lye in wait for the Merchants that sail'd to the Bosphorus having prohibited all upon pain of Death that should attempt to carry Provisions or Merchandizes thither Then he set forward with the greatest part of his Army and in his March he casually happen'd upon several dead Bodies of the Romans uninterr'd which were of those Soldiers that were unfortunately slain with Triarius in the Wars against Mithridates these he buried all splendidly and honourably The neglect whereof 't is thought caus'd the first Hatred against Lucullus and alienated the Affections of the Soldiers from him Pompey having now by his Forces under the Command of Afranius subdued the Arabians that inhabit about the Mountain Amanus fell himself into Syria and finding it destitute of any natural and lawful Prince reduced it into the form of a Province as an Inheritance of the People of Rome He conquer'd Judaea and alter'd the form of Government there having taken King Aristobulus Captive Some Cities he built anew and others he set at liberty chastizing those Tyrants that brought them into Bondage The greatest time that he spent there was in the Administration of Justice deciding the Controversies of Kings and States and where he himself could not be present in Person he gave Commission to his Friends and sent them Thus when there arose a Difference betwixt the Armenians and Parthians touching the Title of a Country and the Judgment was referr'd to him he gave a Power by Commission to three Judges and Arbiters to hear and determine the Question For the Name of his Power indeed was great Neither were the Vertues of his Justice and Clemency inferiour to that of his Power whereby he cover'd a multitude of Crimes committed by his Friends and Familiars about him for although it was not in his Nature to check or chastise an Offender yet he would demean himself so to those that addressed with Complaints against them that the Party griev'd went always away contented forgetting the Injuries and patiently bearing even with their Covetousness and Oppression Among these Friends of his there was one Demetrius that had the greatest Power and Influence upon him of any he was a Bond-man infranchiz'd one of a very good Understanding however otherwise but a Youth and somewhat too insolent in his good Fortune of whom there goes this Story Cato the Philosopher being as yet a very young Man but of great Judgment and a noble Mind took a Journey of Pleasure to Antioch having a great desire in Pompey's absence to see the City He therefore as his Custom was walked on Foot and his Friends accompani'd him on Horseback But seeing before the Gates of the City a Multitude all in white Garments the young Men on one side of the Road and the Boys on the other he was somewhat offended at it imagining that it was officiously done in Honour of him which was more than he requir'd However he desired his Companions to alight and walk with him But when they drew near the Master of the Ceremonies in this Procession came out with a Garland and a Rod in his Hand and met them enquiring Where they had left Demetrius and when he would come Whereupon Cato's Companions burst out into a Laughter but Cato said only Alas poor City and passed by without any other Answer Now 't is clear that Pompey himself render'd Demetrius less odious to others by enduring his Sawciness and Insolence against himself For 't is reported how that Pompey when he had invited his Friends to an Entertainment would be very Ceremonious in attending till they came and were all plac'd whereas Demetrius would rudely seat himself at the Table with his Head cover'd even to his Ears before any one else could sit down Moreover before his return into Italy he had purchased the pleasantest Villa or Country-Seat about Rome with the fairest Walks and Places for Exercise and the most compleat Gardens call'd by the Name of Demetrius notwithstanding that Pompey his Master was contented with a mean and thrifty Habitation till his third Consulship Afterwards 't is true when he had erected that famous and stately Theater for the People of Rome he built as an Appendix to it an House for himself much more splendid than his former and yet as much beneath the stroke of Envy Insomuch as he that came to be Master of that House after Pompey could not but admire at it and seem very Inquisitive Where Pompey the Great us'd to Sup Thus are these things reported The King of Arabia Petraea who had hitherto despis'd the Power of the Romans now began to think it dreadful and therefore dispatch'd Letters to him wherein he promis'd to be at his Devotion and do what he would Command However Pompey having a desire to confirm and keep him in the same Mind marched forwards for Petra an Expedition not altogether irreprehensible in the opinion of many for by this 't was generally thought he did clearly decline the Chace of Mithridates whereas they thought themselves bound to turn their Arms against him as their inveterate Enemy who now had blown up the Coal again and reinforced his shattered Troops with fresh Preparations as 't was reported to lead his Army through Scythia and Pannonia into Italy Pompey on the other side judging it easier to break his Forces in Battel than seize his Person in Flight resolv'd not to tire himself out in a vain Pursuit but rather to spend his time in diverting the War upon another Enemy as a proper Digression in the mean while But Fortune resolv'd the Doubt for whilst he was yet not far from Petra and had pitch'd his Tents and encamped for that day as he was riding and managing his Horse without the Camp there came an Express by the flying Post out of Pontus with good News as was easily discernible a far off by the Heads of their Javelins that were crown'd with Branches of Laurel The Soldiers as soon as they saw them flocked immediately to Pompey who notwithstanding was minded to make an end of his Exercise but when they began to be clamorous and importunate he alighted from his Horse and taking the Letters went before them into the Camp Now there being no Tribunal erected there nor yet any military Hillock such as they use to make by cutting up thick Turfes of Earth and piling them one upon another they through eagerness and impatience heap'd up a pile of Pack-saddles and Pompey standing upon that told them the News of Mithridates his Death how that he had laid violent hands upon himself upon the Revolt of his Son Pharnaces and that Pharnaces had taken all things there into his hands and possession which he did as his Letters speak in right of himself and the Romans Upon this News the whole Army expressing their Joy as was fit fell to their Devotion in sacrificing to the Gods and Feasting as if in the Person of Mithridates alone there had died many thousands of
100000 in number and obliging them to repair to the Countrey which they had deserted and the Cities which they had burnt Which he did for fear the Germans should pass the Rhine and possess themselves of the Country whilst it lay uninhabited His second War was in favour of the Gauls against the Germans thô sometime before he had made Ariovistus their King own'd at Rome as an Allie But they were very insufferable Neighbours to those under his Obedience and it was probable when Occasion shew'd they would be uneasie under their present posture and would make Incursions into Gaul and seize it But finding his Commanders timorous and especially those of the young Nobility and Gentry who came along with him in hopes of making use of that Expedition to their Pleasure or Profit he call'd them together and advis'd them to march off and not to run the hazard of a Battel against their Inclinations since they were so effeminately and cowardly disposed telling them withall that he would take only the 10th Legion and march against the Barbarians whom he did not expect to find an Enemy more formidable than the Cimbri nor should they find him a General inferior to Marius Upon this the 10th Legion deputed some of their Body to pay him their Compliments of Thanks and the other Legions blam'd their Officers and with great vigor and zeal follow'd him many days Journey till they encamp'd within 200 furlongs of the Enemy Ariovistus's Courage was cool'd upon their very approach for not expecting the Romans should attack the Germans who were known to be Men likely to stand a Charge he admir'd Caesar's Conduct and saw his own Army under a great Consternation They were still more discourag'd by the Prophesies of their Holy Women who by observing the Whirl-pools of Rivers and taking Omens from the windings and noise of Brooks foretold strange Events and warn'd them not to engage before the next New Moon appear'd Caesar having had intimations of this and seeing the Germans lie still thought it expedient to attack them whilst they were under these Apprehensions rather then sit still and wait their Time Accordingly he made his approaches to their Fortifications and Outworks within which they were intrench'd and so gall'd and fretted them that at last they came down with great fury to engage But he gain'd a glorious Victory and pursu'd them for 300 furlongs as far as the Rhine all which space was cover'd with Spoils and Bodies of the Slain Ariovistus made shift to pass the Rhine with the small Remains of an Army for it is said the number of the slain amounted to 80000. After this Action Caesar left his Army at their Winter-Quarters in the Country of the Sequani and in order to attend his Affairs at Rome went into that part of Gaul which lies on the Po and was part of his Province for the River Rubicon divides Gaul which is on this side the Alps from the rest of Italy There he sat down and gain'd the favour of the People who made their Court to him frequently and always found their Requests answer'd for he never fail'd to dismiss any without present pledges of his favour in hand and farther hopes for the future During all this time of the War in Gaul Pompey never discover'd how on one side Caesar conquer'd his Enemies with the Arms of Rome and on the other side gain'd upon the Romans and captivated them with the Money which he had got from his Enemies But when Caesar heard that the Belgae who were the most powerful of all the Gauls and inhabited a third part of the Country were revolted and that they had got together a great many thousand Men in Arms he immediately directed his Course that way with great expedition and falling upon the Enemy as they were ravaging the Gauls his Allies he soon defeated them and put them to flight For though their numbers were great yet they made but a slender defence so that the Marshes and deep Rivers were made passable to the Roman Foot by the vast quantity of dead Bodies Of those who revolted all that liv'd near the Ocean came over without fighting and therefore he led his Army against the Nervi who are the most unciviliz'd and most warlike People of all in those parts These live in a close Woody Countrey and having lodg'd their Children and their Goods in a deep hollow within a large Forest fell upon Caesar with a Body of 60000 Men before he was prepar'd for them and while he was making his Encampment They soon routed his Cavalry and having surrounded the 12th and 7th Legions kill'd all the Officers and had not Caesar himself snatch'd up a Buckler and forced his way through his own Men to come up to the Barbarians or had not the 10th Legion when they saw him in danger ran in from the tops of the Hills where they lay and broke through the Enemies Ranks to rescue him in all probability his Army had been entirely cut off But through the Influence of Caesars Valour the Romans in this Conflict exerted more then their ordinary Courage yet with the utmost streins of their Valour they were not able to beat the Enemy out of the Field but cut them off fighting in their own defence For out of 60000 Soldiers not above 500 survived the Battle and of 400 of their Senators not above three When the Roman Senate had received News of this they voted Sacrifices and Festivals to the Gods to be strictly observed for the space of 15 days which is a longer space then ever was observed for any Victory before For the danger appear'd great because they were engag'd with so many States at once and the favour of the People to Caesar made the Victory more esteem'd because he was Conqueror He was now retir'd to his Winter-Quarters by the Po where after he had setled the Affairs of Gaul he resided in order to the forming his designs at Rome All who were Candidates for Offices us'd his Assistance and were supplied with Money from him to corrupt the People and buy their Votes in return of which when they were chose they did all things to advance his Power But what was more considerable the most eminent and powerful Men in Rome in great Numbers made their Court to him at Lucca as Pompey and Crassus and Appius the Praetor of Sardinia and Nepos the Proconsul of Spain so that there were upon the place at one time 120 Lictors and more then 200 Senators who held a Council and then parted There it was decreed that Pompey and Crassus should be Consuls again for the following year that Caesar should have a fresh supply of Money and that his Command should be renew'd to him for 5 years more It seem'd very extravagant to all thinking Men that those very Persons who had receiv'd so much Money from Caesar should persuade the Senate to grant him more as if he wanted though indeed they did not so much persuade
but retreated after he had shut up the Enemy within their Camp Caesar upon his return said to his Friends The Victory to day had been on our Enemies side if they had had a General which knew how to conquer When he was retir'd into his Tent he laid himself down to sleep but spent that night the most melancholy that he ever did any being perplex'd in his thoughts for his ill conduct in this War for when he had a large Country before him and all the wealthy Cities of Macedonia and Thessaly he had neglected to carry the War thither and had sat down by the Sea-side whilst his Enemies had such a powerful Fleet so that he seem'd rather to be besieg'd with want of Necessaries then to besiege others with his Arms. Being thus distracted in his thoughts with the view of the ill posture he stood in he rais'd his Camp with a design to advance towards Scipio who lay in Macedonia for he hop'd either to draw Pompey where he should fight without the advantage he now had of supplies from the Sea or over-power Scipio if not assisted This animated Pompey's Army and Officers so far that they were for pursuing Caesar as one that was worsted and flying But Pompey was afraid to hazard a Battle on which so much depended and being himself provided with all Necessaries for a considerable time thought to tire out and waste the vigor of Caesar's Army which could not last long For the best part of his Men though they had much Experience and shew'd an irresistible Courage in all Engagements yet by their frequent marches changing their Camps assaulting of Towns and long watches were so broken and so much exhausted with Age that their Bodies were unfit for Labour and their Courage cool'd by their years Besides 't is said that a Pestilential Disease occasioned by their irregular Diet rag'd in Caesar's Army and what was of greatest moment he was neither furnish'd with Money nor Provisions so that in a little time he must needs fall of himself For these Reasons Pompey had no mind to fight him and was thank'd for it by none but Cato who was pleas'd with it out of his zeal to preserve his Fellow-Citizens For when he saw the dead Bodies of those which had faln in the last Battle on Caesar's side to the number of a thousand he went away cover'd his Face and wept The rest reproach'd Pompey for declining to fight and call'd him Agamemnon and the King of Kings as One that had no mind to lay down his Sovereign Authority but was pleas'd to see so many great Commanders attending on him and paying their â—â—â—endance at his Tent. Favonius who affected Cato's free way of speaking his mind complain'd bitterly that they should eat no Figs that year at Tusculum by reason of Pompey's ambition to be Monarch Afranius who was lately return'd out of Spain and by reason of the ill Campagne he had made was suspected by Pompey to have betray'd the Army for Money ask'd him Why he did not fight that Merchant who had made such purchases Pompey was compell'd by this kind of Language to give Caesar Battle though against his own Sentiments and in order to it pursu'd him Caesar had found great difficulties in his march for no Country would supply him with Provisions his Reputation being very much sunk since his last Defeat But when he came to Gomphi a Town of Thessaly he not only found Provisions for his Army but Physick too For there they met with plenty of Wine which they took off very freely heated with this and fir'd with the God they jollily danc'd along and so shook off their Disease and chang'd their whole Constitution When the two Armies were come into Pharsalia and both encamp'd there Pompey's thoughts ran the same way as they had done before against fighting and the more because of some unlucky Presages and an odd Vision he had in a Dream Yet some who were about him were so confident of success that Domitius Spinther and Scipio as if they had already conquer'd quarrel'd which should succeed Caesar in the Pontificate And many sent to Rome to take Houses fit to accommodate Consuls and Praetors as being sure of entring upon those Offices as soon as the Battle was over The Cavalry especially were eager to fight as being well Arm'd and bravely mounted and valuing themselves upon the clean shapes of their Horses and the advantage of their numbers for they were 5000 against 1000 of Caesar's Nor was their Infantry better match'd there being 45000 of Pompey's against 22000 of the Enemy Caesar drew up his Soldiers and told 'em that Cornificius was coming up to them with two Legions and that 15 Companies more under Calenuâ— were posted at Megara and Athens he ask'd 'em whether they would stay till these join'd them or would hazard the Baâ—â—le by themselves They all cried ouâ— against delaying and were eager to engage as soon as possible When he sacrific'd to the Gods for the lustration of his Army upon the death of the first Victim the Augur told him within 3 days he should come to a decisive Action Caesar ask'd him Whether he saw any thing in the Entrails which promis'd an happy Event That saith the Priest you can best answer your self for the Gods signifie a great Alteration from the present posture of Affairs if therefore you think your self happy now expect worse Fortune if unhappy hope for better The night before the Battle as he walk'd the Rounds about Midnight he saw a Light in the Heaven very bright and flaming which seem'd to pass over Caesar's Camp and fall into Pompey's and when Caesar's Soldiers came to relieve the Watch in the morning they perceiv'd a Panic fear among the Enemies However he did not expect to fight that day but decamp'd as if he design'd to march towards Scotusa But when the Tents were taken down his Scouts rode up to him and told him the Enemy would give him Battle With this he was very much pleas'd and having perform'd his Devotions to the Gods set his Army in Battalia dividing them into 3 Bodies Over the middle-most he plac'd Domitius-Calvinus Antony commanded the Left Wing and he himself the Right being resolv'd to fight at the Head of the 10th Legion But when he saw the Enemies Cavalry planted against him being struck with their Bravery and their Number he gave private Orders That six Companies from the Reer of the Army should advance up to him whom he posted behind the Right Wing and instructed them what they should do when the Enemies Horse came to charge On the other side Pompey commanded the Right Wing Domitius the Left and Scipio Pompey's Father-in-law the Main Body The whole Weight of the Cavalry was in the Left Wing who design'd to attack the Right Wing of the Enemy and press that part most which the General himself commanded For they thought no Body of Foot could be so deep as to bear such a
did those who punished them revenge the Fact but the ill Will The day after Brutus with the rest came down from the Capitol and made a Speech to the People who attended to it without expressig either any Pleasure or Resentment but shewed by their deep silence that they pitied Caesar and reverenc'd Brutus The Senate made Acts of Oblivion for what was past and took healing Measures to reconcile all Parties They order'd that Caesar should be worshipp'd as a God and that not any the least thing should be alter'd which he had enacted during his Government At the same time they gave Brutus and his Followers the Command of Provinces and other considerable Posts so that all People now thought things were well settled and put into a very good Posture But when Caesar's Will was open'd and it was found that he had left a Considerable Legacy to each one of the Roman Citizens and when his Body was seen carried through the Market-Place all mangled with Wounds the Multitude could no longer contain themselves within the Bounds of Decency and Order but heap'd together a Pile of Benches Bars and Tables which they placed the Corps on and setting Fire to it burnt them Then they took Firebrands and ran some to fire the Houses of the Assassinates others up and down the City to find out the Men and Limb them but they met with none of them they having taken effectual Care to secure themselves One Cinna a Confident of Caesar's chanc'd the Night before to have an odd Dream He fancied that Caesar invited him to Supper and that upon his Refusal to go with him Caesar took him by the Hand and forc'd him though he hung back Upon Notice that Caesar's Body was burning in the Market-Place he got up and went thither out of respect to his Memory though his Dream gave him some ill Apprehensions and though he was at the same time Fevorish One of the Rabble who saw him there ask'd another Who that was And having learnt his Name told it to his next Neighbour It presently went for currant that he was one of Caesar's Murtherers and indeed there was one Cinna a Conspirator They taking this to be the Man immediately Seized him and tore him Limb from Limb upon the Spot Brutus and Cassius frighted at this within a few days retir'd out of the City What they afterwards did and suffer'd and how they dy'd is written in the Life of Brutus Caesar dy'd in his Fifty sixth year not having surviv'd Pompey above four years That Empire and Power which he had pursued through the whole Course of his Life with so much Hazzard he did at last with much difficulty compass but reap'd no other Fruits from it then an empty Name and invidious Title But that happy Genius which was Propitious to him during his Life seems to have stuck to him after his Death as the Revenger of his Murther for it pursu'd by Sea and Land all those who were concern'd in it and suffer'd none to escape but reach'd all who were either actually engaged in the Fact or by their Councels any way promoted it The most signal Accident of all here below was that which befell Cassius who when he was conquer'd at Philippi kill'd himself with the same Dagger which he had made use of against Caesar The most remarkable Appearance in the Heavens was a great Comet which shone bery bright for seven Nights after Caesar's Death and then disappear'd There was also a very faint Light in the Sun for the Orb of it was pale for the space of an Year nor did it rise with its usual Brightness and Vigor Hence it gave but a weak and feeble Heat and consequently the Air was damp and gross for want of stronger Rays to open and rarifie it The Fruits for that Reason were crude and unconcocted so that they rotted and decay'd through the Chilness of the Air. Above all the Phantôm which appear'd to Brutus shew'd the Murther was not pleasing to the Gods The Story of it is this Brutus being to pass his Army from Aâ—ydos to the Continent on the other side lay'd himself down one Night as he used to do in his Tent and was not a-sleep but thinking of his Affairs and what Events he might expect For he was naturally of a watchful Constitution and very little inclin'd to Sleep He thought he heard a Noise at the Door of his Tent and looking that way by the Light of his Lamp which was almost out saw a terrible Figure like that of a Man but of an extraordinary Bulk and grim Countenance He was somewhat frighted at first but seeing it neither did nor spoke any thing to him only stood silently by his Bed-side he ask'd it at last Who it was The Spectre answer'd him I am thy Evil Genius Brutus and thou shalt see me by Philippi Brutus answer'd very courageously Well I will see you there and immediately the Ghost vanish'd When the time was come he drew up his Army near Philippi against Anthony and Caesar and in the first Battel got the Day routed the Enemy and plunder'd Caesar's Camp The Night before the second Battel the same Ghost appear'd to him again but spoke not a word He presently understood his Death was near and expos'd himself to all the Danger of the Battel yet he did not die in the Fight but seeing his Men defeated got up to the top of a Rock and there presenting his Sword to his naked Breast and assisted as they say by a Friend who helpt him to give the Thrust died upon the Spot FINIS PHOCION 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 MBurgh sculp commonly said That the Populace is most insulting and contumelious to great men when they are puff'd up with Prosperity and Success the contrary oft happens Afflictions and publick Calamities naturally eagering and sowring the Minds and Manners of men and disposing them to such Peevishness and Chagrin that hardly can any one carry himself so swimmingly in his words or actions but they will be apt to take pett he that remonstrates to their Miscarriages is interpreted to insult over their Misfortunes and even the mildest Expostulations are constru'd Contempt Honey it self is searching in sore and ulcerated parts and the wisest though soft Counsels may prove to be provoking to distemper'd minds that have not well prepar'd ears to entertain them This made the Poet express such applications by a word signifying a grateful and easie touch upon the mind without harshness or offence inflamed Eyes require a retreat into gloomy and dusky places amongst Colours of the deepest shades unable to endure the vigorous and glaring light So fares it in the Body politick when heated with Factions and Irresolution there is a certain Niceness and touchy Humour prevails in the Minds of men and an unaccountable jealousie of any person that with openness and freedom offers to scan their actions even when the necessities of their affairs most require such plain-dealing And surely
scorned observing in the mean time the Posture of the Enemy who having passed through grew careless as esteeming themselves past Danger whereupon they were immediately set upon by the Spartans yet were they not then put to Rout but marched on to Helicon vapouring That they themselves as to their part of the Army were not worsted Agesilaus sore wounded as he was would not be born to his Tent till he had been first carried about the Field and had seen the dead Men of his Party carried off in their Armour As many of his Enemies as had taken Sanctuary in the Temple he dismissed for there stood hard by the Temple of Minerva the Itonian and before it a Trophy erected by the Baeotians for a Victory which under the Conduct of one Sparton their General they obtained over the Athenians who were led that day by Tolmides and Tolmides himself slain Next morning early Agesilaus to make trial of the Theban Courage whether they had any mind to a second Encounter did command his Soldiers to put on Garlands on their Heads and play with their Flutes and raise a Trophy before their Faces but when they instead of Fighting sent for leave to bury their Dead he gave it them and so confirmed to himself the Victory After this he went to Delphos to the Pythian Games which were then celebrating at which Feast he assisted and there solemnly offered the tenth part of the Spoils he had brought from Asia which amounted to an hundred Talents Being now returned to his own Country the Eyes of the Spartans were upon him to observe his Diet and manner of Living But he not according to the Custom of other Generals came home the same Man that he went out having not so learned the Fashions of other Countries as to forget his own much less to nauseate or despise them but he follow'd all the Spartan Customs without changing either the manner of his Supping or Bathing or his Wifes Apparel as if he had never travelled over the River Eurotas The like he did by his Houshold-stuff his Armour nay the very Gates of his House were so old that they might well be thought of Aristodemus's setting up His Daughters Chariot called the Canathrum was no richer than that of other People Now this Canathrum whether Chariot or Chair was made of Wood in the shape of a Griffon or of the Tragelaphus some antick shape or other on which the Children and young Virgins were carried in Processions Xenophon hath not left us the Name of this Daughter of Agesilaus at which Dicaearchus is angry viz. that he can know the Names neither of Agesilaus's Daughter nor Epaminondas's Mother But in the Records of Laconia we find his Wifes Name to be Clâ—ora and his two Daughers to have been Apolia and Prolyta and you may even to this day see Agesilaus's Spear kept in Sparta nothing differing from that of other Men. There was a Vanity he observed among the Spartans about keeping running Horses for the Olympick Games upon which he found they much valued themselves Agesilaus much despised it as an Ostentation more of Wealth than Vertue deeming the Victory to be the Horse's not the Man's He therefore to convince the Grecians of it did put his Sister Cynisca upon keeping a running Horse for that Publick Solemnity To the wise Xenophon his Friend whom he much valued he did propose the bringing of his Children to Sparta to be there bred up in the strictest way of Discipline and in the noble Art of Obeying and Governing Lysander being dead and his Faction yet great and prevalent which he upon his coming out of Asia had raised against Agesilaus the King thought it advisable to expose both him and it by shewing what manner of a Citizen he had been whilst he lived To that end finding an Oration among his Writings that was composed by Cleon the Halicarnassean but intended to be spoken by Lysander in a Publick Assembly to excite the People to Innovations and Changes in the Government he resolved to publish it as an Evidence of Lysander's ill Practices But one of the Senators having the perusal of it and finding it strongly written advised him to have a care of digging up Lysander again and rather bury that Oration in the Grave with him This Advise he wisely hearkened to and ever after forbore publickly to affront any of his Adversaries but took occasions of picking out the Ring-leaders and sending them away upon Foreign Services He also found out ways of discovering the Avarice and the Injustice of many of them in their Employments yet when they were by others brought into Question he made it his business to bring them off obliging them by that means of Enemies to become his Friends and so by degrees wore out the Faction Agesipolis his Fellow-King was under the Disadvantage of being Born of an Exil'd Father and himself Young Modest and Unactive and meddled not much in Affairs Agesilaus took a course of growing upon him and making him yet more tractable According to the Custom of Sparta the Kings if they were in Town alway Dined together This was Agesilaus's opportunity of dealing with Agesipolis whom he found apt to Amorous Intrigues as well as himself He therefore alway discoursed him about handsome Boys egging him forward that way and himself assisting in it so far as to become the Confident of the Amour Yet were these Amours innocent according to the Custom of the Spartan Loves which were alway accompani'd with Vertue and Honour and a noble Emulation of which you may see more in Lycurgus's Life Having thus established his Power in the City he easily obtained that his half Brother Teleutias might be chosen Admiral and thereupon making an Expedition against the Corinthians he made himself Master of the long Walls by Land through the Assistance of his Brother at Sea Coming thus upon the Argives who then held Corinth in the midst of their Isthmian Games he made them out-run their Sacrifices and leave all their Festival Provisions behind them The exil'd Corinthians that were in the Spartan Army desired him to keep up the Feast and to appear Chief in the Celebration of it This he refused but gave them leave to carry on the Solemnity if they pleased and he in the mean time staid and guarded them When Agesilaus marched off the Argives returned to their Sports again with this variety of Fortune that some who were Victors before became Victors a second time others lost the Prizes which before they had gained But Agesilaus reproached them severely of Cowardise who having so great an Esteem of the Isthmian Games and so much valuing themselves upon the Victories there gotten yet durst not adventure to Fight in defence of them He himself was of Opinion that to keep a Mean in such things was best he allowed of the Sports usually permitted in his Country and would not refuse to be present at the
their Gowns patched of divers Colours and to wear their Beards half shaved half unshaven To execute so rigid a Law as this in a Case where the Offenders were so many and of those many Men of great Families and Interest and that in a time when the Common-wealth wanted Soldiers so much as then it did was of dangerous Consequence Therefore they chose Agesilaus a Dictator or new Law-giver with full power of abrogating old Laws or making new ones as he pleased But he without adding to or diminishing from or any way changing the Law came out into the publick Assembly and said That the Law should lye dormant at present but be vigorously executed for the future By this means he at once preserved the Law from Abrogation and the Citizens from Infamy And that he might take off the Consternation that was upon the young Men he made an Inroad into Arcadia where avoiding Fight as much as he could he contented himself to spoil the Territory and to take a small Town belonging to the Mantineans thereby reviving the Hearts of Populace letting them see that they were not every where unsuccessful Upon this Epaminondas made an Inroad into Laconia with an Army of 40000. besides light-armed Men and others that follow'd the Camp only for Plunder so that in all they were at least 70000. It was now 600 Years since the Dorians had possessed Laconia and in all that time the Face of an Enemy had not been seen within their Territories no Man daring to Invade them But now they made their Incursions without Resistance as far as Eurotas and the very Suburbs of Sparta for Agesilaus would not permit them to engage against so impetuous a Torrent as Theopompus called it He contented himself to fortifie the chief Parts of the City and to place Guards conveniently enduring mean while the Taunts of the Thebans who reproached him as the Firebrand of the War and the Author of all that Mischief to his Country and bidding him defend himself if he could But this was not all He was greatly disturbed at home with the Tumults of the City the Outcries and running about of the Old Men who were highly enraged at their present condition and the Women much worse being terrifi'd by the Clamours and the Fires of the Enemy in the Field But that which cut him to the Heart was the sense of his lost Glory who having come to the Crown of Sparta when it was in its most flourishing Condition and highest Grandeur now lived to see it laid low in Esteem and all its great Vaunts derided even those which he himself had been accustom'd to use viz. That the Women of Sparta had never seen the Smoak of the Enemies Fire It is said that Antalcidas being in Dispute with an Athenian about the Valour of the Two Nations the Athenian bragged That they had oâ—ten driven the Spartans from the River Câ—phisus Yes said Antalcidas but we never had occasion to drive you from Eurotas A common Spartan of less Quality being in Company with an Argive who was vapouring how many Spartans lay buried in the Fields of Argus reply'd But you have â—â—â—e buried in the Country of Laconia Yet now the Case was so altered that Antalcidas being one of the Ephori out of Fear sent away his Children privately to the Island of Cythera When the Enemy essay'd to get over the River and thence to Attack the Town Agesilaus betook himself to the high Places and strong Holds of it But it happen'd that Eurotas at that time swelled to a great height by reason of the Snow that had fallen and made the Passage very difficult to the Thebans not only by its depth but much more by the Ice that was upon it Whilst this was doing Epaminondas every where appeared the foremost Man in the Army insomuch that Agesilaus viewing the whole Action fell into admiration of his Gallantry But when he came to the City and would fain have attempted something either upon it or within the Limits of it that might raise him a Trophy there he could not tempt Agesilaus out of his Hold but was fain to march off again wasting the Country as he went Mean while there did a dangerous Conspiracy happen in Sparta where 200 Men having gotten into a strong part of the Town called Issorion did seize upon the Temple of Diana and Garison it The Spartans were enraged at it and would have fallen upon them presently but Agesilaus not knowing how far the Sedition might reach did command them to forbear and going himself in his Cloak with but one Servant when he came near the Rebels called out and told them That they mistook their Orders that by his Order they were to go one part of them thither shewing them another Place in the City and part to another which he also shewed The Conspirators gladly heard this Discourse thinking themselves no way suspected of Treason and readily went off to the Places which he shewed them Whereupon Agesilaus placed in their room a Garison of his own Of the Conspirators he apprehended 15. and put them to death in the night After this a much more dangerous Conspiracy was discovered of Spartan Citizens who had privately met in each others Houses to cause a Disturbance It was equally dangerous by reason of the Greatness of the Party to prosecute them publickly according to Law and to connive at them Agesilaus took another course and by consent of the Ephori put them to death privately without Process a thing never before known in Sparta At this time also many of the Helots and other Hirelings that were listed in the Army ran away to the Enemy which was matter of great Consternation to the City He therefore caused some Officers of his every Morning before day to search the Quarters of the Soldiers and where any Man was gone to hide his Arms that so the greatness of the number might not appear Historians differ about the time of the Thebans Departure from Sparta Some say the Winter forced them as also that the Arcadian Soldiers Disbanding made it necessary for the rest to retire Others say that they stay'd there Three Months till they had laid the whole Country waste Theopompus is the only Author who gives out That when the Baeotarchae or Council of War of the Theban Army had resolved upon the Retreat Phrixus the Spartan came to them and offer'd them from Agesilaus Ten Talents to be gone so hiring them to do what they were already doing of their own accord How he alone should come to be aware of this I know not only in this all Authors agree That the saving of Sparta from Ruine was wholly due to the Wisdom of Agesilaus who in this Extremity of Affairs quitted all his Ambition and his Haughtiness and resolved to play a saving Game But all his Wisdom and Prowess was not sufficient to recover the Glory of it and to raise it
was worsted in his part of the Battel and himself almost a Prisoner for being set upon by a mighty Man of Arms that fought on foot as they were closely engaged hand to hand the strokes of their Swords chanced to light upon each others Hand but with a different Success for Pompey's was a slight Wound only whereas he lopt off the others Hand however it hapned so that many falling upon Pompey together and his own Forces there being put to the Rout he made his Escape beyond expectation by quitting his Horse and turning him up among the Enemy for the Horse being richly adorned with golden Trappings and having a Caparison of great value the Soldiers quarrelled among themselves for the Booty so that while they were fighting with one another and dividing the Spoyl Pompey made his Escape By break of Day next morning each drew out his Forces into the Field to confirm the Victory but Metellus coming up to them Sertorius vanished away having broken up and dispersed his Army for in such a manner did he use to raise and disband his Armies so that sometimes he would be wandring up and down all alone and at other times again he would come powring into the Field at the head of a puissant Army no less than 150000 fighting Men swelling of a sudden like a mighty Torrent or Winterflood Now when Pompey was going after the Battel to meet and welcome Metellus and when they were near one another he commanded his Serjeants to bow down their Rods in honour of Metellus as his Ancient and Superiour but Metellus on the other side forbid it and behaved himself very obliging to him in all things else not claiming any Prerogative either in respect of his Consulship or Seniority excepting only that when they incamped together the Watch-word was given to the whole Camp by Metellus But generally they had their Camps asunder for that they were divided and distracted by the Enemy that was in all shapes and being always in motion would by a wonderful Artifice appear in divers Places almost in the same instant drawing them from one sort of Fight to another in perpetual Skirmishes But at last Pompey intercepting all Forrage plundring and spoyling the Country and keeping the Dominion of the Sea rooted them out of that part of Spain that was under his Government forcing them out of meer Want to retreat into other Provinces Pompey having made use of and expended the greatest part of his own Revenue upon the War sent and demanded Monies of the Senate adding That in case they did not furnish him speedily he should be forced to return into Italy with his Army Lucullus being Consul at that time though indeed he was an Enemy to Pompey yet in contemplation that he himself was a Candidate for the War against Mithridates he procured and hastned the Supplies fearing lest there should be any Pretence or Occasion given to Pompey of returning Home who of himself was no less desirous of leaving Sertorius than ambitious of undertaking the War against Mithridates as an Enemy where the Enterprize in all appearance would prove much more Honourable and less Dangerous In the mean time Sertorius died being treacherously murdered by some of his own Party insomuch that Perpenna was now become the Chief Commander among them and he that would undertake to Personate the Actions of Sertorius having indeed the same Forces the same Ammunition and Means yet there was still wanting the same Wit Skill and Conduct in the use and managery of them Pompey therefore marched directly against Perpenna and finding him ignorant and perplext in his Affairs had a Decoy ready for him and so sent out a Detachment of ten Companies with Orders to range up and down the Fields and disperse themselves abroad as if they were Foraging or in quest of some Booty this Bait took accordingly for no sooner had Perpenna quarried upon the Prey and had them in Chase but that Pompey appeared suddenly with all his Army and joyning Battel gave him a total Overthrow so that most of his Commanders were slain in the Field and he himself being brought Prisoner to Pompey was by his Order put to Death Neither ought Pompey to be arraigned of Ungratefulness or Oblivion in that he had been unmindful of his Transactions with Perpenna in Sicily as some would charge him since 't is clear that what he did in this Case was prudently determined upon solid Reason and deliberate Councel for the Security of his Country for Perpenna having in his custody all Sertorius his Papers shewed several Letters from the greatest Men in Rome who affecting a Change and Subversion of the Government had invited Sertorius into Italy wherefore Pompey fearing lest by these he should stir and blow up greater Flames of War than those that had been already extinguished thought it expedient both to take off Perpenna and likewise to burn the Letters without reading of them After this Pompey tarried and spent so much time in Spain as was necessary for the suppression of those greater Tumults in that Province and as soon as he had qualified and allayed the violent Heats of Affairs there he returned with his Army into Italy where he arrived very luckily in the height of the Servile War wherefore upon his Arrival Crassus the General in that War made all the expedition imaginable to give them Battel which he did with great Success having slain upon the place 12300 of those Fugitive Slaves Nor yet was he so quick but that Fortune had reserved to Pompey some share of Honour in the Success of this War for that 5000 of them that had escaped out of the Battel fell into his hands wherefore when he had totally cut them off he wrote to the Senate That Crassus had overthrown the Fencers in Battel but that he had plucked up the War itself by the Roots And thus it was commonly reported in Rome among all those that had the least Kindness for Pompey but for those Actions in Spain together with the Conquest of Sertorius no Man ever so much as in jest ascribed that Honour to any other than Pompey and yet this great Honour and Veneration of the Man was always accompanied with Fears and Jealousies that he would not Disband his Army but affecting Monarchy designed clearly to follow the Policies of Sylla and govern by a standing Army wherefore in the Number of all those that ran out to meet him and Congratulate his Return as many went out of Fear as Affection but after that Pompey had removed this Suggestion by declaring before-hand That he would discharge the Army after his Triumph there was yet remaining one great Cause of Complaint more from the Envy and Malice of his Enemies That he affected Popularity courting the common People more than the Nobility and whereas Sylla had taken away the Tribuneship of the People he designed to gratifie the People in restoring that Office which was very true
of Opinion That Italy should first be regain'd for that it was the grand Prize and Crown of all the War and withal they who were Masters of that would quickly have at their Devotion all the Provinces of Sicilia Sardinia Corsica Spain and Gaul but what was of greatest weight and moment 't was his own native Country that lay near reaching out her Hand for his Help and certainly it could not be consistent with Pompey's Honour to leave her thus expos'd to all Indignities and in Bondage under Slaves and the Flatterers of a Tyrant But Pompey himself on the contrary thought it neither honourable to fly a second time before Caesar and be pursued when Fortune had given him the Advantage of a Pursuit nor indeed lawful before the Gods to forsake Scipio and divers other Men of consular Dignity dispers'd throughout Greece and Thessaly who must necessarily fall into Caesar's Hands together with all their Wealth and greater Forces Then as to his Care for the City of Rome that would most eminently appear by removing the Scene of War to a greater distance whereby she being every way insensible of those Calamities that attend a War might in Peace expect the Return of her Conqueror With this determination Pompey march'd forwards in pursuit of Caesar firmly resolv'd with himself not to give him Battel but rather to Besiege and distress him by keeping close at his heels straitning his Quarters and cutting off all necessary Reliefs Now there were other Reasons that made him continue this Resolution but especially a Combination among the Roman Knights that came to his Ear wherein they design'd as soon as Caesar was overthrown to humble him too and therefore some report it was for this Reason that Pompey never employ'd Cato in any Matter of consequence during the whole War yet now when he pursued Caesar he left him to guard his Baggage by Sea fearing if Caesar should be taken off lest by Cato's means he likewise not long after should be forc'd to lay down his Commission Whilst he was thus slowly attending the Motions of the Enemy his Friends began to charge upon him many Reproaches and Imputations as if he did not use this Stratagem to deceive Caesar but his Country and the Senate that he might always continue in Authority and never cease to keep those for his Guards and Servants who themselves were worthy to govern the World besides that scoffing way of Domitius Aenobarbus continually calling him Agamemnon and King of Kings render'd him very odious And Favonius his unseasonable Raillery did him no less injury than those that took upon them a greater liberty of Speech when in Drollery he cry'd out My Masters you must not expect to gather any Figs in Tusculan this year But Lucius Afranius who had lain under an imputation of Treachery in Betraying the Army in Spain when he perceiv'd that Pompey did industriously decline an Engagement declar'd openly That he could not but admire why those who were so ready to accuse him did not go themselves and fight that Merchant of their Provinces With these and many such like Speeches they wrought upon Pompey a Man of that Honour and Modesty that he could not bear a Reproach neither would he disoblige his Friends and forc'd him to break his Measures so that he forsook his own prudent Resolution only to follow their vain Hopes and Desires Now if such an unsteady Conduct is blameable in the Pilot of a Ship how much more in an Emperor or the Soveraign Commander of such an Army and so many Nations but he though he has often commended those Physicians who did not comply with the humorous Appetites of their Patients yet himself could not but yield to the Diseased part of his Army rather than he would use any severity in the Cure and indeed who would not judge it Insanity and want of a Cure in those Men who went up and down the Camp suing already for the Consulship and Office of a Praetor Nay Spinther Domitius and Scipio made Friends rais'd Factions and even quarrell'd among themselves who should succeed Caesar in the Dignity of his High-Priesthood esteeming all as lightly as if they were to engage only with Tigranes King of Armenia or some petty Naâ—athaean King not with that Caesar and his Army that had Storm'd a 1000 Towns and subdued more than 300 several Nations that had fought innumerable Battels with the Germans and Gauls and always carried the Victory that had taken a Million of Men Prisoners and Slain as many upon the Spot in pitcht Battels But as soon as they came to the Fields of Pharsalia they grew very tumultuous so that they forced him by their Pressures and Importunities to call a Counsel of War where Labienus General of the Horse stood up and first took the Sacrament swearing That he would not return out of the Battel until he had seen the Backs if his Enemies and all the rest took the same Oath That Night Pompey Dream'd That as he went into the Theater the People receiv'd him with great Applause and that he himself adorn'd the Temple of Venus the Conqueress with many Spoils This Vision partly encourag'd and partly disheartned him â—â—â—â—ing lest that Splendor and Ornament to Venus should be made with Spoils taken from himself by Caesar who deriv'd his Family from that Goddess besides there was a certain Panick Fear run through the Camp with such a Noise that it awak'd him out of his Sleep And about the time of renewing the Watch towards Morning there appear'd a great Light over Caesar's Camp whilst they were all at rest and from thence a Ball of flaming Fire was carried into Pompey's Camp which Caesar himself said he saw as he was walking his Rounds Now Caesar having designed to raise his Camp before break of day whilst the Soldiers were busie in pulling down their Tents and sending away their Cattle and Servants before them with all their Bag and Baggage there came in Scouts who brought word that they saw several Arms carried to and fro in the Enemies Camp and heard a noise and running up and down as of Men preparing for Battel Not long after there came in other Scouts with farther Intelligence That the first Ranks were already set in Battel Array Thereupon Caesar when he had told them That the wish'd for day was come at last wherein they should Fight with Men not with Hunger and Famine he presently gave Orders for the Red Colours to be set up before his Tent for that was usually the Signal of Battel among the Romans As soon as the Soldiers saw that they left their Tents and with great Shouts of Joy ran to their Arms The Officers likewise on their parts drawing up their Squadrons in order of Battel every Man fell inâ—o his proper Rank without any trouble or noise as quietly and orderly as if they had been in a Dance Pompey himself led up the right Wing of his Army against Anthony
were shamefully put to Flight Caesar's Men did not follow the Chace but turn'd their Forces back upon the Foot and attack'd them on all parts of that Wing which lay naked and unguarded by the Horse whereby they were presently surrounded and environ'd on every side so that now being attack'd in the Flank by these and charg'd in the Front by the 10th Legion they were not able to abide the Charge or make any longer Resistance especially when they saw themselves out-witted in their own Stratagem and circumvented in that Ambush by which they design'd to have invested the Enemy Thus these being likewise routed and put to flight when Pompey saw it and by the Dust flying in the Air conjectur'd the same Fate of his Horse too it were very hard to express his thoughts at that time but he look'd more like one distracted and besides himself than one that should have call'd to mind that he was Pompey the Great and therefore he retired slowly towards his Camp without speaking a word to any Man behaving himself exactly according to the description in these Verses When Jove from Heav'n strook Ajax with a fear Ajax the bold he stood astonish'd there And trembling gaz'd about without a Shield or Spear In this state and condition he went into his own Tent and sate him down speechless still until some of the Enemies fell in together with his Men that were flying into the Camp and then he let fall only this one word What into the very Camp and said no more but rose up and putting on a Garment suitable to his present Fortune departed secretly By this time the rest of the Army was put to flight and there was a great Slaughter in the Camp among the Servants and those that guarded the Tents but of the Soldiers themselves there were not above 6000 slain as 't is reported by Asinius Pollio who was himself a Voluntier in this Fight of Caesar's Party When Caesar's Soldiers had taken the Camp they saw clearly the Folly and Vanity of the Enemy for all their Tents and Pavilions were richly adorn'd with Garlands of Myrtle painted Carpets and Hangings their Couches strow'd with Flowers and their Tables set full of Bowls and Glasses and those even crown'd with Wine nay their foolish hopes had puff'd them up with such vain Confidence that their whole Preparation and Furniture was of People going to Feast and Sacrifice rather than of Men well-arm'd and appointed for the Battel When Pompey had got a little way from the Camp he dismounted and forsook his Horse having but a small Retinue with him and finding that no Man pursu'd him walk'd on softly a foot taken up altogether with thoughts such as probably might possess any Man of his Quality and Circumstances a Man that for the space of 34 Years together had been accustomed to Conquest and Victory and was then at last in his old Age beginning to know the Calamities of War in Slaughter and Flight And it was no small Affliction to consider that he had lost in one hour all that Glory and Power which he had been getting in so many Wars and bloody Battels and that he who but a little before was guarded with such an Army of Foot so many Regiments of Horse and such a mighty Fleet was now flying in so mean a condition and with such a slender Retinue that his very Enemies who sought him could not know him Thus when he had passed by the City of Larissa and came into the Fields of Tempe he being very thirsty kneel'd down and drank out of the River then rising up again he passed through those Valleys until he came to the Sea-side and there he betook himself to a poor Fisherman's Cottage where he lodg'd all the remainder of the Night The next Morning about break of day he went into a little Boat upon the River and taking his Freemen along with him dismissed the rest of his Servants advising them to go boldly to Caesar and not be afraid As he was rowing up and down near the Shore he chanc'd to spy a great Ship of Burthen riding at Anchor and just ready to set Sail the Master whereof was call'd by the Name of Petitius a Roman Citizen who though he was not familiary acquainted with Pompey yet he knew him very well by sight Now it happened that this Petitius dream'd the Night before that he saw Pompey not like the Man he had often seen him but in a despicable condition and disconsolate and in that posture was discoursing with him He was then telling his Dream to the Passengers as Men commonly do that are at leisure and especially Dreams of that consequence when of a sudden one of the Mariners told him he saw a little Boat with Oars putting off from Shore and that some of the Men there shook their Garments and held out their Hands with Signs to take them in Thereupon Petitius standing up knew him immediately seeing him in the same disguise as he appear'd in his Dream and smiting his Hand on his Head order'd the Mariners to let down the Ships Boat he himself lending his Hand and calling him by the Name of Pompey in that he was already assur'd of his Change and the change of his Fortune by that of his Garb So that without any farther Entreaty or Discourse he took him into his Ship together with such of his Company as he thought fit and hois'd Sail There were with him the two Lenâ—uli and Favonius and a little after they spy'd King Deiotarus making up towards them from a-shore so they stayed and took him in along with them At Supper time the Master of the Ship having made ready such Provisions as he had aboard Pompey for want of his Servants began to wash himself which when Favonius perceiv'd he ran to him wash'd and anointed him and always after continu'd to wait upon and attend him in all things as Servants do their Masters even to the washing of his Feet and providing of his Supper Insomuch that one there present observing that free and unaffected Courtesie in his Services broke out into these words Lord in the noble and the fair How graceful all things do appear Pompey sailing by the City of Amphipolis coasted over from thence to Mitylene with a design to take in Cornelia and his Son as soon as he arriv'd at the Port in that Island he dispatch'd a Messenger into the City with News very different from Cornelia's Expectation for she by all the former Messengers and Letters sent to please her had been put in hopes that the War was ended at Dyrrachium and that there was nothing more remaining for Pompey but the Chace of Caesar The Messenger finding her in the same Hopes still was not able to salute or speak to her but declaring the greatness of her Misfortune by his Tears rather than by his words desir'd her to make haste if she would see Pompey with one Ship only and that none of
Head and bursting forth into Tears with lamentable Outcries said Alas how great is the Calamity of the Persians Was it not enough that their Kings Consort and Sister was a Prisoner in her Life-time but she must now she is dead also be but meanly and obscurely Buried Oh Sir replied the Eunuch As to her Interment or any Respect or Decency that was omitted at it you have not the least reason to accuse the ill Fortune of your Country for to my knowledge neither your Queen Statira when alive or your Mother or Children wanted any thing of their former happy Condition unlâ—ss it were the light of your Countenance which I doubt not but the mighty Oromasdes will yet restore with greater Splendor and Glory than ever and after her Decease I assure you she had not only all due Funeral Ornaments but was honour'd also with the Tears of your very Enemies for Alexander is as merciful and gentle after Victory as he is daring and terrible in the Field At the hearing of these words such was the Grief and Emotion of Darius his Mind that although there was not the least ground for them he could not chuse but entertain some absurd Suspicions For taking Tyreas aside into a more private Apartment in his Tent Unless thou likewise said he to him hast deserted me together with the good Fortune of Persia and art become a Macedonian in thy Heart if thou bearest me yet any Respect and ownest me for thy Soveraign Darius Tell me I charge thee by the Veneration thou payest the Deity of Mithras and this Right Hand of the King Do I not lament the least of Statira's Misfortunes in her Captivity and Death Have I not suffer'd something more injurious and deplorable in her Life-time And had I not been miserable with less dishonour if I had met with a more severe and inhumane Enemy For how is it possible a young Man as he is should treat the Wife of Darius with so much Generosity without passing the Bounds of a virtuous Conversation Whilst he was yet speaking Tyreus threw himself at his Feet and besought him neither to wrong Alexander so much nor his Dead Wife and Sister as to harbour such unjust thoughts which depriv'd him of the only Consolation he was capable of in his Adversity in a firm belief that he was overcome by a Man whose Virtues rais'd him far above the pitch of human Nature That he ought to look upon Alexander with Love and Admiration who had given no less Proofs of his Continence towards the Persian Women than of his Valour among the Men. The Eunuch confirm'd all he said with solemn horrid Oaths and was farther enlarging himself in the description of Alexander's Moderation and Magnanimity upon other occasions When Darius not able to contain himself any longer broke from him into the next Room where before all his Courtiers he lifted up his Hands to Heaven and utter'd this Prayer Ye Gods said he who are the Authors of our Being and supreme Directors of Kingdoms above all things I beg of you to restore the declining Affairs of Persia that I may leave them at least in as flourishing a condition as I found them and have it in my Power to make some grateful Returns to Alexander for the Kindness which in my Adversity he has shew'd to those who are dearest to me But if indeed the fatal Time be come which is to give a Period to the Persian Monarchy if our Ruine be a Debt that must be inevitably paid to the Divine Vengeance and the Vicissitude of Things Then I beseech you grant that no other Man but Alexander may sit upon the Throne of Cyrus The truth of these Passages is attested by most Writers But to return to Alexander after he had reduc'd all Asia on this side the Euphrates he advanc'd towards Darius who was coming down against him with a Million of Men. In his March a very ridiculous Passage happened The Servants who follow'd the Camp for Sports-sake divided themselves into two Parties and nam'd the Commander of one of them Alexander and of the other Darius At first they only pelted one another with Clods of Earth and after fell to Fisty-cuffs till at last heated with the Skirmish they fought in good earnest with Stones and Clubs so that they had much ado to part them till Alexander order'd the two Captains to decide the Quarrel by single Combat and arm'd him who bore his Name himself while Philotas did the same to him who represented Darius The whole Army were Spectators of this Encounter with Minds prepar'd from the Event of it to make a Judgment of their own future Success After they had fought stoutly a pretty while at last he who was call'd Alexander had the better and for a Reward of his Prowess had 12 Villages given him with leave to vest himself after the Persian Mode Thus we are inform'd by the Writings of Eratosthenes But the great Battel of all that was fought with Darius was not as most Writers tell us at Arbela but at Gausamela which in their Language signifies the Camels House forasmuch as one of their ancient Kings having escap'd the pursuit of his Enemies on a swift Camel in gratitude to his Beast settled him at this place with an allowance of certain Villages and Rents for his maintenance It came to pass that in the month Boedromion about the beginning of the Feast of Mysteries at Athens there happen'd an Eclipse of the Moon the 11th Night after which the two Armies being then in view of one another Darius kept his Men in Arms and by Torch-light took a general Review of them But Alexander while his Soldiers slept spent the night before his Tent with his Diviner Aristander performing certain mysterious Ceremonies and sacrificing to Apollo In the mean while the eldest of his Commanders and chiefly Parmenio when they beheld all the Plain between the River Niphates and the Gordyaean Mountains shining with the Lights and Fires which were made by the Barbarians and heard the rude and confus'd Voices out of their Camp the terror and noise of which resembled the roaring of a vast Ocean they were so amaz'd at the thoughts of such a multitude that after some Conference among themselves they concluded it an Enterprize too difficult and hazardous for them to engage so numerous an Enemy in the Day and therefore meeting the King as he came from Sacrificing besought him to attack Darius by Night that the Darkness might conceal the Horror and Danger of the ensuing Battel To this he gave them the so celebrated Answer That he would not steal a Victory Which though some may think childish and vain as if he play'd with Danger yet others look upon it as an evidence that he confided in his present Condition and made a true Judgment of the future in not leaving Darius in case he were worsted so much as a pretence of trying his
I have not learn'd to Swim and then was hardly disswaded from endeavouring to pass it upon his Shield Here after the Aslault was over the Ambassadors who from several Towns which he had block'd up came to submit to him and make their Peace were surpriz'd to find him rough and arm'd at all Points without any Pomp or ceremony about him and when his Attendants brought him a Cushion he made the eldest of them nam'd Acuphis take it and sit down upon it The old Man charm d with his Magnanimity and Courtesie ask'd him What his Countreymen should do to merit his Friendship I would have them said Alexander choose you to govern them and send 100 of the most considerable and most worthy men among them to remain with me as Hostages I shall govern them with more ease Sir replied Acuphis smiling if I send you so many of the worst rather than the best of my Subjects The Extent of King Taxiles his Dominions in India was thought to be as large as Aegypt abounding in good Pastures and above all in excellent Fruits The King himself had the reputation of a wise Man and at his first Interview with Alexander he spoke to him in these terms To what purpose said he should we make War upon one another if the design of your coming into these Parts be not to râ—b us of our Water or our necessary Food which are the only things that wise men are indispensably oblig'd to fight for As for other Riches and Possessions as they are accounted in the eye of the World if I am better provided of them than you I am ready to let you share with inâ— but if Fortune has been more liberal to you than me I will not decline your Favours but accept them with all the grateful Acknowledgements that are due to a Benefactor This Discourse pleas'd Alexander so much that embracing him Do you think said he to him your fair Speeches and affable Behaviour will bring you off in this Interview without fighting No you shall not escape so for as to matter of Benefits I will contend with you so far that how obliging soever you are you shall not have the better of me Then receiving some Presents from him he return'd him others of greater value and to compleat his Bounty gave him in Money ready coin'd 1000 Talents at which his old Friends were exceedingly displeas'd but it gain'd him the hearts of many of the Barbarians The valiantest of the Indians now taking Pay of several Cities undertook to defend them and did it so bravely that they put Alexander to a great deal of Trouble and Fatigue till having made an agreement with him upon the surrender of a Place he fell upon them as they were marching away and put them all to the Sword This one breach of his word was a perpetual Blemish to him tho on all other occasions he had manag'd his Wars with that Justice and Honour that became a King Nor was he less incommoded by the Indian Philosophers who inveigh'd bitterly against those Princes who were of his Party and solicited the free Cities â—â— oppose him therefore he took several of them and caus'd them to be hang'd 〈…〉 〈…〉 in his own Letters has given us â—â— account of his War with Porus He says The 〈…〉 Aâ—mies were seperated by the River Hydaspes on whose opposite Bank Porus continually kept his Elephants in order of Batâ—â—l with their Heads towards their Enemies to guard the Passage That he was forc'd every day to make great noises in his Camp and give his Men constant Alarms to accâ—stoâ— them by degrees not to be afraid of the Barbarians That one cold dark Night he pass'd the River above the Place where the Enemy lay into a little Island with part of his Foot and the best of his Horse Here there fell so violent a Shower of Rain accompanied with Lightning and fier'y Whirlwinds that seeing some of his Men burnt and destroy'd by the Lightning he quiâ—ted the Island and made over to the other side The Hydaspes now after the Storm was so swolo and grown so rapid as to make a Breach in the Bank at which part of the River ran out so that when he came to land he found very ill standing for his Men the place being extream slippery and undermin'd and ready to be blown up by the Currents on both sides In this Distâ—ess Onâ—â—â—critâ—â— tells us He was heard to say Oh ye Athenians to what incredible Dangers do I my self to merit your Praises But to proceed Alexander says here they left their little Boats and pass'd the Bteach in their Armour up to the Breast in Water and then he advanc'd with his Horse about 20 Furlongs before his Foot concluding that if the Enemy charg'd him with their Cavalry he should be too strong for them ' if with their Foot his own would come up time enough to his Assistance Nor did he judge amiss for being charg'd by 1000 Horse and 60 arm'd Chariots which advanc'd before their main Body he took all the Chariots and kill'd 400 Horse upon the Place Porus by this smart Execution guessing that Alexander himself was gotten over came on with his whoie Army except a Party which he left behind to hold the rest of the Macedonians in Play if they should attempt to pass the River But Alexander apprehending the multitude of the Enemie and to avoid the shock of their Elephants would not joyn Battel with them in Front but dividing his Forces attack'd their left Wing himself and commanded Coenus to fall uppon the right which was perform'd with good Success For by this means both Wings being broken they retir'd when they found themselves press'd close to their Elephants and then rallying renew'd the Fight so obstinately that it was three hours after Noon before they were entirely defeated This description of the Battel the Conqueror has left us in his own Epistles Almost all Writers agree That Porus was four Cubits and an half high and that when he was upon his Elephant which was of the largest size his Stature and Bulk were so answerable that he appear'd to be but proportionably mounted This Elephant during the whole Battel gave many proofs of wonderful Understanding and a particular Care of the King whom as long as he was strong and in condition to Fight he defended with great Courage repelling those who set upon him and as soon as he perceiv'd him ready to faint by reason of his many Wounds and multitude of Darts that were thrown at him to prevent his falling off he softly kneel'd down then with his Probosois gently drew every Dart out of his Body When Porus was taken Prisoner and Alexander ask'd him How he expected to be us'd he answer'd As a King ought to be for that expression he said when the same Question was put to him a second time comprehended every thing And Alexander indeed dealt very
as compel the Senate who at the same time regretted what they were forc'd to pass Cato was not present for they had sent him aside very seasonably into Cyprus but Favonius who was a zealous imitator of Cato when he found he could do no good by opposing it broke out of the House and loudly declaim'd against these Proceedings to the People But none gave him hearing some slighting him out of respect to Crassus and Pompey others to gratifie Caesar on whom depended all their hopes After this Caesar return'd again to his Forces in Gaul where he found that Country involv'd in a dangerous War two strong People of the Germans having lately past the Rhine and made Inroads into it One of them call'd Ipes the other Tenterides Of the War with this People Caesar himself has given this Account in his Commentaries That the Barbarians having sent Ambassadors to treat with him did during the Treaty set upon him in his march by which means with 800 Men they routed 5000 of his Horse who did not suspect their coming that afterwards they sent other Ambassadors to pursue the same fraudulent practices whom he kept in Custody and led on his Army against the Barbarians as judging it would betray too much Easiness if he should keep Faith with those who broke their Promises and could not be oblig'd by any League Canusius saith that when the Senate decreed Festivals and Sacrifices for this Victory Cato declar'd it to be his Opinion that Caesar ought to be given into the hands of the Barbarians that so the guilt which this breach of Faith might otherwise bring upon the Publick might be expiated by transferring the Curse on him who was the Occasion of it Of those which past the Rhine there were 400000 cut off those few which escaped were shelter'd by the Sicambri a People of Germany Caesar took hold of this pretence to invade the Germans being otherwise ambitious of glory and especially of the Honour of being the first Man that should pass the Rhine with an Army He presently laid a Bridge over it though it was very wide and in that place deeper than ordinary and at the same time very rough and fierce carrying down with its Stream Trunks of Trees and other Lumber which much shock'd and weaken'd the foundations of his Bridge But he drove great Planks of Wood into the bottom of the River above the Bridge both to resist the impression of such Bodies and to break the force of the Torrent and by this means he finish'd his Bridge which no one who saw could believe it to be the Work of but 10 days In the passage of his Army over it he met with no opposition the Suevi themselves who are the most Warlike People of all Germany flying with their Effects into the closest and most woody part of the Vales. When he had burnt all the Enemies Countrey and encourag'd those who had remain'd firm to the Roman Interest he went back into Gaul after 18 days stay in Germany But his Expedition into Britain gave the most signal Testimony of his Courage for he was the first who brought a Navy into the Western Ocean or who sail'd through the Atlantick with an Army to make War and though the Island is of so incredible an extent that it has given room to Historians to dispute whether such an Island really be in Nature or whether 't is a bare Name and Fiction yet he attempted to conquer it and to carry the Roman Empire beyond the Limits of the known World He past thither twice from that part of Gaul which lies over-against it and in several Battles which he fought did more disservice to the Enemy than service to himself for the Islanders were so miserably poor that they had nothing worth being plundred of When he found himself unable to put such an end to the War as he wish'd he was content to take Hostages from the King and to impose some Taxes and then quitted the Island At his arrival in Gaul he found Letters which lay ready to be convey'd over the Water to him from his Friends at Rome to give him Notice of his Daughters death who died in Labour of a Child by Pompey Caesar and Pompey were much afflicted with her Death nor were their Friends less disturb'd because that Alliance was now quite broke which had hitherto kept the Commonwealth in Peace and Amity for the Child also died within a few days after the Mother The People took the Body of Julia by force from the Tribunes and buried it in the Campus Martius with all Solemnities proper on that Occasion Caesar's Army was now grown very numerous so that he was forc'd to disperse them into several Winter-Quarters and being gone himself towards Rome as he us'd to do there was a sudden Rupture in Gaul and great Armies were on their march about the Country who beat up the Romans Quarters and attempted to make themselves Masters of the Forts where they lay The greatest and strongest Party of the Rebels under the Command of Ambiorix cut off Cotta and Titurius with their Army After that the Enemies invested a Town where Cicero lay with his Legion with an Army of 60000 Men and had almost taken it by Storm the Roman Souldiers in it being all wounded and having quite spent themselves by a brisk and vigorous defence beyond their Natural strength But Caesar who was at a great distance having receiv'd notice of this quickly got together 7000 Men and hasten'd to relieve Cicero The Besiegers were aware of it and went to meet him with great confidence that they should with ease devour such an handful of Men. Caesar to nourish their presumption seem'd to avoid fighting and still march'd off till he found a place conveniently situate for a few to engage against many where he encamp'd He kept his Souldiers from making any Incursion on the Enemy and commanded them to raise a Bulwark and to build strong Barricadoes that by shew of fear they might heighten the Enemies contempt of them till at last they came without any order in great security to make an Attack when he made a Sally and put them to flight with the loss of many Men. This quieted many Commotions in these parts of Gaul and Caesar made his progress through several parts of the Country and with great vigilance provided against all Innovations At that time there were 3 Legions come to him by way of Recruits for the Men he had lost of which Pompey furnish'd him with two out of those under his Command the other was newly rais'd in that part of Gaul which is by the Po. After this the Seeds of War which had long since been secretly sown and scatter'd by the most powerful Men in those Warlike Nations broke forth and ripen'd into the greatest and most dangerous War that ever was in those parts both for the number of Men in the vigor of their Youth and quantity of Arms which were gather'd
again to see if any of them should happen to return for any thing they wanted and to acquaint him therewith Now the Birds began to sing and Cato again fell into a little Slumber At length But as came back and told him All was quiet in the Haven Then Cato laying himself down as if he would sleep out the rest of the night bid him shut the Door after him But as soon as But as was gone out he took his Sword and stabb'd it into his Breast yet not being able to use his Hand so well by reason of the Swelling he did not immediately die of the Wound but struggling fell out of the Bed and throwing down a little Mathematical Table that stood by made such a noise that the Servants hearing it cry'd out And immediately his Son and all his Friends came into the Chamber where seeing him lie weltring in his Blood great part of his Bowels out of his Body himself not quite dead but looking ghastly they all stood amazed The Physician went to him and would have put in his Bowels which were not pierced and sow'd up the Wound Cato hereupon coming to himself thrust away the Physician pluck'd out his own Bowels and tearing open the Wound immediately expired In less time than one would think his own Family could have known this Accident all the three hundred were at the Door And a little after the People of Vtica flock'd thither crying out with one Voice He was their Benefactor and their Saviour the only free and only invincible man At the very same instant they had News that Caesar was coming yet neither fear of the present Danger nor desire to flatter the Conquerer nor the Commotions and Discord among themselves could divert them from doing Honour to Cato for they sumptuously set out his Body made him a magnificent Funeral and buried him by the Sea-side where now stands his Statue holding a Sword Which being done they returned to consider of preserving themselves and their City Coesar had been advertised that Cato stay'd at Vtica and did not seek to fly that he had sent away the rest of the Romans but himself with his Son and a few of his Friends continued there very unconcernedly so that he could not imagine what might be his Design but having a great Consideration for the Man he hastned thither with his Army When he heard of Cato's Death 't is reported he said these words Cato I envy thee thy Death for thou hast envy'd me the preservation of thy Life And indeed if Cato would have suffer'd himself to be preserved by Coesar 't is like he would not so much have impar'd his own Honour as augmented the others Glory yet what would have been done we cannot know but from Coesar's usual Clemency we may guess what was most likely Cato was forty eight years old when he Dy'd His Son suffered no Injury from Coesar but 't is said he grew idle and debauch'd with Women In Cappadocia he lodg'd at the House of Marphadates one of the Royal Family who had a very handsom Wife where staying longer than was decent he was reflected on by some that made such Jests as these upon him Cato goes to morrow after thirty days and Porcius and Marphadates are two Friends that have but one Soul for Marphadates Wife was named Psyche i. e. Soul and Cato is very well born and an illustrious Man for he has a Royal Soul But all these Stains were clearly wip'd off by the Bravery of his Death for in the Battle of Philippi where he fought for his Countrey 's Liberty against Caesar and Antony when the Army was broken he disdaining to fly or to escape called out to the Enemy shew'd them who he was and encouraged those of his Party to stay At length he fell and left his Enemies in admiration of his Valour Nor was the Daughter of Cato inferiour to the rest of her Family for Prudence and greatness of Spirit She was married to Brutus who killed Caesar was acquainted with that Conspiracy and ended her Life as became one of her Birth and Vertue All which is related in the Life of Brutus Statyllius who said he would imitate Cato was at that time hindred by the Philosophers when he would have put an end to his Life He afterward follow'd Brutus to whom he was very faithful and very serviceable and died in the Field of Philippi AGIS AND CLEOMENES 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 MBurg sculp THE LIFE OF AGIS Translated from the Greek by Sir Robert Thorald THe Fable of Ixion who imbracing a Cloud instead of Juno begot the Centaurs was ingeniously enough invented to represent to us ambitious Men whose Minds doting on Glory which is a meer Image of Vertue produce nothing that is genuine or uniform but born away by violent and contrary Passions their Actions being the off-spring of such a Conjunction must needs be deform'd and unnatural and they may say with the Hersdmen in the Tragedy of Sophocles We follow those whom we ought to govern And they command us tho' th' are dumb That is indeed the true condition of those ambitious Men who to gain a vain Title of Magistracy are content to subject themselves to the Humours of the People for as they who row in the fore-part of the Ship may seem to guide the Motions of it yet have continually an eye on the Pilot who sits at the Helm and must proceed in the Course he will steer so these Men steer'd as I may say by popular Applause tho' they bear the Name of Governours are in reality Slaves to the Mobile The Man who is compleatly wise and virtuous regards not Glory but only as it disposes and prepares his way to great Attempts A young Man I grant may be permitted to glory a little in his good Actions for as Theophrastus says his Vertues which are yet tender and as it were in the bud cherish'd and supported by Praises grow stronger and take the deeper root but when this Passion is exhorbitant 't is dangerous in all men and especially in those who govern a Commonwealth for being joyn'd with an unlimited Power it often transports men to a degree of Madness so that now they no more seek Glory by Vertue but will have those Actions only esteem'd good that are glorious As Phocion therefore answered King Antipater who sought his Approbation of some unworthy Action I cannot be your Flatterer and your Friend so these men shou'd answer the People I cannot govern and obey you lest it shou'd happen to the Commonwealth as to the Serpent in the Fable whose Tayl rising in rebellion against the Head complain'd as of a great Grievance that it was always forc'd to follow and pray'd it might be permitted by Turns to lead the way which being granted but for a day quickly discover'd the Folly by the Mischiefs which befell the whole Body and particularly to the Head in following contrary to Nature a
to march thither to oppose him Cleomenes return'd That he believed it but desir'd him to give him an account if it stood with his Convenience why he carry'd those Torches and Ladders with him Aratus laughing at the Jeer and asking what manner of Youth this was Democrites a Spartan Exile reply'd If you have any Designs upon the Lacedaemonians begin before this young Eagle's Talons are grown Presently after this Cleomenes being in Arcadia with a few Horse and 300 Foot the Ephori fearing to engage in the War commanded him home but upon his Retreat Aratus taking Caphuoe they commission'd him again In this Expedition he took Methudrium and spoiled the Countrey of the Argives and the Achaians to stop his Victory and secure their Friends sent 20000 Foot and 1000 Horse against him under the Command of Aristomachus Cleomenes fac'd them at Palantium and offer'd Battle But Aratus being dash'd at his Bravery would not suffer the General to engage but retreated being curst by the Achoeans and hooted at and scorn'd by the Spartans who were not above 5000 for a Coward Cleomenes encouraged by this Success began to vaunt among the Citizens a Sentence of one of their ancient Kings who said The Spartans seldom enquired how many their Enemies were but where they were After this marching to the Assistance of the Eleans upon whom the Achaians warr'd and about Lycoeum falling upon the Enemy in their Retreat he routed their whole Army taking a great number of Captives and leaving many dead upon the Place so that it was commonly reported amongst the Greeks that Aratus was slain But Aratus making the best Advantage of the Opportunity presently after the Defeat march'd to Mantinoea and before any body suspected it took the City and put a new Garrison into it Upon this the Lacedoemonian s being quite discouraged and opposing Cleomenes's Design of carrying on the War he was eager to send for Archidamus Agis's Brother from Mesena for he of the other Family had a Right to the Kingdom and beside Cleomenes thought that the Power of the Ephori would be abated when the Kingly State was fill'd up and equally poised between the two Families But those that were concern'd in the Murder of Agis understanding the Design and fearing that upon Archidamus's Return they should be call'd to an Account receiv'd him coming privately into Town waited on him and presently after murder'd him but whether Cleomenes was against it as Phylarchus imagines or whether he was perswaded by his Friends and winck'd at the Contrivance is uncertain however they were most blam'd as having forc'd his Consent But he still resolving to new-model the State brib'd the Ephori to make him General and won the Affections of many others by means of his Mother Cratesicloea who spared no Cost and was very zealous to promote the same Interest and though of her self she had no Inclination to marry yet for her Son's sake she wedded one of the chiefest Citizens for Wealth and Power Cleomenes marching forth with the Army now under his Command took Leuctra a place belonging to Megalopolis and the Achoeans quickly facing him with a good body of Men commanded by Aratus in a Battle under the vety Walls of the City some part of his Army was routed But Aratus commanding the Achoeans not to pass a deep Hollow and stopping the Pursuit Lydiadas the Megalopolitan fretting at the Orders encouraging the Horse which he led and pursuing the routed Enemy fell into a place full of Vines Hedges and Ditches and being forc'd to break his Ranks was put into a great Disorder Cleomenes observing the Advantage commanded the Tarentines and Cretans to engage him by whom after a brave Dispute he was routed and slain The Lacedoemonians thus encouraged with a great shout fell upon the Archoeans and routed their whole Army Of the slain which were very many some Cleomenes delivered upon Articles but the Body of Lydiadas he commanded to be brought to him and then putting on it a purple Robe and a Crown upon its Head sent a Convoy with it to the Gates of Megalopolis This Lydiadas was the Man that resign'd his Crown restor'd Liberty to the Citizens and joyn'd the City to the Achoean Interest Cleomenes being very much raised by this Success and perswaded that if matters were wholly at his Disposal he should quickly be too hard for the Achoeans He taught Megistones his Mother's Husband That 't was expedient for the State to shake off the Power of the Ephori and to put all their Wealth into one common Stock for the whole Body That Sparta being restor'd to its old Equality might be rais'd up to be Mistriss of all Greece Megistones liked the Design and engag'd two or three more of his Friends About that time one of the Ephori sleeping in Phasiphae's Temple dream'd a very surprizing Dream for he thought he saw the four Chairs removed out of the place where the Ephori used to sit and hear Causes and one only set there and whilst he wondred he heard a Voice out of the Temple saying This is best for Sparta The Person telling Cleomenes this Dream he was a little troubled at first fearing that he us'd this as a Trick to sift him upon some Suspicion of his Design but when he was satisfied that the Relater spoke truth he took heart again and taking with him those whom he thought would be against his model he took Eroea and Alcoea two Cities of the Achoeans furnish'd Orchomenium with Provisions besieg'd Mantinoea and with long marches so harass'd the Lacedoemonians that many of them desir'd to be left in Arcadia and he satisfy'd their Request With the Mercenaries he march'd to Sparta and by the way communicated his Design to those whom he thought fittest for his Purpose and march'd slowly that he might catch the Ephori at Supper When he was come near the City he sent Eurycleidas to the Sussitium the eating-place of the Ephori under pretence of carrying some Message from him from the Army Threicion Phoebis and two of those which were bred with Cleomenes which they call Samothracoe follow'd with a few Souldiers And whilst Eurycleidas was delivering his Message to the Ephori they ran upon them with their drawn Swords and slew them Agesilaus as soon as he was run through fell and lay as dead but in a little time he rose silently convey'd himself out of the Room and crept undiscover'd into a little House which was the Temple of Fear and which always us'd to be shut but was then by chance open being got in he shut the Door and lay close the other four were kill'd and above ten more that came to their Assistance to those that were quiet they did no harm stopt none that fled the City and spar'd Agesilaus who came out of the Temple the next day The Lacedoemonians have not only Temples dedicated to Fear but also to Death Laughter and the like Passions now they worship Fear not as they do
enters the City and pursâ—es him Pompey sends his Army from Brundusium to Dyrrachium He is censured for leaving Italy Caesar goes for Spain Pompey's Army in Greece Of thâ—se that resorted to him §. 18. He follows Caesar intâ— Thessaly §. 19. §. 20. Lesbos §. 21. His Death * Sicily The Author's dâ—sign In writing Lives Alexander's Family Philip's Dream * Furious warlike He consults the Oracle The Birth of Alexander His Person described * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 His Manners And Exercises * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 His Magnanimity His Education and Tutors He cames Eucephalus And backs him Aristotle Alexander's Tuter * A College His Letter to Aristotle His inclination to Learning His Courage and early entrance upon Action His Differences with his Father Reconcil'd by Demaratus the Corinthian Break on t again Philip murther'd by Pausanias The beginning of Alexander's Reign attended with great Difficulties He overthrows the Triballians Takes Thebes and rases it The Family of the Poet Pindar spar'd The Story of Timoclea He pardons the Athenians Is chosen General of the Grecians The Behaviour of Diogenes the Cynick towards him He consults and forces the Oracle Alexander's Army and Preparations His Liberality He passes the Hellespont and visits Achilles his Tomb. The Battel of Granicus Alexander passes the Granicus in despite of the Enemy His dangerous Encounter And Preservation by Clitus Sardis taken Being irresolute is encourag'd by an old Prophesie Pisidia and Phrygia subdued 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cuts the Gordian Knot Darius marches towards him A Messenger Darius his Dream interpreted Alexander falls sick His confidence in his Physician Philip. By whom he is Cur'd Darius rejects good Counsel The Battel of Issus Darius escapes Alexander taken with the Persian Luxury and Riches His generous usage of Darius his Wife and Daughters His Continence He is angry with those who would have Corrupted him His Temperance And manner of Life describ'd He is given to bragging And subject to Flattery The Expence of his Table Cyprus and Phoenicia yielded to him He Besieges Tyre 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies Tyre is thine His care of his old Master and personal Valour in extremity of danger He takes Tyre and Gaza Where he is wounded by a strâ—nge accident His esteem of Homer He builds Alexandri His Journey to the Temple of Jupiter Hammon In which he is wâ—nderfully guided and preserv'd Is flattered by a Priest Alexander's opinion of the Deity And politick use of being thought a God He is jeer'd by Anaxarchus The expence of Tragedies defrayed by Kings Darius his Proposals rejected Alexander's generous Usage of Darius's Wifâ— Makes him jealous 〈…〉 * The Sun But without Reason of which he is convinc'd by Tyreus the Eunuch Darius his Prayer The Event of a great Battel gather'd from a ridiculous Accident At the Battel of Gausamela * August Some Copies have it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to Fear Alexander though infinitely inferior in numbers refuses to steal a Victory His Reasons for it His Reasons for it An Instance of his Conduct His Aâ—mour describ'd A good Omen before the Battel Darius flies And Alexander gains an intire Victory He is proclaim'd King of Asia He courts the Grecians Takes Babylon An Account of Naptha With an Experiment of it And some conjectures 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * Here some of the Original is lost Concerning the Nature of it Vast Treasures found at Susa Alexander enters into Persia His Speech to Xerxes his Statue Xerxes his Palace burnt by Thais an Athenian Whore Several instances of Alexander's Munificence To Ariston To a poor Soldier To Phocion To Serapion To Proteas To Mazeus To Parmenio He reproves the Luxury of his Farites His Encounter with a Lyon exprâ—ss'd in Figures of Brass dedicated to Apollo at Delphos The Ingratitude of his Favourites How tender he was of his Friends Health and Reputation Assists them in their Love and domestick Affairs A long March in pursuit of Darius A memorable instance of Alexander's Prudence and Self denial The Death of Darius And Punishment of Bessut Conjectures about the Caspian Sea Alexander puts on the Persian Habit Which grieves the Macedonians The Story of the Amazonian Queens coming to visit him is a Fiction He persuades his Men to pursue the War His Methods to preserve his new Conquests The politick use he made of his Favourites The Fall of Philotas occasioned by his Arrogance He is betray'd by his Mistress Antigone Dimnus his Conspiracy The Falshood of Court Friends The Death of Philotas and his Father Parmenio The Murther of Clitus Princes cannot bear bold Truths Alexander repents of Clitus his Death Both Priests And Philosophers caâ— flatter basly Callisthenes his true Jest upon Anaxarchus The Character and Fall of Callisthenes Who offends Alexander by his Morosenâ—ss and refusing to adore him Aristotle himself suspected This Passage was mention'd before Alexander burns all his own and his Soldiers Baggage He grows cruel An odd Portent A Spring of Oyl found Sisimethres his Rock taken Alexander's Discourse with Acuphis with Taxiles His Friends râ—pine at his Bounty to Strangers His War with Porus He passes the Hydaspes And defeats Porus. Porus his Stature His Elephant A City built in memory of Bucephalus The Macedonians refuse to pass the Ganges Which grieves Alexander What care he takes to deceive Posterity His Voyage down the Rivers His Danger among the Mallians He is desperately wounded His Questions to the Indian Philosophers with their Answers The Arrogance of Calanus a Gymnosophist His Emblem of Government Alexander's Prayer when he came to the Sea What loss he sustain'd in his march back His rietous Progress through Carmania A Prize of Dancing Won by Bagoas Alexander's great Preparations for a Voyage to Sea How hindred A Custom of the Kings of Persia Cyrus's Sepulcher rifled Alexander mov'd at the Inscription Calanus barus himself A drinking Match Alexander marries Statira Darius his Daughter He pays the Debts of his Army Forgives Antigenes his Fraud His Seminary of Souldiers The Macedonians discontented He takes Guard of Persians The Macedonians submit The old and disabled dismisi'd with 〈…〉 〈…〉 Hephestion's Death A whole Nation sacrific'd to him Stasicrates his extravagant design of a Statue Alexander warâ—'d not to go to Babylon Several Presages of his Death Alexander distrusts the Gods His Usage of Cassander A wonderfull Effect of Fear The nature of Superstition Alexander falls sick after a great Debauck A Diary of his Sickness He hears his Admiral relate his Voyage The Macedonians admitted to see him Hie Death Not without suspicion of Poyson Which is contradicted The Death of Statira 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Forum maximum Athenis sub dio 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 caenae frugi apud Lacones 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in adagio 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Locus 5. vel 6. miliar Ital distans ubi Templum Dianae Mynich 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈…〉 su 〈…〉 pond genus March 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * Alluding to the lucky Chance called Venus * He means Julius Caesar An exact Character of Tiberius and Caius A Drachma is seven pence half penny * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tiberius made Augur He marries Claudia the Daughter of App-Claudius He is chosen Quaestor 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He makes a Peace with the Numantines The Peace Broken 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Plutarch styles him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 having no other way to express the Latine word Sapiens He is chosen Tribune The Law concerning the division of Lands Tiberius's Speech M Octavius oppâ—ses this Law Octavius Deposed This Law was again Ratified An Obolus is a Penny Farthing Tiberius disposes of King Attalas's Legacy to the Common People Tiberius's Speech Several ill Omens happen'd to him Tiberius slain Gracchus his Character He is chosen Quaestor His Dream His Laws Other Laws preferr'd by C. Grach Cajus's Power The Italian Mile contains 8 Furlongs Caius chosen Tribune the second time The Death of Scipio Ill Omens happen to Caius Caius miss'd of his third Tribuneship * This saying is occasion'd from a poysonous Herb in that Country which whoever tasts of he presently seems to laugh and in that posture dies Opimius is the same Person who in this Life was before mentioned by the Name of L. Hostilius A Decree of the Senate against Caius Gracchus Licinia's Speech to her Husband Caius Gracchus Fulvius sent his youngest Son tâ— treâ—â— of a Peace Fulvius and his eldest Son slain Caius's Flight Caius's Death The power of Education to conquer Afflictions
succeed him in the same Office and Command of the same Men leading them out of the same Country to the War you ought also to offer such a Sacrifice as he made before he weighed Anchor Agesilaus soon remembred that the Sacrifice which Agamemnon offered was a Virgin he being so directed by the Oracle Yet was he not at all disturbed at it but as soon as he arose he telleth his Dream to his Friends adding withal That he would worship the Goddess with such Sacrifices as would be acceptable to her and not imitate the rude Barbarity of that General He therefore ordered an Hind to be crowned with Chaplets and delivered to his own Southsayer not to him whom the Baeotians did of course delegate to that Office When the Baeotian Governours understood it they were very much moved and sent Officers to Agesilaus to forbid his sacrificing contrary to the Laws of the Countrey These having deliver'd their Message to him immediately went to the Altar and threw down the Quarters of the Hind that lay upon it Agesilaus took this very ill and without further Sacrifice immediately hoised Sail being ever after a great Enemy to the Boeotians and much discouraged in his Mind at the bad Omen boading to himself an unsuccessful Voyage and a bad issue of the whole Expedition When he came to Ephesus he found the Power of Lysander grow very great and invidious all Applications made to him great Crowds of Suitors alway attending at his Door all Men following and worshipping of him at so high a rate as if nothing but the Name of Empire was left to Agesilaus the whole Power of it being devolved upon Lysander None of all the Commanders that were sent this Voyage into Asia was either so powerful or so formidable no one rewarded his Friends better or was more severe against his Enemies Which things made the greater Impression in Mens Minds because they observed the debonnair and popular Behaviour of Agesilaus whereas that of Lysander was high and rigid He took Men up short and by that fierceness of Carriage so subdued the Spirits of Men that they wholly submitted to him giving little Regard to Agesilaus This was first stomached by the other Captains who with Indignation resented it that they should be rather the Followers of Lysander than the Counsellors of Agesilaus At length Agesilaus himself though no envious Man in his Nature nor apt to be troubled at the Honours redounding upon other Men yet being highly jealous of his own Glory began to apprehend that Lysander's Greatness would soon eclipse his and carry away from him the Reputation of whatever great Action should happen He therefore went this way to work He first opposed him in all his Counsels whatever Lysander advised was rejected and other Proposals followed Then whoever made any Address to him if he found him a Retainer to Lysander certainly lost his Suit Whoever was prosecuted by him in Judiciary Matters was sure to get off with Victory and whoever was visibly favoured by him was used with all Severity and Rigor These things being not done by Chance but constantly and on set purpose Lysander was soon sensible of them and stuck not to tell his Friends that they suffered for his sake bidding them apply themselves to the King and such as were more powerful with him than he was Which Sayings of his when they seemed to be designed purposely to procure Envy to Agesilaus he stuck not to affront Lysander at a higher rate imposing upon him the Office of dividing the Flesh among the Souldiers and would in publick Companies speak scornfully of him bidding them go and pay their Observances to the Suttler of the Camp Lysander no longer able to brook these things complained at last to Agesilaus himself telling him That he knew very well how to Oppress his Friends To which Agesilaus answer'd I know who they be that pretend to more Power than myself That replied Lysander is rather said by you than done by me I desire onely this Favour of you that you will assign me some Office and Place in which I may serve you without incurring Envy Upon this Agesilaus sent him to the Hellespont on an Embassy whence he procured Mithridates a Persian of the Province of Pharnabazus to come to the Assistance of the Greeks with 200 Horse and a great Supply of Money Yet did not his Stomach so come down but he fell to forming a Design of wresting the Kingdom out of the Hands of the two Families which then enjoy'd it and make it wholly Elective and it is thought that he would have made a great Commotion in Sparta if he had not died in the Baeotian War Thus ambitious Spirits are apt to grow troublesom in a Common-wealth and when they transgress their Bounds do more harm than good Of this this Quarrel between two such great Men is an Example for though Lysander's Pride was unsufferable and his ambitious Projects very inconvenient to Agesilaus's Affairs yet might the King have found out many ways of taming him less reproachful to a Man of his Quality and ambitious Designs Indeed in my opinion they were both equally Guilty both blinded with the same Passion so as one not to know the Power of his Prince the other not to bear with the Imperfections of his Friend Tisaphernes being at first afraid of Agesilaus soon treated with him about setting the Grecian Cities at Liberty which was agreed on But soon after finding a sufficient Force drawn together he resolved upon War for which Agesilaus was not sorry For the Expectation of this Expedition was great and he did not think it for his Honour that Xenophon with 10000 Men should march through the heart of Asia to the Sea beating the King's Forces when and how he pleased and that Agesilaus in the Head of a Spartan Army so terrible both by Sea and Land should make so great a Voyage and raise no Monument of his Fame by any great Action Therefore to be even with Tisaphernes he revengeth his Perjury by a Stratagem he pretends to go to Caria whither when he had drawn Tisaphernes and his Army he suddenly turneth back and falleth upon Phrygia taking many of their Cities and carrying away great Booty He took this occasion of shewing that for Friends to break their Solemn Leagues and betray their Faith was a downright Contempt of the Gods but the Circumvention of an Enemy in War is not only Just but Honourable and of great Advantage to the Author of it Being weak in Horse and withal terrified by some ill Omen in the Sacrifices viz. a Calf's Liver wanted that little Lobe which the Southsayers call the Head he retired to Ephesus and there raised them He obliged the rich Men that were not minded to serve in Person to find Horse-men armed and mounted which being performed Agesilaus his Army was soon changed from shabby Foot into many gallant Regiments of Horse For
in Story of a ready Obedience and just Deference to the Orders of the Senate Annibal though in a bad condition himself and almost driven out of Italy yet stormed and raged when he was called Home to serve his Country Alexander made a Jest of the Battel between Agis and Antipater the Success of which required his looking back into his own Country laughing and saying That whilst we are fighting Darius in Asia it seems there is a Battel of Mice in Arcadia Happy Sparta mean while in the great Justice and Modesty of Agesilaus and in the Honour he paid to the Laws of his Country who immediately upon receipt of his Orders though in the midst of his good Fortune and in full hope of so great and glorious Success left his Work unfinished instantly departed leaving his Friends in Asia very sorrowful for the loss of him Which great Kindness and Fidelity of his that had obliged so many to him in Asia did sufficiently confute the Saying of Demaratus the Son of Phaeux That the Lacedaemonians excelled in their Publick Transactions and just maintaining of Leagues but the Athenians were better Observers of private Friendships The Coin of Persia was stamped with the Picture of an Archer Agesilaus said That a thousand Persian Archers had driven him out of Asia meaning the Money that was laid out in bribing the Demagogues and the Orators in Thebes and Athens whereby those two Republicks were incited to a War with Sparta Having passed the Hellespont he went by Land through Thrace not begging or entreating a Passage any where only he sent his Envoys to them to demand whether they would have him pass as a Friend or as an Enemy All the rest received him as a Friend and used him with all Civility but the Trallians of whom Xerxes is said to have bought his Passage demanded a Price of him viz. A hundred Talents of Silver and a hundred Women Agesilaus in scorn asked Why they were not ready to receive them He marched on and meeting with Opposition from the Trallians fought them and slew great numbers of them He sent the like Embassy to the King of Macedonia who took time to deliberate Why then let him deliberate said Agesilaus we will go forward in the mean time The Macedonian being surprized and daunted at the Resolution of the Spartan King fairly sent him a Complement and let him pass When he came into Thessaly he wasted the Country because they were in League with the Enemy To Larissa the chief City of Thessaly he sent Xenocles and Scythes to Treat of a Peace whom when the Larissaeans had laid hold of and put into Custody the Army was enraged and advised the Siege of the Town but the King answered That he valued either of those Men at more than the whole Country of Thessaly He therefore made Terms with them and received his Men again upon Composition Nor need we wonder at that Saying of Agesilaus at a time when he had News brought him from Sparta of several great Captains slain in a Battel near Corinth in which though the Slaughter fell upon other Grecians the Lacedaemonians obtaining a great Victory with small loss yet Agesilaus did not appear at all satisfi'd in it contrarily with a great Sigh he cried out O Greece how many gallant Men hast thou destroyed which if they had been preserved to so good an use might have conquered all Persia Yet when the Pharsalians grew troublesom to him by pressing upon his Army and incommoding his Passage he drew out five hundred Horse and in Person fought and routed them setting up a Trophy at Narthacium he valued himself much upon that Victory that with so small a Number of his own choosing he had vanquished an Army of Men that thought themselves the best Horse-men of Greece Here Diphridas the Ephore met him and delivered his Message from Sparta which order'd him immediately to make an Inroad into Baeotia which though he thought fitter to have been done at another time and with greater Force yet he obeyed the Magistrates He thereupon told his Soldiers that the day was come in which they were to enter upon that Employment for the performance of which they were brought out of Asia He sent for two Cohorts of the Army near Corinth to his Assistance The Lacedaemonians at home in Honour to him made Proclamation for Voluntiers that would serve under the King to come in and be listed Finding all the young Men in the City ready to ofter themselves they chose fifty of the ablest and sent them Agesilaus having gain'd the Thermopylae and passed quietly through Phocis as soon as he had entred Baeotia and pitched his Tents near Chaeronea at once met with an Eclipse of the Sun and with ill News from the Navy Pisander the Spartan Admiral being beaten at Guidos by Pharnabazus and Conon He was much moved at it both upon his own and the Publick account Yet lest his Army being now near engaging should meet with any Discouragement he ordered the Messengers to give out that the Spartans were the Conquerors and he himself putting on his Crown did solemnly sacrifice out of a pretended Joy for the News and sent Portions of the Sacrifices to his Friends When he came near to Coronea and was within view of the Enemy he drew up his Army and giving the left Wing to the Orchomenians he himself led the right The Thebans did make the right Wing of their Army leaving the left to the Argives Xenophon who was present and fought on Agesilaus's side reports it to be the hardest fought Battel that he had seen The beginning of it was not so for the Thebans soon put the Orchomenians to rout as also did Agesilaus the Argives But both Parties having News of the Misfortune of their left Wings they betook themselves to their Relief Here Agesilaus might have been sure of his Victory had he contented himself not to charge them in the Front but in the Flank or Rear but being too high in Mettle and heated in the Fight he would not stay the Opportunity but fell on downright thinking to bear them down before him The Thebans were not behind him in Courage so that the Battel was fiercely carry'd on on both sides especially near Agesilaus's Person whose new Guard of fifty Voluntiers stood him in great stead that day and saved his Life They fought with great Valour and interposed their Bodies frequently between him and Danger yet could they not so preserve him but that he received many Wounds through his Armour with Lances and Swords and was with much ado gotten off They making a Ring about him did guard him from the Enemy with the Slaughter of many and lost many of their own number At length finding it too hard a Task to break the Front of the Theban Army they opened their own Files and let the Enemy march through them an Artifice which in the beginning they
accusing them of the Murther of Archias and Leontidas who indeed were Tyrants though in Title Polemarchi or Generals made War upon them He sent Cleombrotus on that Errand who was now the other King in room of Agesipolis that was dead excusing himself by reason of his Age For it was 40 years since he had first born Arms and was consequently excused by the Law Mean while the true Reason why he withdrew himself from the War was that he was ashamed having so lately fought against the Tyranny of the Phliasians to fight now in defence of a Tyranny against the Thebans One Sphodrias of Lacedaemon being of a contrary Faction to Agesilaus was Governor of Thespiae a brisk daring Man one that had more of Courage than Wisdom This Action of Phaebidas fired him and incited his Ambition to attempt some great Enterprize which might render him as Famous as he perceived the taking of Cadmea had made Phaebidas He thought the taking of the Piraeum and the cutting off thereby the Athenians from the Sea a Matter of far more Glory 'T is said That Pelopidas and Gelon the Governors of Baeotia put him upon it they privily sent Men to him that pretended to be of the Spartan Faction who highly commending Sphodrias blew him up into a great Opinion of himself protesting him to be the only Man in the World that was fit for so great an Enterprize Being thus pricked forward he could hold no longer but soon engaged himself in a Business every whit as dishonourable and treacherous as that of Caâ—mea but attempted with less Valour and less Success for the day broke whilst he was yet in the Plains of Thriasium whereas he designed the whole Exploit to have been done in the Night As soon as the Soldiers perceived the Rays of Light reflecting from the Temples of Eleusine upon the first rising of the Sun it is said that their Hearts failed them nay he himself when he saw that he could not have the benefit of the Night had not Courage enough to go on with his Enterprize but having pillaged the Country he returned with Shame to Thespiae An Embassy was upon this sent from Athens to Sparta to complain of the breach of Peace but the Ambassadors found their Journey needless Sphodrias being then under Process by the Magistrates of Sparta Sphodrias durst not stay to expect Judgment which he found would be Capital the City being highly incensed against him out of the Shame they had of the Business and the Resolution they had to give the Athenians no cause of suspecting them to be any way consenting to so base an Action This Sphodrias had a handsome Youth to his Son named Cleonymus with whom Archidamus the Son of Agesilaus was deeply in Love With him did Cleonymus labour much for the preservation of his Father but Archidamus durst not appear publickly in his Assistance he being one of the professed Enemies of Agesilaus But Cleonymus having solicited him with Tears about it as knowing Agesilaus to be of all his Father's Enemies the most formidable the young Man did for two or three days follow his Father with such Shame and Confusion within himself that he durst not speak to him At last the day of Sentence being at hand he adventur'd to tell him that Cleonymus had entreated him to intercede for his Father Agesilaus though well aware of the Love between the Two young Men yet did not prohibit it because he looked upon Cleonymus as an extraordinary Youth and of great Hopes Yet he gave not his Son any kind Answer in the Case but coldly told him That he would consider what he could honestly and honourably do in it and so dismissed him Archidamus being ashamed of his want of Success did forbear the Company of Cleonymus for some days a thing not usual with him This made the Friends of Sphodrias to think his Case desperate till Etymocles one of Agesilaus's Friends did discover to them the King's Mind viz. That he abhorred the Fact but yet he thought Sphodrias a gallant Man such as the Commonwealth much wanted at that time These were the frequent Sayings of Agesilaus which gave Cleonymus sufficiently to understand that Archidamus had been just to him in using all his Interest with his Father and Sphodrias his Friends grew brisk in his Defence The truth is that Agesilaus was a very â—oâ—d Man of his Children insomuch that it is reported That when they were little ones he would make a Hobby-Horse of a Reed and ride with them Being catched at this Sport by a Friend he desired him to say nothing of it till he himself were the Father of Children Mean while Sphodrias being absolved of his Crime the Athenians betook themselves to Arms insomuch that Agesilaus fell into great Disgrace with the People that to gratifie the Amours of a Boy would pervert Justice and make the City accessory to the Crimes of Two private Men who by dishonourable Actions had broke the Peace of Greece He also found his Collegue Cleombrotus little inclined to the Theban War so that it became necessary for him to quit the Privilege of his Age which he before had claimed and to lead the Army himself which he did with variety of Success sometimes Conquering and sometimes Conquered insomuch that receiving a Wound in a Battel he was reproached by Antalcidas That the Thebans had made him a good Requital for teaching them to Fight And indeed they were now grown far better Soldiers than ever they had been being so much harassed and so much beaten into War by the frequency of the Lâ—cedâ—monian Expeditions against them Out of the foresight of which it was that anciently Lycurgus in three several Laws forbid them to make Wars often in one Place which would be to instruct their Enemies in the Art of it Mean while the Allies of Sparta were not a little discontented at Agesilaus that this War was commenced not from any just Offence taken but merely out of his Hatred to the Thebans and with Indignation grumbled that they being the Majority of the Army should from Year to Year be thus exposed to Danger and Hardship here and there at the Will of a few Persons Agesilaus being put to his Shifts to obviate the Objection devised this Expedient to try the numbers of both the Spartans and the Allies He gave Orders that all the Allies of what-ever Country should sit down promiscuously on one side and all the Lacedaemonians on the other which being done he Commanded an Herald to proclaim that all the Potters of both Squadrons should stand out then all the Blacksmiths then all the Masons next the Carpenters and so he went through all the Handicrafts By this time almost all the Allies were risen but of the Lacedaemonians very few they being by Law forbidden to learn any Handicraft-Trade whereupon Agesilaus fell on Laughing and told them â—e see Gentlemen how that our number of Soldiers is greater than yours When he
him The Betrayer of the King But Agesilaus being now satisfi'd within himself did bear all these Reproaches patiently and follow'd the Design close which he had laid of over-reaching the Enemy which was this The Enemy had intrenched with a deep Ditch and high Wall resolving to shut up the King and starve him When the Ditch was brought almost quite round he took the Advantage of the Night and Armed all his Greeks Then going to the King This Young-Man is your opportunity said he of saving your self which I durst not all this while discover lest the discovery should prevent it but now the Enemy hath at his own Cost and the pains and labour of his own Men provided for our Security As much of this Wall as is built will prevent them from surrounding us with their Multitude the Gap yet left will be sufficient for us to Sally out by Now play the Man and follow the Example the Greeks will give you and by Fighting valiantly save your self and your Army their Front will not be able to stand against us and their Rear we are sufficiently secured from by a Wall of their own making Nectanabis admiring the Wisdom of Agesilaus immediately placed himself in the Grecian Army and Fought with them which upon the first Charge soon routed the Enemy Agesilaus having now gotten Credit with the King began to use what Stratagems he thought good without being interrupted by him He sometimes pretended a Retreat otherwhile charged furiously by this means disordering the Enemy and at last trolling him into a Place enclosed between Two Ditches that were very deep and full of Water When he had them at this Advantage he soon charged them drawing up the Front of his Battel equal to the space between the Two Ditches so that they had no way of surrounding him being enclosed themselves on both sides They made but little Resistance many fell others fled and were dispersed Nectanabis being thus settled and fixed in his Kingdom did with much Kindness and Earnestness invite Agesilaus to spend his Winter in Aegypt But he made haste home to assist in the Wars of his own Country whose Treasury he knew to be empty yet were they forced to hire Mercenaries whilst their own Men were fighting abroad The King dismissed him very honourably and among other Presents he presented the State of Sparta with 230 Talents of Silver towards the Charge of their Wars but the Winter-season being tempestuous he was driven upon a desart Shore of Africa called The Haven of Menelaus where when his Ships were just upon Landing he expired being then Eighty Eight Years Old and having Reigned in Lacedaemon Forty One Thirty of which Years he passed in great Splendor being esteemed the greatest and most powerful Prince of all Greece and being looked on as in a manner General and King of it till the Battel of Leuctra It was the Custom of the Spartans to Bury their common Dead in the Place where they died whatsoever Country it was but their Kings they Embalmed and carried home Now the Followers of Agesilaus having not wherewith to Embalm him did for want of Honey which they used in their Embalming wrap his Body in Wax and so conveyed him to Lacedaemon His Son Archidamus succeeded him in his Throne so did his Posterity successively to Agis who was the 5th from Agesilaus He was murthered by Leonidas for seeking to restore the ancient Discipline of Sparta CN POMPEIVS MAGNVS MBurg sculp THE LIFE OF POMPEY Translated out of the Greek By W. Oldys LL. D. THE People of Rome seem to have embraced Pompey from his Childhood with the same Affection that Prometheus in the Tragedy of Eschylus expressed for Hercules speaking of him as the Author of his Deliverance in these words Ah cruel Sire how dear's thy Son to me The generous Off-spring of my Enemy For on one hand never did the Romans give such a demonstration of their Hatred a Hatred so implacable and savage against any of their Generals as they did against Strabo the Father of Pompey All his Life-time 't is true they stood in awe of his Martial Prowess and Power for indeed he was a mighty Warriour but immediately upon his Death which happened by a Stroke of Thunder they Treated him Barbarously dragging his very Corps from the Hearse as it was carried in Pomp at his Funeral with Villany and Disgrace On the other side in Favour of Pompey never had any Roman the Peoples Good-will and Devotion more zealous throughout all the Changes of Fortune either springing up earlier and aspiring together with him in Prosperity or so constantly Loyal in Adversity as Pompey had In Strabo there was one great cause of Hatred his unsatiable Covetousness but in Pompey there were many whereby he became the Object of their Love his Temperance of Life Skill and Exercise in Martial Discipline Eloquence of Speech Integrity of Mind and Affability in Conversation and Address insomuch as no Man ever made his Addresses with lesser Trouble or gratifi'd an Addressor with more Delight For in Presents when he gave 't was without Disdain when he receiv'd 't was with Reverence and Honour In his Youth he had a Grace in his Countenance extremely taking seeming to anticipate his Eloquence and win upon the Affections of the People before he spoke for in his Air there was a Majestick Gravity temper'd with no less Candor and Humanity And when as yet he was but in the Flower and Dawn of his Manhood there appear'd in his Deportment a sage and princely Genius even in its Meridian His Hair sate somewhat hollow or rising a little and the languishing motion of his Eyes seem'd to form a resemblance in his Face though perhaps more through the speech of People than real likeness to the Statues of King Alexander Now because many call'd him by that Name in his Youth Pompey himself did not decline it insomuch that some in derision call'd him so yet even Lucius Philippus a Man of Consular Dignity when he was pleading in favour of him thought it not unfit to say That there was nothing absurd or unexpected in this that he himself being Philip should be a Lover of Alexander 'T is reported of Flora the Curtezan That in her latter time she took great delight in relating her Amours and Familiarity with Pompey and was wont to say That she could never part upon an Enjoyment without a Bite or Satyrical Reflection And withal she would farther tell you That one Geminius a great Companion of Pompey's fell in Love with her and made his Court with all the Arts imaginable but she refusing and telling him Howe're her Inclinations were yet she could not gratifie his Desires for Pompey's sake He therefore mov'd Pompey in it and Pompey frankly gave his Consent but never afterwards would touch her or have any Converse with her notwithstanding he seem'd to have a great Passion for her which
'T was himself who had wrought upon and engaged his Friends by Perswasions and his Enemies by Force whereupon Pompey being much taken with the frank Speech and Boldness of the Man first forgave him his Crime and then pardoned all the rest of the Himeraeans Pompey likewise hearing That his Soldiers were very disorderly in their March doing Violence upon the Roads he ordered their Swords to be sealed up in their Scabbards and whosoever kept them not so were severely punished Whilst Pompey was thus busie in the Affairs and Government of Sicilly he received a Decree of the Senate and a Commission from Sylla commanding him forthwith to sail into Africa and make War upon Domitius with all his Forces For Domitius had rallied up a far greater Army than Marius had not long since when he sailed out of Africa into Sicily and extremely distressed the Affairs of the Romans being himself of a fugitive Outlaw become a Tyrant Pompey therefore having prepared all things of a sudden and left Memmius his Sisters Husband Governor of Sicily imbarked and set Sail with 120 Galleys and 800 other Vessels laden with Provisions Money Ammunition Engines of Battery and all other Necessaries In this Equipage he arrived with his Fleet part at the Port of Utica part at Carthage and no sooner was he landed there but that 7000 of the Enemy revolted and came over to him which besides his own Forces that he brought with him consisting of 6 entire Legions made up an Army of 43000 Fighting-men Here they tell us of a pleasant Passage that happened to him at his first Arrival for that some of his Soldiers having by accident stumbled upon a Treasure whereby they got a good Mass of Money The rest of the Army hearing this began to fancy that the Field was full of Gold and Silver which had been hid there of old by the Carthaginians in the time of their Calamities and thereupon fell to work so that the Army was useless to Pompey for many days being totally engaged in the Silver-Mines he himself all the while walking up and down only and laughing to see so many Thousands together digging and turning up the Earth in a fruitless Harvest But at last growing weary and hopeless they came to themselves and returned to their General begging him to lead them where he pleased for that they had already reaped the just Reward of their Folly By this time Domitius had prepared himself and drawn out his Army in Battel-array against Pompey but there happened to be a rapid Torrent in the Valley betwixt them craggy and difficult to pass over which together with the great Storm of Wind and Rain pouring down even from break of Day seemed to shew but little possibility of their coming together Insomuch that Domitius not expecting any Engagement that day commanded his Forces to draw off and retire to the Camp Now Pompey who was watchful upon every Occasion taking this time to be appointed by Fortune as his own ordered a March forthwith and having passed over the Torrent they fell in immediately upon their Quarters The Enemy was in a great Disorder and Tumult and in that Confusion attempted a Resistance but they neither were all there nor yet together besides the Wind having veered about lay beating the Rain full in their Faces Neither indeed was the Storm less troublesom to the Romans for that they could not clearly discern one another insomuch that even Pompey himself being unknown escaped but narrowly for when one of his Soldiers demanded of him the Word of Battel it happened that he was somewhat slow in his Answer which might have cost him his Life The Enemy being thus routed with a great Slaughter for 't is said that of 20000 there escaped but 3000 the Army saluted Pompey by the Name of Emperor but he declined it telling them That he could not by any means accept of that Title as long as he saw any of the Forts or Garisons of the Enemy standing but if they designed to make him worthy of the Honour they must first demolish the Camp wherein they lay intrenched The Soldiers hearing this went presently and made an Assault upon the Works and Trenches and there Pompey Fought without his Helmet in memory of his former Danger and to avoid it the Camp being thus taken by Storm they were put to the Sword and among the rest Domitius was slain upon the Place After that Overthrow the Cities of the Country thereabout were all taken in some by Surrender and others by Storm King Jarbas likewise a Confederate and Auxiliary of Domitius was taken Prisoner and his Kingdom was given to Hiempsal Pompey could not rest here but being ambitious to follow the good Fortune and Valour of his Army he fell into Numidia and marching forward many days Journies up into the Country he Conquered all where e'er he came resolving That by his Hand the Name and Power of the Roman Empire which was now almost obliterated among the barbarous Nations should be revived again and appear as formidable as ever he said likewise That the wild Beasts of Africa ought not to be left without some experience of the Courage and Success of the Romans and therefore he bestowed some few days in hunting of Lyons and Elephants Now 't is said That 't was not above the space of 40 days at the utmost in which he gave a total Overthrow to the Enemy reduced Africa and established the Affairs of the Kings and Kingdoms of all that Country being then but 24 years of Age. When Pompey returned back to the City of Utica there were presented to him Letters and Orders from Sylla commanding him to disband the rest of his Army and himself with one Legion only to wait there the coming of another General that should succeed him in the Government of that Province this grated inwardly and was extremely grievous to Pompey though he made no shew of it but the Army resented it openly and therefore when Pompey besought them to depart home before him they began to revile Sylla and gave out broad Speeches That they were resolved not to forsake him neither did they think it safe for him to trust the Tyrant Notwithstanding this Pompey endeavoured to appease and pacifie them by fair Speeches but when he saw that all his Perswasions were vain he left the Bench and retired to his Tent with Tears in his Eyes but the Soldiers followed him and seizing upon him by force brought him again and placed him in his Chair of State where great part of that day was spent in Dispute they on their part perswading him to stay and Command them he on the other side pressing upon them Obedience and the danger of Mutinies but at last when they grew more importunate and clamorous He swore that he would kill himself if they attempted to force him and yet even this would scarce appease them However this gave occasion and rise to some malicious Reports
but fell down-right a railing at each other Pompey upbraiding Lucullus of Avarice and Lucullus again retorting Ambition upon Pompey so that their Friends could hardly part them Now Lucullus had made a Distribution of all the Lands in Galatia within his Conquest and gave other Largesses to whom he pleas'd But Pompey encamping not far distant from him sent out his Prohibitions whereby he forbid that any Man should yield Obedience to Lucullus He likewise commanded away all his Soldiers except only 1600 which he found were likely to be as unserviceable to him as they were ill-affected to Lucullus being Proud and Mutinous And to these Acts Pompey added some Satyrical Speeches and Invectives against him detracting openly from the Glory of his Actions and giving out That the Battels of Lucullus were but imaginary such as are represented in Landskips or at best upon the Stage with Kings personated in Tragedies and Farces where there was no more danger than in painted Fire whereas the real part or brunt of the War against a true and well-instructed Army was reserv'd to him for that Mithridates began now to be in earnest and had betaken himself to his Shields Swords and Horses Lucullus on the other side to be even with him in spite replied That Pompey came to fight with the Image and Shadow of War it being his usual practice like a lazy Bird of Prey to quarry upon Carcasses already slain and tear in pieces the reliques of a War For thus did he entitle and attribute to himself the Conquest of Sertorius Lepidus and the Accomplices of Spartacus whereas this was the Glory of Crassus that of Catulus and the first was to be ascrib'd to the Prowess of Metellus And therefore 't is no great wonder if the Glory of the Pontick and Armenian War prove supposititious too and be usurp'd by a Man who by such subtil Artifices could insinuate and work himself into the Honour of Triumph for a few runagate Slaves After this Lucullus went away and Pompey having plac'd his whole Navy as a Guard upon all those Seas betwixt the Province of Phaenicia and the Bosphorus himself march'd against Mithridates who had a Batalion of 30000 Foot and 2000 Horse yet he durst not bid him Battel but lay securely encamped upon a strong Mountain fortifi'd with Trenches and Rampiers almost impregnable which he forsook not long after as a Place destitute of Water Now no sooner was he decamp'd but that Pompey in the first place made himself Master of that Mountain and observing well the nature and thriving of the Plants there together with the hollow Beds which he found in several places conjectur'd that such a Plot could not be without Springs and therefore he order'd them to sink Wells in every Corner whereby there was great plenty of Water throughout all the Camp in a little time Insomuch that he admir'd how it was possible for Mithridates to be ignorant of this during all that time of his Encampment there After this Pompey pursued him to his next Camp and there drawing a Line round about him encamp'd himself and work'd up his Trenches with Bastions and Rampiers whereby he wall'd up Mithridates within his own Camp But he having endur'd a Siege of 45 days made his Escape privily and fled away with all the Choice of his Army having first dispatch'd all the sick and unserviceable Persons in his Camp Not long after Pompey overtook him again near the Banks of the River Euphrates where he sate down and Encamped close by him but fearing lest he should pass over the River and give him the Slip there too he drew up his Army in Battalia against him at Midnight Now 't is said that at that very time Mithridates saw a Vision in his Dream that did prognosticate and foreshew what should come to pass for he seem'd to be under Sail in the Pontick Sea with a prosperous Gale and just in view of the Bosphorus discoursing pleasantly with the Ships Company as one overjoy'd for his past Danger and present Security when lo of a sudden he found himself deserted of all and floating upon a little broken Plank of the Ship in the mercy of Sea and Wind. Whilst he was thus labouring under these Passions and Phantasms some of his Friends came into his Tent and awak'd him with the dreadful News of Pompey's approach telling him that he was so near at hand that now the Fight must be for the Camp it self Whereupon the Commanders drew up all his Forces in Battel-array Pompey perceiving how ready they were and prepar'd for Defence began to doubt with himself whether he should put it to the hazard of a Fight in the dark judging it more consistent with Policy to encompass them only at present lest they should fly and give them Battel the next day because his Men were far the better Soldiers But his ancient Commanders were of another opinion and by great Entreaties and Encouragements wrought upon him and obtain'd that they might charge them immediately Neither was the Night so very dark but that though the Moon was declining yet it gave light enough to discern a Body But this rather deluded and put a Blind upon the Eye-sight of the King's Army for the Romans coming upon them with the Moon on their Backs the Moon being very low and just upon setting cast the Shadows a long way before the Bodies and reach'd e'ne almost to the Enemy This dazl'd their Eyes so that they not exactly discerning the Distance but imagining them to be near at hand threw their Darts at the Shadows without the least Execution upon any one body The Romans therefore perceiving this ran in upon them with a great Shout but the barbarous People all in Amaze being unable to endure the Charge were fearfully routed and put to Flight with a great Slaughter insomuch that above 10000 were slain there and the Camp taken As for Mithridates himself he at the beginning of the Onset with a Body of 800 Horse Charg'd through all the Roman Army and made his Escape but immediately all the rest of that Regiment were dispers'd and gone some one way some another and he left only with three Persons in his Retinue Among whom was his Concubine or Mistress Hypsicratia a Girl always of Manly and daring Spirit and therefore the King call'd her Hypsicrates She being attired and mounted like a Persian Chevalier accompani'd the King in all his Flight never weary even in the longest Journey nor ever fail'd to attend the King in Person and look after his Horse too until they came to Inora a Palace or Castle of the King 's well stor'd with Gold and Jewels and the King 's chiefest Treasure From thence Mithridates took off his richest Apparel and gave it among those that resorted to him in their Flight and to every one of his chiefest Friends he gave a deadly Poyson that they might not fall into the Hands of the Enemy against their Wills
to these Barbarians and that they came down from those Mountains that run along by the River Thermodon for that after the Battel when the Romans were taking the Spoil and Plunder of the Field they met with several Targets and Buskins of the Amazons but there was not the Body of a Woman to be seen among all the dead They inhabit those Parts of Mount Caucasus that look towards the Hyrcanian Sea not bordering upon the Albanians for that the Territories of the Gelae and the Leges lye betwixt And with these People do they yearly two Months only accompany themselves and cohabit Bed and Board near the River Thermodon after that they retire to their own Habitations and live alone all the rest of the Year After this Engagement Pompey was resolutely bent with his Forces upon the Country of Hyrcania and the Caspian Sea but was forc'd to retreat after three days March by reason of the Venemous Serpents that were infinitely numerous in those Countries And so he fell into Armenia the Less Whilst he was there the Kings of the Elymaeans and Medes dispatch'd Ambassadors to him which he accepted of and made his Returns as amicacably by Letter But for the King of Parthia who had made Incursions upon Gordyne and despoil'd the Subjects of Tygranes he an Army against him under the Command of Afranius who put him to the Rout and follow'd him in Chace as far as Arbelitis Among all the Concubines of King Mithridates that were brought before Pompey he had not the Carnal knowledge of any one but sent them all away to their Parents and Relations for that most of them were either the Daughters or Wives of Princes and great Commanders excepting only Stratonice who of all the rest had the greatest Power and Influence upon him and to whom he had committed the Custody of his best and richest Fortress She it seems was the Daughter of a certain Musician an ancient Man and of no great Fortune but she happening to sing one night before Mithridates at a Banquet struck his Fancy so that immediately he took her to Bed with him whereby he sent away the old Man much dissatisfy'd in that he had taken his Daughter without one kind word to himself But when he arose in the Morning and saw the Tables within richly cover'd with Plate of Gold and Silver a great Retinue of Servants Eunuchs and Pages attending him with rich Garments and withal a Horse standing before the door richly caparison'd in all things as 't was usual with the King's Favourites he look'd upon it all as a piece of Pageantry and thinking himself mock'd and abus'd in it attempted to have slip'd out of doors and run away but the Servants laying hold upon him and informing him really that the King had bestow'd on him the House and Furniture of a rich Nobleman lately Deceased and that these were but the first Fruits or small Earnests of greater Riches and Possessions that were to come he was perswaded at last with much difficulty to believe them Thereupon putting on his Purple Robes and mounting his Horse he rode through the City crying out All this is mine And to those that laugh'd at him he said There was no such wonder in this but rather that he did not throw Stones at all he met he was so transported with Joy Such was the Parentage and Blood of Stratonice Now she deliver'd up this Castle into the hands of Pompey and offer'd him many Presents of great Value whereof he receiv'd only such as he thought might serve to adorn the Temples of the Gods and add to the Splendor of his Triumph the rest he left to Stratonice's Disposal bidding her to please her self in the enjoyment of them And in this manner did he deal with the Presents sent from the King of Iberia who presented him with a Bedstead Table and a Chair of State all beaten Gold desiring him to accept of them but he deliver'd them all into the Custody of the publick Treasurers for the use of the Common-wealth In another Castle call'd Caenon or New-Fort Pompey seiz'd upon several secret Writing of Mithridates which he perus'd with no small delight in that they discover'd in a great measure the King's Nature and Inclination For there were Memoirs whereby it appear'd That besides divers others he had made away his Son Ariarathes by Poyson as also Alcaeus the Sardian for that he had gotten the better of him in a Horse-Race There were likewise several Judgments upon the Interpretations of Dreams some of his own Visions and some of his Mistresses and besides these there was a pleasant Intercourse of wanton Love-Letters with his Concubine Monime Now Theophanes tells us That there was found likewise a sharp Oration of Rutilius wherein he attempted to exasperate him even to the slaughter of all the Romans in Asia Though most Men justly conjecture this to be a malicious Device of Theophanes who hated Rutilius for that he himself in comparison was but a Counterfeit to him or perhaps it might be to gratifie Pompey whose Father is describ'd by Rutilius in his History to be the vilest Man alive From thence Pompey came to the City of Amisus where his Ambition led him to such odious Acts as he himself had condemn'd in others before For whereas he had often and sharply reproach'd Lucullus in that while the Enemy was yet in being he had taken upon him to establish Laws and distribute Rewards and Honours as Conquerors use to do only when the War was brought to an end yet now was he himself while Mithridates was Paramount in the Realm of Bosphorus at the Head of a puissant Army as if all were ended just doing the same thing regulating the Provinces and distributing Rewards Many great Commanders and Princes having flock'd to him together with no less than 12 barbarous Kings Insomuch as to gratifie these other Kings when he wrote to the King of Parthia he would not condescend as others us'd to do in the Superscription of his Letter to give him his Title of King of Kings Moreover he had a great Desire and Emulation to take in Syria and to march through Arabia to the Red-Sea that he might extend his Conquest every way to the great Ocean that does encompass the whole Earth For in Africa he was the first Roman that advanced his Victories to the Ocean and again in Spain he enlarg'd the Roman Empire extending its bounds to the Atlantick Sea Then thirdly in his late pursuit of the Albanians he wanted but little of reaching the Hyrcanian Sea Wherefore he rais'd his Camp designing to bring the Red-Sea within the Circuit of his Expedition especially for that he saw how difficult it was to hunt after Mithridates with an Army and that he would prove a worse Enemy flying than fighting But yet he declar'd That he would leave a sharper Enemy behind him than himself to wit Famine and therefore he appointed a Guard of Ships to
Others look'd upon it as a Politick Device of Spinther the Cousul whose Design it was to oblige Pompey with a greater Authority that he himself might be sent in Assistance to King Ptolomy However this is undoubtedly true That Canidius the Tribune preferr'd a Law to dispatch Pompey in the Nature of an Ambassador without an Army attended only with two Lictors or Vergers as a Mediator betwixt the King and his Subjects of Alexandria Neither did this Law seem ungrateful to Pompey though indeed the Senate cast it out upon a specious Pretence That they were unwilling to hazard the Person of so brave a Man However there were found several Pamphlets scattered about the Market Place and Senate-House intimating how grateful it would be to Ptolemy to have Pompey appointed for his General instead of Spinther But Timagenes relates it otherwise as if Ptolomy went away and left Egypt not out of necessity but purely upon the perswasion of Theophanes who designed an Advantage to Pompey laying a Foundation for him of Wealth and a new Command Yet for all this the crafty Practices of Theophanes could not make this Report so credible but that it was render'd much more incredible by that nobler Genius of Pompey which would never allow of such base and disingenious Arts even in favour of his Ambition Thus Pompey being appointed chief Provedore and having within his Administration and Management all the Corn Trade sent abroad his Factors and Agents into all Quarters and he himself sailing into Sicily Sardinia and Africa made up vast Stores of Corn. And now being just ready to set Sail upon his Voyage homeward bound there arose a mighty Storm of Wind upon the Sea which raised a Doubt even among the Commanders themselves whether it were safe to break Ground or no wherefore Pompey himself went first aboard and commanded the Mariners to weigh Anchor declaring with a loud Voice That there was a necessity for them to Sail but no necessity to Live So that he by his Spirit and Courage having met with that Fortune which favours the Bold made a prosperous Return whereby his Granaries were stor'd the Markets all filled with Corn and the Sea with Ships Insomuch that this great plenty and abundance of Provisions yielded a sufficient Supply not only to the City of Rome but even Foreigners too dispersing it self like a lively Fountain through many Rivulets into all Quarters of Italy All this time Caesar grew great and was highly extoll'd for his Wars and Conquests in Gaul and when in appearance he seem'd farthest distant from Rome as if he had been intangled in the Affairs of Belgia Suevia and Britany than in truth was he working craftily by secret Practices in the midst of the People and countermining Pompey in his chiefest Designs For having his Army always about him as his Body 't was not his Design to weaken or impair it in a formal War against the barbarous Enemy but by light Skirmishes only no otherwise than in Sports of Hunting or Hawking to exercise and harden it whereby he made it invincible and dreadful to the World Then for his Gold and Silver which was infinite together with those incredible Spoils and other Treasures which he had taken from the Enemy in his Conquests all those he sent to Rome in Presents and Bribes tempting and corrupting the Aediles Praetors and Consuls together with their Wives whereby he purchased to himself a multitude of Friends Insomuch that when he passed back again over the Alpes and took up his Winter-Quarters in the City of Luca there flocked to him an infinite number of the common People Men and Women even in Strife and likewise 200 Senators at least among whom were Pompey and Crassus so that there were to be seen at once before Caesar's Gates no less than sixscore Rods or Maces of Proconsuls and Praetors As for the rest of his Addressors he sent them all away full fraught with Hopes and Money but for Crassus and Pompey he enter'd into private Covenants and Articles of Agreement with them That they should stand Candidates for the Consulship next Year That Caesar on his part should send a good Company of Soldiers to give their Votes at the Election That as soon as they were Elected they should use their Interest to have the Government of some Provinces and Legions assigned to themselves and that Caesar should have his Charge now in being confirmed to him for five Years more But afterwards when these Designs came to be discovered and noised abroad the Matter was hainously resented by many Persons of the greatest Quality in Rome and therefore Marcellinus once in an open Assembly of the People demanded of them both Whether they designed to Sue for the Consulship or no And being urged by the People for their Answer Pompey spake first and told them Perhaps he would Sue for it perhaps he would not But Crassus was somewhat more politick and said That for his part he would be ready to do what should be judg'd most agreeable with the Interest of the Commonwealth However Marcellinus still inveighing against Pompey and seeming to reflect upon him more bitterly Pompey replied as sharply That this Marcellinus was a most ungodly Wretch without either Gratitude or Honour for that by him he was made an Orator of a Mute and of a poor Starvling one glutted even to a Vomit Now notwithstanding divers fell off from their Pretences and forsook their Canvas for the Consulship yet Cato perswaded and encouraged Lucius Domitius not to desist For that said he the Contest now is not for Government but for liberty against Tyrants and Usurpers Wherefore those of Pompey's Party fearing that inflexible Constancy in Cato whereby he ruled and governed the whole Senate lest by that likewise he should pervert and draw after him all the well-affected part of the Commonalty resolved to withstand Domitius at first and prevent his entrance into the Market-place To this end therefore they sent in a Band of armed Men who at the first Onset slew the Torch-bearer of Domitius as he was leading the way before him and immediately put all the rest to Flight last of all Cato himself retired having received a Wound upon his right Arm in defence of Domitius Thus by these means and practices they obtained the Government neither indeed did they behave themselves with more decency throughout all the rest of their Actions But in the first place when the People were choosing Cato Praetor and just ready with their Votes for the Poll Pompey broke up the Assembly charging his Reasons upon the Augury as if there had appeared something inauspicious in the Heavens and thereupon having corrupted the Tribes they publickly proclaimed Antias and Vatinius Praetors Then in pursuance of their Covenants with Caesar they published several Edicts by Trebonian the Tribune whereby they made an Enlargement of Caesar's Commission according to Agreement measuring out another five years Charge to his former Province To Crassus there
thought that this very thing was not one of the least Causes and Occasions of the Civil War for Pompey judging of the Peoples Affections by their Actions together with the greatness of their Joy was grown to that height of Pride and Conceit that having laid aside that prudent Conduct and Caution which had hitherto secured and crowned all his Actions with good Success he entertained a most extravagant Confidence of his own and Contempt of Caesar's Power insomuch that he thought neither Force nor Care necessary against him but that he could pull him down much easier than he had set him up Besides this there was Appius under whose Command those Legions which Pompey lent to Caesar were returned coming lately out of Gaul very much vilified Caesar's Actions there and gave out scandalous Reports in derogation of his Honour telling Pompey That he was unacquainted with his own Strength and Reputation if he made use of any other Forces against Caesar than his own for such was the Soldiers Hatred to Caesar and their Love to Pompey so great that they would all come over to him upon his first Appearance By these Flatteries was Pompey strangely pufft up and his Confidence had wrought him into such a careless Security that he could not choose but laugh at those who seem'd to fear a War And when some were saying That if Caesar should bend his Forces against the City they could not see what Power was able to resist him he reply'd with a scornful Smile bidding them take no care of that for said he Whene'er I stamp with my Foot in any part of Italy there will rise up Forces enough in an instant both Horse and Foot Now Caesar on the other side was more vigorous in his Proceedings himself always at hand hovering about the Frontiers of Italy and sending some of his Soldiers continually into the City to attend all Elections with their Votes Besides this he corrupted divers of the Magistrates and brought them over to his Party by Pensions whereof Paulus the Consul was one who was wrought over by a Bribe of 1500 Talents And Curio a Tribune of the People by a discharge of all his Debts which he had contracted without number together with Mark Anthony who out of Friendship to Curio became bound with him in the same Obligations for them all And 't is undoubtedly true That a Centurion of Caesar's waiting at the Senate-House and hearing that the Senate refused to give him a larger term in the continuance of his Government clapt his Hand upon his Sword and said But this shall give it and indeed all his Practices and Preparations were in order to this end Now Curio's Demands and Request in favour of Caesar were much more popular in appearance for he desir'd one of these two things either That Pompey should put away his Army or that Caesar's should not be taken away from him For if both of them were private Persons common Humanity would keep them within the bounds of their Duty or if they were of equal Authority they would be a ballance to each other and sit down contented with their Lot but he that weakens one does at the same time strengthen the other and so doubles that very Strength and Power which he stood in fear of before Marcellus the Consul reply'd nothing to all this but that Caesar was a Thief and should be proclaimed an Enemy to the State if he did not disband his Army However Curio with the Assistance of Anthony and Piso prevail'd that the Matter in Debate should be put to the Question and decided by Vote in the Senate So that it being order'd upon the Question for those to withdraw who were of opinion That Caesar only should lay down his Army and Pompey command the Majority withdrew But when 't was order'd again for those to withdraw whose Vote was That both should lay down their Arms and neither command there were but 22 for Pompey all the rest remained of Curio's side Whereupon he as one proud of his Conquest leapt out for Joy among the People who received him with as great tokens of Joy clapping their Hands and crowning him with Garlands and Flowers Pompey was not then present in the Senate because it is not lawful for the General of an Army to come into the City But Marcellus rising up said That he would not sit there hearing Speeches when he saw that ten Legions had already pass'd the Alpes in their March toward the City but that he would send a Man of equal Authority against them in defence of their Country Upon this the City went into Mourning as in a publick Calamity and Marcellus accompanied by the Senate went solemnly through the City towards Pompey and spoke thus to him Pompey I command thee to appear in defence of thy Country with those Forces thou hast at present in readiness and to raise more with all speed Lentulus the Consul elect for the Year following spoke much to the same purpose But Anthony contrary to an Order of Senate in a publick Assembly read a Letter of Caesar's containing many fair Overtures at leastwise very obliging to the common People wherein he desir'd That both Pompey and he quitting their Governments and dismissing their Armies should submit to the Judgment of the People and give an account of their Actions before them insomuch that when Pompey began to make his Levies and muster up his new-rais'd Soldiers he found himself disappointed in his Expectations Some few indeed came in but those very unwillingly others would not answer to their Names and the generality cry'd out for Peace Lentulus notwithstanding he was now enter'd upon his Consulship would not assemble the Senate but Cicero who was lately return'd from Cilicia labour'd for a Reconciliation proposing That Caesar should leave his Province of Gaul and Army reserving two Legions only together with the Government of Illyricum and to be had in nomination for a second Consulship Pompey disliking this motion Caesar's Friends were contented that he should quit one of his Legions too but Lentulus still opposing and Cato crying out That Pompey did ill to be deceived again the Reconciliation did not take effect In the mean time News was brought That Caesar had taken Ariminum a great City in Italy and was marching directly towards Rome with all his Forces but this latter was altogether false for he had no more with him at that time than 300 Horse and 5000 Foot and would not tarry for the Body of his Army which lay beyond the Alpes choosing rather by surprize to fall in of a sudden upon his Enemies while they were in Confusion and did not expect him than to give them time to make Preparations for War For when he came to the Bank of Rubicon a River that made the bounds of his own Province towards Italy there he made a Halt pausing a little and considering with himself the greatness of that Enterprize which he had undertaken
Shipping he was forc'd to divert his course and march into Spain designing to joyn those Forces of Pompey there to his own In the mean time Pompey had rais'd a mighty Army both by Sea and Land As for his Navy 't was altogether invincible for there were 500 Men of War besides an infinite company of Galliots Foists and Pinaces Then for his Land-Forces the Cavalry made up a Body of 7000 Horse the very flower of Rome and Italy Men of Honour Wealth and Courage but the Infantry was a mixture of raw and unexperienc'd Soldiers and therefore he exercised and train'd them up daily near the City Beraea where he had quarter'd and lodg'd his Army himself no ways slothful but performing all his Exercises as if he had been in the flower of his Youth This exemplary Conduct raised the Spirits of his Soldiers extremely for it was no small Encouragement for them to see Pompey the Great 60 Years of Age wanting two one while trailing a Pike and handling his Arms among the Foot in all his Postures then again mounted among the Horse drawing out his Sword with ease in full career and sheathing it up as easily And in darting the Javelin there he shew'd not only his skill and dexterity in hitting the Mark but his strength and activity in throwing it so far that few of the youngest went beyond him Several Kings and Princes of other Nations came thither to him but there was a glorious appearance of Roman Magistrates and so numerous that they made up a compleat Senate Labienus forsook his old Friend Caesar whom he had serv'd throughout all his Wars in Gaul and came over to Pompey And Brutus Son to that Brutus that was put to Death in Gaul a Man of great Spirit and one that to that day had never so much as saluted or spoke to Pompey looking upon him as the Murderer of his Father came then and submitted himself to him as the defender of their Liberty Cicero likewise though he wrote and advis'd otherwise yet was asham'd not to be accounted in the number of those that would hazard their Lives and Fortunes for the safeguard of their Country And last of all there came to him even into Macedonia Tidius Sextus a Man extremely Old and Lame of one Leg others indeed mock'd and laugh'd at the Spectacle but Pompey as soon as he saw him rose and ran to meet him esteeming it no small assurance of their Good-will when Men of such Age and Infirmities should rather choose to be with him in danger than in safety at home Afterwards in a Council of War there passed a Decree which was pronounced by Cato as President That no Roman Citizen should be put to Death but in Battel and that they should not Sack or Plunder any City that was subject to the Roman Empire By these means Pompey's Party grew into greater Reputation insomuch that they who were no ways at all concern'd in the War either because they dwelt afar off or were thought incapable by reason of their Infirmities were yet in their opinions of his side and did in all their Discourses even fight for his Cause calling it the good or just Cause esteeming those as Enemies to the Gods and Men that wished not Victory to Pompey Neither was Pompey's Clemency such but that Caesar likewise shew'd himself as merciful a Conqueror for when he had taken and overthrown all Pompey's Forces in Spain he gave them Quarter leaving the Commanders at their Liberty and taking the common Soldiers into his own Pay Then repassing the Alpes and making a running March through Italy he came to Brundusium about the Winter Solstice and crossing the Sea there landed at the Port of Oricum Now Caesar having Jubius an intimate Friend of Pompey's with him as his Prisoner dispatch'd him to Pompey in an Embassage entreating That they meeting together in a Conference as one should disband both their Armies within three days and renewing their former Friendship with solemn Oaths should return together into Italy Pompey look'd upon this again as some new Stratagem or Device and therefore marching down in all haste towards the Sea-Coast possessed himself of all Forts and Places of Strength fit to encamp in and secure his Land-Forces as likewise of all Ports and Harbours commodious to receive any that came by Sea so that what Wind soever blew it must needs in some way or other be favourable to him bringing in either Provision Men or Money But Caesar on the contrary was so distressed both by Sea and Land that he was forc'd to desire Battel daily provoking the Enemy and assailing them in their very Forts and in these light Skirmishes for the most part had the better only once he was dangerously overthrown and likely to have lost his whole Army For Pompey having valiantly re-inforced the Battel made a desperate Charge upon him even to a total Rout of all his Army and the Slaughter of 2000 upon the Place but either he was not able to force their Camp or he was afraid to fall in pell-mell together with them Insomuch as Caesar told some of his Friends How that day had given an absolute Conquest to the Enemy if they had had but a Man that knew how to Conquer Pompey's Soldiers were so mightily encourag'd by this Victory that they would needs have it put to the decision of a Battel but Pompey himself though he wrote to Foreign Kings Princes and States in Confederacy with him as a Conqueror yet was afraid to hazard the Success of a Battel choosing rather by delays and distress of Provisions to tire out those who had never yet been Conquer'd by force of Arms but had always when they fought in a body been accustom'd to Victory Besides the Infirmities of their Age which now made them quickly weary of those other Hardships of War such as were long Marches and frequent Decampings making of Trenches and building of Fortifications made them willing to fight and venture the Battel with all speed Pompey had all along hitherto by his Perswasions pretty well quieted his Soldiers but after this last Engagement when Caesar for want of Provisions was forc'd to raise his Camp and had passed through Athamania into Thessaly it was impossible to curb or allay the heat of their Spirits any longer For all crying out with a general Voice That Caesar is fled some were for pursuing and pressing upon him others for returning into Italy some there were that sent their Friends and Servants before hand to Rome to hire Houses near the Forum or Market-place whereby they might be in a readiness to sue for Offices and Places in the Government But several were so vain as to sail for Lesbos in a Compliment to Cornelia with this joyful News That the War was brought to an end for Pompey had privately convey'd her thither from the Tumults in Rome Hereupon a Council of War was call'd and the Matter being under debate Afranius was
and appointed his Father-in-Law Scipio in the middle against Lucius Albinus The Left Wing was Commanded by Lucius Domitius and re-enforced with several Regiments of Horse for the whole Cavalry almost was plac'd there to distress Caesar and cut off the Tenth Legion which was accounted the stoutest in all the Army and in which Caesar himself always fought in Person Caesar observing the Left Wing of the Enemy to be lin'd and guarded with such a mighty guard of Horse and fearing the Gallantry of that Battalion he sent a Detachment of six Regiments out of the Forlorn and plac'd them in the Rear of the Tenth Legion commanding them not to stir lest they should be discovered by the Enemy but withal as soon as the Enemies Horse had made a Charge and began to press upon them that they should make up with all speed to the Front through the foremost Ranks and not throw their Javelins at a distance as 't is usual among your valiant Warriers that they may come to a close Fight with their Swords the sooner but that they should dart them upwards into the Eyes and Face of the Enemy telling them That those fine young Dancers would never endure the Steel shining in their Eyes but would fly to save their handsome Faces This was Caesar's Device at that time But while he was thus instructing his Soldiers Pompey on Horseback was viewing the Order of both Battalia's and when he saw how well the Enemy kept their Ranks expecting quietly the Signal of Battel and on the contrary how impatient and unsteady his own Men were waving up and down in great Disorder for want of Experience was very much afraid that their Ranks would be broken upon the first Onset and therefore he gave out strict Orders that the Vanguard should make a Stand and keeping close in their Ranks should receive the Enemies Charge But Caesar did very much condemn his Judgement in this Stratagem for that by taking away the power of an Assault it does not only take off from the strength and force of a Blow which is otherwise made with a spring upon an Incursion but it does likewise abate and blunt the edge of that Spirit and Fury which the Assailants carry with them and which is improv'd by Shouts and Running on so that at last they become cold unactive and disheartned Caesar's Army consisted of 22000 and Poâ—â—â—â—'s of somewhat above twice as many Now when the Signal of Battel was given on both sides and the Trumpets began to â—ound an Alarm the generality of those present minded their own Charge and the Matters that belong'd to themselves only some few of the Roman Nobility together with certain Grecians there present as Spectators without the Battel seeing the Armies ready to join could not but consider in themselves to what a pass the Ambition and Emulation of these two had brought the Roman Empire For the Weapons being of Kin and the Bands Brethren under the same common Banners together with the flower and strength of the same City clashing and falling foul upon one another even to the Destruction of both gave a clear Demonstration of human Nature how sensless and void of Reason it is when 't is blinded with Passion For if they had been desirous only to Rule and enjoy in Peace what they had Conquer'd in War the greatest and best part of the World was subject to them both by Sea and Land but if there was yet a thirst in their Ambition that must still be fed with new Trophies and Triumphs the Parthian and German Wars would yield Matter enough to satisfie the most Covetous of Honour Nay Scythia was yet Unconquer'd and the Indians too where their Ambition might be colour'd over with the specious pretence of Civilizing those Barbarous Nations And what Scythian Horse Parthian Arrows and Indian Riches could be able to resist 70000 Roman Soldiers well appointed in Arms under the Command of two such Generals as Pompey and Caesar whose Names they had heard of before that of the Romans and whose Prowess by their Conquests of wild savage and bruitish Nations was spread farther than the Fame of the Romans themselves But now they having laid aside the sence of their Honour and with that their Piety too not sparing their own Country were engag'd in a Civil War and dashing one another in pieces who had both been accounted invincible till that day And for the Alliance contracted betwixt them the Charms of Julia and that Marriage those were look'd upon as Tricks of State only to palliate some sinister Design or Confederacy betwixt them rather than Pledges of any real Friendship Now therefore as soon as the Plains of Pharsalia were covered with Men Horse and Armour and that the Signal of Battel was given on either side Caius Crastinus a Centurion who Commanded a Troop consisting of 120 Men was the first that advanc'd out of Caesar's Army to give the Charge and acquit himself of a solemn Engagement that he had made to Caesar For Caesar as he was going out of his Tent in the Morning saw Crastinus where after some Discourse he ask'd What his Opinion was touching the event of that Battel To which he stretching out his Right Hand reply'd aloud Thine is the Victory oh Caesar Thou shalt Conquer gloriously and I my self this day will be the Subject of thy Praise either alive or dead In pursuance of this Promise he broke out of his Rank and being follow'd by many more charg'd into the midst of his Enemies there they came presently to a close Fight with their Swords and made a great Slaughter But as Crastinus was still pressing forward and breaking the Ranks of the Vanguard a certain Soldier ran him in at the Mouth so that the point of the Sword came out behind at his Neck wherefore Crastinus being thus slain the Fight became doubtfull and continued equal on that part of the Battel Pompey had noâ— yet brought on the right Wing but staid and view'd about expecting what Execution his Cavalry would do in the Left now they had already drawn out their Squadrons in form designing to encompass Caesar and force those few Horse which he had plac'd in the Front to give back upon the Battalion of Foot But Caesar on the other side having given the Signal his Horse retreated back a little and gave way to those Six Auxiliary Regiments being 3000 in number which had been posted in the Rear as an Ambush or Reserve to prevent encompassing these ran out and fiercely charg'd the Enemy upon the Flank but when they came up to the Horse there they darted their Javelins upwards according to their Instructions and hit the young Gentlemen in their Faces Now these Gallants as they were altogether unskilful in any manner of Fight so least of all expecting or understanding such a kind as this had not Courage enough to endure the Blows upon their Faces but turning their Backs and covering their Eyes with their Hands
his Innocence sometimes lifting up his hands to Heaven and then throwing himself down by the Bed-side and beseeching Alexander to lay aside all fear and rely on his Fidelity The Medicine at first wrought so strongly with him that it overcame his Spirits and brought him so low that he lost his speech and falling into a Swoon had scarce any sense or pulse left but soon after by Philip's means his Health and Strength returned and he shewed himself in publick to the Macedonians who were in continual fear and dejection till they saw him abroad again There was at this time in Darius his Army a Macedonian Fugitive named Amyntas one who was pretty well acquainted with Alexander's designs This Man when he saw Darius intended to fall upon the Enemy in the Straits of an inclosed Country advised him rather to keep where he was it being the advantage of a numerous Army to have Field room enough when it ingages with a lesser Force Darius instead of taking his Counsel told him he was afraid the Enemy would endeavour to run away and so Alexander would escape out of his hands That Fear replied Amyntas is needless for assure your self that far from avoiding you he will make all the speed he can to meet you and is now questionless on his March towards you But Amyntas his Counsel was to no purpose for Darius immediately decamped marched into Cilicia at the same time that Alexander advanced into Syria to meet him but missing one another in the Night they both came back again Alexander mightily pleased with the Accident made all the haste he could to fight in the Straits and Darius to recover his former ground and draw his Army out of so disadvantageous a place For now he began to perceive his error in engaging too far into a Country which by reason of the Sea the Mountains and the River Pindarus running through the midst of it would necessitate him to divide his Forces render his Horse almost unserviceable and only cover and supply the weakness of the Enemy Fortune was not kinder to Alexander in the situation of the place than he was carefull to improve it to his advantage For being much inferiour in numbers to prevent being inclosed he stretched his Right Wing much further out than his Left and Fighting there himself in the very foremost Ranks put the Barbarians to flight In this Battel he was wounded in the Thigh by Darius as Chares says with whom he fought hand to hand But in the account which he gave Antipater of the Battel though indeed he owns he was run through the Thigh with a Sword though not dangerously yet he takes no notice who it was that wounded him Nothing was wanting to complete this glorious Victory which he gain'd at the expence of above an Hundred and ten thousand of his Enemies lives but the taking the Person of Darius who escaped very narrowly by flight However having taken his Chariot and his Bow he returned from pursuing him and found his own Men busie in pillaging the Barbarians Camp which though to disburden themselves they had left most of their Baggage at Damascus was exceeding rich But Darius his Tent in which were abundance of Officers a great deal of noble Furniture and vast quantities of Gold and Silver they reserved for Alexander himself who after he had put off his Arms as he was going to Bathe himself Let us now said he cleanse and refresh our selves after the toils of war in Darius his own Bath Not so replied one of his followers but in Alexander's rather for the Goods of the Vanquish'd are and always ought to be reputed the Conquerors Here when he beheld the Bathing Vessels the Water Pots Vials and Oyntment Boxes all of Gold curiously wrought and smelt the fragrant odours with which the whole place was exquisitely perfumed and from thence passed into another Apartment large and well pitched where the Bed the Table and the Entertainment were perfectly magnificent he turned to those about him and in a kind of transport told them This is to be a King indeed But as he was going to Supper word was brought him that Darius his Mother and Wife and two unmarried Daughters being taken among the rest of the Prisoners upon the sight of his Chariot and Bow were all in tears and sorrow imagining him to be dead After a little pause more touched with their affliction than with his own success he sent Leonatus to them to let them know Darius was not Dead and that they need not apprehend any ill usage from Alexander who made War upon him only for Dominion and that they should find themselves as well provided for as ever they were in Darius his most flourishing condition when his Empire was entire This kind message could not but be very welcom to the Captive Ladies especially being made good by Actions no less humane and generous For he gave them leave to bury whom they pleased of the Persians and to make use of what Garments and Furniture they thought fit out of the Booty He diminished nothing of their Equipage or of the respect formerly paid them and allowed larger Pensions for their maintenance than ever they had before But the bravest and most Royal Part of their usage was that he treated these Illustrious Prisoners according to their Vertue and their Quality not suffering them to hear or receive or so much as to apprehend any thing that was indecent or to the prejudice of their Honour So that they seemed rather lodg'd in some Temple or holy Virgin Cloyster where they enjoyed their Privicy sacred and uninterrupted than in the Camp of an Enemy Not that he wanted temptation for Darius his Wife was accounted the beautifullest Princess then living as her Husband the handsomest and properest man of his time and the Daughters were no less charming than their Parents But Alexander esteeming it more glorious to govern himself than to conquer his Enemies touch'd none of them nor any other Woman before Marriage except Barsina Memnon's Widow who was taken Prisoner at Damascus She was very knowing in the Grecian Learning of a sweet temper and by her Father Artabazus Royally descended Which good qualities added to the sollicitations and incouragement of Parmenio as Aristobulus tells us made him the more willing to enjoy so agreable and illustrious a Woman Of the rest of the Persian Captives tho' handsom and well proportion'd enough he took no farther notice than to say merrily that they were great eye-sores His Temperance and Chastity so much surmounted the effects of their Charms that they mov'd him no more than so many liveless Statues And when Philoxenus his Lieutenant on the Sea coast wrote to him to know if he would buy two very fine Boys which one Theodorus a Tarentine had to sell He was so offended that he often expostulated with his Friends what baseness Philoxenus had ever observ'd in him that he
old Man that before he was aware he was gotten a great way from his Army with a slender attendance and forc'd to pass an extream cold Night in the dark and in a very ill place Till seeing a great many scattered Fires of the Enemy at some distance and trusting to his Agility of Body and constant Indefatigableness with which he was wont to relieve and support the Macedonians in their Distress he ran strait to one of the nearest Fires and with his Dagger dispatching two of the Barbarians that sate by it snatch'd up a lighted Brand and return'd with it to his own Men who immediately made a great Fire which so terrified the Enemy that most of them fled and those that assaulted them were soon routed by which means they lodg'd securely the rest of the Night Thus Chares gives an account of this Action But to return to the Siege it had this Issue Alexander that he might refresh his Army harass'd with many former Encounters drew out a small Party rather to keep the Enemy upon Duty than with any prospect of much Advantage It happen'd at this time that Aristander after he had sacrific'd upon view of the Intrails affirm'd confidently to those who stood by that the City should be certainly taken that very Month which made them laugh at and mock him exceedingly because that was the last day of it But the King taking notice of his Perplexity and emulous Zeal ever ambitious to have his Predictions take place commanded they should not account that the 30th but the 3d day of the expiring Month and ordering the Trumpets to sound attack'd the Walls with more Fury than he at first intended The briskness of the Assault so inflam'd the rest of his Forces who were left in the Camp that they could not hold from advancing to second it which they perform'd with so much Vigour that the Tyrians retir'd and the Town was carried that very day The next Place he sate down before was Gaza the Metropolis of Syria where this Accident befel him A great Fowl flying over him let a Clod of Earth fall upon his Soulder and then settling upon one of the battering Engines was suddenly intangled and caught in the Nets composed of Sinews which protected the Ropes with which the Machine was manag'd This fell out exactly according to Aristander's Prediction which was that Alexander should be wounded and the City reduc'd From hence he sent great part of the Spoils to Olympias Cleopatra and the rest of his Friends not omitting his Praeceptor Leonidas on whom he bestowed five hundred Talents worth of Frankincense and an hundred of Myrrh prompted to it by the remembrance of his forward hopes of him when he was but a Child For Leonidas it seems standing by him one day while he was sacrificing and seeing him take both his hands full of Gums to throw into the Fire told him it became him to be more sparing in his Offerings then and not be so profuse till he was Master of the Countries where those sweet Gums and Spices were produc'd Upon this account Alexander wrote him word he had sent him a large quantity of Myrrh and Frankincense that for the future he might not be so niggardly to the Gods Among the Treasures and other Booty that was taken from Darius there was a very curious little Box which being presented to Alexander for a great Rarity he ask'd those about him what they thought fittest to be laid up in it and when they had delivered their opinions he told them he esteem'd nothing so worthy to be preserv'd in it as Homer's Iliads This passage is attested by many credible Authors and if what those of Alexandria relying upon the credit of Heraclides tell us be true Homer was neither an idle nor an unprofitable Companion to him in his expedition For when he was Master of Aegypt designing to settle a Colony of Grecians there he resolv'd to build a large and populous City and give it his own Name In order to which after he had measur'd and stak'd out the Ground with with the advice of the best Workmen he chanc'd one Night in his sleep to see a wonderful Vision A gray-headed Old Man of a venerable Aspect appear'd to stand by him and pronounce these Verses Girt with the surging Main there lies an Isle Not far from Egypt which they Pharos stile Alexander upon this immediately rose up and went to Pharos which at that time was an Island lying a little above the Canobique Mouth of the River Nilus tho' it be now joyn'd to the Continent by a straight Causey As soon as he saw the commodious scituation of the place it being a long neck of Land of a proportionable breadth having a great Lake on one side and the Sea on the other at the end of it making a spacious Hrrbour he said Homer besides his other Excellencies was a very good Architect and ordered the Plot of a City to be drawn answerable to the place To do which for want of Chalk the Soil being black they set out their Lines with Flower taking in a pretty large compass of ground in a circular Figure the inside of whose circumference was equally terminated by Right Lines like the edges of a Cloak While he was pleasing himself with his design on a sudden an infinite number of great Birds of several kinds rising like a black Cloud out of the River and the Lake devoured all the Flower that was used in setting out the Lines at which Omen Alexander was much troubled till the Augur's incouraging him again by telling him It was a sign the City he was about to build would not only abound in all things within it self but also be the Nurse of many Nations he commanded the Workmen to proceed while he went to visit the Temple of Jupiter Hammon This was a long painful and dangerous Journey in two respects First if their Provision of Water should fail in so wide a Desart And Secondly If a violent South-Wind should rise upon them while they were Travelling through the deep gaping Sands as it did heretofore upon Cambyses his Army blowing the Sands together in heaps and then rowling it in Waves upon his Men till 50000 were swallowed up and destroyed by it All these difficulties were weighed and represented to him but Alexander was not easily to be diverted from any thing he was bent upon For Fortune having hitherto seconded him in his designs made him resolute and firm in his Opinions and the greatness of his Mind raised a confidence in him of surmounting almost invincible difficulties as if it were not enough to be always victorious in the Field unless Places and Seasons and Nature her self submitted to him In this Voyage the Relief and Assistance the Gods afforded him in his Distresses were more wonderful and worthy of belief than the Oracles he received afterwards which were valued and credited the more upon this occasion For first
from all parts and the vast Funds of Money laid up for this purpose and the strength of Towns and situation of places by which they were inaccessible It being Winter the Rivers were frozen the Woods cover'd with Snow and the Fields overflow'd so that in some places the Ways were lost through the depth of the Snow in others the overflowing of Bogs and Brooks made the passage very dangerous All which difficulties made it seem impracticable to Caesar to make any attempt upon the Rebels Many States had revolted together the chief of them were the Arverni and Carnutes the General who had the Supream Command in War was Vercingetorix whose Father the Gauls had put to death on suspicion he affected absolute Government He having dispos'd his Army in several Bodies and set Officers over them drew over to him all the Country round about as far as those that lie upon Arar and having Intelligence of the Opposition which Caesar's Affairs now found at Rome thought to engage all Gaul in the War Which if he had done a little later when Caesar was taken up with the Civil Wars Italy had been put into as great fears as before it was by the Cimbri But at this time Caesar who was of a Genius naturally fitted to make a right use of all advantages in War as soon as he heard of the Revolt return'd immediately the same way he went and shew'd the Barbarians by the quickness of his march in such a tempestuous season that the Army which was advancing against them was invincible For in time that one would have thought it scarce credible that a Courier or Express should have come so far he appear'd with all his Army in his march he ravaged the Country demolish'd the Forts and receiv'd into his protection those who declar'd for him till at last the Hedui oppos'd him who before had styl'd themselves Brethren to the Romans and had been much honour'd by them but now joyn'd the Rebels to the great discouragement of Caesar's Army Wherefore he remov'd thence and past the Country of the Lingones desiring to touch upon the Territories of the Sequani who were his Allies and are situate next to Italy upon the Confines of Gaul There the Enemy came upon him and surrounded him with many Myriads whom he was eager enough to engage and had the advantage of them upon all accounts and at last through the length of time and terrour of his Name quite defeated them But he seems to have made some false steps at first and the Arverni shew you a Sword hanging up in a Temple which they say was taken from Caesar This Caesar saw afterwards and smil'd at it and when his Friends advis'd it should be taken down would not permit it because he look'd upon it as consecrated After the defeat a great part of those who had escap'd fled with their King into a Town call'd Alexia which Caesar besieged though for the heighth of the Walls and number of those who were in Garison it seem'd impregnable During the Siege he met with greater danger without the Town then can be exprest For the choice Men of Gaul pick'd out of each Nation and well Arm'd came to relieve Alexia to the number of Three hundred thousand nor were there in the Town less than 170 thousand So that Caesar being shut up betwixt two such Armies was forc'd to raise two Walls one towards the Town the other against the new Supplies as knowing if these Forces should join his Affairs would be intirely ruin'd The danger that he underwent before Alexia did justly gain him great Honour and gave him an opportunity of shewing greater Instances of his Valour and Conduct than any other Battle ever did One would wonder very much how he should engage and defeat so many thousands of Men without the Town and not be perceiv'd by those within but much more that the Romans themselves who guarded their Wall which was next the Town should be Strangers to it For even they knew nothing of the Victory till they heard the cries of the Men and lamentations of the Women who were in the Town and had from thence seen the Romans at a distance carrying into their Camp a great quantity of Bucklers adorn'd with Gold and Silver many Breast-plates stain'd with Blood besides Cups and Tents made after the Gallic mode So soon was so vast an Army dissipated and vanish'd like a Ghost or Dream the greatest part of them being kill'd upon the spot Those which were in Alexia having given themselves and Caesar much trouble surrendred at last and Vercingetorix who was the chief Spring of all the War with his best Armour on and well mounted rode out of the Gates and took a Turn about Caesar as he was sitting then quitted his Horse threw off his Armour and laid himself quietly at Caesar's feet who committed him to Custody to be reserv'd for a Triumph Caesar had long since design'd to ruine Pompey and Pompey him for Crassus who had hitherto kept them in Peace being slain in Parthia the one wanted nothing to make himself the greatest Man in Rome but the fall of him who was so Nor had the other any way to prevent his own ruine but by being before-hand with him whom he fear'd But Pompey had not been long under such apprehensions having till that time despis'd Caesar as thinking it no difficult matter to crush him whom he himself had advanc'd But Caesar had entertain'd this design from the beginning against his Rivals and had retir'd like an expert Wrestler to prepare himself for the Combat He had improv'd the strength of his Souldiery by exercising e'm in the Gallic Wars and had heighten'd his own glory by his great Actions so that he was look'd on as one that vied with Pompey Nor did he let go any of those advantages which were now given him both by Pompey himself and the times and the ill Government of Rome whereby all who were Candidates for Offices publickly gave Money and without any shame brib'd the Pople who having receiv'd their pay did not contend for their Benefactors with their bare Suffrages but with Bows Swords and Slings so that they seldom parted without having stain'd the place of Election with the Blood of Men kill'd upon the spot by which the City was brought to confusion like a Ship without a Pilot so that the Wiser part wish'd things which were carried on with so much Tumult and fury might end no worse then in a Monarchy Some were so bold as to declare openly that the Government was incurable but by a Monarchy and that they ought to take that Remedy from the Hands of the gentlest Physician meaning Pompey who though in words he pretended to decline it yet in reality he made his utmost Efforts to be declar'd Dictator Cato perceiving his design prevail'd with the Senate to make him sole Consul that he might not aim at the Dictatorship being taken off with the offer of a more
Varro Pompey's Lieutenants and to make himself Master of the Army and Provinces under them that he might more securely advance against Pompey when he had no Enemy left behind him In this Expedition his Person was often in danger from Ambuscades and his Army by want of Provisions yet he did not desist from pursuing the Enemy provoking them to fight and besieging them till by main force he made himself Master of their Camps and their Forces Only the Officers got off and fled to Pompey When Caesar came back to Rome Piso his Father in Law advis'd him to send Men to Pompey to treat of a Peace but Isauricus to ingratiate himself with Caesar spoke against it Caesar after this being chose Dictator by the Senate called home the Exiles advanced to Titles of Honour the Children of such as had suffer'd under Sylla and such as were in debt by retrenching some part of the Interest and touch'd upon some other Regulations like these but not many For within 11 days he resign'd his Dictatorship and having declar'd himself Consul with Servilius Isauricus made haste to the Camp again He march'd so fast that he left all his Army behind him except 600 chosen Horse and 5 Legions with which he put to Sea in the very middle of Winter about the beginning of the Month January which the Athenians call Posideon and having past the Ionian Sea took Oricum and Apollonia and then sent back the Ships to Brundusium to bring over the Soldiers that were left behind in the march These Soldiers as they were upon the Road being very much wasted in their Bodies and tir'd with the fatigue of so many Engagements talkt against Caesar after this manner When at last and where will this Caesar let us be quiet He carries us from place to place and uses us as if we were not to be worn out and had no sense of labour Even our Iron it self is spent by blows and we ought to have some pity on our Bucklers and Breast-plates which have been us'd so long Doth not Caesar gather from our wounds that we are mortal Men whom he commands and that we are subject to the same Calamities and Diseases as other Mortals are 'T is impossible for a God himself to force the Winter-Season or to hinder the Storms when they rage Yet he pushes forward as if he were not pursuing but flying from an Enemy This was their Discourse as they march'd leisurely towards Brundusium But when they came thither and found that Caesar was gone off before them they chang'd their Sentiments and blam'd themselves as Traitors to their General They now rail'd at their Officers for marching so slowly and placing themselves on the Promontories by the Sea-side over-against Epirus lookt out to see if they could espy the Vessels which were to transport them to Caesar He in the mean time was posted in Apollonia but had not an Army with him able to fight the Enemy the Forces from Brundusium being so long a coming which put him into a great suspence and loss what to do At last he entred upon a dangerous project which was to go in a Vessel of 12 Oars without any ones knowledge over to Brundusium though the Sea was at that time cover'd with a vast Fleet of the Enemies He embark'd in the night-time in the habit of a Slave and throwing himself down like some inconsiderable Fellow lay along at the bottom of the Vessel The River Anius was to carry them down to Sea and there us'd to blow a gentle gale every morning from the Land which made it very calm towards the mouth of the River by driving the Waves forward but that night there blew a strong Wind from the Sea which overpower'd that from the Land so that betwixt the violence of the Tide and the resistance of the Waves against it the River was very rough and so uneven and dangerous that the Pilot could not make good his Passage but order'd his Sailors to tack about Caesar upon this discovers himself and taking the Pilot by the Hand who was surprised to see him there said Go on boldly my Friend and fear nothing thou carriest Caesar and his Fortune along with thee The Mariners when they heard that forgot the Storm and laying all their Strength to their Oars did what they could to force their way down the River But when it was to no purpose and the Vessel now took in much Water Caesar finding himself in so great danger in the very mouth of the River permitted the Master though much against his will to turn back When he was come to Land his Soldiers ran to him in whole Troops and exprest how much they were troubled that he should think himself not strong enough to get a Victory by their sole Assistance but must needs disturb himself and expose his Person for those who were absent as if he could not trust those who were with him After this Antony came over with the Forces from Brundusium which encourag'd Caesar to give Pompey Battel though he was encamp'd very advantageously and furnish'd with plenty of Provisions both by Sea and Land whilst he himself who at first had been but ill stock'd was now at last extreamly pinch'd for want of Necessaries so that his Soldiers were forc'd to dig up a kind of Root which grew there and tempering it with Milk to feed on it Sometimes they made Loaves and in their Incursions on the Enemies Out-guards would throw in those Loaves telling them that as long as the Earth produc'd such Roots they would not leave off to besiege Pompey But Pompey took what care he could that neither the Loaves nor the Words should reach his Men for they would have been disheartned at the fierceness and hardiness of their Enemies and look'd upon them as a Kin to the savage Nature of Wild Beasts There were continual Skirmishes about Pompey's Out-works in all which Caesar had the better except one when his Men were forc'd to fly in such a manner that he had like to have lost his Camp For Pompey made such a vigorous Sally on them that not a Man stood his ground the Trenches were fill'd with dead Bodies many fell upon their own Ramparts and Bulwarks being closely pursu'd by the Enemy Caesar met them and would have turn'd them back but could not When he went to lay hold of the Colours those who carried them threw them down so that the Enemies took 32 of them He himself narrowly escap'd for taking hold of a big lusty Fellow that was flying by him he bad him stand and face about but the Fellow full of apprehensions from the danger he was in began to handle his Sword as if he would strike Caesar and had done it had not Caesar's Arm-bearer prevented the blow by chopping off the Man's Arm. Caesar's Affairs were so desperate at that time that when Pompey either through fear or his ill Fortune did not give the finishing stroke to that great Action
shock but that they must necessarily be broken to pieces upon the first impression of so strong a Cavalry When they were ready on both sides to give the signal for Battel Pompey commanded his Foot who were in the Front to stand their ground and without breaking their Order receive quietly the Enemies first Attack till they came within Javelins cast Caesar blam'd this Conduct and said Pompey was not aware that the first Charge if it were brisk and fierce gave weight to every stroke and rais'd a general warmth of Soul which was easily kept alive and improv'd by the concurrence of the whole Army He was now advanc'd with his Forces and just upon Action when he found one of his Captains a trusty and experienc'd Soldier encouraging his Men to exert their utmost Caesar call'd him by his Name and said What hopes C. Crassinius and what grounds for encouragement Crassinius stretch'd out his hand and cried in a loud Voice We shall conquer nobly Caesar and this day I 'll deserve your Praises either alive or dead With these words he immediately ran in upon the Enemy back'd only with six-score Men and presently cut down the foremost and still press'd on forwards with much slaughter of the Enemy till at last he was struck back by the Wound of a Sword which went in at his Mouth with such force that it came out at his Neck behind Whilst the Foot were thus sharply engag'd in the Main Battel one Wing of Pompey's Horse march'd up confidently and open'd their Ranks very wide that they might surround the Right Wing of Caesar But before they engag'd some Companies of Caesar's made up to them and did not dart their Javelins at a distance nor strike at their Thighs and Legs as they us'd to do in close Battel but aim'd at their Faces for thus Caesar had instructed them in hopes that Young Gentlemen who had not convers'd much in Battels and Wounds but were in the flower of their Age and height of their Beauty would be very apprehensive of such Blows and not care for hazarding both a Danger at present and a Blemish for the future This Design took for they were so far from bearing the stroke of the Javelins that they could not stand the sight of them but turn'd about and cover'd their Faces to secure them In this great disorder they were at last forc'd to fly for it and by this Confusion ruin'd all for those who had beat them back presently surrounded the Infantry and falling on their Reer cut them to pieces Pompey who commanded the other Wing of the Army when he saw his Cavalry thus broke and flying was no longer himself nor did he now remember that he was Pompey the Great but like one whom the Gods had depriv'd of his Senses and struck with some fatal Blow retir'd to his Tent without speaking a word and there sat to expect the Event till the whole Army was defeated and the Enemy appear'd upon the Works which were thrown up before his Camp where they closely engag'd with his Men who were posted there to defend it Then he first seem'd to have recover'd his senses and when he had said to himself What into my Camp too he laid aside his General 's habit and putting on such Cloaths as might best favour his flight stole off What Fortune he met with afterwards how he took shelter in Aegypt and was murder'd there we tell you in his Life Caesar when he came to view Pompey's Camp and saw some of his Enemies dead upon the ground others dying said with a sigh ---- This they would have they brought me to this necessity that I Caius Caesar must have lost the credit of all my former Successes in War if I had at last dismiss'd my Army Asinius Pollio says that Caesar spoke those words then in Latin which he afterwards wrote in Greek that those who were killed at the taking of the Camp were most of them Servants and that there fell not above 6000 Soldiers Caesar incorporated most of the Foot whom he took Prisoners with his own Legions and pardoned several Persons of Quality and amongst the rest Brutus who afterwards stabb'd him He did not immediately appear after the Battel was over which put Caesar into a great Agony for him nor was his pleasure less when he saw him safe and at the same time coming over to him There were many Prodigies that foretold this Victory but the most signal was that at Tralles In the Temple of Victory there stood Caesar's Statue the Floor it self was very firm and the Stone with which it was pav'd still harder yet it is said that a Palm-Tree shot it self up near the Pedestal of this Statue In the City of Padua one C. Cornelius who had the Character of a good Augur fellow-Citizen and Friend of Livie the Historian happened to make some Augural Observations that very day when the Battel was fought And first as Livie tells us he pointed out the critical time of the Fight and said to those who were by him That just then the Action was hot and the Men engag'd When he look'd a second time upon the Birds and nicely observ'd the Omens he leap'd as if he had been inspir'd and cry'd out Thou Caesar art the Conqueror This mightily surpriz'd the standers by but he took the Crown which he had on from his Head and swore he would never wear it again till the Event should give Authority to his Art This Livie positively affirms for a Truth Caesar as a Monument of his Victory gave the Thessalians great Immunities and then went in pursuit of Pompey When he was arrived at Asia to gratifie Theopompus who had made a Collection of Fatles he enfranchis'd the Guidians and remitted one third of the Tax to all the Asiatics When he came to Alexandria where Pompey was already murder'd he would not look upon Theodotus who presented him with his head but took his Signet and wept over it Those of Pompey's Friends who had been taken by the King of Aegypt as they were stragling in those parts he obliged and made his own He wrote Letters to Rome wherein he signified to his Friends That the greatest Advantage and Pleasure he found by the Victory was that he every day sav'd several Citizens Lives who had fought against him As to the War in Aegypt some say it was dangerous and dishonourable and no ways necessary but occasion'd only by his Passion for Cleopatra Others blame the Ministers and especially the Eunuch Photinus who was chief Favourite had lately took off Pompey's Head banished Cleopatra from Court and was now thought to be privately carrying on the Destruction of Caesar to prevent which Caesar from that time began to sit up whole nights under pretence of Drinking for the greater security of his Person 'T is certain that he was intolerable in his open Affronts to Caesar both by his Words and Actions for when Caesar's Soldiers had musty and unwholsom Corn
measur'd out to them Photinus told them They must like it since they were fed at another's Cost He order'd that his Table should be serv'd with wooden and earthen Dishes and said Caesar had carried off all the Gold and Silver Plate under pretence of Arrears of Debt For the present King's Father ow'd Caesar 1750 Myriads of Money Caesar had formerly remitted to his Children the rest but thought fit to demand the thousand Myriads at that time to maintain his Army Photinus told him That he had better go then and attend his other Affairs of greater Consequence and that he should receive his Money at another time with Thanks Caesar replied That he did not want Aegyptians to be his Councellors and soon after privately sent for Cleopatra from her Retirement She took a little Skiff and one of her Confidents Apollodorus along with her and in the dusk of the evening landed near the Palace She was at a loss how to get in undiscover'd till she thought of putting her self into the Coverlet of a Bed and lying at length whilst Apollodorus bound up the Bedding and carried it on his Back through the Castle-gates to Caesar's Apartment Caesar was first taken with this fetch of Cleopatra as an Argument of her Wit and was afterwards so far charm'd with her Conversation and graceful Behaviour that he reconcil'd her to her Brother and made her Partner in the Government A Festival was kept for joy of this Reconciliation where Caesar's Barber a busie pragmatical Fellow whose fear made him inquiâ—itive into every thing discover'd that there was a Plot carrying on against Caesar by Achillas General of the King's Forces and Photinus the Eunuch Caesar upon the first intelligence of it set a Guard upon the Hall where the Feast was kept and kill'd Photinus Achillas escap'd to the Army and rais'd a troublesom War against Caesar which it was not easie for him to manage with so small a Force against so powerful a State The first difficulty he met with was want of Water for the Enemies had turned the Pipes Another was that when the Enemy endeavour'd to cut off his Communication by Sea he was forc'd to divert that Danger by setting fire to his own Ships which when it had burnt the Harbor spread it self so far as to destroy the famous Library of Alexandria A third was that in an Engagement near Pharos he leap'd from the Mole into a Skiff to assist his Soldiers who were in danger When the Aegyptians press'd him on every side he threw himself into the Sea and with much difficulty swam off He had then many Papers in his hand which though he was continually darted at and forc'd to keep his Head often under Water yet he did not let go but held them up safe from wetting in one hand whilst he swam with the other His Skiff in the mean time was quickly sunk At last the King having got off to Achillas and his Party Caesar engag'd and conquer'd them many fell in that Battel and the King himself was never seen after Upon this he makes Cleopatra Queen of Aegypt who soon after had a Son by him whom the Alexandrians call'd Caesarion and then departed for Syria Thence he passed to Asia where he heard that Domitius was beaten by Pharnaces Son of Mithridates and fled out of Pontus with an handful of Men and that Pharnaces pursu'd the Victory so eagerly that though he was already Master of Bithynia and Cappadocia he had still farther aims to take in Armenia the less in order to which he invited all the Kings and Tetrarchs there to rise Caesar immediately marched against him with three Legions fought him near Zela drove him out of Pontus and totally defeated his Army When he gave Amintius a Friend of his at Rome an Account of this Action to express the smartness and dispatch of it he used these three words Veni Vidi Vici which Latin words having all the same Cadence carry with them an air of brevity which in this place is very lucky and graceful Hence he went for Italy and came to Rome at the end of that Year for which he was a second time chose Dictator though that Office had never before lasted so long and was elected Consul for the next He was ill spoke of because upon a Mutiny of Soldiers who kill'd Cosconius and Galba who had been Praetors he gave them only that slight Reprimand of calling them Citizens instead of Fellow-Soldiers and after gave each Man a thousand Drachms besides a share of some Lands in Italy He was also reflected on for Dolabella's Extravagance Amintius's Covetousness Anthony's Debauchery and Corfinius's Profuseness who pull'd down Pompey's House and re-built it as not Magnificent enough for the Romans were much displeased with all these But Caesar for the carrying on his Designs though he knew their Characters and disapprov'd them was forc'd to make use of such Instruments After the Battel of Pharsalia Cato and Scipio fled into Afric and there with the Assistance of King Juba got together a considerable Force which Caesar resolv'd to engage In order to it he pass'd into Sicily in the very midst of Winter and to remove from his Officers all hopes of delay there encamp'd by the Sea-shoar and as soon as ever he had a fair Wind put to Sea with 3000 Foot and a few Horse When he had landed them he went back privately under great apprehensions for the better part of his Army but met 'em upon the Sea and brought them all to the same Camp There he was inform'd That the Enemies rely'd much upon an ancient Oracle That the Family of the Scipioes should be always Victorious in Afric There was in his Army a Fellow otherwise mean and contemptible but of the House of the Africani and his Name Scipio Sallustio This Man Caesar put in the Head of his Army with the Title of General which he did either in raillery to ridicule Scipio who commanded the Enemy or seriously to bring over the Omen to his side He was oblig'd often to set upon the Ememy and skirmish with them for he wanted both Victualling for his Men and Forage for his Horse so that he was forc'd to feed 'em with a Sea-weed which he mix'd with Grass to take off its saltness and to give it a more agreeable Taste He was forc'd to make this shift because the Numidians in great Numbers and well Hors'd commanded the Country Caesar's Cavalry being one day out of Employ diverted themselves with seeing an African who entertain'd 'em with a Dance and play'd upon the Pipe to admiration They were so taken with this that they lighted and gave their Horses to some Boys when on a sudden the Enemy briskly surrounded them kill'd some pursu'd the rest and fell in with 'em into their Camp and had not Caesar himself and Asinius Pollio came in to their Assistance and put a stop to their flight the War had been then at an end In another
to some gave Honours and Offices as particularly to Brutus and Cassius who both of them were Praetors Pompey's Images that were thrown down he set up again upon which Cicero said that by raising Pompey's Statues he had fix'd his own When his Friends advis'd him to a Guard and several offer'd their Service he would not hear of it but said It was better to suffer Death once then always to live in fear of it He look'd upon the Affections of the People to be the best and surest Guard and therefore entertain'd them again with publick Feastings and general Distributions of Corn and to gratifie his Army he sent out many Colonies to several places of which the most remarkable were Carthage and Corinth which as before they had been ruin'd at the same time so now they were restor'd and peopl'd together As for the Men of Quality he promis'd some that they should be Consuls or Praetors others he satisfied with Offices or Titles to all he gave hopes of his Favour as being desirons to rule by Love So that upon the Death of Maximus one day before his Consulate was ended he made Caninius Rebellius Consul for that day When many went to pay their Complements to the new Consul as is usual â—icero said by way of raillery Let us make haste lest the Man be gone out of his Office before we come Caesar was born to do great things and had a love of Honour nor did the many Noble Exploits he had done invite him to sit still and reap the fruit of his past labours but were Incentives and Encouragements to go on and rais'd in his Soul the Ideas of still greater Actions and a desire of new Glory as if the present were all spent This Passion was a kind of aemulous struggle with himself as it had been with another how he might out-do his past Actions by his future In pursuit of these thoughts he resolv'd to make War upon the Parthians and when he had subdu'd them to pass through Hircania thence to march along by the Caspian Sea to Mount Caucasus and so on about Pontus till he came into Scythia then to over-run all the Countries about Germany and Germany it self and to return through Gaul into Italy till he had finished the whole Circle of his intended Empire and bounded it on every side by the Ocean While Preparations were making for this Expedition he attempted to dig through the Isthmus on which Corinth stands Afterthat he had a Design to divert the Rivers Apien and Tiber and to carry them by a deep Channel directly from Rome to Circaeum and so into the Sea near Tarracina that there might be a safe and easie Passage for all Merchants who traded to Rome Besides this he intended to drain all the Marshes by Nomentum and Setium and gain ground enough from the Water to employ many Thousands of Men in Tillage He propos'd farther to make great Mounds on the Shoar nighest Rome to hinder the Sea from breaking in upon the Land to cleanse the Ostian Shoar of such hidden Shelves and Rocks as made it unsafe for Shipping and to build Ports and Harbors fit to receive such large Vessels as used to ride thereabouts These things were design'd without taking effect but his Reformation of the Kalendar in order to rectifie the irregularity of Time was not only ingeniously contriv'd but brought to perfection by him and prov'd of very great use For it was not only in ancient Times that the Romans wanted a certain Rule to make the Revolutions of their Months fall in with the Course of the Year whereby their Festivals and solemn days for Sacrifice were remov'd by little and little till at last they came to be kept at a Season quite contrary to what they had been formerly but even at this time the People had no way of computing right the Course of the Sun only the Priests had the knack and at their pleasure without giving any notice clapt in an intercalary Month which they call'd Mercedonius Numa was the first who put in this Month but his Invention was too narrow and short to correct all the Errors that rose from their Computation of the Year as we have shewn in his Life Caesar call'd in the best Philosophers and Mathematicians of his Time to settle this Point and upon Principles there propos'd establish'd a more exact and proper Method of correcting the Kalendar which the Romans use to this day and seem to err less then any other Nation in the Reduction of this inequality of Months to the Year Yet even this gave Offence to those who envy'd his Grandeur and were weary of his Power for Cicero the Orator when one of the Company chanc'd to say The next morning Lyra would rise reply'd Yes by vertue of the Edict as if Men were forc'd by Authority to receive this new Scheme But that which brought upon him the most apparent and mortal hatred was his affectation of being King which gave the Common People the first Occasion to quarrel with him and prov'd the most specious pretence to those who had been his secret Enemies all along Those who would have procur'd him that Title gave it out That 't was foretold in the Sibylls Books that the Romans should conquer the Parthians when they fought against them under the Conduct of a King but not before And one day as Caesar was going from Alba to Rome some were so bold as to salute him by the Name of King but he finding the People disrelish it seem'd to resent it himself and said His Title was Caesar not King Upon this they forbore their Acclamations and he past on with an air that express'd much sullenness and dissatisfaction Another time when the Senate had conferr'd on him some extravagant Honours he chanc'd to receive the Message as he was sitting on the Rostra where though the Consuls and Praetors themselves waited on him attended by the whole Body of the Senate he did not rise but behav'd himself to them as if they had been private Men and told them His Honours wanted rather to be retrench'd than increas'd This Carriage of his offended not only the Senate but Commonalty too for they thought the affront upon the Senate equally reflected upon the whole Republick so that all who could decently leave him went off much dejected Caesar perceiving the false step he had made immediately retir'd home and laying his Throat bare told his Friends That he was ready to stand fair for any man that would do him the kind Office Afterwards he excus'd his sitting by his Distemper under pretence that those who are affected with it have their senses discompos'd if they talk much standing that they presently grow giddy fall iuto Convulsions and quite lose their Reason But all this was feign'd for he would willingly have stood up to the Senate had not Cornelius Balbus one of his Friends or rather Flatterers hinder'd him Don't you remember saith he you are Caesar and
at the same time he was engag'd in the Conspiracy with the other Brutus and Cassius fearing lest if Caesar should put off the Senate to another day the business might get wind took care to expose the Pretenders to Divination and blam'd Caesar for giving the Senate so just Occasions of quarrelling with him by casting such a slur on them for that they were met upon his Summons and were ready to vote unanimously that he should be declared King of all the Provinces without Italy and might wear a Diademin any other place but Italy by Sea or Land If any one should be sent to tell 'em they might break up for the present and meet again when Calpurnia should chance to have better Dreams what would his Enemies say or who could with any patience hear his Friends if they should pretend to defend his Government as not Arbitrary and Tyrannical But if he was possess'd so far as to think this day unfortunate yet it were more decent to go himself to the Senate and to adjourn it in his own Person Brutus as he spoke these words took Caesar by the hand and conducted him forth He was not gone far from the door when a Servant made towards him but not being able to come up to him by reason of the Crowd who press'd about him he made shift to get into the House and committed himself to Calpurnia begging of her to secure him till Caesar return'd because he had matters of great importance to communicate to him Artemidorus a Cnidian who taught the Art of Sophistry in Greek and by that means was so far acquainted with some about Brutus that he had got into the Secret brought Caesar in a little Schedule the Heads of what he had to depose He had observ'd that Caesar as he receiv'd any Papers presently gave 'em to the Servants who attended on him and therefore came as near to him as he could and said Read this Caesar alone and quickly for it contains great Business and such as concerns you Caesar receiv'd it and went to read it several times but was still hindred by the Crowd of those who came to speak to him However he kept it in his hand by it self till he came into the Senate Some say it was another who gave Caesar this Note and that Artemidorus could not get to him being all along kept off by the Crowd All these things might happen by chance but the place where the Senate met which was chose out for the Scene of this Murther was the same in which Pompey's Statue stood and was one of the Edifices which Pompey had rais'd and dedicated with his Theatre to the use of the Publick which plainly shew'd that there was something of a Deity which guided the Action and order'd it to be in that particular place Cassius just before the Assassination look'd towards Pompey's Statue and silently implor'd his Assistance though he was an Epicurean in his Principles but this Occasion and the instant Danger shook his former Notions and made him a perfect Enthusiast As for Anthony who was firm to Caesar and a lusty Person Brutus Abinus kept him without the House and entertain'd him with a long Discourse contriv'd on purpose When Caesar entred into the House the Senate stood up in respect to him of Brutus's Confederates some came about his Chair and stood behind it others met him pretending to supplicate with Metellus Cimber in behalf of his Brother who was in Exile and they follow'd him with their joynt Petitions till he came to his Seat When he was sat down he refus'd to comply with their Requests and upon their urging him farther reprimanded them severally when Metellus laying hold of his Robe with both his hands pull'd it over his Neck which was the Signal for the Assault Casca gave him the first Cut in the Neck which was not mortal nor dangerous as coming from one who at the beginning of such a bold Action was probably very much disturb'd Caesar immediately turn'd about and laid his Hand upon his Dagger and both of 'em at the same time cry'd out He that receiv'd the Blow in Latine Wicked Casca what dost thou mean and he that gave it in Greek to his Brother Brother help Upon the first Onset those who were not conscious to the Design were astonish'd and their Horror at the Action was so great that they durst not fly nor assist Caesar nor as much as speak a word But those who came prepar'd for the Business enclos'd him on every side with their naked Daggers in their Hands Which way soever he turn'd he met with Blows and saw their Swords levell'd at his Face and Eyes and was baited on all sides like a Beast taken in a Toyl For it was agreed they should each of them make a Thrust at him and flesh themselves with his Blood wherefore Brutus gave him one Stab in the Groin Some say that he fought and resisted all the rest and mov'd off from one place to another calling out for Help But when he saw Brutus's Sword drawn he cover'd his Face with his Robe and quietly surrendred himself till he was push'd either by Chance or by Design of the Murtherers to the Pedestal on which Pompey's Statue stood which by that means was much stain'd with his Blood so that Pompey himself may seem to have had his share in the Revenge of his Enemy who fell at his Feet and breath'd out his Soul through his multitude of Wounds for they say he received Three and Twenty The Assassinates themselves were many of them wounded by each other whilst they all levelled their Blows at the same Person When Caesar was dispatch'd Brutus stood forth to give a Reason for what they had done but the Senate would not hear him but flew out of doors in all haste and fill'd the People with so much Fear and Distraction that some shut up House others left their Counters and Shops All ran one way or other some to the Place to see the sad Spectacle others back again after they had seen it Anthony and Lepidus Caesar's best Friends got off privately and absconded themselves in some Friends Houses Brutus and his Followers being yet hot with the Murther marched in a Body from the Senate-House to the Capitol with their drawn Swords not like Persons who thought of escaping but with an Air of Confidence and Assurance As they went along they call'd to the People to resume their Liberty and complimented those of better Quality which they met Some of those went along with them and joyn'd Company with the Conspirators pretending to the Honour of the Action as if they had born a part in it Of this number was C. Octavius and Lentulus Spinther These suffer'd afterwards for their Vanity being taken off by Anthony and the younger Caesar but they lost the Honour they desir'd as well as their Lives which it cost them since no one believ'd they had any share in the Action for neither
Conduct at a pinch but now to send Antiphilus with the Command of the Army This pleas'd the Generality but Phocion made it appear he was so far from having any friendship with him of old standing that he had not so much as the least familiarity with him Yet now Sir says he give me leave to put you down among the number of my Friends and Familiars having advised in my concerns so much to my advantage Still the Athenians being violent to engage against the Boeotians Phocion was the first oppos'd it and his Friends telling him the People would kill him for always running counter to them Truly says he it will be hard measure if I advise them honestly if not let me suffer Whilst they were loud and hot upon 't he commanded the Cryer to make Proclamation that all the Athenians from 16 to 60 should presently prepare themselves with 5 days provision and immediately follow him from the Assembly This caused a great tumult Those in years were startled and clamour'd against the Order he demanded wherein he injured them For I says he am now fourscore and am ready to lead you This divreted them and pacified them for the present in the mean time Micion with a great force of Macedonians and Mercenaries was ravaging and pillaging the Sea coast making a descent into Ramnunta and wasting the Country Against him Phocion was sent and drew out his Army where some stragglers pragmatically intermedling in the Marshalling of it would needs be tutoring him how he should possess himself of such an Hill and dispose of the Cavalry in such a place and so and so to range the Battalions to the best advantage O Hercules says he how many Generals have we here and how few Soldiers Afterward having form'd the Battle one that would seem forward advanc'd out of his Order before the rest but the Enemy approaching his heart fail'd him and he retired back into his rank Him he reproach'd telling him Youngster are you not asham'd twice in one day to desert your Station both where I had plac'd you and you had plac'd your self But falling on the Enemy with great bravery and resolution he routed them killing Micion and many more upon the spot and afterwards he overcame the Groecian Army that was in Thessaly wherein Leonatus had joyn'd himself with Antipater and the Macedonians that came out of Asia Leonatus was kill'd in the Fight Antiphilus commanding the Foot and Menon the Thessalian the Horse Not long after Craterus coming out of Asia with a great Force another skirmish hapned in Cranon wherein the Groecians were worsted but the loss was not very considerable nor the number of the slain yet with their restiveness to their Governors who were young men and too mild and indulgent Antipater in the mean season also under-hand tampering with the Cities the Groecians utterly lost themselves and shamefully betrayed the Liberty of their Country Upon the news of Antipater's approaching Athens with all his force Demosthenes and Hyperides deserted the City and Demades who was altogether insolvent for any part of the Fines that had been laid upon him by the City for he had been condemn'd no less than 7 times for false Judgments contrary to the known Laws and having lost his Reputation to that degree that he was not permitted to Vote in the Assembly laid hold on this favourable juncture to bring in a Bill for sending Embassadors with Plenipotentiary Power to Antipater to treat about a Peace but the people distrusting him and calling upon Phocion to give his opinion as the Person they only and entirely confided in he said My Masters if my former Counsels had been any thing prevalent with you we had not been reduc'd to such straits as we now labour under in our deliberations about these matters However the Vote pass'd and a Decree was made and he with others deputed to go to Antipater who lay now incamped in the Theban Territories but intended suddenly to dislodge and pass into Attica His first proposal was that the Treaty might begin whilst he staid in that Country This was cry'd out upon as unreasonably propounded by Phocion by Craterus to oppress the Country of their Friends and Allies by their stay since they might rather use that of their Enemies for provisions and support of their Army But Antipater taking him by the hand said 'T is true but let us grant this Boon out of respect to Phocion And for the rest he bid them return to their Principals and acquaint them that he would grant them no other Terms than what he himself had received from Leosthenes then General when he was shut up in Lamia When Phocion had return'd to the City and acquainted them with this answer they made a virtue of necessity at this Juncture and comply'd since it would be no better So Phocion return'd to Thebes with other Embassadors and among the rest Zenocrates the Philosopher the reputation of whose Prudence and Wisdom was so great and celebrated among the Athenians that they conceiv'd there could not be any thing of mankind so brutal and barbarous or devoid of common humanity that even his meen and aspect would not gain upon and create a respect for him But the contrary hapned by the insolence and ferity of Antipater's disposition who embracing all the rest of his Companions pass'd Zenocrates by not deigning so much as to salute him or take the least notice of him Upon which occasion Zenocrates said He was well satisfied he used him so scurvily since he had the same intentions to the whole City As soon as ever he began to speak Antipater thwarted and interrupted him not suffering him to proceed but enjoyned him silence But when Phocion had declar'd the purport of their Embassy he reply'd short and peremptorily he would make a League with the Athenians on these conditions and no others That Demosthenes and Hyperides be deliver'd up to him That the ancient way of Raising Taxes in the City be observ'd That they should receive a Garrison from him into Minichia Defray the Charges of the War and damages sustain'd and put themselves under Contribution for it As things stood these Terms were judg'd tolerable by the rest of the Embassadors Zenocrates said Truly if Antipater reputed them as already his Slaves they were indifferent but if he considered them still as Free they were insufferable Phocion press'd him with much earnestness only to spare the Garrison and used many Arguments and Intreaties Antipater reply'd He should find him compliant in any thing to his request that did not inevitably tend no the ruin of them both Others report it differently that Antipater should ask Phocion If he remitted the Garrison to the Athenians he would stand Surety for the City to demean themselves peaceably and endeavour no Innovations To which when he demurr'd and made no return on the sudden Callimedon the Carabian a hot man and a profess'd Enemy to Free States rose up asking Antipater if
and gave no disturbance to any body but if there were no Inn they went to the Magistrates and desired them to help them to Lodgings and were always satisfied with what was allotted to them His Servants thus behaving themselves toward the Magistrates without noise and threatning were often not credited or neglected by them so that Cato did many times arrive before any thing was provided for him And indeed he himself was often despised and made little account of for sitting silent by himself on his Carriages he was looked upon as a contemptible Man and one of a mean Spirit therefore he would sometimes call the Townsmen together and say Ye ill-natured Men lay aside this inhospitable Humour you should by Courtesie endeavour to break the power of those Men who desire but a pretence to take from you by force what you give with such Reluctance While he travelled in this manner a pleasant Accident befell him in Syria As he was going into Antioch he saw a great multitude of People without the Gates ranked in order on either side the way here the young Men with long Cloaks there the Children decently dress'd others wore Crowns and white Garments which were the Priests and Magistrates Cato presently imagining all this was to do him Honour and for his Reception began to be angry with his Servants that were sent before for suffering it to be done then making his Friends alight he walked along with them on Foot As soon as he came near the Gate a reverend old Man who seemed to be Master of these Ceremonies with a Staff and a Crown in his Hand comes up to Cato and without shewing him any respect ask'd him Where he had left Demetrius and how soon he thought he would be there This Demetrius was Pompey's Servant and by all those who hoped for any Favour from Pompey he was highly honoured not for his own Desert but for his great Power with his Master Upon this Cato's Friends fell out into such a Laughter that they could not restrain themselves while they passed through the Crowd he himself much out of Countenance cryed O unhappy City and said no more yet afterward he used to tell this Story and laugh at it himself Pompey likewise after that made the People ashamed of their Ignorance and Folly for Cato in his Journey to Ephesus went to pay his Respects to him who was the elder Man had gained much Honour and was then General of a great Army Yet Pompey would not receive him sitting but as soon as he saw him rose up and going to meet him as the more honourable Person gave him his Hand and embraced him very kindly He said many things also in commendation of Cato's Virtue both in his presence and when he was gone away So that now all men began to respect Cato and admired him for the same things for which they despised him before having well considered the mildness of his Temper and the greatness of his Spirit Moreover the Civility that Pompey himself shewed him appeared to come from one that rather honoured than loved him For it was observed he was very kind to Cato while he was present with him but very glad when he was gone from him And when other young men came to see him he usually importuned and entreated them to continue with him Now he did not at all invite Cato to stay but as if his own Power were lessened by the other's Presence he very willingly dismiss'd him Yet to Cato alone of all those that went for Rome he recommended his Children and his Wife who was also her self allied to Cato After this all the Cities through which he passed strove and emulated each other in shewing him Respect and Honour They invited him to great Entertainments at which he desired his Friends to be present and take care of him lest he should make good what was said by Curio who tho' he were his familiar Friend yet disliking the austerity of his Temper asked him one day If when he left the Army he designed to see Asia And Cato answering Yes by all means You do well replied Curio and I hope you will return thence a litle more softned and less an Enemy to Pleasure Those were his words Deiotarus being now an old Man had sent for Cato with design to recommend his Children and Family to his Protection and as soon as he came brought him Presents of all sorts of things which he begg'd and entreated him to accept This so displeased Cato that tho' he came but in the evening he stay'd only that night and went away early the next morning After he was gone one days Journey he found at Pessinuns a greater number of Presents provided for him there and also Letters from Deiotarus entreating him to receive them or at least to permit his Friends to take them who for his sake deserved something And indeed Cato's own Estate was not very great yet he would not suffer it tho' he saw some of them were willing to receive such Gifts and ready to complain of his Severity But he told them That at this rate Corruption would never want pretence and for his Friends they should share with him in what-ever he could get justly and honestly so he returned the Presents to Deiotarus When he took Ship for Brundusium his Friends would have perswaded him to put his Brother's Ashes into another Vessel but he said He would sooner part with his Life than leave them and so he set Sail. 'T is said he passed the Sea not without some danger tho' others at the same time went over very safely After he was returned to Rome he spent his Time for the most part either at home in Conversation with Athenodorus or at the Forum in the service of his Friends When the Office of Quoestor was allotted to him he would not take the Place till he had perfectly studied the Laws concerning it and diligently enquired of experienced Men the Duty and Authority belonging to it Being thus instructed as soon as he came into the Office he made a great Reformation among the Clerks and under-Officers of the Treasury For they being well versed in the Records and Methods of the Office into which continually succeeded new Quoestors who for their Ignorance and Unskilfulness were fit only to learn and not able to manage the Business These Officers therefore had taken to themselves all the Power and were in effect the Treasurers Till Cato applying himself roundly to the Work had not only the Title and Honour of a Quoestor but an insight and understanding of whatever belonged to the Office So that he used the Clerks and under-Officers like Servants as they were reprehending them that were corrupt and instructing those that were Ignorant Yet being bold impudent Fellows they flattered the other Quoestors his Collegues and by their means made great opposition against Cato But he caught the chiefest of them dealing dishonestly in the division of an Estate and turned
Pompey's Son being incens'd would rashly and in a heat have punish'd all those who were going away and in the first place have laid hands on Cicero but Cato reprehended him in private and diverted him from that Design Thus apparently he sav'd the Life of Cicero and preserv'd several others besides Now understanding that Pompey the Great was fled toward Aegypt or Lybia Cato resolved to hasten after him and having taken all his Men aboard he set Sail but first to those who were not willing to engage he gave free liberty to depart When they came to the Coast of Africk they met with Sextus Pompey's younger Son who told them of the Death of his Father in Aegypt at which they were all exceedingly griev'd and declared that after Pompey they would follow no other Leader but Cato Out of compassion therefore to so many worthy Persons who had given such testimones of their Fidelity and whom he could not for shame leave in a desart Countrey amidst so many Difficulties he took upon him the Command and march'd toward the City of Cyrene which presently received him tho' not long before they had shut their Gates against Labienus Here he was inform'd that Scipio Pompey's Father-in-law was received by King Juba and that Appius Varus whom Pompey left Governour of Lybia had joyn'd them with his Forces Cato therefore resolved to march toward them by land it being Winter and having got together a great many Asses to carry Water he furnished himself likewise with plenty of all other Provision and a number of Carriages he took also with him some of those they call Pssilli who cure the biting of Serpents by sucking out the Poyson with their Mouths and have likewise certain Charms by which they stupifie and lay asleep the Serpents Thus they marched seven days together Cato all the time went on Foot at the Head of his Men and never made use of any Horse or Chariot Ever since the Battel of Pharsalia he used to sit at Table and added this to his other ways of Mourning that he never lay down but to sleep Having pass'd the Winter in Lybia Cato drew out his Army which amounted to little less than ten thousand The Affairs of Scipio and Varus went very ill by reason of their Dissentions and Quarrels among themselves and their Submissions and Flatteries to King Juba who was insupportable for his Vanity and the Pride he took in his Strength and Riches The first time he came to a conference with Cato he had ordered his own Seat to be placed in the middle between Scipio and Cato which Cato observing took up his Chair and set himself on the other side of Scipio to whom he thus gave the Honour of sitting in the middle tho' he were his Enemy and had formerly published a scandalous Libel against him There are some who approve not this Action of Cato's and yet on the other side blame him for that in Sicily walking one day with Philostratus he gave him the middle Place out of the Respect he bore to Philosophy Thus did Cato pull down the Spirit of Juba who before treated Scipio and Varus no better than his own Subjects he reconciled them also to one another All the Army desired Cato to be their Leader Scipio likewise and Varus gave way to it and Offer'd him the Command but he said He would not break those Laws which he fought to defend and he being but Pro-proetor ought not to command in the presence of a Pro-Consul for Scipio had been created Pro-Consul besides that the People would take it as a good Omen to see a Scipio command in Africk and the very Name would give Courage to the Souldiers Scipio having taken upon him the Command presently resolv'd at the Instigation of Juba to put all the Inhabitants of Vtica to the Sword and to raze the City for having as they pretended taken part with Coesar Cato would by no means suffer this but invoking the Gods exclaiming and protesting against it in the Council of War he with much difficulty delivered the poor People from their Cruelty Afterward upon the Entreaty of the Inhabitants and at the Instance of Scipio Cato took upon himself the Government of Vtica lest it should fall into Coesar's hands for it was a strong Place and very advantageous for either Party yet it was better provided and more fortified by Cato who brought in great store of Corn repair'd the walls erected Towers made deep Trenches and Out-works round the Town The young Men of Vtica he lodg'd in the Trenches having first taken their Arms from them the rest of the Inhabitants he kept within the Town and took great care that no Injury should be done nor Affront offer'd them by the Romans From hence he sent great quantity of Arms Money and Provision to the Camp and made this City their chief Magazine He advis'd Scipio as he had before done Pompey by no means to hazard a Battel against a Man experienc'd in War and encourag'd with Success but to use delay for time would cool the Heats and Passions of men which are the chief support and strength of Vsurpers But Scipio out of Pride rejected this Counsel and writ a Letter to Cato in which he reproach'd him with Cowardice and that he could not content himself to lie secure within Walls and Trenches but he must hinder others that they might not make use of the Courage and Reason they have to lay hold an Occasions In Answer to this Cato writ word again That he would take the Horse and Foot which he had brought into Africk and go over into Italy to give Caesar some Diversion there But Scipio derided this Proposition also Then Cato openly avow'd He was sorry he had yielded the Command to Scipio who he saw would not use his Power wisely in the War and if contrary to all appearance he should succeed doubtless he would use his Success as unjustly at home For Cato did then think and so he told his Friends That he could have but slender Hopes in those Generals that had so much Boldness and so little Conduct Yet if any thing should happen beyond Expectation and Caesar should be overthrown for his part he would not stay at Rome but would retire from the Cruelty and Inhumanity of Scipio who had already given out fierce and proud Threats against many But what Cato had look'd for fell out sooner than he expected For about midnight came one from the Army who brought word There had been a great Battel near Thapsus that all was utterly lost Caesar had taken both the Camps Scipio and Juba were fled with a few only and the rest cut to pieces This News as 't is usual in War and coming in the night too did so frighten the People that they were almost out of their Wits and could scarce keep themselves within the Walls of the City but Cato went out and meeting the People in this Hurry and Clamour did comfort and
those Deities which they dread esteeming it hurtful but thinking their Polity is chiefly kept up by Law and therefore the Ephori Aristotle is my Author when they enter upon their Government make Proclamation to the People That they should shave their Whiskers and be obedient to the Laws that they might not be forc'd to be severe using this trivial Particular in my opinion to accustom their Youth to Obedience even in the smallest Matters And the Ancients I think did not imagine Fortitude to be plain Fearlessness but a cautious Fear of Infamy and Disgrace for those that show most Fear towards the Laws are most bold against their Enemies and those are least afraid of any Danger who are most afraid of a just Reproach Therefore he said well A Reverence still attends on Fear And Homer Fear'd you shall be dear Vncle and rever'd And again In silence fearing those that bore the sway For 't is very commonly seen that Men reverence those whom they fear and therefore the Lacedoemonians plac'd the Temple of Fear by the Sussitium of the Ephori having rais'd their Power to almost absolute Monarchy The next day Cleomenes proscrib'd 80 of the Citizens whom he thought necessary to banish and remov'd all the Seats of the Ephori except one in which he himself design'd to sit and hear Causes and calling the Citizens together he made an Apology for his Proceedings saying That by Lycurgus the Senate was joyn'd to the Kings and that that model of Government had continued a long time and needed no other sort of Magistrates to give it perfection But afterward in the long War with the Messenians when the Kings being to command the Army had no time to attend civil Causes they chose some of their Friends and left them to determine the Suits of the Citizens in their stead These were call'd Ephori and at first behav'd themselves as Servants to the Kings but afterward by degrees they appropriated the Power to themselves and erected a distinct sort of Magistracy An evidence of the Truth of this may be taken from the usual Behaviour of the Kings who upon the first and second Message of the Ephori refuse to go but upon the third readily attend them And Asteropus the first that rais'd the Ephori to that height of Power liv'd a great many years after their Institution therefore whilst they modestly contain'd themselves within their own proper Sphere 't was better to bear with them than to make a disturbance But that an upstart introduc'd Power should so far destroy the old model of Government as to banish some Kings murder others without hearing their defence and threaten those who desir'd to see the best and most divine Constitution restor'd in Sparta was unsufferable Therefore if it had been possible for him without Bloodshed to have freed Lacedaemon from those foreign Plagues Luxury Vanity Debts and Usury and from those more ancient Evils Poverty and Riches he should have thought himself the happiest King in the World having like an expert Physician cur'd the Diseases of his Countrey without pain But now in this necessity Lycurgus's Example favour'd his Proceedings who being neither King nor Magistrate but a private Man and aiming at the Kingdom came arm'd into the Market-place and for fear of the King Carileus fled to the Altar but he being a good Man and a lover of his Countrey readily consented to Lycurgus's Project and admitted an Alteration in the State Thus by his own Actions Lycurgus show'd That it was difficult to correct the Government without Force and Fear in using which he said he would be so moderate as never to desire their Assistance but either to terrifie or ruine the Enemies of Sparta's Happiness and Safety He commanded that all the Land should be left in common and private Claims laid aside That Debtors should be discharged of their Debts and a strict search made who were Foreigners and who not That the true Spartans recovering their Courage might defend the City by their Arms and that we may no longer see Laconia for want of a sufficient number to secure it wasted by the Aetolians and Illyrians Then he himself first with his Father-in-law Megistones and his Friends brought all their Wealth into one publick Stock and all the other Citizens follow'd the example the Land was divided and every one that he had banish'd had a share assign'd him for he promis'd to restore all as soon as things were settled and in quiet and compleating the common number of Citizens out of the best and most agreeable of the neighbouring Inhabitants he rais'd a Body of 4000 Men and instead of a Spear taught them to use a Sarissa a long Pike with both hands and to carry their Shields by a String fastned round their Arms and not by a Handle as before After this he began to consult about the exercising and breeding of the Youth many Particulars of which Sphoerus being then at Sparta directed and in a short time the Schools of Exercise and their Syssitia common eating Places recover'd their ancient Decency and Order a few out of necessity but the most voluntarily applying themselves to that generous and Laconick way of Living besides that the Name of Monarch might give them no jealousie he made Eucleidas his Brother Partner in the Throne and that was the only time that Sparta had two Kings of the same Family Then understanding that the Achoeans and Aratus imagin'd that this Change had disturb'd and shaken his Affairs and that he would not venture out of Sparta and leave the City now unsettled by so great an Alteration he thought it great and serviceable to his Designs to convince his Enemies that he was eagerly desirous of a War And therefore making an Incursion into the Territories of Megalopolis he wasted the Countrey very much and got a considerable Booty And at last taking those that us'd to act in the publick Solemnities travelling from Messena and building a Theater in the Enemies Countrey and setting a Prize of 40 l. value he sate Spectator a whole day not that he either desir'd or needed such a Divertisement but as it were insulting o'er his Enemies and that by thus manifestly despising them he might show that he had more than conquer'd the Achaeans for that alone of all the Greek or Kings Armies had no Stage-players no Jugglers no dancing or singing Women attending it but was free from all sorts of Loosness Wantonness and Foppery the young Men being for the most part upon Duty and the old Men teaching them at leisure-time to apply themselves to their usual Drollery and to rally one another facetiously after the Laconick fashion the Advantages of which I have discover'd in the Life of Lycurgus He himself instructed all by his Example he was a living Pattern of Temperance before every bodies eyes and his course of Living was neither more stately nor more expensive than any of the Commons And this was a considerable Advantage
to him in his Designs on Greece for Men when they waited upon other Kings did not so much admire their Wealth costly Furniture and numerous Attendance as they hated their Pride and State their difficulty of Access and scornful commanding Answers to their Petitions But when they came to Cleomenes who was both really a King and bore that Title and saw no Purple no Robes of State upon him no Chairs and Couches about him for his ease and that he did not receive Petitions and return Answers after a long delay by a number of Messengers Waiters or by Bills but that he rose and came forward to meet those that came to wait upon him staid talk'd freely and graciously with all that had Business they were extreamly taken won to his Service and profess'd that he alone was the true Son of Hercules His common every days Meal was in a mean Room very sparing and after the Laconick manner and when he entertain'd Ambassadors or Strangers two more Beds were added and a little better Dinner provided by his Servants but no Fricacies no Dainties only the dishes were larger and the Wine more plentiful for he reprov'd one of his Friends for entertaining some Strangers with nothing but Pulse and black Broth such Diet as they usually had in their Phiditia saying That upon such occasions and when they treat Strangers 't was not requisite to be too exact Laconians After Supper a Stand was brought in with a brass Vessel full of Wine two silver Pots which held almost a Quart apiece a few silver Cups of which he that pleas'd might drink but no Liquor was forc'd on any of the Guests There was no Musick nor was any requir'd for he entertain'd the Company sometimes asking Questions sometimes telling Stories And his Discourse was neither too grave and unpleasantly serious nor vain and abusive but merrily facetious for he thought those ways of catching Men by Gifts and Presents which other Kings use to be mean and inartificial and it seem'd to him to be the most glorious method and most suitable to a King to win the Affections of those that came near him by pleasant Discourse and unaffected Conversation for a Friend and Mercenary differ only in this that the one is made by Conversation and agreeableness of Humour and the other by Reward The Mantinoeans were the first that oblig'd him for getting by night into the City and driving out the Achoean Garrison they put themselves under his Protection he restor'd them their Polity and Laws and the same day march'd to Tegea and a little while after fetching a Compass through Arcadia he made a Descent upon Pheroe in Achaia intending to force Aratus to a Battle or bring him into Disrepute for refusing to engage and suffering him to waste the Countrey Hyperbatus at that time commanded the Army but Aratus had all the Power amongst the Achoeans The Achoeans marching forth with their whole Strength and incamping in Dumoeoe about Hecatomboeum Cleomenes came up and thinking it not advisable to pitch between Dumoeoe a City of the Enemies and the Camp of the Achoeans he boldly dar'd the Achoeans and forc'd them to a Battle and routing the Phalanx slew a great many in the Fight and took many Prisoners thence marching to Lagon and driving out the Achoean Garrison he restor'd the City to the Eloeans The Affairs of the Achoeans being in this desperate condition Aratus who was wont to continue in his Government above a year refus'd the Command though they entreated and urg'd him to accept it and this was ill done when the Storm was high to put the Power out of his own hands and set another to the Helm Cleomenes at first propos'd fair and easie Conditions by his Ambassadors to the Achoeans but afterward he sent others and requir'd the chief Command to be settled upon him and in other Matters he promis'd to agree to reasonable terms and to restore their Captives and their Countrey The Achoeans were willing to come to an Agreement upon those terms and invited Cleomenes to Lerna where an Assembly was to be held but it hapned that Cleomenes hastily marching on and unreasonably drinking Water brought up abundance of Blood and lost his Voice therefore being unable to continue his March he sent the chiefest of the Captives to the Achoeans and putting off the Meeting for some time retir'd to Lacedoemon This ruin'd the Affairs of Greece which was just then ready to recover it self out of its Disasters and avoid the insulting and Covetousness of the Macedonians for Aratus whether fearing or distrusting Cleomenes or envying his unlook'd-for Success or thinking it a disgrace for him who had commanded 33 years to have a young Man succeed to all his Glory and his Power and be Head of that Government which he had been raising and settling so many years he first endeavour'd to keep the Achoeans from closing with Cleomenes but when they would not hearken to him fearing Cleomenes s daring Spirit and thinking the Lacedoemonian's Proposals to be very reasonable who design'd only to reduce Peloponnesus to its old Model he took his last Refuge in an Action which was unbecoming any of the Greeks most dishonourable to him and most unworthy his former Bravery and Exploits for he call'd Antigonus into Greece and fill'd Peloponnesus with Macedonians whom he himself when a Youth having beaten their Garrison out of the Castle of Corinth had driven from the same Countrey beside he declar'd himself an Enemy to all Kings and hath left many dishonourable Stories of this same Antigonus in those Commentaries which he wrote Aud though he declares that he suffer'd considerable Losses and underwent great Dangers that he might free Athens from the Power of the Macedonians yet afterward he brought the very same Men arm'd into his own Countrey and his own House even to the Womens Apartment He would not endure that one of the Family of Hercules and King of Sparta and one that had reform'd the Polity of his Countrey as it were a disorder'd Harmony and tun'd it to the plain Dorick measure of Lycurgus to be styl'd Head of the Triccoeans and Sicyonians and whilst he fled the Pulse and short Coat and which were his chief Accusations against Cleomenes the extirpation of Wealth and reformation of Poverty he basely subjected himself together with Achoea to the Diadem and Purple to the imperious Commands of the Macedonians and their Satrapoe That he might not seem to be under Cleomenes he sacrific'd the Antigoneia Sacrifices in Honour of Antigonus and sung Poeans himself with a Garland on his Head to the Honour of a rotten consumptive Macedonian I write this not out of any Design to disgrace Aratus for in many things he shew'd himself vigorous for the Grecian Interest and a great Man but out of pity to the weakness of Humane Nature which in such a Person so excellent and so many ways dispos'd to Vertue cannot attain to a State irreprehensible The Achoeans
from Sicyon came to his Assistance Cleomenes heard the News about the second Watch of the Night and sending for Megistones angrily commanded him to go and set things right at Argos This Megistones was the Man who pass'd his word for the Argives Loyalty and perswaded him not to banish the suspected This Megistones he dispatch'd with two thousand Souldiers and observ'd Antigonus himself and encouraged the Corinthians pretending that there was no great matter in the Stirs at Argos but only a little Disturbance rais'd by a few inconsiderable Persons But when Megistones entring Argos was slain and the Garrison could scarce hold out and frequent Messengers came to Cleomenes for Succours he fearing lest the Enemy having taken Argos should shut up the Passes and securely waste Laconia and besiege Sparta it self which he had left without Forces he dislodg'd from Corinth and presently lost that City for Antigonus entred it and garrison'd the Town He turn'd aside from his direct March and assaulting the Wall of Argos endeavour'd to break in and having clear'd a way under the quarter called Aspis he joyn'd the Garrison which still held out against the Achoeans some parts of the City he scal'd and took and his Cretan Archers clear'd the Streets But when he saw Antigonus with his Phalanx descending from the Mountains into the Plain and the Horse on all sides entring the City he thought it impossible to maintain his Post and therefore with all his Men made a safe Retreat behind the Wall Having in a short time rais'd himself to a considerable height and in one March made himself Master of almost all Peloponnesus and lost all again in as short a time For some of his Allies presently forsook him and others not long after put themselves under Antigonus's Protection His Army thus defeated as he was leading back the Relicks of his Forces some from Lacedoemon met him in the Evening at Tegea and brought him News of as great a Misfortune as that which he had lately suffer'd and that was the Death of his Wife whom he doted on so much that when he was most prosperous he would ever now and then make a step to Sparta to visit his beloved Aegiatis This News afflicted him extreamly and he griev'd as a young Man would do for the loss of a very beautifull and excellent Wife yet his passion did not debase the greatness of his Mind but keeping his usual Voice his Countenance and his Habit he gave necessary Orders to his Captains and took care to secure the Tegeans The next day he retir'd to Sparta and having at home with his Mother and Children bewail'd the loss and finish'd his Mourning he presently appear'd about the publick Affairs of the State Now Ptolemy the King of Aegypt promis'd him Assistance but demanded his Mother and Children for Hostages this for some considerable time he was asham'd to discover to his Mother and though he often went to her on purpose and was just upon the Discourse yet still refrain'd and kept it to himself so that she began to suspect somewhat and ask'd his Friends Whether Cleomenes had somewhat to say to her which he was afraid to speak At last Cleomenes venturing to tell her she laugh'd heartily and said Was this the thing that you had often a mind to tell me and was afraid Why do not you put me on ship board and send this Carkase where it may be most servicable to Sparta before Age wastes it unprofitably here Therefore all things being provided for the Voyage thy went to Toenarus on Foot and the Army waited on them Cratesicloea when she was ready to go on Board took Cleomenes aside into Neptune's Temple and embracing him who was very much dejected and extreamly discompos'd she said thus Go to King of Sparta when we are without door let none see us weep or show any Passion below the Honour and Dignity of Sparta for that alone is in our own power as for Success or Disappointments those wait on us as the Deity decrees Having said thus and compos'd her Countenance she went to the Ship with her little Grandson and bad the Pilot put presently out to Sea When she came to Aegypt and understood that Ptolemy entertain'd Proposals and Overtures of Peace from Antigonus and that Cleomenes though the Achoeans invited and urg'd him to an Agreement was afraid for her sake to come to any without Ptolemy's consent she wrote to him advising him to do that which was most becoming and most profitable for Sparta and not for the sake of an old Woman and a little Child always stand in fear of Ptolemy this Character she maintain'd in her Misfortunes Antigonus having taken Tegea and plunder'd Orchomenum and Mantinoea Cleomenes was shut up within the narrow Bounds of Laconia and made such of the Heilots as could pay five Attick pounds free of Sparta and by that means got together 500 Talents and arming 2000 after the Macedonian fashion that he might make a Body fit to oppose Antigonus's Leucaspidoe white-Shields he undertook a very considerable and very surprising Enterprize Megalopolis was at that time a City of it self as big and as powerful as Sparta and had the Forces of the Achoeans and Antigonus incamping on its sides and it was chiefly the Megalopolitans doing that Antigonus was call'd in to assist the Achoeans Cleomenes having a design upon this City no Action was ever more sudden and more unexpected order'd his Men to take five days Provision and so march'd to Sellasia as if he intended to spoil the Countrey of the Argives but from thence making a descent into the Territories of Megalopolis and refreshing his Army about Rhoetium he march'd through Helicon directly to the City When he was not far off the Town he sent Panteus with two Regiments to surprize the Mesopyrgion the Quarter between the two Towers which he understood to be the most unguarded Quarter of the Megalopolitans Fortifications and with the rest of his Forces he follow'd leisurely Panteus not only surpriz'd that Place but finding a great part of the Wall without Guards he pull'd down some places and demolish'd others and kill'd all the Defenders that he found Whilst he was thus busied Cleomenes came up to him and was got with his Army within the City before the Megalopolitans knew of the Surprize At last as soon as it was discover'd some left the Town immediately taking with them what Money they had ready some arm'd and engag'd the Enemy and though they were not able to beat them out yet they gave their Citizens time and opportunity safely to retire so that there were not above 1000 Persons left in the Town all the rest flying with their Wives and Children and escaping to Messena A great number of those that arm'd and fought the Enemy were sav'd and very few taken amongst whom were Lysandridas and Thearidas two Men of great Power and Reputation amongst the Megalopolitans and therefore the Souldiers as soon as they were
taken brought them to Cleomenes And Lysandridas as soon as he saw Cleomenes afar off cry'd out Now King of Sparta 't is in your power by doing a most Kingly and braver Action than you have already perform'd to purchase a considerable Glory And Cleomenes guessing at his meaning reply'd What do you say Lysandridas sure you will not advise me to restore your City to you again 'T is that which I mean Lysandridas reply'd and I advise you not to ruine so brave a City but to fill it with faithful and stedfast Friends and Allies by restoring their Countrey to the Megalopolitans and being the Saviour of so considerable a People Cleomenes paus'd a while and then said 'T is very hard to trust so far in these Matters but with us let Profit always yield to Glory Having said this he sent the two Men to Messena with a Trumpeter from himself offering the Megalopolitans their City again if they would forsake the Achoean Interest and be on his side Though Cleomenes made these kind and obliging Proposals yet Philopoemen would not suffer them to break their League with the Achoeans and accusing Cleomenes to the People as if his design was not to restore the City but to take the Citizens too he forc'd Thearidas and Lysandridas to leave Messena This was that Philopoemen who was afterward Chief of the Achoeans and a Man of the greatest Reputation amongst the Greeks as I have made it appear in his own Life This News coming to Cleomenes though he had before taken such strict care that the City should not be plunder'd yet then being in a Fury and put out of all patience he rifled them of all their Coin Plate and Jewels and sent their Statues and Pictures unto Sparta and demollishing a great part of the City he march'd away for fear of Antigonus and the Achoeans but they never stirr'd for they were in Aegium at a Council of War There Aratus mountted the Desk wept along while and held his Mantle before his Face and at last the Company being amaz'd and commanding him to speak he said Megalopolis is ruin d by Cleomenes The Assembly was presently dissolv'd the Achoeans being extreamly surpriz'd at the suddenness and greatness of the loss and Antigonus intending to send speedy Succours when he found his Army to gather very slowly out of their Winter-quarters he sent them Orders to continue there still and he himself march'd to Argos with a considerable Body of Men. The second enterprize of Cleomenes seem'd to be carry'd on by extream Boldness and unaccountable Madness but yet in Polybius's opinion was done upon mature Deliberation and exact Fore-sight for knowing very well that the Macedonians were dispers'd into their Winter-quarters and that Antigonus with his Friends and a few Mercenaries about him winter'd in Argos upon these Considerations he invaded the Countrey of the Argives hoping to shame Antigonus to a Battle upon unequal terms or else if he did not dare to Fight to bring him into Disrepute with the Achoeans And this accordingly hapned for Cleomenes wasting plundring and spoyling the whole Countrey the Argives vex'd at the loss ran in Troops to the Palace of the King and clamour'd that he should either fight or surrender his Command to better and braver Men. But Antigonus as became an experienc'd Captain accounting it dishonourable foolishly to hazzard his Army and quit his Security and not so to be abus'd and rail'd at by the Rabble would not march out against Cleomenes but stood fix'd to the Designs which he had laid Cleomenes in the mean time brought his Army up to the very Walls and having uncontroul'dly spoil'd the Countrey and insulted o'er his Enemies drew off again A little while after being advertis'd that Antigonus design'd for Tegea and thence to make an Incursion into Laconia he hastily march'd with his Army another way and appear'd early in the morning before Argos and wasted the Fields about it the Corn he did not cut down with Reaping hooks and Sythes as Men usually do but beat it down with great Staves made like Scymetars as if with a great deal of Contempt and wanton Scorn he spoyl'd the Fields and wasted the Countrey in his March yet when his Souldiers would have set Cyllabaris the School of Exercise on fire he hindred the Attempt reflecting upon serious consideration that the Outrages committed at Megalopolis were the effects of his Passion rather than his Wisdom He pretended to make such little account of and so much to despise Antigonus who first retir'd to Argos and afterwards plac'd Garrisons on all the Mountains round about that he sent a Trumpeter to desire the Keys of the Heroeum Juno's Temple that he might sacrifice to the Goddess Thus with a Scoff and bitter Reflection on Antigonus and having sacrific'd to the Goddess under the Walls of the Temple which was shut he march'd to Phlius and from thence driving out those that garrison'd Hologountum he march'd down to Orchomenum And these Enterprizes not only encouraged the Citizens but made him appear to the very Enemies to be an experienc'd Captain and very worthy of Command for with the Strength of one City not only to fight the Power of the Macedonians and all the Peloponnesians not only to preserve Laconia from being spoyl'd but to waste the Enemies Countrey and to take so many and such considerable Cities is an Argument of no common Bravery He that first said That Money was the sinews of Affairs seem'd chiefly in that saying to respect War And Demades when the Athenians had voted that a Navy should be made ready but had no Money said They should make Bread before they thought of Sayling And the old Archidamus in the beginning of the Peloponnesian War when the Allies desir'd that each Parties share of Contributions for the War should be determin'd is reported to have said War cannot be kept to a set Diet For as well-breath'd Wrestlers do in time weary and tire out the most active and most skilful Combatant so Antigonus coming to the War with a great stock of Wealth weary'd out Cleomenes whose Poverty made it difficult for him either to provide Pay for the Mercenaries or Provisions for the Citizens For in all other Respects the time favour'd Cleomenes for Antigonus's Affairs at home began to be disturb'd for the Barbarians wasted and over-ran Macedonia whilst he was absent and at that time a vast Army of the Illyrians came down to be freed from whose Outrages the Macedonians sent for Antigonus and the Letters had almost been brought to him before the Battel was fought upon the receipt of which he presently dislodg'd and left the Achoeans Affairs to themselves But Fortune that loves to determine the greatest Affairs by a Minute in this Conjuncture show'd such an exact niceness of Time that immediately after the Battel in Sellasia was over and Cleomenes had lost his Army and his City the Messengers reach'd Antigonus And this made Cleomenes's Misfortune more to
in Marriage not having being engaged or promised to any one by her Father Now this young Tiberius serving in Africa under the Younger Scipio who had married his Sister and conversing under the same Tent with his General soon observ'd and learn'd his noble Genius which excited a great emulation of his Virtues and stirr'd him up to the imitation of his Actions and in a short time excell'd all the young Men of the Army in his Regular Behaviour and Courage and he at one Siege was the first that mounted the Enemies Wall as Fannius says who writes that he himself climb'd up with him and was partaker in that Action His presence created amongst the Souldiers an extraordinary Affection and his departure left a passionate desire of his Return After that Expedition being chosen Pay-master of the Army it was his fortune to serve in the War against the Numantines under the Command of C. Mancinus the Consul a Person no ways blameable but the most unfortunate of all the Roman Generals Notwithstanding amidst the greatest Misfortunes and in the most unsuccessful Enterprizes not only the Discretion and Valour of Tiberius but also which was still more to be admired the great Respect and Veneration which he had from his General was most eminently remarkable insomuch that even in the extremity of Danger he never regarded himself as a principal Officer for when he was overcome in several desperate Battels he would leave the main Body of the Army and in the Night-time sally out with the Forces under his particular Command When the Numantines perceived this they immediately possess'd themselves of his Camp pursuing that part of the Forces which was put to flight slew all those that were in the Rear hedg'd the whole Army in on every side and forcing them into such intricate Places as that there could be no possibility of an Escape Mancinus desparing to make his way through by force sent a Messenger to desire a Truce and cessation of Arms but they refused to conclude a Treaty with any one except Tiberius and required that he should be sent to treat with them This they earnestly insisted upon not only in regard to the young Man's Courage for he had a great Reputation amongst the Souldiers but likewise in remembrance of his Father Tiberius who in his Expedition against the Spaniards had utterly destroyed several other Places but granted a Peace to the Numantines which he commanded to be always kept punctually and inviolable Upon this Consideration Tiberius was dispatch'd to the Enemy whom he perswaded to accept of several Conditions and he himself complyed with others and by this means it's evident that he saved 20000 of the Roman Citizens besides Slaves and those that followed the Army However the Numantines seized upon and destroyed all things that were left behind in the Camp amongst these were Tiberius's Books of Accompts containing the whole Transactions of his Questor-ship upon which he set an extraordinary value And therefore when the Army was already upon their March he return'd to Numantia accompanied with only three or four of his intimate Friends and making his Application to the principal Officers of the Numantines he earnestly entreated that they would return him his Books lest his Enemies should thereby take an occasion to upbraid him for not being able to give an Account of the Moneys received and disbursed by him The Numantines joyfully embraced this opportunity of obliging him and kindly invited him into the City as he stood arguing the Case wish them they approach'd towards him took him by the Hâ—nds and earnestly begg'd that he would never again look upon them as Enemies but relying upon their Friendship be confident for the future of this their present Sincerity Tiberius thought it convenient to believe 'em because he was desirous to have his Books return'd and was afraid least he should disoblige them by shewing any manner of Distrust As soon as he enter'd into the City they in the first place invited him to a publick Entertainment and were very earnest that he would accept of it Afterwards they return'd his Books and gave him the liberty to take what-ever he saw most acceptable of the remaining Spoyls He on the other hand would accept of nothing but some Frankincense which he used in his publick Sacrifices and after he had kindly embraced them and made his Complements departed When he return'd to Rome he found the whole Transaction censured and reproach'd as a Business that was base and scandalous to the Romans but the Relations and Friends of the Souldiers which were the greatest part of the Populace came flocking to Tiberius whom they acknowledg'd the Preserver of so many Citizens and imputed all the Miscarriages which had happen'd to the General They who were dissatisfied with the Proceedings proposed the example of their Ancestors to be followed for after the hasty Peace which had been concluded with the Samnites upon conditions that the Romans should march home without molestation they stripp'd all such as had been any way concern'd in making that Peace as well the Treasurers and Tribunes as the leading Officers and in that manner delivered 'em up into the Enemies hands laying the Crimes of Perjury and breach of that Peace at their Doors But in this Affair the Populace shewing an extraordinary Kindness and Affection for Tiberius they indeed voted that the Consul should be stripp'd and put in Irons and so deliver'd to the Numantines but they granted a general Pardon to all the others out of Respect only to Tiberius It may be probable also that Scipio who at that time was a leading Man among the Romans lent him his Assistance tho' he was nevertheless censured for not protecting Mancinus too and that he did not ratifie the Articles of Peace which had been agreed upon by his Kinsman and Friend Tiberius But it 's evident that the greatest part of these Differences did arise from the Ambition of some designing Politicians who had a Kindness for Tiberius However this Disorder never came to a malignant and incurable Disease and truly I cannot be perswaded that Tiberius would ever have taken those Courses which he did if Scipio Africanus had had any hand in the management of his Affairs for at the time when he was engaged in the War against Numantia Tiberius then ventured to make Proposals of new Laws for the better regulation of the Government upon the following occasion The Romans had by Conquest gain'd some Lands adjoyning to the Suburbs part whereof they sold publickly and turn'd the remainder into Common this Common they assign'd to such of the Citizens as were poor and indigent for which they were to pay only a small acknowledgment into the publick Treasury but when the wealthy Men began to raise the Rents and turn the poor People out of their Possessions it was enacted by Law that no Person what-ever should enjoy more than 500 Acres of Ground This Act did for some time
and Caius likewise was then elected Tribune the second time without his own seeking or petitioning for it but at the voluntary motion of the People When he understood that the Senators were his declared Enemies and that Fannius himself was none of the truest Friends he began again to flatter the People with other new Laws He proposed that a Colony of Roman Citizens might be sent to repeople Tarentum and Capua and that all the Latins should enjoy the same Privileges with the Citizens of Rome But the Senate apprehending that he would at last grow too powerful and dangerous took a new and unusual course to alienate the Peoples Affections from him by their gratifying them in things beyond what they could reasonably expect Livius Drusus was fellow Tribune with Caius a Person of as good a Family and as well educated as any amongst the Romans and no ways inferior to those who for their Eloquence and Riches were the most famous and most powerful Men of that time To him therefore the chief Senators make their Application exhorting him to fall upon Caius and that he would engage himself on their side in opposition to him not by using any force or opposing of the common People but in gratifying and obliging them with such unreasonable things as might otherwise very well deserve to be detested Livius offer'd to serve the Senate with his Authority in this Business and in order thereunto enacted such Laws as were in reality neither honourable nor advantageous for the Publick his whole Design being to out-do Caius in pleasing and cajoling the Populace as Comedians do with obsequious Flattery and Popularity whereby the Senate gave plain Testimonies that they were not at all displeased with Caius's management of Affairs but privately designed either to ruine him utterly or to lessen at least his Reputation For when Caius proposed the re-peopling of only two Colonies abroad and mentioned the most considerable Citizens for that purpose they accused him for abusing the People but on the contrary were pleased with Drusus when he proposed the sending of twelve Colonies abroad and each to consist of 3000 Persons and those too the most beggarly Rascals that he could find When Caius divided the publick Fields amongst the poor Citizens and charged them with a small Rent annually to be paid into the Exchequer they were angry at him as one who pretended to gratifie the People only for his own Interest yet afterwards they commended Livius tho' he exempted them from paying even that little Acknowledgment Besides they were displeased with Caius for giving the Latins an equal Power with the Romans of voting at the Election of Magistrates but when Livius proposed that it might not be lawful for a Roman Captain to strike a Latin Souldier they promoted the passing of that Law and Livius in all his Speeches to the Mobile always told them That he proposed no Laws but such as were agreeable to the Senate who had a particular regard to the Peoples Advantage And this truly was the only Action during the time of his Tribuneship which proved advantageous to the Publick for the People were by this inclined to shew a more than ordinary Love and respect to the Senate and tho' they formerly suspected and hated the principal Senators yet Livius appeas'd and mitigated all their former Perverseness and Animosity by convincing them that he had done nothing in favour and for the benefit of the Commons without their Advice and Approbation But the greatest Credit which Drusus got for his Kindness and Justice towards the People was That he never seem'd to propose any Law either of his own Head or for his own Advantage for he committed the charge of seeing the Colonies rightly settled to other Commissioners neither did he ever concern himself with the distributions of the Moneys whereas Caius was always the principal Man concern'd in such considerable Transactions When Rubrius another Tribune of the People had proposed to have Carthage again inhabited which had been formerly demolished by Scipio it fell to Caius's lot to see the same performed and for that purpose he sailed into Africa Drusus took this opportunity of his absence to insinuate himself still more into the Peoples Affections which he did chiefly by accusing Fulvius who wa a particular Friend to Caius and deputed a Commissioner with him for the division of the Lands This Fulvius was a Man of a turbulent Spirit and notoriously hated by the Senate and besides he was suspected by others to have fomented a Difference between them and their Confederates and under-hand to have perswaded the Italians to rebel tho' there was no other way to prove the truth of these Accusations than by his being a suspicious Person and of a seditious Temper This was one principal Cause of Caius's Ruine for part of the Envy which fell upon Fulvius was derived upon him and when Scipio Africanus happen'd to die suddenly and no outward cause of such an unexpected Death appear'd except some marks of Blows upon his Body which intimated that he had been violently murder'd as we have related in the History of his Life the greatest part of the Blame was thrown upon Fulvius because he was his mortal Enemy and that very day had reflected upon Scipio publickly in the Tribunal nor was Caius himself clear from Suspicion however such an horrible Murther and committed too upon the Person of one of the greatest and most considerable Men in Rome was never either punished or enquired into thorowly for the Mobile opposed and hinder'd the Proceedings of Justice for fear that Caius should be found accessary to the Murder but these things were sometime after But in Africa where at present Caius was engaged in the re-peopling of Carthage which he named Junonia many ominous Prodigies which presaged Mischief are reported to have been sent from the Gods For the First Ensigns Staff was broken with a violent Gale of Wind notwithstanding all the Endeavours of the Ensign to the contrary Another sudden Storm blew away the Sacrifices which were laid upon the Altars and disorder'd the whole Platform by which the bounds of the City were described and besides all this the Wolves made an Incursion and carried away the very Marks that were set up whereby they designed the Precincts of the City Caius notwithstanding all this order'd and dispatched the whole Business in the space of 70 days and then return'd to Rome understanding how Fulvius was prosecuted by Drusus and that the present Juncture of Affairs would not suffer him to be absent for Lucius Hostilius one who sided much with the Nobility and of no small Authority in the Senate who had formerly sued to be Consul but was repulsed by Caius's Interest whereby Fannius was elected was in a fair way now of being chosen Consul because he had a numerous company of Friends and it was generally believ'd if he did obtain it that he would wholly ruine Caius's Interest whose Power was
their Enemies Pompey by this occasion having brought this War to an end with much more ease than was expected departed forthwith out of Arabia and passing cursorily through the intermediate Provinces he came at length to the City Amisus There he receiv'd many Presents brought from Pharnaces and several Bodies of the Royal Blood together with the Corps of Mithridates himself which was not easie to be known by the Face for the Chyrurgion that embalm'd him had not dry'd up his Brain but those who were very curious to see him knew him by the Scars there Pompey himself would not endure to see him but to expiate the Wrath of the Gods he sent it away to the City of Sinope He admir'd the Riches of his Robes no less than the greatness and splendor of his Armour The Scabbard of his Sword that cost 400 Talents was stolen by Publius and sold to Ariarathes His Cidaris also or Crown a piece of admirable Workmanship being begg'd of Caius the Foster Brother of Mithridates was given secretly to Faustus the Son of Sylla All which Pompey was ignorant of but afterwards when Pharnaces came to understand it he severely punish'd those that imbezell'd them Pompey now having order'd all things and established that Province he took his Journey homewards in greater Pomp and State than ever for when he came to Mitylene he gave the City their freedom upon the Intercession of Theophanes and was present at certain Anniversary Games or Exercises where the Poets in a vertuous Contention rehearse their Works having at that time no other Theam or Subject than the Actions of Pompey but he was exceedingly pleas'd with the Theater it self and drew a Model or Platform of it intending to erect one in Rome after the same form but larger and with more Magnificence When he came to Rhodes he heard the Disputes of the Sophisters or Logicians there and gave to every one of them a Talent And Posidonius has written the Disputation which he held before him against Hermagoras the Rhetorician wherein he was Opponent upon the Question touching Universale At Athens also he did the like and shew'd his Munificence among the Philosophers there as he did likewise in bestowing 50 Talents towards the repairing and beautifying the City So that now by all these Acts he well hoped to return into Italy in the greatest Splendor and Glory of any Mortal Man having likewise a passionate desire to be seen of his Family where he thought he was equally desired But that God whose Province and Charge it is always to mix some Ingredient of Evil even with the greatest and most glorious Goods of Fortune had privily provided a bitter Potion at home for him whereby to make his Return more sorrowful for Mutia during his absence had dishonour'd his Bed Whilst he was abroad at a distance he gave little heed to the Report but when he drew nearer to Italy where the Report grew warmer and that his Thoughts were at leisure to muse upon the Crime and Reproach then he sent he a Bill of Divorce but neither then in Writing nor afterwards in Discourse did her ever give a Reason why he discharged her but the Cause is mention'd in Cicero's Epistles Now there were various Rumours scattered abroad touching Pompey and were carried to Rome before him so that there was a great Tumult and Stir as if he design'd forthwith to march with his Army directly into the City and establish himself in a Monarchy Thereupon Crassus withdrew himself together with his Children and Fortunes out of the City either that he was really afraid or that he counterfeited rather as was most probable to give credit to the Calumny and exasperate the malice of the People Pompey therefore as soon as he enter'd into Italy called a general Muster of the Army and having made an Oration suitable to the Genius of the Time and his Soldiers and rewarded them liberally he commanded them to depart every Man to his Country and place of Habitation only with this Memento that they would not fail to meet again at his Triumph Thus the Army being disbanded and the News of it commonly reported there happened out an admirable Passage For when the Cities saw Pompey the Great unarm'd and with a small Train of Familiar Friends only as if he was returning from a Journey of Pleasure not from his Conquests they came pouring in upon him out of pure Affection and Reverence attending and conducting him to Rome with far greater Forces than he disbanded insomuch that if he had design'd any Stirs or Innovation in the State he might have done it without the Assistance of his Army Now because the Law permitted no Man to enter into the City before the Triumph therefore he sent to the Senate entreating them to prorogue the Election of Consuls and grant him the favour that with his presence he might countenance Piso one of the Candidates at that time but this was sharply oppos'd by Cato whereby he fail'd of his Design However Pompey could not but admire that liberty and boldness of Speech in Cato wherewith he alone above all others durst openly engage in the maintenance of Law and Justice he therefore had a great desire to win him over and purchase his Friendship at any rate and to that end Cato having two Neeces Daughters of his Sister Pompey propos'd one in Marriage for himself the other for his Son But Cato suspected the Motion as a colourable design of corrupting and bribing his Justice by Alliance and therefore would not hearken to it which was hainously resented by his Wife and Sister that he should reject an Affinity with Pompey the Great About that time Pompey having a design of setting up Afranius for the Consulship gave a Sum of Money among the Tribes for their Voices some whereof was receiv'd even in his own Gardens insomuch that when this Practice came to be bruited abroad Pompey was very ill spoken of for that he who had had the Honour of that Government as a just Reward of his greater Merits should now make Merchandize of that very Honour for one that had neither Vertue or Courage to deserve it Whereupon Cato took occasion to tell the Ladies Now said he had we contracted an Alliance with Pompey we had been allied to this Dishonour too which when they heard they could not but acknowledge and subscribe to him as one of a more piercing Judgment in Matters of Prudence and Morality than themselves The Splendor and Magnificence of Pompey's Triumph was such That though it held the space of two days yet they were extremely straitned in Time so that of what was prepared for that Pageantry there was as much subducted as would have set out and adorn'd another Triumph But in the first place there were Tables carried wherein were written the Names and Titles of all those Nations over whom he triumph'd such as were The Kingdoms of Pontus Armenia Cappadocia Paphlagonia Media