Asdruball seeing the passage of the river stopped against him turned to the Ocean and even at the first they departed in great hast as if they fled which was the cause that they gat the start of the Romane legionarie footmen and wan a good space of ground before them But the horsemen and light appointed footmen plaied one while upon their tailes flanked another whiles their sides and by this meanes with charging recharging they wearied them and staied their march And when as upon many of these troubles by the way their ensignes were faine to stand and forced to maintaine skirmish some time with the horsemen and sometimes with the light javelottiers and auxiliarie footmen behold the legions also came on apace and overtooke them Then there was not so much fighting and resistance as massacre and slaughter of them downe they went with them and killed them like sheepe so long untill their leader himselfe began to flie and escaped into the next mountaines together with 7000 halfe naked and unarmed All the rest were either slaine or taken prisoners Then the Carthaginians began to encampe fortifie in all hast tumultuous sort upon the highest mount they could find from whence by reason that the enemies had assaied in vaine to get up the hill having so difficult an ascent they had not so much adoe to defend themselves But the place being bare and naked and disfurnished of all commodities for their releefe they were not able to hold out the siege for a few daies And thereupon the souldiours fell apace to forsake their owne captaine and to goe to the enemie So that at the length the Generall himselfe in the night season abandoned his armie and having got shipping for the sea was not farre off he embarked and fled to Gades Scipio being advertised that the captaine of his enemies was fled left with Syllanus tenne thousand footmen and a thousand horsemen to continue the siege of the campe Himselfe in person with the rest of his forces within seventie daies returned to Taracon for to examine and heare incontinently upon his arrivall the causes of the princes and States that upon the true estimate of their deserts they might be rewarded or chastised accordingly After his departure Masanissa having had secret conference with Syllanus about inducing his people also to bee pliable and to hearken unto a chaunge passed over into Affricke with some small retinue At which present time verily the occasion of his suddain alteration was not so evident and apparent as afterwards his most constant truth and fast alleageance observed unto his dying day was a good proofe and argument that even then he entred not into this designement and action without good and important cause Then Mago in those ships that Asdrubal had sent backe passed over to Gades The remnant thus forlorne of their captaines some by way of voluntarie yeelding and raunging themselves to the adverse part others by flight were scattered among the next cities and no troupe remained of them behind of any marke and reckoning to speake of either for number or strength In this manner and by these means especially were the Carthaginians driven all out of Spaine by the conduct and happie fortune of P. Scipio in the thirteenth yeare of the warre and in the fixt of Scipio his government in that province commaund of the armie And not long after Syllanus returned to Taracon unto Scipio and brought word that the warre in Spaine was fully ended And L. Scipio was sent with many noble persons captives as a messenger to carrie tidings to Rome of the conquest of Spaine And when al other tooke full contentment and infinite joy at these newes and abroad in all places highly magnified the glorie of this service he alone who was the man that did the deed as one who had an insatiable desire of vertue and true honour made but small reckoning of the recoverie and winning of Spaine in comparison of those matters that hee hoped for and conceived in that high and magnanimous spirit of his which he carried with him For now hee cast in his mind and aimed at the conquest of Africke and great Carthage and therewith to make persite and consummate that glorious warre to his owne immortall honour and renowme And therefore supposing it was now a good time to begin the way to those high exploits and to lay plots to prepare aforehand yea and to win unto him the hearts of the princes and nations hee determined first of all other to found and assay king Syphax This Syphax was king of the Masaesyli a people bordering upon the Mores and abutting upon that part of Spaine especially where new-Carthage is situate At the same time the king was in league with the Carthaginians which Scipio supposing that hee would observe no more surely and precisely than commonly the Barbarians use whose fidelitie dependeth upon Fortune sent C. Laelius with rich gifts and presents as an Orator to treat with him The barbarous prince was glad hereof both because the Romans then prospered every where and also the Carthaginians in Italie lived by the losse and in Spaine went downe to the ground where they had nothing left and therupon he condescended to entertaine the friendship of the Romanes But for the confirmation of this amitie he neither would give nor take assurance but onely in the personall presence of the Romane Generall himselfe So Laelius having obtained the kings roiall word and warrant that Scipio might come unto him with safe conduct and securitie returned unto Scipio Now for him that aspired to the conquest of Africke it was a matter of great consequence and importance in all respects to make himselfe sure of Syphax the most mightie and puissant king of all that land who had aforetime made proofe what the Carthaginians could doe in warre and the confines and marches of whose kingdome lay fitly upon Spaine and but a small arme of the sea betweene Scipio thinking it therefore to be a matter worth the adventure with great hazard for otherwise it might not be leaving for the defence and guard of Spaine L. Martius at Tarracon and M. Syllanus at new-Carthage whether hee had travelled by land from Tarracon and taken great journies himselfe and Laelius together losed from Carthage with two great Caravels of five bankes of oares and passed over into Africk through the calme and still sea most-what rowing and other while also making saile with a gentle gale of wind Haply it so fell out that the very same time Asdruball driven out of Spaine was entred the haven with seven gallies of three course of ores and rid at anker neere unto the shore for to be set a land When he had a kenning of the two Carvels aforesaid which albeit no man doubted but they were enemies and might have bene bourded by them being more in number before they could gaine the rode yet hereupon ensued nothing else but a tumult and hurrey among the mariners
he was not able in open fight to make his part good but giving the heardmen his supposts in charge to come at a time appointed some one way and some another to the kings pallace hee set upon the king On the other side Remus with another crue from Numitor his house came to second him and so they slew the king Numitor at the first uprore giving out eftsoones that the enemies had entred the cittie and assailed the kings pallace and thereupon having called the youth of Alba into the Citadell to keepe it by force with a good guard and espying the two young men after the murther done comming towards him with ioy forthwith assembled the people together and declared openly before them all the wicked dealings of his brother against him the parentage of his nephews the manner of their birth and bringing vp and how they came to be knowne after that hee reported the murther of the Tyrant and tooke it vpon himselfe as the authour thereof The two young men passing with their companies through the middest of the people saluted their grandsire king whereat the whole multitude also with one accord and voice ratified the same so was his roiall name and estate by them established Thus was the whole regiment or kingdome of the Albanes committed to Numitor. Then Romulus and Remus had a great desire to found themselues a cittie in the verie place where they had beene cast forth and fostered Now were there of Albanes and Latines both very manie that might be spared besides a number also of heardmen who all set together put them in good hope that Alba and Lavinium too would bee but small Citties in comparison of what which now was a building Whilest they were devising of these things an old canker came betweene to marre all even desire of rule and soveraigntie the same which had troubled their grandsires before them and thereupon a soule fray which arose from a smal and slight occasion For as much as they were both twins at one birth and the respect of their age might yeeld no choice and difference it was thought good and agreed upon that the gods who had the tuition of those places should by Augurie or slight of birds declare and shew whether of the twaine should both name the citie and also rule the same Romulus chose the mount Palatine and Remus the Aventine for their temples or religious quarters to marke the birdsight and each one apart to receive their Augurie First as they say had Remus appearing in slight sixe vultures or gripes and as tidings came unto him of this Augurie it happened that the number unto Romulus was presented double whereupon they were both of them by their supposts and favourites saluted kings The one side tooke the vantage of the time the other of the number for the prerogative of the kingdome Thus they fell to hot words first and from chollerike words to blowes and bloodshead in which sturre and preasse of the people Remus was wounded and slaine in the place The more common report goeth that Remus inscorne of his brother leapt ouer the new wals wherevpon Romulus in great choler slue his brother with his owne hands and in menasing wife added these words withal So perish he what ever else he be that shal once dare to leape over my wals Thus Romulus alone became king and the Cittie new built of the founders name was called Rome Wherein first hee fortified mount Palatine in which he was himselfe reared To all the rest of the gods he sacrificed after the rule and custome of the Albanes onely to Hercules after the manner of the Greekes according to the first institution of Evander For the same goeth that Hercules vpon a time after hee had slaine Geryon drave that way exceeding faire Oxen and neere the riuer Tybris where hee had swum ouer with his drove asore him laid him downe in a faire greene meddow as well to refresh himselfe being wearie of his way as also to rest and bait his cattell in so plentifull grasse and forage There falleth he into a sound sleepe as having well charged himselfe with wine and viands and one Cacus a sheepeheard dwelling thereby a man right fierce and bearing him prowdly of his strength being greatly in love with the fairenesse of the beasts had a good will and minded to fetch away that bootie but for that if hee had driven the beasts into his owne cave the verie trackes would have led the owner of them thither hee drew the goodliest and biggest of them backeward by their tailes into his hole Herculs earely in the morning when he awoke and beheld his droue and missed some of his count went on toward the next cave if haplie their footing would traine him thither But seeing all traces from wards and leading no other way as one troubled in spirit and doubtfull what to doe he began to drive farther out of that theevish and dangerous corner But as some of the Oxen in driving missed their fellowes behind and honing after them bellowed as their nature is Herculs chanced to heare them loow again and answere from out of the cave wherein they had been bestowed whereat he turned backe and made in hast thither But as Cacus forciblie made head against him and would have kept him from entrance Hercules smote him with his club and for all his calling upon other heardmen for helpe slew him outright At the same time Evander who fled out of Peloponnesus governed that Countrey rather by a kind of countenance and authoritie than by force and lordly command A man much honoured for his wonderfull invention of letters a strange and rare thing among those rude and vnlearned sort but more honoured for the opinion that the people had of his mother Carmenta reputed to bee a goddesse whom for her spirit of prophesie those countries before that Sibylla came into Italie had in great revence and admiration This Evander being raised with the concurse of the sheepheards affrighted about the stranger guiltie of manifest murther and hearing of the fact committed and the occasion thereof avising well there with the person of the man his feiture and favour more stately a good deale and carrying a greater majestie than the ordinarie proportion of men demandeth of him who he was And as soone as he understood his name his father and native countrey O Hercules quoth he the soone of Iupiter All haile my mother a most true prophetesse hath foreshewed vnto me that thou shalt encrease the number of heavenly wights and that in this place an altar shall be reared and dedicated vnto thee which the most mightie and richest nation one day of the world shall name Maxima and honour according to the ceremonies by thee ordained In a good houre be it spoken quoth Hercules and the osle I gladly accept and so giving him his hand faithfully promised to accomplish the will of the
prouided I dare be bold to say that when they are by this calamitie once tamed they will rather till and husband the ground themselves than with weapon in hand and by way of insurrection forbid and hinder the tillage thereof I cannot so soone say whether it had beene as meete as I suppose it was possible and easie to effect that the Senators by offering more gentle conditions in the prices of corne and victualles might haue eased themselues of the Tribunes authoritie ouer them and also haue beene disburdened of those impositions which maugre their heads were laide upon them Well this seemed to the Senate a sharpe censure and severe sentence of Cartolanus and for verie anger also it had like to have caused the Commons to rise up in arms For they muttered and gave it out in these tearmes That now they were laide at and assailed with famine like enemies defrauded and berest of their meat and pittance that the outlandish corne the onely sustenance and food which fortune had ministred unto them beyond all hope was snatched and plucked from their mouths unlesse the Tribunes be delivered yeelded prisoners hand and foot bound to C. Martius unlesse he might have his penniworths of the backe and shoulders of the commons of Rome For he was now start up become their tormentor and hangman to command them either to death or to servitude As he went out of the counsell house they had run upon him with violence but that the Tribunes as good lucke was served him with processe in time to appeare at a day and come to his answer Herewith their furious anger was suppressed For now everie man saw that he was himselfe to be the judge and lord of his enemies life and death Martius at the first scorned the Tribunes thundering threats gave the hearing as though he made smal reckoning there of saying That their authoritie had power granted by limitation only to aid and not to punish that the Tribunes were Tribunes to the commons and not to the Senators But so spightfully were the Commons bent and all so set upon mischeef that there was no other remedie but one man must pay for it to save and excuse the rest of the Nobles Howbeit the Senatours did what they could to withstand them by opposing hatred and displeasure againe and making all meanes what either privately they were able of themselves or jointly by their whole Order and degree to procure And first this course they assaied to stop and overthrow the suite commensed namelie by setting their followers and retainers in sundrie places to deale with the commons severallie one by one and what they could to affright them from meetings and assemblies together Afterwards they came all forth at once into the Forum or common place A man that had seene them would have said they had beene the parties themselves in trouble and accused readie to hold up their hand at the barre such a beseeching they praying such a beseeching they made of the commons in the behalfe of this one citizen this onelie Senatour that if they would not in their love acquit him for their sakes as innocent and unguiltie yet they would give him unto them as an offender and faultie person In conclusion when his daie came he made default and appeared not yet continued they still in their angrie mood against him And being condemned in his absence for contumacie departed into banishment to the Volâ—cians menacing his own countrie as he went and carying even then with him the revenging stomacke of an enemie The Volcians at his comming received him courteouslie and friendlie increated him everie daie more than other as they perceived his anger more and more toward his countriemen by many complaints he made of them threats withall that he eftsoones gave out against them in their hearing He made his abode and sojourned in the house of Accius Tullus Who at that time was a mightie great man among the Volscians and one that ever bare mortall mallice unto the Romanes And whiles the one of them was provoked with an old cancred grudge and the other set on and pricked forward upon a fresh quarrell and occasion of anger they both laid their heads together and complotted to make warre upon the Romanes This onelie thing stood in their waie to crosse their designes They thought verilie their Commons would hardlie or uneth at all be brought to rise and take armes againe which they had so often unhappilie attempted And besides their courages were well cooled and their stomacks abated by the losse of their youth in manie and sundrie warres often times afore and now at last by the late pestilence and mortalitie They were therefore to go cunninglie to worke that for as much as the old hatred against the Romanes was growne out and worne away their hearts upon some new anger might be chaufed and galled againe There were by chance at that time in Rome the great Games and Plaies in hand to be set out a new the second time the occasion whereof was this A certaine houshoulder one morning betimes before the shewes and games began had beaten with rods a poore slave of his under the forke which he caried on his shoulders and driven him along through the minds of the Circus or Theatre and with that began the plaies as if there had bene no matter therin of scruple or religion But not long after one T. Latinius a meane commoner had a dreame or vision In which he thought that Iupiter complained and said that the dancer before the plaies pleased him never a whit and unlesse those games were newlie exhibited againe and that verie statelie and sumptuouslie some great danger should befall the citie willing him withall to make relation heerof unto the Consuls The man albeit in truth he was not without some sense and feeling of religion the feare of God yet made he no such great scruple at the matter but that the reverence he had of the majestie and countenance of the magistrates surmounted and dashed it cleane for feare least haplie he should become a talking stocke in mens mouthes and be mocked for his labour But this delaie and sleeping of the matter he bought full deere For within few daies his sonne happened to die And because he should be out of doubt what was the cause of this his losse and suddaine misfortune whiles he was troubled in spirit with anguish and sorrow behold the same vision appeared to him againe in his sleepe and seemed to aske him whither he had not yet sufficientlie paide for this disobedience and contempt of God threatning moreover that in case he made no greater hast to certifie the Consuls thereof there was a greater judgement and plague toward and that verie neere Now was the thing more evident thanbefore and past all peradventure Howbeit he neglected drave it off still until he was himselfe overtaken with a grievous disease and brought to great weaknes in
as hee was to wit and understand that neither the law should want the patronage of the maker nor the Decemvir faile in courage and resolution neither would hee call together his fellowes officers and sergeants for to keep under such seditious and turbulent spirits as he was but would content him selfe with his owne Lictors and doe well ynough The time now of effecting this injurie being thus deferred and the maidens advocates gone aside they agreed first of all upon this point that a brother of Icilius and a sonne of Nymitorius two lustie and nimble young men should be dispatched streight from thence to the gate and that with all speed possible Virginius should bee sent for home from the campe for that it stood the maiden upon as much as her whole estate and life was worth that he would be present and readie in due time the day following to preserve her from this hard course and wrongfull proceeding According as they were bidden they set forward and spared no horseflesh untill they brought tidings hereof to her father All this while the plaintife that made challenge to the maiden was very instant with Icilius to baile her and put in sureties And he again made answere That he went about it as fast as he could and did nothing els but indeed trifling out the time for the nonce untill the messengers that were sent to the campe were gotten afore well onward on their way Then the whole multitude on all sides held up their hands in token that they offered themselves everie one unto Icilius readie to become bound Whereupon he burst out into tears for tender heart Gramercie quoth he my maisters all to morrow I will use your helping hand for this time I am sped of sureties ynough So was Virginia set at libertie and bailed by the suretiship of her kinsfolke Then Appius after hee had staied a while because hee would not seeme to have sitten for that matter alone when hee saw all other suits and causes ommitted in regard they had to it and no man comming to him for justice he arose gat him home to his house wrote unto his brethren Decemvirs into the camp that they should not give Virginius his pasport but keepe him fast in durance and in ward This wicked practise as God would have it came short For Virginius alreadie had gotten his discharge and was departed forward on his journey in the evening by the setting of the first watch And verie earely in the morning came the letters for to stay him but all in vaine For Virginius by breake of day was arrived by which time the whole cittie resorted into the common place standing and waiting wistly for his comming And thither he himselfe being in soiled and simple array brought his daughter in her old worne clothes accompanied with certaine wives and a great number of advocats and friends Then and there began he to go from one man to another and to labour them hard and not onely besought their assistance by way of intreatie and praier but also required it as due and deserved saying that he stood daily in field readie to sight in defence of their wives and children neither could there be reported of any man more hardie exploits and valiant pieces of service in warre than of himselfe But what booteth or availeth all this quoth he to save the cittie from enemies in case our children be forced to abide the utmost extremities that befall unto citties taken by the enemies thus went he about preaching as it were from one man to another Semblably Icilius cast foorth and redoubled like speeches freely and spared not But the traine of women with their still silent weeping moved men more than any words utteted All this notwithstanding Appius in his obstinat mind so disquited was he wholly possessed with a forcible spirit of humorous madnesse rather than of amarous passion ascended up into the tribunall Where as the plaintife first of himselfe was framing some short complaint that by reason of partiall favour and making of great friends he could not have law and justice the day past before that either he had made an end of his demand or given leisure to Virginius for to put in his answere accordingly Appius interrupted the speech and began himselfe What preamble it was that he made before his decree peradventure some auntient writers have for truth recorded But for as much as I cannot any where find in so shamefull a decree that which carrieth but a shew and soundeth like a truth therfore that only which is of all agreed upon I thought best to set downe even the sentence barely without any preface at al namely That he iudged her in the behalfe of the Plaintife to be his bond-servant First all men there wondered at this unworthie foule act and being strucken therwith astonied for a good while after stood still and held their peace But afterwards when as M. Claudius went to lay hand on the maiden amongst the dames that stood about her and was received with a piteous lamentation and crie of the women Then Virginius beckning with his hands and shaking them at Appius To Icilius quoth he have I betrothed my daughter and not to thee O Appius brought her up I have for honest and chast wedlock not for uncleane and filthie whordome to be a wife another day and not an harlot Is this the manner of it like bruit and wild beasts without all regard to leape and run upon you care not whom and to fulfill your fleshly lust How these that be here will suffer such prancks I know not but they that are in camp with sword in hand I hope will never put them up Now when as he that challenged the maiden was by a knot of women and advocates that stood about her repelled back then proclaimed the bedell and commanded silence And the Decemvir having his head intoxicate and altogither carried away with unbridled lust brake forth and said That he had certaine intelligence and was informed of a truth by manifest and assured evidences and not induced and led thereto by the reviling taunts of Icilius yesterday and the violent proceedings of Virginius whereof he had the people of Rome to beare witnes and which might give some light and presumptions That the night past there were meetings and conventicles in the cittie and all to raise a mutinie and insurrection and therefore he not ignorant of such a broile and roiot toward was come downe into the common place with a guard of armed men not minding to hurt any one that would keepe the peace but onely by vertue of the majestie of government and authoritie to represse such as troubled the peaceable state of the cittie therefore it were best for them to be still and quiet Go Sergeant quoth he cause the people to avoid the place and make roome for the master to lay hand upon his bondslave and after he had thundred out
as well by Consuls as Tribunes that present yeare and no longer ago For who may ever hereafter quoth he have benefit of appeale if it be not lawfull for me who stand yet not condemned nor attainted and have not pleaded for my selfe what commoner what meane person may find reliefe by those lawes if Appius Claudius may not It will be seene in me and mine example shall be a precedent and proofe to others Whether by these new statutes lordly rule or equall libertie be established whether the calling for helpe by way of mediation and intercession or by plaine appealing against the wrongfull proceedings of magistrates be granted in very deede or but onely pretended in bareshew under vaine colourable pretences and foolish letters patents Against all this Virginius made his rejoinder and said That Appius was the man alone exempt out of all benefit of lawes and excluded from all civile and humane societie Let men but looke backe toward the tribunal feare the very well head as it were and receptacle the fortresse and hold of all wickednesse whereon that perpetuall Decemvir practising his crueltie upon the goods the bodies and lives of free citizens menacing whipping cheere and hangmans worke unto all persons a contemner both of God and man garded with a crue of executioners and butcherly tormentours rather than Serjeants proceeding on from spoile and bloudshed to set his heart on lecherie and carnal lust plucked a maiden by birth free from out of the very armes of her father as if she had ben taken captive in war and that in the fight of the people of Rome and gave her away to one of his followers even to a groome of his bedchamber Where by a cruell decree of his and detestable sentence adjudging her bond he caused the father to lay violent hands upon his owne daughter where he commanded the espoused husband and Vnckle of the Virgin that tooke up her bodie halfe dead to be had away to the Gaol as being more displeased with them for disappointing and putting him beside his purpose of abusing and spoiling her than for the murder upon her by them committed Adding moreover and besides That he had built a prison which hee used to tearme The habitation and dwelling house of the Commons of Rome And therefore plead hee eftsoones and as often as hee will his appeale I will not give over quoth Virginius but as often tender a judge betweene and be able to prove that he gave not sentence and pronounced her free but bond but in case hee will not abide to bee consured by a competent judge then I command him to be carried to prison as attaint and convicted Thus was he committed toward and as there was none misliked of this proceeding so everieman was greatly troubled in spirit to see so great a personage punished the very Commons themselves thought their liberty too large and excessive The Tribune set him downe a day before hand to plead for himselfe make his answere Amid these affaires there came to Rome Embassadours from the Latines and Hernicks to congratulate and to shew their joy and great contentment for the unitie and concord betweene the Nobles and the Commons in token whereof they brought as a present unto Iup. Opt. Max. a crowne of gould not very massie in weight but according to their abilitie which was not much yet aunswerable to their devotion which men performed rather with religion and zeale in those daies than in portly shew and magnificence By relation and intelligence from them they were certified also that the Aequians and Volscians prepared warre with all the power they could make Wherupon the Consuls were commanded to part their provinces between them To Horatius befell the Sabines and to Valerius the Aequians and Volscians And when they had proclaimed musters against these warres such was the forward affection and favour of the Commons that not onely the younger folke but also a great sort of those that by law were dispensed with and discharged from warfare and lived of their pensions offered their voluntarie service and were readie to enter their names into the muster-masters booke whereby the armie was not onely in number greater but also for the goodnesse of men more puissant as having the old beaten and experienced souldiors among them But before they went out of the cittie the Decemvirall lawes which now are knowne by the name of the twelve Tables they set up openly to beseene engraven in brasse Some writers have delivered that the Aediles performed this office as they had it in charge from the Tribunes C. Claudius who upon a detestation and deepe hatred of the Decemvirs leaud and wicked enormities but especially above all others of the insolent pride of his brothers sonne which hee could no longer abide had removed and departed to Regillus his old native countrie Hee being now a very aged man returned to sue and intreat for his deliverance out of danger whose vices hee abhorred and in sullied weed and poore array accompanied with those of his linage and other his followers and vassals went through the common place and laboured everie man one by one Beseeching them not to set that brand of ignominie and bring such a staine upon the house and name of the Claudij as that they should bee thought worthie of imprisonment and yrons nor suffer a man of most honourable qualitie a singular patterne of Nobilitie to his posteritie in time to come the lawmaker and founder of the Romane lawes to lie in chaines amongst fellons night-theeves robbers by the high way side but to turne away their minds a while from anger and wrath and encline to a due regard and consideration of matters and rather at the suite and earnest petitions of so many of the Claudji to forgive them one man than for the hatred of one man to reject the praiers of so many suppliants As for himselfe he protested that he did thus much for kinred and names sake Neither was he reconciled unto him and they made friends again yet could he wish that his adverse fortune poore condition were relieved Concluding with this in the end That as their libertie was recovered againe by vertue and prowesse so the concord of all degrees and estates might be established sure by clemencie Some there were whom he mooved more in regard of his owne kindnesse and love than in any respect of him for whom he spake But Virginius praied them To take pittie and compassion rather of him and his daughter and to give eare to the praiers and supplications not of the Claudij who have had the day and tyrannised over the Commons but to the neerest friends of Virginius the three Tribunes who being created for the aid and succour of the Commons doe now themselves implore and beseech the helpe and assistance of the Commons And verily these tears were thought more reasonable and like to speed Thus when Appius law all meanes of
besides the Colonies Circcia and Velitre which a long time were about to rebell besides Latium that stood in doubtfull termes and was suspected the Lanuvines also who had beene a most fast and Ioiall cittie all of a suddaine rose and became new enemies The LL. of the Senate supposing all this grew upon contempt for that the revolting of the Veliternes who were their naturall citizens had so long time escaped punishment decreed with all speed to move the people to denounce and proclaime open warre against them And to the end that the Commons might be more forward in this Militarie service they created certaine Quinqueviri for the division of the Pomptine lands and Triumvirâ— for the planting of a colonie at Nepet Then they propounded unto the people that they would appoint and determine of the warre to be 〈◊〉 And notwithstanding the Tribunes of the Com. labored earnestly but all in vaine to dissiâ—â—de yet the tribes throughout generally grantedit and gave their voices for warre All that yeare passed in preparations onely but no armie set forth by reason of the plague which protracting of time and long delay gave the inhabitants of the Colonies respite to sue unto the Senate for peace Many of them were inclined and stood thus affected to send a solemne embassage with humble supplication to Rome but that as commonly it falleth out the publicke perill was entangled and interessed with the jeoperdie of some private persons and the authors of the backsliding and revolt from the Romans fearing least they alone should beare all the blame and be delivered up as a sacrifice to satisfie the wrath of the Romanes turned away cleane and alienated the Colonies from all consultation of seeking for peace And not onely in their counsell house was this Embassage then crossed but many of the Commons also they excited to invade the territories of Rome to drive booties and make spoile This new wrong by them offered cleane put them by all hope of peace In that yeare was the first rumour raised concerning the rebellion also of the Prenestines And when the Tusculans Gabines Lavicanes into whose marches they had made inrodes complained unto the Senate and laid much matter against them they received at their hands so calme and cold an answere that it seemed they gave lesse credit to their complaints because these were not willing they should proove true The yeare following Sp. and L. Papyrius new Tribunes Militarie with Consuls authoritie led the legions to Veiâ—â—re whose foure Colleagues Ser. Cornelius Maluginensis the fourth tiâ—e 〈◊〉 C. Sulpitius L. Aemylius the fourth time were left Tribunes behind for defence 〈◊〉 and for feare least they should heare some intelligence of new and fresh stirres out of 〈◊〉 where they suspected all would be nought At Velitre they had the better hand of 〈◊〉 enemies there they found more Prenestines well neere that came to succour than the 〈◊〉 Coloners themselves For the cittie was so neere at hand that it both gave the enemies 〈◊〉 to the 〈◊〉 sooner and yeelded them the onely place of safe refuge after they were fled 〈…〉 forbare to assault the towne as well in regard of the dangerous enterprise as also 〈◊〉 they thought it not good to hold fight to the utter destruction of that Colonie Letters 〈…〉 to Rome with tidings of victorie emplying more sharpe informations against 〈…〉 than the Veliternes So by an Act of the Senate and assent of the people there 〈…〉 warre against the Prenestines Who in the yeare following joined with the Vol 〈…〉 by force waâ— Saâ—â—icum a Colonie of the people of Rome notwithstanding it was 〈…〉 defended by the townsmen even to the last Where most beastly and cruâ—◠〈…〉 their victorie upon those that they tooke prisoners and put them to the sword 〈…〉 tooke this in a verie ill part and elected M. Furius Camillus Tribune Militarie the 〈◊〉 time who had for his companions in office A. and Lucius Posthumius Regillensis L. 〈◊〉 and L. Lucrcius and M. Fabius Ambustus The 〈◊〉 warre was appointed to Camillus extraordinarily and to assist him therein it sell 〈◊〉 L. Fariâ—â— his lot one of the State-Tribunes not so much for the good of the Commonweale as to minister unto his fellow all matter of honour and renowne as well in publike 〈◊〉 that he set all upright agâ—ine which by the rashnesse of Lucius was fallen downe as also in private for that out of his errour and misdoing Marcus Furius rather sought for thanks and love at his hands than aimed at any vaine glorie to himselfe Camillus was now farre growne and 〈◊〉 yeares and verie aged and when in the assembly for Election he was about to take the 〈…〉 os oâ—h for to excuse his feeble and crasie bodie the people with one consent would not permit him Howbeit for all his age he caried a lively spirit lustie courage with him full his senses were all fresh sound and the late civill affaires had stirred him up and gave him anedge who now had no great mind to manage martial exploits So he gathered a power of four legions consisting of 4000 a peece made proclamation that all his forces should be ready the next day at the gate Esquilina then he put himself in his journy to Satricum The enemie who had woon the Colony nothing dismaid therat trusting in the number of his soldiors wherein he had the better by ods expected and staied his comming there And so soone as he understood that the Romanes approched forthwith came into the field minding without delay to put it to an hazard and trie it out presuming that the skill of the Romanes general were hee never so singular in whom their enemies only trusted would litle or naught availe in regard they were so few in number The Romane armie was as hote as they and one of their Generals as forward every way And presently without any stay had they tried the fortune of a battaile but for the pollicie and rule of one man who by holding off and protracting time of fight fought so to help himself through good order and skill But so much the more the enemie urged still and was more sharp set so as now he not onely raunged his men before his owne campe in battell array but also set forward into the mids of the field and advancing himselfe with ensignes displaied neer unto the trench and rampier of his enemies made a prowd bravado and shew of his strength whereupon he bare himselfe so confidently This could the Romane souldiors hardly endure and L. Furius one of the Tribunes Militarie had more adoe by farre to digest and put up that at the enemies hand And a venturous knight he was both by reason of his youthfull yeares and naturall disposition and also puffed up with hope of the multitude which commonly taketh heart and presumeth upon smallest grounds and buildeth upon greatest uncertaine ties And the souldiours being of themselves alreadie
was a battaile fought with the armie of the Vmbrians howbeit the enemies were rather discomfited and put to flight than slain for that they were not able to hold out and maintain fight long with such courage and animositie as they began and also neer the lake Meer Vadimon the Tuskans had levied a new armie according to a sacred law wherby one man had chosen another who as sworn brethren were to live and dye together where they fought a field not onely with greater number but also with more courage than ever at any time before and with such heate of anger and malice one against the other they encountred that on neither side they thought of discharging shot and launcing darts but began at first with their very swords to go to handstrokes and the conflict being right fiercely begun increased still and waxed hoter in the very medley and continued for a good while so doubtfull that the Romanes thought they dealt not with Tuskanes so often by them defaited and vanquished but with some new nation more warlike than they No shew of flight on neither side downe go the formost and lay dead before their Standards and least that the ensignes should be left naked and bare and without defendants the second raunge and ward of the battaillon came in place to supply the first and so still new succours and fresh were set even as farre as from the rereward behind destined for the last help and utmost refuge And to that extremitie of travel and perill they proceeded that the Romane horsemen abandoning their horses alighted on foot were faine to go to the footemen in the forefront of the vaward over armor and over dead bodies lying all spread upon the ground which new troup battaillon risen and sprung as it were afresh to reenforce and strengthen their distressed fellowes disordred the squadrons and ensignes of the Tuskanes The other legionarie souldiours wearied as they were followed hard and seconded their violence and forceable charge and at length brake through the ranks of their enemies Then the Tuskanes as stiffe as they stood afore began to have the worse and certain bands gave side and reculed and when they once turned back they fell plainely to take their heeles and run away This was the first day that overthrew and laid along the puissance of the Tuskanes who abounded so long in wealth and fortunate prosperitie Their whole floure and strength which they had was in this battaile slaine and at the same vie their camp woon and ransaked With like hazard and glorious successe in the end was the warre managed with the Samnites soone after who besides all other preparations and ordinarie furniture of warre gave order that their armie should glitter and shine againe with a new kind of garnishing their harnesse and armours For having divided their forces in two armies the one had laied their sheelds with gold the other with silver The forme and fashion whereof was this that upper part wherewith the brest and shoulders are covered was broader and the head of it of even heigth but the nether end growing downeward to the bottome was more pointed wedgewise for to weld it more nimbly Their brest stomack was fenced with spounges the left leg armed with a good greeve their morions with high crests made a shew of tall stature The souldiers aforesaid with guilded sheilds ware cotes of sundrie colours the other with silvered white linnen and these had the leading of the right wing or point of the battaile but they of the left The Romanes had a notice and knowledge alreadie what preparation there was of brave and goodly armour and their Captaines had taught them afore That a souldier ought to be dreadfull and terrible not dight and decked in his damasked gold and silver but trusting in the sharp edge of yron and steele and a good heart and courage withall and as for that other furniture it was rather a good bootie than armour of prooâ—e faire and resplendent before men come to the sharp but foule and unseemely amongst bloudie wounds The true ornament and beautie of a souldier is valour and hardinesse as for all those braveries they went commonly with victorie and to conclude that a rich enemie would serve well for a good prize to the conquerour were he never so poore and needie With these speeches after that Curfor had animated his souldiers he leadeth them into the field himselfe he put in the right wing the left he committeth to the conduct of the Generall of horse So soone as they charged one another and buckled together a great conflict and hardie had they with the enemie and no lesse emulation there was betweene the Dictator and him striving avie whether of them twaine should begin the victorie But as hap was first Iunius disordred the enemie and from the left point which he commanded he charged right lustily the right wing of the enemies saying ever and anon That he offered sacrificed unto the Devill and infernall spirits those souldiers of theirs consecrated alreadie unto them after the manner of the Samnites and decked accordingly in white liverie bright silvered armour suting in colour thereunto and withall advanced forward his standerds brake their araies and made the battaile to shrinke evidently recule Which when the Dictator perceived How now quoth he shall the victorie begin at the left wing and shall the right wherein the Dictator fighteth in person come behind and follow the battaile of another and not cary away with it the greatest part of the victorie Herewith he setteth on his souldiours yet gave the horsemen no place in manhood to the footemen nor the service of the Lieutenants was inferiour to the Captaines themselves and chiefe commaunders M. Valerius on the right point P. Decius on the left both Consular men put themselves forward rode out to the horsemen aranged in the wings exhorted them to take part with them in honor and charged acrosse upon the sides and flanks of the enemies Whiles this new terror upon the former had on every side entred the battaile of the enemies and the Romane legions to terrifie them the more had redoubled a fresh shout and charged them with great furie then began the Samnites to flie amaine Now were the fields overspread with the bodies of slaine men strewed thick with armour erewhile so brave glorious and at the first the Samnites in great affright recovered their tents but being there were not able so much as to keepe them for they were woon and rifled before night and fire set upon them The Dictator by a decree of the Senate triumphed and the said armour which was taken from the enemie made the goodliest pageant of all other in the pomp of triumph which caried so stately a shewe and magnificent that the guilded shields were devided amongst the warders of the companie of Bankers and Goldsmiths to the beautifying of their Hall and Market
forces and so mightie in meanes as nowe they were Moreover they came not newly now to wage war without knowledge of the prowesse and martiall skill one of another for triall they had made thereof sufficient alreadie in the first punicke warre Besides so variable was the fortune of the field so doubtfully were their battailes fought that neerer losse and daunger were they who in the end wan the better and atchieved the victorie And to conclude if a man observe the whole course and proceeding of these their warres their malice and hatred was greater in a manner than theirforces whiles the Romans tooke foule skorn and disdaine that they whose hap before was to be vanquished should unprovoked begin warre afresh with the Conquerors and the Carthaginians again were as mal-content and throughlyf offended as taking themselves notwithstanding they were overcome to bee abused too much at their hands by their prowd insolent and covetous rule over them Over and besides all this the report goeth that Anniball being but nine yeares old or thereabout came fawning and flattering as wanton children doe to his father Amilcar that hee would take him with him into Spaine at what time as after the Affricane war ended his father was offering sacrifice readie to passe over thither with an armie where he was brought to the altar side and induced to lay his hand thereupon and to touch the sacrifice and so to sweare that so soone as ever he were able he would be a professed and mortall enemie to the people of Rome Vexed no doubt at the heart was Amilcar himselfe a man of high spirit and great courage for the losse of the islands Sicilie and Sardinia for not onely Sicilie was overhastily yeelded as he thought as despairing too soone of the state thereof and doubting how it should be defended but also Sardinia was by the cunning and fraudulent practise of the Romanes surprised out of the Carthaginians hands whiles they were troubled with the commotion rebellion of Affrick and a Tribute besides imposed upon them He being disquieted I say and troubled with these greefs and discontentments so bare himselfe for five yeares space in the Affricke warre which insued immediately upon the peace concluded with the Romanes and likewise after in Spaine for nine yeares together enlarging ever still the dominion of Carthage that all the world might fee he intended and dessigned a greater warre than that he had in hand and if God had spared him longer life it should have beene well seene that the Carthaginians under the leading of Amilcar would have made that warre upon Italie which afterward they waged by the conduct of Anniball But the death of Amilcar happening in so good season for the Romanes and the childhood and tendernonage of Annibal together were the cause that this war was put off and deferred In the meane time between the father and the sonne Asdruball bare all the rule for the space almost of eight years This Asdruball had ben Amilcar his minion growne highly into his grace and favour at the first as men say for the very prime and flower of his youth but afterwards in regard of the singular towardnesse of a brave and haughtie mind which soone appeared in him and for his forwardnesse to action hee was preferred to be his sonne in law and married his daughter Now for as much as he was Amilcar his sonne in law he was advaunced to the soveraigne conduct of the warre with no good liking at all and consent of the Nobilitie and Peeres but by the meanes and favour onely of the Barchinefaction which bare a great stroke and might do all in all among the souldiours and the common people Who managed all his affaires more by pollicie and sage counsell than by force and violence and using the authoritie and name of the Princes and great Lords of those countries and by intertaining friendship with the cheefe rules woon daily the hearts of new nations still and by that meanes enlarged the power and siegnorie of the Carthaginians in Spain rather than by any warre force of armes But for all this peace with forraine States he was never the more sure of his owne life at hóme For a certaine barbarous fellow for anger that his maister and Lord was by him put to death flew him in open place and being laid hold on by them that were attendant about Asdrubal his person he kept the same countenance still as if he had escaped and gone cleare away yea and when hee was by cruell torments all mangled and torne hee looked so cheerefully and pleasantly on the matter as if he had seemed to smile so far his joy of heart surpassed the paines and anguish of his bodie With this Asdruball for that hee had so singular a gift and wonderfull dexteritie in solliciting and annexing unto his dominion the Nations aforesaid the people of Rome had renued the league upon these two capitulations and conditions first that the river Iberus should limit and determine the siegnories of them both Item that the Saguntines seated in the middest between the territories of both Nations should remaine free and enjoy their auncient liberties No doubt at all there was now but when a new Commander should succeed in the rownie of Asdruball the favour of the people would goe cleare with the prerogative voice and choise of the souldiours who presently brought young Anniball into the Generall his pavilion and with exceeding great acclamation and accord of all saluted him by the name of Captaine Generall For this you must understand that Asdruball by his letters missive had sent for him being verie young and hardly 14 yeares of age yea and the matter was debated first in the counsell house at Carthage where they of the Barchine side laboured followed the matter earnestly that Annihall should be trained in warfare grow up to succeed his father in equal proesse and greatnesse But Hanno the chiefe man of the contrarie faction It is but meet and reason quoth hee that Asdruball doth demaund and yet for mine own part I thinke it not good that his request should be granted When they mused and mervailed much at this so doubtfull speech of his and wist not what construction to make of it Why then quoth Hanno to be plaine That floure and beautie of youth which Asdruball himselfe yeelded and parted with all sometimes unto Annibals father for to use or abuse at his pleasure the same he thinketh by good right he may chalenge and have again from the sonne to make quittance But it be seemeth not us sot to acquaint our yoong youths with the campe that under the colour and in steed of their militarie institution and teaching they abandon and give their bodies to serve the lust and appetite of the Generals What Is this the thing we feare That the sonne of Amilcar should tarie too long erche see the excessive graundeur and soveraintie of his father and
had before his face for the ambushes lay close hidden both behind his back and over his head Anniball having once gotten the enemie as he would enclosed thus within the lake and the mountaines and environed with his forces gave the signall to them all for to charge who came downe every man the neerest way he could and so much the more were the Romanes affrighted and troubled with this sodaine occurrent by reason that the mist which arose out of the lake was setled thicker in the plaine than upon the hils whereby the companies and squadrons of their enemies comming out of many vallies were seene well enough one of another and therefore more jointly gave the charge all at once together The Romanes hearing the cry and shout which arose from all parts before they could well discerne and see perceived themselves compassed all about and surprised and were assailed both afront and on their flancks ere they could put themselves in battaile ray as they ought make their armour and weapons readie and draw their swords When all the rest were thus amazed and at their wits end the Consull alone for all this imminent danger shewed himselfe nothing daunted or afrayd but set in order the rancks and files which were shuffled and blended together according as time and place would give him leave and marshalleth his soldiers who turned every way as they heard the sundry and divers noyses and in the best manner he could devise he comforted and encouraged them willing them to stand to it and fight like men for that there was now no meanes else to escape All the vowes and invocations upon the gods for their help would not serve but only it was fine force and meere manhood must do the deede and they were to make way by dint of sword through the midst of their enemies battaillons and the lesse men feared the lesse danger commonly betided them Howbeit by reason of the noyse and hurliburly neither counsell nor commaund could be heard and so farre off were the souldiers from knowing their owne ensignes their rancks and places that scarcely their heart would serve them to take armes and to buckle them as they should fitly for fight in such sort as some of them were surprised and borne downe laden rather with their harnesse then covered and defended therewith And in so great a mist and darkenesse more use they had of eares than eyes for at the grones of their wounded fellowes at the blowes and strokes upon the bodies and armour resounding againe at the confused shoutes and shrikes of hardie and fearefull men one with another they turned their faces cast their eyes every way Some as they would have fled light into the prease of those that were fighting there were set fast some againe as they returned for to fight were borne backward by companies that ran away Afterwards when they had assayed in vaine every way to get forth and saw well that on both sides and flanks the mountaines and the lake that afront and behind the enemies battailons hemmed them in then they knew evidently there was no hope of life but in their right hand and force of armes Then every man became a captaine and encouraged himselfe to fight manfully so as the battaile began afresh not in order by the Principes Hastati and Triarij nor according to the accustomed manner whereby the avantgard should fight before the maine battaile and the standerds and behind them the arreregard and that the souldiour should keepe his owne legion his owne cohort band and companie but at a venture even as it happened so they went to it and buckled pell mell and as everie mans heart served him so hee marshalled himselfe to fight either before or behind Their courage and animositie was so ardent their spirits and minds so intentive to the medley that being as there was a terrible earthquake at that verie instant which overthrew and turned upside down a great part of many cities in Italie turned aside the courses of great rivers out of their channels drave their streams against the current forced the sea into fresh rivers yea and overturned mountains with mightie fals and laid them flat yet there was not a man who fought in that battaile that once heard or perceived it The conflict lasted almost three houres Sharpe it was in every place but about the Consull most cruell and looke in what part soever hee saw his men distressed and in hazard there courageously hee aided them By reason that the flower and bravest gallants followed him and was himselfe for his owne person goodly beseene in his rich armour he both assailed the enemie most furiously and also defended his owne cittizens as valiantly so long untill a certaine Insubrian a man of armes Ducarius was his name one that knew his visage well ynough This is quoth he to his countrymen the Consul that defeated our armie put to the sword our Legions wasted our territories and hee that destroied and sacked our citie Now will I offer him as a sacrifice out of hand to the ghosts and spirits of those our fellow citizens who by his meanes have been piteously slaine and therewith setting spurs to his horse hee rode through the thickest troupe and prease of his enemies and when hee had first slaine his Esquier outright who opposed his bodie betweene and set himselfe against him seeing him comming so furiously hee ran the Consull quite through the bodie with his launce And when he would rather than his life have disarmed and rifted him the Triarij stept with their targuets over his corpes and so kept him off Hereupon from hence first many began to flie but anone neither deepe lake nor high mountaine could impeach and stop their fearefull flight like blind men they ran and sought meanes to make escapes were the lane never so narrow were the hils never so steepe and craggie horse and man man and armour fell headlong one upon another A number of them seeing no way els to escape entred into the Lake by the first edges and shallow brimmes thereof waded so farre and went up so high that they left their heades and shoulders onely above the water Some there were who unadvisedly such was their feare sought to save themselves by swimming Which being an endlesse peece of worke and beyond all hope their wind and breath failing them they were either slifted and swallowed up of the goulfes or after that with too much hast they had over-laboured and toiled out themselves they did what they could to swimme backe againe and with much adoe to recover the land and there by the enemies horsemen who had taken the water were they killed every where and cut in peeces Sixe thousand or there about of the vaward who lustily brake through the mids maugre the heads of their enemies unwitting of all that was done behind escaped safe out of the gullet and having seized the top of a little hill there they
would content nature marched in great hast toward Asdrubal the sonne of Amilcar making accoumpt assuredly that when they had joyned their power with his they should breake the neck of this warre and end it once for all When they were come to him great joy and gratulation there was betweene the captaines the hoasts of both sides for this fresh victorie newly atcheived and seeing they had alreadie defaited so brave a warriour and great commaunder together with his whole armie they made no doubt but expected certainely to have another hand as good as this The newes verily of this so great a soile and overthrow was not yet come unto the Romanes but yet they were strucken into a sad dump and deepe silence and more than that into a secret presage fore-deeming of some unluckie tidings as commonly mens minds use to fore give tell aforehand when there is some mischiefe and ill toward them The Generall himselfe besides that he saw he was abandoned and forsaken of his associates and knew the forces of the enemies so mightely reenforced by good conjectures and guesses yea and by very reason was induced to suspect some losse and calamitie received alreadie rather than enclined to hope after any good successe and happie speed For thus he discoursed with himselfe How is it possible that Aâ—â—â—â—ball and Mago should bring their armies together without conflict unlesse my brother be slaine in fight or have forgotten to be a warriour how commeth it that he withstood them not or how hapneth it that my brother followed not hard after them fast upon their backs At leastwise if he had not bene able to keepe them asunder but that both captaines and armies must needs meete and joyne in one yet he himselfe me thinks at leastwise would have come by this time to his brother and brought his owne power to his In this perplexitie and anguish of spirit he thought yet for the present time that the only good course he could take was to withdraw himselfe backe from thence as far as he couldâ— and so all that one night unwares to his enemies who so long only were quiet he marched a great way and woon much ground of them The next morning so soone as the enemies perceived that the Romanes were dislodged and gone they sent out the Numidian light horsemen and began to follow after them apace and pursued them as fast as possibly they could and before night the Numidian Cavallerie had overtaken them and skirmished one while with the taile of their march another whiles at their sides and flanks and gave them no rest whereat the Romanes made as it were a stand and began to defend and save their armie as well as they could yet with great warinesse and regard of securitie Scipio encouraged them so to fight as they might march on still and gaine ground before the Infanterie overtooke them But as one while the armie was on foote and another while stood still in long time they rid but a little ground And Scipio seeing the night draw on apace reclaimed his souldiours from farther skirmishes and after he had rallied them together he retired with them up to a little mount no sufficient place God wot of safe retreat for an armie especially so troubled affrighted alreadie yet higher than any other place all about There the first thing that he did was to bestow the baggage and cavallerie in the mids withinforth and at first the infanterie raunged round about in a ring made no difficult matter of it to put by the violent charge of the Numidian horsemen But afterwards when the three Generals marching with three full armies approched their Captaine Scipio perceiving that he was never able to keepe the place without some fortification began to cast his eye about and to bethinke with himselfe by what meanes possible he might empale himselfe round about as it were with a rampier but the hill was so naked of wood and the soile of the ground besides so stonie and craggie that he could neither finde any underwood fit to cut out stakes for a pallisaid nor earth meete to make turfes for a banke or minable for a trench and in one word all things untoward and unhandsome for a mound and to fortifie withall Neither was there any place there to speake of so sleepe and upright but the enemie might at ease mount up and climbe it All the hill on every side had a gentle rising and ascent up to the top Howbeit to represent some shew and resemblance yet of a rampiar they were forced to take their packe saddles with their packes tied fast unto them and so round about to pile them and raise them to the usuall height of a mure And where there wanted packe saddles to make up the worke there they were saine to heape togither all sorts of fardels trusses and other carriages and to put them betweene the enemies and them The Carthaginian armies when they were come marched very easily up against the hill But the new fashion and manner of their defences and fortifications was very straunge unto them so as at the first the souldiours marvelled much and were astonied thereat and stood still But their captaines on all sides cried out upon them And why stand yee gaping say they so and do not pull in peeces and plucke away that foolishbable there good to make sport with A very toy that women children would scarce stand about thus long Why the enemie is taken alreadie in a pinfold and lieth lurking and hiding himselfe behind the trusses other carriages After this manner I say the leaders rated at the souldiours But it was not so easie a matter either to get over that barricado of the packes or to remove and rid them out of the way as they lay piled close against them ne yet to unfold and unwrap the packe-saddles lying overwhelmed as they did under the packes and entangled togither with them Thus they were hindred and staied a long time and when at length they had put this bag and baggage aside that was set in their way and made passage and entrance for the armed men and that in divers places the campe and tents were soone taken on all sides ere a man could turne about and so being few to many and frighted men to late conquerours no marvell if they were killed hewne in peeces in every place Howbeit many of the souldiours having fled for refuge into the forrests neere by escaped into the camp of P. Scipio whereof T. Fonteius his lieutenant had the charge As for Cn. Scipio some write that he was slaine upon that mount at the first onset assault made by the enemies others report that with a few others he fled into a towne hard by the campe and that there was a fire made round about it and so when the gates therof were burned which by no violent meanes otherwise they could breake open the enemies entred and tooke it
to the point in this manner They that talke of embassadors of peace and of yeelding little consider and remember either what they would have done in case the Romanes had bene at their devotion and mercie or what themselves must endure and suffer For what thinke ye wil become quoth he of this present surrender of ours in comparison of that whereby in times past we freely gave unto the Romanes ourselves and all that we had for to obteine their aid and succour against the Samnites And have we so soone forgotten at what time and in what condition and state we were when we forsooke and abandoned the people of Rome Also after our revolt how we most cruelly and shamefully killed their garison whom we might have dismissed and sent away with their lives Moreover how often we have issued forth against them lying at siege and how mischeivously minded we were unto them yea and how we have sallied upon them in their camp Over and besides call ye not to remembrance how we called for Anniball to surprise and defeat them and that which of all other is most fresh in memorie how we sent him from hence to give the assault to Rome On the contrary side marke well and call to mind how maliciously they have attempted and practised all hostilitie against us by which ye may well know what accoumpt to make of them and what ye are to trust unto For when they had a stranger and forain enemie within Italie nay when they had Anniball their enemie when the warres were so hote that all was on a light fire they passed by all other affaires yea they let Anniball himselfe alone and sent both their Consuls with two complet consular armies to besiege and force Capua This is the second yeare that they keepe us entrenched round about pinning us up and pining us with extreame famine and hunger during which time they themselves as well as we have endured the utmost extremities and dangers that are and susteined most grievous and infinite travailes oftentimes being killed and cut in peeces about their rampiers trenches and ditches and finally driven almost out of their camp and hold But to let passe and speake no more of these ordinary matters seeing it is an old and usuall case for them to abide painefull toyle and incur many perils who besiege and assault any cities or townes of their enemies See a manifest signe of their deadly feud and execrable hatred against vs. Anniball with a puissant power of foote and horsemen both assailed their camp yea and in some part was maister of it Thinke ye that in so great danger of theirs they were one jote withdrawne from the siege He passed over the river Vulturnus and burnt the territorie of Cales yet for all that calamitie and losse which their allies received stirred not they one whit nor gave over their enterprise He commaunded to march forward with banner displayed against the very citie of Rome they made as little accoumpt of that dangerous tempest toward as of all the rest After he had passed over the river Anio he pitched his tents within three miles of the citie nay he approched at length the walls and made a bravado even under the gates to be short he presented unto their eye his resolution and menaced to make Rome too hote for them unlesse they levied the siege before Capua and yet they gave not over but beleaguered us still The very wild and savage beasts be they never so fell be they madded never so much with blind rage and woodnesse against one yet if another go to their dennes and offer to take away their whelps they will turne again to succour and help their yong ones but the Romanes notwithstanding Rome was besieged their wives and children in danger whose piteous cryes and lamentable plaints were heard almost even hither notwithstandding their alters their sacred fires the temples of their gods the monuments and sepulchres of their Auncestours were profaned abused and polluted could not be drawne away from Capua So eager so hungrie are they to be revenged of us so thirsty are they to drinke our bloud And good reason haply they have so to do For would not we also have done the semblable if fortune had given us the opportunitie But seeing the will of the immortall gods is otherwise and considering that I owe nature a death in my power it is whiles I am at libertie whiles I am mine owne man and maister of my selfe to avoid torments to shun shamefull ignominies and reproches where of the enemie hopeth I shall feele the smart and that by one kind of death which as it is honest so it is also easy and gentle Never will I endure to see Ap. Claudius and Q. Fulvius proudly and insolently bearing them selves upon their conquest over us never will I be led and haled bound with cheines through the citie of Rome to make a shew and to serve for a spectacle and gazing stock in their Triumph and afterwards either in darke prison or tied openly to a stake yeeld my back and side to be tewed whipped and mangled and then lay my neck upon the block to have my head chopt off with the bloudy axe of the Romanes Never will I behold my native country sacked spoyled and put to fire and sword nor the chast maried dames of Capua to be forcibly ravished the faire beautifull maidens shamefully desloured and the welfavoured yong boyes freeborne unnaturally abused They rased Alba in times past from the top to the very foundation and left neither stick nor stone thereof Alba I say from whence they had their offpring and were first descended to the end that there might remaine no memorie at all of their stock and first originall And shal I ever beleeve they will spare Capua receive it to mercy against which they are more hatefully and mortally bent than against Carthage Therefore my maisters and friends as many of you as are minded and resolved to dye before ye see these so many miseries and wofull calamities I have at home a supper this night well furnished and provided for you all and when ye have eate meate your fill and drunke wine to it liberally the same wassaile cup that first will be presented unto me shall go round about to you all and that one draught shall deliver your bodies from torments preserve your spirits from anguish and contumelious disgrace keepe your eyes from beholding all cruell acts your eares from hearing all shamefull indignities which follow and attend upon conquered persons There shall be also in readinesse certeine servitours of purpose to make a mightie great fire within the base court-yard of mine house and to cast our dead bodies thereinto This is the onely honest way to death and beseeming us who are freeborne gentlemen in deed In which doing our enemies will wonder at our vertue and valour yea and Anniball himselfe shall well know that he hath forsaken
himselfe even from his yong and tender yeares by artificiall meanes to the better setting out of those in-bred parts and qualities of his owne making shew and semblant before the multitude that the most things which he did were either represented unto him by night-visions and apparitions or els suggested as it were by revelation from the gods above were it that he was superstitiously given and his mind wholly possessed therewith or that by his pollicie he might effect his designements and have his commaundements performed with more expedition as if they were directions delivered from the oracles and the very mouth of the gods Over and besides that he made this overture to credit and reputation and prepared mens minds in this sort from his very first beginning From the very time that he once put on his mans gowne ther was no day went over his head but before he began his owne private businesse or enterprised any publick affaires he would go into the Capitoll and so soone as he was entred into the temple there sit him down alone by himselfe bestow a good time in some secret yle and corner thereof This ordinarie manner of his which he continued all his life long were it of purpose consideratly or by chance unadvisedly made divers men beleeve verily that it was a truth in deede which was commonly supposed and reported That the man had a god to his father Which deepe and settled imagination of the people resembled and renewed againe the like same in all the world to that which went before and was bruited abroad of Alexander the great and for the vanitie and fabulous speech of folke was the very same and all one in every respect namely that his mother conceived him by a mightie great serpent for that very often in hir bed-chamber there was seene some such prodigious and wonderfull thing and ever as any bodie came in it would wind away of a sodaine and vanish out of sight These strange and miraculous conceits he would never himselfe elevate and discredit as toyes and vanities but rather cherish and encrease the opinion thereof by a certain cunning cast of his own in that he would neither denie and disavowany such matter nor yet affirme plainely and verifie the same Many other devises he had of like sort partly true indeed partly seigned and counterfet which caused men beyond all measure to have this yong man in wonderfull admiration Vpon the strong and grounded presumption whereof the citie at that time conferred upon him far unmeet ywis in regard of his unripe yeares so great a government and a world withall of weightie and important affaires Besides the forces which remained in Spaine of the old armie and those which were transported over from Putcoli with Claudius Nero he had a supplement also of ten thousand foote and one thousand horsemen and to assist him in the conduct of his warres he had as coadjutor appointed unto him M. Iunius Syllanus the Pro-pretor Thus with a sleete of thirtie ships and Galleys they were all of five banks of ores he tooke theseas and set sayle from the mouth of Tybre and coasting along the Tuskane seas under the Alps and through the gulfe of Gallia he doubled at length the point and cape of Pyrene and disbarked at Emporiae a citie of Greekes for descended they are also from Phocaea and there he set his people a land From thence having taken order that his ships should follow after he marched by land to Taracon which he appointed for the Rendez vouz where all his allies and consederates for at the rumor and same of his landing there slocked embassadors unto him from all parts of the province should meete together at a generall Diet. There he commaunded that the ships should be bestowed in their docks save only three gallies of three ranks which came from Massiles and upon courresie and kindnesse accompanied him from home and those were sent back againe Then he gave audience to the embassadors who hung in doubtfull suspence by reason of the varietie and of sundry changes and chances that lately had hapned and to them he began to returne answere and give them their severall dispatches but with such a spirit and boldnesse upon confidence that he had in his owne rare vertues that he let not fall in all his speech one word that might move quarrell and savored of rigor and yet whatsoever he spake it caried an exceeding majestie with it and a singular credit Being departed from Taracon he visited both the States of the Allies and also the standing wintering camps of the armie where he highly commended the souldiours for that notwithstanding they had received two shrewd blowes upon two so great disfeatures one in the neck of another yet they held the province still and kept the field and not suffering the enemies to reape and tast the fruit of their fortunate victories had kept them out of all the countries lying within Iberus and defended faith fully all their consederates according to the trust reposed in them Martius he had in his train alwaies about him whom he so highly honored that it was very well seene he feared nothing lesse than that any other man should eclipse or shadow his glorie Then Syllanus succeeded in place of Nero and the new souldiers were brought into the standing winter leaguers and Scipio having revewed all the cities and the States that he was to survey and performed all other affaires that were then to be done retired and withdrew himself to Taracon The same of Scipio was no lesse bruited among the enemies than it was rise with his owne citizens and loving allies and a certaine presage went withall of the future event which caried as good hap was the greater feare and dread with it as there was lesse reason that could be rendred and given thereof They had betaken themselves into their wintering harbours far dissire and remote asunder Asdruball the sonne of Gisgo even as far as to the Ocean sea side unto Gades Mago into the midland parts and especially above the forest and chase of Castulo And Asdruball the sonne of Amilcar wintered neerest unto Iberus about Saguntum In the very end of that summer when Capua was woon and Scipio come into Spaine the Carthaginian Armada which was sent for out of Sicilie to Tarentum for to intercept the victuals and empeach the same for comming to the Romane garison that held the castle of Tarentum had verily stopped all the passages from the sea to the said castle but by their long abode in those parts and keeping the seas so straightly they had caused a greater dearth and scarcitie of victuals among their owne friends than their enemies for there could not by the help of those Carthaginian ships so much come bee along the river that was possessed by friends nor from the open ports for to furnish the townesmen of Tarentum as the navie it selfe consumed and spent in maintenance of that table of sea-men
grounds to the end that the Iland might bring forth fruite not only to susteine and mainteine the naturall inhabitants thereof but also to ease the price of corne and victuals in the citie of Rome and throughout all Italie like as it had done many times before he transported over with him into Italie a rable and damned crew of unruly people from Agatirna Some foure thousand there were of them a confused multitude of all sorts a very mish mash and sinke of vile and wretched persons most of them Outlawes Bankrupts and notorious male factors in danger of death by the lawes of their cities where they lived And being fled their countries some for one fact some for another they chaunced all upon like fortune to sort themselves as commonly birds of a feather will flye together and at Agatirna they made choise like outlawes to live by robbing and spoiling and this was their only profession and trade Laevinus thought it no good pollicie to leave behind him these good fellowes in an Iland which began but now upon new peace to knit and unite againe for feare least they would minister matter of innovation and change and besides there was some good use of them among the Rhegines for to foray and rove about the Brutians countrie for such they stood in need of and had laid for a companie which were acquainted with theeving and stealing And so this yeare made an end of the war in Sicilie P. Scipio L. Deputie and Generall in Spaine having in the prime and beginning of Spring put his ships to sea and set them aflote and by an edict summoned all the aides of the allies to repaire to the Rendez vous at Taracon gave order and commaundement that as well the ships of warre as of charge and burden should from thence set forward and shew themselves at the mouth of the river Iberus And after he had given direction and charge that the legions from out of their winter harboroughs should there meere together himselfe accompanied with five thousand of his allies put himselfe on his journey to his maine armie Being thither come he thought it good to make some speech to the old souldiours especially as many as remained alive after so great disfeatures and overthrowes and when he had assembled them all together to an audience in this wise he spake unto them Never was there new Generall before myselfe that could by good right and in regard of desert render thanks unto his souldiours before he had employed them and made triall of their good service But as for me before I ever came within sight of this province before I entred my goverment and saw the camp fortune hath obliged me and made me behoulden unto you First for your kindnesse and zealous affection to my father and to mine unkle both while they lived and when they were dead Secondly in that when the possession of this province was lost after so great foyles and overthrowes ye have by your vertue and valour recovered the same againe and kept it entire to the behoofe of the people of Rome and myselfe the next successor in place of soveraigne rule and commaund But for as much as our full purpose and present resolution is by the leave favour and power of the gods not so much to hold the possession ourselves and abide in Spaine but to dispossesse the Carthaginians that they may have no footing nor abode at al there and since the thing that we go about is not to stand keeping the banke of Iberus for to stop the passage of the enemie but to geve the attempt to passe over ourselves by force yea and there withall to transport the warre over with us into his owne country and to come home unto him I feare me greatly least this will seeme unto some of you a greater designement and more audacious enterprise of mine than may either suite and sort with the fresh rememberance of those late defeatures or stand well with my young and unripe age The soyles and unfortunate foughten fields in Spaine can be of no man in the world forgotten later than of myselfe whose father whose unkle were within the space of 30 dayes there slaine to the end that sorrow upon sorrow funerall upon funerall one mournefull death after another should infortunately be heaped upon our house familie But as this desolate estate and defect almost of all my house and name wherein I onely in manner am left alive of my race woundeth my heart and make it bleed as often as I thinke of it so the publike fortune and vertue of the Commonweale reviveth my spirit againe and will not suffer me to dispaire totally of the state of this Empire considering the destinie and providence of the gods whereby it is a thing given unto us and our lucke hath ever bene that howsoever we have received overthrowes in all great warres and daungerous battailes yet in the end wee have gone away with the victorie I omit to speake of old examples of Porsena of the Gaules Samnites and I will begin at the Punicke warres How many armadaes and fleetes how many brave captains how many valiant and puissant armies were there lost miscarried during the former And what should I say of this in our daies In all the defeatures and overthrowes I was either present myselfe in person or if I were not in any of them yet I am sure I was hee that felt the smart of them more than any man else whatsoever The river Trebia the mere Thrasymenus the town Cannae what are they else but the very sepulchres and tombes of the Romane armies there hewne in peeces and of their Consuls slaine And thereto the generall revolt of Italie the rebellion of Sicilie the falling away of the greater part of Sardiâ—ia Moreover and besides this last afright and terror namely the Carthaginians campe pitched betweene Anio and the walles of Rome and Anniball seene well neere as conquerour at the very gates of our cittie In these so great ruines and adverse distresses of our state yet the vertue alone and valour of the people of Rome hath stood upright sound and immutable yea and hath raised up againe and set on foot all that which lay along on the ground You onely my valorous souldiours were the first that after the discomfiture of Cannae under the leading good fortune of my father withstood Asdruball in his journey and expedition toward the Alpes purposing to go downe into Italie who if hee had joyned with his brother Anniball certainly by this day there had remained no memorie of the Romane name And in very truth these affaires falling out so prosperously made a mends and recompence for all the former losses But now through the goodnes of the gods all things prosper and go well forward and the affaires of Italie and Sicilie both mend daily are every day better than other In Sicilie Saracose Agrigentum are woon and wholly ours the enemies
the number of the captives found they were ten thousand foot and two thousand horse Of which number as many as were Spaniards he set at libertie and sent them home without ransome But as for all the Africanes hee commaunded the Treasurer to make money of them Then the whole multitude of the Spaniards as well those that before had yeelded themselves as they that were taken prisoners the day before saluted him with great consent and generall voice by the name and title of king Wherupon Scipio after silence made by the crier said That he tooke the name of L. Generall or Commander to be the greatest of all other names by which his own soldiers used to call him As for the title of King howsoever in other places it was great and honorable at Rome surely it was odious and intollerable For his owne part the mind indeed hee caried of a king and if they deemed it to be the highest honour that can fall to the nature of man let them judge so in their owne hearts secretly and please themselves with that style only he wished them to forbeare the word and tearme thereof These very Spaniards as barbarous as they were perceived by this speech how haughtie and magnanimous hee was who in the height of spirit contemned that as a base thing wherat in admiration onely of the very title all mortall men besides are amazed and astonied After all this he bestowed upon the Princes and great Potentates of the Spaniards sundrie gifts And of the horses whereof he had taken in the field and campe great store hee gave Indibilis the choise of three hundred where he would When the treasurer was selling the Affricanes according to the Generall his commaundement he hapned upon a yong springall and stripling of rare and singular beautie and hearing that he was of roiall bloud hee sent him to Scipio And when Scipio demaunded of him who he was and what countrieman and wherefore at those yeares he was in campe among rude souldiours I am saith hee a Numidian borne and with that his eies stood full of water and in my countrie they call me Massiva Being left an orphane and fatherlesse I was brought up with my grandfather by the mother side Gala the king of the Numidians And with my unckle by the mother Masanissa who was lately come with a power of horsemen to aid the Carthaginians it was my hap to saile over into Spaine And never to this day have I bene in any battel by reason that Masanissa would not in regard of my tender age suffer me in any hand to go to the warres Howbeit that very day when the battaile was fought with the Romanes unwares to my said unckle I secretly got an horse under me and armour upon my backe and went foorth into the field where my horse chaunced to fall and cast me downe headlong on the ground and so it was my fortune to be taken by the Romanes Scipio gaue order that this Numidian youth should be kept safe so proceeded to finish matters that were brought before him as he sat upon the Tribunall in marshall court And after he was come back from thence into his roial pavilion he called the party again before him asked him whither he were willing to returne againe to Masanissa Whereat the teares gushing out of his eyes for joy yea full faine quoth he and with all my heart Then after he had given the yong gentleman a ring of gold a coat embrodered with purple stud-wise with a Spanish souldiours cape a golden clasp or button a brave courser with all the furniture and caparison therto belonging he sent him away and commanded certaine horsemen to safe-conduct and accompanie him so farre as he would himselfe Then Scipio fell to consult about the warre Some there were that advised him presently to pursue Asdruball but he supposing that to be a daungerous course for feare least Mago and the other Asdruball should joyne their forces to his he sent onely a good guard to keep the passage of the hill Pyreneus and imploied the rest of the summer in receiving homage and fealtie of other States of Spaine Within few daies after the battell at Boetula when as Scipio in his returne to Taracon was gone past the chase or forrest of Castulo Asdruball the sonne of Gisgo and Mago the two Generals arrived out of the farther province of Spaine unto Asdruball the sonne of Amilcar But they came a day after the faire and too late to helpe an overthrow past alreadie yet in very good time to give counsell for the managing and executing of the warre behind There as they conferred together concerning the disposition of the Spaniards and how they stood affected in the countries of each province onely Asdruball the sonne of Gisgo was of opinion and persuaded That the utmost tract and coast of Spaine which lieth upon the Ocean and Gades was hitherto unacquainted with the Romanes and therefore fast ynough and sure to the Carthaginians But the other Asdruball and Mago were of another mind and agreed in this That Scipio with his favours and benefits had possessed the affections hearts of all men alreadie both in generall and also in particular and that there would never be an end of sliding from them and siding to the Romanes before that all the Spanish souldiours were either remooved into the farthest parts of Spaine or conveighed over into Fraunce And therefore albeit the Senate of the Carthaginians had not graunted out any such act and commission yet there was no remedie but that Asdruball must go over into Italie where Anniball was the head of the war in whom lay the main chance of all by which means also he might withdraw out of Spain all the Spaniards far ynough from the naming and hearing of Scipio For Asdruball his armie as well by daily falling away and revolting to Scipio as also by the late defeature much empaired was to be replenished again with new souldiours Moreover that Mago should deliver his armie to Asdruball the sonne of Gisgo and himselfe in person crosse over into the Baleare islands with a great summe of money to wage new aids and succours from thence And that Asdruball the sonne of Gisgo with his armie should retire farther up into Portugall and not encounter the Romanes at all in any hand And that out of all the Cavallerie there should bee chosen out the very flower and strength to the full number of three thousand for Masanissa and that he should raunge and overrun all the hither province of Spaine partly to helpe the distressed Allies and partly to spoile the enemies townes and forray their lands After these orders and directions set downe the Generals departed asunder to the execution of these determined dessignements Thus yee see what were the affaires and occurrences of Spaine for that yeere At Rome the fame of Scipio grew greater every day than other Fabius for the winning of Tarentum albeit
a brave captaine but yet more forward and egre than the qualitie and occasions of this warre required or to be matched with such an enemie as Anniball was And therefore they thought good to joyne with him for his colleague a sober wise prudent man who might temper and qualifie that fierce nature and disposition of his Now M. Livius many yeares ago had bene upon his Consulship condemned by the judgement of the people Which ignominie and reproach he tooke so grievously to the heart that he departed into the countrie and for many yeares togither forbare not onely the cittie but to converse and keepe companie with men And almost eight years after his condemnation aforesaid M. Claudius Marcellus and M. Valerius Laevinus the Consuls reduced him againe into the cittie But hee used to go in old and worne apparrell letting the haire of his head and beard grow long carrying in his very countenance and array the fresh notable remembrance of the disgrace before received But L. Veturius and P. Licinius the Censors compelled him to cut his haire and lay away his vile and unseemly weed to come into the Senate and to meddle againe in civill matters and affaires of State And yet in so doing he would never proceed farther than to say Amen to other mens opinions and speake but one word yea and nay or else nothing at all but shew his mind by passing on his feet to one side or other Vntill such time as a kinsman of his owne M. Livius Macatus being in trouble and his name and honour called in question caused him to stand up in the Counsel-house and deliver his opinion And when after so long discontinuance he was seen and heard once to speake he turned every man his eye upon him and ministred occasion also of speech in these tearmes namely That the people had done the man exceeding great wrong yea and hurt the common-weale much in that during the time of so daungerous a warre there had bene no imploiment of so worthie a person either for his travaile and paines or his advise and counsell But to returne againe to the lords of the Senate they knew well that neither Q. Fabius nor M. Valerius Laevinus could possibly be joyned as companion in government to C. Nero for as much as it was not lawfull that both should bee chosen out of the Nobles or Patritij And the same was T. Manlius his case also Besides that as he once refused the Consuls rowme when it was offered unto him so no doubt hee would not accept thereof the second time if it were tendred upon him But if they should sort Marcus Livius and C. Claudius togither there would be an excellent couple of Consuls in deed Neither stood the people against this overture thus moved first by the lords of the Senate The onely man in the whole cittie that denied it was the very partie himselfe unto whom this dignitie and honourable place was presented Who much blamed the levity inconstancie of the citie saying that they had no pittie of him when it was namely whiles he was in question accused during the time of his trouble ware poore simple garments but now against his wil they offred him a glittering white robe to stand for a Consulship Thus quoth he they punish and depresse thus they honour and advance the same persons If they tooke me for a good honest man why condemned they me as they did for a wicked one and a guiltie If they found me naught and faultie what cause have they to trust me with a second Consulship who used the former so badly which was committed unto me As he argued and made complaints in this wise the lords of the Senate reproved him and replied againe setting before his eies the example of M. Furius who in times past was called home our of exile when the state was decaied lying along set it upright again in her former place and pristine glorie And like as the curstnesse and rigor of parents is to be mollified by patience even so the hard shrewd dealings of a mans countrie is to be dulced mitigated by bearing and sufferance So they all stucke close togither and chose M. Livius Consull with C. Claudius Three daies after they went to the election of the Pretours And there were created Pretours L. Porcius Licinius Caius Manlius A. Hostilius and C. Hostilius both Catoes When the election was finished and the games celebrated the Dictatour and Generall of the cavallerie surrendred their places C. Terentius Varro was sent into Hetruria as Pro-pretor to the end that out of that province C. Hostilius should go to Tarentum unto that armie which T. Quintius the Cos. had That L. Manlius should go beyond sea as embassador to see how the world went there And withall considering that in summer there were to be solemnized the famous games at Olympia which were celebrated with a most frequent resort and meeting of all Greece in case hee might safely without impeachment of the enemie hee should visite that great assembly to the end that if he could light upon any Sicilians who were fled and banished their countrie or any cittizens of Tarentum confined thither sent away by Anniball they should repaire home againe into their owne countries and know that whatsoever they were possessed of before the warres began the people of Rome would restore the same and make good againe unto them Because it was like to be a right daungerous yeare and no Consuls were invested fully in the common-weale all men depended upon the Consuls elect and were desirous that they should with all speed cast lots for their provinces and every man was willing to know aforehand what province each one should rule what enemie he was to deale withall Moreover a motion and speech there was in the Senat-house that the Consuls should bee reconciled and made friends and Q. Fabius Max. propounded that first For there had beene notorious enmitie and variance betweene them aforetime and the calamitie of Livius made the same more grievous and unsupportable unto himselfe in regard that he was persuaded how in that miserie of his hee was despised of his adversarie Whereupon he grew to be more implacable of the twaine and worse to be intreated There needs quoth he no reconciliation neither is it materiall to any purpose For they will do all with more diligence and better spirit who ever stand in feare that their adversarie and concurrent shall grow great and be advaunced by their default Yet the authoritie of the Senate bare such a stroke with them that they laid aside all malice and old grudge with one mind consent and counsell administred the affaires of common-weale Their provinces were not intermingled nor their government extended into one anothers countrie as in former yeares but distant asunder and divided by the remote frontiers and farthest marches of Italie For unto one of them wer assigned
and plaies sacrifice those greater beasts which T. Manlius Dictator in the yeere that M. Claudius Marcellus and T. Quintius were Consuls promised by solemne vow in case the Commonweale continued for five yeers following in the same good estate as then it was So the games were exhibited in the great Cirque or shew-place foure daies togither and the sacrifices slaine accordingly as they were vowed to the gods But all this whiles as mens hope so their fear also encreased daily more and more whiles they could not certainely resolve with themselves whether they had more cause to rejoice that Anniball after sixteene yeares had abandoned Italie and left the possession thereof free unto the people of Rome or to be afraid for that he had passed over into Affricke with the safetie of his armie For why the place was onely chaunged and the daunger all one And surely Q. Fabius late deceased no vaine prophet of so great a perill and hazard was wont to foretell and this was ever his song That Anniball would be a more daungerous enemie at home in his owne countrie than he had been abroad in a forraine land And Scipio should find that he had to deale neither with Syphax king of a rude untaught and barbarous countrie who was wont to lead armies of stale groomes and little better than waterbearers and campe-slaves to keepe one place and not remove nor with Asdruball his father in law a captaine of all others most light of foot and rediest to run away ne yet with tumultuarie armies taken up in hast and raised suddainly consisting of a rable of rusticall clowns and peasants armed by the halfes but with Anniball born in manner within the campe yea in the roiall pavillion of his father a most valiant captaine bred and brought up amongst armed men who long agoe was no sooner a child but he was a souldiour and before he came to the prime and flower of youth became a Generall who growing to be old in a continuall course and traine of victories hath filled Spaine and Fraunce from the one side to the other Italie from the Alpes to the narrow seas with the marks and memorable monuments of worthie and noble exploits and leadeth still an armie of as long standing and continuance in warfare as himselfe hardened and beaten to endure all those things which hardly one would beleeve men could abide and suffer embrued and bathed a thousand times in the bloud of Romanes and carrying with him the spoiles not of common souldiors onely but also of most brave Generals themselves Scipio should bee sure to encounter and meet in battaile those who with their owne hands had slaine Pretours and killed Consuls of Rome all bedight and goodly to be seene in murall and vallare coronets for their good service in skaling of walls and mounting over rampiers those I say who at their pleasure have raunged through the woon camps and forced cities of the Romanes Neither at this day have the magistrates of the people of Rome so many bundels of rods with axes borne before them as Anniball hath taken from the Romane Generals whom he hath slaine and can if hee list shew and carrie before him Casting and tossing these doubts and feares in their mind they themselves encreased their owne care doubled their dread in this point also that wheras they were wont for certaine yeares to make warre in sight of home in diverse and sundrie places of Italie with a lingering kind of hope without regarding any issue therof like presently to ensue now Scipio and Anniball captains matched together as one would say to make a finall end triall of all had set all mens minds awork to expect the event now or never And even they also who had reposed exceeding confidence and grounded no small hope of victorie in Scipio the more their spirits were amused upon it and desirous to see a speedie effect the greater was their care and doubt of the sequele The Carthaginians for all the world were likewise affected and disquieted in mind One whiles beholding Anniball and considering his noble and worthie acts they repented that they sued for peace Another while againe when they looked backe and remembred how twice they had beene defeated in battaile Syphax slaine themselves driven out of Spaine chased and hunted out of Italie and all this by the valor and policie of one man Scipio they trembled for feare of him as if he were the fatall captaine borne for their ruine and utter destruction Now by this time was Anniball come as farre as Adrumetum from whence after hee had bestowed some few daies in refreshing his sea-sicke souldiers he was roused with fearefull posts that brought newes how all about Carthage was full of enemies and hostilitie whereupon he made long journies till hee came to Zama This Zama is a towne distant from Carthage five daies journey From thence he sent out espyals who being taken by the Romane warders were brought before Scipio and he caused them to be delivered unto the Tribunes or Marshals with commandement that they should be led throughout the camp and suffered without all feare to see whatsoever they desired And when he had asked of them whether they had perused and considered every thing to their content and enough to serve their turne he sent them backe againe to Anniball with a safe conduct to accompanie them Anniball tooke no pleasure at all in hearing of any thing that they reported for among other particulars they brought newes that Masanissa chanced that verie day to come thither with sixe thousand foot and foure thousand horse But most of all hee was troubled anst cast downe with the resolute confidence and assurance of the enemie which no doubt hee thought arose not of nothing And therefore albeit himselfe was the onely cause of that warre and by his arrivall had disturbed the truce concluded and the hope of peaceable covenants yet supposing that a more indifferent accord might bee obtained in case hee sued therefore while hee was entire and unfoiled rather than after hee were vanquished and overcome hee addressed a messenger or pursivant unto Scipio requesting that he might confer and commune with him Whether he did this of his own accord or by direction from the publicke counsell of the State I have no reason to set downe or avouch for certaine either the one or the other Valerius Antias writeth That hee was by Scipio defeated in the first battel wherein were slaine in field 12000 armed men and 1700 taken prisoners whereupon himselfe in person came as embassador with other ten Orators into the camp unto Scipio But howsoever it was Scipio refused not to emparle and so both Generals of purpose advanced forward and approched with their campes to the end they might be neerer one to the other when they should meete in conference Scipio made choise of a plot of ground not farre from the citie Nadagara which as it was handsome and meete
Attalus and in the third place the Rhodians spake and made discourse and consequently the embassadors of Philip were permitted to parle The Athenians had audience given them last of all and were reserved of purpose to confute whatsoever should be spoken and alledged by the Macedonians And these Athenians inveighed most sharply bitterly against the king for none had received either more wrongs or suffered the like indignities at his hands as they had So this assembly verily for that time by reason that the day was spent in hearing the continued orations of so many embassadours brake up about sun-setting The morrow after they assembled againe where the magistrates by the voice of the Bedle or publique cryer after the custome of the Greekes gave libertie to every person to deliver his mind and no man stepped foorth Great silence there was and not a word among them for a long time looking wistly one upon another who should begin first And no marvaile if they whose spirits were astonied in some sort within them when they of their owne accord cast and tossed in their minds things so different and contrarie were now more troubled and perplexed by those orations besides that had lasted all the long day broching uttering and advising many matters so harsh so difficult and unpleasant unto them At length because the Councell should not be dissolved without some speech and parle Arisbenus the Pretor of the Achaeans began to speak and said What is become my masters of Achaea of those hearts of yours and couragious stomacks whereby at all your 〈◊〉 and in your privat meetings when talk is ministred of Philip and the Romans you can hardly hold your hands but are readie to flie one in anothers face And now when as this honourable court of parliaments is published and holden for the same purpose only when ye have heard the reasons and allegations of the embassadors of all parts when the magistrats propound the matter to be debated in councell when the publick cryer calleth you to give your opinions ye are mum and mute If the regard of the common good and welfare of us all will not cause you to open your lips cannot the privat respects and affections neither which have inclined and caried your minds to the one side or the other fetch out a word from any of your mouthes Considering especially that no man is so grosse and blockish who can be ignorant that now is the very time or never for each one to say and deliver his mind as he will himselfe and as he thinketh best before we resolve and determine of any course and when a decree of act is once passed that all men are bound even they themselves that before misliked it to defend and maintaine the same as a good and profitable accord This admonition of the Pretour was so farre short of drawing any one of them to utter his opinion that it caused not so much as the least noise or humming in so frequent an auditorie and congregation of so many States together Then Aristhenus the Pretour began againe and followed his speech in this manner It seemeth my masters and friends of Achaea here assembled that yee are not so much to seeke for counsell and advise but ye are as short of your tongues and loth to speake And every one here is unwilling to provide for their generall good for feare least hee should incure some particular perill My selfe likewise peradventure would be silent and hold my peace if I were a privat person But now being Pretour I see thus much That either there should have no audience at all beene given unto the Embassadours or else that they ought not to be sent away from hence without an answere and answere them how can I without your ordinance Now seeing that there is none of you all who have beene summoned hither to this Councell that either will or dare say a word to the cause let us examine throughly and consider well in lieu of your opinions those speeches which yesterday were pronounced by the embassadours let us I say revise them so as if they had not demaunded those things which concerned their owne good and commoditie but as though they proposed such points as they esteemed profitable and expedient for us all The Romanes the Rhodians and king Attalius require our alliance and amitie and in that warre which they wage against Philip they thinke it reason to be aided from us Philip againe putteth us in mind of our societie with him and of our oath One while he requireth us to stand and band with him otherwhiles hee faith hee will be content that wee should sit still and meddle neither one way nor other Is there no man here knoweth the reason why they that are not yet our allies demaund and crave more than hee that is our allie alreadie It is neither the modestie of Philip nor the impudencie of the Romanes that is the cause hereof The ports and haven-townes they be of Achaea which minister confidence and assurance to those demaunders and take away the same from them againe From Philip wee see nothing but only an Embassadour The sea-forces of the Romanes and their fleet ride in the harborough of Cenchreae they carrie afore them in shew the spoiles of the citties in Euboea The Consull himselfe with his land armie of the legions we see disjoined from us by a small arme onely of the sea raunging at their pleasure all over Phocis and Locris Marvell now longer if you can why Cleomedon the embassadour of Philip demaunded erewhile so coldly and dissidently that wee should take armes for the king against the Romans who if we by vertue of the same league and oth where with hee seemed to charge us in conscience required of him againe that Philip should defend us both from Nabis and the Lacedemonians and also from the Romans would bee to seeke not onely of a garrison and power of armed men to shield us but likewise of a very aunswere to shape us And verily hee would be no more readie to satisfie us than Philip was himselfe the last yeere who notwithstanding he frankly promised to levie warre against Nabis and thereby assaied to traine and draw the floure of our youth from hence into Euboea after that hee saw once that we neither agreed to send him that power nor yet were willing to entangle our selves and be interessed in the Romane warre forgat soone that societie that now he standeth and vaunteth so much of and left us to the mercie and devotion of Nabis and the Lacedemonians to bee spoiled pilled and wasted at their pleasures And certes so much as I can conceive of Cleomedon his Oration me thinks it hangeth not well together and one peece thereof forteth not well with another He seemed to speake of the Romane warre contemptuously as if it were a matter of nothing saying the event and issue thereof would be like the former which they maintained
instant newes came unto him that his successor had landed his armie at Apollonia and was comming by the way of Epirus and Thessalie Now came the Consull with a power of 13000 foote and five hundred horse And by this time was he passed as far as to the vale and levell of Malea and having sent certein afore to summon the citie Hypata and received answere againe that they would do nothing but by a publick decree of the Aetolians because the siege of Hypata should not stay him and Amphissa not yet woon he led his forces against it and sent his brother Africanus before Ere they came the Oppidanes had quit the towne for by this time the wall in many places lay open and naked and were all fled armed and unarmed into a castle which they had imprenable The Consull pitched his tents sixe miles from the towne Thither arrived the Athenian embassadors and first they repaired to P. Scipio who as we have said was gone before the maine armie and afterwards to the Consull intreating for the Aetolians Of the twaine they received a gentler answere at the hands of Africanus who seeking some honest occasion to leave the Aetolian warre set his heart and eye wholly upon Asia and king Antiochus and to this purpose he willed the Atheniens to persuade not only with the Romanes but also with the Aetolians to preferre peace before warre And speedily through the motion and persuasion of the Atheniens there was a solemne embassage of the Aetolians dispatched from Hypata Induced they were the rather to hope for peace by the speech of Africanus for to him they came first who discoursed unto them how that many nations and cities in Spaine first and afterwards in Africke had put themselves under his protection and in them all hee had left greater testimonies of his clemencie and bountie than of his warlike valour and martiall prowesse Thus they had brought the matter as they thought to a good passe and made it sure but when they came before the Consull they had the same answere of him with which they were sent away from the Senate and commaunded to avoid The Aetolians wounded therewith anew seeing they could win nothing neither by the mediation of the Athenien embassage nor the gracious answere of Africanus said they would make report thereof unto their States and countrymen So they returned from thence to Hypata where they were to seeke what to do and could not resolve for neither had they whereof to raise a thousand talents and againe if they should absolutely put themselves into their hands they feared to feele the smart thereof in their bodies Therefore they commaunded the same embassadors to go againe to the Consull and to Africanus and to exhibit a petition that if they were minded indeed and veritie to graunt them peace and not by vaine shew and semblance only to frustrate and delude the hope of poore suppliants they would either rebate them a quantitie of that grand summe of money or else accept so of their absolute surrender that no free citizens might be touched thereby in his person But nothing could be gotten at the Consuls hands for to alter or relent any jote thus was this embassage also sent away as it came and nothing done The Atheniens came after them in place the principall man of whose embassage Echedemus seeing the Aetolians wearied with so many repulses and lamentably to no purpose bewailing the miserable estate of their countrie put them still in some new hope and gave them counsell to crave truce for sixe moneths that they might addresse their Embassadors to Rome and receive and answere from thence shewing unto them that this delay could not augment their present calamitie which could not worse be but contrarywise time and space comming betweene might affoord many accidents whereby their present miserie might be mitigated and alayed So by the advise of Echedemus the same men were sent once againe who had communed before with P. Scipio and by his meanes obteined of the Consull a truce for that terme which was the thing they craved The siege being raysed before Amphissa M. Acilius after he had delivered up his armie into the hands of the Consull resigned his government and departed out of the province and the Consull likewise from Amphissa returned into Thessalie intending through Macedonie and Thracia to conduct his armie into Asia Then Africanus entred into speech with his brother and said The journey which you enterprise L. Scipio I for my part approve and thinke well of but all resteth in the will and pleasure of Philip who if he be fast and faithfull to the state and empire of Rome he will graunt us passage he will affoord us victuals he will furnish us with all things which in so long a voyage are necessarie to the help and sustenance of our armie but if he faile and forsake us once you must make accompt of no safetie and securitie throughout all Thracia therefore I am of advise that the kings affection be first sounded And that will best be done if the messenger who shall be dispatched unto him may come upon him on a sodaine and take him unprovided and having no time to put any presented plot in practise T. Sempronius Gracchus a most nimble and active yong gentleman was at that time chosen for the furest person to performe this action who taking fresh post horses all the way as he rode with incredible celeritie made such speede that from Amphissa for thence he had his dispatch in three dayes space he arrived at Pella The king was at a feast or banket when he came and wine he had taken full liberally And finding him thus disposed to solace and recreate his spirits he had no reason to suspect that he was minded and inclined to any change or alteration and so for that time this guest was bidden welcome and had good cheere made him The morrow after he saw the provision of victuals in great store readie for the armies he beheld the bridges made over the rivers and the high waies mended and prepared where passage was difficult With these intelligences he returned to the Consull with as great speed as he went and met him at Thaumaci From whence the armie in much joy and with greater and more assured hope entred into Macedonie where all was provided to their hands The king at their comming received t hem right stately and at their departure conducted them on the way as royally Very willing redie and courteous he shewed himselfe which Africanus much liked and highly commended being a man as in all other things singular so in allowing of elegancie and humanitie if it were without superfluitie and excesse nothing nice and streight-laced Thus they held on their journey unto Hellespontus passing through Macedonie and Thrace and Philip still accompanied them and provided all things for their use afore-hand After the battaile fought at sea neere Corycum Antiochus having had all the winter time
through and gotten in made the more bloody carnage amongst them for very anger and despight that they had kept them foorth so long It is said that there were slaine that day about fiftie thousand footmen and 4000 horsmen 1400 taken pisoners together with fifteene elephants with their governours A number of the Romanes were hurt and wounded but there dyed not iu the field above 300 footmen and 24 horsemen and of the regiment of king Eumenes not past five and twentie And for that day verily the conquerours after they had ransacked only the tents and pavillions of their enemies returned to their owne camp with great plentie of pillage but the next morrow they fell to spoiling the bodies of the dead and gathered their prisoners togither And upon this victory there came embassadours from Thyatira and Magnesia unto Sypilus for to surrender and deliver up their cities Antiochus who fled accompanied with some few having gathered unto him many more in the way who rallied themselves unto him arrived at Sardis about midnight with a small power of armed men and hearing that his sonne Selencus and some other of his friends were gone before to Apamea himselfe also at the fourth watch departed thence with his wife and daughter toward Apamea after hee had committed the charge of guarding the citie Sardis unto Zeno and appointed Timon governour of Lydia But the inhabitants of the said city and the garrison souldiours within the castle despised these governors and by generall consent addressed embassadors unto the Consull Much about the same time also there arrived embassadors from Tralles and Magnesia which standeth upon the river Maeander and likewise from Ephesus to yeeld up their cities For Polyxenidas advertised of the issue of this battaile had abandoned Ephesus and having sailed with the fleet as farre as Patara in Lycia for feare of the Rhodian ships which rid in guard within the harbour of Megiste disbarked and put himselfe a shore and with a small company marched by land into Syria The cities of Asia were surrendred into the hands and protection of the Consull and submitted to the people of Rome By this time now was the Consull possessed of Sardis and thither repaired unto him Scipio from Elaea so soone as ever hee could endure the travell of journey At the same time there came an herald from Antiochus unto the Consull who by the mediation of Scipio made request and obteined thus much That the king might send his oratours and embassadours unto him And after few daies Zeusis who had beene governour of Lydia together with Antipater Antiochus his nephew or brothers sonne arrived Who first dealt with king Eumenes and communed with him whome by reason of old jarres and quarels they supposed verily to be the greatest enemy unto peace and that he would never abide to heare therof but him they found more reasonable and enclining to peaceable tearmes than either the king their master or themselves hoped looked for So by the means of Scipio him togither they had accesse unto the Consull who at their earnest petition graunted them a day of audience in a frequent assembly there to declare their commission what they had in charge Then quoth Zeusis we are not so much to speake and deliver ought of our owneselves as to aske and be advised of you Romanes what course to take and by what meanes of satisfaction we might expiate and satisfie the trespasse of the king our master and withall obteine grace and pardon at your hands who are the victours Your manner alwayes hath beene of a magnanimous and hautie spirit to forgive kings and nations by you vanquished How much more then is it decent and beseeming you to doe the like yea and with a greater mind and more generous and bountifull heart in this victory and conquest which hath made you LL. of the whole world For now it behooveth you to lay downe all debate and quarrell with mortall men here upon earth and rather like the immortall gods in heaven to provide for the good and safety of mankind and them to pardon and forgive Now was it agreed upon before the comming of the Embassadours what answere to make unto them and likewise thought good it was that Africanus should deliver the same who spake by report in this wise Wee Romanes of all those things which are in the power of the immortall gods have that measure which they vouchsafed to geve us as for heart and courage which dependeth upon out owne will and mind wee have borne and ever will the same without chaunge and alteration in all fortunes neither hath prosperitie raysed and lift it up aloft nor adversitie debased and put it downe For proofe hereof I might produce your friend Anniball as witnesse to say nothing of others but that I can report mee to your owne selves For after wee had passed over Hellespont even before wee saw the kings campe and armie when the hazard of warre was indifferent when the issue doubtfull and uncertaine looke what conditions of peace wee then offered on even hand and whiles we were equall one unto the other and stood upon tearmes of advauntage the same and no other wee present unto you at this time now that wee are conquerours Forbeare to meddle within Europe depart wholly out of Asia so much as in on this side Taurus Moreover in regard of the expenses defraied in this warre yee shall pay fifteene thousand Talents of silver according to the computation of Euboea five hundred in hand two thousand and five hundred at the assurance making of the peace by the Senat and people of Rome and a thousand talents yeerely for twelve yeeres next ensuing Also yee shall make paiment unto Euments of foure hundred talents and the remnant behind of the corne and graine which was due unto his father And when wee have contracted and concluded these covenants to the end that we may rest assured that ye will performe the same we demaund for a gage and sufficient pawne that yee deliver into our hands twentie hostages such as wee shall like well of and chuse And for as much as wee can never bee persuaded that the people of Rome shall enjoy long peace there where Anniball is we demaund above all things to have him in our custodie Also you shall deliver into our hands Thoas the Aetolian the principall authour and firebrand of the war with the Aetolians who caused you to take armes against us upon assurance that he gave you of them and likewise armed them upon the trust they had in you Item together with him you shall deliver Mnasimachus the Acarnanian togither with Philo Eubulidas the Chalcidians The king shall now contract peace in worse estate than he was by reason that he maketh it later than hee might have done But in case he hold off still and delay know he well thus much That the roiall majesty and port of kings is with more difficultie abated and
there remained no meanes else for them but to have passed through the mids of the enemies at Dium for to escape and pierce into Macedonie an adventure no doubt if the gods had not berest the king of his right wits most difficult and dangerous unto them For it being so that from the foot of the mountain Olympus unto the sea there is little above a mile space betweene the one halfe whereof is taken up with the mouth of the river Bophyins which in this place spreadeth very broad and large and another part of the plaine either the temple of Iupiter or the towne it selfe occupieth the rest besides being but a verie small place might have been enclosed and made fast against them with a little trench and rampier◠besides such store there was of stone readie at hand and of timber out of the forest that they might either have raised a mure or framed turrets and such like fabricks in their way But the king whose spirit understanding was blinded with sodain fear fore-seeing none of all these things but diffurnishing every fort of their garisons made open passage for the current of war fled himselfe to Pydna The Consull perceiving that he had gotten great advantage and many hopes by the follie and negligence of his enemie dispatched a currier back toward Larissa unto Sp. Lucretius willing him to seize those forts into his hands about Tempe which were abandoned by the enemie and after he had sent Popilius before in spiall to discover all the passages about Dium and perceived that the avenues were open in all parts hee marched forwards himselfe and by the second gift came to Dium where he commaunded to encampe under the very temple to the end that no violent outrage should be committed in that holy place Himselfe in proper person entred into the citie which as it was not great so it was garnished with faire publick buildings beautified with a number of goodly images and passing well fortified besides in so much as he could not well beleeve that things of such importance were abandoned for nothing but that there was some secret deceit and treacherie lurking underneath After hee had staied there one full day to espie and see that all coasts were cleere the dislodged and marched on and supposing verily that he should be provided of sufficient store of graine he advanced forward that verie day to the river named Mytis The morrow after he tooke possession of the citie Agassa which the inhabitants willingly rendred unto him And to win the hearts of all other Macedonians contenting himselfe onely with hostages he promised to leave them their citie cleere without a garrison and to permit them to live under their owne lawes without paiment of any tribute Being marched onward one daies journey from thence hee pitched downe his tents fast upon the river Ascordus but feeling and finding still the farther he went from Thessalie more and more want of all things he recited backe to Dium and then all men saw plainly and made no doubt to what streights hee should have been driven in case he had been cleane shut out from Thessalie considering that it was not safe for him to remove far from thence where he was Perseus having rallied all his forces and assembled his captaines into one place checked and ratled up the captains of the garrisons and guards aforesaid over the passages but above all he rebuked Aschepiodosus and Hippius most saying that those two had betraied unto the Romanes the port gates into Macedonie whereas indeed no man was more justly to be blamed for that than his owne selfe The Consull after he had discovered a farre off from sea a fleet of Romane ships conceived good hope that vessels were comming charged with provision of victuals for now in his campe the dearth was great and brought they were alreadie to extreame want and fearsitie But hee was advertised by them who were entred within the harbour that the hulkes and ships of burden were left behind at Magnesia Whereupon being in great doubt what to doe so hard went all things with him for the present that hee had worke ynough to wrestle with that onely difficultie without being farther encombred with any empeachment from the enemie be hold-in happie time 〈◊〉 were brought unto him from Sp. Lucretius importing thus much That hee was master of all the forts and holds planted upon Tempe and round about Phila where he had found great plentie of corne and other necessaries The Consull right joious for these good tidings set his 〈◊〉 on foot from Dium to Phila as well to strengthen the garison there as also to deale corne among his souldiours which would have required a long time ere it could have beene brought over to them at Dium That departure and journey of his was nothing wel spoken off for some gave out that the Generall reculed from the enemie for very feare because that if he had staied there still he should have been forced to a battaile others said that he had no skill in warre neither in those occurrents which fortunes wheele turning about altereth every day offering one new thing or other who when occasions and opportunities were presented unto him let the same slip out of his bands which soone after might not possibly he recovered againe And verily he had not so soon 〈◊〉 the possession of Dium but he 〈◊〉 and wakened the enemie and put in his head now at length to regain those matters which had ben lost before through his own default For hearing than the Consull was departed he returned immediatly to Dium where he repaired whatsoever had been demolished and ruinate by the Romans the battlements of the wals which were cast downe he set up againe in the right place and in all parts fortified the mure and bulwarks of the citie Which done he encamped five miles off on this side Enipeus intending that the river it selfe which is verie hard to be passed over should serve him in stead of a rampier and trench of defence This river runneth out of the vale from under the mountaine Olympus and in sommer season is small and shallow but in winter it riseth high and spreadeth broad by reason of raine running also with a forcible current and streame it surmounteth great rockes and among those stonie crags and shelves maketh many whirlpits by occasion likewise that from thence it carrioth away with it into the sea store of earth there are many gulfes of exceeding depth and by reason that it hath eaten a hollow channell in the mids the banks of ech side are verie high and steep upright Perseus supposing that by the meanes of this river the enemies were debarred from all passage purposed in his mind to hold off and drive out the rest of the sommer in that fort But the Consull in the meane while sent Popilius from Phila into Heraclea with two thousand armed fighting men This Heraclea standeth about five miles from Phila situate in
was in the commission and had a commaund than to a lieutenant But it should seeme now that hee was left behind farre enough off of very purpose for feare he would avow and justifie personally his hand-writing and charge him face to face and that if the Consull should make report of any untruth he might be chalenged therefore and the thing sisted and canvased untill the truth appeared clearely and came to light and therfore my opinion is qd hee that nothing be determined at this present as touching the demaunds of the Consull But when as he persisted not with standing and followed the suit still namely that they would ordaine a solemne procession and that himselfe might enter the citie riding in triumph then Marcus and C. Titinius both Tribunes of the Commons protested that they would interpose their negative and cancell the order of the Senate in that behalfe The Censors for that time were Sex Aelius Paetus and C. Cornelius Cetbegus created the yeare before Cornelius tooke a revieu of the citie and numbred the people and there were accounted by his survey 143704 polls of citizens Great flouds arose that yeere and Tyber over flowed all that flats and plaine places of the citie and about the gate Flumentana certain houses and buildings were overthrowen withall and laid along The gate Caelimontana besides was stricken with lightning the wall about it was likewise blasted from heaven At Aricia Lanuvium and in mount Aventine it rained stones And reported it was from Capua that a great swarine of waspes came flying into the market place and setled upon the temple of Mars which beeing with great care taken up and gathered togither were afterward consumed with fire In regard of these prodigious tokens order was given that the Decemvirs should search and peruse the bookes of Sibylla whereupon a novendiall sacrifice to continue nine daies was appointed a publicke procession solemnized and the citie was cleansed and hallowed About the same time M. Porcius Cato dedicated the chappell of Virgin victorie neere to the temple of the goddesse Vīctorie two yeeres after that he had vowed it In that yeere also the Triumvirs C. Manlius Volso L. Apustius Fullo and P. Aelius Tubero who had preferred a bill of request about the planting of a Colonie had commission graunted to conduct a Colonie of Latines into the countrey of Thurium and thither went three thousand footmen and three hundred horsemen a small number in comparison of the largenesse and quantitie of the territorie There might well have beene set out thirtie acres for every footman and threescore for an horseman but by the motion and advise of Apustius one third part of the lands was excepted and reserved to the end that afterwards in time they might enroll new Coloners if it pleased them And therefore the footmen had twentie acres and the horsemen fortie apeece Now approched the end of they yeere and more ambition there was and hoter suite for place of dignitie in the election of Consuls than ever had been knowne any time before Many mightie men as well of the Patrity and nobles as the Commoners stood and laboured hard for the Consulship to wit P. Cornelius Scipio the sonne of Cneus who lately was departed out of Spaine after he had atcheeved many worthie deeds L. Iuintius Flaminius who had ben Admirall of the navie in Greece and Cn. Manlius Volso all of the Nobilitie But of the Commons were C. Laelius Cn. Domitius C. Livius Salinator and M. Acilius But all mens eies were fixed upon Iuintius and Cornelius For they desired one place being both of them nobly descened and their fresh glorie for feats of warre recommended both the one and the other But above all other things the brethren of these competitours two most renowmed warriors of their time set the debate on a light fire The glorie of Scipio as it was the greater of the twaine so it was more subject to envie The honour of Iuntius was more fresh as who that yeer had newly triumphed Over and besides the one of them had beene now almost ten yeeres continually conversant in the eies of men a thing that maketh great men not so highly regarded by reason that they are growne stale and the world is full alreadie of them also he had been twise Consull and Censour since he vanquished Anniball But in Iuintius all was fresh new to win the good grace and favor of men And more than that he neither after his triumph had obtained ought of the people not to say a truth requested any thing He alledged that he made suite for his owne naturall and whole brother by both sides not for a cousin german in the behalfe of a very companion and partaker with him in the managing of the war for as himselfe served by land so his brother performed many exploits by sea So he obtained that Quintius should be preferred before his competitor whom Africanus his brother Asiaticus brought in and graced whom the whole race of Cornely seemed to countenance even then when a Cornelius Consull was president of the election held the assembly whom the Senat had given so grave a testimonie of in adjudging him to be the best man simply in all the citie thought most worthie to receive the goddesse dame Idea 1 comming from Pessinus to the citie of Rome Thus were L. Quintius Cn. Domiuus Aenobarbus created Consuls in such sort that Africanus was of no credite and bare no stroke at all ye may be sure in the election of a Consull out of the third estate of Commons albeit he emploied himselfe and did his best for C. Laelius The next day after were the Prectors elected namely L. Scribonius Libo M. Fulvius Centimalus A. Attilius Serranus M. Baebius Tamphilus L. Valenius Tappus and Q. Salonius Sarra In this yeer M. Aemylius Lepidus and L. Aemylius Paulus the Censors bare themselves so in their office as they made their yeer to be notable and much spoken of They condemned fined many of the citie grasiers or farmers of the common pastures and of that money which arose of their amercements were certaine gilded shields made which were set up on the finiall or lanterne of Iupiters temple They made one terrace or gallerie without the gate Trigemina with a merchants hall or Burse adjoined there to neere Tyber and another from the gate Fontinalis they built in length as far as to the altar of Mars leading to Mars field For a long time nothing was done in Liguria worth the remembrance But about the end of the yeere twise were the Romanes in great jeopardie for both the campe of the Consull was assailed and hardly defended and also not long after as the Romane hoast marched through a streight pase the armie of the Ligurians kept the very gullet of the passage and the Consull seeing he could not make way through turned his ensignes and began to retire the same way hee came but by that
time some of the enemies had gained also the backe part of the pase insomuch as the lamentable remembrance of the Caudine overthrow not onely presented it selfe to their spirit and mind but also was in manner an object to their eie Now had he amongst his auxiliarie or aid-forces to the number almost of eight hundred horse Whose captaine promised the Consull that he and his would breake through whether way hee would let him onely but tell him which of the two quarters were better peopled and inhabited for the first thing that he did he would fire their villages and houses to the end that the feare and fright there of might force the Ligurians to depart out of the chase which they held and beset and run to succour their owne neighbours The Consull commended him highly and sed him with hope of large rewards Whereupon the Numidians mounted on horsebacke and began to ride about the corps de guard of the enemies without offering to charge upon any man At the first a man that had seen them would have thought nothing more contemptible being both men horse litle spare and gaunt The horseman unarmed and without weapon save that hee carrieth about him some light darts the horses without bridles and as they ran shutting out their stiffe neckes and bearing their heads forward without any reining at all they made a very ill favoured sight And the riders for to make themselves more despised would for the nones seeme to take fals from their horses and make their enemies good sport Whereupon they who if at first they had been assailed would have been heedfull and readie to have received the charge now sat still many of them unarmed to behold this pleasant pastime The Numidians would gallop toward them and presently ride back again but so as by little little they gained ground and advaunced neerer to the pase yet making semblance as if they had had no rule of their horses but were caried thither against their wils At the last they set spurs to their horses indeed and brake through the mids of the enemies guards and so soone as they had recovered the open ground they set on fire all the houses neere the high way side and so forward they burnt the next village they came unto destroied all asore them with fire and sword First the smoke that was descried afterwards the outcrie heard of them that were affrighted in the villages and last of all the children and old folke that fled to save themselves made a trouble and hurlyburly in the campe in some much as every man of himselfe without advise without warrant or direction made what hast he could to runne and save his owne Thus in the turning of an hand the campe was abandoned and the Consull delivered from siege arrived thither where he intended But neither Boians nor Spaniards with whom that yeare the Romanes made warre were so despiteous and maliciously bent against them as the whole nation of the AErolians They at the verie first were in very good hope that presently upon the remoove of the forces out of Greece Antiochus would have entered Europe and seazed upon the vacant possession thereof and that neither Philip nor Nabis would be in rest and doe nothing But seeing them not to stirre in any place they thought it high time to make some trouble and confusion themselves for seare least by delayes and lingering all their designments would turne to nothing and therfore they published a Diet or Councell to be holden at Naupactum In which assembly Thoas their Pretour after he had made grievous complaint of the wrongs received by the Romanes mooving and solliciting the state of Aetolia for that they of all other nations and cities of Greece were least honoured and set by after that victorie where of they had beene the cause gave his advise That there should be embassadours sent to all the neighbour kings not only to found their minds and affections but also to incite and pricke them every one forward to enter into armes against the Romanes So Damocritus was addressed to Nabis Nicander to Philip and Dicaearchus the brother of the Pretour unto Antiochus Damocritus had in commission to signifie unto the tyrant of Lacedaemon That by the losse of his maritime cities the very strings and sinews of his tyrannie and kingdome were cut in sunder For from thence was hee furnished with souldiours from thence had he his ships and fervitours at sea where as now hee might see the Archaeans LL. and rulers of Peloponnesus whiles himselfe was pinned up and enclosed within his walls and never should he have opportunitie to recover himselfe if he let passe this that presently was offered unto him No Romane armie was now in Greece and never would the Romanes thinke it sufficient cause to passe over the seas with their legions into Greece for any occasion of Gyttheum or other Laconians inhabiting the sea coasts These reasons were laid forth to incense the courage of the tyrant to the end that when Antiochus was once passed over into Greece he being touched in conscience that he had broken the Romane league by committing outrage upon their allies might of necessitie joine and band with Antiochus Semblable remonstrances and reasons used Nicander for to provoke and persuade Philip and much more matter he had to enforce that point as the king was deposed from much higher degree of estate than the tyrant had been and also had sustained farre greater losses To this he alleadged the auncient name and renowme of the KK of Macedonie and how that nation had over run the whole world and filled all places with their noble conquests victories Moreover he said That he advised him to take a course which was safe both to be enterprised also easie to bee executed For he gave not Philip counsell to stirre before that Antiochus were passed over with an armie into Greece and considering that he without the aid of Antiochus had maintained warre so long against the Romans and Aetolians what possible meanes had the Romans to with stand him assisted with Antiochus and the Aetolians his allies who even then were fiercer enemies than the Romanes Over and besides hee inferred this reason also what a brave and doubtie captaine Anniball was a man even borne to bee an enemie to the Romanes and who had slaine alreadie more leaders and souldiours of theirs than were left behind These were the allegations of Nicander to Philip. As for Dicaerchus hee had other motiver to persuade with Antiochus First and principally above all others hee affirmed That howsoever the price and bootie of Philip fell to the Romanes the victorie was gained and atcheeved by the Aetolians and none but they either gave the Romanes entrance and passage into Greece or furnished them with forces for the performance and accomplishment of the victorie Then hee shewed and made promise what power as well of foote as horse they would present unto Antiochus