chose the Nobility of the Albans into the Senate particularly the Tullii Servilii Quintii Geganii Curiatii and the Claelii and that he might out of those new People make some Addition to the Strength of every Order he chose ten Troops of Horse out of the Albans In Confidence of this his Strength after an â—â—ntire Reduction of the Fidenates he declar'd War against the Sabines who before had committed several Robberies upon the Romans that traded with ' em He met 'em at the Wood call'd Malitiosa Sylva where especially by the help of his Horse who broke all â—heir Ranks after a short Engagement he entirely defeated 'em forcing 'em to beg Peace over whom â—e obtain'd a third Triumph The Latines were not yet quiet refusing to pay Obedience to the Romans which occasion'd several Contests but this War was manag'd with great Moderation no Battel â—eing fought no Town taken or plunder'd besides Medallia which Hostilius punish'd for an Example â—ecause it had receiv'd a Roman Colony in Romuâ—us's time This War lasted most of the rest of his Days and in the latter end of his Reign Rome was much infected with Plagues and Famines and as much frightn'd with Prodigies Then Hostilius began to think of bringing in the Religious Ceremonies of Numa which he had all this time took little Notice of but soon after he died after a Reign of 32 Years some say by Lightning with his whole Family tho' more probably by some treasonable Practices In this Reign the 300 Celeres were again reassum'd which had been dif-us'd in the last and the City was very much increas'd tho' the Dominions were little different from those in Romulus's Days only they seem'd to have a surer Footing in some Places than before CHAP. IV. From the Death of Hostilius to the Death of Ancus Marcius the Fourth King of Rome Containing the space of 24 Years I. AFter the Death of Tullus Hostilius the State fell into an Interregnum as formerly and in a short time Ancus Marcius was made King by the Inter-Rex and Senate and was confirm'd so by the People He had his Surname Ancus from his crookeâ— Arm which he cou'd not stretch out in length as Festus has it He was Grand-Son to Numa the second King of Rome by Pompilia his Daughter and Marcius his Kinsman who was the Son of that Marcius who had persuaded Numa to accept of the Kingdom and after Numa's death had kill'd himself because he did not succeed him This Prince was much of the same Temper with his Grand-Father Numa and considering that much of the Religion and many of the Ceremonies had been neglected in the last Reign he set himself to restore them to their former Use. For that reason he insinuated to the People that the Diseases Pestilence and other innumerable Calamities which had lately befallen the City together with the disasterous End of Hostilius proceeded from want of Devotion and a Neglect of their Gods He highly commended the Orders and Institutions of Numa and wou'd be often shewing the great Blessings of the State and how much it flourish'd under that happy Reign advising his Subjects to return to their Husbandry and more peaceable Employments and to lay aside all Sorts of Violence and all Profit that arises from War and Bloodshed The State thus setled he expected as his Grand-Father had done to pass his time free from all Wars and Troubles but he soon found his Designs cross'd and was compell'd to be a Warrior against his Will and was scarce ever free from publick Perils and Troubles He had scarce began his Reign and modell'd the Commonwealth when the Latines contemning him as a sluggish Prince and unfit for Military Affairs made Incursions into the Roman Territories Upon which he was oblig'd to make all necessary Preparations for a War proclaiming it according to the Ceremonies appointed by his Grand-Father Numa First an Ambassador was sent to the Frontiers of the Agressor's Country who in a Woollen Shash and a peculiar Dress and likewise in a solemn Form of Speech demanded Satisfaction which not being granted in 33 Days after a Consultation with the Senate the Feciales or Heraulds were immediately sent in their proper Habits with Javelins headed with Iron or all bloody and burnt at the end where in the Presence of three young Men at least they in the Name of the Gods and People of Rome solemnly proclaim'd War with that Country and then threw their Javelins into their Confines This Custom was brought in by Numa the Rules whereof were taken from the Aequicoli a very ancient People Ancus began this War with good Success and first took Politorium by Storm a Town of the Latines 14 or 15 Miles South-East of Rome the Inhabitants of which according to the usual Custom he transplanted to Rome allowing them the Privileges of Free Citizens And whereas the old Romans inhabited the Palatine the Sabines the Capitoline and the Albans the Caelian he granted the Aventine Hill for the Latines to possess the number of whom were encreased upon the subduing of Tellene and Ficania two Latine Towns nigh Politorium which he took soon after He is a little time likewise took Medallia a Place of considerable Strength and also Politorium again for the Latines finding it empty had possess'd themselves of it which made Ancus intirely demolish it The Latines inrag'd at their Losses made greater Preparations for the next Campaign but at several times he ruin'd their Designs broke their united Forces forc'd 'em to beg Peace and obtain'd a Triumph over ' em Not long after he subdu'd the Fidenates Veientes and the Volsci who had fallen out with him and likewise such of the Sabines who not having felt the strength of Rome had sorely repin'd at the exceeding Growth of an upstart City These latter he overthrew again and obtain'd over them a second Triumph II. Ancus did not only perform many great Acts abroad but also did many noble Works at home First upon the Account of the Success of his Arms he re-built the Temple of Iupiter Feretrius after a more stately and magnificent manner than before He fortify'd the Hill Ianiculum on the other side of the River Tiber for the greater strengthening of the City and to prevent its being a Refuge for Enemies uniting it to the City with a wooden Bridge over that River He likewise made a large Ditch call'd Fossa Quiritium which was no small Defence against such as came from the Plains And now the City having receiv'd a vast Increase seeing that such Multitudes of People of all sorts cou'd not but produce many Criminals he built a large Prison for Malefactors in the Heart of the City just facing the Forum to be a Terror to their growing Boldness He did not only enlarge the Pomaerium of the City but likewise its Dominions for having taken from the Veientes the Maesian Forest his Territories reach'd to the Sea upon which at the
telling them that Assistance wou'd soon come which Report kept the Romans in their Camp and so taking this Advantage the Night following he pass'd undisturbâ—d into Epirus with 8000 Foot and 500 Horse first leaving a Garrison in Tarentum which was more to preserve his own Reputation than for any other Use. Thus in about six Years ended the Wars with the famous Pyrrhus a Person esteemâ—d the ablest Commander of all the Kings in that time both for Military Experience and Personal Valour but he knew better how to Conquer than how to Keep and from him the Romans did not only improve the Art of Encamping but likewise learn'd to avoid Plains and better to sustain the Shock of a disciplin'd Cavalry which before they had despis'd IV. The Roman Name which before had been famous was now become formidable after the Overthrow of so great a Man as Pyrrhus which made way for farther Conquests and the Establishment of the Roman Empire In the second year after Pyrrhus's Retreat Ptolemy Philadelphus King of Egypt sent Ambassadors to congratulate the Roman Success and to enter into an Alliance with ' em The Romans to shew him the greater Respect likewise sent Ambassadors to Egypt where they were most courteously receiv'd and sent home laden with Gifts and Presents The following year the Taremines not being able to remove the Garrison Pyrrhus had left under Milo desir'd Aid of the Carthaginians and with them giving Battel to the Romans were overthrown Milo sensible how unable he was to resist by leave from the Consul Papirius departed with his Men and quitted the Castle which the Romans possessing easily became Masters of the City the Walls whereof they demolish'd Peace and Liberty were granted to all the Citizens and this year the two Consuls triumph'd having finish'd both the Tarentine and Samnite Wars in the year 481. The latter of these had with some Intermissions continu'd seventy one years and over these the Romans triumph'd thirty times namely Consuls twenty six Dictator twice and Pro-Consuls as many Now the Romans grew much too powerful for their Neighbours for the greatest Part of Italy was now conquer'd an Accession being made not only of the Tarentines and Samnites but of the Lucanians also and not long before of the Heâ—rurians After this the Campanian Legion who had treacherously seiz'd upon Rhegium and kept it to themselves were besieg'd and upon Surrender put to death by fifty at a time Soon after the Inhabitants of Apollonia in Illyricum sending Ambassadors to Rome some extravagant and unruly Noblemen fell upon 'em and beat 'em but the Romans were so just as to deliver 'em up to the Apolloniates In the same year the Picentes were subdu'd and Colonies were sent to Ariminum in the Country of the Piceni and to Beneventum in that of the Samnites About the same time was Silver first coin'd in Rome whereas Brass had only been in use till now their Riches being encreas'd by their Conquests and large Quantities of Silver were found in a Castle of the Samnites A year after the Sabines who some years past had been made Denizons of Rome receiv'd now also the Power of Voting in Elections About four years after that the Number of the Quaestors were encreas'd from four to eight and in the same year the Reduction of the Umbri and Sallentini together with the City of Brundusium compleated the Conquest of all Ioaly Now were the Roman Dominions much larger than ever containing the whole Body of old Italy and the several Italian Nations being about 500 Miles long and 130 broad which comprehended about one haâ—f of that Country which now goes by the Name of Italy as was formely observ'd Just at the same time began the first Punick or Carthaginian War in the 489th Year of the City A. M. â—740 in the 4th Year of the 128th Olympiad 244 since the beginning of the Consular State 125 since the Destruction of the City by the Gauls 65. since the beginning of the Macedonian Empire by Alexander the Great and 263 before our Saviour's Nativity CHAP. IX From the Beginning of the first Punick War to the Beginning of the second the Romans now growing powerful by Sea as well as by Land Containing the Space of 47 Years I. THE Carthaginians made up a very large and powerful Common-wealth commanding most of that part of Africa which now goes by the general Name of Barbary their Dominions extending about 2000 Miles in length all bordering upon the Sea having besides the Islands of Sardinia and Corsica and the greatest part of Sicily with other lesser Isles The Occasion of the Romans War with this Nation was their joyning with Hiero King of Syracuse against the Mamertines and for besieging Messana which oblig'd that People to send to Rome for Succour The Romans had not forgot the Carthaginians assisting the Tarentines against them not long before and because the former Carriage of the Mamertines was not easily justified they made that their Pretence of their declaring War against the Carthaginians And Appiâ—â— Claudius one of the Consuls was immediately sent over to Sicily with an Army and a small Fleet. With much Danger and Difficulty he pass'd the Streights between Italy and Sicily but with that Success that the rais'd the Siege of Messana in a short time and after that defeated both Hiero and the Carthaginians in two several Battels Appius return'd to Rome with a noble Triumph which was the first that ever was obtain'd upon the Account of Foreign Actions Notwithstanding the great Wasting of the People by continual Wars 292224 Free Citizens were cess'd this Year and in this Year D. funius Brutus first brought in the Custom of having Fencing Maches perform'd by Gladiators at Funerals a Custom very much in use afterwards The following Year both the Consuls were order'd for Sicily with all their Leâ—â—ons And they manag'd the War so successfully 〈◊〉 going to invest Syracuse it self Hiero was affrighted into Obedience perceiving that the Romans most probably wou'd be Conquerours and so he made Peace upon these Terms To restore all their Prisoners without Ransom and to pay a hundred Talents of Silver The Romans more readily embrac'd the Alliance because the Carthaginians being Masters at Sea they cou'd not safely supply the Armies with Provisions and Necessaries expecting that he shou'd chiefly take care about that affair Valerius one of this Year's Consuls from Messana had the Sirname of Messala who also having taken Catana carry'd from thence a new Sun-Dial to Rome Papirius Cursâ—r having 30 Years before set up the first that ever was in this City This tho' not perfect the People made use for 99 Years till M. Philippus the Censor set up a perfect one by it and about that time Scipio Nasica being Censor first made the equal Division of the Day into Hours by Water dropping out of one Vessel into another This Year the City being much afflicted with a Pestilence a Dictator was
Chamber to meditate of something to speak to the People the next Day in the Morning he was found dead in his Bed not without Suspicion of Treachery from his Wife and Mother-in-Law the latter of which was Mother to the Gracchi Nevertheless being then in no favour with the People little enquiry was made after his Death though he was a Person of extraordinary Merits and had been justly esteem'd the Bulwark of the State The Owners of the Land still made Delays in the Division and some believ'd that the Partakers of the Dividends should likewise have the Freedom of the City which however lik'd of by others was highly displeasing to the Senate While the People were variously discoursing of these Matters Caius obtain'd the Tribune-ship and bearing a great Enmity to the Senate he found a fair Opportunity to shew it He preferr'd several Laws among the rest one for dividing the publick Corn to every Man Monthly in which Laws he shewâ—d himself rather more stirring and active and more dextrous than his Brother Then procuring his Office to be continuâ—d to him another Year he began more strictly to inspect into the late Corruptions of the Senate such as their taking Bribes their selling of Offices and such like unjust Proceedings Whereupon he found Means to transferr the power of judging corrupt Officers from the Senators to the Equites or Knights which gave the latter an extraordinary Authority and made a remarkable Change and Alteration in the whole Government These Equites were first instituted by Romulus and though they were originally in the Common-Wealth yet they had no particular Authority Rank or Order till this Law of Gracchus by which it was enacted That these Iudgmentsâ— should be peculiar to them So that whereas at first there were only two Orders or Ranks namely Patritian and Plebeian which through the Incroachments of the People were afterwards distinguish'd only into Senatorian and Plebeian By this Law and especially by the Procurement of Cicero afterwards the Equites became a distinct Order Thus now the Roman Citizens consisted of three Ranks or Orders namely the Senatorian which included all the Patritians and such of the Plebeians as could rise to be Senators the Plebeian which still continu'd the same as formerly and the Equestrian which before had always been included in the Plebeian and had been only distinguish'd by their Way of Service Gracchus took the fairest Opportunity that he cou'd expect for preferring this Law for the Senators were become odious of late because for Money they had acquitted Cotta Salinator and Aquilius Persons capitally guilty of Corruption But the Great Power of these Equites became extreamly burdensome to the State till by Degrees their Authority came to be diminish'd The Equites alone were wont to Farm the publick Revenues and Customs from the Censors and from thence had the Name of Publicans These were the principal of the Equestrian Order the Ornaments of the City and the Strength of the State who made up so many Companys as there were Provinces subject to the payment of Toll Tribute Custom or Impost Caius grew more and more in favour with the Commons and was invested with a larger Authority than ordinary which he manag'd with extraordinary Prudence and Cunning being a Master of much Eloquence and many other Accomplishments And the more to gratifie the Commons he took special Care about the High-ways making 'em extraordinary handsom and pleasant as well as usefull and convenient erecting likewise pillars of Stone at the end of each Mile to signifie the Distances from Place to Place For Caius fiâ—ding the Senators to be his Enemys he endeavoured still more to ingratiate himself with the People by other new Laws Particularly he propos'd that a Colony of Roman Citizens might be sent to the People of Tarentum and that all the Latines should enjoy the same Privileges with the Citizens of Rome But the Senate dreading the Effects of Caius's Power forbid the Latines to come near the City at such time as they knew his Laws would be propos'd and the better to satisfie and please the People they gave Leave to the sending of 12 Colonies Caius thus frustrated of his Designs departed into Africk with Flaccus his Collegue intending to plant a Colony where Carthage stood calling it Iunonia but there he also met with a Disappointment the Bound Marks of the intended City being continually remov'd in the Night time by Wolves as some Authors relate it whereupon the Augurs and South-sayers pronounc'd the Design unlawful Caius having been twice Tribune stood for it a third time and had many Votes but his Collegues offended at his violent Carriage at this time procur'd Minucius Rufus to be chosen into his Place who began to abrogate many of his Laws wherein he was seconded by Opimius the Consul who was a profest Enemy to Caius and endeavoured to find some colourable Pretence to put him to Death Whereupon Caâ—us at the Instigation of his Friends especially Fulvius resolv'd presently to raise Forces and at an Assembly in the Capitol he and many of his Friends went thither privately arm'd It happen'd that one Antilius a Serjeant coming down from the Capitol cryâ—d out to Fulvius and his Friends Ye factious Citizens make way for honest Men whereupon they immediately slew him This Murther causâ—d a great Disturbance in the Assembly and Caius himself was very angry with those of his Party for giving his Enemies so much Advantage against him and endeavourâ—d to excuse himself but could not be heard by reason of the Tumult so together with his Friends and Confederates he retirâ—d home the Consul keeping strict Watch all Night in the City The next day Antilius's Corps was brought upon a Bier through the Forum and expos'd to open view just before the Senate House with design to stir up the People to a Revenge The Senate invested Opimius with an extraordinary Power and all the Equites were order'd to be in Arms which forc'd Caius and all his Friends to betake themselves to Mount Aventine where they fortify'd themselves offering Liberty to all Slaves that shou'd come in to them The Consul pressâ—d hard upon Caius and Proclamation was made that whoever shou'd bring the Head either of Caius or Fulvius shou'd receive their Weight in Gold for a Reward Caius finding himself in no Condition for a long Defence in a short time fled into a Grove beyond Tiber and procur'd his Servant to kill him who immediately after kill'd himself and fell down dead upon his Master One Septimuleius carry'd his Head to Opimius and 't is said that to make it weigh the heavier he took out the Brains and fill'd the Skull with Lead Fulvius flying to a Friend's House was betray'd and slain and by the Severity of Opimius no less than 3000 Persons of this Party were put to Death Thus fell Caius Gracchus above 10 Years after his Brother Tiberius Gracchus and fix after he began to act much in
the Army he either forcâ—d or by former Agreement brought Albinus to submit upon most dishonourable Terms In this Condition did Metellus the following Consul find Affairs and the whole Army was almost ruin'd for want of Discipline to the great Dishonour of the Roman State and the grievous Vexation of the honester sort in the City Metellus having with much difficulty brought his Soldiers into good Order within the space of two years overthrew Iugurth several times forc'd him out of several Towns and pursu'd him beyond her own Frontiers which constrainâ—d him to submit and beg Peace but he in a short time broke the Conditions of it and so the former Hostility return'd At this time one C. Marius was Legatus or Lieutenant to Mâ—tellus a Person of Frugality Policy and Military Experience and of vast Courage in War a Contemner of Pleasure but very ambitious of Honour which made him extreamly desirous to gain the Consulship To obtain this he privately blam'd Metellus to the Merchants of Utica avowing That he was able with half the Army to take Jugurth Prisoner and that within few Days By these and the like detracting Discourses he procurâ—d many Complaints to be written to Rome against Metellus and getting leave to go thither obtainâ—d the Consulship and had likewise the management of the War committed to him Notwithstanding the People were so grateful to Metellus that at his return being satisfy'd as to his Behaviour they both granted him a Triumph and bestow'd upon him the Surname of Numidicus as an additional Honour Marius shew'd himself a very expert Warrior and in a short time took the City Capsa a place very rich and strong and after this another call'd Mulucha `fugurth now finding himself too weak to oppose him any longer procur'd Bocchus King of Mauritania and his Father-in-Law to joyn with him who by the Assistance of his Numerous Cavalry much harrass'd the Roman Army Marius had Invested Cirta and Bocchus approaching to raise the Siege partly by the Number of his Horse reported to be 60000 and partly by the violent Heats and great Dusts the Romans were sorely distress'd and the Fight continuâ—d dangerous and terrible to them for three Days at the end of which a Tempest of Rain falling spoil'd the Enemies Weapons and relievâ—d Marius's Men almost famish'd with Thirst and now the Course of Fortune changing the Two Kings were entirely defeated In another Battel Marius 't is said killâ—d 90000 after which Bocchus began to repent of his Enterprise and sent to Rome to enter into a League which he could not procure nevertheless he obtain'd Pardon for his Crime Not long after Marius took Iugurth in an Ambuscade whither he had drawn him by specious Pretences and deliver'd him up to Sylla his Quaestor who had brought over some Forces from Italy and under Marius he learnt that Skill in War which he afterwards employ'd against him Iugurth with his Two Sons were led in Triumph by Marius and shortly after by Order of Senate he was put to Death and so the Iugurthine War ended after it had continu'd about Seven Years III. At the same time a War was carry'd on against the Cimbri a Vagabond People of Cimbrica Chersonesus now call'd Denmark who joyning with the Teutones a Nation of the Germans made dreadful Irruptions into several Parts of the Roman Dominions particularly Gaul and Spain where they had overthrown several Consuls in the last Battel killing 80000 Romans after which they resolv'd to pass the Alps into Italy Rome began now to be in a great Consternation and Marius having just vanquish'd Iugurtha they made him Consul a â—d time as the only Man thought able to Manage so Threatning a War and to preserve the State While they continu'd in Spain Marius March'd against their Friends the Tolosans in Gaul where King Copilus was taken by Sylla his Lieutenant Being made Consul again the following Year he declin'd Fighting till the Enemies Force was weakned by Delays The next Year in his Fourth Consulship the Enemy in Three several Parties were just upon passing the Alps into Italy and as he attended their Motions it happened that his Army was extreamly afflicted with Thirst the Teutones and Ambrones lying between them and the Water which Necessity brought him to an Ingagement with 'em and in Two Days time he by his excellent Conduct utterly destroy'd 'em taking Theutobocchus their King Prisoner The Cimbri escap'd him and fled over into Italy notwithstanding the Winter-Season and the Alps cover'd with Snow being in vain oppos'd by Catulus both at the Alps and at the River Athesis nigh Verona The Year following Marius was again made Consul and joyning with Catulus was challengâ—d by the Enemy to give Battel Whereupon he fell upon their numerous Army and gave 'em a most dreadful Overthrow their Wives all the while making a wonderful Resistance from the Chariots and when they saw all things in a desperate Condition they in a great Fury first kill'd all their Children and after that themselves About 140000 were slain in this Battel and 60000 taken Prisoners which ended this War after it had continu'd 12 Years Marius the Fifth time and Aquilius Nepos being Consuls The former was then esteem'd the Preserver of his Country and contented himself with one Triumph when he might have had more and his Collegue had now also finish'd the Second Servile War in Sicily which had lasted almost Four Years Notwithstanding these Dangers abroad the City was not without Domestick Troubles which were occasion'd by Saturninus one of Marius's Friends who having been Quaestor at Ostia during a Famine was turn'd out of his Place by the Senate to revenge which usage he procur'd the Tribune-ship But after his Year was expirâ—d Metellus Numidicus formerly mention'd being Censor endeavour'd to remove him from the Senate but was hinderâ—d by his Collegue This so enragâ—d him that he stood again for the Tribunâ—-ship and Nine of the Ten Tribunes being chosen by the Assistance of Marius he Murderâ—d Nonius his Competitor and so obtain'd the Place Now being once again in Power he preferrâ—d a Law for the Division of such Lands as Marius had recoverâ—d in Gaul and compell'd the Senate to Swear to it which Oath Numidicus refusing he set him a day to Answer it before the People but for fear of him and Marius together Numidicus fled to Smyrna in Asia Saturninus procuring the Tribuneship a Third time and finding Memmius Candidate for the Consulship he also caus'd him to be Murder'd to make way for Glaucius the Praetor one of his own Party These base and ungenerous Practices rais'd several Troubles and Commotions in the City and the Senate resolvâ—d to make him Answer it whereupon Marius now a Sixth time Consul perceiving him in a declining Condition very politickly withdrew himself from his Friendship The Consuls were now as in some other Dangerous Times Invested with an unusual and Dictatorian sort of Power the manner of conferring of which was by a
for Clemency as before he had for Valour Then to shew his generous Temper he caus'd Pompey's Statues to be set up again to shew that he esteem'd a great Soul and a magnanimous Spirit even in his greatest Enemy which occasion'd Cicero to observe in his Writing That Caesar by restoring Pompey's Statues secur'd his own In this second Iulian Year his Collegue Anthony procur'd by a Law that the Month Quintilis shou'd in honour of his Name be afterwards call'd Iuly and many other Laws were made In the mean time as he was no ways belov'd by those who were greatest in the Senate tho' his Ordinances had no other Design than the publick Good they forbore not to viliâ—ie him by their Raileries Now tho' Caesar had Information of their several Discourses he bore it all with so great a Moderation that when some other People had yet the Boldness to violate his Reputation by Libels he never so much as enquir'd after them All his Designs shew'd the Greatness of his Soul he made a Proposition for adorning of the City of Rome with a magnificent Temple consecrated to Mars and with a Theatre and likewise the building of a new Curia or Parish to be call'd Iulia. He rebuilt Carthage and Corinth sending Colonies to both Cities He undertook to level several Mountains in Italy to drein the Pontine Marshes near Rome and to empty the Lakes Works of prodigious Charge and likewise design'd to dig through the Isthmus of Peloponnesus by Corinth After these he design'd an Expedition against the Parthians to revenge the death of Crassus and they being conquer'd to enter thro' Hircania along the Banks of the Caspian Sea into Scythia to open himself a Way through Germany into Gaul and so return to Rome But all these vast Designs soon came to an End enjoying his Sovereign Authority but five Months Caesar's good Fortune which had appear'd by so many Victories his Merit and great Abilities supported by the Affection of the People and the Love of his Soldiers had now rais'd him to a Degree above all other Romans But as it usually happens in Common-wealths where overy one valuing himself upon his own Merit looks upon absolute Command as a Right which he one Day in his Turn may pretend to so it was now for that his extraordinary Advancement daily brought upon him the Jealousie of the Senators In the mean time in an extravagant manner they continually flatter'd his Vanity with new Honours preferring him in his Life time in some sort among the Gods and declaring his Person Sacred and Inviolable They gave him the Title of Father of his Country stamp'd Money with his Image order'd publick Sacrifices on his Birth-day and his Statue to be set up in all Cities and in all the Temples at Rome Some Authors have reported that he procur'd these Honours by his Authority others that they were freely bestow'd upon him However his accepting of all that was offer'd him caus'd him much Hatred from many which was discover'd more plainly one Day when the Senate had decreed him some new Honours and came all in a Body to the Temple of Venus where he was to acquaint him with their Decree and he whether out of a Mistake or Design rose not up but receiv'd 'em sitting which Neglect much offended the Senators and caus'd 'em to talk very freely and publickly about it particularly saying That he plainly affected the Title of King He had indeed the Power in effect but only wanted the Name which was odious to the Romans Caesar who well knew the Effects of that Aversion very cautiously defended himself from that Odium and one Day when some People call'd him Lord and King he made Answer That he was Caesar. Nevertheless he often let some Discourses fall which much promoted the Belief People had of his Ambition particularly That a Republick was nothing but a meer Name and Notion and that Sylla had discovered great Ignorance in laying down the Office of Dictator Caesar shortly after gave a fresh Occasion of Suspicion to the People by his displacing the Tribunes for imprisoning some Persons who had put Diadems upon his Statues And by another Instance soon after he still more plainly perceiv'd the Affections of the People at the Celebration of the Feasts call'd Lupercalia where he himself assisted at the Show seated upon a Tribunal in a Chair of Gold and his Triumphal Ornaments Anthony passing through the People who open'd to make him way went up to the Tribunal and presented a Crown to Caesar some clapp'd their Hands as if they approv'd of it but when Caesar put the Crown back there was a general Applause Anthony offer'd it a second time but still with as little Marks of Satisfaction from the People Caesar again refus'd it which was follow'd with loud Acclamations on all sides Caesar who had laid this Design before now plainly understood their Sentiments and thereupon rising commanded the Crown to be carry'd to the Capitol nevertheless he was so concern'd and so little Master of his Disorder that he said that Night to his Friends That he wou'd freely offer his Throat to any Man that wou'd cut it And tho' he had a thousand Testimonies of the Hatred he lay under he so abandon'd himself to his Designs that from this Moment he neglected all manner of Means of securing himself against his Enemies When he was advis'd by some not to trust Brutus too far he open'd his Breast saying Do you believe that Brutus cares for such poor Pillage as this He was sometimes heard to say That he had rather die once by Treason that to be so miserable as always to live in fear of it And at another time That the Republick had more Interest in his Preservation than himself that he had gain'd Glory and Power enough but after his Death the Common-wealth wou'd be more harass'd with Civil Wars then ever it had been And one Day being at Supper with Lepidus as his Friends disputed among themselves what Death was easiest he reply'd to 'em That which is most sudden and least foreseen He disbanded his Company of Spanish Guards and contented himself with the Protection of his Friends which Proceeding of his much facilitated an Enterprize upon his Life soon after The Design upon Caesar's Life was carry'd on with extraordinary Caution and Secrecy tho' above threescore Senators enter'd into this Conspiracy the Principal whereof was Brutus whose Life Caesar had sav'd after the Battel of Pharsalia and Cassius both Praetors at this time The Name of Brutus had been famous in Rome ever since Brutus the first Consul under the Foot of whose Statue was found written Wou'd to Heaven thou wert alive and certain Billets were thrown into the Praetor's Tribunal in these Words Brutus thou art asleep and not a true Brutus Cassius was Author of most of these things and he hated Caesar upon several Accounts particularly for his naming Brutus the eldest Praetor when he was above him in
and Magistrates I mean such of 'em as cannot be so clearly learnt from Rosinus and Books of mere Antiquities It is the Historical Account of all the various Occasions and Circumstances that can best clear some of these things The Tribunes of the People may serve for one Instance of this for no Man can throughly understand the Nature of those Magistrates without reading the History of their Creation and likewise their chief Actions afterwards And still that this Book might be as compleat as I cou'd make it I have at the most convenient Places intermix'd the History of the Roman Learning and given a short Account of all the Principal Authors as far as this History reaches But still I have taken care to join all this to the rest in such a manner as both might make but one entire Body But to shew more noble Uses of this Book and that I may incite all Gentlemen to be well acquainted with the Roman History of which this is an Introduction I shall give 'em the sence of what a very Ingenious Man says upon this Subject It is the Story of the Fate and Fortunes of a City that rais'd it self to an Universal Empire and became the Metropolis of the whole World and all from a Troop of Vagabond Shepherds pack'd together upon the Banks of Tiber. It is a long Train of the Adventures of a People scandalous as it were in their Origine coming of an Extraction in a manner Infamous born and nurs'd up in Plunderings and Murders and train'd up in Villanies who became Wise Frugal Iust Passionately studious of Glory till they infinitely over-topp'd the rest of Mankind A People whose Prudence in their Counsels whose Maturity of Deliberations whose Diligence in Execution whose profound Secrecy in the most important Affairs and whose noble Resolution in unavoidable Dangers and the greatest Extreâ— tremities ought to be remember'd to all Ages It is a History of a State that grew so mighty from so small Beginnings of its Progress its strange Changes the Revolutions of its Power and Greatness its amazing Exaltation and the miraculous and almost unconceivable Pitch of Glory it arriv'd at and all by its patient enduring of Hardships by its Perseverance in Labours by its exact Observation of Laws by the inviolable Severity of its Discipline in the Duties of Peace and War and by training up a well regulated and couragious Soldiery encourag'd and elevated with the sole Prospect of aggrandizing the Roman Name It was a Nation that was Virtuous through a true Principle of Honour whose Valour was more the Product of the Head than Heart a Nation that courted or avoided Danger from a result of Prudence and knew as well when to expose it self as when to retreat by the Dictates of Reason and obtain'd the Sovereignty over the rest of the World more by the Reputation of its Virtue than the Force of its Arms. AN ADVERTISEMENT OF THIS Second Edition IN the Preface to this History I acknowledg'd that I had not bestow'd sufficient Pains in the perfecting the Stile in some places which proceeded not only from a want of Time but also from the great Care I had upon me of perfecting the Matter and proportioning its several Parts to that small Compass to which I was over-strictly confin'd The principal Fault besides a little Abruptness in some few Periods was the having Expressions in several Places somewhat too low and vulgar for History which requires the utmost Purity as well as the greatest Strength This Fault is in a great Measure corrected in this Edition which I assert with the greater Freedom because I have been much assisted by Persons of the greatest Judgment in these Matters whose Names I ought not to mention without their particular Leave In examining the Stile I likewise found the Matter in many Places defective and capable of great Improvements with no great Inlargements for which reason I have made several considerable Additions in most Parts of this History especially in the last Book and particularly in the third and Fourth Chapters where several Material Actions were manifestly too shortly and lamely related I am truly sensible that I have disoblig'd those Persons who have bought the First Edition in not putting these Additions in distinct Places whereby they might have had 'em without buying the whole but I hope they will the more readily pardon me since these Additions are of that Nature that in many Places it wou'd be as difficult to separate 'em from the Body of the Book as to separate the Alterations made in the Style I undertook this Second Edition the more willingly because the Number of the First was so small and therefore the less Injury done to the World but I here promise never to make any further Additions to it for the future nor any Corrections except those of the Press Of which thâ—re are these following Errors in this Edition occasion'd by my Distance from the Town which I desire the Reader to correct before he reads the Book ERRATA PAge 26. in the Margent read 83. p. 73. l. 20. for are r. were p. 153. l. 9. between the and Dictator r. first p. 176. l. 21. r. being p. 178. l. 1. between the and time r. Night p. 185. l. 26. for there r. thâ—â— p. 220. l. 〈◊〉 for stand r. and. p. 223. l. 10. after 〈◊〉 add rais'd l. 12. dele rais'd l. 25. after such add in p. 249. l. 4. r. Massina p. 257. l. 27 r. Myssians p. 276. l. 30. r. Maâ—ilius p. 283. l. 5. r. shew'd l. 12. r. proceeded p. 284. l. 17. r. Dele Notwithstanding p. 300. in the Margent r. 696. p. 302. l. 26. dele Reveral p. 303. l. 7. for 〈◊〉 in r. not a Tiâ—â—sand p. 306. l. 12. r. to hnder p. 308. l. 12. r. Labienus p. 312. l. 3. r. Parthia p. 416. l 17. r. Casariâ— p. 440. l. 31. dele the second to p. 445. l. 9. after this add were There are some few other Errors but such as will not easily mislead the Reader THE CONTENTS BOOK I. The Regal State of Rome From the Building of the City to the Overthrow of that Kind of Government Containing the space of 245 Years THE INTRODUCTION Of the Original of Rome and its Inhabitants CHAP. I. From the Building of the City to the Death of Romulus the first King of Rome Containing the space of 37 Years CHAP. II. From the Death of Romulus to the Death of Numa Pompilius the second King of Rome Containing 44 Years CHAP. III. From the Death of Numa to the Death of Tullus Hostilius the third King of Rome Containing 33 Years CHAP. IV. From the Death of Hostilius to the Death of Ancus Marcius the fourth King of Rome Containing 24 Years CHAP. V. From the Death of Ancus Marcius to the Death of Tarquinius Priscus the fifth King of Rome Containing 38 Years CHAP. VI. From the Death of Tarquinius Priscus to the Death of Servius Tullius the sixth King of Rome
Containing 44 Years CHAP. VII From the Death of Servius Tullius to the Banishment of Tarquinius Superbus the seventh King of Rome which caus'd the Dissolution of the Regal State Containing 25 Years BOOK II. The Consular State of Rome From the Beginning of that Government to the Ruine of it by the first Triumvirate Containing the Space of 449 Years CHAP. I. From the Banishment of the last King to the first Dictator which was the first Intermission of the Consular Power Containing 10 Years CHAP. II. From the Creation of the first Dictator to the great Retrenchment of the Consular Power by the Tribunes of the People Containing 5 Years CHAP. III. From the Creation of the Tribunes of the People to the second Intermission of the Consular Power by the Decemviri Containing 42 Years CHAP. IV. From the Creation of the Decemviri to the third Intermission of the Consular Power by the Military Tribunes Containing 8 Years CHAP. V. From the Creation of the Military Tribunes to the Burning of Rome by the Gauls which almost ruin'd the Roman Nation Containing 54 Years CHAP. VI. From the Burning of Rome by the Gauls to the Wars with the Samnites when the Romans began much to extend their Conquests Containing 46 Years CHAP. VII From the first Wars with the Samnites to the Wars with Pyrrhus King of Epirus the first Forreigâ—er they had to deal with wherein the Romans began to learn the Arts of War Containing 63 Years CHAP. VIII From the Beginning of the Wars with Pyrrhus to the first Punick or Carthaginian War when the Romans first set Foot out of Italy Containing 16 Years CHAP. IX From the Beginning of the first Punick War to the Beginning of the second the Romans now growing Powerful by Sea as well as by Land Containing 17 Years CHAP. X. From the Beginning of the second Punick War to the finishing of it by Scipio Africanus when the Romans became perfect in the Arts of War Containiny 17 Years CHAP. XI From the End of the second Punick War to the End of the third and the Destruction of Carthage when Rome got clear of all her Rival States Containing 55 Years CHAP. XII From the Destruction of Carthage to the End of the Sedition of the Gracchi which much shook the Government and was the first Step to the Ruine of the Consular State Containing 23 Years CHAP. XIII From the End of the Sedition of the Gracchi to the End of the first Civil War in Italy and to the perpetual Dictatorship of Sylla which was the second great Step to the Ruine of the Consular State Containing 41 Years CHAP. XIV From the perpetual Dictatorship of Sylla to the first Triumvirate namely Caesar Pompey and Crassus which prov'd the Ruine of the Consular State and was the first Step to the setting up of the Imperial Containing 22 Years BOOK III. The Mix'd State of Rome From the Beginning of the first Triumvirate to the perfect Settlement of the Roman Empire Containing the space of 33 Years CHAP. I. From the Beginning of the first Triumvirate to the Death of Crassus one of the Combination which broke and divided that Party Containing 7 Years CHAP. II. From the Death of Crassus to the Death of Pompey which made way for Caesar's Absolute Authority and was the second Step to the Imperial State Containing above 5 Years CHAP. III. From the Death of Pompey to the Death of Caesar which finish'd the first Triumvirate but still kept down the Consular State Containing 4 Years CHAP. IV. From the Death of Caesar to the Defeats and Deaths of Brutus and Cassius by the second Triumvirate Octavius Anthony and Lepidus which ruin'd the Remains of the Common-wealth Containing above 2 Years CHAP. V. From the Deaths of Brutus and Cassius to the Banishment of Lepidus which vary'd the Course of the Triumvirates Power Containing 6 Years CHAP. VI. From the Banishment of Lepidus to the Death of Anthony which made way for Octavius's Absolute Authority and was the last Step to the Imperial State Containing 6 Years CHAP. VII From the Death of Anthony to the perfect Settlement of the Empire by Octavius which ended all Disturbances and brought Rome to its utmost Glory Containing 3 Years THE Roman History BOOK I. The Regal State of ROME From the Building of the City to the Overthrow of that Kind of Government Containing the Space of 245 Years The INTRODUCTION Of the Original of Rome and its Inhabitants I. IN relating such great and remarkable Affairs as those of the Romans it will be necessary to give some Account of the Original of that People And to make the Account as clear and intelligible as I can it may not be amiss first to observe that that Country which was anciently call'd Italy of which Rome was afterwards the chief City did not contain above one half of what now goes by that Name But as small as it was it contain'd many distinct Nations and People the principal of which were the Aborigines Sabines Hetrurians or Tuscans Umbri Samnites Campani Apulii Calabri Lucanii and Brutii and others of inferior Note which were often dependant on these As for the rest of what is now call'd Italy that was principally possess'd by the Gauls who had driven out the Hetrurians and settl'd themselves in these Parts being distinguish'd into several Names as the Senones the Insubres c. This Part went by the Name of Gallia Cis-Alpina and Togata to distinguish it from that Gaul which is now call'd France and was almost the same with the present Lombardy The chief Inhabitants of it besides the several Nations of the Gauls were the Ligures and the Veneti Of all the foremention'd People the Aborigines afterwards call'd by the Name of Latines were of principal Note not upon the account of any particular Excellency but as being better known and much more enquir'd after by all Historians These were of the Posterity of the Oenotrians a Grecian People of Arcadia who had driven out the Siculi the first Inhabitants of these Parts of Italy They possess'd the Country of Latium a small Country along the River Tiber about 30 Miles in length and 16 in breadth containing near a fourth Part of that little Province in the Pope's Dominions now call'd Campagna-di-Roma We find these govern'd by their own Kings nigh 200 Years before the destruction of Troy and above 1300 before Christ the first Kings we hear of in Italy or in all Europe except Greece These Kings kept their Courts at Laurentum a City about 5 Miles off the Mouth of the River Tiber and were Governors of a mixt People For first some Pelasgians out of Thessaly settled among 'em soon after Saturn from Creet who fled from his Son Iupiter which occasion'd their changing of their Names to Latines à latendo from his lying hid there next Evander from Arcadia then Hercules from Greece with their several Followers But the last who settled in this Country according to Dionysius were some
Relicts of the Trojans under the Conduct of their Prince Aeneas who had left his native Country and his inrag'd Enemies to seek out Foreign Habitations These were about 1200 in all tho' some will allow but half that Number and arriv'd in these Parts three Years after the destruction of Troy and above 400 before the building of Rome A. M. 2824. Aeneas at his first landing was very civilly entertain'd by Latinus the King then reigning as a Person of great Renown who not only treated him honourably but gave him his only Daughter Lavinia in Marriage This occasion'd a War between him and Turnus a Prince of the Rutuli their near Neighbours who had formerly made Pretensions to her but these Wars soon ended in Turnus's death which did not only free Aeneas from a Rival but secur'd his Kingdom which Latinus gave him for his Daughters Portion after his decease Aâ—neas thus settled soon after built the City of Lavinium in honour of his Wife about five or six Miles East of Laurentum where he kept his Court and the more to oblige his Subjects caus'd both them and his own Country-men to be call'd by the common Name of Latini But ingaging in a bloody War with Mezentius a King of the Hetrurians he was slain after a short Reign of four Years His Subjects in honour to his Memory dedicated a Chappel to him under the Title of Iupiter Indiges Upon the death of Aeneas his Son Ascanius succeeded him in the Throne but Lavinia being left with Child by him out of fear fled to the Woods and was there deliver'd of a Son who from the place of his Birth had the Name of Silvius Thirty Years after the building of Lavinium Ascanius left it to his Mother-in-Law and founded Alba-Longa about 12 Miles North of it which he made his Seat Ascanius had a Son call'd Iulus from whom came the famous Family of the Iulii this Son after his Mother's Death contended with Silvius for the Kingdom but the People judging that to belong to Latinus's Race gave the Kingdom to Silvius and the Priesthood to Iulus in whose Family it thenceforth continu'd After Silvius succeeded 13 Kings of the same Race for nigh 400 Years who all had their Seats at Alba and many of them likewise had the Name of Silvius These Kings were as following Aeneas Silvius who reign'd 31 Years Latinus who reign'd 51 Alba 39 Capetus I. 26 Capys 28 Capetus II. 13 Tiberinus 8 Agrippa 24 Alladius 19 Aventinus 37 Procas 23 Amulius 42 and Numitor who was the last King of Alba. Except the two last we have but little remarkable concerning these Kings only Tiberinus gave Name to the River Tiber by being drown'd in it it being before call'd Albula and Aventinus gave Name to Mount Aventine one of the seven Hills of Rome These were call'd the Kings of Alba or of Old Latium which scarce contain'd the sixth part of what was call'd Latium in Augustus's Reign which then comprehended not only the Old Latini but also the Rutuli Aequi Hernici Volsci and Arunci This Kingdom tho' very Small according to the Dimensions before given of it was very Fruitful Populous and full of Towns and Alba it self was a great and flourishing City and had been the Mother of thirty Latine Towns when it was destroy'd by Tullus Hostilius the third King of Rome II. But to come close to the Roman Story Amulius and Numitor the two last of these Kings were Brothers and it was agreed between 'em that Numitâ—r the Eldest should have the Kingdom and Amulius the Treasure and Gold that was brought from Troy But Money having the Advantage of meer Authority Amulius soon got his Brother out of his Kingdom and to secure it to himself against the Pretensions of his Posterity caus'd his Son Lausus to be Murther'd in a pretended Hunting and his Daughter Rhea to be made a Vestal Virgin In the fourth Year of her Priesthood going to fetch Water she was met and ravish'd by some Lover or probably by Amulius himself rather as was supposâ—d to serve his other Designs than to gratifie his Lust. But for the Honour of the Cause the Fact was laid upon Mars in whose Grove it was committed who came to her as they will have it in a most dreadful manner with Thunder and Lightning Rhea proving with Child was deliver'd of two Boys and thereupon was condemn'd to Death or perpetual Imprisonment and her Children were thrown into the River But the Wind and Stream were both so favourable that at the fall of the Water they were left safe upon dry Ground and there happily found by Faustulus Amuliusâ—s Herds-Man and suckled by his Wife Laurentia who for her Infamous Life was call'd Lupa and this probably might occasion the famous Story of their being nourished by a Wolf The Names of these Twins were Romulus and Remus The Children grown up prov'd Active and Couragious suitable to the Greatness of their Birth but the Meanness of their Education gave 'em occasion of falling out with some of Numitor's Herds-Men in which contest Remus was taken Prisoner and brought before the King Upon which Faustulus discover'd to Romulus all the Particulars of his Birth and hard Usage from Amulius begging him to be assistant in the Rescue of Remus Romulus soon drew together a great Number of Herds-Men and inferiour People who hated Amulius whom he divided into Companies consisting of an hundred Men each every Captain carrying a small Bundle of Grass and Shrubs ty'd to a Pole The Latines call such Bundles Manipuli from whence it is that in their Armies they call their Captains Manipulares Remus gaining upon the Citizens within and Romulus makeing Attacks from without Amulius not knowing what Expedient to think of for his Security in that Amazement and Distraction was taken and slain the Brothers settling their Grand-Father Numitor in his Throne after he had been depos'd forty two Years The Affairs of Alba succeeding thus prosperously the Young-Men ambitious of Glory were desirous of Founding a City in the Place where they were brought up which Design was approv'd of by their Grand-Father who appointed 'em Land with such of his Subjects as he knew were of his Brother's Faction and likewise gave free Liberty to all others who were willing to settle themselves in this new Colony Most of the Trojans came in of which there remain'd fifty Families in Caesar's Time as Dionysius informs us and also all the Inhabitants about the Palatine-Hill where the City was built which was about 14 Miles North-West of Alba upon the River Tiber. For the more speedy carrying on this Work the People were divided into two Parts who were to work by way of Emulation But what was design'd for a considerable Advantage prov'd a greater Inconveniency for it gave birth to two Factions whereof one preferr'd Romulus and the other Remus which swell'd 'em with the ambitious Desires of Preeminence This soon appear'd in their
Disagreement about the Place of Building Romulus contending for the Palatine where they were brought up and Remus for the Aventine-Hill Upon which the Matter was brought before their Grand-Father Numitor who advisâ—d 'em both to go apart and observe the flying of Birds and the most Fortunate of the two shou'd be counted the Founder of the Colony They both took their Stations upon their own Hills and Remus first had a flight of 6 Vultures but Romulus having or pretending to have double the Number both were saluted by the Title of King This widned the Breach and the Contention grew so hot as to come to a Battel wherein Remus was worsted and slain with several others particularly Faustulus and his Brother Plistinus But it is likewise said that before the Battel Remus gave his Brother many great Provocations particularly by leaping over his Wall to ridicule him for the Lowness of it Romulus now sole Commander and Eighteen Years of Age began the Foundation of Rome in the fourth Year of the sixth Olympiad according to Varro's Account which was in the Year of the World 3252 the sixth Year of Iotham King of Iudah and the seventh of Pekah King of Israel 431 Years after the Destruction of Troy 120 after the Building of Carthage 214 before the Beginning of the Persian Empire and 752 before Christ And having got Augurs and such sort of People from Hetruria he set about it with much Ceremony on the 21 Day of April according to Plutarch which Day the Romans Anniversarily kept Holy calling it their Country's Birth-Day He took in the Mount Palatine only and with a Heifer and a young Bullock plow'd up a Furrow where the Wall was design'd which Custom was afterwards observ'd by the Romans both in the building and razing of Cities and where-ever a Gate was to be made the Plow was lifted up which occasion'd it to be call'd Porta a portando aratrum All within this Line was call'd Pomaerium from Post-Murum or Pone Maenia The City was almost square containing at first about 1000 Houses and was nigh a Mile in Compass with four Gates namely Romanula Ianualis Mucionis and Carmentalis and a small Territory belonging to it of 7 or 8 Miles long Thus we see Rome in its Original a small inconsiderable beggarly Place with Dominions still of less Note which yet from this mean and contemptible Beginning became Mistress of the World being first founded and supported by its Kings then strengthened and enlarged by its Consuls and at last brought to its utmost Perfection by its Emperors As for the Arts and Contrivances the Policy and Cunning the Strength and Valour and the gradual Proceedings with the extraordinary Fortune which contributed to make the Romans Masters of such vast and powerful Dominions these are the Subject of this following History CHAP. I. From the Building of the City to the Death of Romulus the first King of Rome Containing the space of 37 Years I. ROmulus having thus Founded the City of Rome by his Grand-Father's Advice left the Choice of the Government to the People who immediately made him King according to Dionysius and he receiving it as a Gift from them his Power became the more plausible and undisputable The Number of the Colony consisted of about 3000 Foot and 300 Horse and the first Method he made use of to increase this Number was his Building a Temple to the Asylaean God which he made a Sanctuary to all Malefactors and discontented Persons who thereupon came in great Numbers from all the Neighbouring Parts He divided the People into three Parts which were call'd Tribes that is to say Thirds and each Tribe was divided into ten Curiae which were much the same as our Parishes as the Tribes were like our Wards each Curia having its proper Temple and Sacrifices and a Priest call'd Curio over it and over all an Arch-Priest call'd Curio Maximus Each Curia was likewise by Romulus subdivided into ten Decuriae over which were appointed distinct Officers According to the number of the Curiae he divided the Lands into thirty Parts reserving one Portion for Publick Uses and another for Religious Ceremonies In all Matters of Importance for many Years the People gave their Votes according to the Curiae and to what the major Part of the Curiae agreed was reckon'd the Resolution of the whole Assembly each single Man having a Vote and this made that Assembly call'd Comitia Curiata Romulus made also another Distinction of the People according to their Honour and Dignity which was into Patritians and Plebeians The former as being Elder and more nobly descended were to take care about the Religious Rites bear Offices of Magistracy administer Justice and be assistant to the King in his Government The latter to till the Fields feed Cattel and follow Trades but not to have any Share in the Government to avoid the Inconveniencies of a Popular Power To bind the Principal each to the other he recommended certain of the Plebeians to the Protection of the Patritians liberty being given to the Plebeians to chuse their own Patrons The Duty of these Patrons was to advise their Clients in Points of Law to manage their Suits to take care of 'em absent and present as their own Children and by all Ways and Methods to secure their Peace and Happiness On the other side the Duty of the Clients was to help their Patrons with Money upon many Occasions to ransom them or their Sons if taken Prisoners and to bear the Charges of their Magistracy and other honourable Imployments They were never to accuse each other or take contrary Sides for if they did any one might lawfully kill them without Examination So that this Patronage was an Obligation as effectual as any Consanguinity or Alliance and it was the Glory of the Nobility to have a great Number of Clients and to treat 'em civilly This Patronage had admirable Effects towards the firm Union of the People for above 600 Years after till Caius Gracchus broke the Peace of the City And because the Plebeians in the City receiv'd such Advantage from this Constitution in imitation thereof afterwards all Colonies Confederate and Conquer'd Cities had their Patrons to whom frequently the Senate wou'd remit such Controversies as were brought before 'em and ratifie their Judgment After this Romulus chose 100 Men out of the Patritians to assist him in the Government This number he call'd a Senate either from their Age or Vertue or a sinendo because nothing was transacted without their Permission Such of the Fathers as he enroll'd or enter'd into this Venerable Assembly he call'd Patres Conscripti as Dionysius rightly observes and to make up this Number he chose three out of each Tribe and as many out of each Curia over all which he plac'd a particular Magistrate to whom he committed the Government of the City when he was absent in the Wars and
all others He â—ad him farewell and tell his Subjects that by their strict Exercise of Temperance and Fortitude no human Power shou'd e'er withstand the Roman Arms and he wou'd always be a propitious God to 'em under the Name of Quirinus The Day in which he was said to be taken up was kept after that as a great Holy-Day and a Temple was built in Honour of him on one of the Seven Hills from him call'd by the Name of Quirinalis He reign'd 37 Years in which space he very much advanc'd the State of the City leaving in it 46000 Foot and 1000 Horse a happy Increase for so short a time After his Grand-Father Numitor's decease the Kingdom of Alba fell to him which he govern'd by Deputies and the more to please that People he allow'd 'em the Privileges of a Free-State which probably occasion'd the Senate to bear his Encroachments the worse So now the Roman Dominions consisted of a considerable part of the Sabines Country a small part of Hetruria and a mix'd part of Latium CHAP. II. From the Death of Romulus to the Death of Numa Pompilius the Second King of Rome Containing the Space of 44 Years I. ROmulus being dead or as some are pleased to believe taken up the City was greatly divided about the Election of another King but lest these Discords shou'd occasion Anarchy and Confusion in the Common-wealth the Senate agreed to divide themselves into Decurys or Tens and that Decury which was chosen by Lot should exercise the Regal Authority for fifty Days each Man governing in his Turn five Days the Authority then falling to another Decury and this they call'd an Inter-regnum This Government continu'd a whole Year till the People at last began to murmur saying It was a Trick of some few who intended to get the Power into their own Hands and that for one pretended Tyrant they had now got 200 real ones therefore they resolv'd that a King shou'd be chosen In the Election great Contests arose between the Romans and Sabines each believing it reasonable to have one of their own Country 'till at length they came to this Conclusion That the Party which elected shou'd chuse one out of the Body of the other so by that means the elected Prince might be oblig'd to favour both Parties one for their Votes and the other for their Alliance It falling to the Romans to chuse the Patritians fixâ—d upon Numa Pompilius a Sabine a Person of about forty Years of Age who by the Consent of the People was elected King Numa then resided at Cures being a Person of the greatest Vertue Knowledge and Abilities of that time and had withdrawn himself from the Noises and Troubles of the World therefore Ambassadors one a Roman and the other a Sabine were dispatch'd to him to offer him the Kingdom The Ambassadors finding him with his Father and Kinsman Marcius by their Speakers Proculus and Valesus told him the occasion of their coming To whom the elected King made this philosophical and modest Answer Since every Alteration of a Man's Life is generally hazardous in the Attempt as well as dangerous in the Consequence it wou'd be the highest Indiscretion for one who in his own Opinion is sufficiently Happy to endeavour or admit of any Change tho' there were nothing more in it than the preferring a turbulent and uncertain Life before a constant Quiet and certain Security For my part Romans I must freely tell you That I am not only discourag'd but even deterr'd from accepting your generous Offers even by what is commonly reported of your famous Romulus who was not only suspected of contriving Tatius's death but was likewise suppos'd to fall himself by the Rage of the Senate And if Romulus himself sprung as they say from Divine Race miraculously preserv'd and as miraculously brought up labour'd under such vast Inconveniencies how successful can I hope to be begotten by a mere Mortal and brought up the ordinary Way when I come to struggle with such insuperable Difficulties Besides you much mistake your Person as well as forget your Interest and Glory when you think I can be any ways serviceable to you For my Temper naturally leads me to Peace to Books and the Worship of the Gods but you Romans require a vigorous and active King who may diligently cherish that Warlike Humour which your late Success has excited And therefore such a Prince as shou'd come to inculcate Peace Iustice and Religion into the Minds of a Martial Nation must of necessity appear not only strange and ridiculous to the World but also mean and despicable to his Subjects The Romans were much surpriz'd at this Answer but still were very urgent with him to accept of the Kingdom in which they were not a little assisted by his Father and Marcius who return'd him this Reply Tho' you remain contented with your present fortune and court neither Riches nor Power yet you may reasonably imagine that such large Talents of Iustice Moderation and Piety were never given you by the Gods to lie useless and concealâ—d And you are sensible these are Vertues that can never have a greater Influence upon Mankind than when they so publickly appear in the Person of a King Tatius tho' a Foreigner was highly esteem'd by the Romans and the Memory of Romulus was so precious to 'em that after his decease they voted him Divine Honours And if the Affections of the People shou'd break out into a furious Desire of War what can better manage the Reins of that Passion than such a moderating Hand as Yours And who knows but that the People being ever Victorious may be satiated with the Spoils and Trophies they have gain'd and gladly entertain a mild and peaceful Prince who being a lover of Iustice and Equity may settle the City in a strong and inseparable Union and in a sure and lasting Happiness These Reasons and Persuasions together with the Ambassadors Entreaties at last prevail'd upon Numa to accept of the Kingdom and after a solemn Sacrifice he went for Rome He was met by the Way by the Senate and People who with a general Consent invested him with the Regal Authority and so universal was the Joy that they seem'd not so much to receive a King as the addition of a new Kingdom II. Numa being a Person of extraordinary Wisdom and Policy as well as Devotion thought it most convenient to raise and strengthen that City by wholsome Laws and Religious Customs which had been founded upon War and Bloodshed judging it as necessary to employ a People well at home as to exercise 'em abroad The first thing he did was to disband the Royal Guard of the 300 Celeres lest the Maintenance of such a Force might seem to argue a Diffidence of them that chose him saying That he wou'd not Rule over that People of whom he conceiv'd the least Distrust Next he built a Temple to Ianus which was always to stand
open in time of War and to be shut in time of Peace as it continu'd all his Reign which as some observe never hapned but four times from his Reign to that of Tiberius Caesar. To the two Flamens or High-Priests of Iupiter and Mars he added a third of Quirinus or Romulus and to this Prince also is ascrib'd the bringing in of the Pontifices whereof he himself was one and officiated accordingly He also ordain'd the Vestal Virgins being four in Number to whom he gave very great Privileges particularly when they went abroad they had the Fasces carry'd before 'em and in their Walks if they met with a Malefactor leading to Execution they had the Power of freeing him from Death upon Oath given that the Meeting was meerly Accidental He also Instituted the Orders of the Salii and the Feciales Priests devoted to Mars the former were to carry those Sacred Shields call'd Ancilia and the latter to judge of the Equity of War and proclaim it with much Ceremony This Prince tho' naturally averse to all Wars yet consider'd that Peace and Security might too much soften and degenerate the Minds of the Multitude therefore he us'd his utmost Endeavours to imprint on their Minds the Notions of Religion and Vertue and the due Reverence of God And to gain the more Credit and Obedience to his Constitutions he pretended he had often and immediate Converse with the Goddess Egâ—ria and wou'd be often telling them that strange Visions and Apparitions were seen and Prophetick Voices heard which Stories had great and remarkable Effects upon a People so superstitiously inclin'd Yet his Religion was of a refin'd Nature being much like that of Pythagoras afterwards and as he taught That the Principle of all Things was not to be perceiv'd by Sence nor was liable to Motion but was Invisible Immortal and to be apprehended by the Understanding alone so Numa forbad the Romans to use the Image of any God which represented him under the Form of a Man or any other living Creature And this was strictly observ'd in all their Temples and Sacred Places for 170 Years at the least they holding it a great Crime to liken such superiour Beings to Things so much below ' em For the Encouragement of Agriculture he divided those Lands which Romulus had gain'd in War among the poorer sort causing his Subjects to apply themselves to Husbandry and by such kind of Employments to cultivate their Minds as well as the Earth Then he divided all the Lands into several Parcels to which he gave the name of Pagi or Boroughs and over every one of these he ordain'd a Chief or Arbitrator in Judicial Causes And that he might take away all Distinction of Roman and Sabine which threatn'd the State with endless Factions and dangerous Divisions he divided all the Inhabitants according to their several Trades and Occupations making every Art a particular Company and Society and appointing to every one their respective Courts and Privileges and this was his Master-piece in Politicks He much abated the Rigour of that Law made by Romulus concerning the Power of Fathers over their Children making it unlawful for 'em to sell their Sons after Marriage because it was very unjust that a Woman who had marry'd a Free-Man shou'd be constrain'd to live with a Slave He also prescrib'd Rules concerning Mourning a Child of Three Years and so upwards to Ten was to be mourn'd for so many Months as it was Years old and the longest time of Mourning for any Person was not to exceed the term of Ten Months Which also was the Time appointed for Widdows before which they cou'd not without great Indecency marry again but in case Circumstances were such as not to admit of so long a Term they were first to sacrifice a Cow with a Calf for Expiation of their Fault One of the principal Things done by this Prince was the Reformation of the Year which in Romulus's Time was much out of Order some Months having more than 35 Days and some fewer than twenty Numa finding the Solar Year to exceed the Lunar by eleven Days doubled these eleven Days and every other Year inserted a Month after February consisting of 22 Days which was by the Romans call'd Mercedonius because it was the usual time for paying of Wages He likewise chang'd the Order of the Months making Ianuary and February the first and second Months which were the two last in Romulus's Days Ianuary had its name from Ianus the most ancient God or King in Italy February was so call'd from the Expiations which us'd to be in it signify'd by the wor'd Februa March so call'd from Mars the suppos'd Father of Romulus which upon that account had been plac'd first April from Aphrodite or Venus because of the Superstitious Worship which was perform'd in it when the Women were crown'd with Myrtle May so nam'd from Maia the Mother of Mercury to whom this Month was made Sacred Iune from Iuno or as some will have it from Iuventus because the Season is warm and as it were Iuvenile The rest had their Names from their Order as Quintilis Sextilis September October November and December only Quintilis and Sextilis were afterwards turn'd into Iuly and August by the Emperors Iulius Caesar and Augustus Numa was marry'd to Tatia King Tatius's Daughter by whom he had one Daughter nam'd Pompilia and after a Reign of 43 Years being above 80 Years old he dy'd and was bury'd with great Honour and Solemnity He forbad his Body to be burnt as it was usual in those days but was bury'd in a Stone Coffin under the Hill Ianiculum and the Books of his Ceremonies were laid by him in another being Twelve written in Latin and as many in Greek These were taken up about 400 Years after and because it was thought a piece of Impiety to communicate such Mysteries to the Multitude were burnt by Order of the Senate He kept the State in such a constant Peace by his prudent Management as did very much contribute to the Strength and Security of the City and he much improv'd and polish'd the rough Genius of the Roman People CHAP. III. From the Death of Numa to the Death of Tullus Hostilius the Third King of Rome Containing the space of 33 Years I. UPon the Death of Numa the Government once more devolv'd upon the Senate and after several Interreges Tullus Hostilius was created King by the universal consent of all People He was Grandson to the famous Hostilius who in Romulus's Days had behav'd himself very Valiantly against the Sabines in the Citadel and had Marry'd the Daughter of Hersilia He was of a bold and fiery Temper and one who often sought and greedily embrac'd all Occasions of War led to it partly by his own proper Inclination and partly by the Glory and Renown of his Grand-Father As he thought the Love of his Subjects the most necessary thing to carry on
Mouth of the River Tiber he built a Town call'd Ostia nigh ten Miles South of Rome to secure the Advantages of Trade to his Subjects for thither Commodities being brought by Ships were in lesser Vessels convey'd up the Tiber to this City and about this Town many Salt-pits were made This Prince as well as his Predecessors was very ready and careful to incourage Strangers and by reason of the frequent Advancement of such and the great Privileges they receiv'd many came daily hither and often such as were of good Note Among these Lucumon an Hetrurian was one a Person of great Accomplishments as well as large Possessions who came hither from Tarquinia in Hetruria with his Wife Tanaquil and several Followers He was Son to Demaratus a rich Merchant of Corinth who had left his Country upon the account of the Troubles at that time and settled in Tarquinia where marrying a noble Matron he had this Son besides another who died Childless Lucumon finding no Incouragement in his own Country being the Son of a Foreigner remov'd to Rome where by his Hospitality and Bounty he soon became known to the King having now taken upon him the Name of Lucius adding that of Tarquinius from the Place of his Birth He was honourably treated by Ancus to whom he generously offer'd his whole Patrimony for the Publick Good and by that means obtain'd Freedom for himself and Followers with Lands both for Building and for Sustenance Ancus in a little time chose him into the Senate for he was greatly esteem'd by the King and as much belov'd by the People no Man being more hardy in War or more prudent in Councel Ancus bestow'd most of his latter Time in inriching his Subjects and improving the City and at the end of 24 Years Reign he died a Prince not inferior to any of his Predecessors either for the Glory he gain'd in Peace or War He left behind him two Sons both under Age which he committed to the Guardianship of the foremention'd Lucius Tarquinius as the fittest Person he cou'd employ in such an Office The Roman Dominions were now encreas'd beyond what they were in the last Reign by a larger Part of Hetruria taken from the Veientes and a much better Footing in Latium CHAP. V. From the Death of Ancus Marcius to the Death of Tarquinius Priscus the Fifth King of Rome Containing the space of 38 Years I. ANcus being dead the Senate receiv'd Power from the People to order the Affairs of the Commonwealth and created certain Interreges as formerly In this short Interregnum Tarquin was extremely busie about the Election of a King having great hopes of it himself Therefore to remove all Obstacles to his Designs he sent Ancus's two Sons out a Hunting the eldest being then nigh 14 Years of Age and assembling the People he made a plausible Speech to 'em wherein he plainly begg'd the Kingdom urging the Examples of Tatius and Numa the first an Enemy as well as a Stranger and the second wholly unacquainted with the City whereas he himself was so great a Friend to the City that he had spent all his Riches upon it and so well acquainted with it that he had been train'd up several Years both in Civil and Military Affairs under their King Then he cunningly insinuated his past Services and insisting more than ordinary upon his Liberality he obtain'd the Kingdom being the first who obtain'd it by his own ambitious seeking At the beginning of his Reign the better to gain the Love of the Common People he chose out 100 of the Plebeians who for Valour or Wisdom were most Eminent and added them to the Senate which made up the Number 300 those of Romulus's Creation being call'd Patres Conscripti these were call'd Patres minorum Gentium that is Senators of a lower Rank He likewise encreas'd the Number of Vestal Virgins from four to seven but Plutarch says there were but two before His first War was with the Latines from whom he took several Towns among the rest Collatia a Place five Miles North-East of Rome over which pe plac'd his Nephew Aruns Tarquinius for Governour the Posthumus Issue of his Brother surnam'd Egerius from his want of Patrimony and Collatinus from the Place which Surname continu'd to his Posterity Notwithstanding the Latines great Supplies from Hetruria he soon forc'd 'em to beg Peace and then turn'd his Arms against the Sabines who had again risen up against Rome Both Armies met upon the Banks of Anio where the Romans made use of a Stratagem by sending a Party of Men to burn a great Heap of Wood that lay by the River-side and to throw it in which being driven forwards by the Wind much of the flaming Wood got hold on the Wood of the Bridge and set it on fire This not only terrifiâ—d the Sabines while they were engaging but when they were routed hinder'd their Flight their Bridge being burnt down and therefore many of 'em tho' they escap'd the Sword perish'd in the Water whose floating Arms being carry'd down the Tiber to Rome discover'd the Victory there almost before the News cou'd be carry'd Tarquin proceeded to march into the Sabine Territories where the Sabines tho' with small Hopes met him with an undisciplin'd Army and being defeated a second time they were forc'd to beg Peace Over the Sabines Tarquin obtain'd his first Triumph Soon after the Sabine-War was finish'd all Hetruria or rather the Neighbouring Parts combin'd against him upon the Account of his detaining some Prisoners of theirs whom he had taken among the Sabines They had made a Law among themselves That whatever Town refus'd to join against the Romans shou'd not be accounted of their Body and they soon after possess'd themselves of Fidenae a Roman Colony But he was so successful against 'em as to overthrow 'em in several Battels and upon his preparing for another Campaign they were humbled and to purchase Peace they ownâ—d him for their Prince and in tokens of Allegiance sent him all the Ensigns of Sovereignty which their Kings were usually adorn'd with These were a Crown of Gold an Ivory Chair a Scâ—pâ—re with an Eagle on the top a Purple-Coat wrought with Gold and a Purple-Gown pink'd almost like the Robes of the Persian and Lydian Kings only it was not four-square but of a semi-circular Figure From hence also came the Râ—bes and Coats us'd by the Augurs and Heralds with many of their Ornaments us'd in Rome afterwards the Axes they had before tho' now they receiv'd 'em again Over these People Tarquin triumph'd a second time This War finish'd which continu'd nine Years he fell a second time upon the Sabines who now alone contended with the Romans for Superiority over whom he obtain'd a third Triumph and providing for another Expedition they yielded whom he receiv'd on the same Terms with the Hetrurians II. Tarquin was no less mindful of strengthning the City at home than of enlarging his
Dominions abroad for when he found leisure he built the Walls of the City which before were patch'd up in haste with large square Stone each consisting of a Load Weight Then he took care of the other publick Buildings of the City adorning the Forum with lofty Portico's Galleries and Shops being a Prince much delighted with stately Buildings and noble Sights He likewise made many Cloacae or Common-Sewers to drain the City and carry the Filth of it into the Tiber a Work of such vast Charge and Labour that when they were afterwards stopp'd the Censors spent a Thousand Talents only to clear 'em a Work likewise so admirable that Dionysius thinks that from the Magnificence of these as well as their Aquaeducts and High-ways the Grandeur of the Roman Empire appear'd In the Circus Maximus that vast Place for Games and Exercises between the Palatine and Aventine Hills he caus'd Seats to be rais'd for the Spectators with great Skill and Charge and likewise distinguish'd all their Places according to their several Ranks and Dignities In the Sabine War he vow'd a Temple to Iupiter Iuno and Minerva if he got the Victory for that reason afterwards he with wonderful Cost levelled the Rock on the Capitoline and form'd a Plat for building it but liv'd not to go on with it any further and this was the beginning of the Capitol Tarquin had design'd after these things to have added three Centuries of the Celeres to those three Instituted by Romulus but was forbidden by Actius Naevius to alter the Constitutions of that King therefore without creating of new Centuries he doubled the Number of the former This Naevius was the most famous Augur that Rome ever knew and Tarquin one time to try him ask'd him If what he had in his Thought might be done he answering in the affirmative Tarquin jeeringly told him He thought of cutting a Whetstone with a Razor Naevius â—ad him strike hard and he cut it through This much enhancâ—d the Reputation of Augury especially of Naevius's Skill therein but his being suddenly miss'd soon after was a great Prejudice to Tarquin For the two Sons of Ancus Marcius grudging him their Father's Throne accusâ—d him to the People of the Death of this Augur but his Son-in-Law answer'd their Objections and clear'd him of that Scandal Missing their Design they pretended Repentance and were easily receiv'd into Favour but three Years after they disguised several of their Companions like Shepherds and appearing in Court pretended a Quarrel and demanded Justice of the King Tarquin appearing they set upon him and kill'd him but were soon caught and receiv'd their just Reward Thus fell Lucius Tarquinius for distinction surnam'd Priscus after the last Tarquin had obtain'd the Kingdom in the Eightieth Year of his Age after he had Reign'd 38 Years and done many and great Services to the Common-Wealth The Roman Greatness and Magnificence began to appear much more in this Reign than in the former and this King was the first that ever Triumph'd in a Chariot Likewise the Roman Dominions were much encreas'd in this Reign by a larger Authority in the Sabines Country and by some considerable Additions in Hetruria and Latium CHAP. VI. From the Death of Tarquinius Priscus to the Death of Servius Tullius the Sixth King of Rome Containing the Space of 44 Years I. TArquinius Priscus being dead Servius Tullius his Son-in-law succeeded him which Tullius was Son to Ocrisia a considerable Woman taken Prisoner by Tarquin at Corniculum a Town in Latium and given to his Wife Tanaquil where she was deliver'd of Tullius surnam'd Servius in remembrance of her Bondage her Husband being slain at the taking of the Town Tullius being an Infant in his Cradle a Flame of Fire is said to have appear'd and encompass'd his Head which rais'd great Expectations in Tanaquil a Woman much esteem'd for such kind of Knowledge She brought her Husband to so good an Opinion of him that he both gave him Education and in time made him his Son-in-Law When the King grew old he manag'd his Publick Affairs for him both abroad and at home with that Valour Prudence and Integrity that he gain'd the highest Esteem of all People Tarquinius having no Sons but only two Grand-sons both Infants Tanaquil much desir'd that Tullius shou'd succeed him therefore she kept his Death private for a while pretending he was only dangerously wounded till Tullius had prevail'd with the People to banish the Marcii Being thus secure of that Faction he carry'd out Tarquin as newly dead to be bury'd and as Tutor or Guardian to the young Children executed the Office of King which Tanaquil out of the Window had told the People was her Husband's Will when she feign'd him still alive The Patritians were much concernâ—d at this not knowing how to come to an Election since they perceiv'd the People wou'd not approve of their Choice but wou'd be all for Tullius so they thought it better to let him Reign in an unlawful Manner that they might ever have a just Pretence against him than by stirring to procure him a legal Title Tullius discovering all their Designs and Practices immediately assembled the People in the Forum where appearing with his Mother Mother-in-Law the two Children and all his Kindred in deep mourning and all the utmost signs of sorrow he shew'd the People how sad and lamentable his Condition was through the Contrivances of the Patritians against him which he had no otherwise deserv'd than by his good Services to his Country That they had design'd to recall the Marcii who had treasonably Murder'd Tarquin and to expose the Posterity of him whose Memâ—ry â—ught to be so precious to 'em as well as himself to the same Cruelty But if it was the Pleasure of the People he wou'd freely give up all Pretensions and rather than offend them undergo the severest Hardships A great Clamour immediately arose mixâ—d with the Prayers and Tears of those who besought him to retain the Government and some who were provided before-hand began to cry out He was to be chosen King and the Curiae were to be call'd to the Vâ—te which thing was instantly resolv'd by the Multitude He thankâ—d 'em very heartily for being mindful of the Benefits receiv'd from him and promised to pay their Debts and divide the publick Lands among such as wanted if they wou'd elect him King and thereupon he appointed a day for the Assembly At the Comitia Curiata he was chosen King by the Votes of 'em all in spite of all the Opposition of the Senate who refus'd at last to confirm the Choice as their Custâ—m was II. Not long after his Settlement according to his Promise he divided the publick Lands among the poorer Sort and in the Curiata Comitia preferr'd fifty several Laws concerning Contracts and Injuries He very much enlarg'd the City taking in three Hills to the four former namely the Quirinal the Viminal and the Esquiline on the latter of
from the natural Period of his Life he was slain by his Daughter and Son-in-Law after this manner Tullius had two Daughters whom he marry'd to Tarquin's Grandsons Lucius Tarquinius and Aruns Tarquinius The first of a proud tyrannical Nature had a very modest good Wife and the last of a mild sweet Temper had a haughty wicked Woman Lucius inrag'd at Tullius for possessing his Grand-Father's Throne and finding his Brother's Wife of a fiery Temper and rather more cruel than himself agreed with her to change Husbands both promising to dispatch their Consorts which they soon effected and were marry'd together After this they resolv'd the utter Ruine of the King raising what Factions they cou'd against him alledging his illegal Title then claim'd the Crown as Heirs to Tarquin But Tullius by his great Modesty and prudent Management defeated all their Designs and came off with great Honour both with the Senate and the People which brought Lucius to a feign'd Repentance on his side and that produc'd a real Reconciliation on the King 's Lucius cover'd with this Disguise took an opportunity one day when most of the People were out of the City to go to the Senate-House with the Robes and Royal Ensigns as King and getting together such of the Fathers as were his special Friends he boldly took Possession of the King's Throne Tullius unadvisedly with a few Followers hastned thither and going to thrust him out Lucius threw him down the Stairs The old Man hardly recovering his Spirits was led homewards in great Disorder when Lucius's Wife coming to see the Event saluted her Husband King and advis'd him to send after Tullius and dispatch him which was immediately perform'd In her Passage home coming to the Place where the Body lay weltring in Blood and as yet almost gasping her Charioteer stood still startl'd and amaz'd at the Inhumane Spectacle not having Room to pass by it Whereupon she in a Rage threw her Footstool at his Head and in a barbarous manner forcâ—d him to drive her over it the Place which before was call'd Cyprius Vicus was after this Act call'd Sceleratus This was the End of Servius Tullius a Prince of eminent Justice and Moderation after a prosperous Reign of 44 Years but the less pity'd upon the Account of his undue Admission to the Crown which made most of the Patritians espouse his Successor's part especially since he was about altering the Government which wou'd have prov'd the Weakning if not the Ruine of their Authority He left the Roman Dominions in much the same Condition as they were in the last Reign only he got a larger Footing in Hetruria CHAP. VII From the Death of Servius Tullius to the Banishment of Tarquinius Superbus the Seventh King of Rome which caus'd the Dissolution of the Regal State Containing the space of 25 Years I. LUcius Tarquinius having barbarously murder'd his Father-in-Law obtain'd the Kingdom by meer Force and Violence and by his Tyrannical and Imperious Carriage soon got the Surname of Superbus as that of Priscus for distinction sake was given to his Grand-Father He wou'd not permit the King's Body to be publickly interr'd lest the People shou'd rise and cause some dangerous Disturbances he alledging That Romulus dy'd without Burial He murder'd such as he suspected to be of Tullius's Faction and fearing the natural Consequences of his Tyranny he kept a stronger Guard than ordinary about his Person All Controversies whatsoever he decided himself assisted by his intimate Friends and executed banish'd and fin'd all at his own Pleasure He endeavour'd to establish his Tyranny with the more Security by great Alliances marrying his Daughter to Octavius Mamilius the greatest Man among the Latines being descended from Telegonus the Son of Ulysses by Circe and by his false Accusations and a cunning Device caus'd 'em to stone Turnus Herdonius who had discover'd to 'em his Baseness and Villany He neither consider'd the Consent of the Senate or People but much diminish'd the Authority of the former by the Murder of many of the higher Rank whose Wealth he seiz'd on for his own use resolving to chuse no more in their Places that their Power might decrease insensibly and in time be worn out Among those whom he murder'd for their Estates Marcus Iunius was one a most eminent Man among the Romans descended from the Companions of Aeâ—eas and marry'd to Tarquina Daughter to Tarquinius Priscus by whom he had Lucius Iunius This Lucius was nobly educated and had an admirable Wit and Knowledge with a profound Judgment and Understanding but after Tarquin had privily murder'd his Father and his eldest Brother the better to save himself and revenge his Father he counterfeited himself a Fool and thence had the Surname of Brutus Tarquin thinking his Folly real despis'd the Man and having possess'd himself of his Estate kept him as an Ideot in his House suffering him to converse with his Children not out of any Respect as a Kinsman but to make 'em Sport by his ridiculous Words and Actions It hapn'd in the time of a great Pestilence he sent his two Sons Sextus and Titus to consult the Oracle and with them Brutus as a Companion for their Diversion The Sons were well pleas'd with his Company and laugh'd very heartily to see him offer a wooden Staff to Apollo wherein he had secretly convey'd Gold The young Men having executed their Father's Commands enquir'd of the Oracle Which of them shou'd be Prince of Rome It was answer'd He who first shou'd kiss his Mother which the Sons misunderstanding agreed to do it both at their return and reign jointly together But Brutus knowing the meaning of the Oracle as soon as they arriv'd at Italy pretended to fall down by chance and kiss'd the Earth which is the common Mother of all Men. After this he ever made it his Business to find Opportunities of ruining the Tyrant and restoring the Liberties of Rome all which he carry'd on by a profound Secrecy and a wonderful Dissimulation II. Tarquin being a Warlike Prince first march'd against the Sabines who refus'd to pay him Obedience and soo reduc'd them to Submission over whom he obtain'd a Triumph Soon after he began a War with the Volsci a People bordering on Latium which continu'd with some little Intermissions above 200 Years From these he took Suessa-Pometia a considerable City about 26 Miles South-East of Rome where he found great Spoils and Plunder and over them he obtain'd a second Triumph Next he fell upon Gabii a City of great Note 10 or 11 Miles East of Rome which had taken part with Suessa-Pometia He invested it but meeting with great Difficulties he caus'd his eldest Son Sextus to counterfeit Desertion upon Pretence of barbarous Usage from his Father who being honourably receiv'd by the Gabines by his cunning and insinuating Behaviour got to be their Governour After some time he sent to his Father to know what Measures to take Tarquin took the Messenger
without any Charge to the Publick which was gratefully accepted by the Senate They were in Number 306 which with their Clients and Friends made up 4000 all commanded by Marcus the last years Consul and to them was afterwards sent another Company under Fabius the present Consul These brave Adventurers fortifi'd themselves in a Castle which they call'd Cremera as standing upon a River of the same Name nigh the Frontiers of the Veientes from which they made great Incursions and extreamly annoy'd the Enemy The following Year the Veientes Volsci and Aequi all agreeing upon an Invasion great Preparations were made by the Senate Aemilius one Consul led an Army against the Veientes with whom was join'd Baebius as Pre-Consul Servilius the other Consul led another against the Volsci and Furius a third against the Aequi. The latter soon finish'd his Work Servilius was forc'd to draw out the War at length but Aemilius engag'd the Veientes and their Allies and overthrew 'em then falling upon their Camp forc'd 'em to beg Peace the Conditions of which being left to his Discretion by the Senate he made a League with 'em upon Terms so little Advantageous to the Romans that they gain'd him much Hatred and lost him the Honour of a Triumph which so enrag'd him that he immediately disbanded his Troops endeavouring still more to incence the Commons against the Senate The Year following when Horatius and Menenius were Consuls eleven Cities of Hetruria declar'd against the Veientes for making Peace without their Consent and forc'd 'em to break it Their Pretence against Rome was that the Fabii were not drawn off from Cremera upon which they advanc'd towards 'em with a powerful Army whereupon Menenius was order'd against Hetruria and Horatius against the Volsci The Veientes not daring to Attack this Valiant Body of the Fabii in their Fortress drew 'em out by a Stratagem causing several Herds of Cattle and Flocks of Sheep to be driven to the neighbouring Places and laying several great Parties in Ambuscade The Designâ— took and the Fabian Adventurers were all unfortunately cut off tho' at first by forming themselves into a Wedge they gain'd the top of a Hill and there though wholly encompassed made an incredible Slaughter of the Enemy Livy says That none of this Family was left but only one young Lad from whom afterwards sprung Fabius Maximus but Dionysius much questions this Tradition The Veientes now Masters of Cremera advanc'd boldly towards the Roman Army which lay encamp'd not far off and might have reliev'd the Fabii Then taking advantage of Menenius's Unskilfulness they possess'd themselves of a Hill nigh his Camp from whence they streightned him so that he was forc'd to Fight upon very unequal Terms and his Army was much worsted The Romans quitted their Camp and fled in such Disorder that had the Veientes been mindful of any thing but Plunder they might have destroy'd 'em all The next day they enter'd the Roman Territories and possess'd themselves of the Hill Ianiculus two Miles from Rome to the great Damage and Disgrace of the City But Horatius the other Consul returning from the Volsci overthrew 'em twice and much eas'd the People but cou'd not yet wholly dislodge the Enemy The Year following Servilius and Virginius two experienc'd Warriors were made Consuls which gave great Hopes to the People who were now extreamly streightned for want of Corn and Trade which was the more felt by reason of the Populousness of the City for at the next 〈…〉 appear'd to be 110000 Men of ripe Age and three times as many Women Children Slaves Merchants and Artificers The People were ready upon every Opportunity to seize on the Stores of the Rich and the Consuls endeavour'd to appease 'em by buying what Corn they cou'd and causing such as had Corn to expose it to Sale till their Levies and Troops were compleated When they had rais'd a sufficient Number of Men one Night they drew out their Troops from the City towards the Enemy and passing the River before day unexpectedly fell upon 'em entirely routed em and clear'd the Hill they retiring in great Disorder to their own Territories This Campaign ended Menenius the last Years Consul was call'd to an Account and severely fin'd for suffering the Fabii to be cut off whom the People so gratefully esteem'd that they plac'd the day of their Defeat among their Nefasti or unlucky days whereon no Work of great consequence was to be undertaken The War was still carryâ—d on and within two years after the Veientes were so over-power'd having been overthrown in Battel together with their Confederates the Sabines and now closely hem'd in that they begg'd Peace of the Romans And having purchas'd leave to send to the Senate with a whole Years Pay for the Consuls Army and Money for two Months Provision they obtain'd a Truce for Forty Years Thus ended the War with the Veientes after Seven Years Contests on both sides V. The following year Aemilius and Vopiscus being Consuls the old Stirs about the Agrarian Law were reviv'd by Genutius one of the Tribunes who boldly set a day to Manlius and Furius the last Years Consuls to answer before the People why they did not divide the Lands This Quarrel had like to have been fatal to the City had not Genutius's sudden Death prevented it after which the Sedition might have been quite appeas'd had the Consuls born their Success with Moderation But making new Levies they offer'd to force one Volero a turbulent Fellow and formerly an Officer to List himself for a Common Soldier and upon his refusing they order'd him to be stripp'd and scourg'd But Volero fled to the Tribunes who protected him and violently exclaim'd against the Tyranny of the Consuls This diverted the People from the thoughts of Lands and rais'd new Quarrels concerning Priviledges and Liberty And the Year after Volero getting to be one of the Tribunes himself the more to retrench the Consular Power propos'd a Law for holding the Assemblies of Tribes instead of that of the Curiae call'd Comitia Curiata which was so contriv'd as to take in greater Numbers and to give the Commons much more Privilege and Power than formerly This Proposal was much urg'd by the Plâ—beians but so strongly oppos'd by the Patritians that Volero cou'd not accomplish his Designs before his Time was expir'd The next Year Volero by his mighty Promises procur'd himself to be made Tribune a second time and the Senate to balance him got Appius Claudius the Son of Appius now absent to be made Consul tho' against his Will and with him Quintius Capitâ—linus who hapn'd to be of a contrary Temper Appius in a Publick Assembly oppos'd the Common's Designs so hotly and violently and so sharply reprimanded them for their rude Actions and Seditious Practices that the Tribunes saucily commanded him to depart the Assembly and upon his Refusal to be sent to Prison This Piece of Boldness was so surprizing to the Fathers that
all were ready to rise up in Arms and the Lictors were beaten back that went to lay Hands on him he being defended by a Company of stout young Men an unseemly Contest ensu'd which beginning with Railings and Jostlings proceeded to Blows and throwing of Stones But Quintius the other Consul by his Intreaties and throwing himself into the Middle and by the help of the Graver Senators prevented the Tumult from proceeding to any further Inconveniencies which was ended shortly after by the Night But all Disturbances did not end here for within a few Days after the Tribunes and the People seiz'd on the Capitol and there fortifi'd themselves against the Patritians This might have been of the most dangerous Consequence had not Quintius by his mild Intreaties and fair Promises perswaded the Tribunes to refer this Law to the Senate's Discretion which after many long Debates permitted it to be put to the Comitia and so it was pass'd This was call'd the Comitia Tributa where all the Free Romans voted according to their Tribes Whereas in the Comitia Curiata none cou'd Vote but Inhabitants of Rome in the Comitia Centuriata the Rich Men had the advantage by reason of their Number of Centuries but in this Comitia Tributa there was no Respect to either of these Qualifications but all Free Romans in or without the City Poor or Rich might have Voices Another Difference between this and the Curiata Comitia was the Place of Assembly that being ti'd to the Comitium in the Forum Râ—manum and that with the Superstitious Observations of Birds call'd Auspicia but this Tributa was ti'd to no set Place being assembl'd in a great many several without any Observation of Birds But the most material Difference between these two Comitia's was this in the Curiata such things were treated of and confirm'd by the Suffrages of the Curiae as the Senate had first decreed but in the Tributa all Things were manag'd without any consulting of the Senate and were wholly determin'd by the Votes of the Tribes gatherâ—d apart The Matters that were manag'd here were chiefly The chusing of Inferior Magistrates as the Tribunes Aediles Priests c. making of those Lawâ— â—all'd Plebiscita or whatsoever shou'd concern the Commons as alsâ— the Punishment of Misdemeanors but not as to Life and Death and the making Peace but not War This new Law gave the Commons still more Power and Authority and made 'em still more Bold and Insolent to the danger of many a Patritian and to the Ruine of Appius whose ill Success against the Volsci this same Year and â—his violent opposing the Agrarian Law the next made the Tribunes set him a Day to answer for his Life before the People which he prevented by killing himself VI. Still the Romans had Wars with the Aequi Sabines and Volsci and had generally the Advantage From the Volsci was taken Antium a considerable City on the Sea 28 Miles South-East of Rome which they made a Roman Colony For nine Years together none of these got any considerable Advantage over the Romans tho' in the midst of these Wars there hapned a most grievous Plague in Rome which swept away an innumerable Company of the Slaves a fourth Part of the Senators both the Consuls and most of the Tribunes The Aequi and Volsci were at last much weakned their Territories greatly wasted and Lucretius and Veturius the Consuls obtain'd one a Triumph and the other an Ovation over them The Year after this and of the City 292 Volumnius and Camerinus the Consuls having no Action Abroad employ'd themselves at Home against the exorbitant Power of the Tribunes who were now got to that heighth of Boldness as to assert That the Citizens ought all to have equal Power in the Government they likewise made great Complaints that the Roman Laws were yet unwritten and thereupon proposâ—d a Law to have Ten Men chosen in a lawful Assembly to publish Laws both concerning aâ— Private and Publick Business The young Patritians furiously oppos'd their Designs casting the meaner Sort like Slaves out of the Forum Among these Caeso Quintius the Son of Quintius Cincinnatus was Principal a Person of great Courage whom the Tribunes resolv'd to make an Example to all young Men and therefore set him a Day to answer for his Life before the People which caus'd new Stirs and Commotions Caeso being admitted to Bail fled into Hetruria whereupon his Father sold almost all his Estate to reimburse the Sureties and then retreating to a small Farm and a little Cottage beyond the Tiber liv'd retir'd from the World laboriously working for his Living The Tribunes were much deceiv'd in their Expectations and the young Patritians so hotly oppos'd 'em that they cou'd act nothing of Consequence this Consulship The next Year the same Tribunes being chosen again they caus'd various Rumors to be spread abroad That many of the Senators and Patritians had form'd a Plot and conspir'd to Murther the Tribunes and Ruine all the Authority of the Plebeians This Contrivance was design'd to fright the Senate into a Compliance but had no other Effect than the causing great Tumults and Disturbances among the Commons These Troubles were so great as to give Occasion to Herdonius a Sabine with 4000 Men to seize on the Capitol calling in the Slaves to their Liberty which put the whole City into a great Consternation all being in a Confusion Valerius and Claudius were then Consuls and the Tribunes persuaded the Multitude not to Fight except the Patritians wou'd engage by Oath to create Ten Men for making of Laws and suffer the Commons to have equal Priviledges with them Claudius wou'd have wholly slighted their Assistance but Valerius finding such presâ—ing Necessity for 'em promis'd upon Oath to endeavour to satisfy the Desire of the Commons when the War was ended Whereupon Claudius was appointed to look to the City and Valerius valiantly attack'd the Capitol on all sides and took it by Storm but with the Loss of his Life the Slaves being punish'd according to their Deserts and the rest made Prisoners of War This War finish'd the Tribunes requir'd Claudius to make good the Promise of his deceas'd Collegue but he alledg'd He cou'd do â—othing himself and appointed the Comitia for the chusing a new Consul The Fathers the better to support their Interest resolv'd upon Quintius Cincinnatus Father to Caeso lately fled and immediately sent for him to the City The Messengers found him hard at Plow only in his Truss and a Cap on his Head but being told of their coming by a Viator that ran before he presented himself in a better Habit. Being saluted by the Name of Consul invested with Purple honour'd by the Fasces and other Ensigns of Magistracy he was desir'd to begin his Journey but after a little Pause he answer'd with Tears Then for this Year my poor little Field must go unsown and we shall be in danger of Want
Stones at him keeping some distance and by that Means effected their Design The Assassinates gave out that he fell into the Enemies hands but the Soldiers easily perceiving the Villany began to grow very Mutinous and the Decemviri to appease 'em gave Siccius a very Honourable Burial which was perform'd with much Ceremony and an universal Sorrow among the Soldiers who from that time thought upon nothing but a Revolt which the other Army lying at Algedum against the Aequi soon after found a fair Opportunity to effect It was occasion'd dy one Virginius a Plebeian who had a Daughter of most admirable Beauty and of as eminent Chastity whom Appius saw by chance and was so extreamly smitten with her that nothing cou'd allay his violent Passion His own Laws had forbidden him Marrying her as being a Plebeian nor cou'd he hope to enjoy her any other Way but by procuring Claudius one of his Clients to challenge her for his Slave so that the Matter being brought before him he might judge her to be so Claudius according to his Instructions laid Claim to her and bringing the Matter to a Tryal before Appius he affirm'd That she was natural Daughter to his Slave procur'd by Virginius ' s Wife being Barren and now Dead and brought up for her own a thing though known to others as well as himself he had no Opportunity till now to make it â—â—â—ear This Pretence was so Impudent and Groundleâ—â—â—hat it rais'd the Indignation of all unconcern'd Peâ—â—ons and Numitor the Maids Uncle with Icilius who was Contracted to her â—ufficiently prov'd the Falsity of the Assertion But Appius resolutely bent upon his lustful and base Design wou'd hear no Reason nor mind any Proof till at last the loud Cries and Murmurs of the Multitude prevail'd with him to deferr the Matter till her Father cou'd be sent for from the Camp to defend her Cause for which he wou'd allow but one Day He immediately wrote to Algedum at the Camp to confine Virginius but Numitor and Icilius's Brother intercepted the Letters and Virginius pretending the Death of a near Relation got Leave to leave the Camp and come posting to the City The next Day Virginius appear'd at the Place to the great Surprize of Appius he and his Daughter both in Mourning accompany'd with several weeping Matrons and a numerous Train of Advocates the whole City crowding into the Forum Virginius prov'd the Maid to be his own Daughter but Appius corrupted by the Greatness of his Power and inflam'd with the Heat of his Lust neither consider'd the just Defence of the Father nor the bitter Tears of the poor Virgin but was inrag'd at the Pity of the Standers by thinking himself a greater Object of Pity who endur'd more for her Beauty's sake than she her self did He interrupted all that pleaded in her behalf Commanding their Silence and strait judg'd Claudius to be right Lord and Owner of her Great Outcries and Lamentations being made as well by others as the Virgin and her Relations all knowing she was doom'd to the Tyrant's Lusts Appius commanded all to depart and order'd Claudius to take Possession of his Slave Virginius finding no relief desir'd he might speak a Word with his Daughter before he parted from her which being Granted he dragg'd her hanâ—â—ng about him to a Butcher's Stall hard by and 〈◊〉 bewailing her deplorable Condition where catcâ—â—ng a Knife in his Hands he said Daughter I will send thee to our Ancestors both Free and Unspotted for the Merciless Tyrant will suffer thee to be neither here and thereupon stabb'd her to the Heart Then casting his angry Eyes up to the Tribunal he cry'd out Appius thou Tyrant with this Blood I doom thee to certain Death With the bloody Knife in his Hand in a great Rage and Fury he ran through the City wildly calling upon the People in all Places to regain their Liberty and coming to the Gate rod Post to the Army a Company of 400 Plebeians following him In this Posture Virginius arriv'd at the Camp with the Knife and his Clothes all Bloody where with all his Rhetorick and Pathetick Reasons he persuaded 'em to revolt from the Ten and redeem their sinking Country shewing 'em likewise That their Sacramentum or Military Oath was no ways binding in this Case because the Oath suppos'd the Commanders to be made according to Law which the Ten were not having Usurp'd all the Power and Authority they cou'd pretend to The Army ready enough for such a Design immediately decamp'd some few Centurions only remaining and took their Station on Mount Aventine and the next day fortifying their Camp chose Ten Captains whereof one Oppius was Chief And soon after came great Parties from the other Army who were much Offended at the Murder of Siccius and join'd them and this was the second Separation of the Commons Appius in the mean time having endeavour'd by Force to suppress the Disturbances he had rais'd in the City was so over-power'd by the Parties of Valerius and Horatius formerly mention'd that he was forc'd to keep himself to his House Oppius one of the Decemviri assembled the Fathers and urg'd the Punishment of all Deserters but the Senate was so sensible of the threatning Dangers and Miseries of the State that they were glad to come to any Agreement with the Solâ—â—ers Therefore to compose all Differences they immediately dispatch'd Messengers to the Army which had lately remov'd to the Holy Mount as they had once done above 40 Years before Where the People demanded to have the same Form of Government as was setled before the Creation of the Decemviri which was readily Granted 'em the People all returning home to the City Thus in less than three Years time ended the famous Decemvirate III. Valerius and Horatius were for their Services made Consuls for the remaining part of the Year These preferrâ—d divers Laws in favour of the Commons to the great Regret of the Patritians whereof one was That such Laws as the Commons enacted in the Comitia Tributa shou'd have the same Force as those made in the Comitia Centuriata which was a great Advantage to the People After this the Tribunes whereof Virginius was one thought it convenient to call the Decemviri to an Account Appius was Committed to Prison no Bail being allow'd him but before his Tryal was found Dead but by what means is uncertain Oppius the next to him in Guilt was accus'd and being Condemn'd dyâ—d the same day in Prison by his own Hands The other eight banish'd themselves and Claudius the pretended Master of Virginia was driven out after 'em with which Justice the State was satisfy'd and Indemnity granted to all others Affairs thus setled the Consuls took the Field against the Aequi Volsci and Sabines and so successfully as to deserve a Triumph but the Senate gave 'em a Repulse for making Laws so much in favour of the Commons and so disadvantageous to the Patritian Priviledges The Consuls
Quintius who had both been Consuls before In this Year the Consuls finding the Publick Business to increase to ease themselves procur'd two new Magistrates to be created call'd Censors so nam'd because the Business of the Census which had been instituted by Servius Tullius the Sixth King of Rome was one great part of their Office These Magistrates at first made no great Appearance but in a short time they became Persons of extraordinary Dignity and Power having all the Ornaments and Ensigns of Consuls except Lictors At the beginning they were created for five Years which space was call'd Lustrum as was formerly observ'd but soon after their time was shortned to a Year and half but still they were chosen but once in five Years the Census being no oftner perform'd Their Power was very large and their Office very extensive for tho' at first they only perform'd the Census making an Estimate of Men's Estates distributing them into their several Classes and Centuries taking the Numbers of the Inhabitants c. yet in a short time they became Publick Inspectors of Men's Lives and Manners and were therefore frequently call'd Magistri Morum and took upon 'em to degrade Senators upon Misdemeanors to take away Horse and Ring from Equites or Knights and to turn Plebeians out of their Tribes and put 'em into a Lower and many other things of the like Nature The two first Censors were Papirius and Sempronius both Patritians and the two last Years Consuls and these high Officers were for nigh 100 Years chosen out of the Patritians and only such as were Eminent and Famous and had formerly been Consuls till the Plebeians found the way to this as they did to all other Offices Afterwards the Roman Colonies had their Magistrates call'd Sub-Censors who gave an Account to these of the Number of Inhabitants and their Wealth which was immediately register'd in the Censor's Books The Fathers were extreamly satisfy'd that they had got these Magistrates created out of their own Body and the Tribunes esteeming their Power to be inconderable were willing enough to agree to it In this same Year the Ardeans as being Allies sent to the Romans for Succour against the Volsci who were call'd in by some dangerous Factions among themselves and had reduc'd them to great Extremities The Romans were ready to serve the Persons they had so lately injur'd about their Lands and immediately Geganius the Consul was sent with a considerable Army against the Volsci and he soon reliev'd the Ardeans and clear'd the Country of the Enemy This Victory was very memorable and the Consul had a noble Triumph Clulius the Volscian General being led before the Chariot Ardea had now been so dispeopled with the Factions and the late Wars that they were willing to accept of a Roman Colony which the Senate sent soon after and to shew a further Piece of Generosity restor'd all the Lands they had before adjudg'd to the Publick Use tho' with the great Complaints of many of the Commons II. The Heats of the Commons were still kept alive but for some time were of no dangerous Consequence till three Years after Sp. Maelius a rich Knight incourag'd upon these Contentions by his large Bounty to the Poorer Sort in time of a great Famine began to affect Popularity and by that means to aspire to the Sovereignty His Designs were soon guess'd at and he was accus'd of this by Minucius who had the care of the Provisions which thing in these unsettled times so startled the Senate that by advice of Quintius the Consul they order'd a Dictator to be immediately created the Tumult hourly increasing Quintius Cincinnatus now 80 Years old was the Person who chose Servilius Ahala for his Master of the Horse The Dictator presently summon'd Maelius to appear who being well back'd and supported by the Mob refus'd to obey now breaking out into open Rebellion whereupon Ahala set upon him in the Forum and kill'd him and was justifi'd by Quintius who commanded his Goods to be sold and his House to be demolish'd The Tribunes inrag'd at the Death of their great Friend Maelius procur'd Military Tribunes instead of Consuls to be created for the following Year now six Years after their first Institution hoping that some Plebeian might get into the number of Six which might give 'em an Opportunity of revenging his Death But Three only were created all Patritians too and their Expectation wholly unanswer'd The following Year Consuls were created again and in the same Year Fidenae a Roman Colony revolted to Tolumnius King of the Veientes and to inhance their Crime by his Instigation they treacherously murder'd the Ambassadors sent thither who dying thus for the Publick the Senate generously appointed Statues to be erected in their Honour This War in the beginning prov'd so dangerous and threatning to the Romans that they were forc'd to create a Dictator to manage it Mamercus Aemilius being the Person who made choice of Quinctius Ciâ—cinnatus an Eminent Youth of the City for his Master of the Horse Aemilius the Dictator obtain'd a great Victory over the Enemy in which Battel Cornelius Cossus a Tribune in the Army slew King Tâ—lumnius with his own Hands and by that means obtain'd the Honour of the Opima Spolia or Royal Spoils which were the only Spoils of that Nature since the Reign of Romulus These Spoils were a great Grace to Aemilius's Triumph and a great Honour to Cossus they being with extraordinary Pomp and Ceremony consecrated to Iupiter Feretrius Two Years after this there hapned a great Plague in the City and the Fidenates and Veientes press'd so hard upon the Romans that they were forc'd to have recourse to another Dictator and Servilius Priscus was created who chose Aebutius Elva for his Master of the Horse Servilius was so successful as not only to drive the Enemy back but to take the Town of Fidenae which he did by a Mine The taking of Fidenae was so disadvantageous to the Enemy that the Veientes sent to all their Neighbours about for Succour threatning no less than entire Destruction to Rome These formidable Preparations put the Romans upon creating another Dictator a little above a Year after the last which was Aemilius who had been Dictator three Years before and he chose Posthumius Tubertus for his Master of the Horse In a short time the Romans found that the Veientes cou'd procure no Aid so the Dictator had little Employment abroad but resolving to do something at home he caus'd the Censorship to be reduc'd to a Year and a half which was eight Years after its first Institution and then laid down his Office The Censors from this took an Occasion to remove him out of his Tribe which so inrag'd the People that the next time they procur'd Military Tribunes to be brought in again after there had been Consuls four Years And in this Election notwithstanding the great Industry of the Tribunes of the People they
and Valerius Corvus now the fourth time Consul for the following Year and one of the greatest Roman Commanders of his time took Cales also in which he plac'd a Colony of 2500 Persons Corvus return'd in Triumph but he and his Collegue being imploy'd in some small Actions abroad a Dictator was created for the holding the Comitia for the Election of new Consuls which was Aemilius Mamercinus who appointed Publius Philo for his Master of the Horse Two Years before this a Dictator was created and another a Year after this but by reason of their undue Election and their not acting I shall not reckon 'em among the Number of Dictators Affairs abroad were in a peaceable Posture for some time but in two or three Years the mere Rumour of an Invasion by the Gauls occasion'd the Creation of a Dictator which was Papirius Crassus his Master of the Horse being V. Poplicola but neither of 'em had any extraordinary Employment In this same Year two new Tribes were added namely the Metian and the Scaptian for the late admitted Citizens which now made the Number twenty nine The Arunci were also made free of the City but without the Privilege of Voting by a Law prefer'd by Papirius the Praetor About a Year after the Settlement of these Matters above 170 Women were put to Death for the Art of Poysoning being discover'd by a She-slave This was look'd upon as such a Prodigy by the Superstitious People that a Dictator was created to drive a Nail into Iupiter's Temple as the best Remedy for the Distempers of the State Quintius Varus was the Man and Valerius Potius his Master of the Horse and this was the second Dictator created upon that account For the two succeeding Years a War was carri'd on against the Inhabitants of Privernum in the Volscian State who were drawn into it by Vitrurius Vaccus a Man of principal Note among the Arunci The first Year they were overthrown the next Vitrurius was taken Prisoner and Privernum surrender'd the principal Actors with Vitrurius being put to Death and the rest of the Inhabitants made free of the City This hapned in the same Year with Alexander's destroying the Persian Empire and his setting up the Macedonian and 60 after the burning of Rome by the Gauls In a Year or two after the Inhabitants of Palaepolis in Campania trusting to the Treachery of the Samnites and taking advantage from a Plague in Rome committed great Acts of Hostility against the Romans who dwelt about Cumae and Falernus War was presently declar'd against 'em and tho they we assisted by the Samnites and Tarentines a People beyond 'em yet they were forc'd to yield up their City which stood in some Place where Naples did afterwards and the Samnites lost three of their own Towns The Tarentines nevertheless proceeded and drew the Samnites with the Residue of the Palaepoltians again into the War wherein the Vestini together with their Allies were also ingaged In the beginning of this War great Commotions happen'd in the City occasion'd by one Papirius who had given up himself as Slave to Publius a severe Usurer to work out his Father's Debt Papirius being both Young and Beautiful Publius attempted to abuse him after a filthy Manner and upon his Refusal most cruelly scourg'd him In this Condition Papirius fled to the People who were so affected with his barbarous Usage that they procur'd these two Laws Shortly after First That no Man shou'd be detain'd in Bounds except for heinous Misdemeanors and then not after Punishment The second That the Money and Goods not the Body of the Debtor shou'd be responsible Whereupon all Prisoners for Debt were immediately set at Liberty The following Year the Vestini were overthrown by Brutus Scaeva the Consul and two Towns taken from ' em His Collegue Furius Camillus being Sick at Samnium nam'd Papirius Cursor for Dictator the most famous Commander in those times who appointed Fabius Rullianus for his Master of the Horse Papirius being encamp'd nigh the Samnites was forc'd to return to Rome to renew his Auspicia leaving a most strict Command to Fabius not to stir out of his Trenches in his absence But Fabius finding a great Advantage engag'd the Enemy and made a great Slaughter of ' em The Dictator in a great Rage return'd to the Camp and wou'd have put him to Death but the Army rescu'd him which caus'd Papirius to make great complaints to the Senate withaâ— urging the absolute Necessity of a strict Discipline and Authority But at last the Intreaties of the Fathers with the Commotions of the Tribunes and People prevail'd with him to spare his Life This Severity of Papirius so alienated the Hearts of the Soldiers that it almost cost him the loss of a Battel soon after which constrain'd him to be more Popular for the future after which he overthrew the Samnites and so much wasted their Country as forc'd them to desire a Peace The Samnites soon return'd to their former Enmity and in two Years time they grew so strong that the Senate thought it necessary to create a Dâ—ctâ—tor to oppose 'em and this was Cornelius Arvina who appointed Fabius Ambustus for his Master of the Horse and gave the Enemy a great Overthrow by which the Samnites were so weaken'd that they sent all their Prisoners and Plunder to Rome together with the dead Body of the Author of the Revolt who had kilâ—'d himself to avoid being deliverâ—d up and all to purchase Peace The Senate only receivâ—d the Men with such Goods as were particularly challeng'd and dem'd 'em Peace Inrag'd at this Pontius the chief Man among em drew out the Samnites to a Place call'd Caudium and putting ten Soldiers in the Habit of Shepherds he sent 'em to Calatia where the Consuls lay with Instructions to report that the Samnites were now in Apulia before Luceria and had almost taken it The Consuls believing this Report made all speed to relieve the Town lest their Allies the Apulians might be oblig'd to join with the Samnites Now the Romans had but two Ways to March to Luceria one large enough but far about the other a narrow Passage through the Straits of Caudium a Place incompassâ—d with high Mountains and extream difficult and dangerous to pass if an Enemy were nigh The Consuls leading their Army through this were immediately block'd up on all sides by Pontius who had possess'd himself of all the Defiles The Samnites having got the Romans at this great Advantage immediately sent to Herennius Pontius's Father to know how to proceed Herennius sent two several Messages the first to dismiss the Romans without any Injury at all the second to put 'em all to the Sword urging That one of thâ—se two Ways was absolutely necessary for the first would lay a perpetual Obligation on a most powerful People and the second would be a great weakning of a most formidable Enemy and that no third Way cou'd either gain
those Creatures broke their Ranks whereupon Pyrrhus commanded the Thessalian Cavalry to Charge them in this Disorder and gave them a total Rout with great Slaughter tho with the Loss of many of his best Men he himself also being wounded The Romans lost nigh 15000 Men and had 1800 taken Prisoners and the other side lost 13000 as Plutarch observes out of Dionysius Pyrrhus us'd the Roman Prisoners with extraordinary Civility and Courtesie and generously buryâ—d their Dead then taking a view of their Bodies and observing that they were all wounded before and what noble and stern Countenances they had he lift up his Eyes and Cryâ—d O how easily might I Conquer the World were I Master of such Soldiers After this Battel Pyrrhus being joyn'd with the Auxiliary Troops of the Samnites Lucani and Brutii directed his March towards Rome and advanc'd as far as Praeneste laying waste all before him The Romans us'd all necessary Diligence to recruit their Troops and to make new Levies Stirring up their Courages as much as possibly Fabricius a Patritian insinuating That the Loss was not through want of Valour but Conduct and that the Grecians had not overcome the Romans but Pyrrhus had Conquer'd Laevinus Pyrrhus finding the Romans very diligent and expeditious in their Recruits considerâ—d it was more Honourable to Treat with 'em after his Victory since he had but small hopes of subduing them and for that purpose sent Cineas to find out their Inclinations a Man so powerful in Rhetorick that the King acknowledgâ—d him To have storm'd more Towns by his Tongue than he ever did by his Arms. Cineas very closely applyâ—d himself to several of the Nobility with Presents for themselves and their Ladies as from his Master but he found 'em so Steady and unmov'd that not a single Person wouâ—d receive any and both Men and Women answerâ—d That if a Treaty were publickly concluded They then shou'd be ready to shew all Respect and Service due to so great a Man as the King was Cineas finding these Methods ineffectual proceeded to his Business more publickly and being come into the Senate he said the most soft and obliging Things in the World likewise offering in his Masters Name to return all that was taken in the Battel without Ransom and Promising all the Assistance that couâ—d be expected for the Conquering all Italy only asking for his Master and the Tarentines their Friendship and Alliance These fair Promises at first made the Senate somewhat inclinâ—d to a Treaty till Appius Claudius now blind and very ancient was brought into the Senate-House who by a stirring and incouraging Oration so warm'd the assembly that Cineas cou'd be hear'd no more but was dismissâ—d with this Answer That when Pyrrhus had withdrawn his Forces from Italy then if he pleasâ—d they wou'd Treat with him about Friendship and Alliance but till then they resolv'd to carry on the War with the utmost Vigour tho' they met with never so many Defeats Cineas at his Return was askâ—d by Pyrrhus what he thought of Rome he told him That the Senate appear'd to him as a venerable Assembly of so many Kings and the People he thought were like the Hydra whose Numbers increas'd the more for the Defeat for the Consul had alreday rais'd twice as great an Army and there were still far greater Numbers behind Soon after Cineas's Return the Romans sent to Pyrrhus about Ransoming of Prisoners among others C. Fabricius a Person eminent for his great Vertues and remarkable for his profess'd Poverty Pyrrhus receivâ—d him with an Extraordinary Civility and Kindness likewise offer'd him Gold assuring him It was no otherwise than an Hospitable Respect to a Person of his Excellencies but all this had no Effect upon the Steadiness of Fabricius's Temper The next Day Pyrrhus trying all Methods to discompose him commanded one of his largest Elephants compleatly Arm'd to be plac'd behind the Hangings and in the midst of their Discourse upon a Sign given the Tapestry was drawn aside and the huge Elephant raising his Trunk over Fabricius's Head made a hideous Noise Fabricius tho he had never seen this Creature was not at all afraid but gently turning about and Smiling said Neither your Gold Yesterday nor you dreadful Beast to Day can make any Impression upon me Pyrrhus amaz'd at the Greatness of his Mind releas'd the Prisonerâ— intrusting 'em to him alone with nothing but a Promise That if the Senate accepted not of Peace they shou'd return to him which accordingly they did being commanded to do it by the Senate upon pain of Death In the same Year Coruncanius Laevinus â— Collegue Triumph'd over some of the Hetrurians who had revolted and likewise this Year the Lustrum being perform'd 278222 Free Citizens were Cess'd II. The Roman Army being now recruited Sulpicius Saverrio and Decius Mus the Consuls for the following Year were sent against Pyrrhus The Romans had now learn'd not to fear the Elephants so much as formerly and were very carful in observing and understanding Pyrrhus's Art and Conduct in Battel Both Armies met about the City of Asculum and Pyrrhus was incommoded by a Woody Country veâ—y inconvenient for his Cavalry and a very swift Current of the River that the Elephants for want of sure Footing cou'd not get up with the Infantry But after many wounded and kill'd the Night put an End to the Engagement The next Morning Pyrrhus designing to Fight on even Ground and to have the Elephants in the thickest of the Enemy caus'd a Detachment to possess themselves of those incommodius Grounds and mixing Slingers and Archers among the Elephants with great Courage advanc'd in a close and well order'd Body and the Romans not having those Advantages of Retreating and falling on as they had before were oblig'd to Fight Man to Man upon plain Ground making a bloody Slaughter among the Graecian Spear Men not minding or valuing what they suffer'd themselves After a long and obstinate Fight the Romans were so press'd upon especially by the mighty Force of the Elephants and the Gaecian Cavalry and so overpowerâ—d that they retreated to their Camp with the loss of 6000 Men the Enemy having lost nigh 4000. This Battel is variously related but this is the truest Account that I can find of it After this Engagement 't is said Pyrrhus reply'd to a Gentleman who congratulated him for his Victory If we overcome the Romans another time we are utterly ruin'd For by this time he had lost a great Part of his Forces he had brought over and almost all his particular Friends and Commanders This Battel finish'd the Campaign and the rest of the time was employâ—d in taking Care for the next at which time Fabricius himself was chosen Consul together with Aemilius Papus At the nigh Approach of the two Armies Fabricius receivâ—d a Letter from the Kingâ—s principal Physician Offering to take off Pyrrhus by Poyson and so end the War without farther hazard to the Romans provided he might have
Xantippus a brave Lacedaemonian for their General soon after gave Regulus a dreadful Overthrow he himself being taken Prisoner and most of his Army cut off the rest escaping to Clupea But Xantippus met with more Barbarous and Ungrateful Usage than Regulus for the Carthaginians pretending to conduct him home Honourably commanded the Sea-men to throw him and his Companions over-board least so great a Victory shou'd be ascrib'd to the Lacedâ—emonians as Appian relates it The Romans were Besieg'd in Clupea till their Enemies perceiving the small probability of reducing 'em broke up the Siege and made all Preparations for the opposing the Succours sent under Aemilius Paulus and Fabius Nobilior the following Years Consuls These Consuls putting to Sea with 350 Sail were met with by the Carthaginians night hir own Coasts whom they entirely defeated taking 30 Ships and sinking 104 with the loss only of Nine of their own After this the Consuls took in the Roman Garrison from Clupea and set Sail again for Sicily expecting to have several Towns there surrender'd to 'em upon the News of this Victory but before they cou'd make the Shore there arose such a dreadful Storm that most of their Ships were swallow'd up or split upon Rocks so that the Shore was fill'd with dead Bodies and broken Pieces of Ships Both the Consuls perish'd and those few that escap'd Hiero kindly receiv'd and furnishing 'em with Cloaths and other Necessaries conveyâ—d â—em safe to Messana Karthalo the Carthaginian immediately taking Advantage of this great Misfortune besieg'd Agrigentum and soon after took it and demolish'd the Fortifications of it The Romans nothing discourag'd at the great Losses sustained by the Tempest immediately set about Building 220 Vessels which they prosecuted with that extraordinary Diligence and Expedition that in three Months time they were both Built and Launch'd On the other side Asdrubal the Carthaginian with his Veterane Troops and Levies arriv'd at Sicily with a Fleet of 200 Sail Old and New The Consuls Attilius and Cornelius being order'd for Sicily this Year manag'd the War so prosperously as to take several Towns after which they return'd Their Successors Servilius and Sempronius in the following Spring pass'd into Sicily with the whole Fleet and from thence to Africk where Coasting about they Landed in many Places but perform'd nothing very Memorable At last they touch'd upon the Island of the Lotophagi call'd Meninx nigh the lesser Syrtis where being ignorant of these Coasts they fell upon certain Quick-sands but getting off with much difficulty they return'd to Panormus in Sicily in a flying Posture Then sailing for Rome through the Straights very unadvisedly they were taken in a Storm and 150 of the Ships lost This same Year the Censors calling over the Senate turn'd out 13 Members for Misdemeanours and performing the Lustrum 297797 Free Citizens were Pollâ—d Tho' the Senate and People of Rome were extremely vigorous in all great Attempts being push'd on by an extraordinary Desire of Glory yet the Losses at Sea had now been so great and numerous that they were constrain'd to omit Naval Preparations and place all their Hopes in their Land-Forces Caecilius and Metellus were sent into Sicily with the Legions and 60 Transport Vessels only for Necssearies and they did not only yield the Dominion of the Sea to the Carthaginians but fearâ—d 'em also at Land by reason of their great Preparations but especially for their Elephants which had oftentimes much annoyâ—d ' em Asdrubal the Punick General understanding their Fears and that one of the Consuls was now return'd into Italy with half the Army with great Assurance and Confidence ravag'd all the Country about Panormus and with the more Carelessness and Security because Metellus kept himself within the Walls But the Consul taking an Opportunity so well plac'd his Men against the Elephants that when Asdrubal came nigh the Town he gave him a dreadful Overthrow killing 20000 Men and taking 26 Elephants for which he had a noble Triumph The Carthaginians immediately lost all Sicily except Lilybaeum and Drepanum to the former of which Places Asdrubal escap'd but being Condemn'd at Carthage he was taken and put to Death as soon as he returnâ—d the Unhappy Fate of many Carthaginian Generals III. The Carthaginians now finding themselves great Losers and weary'd out with a Tedious War which had now continuâ—d 14 Years began to sollicit for Peace and sent to the Senate to Treat about it With the Ambassadors Regulus also was sent who had been Five Years Prisoner and was now Bound with an Oath to return to Carthage in case there was no Peace nor Exchange of Prisoners made Regulus contrary to the Expectation of all openly in the Senate discovered the Weakness of the Carthaginians and advised the Romans to make no Peace shewing withall both how honourable and profitable it might be to the State to prosecute the War The Senate seem'd well satisfied with the Advice if it were to be followâ—d without Prejudice to the Adviser whom they Pityâ—d as well as Admir'd and cou'd not determine any thing to the Ruin of a Person who had deservâ—d so well at their hands Upon that Account they desir'd him to stay but he with an Undeunted Resolution told â—em That he knew that Death and the extreamest Tortures were preparing for him at Carthage but still he cou'd not comply with their Requests who might have better us'd their Commands had he been still his Countries Servant as he was Africk ' s Slave and upon that account not capable of living as became a Citizen of Rome yet however he had so much of the True Spirit of a Roman that he cou'd do nothing that was base or dishonourable and that he less fear'd the Tortures of a cruel Rack than the Shame of an infamous Action for the former only touch'd the Body whereas the latter pierc'd the Mind All Means were us'd to perswade Regulus to stay both by his Friends and others which he avoided as much as possible refusing to speak with his Wife and shunning the Embraces and Kisses of his little Children And when the Negotiation was at an end he return'd to Carthage there ending his Days in great Torments For first they cut off his Eye-lids keeping him in a dark â— Dungeon for a while then brought him out in the midst of the Day with his Face turn'd full against the Sun At last he was put into a Chest or Barrel stuck with Nails with the Points inward and so narrow that he cou'd have no Ease where he died with the Extremity of the Pain When the Senate heard of the Barbarous Usage of Regulus in great Rage they deliver'd up some Prisoners of the Highest Note and Quality to Marcia his Wife who shut 'em up in an Armory stuck round with Iron Spikes designing to torment them after the same manner that her Husband had been and keeping 'em five days together without Meat in which time Bostar the Carthaginian with Pain and Hunger died
City of Syracuse by Sea and Land but cou'd not storm it with all his Power being perpetually hinder'd by the great Skill and Inventions of that excellent Mathematician Archimedâ—s who contriv'd such Engines as wouâ—d cast Stones of prodigious Bulk upon the Romans and vast Beams upon their Ships and dismount all their Bat-Battering Engines He also set the Roman Ships upon one end or overturn'd them or hois'd 'em up into the Air and after all the Men were fallen out let 'em fall upon the Walls by which means he became so formidable to the Romans that Marcellus was forc'd to remove to a farther Distance Jeering his own Engineers and calling Archimedes Briareus After some considerable Actions in Sicily and after Three Years Siege Marcellus found means to surprize the City on a great Festival of theirs by reason of an Ill-guarded Tower and so became Master of it Marcellus cou'd not forbear his Tears at the Destruction of such a glorious and Magnificent City which he endeavour'd but could not prevent but above all the Death of Archimedes was the greatest Trouble to him for he had given strict Command to his Men to preserve him But this great Artist was at that time so extreamly Busie about his Mathematical Speculations that he took no Notice of the Noise and Uproar in the City and so was kill'd by a Common Soldier before he suspected any Danger His Body was honourably bury'd by Marcellus's Order and vast Plunder was obtain'd by the Soldiers besides many rich Works and great Rareties sent to Rome the City being full of People and 22 Miles in Compass The Wars in Italy were manag'd the same time with various Success Hannibal had Tarentum betray'd to him the Castle still holding out and the Romans invested Capua straitning it so much that they were forc'd to send to Hannibal for Relief He made no great haste to relieve 'em being very desirous to take the Castle first but then coâ—sidering how great a Disgrace the loss of such a Place as Capua wou'd be he broke up the Siege of Tarentum and directed his March thither Hannibal attack'd the Romans in their Trenches and tho' he was assisted both by the Inhabitants and his own Garrison he was repell'd with considerable Loss Finding the Relief of the Place extream hazardous he resolv'd to fall upon Rome it self expecting that the very Name of such an Enterprize wou'd oblige 'em to raise the Siege for which Reason he March'd directly that way His Designs being heard of at Rome the Citizens were variously inclin'd as to their Way of Security some thinking all the Forces in Italy were to be sent for but Fabius wou'd by no means hear of rising from before Capua therefore a middle Way was taken which was to send for Fulvius the Proconsul from the Siege with 15000 Foot and 1000 Horse for the Defence of Rome which was speedily effected Hannibal being now encamp'd about eight Miles from the City Hannibal in a short time decamp'd and advanc'd to the River Arno three Miles from Rome from whence with a Party of 2000 Horse he went to take a View of the City Flaccus much offended that he shou'd take such Liberty without Opposition sent out a considerable Body of Horse which falling upon him forc'd him to retreat The next Day and the Day following Hannibal on one side and Flaccus with the Consuls on the other drew out all their Forces for a General Battel but on both those Days there fell such great Storms of Hail and Rain that the Armies cou'd not joyn but after they had retir'd to their Camps the Weather provâ—d fair and calm This struck the Carthaginians with a Religious Awe and made Hannibal to say That one while his Mind another time his Fortune wou'd not suffer him to become Master of that mighty City Whereupon he decamp'd and March'd to the River Turia from thence to the Lake of Feronia where he plunderâ—d a Temple of that Goddess proceeding in this outrageous Manner through the Countries of the Lucani and Brutii which Cruelty lost him much Credit and did him as much Injury Flaccus return'd to the Siege of Capua which soon after was surrender'd the Heads of the Revolt being put to death and the common sort sold. This City being situated in so good a Soil was reserv'd for the Use of all sorts of Plowmen Labourers and Artificers without any Shew of Government of its own as it had formerly This happen'd in the 7th Year of this War and 54â—d of the City In Spain the War had been carry'd on all this time with great Vigour the Romans being generally Conquerours killing in one Battel 3â—000 Men but in this last Year Claudius Nero the Governour of Spain was much impos'd upon by the Treachery of Asdrubal and another Governour was order'd to succeed him both the Scipio's having been slain not long before in Spain A Comitia was held for the creating a Proconsul for Spain but none appear'd to stand for that Office well perceiving the Hazards and Difficulties of such a War which causâ—d a great Concern and Sadness among the 〈◊〉 Whereupon young Scipio a Noble Youth 〈◊〉 24 Years of Age bravely stood up and profess'd â—â—â—self Candidate having the Year before been 〈…〉 tho' under Age by the great Favour and Câ—â—â—ence of the People This Scipio was Son to the Consul slain in Spain a Person of rare and wonderful Abilities for his Age of extraordinary Courage and Valour and of as eminent Prudence and Vertue which excellent Accomplishments made him joyfully accepted of by the Votes of all but after he was chosen they began to have some Concern upon the Account of his Youth which he apprehending call'd 'em together and with such a noble Spirit and great Resolution promis'd 'em Success that they departed abundantly satisfied with their Choice The following Year after Scipio's Voyage to Spain Valerius Laevinus who had done good Service against Philip of Macedon was made Consul a second time and sent into Sicily where taking the City Agrigentum he soon reduc'd the whole Island which was the first time the Romans became Masters of all Sicily and this fell out in the 8th Year of this War and 544th of the City In the time of Laevinus's Consulship a Dictator was created for holding the Comitia for a new Election both he and his Collegue Marcellus being abroad this was Fulvius Flaccus and his Master of the Horse was Licinius Crassus In this Election Fabius Maximus was chosen Consul a Fifth time in which Year Tarentum was Betray'd into his hands the Success of this Campaign proving very doubtful and various and in this same Year was a Lustration where were found but 137108 Free Citizens by which Account it appears what great Losses the Romans had sustained by these Dreadful Wars Marcellus for this Year sometimes won and sometimes lost with Hannibal and the following was made Consul a Fifth time when going against Hannibal he was slain in
suffer'd the Scipio's to pass the Hellespont into Asia without Opposition This was the first time that the Romans got Footing in Asia which so startl'd Antiochus that he offerâ—d to quit all Places in Europe and such Asia as were Friends of Rome to pay half the Charges the Romans were at in this War and rather than not obtain Peace to part with a Portion of his own Kingdom The Ambassadors who carry'd these Proposals us'd their utmost Endeavours to procure the Favour of Africanus offering him the Restitution of his Son who had been taken Prisoner and many other great and honourable Advantages if it cou'd be effected But Africanus wouâ—d promise nothing more than only private Offices of Kindness modestly letting 'em to know That since Antiochus was now in such a declining state Peace was not probably to be purchas'd at so easie a Rate as formerly Whereupon Antiochus made what Provision he cou'd for a Battel and Africanus falling sick soon after to comfort him and to gain his Favour he sent him his Son without Ransom upon which the other in way of Requital advis'd him not to engage with his Brother till he cou'd return to the Camp Antiochus therefore having received this Message declin'd fighting what he cou'd till Scipio the Consul press'd so hard upon him nigh Magnesia that he was forc'd to draw out his Men to the Number of 70000 Foot and 12000 Horse Scipio oppos'd him with a much less Army but in a few Hours time entirely defeated him where his own Chariots arm'd with Sithes being driven back upon his own Men contributed much to his Overthrow Antiocâ—us now was glad to procure Peace of the Romans upon their own Terms and Ambassadors were dispatch'd accordingly where Africanus told 'em That the Romans were never wont to insult over their conquer'd Enemies and therefore nothing should be requir'd of him more than formerly The Terms were To pay 15000 Talents of Eubaea for the Expences of the War to quit all their Possessions in Europe and likewise all Asia on this side Mount Taurus to deliver up Hannibal and other Incendiaries and to give 20 Hostages for securing the Peace Thus ended the War with Antiochus the Great much to the Advantage of Rome within two Years time or less twelve Years after the second Punick War Lucius Scipio having gain'd the Surname of Asiaticus as his Brother had of Africanus III. The Romans had now but little Employment abroad besides chastising the Aetolians in Greece which was soon effected by Manlius Scipio's Collegue and by the same Consul an Expedition was undertaken against the Gallo Graecians or Galatians in Asia with good Success but Luxury and Idleness was first brought into Rome by his Army out of Asia The same Year the Census being perform'd 258328 Free Citizens were cess'd In the third Year after the ending of the War with Antiochus Scipio Africanus was maliciously accus'd of defrauding the Treasury of the Booty taken in the War and of too nigh a Correspondence with Antiochus and of Matters of the like Nature Some write that his Accusers were incited to it by Cato who hated him for his being frequently saluted King in Spain by the Inhabitants there and occasion'd him to have a Day set him by the Tribunes to answer it before the People The Day of Hearing being come and the Tribunes having taken their Places in the Rostra this great Man enter'd the Assembly with a mighty Train of Friends and Clients all the People having their Eyes fix'd upon him with Admiration Silence being made he with an undaunted Bravery put on his Triumphal Crown and with the Voice of a Conqueror cry'd This very Day O Romans I did overcome the fierce Hannibal and vanquish the powerful Carthaginians therefore let us lay aside private Contests and go as many as can to the Capitol to Thank the Gods for giving me the Will and Power of dâ—ing such eminent Services for my Country Whereupon going up to the Capitol the Whole Assembly followâ—d him as also to all the Temples in the City insomuch that the very Viatâ—rs and Clerks left the Tribunes alone who from Accusers were turn'd Admirers Shortly after the Tribunes accus'd him in the Senate-House and desir'd he might be brought to his Answer Scipio boldly rising up produc'd his Books of Accounts and â—ore 'em in pieces before 'em all disdaining to give an Account for so small a Matter in comparison of those vast Summs be himself had brought into the Treasury The next Day of Appearance he absented himself and his Brother declaring his Indisposition he was excusâ—d and another Day appointed before which time he withdrew himself to Linternum a Sea-Town of Campania and there livâ—d a Retirâ—d Life In his Absence the Tribunes were very violent against him yet through the Interposition of Gracchus one of 'em he was not Condemn'd His Brother Asiaticus was shortly after call'd to an Account about Matters of the same nature but by Gracchus's means likewise escap'd Publick Punishment The Year following many Scandalous Abuses of the Feasts of Bacchus were strictly enquir'd into and reform'd Three Years after which the Great Africanus dy'd who according to Val. Maximus order'd Ingrata Patria ne ossa quidem mea habes to be engraven on his Tomb My Ungrateful Country shall have none of my Remains This same Year was Remarkable for the Death of Two other Famous Men Philopoemen Captain of the Achaeans in Greece and Hannibal the latter of which had fled to several Places to escape falling into the hands of the Romans and at last to Prusias King of Bithynia who out of Fear was about delivering him up when Hannibal took Poyson which 't is said he carry'd about him in his Ring first Invoking the Gods of Hospitality as Witnesses of the Violated Faith of King Prusias and upbraiding the present Romans with degenerating from their Ancestors who had honourably prevented the Murder of their Mortal Enemy Pyrrhus whereas these had basely sent to Prusias to Murder his Guest and Friend The Romans were for about 12 Years after this chiefly employ'd in Wars with their Neighbours the Ligurians and Istrians with the Sardinians and Corsicans and likewise with the Celtiberians in Spain all which they reduc'd to Subjection In which space of time the Works of Numa Pompilius the Second King of Rome after they had been Buried in a Stone Chest 535 Years were taken up and Burnt by Order of Senate and in a Lustration not long after 273244. Free Citizens were Cess'd About Two Years after this Persâ—us King of Macedon the Son of Philip invited by his Fatherâ—s Preparations before his Death and pleas'd with his own Strength and Imaginary Successes renounc'd the League made with the Romans and so began the Second Macedonian War 25 Years after the finishing of the First and 18 after that with Antiochus Upon this Quintus Marcius and others were sent into Greece to secure and establish the Confederates in their Fidelity
which made Perseus begin to reflect upon what he had done and understanding the Motions and Preparations of the Romans he apply'd himself to Marcius about a Treaty for Peace relying upon the Ancient Friendship between their two Families The Ambassadors were well satisfy'd with this Opportunity and to divert him from Action granted him Truce till he might send to Rome for without this he might have began the War much to the Disadvantage of the Romans who had neither Army nor Commander yet arrivâ—d in Grecce The Senate deny'd him Peace and Attilius the Consul was sent to seize upon Larissa the Chief City of Thessaly Whereupon Perseus drew all his Forces together having gather'd together a greater Army than any of his Predecessors were Masters of since Alexander the Great He took in some Towns upon his Frontiers and Licinius the Consul led such a raw undisciplin'd Army into Macedonia and through such difficult and almost Impassable Places that had Perseus made his Advantage of this Opportunity he might easily have destroy'd it After this he sent to Licinius offering to observe the Articles to which his Father Philip had submitted by paying the Tribute and leaving the Cities to their Liberty but could not obtain Peace to be granted him upon these Terms Soon after Thebes and Aleartus were taken by Lucretius the Praetorâ— and the Consul having had the Advantage in another Skirmish possess'd himself of some Towns and took up his Winter-Quarters mean while Appius Claudius lost many Men in Illyricum The Year following Hostilius the Consul who was to manage this War performâ—d but little of moment besides reducing his Men to that Ancient Discipline which his Predecessor had too much neglected Marcius Philippus succeeding him at his first Entrance into his Province might have easily been defeated had he met with a Prudent and Expert Enemy the Ways being so difficult and dangerous to pass that his Soldiers could scarce hold their Weapons in their Hands by reason of their Weariness And after he had enter'd the Plains he might as easily have been block'd up and starvâ—d had not Perseus struck with a groundless Fear retreated to Pydna and left all the Passes open to him Yet Marcius acted nothing of Consequence leaving all to be performâ—d by his Successor Aemilius Paulus who had been Consul 17 Years before and was a very Experiencâ—d Commander Aemilius very skilfully manag'd the War and causâ—d the Eclipse of the Moon to be foretold to his Soldiers lest they should be discouragâ—d by it which much terrify'd the Enemy that knew nothing of the Natural Cause He kept his Men from Fighting when they were fatiguâ—d tho' the Officers were desirous to Engage but the Armies lying Encampâ—d on each side the River Enipeus a Peast by chance passing over from the Roman side was seiz'd on and being rescuâ—d by degrees drew both Armies to an Engagement wherein Persâ—us lost the Day and with it his Kingdom He flying into the Isle of Crete when all abandonâ—d him surrenderâ—d himself into the Hands of Cn. Octavius Aemilius severely Chastis'd the Epirots who had joynâ—d with Perseâ—s Plundering and Demolishing about 70 of their Towns whereby such a great Booty was gainâ—d that each Footman had 200 Denarii above 7 English Pounds and every Horseman twice as much But the Soldiers having gainâ—d little or no Plunder in Mâ—câ—donia nor any of the Kingâ—s Treasure denyâ—d their General a Triumph which he obtainâ—d notwithstanding and that a most Splendid one too such as Rome scare ever saw before Preseus himself and his Two Sons beâ—ng Led in Great State and Magnificence before his Triumphal Chariot And the same Year Cn. Octavius the Praetor at Sea Triumph'd and L. Anicius before whose Chariot was Led Gentius King of the Illyrians who being a Confederate of Perseus was obligâ—d to yield himself Prisoner Thus ended the Second Macedonian War in three Years time and with it the Macedonian Kingdom after it had continuâ—d 156 Years after Alexanderâ—s Death and several Hundreds of Years before Aâ—milius by this Conquest bringing 200 Millions of Sesterces into the Treasure according to Paterculus IV. Now the Roman Grandeur began to display it self through all Countries and Nations many Kings and Potentates became humble Suppliants to the Senate being all at their Disposal and Learning now flourishâ—d much more than ever being much forwarded by the Romans Converse and Familiarity with the Graecians whom they had lately conquer'd and much encouragâ—d by Scipio and Laelius the two noble Patrons of Eloquence Poetry and all Arts and the worthiest and most accomplish'd Gentlemen in Rome The former of these was Aemilius the Consulâ—s Son adopted by the Son of Africanus and the other was Son to Laelius who formerly did great Service in Africa In this time flourish'd the famous Comedian Terence who Writ with extraordinary Correctness and Accuracy and helpâ—d to bring the Roman Tongue to a great Perfection as to Purity and Propriety his first Play being acted one Year after the Conquest of Macedonia and Perseus And not only the Learning Riches and Dominions of Rome were encreasâ—d but likewise the Inhabitants for in a Lustration about this time there wereâ— 312081 Free Citizens Cessed For 17 or 18 Years the Romans were employ'd in more inferiour Wars such as those with the Ligurians Corsicans Dalmatians and Spaniards and likewise the Macedenians being all in the nature of Revolts which though they often created much Trouble to the State yet they were not so memorable as to deserve a particular Account in this Volume These Wars were scarcely finish'd when the Romans found a Pretence to begin the Third Carthaginian War which was their being in Arms against Masanissa a Roman Ally tho' they had sufficient Justice on their side The Roman Ambassadors who were sent to Carthage finding the City very Rich and Flourishing from their Fifty years Peace at their Return insisted much on the Danger which threatned Rome from that State especially Cato who never came into the Senate but after his Speaking to any Publick Business concluded with Delenda est Carthago Carthage is to be Destroy'd He was often opposâ—d by Scipio Nasica who urg'd That upon the Removal of so powerful a Rival Security wou'd cause the Ruin and Dissolution of the Roman Common-Wealth as it afterwards prov'd But Cato's Reason's drawn from the present Danger so Over-rul'd Scipio's Forecast that the Senate now having a Pretence of an Open Breach of Articles Order'd War to be Proclaim'd against the Carthaginians and both the Consuls were sent with a full Resolution utterly to destroy Carthage The Carthaginians affrighted at the Romans Preparations immediately Condemn'd those who had broken the League and most humbly offer'd any reasonable Satisfaction Answer was return'd to 'em That they shou'd enjoy all as formerly provided they sent 300 Hostages of the Chief of the City within 30 days to Sicily and did what the Consuls shou'd fâ—rther Command ' em The Carthaginiâ—ns desiring nothing more than
the Common-wealth These Gracchi had so far chang'd the Constitutions of the Common-wealth and the publick peace was now so broken particularly by the Disunion of Patrons and Clients that the Roman State became very unsettled and more liable to any new Revolution than ever and though Reformation might be their Design yet it might well be feared that Ruin wou'd be the Effect of such Disturbances in a Common-wealth now so corrupted with the Greatness of their Riches as well as the Greatness of their Power Caius's Death happen'd in the 631 Year of the City in the 4th Year of the 164th Olympiâ—d 386 Years since the beginning of the Consular State 207 since the setting up the Macedonian Empire and 121 before our Saviour's Nativity CHAP. XIII From the End of the Seditions of the Gracchi to the End of the First Civil War in Italy and to the Perpetual Dictatorship of Sylla which was the second great Step to the Ruin of the Consular State Containing the Space of 41 Years I. THE Distempers and Disturbances of the Common-wealth were for the present asswag'd by the Death of Caius Gracchus and soon after a Law was made that any one might sell his Land which the Senior Gracchus had forbidden by which means the Poor partly by Purchase and partly by Constraint were again dispossess'd After that the Law for Division of Lands was fully abrogated by Borcus and the Grounds left to their ancient Owners with a Proviso to pay a Tribute to the People out of ' em But not long after the Tribute was likewise all taken away and so nothing was left remaining for the Poor During these Domestick Troubles the Sardinians rebellâ—d and were reduc'd by Aurelius and the Fregellans were punish'd with the Loss of their City by Opimius the Praetor About which time Africk was infected with a most prodigious Plague destroying vast Numbers of Men Cattel and Fowl occasion'd by an infinite Number of Locusts which having overspread the Ground and destroy'd the Corn Fruits and even Trees themselves at length were driven by a Wind into the Mediterranean Sea and there putrefying corrupted the Air after a most wonderful manner Two Years after this Metellus the Consul subdu'd the Islands Beleares near Spain and restrain'd all the Piracies which were there maintain'd At the same time was carry'd on that War call'd Bellum Allobrogicum the War with the Allobroges a People inhabiting about the Countries now call'd Dauâ—hine and Savoy This War was occasion'd first by the Salies a People of Gaul beyond the Alps who invading the Massilians Allies of Rome were chastiz'd by Fulvius and subdu'd by Sextus Calvinus Teutomalus their King flying out of the Battle was receivâ—d and protected by the Allobroges who likewise invaded the Hedui Allies also of Rome and drew into Confederacy the Arverni The Allobroges were first overthrown by Domitius Aenobarbus who killâ—d 20000 of 'em and took 3000 Prisoners which great Victory was owing chiefly to his Elephants After him Fabius Maximus Grand-Son to Paulus Aemilius and adopted into the Fabian Family defeated 'em with the Arverni and Ruteni in a most bloody Battel where 120000 were reported to be slain and moreover taking one of their Kings Prisoners he obtain'd the Surname of Allobrogicus About which time Gallia Narbonensis was reduc'd into a Province in the Year 636. Not long after the Scordisci a people of Gaulish Original inhabiting Thrace defeated the Roman Army under Cato the Consul yet were afterwards driven back into their own Country by Didius the Praetor and the Consul Drusus and after this they gave occasion of a glorious Triumph to Minutius of which Honour Metellus also had a Share Soon after these Wars in a Lustration 394336 free Citizens were poll'd in Rome which Number was very little different from that in the Lustrum five years before II. Rome had not very much Action abroad for a while but in no long time began a considerable War in Numidia call'd the Iugurthine War It was occasionâ—d by Iugurth Grand-son to the famous Masanissa the Romans old Friend who murder'd his Cousin Hiempsal to get his Kingdom and attempted to do the same to his Brother Adherbal but he made his escape and fled to the Romans for Succour Whereupon Iugurth being sensible how much Avarice and Injustice had crept into the City he sent his Ambassadors with large Presents to Rome which had such Effects upon the Senate that they decreed him half the Kingdom and sent ten Commissioners to divide it between him and Adherbal The Commissioners thinking they might lawfully imitate their Masters in the Senate were also brib'd to bestow the most rich and populous Part upon Iugurth but he still unsatisfy'd fell suddenly upon Adherbal besiegâ—d him in Cirta and getting him into his Hands likewise murder'd him For this War was decreed against Iugurth and committed to the Management of Calpurnius Bestia the Consul who shortly after invaded Numidia with great Vigour and Diligence and took in some Towns but he was soon stopâ—d in his Career being overcome by the Golden Weapons of Iugurth so that a Treaty of Peace was soon set on Foot The Senate were a little movâ—d at this and at the Power of Scaurus who accompanying the Consul as his Friend and Counsellor was likewise guilty of the same Crime and therefore the People got Cassius Longinus the Praetor to go and procure Iugurth to come to Rome upon the publick Faith of the State that by that means they might discover all such as had been guilty of Bribery Cessius with no great Difficulty perswaded Iugurtha to make Tryal of the Clemency of Rome and to throw himself upon the Peoples Mercy whereupon he came to Rome in a pitiful and mourning Habit. But coming into the Assembly Baebius the Tribune bad him hold his Peace he being also brib'd to deferr the Business and delude the people At the same time was one Massiva in Rome Iugurth's Cousin-Germain who had fled from Africk formerly This Person was perswaded by Albinus the Consul to beg the Kingdom of the Senate but Iugurth having some Intelligence of the Design procur'd him to be assassinated and convey'd the Murderer away to Numidia Hereupon within a few days he was commanded to be gone and being out of the City he look'd upon it with his Hands lift up crying O Rome that would'st be sold thy Self were there but a Chapman for thee So extreamly were the Inhabitants degenerated from their former Fidelity Modesty and Abstinence which afterwards brought upon 'em the greatest Miseries that ever befell any State Albinus follow'd him with an Army which after he himself had been sometime there he left with his Brother Aulus who in the Consuls absence by Virtue of some Compact withdrew from Suthul where the Chief Treasure of the Kingdom lay when he was just upon investing it The Centurions were likewise so corrupted that when Albinus return'd Iugurth was sufferâ—d to break into the Camp whence beating out
all possible Ways and Methods to procure Forces and thus was the rest of the Summer spent in which time the Capitol was burnt down none knowing by what means it was done this hapned about 430 Years after it was first built The following Year Carbo a third Time and young Marius the Son of the former were made Consuls the latter at 27 Years of Age. In the beginning of the Campaign Carbo's Lieutenant Carinus was overthrown by Metellus and Marius himself by Sylla Marius was driven into Praeneste where being closely besieg'd and almost despairing of Relief he in a great Rage wrote to Brutus then Praetor at Rome to use some Pretence to call the Senate and then to kill the principal of 'em who were his Enemies which Order was executed with great Cruelty so that whatsoever Side were Conquerors Rome was still a miserable Sufferer Metellus having by this time overthrown Carbo once more and Pompey defeated Marcius another of that Party Sylla march'd directly to Rome which Place he easily enter'd great Numbers of the opposite Faction being fled into the Country The Inhabitants of Rome were extremely terrifyâ—d at Sylla's Entrance but he only put the Goods of the Persons that fled to Sale wishing the People not to be dejected for he was oblig'd to act as he did Then leaving a sufficient Garrison in the City he departed to Clusium where he and his Officers several times overthrew Carbo's Armies Carbo being now upon the defensive sent eight Legions to Praeneste to relieve his Collegue Marius but they were met by Pompey in a narrow Passage where he â—lew many of 'em and dispers'd the Rest. Soon after Carbo being join'd with Norbanus engag'd with Metellus and had 10000 of his Men slain and 6000 yielded whereupon great Numbers went over to Sylla's Party which presently became Masters of all Gaul on that side the Alpes Norbanus fled to Rhodes where fearing to be deliver'd up he kill'd himself and Carbo fled to Africk tho he had 30000 Men at Clusium besides other Forces all which soon after were broken and dispers'd by Pompey But Carinus and Marcius with other Commanders by the Assistance of the Samnite Troops endeavour'd to force the Trenches at Praeneste and relieve Marius but finding it impracticable they advanc'd to Rome where meeting with Sylla a most bloody Battell was sought at the very Gates in which many thousands were slain on both sides But Sylla at last obtain'd the Victory and Carinus and Marcius were taken and their Heads sent to Praeneste to be shewn to the Inhabitants at which sorrowful Sight they surrender'd to Lucullus and Marius kill'd himself whose Head was set up in the Pleading-Place at Rome All his Faction in Praeneste with the Natives and Samnites were put to Death without Mercy only the Romans escap'd with their Lives and this rich City was plunder'd Norba a little after was taken and the Inhabitants setting the Town on Fire all destroy'd themselves some one way and some another So now all Italy came under the Power of Sylla Sylla having been thus successful against his Enemies at home sent Pompey into Africk against Carbo and gave him Charge to pass from thence into Sicily against others of that Party Pompey in a short time drove Carbo into Sicily and thence into Corcyra where he took him and causâ—d his Head to be cut off and sent to Sylla But Rome in the mean time now severely felt the dreadful Effects of Civil Contests for Sylla calling the People together told them That he wou'd put 'em into a better Condition if they were obedient to his Commands but as for his Enemies be was resolv'd to prosecute them with all sorts of Miseries and Calamities which he did with more Severity than any before him killing and butchering many thousands after a most barbarous and inhumane Manner Eight Thousand were put to Death together in the Villa Publica a large House in the Campus Martius Men were slain in the Embraces of their Wives Children in the Arms of their Mothers and Liberty was given to the Soldiers to kill all they met without distinction till Furfidius a little stopp'd the Current of his Rage by putting him in mind that he ought to leave some to reign over Sylla then publish'd Tables of Proscription for particularly Persons these being the first ever known in Rome wherein were proscribed 80 Senators and 1600 Equites to which he afterwards added more promising great Rewards to the Discoverers and threatning Death to the Concealers of them Of these Out-lawâ—d Persons some were slain in their Houses others in the Streets and others prostrate at his Feet begging their Lives and those that fled their Goods were seizâ—d on Marius Brother to Sylla's great Enemy had his Eyes first pull'd out then his Hands and Legs cut off at several times that he might die with the greater Torment â— Iulius Caesar a young Man of wonderful promising Abilities who had marry'd Cinna's Daughter very hardly escap'd the common Miseries of these Times of whom Sylla was wont to say after a Prophetick Manner That in Caesar were many Marius ' s. Rome was not the only Sufferer in these dreadfull Calamities for this Proscription was carryâ—d throughout all the Cities of Italy where the merciless Effusion of Blood was such that neither the Temples of the Gods nor all the Sanctuaries cou'd afford Protection to any Man Both the Consuls being now destroy'd Sylla withdrew himself from the City and order'd the Senate to create an Inter-Rex which they most willingly did naming Valerius Flaccus He wrote to him to ask the People that since Affairs were yet much unsettled a Dictator might be created and that not for any limited Time but till all publick Evils and Grievances should be redress'd not forgetting to mention himself This the People were constrain'd to yield to he having then all the Power in his own Hands and so this Office which had been intermitted for 120 Years was conferr'd on him without any Limitation of Time And thus ended the first Civil War in Italy tho' not in all other Places about 6 Years after it began and four after the first Marius's Death in the 672d Year of the City in the 3d. Year of the 174th Olympiad 427 Years since the Beginning of the Consular State 248 since the setting up of the Macedonian Empire and 80 before our Saviours's Nativity CHAP. XIV From the Perpetual Dictatorship of Sylla to the first Triumvirate namely that of Caesar Pompey and Craâ—sus which prov'd the Ruin of the Consular State and the first Step to the setting up the Imperial Containing the Space of 22 Years THE Government of Rome was now for some space changâ—d to a Monarchy Sylla's Power being unlimited as to Time and thoâ— to keep up a Shew of a Common-wealth he permitted Consuls to be made yet he plainly reignâ—d alone having 24 Lictors with their Fasces and Axes and a great Guard constantly to attend his Person as the
Triumvirate which prov'd the Overthrow of the Consuler and Popular State being a Combination of three of the Greatest Men in Rome either for Valour Authority or Riches Pompey being then about 47 Years of Age and Caesar 40. Thus Rome lost her Liberty after she had flourish'd many Years in a wonderful Grandeur occasion'd wholly by the numerous Abuses and notorious Corruptions in her Government and Inhabitants which shortly after plung'd her into greater Miseries than ever she felt before This Remarkable Union happen'd in the 694th Year of the City A. M. 394â— in the First Year of the 180th Olympiad 449 Years since the Beginning of the Consular State 330 since the Burning of Rome by the Gauls 270 since the Beginning of the Macedonian Empire by Alexander the Great 86 since the Destruction of Carthage and â—8 before our Saviour ' s Nativity the Roman Dominions containing now all Italy all Cisalpine-Gaul and Part of the Other all Spain and Africk all Greece and Illyricum all the Kingdoms in Asia Minor with Armenia Mesopotamia Media Syria and Iudaea and many Islands besides The End of the Second Book THE Roman History BOOK III. The Mix'd State of ROME From the Beginning of the First Triumvirate to the perfect Settlement of the Empire Containing the Space of 33 Years CHAP. I. From the Beginning of the First Triumvirate to the Death of Crassus one of the Combination which broke and divided that Party Containing the Space of 7 Years I. THE State of Rome was now arriv'd to an extraordinary Height whether we consider the Extent and Fruitfulness of its Dominions the Strength and Power of its Arms the Fame and Valour of its Commanders the Abundance and Largeness of its Revenues the Compass and Magnificence of its City and the Numbers and Riches as well as Learning and Politeness of its Inhabitants but still it wanted considerably of that Glory and Grandeur as to Dominions and much more of that Quiet and Sereneness as to Settlement it had not long after in Augustus's Reign For now the State was full of Factions and Divisions Briberies and Corruptions and likewise Feuds and Jealousies since the joyning of three such potent Men as Caesar Pompey and Crassus which caus'd many to fear the Downfall of their Ancient Liberties and that their Fears were not groundless sufficiently appear'd by the Event The first Effect of this Triumvirate was the Promoting of Caesar to the Consulship Pompey and Crassus employing all their Interest therein He had two Competitors Lucerius and Bibulus the former a Covetous tho Rich Man was taken off by large Promises and Brib'd to procure what Voices he couâ—d for Caesar. The Senators resolving to have Bibulus one of the Consuls made Great Collections among themselves and gave as much on their side Even Cato as rigid as he was was perswaded that the Law which forbad all manner of Bribery on these Occasions ought in such a case to be dispencâ—d withall when the Interest of the Common-wealth so much requir'd it so by that means Bibulus was at last chosen Consul with Caesar. The first thing Caesar did in this Office was his Confirming all Pompey's Acts according to Agreement and from that time he wholly apply'd himself to Gain the Favour of the Commons And the better to effect it he preferrâ—d a Law for dividing certain Lands in Câ—mpania among such of the poor Citizens as had three Children or more This Proposal much pleas'd the Commons and Caesar had taken the most proper Methods to make it pass for the Law was drawn up in Terms so very just and reasonable that no Man couâ—d â—â—nd fault with it He declar'd to the Senators That he wou'd do nothing without their Authority nor propose any of his Friends for Commissioners or any Man who might be liable to Suspicion but that they shou'd be all Persons of known Reputation and Abilities This plausible and cautious Way of proceeding hardly left any room for Contradiction but still the Senate that they might hinder the Law and yet not seem to oppose it adjournâ—d the Affair from Day to Day till at last Cato plainly and publickly declar'd That these Changes in State were not to be permitted after whom all the Senate likewise declared themselves to be of the same Opinion Whereupon Caesar immediately had recourse to the People much complaining to them of the Injustice and Stubbornness of the Senate taking also Pompey and Crassus along with him whose Opinions he publickly ask'd concerning this Law They both approv'd of it and Pompey further declar'd That if such as oppos'd it shou'd come with their Swords in their Hands he wou'd meet their Swords and bring a Buckler with him besides Whereupon a Day was appointed for the Publication of this Law At the appointed Day the People gather'd together in great Numbers and in spight of all Opposition drove Cato and Bibulus himself with Stones and Clubs from off the Place the Consuls Axes were broken in pieces and the People approving the Ordinance declar'd they wou'd have all the Senators swear to the Observation of it Almost all took this Oath except Cato Metellus and Favonius and they too at last after much Opposition took it to save their Fines and likewise their Lives for Caesar had caus'd the People to make it Capital for any one to refuse it Caesar made little use of the Senate after that and from that time his Collegue Bibulus never durst appear in Publick but kept himself at home for the remaining part of the Year This forceable way of proceeding extremely alarm'd the Senate every Body laughing at their Idleness and Negligence and at the Head of those Acts where the Names of the Consuls usâ—d to be inscrib'd some unknown Person instead of Caesar and Bibulus Wrote Caius Caesar and Iulius Caesar to shew that Caesar Govern'd alone Caesar having freed himself from his Collegue began chiefly to apply himself to the Equites or Knights who much courted him and having Farm'd the Customs desir'd an Abatement of the Rent The Senate refus'd to remit any thing but he shortly after procur'd the People to abate a third Part. By this and other Ways of gratifying the Common sort he perswaded 'em to decree the Province of Gaul to him for Five Years with Four Legions for he desir'd nothing so much as performing Great Exploits and the remaining part of the Year he spent in endeavouring to establish his Interest for the time to come Therefore knowing how considerable a Person Pompey was to bind him the more strongly he gave him his Daughter Iulia in Marriage a very vertuous and beautiful Lady He likewise took care that his two Friends Gabinius and Piso shou'd be prick'd for the following Year's Consuls the latter of which had lately given him his Daughter Calpurnia Clodius he procur'd to be one of the Tribunes notwithstanding his former Affront because he knew him to be an Enemy to Cicero whose Oration against Caesar in pleading
701â—â—ear of the City nigh seven Years after the beginning of the Triumvirate and 51 before our Saviour's Nativity A. M. 3952 CHAP. II. From the Death of Crassus to the Death of Pompey which made way for Caesar's Absolute Authority and was the second step to the Imperial State Containing above Five Years Space I. THE same Year that Crassus was slain most violent Disturbances and Dissentions were rais'd in the City Factions daily encreasing nothing manag'd with the ancient Equity and Moderation and all Offices purchas'd with Bribes and Money or else gain'd by Swords and Clubs The Consuls finding themselves debarr'd by the Power of the Triumvirate from waging War and leading Armies as formerly made it their sole Business to enrich themselves out of the Publick Revenues or from the Bribes as well as the Sallaries depending upon their Offices Pompey conniv'd at all this hoping that the Infirmities of the State wou'd occasion him to be created Dictator and for that reason he retir'd himself for a while that his Friends might have a fair Opportunity of insinuating the Necessity of his Presence as well as Authority for the preserving of the Peace of the City At the time for the new Election of Magistrates there was such a violent Contention among the Candidates that for Eight entire Months none couâ—d be Elected And what still heighten'd these Mischiefs was the Death of Clodius killâ—d by his Great Enemy Milo who met him by Accident by his Country House The Body was immediately brought to Rome and exâ—os'd all Bloody to the People which causâ—d great Disturbances among the Multitude who immediately ran furiously to Milo's House to set it on Fire but he being well provided to receive 'em repuls'd and kill'd several of the Assailants Upon which they return'd to the Body where they pull'd all the Magistrates Seats in pieces made a Funeral Pile of 'em and set Fire to it with so much Rage that all the stately Building where the Senate us'd to Assemble was burnt with Clodius's Body After this the Mutineers dispers'd themselves all over the City where under pretence of searching for Milo's Friends they committed the most insupportable Violences imaginable so that the whole City was fill'd with Murthers and Quarrels till no Body durst walk the Streets unarm'd These fatal Mischiefs turn'd all Mens Eyes upon Pompey as the fittest Person to redress all but while they were consulting about creating him Dictator Catâ— by many Perswasions procur'd the Senate to make him Consul alone that so if occasion were he might be afterwards accountable for any Male Administration This was soon after done having the Authority of a Dictator conferr'd on him under a Gentler Name a thing never known in Rome before but upon some extraordinary Occasion and for some few Days when Commission was sometimes given to the Consuls to take care that the Common-wealth receive no Damage New Troops were allotted to Pompey 1000 Talents allow'd yearly for their Pay and the Government of Spain was continuâ—d to him for Four Years longer which he Administred by his Deputies Milo was shortly after Accus'd by Appius Clodius's Brother and tho' Cicero himself undertook to defend him yet it happen'd that by his Fear of Pompey's Souldiers who surrounded him as he was Pleading he was put out in his Speech and so Mâ—lo for his Insolence was Banish'd And when Cicâ—ro afterwards sent him his Oration in Writing the Excellency of it made him Answer That it was happy for him that Cicero was out in his Harangue for otherwise he shou'd not have liv'd so well at Marseilles as now be did for that was the Place of his Exile Pompey having hitherto executed the Office of a Dictator took Scipio Metellus for his Collegue whose Daughter Cornelia he had lately Marry'd a Lady of no less Accomplishments than Beauty This considerably strengthen'd Pompey's Interests who therefore now thought it no ways difficult to overthrow the Fortunes of Caesar waiting only till Affairs were somewhat more ripe for Execution But Caesar by his Great Policy and Inudstry by his noble Exploits abroad and his bountiful Presents at home still secur'd himself a sufficient Party in the City He caus'd a New Forum to be set up at Rome the Place whereof cost him 100000 Sesterces He gave also to the People certain Plays and a Publick Feast in Acknowledgement of the Honours done to his Daughter Iulia being likewise a particular Incourager of Learning At this time among many other Learn'd Men flourishâ—d Salust a most excellent Historian both for matter and stile Caesar had now almost compleated his Conquests in Gaul when the Troubles in Rome and his Absence occasion'd many of the Nations to endeavour once more the Recovery of their Liberty pursuing their Designs with Greater Vigour than ever chusing Vercingetorix for their General Caesar resolving to lose no time forc'd his way over the Mountains through vast deep Snows and after some various Success against the Enemies numerous Armies he overthrew Vercingetorix who upon that retirâ—d to Alesia a City of the Mandubii shutting himself up with no less than 80000 Men and made all necessary Provisions for a Siege Caesar not withstanding the Hazzard of such an Attempt shortly after invested the Place and here he shew'd an admirable Skill and indefatigable Industry in his vast and prodigious Works he rais'd against this Place both to defend himself and distress the Town well knowing the great Numbers of the Succours that were Marching to relieve it For tho' the City by the extraordinary Height of its Walls and the Multitude of its Defendents appearâ—d to be impregnable he encounter'd with Greater Difficulties without being in a short time besieg'd himself by 250000 of the choicest of the Gauls Yet by means of his double and treble Trenches his mighty Lines of Contravallation and his wonderful Management and Vigilance he repuls'd the Relievers and soon after he became Master of the Town to his Great Honour and Reputation all other Places submitting without delay And thus ended Caesar's seventh Year's Expedition in these Parts which as it was the most hazardous and dangerous so it was the most honourable and glorious that ever he undertook The Gauls notwithstanding their Great Losses and the irresistible Power of Caesar's Arms resolv'd to try their Fortune once more and many of their Nations joyn'd again in Confederacy Caesar having Intelligence of their Designs began his March from Bibracte and made great Devastations throughout the Territories of the Bituriges in Aquitain and subdu'd several of the People about those Parts C. Fabius one of his Lieutenants also reduc'd some Parties of 'em in the mean time and Caninius another of his Lieutenants defeated likewise several other Parties after which Caesar joyn'd him and invested Uxellodunum a City of the Cadurci a Place very strong by Situation yet he obtainâ—d it with little or no Bloodshed by turning the course of the Springs that supplyâ—d the Place with Water After this the
Greatness and Magnificence of Rome now found himself reduc'd to seek Retreat with some few of his Friends in a poor Fisherman's Cabbin From whence he went aboard another Vessel and made forward every Day as much as he cou'd but the ungrateful Sound of his Defeat still flew before him which so dejected and confounded him that he cou'd not think of any thing that might be serviceable to him His Assurance of Victory made his Defeat most intolerable leaving him naked and disarm'd of all Relief And his Misfortunes had so infaturated his Mind that he could not so much as use those Advantages he had still by Sea where he had a powerful and victorious Fleet. He sail'd first to Amphipolis then to Lesbos where he took his Wife who bitterly complain'd of the ill Destiny which allid her to Crassus first and afterwards to Pompey only to cause the Ruine of two such Illustrious Families Pompey from thence directed his Course to Aegypt where King Ptolemy a Minor was in War with his Sister Cleopatra whose Father Pompey had setled in his Kingdom Pompey sent to him That in regard of the ancient Hospitality and Amity between him and his Father he desir'd a Retreat of him in Alexandria and that by his Wealth and Power he wou'd support him now fallen into the utmost Misery and Calamity The Message was well enough receiv'd but such as were Protectors of the King and Guardians of the Kingdom now in his Minority either induc'd by the Fear of the Armies being gain'd by Pompey many of 'em having been his Soldiers or else despising the lowness of his Fortune gave a civil Answer openly to the Messengers and desir'd him to come to the King But secretly plotting among themselves sent Achillas a principal Commander and of great Boldness together with Septimius a Roman Tribune to kill him They met him with much Civility and Pompey knowing Septimius to have led a Company under him in his War against the Pirates went aboard a little Bark with a few of his Soldiers and there was barbarously and treacherously murther'd by Achillas and Septimius his Wife and Friends flying with what sail they cou'd make His Head being cut off they left the Body on the Shoar which was carefully taken up by Philip his Freed-Man who gathering up some Pieces of a Broken Boat for a Pile was surpiz'd by an old Roman Soldier of Pompey's residing in Aegypt Who art thou said he that art making these sad Preparations for the great Pompey ' s Funeral Philip answer'd him One of his Freed-Men Ab reply'd he thou shalt not have all this Honour to thy self but suffer me to partake in an Action so Iust and Sacred that among all the Miseries of my Exile I may please my self in having the Honour to touch the Body and assist at the Funeral of the greatest and noblest Soldier that Rome ever produc'd After which they gave him the last Rites the Sadness of which Ceremony was very peculiar Such was the End and such the Funeral of Pompey the Great who after his escaping so many memorable and eminent Dangers where he might have fall'n with the Honour agreeable to the Greatness of his Character came at last to lose his Life miserably by the Hands of three or four Villains he being now in the 58th Year of his Age. This happened near two Years after his Breach with Caesar and this cut off the second Head of the Triumvirate and made way for Caesar's Absolute Power soon after and this hapned in the 706th Year of the City A. M. 3957 about 12 Years after the beginning of the Triumvirate and 46 before our Saviour's Nativity CHAP. III. From the Death of Pompey to the Death of Caesar which finish'd the Power of the first Triumvirate but still kept down the Consular State Containing the space of nigh four Years I. THUS Successful was Caesar in all his Actions especially in the last which Advantage heresolv'd to pursue to the utmost and knowing that all his Enemies Hopes were lodg'd in the Person of Pompey he follow'd him with his usual Diligence And as tho' Fortune was resolv'd never to forsake him Cassius retreating into Asia with a Fleet of 60 Sail fell in among Caesar's little Barks he had provided for his Troops and tho' he might easily have ruin'd Caesar yet Caesar's Presence and Behaviour so over-aw'd him that he immediately surrender'd himself with all his Navy Caesar shortly after arriv'd at Alexandria with two Legions and 800 Horse in ten Galleys of Rhodes and a few Ships of Asia ordering the rest of his Men to follow Tho' these Forces were very inconsiderable the Legions being reduc'd to 3200 Men yet the Confidence he had in his Victories and the high Reputation they had gain'd him made him believe that he shou'd meet with Obedience where-ever he cou'd find Men. Upon his landing at Alexandria he was entertain'd with the News of the Death of Pompey whose Head was presented to him and his Ring which he us'd for his Signet This mournful Spectacle immediately reviv'd the Thoughts of his former Friendship which with the sad Imagination of the fatal Misfortunes that attend the greatest Men drew Tears from his Eyes and made him turn away his Face with Horrour keeping the Ring and sending away the Messenger in a Moment He afterwards to shew his Respect to this great Man caus'd a magnificent Sepulchre to be built by the Place where he was murder'd with a Temple which he call'd The Temple of Wrath. Caesar upon his entry into Alexandria having his Axes and Fasces carry'd before him as Consul the Multitude were much offended as they were at his Landing crying out That the King's Authority was diminish'd which occasion'd Caesar to give Orders for other Legions which were enroll'd for Pompey's Service to be brought to him out of Asia In the mean time as an Argument of his Confidence he made great Entertainments and assisted at the Conferences of Philosophers who were in great Numbers within that City But Photinus the Eunuch who came to Alexandria with the young King daily gave him fresh Marks of his Dissatisfaction and Intention of making use of Arms till at length the Insolence of this Person and probably the Reputation of the admirable Beauty of Cleopatra caus'd him to declare publickly That the Controversie between the King and his Sister belong'd to the Cognisance of the People of Rome and consequently to himself as Consul and the rather because old Problemy by his Will had left his eldest Son and Daughter Heirs and the People of Rome Executors Upon this Account he intended to make up all Differences between 'em and sent to 'em to have 'em rather to plead their Causes before him than to decide the Controversie by the Sword At this time Photinus had the Administration of the Kindgdom and he disdain'd to come to Caesar's Proposals but thereupon procur'd Acbillas to march directly to Alexandria at the Head of 22000 stout Men
Upon this Cato recoverâ—d his Spirits and being transported with Fury thrust back the Physician rent open his Wound again and tearing his Bowels expir'd before their Eyes Thus dy'd Cato a Person of singular Justice Severity and Magnanimity upon the hearing of whose Death Caesar said Cato has eâ—vyâ—d me the Glory of saving his Life and therefore do I envy his Death designing as was thought to have conquerâ—d him by his Kindness and Generosity His Death compleatly finish'd Caesar's War in Africk Africk being entirely reduc'd to Subjection Caesar return'd to Rome to triumph for all his Victories and first to obtain the Favour of the People he gave 'em to understand That his last Victory had gainâ—d the Commonwealth of Rome a Country so large and rich that it cou'd yearly furnish the City with 200000 Bushels of Corn and 3000000 Pounds of Oil. After this he order'd the Preparations for his Triumph upon four successive Days the first design'd for the Triumph over Gaul shew'd in a great many Tables the Names of 300 Nations and 800 Cities conquer'd by the Death of a Million of Foes whom he had defeated in several Battels The second Triumph was over Aegypt The third shew'd the Defeat of Pharnaces in Asia And the fourth that of King Iuba in Africk which Triumphs were over Foreigners not Romans Here was the utmost Shew of Magnificence and all the Roman Soldiers follow'd their great General crown'd with Laurels and in that Equipage he went to the Capitol the Steps whereof he mounted upon his Knees forty Elephants being rang'd on each Side carrying great Candlesticks fill'd with Flambeaus The Silver Vessels and Statues of Goldsmith's Work which were us'd in these Triumphs amounted to 65000 Talents which is above twelve Millions of our Money besides 1822 Crowns of Gold weighingâ— 15033 l. which were Presents that the Princes and Cities had made him after his Victories according to the Customs of those Times Out of these Summs he paid his Soldiers besides what he had promisâ—d them in the beginning of the Civil Wars To every one 150 Pounds of our Money as much more to the Centurions and twice as much as that to the Tribunes and Commanders of the Cavalry and for their Retreat after the Wars he gave them Inheritances in several Places separated from Italy The People also were sensible of his Bounty for he distributed to each particular Person ten Bushels of Corn and ten Pounds of Oil and added 100 Denarii to the 300 he had promis'd 'em before Atfer this he nobly entertain'd the whole People at 22000 several Tables and that nothing might be wanting to the Pomp and Magnificence of these Feasts he caus'd 2000 Gladiators to fight before the People and made Representations of Sea and Land-Fights of four or five Thousand Men of a side besides all sorts of Plays and Shows These Entertainments drew so many People to Rome that the greatest part of 'em were forc'd to lie in the open Air and a great many were stifâ—ed in the Press among the rest two Senators Many great Honours were after this conferr'd upon Caesar among which was that of Master of Manners as if the Name of Censor was too mean for three Years all joyning to shew their great Forwardness in preferring him some out of Love and Respect others out of Fear and Flattery And indeed many began to dread the Severities of Marius and Sylla but Caesar's extraordinary Civility to both Parties and the Greatness of his Nature in a great measure freed 'em from any such Fears He began now to settle the Common-wealth and make many new Laws He committed the Power of Judicature to the Senators and Equites alone and both by Laws and his own Care he restrain'd the profuse Way of Living of rich Persons And because the City was manifestly exhausted by reason of Multitudes quitting it he propos'd Rewards to all such as had many Children Then considering that by his long Command in Gaul he himself had Opportunity of establishing an extraordinary Power by a Law he ordain'd That no Praetor shou'd Command above a Year in his Province nor a Consul above two Years after the Expiring of his Office Moreover to shew that nothing shou'd escape his Care he undertook to regulate the Roman Year which was at this time very much confounded and tho' Numa the second King of Rome had bestow'd much Pains about it yet still the Reckoning according to Lunar Months and the odd eleven Days and a quarter caus'd a great many Inconveniencies Whereupon Caesar after his consulting the most able Astronomers being also himself very well instructed in that Science whereof he had written regulated the Year according to the Course of the Sun allotting to each Year 365 Days and adding one Day more every fourth Year which was call'd the Bissextile and this is the Method which we to this Day follow and goes still by the Name of the Iulian Account and the Old Stile whereas the New Stile is call'd the Gregorian Account In this same Year flourish'd Catullus the Poet one of the principal Epigrammatists of all the Romans IV. While Caesar was thus employ'd in the Affairs of the Common-wealth the two Sons of Pompey had fortify'd themselves in Spain and as the People still passionately affected the Memory of their Father they soon gather'd together a powerful Army they also had very good Officers and among the rest Labienus which oblig'd Caesar to go in Person to oppose their Proceedings tho' not without some Unwillingness by reason that his beloved Mistress Cleopatra was now at Rome He was now just made Consul again and likewise Dictator for another Year and Lepidus who was Consul with him he chose for his Master of the Horse Caesar proceeded in his Expedition with his wonted Vigour and Celerity and arriv'd in Spain before the Enemy so much as imagin'd it Cneius the eldest of the two Pompey's had laid Siege to the City of Ulla and Sextus the younger Brother was in Corduba with a strong Garrison Caesar to raise the Siege and to give some Jealousie to Cneius advanc'd towards Corduba which occasion'd him to raise the Siege before Ulla and come and oppose Caesar but Caesar finding he cou'd not draw him to a Battel went and invested Attegna a Place of great Importance and full of Provisions This Siege lasted some considerable time and the Pompeys endeavour'd to throw in Succours into the Town but in vain till at last it was constrain'd to eapitulate Caesar being Master of this several other Places submitted to him and the Pompeys marching up and down and fearing the rest shou'd revolt were resolv'd to come to a general Battel their Army being now encamp'd in the Plains of Munda and Caesar's not far distant Both Generals were equally impatient to come to an Ingagement so that Cneius drew up his Men by Break of Day well posting himself upon a Hill and the Exactness of their Order shew'd his Troops to great Advantage
Age and for his hindring him from giving a Publick Show to the People His Behaviour towards Caesar gave him sufficient Reasons to suspect him and when his Friends advis'd him to beware of Anthony and Dolabella he told 'em That it was not those persum'd and plump Sparks that 〈◊〉 distrusted but those pale and meagre Gentlemen Nevertheless he still prepar'd for his Expedition against the Parthians and caus'd sixteen Legions to march and 10000 Horse for his Passage into Asia He design'd to depart four Days after when the Conspirators spread a Report That according to the Sybill's Oracles the Parthians cou'd not be overcome but by a King and upon this Pretence Cotta was to propose the giving him that Title to the Senate Cassius took this Occasion to go and visit Brutus demanding of him If be wou'd be at the Senate-House when Caesar ' s Friends were to propose the declaring of him King Brutus told him that he wou'd be absent at that time But reply'd Cassius suppose you are call'd thither Then answer'd Brutus I shou'd think it my Duty to speak oppose yea and die too rather than part with the Liberty of Rome Ah reply'd Cassius what generous Roman wou'd suffer you to die for his Liberty You are ignorant Brutus who you are if you imagine that those Billets thrown into the Tribunal came from less than the most Illustrious and Bravest Men of Rome From other Praetors they demand Games Shows and Plays but from you whose very Name is a Terror to Tyrants they cry for the Ruine and Downfal of Arbitrary Power being ready to expose themselves to the utmost Hazards in expectation of your auspicious Aid After this Conversation they parted and Brutus for some time after appear'd much discompos'd in his Thoughts which occasion'd his Wife Porcia being in Bed with him earnestly to enquire the Reason of his Trouble Brutus fearing she wou'd disclose the Secret if urg'd to it by Torture Porcia immediately wounded her self on the Thigh and with a Masculine Courage let him see That she fear'd no Torments nor cou'd act any Thing below Cato ' s Daughter by which means she learn'd the whole Design and became one of the Conspiracy The Name of Brutus whose Person was much esteem'd ingag'd a great many in the Conspiracy so they resolv'd to put their Design in Execution upon the very Ides of March and in the Hall of the Senate A great many Prodigies and Dreams foretold this Misfortune to Caesar and Spurina a famous Augur told him That great Dangers threaten'd him upon the Ides of March He dreamt the same Night that he was carry'd above the Clouds and that he shook Hands with Iove and his Wife Calpurnia also dreamt that her Husband was assassinated in her Arms the Doors of the Chamber opening at the same time of their own Accord with much Noise This last Accident somewhat confounded him and his Wife by her Prayers and Tears prevail'd so that he wou'd not go abroad that Day But another Brutus call'd Decimus who was one of the Conspirators tho' of the Number of his intimate Friends caus'd him to change his Resolution telling him He was much expected at the Senate and it wou'd be a great Shame for him not to venture out of Doors but when it shou'd please Calpurnia to dream favourably So Decimus carry'd him almost by Force out of his Lodgings and as if every thing seem'd to contribute to his Destruction a Slave who came to give him Advice of the Conspiracy cou'd not get up to him by reason of the Croud of People that surrounded him Artimedorus his Host and Friend having given him a Letter to the same purpose he mingl'd it without reading of it among other Papers that were given him And Lena who was one of the Conspirators entertaining him a considerable time in private as he came out of his Litter the others who believ'd themselves discover'd thought already of killing themselves with the Daggers which they had under their Robes when Lena quitting Caesar and kissing his Hand gave them to understand that he thank'd him for some Favour which he came to obtain The Assembly of the Senate was at this time held in a Place which Pompey had built for that Purpose and from thence was call'd the Court or Hall of Pompey where was to be seen his Statue in Marble rais'd upon a Pedestal Caesar as he was entring met Spurina and smiling told him The Ides of March were come Yes reply'd the Augur but they are not past As soon as he had taken his Place the Conspirators mov'd towards him under Pretence of saluting him and Tullius Cymber approach'd to ask Pardon for his Brother who was then in Exile Caesar deferr'd the Matter and put back Cymber who press'd upon him so far as to take hold on both sides of his Robe and when Caesar cry'd out That this was Violence Casca who stood behind him gave him the first Stab with a Poniard nigh the Shoulder but the Weapon glancing the Wound was not Mortal Caesar struck Casca through the Arm with his Dagger crying out Vile Traitor what do you mean Casca on the other side call'd his Brother and Caesar wou'd have rais'd himself but he receiv'd a mortal Wound in his Breast and all the Conspirators charg'd upon him together with so much Fury that many of 'em were wounded themselves He nevertheless made great Resistance rushing and leaping among 'em like a Lion till perceiving Brutus with his Dagger in his Hand he struggled no more but cry'd What my Son Brutus and thou too Then covering his Face with his Robe and drawing his Skirts down to his Knees that he might fall decently he sunk down at the Foot of Pompey's Statue having receiv'd three and twenty Wounds and the rest of the Senate looking on with Wonder and Amazement not being able to assist him Thus fell the great Iulius Caesur in the 56th Year of his Age in the Court of Pompey and at the Feet of Pompey's Statue a Person of the greatest Soul the most magnanimous Spirit and of the most wonderful Accomplishments and Abilities that Rome or perhaps the World ever saw whether we consider him in his Care and Vigilance in his Valour and Conduct or in his Knowledge and Learning all which noble Qualities made him belov'd and reverenc'd by the People honour'd and ador'd by his Friends and esteem'd and admir'd even by his Enemies And setting aside his Ambition which was the Fault of the Times as well as his Temper he was never much or justly tax'd with any great Vice but that of Women His Death put an end to the first Triumvirate or rather the Power occasion'd by the first Triumvirate but did not re-establish the Consular Authority nor restore the Liberty of the Common-wealth but occasionâ—d its Ruine shortly after with as great Miseries as Rome ever suffer'd It hapned in the 710th Year of the City A. M. 3961 about 16 Years after the beginning of the
Triumvirate and 42 before our Saviour's Nativity CHAP. IV. From the Death of Caesar to the Defeats and Deaths of Brutus and Cassius by the second Triumvirate Octavius Anthony and Lepidus which ruin'd all the Remains of the Common-wealth Containing the space of above two Years I. UPon the Death of Caesar so great a Confusion and Disorder hapned among the Senate and People of Rome that the Conspirators soon perceiv'd that their Fact was not like to meet with the general Approbation which some expected All the Senators who were not Accomplices fled with such Haste and Precipitation from the Assembly that some of 'em were in Danger of their Lives as they press'd out of Doors and the People alarm'd at the News left all their several Employments ran tumultuously about all parts of the City some for Information some for Safety and others for Plunder Which Disturbances caus'd the Conspirators all to retire to the Capitol to which they were guarded by a considerable Number of Gladiators belonging to Decimus Brutus What they gave out to justifie themselves to the People was Liberty but that Pretence was not much regarded by them for they had been so us'd to submit of late and were so chang'd from their ancient jealous and vigorous Temper that they much more dreaded the Effects of Poverty than Subjection Anthony now Consul and Lepidus were extreamly enrag'd at Caesar's Death and were resolv'd to revenge it to the utmost therefore the latter immediately got to a Legion of his just by and led 'em into the Campus Martius where Anthony as Consul commanded ' em This much surpriz'd the Conspirators and put 'em upon sending Deputies to Anthony and Lepidus desiring 'em To consider the sad Consequences of a Division at this time that no Hatred to Caesar's Person had put them upon that Design but only their hearty Loves to their Country which had already been so drain'd by Civil Wars that any new Disunion must carry off the miserable Remainder that they believ'd them also too generous to let any particular Hatred transport them to the Prejudice of the Publick Anthony began to consider that Decimus who was now Governour of the Hithâ—r Gaul might fall upon him with a powerful Army therefore he resolv'd to gain what Time he couâ—d and endeavour to get over Decimus's Soldiers and for that reason return'd Answer That tho' their Honours and their Oaths had engag'd 'em to revenge Caesar ' s Death and tho' they thought it more honourable to live without Reproach among a few good Men than to draw upon themselves the Miserie 's due to Falshood yet they were not obstinate but were content to have the Senate assembl'd that they might be govern'd by so many illustrious and discerning Persons Which Answer was receiv'd with much Satisfaction The Senate was immediately call'd where a great many Debates arose and several Opinions were urg'd which at last terminated in this That they had but two things to chuse either to declare Caesar a Tyrant or that his Murderers stood in need of Pardon Anthony industriously oppos'd the former urging That if the Memory of Caesar were condemn'd all his Orders ought to be cancell'd and that wou'd be in Effect to proclaim so many Illustrious Men as he had rais'd unworthy of their Honours which besides drawing upon themselves the Contempt of other Nations wou'd infallibly turn to the Confusion of the Common-wealth After many violent Heats and Disturbances in the House and great Tumults at the Doors the Senate at last pass'd an Act of Oblivion for all what was past and ratify'd Caesar's Ordinances with this Reason enter'd Because it was requisite for the Good of the Common-wealth This Act of Oblivion brought Matters to a more peaceable Posture but Anthony finding the People much discontented resolv'd to pursue his Revenge upon the Conspirators tho' he was seemingly reconcilâ—d to ' em The next Day therefore he order'd Caesar's Will to be publickly read before the Body of the People which he knew wou'd have a considerable Influence upon 'em which Danger the Conspirators had been so sensible of that they us'd their utmost Endeavours to hinder its being read In the Will it appear'd that Octavius the Grandson of Iulia Caesar's Sister was adopted to take upon him his Name and constituted Heir of three parts in four of all his Estate and Pinarius and Pedius of the other fourth Part. To the Roman People he left the Gardens which he had on the other side of the Tiber and to every Citizen in particular a certain Summ of Money Among his second Heirs who were to inherit in case of Mortality he substituted Decimus Brutus one of the Conspirators Several others also who had dipp'd their hands in his Blood were nam'd for Guardians for his Son in case he had left one These Tokens of Caesar's Goodness and his great Affection for the People began to move the Multitude extreamly but Brutus's being an Heir provok'd the Indignation of the whole Assembly Immediately after this Caesar's Body was brought forth with extraordinary Pomp and Solemnity being born by some of the most Illustrious of the Senate It was set down in the middle of the Forum with a Guard of Soldiers in which Place was erected a little Temple of gilded Wood according to the Model of that of Venus and in this Temple was a Bed of Ivory magnificently adorn'd with Curtains of Gold and Purple Trophies and the Robe that he wore when he was assassinated All the People ran hastily to see this Sight weeping and lamenting afresh and those who bore Arms made deep Complaints as if they demanded Vengeance Anthony ascending the Place began Caesar's Funeral Oration in this manner Romans tho' I alone present myself to celebrate the Memory of this great Man whose Body you see thus mangled here before ye yet I can read in each Man's Look the Affections of his Mind and the Thoughts of his Heart which give nobler Praises than my Tongue can express So that when I shall recount to you the Extent of his glorious Actions the Variety of his noble Vertues and the Number of the deserv'd Honours which the Senate and you have conferr'd upon him I shall not be so much the Publisher of my own Sentiments as the Interpreter of Yours Then he mention'd all his Titles of Honour his Dictatorship his several Consulships with the most deserving Name of Father of his Country from whence he proceeded to his Vertues praising his generous Courage his exquisite Learning his free Spirit and above all his unbounded Clemency After which he repeated the Oath which the People of Rome had made to Caesar by which they swore That his Person shou'd be sacred and Inviolable and call'd the Gods to witness that they wou'd defend it with the hazard of their Lives But observing some Alteration in several of the Senators he concluded with saying That what had been done ought rather to be forgotten since it was the Crime of
ruin'd my best Friend At these Words he retir'd into his Tent and kill'd himself or caus'd his freed Man to do it Titinius arriv'd immediately after with the Cavalry all rejoycing but their Joy was suddenly dash'd and Titinius first accusing himself of Folly and Laziness in a great Rage slew himself upon the Body of his Friend Brutus was extreamly sorrowful for the Death of his Companion whom he call'd the last of the Romans causing his Body privately to be remov'd and bury'd out of Sight lest his Army shou'd be too much dejected In the mean time he told his Friends That he thought Cassius very happy in being beyond the reach of those Misfortunes which remain'd for them to suffer He for some little time kept from Fighting epxecting to starve his Enemies who were now in extream want of Provisions their Fleet being lately defeated but at last being forc'd to it by the Fear of a general Desertion and the Eagerness of his Soldiers he drew 'em up in Battalia It is reported that the Spectre which he had seen before appear'd to him again the Night before his great Battel but now said nothing Whatever melancholy Apprehensions he had upon him he encourag'd his Men as much as possible promising 'em the Liberty of Plundering the two Cities of Lacedemon and Thessalonica and when the Battel began the Eagerness of both Parties made 'em throw aside their missive Weapons and betake themselves immediately to their Swords fighting with great Fury till after much time and more Bloodshed Brutus's Party was born down by main Force and intirely defeated Brutus himself fled to a Hill hard by and there remain'd all Night and when in the Morning he saw no Way of escaping he began to cry out O unhappy Vertue I follow thee as a solid Good but thou art only a meer Notion a vain empty Name or at best a Slave of Fortune Yet shortly after he told some of his Friends That he look'd upon himself much Happier than any of his Conquerors since he shou'd enjoy that Reputation which always follows Vertue and which Tyranny and Injustice cou'd never deserve Then going aside with a particular Friend call'd Strato he with all Earnestness begg'd of him To shew him the last Office of his Friendship and seeing him very unwilling to perform so hard a Duty he call'd for a Slave Ah! then cry'd Strato It shall never be said that the great Brutus in his last Extremity stood in need of a Slave for want of a Friend so turning away his Head he presented the Sword 's Point to Brutus who threw himself upon it and immediately expir'd This was the End of these two memorable Persons Brutus and Cassius and as some write they themselves died by the same Weapons with which they kill'd Caesar who had given 'em their Lives after the Battel of Pharsalia and after that had loaden 'em with his greatest Favours which Favours some make use of to aggravate the Ingratitude and others to magnifie the Justice of the Act. All such as knew themselves guilty of Iulius Caesar's Death slew themselves with their own Hands but the rest rallying themselves sent Deputies to Caesar and Anthony for an honourable Composition which the two Generals frankly allow'd of By this famous Overthrow the Triumviri establish'd their Authority so far as to give the last Blow to the Liberty of the Common-wealth for the Opposition they met from Pompey was inconsiderable in respect of this in which they were to dispute for one Half of the Roman Dominions This hapned above two Years after Iulius Caesar's Death and about half a Year after the second Triumvirate in the 712th Year of the City and 40 before our Saviour's Nativity CHAP. V. From the Deaths of Brutus and Cassius to the Banishment of Lepidus which vary'd the Course of the second Triumvirate's Power Containing the space of six Years I. As the last Efforts and Struggles of a dying Commonwealth are generally the most violent so were these of Rome the greatest that ever she had for the maintaining her Liberty For in the Sedition of the Gracchi and in the Wars of Marius and Sylla Rome and Italy were only Sufferers and tho' in the Dissentions of Caesar and Pompey the Troubles were more General yet several of the Senators and People thought they might well enough stand Neuters out of their Respect to the Common-wealth which Name in Appearance was still reverenc'd Whereas in these last Wars the Mask was wholly laid aside and all things were carry'd on in such an open Manner that there was an absolute Necessity of Declaring for Liberty or against it But now all Pretence of Liberty was utterly ruin'd by the Defeats of Brutus and Cassius and from that Moment the Triumviri began to act as Sovereigns and to divide the Roman Dominions between 'em as their own by Right of Conquest though Lepidus was not much consider'd by the other two as either having no Share in this last Battel or little Interest among the Soldiers The following Days after the Victory were employ'd by the Triumviri in punishing their Enemies Anthony sacrificâ—d Hortensius to the Memory of his Brother Caius Livius Brutus the Father of that Livia who was afterwards marryed to Octavius killâ—d himself in his Tent and Quintilius Varus adorn'd with all the Marks of those Honours he had born caus'd himself to be slain by his freed Man Octavius upon this Occasion appear'd more Cruel than was agreeable to his natural Temper he sent the Head of Brutus to Rome to be thrown at the Feet of his Uncle's Statue his Ashes were sent to his Wife Porcia Cato's Daughter who according to her Father's and Husband's Example it is said kill'd her self by swallowing down hot Coals and Ashes Octavius forc'd a Senator and his Son to draw Lots for their Lives but they both refus'd it the Father voluntarily gave up himself to Execution and the Son stabb'd himself before his Face To another that begg'd of him to have the Rites of Burial he said That that wou'd sâ—on be at the Disposal of the Ravens These bitter Words and rigorous Punishments render'd him both odious as well as terrible to all the Prisoners who were brought before him After the Triumviri had satisfy'd their Revenge they thought upon establishing their Authority Anthony undertook to go into Asia to raise Money for the Soldiers Rewards in those Provinces that were Tributary to the Romans and Octavius took upon him to lead the old Troops into Italy to put them in Possession of the Lands that were promis'd ' em Anthony first visited Greece as being the Country where Flattery was manag'd with the greatest Delicacy in the World was familiarly present at the Conferences of the Philosophers at Athens and made great Presents to that City Then leaving Marcus Censorius to command in Greece he pass'd over into Asia with all his Troops There all the Princes of the East who acknowledg'd the Roman Power came to make their
these Misfortunes in which the Muses Darling the greatest Wit and best Poet that ever Italy produc'd had like to have perish'd This was the great Virgil who was a Party concern'd in this publick Calamity for defending the Possession of his small Estate from Arrius the Centurion and very narrowly escap'd Death by swimming cross a River And 't is probable that this Adventure most of all contributed to his further Reputation and Advancement since these Troubles were the Subject of that excellent Eclogue which was the first of his Bucolicks he being now about 28 Years of Age. The many Disorders rais'd upon these Occasions and the frequent Dangers in which Octavius was involv'd gave Anthony's Wife Fulvia a fair Occasion of endeavouring to bring about her Designs Her principal Concern was the bringing back of her Husband which she believ'd nothing but a War cou'd effect and therefore she resolv'd to prosecute those Methods to which her Rage and Jealousie did then prompt her Lucius the Brother of Anthony was then Consul and to him she principlally apply'd her self who out of Respect to her who had been so great a Friend to him and out of a Distaste to many of Octavius's Proceedings readily comply'd with her Many plausible Pretences were made use of to make a Breaéh with Octavius and such cou'd never be wanting in such unsettl'd and troublesome Times as those Rome was now in great Misery and Italy no less Provisions were extream Dear by reason of Pompey's stopping all the Passages by Sea from Abroad and at Home the Troops consum'd all the Increase of the Land and besides committed a thousand Disorders in the Cities so that all Trading was ruin'd and the Shops of most People shut up Lucius made great use of these Mischiefs and Octavius us'd all means to quiet the Soldiers and pacifie the Country-People who were driven from their Possessions He heard their Complaints and promis'd to do 'em Justice which much incens'd Anthony's Soldiers who were also still more and more stirr'd up by the Artiâ—ices of Fulvia Caesar openly complain'd of her declaring She wholly acted against the true Interest and Sentiments of her Husband but she hearken'd to none but her Friend Manius who persuaded her That nothing but a War cou'd force Anthony from Cleopatra ' s Arms and bring him into Italy and for Lucius he had no other Sentiments but what were influenc'd by these two These Disturbances began in Words Declarations Manifesto's and such like but soon came to an open Breach notwithstanding all the Care and Caution of the most Prudent of both Parties Many ominent Persons were engag'd in this War and in regard that Lucius had declar'd against the Triumvirate most of the ancient Owners of the Lands repair'd to him and the new Possessors to Octavius and to Salvidienus then coming out of Gaul with a great Power Lucius march'd to oppose him but was diverted by Agrippa one of Octavius's great Friends and a valiant Soldier Notwithstanding the great Caution of Ventidius and Asinius two of Anthony's Commanders Lucius was so hemm'd in and reduc'd to such Straits between Caesar and Agrippa that he was constrain'd to retreat to Perusia a strong City of Hetruria where he was closely besieg'd by Octavius and his Party Ventidius and Asinius attempted to relieve the Town but Octavius was so well posted that they cou'd not effect it so that Lucius was in a short time reduc'd to great Extremities for want of Provisions for so numerous a Garison He made several bold and desperate Sallies but with no proportionable Success till finding his Soldiers reduc'd to the utmost Miseries of Famine he at last came out in Person and giving himself up into Octavius's Hands with great Earnesâ—ness interceded for his poor Soldiers and begg'd That his Punishment might atone for their Crimes Octavius receiv'd him very Honourably and with much Generosity and all Lucius's Soldiers were pardon'd at the Desire of Octavius's own Men who cou'd but pity the Miseries of their old Companions and Country-men The Town was design'd to be plunder'd but one of the chief Inhabitants call'd Macedonicus in a great Rage set Fire to his House which consum'd both himself and the whole City Ventidius and the rest made no Resistance so that this dangerous War was ended in a few Months time Pompey making but small Advantage of it and Octavius return'd to Rome where he enter'd in Triumphant Robes and crown'd with Laurel Publick Feasts were also celebrated and it was ordain'd That whenever any General hereafter shou'd merit the Honour of Triumph and be crown'd Caesar shou'd have a Share in his Honour III. During this last War and while Octavius was settling his own Affairs with all the Skill and Wisdom of a most able Politician Anthony was ingloriously passing away his Time at Alexandria in the bewitching Company of Cleopatra and there fix'd by the Charms of that Queen regarding nothing but the Enjoyment of those Pleasures she every Day presented him with in some new and delightful Shape Never had Woman that exquisite Art of refining and heightning of Pleasures by the Charms of Novelty that she had she introduc'd 'em in the most serious Business and even the most inconsiderable Trifles when manag'd by her Skill receiv'd such an Air as made 'em the most agreeable Diversions So that whether they play'd or treated or hunted the Queen still made one and was the Soul of all by her ingenious intermingling some lively Piece of Wit or by her unparall'd Grace in relating some pleasant Adventure Among the several sorts of Diversions Cleopatra had invented a Society which she call'd The inimitable Life and those who made the most sumptuons Entertainments carry'd away the Prize which Treats were prodigiously Expensive as appears by several Examples out of Plutarch and others By all this Variety of Pleasures and Delights did Cleopatra charm this great Man insensibly carrying him from one Diversion to another and intirely gaining the Affections of his Soul so that Anthony had almost forgot the great Reputation and Glory he had formerly gain'd by his Arms neglected the Toils and Fatigues of War and was just ready to let his former Glory be swallow'd and lost in the more softer Delights of Love In these Circumstances was Anthony when he receiv'd News that his Brother had been overthrown by Octavius that his Wife and all his Friends had quitted Italy that Octavius had made himself Master of Gaul which belong'd to him and had got all the Legions into his Hands which quarter'd there From another Part he receiv'd Advice That the Parthians under Command of Pacorus their King's Son assisted by Labienus and Barzapharnes had made themselves Masters of Syria That they had likewise march'd as far as Ierusulem which they sack'd and carry'd away Hirâ—anus the High-Priest and Herod's Brother Prisoners Herod himself having fled to the Mountains of Iudaea These Successes so highly disadvantageous to Anthony's Affairs now began to rouze him from the
was beaten back by Pompey and was in great Danger of his Life and afterwards his Ships lying at Anchor were extreamly shatter'd and most of his Men cast away These Misfortunes oblig'd Octavius to fortiâ—y the Coasts of Italy lest Pompey shou'd attempt an Invasion and sent to Anthony for his Assistance Tho' he seem'd intirely taken up with such important Affairs he found some more agreeable in another place and Livia the Wife of Tiberius was the Subject of ' em The Beauty of this Woman join'd with her refin'd and dextrous Wit made a great Impression upon his Heart which was much alienated from Scribonia whom he divorc'd for her insupportable Temper and either by his Entreaties or Authority he oblig'd Tiberius to yield him Livia whom he marry'd tho' then big with Child the Priests all allowing of it Anthony was now arriv'd at Brundusium with 300 Sail giving out He came to assist Octavius in this War Octavius having not long before receiv'd the News of Agrippa's quelling the Gauls and having gather'd together a noble Fleet cou'd willingly have dispenc'd with Anthony's Civility He thought he was already too powerful and therefore sought all Arts and Pretences to excuse his going to meet Anthony which Proceedings did not a little displease him as having been jealous of Octavius for a long time Anthony had then particular need of Soldiers to employ against the Parthians and willing to spare the Charge of a Fleet he design'd Octavius shou'd take that and furnish him with Land-Forces Whereupon Octavia generously offer'd to go to her Brother and clear all Misunderstandings and reconcile all Differences that were like to arise which Anthony willingly agreed to Caesar receiv'd her with a Courtesie suitable to the great Affection he had for her but yet was so backward in answering her Requests that she publickly address'd her self to his two great Friends Agrippa and Mecoenas who had a profound Respect for her both for her great Merits and high Birth My Lords said she you see here Octavia a Woman of the greatest Quality of the World now ready to be made the most miserable of all her Sex if your great Care and Wisdom prevent not these Misfortunes The whole Roman People have fix'd their Eyes on me me the Sister of Caesar and Wife of Anthony if my ill Destiny shou'd bring these two to Arms you have the Chance of Fortune on your side but I must fall whoever gains and be reduc'd to the fatal Necessity of losing a Husband or a Brother This moving Argument join'd with the Affection Octavius had for his Sister brought him to an Enterview with Anthony where extraordinary Civility was shewn to each other all little Differences were accommodated and an Exchange made as Anthony desir'd and because the time of the Triumvirate set by the Senate was almost expir'd they prolong'd their Power for five Years more without ever regarding the Suffrages of the Senate or People After this Anthony departed once more for Syria leaving Octavius in Italy Octavius deferring his Expedition into Sicily till the following Year Octavius determin'd to invade Sicily from three several Quarters Lepidus who had now join'd him was to make a Descent from Africk Taurus from Tarentum and he himself from Puteoli Pompey was resolv'd to oppose each of these Commanders but at this time there needed not that Care for Octavius's Fleet was a second time shatter'd and disabl'd by a Storm which so swell'd Pompey with Vanity that he styl'd himself Neptune's Son However Octavius wou'd not give over his Enterprize for the same Summer having recruited his Forces and refitted his Navy he sent it out under the command of Agrippa who first overthrew Pompey's Fleet then was again worsted himself yet after that landed 21 Legions and 2000 Horse besides 5000 Light-arm'd Men. No great or memorable Action hapned on Land but Pompey sent to his Enemy to know if he wou'd fight by Sea much fearing the Land-Forces Octavius accepted of his Offer and in a general Battel in which Agrippa perform'd great Acts finally defeated him having sunk 28 of his Vessels The rest were either taken or broken seventeen only escap'd and at the sight of this great Overthrow all Pompey's Land-Forces surrender'd themselves to Octavius so that with his seventeen Vessels he fled to Anthony in Syria from whom he expected Protection in requital of what he had formerly given to his Mother Iulia. Messana still held out for Pompey but the Garison at last yielded to Lepidus and that brought all Sicily into subjection This Victory tho' so advantageous to Octavius prov'd the Ruine of Lepidus who now having got 22 Legions under his Command and a strong Body of Cavalry pleas'd himself with the ambitious Thoughts of getting all Sicily into his Hands to which he pretended a Right as first invaded by him Whereupon Octavius sent to him to complain of his Proceedings to whom Lepidus fiercely reply'd That Caesar had taken upon him all the Authority of the Triumvirate when he had as much Right to it as himself At this Octavius with great Boldness went alone to Lepidus's Camp with no other Assistance than that of his own Merit and the Authority he had gain'd by his Victories The Soldiers of Pompey look'd upon him with great Respect and drew round about him which Lepidus perceiving he hastned thither and made some of his Men charge Octavius who presently receiv'd a Hurt by a Dart. Yet Octavius with a great Presence of Mind went directly to the Place where the Eagles of the Legions were planted and taking one of 'em he advanc'd it in the Air whereupon all the Legionary Soldiers ran in Crouds and saluted him as their General Lepidus being thus abandon'd by his Soldiers quitted all the Marks of his Authority which he cou'd no longer keep took deep Mourning and came and threw himself at Octavius's Feet Octavius was much mov'd at this mortifying Spectacle to see a Triumvir who had dispos'd of the Lives of many noble Persons reduc'd to beg his own but he despis'd him too much to take his Life and tho' his Soldiers wou'd have kill'd him he sav'd him but turn'd him out of all his Authority and Power except that of Pontifex Maximus and banish'd him to Cyrcaeum Thus fell one Head of the Triumvirate and their Authority without any Competitor came wholly into the Hands of Octavius and Anthony which Authority became almost indisputable by the Death of Pompey who was shortly after slain by Anthony's Order in Phrygia having first made several Commotions in those Parts So that all Civil Wars were for a while ended in the Roman State which fell out in the 718th Year of the City and the 7th of the Second Triumvirate about 8 Years after Iulius Caesar's Death and 34 before our Saviour's Nativity CHAP. VI. From the Banishment of Lepidus to the Death of Anthony which made Way for Octavius's Absolute Authority and was the last Step to the Imperial State Containing the
himself a Wound which threw him dead at his Master's Feet Dear Eros cry'd he I thank thee for teaching me to do what I ought my self and upon that he thrust himself into the Belly and fell backwards upon his Bed Tho' the Wound was Mortal yet the Blood stopping he came to himself and most earnestly begg'd of his Friends to dispatch him but they all fled from him leaving him in a miserable Condition tossing and struggling with the Anguish of his Pain whilst Diomedes came to carry him to Cleopatra Anthony understanding Cleopatra yet liv'd begg'd and entreated in the most moving Manner in the World to be carry'd to her and with much difficulty and pain they lifted him up to the Door of the Monument Cleopatra having only her two Women durst not open the Door but let down Cords from the Window All the People of Alexandria were present at this sad Spectacle and nothing appear'd so lamentable as to see this great Man renown'd for so many Conquests and Victories bath'd in his Blood and just expiring holding out his Hands to Cleopatra and faintly endeavouring to raise himself and to see this famous Queen striving with her Body just out of the Window with the feeble Assistance of her Women to pull him up the People all the time seeming to assist her with their Cries and Tears When after much Pain she had drawn him up she embrac'd him and laid him gently upon her Bed tearing all her Cloathes in a most violent Passion beating her Face and Breast and calling Anthony her Lord her Husband her Emperour and tho' her own Misfortunes were very great and astonishing yet she forgot them all at the sight of this deplorable Object Anthony begg'd of her to moderate her Grief and Transports and ask'd for some Wine either because he was thirsty or because he thought it wou'd soon end him After he had drank he exhorted Cleopatra to endeavour to save her Life if she cou'd do it with Honour and for that End Proculus wou'd be her best Friend in Caesar ' s Camp that she wou'd not too deeply reflect upon the cruel Turn of Fortune which he felt in his last Days but rather think what Glory and Renown he had liv'd in famous for so many noble Victories Triumphs and Dignities and that after he had been the first Man of the World and the most illustrious of all the Romans he was at last overcome by a Roman At the finishing of this Discourse Anthony expired in the 53d Year of his Age a Person of as great Spirit and Valour as any among the Romans since the Death of Iulius Caesar yet softn'd overcome and entirely ruin'd by a Woman His Death put an End to all the Civil Wars and gave Octavius Opportunity to make his Fortunes as he pleas'd and from this Period many Historians date his Reign others three Years after and some from Iulius Caesar's Death This hapned in the 724th Year of the City the 3d of the 187th Olympiad and the 13th of the Second Triumvirate about 14 Years after Iulius Caesar's Death and 28 before our Saviour's Nativity CHAP. VII From the Death of Anthony to the perfect Settlement of the Empire by Octavius which finish'd all Disturbances and brought Rome to its utmost Glory Containing the space of about three Years I. OCtavius shew'd great Satisfaction at his Success and Fortune yet when Anthony's bloody Sword was brought to him the Sight of it oblig'd him to retire into his Tent where he cou'd not refrain from Tears when he reflected upon the deplorable End of a Person so eminent both for Birth and Valour and one with whom he had contracted so strict a Friendship and Alliance He call'd his Friends in to whom he declar'd That he had contributed nothing to the Overthrow of Anthony through any Hatred or Ambition shewing 'em the Copies of the Letters he had writ to him which contain'd nothing but just and reasonable Proposals and Anthony's Answers full of Passion and Disdain After this he sent Proculus to employ his utmost Address to seize upon Cleopatra extremely desiring to save her Treasure but more especially to grace his Triumph with this Queen who had so long triumph'd over the Roman Commanders Cleopatra refus'd Proculus Entrance but through the Door demanded Aegypt for her Children which caus'd Proculus after observing the Avenues of the Monument to return to Octavius who the same Instant sent Gallus with him to make her new Propositions While Gallus was discoursing with Cleopatra below Proculus with two others enter'd by the Window at which Anthony had been drawn up which one of her Women perceiving presently shreek'd out Wretched Princess thou art taken alive Upon which Cleopatra turn'd quick and drew out her Dagger to stab her self but Proculus caught hold of her saying Madam will you at once injure your self and Caesar in depriving him of the most illustrious Testimony he can give of his Generosity and make the best and gentlest Prince in the World pass for Cruel and Barbarous Whereupon he disarm'd her search'd her lest any Poison shou'd be conceal'd about her and after he had secur'd her he return'd to Octavius with this joyful News Octavius was extreamly satisfy'd to find this haughty Queen at his Disposal who before had lifted the Crown of Aegypt above the Empire of the Romans He first commanded Epaphroditus to Guard her with the greatest Care and yet to serve her like a Queen after which he made his Entrance into Alexandria after a solemn and pompous Manner The Majesty of Octavius follow'd by so many arm'd Soldiers who breath'd nothing but Destruction drove the Aegyptians into great Fears and Apprehensions imploring his Mercy upon their Knees Octavius told 'em He pardon'd 'em for the sake of their illustrious Founder Alexander for the extraordinary Beauty of the City and for his great Esteem he had for Arrius their Fellow-Citizen and Philosopher Several Kings Princes and Roman Senators begg'd of him the Body of Anthony to pay their last Respects to him but he wou'd not deprive Cleopatra of a Satisfaction so dear to her and more than that he took Care to furnish her with what was needful for the Pomp of the Funeral which she solemniz'd with extraordinary magnificence Octavius took further Care that nothing shou'd occasion the Encrese of Cleopatra's Afflictions but the Greatness of her Soul and the Nobleness of her Courage made the Loss of her Liberty insupportable to her Her excessive Melancholy and the many Blows she had given her Breasts put her into a slow Fever which gave her great Hopes of ending her Sorrows and her Life in a short time She had besides resolv'd to abstain from Eating if her Physician had not discover'd this Secret she had trusted him with to Octavius who immediately threatned to put her Children all to Death if she persisted in her Obstinacy This was the only thing she cou'd be sensible of and the Thoughts of this caus'd her to comply
and receive whatever they prescrib'd her After this Octavius resolv'd to visit Cleopatra and by his Civilities give her fresh Assurance of his Favour He found her upon a plain Bed and as soon as she perceiv'd him she rose in her Shift to throw her self at his Feet with her Hair in disorder her Face torn her Breasts bruis'd her Eyes red with weeping and her Voice weak and trembling all which Accidents cou'd not deface the Brightness of her Eyes nor the Charming Air of her Face Octavius civilly lifted her up and sat down by her and immediately she enter'd upon the justifying her Conduct but when her Art and Skill fail'd her against manifest Proofs she turn'd her Discourse into humble Supplications and deliver'd him an Inventory of all her Treasure and Jewels Seleucus her Treasurer accusing her of concealing several things Cleopatra in a great Rage threw her self out of her Bed dragg'd him by the Hair and beat him severely which some think was only a Pretence of shewing Octavius her beautiful Shape and Body which she had too great a Confidence in However Octavius only smil'd at this Action and led the Queen to her Bed O Caesar cry'd she after the Honour of Visiting me in this miserable Condition is it not cruel and barbarous that a vile Slave shou'd accuse me of laying aside a few Trifles alas not to adorn my self but to present 'em to Livia and Octavia that their generous Intercession may in some measure procure your Favour This Discourse gave great Satisfaction to Octavius imagining it imply'd a Desire she had of living and thereupon he assur'd her She might keep her Iewels and that he wou'd use her more generously than she couâ—d reasonably hope for and so retir'd much satisfy'd with his Success having as he suppos'd over-reach'd her Cleopatra being soon after inform'd by Dolabella one of Octavius's Favourites and her Admirer that Octavius had resolv'd within three Days to send her and her Children away earnestly begg'd of Octavius to suffer her first to pay her last Oblations to the Memory of Anthony which he granted her Whereupon she was carry'd to the stately Sepulchre where Anthony was laid and only attended by her two Women she fell upon her Knees embrac'd his Tomb with extream Grief and Passion and after a Flood of Tears she cry'd My dearest Lord I was a Queen and wore no Chains when I first plac'd thee in this Monument but now I pay my Duties I 'm Fortune's Slave my servile Body is reserv'd to grace the Triumph of thy Foes on which I dare not so much as print the Marks of my Grief These Tears these Pangs of Grief are the last Tokens of the Love and Duty of thy Cleopatra who now must be forc'd far from thee No Chance cou'd separate us while living but our cruel Destiny will part us in our Deaths and as by a strange Turn of Fate Aegypt has afforded thee a Tomb so Rome will me the only Courtesie I shall receive from thy Country Yet I hope the Heavenly Powers that guard your happy Abode for ours bave betray'd us will stemm the Conqueror's Pride and suffer him not to triumph over thee in my Person Hide me therefore here and receive me into thy Tomb for among all my bitter Griefs and heavy Afflictions none e'er press'd my Soul so hard as living thus long without thee Upon the finishing of these sad Lamentations she crown'd the Tomb with Garlands and Flowers embracing it as if she design'd to grow to it till her Women took her from thence to a Bath after which she attir'd her self after a most gorgeous Manner and eat as sumptuously as she cou'd After Dinner she clear'd the Room of all except Iras and Charmia and having procur'd an Asp to be secretly brought in among Figs Grapes and Flowers she apply'd it to her Arm just before which she sent a Letter to Octavius wherein she most passionately complain'd of her hard Fate and very earnestly beseech'd him That it might be permitted her to be bury'd in the same Tomb with Anthony Octavius in all haste sent some Messengers who found her dead upon a Golden Bed adorn'd with her Royal Robes in Posture of one asleep with Iras also dead at her Feet and Charmia just breathing and placing her Diadem right One of the Messengers very angrily ask'd Is this well done Charmia Extreamly well reply'd she and becoming a Princess descended from so noble a Race of Monarchs at which she expir'd at her Mistresses Feet Octavius was extreamly troubl'd at Cleopatra's Death as being depriv'd of the noblest Ornament of his Triumph However he cou'd not but admire the Greatness of her Courage who notwithstanding the Weakness of her Sex preferr'd Death before the Loss of her Liberty or the Appearing below her Quality He order'd her a Magnificent Funeral laying her Body by Anthony's according to her Desire and her Women were interr'd with considerable Pomp in Memory of their Fidelity She was then thirty eight Years of Age having reign'd twenty two twelve whereof she pass'd with Anthony and her Death put an End to the Aegyptian Kingdom which had flourish'd for many Ages Her Son Caesario which she had by Iulius Caesar was shortly after slain by Octavius's Orders who was told by Arrius the Philosopher That many Caesar ' s were of dangerous Consequence Aegypt was now intirely reduc'd into a Province and Octavius caus'd his Soldiers to cleanse the Chanels of the Nile which much improv'd the Fertility of the Soil And since this Kingdom much enlarg'd the Roman Dominions especially as to Riches and his entire Victories brought Peace to the Roman State at his Return he was receiv'd at Rome with an universal Joy and Satisfaction as a Person who had put an End to the Miseries and Calamities in the greatest Part of the World He triumph'd three Days for Illyrium for the Battel of Actium and the Conquest of Aegypt with extraordinary Splendor and Magnificence all which were attended with a happy shutting of the Temple of Ianus which had stood open 205 Years II. Octavius Caesar now finding himself Lord and Governour of the Roman Empire partly by the Authority with which the People had at several Times invested him and partly by the Ruine of his Enemies after this resolv'd to exercise all the Clemency of a sweet temper'd Prince and all the Cunning of an exquisite Politician To assure himself of Anthony's Adherents was his first and principal Care to which End he publickly reported that he had burnt all Anthony's Letters and Papers without reading them well knowing that as long as any thought themselves suspected Adversaries they wou'd never shew themselves real Friends To the Senators and Magistrates he made sumptuous Feasts and Treats to the Plebeians and Common Sort he exhibited magnificent Shows and Plays and both he entertain'd with such Variety of Pleasures as might reasonably banish their Sorrows for the old Proscription and remove their Fears of a new With
space of six Years I. ROME now began to take Breath after so many Domestick Broils and Octavius was receiv'd at the City with a general Joy the Senators met him at the Gates and conducted him to the Capitol follow'd by all the People crown'd with Garlands of Flowers where after he had given Thanks to the Gods they waited on him to his Palace Octavius now thought of nothing so much as the gaining the Hearts and Inclinations of the People and he much endeavour'd to restore the publick Peace of the City which had of late been much disturb'd by Thieves and Robbers For that End he order'd Sabinus with his Troops to pursue and bring to Punishment all such as might be found in Italy and Sicily and likewise establish'd at Rome some Companies for the Guard of the City This and many other things he executed with such great Diligence and Dexterity that the Romans began to have an extraordinary Veneration for a Man who had such a surprizing Understanding at so small an Age. Some Cities of Italy proceeded even to the erecting Altars to him especially after one generous Act he did He had among Pompey's Papers a great Number of Letters and Memoirs of the chief Senators enough to occasion many new Disturbances These he brought into the Forum and before all the People threw 'em into the Fire protesting That he there sacrific'd all his private Resentments to the Good of the Commonwealth and design'd to give up his Authority as soon as Anthony shou'd return from the Parthian Expedition The People applauded him beyond Example and to shew that they ever desir'd to obey him they chose him Tribune for his Life and by this they likewise thought to oblige him to quit the odious Dignity of Triumvir Octavius willingly accepted of the perpetual Tribuneship but deferred the Suppression of the Triumvirate till Anthony's Return and sent Bibulus to communicate his Design to him and after he had dispos'd of the Government of the Provinces he march'd against the Illyrians It was believ'd that the Death of Pompey wou'd have establish'd a Peace through all the World especially since Anthony and Octavius might in the Extent and Riches of the Roman Empire have found all that cou'd be desir'd for the satisfying their Ambition But the secret Hatred between these two which broke out upon all publick Occasions now began to raise new Commotions in the Roman State The Passion of Anthony for Cleopatra and the extravagant Presents of whole Provinces which he made her serv'd Octavius for a plausible Pretence to renew the War and free himself from a Competitor so formidable both for his Valour and his Reputation among the Soldiers Anthony had now call'd Cleopatra into Syria and there gave her all Phoenicia Coelo-Syria and Cyprus with a great part of Cilicia Arabia and Iudaea which much displeas'd the Roman People who daily publish'd scurrilous Discourses of Anthony's Prodigality Anthony being inform'd of these Libels by his Friends from Rome immediately publish'd an Apology wherein he affirm'd That the Grandeur of the Roman Empire was never so conspicuous for the Conquests made as for the Liberality practis'd in bestowing the conquer'd Provinces That true Nobility was inlarg'd and multiply'd by the numerous Posterity that Soveraign Princes left in several Parts of the World and that was the Motive that induc'd Hercules from whom he deriv'd his Birth not to subject himself to the single Tye of one Wife but to leave the Foundation of several illustrious Races in all Parts where he extended his glorious Conquests These false Reasonings which were design'd to justifie his Passion prov'd more injurious to him and made him appear odious to the Romans who made Profession of a much stricter Morality Anthony besides had march'd against the Parthians with a mighty Power which made the East tremble but with very ill Success for at the Beginning the Enemy slew one of his Lieutenants and entirely defeated two Legions and even he himself was reduc'd to such Extremities that he often despair'd of his own Safety At last after the Loss of the fourth Part of his Troops and all his Baggage he sav'd himself in Armenia by the Advice of a Roman who had been Prisoner among the Partâ—ians ever since the Death of Crassus Tho' Anthony in this War behav'd himself with his usual Bravery yet the great Loss and shameful Retreat of such a General as he who in all probability was once able to have conquer'd his Enemies extreamly diminish'd his former Reputation And what was still more disadvantageous to him was the general Belief that these Misfortunes were owing to his Passion for Cleopatra which had caus'd him to take no Measures aright but such as shou'd hasten his Return to her But what principally enrag'd the Romans was the taking Artabazus King of Armenia whom Anthony led in Triumph into Alexandria This Rome cou'd by no means bear that a Roman General shou'd impart such a peculiar Honour to a Foreign Nation and that she shou'd be depriv'd of the Glory of insulting over vanquish'd Kings which for so many Years she had enjoy'd All these Faults of Anthony Caesar made Advantage of and above all exaggerated the little Value he had for his Country And when he found the People sufficiently exasperated against him he resolv'd to send Octavia to her Husband that he might have a plausible Pretence to declare War against him if he shou'd Offer her the Affront of sending her back without seeing her Anthony was now at Leucopolis between Tyre and Sidon where he stay'd with an Impatience he was not able to conceal frequently leaving the Table to run to the Sea-side himself to see if the Queen were coming At last she came with great Quantity of Cloathing for her Soldiers and a vast Summ of Money at least Anthony gave her the Honour of it when he distributed it Almost at the same time Niger arriv'd from Octavia who staid at Athens from whence she sent her Husband word that she had brought him Clothes and Arms Horses and Presents for his Officers and 2000 chosen Soldiers well arm'd This was very unwelcom News to Cleopatra who fearing she cou'd not prevail against so powerful a Rival when she appear'd immediately feign'd a deep Melancholy abstaining from Food to make her self lean and when she was near Anthony she beheld him with languishing Eyes and a despairing Countenance like one besides her self with Love She let fall Tears in his Presence and turn'd away her Face as if she desir'd to hide from him those Marks of her Grief These Artifices together with the smooth and cunning Flatteries of Cleopatra's Friends prevail'd so much upon Anthony's Weakness that they quite turn'd his Thoughts in favour of his Mistress He broke off his honourable Enterprize against the Parthians notwithstanding all the Instances of the King of Media who offer'd to join with him and oppose that People with his Cavalry accustom'd to their Way of Fighting He