PLUTARCH's Lives the thierd Volum THE Third Volume OF PLUTARCH'S LIVES Translated from the Greek BY SEVERAL HANDS LONDON Printed by R. E. for Jacob Tonson at the Judges-Head in Chancery-Lane near Fleet-street 1693. LIVES contained in this Volume PYrrhus translated by Dr. Croune Page 1. Cajus Marius Mr. Stapleton Page 70 Lysander Mr. Boyle Page 154 Sylla Mr. Davis Page 204 Cimon Mr. Morgan Page 284 Lucullus Mr. Thornburgh Page 327 Nicias Mr. Rymer Page 411 Crassus Mr. Amhurst Page 472 Eumenes Page 548 Sertorius Dr. Brown Page 575 A Chronological Table to the Third Volume of Plutarch's Lives  The Olympiad The Year of the Olympiad After the building of Rome After the Worlds Creation Before the Com. of Christ The Julian Period Pyrrhus 123 1 465 3662 286 4426 Caius Marius first time Consul 168 2 646 3843 105 4607 Lysander took Athens 93 4 348 3545 403 4309 Sylla Consul 173 1 665 3862 86 4626 Cimon overthrew the Persians 78 1 285 3482 466 4246 Lucullus 177 2 682 3879 69 4643 Nicias 91 1 337 3534 414 4298 Marcus Crassus first time Consul 177 3 683 3880 68 4644 Eumenes 114 2 431 3628 320 4392 Sertorius the Battel of Sucro 175 4 676 3873 75 4637 PYRRHUS THE LIFE OF PYRRHUS From the Greek By William Croune M. D. Fell. of the Coll. of Physicians VOLUME III. OF the Thesprotes and Molossians after the great Inundation the first King some write was Phaeton one of them who in Pelasgus's Company came into Epirus Others tell us Deucalion and Pyrrha having built a Temple at Dodona settled there among the Molossians In after time Neoptolemus Achilles's Son transplanting a Colony possess'd these Parts himself and left a Succession of Kings after him nam'd Pyrrhidae for he in his Youth was call'd Pyrrhus and of his Legitimate Children one born of Lanassa Daughter of Cleodes Hyllus his Son he nam'd Pyrrhus also From him Achilles came to have Divine Honours in Epirus under the name of Aspetus in the Language of the Country After these first Kings those of the following middle times becoming barbarous and so rendred both in their Governments and Lives obscure Tharrytes is said to be the first who by adorning Cities with Greek Manners and Learning and Laws acceptable to Mankind left any Fame of himself Alcetes was the Son of Tharrytes Arybas of Aleetes and of Arybus and Troas his Queen Aeacides He married Pthia the Daughter of Menon the Thessalian a very brave man living at the time of the Lamiac War and of highest Command in the Confederate Army next Leosthenes To Aeacides were born of Pthia Deidamia and Trojas Daughters and Pyrrhus a Son The Molossians afterwards falling into Factions and throwing off Aeacides brought in the Sons of Neoptolemus and such Friends of Aeacides as they could take were all cut off Pyrrhus yet an Infant and search'd for by the Enemy Androclides and Angelus had stol'n away and fled but being obliged to take with them a few Servants and the Women that nurs'd the Child it made their Escape more difficult and slow so being overtaken they deliver'd the Infant to Androclion Hippias and Neander faithful and able young Fellows giving them in charge with all imaginable diligence to reach Megara a Town of the Macedons and themselves partly by entreaty and partly by force stopt the course of the Pursuers till very late in the Evening at last having hardly forc'd them back they joyn'd those who had the care of Pyrrhus But the Sun being already set and they near the utmost point now of their hopes were on the sudden defeated for coming to the River that runs by the City it look'd very dreadful and rough and endeavouring to pass over they found it was not fordable for some late Rains had swell'd the Water and made it run very foul The darkness of the Night added to the horrour of all so that they durst not adventure of themselves to carry over the Child and the Women that attended it but perceiving some of the Country People on t'other side desir'd they would assist their passage and show'd them Pyrrhus calling out aloud and importuning them but they could not hear for the noise and roarings of the Water Thus time was spent while those call'd out and the others did not understand what was said till one recollecting himself pill'd off a piece of Bark from an Oak and writ on it with the tongue of a Buckle expressing the Necessities and the Fortunes of the Child and then rowling it about a Stone which was made use of to give force to the Motion threw it over to the other side some report they fastned it to the end of a Javelin and darted it over when they on the other Shore read what was on the Bark and considered the shortness of the time instantly cutting down some Trees and lashing them together came over to them it fell out he who first got a-Shore and took Pyrrhus in his Arms was named Achilles the rest were help'd over by others as they came to hand Thus being safe and out of the reach of pursuit they addrest themselves to Glaucias then King of Illyria and finding him at Court sitting with the Queen they laid down the Child before them The King began to weigh this affair fearing Cassander a mortal Enemy of Aeacides and being in a deep consideration said nothing for a long time while Pyrrhus scrambling about got hold with his hand on his Robe and so helping himself upon his feet against the knees of Glaucias first mov'd Laughter and then Pity as a little humble crying Petitioner Some say he did not lie groveling before Glaucias but catching hold of an Altar of the Gods and spreading his hands about it rais'd himself up by that which Action to Glaucias seem'd to have in it something of divine and immediately gave Pyrrhus into the Queen's Arms commanding he should be brought up with his own Children a little after the Enemies sending to demand him and Cassander himself offering two hundred Talents he would not deliver him up but when he was twelve years old bringing him with an Army into Epirus made him King Pyrrhus in the Air of his Face had something more of Fierce than of the August of Majesty he had not many Teeth but all above was one continued Bone divided with small Lines resembling the spaces of a Row of Teeth it was a general belief he could cure the Spleen by sacrificing a white Cock and with his right foot gently pressing upon the Spleen of the Persons laid down on their backs a little to one side nor was any so poor or inconsiderable as not to receive the benefit of his Royal Touch if he desired it after the Sacrifice he accepted the Cock as a Reward and the Present was almost welcome to him the Toe of that foot was said to have a divine Virtue for after his death the rest of the body being consum'd this was
Ways that before he could get clear of them the Parthians were at his Heels There were with him four Cohorts of Legionary Soldiers a very few Horsemen with whom having with great difficulty got into the way and not being above a Mile and half from Octavius instead of going to joyn him he retreated unto another Hill neither so defensible nor unpassable for the Horse but yet lying under the Hills of Sinnaca and continued in a long Ridge through the Plains Octavius could see in what danger the General was and himself at first but slenderly followed came in to the rescue Soon after the rest upbraiding one another with Baseness in forsaking their Officers marched down and falling upon the Parthians drove them from the Hill and compassing Crassus about and fencing him with their Shields they declared that their General should never lie exposed to a Parthian Arrow so long as there was a Man of them left alive Syrena therefore perceiving his Soldiers grew faint in their Attaque and knowing that if the Romans should spin out the Battel till Night they might then gain the Mountains and be out of his reach he betook himself to his usual Craft for some of the Prisoners were set free who had heard a contrived discourse in the Camp that the King did not design a War to be pursued with the utmost extremity against the Romans but rather by his gentle Treatment of Crassus to make a step towards Reconciliation of the two Empires and the Barbarians desisted from fighting Syrena himself going gently to the Hill unbent his Bow and held out his Hand inviting Crassus to an Agreement and withal assured him that it was besides the Kings intentions that they had thus far shewn their Valour and Force that now he desired no other contention but that of Kindness and Friendship by making a firm Alliance and permitting them to go away in fafety These Words of Syrena some received joyfully and accepted the Offer but Crassus who had had sufficient experience of their Perfidiousness and not being able to assign any Reason of the sudden Change would give no ear to them and only took time to consider but the Soldiers cried out and advised him to treat afterwards upbraided and affronted him saying That it was very unreasonable that he should bring them to fight with such Men Armed whom himself without their Arms durst not look in the Face He tried first to prevail with them by Intreaties and told them That if they would have patience till Evening they might get into the Mountains and Passes unaccessible for Horse and so be out of danger of the Parthian Darts and withal he pointed out the Way with his Hand entreating them not to neglect their Preservation which presented it self to them But when they mutinied and clash'd their Targets in a threatning manner he was overpower'd and forced to go and turning about at parting said You Octavius and Petronius and the rest of the Commanders which are present you see the necessity of going which I lie under and ye cannot but be sensible of the Indignities and Violence which is offered to my Person however out of tenderness to the Honour of the Romans declare to all the World that Crassus perish'd rather by the subtilty of his Enemies than by the Treason and Perfidiousness of his Friends and Country-men But Octavius would not stay there but with Petronius went down from the Hill as for the Lictors Crassus bid them be gone The first that met him were two half-blood Grâ—cians who leaping from their Horses made a profound Reverence to Crassus and desired him in Greek to send some before him who might see that Syrena himself was coming towards them his retinue disarmed and not having so much as their wearing Swords along with them but Crassus answered That if he had but the least Concern for his Life he would never have intrusted himself in their Hands but sent two Brothers the Roscii by name to take an account how accoutred and in what numbers they came and them Syrena ordered immediately to be seized and himself with his principal Officers came up to him upon the Spur and greeting him says he This is a most undecent Spectacle a Roman Emperor on Foot whilst I and my Train are on Horse-back But Crassus replyed That there was no error committed on either side for they both met according to the custom of their own Country Syrena told him that from that time there was a League betwixt the King his Master and the Romans but that Crassus must go with him to the River to sign it for you Romans says he are something forgetful of your Articles and Agreements and therefore need some remarkable sign to keep it in your Memory and withal reacht out his Hand to him Crassus therefore gave order that one of his Padds should be brought Syrena told him there was no need he should put himself to that trouble for the King his Master presents him with one and immediately a Horse with a Golden Bit and very rich Trappings was brought up to him and himself was forcibly put into the Saddle and his Gentlemen switched the Horse to make the more hast but Octavius running up got hold of the Bridle and soon after one of the Colonels with Petronius and the rest of the Company came in striving to stop the Horse and pulling back those who on both sides of him forced Crassus forward Thus from pulling and thrusting one another they came to a Tumult and soon after to blows Octavius drawing his Sword killed a Groom of one of the Barbarians and one of them getting behind Octavius killed him Petronius was not Armed but being struck on the Breast he fell down from his Horse though without hurt one Pomaxaithres killed Crassus others say it was another and that this man only cut off his Head and right Hand for as for those that were by they had not leisure to observe Particulars being either killed fighting about Crassus or using their heels to get to their Comrades on the Hill But the Parthians coming upon them and saying that Crassus had the punishment he justly deserved Syrena bid the rest to come down from the Hill without fear some of them came down and surrendred themselves others were scattered up and down in the Night a very few of which got safe home and others the Arabians beating the field hunted and put to Death It is generally said that in all 20000 Men were slain and 10000 taken Prisoners but Syrena sent the Head and Hand of Crassus to Hyrodes the King into Armenia but himself by his Messengers scatering a Report That he was bringing Crassus alive to Seleucia made a ridiculous Procession which by way of scorn he call'd a Triumph For one Caius Pacianus who of all the Prisoners was most like to Crassus being put into the Habit of the Barbarians and instructed to take the Title of Crassus and Emperor from those who spoke
Corps was effectually full threescore Cubits long he was infinitely astonished and immediately offered up Sacrifice to the Gods and closed up the Tomb again whereby he confirmed the report of the Inhabitants increased the Fame of the Sepulchre and added new honours to the Memory of Antaeus The Africans further alledge that after the Death of Antaeus his Wife Tinga lived with Hercules and had a Son by him called Sophax who was King of these Countries and gave his Mothers name to this City whose Son also was Diodorus a great Conqueror who subdued many other Regions and brought the greatest part of Africa under his Subjection with an Army of Greeks which he raised out of the Colonies of the Olbianians and Myceneans placed here by Hercules I mention these passages for the sake of King Juba the most excellent Historian of any Prince that ever yet hath honoured History with his own Pen and who numbers for his Progenitors a long Race of Mauritanian Kings Who derive their Genealogies from Diodorus and Sephax and are lineally descended from Hercules When Sertorius had made himself absolute Master of the whole Country he was very just to those who had confided in him and shew'd not the least unkindness to others who yielded to his Mercy but restored to them their Estates their Cities their Laws and Priviledges accepting only of such acknowledgments as they themselves freely offered And whilst he considered which way next to turn his Arms the Lusitanians sent Ambassadors to desire him to be their General for being terrified with the Roman Power and finding the necessity of having a Commander of great Authority and experience in war being also sufficiently informed of his Worth and Valour by those who had formerly served him they were extremely desirous to commit themselves and their Fortunes wholly to his care and humbly beseeched him to accept of the Command And to give a true Character of Sertorius he was of a temper not to be surprized with fear nor easie to be Captivated with pleasure in Adversity and Dangers undaunted and no ways puffed up with Prosperity but of an even Mind Courteous and Obliging Upon a sudden Assault or dangerous Attempt no Commander in his time was more bold and daring for whatever was to be performed in War by Deceit Circumvention or Surprize or if any strong place was to be taken in any pass to be gained speedily any sudden Invasion or Inroad to be made he was a most notable Contriver and politick Advancer of all such intricate and difficult Designs in bestowing Rewards and conferring Honours upon those who had performed good service in the Wars He was Bountifull and Magnificent even to Prodigality but very sparing and backward in punishing Crimes and Mild and Mercifull to Offenders yet that piece of Harshness and Cruelty which he executed in the latter part of his Days upon the Spanish Hostages seems to argue that his Clemency was not Natural but only acted and handsomely dissembled as his Occasions or Necessity required and as to my own Opinion I am perswaded that sincere Vertue established by Reason and Mature Judgment can never be totally Perverted or Extirpated by any Misfortune whatever Not that I think it impossible but that great Indignities offered without cause and frequent Abuses put upon those of the best Nature and most vertuous Inclinations may make some impression and alteration in their Temper and thus I suppose it happened to Sertorius who being exasperated by the repeated Injuries of ungratefull Persons he was at last severe to those who had unworthily injured him The Lusitanians having sent for Sertorius he left Africa and being made General with absolute Power and Authority he ordered all things for the best Advantage and brought the Neighbouring Parts of Spain under his Subjection many Countries also voluntarily submitted themselves won by the Fame of his Clemency and of his Martial Performances Upon some Occasions also he would not fail to invent strange Artifices to please the People and to make use of alluring Devices and even of deluding Impostures amongst which certainly that of the Hind was none of the least Spanus a Country-man who lived in those Parts meeting by chance a Hind that had newly Calved flying from the Hunters he let the Dam go and pursuing the Hind-calf took it being wonderfully pleased with the Rarity of it and the strangeness of the Colour which was all milk-white and at the same time Sertorius keeping his Court in those Parts and receiving courteously such Presents of Fruit Fowl or Venison as the Country afforded and rewarding liberally those who presented them the Country-man brought him his young Hind which he kindly accepted and was much taken with it at the first sight but when in time he had made it so tame and gentle that it would come when he called and follow him wheresoever he went and could endure the Noise and Tumult of the Camp knowing well that Barbarous People are naturally prone to Superstition by Degrees he gave out that it was inspired with a Deity that it was given him by the Goddess Diana that it discovered to him hidden Mysteries and revealed to him what was to come to pass hereafter To which also he added these further Contrivances if he had received at any time private Intelligence that the Enemies had made an Incursion into those Provinces which were under his Command or had sollicited any City to revolt he pretended that the Hind had informed him of it in his sleep and charged him to keep his Forces in readiness or if otherwise he had notice that any of the Commanders under him had got a Victory he would hide the Messengers and bring forth the Hind crowned with flowers for joy of the good News that was to come and would encourage them to Rejoyce and Sacrifice to the Gods for the good account they should soon receive of their Prosperous Success and by those Inventions filling their Heads with strange Imaginations and the thoughts of Miracles he brought them to be more Tractable and Obedient in all things for now they thought themselves no longer to be led by a Stranger but rather conducted by a Hero or one nearly related to a God Considering also that his Power dayly encreased contrary to all Humane Reason or Probability For with two thousand five hundred which for Honour's sake he called Romans joyned with seven hundred Africans who landed with him when he first entred Lusitania together with four thousand foot and seven hundred Horse he made War with four Roman Generals who commanded a hundred and twenty thousand Foot six thousand Horse two thousand Archers and Slingers and Cities innumerable whereas at the first he had not above twenty Cities in all and from this weak and slender beginning he became afterwards so considerable that he took many good Cities and overcame Great and Powerfull Countries Of the Roman Commanders which were sent against him he overthrew Cotta in a Sea-fight
found unhurt and untouch'd by the Fire but of these things afterwards Being now about Seventeen years old and the Government in appearance well setled he took a Journey out of the Kingdom to the marriage of one of Glaucias's Sons with whom he was brought up at which time the Molossions again rebelling turn'd out all of his Party riâ—â—ed his Exchequer and gave up themselves to Neoptolemus Pyrrhus having thus lost the Kingdom and in want of all things apply'd himself to Demetrius the Son of Antigonus that married his Sister Deidamia who while she was but a little Miss they us'd to call Alexander's Wife Son of Roxana but their Affairs after proving unfortunate when she came to Age Demetrius married her At the great Battle of Ipsus where so many Kings were engag'd Pyrrhus taking party with Demetrius tho' yet but a Youth routed those that encountred him and highly signaliz'd himself among all the Souldiery after when Demetrius's Fortunes were low he did not forsake him then but secur'd for him those Cities of Greece with which he was entrusted Upon Articles of Agreement made between Demetrius and Ptolomy he went over an Hostage into Aegypt and both in Hunting and other Exercises gave Ptolomy a lively demonstration of his Courage and Strength Here observing Berenice in greatest Power and of all Ptolomy's Wives highest in Esteem for Vertue and Understanding he made his Court and paid his respects principally to her for he had a particular Art of obliging the Great for his own Interest and easily overlook'd such as were below him In Dyet very elegant but temperate so that among all the young Princes then at Court he was thought most fit to have Antigone for his Wife one of the Daughters of Berenice by Philip before she marry'd Ptolomy After this Match advancing in Honour and Antigone being a very good Wife to him having setled a Fond of Money and rais'd an Army he so ordered matters to be sent into his Kingdom of Epirus and arriv'd there to the great satisfaction of many from their hate to Neoptolemas governing in a violent and arbitrary way But fearing lest Neoptolemus should enter into Alliance with some Neighbour Princes he came to Terms and Friendship with him in an equal share of the Government Sometime after there were those who secretly exasperated them and fomented Jealousies of one another The cause chiefly moving Pyrrhus is said to have had this beginning It was customary for the Kings in Parasso a Province of Molossia after Sacrifice to Mars to enter into a solemn Covenant with the Epirots they to Govern according to Law these to preserve the Government as by Law establish'd This was performed in the presence of both Kings who were there with their particular Favourites giving and receiving many Presents Here Gelon one faithful to Neoptolemus taking Pyrrhus familiarly by the hand presented him with two pair of draught Oxen these Myrtilus his Cup-bearer being then by begg'd of Pyrrhus who not giving them to him but another Myrtilus extremely resented it which Gelon took notice of and inviting him to a Treat where as some report he debauch'd him too after drinking being in the Flower of his Youth he entred into discourse perswading him to adhere to Neoptolemus and destroy Pyrrhus by Poyson Myrtilus receiv'd the Design as praising and consenting to it but indeed privately discovered it to Pyrrhus by whose Command he recommended Alexicrates his chief Cup-bearer to Gelon as a fit Instrument for their Design because Pyrrhus was very desirous to have proof of the Plot by several Evidences so Gelon being deceiv'd Neoptolemus who was as much deceiv'd by him and imagining the Design went prosperously on could not hold but for Joy vented it among his Friends and once at an Entertainment at his Sister Cadmia's spoke very frankly of it thinking none heard but themselves Nor was any there but Phenaretate the Wife of Samon who had the care of managing Neoptolemus's Flocks and Herds She being turn'd towards the Wall upon a Pallet seem'd fast asleep but having heard all that past unsuspected next day came to Antigone Pyrrhus's Wife and told her what she heard Neoptolemus say to his Sister which Pyrrhus understanding for the present said little but on a Sacrifice day making an Invitation for Neoptolemus kill'd him being satisfied before that the Great men of the Epirots were his Friends advising him to rid himself of Neoptolemus and not love one who shar'd the least point in the Government with him but follow his own inclination in undertaking his greater Designs and a just ground of suspicion already appearing prevent Neoptolemus by taking him off first In memory of Berenice and Ptolomee he nam'd his Son by Antigone Ptolomee and having built a City in the Peninsula of Epirus call'd it Berenicis From this time he began to revolve many and vast things in his thoughts but his first hope and design was particularly laid near home and he found means to engage himself in the Macedonian Affairs under this pretension Of Cassander's Sons Antipater the eldest both kill'd Thessalonica his Mother and expuls'd his Brother Alexander who sent to Demetrius entreating his assistance and also call'd in Pyrrhus but Demetrius being retarded by multitude of business Pyrrhus coming first demanded in reward of his Service the City of Nymphaea and the Sea-Coasts of Macedon and of their new Conquests Ambracia Acarnania and Amphilochia The young Prince giving way he took possession of these Countries and secur'd them with good Garrisons and kept for Alexander himself the other part of the Kingdom which he gain'd from Antipater Lysimachus designing to send aid to Antipater was involv'd in much other business but knowing Pyrrhus would not disoblige Ptolomee or deny him any thing sent pretended Letters to him as from Ptolomee desiring him to give over that Expedition upon the payment of 300 Talents to him by Antipater Pyrrhus opening the Letter quickly discover'd the fraud of Lysimachus for it had not the accustom'd Stile of Salutation The Father to the Son health but King Ptolomee to Pyrrhus the King health and reproaching Lysimachus he notwithstanding made a peace and they all met to confirm it by a Solemn Oath upon Sacrifice a Goat a Bull and a Ram being brought out the Ram on a sudden fell dead which although some only laugh'd at Theodotus the Priest forbid Pyrrhus to swear declaring Heaven by that portended the death of one of the three Kings upon which he refused to ratifie the peace The Affairs of Alexander being now in some kind of Settlement Demetrius arriv'd and 't was evident he came undesir'd and struck a Terrour into Alexander after they had been a few days together their mutual Jealousie made them design upon each other but Demetrius taking advantage of the first occasion was before hand with the young King and slew him and proclaim'd himself King of Macedon There had been formerly no very good understanding
this will not be for your advantage for they who now honour and admire you when they have had experience of me will rather chuse to be govern'd by me than by you so great a man was Fabritius Pyrrhus heard him say this unmov'd and without any Tyrannick Passion nay among his Friends highly commended the great mind of Fabritius and Entrusted the Prisoners to him alone on Condition that if the Senate should not vote a Peace after they had convers'd with their Friends and celebrated the Festivals of Saturn they should be remanded and accordingly they were sent back after the Holy-days It being Decreed pain of death for any that stay'd behind After this Fabritius taking the Consulate a Person came with a Letter to the Camp writ by the King 's principal Physician offering to take off Pyrrhus by Poyson and so end the War without farther hazard to the Romans if he might have a Reward proportionable to his Service Fabritius enrag'd at the Villainy of the man and disposing the other Consul to the same Opinion sent dispatches immediately to Pyrrhus to caution him against the Treason His Letter was to this effect Caius Fabritius and Quintus Aemilius Consuls of the Romans to Pyrrhus the King Health You seem to have made a very ill Judgment both of your Friends and Enemies You will understand by reading this Letter sent to us That you are in War with honest men and trust Villains and Knaves we have not discover'd this to you to insinuate into your Favour but lest your ruine might bring a reproach upon us as if we had ended the War by treachery not as able to do it by force When Pyrrhus had read the Letter and made strict Enquiry into the Treason he Executed the Physician and for acknowledgment of this Civility of the Romans sent to Rome the Prisoners without Ransom and again imploy'd Cineas to negotiate a Peace for him but whether they believ'd it too great a kindness from an Enemy or two great a Reward of not doing an ill thing to accept their Prisoners so released to them as many of the Tarentines and Samnites but would admit of no debate of Alliance or Peace till he had removed his Arms and Forces out of Italy and sail'd back to Epirus in the same Ships that brought him over After his Affairs bringing on a second Fight when he had refresh'd his men he decamp'd and meeting the Romans about the City Asculum being incommoded by a woody Country unfit for his Horse and a very swift Current of the River that the Elephants for want of sure treading could not get up with the Infantry After many wounded and many killed the Night put an end to the Engagement next day designing to make the Fight on even Ground and have the Elephants among the thickest of the Enemy he caus'd a Detachment to possess themselves of those incommodious Grounds and mixing Slingers and Archers among the Elephants with great Courage and Fury he advanc'd in a close and well order'd Body and the Romans not having those advantages of retreating and falling on as they pleas'd which they had before were oblig'd to fight man to man upon plain Ground and hastning to disorder the main Battel before the Elephants could get up they made bloudy work with their Swords among the Macedonian Spears not sparing themselves in the least to wound and kill was all their thought without regard of what they suffer'd after a long and obstinate Fight the first giving Ground is reported to have been where Pyrrhus himself engag'd with extraordinary Courage but they were most put to it by the mighty Force of the Elephants the Romans not being able to make use of their Valours but as it were overthrown by the irruption of a Sea or an Earthquake thinking it better to give way than die without doing any thing and not gain the least advantage by suffering the utmost Extremity the Retreat to their Camp not being far Hieronymus says there died Six Thousand of the Romans of Pyrrhus his men the King 's own Commentaries report 3550 lost in this Action Dionysius of Halicarnasse neither gives an account of two Engagements at Asculum nor allows the Romans were certainly beaten and that once only after they had fought till Sun-set both Armies were unwillingly separated by the Night Pyrrhus being wounded by a Javelin in the Arm and his Baggage plunder'd by the Samnites that in all there died of Pyrrhus his men and the Romans above 15000 and then both retreated 'T is said Pyrrhus reply'd to a Gentleman that gave him the Joy of his Victory That such another would utterly undo him for he had lost a great part of the Forces he brought with him and almost all his particular Friends and principal Commanders There were no others there to make Recruits and he saw the Confederates very slow in their motion On the other hand as from a Fountain continually flowing out of the City the Roman Camp was quickly and plentifully filled up with fresh men not at all abating in Courage for the losses they sustain'd but even from their very anger gain'd new Force and Resolution to go on with the War Among these difficulties he fell again into vain hopes and businesses that hugely distracted his Mind for at the same time some Persons arrived from Sicily offering into his hands the Cities of Agrigentum and Syracuse and that of the Leontines and begging his assistance to expulse the Carthaginians and rid the Island of Tyrants Others brought him News out of Greece that Ptolome call'd Ceraunus was slain in a Fight and his Army cut in pieces by the Gauls and that if he came now in time the Macedonians were at a great loss for a King Here he began extreamly to accuse Fortune for bringing him so many occasions of great things all together at a time and considering that by grasping at both he should lose one of them was a long time balancing in his thoughts But the Affairs of Sicily seeming to promise him matter of the greater business Africa lying so near he turn'd himself to them and presently dispatch'd away Cineas as he used to do to make Terms before-hand with the Cities Then he plac'd a Garrison in Tarentum infinitely against their Wills and requiring him either to perform what he came for and continue with them in a War against the Romans or leave the City as he found it he return'd no pleasing Answer but commanded them to be quiet and attend his time and so sail'd away Being arriv'd in Sicily what he had design'd in his hopes was confirm'd effectually and the Cities frankly surrendred to him Where-ever his Arms and Force were necessary nothing at first made any considerable resistance for arriving with 30000 Foot and 2500 Horse and 200 Ships he totally routed the Phaenicians and overturn'd their whole Government Eryx being the strongest Town they held and having a great Garrison in it he resolv'd to take
the City had great need of a good Commander and fought about whom she might set at the Helm to repel the Inundation of so great a War and when not of the Noble or Potent Families appeared Candidate for the Consulship they created Marius though then absent 14. Now Jugurtha's Defeat was just noised about when the News of the Invasion of the Teutones and Cimbri began at first it exceeded all credit as to the number and strength of the approaching Army but at length that report proved much inferior to the Truth for they were 300000 effective fighting men besides a far greater number of Women and Children Their pretence was the seeking New Countries to sustain their so great Multitudes and Cities where they might settle and inhabit as they had heard the Celtae before them had expulsed the Tyrrheni and possessed themselves of the best part of Italy Now these having had no Commerce with the Southern Nations and coming from Countries far remote no man knew what People they were or whence they came that thus like a Cloud hovered over Gallia and Italy yet by their grey Eyes and the largeness of their Stature they conjectured them to be some of those Germans that dwell by the Northern Sea besides that the Germans call their Soldiers Cimbri 15. There are some that say that the Country of Celtae through the largeness and extent of the Place reacheth from the farthest Sea and Northern Climes to the Lake Maeotis Eastward and to that part of Scythia which is near Pontus and that there the two Nations mingled together that they did not swarm out of their Country all at once or on a sudden but at a certain Season every year still going forward at several times gave disturbance with their Wars to the whole Continent whereby though each Party had several appellations yet the whole Army was called by the common name of Celtick-Scythians Others say that they were a small parcel of the Cimmerii anciently well known to the Grecians who upon some Sedition raised among the Scythians passed all along from the Lake Maeotis to Asia under the Conduct of one Lygdamis but the greater and more warlike part of them still inhabit the remotest Regions lying upon the farther Ocean These they say live in a dark Woody Country hardly penetrable by the Sun-beams by reason of their many high and spreading Trees which also reach inward as far as the Hercinian Forest that they are under that part of Heaven where the Pole is so elevated that by the Declination of the Parallels the Zenith of the Inhabitants seems to be but little distant from it and that their Days and Nights being almost of an equal length they divide their Year into one of each This dismal Country gave Homer occasion for the Fiction that when Ulysses would call up the dead he retired into the Country of the Cimmerians as conceiving it either Hell it self or a place nearest to it and that from hence those People who were anciently called Cimmerii and then though not from their manner of Life Cimbri came into Italy but this is rather Conjecture then an Authentick History 16. However most Writers agree that the number of this Rascality was not less but rather greater than was reported They were of an invincible strength and fierceness in their Wars and came on with the same irresistable violence as a deavouring flame nor could any withstand their fury in their march but all as many as they assaulted were troden down and hurried along as their Prey Several of the greatest Roman Commanders with their whole Armies that were set for the Defence of Gallia Transalpina were ingloriously overthrown who indeed by their faint resistance chiefly gave them the boldness of marching towards Rome for having vanquished all they set upon and being well laden with Plunder they resolved to settle themselves no where till they should have raised the City and wasted all Italy The Romans being from all Parts alarmed with this News sent for Marius to manage the War and nominated him the second time Consul though the Law did not permit any one that was absent or that had not stayed a certain time from his first Consulship to be again created yet the People rejected all Opposers for they considered this was not the first time that the Law gave place to the Common Interest nor the present occasion less urgent than that when contrary to Law they made Scipio Consul then not fearing the destruction of their own City but desiring the ruine of that of the Carthaginians 17. This prevailed and Marius bringing over his Legions out of Africk on the very first day of January which the Romans reckon the beginning of their Year he received the Consulship and then also entred into Triumph shewing Jugurtha a Prisoner to the People a Sight beyond their expectation for none could hope to subdue that Province while he lived so cautelous was the man in complying with all the turns of Fortune and to his Valour had the addition of a great share of Craft 'T is said that when he was led in Triumph he fell distracted and was afterwards thrown into Prison where some forcibly tore off his Cloaths and others whilst they strove for his Golden Pendant with it pulled off the tip of his Ear and when he was cast naked into the Dungeon full of horrour yet forcing a smile he cryed out O Heavens How intolerably cold is this Bath of yours where for six days struggling with extream hunger and to the very last minute seeming desirous of Life he was over taken by the just reward of his Villainies In this Triumph was brought as was reported of Gold 3007 pound weight of Silver Bullion 5775 of Money in Gold and Silver Coin 17028 Drachms After the Solemnity Marius called together the Senate in the Capitol and entred the Court insolently whether through inadvertency or too much puffed up with his good Fortune in his Triumphal Habit yet presently observing the Senate offended at it he went out and putting on his ordinary Purple Robe immediately returned 18. In his Expeditions he appeared in the Head of his Army and trained them in their exercises while they marched using them to labour and weariness to long and tedious Journies and compelled each Soldier to carry his own Baggage and provide his own Victuals insomuch that thence forward such as were very laborious silently without grumbling doing their work were called Marius's Mules But some think there was another occasion of this Proverb that when Scipio besieged Numantia he being careful to inspect not only their Horses and Arms but their Mules and Carriages too and see how well equipped and in what readiness each one 's was Marius brought forth his Horse which had fed extreamly well and a Mule in better case stronger and gentler than those of others whereupon the General was very well pleased with and often mentioned Marius's Beasts
insomuch that when they would droll in the praise of a continual drudging laborious Fellow they called him Marius's Mule 19. But to proceed Very great good Fortune seemed to attend Marius for the Enemy in a manner changing their course and falling first upon Spain he had time to exercise his Soldiers and confirm their Courage and which was most considerable to shew them what he himself was For that fierce humour of his in Authority and inexorableness in punishing proved both just and advantageous to those that did not use to do amiss and were not stubborn in their faults and his turbulent Spirit stern Voice and sowre Aspect which were in a little while grown familiar to them they esteemed terrible not to themselves but only to their Enemies But his Uprightness in judging did more especially please the Soldiers whereof this is a remarkable instance One C. Lucius his own Nephew had a command under him in the Army who was a man in other respects not notoriously debauched but much given to the unlawful Love of young men he particularly loved one that was under his Command called Trebonius with whom notwithstanding his many solicitations he could never prevail at length one Night he sent a Messenger for him and Trebonius came for it was not lawful for him to refuse when he was sent for and being brought into his Tent as Lucius endeavoured to force him he drew his Sword and ran him thorough This was done whilst Marius was absent who when he returned appointed Trebonius a time for his Tryal where whilst many accused him and not any one appeared in his Defence he himself with an undaunted assurancer elated the whole matter and brought witness that he had often resisted Lucius's importunity and that though he had given him considerable Presents he had never consented to him Marius admiring and very much pleased at it commanded a Garland the usual reward of Valour to be brought wherewith he himself Crowned Trebonius as having performed an excellent Action at a time that very much wanted such good Examples 20. This being told at Rome proved no small help to Marius towards his Third Consulship to which also conduced the expectation of the Barbarians at that time of the year the People being unwilling to trust their Fortunes with any other General but him however their arrival was not so sudden as was imagined but the time of Marius's third Consulship was again expired The Election coming on and his Collegue being dead he left the Command of the Army to Manius Aquilius and hastned to Rome where several eminent Persons being Candidates for the Consulship Lucius Saturninus who more than any of the other Tribunes swayed the Populace and of whom Marius himself was very observant made an Harangue to the People advising them to chuse Marius Consul but he seeming to decline the Office as one pretending never to be ambitious of it Saturninus called him Traytor to his Country that in such apparent danger would desert the War And though it was not difficult to discover that he was assistant to Marius in putting this Sham upon the People yet they considering that the present Juncture very much required his rough Discipline and his good Fortune too voted him the fourth time Consul and made Catulus Lutatius his Collegue a man very much esteemed by the Nobility and not unagreeable to the Commons 21. Marius having notice of the Enemy's approach with all expedition passed the Alps and pitching his Camp by the River Rhone he took care first for plentiful Supplies of Victuals lest at any time he should be forced to fight at a disadvantage for want of Necessaries The Carriage of Provision for the Army from the Sea which was formerly long and chargeable he made speedy and easie for the mouth of the Rhone by the Reflux of the Sea being barred and almost filled up with Sand and Dirt the Passage there became narrow difficult and dangerous for those Ships that brought their Provisions Hither therefore bringing his Army then at leisure he drew a great Trench and thereby turning the course of a great Trench and thereby turning the course of a great part of the River brought it to a convenient Haven deep and fit to receive Ships of considerable Burthen as also having a calm and easie opening to the Sea and this still returns the name it took from him 22. The Enemy dividing themselves into two parts the Cimbri chose to go against Catulus higher up through the Country of the Norici and to force that Passage The Teutones and Ambrones to march against Marius by the Sea-side through Liguria whereupon the Cimbri were longer before they arrived in Italy The Teutones and Ambrones with all expedition passing over the interjacent Country appeared to be an incredible number and of a terrible Aspect much different from all others in their ordinary Speech and Shoutings they taking up a great part of the Plain with their Camp challenged Marius to Battel he seemed to take no notice of them but kept his Soldiers within their Fortifications and sharply reprehended those that were of too forward and eager a Courage and who would needs be fighting calling them Traytors to their Country and telling them they were not now in pursuit of the Glory of Triumphs and Trophies but how they might repel such an impetuous Tempest of War and save Italy 23. Thus he discoursed privately with his Officers and Equals but placed the Soldiers by turns upon the Bulwarks to survey the Enemy and so made them acquainted with their shape and voice which were indeed altogether extravagant and barbarous and he caused them to observe their Arms and way of using them so that in a little time what at first appeared terrible to their appprehensions by often viewing became familiar for he very rationally supposed that the strangeness of Foreign things conduces very much to the rendring them formidable and that by our better acquaintance with them even those things which are naturally terrible lose very much of their frightfulnss Now this daily converse did not only diminish some of the Soldiers fear but their Indignation warmed and inflamed their Courage when they heard the threats and insupportable insolence of their Enemies who not only plundered and depopulated all the Country round but also with great Contempt and Resolution threatned to storm their Trenches 24. Hereupon such like Complaints of the Soldiers as these came to Marius's ears What Effeminacy does Marius see in us that he should thus like Women lock us up from encountering our Enemies Come on let us shew our selves men and ask him if he expect any others that must fight for our Liberty Shall he always employ us in servile Offices when he would draw Trenches cleanse places of mud and dirt and turn the course of Rivers In such Works as these it seems he will exercise us then return home and brag of these great
performances of his Consulships to the People Or does the defeat of Carbo and Caepio who were vanquished by the Enemy affright him Surely they were much inferiour to Marius both in Glory and Valour and commanded a much weaker Army at the worst it is better to be in Action though we suffer for it like them than to sit idle Spectators of the destruction of our Allies and Companions Marius not a little pleased to hear this gently appeased them pretending that he did not distrust their Valour but that he took his measures as to the time and place of Victory from some certain Oracles 25. He used solemnly to carry about in a Litter a Syrian Woman called Martha a supposed Prophetess and to Sacrifice by her directions She had formerly been driven away from the Senate to whom she addressed her self offering to inform them about these Affairs and to foretel future Events whereupon she betook her self to the Ladies and gave some experiments of her skill especially to Marius's Wife who sitting to see the Gladiators combat she foretold which of them should overcome and was for this and the like Predictings sent by her to Marius and the Army where she was very much admired and for the most part carried about in a Litter when she went to Sacrifice she wore a Purple Robe lined and buttoned up and had in her Hand a little Spear trimmed with Rubans and Garlands This Farce made many question whether Marius did really give any credit to her himself or only play'd the Counterfeit when he shewed her publickly to impose upon the Soldiers 26. But what Alexander Mindius relates about the Vultures does really deserve admiration that always before his Victories there appeared two of them and accompanied the Army which were known by their brazen Collars for the Soldiers when they took them put these about their Necks and so let them go whereupon they in a manner knew and saluted the Soldiers and whensoever these appeared in their Marches they very much rejoiced as at an Omen of good Success in that Expedition But of the many Prodigies that then were taken notice of the rest were but of the ordinary stamp as that it was reported at Ameria and Tudertum two Cities in Italy there were seen at Nights in the Sky flaming Darts and Shields now waved about and then again clashing against one another resembling those postures and motions Soldiers use in their fighting that at length one Party retreating and the other pursuing they all disappearing Westward Much about the same time came Batabaces one of Cybele's Priests from Pessinunce and reported how the Goddess had declared to him by her Oracle That the Romans should obtain the Victory and no small Glory in this War The Senate giving credit to him and voting the Goddess a Temple to be built in hopes of a Victory Aulus Pompeius a Tribune prevented Batabaces when he would have gone and told the People this same Story calling him Impostor and ignominiously pulling him out of the Rostra which Action chiefly got repute to the Fellow's report for Aulus had scarce dissolved the Assembly and returned home when so violent a Fever seized him that it was notoriously known and in every bodies Mouth that he died within a week after 27. Now the Teutones whilst Marius lay quiet ventured to attack his Camp from whence being encountered with showers of Darts and losing several of their men they determined to march forward hoping to recover the other side of the Alps without opposition and packing up their baggage they passed securely by the Roman Camp where the greatness of their number chiefly appeared by the long time they took in their March for they were said to be six days continually going on in passing Marius's Fortifications they marched pretty near and revilingly asked the Romans if they would send any recommendations by them to their Wives for they would shortly be with them As soon as the Enemy was gone by and continued their motion Marius began to move and follow them at his leisure always encamping at some small distance from them chusing also convenient places for his Camp and strongly fortifying it that he might quarter with the greater safety Thus they marched till they came to Aquae-Sextiliae whence the Alps were but little distant where Marius put himself in readiness for the Encounter 28. He chose a place for his Camp of considerable strength but where was scarcity of Water designing as was reported by this means to put an edge on his Soldiers Courage whereat when several were not a little grieved and complained of thirst he pointing to a River that ran near the Enemy's Camp There says he you may have drink but at the expence of your Bloud Why then replyed they do you not lead us to them that we may have something that is liquid though it be Bloud But says he in a softer tone Let 's first fortifie our Camp whereupon the Soldiers for all their repining durst not but obey Now as a great company of their Boys and Pedees having neither drink for themselves nor Horses went down to that River some taking Axes others Halberts and some two Swords and Darts with their Pitchers resolving to have water though they fought for it These were first encountred by a small party of the Enemies for most of them were after bathing at dinner and several were then too bathing themselves for the Country thereabouts abounds very much with hot Springs so that the Romans fell upon them whilst they were enjoying themselves and very much transported with the wonderful pleasantness of the place Upon hearing their shouts more still coming in it was not a little difficult for Marius to contain his Soldiers so much concerned for their Servants and the more warlike part of the Enemies who had overthrown Mallius and Coepio they were called Ambrones and were in number one with another above 30000 taking the Alarm stood to their Arms. 29. These though they had sufficiently filled their bellies yet retained their minds undisturbed and though they indulged themselves even to Intemperance yet did they not rush on like mad-men disorderly or sending forth confused noises but all of them dancing and clashing their Arms in a kind of Consort often repeated their name Ambrones either the better to encourage one another or to strike the greater terrour into their Enemies Of all the Italians in Marius's Army the Ligurians were the first that charg'd and when they understood that the Enemy's confused Shout was calling themselves Ambrones they also echoed the same word which was an Ancient Name of their Country This Acclamation bandied from one Army to the other before they joined the more incensed the Germans so that their Officers on either side encouraging them they strove with all possible vehemence the one to overshout the other taking it mutually for an Omen of Victory and a great Incentive of their Courage 30. The River
the Noble Youths made bold in the Senate to ask him what ends was there of those Evils and where he intended to stop We pray thee not said he to pardon such as thou hast resolved to destroy but to free from doubt such as it hath pleased thee to save Sylla answering That he knew not as yet whom to spare Why then said he tell us whom thou wilt punish This Sylla said he would do Those last Words as some Authors would have it were spoken not by Metellus but by Offidius one of Sylla's fawning Companions Immediately upon this without imparting the matter to the Magistracy Sylla proscrib'd eighty Persons and notwithstanding the generality of Men stomach'd it after one days respite he posted two hundred and twenty more and on the third again as many In an Harangue to the People on this occasion he told them he had put up as many Names as he could think of and those who had escaped his memory he should hereafter proclaim He publish'd an Edict likewise making Death the Punishment of Humanity to any one who should dare to receive and cherish an Outlaw without exception to Brother Son or Parents And to him who should slay any one proscribed Person he ordained two Talents as a Reward of Parricide whether it were a Slave who had beat out the Brains of his Master or a Son his Fathers But what was most unjust of all he cause'd the Attainder to pass upon their Sons and Sons Sons and made open sale of the Goods of them all nor reign'd the Proscription only at Rome but throughout all the Cities of Italy where the Effusion of Blood was such as neither the Temples of the Gods nor Sanctuaries nor private Houses escaped clear Men were butchered in the Embraces of their Wives Children in the Arms of their Mothers They who fell thus through publick hatred or private spleen were nothing in comparison of the numbers of those who suffer'd for their Riches The Assassin might safely say A fair House killed this Man a Garden that a third his Hot Baths Quintus Aurelius a quiet peaceable Man and one who thought it his Duty to bear a part in the common Calamity so far as to condole the Misfortunes of others coming into the Forum and finding himself among those who were set up cried out Woe 's me my Alban Mannor has informed against me He had not gone far before he was dispatched by a Ruffian sent on that Errand In the mean time Marius on the point of being taken killed himself Sylla at his first coming to Praeneste proceeded judicially against each particular Person till at last finding it a Work of too much time he cooped them up close together in one place to the number of two and twenty thousand Men and gave order for the Execution of them all his Hoast only excepted but he brave Man scorning the Obligation of Life it self from the Hands of one who had been the Ruine of his Country plung'd into the Herd and submitted willingly to the Stroke That of Lucius Catilina was a rare Contrivance For before Matters came to an issue having made away his Brother he beseeched Sylla to clap him into the List of Outlawry as living and was so wherefore Catiline to return the kind Office assassinated Marius one of the adverse Party and brought the Head to Sylla as he was sitting in the Court of Judicature then going to the Holy Water of Apollo which was nigh wash'd his Hands There were other things beside matter of Tragedy which gave offence for Sylla had declared himself Dictator whereas that Form of Government had then been laid aside for the space of one hundred and twenty years There was likewise an Act of Grace passed on his behalf granting Impunity for what was past and for the future entrusting him with the Power of the Sword Confiscations Trasplanting of Colonies erecting and demolishing of Cities taking away of Kingdoms and bestowing them at pleasure He managed the Sale of Conficsated Goods after such an arbitrary imperious way seated on a Chair of State amidst beautiful Women Mimicks Fidlers and such like rascally People on whom he squandred away the Revenues of whole Countries and Cities bestowing on some of them Ladies in Marriage against their will so as his Gratuities were much more intolerable than his Usurpations Having a mind to assure Pompey the Great by a nearer Tie of Bloud he commanded him to make void the Nuptial Bed and forcing Aemilia the Daughter of Scaurus and Metella his own Wife from Marcus Glabrio he bestowed her great with Child on him but she died in Labour at Pompey's House When Lucretius Offella the same who reduced Marius by Siege put in and push'd his Fortune hard for the Consulship he first forbad him then seeing he could not restrain him from coming down into the Forum with a numerous Train of followers he commanded a Centurion of the Guards out and slew him himself sitting on the Bench in the Temple of Castor and beholding the Murder from above The Citizens apprehending the Centurion and dragging him to the Tribunal he bad them cease tumultuous clamouring and let go the Centurion for he had commanded it His Triumph tho' of it self exceeding stately and set off with the unusual Pomp and Magnificence of Royal Spoils was yet further illustrated and drew after it a goodly Spectacle the Exiles For in the Reer followed the most eminent and most potent of the Citizens Crowned with Garlands and calling Sylla Saviour and Father by whose means they were restored to their own Country and again enjoyed their Wives and Children When the Solemnity was over and the time come to render an Account of his Actions in a Publick Assembly he was as punctual in innumerating the lucky hits of War as any of his own Military Vertues And from his Faelicity it was that he made choice to be Surnamed Felix In his Addresses and Answers to the Graecians he styled himself Epaphroditus or Beloved of Venus His Trophies which are still extant with us bear this Inscription Lucius Cornelius Sylla Epaphroditus Moreover when his Wife had brought him forth twins he named the Male Faustus and the Female Fausta by which words the Romans understand Success and Good Omen The Confidence which he reposed in his good Genius rather than in any Abilities of his own emboldned him though deeply engaged in Blood after such great Changes and Revolutions of State to lay down his Authority and settle the Right of Consular Elections once more on the People So that he not only came abroad but on the Forum exposed his Person publickly to the People walking up and down as a private Man And whereas contrary to his will a certain bold Man and his Enemy Marcus Lepidus was in Election to be Consul not by his own Interest but by the Power and Sollicitation of Pompey who was extream gracious with the People when the business was over seeing Pompey going home
the Sports and Delights of Venus did not become the gravity of the Academy and a Follower of Xenocrates but one that rather inclined to Epicurus But the greatest wonder of all is their Youthful days were flat opposite the ones being infamous and vicious the others well disciplin'd and sober yet better is the Change for Good for it argues a more ingenuous Mind where Vice decayeth and Vertue increaseth Though both had great Wealth they differently employed it and there is no Comparison between the South-wall of the Tower built by Cimon and the stately Mansions and watry Prospects at Neapolis built by Lucullus out of the Spoils of the Barbarians Neither can we compare Cimon's popular and numerous Table to the Noble and Royal one of Lucullus that receiving a great many Guests every day at small Expence this being richly spread for a few Good-Fellows unless you will say that different times made the alteration For who can tell but that Cimon if he had retired in his old age from Business and War to Quiet and Solitude might have liv'd a more luxurious and debauch'd Life who was a Good-fellow a pleasant Companion and as is said a Lover of Women But brave and generous Actions transported with other Delights than arise from the lower Appetite make active and heroick Men neglect and forget these Had but Lucullus ended his days in the Field Envy itself and Detraction could never have accused him So much for their manner of Life In War it is plain they were both Men of excellent Conduct both at Land and Sea And as they honoured those Champions who on the same day in the same Games were Crowned for their Mastery in all by calling their Actions Wonderful Victories so likewise Cimon honouring Greece with a Sea and Land-Victory on the same day is worthy to be placed in the first Rank of Commanders Lucullus received Command from his Country but Cimon brought it to his He united the Lands of his Enemies to her who ruled over Confederates before but this Man taking the Power out of other Hands made his Country both rule over Confederates and Conquer Enemies too forcing the Persians to relinquish the Sea and the Lacedaemonians to submit But if it be the chiefest thing in a General to win his Soldiers to Obedience by Gentleness Lucullus was despised by his own Army but Cimon was obeyed by others Those deserted the one these fled for Protection to the other He came home without those Forces he led out this Man sent out at first under the Command of others returned home with Authority even over them also having served his City in three difficult Negotiations establishing Peace with the Enemy Dominion over Confederates and Unity with Lacedaemon Both aiming to destroy great Kingdoms and subdue all Asia fail'd in their Enterprise Cimon very unfortunately for he died when General in the height of Felicity But Lucullus no Man can excuse from a Fault to his Soldiers whether he knew not or would not comply with the Distaste and Complaints of his Army which brought him into so great hatred among them But did not Cimon also suffer like him in this For the Citizens arraigned him and never left till they had banished him that as Plato says They might not hear him for the space of ten Years For Heroick Minds seldom please the Vulgar or are acceptable to them for by punishing their Extravagancies they oftentimes pinch to the quick like Chirurgeons bands reducing dislocated Bones to their natural position But both of them perhaps may be cleared of this Lucullus very much out-went him in War being the first Roman who carried an Army over Taurus passed the Tigris took and burnt the Royal Palaces of Asia in the sight of the Kings Tigranocerta Cabira Sinope and Nisibis subduing the North Parts as far as Phacis the East as far as Media and the South and Red Sea through the Kingdoms of Arabia broke the Power of Kings and narrowly missed their Persons who fled away like Wild Beasts into the Desarts the thick and unpassable Woods A Demonstration of which was That the Persians as if no great harm had befel them under Cimon soon after appeared in Arms against the Grecians and overcame and destroyed a great Army of theirs in Aegypt But after Lucullus Tigranes and Mithridates were able to do nothing The latter being disabled and broken in the former Wars never dared to shew his Army to Pompey without the Camp but fled away to Bosphorus and there died Tigranes threw himself naked and unarmed down before Pompey and taking his Crown from his Head laid it at his Feet complementing Pompey with what was not his own but that which Lucullus had triumphed over before and when he received the Ensigns of Majesty again he was well pleased because deprived before Greater is that Commander who like a Wrestler leaves an Adversary almost Conquered for his Successor and therefore Cimon at his Arrival finding the Forces of the King dispersed and the Minds of the Persians down by their continual Overthrows and Flights under Themistocles Pausanias and Leotychides easily overcame their Bodies whose Souls were dis-spirited and faint before But Tigranes never yet baffled in Fight but flush'd with Success engaged against Lucullus There is no comparison between those Numbers which came against Lucullus and those subdued by Cimon All which things being rightly considered it is a hard matter to give judgment For the Gods were favourable to both Parties directing the one what to act and the other what to avoid and they have thereby declared them both brave Men and of Heavenly Extract NICIAS THE LIFE OF NICIAS English'd from the Greek by Thomas Rymer Esq VOLUME III. CRassus in my Opinion may most properly be set against Nicias and the Parthian Disaster compared with that in Sicily But then in the first place I must beseech the Reader in all Courtesy not to think that I contend with Thucydides in matters so Pathetically so Nobly so beyond all Imitation and even beyond himself exprest by him nor to believe me guilty of the like folly with Timaeus who hoping in his History for Majesty of Style to surpass Thucydides and make Philistius appear a trifler and very dolt pushes on his descriptions thorow the thickest of their main Battels Atchievements at Sea and Debates of Council the most laboured and the most accurately delineated by them bearing up with them No more by Jove Than a limping Footman to the Lydian Chariot As Pindar has it He shows himself all along half-lettered a dealer in small Wares And according to that of Diphilus All Fat and rowling in Sicilian Grease He oftentimes falls so very low as even with Xenarchus to quibble telling us That he thought it Ominous to the Athenians that their General who had Victory in his Name refused to Command in the Expedition And that from the defacing of the Hermae some God foretold they should very much
contract by that large living but to have them in condition to fly if occasion required he assigned a Room fourteen Cubits long the largest in all the Fort for the men to walk in directing them to begin their walk gently and so gradually mend their pace And for the Horses he tied them to the Roof with great Halters which being fastened about their Necks with a Pully he gently raised them till standing upon the ground with their hinder feet they just touched it with the very ends of their fore-feet In this posture the Grooms plied them with Whips and Noise provoking them to curvet and caper endeavouring to stand upon their fore-feet and thus their whole Body was exercised till they were all in a foam and groaned again an excellent sort of exercise this whether for strength or speed and then he gave them their Corn boiled that they might sooner dispatch and better digest it The Siege continuing long Antigonus receiv'd advice that Antipater was dead in Macedon and that Affairs were embroyl'd by the differences of Cassander and Polyperchon whereupon he conceiv'd no mean hopes purposing to make himself Master of all and in order to his design to bring over Eumenes that he might have his advice and assistance Wherefore he sent Hieronymus to treat with him proposing a certain Oath which Eumenes first corrected and then referred himself to the Macedonians themselves that besieg'd him to be judged by them which of the two Forms were the most equitable Antigonus in the beginning of his had slightly mentioned the Kings but all the sequel referred to himself alone But Eumenes would have the Form of it to Olympias and the Kings and would swear not to be true to Antigonus only but to them and to have the same Friends and Enemies not with Antigonus but with Olympias and the Kings This Form the Macedonians thinking the more reasonable swore Eumenes according to it and raised the Siege sending also to Antigonus that he should swear in the same Form to Eumenes Now all the Hostages of the Cappadocians which Eumenes had in Nora he returned and from those they were returned to took War-horses Beasts of Carriage and Tents in exchange and rallying those men which from the time of his flight were scattered and wandering about the Country got together a Body of near a thousand Horse and with them fled from Antigonus whom he justly feared for he had not only ordered him to be first blocked up but had sent a very sharp Answer to the Macedonians for admitting Eumenes his Amendments of the Oath While Eumenes was flying he received Letters from them in Macedonia who were jealous of Antigonus his greatness to wit from Olympias inviting him thither to take the Charge and Government of Alexander's little Son against whom there was divers Plots Other Letters he had from Polyperchon and Philip the King requiring him to make War upon Antigonus making him General of all the Forces in Cappadocia and impowring him out of the Revenue of Cyndos to take fifty Talents to reimburse himself and levy as much more as he thought necessary to carry on the War they write also to the same effect to Antigenes and Teutamus the Chief Officers of the Argyraspides who receiving these Letters treat Eumenes with a shew of respect and kindness but it was apparent enough they were full of Envy and Emulation disdaining to give place to him Now their Envy Eumenes very fairly declined by refusing to accept the Money as if he had not needed it and their Ambition and Emulation who were neither able to govern nor willing to obey he conquered by turning it into Superstition For he pretended that Alexander had appeared to him in a Dream and shewed him a Regal Pavilion richly furnished with a Throne in it and told him if they would sit in Council there he himself would be present and prosper all the Consultations and Atchievements upon which they should enter in his name Antigenes and Teutamus were easily prevailed upon to believe this being unwilling to come and consult Eumenes as much as he disdained to wait at another Man's Threshold Wherefore they erected a Tent-Royal and a Throne and called it Alexander's and there they met to consult upon all Affairs of moment Afterwards they advanced into the upper Country and in their March met with Peucestus friend to Eumenes and with other of the Lords who joined Forces with them and greatly encouraged the Macedonians with the number and appearance of their Men. But they themselves having since Alexander's Decease been from under Government and lived with great delicacy and so becoming soft and effeminate and imagining themselves great Princes which fond conceit of theirs was daily pampered by the flattery of the Barbarians all these things concurring made them rude to one another and unconversable and all of them unmeasurably flatter the Macedonians inviting them to Revels and Sacrifices till in a short time they brought the Camp to be a dissolute Place of Entertainment by every Captains endeavouring to make a Party among the Commons as in all Democracies is usual Eumenes perceiving they despised one another and all of them feared him and sought an opportunity to kill him pretended to be in want of Money and took up many Talents of those especially who most hated him to make them both confide in him and forbear all Violence to him for fear of losing their own Money Thus his Enemies Estates were the guard of his Person and by receiving Money he purchased safety for which other Men use to give it Now the Macedonians while there was no shew of Danger made all their Court and came to the Levè of those that treated and presented them and they had their Guards and affected to appear Generals But when Antigonus came upon them with a great Army and their Affairs themselves seemed to call out for a true General then not only the common Soldiers cast their Eyes upon Eumenes but these Men who had appeared so great in a peaceful time of ease submitted all of them to him and quietly posted themselves severally as he appointed them And when Antigonus attempted to pass the River Pasitygris all the rest that were appointed to guard the Passes were not so much as aware of his March only Eumenes met and encountered him slew as many of his Men as filled up the River with their Carcases and took 4000 of them Prisoners Chiefly when Eumenes was sick the Macedonians discovered that in their Judgment others would treat handsomely and make fire-balls but he alone knew how to fight and lead an Army For Peucestas having made a splendid Entertainment in Persia and given each of the Soldiers a Sheep wherewith to Sacrifice promised himself to Command in chief some few days after the Army was to march and Eumenes being dangerously sick was carried in a Litter without the Body of the Army that his rest might not be disturbed But when they were a
of their better Education he really made them Hostages and Sureties for their Country however their Fathers were wonderfully pleased to see their Children going daily to the Schools in good order handsomely dressed in fine long Garments edged with Purple and that Sertorius paid a Sallary for their Learning examin'd them often distributed Rewards to the most deserving and gave them Jewels to hang about their Necks and Golden Bosses which the Romans called Bullae There being a Custom in Spain that when a great Commander was slain in Battle those who attended his Person fought it out till they all died with him which the Inhabitants of those Countries called an Offering or a pouring out of Blood in Sacrifice There were few Commanders that had any considerable Guard or Number of Attendants but Sertorius had many thousands who offered up themselves and vowed to sacrifice their Lives and spend their Bloods with his and it is reported that when his Army was defeated near to a City in Spain and the Enemy pressed hard upon them the Spaniards took no care for themselves but being totally sollicitous to save Sertorius they took him up on their Shoulders and passed him from one to another till they carried him into the City and when they had thus placed their General in safety every one provided afterwards for his own security Nor were the Spaniards alone ambitious to serve him but the Roman Soldiers also that came out of Italy were impatient to be under his Command and when Perpenna who was of the same Faction with Sertorius came into Spain with great Riches and a good Army and designed to make War against Metellus in a distinct Body by himself his own Soldiers opposed it and discoursed continually of the great Fame and Merit of Sertorius which was no small Mortification to Perpenna who was puffed up with the Grandeur of his Family and his Riches When they afterwards understood also that Pompey the Great had passed the Pyrenaens they took up their Arms laid hold on their Ensigns called upon Perpenna to lead them to Sertorius and threatned him that if he refused it they would go and place themselves under a Commander who was sufficiently able to defend himself and those that serv'd him which forced Perpenna to yield to their desires who immediately joining with Sertorius added to his Army three and fifty Cohorts and when all the Cities on this side of the River Iberus also united their Forces together under his Command his Army grew great for they flocked together and flowed in upon him from all Quarters but when they continually cried out to charge the Enemy and were impatient of Delay their unexperienced Rashness was troublesome to Sertorius who at first strove to restrain them with Reason and good Counsel but when he perceived them refractory and unseasonably violent he gave way to their impetuous Desires and permitted them to engage with the Enemy in such sort that being repulsed yet not totally routed he hoped they would become more obedient to his Commands for the futue which happ'ning as he conjectured he soon rescued them and brought them safe into his Camp and after a few days being willing to encourage them again when he had called all his Army together he caused two Horses to be brought into the Field one an old feeble lean Jade the other a lusty strong Horse with a very fair thick long Tail near to to the lean Jade he placed a tall strong man and near to the strong young Horse a weak little despicable Fellow to look upon and at a Sign given the strong Man took hold of the weak Horses Tayl with both his hands and drew it to him with his whole force as if he would presently pull it off the other little weak Fellow in the mean time fell to plucking off hair by hair from the great Horses Tail and when the strong man had given trouble enough to himself in vain and sufficient divertisement to the Company and had given over his intent whilst the weak pitiful Wretch in a short time and with little pains had left never a hair on the great Horses Tail Sertorius rose up and spake to his Army after this manner You see Fellow Soldiers that Ingenuity is greater than Force and Perseverance more prevailing than Violence Many things which cannot be overcome when they are together do yield themselves up by degrees when they are separated Assiduity and continued Diligence is resistless and in time overthrows and destroys the greatest Powers whatever Time being the favourable Friend and Assistant of those who through mature Judgment understand aright how to take their best Advantages and the destructive Enemy of those who are unseasonably urging and pressing forward with such like Inventions and Discourses wherewith he frequently entertained them he brideled the rash fierceness of the Barbarous People and taught them to attend and to watch for their best Opportunities of Fighting But of all his Remarkable Exploits and wonderful Stratagems in War none raised greater Admiration in all than that which he put in practice against the Characitanians these are a People beyond the River Tagus who inhabited neither Cites nor Towns but liv'd in a vast high Hill within the deep Dens and Caves of the Rocks the Mouths of which open all towards the North the Country below it is a clayish chalky Soyl and being also light full of Pores and spungy it is apt to be crummed and broken into Powder and is not firm enough to bear any one that treads upon it and if you touch it in the least it flies about like Ashes or unslaked Lime In any danger of War these People descend into their Caves and carrying in their Booty and Prey along with them are free from all fear and think themselves invincible And when Sertorius being at some distance from Metellus had placed his Camp near this Hill they slighted and despised him imagining that he retired into these Parts being overthrown by the Romans and whether out of Anger and just Resentment or out of his unwillingness to be thought to fly from his Enemies he caused himself to be carried thither early in the Morning to view the situation of the Place but finding there was no way to come at it as he rode about threatning them in vain and troubled in his Mind he took notice that the Wind raised the dust and carried it up towards the Caves of the Characitanians the Mouths of which as we said before opened towards the North and the Northerly Winds which some call Coecias prevailing most in those Parts engendred out of the moist Morish Plains or the Mountains covered with Snow and in the Heat of Summer being supplied and encreased by the Relaxation and Melting of the Ice on the Peaks of the Northern Hills it blows a delightful fresh Gale which recreates the Characitanians and refreshes their Cattle all the Day long Sertorius confidering well all
permit them so much as to mention any thing of Government but set Roman Officers and Commanders over them whereby he restored Liberty to the Romans without increasing the Spaniards Power against them for he was a sincere Lover of his Countrey and had a great desire to return home but in adverse Fortune he shew'd his undaunted Courage and behaved himself towards his Enemies free from all dejection and mean spiritedness but when he was in his Prosperity and in the heighth of his Victories he sent word to Metellus and Pompey that he was ready to lay down his Arms and live a private Lite if he were called home declaring that he had rather be the meanest Citizen in Rome than Supreme Commander of all other Cities together and it is thought that his great Love for his Countrey was in no small measure promoted by the respect which he had for his Mother under whom he was brought up in his tender Years after the Death of his Father and upon whom he had placed his intire Affection and after that his Friends had sent for him into Spain to be their General as soon as he heard of his Mother's Death he had almost cast away himself and died for Grief for he lay seven days together continually upon the Ground without giving the Word or being seen by the nearest of his Friends and when the Chief Commanders of the Army and Persons of the greatest Note came about his Tent with great difficulty they prevailed with him at last to come abroad and speak to his Soldiers and to take upon him the Management of Affairs which were in a prosperous Condition by all which he seems to have been of a mild and compassionate Temper and naturally given to Ease and Quietness and that he accepted of the Command of Military Forces contrary to his own Inclination but not being able to live in safety he was forced by his Enemies to have recourse to Arms and to espouse the Wars as a necessary Guard for the defence of his Person His Administration of Affairs with King Mithridates does further argue the greatness of his Mind for after that Mithridates was overthrown by Sylla and had recovered himself and as a strong Wrastler that is desirous to try another fall was again endeavoring to re-establish his Power in Asia at which time the great Fame of Sertorius was frequently celebrated in all Places and the Merchants which came out of Spain and the Western Parts of Europe to furnish the Asiaticks with Forreign Commodities had filled all the Kingdom of Pontus with their Discourses of his Exploits in War Mithridates was earnestly desirous to send an Embassy to him being also highly encouraged to it by the Boastings of his Parasites and flattering Courtiers who comparing Mithridates to Pyrrhus and Sertorius to Hannibal gave out that the Romans would never be able to make any considerable resistance against such great Forces and Commanders of that Temper and sublime Judgment when they should be set upon on both sides at once on one side by the most Warlike General that ever was and on the other side by the most Powerfull Prince on Earth Mithridates having sent Embassadours into Spain to Sertorius with Letters and Instructions and with full Power and Commission to promise Ships and good Sums of Money towards the Charge of the War if Sertorius would vouchsafe to confirm his Pretensions upon Asia and Authorize him to possess all that he had surrendred to the Romans in his Treaty with Sylla Sertorius called a full Council which he named the Senate where when all joyfully approved of the Conditions and were desirous immediately to accept of his Offer seeing that he desired nothing of them but a Name and an empty Title to Places not in their Power to dispose of in recompence of which they should be supplyed with what they then stood most in need of Sertorius would by no means agree to it declaring that as he was willing that King Mithridates should exercise all Royal Power and Authority over Bithinia and Cappadocia Countries accustomed to a Monarchical Government and not belonging to Rome so he could never consent that he should seize or detain a Province which by due Right and Title was possessed by the Romans which Mithridates had formerly lost in open War to Fimbria and had afterwards quitted upon a Treaty of Peace with Sylla for he looked upon it as his Duty to enlarge the Roman Possessions by his Conquering Arms and not to encrease his own Power by the Diminution of the Roman Territories telling them that a generous-minded man though he willingly accepts of Victory when it comes accompanied with Honour yet he will never so much as endeavour to defend himself or save his own Life upon any dishonourable terms When this was related to Mithridates he was struck with admiration and said to his intimate Friends What will Sertorius enjoyn us to do when he comes to be seated in the Senate-house in Rome who at present when he is driven out to the furthest parts of the Earth bordering upon the far remote Western Ocean sets bounds to our Kingdoms in the East and threatens us with War if we Attempt the recovery of Asia However they solemnly upon Oath concluded a League between them upon these Terms That Mithridates should enjoy the free possession of Cappadocia and Bythinia and that Sertorius should send him Soldiers and a General for his Army in recompence of which the King was to supply him with three thousand Talents and forty Ships Marcus Marius a Roman Senator who had quitted Rome to follow Sertorius was sent General into Asia by whose Conduct when Mithridates had reduced divers of the Asian Cities Marius made his entrance with Rods and Axes carried before him as before a Proconsul of Rome and Mithridates followed in the second place voluntarily waiting upon him some of these Cities he set at liberty and others he freed from Taxes signifying to them by Letters that these Priviledges were granted to them by the Grace and Favour of Sertorius and hereby Asia which had been miserably tormented by the unsatiableness of the Publicans and oppressed by the insolent Pride and Covetousness of the soldiers began to rise again and with new Wings added to their former hopes to soar alost in earnest Desires towards their long wished for change of Government But in Spain the Senators about Sertorius and others of the Nobility finding themselves strong enough for their Enemies and having no less hopes of returning to Rome they no sooner laid aside all fear but Envy immediately and unreasonable Jealousies inflamed their minds and chiefly Perpenna who being of a Noble Family and extremely envious of Sertorius's Greatness was at this time so arrogantly transported with a fond Ambition of Commanding the Army that he threw out villanous Discourses in private amongst his intimate Acquaintance and among those whose seditious Ingratitude had made more willing to hearken to
in the Channel near the City of Mellaria he routed Phidius chief Commander of Hispania Baetica and slew two thousand Romans near the Banks of the River Baetis Domitius and Lucius Manlius Proconsul of another Province of Spain were overthrown in a set Battle by one of his Lieutenants he slew Toranius a Commander sent against him by Metellus with a great Force and destroyed his whole Army and Metellus the greatest General in those Times and a Person of the most approved Experience of any Roman then living was often supplanted and circumvented by him and reduced to such extremities that he was forced to call Lucius Lollius to his assistance out of Gallia Narbonensis and Rome it self being alarmed and terrified parted with her beloved Pompey the Great and sent him into Spain in all haste with the most considerable Forces of the Roman Empire Nor did Metellus know which way to turn himself having to do with a man of undaunted Boldness and Sagacity who was continually molesting him and yet could not be brought to a set battle but by the swiftness and dexterity of his Spanish Soldiery he was able to change his Station and to cast his Army into all Forms and Figures to lead them on and bring them off again and wind himself out of all Streights and Difficulties and although Metellus had great Experience in conducting entire well appointed Legions and was an excellent Commander of Soldiers armed with heavy Armour and drawn up in due order into a standing Phalanx able to encounter the Enemy hand to hand and overpower them by clear Force yet he was no way able to climb up steep Hills and be continually upon the pursuit of a swift Enemy or attend the speedy Marches of Men that were accustomed to range about the Mountains to endure Hunger and Thirst and to live expos'd to the Wind and Weather without Fire or Covering Besides that Metellus being now in years and having been formerly engaged in many Fights and dangerous Conflicts he was now inclinable to lead a more remiss easie and voluptuous Life and was the less able to contend with Sertorius who was in the Flower and Strength of his Youth full of Spirit and Life and had a Body wonderfully fitted for War being strong active and temperate continually accustomed to endure hard Labour to take long tedious Journeys to pass many Nights together without Sleep to eat little and to be satisfied with very coarse Fare and was never stained with the least Excess in Wine even when he was most at leisure but what time he had to spare he spent in hunting and riding into all Parts whereby he understood the Course of the Country the Situation of all places and where there were passages and where not with this advantage to himself that when he could not maintain the Fight he knew which way to fly and escape and where certainly to ensnare and encompass his Enemy when Victory accompanied his Arms insomuch that those with Metellus suffered all inconveniences like Men that were conquered although he earnestly desired to fight and Sertorius though he refused the Field reap'd all the advantages of a Conqueror for he hindered them from Foraging and cut off all Provision if they proceeded forward he stopped their March if they stayed in any place and encamped he continually molested and alarmed them if they besieged any Town he presently appeared and besieged them again and reduced them to great Extremities for want of necessaries whereby he wearied out the Roman Army and reduced them to so low and despairing a condition that when Sertorius challenged Metellus to fight singly with him they commended him and cryed out it was a Fair Offer for a Roman to fight against a Roman and a General against a General and when Metellus refused the Challenge they reproached him but Metellus derided and contemned them in doing which he did well for as Theophrastus observes a General should die like a General and not like a Gladiator Metellus perceiving that the City of the Lagobrites which gave great assistance to Sertorius might easily be taken for want of water there being but one Well within the Walls and that whosoever besieg'd the Place would make himself Master of the Springs and Fountains in the Suburbs he hoped to force the Town in two days time there being no more water and gave command to his Soldiers to take five days Provisions only but Sertorius resolving to send speedy relief ordered two thousand Vessels to be filled with water and a good Reward for the carriage of every Vessel and many Spaniards and Moors undertaking the work he chose out those who were the strongest and swiftest of Foot and sent them through the Mountains with order that when they had delivered the water they should remove and convey away privately all those who would be least serviceable in the Siege that there might be water sufficient for the Defendants As soon as Metellus understood this he was highly disturbed and when he had spent most part of the necessary Provisions for his Army he sent out Aquinus with six thousand Soldiers to fetch in fresh Supplies but Sertorius having notice of it laid an Ambush for him and having sent out beforehand three thousand men which he placed within a shady Vally in a Channel which had been made hollow by the rapid fall of Water from the Hills they set upon the Rear of Aquinus in his Return while Sertorius charging him in the Front destroyed part of his Army and took the rest Prisoners Aquinus only escaping after he had been thrown from his Horse and lost his Armour and Metellus being forced shamefully to raise the Siege became the Laughter and Contempt of the Spaniards and Sertorius the Object of their Esteem Love and Admiration He was also highly honoured for his instituting a right Discipline and good Order amongst them for he altered their furious savage manner of Fighting and brought them to make use of the Roman Armour taught them to keep their Ranks and follow their Ensigns and out of a confus'd Number of Thieves and Robbers he constituted a regular well disciplin'd Army he afterwards bestowed Silver and Gold upon them liberally to gild and adorn their Helmets he caused their Shields to be wrought and engraved with various Figures and Designs he brought them into the Mode of wearing flowered and richly embroidered Cloaths and by courting them by paying their Expences by conversing familiarly with them he won the Hearts of all and led them whither he pleased but that which delighted them most was the Care that he took of their Children when he sent for all the Noblemen's Sons in those Parts and placed them in the great City of Osca where he appointed Masters to instruct them in the Grecian and Roman Learning that when they came to be men they might be fitted to share with him in Authority and in the Government of the Commonwealth although under this pretence