and ever out of their Body except once and most commonly of the lower sort till by a Law made afterwards they were order'd to be created out of such of the Plebeians as were Senators They had the Power of Interposing and the Design of that Power was to relieve the Oppressed and to be a Shield to keep off all Evil and Mischief They null'd all such Decrees and Commands of the Senate and Consuls as they reckon'd unjust and of all other Magistrates except the Dictators and to shew their Readiness to protect the meanest their Doors stood open Night and Day to their Complaints They at first had their Seats plac d before the doors of the Senate-House tho' afterwards they enter'd in where examining the Decrees of the Fathers they either interpos'd by the word Veto or Vetamus solemnly pronounc'd or else sign'd 'em with the Letter T which made 'em pass They procur'd themselves to be accounted Sacrosancti so as by a Law made they were free from all manner of Compulsion and were inviolable either by Word or Deed and sâ—evere Penalties laid on such as broke it and lest the People shou'd afterwards repeal this Law they made all the Citizens take the most solemn Oath imaginable to preserve it intire and untouch'd As for the Ensigns of their Office they had no Toga Pretexta Lictors or Curule Chair but only a sort of a Beadle call'd Viator went before ' em The want of these Attendants their not entring at the beginning of the year and their not laying down their Office upon the Creation of a Dictator made some hold 'em to be no Magistrates but rather a Curb and Restraint to all others Notwithstanding the disproportionate Greatness of these Tribunes Power it was considerably limited by these two Things which they scarcely perceiv'd at the Beginning The first was their Confinement to the City Walls out of which they had no authority neither was it lawful for 'em to be absent from the City a day Dion says not an hour The second was their Number for any one of the ten had a Negative Vote and this was the only effectual means to moderate the Power which they afterwards assumâ—d the Patritians generally prevailing with one of the ten to be of their side which was sufficient to hinder the Designs of all the rest This was the first great Retrenchment of the Consular Power besides what had been caus'd by Poplicola before and now the Commonwealth was turn'd from an Aristocracâ— to a Democracy or at least to a Mixture of both The Awe which this Sacrosanct Magistracy had upon most People gave 'em occasion afterwards to enlarge their Power and Authority and to become most extravagantly Imperious assembling and dismissing the Senate imprisoning the Consuls and the like as shall be more particularly shewn afterwards So that they often prov'd the Cause of many dangerous Seditions and Tumults and were the greatest Disturbers of the Peace of the Common-wealth insomuch that they were by some Authors call'd Pestes Reipublicae This remarkable Innovation on the Government hapned in the 260th Year of the City 46 after the Ruine of the Babylonian and the Beginning of the Persian Empire and in the third Year of the 71st Olympiad CHAP. III. From the Creation of the Tribunes of the People to the Second Intermission of the Consular Power by the Decemviri Containing the space of 42 Years I. THE Commons having got a Confirmation of the Office of Tribunes from the Senate obtain'd further that they might yearly chuse two out of their own Body to assist these Officers These were first call'd Ministers and Assistants of the Tribunes but afterwards Aediles ab Aedibus curandis because one part of their Office was to take care of the Repairing the Publick Buildings Aqueducts and Common-Sewers especially the Temple of Ceres where all the Plebiscita or Ordinances of the Commons were kept of which they had an Oversight Besides the care of the Publick Buildings they were by the Permission of the Tribunes to determine some particular Controversies to look after such as held more Land than the Laws allow'd 'em to accuse such Matrons as liv'd Scandalously to punish excessive Usurâ—rs and Extortioners to restrain Tipling and Gaming-houses to Fine Persons for lewd and uncivil Words or Actions to Correct false Weights and Measures to provide Bread-Corn and Oyl in the time of Famine and to see that the same was not hoarded up nor the Markets forestall'd as also to take care that necessary Provisions were sent to the Armies and the like About 127 Years after were added two more out of the Patritians call'd Aediles Curules who shall be spoken of in their proper Place After the Commons had obtain'd these Officers and what else they desir'd they readily listed themselves to go against the Vâ—lsci under Posthumius the Consul He soon took Longula and Polustia from 'em then invested Corioli a strong City and the Metropolis of the Nation but the Antiates marching to its relief he left part of his Army under T. Largius and with the other advanc'd to give the Enemy Battel Largius in the mean time attempting to Storm the Town the Besieg'd receiv'd him with so much Courage and Vigour that the Romans were driven back to their Trenches in great Disorder but Caius Marcius a valiant Patritian formerly mention'd with a small Party most couragiously stood the Enemies Shock and with a wonderful Bravery forc'd 'em back into the Town whom he follow'd so close at their Heels that he went in with 'em By which the Besieg'd were so terrifi'd that not considering their own Numbers they fled to the contrary part of the City suffering him to let the rest of the Army into the Town which they soon possess'd themselves of Which done Marcius wou'd not permit the Soldiers to stay for Plunder but hastned 'em to joyn the Consul with all Speed and whilst the Armies were approaching desir'd leave of Posthumius to engage in the main Body with his Party where the chief Strength of the Enemy lay and having obtain'd that Post he behav'd himself with that admirable Courage and Conduct that the Enemy were soon overthrown The Consul gave him extraordinary Commendations owning him to be the chief Cause of the Victory and offer'd him a large Share of the Booty before the Division among the Soldiers But he modestly refus'd all but one single Horse which gain'd him greater Honour among the Soldiers and caus'd Posthumius to bestow the Surname of Coriolanus upon him for his incomparable Valour shewn at Corioli The Volsci by this Overthrow were forc'd to Submission and made their Peace This same Year was the League of Confederacy renew'd with the Latines and likewise a third Feria or Holy-day appointed by the Senate for the Union of the Nobility and Commons the first being for the Conquest of Hetruria in the fifth Kings Reign and the second for the Banishment of Tarquin This Year also dy'd Menenius
having met with a more formidable Enemy or a more expert General II. The Loss of these two Battels caus'd the Romans to be more diligent in the Preparations for the next Campaign for the Managing of which C. Flaminius and Servilius Geminus were chosen Consuls The former of these had a good Faculty of Speaking but no great Skill in War Hannibal having all this while kept in the Country of the Gauls where he had recruited and strengthen'd his Army now resolved to change the Seat of the War and march into Hetruria and after some Consultation about the Way thither he fixt upon that of the Fens as short and unexpected to the Enemy tho' far more difficult to pass Here they found a miserable Passage being forcâ—d to march three or four Days and Nights through nothing but Water without any Sleep or Rest which sorely distress'd his Men many of the Beasts were left dead in the Mud and the Hoofs came off the Horses Feet Hannibal himself riding upon an Elephant which was the only one left alive escap'd with his Life but got intolerable Pains in his Eyes and lost one of them entirely Being at last arriv'd upon dry ground and understanding Flaminius's fiery Temper the better to entrap him he pass'd by his Camp and march'd farther into the Country wasting it with Fire and Sword This enrag'd Flaminius who thought himself slighted and despis'd by the Enemy and when he was advised by some To use great Caution and not rashly pursue especially by reason of the Enemies Cavalry but above all things to stay for the Conjunction of his Collegue's Forces he cou'd by no means bear their Words but rising with all his Troops he began his March as if nothing had been more certain than the Victory his Army being follow'd with a greater number of Rabble laden with Chains Bonds and the like for the Prisoners and Booty Hannibal was now at a Lake callâ—d Thrasymene nigh which were certain Mountains and between them and the Lake was a narrow Passage leading to a Valley just by encompass'd with a Ridge of Hills These Hills Hannibal made choice of placing and disposing his Men round about so that when Flaminius follow'd him into the Valley he was immediately hemmâ—d in and attack'd on all sides to the cutting off of his whole Army and the loss of his own Life and this was done almost before they couâ—d see who engagâ—d 'em by reason of a Mist which was risen from the Lake About 15000 of the Romans fell in the Valley and 6000 escap'd to a Village where they were forcâ—d to yield themselves Prisoners Hannibal gathering all his Prisoners together to the number of 15000 kept the Romans but dismiss'd the Latins without Ransome and he sought also for the Consulâ—s Body to bury it but cou'd not find it Servilius the other Consul who lay at Ariminum having Intelligence of Hannibal's March into Hetruria with all speed detach'd a Party of 4000 Men commanded by Centinius to joyn Flaminius if possible before the Battel Hannibal hearing of this Supply immediately after his Victory detachâ—d out a sufficient Party under Maharbal who cut off one half of the Romans and forcâ—d the rest to a Hill where they yielded themselves Prisoners The Romans were now in a great Consternation at these vast Losses and upon mature Deliberation they found it necessary to have a General with absolute Authority whereupon they resolv'd upon a Dictator which was Fabius Maximus a Person of extraordinary Wisdom and Experience in whom was a happy Mixture of Caution and Boldness He made choice of Minutius Rufus for his Master of the Horse who was of a Temper more hot and violent than himself Having made what Preparations he was able he set forward to meet Hannibal with little Intention to fight him but rather to wait his Motions straiten his Quarters and cut off his Provisions which he knew wou'd be the most effectual way to ruin him in a Country so far from his own He always encamp'd on the highest Grounds free from the Insults of the Enemies Cavalry still keeping pace with 'em when they marchâ—d he followâ—d â—em when they encamp'd he did the same but at such a distance as not to be forcâ—d to engage by which means he gave them no Rest but kept 'em in a continual Alarum This cautious way of proceeding which got him the Name of Cunctator made Most Men suspect his Courage except Hannibal himself who was extreamly troubled and inrag'd at it using all possible Artifices to make Fabius and his Actions become despicable sometimes by braving him in his Camp and other times by wasting the Country round him Soon after Hannibal designing for Casinum was by a mistake Conducted to Casilinum nigh Campania where entring a Valley inviron'd with Mountains Fabius detachâ—d 4000 Choice Men who possessâ—d themselves of the Entrance and with another Party cut off 800 of his Rear putting his whole Army into some disorder Hannibal finding himself block'd up and in a dangerous Condition one Night he ordered small Fagots and lighted Torches to be ty'd to the Horns of 2000 Oxen which by their tossing their Horns and scattering the Fires so frighted the Party that guarded the Entrance that they quitted their Posts and by this Stratagem Hannibal drew off his Army and escap'd tho' with considerable Damage to his Rear This Action tho' excellently well manag'd by Fabiu's procur'd many Complaints against him and Hannibal to improve their Hatred ravagâ—d the Country about but carefully spar'd Fabiusâ—s Lands to render him suspected of a secret Correspondence with him These Suspicions and Fabius's want of Courage as his Men believâ—d prov'd so prejudicial to him that in his Absence soon after Minutius his Master of the Horse having skirmish'd with some Success procur'd so much Favour from the Multitude that his Power was made equal with the Dictator's which was a thing beyond all Example Minutius was so exalted with his late Successes and this new Honour that he resolv'd contrary to all the Perswasions of Fabius to engage Hannibal with his Part of his Army which he did where he was cunningly drawn in by Hannibal to a disadvantageous Place and was in great danger of being intirely defeated when Fabius who had been a careful Observer of this Action from an Eminence in his Camp came in and falling upon the Enemy with extraordinary Skill and Courage soon forc'd 'em to retreat and sav'd Minutius Hannibal after this Battel told his Friends That he thought the Cloud which had so long hover'd upon the Mountains wou'd some time break upon 'em with a Storm As for Minutius he was so far convinc'd of his former Rashness that he confess'd his Errour to Fabius whom he now call'd his Father and renouncing his new Power again subjected his Office freely to the Dictatorship Soon after Fabius's time was expirâ—d a Dictator was created for holding the Comitia for a new Election of Consuls which was
Veturius Philo and Pomponius Matho was his Master of the Horse The new Consuls were Aemilius Paulus and Terentius Varro the former a prudent experiencâ—d Person the latter a hot rash and inconsiderate Man These had gather'd together an Army of 80000 Foot and 6000 Horse which gave great Hopes to the People but raisâ—d as great Fears in some of the wiser sort especially Fabius who with all the powerful Arguments imaginable advis'd Aemilius To beware of the Policy of Hannibal and the Rashness of Varro Both Armies met at a Village in Apulia call'd Cannae where Varro resolv'd to engage contrary to Aemilius's Advice the Enemy being about 40000 Foot and 20000 Horse This Battel was fought with dreadful Fury on both sides and Hannibal had plac'd his Men with all possible Skill and Art so that the Romans were not only forc'd to fight with Wind Dust and Sun but pressing forwards were in a little time almost surrounded In short the Abilities of the Punick General at this time were more apparent than ever who more over-match'd them in Skill than they exceeded him in Numbers making a most miserable Slaughter of the Romans till quite wearied out he commanded his Soldiers to give over Aemilius was found desperately wounded by Lentulus a Colonel who offer'd him his Horse to fly but the Consul with weeping Eyes desired him to make use of it himself and go tell Fabius that he had follow'd his Directions to the last but Fate had conquer'd him and then falling among the dead Bodies he expirâ—d In this Battel the Romans lost 50000 Men. Polybius says 70000 2 Quaestors 21 Tribunes 80 of Senatorian Order and so many Equites or Knights that 't is said that three Bushels of their Rings were sent to Carthage the Enemy having lost but 5700 Men. Never was any thing so terrible and dreadful to Rome as the News of this fatal Defeat never was the City so sadly fill'd with Terrour and Tumult and never was a more universal Mourning and Lamentation throughout all the Streets than at this time The Citizens were all in an Uproar and Consternation and the Senators themselves in great Trouble and Confusion being extreamly disturb'd in their Debates by the dismal Outcries of miserable Women tearing their Hair and beating their Breasts after a sad and deplorable manner A Dictater upon this was created which was M. Iunius his Master of the Horse being T. Sempronius and Order was immediately given to keep all the Women from coming abroad into the Streets the Senators themselves going from House to House to comfort and appease 'em what they cou'd Great Care was likewise taken to set strict Guards at the Gates to keep all Persons from abandoning the City and to make all People see That there cou'd be no possible Meanâ—s of preserving themselves but by bravely defending the Walls In a short time Varro arrivâ—d at Rome with the weak and tatter'd Relicts of his Army and tho' he had been the principal Cause of this Defeat yet the Romans out of an extraordinary Greatness of Mind went out to meet him in Multitudes and the Senate return'd him Thanks for that he had not despair'd of the Commonwealth Notwithstanding the vast Losses sustain'd by Hannibal and the Revolt of a great part of Italy immediately after this last Defeat the Romans wou'd never so much as mention Peace Whereas as Livy says No Nation under Heaven but wou'd have fainted and have suffer'd themselves to have been overwhelm'd and crush'd with the weight of so mighty a Disaster III. Thus far was Hannibal extraordinary successful and had he made the best use of this his last Victory by marching directly to Rome he might in all Probability have put an end to the War and Roman State at once but this great Soldier as Maharbal Captain of his Horse told him knew perfectly how to gain a Victory but not how to use and improve it For his careless manner of proceeding that Summer gave the Romans an Opportunity of Recovering themselves when they were almost reduc'd to a despairing Condition And now they were inspir'd with new Courage and new Resolutions of prosecuting the War without Fainting making all possible Preparations for another Campaign arming of several thousands of Slaves and filling up the Senate which wanted 177 Persons This last was done by Fabius Buteo a Dictator created for that purpose without any Master of the Horse and that before the last Dictator was out of Office who was then abroad But that which provâ—d most fatal to Hannibal was his Wintering in Capua a most wealthy and luxurious City which among many other Places had surrenderâ—d it self to him since his last Victory Heâ—â—â—e utterly spoilâ—d an excellent and hardy Army which now was so enfeebled and enervated by their immoderate Use of the Pleasures and Effeminateness of that Place that ever after his Men became impatient of Labour and the ancient Military Discipline So that Capua became a Cannae to Hannibal â—s Soldiers And now Hannibal's Fortune began to change for in the next Campaign he was worsted in a Sally out of Nola by Marcellus the Praetor and repuls'd at Casilinum after he had brought the Place to great Extremities and not long after Marcellus gave him a considerable Repulse nigh Nola which gave the Romans mighty Hopes of farther Successes In Spain the Scipio's managâ—d the War with great Success overthrowing Hanno and gaining much Ground and likewise defeating Asdrubal who but just before had been order'd by the Senate of Carthage to go for Italy and joyn Hannibal which Design by this means was broke In Sicily and Sardinia tho' several Attempts were made by the Carthaginians and some Revolts hapned yet Affairs succeeded prosperously especially in Sardinia where a Battel was fought and 12000 Carthaginians kill'd and many taken Prisoners among whom were Asdrubal Hanno and Mago all Persons of the highest Quality Rome now had the Misfortune of having Enemies on all sides of her and in all Parts of her Dominions and Territories so that the Vigour and Diligence of her Inhabitants was certainly very admirable in sending Recruits and Supplies into Spain Sicily and Sardinia those distant Countries with the same Care as against Hannibal himself But what is a greater Instance of the Roman Courage and Magnanimity is their proclaiming War with Philip King of Macedon in Greece not long after their dreadful Defeat at Cannae for his making a League with Hannibal and their venturing to invade his Dominion which they did with good Success About this time Claudius Centho was created Dictator for holding the 〈◊〉 in the Consul's Absence for a new Election and his Master of the Horse was Fulvius Flaccus The Affairs of Sicily were in a little time alter'd by the Death of Hiero King of Syracuse and the Murder of his Grandson Hieronymus not long after which caus'd great Factions in that City The prevailing Faction proving Enemies to Rome Marcellus was sent thither who besiegâ—d the great
the middle under the command of Scipio the Spaniards whom Pompey most rely'd upon on the Right under Domitius Aenobarbus and on the Left was Pompey himself with the two Legions Caesar had restor'd at the beginning of the War under Lentulus The rest were in the same Order between Scipio's Legions and the Wings only the Auxiliary Troops at least such as fought in Order compos'd the Body of Reserve for the others they were drawn out without Order upon the Left with the Archers Slingers and all the Cavalry the Right being fortify'd by a River Caesar left two Cohorts to guard his Camp and drew up in three Lines also in the same Order with Pompey the tenth Legion was upon the Right and the ninth upon the Left almost joyn'd to the eighth The rest of the Cohorts being drawn up between these Legions were on the Centre where Domitius Calvinus commanded Sylla having the Right Wing and Anthony the Left Caesar put himself at the Head of the tenth Legion whose Valour he had often experienc'd and with design to be opposite to Pompey who intended to fall suddenly upon the Flanks of Caesar's Troops but he soon perceiv'd it by the Order of his Battel and thereupon he drew six Cohorts out of all his Troops of which he compos'd a Body of Reserve He exactly instructed them in their Duty and above all gave them to understand That all the Hopes of Victory depended upon their Valour and Conduct alone Lastly he plac'd his Cavalry so as to cover the Right of the tenth Legion ordering over and above his third Line not to march till they receiv'd a Signal from him Now it was that the Fate of the vast Empire of Rome was to be decided by the greatest Generals the bravest Officers and the stoutest Soldiers in the World each Man almost being inspir'd with the Desire of conquering Gloriously or dying Honourably As the Armies approach'd the two Generals went from Rank to Rank encouraging their Soldiers Pompey represented to his Men The Iustice and Merit of his Cause the Advantage of their Numbers strengthen'd by the Assistance of so many Illustrious Senators and the Glory lately obtain'd at the Battel of Dyrrachium Caesar was contented only to demonstrate That he had endeavour'd by all possible Means to obtain an honourable Peace and if his Enemies had pleas'd they might have spar'd the Blood of so many brave Men. So seeing the Impatience of his Soldiers to fall on he gave the Signal of Battel the Word on Pompey's side was Hercules the Invincible that on Caesar's Venus the Victorious There was now only so much Space between the two Armies as was just sufficient for the Place of Battel but Pompey order'd his Men to receive the first Shock without moving from their Places Caesar's Soldiers seeing that like Men of Skill of their own accord made a Halt in the midst of their Carrier and after taking a little Breath ran furiously upon the Enemy first discharging their Javelins then drawing their Swords as Caesar had given 'em Orders Pompey's Men receiv'd the Charge without the least Disorder and falling on with their Javelins and Swords a cruel and bloody Battel ensu'd which for some time seem'd equal Then Pompey order'd his Cavalry to charge which with the multitude of Archers and Slingers soon oblig'd Caesar's Men to give ground and got themselves upon the Flank of his Army as they first design'd Whereupon Caesar immediately order'd the six Cohorts to advance which were his Body of Reserve to charge upon the Faces of the Enemy with their Pikes ported This Contrivance disorder'd those nice and esseminate Knights and the fear of spoiling their Faces put 'em into such Confusion that upon the Rallying of Caesar's Cavalry they were all broke in a Moment and the Slingers and Archers being thus abandon'd were all cut to pieces Caesar industriously following that Advantage advanc'd and charg'd Pompey's Troops upon the Flank which Charge they stood with great Resolution and the Allies bravely defended themselves when Caesar gave the Signal for his third Line to advance which fresh Troops pouring in upon Pompey's weary'd out and attack'd on all Sides easily broke ' em The Flight began among the Strangers tho' Pompey's Right Wing still valiantly maintain'd their Ground but Caesar causing his Men to cry out Kill the Strangers but save the Romans the Romans laid down their Arms and receiv'd Quarter but a miserable Slaughter was made among the Strangers who fled with all speed Caesar now finding the Victory certain and Pompey retreated to his Trenches cry'd out to his Men That they ought to pursue the Victory and take the Enemies Camp It was now Noon-day and tho' they were wearied out with the Extremity of the Heat yet upon seeing their General march a-foot at the Head of 'em they follow'd him with great Resolution and falling on with fresh Courage the Enemy all fled to the Mountains not far off Pompey himself was so extreamly dishearten'd and confounded that here he cou'd perform nothing worthy of his great Courage or Reputation but getting on Horse-back he fled to Larissa and from thence to the Sea Caesar found throughout the Camp much rich Furniture in the Tents Tables spread with fine Linen and Cubbords cover'd with Plate which sufficiently shew'd the Luxury and Assurance of the Enemy Caesar earnestly desir'd his Soldiers Not to amuse themselves with Plunder but to compleat this glorious Victory and by means of the great Respect they bore him he prevail'd So a Trench was immediately thrown up about the Mountain where the Enemy was retreated who wanting Water were forc'd to quit it and retire to Larissa Caesar immediately follow'd 'em with four Legions and after six Miles March drew up in Battalia which caus'd the Enemy to betake themselves to a high Hill at the Foot of which ran a River Now Night approaching Caesar's Men were almost spent and ready to faint with the incessant Toil of the whole Day yet still by his obliging Persuasions he prevail'd with 'em to cut off the Conveniency of Water from the Enemy by a Trench This immediately forc'd 'em to a Capitulation only some Senators made their Escape in the Dark The next Morning Caesar order'd all the Enemy to come down into the Plain and lay down their Arms which they obey'd and falling upon their Knees before him in the most suppliant Posture begg'd for Mercy which he granted 'em with all the Clemency and Kindness imaginable and commanded his Soldiers not to offer 'em the least Incivility nor plunder their Baggage Thus Caesar by his wonderful Skill and Courage and by the indefatigable Industry of his Soldiers obtain'd the most compleat tho' not the most bloody Victory that ever General in the World did 15000 of the Enemy being slain in Battel and 24000 surrender'd he himself losing a very inconsiderable Number In the mean time the great Pompey who just before had been the glorious Commander of Kings and all the
the Designs of a Warlike Prince so in the beginning of his Reign he purchas'd the good Opinion of the Poorer sort by dividing to them Man by Man that Portion of Land which his Predecessors the two former Kings had kept to bear their Charges saying That his own Inheritance was sufficient for his own Expences That none of these might want Room he enlarg'd the City and took in the Hill Caelius where he also had his Palace and all such as had now gotten Ground and wanted Habitations built upon it so the City encreas'd in Bulk every day It was not long before this Prince had a fair Opportunity of War offer'd him for Cluilius Governour or Dictator of Alba envying the Growth of Rome had procur'd some Persons to Rob and Pillage in the Roman Territories knowing they wou'd revenge the Injury which when they did he perswaded the Albans that they had receiv'd a great Affront and caus'd 'em to take up Arms But that there might be some Appearance of Reason and for the greater Formality Ambassadors were sent to Rome to demand Restitution Hostilius presently perceiv'd the Design and well knowing that they who first refus'd Satisfaction wou'd bear the greatest Blame by nobly treating the Ambassadors cunningly delay'd giving Answer till he cou'd send to demand Restitution at Alba. His Ambassadors receiv'd a sharp Repulse from Cluilius at Alba upon notice whereof Hostilius gave Audience to the Alban Ambassadors telling them How he had receiv'd such an Answer from Alba as argu'd the League broken whereupon he proclaim'd a just and necessary War against the Albans which he wou'd carry on to the utmost Both Parties made all possible Preparations and drew out their Forces about five Miles from Rome to a Place afterwards call'd Cluilius Ditch where when they expected to have decided the Quarrel Cluilius was found dead in his Tent but whether by a natural or violent Death is uncertain In his Place was chosen Metius Fuffetius a Person who had no other Qualifications to recommend him to this Office besides his turbulent Spirit and his being as great an Incendiary as his Predecessor At the same time the Fidenates and Veientes who in Romulus's days had submitted to the Romans and in Numa's Reign were preparing and seeking for an Opportunity to shake off their Yoak had now drawn their Forces together at Fidenae with Design to fall upon both Romans and Albans after they had weakned themselves in Battel The News of these Preparations at first put the Armies to a stand and made 'em both decline Fighting for a while till at last Fuffetius fearing these People and Hostilius desiring to punish them came both to a sort of an Accomodation agreeing That for the Safety of both Nations the Quarrel shou'd be decided by a Combat of three Persons on each side and the Conquering Party shou'd obtain the Preeminence and Command over the other These Proposals were no sooner ratify'd but many Valiant Persons ambitious of the Honour of serving their Country offer'd themselves to be the Combatants but cou'd not be accepted of others being before agreed upon For it hapned that one Segvinius of Alba had formerly two Daughters one marry'd to Curiatius an Alban and the other to Horatius a Roman who being both with Child at the same time were deliver'd of Three Sons at a Birth Now to these two Ternions of Brothers was this great Combat committed as being of equal Years Strength and Courage and all Matters of Consanguinity and private Affections dispenc'd withal Now was the Fate of Rome to be decided by Six Persons only which rais'd all Peoples Hopes and Fears to a more than ordinary Pitch The Lists were prepar'd between the two Armies Judges were appointed and the Combat perform'd with extraordinary Pomp and Solemnity and with as much Courage and Resolution on both Sides The Curiatii were in a short time all wounded but two of the Horatii were slain downright and the third unhurt left to oppose three Adversaries At this the Albans gave a great Shout but he not the least daunted cunningly retreated as tho' he had wholly fled and drawing 'em out severally so as to have but one against him at once he slew 'em all and Rome became Conqueror At his return to the City his Sister met him with many provoking and reproachful Words for imbruing his Hands in the Blood of his Cozen-Germains whereof one was contracted to her upon which Horatius elevated with the Honour of his Conquest and transported with the Love of his Country slew her upon the Spot For which Fact when he was accused Hostilius avoided giving Judgment himself but hereupon created those Officers call'd Duumviri for Capital Punishments and they Condemn'd him But there lying an Appeal from these Officers to the People they gave him his Life at the Request of his Father who esteem'd it as a great and Heroick Act and gave his Daughter Ignominious Burial for a dreadful Example to all who preferr'd Private Respect before the Publick Good Hostilius dealt very gently with the Albans but notwithstanding for the Advantages gain'd over them had a Triumph II. The Fidenates and Veientes finding that they were like to be call'd to an Account for their treacherous Practices now broke into open Rebellion and Fuffetius enrag'd at the Event of the late Combat and hoping to free himself from the Roman Power privately encourag'd 'em with large Promises of Assistance if they stood in need of it The Romans and Albans now made up one Army and were advancing towards the Fidenates and Veientes but upon their nigh Approach Fuffetius who had laid all his Designs before-hand drew off all the Alban Troops on one side with a Resolution of joining with the prevailing Party The Romans apprehending the danger of their Separation and fearing some Treachery were greatly discourag'd at it but Hostilius tho' satisfy'd of the Villany immediately gave it out as publickly as he cou'd That it was done by his Order and was all a Stratagem to surprise the Enemy At this unexpected Report the Fidenates and their Companions were quite disheartned upon Suspicion of their Friends Infidelity and in a short time were put to the Rout by the Romans for which Victory Hostilius triumph'd a second Time After the Battel Fuffetius join'd with the Romans again like one that had done nothing amiss but Hostilius assembling the whole Body of the Albans and then laying before them all his treacherous Practices and villanous Designs caus'd him to be torn in pieces by Horses having before-hand sent Marcus Horatius to Alba who utterly demolish'd that City and transplanted the Inhabitants to Rome Thus fell the City of Alba once famous for its Riches and Number of Inhabitants after it had flourished 487 Years Rome grew much in Strength Riches and Grandeur out of the Ruins of Alba Mount Caelius being appointed for the Inhabitants that came from thence and the King allowing 'em all the Roman Privileges He
Afflictions and Severities of Fire and Sword and was the true Scene of all kind of Misery and Desolation the Town deserted by its Inhabitants and all its stately Buildings a heap of Rubbish no hopes being left but in the Capitol which was now closely besieg'd by the Gauls and in the Banish'd Camillus whose Presence was now heartily wish'd for While the Gauls lay before the Capitol they sent out many Parties to Forage in all the Country about who ravag'd and destroy'd all the Towns and Villages they arriv'd at and that with the greatest Carelesness and Security imaginable conceiving no sort of Opposition or any manner of Danger But the greatest and best order'd Body of their Forces approaching Ardea Camillus who had liv'd there a retir'd Life began to rouse himself from the sullen Resentments of his Wrongs to the moving Considerations of the Miseries of his Country and by a brave and incouraging Speech perswaded all the Ardeans that were able to bear Arms to fall upon the Enemy in the Night time which was done so effectually that scarce any were left to carry the News of the Defeat The Fame of this Victory began to revive the fainting Spirits of the Romans who now found that these dreadful People were not invulnerable and the Romans who lay at Veii now finding Camillus's readiness immediately sent to him to be their General begging of him to forget all former Injuries and succour his distressed Country He objected his banish'd Condition and refus'd to Act unless by Commission from those in the Capitol whom he consider'd as the true Body of the surviving Roman State This modest Answer was extreamly well taken but they cou'd not imagine by what means to send to the Capitol while the Enemy was in full Possession of the City But for the Undertaking this desperate Attempt one Pontius Cominius offer'd his Service which being kindly accepted of he thus perform'd Putting on a poor Garment carrying Corks underneath he went for Rome and arriv'd at the City when it was dark The Bridge he cou'd not pass by reason of the Guards but taking his Cloaths and binding 'em about his Head he swam down the Tiber upon his Corks and avoiding those Quarters where he perceiv'd the Enemy to be awake which he guess'd at by the Lights and Noise he got into the City and from thence to the Capitol climbing up in the steepest Place with extream Danger and Difficulty The Besieged were much surpriz'd at the Greatness of the Attempt and presently giving him his Instructions sent him back the same Way he came and this part of his Expedition he perform'd with the same good Success that he had done the other and upon his Return delivered to Camillus an Order of the Senate to make him Dictator Camillus chose Valerius Potitus for his Master of the Horse and getting together an Army of above 40000 Men he prepar'd to march against the Enemy In the mean while at Rome some of the Gauls hapned to discover some Foot-steps and Prints made by Pontius at his climbing the Hill which being privately told to Brennus their King he order'd a select Party of Men in the dead of Night to climb up the same Way and take the Capitol by Surprize These Men perform'd their Office with great Difficulty and much Time not any of the Dogs appointed for the Watch perceiving it nevertheless it so hapned that some Sacred Geese which were kept by the Temple of Iunâ— by their Gaggling and clapping their Wings discover'd them The Romans every one snatching what Weapon he cou'd did their utmost on this sudden Occasion and Manlius a Patritian of great Courage was the first that made Head against 'em boldly mounting the Rampier and presently tumbling down two of the Enemy at once Others soon came in to his Assistance and drove down all the rest not a Man escaping and the next Morning the Captain of the Watch was thrown Headlong down the Rock and Manlius rewarded as well as Circumstances wou'd permit Henceforwards the Affairs of the Gauls were in a worse Condition first wanting Provisions then infected with the Plague which rag'd much among 'em but still the Besieged cou'd have no Relief being reduc'd to a languishing and desponding Condition for want of Provisions and Necessaries So that after a seven Months Siege they were forc'd to Capitulate and it was agreed That the Romans paying down 1000 Pound weight of Gold the Gauls should immediately quit the City and Territories This Agreement being confirm'd by Oath and the Gold brought forth the Cauls out of Covetousness us'd false Dealings in the weighing pulling back the Balance as they thought fit at which the Romans complaining Brennus cast in his Sword and Belt into the Scales scoffingly crying Vae Victis Woe to the Vanquish'd which afterwards became a Proverb Whilst this Difference lasted Camillus was arriv'd with his Army and hastning with a choice Party of Men to the Place where the Gold was a weighing he came boldly and took it out of the Scales telling the Gauls that it was the Custom of the Romans to deliver their Country with Iron not with Gold Therefore he null'd the Compact because made without his Consent who alone as being then their Dictator had the sole Power of making Peace Upon this therefore a Fight immediately ensu'd where after a most bloody Contest the Gauls were intirely routed and such great Execution done upon 'em in the pursuit that all the Roman Territories were in a short time clear'd of ' em Thus was Rome unexpectedly taken and in seven Months as unexpectedly recover'd Camillus for his excellent Services having a noble Triumph being now deservedly look'd upon as their second Romulus II. After this War was finish'd the Tribunes of the People began to urge once more for the removing to Veii which caus'd the Senate to procure Camillus to hold his Office of Dictator for a whole Year which was six Months longer than the usual time Camillus with kind Words and gentle Language appeas'd the Multitude shewing 'em How unworthy and dishonourable a Thing it wou'd be for 'em to forsake the venerable Seat of their Ancestors and all their Sacred Rites which were appropriated to this Place to inhabit a conquer'd and inslav'd City Upon this therefore Rome was order'd to be rebuilt with all Diligence and all Persons were employ'd about it but it was carry'd on with that Haste and Hurry that the City wanted much of its former Beauty and Regularity and the Water-courses formerly laid in the Streets now ran for the most part under private Houses When Camillus's second six Months were out Military Tribunes were chosen and in the same Year the Aequi Volsci and Hetrurians all took up Arms and invaded the Roman Territories The Military Tribunes were soon block'd up by the Enemy and were brought to such Straits that the Senate made Camillus Dictator a third time and he chose Servilius Ahala for his Master of the
whence he had the Sirname of Corvus and his Posterity all call'd Corvini This Combate brought both Armies to a Battel and the Gauls were intirely routed Camillus returning home procur'd a Dictator to be created for the holding of the Comitia for a new Election of Consuls This was Manlius Torquatus his Master of the Horse being Cornelius Cossus and in this Comitia Valerius Corvus for his great Deserts was made Consul at 23 Years Age a thing indeed very extraordinary Now the Armies were disbanded and for a short Space there was both Peace abroad and Concord at home This Year a Colony was drawn out from the City Antia to People Satricum which had been destroy'd by the Latins and also at Rome a League was concluded with the Ambassadors of Carthage who came on purpose to desire Amity between both Nations as Livy relates it Above three Years after the Arunci a People beyond the Volsci and one of the six Nations of Latium in the largest extent made a sudden invasion upon the Roman Territories and upon Suspition that it was by the Instigation of the whole Latin Nation Furius Camillus was created Dictator as if all Latium had been up in Arms. He chose Manlius Capitelinus for his Master of the Horse and March'd against the Enemy whom he found more like Robbers than Soldiers so that in the very first Battel they were dispers'd and that War dispatch'd A Year after a Temple was dedicated to Iuno Moneta on the Capitol Hill as the last Dictator had vow'd and soon after some Prodigies were observ'd of which the Romans were so superstitiously fearful that they created a Dictator to constitute certain Feasts and Holy-days for the appeasing of the Gods and diverting the Judgments threatned Valâ—rius Poplicola was the Person and Fabius Ambustus his Master of the Horse and this was the first created upon this Account Orders were given that not only all the Tribes shou'd go in Procession with their solemn Prayers but also the bordering Nations with precise Directions upon what Days each of 'em shou'd make their Supplications This Year likewise the Usurers were prosecuted by the Aediles and severe Sentences given against them by the People These were the principal Wars and Actions of the Romans with their nearest Neighbours which are observ'd by their own Historians to have been all Defensive or at least not begun without just Grounds and Provocations yet these which may well enough bear the name of Defensive Wars still increas'd the Roman Dominions which now contain'd in effect all Old Latium and the greatest Part of the other five Nations afterwards comprehended under that Name viz. the Volsci Aequi Rutili Hernici and Arunci together with most of Sabina and a great Part of Hetruria So that now their Dominions contain'd more than double the Extent of what they were at the Expulsion of the Kings The last Dictator beforemention'd was created a year before the Wars with the Samnites which Wars began A. M. 3661. in the first Year of the 109th Olympiad 410 Years after the Building of the City 165 after the beginning of the Consular State 46 since the Restoration of the City 14 before the Ruin of the Persian and the setting up the Macedonian Empire by Alexander the Great and 342 before our Saviour Christ's Nativity CHAP. VII From the Wars with the Samnites to the Wars with Pyrrhus King of Epirus the first Foreigner they had to deal with wherein the Romans began to learn the Arts of War Containing the Space of 63 Years I. HItherto the Romans had all their Wars nigh home and as it were at their own Gates but now daily gathering strength and encreasing in Power they ventur'd against the warlike Samnites a People above 100 Miles East of Rome These Samnites were a hardy Nation descended from the Sabines from whom they probably had their Name and inhabited a considerable Part of that Side of Italy which now goes by the Name of the Kingdom of Naples having likewise seven other People as Dependents namely the Picentes Vestini Marrucini Frentini Peligni Marsi and Hirpini The Occasion of this War was the Samnites Contesting with their Neighbours the Sidicini who immediately betook themselves to the Campanians for Succour These Campanians were a luxurious and effeminate People inhabiting a delicious Country bordering on Samnium and were so weakned that they sent to Rome for Aid their Ambassadors imploring it with Tears and giving up both themselves and Country into the Hands of the Romans The Senate at first was very unwilling to begin a War with the Samnites as being their Friends and Allies but the importunate Cries and Prayers of the Ambassadors and more especially the scornful Refusal of the Samnites to desist from ravaging the Territories of Capua and Campania so far prevail'd as at last to make them undertake the War The Consuls Valerius and Cornelius began their Marches with two distinct Armies one to Capua and the other into Samnium Valerius after a most bloody and obstinate Fight overthrew the Enemy in Campania and became Master of their Camp The Romans confess'd they never met with more resolute Enemies and demanding of 'em What made 'em fly after so brave a resistance They answer'd That the Eyes of the Romans appear'd to 'em like Flames of Fire and their Looks so fierce and dreadful as not to be born with In Samnium Cornelius the other Consul having unwarily led his Army too forward into a dangerous Place P. Decius a Tribune in the Army boldly possess'd himself of a Hill above the Enemy who much surpriz'd at the Attempt turn'd their principal Force thither which gave Opportunity to the Consul to draw off his Men to a more convenient Place Whereupon Decius with an undaunted Bravery though surrounded brake through the Enemy which more amaz'd 'em than ever and the Consul at the same time Charging with great Resolution so great a Victory was obtain'd that 30000 of the Samnites were slain Both the Consuls triumph'd over the Samnites and Decius was highly honour'd by the Senate and People for his great Services Soon after this Ambassadors from Campania requested to have Garisons from the Romans that Winter in Capua and other Places to secure 'em from the Insults of the Samnites which were accordingly sent But many of the Roman Soldiers were of corrupted with the Delights and Pleasures of Capua that they began to form a Design of destroying the Inhabitants and taking the Town to themselves This Design was communicated to many of their Companions in other Places and well approv'd of but it was soon discover'd to some of their Officers who made several Removeals to disperse ' em But the Soldiers finding themselves liable to be call'd to an Account and perhaps severely punish'd as soon as they found Opportunity gather'd themselves together and daily encreas'd their Numbers march'd directly for Rome in a Rebellious and hostile Manner This piece of Boldness so surpriz'd the Senate
those Creatures broke their Ranks whereupon Pyrrhus commanded the Thessalian Cavalry to Charge them in this Disorder and gave them a total Rout with great Slaughter tho with the Loss of many of his best Men he himself also being wounded The Romans lost nigh 15000 Men and had 1800 taken Prisoners and the other side lost 13000 as Plutarch observes out of Dionysius Pyrrhus us'd the Roman Prisoners with extraordinary Civility and Courtesie and generously buryâ—d their Dead then taking a view of their Bodies and observing that they were all wounded before and what noble and stern Countenances they had he lift up his Eyes and Cryâ—d O how easily might I Conquer the World were I Master of such Soldiers After this Battel Pyrrhus being joyn'd with the Auxiliary Troops of the Samnites Lucani and Brutii directed his March towards Rome and advanc'd as far as Praeneste laying waste all before him The Romans us'd all necessary Diligence to recruit their Troops and to make new Levies Stirring up their Courages as much as possibly Fabricius a Patritian insinuating That the Loss was not through want of Valour but Conduct and that the Grecians had not overcome the Romans but Pyrrhus had Conquer'd Laevinus Pyrrhus finding the Romans very diligent and expeditious in their Recruits considerâ—d it was more Honourable to Treat with 'em after his Victory since he had but small hopes of subduing them and for that purpose sent Cineas to find out their Inclinations a Man so powerful in Rhetorick that the King acknowledgâ—d him To have storm'd more Towns by his Tongue than he ever did by his Arms. Cineas very closely applyâ—d himself to several of the Nobility with Presents for themselves and their Ladies as from his Master but he found 'em so Steady and unmov'd that not a single Person wouâ—d receive any and both Men and Women answerâ—d That if a Treaty were publickly concluded They then shou'd be ready to shew all Respect and Service due to so great a Man as the King was Cineas finding these Methods ineffectual proceeded to his Business more publickly and being come into the Senate he said the most soft and obliging Things in the World likewise offering in his Masters Name to return all that was taken in the Battel without Ransom and Promising all the Assistance that couâ—d be expected for the Conquering all Italy only asking for his Master and the Tarentines their Friendship and Alliance These fair Promises at first made the Senate somewhat inclinâ—d to a Treaty till Appius Claudius now blind and very ancient was brought into the Senate-House who by a stirring and incouraging Oration so warm'd the assembly that Cineas cou'd be hear'd no more but was dismissâ—d with this Answer That when Pyrrhus had withdrawn his Forces from Italy then if he pleasâ—d they wou'd Treat with him about Friendship and Alliance but till then they resolv'd to carry on the War with the utmost Vigour tho' they met with never so many Defeats Cineas at his Return was askâ—d by Pyrrhus what he thought of Rome he told him That the Senate appear'd to him as a venerable Assembly of so many Kings and the People he thought were like the Hydra whose Numbers increas'd the more for the Defeat for the Consul had alreday rais'd twice as great an Army and there were still far greater Numbers behind Soon after Cineas's Return the Romans sent to Pyrrhus about Ransoming of Prisoners among others C. Fabricius a Person eminent for his great Vertues and remarkable for his profess'd Poverty Pyrrhus receivâ—d him with an Extraordinary Civility and Kindness likewise offer'd him Gold assuring him It was no otherwise than an Hospitable Respect to a Person of his Excellencies but all this had no Effect upon the Steadiness of Fabricius's Temper The next Day Pyrrhus trying all Methods to discompose him commanded one of his largest Elephants compleatly Arm'd to be plac'd behind the Hangings and in the midst of their Discourse upon a Sign given the Tapestry was drawn aside and the huge Elephant raising his Trunk over Fabricius's Head made a hideous Noise Fabricius tho he had never seen this Creature was not at all afraid but gently turning about and Smiling said Neither your Gold Yesterday nor you dreadful Beast to Day can make any Impression upon me Pyrrhus amaz'd at the Greatness of his Mind releas'd the Prisonerâ— intrusting 'em to him alone with nothing but a Promise That if the Senate accepted not of Peace they shou'd return to him which accordingly they did being commanded to do it by the Senate upon pain of Death In the same Year Coruncanius Laevinus â— Collegue Triumph'd over some of the Hetrurians who had revolted and likewise this Year the Lustrum being perform'd 278222 Free Citizens were Cess'd II. The Roman Army being now recruited Sulpicius Saverrio and Decius Mus the Consuls for the following Year were sent against Pyrrhus The Romans had now learn'd not to fear the Elephants so much as formerly and were very carful in observing and understanding Pyrrhus's Art and Conduct in Battel Both Armies met about the City of Asculum and Pyrrhus was incommoded by a Woody Country veâ—y inconvenient for his Cavalry and a very swift Current of the River that the Elephants for want of sure Footing cou'd not get up with the Infantry But after many wounded and kill'd the Night put an End to the Engagement The next Morning Pyrrhus designing to Fight on even Ground and to have the Elephants in the thickest of the Enemy caus'd a Detachment to possess themselves of those incommodius Grounds and mixing Slingers and Archers among the Elephants with great Courage advanc'd in a close and well order'd Body and the Romans not having those Advantages of Retreating and falling on as they had before were oblig'd to Fight Man to Man upon plain Ground making a bloody Slaughter among the Graecian Spear Men not minding or valuing what they suffer'd themselves After a long and obstinate Fight the Romans were so press'd upon especially by the mighty Force of the Elephants and the Gaecian Cavalry and so overpowerâ—d that they retreated to their Camp with the loss of 6000 Men the Enemy having lost nigh 4000. This Battel is variously related but this is the truest Account that I can find of it After this Engagement 't is said Pyrrhus reply'd to a Gentleman who congratulated him for his Victory If we overcome the Romans another time we are utterly ruin'd For by this time he had lost a great Part of his Forces he had brought over and almost all his particular Friends and Commanders This Battel finish'd the Campaign and the rest of the time was employâ—d in taking Care for the next at which time Fabricius himself was chosen Consul together with Aemilius Papus At the nigh Approach of the two Armies Fabricius receivâ—d a Letter from the Kingâ—s principal Physician Offering to take off Pyrrhus by Poyson and so end the War without farther hazard to the Romans provided he might have
a Reward proportionable to the Greatness of the Service Fabricius inrag'd at the Villany of the Physician and Disposing his Colleague to the same Opinion he immediately dispatchâ—d Letters to Pyrrhus to let him know what an ill Choice he had made both of his Friends and Enemies that he was in War with Honest Men and trusted and promoted Villains and that the Romans abhor'd all Treacherous Practices it being their Custom to Conquer an Enemy by the Power of their own Arms and not by Treason of the other Subjects Pyrrhus receiv'd the Message with all Courtesie and being more and more surprizâ—d at the Roman Greatness and Generosity he cry'd out This is that Fabricius whom it is harder to turn from the Ways of Vertue and Honesty than the Sun from its Course Such was the noble Spirit of the Romans in these Days where each Man minded the Honour of the Publick more than his own particular profit Pyrrhus made a strict inquiry into this Plot and executed the Physician and that he might not be excellâ—d in Generosity he immediately sent to Rome all the Prisoners without Ransom and again employ'd Cineas to Negotiate a Peace with 'em being now more desirous of their Alliance than ever But whether the Romans believ'd their sending home so many Prisoners too great an Obligation from an Enemy or too great a Reward for barely not doing Ill they wouâ—d not accept of 'em Gratis but immediately releasâ—d as many of the Tarentines and Samnites and wouâ—d admit of no Debate of Alliance or Peace with Pyrrhus till he had withdrawn his Forces from Italy and Sailâ—d back to Epirus in the same Ships that brought him over The King was much confounded at this being very unwilling to continue this War and much more to quit it Dishonourably but in a short time after he was reliev'd by an Expedition into Sicily he begin intreated by the Inhabitants to expell the Carthagâ—uians and clear the Island of Tyrants This prov'd an Honourable Pretence of drawing off his Forces and leaving Italy therefore sending Cineas before and putting a Garrison into Tarentum tho much against their Wills he embarkâ—d for Sicily with an Army of 30000 Foot and 2500 Horse after he had been in Italy two Years and Four Months III. The Absence of Pyrrhus gave the Romans much Respite or at least Leisure enough to punish the Samnites Tarentines Lucani and Brutii whom they warrâ—d against with good Success they having little Hopes but the Return of Pyrrhus with whom they were very Urgent letting him to understand That they were shut up in their Towns which cou'd hardly be maintain'd without his Assistance Pyrrhus tho he had been successful enought within two Years was glad to have so specious a Pretence of leaving Sicily when his Carriage there had been so displeasing to many that in a short time he must have left it with no other Pretence than Necessity and Self-Preservation About the time of his Return there happened such a dreadful Plague in Rome that Cornelius Rufinus the last year's Consul was created Dictator for the Ceremony of Driving a Nail into the Temple of Iupiter which they by Tradition believ'd wou'd asswage the Distemper and this was the third Dictator created upon this Account The Consuls for the following year were Curius Dentatus and Cornelius Lentulus the former of which raising new Levies was oppos'd by the People who refus'd to list themselves Curius resolving to go through with his Designs commanded the Names of every Tribe to be put into a Box and the Lot falling upon the Pollian Tribe the first that was drawn of that Tribe was cited and not answering he sold his Goods and upon his appealing to the Tribunes he sold the Man too saying The Commonwealth stood in no need of such a Member as refus'd all Obedience The. Tribunes at that time did not assist the Fellow and ever after hatt if any refus'd to stil himself in a just Muster when commanded it became a Custom to make a Slave of him Pyrrhus by this time had with some Difficulty and Danger got from Sicily to Tarentum with an Army of 20000 Foot and 3000 Horse where increasing his Army by new Levies he march'd into Samnium where the Romans had gather'd together a powerful Army Pyrrhus divided his Forces into two Part whereof one he sent into Lucania to hinder Lentulus from joyning with his Collegue Curius Dentatus against whom he directed his March then advantageâ—â—â—ly posted nigh Beneventum Pyrrhus hast'ning to attact him there before the other cou'd arrive with the 〈◊〉 of his Men and the fiercest of his Elephants march'd in the time towards the Roman Camp hoping to surprize 'em but passing through Woods his Lights fail'd him and his Men lost their way Whereupon a Council of War being call'd while they were in debate and at the break of day his Approach was discover'd by the Romans as they march'd down the Hills which put their whole Camp into much Disorder and Fear but recovering themselves Curius drew out his Troops in haste and falling in with the Vantguard of Pyrrhus put him to flight killing many Men and taking some Elephants This Success very much discourag'd the rest of Pyrrhus's Troops and Curius descending into the Plain join'd Battel with the whole Army In one Wing he repuls'd the Enemy in the other by the Violence of the Elephants he was born back to his Trenches where calling forth those who guarded 'em they from the high Places so ply'd the Beasts with Darts and fired Pitch and Hemp that they ran back upon their Friends bearing down and breaking all their Ranks so that the Victory fell to the Romans Pyrrhus having lost 23000 Men according to Eutropius Pyrrhus's Camp was also taken which was not only admir'd but likewise prov'd of very great Use afterwards for anciently the Romans and the Nations about 'em were wont to pitch their Tents without Order after the manner of Booths in the midst of their several Battalions but Pyrrhus measuring out his ground encampâ—d his whole Army within a Trench By his Example the Romans receiv'd great Light and Experience as to Warlike Affairs and afterwards adding such things as they found necessary they attained to the most absolute Skill in Encamping in succeeding times Curius Dentatus obtained a most splendid Triumph for this Victory being graced with four Elephants 1300 Prisoners of several Nations with several Implements of the Tarentine Luxury and Rarities A few days after his Collegue triumph'd over the Samnites and Lucani and this year was remarkable for the Censorship of Fabricius and Aemilius who remov'd Rufinus and who had been twice Consul and once Dictator out of the Senate for having ten pound of Silver Plate for the Use of his Table and in this Lustrum 271224 Free Citizens were cess'd or poll'd As for Pyrrhus he bore his Defeat with an undaunted Mind and receiving Letters from Greece and Asia he call'd the Epirots and Tarentines together
the Senior of 'em holding out the Skirt of his Robe told the Senate Here we bring you War or Peace chuse which you please The Chief of the other answerâ—d Deliver which you will the Roman replying War the other accepted of it And thus began the Second Punick or Carthaginian War 23 Years after the First in the 536th Year of the City A. M. 3787 in the Third Year of the 140th Olympiad 291 Years since the beginning of the Consular State 172 since the Destruction of the City by the Gauls 112 since the Beginning of the Macedonian Empire by Alexander and 216 before our Saviour's Nativity CHAP. X. From the Beginning of the Second Punick War to the Finishing of it by Scipio Africanus when the Romans became perfect in the Arts of War Containing the Space of 17 Years I. THE War being broke out a Second Time between these two Rival Nations the Romans and Carthaginians the latter committed the Management of it to Hannibal Amilcar's Son now in Spain a Person of wonderful Abilities as to War both for Conduct and Valour of a hardy laborious and indefatigable Body as well as a fierce daring and undaunted Mind This General had Sworn himself a Mortal Enemy to the Romans and having over-run all Spain to the Pyrenaean Mountains he resolv'd to run any Danger or Hazard so he might procure the Ruin of the Roman State therefore leaving Hanno with a sufficient Force to guard that Country he cross'd the Pyrenaean Mountains into Gaul with an Army of 50000 Foot and 9000 Horse of different Nations and Languages From whence he shortly pass'd the Rhosne with great Danger and Difficulty the River there being swift and spacious and its Banks cover'd with many and dangerous Enemies In Ten days March from thence he arrivâ—d at the Foot of the Alps over which he resolv'd to pass into Italy notwithstanding the Lateness of the Season the Fears of his Men his Ignorance of the Ways the Labour of the March and all the numerous Perils and Hazards that attended so vast an Enterprize It was now in the midst of Winter and every thing appear'd strange and dreadful the prodigious Height of the Mountains Cappâ—d with Snows the rude mis-shapen Cottages on the sides of Craggy steep Rocks the Cattel Sheep and Horses parchâ—d and stiff with Cold the People Barbarous and with long shagg'd Hair like Savages and nothing to be seen but a general Scene of Deformity and Horrour The Soldiers in this March besides their Fears were extreamly afflicted with the Greatness of the Colds and grievously harass'd by the narrow Defiles the slippery Passages and the craggy Rocks but more especially by the Inhabitants who from their lurking Places fell often upon 'em with great Slaughter and sometimes by their unusual Shouts and Outcries which were redoubled by the Echo's between the Rocks and Valleys their Horses were so affrighted as they frequently overthrew themselves Men and Carriages down these narrow Precipices who falling from one Rock to another made a dreadful Rumbling as if it were the Fall of some Castle or great Building Nevertheless after Nine Days painful March through these untrodden Paths Hannibal at last gainâ—d the Top of these vast Mountains where he refreshâ—d his Men and encouragâ—d their fainting Minds by a distant Prospect of Italy telling â—em That now like hardy Soldiers they had mounted not only the Walls of Italy but those of Rome too After two Days Respite among these dismal Places the Army movâ—d forward and were forc'd to encounter with new Difficulties for Prodigious Quantities of Snow being lately fallen as many Men were lost in the depth of that as had been before by the Enemies Encounters And now a sort of Despair appear'd in almost every Man's Face but Hannibal's who still remain'd steady and unshaken inciting 'em forward till they arrivâ—d at a Place which was a Rocky Precipice where the Earth had lately fallen away to the depth of 1000 Foot so that it was impossible to pass with Elephants or Horses Whereupon he endeavour'd to bring his Men through other unknown Ways but finding the Snow had made 'em impassable he was forcâ—d to betake himself to the levelling the Rock In order to that great Numbers of huge Trees were fell'd and a mighty Pile made against it and set on fire when the Rock was red-hot they soften'd and putrefy'd it with Vinegar as Livy relates it and then with wonderful Labour cleav'd it lessening the Descent by such moderate Turnings that not only the Beasts of Burden but the Elephants also might safely pass Four Days indefatigable Toil was employ'd about this Rock the Beasts the mean while being almost stary'd having had very little Sustenance all that time But coming lower certain Valleys afforded Pasture where the Cattel were refresh'd and Rest allow'd the weary Soldiers From thence Hannibal descended into the Plains having been 15 Days in passing the Alps it being now the 5th Month after his setting out from New Carthage which was a City built by Asdrubal in Spain At his arrival in the Country of the Insubres he found his Army reduc'd to about 18000 Foot and 6000 Horse according to Polybius having lost most of 'em upon the Alpes Scipio the Consul hearing of Hannibal â—s March hasten'd to meet him before his Men were well refreshâ—d Both Armies met at Ticinum now Pavia in which Battel the Consul being Wounded was savâ—d by the great Valour of his young Son afterwards callâ—d Africanus and in a few Hours was defeated especially by the means of the Numidian Cavalry who unexpectedly fell upon his Rear Soon after this Defeat Sempronius the other Consul out of Sicily joynâ—d Scipio at the River Trebia Sempronius having been successful in some Skirmishes resolvâ—d to give the Enemy Battel before too many of the Gauls were joynâ—d him tho' Scipio was much against it who was now laid up of his Wounds Hannibal knowing the Gauls to be all at his Devotion and finding his own Men fresh and vigorous endeavour'd at nothing more than a Battel Upon the nigh Approach of these Armies Hannibal convey'd 1000 choice Horse into a private Place and another Party he sent to brave the Romans before they cou'd provide against the Extremity of the Weather by Meat or Drink so that engaging with Cold and Hunger passing the River up to the Arm-pits and being unexpectedly charg'd both in Front and Rear they were intirely defeated tho' not without great Slaughter of the Enemy through whose Ranks 10000 desperately broke and escap'd to Placentia 26000 being either slain taken or drown'd in the River The Carthaginians having done what they were able in pursuing retirâ—d to their Camp so stupify'd with Cold that they were scarcely sensible of their Victory for Rain mixt with Snow and intolerable Cold kill'd many of their Men and almost all their Beasts and Elephants Thus Hannibal was now as successful in his Battels as before he had been daring in his Marches the Romans never
the State was ready for a Change and liable to become a Prey to Men of the Greatest Power and Ambition This Caesar well knew and thought of nothing so much as the Greatness of Pompey and of surpassing or at least equalizing him in the Honour of his Exploits Therefore upon the expiring of his Praetorship he procur'd the Government of Spain but having contracted extraordinary Debts by his too Bountiful Way of Living he was retarded in his Journey by the Prosecution of his Creditors Whereupon he was forc'd to apply himself to Crassus a Person of vast Riches of Great Wit and Eloquence and of no contemptible Valour who being wrought upon by the Importunities of his Wife Tertulla one who no less Lov'd Caesar than Clodius did Pompeia became Security for 830 Talents It was in this Government that Caesar viewing the Statue of Alexander at Gades Wept to think That he had done none nothing Great and Memorable at an Age wherein that Prince had Conquer'd the World And he gave indeed sufficient Marks of his Bravery and Desire of Glory for instead of spending his Time in bare Administration of Justice he pierc'd with his Arms farther into the Country subduing several Nations before untouch'd and collected together so vast a Treasure to himself in the Name of the Common-Wealth as enabled him afterwards to imitate that Alexander whom he so justly admired Shortly after Caesar's Departure for Spain Pompey after a Five Years Expedition return'd to Rome cover'd with Glories for his mighty Exploits and Great Conquests He had upon his Arrival in Italy sent back his Troops to prevent such Suspicions as might arise from his appearing at the Head of an Army so that he obtain'd the Honour of Triumph with a General Applause and with so much more Splendor and Magnificence in regard that he now Triumph'd over another Third Part of the World after his receiving the same Honour for the Conquest of Two Part of it before The Triumph lasted Two Days and yet they were much streightned for time and therein were expos'd the Names of 15 Conquer'd Kingdoms and 860 Cities with the Re-peopling of 39 and 1000 Castles Among the Prisoners led in Triumph appear'd the Son of Tigranes King of Armenia with his Wife and Daughter as also Zozima the Wife of King Tigranes himself and Aristobulus K. of Judea theâ—ter of King Mithridates with her Five Sons and some Ladies of Scythia There were likewise the Hostages of the Albaniaus and Iberians with those of the King of Comagena besides a vast Number of Trophies answering directly to each particular Battel wherein he was Conqueror The Gold Silver and Jewels that made up Part of this Publick Pomp amounted to the value of 20000 Talents which is 3740000 Pounds of our Money He made it appear by an Account plainly stated that he had advanc'd and improv'd the whole Revenue of the Common-Wealth 12000 Talents being above one Third Part by this Expedition without mentioning those large Sums he had distributed among his Men whereof the meanest Soldier 's share was nigh Forty Pounds Pmpey tho' he had obtain'd vast Honour of the Senate yet was much fear'd and hated by many as appear'd by the great Opposition he met with shortly after in his demanding a Confirmation of all that he had transacted in Asia and certain Lands for a Reward for his Soldiers He had already prevail'd by his Credit in the Election of both the Consuls Metellus Certicus and Afranius but in a short Time found himself mistaken in his Choice For Afranius being wholly given to his Pleasure never acquired much Authority in the Senate and Metellus cancellâ—d all former Obligations upon the Account of the Disgrace that was done to his Sister Mutia whom Pompey had put away upon Suspicion of her too great Familiarity with Caesar. Cato on the other side set all his Power against the Interests of Pompey and Lucullus did the like desiring and obtaining of the Senate that those Decrees of his which Pompey had formerly repealâ—d might be in Force and that those made in reference to the Conquerâ—d Countries might be null'd and withal stopp'd his intended Law for rewarding his Soldiers Pompey upon this Usage applyâ—d himself to the Tribunes which Office he and Caesar had restor'd after Sylla had put it down one of which by Name Flavius propos'd the Law for the Reward of the Soldiers Metellus the Consul oppos'd it very sharply till the Contest rising even to Blows and Bloodshed the Tribune caus'd Metellus to be sent to Prison and when the whole Body of the Senate offer'd to make themselves Prisoners with him Flavius plac'd his Tribunal at the Prison-Door and forbad 'em Entrance Upon which the Fathers caus'd the Walls to be broken down in another Place and the Constancy of the Senate began to shake the Resolution of the People who always Judgâ—d of Things by their Outward Appearances This Pompey quickly perceivâ—d and desir'd the Tribunes to Accommodate the Matter pretending Commission from Metellus for his so doing now too late Repenting his Inconsiderate leaving his Army and exposing himself to his Enemyâ—s Hatred At the same time Caesar return'd from Spain the Election of now Consuls being at Hand Caesar had good Intelligence of all these Disturbances and the Reasons of Pompey's Dissatisfaction so that he now resolvâ—d either to Improve his own Authority with the Senate or find a good Opportunity of quitting their Interest His Services in Spain had sufficiently deservâ—d a Triumph wherefore he desir'd it of the Senate declaring at the same time his Design also of standing for the Consulship Now these Desires were inconsistent for the Law forbad Entrance into the City to any one who desirâ—d a Triumph and requirâ—d also that whoever suâ—d for the Consulship shou'd do it in his proper Person Caesar therefore Wrote to the Senate desiring that these Formalities might be dispenc'd withal but Cato stood up for the Maintaining the Laws to their utmost Rigour and his Opinion prevailâ—d so that Caesar chose to decline his Triumph and went to Rome and stood for the Consulship which Honour he very eagerly pursu'd And well understanding Pompey's Credit and his Quarrel to the Senate this he thought a fit Conjucture to engage himself into his Interests Pompey on the other side was no less pleas'd to gain a Man of such extraordinary Merit especially when Caesar promis'd him to confirm all his Acts if he couâ—d procure him to be elected whereupon a close Agreement was made between ' em After this Caesar made it his Business to bring his Friend Crassus into the League who finding his own Interest was weak separately was easily perswaded to joyn with 'em and a former Breach between him and Pompey was whoâ—ly accommodated These three made a firm Combination or Conspiracy That nothing shou'd be done in the Common-wealth against any of their Interests or Approbations which they most solemnly confirm'd with mutual Oaths and Promises This was the first Great
last forcâ—d to let go after nine Months and give way to a greater Violence which hurryâ—d him out of her Embraces This proceeded from Pharnaces the Son of the great Mithridates who had formerly been left King of â—osphorus and being ambitious of Recovering of his Father's Dominions he seiz'd Colchis with little trouble and all Armenia in the Absence of Deictâ—â—us the Tetrarch of that Kingdom besides some other Places Caesar being then employâ—d in Aegypt and hoping to reduce him by others had sent 〈◊〉 Calvinius against him with orders to receive all the Forces that were in Asia Domitius joyn'd with Deiotarus and Ariobarzanes march'd strait against Pharnaces then at Nicopolis which Place he had lately taken Pharnaces affrighted at his Enemy desir'd a Truce which Domitius contemn'd and resolving to fight was considerably worsted in the Engagement Pharnaces elevated with this Success took in the rest of the Cities of Ponâ—us and march'd into Bithynia hoping to meet with his Father's Fortune but was stop'd in his Career by the Revolt of Asander whom he had left in his Kingdom in Chief He design'd to march against him but was diverted by the News of Caesarâ— s coming who upon these Occasions thought it not honourable to make any longer Stay in Aegypt Pharnaces was much more terrify'd at the Name of Caesar than his Army and as he approach'd sent often to him about a Peace labouring by all Ways to evade the present Danger alledging Caesar ' s pardoning of Deiotarus who had been a greater Enemy to him than he not doubting but early to renew the War after his Departure Caesar sufficiently apprehensive of his Designs gave good Words to the Messengers the first and second time but at the third time he objected among other Crimes His Ingratitude to Pompey his Benefactor adding That be receiv'd no less Satisfaction in pardoning of all private Injuries than in revenging such as had been offer'd to the Republick And thereupon using all Expedition on one and the same Day he went and fought the Enemy who 〈◊〉 distress'd him with their Horses and Charious that bore Scythes but the Veteran Troops obtainâ—d the Victory in a few Hours and Pharnaces himself flying and endeavouring to break into Bosphorus was repulsâ—d and slain by Asander the just End of a Person so rebellious to his Father and so ungrateful to his Friends This Victory being so sudden and effectual made Caesar say That Pompey was very happy in gaining so much Glory against this Enemy at so easie a Rate And in writing to Anicius at Rome he express'd the Celerity of this Expedition in three Words Veni Vidi Vici I came I view'd I vanquish'd Caesar settled Affairs in these Parts as well as his time wou'd permit him and after his bestowing the Government of Armenia upon Ariobarzanes that of Iudaea upon Hyrcanus and Antipater and that of Bosphorus upon Mithridates he embark'd and went into Italy with a Diligence which put all the World into Admiration III. Upon Caesar's Arrival in Italy Cicero and a great many others of Pompey's Party went out to meet him and were receiv'd by him with the same Civility as if they had always been of his Interest This courteous and obliging Behaviour so far gain'd him the Favour of the People of Rome so that he easily appeas'd the Dissentions there and the time of his Dictatorship being expir'd he was chosen Consul with Aemilius Lepidus He cou'd not find time to make any long stay at Rome for the Remains of Pompey's Party had rally'd themselves in Africk under Scipio and Cato and Iuba King of Mauritania which made him hasten thither after he had appeas'd some Mutinies among his own Soldiers who insolently demanded their Rewards and their Discharge but upon Caesar's Presence and his telling 'em They shou'd not partake of the Honour of the African Expedition they submitted so as to offer themselves to be decimated Caesar after his usual Diligence landed in Africk with a small Party but the reâ—â— soon after followâ—d he was in some Distress for want of Necessaries for a little time but that he conquerâ—d with great Constancy After many Movements and several Skirmishes and smaller Battels between both Parties in which Caesar was sometimes in great Danger Caesar resolv'd to come to a decisive Baâ—tel if it were possible In order to this Design he invested the City Tapsus supposing that Scipio wou'd attempt to relieve it in which he was not mistaken for Scipio joyning with King Iuba and encamping near Caesar they shortly after came to a genâ—â—â—l Battel in which Caesar gave a final Defeat to all the Enemy's Forces with little or no loss on his side and became Master of all their Bag and Baggage Taplus Adrumentum and Zama immediately surrenderâ—d Cato fled to Utica and Iuba and Petreius kill'd one another in Despair and all Iuba's Kingdom submitted to the Government of Rome Sitius one of Caesar's Lieutenants shortly after encounter'd Afranius and Sylla as they were going for Spain defeated their Forces and took 'em Prisoners after which they were both killâ—d in a Mutiny Scipio himself and several Senators being embarkâ—d for Spain were driven upon Sitius's Fleet where they all were slain by their Enemies or by themselves Of the Generals of Pâ—mpey's Party Cato was only remaining who had retreated to Utica where he had establishâ—d a kind of Senate compos'd of 300 Romans He was at first resolv'd to hold out the Town but finding the Minds of the Inhabiâ—ants much divided he quitted that Design for another more agreeable to his Character and Philosophical Opinions He desir'd his Friends some to save themselves by Sea and others to relie upon Caesar's Goodness and embracing them with a more than ordinary Tenderness that Night his Discourses to 'em being about Morality where he defended that Maxim That the Vertuous were only happy and free but wicked Men were always miserable and Slaves His Sons suspecting his Intentions at Supper took his Sword from him which he miss'd not when he arose but lying down in his Bed read Plato's Dialogue call'd Phaedo concerning the Immortality of the Soul Then missing his Sword he was very angry and dissatisfy'd till it was brought him then feeling the Point he laid it by him saying I am Master of my self He then took his Book again which he had read twice over and fell into a sound Sleep but just as Day began to appear he took his Sword and thrust himself through the Breast which not despatching him he staggering fell upon his Bed and at the same time threw down a Table upon which he had drawn some Geometrical Figures At the Noise of this his Slaves came in and with their Cries also brought his Sons and Friends who found him weltring in his Blood and his Bowels out of his Body His Eyes were yet open which caus'd his Physician to ease him upon his Bed then putting up his Bowels which were yet unhurt he clos'd up the Wound
Conspirators had now made a considerable Progress in the East and Cassius having got all Syria into his Power thought of making an Expedition into Aegypt against Cleopatra who had made great Preparations to assist Caesar and his Party But Cassius was immediately recall'd by Brutus upon the News that Anthony and Caesar were now upon their March with forty Legions of which eight had already pass'd the Ionian Sea Brutus in his Letter told him That their powerful Armies were not design'd for their particular Advancement but the Liberty of their Country therefore they ought not so much to aim at the Glory of new Conquests as the Destroying those who sought the Ruin of that Liberty Cassius therefore leaving Syria to his Brother's Son with one single Legion he sent a considerable Party into Cappadocia which slew Ariobarâ—â—nes as one who had conspir'd against him and there rais'd vast Summs of Money After many seâ—ere Exactions he came himself into the Lesser Asia and meeting Brutus at Smyrna they there consulted about the present War Brutus mov'd to have the Armies pass over into Greece and Macedonia and there meet Octavius and Anthony but Cassius so far prevail'd as to have the Rhodians and Lycians first reduc'd who had refus'd to pay any Contributions and were very powerful at Sea Both were sensible â—ow Dangerous it was to have any Enemies behind 〈◊〉 therefore this Expedition was immediately put â—n Execution and in a short time compleated and extraordinary Contributions were rais'd by that Means The Rhodians were severely plunderâ—d and scarce any thing but their Lives left 'em but the Inhabitants of Xanthus made such an obstinate Resistance that scarce any were left alive for they burnt their City and destroy'd themselves with it After the reducing of these Places Brutus and Cassius met at Sardis from whence after several Consultations they resolv'd to march against Anthony and Octavius Here it was that Brutus is reported to have seen a Ghost in his Tent after Midnight He ever employ'd the greatest part of the Night in dispatching of Affairs and in Reading and one Night being thus employ'd according to his Custom there was a general Silence through all the Camp especially about his Tent when of a sudden he heard an unusual Noise at the Door which open'd of it self at the same time Brutus casting his Eye towards the Place perceiv'd the frightful Figure of a hideous Spectre of a proportion much more than Natural which presented it self before him He had notwithstanding the Courage to speak to it demanding Art thou a God or art thou Man and for what Reason camest thou hither I am reply'd the Spirit thy Evil Genius Brutus and thou shalt see me again near Philippi Brutus very boldly answer'd Well I will see thee and immediately it disappear'd He presently call'd up his Slaves who all told him That they had neither seen nor heard any thing He continuâ—d walking all the rest of the Night and early in the Morning went to give an Account of what hapened to Cassius who being an Epicurean told him That all this proceeded from the Weakness of his Senses and the Strength of his Imagination at that time As for the rest continu'd he Let us not believe that there are any such Spirits here that have either Voice humane Shape or Power over us tho' I could wish there were that we might not only relie upon the Greatness of our Forces but likewise upon the Assistance of those Immortal Beings who cou'd not but be favourable to a Cause so Iust and Sacred as ours is This Discourse satisfy'd Brutus and soon after they pass'd over into Thrace and so to Philippi a City between that Country and Macedonia nigh which the Forces of the Triumviri were posted It was with extraordinary Fear and Terrour that all Persons stood waiting the Success of these two powerful Armies which were to decide the Fate and Fortune of the Roman Empire The Conspirators Forces consisted of 19 Legions and 20000 Horse and the Triumviri of the same Number of Legions but much better compleated and of 13000 Horse Brutus and Cassius encamp'd on a high and convenient Ground nigh the Sea where they were supply'd with Provisions in abundance The other Party was much streightned for want of Necessaries having only Macedonia and Thessaly open to 'em for Pompey had cut off all Communication from Africk and Marcus and Aenobarbus from Italy by their several Navies This made Anthony extreamly desirous of coming to a Battel which Cassius being sensible of refus'd to engage tho' Brutus was very forward saying That he was impatient to put an End to the Miseries of Mankind by a glorious Victory or a noble Death At last Anthony with great Labour and Industry made a Way through a large Fen and Cassius threw up Works against him which with the Soldiers Forwardness caus'd a general Battel tho' much against Cassius's Will who declar'd That he was forc'd in the same manner as Pompey was to expose the Liberty of the Roman People to the Hazard of a Battel In the Morning just before the Battel Cassius ask'd Brutus's Opinion of what they ought to do if they were unsuccessful and Brutus reply'd That he had formerly in his Writings condemn'd the Death of Cato and maintain'd that such a manner of avoiding Disgraces was an insolent Attempt against Heaven that sent 'em but he had now alterâ—d his Opinion since he was not Master of his Life having already sacrific'd it to his Country he was resolv'd to change it for a Happier if Fortune prov'd his Enemy Cassius imbracing him told him Now we may venture against the Enemy for either we will be Conquerors our selves or will have no Cause to fear those that are so The Forces of the Triumviri were commanded by Anthony alone Octavius being now sick and both Armies being drawn up Brutus's Party in a short time attack'd that of Octavius with little Order but with so much Fury that at the first Onset they overthrew all that oppos'd and pressing forward with great Slaughter they enter'd the very Camp of Octavius who had just retreated to Anthony's Anthony was very hotly engag'd with Cassius but in a short time found means to open a Passage through the Lines and charging Cassius's Troops upon the Flank overthrew 'em with great Slaughter then pursuing the Victory he soon became Master of his Camp which Skill and Diligence he had learnt from Iulius Caesar. Cassius retir'd to a Hill not far off expecting the Event of the Battel on his Partner's side and by reason of the greatness of the Dust he cou'd not discern whose Cavalry it was that made towards him at a distance He therefore sent Titinius to make the Discovery Titinius was receiv'd with great Joy by 'em who were bringing Tidings of Victory but stay'd so long that Cassius fearing Brutus had been routed and his Friend taken Prisoner cry'd out Alas to preserve the Remainders of a miserable Life I have
with a Mixture of Sadness and Amazement at the Greatness as well as Strangeness of the Act but while they were lamenting over the dead Body Brutus catching at this Opportunity now threw off his long Disguise giving them to understand How far different he was from the Person they always took him for and further shew'd 'em most manifest Tokens of the Greatness of his Spirit and the Depth of his Policy He told 'em That Tears and Lamentations cou'd never he heard whilst Vengeance cry'd so loud thereupon in a great Rage going to the Body and drawing the bloody Knife from out the Wound swore by Mars and all the Celestial Powers above Utterly to exterminate Tarquin with his Impious Wife and Frâ—geâ—y to prosecute them and all their Friends with the utmost Rage of Fire and Sword and never after to suffer the Tarquins or any other to reign in Rome Then he deliverâ—d the Knife to the rest who all wondring at so extraordinary a Change in Brutus swore as he had done and turning their effeminate Sorrow to a masculine Fury they resolv'd to follow his Instructions and extirpate Kingly Government Brutus as soon as he could procur'd the Gates of the City to be shut that all might be kept secret from Tarquin till such time as the People might be assembled the dead Body expos'd and a publick Decree for Tarquin's Banishment procur'd The Senate being assembled all shew'd their Willingness to banish Tarquin but at first had very different Opinions concerning the new Modelling of the Government which probably might make it a tedious Business Brutus represented to 'em the absolute Necessity of a quick Dispatch and immediately prescrib'd 'em a Form of Government shewing them That before Tarquin's violating his own and his Predecessors Oath Rome had been happy and famous both for her Acts abroad and her Constitutions at home and that the Regal Power had at last been dangerous and almost destructive to the Security of the State and the Safety of the People and therefore was not to be trusted in one Man's hands but two were to be chosen who shou'd govern with equal Authority and Command Then because Names alone were offensive to many People he thought that of Kingdom was to be left off and the other of Common-wealth to be assum'd and instead of the Title of King and Monarch some more Modest and Popular was to be invented as likewise were some of their Ensigns to be laid aside and others to be retain'd That the main and only thing to keep these Magistrates in Order was to prevent their perpetual Power and if they were Annual after the manner of Athens each might learn both how to be Subject and how to Govern Lastly That the Name of King might not be wholly lost the Title was to be given to one who shou'd be call'd Rex Sacrorum who having this Honour for Life and Immunity from Warfare shou'd only concern himself with those Religious Rites which the King had Charge of before The Particulars of this Speech were all approv'd of by the Senate who immediately issued out a Decree for the King's Banishment in this Form That the Tarquinii should be banish'd with all their Off-spring and that it should be Capital for any one to speak or act for their Return Brutus having procur'd thus much the Comitia were immediately aâ—sembled by him and the Body of Lucretia all dismally bloody brought and set there for a pittiful Spectacle to all the People There Brutus to their great Surprise discover'd himself telling 'em the Reasons of his long and strange Dissimulation and the great Occasion of their present Meeting withal shewing 'em the Senate's Decree Then he fell to enumerating all the several Crimes and Villanies of Tarquin particularly That he had Poyson'd his own Brother Strangled his Wife Murder'd his lawful Sovereign and fill'd Diâ—ches and Common-Sewers with the Bâ—dies of the Nobility That he came to the Kingdom on Usurper and continu'd in it a Tyrant being treacherous to his greatest Friends and barbarous to all Mankind That his three Sons were of a Temper as Insolent and Tyrannical as himself especially the Eldest of which they now had a sâ—d and doleful Instance before their Eyes That since the King was absent and the Patricians all resolv'd neither Men Mâ—ney nor Foreign Aid shou'd be wanting to 'em had they but Courage for the Enterprize Urging withal that it was a shame to think of Commanding the Volsci Sabines and Nations abroad and be Slaves to others at home and to maintain so many Wars to serve the ambitious Ends of a Tyrant and not undertake one for their own Liberty And that as for the Army at the Siege their own Interest in all Respects wâ—u'd oblige 'em to joyn in what ever was agreed upon in the City The Multitude transported with the Hopes of Liberty and charm'd with the Person and graceful Behaviour of Brutus with loud Acclamations gave their Assent and immediately call'd for Arms. Lucretius was appointed Inter-rex for holding the Comitia who strait adjournâ—d it to 〈◊〉 Campus Martius where Magistrates were elected in their Armour There he nominated Brutus and 〈◊〉 to exercise the Regal Power as they before had agreed on among themselves and the Centuries confirmâ—d 'em by their Suffrages In the mean time Tarquin having heard something of these Transactions came riding in all haste to the City with his Sons and some of â—is most trusty Friends to prevent the Mischiefs that threatned him but finding the Gates fast shut and the Walls full of Armed Men in great Grief he returnâ—d to the Camp But Brutus foreseeing his sudden Coming had industriously got before him to the Army another Way and acquainted them with the Decree both of Senate and People pressing 'em hard to a Revolt Immediately their Suffrages were call'd over according to their Centuries and they unanimously agreed to do exactly as their Friends in the City had done so that when Tarquin returnâ—d they refus'd to admit him Thus frustrated of his Hopes he went to Gabii or to Caere in Hetruria now Grey-headed having reign'd 25 Years Herminius and Horatius Chief Commanders of the Army made a Truce with the Enemy for 15 Years and raising the Siege before Ardea return'd to Rome with all their Forces IV. Such was the End of the Regal State of Rome 245 Years after the Building of the City in the first Year of the 68th Olympiad A. M. 3496 31 Years after the Ruine of the Babylonian Empire and the setting up of the Persian 179 before the beginning of the Macedonian and 507 before our Saviour Christ occasion'd by a Man who knew neither how to govern according to the Laws nor yet to reign against them The Roman Dominions now contain'd most of Old Latium with the greatest part of the Sabines Country a considerable part of Hetruria particularly of the Veientes Caeretanes and Tarquinii besides some small Parts of the Volsci and Aequi being much
Office without the Peoples Consent A third gave Relief to poor Citizens by taking away the payment of Tribute Another punish'd Disobedience to Consuls and appointed a Penalty of five Oxen and two Sheep a Sheep being in those days valu'd at ten Oboli each Obolus 1 d. 1 q. and an Ox at a hundred Another Law gave Power to any Man to kill the Person unheard who affected the Supreme Power if he cou'd demonstrate the Crime The last Law was for the Creation of two Quaestors or Publick Treasurers who were to take care of the Publick Monies and Contributions and appointed the Temple of Saturn for the Aerarium or Treasury These Officers were so nam'd à quaerendo because they enquir'd after the Publick Money and likewise after Malefactors Some say Romulus and Numa had their Quaestors but then they were for Punishment such as were afterwards the Triumviri for Capital Matters This Quaestorship was the first step to the Offices of Magistracy and they were likewise to keep the Military Ensigns in the Treasury to sell Plunder and Booty lodge and carry out Ambassadors and several other things of the like Nature Their Number was afterwards very much encreas'd till in the time of Iulius Caesar they came to forty some being us'd for the Armies and others for the Provinces Of which these two of the first Creation were term'd Urbani the rest Provinciales and Militares Poplicola having thus setled Affairs held an Assembly for the Election of another Consul where Lucretius the Father of Lucretia was chosen to whom as being the Elder Poplicola granted the Fasces or Bundle of Rods which respect of Age was ever observ'd by their Successors Lucretius dying a few days after his Creation was succeeded by M. Horatius in whose time the Capitol was finish'd and the Dedication of it fell to Horatius much against Poplicola's will who was forc'd to be abroad in the Wars at the same time This was perform'd with great Pomp and Solemnity and with as great a Concourse of People of all sorts In the same Year was the first League made between the Romans and Carthaginians according to Polybius wherein it was provided that the Romans shou'd not Sail beyond the Fair Promontory which lay before Carthage towards the North but were allow'd to Traffick in all that Part of Africa on this side the Promontory as also in Sardinia and that part of Sicily that was then under the Carthaginians From whence it appears that the Carthaginians look'd upon Africa and Sardinia as all their own but Sicily only in part but the Romans included in this League only Latium making no mention of the rest of Italy which was not then in their Power In a little time after Horatius's Election the time coming for new Consuls to be made Poplicola was chosen a second time and with him Luâ—retius Tricipitinus in whose time a Census being perform'd 130000 were cess'd and valu'd besides Widows and Orphans III. Before Poplicola's second Consulship was expir'd Tarquin after his last Defeat had betaken himself to the Clusini one of the twelve Nations of Hetruria and had procur'd Porsena King of Clusium and of great Power to undertake his Quarrel Poplicola to appear as magnificent as this King founded the City Sigliucia or rather Signia while he was approaching which he fortifyâ—d with great Expence and planted it with a Colony of 700 Inhabitants But Porsena march'd directly to Rome laid a close Siege to it and made a furious Attack upon the Place in which Contest the two Consuls with much difficulty repulsing the Hetrurians were both wounded and carri'd off Upon which the Romans were much disheartened and flying in great Disorder were closely pursu'd by the Enemy to the Bridge who wou'd also undoubtedly have enter'd the Town with 'em had not Horatius Coecles with only Herminius and Lartius most valiantly oppos'd ' em Coecles defended the Passage with a wonderful Bravery till his own Party found time to break down the Bridge then cast himself arm'd as he was into the River and swam over to his Friends having receiv'd a Wound with a Spear in his Passage over Poplicola to reward him for this extraordinary Piece of Service gave him several great Privileges and appointed a Statue to be erected to his Memory in the Temple of Vulcan Porsena held the Siege a long time and reduc'd the City to great Straits but Poplicola now exercising his third Consulship together with his last years Collegue drew out his Forces engag'd the King overthrew him and kill'd 5000 of his Men. Nevertheless the Siege continud'd till Mutius a Man of a most undaunted Courage resolving to attempt the Life of Porsena tho' amidst his own Soldiers put on a Tuscan Habit and using that Language came into the Camp where by a Mistake he stabb'd the King's Secretary who sat nigh him instead of the King himself Being apprehended and ready to be examin'd he like a Person more dreadful to others than fearful himself told 'em That he was a Roman and knew as well how to suffer as to act Upon which he couragiously thrust his Right-hand into the Fire intending to punish it for so great a Mistake all the while beholding Porsena with a steady and angry Countenance who struck and amaz'd at the greatness of his Resolution dismiss'd him with much Applause and reach'd him his Sword back from his Throne Mutius taking it with his Left-hand whence he had the Name of Scaevola told the King That the Nobleness of his Generosity had more vanquish'd him than all the Terrors of his Threats and that in requital he wou'd reveal a Secret to him which no Torments shou'd ever have extorted from him That Three hundred Romans in the Camp were now waiting for his Life that the first Attempt was appointed for him but now he was extreamly satisfy'd that he had so happily miss'd killing a Person whose Magnanimity better entitl'd him to the Friendship than the Hatred of the Roman Nation Pâ—rsena hearing this was immediately inclin'd to an Accommodation not out of Fear of the 300 Men but in Admiration of the Roman Courage Poplicola was well pleas'd with the Proposal and agreed to make him Arbitrator between Tarquin and the People but Tarquin resolutely refus'd to admit of any Judge much less Porsena Who as he said had promis'd him Aid and now basely falsify'd his Word Porsena angry at this immediately made Peace with the Romans upon these Articles That the Romans shou'd quit those Tuscan Lands which they had taken from the Veientes restâ—re all Prisoners and receive all their Deserters For the ratifying this Peace the Romans depos'd Twenty Hostages Ten young Men and as many Virgins among which was Valeria the Daughter of Poplicâ—la All Acts of Hostility ceasing Claelia a bold Virago and one of the Hostages got from her Keepers and at the Head of the rest of the Virgins swam over the River Tiber amidst the Darts of the Enemies and being all
the former chearfully and the latter unwillingly The Latins were so strong that the Romans thought it convenient to create a Dictator and accordingly Virginius the Senior Consul nominated Posthumius his Collegue who chose Ebutius Helva for his Master of the Horse and hastning his Levies divided his Troops into four Parts reserving one to himself assigning the second to Virginius the third to Ebutius and the fourth to Sempronius who was to defend the City Upon Intelligence that the Latines had taken the Field Posthumius advanc'd with all speed to the Lake Regillus 14 Miles East of Rome by Tusculum where he fortifi'd himself against the Enemy who as yet were not all united but expected Aid from the Volsci The Romans divided themselves into three parts and were so conveniently posted as to cut off all Provisions from the Latine Camp designing to starve 'em but the News of the March of the Volsci alter'd their Measures making 'em resolve to engage The Roman Army consisted of 24000 Foot and 1000 Horse and the Enemy of 40000 Foot and 3000 Horse Tarquin's Son Titus commanding the main Body his Brother Sextus the Left Wing and Mamilius the Right Posthumius stood against Titus Ebutius against Sextus and Virginius against Mamilius and so began a bloody Battel Florus says that Posthumius cast one of the Ensigns among the Enemy that his Men might be the more eager to fall upon 'em and recover it and that Ebutius commanded the Bridles to be taken off the Horses that they might Charge with the greater Violence and Fury The Victory at last fell on the Romans side and the Battel was fought with so much Bravery and Courage that it was reported that the Gods themselves were present particularly Castor and Pollux mounted on milk white Steeds The Latines lost Mamilius and Sextus and were so broken that scarce a fourth Part of 'em escap'd and from the Place of this Victory Posthumius obtain'd the Sirname of Rhegillensis many others likewise gaining great Honour particularly Caius Marcius afterwards call'd Coriolanus After the Battel was over the Volsci arriv'd at the Camp whereof one Party was for attacking the Romans now weary but another Party willing to ingratiate themselves with the Conquerors prevail'd to send to the Dictator to let him understand That they came to his Assistance But Posthumius convinc'd 'em of their Falshood by their own Letters which he had intercepted and giving leave to the Messenger to return whom the Multitude wou'd have pull'd in pieces resolv'd to fall on 'em the next Day but in the Night they abandon'd their Camp and fled The Latines now in a very bad Condition sent in the humblest manner imaginable to beg Peace of the Romans and their Ambassadors with so many Tears and submissive Intreaties laid all the Blame on the Nobility that the Motion of Largius prevail'd in their behalf for the former League to be renew'd Thus ended all the Wars made upon the Tarquin's account which had been carry'd on for 13 Years As for Tarquin himself the only Person left of all his Family now abandon'd by the Latines Hetrurians Sabines with the rest of the Neighbouring People who all refus'd to harbour him he went into Campania to Aristodemus Prince of Cuma where he shortly after dy'd being about 90 Years of Age and the last King that Rome ever saw II. Upon the finishing of this War Posthumius laid down his Office and Appius Claudius the Sabine and Servilius Priscus were made Consuls for the Year following and now the Courts of Justice were again open'd and Processes against Debtors reviv'd This caus'd great Disturbances among the Common People the Plebeians alledging their Inability of paying their Debts upon the account of their Losses by the Enemies Incursions and their want of Tillage which Plea their Creditors likewise made use of shewing that these Losses were such as made the remitting of their Debts impossible which occasion'd many Tumults and Quarrels The Consuls endeavour'd to divert these threatning Mischiefs by making War against the Volsci who had lately assisted the Latines but none of the Plebeians wou'd List themselves making grievous Complaints against the intollerable Severity of their Creditors and declaring That they had ventur'd their Lives to preserve the Liberty of the State abroad and in requital were made Slaves by their Countrymen at home Now Servilius was willing to comply in some measure with the Poor but Appius very hotly oppos'd it as the most dangerous Remedy in the World and the Disagreement of the Consuls added much to the common Calamity However the Senate at last was forc'd to have recourse to the Popularity of Servilius who with fair Words and Promises perswaded the People into the Field where when he had by his good Services deserv'd a Triumph the Honour was deni'd him by the Insinuation of his Collegue Appius who represented to the Senate That by bearing and complying with the Multitude he had impair'd the Dignity of his Order The People now expecting the Performances of Servilius's Promises were wholly disappointed by Appius's Contrivances which doubled their Rage and made 'em carry all things by open Force rescuing their Companions out of the hands of the Serjeants holding Secret Cabals denying ever to touch a Weapon till their Burdens were remov'd These dangerous Stirs put the Senate to a great stand Appius still urg'd That nothing ought to be granted to the Rabble and the better to quell the Disturbances procur'd a Dictator to be created which most suppos'd wou'd be himself But the present Consuls made choice of M. Valerius a popular Man supposing that the Terror of the Office alone wou'd perform the Work and that a Person of a mild and moderate Temper wou'd best manage it Valerius chose Servilius the late Consul for his Master of the Horse and he minding the Pleasure of the People more than his own Authority told 'em That if they wou'd freely follow him not only what they justly requir'd concerning their Debts but other Rewards shou'd be granted 'em by which means he procur'd ten Legions to be listed With these he march'd against the Volsci Aequi and Sabines who were all up in Arms and having reduc'd 'em he divided some Lands he had taken from the Volsci among the Soldiers At his return he requested the Senate that his and their Promises might be made good but was check'd for his too great Compliance with the Multitude and because he was an old Man above Seventy unfit as he said to contend and unwilling to shew his utmost Authority he immediately laid down his Office This more inflam'd the common People who now had their private Consultations designing to separate themselves from the Patritians which when the Senate perceiv'd order was given to the Consuls not to disband the Army pretending that the Sabines and Aequi had new Designs against Rome Now the Soldiers being strictly bound by their Oath call'd Sacramentum at their first Listing cou'd not
After this taking his leave of his Wife he departed for the City There Quintius partly by Cunning and partly by Threats restrain'd the Tribunes from preferring the Law and carry'd himself so as to be a Terror to the Multitude when ever they refus'd to List themselves and their greatest Incourager when their Behaviour was such as deserv'd it He perform'd his Office with that Prudence and Justice and likewise with that Civility and Courtesie that the Commons were now of Opinion that they stood in no need of new Laws Then having finish'd his Consulship he to the Concern of the whole Senate betook himself to his little Cottage and his former laborious Course of Life The Year following the Aequi surpriz'd Tusculum but were worsted by the Romans together with their Friends the Volsci and were forc'd to beg Peace And in this Year there were found 119000 Free Citizens according to Eutropius In the next Consulship the Aequi and Volsci were drawn to revolt by Gracchus Claelius a ruling Man among 'em who by his Industry so hemm'd in and block'd up the Roman Army that it was in great danger of being lost This put the City into a great Consternation so that they were glad to have recourse to a Dictator and Quintius Cincinnatus was immediately resolv'd upon The Messengers found him sweating and labouring as before but he seeing himself made Dictator by the 24 Axes the Purple the Horses and other Royal Ensigns was so far from being pleas'd with the Honour that he said with great Concern This years Crop will also be lost and my poor Family must be Starv'd At his entring the City he encourag'd the People what he cou'd and chose Tarquinius for his Master of the Horse then drawing out his Troops he fell upon Claelius and forc'd him into his Intrenchments and Besieging him a while brought his whole Army to his Mercy who were forc'd to yield at Discretion They were all made Prisoners of War and in token of Servitude Quintius made 'em pass under the Iugum which was two Spears set up with a third cross like a Gallows and likewise made 'em deliver up Corbio He order'd the choicest Plunder for Rome and the rest to be given to his Soldiers then return'd to the City with a more Magnificent Triumph than any before him having defeated a powerful Army and plunder'd and fortify'd a City of the Enemy within Fourteen Days after his Creation He immediately resign'd his Office and when the Senate and his private Friends wou'd have inrich'd him with publick Lands Plunder and Contributions he utterly refus'd all betaking himself again to his Cottage and his old Course of Life which is one great Instance of the Abstinence of the Romans at that time The Year following the Sabines with the Aequi retook Corbio against whom when Levies were to be made the Tribunes who were all created a Fourth time withstood them again Whereupon the Fathers with weeping Eyes made use of Entreaties offering to go in their own Persons if they refus'd which so sensibly mov'd the People That they promis'd all manner of Obedience if they wou'd permit the Number of their Tribunes to be encreas'd to Ten Which the Senate after some Debates Granted reasonably supposing that their Number wou'd prove the most probable Means to divide 'em but then with this Proviso as Livy says That they shou'd never chuse the same Tribunes twice This done Levies were made and a successful War was carry'd on against the Sabines and Aequi. VII The Domestick Troubles seem'd for a while to be allay'd but in a Years time the Tribunes uniting all together made farther Incroachments than ever and ventur'd so far as to Assemble the Senate by their own proper Authority moreover requiring Mount Aventine for the People to build on which being a Mile and an half in compass was not yet fully inhabited but Common and full of Wood. The Senate after most violent Quarrels on both sides out of hopes it might be a Means to suppress the Agrarian Seditions granted those Parts that were Common to the People who spent the remaining part of the Year in Building to the considerable Encrease of the City This Grant satisfy'd the Commons but for a short time for the next Year their former Complaints were renew'd and carry'd on with all the violent Heats und Animosities that cou'd be imagin'd often proceeding to Blows till at last the Tribunes having thrown off all Respect and Reverence insolently set a Day to the Consuls themselves to answer before the People But this appear'd so odious to many that they were prevail'd upon to let such a Matter fall as being most dangerous both to themselves and the whole State of Rome But at the same time they made a firm Resolution to prefer the Agrarian Law which they agreed to do in the next Assembly and for that Reason they appointed a day apart for the Comitia At this Assembly were gather'd together great Numbers of all Ranks and Qualities where the Tribunes having spoken very largely on that Subject several of the Plebeians related what good Services they had done the Commonwealth and how little Reward they had for their Pains Among which was Siccius Dentatus a Man of admirable Shape and Courage 58 Years of Age and well furnish'd with Military Eloquence for a Seditious Attempt who told 'em He had serv'd his Country in the Wars forty Years had been an Officer thirty first a Centurion then a Tribune had fought one hundred and twenty Battels in which by the Force of his single Arm he had sav'd many Patritians Lives recover'd several Standards perform'd many great and dangeros Exploits gain'd 14 Civick Crowns 3 Mural Crowns and 8 Golden Crowns besides 83 Golden Chains 60 Golden Bracelets 18 pure Spears and 23 Horse-Trappings whereof 9 were for killing Enemies challeng'd to single Combats moreover he had receiv'd 45 Wounds all before and none behind particularly twelve in that Day the Capitol was recover'd Yet notwithstanding he had fought so many Years serv'd in so many Expeditions receiv'd so many Wounds help'd to gain so many large Territories for his Country and had spar'd no Cost or Labour nor refus'd any Danger or Difficulty yet neither he nor any of his Fellow-sharers in his Dangers had receiv'd the least Portion of those Lands they had gain'd by their Swords but that they were possess'd by others who had not the least Title or Merit to shew for 'em and to such too whose private Attempts and sinister Designs better entitl'd 'em to a disgraceful Punishment than to any Publick Reward These Particulars he urg'd at large withal accusing the Patritians of many Designs against the Privileges of the People and the Publick Peace of the City which he did with such Rhetorick and Cunning that the Commons were almost transported with the Man Yet still the Patritians by their wonderful Prudence and cautious Management tho' with extream Hazard to themselves so far defeated
Stones at him keeping some distance and by that Means effected their Design The Assassinates gave out that he fell into the Enemies hands but the Soldiers easily perceiving the Villany began to grow very Mutinous and the Decemviri to appease 'em gave Siccius a very Honourable Burial which was perform'd with much Ceremony and an universal Sorrow among the Soldiers who from that time thought upon nothing but a Revolt which the other Army lying at Algedum against the Aequi soon after found a fair Opportunity to effect It was occasion'd dy one Virginius a Plebeian who had a Daughter of most admirable Beauty and of as eminent Chastity whom Appius saw by chance and was so extreamly smitten with her that nothing cou'd allay his violent Passion His own Laws had forbidden him Marrying her as being a Plebeian nor cou'd he hope to enjoy her any other Way but by procuring Claudius one of his Clients to challenge her for his Slave so that the Matter being brought before him he might judge her to be so Claudius according to his Instructions laid Claim to her and bringing the Matter to a Tryal before Appius he affirm'd That she was natural Daughter to his Slave procur'd by Virginius ' s Wife being Barren and now Dead and brought up for her own a thing though known to others as well as himself he had no Opportunity till now to make it â—â—â—ear This Pretence was so Impudent and Groundleâ—â—â—hat it rais'd the Indignation of all unconcern'd Peâ—â—ons and Numitor the Maids Uncle with Icilius who was Contracted to her â—ufficiently prov'd the Falsity of the Assertion But Appius resolutely bent upon his lustful and base Design wou'd hear no Reason nor mind any Proof till at last the loud Cries and Murmurs of the Multitude prevail'd with him to deferr the Matter till her Father cou'd be sent for from the Camp to defend her Cause for which he wou'd allow but one Day He immediately wrote to Algedum at the Camp to confine Virginius but Numitor and Icilius's Brother intercepted the Letters and Virginius pretending the Death of a near Relation got Leave to leave the Camp and come posting to the City The next Day Virginius appear'd at the Place to the great Surprize of Appius he and his Daughter both in Mourning accompany'd with several weeping Matrons and a numerous Train of Advocates the whole City crowding into the Forum Virginius prov'd the Maid to be his own Daughter but Appius corrupted by the Greatness of his Power and inflam'd with the Heat of his Lust neither consider'd the just Defence of the Father nor the bitter Tears of the poor Virgin but was inrag'd at the Pity of the Standers by thinking himself a greater Object of Pity who endur'd more for her Beauty's sake than she her self did He interrupted all that pleaded in her behalf Commanding their Silence and strait judg'd Claudius to be right Lord and Owner of her Great Outcries and Lamentations being made as well by others as the Virgin and her Relations all knowing she was doom'd to the Tyrant's Lusts Appius commanded all to depart and order'd Claudius to take Possession of his Slave Virginius finding no relief desir'd he might speak a Word with his Daughter before he parted from her which being Granted he dragg'd her hanâ—â—ng about him to a Butcher's Stall hard by and 〈◊〉 bewailing her deplorable Condition where catcâ—â—ng a Knife in his Hands he said Daughter I will send thee to our Ancestors both Free and Unspotted for the Merciless Tyrant will suffer thee to be neither here and thereupon stabb'd her to the Heart Then casting his angry Eyes up to the Tribunal he cry'd out Appius thou Tyrant with this Blood I doom thee to certain Death With the bloody Knife in his Hand in a great Rage and Fury he ran through the City wildly calling upon the People in all Places to regain their Liberty and coming to the Gate rod Post to the Army a Company of 400 Plebeians following him In this Posture Virginius arriv'd at the Camp with the Knife and his Clothes all Bloody where with all his Rhetorick and Pathetick Reasons he persuaded 'em to revolt from the Ten and redeem their sinking Country shewing 'em likewise That their Sacramentum or Military Oath was no ways binding in this Case because the Oath suppos'd the Commanders to be made according to Law which the Ten were not having Usurp'd all the Power and Authority they cou'd pretend to The Army ready enough for such a Design immediately decamp'd some few Centurions only remaining and took their Station on Mount Aventine and the next day fortifying their Camp chose Ten Captains whereof one Oppius was Chief And soon after came great Parties from the other Army who were much Offended at the Murder of Siccius and join'd them and this was the second Separation of the Commons Appius in the mean time having endeavour'd by Force to suppress the Disturbances he had rais'd in the City was so over-power'd by the Parties of Valerius and Horatius formerly mention'd that he was forc'd to keep himself to his House Oppius one of the Decemviri assembled the Fathers and urg'd the Punishment of all Deserters but the Senate was so sensible of the threatning Dangers and Miseries of the State that they were glad to come to any Agreement with the Solâ—â—ers Therefore to compose all Differences they immediately dispatch'd Messengers to the Army which had lately remov'd to the Holy Mount as they had once done above 40 Years before Where the People demanded to have the same Form of Government as was setled before the Creation of the Decemviri which was readily Granted 'em the People all returning home to the City Thus in less than three Years time ended the famous Decemvirate III. Valerius and Horatius were for their Services made Consuls for the remaining part of the Year These preferrâ—d divers Laws in favour of the Commons to the great Regret of the Patritians whereof one was That such Laws as the Commons enacted in the Comitia Tributa shou'd have the same Force as those made in the Comitia Centuriata which was a great Advantage to the People After this the Tribunes whereof Virginius was one thought it convenient to call the Decemviri to an Account Appius was Committed to Prison no Bail being allow'd him but before his Tryal was found Dead but by what means is uncertain Oppius the next to him in Guilt was accus'd and being Condemn'd dyâ—d the same day in Prison by his own Hands The other eight banish'd themselves and Claudius the pretended Master of Virginia was driven out after 'em with which Justice the State was satisfy'd and Indemnity granted to all others Affairs thus setled the Consuls took the Field against the Aequi Volsci and Sabines and so successfully as to deserve a Triumph but the Senate gave 'em a Repulse for making Laws so much in favour of the Commons and so disadvantageous to the Patritian Priviledges The Consuls
Quintius who had both been Consuls before In this Year the Consuls finding the Publick Business to increase to ease themselves procur'd two new Magistrates to be created call'd Censors so nam'd because the Business of the Census which had been instituted by Servius Tullius the Sixth King of Rome was one great part of their Office These Magistrates at first made no great Appearance but in a short time they became Persons of extraordinary Dignity and Power having all the Ornaments and Ensigns of Consuls except Lictors At the beginning they were created for five Years which space was call'd Lustrum as was formerly observ'd but soon after their time was shortned to a Year and half but still they were chosen but once in five Years the Census being no oftner perform'd Their Power was very large and their Office very extensive for tho' at first they only perform'd the Census making an Estimate of Men's Estates distributing them into their several Classes and Centuries taking the Numbers of the Inhabitants c. yet in a short time they became Publick Inspectors of Men's Lives and Manners and were therefore frequently call'd Magistri Morum and took upon 'em to degrade Senators upon Misdemeanors to take away Horse and Ring from Equites or Knights and to turn Plebeians out of their Tribes and put 'em into a Lower and many other things of the like Nature The two first Censors were Papirius and Sempronius both Patritians and the two last Years Consuls and these high Officers were for nigh 100 Years chosen out of the Patritians and only such as were Eminent and Famous and had formerly been Consuls till the Plebeians found the way to this as they did to all other Offices Afterwards the Roman Colonies had their Magistrates call'd Sub-Censors who gave an Account to these of the Number of Inhabitants and their Wealth which was immediately register'd in the Censor's Books The Fathers were extreamly satisfy'd that they had got these Magistrates created out of their own Body and the Tribunes esteeming their Power to be inconderable were willing enough to agree to it In this same Year the Ardeans as being Allies sent to the Romans for Succour against the Volsci who were call'd in by some dangerous Factions among themselves and had reduc'd them to great Extremities The Romans were ready to serve the Persons they had so lately injur'd about their Lands and immediately Geganius the Consul was sent with a considerable Army against the Volsci and he soon reliev'd the Ardeans and clear'd the Country of the Enemy This Victory was very memorable and the Consul had a noble Triumph Clulius the Volscian General being led before the Chariot Ardea had now been so dispeopled with the Factions and the late Wars that they were willing to accept of a Roman Colony which the Senate sent soon after and to shew a further Piece of Generosity restor'd all the Lands they had before adjudg'd to the Publick Use tho' with the great Complaints of many of the Commons II. The Heats of the Commons were still kept alive but for some time were of no dangerous Consequence till three Years after Sp. Maelius a rich Knight incourag'd upon these Contentions by his large Bounty to the Poorer Sort in time of a great Famine began to affect Popularity and by that means to aspire to the Sovereignty His Designs were soon guess'd at and he was accus'd of this by Minucius who had the care of the Provisions which thing in these unsettled times so startled the Senate that by advice of Quintius the Consul they order'd a Dictator to be immediately created the Tumult hourly increasing Quintius Cincinnatus now 80 Years old was the Person who chose Servilius Ahala for his Master of the Horse The Dictator presently summon'd Maelius to appear who being well back'd and supported by the Mob refus'd to obey now breaking out into open Rebellion whereupon Ahala set upon him in the Forum and kill'd him and was justifi'd by Quintius who commanded his Goods to be sold and his House to be demolish'd The Tribunes inrag'd at the Death of their great Friend Maelius procur'd Military Tribunes instead of Consuls to be created for the following Year now six Years after their first Institution hoping that some Plebeian might get into the number of Six which might give 'em an Opportunity of revenging his Death But Three only were created all Patritians too and their Expectation wholly unanswer'd The following Year Consuls were created again and in the same Year Fidenae a Roman Colony revolted to Tolumnius King of the Veientes and to inhance their Crime by his Instigation they treacherously murder'd the Ambassadors sent thither who dying thus for the Publick the Senate generously appointed Statues to be erected in their Honour This War in the beginning prov'd so dangerous and threatning to the Romans that they were forc'd to create a Dictator to manage it Mamercus Aemilius being the Person who made choice of Quinctius Ciâ—cinnatus an Eminent Youth of the City for his Master of the Horse Aemilius the Dictator obtain'd a great Victory over the Enemy in which Battel Cornelius Cossus a Tribune in the Army slew King Tâ—lumnius with his own Hands and by that means obtain'd the Honour of the Opima Spolia or Royal Spoils which were the only Spoils of that Nature since the Reign of Romulus These Spoils were a great Grace to Aemilius's Triumph and a great Honour to Cossus they being with extraordinary Pomp and Ceremony consecrated to Iupiter Feretrius Two Years after this there hapned a great Plague in the City and the Fidenates and Veientes press'd so hard upon the Romans that they were forc'd to have recourse to another Dictator and Servilius Priscus was created who chose Aebutius Elva for his Master of the Horse Servilius was so successful as not only to drive the Enemy back but to take the Town of Fidenae which he did by a Mine The taking of Fidenae was so disadvantageous to the Enemy that the Veientes sent to all their Neighbours about for Succour threatning no less than entire Destruction to Rome These formidable Preparations put the Romans upon creating another Dictator a little above a Year after the last which was Aemilius who had been Dictator three Years before and he chose Posthumius Tubertus for his Master of the Horse In a short time the Romans found that the Veientes cou'd procure no Aid so the Dictator had little Employment abroad but resolving to do something at home he caus'd the Censorship to be reduc'd to a Year and a half which was eight Years after its first Institution and then laid down his Office The Censors from this took an Occasion to remove him out of his Tribe which so inrag'd the People that the next time they procur'd Military Tribunes to be brought in again after there had been Consuls four Years And in this Election notwithstanding the great Industry of the Tribunes of the People they
Horse Camillus overthrew both Aequi and Hetrurians and forc'd the Volsci to yield themselves after the War had continu'd for seventy Years for all which he had a third Triumph Three Years after this Camillus being Military Tribune overcame them again together with the Hernici and Latines the latter of which till now had been faithful ever since the Battel at the Rhegillan Lake above a hundred Years before And from the Hetrurians he recover'd two Towns which they had taken from the Allies of Rome The Year following four Tribes were added namely the Stellatine the Normentine the Sabbatine and the Arnian which now made the whole Number twenty five About this time Manlius who for his great Services in saving the Capitol had now got the Sirname of Capitolinus began to grow very haughty and ambitious and by his ingratiating himself with the common Sort his paying their Debts and his railing at the Nobility it was apparent that Sovereignty was his Aim The Numbers that he got over to his Party together with the War renew'd with the Volsci made the Senate procure a Dictator to be created who was Cornelius Cossus who made choice of Quintius Capitolinus for his Master of the Horse Cossus soon overthrew the Enemies and returning home in Triumph call'd Manlius to an Account and put him in Prison But the Multitude extreamly afflicted at this put on Mourning Garments and made such dangerous Disturbances that after some time he was set at Liberty and soon after Cossus laid down his Office But Manlius still growing more insolent holding private Cabals and filling the whole City with Faction and Sedition the Senate remitted his Business to the Care of the Military Tribunes whereof Camillus was one and a Day was â—et him to answer for his Life The Place of his Tryal was right over-against the Capitol where when he was accus'd he often pointed to it and with weeping Eyes and moving Voice let the People know what a Noble piece of Service he had done there This mov'd the Multitude to such Pity and Compassion that Camillus caus'd the Judges to remove him without the Gate to the Peteline Grove where having no View of the Capitol he was condemn'd to be thrown down the Tarpeian Rock the Place both of his highest Honour and greatest Infamy Ant it was decreed that none of the Manlii afterwards shou'd be call'd Marcus Thus jealous was Rome of her Liberty that no Deserts cou'd atone for presuming to offer at that About three Years after Camillus was chosen Military Tribune a sixth time tho' much against his Consent and march'd against the Volsci where Lucius his Collegue eager to engage the Enemy when Camillus judg'd it dangerous was permitted to Fight alone Camillus being left weak in his Bed Lucius was soon worsted and his Army almost routed when Camillus rousing himself was presently help'd up on Horseback where making his Way through them that fled he drove furiously to oppose the Pursuers which Boldness so incourag'd the Soldiers that they all rally'd again resolving never to forsake a General so famous for his Actions and so venerable for Age By this the Enemy were soon stopp'd and the next day intirely routed losing Bag and Baggage and the greatest part of their Men. The Year following great Stirs were rais'd in the City about the Creditors and Debtors which gave an Opportunity to the Inhabitants of Praeneste a Town of Latium with its Dependents to make Incursions and Devastations to the Walls of Rome to the great danger and damage of the City This and the Troubles at home caus'd the Senate to create a Dictator which was Quinctius Cincinnatus who appointed Sempronius Atratinus for his Master of the Horse and he was so Successful against them that he overthrew 'em took the eight Towns that were their Dependents by Storm and Praeneste it self by Surrender Then returning in Triumph with the Statue of Iupiter Imperator which he put into the Capitol he laid down his Office after keeping of it but twenty days Two Years after this a dangerous Contest hapned between the Patritians and Tribunes of the People occasion'd by Fabius Ambustus a Tribune who had Marri'd one Daughter to a Patritian and the other to a Plebeian The latter being very much concern'd at her Husband's want of equal Honour Fabius told her That he would so manage Affairs that her House shou'd shortly be of the same Dignity as her Sisters From that time therefore he consulted with Licinius Stolo her Husband and L. Sestius about preferring a Law for making one Consul out of the Commons These two being made Tribunes of the People labour'd so violently about this Law and the Contests were carriâ—d with such wonderful Heats and Animosities on both sides that from the Year 〈◊〉 to â—82 which was five Years no Supream Magistrates were chosen at all nor any other but Tribunes and Aediles who kept their Places all that time And in all this unhappy Space there was little better than Anarchy and Confusion in Rome till the Year 282 they procur'd Military Tribunes to be chosen but still the Contests were kept up on both sides when two Years after Camillus was made Dictator a fourth time but much against the Consent of the People He chose Aemilius Mamercinus for his Master of the Horse and with much Difficulty brought both Parties to a better and more moderate Temper but finding the Multitude so very stubborn and resolute in their Designs withal threatning to Fine him if he compli'd not he soon laid down his Office Upon this another Dictator was immediately created which was one Manlius Capitolinus who chose Licinius Stolo for his Master of the Horse and he was the first Plebeian that ever obtain'd this Honour Stolo who had been the great Occasion of these Disturbances now took an Occasion to prefer a Law that no Man shou'd possess above 500 Acres of Land which was very disadvantageous to the Patritians and more to himself for soon after he was found to have above that Proportion and so was punish'd by Vertue of his own Constitution III. In the midst of these violent Contentions about the Consul-ship News was brought to Rome that many thousands of the Gauls were marching from the Adriatick Sea towards Rome This put the City into a great Fright and all began to lay aside their private Differences and to think of nothing but of the common Safety for they had fear'd the Gauls so much that a Law was made That Priests shou'd be excus'd from all Wars unless in an Invasion from the Gauls All Unanimously agreed to make Camillus Dictator a fifth time now near 80 Years old who refus'd not the Employment in this dangerous Juncture but presently chose Quinctius Cincinnatus for his Master of the Horse Camillus consider'd that the Force of the Gauls lay chiefly in their Swords with which they laid about 'em in a rude and unskilful Manner Therefore he furnish'd his
young Men who Jeared one another at first began with Rude and Artless Verses call'd Versus Fescennini from Fescâ—nninum a City of Hetruria This was about 40 Years after the Deaths of Sophocles and Euripides in Greece Still the Plague continu'd which with the Overflowing of Tiber made the Romans Consider of some other Ways and some of the elder People reporting That a Pestilence was formerly asswag'd by the Dictator's driving of a Nail the Senate immediately created a Dictator which was Manlius Capitolinus who appointed Pinarius Natta for his Master of the Horse This Nail with great Ceremony and Superstition was driven on the right side of Iupiter's Temple in the Capitol just by that of Minerva and this was the first Dictator created upon this Account The Year following the Ground cleaving asunder in the Forum to a vast Depth M. Curtius a brave young Soldier is said to have rode into this Gulph Arm'd and with great Solemnity and so being swallow'd up purchas'd the Deliverance of his Country according to the Declaration of their Gods The same Year the Hernici being up in Arms against Rome Genucius the Plebeian Consul marching against 'em was slain and his Army routed which threatning Danger caus'd the Senate to create a Dictator which was Claudius Crassinus who made Cornelius Scipio his Master of the Horse and gain'd so much Advantage over the Enemy as to obtain an Ovation Within a Year after the Gauls were gather'd together in great Numbers and had march'd within three Miles of Rome which put the City into such a Consternation that according to their usual Way in such Cases they created a Dictator and this was Quintius Pennus who had Cornelius Maluginensis for his Master of the Horse The Armies being drawn up on both sides a Gaul of vast Bulk and Stature challeng'd any of the Romans to meet him in a single Combat which Challenge was accepted of by T. Manlius a Courageous young Man who with great Bravery and Agility overthrew his mighty Foe and slew him Then taking a Torques or Golden Chain from his Neck return'd and was Honourably receiv'd by the Dictator and from thence he and his Posterity had the Sirname of Torquatus The Gauls were so discourag'd at this Action that they fled by Night and retired into the Tiburtines Country a People of Latium and the Dictator return'd in Triumph The War with the Tiburtines and Hernici gave the Gauls Opportunity to do much Injury to the Roman Territories which occasion'd the Creation of another Dictator which was Servilius Ahala who chose Quintius Capitolinus for his Master of the Horse and soon quell'd the Gauls but Paetileus the Consul who had been employ'd against the Hernici hapned to come off with the greatest Honour In a Year after Peace was made with the Latines which was advantageous enough to the Romans by reason of their frequent Auxiliaries from them But the Year following the great Preparations of the Gauls caus'd the Senate to create another Dictator which was Sulpitius Peticus who appointed Valerius Poplicola for his Master of the Horse and marching against the Enemy obtain'd a Signal Victory over ' em In this Year were two new Tribes added to the former five and twenty Namely the Pomptine and the Publican About two Years after this the whole Body of the Hetrurians took up Arms against Rome led on by the Tarquinii and Falisci in which great time of Danger Marcius Rutilus a Plebeian was made Dictator which was the first Commoner that ever obtain'd this Honour it being now 143 Years since their first Creation He appointed Plantius Proculus for his Master of the Horse a Plebeian likewise and tho' he was oppos'd by the Patritians as much as they cou'd yet he did great Service against the Enemy and Triumph'd but still against the Senate's Consent The Patritians were so enrag'd at this that at the next Election they took away the Consul-ship from the Commons after they had enjoy'd it ten Years and this hapned in the 399th Year of the City This occasion'd many violent Heats and vast Disturbances between both Parties for three Years successively when some of the Hetrurians press'd so hard upon the Roman Territories that another Dictator was created namely Manlius Torquatus who made Cornelius Cossus his Master of the Horse but the Enemy out of Fear was soon brought to a Peace and so little was perform'd by him Now the Contests and Quarrels at home were grown to that height that the Senate was forc'd to give the Commons once more the Privilege of the Consul-ship four Years after they had taken it from 'em and because Usury again was grown exceeding Burthensome to the poorer Sort they appointed five Men to order the Payment of Debts out of the Treasury So now all Differences were again reconcil'd Soon after this a groundless Apprehension of the Hetrurians who were reported to be all united against Rome occasion'd the Creation of another Dictator which was C. â—fulius who made L. Aemilius his Master of the Horse but he had so little Employment that he left all to the next Consuls who were both Patritians And they went against the Tarquinii and Falisci who were not yet quieted and brought 'em to a Peace for the Term of 40 Years V. Now Rome was for a while at Peace abroad and might have been longer so at home had not Marcius Rutilus the Plebeian Dictator stood for the Office of Censor and rais'd new Disturbances The Plebeians urg'd it hotly but the Patritians the better to oppose 'em procur'd a Dictator to be created which was M. Fabius Q. Servilius being his Master of the Horse but still without Success for after many Contests the Plebeian Faction prevail'd and Marciâ—s was made one of the Censors which was the first Plebeian Censor in this City it being 92 Years after their first Creation The next Year a considerable Victory was obtain'd over the Gauls who now grew troublesome again and one of the Consuls being wounded and the other sick the Senate was forc'd to create a Dictator for assembling the Comitia for a new Election of Consuls which was Furius Camillus who made Cornelius Scipio his Master of the Horse and this was the Dictator created upon this account Camillus himself was chosen for one Consul and the Death of his Collegue soon after and the pressing Wars with the Gauls caus'd the Senate to give him the sole Authority so that he was almost the same with a Dictator Camillus led a noble Army against the Gauls and when they were in sight of each other a Gaul remarkable both for his Stature and the Richness of his Arms challenged any of the Romans to a single Combate M. Valerius a brave young Colonel of the Foot met him and in a little time slew him but in the midst of the Combat a Crow came and sitting upon Valerius's Head with Beak and Wings assisted him in his Fight
that they presently created a Dictator which was Valerius Corvus one of the last Years Consuls who appointed Aemilius Mamercinus for his Master of the Horse and march'd against the Rebels who had now forc'd T. Quintius an eminent Soldier to be their General Upon the Approach of both Armies the Rebels out of Fear yielded themselves and were receiv'd into Favour the Dictator having no more Imployment abroad In the same year the frequent Inroads made by the Romans into the Samnites Country drew 'em to a Peace the Sidicini being left to their Mercy II. Soon after this Peace the Samnites desir'd of the Romans that the Latins and Campanians might be commanded not to assist the Sidicini but because the Senate wou'd not deny that these Nations were under their Command and were likewise unwilling to provoke 'em such an ambiguous Answer was return'd that the Latins and Campanians thought themselves so far disoblig'd as to revolt Manlius Torquatus now Consul the third time and his Collegue Decius Mus were sent by the Senate to chastise the Latins who now wou'd be satisfi'd with no less than having one of the Consuls and half the Senators chosen out of their Nation Upon certain Dreams and Prognostications that the General on one side and the Army on the other was certainly to be destroy'd the Consuls Solemnly agreed That in what Part the Roman Army shou'd be distress'd the Commander of that Part shou'd devote himself to the Gods and die for his Country which generous Resolution was confirm'd by Oath And because they were all acquainted with each others Discipline and way of Fighting strict Commands were given that no Man upon pain of Death shou'd Fight without Orders Both Armies were drawn up in Battalia and a bloody and obstinate Ingagement immediately follow'd the Latins pressing very hard upon Decius's Part he according to his Promise devoted himself to the Gods and rushing violently into the midst of his Enemies after a great Slaughter lost his Life the Latins being soon after entirely defeated Nor was the Discipline of Manlius less remarkable than the Courage of Decius in relation to his own Son For he passing with his Troops before the Battel nigh the Enemy was challeng'd by Metius Captain of the Tusculans whom when he had slain and stripp'd his Father with Tears commended him for his Valour but condemn'd him for his Disobedience which though a sad was a profitable Example to the rest of his Men And after that cruel Commands were usually call'd Manliana Dicta The Latins now defeated begg'd Peace which being given 'em tho not with the same Conditions to all Manlius return'd in Triumph but was met only by the Old Men the Young Ones refusing to do him that Honour and ever after hating him upon the account of his Son Soon after the People of Antium and Ardea made incursions into the Roman Territories But Manlius being Sick he nam'd Papyrius Crassus for Dictator who appointed Papyrius Cursor his Master of the Horse and kept the Field some Months in the Antiates Country but no remarkable Action hapned The Consuls for the following Year Aemilius and Publius overthrew the Latins who had again revolted upon the Account of some Lands taken from ' em Publius by whose Conduct the Victory was obtain'd receiv'd into Alliance such Cities as had been worsted and Aemilius march'd his Army and sat down before Pedum which receiv'd Supplies from several Places Tho he had the Advantage in all Skirmishes yet still the Town held out and he understanding that his Collegue was return'd to his Triumph he immediately left the Siege and went for Rome to demand that Honour likewise The Senate was much offended at this Presumption denying him that Honour except Pedum was either taken or surrender'd which caus'd him out of Revenge to joyn with the Tribunes against the Patritians the rest of his Time his Collegue not opposing it being himself a Plebeian The Senate out of a Desire to get free of 'em both order'd a Dictator to be created whom it fell to Aemilius's share to nominate as having the Fasces that Month. Aemilius nam'd his Collegue Publius Philo who appointed Iunius Brutus for his Master of the Horse and was the second Plebeian Dictator in Rome Publius was a great Vexation to the Nobility and was full of Invectives against 'em procuring three Remarkable Laws whereof the first alter'd the very Constitution of the State which was That the Plebiscita shou'd bind the Quirites or Citizens of Rome of all Ranks and Degrees whatsoever The second was That such Laws as were enacted in the Centuriate Comitia shou'd be propos'd or pass'd by the Senate before they were voted by the People The third That whereas they had obtain'd before that both the Censors might be Plebeians now one at least must of necessity be so So now the Majesty of the Roman State was more impair'd by the Authority of these two at home than it was augmented by their Valour abroad In the following Year wherein Furius Camillus and C. Maenius were Consuls Pedum was taken by Storm and the Consuls in pursuit of the Victory Conquer'd all Latium bringing it and some neighbouring Parts to an intire Submission for which they triumph'd and had Statues on Horseback erected for 'em in the Forum an Honour very rare in those Days The several People of Latium had several Conditions of Peace appointed 'em some being rewarded and honour'd others punish'd and disgrac'd according as their former Behaviour had been To Antium was sent a new Colony the old Inhabitants being forbidden the Sea and had all their long Ships taken from 'em but had leave to enter themselves in the Colony and were made free of that City The Ships were some of 'em brought into the Roman Arsenal others burnt and with their Rostra or Beaks was the Gallery or Pulpit for Orations in the Forum adorn'd whence that had afterwards the name of Rostra The Year following Minutia a Vestal Virgin was bury'd alive in the Campus Sceleratus which as Livy believes had its Name from Incest for so Incontinency in those Women was call'd And in this same Year Publius Philo was made Praetor who was the first Plebeian that obtain'd this Honour the Senate little regarding it having been so often overpower'd in Matters of the greatest Consequence And this hapned in the 416th Year of the City and 28 Years after the first Creation of this Office III. Not long after the Agreement between the Romans and Latins a War broke out between the Arunci and the Sidicini in Campania in which the latter constrain'd the former to abandon their ancient Seats and settle in Suessa which was afterwards call'd Arunca The Arunci had given up themselves to the Romans who thereupon order'd 'em Relief but the Consuls deferring it lost the Opportunity of assisting ' em But in the next Year the Sidicini with their Confederates and Neighbours the Inhabitants of Cales were overthrown
their Friendship or diminish their Strength But this prudent Counsel wou'd not be heard so the Romans had these Articles allow'd 'em First That their Army shou'd march away only with their under Garments having first in Token of Slavery pass'd under the Jugum or Gallows Secondly They shouâ—d wholly quit all Samnium and remove all their Colonies And Thirdly Both Roman and Samnite shou'd live under the same Terms of Confederacy and Alliance The Romans were constrain'd to submit to these disgraceful Articles and with wonderful Shame Anger and Confusion return'd to Capua disarm'd and half naked and from thence to Rome The whole City was most sensibly afflicted at this shameful Disaster their generous Blood boiling in their Veins and nothing but Fury and Revenge appearâ—d in their Faces The Consuls refused to appear abroad or to act for which reason a Dictatâ—r was created for holding the Comitia for a new Election which was Aemilius Papus who appointed Valerius Flaccus for his Master of the Horse But instead of an Election of Consuls the State for a while fell into an Interregnum there being nothing but Grief and Vexation in all Places and the whole City put into Mourning But the Year following Consuls were chosen Papirius Cursor and Publilius Philo being the Persons and the Senate being assembled Posthumius one of the last years Consuls generously offerâ—d himself to be deliverâ—d together with his Collegue up to the Enemy and so to break the Caudine Treaty urging That only they two were oblig'd to observe the Articles and not the State which was altogether Ignorant of what was done This was gratefully accepted of but Pontius refusâ—d to receive 'em greatly exclaiming against the Perfidiousness of the Romans But the Army soon march'd against them under the Conduct of Papirius and sufficiently reveng'd themselves of all former Affronts overthrowing 'em in several Battels making em all pass under the Iugum recovering several Towns and freeing the 600 Hostages which they had deliver'd to em in the Caudine Treaty so that the Samnites cou'd very hardly obtain a two years Truce In the time of this Truce two new Tribes were added to the rest namely the Ufentine and Falerine which made the Number thirty one The Samnites incouragâ—d by some others broke their Truce which together with the Hetrurians warlike Preparations occasionâ—d the Creation of a Dictator which was L. Aemilius who made L. Fulvius moritious his Master of the Horse and in a bloody Battel overthrew the Enemy who came to relieve Saticula which he had invested The next Year another Dictator was created to carry on this War which was Fabius Maximus who chose Aulius Cerretan for his Master of the Horse and took Saticula managing the War with great Success against the Samnites and considerably inlarging the Roman Dominions in those Parts The following Year a dangerous Conspiracy was discover'd at Capua and this occasion'd the creating of a Dictator which was C. Maenius who made choice of M. Foslius for his Master of the Horse and soon suppressâ—d that Disturbance The next Year the Samnite War was carriâ—d on with great Vigour and a Dictator created which was C. Paetelius who made M. Foslius his Master of the Horse and gain'd great Advantages over the Enemy After which the Romans had a short Breathing Time and but a short one for soon after the Hetrurians making great Threats and as great Preparations another Dictator was created which was Iunius Bubulcus who perform'd little against 'em by reason of their keeping upon the Defensive In this same Year Appius Claudius being one of the Censors made the Famous Cawsey or High-way callâ—d Via Appia a Prodigious Work together with the Channel of Fresh Water which he brought into the City which Works he all alone Accomplishâ—d according to Livy A year or two was employâ—d against the Hetrurians till at last Papirius was made Dictator who chusing Bubulcus his Master of the Horse gave 'em the greatest Overthrow that they ever receiv'd yet all their Choicest Men being lost and from that time they were never able to perform much against Rome Four years after a Dictator was created for holding the Comitia for Election of Consuls which was Cornelius Scipio and Decius Mus was his Master of the Horse In the second Year after this the Samnites after many and great Losses obtainâ—d a Peace 12 Years after they broke their Truce and the Ancient League was renewâ—d with em and this happenâ—d 37 Years after the first War with that Nation Soon after this Peace was concluded the Romans turnâ—d their Arms against the Aequi and chastizâ—d them for Assisting the Samnites which affrighted other Nations into Subjection the Roman Dominions now daily increasing But however such Resistance was made as they thought it necessary to have a Dictator which was Iunius Bubulcus who chose M. Titinius for his Master of the Horse and in Eight days time return'd in Triumph In less than a Year after the Fame of the Hetrurians joyning with the Umbrians a People on the North of them and the Sabines occassion'd the creating of another Dictator which was Valerius Maximus who appointed Aemilius Paulus for his Master of the Horse This Dictator intirely broke the Power of all the Hetrurians reducing all their Territories to the Roman Subjection which happen'd above 420 Years after the first Wars with those People The Umbrians were likewise much weaken'd and lost a considerable Part of their Country the Romans still extending their Dominions on all Sides and continually Increasing their Strength During some sort of Intermission abroad the Commons began to fall into their former dissatisfi'd Humour and the Tribunes much complain'd that all the Priests and Augurs were created out of the Patritians and urgâ—d that the Plebeians might also partake of those Offices The Senate made no great Oppositions as being sufficiently accustom'd to yield in Matters of greater Moment So that whereas at present there were but Four Chief Priests and as many Augurs answering to the Four Tribes in the City now Four more were added and to those Five more out of the Body of the Commons And in this same Year Valerius the Consul preferr'd a Law of Appeal more carefully enacted which was the third time this Law was confirm'd since the Expulsion of the Kings and always occasionâ—d by the same Family The same Consul fell upon the Aequi who were now in Rebellion and in a little time they had nothing left 'em of their Ancient Fortune but the Stoutness of their Tempers The following Year was a Lustrum and Two new Tribes were added to the former namely the Aniensis and the Tarentine which now made the whole Number Thirty three The City was also much increas'd for at the next Lustrum five Years after there were cess'd no less than 262322 free Citizens Within a Year after this the Samnites after six Years Respite broke their League with the
Romans and with them were fought several Battels the Samnites being almost always Losers But the most Memorable was that about three Years after this last Breach when they had got the Umbrians and Gauls with some of the Hetrurians to assist 'em and receivâ—d a most dreadful Overthrow by the Consuls Fabius Maximus and Decius Mus. In the midst of this Fight Decius seeing his Party retire and in danger of being defeated he follow'd the great Example of his Father above Forty Years before and most solemnly devoted himself to the Gods then rushing into the midst of the Enemy with an extraordinary Fury and Courage he recoverâ—d his Army but with the loss of his Life About two Years after Papirius Son to the former got a noble Victory over 'em took above 15000 Prisoners gainâ—d several Towns and obtainâ—d a splendid Triumph But the following Year the Samnites venturâ—d another Battel and had better Fortune overthrowing Fabius Gurges the Consul which put the Senate upon removing of him But his Father Fabius Maximus to prevent the Disgrace promisâ—d to be Lieutenant to his Son which Office he performâ—d so well as he procur'd him a great Victory and a Triumph And within two Years after the Samnites were so mortifi'd as to beg a Peace after Pontius their General had been taken and slain which was at last granted em and the League was renewâ—d with â—em a fourth time In less than a Years time the Samnites again broke their League but were punishâ—d with the loss of several Battels and more Towns over whom Dentatus the Consul Triumph'd twice in one Year after which were Colonies sent to Castrum Sena and Adria Two years after the Triumviri for Capital Matters were created who had Power to Imprison and Punish all Malefactors and in the same Year 273000 Free Citizens were Cess'd Three Years after that the Commons by reason of their desperate Debts and violent Contests between them and the Patricians withdrew themselves into the Hill Ianiculum which was the third Separation of the Plebeians The Senate to appease this dangerous Tumult Created Q. Hortensius Dictator who with many Arts and much Difficulty perswaded 'em to return Promising them That their Plebiscita shou'd have the Force of Laws and bind the whole Body Politick This was call'd the Lex Hortensia tho' the same in Effect had been granted twice before Soon after Wars were successfully managâ—d against the Lucani a Nation in almost the farthest Parts of Italy who had molested the Thurini the Roman Allies But the last of the Italians that made much Opposition were the Tarentines formerly mentionâ—d who inhabited a very large and rich City in the South-Eastern parts of Italy 240 Miles from Rome These People had plunderâ—d several of the Roman Ships which was the Occasion and Beginning of that War Nevertheless these Tarentines tho' joyn'd with the Lucani Messapii Brutii Apulii and Samnites the four former being their Neighbours and the Inhabitants of the South-Eastern parts of Italy were not able to oppose the extraordinary growing Power of the Romans but were in a short time so distress'd that they were forcâ—d to send for Pyrrhus King of Epirus to come over and Assist ' em And thus began the Memorable War with that Famous Commander the most considerable the Romans ever before met with which happen'd in the 473d Year of the City A. M. 3724 in the 4th Year of the 124th Olympiad 228 since the beginning of the Consular State 109 since the Burning of the City by the Gauls 49 since the beginning of the Macedonian Empire by Alexander and 279 before our Saviour Christ. CHAP. VIII From the first Wars with Pyrrhus King of Epirus to the first Punick or Carthaginian War when the Romans first set Foot out of Italy Containing the Space of 16 Years I. PYrrhus was much Solicited by the Tarentines to come into Italy who in the Name of many of the Italians made many large Presents to him signifying How much they stood in need of a General so Eminent both for Abilities and the reputation of his Arms. Pyrrhus being of a generous and ambitious Temper promis'd 'em to come over with an Army and shortly after dispatch'd Cineas a Thessalian an excellent Orator and Scholar of Demosthenes with 3000 Men for Tarentum Soon after him he put to Sea with 20 Elephants 3000 Horse 20000 Foot 2000 Archers and 500 Slingers but meeting with a great Storm his Ships were much dispers'd and some lost so that he arriv'd at Tarentum but with a small part of his Army When he enter'd the Town he refusâ—d to act without their particular Order till the rest of his Army were Arriv'd then observing how the Inhabitants apply'd themselves chiefly to Bathing Feasting and their Pleasures he shut up the Publick Meeting Places restrain'd them from Drinking and Games and called them to Arms being very severe in Listing Men fit for Action and Service He now receivâ—d Intelligence that Laevinus the Roman Consul was upon his March with a numerous Army wasting Lucania as he passâ—d and tho these Confederate Troops were not all arrivâ—d he drew out his Army against him but before the Armies cou'd joyn he sent to Laevinus offering a Mediation between the Romans and their Adversaries But Laevinus return'd Answer That he neither esteem'd him as a Mediator nor fear'd him as an Enemy and taking his Messengers he order'd 'em to be led through the midst of the Camp and bad them go tell their Master what they had seen Pyrrhus advanc'd and encamp'd on the Plain between Pandosia and Heraclia and perceiving the Romans lay on the other side of the River Lyris in good Order he Planted Men all along the Bank to oppose their Passage But the Romans hastning to prevent the coming up of those Forces he expected Attempted the Passage with their Infantry where it was fordable the Horse getting over in several Places so that the Greeks fearing to be hemn'd in were obligâ—d to retreata little way which Pyrrhus perceiving drew up his Men in Battalia himself at the Head of em and began the Charge He was very remarkable for the Fineness and Richness of his Arms but more for the Bravery and Nobleness of his Acts managing the Battel with a great Steadiness and Presence of Mind and performing the Drudgery of a common Soldier as well as the Office of a general In the midst of the Fight Pyrrhus â— Horse was kill'd under him which oblig'd him to change Armour with one near him who being taken for the King was slain and his Armour taken This Armour being carri'd about by the Romans in token of his Death struck such a Terror into his Soldiers that it had lost him the Victory but that he seasonably and with much Labour made himself known Whilst the Battel seem'd doubtful the Elephants were sent in among the Romans and the Surprize they were in together with their Horses not induring the Smell and Bigness of
but Hamilcar being a stronger Man was kept in together with the dead Body of Bostar five days longer having only so much Sustenance allow'd him as might serve to prolong his Life in Misery At last the Magistrates being inform'd of this began to relent and strictly forbid any more of such Usuage commanding that Bostar's Ashes should be sent home and the rest of the Prisoners shou'd be us'd more moderately Which was done to let the Enemy know that the Romans were too generous to insult over the Miseries of unhappy Men or to countenance any cruel Actions tho' they had been incited by the highest Provocations and all the Sentiments of a most just Retaliation The following Year because the Land-Forces were very fearful of the Enemies Elephants and pursu'd their Affairs with small Vigour the Romans provided another Fleet and Besieg'd Lilybaeum by Sea and Land a Town standing upon the Southern Promontory of Sicily over against Africk The Romans were very unsuccessful in this Expedition losing most of their Ships in a short time partly by the Mismanagement of the Consul Claudius Pulcher and partly by other Misfortunes so that the whole Fleet was soon reduc'd to an inconsiderable number Lilybaeum was still closely invested by Land but the small Successes of the present Consuls and other Losses occasion'd the creating of a Dictator to Command the Forces in Sicily This was Attilius Calatinus who appointed Caecilius Metellus who had Triumph'd over the Carthaginians for his Master of the Horse and was the first Dictator that ever led an Army out of Italy but nothing memorable was acted by him in Sicily before the time of his Office expir'd The Romans now began to feel the Weight and Charge of the War more than ever and they found that the City was not only drein'd of Money but of Men too for in the next Lustrum there were but 251222 Free Citizens Poll'd For Seven Years did the Romans abstain from any Sea-Preparations in which time another Dictator was created in the Consuls Absence for holding the Comitia for a New Election which was Coruncanius Nepos and his Master of the Horse was Fulvius Flaccus At this time Amilcar the Carthaginian Admiral extreamly infested the Coasts of Italy which made the Romans resolve once more to try their Fortune at Sea and accordingly they fitted out a considerable Navy out of their private Purses the Treasury being now exhausted With this they gave the Carthaginians a notable Overthrow nigh the Aegatian Isâ—es taking and sinking 120 of their Ships according to the most modest Computation This great Loss brought 'em to a Peace which after two Consultations was concluded upon these Articles First That the Carthaginians shou'd lay down 1000 Talents of Silver and 2200 more within 10 Years time Secondly That they shou'd quit Sicily with all the Isles thereabouts Thirdly That they shou'd never make War upon the Syracusians or their Allies nor come with any Vessels of War within the Roman Dominions and Fourthly That they shou'd deliver up all their Prisoners without Ransom as also the Deserters Thus ended the first Punick or Carthaginian War by the Greek Writers call'd the Sicilian War after it had continu'd 24 Years in the 51â—th Year of the City 23 Years before the Second and 239 before our Saviour's Nativity wherein the Romans are said to have lost 700 Vessels and the Carthaginians no more than 500. IV. All Affairs now seem'd to succeed prosperously with the Romans and in the same Year that this long War was ended Two New Tribes were added to the rest namely the Veline and Quirine which now made up the Number 35 which Number was never after exceeded At this time the Romans began to grow more polite a little applying their Minds to something of Study and Learning particularly Poetry and the Year after this War the first Tragedies and Comedies were made by Livius Andronicus a Graecian by Birth one Year before Ennius the Poet was Born about 160 after the Deaths of Sophocles and Euripides and 62 after that of Menander He drew the Minds of the People from the Use of the Satyr which had immediately succeeded the old Stage-Plays call'd Ludi Fescennini spoken of in the Sixth Chapter of this Book which Satyr was a sort of a Dramatick Poem full of Jests and Raillery wholly different from the Satyrs of Lucilius and Horace afterwards Naevius was the first Poet that follow'd his example five Years after the Year before which were celebrated the great Secular Games the third time which were also call'd Ludi magni and Ludi Terentini and were of two sorts the Greater celebrated every 120 Years and first instituted in the 298th Year of the City and the Lesser celebrated every 100 Year and first instituted about the 305th Year of the City after the Banishment of the Decemviri But these now celebrated were of the former sort There were also other Games call'd Ludi Tarentini which were very different from the Ludi Seculares which I mention that Learners may avoid Confusion But to return to the Roman Affairs the Carthaginians soon after their Peace with the Romans fell into a Bloody War between themselves and their Mercenary Soldiers which proceeded both from their Want of Pay and their Want of Employment and this with much Difficulty and Loss was ended by Amilcar after more than Three Years During which time several of the Romans who traded into Africk were secur'd by the Carthaginians lest they shou'd furnish their Enemies with Provisions But when Ambassadors were sent to Carthage to complain of this Usage they kindly dismiss'd all that were in Custody which so affected the Romans that they generously sent 'em all their Prisoners without Ransom and for a short Space there seem'd to be an extraordinary Friendship between these two Nations But soon after their Troubles were ended the Sardinians inviting over the Romans to that Island they sail'd thither which much offended the Carthaginians who thought themselves to have the greatest Right to it so they prepar'd to send Forces thither The Romans took an Occasion from thence to proclaim War against 'em complaining That these Preparations were design'd more against them than the Sardinians This so terrify'd the Carthaginians who found themselves in no Condition to begin a new War that they were forc'd to yield to Necessity and not only quit all Sardinia but further to pay the Romans 1200 Talents This tho' submitted to at present prov'd afterwards the Occasion of a more bloody and dangerous War than the former In the sixth Year after the Carthaginian War the Romans being in perfect Peace with all their Neighbours the Temple of Ianus was shut the second time it being open 437 Years In the following Year was the first Divorce in Rome and two Years after a Dictator was created for holding the Comitia and this was C. Duilius his Master of the Horse being Aurelius Cotta For five Years successively the Temple
an Ambuscade a Valiant Soldier who was callâ—d the Sword as Fabius 〈◊〉 Buckler of Rome His Collegue Crispinus also 〈◊〉 a Wound which in a little time killâ—d him 〈◊〉 nominated a Dictator for holding the Comitiâ—â—â— new Election which was Manlius Torquatus his Master of the Horse being C. Servilius The following Year Asdrubal was order'd to leave Spain and go for Italy to the Assistance of his Brother Hannibal Whereupon Livius the Consul was order'd to meet and oppose him whilst his Collegue Nero observ'd the Motions of Hannibal but Nero having met with some Success against Hannibal made a choice Detachment of 6000 Foot and 1000 Horse and with great Secrecy and as great Expedition Marchâ—d towards his Collegue Having joyn'd him they surrounded Asdrubal who by the Treachery of his Guides had led him into a dangerous Place and cut him and his whole Army in pieces Nero immediately returnâ—d to his Camp and before Hannibal knew of his Departure cast his Brother's Head in his Camp by which to his great Grief he knew of his Defeat At the finishing of this Consulship a Dictator was created for the holding of the Comitia for a new Election the Consuls being both in the Field which was Livius Salinator his Master of the Horse being Caecilius Metellus The Year after this Scipio after the obtaining many great Victories and the performing many noble Exploits in Spain wholly reduc'd that Country to the Obedience of Rome having taken or driven out all the Carthaginian Commanders and gain'd as much Reputation by his Mild Sweet and Generous Temper as he did by his Courageous and Valiant Acts. This happen'd Five Years after his undertaking this Charge and Twelve after the Beginning of this War IV. The Romans now found themselves in a much better Condition than they were at the Beginning of these Wars especially by the happy Reduction of two such considerable Provinces as Spain and Sicily which had been great Diversions to â—em but still Hannibal in the Bowels of Italy was a severe Curb and a grievous Burden to â—em upon which Scipio at his Return being made Consul at 29 Years of Age greatly desired to be sent into Africk as the most effectual Means to finish the War declaring to the Senate That he doubted not but to manage Affairs so as that the Carthaginians should be forcâ—d to recall Hannibal out of Italy for the Defence of his own Country Fabius most earnestly and with some Heat oppos'd this and thereupon a considerable Difference arose but at length Sicily was granted him for his Province and Leave given him to pass over into Africk if he saw it convenient for the Common-wealth All the first Year he spent in Sicily in providing Necessaries for his Expedition at the end of which a Dictator was created for holding the Comitia for a new Election of Consuls namely Caecilius Mâ—tellus his Master of the Horse being Veturius Philo The next Lustrum being soon after 215000 Free Citizens were Cessâ—d which was 77892 more than at the last a happy Encrease for Five Years time This same Year which was the 14th of this War Scipio arriv'd at Africk with a brave Fleet where Masanissa King of Numidia who had joyn'd with him in Spain came in to his Assistance Scipio was not long in Africk without Employment for in a short time Hanno opposâ—d him and was slain himself with 3000 of his Men which so encourag'd Scipio that he immediately Invested Utica but Syphax King of Numidia who had dispossess'd Masanissa of his Kingdom Marching with the Carthaginians to relieve the Place Scipio broke up the Siege and departed to his Winter Quarters But in the Winter he again Invested Utica and understanding that the Enemy was encamp'd not far off he sent his ablest Soldiers in the Habits of Slaves with his Commissioners to view their Camp This done he suddenly set Fire to their Coverings of Mats Reeds dry Boughs and the like which they not suspecting but thinking it came by Accident were cut in pieces in the midst of the Hurry and Confusion to the Numberof 40000 Men 6000 being taken Prisoners Not long after he gave them another great Overthrow which so terrify'd the Carthaginians that they were obligâ—d to recall their great Champion Hannibal out of Italy who himself likewise had been in declining condition for a considerable time An Embassage was immediately dispatch'd to Rome with a Design to obtain a Cesâ—ation of Arms till Hannibal cou'd safely retire from Italy But their Aim being sufficiently understood their Message was slighted and came to no Effect During these Endeavours Syphax finding his Kingdom wou'd probably return to Masanissa the True Inheritor had gather'd together a Numerous Army of Unexperienc'd Strangers and with them March'd against Scipio but was soon defeated and himself taken Prisoner Masanissa the better to regain his Kingdom March'd with all speed to Cirta the Chief City and by shewing them the King in Bonds procur'd the Gates to be open'd every one striving to gain the Favour of him who as they perceiv'd wou'd be their King Among the rest Queen Sophonisba Syphax â—s Wife a Woman of incomparable Beauty who very earnestly and humbly besought him That she might not be deliver'd up into the hands of the Romans Her Powerful Charms so recommended her Suit that young Masanissa forthwith granted it and the more effectually to perform his Promise Marry'd her himself that Day This Action was much disapprovâ—d of by Scipio at his Arrival soon after letting him to understand That the Romans had a Title to her Head as being their Captive one of their greatest Enemies and the Principal Cause of all Syphax ' s Treachery Upon this therefore Masanissa in desperate Passion sent her a Bowl of Poyson at the receiving of which she only said That if her Husband had no better Token to send to his new Wife she must accept of that adding That her Death had been more honourable if her Marriage had been farther from it and so boldly drank it oft Scipio the better to comfort the Melancholy Prince had him immediately Proclaimâ—d King of Numidia with the greatest Pomp and Solemnity that couâ—d be expected having now setled him in his Throne without any farther Opposition V. Hannibal had now made his greatest and utmost Efforts in Italy and had perform'd more than any other Commander when he was recall'd by his Superiours and with great Concern and Reluctancy was forc'd to quit that Country after he had spent 15 Years in it with various Fortune He complain'd much of his Senate and of Himself of his Senate because they had so badly supplyâ—d him with Money and other Necessaries when he had been so long in an Enemies Country of Himself for giving the Romans time to recover themselves after he had so often overthrown ' em It is said likewise that before he Embark'd he built an Arch nigh the Temple of Iuno Lacinia where in Punick and Greek Letters
the Army he either forcâ—d or by former Agreement brought Albinus to submit upon most dishonourable Terms In this Condition did Metellus the following Consul find Affairs and the whole Army was almost ruin'd for want of Discipline to the great Dishonour of the Roman State and the grievous Vexation of the honester sort in the City Metellus having with much difficulty brought his Soldiers into good Order within the space of two years overthrew Iugurth several times forc'd him out of several Towns and pursu'd him beyond her own Frontiers which constrainâ—d him to submit and beg Peace but he in a short time broke the Conditions of it and so the former Hostility return'd At this time one C. Marius was Legatus or Lieutenant to Mâ—tellus a Person of Frugality Policy and Military Experience and of vast Courage in War a Contemner of Pleasure but very ambitious of Honour which made him extreamly desirous to gain the Consulship To obtain this he privately blam'd Metellus to the Merchants of Utica avowing That he was able with half the Army to take Jugurth Prisoner and that within few Days By these and the like detracting Discourses he procurâ—d many Complaints to be written to Rome against Metellus and getting leave to go thither obtainâ—d the Consulship and had likewise the management of the War committed to him Notwithstanding the People were so grateful to Metellus that at his return being satisfy'd as to his Behaviour they both granted him a Triumph and bestow'd upon him the Surname of Numidicus as an additional Honour Marius shew'd himself a very expert Warrior and in a short time took the City Capsa a place very rich and strong and after this another call'd Mulucha `fugurth now finding himself too weak to oppose him any longer procur'd Bocchus King of Mauritania and his Father-in-Law to joyn with him who by the Assistance of his Numerous Cavalry much harrass'd the Roman Army Marius had Invested Cirta and Bocchus approaching to raise the Siege partly by the Number of his Horse reported to be 60000 and partly by the violent Heats and great Dusts the Romans were sorely distress'd and the Fight continuâ—d dangerous and terrible to them for three Days at the end of which a Tempest of Rain falling spoil'd the Enemies Weapons and relievâ—d Marius's Men almost famish'd with Thirst and now the Course of Fortune changing the Two Kings were entirely defeated In another Battel Marius 't is said killâ—d 90000 after which Bocchus began to repent of his Enterprise and sent to Rome to enter into a League which he could not procure nevertheless he obtain'd Pardon for his Crime Not long after Marius took Iugurth in an Ambuscade whither he had drawn him by specious Pretences and deliver'd him up to Sylla his Quaestor who had brought over some Forces from Italy and under Marius he learnt that Skill in War which he afterwards employ'd against him Iugurth with his Two Sons were led in Triumph by Marius and shortly after by Order of Senate he was put to Death and so the Iugurthine War ended after it had continu'd about Seven Years III. At the same time a War was carry'd on against the Cimbri a Vagabond People of Cimbrica Chersonesus now call'd Denmark who joyning with the Teutones a Nation of the Germans made dreadful Irruptions into several Parts of the Roman Dominions particularly Gaul and Spain where they had overthrown several Consuls in the last Battel killing 80000 Romans after which they resolv'd to pass the Alps into Italy Rome began now to be in a great Consternation and Marius having just vanquish'd Iugurtha they made him Consul a â—d time as the only Man thought able to Manage so Threatning a War and to preserve the State While they continu'd in Spain Marius March'd against their Friends the Tolosans in Gaul where King Copilus was taken by Sylla his Lieutenant Being made Consul again the following Year he declin'd Fighting till the Enemies Force was weakned by Delays The next Year in his Fourth Consulship the Enemy in Three several Parties were just upon passing the Alps into Italy and as he attended their Motions it happened that his Army was extreamly afflicted with Thirst the Teutones and Ambrones lying between them and the Water which Necessity brought him to an Ingagement with 'em and in Two Days time he by his excellent Conduct utterly destroy'd 'em taking Theutobocchus their King Prisoner The Cimbri escap'd him and fled over into Italy notwithstanding the Winter-Season and the Alps cover'd with Snow being in vain oppos'd by Catulus both at the Alps and at the River Athesis nigh Verona The Year following Marius was again made Consul and joyning with Catulus was challengâ—d by the Enemy to give Battel Whereupon he fell upon their numerous Army and gave 'em a most dreadful Overthrow their Wives all the while making a wonderful Resistance from the Chariots and when they saw all things in a desperate Condition they in a great Fury first kill'd all their Children and after that themselves About 140000 were slain in this Battel and 60000 taken Prisoners which ended this War after it had continu'd 12 Years Marius the Fifth time and Aquilius Nepos being Consuls The former was then esteem'd the Preserver of his Country and contented himself with one Triumph when he might have had more and his Collegue had now also finish'd the Second Servile War in Sicily which had lasted almost Four Years Notwithstanding these Dangers abroad the City was not without Domestick Troubles which were occasion'd by Saturninus one of Marius's Friends who having been Quaestor at Ostia during a Famine was turn'd out of his Place by the Senate to revenge which usage he procur'd the Tribune-ship But after his Year was expirâ—d Metellus Numidicus formerly mention'd being Censor endeavour'd to remove him from the Senate but was hinderâ—d by his Collegue This so enragâ—d him that he stood again for the Tribunâ—-ship and Nine of the Ten Tribunes being chosen by the Assistance of Marius he Murderâ—d Nonius his Competitor and so obtain'd the Place Now being once again in Power he preferrâ—d a Law for the Division of such Lands as Marius had recoverâ—d in Gaul and compell'd the Senate to Swear to it which Oath Numidicus refusing he set him a day to Answer it before the People but for fear of him and Marius together Numidicus fled to Smyrna in Asia Saturninus procuring the Tribuneship a Third time and finding Memmius Candidate for the Consulship he also caus'd him to be Murder'd to make way for Glaucius the Praetor one of his own Party These base and ungenerous Practices rais'd several Troubles and Commotions in the City and the Senate resolvâ—d to make him Answer it whereupon Marius now a Sixth time Consul perceiving him in a declining Condition very politickly withdrew himself from his Friendship The Consuls were now as in some other Dangerous Times Invested with an unusual and Dictatorian sort of Power the manner of conferring of which was by a
all possible Ways and Methods to procure Forces and thus was the rest of the Summer spent in which time the Capitol was burnt down none knowing by what means it was done this hapned about 430 Years after it was first built The following Year Carbo a third Time and young Marius the Son of the former were made Consuls the latter at 27 Years of Age. In the beginning of the Campaign Carbo's Lieutenant Carinus was overthrown by Metellus and Marius himself by Sylla Marius was driven into Praeneste where being closely besieg'd and almost despairing of Relief he in a great Rage wrote to Brutus then Praetor at Rome to use some Pretence to call the Senate and then to kill the principal of 'em who were his Enemies which Order was executed with great Cruelty so that whatsoever Side were Conquerors Rome was still a miserable Sufferer Metellus having by this time overthrown Carbo once more and Pompey defeated Marcius another of that Party Sylla march'd directly to Rome which Place he easily enter'd great Numbers of the opposite Faction being fled into the Country The Inhabitants of Rome were extremely terrifyâ—d at Sylla's Entrance but he only put the Goods of the Persons that fled to Sale wishing the People not to be dejected for he was oblig'd to act as he did Then leaving a sufficient Garrison in the City he departed to Clusium where he and his Officers several times overthrew Carbo's Armies Carbo being now upon the defensive sent eight Legions to Praeneste to relieve his Collegue Marius but they were met by Pompey in a narrow Passage where he â—lew many of 'em and dispers'd the Rest. Soon after Carbo being join'd with Norbanus engag'd with Metellus and had 10000 of his Men slain and 6000 yielded whereupon great Numbers went over to Sylla's Party which presently became Masters of all Gaul on that side the Alpes Norbanus fled to Rhodes where fearing to be deliver'd up he kill'd himself and Carbo fled to Africk tho he had 30000 Men at Clusium besides other Forces all which soon after were broken and dispers'd by Pompey But Carinus and Marcius with other Commanders by the Assistance of the Samnite Troops endeavour'd to force the Trenches at Praeneste and relieve Marius but finding it impracticable they advanc'd to Rome where meeting with Sylla a most bloody Battell was sought at the very Gates in which many thousands were slain on both sides But Sylla at last obtain'd the Victory and Carinus and Marcius were taken and their Heads sent to Praeneste to be shewn to the Inhabitants at which sorrowful Sight they surrender'd to Lucullus and Marius kill'd himself whose Head was set up in the Pleading-Place at Rome All his Faction in Praeneste with the Natives and Samnites were put to Death without Mercy only the Romans escap'd with their Lives and this rich City was plunder'd Norba a little after was taken and the Inhabitants setting the Town on Fire all destroy'd themselves some one way and some another So now all Italy came under the Power of Sylla Sylla having been thus successful against his Enemies at home sent Pompey into Africk against Carbo and gave him Charge to pass from thence into Sicily against others of that Party Pompey in a short time drove Carbo into Sicily and thence into Corcyra where he took him and causâ—d his Head to be cut off and sent to Sylla But Rome in the mean time now severely felt the dreadful Effects of Civil Contests for Sylla calling the People together told them That he wou'd put 'em into a better Condition if they were obedient to his Commands but as for his Enemies be was resolv'd to prosecute them with all sorts of Miseries and Calamities which he did with more Severity than any before him killing and butchering many thousands after a most barbarous and inhumane Manner Eight Thousand were put to Death together in the Villa Publica a large House in the Campus Martius Men were slain in the Embraces of their Wives Children in the Arms of their Mothers and Liberty was given to the Soldiers to kill all they met without distinction till Furfidius a little stopp'd the Current of his Rage by putting him in mind that he ought to leave some to reign over Sylla then publish'd Tables of Proscription for particularly Persons these being the first ever known in Rome wherein were proscribed 80 Senators and 1600 Equites to which he afterwards added more promising great Rewards to the Discoverers and threatning Death to the Concealers of them Of these Out-lawâ—d Persons some were slain in their Houses others in the Streets and others prostrate at his Feet begging their Lives and those that fled their Goods were seizâ—d on Marius Brother to Sylla's great Enemy had his Eyes first pull'd out then his Hands and Legs cut off at several times that he might die with the greater Torment â— Iulius Caesar a young Man of wonderful promising Abilities who had marry'd Cinna's Daughter very hardly escap'd the common Miseries of these Times of whom Sylla was wont to say after a Prophetick Manner That in Caesar were many Marius ' s. Rome was not the only Sufferer in these dreadfull Calamities for this Proscription was carryâ—d throughout all the Cities of Italy where the merciless Effusion of Blood was such that neither the Temples of the Gods nor all the Sanctuaries cou'd afford Protection to any Man Both the Consuls being now destroy'd Sylla withdrew himself from the City and order'd the Senate to create an Inter-Rex which they most willingly did naming Valerius Flaccus He wrote to him to ask the People that since Affairs were yet much unsettled a Dictator might be created and that not for any limited Time but till all publick Evils and Grievances should be redress'd not forgetting to mention himself This the People were constrain'd to yield to he having then all the Power in his own Hands and so this Office which had been intermitted for 120 Years was conferr'd on him without any Limitation of Time And thus ended the first Civil War in Italy tho' not in all other Places about 6 Years after it began and four after the first Marius's Death in the 672d Year of the City in the 3d. Year of the 174th Olympiad 427 Years since the Beginning of the Consular State 248 since the setting up of the Macedonian Empire and 80 before our Saviours's Nativity CHAP. XIV From the Perpetual Dictatorship of Sylla to the first Triumvirate namely that of Caesar Pompey and Craâ—sus which prov'd the Ruin of the Consular State and the first Step to the setting up the Imperial Containing the Space of 22 Years THE Government of Rome was now for some space changâ—d to a Monarchy Sylla's Power being unlimited as to Time and thoâ— to keep up a Shew of a Common-wealth he permitted Consuls to be made yet he plainly reignâ—d alone having 24 Lictors with their Fasces and Axes and a great Guard constantly to attend his Person as the
all their Company Cato himself receiving a Wound on the Arm and Domitius hardly escaping And thus by Force and Violence both Pompey and Crassus obtainâ—d the Consulship The People shortly after being ready to give Cato the Praetor-ship Pompey pretended strange Prodigies in Heaven and dismiss'd the Assembly Then corrupting the Tribes with Money he procurâ—d 'em to chuse Antias and Vatinius Praetors Then by the Assistance of Trebonius the Tribune the Consâ—â—â— procur'd Laws which continu'd Caesar in his Government in Gaul for five Years longer and assign'd Syria and the Parthian War to Crassus and Africk and Spain to Pompey with four Legions whereof he lent two to Caesar for the Gallick Wars Caesar was now proceeding in his Fourth Year's Expedition which was employâ—d against several Nations of Germany who to the Number of 430000 of all sorts being driven out of their own Country by the Suevi the most powerfull of all the Germans had passâ—d the Rhme into Gaul and forcâ—d the Mâ—napii from their Habitations Caesar well knowing the Levity of the Gauls and their Readiness to cast off their Yoke resolvâ—d to tho' â—ehinder the Germans settling on this of the Rhine And perceiv'd that the Gauls had begun to treat with 'em he dissembled it and anticipating the usual Time of taking the Field he march'd directly to the Germans who being amaz'd at his extraordinary Diligence sent Ambassadors to him concerning a Treaty He gave 'em a patient Hearing and favourable Answers but still continuâ—d his March towards ' em At last the Articles were agreed upon provided Caesar wou'd stay three Days but he wouâ—d allow 'em but one during which time his Cavalry going out to Forage met with a Party of German Horse who fell furiously upon 'em and put 'em to flight pursuing 'em to their very Camp The Germans sending their principal Officers the next day to excuse the Fact Caesar detainâ—d 'em Prisoners and advancing with his whole Army towards the Enemy surprizâ—d â—em and cut 'em all in Pieces after which with great Skill and Industry he laid a Bridge over the Rhine marchâ—d into Germany relievâ—d the Ubii granted a Peace to such as were willing to depose Hostages burnt and destroyâ—d the rest and at the end of 18 Days return'd into Gaul breaking down the Bridge behind him Caesar finding he had time this Year to undertake a new Expedition and led on by the Greatness of his Courage and his Desire of Glory resolv'd to cross Seas into Britain an Enterprize so very hazardous that few but Caesar wou'd have ventur'd upon it His Pretence was the Britains sending continual Supplies into Gaul against the Romans and in order to his Design he made strict Enquiries of the Merchants that Traded thither what kind of People they were how they made War under what Laws they liv'd and which were their best Ports After which he sent Voluseus to view the Coasts in the mean time sending for the Ships he had employ'd against the Veneti and making all other necessary Preparations Upon the News of which several of the British People sent their Ambassadors with Tokens of Submission whom he sent back with good Words and with them Cornio the better to discover the Country under that Pretence But Cornio not daring to trust the Inhabitants continu'd but five Days upon the Coast and then return'd to make Report of what he had discover'd Caesar leaving all things in Gaul in a peaceable Posture and Sulpicius Rufus to guard the Ports put to Sea with two Legions and part of his Cavalry after Mid-night and made the British Coasts the next Morning where he found the Shores cover'd with Men to oppose his Landing and finding it impracticable there he fail'd eight Miles further There the Romans met with great Opposition and were in danger of being driven back till the Standard-Bearer of the tenth Legion boldâ—y leap'd a-shore and being well supported by Caesar's Diligence all the Army landed and the Britains fled The Britains were so terrify'd at the Romans Success that they sent to desire a Peace which was granted 'em and some Hostages deliver'd But a great Storm arising at that time miserably shatter'd the Transport-Ships lying at Anchor and this with Caesar's want of Provisions so incouragâ—d the Britains that instead of sending him the rest of their Hostages they march'd with a powerfull Army against him who meeting with one of the Legions abroad had almost defeated 'em but Caesar came in with timely Assistance and brought 'em off safely In these Extremities Caesar lost no time in reâ—itting his Ships procuring of Provisions and securing his Camp and being afresh attack'd by the Britains he overthrew 'em and burnt many of their Towns which oblig'd 'em again to desire a Peace Upon which he requir'd a double number of Hostages and finding the Season far advanc'd he again put to Sea and return'd to Gaul where he safely landed only two Ships that had on board 300 Men landing a little lower were set upon by the Morini who not long before had been reconcil'd to Caesar. They were soon reliev'd and Labietnus was sent to chastise the Revolters who being reduc'd he and Cotta harrass'd the Country of the Menapians who had hid themselves in the Woods After which the Roman Army was sent to their Winter-Quarters in Bâ—lgium which finishâ—d Caesar's fourth Years Expedition Caesar being very ambitious of enlarging the Roman Dominions as well as encreasing his own Reputation resolvâ—d upon a second Expedition into Britain the next Spring and made all necessary Preparations for it the Natives having given him a fair Pretence by breaking their Articles with him At the appointed Time he embarkâ—d with five Legions and 2000 Horse at lâ—cius or Calais and landed in Britain without Opposition where he shortly after forc'd one of their Camps with good success About which time News was brought him that his whole Navy was extreamly indamag'd with a Storm and some of his Ships lost which made him retire back towards the Sea-coast where with vast Labour and Industry he repairâ—d most of 'em in ten Days time and wrote to Labienus to build more After that he march'd against Cassivelaun the General of all the British Forces and after several Motions and a bloody Battel defeated him which so terrify'd the Enemy that they dared not appear in any Body against him after that Whereupon Caesar advancâ—d still further and passâ—d the Thames in spight of all Opposition his Men wading up to the Neck in the Water Cassivelaun notwithstanding his reputed Valour kept himself to the Woods and Forests and finding that several Towns were surrender'd to Caesar and particularly his own he also sent to him for a Treaty who receiv'd his Submission took Hostages and imposâ—d a certain Tribute upon Britain Then finding the Season far advancâ—d and apprehending the Danger of some Tumults in Gaul he cross'd the Sea again bringing back his Army with much Glory and Renown where with appeasing some
rest of the Places in Aquitain submitted and going to Narbone he then disposâ—d his Men into their Winter-Quarters in such a Manner that they prov'd very useful to him afterwards in the Civil Wars And this finish'd Caesar's Eighth and last Years Expedition in Gaul and all the Parts thereabouts after a long and almost uninterupted Course of many Glorious Conquests and noble Victories to the mighty Encrease of his own Honour and Renown and the great Inlargement of the Roman Dominions and Riches as well as the Terrour of their Name and Authority II. Now the Jealousies between Caesar and Pompey began to be more conspicuous than ever and well might a Rupture be expected when two Persons the Greatest that ever Rome produc'd were become Rivals in Glory especially when their Tempers were such that the latter cou'd not endure an Equal nor the former a Superiour Caesar had now rais'd himself to an extraordinary Height both as to Riches and Reputation then the Grandeur of his Mein his unbounded Generosity and his Noble Actions had entirely engag'd the Affections of his Soldiers to him who all lov'd him almost to Adoration Again a great many of the Senators stood obligâ—d to him for considerable Summs of Money which he had lent 'em without Interest he entertainâ—d with Magnificence all such as serv'd under him even to the very Slaves and his Army was a Refuge to all manner of Criminals and such as were much in Debt a great many of which he discharg'd at his own Expence but for some whose Debts were larger than ordinary he us'd to say That one Civil War would make all even All this was done at Gaul's Expence which might occasion this Observation That Caesar Conquer'd the Gauls with the Romans Steel and the Romans with the Gallick Gold Pompey had observ'd that Caesar in his Consulship had rendred himself very distastful to the Senate therefore he made it his Business by his outward Carriage and fair Demeanor to gain their Favour which he did with good success Caesar was aware of this and for that reason endeavour'd vigorously for the Consulship in his Absence and likewise to procure his Government to be prolongâ—d trying all Ways and Methods to keep his Army till he cou'd get to be chosen Consul But he soon found that this Affair did not succeed according to his Wish being chiefly hinder'd by Marcus Marcellus one of the present Consuls and his Great Enemy Tho he was sufficiently sensible of Pompey's Jealousy he resolv'd to endeavour once more to preserve his Friendship therefore offerâ—d him his Niece Octavia and demanded Pompey's Daughter for himself but Pompey thought fit to make choice of an Alliance with Scipio whom he joyn'd with him in the Consular Dignity for the last Five Months The first Publick Appearance of the Division began from Pompey's two Laws publish'd in his Consulship the first being to enquire into the Miscarriages of Officers for Twenty Years last past and the latter to forbid all Absent Persons to demand any Publick Employment both which were designâ—d against Caesar. But still no great Violence was us'd but all was manag'd with extream Artifice and Cunning till the Election of the New Consuls who were Aemilius Paulus and Calidius Marcellus a Kinsman of Marcus Now every one with great Impatience expected to find how the Consuls wou'd declare themselves the first had been well secur'd by a large Present of 1500 Talents from Caesar but Calidius was Caesar's Enemy and being carry'd on by the same Spirit with his Kinsman Marcus follow'd also his Methods Curio was likewise one of the Tribunes a Person of the highest Fame for his Eloquence and Pleadings and of great Parts and Resolution but now much burthenâ—d with Debts both for himself and others and particularly for Marcus Antonius one of his Collegues Curio had been one of the most violent against Caesar's Interest but Caesar who well knew all his unhappy Circumstances quickly found a Way to bring him over by furnishing him with Means to quit himself of those Incumbrances Curio after this made use of Practices very refinâ—d forbearing to declare himself of Caesar â—s Party the better to penetrate the Designs of the other Party and after that sought an Opportunity to break with Pompey In order to which he demanded to have the Charge of the High-ways conferrâ—d upon him altho' he knew it wouâ—d be denyâ—d him and upon refusal he shew'd his Resentment and soon after when Marcellus the Consul proposâ—d with great Earnestness the recalling Caesar from his Government Curio applauded his Wisdom adding withall That it was but Iustice that Pompey and Caesar should be both call'd from their Governments together All apprehended the Meaning of this Proposal and Pompey's Friends began to be very troublesome to Curio particularly Appius one of the Censors who threatn'd to expel him the Senate and proposâ—d it in one of the Assemblies Curio submitted to any Thing decreed against himself in particular but wouâ—d yield to nothing where Caesar's Interest was struck at and the Consul Aemilius securâ—d him from the Affront offer'd him by Appius Curio resolving not to be discourag'd made the same Proposal to the People as he had done to the Senate which was receiv'd with the greatest Applause imaginable and as a further Testimony of their Satisfaction they gave Power to Caesar to demand the Consulship without removing out of his Province This caus'd Pompey to leave the City under pretence of going to his Government but he really went no further than a Country-House of his where falling sick he Wrote to the Senate That he was ready to resign all his Employments when Caesar did the like which he wou'd confirm upon his Return to Rome Curio immediately took this Advantage and told him It was his Duty to begin what he propos'd and he wou'd engage that his Example shou'd be follow'd by Caesar. The Matter was then publickly debated but ended only in an Order that two Legions shouâ—d be drawn out of Caesar's and Pompey's Army to be sent against the Parthians and this was only to weaken Caesar's Army for Pompey likewise demanded the Legion which he had formerly lent him Caesar immediately apprehended the Reason of this Order and Pompey's Designs nevertheless he made no Opposition but surrenderâ—d two Legions Generously Giving each Man Five and twenty Crowns Cicâ—ro at this time returnâ—d to Rome from his Government of Cilicia where he pretended for his Great Exploits to have Merited the Honour of a Triumph His Absence had hinder'd him from joyning with either Party and his present Pretensions oblig'd him to be a Mediator between both but no Proposals of Accommodation wou'd be hearken'd to for Appius returning from Caesar's Army publish'd abroad That his Soldiers had no Esteem for him and that they wou'd certainly come over to the Senates Party whenever they recover'd this side of the Alps. This Relation gave Pompey great Confidence so that Cicero cou'd not be heard And when he
five considerable Towns and made several others Capitulate Caesar who spared no Pains to distress his Enemies threw up divers Intrenchments and Ditches in order to cut off the Water from their Camp and to make the Segre Fordable Afranius and Petreius dreading the success of this Enterprize after several Motions of both Armies resolv'd to reach Octogâ—sa situated on the Iberus where they had sent a Party before to lay a Bridge over In order to this Design they Decamped at Midnight but Caesar sent his Cavalry after 'em and oblig'd 'em to Ford the River before they cou'd come at their Bridge then leaving his Baggage in his Camp he suddenly crossâ—d the River with his Infantry and pursu'd em so close that they couâ—d neither reach their intended Place nor return to their former Camp By which means he reduc'd 'em to such extremities of Hunger and Drought that they were all oblig'd to yield to his Mercy without any Bloodshed Caesar to shew his kind and Generous Temper dismiss'd 'em all and satisfy'd 'em with incredible Courtesies such as were never practis'd elsewere towards Enemies And in a short time after he became Master of all Spain sending back his Enemies loaden with Shame and Obligations to publish his extraordinary Clemency and Valour while he himself departed for Marseilles which was then just upon the point of yielding Upon Caesar's arrival they capitulated During which time Domitius made his escape by Sea Caesar pardon'd the Inhabitants more upon the account of their Name and Antiquity as he told 'em than for any other Merit and leaving two Legions in Garrison he departed for Rome Upon his arrival there he was receiv'd with Great Satisfaction by most People and made Dictator by M. Lepidus the Praetor but finding this Office not well lik'd of he laid it down after holding of it 11 Days and caus'd himself to be chosen Consul with Servilius Isauricus His Design was now to procure himself as many Friends as possible in pursuance of which Purpose he preferr'd several favourable Laws the first was concerning the Borrowing of Money for the War which as it usually happens having ruin'd almost all Credit and render'd a great many Men incapable of Payment Caesar order'd that an Estimate should be made of Inheritances at the same Value they bore before the War and that Creditors should take them according to his Estimation by which means he took away the Fears of a General Bankrupcy and supported the Credit of the Debtors Besides he brought over to his Party all such as expected to be favour'd in this General Valuation which was the principal Design of the Law The other Law was for the calling home those who had been condemn'd during Pompey's presiding in the passing Sentences of Justice Caesar likewise made several other Ordinances and after having quitted the Name and Dignity of Dictator departed for Brundusium to go against Pompey before which time he receiv'd the bad News of the Defeat and Death of Curio whom he had sent against Vaâ—us Pompey's Lieutenant in Africk V. Pompey after his Departure from Italy into Epirus and Greece had made all possible Preparations for Resistance drawing over all the East to his Interest and during the time of Caesar's being at Rome and in Spain had gather'd together very powerful Armies both by Sea and Land His Land Forces consisted of 9 Italian Legions effective besides the two which Scipio his Brother-in-law brought him and the Auxiliaries from the Eastern Countries of 7000 Horse â—000 Archers and 8 Cohorts of Slingers These Troops were distributed into Dyrrachium and Apollonia and over all that Coast to oppose the coming down of Caesar. And more than this he had prepar'd a noble Fleet of 500 large Ships besides Gallies Brigantines and other lesser Vessels all which were commanded in chief by Bibulus who executed the Office of Admiral Besides these Forces Pompey had drawn great Summs of Money out of Asia and Greece and to recompence himself in some measure for the loss of Spain had caus'd Dalabella and Caius Antonius who Commanded for Caesar on the Coast of Illyricum to be attack'd and with that Success that the former was driven out and the latter taken These Advantages which daily kept up the Reputation of Pompey â—s Party still engagâ—d more Persons of Consideration to come and joyn themselves with him so that he found he had in his Camp above 200 Senators whereof he compos'd a Body and they Assembled themselves in the Form of a Senate With these M. Brutus had joynâ—d himself not for any Respect to Pompey whom he hated but that severe Vertue of which he made Profession and the Example of his Uncle and Father-in-Law Cato had ingagâ—d him in that Party which he thought had the most Justice on its side In one of their Assemblies by the Politick Advice of Cato it was determin'd That no Roman Citizen should be put to Death out of Battel and that no Town subject to the Roman Empire shouâ—d be Plunder'd In effect this Laudable Decree drew the Good Wishes of the People upon the Honourable Authors of it and gain'd the Reputation of great Justice and Humanity to their Designs and likewise was the Occasion that the Fortune of Caesar hung for a long time doubtful and was afterwards made use of to justifie his Death Notwithstanding these Disadvantages on Caesar's side he proceeded with an uncommon Vigour and undaunted Courage and rendezvouzing at Brundusium he without any Delay shipp'd off 5 of his 12 Legions which amounted to no more than 20000 Foot and 6000 Horse at this time the rest were oblig'd to stay behind for want of Shipping Caesar very much incourag'd his Men telling 'em what glorious Actions they were going to undertake and in spight of the Rigour of the Season upon the 4th of Ianuary he weigh'd Anchor This much surpris'd the Officers of Pompey's Fleet to find him venture so boldly through the Dangers both of the Weather and their Navies But Caesar tim'd it so well that he made his Passage in one Day and landed his Men at a place call'd Pharsalus not daring to venture into any known Port which he believ'd to be possess'd by the Enemy Having once got to Land he sent back all the Ships to transport the rest of his Legions under the Command of Calenus but in their Passage 30 of 'em fell into the hands of Bibulus Pompey's Admiral who sensible of his former Neglect in a great Passion set 'em all on Fire destroying both Owners and Seamen hoping by this Example to terrifie the rest and for the future he took more than ordinary Care in guarding the Coasts In the mean time Caesar took possession of Oricum and Apollonia which at the sight of his Troops surrender'd themselves by which means he cut off all Communication of Land from Bibulus as long as he staid to intercept his Fleet. Caesar still took care to justify his Actions and for that reason he sent Rufus whom
Age and for his hindring him from giving a Publick Show to the People His Behaviour towards Caesar gave him sufficient Reasons to suspect him and when his Friends advis'd him to beware of Anthony and Dolabella he told 'em That it was not those persum'd and plump Sparks that 〈◊〉 distrusted but those pale and meagre Gentlemen Nevertheless he still prepar'd for his Expedition against the Parthians and caus'd sixteen Legions to march and 10000 Horse for his Passage into Asia He design'd to depart four Days after when the Conspirators spread a Report That according to the Sybill's Oracles the Parthians cou'd not be overcome but by a King and upon this Pretence Cotta was to propose the giving him that Title to the Senate Cassius took this Occasion to go and visit Brutus demanding of him If be wou'd be at the Senate-House when Caesar ' s Friends were to propose the declaring of him King Brutus told him that he wou'd be absent at that time But reply'd Cassius suppose you are call'd thither Then answer'd Brutus I shou'd think it my Duty to speak oppose yea and die too rather than part with the Liberty of Rome Ah reply'd Cassius what generous Roman wou'd suffer you to die for his Liberty You are ignorant Brutus who you are if you imagine that those Billets thrown into the Tribunal came from less than the most Illustrious and Bravest Men of Rome From other Praetors they demand Games Shows and Plays but from you whose very Name is a Terror to Tyrants they cry for the Ruine and Downfal of Arbitrary Power being ready to expose themselves to the utmost Hazards in expectation of your auspicious Aid After this Conversation they parted and Brutus for some time after appear'd much discompos'd in his Thoughts which occasion'd his Wife Porcia being in Bed with him earnestly to enquire the Reason of his Trouble Brutus fearing she wou'd disclose the Secret if urg'd to it by Torture Porcia immediately wounded her self on the Thigh and with a Masculine Courage let him see That she fear'd no Torments nor cou'd act any Thing below Cato ' s Daughter by which means she learn'd the whole Design and became one of the Conspiracy The Name of Brutus whose Person was much esteem'd ingag'd a great many in the Conspiracy so they resolv'd to put their Design in Execution upon the very Ides of March and in the Hall of the Senate A great many Prodigies and Dreams foretold this Misfortune to Caesar and Spurina a famous Augur told him That great Dangers threaten'd him upon the Ides of March He dreamt the same Night that he was carry'd above the Clouds and that he shook Hands with Iove and his Wife Calpurnia also dreamt that her Husband was assassinated in her Arms the Doors of the Chamber opening at the same time of their own Accord with much Noise This last Accident somewhat confounded him and his Wife by her Prayers and Tears prevail'd so that he wou'd not go abroad that Day But another Brutus call'd Decimus who was one of the Conspirators tho' of the Number of his intimate Friends caus'd him to change his Resolution telling him He was much expected at the Senate and it wou'd be a great Shame for him not to venture out of Doors but when it shou'd please Calpurnia to dream favourably So Decimus carry'd him almost by Force out of his Lodgings and as if every thing seem'd to contribute to his Destruction a Slave who came to give him Advice of the Conspiracy cou'd not get up to him by reason of the Croud of People that surrounded him Artimedorus his Host and Friend having given him a Letter to the same purpose he mingl'd it without reading of it among other Papers that were given him And Lena who was one of the Conspirators entertaining him a considerable time in private as he came out of his Litter the others who believ'd themselves discover'd thought already of killing themselves with the Daggers which they had under their Robes when Lena quitting Caesar and kissing his Hand gave them to understand that he thank'd him for some Favour which he came to obtain The Assembly of the Senate was at this time held in a Place which Pompey had built for that Purpose and from thence was call'd the Court or Hall of Pompey where was to be seen his Statue in Marble rais'd upon a Pedestal Caesar as he was entring met Spurina and smiling told him The Ides of March were come Yes reply'd the Augur but they are not past As soon as he had taken his Place the Conspirators mov'd towards him under Pretence of saluting him and Tullius Cymber approach'd to ask Pardon for his Brother who was then in Exile Caesar deferr'd the Matter and put back Cymber who press'd upon him so far as to take hold on both sides of his Robe and when Caesar cry'd out That this was Violence Casca who stood behind him gave him the first Stab with a Poniard nigh the Shoulder but the Weapon glancing the Wound was not Mortal Caesar struck Casca through the Arm with his Dagger crying out Vile Traitor what do you mean Casca on the other side call'd his Brother and Caesar wou'd have rais'd himself but he receiv'd a mortal Wound in his Breast and all the Conspirators charg'd upon him together with so much Fury that many of 'em were wounded themselves He nevertheless made great Resistance rushing and leaping among 'em like a Lion till perceiving Brutus with his Dagger in his Hand he struggled no more but cry'd What my Son Brutus and thou too Then covering his Face with his Robe and drawing his Skirts down to his Knees that he might fall decently he sunk down at the Foot of Pompey's Statue having receiv'd three and twenty Wounds and the rest of the Senate looking on with Wonder and Amazement not being able to assist him Thus fell the great Iulius Caesur in the 56th Year of his Age in the Court of Pompey and at the Feet of Pompey's Statue a Person of the greatest Soul the most magnanimous Spirit and of the most wonderful Accomplishments and Abilities that Rome or perhaps the World ever saw whether we consider him in his Care and Vigilance in his Valour and Conduct or in his Knowledge and Learning all which noble Qualities made him belov'd and reverenc'd by the People honour'd and ador'd by his Friends and esteem'd and admir'd even by his Enemies And setting aside his Ambition which was the Fault of the Times as well as his Temper he was never much or justly tax'd with any great Vice but that of Women His Death put an end to the first Triumvirate or rather the Power occasion'd by the first Triumvirate but did not re-establish the Consular Authority nor restore the Liberty of the Common-wealth but occasionâ—d its Ruine shortly after with as great Miseries as Rome ever suffer'd It hapned in the 710th Year of the City A. M. 3961 about 16 Years after the beginning of the
ruin'd my best Friend At these Words he retir'd into his Tent and kill'd himself or caus'd his freed Man to do it Titinius arriv'd immediately after with the Cavalry all rejoycing but their Joy was suddenly dash'd and Titinius first accusing himself of Folly and Laziness in a great Rage slew himself upon the Body of his Friend Brutus was extreamly sorrowful for the Death of his Companion whom he call'd the last of the Romans causing his Body privately to be remov'd and bury'd out of Sight lest his Army shou'd be too much dejected In the mean time he told his Friends That he thought Cassius very happy in being beyond the reach of those Misfortunes which remain'd for them to suffer He for some little time kept from Fighting epxecting to starve his Enemies who were now in extream want of Provisions their Fleet being lately defeated but at last being forc'd to it by the Fear of a general Desertion and the Eagerness of his Soldiers he drew 'em up in Battalia It is reported that the Spectre which he had seen before appear'd to him again the Night before his great Battel but now said nothing Whatever melancholy Apprehensions he had upon him he encourag'd his Men as much as possible promising 'em the Liberty of Plundering the two Cities of Lacedemon and Thessalonica and when the Battel began the Eagerness of both Parties made 'em throw aside their missive Weapons and betake themselves immediately to their Swords fighting with great Fury till after much time and more Bloodshed Brutus's Party was born down by main Force and intirely defeated Brutus himself fled to a Hill hard by and there remain'd all Night and when in the Morning he saw no Way of escaping he began to cry out O unhappy Vertue I follow thee as a solid Good but thou art only a meer Notion a vain empty Name or at best a Slave of Fortune Yet shortly after he told some of his Friends That he look'd upon himself much Happier than any of his Conquerors since he shou'd enjoy that Reputation which always follows Vertue and which Tyranny and Injustice cou'd never deserve Then going aside with a particular Friend call'd Strato he with all Earnestness begg'd of him To shew him the last Office of his Friendship and seeing him very unwilling to perform so hard a Duty he call'd for a Slave Ah! then cry'd Strato It shall never be said that the great Brutus in his last Extremity stood in need of a Slave for want of a Friend so turning away his Head he presented the Sword 's Point to Brutus who threw himself upon it and immediately expir'd This was the End of these two memorable Persons Brutus and Cassius and as some write they themselves died by the same Weapons with which they kill'd Caesar who had given 'em their Lives after the Battel of Pharsalia and after that had loaden 'em with his greatest Favours which Favours some make use of to aggravate the Ingratitude and others to magnifie the Justice of the Act. All such as knew themselves guilty of Iulius Caesar's Death slew themselves with their own Hands but the rest rallying themselves sent Deputies to Caesar and Anthony for an honourable Composition which the two Generals frankly allow'd of By this famous Overthrow the Triumviri establish'd their Authority so far as to give the last Blow to the Liberty of the Common-wealth for the Opposition they met from Pompey was inconsiderable in respect of this in which they were to dispute for one Half of the Roman Dominions This hapned above two Years after Iulius Caesar's Death and about half a Year after the second Triumvirate in the 712th Year of the City and 40 before our Saviour's Nativity CHAP. V. From the Deaths of Brutus and Cassius to the Banishment of Lepidus which vary'd the Course of the second Triumvirate's Power Containing the space of six Years I. As the last Efforts and Struggles of a dying Commonwealth are generally the most violent so were these of Rome the greatest that ever she had for the maintaining her Liberty For in the Sedition of the Gracchi and in the Wars of Marius and Sylla Rome and Italy were only Sufferers and tho' in the Dissentions of Caesar and Pompey the Troubles were more General yet several of the Senators and People thought they might well enough stand Neuters out of their Respect to the Common-wealth which Name in Appearance was still reverenc'd Whereas in these last Wars the Mask was wholly laid aside and all things were carry'd on in such an open Manner that there was an absolute Necessity of Declaring for Liberty or against it But now all Pretence of Liberty was utterly ruin'd by the Defeats of Brutus and Cassius and from that Moment the Triumviri began to act as Sovereigns and to divide the Roman Dominions between 'em as their own by Right of Conquest though Lepidus was not much consider'd by the other two as either having no Share in this last Battel or little Interest among the Soldiers The following Days after the Victory were employ'd by the Triumviri in punishing their Enemies Anthony sacrificâ—d Hortensius to the Memory of his Brother Caius Livius Brutus the Father of that Livia who was afterwards marryed to Octavius killâ—d himself in his Tent and Quintilius Varus adorn'd with all the Marks of those Honours he had born caus'd himself to be slain by his freed Man Octavius upon this Occasion appear'd more Cruel than was agreeable to his natural Temper he sent the Head of Brutus to Rome to be thrown at the Feet of his Uncle's Statue his Ashes were sent to his Wife Porcia Cato's Daughter who according to her Father's and Husband's Example it is said kill'd her self by swallowing down hot Coals and Ashes Octavius forc'd a Senator and his Son to draw Lots for their Lives but they both refus'd it the Father voluntarily gave up himself to Execution and the Son stabb'd himself before his Face To another that begg'd of him to have the Rites of Burial he said That that wou'd sâ—on be at the Disposal of the Ravens These bitter Words and rigorous Punishments render'd him both odious as well as terrible to all the Prisoners who were brought before him After the Triumviri had satisfy'd their Revenge they thought upon establishing their Authority Anthony undertook to go into Asia to raise Money for the Soldiers Rewards in those Provinces that were Tributary to the Romans and Octavius took upon him to lead the old Troops into Italy to put them in Possession of the Lands that were promis'd ' em Anthony first visited Greece as being the Country where Flattery was manag'd with the greatest Delicacy in the World was familiarly present at the Conferences of the Philosophers at Athens and made great Presents to that City Then leaving Marcus Censorius to command in Greece he pass'd over into Asia with all his Troops There all the Princes of the East who acknowledg'd the Roman Power came to make their
himself in a Posture of Disputing the Empire with Forces equal to his Enemies Still Anthony began to grow more odious to the Roman People for having brought Cleopatra to Athens and there honouring her beyond any Mortal before her he sent to Rome with Orders to Octavia to leave his House with all her Children Octavia readily obey'd these unjust Orders without Murmuring only lamenting her hard Fate because she was made to serve for a Pretence to a War whose Consequences must needs be fatal to her Several of Anthony's Friends not being able any longer to bear with his Disorders abandon'd him and Octavius having got Anthony's Will into his Hands found new Matter to complain of to the Senate and People which was Anthony's ordering That if he dy'd in Rome his Body shou'd be carry'd in funeral Pomp through the principal Places of the City and then sent into Aegypt to Cleopatra To this a Report was added That Anthony design'd to give Rome to Cleopatra if his Arms were prosperous and to transferr the Seat of the Empire into Aegypt so that notwithstanding all the Care of the more prudent Sort and all their Endeavours to reconcile these two great Men it plainly appear'd that nothing but the Sword could decide the present Controversie III. As soon as Octavius found himself in a good Condition to carry on the War he publickly proclaim'd it against Cleopatra and divested Anthony of his Authority which he had in a manner already parted with in favour of that Princess The Decree imply'd besides That Anthony was now no longer Master of his own Will since Cleopatra with her Philtres had taken away the use of his Reason so that he was not to be esteem'd as a Person engag'd in this War which was only manag'd by Mardion her Eunuch and Iras and Charmia her Women who were all his Governours All Anthony's Followers were invited over with great Promises of Rewards but not declar'd Enemies partly to prevent their growing Desperate and partly to render Anthony more inexcusable in making War against his Country only for the sake of an Aegyptian Woman The Forces of these two Generals were answerable to the Empire they contended for one drawing all the East and the other the West to his Party All the several Kings of Asia that were Allies of the Romans follow'd the Fortune of Anthony some by their Persons and others by their Troops alone all which with Anthony's Forces compos'd an Army of 100000 Foot and 12000 Horse and his Fleet consisted of 500 Ships of War whereof many were of the largest Bulk Octavius in his Party had no Foreign Princes and his Army amounted to no more than 80000 Foot but was as strong in Cavalry as his Enemy's In his Fleet were 250 Vessels but all Light better Mann'd and more convenient than Anthony's This Year by reason of Anthony's recalling his Troops out of Media from the Protection of that Country the Parthians became Masters of it and Armenia was likewise lost The two great Men being now in readiness for Action they first began to shew their Hatred by reflecting Letters and when Octavius reproach'd Anthony with his Love to Cleopatra and the Prodigality of his Feasts he on the other side put him in mind of the famous Feasts of the twelve Gods where he and his other Guests represented the Deities they ador'd To which he added His prepostrous Match with Livia and his infamous Divorce of Scribonia for not bearing the Insolence of that new Mistress and all the Roman Ladies that Octavius had any great Familiarity with were brought upon the Stage He proceeded likewise to tax Octavius with Cowardice at the Battels of Mutina and Sicily whereupon Octavius wrote to him That it was childish to fight any longer with the Pen but if he wou'd approach at the Head of his Army he shou'd have Ports in Italy to land without Molestation that he wou'd draw his Troops so far from the Sea that Anthony shou'd want no room for Encamping and putting his Men in Battalia To make return to this Bravade Anthony tho' he were much the older challeng'd Octavius to fight a single Combat or if he pleas'd he wou'd give him Battel in the Plains of Pharsalia where the great Caesar and Pompey had formerly decided their famous Differences Anthony was now at Actium a Town on the Coasts of Epirus at the Entrance of the Gulf of Ambracia and while he lay there without Action Octavius pass'd over from Brundusium and surpriz'd Toryne a City nigh Actium This Exploit amaz'd Anthony's Soldiers because his Legions were not yet arrivâ—d but Cleopatra to re-assure 'em made slight of it and in a jesting Way said what Damage is it for Octavius to take the Scummer alluding to the Word Toryne which signifies a Scummer as if the Danger had been no greater than the taking of a Dinner Anthony had brought all his Ships into the Gulf whither Octavius the next Day after the taking of Toryne came forward and offer'd him Battel Anthony's Vessels were very ill Mann'd however he drew 'em into a fighting Posture with their Oars a-peek as if he intended to bear down upon the Enemy but Octavius durst not engage him in that narrow Passage and therefore stood off to Sea the other refus'd to follow but as he perfectly knew the Country thereabouts he cut off the Water from Octavius's Camp on every side which much distress'd his Army But the Success of Agrippa in taking Leucadia Petras and Corinth about this time much reviv'd the Soldiers and likewise occasion'd Amintas Deiotarus and Demitius to go over to Octavius To the latter of these Anthony according to his natural Generosity sent his People and all his Equipage which so sensibly touchâ—d Domitius who was Sick already that he was not able to outlive the Grief of abandoning a Man who thus by Kindness only had reveng'd his Perfidiousness In the mean time Canidius arriv'd with the Legions who now began to change his Mind concerning Cleopatra desiring Anthony To send her back and go himself into Macedonia where he might fight by Land with so much more Advantage because Dicomes King of the Getes had promis'd him a powerful Assistance He farther told Anthony That it would be a renouncing both Sence and Reason to put a Victory to the Hazard of the Seas and Winds which they were certain of at Land by the Valour and Experience of their General who to this Day had kept up the Title of Invincible and by the Hearts and Courages of their Soldiers who had been try'd in so many great Dangers Anthony was much inclin'd to follow this Advice but Cleopatra whose Words were Oracles byass'd him the other Way and oblig'd him against his Will to hazard both his Empire and Life in a Sea-Fight and this only that she might escape with more ease if Anthony should lose the Day Anthony had now resolv'd to fight by Sea and while he was putting his Fleet in Order
great Wisdom and Dexterity he regulated many Abuses and Corruptions in the State and tho' he wou'd not give up the least part of his Authority yet he exercis'd it with that Discretion and Moderation that the Common-wealth was more happy under his Government than when it enjoy'd all its Privileges He allow'd the People all their due Liberties only retrench'd the Liberty of making Factions and Dissentions in the State and to the Senate he restor'd their ancient Splendour but banish'd their late Corruption He contended himself with a moderate Power which wou'd not afford him the Freedom of doing Ill but he made it Absolute when it impos'd upon others the Necessity of doing Well So that the People were not less Free but in Matters of Sedition nor the Senate less Powerful but in Matters of Injustice and the Romans seem'd to have lost nothing of the Happiness that Liberty might produce but only the Misfortunes it might occasion Octavius having establish'd so good an Order found himself extreamly embarrass'd with various Thoughts and Opinions and long consider'd with himself whether he ought to retain the Government of the Empire or restore the People to their first Liberty The eminent Examples of Sylla and Iulius Caesar put him to many Doubts and Scruples when he consider'd that the former who had voluntarily quitted his Authority dy'd peaceably in the midst of his Enemies and the latter for retaining of it was assassinated by his most intimate Friends But then he consider'd on the other side that the Common-wealth had been so extreamly harrass'd and broken by violent Factions and Civil Wars that the Yoak wou'd prove their greatest Relief especially as he wou'd manage it He found likewise that the People of Rome had lost much of their ancient Vigour and Desire of Liberty and the Senate as much of its ancient Firmness and Resolution and that there were such numerous Corruptions and such dangerous distempers in the State that nothing but a Change cou'd cure or correct ' em As he consider'd that both Senate and People never wanted a Head so much as at present the Advantage of which they were in this short time sensible of so these Considerations gave him great Hopes and almost as great Resolutions However this most wary Prince thought it highly necessary for his own Security to consult his two intimate Friends Agrippa and Mecoenas the former most famous for his Courage and Valour and the latter for his great natural Endowments Octavius taking these two into his Closet ask'd their Advice telling 'em among other things That they were his Friends therefore he had made 'em his Iudges as Men that were able to speak Soundly and willing to speak Freely That he knew 'em to have a greater Care of his Honour than his Profit but more of the Common-wealth than of both Agrippa return'd the first Answer to this purpose You may well admire my generous Lord that I who am certain of an uncommon Promotion under your Empire shou'd advise you to a private Retirement but since I esteem your Honour above my own Profit and the Publick Good before my particular Preferrment I am sure You will pardon me You have now gloriously finish'd the Civil Wars and brought an honourable Peace to your Country but what will the Advantage be without a Restoration of that Liberty for which those Wars were begun Or what Benefit can the People reap from so noble a Victory if it be us'd only as an Instrument for their greater Slavery A Word so odious to the Roman Nation that whenever that has seem'd to have been aim'd at by any Person no Vertues could shield him no Merits protect him no Services secure him from the Rage of the People no not those of your great Father Julius And can you hope to escape But say That the Divine Power shou'd so protect you as to out-live such Dangers wou'd you also out-live your Glories Are you willing that Posterity shou'd brand you with Tyranny and perhaps with Baseness in curbing and putting a Stop to the Fame and Grandeur of your Country A Country which has gain'd all its Renown and Reputation and owes all its great and glorious Acts to a Government quite contrary to what you seem inclin'd to and a Government under which other Nations have generally been most prosperous and flourishing Therefore your Generosity shou'd lead you to set your Country free and since you are already Master of the World's Forces and without Rival in the Empire and have both Senate and People at your Mercy to do it now wou'd strike all Detraction dumb and make future Ages stand amaz'd at the Greatness of your Temper Mecoenas on the other side declar'd his Thoughts after this Manner Be not deceiv'd most noble Prince with the specious Shew of Words and Names but since just Heaven has ordain'd you a Father as well as a Master of your Country rather hearken to her real Wants and Necessities than to the fallacious Clamours of the Rabble who like Children cry for what wou'd prove their Ruine Our Republick is a Ship fraught with Multitudes of various Nations and destitute of a Pilot which for many Years has been miserably toss'd and shatter'd and is now ready to be cast away without your relieving Hand to save it In former times indeed this thriving Empire did not seem to want a Monarch but is is now grown too vast and unwieldy to subsist without one Formerly the Strictness of the Roman Discipline and Morality and the Fears of rival Nations kept the Common-wealth from sinking Yet in those pure Times what Commotions in State what Revolutions in Government what Divisions and Distractions were occasion'd by the Tribunes Rage and Peoples Madness Camillus Rome's second Founder and Scipio that Scourge of Carthage were disgrac'd and the great Coriolanus banish'd only because their Worth alone had lifted 'em above the ordinary Pitch of Subjects But then to mention all the numerous Troubles and dreadful Miseries of these latter Times were to revive our Sorrows which you in a great Measure have allay'd and since by your Means your Country has recover'd some of her Spirits it is your Duty to establish her in perfect Health which can be no Ways done but by retaining the Empire And this Advice is not only for the good of your Country but also for the Security of your Person for the resigning of your Authority wou'd be the Parting with your Safety Pompey was contemn'd after the Disbanding of his Army at Brundusium and tho' your Uncle Julius fell it was not for retaining his Power but for grasping of it too strongly which you know better how to manage In the gaining of an Empire there is no Medium between the Death of an Enemy and the Life of a Prince and since you have already gone so far you must either resolve to be Greatest in the State or Least among the People to be Caesar or Nothing Octavius thank'd 'em both for their friendly
Antonius Marcus Antiochian War or the War with Antiochus King of Syria 221 to 224 Antonius Caius the Consul defeats Cataline 288 Antonius Marcus his management in relation to Julius Caesar ' s Death 375 to 378. His Attempts of raising himself 379 380 381. Is beaten at Mutina 382. He joins in the second Triumvirate 384 385. His Acts against Bâ—utus and Cassius 391 392. His Eastern Iourney 396 397. Falls in love with Cleopatra 399. His luxurious and prodigal Life with her 403 404 416 to 419. His Marriage with Octavia 405. His ill Success against the Parthians 414. Falls out with Octavius 417 c. He challengeth Octavius twice 421 429. Is beaten by him at Actium 424 425. Treats with Octavius 427. His Dispair Death and Character 430 431 432 Antonius Lucius his Brother raises a War against Octavius and is worsted 401 402 403 Appius one of the Decemvirate his ambitius Design 111 112. His Tyranny Lust and Death 116 to 119 Archimedes his famous Works and Death 209 Aristobulus King of Judaea conquer'd by Pompey 282 283 Augustus Caesar See Octavius Authors See Writers B. Battels the principal were at Actium 423 424 425. At Allia 137. At Cannae 205 206. At Dyrrachium 339 340. At Munda 363 364. At Phaâ—salia 343 to 348. At Philippi 392 393. At Trebia 200 201. At Thrasymene 202. At Regillus 76 77. At Zama 216 217 Brutus Decimus one of the Conspirators with M. Brutus against Julius Caesar his Actions and Death 381 382 Brutus Lucius Junius his Politick Designs 49 50. He everthrows the Kingdom of Rome 52 to 55. Causes the Execution of his owns Sons 62 63. His Death Brutus Marcus joins with Pompey 332. Together with Cassius conspires against Julius Caesar and kills him 370 to 373. His and Cassius ' s Success in the East 389 390. Sees a Ghost and his Discourse with Cassius concerning it 390 391. Another Discourse with him before the Battel at Philippi 391 392. Both their Defeats and Deaths 392 393 394 C. Caesar See both Julius and Octavius Calpurnia Wife to Julius Caesar her Dream 372 Calpurnius Flemma his great Valour 185 Camillus Furius takes the City of Veii 132 133. His extraordinary Generosity at Falerii 134. His Banishment 135. He saves his Country 141 142. His after Acts both at home and abroad 142 to 149 Capitolinus See Manlius Capitolinus Carthaginian War See Punick War Cassius the Consul his Ambitious Designs and Death 95 96 Cassius the Praetor surrenders his Fleet to Julius Caesar 350. For his other Actions See Brutus Marcus Cataline his Conspiracy against the State 283 284. Is repremanded by Cicero and leaves the City 285. Is defeated and slain 288 Cato Porcius the Elder his Behaviour towards the Women and his Soldiers 221. And towards Scipio Africanus 225. His great Enmity to Carthage 230 Cato Porcius the younger his Grandson his Management in Cataline ' s Conspiracy 287 288. Opposes Pompey 291. And Julius Caesar 292. His Opinion concerning Bribery 296. He is sent from Rome by Clodius ' s means 300. His nice Advice in Pompey ' s Camp 332 333. His remarkable Death 358 359 Caudium the dishonourable Treaty and its Effects 164 165 Cicero the renown'd Orator procures Pompey his first great Authority 277. His skilful Management in Cataline ' s Conspiracy 284 to 288. His Banishment 299 300. His Restoration 303 304. Pleads for Milo in vain 314. Desires a Triumph without success 319 320. Procures Anthony to be declar'd Enemy to the State 381. His Death by the second Triumvirate and Character 385 386 Cimbrian War 251 252 Cincinnatus Quintius is chosen Consul and Dictator both times from the Plow 105 106 Cinna the Consul joins with Marius and acts in the first Civil War 259 c. His Death 263 Cisalpine-Gallick War 195 196 Civil War the first between Marius and Sylla 258 to 271. The second between Julius Caesar and Pompey 321 to 348. Continu'd by Cato and Pompey ' s Sons 357 to 364. The third between the second Triumvirate and Brutus and Cassius 389 to 394. The fourth between Octavius Caesar and M. Anthony 420 to 432 Clelia her great Bravery 68 69 Cleopatra Queen of Aegypt her Enterview with Julius Caesar 352. The Favours she receiv'd from him 355. Her Character and famous Enterview with M. Anthony 397 398 399. Her Management of him 403 404 415. Her Prodigality 416 417. Her great Designs 425 426. Treats with Octavius 427. She retires to the Temple of Isis 428. Her Carriage towards Octavius 434 435. Her Lamentations over Anthony ' s Tomb and Death 436 437 Clodius his Attempts upon Julius Caesar ' s Wife 289. His Tribuneship 298 299 300. The Disturbances rais'd by him 303 304. His Death by Milo 358 359 Coecles Horatius his extraordinary Valour 67 Commanders See Generals Coriolanus Marcius his great Valour 86 87. His Behaviour exasperates the People 88. His Tryal and Banishment 89 90. Turns against his Country with great Success 91 92 93. Is persuaded by his Mother to desist and is afterwards slain 94 Corvus or Corvinus see Valerius Corvus Crassus his suppression of Spartacus 272. He joins in the first Triumvirate 293. Gains the Consulship with Pompey by Force 305. His Eastern Expedition Overthrow and Death 311 312 Curiatii see Horatii and Curiatii Curio his serviceable Assistance to Julius Caesar 318 319. His Death 331 Curius Dentatus overthrows Pyrrhus 177 178 Cursor see Papirius Cursor Curtius his incredible Bravery 150 D. Decimus Brutus see Brutus Decimus Decius Mus his dying for his Country 158 Decius Mus his Son his same Practice 168 Dentatus see Curius Dentatus and Siccius Dentatus Drusus his unfortunate Attempts and Death 254 F. Fabii their Generosity Valour and Destruction 98 99 Fabius Maximus his cautious Proceedings against Hannibal 203 204 205 Fabricius his great steadiness and Generosity 173 174 175 Flemma see Calpurnius Flemma Fulvia M. Anthony ' s Wife her Hatred to Cicero 386. Raises a Civil War against Octavius 401. Her Death 405 G. Generals or Commanders the principal were Romulus Tullus Hostilius Ancus Marcius Tarquinius Priscus Coriolanus Cincinnatus Camillus Manlius Papirius Cursor and Curius Dentatus among the Ancient Romans Among the later were Fabius Maximus Marcellus Scipio the Greater Scipio the Less Aemilius Paulus Marius Sylla Sertorius Lucullus Pompey Julius Caesar and M. Anthony Gracchus the Elder or Tiberius his Laws Seditious Attempts and Death 237 to 240 Gracchus the Younger or Caius his many Attempts and Alterations in the State and Death 241 to 246 Gauls their principal Wars with the Romans 135 to 142 H. Hannibal the Carthaginian General his March over the Alps 199 200. Beats the Romans at Ticenum and at Trebia 200 201. At Thrasymene 202 203. And at Cannae 205 206. He declines 207 to 213. Is intirely beaten by Scipio 216 217. His after Acts 222 223. His Death and Reflections upon the Romans 226 Herod King of Judaea his Submission to Octavius and cruelty to his Wife 426 427 Hersilia her generous
if his Presence were necessary they must repeal the former Act of his Banishment by a new Decree that he might be received as a religious Observer of the Laws and might enter the City free from Fear or Oppression Upon this all Matters were adjusted and the Law for banishing Marius and his Associates abrogated Upon their Entrance into the City great Plunderings and miserable Slaughters began in all Places Octavius the Consul tho' he had the Oath of Cinna and Marius yet refusing to fly from his Charge was kill'd and his Head set upon the Rostra to which was added that of M. Antonius Grand-Father to the triumvir with Augustus an excellent Orator who by the Charms of his Eloquence defended himself a a considerable time against the Rage of the Soldiers and several others Dreadful Tumults and Out-crys were in all Places and none were spared either for the Dignity of their Worths or their Ages The dead Bodies being barbarously mangl'd and abominably abus'd were left to be torn in Pieces and devoured by Dogs and Fowls none daring to bury ' em All Sylla's Friends were slaughter'd without Mercy his House demolish'd his Goods set to Sale and he himself judged and declared an Enemy to Rome Merula tho' he never sought the Consulship and Catullus having their Days set 'em to answer for their Lives destroy'd themselves Cinna and Marius having thus satiated themselves with the blood of others made themselves Consuls for the following Year but Marius dy'd about a Month after in the 70th Year of his Age within less than two Years after the breaking out of this Civil War being a noble Soldier and a brave ominander but much more serviceable to his Country in the Time of War than in Peace and the only Person who had the Honour of the Consulship seven times VI. In the Time of these unhappy Troubles at home Sylla perform'd many noble Exploits against Mithridates who not long before her Arrival had commanded in one Day 80000 some say 150000 Romans and Italians in Asia to be murder'd in cold Blood Sylla first over-threw Archelaus his General nigh Athens so effectually that of his 120000 Men scarce 10000 were left then he gave him another great Defeat recover'd Greece Maccdonia Ionia Asia and other Countries which Mithridates had got into his hands and withal took his Fleet from him insomuch that Mithridates was very willingly to come to a Treaty which Sylla notwithstanding Mithridates's high Provocation before was not much averse to being in want of Money and very desirous to return to Italy and to revenge himself of those who had declar'd him an Enemy to Rome The principal Articles of the Peace were that Mithridates shou'd pay the Charges of the War and that for the future he shou'd be content with his Fathers Kingdom which were ratified in less than Three Years after the Beginning of the War Sylla severely fin'd Asia for its Revolt and fetling Affairs according to the present Occasion he return'd for Italy He took Athens in his Way from whence he carry'd the famous Library of Apellicon the Teian in which were most of the Books of Aristotle and Theophrastus then not vulgarly known He soon after wrote to the Senate at Rome recounting all his great Services he had done for the State and how ungratefully he had been us'd by Marius's Party telling them plainly that he was coming to revenge both himself and the Publick by punishing the Authors of those Injuries though the rest he wou'd spare whether they were old or new Citizens The Senate extremely dreaded the effects of Sylla's Return well knowing it would be fatal to many and even to some who had unwillingly join'd with Mariuâ— therefore they sent to treat with him offering all their Endeavours for his Satisfaction if he would quickly make known his Demands And that there might be the less Blood-shed they order'd Cinna to discontinue his Levies but he finding there was no Way of supporting his Interest but by Arms only return'd 'em a plausible Answer and proceeded to raise Soldiers designing to make himself and his Collegue Carbo Consuls for the following Year that there might be no Necessity of returning to Rome for a new Eâ—ection He sent over part of his Troops into Dalmatia there to meet Syllâ— but those behind were driven back to Italy by a Storm after which they absolutely refus'd to fight against their own Country-men so that all the rest who as yet had not put to Sea refus'd to go on Board Hereupon Cinna going to speak with 'em one of his Officers who made way before him struck one of 'em at which the Soldier struck him again and being apprehended for this Crime a great Tumult and Mutiny arose among the rest of the Men wherein Cinna himself was run through and thus perish'd in his fourth Consulship a Person worthier to have dy'd by the Command of the Conqueror than by the Fury of the Soldiers Carbo continu'd Consul by himself for the remaining Part of the Year Sylla before this time had receiv'd the Senate's Proposals and return'd for Answer That be wou'd never be reconcil'd to such wicked Persons as Cinna and Carbo who besides many pernicious Practices against their Country's Good had procur'd War to be decreed against him who had done it so much Service But if the People of Rome wou'd grue 'em Indemnity be shou'd not oppose it yet be thought all such as came over to him to be far more safe since he had so considerable an Army at his Devotion This sufficiently declaring his Intentions he also demanding Restitution of his Estate his ancient Dignity and Honours but the Messengers coming to Brundusium and there hearing of Cinna's Death and the Disturbances of the Common-wealth return'd back to him Sylla then cros'd the Sea with a Fleet of 1600 Ships and â—0000 Men and landed at Brundusium where he was join'd by Mâ—tellus Pius who had retir'd from Rome for fear of Marius and Cinan and likewise by Pompey afterwards surnam'd the Great who from this time became Sylla's great Favourite Besides these came also Cethegus who having before join'd with Cinna now begg'd Pardon and was receiv'd into Favour Norbaâ—ts and Scipio the present Consuls together with Carbo made all necessary Preparations for Resistance and the first Trial at Arms was at Canusium where Norbanus lost 6000 Men and fled to Capua His Collegue Scipio shortly after throughout Treachery of his Army fell with his Son into the Hands of Sylla who civilly dismiss'd them both After this Sylla sent to Norbanus to treat of Peace but not being thought serious perhaps had no Answerâ—return'd him Italy now began to feel all the Desolations and Miseries of a Civil War Sylla making great Devastations on one side and Carbo on the other who getting into Rome procur'd Metellus and the rest who join'd with Sylla to be declar'd Enemies to the State Both Parties diligently sent up and down to the Italian Cities labouring by