City of Syracuse by Sea and Land but cou'd not storm it with all his Power being perpetually hinder'd by the great Skill and Inventions of that excellent Mathematician Archimedâ—s who contriv'd such Engines as wouâ—d cast Stones of prodigious Bulk upon the Romans and vast Beams upon their Ships and dismount all their Bat-Battering Engines He also set the Roman Ships upon one end or overturn'd them or hois'd 'em up into the Air and after all the Men were fallen out let 'em fall upon the Walls by which means he became so formidable to the Romans that Marcellus was forc'd to remove to a farther Distance Jeering his own Engineers and calling Archimedes Briareus After some considerable Actions in Sicily and after Three Years Siege Marcellus found means to surprize the City on a great Festival of theirs by reason of an Ill-guarded Tower and so became Master of it Marcellus cou'd not forbear his Tears at the Destruction of such a glorious and Magnificent City which he endeavour'd but could not prevent but above all the Death of Archimedes was the greatest Trouble to him for he had given strict Command to his Men to preserve him But this great Artist was at that time so extreamly Busie about his Mathematical Speculations that he took no Notice of the Noise and Uproar in the City and so was kill'd by a Common Soldier before he suspected any Danger His Body was honourably bury'd by Marcellus's Order and vast Plunder was obtain'd by the Soldiers besides many rich Works and great Rareties sent to Rome the City being full of People and 22 Miles in Compass The Wars in Italy were manag'd the same time with various Success Hannibal had Tarentum betray'd to him the Castle still holding out and the Romans invested Capua straitning it so much that they were forc'd to send to Hannibal for Relief He made no great haste to relieve 'em being very desirous to take the Castle first but then coâ—sidering how great a Disgrace the loss of such a Place as Capua wou'd be he broke up the Siege of Tarentum and directed his March thither Hannibal attack'd the Romans in their Trenches and tho' he was assisted both by the Inhabitants and his own Garrison he was repell'd with considerable Loss Finding the Relief of the Place extream hazardous he resolv'd to fall upon Rome it self expecting that the very Name of such an Enterprize wou'd oblige 'em to raise the Siege for which Reason he March'd directly that way His Designs being heard of at Rome the Citizens were variously inclin'd as to their Way of Security some thinking all the Forces in Italy were to be sent for but Fabius wou'd by no means hear of rising from before Capua therefore a middle Way was taken which was to send for Fulvius the Proconsul from the Siege with 15000 Foot and 1000 Horse for the Defence of Rome which was speedily effected Hannibal being now encamp'd about eight Miles from the City Hannibal in a short time decamp'd and advanc'd to the River Arno three Miles from Rome from whence with a Party of 2000 Horse he went to take a View of the City Flaccus much offended that he shou'd take such Liberty without Opposition sent out a considerable Body of Horse which falling upon him forc'd him to retreat The next Day and the Day following Hannibal on one side and Flaccus with the Consuls on the other drew out all their Forces for a General Battel but on both those Days there fell such great Storms of Hail and Rain that the Armies cou'd not joyn but after they had retir'd to their Camps the Weather provâ—d fair and calm This struck the Carthaginians with a Religious Awe and made Hannibal to say That one while his Mind another time his Fortune wou'd not suffer him to become Master of that mighty City Whereupon he decamp'd and March'd to the River Turia from thence to the Lake of Feronia where he plunderâ—d a Temple of that Goddess proceeding in this outrageous Manner through the Countries of the Lucani and Brutii which Cruelty lost him much Credit and did him as much Injury Flaccus return'd to the Siege of Capua which soon after was surrender'd the Heads of the Revolt being put to death and the common sort sold. This City being situated in so good a Soil was reserv'd for the Use of all sorts of Plowmen Labourers and Artificers without any Shew of Government of its own as it had formerly This happen'd in the 7th Year of this War and 54â—d of the City In Spain the War had been carry'd on all this time with great Vigour the Romans being generally Conquerours killing in one Battel 3â—000 Men but in this last Year Claudius Nero the Governour of Spain was much impos'd upon by the Treachery of Asdrubal and another Governour was order'd to succeed him both the Scipio's having been slain not long before in Spain A Comitia was held for the creating a Proconsul for Spain but none appear'd to stand for that Office well perceiving the Hazards and Difficulties of such a War which causâ—d a great Concern and Sadness among the 〈◊〉 Whereupon young Scipio a Noble Youth 〈◊〉 24 Years of Age bravely stood up and profess'd â—â—â—self Candidate having the Year before been 〈…〉 tho' under Age by the great Favour and Câ—â—â—ence of the People This Scipio was Son to the Consul slain in Spain a Person of rare and wonderful Abilities for his Age of extraordinary Courage and Valour and of as eminent Prudence and Vertue which excellent Accomplishments made him joyfully accepted of by the Votes of all but after he was chosen they began to have some Concern upon the Account of his Youth which he apprehending call'd 'em together and with such a noble Spirit and great Resolution promis'd 'em Success that they departed abundantly satisfied with their Choice The following Year after Scipio's Voyage to Spain Valerius Laevinus who had done good Service against Philip of Macedon was made Consul a second time and sent into Sicily where taking the City Agrigentum he soon reduc'd the whole Island which was the first time the Romans became Masters of all Sicily and this fell out in the 8th Year of this War and 544th of the City In the time of Laevinus's Consulship a Dictator was created for holding the Comitia for a new Election both he and his Collegue Marcellus being abroad this was Fulvius Flaccus and his Master of the Horse was Licinius Crassus In this Election Fabius Maximus was chosen Consul a Fifth time in which Year Tarentum was Betray'd into his hands the Success of this Campaign proving very doubtful and various and in this same Year was a Lustration where were found but 137108 Free Citizens by which Account it appears what great Losses the Romans had sustained by these Dreadful Wars Marcellus for this Year sometimes won and sometimes lost with Hannibal and the following was made Consul a Fifth time when going against Hannibal he was slain in
THE ROMAN HISTORY FROM THE Building of the City To the Perfect Settlement of the EMPIRE BY AVGVSTVS CAESAR Containing the Space of 727 Years Design'd as well for the Understanding of the Roman Authors as the Roman Affairs The Second Edition carefully revis'd and much improv'd By LAVRENCE ECHARD A. M. Of Christ-College in Cambridge LONDON Printed by T. Hodgkin for M. Gillyflower in Westminster-Hall I. Tonson at the Iudge's-Head in Fleet-street H. Bonwick at the Red-Lyon in St. Paulâ—s Church-yard and R. Parker at the Unicorn under the Royal-Exchange in Cornhill MDCXCVI THE ROMAN HISTORY TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE Sir Iohn Sommers K t. Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England and one of His Majesty's most Honourable Privy-Council May it please Your Lordship HAving undertaken to collect a short Account of the Roman Affairs I here presume to present it to Your Lordship and were the Performance in any degree answerable to the Nobleness of the Subject and the Greatness of Your Lordship's Skill in this as well as in all the politer Parts of Learning I might justly hope to find it in some measure acceptable But how mean soever the Performance is I have still some fair Prospect of the Design and I was almost assur'd from Your Lordship's generous Inclinations to promote the best and most useful Parts of Learning that such a Design cou'd not by any other Means be so acceptable to the Publick as by having the Advantage of Your Lordship's Name before it My Lord I cannot pretend to any such Knowledge of the Law as to understand which is the surest Method of attaining to Perfection in it But as I am inform'd some lay their Foundation in the ancient Histories of the Saxons Danes and Normans Others I am told only by the Way of Institutes Reports and Statutes arrive to a considerable Fame and Practice But some there are whose generous Industry carries 'em yet further who think it necessary to spend some time in the Roman History Classical Authors Civil Law and the Pleadings of Cicero And I need not go about to acquaint the World That Your Lordship's Excellency in all these together with Your great natural Endowments and answerable Improvements did not only give Your Lordship very high Advantages over Others at Your first Appearance but in a very short time rais'd You to the highest Dignity in the Law and the utmost Favour of the greatest Prince in the World I speak not this my Lord so much to celebrate the singular Prudence and Justice of His Majesty in advancing Your Lordship to this most honourable Station as to shew the World what peculiar Reason I had to offer this humble Address and how ambitious I was of appearing My Lord Your Lordship 's most humble obedient and devoted Servant LaureÌ„nce Echard THE PREFACE THERE are requir'd so many Qualifications and Accomplishments in an Historian and so much Care and Niceness in writing an History that some have reckon'd it One of the most difficult Labours that Human Nature is capable of And this seems the more probable from the small Number of good Histories that ever yet appear'd in the World Even the principal Writers of the Roman History who are doubtless as excellent as any in the World have not been free from Faults or at least from Criticks who have been very ready to make their several Remarks upon ' em Polybius say they is a very good Author but is too much addicted to Preaching Dionysius Hal. is a very great Critick but too morose and may rather be plac'd among the Writers of Antiquities than History Diodorus Siculus spends too much time in Fables and is not free from trifling and has but little of the Roman Affairs Dion Cassius they look upon to be fickle partial a great Flatterer and as great a Reviler Appian is very well for Military Discipline but is often out in the Roman Affairs Caesar only wrote of some of his own Matters and was so Modest and Iust as not to call his Book History but Commentaries Neither will Plutarch nor Suetonius go for Historians they being only Biographers Livy say they is indeed a great Man but he is a little too verbose and circumstantial and too much given to Prodigies and Patavinity Salust is blam'd for his Preface which they say is not only large enough for the History of the World but might as well stand before any other Book whatsoever And something they have to say of all the rest which I need not trouble the Reader withal But notwithstanding these several Censures most of these Authors are very extraordinary in their kind and generally are excellent Patterns to imitate if it be done with Iudgment But how extraordinary soever they are they are either all Fragments or else so unfinish'd that a compleat Body of the Roman History for six or seven hundred Years can never be gotten out of any one of ' em So that he who expects to have any tolerable Account of the Roman Affairs for so long a time from old Writers must besides his understanding the Latin and Greek Tongues put himself to a considerable Expence both of Money and Time except he will content himself with that little he can learn from Florus and such other immethodical and imperfect Epitomies This Consideration is sufficient to vindicate my Design in this following Collection and I know none which is of it self more useful for Young Scholars or Gentlemen or perhaps more entertaining There never was any thing of this kind in our Language before nor any thing relating to the Roman Affairs but either what has been intermix'd with much more other History or what has contain'd but a few Years of this Part. Of these I find none of any Note besides Raleigh Ross Howel the Author of the History of the two Triumvirates and Pedro Mexia Author of the Imperial History the two last of which are Translations Sir Walter Raleigh's Account of the Romans begins at the Building of the City but contains but 586 Years ending at the second Macedonian War And tho' it cannot be deny'd but the last hundred Years is written with very much Spirit and Iudgment and all of it with as much Skill and Clearness yet besides the Inconveniency of being so intermix'd with other Matters all before the first Punick War bear no manner of Proportion with the rest as to length Ross carries on Sir Walter 's Design but after such a disproportionate Manner either for Length or Vigour that I need not say any more of him Howel is much more exact both for Method and Proportion in the Roman History than Sir Walter and does not only continue it as far as this goes but above 300 Years further which he has done with wonderful Pains and Industry Yet notwithstanding all his Method he has not justly proportion'd his Matter his 57 Years Period after the Expulsion of the Kings is too long for the rest of his History many memorable Actions between that
the Designs of a Warlike Prince so in the beginning of his Reign he purchas'd the good Opinion of the Poorer sort by dividing to them Man by Man that Portion of Land which his Predecessors the two former Kings had kept to bear their Charges saying That his own Inheritance was sufficient for his own Expences That none of these might want Room he enlarg'd the City and took in the Hill Caelius where he also had his Palace and all such as had now gotten Ground and wanted Habitations built upon it so the City encreas'd in Bulk every day It was not long before this Prince had a fair Opportunity of War offer'd him for Cluilius Governour or Dictator of Alba envying the Growth of Rome had procur'd some Persons to Rob and Pillage in the Roman Territories knowing they wou'd revenge the Injury which when they did he perswaded the Albans that they had receiv'd a great Affront and caus'd 'em to take up Arms But that there might be some Appearance of Reason and for the greater Formality Ambassadors were sent to Rome to demand Restitution Hostilius presently perceiv'd the Design and well knowing that they who first refus'd Satisfaction wou'd bear the greatest Blame by nobly treating the Ambassadors cunningly delay'd giving Answer till he cou'd send to demand Restitution at Alba. His Ambassadors receiv'd a sharp Repulse from Cluilius at Alba upon notice whereof Hostilius gave Audience to the Alban Ambassadors telling them How he had receiv'd such an Answer from Alba as argu'd the League broken whereupon he proclaim'd a just and necessary War against the Albans which he wou'd carry on to the utmost Both Parties made all possible Preparations and drew out their Forces about five Miles from Rome to a Place afterwards call'd Cluilius Ditch where when they expected to have decided the Quarrel Cluilius was found dead in his Tent but whether by a natural or violent Death is uncertain In his Place was chosen Metius Fuffetius a Person who had no other Qualifications to recommend him to this Office besides his turbulent Spirit and his being as great an Incendiary as his Predecessor At the same time the Fidenates and Veientes who in Romulus's days had submitted to the Romans and in Numa's Reign were preparing and seeking for an Opportunity to shake off their Yoak had now drawn their Forces together at Fidenae with Design to fall upon both Romans and Albans after they had weakned themselves in Battel The News of these Preparations at first put the Armies to a stand and made 'em both decline Fighting for a while till at last Fuffetius fearing these People and Hostilius desiring to punish them came both to a sort of an Accomodation agreeing That for the Safety of both Nations the Quarrel shou'd be decided by a Combat of three Persons on each side and the Conquering Party shou'd obtain the Preeminence and Command over the other These Proposals were no sooner ratify'd but many Valiant Persons ambitious of the Honour of serving their Country offer'd themselves to be the Combatants but cou'd not be accepted of others being before agreed upon For it hapned that one Segvinius of Alba had formerly two Daughters one marry'd to Curiatius an Alban and the other to Horatius a Roman who being both with Child at the same time were deliver'd of Three Sons at a Birth Now to these two Ternions of Brothers was this great Combat committed as being of equal Years Strength and Courage and all Matters of Consanguinity and private Affections dispenc'd withal Now was the Fate of Rome to be decided by Six Persons only which rais'd all Peoples Hopes and Fears to a more than ordinary Pitch The Lists were prepar'd between the two Armies Judges were appointed and the Combat perform'd with extraordinary Pomp and Solemnity and with as much Courage and Resolution on both Sides The Curiatii were in a short time all wounded but two of the Horatii were slain downright and the third unhurt left to oppose three Adversaries At this the Albans gave a great Shout but he not the least daunted cunningly retreated as tho' he had wholly fled and drawing 'em out severally so as to have but one against him at once he slew 'em all and Rome became Conqueror At his return to the City his Sister met him with many provoking and reproachful Words for imbruing his Hands in the Blood of his Cozen-Germains whereof one was contracted to her upon which Horatius elevated with the Honour of his Conquest and transported with the Love of his Country slew her upon the Spot For which Fact when he was accused Hostilius avoided giving Judgment himself but hereupon created those Officers call'd Duumviri for Capital Punishments and they Condemn'd him But there lying an Appeal from these Officers to the People they gave him his Life at the Request of his Father who esteem'd it as a great and Heroick Act and gave his Daughter Ignominious Burial for a dreadful Example to all who preferr'd Private Respect before the Publick Good Hostilius dealt very gently with the Albans but notwithstanding for the Advantages gain'd over them had a Triumph II. The Fidenates and Veientes finding that they were like to be call'd to an Account for their treacherous Practices now broke into open Rebellion and Fuffetius enrag'd at the Event of the late Combat and hoping to free himself from the Roman Power privately encourag'd 'em with large Promises of Assistance if they stood in need of it The Romans and Albans now made up one Army and were advancing towards the Fidenates and Veientes but upon their nigh Approach Fuffetius who had laid all his Designs before-hand drew off all the Alban Troops on one side with a Resolution of joining with the prevailing Party The Romans apprehending the danger of their Separation and fearing some Treachery were greatly discourag'd at it but Hostilius tho' satisfy'd of the Villany immediately gave it out as publickly as he cou'd That it was done by his Order and was all a Stratagem to surprise the Enemy At this unexpected Report the Fidenates and their Companions were quite disheartned upon Suspicion of their Friends Infidelity and in a short time were put to the Rout by the Romans for which Victory Hostilius triumph'd a second Time After the Battel Fuffetius join'd with the Romans again like one that had done nothing amiss but Hostilius assembling the whole Body of the Albans and then laying before them all his treacherous Practices and villanous Designs caus'd him to be torn in pieces by Horses having before-hand sent Marcus Horatius to Alba who utterly demolish'd that City and transplanted the Inhabitants to Rome Thus fell the City of Alba once famous for its Riches and Number of Inhabitants after it had flourished 487 Years Rome grew much in Strength Riches and Grandeur out of the Ruins of Alba Mount Caelius being appointed for the Inhabitants that came from thence and the King allowing 'em all the Roman Privileges He
from the natural Period of his Life he was slain by his Daughter and Son-in-Law after this manner Tullius had two Daughters whom he marry'd to Tarquin's Grandsons Lucius Tarquinius and Aruns Tarquinius The first of a proud tyrannical Nature had a very modest good Wife and the last of a mild sweet Temper had a haughty wicked Woman Lucius inrag'd at Tullius for possessing his Grand-Father's Throne and finding his Brother's Wife of a fiery Temper and rather more cruel than himself agreed with her to change Husbands both promising to dispatch their Consorts which they soon effected and were marry'd together After this they resolv'd the utter Ruine of the King raising what Factions they cou'd against him alledging his illegal Title then claim'd the Crown as Heirs to Tarquin But Tullius by his great Modesty and prudent Management defeated all their Designs and came off with great Honour both with the Senate and the People which brought Lucius to a feign'd Repentance on his side and that produc'd a real Reconciliation on the King 's Lucius cover'd with this Disguise took an opportunity one day when most of the People were out of the City to go to the Senate-House with the Robes and Royal Ensigns as King and getting together such of the Fathers as were his special Friends he boldly took Possession of the King's Throne Tullius unadvisedly with a few Followers hastned thither and going to thrust him out Lucius threw him down the Stairs The old Man hardly recovering his Spirits was led homewards in great Disorder when Lucius's Wife coming to see the Event saluted her Husband King and advis'd him to send after Tullius and dispatch him which was immediately perform'd In her Passage home coming to the Place where the Body lay weltring in Blood and as yet almost gasping her Charioteer stood still startl'd and amaz'd at the Inhumane Spectacle not having Room to pass by it Whereupon she in a Rage threw her Footstool at his Head and in a barbarous manner forcâ—d him to drive her over it the Place which before was call'd Cyprius Vicus was after this Act call'd Sceleratus This was the End of Servius Tullius a Prince of eminent Justice and Moderation after a prosperous Reign of 44 Years but the less pity'd upon the Account of his undue Admission to the Crown which made most of the Patritians espouse his Successor's part especially since he was about altering the Government which wou'd have prov'd the Weakning if not the Ruine of their Authority He left the Roman Dominions in much the same Condition as they were in the last Reign only he got a larger Footing in Hetruria CHAP. VII From the Death of Servius Tullius to the Banishment of Tarquinius Superbus the Seventh King of Rome which caus'd the Dissolution of the Regal State Containing the space of 25 Years I. LUcius Tarquinius having barbarously murder'd his Father-in-Law obtain'd the Kingdom by meer Force and Violence and by his Tyrannical and Imperious Carriage soon got the Surname of Superbus as that of Priscus for distinction sake was given to his Grand-Father He wou'd not permit the King's Body to be publickly interr'd lest the People shou'd rise and cause some dangerous Disturbances he alledging That Romulus dy'd without Burial He murder'd such as he suspected to be of Tullius's Faction and fearing the natural Consequences of his Tyranny he kept a stronger Guard than ordinary about his Person All Controversies whatsoever he decided himself assisted by his intimate Friends and executed banish'd and fin'd all at his own Pleasure He endeavour'd to establish his Tyranny with the more Security by great Alliances marrying his Daughter to Octavius Mamilius the greatest Man among the Latines being descended from Telegonus the Son of Ulysses by Circe and by his false Accusations and a cunning Device caus'd 'em to stone Turnus Herdonius who had discover'd to 'em his Baseness and Villany He neither consider'd the Consent of the Senate or People but much diminish'd the Authority of the former by the Murder of many of the higher Rank whose Wealth he seiz'd on for his own use resolving to chuse no more in their Places that their Power might decrease insensibly and in time be worn out Among those whom he murder'd for their Estates Marcus Iunius was one a most eminent Man among the Romans descended from the Companions of Aeâ—eas and marry'd to Tarquina Daughter to Tarquinius Priscus by whom he had Lucius Iunius This Lucius was nobly educated and had an admirable Wit and Knowledge with a profound Judgment and Understanding but after Tarquin had privily murder'd his Father and his eldest Brother the better to save himself and revenge his Father he counterfeited himself a Fool and thence had the Surname of Brutus Tarquin thinking his Folly real despis'd the Man and having possess'd himself of his Estate kept him as an Ideot in his House suffering him to converse with his Children not out of any Respect as a Kinsman but to make 'em Sport by his ridiculous Words and Actions It hapn'd in the time of a great Pestilence he sent his two Sons Sextus and Titus to consult the Oracle and with them Brutus as a Companion for their Diversion The Sons were well pleas'd with his Company and laugh'd very heartily to see him offer a wooden Staff to Apollo wherein he had secretly convey'd Gold The young Men having executed their Father's Commands enquir'd of the Oracle Which of them shou'd be Prince of Rome It was answer'd He who first shou'd kiss his Mother which the Sons misunderstanding agreed to do it both at their return and reign jointly together But Brutus knowing the meaning of the Oracle as soon as they arriv'd at Italy pretended to fall down by chance and kiss'd the Earth which is the common Mother of all Men. After this he ever made it his Business to find Opportunities of ruining the Tyrant and restoring the Liberties of Rome all which he carry'd on by a profound Secrecy and a wonderful Dissimulation II. Tarquin being a Warlike Prince first march'd against the Sabines who refus'd to pay him Obedience and soo reduc'd them to Submission over whom he obtain'd a Triumph Soon after he began a War with the Volsci a People bordering on Latium which continu'd with some little Intermissions above 200 Years From these he took Suessa-Pometia a considerable City about 26 Miles South-East of Rome where he found great Spoils and Plunder and over them he obtain'd a second Triumph Next he fell upon Gabii a City of great Note 10 or 11 Miles East of Rome which had taken part with Suessa-Pometia He invested it but meeting with great Difficulties he caus'd his eldest Son Sextus to counterfeit Desertion upon Pretence of barbarous Usage from his Father who being honourably receiv'd by the Gabines by his cunning and insinuating Behaviour got to be their Governour After some time he sent to his Father to know what Measures to take Tarquin took the Messenger
with a Mixture of Sadness and Amazement at the Greatness as well as Strangeness of the Act but while they were lamenting over the dead Body Brutus catching at this Opportunity now threw off his long Disguise giving them to understand How far different he was from the Person they always took him for and further shew'd 'em most manifest Tokens of the Greatness of his Spirit and the Depth of his Policy He told 'em That Tears and Lamentations cou'd never he heard whilst Vengeance cry'd so loud thereupon in a great Rage going to the Body and drawing the bloody Knife from out the Wound swore by Mars and all the Celestial Powers above Utterly to exterminate Tarquin with his Impious Wife and Frâ—geâ—y to prosecute them and all their Friends with the utmost Rage of Fire and Sword and never after to suffer the Tarquins or any other to reign in Rome Then he deliverâ—d the Knife to the rest who all wondring at so extraordinary a Change in Brutus swore as he had done and turning their effeminate Sorrow to a masculine Fury they resolv'd to follow his Instructions and extirpate Kingly Government Brutus as soon as he could procur'd the Gates of the City to be shut that all might be kept secret from Tarquin till such time as the People might be assembled the dead Body expos'd and a publick Decree for Tarquin's Banishment procur'd The Senate being assembled all shew'd their Willingness to banish Tarquin but at first had very different Opinions concerning the new Modelling of the Government which probably might make it a tedious Business Brutus represented to 'em the absolute Necessity of a quick Dispatch and immediately prescrib'd 'em a Form of Government shewing them That before Tarquin's violating his own and his Predecessors Oath Rome had been happy and famous both for her Acts abroad and her Constitutions at home and that the Regal Power had at last been dangerous and almost destructive to the Security of the State and the Safety of the People and therefore was not to be trusted in one Man's hands but two were to be chosen who shou'd govern with equal Authority and Command Then because Names alone were offensive to many People he thought that of Kingdom was to be left off and the other of Common-wealth to be assum'd and instead of the Title of King and Monarch some more Modest and Popular was to be invented as likewise were some of their Ensigns to be laid aside and others to be retain'd That the main and only thing to keep these Magistrates in Order was to prevent their perpetual Power and if they were Annual after the manner of Athens each might learn both how to be Subject and how to Govern Lastly That the Name of King might not be wholly lost the Title was to be given to one who shou'd be call'd Rex Sacrorum who having this Honour for Life and Immunity from Warfare shou'd only concern himself with those Religious Rites which the King had Charge of before The Particulars of this Speech were all approv'd of by the Senate who immediately issued out a Decree for the King's Banishment in this Form That the Tarquinii should be banish'd with all their Off-spring and that it should be Capital for any one to speak or act for their Return Brutus having procur'd thus much the Comitia were immediately aâ—sembled by him and the Body of Lucretia all dismally bloody brought and set there for a pittiful Spectacle to all the People There Brutus to their great Surprise discover'd himself telling 'em the Reasons of his long and strange Dissimulation and the great Occasion of their present Meeting withal shewing 'em the Senate's Decree Then he fell to enumerating all the several Crimes and Villanies of Tarquin particularly That he had Poyson'd his own Brother Strangled his Wife Murder'd his lawful Sovereign and fill'd Diâ—ches and Common-Sewers with the Bâ—dies of the Nobility That he came to the Kingdom on Usurper and continu'd in it a Tyrant being treacherous to his greatest Friends and barbarous to all Mankind That his three Sons were of a Temper as Insolent and Tyrannical as himself especially the Eldest of which they now had a sâ—d and doleful Instance before their Eyes That since the King was absent and the Patricians all resolv'd neither Men Mâ—ney nor Foreign Aid shou'd be wanting to 'em had they but Courage for the Enterprize Urging withal that it was a shame to think of Commanding the Volsci Sabines and Nations abroad and be Slaves to others at home and to maintain so many Wars to serve the ambitious Ends of a Tyrant and not undertake one for their own Liberty And that as for the Army at the Siege their own Interest in all Respects wâ—u'd oblige 'em to joyn in what ever was agreed upon in the City The Multitude transported with the Hopes of Liberty and charm'd with the Person and graceful Behaviour of Brutus with loud Acclamations gave their Assent and immediately call'd for Arms. Lucretius was appointed Inter-rex for holding the Comitia who strait adjournâ—d it to 〈◊〉 Campus Martius where Magistrates were elected in their Armour There he nominated Brutus and 〈◊〉 to exercise the Regal Power as they before had agreed on among themselves and the Centuries confirmâ—d 'em by their Suffrages In the mean time Tarquin having heard something of these Transactions came riding in all haste to the City with his Sons and some of â—is most trusty Friends to prevent the Mischiefs that threatned him but finding the Gates fast shut and the Walls full of Armed Men in great Grief he returnâ—d to the Camp But Brutus foreseeing his sudden Coming had industriously got before him to the Army another Way and acquainted them with the Decree both of Senate and People pressing 'em hard to a Revolt Immediately their Suffrages were call'd over according to their Centuries and they unanimously agreed to do exactly as their Friends in the City had done so that when Tarquin returnâ—d they refus'd to admit him Thus frustrated of his Hopes he went to Gabii or to Caere in Hetruria now Grey-headed having reign'd 25 Years Herminius and Horatius Chief Commanders of the Army made a Truce with the Enemy for 15 Years and raising the Siege before Ardea return'd to Rome with all their Forces IV. Such was the End of the Regal State of Rome 245 Years after the Building of the City in the first Year of the 68th Olympiad A. M. 3496 31 Years after the Ruine of the Babylonian Empire and the setting up of the Persian 179 before the beginning of the Macedonian and 507 before our Saviour Christ occasion'd by a Man who knew neither how to govern according to the Laws nor yet to reign against them The Roman Dominions now contain'd most of Old Latium with the greatest part of the Sabines Country a considerable part of Hetruria particularly of the Veientes Caeretanes and Tarquinii besides some small Parts of the Volsci and Aequi being much
Afflictions and Severities of Fire and Sword and was the true Scene of all kind of Misery and Desolation the Town deserted by its Inhabitants and all its stately Buildings a heap of Rubbish no hopes being left but in the Capitol which was now closely besieg'd by the Gauls and in the Banish'd Camillus whose Presence was now heartily wish'd for While the Gauls lay before the Capitol they sent out many Parties to Forage in all the Country about who ravag'd and destroy'd all the Towns and Villages they arriv'd at and that with the greatest Carelesness and Security imaginable conceiving no sort of Opposition or any manner of Danger But the greatest and best order'd Body of their Forces approaching Ardea Camillus who had liv'd there a retir'd Life began to rouse himself from the sullen Resentments of his Wrongs to the moving Considerations of the Miseries of his Country and by a brave and incouraging Speech perswaded all the Ardeans that were able to bear Arms to fall upon the Enemy in the Night time which was done so effectually that scarce any were left to carry the News of the Defeat The Fame of this Victory began to revive the fainting Spirits of the Romans who now found that these dreadful People were not invulnerable and the Romans who lay at Veii now finding Camillus's readiness immediately sent to him to be their General begging of him to forget all former Injuries and succour his distressed Country He objected his banish'd Condition and refus'd to Act unless by Commission from those in the Capitol whom he consider'd as the true Body of the surviving Roman State This modest Answer was extreamly well taken but they cou'd not imagine by what means to send to the Capitol while the Enemy was in full Possession of the City But for the Undertaking this desperate Attempt one Pontius Cominius offer'd his Service which being kindly accepted of he thus perform'd Putting on a poor Garment carrying Corks underneath he went for Rome and arriv'd at the City when it was dark The Bridge he cou'd not pass by reason of the Guards but taking his Cloaths and binding 'em about his Head he swam down the Tiber upon his Corks and avoiding those Quarters where he perceiv'd the Enemy to be awake which he guess'd at by the Lights and Noise he got into the City and from thence to the Capitol climbing up in the steepest Place with extream Danger and Difficulty The Besieged were much surpriz'd at the Greatness of the Attempt and presently giving him his Instructions sent him back the same Way he came and this part of his Expedition he perform'd with the same good Success that he had done the other and upon his Return delivered to Camillus an Order of the Senate to make him Dictator Camillus chose Valerius Potitus for his Master of the Horse and getting together an Army of above 40000 Men he prepar'd to march against the Enemy In the mean while at Rome some of the Gauls hapned to discover some Foot-steps and Prints made by Pontius at his climbing the Hill which being privately told to Brennus their King he order'd a select Party of Men in the dead of Night to climb up the same Way and take the Capitol by Surprize These Men perform'd their Office with great Difficulty and much Time not any of the Dogs appointed for the Watch perceiving it nevertheless it so hapned that some Sacred Geese which were kept by the Temple of Iunâ— by their Gaggling and clapping their Wings discover'd them The Romans every one snatching what Weapon he cou'd did their utmost on this sudden Occasion and Manlius a Patritian of great Courage was the first that made Head against 'em boldly mounting the Rampier and presently tumbling down two of the Enemy at once Others soon came in to his Assistance and drove down all the rest not a Man escaping and the next Morning the Captain of the Watch was thrown Headlong down the Rock and Manlius rewarded as well as Circumstances wou'd permit Henceforwards the Affairs of the Gauls were in a worse Condition first wanting Provisions then infected with the Plague which rag'd much among 'em but still the Besieged cou'd have no Relief being reduc'd to a languishing and desponding Condition for want of Provisions and Necessaries So that after a seven Months Siege they were forc'd to Capitulate and it was agreed That the Romans paying down 1000 Pound weight of Gold the Gauls should immediately quit the City and Territories This Agreement being confirm'd by Oath and the Gold brought forth the Cauls out of Covetousness us'd false Dealings in the weighing pulling back the Balance as they thought fit at which the Romans complaining Brennus cast in his Sword and Belt into the Scales scoffingly crying Vae Victis Woe to the Vanquish'd which afterwards became a Proverb Whilst this Difference lasted Camillus was arriv'd with his Army and hastning with a choice Party of Men to the Place where the Gold was a weighing he came boldly and took it out of the Scales telling the Gauls that it was the Custom of the Romans to deliver their Country with Iron not with Gold Therefore he null'd the Compact because made without his Consent who alone as being then their Dictator had the sole Power of making Peace Upon this therefore a Fight immediately ensu'd where after a most bloody Contest the Gauls were intirely routed and such great Execution done upon 'em in the pursuit that all the Roman Territories were in a short time clear'd of ' em Thus was Rome unexpectedly taken and in seven Months as unexpectedly recover'd Camillus for his excellent Services having a noble Triumph being now deservedly look'd upon as their second Romulus II. After this War was finish'd the Tribunes of the People began to urge once more for the removing to Veii which caus'd the Senate to procure Camillus to hold his Office of Dictator for a whole Year which was six Months longer than the usual time Camillus with kind Words and gentle Language appeas'd the Multitude shewing 'em How unworthy and dishonourable a Thing it wou'd be for 'em to forsake the venerable Seat of their Ancestors and all their Sacred Rites which were appropriated to this Place to inhabit a conquer'd and inslav'd City Upon this therefore Rome was order'd to be rebuilt with all Diligence and all Persons were employ'd about it but it was carry'd on with that Haste and Hurry that the City wanted much of its former Beauty and Regularity and the Water-courses formerly laid in the Streets now ran for the most part under private Houses When Camillus's second six Months were out Military Tribunes were chosen and in the same Year the Aequi Volsci and Hetrurians all took up Arms and invaded the Roman Territories The Military Tribunes were soon block'd up by the Enemy and were brought to such Straits that the Senate made Camillus Dictator a third time and he chose Servilius Ahala for his Master of the
rest of the Places in Aquitain submitted and going to Narbone he then disposâ—d his Men into their Winter-Quarters in such a Manner that they prov'd very useful to him afterwards in the Civil Wars And this finish'd Caesar's Eighth and last Years Expedition in Gaul and all the Parts thereabouts after a long and almost uninterupted Course of many Glorious Conquests and noble Victories to the mighty Encrease of his own Honour and Renown and the great Inlargement of the Roman Dominions and Riches as well as the Terrour of their Name and Authority II. Now the Jealousies between Caesar and Pompey began to be more conspicuous than ever and well might a Rupture be expected when two Persons the Greatest that ever Rome produc'd were become Rivals in Glory especially when their Tempers were such that the latter cou'd not endure an Equal nor the former a Superiour Caesar had now rais'd himself to an extraordinary Height both as to Riches and Reputation then the Grandeur of his Mein his unbounded Generosity and his Noble Actions had entirely engag'd the Affections of his Soldiers to him who all lov'd him almost to Adoration Again a great many of the Senators stood obligâ—d to him for considerable Summs of Money which he had lent 'em without Interest he entertainâ—d with Magnificence all such as serv'd under him even to the very Slaves and his Army was a Refuge to all manner of Criminals and such as were much in Debt a great many of which he discharg'd at his own Expence but for some whose Debts were larger than ordinary he us'd to say That one Civil War would make all even All this was done at Gaul's Expence which might occasion this Observation That Caesar Conquer'd the Gauls with the Romans Steel and the Romans with the Gallick Gold Pompey had observ'd that Caesar in his Consulship had rendred himself very distastful to the Senate therefore he made it his Business by his outward Carriage and fair Demeanor to gain their Favour which he did with good success Caesar was aware of this and for that reason endeavour'd vigorously for the Consulship in his Absence and likewise to procure his Government to be prolongâ—d trying all Ways and Methods to keep his Army till he cou'd get to be chosen Consul But he soon found that this Affair did not succeed according to his Wish being chiefly hinder'd by Marcus Marcellus one of the present Consuls and his Great Enemy Tho he was sufficiently sensible of Pompey's Jealousy he resolv'd to endeavour once more to preserve his Friendship therefore offerâ—d him his Niece Octavia and demanded Pompey's Daughter for himself but Pompey thought fit to make choice of an Alliance with Scipio whom he joyn'd with him in the Consular Dignity for the last Five Months The first Publick Appearance of the Division began from Pompey's two Laws publish'd in his Consulship the first being to enquire into the Miscarriages of Officers for Twenty Years last past and the latter to forbid all Absent Persons to demand any Publick Employment both which were designâ—d against Caesar. But still no great Violence was us'd but all was manag'd with extream Artifice and Cunning till the Election of the New Consuls who were Aemilius Paulus and Calidius Marcellus a Kinsman of Marcus Now every one with great Impatience expected to find how the Consuls wou'd declare themselves the first had been well secur'd by a large Present of 1500 Talents from Caesar but Calidius was Caesar's Enemy and being carry'd on by the same Spirit with his Kinsman Marcus follow'd also his Methods Curio was likewise one of the Tribunes a Person of the highest Fame for his Eloquence and Pleadings and of great Parts and Resolution but now much burthenâ—d with Debts both for himself and others and particularly for Marcus Antonius one of his Collegues Curio had been one of the most violent against Caesar's Interest but Caesar who well knew all his unhappy Circumstances quickly found a Way to bring him over by furnishing him with Means to quit himself of those Incumbrances Curio after this made use of Practices very refinâ—d forbearing to declare himself of Caesar â—s Party the better to penetrate the Designs of the other Party and after that sought an Opportunity to break with Pompey In order to which he demanded to have the Charge of the High-ways conferrâ—d upon him altho' he knew it wouâ—d be denyâ—d him and upon refusal he shew'd his Resentment and soon after when Marcellus the Consul proposâ—d with great Earnestness the recalling Caesar from his Government Curio applauded his Wisdom adding withall That it was but Iustice that Pompey and Caesar should be both call'd from their Governments together All apprehended the Meaning of this Proposal and Pompey's Friends began to be very troublesome to Curio particularly Appius one of the Censors who threatn'd to expel him the Senate and proposâ—d it in one of the Assemblies Curio submitted to any Thing decreed against himself in particular but wouâ—d yield to nothing where Caesar's Interest was struck at and the Consul Aemilius securâ—d him from the Affront offer'd him by Appius Curio resolving not to be discourag'd made the same Proposal to the People as he had done to the Senate which was receiv'd with the greatest Applause imaginable and as a further Testimony of their Satisfaction they gave Power to Caesar to demand the Consulship without removing out of his Province This caus'd Pompey to leave the City under pretence of going to his Government but he really went no further than a Country-House of his where falling sick he Wrote to the Senate That he was ready to resign all his Employments when Caesar did the like which he wou'd confirm upon his Return to Rome Curio immediately took this Advantage and told him It was his Duty to begin what he propos'd and he wou'd engage that his Example shou'd be follow'd by Caesar. The Matter was then publickly debated but ended only in an Order that two Legions shouâ—d be drawn out of Caesar's and Pompey's Army to be sent against the Parthians and this was only to weaken Caesar's Army for Pompey likewise demanded the Legion which he had formerly lent him Caesar immediately apprehended the Reason of this Order and Pompey's Designs nevertheless he made no Opposition but surrenderâ—d two Legions Generously Giving each Man Five and twenty Crowns Cicâ—ro at this time returnâ—d to Rome from his Government of Cilicia where he pretended for his Great Exploits to have Merited the Honour of a Triumph His Absence had hinder'd him from joyning with either Party and his present Pretensions oblig'd him to be a Mediator between both but no Proposals of Accommodation wou'd be hearken'd to for Appius returning from Caesar's Army publish'd abroad That his Soldiers had no Esteem for him and that they wou'd certainly come over to the Senates Party whenever they recover'd this side of the Alps. This Relation gave Pompey great Confidence so that Cicero cou'd not be heard And when he
many of 'em being Romans This forc'd Caesar to take great Care after he had secur'd the King's Person to secure himself in the Town not being strong enough to stand 'em in the Field and to cause his own Quarters to be strongly fortify'd where nevertheless he was shortly after attack'd by Achillas Caesar's Soldiers bravely repuls'd the Enemy whose chief Design was to get Possession of the 50 Ships and 22 Galleys which were in the Haven which oblig'd Caesar after a long and doubtful Fight to possess himself of the Pharos a Tower of wonderful Structure in an Islet just by and to set Fire to those Vessels the Flames whereof being driven by the Wind upon some Houses nigh the Port burnt 'em down and among 'em unhappily consum'd one of the best Libraries in the World belonging to the Kings of Aegypt and consisting as some Authors report of 700000 Volumes The Port made Caesar Master by Sea tho' he was close shut up by Land and the People of the Town were generally against him In the mean time the young Princess Cleopatra came to Caesar with much Danger and Difficulty she embark'd in a Shallp with only Apollodorus one of her Domesticks with whom she arriv'd that Night under the Castle of Alexandria and there Appollodorus binding her up in a Packet of those Necessaries which he brought along with him took her upon his Back and by that means deceiving the Aegyptian Guards carry'd her to Caesar. Caesar was too sensible of the Charms of Beauty not to be touch'd with those of Cleopatra who was now in the Prime of her Youth and one of those sprightly Beauties whereof every Feature had its particular Grace All which join'd with an admirable Wit and a Voice so soft and bewitching that even that Perfection alone without the help of her Eyes which were the finest in the World inslav'd the Hearts of all who heard her nor cou'd Caesar refuse her his but at first sight shew'd himself of her Interest Ptolemy her Brother quickly found it and Caesar's Uneasiness in his Love made the Inhabitants more Turbulent but he soon quell'd all and as Consul and Tutor to the young Princess in a general Assembly he read the Will of Ptolemy their Father and promis'd to put it in Execution In the mean time Photinus was slain in the City by a Tumult and Ganymedes the Eunuch under pretence of assisting Arsione King Ptolemy's youngest Sister and by declaring her Queen had caus'd Achilles to be slain and procur'd himself to be made General of the Army who assuming the said Authority continu'd the Siege with much Vigour reduc'd Caesar to great Extremities by spoiling all his fresh Water which he soon remedy'd by his extraordinary Diligence and digging abundance of Wells Caesar began now to expect his Succours with Impatience and being inform'd that the 24th Legion was arriv'd on the Confines of Africk but cou'd not come up by reason of the Winds he embarkâ—d with his whole Fleet but with only his Mariners and set forward to meet it The Enemy knowing that he was without Soldiers atrack'd him but he soon worsted 'em join'd his Legion and return'd to Alexandria This first Fight astonish'd the Alexandrians nevertheless they resitted and came against Caesar with a stronger Fleet than before but were again routed and forcâ—d to fly under the Peer of Pharos Caesar was only Master of the Tower and making an Attack upon the Peer with some little Success was nevertheless at last repulsâ—d with so much Disorder that not being able to hinder his Soldiers from throwing themselves on Board his Ship he savâ—d himself by swimming but with so much Presence of Mind that he lost none of his Papers which he held out of the Water with one Hand to preserve 'em from wetting nor yet his Coat Armour which he carried in his Teeth The Alexandrians finding they were not able by Force to drive out Caesar had recourse to their old Arts of Dissimulation demanding their King from him pretending That they were weary of the Command of Ganymedes and a Girl and that were desirous of making Peace with the Romans under the Authority of their lawful Prince Caesar was sensible of their perfidious Temper but finding the War might be more honourable and not much more dangerous presently deliverâ—d him who as he expected employ'd all his Forces against him But at this time Mithridates of Pergamus a Man of noble Birth of brave Spirit and great Fidelity to Caesar came with an Army to Caesar's Assistance He first took Pelusium by the Way and went to pass the River Nile at a Place callâ—d Delta Which Ptolemy being inform'd of went in Person to oppose him and Caesar did the same to assist Mithridates who before the Arrival of either had already beaten Ptolemy's Men in one Rencounter Caesar also defeated others before he cou'd join Mithridates after which he attackâ—d a small Fort between his Camp and that of Ptolemy which he took and the next day attackâ—d their very Camp which he forcâ—d and the King endeavouring to save himself by Water was drown'd After this Victory Caesar met with no Opposition in all Aegypt and the City of Alexandria was the first that submitted so he made his Entry as Conqueror and pardon'd the Citizens in favour of Cleopatra whom he establish'd Queen with her younger Brother Ptolemy according to the Intent of their Father's Will driving out Arsione and Ganymedes The rest of the Days he staid in Aegypt he dedicated to the Love he had for this beautiful Princess and the Rejoycings for his Victory He spent much of his time in her Company and some Authors report that he went up the Nile with her in a magnificent Galley and that he had gone as far as Aâ—thiopia if his Army had not refus'd to follow him but however he afterwards gave such publick as well as private Testimonies of his Aâ—â—ection that he left her with Child of a Son whom he callâ—d Caesario II. About the beginning of the Alexandrian War Caesar had great Honours voted him by the Senate at Rome who were now most of â—em gatherâ—d together He was made Consul for five Years together Dictator for a whole Year and had the Power of Tribune for his Life and thoâ— he was out of Italy he took the Dictatorship and made Marc Anthony his Master of the Horse who as yet had not been Praetorâ— Anthony at his six Months end was forcâ—d to lay down his Office and was made Consul the Augurs crying it was unlawful for any Master of the Horâ—e to hold that Office above six Months But the principal Cause was his exercising too great an Authority in that Place which with the outrageous Carriage of Trebellius and Dolabella both Tribunes raisâ—d great Commotions and Disturbances in the City Caesar's Presence was now much wanted and he might have been far sooner at Rome if Cleopaâ—ra had not held him fast by her Charms in Aegypt which Hold she was at
for Clemency as before he had for Valour Then to shew his generous Temper he caus'd Pompey's Statues to be set up again to shew that he esteem'd a great Soul and a magnanimous Spirit even in his greatest Enemy which occasion'd Cicero to observe in his Writing That Caesar by restoring Pompey's Statues secur'd his own In this second Iulian Year his Collegue Anthony procur'd by a Law that the Month Quintilis shou'd in honour of his Name be afterwards call'd Iuly and many other Laws were made In the mean time as he was no ways belov'd by those who were greatest in the Senate tho' his Ordinances had no other Design than the publick Good they forbore not to viliâ—ie him by their Raileries Now tho' Caesar had Information of their several Discourses he bore it all with so great a Moderation that when some other People had yet the Boldness to violate his Reputation by Libels he never so much as enquir'd after them All his Designs shew'd the Greatness of his Soul he made a Proposition for adorning of the City of Rome with a magnificent Temple consecrated to Mars and with a Theatre and likewise the building of a new Curia or Parish to be call'd Iulia. He rebuilt Carthage and Corinth sending Colonies to both Cities He undertook to level several Mountains in Italy to drein the Pontine Marshes near Rome and to empty the Lakes Works of prodigious Charge and likewise design'd to dig through the Isthmus of Peloponnesus by Corinth After these he design'd an Expedition against the Parthians to revenge the death of Crassus and they being conquer'd to enter thro' Hircania along the Banks of the Caspian Sea into Scythia to open himself a Way through Germany into Gaul and so return to Rome But all these vast Designs soon came to an End enjoying his Sovereign Authority but five Months Caesar's good Fortune which had appear'd by so many Victories his Merit and great Abilities supported by the Affection of the People and the Love of his Soldiers had now rais'd him to a Degree above all other Romans But as it usually happens in Common-wealths where overy one valuing himself upon his own Merit looks upon absolute Command as a Right which he one Day in his Turn may pretend to so it was now for that his extraordinary Advancement daily brought upon him the Jealousie of the Senators In the mean time in an extravagant manner they continually flatter'd his Vanity with new Honours preferring him in his Life time in some sort among the Gods and declaring his Person Sacred and Inviolable They gave him the Title of Father of his Country stamp'd Money with his Image order'd publick Sacrifices on his Birth-day and his Statue to be set up in all Cities and in all the Temples at Rome Some Authors have reported that he procur'd these Honours by his Authority others that they were freely bestow'd upon him However his accepting of all that was offer'd him caus'd him much Hatred from many which was discover'd more plainly one Day when the Senate had decreed him some new Honours and came all in a Body to the Temple of Venus where he was to acquaint him with their Decree and he whether out of a Mistake or Design rose not up but receiv'd 'em sitting which Neglect much offended the Senators and caus'd 'em to talk very freely and publickly about it particularly saying That he plainly affected the Title of King He had indeed the Power in effect but only wanted the Name which was odious to the Romans Caesar who well knew the Effects of that Aversion very cautiously defended himself from that Odium and one Day when some People call'd him Lord and King he made Answer That he was Caesar. Nevertheless he often let some Discourses fall which much promoted the Belief People had of his Ambition particularly That a Republick was nothing but a meer Name and Notion and that Sylla had discovered great Ignorance in laying down the Office of Dictator Caesar shortly after gave a fresh Occasion of Suspicion to the People by his displacing the Tribunes for imprisoning some Persons who had put Diadems upon his Statues And by another Instance soon after he still more plainly perceiv'd the Affections of the People at the Celebration of the Feasts call'd Lupercalia where he himself assisted at the Show seated upon a Tribunal in a Chair of Gold and his Triumphal Ornaments Anthony passing through the People who open'd to make him way went up to the Tribunal and presented a Crown to Caesar some clapp'd their Hands as if they approv'd of it but when Caesar put the Crown back there was a general Applause Anthony offer'd it a second time but still with as little Marks of Satisfaction from the People Caesar again refus'd it which was follow'd with loud Acclamations on all sides Caesar who had laid this Design before now plainly understood their Sentiments and thereupon rising commanded the Crown to be carry'd to the Capitol nevertheless he was so concern'd and so little Master of his Disorder that he said that Night to his Friends That he wou'd freely offer his Throat to any Man that wou'd cut it And tho' he had a thousand Testimonies of the Hatred he lay under he so abandon'd himself to his Designs that from this Moment he neglected all manner of Means of securing himself against his Enemies When he was advis'd by some not to trust Brutus too far he open'd his Breast saying Do you believe that Brutus cares for such poor Pillage as this He was sometimes heard to say That he had rather die once by Treason that to be so miserable as always to live in fear of it And at another time That the Republick had more Interest in his Preservation than himself that he had gain'd Glory and Power enough but after his Death the Common-wealth wou'd be more harass'd with Civil Wars then ever it had been And one Day being at Supper with Lepidus as his Friends disputed among themselves what Death was easiest he reply'd to 'em That which is most sudden and least foreseen He disbanded his Company of Spanish Guards and contented himself with the Protection of his Friends which Proceeding of his much facilitated an Enterprize upon his Life soon after The Design upon Caesar's Life was carry'd on with extraordinary Caution and Secrecy tho' above threescore Senators enter'd into this Conspiracy the Principal whereof was Brutus whose Life Caesar had sav'd after the Battel of Pharsalia and Cassius both Praetors at this time The Name of Brutus had been famous in Rome ever since Brutus the first Consul under the Foot of whose Statue was found written Wou'd to Heaven thou wert alive and certain Billets were thrown into the Praetor's Tribunal in these Words Brutus thou art asleep and not a true Brutus Cassius was Author of most of these things and he hated Caesar upon several Accounts particularly for his naming Brutus the eldest Praetor when he was above him in