by the Messapians upon the Coasts of whom they were cast 10. Pyrrhus did nothing without the consent of the Tarentines till his ships and the greater part of his Army arrived Idem ibid. then taking notice how they minded nothing but bathing and feasting he shut up the publick meeting places restrained them from walking in which exercise they were wont to discourse idly concerning War and forbidding drinking and Games called them to Arms making Levies of the youth with some rigour and severity Valerius Laevinus the Consul hasting to give him battel ere the assistance of the Confederates came he drew out his Army to him but before they should joyn sent to him offering himself an Umpire betwixt the Romans and their adversaries to which Valerius answered that they neither cared for him as an Umpire nor feared him as an Enemy and taking his Spies he caused them to be led throughout the Camp and then bade them return and tell him what they had seen Eutrop. Pyrrhus pitched his Tents betwixt Pandosa and Heraclea a Town situate betwixt Tarentum and Metaponius built by the Tarentines The Romans beyond the River Siris not Liris a River of Campania as Florus and Orosius write who also draw Heraclea out of that part of Magna Graecia lying upon Siris Metapontus into Campania In the fight Pyrrhus had his horse killed under him by one Obsidius a Ferentane who was slain in the place by his followers This made him change Armour with one near to him who being made at for him and struck down his Armour was taken from off him and being carried about by the Romans in token of his death struck such a terrour into his Soldiers that it had cost him the victory but that he seasonably with some labour made himself known Whilest the victory seemed yet to be doubtfull or rather to incline toward the Romans the Elephants being brought into the battel decided the controversie Till the passing of Alexander into the East this beast had been talked of but never seen by the Europaeans nor them of Asia except the Indians and their neighbours as also the Southern Africans Homer describeth the houses of rich men to have been adorned with Ivory but as * Exemp vide in Atticis p. 11. Justin l. 18. Pausanias noteth never mentioneth the beast The Romans themselves were amazed not knowing what they were Who defeateth Laevinus the Consul by the help of his Elephants but the fault is laid upon their horses which not enduring the smell nor bignesse of the Elephants broke their Ranks which opportunity the King took and sending his horse in amongst the Romans thus disordered put them to the rout He got but a bloudy victory he himself being wounded and a great part of his men slain though of the numbers on either side Writers do not agree 11. Having taken prisoners 1800 of the Romans Eutrop. ut priùs Plutarch he used them with great civility and buried their dead whom observing to be wounded all before and to be with stern countenances he lifted up his eyes and said He could have been Master of all the world if he had had but such Soldiers Marcheth towards Rome After this having received the Auxiliaries of the Samnites Lucani and Brutii he marched towards Rome as far as Praeneste a Town 18 miles distant from the Citie wasting all with fire and sword in his passage Hearing that the Romans were busie in recruiting their Army he considered it was most creditable for him to make peace with them being he had no hopes to subdue them and for that purpose sent Cineas to feel their minds a man so powerfull in the art of Rhetorick that the King acknowledged him to have stormed more Cities by his tongue Sendeth about a peace which Appius Claudius hindereth than he had ever done by force of Arms. Cineas presented the principal Citizens and their Wives with gifts from Pyrrhus but they refused them When he had something wrought upon the Senate to make a peace and admit Pyrrhus into the Citie Appius Claudius now blind came in and by an Oration recorded by Plutarch procured the contrary The Ambassadour at his return being asked what he thought of Rome answered that the Senate seemed to him as a Council of so many Kings After Cineas his return the Romans sent to Pyrrhus about redeeming of prisoners amongst others C. Fabricius a man of great note for virtue and poverty The King being informed by Cineas concerning his disposition offered him Gold which when he refused with great resolution to try his gravity the next day as they were talking together he commanded the greatest Elephant he had to be set behind the hanging and then on a sudden the Tapestry being removed the beast held his proboscis over Fabricius his head
resolving to try the event of a Land battel The Persians suspecting the Samians disarmed them and sent the Milesians to keep the passages leading up into the Mountain As the Armies were going to meet a sudden rumour was spreadabroad through that of the Graecians that Mardonius with his forces were cut off which elevated their spirits and made them to charge with greater alacrity which was also increased for that they were now to fight at the Temple of the same Goddesse as they heard their friends had done with Mardonius in Boeotia The battel at Mycale Then charged they the Persians in a double body the Athenians with the Corinthians and others on the plain by the Sea-shore the Lacedaemonians and others joyned with them through the mountainous and precipitous places who whilest they were getting up the Athenians fell on and calling on one another to endeavour to deprive the Lacedaemonians of the honour of the victory charged the Enemy so furiously that at length they beat them back and forced them into their Camp whither also they brake in with them 66. Hereupon ensuing a bloudy fight all the rest fled except the Persians who fighting with great resolution were yet cut off and defeated upon the coming in of the Lacedaemonians and the rest Two of the Sea Captains were slain two escaped and with the rest fell Tigranes the General of the foot and of the Greeks perished not a few The Samians though disarmed and other Ionians came in and helped their friends and the Milesians set to Guard the passages of Mycale fell down upon the Persians another way and made great slaughter of them So was Ionia rent from the Persian Empire again Ionia revolteth and joyned to the Graecians After this performed by Land the Conquerours burnt all the Persian ships in the Haven and being inriched with great spoil returned to Samus It was found out afterwards that this victory at Mycale was obtained on the self same day as the other at Plaetaea in Boeotia the later in the morning and the former at evening which caused the wonder how intelligence could be given to these that fought at Mycale of the successe of their Countrey-men so far of Diodorus ad Olymp. 75. an 2. Polyaenus str l. 1. Front lib. 1. cap. 11. Exemp 7. This hapned often in following times as will be seen although some have thought that no report was brought any way to the Army of the victory of Plataea but that it was so given out on purpose as a stratagem by Leutychides to animate his Souldiers who then being wholely ignorant of any such thing he invented that which afterwards proved accordingly These two battels and victories hapned on the third or fourth day of the moneth Boedromion in the second year after the invasion of Greece by Xerxes 67. The Graecians lying at Samus fell into dispute about translating the Ionians and Aeolians out of Asia into Greece for that they could not be alwayes in a readinesse to defend them and they could not subsist of themselves Herodotus ut priùs lib. 9. cap. 105. Diodorus ut priùs and the Spartans moved that those who had revolted to the Persian should be cast out and they placed in their rooms but the Athenians fearing to be deprived of the right of their Colony which yet the Ionians acknowledging themselves might own the rest of the associates for their patrons upon such a change dashed the project Then were the Samians Chians Lesbians and others who had revolted religiously and solemnly sworn to the observation of the league and the Graecians departed towards the Hellespont to break the Bridge there which when they found broken to their hands they consulted about returning home The Athenians were for going into the Cherronesus of Thrace to recover it out of the hands of the Persians and though the Peloponnesians returned proceeding in their resolution went and besieged Sestus an Aeolian Town situate in the Chersonesus over against Abydus Before this Town they continued till the Autumn was far spent and then pined out the inhabitants who forsook the Town but were overtaken and either slain or made prisoners amongst the later sort of which was Artagetes the Governour who because he had violated the sepulchre of the Chapel of Protesilaus a great Saint in that place saw first his son stoned before his face and then was hanged by command of Xanthippus the Athenian Admiral Then returned the Navy home to Athens The Median War endeth after two years ◠and nothing was done further this year which was the second of the 75 Olympiad and the 7th of the reign of Xerxes of the World 3526. and before Christ the 477. 68. Xerxes all this while lay at Sardis and thither those few that escaped from Mycale betook themselves In the way Masistes brother to the King fell foul upon Artayntes one of the Captains of the Fleet amongst other reproachfull words telling him that he had in this behaved himself more cowardly than a woman whereupon the other drew his Dagger and had stabbed him but that one Xenagoras an Halicarnassean interposed himself whom for this saving of his brother Xerxes rewarded with the Government of Cilicia Whilest he lay still at Sardis he fell in love with the wife of Masistes but she being too honest for his adulterous intentions he married her and his brothers daughter Artaynta to his son Darius hoping to enjoy her this way which Ceremony being over he returns home leaving part of his Forces to continue the War with the Graecians In his (a) Strabo lib. 14. flight he burned all the Temples of Asia except the Ephesian out of indignation at his late bad successe and amongst the rest the Oracle of Didymean Apollo amongst the Branchidans who because they betrayed the Treasures of their God to him durst not stay behind but followed him (b) Herodotus Some say he went to Susa others to Ecbatane a (c) Diodorus third that by Babylon into Persia That in his way back from Graece he (d) Ctesias Arrianus lib. 7. Herodotus ut priùs cap. 183. Strab. lib. 16. destroyed the Temple of Belus in that Citie we also read with all the other religious places of the Babylonians taking away a Statue off that Wall of twelve Cubits and all of beaten Gold and killing the Priest who offered to hinder the removal of it Xerxes his incontinence 69. Being returned to Susa he fell from the Mother to the Daughter too being in love with Artaynta his Daughter-in-law whom incestuously he used constantly She begged of him a Coat which with much art and industry Amestris his wife had made for him By her wearing of this the Queen knew how matters went and thence followed the destruction of the whole house of Masistes for on Xerxes his birth-day when he used not to deny her any request she asked Masistes wife to be given up into her power vvhich he doing she cut off
his name into Dariaeus and was also most commonly called Darius Nothus By the advice of Parysatis his wife he enticed by all means Secundianus to come to him not sparing Oaths or any other wayes to get him into his hands and so far prevailed that though Menostanes the Eunuch counselled Secundianus not to trust himself yet he came to him and being cast into ashes he died the same way as Darius the son of Hystaspes formerly made away his Emulators Jacobus Cappellus though some think this Darius to have been the first inventor of this punishment and that it is falsly ascribed by Valerius Maximus to the son of Hystaspes Then reigned he alone by himself after his brother had reigned six moneths and twenty dayes The three Eunuchs Artoxares Artibarxanes and AthoÌ„us were in great power with him but especially he was advised by his wife His Children by whom he had two Children Amistris a daughter and Arsaces a son called afterwards Artaxerxes before he came to the Kingdom Afterwards he begot of her another son called Cyrus from the Sun and others to the number of 13. But all the rest died young except these two and his fourth son named Oxendras Ctesias Stirs in his time 22. After this Arsites his own brother both by father and mother and Artyphius the son of Megabyzus revolted from him Artasyras was sent with an Army against them who falling upon Artyphius was worsted in two battels but in the third overthrew him and corrupting the Greeks that fought for him drew away all his Company except three Milesians so that upon the Oath of Artasyras for his security for that Arsites could not be found he yielded himself to the King He was minded to put him to death but Parysatis his wife perswaded him to spare him for a time for Arsites seeing him unpunished would also be moved to yield himself and then he might rid himself of them both together which accordingly came to passe both being cast into the ashes though Darius was hardly brought by her perswasions to make away his brother now also Pharnacyas who with Secundianus had slain Xerxes was put to death and Menostanes being apprehended shunned the same punishment by laying violent hands upon himself This Rebellion was followed by the revolt of Pisathnes the Governour of Lydia against whom Tissaphernes and others being sent he met them having in his Army Lycon the Athenian with such Greeks as he had brought with him who being corrupted by the Kings Captains revolted from him so that with fair words he was drawn in and carried to the King who cast him into the ashes and gave his Government to Tissaphernes and the Cities with the regions adjoyning to Lycon for a reward of his treachery After this followed the treason of Artoxares in great power with Darius who conspired about killing him and transferring the Kingdom to himself For this purpose being an Eunuch he caused his wife to make him a beard that he might seem no other than a perfect man but the matter being revealed by her he was delivered up into the hands of Parasytis who put him to death 23. Arsaces afterwards called Artaxerxes the eldest son of Darius married Statira the daughter of Idarnes a man of prime rank amongst the Persians and Terituchmes the son of Idarnes who after his death succeeded in his Government married Amistris daughter to the King She had a sister named Roxana who being very beautifull and well skilled in shooting Terituchmes fell in love with her and having to do with her detested his wife insomuch as he resolved to murder her by the help of 300 men with whom he practised to revolt Whilest he thought hereof one Udiastes a man in great power about him being promised great matters if he could deliver the Kings daughter from so great a danger slew him but the son of this Udiastes who was Armour-bearer to Terituchmes and was not present at his death after he had notice thereof cursed his father and seizing upon the Citie Zaris delivered it up to Terituchmes his son Then did Parysatis bury alive the Mother Brethren and Sisters of Terituchmes and commanded Roxana to be cut in pieces alive Darius would have had her to have made away Statira his daughter-in-law together with the rest but through the importunity of Arsaces her husband she spared her of which Darius told her that afterwards she would sorely repent as it came to passe From the second year of this King * Hist sacr lib. 2. Sulpicius Severus and * Josephus Scaliger Edu Livelaeus Junius many learned men with him count the beginning of the seventy weeks of Daniel ending them with the destruction of Jerusalem because the number of years do agree and the Angel maketh mention of that desolation though nothing be spoken in any place concerning any going out of a Decree during the reign of this Prince from which those weeks must needs have commenced They must needs allow the work now to have been carried on by the sollicitation of the Prophets Haggai and Zachariah which had been interrupted for 115 years ever since the second year of the return of Zerubbabel and Jeshua at which time they began to build But now at this time and before this lived Malachias the last of all the Prophets who exhorts not the people to the building of the Temple as the others did which is an evidence of the finishing of it before but reprehends those corruptions which * Cap. ult Nehemiah in his second Government had observed amongst the Jews viz. marriages with strangers unjust detention of Tithes and corruption of Divine worship And because the succession of Prophets was no more to be expected in the later end of his Prophecie he exhorts the people to keep the Law of Moses untill such time as the great Prophet the Messias should be revealed before whom John Baptist was to come in the spirit and power of Elias The ending of the Canon of holy Scripture is by Eusebius placed in the 32th year of Artaxerxes Longimanus After these Prophets the Hebrews held the men of the great Synagogue to have succeeded but the later Jews reckon the three last Prophets amongst them and Esra as the President of the Council 24. Against this Darius the Medes rebelled but were after some time reduced again into obedience At this time the States of Gâ—eece being plunged deep in the Peloponnesian War Xenoph. Hellenic 10. he made his advantage thereof as much as he could siding with the Lacedaemonians against the Athenians who did him most hurt in Asia both by their great skill and practice in Navigation and being allied to the Ionians whom as their Colonies they helped against him so that much entercourse and great transactions passed betwixt Tissaphernes his Lieutenant and those of Sparta which are involved in the affairs of Greece Idem ibid. Exped Cyri lib. 1. Diodorus ad Olymp. 93. an 1. ad
whom he was honourably received and bountifully entertained having three Cities given him one for bread another for wine and a third for victuals to which others add two more for Clothes and Linnen and died at length at Magnesia a natural death though some wrote that seeing he was not able to perform his promise to the King of Conquering Greece which by this time had many expert Captains amongst whom of most especial note was Cimon he poysoned himself And of Aristides 8. (a) Corn. Nepos Plutarch in Aristide Four years after the banishment of Themistocles died Aristides whose moderation and abstinency herein appeared that having born such Offices SECT 1. yet he died so poor that he scarcely left wherewith to be buried Thucyd. lib. 1. yet so gratefull was the State towards his memory that his Children were provided for at the publick charge Eight years after the battel of Plataea Cimon being sent out by the Athenians obtained in one day two notable victories at Sea and Land over the Persians at Eurymedon a River in Pamphylia which brought him and the State no little credit After this they fell out with the Thasians who by their Colonies had taken possession of the rich Mines of Silver and Gold The Thasians envied by the Athenians for the Mines which were in that part of Thrace lying upon Macedonia betwixt the two Rivers Strymon and Nyssus For these Mines the Athenians envied them and raised such a contention that they withdrew themselves from the association whereupon they presently commenced War against them and overthrew them in a Sea-fight and afterwards besieged them by Land The Lacedaemonians distressed The Thasians besieged sent to the Spartans desiring them to invade Attica thereby to divert the Athenians from them and having promised they were ready to perform it but that they were hindred by an Earth-quake which sorely afflicted them and whereupon the publick slaves called Helotes of the posterity of the Messenians took their opportunity Diodorus ad Olymp 77. ann 4. Thucyd. and rebelling seized upon Ithome in the Territories of Messenia being acted by that impression which Pausanias not long before had made upon them 9. The Spartans much distressed by this rebellion having lost 2000 men by the Earth-quake besides a great losse in their buildings after three years the Thasians were no longer able to hold out and yielded to such hard conditions as the Athenians laid upon them The Lacedaemonians proceeding but slowly in their War sent to the Athenians for aid which was sent them but through sinister suspicions they sent it back again and this was taken as an affront by the Athenians The beginning of malice betwixt the Athenians and Lacedaemonians who were very much moved at it This was the beginning of that mutual malice and enmity which thenceforth passed betwixt these two States and proved the rise of abundance of mischief For the Athenians presently after the return of their men forsook the League which they had entred into with the Spartans against the common Enemy and made an Alliance with the Argives their Adversaries in which they also comprehended the Thessalians And they that were besieged in Ithame at length in the tenth year being forced to yield and banished Peloponnesus by the Spartans the Athenians kindly received them with their Wives and Children and gave them Naupactus to inhabit which they had lately taken from the Locrians called * Vide Strah lib. 9. pag. 427. Ozolae A little after this another great accession was made to the strength of the Athenians and that with the detriment of the Spartans for the inhabitants of Megara Neighbours to the former being falln upon with War by the Corinthians betook themselves to them for aid though heretofore they had been the Allies of Sparta This opportunity the Athenians imbraced The beginning of the hatred betwixt Corinth and Athens and thereby got Megara into their hands with Paga a Mart-Town adjoyning to it and fortifying Megara as far as Nisaea upon the Sea therein placed a Garrison of their own And this was also the beginning of that inveterate hatred betwixt Corinth and Athens 10. During the War betwixt the Lacedaemonians and their slaves Diodorus ad Olymp. 78. ann 1. hapned another in Peloponnesus betwixt the Argives and the inhabitants of Mycenae upon this occasion The Mycenaeans standing high upon the antient Eminency of their Citie would not be subject to the Argives as the other Cities of Argolis were but would live according to their own Laws and Customs The Mycenaeans and Argives fall out having nothing to do with the Commonwealth of Argos Moreover they contended with them about the Temple and Rites of Juno challenged to themselves the Right of Administring the Nemaean Games and whereas during the War with Xerxes the Argives had made an order not to help the Lacedaemonians at Thermopylae except they would yield them part of the Command the Mycenaeans alone joyned themselves to them These things made the Argives jealous that their power increasing with the return of their antient spirit they would contend with them for Empire it self and therefore of a long time they desired to destroy their Citie SECT 2. Now seeing they had a good opportunity whilest the Spartans being busied at home could affoard them no relief they raised a great Army out of their own and the Neighbouring Cities and therewith setting upon them overthrew them Mycenae destroyed and laid close siege to Mycenae They stoutly resisted for some time but being exhausted by the War and the Lacedaemonians being busied with the Helotes and lately distressed by the Earth-quake not being able to relieve them the Defendants being most spent the Citie was taken and levelled with the ground the inhabitants being made slaves and the tenth part of them consecrated to the god of Argos So this Citie happy in more antient times a Nurse of famous men and renowned for worthy exploits was brought to destruction and continued desolate to the time wherein our Author lived 11. The difference raised betwixt the Athenians and Corinthians Thucyd. lib. 1. about Megara proceeded so far as the former invaded Peloponnesus and joyning battel with the Corinthians and Epidaurians were worsted Diodorus ad Olymp. 80. ann 2. 3. but engaging the second time at the Island Cecryphalea obtained a victory Not long after the War betwixt the Athenians and the inhabitants of Aegina was again renewed wherein the former obtained a great victory at Sea and took seventy Vessels from the Islanders and then besieged the Citie to the relief of which 300 men were sent out of Peloponnesus Now the Corinthians judging it a fit season to be doing something The difference betwixt the Athenians and Corinthians about Megara renewed for that they were both occupied in the War of Aegina and Egypt also where their Forces were assisting Inarus the son of Psammitichus against Artaxerxes invaded the
fearfull plague as it is described by Thucydides who was sick of it as seldom hapned during the rage of which they plundred and wasted the Countrey all over Attica the second time invaded when it was seized with a fearfull plague Pericles returning to his former Counsel hindred the Citizens who were very desirous to issue out and fight and provided an hundred ships with which and fifty of the associates of Chius and Lesbus armed with 4000 foot and 300 horse he departed to Peloponnesus the Coasts of which he sore wasted and forced the Army to return home to defend it which they were willing to do also because of the plague after they had been in Attica fourty dayes After the return of Pericles his Army was sent under the Command of Agnon and Cleopompus against Chalcis and Potidaea at the later of which it was seized by the pestilence and greatly dimished and Agnon with 1500. which remained of 4000 returned home But the people being sore afflicted by the plague and War together were angry now against Pericles as him that moved them to take up Arms who calling them together sharply reproved them and they confessed what he said to be true and that he had advised them upon good grounds but being inraged at their private discommodities they fined him 80 Talents and banished him the Citie Diodorus and yet presently after according to the inconstant nature of the multitude recalled and created him General with full power 10. In the same Summer a Navy from Peloponnesus of an hundred Gallies fell upon Zâ—zynthus an Island addicted to the Athenians which wasting and being not able to do any more they returned home The Peloponnesians also in the end of Summer sent Ambassadors to the Persian King to desire aid who were also commanded to go to Sitalces King of Thrace to desire a League of confederacy with him but they were taken near the Hellespont by some Athenians through the assistance of Sadocus the Kings son and free of Athens and being brought thither in revenge for some Athenians Merchants and others slain in Peloponnesus they were put to death In Winter twenty Gallies were sent from Athens to Naupactus to secure the Straights lying betwixt Peloponnesus and Aetolia and other fix to Caria and Lycia to gather money under Command of Melesander who in a fight was there slain with part of his forces Potidaea delivered up to the Athenians Potidaea now also being in despair of any supply from Peloponnesus and sore afflicted with famine which raged so far as they are man's flesh yielded to the Athenians Of the besieged such as were Males had liberty to depart with one Garment apiece Females with two and a little provision The Citie being thus emptied was replenished with a Colony from Athens to which state this siege stood in 2000 Talents And so the second year of the War ended with this Winter 11. In the next Spring Archidamus the Lacedaemonian King marched against Plataea and besieged it The Plataeans sent to him to desire he would forbear to use any extremity against them Idem lib. 2. ad ann 3. but he returned them very harsh conditions Archidamus besiegeth Plataea which holdeth out requiring them to forsake the Athenians to give up their Citie and all they had for the time of War and in the mean time to go and dwell somewhere else promising that as soon as the War should be over they should have all entirely restored to them They desired a Truce till such time as they could send to the Athenians their associates and know their mind who being utterly against it they then sent Archidamus word that they were resolved to undergo whatsoever the chance of War should lay upon them for that they neither could nor would revolt from the Athenians He then fell of wasting their grounds and with all his might attempted the Citie which was as valiantly and powerfully defended by the Inhabitants No way taking at length the Spartans attempted it by fire which consumed most part of the Town leaving but a few houses for the Plataeans to live in Yet still the matter succeeded not and at length despairing to take the place by force they raised a Wall round about it which they fenced with a double Ditch to shut them in and leaving sufficient Guards departed home Before this the Towns-men had sent out to Athens all their uselesse Company This same year the Athenians fought with various successe in Thrace and Acarnania 12. In the later end of this Summer Idem in Pericle and the 6th Moneth of the year died Pericles of the Epidemical disease or the Plague as Plutarch reporteth though not by its sudden force as others but in a way of Consumption which if so Pericles dieth was extraordinary As he drew on towards his end some of the principal men of Athens that were left alive of his antient friends as they sate by him not thinking that he understood any thing discoursed much of his great and many victories and Trophies which he had erected placing therein the main of his commendation He understanding the discourse interrupted them saying that he wondred they should especially take notice of those things which fortune made common to him with others and make no mention of that which was most worthy and remarkable for No man saith he upon mine account hath put on a black Garment His commendation A man he was to be had in constant admiration not onely for his equity and mildnesse which he shewed in so many businesses of concernment and such enmities as were exercised against him but also for his greatnesse of spirit that this he especially charged upon himself not to indulge his anger in so great power or his malice neither to be implacable towards his greatest adversary and this seemeth to be the reason that he enjoyed the sirname of Olympius without envy because he was of so sweet a disposition in the greatest power preserved his life unblemished The great misse the Athenians had of him made them soon perceive what man he was whose power whilest alive they ill bore as dasling their eyes when dead and they had experience of others they confessed that no man could in that height of place have carried himself more moderatly or in that modesty more gravely and that height of power which used to be branded with the name of Tyranny appeared in him to have been the wholsom preservative of the Commonwealth such depravednesse of manners and excesse of wickednesse falling upon all things after his death which he weakning and keeping under as long as he lived procured that it exceeded not the strength of the remedy 13. The Summer following being the fourth year of the Peloponnesian War-rising Thucyd. lib. 3. initio the Peloponnesians and their confederates made the third invasion of Attica when Corn was now ripe under the Conduct of the same Archidamus which they wasted up
sent to him to hasten his march towards them with promise to revolt thinking they might safely enough do it for that they falsly perswaded themselves that the power of the Athenians was not so great as they found it afterwards when it was too late to repent them of their rash and inconsiderate resolution into which they were hurried by an earnest desire of liberty The Athenians having intelligence of this used all diligence to send Soldiers into all of them as the shortnesse of the time and the Winter season would bear Brasidas sent to Lacedaemon for a new supply of men but little heed was given to his message partly because the great ones there envied his glory and especially because the people being well wearied now with the War desired to have their men that were taken in the Island Brasidas envied by his own Countrey men and to make peace Yet he having made provision for the building of ships upon the River Strymon went on with the War drew all the Towns on the Mountain Athos except two to submit and then by surprise taking Torone a Town of Chalcis and tributary to the Athenians he stormed the Castle the third day after The remainder of the Winter he spent in fortifying the places taken already and providing for taking of others which he designed And thus the 8th year of the War ended 30. In the beginning of Spring the Lacedaemonians for the reasons above mentioned were desirous to come to a composition and they hoped that now the Athenians something discouraged by what Brasidas had done in Thrace might not be averse to it And indeed they were inclining to a cessation of Arms that they might stop his proceedings till such time as they could recruit themselves intending to Govern themselves in reference to the length of the Truce as their affairs should comport and so a Truce was concluded for a year the Articles of which imported these things especially That what both sides possessed at this time they should enjoy A Truce for a year that free accesse and regresse should be given to Ambassadors and Heralds and their Confederates to treat about a peace that Runagates should not be received that all controversies should be decided by Law and not by force and something was added concerning the use of the Sea In this Truce the Confederates on both sides being comprised During this Cessation several Treaties were held about a League but something hapned which disturbed sorely the minds of the Athenians For Scione a Town of the Peninsula of Pellene of its own accord revolted to Brasidas and was followed by Menda Brasidas ignorant of the Truce after the revolt of the former laboured sore with the later and Potidaea to reduce them also but then news came to him of the Cessation and much contention there was about the places for that the Athenians said that Scione revolted two dayes after the Truce was sworn to and concluded Being not able to recover them by words they sent an Army to effect it by deeds and Menda they recovered whilest Brasidas was absent assisting Perdiccas the King of Macedonia in his War with Archibaeus where such dissatisfaction passed betwixt the King and him that thenceforth Perdiccas began to joyn himself to the Athenians Who compassed Scione about with a Wall which having finished in the later end of Summer a sufficient Guard being left the rest of the Army was brought home The Winter following all was quiet betwixt the two States by vertue of the Truce but the Mantinaeans and Tegeatans fought a battel with equal successe both parties erecting their trophies The Spring drawing on Brasidas attempted by night to surprise Poâ—idaea but missed of his purpose And with this Winter the ninth year of the War ended in which the Temple of Juno at Argos was burnt through the negligence of Chrysis the Woman-Priest The Temple of Juno at Athens burnt which flying for it another was placed in her room after she had during this War continued eight years and and half therein 31. The Truce being expired on the day of the Pythian Games Thucyd. lib. 5. the seventh of the moneth Thargelion Cleon having himself perswaded the Athenians to undertake the Expedition was sent into Thrace with a Fleet of thirty ships abord of which were 1200 Foot and 300 Horse besides Confederates Cleon sent into Thrace is quickly puffed up Hearing that Torone was but manned with a mean Garrison he departed from the siege of Scione and set upon it with such earnestnesse both by Land and Sea that in the same day he took it and though he attempted Stagirus in vain yet he effectually did it upon Galopsus a Colony of the Thasians after which he staid at Eione expecting some Auxiliaries out of Macedonia and Thrace Here he grew very secure being exceedingly puffed up with his late successe and that at Pylus which he arrogantly imputed to his own wisdom but his men disdained to lye idle and pretended to be wearie of his Government as thinking him unfit to command Herewith he moved from Eione in a secure posture thinking of nothing lesse than fighting which was taken notice of by Brasidas who having fewer men than he and lesse experienced thought it not wisdom to trie a battel with him nor at once to let him have a sight with all his Forces but pouring them violently upon him by degrees thereby to confound and overthrow his Army He had a discovery of Brasidas his intents and began to retreat but then he fell upon him out of Amphipolis in the manner aforesaid and without much adoe put his men to the rout Cleon himself flying was slain outright and Brasidas before this was mortally wounded and carried to Amphipolis Is slain together with Brasidas his adversary where he died after he had heard how his men had got the Victory being honoured by the Touns-men as an Heroe by Sacrifice anniversarie Solemnities and naming a Colony after him which they did to ingratiate themseves with Sparta because of the fear they stood in of the Athenians Of the Athenians were slain 600 but of the Conquerours but seven such disadvantage was there in the battel 32. In the beginning of Winter Ramphias with others in commission with him was sent from Lacedaemon with new Forces and came as far as Pieria an hill of Thessalie but there the Thessalians opposed his passage and news of Brasidas his death arriving other causes also moving him whereof this was not the least that the Spartans before his coming from home were inclined to a peace he returned into Lacedaemon And after the action at Amphipolis and his return came to be known both sides for weighty and urgent reasons were much more enclined to it Cleon and Brasidas being both slain whereof the one was a man of a turbulent spirit and the other a great soldier Both the Athenians and Lacedaemonians desire peace who sought after glory in Military matters The
restored liberty to all Greece and brought matters to that passe that the Thebans fell upon Sparta and the Lacedaemonians had enough to do to preserve themselves and left not off till Messene being restored Pausan in Boeoticis he besieged their City Having said this the People affected with joy set up a laughter and none of the Judges dared to passe sentence 47. In the same year according to Diodorus but the next Xenoph. lib. 7. Diodorus according to Xenophon Epaminondas was sent again into Peloponnesus to the assistance of Arcadians Argives and Eleans who afresh had made War upon the Lacedaemonians The Lacedaemonians and Athenians had lately established a League betwixt themselves on these terms That each should command the Army five dayes in their course Epaminondas again invadeth Peloponnesus which before was solely left to the Spartans The Athenians hearing of the coming of Epaminondas sent Chabrias with an Army to stop his passage He coming to Corinth with the Lacedaemonians and other allies made up an Army of 20000 and then all joyning together fortified the passage into Peloponnesus making a ditch and a wall crosse the Isthmus from Cenchrea to Lachaeus But Epaminondas observing at what place the guards were weakest there with some difficulty brake thorough harazed the Country had Sicyon and other places delivered up to him but comeing to Corinth was gallantly repulsed by Chabrias who sallying out of the City and getting advantageous ground not onely sustained his charge but did good execution upon the assailants At this time 2000 Gaules and Spaniards were sent by Dionysius Tyrant of Sicilie to the aid of the Lacedaemonians who arriving at Corinth the Graecians to try their valour led them out against the Enemy They behaved themselves very well did good service against the Boeotians many of whom and their allies they slew for which receiving great commendations and rewards besides they returned in the later end of Summer into Sicilie 48. The Thebans being returned home the Athenians conceived indignation against them through the complaints of Lycomedes the Mantinean Xenoph. Diodorus ad Olymp. 103. ann 1. who urged it was an unworthy thing for the Arcadians being more noble as the onely antient Inhabitants of their Country and more deserving to be commanded by the other and follow them in the War Being much puffed up with such conceits The Arcadians fall out with the Thebans the Thebans began to be alienated from them and the Eleans bore them malice because they could not obtain of them the Towns which the Lacedaemonians had taken from them Things being at this passe came Phyliscus of Abydus sent from Ariobarzanes the Persian Satrapa with much money to perswade the States to Peace The Thebans yet would not come to any conclusion alleging that Messene ought to be exempted from the jurisdiction of the Spartans with which he being offended not enduring that old pretences should be again revived he left 2000 men already paid to the aid of the Lacedaemonians and returned into Asia The Arcadians having chosen Lycomedes their General sent him into Laconia with an Army where he took by storm Pallene and therein put to the sword 300 of the Lacedaemonian Garrison Soldiers To return the like unto them the year following the first of the 103 Olympiad wherein Pythrostratus the Athenian was Victor Archidamus was sent into Arcadia with the Confederates and a new supply of men sent from Dionysius He took Caryae and put all therein to the Sword and going on in his attempts Cissidas the General of the Sicilian Forces pretending he had staid his full time set him by Dionysius would needs be gone but in his way was circumvented by the Messenians and was forced to crave aid of Archidamus 49. He hastned to relieve him and in his march the Arcadians and Argives opposed themselves whom charging with great resolution he got a most famous victory killing 10000 of his Enemies without the losse of one man so that as the Priests of Dodona had sung that it should be a fight without tears to the Lacedaemonians yet the message being come to Sparta Agestiaus the Senators and the Ephori are all said to have wept for joy As this successe revived the spirits of the Spartans which had been almost extinct by the battel at Leuctra so as Diodorus telleth us the Arcadians now fearing their in-roads for their better security built them one great Citie twenty of the Menalian and Parrhasian Villages being taken in for the site thereof Megalopolis now built accoring to Diodorus though Pausanias will have Megalopolis built two years before The Thebans and Eleans onely rejoyced in the misfortune of their friends the Arcadians as tending to the humbling of them The Thebans casting much in their heads how to obtain the principality of all Greece resolved upon sending an Ambassage to the Persian King to contract a straight League and Alliance with him and assembling the Confederates they pretended a necessity thereof Pelopidas sent by the Thebans to the Persian King because Euthycles the Lacedaemonian was now with the King in behalf of that state They sent Pelopidas with others for the Arcadians Eleans Argives the Athenians also understanding hereof sent Timagoras and Leon. Pelopidas being very famous even in Asia for his valour by his demeanour got all the favour from the rest He urged the King with the merits of the Thebans who had never of all Greece born Arms against him or his Ancestors either of old in the Median War or of late in assistance to Agesilaus and he extolled their valour shewing that the reason why the Arcadians were of late overthrown by the Lacedaemonians was because of their absence For the truth hereof he appealed to Timagoras the Athenian whom being at odds with his Collegue he drew off to his party He obtained of Artaxerxes what he demanded viz. that Messene should be held exempted from the Jurisdiction of the Lacedaemonians the Athenians should abstain from the Sea and all the other Cities left to their own Laws Lastly that the Thebans should be esteemed the near Friends and Allies of the Empire 50. This employment got Pelopidas abundance of credit who not long after was slain in a victorious battel Getteth much credit by his Ambassie fought in the behalf of the Thessalians against Alexander the Tyrant but Timagoras returning home received a great Present from the Persian and being accused by his Collegue of siding with Pelopidas was put to death The Thebans though they had got what they desired of the King yet their design came to nothing for the Commissioners of the Cities first refused to take the Oath of this new League and then most of the Cities themselves after the example of Corinth the answer of which was that there was no need of this new Engagement This plot then of Pelopidas having not taken good effect Epaminondas thought of another to reduce the Arcadians and Allies to obedience
to take upon him the Dignity of King by the people Then King 6. For the Macedonians having lately received an overthrow from the Illyrians were much dejected thereat Diodorus ad Olymp. 105. ann 1. A.M. 3645. Olymp. 105. ann 1. V.C. 394. Ochi 2. Phe Paeones their neighbours made excursions and the Illyrians prepared for another terrible invasion The King of Thrace was minded to set up Pausanias and the Athenians Argaeus both sons of the late Usurper Aeropus having sent Mantias with 3000 men and a Fleet readily furnished for that purpose But Philip seeming nothing to be discouraged at these things by his good language wherein he was very able and his courteous deportment bare up the spirits of his people He amended military Discipline He Conquereth all difficulties and instituted the Macedonian Phalange Understanding the Athenians to have a great desire to recover Amphipolis and to have Argaeus established King he left that Citie to its own liberty The Paeonians and the King of Thrace he bought off with money and overthrew Argaeus at Methone assisted by Mantias the Athenian by which victory he mightily incouraged his men 7. The year after he made peace with the Athenians Diodorus ad Olymp. 105. ann 2. who readily accepted of it because he was content to quit Amphipolis giving him great commendations also for his clemency in that he had suffered the Reliques of their Army at Methone to depart with their lives and liberty into Attica when he had them at his mercy Being thus freed from the Athenian War hearing that Agis King of the Paeonians was dead he invaded and brought them into subjection to himself Then entred he the Countrey of the Illyrians with about 10000 foot and 600 horse whose King Bardylis sent to treat with him offering that each should retain such places as they already held but he returned answer that though he was also desirous of peace yet would he admit of no terms except the Illyrians would quit all the Cities which belonged to his Kingdom Bardylis then met with him with a strong Army and a great and bloudy battel was with great animosity on both sides fought wherein at length Philip had the victory and the Illyrians having lost above 7000 men were forced to relinquish all places belonging to Macedonia 8. After he had brought under all the Illyrians as far as the Lake Lychnitis and made an honourable peace with them Idem ad ann 3. he returned into Macedonia with great fame The year after for that the Inhabitants of Amphipolis had several wayes provoked him and ministred occasion of quarrels he went against them with a great force and having cast down the Wall with his battering Rams entred the Citie whence banishing all his Enemies he granted indemnity to the rest This place being very conveniently sited for his occasions in Thrace much conduced to the progresse of his affairs For hereupon he presently took Pydna and to ingratiate himself with the Olynthians the friendship of whom was very necessary for such as would grow great having taken Potidaea he gave up Pydna with the grounds belonging to it into their hands Crenidae changed into Philippi Then going to Crenidae he inlarged this Town with an accession of new Inhabitants and called it after himself Philippi Here were rich Mines of Gold which having been formerly neglected he now so far advanced as to bring him in yearly a Revenue of 1000 Talents which mightily tended to the advancement of his affairs and the Majesty of his Kingdom for now stamped he that piece of Golden Coyn called the Philipick raised great forces and afterwards with bribes drew many Graecians to betray their Countrey But he proceeded in his affairs with more confidence and freedom for that now the Athenians were busied in the Social War began this year and thereupon could not take such care as was necessary about the preservation of Amphipolis 9. The Social War which continued three years had it's original from the revolt of the Chians The Social War Rhodians Coans and Byzantians from the State of Athens The Athenians sent against them two Generals Chares and Chabrias who when they came to Chius found their the succours sent from other Cities and from Mausolus the Prince of Caria They fell upon the City Chares on the Land and Chabrias by Sea but the later whilst too boldly he ventured by himself into the Haven was slain and then the rest retreated without any thing done One * Corn. Nepos in his life telleth us that in this Expedition he was a private man but excelling the Commanders in Military skill and fame was more regarded by the Soldiers which thing proved his destruction For endeavouring first of all to enter the Haven when he had broken in none followed him so that being compassed with Enemies his Gally was sunck out of which casting himself he might easily as the rest did have swom to his friends and escaped but preferring an honourable death before an ignominious life fighting alone was slain in all fights having been daring though otherwise he was accounted slow and heavy 10. The year following for any thing we understand was spent altogether Diodorus ad Olymp. 106. an 1. or for the most part in preparations on both sides to decide the controversie in a Sea fight The Athenians having sent before under the command of Chares a Fleet of 60 ships sent other 60 after which they commited to the trust of Iphicrates and Timotheus two of the most noble in the City who were to joyn with Chares and in equal authority to manage the War On the other part the Confederates with 100 Gallies wasted the Islands Imbrus and Lembus and coming into Samus after they had harased the Country besieged the City both by Sea and Land and making depredations upon many other Islands under the jurisdiction of Athens got much money thereby But the Athenian Generals uniting their Forces resolved to besiege Byzantium which the Confederates understanding raised the siege at Samus to come and relieve it They were about to joyn in battel when sodainly arose a mighty Tempest which made Iphicrates and Timotheus decline the fight but Chares would not acquiesce in their opinion but sent to Athens and accused them to the People as wilfully having neglected a good opportunity of doing their Country Service which so incensed the heady multitude that they condemned them in many Talents Corn. Nepos relateth that Menestheus the son of Iphicrates and son Law to Timotheus was sent as General In vitis Timothei Iphicratis and they two as his Advisers That the action was about Samus wherein Chares miscarried and whereupon he accused them to the People That Iphicrates being quitted Timotheus was fined ten Talents which he being unable to pay departed to Chelus where dying the multitude repented of their rash judgment and remitting nine parts of the fine caused his son Conon to pay the other towards
hands of Sargeants and holding secret councils by night Renewed denied to the succeeding Consuls to take Arms till they could have a relaxation of their burthens This putting the Senate to a stand Appius still urged that nothing was to be granted to the rabble and procured a Dictator to be created When most looked upon him as fittest for the time the Consuls judged quite otherwise and made choice of M. Valerius the brother of Publius and son of Volesus a popular man being perswaded that the terror of the Office alone would do the work and that a man of mild temper would best manage it The Dictator promised the People in case they would freely follow him not onely what they justly required concerning their debts but other rewards also and by this means listed ten Legions against the Volsci Aequi and Sabines who were all up in Arms which being brought under he divided amongst his Soldiers some grounds taken from the Volsci but requesting of the Senate that his and their promise might be made good was checked for his love to the multitude and because he was an old man above 70 being unfit as he said to contend he laid down his Office The People hereat much inraged kept private meetings and consulted how to separate themselves from the Patritians which when the Senate perceived they gave order to the Consuls not to disband the Armies pretending that the Sabines and Aequi had conspired against Rome The Soldiers being bound by the Oath taken at their listing called by them Sacramentum and ever strongly observed could not forsake their Standards The first separation of the Commons but the Consuls having their Camps near to each other they all went into one by the advice of one Sicinius Bellulus and taking away the Ensignes from the Consuls departed to the Mount called afterwards Mons Sacer lying three miles from the City beyond the River Aniene now called Taverone 36. Notice hereof being brought into the City filled all places with marvelous tumults The Patritians were in great fear lest War should be made upon them the Plebeians grew exceeeding high and many flocked to the Army though the other hindred it as much as possible The Fathers had also great strife amongst themselves while some pleaded for the multitude and others would hear of nothing but carrying the matter through by strong hand But the former sort prevailed to send a message to the Armies desiring them to return home promising that for the future all things should be forgot and the Senate would be ready to reward their faithfulnesse and serviceablenesse to their Country withall the Ambassadors had it in charge to know the utmost of their desires To the message nothing would be returned but disdainful words and high complaints something mixed with threatning language which more grievously afflicted the Fathers not knowing what way to procure a reconcilement and now would not such as they had by their authority and interest hitherto retained in the City be with-holden from going to the Army The time for creation of new Consuls was now at hand The old ones appointing the Comitia no Candidates so called because they appeared in white garments would stand for the Office nor any accept of it till at length the Consuls appointed by their sole authority Posthumius Cominius and Sp. Cassius who had born it before and were equally in favour with the Nobility and Commons They having entred on the Calends of September sooner than usual in the 72 Olympiad wherein Tesicrates of Crotone was Victor and Diognetes Archon first of all consulted the Senate about the return of the Commons Agrippa Menenius a man of great wisdom and temper being first asked his opinion by all means possible exhorted the Fathers to a composure He shewed what necessity there was of it in regard of the Roman Dominion which could not be either preserved or increased without the inferiour sort of People and made it clear that they could not expect to have any of better temper than the present were for as much as all whosoever they were who by their labour and blood obtained power and Soveraignty for the City would expect to be sharers in it's advantages He pressed the danger they were now in from their Enemies round about and having used other motives concluded with his advice that they would send messengers with full power to treat and conclude what they should find convenient without any more consulting the Senate 37. After Menenius spake M. Valerius and upbraided the Senate for not giving him credit when he foretold these distempers He advised them to cure the wound while it might be healed shewed what reason the Commons had to be concerned more of late because of the Dictatorship which took from them their former Appeal as also for that the Senate had denied the honour of triumph to Servilius when they desired it for him because he was suspected to favour them and for that neither he the Consul nor he himself the Dictator could at all profit them in what had been promised He inveighed against the avarice and cruelty of creditors and particularly fell foul upon Appius for his rigour and raising a Faction which if others were not wise to prevent would utterly destroy the Commonwealth Lastly he commended the advice of Menenius and desired it might speedily be executed so as whatever the Commons required might be granted Appius a man of an high spirit most studious of the Patritian dignity and also of a sober and venerable cariage being asked his opinion next in excuse of himself recriminated Valerius With great animosity he noted the ambition and senselesnesse of the multitude admiring that any of the Fathers should be so absurd as having denied remission of debts to them when friends would grant it to them now Enemies who would not * Note rest here but require also a communication of honours The Prophecy of Appius concerning the lawlesse rabble and what not so that at length the power would come into the hands of the rabble and the Commonwealth degenerate into a Democracy He lessened or rather endeavoured to remove the danger which threatned either from the Armies revolt or the hostility of old Enemies He endeavoured to perswade them that they were able enough to reduce them by force having their wives and children in the City and alleging for further confirmation of this that the multitude were without any persons of good conduct whereas the Patritian order abounded with experienced commanders concluded with this advice neither to send any message to them nor remit them their debts nor do any other thing which might shew the least fear or trouble If they would lay down their Arms and returning into the City submit to the Senate then moderately to determine concerning them seeing that all fools especially the Vulgar are insolent against such as condescend but cowardly towards those that resolutely demean themselves 38. The wise speech of Appius
so inflamed those of his party especially the younger sort that nothing could be determined for the heat of contention This put the Consuls upon dismissing the Senate for that time admonishing the younger sort to carry themselves more respectfully and modestly for the time to come or else they would neither use them as Advisers nor Judges but prefer a Law for limiting a certain age for Senators The graver men they exhorted also to concord letting them know they had a way to end the controversie by referring the matter to the decision of the People which had right to judge of it as a case about Peace and War At the next meeting the ancient men were of the same opinion as formerly but the younger modestly referred themselves to whatsoever they should determin so that the major part by far being wearied with the cries and sollicitations of those who had relations in the Army rather than any reason notwithstanding Appius stuck close to his former resolution resolved to follow the advice of Menenius who with nine others were commissionated with full power both by Senate and People to compose the difference At first the offers of the Commissioners could not be heard through the instigation of two cunning and turbulent fellows Sicinius and L. Junius who conceited of his abilities affected the name of Brutus also Menenius to give full satisfaction promised that such as were unable to pay their debts should be discharged both from obligation and imprisonment and for the time to come matters of this nature should be ordered by the joynt consent both of People and Senate Then adding the Fable of the several members falling out with the belly as consuming all which they provided and thence the ruine and decay of the whole body he so improved it to the present occasion likening the Senate to the belly which digesteth and distributeth sustenance to all the rest though they provide it that the whole multitude convinced of the necessitie of Union cried out He should lead them home without delay 39. Little wanted of their departure without any other security than the bare word of the Commissioners But Junius Brutus a Plebeian formerly mentioned with-held them saying that they were gratefully to acknowledge the kind offers of the Senate but whereas some men of tyrannical spirits might reserve their anger to a convenient opportunity the Commons wanted such good security for the time to come as might defend them from the unreasonable malice of great ones and he moved that they might have certain Officers created yearly out of their own bodie whose power should onely be to give relief to such Plebeians as were injured and suffer none to be defrauded of their right and therefore not to resist the Consuls as some thought This being received by the multitude with great approbation was insisted on to Menenius and his fellows who thought not good to admit of a matter of such large consequence without leave from the Senate and demanded time to know the pleasure thereof The Consuls reporting the matter Valerius thought this favour was to be granted to the Commons and though Appius opposed it earnestly crying out calling their gods to witnesse and truly foretelling what calamities they would bring upon the Commonwealth yet the major part inclining to Peace it was caried for them and the Commissioners were sent back with the resolution of the house The Commons by the advice of Menenius A composure by bringing in the Tribunes first sent to take from the Senate a religious confirmation of this privilege and afterwards in the Assembly of the Curiae elected L. Junius Brutus and C. Sicinius Bellutus A. M. 3511. Ol. 71. an 3. V. C. 260. Darii 28. A. Virginio Montano T. Veturio Gemiao Coss to whom they afterwards joyned C. and P. Licinius and Sp. Icilius Rugu These five first entred this new Office on the fourth of the Ides of December according to the History and computation of Dionysius sixteen years after the expulsion of Tarquin 40. These Officers were called Tribuni Plebis there having been from the beginning other Tribunes in the City named Tribuni Celerum so called from the Peoples being divided into three parts at that time from which so many were sent into the Army as (a) Ling. Lat. l. 4. p. 22. Varro and (b) De Orig. Juris par 20. Pomponius derive the word or because they were elected by the Tribes or oversaw them as others Varro seemeth to hold that the Tribuni Plebis were called Tribunos because they were first made of the Tribunes or Colonels of the Soldiers Livie nameth C. Licinius and L. Albinus for the first two to whom were shortly after added three more viz. Sicinius the Author of the departure and two others concerning which saith he Authors differ In the 297 year of the City five more were added and this number of ten so continued Their number As these Officers were elected by the Commons so ever out of their body except where we read in Livie in his third Book of two Patritians Nay most commonly of the lower sort till a Law ordained that they should be created out of the Senate that is out of such Plebeians as were admitted into the Senate What time this Law was preferred cannot certainly be discovered (c) Bel. civil lib. 1. Appian saith it is not certain whether Sylla did it It should appear from (d) Lib. 14. c. 8. Gellius that there passed a Plebiscitum or Decree of the People for this purpose called Plebiscitum Atinium but what Atinius this should be is also obscure there being one P. Atinius Tribune of the Commons when Julius Caesar and Bibulus were Consuls As concerning their power (e) De Legib. lib. 3. Cicero saith they were opposed against the Consuls but this is not true the occasion of their making not rising from the Consuls At the beginning their power was onely to relieve the oppressed Power as a shield to keep off evil and not as a weapon to inflict it They nulled the unjust as they accounted them Decrees and Commands of the Senate and Magistrates and to shew their readinesse to protect the meanest (f) Plutarch probl 81. their doors stood open night and day to their complaints (g) Lib. 3. c. 2. Gellius telleth us that they could not be absent from the Citie one day not an hour saith (h) Lib. 37. Dion and (i) De bell Civil l. 2. Appian going further confineth them within the Walls They interposed by this one word Veto solemnly pronounced They procured themselves afterward to be accounted Sacrosancti Privilege so as by a Law confirmed with an Oath none might compel a Tribune to do any thing as one of the vulgar neither strike nor command him to be beaten neither kill nor command him to be killed If any did contrary he was to be held as Sacer and his goods being Confiscated unto Ceres it should
power Instead of Horatius Livy mentioneth P. Curiatius SECT II. From the Creation of the Decemviri to the War of Privernae which fell out the same year that Darius Codomannus died the space of 121 years The second change of Government when 1. THe second change in the Government from Consuls to Ten men A.M. 3554. Ol. 82. ann 2. V.C. 302. Artax Longim 14. or Decemviri as the first was from Kings to Consuls hapned in the 302 year of the Citie according to the account of Cato and the 303 after the computation of Larrutius and Varro which fell in with the 2 and 3 years of the 82 Olympiad the 14th of the reign of Artaxerxes Longimanus 449 before the Aera of Christ A. M. 3554. and as may be gathered both out of Dionysius and Livy on the Ides of May. The acts of the Decemviri for the first year 2. The Decemviri having taken upon them the Government in reference to a new constitution agreed that onely one of them at one time should have the Fasces and other consular Ensigns He assembled the Senate confirmed the Decrees and did other things agreeable with chief Magistracy The rest for to lessen envy differed little in habit from private men having onely an Accensus or sort of Beadle going before them which Livy addeth to the relation of Dionysius They succeeded by turns for a certain limited time till the year went about The present Possessor of the Fasces onely saith Livy but all of them as Dionysius seemeth to mean judged private causes together with publick ones belonging to their subjects and associates All things they managed with such Justice and moderation that the Commonwealth seemed most happy under them having no need of appeal Appius above the rest grew exceeding popular by his familiarily with the ordinary sort so as in a manner he carried away the praise from the whole College for that he had a further design than any of the rest 3. At length having made a model out of such Laws as were brought out of Greece and their own Countrey 's customes they proposed it to the view of all men in ten Tables that any one might make exceptions liberty being given to private persons to inform the Law-makers who consulted much with the Nobility about the work When all approved of them a Senatus Consultum passed nemine contradicente for the ratifying of these Laws and the question being put to the People in the Centuriata Comitia they were confirmed most religiously in presence of the Pontifies Augurs and Priests Then were they ingraven in brasse saith Dionysius and others in Ivory saith Pomponius the Lawyer and proposed to the publick view in the most conspicuous part of the Forum as Minos of old according to Plato and long after him Solon caused his Laws to be written in Tables by the Athenian called * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cyrbes and Axones The year being almost out the Decemviri moved the Senate about the Comitia After a great debate it was resolved to continue this kind of Magistracy for the following year because something seemed yet wanting to the new model through the shortnesse of time allotted to the work but especially for that by this Office the Tribuneship was suspended of which the Patritians had cause to be most jealous The commons thought they had good reason to concur with the Fathers in this choice and the day for holding the Comitia was appointed The most antient and honorable of the Fathers stood for this Office fearing that if turbulent spirits were possessed of it they might have a great advantage against the State Above all others was Appius extolled to the skies the Commons labouring earnestly to retain him in his place for that none had behaved himself better than he He desired to be excused pretending he had rather be discharged of so troublesom and ingratefull a work At length overcome as it were by the intreaties of the people he professed himself amongst the Candidates Appius obtaineth to be Decemvir the second time by cheating the credulous multitude and by accusing all others as owing him ill will for his publick spirit made way for himself and his friends In the Centuriate Comitia he was made Decemvir the second time and with him was joyned Q. Fabius Vibulanus who had been Consul three times a man hitherto of unblameable carriage out of the other Patritians by the procurement of Appius were created M. Cornelius M. Servilius L. Minucius T. Antonius and Manius Rabuleius persons of no great Eminency and out of the Commons Q. Petilius Caeso Duellius and Sp. Oppius whom he took in the more to ingratiate himself with the rabble saying it was just that the Commons should share in that Magistracy which was to govern and command all 4. Appius a man more popular than any Magistrate that ever governed either King or Consul with his nine Collegues entred his Office on the Ides of May which saith Dionysius hapned in the full Moon according to the course whereof moneths at that time were observed The first thing the Decemviri did He and his Collegues labour to establish themselves was mutually to agree and confirm by Oath to be of one mind not to hold the Assemblies but perpetually to retain the power in their own hands to admit none into their number and to be of equal power and authority amongst themselves to make use of Senatus Consultum 's and Plebiscitum 's but rarely and never except in case of necessity acting most things by virtue of their own power On the first day which to the Romans was ever Festival and Religious after their superstitious Ceremonies were over they all appeared with regal Ensigns which exceedingly terrified the people especially the Axes added again to the Rods which Poplicola had laid aside and none of his Successors the Consuls used in the Citie By this fear they sought to procure themselves security each of them getting about him a company of stout young men such as were most addicted to him Some preferring their private commodity before the publick good flattered them and even amongst the Patritians themselves were not wanting who though Eminent both for birth and estate patiently bore the oppression of their Countrey The Decemviri indulging their pleasures exercised now their authority with all licentiousnesse nothing valuing the Roman Senate and people Being both Legislators and Judges many Citizens they unjustly put to death and deprived others of their Estates whose causes were all formally judged that they might have some shew and pretence of Justice accusers being suborned out of their Dependents each one affording all assistance herein to his Collegue Such private persons as in their sutes feared their cause were constrained to joyn themselves to the party of their Judges so as it came to passe in a short time that most of the Citizens were also corrupted Such as were offended
against whom he fought most courageously till being forsaken of his men he was slain or else killed himself Phraates had a little before this to divert him from Parthia A. M. 3877. Ol. 163. ann 1. V. C. 626. Seleucid 185. Ptol. Physc 19. Hyrcani 8. sent back his brother Demetrius with a Guard of Parthians to seize upon Syria but now repenting him of that sent some to pursue him and bring him back but he fearing such a thing had by his speed prevented it Phraates finding a daughter of his which her Uncle Antiochus had taken along with him in his expedition fell so in Love with her as he married her out of hand 77. Demetrius then recovered all the Kingdom of Syria Iustin ibid. though not long likely to hold it by reason of that malice he contracted both from Soldiers and People Iosephus Antiquit lib. 13. cap. 17. Hyrcanus the High Priest and chief Magistrate of the Jews taking this occasion leads down an Army to the Cities of Syria supposing indeed as it was that he should find them unmanned took Medeba in the sixth moneth then Samega and Sicima the Metropolis of the Samaritans and so to no King after Antiochus Sidetes were the Jews subject but shook off the yoak of the Syrian Kingdom Iustin lib. 42. The Parthian King intended to make war upon him but was hindred by the Scythians whom having sent for to aid him against Antiochus because they came something too late he denied them their pay for which they harrassed his borders and he opposing them with the Greeks whom he had taken before in the War and cruelly used was betrayed by them and so slain with the rest of his Army Idem lib. 39. Iosephus ut priùs Demetrius being absent in Aegypt the Antiochians first then other Cities revolted not enduring his pride as they pretended which he had increased by his durance in Parthia so that he was forced to return but they sent to Ptolomy Physcon desiring him to send them some one of the posterity of Seleucus to reign over them He sent them a young man an Aegyptian the son of one Protarchus a Merchant A fable was invented of his being adopted by Antiochus Balas whereupon his name being Zabinas or Zabinaus he was sirnamed Alexander Demetrius having recovered the Kingdom is outed of it by his rebellious Subjects and Zabinas a counterfeit and is slain at Tyre and the Syrians being willing to have any rather than Demetrius readily received him Being come into Syria it happned that the reliques of Antiochus Sidetes were sent at the same time into Syria which being received very solemnly by all the Cities he also counterfeited a true mourner and got himself thereby much favour from his new Subjects not discovering his tears to be feigned Not long after he fought with Demetrius near to Damascus and overthrew him who then fled to Cleopatra his wife to Ptolomais but being excluded by her and his sons with a few servants he went to Tyre hoping to save himself there by the religion of the Temple and was slain by the procurement of his wife or Zabinas after his return from Parthia in the 189 year of the Seleucidae A. M. 3881 the first of the 164. Olympiad 78. Alexander Zabinas then a counterfeit succeeded Demetrius Appian ut supra Josephus by the favour of the People though he left two sons by Cleopatra Seleucus and Antiochus sirnamed Grypus from his hooked nose The former of these taking a Diadem upon him at the years end his mother slew him with a dart by her own hands because he did it without permission fearing perhaps he might revenge his Fathers death or being caried out with that height of spirit wherewith she ordered and ruined all things Alexander entered into a League and alliance with Hyrcanus of Judaea Excerpt Diori Siculi Three of his greatest Captains revolted from him and seized upon Laodicea but he reduced and yet pardoned them being of a mild and pleasing deportment Justin lib. 42. whereby he got the affections of all men But him he alienated from him whom it most concernd him still to oblige viz. Ptolomy who of late had set him up He despised Ptolomy now growing insolent as being able to stand on his own legs which the other taking in great disdain that a creature whom he had raised out of the dust should so requite him laboured faster to pull him down than ever he had done for his advancement He reconciled himself to his sister Cleopatra and for that Antiochus whom she had by Demetrius was yet alive unto whom having bestowed the title of King she ruled all her self he sent him great aid and his daughter Tryphaena for a wife which the People seeing Antiochus Grypus son to Demetrius defeateth and killeth Alexander Balas the usurping counterfeit began to revolt apace from Alexander At length they ingaged in a battel in which Alexander was overthrown who then fled to Antioch where wanting money to pay his Soldiers he took out of the Temple of Jupiter an image of Victory of massie Gold jesting it out that Jupiter had lent him Victory But a little after attempting to remove secretly and take away Jupiter's image it self of an infinite weight he was discovered and forced to run away by the multitude after which being oppressed with a grievous Tempest and forsaken by his followers he was taken by thieves and by them brought to Antiochus Grypus was killed though some give other accounts of his death after he had reigned four years 79. His mother was sore grieved at his Victory Idem ibid. Appian ut supra thinking her dignity was lessend by it having an ambitious desire of reigning her self with which she was so far driven as to offer him a cup of poyson as he once came in from exercise which he having knowledge of beforehand refused as it were in civility desired her to do it her self and then urging her to it at length producing witnesse of her wicked intent told her there was no way to clear her self but by drinking that which she had prepared for her son so that being forced to do it her wickednesse fell upon her own head Being thus rid of his unnatural mother he reigned securely eight years but then Antiochus his half brother the son of Antiochus Sidetes begot on his mother and from Cyzicus the place where we was brought up under Craterus the Eunuch Is emulated by Antiochus Cyzicenus his half brother and cousin german called Cyzicenus began to be his emulator for the Kingdom whom he then going about to poyson provoked him to a more speedy attempt of what he had but before designed At this time it hapned that Cleopatra the sister and wife of Ptolomy Lathurus being divorced from him by the means of that notable woman her mother came into Syria and maried with this Cyzicenus and for that she would not seem utterly to
an expedition against the Parthians but passing over Euphrates was hired by Ptolomy Auletes to reduce him into his Kingdom as we said in the foregoing Chapter In this voyage he used Hyrcanus and especially Antipater who furnished him with supplies both of men and provisions and prevailed with the Jews inhabiting about Pelusium to give him passage But during his absence Alexander the son of Aristobulus made work enough for him after his return for having gotten together a great multitude of Jews Alexander his son stirreth but is defeated he resolved to cut off all the Romans which inhabited those parts Gabinius sent Antipater before to see if he could perswade the people to be quiet and he effected it with many but 30000 remaining still with Alexander he came out and gave battel to the Romans near the Mountain Itabyrius wherein he lost 10000 men Gabinius victoriously thence marched to Jerusalem where setling things according to the pleasure of Antipater he went against the Nabataeans whom he overthrew in one battel and dismissed Mithridates and Orsanes two noble Parthians who had fled unto him pretending an escape Then returning to Rome he left his Province to Crassus his Successor 19. Crassus intending an expedition against the Parthians Cap. 12. came through that Countrey and spoyled the Temple not onely of those 2000 Talents which Pompey had spared but of all the Gold found there besides which amounted to the sum of 8000 Talents more Crassus his sacrilege and punishment though Eleazar the Treasurer had given him a beam of Gold weighing 900 pounds and he had taken an Oath therewith to be satisfied and abstain from the money But going against the Parthians he received the reward of his Sacrilege and Perjury being slain Cassius flying into Syria defended it from the incursions of the Enemy and being come to Tyre visited also Judaea where at the first onset he took Tarichaeas and therein 30000 Captives which he laid away and slew Pitholaus the favourer of Aristobulus at the desire of Antipater◠who now grew very considerable having entred into Confederacy and Alliance with divers Princes and especially with the Arabian out of whose Countrey he had married a wife of noble extraction by name Cypris on whom he begot four sons Phasaelus Herod Joseph and Pheroras and a daughter named Salome which sons he also sent into Arabia there to be kept whilest he was ingaged in the War with Aristobulus Cap. 13. de bello ut priùs cap. 7. When Pompey was driven beyond the Ionian Sea and Caesar had got Rome into his power he set Aristobulus at liberty and with two Legions sent him back into Syria hoping that all that Countrey and round about Judaea might be brought under by him but he was prevented in his journey being poysoned by those of Pompey's party and lay in his own Countrey for some time unburied being Embalmed till by Antony he was sent to be buried in the Sepulchre of his Ancestors Aristobulus poysoned by Pompey's party and his son Alexander beheaded This expedition proved fatal not onely to himself but his son Alexander also who was beheaded by Scipio at Antioch by order from Pompey being first arraigned before the judgement seat for his offences committed against the Romans His brother Antigonus with his sisters were sent for by Ptolomy the son of Minnaeus who held Chalcis under the Mountain Libanus and courteously entained For Philippio his son being his Messenger A. M. 3957. Ol. 183. ann 1. V. C. 706. Hyrcani 16. fell in Love with one of the sisters named Alexandra and married her but his passion overcoming both reason and nature he killed his son and took the Lady to himself By this time Pompey was slain and then Antipater betook himself to Caesar as his interest led him and by his great industry purchased his favour 20. Caesar vvarring with young Ptolomy in Egypt Idem ibid. lib. 14. cap. 14. after the death of Pompey Antipater joyned with Mithridates of Pergamus who went down thither with supplies for whereas being hindred from coming to Pelusium he was forced to stay about Ascalon he perswaded the Arabians to help him brought a supply of 3000 Jews himself and procured divers Princes in Syria Antipater his great services for Caesar as Ptolomy of Libarius Jamblichus and others to send their men Then at Pelusium did he special service being the first that broke down the vvall and entred and whereas the Jews inhabiting the Countrey of Onias hindred them from going any further he prevailed with them not to oppose and more than that to furnish the Army with Provisions Cap. 15. At the battel at Delta he recovered the battel almost lost by Mithridates A. M. 3958. Ol. 183. ann 2. V. C. 707. Hyrcani 17. and afterwards behaved himself very gallantly for Caesar having received many wounds as the tokens of his valour Some have delivered that Hyrcanus himself went down into Egypt and there deserved well of Caesar but whether it was so or not he endeavoured to requite them both Who rewardeth both him and Hyrcanus For Antigonus the son of Aristobulus coming with a great complaint to him against them whereas rather in policy he should have complained of the putting to death his father and brother through the procurement of Pompey and his faction he declined his requests upon the reply of Antipater De bello ut priùs cap. 8. lib. 14. Capp 16 17. confirmed Hyrcanus in the Priesthood offered to Antipater what Government he would desire and made him Procurator of Judaea gave him leave to rebuild the Walls of the Citie thrown down by Pompey and caused these grants to be registred in the Capitol and seconded them with divers decrees both of himself and the Senate in favour of him and the Jews Antipater then bringing Caesar on his journey as far as the borders of Syria returned and built up the walls and going about the Country by threatnings and other policy contained the People in obedience otherwise ready to rebel And whereas he saw Hyrcanus heavy and dull and unfit to manage the affaires of Government he made his son Phasaelus who also commanded the Army Captain of Jerusalem and the Country adjacent A. M. 3959. Ol. 183. an 3. V. C. 708. Hyrcani 18. and committed Galile to the custody of his second son Herod being now extream young as not exceeding fifteen years as our Author telleth us except as is most probable that number be mistaken for 25. 21. Herod even at the very first gave testimony of what spirit and height of courage he would be Herod the son of Antipater his notable forwardness finding out presently occasion for the exercise of it For at that time there being one Ezechias a notable Thief who with a great company of followers used to infest the Country of Syria he took and slew him with many others of that rout which thing so
with his son Seleucus besieged Pergamus the Chief Citie of Enmenes the friend of the Romans was forced to raise his siege He sent to Aemilius the Roman Admiral now on those Coasts about peace who disowned any power of concluding it without the Consul Then did the Rhodians at Sea defeat his Admiral which was Hannibal a man out of his proper Element and afterward in a battel fought with Aemilius Eumenes and the Rhodians Antiochus affrighted at his bad successe at Sea maketh offers he fully lost the command of the Sea Affrighted herear he foolishly left Lysimachia which this year might have kept the Consul in action and adding one folly to another suffered Scipio to passe the Hellespont without interruption Now he offered to quit all places in Europe and such in Asia as were the friends of Rome to discharge half of the costs sustained by the Romans in the War and rather than not be quiet he was content to part with a portion of his own Kingdom These seemed but small things to the Consul who thought it just that he who had been the cause of the War Which are rejected should bear all the charges of it and not onely quit Ionia and Aeolis but leave all the Greek Cities to their liberty which could not be except he parted with all Asia on this side the Mountain Taurus The Ambassor had in charge to procure the favour of Africanus to whom was offered the restitution of his son taken prisoner and all that could be expected on this side the title of King if he would live with him But all private Offices of kindnesse onely would Africanus promise desiring him by all means to procure peace and when he had received his son not to fight till he should being now sick return to the Camp This caused Antiochus to delay fighting but the Consul followed and provoked him to give battel wherein his own Chariots Armed with Scithes being driven back upon his own men procured his overthrow He is overthrown and hath peace granted upon former demands After this peace was granted on the same terms as it had been offered to him before the battel And thus this War ended in a short time and lesse trouble than was expected the second Consul putting a period to it who in imitation of his brother took on him the sirname of Asiaticus 6. The year following wherein M. Fulvius Nobilior and Cn. Manlius were Consuls the former going into Greeco fell upon the Aetolians who now had taken from Philip Dolopia and Amphilochia with Athamania Livius lib. 38. and besieging Ambracia drove them once more to sue for peace They were referred by the Consul to Rome where the Ambassadors of Philip made great complaints against them upon the former account But the Rhodians and Athenians interceding once more for them their sute was granted on condition to pay 500 Euboean Talents at several paiments Peace granted to the Aetolians to restore all prisoners and have the same Friends and Enemies with the People of Rome 7. Cn. Manlius the other Consul was now in Asia where of that part taken from Antiochus much he conferred upon Eumenes and the Rhodians according to the result of the Senate This done he undertook an Expedition against the Gallograecians or Galatians Justin lib. 3. a People which having followed Brennus into Greece Manlius subdueth the Galatians after his death had 90 years before passed into Asia where they were so terrible as none denied them tribute before Attalus King of Pergamus They inhabited vast and high mountains and in that respect were with difficulty to be come at but the Consul by throwing darts especially at their huge bodies made great slaughter and subdued them Returning home through Thrace he had well nigh lost his booty by the inhabitants that lay in wait for it in the woody passages and hardly got leave to triumph because he had undertaken the War on his own head It is observed that luxury and idlenesse were first brought to Rome by his Army out of Asia through the provocations to effeminatenesse there found Luxury first brought to Rome by his Army and his loose and neglected Government 8. In the third year after the ending of the War with Antiochus and the same wherein he died envy procured the fall of those by whom the Victory was obtained For Scipio Africanus was accused of having defrauded the Treasury of the booty taken in the War Lege Livium lib. 28. Val. Max. l. 3. c. 7. exemp 1. Gellium Noct. Attic. l. 4. c. 18. and had a day set him by the Tribunes to answer it before the People It is not certain who was his accuser some mentioning M. Naevius and others the two Patilii Tribunes set on as some delivered by M. Porcius Cato the Enemy of Scipio The day of hearing being come Scipio Africanus called to account by the Tribunes and the Tribunes having taken their places in the Rostra the party entred the Assembly with a great train of Friends and Clients Silence being made he put on his triumphal crown and told the People how as that day he had overthrown Hannibal and the Carthaginians wherefore thinking it convenient for that time not to medle with any brawling businesse he would go and salute the gods in the Capitol A. M. 3818. Ol. 148. an 2. V. C. 567. Seleuci Philop. 1. Ptol. Epiphan 17. and give them thanks that as well that day as at other times they had given him both will and power to do eminent service for his Countrey Then he wished that such of them there present as thought it convenient would accompany him and pray that they might have such principal Officers Principes as he had been 9. Going up to the Capitol the whole Assembly followed him as also to all the temples in the City insomuch that the very Viators and Clerks left the Tribunes alone who also followed and from accusers turned admirers as appeareth from Valerius Maximus out of very shame The Tribunes accused him also grievously in the Senate and desired he might be brought to his answer He rising up produced the Books of accounts wherein was punctually set down all the particulars but he tore it in pieces before them all disdaining to give account for so small a matter in comparison of those vast sums he himself had brought into the Treasury His great spirit The next day of appearance he absented himself and his brother pretending his indisposition he was excused and another day appointed before which he withdrew himself to Linternum or Liternum a Sea Town of Campania For he clearly perceived under what envy he laboured He departeth to Linternum and is not condemned through the procurement of Gracchus it being also objected against him that he had spent in idlenesse all that Summer he lay in Sicily and his power with Antiochus who having discharged his son without ransom honoured him above all others
who used him as his most inward Counsellour or Minister of State and erected to his honour his statue of brasse in the Theatre Tiberius punished by the treachery of Seianus who poysoneth his son Drusus Now he thought of no lesse than the Empire it self as a step to which he poysoned Drusus the son of Tiberius having brought Livia the young man's wife to a compliance with him by his filthy dalliance and corrupted Lygdus the Eunuch to betray his trust Drusus had the year before the Tribumtial power conferred on him but for that he was none of the most towardly was little regarded by his father who as soon as his Funeral was over returned to his wonted employments forbidding any longer vacation upon his account Sueton in Tiberio cap. 52. The Inhabitants of Ilium sending their Ambassadors something too late to condole his death he answered that he also was sorry for the death of Hector their excellent Countrey-man Tiberius after this commended the two sons of Germanicus Nero and Drusus to the Senate which done Seianus began to strike at them though at first through the sides of their mother labouring to bring them all into suspition and hatred Tacitus ut suprà This first advantage he took was from the prayers of the Priests who made vows for their health as for that of Tiberius for he took it hainously that they herein should be made equal to him Then did he provoke them and never ceased till he caused them to be declared Enemies by the Senate after which he starved them to death using also their mother most injuriously for that she was not sparing of her tongue in reprehending and upbraiding him Now was Tacfarinas who had maintained a tedious war in Africk slain by Dolabella Sueton. in Tib. cap. 40. As for Tiberius by the perswasion of Seianus he withdrew into the Isle Capreae and thence forward minding nothing gave up himself to all sorts of enormities 60. For casting off all care of the State being out of sight Idem ibid. Capp 41 42. c. he returned to his natural disposition not looking to the supply either of Army or Provinces suffering Armenia to be seized on by the Parthians Maesia by the Dacians and Sarmatians Tiberius returneth to his natural humour and Gall to be wasted by the Germans He instituted a new Office for the management of pleasures unto which he preferred a Knight T. Caesonius Prisous he held such in greatest esteem bestowed Offices on men that were most for his turn that way being given up to such beastlinesse as is incredible and not to be mentioned He was excessively covetous both as to getting and keeping what was unjust He was so undutifull to his mother as he refused to come at her when living and when dead he neglected to bury her neither would he perform her will but persecuted her friends but she was justly rewarded though as to him unjustly having over and above other wicked practices been suspected to have had an hand in the death of Germanicus His Character given him by his School-master So cruel and filthy he became that he verified the Character given him when but young by Theodorus Gadareus his School-master that he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Dirt mingled with blood Having chosen twenty of the principal men of the Citie to be his Counsellors he scarcely left two or three of them alive Seianus being found out and punished justly for his wickednesse amongst others that were innocent He spared not the familiar friends of his mother nephews Agrippina or Seianus No day either holy or prophane was free from slaughters Every offence little or great was Capital Many were codemned with their wives and children Rewards were proposed to informers and all testimonies taken for true Simple death he accounted nothing and therefore invented painful waies especially after he knew how his son Drusus died he neither spared any person nor sort of torments Caius the son of Germanicus he cared not for as suspecting him and Tiberius his grandson by Drusus he despised as conceived in adultery 61. Joseph Antiq. l. 18. c. 3. Euseb Eccles Hist l. 1. c. 9. Luc. 3. In the twelfth year of Tiberius was Pontius Pilate sent into Judaea to succeed Valerius Gratus the fourth Governour after the banishment of Archelans the son of Herod to Vienna Pontius Pilate succeedeth Gratus in Judaea Coponius was the first M. Ambivius the second Annius Rufus the third and Gratus the fourth Pilate at his first entrance set up the Images of Caesar at Jerusalem which moved the Jews to sedition but overcome by their intreaties he removed them to Caesarea He being now Governour of Judaea Herod Antipas Tetrarch of Galile his brother Philip Tetrarch of Ituraea and Trachonitis and Lysanias of Abilene Annas who formerly having had the Office though displaced by Gratus yet for his authority still caried the name and Caâ—phas otherwise called Joseph whom lately Gratus had placed in the room of Simon by him deposed also being High-Priests in the fifteenth year of Tiberius entering John Baptist began to preach and baptize in the resemblance and spirit of Elias John Baptist beginneth to preach and baptize Amongst others he baptized Christ himself of whom he was the forerunner His ministry is thought to have commenced on the tenth day of the seventh moneth which was Penitential and so great a Fast A. D. 29. Ol. 201. an 4. V. C. 781. that the soul which did not afflict it self was to be cut off from amongst it's People and was also Expiatorie wherein the High-Priest the Type of him before whose face John was sent entred into the Holy of Holies alone with blood expiating the sins of the People this being also the same day wherein by trumpet the Jubile was proclaimed 62. Jesus now about thirty years of age being baptized of John in Jordan and owned for the Messiah and son of God by the descending of the Holy Ghost in the form of a dove and resting upon him as also by a voice from Heaven was led of the Spirit into the Wildernesse to be tempted of the Devil A. D. 30. Ol. 202. an 1. V. C. 782. After his temptation he returned in the power of the Spirit into Galile Going into Galile he received Andrew and Simon his brother the day following called Phlip of Bethsaida the City of Andrew and Simon sirnamed Cephas or Peter by the Lord. On the third day being invited to a mariage in Cana of Galile he turned water into wine this being his first miracle and by it his glory was manifested and his Disciples believed in him Afterward he went down to Capernaum with his mother The Lord Jesus executeth his Ministry his brethren or kinsmen and disciples where they abode not many dayes Then came he to the exercise of his Ministry the acts whereof are distinguished by four Passeovers Amongst the four Evangelists which
in use again in Greece or else burst out in some convenient soil But where have they thus burst out Christianity chased them away wherever it came and put those spirits to silence which were afraid of the Christians in the primitive tirmes so as those holy men could make them confesse they were Devils and chase them out of such bodies as they had possessed for the truth whereof Tertullian in his Apology appealeth to the consciences of the heathen themselves and therefore he would not in so publick a defence produce an untruth which must have been notoriously known Therefore the silence of the Oracles was not from any of those causes which to one that hath opportunity are in themselves easie to be confuted the truth was the time was come wherein the strong mans house was to be entred his goods spoiled and himself bound now the Prince of this world was to be cast out Satan fell like lightning from Heaven upon the approach of that true light which lightneth every man that cometh into the world 79. That notable story which Plutarch bringeth for confirmation of his opinion concerning the Mortality of those Daemoniacal spirits maketh exceeding much for our purpose if we consider the time thereof Thamous the Egyptian Master as he sayled was requested by an uncouth voice uttered three times from land to proclaim the news of Great Pan's death as he passed by Palodes The great Pan that died was Christ the true shepherd Thamous whose name was unknown to his Passengers till he answered to it at the third call was resolved to have let all passe as a fancy or idle message if the wind and tide should grant him passage by the place appointed but the wind failing him on a sudden at his coming thither he thought it but a little losse of breath to cry out aloud unto the shoar as he had been requested Great Pan is dead The words as Plutarch relateth were scarce but of his mouth before they were answered with a huge noise as it had been of a multitude sighing and groaning at this wonderment Now if these spirits had been by nature mortal as the Philosopher thought they were the death of their Chief Captain could not have seemed so strange but that a far greater than the greatest of them by whose power the first of them had his being should die to redeem his Enemies from their thraldom might well seem a matter of astonishment and deep sorrow unto them The circumstance of the time will not permit us to doubt but that under the known name of Pan was intimated the great shepherd of our Souls who had then laid down his life for his flock not the feigned son of Mercury and Penelope as the Wise-men foolishly resolved Tiberius who having had the truth of the story confirmed to him by ear-witnesses called a convocation of wise-men to resolve him who this great Pan lately deceased should be The Scriptures set forth unto us the true cause why both the wild goatish Pan and all the rest of that Hellish crue should at that time howl and mourn seeing by our great shepherds death they were become Dead in Law no more to breath in Oracles but quite to be deprived of all such strange motions as they had seduced the ignorant World with before All the Antick tricks of â—annus the Satyrs and such like Creatures were now put down God had resolved to make a translation of his Church and for this cause the Devils were forced to dissolve their old Chapels and seek a new form of their Liturgy or Service These passages are pregnant enough though we allege not what Nicephorus reporteth that the Oracle at Delphi perhaps not just then extinct said that this Pan was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an Hebrew Child and though we omit what Suidas writeth that Augustus sending to Pythia to inquire who should succeed him had answer that an Hebrew Child Lord of the Gods had commanded him to be gone down again to Hell and therefore he must no more enquire there Whereupon Augustus erected an Altar in the Capitol Primogenito Dei To the first born of God 80. But amongst other testimonies of the Heathen concerning Christ that of the Sibyll's must not be omitted The Testimonies of the Sibylls These women were indued with extraordinary gifts of Prophecy as certain previous pledges that the Gentiles should also drink of the true heavenly and eternal Fountain Like to those was Balaam the Midianite an Idolater yet called a Prophet by the Scriptures who amongst other things foretold that a Star should rise out of Jacob and a Scepter from Israel There were many of these Sibyll's as we have already shewn and several of them Prophecied of Christ Their sayings were made much use of by such antient Christians as had to do with Pagans and Heathen Philosophers (a) Iâ— Paraenet p. 16 c ad 37. vide Justin Martyr telleth such that the old and very antient Sibylla of which Plato Aristophanes and others have made mention spake of one God and against Idolaters as also of the coming of our Saviour Jesus Christ plainly and manifestly and of his works (b) Strom. l. 6. Clemens also writeth of Hydaspes an antient King of the Medes who clearly foretold that the son of God should come Concerning the Verses of Sibylla Erythraea many have written and many of them are produced by Eusebius in the Oration (c) Cap. 18. of Constantine to the Clergy the Acrosticks whereof make up these words * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Jesus Christus Dei Filius servator crux and foretell the last Judgement and Authority of Christ There are others also cited by (d) L. 14. c. 18. Lactantius which speak of Christ his * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. coming into unjust hands his being stricken on the head and wearing a Crown of Thorns the giving of him Vinegar the renting of the veil of the Temple and his being dead three dayes Now some were of opinion of old that these were feigned by Christians as appeareth by what Constantine or Eusebius for him subjoyneth But there are many that give no credence saith he thereunto although they confesse that Sibylla Erythraea was a Prophetesse yea they suspect that some of our religion not ignorant in Poetry made these Verses and that they are falsly inscribed and reckoned among the Oracles of Sibylla seeing they contain very profitable sentences both to restrain the licentiousnesse of immoderate pleasure and so perswade to a modest continency of life Constantine confuteth such as accounted them forged But the truth of this matter doth manifestly appear for our men have with great study so accurately compared the times that none can suspect that this Poem was made and came forth after Christs coming and therefore they are convinced of falshood who blaze abroad that these Verses were not made by this Sibylla
was skinned over After two years Idem ibid. c. 25. Nero began to discover what his Nature prompted him to Beginneth to discover himself Disguising himself in a servile habit he ran about the City by night to Taverns and Stews accompanied with such as himself where taking away things by force as also cutting and slashing such as they met he himself came into danger of life 26. A little before those things Josephus Antiquit l. 20. c. 7. he sent Porcius Festus into Judaea to succeed Felix who being out of his office was accused at Rome by such Jews as dwelt at Casarea Nero pardoned him through the intercession of his brother Pallas Festus succeedeth Felix who was as yet in favour About the same time hapned a great dissention betwixt the Jews of Casarea and the Syrians which there inhabited with them about the right and privilege of the City They pretended that Herod the founder of it was a Jew and those answered that ere he named it Caesarea it was called the Tower of Straton at what time none of the Jews inhabited it and the Syrians by a great sum of money procured Beryllus who had been Nero's School-master to get them the Emperours letters whereby was abrogated that Privilege which the Jews had formerly enjoyed with the Syrians Herewith the Jews incensed were still seditious till the beginning of the Warre Great motions at this time fell out in the East The Parthians had set upon Armenia Tacitus ut supra c. 34 c. having driven away Rhadamistus nephew to Mithridates whom Claudius had set over that Kingdom and who was killed by the other that he might succeed him Nero sent to preserve that Country Domitius Corbulo who for two or three years had little to do because the Parthians deferred the War But now Tiridates brother to Vologesus the Parthian being resoled to fight for the Diadem the Armenians also inclining to him Corbulo prospereth in the East Corbulo took several Forts and besieged Artaxata the Metropolis which though the Inhabitants opened the gates and for this were spared yet because it could not be held for the greatnesse of it was burnt and razed Nero for these things was saluted Imperator passing great honours were decreed to him and a far greater stir was made by the flattering Fathers than was convenient 27. The same year that these things were done by Corbulo being the fifth of his reign Nero fell in love with Poppaea Sabina the daughter of P. Ollius though she named her self after her Grand-father by the mother's side because more eminent Now falleth in love with Poppaea which incenseth him against his mother He came first acquainted with her by the commendations of Otho her husband who also had been too familiar with her in the dayes of her first husband Rufus Crispinus She incensed him more against his mother because she feared that as long as she lived he would not dismisse Octavia and marry her self Sometimes she laid at him by divers criminations as otherwhiles jeered him as a Pupil who not not onely wanted command and authority but also liberty Some have suspected Tacitus Annal. l. 14. c. 1 2 c. that Agrippina sought to commit incest with her son How true soever this was he now began to be absolutely weary of her to shun her company and within a while resolved to make her away though solicitous how to do it Sueton in Nerone c. 34. At length Anicetus his Freed-man and General of the Fleet at Misenum acquainted him that a ship might be so framed as to break into pieces and let her fall into the Sea This ship was thus made and she brought into it by her son under colour of doing her honour but the upper part of the ship falling chanced to misse her though it killed one of her attendants One of her maides knowing nothing of the design cried out that she was Agrippina hoping thereby to save her self and was thereupom killed by the Oars but she her self being silent escaped them and swom to Land Her escape struck Nero with great consternation who called up Burrhus and Seneca to give their advice Whether they knew of the thing before or no is uncertain Some say Seneca asking Burrhus whether the Soldiers should not be commanded to kill her he answered they would do no such thing to the daughter of Germanicus and that Anicetus rather should perform his promise of dispatching her This he readily undertaking accompanied with two others went to the Village where she lay One of them first bruised her head with a club another drawing his sword she stretched out her belly and bad him strike that and so died of many wounds He causeth his mother be made away Some report that her son viewed her dead body exactly and passed his judgement upon every part A. D. 60. V. C. 8â—2 She had been a very lewd and ambitious woman and now reaped the fruit thereof according her own desire For consulting on a time about the fortune of this her son the Chaldaeans told her that He should reign but kill his mother to which she answered Occidat modo imperet Let him kill me so he but reign After this wicked fact he was continually tormented in his Conscience confessing often that he was haunted by the Furies which did beat him with fire-brands 28. He excused himself to the Senate laying great loads of heavy accusations upon her But the Fathers not onely excused but commended the deed nay to such sordidnesse of spirit was both Senate and People degenerated The Senate and People flatter him Tacitus ut suprà c. 12 13. that returning to the Citie they met him with as great Pomp as if he had come from some notable victory for the several Tribes and the Senate received him their Wives and Children being placed according to their Sex and Age. Hereupon he grew excessive proud as Lord over so many slaves and presently unmasking himself without any care of his actions fell into such disorders as he appeared rather a Devil incarnate than a man He became a Stage-player learning that art and exercising himself therein in publick continually His enormities He ordained Games to be solemnized at Rome every fifth year in imitation of the Greeks and called them Neronia persons of all sorts and degrees being constrained to be actors These being continued night and day most horrid things were committed Prince Senate and People either through affection or fear not onely giving way but compelling to such filthinesse Corbulo prospereth in Armenia Corbulo at this time prospering in Armenia had Tigranocerta yielded to him and then placed in that Kingdom Tigranes Grand-son to Archelaus King of Cappadocia with whom having left a Guard and settled matters he departed into Syria to succeed Vinidius the Governour The year following being the 814 of the Citie wherein Caesonius Paetus and Petronius Turpilianus were Consuls the Romans