that they presently created a Dictator which was Valerius Corvus one of the last Years Consuls who appointed Aemilius Mamercinus for his Master of the Horse and march'd against the Rebels who had now forc'd T. Quintius an eminent Soldier to be their General Upon the Approach of both Armies the Rebels out of Fear yielded themselves and were receiv'd into Favour the Dictator having no more Imployment abroad In the same year the frequent Inroads made by the Romans into the Samnites Country drew 'em to a Peace the Sidicini being left to their Mercy II. Soon after this Peace the Samnites desir'd of the Romans that the Latins and Campanians might be commanded not to assist the Sidicini but because the Senate wou'd not deny that these Nations were under their Command and were likewise unwilling to provoke 'em such an ambiguous Answer was return'd that the Latins and Campanians thought themselves so far disoblig'd as to revolt Manlius Torquatus now Consul the third time and his Collegue Decius Mus were sent by the Senate to chastise the Latins who now wou'd be satisfi'd with no less than having one of the Consuls and half the Senators chosen out of their Nation Upon certain Dreams and Prognostications that the General on one side and the Army on the other was certainly to be destroy'd the Consuls Solemnly agreed That in what Part the Roman Army shou'd be distress'd the Commander of that Part shou'd devote himself to the Gods and die for his Country which generous Resolution was confirm'd by Oath And because they were all acquainted with each others Discipline and way of Fighting strict Commands were given that no Man upon pain of Death shou'd Fight without Orders Both Armies were drawn up in Battalia and a bloody and obstinate Ingagement immediately follow'd the Latins pressing very hard upon Decius's Part he according to his Promise devoted himself to the Gods and rushing violently into the midst of his Enemies after a great Slaughter lost his Life the Latins being soon after entirely defeated Nor was the Discipline of Manlius less remarkable than the Courage of Decius in relation to his own Son For he passing with his Troops before the Battel nigh the Enemy was challeng'd by Metius Captain of the Tusculans whom when he had slain and stripp'd his Father with Tears commended him for his Valour but condemn'd him for his Disobedience which though a sad was a profitable Example to the rest of his Men And after that cruel Commands were usually call'd Manliana Dicta The Latins now defeated begg'd Peace which being given 'em tho not with the same Conditions to all Manlius return'd in Triumph but was met only by the Old Men the Young Ones refusing to do him that Honour and ever after hating him upon the account of his Son Soon after the People of Antium and Ardea made incursions into the Roman Territories But Manlius being Sick he nam'd Papyrius Crassus for Dictator who appointed Papyrius Cursor his Master of the Horse and kept the Field some Months in the Antiates Country but no remarkable Action hapned The Consuls for the following Year Aemilius and Publius overthrew the Latins who had again revolted upon the Account of some Lands taken from ' em Publius by whose Conduct the Victory was obtain'd receiv'd into Alliance such Cities as had been worsted and Aemilius march'd his Army and sat down before Pedum which receiv'd Supplies from several Places Tho he had the Advantage in all Skirmishes yet still the Town held out and he understanding that his Collegue was return'd to his Triumph he immediately left the Siege and went for Rome to demand that Honour likewise The Senate was much offended at this Presumption denying him that Honour except Pedum was either taken or surrender'd which caus'd him out of Revenge to joyn with the Tribunes against the Patritians the rest of his Time his Collegue not opposing it being himself a Plebeian The Senate out of a Desire to get free of 'em both order'd a Dictator to be created whom it fell to Aemilius's share to nominate as having the Fasces that Month. Aemilius nam'd his Collegue Publius Philo who appointed Iunius Brutus for his Master of the Horse and was the second Plebeian Dictator in Rome Publius was a great Vexation to the Nobility and was full of Invectives against 'em procuring three Remarkable Laws whereof the first alter'd the very Constitution of the State which was That the Plebiscita shou'd bind the Quirites or Citizens of Rome of all Ranks and Degrees whatsoever The second was That such Laws as were enacted in the Centuriate Comitia shou'd be propos'd or pass'd by the Senate before they were voted by the People The third That whereas they had obtain'd before that both the Censors might be Plebeians now one at least must of necessity be so So now the Majesty of the Roman State was more impair'd by the Authority of these two at home than it was augmented by their Valour abroad In the following Year wherein Furius Camillus and C. Maenius were Consuls Pedum was taken by Storm and the Consuls in pursuit of the Victory Conquer'd all Latium bringing it and some neighbouring Parts to an intire Submission for which they triumph'd and had Statues on Horseback erected for 'em in the Forum an Honour very rare in those Days The several People of Latium had several Conditions of Peace appointed 'em some being rewarded and honour'd others punish'd and disgrac'd according as their former Behaviour had been To Antium was sent a new Colony the old Inhabitants being forbidden the Sea and had all their long Ships taken from 'em but had leave to enter themselves in the Colony and were made free of that City The Ships were some of 'em brought into the Roman Arsenal others burnt and with their Rostra or Beaks was the Gallery or Pulpit for Orations in the Forum adorn'd whence that had afterwards the name of Rostra The Year following Minutia a Vestal Virgin was bury'd alive in the Campus Sceleratus which as Livy believes had its Name from Incest for so Incontinency in those Women was call'd And in this same Year Publius Philo was made Praetor who was the first Plebeian that obtain'd this Honour the Senate little regarding it having been so often overpower'd in Matters of the greatest Consequence And this hapned in the 416th Year of the City and 28 Years after the first Creation of this Office III. Not long after the Agreement between the Romans and Latins a War broke out between the Arunci and the Sidicini in Campania in which the latter constrain'd the former to abandon their ancient Seats and settle in Suessa which was afterwards call'd Arunca The Arunci had given up themselves to the Romans who thereupon order'd 'em Relief but the Consuls deferring it lost the Opportunity of assisting ' em But in the next Year the Sidicini with their Confederates and Neighbours the Inhabitants of Cales were overthrown
himself in the same Room fearing to be found there and not having time to come out Now Vindicius fearing to discover this strange Accident to either of the Consuls upon the Account of such a nigh Relation went directly to Valerius afterwards call'd Poplicola a great Assistant in this Revolution and laid open the whole Plot. Valerius was much startled at the Discovery therefore to proceed warily he first secur'd the Slave to have him in readiness then sending his Brother Marcus to beset the King's Palace and watch all the Servants there he himself with his Friends and Clients went to the House of the Aquilii where he seiz'd on several Letters writ to Tarquin by these Conspirators The Aquilii being abroad met 'em at the Gate where they endeavour'd to recover the Letters by force of Arms but Valerius by the help of his Followers violently dragg'd 'em to the Forum where he found some of the King's Servants with other Letters who had been likewise forcâ—d thither by his Brother Marcus The People throng'd on all sides but the Consul's Sons drew the Eyes of the whole Multitude upon 'em and several Tumults were like to arise till both the Consuls came and ascending the Tribunal appeas'd all Vindicius was immediately sent for by Valerius's Order and coming before the Consuls he related the whole Story at large and for a greater Proof against 'em the Letters were read publickly before all Brutus all the while inwardly burning with Rage and Fury The Accused Parties pleaded nothing for themselves but all stood wonderfully astonish'd and in a profound Silence till at last some to flatter Brutus propos'd Banishment as a sufficient Punishment and Colatine's Tears with Valerius's Silence gave the Prisoners great Hopes of Mercy But Brutus at last rose up with a stern Majesty and a Resolution to do something that the World shou'd wonder at he call'd aloud to both his Sons Canst not thou O Titus nor thou Tiberius make any Defence against these Crimes now laid to your charge This Question he put to them three several times and receiving no Answer he turn'd himself to the Lictors and Executioners saying Now 't is your Part to perform the rest Nor could all the Sentiments of Paternal Pity nor all the sad pleading Looks of the People nor yet the lamentable Complaints of the unhappy Youths move the Firmness of his Resolution but presently the Lictors seiz'd on the two Young Men and stripping 'em ty'd their Hands behind 'em then tore their Bodies with Scourges and presently after beheaded 'em Brutus all the time gazing on the cruel Spectacle with a most steady Look and unalter'd Countenance while the Multitude look'd on with a strange Mixture of Pity and Amazement Brutus after this Execution immediately departed out of the Assembly leaving the rest of the Criminals to the Discretion of his Collegue Collatine's Backwardness in punishing the Prisoners encourag'd the Aquilii to desire some time to answer and to have their Slave Vindicius deliver'd up to 'em and not to continue in the hands of their Accusers Collatine was ready to do both and to dismiss the Assembly when Valerius who had the Slave in his hands wou'd neither deliver him nor suffer the People to break up without censuring the Accused but immediately laid hands on the Aquilii and sent for Brutus exclaiming against Collatine's partial Dealings whereupon the Consul in a Rage commanded the Lictors to take away Vindicius who laying hold on him by Violence were assaulted by Valerius's Friends the People all the while crying out for Brutus Upon his appearing Silence being made he told the People He had already shewn himself a sufficient Lover of his Country by his Iustice to his Sons and left the other Delinquents to them giving leave to every Man to speak freely They immediately put it to the Vote and condemn'd 'em to be beheaded which was presently executed Collatine finding the People so enrag'd at him partly for the sake of his nigh Relation to Tarquin and partly for his unfortunate Behaviour in this Business willingly resign'd his Place and departed the City Valerius was strait chosen Consul in his room who to reward Vindicius made him Free allowing him some Privileges above former Freed Men and from him a perfect and full Manumission was afterwards call'd Vindicta This done the Consuls divided Tarquin's Goods among the People demolish'd his Palace and laid the Campus Martius which he had kept to himself open as before where happening to be Corn which had been newly cut down they threw it into the River and after that the Trees that grew there which fastning in the Ground and stopping the Rubbish that was brought down by the Stream at last grew into an Island which they call'd Insula Sacra II. Tarquin now finding all his Endeavours ineffectual drew together a considerable Army of Hetrurians and advanced towards Rome The Consuls likewise drew out theirs to oppose him and upon their joyning the two Generals Aruns the Son of Tarquin and Brutus the Consul imprudently singled out each other and fighting with more Zeal and Fury than Conduct and Discretion were both Slain A very bloody Battel follow'd between both Armies which the Night parted but with such equal Fortune that neither Party had much reason to boast but in the Night-time either from a Voice out of a Grove as the common Story goes That the Hetrurians had lost one Man more than the Romans or from some other extraordinary Fright the Enemy abandon'd their Camp and being fallen upon by the Romans were nigh 5000 taken Prisoners having lost 11300 in the Battel before For this Victory Valerius triumph'd at his return to the City after a more magnificent Manner than any before him whose Example was always observ'd by Posterity Soon after he bury'd his Collegue Brutus with great Honour he himself making a Funeral Oration in his Commendation and this Custom was continu'd in Rome for the future upon the Death of all great and memorable Persons There was such an universal Concern through all the City for Brutus's Death that the Women by general consent mourn'd for him a whole Twelvemonth which was two Months more than Numa had appointed Valerius now sole Governour deferr'd the Election of another Consul that he might the more easily settle the Common-wealth himself but the People complaining and fearing another Tarquin he soon let 'em see their Mistake by his Courteous Behaviour and ready Compliance with all their Desires even to the demolishing his own House which they thought too large and stately for him His courteous and obliging Carriage and his Bowing to the People in the Assembly got him the name of Poplicola He first fill'd up the Senate which wanted 164 Persons then made several Laws in favour of the People and for the Retrenchment of the Consular Power By one he allow'd an Appeal from the Consuls to the People By another he made it Death for any Man to take any Magistrate's
Peace sent their Children within the limited time and the Consuls Landing at Utica soon after they sent their Commissioners to wait upon them and know their Pleasure Censorinus the Consul commending their Diligence demanded all their Arms which without any Fraud were deliver'd up Now the Carthaginians imploring Mercy with many Tears and all possible Submission desir'd to know their last Doom the Consuls told 'em That they were Commanded to quit their City which they had special Orders to Level with the Ground and build another any where in their own Territories so it were but 10 Miles from the Sea This severe Command they receivâ—d with all the Concern and Rage of a Despairing People and resolv'd to suffer the Greatest Extremities rather than abandon or yield to the Ruin of their Ancient Seat and Habitation The Consuls were very backward in beginning the War not doubting but easily to become Masters of the City now in this Naked and Defenceless Condition but they found it far otherwise for the Inhabitants acting by a desperate Rage and Fury both Men and Women fell to Working Night and Day in the Defence of the City and making of Arms And where Iron and Brass were wanting they made use of Gold and Silver the Women freely cutting off the Hair of their Heads to supply the place of Tow or Flax. Asdrubal who had lately been Condemnâ—d upon the Account of the Romans was now made their General and Governour of the City where he had already a good Army and such Preparations were made that when the Consuls came before the City they found such notable Resistance as much discouragâ—d them and as much encreas'd the Resolution of the Besieged The Consuls engag'd several times to their Disadvantage and might have been great Losers had not the Army been secur'd and brought off by the great Wisdom and Courage of Scipio Aemilianus formerly mention'd who drew over Pharneas Master of the Carthaginian Horse to his side which action gain'd him great Fame and Honour This Year dyâ—d Masanissa 90 Years old leaving his Kingdom and a young Son to Scipioâ—s Discretion And the same Year dyâ—d Cato in Rome in the 85th Year of his Age who did not live to see the too much desir'd Ruin of Carthage Little was perform'd by the Consuls in the following Year for they only invested Clupea and Hippo without taking of either But at Rome all Mens eyes were fix'd upon Scipio looking upon him as the Person destin'd to end the War and whereas he sought only for the Aedileship the People bestow'd the Consulship upon him dispensing with his Age and other usual Qualifications Scipio soon let 'em know that their Honours were not ill bestow'd for having restor'd Discipline which had been too much neglected by the foregoing Consuls he soon after took that part of Carthage callâ—d Megara and drove the Inhabitants into the Citadel or Byrsa Then securing the Isthmus which led to the City he cut off all Provisions from out the Country and block'd up the Haven but the Besieg'd with Miraculous and Incredible Industry cut out a New Passage into the Sea whereby at certain times they cou'd receive Necessaries from the Army without Scipio therefore in the beginning of the Winter set upon their Forces lying in the Field of which he kill'd â—0000 and took 10000 Prisoners by which means the Besieg'd couâ—d have no Relief from abroad so that they were now in a sad and despairing Condition In the Beginning of the next Spring he took the Wall leading to the Haven Citho and soon after the Forum it self where was a most miserable and deplorable Spectacle of slaughter'd People for some hewn in pieces by the Sword others half kill'd by the Fall of Houses or Fires some half bury'd in the Earth and trampled on and others torn Limb from Limb lay mangled in vast Heaps after a sad and lamentable manner Still the Citadel held out till at last it was desir'd by some That all that wou'd come forth shouâ—d have their Lives which being granted to all but Revolters above 50000 yielded and were sav'd as did afterwards Asdrubal himself He was much revil'd for it by the Revolters who finding their Condition Desperate set Fire to the Temple and burnt themselves with it whose Example was follow'd by Asdrubal's Wife who in a desperate Fury threw her self and her two Children into the midst of the Flames Then was this Magnificent City laid in Ashes being 24 Miles in compass and so large that the Burning of it continu'd 17 Days together The Senate at Rome receiv'd this long expected News with extraordinary Joy and Satisfaction and dispatch'd Men of their own Order whom they joyn'd with Scipio for the disposing of the Country These order'd that none of Carthage shou'd be left and that it might never be Re-built they denounc'd heavy Curses on any that shou'd offer to do it All the Cities which assisted in this War were orderâ—d to be demolish'd and the Lands given to the Friends of the Roman People and the rest of the Towns were to be Tributaries and Govern'd Yearly by a Praetor appointed for that purpose all the Captives and Prisoners being Sold except some of the Principal This was the fatal end of one of the most Renown'd Cities in the World both for Command and Riches 708 Years after it was first Built having been Rival to Rome above 100 Years And this was the End of the Third and last Carthaginian War which was finish'd in the 4th Year after it began to the great Enlargement of the Dominions Power and Riches of the Roman State This happenâ—d in the 60â—th Year of the City A. M. 3859 in the 3d Year of the 15â—th Olympiad 363 Years since the Beginning of the Consular State 184 since the Beginning of the Macedonian Empire by Alexander 119 since the first Contest between the Romans and Carthaginians and 144 before our Saviour ' s Nativity CHAP. XII From the Destruction of Carthage to the End of the Sedition of the Gracchi which much shook the Government and was the first Step towards the Ruin of the Consular State Containing the Space of 23 Years I. NOW Rome began to Pride her self to a higher degree than ever having got free from her Enemies that she most fear'd and most hated her Dominions being extended to a large Circumference and the Common-wealth encreas'd to a noble Height of Glory but to a more dangerous Degree of Security in respect of Neighbours which in not many Years prov'd the Dissolution of the present Government However the Power and Conquests of the State still daily encreas'd and this same Year Corinth one of the noblest Cities in Greece sustain'd the same Fate with Carthage being levell'd with the Ground The Occasion was given by the Achaeans themselves who not only affronted the Roman Ambassadours sent to dissolve the Confederacy and to leave the Cities to the Government of their own peculiar Laws but likewise joyn'd with others in a
Relicts of the Trojans under the Conduct of their Prince Aeneas who had left his native Country and his inrag'd Enemies to seek out Foreign Habitations These were about 1200 in all tho' some will allow but half that Number and arriv'd in these Parts three Years after the destruction of Troy and above 400 before the building of Rome A. M. 2824. Aeneas at his first landing was very civilly entertain'd by Latinus the King then reigning as a Person of great Renown who not only treated him honourably but gave him his only Daughter Lavinia in Marriage This occasion'd a War between him and Turnus a Prince of the Rutuli their near Neighbours who had formerly made Pretensions to her but these Wars soon ended in Turnus's death which did not only free Aeneas from a Rival but secur'd his Kingdom which Latinus gave him for his Daughters Portion after his decease Aâ—neas thus settled soon after built the City of Lavinium in honour of his Wife about five or six Miles East of Laurentum where he kept his Court and the more to oblige his Subjects caus'd both them and his own Country-men to be call'd by the common Name of Latini But ingaging in a bloody War with Mezentius a King of the Hetrurians he was slain after a short Reign of four Years His Subjects in honour to his Memory dedicated a Chappel to him under the Title of Iupiter Indiges Upon the death of Aeneas his Son Ascanius succeeded him in the Throne but Lavinia being left with Child by him out of fear fled to the Woods and was there deliver'd of a Son who from the place of his Birth had the Name of Silvius Thirty Years after the building of Lavinium Ascanius left it to his Mother-in-Law and founded Alba-Longa about 12 Miles North of it which he made his Seat Ascanius had a Son call'd Iulus from whom came the famous Family of the Iulii this Son after his Mother's Death contended with Silvius for the Kingdom but the People judging that to belong to Latinus's Race gave the Kingdom to Silvius and the Priesthood to Iulus in whose Family it thenceforth continu'd After Silvius succeeded 13 Kings of the same Race for nigh 400 Years who all had their Seats at Alba and many of them likewise had the Name of Silvius These Kings were as following Aeneas Silvius who reign'd 31 Years Latinus who reign'd 51 Alba 39 Capetus I. 26 Capys 28 Capetus II. 13 Tiberinus 8 Agrippa 24 Alladius 19 Aventinus 37 Procas 23 Amulius 42 and Numitor who was the last King of Alba. Except the two last we have but little remarkable concerning these Kings only Tiberinus gave Name to the River Tiber by being drown'd in it it being before call'd Albula and Aventinus gave Name to Mount Aventine one of the seven Hills of Rome These were call'd the Kings of Alba or of Old Latium which scarce contain'd the sixth part of what was call'd Latium in Augustus's Reign which then comprehended not only the Old Latini but also the Rutuli Aequi Hernici Volsci and Arunci This Kingdom tho' very Small according to the Dimensions before given of it was very Fruitful Populous and full of Towns and Alba it self was a great and flourishing City and had been the Mother of thirty Latine Towns when it was destroy'd by Tullus Hostilius the third King of Rome II. But to come close to the Roman Story Amulius and Numitor the two last of these Kings were Brothers and it was agreed between 'em that Numitâ—r the Eldest should have the Kingdom and Amulius the Treasure and Gold that was brought from Troy But Money having the Advantage of meer Authority Amulius soon got his Brother out of his Kingdom and to secure it to himself against the Pretensions of his Posterity caus'd his Son Lausus to be Murther'd in a pretended Hunting and his Daughter Rhea to be made a Vestal Virgin In the fourth Year of her Priesthood going to fetch Water she was met and ravish'd by some Lover or probably by Amulius himself rather as was supposâ—d to serve his other Designs than to gratifie his Lust. But for the Honour of the Cause the Fact was laid upon Mars in whose Grove it was committed who came to her as they will have it in a most dreadful manner with Thunder and Lightning Rhea proving with Child was deliver'd of two Boys and thereupon was condemn'd to Death or perpetual Imprisonment and her Children were thrown into the River But the Wind and Stream were both so favourable that at the fall of the Water they were left safe upon dry Ground and there happily found by Faustulus Amuliusâ—s Herds-Man and suckled by his Wife Laurentia who for her Infamous Life was call'd Lupa and this probably might occasion the famous Story of their being nourished by a Wolf The Names of these Twins were Romulus and Remus The Children grown up prov'd Active and Couragious suitable to the Greatness of their Birth but the Meanness of their Education gave 'em occasion of falling out with some of Numitor's Herds-Men in which contest Remus was taken Prisoner and brought before the King Upon which Faustulus discover'd to Romulus all the Particulars of his Birth and hard Usage from Amulius begging him to be assistant in the Rescue of Remus Romulus soon drew together a great Number of Herds-Men and inferiour People who hated Amulius whom he divided into Companies consisting of an hundred Men each every Captain carrying a small Bundle of Grass and Shrubs ty'd to a Pole The Latines call such Bundles Manipuli from whence it is that in their Armies they call their Captains Manipulares Remus gaining upon the Citizens within and Romulus makeing Attacks from without Amulius not knowing what Expedient to think of for his Security in that Amazement and Distraction was taken and slain the Brothers settling their Grand-Father Numitor in his Throne after he had been depos'd forty two Years The Affairs of Alba succeeding thus prosperously the Young-Men ambitious of Glory were desirous of Founding a City in the Place where they were brought up which Design was approv'd of by their Grand-Father who appointed 'em Land with such of his Subjects as he knew were of his Brother's Faction and likewise gave free Liberty to all others who were willing to settle themselves in this new Colony Most of the Trojans came in of which there remain'd fifty Families in Caesar's Time as Dionysius informs us and also all the Inhabitants about the Palatine-Hill where the City was built which was about 14 Miles North-West of Alba upon the River Tiber. For the more speedy carrying on this Work the People were divided into two Parts who were to work by way of Emulation But what was design'd for a considerable Advantage prov'd a greater Inconveniency for it gave birth to two Factions whereof one preferr'd Romulus and the other Remus which swell'd 'em with the ambitious Desires of Preeminence This soon appear'd in their
Disagreement about the Place of Building Romulus contending for the Palatine where they were brought up and Remus for the Aventine-Hill Upon which the Matter was brought before their Grand-Father Numitor who advisâ—d 'em both to go apart and observe the flying of Birds and the most Fortunate of the two shou'd be counted the Founder of the Colony They both took their Stations upon their own Hills and Remus first had a flight of 6 Vultures but Romulus having or pretending to have double the Number both were saluted by the Title of King This widned the Breach and the Contention grew so hot as to come to a Battel wherein Remus was worsted and slain with several others particularly Faustulus and his Brother Plistinus But it is likewise said that before the Battel Remus gave his Brother many great Provocations particularly by leaping over his Wall to ridicule him for the Lowness of it Romulus now sole Commander and Eighteen Years of Age began the Foundation of Rome in the fourth Year of the sixth Olympiad according to Varro's Account which was in the Year of the World 3252 the sixth Year of Iotham King of Iudah and the seventh of Pekah King of Israel 431 Years after the Destruction of Troy 120 after the Building of Carthage 214 before the Beginning of the Persian Empire and 752 before Christ And having got Augurs and such sort of People from Hetruria he set about it with much Ceremony on the 21 Day of April according to Plutarch which Day the Romans Anniversarily kept Holy calling it their Country's Birth-Day He took in the Mount Palatine only and with a Heifer and a young Bullock plow'd up a Furrow where the Wall was design'd which Custom was afterwards observ'd by the Romans both in the building and razing of Cities and where-ever a Gate was to be made the Plow was lifted up which occasion'd it to be call'd Porta a portando aratrum All within this Line was call'd Pomaerium from Post-Murum or Pone Maenia The City was almost square containing at first about 1000 Houses and was nigh a Mile in Compass with four Gates namely Romanula Ianualis Mucionis and Carmentalis and a small Territory belonging to it of 7 or 8 Miles long Thus we see Rome in its Original a small inconsiderable beggarly Place with Dominions still of less Note which yet from this mean and contemptible Beginning became Mistress of the World being first founded and supported by its Kings then strengthened and enlarged by its Consuls and at last brought to its utmost Perfection by its Emperors As for the Arts and Contrivances the Policy and Cunning the Strength and Valour and the gradual Proceedings with the extraordinary Fortune which contributed to make the Romans Masters of such vast and powerful Dominions these are the Subject of this following History CHAP. I. From the Building of the City to the Death of Romulus the first King of Rome Containing the space of 37 Years I. ROmulus having thus Founded the City of Rome by his Grand-Father's Advice left the Choice of the Government to the People who immediately made him King according to Dionysius and he receiving it as a Gift from them his Power became the more plausible and undisputable The Number of the Colony consisted of about 3000 Foot and 300 Horse and the first Method he made use of to increase this Number was his Building a Temple to the Asylaean God which he made a Sanctuary to all Malefactors and discontented Persons who thereupon came in great Numbers from all the Neighbouring Parts He divided the People into three Parts which were call'd Tribes that is to say Thirds and each Tribe was divided into ten Curiae which were much the same as our Parishes as the Tribes were like our Wards each Curia having its proper Temple and Sacrifices and a Priest call'd Curio over it and over all an Arch-Priest call'd Curio Maximus Each Curia was likewise by Romulus subdivided into ten Decuriae over which were appointed distinct Officers According to the number of the Curiae he divided the Lands into thirty Parts reserving one Portion for Publick Uses and another for Religious Ceremonies In all Matters of Importance for many Years the People gave their Votes according to the Curiae and to what the major Part of the Curiae agreed was reckon'd the Resolution of the whole Assembly each single Man having a Vote and this made that Assembly call'd Comitia Curiata Romulus made also another Distinction of the People according to their Honour and Dignity which was into Patritians and Plebeians The former as being Elder and more nobly descended were to take care about the Religious Rites bear Offices of Magistracy administer Justice and be assistant to the King in his Government The latter to till the Fields feed Cattel and follow Trades but not to have any Share in the Government to avoid the Inconveniencies of a Popular Power To bind the Principal each to the other he recommended certain of the Plebeians to the Protection of the Patritians liberty being given to the Plebeians to chuse their own Patrons The Duty of these Patrons was to advise their Clients in Points of Law to manage their Suits to take care of 'em absent and present as their own Children and by all Ways and Methods to secure their Peace and Happiness On the other side the Duty of the Clients was to help their Patrons with Money upon many Occasions to ransom them or their Sons if taken Prisoners and to bear the Charges of their Magistracy and other honourable Imployments They were never to accuse each other or take contrary Sides for if they did any one might lawfully kill them without Examination So that this Patronage was an Obligation as effectual as any Consanguinity or Alliance and it was the Glory of the Nobility to have a great Number of Clients and to treat 'em civilly This Patronage had admirable Effects towards the firm Union of the People for above 600 Years after till Caius Gracchus broke the Peace of the City And because the Plebeians in the City receiv'd such Advantage from this Constitution in imitation thereof afterwards all Colonies Confederate and Conquer'd Cities had their Patrons to whom frequently the Senate wou'd remit such Controversies as were brought before 'em and ratifie their Judgment After this Romulus chose 100 Men out of the Patritians to assist him in the Government This number he call'd a Senate either from their Age or Vertue or a sinendo because nothing was transacted without their Permission Such of the Fathers as he enroll'd or enter'd into this Venerable Assembly he call'd Patres Conscripti as Dionysius rightly observes and to make up this Number he chose three out of each Tribe and as many out of each Curia over all which he plac'd a particular Magistrate to whom he committed the Government of the City when he was absent in the Wars and
this Magistrate was call'd Praefectus Urbis After this he immediately proceeded to settle the Authorities of King Senate and People The King's Office at home was To take care of the Religious Rites to preserve the Laws and Customs to decide the chief Causes between Man and Man and refer the less Matters to the Senate into which he had an Inspection to call the Senate assemble the People first giving his own Opinion then ratifying what was approv'd of by the major Part Abroad and in the Wars He had absolute Authority The Senate's Office was To debate and resolve about such things as the King propos'd which were decreed by the Majority of Voices To the People he committed three Things To create Magistrates make Laws and resolve about any War that was propos'd by the King yet still in such a manner as the Authority of the Senate always interpos'd The next thing that Romulus did was to take care of a Guard for his Person and therefore he order'd the Curiae to chuse him out 300 lusty young Men ten out of each and these were call'd Celeres à celeritate from their Activity and Readiness to assist the King upon all Occasions They were commanded by a Tribune or Colonel call'd Tribunus Celerum three Centurions and other Inferiour Officers This Company with their Spears defended the King in the City and in Battels were the foremost Leaders Charging first and Retreating last Besides these he had for his Attendance twelve Lictors or Sergeants who punish'd Offenders and executed his Commands these always going before him in Publick with their Bundles of Rods call'd Fasces and their Axes signifying different Punishments according to Mens different Crimes Thus Romulus with all the Industry and Prudence imaginable took care to settle the State being very exact in Justice and forbidding all sordid Arts and Trades especially such as were subservient to Luxury which being left wholly to Slaves and Strangers the Romans for many Years scorn'd to be concern'd in ' em This is the Form of the Common-wealth as Romulus first establish'd it which in general was so excellent that it was admir'd by Dionysius above all the Constitutions even of his own Country-men the Grecians and by its Healthfulness and robust Constitution had all the manifest Signs of a thriving and long-liv'd State II. Romulus finding he was encompass'd with several powerful Nations who with envious Eyes beheld the extraordinary Growth of his City and observing how much it was fill'd by Fugitives who had no Wives he bethought himself of Means to contract Alliance with his Neighbours and to procure Wives for his Subjects which was his second Device to encrease the City Therefore by Advice of his Grand-Father Numitor and the Consent of the Senate he proclaim'd a Solemn Feast and Publick Games in Honour of Neptune thro' all the Country thereabouts This immediately occasion'd a great Concourse of all sorts of People who came flocking in with their Wives and Children from several Neighbouring Places to behold these Pompous Shows together with the new City In the mid'st of the Solemnity upon a Signal given the Romans with their drawn Swords seiz'd on such Virgins as they cou'd most conveniently catch and by main Force carry'd 'em to their Houses The Number of these amounted to 683 for whom Romulus chose so many Husbands and marry'd 'em after their own Country Rites making 'em sign a Covenant or Agreement with the Ceremonies of Fire and Water which Custom continu'd among the Romans for many Ages This Act was highly resented by most of their Neighbours especially the Sabines who were principally concern'd but their Backwardness in their Preparations made the Cities Caenina Antemna and Crustumium begin the War first The two former three or four Miles North of Rome and Inhabited by the Aborigines Romulus soon subdu'd with the Death of their King Acron whom he slew in a single Combat and afterwards the latter a Colony of Alba a little way within the Country of the Sabines The Lands were divided between some of the Romans and the old Inhabitants of whom 3000 were made Free of Rome without losing their former Estates so that the Foot-men of the City were now much increas'd For this Victory Romulus first Triumph'd and bringing home the Spoils of King Acron which the Romans nam'd Opima Spolia or Royal Spoils he design'd a Spot of Ground upon Mount Capitoline for a Temple to Iupiter Feretrius so call'd either à ferendo to bear or rather from ferire to strike and this was the Place where the Capitol afterwards stood The Valour of Romulus and his good Conduct in this War together with his Clemency to the Conquer'd had so great Effects that not only many eminent Men went over to him with their Families amongst whom was Caelius who gave Name to a Hill in the City but some whole Nations committed themselves to his Protection and receiv'd Colonies from Rome This notable Success was a great Disappointment to the Sabines who resolving to correct their former Carelessness by double Diligence assembled themselves at Cures their Metropolis proclaim'd War against Rome and made choice of Tatius their King for General On the other side Romulus made all possible Provision for Resistance fortifying the Capitoline and Aventine Hills and receiving Auxiliary-Troops both from Hetruria and his Grand-Father Numitor. The Sabines to have the fairer Pretence first demanded Restitution of the Virgins and to have the Authors of the Injury deliver'd up to them but receiving no satisfactory Answer both Armies drew out into the Field the Sabines being 25000 Foot and 1000 Horse and the Romans 20000 Poot and 800 Horse a great Number for a new built City Tatius encamp'd between the Capitoline and Quirinal but found 'em too well fortify'd to be attack'd but one Tarpeia Daughter to Tarpeius Governour of the Capitoline call'd to his Men from above and agreed to betray the Place into their Hands which was in a short Time effected What she requir'd of 'em as a Reward for this was what they wore on their left Arms meaning their Bracelets but they threw their Targets upon her which they wore on their left Arms and press'd her to Death From hence this Hill was callâ—d Tarpeius till the building of the Capitol which made it lose the Name except that part of it which was call'd the Tarpeian Rock from whence they threw Malefactors down headlong The Sabines now Masters of the Capitoline had the Advantage of continuing the War at their pleasure and for a long time only light Skirmishes pass'd between both Parties with little or no Advantage to either side But the Tediousness and Charge of the War so wearied out both Romans and Sabines that they very much desir'd a Peace but neither side wou'd stoop to sue for it Thus they continu'd for a very considerable time till both resolving to do their utmost they came to a general Battel which
was renew'd several Days with almost equal Success In the last Contest the Romans were much worsted in the beginning and fled to the Palatium but rallying and renewing the Fight with Success against the Sabines the Women who were stolen and marry'd to the Romans and the cause of this War through the Persuasions of Hersilia one of the principal among 'em ran desperately into the midst of the Darts and dead Bodies with their Children in their Arms and their Hair about their Ears making such lamentable Shrieks and Out-crys that both Armies immediately desisted These became Mediators and made Peace between the Fathers and Son-in-Laws after the War had lasted six Years The Articles were First That Romulus and Tatius shou'd reign jointly in Rome with equal Power and Prerogative Secondly That the City from Romulus shou'd still be call'd Rome but the Citizens Quirites from Cures the native Place of Tatius Thirdly That now the two Nations shou'd become one and as many of the Sabines as were willing shou'd be made Free of Rome The City being now much increas'd by the Number of the Sabines Mount Capitoline was taken in built upon and laid out for their Habitation Romulus chose out 100 of the most noble of the Sabines and added 'em to the Senate so that it now consisted of 200 Persons The Legions so call'd ab eligendo because they were choice select Men which before contain'd 3000 Men were now encreas'd also to 4000 whence a Legion was call'd Quadrata yet afterwards a Legion compris'd as many Men as was found convenient for the Service of the Common-wealth Several new Feasts were instituted upon the account of this Union as Matronalia Carmentala c. and a particular Respect was had to those Women who procur'd this happy Reconciliation and several Privileges were allow'd 'em particularly they were exempted from all Work unless Spinning and making of Cloth Now the Tribes were call'd by distinct Names the first Rhamnenses from Romulus the second Tatienses from Tatius and the third Luceres from the Lucus or Grove where the Asylum stood For five Years the two King 's reign'd quietly and peaceably together but in the sixth Tatius protecting some of his Friends who had robb'd and plunder'd the Lavinians and killing the Ambassadors who were sent to demand Satisfaction was slain by the Lavinians at his going to sacrifice there Romulus like a generous Prince made Satisfaction to the injured Persons and bury'd Tatius in Rome very honourably III. Romulus once more sole Monarch of Rome march'd against Fidenae and subdu'd it a Town five Miles off Rome that had seiz'd on Provisions coming thither in time of Famine and soon after he took Cameria an Alban Colony not far distant into both which he sent a sufficient Number of Romans to inhabit 'em according to his usual Custom Then he punish'd the Crustumini who had kill'd their Planters which he had plac'd among 'em and over all these he obtain'd a second Triumph The Action of Romulus against the Fidenates was extremely resented by the Veientes their Neighbours who immediately by an Embassy requir'd the Romans to withdraw their Garrison and restore the Inhabitants to all their former Privileges These Veientes were one of the twelve Nations of Hetruria a powerful People inhabiting a strong City and of extraordinary Largeness situated upon a craggy Rock about twelve Miles North of Rome Their Demands being rejected they began their Acts of Hostility and both Armies met at Fidenae where after two sharp Engagements Romulus became Conqueror The Veientes were now forc'd to betake themselves to Intreaties and so enter'd into a League with the Romans for 100 Years upon these Articles To quit a seventh part of their Dominions with their Salt-pits nigh the River and to give up fifty Hostages of the most considerable Families Romulus for this triumph'd a third time leading with him their General an aged Man who had so badly perform'd his Duty that he was afterwards personated by an old Man in all Triumphs This was the last War manag'd by Romulus who after that imploy'd most of his Time in settling the Government and placing it upon the surest Foundations He made many good and profitable Laws most of which were unwritten Particularly he made one concerning Marriages where the Authority of the Husband was so well and conveniently settl'd that for 520 Years a Divorce was not known in Rome He gave Fathers absolute Power over their Sons to sell imprison scourge or kill 'em tho' in never so great an Office and that as long as they liv'd He appointed no Punishment for real Parricide but call'd all Murder by that Name thinking the latter a destable Crime but the other impossible And it was a indeed Crime never known in Rome for 600 Years For the Peoples Way of Living he enjoy'd two Courses of Life Warfare and Husbandry equally dividing the Lands Slaves and Money taken from the Enemy he appointed a Market once in nine Days which from thence was call'd Nundinae When any Town was taken he suffer'd no Prisoner of Man's Age to be slain or sold or their Lands left untill'd but order'd a Colony from Rome to cultivate them and some of the Strangers to be admitted to the Freedom and Privileges of the City and this was his third Contrivance to encrease the City As to Controversies that might arise upon any Injuries he immediately decided 'em or referr'd 'em to others inflicting speedy Punishments according to the Nature of the Crime Finding publick Spectacles to have a great Influence upon the People he set up his Judgment-Seat in the most conspicuous Place in the Forum where his Guard of 300 Celeres and his twelve Lictors with their Rods and Axes in view of all the People scourging or executing Malefactors occasionâ—d an extraordinary Awe and Respect In the latter end of his Reign whether swell'd with the Imagination of his former Successes and present Security or carry'd away with some pleasing Notions of Arbitrary Government he began to grow very Tyrannical inlarging his Prerogative beyond those Bounds he had formerly set to it and making use of the Senate only to ratifie his Commands Tho' he was extreamly belov'd by the common People yet these Actions gain'd him the Hatred of the Nobility and Senate and brought him to an untimely Death he being torn in pieces as is generally believ'd in the Senate House the Senators carrying his Body out by Piece-meal under their Gowns to prevent Discovery The Senators took an occasion from the Secrefie of the Fact and the Concealment of the Body to persuade the Multitude that he was taken up among the Gods and Iulius Proculus one of the chief of the Nobility did almost put all out of doubt by swearing solemnly That Romulus appear'd to him and told him It was the Pleasure of the Immortal Gods to have him continue among Mankind till he had founded a City whose Empire and Glory shou'd far surpass
chose the Nobility of the Albans into the Senate particularly the Tullii Servilii Quintii Geganii Curiatii and the Claelii and that he might out of those new People make some Addition to the Strength of every Order he chose ten Troops of Horse out of the Albans In Confidence of this his Strength after an â—â—ntire Reduction of the Fidenates he declar'd War against the Sabines who before had committed several Robberies upon the Romans that traded with ' em He met 'em at the Wood call'd Malitiosa Sylva where especially by the help of his Horse who broke all â—heir Ranks after a short Engagement he entirely defeated 'em forcing 'em to beg Peace over whom â—e obtain'd a third Triumph The Latines were not yet quiet refusing to pay Obedience to the Romans which occasion'd several Contests but this War was manag'd with great Moderation no Battel â—eing fought no Town taken or plunder'd besides Medallia which Hostilius punish'd for an Example â—ecause it had receiv'd a Roman Colony in Romuâ—us's time This War lasted most of the rest of his Days and in the latter end of his Reign Rome was much infected with Plagues and Famines and as much frightn'd with Prodigies Then Hostilius began to think of bringing in the Religious Ceremonies of Numa which he had all this time took little Notice of but soon after he died after a Reign of 32 Years some say by Lightning with his whole Family tho' more probably by some treasonable Practices In this Reign the 300 Celeres were again reassum'd which had been dif-us'd in the last and the City was very much increas'd tho' the Dominions were little different from those in Romulus's Days only they seem'd to have a surer Footing in some Places than before CHAP. IV. From the Death of Hostilius to the Death of Ancus Marcius the Fourth King of Rome Containing the space of 24 Years I. AFter the Death of Tullus Hostilius the State fell into an Interregnum as formerly and in a short time Ancus Marcius was made King by the Inter-Rex and Senate and was confirm'd so by the People He had his Surname Ancus from his crookeâ— Arm which he cou'd not stretch out in length as Festus has it He was Grand-Son to Numa the second King of Rome by Pompilia his Daughter and Marcius his Kinsman who was the Son of that Marcius who had persuaded Numa to accept of the Kingdom and after Numa's death had kill'd himself because he did not succeed him This Prince was much of the same Temper with his Grand-Father Numa and considering that much of the Religion and many of the Ceremonies had been neglected in the last Reign he set himself to restore them to their former Use. For that reason he insinuated to the People that the Diseases Pestilence and other innumerable Calamities which had lately befallen the City together with the disasterous End of Hostilius proceeded from want of Devotion and a Neglect of their Gods He highly commended the Orders and Institutions of Numa and wou'd be often shewing the great Blessings of the State and how much it flourish'd under that happy Reign advising his Subjects to return to their Husbandry and more peaceable Employments and to lay aside all Sorts of Violence and all Profit that arises from War and Bloodshed The State thus setled he expected as his Grand-Father had done to pass his time free from all Wars and Troubles but he soon found his Designs cross'd and was compell'd to be a Warrior against his Will and was scarce ever free from publick Perils and Troubles He had scarce began his Reign and modell'd the Commonwealth when the Latines contemning him as a sluggish Prince and unfit for Military Affairs made Incursions into the Roman Territories Upon which he was oblig'd to make all necessary Preparations for a War proclaiming it according to the Ceremonies appointed by his Grand-Father Numa First an Ambassador was sent to the Frontiers of the Agressor's Country who in a Woollen Shash and a peculiar Dress and likewise in a solemn Form of Speech demanded Satisfaction which not being granted in 33 Days after a Consultation with the Senate the Feciales or Heraulds were immediately sent in their proper Habits with Javelins headed with Iron or all bloody and burnt at the end where in the Presence of three young Men at least they in the Name of the Gods and People of Rome solemnly proclaim'd War with that Country and then threw their Javelins into their Confines This Custom was brought in by Numa the Rules whereof were taken from the Aequicoli a very ancient People Ancus began this War with good Success and first took Politorium by Storm a Town of the Latines 14 or 15 Miles South-East of Rome the Inhabitants of which according to the usual Custom he transplanted to Rome allowing them the Privileges of Free Citizens And whereas the old Romans inhabited the Palatine the Sabines the Capitoline and the Albans the Caelian he granted the Aventine Hill for the Latines to possess the number of whom were encreased upon the subduing of Tellene and Ficania two Latine Towns nigh Politorium which he took soon after He is a little time likewise took Medallia a Place of considerable Strength and also Politorium again for the Latines finding it empty had possess'd themselves of it which made Ancus intirely demolish it The Latines inrag'd at their Losses made greater Preparations for the next Campaign but at several times he ruin'd their Designs broke their united Forces forc'd 'em to beg Peace and obtain'd a Triumph over ' em Not long after he subdu'd the Fidenates Veientes and the Volsci who had fallen out with him and likewise such of the Sabines who not having felt the strength of Rome had sorely repin'd at the exceeding Growth of an upstart City These latter he overthrew again and obtain'd over them a second Triumph II. Ancus did not only perform many great Acts abroad but also did many noble Works at home First upon the Account of the Success of his Arms he re-built the Temple of Iupiter Feretrius after a more stately and magnificent manner than before He fortify'd the Hill Ianiculum on the other side of the River Tiber for the greater strengthening of the City and to prevent its being a Refuge for Enemies uniting it to the City with a wooden Bridge over that River He likewise made a large Ditch call'd Fossa Quiritium which was no small Defence against such as came from the Plains And now the City having receiv'd a vast Increase seeing that such Multitudes of People of all sorts cou'd not but produce many Criminals he built a large Prison for Malefactors in the Heart of the City just facing the Forum to be a Terror to their growing Boldness He did not only enlarge the Pomaerium of the City but likewise its Dominions for having taken from the Veientes the Maesian Forest his Territories reach'd to the Sea upon which at the
which he dwelt himself and compass'd the whole Seven with a stately Wall Some say the Walls were never extended further tho' vast Suburbs were afterwards added After this he divided the City into four Parts and instead of three made four Tribes which he call'd by the names of Palatina Suburana Collina and Esquilina As Romulus according to their Seats and Communions in Sacrifices distinguish'd the People into Tribes and Curiae so Tullius according to their Estates and Riches distinguish'd 'em into six Ranks call'd Classes His principal Design was to know how many were fit to bear Arms and what Treasure might be supply'd for Wars and other Uses These Classes were each divided into Centuries the Word here signifying such a particular Division and not 100 Persons which made up 193 in all The first consisted of such as were worth 110000 Asses each answering to obq of our Money and contain'd 98 Centuries the Equites or Knights being reckon'd in The second valu'd at 75000 Asses containing 22 Centuries taking in Artificers the third at 50000 Asses containing likewise 22 Centuries the fourth at 25000 Asses containing 20 Centuries the fifth at 11000 Asses containing 30 Centuries and the sixth consisted of the rest of the poorer Sort and Multitude excepting Servants and Slaves which made up but one Century The constant way of levying Men and Money was for the future according to these Centuries each Century such a quantity so that the middle Rank having fewer Centuries and yet more Persons than the richer went to War by Turns and paid but little Tribute and the poorer Sort scarce bore any Share at all This seem'd very just to him that they who were most concern'd shou'd take most Pains and bear the greatest Charge the Romans at that time maintaining themselves in the Wars without any Pay from the Publick But to the richer Sort who sustain'd most of the Charge and Danger the King made a sufficient Recompence by giving 'em much the larger Authority in the Government which he Politickly brought about this way Formerly the Matters of the greatest Concern namely The Creation of all Magistrates making or repealing of Laws and decreeing of Peace and War were all voted in the Comitia Curiata where every particular and private Person having an equal Vote the Plebeians being most numerous had in a manner the whole Power in their Hands But Tullius upon these and the like occasions assembled the People according to their Centuries which were call'd Comitia Centuriata where the Plebeians must of necessity be out-voted having little more than the Shadow of Authority which they for many Years were sufficiently satisfy'd withal either for that they perceived not the Design or rather because they were thereby freed from the greatest part of the Charges Troubles and Dangers of the Publick After the Census or Tax Tullius first instituted the Lustrum to be Celebrated so call'd à luendo from Paying On a certain day after the Valuation or Census he ordain'd all the Citizens to meet in the Campus Martius all in Armour each Man in his proper Class and Century where by solemn Sacrifices the City was Expiated or Lustrated This great Solemnity was call'd Salitaurilia or rather Suovetaurilia because a Hog a Sheep and an Ox were there Sacrific'd These things perform'd the Lustrum was finish'd which because of the continual Change of Mens Estates he order'd shou'd be reiterated every five Years so that the old and proper Lustrum contain'd five Years compleat which was as often as this Tax or Valuation call'd Census was made tho' afterwards the Iulian Lustrum contain'd but four Tullius held the Lustrum four times in his Reign and at the first were found 84700 free Citizens but to encrease their Number he brought in the Custom of making Slaves Free of the Common-wealth either for their Money or their Deserts who being Manumitted he distributed into the four Tribes of the City Slaves as was hinted before had never any Vote in the Government and these were either made or born so the former sort were taken in War thence properly call'd Mancipia and the latter sort came of Parents who were such or of the Mother only Besides the Division of the City it self this Prince took an extraordinary Care about the Roman Dominions dividing the whole Territory into 26 Parts which he likewise call'd by the name of Tribes and these he again distinguish'd into their several Pagi appointing for 'em their respective Officers and Places of Worship as Numa had done when the Dominions were much smaller In his way of judging of Controversies he gave away much of the Kingly Prerogative for whereas the former Princes call'd before themselves all Controversies and took Cognizance of Crimes committed against private Persons as well as the Publick he separated their Causes making himself Judge only of such as respected the Common-wealth referring the Quarrels of particular Persons to others to whom he prescrib'd Laws and Rules to go by and if any Controversie arose between particular Towns it was to be decided by the Judgment of others After he had thus order'd the Common-wealth he caus'd the Latines to build a Temple to Diana upon the Aventine-Hill at which place they shou'd meet and Feast every Year and so preserve themselves as one Body Politick in Unity and Concord To all these things we may add that he was the first who Coin'd Money in Rome stamping it with the Image of a Sheep whence it had the Name of Pecunia whereas the Romans before this time us'd it in a rude Lump or Mass. III. At the same time that Tullius was settling and ordering the Affairs of the Common-wealth at home he was often employ'd in many and considerable Wars abroad For the Hetrurians looking upon him as an obscure Man and a private Person refus'd to pay him Obedience and renounc'd the League made with his Predecessor Tarquin He had Wars with 'em for 20 Years successively overthrew 'em in many Battels and Triumph'd over 'em three several times the first time in the Year 182 the second in 186 and the third time in 188. And at last he so weakned and harras'd them that they were willing to beg Peace of him which he granted 'em upon the same Terms that Tarquin before had impos'd upon 'em only from three of the twelve Nations namely the Veientes the Caeretanes and the Tarquinii which had been Principals in the Revolt he took part of their Lands and divided 'em among such as were lately made free of Rome At the finishing of these Wars he built two Temples both dedicated to Fortune one to Fortuna Bona and the other to Fortuna Virilis In the latter end of his Reign he design'd to have laid down his Office and restor'd absolute Liberty with the Care of the Common-wealth to the People and was preparing a Model for that purpose but liv'd not to perform it for being old and not far
with a Mixture of Sadness and Amazement at the Greatness as well as Strangeness of the Act but while they were lamenting over the dead Body Brutus catching at this Opportunity now threw off his long Disguise giving them to understand How far different he was from the Person they always took him for and further shew'd 'em most manifest Tokens of the Greatness of his Spirit and the Depth of his Policy He told 'em That Tears and Lamentations cou'd never he heard whilst Vengeance cry'd so loud thereupon in a great Rage going to the Body and drawing the bloody Knife from out the Wound swore by Mars and all the Celestial Powers above Utterly to exterminate Tarquin with his Impious Wife and Frâ—geâ—y to prosecute them and all their Friends with the utmost Rage of Fire and Sword and never after to suffer the Tarquins or any other to reign in Rome Then he deliverâ—d the Knife to the rest who all wondring at so extraordinary a Change in Brutus swore as he had done and turning their effeminate Sorrow to a masculine Fury they resolv'd to follow his Instructions and extirpate Kingly Government Brutus as soon as he could procur'd the Gates of the City to be shut that all might be kept secret from Tarquin till such time as the People might be assembled the dead Body expos'd and a publick Decree for Tarquin's Banishment procur'd The Senate being assembled all shew'd their Willingness to banish Tarquin but at first had very different Opinions concerning the new Modelling of the Government which probably might make it a tedious Business Brutus represented to 'em the absolute Necessity of a quick Dispatch and immediately prescrib'd 'em a Form of Government shewing them That before Tarquin's violating his own and his Predecessors Oath Rome had been happy and famous both for her Acts abroad and her Constitutions at home and that the Regal Power had at last been dangerous and almost destructive to the Security of the State and the Safety of the People and therefore was not to be trusted in one Man's hands but two were to be chosen who shou'd govern with equal Authority and Command Then because Names alone were offensive to many People he thought that of Kingdom was to be left off and the other of Common-wealth to be assum'd and instead of the Title of King and Monarch some more Modest and Popular was to be invented as likewise were some of their Ensigns to be laid aside and others to be retain'd That the main and only thing to keep these Magistrates in Order was to prevent their perpetual Power and if they were Annual after the manner of Athens each might learn both how to be Subject and how to Govern Lastly That the Name of King might not be wholly lost the Title was to be given to one who shou'd be call'd Rex Sacrorum who having this Honour for Life and Immunity from Warfare shou'd only concern himself with those Religious Rites which the King had Charge of before The Particulars of this Speech were all approv'd of by the Senate who immediately issued out a Decree for the King's Banishment in this Form That the Tarquinii should be banish'd with all their Off-spring and that it should be Capital for any one to speak or act for their Return Brutus having procur'd thus much the Comitia were immediately aâ—sembled by him and the Body of Lucretia all dismally bloody brought and set there for a pittiful Spectacle to all the People There Brutus to their great Surprise discover'd himself telling 'em the Reasons of his long and strange Dissimulation and the great Occasion of their present Meeting withal shewing 'em the Senate's Decree Then he fell to enumerating all the several Crimes and Villanies of Tarquin particularly That he had Poyson'd his own Brother Strangled his Wife Murder'd his lawful Sovereign and fill'd Diâ—ches and Common-Sewers with the Bâ—dies of the Nobility That he came to the Kingdom on Usurper and continu'd in it a Tyrant being treacherous to his greatest Friends and barbarous to all Mankind That his three Sons were of a Temper as Insolent and Tyrannical as himself especially the Eldest of which they now had a sâ—d and doleful Instance before their Eyes That since the King was absent and the Patricians all resolv'd neither Men Mâ—ney nor Foreign Aid shou'd be wanting to 'em had they but Courage for the Enterprize Urging withal that it was a shame to think of Commanding the Volsci Sabines and Nations abroad and be Slaves to others at home and to maintain so many Wars to serve the ambitious Ends of a Tyrant and not undertake one for their own Liberty And that as for the Army at the Siege their own Interest in all Respects wâ—u'd oblige 'em to joyn in what ever was agreed upon in the City The Multitude transported with the Hopes of Liberty and charm'd with the Person and graceful Behaviour of Brutus with loud Acclamations gave their Assent and immediately call'd for Arms. Lucretius was appointed Inter-rex for holding the Comitia who strait adjournâ—d it to 〈◊〉 Campus Martius where Magistrates were elected in their Armour There he nominated Brutus and 〈◊〉 to exercise the Regal Power as they before had agreed on among themselves and the Centuries confirmâ—d 'em by their Suffrages In the mean time Tarquin having heard something of these Transactions came riding in all haste to the City with his Sons and some of â—is most trusty Friends to prevent the Mischiefs that threatned him but finding the Gates fast shut and the Walls full of Armed Men in great Grief he returnâ—d to the Camp But Brutus foreseeing his sudden Coming had industriously got before him to the Army another Way and acquainted them with the Decree both of Senate and People pressing 'em hard to a Revolt Immediately their Suffrages were call'd over according to their Centuries and they unanimously agreed to do exactly as their Friends in the City had done so that when Tarquin returnâ—d they refus'd to admit him Thus frustrated of his Hopes he went to Gabii or to Caere in Hetruria now Grey-headed having reign'd 25 Years Herminius and Horatius Chief Commanders of the Army made a Truce with the Enemy for 15 Years and raising the Siege before Ardea return'd to Rome with all their Forces IV. Such was the End of the Regal State of Rome 245 Years after the Building of the City in the first Year of the 68th Olympiad A. M. 3496 31 Years after the Ruine of the Babylonian Empire and the setting up of the Persian 179 before the beginning of the Macedonian and 507 before our Saviour Christ occasion'd by a Man who knew neither how to govern according to the Laws nor yet to reign against them The Roman Dominions now contain'd most of Old Latium with the greatest part of the Sabines Country a considerable part of Hetruria particularly of the Veientes Caeretanes and Tarquinii besides some small Parts of the Volsci and Aequi being much
got home they presented themselves before Poplicola but he fearing the dangerous Consequences such an Act might occasion sent them all back to Porsena which Tarquin understanding laid an Ambuscade for them and their Convoy but they were rescu'd by Aruns Porsena's Son Porsena examining them was so much taken with the extraordinary Courage and good Behaviour of Claelia presented her with one of his own Horses sumptuously equip'd and gave her Power of disposing of a set number of the Hostages which she did with much Discretion chusing out the Youngest as being less able to bear Injuries and Hardships Then to give a further Testimony of his great Respect to the Romans besides other pieces of Magnificence he commanded all his Soldiers to leave the Camp with only their Arms delivering to the Romans his Tents well furnish'd with Provisions and Riches On the other side the Romans to shew their Gratitude and to preserve his Memory erected a Statue for him by the Senate House and another to Claelia as Livy relates it which was a Maid on Horseback in the Street call'd Via Sacra giving likewise to Mutius a Field beyond the Tiber afterwards call'd Mutia Prata Thus ended the Hetrurian War much to Tarquin's Dissatisfaction and soon after Herminius and Lartius who had so bravely defended the Bridge were together chosen Consuls IV. A Year or two after the Sabines began to be very troublesome making Incursions into the Roman Territories M. Valerius being one of the Consuls by the Instructions of his Brother Poplicola obtain'd great Honours overthrowing 'em twice the last time killing 13000 with little or no Loss to the Romans Besides his Triumph he had the additional Honour of a House built for him at the publick Charge The Year following when Poplicola was Consul the fourth time the whole Nation of the Sabines joyn'd in Confederacy with the Latines against Rome but Appius Clausus an Eminent Man among the Sabines for Riches Valour and Eloquence being much against the War first retarded their Preparations then after a short time came over to the Romans with 5000 Families of his Friends and Dependants These had a considerable quantity of Land and large Priviledges allow'd 'em besides their Freedom especially Clausus himself who was made also a Senator and the Clausâ— afterwards call'd Claudii became as great a Family as any in Rome Soon after this the Tribes of the Roman State were encreas'd from Four to One and twenty and one of the four in the City was call'd Tribus Claudia from the foremention'd Appius Claudius and this remarkable Change happ'ned in the 250th Year of this City but upon what Account and by whose Means it was effected Historians are very silent The Sabines having made all necessary Preparations advanc'd with all the Troops to Fidenae laying an Ambuscade of 2000 Foot whereof Poplicola having some Notice by Deserters he divided his Forces into three Parts and taking the advantage of a Mist fell upon the Enemy on so many Sides that only the nigh Distance of Fidenae sav'd 'em from being all cut off the Romans obtaining large Plunder and Poplicola a noble Triumph Not long after Poplicola having ended his Consulship dy'd and the People as well upon the account of his Poverty as to shew their Respect to so great and serviceable a Person decree'd he shou'd be bury'd at the Publick Charge and by a favour peculiar to that Family alone within the City This was perform'd with an equal Mixture of Pomp and Sorrow the Women by a general Consent mourning for him a whole Year as they had before done for Brutus In the same Year Posthumius and Meneniâ—s being Consuls the Sabines once more drawing together a numerous Army march'd up almost to the Walls of Rome As the Consuls advanc'd towards 'em Posthumius fell into an Ambuscade lost many of his Men and narrowly escap'd himself which unfortunate Disadvantage put the Citizens into so great a Consternation that they ran back with all speed to their Walls expecting when the Enemy shou'd attack the City But the Enemy making no such Attempt they march'd out again resolving to redeem their lost Credit and Posthumius more concern'd than the rest behav'd himself nobly and together with his Collegue obtain'd a notable Victory which had been finish'd with the entire Ruine of the Sabines had not the Night interpos'd For the greatness of this Victory the Senate decreed Menenius a full Triumph but Posthumius by reason of his ill Success in the beginning had only an inferior one which the Romans call'd Ovation so nam'd from the Letter O as it is said which the Soldiers in way of Joy were wont to eccho at their return from Victory whereas in Triumphs they cri'd Io Triumphe Now an Ovation differ'd from a Triumph properly so call'd in these Particulars namely that in an Ovation the General enter'd the City on foot and not in a Chariot that he was met only by the Knights and Gentlemen not by the Senators in their Robes that he himself had only the pretexta toga the ordinary Habit of Consuls and Praetors and not the Robe interwoven with Gold And lastly That he had not a Sceptre in his Hand but had only Laurel and a Wreath of Myrtle on his Head The Year following Cassius and Virginius being Consuls the Sabines receiv'd another great Overthrow at Cures 10300 being kill'd and 4000 taken Prisoners which Defeat forc'd 'em to beg Peace and purchase it with Corn Money and part of their Lands While Cassius did this good Service against the Sabines his Collegue Virginius subdu'd the Camarinaeans who had revolted and having executed the Ring-Leaders he sold the rest and demolish'd the City And thus ended the Contests with the Sabines for a while V. Tarquin still restless and unsatisfy'd by the Assistance of Mamilius Octavius his Son-in-Law stirr'd up the whole Body of the Latines to declare War against Rome and moreover had procur'd Fidenae to revolt But the Senate prudently declin'd making War with all the Latines well knowing that many of 'em were rather inclin'd to live in Peace therefore at first they block'd up Fidenae which had receiv'd some of Tarquin's Forces Tarquin meeting with no greet Success now endeavour'd to accomplish his Designs a more easie Way by fomenting Differences and Quarrels between the Rich and Poorer sort of Rome for the effecting of which he happen'd on a very convenient Opportunity for his purpose For about this time the common People who were burden'd by Usury were much dissatisfi'd with the present State of Affairs especially with the unreasonable Severity of Creditors who generally seiz'd upon the Body of their Debtors and us'd 'em worse than Slaves Tarquin being sensible of all this sent certain of his Friends with good quantities of Gold giving 'em some in hand and promising more after the King's Restoration and thereby procur'd a Conspiracy of many poor Citizens and discontented Slaves But the whole Matter
forsake their Standards but the Consuls having their Camps nigh each other by the Advice of one Sicinius Bellulus they all remov'd to one of them and then taking away the Ensigns and Standards from the Consuls they retir'd to a Mountain afterwards call'd Mons Sacer three Miles North of Rome by the River Anio now call'd Taverone Upon this News the whole City was in a strange Consternation and Tumult insomuch that the Patritians fear d least Civil Wars shou'd insue for the Plebeians growing extream high many of 'em left the Town and flock'd to the Army tho' the other hinder'd it as much as possible The Fathers had great Contests among themselves some pleading for the Multitude others urging nothing but right down Force till the former sort prevail'd to send a Message to the Armies desiring 'em To return home and declare their Demands withal promising 'em To forget their Crimes and to reward their good Services But this Message was receiv'd with disdainful Words and violent Complaints intermix'd with threatning Language which the more sensibly afflicted the Fathers as not knowing which way to procure a Reconciliation since they cou'd no longer keep the People in the City from going over to the Army Now was the time for electing of new Consuls at hand but the Stirs were so violent that no Candidates so called because they su'd for the Place in white Garments wou'd stand for the Office nor any accept of it till at last the Consuls by their sole Authority appointed Posthumius Cominius and Sp. Cassius who had been Consuls before and were equally in favour with the Nobility and Commons The Consuls immediately call'd the Senate and consulted 'em about the Return of the Commons Agrippa Menenius a very discreet Person and a great Orator in those days urg'd the great Necessity of a Composure and a Compliance with the People since the Roman Dominions cou'd neither be encreas'd nor yet preserv'd without the Inferior sort Valerius the last Dictator seconded him and upbraided the Senate for not believing him when he foretold these Distempers that now they ought to heal the Wound before it was gone too far that there were several Reasons the Roman People had to separate themselves from the better sort all which had great and plausible Appearances of Iustice. But Appius according to his usual Manner violently declaim'd against the Insolence of the Mob and the Imprudence of the Senate in any sort of Compliances that if they granted these Things when Enemies which they refus'd when Friends they wou'd not rest here but require a Communication of all Honours and what not So that at last the whole Power of the State wou'd come into the hands of the Rabble This Speech so pleas'd and transported some of the younger sort of his Party that nothing cou'd be determined by reason of the Heats on both Sides This put the Consuls upon dismissing the Senate for that time admonishing the younger sort to carry themselves more modestly for the future or else they wou'd prefer a Law to limit a certain Age for Senators exhorting likewise the graver sort to Concord letting them know That they had a Way to end the Controversie by referring the Matter to the People who had a Right to judge of it as a Case of Peace and War Upon which the Senate broke up At the next Meeting the Senate almost unanimously agreed to treat with the People tho' Appius oppos'd it what he cou'd and Menenius with nine others were Commission'd with full Power to compose the Differences At their first arrival at the Camp their Proposals cou'd not be heard through the Instigations of two cunning and turbulent Fellows Sicinius and Lucius Iunius who out of Conceit had likewise affected the Name of Brutus but by degrees they were so far appeas'd as to listen to the Commissioners Menenius finding the Rage and Violence of the People too great to hearken much to Rhetorick bethought himself of a more effectual Way and such as was more likely to make Impression therefore laying aside his former Way of Speeches and Oratory after a short Promise or two of discharging all disabled Debtors he in a plain and familiar Way began thus Once upon a time the Members and Parts of Manâ—s Body fell out with the Belly alledging that they were all forc'd to toil and moil to provide Necessaries for the Belly whilst that liv'd idle and lazy in the Midst of the Body and did nothing but enjoy its Pleasures Whereupon they resolv'd that the Hands shou'd not lift the Meat to the Mouth nor the Mouth receive nor yet the Teeth chew it by which Means while they endeavour'd to famish the Belly they themselves and the whole Body were all starv'd for want of the Nourishment they receiv'd from it This Story and his home Application of it had so great an Effect upon the People that they unanimously cry'd out He shou'd lead 'em hâ—me without Delay The Multitude were so well satisfi'd that they were ready to depart with no other Security than the bare Words of the Commissioners but Iunius Brutus before-mention'd kept 'em from that alledging That tho' they were gratefully to acknowledge the kind Offers of the Senate yet some Persons of revengeful Tempers might notwithstanding reserve their Anger for a more convenient Opportunity and that therefore it was necessary for the Security of the Commons to have certain Officers created Yearly out of their own Body whose Power shou'd be to give Relief to such Plebeians as were injur'd and suffer none to be defrauded of their Rights This was greatly approv'd of by the Multitude and closely insisted on and urg'd to Menenius and his Fellow Commissioners who thought it not proper to yield to a Matter of that great Consequence without leave from the Senate but demanded time to know their Pleasures Upon the Debate of this Matter in the Senate House Valerius thought the Favour was to be granted to the Commons but Appius most violently oppos'd it invoking the Gods and truly foretelling What vast Troubles and Calamities the Granting it wou'd certainly bring upon the Common-wealth yet the Majority weari'd out with the present Misfortunes and desiring Peace gave it in Favour of the People and Commissioners were immediately dispatchâ—d to â—em with the Resolution of the House The Commons by the Advice of Menenius first sent to have a Religious Confirmation of this Privilege from the Senate and afterwards in the Assembly of the Curiae or Curiata Comitia elected I. Brutus and Sicinius Bellulus to whom they afterwards join'd C. and P. Licinius and Icilius Ruga which made five in all These Officers were call'd Tribunes of the People either because they were elected by the Tribes or because they were first made out of the Tribunes or Colonels of the Soldiers They were first five in Number 37 Years after five more were added and this number of Ten so continu'd and they were always elected by the Plebeians
without any Charge to the Publick which was gratefully accepted by the Senate They were in Number 306 which with their Clients and Friends made up 4000 all commanded by Marcus the last years Consul and to them was afterwards sent another Company under Fabius the present Consul These brave Adventurers fortifi'd themselves in a Castle which they call'd Cremera as standing upon a River of the same Name nigh the Frontiers of the Veientes from which they made great Incursions and extreamly annoy'd the Enemy The following Year the Veientes Volsci and Aequi all agreeing upon an Invasion great Preparations were made by the Senate Aemilius one Consul led an Army against the Veientes with whom was join'd Baebius as Pre-Consul Servilius the other Consul led another against the Volsci and Furius a third against the Aequi. The latter soon finish'd his Work Servilius was forc'd to draw out the War at length but Aemilius engag'd the Veientes and their Allies and overthrew 'em then falling upon their Camp forc'd 'em to beg Peace the Conditions of which being left to his Discretion by the Senate he made a League with 'em upon Terms so little Advantageous to the Romans that they gain'd him much Hatred and lost him the Honour of a Triumph which so enrag'd him that he immediately disbanded his Troops endeavouring still more to incence the Commons against the Senate The Year following when Horatius and Menenius were Consuls eleven Cities of Hetruria declar'd against the Veientes for making Peace without their Consent and forc'd 'em to break it Their Pretence against Rome was that the Fabii were not drawn off from Cremera upon which they advanc'd towards 'em with a powerful Army whereupon Menenius was order'd against Hetruria and Horatius against the Volsci The Veientes not daring to Attack this Valiant Body of the Fabii in their Fortress drew 'em out by a Stratagem causing several Herds of Cattle and Flocks of Sheep to be driven to the neighbouring Places and laying several great Parties in Ambuscade The Designâ— took and the Fabian Adventurers were all unfortunately cut off tho' at first by forming themselves into a Wedge they gain'd the top of a Hill and there though wholly encompassed made an incredible Slaughter of the Enemy Livy says That none of this Family was left but only one young Lad from whom afterwards sprung Fabius Maximus but Dionysius much questions this Tradition The Veientes now Masters of Cremera advanc'd boldly towards the Roman Army which lay encamp'd not far off and might have reliev'd the Fabii Then taking advantage of Menenius's Unskilfulness they possess'd themselves of a Hill nigh his Camp from whence they streightned him so that he was forc'd to Fight upon very unequal Terms and his Army was much worsted The Romans quitted their Camp and fled in such Disorder that had the Veientes been mindful of any thing but Plunder they might have destroy'd 'em all The next day they enter'd the Roman Territories and possess'd themselves of the Hill Ianiculus two Miles from Rome to the great Damage and Disgrace of the City But Horatius the other Consul returning from the Volsci overthrew 'em twice and much eas'd the People but cou'd not yet wholly dislodge the Enemy The Year following Servilius and Virginius two experienc'd Warriors were made Consuls which gave great Hopes to the People who were now extreamly streightned for want of Corn and Trade which was the more felt by reason of the Populousness of the City for at the next 〈…〉 appear'd to be 110000 Men of ripe Age and three times as many Women Children Slaves Merchants and Artificers The People were ready upon every Opportunity to seize on the Stores of the Rich and the Consuls endeavour'd to appease 'em by buying what Corn they cou'd and causing such as had Corn to expose it to Sale till their Levies and Troops were compleated When they had rais'd a sufficient Number of Men one Night they drew out their Troops from the City towards the Enemy and passing the River before day unexpectedly fell upon 'em entirely routed em and clear'd the Hill they retiring in great Disorder to their own Territories This Campaign ended Menenius the last Years Consul was call'd to an Account and severely fin'd for suffering the Fabii to be cut off whom the People so gratefully esteem'd that they plac'd the day of their Defeat among their Nefasti or unlucky days whereon no Work of great consequence was to be undertaken The War was still carryâ—d on and within two years after the Veientes were so over-power'd having been overthrown in Battel together with their Confederates the Sabines and now closely hem'd in that they begg'd Peace of the Romans And having purchas'd leave to send to the Senate with a whole Years Pay for the Consuls Army and Money for two Months Provision they obtain'd a Truce for Forty Years Thus ended the War with the Veientes after Seven Years Contests on both sides V. The following year Aemilius and Vopiscus being Consuls the old Stirs about the Agrarian Law were reviv'd by Genutius one of the Tribunes who boldly set a day to Manlius and Furius the last Years Consuls to answer before the People why they did not divide the Lands This Quarrel had like to have been fatal to the City had not Genutius's sudden Death prevented it after which the Sedition might have been quite appeas'd had the Consuls born their Success with Moderation But making new Levies they offer'd to force one Volero a turbulent Fellow and formerly an Officer to List himself for a Common Soldier and upon his refusing they order'd him to be stripp'd and scourg'd But Volero fled to the Tribunes who protected him and violently exclaim'd against the Tyranny of the Consuls This diverted the People from the thoughts of Lands and rais'd new Quarrels concerning Priviledges and Liberty And the Year after Volero getting to be one of the Tribunes himself the more to retrench the Consular Power propos'd a Law for holding the Assemblies of Tribes instead of that of the Curiae call'd Comitia Curiata which was so contriv'd as to take in greater Numbers and to give the Commons much more Privilege and Power than formerly This Proposal was much urg'd by the Plâ—beians but so strongly oppos'd by the Patritians that Volero cou'd not accomplish his Designs before his Time was expir'd The next Year Volero by his mighty Promises procur'd himself to be made Tribune a second time and the Senate to balance him got Appius Claudius the Son of Appius now absent to be made Consul tho' against his Will and with him Quintius Capitâ—linus who hapn'd to be of a contrary Temper Appius in a Publick Assembly oppos'd the Common's Designs so hotly and violently and so sharply reprimanded them for their rude Actions and Seditious Practices that the Tribunes saucily commanded him to depart the Assembly and upon his Refusal to be sent to Prison This Piece of Boldness was so surprizing to the Fathers that
all were ready to rise up in Arms and the Lictors were beaten back that went to lay Hands on him he being defended by a Company of stout young Men an unseemly Contest ensu'd which beginning with Railings and Jostlings proceeded to Blows and throwing of Stones But Quintius the other Consul by his Intreaties and throwing himself into the Middle and by the help of the Graver Senators prevented the Tumult from proceeding to any further Inconveniencies which was ended shortly after by the Night But all Disturbances did not end here for within a few Days after the Tribunes and the People seiz'd on the Capitol and there fortifi'd themselves against the Patritians This might have been of the most dangerous Consequence had not Quintius by his mild Intreaties and fair Promises perswaded the Tribunes to refer this Law to the Senate's Discretion which after many long Debates permitted it to be put to the Comitia and so it was pass'd This was call'd the Comitia Tributa where all the Free Romans voted according to their Tribes Whereas in the Comitia Curiata none cou'd Vote but Inhabitants of Rome in the Comitia Centuriata the Rich Men had the advantage by reason of their Number of Centuries but in this Comitia Tributa there was no Respect to either of these Qualifications but all Free Romans in or without the City Poor or Rich might have Voices Another Difference between this and the Curiata Comitia was the Place of Assembly that being ti'd to the Comitium in the Forum Râ—manum and that with the Superstitious Observations of Birds call'd Auspicia but this Tributa was ti'd to no set Place being assembl'd in a great many several without any Observation of Birds But the most material Difference between these two Comitia's was this in the Curiata such things were treated of and confirm'd by the Suffrages of the Curiae as the Senate had first decreed but in the Tributa all Things were manag'd without any consulting of the Senate and were wholly determin'd by the Votes of the Tribes gatherâ—d apart The Matters that were manag'd here were chiefly The chusing of Inferior Magistrates as the Tribunes Aediles Priests c. making of those Lawâ— â—all'd Plebiscita or whatsoever shou'd concern the Commons as alsâ— the Punishment of Misdemeanors but not as to Life and Death and the making Peace but not War This new Law gave the Commons still more Power and Authority and made 'em still more Bold and Insolent to the danger of many a Patritian and to the Ruine of Appius whose ill Success against the Volsci this same Year and â—his violent opposing the Agrarian Law the next made the Tribunes set him a Day to answer for his Life before the People which he prevented by killing himself VI. Still the Romans had Wars with the Aequi Sabines and Volsci and had generally the Advantage From the Volsci was taken Antium a considerable City on the Sea 28 Miles South-East of Rome which they made a Roman Colony For nine Years together none of these got any considerable Advantage over the Romans tho' in the midst of these Wars there hapned a most grievous Plague in Rome which swept away an innumerable Company of the Slaves a fourth Part of the Senators both the Consuls and most of the Tribunes The Aequi and Volsci were at last much weakned their Territories greatly wasted and Lucretius and Veturius the Consuls obtain'd one a Triumph and the other an Ovation over them The Year after this and of the City 292 Volumnius and Camerinus the Consuls having no Action Abroad employ'd themselves at Home against the exorbitant Power of the Tribunes who were now got to that heighth of Boldness as to assert That the Citizens ought all to have equal Power in the Government they likewise made great Complaints that the Roman Laws were yet unwritten and thereupon proposâ—d a Law to have Ten Men chosen in a lawful Assembly to publish Laws both concerning aâ— Private and Publick Business The young Patritians furiously oppos'd their Designs casting the meaner Sort like Slaves out of the Forum Among these Caeso Quintius the Son of Quintius Cincinnatus was Principal a Person of great Courage whom the Tribunes resolv'd to make an Example to all young Men and therefore set him a Day to answer for his Life before the People which caus'd new Stirs and Commotions Caeso being admitted to Bail fled into Hetruria whereupon his Father sold almost all his Estate to reimburse the Sureties and then retreating to a small Farm and a little Cottage beyond the Tiber liv'd retir'd from the World laboriously working for his Living The Tribunes were much deceiv'd in their Expectations and the young Patritians so hotly oppos'd 'em that they cou'd act nothing of Consequence this Consulship The next Year the same Tribunes being chosen again they caus'd various Rumors to be spread abroad That many of the Senators and Patritians had form'd a Plot and conspir'd to Murther the Tribunes and Ruine all the Authority of the Plebeians This Contrivance was design'd to fright the Senate into a Compliance but had no other Effect than the causing great Tumults and Disturbances among the Commons These Troubles were so great as to give Occasion to Herdonius a Sabine with 4000 Men to seize on the Capitol calling in the Slaves to their Liberty which put the whole City into a great Consternation all being in a Confusion Valerius and Claudius were then Consuls and the Tribunes persuaded the Multitude not to Fight except the Patritians wou'd engage by Oath to create Ten Men for making of Laws and suffer the Commons to have equal Priviledges with them Claudius wou'd have wholly slighted their Assistance but Valerius finding such presâ—ing Necessity for 'em promis'd upon Oath to endeavour to satisfy the Desire of the Commons when the War was ended Whereupon Claudius was appointed to look to the City and Valerius valiantly attack'd the Capitol on all sides and took it by Storm but with the Loss of his Life the Slaves being punish'd according to their Deserts and the rest made Prisoners of War This War finish'd the Tribunes requir'd Claudius to make good the Promise of his deceas'd Collegue but he alledg'd He cou'd do â—othing himself and appointed the Comitia for the chusing a new Consul The Fathers the better to support their Interest resolv'd upon Quintius Cincinnatus Father to Caeso lately fled and immediately sent for him to the City The Messengers found him hard at Plow only in his Truss and a Cap on his Head but being told of their coming by a Viator that ran before he presented himself in a better Habit. Being saluted by the Name of Consul invested with Purple honour'd by the Fasces and other Ensigns of Magistracy he was desir'd to begin his Journey but after a little Pause he answer'd with Tears Then for this Year my poor little Field must go unsown and we shall be in danger of Want
Stones at him keeping some distance and by that Means effected their Design The Assassinates gave out that he fell into the Enemies hands but the Soldiers easily perceiving the Villany began to grow very Mutinous and the Decemviri to appease 'em gave Siccius a very Honourable Burial which was perform'd with much Ceremony and an universal Sorrow among the Soldiers who from that time thought upon nothing but a Revolt which the other Army lying at Algedum against the Aequi soon after found a fair Opportunity to effect It was occasion'd dy one Virginius a Plebeian who had a Daughter of most admirable Beauty and of as eminent Chastity whom Appius saw by chance and was so extreamly smitten with her that nothing cou'd allay his violent Passion His own Laws had forbidden him Marrying her as being a Plebeian nor cou'd he hope to enjoy her any other Way but by procuring Claudius one of his Clients to challenge her for his Slave so that the Matter being brought before him he might judge her to be so Claudius according to his Instructions laid Claim to her and bringing the Matter to a Tryal before Appius he affirm'd That she was natural Daughter to his Slave procur'd by Virginius ' s Wife being Barren and now Dead and brought up for her own a thing though known to others as well as himself he had no Opportunity till now to make it â—â—â—ear This Pretence was so Impudent and Groundleâ—â—â—hat it rais'd the Indignation of all unconcern'd Peâ—â—ons and Numitor the Maids Uncle with Icilius who was Contracted to her â—ufficiently prov'd the Falsity of the Assertion But Appius resolutely bent upon his lustful and base Design wou'd hear no Reason nor mind any Proof till at last the loud Cries and Murmurs of the Multitude prevail'd with him to deferr the Matter till her Father cou'd be sent for from the Camp to defend her Cause for which he wou'd allow but one Day He immediately wrote to Algedum at the Camp to confine Virginius but Numitor and Icilius's Brother intercepted the Letters and Virginius pretending the Death of a near Relation got Leave to leave the Camp and come posting to the City The next Day Virginius appear'd at the Place to the great Surprize of Appius he and his Daughter both in Mourning accompany'd with several weeping Matrons and a numerous Train of Advocates the whole City crowding into the Forum Virginius prov'd the Maid to be his own Daughter but Appius corrupted by the Greatness of his Power and inflam'd with the Heat of his Lust neither consider'd the just Defence of the Father nor the bitter Tears of the poor Virgin but was inrag'd at the Pity of the Standers by thinking himself a greater Object of Pity who endur'd more for her Beauty's sake than she her self did He interrupted all that pleaded in her behalf Commanding their Silence and strait judg'd Claudius to be right Lord and Owner of her Great Outcries and Lamentations being made as well by others as the Virgin and her Relations all knowing she was doom'd to the Tyrant's Lusts Appius commanded all to depart and order'd Claudius to take Possession of his Slave Virginius finding no relief desir'd he might speak a Word with his Daughter before he parted from her which being Granted he dragg'd her hanâ—â—ng about him to a Butcher's Stall hard by and 〈◊〉 bewailing her deplorable Condition where catcâ—â—ng a Knife in his Hands he said Daughter I will send thee to our Ancestors both Free and Unspotted for the Merciless Tyrant will suffer thee to be neither here and thereupon stabb'd her to the Heart Then casting his angry Eyes up to the Tribunal he cry'd out Appius thou Tyrant with this Blood I doom thee to certain Death With the bloody Knife in his Hand in a great Rage and Fury he ran through the City wildly calling upon the People in all Places to regain their Liberty and coming to the Gate rod Post to the Army a Company of 400 Plebeians following him In this Posture Virginius arriv'd at the Camp with the Knife and his Clothes all Bloody where with all his Rhetorick and Pathetick Reasons he persuaded 'em to revolt from the Ten and redeem their sinking Country shewing 'em likewise That their Sacramentum or Military Oath was no ways binding in this Case because the Oath suppos'd the Commanders to be made according to Law which the Ten were not having Usurp'd all the Power and Authority they cou'd pretend to The Army ready enough for such a Design immediately decamp'd some few Centurions only remaining and took their Station on Mount Aventine and the next day fortifying their Camp chose Ten Captains whereof one Oppius was Chief And soon after came great Parties from the other Army who were much Offended at the Murder of Siccius and join'd them and this was the second Separation of the Commons Appius in the mean time having endeavour'd by Force to suppress the Disturbances he had rais'd in the City was so over-power'd by the Parties of Valerius and Horatius formerly mention'd that he was forc'd to keep himself to his House Oppius one of the Decemviri assembled the Fathers and urg'd the Punishment of all Deserters but the Senate was so sensible of the threatning Dangers and Miseries of the State that they were glad to come to any Agreement with the Solâ—â—ers Therefore to compose all Differences they immediately dispatch'd Messengers to the Army which had lately remov'd to the Holy Mount as they had once done above 40 Years before Where the People demanded to have the same Form of Government as was setled before the Creation of the Decemviri which was readily Granted 'em the People all returning home to the City Thus in less than three Years time ended the famous Decemvirate III. Valerius and Horatius were for their Services made Consuls for the remaining part of the Year These preferrâ—d divers Laws in favour of the Commons to the great Regret of the Patritians whereof one was That such Laws as the Commons enacted in the Comitia Tributa shou'd have the same Force as those made in the Comitia Centuriata which was a great Advantage to the People After this the Tribunes whereof Virginius was one thought it convenient to call the Decemviri to an Account Appius was Committed to Prison no Bail being allow'd him but before his Tryal was found Dead but by what means is uncertain Oppius the next to him in Guilt was accus'd and being Condemn'd dyâ—d the same day in Prison by his own Hands The other eight banish'd themselves and Claudius the pretended Master of Virginia was driven out after 'em with which Justice the State was satisfy'd and Indemnity granted to all others Affairs thus setled the Consuls took the Field against the Aequi Volsci and Sabines and so successfully as to deserve a Triumph but the Senate gave 'em a Repulse for making Laws so much in favour of the Commons and so disadvantageous to the Patritian Priviledges The Consuls
he pray'd That if his Banishment were unjust and meerly the effect of the Rage and Malice of the Multitude they might suddenly repent it and that it might visibly appear to the World how much the Romans were oblig'd by his Actions and stood in need of his Presence Thus like Achilles leaving his Imprecations on the Citizens he went into Banishment being fin'd 15000 Asses IV. About this same time many thousands of the Gauls finding their own Country too narrow for them and desirous of removing under the Conduct of Brennus their King broke into Hetruria and invested Clusium a City in Alliance with Rome These were the Galli Senones a very numerous and warlike People inhabiting most of that Part of Italy which now goes by the Name of Lombardy and which the Hetrurians had been Masters of before them a People vast in Body rude by Nature barbarous in Conditions and wandering as Rovers over many Countries The Inhabitants of Clusium much affrighted at their great Numbers and dreadful Looks sent immediately to Rome begging that State to interpose by sending Ambassadors and Letters to disswade these unjust Aggressors from proceeding in their Enterprize The Senate willing to perform this friendly Part dispatch'd Ambassadors to the 〈◊〉 chusing out three of the Family of the 〈◊〉 Persons of the greatest Quality and the most Honourable in the City for that Office The Gauls at first receiv'd 'em courteously enough and coming to a Conference with 'em the Ambassadors demanded the Reason of this their present Undertaking and what Injury the Clusians had done them Brennus made answer somewhat sharply That they had much injur'd 'em by refusing to part with some of their Lands when they had more than they themselves cou'd easily manage and this was nothing more than what the Romans themselves had done to the Albans the Fidenates the Ardeates the Veientes and many other People that they made War with These Reflections so enrag'd the Ambassadors that they immediately stirrâ—d up the Inhabitants to make a Sally against the Besiegers they themselves heading ' em It hapned that in the midst of the Fight Fabius Amâ—usius one of the Three killâ—d a Gaul of huge Bulk and was discover'd while he was disarming of him whereupon Brennus mov'd with a just Indignation immediately broke up the Siege and march'd directly for Rome Brennus that he might not seem to do any thing meanly or unjustly sent first to Rome demanding the Ambassadors to be deliver'd up as having broken the Law of Nations But Favour so far prevail'd above Equity that the Matter being referrâ—d from the Senate to the People no Satisfaction cou'd be had from either Nay further the Ambassadors themselves were with three others created Military Tribunes for carrying on the War The Gauls hearing this in a great Rage hastned their March breathing out nothing Revenge and Destruction to Rome The Places through which they march'd were so terrify'd with their Numbers the Fierceness of their Natures and their dreadful Preparations of War that they gave their Countries for lost But contrary to their Expectations they did no Injury as they march'd crying That the Romans only were their Enemies and that they took all others for their Friends The Romans met 'em at the River Allia 11 Miles from the City with an Army of 40000 Foot but most of 'em raw and unskilful Men and what was more dangerous under the Conduct of several Commanders In this Condition they engag'd the Gauls without either Order or Discipline or scarce any Courage and were miserably defeated The Left Wing was immediately driven into the River and there intirely cut off The Right escap'd better tho' with great Loss some dropping into Rome the rest as many as escap'd stole by Night to Veii giving Rome for lost and all that was in it for ruin'd This Day was ever after branded for an unlucky Day by the Romans wherein no Work of Note was to be done and was call'd Alliensis in their Kalendar Never was Rome in the like Consternation as at the News of the loss of this Battel and the sudden Approach of the Enemy Nothing but miserable Howlings and Lamentations were heard on all Parts some leaving the City others creeping into Holes Priests hiding their Relicks Women running like distracted Persons with their Children in their Arms and every one shifting for himself so that Rome became abandon'd and was left open to the Rage and Fury of the Enemy For they who resolv'd to stay at Rome quitting the rest of the City betook themselves to the Capitol which they fortify'd in order to hold out a Siege Only some of the Pontifices and Priests and the most ancient of the Senators such as had been honour'd with several Consulships and Triumphs who cou'd not endure to think of leaving the City put on all their Robes of State plac'd themselves in the Forum on their Ivory Chairs resolving since they had liv'd in Honour to die in State and in that noble Posture expected the utmost of what wou'd follow On the third Day after the Victory the Easiness of which much amaz'd the Gauls Brennus appear'd with all his Forces before the City and finding the Gates wide open the Walls unguarded and all things defenceless began to suspect at first some Stratagem of the Romans but after a little Consideration he enter'd the City and marching into the Forum he was more surpriz'd than ever to find so many Men sitting all in that remarkable Order and profound Silence like so many Statues Their splendid Habits and Ornaments their steddy Unconcern'dness their Majestick Gravity their venerable Looks together with that Air of Greatness which appear'd in 'em made the Gauls imagine 'em to be an Assembly of the Gods or at least somewhat more than Human till one Bolder than the rest stroaking Papirius's Beard was struck by him with his Ivory Staff whereupon he immediately kill'd the old Man Upon which began the Slaughter the rest of the Gauls following his Example set upon the rest and kill'd 'em all without Mercy or Distinction and continuing their Rage and Fury dispatch'd all that came in their Way In this Manner they proceeded Sacking and Plundering the Houses for many days together then setting the whole City in Flames burnt down every House to the Ground Thus was the famous City of Rome laid all in Ashes except the Capitol occasion'd by the Romans manifest Breach of Justice and the Laws of Nations This hapned 364 Years after it was first built 119 after the Expulsion of the Kings Anno Mundi 3615 in the third Year of the 97th Olympiad 60 Years before the Ruine of the Persian Empire and the setting up of the Macedonian by Alexander the Great and 388 before our Saviour Christ's Nativity CHAP. VI. From the Burning of Rome by the Gauls to the War with the Samnites when the Romans began much to extend their Conquests Containing the space of 46 Years I. ROme now felt the utmost
Men with light Iron Helmets and bound their wooden Targets about with Brass teaching them how to fence and receive the Enemies Blows without Hurt By this means he render'd the Swords of the Gauls so unserviceable that giving 'em Battel at the River Anio he easily overthrew 'em which hapned 23 Years after they had destroy'd the City and after this Defeat the Romans began now to despise the Gauls as much as they had fear'd 'em before Soon after this Camillus in his Return homewards had Velitrae surrender'd to him without any Resistance But Camillus's greatest Contention and which was hardest to be manag'd was with the People who now returning home full of Victory and Success violently insisted again to have one of the Consuls chosen out of their own Body The Senate strongly oppos'd it and wou'd not suffer Camillus to lay down his Dictator-ship thinking that under the Shelter of his great Name and greater Authority they shou'd be the better able to contend for the Power of the Nobility But when Camillus was sitting upon the Tribunal dispatching publick Affairs an Officer sent by the Tribunes of the People commanded him to rise and follow him laying his Hand upon him as ready to seize him Upon which such a Noise and Tumult follow'd in the Assembly as was never before known in Rome Some that were about Camillus thrusting the People from the Bench and the Multitude below Crying out Pull him down Pull him down Still he wouâ—d not lay down his Office but taking the Senators along with him he went to the Senate-House where great Contests arose by reason of contrary Opinions but at last the most Popular Party prevail'd and a Law was made That one of the Consuls for the future might be chosen out of the Plebeians and this hapned 143 Years after their first Creation and 24 after the burning of Rome by the Gauls From this time forwards the Military Tribunes were for ever laid aside now 78 Years since their first Creation after 49 Courses of that Office and 15 from the Consul-ship to that and from that to the Consul-ship Now the People were reconcil'd to the Senate and a Temple was presently built and Dedicated to Concord according as Camillus had vow'd and the Patritians desiring a Praetor to be created out of their Body for the Administration of Justice in the City it was immediately Granted ' em This Praetor was a Magistrate of extraordinary Note so call'd à Praeâ—undo a Name which the Consuls themselves had for some time The Power and Authority of this Magistrate was very great for he executed the Office of the Consuls in their Absence both in the Senate and in the Comitia But the Principal Business of these Praetors was to Administer Justice in the City or Provinces to which the Consuls couâ—d not so easily attend and upon that account they may be English'd Lord Chief Iustices They judgâ—d all Causes both Civil and Criminal which last were call'd Capitales in Civil Causes they were cloth'd in Purple but when they pass'd Sentence in Criminal Causes they were in Mourning Upon the account of their Power and Honour and likewise because they were created by the same Auspicia with the Consuls Livy calls them Collegues of the Consuls Their Ornaments and Ensigns were six Lictors with their Fasces the Toga Praetexta and Cella Curulis and besides those Marks of Consular Dignity the Sword and Spear plac'd by them in the Court Their Officers in Court besides the Lictors were the Scribes or Notaries to enter things in Writing and the Accensi or Bailiffs who Summon'd the People together At first there was but one Praetor and that for above 100 Years then another was Created who administred Justice to Strangers whereupon for Distinction sake the first was call'd Praetor Urbanus or Major and the latter Peregrinus or Minor But as the Business and Dominions of Rome increased the number of these Praetors was likewise inlarg'd and encreas'd gradually till in Augustus's Reign they came to Sixteen Immediately after the Reconciliation between the Nobility and Commons a 4th Day was added to the Latin Feriae and the greater fort of Games were Solemniz'd which when the Aediles of the Commons were unwilling to manage according to their Office the young Patritians offer'd themselves and the Senate procur'd also of the People that two Patritians every year might be made Aediles who from the Ivory Chair call'd Cella Curulis had the Name of Aediles Curuleâ— These were Created 128 Years after the Aediles of the Commons but were of greater Account as being Curule Magistrates their Chair being so call'd either from Currus the Chariot which carri'd it and the Magistrate about or from Curvus because it was made with Crooked Feet They had all the same Offices and Business as the Aediles of the Commons but had rather greater Authority but more especially they took Care of the great and publick Games such as the Ludi Florales Circenses Megalenses Romani c. as also of Tragedies and Comedies Sometimes at their own Charge they made these Shews and ever examin'd the Plays written before they were Acted and whether from this Inspection of all Plays and the like it is uncertain they seem to have been the Licensers and Judges of other Writings It is further observ'd that the Generals of Armies when return'd home from Victory deliver'd up the Corn and Provisions which were Prize to these Aediles Curules as they did the Prisoners to the Praetor and the Money to the Quaestor Thus were the Disturbances of Rome allay'd and all things for a short space continu'd in Peace and Quiet IV. Soon after these Affairs were setled News came of the Gauls meeting together who had before been dispers'd through Apulia and of the intended Revolt of the Hernici But all Preparations were deferred by the Senate because they were unwilling to have any thing done by a Plebeian Consul On the other side the Tribunes began to complain that for one Plebeian Consul the Nobility had got three Patritian Magistrates who sate as Consuls in their Curule Chairs and their Praetexta Modesty therefore suffer'd not the Fathers to Create both the Curule Aediles out of their own Body so that it was agreed first that every other Year they shou'd be chosen out of the Commons but afterwards they were Elected promiscuously The Year following there hapned a grievous Plague in the City which swept away vast Numbers among the rest Camillus himself after he had done so many Noble Services for the City that he was deservedly called the second Founder of Rome The Plague raging both in this and the following Year the Romans to appease their Gods brought in Stage-Plays sending for Actors out of Hetruria in the Language of which Country Hister signifying a Player thence came the Roman word Histrio These Plays were at first very Barbarous and Antick beginning with a plain Country Dance to a Pipe after which the
but Hamilcar being a stronger Man was kept in together with the dead Body of Bostar five days longer having only so much Sustenance allow'd him as might serve to prolong his Life in Misery At last the Magistrates being inform'd of this began to relent and strictly forbid any more of such Usuage commanding that Bostar's Ashes should be sent home and the rest of the Prisoners shou'd be us'd more moderately Which was done to let the Enemy know that the Romans were too generous to insult over the Miseries of unhappy Men or to countenance any cruel Actions tho' they had been incited by the highest Provocations and all the Sentiments of a most just Retaliation The following Year because the Land-Forces were very fearful of the Enemies Elephants and pursu'd their Affairs with small Vigour the Romans provided another Fleet and Besieg'd Lilybaeum by Sea and Land a Town standing upon the Southern Promontory of Sicily over against Africk The Romans were very unsuccessful in this Expedition losing most of their Ships in a short time partly by the Mismanagement of the Consul Claudius Pulcher and partly by other Misfortunes so that the whole Fleet was soon reduc'd to an inconsiderable number Lilybaeum was still closely invested by Land but the small Successes of the present Consuls and other Losses occasion'd the creating of a Dictator to Command the Forces in Sicily This was Attilius Calatinus who appointed Caecilius Metellus who had Triumph'd over the Carthaginians for his Master of the Horse and was the first Dictator that ever led an Army out of Italy but nothing memorable was acted by him in Sicily before the time of his Office expir'd The Romans now began to feel the Weight and Charge of the War more than ever and they found that the City was not only drein'd of Money but of Men too for in the next Lustrum there were but 251222 Free Citizens Poll'd For Seven Years did the Romans abstain from any Sea-Preparations in which time another Dictator was created in the Consuls Absence for holding the Comitia for a New Election which was Coruncanius Nepos and his Master of the Horse was Fulvius Flaccus At this time Amilcar the Carthaginian Admiral extreamly infested the Coasts of Italy which made the Romans resolve once more to try their Fortune at Sea and accordingly they fitted out a considerable Navy out of their private Purses the Treasury being now exhausted With this they gave the Carthaginians a notable Overthrow nigh the Aegatian Isâ—es taking and sinking 120 of their Ships according to the most modest Computation This great Loss brought 'em to a Peace which after two Consultations was concluded upon these Articles First That the Carthaginians shou'd lay down 1000 Talents of Silver and 2200 more within 10 Years time Secondly That they shou'd quit Sicily with all the Isles thereabouts Thirdly That they shou'd never make War upon the Syracusians or their Allies nor come with any Vessels of War within the Roman Dominions and Fourthly That they shou'd deliver up all their Prisoners without Ransom as also the Deserters Thus ended the first Punick or Carthaginian War by the Greek Writers call'd the Sicilian War after it had continu'd 24 Years in the 51â—th Year of the City 23 Years before the Second and 239 before our Saviour's Nativity wherein the Romans are said to have lost 700 Vessels and the Carthaginians no more than 500. IV. All Affairs now seem'd to succeed prosperously with the Romans and in the same Year that this long War was ended Two New Tribes were added to the rest namely the Veline and Quirine which now made up the Number 35 which Number was never after exceeded At this time the Romans began to grow more polite a little applying their Minds to something of Study and Learning particularly Poetry and the Year after this War the first Tragedies and Comedies were made by Livius Andronicus a Graecian by Birth one Year before Ennius the Poet was Born about 160 after the Deaths of Sophocles and Euripides and 62 after that of Menander He drew the Minds of the People from the Use of the Satyr which had immediately succeeded the old Stage-Plays call'd Ludi Fescennini spoken of in the Sixth Chapter of this Book which Satyr was a sort of a Dramatick Poem full of Jests and Raillery wholly different from the Satyrs of Lucilius and Horace afterwards Naevius was the first Poet that follow'd his example five Years after the Year before which were celebrated the great Secular Games the third time which were also call'd Ludi magni and Ludi Terentini and were of two sorts the Greater celebrated every 120 Years and first instituted in the 298th Year of the City and the Lesser celebrated every 100 Year and first instituted about the 305th Year of the City after the Banishment of the Decemviri But these now celebrated were of the former sort There were also other Games call'd Ludi Tarentini which were very different from the Ludi Seculares which I mention that Learners may avoid Confusion But to return to the Roman Affairs the Carthaginians soon after their Peace with the Romans fell into a Bloody War between themselves and their Mercenary Soldiers which proceeded both from their Want of Pay and their Want of Employment and this with much Difficulty and Loss was ended by Amilcar after more than Three Years During which time several of the Romans who traded into Africk were secur'd by the Carthaginians lest they shou'd furnish their Enemies with Provisions But when Ambassadors were sent to Carthage to complain of this Usage they kindly dismiss'd all that were in Custody which so affected the Romans that they generously sent 'em all their Prisoners without Ransom and for a short Space there seem'd to be an extraordinary Friendship between these two Nations But soon after their Troubles were ended the Sardinians inviting over the Romans to that Island they sail'd thither which much offended the Carthaginians who thought themselves to have the greatest Right to it so they prepar'd to send Forces thither The Romans took an Occasion from thence to proclaim War against 'em complaining That these Preparations were design'd more against them than the Sardinians This so terrify'd the Carthaginians who found themselves in no Condition to begin a new War that they were forc'd to yield to Necessity and not only quit all Sardinia but further to pay the Romans 1200 Talents This tho' submitted to at present prov'd afterwards the Occasion of a more bloody and dangerous War than the former In the sixth Year after the Carthaginian War the Romans being in perfect Peace with all their Neighbours the Temple of Ianus was shut the second time it being open 437 Years In the following Year was the first Divorce in Rome and two Years after a Dictator was created for holding the Comitia and this was C. Duilius his Master of the Horse being Aurelius Cotta For five Years successively the Temple
Veturius Philo and Pomponius Matho was his Master of the Horse The new Consuls were Aemilius Paulus and Terentius Varro the former a prudent experiencâ—d Person the latter a hot rash and inconsiderate Man These had gather'd together an Army of 80000 Foot and 6000 Horse which gave great Hopes to the People but raisâ—d as great Fears in some of the wiser sort especially Fabius who with all the powerful Arguments imaginable advis'd Aemilius To beware of the Policy of Hannibal and the Rashness of Varro Both Armies met at a Village in Apulia call'd Cannae where Varro resolv'd to engage contrary to Aemilius's Advice the Enemy being about 40000 Foot and 20000 Horse This Battel was fought with dreadful Fury on both sides and Hannibal had plac'd his Men with all possible Skill and Art so that the Romans were not only forc'd to fight with Wind Dust and Sun but pressing forwards were in a little time almost surrounded In short the Abilities of the Punick General at this time were more apparent than ever who more over-match'd them in Skill than they exceeded him in Numbers making a most miserable Slaughter of the Romans till quite wearied out he commanded his Soldiers to give over Aemilius was found desperately wounded by Lentulus a Colonel who offer'd him his Horse to fly but the Consul with weeping Eyes desired him to make use of it himself and go tell Fabius that he had follow'd his Directions to the last but Fate had conquer'd him and then falling among the dead Bodies he expirâ—d In this Battel the Romans lost 50000 Men. Polybius says 70000 2 Quaestors 21 Tribunes 80 of Senatorian Order and so many Equites or Knights that 't is said that three Bushels of their Rings were sent to Carthage the Enemy having lost but 5700 Men. Never was any thing so terrible and dreadful to Rome as the News of this fatal Defeat never was the City so sadly fill'd with Terrour and Tumult and never was a more universal Mourning and Lamentation throughout all the Streets than at this time The Citizens were all in an Uproar and Consternation and the Senators themselves in great Trouble and Confusion being extreamly disturb'd in their Debates by the dismal Outcries of miserable Women tearing their Hair and beating their Breasts after a sad and deplorable manner A Dictater upon this was created which was M. Iunius his Master of the Horse being T. Sempronius and Order was immediately given to keep all the Women from coming abroad into the Streets the Senators themselves going from House to House to comfort and appease 'em what they cou'd Great Care was likewise taken to set strict Guards at the Gates to keep all Persons from abandoning the City and to make all People see That there cou'd be no possible Meanâ—s of preserving themselves but by bravely defending the Walls In a short time Varro arrivâ—d at Rome with the weak and tatter'd Relicts of his Army and tho' he had been the principal Cause of this Defeat yet the Romans out of an extraordinary Greatness of Mind went out to meet him in Multitudes and the Senate return'd him Thanks for that he had not despair'd of the Commonwealth Notwithstanding the vast Losses sustain'd by Hannibal and the Revolt of a great part of Italy immediately after this last Defeat the Romans wou'd never so much as mention Peace Whereas as Livy says No Nation under Heaven but wou'd have fainted and have suffer'd themselves to have been overwhelm'd and crush'd with the weight of so mighty a Disaster III. Thus far was Hannibal extraordinary successful and had he made the best use of this his last Victory by marching directly to Rome he might in all Probability have put an end to the War and Roman State at once but this great Soldier as Maharbal Captain of his Horse told him knew perfectly how to gain a Victory but not how to use and improve it For his careless manner of proceeding that Summer gave the Romans an Opportunity of Recovering themselves when they were almost reduc'd to a despairing Condition And now they were inspir'd with new Courage and new Resolutions of prosecuting the War without Fainting making all possible Preparations for another Campaign arming of several thousands of Slaves and filling up the Senate which wanted 177 Persons This last was done by Fabius Buteo a Dictator created for that purpose without any Master of the Horse and that before the last Dictator was out of Office who was then abroad But that which provâ—d most fatal to Hannibal was his Wintering in Capua a most wealthy and luxurious City which among many other Places had surrenderâ—d it self to him since his last Victory Heâ—â—â—e utterly spoilâ—d an excellent and hardy Army which now was so enfeebled and enervated by their immoderate Use of the Pleasures and Effeminateness of that Place that ever after his Men became impatient of Labour and the ancient Military Discipline So that Capua became a Cannae to Hannibal â—s Soldiers And now Hannibal's Fortune began to change for in the next Campaign he was worsted in a Sally out of Nola by Marcellus the Praetor and repuls'd at Casilinum after he had brought the Place to great Extremities and not long after Marcellus gave him a considerable Repulse nigh Nola which gave the Romans mighty Hopes of farther Successes In Spain the Scipio's managâ—d the War with great Success overthrowing Hanno and gaining much Ground and likewise defeating Asdrubal who but just before had been order'd by the Senate of Carthage to go for Italy and joyn Hannibal which Design by this means was broke In Sicily and Sardinia tho' several Attempts were made by the Carthaginians and some Revolts hapned yet Affairs succeeded prosperously especially in Sardinia where a Battel was fought and 12000 Carthaginians kill'd and many taken Prisoners among whom were Asdrubal Hanno and Mago all Persons of the highest Quality Rome now had the Misfortune of having Enemies on all sides of her and in all Parts of her Dominions and Territories so that the Vigour and Diligence of her Inhabitants was certainly very admirable in sending Recruits and Supplies into Spain Sicily and Sardinia those distant Countries with the same Care as against Hannibal himself But what is a greater Instance of the Roman Courage and Magnanimity is their proclaiming War with Philip King of Macedon in Greece not long after their dreadful Defeat at Cannae for his making a League with Hannibal and their venturing to invade his Dominion which they did with good Success About this time Claudius Centho was created Dictator for holding the 〈◊〉 in the Consul's Absence for a new Election and his Master of the Horse was Fulvius Flaccus The Affairs of Sicily were in a little time alter'd by the Death of Hiero King of Syracuse and the Murder of his Grandson Hieronymus not long after which caus'd great Factions in that City The prevailing Faction proving Enemies to Rome Marcellus was sent thither who besiegâ—d the great
Chamber to meditate of something to speak to the People the next Day in the Morning he was found dead in his Bed not without Suspicion of Treachery from his Wife and Mother-in-Law the latter of which was Mother to the Gracchi Nevertheless being then in no favour with the People little enquiry was made after his Death though he was a Person of extraordinary Merits and had been justly esteem'd the Bulwark of the State The Owners of the Land still made Delays in the Division and some believ'd that the Partakers of the Dividends should likewise have the Freedom of the City which however lik'd of by others was highly displeasing to the Senate While the People were variously discoursing of these Matters Caius obtain'd the Tribune-ship and bearing a great Enmity to the Senate he found a fair Opportunity to shew it He preferr'd several Laws among the rest one for dividing the publick Corn to every Man Monthly in which Laws he shewâ—d himself rather more stirring and active and more dextrous than his Brother Then procuring his Office to be continuâ—d to him another Year he began more strictly to inspect into the late Corruptions of the Senate such as their taking Bribes their selling of Offices and such like unjust Proceedings Whereupon he found Means to transferr the power of judging corrupt Officers from the Senators to the Equites or Knights which gave the latter an extraordinary Authority and made a remarkable Change and Alteration in the whole Government These Equites were first instituted by Romulus and though they were originally in the Common-Wealth yet they had no particular Authority Rank or Order till this Law of Gracchus by which it was enacted That these Iudgmentsâ— should be peculiar to them So that whereas at first there were only two Orders or Ranks namely Patritian and Plebeian which through the Incroachments of the People were afterwards distinguish'd only into Senatorian and Plebeian By this Law and especially by the Procurement of Cicero afterwards the Equites became a distinct Order Thus now the Roman Citizens consisted of three Ranks or Orders namely the Senatorian which included all the Patritians and such of the Plebeians as could rise to be Senators the Plebeian which still continu'd the same as formerly and the Equestrian which before had always been included in the Plebeian and had been only distinguish'd by their Way of Service Gracchus took the fairest Opportunity that he cou'd expect for preferring this Law for the Senators were become odious of late because for Money they had acquitted Cotta Salinator and Aquilius Persons capitally guilty of Corruption But the Great Power of these Equites became extreamly burdensome to the State till by Degrees their Authority came to be diminish'd The Equites alone were wont to Farm the publick Revenues and Customs from the Censors and from thence had the Name of Publicans These were the principal of the Equestrian Order the Ornaments of the City and the Strength of the State who made up so many Companys as there were Provinces subject to the payment of Toll Tribute Custom or Impost Caius grew more and more in favour with the Commons and was invested with a larger Authority than ordinary which he manag'd with extraordinary Prudence and Cunning being a Master of much Eloquence and many other Accomplishments And the more to gratifie the Commons he took special Care about the High-ways making 'em extraordinary handsom and pleasant as well as usefull and convenient erecting likewise pillars of Stone at the end of each Mile to signifie the Distances from Place to Place For Caius fiâ—ding the Senators to be his Enemys he endeavoured still more to ingratiate himself with the People by other new Laws Particularly he propos'd that a Colony of Roman Citizens might be sent to the People of Tarentum and that all the Latines should enjoy the same Privileges with the Citizens of Rome But the Senate dreading the Effects of Caius's Power forbid the Latines to come near the City at such time as they knew his Laws would be propos'd and the better to satisfie and please the People they gave Leave to the sending of 12 Colonies Caius thus frustrated of his Designs departed into Africk with Flaccus his Collegue intending to plant a Colony where Carthage stood calling it Iunonia but there he also met with a Disappointment the Bound Marks of the intended City being continually remov'd in the Night time by Wolves as some Authors relate it whereupon the Augurs and South-sayers pronounc'd the Design unlawful Caius having been twice Tribune stood for it a third time and had many Votes but his Collegues offended at his violent Carriage at this time procur'd Minucius Rufus to be chosen into his Place who began to abrogate many of his Laws wherein he was seconded by Opimius the Consul who was a profest Enemy to Caius and endeavoured to find some colourable Pretence to put him to Death Whereupon Caâ—us at the Instigation of his Friends especially Fulvius resolv'd presently to raise Forces and at an Assembly in the Capitol he and many of his Friends went thither privately arm'd It happen'd that one Antilius a Serjeant coming down from the Capitol cryâ—d out to Fulvius and his Friends Ye factious Citizens make way for honest Men whereupon they immediately slew him This Murther causâ—d a great Disturbance in the Assembly and Caius himself was very angry with those of his Party for giving his Enemies so much Advantage against him and endeavourâ—d to excuse himself but could not be heard by reason of the Tumult so together with his Friends and Confederates he retirâ—d home the Consul keeping strict Watch all Night in the City The next day Antilius's Corps was brought upon a Bier through the Forum and expos'd to open view just before the Senate House with design to stir up the People to a Revenge The Senate invested Opimius with an extraordinary Power and all the Equites were order'd to be in Arms which forc'd Caius and all his Friends to betake themselves to Mount Aventine where they fortify'd themselves offering Liberty to all Slaves that shou'd come in to them The Consul pressâ—d hard upon Caius and Proclamation was made that whoever shou'd bring the Head either of Caius or Fulvius shou'd receive their Weight in Gold for a Reward Caius finding himself in no Condition for a long Defence in a short time fled into a Grove beyond Tiber and procur'd his Servant to kill him who immediately after kill'd himself and fell down dead upon his Master One Septimuleius carry'd his Head to Opimius and 't is said that to make it weigh the heavier he took out the Brains and fill'd the Skull with Lead Fulvius flying to a Friend's House was betray'd and slain and by the Severity of Opimius no less than 3000 Persons of this Party were put to Death Thus fell Caius Gracchus above 10 Years after his Brother Tiberius Gracchus and fix after he began to act much in
the Army he either forcâ—d or by former Agreement brought Albinus to submit upon most dishonourable Terms In this Condition did Metellus the following Consul find Affairs and the whole Army was almost ruin'd for want of Discipline to the great Dishonour of the Roman State and the grievous Vexation of the honester sort in the City Metellus having with much difficulty brought his Soldiers into good Order within the space of two years overthrew Iugurth several times forc'd him out of several Towns and pursu'd him beyond her own Frontiers which constrainâ—d him to submit and beg Peace but he in a short time broke the Conditions of it and so the former Hostility return'd At this time one C. Marius was Legatus or Lieutenant to Mâ—tellus a Person of Frugality Policy and Military Experience and of vast Courage in War a Contemner of Pleasure but very ambitious of Honour which made him extreamly desirous to gain the Consulship To obtain this he privately blam'd Metellus to the Merchants of Utica avowing That he was able with half the Army to take Jugurth Prisoner and that within few Days By these and the like detracting Discourses he procurâ—d many Complaints to be written to Rome against Metellus and getting leave to go thither obtainâ—d the Consulship and had likewise the management of the War committed to him Notwithstanding the People were so grateful to Metellus that at his return being satisfy'd as to his Behaviour they both granted him a Triumph and bestow'd upon him the Surname of Numidicus as an additional Honour Marius shew'd himself a very expert Warrior and in a short time took the City Capsa a place very rich and strong and after this another call'd Mulucha `fugurth now finding himself too weak to oppose him any longer procur'd Bocchus King of Mauritania and his Father-in-Law to joyn with him who by the Assistance of his Numerous Cavalry much harrass'd the Roman Army Marius had Invested Cirta and Bocchus approaching to raise the Siege partly by the Number of his Horse reported to be 60000 and partly by the violent Heats and great Dusts the Romans were sorely distress'd and the Fight continuâ—d dangerous and terrible to them for three Days at the end of which a Tempest of Rain falling spoil'd the Enemies Weapons and relievâ—d Marius's Men almost famish'd with Thirst and now the Course of Fortune changing the Two Kings were entirely defeated In another Battel Marius 't is said killâ—d 90000 after which Bocchus began to repent of his Enterprise and sent to Rome to enter into a League which he could not procure nevertheless he obtain'd Pardon for his Crime Not long after Marius took Iugurth in an Ambuscade whither he had drawn him by specious Pretences and deliver'd him up to Sylla his Quaestor who had brought over some Forces from Italy and under Marius he learnt that Skill in War which he afterwards employ'd against him Iugurth with his Two Sons were led in Triumph by Marius and shortly after by Order of Senate he was put to Death and so the Iugurthine War ended after it had continu'd about Seven Years III. At the same time a War was carry'd on against the Cimbri a Vagabond People of Cimbrica Chersonesus now call'd Denmark who joyning with the Teutones a Nation of the Germans made dreadful Irruptions into several Parts of the Roman Dominions particularly Gaul and Spain where they had overthrown several Consuls in the last Battel killing 80000 Romans after which they resolv'd to pass the Alps into Italy Rome began now to be in a great Consternation and Marius having just vanquish'd Iugurtha they made him Consul a â—d time as the only Man thought able to Manage so Threatning a War and to preserve the State While they continu'd in Spain Marius March'd against their Friends the Tolosans in Gaul where King Copilus was taken by Sylla his Lieutenant Being made Consul again the following Year he declin'd Fighting till the Enemies Force was weakned by Delays The next Year in his Fourth Consulship the Enemy in Three several Parties were just upon passing the Alps into Italy and as he attended their Motions it happened that his Army was extreamly afflicted with Thirst the Teutones and Ambrones lying between them and the Water which Necessity brought him to an Ingagement with 'em and in Two Days time he by his excellent Conduct utterly destroy'd 'em taking Theutobocchus their King Prisoner The Cimbri escap'd him and fled over into Italy notwithstanding the Winter-Season and the Alps cover'd with Snow being in vain oppos'd by Catulus both at the Alps and at the River Athesis nigh Verona The Year following Marius was again made Consul and joyning with Catulus was challengâ—d by the Enemy to give Battel Whereupon he fell upon their numerous Army and gave 'em a most dreadful Overthrow their Wives all the while making a wonderful Resistance from the Chariots and when they saw all things in a desperate Condition they in a great Fury first kill'd all their Children and after that themselves About 140000 were slain in this Battel and 60000 taken Prisoners which ended this War after it had continu'd 12 Years Marius the Fifth time and Aquilius Nepos being Consuls The former was then esteem'd the Preserver of his Country and contented himself with one Triumph when he might have had more and his Collegue had now also finish'd the Second Servile War in Sicily which had lasted almost Four Years Notwithstanding these Dangers abroad the City was not without Domestick Troubles which were occasion'd by Saturninus one of Marius's Friends who having been Quaestor at Ostia during a Famine was turn'd out of his Place by the Senate to revenge which usage he procur'd the Tribune-ship But after his Year was expirâ—d Metellus Numidicus formerly mention'd being Censor endeavour'd to remove him from the Senate but was hinderâ—d by his Collegue This so enragâ—d him that he stood again for the Tribunâ—-ship and Nine of the Ten Tribunes being chosen by the Assistance of Marius he Murderâ—d Nonius his Competitor and so obtain'd the Place Now being once again in Power he preferrâ—d a Law for the Division of such Lands as Marius had recoverâ—d in Gaul and compell'd the Senate to Swear to it which Oath Numidicus refusing he set him a day to Answer it before the People but for fear of him and Marius together Numidicus fled to Smyrna in Asia Saturninus procuring the Tribuneship a Third time and finding Memmius Candidate for the Consulship he also caus'd him to be Murder'd to make way for Glaucius the Praetor one of his own Party These base and ungenerous Practices rais'd several Troubles and Commotions in the City and the Senate resolvâ—d to make him Answer it whereupon Marius now a Sixth time Consul perceiving him in a declining Condition very politickly withdrew himself from his Friendship The Consuls were now as in some other Dangerous Times Invested with an unusual and Dictatorian sort of Power the manner of conferring of which was by a
complain d of his Brother to Pompey at Damascus who likewise came thither to vindicate himself Pompey treated 'em both very civilly promising 'em to come into their Country and settle Matters between 'em after he had dispatched some other necessary Affairs Having therefore in a short Time settled the Affair of Syria and reducâ—d Pontâ—â— into a Roman Province he return'd to Iudea being much incens'd against Aristobulus He first cited him to appear before him and deliver up all his fortify'd Places which he did with much Regreet and Anger withdrawing himself to Ierusalem to make Preparations for a War Pompey suspecting his Designs immediately marchâ—d after him which Aristobulus understanding went out to meet him and tho' the City was enterâ—d without Opposition his Soldiers fortify'd the Temple and held it out against Pompey which causâ—d Aristobulus to be taken into Custody The Temple being very strong by Situation made a vigorous Defence but after three Month's Siege was with much Difficulty and Labour taken and 12000 of the Iews cut in Pieces the Priests not neglecting to offer Sacrifices all that Time Pompey without any Fear enter'd the Holy of Holies with many Followers looking on these things which were unlawfull for any but the Priests to behold however he show so much Veneration for the Place that he forbore touching any Thing that was there He restor'd Hyrcanus to his Priesthood and Government but with a Command never to wear a Diadem and took Aristobulus with him making all Iudea tributary to Rome This hapned in the third Year of his Expedition and 61 Years before our Saviour's Nativity IV. While Pompey thus proceed in his noble Exploits abroad Rome it self was in great Hazard and very nigh its Ruine occasion'd by one of the most dangerous Conspiracies that had been ever known in the City It was begun and carry'd on by Sergius Catiline a Patrician by Descent but of a very proâ—â—igate Life a Person daring in his Attempts crasty in his Designs greedy of other Men s Properties prâ—digal of his own one who had been accus'd of debauching a Vestal Virgin and suspected of murdering his Son for the Love of another Woman This Person having contracted vast Debts by the Looseness of his Life grew desperate and sought for nothing but Power and Authority and if it were possible the Soveraignty over all but his Designs being suspected he twice receiv'd a Repulse in standing for the Consulship This last time it was carry'd from him by Cicero whom he therefore scurrilously abus'd as an Upstart and Foreigner as being but of the Equestrian Order and born in Apulia and offer'd to kill him in the Comitia The missing of his Designs drove him into the utmost Rage and Fury and brought him into that Plot in which he had formerly been engagâ—d with Piso for the Destruction of his Country Aurelius Cotta and Manlius Torquatus who before had miss'd of the Consulship for want of competent Bribes also join'd with him and afresh plotted the Ruine of the Consuls and Senate the Burning of the City and the Overthrow of the State as likewise did Lentulus Cethegus and many other inferior Persons of debauch'd and infamous Lives Cethegus and Lentulus were both Praetors and the Latter who formerly had been Consul was mov'd to this Design by a vain Confidence he had in the Sibylline Oracles which he said portended That the Soveraigâ— Power shou'd be in the Hands of three Gornelâ—â— namely Sylla Cinna and Himself This Conspiracy was carryâ—d on with the greatest Secrecy imaginable their Numbers daily encreasing among which were several Women who by prostituting themselves had been maintain'd after a prodigious Rate but afterwards Decay of Beauty lâ—miting their Gains tho' not their Luxury had greatly run them in Debt notwithstanding all their Care of concealing this horrid Design it was discover'd by the Means of Q. Curius one of the Plotters a degraded Senator who neither cou'd contain the Secrets he had heard not the Crimes he had committed but imprudently relating all to one Fulvia his Courtesan she discover'd it to Cicero who was now Consul Cicero by examining of these two found out the whole Matter how often and where they met and what Designs they had in Hand particularly his own Destruction to be brought about by Vasguntâ—ius a Senator and Cornelius a Knight under Pretence of a Friendly Visit. Cicero with great Diligence and Care appointed Guards in several Parts of the City and immediately after call'd the Senate to the Temple of Concord to consult what was best to be done in this Time of Danger Great Rewards were promis'd to any who shou'd make any farther Discovery of this black Conspiracy and the whole City was in a great Consternation all in a Hurry all in a Fear not knowing whom to trust or where to be secure either in War or Peace but every one measuring his Danger by his Fears The Senate being now assembled Catiline to shew how well he cou'd dissemble or to justifie himself went boldly thither but none of the Senators wou'd come near him the Place where he sat being wholly void Whereupon Cicero either dreading his Presence or incens'd at his Boldness stood up and made a severe invective Speech against him openly manifesting his Crimes which were both numerous and notorious and saying Did that most honourable Person Scipio Nasica slay his own Kinsman Tib. Gracchus for a slight Disturbance of the City and shall we Consuls tamely suffer a Person endeavouring to lay the World desolate with Slaughter and Destruction He farther commanded him to leave the Town concluding with wishing Confusion and Destruction to him and all his Accomplices Upon his sitting down Catiline well prepar'd with all manner of Artifice and Dissimulation with a dejected Countenance and suppliant Tone besought the Fathers not â—ver-rashly to creditâ— vain Reports concerning him nor to believe that a Person of his Rank whose own and whose Ancestors Services had been so remarkably beneficial stood in need of a ruin'd Common-wealth concluding with many scurrilous Reflections upon Cicero which not being hearkned to by the Senate he left the House in a great Rage breathing out Ruine and Destruction to all his Enemies He left the City late at Night with â—00 Arm'd Men and Lictors with Axes and Fasces before him like a Magistrate and retired into Hetruria gathering together Soldiers all the Way intending to return to the City which he had order'd Lentulus and Cethegus to lay in Ashes at an appointed Time In the mean time the Ambassadors of the Allobroges now in Town were also perswaded to stir up the Gauls against the Common-wealth but declaring their Designs to â—abiusâ— Sanga their Patron it came shortly to Cicero's Fiar and so was prevented The Day after Catiline's Departure Cicero summon'd the People and made a second Oration to 'em where he congratulated the People and Common-Wealth for being freed from so infamous a Person and encouraged 'em by representing the Forces of that
for C. Antonius had gain'd him the Hatred of the Triumvirate And having setled Affairs thus and finish'd his Consulship he departed for Gaul with some Precipitation in regard he was threatn'd to be callâ—d to Account for his Conduct in his Consulship and tho' some of the Tribunes prevented his publick Censure they cou'd not secure his Quaestor from Condemnation In Caesar's absence Pompey and Crassus were not idle and the former had fill'd the City with Soldiers and since both the Consuls were of that Party the Senate's Authority was much weakn'd But Clodius bestirr'd himself more than any a Man so ambitious of the Tribureship that he procurâ—d himself to be adopted by a Plebeian because he was uncapable of holding of it before Cicero immediately perceiv'd that his Ruin was aim'd at and his chiefest Hope was in Pompey who had always shown himself his Friend but Pompey had now sacrific'd all to the Interests of Caesar and Crassus and had lately been extreamly offended with Cicero for his eternal Itch he had to be Jesting Pompey nevertheless assur'd him of his Protection and Caesar had offerâ—d to make him his Lieutenant in his Gallick Expedition to which Imployment he had a strong Inclination but Pompey advis'd him not to leave Rome and Clodius found some Artifice to delude him with false Hopes of Reconciliation that he might be confounded and born down before he was sufficiently sensible of his Danger In short all the World conspir'd to deceive him and that Piercing Judgment and Quickness of Apprehension he usâ—d so much to value himself upon which became altogether unserviceable to him now and he cou'd find no Way to avoid the Blow when it came Clodius by his Distributions of Com among the Poor daily grew higher in the Favour of the People and afterwards preferr'd a Law to forbid Water and Fire to any who had put to Death any Roman Citizen unheard which amounted to as much as Banishment Now all Persons saw the Danger which threatned Cicero all his former Constancy forsook him and he went up and down the City soliciting his Cause in Mourning Robes long Beard and unregarded Hair attended by 20000 Equites supplicating in his behalf besides many young Noblemen whom he had taught the Rules of Eloquence among which were the very Sons of Crassus But Clodius still follow'd with a Party of Soldiers insulting and jearing him with the Poorness of his Spirit till they almost came to throwing of Stones at each other But the Respect to the Sacrosanct-Office hinderâ—d Cicero's Side from returning the Injuries yet nevertheless the Senators designâ—d to order a General Mourning but the Consuls stoppâ—d that Debate and Clodius summon'd 'em all to appear before the People where Piso only said He took no delight in Cruelty but Gabinius immediately condemn'd what Cicero had done as to Catiline's Conspiracy Cicero's last Retreat was Pompey's Favour who was able enough to have done him Service but he wou'd have nothing to do in the Matter and when Cicero came to preferr his Cause to him he slipt out at a Back-door to avoid seeing him He found himself now reducâ—d to the last Necessity of taking up Arms for his Defence which he might have done successfully enough but not being able to bear the Bloodshed of his Country-men he resolv'd upon the Advice of Cato and the rest of his Friends to withdraw himself So he left Rome in the Night-time and went to Sicily After his Retreat Clodius caus'd him to be banish'd by the Votes of the People 400 Miles from Italy demolishing his Villages and his House on the Plot whereof he built a Temple to Liberty and set his Goods to Sale Cato was shortly after by Clodius's Means sent away under Pretence of doing him Honour against Ptolemy King of Cyprus Lucullus had retir'd himself from the City and Crassus minded only his private Affairs So that now the greatest part of the Government of the City seem'd to lie between Pompey and Clodius II. During these Transactions in the City Caesar was extraordinary busie and diligent in his Expedition by which he propos'd vast Ends and Advantages to himself having not only Cisalpine Gaul allotted him but the other also which comprehended all that Space of Land which is now call'd France with a great Part of the Low-Countries and some of Germany His first Enterprize was against the Helvâ—tians who had wholly abandon'd their Country burnt down their Towns and Houses destroy'd their Provisions and were marching into Gaul through his Province to the number of above 300000 of all sorts Caesar upon Intelligence of this hastned to Geneva and broke down the Bridge there which caus'd 'em to send to him and desire to pass that way without Molestation But Caesar resolving not to grant 'em Passage delayâ—d Answering till he cou'd gather all his Troops together in which Space he threw up a large Intrenchment from the Lake of Geneva to Mount Iura 19 Miles long which forc'd 'em to turn aside and enter Gaul by the Way of Sequania Caesar follow'd 'em with great Diligence and defeating a considerable Party of 'em they sent a second time to desire a Treaty but that breaking off upon the account of great Demands on both Sides 4000 of Caesar's Cavalry were repuls'd by pressing too forward upon ' em But they dearly paid for this Advantage for Caesar after observing their Motions a-while easily drew 'em to a general Battel wherein they were intirely defeated and not above 110000 remain'd of their whole Number their Wives and Children desperately fighting among the Carriages till they were cut in pieces Caesar crown'd his Victory with a more glorious Action by gathering all who had escap'd and sending of 'em all in safety into their own Countries Caesar resolving not to continue without Action while the Season permitted immediately turn'd his Forces against Ariovistus King of the Germans who had seiz'd on the best Part of Sequania and used the Inhabitants with intolerable Severities and Oppressions The Sequanians being Roman Allies humbly beggâ—d Assistance of Caesar as a Man of undoubted Renown and Valour who first sent to Ariovistus without Success and at last came to a personal Enterview where Ariovistus's haughty Language and the Treachery of some of his Troops brought both Armies to a Battel shortly after Upon the nigh Approach of Caesar Ariovistus was much dishearten'd for seeing the Romans come fearlesly to engage the Germans whom he imagen'd they couâ—d never withstand it was so unexpected a thing that he admir'd at Caesar's Courage and found his own Army seiz'd with a kind of Consternation But what added most to their Fears was a superstitious Fancy rais'd by their Augurs which when Caesar understood he immediately attack'd 'em even in their Trenches and upon the Hill where they were posted till he so provok'd 'em that they came down with great Fury to the Engagement But they were all put to the Rout and he closely pursuâ—d 'em for several Miles
for Clemency as before he had for Valour Then to shew his generous Temper he caus'd Pompey's Statues to be set up again to shew that he esteem'd a great Soul and a magnanimous Spirit even in his greatest Enemy which occasion'd Cicero to observe in his Writing That Caesar by restoring Pompey's Statues secur'd his own In this second Iulian Year his Collegue Anthony procur'd by a Law that the Month Quintilis shou'd in honour of his Name be afterwards call'd Iuly and many other Laws were made In the mean time as he was no ways belov'd by those who were greatest in the Senate tho' his Ordinances had no other Design than the publick Good they forbore not to viliâ—ie him by their Raileries Now tho' Caesar had Information of their several Discourses he bore it all with so great a Moderation that when some other People had yet the Boldness to violate his Reputation by Libels he never so much as enquir'd after them All his Designs shew'd the Greatness of his Soul he made a Proposition for adorning of the City of Rome with a magnificent Temple consecrated to Mars and with a Theatre and likewise the building of a new Curia or Parish to be call'd Iulia. He rebuilt Carthage and Corinth sending Colonies to both Cities He undertook to level several Mountains in Italy to drein the Pontine Marshes near Rome and to empty the Lakes Works of prodigious Charge and likewise design'd to dig through the Isthmus of Peloponnesus by Corinth After these he design'd an Expedition against the Parthians to revenge the death of Crassus and they being conquer'd to enter thro' Hircania along the Banks of the Caspian Sea into Scythia to open himself a Way through Germany into Gaul and so return to Rome But all these vast Designs soon came to an End enjoying his Sovereign Authority but five Months Caesar's good Fortune which had appear'd by so many Victories his Merit and great Abilities supported by the Affection of the People and the Love of his Soldiers had now rais'd him to a Degree above all other Romans But as it usually happens in Common-wealths where overy one valuing himself upon his own Merit looks upon absolute Command as a Right which he one Day in his Turn may pretend to so it was now for that his extraordinary Advancement daily brought upon him the Jealousie of the Senators In the mean time in an extravagant manner they continually flatter'd his Vanity with new Honours preferring him in his Life time in some sort among the Gods and declaring his Person Sacred and Inviolable They gave him the Title of Father of his Country stamp'd Money with his Image order'd publick Sacrifices on his Birth-day and his Statue to be set up in all Cities and in all the Temples at Rome Some Authors have reported that he procur'd these Honours by his Authority others that they were freely bestow'd upon him However his accepting of all that was offer'd him caus'd him much Hatred from many which was discover'd more plainly one Day when the Senate had decreed him some new Honours and came all in a Body to the Temple of Venus where he was to acquaint him with their Decree and he whether out of a Mistake or Design rose not up but receiv'd 'em sitting which Neglect much offended the Senators and caus'd 'em to talk very freely and publickly about it particularly saying That he plainly affected the Title of King He had indeed the Power in effect but only wanted the Name which was odious to the Romans Caesar who well knew the Effects of that Aversion very cautiously defended himself from that Odium and one Day when some People call'd him Lord and King he made Answer That he was Caesar. Nevertheless he often let some Discourses fall which much promoted the Belief People had of his Ambition particularly That a Republick was nothing but a meer Name and Notion and that Sylla had discovered great Ignorance in laying down the Office of Dictator Caesar shortly after gave a fresh Occasion of Suspicion to the People by his displacing the Tribunes for imprisoning some Persons who had put Diadems upon his Statues And by another Instance soon after he still more plainly perceiv'd the Affections of the People at the Celebration of the Feasts call'd Lupercalia where he himself assisted at the Show seated upon a Tribunal in a Chair of Gold and his Triumphal Ornaments Anthony passing through the People who open'd to make him way went up to the Tribunal and presented a Crown to Caesar some clapp'd their Hands as if they approv'd of it but when Caesar put the Crown back there was a general Applause Anthony offer'd it a second time but still with as little Marks of Satisfaction from the People Caesar again refus'd it which was follow'd with loud Acclamations on all sides Caesar who had laid this Design before now plainly understood their Sentiments and thereupon rising commanded the Crown to be carry'd to the Capitol nevertheless he was so concern'd and so little Master of his Disorder that he said that Night to his Friends That he wou'd freely offer his Throat to any Man that wou'd cut it And tho' he had a thousand Testimonies of the Hatred he lay under he so abandon'd himself to his Designs that from this Moment he neglected all manner of Means of securing himself against his Enemies When he was advis'd by some not to trust Brutus too far he open'd his Breast saying Do you believe that Brutus cares for such poor Pillage as this He was sometimes heard to say That he had rather die once by Treason that to be so miserable as always to live in fear of it And at another time That the Republick had more Interest in his Preservation than himself that he had gain'd Glory and Power enough but after his Death the Common-wealth wou'd be more harass'd with Civil Wars then ever it had been And one Day being at Supper with Lepidus as his Friends disputed among themselves what Death was easiest he reply'd to 'em That which is most sudden and least foreseen He disbanded his Company of Spanish Guards and contented himself with the Protection of his Friends which Proceeding of his much facilitated an Enterprize upon his Life soon after The Design upon Caesar's Life was carry'd on with extraordinary Caution and Secrecy tho' above threescore Senators enter'd into this Conspiracy the Principal whereof was Brutus whose Life Caesar had sav'd after the Battel of Pharsalia and Cassius both Praetors at this time The Name of Brutus had been famous in Rome ever since Brutus the first Consul under the Foot of whose Statue was found written Wou'd to Heaven thou wert alive and certain Billets were thrown into the Praetor's Tribunal in these Words Brutus thou art asleep and not a true Brutus Cassius was Author of most of these things and he hated Caesar upon several Accounts particularly for his naming Brutus the eldest Praetor when he was above him in
some Infernal Spirits Enemies to Rome rather then Men and nothing ought further to be thought of than the honouring the Memory of this illustrious Hero and placing him among the Immortal Gods At the End of this Oration one of the principal Attendants as if some Fury had possess'd him tore off Caesar's Robe from the Trophy and shew'd it to the People crying out That it was the Spoil of a Person belov'd of the Gods and reverenc'd by the World even to Adoration This and several other things he spoke in a most moving Tone using many great Outcries and strange Postures of Sorrow which extreamly stirrâ—d up the People's Compassion At the same time was expos'd Caesar's Image in Wax which mov'd it self by Springs and shew'd the several Wounds which he had receiv'd upon his Face and in his Body and this Sight transported the People even to Madness and made 'em cry out That they wou'd inflect the most cruel Punishments and execute the most dreadful Revenges upon the Heads of all his Murtherers Upon the lighting of the Pile all the old Soldiers who had serv'd under him with an unexpressible Grief threw into the Fire all their Coronets Pikes Bracelets and other Tokens of Honours which he had given ' em A great many Ladies of Quality also threw in their Children's Robes and Ornaments with every thing they had of Value about ' em The People ran and tore up the Benches and Seats of the Magistrates just by and after that with flaming Brands from the Pile ran desperately to set Fire to the Conspirators Houses and meeting with one Cinna whom they mistook for another of that Name they immediately tore him in a thousand Pieces The Conspirators themselves being of the greatest Families and well guarded with no great Trouble repuls'd the People but nevertheless so great was the Rage and Threats of the People that they thought it much more safe to retire from the City All the Strangers in Rome mourn'd after their Customs and more particularly the Iews who watch'd several Nights at Caesar's Pile At last Divine Honours were given him and an Altar erected in the Place of his Burning where Octavius Caesar afterwards call'd Augustus caus'd a Temple to be built and a Pillar of Jasper twenty Foot high with this Inscription To the Father of his Country At the same time that Caesar was kill'd his Heir and Adopted Son Octavius afterwards call'd Augustus was at Apollonia in Greece who upon the first News of the Murther notwithstanding the earnest Advice of his Friends to secure himself there return'd to Rome with all speed with a full Resolution to revenge his Death not questioning but to find Anthony both a Friend and Assistant in this Design But Anthony now was so much chang'd and so busily employ'd in his Projects of raising and advancing himself that he cou'd hearken but little to such a Proposal and when Octavius publickly declar'd himself Caesar's Heir and demanded his Money of Anthony or at least some part of it he receiv'd him with great Coldness and Contempt of his Youth refusing to give him any upon several Pretences Yet neither Anthony's Repulses nor his Friends Advices to the contrary cou'd stop Octavius from pursuing his Designs who was now about eighteen Years old of a great Wit a lofty Mind and of a most insinuating Conversation and had a Face so Comely and Graceful that it acquir'd him a Veneration from all Men. That he might be certain to gain the People's Hearts he sold all his Inheritance to pay off the Legacies given 'em by his Uncle Caesar's Will which procur'd him much Love and Caesar's old Soldiers flock'd to him in considerable Numbers whom he accepted of out of Fear to Anthony who daily became more Suspicious both to the Senate and People Octavius manag'd his Affairs with so much Skill and Dexterity that those who before admir'd at his Boldness of opposing Anthony were now as much surpriz'd at his extraordinary Address and Authority Anthony on the other side being sensible of the passionate Affection the People had for Pompey to curry Favour propos'd the promoting Sextus his only surviving Son that in requital of his Father's Estate confiscated he might have an Allowance out of the Publick and the same Command of the Seas and Navy that his Father formerly had This was receiv'd with great Applause and strait enacted so Pompey was call'd back into Sicily where he afterwards manag'd a sharp War against Octavius Anthony was still Restless and resolv'd if it were possible to procure some Province to be assign'd him that he might get the greater Authority and the Difference daily increasing between him and Octavius he desir'd to command the six Legions which lay in Macedonia and obtain'd them by deceiving the Senate with a false Rumour that the Getae hearing of Caesar's Death had invaded that Province And because the Senate shew'd great Unwillingness to this Demand and more Jealousie of his Power he endeavour d to satisfie 'em by preferring a Law against any Man's being Dictator for the future and making it Death for any to offer at it These Legions he design'd to bring over into Italy to awe and command all and the better to effect this he preferr'd another Law for changing of Provinces and by that procur'd Macedonia for his Brother C. Antonius which had been assign'd to M. Brutus and the Hither Gaul for himself which had been allotted to Decimus Brutus The Senate wou'd by no means admit of this Demand but sent to D. Brutus to strengthen himself against the Pretensions of Anthony which caus'd Anthony to betake himself to the People where partly by Force and partly by Bribes he obtain'd it But still he was not altogether so Successful as he expected for his daily Quarrels with Octavius and his little Care of revenging Caesar's Death gain'd him the Hatred of his Soldiers so that when he had brought over his Legions two of 'em went over to Octavius who now was very busie in going through all Italy and gathering together Soldiers out of the Colonies which his Uncle had planted At length Anthony with a considerable Army march'd into Gaul from whence he commanded Decimus Brutus to depart who gave Way to him for some time but at last retreated to Mutina where Anthony soon after streightly besieg'd him And thus a new War broke out in about three quarters of a Year after Caesar's Death II. About this time new Consuls were made which were Hirtius and Pansa both great Friends of Iulius Caesar as well as Intimates of Cicero the former of which serv'd under Caesar and gave the Relation of the Wars of Aegypt and Africk which is annex'd to his Commentaries Upon their Assembling the Senate Anthony was declar'd Enemy to the State but especially by Cicero's Means who now had made many ingenious and severe Invectives against him which in Imitation of Demosthenes he publish'd under the Name of Philippicks This prov'd of great Advantage
himself in a Posture of Disputing the Empire with Forces equal to his Enemies Still Anthony began to grow more odious to the Roman People for having brought Cleopatra to Athens and there honouring her beyond any Mortal before her he sent to Rome with Orders to Octavia to leave his House with all her Children Octavia readily obey'd these unjust Orders without Murmuring only lamenting her hard Fate because she was made to serve for a Pretence to a War whose Consequences must needs be fatal to her Several of Anthony's Friends not being able any longer to bear with his Disorders abandon'd him and Octavius having got Anthony's Will into his Hands found new Matter to complain of to the Senate and People which was Anthony's ordering That if he dy'd in Rome his Body shou'd be carry'd in funeral Pomp through the principal Places of the City and then sent into Aegypt to Cleopatra To this a Report was added That Anthony design'd to give Rome to Cleopatra if his Arms were prosperous and to transferr the Seat of the Empire into Aegypt so that notwithstanding all the Care of the more prudent Sort and all their Endeavours to reconcile these two great Men it plainly appear'd that nothing but the Sword could decide the present Controversie III. As soon as Octavius found himself in a good Condition to carry on the War he publickly proclaim'd it against Cleopatra and divested Anthony of his Authority which he had in a manner already parted with in favour of that Princess The Decree imply'd besides That Anthony was now no longer Master of his own Will since Cleopatra with her Philtres had taken away the use of his Reason so that he was not to be esteem'd as a Person engag'd in this War which was only manag'd by Mardion her Eunuch and Iras and Charmia her Women who were all his Governours All Anthony's Followers were invited over with great Promises of Rewards but not declar'd Enemies partly to prevent their growing Desperate and partly to render Anthony more inexcusable in making War against his Country only for the sake of an Aegyptian Woman The Forces of these two Generals were answerable to the Empire they contended for one drawing all the East and the other the West to his Party All the several Kings of Asia that were Allies of the Romans follow'd the Fortune of Anthony some by their Persons and others by their Troops alone all which with Anthony's Forces compos'd an Army of 100000 Foot and 12000 Horse and his Fleet consisted of 500 Ships of War whereof many were of the largest Bulk Octavius in his Party had no Foreign Princes and his Army amounted to no more than 80000 Foot but was as strong in Cavalry as his Enemy's In his Fleet were 250 Vessels but all Light better Mann'd and more convenient than Anthony's This Year by reason of Anthony's recalling his Troops out of Media from the Protection of that Country the Parthians became Masters of it and Armenia was likewise lost The two great Men being now in readiness for Action they first began to shew their Hatred by reflecting Letters and when Octavius reproach'd Anthony with his Love to Cleopatra and the Prodigality of his Feasts he on the other side put him in mind of the famous Feasts of the twelve Gods where he and his other Guests represented the Deities they ador'd To which he added His prepostrous Match with Livia and his infamous Divorce of Scribonia for not bearing the Insolence of that new Mistress and all the Roman Ladies that Octavius had any great Familiarity with were brought upon the Stage He proceeded likewise to tax Octavius with Cowardice at the Battels of Mutina and Sicily whereupon Octavius wrote to him That it was childish to fight any longer with the Pen but if he wou'd approach at the Head of his Army he shou'd have Ports in Italy to land without Molestation that he wou'd draw his Troops so far from the Sea that Anthony shou'd want no room for Encamping and putting his Men in Battalia To make return to this Bravade Anthony tho' he were much the older challeng'd Octavius to fight a single Combat or if he pleas'd he wou'd give him Battel in the Plains of Pharsalia where the great Caesar and Pompey had formerly decided their famous Differences Anthony was now at Actium a Town on the Coasts of Epirus at the Entrance of the Gulf of Ambracia and while he lay there without Action Octavius pass'd over from Brundusium and surpriz'd Toryne a City nigh Actium This Exploit amaz'd Anthony's Soldiers because his Legions were not yet arrivâ—d but Cleopatra to re-assure 'em made slight of it and in a jesting Way said what Damage is it for Octavius to take the Scummer alluding to the Word Toryne which signifies a Scummer as if the Danger had been no greater than the taking of a Dinner Anthony had brought all his Ships into the Gulf whither Octavius the next Day after the taking of Toryne came forward and offer'd him Battel Anthony's Vessels were very ill Mann'd however he drew 'em into a fighting Posture with their Oars a-peek as if he intended to bear down upon the Enemy but Octavius durst not engage him in that narrow Passage and therefore stood off to Sea the other refus'd to follow but as he perfectly knew the Country thereabouts he cut off the Water from Octavius's Camp on every side which much distress'd his Army But the Success of Agrippa in taking Leucadia Petras and Corinth about this time much reviv'd the Soldiers and likewise occasion'd Amintas Deiotarus and Demitius to go over to Octavius To the latter of these Anthony according to his natural Generosity sent his People and all his Equipage which so sensibly touchâ—d Domitius who was Sick already that he was not able to outlive the Grief of abandoning a Man who thus by Kindness only had reveng'd his Perfidiousness In the mean time Canidius arriv'd with the Legions who now began to change his Mind concerning Cleopatra desiring Anthony To send her back and go himself into Macedonia where he might fight by Land with so much more Advantage because Dicomes King of the Getes had promis'd him a powerful Assistance He farther told Anthony That it would be a renouncing both Sence and Reason to put a Victory to the Hazard of the Seas and Winds which they were certain of at Land by the Valour and Experience of their General who to this Day had kept up the Title of Invincible and by the Hearts and Courages of their Soldiers who had been try'd in so many great Dangers Anthony was much inclin'd to follow this Advice but Cleopatra whose Words were Oracles byass'd him the other Way and oblig'd him against his Will to hazard both his Empire and Life in a Sea-Fight and this only that she might escape with more ease if Anthony should lose the Day Anthony had now resolv'd to fight by Sea and while he was putting his Fleet in Order
Mouth of the River Tiber he built a Town call'd Ostia nigh ten Miles South of Rome to secure the Advantages of Trade to his Subjects for thither Commodities being brought by Ships were in lesser Vessels convey'd up the Tiber to this City and about this Town many Salt-pits were made This Prince as well as his Predecessors was very ready and careful to incourage Strangers and by reason of the frequent Advancement of such and the great Privileges they receiv'd many came daily hither and often such as were of good Note Among these Lucumon an Hetrurian was one a Person of great Accomplishments as well as large Possessions who came hither from Tarquinia in Hetruria with his Wife Tanaquil and several Followers He was Son to Demaratus a rich Merchant of Corinth who had left his Country upon the account of the Troubles at that time and settled in Tarquinia where marrying a noble Matron he had this Son besides another who died Childless Lucumon finding no Incouragement in his own Country being the Son of a Foreigner remov'd to Rome where by his Hospitality and Bounty he soon became known to the King having now taken upon him the Name of Lucius adding that of Tarquinius from the Place of his Birth He was honourably treated by Ancus to whom he generously offer'd his whole Patrimony for the Publick Good and by that means obtain'd Freedom for himself and Followers with Lands both for Building and for Sustenance Ancus in a little time chose him into the Senate for he was greatly esteem'd by the King and as much belov'd by the People no Man being more hardy in War or more prudent in Councel Ancus bestow'd most of his latter Time in inriching his Subjects and improving the City and at the end of 24 Years Reign he died a Prince not inferior to any of his Predecessors either for the Glory he gain'd in Peace or War He left behind him two Sons both under Age which he committed to the Guardianship of the foremention'd Lucius Tarquinius as the fittest Person he cou'd employ in such an Office The Roman Dominions were now encreas'd beyond what they were in the last Reign by a larger Part of Hetruria taken from the Veientes and a much better Footing in Latium CHAP. V. From the Death of Ancus Marcius to the Death of Tarquinius Priscus the Fifth King of Rome Containing the space of 38 Years I. ANcus being dead the Senate receiv'd Power from the People to order the Affairs of the Commonwealth and created certain Interreges as formerly In this short Interregnum Tarquin was extremely busie about the Election of a King having great hopes of it himself Therefore to remove all Obstacles to his Designs he sent Ancus's two Sons out a Hunting the eldest being then nigh 14 Years of Age and assembling the People he made a plausible Speech to 'em wherein he plainly begg'd the Kingdom urging the Examples of Tatius and Numa the first an Enemy as well as a Stranger and the second wholly unacquainted with the City whereas he himself was so great a Friend to the City that he had spent all his Riches upon it and so well acquainted with it that he had been train'd up several Years both in Civil and Military Affairs under their King Then he cunningly insinuated his past Services and insisting more than ordinary upon his Liberality he obtain'd the Kingdom being the first who obtain'd it by his own ambitious seeking At the beginning of his Reign the better to gain the Love of the Common People he chose out 100 of the Plebeians who for Valour or Wisdom were most Eminent and added them to the Senate which made up the Number 300 those of Romulus's Creation being call'd Patres Conscripti these were call'd Patres minorum Gentium that is Senators of a lower Rank He likewise encreas'd the Number of Vestal Virgins from four to seven but Plutarch says there were but two before His first War was with the Latines from whom he took several Towns among the rest Collatia a Place five Miles North-East of Rome over which pe plac'd his Nephew Aruns Tarquinius for Governour the Posthumus Issue of his Brother surnam'd Egerius from his want of Patrimony and Collatinus from the Place which Surname continu'd to his Posterity Notwithstanding the Latines great Supplies from Hetruria he soon forc'd 'em to beg Peace and then turn'd his Arms against the Sabines who had again risen up against Rome Both Armies met upon the Banks of Anio where the Romans made use of a Stratagem by sending a Party of Men to burn a great Heap of Wood that lay by the River-side and to throw it in which being driven forwards by the Wind much of the flaming Wood got hold on the Wood of the Bridge and set it on fire This not only terrifiâ—d the Sabines while they were engaging but when they were routed hinder'd their Flight their Bridge being burnt down and therefore many of 'em tho' they escap'd the Sword perish'd in the Water whose floating Arms being carry'd down the Tiber to Rome discover'd the Victory there almost before the News cou'd be carry'd Tarquin proceeded to march into the Sabine Territories where the Sabines tho' with small Hopes met him with an undisciplin'd Army and being defeated a second time they were forc'd to beg Peace Over the Sabines Tarquin obtain'd his first Triumph Soon after the Sabine-War was finish'd all Hetruria or rather the Neighbouring Parts combin'd against him upon the Account of his detaining some Prisoners of theirs whom he had taken among the Sabines They had made a Law among themselves That whatever Town refus'd to join against the Romans shou'd not be accounted of their Body and they soon after possess'd themselves of Fidenae a Roman Colony But he was so successful against 'em as to overthrow 'em in several Battels and upon his preparing for another Campaign they were humbled and to purchase Peace they ownâ—d him for their Prince and in tokens of Allegiance sent him all the Ensigns of Sovereignty which their Kings were usually adorn'd with These were a Crown of Gold an Ivory Chair a Scâ—pâ—re with an Eagle on the top a Purple-Coat wrought with Gold and a Purple-Gown pink'd almost like the Robes of the Persian and Lydian Kings only it was not four-square but of a semi-circular Figure From hence also came the Râ—bes and Coats us'd by the Augurs and Heralds with many of their Ornaments us'd in Rome afterwards the Axes they had before tho' now they receiv'd 'em again Over these People Tarquin triumph'd a second time This War finish'd which continu'd nine Years he fell a second time upon the Sabines who now alone contended with the Romans for Superiority over whom he obtain'd a third Triumph and providing for another Expedition they yielded whom he receiv'd on the same Terms with the Hetrurians II. Tarquin was no less mindful of strengthning the City at home than of enlarging his